Disneyworld here we come
The morning started early with an alarm going off at 4:30am. It always seems a good idea when I book the flights to leave in the morning and 9am didn’t sound so bad, until you factor in time to get ready and get to the airport and be there before boarding starts. So, we are up and moving. We did manage to get our bags packed and all ready to go yesterday, which is something we don’t normally manage to do. Dogs fed and let outside, bags by the front door, everyone dressed and ready and Uber on the way. One bad thing about Uber is not all types of rides are available at all times, so this morning we are paying a premium for an SUV. At least it will be a comfortable ride.
Once loaded in the SUV with Adam as our driver, we head to pick up Caitlynn’s friend Kensi on the way to the airport. I don’t think Kensi’s family got up with her this morning but she was ready to go as we pulled up. I did see her dad poke his head out the door and wave as we loaded Kensi’s bag in the car. Ride to the airport was smooth sailing as far as it could be during rush hour. Adam had us to the airport in plenty of time.
The line for first class check in was not too long this lovely Monday morning. Paul at the #AmericanAirlines counter treated us well and our bags were tagged and on their way in no time. Boarding passes in hand we headed toward security. For the first time in a long time neither Tracey nor I had TSA pre-check stamped on our boarding passes, but the girls both did! So, at security we send the girls towards pre-check, no sense wasting the privilege, and we head toward the first-class line. We figured the girls would be out before us and waiting on the other side of security for us. As Tracey and I wound through the line there was no one in first class so we walked right up to be the next people through. Tracey came very prepared and left the house with his belt, wallet, and keys already in his carry on. We take out our surfacepros and remove our shoes and place it all on the belt so it can be screened. We make it through security and are tying shoes and putting back on our belts when the girls exit their pre-check lane Perfect timing.
We had received a text from Cody while we were still in the car that he was at the gate, and when we were arriving at the airport Robert had texted saying they were in line checking their bags. So, by the time we get to the gate they are all there. So much fun traveling with friends and family.
This trip started the planning stages about 6 months ago, when our oldest said they were planning to go and asked if we would like to go with them. I have tried to do one big family trip per year since their dad left, I have felt it important now more than ever that we spend good quality time together. So, I usually plan a trip and pay for all the kids and now grandkids to go with me. Now Tracey is in total agreement so we plan a trip about once year that includes our kids and grandkids. So, when Chris and Rachel said they wanted to take the girls to Disneyworld for spring break, all the pieces began falling into place. Lilah’s spring break was the same week as Caitlynn’s week of spring break that she was scheduled to spend with Tracey and I, and Cody had vacation time he could use at the same time. Then one night we were out with Scott and Kerri and they mentioned wanting to plan a trip to Disneyworld with their boys and would we be interested in going. So, we invited them to join our trip we had just started planning. Now with all the kids and grandkids we are looking at 15 of us going together. So, I begin the search for hotels. The more I look at the options the more expensive it gets. I need at least 4 hotel rooms for the week just for our family. So, I begin looking at houses on VRBO and AIRBNB. The options are amazing, we can spend a little or we can spend a fortune! It is so overwhelming. Every time I think I have picked one, something else catches my eye. I narrow it to like 10 different houses of all price ranges and amenities and email them off to the group to get their input. Our course if money was no object we would have the one with the shipwreck in one of the rooms, belle’s castle in another, an elevator and to die for game room. But money is an object in our world, so we narrow it down to about 5 houses. It took a long time and much work on Tracey’s part to convince me we didn’t need themed rooms for all the kids, because really how much time are we going to spend in the rooms. So, we get Scott’s input as to what he was planning to spend on hotel and we added that to what we wanted to spend and now we have a price range to find a house within. Seriously it took me over a month to pick a house!! Come on it is just a rental. So, I make the arrangements with the management company and pay the deposit. One step closer 😊 For Christmas we gave the kids Disney gift cards to use for souvenirs or towards their admission tickets. Once Christmas was over, Rachel was like a planning guru. She was searching daily for reservations to events and restaurants they knew they wanted to take the girls to. I don’t know how she did it, I was so confused by the emails I gave up. Told her to include us on at least one thing, and if there were no big reservations available include the bigger girls on something and we would skip. She worked diligently for weeks or more, but I think in the end she managed to get everything she was after. She even was able to get a reservation for breakfast for ALL of us together. Once our park tickets were purchased she even put us in for some fast passes. She is quite the organizer. Now about 9 weeks out I paid the balance on the house, we have had two drop from our group. Cody’s friend Michael used his vacation time to surprise his mom on her birthday while she is in New York undergoing cancer treatment. What a good son. Although we will miss him it was a great decision on his part. Scott and Kerri’s oldest couldn’t get off from work so he won’t join us. We will miss both boys being with us for sure. As we get closer to spring break we learn that Victor does not get spring break from the online classes he is taking so he will not be able to join us either. Hate to see him miss out but school and graduating is more important.
About a month out I check in with everyone, flights are booked, Disney passes bought and everyone is excited. Then about 2 weeks before we are scheduled to leave our worlds are rocked with some very difficult news. Our good friend, Tracey’s co-worker and one of his best friends who has been battling cancer for the past 4 years is told she is probably in her last 30 days. This couldn’t have hit any harder, can’t imagine how her family is dealing. Tracey has worked in a two-person office with her for about 10 years and he loves her dearly. When she received her second diagnosis 4 years ago, she and her family really took to putting their family first, spending quality time and doing some traveling. Janet and I did the Susan G Komen 3-day together, and we have vacationed and camped together over the years. This news rocked Tracey to his very core, for many reasons but that is for him to share when he is ready. But as Tracey and I awoke the morning after Janet shared her news with us, Tracey and I both spoke at the same time saying the same thing. “hey I have an idea I want to run by you” as we both laugh Tracey says “I hope it is the same idea” again at the same time we both said “I think we should take Janet and Robert with us to Disneyworld” WOW great minds think alike. You see Miss Janet is a Disney fanatic and Tinkerbell freak! We don’t want to pass up this opportunity to spend some quality time with their family in a place she LOVES.
So, Tracey shoots her a text explaining that our family would love to take her family with us to Disneyworld. Her response, “you made Robert cry”. To which Tracey responds “do you have video of that, I want to see stickman cry”. They would love to go with us, she just needs to check with her doctors. The very next day she has the okay to make the trip and we get online to buy their airline tickets. So, we are less than two weeks out so there are no first class seats open, when Tracey tells Janet we can get them on our same flight but not in first class, she jokingly responds in that case she doesn’t want to go. She has not lost her sense of humor, which is confirmed again when we ask for nicknames for their family members. Tracey has designed shirts, and we are having them printed for our entire group. We didn’t want the kids walking around with their name on their shirts, call me over protective, so we are printing them with nicknames. Of course, Tracey and I are Mommom and Papa. So, when we ask for theirs, Robert asks “like Disney names?” We explain that would be fine or any nickname they want. Robert’s is stickman, he plays the drums in the worship band at our church. That was a given but not sure I was prepared for the next comment but it didn’t faze Tracey at all when Janet said she wanted her shirt to say dead chick walking. Told ya she hasn’t lost her sense of humor.
That brings us to meeting them at the gate at the airport. We stand around chatting just waiting for boarding to start. Cody is off charging his phone, Robert goes off to talk to the gate agent about getting them seated together. The girls are a couple of rows over eating their snack they picked up at the first Starbucks they found in the airport terminal. It isn’t long before Robert is back and saying they are boarding group one, so we head toward the door.
We are all on the plane and we are bound for Orlando. We have had something to eat and drink. Cody is watching a movie on his phone, the girls are watching a movie on Caitlynn’s surface, Tracey is listening to music on his surface and I am writing this all down. The Stratman family unfortunately we could not get in first class but they were able to get 3 of the 4 of them seated in a row together.
Chris, Rachel, Lilah, and Norah are in the park today having a blast I am sure. Scott, Kerri, Stefen and Isaiah are on a plane as well headed toward Denver where they will switch planes before heading to Orlando, where by 10pm tonight we will all be in the rental house together.
Once landed in Orlando we find our way to baggage claim and collect all our bags. Once we have the bags, we send Tracey off to the rental car counter and the rest of us with all the bags in tow wait for an elevator to take us to the level for rental cars. Once we get there Robert joins Tracey at the counter so he can be added as a driver on the van we have rented. It doesn’t take long for them to finish the paperwork and we are headed to the parking garage to claim our van. We have rented a 15-passenger van. I was going to go with a 12 passenger until it stated online that the van had seating for 12 passengers and 2 suitcases! I have never met 12 people that can pack for a 7-9-day trip in just 2 suitcases. So, we opted for the larger van. As we walk down the isle of vans Aubrey announces she thinks we should take the grey one. Okay why not! We open the back of the van to discover yep no room for luggage. We have a stroller with us to give to Chris and Rachel so it fits in the back, but that is all. We decide to load the kids all the way in the back seat forward, then load all the suitcases in the seat unused by kids, one suitcase in the front bench seat along with Janet and I, then Robert driving and Tracey riding shotgun. Whew we all fit. As we pull out of the parking space we are trying to get google maps to load and give us directions to the house. As Robert rounds the corner exiting the parking garage he hits the curb, Tracey mutters something about how long we are, and I tell Robert to make sure to swing wide 😊 I am sure he was so pleased with all our backseat driving. We think we have directions loaded and we start on our way. Google is telling us to make a U-turn, Robert is saying he remembers it being a certain direction, Tracey is attempting to find and read the confirmation on the house we rented because there were directions on it. Janet is still trying to get Siri to understand her and google is still telling us to make a U-turn. I am frustrated that the maps won’t load and discover that we all have ATT cell service, all except Kensi. So, we ask to borrow her phone, as we begin to load the address Robert has made a U-turn and is listening to google directions. We are all in agreement that this seems like the wrong way. Finally, Kensi’s phone locates us and the address of the house and has loaded the map and is directing us. Ugh ATT what is up with that! Oh yeah and we are going the wrong way, so Robert makes another U-turn. Oh by the way we are on a toll road so this U-turn costs us $1.50! At least we are headed in the right direction now. It really isn’t that far of a drive maybe about 45 minutes from the airport.
We arrived at the resort and head to the clubhouse to check in. We really Chris and Rachel have already checked in but there are papers I need to sign since it is in my name and my credit card. The staff was very pleasant and helpful and we get everything we need. We head to the house around the corner.
We get the house opened and everyone in with their bags. Chris and Rachel have left sticky notes on all the bedroom doors with the name of the person(s) staying in that room. Very convenient. We all get settled in our rooms.
Chris, Rachel, and the girls arrive back at the house shortly after we arrive. Hugs all around and Chris and I order up pizzas for our very hungry bunch. Scott and Kerri text when they land and it isn’t long before we are all in the house chowing pizza and enjoying togetherness.
#uber #surfacepro #americanairlines #vrbo #airbnb #jeeves #alamorentacar #journeyfor2 #stratmanhaydenwiley
Day 2
Scott and Kerri and their boys are headed out first as they are stopping at the base to buy their park hopper tickets. They have also been so generous as to buy tickets for Aubrey and Jonathon since they can buy 6 tickets. I went online and bought Janet and Robert’s tickets last night. Chris, Rachel, Cody and the girls take off next as they want to be in the gates of Hollywood Studios to see the Stormtrooper parade at 9am. The rest of us await a text from Scott, as we can’t get in the gate without the tickets he is picking up. Once Scott lets us know he is at the base, we load into the big van and head out for day one of fun. We decide upon arriving at the parking lot we want preferred parking. We pay and are handed a pass to hang from the rear view mirror, told to turn our hazard lights on and follow the blue line. At one point the blue line did disappear but Robert was able to stay the course and eventually find the blue line again. Once we park the van and get out, everyone grabbing their backpacks and us an empty stroller! Kind of look like creepers going into the park with an empty stroller LOL. We are approached by a lot attendant who kindly gives us each a bottle of water. Caitlynn politely asks if they are free. “Well you did pay for preferred parking so you pretty much paid for the waters”, was the response. We each grab a water and head for the gate. Once we clear security, Robert heads to the restroom and where we thought was to get a scooter for Janet.
Seemed like Robert was gone for a long time, and Scott and Kerri still haven’t arrived. Jonathon comes over to get Janet stating “Dad needs you over here”. We all take a walk over toward where Jonathon is pointing. Robert has stopped at customer service and has gotten registered for a disability pass for the parks. This way there will be less waiting for Janet. The Disney customer service lady was very helpful and pleasant. She gets the tickets connected with the pass and we are all set. Still no Scott and Kerri but they have texted that they are about 3 minutes away. So we send Caitlynn and Kensi on into the park to start their fun, and Robert and Janet in to get a scooter and Tracey and I wait outside with Jonathon and Aubrey.
Another 15 minutes and Scott and Kerri have arrived and are almost through the line at the ticket window. We are all through the gate and it is freezing. Okay freezing is relative to all us desert rats. But it is cold enough that I go into a couple of stores in search of a blanket for Janet. I approached a kiosk cart but it wasn’t a blanket but a snuggy. Thinking that Janet would think I was crazy if I brought her that I keep looking for a blanket. As Tracey and I exit about the 3rd store without a blanket we see Janet and it appears she has a blanket already. I walk over to her explaining I was looking all over for a blanket for her and ask where she found it. Much to my surprise we crack up laughing as it is not a blanket but the snuggy I passed up earlier! We all get a good laugh. By now our kids have found us and the girls are crawling in the stroller, thank goodness, we now don’t look so creepy. It isn’t but another 15 minutes and we have all split off with our own families to have a fun filled day. We do meet up at different times when we have fast passes for certain rides. Pictures are coming! Even Lilah and Norah rode Tower of Terror with us and loved it. When we finished, we had one more fast pass, so Kensi went again without us while I took the little girls to the restroom. Then we head over to the Star Tours line. The wait is 60 mins and we have about 70 minutes before our lunch reservations. Our family of 9 has reservations at Hollywood and Vine so the little ones can meet some of the characters. We stood in line for what seemed like forever at Star Tours. That wait was way more than 60 minutes and when we get off we begin running toward the restaurant. During our “run” Chris is texting asking where we are and letting us know they won’t seat them until we are all there. We find the restaurant without any problem and get all checked in. We are seated shortly after arriving. We meet Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Mickey during lunch. The food was pretty good and the service was stellar but it was very with a capital V expensive. After lunch, we have fast passes for Toy Story Mania so that is where we head. It is always so much fun listening to the girls not just decide who they are going to ride with on the next ride, but try to explain why they chose that person all the while trying not to hurt anyone’s feelings. Toy Story Mania was a blast, Norah beat me on accuracy!! Both Tracey and Robert had to pay Jonathon a dollar as they had a bet for high score and Johnathon won!! Way to go Johnathon!
Earlier in the day Norah had met Chewbacca and just wait until you see the pictures! She was in awe, totally star struck. They bonded through a long drawn out hand shake and staring into each other’s eyes. Maybe it was then that Norah decided she wanted her treat from Papa to be a light saber. And not just any light saber, she wanted to build her own. So, we made our way back to the Star Wars area and Norah got in line to build her light saber. Lilah didn’t want a light saber, but still wasn’t sure what she wanted her treat to be. Papa and Norah got their turn and Norah came out beaming, and the saber wasn’t even on yet.
Chris lends Tracey and I his Visa card to allow us the secret access to the meet and greets. If you have a Disney Visa you need to check it out. So we finally find the secret door and get in line, well there was no line, to meet Kylo Ren. As we approach the end of the hallway a Disney cast member asks “how many in your party?” With a confused and amused look on my face I turn in a circle and back to face the young man and respond “two”. Remember I just said there was no line, so in this hallway there is Tracey and myself and this young man asking the question……………….. you see where my confusion comes in? We are told to wait where we are and we do. Then we are motioned to come forward and round the corner, and told to stay close to the wall. Sounds good but as I round the corner I am greeted by, well I almost run right into, Kylo Ren. He must be 7 and ½ feet tall! He about scared me right out of my shoes YIKES. He was so tall and black and a creepy voice, I just kept staring and backing away. He then asked if I was ready to come to the dark side to which I point to Tracey and say “He is”. At this point Kylo Ren steps towards Tracey and then along side of him and the pictures are taken and we are done. Creepy dude but tons of fun.
A little later the Stratman family is eating dinner and we are stopping in a few shops on the way back towards the front gate. The little girls are tired and it is cold. We have discovered it is supposed to be even colder tomorrow so we are searching for some pants for the girls as they only have princess dresses and shorts. No luck after the first few stores so they are going to head home. Caitlynn and Kensi are cold as well so they are headed out with Chris Rachel and the girls. Cody elects to join them and leaves Tracey and I alone to search for pants for the littles.
Tracey and I have no luck in the next store so we continue on. Tracey has to make a pit stop so I venture in the next store on my own. I hit the jackpot and found two super cute pairs of Mickey sweatpants in the tiny sizes. I make my purchase and meet up with Tracey where we take a rest on a bench along the street. We are having a blast people watching but it is pretty cold, so Tracey shoots a text off to Robert to see how they are coming along. They have one more fast pass and then will be ready to leave. We tell them no problem we are waiting on the bench by the front for them.
That doesn’t last long as the wind picked up and we are really really cold now. We shoot them a text letting them know to take their time but we are headed out to the van to wait where we can be warm.
Just as we get into the van and take a seat the fireworks begin. We have the best view and we are warm, it’s a win win situation. When the Stratmans join us, we are told that Janet road her scooter to the front and turned it in while the rest of the family got in the fast pass line at Tower of Terror. Seemed like a great plan right up to when they were told Janet had to be with them for them to us the disability fast pass. So Janet walked all the way back and believe me it is ALL the way back to the Tower of Terror so she could wait in line with them so they could ride and then they all walked all the way back up front and out to the van. Janet is exhausted.
#hollywoodstudios #chewbacca #kyloren #hollywoodandvine #towerofterror #journeyfor2 #stratmanhaydenwiley
Day 3