Nervous Dad's first trip report Day 11 Departure Final Thoughts

[conan617]

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Let me start off by apologizing for taking longer to get this out than originally planned. I had a trip report put together, but it was short and so many details were left out. Instead I am opting to post my detailed journal and hope you will excuse my weak writing style and the fact that some of the details contained within are very pedestrian to most of the readers on INTERCOT. Anyway, thanks for reading….here we go.
Cast
Me – the nervous Dad and narrator
Kelly – the Mother of my beautiful children
Matthew – age 11
Mara –age 7

Pretrip report link
http://www.intercot.com/discussion/s...d.php?t=184956

10/1/11
The morning is bittersweet. We are all sad to be leaving this wonderful, magical place, but we are also missing our Lola and want to get home to see her. We are up around 7AM and most everything is packed. Kelly and the kids have a few last minute items they wish to procure from the Marketplace and I take the luggage to the airline check in. Once I get to the check in desk and realize the line for the check in is very long and I will have to wait. While in line it is brought to my attention that I have to pay the baggage fees prior to checking in. I called Kelly and she came and waited with the bags while I frantically called and got the baggage fees paid. When I got back to Kelly, she was next to go – perfect timing. The next step is the only negative experience I had with a cast member. We brought our bags forward and they were weighed (I was nervous we would be over the weight limit since we bought so many goodies) and then the cast member asked our names and airlines. Apparently there was a problem with the check in and she couldn’t check us in. This was not her fault and it was not something we did, it was our booking agent’s error. We asked what we were to do and she became short with us and told us we would have to take care of the issue at the airport. I asked if we could still check our bags and she harshly said “No!” I realize that she had a long line of people to help, but all vacation long it was “Welcome Home” and “Good Morning” or “Happy Birthday Matthew”. This cast member made us feel like – since you’re leaving and won’t be spending any more money here you can just leave. We still had over 4 hours until our flight left but decided to leave so that we could return the car and get the check in issue resolved.
Everything was packed and we said goodbye to Joe and the rest of our animal friends and to our beautiful resort. We touched the art work by the door one more time and were out in the bright Florida sunshine. Some type of marathon or race was happening so we detoured around to the Irlo Bronson Highway to fill the rental car and avoid the race. On the way back to the airport we used the express tolls since we were paying to use the service anyway and dropped the car off without any issues.
The problem with our check in was that apparently, Orbitz had booked the flights home as using a paper ticket which the airline said we already had. Since we didn’t have paper tickets the rep had to do some fancy airline black magic that required our boarding passes from our flight down (10 days ago!). I almost threw mine out that morning! Kelly had them packed in one of the suitcases and on the second guess at which suitcase they might be in, we found them. The rep did her voodoo and we were off to security.
Our boarding time came and we all got on and were backed out of the terminal and onto the tarmac. We sat there for about 15 minutes and the pilot came on and said he saw something leaking and we would have to return to the terminal. We were pushed back to the terminal and sat there for about a half hour and then we were told to get off the plane. We all exited the plane and then sat in the terminal while the agents called people and rebooked them. After about an hour and a half, our plane was fixed and we could re-board. Based on the flight time, we were going to get into Cleveland about 5 minutes before our connecting flight left. We told the flight attendant about our time constraints and found out there were about 15 other people connecting to Green Bay on the same flight. She said there wasn’t much she could do, but she could move someone close to the door and they could run to the gate and try to hold the plane. She would also announce our very tight connection to the rest of the plane, but she couldn’t make people wait and let us off. The two plus hour flight was a nail biter since I didn’t know if we would be able to make our connection, have to get different flights, or spend a night in Cleveland. As predicted, our plane landed about five minutes before our connecting flight was scheduled to leave. Our runner left the plane, but some people still got up to left and didn’t let us out to try and catch our flight. The kids and I finally got off the plane and ran through the terminal. When we got to our gate we found out that the airline had held the plane for us (considering 50% of the flight was arriving from MCO this was probably in the airline’s best interest as well). We were in the Cleveland airport terminal about 3 total minutes from when we got off the plane until we boarded the next. The flight to Green Bay was uneventful and Matthew and I made jokes about some of the products in the Skymall catalog.
We landed in Green Bay and as we were taxing to the terminal I noticed the fighter jets for the Flyover at the Packer game the next day were lined up on the tarmac. When we exited the plane I took a few pictures of the jets. Also in the terminal were the Vince Lombardi Trophies from all 4 Packer Super bowl wins. Matthew posed proudly in front of the trophies in his baseball Mickey Mouse ears and that was my final picture of our adventure.
We were picked up by Kelly’s brother Rob and we met up with Kelly’s parents and Lola at Rob’s house for a quick bite to eat before we drove home. We all talked constantly about our adventure during the meal and gave our Nephew Owen his first Mickey Mouse (which he absolutely loves by the way).
With Lola back in our care, we got in the car and headed back to Neenah. About 5 miles from home Matthew said “I guess our adventure is over now huh Dad.”
“Yeah buddy, I guess it is.”
I heard a soft sobbing from the back seat. My son had started to cry and we asked him what was wrong. He said through his now almost uncontrollable sobs that he loved the time we had spent in Walt Disney World and he loved all the time that he got to spend with us. That right there was worth all the hours planning over the past six months. I worked hard to ensure may family would have a special trip and he made me feel special instead.
Some of my final thoughts-
The cast members go out of their way to make you feel special. The expectation I had was that we should be treated as guests and we are paying for a service, but the attention to detail and the friendliness shown by all cast members was above and beyond my expectations.
We saw a lot of people using motorized carts in all the theme parks. People that need these carts for medical reasons by all means deserve to be escorted to the front of all lines. What was bothersome to me was the people that had rented one and didn’t need it for medical reasons were still ushered to the front. This would be hard for cast members to judge who needs it and who rented it for ease, but it shows how some people abuse a good system for personal gain. These people essentially rented a full day fastpass.
99.9% of the people pushing strollers were considerate, but the small minority that used their strollers as battering rams to push through the crowds, get better seats in theaters, or better viewing places at the parades should be subjected to 120 hours of the “It’s a Small World” song on repeat.
Just because you are on vacations doesn’t mean the laws of courtesy and civility are suspended for you or your children.
Meeting fellow travelers and cast members is just as fun as some of the rides. You can learn about different cultures or get tips and ideas from someone who has been there, done that. You also can pass the time while waiting in line meeting new friends.
Book an additional day or two off and rest from your vacation. Enjoy all the different restaurants and flavors. Don’t force your kids to ride something they don’t want to or you’ll throw a wrench in the entire ride plan.
Take lots of pictures and good notes. Sadly, it may be awhile before you get back.
I enjoyed all the attractions outside of WDW, but next time I'll be happy to stay on the resort and not have to worry about all the other things. Just WDW Next time!
Pray the airline doesn’t make your wife mad on the way home. I’m just sayin’.

[SBETigg]

Overall, sounds like you had a really amazing vacation and made wonderful memories.

[faline]

Phew! Glad you made that tight connection.

The folks to handle the bag check at the resorts are not Disney employees. That function is outsourced.

Outward appearances don't always provide information on who really needs a wheelchair or not. A few years ago I had foot surgery on both of my feet. I was not sure I could handle all the walking required by Disney and thought about renting an ECV but decided I would start by doing without and seeing how things went. I was well aware that, had I gone with a chair, I would appear to be an able-bodied person "using" the system. To add to this, I have a sister-in-law who uses a cane, at times, (due to arthritis), and who generally appears able-bodied but has rented ECV's at Disney because she is not able to handle the walking required there. While there are always some who abuse the system, there are far more folks who are wishing they were upright and walking and not depending upon wheelchairs and ECV's.

Thanks for your terrific reports! Your kids sound like they are real troopers and you clearly are committed and caring parents!

[conan617]

Phew! Glad you made that tight connection.

The folks to handle the bag check at the resorts are not Disney employees. That function is outsourced.

Outward appearances don't always provide information on who really needs a wheelchair or not. A few years ago I had foot surgery on both of my feet. I was not sure I could handle all the walking required by Disney and thought about renting an ECV but decided I would start by doing without and seeing how things went. I was well aware that, had I gone with a chair, I would appear to be an able-bodied person "using" the system. To add to this, I have a sister-in-law who uses a cane, at times, (due to arthritis), and who generally appears able-bodied but has rented ECV's at Disney because she is not able to handle the walking required there. While there are always some who abuse the system, there are far more folks who are wishing they were upright and walking and not depending upon wheelchairs and ECV's.

Thanks for your terrific reports! Your kids sound like they are real troopers and you clearly are committed and caring parents!

Thank you for the heads up on the baggage handlers. It did seem awfully strange to be treated that way after the wonderful time we had. Unfortunately, even if the function is outsourced, the people completing the operation are representing Disney - in this case rather poorly.
I debated leaving the comment about the EVCs in as I didn't want to be misconstrued. Sorry if I offended you or anyone else. I was hoping more to bring to light the abuse a necessary system. I have two members of my family that have medical conditions where EVCs help them tremendously. What I witnessed in MK was really an outright abuse of the system. In fact, I overheard the cuprits joking amongst themselves about their line cutting privledges. Had I not heard those remarks this would have been a non issue for me. I guess even in a magical place, some people just have to take advantage of the system.
Thank you for reading and for your kind words. I really enjoyed putting this together and sharing. I hope everyone else enjoys it as well.

[Jennifer_and_Chris]

I love the report! I always love when people detail out their day. It puts my reading mind in that place and totally absorbed in the story... if only for a few minutes.

It's precious that Matthew was that touched and appreciative of the time that you had together. Doesn't that just feel sooooo awesome as a parent. It's just not a good time, but a lifelong memory. You're passing along the love of a place (and a feeling really) to your children that one day you may be enjoying with your grandkids.

Crazy.

[emerzmom]

What a great trip report! It was full of details and wonderful experiences. I love reading these reports. They take me to WDW even for just a few minutes.
Thank you so much for sharing! It sounds like you have a wonderful family.

Julie

[pdrlkr]

Thanks for all the great Reports!

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Sounds like a wonderful trip

[WDWCrazyKaren]

Thank you so much for your wonderful reports. I read them all, and rather than posting on every day, I'll just make one comment at the end.

I loved all your detail! You took fantastic notes and recreated your trip for all of us. Thank you so much! I loved all of the interactions-the wand at Ollivanders was awesome! As well as your dolphin swim, and the fact that you were "that guy" and the way that you paid attention to the looks on your kids faces.

You did gloss over the fact that your wife was apparantly sick, and whether or not she got tons of sympathy! It's tough to tour the world in the heat with a fever.

Thanks again for taking us on your journey. I could truthfully "see" everything through your descriptions. You sound like an awesome dad and husband, and you have one lucky family!

[CanadaLovesDisney]

Great reporting!
Thanks "that guy"

[LVT]

Thank you for some lovely "scenes".
My sons are grown, but came on our 30th anniversary trip. Wishing you the same in the future.

[Janmac]

[QUOTE Matthew said “I guess our adventure is over now huh Dad.”
QUOTE]

I am so glad your trip was so wonderful, especially for Matthew and Mara. Even though you're not at WDW there are still memories, which means - to me at least - the adventure is never over. (I refuse! )

To that end we do have a couple of small photo albums with some select photos, to help prime the memory pump, as it were. Mostly for the smaller kids in the family.

Regarding some of your final thoughts. I suspect those folks who aren't good with civility and courtesy are that way all the time. Not just on vacation. It'd be nice if some of the magic were to rub off on them. Many times folks have commented on how awful it is to see parents forcing their kids onto rides. Although many of us do have that one kid who really needs to experience the ride first hand to realize it's not as bad as it seems.

On the other hand, it's a shame Disney's policy is not to enforce some of their own rules (parades particularly) very well. I can understand the CMs are not police, and I sure wouldn't want to confront a big angry person. Thankfully, most of the people we encounter are not like that.

Thanks again for your nicely detailed trip report. Especially nice for those of us who are waiting, sometimes not so patiently, for our next trip to [sloowly ] roll around. Hopefully it won't be too long awhile before your family will be able to go back, for that WDW exclusive trip!

Jan

[SugarMagnolia]

I loved reading your entire trip report. Thank you so much for taking the time to post.
Angela

[artyboy]

Thanks for all of the great reports!