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TrpltJanie
Cast Member
Posts: 1661
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-28-02 02:14 AM
***Thank you guys for telling me about the ear plugs. I wish I had known about them before we left but I'll be wearing them when we fly out to WDW next time.***
Trip report--November 30th-December 14th
Main characters:
Me-mid 30's with a frazzled look permamently etched on my "nun-like" face
Brad-my husband the straight man in our "Burns and Allen" marriage
The Chorus:
Sarah- 8 years, batty over Digimon and Dinosaurs
My 4 year old triplets:
Jonathan-adores Buzz Lightyear
Rachel-carries her much loved "Dot" beanie everywhere she goes
Samuel-loves cars and always has a pocket full of toy cars
My mother-semi-retired school teacher
Richard-my oldest brother with his 11 year old daughter
Michael-my youngest brother with Devon, his 5 year old son
Day 2-December 1st*** please excuse my mispellings, grammar mistakes,and etc. I was typing as fast as I could.
Woke up with a lousy headache and an earache. It went like this all day long: Thump-ache, thump-ache, thump-ache. Managed to take a shower in spite of low pressure and tepid water. Remember a Seinfield episode on Jerry's and Kramer's low pressure water problems? Not being able to wash the shampoo out of their hair, and ending up with dull, flat hair? Real life imitates fiction. Riverfront Holiday Inn wasn't that great and I won't stay there again but their prices were reasonable. That is the only good thing I could say about it.
Got everybody dressed---I mean my kids and my DH. The rest of the family fended for themselves so HA! Git your mind out of the gutter! I was shocked to see how close the motel was to Kennedy Space Center. It was right across Indian River (I think). I didn't see anything last night and I didn't recall hearing anything that sounded like ocean waves because the motel was very close to the highway. I went over to the riverbank with my triplets to check something out and was deeply disappointed. No waves crashing or even them lapping gently against the shore. Just that swish-swish noise similar to the water in the bathtub. Next family trip, I'm going to insist that we go to Hawaii or Grand Cayman for that purpose.
Got pain, decongesant, and antiflammatory meds for me filled at Walgreens thanks to PA at my doctor's office who called it in. I was also told to head for the nearest hospital if I came down with a fever and a stiff neck--symptoms of bacterical meningitis. My family teased me about them not being able to tell the difference between meningitis and insanity. Ha ha ha ha! Veddy funny!
After we clogged our arteries with lunch at McDonald, Michael dangled the keys in front of me with a "I know where I'm going..." He whipped out a folded sheet of paper. "... 'cause I bought a map." I told him that maps are not that reliable and for him to listen to me because I know what I'm doing---he said it at the same time I did--"I went to WDW five times while zippo for you, little brother". Richard, my oldest brothe,r bounced a fry off of me so I returned the favor, and we tossed them back and forth. Rachel, my middle triplet, wagged her finger in my face with a "Bad mommy. You don't play with your food!" I was shocked because she never said that to me before so I looked at Brad who had an innocent look on his face and I knew. I promptly pounded his quarter pounder into a weird looking pancake and stuffed the rest of the fries in my mouth so he couldn't have some. Yeah--incredibly childish of me.
KSC was interesting to say at the least. Brad and I visited KSC in '92--honeymoon-- and I had a very hard time understanding what was going on such as the movie, tour guides, exhibits, and etc. Checked to see if the ELV launch was still on and found out much to our disappointment that it was moved to Wednesday. We even thought about driving from WDW back to KSC to see the launch but didn't because we were too tired to make the drive when we got home from MK.
Got a picture of the family standing next to a guy dressed like an astronaunt and I took my sweet time to check out every exhibits--there were familiar exhibits among the new ones--- because I missed so much last time I was here and wanted to make up for it. We took bus tours around the area and my oldest daughter was impressed with gravel tracks where they move the space shuttle from the hangar to the launchpad and that it takes a whole day to do that job. My favorite part of the tour was the re-enactment of the launch that put the man on the moon for the first time. The first time I saw it in '92, it didn't make much of an impression on me. Ah, it was just a bunch of guys pushing buttons and walking around wearing those earphones but the second time, I was drawn into it: constant radio chatter in the background, reporters spoke with certain edge to their voices, paper rustled, visitors talked among themselves, and the loud boom-roar as the rocket took off.
There was one thing that got me unsettled but I understood the necessity of it: security guards patrolling the grounds with AK-47s (it was some time of military weapon) strapped to their chests. My oldest daughter kinda freaked out when she saw that and asked me if he was going to hurt somebody--she equates guns to hurting people. I quickly assured her that they were protecting us and the center from terrorists and she said, "They're here?" Looks like 9-11 attacks affected her a lot more deeply than I thought. I explained once again that there was nothing to worry about and if she felt uneasy, she could stick close to me. I also told her that if terrorists tries to do something, I'll just duct-tape their chests. She laughed but she didn't go too far and kept me in sight the rest of the time. I wished that she didn't have to see this but I know it is a fact of life that we all have to live with.
It was dark by the time we went to the van. I stopped Michael and told him to hand the keys over because I wasn't going to let him drive all over the place and end up in Miami instead Orlando. He told me no way but said that I could tell him where to go and he'll do it without questioning my judgement. Here is the conversation--from what I can recall--- that we had on the way to Ft. Wilderness.
Me: "Michael, you need to turn left to get on 528 and it is 1 1/2 miles ahead."
Michael: "Are you sure? The sign doesn't look right to me. It doesn't say Disney World."
My Mom: (she was in the front passenger seat and I was behind him) "I better get the map out so we can be sure."
Me: "I know what I'm doing. Mom, so don't take the map out" Gets little annoyed with him "Look I went to WDW FIVE times and how many times have you gone to WDW?"
Michael: "What does that have anything to do to make sure we're going in the right direction? Mom, get the map out."
Me: "You have ZERO WDW visits. Zero!" Tugging Michael's shirt frantically. "Get on that ramp now! Tells my mother "Mom, don't get the map out!" Freaks out. "Here's ramp to 528 so do it now!
Michael: "Fine!" Slams the brakes (we were basically alone on that road so there wasn't a problem of a car hitting teh van from the behind) and I pitch forward because I didn't wear my seatbelt.
KLUNK!
Me: "OW! You did that on purpose!"
Michael: "Oh...sowwy. Are you hurt? I had to stop for an alligator because they're God's creatures and I bet that one was a mommy alligator going home to her baby alligator."
Richard (oldest brother sitting next to me): "You know, that's really nice of Michael to be kind toward animals." (belched on purpose because he knew it bugged me. Sheeesh! The perils of wearing a cochlear implant.)
Me: "Dumbasses!"
My mother: "Janie! I didn't raise you to be a swearing and swilling white trash! Swearing is horrible and very unladylike!"
Me: "Dumbasses! Dumbasses! Dumbasses! Dumbasses!"
Brad: "Janie, calm down! You'll wake up the kids and they need to sleep a bit before we get to WDW." (He belched too. He had a hard time keeping his face straight and I was getting ornery)
Janie: (signs "Dumbass")
Michael: "Fine--see the birdie?"
My mother: "You two knock it off!"
Me: "He started it! He's gonna get us lost again!"
Michael: "Fine! Do you want to drive? I'll pull over!"
Me: "Yes, I want to drive."
Michael: "Well, let me find a spot so we can pull over and switch places."
Me: "Here's one." Points at something. "You can pull over now."
Michael: "That's too dark and I don't want to get hit by a passing car."
Me: "What passing car? There is no cars around!"
Michael: "We'll swap places as soon as we find a spot."
Me: ppointing at a well lit area by the road."How about this one?"
Michael: "Nah, let's stop at the gas station and we'll switch places."
A few minutes later, a gas station whizzed by
Me: "Hey! You didn't pull over!"
Michael: "Well, there were some scary looking people around the place so let's find another one that is a little nicer."
Me: Stares at Michael "You never intended to switch places with me, uh?"
Michael: "You got it! It's 'bout time you figured that out."
Me: "Dumbass!"
My mother: "Janie!"
Michael: chanting. "I'm driving the van. La de da. I'm driving the van!"
Me: (muttering to myself)
We stopped at 7-11 store and got some munchies to get on the way because we didn't feel like stopping to eat on the way and wanted to wait until we got to WDW and then decide what to do.
Michael: "Okay, I think we're almost there."
Me: "We are. You need to get on 417 and it is about 10 miles up there so keep your eyes peeled for the exit to 417 sign."
My Mom: "Er, I think we should stay on this freeway."
Me: "Mooooomm! I know what I'm doing and I have gone to WDW FIVE times, ya know."
My Mom: "But.."she held map up. "I took a look at the map and I think it is quicker to stay on than to get off."
Michael: "I think so too."
Me: "Oh no, you don't! You said that you will listen to me and I know my way around so trust me."
Richard (oldest brother): "Let me take a look at the map and see what is going on."
Me: "You don't have to look at the map." Tries to grab the map away from him. "I'm very familiar with WDW. I went to WDW five times!"
Michael: "Then we should stay on?"
Me: "No! Get on 417! You said that you'll listen to me and yet, you're not!"
Michael and Richard: "We're not that crazy 'cause if we're insane. We would have listened to you long time ago."
Me: "Dumbasses!"
My mom: "Janie!"
The kids--mine, Jasmyne, and Devon woke up when I made "cat screeching" sounds. We fed them the food of the champions: Twinkies, chocolate milk, bag of Kit-Kat bite sized candy, Doritoes, ranch flavored potato chips, and finished the meal off with beek jerky while I squabbled with Michael with this conversation:
Me: "Get on 417 right there."
Michael: "Mom?"
My mother nodded her head.
Michael: "Okay, we're getting on 417."
Me: "See..." points at a traffic sign that said WDW "I was right!"
Richard: "Yeah...yeah..."
Michael: "Whatever."
It was quiet for 20 minutes because we were tired and I was preoccupied with my kids. Rachel wanted me to hold her for a while because she was feeling little feverish and it worried me because I didn't want her to be sick and miserable at WDW. I even asked her if her stomach felt icky and she said no and that it was her head that felt icky. Asked Brad if we brought a bottle of children's Advil and he said no so I asked Michael that if he spotted a grocery store or a pharmacy, he had to stop there.
Found Wal-mart and got the advil, three umbrella strollers for 12 dollars each for my triplets, and lots of bottled water. I planned to take my double and single stroller with me on the trip so I was shocked when Brad told me that we were better off leaving them behind and buy cheap strollers so after we were done with them, we could donate them to local thrift store or someplace that accepts strollers instead of lugging them on the plane. He had to drag me away from my precious strollers.
Oh, how I hated the umbrella strollers! They were so short and I had to hunch over like Quasimondo so I could push the strollers--everybody helped out in pushing the strollers which was very nice of them to do that but they didn't do it very often because we split up and did our own thing. I could have rented strollers at the parks but I wasn't willing to spend $30 a day for two double strollers but we did rent them for the last few days of our trip because it protected my kids from "Noah's flood".
For the bottled water, the Florida water tasted so odd and my kids refused to drink it so we practically lived on bottled water for the entire trip and I went to Wal-mart almost every day to stock up on bottled water. I wonder why it tastes so weird so if anybody have any idea why, do let me know.
Got back on the road and we didn't say much to each other. One of those "quiet" timeouts. It didn't last long because when we approached the last toll booth, we were about 100 feet away from the booth and there weren't that many cars around when silver Lexus sedan came out of nowhere and cut right front of us. Michael slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the jerk and I conked my head on the side of the van (I was sitting next to the window right behind the driver's seat) and my youngest spilled his juice on his legs and started bawling. I was MAD and so was Michael. He rolled down his window and yelled something at the rude driver who was taking his sweet time paying the toll and it was clear that the driver wanted to get a rise out of us while I wrestled with the window vent. When I got it open, the Lexus roared off and we pulled in when I yelled out between that tiny vent. "You drive like a Sunday driver with 215/20 vision who forgot his glasses!" Toll booth attendant kinda freaked because she thought I was screaming at her so Michael quickly apologized for me and told her that I was very unstable at the moment. I was embarrassed and that poor lady....I felt so bad because she did think I was screaming at her.
Yeah, it wasn't a good day for me at all.
Michael: "Okay Janie, where are we supposed to go?"
Me: (In a superior voice) "Just stay on this road and I'll tell you to turn. Just keep an eye out for the sign that says WDW."
Richard: "That sounds easy enough."
Me: "Not really, if you don't know where you're going, you can very easily get lost even with those signs."
Michael: "You won't get us lost, right?"
Me: (in a haughty voice) "I went to WDW five times so I know what I'm doing."
15 minutes later....
Richard: "Uh...I think we better turn off here because that sign says resorts."
Me: "Nope! Not yet. That's for people who don't know where they're going. There is a shortcut."
Michael: (watches the sign whizzes by) "I hope you know what you're doing."
Me: "I do!"
We did small talk for a bit until we saw the "Downtown Disney" sign.
Me: "Okay, Michael, get off right there."
Michael: Okay, boss."
Me: "Now, keep going until you pass Caribbean Resort and turn to Worlds Drive road. It leads up to Ft. Wilderness."
A few minutes later after I told him to turn again at the intersection.
Richard: "Uh, I think we're going the wrong way."
Me: "What makes you think that?"
Richard and Michael pointed at something.
Me: "Universal Studios?" I whacked Michael and screeched. "What have you done?"
Michael: "You told me to turn and I'm doing exactly what you're telling me to do!"
Me: "No, you didn't!"
We made a U-turn and went back where we came from.
Me: “Okay, get off at Downtown Disney.”
Michael: “No way! I’m getting off at the resorts ramp.”
Me: “But that takes forever to get through that road and I know my way around.”
My mom: “Honey, is there a possibility that Disney changed some things around since the last time you visited?”
Me: whiny “No!”
We got off and went past OKW resort.
Michael: “That sign says World Drive and that is where Ft. Wilderness is, right?”
Me: Feeling rather foolish but wouldn’t admit it. “It might but you’re driving and you’ll get us lost again.”
Richard: “Go ahead and turn into Worlds Drive and see what goes.”
Michael: sees Disney World gate “Hey, I think we’re back on track and I’ll ask the CM that is manning the gates for directions to Ft. Wilderness.”
Me: “I don’t think you should ‘cause I know what I’m doing and the CM may be new.” stares at the middle aged lady as we come up to her. “She looks new. Won’t be much of help. Look, her clothes look too new and she has shiny black shoes. It is a sure bet that she's a new CM!”
My mother waved to get my attention and whispered. "Honey--SHHHHHHHH!! You can tell us where to go after we talk with the CM. Might help to get us to our cabins faster."
Michael: “Hi!” pulls in. “Where is Ft. Wilderness?”
CM: “Take that road that leads to Wilderness Lodge and go right and you’ll be there in no time.”
Michael: “Thanks and have a nice evening.”
Me: "She’s wrong and I told you, she’s new. Did you see how nervous she looked?"
Richard: "That is because you scared her."
Me: "What? Me?"
Richard: "Yeah.." pantomimed a police siren."She must have thought that you were Linda Blair."
Me: "Fine!" Sits back and sulks.
There were no street lights along the road going to Ft. Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge and no moon made everything pitch black. After driving in the dark and in silence for a few minutes, we hit an intersection.
Me: "So, which road are you gonna take?"
Michael: "CM told me to turn right."
Me: "Are you sure? That sign says "Wilderness Lodge."
Michael: "Yeah I know but she did say that."
Me: "Then turn!"
We drove down the dark road after we turned and Michael spotted something and slowed the van down to take a good look.
Michael: "Is this Ft. Wilderness?"
Me: taking a look "Nope, that's Wilderness Lodge."
Michael: "Are you sure?"
Me: "Yeah, I went to WDW five times so I know what I'm talking about so keep driving."
Richard and Brad groaned when I said that and my oldest daughter piped up with a "I think we should hogtie my mommy." It brought the van roof down and I did the Twinkie defense to explain my daughter's outburst.
My Mom: "So, we should keep driving?"
Me: "Yeah..."
We kept on driving until the road dead ended in a WDW employee service area where a heavyset security guard flagged us down and got us to pull over.
Security guard: "I.D. please?"
Michael: "We don't work here. We're lost so could you tell us where Ft. Wilderness is?"
Security guard: "Lost? You just passed it. It is 3 miles down and you can't miss it because it has a sign of Mickey holding a gun."
Me: "But that is Wilderness Lodge."
Security guard: "No--Ft. Wilderness. Just turn around and go back where you came from and you'll see it."
We didn't speak again until we pulled in the parking lot of Ft. Wilderness. The kids went wild and screamed. "We're at Disney World! We're at Disney World!" I went in with my mother and got the cabin keys. We asked a CM if the Trail's End Buffet was still open and he told us no and that they closed five minutes before we showed up. Michael and Richard didn't say anything. Nothing. My face was beet red when the CM asked if it was my first time here and my mother jumped in with a "Oh, she's been to WDW five times and we are so lucky to have her with us so she could share her expert advice with us." Michael and Richard nodded and repeated what my mother said. Brad didn't say a word because he didn't want to fall to the floor laughing and have the CM call the security on him. Fine husband he is---throws me to the wolves.
Went back to the van.
Michael: "So, where should we go so we can find our cabins?"
Me: "Phhhfffftttt!"
We had no problem finding our cabins-2305 and 2307 located in Swanee road--and got settled in. We called Dominos for pizza because we were too tired to go out and rustle up some grubs. It was the most expensive pizza we ever had: $55 for two mediums and a order of hot wings for me. I was disappointed because they didn't make the wings super spicy. I love those 4 alarm buffalo wings but sometimes my stomach goes on a strike when I eat some.
When everybody settled down and started eating their slices of pizza, Michael tapped me on the shoulder and said......
[Edited by TrpltJanie]
[Edited by TrpltJanie]
Janie
The Curb Kicker
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maryyyy
Cast Member
Posts: 12
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-28-02 09:25 AM
This is just to funny. Your family sounds just like mine. My brother will do anything he can just to hear me scream or annoy me. I love it.
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Coastalwader
Cast Member
Posts: 935
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-28-02 02:19 PM
Priceless Janie!
NOW WHERE IS PART THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
King Unca Bubba Lord DisneyTex
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Tink *~*~*
Cast Member
Posts: 1066
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-28-02 02:33 PM
No wonder it's taking her so long with her trip report. Two mighty chapters in what is apparently to become an epic saga, and we've yet to step foot in one single park!
Janie, we are on the edge of our seats. Put that vacuum cleaner down and start typing!
Tink *~*~*
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Lunarlady
Cast Member
Posts: 1629
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-28-02 06:05 PM
I LOVE these trip reports, Janie! Thanks for taking the time to post them!
I only have one question and it's a little OT:
When I fly I have to use Earplanes because otherwise I'll lose my hearing and have intense pain once we get above 20,000 ft. Do you or anyone else here know if the foam ear-plugs work just as well? Earplanes are really expensive for just the few uses and if I could get the foam ones to do the same thing, I'd gladly switch.
Thanks!
Keep on writing, Janie! I love hearing about your family interaction because it reminds me of my own family!
A whole week of peaceful bliss, beginning with a giggle
and ending with a kiss. |
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Crank
Administrator
Posts: 1957
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-29-02 01:02 PM
Really shoulda
looked at the map...
I like persons better than principles, and I like persons with no principles better than anything else in the world.
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891
BOYCOTT FRENCH TOAST, GERMAN SAUSAGE AND BELGIAN CHOCOLATES
Crank-->
All Content is © the Poster and is to be considered Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. Though Brilliant, Breathtaking and Extrememly Well Written the Content contained herein is Opinion and Opinion only.
ib4cruzn at charter dot net
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Robin
Cast Member
Posts: 940
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-29-02 04:33 PM
The first time I went to WDW with my friend and her husband we ended up at the Epcot CM entrance while trying to find our way offsite. Same thing happened on the next trip.
Now we stay onsite, and take the bus.
[Edited by Robin]
I toss my cookies for Disney.
I wonder what inspired this new Disney T-shirt? "I'm right. You're wrong. Any Questions?"
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Karma
Cast Member
Posts: 344
Registered: Dec 2002
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Posted 12-29-02 05:16 PM
I have to tell ya, I printed your trip reports to read on the short road trip we just took, and I was ROTFLMAO AND managed to cough up a lung while doing so. Thanks a lot. 
Anxiously awaiting your next report. LOL
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Peace to all ducks
Don't forget to read my Poop Report...er...I mean my Trip Report
I poke ducks.
Ducks LIKE to be poked.
I am an expert duck poker.
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MidNite
Cast Member
Posts: 263
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 01-23-03 03:49 PM
quote:
TrpltJanie wrote:
For the bottled water, the Florida water tasted so odd and my kids refused to drink it so we practically lived on bottled water for the entire trip and I went to Wal-mart almost every day to stock up on bottled water. I wonder why it tastes so weird so if anybody have any idea why, do let me know.
It's my understanding that there is Sulfer in the water more than other areas of the country.
Could be wrong. It happened once before.
MidNite's °o° Disney Dreaming
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Robey
Cast Member
Posts: 1023
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 01-23-03 07:12 PM
quote:
MidNite wrote:It's my understanding that there is Sulfer in the water more than other areas of the country.
Could be wrong. It happened once before.
You are absolutely correct Midnite!
I grew up in Jax., Florida.
AND I was visiting family there a couple of years ago, (Jax) and checked into a local hotel. We were all parched and needed a shower so we ran to the sink to get some water and...GROSSSSS! We went to check out imeediately and ran into the Health Department posting a sign about the sulfer concentration at that Hotel and that they were closing it!
I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody. --Lily Tomlin
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Common
Ground / Goofy's HUGE!
/ Brain Salad 2 |
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