Vacation Day 2-More Travel, Interruptions & Disney World

Vacation pics are edited and labeled, so it's time to share our adventure. You can read about Vacation Day 1 here.

Scott started to write this post while we were on vacation:
The previous post (Vacation Day 1) might cause the gentle reader to think that "hey, they aren't Job, it probably did not get any worse." Wrong. After I (Scott) was selected for TSA random screening, we got on the plane in OKC. They mentioned that the plane was a bit delayed, but that the Ft. Walton flight was the only one that would be even cutting it close once we landed in Houston. With all that we had encountered the day before, I thought that there was no chance that we could have any more miscues. When we arrived at the gate in Houston, I heard someone say that we were nearing departure time for the Orlando flight, and that they were NOT going to hold the plane. Not going to hold the plane, not a chance. There were six families on our OKC flight alone that were on the same ORD flight. No way they would leave without us I thought.....I thought wrong. It took about 15-20 minutes to get our bags from under the Houston flight. Then we RAN. Abbey and I in the lead, with Jemma pushing/running with Ashby in the stroller. When we got to the gate there were three families in front of the desk, all panting from running. The gate was attached to the plane, but they weren't letting anyone on...not even the dads that had stayed back to get the family luggage whose wives and children were on the plane. They lady from Continental in a terse tone said, "we cannot hold the plane because the people on this flight will miss their connections." Anyone who has flown to MCO knows that there are very few flights that connect from there. I was surprised at her statement, and overwhelmed from the previous days epic malfunctioning. I lost my cool with her, and loudly replied, "we just missed our connection, because of Continental, not because of something we did," She yelled back "I am going to have to call security on you sir."

I (Jemma) stepped in and apologized as the lady continued her threats to call security. I began explaining all that had happened the day before. The Continental lady eased up a bit, a very little bit and began typing on her computer. She told me that she could get us on a flight the next morning. Unacceptable. I silently start praying. "Please!" I begged. "Is there ANYTHING you can do to get us on the 4pm flight from Houston to Orland? It's my husband's 40th birthday. We've already miss a whole day of our vacation." We should have been arriving in Orlando at 4pm. Just as I'm begging, I see the plane, the very one we are supposed to be on, the plane that has empty seats (that we paid for), pull away. I felt sick. I looked over at my family. Scott sitting calmly with our girls who can't understand why we aren't on that plane, but are sitting so patiently, praying. I looked back at grumpy Continental lady, "please!" I begged. She was able to find a couple of empty seats. She got the girls on which seemed odd to me, but explained that they had to have an adult accompany them, so this was the best way to go. A third seat opened up. She put me in it. She said that was the best she could do. She said we would just have to wait and see if there was at least one person that didn't show up as she put Scott stand-by. She checked one more time. She then discovered there was a guy still on her 4pm flight list that she had let on our plane that she let go without us. Done! The Stemmons' Family was on the 4pm flight and would be arriving in Orlando at 7:30pm. Scott apologized and thanked her. We decided to get some lunch while we waited.

So excited to be in an airport going to Disney World!

We got on our flight and landed right on time in Orlando. We grabbed our bags and headed to pick up our rental car. Ugh! We couldn't believe the line. An hour later, we have the keys and we were headed to our car. You would think it had to be smooth sailing from here, right? It couldn't possibly get any worse? Well, we walk and walk and walk and finally find parking spot 47. No car! We had the keys to a car that was supposed to be in #47, but it was empty! Unbelievable. Scott was able to find someone to help without having to go back into the airport and wait in that long line again. He pulled around in our classy car for the week...A Crown Vic.
(I have to add here that you really must let Scott tell you this part of the story. It's hysterical now! Especially when he tells it.) 

Cuddled up in the stroller while we wait to get the rental car.
They know how to have fun anywhere!

We get into the car and Scott looks at me and says, "What park is still open?" It's almost 9pm. We had spent 2 full days traveling. I was thinking let's grab dinner, get checked in, get a good night's sleep and start in the morning. Not Scott. "Is there a parade or fireworks somewhere?" I told him that Magic Kingdom had Extra Magic Hours for Disney Resort guests and that the Main Street Electrical Parade was at 9pm and 10pm. "We're going to the parade." He said. That was settled. We got checked in. I made sure that the buses were still running and that we could get our park passes. We dropped our bags in our room and went out to the bus to head to Magic Kingdom. We walked right up, got our passes and made it inside minutes before the parade started.

What a site! We made it! We are finally at Disney World!

The lights dimmed and the music began. The girls spotted Tinkerbell and some fairies and lit up! They were pointing and waving with such excitement. Tears filled my eyes. I looked at Scott. He looked as if he didn't have a care in the world. I asked him, "did you feel that?" He looked at me puzzled. "It all just melted away didn't it?" He knew exactly what I meant. Scott looked at the girls as they danced and clapped as the parade went by. He agreed. The madness of the past 2 days. The interruptions. The travel problems. It ALL literally melted away. Praise God! We were on vacation. Our healthy, happy, incredibly blessed family all together at the 'Happiest Place on Earth.' The best vacation we've ever had finally begun.

Main Street Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom

Ashby excited to see the "Tinker Fairies"

The smile says it all!

Tinkerbell

Alice & The Cheshire Cat

One of Cinderella's Mice came to say hello to Ashby

Watching the parade

We followed the parade down Main Street USA to Cinderella's Castle. It really is something to see at night as it is lit up and changes colors.

Scott & Abigail following the parade

Cinderella's Castle

From there we ventured into Fantasyland to ride some of our favorite rides: it's a small world, Dumbo and the tea cups. We were there until the park closed! We were back on the bus to The Disney World Dolphin Resort at around 1am. It was a GREAT time and a fabulous way to kickoff our 2011 Disney World Vacation!