This trip was a combination of several factors. I had several items on my to do list that I thought could be combined into one incredible adventure. Here are the items:
1. Go visit Minutha while she is in DisneyWorld doing an internship (she'll get you in the parks for free!)
2. Put something on the calendar for just me and Jackson that both of us can look forward to since life will pretty much be about Philip for the next several months.
3. Spend some time with Dad since it does not look like we will be getting in a ski trip this year.
4. Try out a really big travel trailer with my truck to see if that is something that would be fun for the family in the years to come.
Wrap all of the above into a big package, put a bow on it and call it a 4 day road trip to DisneyWorld.
Here's how it went down:
We left on Friday morning and picked up the Travel Trailer -- there were two and one half of us (Dad, me, and Jackson) and the travel trailer was capable of sleeping 8 adults. Complete with DVD player, kitchen, bathroom, shower, flat screen television, and Dad's famous pimento cheese, we could have stayed away for years. .
We started down to Disney -- Dad and I trading shifts on the driving and Jackson reading books and watching every disney movie imaginable.
When it was time for lunch, no need to check the signs on where to eat. We just pulled off the side of the road when we got hungry, popped open the trailer and enjoyed a tasty treat. Oh. . the open road!
When we arrived at DisneyWorld, we followed the signs to Fort Wilderness resort where Leanne had us all set up with a camping spot. As we entered the park, Jackson kept saying things like, "Look Da-Da a Disney bus. . . . Look KD a Disney bird. . .Look a Disney tree . . . Look a Disney car. . . " None of these things were out of the ordinary to Dad and me. . . just extraordinary to Jackson because they were in DisneyWorld.
We backed the trailer into our spot and then went to s'mores and an outdoor movie with Chip and Dale. . .
Saturday morning, we woke up, ate Reeses Puffs and coffee, then headed to explore the rest of Fort Wilderness. Minutha was scheduled to join us that evening for Mickey's outdoor BBQ. After wondering around for a while, we decided we would go ahead and do all the things that Jackson loves most about DisneyWorld. . . public transportation! We took a boat and monorail to see the outside of Magic Kingdom, then came back to Fort Wilderness to take advantage of the outdoor pool.
We had done a ton by the time we put Jackson down for a three hour nap. While Jackson slept, Dad and I hooked up the flat screen on the side of the trailer and watched Avatar. Very relaxing. After that, it was time for us to get cleaned up and head to Mickey's Backyard BBQ to meet Minutha and chow down for a ho down :)
When Minutha arrived, Dad and I had already eaten several racks of ribs. She arrived with BAGS of Disney toys and goodies for Jackson (spoiled rotten). After getting some pictures, we walked back to the travel trailer where Minutha presented Jackson with a complete Indiana Jones outfit and tons of other cool stuff. He loved the whip and to this day it spends most of its time in "time out" at our house for misuse (Thanks Mini!!)
Sunday, we were to meet Minutha at Hollywood Studios where she worked. I cannot put into words how surreal the entire day was that day. It was not your typical Disney experience as we had VIP seating and fast passes for every attraction and ride. We literally walked from one thing to the next walking straight on rides and getting premiere treatment every step of the way. She had even made reservations for a character breakfast and dinner perfectly timed so as not to miss anything. It was incredible!! My favorite was the fact that we had a whole section of shaded seats for the parade all to ourselves. I still have trouble remembering that it was not a dream.
Needless to say, we were zonked and in order that Minutha would not have to ride buses all the way back to her Disney Staff Apartment, Dad and I drove her back. It was pretty cool to get to see some "behind the scenes" action at how Disney houses all those employees. Looked like a pretty sweet setup for the Minutha and of course she was making friends.
The first part of Monday was spent in Animal Kingdom and the second part in Magic Kingdom. It was another great day and Minutha (although not at her home park) was still a dynamite tour guide. That evening we left Minutha with her crew of buddies for "wishes" and we took Jackson (falling asleep on my shoulders) back to the trailer.
The would have ended there, but the fun just started for Dad. We woke up with big plans to pack up and get on the road as soon as possible. We had everything packed up including Flash (did I forget to mention he came with us?) when we tried to collapse the pullout portion of the travel trailer. It was literally the last thing to do before pulling out. Apparently, best Dad and I can figure, I had tripped an emergency brake of some sort when I used a garden hose one evening to fish out the lost Avatar DVD case from under the couch. So. . . . .5 HOURS LATER after Jackson and I had ridden boats and monorails till we thought we might be disney characters ourselves, Dad had gotten the pullout back in with a little help from a friendly man parked a couple slots from us.
Needless to say, we were on the road a little later than we had anticipated and did arrive home till about 2:00 am Wednesday morning. Whew!
All in all it was a special time that accomplished all 4 to do's on my list. We made some great memories and will hopefully to another 3 generation trip in 2011!
Special thanks goes to Leanne who made all our reservations and sent us off with everything we needed to keep Jackson happy.
Thank you, Wesley, for posting the pictures and memories of this special trip. I am so glad that you and Jackson were able to make this trip with your dad. What a special time for three Bender boys!
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