Disney 2007 Vacation Diary now available

We have finished unpacking from our family vacation to Disneyworld last week and I have compiled a diary of our adventures. We took 393 photos in 5 days and have reduced the total to 120 of our best photos for printing. This is still too many and we will weed out more before sending to Wal-Mart online for hard-copies.

Read all about my family's Disney vacation here.

If you Nickle and Dime, then don't Whine

Apologies for the lack of postings. We are staying at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. Convenient building layout, spotlessly clean, heated pool and curteous staff. Our vacation is fantastic so far.

Also charging $6.99 per day for Internet Access. What? In this day and age, when wireless Broadband costs about $50 per month, Caribe Royale charges $6.99 for 24 hours. And it increases on 1/1/08 when the trend is for Internet costs to decrease. Even airports have free Internet access.

Their website says: "Finally, because we believe that broadband access is no longer a luxury, but a necessity, high-speed internet access* is available in all our suites". The * states "Daily fee required".

At the price we are paying for this suite I don't expect Nickle and Dime mentality. On principle, I have only purchased 24 hour access to create this blog posting. I will post the rest of my Disney Diary (with photos) when we get to a free access point, or home.

Don't whine when we stay at the Marriot next time, for free Internet access.

Leaving on a jet plane....

7 AM, 12/24/2007. Sitting at Bradley airport waiting to board.

Every ran silky smooth so far. We awoke on schedule, found parking easily and we were the only shuttle bus customers resulting in superb service. We walked straight up to security and dutifully removed our shoes, and "declared" our shampoos and toothpaste.

Isn't in interesting that you get up with a smile at 4:30 AM to go on vacation, but struggle to get out of bed for work each morning at 6 AM?

Although we allowed two hours to check in and clear security it took under 20 minutes. We are now waiting to be called, having consumed the overpriced McMuffin and black liquid that passes for coffee.

The Morning After

The house is quiet this morning. It feels so peaceful. The long nights from the Winter Solstice urged us to all sleep late.

The quiet cannot mask the emptiness in our lives. We awoke to silence. No more pitter-patter of little paws. No more unconditional love. This is our first morning without Freddy.

Yesterday we left Freddy at the boarding kennels because we leave for Disney World early tomorrow and the kennels are closed on Sunday. My son was in tears when the reality sunk in - a week without Freddy.

Our lives are missing more than 22 pounds of tail-wagging companionship. A disproportionate sadness has descended over our home as we think about how Freddy is doing. We become so attached to our pets that they feel part of the family.

Freddy is the easiest pet I have encountered. He has the patience of Job and the love of Mother Theresa. He even dressed up for Halloween in the photo above. Freddy gladly sits and puts up his paw for a doggy treat.

We are packing for the trip today and looking forward into a new adventure. This is a milestone as we create new lives in the USA - our first domestic plane trip as a family.

Mickey, Minnie and buddies

On Monday, 12/24, 2007 we are heading to Disney World. We will leave Hartford around 6 AM and travel nonstop to Orlando.

What is interesting about this trip is:
1. It is the first time that my wife and son are flying domestic. We have travelled to South Africa three times since 2001, but we are neophyte domestic travellers.
2. It is the first time we are visiting Disney World. We have heard so much about Mickey's town, and we are excited to see it.
3. The accommodations and the whole trip is already hurting my wallet. Wow!! This is one expensive trip, and we haven't even left home yet :)
4. This is the first Christmas that we are away from home, in the 13 years we have been married. We are always at home for Christmas as part of our family traditions. This year we don't want to be at home anymore and are tired of inviting people over who don't reciprocate our generosity. So, we are taking "Us" time.

This afternoon we took Freddie to the kennels. My son could not hold back the tears of being without his tail-wagging, toy chasing companion for the week. Oh well.

I hope to have many stories to tell after this trip. (And I will try to squeeze in a visit to a Toastmaster Club if I can slip away from the family)

What stories have you accumulated from vacation trips. Any stories directly from Walt Disney's playground?