From Backroads to Broadway

The third trip that Ron and I took together was a combination of (a lot of) work for me and a few days of play for us (not nearly enough). I was tapped by my then-employer, Xerox, to be an onsite staff member at our Client Symposium at Disneyworld’s Contemporary Resort, just outside the park – a “we’ll scratch your back if you scratch ours” arrangement since Disney was a Xerox client at the time. I was rather jaded about the trip because I had been to Disneyworld a few years before with my cousin Holly, but I was going again.

I was one of the first people clients would see, as I greeted and checked them in (as well as Xerox employees who were there to staff booths and Xerox employees and third-party vendors there to schmooze clients). You can’t just show up and roll — you have to prepare lists, templates, name tags, Disney gift cards, etc., and did I ever (along with co-worker Beki, who is tying my apron in the photo).

The number of hours I accumulated leading up to the event are lost in the sands of time, but I had 40 hours of overtime alone the last 2 weeks before jetting to Orlando — not to mention the countless hours I racked up before then — all while doing my regular day job. Oh yeah, don’t forget the 16-hour days from Saturday through Wednesday at the event. Yep, the work was hard and the days were long, but my co-worker Becky Jennings arranged a fun event for us on that Saturday evening – we enjoyed a “kitchen experience” at the resort where we organized into teams and prepared different courses for our own dinner (overseen by Disney chefs and accompanied by a lot of alcohol).

Ron and I had opted to not take extended trips in 2012 because of his mom Shirley’s illness, but when my boss offered to pay for rooms at the resort for a few nights if we wanted to fly in our families — that was too good to pass up. We figured Ron could use a break and that week coincided with the spring breaks for Marissa and Jonathan, my co-worker/our friend Becky’s teen-aged kids, so we thought it would be fun for the 5 of us to spend a few days at the happiest place on earth.

The trip got off to a bit of a rocky start; Marissa and Jonathan flew in on Wednesday without much issue, but Ron came in on Thursday, when weather issues caused his flight from DFW to be delayed a few hours. He finally landed, and we were off and running!

We did it all: Space Mountain (the first night AND once during the day!) Spaceship Earth, Expedition Everest, Animal Kingdom, the Tower of Terror, It’s a Small World, the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, Marissa being the audience volunteer at Birds of Prey. The weather was OK — it rained off and on — but we didn’t let that stop us from enjoying everything Disney had to offer in Orlando.

The trip was great — Ron enjoyed the time as it hopefully took his mom’s illness off his mind for a few days, we had a wonderful time with the Jennings clan and deepened a bond that continues to this day, and it was a nice reward for me after a lot of grueling hours.

However, it also gave me a special memory regarding Mom. I had gotten into the practice of buying her and Dad gifts from my vacation destinations, and Disney was no different: we had lost Dad by this point, but I bought Mom a small pair of sterling silver Mickey Mouse dangly earrings that she wore proudly several times – until we lost her in February 2013. And the earrings? A couple of weeks after the funeral, we were in Seymour to start clearing out the house; I had no idea what to do with her jewelry until Ann suggested that I take the pieces I bought for Mom and give them to my female friends — now those Mickey earrings occasionally appear in the lobes of our good friend Debbie Layne, who has been a Mickey-phile since way back.

All in all, it was a memorable trip — lots of incredibly hard work and long hours for me, several days of play for Ron and me and the Jennings clan, a special memory about Mom that I treasure. And after 10 days at the happiest place on earth, I couldn’t wait to leave.

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While Kirk, still working for Xerox, was asked to go to Orlando, FL, for a work symposium, it was decided that I should fly out to join him. We quickly booked my flight and crossed our fingers that fate would be kind…..luck was in our favor as I boarded the plane in Dallas, disembarked in Orlando, and experienced very little drama (for me) before eventually being unceremoniously dumped at the front desk of the hotel before my quest to find Kirk and his merry group somewhere in the massive hotel.

Dragging my enormous, wobbly, and decrepit suitcase behind me, I wandered through the hallways of the hotel…..a trail of toppled console tables and one lightly trampled set of mouse ears signifying my arrival. Locating the conference room where the event had taken place wasn’t too difficult. The hubbub created by the team as they were wrapping up their bits and pieces could easily be heard down the hallway. As I entered the room, Becky greeted me and took me over to where Kirk was stashing the remnants of their belongings: name badges, laptop cords, and a few of the mini bottles of “medicinal spirits” Grandma Mae always kept hidden in the recesses of her nightstand!

While pretending to help, I noticed a few of the team members headed over toward the panoramic windows that faced out over the Magic Kingdom. Someone flicked on a television, and suddenly the room was filled with the plinkty-plonk intro music to the evening’s fireworks display which was soon to begin. Gathering near the windows, Kirk’s team stood around casually sipping their adult beverages, chatting excitedly about the plans each person had now that the symposium had ended. As everyone talked, I sidled up to the window and waited. Standing there in that brief moment as the fireworks danced in the air, I’ll admit, it was pretty awesome! I’ll also admit that I WANTED MORE- I wanted to be down in it. Up close and personal with it…..smelling of fireworks smoke and covered in its soot would be just fine by me!

Later, once Kirk had shown me to our room, we were joined by Becky Jennings’ kids, Marissa and Jonathan. Our bond, having been formed over sharing the spoils of a crawfish boil and SpongeBob quotes, was strong so when they mentioned a plan to ride Space Mountain that same evening, we immediately jumped at the chance! So, passes in hand, we made our way into the park.

As rollercoaster experts, they excitedly shared very sage advice as the line (all to quickly) evaporated in front of us. “Keep your hands inside the car,” they said. “Lean back onto the headrest,” they added with a bit too ominous a grin. I want to say I remembered. But according to the photos that were printed for the world do see. I obviously forgot EVERYTHING!

The ride itself? Let’s call it spirited. If by spirited you understand that I mean it was the sort of whiplash-inducing, organ-rearranging experience that makes you reconsider every decision since breakfast. By the end of the ride, I was left hoping that I hadn’t taught any of the other kids on the ride anything harsher than “fudge”……

That night, I attempted to sleep. I say “attempted” because, although we were comfortably in our room, my body kept replaying the loop-de-loop fun from earlier. Closing my eyes, I managed a bit of shut eye while also attempting to unclench my chin, chest, and cheeks!

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Our next day began with the sort of precise planning only two children, two “responsible” adults, and one sleep-deprived travel companion can manage.

We were like a pack of bottle rockets: loud, erratic, and likely to hit unintended targets along the way! (Are you worried yet?) So, much like starting your morning off with a yeti slap, I chugged down a cup of bitter, stale hotel coffee, chasing it with all the generic packaged “creamer” and sugar substitute I could find before trotting along behind Kirk and team, who seemed to be gathering steam along the way!

Expedition Everest was the first ride of the day (unless I am misremembering, which SHOULD NOT COME AS A SURPRISE to anyone). Arriving early, a long line had already formed, snaking its way for what seemed like infinity and beyond (couldn’t stop myself on that one)! However, long the queue was, it was at least mercifully entertaining — Disney, always eager to distract you from your own impatience, had filled it with trinkets, faux-exotic maps, and the ever-looming threat of animatronic doom. The ride itself was exhilarating and, thankfully, involved fewer surprise twists than the evening before!

We found a gentler rhythm at the Feathered Friends show, where Marissa and her camera had a paparazzi-level encounter with a swooping macaw. She even volunteered on stage — a bravery I admired from my safe, bird-poop-free seat.

From there, it was a whirlwind of animal spotting on the Kilimanjaro Safari (surprisingly authentic, even if the herd of wildebeests refused to burst into a spontaneous song and dance number……choosing instead to stand idly by the road burping and passing gas as we drove through)!

Following the safari, we paid a visit to the 3D “A Bug’s Life” experience. I say experience because show does not quite capture the horror of being ambushed by animatronic insects. I prepared for the worst. I did my best. I even closed my eyes during the “extra immersive” bits. But nothing could prepare me for the vibrating seat trick that simulates bugs under your legs.

Friends, I flinched. I flailed. I saw double. It was SpongeBob at Six Flags all over again….PTSD — Pixar Triggered Sensory Disturbance.

Kirk, patient soul that he is, guided me back through the crowd like a seasoned handler coaxing a bewildered goat through a petting zoo. I was sweaty, disoriented, and craving ginger ale.

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Saturday dawned in slow motion. Efforting to work through the vertigo still sloshing in my head, I went for a walk around the beautifully landscaped pathway surrounding our hotel. Pressing play on my Walkman, I enjoyed a bit of “me” time as Sade whispered in my ears…..

The day, while a bit blurrier than we would have liked, was still filled with lots of good times. Buzz Lightyear’s blaster ride, an encounter with Spaceship Earth, and our visit with a host of animatronic presidents may have been a blur of buttons, lasers, and anxiety (sometimes it felt like the founding fathers were watching us too closely) it was definitely worth our time!

On our final evening, we made one last noble attempt to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks display in person. Managing to find an awesome spot, center stage, we waited! Seeing Mickey Mouse standing just off stage, we waited!! Theatrical music began and Mickey began crossing the stage to the eruption of children and at least one hysterical adult!!! Looking out over the crowd his arms began to raise like an orchestral conductor…..

…….then he dropped them. Gave a sheepish wave. And exited stage right.

A kindly sounding narrator spoke next, informing us that unfortunately, due to storms in the area, the fireworks had been canceled for the evening.

Okay, maybe the trip went sideways in places. Sometimes diagonally. Occasionally even in loop-de-loops. But Disneyworld, it must be said, lived up to its reputation. Even if you are a migraine-prone introvert with motion sickness, an aversion to crowds, and a mild phobia of 3D beetles, it really is — against all odds — The Happiest Place on Earth!

*Thank you, honey, for inviting me to join you for this once in a lifetime trip.*

**I say once in a lifetime ‘cause I can’t do that again……trust and believe!**

***p.s. Momma loved her teakettle; re-gifted to me after her passing, it sits on a shelf along with one of her favorite pictures of me.***