Now that You've Graduated College, What are You Going to Do??.....GO TO DISNEY WORLD!! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Now that You've Graduated College, What are You Going to Do??.....GO TO DISNEY WORLD!!
I know I waited to the last minute to start this trip report, but with all the holidays, I simply put this off until the last minute! I realized today that we leave in 2 days and I haven't even started writing a report!! So here goes....
Where: Pop Century Resort When: Arrive Monday Jan. 9 Depart Saturday Jan. 14 Who: Me, (travismom) 53, DS, (Travis), 23
Introductions: Me: Workforce Specialist for Texas. Happily married for 27 years and proud mother of DS, Travis. I'm the Disney Aunt to my nieces and the Disney freak at work! But that doesn't bother me!!
I'm the one in the blue shirt!
My newly Certified Peace Office for the State of Texas, Travis!! Travis: 23 year old son. Just completed the Police Academy in Beaumont, Texas. Loves ALL sports, especially Rugby. Played rugby at the college level and walked away only with 3 concussions, broken nose once, dislocated shoulder too many times and bruises upon bruises. But still loves the sport!! Did I also say he was a Type I Diabetic?!?!? Tough Kid!!
This trip started it's planning stages when Travis started the academy. I told him that if he wanted, we could go to WDW AFTER he graduated. It wasn't a bribe, I just wanted to go back and wanted to go with someone. But he succeeded in not only graduating, but passing the State of Texas exam with a score of 91!!
About September of last year, I also "retired" from the State of Texas. I still work for the contractor doing what I did before, but now I get paid twice. With the extra money, what else would I do but plan a trip to my happy place, duh!!!
I wanted to stay at a moderate or even a deluxe, but since I was paying for this trip I had to really look at the numbers. And then Travis told me, "Mom, don't worry about where we stay. I like Pop and we never stay in the room long enough. Don't put yourself in a bind. We will be at Disney and that's all that matters" I just love that kid!
So, Sunday night we head out driving through the night and hopefully be in Florida at WDW by 10:00am Monday morning! That's the plan...that's the goal...we shall see!!
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I hope that you guys have a magical time at the world
__________________
Heather - "I'm Tinkerbell's biggest fan!"
WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
WDW- sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
WDW- july 2015 beach club
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I forgot to add this yesterday. At our monthly meeting, my director made this comment: Director: I would like to commend one of our staff. She will be gone next week and she has already turned in her time sheet and made all the arrangements for her back up to help with her clients. And at that moment everyone turned to me and said...."She's going to her Happy Place"!! My reply: "Yep and I can't wait!"
When I got home last night, I started getting things together and bringing things to the living room so I wouldn't forget. Terry made the comment, "Why are you getting this stuff out now? Aren't you leaving Sunday night?" I said, "Yes, but I get things as I think of them so I won't forget". He started to say something else, but I gave him that "Don't-say-a-word" and "Leave-me-alone" look. He just went back to reading his Kindle!!
I woke up this morning at 7:00am and did my normal routine. Put the dog out, put the coffee on and go to the restroom. Although not necessarily in that order. As I looked down the hall, I could see that Travis' light was on in his room. I knocked on the door and went in. I asked if he had been up all night. He turned around with the biggest grin on his face..."I'm too excited to sleep!" I couldn't help but laugh. He then proceeded to tell me that he had downloaded some songs he wanted to play while he drove. Now let me say at this point, my taste in music and Travis' differ quite a bit. So I just looked at him with concern. He proceeded to play music that was on the classical side. Really?? I was so surprised. But for a fleeting moment, I got a vision in my mind of that scene from the movie, "National Lampoons Vacation" where they are driving at night and they are all asleep, even the driver. I asked him if this music would put him to sleep, he said no, it pumped him up. So as I listened I realized the tempo picked up and it reminded me of the music that is played at Epcot around Spaceship Earth. So we were cool!!
After listening for a few minutes, I said I would make some pancakes and he said he was hungry. I just looked at him. In the kitchen was a large bowl from the popcorn, a cereal bowl, and a cups from the tea. Seriously, you still hungry?!?!? So I made a bunch of pancakes and as we ate, we talked of nothing but the trip. It was a great way to start the morning. After breakfast, he ran to Wal-Mart to get a few things and I started washing clothes. When he got back, he sat down for a few minutes and I asked him if I started vacuuming, would it bother him. He just looked at me and said, "Really, Mom. I slept through a hurricane."!! Oh right! But I also noticed he was starting to fade fast. I suggested he go on to bed and he said to wake him up at 6:00 tonight. He'll stay up all night again, sleep all day Sunday, so he'll be ready to drive the first stretch Sunday night!!!
I sit here now, looking at my list of things to do. Guess I better get busy.
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Well, it's Sunday morning and the countdown begins!!
Today will be a busy day because after church, I have to finish up a few things, go to Wal-Mart, (I know, we practically live there!), and get my new glasses. Then come home finish cleaning and watch the clock. So this may be my last time I check in! As I've read my trip report so far, I noticed I've forgotten to list our ADR's. Here's whats on the agenda, due to change at any time:
Monday: Hopefully arrive around mid-morning. After check-in, go to Downtown Disney for some shopping and just stretching our legs! Being in the car for over 12 hours can make a person stiff! Lunch: Earl of Sandwich Dinner: Ragland Road
Tuesday: Epcot Early EMH - not sure if we'll be up or not, but it's the plan Lunch: Yakatori House (I know it's changed names, but for the life of me I can't remember the new name!) OR Sunshine Seasons Dinner: Rose & Crown Travis loves their Imperial Sampler!
Wednesday: Animal Kingdom Early EMH - Going to try really hard to get there early! Lunch: Flame Tree BBQ OR Yak & Yet Counter Service Dinner: Prime Time 50's Cafe This was a request from Travis!
Thursday: Magic Kingdom Early EMH - we WILL make this EMH!! Lunch: Not sure yet, there are too many counter services to pick from, but we've narrowed it down to four: 1) Casey's Corner 2) Cosmic Ray's 3) Columbia Harbour House 4) Pecos Bills It's basically going to depend on where we are and what we are hungry for!! Dinner: Trail's End Buffet @ FW This is a family tradition to eat here and how can we go to WDW and break tradition, I ask you!!
Friday: DHS Lunch: Sci-Fi (Travis' request!) Dinner: Kona Cafe - Polynesian Late EMH at Epcot. After dinner, head over to Epcot to finish out the week!!
Saturday: Head home
So there you have our "agenda". Again, all things are subject to change except the table service meals. We are using the Quick Service Dining Plan for the first time, so we'll see how it goes. All the table service meals I know are OOP, but Travis has to eat often due to his diabetes, so I know we'll be doing alot of OOP counter meals.
I think that's it.
Until next weekend....ya'll have a wonderful week...and
Sounds like a great trip! You are not too far from me and I have a Travis too! Mine is in Austin going to Art Institute. Congrats to your Travis and best wishes in his career. Our oldest DD is a Pearland Policeman and has been for almost 6 yrs. Have a safe and swift journey down I10....atleast at night there shouldn't be any construction delays!
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Tough Kid!!
With the extra money, what else would I do but plan a trip to my happy place, duh!!! 
I just love that kid!
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Sounds like you two are going to have a wonderful time! 
PassPorter Guide Author
I was so surprised. But for a fleeting moment, I got a vision in my mind of that scene from the movie, "National Lampoons Vacation" where they are driving at night and they are all asleep, even the driver. 
It was a great way to start the morning. After breakfast, he ran to Wal-Mart to get a few things and I started washing clothes. When he got back, he sat down for a few minutes and I asked him if I started vacuuming, would it bother him. He just looked at me and said, "Really, Mom. I slept through a hurricane."!! Oh right! But I also noticed he was starting to fade fast. I suggested he go on to bed and he said to wake him up at 6:00 tonight. He'll stay up all night again, sleep all day Sunday, so he'll be ready to drive the first stretch Sunday night!!! 
![[SIGPIC]](signaturepics/sigpic27594_7.gif)
and 
for all those last minute preps!
Mary - not enough trips!
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