Grand Gathering at OKW Grand Villa, Part 1

[Mammabruski]

Hi all!

We've been back for over two weeks, and I'm going to try and get this trip report going. I started my online Masters program the day after we returned so all my "free" time is directed entirely at that. It's hard to work full time, take care of 2 kids and go to school. Ugh. So I'll do my best, but it may take some time to get the whole trip in.

I'll start with the link to my pre-trip report.

The basic Info...
Who
• Me
• DH (My lovely husband, not the biggest Disney Fan)
• DD1 (age- 4, her 4th trip to WDW)
• DD2 (age-18 months, her 1st trip to WDW)
• DP (Dear Patriarch or Dear Papa – what the grandkids call my Dad)
• DM (Pirate Granny here on the boards, my Mom and Buszia to the grandkids)
• DS 1 (Dear Sister 1, my older sister)
• DBIL (Dear Brother-in-law)
• DN1 (Dear Nephew 1, age – 4, 2nd trip to WDW)
• DN2 (Dear Nephew 2, age- 21 months, 1st trip to WDW)
• DS2 (Dear Sister 2, my younger sister)

My family drove down after work on Friday 3/25, since we live 3 hours from the airport. I was so tired because I couldn't sleep after I finished packing (who does)! We stayed at an Embassy Suite where we could park our car for the week; once again I didn’t sleep well. The next morning went very smoothly. We got to the airport and through security with no troubles, and got everyone breakfast. The flight went fine, we were delayed for ~20 minutes, but we were able to catch up and we landed on time. The girls did great for all of this, and both were really excited! When we landed I got a message from my DS1 who said they were still eating at MCO’s food court. So we hustled on down and met up with my DS1 and her family. It wasn’t until we were on the DME that DD1 and DN1 started getting downright giddy. They were so cute together! On route, I found out from my DM that we didn’t get building 19, but 22 in the Miller’s Rd area. The one available in 19 had a leaky roof. Oh well. Everyone else was waiting for us as we pulled into OKW (1st stop)!

We decided to walk to the Grand Villa. It was a nice walk, a little too far to do it all the time, but not too bad. I loved the vibe of OKW! So pretty and laid back. It was so great to be at WDW! When we got to the “room” the kids were amazed. It was huge! I knew what it was going to be like (I do my research) but it was very pretty. I’ll give my feelings on OKW and the refurb of the rooms at the very end of my report. The kids just chased each other around the entire villa, there was so much room. We did end up with a “real crib” for DD2, and as such got to have the bigger upstairs bedroom – nice.

When we were finally ready we left for our first ADR at WCC in the WL. When we got there, my DS2 was holding my younger DD as she slept, so when she got off the bus I helped her put the little one down in the reclined stroller. After both DD2 and DN2 (we took only one double stroller – the big kids could easily walk around without one for the night) were in the stroller I started pushing the stroller away. When we got to the end of the make-shift bus area (the typical one was under construction) I noticed no one had DD1! Sure enough we look back and there she is, still standing at the bus stop. Boy did that freak me out – we left her behind! When we got off the bus I had made sure someone had DD1 (can’t remember who) but in the scramble, she must have let go of their hand, and then not followed. I felt so bad! Lesson learned; DO NOT assume someone else is going to be in charge of your child unless it had been specifically arranged. DD1 was fine, but it really upset me. I felt like a horrible Mom.

Anyways, I didn’t have much time to be upset as just moments later the stroller (Graco Duorider, very old) broke. No way to fix it. Mind you this was my DS’s stroller, but it was identical to ours, so that kind of freaked me out. My DM and I spent the next hour calling stroller rental companies and Babies R Us to find a replacement for the week. We got one from Magic Strollers- they were awesome and had the rental stroller (a City Mini Double- LOVED IT) delivered that night, and the rain cover delivered the next day.
The kids played at the playground before dinner, and looked around the lobby. Family friends met us for dinner so we had a party of 13. Sadly, we were placed between the main room and the back room in a corner. It worked out ok, and the little ones still got to participate in the horsey race. DD2 woke up from her nap cranky, so I had to hold her the whole dinner, and I barely got to eat. I did enjoy my milkshake- but I couldn’t get a refill, as that was all DD2 was interested in. When dinner ended the kids checked out the start of the stream in the lobby, then we took the boat to MK and a bus home. Whoa. What a night. It was almost too much! The kids did great, but were a little cranky. We decided to let them sleep in the next day instead of trying to make it to rope drop at MK… And I finally got a good night’s rest. Seriously.

[yjgirl32]

A couple little bumps but sounds like everyone was doing better- can't wait to read the rest of your reports. Thanks for sharing.

[faline]

Well, a broken stroller was certainly an unexpecgted glitch!

Old Key West sounds wonderful!

Can't wait to read more!

[paulsheri]

When we were there, on Feb. 28th thru Mar. 5th
we were leaving EPCOT, when a Stroller broke in front of us. It was a Twin Stroller, and The Dad was carrying, a three year old, and Mom was 6 months pregnant, We offered our help, and my wife and me carried the twin boys, and parts of the stroller, while the mom, pushed the rest of the stroller. we got them to the bus stop ( pop ) and they had friends there that "took over" for us, but we would have seen them "home" if needed

[Mammabruski]

We offered our help

That was so nice of you!

[MarkC]

I love family vacations together and I'm anxious for the rest of your report.

[vizsla]

Thanks for the report.

[KylesMom]

Been looking forward to your return!

On the bright side, I'm happy to hear that the flight was uneventful & everything went as planned. From the brief description you gave, it sounds like the Grand Villa was a great place for your clan to stay at.

Bummer x 10 about the stroller. Thank goodness you were able to find a replacement in short order.

I noticed no one had DD1! Sure enough we look back and there she is, still standing at the bus stop. Boy did that freak me out – we left her behind! When we got off the bus I had made sure someone had DD1 (can’t remember who) but in the scramble, she must have let go of their hand, and then not followed. I felt so bad! Lesson learned; DO NOT assume someone else is going to be in charge of your child unless it had been specifically arranged. DD1 was fine, but it really upset me. I felt like a horrible Mom.

At one point or another, we've all done it. Don't beat yourself up! Hopefully this didn't deter you from having a fun time at Whispering Canyon. It doesn't sound like you got to enjoy a whole lotta food, though!

Good idea of sleeping in tomorrow - even if travel is uneventful, it sure can be stressful!

Looking forward to Day 2's report.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

After the few minor problems, sounds like a good start to your trip

[DizNee143]

a couple bumps in the road..its bound to happen..but sounds like otherwise it was a great day getting there and having dinner at WCC!! cant wait to read the rest..

[BelleKP]

As others have said, a few bumps . . . but nothing can be the feeling of being in the World!
Looking forward to the rest of the report!

[princessgirls]

In spite of a few bumps...a great day!

Thanks for sharing!

Julie

[artyboy]

Thanks for the Report!

[Suz36]

Just being in WDW helps smooth those bumps over, doesn't it? What a crowd you have - sounds like you're going to have a great trip!

[pdrlkr]

Thanks for the Report!

[Disney-4-Me]

What a start! When that happens you know everything else is going to be uphill!

[MinnieMommie]

What a busy hectic day but so nice to finally be there. The grand villa sounds so nice!