I can relate to that feeling.
Seems like things are off to a good start.We had about 45 minutes left once we got past security, so DM went to the bar (yep, still doing the drinking business before flying) and I went and walked around with DS for some exercise
DH said he lied. He wasnt on the shuttle, he had went past the entrance to Parking Lot C three times and didnt want to tell me BECAUSE I had told him to pay attention to where he was going since he has zero attention span. He had forgotten where he was going the first two times and the last time a bus was in his way so he missed it.
Maybe we should have taken the carseat on. I wasn't sure if ours was FAA approved, and I didn't want to lug it around the airport so we checked it. Might have helped control DD a little bit better. Maybe. Probably not.I decided to board first with the carseat so that I could get our area all set up and that would be less time on the plane for DS.
He loved the noise and the movement of the plane!
While I was reading, DH took up both the screens with sports and he was creepily content
Naturally...And then 20 minutes till we were about to land
But it was only 11 for you!Sleep did not come for us until 2am. Yikers!
I'm in! NOt only because I love your intro and can't wait to see what's coming, but also because I saw a pug in the background of one of your pictures. I love pugs. I have a black one. I figure anyone who has a pug must be good people.
I am here!
Great start to your trip.
Isn't it just great NOT to have to be on a plane at the crack of dawn. And to be honest, I do not blame your DH for getting lost. We circled the airport a few times in 2000 when we were looking for the Hertz return. I was prepared to just park it "somewhere" and call them to pick it up.
Sounds like an easy flight and I cannot believe Calvin sat still for all that time.
Ah, staying at the Hyatt. We did that once and it was heaven to arrive and not have to queue for a rental. You really started off your vacation nicely.
Can't wait for more. (now going back to mark more tests. )
Yay!! I'm in!! Can't wait to hear about your trip. It always surprising when children behave on the plane and such a pleasure. I know I was freaking out about how my two girls would do.
I'm looking forward to hearing all about your trip and especially what you thought of the VGF!
subscribing! Great start, I love your TRs
Emma x
Looking forward to hearing about your trip.
Can't wait to read more! Loving your great photos so far AND the fact that you're a fellow California girl!
Hi Alicia!! I'm delighted to finally follow along on one of your TR's. It always fascinates me when Cali folk make the journey east to visit the World when Disneyland is relatively close by. It just goes to show how truly great WDW really is (not that Disneyland isn't of course... I've been there and it is).
While it may not be the norm, I'll admit that I can't think of a better way to ring in the New Year than by travelling to Disney.
joining !!! looks like a good way to start a vacation... get the stressful part out of the way so you can enjoy your first day at wdw!!! .
your son is adorable !!
YAY! Joining in!! I'm already laughing at your intro and your travel day can't wait to read more!! and I'm sooo jealous of your stay at the Grand Floridian!! Can't wait to see pictures!
I'm here!
Glad the flight went so well ... of course he falls asleep right before you arrive though
That's great to stay at the hotel right in the airport - must be so easy (we used Hilton points and stayed right down the road, which was fine, but in the airport I am sure is that much easier).
Excuse me, can I have some alcohol? And perhaps some alcohol to go with that alcohol? Thanks
BTW - I could so see myself doing the same thing DH did ... points to him for admitting that he lied though, right?
Joining in! I love reading your TRs and this one is off to a great start!
I'm in! Sounds like a great flight!
Im here! Okay, so the first thing I notice is that you and DH have Up-themed shirts. AND that you got DH to wear a Disney shirt that doesnt have a churro on it?!
Whew, started the day at 100% phone power! And, yes, going to WDW is absolutely a good reason for a non-traditional NYE.
Glad you made it through security in one piece. I know, its rough when you only have two hands and all that stuff and an excited little person to corral. But you did it, yay! Always such a relief to get past that.
What is up with our DHs forgetting things/not paying attention?! At least he made it in time, I guess.
Im glad that DS was a good traveler and the flight went well! Yay for the snack bag he looks like hes enjoying that lollipop!
Cool that you had your own screens. We almost always fly Delta and seldom get screens. Heck, our First Class flight back home from Hawaii didnt even have screens. They were a lifesaver on the way there, though. Glad DS enjoyed his and then the iPad (which was our lifesaver on the way home).
Haha, DH looks quite enthralled with his sports.
And of course DS falls asleep right before landing. Its like he was watching the flight time monitor too and trying to hold out, but didnt quite make it.
Wow, late night, but I bet it was nice to stay right there at the airport.
Cant wait for your WDW and GFV arrival!
Looking forward to hearing more about how you liked the Hyatt and of course the Polynesian Bungalows!
Love your TR title!! Looking forward to arrival day!
Yay! I am in!
Your DS is just like mine - he does great on planes! He's older (5 almost 6 now) but even when he was your little man's age he was the same way. Our first trip to WDW he thought the plane was a ride and actually went "wheeeeeee" when we took off
And of course your DS fell asleep 20 minutes before landing - don't all kids do that? It's like they have a radar or something!
Your mom is already making me laugh - she sounds like my kinda gal! And I love that gif from Bridesmaids! "May I have a glass of alcohol please?" I like to say that at restaurants sometimes and the waiter or waitress just looks at me like I'm an idiot
I can't wait to read more and see all your pics! You write awesome TR's!
Joining in. Always look forward to your trip reviews!
Great start, your little videos had me chuckling great storytelling!
Oh my on DH getting there that close to boarding. I would not have been as calm as you.
Nice start.
I'm subscribing as well!! What a cute little boy! I have two little boys and understand how boys can melt their mamas hearts! And we have another baby on the way but don't know the sex yet! We are doing a gender reveal at Disney next month!!
I love your UP shirt!! Where did you get it?? I recorded UP last night and am super excited to get in my bed tonight with my boys and watch! They have not seen it yet!
Excited to read more!
I'm joining in, of course! Loving the title already
I'll never get over how adorable your DS is glad he was brave little guy for the flight
Excited to hear more!
I'm in! I even found you all by myself!
So...DH didn't listen to your directions and got lost. But at least he let you do the security line with DS by yourself.
I'm glad DS did so well on the plane. I can understand your concerns completely!
Looking forward to more nose-picker photos!
I can't wait to read more about your trip. I've done the same thing as your husband before. I didn't want to look like an idiot to my wife so I saved the details for later. Keep those posts coming.
Subbing in! You have a beautiful family! You look just like your mom - only younger!
Glad you travel day went well, except for DH getting lost. Love the Hyatt MCO! We stayed there before our cruise, too - I highly recommend it.
Joining in! Can't wait to hear more.
What an angel your son was on the plane.
Found my way over here!!
Welcome back! I'm not sure how much commenting I'll be able to swing for the next 9 weeks, but I will read and chime in while I have breaks from studying.
Seriously cute picture. Calvin is cuter than ever!
Glad I checked to see if you had started. Hey - I'm only 3 days late. That's not too bad.
Sounds like you had a great flight. I don't envy you guys that have to fly cross country. I am so spoiled with my 2 hour flights. However, I do wish I had a screen to look at that gave me arrival time. I am such a map geek.
Can't wait to see your digs!
I'm looking forward to hear about your magical moments!
I can't remember the last time we had individual screens on a Delta flight. That's a great idea to check in at the airport and then park.
I always enjoy reading your trip reports!
Robert
Lesha,
Can't believe it!! I was in WDW at the same time you were/ So sad I didn't know. That would have been a fun DIS meet.
Yay! I'm so happy you've started!
"You'll have to read the TR to see DS"
OMG! to DH not being at the gate with 5 minutes till boarding! I'd be FREAKING out. And then your use of Stanley to express how you felt when DH got there and told you what took so long
DS did great on the flight! Wow! I'm really glad you said you felt it wasn't necessary to be nervous about flying with him. Bobby and I have a wedding next Spring in LA and I want to be able to bring our future DD who would be about 11 months but I'm afraid of the flight! And btw I want to bring her to go to DLR, not because of the wedding If I can't go to DL then I'm perfectly fine with staying home and missing the wedding
I've never heard of a hypoallergenic room. Interesting. I hope you're not too tired for the next morning. You were still on California time I guess... I really can't wait for more. I plan to use your TR as proof to Bobby that a trip with a 2 year old is a brilliant idea. Right now, he disagrees. So I need to make him see the light.
Very nice start to your trip. Looking forward to read more from your adventures.
I've seen you on several TR's that I follow and thought I'd join in on the beginning of yours. Your DS is adorable. The flight sounds pretty good over all. Nice that you stayed at the hotel at the aiprot and didn't need to rush.
Your little boy is adorable. I had to chuckle a bit when I saw that he fell asleep minutes before landing. My youngest daughter used to do the same thing to me. Can't wait to read more!
Subbing! Partly because I like your reporting style, but, OK I'll admit it, I'm curious to find out who can stink at 9 AM!
I am looking forward to you report. We are getting on a plane to travel to WDW in 11 days can't wait.
Following along I've read a few of your other TRs awhile ago and it's so nice to come across this one now, I can't believe how big your DS has gotten since the time I last read your TR.
I can relate to that feeling.
Maybe we should have taken the carseat on. I wasn't sure if ours was FAA approved, and I didn't want to lug it around the airport so we checked it. Might have helped control DD a little bit better. Maybe. Probably not.
But it was only 11 for you!
The latest I slept the whole time we were in California was 6 am. Most mornings I was up by around 4. It actually wasn't bad, because we were never out too terribly late at night anyway, so coming home and adjusting back to the time right away was a breeze.
Hi Alicia! Im coming out of lurkdom! LOL I've read your previous TRs and Im excited and cant wait to read all about your latest trip.
-Melissa
I'm looking forward to following along with your report. I'm fairly new so this will be the first one I get to do that with.
Thanks for putting the time into it!
Of course. It is always difficult, even if you know it is a matter of time.The funeral will be next Tuesday and we'd appreciate some prayers.
Always a good idea.I had told DM and DH that the bus would be waiting for us at 10am (knowing that we could get down there whenever we want, really)
Wow. If our kids were in the stroller that long and we weren't moving, they'd go crazy.DS was wonderful the entire trip about always making sure he was in the stroller at least 10 minutes before we took off. Hes so my favorite traveler!
Really, no one believed me about getting on the bus at 10. We actually didnt get out of the room until 10:45, but I was trying to keep my cool
(10 million Lesha points for whoever names that movie!)
Never know what they'll be scared of from one time to the next.I was pretty nervous about the VGF, knowing our probability of getting a ground floor room was slim to none (since I had requested a high floor!)
Wow... no. That makes no sense at all. I don't know why they'd do that, and I'm sorry it happened.But we were headed towards AKL? So we get through the AKL gates, go all the way up to the drop off area near the lobby, dont stop, and exit just as quickly (well not that quickly since its a bus, yes?) as we came. What the heck?! What a waste of 15 minutes! Does anyone know why this would happen?
Nice!The bus parks and as soon as we step off, a CM rushes at us with an iPad and says, Welcome Home Crow Family!
Hmmm... looks more welcoming than the fancy, stuffy, huge GF lobby.The lobby wasnt at all massive, but it was quaint, bright and comfortable
Well, I wouldn't go to get coffee under any circumstance...I would have gone to get the coffee while they were taking too long at the Hyatt!
I'm so sorry that your DS was afraid of the elevators. I hope that doesn't become a problem. He is so darned cute! Sorry you had to go so long without coffee or breakfast. I would have gone to get the coffee while they were taking too long at the Hyatt!
I'm glad everything all worked out with the hotel stay!
Wow. If our kids were in the stroller that long and we weren't moving, they'd go crazy.
Never know what they'll be scared of from one time to the next.
Next thing you know, he'll love elevators and want to push the buttons.
Wow... no. That makes no sense at all. I don't know why they'd do that, and I'm sorry it happened.
Maybe the driver just had a mental lapse and AKL is usually on his route?
Hmmm... looks more welcoming than the fancy, stuffy, huge GF lobby.
Well, I wouldn't go to get coffee under any circumstance...
But yeah, definitely should have gone while you were waiting. I usually venture off to the food court for a pastry in the morning when I'm ready to go and still waiting.
Sounds like the bus driver forgot where he was going... Shame on him!
Usually I'm so good with movies but I can't place that scene. Looks like an old dance movie.
Too funny they ignored your 10:00 departure. Good to start that first day rested. They didn't have a coffee maker in the room?
Love the picture of DS crossing his leg in the stroller, too cute!!!
Ahhh... Welcome home... Best words ever. <3
Looks like a beautiful morning and cant wait to hear how the rest of the day goes!
Sorry, to hear of DH's grandpa. My mom battled lung cancer and died in 2013- cancer is such an awful, awful disease.
The Grand Floridian Villas already look beautiful.. love the personalised greeting when you arrived, we had the same when we arrived at the GF for our honeymoon (except they used my maiden name as I'd booked all of our trip )
Thinking of your family
Emma x
Sending prayers and hugs on the loss of DH's grandpa.
Your DS is simply adorable. Sorry he was afraid of the elevators though.
Boo for a Mears bus (although I don't like the new video anyway).
If you can't get the arch going into Disney, you got the next best thing.
I do love those penguins in the lobby of the Villas.
That was very nice of the CM to take your luggage.
I hope you get coffee soon.
Oh my, that is so sad. My deepest condolences. Even if you know it's coming, it doesn't make the loss any less painful.
**************************
OK, I'm dying at that gif. What they don't know won't hurt. It's all about getting to Disney ASAP.
However, I am not loving the lack of CM enthusiasm at the DME check-in. I still can't believe it, but my very first DME ride ever is coming up, so they better get it in gear.
BUT it sure does sound like the CM's on the other end were more than happy to make up for it. What a wonderful arrival.
I felt like that's how the CM's were when I had last used it in 2012. But before we'd always had a great experience with them! Hopefully you get some cheerful ones.
Will you be doing a TR for this upcoming trip??
Sorry to hear about DH's grandfather - definitely sending prayers your way and his.
11am and no coffee! That's practically unAmerican!
"where no CMs seemed to be happy about checking anyone in" ... well, they they probably shouldn't have chosen working the DME check-in desk as a career choice
I'd say you did pretty good with your gate photos - plus the photo of that guys phone taking a picture of the gates
Love the penguin fountain! glad you felt so welcomed there at check-in
I hope so too, but if they're not, I'll make them.
Haha, well if things go even a fraction as well as I hope, then I don't think I'll have a choice.