Again, yes again.
I fell in love with the World as a 12 year old in 1995. I was supposed to go before that. My grandfather was going to take me. My dad was going around the same time, but because he thought I was going with my grandparents he didn't take me. Then my grandfather's trip fell through. So on Christmas day, 1994, when my aunt and uncle asked me if I wanted to go for Mardi Gras, I was a bit skeptical.
My mom and grandparents scrounged up the me for me to go. Funny story: My grandmother won $700 on a slot machine two weeks before we left for this Disney trip. She gave every penny of it to my uncle, for him to split between my 5 year old cousin and me. She said God gave her that money for to go and have fun. I love her!
Not knowing better, my mom packed me up, with mostly t-shirts and shorts, and a pair of Keds. I don't know if any of yall know what Keds are...but they have maybe a 1/16 of an inch of material between your feet and miles of walking! Not great Disney shoes!
Normally, my uncle likes to drive in the early morning hours, a tradition I would continue! However, this trip got delayed. My aunt and uncle owned a poboy(New Orleans style subs) shop at this time, and they had to open, and work through the lunch rush before we could leave. I remember my cousin Markie and I waiting that day. It seemed like it took forever for us to finally get on the road. I think we left sometime around 3pm.
My uncle doesn't like to stop. In fact he is one of those travelers that likes to "make good time". We eat in the car, and only stop for gas, which is where we pee as well...
We arrived around 1-2am. We stayed at Disney's All Star Music Resort, Calypso section. I was so excited. As I sleepily walked to our room, I took in the all the wonderful sights and colors...a 2 or 3 story tall pair of maracas, and everything was bright orange and pink!
I don't remember too much about that trip except for a few details. Markie and I fought like brother and sister the entire trip! I remember him singing "It's a Small World after all.." over and over again, all day, just because I told him to stop.
I remember going to eat at the Coral Reef, a restaurant that shares an entire wall with the Living Seas, a huge ass aquarium. The restaurant makes you fell as if you are dining under water. Ass you step into the restaurant, you have to step down 4 or 5 steps. On the side of these steps used to be bubble machines. Markie, who was in front of me, got distracted by the bubbles(what 5 year old wouldn't?) and to be honest so did I and he stopped mid step, and I tripped over him and landed on top of him.
Disney cast members quickly ushered us to First Aid to make sure I didn't break his arm! Almost 20 years later and I still haven't lived that one down!
I remember renting a watermouse, falling asleep at the Luau,and not wanting to ride scary rides(Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion) until they made me ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (I LOVED IT!). I remember my uncle getting sick after riding the Teacups, and I remember hearing Phantom of the Opera for the first time on the drive up there and back(my aunt and uncle had seen it recently and bought the cd, I LOVED IT, and still do!), and I remember going to mass at the Polynesian(it was outdoors and one of the most peaceful services I have ever been to!).
Most of all I remember having to get a wheelchair on the 3rd day because those wonderful Keds I wore gave me blisters on every area of my feet...I couldn't even tie the laces, let alone walk! Another thing that I haven't lived down yet!
This trip started a lifelong love affair for me with the Mouse. In my next few posts I will talk about my first trip with my husband, our first trip with our children, and planning our current trip-a trip with 8 y/o with ADHD, a 6 y/o with Asperger's, and a toddler!
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