Guilty!

[Motherfletcher]

I went home for lunch and my son was struggling with his college homework and I felt like an idiot because I couldn't help him. I don't know anatomy. I offered to cut the dog open to find where the lungs were in conjunction with the heart. I asked him if he had to work at the hospital Saturday and he said, "No." So I asked if he wanted to go to Disney. "DisneyWorld?" he said as his face lit up like he was 5 years old.
I called and made ressies for AKL and bought tickets for the Pirates and Princesses Party. I don't know what it is but Bob and I are going to find out on Friday night. I feel like I'm cheating on US/IOA but we'll go there Saturday to ease my guilt.

[tlinus]

I went home for lunch and my son was struggling with his college homework and I felt like an idiot because I couldn't help him. I don't know anatomy. I offered to cut the dog open to find where the lungs were in conjunction with the heart. I asked him if he had to work at the hospital Saturday and he said, "No." So I asked if he wanted to go to Disney. "DisneyWorld?" he said as his face lit up like he was 5 years old.
I called and made ressies for AKL and bought tickets for the Pirates and Princesses Party. I don't know what it is but Bob and I are going to find out on Friday night. I feel like I'm cheating on US/IOA but we'll go there Saturday to ease my guilt.

Awwwwwwwww.....what a great thing - no need to feel guilty! You are ending the mini trip correctly!! Have a blast!!:cool1: :cool1:

[phamton]

You should feel guilty. I have never had the urge to step foot on WDW property as I have been to too many amusement parks. I prefer the themeing and total immersion of Universal and IoA. Maybe I'll wait until the kids are all grown before venturing off propery and trying the other Orlando attractions like Disney. My neighbor went once and told me that there was nothing to do. ;)

[damo]

Shame on you Motherfletcher!!!!

(I think we might venture over for a day when we are in Orlando next month. I just wish I could find some cheaper tickets. Man, Disney is expensive!!!)

That was a pretty expensive lunch. Maybe you should invest in this and leave the poor dog alone.
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0764554220.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU15_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_V50629784_.jpg

[Motherfletcher]

The P&P deal at MK is a night thing like MNSSHP and they want you to come in costume. Since my Cinderella outfit is a little too snug I'll go as a pirate with a big ole sabre. Given a chance I'll slice open Mickey to see if he has a heart.pirate:
I should get a photo with a princess so I can use it as my avatar.

[goofy!]

I will wallow in guilt right with you. We are not only abandoning Universal, but we are abandoning Orlando.

We are doing 7 days in GASP Anaheim, doing Disneyland in March :scared1:

And the best guilt trip is, this is the first year we are going to be part of the DREADED :cheer2:cheerleaders.:cheer2: Our gym alone is bringing close to 150 kids

My daughter is part of a special needs cheer team and the national competition in Anaheim has asked that they accompany the other teams from the gym to showcase what these kids can do and to inspire other gyms to create special needs teams. But we will be one of those who must not be named who will have their daughter in hookeresque make-up, 6 cans of hairspray and will be running around Disney World with the same t-shirt as 100other families. :eek:

But at least we are going out a few days earlier to stay at the Loews Santa Monica (thanks Donald for the travel video last night), and will check out Universal Hollywood.

[goofy!]

The P&P deal at MK is a night thing like MNSSHP and they want you to come in costume. Since my Cinderella outfit is a little too snug I'll go as a pirate with a big ole sabre. Given a chance I'll slice open Mickey to see if he has a heart.pirate:
I should get a photo with a princess so I can use it as my avatar.

We will need pictures :banana:

[tlinus]

We will need pictures :banana:

of the princess or the sliced open Mickey :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[robvia]

Maybe he hasn't been on Everest yet. It's actually a fun ride and they have a single rider line if the wait is too long. We go to Disney once every 4 years when they have a new ride.

[goofy!]

of the princess or the sliced open Mickey :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Pictures of sliced open Mickey would probably be pretty boring - only thing in those innerds are pixie dust and kool-aid. ;)

[damo]

The party looks kind of neat. My daughter would love to do that. We are bringing her and her boyfriend (who has never done Orlando at all) with us. Let us know how you enjoy it. I might just splurge!!!

[bubba's mom]

Eh...don't feel guilty! Ya gotta do what ya gotta do! Have a good time and post pix....I :love: pix! We're going to Epcot for 2 days before going to UO :tiptoe:

[goofy!]

We're going to Epcot for 2 days before going to UO :tiptoe:
What's that you say Bubba's Mom? :rotfl: Have a great time!

[bubba's mom]

What's that you say Bubba's Mom? :rotfl: Have a great time!


I say We goin to Epcot :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: then it's UO from here on out.....(Epcot is the one Disney park we haven't done with DS....after last year's trip to UO, and being spoiled, DH won't go to Disney in summer. Since we threw this UO trip together for now, I mentioned we could do Epcot, cuz it's off-peak and get 'er dun!....well, he thought it was a great idea, so, that's our stop prior to 2 days at UO.....we'll be bak for a week to UO in the summer....dontcha worry! :thumbsup2 )

[highlander447]

You should feel guilty. I have never had the urge to step foot on WDW property as I have been to too many amusement parks. I prefer the themeing and total immersion of Universal and IoA. Maybe I'll wait until the kids are all grown before venturing off propery and trying the other Orlando attractions like Disney. My neighbor went once and told me that there was nothing to do. ;)
LOL, I believe you;)

[damo]

Just called for tickets and for $37/person we can enter the park at 4 pm until 12:30 am. That is a great deal for us since otherwise we'd be paying $67/person.

Thanks Motherfletcher!!!

[lindalinda]

We went to epcot for 1 day on our last trip. I do like epcot. Do soarin first. then get a fastpass to do it again. Mission Space never had a line when we were there (and it was June) so dont worry about that one, we did it several times. Other than that my boys liked the countries best. (you can read about it on my old trip report...boys r icky).

This year I'm skipping it tho, just Universal for me!

[AlexandNessa]

The P&P deal at MK is a night thing like MNSSHP and they want you to come in costume. Since my Cinderella outfit is a little too snug I'll go as a pirate with a big ole sabre. Given a chance I'll slice open Mickey to see if he has a heart.pirate:
I should get a photo with a princess so I can use it as my avatar.

No, leave the photo in your siggie, extra big! Also in your siggie include the links to every trip report you've ever written, ever! Don't forget to have the word "magical" cleverly worked into your title and you must call Bob "Prince Bobby" in your "cast section" of your trip report, and then refer to him only as "PB" thereafter. Then, and only then, will you be a true Dis member of the Disboards.

P.S. Why aren't you bringing your daughter? You could make her an appointment at the Bippity Boppity Boutique before the party ;)..... (tell R Jodie said HI!)

[Fan2CSkr]

Just called for tickets and for $37/person we can enter the park at 4 pm until 12:30 am. That is a great deal for us since otherwise we'd be paying $67/person.

Thanks Motherfletcher!!!

The P&P Party starts at 7:30P right? Can anyone enter at 4P or is that certain days only? Oy, I'm so not up on my Disney! It does sound like fun and a great way to have a day at MK for less than a fortune. It will be running 2 nights while we're there and I think the kids would love it.

Thanks for posting this Motherfletcher, hope you guys have fun!

[CJN]

I'm guilty, also. In a week we're headed to Universal for a few days and then to Disney, including a princess and pirate night. (uh-oh, so now I've admitted to that AND watching Donald Trump every week. Hope ya'll don't kick me right outta here).

Anyway, Fan2CSkr, the party doesn't officially start until 7:30 but people are presuming that if Disney runs this like the Halloween and Christmas parties -can't remember all those acromyn initials right now - then partygoers may be allowed in with just a party ticket as much as three hours early. Or, perhaps, even earlier if you have dinner reservations in the park.

Damo, did you get your info regarding a 4 p.m. entry directly from a cm? If so, that's great news to have it confirmed.:yay:

[bjakmom]

We're doing your weekend in reverse! DNeph and I are doing the weekend at USF, then heading over for one night at AKL and the P&P party on the 29th - back home on the 30th. Just a quick trip to get out of the cold (now that it is finally cold!!)- couldn't resist those $64.- r/t fares on Spirit - and it's a lot more fun than staying home during teacher's inservice days!!:thumbsup2 ENJOY - can't wait to see your pics!! pirate:
PS: I'll let you all know about the 4 PM entrance - we have 4:10 ADRs at LTT for dinner, even though the CM I talked to insisted there would be no early entry for this party (figure she just doesn't know how it REALLY works!).

[Motherfletcher]

Why aren't you bringing your daughter? (tell R Jodie said HI!)

I'm actually doing this in hopes of encouraging Roxy. I told her if she can raise one of her grades this week that she can come with us. Her report card with the "unsatisfactory" was able to spell Homer Simpson's favorite beer!:drinking1
I'm hoping this P&P pirate: princess: thing doesn't attract too many. It's new isn't it? I read somewhere that you can get a head start if you have dinner ressies but didn't know you could get in at 4. We couldn't get there by then anyway. As it is I'm picking Bob up at the hospital and he can shed the scrubs on the way. With check in might get there by 7.
Florida resident rates are $155 for water view at AKL. Standard was $135 but not available.
What do you think guys, should we dress up? Our last MK visit was the Halloween thing and I dressed up like a CM. One CM got all up in my face and told me to take off the name tag or he was going get me kicked out of the park. What was really cool was how he did it in front of my daughter. Even if I don't wear CM duds people have a tendency to approach me and ask where something is or if their kid can do this or that. I must look a lot like Walt.

[damo]

I'm guilty, also. In a week we're headed to Universal for a few days and then to Disney, including a princess and pirate night. (uh-oh, so now I've admitted to that AND watching Donald Trump every week. Hope ya'll don't kick me right outta here).

Anyway, Fan2CSkr, the party doesn't officially start until 7:30 but people are presuming that if Disney runs this like the Halloween and Christmas parties -can't remember all those acromyn initials right now - then partygoers may be allowed in with just a party ticket as much as three hours early. Or, perhaps, even earlier if you have dinner reservations in the park.

Damo, did you get your info regarding a 4 p.m. entry directly from a cm? If so, that's great news to have it confirmed.:yay:

When I called Disney to order the party tickets, the CM told me that you could enter at 4. I didn't ask this, she volunteered the information. Appparently that is always the case for these special events as I have now found out from other posters. For us, it is a wonderful deal. It saved me about $150. After reading the reports on the first party last night, the ride lines were quite short. That is perfect for us because it is the rides that we really want to do. The fireworks were also supposed to be spectacular.

There is a review here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1334215 where the poster got in at 4 yesterday.

[macraven]

popcorn::

[rie'smom]

I'm actually doing this in hopes of encouraging Roxy. I told her if she can raise one of her grades this week that she can come with us. Her report card with the "unsatisfactory" was able to spell Homer Simpson's favorite beer!:drinking1
I'm hoping this P&P pirate: princess: thing doesn't attract too many. It's new isn't it? I read somewhere that you can get a head start if you have dinner ressies but didn't know you could get in at 4. We couldn't get there by then anyway. As it is I'm picking Bob up at the hospital and he can shed the scrubs on the way. With check in might get there by 7.
Florida resident rates are $155 for water view at AKL. Standard was $135 but not available.
What do you think guys, should we dress up? Our last MK visit was the Halloween thing and I dressed up like a CM. One CM got all up in my face and told me to take off the name tag or he was going get me kicked out of the park. What was really cool was how he did it in front of my daughter. Even if I don't wear CM duds people have a tendency to approach me and ask where something is or if their kid can do this or that. I must look a lot like Walt.
Aww that Disney love.:rotfl:

[Harmony]

I feel like I'm cheating on US/IOA but we'll go there Saturday to ease my guilt.


Seriously, why would you feel guilty? WDW has alot to offer. As does US/IOA. I love going to both places. Do I feel guilty if I go to one and not the other. Not at all! After all, they are big business and I think they will be 'okay' with it. :lmao:

[Motherfletcher]

I'm not really guilty for going to WDW. In fact I'm kind of proud that this year I'm celebrating the 50th anniversary of my first trip to see the Mouse in Disneyland. Actually they say it all started with the Mouse but anyone who was alive clear back then knew that DL's biggest thing was Davy Crockett. I treasure my photo with Fess Parker and Buddy Ebson. I have never gotten into a Mickey Mouse cartoon.
I've taken the kids to WDW since they were infants. People accuse me of having children just to justify all the Orlando trips. I've tried to keep each visit fresh by saving a ride that we have never done or getting a photo of an obscure character. Once I gave my son and daughter each a disposable camera and offered a hundred dollar bill to the one that could get a picture of a family member with Daisy Duck. That was fun. I realized that we might have visited MK too many times when my daughter, who was 8 at the time, recited every pun in advance when we rode the Jungle Cruise. The CM let her go and she was even pointing out the hidden Mickeys.
We have attended USF since it opened and now that the kids are older they seem to prefer the thrills and more grown up nature of shows. I love the FOTL offered by the onsite hotels. I think the restaurants are better, it's cheaper and the crowds/lines are not as large.
The reason I say I'm guilty is from time to time people come to the US/IOA boards and bash Universal. I defend USF and have been known to get a little abrasive in my defense. I love theme parks, amusement parks and zoos. I wouldn't go to a Miami Zoo discussion board and say how much better the San Diego Zoo is (even though it is).
I will go Friday night guilt free and ride a ride that I have avoided for years- Space Mountain!:scared1:

[Motherfletcher]

No, leave the photo in your siggie, extra big! Also in your siggie include the links to every trip report you've ever written, ever!




I went to the Dis boards for info and found a thread that had 28 pagespopcorn:: Half of the posts are quotes of an entire previous post with only a smilie waving. Most have so much stuff at the bottom that your not sure if it's in the post until you see it all later with a little smilie. Some are so sweet that I was concerned that I might have diabetes from just reading them. It sure makes me appreciate all ya'll on the Universal boards!:grouphug:

[AlexandNessa]

I hear ya, MF! Sometimes when I venture over there, I'll "hide signatures." Wonder if you can still do that with all the board changes?

[CJN]

I went to the Dis boards for info and found a thread that had 28 pagespopcorn:: Half of the posts are quotes of an entire previous post with only a smilie waving. Most have so much stuff at the bottom that your not sure if it's in the post until you see it all later with a little smilie. Some are so sweet that I was concerned that I might have diabetes from just reading them. It sure makes me appreciate all ya'll on the Universal boards!:grouphug:

Well, that's enough to make me want to take out my signature which I finally just put in a few days ago (after three years of membership and a whopping total of 45 posts. Ooops, now it'll be 46 :rotfl: )

[AlexandNessa]

Well, that's enough to make me want to take out my signature which I finally just put in a few days ago (after three years of membership and a whopping total of 45 posts. Ooops, now it'll be 46 :rotfl: )

You are probably doing yourself a favor ... you can actually earn demerits for a signature violation now!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm

[CJN]

You are probably doing yourself a favor ... you can actually earn demerits for a signature violation now!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm

I was totally expecting one of those penalties to read "banished for seven days to the 'dark side'." :rotfl:

Okay, this has gone completely off topic now. Sorry but I'm going to be at Portofino in seven days so am a bit giddy!

[thedisneymom]

I was just about to start a new thread to say hi I'm online again(finally) and how is everyone when I saw Motherflether's post. Still hilarious I see. :rotfl:
I've had Dis'er withdrawel for months.
How is everyone on the Universal boards been? We are planning a grad trip for my daughter this June. Can't wait! Going from June 6th through 19th. Its earlier than we usually go. Will I miss grad nights and crowds as such?

[Motherfletcher]

Welcome back! We're going to PBH the 22nd for a couple of nights so we'll just miss you again.:sad2: Grad Bash was the end of April last year.

I have to go to MK tonight and being a pirate.pirate: Or a princessprincess:
When I got up this morning it was :cold: Tonight's pool view room is going to be empty. When it's cold here it's the Tundra in Orlando! Low 40's? I was talking about disecting Mickey earlier but we might really have to so we can crawl into the carcass to warm up. I hope AKL will let me upgrade to the frozen animal view.
Here's the plan- I'm going to wear all Universal stuff and ask CM's where Dr. Doom is and even pay my AKL bill with a Scooby Do check.

[bjakmom]

"Here's the plan- I'm going to wear all Universal stuff and ask CM's where Dr. Doom is and even pay my AKL bill with a Scooby Do check."

I hope they treat you the way US TMs treat me when I pull out my Visa with the castle on it!! Always cracks me up!:lmao:
Have fun at the party tonight - I leave for the airport at 5:30 AM tomorrow morning, can I assume that you will have already written a review of the party by then??:surfweb: ;) Checking into RPR tomorrow and AKL on Monday- actually found a thermal shirt for DNeph with a skull and crossbones on it - looks like he's going to need it under his pirate get up- I hope they have the hot tubs bubbling!! Won't seem bad to me - there's snow on the ground here today (finally!) and bitter howling winds! Can't wait to get back to FLA!!:cool:

[FeeFeeWhite]

Thanks for an early morning laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bubba's mom]

I hope they treat you the way US TMs treat me when I pull out my Visa with the castle on it!! Always cracks me up!:lmao:



Us too! We're saving toward our Disney cruise next year.....I've had that card over a year and the cruise isn't even available to book yet! :rotfl: BUT, we have over 500 points accumulated on it....going to help pay for that cruise a little bit!;)

[AlexandNessa]

Hey, I just saw this in my Disney Insider. MF, I've taken the liberty to highlight some of the activities you MUST do while there:


Swashbuckling Thrills and Royal Girls -- Now at the Magic Kingdom


Walt Disney World Resort has always been a place where dreams come true. And starting this week, Guests have the chance to live out two of the most popular fantasies around. If you've always wanted be a jolly buccaneer or discover your inner royalty, Disney's Princess and Pirate Party is for you. From swashbuckling tutorials and dance parties to a spectacular parade and fireworks show, this is a special opportunity that's not quite like anything the Magic Kingdom Park has done before.

For just 13 nights through March, a ticket to the party (you'll need a special party ticket, which includes Park admission during party hours) buys you a magical experience. We talked to show director Tara Anderson while the event was in the final planning stages to learn what to expect -- and to get a few tips for getting the most out of the experience.

"Basically, Mickey and Minnie are hosting a party that combines two of their favorite things -- swashbuckling adventure and royal romance," she says. "This is a party where we're letting our Guests to become the pirate or princess of their dreams. We have got areas set up all over the Park -- Pirate Coves and Princess Courts -- where they can meet their favorite Princesses or pirates. We have treasures throughout the Magic Kingdom that they can collect -- beads and chocolate coins and other chocolate treasures. We're giving them a little bag to put them in. We also have a brand-new fireworks show and a brand-new parade as part of this event."

Practically every area of the Park has something special to see and do: in Tomorrowland, you'll find break-dancing space pirates and an out-of-this-world DJ dance party. In Mickey's Toontown Fair, there's the Princess Pavilion -- the best bet for autograph seekers. Toontown is also the site of the Pirate Playground -- if you want to play Dunk the Pirate or Catapult the Treasure, you're in luck. Another Dance Party in Fantasyland will give Guests a chance to boogie down with Sebastian and Flounder, rarely encountered in person.
Adventureland hosts the Pirates of the Caribbean (of course!) and is also the site for Princess Jasmine's Court. That's where you'll find Princess Jasmine's Royal Guard Recruitment -- "it's an activity-type show where kids can come up and try some moves with their invisible scimitars, provided by Genie, to see if they have what it takes to protect the Princess," Tara explains.

Tara recommends staking out a spot on Main Street USA for the grand parade. And she warns us that it's not something you'll want to miss! "We have beautiful new music and costumes. It's called Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade. The Enchanted Adventures Song is the main song -- it's all about stepping into a story and entering into an adventure. We have a Jolly Roger Flag Corps, with the kind of flag work you see in marching bands with color guards. That's something we haven't done before. We're taking the parade to a place we haven't been in the Magic Kingdom, so that's very exciting to me."

If you watched the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade, you got a little sample from this parade -- the pirate ship float. A crew of daring stunt buccaneers will bring this beautiful vessel to rollicking life. "We're going to have stunt pirates on there swinging from the mast and climbing the ratlines and sword-fighting and all kinds of stuff. It's very exciting! We're also going to have knights on horseback, and Jasmine and Ali riding horses. It's just going to be beautiful," Tara sighs.

As if that's not enough, the nights are capped off with a brand-new fireworks display. "Our fireworks show is going to be terrific. It's called Magic, Music, and Mayhem, and it's going to feature all the Princess themes and magical characters like the fairies, and also pirates (of course!) and Tinker Bell. Also, for the first time at the Magic Kingdom, Tinker Bell will appear in our parade."

She concludes "I think it's for everybody! Children will love it, but so will kids at heart. Pirates have such a wide appeal, and I think everybody (me included) likes to dress up now and then and feel pretty, and be treated like royalty. I just think there's going to be lots to do ... and you have a bag of booty when you're done!"

Disney's Princess and Pirate Party runs selected nights from now through March 8. The Party hours are from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. -- plenty of time to dance, explore -- and dream.


Now, don't forget to come back and write a trip report!! :goodvibes

[IMGONNABE40!]

This sounds like it will be fun, MF. How about your daughter, did she get her grade up enough to go?

[keishashadow]

so some of you do go both ways;) ...

it's okay to admit it:lmao: , i get the same comments on the other threads as to why i'd ever want to go to Universal since i own DVC & have APs:confused3 duh...cause it's fun too!

never did get the "us against them mentality" as to favorite parks.

btw, expedition everest is fantastic! Say hello to my little friend.
http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/disney_yeti.jpgif you have a chance to snoop around AKL, check out upper floors as to building progress:thumbsup2 .

[thedisneymom]

I'm voting for Motherfletcher's "princess" pic to be his avator. Too funny!! This is a must see. Sounds like a really fun time for people like us who will humiliate ourselves and not care.:rotfl:
I, personally feel Motherfletcher is avoiding meeting my family. Every year for 20 years we are there at the end of June. Now You decide to go THEN!!!:confused3 when we go in early June.

[damo]

Waiting for the trip report!!!

[AlexandNessa]

Welcome back! How was it?

[damo]

I think he loved it so much he's never coming back here.

[DaddyDon]

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: I just have to see that pic motherfletcher....don't pass out yes i am still alive and well!!!!!!!!

[macraven]

paging mother fletcher.........paging mother fletcher.........


time to come home now.............

[damo]

Oh no. I think he looked directly into Mickey's eyes.

[DaddyDon]

Oh no. I think he looked directly into Mickey's eyes.
I think it may be worse :scared1: I think he got sprinkled by Tink dust:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[IMGONNABE40!]

I went to the Dis boards for info and found a thread that had 28 pagespopcorn:: Half of the posts are quotes of an entire previous post with only a smilie waving. Most have so much stuff at the bottom that your not sure if it's in the post until you see it all later with a little smilie. Some are so sweet that I was concerned that I might have diabetes from just reading them. It sure makes me appreciate all ya'll on the Universal boards!:grouphug:

:wave2:

When it's cold here it's the Tundra in Orlando! Low 40's? I was talking about disecting Mickey earlier but we might really have to so we can crawl into the carcass to warm up. I hope AKL will let me upgrade to the frozen animal view.
Here's the plan- I'm going to wear all Universal stuff and ask CM's where Dr. Doom is and even pay my AKL bill with a Scooby Do check.

:lmao:



;)


princess: pirate: party: ;) ?

[macraven]

I think it may be worse :scared1: I think he got sprinkled by Tink dust:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:




he really should just stay with the mummy dust..........:thumbsup2

[Motherfletcher]

Ya'll are too funny! I saw Mickey's human eyes and while I was under the spell Goofy tipped me over and pounded pixie dust up my butt!
It's been hectic since we got home. My boss is on this kick where he thinks I should work every day and my wife has got me working night and day to prepare for a garage sale. I told her to throw everything away but she and the kids are convinced that we are going to make millions!
It was just me and Bob on this trip. Roxy raised one F to a D but managed to drag another D down to an F. She got a referral for chewing gum and got kicked off the bus for several crimes against humanity. She'll be lucky if she sees Orlando again.
Bob wasn't able to get even an hour off so we could leave early and try to avoid peak hour Friday traffic. Interstate 75 is getting really bad. We had 4 occasions where it turned into a parking lot with the most interesting being where a light plane had made an emergency landing and was still sitting in the median. The normal 3 hour trip took over 4.
When we checked in at AKL I asked if an upgrade was available because the pool view would be pretty boring as cold as it was. She said no and gave us keys sending us down to the very end of the Giraffe Trail. When we opened the room I went out on to the balcony to try to see the "pool view" and I heard Bob telling someone at the door that our room was OK. I would have asked her to point out the pool but it didn't matter much. We hustled to the bus stop and made it to MK at 8.
They put wristbands on us and I had to ask a CM for a booty bag (a tiny velvet bag to collect chocolates and beads). She whispered that "booty bag" sounded kind of bad. I wasn't sure how to be PC so I said, "Arrgh, Prepare to be boarded!" The party was in full swing. We made our way toward Tomorrowland and saw that the old Alien Encounter, now Stitch, was closed. We haven't seen the Stitch thing so I was a little disappointed and that grew when we saw Buzz wasn't open! I hadn't told my son yet that I was going to ride Space Mt. for the first time so he was real excited when we entered. It was a walk on and Bob got in front then me and the third seat was taken by a little girl that screamed the entire ride. All in all the ride was lame. We left TL for Fanastyland and was strangely drawn to Small World. The boats all bunched up and we got stuck in there and I was sure that I was witnessing Hell. I almost disembarked (WDW is the only place on earth that one "disembarks") and waded out. Getting out of there was a sign to leave FL so we headed to Haunted Mansion which had a breakdown as well. We headed down to Adventureland to visit the Pirates and got sidetracked by the Hook and Smee characters. Hook was the only one who pointed out my IOA Lost Continent coat. The fireworks started so we headed up by Jungle Cruise (closed) to watch. The fireworks were good and lasted longer than I had remembered. When they started the grand finally we beelined to POTC because that was the only ride that seemed to have a queue. We walked on. They have updated the ride and my son wasn't sure if he liked it as well. I thought it was OK.
We then made our way to Main Street and on the way I stopped to get beads at one of the booty stops. They were the cheapest things I've ever seen. They just barely made it over my big head and they just gave you one. We stopped at the counter service that sells hot dogs where the CM's dress like baseball players. For dessert we move across the street to the bakery where we got the best deal of the night. I don't think its on the menu board but they sell ice cream sandwiches made out of chocolate chip cookies and 2 scoops of hard vanilla for $3.50. We walked out of the bakery to the beginning of the 10:30 parade and it was the first time ever where we could just sit on the curb without waiting there for an hour.
After the parade we wandered back to TL and Buzz was open so we did it 3 or 4 times since there was no line. I smoked Bob every time. The target behind the robot's hand was the difference. We rode Wedway or TTA or what ever they call it now until I finally got an old man to give me 5 from the oncoming train. Stitch was open so we sat through that lame attraction. We never made it to Toontown cause that's the way we roll. About 12:30 we caught a nearly empty bus back to AKL.
In the morning Bob spent several hours complaining about my snoring and we didn't make it to Universal until nearly noon. We had to park on the top deck. We went to the Studios and it wasn't very busy. We walked back to MIB and did it a few "walk on" times. We didn't get close to all 9's but I beat Bob and the other car every time. We hit BJ and Horror MakeUp before hunger took over and we went to Bubba Gump's. I had the bucket of boat trash and for desert I had the Alabama Mud Slide. It was 3" thick and about 5" in diameter made up of chocolate and vanilla ice cream with an Oreo crust. Awesome!
On the way out of town Bob wanted to stop at DD which was packed. It was a pretty good vacation because Bob and I always find things to laugh about. Bob drove home and came about a foot away from hitting a pedestrian who's car was broke down. Much more heart stopping than any threill ride. It only took about 3 nights to recover from the weekend. I better get back to the garage sale work or I'll never see Orlando again.

[bjakmom]

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: Glad to hear you made it back and had a good weekend!
We were in IOA that Sat - great day! - walked onto everything with FOTL - aside from being too cold to swim (though there were some hardy souls in the pool), we decided we love touring in 60 degree weather - and the folks back home in the teens didn't want to hear any whining anyway. We spent Sunday at USF - another awesome day - DNeph actually opened his eyes on Mummy for the first time (he does this one just for me) - he got picked to be in FF - he loved that. We went to AKL on Mon and got upgraded to sav view (made up - well, not really - for not getting our guaranteed suite upgrade at RPR :mad: - apparently DNeph thinks I snore, too, and likes to have a door to close - he was also complaining in the morning!)- we had a blast at P&P party - closed the park down and we were the only ones on the AKL bus - rode POTC just before 12:30 and we were completely alone on the entire ride - cool feeling. I think I'm going to make this my new escape week for FL - already planning to book my DVC points for next year and take my little granddaughter.
My youngest was always great at getting kicked off the school bus, too - good thing he's grown out of that phase - he's lucky to be alive! :laughing:

[AlexandNessa]

Sounds like a very adventurous trip! I agree that Stitch is totally lame. We hadn't seen it either, and were suckered by a 20 minute posted wait time that turned into an hour. We wanted an hour and a half of our lives back after that. Plus, I'm with you. Space Mountain sucks. I hate roller coasters where you don't even need to hold on, and you can just lean back in the coaster and hope you don't fall asleep by the end of the ride.

[Motherfletcher]

[QUOTE=bjakmom;16873500] and got upgraded to sav view (made up - well, not really - for not getting our guaranteed suite upgrade at RPR :mad: - QUOTE]

Ya'll probably got the upgrade because it was Mon.? Congrats! What's the deal with RPR? I have friend that used to work in Admin. for USF and she was going up for a night and called her friend who is thier HR VP and he was going to try and set her up at "Bali". That's what they called it before it was built. He got her tickets to the park but couldn't get the GM for a room. She paid $224 with Florida resident rates. She let them know about several things that didn't add up to much on the on-line checkout poll and about 2 weeks later got a certificate for half off the FLO rate. RPR has slipped from my fave after my last stay.
The only bad thing about the week is that it can get cold.

[macraven]

motherfletcher, welcome back home.

we were about to send out the search party for you !!!




glad you had a fun trip

[Motherfletcher]

Anything for a party!party:

[AlexandNessa]

Yeah, what **IS** the deal with RPR lately? They have had a tremendous turnover within the last few months. Everyone who is anyone seems to be bailing. When we were there in December, I asked who the Loews First contact was, and there wasn't one? :confused3 Then I asked who had taken over for Dale McDaniel, and the person I spoke with mentioned a name that wasn't familiar to me at all. And, this person also mentioned that the in-charge didn't want to be in-charge at all and was looking to get rid of the responsibility. Anyway, once the person who always took such great care of us at the RPR also left in the mass exodus, we opted to switch our May ressies to try the HRH. I lobbied for PBH, but Mike liked the rooms better at HRH. We'll see!