But you CAN’T swim in Bay Lake, can you?? (A surprise pic-heavy report) COMPLETE! - The DIS Discussion Forums

lklasing · 09-10-2009, 06:48 AM

Hi everyone!

Welcome to my fourth trip report! (If any of you need any bedtime reading, the first three TRs are linked in my signature below.) This time, as we did the past two times before this trip, we were back at Fort Wilderness, staying in a cabin. We used to be Poly Concierge people, and certainly loved it there, but once we found the cabins at FW, we knew that’s where we would be staying on all future trips. We just love

the Fort!

Anyway, here’s the cast of characters for the trip:

Me: a 42 year old Disney nut. While I had fun on my childhood trips to the World, I never knew how much I would love it once I started taking my kids. Somehow, it’s a completely different kind of thing to get to have fun at WDW with your kids, and amazingly better than it was when I was their age. I love everything about it – the planning

, the thinking, the ADR-ing, the thinking some more, the re-doing of ADRs…. All of you know the drill. Anyway, here’s me:

DH Ray: a 48 year old who tolerated WDW on the first couple of trips, but who has now really come to love it as much as me. That doesn’t mean he likes to plan the trips like I do, but he sure does love being there. Finding the cabins at FW was really the tipping point on Ray loving the trips – his ability to spread out in the cabin, not hear any kids running down the hall and just being out in nature (with a golf cart, of course!) increased his enjoyment of these trips tremendously. Ray (driving said golf cart):

DD13 Danielle: Danielle is now officially a teenager and this was her first trip to the World with that designation. (She makes sure to remind me of her status frequently, in case I ever forget.

) She is full of energy and life and definitely loves going to WDW as much as possible. Here’s Danielle:

DD11 Jodi: Jodi is by far my more laid back daughter, but she is equally enthusiastic about WDW. In her writing journal for school this year, she has already written about how much she loves going to the World, even though at the time she wrote it, she had no idea there even was going to be a trip.

Here’s Jodi:

Over the past few trips, we’ve waited as long as we could before telling the girls we were going. You’d think that the obsessive amount of time I spend on the Disboards planning would tip them off, but happily we managed to keep it a secret again. Since Danielle is now in 8th grade (and since I’m a terrible mom who pulled my girls out of school for a Disney trip AGAIN), I had to tell Danielle about the trip a little over a week in advance so she could have her teachers sign the form that is required by her school so she would get to make up the work. We told her on a Sunday evening, 10 days out from the trip. Her face turned bright red with shock (or, it could have been a little too much sun from a beautiful weekend, but I choose to think it was shock). She was definitely surprised. It was about as much fun as I’ve had in a long time.

(Yes, that’s me in my pajamas – she didn’t get back from a friend’s lake house till late that evening – nothing like putting yourself out there on the web in your jammies!

)

Jodi, on the other hand, is only in 6th grade and therefore in her last year of elementary school. I knew that I would be able to handle her absence with her teachers directly, so we didn’t tell her until the morning that we left! By the night before the trip, it became apparent that Jodi had no idea what was coming. I was sure she had figured out that there would be a trip to WDW at some time, but she clearly had no idea as to when it would happen. So, on Tuesday night, Jodi went to dance class just like always, bickered with her sister, took a shower, bickered with her sister some more, and then went to bed. Not too much later, Danielle, Ray and I all followed suit, trying to get some sleep before our big day the next day.

Wednesday morning came bright and early. Ray, Danielle and I all got together for the big reveal. Danielle and I wore Mickey t-shirts and had Jody’s Tink shirt ready for her. When she finally woke up and figured out that we were seriously going to WDW instead of school, it was great.

Jodi wondering why the whole family has invaded her room before her alarm even went off:

And then the fun began when she figured it out:

We were at WDW from Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, September 7 (Labor Day). We hit all four main parks, plus Typhoon Lagoon and DTD. Happily, we were there for Free Dining, and even upgraded to Deluxe, so we got to go to some restaurants and shows we had always wanted to go to but never had before. More on all those later.

Anyway, thanks for joining in! More to come soon!

(PS – And for the record, this report DOES involve me swimming in Bay Lake!

And, I lived to tell the tale!)

Leslie

OhMari · 09-10-2009, 07:17 AM

Good intro, and I can't believe your oldest dd didn't tell your youngest. Good keeper of secrets.

My guess is if you were in Bay lake,
You fell off a Sea Racer.
Waiting to find out what happened.

Raecheal · 09-10-2009, 07:21 AM

Your family is adorable, I love the photos... I"m in

Skyw · 09-10-2009, 07:37 AM

My DH became a Disney lover too [I]after[I] we started to go to Fort Wilderness. It was definitely the golf cart and fishing. Oddly enough, It is relaxing for us to be at the fort.

Good trippie so far...

Tri-circle-D · 09-10-2009, 08:26 AM

Hello Leslie-

I followed you over here from your link on the camping boards!

You are off to a great start!

Can't wait to hear the rest of the story!

TCD

WDW Traveler · 09-10-2009, 09:34 AM

Great start and GREAT pictures! I can't wait to read the rest. Your daughters are both beautiful and their reactions are priceless. Over the countless trips we have taken and surprised DD, I've never taken her picture. Your TR inspires me to get a picture the next time!!

Can't wait to read more and see more pictures.

RocklandRVers · 09-10-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tri-circle-D

Hello Leslie-

I followed you over here from your link on the camping boards!

You are off to a great start!

Can't wait to hear the rest of the story!

TCD

I also followed you here. Glad you fell in love with Fort Wilderness like we did. I also like your candid camera type photos of you giving your DDs the good news.

Shan-man · 09-10-2009, 11:47 AM

I love all the pics of y'all in jammies! I feel like part of the family!

bouncycat · 09-10-2009, 12:23 PM

YAAAY!!! I just LOVE reading your TR's!! I can't wait, I"m there in 5 days!!!

But, I can live thru your tr until then!

guardwife66 · 09-10-2009, 12:36 PM

What a great TR. I love it. I will be there in 23 days.

I can't wait. Till then I will live on these boards and read all about everyone else's adventures.

Sarilas · 09-10-2009, 12:41 PM

I love that you surprised your girls! I'm surprising our girls in November when we go for our second trip to the World. I can't wait to hear all about it!

California Jenn · 09-10-2009, 01:10 PM

What a fun start! And, I can't believe you were able to keep it a secret until the morning of for your younger daughter. That's so cool! Can't wait to hear about FW -- I've enjoyed visiting in the past, but can't wait to see pics and hear about the cabins.

MDMagicMom · 09-10-2009, 01:10 PM

I followed you over here from the FW Cabins too. We're considering the cabins for our next trip. The five of us at POR didn't work out too well

. Love that you surprised your girls - I'm so bad at keeping my excitement in check that I don't know if I could pull it off but I would so like to try! Can't wait to read more!

OK GRUMPY · 09-10-2009, 02:37 PM

Great start I love the picture! Can't wait to read more

mickeystoontown · 09-10-2009, 04:19 PM

I wanna sign on too! We surprised our son with a trip to Disney last year and while it was really hard to do, the reveal was great! We didn't tell him until we were about 30 miles away. Don't know how we were able to get over 750 miles under our belt without him catching on.

You are a super cute family and I can't wait to hear all about your Disney adventures!

Lisa

09-10-2009, 06:48 AM	#1
lklasing When being chased by a bear, you don't have to outrun the bear. You just have to outrun the other guy. Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,497	But you CAN’T swim in Bay Lake, can you?? (A surprise pic-heavy report) COMPLETE! Hi everyone! Welcome to my fourth trip report! (If any of you need any bedtime reading, the first three TRs are linked in my signature below.) This time, as we did the past two times before this trip, we were back at Fort Wilderness, staying in a cabin. We used to be Poly Concierge people, and certainly loved it there, but once we found the cabins at FW, we knew that’s where we would be staying on all future trips. We just love the Fort! Anyway, here’s the cast of characters for the trip: Me: a 42 year old Disney nut. While I had fun on my childhood trips to the World, I never knew how much I would love it once I started taking my kids. Somehow, it’s a completely different kind of thing to get to have fun at WDW with your kids, and amazingly better than it was when I was their age. I love everything about it – the planning , the thinking, the ADR-ing, the thinking some more, the re-doing of ADRs…. All of you know the drill. Anyway, here’s me: DH Ray: a 48 year old who tolerated WDW on the first couple of trips, but who has now really come to love it as much as me. That doesn’t mean he likes to plan the trips like I do, but he sure does love being there. Finding the cabins at FW was really the tipping point on Ray loving the trips – his ability to spread out in the cabin, not hear any kids running down the hall and just being out in nature (with a golf cart, of course!) increased his enjoyment of these trips tremendously. Ray (driving said golf cart): DD13 Danielle: Danielle is now officially a teenager and this was her first trip to the World with that designation. (She makes sure to remind me of her status frequently, in case I ever forget. ) She is full of energy and life and definitely loves going to WDW as much as possible. Here’s Danielle: DD11 Jodi: Jodi is by far my more laid back daughter, but she is equally enthusiastic about WDW. In her writing journal for school this year, she has already written about how much she loves going to the World, even though at the time she wrote it, she had no idea there even was going to be a trip. Here’s Jodi: Over the past few trips, we’ve waited as long as we could before telling the girls we were going. You’d think that the obsessive amount of time I spend on the Disboards planning would tip them off, but happily we managed to keep it a secret again. Since Danielle is now in 8th grade (and since I’m a terrible mom who pulled my girls out of school for a Disney trip AGAIN), I had to tell Danielle about the trip a little over a week in advance so she could have her teachers sign the form that is required by her school so she would get to make up the work. We told her on a Sunday evening, 10 days out from the trip. Her face turned bright red with shock (or, it could have been a little too much sun from a beautiful weekend, but I choose to think it was shock). She was definitely surprised. It was about as much fun as I’ve had in a long time. (Yes, that’s me in my pajamas – she didn’t get back from a friend’s lake house till late that evening – nothing like putting yourself out there on the web in your jammies! ) Jodi, on the other hand, is only in 6th grade and therefore in her last year of elementary school. I knew that I would be able to handle her absence with her teachers directly, so we didn’t tell her until the morning that we left! By the night before the trip, it became apparent that Jodi had no idea what was coming. I was sure she had figured out that there would be a trip to WDW at some time, but she clearly had no idea as to when it would happen. So, on Tuesday night, Jodi went to dance class just like always, bickered with her sister, took a shower, bickered with her sister some more, and then went to bed. Not too much later, Danielle, Ray and I all followed suit, trying to get some sleep before our big day the next day. Wednesday morning came bright and early. Ray, Danielle and I all got together for the big reveal. Danielle and I wore Mickey t-shirts and had Jody’s Tink shirt ready for her. When she finally woke up and figured out that we were seriously going to WDW instead of school, it was great. Jodi wondering why the whole family has invaded her room before her alarm even went off: And then the fun began when she figured it out: We were at WDW from Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, September 7 (Labor Day). We hit all four main parks, plus Typhoon Lagoon and DTD. Happily, we were there for Free Dining, and even upgraded to Deluxe, so we got to go to some restaurants and shows we had always wanted to go to but never had before. More on all those later. Anyway, thanks for joining in! More to come soon! (PS – And for the record, this report DOES involve me swimming in Bay Lake! And, I lived to tell the tale!) Leslie __________________ WDW Trips: Several as a child with parents and grandparents; June 2003-FW; May 2005-Poly GVC; May 2007-Poly GVC (trip report); May 2008-Fun at FW cabins (trip report); November 2008-Fun at the Fort-Thanksgiving Style (trip report); September 2009-Back to the Fort-Labor Day (trip report); March 2010-Spring Break-lots of pics and FPs (trip report); May 2011-BLT; March 2012 - FW Cabins; August 2012 - DCL Dream! Last edited by lklasing; 09-23-2009 at 09:19 AM.

09-10-2009, 07:21 AM	#3
Raecheal DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 1,234	Your family is adorable, I love the photos... I"m in __________________ ME , Stella

09-10-2009, 07:37 AM	#4
Skyw DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbus Indiana Posts: 1,189	My DH became a Disney lover too [I]after[I] we started to go to Fort Wilderness. It was definitely the golf cart and fishing. Oddly enough, It is relaxing for us to be at the fort. Good trippie so far... __________________ All Star Music-1995 All-Star Sports-1997 Dixie Landings-1999 Fort Wilderness Cabins-2004,2007,2007,2009,2010,2011

09-10-2009, 09:34 AM	#6
WDW Traveler Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 410	Great start and GREAT pictures! I can't wait to read the rest. Your daughters are both beautiful and their reactions are priceless. Over the countless trips we have taken and surprised DD, I've never taken her picture. Your TR inspires me to get a picture the next time!! Can't wait to read more and see more pictures. __________________ Gail (39) Marc (42) Haillie (13) Mya ; Kiana RIP 3/6/11 & Rocky RIP 12/28/09 80 & 91 WDW Off Site; 10/95 DL 3 Week Honeymoon; 4/00 & 5/01 DL Off Site; 12/02 WDW All Star Movies - MVMCP; 10/03 WDW Coronado Springs - MNSSHP; 5/05 WDW All Star Movies - F&G; 2/07 WDW SSR (DD turned 8) - P&PP; 08/07 WDW Pop - Mommy/Daughter Trip; 01/08 WDW POR - Dad & Mom Trip; 8/09 WDW - THV & SSR; 08/11 WDW - POP w/Free Dining

09-10-2009, 11:47 AM	#8
Shan-man ¿sɐɯʇsıɹɥɔ lıʇ, sʎɐp ʎuɐɯ ʍoH Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 2,783	I love all the pics of y'all in jammies! I feel like part of the family! __________________ . . . IIRC WDW in '76, '80, '81, '82, '84, '85, '88, '91, all off-site. Married my Disney-deficient DW in '95 and finally got her to the World in Oct '03 (stayed in Ocala). Apr '04 (off-site). Nov '04 at Fort Wilderness, first time staying on-property! Nov '07 at Fort Wilderness (Trip Report here). Dec 7-14 '08 at FW (TR here). Dec 3-15 '09 at FW (TR here).

Sponsored Links
The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

09-10-2009, 07:17 AM	#2
OhMari WDW PreTrip and Trip Moderator Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: WI USA Posts: 12,813	Good intro, and I can't believe your oldest dd didn't tell your youngest. Good keeper of secrets. My guess is if you were in Bay lake, You fell off a Sea Racer. Waiting to find out what happened.

09-10-2009, 08:26 AM	#5
Tri-circle-D Throwing some love to TCD They are full and clean! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dunedin, FL Posts: 4,957	Hello Leslie- I followed you over here from your link on the camping boards! You are off to a great start! Can't wait to hear the rest of the story! TCD

09-10-2009, 12:23 PM	#9
bouncycat DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 3,067	YAAAY!!! I just LOVE reading your TR's!! I can't wait, I"m there in 5 days!!! But, I can live thru your tr until then! __________________ Christie Proud Coast Guard Chief's Wife!! Who said turning 40 has to be a bad thing?? http://www.disboards.com/showthread....9#post47171449

09-10-2009, 12:36 PM	#10
guardwife66 Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Western KY Posts: 112	What a great TR. I love it. I will be there in 23 days. I can't wait. Till then I will live on these boards and read all about everyone else's adventures. __________________ *Michele* - once you camp at the Fort, other campgrounds are never good enough April 1979(Spring Break) - as child w/parents and brothers just MK \|\| Dec/Jan 1996/97(Christmas) - off-site w/DH, DS13, DS11, DD4 June 1999 - off site, solo business trip (but "had" to go to AK ) \|\| April 2002(Spring Break) - off-site w/DH, DS17, DS16, DD9 May 2006 - Ft Wilderness (Oh My Gosh, I found Home!) w/DH, DD13 \|\| October 2009 - Ft Wilderness w/DH, DD16 \|\| May 2010 - Ft Wilderness w/DH, DD17, DS25, DDil22, DGD3months & DS26, DDil24, DGD3, DGD1 April 2011(graduation trip) - All Music w/DD18 \|\| Sept 2011(first time with no kids ) - Shades of Green w/DH May 2012 - Port Orleans Riverside w/DH \|\| Next trip: Jan. 2013 - Undecided

09-10-2009, 12:41 PM	#11
Sarilas Ruled by the mouse. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Music City, USA Posts: 1,622	I love that you surprised your girls! I'm surprising our girls in November when we go for our second trip to the World. I can't wait to hear all about it! __________________ Lara Jose Kyle (15) Tatiana (12) Anastasia (5) Alexandra (4) This is the trip that never ends! Yes it goes on and on my friends.. 1/30 - 2/8 2009 Trip Report Surprising our girls with MVMCP, Wishes dessert party & free dining 11/14-21 at Pop - PTR

09-10-2009, 01:10 PM	#12
California Jenn Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 76	What a fun start! And, I can't believe you were able to keep it a secret until the morning of for your younger daughter. That's so cool! Can't wait to hear about FW -- I've enjoyed visiting in the past, but can't wait to see pics and hear about the cabins.

09-10-2009, 01:10 PM	#13
MDMagicMom Wish we were there NOW Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 82	I followed you over here from the FW Cabins too. We're considering the cabins for our next trip. The five of us at POR didn't work out too well. Love that you surprised your girls - I'm so bad at keeping my excitement in check that I don't know if I could pull it off but I would so like to try! Can't wait to read more! __________________

09-10-2009, 02:37 PM	#14
OK GRUMPY And that is some useless chit chat! I wonder if they serve Green Beer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Navarre FL Posts: 1,116	Great start I love the picture! Can't wait to read more __________________ Cindy

09-10-2009, 04:19 PM	#15
mickeystoontown DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bayou Country, La. Posts: 21,749	I wanna sign on too! We surprised our son with a trip to Disney last year and while it was really hard to do, the reveal was great! We didn't tell him until we were about 30 miles away. Don't know how we were able to get over 750 miles under our belt without him catching on. You are a super cute family and I can't wait to hear all about your Disney adventures! Lisa __________________ Excuse me...you'll need to see security. What has Mickeystoontown done now? Trip Report: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2940840 (includes 2 CBR stays and a Disney cruise) Pre-Trip Report: Sit down! Buckle up! & Hang On! Mickeystoontown's Gang is going to Walley World!: http://www.disboards.com/showthread....5#post47915565

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How many more days until your trip to WDW part 3	pinkerbell	Doing the Happy Dance!	4952	08-10-2010 12:53 AM
Pie That Brownie, Fruitcake! Updated Post #1832 - The End	oybolshoi	Disney Dining Reviews	1864	04-13-2010 04:06 PM
So if we get sick in the days prior to cruising....	Melissa R	Disney Cruise Line Forum	6	09-10-2009 01:56 PM
day off park?	siandonna	Disneyland Paris Trip Planning & Community Board	3	09-10-2009 06:53 AM
September quiz day 9 - answer added	lilacgems23	Disneyland Paris Trip Planning & Community Board	5	09-10-2009 06:18 AM