Disney Dreamcation Day #1

Day 1

I'm pooped.  There is simply no better way to say it. 

We began the day by getting up at 3am for our 6am flight which was not without drama.  Of course, it's not often that my family travels without some sort of flight drama.  Flight issue aside, we arrive at the airport and Hubs realizes he's left his monstrosity of a camera carry-it-all backpack AT HOME.  Knowing that we were going to have a delayed flight, assuming that we were going to have a delayed flight, Hubs jumps back in the car and heads home to retrieve the camera and video camera.  Half way there, he realizes he placed his keys (which he always has on him) in his backpack, thus, he has no way of getting in the house once he gets there.  He proceeds anyway and attempts several different avenues, but the house is locked tight.  With the clock ticking ferociously and seats now on our original flight, Hubs heads back to the airport with 15 minutes to boarding.  Ham, mom and I board the plane.  Dad is waiting at the gate to hold the plan and my brother is waiting outside security with Hubs' ticket.  Let me just say, major prayers were involved that Hubs would actually make the flight.  I had no idea I would need a blood pressure reducing cocktail prior to flying.  He made it, they all made it and we were off to Orlando.

We actually decided to go through a AAA travel agent for our trip and we signed up for the magic shuttle service from the airport.  Let  me tell you...it's an A+ service.  For an organizationally obsessed mom, this was heaven.  They handled our luggage, we didn't even have to get it from baggage claim.  In fact, we just checked in and headed straight to the park and when we returned, our luggage was in our room.  That's magic y'all, that's magic.  Forget Mickey...this already made it a dreamcation.

We decided to spend our half day at Disney Hollywood Studios.  The Toy Story ride Ham really wanted to go on had a 160 minute wait when we arrived and when we left the park several hours later it had only shrunk to a 150 hour wait.  Yikes.  Sadly, we didn't make it on that ride.  Maybe we can go back another time.  We did however manage to meet Buzz Lightyear and Woody, Handy Manny, two of the Little Einsteins, watch the Playhouse Disney show and the Muppets 3D show, eat at Toy Story's Pizza Planet and take photos with Mater and Lightening McQueen.  Not to shabby for a short day. 

Ham had a great time.  We all enjoyed the Christmas lights and holiday festivities still abounding.  I've only ever been to Disney parks in the summer, so this is a nice change up.  We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and its awesome.  There are literally animals right outside our room; zebras and giraffes to name a few.  I'm happy to report that Hubs is sufficiently recovering from camera withdrawal and wifey lecturing following the near plane miss...all in all, the trip is going well. 

Tomorrow we are heading to Magic Kingdom and mommy (mua) can't wait. 

Love to all of you!

CGM is Going to Disney World!

Tomorrow we are heading out to Disney World for several days at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.  It's been years since we've been there together as a family and this will be Ham's first time.  I'm so excited that I'm having a hard time containing it.

Of course, before the fun begins, there is work that must be done.  I just finished typing up and emailing out the family itinerary.  Yes...we're that kind of family.  We're pretty organized on paper but we have to be.  We have a lot of chiefs, very few Indians.  The itinerary or agenda is a basic outline to keep us all on track and so that we have a general plan of what we're doing before we get there.  It sounds obsessive...but it's a family trip saver.  Without it, all h-e-double hockey sticks could break loose.  That being said, when organized and on one page, my family travels wonderfully together and we create lasting memories.

So, the agenda is done, the reservations for dinners made, camera batteries charged.  I'm down to the nitty gritty of packing, which I loathe, but must do.  Our flight takes off at 6am tomorrow so do the math...it equals an EARLY flight.  But, it means we're in early enough to enjoy some time at a park.  We'll be there over the new year which will be fun and different, especially since Hubs and I are boring and lame these days and rarely attend parties anymore because well, babysitters cost enough as the mortgage (vast exageration...sorta).

I'm really through the roof excited and I can't wait.  This is one of my favorite places in the whole world and to be able to share it with my son is simply divine.  I'm going to try to blog from Disney World, so stay tuned as that unfolds.  Also, if anyone is planning a trip to WDW and needs some tips, let me know.  I may even post some travel guides to accompany it.  Trust me...I have studied my booty off...ARH!!!  I'm getting in pirate mode if you can't tell.  I am looking forward to the Fanny Pack Scramble...this is a game I like to play to count how many people I see wearing Fanny Pack's.  Speaking of...I better jet and get to bedazzling mine.

 

Blessed Chaos

Aloha everyone! I know its been awhile, but I wanted to update everyone on the happenin's! The week of the 11th, I was in Kansas City for a seminary course for my post-grad work. I got home on that Friday night. I spent all day Saturday running around like crazy and packing up my family because on the 18th, we adventured to Hawaii for a two week vacation.

Needless to say, I had very limited and sometimes non-existent Internet access during that time so I haven't been able to get on here to talk with all of you and I've been missing it immensely. I'm in Hawaii for a week yet, but will try and hope on here as I can to let you know how the trip is going as well as my two cents about all things random. :)

Everyone is doing great, thank you (Francois) for your kind comments and for checking in. I'm sending a big Hawaiian Mahalo your way.

So far, we've swam with dolphins, took a helicopter ride right over a live volcano and actually witnessed the bubbling of molten hot magma, hung out at a Polynesian Cultural village and partook in an amazing authentic luau, went whale watching, swam in a breath taking waterfall, snorkeled in Maui, ate delicious seafood until our eyes were swimming, boogie boarded, played in white and black sandy beaches, took a donkey drawn wagon ride through an unbelievable valley...truly a trip of a lifetime and my toddler is doing pretty okay. Although I don't recommend that 8 hour flight without Benydryl...not for the kiddo but for you...your gonna need it. :)

Hope all is well for all of you and I look forward to reading up on what you all have been up to.