TRIP INTERRUPTED - or V's Summer Vacation(s)

[PrincessV]

Opening words - right here, same post
Planning, Planning, Planning - p.4
Introductions! - p.7
It All Comes Together - Like Stew - p.8
But WAIT, there's more... - p.10
It Was a Dark and Stormy Night - p.12
Pool Piracy - The DIS Kids Meet Under Questionable Circumstances -p.12
The Lapus According to V - p.14
The Day After Tomorrow. Or Yesterday. Or Something Like That. - p.17
Fish Pizza - The Sequel - p.19
Interruption Interrupted – Back to Our Happy Place! -p.20
When the Volcano Blows - p.21
Fears Gained – Fears Conquered. It’s a Wash. - p.23
Fish Pizza, Part Tres - p.25
"I'm BAAAA-AAACK!!!" insert evil pineapple laugh here - p.27
Are We Dummies? - p.28
In honor of Thanksgiving... I'm DONE! - p.29






"I will never, ever try this in Sept. again.Friends and family members have been instructed to take away my credit cards should I ever start talking about doing this in the future. "
- PrincessV, September 2006



It’s been a year since I uttered those words. Right here on the DISboards. In my very first TR.



And yet, here I am, about to start in on yet another TR. In September.




WHAT was I thinking????? :crazy:





Well, there’s a story there. (Isn’t there always?) And it begins waaaay back last December. As some of you know, that’s when I made plans to meet an awesome DISer named Lauralee and the rest, as they say, (ever wonder who “they” are??), is history. We got along fabulously and only half-jokingly talked about a girls’-only weekend in The World someday. :cheer2:

Around the same time period, we’d both gotten to know Disneyland_Mama, better known as Tracy, here on the boards and agreed it would be awfully fun to meet up with her, too.

And there’s the rub.


Tracy’s plans called for a family trip to WDW. Once in 2007. Commencing in August. :crazy2:

Okay, August is not, technically, September. But I live less than two hours from The Mouse and I’d be hard-pressed to tell you what’s different about the two months down here. I can sum it up in a couple words:

HOT.

HUMID.


Repeat those about 1,000 times and you’ve got a pretty good handle on my life four months of every year. :scared:


What I’m getting at is this:


It’s all Tracy’s fault. :rotfl:



Actually, Jo’s, too. That’s DisneyJo. As we started seriously entertaining the idea of Lauralee and I popping over for a girls’ weekend and meet with Tracy, we got to know Jo and discovered she’d be at WDW with her family at the same time. Well, I really wanted to meet her, too, so she can take some of the blame as well. ;)


Oh, and let’s not leave s’late out of this little blame game. I’ve been enjoying sorul82?’s TRs and general funniness almost as long as I’ve been on the DIS and could not pass up an opportunity to meet up with her. And guess what? She had plans to be at WDW in late August, too. :rolleyes:


So, there you have it. My words from last year were rendered meaningless. Not only did my friends and family not keep me from doing anything so foolish as visiting WDW in summer again, four of them actually ENCOURAGED me to return. At this fright-inducing time of year. LY/MI guys!



And do I regret it?


Not a single, cotton-pickin’ bit! The fun I had this summer was worth every drop of sweat and sunscreen involved. And, believe it or not, there’s LOADS more craziness and excitement than the DIS meet to report, though it certainly takes the cake – or pineapple, as the case may be. Heh, heh.



So, hang on tight and come with me as I re-live…



V’s Summer Vacation(s)!!!


Up next: Introductions. And some other stuff.

[jcc0621]

I am here:cool1: AND I think I got here first:banana:
Can't wait to hear your version of things, V. popcorn::

Janet

[dreamn_Disney]

Oh can't wait this should be good. Will you need to change any names to protect the not so innocent?

[Disneyolic]

I'm here too! :woohoo: Guess we know who you're real friends are....the ones not included in the "others"....:rolleyes1

[princessjv]

I am so excited that you decided to do another TR! :cool1:

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

:yay: :yay:
I can't wait!!!!!!!!

[LurrrvtheDuck]

Wooohooo!! I actually made it to one of these TRs on the 1st page.

Can't wait to hear about all the Lapu madness V!

[Disneyolic]

Wooohooo!! I actually made it to one of these TRs on the 1st page.

Can wait to hear about all the Lapu madness V!
Weren't you there...or were you too drunk to remember it? :rolleyes1 If you were there...so was I...at least for 10 minutes.

[puggymom]

I'm here too:cool1:

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Alright! I get to read one of V's reports from the start for once! Usually I only catch them while they are winding down.:banana: :banana:

Can't wait to hear all about the dis meet!

[askelton]

I'm so glad "they" didn't get to you so we can enjoy another TR.

[apirateslife4evr]

YAY, another ~V~ trip report !!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Sign me up :surfweb:

[TheDISneyFamily]

So, was it :sunny: HOT :sunny: in WDW? It's not the heat, it's the humidity, ya know... :rolleyes1

By the way, it's me, Michelle. I've been confusing everyone with my new screen name lately! LOL! (evil laugh) I wanted to change it before I start our October pre-TR.

I'm soooo excited to read this new TR! (...not to mention your partners in crime!) ;)

Bring it on, sister! :surfweb:
-Michelle

[boysmom5150]

Hey V
Im here too.
Not that your other TR werent FAB, but this sounds like its gonna be good.
I cant wait to hear about them.
Ok my seat belt is fastened, LETS GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!:goodvibes

[PaMom001]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/28/28_1_14.gif I'm ready and waiting for more.

[tinkgurl]

Yes! Another T.R.! I knew you'd come around! :woohoo:

[LurrrvtheDuck]

Weren't you there...or were you too drunk to remember it? :rolleyes1 If you were there...so was I...at least for 10 minutes.

Ya know, I do remember having some Lapus in August. It was a little fuzzy afterwards though so not sure who was with me. :lmao:

No I was just there in spirit because I missed the meet by a freakin' week. :sad2:

[Disneyolic]

Ya know, I do remember having some Lapus in August. It was a little fuzzy afterwards though so not sure who was with me. :lmao:

No I was just there in spirit because I missed the meet by a freakin' week. :sad2:Oh...I guess I assumed you were there because I saw you in Jo's TR. I still was at the meet tho...

[PrincessAlways]

I'm hanging on!! Ready for take off!!! popcorn:: :woohoo: :banana:

[cmp1111]

Pshew, I'm not TOO late, though I can see DM's already trying to beat us all on post counts... :rolleyes1 :lmao:

V, so glad you're sharing! And, I can't wait to hear what else BESIDES the Lapu's are "taking the pineapple"... :banana:

[scrap4u]

Count me in V! Can't wait to hear how this trip turned out!:cool1:

[Disneyland_Mama]

Just wanted to pop in and say I'm here. :wave: Going back to sofa city, but I had to make quick pit stop. No pun intended. :teeth:

I can't wait to hear about your adventures with all those crazy DISers! :rolleyes1

[luvmyboys]

Another TR from V! "Oh yeah, oh yeah!!" :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

I'm IN!:woohoo:

[talicskai]

Subscribing to another great TR!

[Goofyluver]

:hyper: I'm in too!!! How much of the trip do you ladies actually remember???

[Glendamax]

I can't believe it! I'm actually SEMI-ON TIME for a trip report! WOW!!!

[Lauralee131]

"I will never, ever try this in Sept. again.Friends and family members have been instructed to take away my credit cards should I ever start talking about doing this in the future. "
- PrincessV, September 2006

Yeah, sure....:rolleyes:


WHAT was I thinking????? :crazy:

Yes, enquiring minds want to know:teacher:


Well, there’s a story there. (Isn’t there always?) And it begins waaaay back last December. As some of you know, that’s when I made plans to meet an awesome DISer named Lauralee and the rest, as they say, (ever wonder who “they” are??), is history. We got along fabulously and only half-jokingly talked about a girls’-only weekend in The World someday. :cheer2:

Awwww...LY2!!!:hug:

Around the same time period, we’d both gotten to know Disneyland_Mama, better known as Tracy, here on the boards and agreed it would be awfully fun to meet up with her, too.

And there’s the rub.


Tracy’s plans called for a family trip to WDW. Once in 2007. Commencing in August. :crazy2:

Now what was SHE thinking???:confused3

Okay, August is not, technically, September. But I live less than two hours from The Mouse and I’d be hard-pressed to tell you what’s different about the two months down here. I can sum it up in a couple words:

HOT.

HUMID.


Repeat those about 1,000 times and you’ve got a pretty good handle on my life four months of every year. :scared:

ummm....ewwwwww...Hot. Humid. Sends beads of sweat down my spine instead of tingles....


What I’m getting at is this:


It’s all Tracy’s fault. :rotfl:

YES, YES, YES, YES...I SECOND THAT!!! EMPHATICALLY!!!:headache:



Actually, Jo’s, too. That’s DisneyJo. As we started seriously entertaining the idea of Lauralee and I popping over for a girls’ weekend and meet with Tracy, we got to know Jo and discovered she’d be at WDW with her family at the same time. Well, I really wanted to meet her, too, so she can take some of the blame as well. ;)

You know, you're right...Jo should take some of the blame cake too...:rolleyes1


Oh, and let’s not leave s’late out of this little blame game. I’ve been enjoying sorul82?’s TRs and general funniness almost as long as I’ve been on the DIS and could not pass up an opportunity to meet up with her. And guess what? She had plans to be at WDW in late August, too. :rolleyes:

Yep...S'late should be in on this as well...


So, there you have it. My words from last year were rendered meaningless. Not only did my friends and family not keep me from doing anything so foolish as visiting WDW in summer again, four of them actually ENCOURAGED me to return. At this fright-inducing time of year. LY/MI guys!

Love you too!! And for the record...I believe I am pretty much blameless...:banana:

A victim of circumstance if you will....pirate:



And do I regret it?

Well do ya???:confused3


Not a single, cotton-pickin’ bit! The fun I had this summer was worth every drop of sweat and sunscreen involved. And, believe it or not, there’s LOADS more craziness and excitement than the DIS meet to report, though it certainly takes the cake – or pineapple, as the case may be. Heh, heh.

:thumbsup2



So, hang on tight and come with me as I re-live…



V’s Summer Vacation(s)!!!


Up next: Introductions. And some other stuff.

:woohoo: Woooo Hoooo - I'm INNNNN baby!!!!:woohoo:

[Lauralee131]

Oh can't wait this should be good. Will you need to change any names to protect the not so innocent?

pirate:

So, was it :sunny: HOT :sunny: in WDW? It's not the heat, it's the humidity, ya know... :rolleyes1



Yeah, sure....
:rolleyes:
Ya know, I do remember having some Lapus in August. It was a little fuzzy afterwards though so not sure who was with me. :lmao:


Story of my life...or...of my vacations anyway!!:banana:


I can't wait to hear about your adventures with all those crazy DISers! :rolleyes1

Me too...I'm on the edge of my seat!!

:hyper: I'm in too!!! How much of the trip do you ladies actually remember???

Ahhhh, but a good answer to that should be, "I'll never forget what I can still remember..."

I am so excited that you decided to do another TR! :cool1:

Last edited by princessjv : Yesterday at 04:45 PM. Reason: I would have been 1st...But lil'l diz & I had a date to meet his K teacher! :-)
http://www.disboards.com/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif http://www.disboards.com/images/buttons/report.gif (http://www.disboards.com/report.php?p=20646552)



Uh oh....Is Lil Diz in trouble???

[DisneyJo]

Wooohoooo V's doing a TR :yay: And yep it was definately all T's fault ;) :rotfl2:

[Disneyland_Mama]

What I’m getting at is this:
It’s all Tracy’s fault. :rotfl:
:eek: What???

Well, I really wanted to meet her, too, so she can take some of the blame as well. ;)
Well, it's about time Jo takes some of the blame! Sheesh! :rolleyes:


Oh, and let’s not leave s’late out of this little blame game. I’ve been enjoying sorul82?’s TRs and general funniness almost as long as I’ve been on the DIS and could not pass up an opportunity to meet up with her. And guess what? She had plans to be at WDW in late August, too. :rolleyes:

I think we should just blame S'late, since she's still there. :rolleyes1
Not a single, cotton-pickin’ bit! The fun I had this summer was worth every drop of sweat and sunscreen involved. And, believe it or not, there’s LOADS more craziness and excitement than the DIS meet to report, though it certainly takes the cake – or pineapple, as the case may be. Heh, heh.
Here, here! Let's just have a reunion tour say is the midst of cooler weather? Just sayin'. But I'd be happy to sweat my buns off anytime for you guys! :teeth:


Now what was SHE thinking???:confused3
Like you were hard to convince. :lmao:


ummm....ewwwwww...Hot. Humid. Sends beads of sweat down my spine instead of tingles....
Wait, wait, my favorite part was when you stood still for a minute how your butt cheeks would actually start to sweat. Now that was an experience. :rotfl2:


YES, YES, YES, YES...I SECOND THAT!!! EMPHATICALLY!!!:headache:
What! :snooty:


You know, you're right...Jo should take some of the blame cake too...:rolleyes1
Well thanks! And give her a big piece too!:lmao:



Love you too!! And for the record...I believe I am pretty much blameless...:banana:
:rotfl2:

A victim of circumstance if you will....pirate:
:rotfl2: :rotfl2:


Wooohoooo V's doing a TR :yay: And yep it was definately all T's fault ;) :rotfl2:

Good try, Jo! :sad2:

LY MI Guys! :grouphug:

[daisy_77]

I am really looking forward to this one!popcorn::

[KatGarcia]

"Hello! My name is Kat and I'm addicted to Trip reports"
"Hello Kat"


I'm in!

[MeLaNie9]

"Hello Kat"

I'm addicted too...especially to those by V and her pals! And these to include the famous (infamous?) Lapu Lapu meet! Yea!!!!!

Can't wait for more!

[PaMom001]

I'm addicted, too. And shame on Jo & Tracy for being such bad influences on innocent people like yourself. :)

[Lauralee131]

Here, here! Let's just have a reunion tour say is the midst of cooler weather? Just sayin'. But I'd be happy to sweat my buns off anytime for you guys! :teeth:

Well, truth be told, I'd sweat for you guys too...:grouphug:



Wait, wait, my favorite part was when you stood still for a minute how your butt cheeks would actually start to sweat. Now that was an experience.

:eek: What were you doing looking at my butt?!?!?!?

I feel like Simon...

Are you looking at my bum???:rolleyes1


[/quote]

[Disneygrl36]

I am here V............now back to page one to catch up!!!!!!!

[lovealldisney]

:woohoo: I have been waiting for your TR V!! I can't wait to hear all about it! popcorn::

[bawsmom]

:cool1: i'm in too!!

can't wait to hear all about it :woohoo:

[PrincessV]

Hi everybody! :wave: Thanks for joining in and for all the encouragement.

I'd like to say "a new installment is coming right up!". In fact, maybe I will....

A new installment is coming right up!







Did you buy that?




Me neither. But my heart was in it. ;)





Okay, okay, I AM working on it. Hang in there!

[Disneyolic]

Hi everybody! :wave: Thanks for joining in and for all the encouragement.

I'd like to say "a new installment is coming right up!". In fact, maybe I will....

A new installment is coming right up!







Did you buy that?




Me neither. But my heart was in it. ;)





Okay, okay, I AM working on it. Hang in there!I totally bought that one......thanks! :lmao:

[roberrl187]

I'm in.:thumbsup2

[cmp1111]

Hi everybody! :wave: Thanks for joining in and for all the encouragement.

I'd like to say "a new installment is coming right up!". In fact, maybe I will....

A new installment is coming right up!







Did you buy that?




Me neither. But my heart was in it. ;)





Okay, okay, I AM working on it. Hang in there!

Meanie! :lmao:

Fine, I'll wait. popcorn::

[team weasel]

I'm in! :thumbsup2

[jcc0621]

Waiting patientlypopcorn::

[Lauralee131]

No pressure or anything...I was just letting you know I'm here...

Hanging out...

waiting...:bored:

[Disneyland_Mama]

:eek: What were you doing looking at my butt?!?!?!?



:rotfl2:
Not your butt, my butt. I had the sweaty butt.

My typos get me in trouble once again. :headache: :lmao:

[PrincessV]

I was going to launch into the Introductions, but looking back… ahead… whatever, I feel the need to give a bit more background. So you can share in the joy and drama that is pre-trip planning. :rolleyes:

As I left off, Lauralee, Disneyland_Mama, DisneyJo, sorul82? and I had decided to meet, but needed to work out some details. Since I was only planning to spend one night in The World, that narrowed it down to a Fri. or Sat. Sat., August 25th wound up being a good bet for all parties. :thumbsup2


We had a date; we also needed a destination.


Back in Dec., our little meet took place over Lapu Lapus at the Poly’s Tambu lounge. The Lapu Lapu is a beauty of a drink, served up all festooned and pretty in a pineapple… what spells RELAXATION and VACATION more than a fruity pineapple drink sipped whilst one lounges in a tropical resort? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. :cloud9: And so we chose dinner at Kona Café, followed by Lapu Lapus at Tambu, to host our August meet. We’d even invite others to join us on the beach that evening for more Lapu goodness! :party:


Feeling badly for the nice CM’s at the poly? You should be. :rolleyes1



We had it all figured out. Tracy would ditch her family for an evening, as would Jo and s’late. Lauralee and I would split the cost of a moderate room and have a nice Girls’ Weekend sans families.







Only, the Girls’ Weekend was not to be. It seems someone’s family thought unkindly about someone taking off for The World without them. :sad2: Can you blame them, really? If my family’d known about my plans, surely they’d have wanted in, too. Well, one of them anyway.

Sweet thing, I think Lauralee really felt badly when she informed me that we wouldn’t be able to share a room after all. For the record, I completely understood and harbored no ill feelings at all. :flower3:







No, really.







I’m serious!




I responded as any good DIS mommy would – “Terrific! How ‘bout I bring my DS5 and we’ll sick our boys on each other while we sip frosty beverages poolside?!” :rotfl:


It was also during our mad planning of Lapupalooza that I took the plunge and bought into DVC. I blame that one squarely on LL. I was unable to resist the pull to buy, induced, magically it seemed, by her written reflections and pictorial documentation of her family’s glorious stay at SSR. I had to buy-in or die trying.


That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.


Now here’s something wacky for ya’s….. Given that most, if not all, of us are dedicated Disney planners, engineering our trips with the efficiency and exactness of a precision machine – does anyone find it ironic that I bought an SSR contract…. SIGHT UNSEEN??!! :scared1: Mmmm, hmmm. SSR was the only WDW resort in which I’d never set foot. I’d seen pictures and maps, and I liked the longer contract coupled with less-costly annual dues than other DVC resorts, but I had no idea if I’d find anything desirable about the resort itself.



Interesting decision.



Anyway, I’d bought it and wanted to give SSR a trial run, so I booked a studio for August 25 .


Then I remembered something. If I brought my DS, I’d also have to bring someone to stay with him while we ladies lived it up. That meant only one thing.

Gramma was coming.

Up next: The Introductions. Maybe.

[Disneyolic]

I'm glad you are posting how this all came together. I think you all had it planned before I started being a "regular" with all of you. And very interesting about the SSR purchase sight unseen....;)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Hurray for the DVC purchase!:banana:

[Disneyland_Mama]

I'm glad you are posting how this all came together. I think you all had it planned before I started being a "regular" with all of you. And very interesting about the SSR purchase sight unseen....;)
Oh yes, V, thanks for doing the whole "In the beginning....." installment.
I was going to launch into the Introductions, but looking back… ahead… whatever, I feel the need to give a bit more background. So you can share in the joy and drama that is pre-trip planning. :rolleyes:
Excellent work fellow Lapupalooza mate! :thumbsup2:

Back in Dec., our little meet took place over Lapu Lapus at the Poly’s Tambu lounge. The Lapu Lapu is a beauty of a drink, served up all festooned and pretty in a pineapple… what spells RELAXATION and VACATION more than a fruity pineapple drink sipped whilst one lounges in a tropical resort? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. :cloud9: And so we chose dinner at Kona Café, followed by Lapu Lapus at Tambu, to host our August meet. We’d even invite others to join us on the beach that evening for more Lapu goodness! :party:
I'd completely forgotton how the destination was finalized. :confused:


Feeling badly for the nice CM’s at the poly? You should be. :rolleyes1
And the poor Kona Manager..... :rolleyes1


Only, the Girls’ Weekend was not to be. It seems someone’s family thought unkindly about someone taking off for The World without them. :sad2: Can you blame them, really? If my family’d known about my plans, surely they’d have wanted in, too. Well, one of them anyway.
Finally a nice big slice of blame cake for LL. :cake: :rotfl2: LY LL!

It was also during our mad planning of Lapupalooza that I took the plunge and bought into DVC. I blame that one squarely on LL. I was unable to resist the pull to buy, induced, magically it seemed, by her written reflections and pictorial documentation of her family’s glorious stay at SSR. I had to buy-in or die trying.
Another slice, LL? :lmao: You know I keep blaming her as well in regards to the whole DVC thing. But Andy, LL says its great.... LL says once we stay in 2 bedroom it'll be done......LL says they sell themselves.....
'Cause you know what Lauralee says.... "Whose better than me? Two of me!" :lmao:


Then I remembered something. If I brought my DS, I’d also have to bring someone to stay with him while we ladies lived it up. That meant only one thing.

Gramma was coming.
For the record, I love Gramma! 'Course I don't have to live with Gramma. :rolleyes1 Just sayin'.

[jcc0621]

So, have you all picked your dates for next August yet:rolleyes1

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Hooray! I didn't have to wait for Tuesday!

Love the backstory. Wish I could have made LL drive and pick me up on her way down. But she wasn't having any part of driving (or kidnapping.)

[DisneyJo]

Wooohooo on DVC and I can't believe you brought it without seeing it :eek: So not a V thing to do!!!!

And oh yes the poor Kona manager :rotfl2:

[cmp1111]

I already knew most of this, but it's fun to hear it again! ;)

I guess I didn't realize, though, that you'd never seen SSR. :eek:

[puggymom]

Nice backstory, thanks for including it.

Uh-oh, what did you ladies do to the Kona Manager???

I had no idea you bought sight unseen:eek:

Great start:thumbsup2

[twob4him]

Hi V!!!! Sorry it took me so long to show up....my head has been filled with back-to-school stuff for myself and all three girls :eek: I organized myself into a tizzy this week let me tell you....:rolleyes1 So tonight while DH and Sarah are camping and canoeing (I kid you not) and the little ones are here with me watching the new "Enchanted Tales"...I am catching up! :cool1: I am really looking forward to hearing all about your SSR... of course its going to be a great place...its Disney of course...sight-unseen is fine !!!...:rotfl: :woohoo:

[KimAshton]

So subscribing. Cannot wait to read more.

[PrincessAlways]

ok,ok....I'm waiting for more!!! popcorn:: :hyper: :surfweb:

[dreamn_Disney]

Yes more please.

[LurrrvtheDuck]

Totally understand about SSR for DVC. :cloud9: If I could buy DVC that would be my home resort too.

Ooooh Gramma is along for another trip!

I don't know what happened with the poor Kona manager, but I feel sorry for him already! :laughing:

T, listen to LL about the 2BR. It is heaven on earth and you'll never want to leave it. It'll definately turn anyone into a resort snob. :snooty:

Wait a sec....does that mean Andy caved and bought DVC? (heading over to your TR)

[princessjv]

Okay Missy, Mis. Next time, I wanna come! I need me some magic, lapu style! I bet you all had a blast and I am so excited to read about it 4 fold!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I agree with everybody that I am shocked that you bought into SSR without having seen it but from all the pictures I have seen I am sure that you will love it, it looks really beautiful!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Ooops, posted on wrong thread, sorry V!

[Lauralee131]

I was going to launch into the Introductions, but looking back… ahead… whatever, I feel the need to give a bit more background. So you can share in the joy and drama that is pre-trip planning. :rolleyes:


As I left off, Lauralee, Disneyland_Mama, DisneyJo, sorul82? and I had decided to meet, but needed to work out some details. Since I was only planning to spend one night in The World, that narrowed it down to a Fri. or Sat. Sat., August 25th wound up being a good bet for all parties. :thumbsup2


We had a date; we also needed a destination.



Back in Dec., our little meet took place over Lapu Lapus at the Poly’s Tambu lounge. The Lapu Lapu is a beauty of a drink, served up all festooned and pretty in a pineapple… what spells RELAXATION and VACATION more than a fruity pineapple drink sipped whilst one lounges in a tropical resort? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. :cloud9: And so we chose dinner at Kona Café, followed by Lapu Lapus at Tambu, to host our August meet. We’d even invite others to join us on the beach that evening for more Lapu goodness! :party:
Ahhhh....memories....

like the corner of my mind...:rolleyes1

Good times, good times!!:thumbsup2


Feeling badly for the nice CM’s at the poly? You should be. :rolleyes1

:lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao: Yep!!




We had it all figured out. Tracy would ditch her family for an evening, as would Jo and s’late. Lauralee and I would split the cost of a moderate room and have a nice Girls’ Weekend sans families.

Sounds like the PERFECT PLAN doesn't it?!?!

Only, the Girls’ Weekend was not to be. It seems someone’s family thought unkindly about someone taking off for The World without them. :sad2: Can you blame them, really? If my family’d known about my plans, surely they’d have wanted in, too. Well, one of them anyway.

Sweet thing, I think Lauralee really felt badly when she informed me that we wouldn’t be able to share a room after all. For the record, I completely understood and harbored no ill feelings at all. :flower3:


Yes, V handled it well...it was me who had a hard time with it. :headache: Dammit...I STILL WANT MY CHICK WEEKEND!!:mad:



I responded as any good DIS mommy would – “Terrific! How ‘bout I bring my DS5 and we’ll sick our boys on each other while we sip frosty beverages poolside?!” :rotfl:

Ok, well I guess that made me feel a little better...but I'm still not over it. :rolleyes: I still want my weekend....


It was also during our mad planning of Lapupalooza that I took the plunge and bought into DVC. I blame that one squarely on LL. I was unable to resist the pull to buy, induced, magically it seemed, by her written reflections and pictorial documentation of her family’s glorious stay at SSR. I had to buy-in or die trying.


That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

I don't about ya'll, but I'm on the edge of my seat here. Will she buy? Will she be happy with her purchase? Will she like being my neighbor???popcorn::


Now here’s something wacky for ya’s….. Given that most, if not all, of us are dedicated Disney planners, engineering our trips with the efficiency and exactness of a precision machine – does anyone find it ironic that I bought an SSR contract…. SIGHT UNSEEN??!! :scared1: Mmmm, hmmm. SSR was the only WDW resort in which I’d never set foot. I’d seen pictures and maps, and I liked the longer contract coupled with less-costly annual dues than other DVC resorts, but I had no idea if I’d find anything desirable about the resort itself.

Holy carp...I hope she likes this place or I'll never hear the end of it, eh??:rolleyes1 And seriously...who buys a timeshare sight unseen?? :rotfl2: OR...I must be a darn good writer! Anyone??



Anyway, I’d bought it and wanted to give SSR a trial run, so I booked a studio for August 25 . :thumbsup2 I'm hoping you won't regret it as I definitely don't regret buying ours!


Then I remembered something. If I brought my DS, I’d also have to bring someone to stay with him while we ladies lived it up. That meant only one thing.

Gramma was coming.

Up next: The Introductions. Maybe.

Ok, ok...a family trip. I guess if you're ok with bringing your family, then I'll be (sort of) ok about bringing mine....:rolleyes:

[Lauralee131]

And the poor Kona Manager..... :rolleyes1

:lmao: I can't wait till we all get to the Saturday night part of our TR's!!

Finally a nice big slice of blame cake for LL. :cake: :rotfl2: LY LL!


Mmmmm....I loooooves me some cake!! Wait, what??? Blame cake? Surely you jest...I feel totally blameless...I've got a good clear head, a clean conscience...I whistle while I work...

You don't scare me...

Another slice, LL? :lmao: You know I keep blaming her as well in regards to the whole DVC thing. But Andy, LL says its great.... LL says once we stay in 2 bedroom it'll be done......LL says they sell themselves.....
'Cause you know what Lauralee says.... "Whose better than me? Two of me!" :lmao:


That's right baby...two of me! Don't hate me cuz ya ain't me!!

Love you Andy...mean it!!:flower3:

For the record, I love Gramma! 'Course I don't have to live with Gramma. :rolleyes1 Just sayin'.

Ditto!!pirate:

[cmp1111]

:lmao: I can't wait till we all get to the Saturday night part of our TR's!!

My fear is that you're planning something sneaky, like all of you posting that installment on the exact same moment, so that we all freak out with trying to get to them at once! :rotfl2:

[DisneyJo]

My fear is that you're planning something sneaky, like all of you posting that installment on the exact same moment, so that we all freak out with trying to get to them at once! :rotfl2:

:rotfl2: No worries there CE I've got about 10 more days to write about before I get there, so should be sometime around Christmas :rotfl2:

[cmp1111]

:rotfl2: No worries there CE I've got about 10 more days to write about before I get there, so should be sometime around Christmas :rotfl2:

Phew! :lmao:

[PrincessV]

I'm glad you are posting how this all came together. I think you all had it planned before I started being a "regular" with all of you.
Oh yes, V, thanks for doing the whole "In the beginning....." installment.
Love the backstory.
I already knew most of this, but it's fun to hear it again! ;)
Nice backstory, thanks for including it.
Okay, I have to take a moment here.... I was worried about letting the backstory out, since the rest of my fellow Lapupaloozalers haven't gotten there yet. But, I figured they hit the higlights (and LL REALLY got into details - if you haven't read her PTR, go there NOW!) in their pre-trippies. And, my trip wouldn't have happened AT ALL if it weren't for Lapu-fest 2007, so I had to start there, right?! :confused3
Hurray for the DVC purchase!:banana:
Thanks! Best decision I've made in a looong time :thumbsup2
I'd completely forgotton how the destination was finalized. :confused:
But you're willing to take my word for it?! ;)
You know I keep blaming her as well in regards to the whole DVC thing. But Andy, LL says its great.... LL says once we stay in 2 bedroom it'll be done......LL says they sell themselves.....
And, T? LL's right! :rotfl:
For the record, I love Gramma! 'Course I don't have to live with Gramma. :rolleyes1 Just sayin'.
EXACTLY.:rolleyes:
So, have you all picked your dates for next August yet:rolleyes1
Hmmm... funny you should mention :rolleyes1
Wish I could have made LL drive and pick me up on her way down. But she wasn't having any part of driving (or kidnapping.)
Seriously. Next time, I'll work on LL, too! (Where's the thug smiliey?)
Wooohooo on DVC and I can't believe you brought it without seeing it :eek: So not a V thing to do!!!!
I guess I didn't realize, though, that you'd never seen SSR. :eek:
I agree with everybody that I am shocked that you bought into SSR without having seen it but from all the pictures I have seen I am sure that you will love it, it looks really beautiful!
I KNOW! I don't know what happened to me. :confused3


Uh-oh, what did you ladies do to the Kona Manager???
Ummmmm... nothing? :rotfl2:

I am really looking forward to hearing all about your SSR... of course its going to be a great place...its Disney of course...sight-unseen is fine !!!...:rotfl: :woohoo: [/COLOR][/SIZE]
That's right - exactly what I was thinking!
So subscribing. Cannot wait to read more.
Thanks for joining in! :yay:
ok,ok....I'm waiting for more!!! popcorn:: :hyper: :surfweb:
Yes more please.
Clearly, you don't remember how long I traditionally take to write these things... :rolleyes1 ;)
I don't know what happened with the poor Kona manager, but I feel sorry for him already! :laughing:
:lmao:

[PrincessV]

Okay Missy, Mis. Next time, I wanna come! I need me some magic, lapu style! I bet you all had a blast and I am so excited to read about it 4 fold!
If anyone is deserving of some magic, it's YOU, my friend! :hug: You are SO coming with next time! :cheer2:
Sounds like the PERFECT PLAN doesn't it?!?!
And it WAS! :sad2:
I still want my weekend....
Here's the thing... would you rather have a chicks weekend, or a husband who FINALLY admits to loving WDW? I'll give you some time to ponder popcorn::
Will she like being my neighbor???popcorn::
LL? Won't you be my neighbor?! :flower3:
And seriously...who buys a timeshare sight unseen?? :rotfl2:
:lmao:

:lmao: I can't wait till we all get to the Saturday night part of our TR's!!
My fear is that you're planning something sneaky, like all of you posting that installment on the exact same moment, so that we all freak out with trying to get to them at once! :rotfl2:
Oh no - I think we should have no communicationa t all about Lapu night till we each tell our stories - it'll be fun to see how we each "remember" things! popcorn::
:rotfl2: No worries there CE I've got about 10 more days to write about before I get there, so should be sometime around Christmas :rotfl2:
Yeah, therein lies the problem. Lapu Fest was at the end of Jo's trip and the beginning of mine and s'late's. Of course. My classes start Monday. I might not get to it till Dec.! :faint:

[Disneyland_Mama]

My fear is that you're planning something sneaky, like all of you posting that installment on the exact same moment, so that we all freak out with trying to get to them at once! :rotfl2:

Oooh!!! That's a though, eh girls? :stir:

I do agree, we should not discuss Lapu Fest until we write our TR's. I want to see who remembers what, if anything! :rotfl2:

[PrincessAlways]

Here's the thing... would you rather have a chicks weekend, or a husband who FINALLY admits to loving WDW? I'll give you some time to ponder popcorn::

Oh, you have got to be kidding me!!! No question...chicks weekend absolutely!!!!!!!!!! :lmao: :lmao:

[boysmom5150]

I feel the need to give a bit more background. I love me some background, thanks

Feeling badly for the nice CM’s at the poly? You should be. :rolleyes1 I can only imagine:rolleyes1

does anyone find it ironic that I bought an SSR contract…. SIGHT UNSEEN??!!
Excuse me, did you just say sight unseen???!!!:eek: :eek:
What were you drinkin' some Lapus when making this decision:rotfl2: :rotfl2: Although I do hear its very lovely.


Gramma was coming.
This will make for a great story, I cant waitpopcorn::

[dreamn_Disney]

So many unanswered questions.
All just swimming in my head.
I eagerly await - The Rest of The Story.

[Disneygrl36]

What could you lapu ladies possibly have done to the poor Kona manager?
I for one can't wait to find out!!!!!!!!!!!!
:drinking1

For all of you other 80's chicks......I went to see an awesome 80's cover band last night & it was like being back in the day all over again. It sooooooooo rocked. I need deb's head banger smilie to insert here.

[Lauralee131]

Here's the thing... would you rather have a chicks weekend, or a husband who FINALLY admits to loving WDW? I'll give you some time to ponder popcorn::


Chick weekend. No contest!!;)

LL? Won't you be my neighbor?! :flower3:


LY/MI!!!:hug:


Oh no - I think we should have no communicationa t all about Lapu night till we each tell our stories - it'll be fun to see how we each "remember" things! popcorn::


You guys remember things???:confused3

:lmao:

Oooh!!! That's a though, eh girls? :stir:

I do agree, we should not discuss Lapu Fest until we write our TR's. I want to see who remembers what, if anything! :rotfl2:

Agreed.

Oh, you have got to be kidding me!!! No question...chicks weekend absolutely!!!!!!!!!! :lmao: :lmao:

Thank you!!! Me too!!!!

What could you lapu ladies possibly have done to the poor Kona manager?
I for one can't wait to find out!!!!!!!!!!!!
:drinking1



pirate: I ain't talkin'.

Yet....:rolleyes1

[TheDISneyFamily]

It was also during our mad planning of Lapupalooza that I took the plunge and bought into DVC. I blame that one squarely on LL. I was unable to resist the pull to buy, induced, magically it seemed, by her written reflections and pictorial documentation of her family’s glorious stay at SSR. I had to buy-in or die trying.


That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

...sniff...sniff... I believe I had a few words of wisdom here and there about DVC... sniff... :sad1: I feel so unloved...

J/K I hope you have many wonderful years as a DVC member. I'm happy to have you as my neighbor! :hug:

Yes, you all have to synchronize your Lapu Fest posts. You'll need to give us a warning of when the big reveal will be. We're all dying to hear about it. :dance3: and we want PICTURES!!! :thumbsup2

Take care,
Michelle

[Sleeping*Beauty]

Can't wait to hear what happened!

[ArielSRL]

Subbing popcorn::

[Lauralee131]

Sweetheart, page 2 DOES NOT look good on you!!:sad2:

[sorul82?]

Nice backstory, thanks for including it.

Uh-oh, what did you ladies do to the Kona Manager???



I don't remember a thing....:rolleyes1

[Disneyland_Mama]

I don't remember a thing....:rolleyes1

OMG! I'm just bursting to here, trying so hard not make comments about that night! :hyper:

How many days until your on Lapupalooza, LL? I think I have like 3 days. Oh crapola, I'm still on day 1 which was Wednesday... darn it! :furious:

[Miz Diz]

Hey V! Excited to hear about your trip!

[boysmom5150]

Hi V,
I see you spreading your funny love around on other TR's. Save some of that funny for us. Update soon??:hourglass

[PrincessV]

Excuse me, did you just say sight unseen???!!!:eek: :eek:
What were you drinkin' some Lapus when making this decision:rotfl2: :rotfl2:
No Lapus, but a Cosmo or three may just possibly have been involved :rolleyes1

So many unanswered questions.
All just swimming in my head.
I eagerly await - The Rest of The Story.
Uh-oh, I need to come up with answers?! ;)
What could you lapu ladies possibly have done to the poor Kona manager?
:rolleyes1 :rolleyes1 :rolleyes1
You guys remember things???:confused3
:lmao: LOTS of things... are you worried? :stir:

...sniff...sniff... I believe I had a few words of wisdom here and there about DVC... sniff... :sad1: I feel so unloved...
True that - Michelle deserves some of the DVC blame, too, for her enabling, er... help... as I mulled the decision over! LY/MI! :hug:

Can't wait to hear what happened!
Subbing popcorn::
Thanks guys - welcome aboard!
Sweetheart, page 2 DOES NOT look good on you!!:sad2:
YIKES, thanks for the save!
I don't remember a thing....:rolleyes1
Uh-huh, suuuuure you don't popcorn::
How many days until your on Lapupalooza, LL? I think I have like 3 days. Oh crapola, I'm still on day 1 which was Wednesday... darn it! :furious:
See, that's the problem - my trip basically STARTS with that day. There's no way I can draw the pre-trip out till you and Jo get there! I'm afraid you'll jsut have to be barred from my TR till you catch up. Heh, heh. ;)

Hey V! Excited to hear about your trip!
Hiya Miz! You say that now... ;-)

[Miz Diz]

I can't wait to hear each of your versions of the meet. And by the way - I am soooo jealous of the meet. DH was so scared we were going to meet up with Dissers the entire trip.

[Lauralee131]

I don't remember a thing....:rolleyes1

Sure....sure......:cool2:

OMG! I'm just bursting to here, trying so hard not make comments about that night! :hyper:

I know!! Me too!!:yay:

How many days until your on Lapupalooza, LL? I think I have like 3 days. Oh crapola, I'm still on day 1 which was Wednesday... darn it! :furious:

I think I've got 3 days too...our Epcot day was what - Wednesday, so not too much longer now!!:thumbsup2

Doesn't this seem like - in a very odd way - like the ending of a reality show where the winners aren't allowed to talk or see each other until the season finale' airs???

See, that's the problem - my trip basically STARTS with that day. There's no way I can draw the pre-trip out till you and Jo get there! I'm afraid you'll jsut have to be barred from my TR till you catch up. Heh, heh. ;)


Oooh...tough love, eh???

[dreamn_Disney]

I can't wait to hear each of your versions of the meet. And by the way - I am soooo jealous of the meet. DH was so scared we were going to meet up with Dissers the entire trip.

What exactly did he think we would do to him if? What have you told the man about us that he is so scared?

[Lauralee131]

What exactly did he think we would do to him if? What have you told the man about us that he is so scared?

Oh no...another one who thinks we're axe murderers!!:lmao:

[jcc0621]

Oh no...another one who thinks we're axe murderers!!:lmao:
:rotfl2:

Jim doesn't think you are all murderers, just that none of us has a life. He keeps saying things like "There is life beyond Disney":confused3 All I understand in that whole sentence is life and Disney. How about you guys.

[Disneyolic]

:rotfl2:

Jim doesn't think you are all murderers, just that none of us has a life. He keeps saying things like "There is life beyond Disney":confused3 All I understand in that whole sentence is life and Disney. How about you guys.I just read this to Rob. I got as far as the highlighted part and he says, "Exactly." To which I kept reading and I laughed back at him!!! He just did this...:rolleyes2

[jcc0621]

I just read this to Rob. I got as far as the highlighted part and he says, "Exactly." To which I kept reading and I laughed back at him!!! He just did this...:rolleyes2

:sad2: It's so sad isn't it.

[lovealldisney]

:rolleyes1

[blue_river]

I'm subscribing!

This sounds like it's going to be fun!!!

[Lauralee131]

Hmmm...correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it Tuesday??:confused3


popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn::

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Hmmm...correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it Tuesday??:confused3


popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn::

No silly, it's WEDNESDAY. She's either behind schedule, or she's got a new schedule and didn't tell anybody :confused3

But I'm here waiting with you.

[dreamn_Disney]

I am going to just sit and wait patiently.
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait.
yep good things
good good things
just wait
sitting
waiting
good good things

[jcc0621]

popcorn:: Maybe tomorrow;)

[MeLaNie9]

For all of you other 80's chicks......I went to see an awesome 80's cover band last night & it was like being back in the day all over again. It sooooooooo rocked. I need deb's head banger smilie to insert here.
Awesome...Did they do Skid Row "I Remember You" ??? That one song can just take me right back to high school and all those memories:rotfl:
I am going to just sit and wait patiently.
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait.
yep good things
good good things
just wait
sitting
waiting
good good things

I have adopted this as my mantra as well. Just repeatin' it to myself over and over....:upsidedow

[PrincessV]

Sheesh, no pressure or anything! ;) J/K!

Sorry all - work's been crazy AND I just started a new class, for which a 10 page paper is due in a week & a half! :scared1: WHAT have I gotten myself into???

I'll try for an update later today, though :thumbsup2

[Lauralee131]

Hmmm...correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it Tuesday??:confused3


popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn::

No silly, it's WEDNESDAY. She's either behind schedule, or she's got a new schedule and didn't tell anybody :confused3

But I'm here waiting with you.

:lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2: Blonde moment!!! But YAY - thanks for telling me I was that much closer to Friday!!!:thumbsup2

[dreamn_Disney]

Sheesh, no pressure or anything! ;) J/K!

Sorry all - work's been crazy AND I just started a new class, for which a 10 page paper is due in a week & a half! :scared1: WHAT have I gotten myself into???

I'll try for an update later today, though :thumbsup2
Couldn't you just work on the trip report and then print it as the paper for you class. I am sure we can all figure out how it fits in to the topic you need to write about.

Seriously hope it all settles down for you and I always hate the first paper of a class and 10 pages:eek: You have my deepest sympathy.

[Wonders10]

Hi V!

I had been avoiding the Trip Reports board for awhile now when I stumbled across your new one! What a treat! Can't wait for more.

When are you taking your Christmas trip to the world? I just booked a weekend at the Beach Club Dec. 14-16. :santa:

[PrincessV]

Couldn't you just work on the trip report and then print it as the paper for you class. I am sure we can all figure out how it fits in to the topic you need to write about.

Seriously hope it all settles down for you and I always hate the first paper of a class and 10 pages:eek: You have my deepest sympathy.
:rotfl2: I would LOVE to see the professor's face as I turn in TRIP INTERRUPTED for the "reasearch and analyze the success/failure of an art organization"!

Thanks - I thought I'd take it easy this semester with only one class, but this one class has me writing a 10-pager every 2 weeks! :faint:
When are you taking your Christmas trip to the world? I just booked a weekend at the Beach Club Dec. 14-16. :santa:
Good to see you Shannon! D'OH! Another one I'll just miss - I arrive 12/16. BUT, I'll be at EP that morning, so maybe there's a chance?

[PrincessV]

Time to introduce some folks, I think.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2081/1579279600_04e3dd9655.jpg

V That’s me. “PrincessV” is something of a misnomer – I’m utterly un-princess-like, actually. But I do enjoy wearing a tiara at work, (it makes people question what they’re seeing – I like that), and was nicknamed PrincessV so I went for it. If I could change my DIS name without losing tags and posts, I’d go with “Tie Fighter”, or “Blasphemous”, or even better - “Eyes of the World.” If you haven’t guessed, Star Wars, questioning authority and the Grateful Dead are a few of my favorite things. :darth: :badpc: :hippie:

I love WDW mostly for the break from reality it provides. And I’ve been breaking from reality with some regularity for the past 15 years. My first few trips to the MK were with my Dad as a kid and I have few memories – mostly flashes of long-defunct attractions like Dreamflight, 20,000 Leagues and Mr. Toad (RIP). I took a birthday trip to EP while in FL for college and, well… let’s just say it was “enhanced” – a good time it was, but the memories are a tad fuzzy. :rolleyes1 But, since moving to the Tampa Bay area some 15 years ago, I’ve become a regular visitor to all four parks and have come to consider The World my fall-back vacation destination. When I can’t afford to go anywhere else, (which is 98% of the time), The Mouse is always there for me with cheap FL annual passes, a half-tank of gas travel budget, and, now, a Home away from home. :banana:

My favorite park? I think EP. I like the educational components as well as the laid-back vibe. The ability to get a grown-up drink is an added bonus. :thumbsup2



http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/490206844_b3b14e54cc.jpg

Leo That’s my DS. He turned 5 this past May and just started Kindergarten. He’s quite reserved until he feels comfortable in a situation or around new people. Leo likes to carefully consider everything he does and will ponder the merits and safety of his potential actions long and hard before forging ahead. I guess that’s good – I have little concern about peer pressure getting to him – but it does slow things down sometimes. :rolleyes: He adopted his DIS name from his favorite Disney Channel show, Little Einsteins. Note that the Disney Leo also tends to be practical and analytical. ::yes::

Leo took his first trip to WDW at 4 months old and has celebrated 3 of his 5 birthdays with The Mouse. He’s constantly addressing and conquering his fears as he tries new rides each visit. I’ve learned to follow his lead and trust that he knows what he can handle. For the most part. I drew the line at his freak-out outside Carrousel of Progress and dragged him in anyway. For the record, he loved it. Sometimes, Mommy knows best. :cool2:

Leo’s favorite park is MK, by far. He’s VERY into doing rides this year and not so excited about hanging out people-watching. He’s wearing me out. :faint:



http://farm1.static.flickr.com/68/160987125_1f2248a217.jpg

Gramma My mom. Sometimes my best friend, sometimes the bane of my existence. We have an interesting relationship: she’s warm and fuzzy to everyone BUT me. I’m warm and fuzzy to everyone BUT her. Gramma can’t make a decision to save her life and I make decisions quickly and easily. Gramma knows everything about everything… and so do I. :stir: She can be passive-aggressive in her dealings, which drives me up the wall. But. She adores Leo and spoils him rotten. :love:

I first introduced Gramma to WDW shortly after we moved down here. I thought EP would be a good starting point for her, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. However, she professes not to like Disney. She’s not into the movies, she’s not into the characters and she’s definitely not into crowds and noise. But she moved in with Leo and me not long after my divorce and lowered herself to join us as we, as she puts it “traipsed all over” WDW. Secretly, I think she actually likes our visits, but she’ll never admit it.

Gramma’s favorite part of Disney is the resort, assuming its of the Deluxe variety. If she could lounge around the resort all day, she’d be a happy camper.



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2060/1579259352_1b6d15cdcd.jpg

Char Short for Charlotte, which is her S*x and the City token character, you may already know her as D from my last TR. Char is my dear, sweet friend and she’s been through the wringer the past couple years, having had a baby and lost a husband, father, grandfather, step-grandfather and cat. It’s waay too much for anyone to bear, yet she does it with grace and dignity. Char’s one amazing lady and I tell her so often. :hug:

Char’s been going to WDW since she was a little girl, as her Dad lived in FL and took her and her sister every summer. Her dad was the original WDW commando, long before the DIS, UG or TGM existed, and she tends to find unlimited energy for park touring. I first visited WDW with her and her late husband for the EP Food & Wine Fest last November…. We had a BLAST!!!! And, when I made plans for this past May’s trip, she and her DS came with us for his first WDW visit.

Char’s favorite park is EP, which explains a lot about our friendship. Readers of my last TR will remember that she missed out on our EP day in May, thanks to a sick baby, though we did make up for it with a ladies-only day at EP a few weeks later. Will she ever get back to EP again?



http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1254/729482324_71ff5f95bd.jpg

Harry That’s Char’s DS16 months, also known as baby B in my last TR. Why Harry? Because he totally reminds me of the baby Harry Potter in the first movie! Harry LOVES Leo and they share a lot of the same traits. But they differ in one critical arena: where Leo craves and needs lots of daily quiet time, Harry is on the go from the moment he wakes up till the moment he falls asleep. He’s also a climber, which is new territory for me. :scared:

I had the privilege of being a party to Harry’s first WDW visit in May, as we celebrated his first birthday in The World. His and Leo’s birthdays are only three days apart, (well, plus 4 years, but whatever), so they're probably doomed to joint WDW celebrations for as long as Char and I can maintain control over such things.

I’m just guessing here, but I think AK might be Harry’s favorite park. Apparently, he really enjoyed the animals in May.





So, those are the players in this TR. As to where and how they all fit in, you’ll just have to stay tuned to see!

Coming next: probably more planning

[TheDISneyFamily]

:yay: Yay! Very nice to meet you all... again! :goodvibes Excellent introductions!

Good luck with that 10 page paper!!!

-Michelle

[princessjv]

I love reading your self portrait...of yourself! You are surrounded by wonderful people. You are very lucky...I know how much you know that.


I am excited to read the rest...and so sad that we are literally missing each other by 1 day in OCT. :sad1:

[jcc0621]

:rotfl2: I would LOVE to see the professor's face as I turn in TRIP INTERRUPTED for the "reasearch and analyze the success/failure of an art organization"!


Art Organization = Disney = Main Street is art in and of itself. He won't buy it, huh:confused3 ;)

Good luck with the paper:thumbsup2

[DisneyJo]

So, those are the players in this TR. As to where and how they all fit in, you’ll just have to stay tuned to see! Great introductions V but where were the most important members of this TR? :rolleyes1 :rotfl2:

BTW if you wait for me to get to that night you'll be waiting a while :rotfl2:

[PrincessAlways]

Introductions accomplished! :thumbsup2 Good luck with your paper. We'll be here whenever you get a chance....:surfweb:

[dreamn_Disney]

Great into and sorry about all the papers coming up.

[puggymom]

Woohoo a V update, love meeting everyone again, can't wait to hear about your planning!

[cmp1111]

:rotfl2: I would LOVE to see the professor's face as I turn in TRIP INTERRUPTED for the "reasearch and analyze the success/failure of an art organization"!

I feel quite sure that the DIS is an art organization. There is photography and (I hear, I am not crafty my own self), on the DISigns thread, much handcrafting which ought to be considered folk art... ;)

So, those are the players in this TR. As to where and how they all fit in, you’ll just have to stay tuned to see!

Coming next: probably more planning

Great intros, depsite trying to confuse the heck out of us with the name changes... ;)

[Lauralee131]

Time to introduce some folks, I think.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/490238658_7008802310.jpg

V That’s me. “PrincessV” is something of a misnomer – I’m utterly un-princess-like, actually. But I do enjoy wearing a tiara at work, (it makes people question what they’re seeing – I like that), and was nicknamed PrincessV so I went for it. If I could change my DIS name without losing tags and posts, I’d go with “Tie Fighter”, or “Blasphemous”, or even better - “Eyes of the World.” If you haven’t guessed, Star Wars, questioning authority and the Grateful Dead are a few of my favorite things.

Thanks - you reminded me that I didn't do ANY introductions (I don't think I did anyway) in my TR...Hmmm...:confused:



I love WDW mostly for the break from reality it provides.

Preachin' to the choir sista! I'm ALL ABOUT that break from reality!!:hippie:



And I’ve been breaking from reality with some regularity for the past 15 years. My first few trips to the MK were with my Dad as a kid and I have few memories – mostly flashes of long-defunct attractions like Dreamflight, 20,000 Leagues and Mr. Toad (RIP). I took a birthday trip to EP while in FL for college and, well… let’s just say it was “enhanced” – a good time it was, but the memories are a tad fuzzy. :rolleyes1 But, since moving to the Tampa Bay area some 15 years ago, I’ve become a regular visitor to all four parks and have come to consider The World my fall-back vacation destination. When I can’t afford to go anywhere else, (which is 98% of the time), The Mouse is always there for me with cheap FL annual passes, a half-tank of gas travel budget, and, now, a Home away from home. :banana:

I second that RIP for Mr. Toad...:sad1:




http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/490264921_f6548f2cf6.jpg

Leo That’s my DS. He turned 5 this past May and just started Kindergarten. He’s quite reserved until he feels comfortable in a situation or around new people. Leo likes to carefully consider everything he does and will ponder the merits and safety of his potential actions long and hard before forging ahead. I guess that’s good – I have little concern about peer pressure getting to him – but it does slow things down sometimes. :rolleyes: He adopted his DIS name from his favorite Disney Channel show, Little Einsteins. Note that the Disney Leo also tends to be practical and analytical. ::yes::

There's my little buddy!!:hug: You've described him so well...and for those of you who haven't had the opportunity, Leo's the sweetest little boy:cloud9: ...and watch out, V...those eyes are going to have girls lining up outside your door...

And that said, note to Leo:

August. Pool slide. '08 is YOUR YEAR little man!!:hug:

And Michael said to tell him "hi!"




http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/490265353_08b53836de.jpg

Gramma My mom. Sometimes my best friend, sometimes the bane of my existence. We have an interesting relationship: she’s warm and fuzzy to everyone BUT me. I’m warm and fuzzy to everyone BUT her. Gramma can’t make a decision to save her life and I make decisions quickly and easily. Gramma knows everything about everything… and so do I. :stir: She can be passive-aggressive in her dealings with, which drives me up the wall. But.

I love this picture of Gramma...it makes her look like she can go from Warm & Fuzzy to "I'll stab you in the eye with this fork" in 0 to 60:lmao: .

Gramma's a sweetie though everyone...but we all know how mothers can be...:rolleyes: especially our own...


She adores Leo and spoils him rotten. :love:

And that's what's important!:thumbsup2

I first introduced Gramma to WDW shortly after we moved down here. I thought EP would be a good starting point for her, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. However, she professes not to like Disney. She’s not into the movies, she’s not into the characters and she’s definitely not into crowds and noise. But she moved in with Leo and me not long after my divorce and lowered herself to join us as we, as she puts it “traipsed all over” WDW. Secretly, I think she actually likes our visits, but she’ll never admit it.

OMG...I wish she and Tony would have had the opportunity to meet in August...

Gramma’s favorite part of Disney is the resort, assuming it’s of the Deluxe variety. If she could lounge around the resort all day, she’d be a happy camper.

Yep - we can leave Gramma and Tony at the pool while we hit the parks, girlfriend!!


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/209/490218856_6cc20fb2bd.jpg

Char Short for Charlotte, which is her S*x and the City token character, you may already know her as D from my last TR. Char is my dear, sweet friend and she’s been through the wringer the past couple years, having had a baby and lost a husband, father, grandfather, step-grandfather and cat. It’s waay too much for anyone to bear, yet she does it with grace and dignity. Char’s one amazing lady and I tell her so often. :hug:

ACK! You're changing D's name on me??? First Michelle changes her screen name and now this???:confused3 How am I going to keep everyone straight??


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1254/729482324_a74730fad4.jpg

Harry That’s Char’s DS16 months, also known as baby B in my last TR. Why Harry? Because he totally reminds me of the baby Harry Potter in the first movie! Harry LOVES Leo and they share a lot of the same traits. But they differ in one critical arena: where Leo craves and needs lots of daily quiet time, Harry is on the go from the moment he wakes up till the moment he falls asleep. He’s also a climber, which is new territory for me. :scared:

Look at B's face...what a cutie. Oops...Harry...

Oh and I caught that whole Harry Loves Leo...CUTE! :rotfl:

Isn't it strange being around little ones now that our boys are all "grown up"...I don't remember Michael being a climber either...it'd FREAK ME OUT. I'd be a complete wreck!


So, those are the players in this TR. As to where and how they all fit in, you’ll just have to stay tuned to see!



Ok, well those aren't ALL of the players...just sayin':rolleyes1

[PrincessV]

Ahem. There seem to be some, er grumblings about certain folks being left out of the introductions. :rolleyes1

I’d like to point out that certain folks were introduced back in the very beginning…. Looooong before I even got to those actually sharing room space with me. Lest anyone get the wrong idea, my dear DIS friends are the REASON for this little trip. About which I’m writing. LY/MI guys! :grouphug:

So. There. ;)


Alrighty then, moving on. I’d booked us a studio at my new Home, SSR. For one night.

I had no intentions of entering a park on this trip. No parks. Got that? Bad enough I was entering WDW in August, no way was I going to sweat out my last once of hydration at a park, thank you very much. Just Lapupalooza and back home. That’s also how I sold Gramma on coming along. No parks. We might do some swimming. She and Leo could hang in the room while I played with the girls Saturday night. But no parks.





Hardly seems enough, does it?



Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I added Sunday night to the ressie. And booked Biergarten for that night, ‘cause Leo and I really dug it in May and Gramma missed out. Plus, they were out of the wiener salad, (made famous by Melhappyhaunt), on my first visit.




Know something? Biergarten’s in Epcot. That’s a park.




Oops.


Okay, then one park. And that’s it.



Wait… do water parks count? I mean, I said swimming was okay – couldn’t that stretch to, oh, say, Typhoon Lagoon??



Alright, TL on Monday, EP Sunday night, and that’s it.




Of course, Leo was not going to be happy about the lack of MK. Not at all.



Fine. MK Sunday morning, TL Monday, EP Sunday night. And that’s final. By the way, I didn’t tell Gramma about any of this till she was ready to pack.

“Mom? Don’t forget we’re going to Biergarten for dinner Sunday night.”
“We are?”
“Yeah – remember talking about it? And we decided to go to TL Monday before driving home?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Well, that’s because you prefer not to know all the details way in advance.”
“That’s true. Okay, so what clothes do I need?”


Heh heh. I’m learning.

I did point out that she was NOT required to hit the MK and maybe she’d enjoy a few hours alone. She was all for it.




Meanwhile, the Lapu Ladies and I were hatching yet another meet. I have NO recollection of how this started, so someone jump in if you remember. It came to light that 4 of us, (s’late wouldn’t get to WDW till the afternoon of the Fest), had nothing much planned Sat. morning. That’s no good.

And so, a pool meet with the kiddos was planned!


True, only LL and I were at the same resort.

True, pool hopping is frowned upon by both The Mouse and the DIS. (Frankly, I think most strongly by the latter. :rolleyes: )


Do we strike you as people who don’t ever break a rule or two?



Nope. We chose the High Rock Springs pool at SSR for our renegade swimming expedition. So sue us. Well, maybe just sue T and Jo – LL and I were okay. J/K!


But not about the pool hopping. We were all kinds of illegal there.





That plan mostly stayed the same for most of the time leading up to the trip. Okay, I did add Monday night. But I dumped it a week later in the interest of using my points in Dec. And I may have booked Raglan Rd. for Monday night, but I dumped it, too. So no changes, really. :rolleyes:


But us DIS junkies weren’t done yet. Turned out, Sunday was Little Ones Extra Magic Hour at the MK. Opening at 8am. The morning after Laputoxication.



Oy. :headache:


I had no choice – there was no way we could go to WDW and not take Leo to the MK for at least a couple hours. So I did what good friends do. I worked on others to join me in the pain. T was in. LL was a maybe. Jo was a no. S’late, too, had other plans. Smart ladies.


So that was it. The plans were laid for a terrific, Lapu-filled weekend! We’d have fun, our kids would have fun, Jo, LL, and T even found some DIS fun for their hubbies and Waldo! No spoilers from me – go read their TR’s for more on that.



As for me, my next stop is Saturday, August 25 – aka LAPU-FEST!!!



Maybe.

[TEminnie]

Somehow--I thought I had subscribed last week but something went wrong...:confused:
Y'all didn't block me didya???:confused3 ;)

[talicskai]

You are such a great writer ~ just keep going please :thumbsup2

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

:lmao: I love how your trip evolved from just Lapu's with the girls to TL, EP , and MK.

[Disneyland_Mama]

Ok, I had my nice little (ahem!) reply all set and then *POOF* it was gone! So let me do that again. :teeth:


V That’s me. “PrincessV” is something of a misnomer – I’m utterly un-princess-like, actually. But I do enjoy wearing a tiara at work, (it makes people question what they’re seeing – I like that), and was nicknamed PrincessV so I went for it.
You mean wearing a tiara is frowned upon in the work place? :confused3


I love WDW mostly for the break from reality it provides.
ITA - 'cause sometimes, reality bites. :upsidedow


Leo That’s my DS. He turned 5 this past May and just started Kindergarten. He’s quite reserved until he feels comfortable in a situation or around new people.
I'm sorry Leo didn't really get a change to get comfy with me and my kiddos. There's alway next year. :teeth:
[
Gramma My mom. Sometimes my best friend, sometimes the bane of my existence. We have an interesting relationship: she’s warm and fuzzy to everyone BUT me. I’m warm and fuzzy to everyone BUT her. Gramma can’t make a decision to save her life and I make decisions quickly and easily. Gramma knows everything about everything… and so do I. :stir: She can be passive-aggressive in her dealings with, which drives me up the wall. But. She adores Leo and spoils him rotten.
Ok, here's the scary part. I could have written that exact same paragraph about my relationship with my mother and father for that matter. :confused:

Char’s one amazing lady and I tell her so often. :hug:
I truly admire this woman and her courage. I'm sure everyday is a challenge for her, but when you've got an adorable son depending on you, you tredge on.
[
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1254/729482324_a74730fad4.jpg

Adorable, simply adorable! :goodvibes

Thanks - you reminded me that I didn't do ANY introductions (I don't think I did anyway) in my TR...Hmmm...:confused:
OMG! That's right, you didn't! :lmao:

I second that RIP for Mr. Toad
I guess you'll just have to come visit Mr. Toad at Dland. Still one of my all time fav. rides! :cool1:

And that said, note to Leo:
August. Pool slide. '08 is YOUR YEAR little man!!
Hmmm... I wonder if I could talk Andy into staying in an SSR studio. :scratchin


And Michael said to tell him "hi!"
Shhhh!!! Not too loud! I have to admit, Maddie was a little jealous of Leo's ability to take Michael's attention from her! :lmao:


I love this picture of Gramma...it makes her look like she can go from Warm & Fuzzy to "I'll stab you in the eye with this fork" in 0 to 60 .
:rotfl2:

I’d like to point out that certain folks were introduced back in the very beginning…. Looooong before I even got to those actually sharing room space with me. Lest anyone get the wrong idea, my dear DIS friends are the REASON for this little trip.
Yeah, Jo and LL! :snooty: :lmao:


I had no intentions of entering a park on this trip. No parks. Got that? Bad enough I was entering WDW in August, no way was I going to sweat out my last once of hydration at a park, thank you very much. Just Lapupalooza and back home. That’s also how I sold Gramma on coming along. No parks. We might do some swimming. She and Leo could hang in the room while I played with the girls Saturday night. But no parks.
Really? I mean REALLY??? How is that even possible? :confused3

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I added Sunday night to the ressie. And booked Biergarten for that night, ‘cause Leo and I really dug it in May and Gramma missed out. Plus, they were out of the wiener salad, (made famous by Melhappyhaunt), on my first visit.
Wiener salad? Ok, I'm crossing Biergarten off my list. You know how I feel about wieners. :scared:


Of course, Leo was not going to be happy about the lack of MK. Not at all.
:rolleyes:

Meanwhile, the Lapu Ladies and I were hatching yet another meet. I have NO recollection of how this started, so someone jump in if you remember. It came to light that 4 of us, (s’late wouldn’t get to WDW till the afternoon of the Fest), had nothing much planned Sat. morning. That’s no good.
Jeez, you got me there. I can't remember how this meet came about. :scratchin

True, pool hopping is frowned upon by both The Mouse and the DIS. (Frankly, I think most strongly by the latter. :rolleyes: )
Well, if SSR is your Home away from Home, then who's to say you can't have visitors? Just sayin' :rolleyes2:


But us DIS junkies weren’t done yet. Turned out, Sunday was Little Ones Extra Magic Hour at the MK. Opening at 8am. The morning after Laputoxication.
And who's idea what THAT? :headache:

I had no choice – there was no way we could go to WDW and not take Leo to the MK for at least a couple hours. So I did what good friends do. I worked on others to join me in the pain. T was in. LL was a maybe. Jo was a no. S’late, too, had other plans. Smart ladies.
All I'm sayin' is you guys are serious JUNKIES!! :rotfl2:

[dreamn_Disney]

“Mom? Don’t forget we’re going to Biergarten for dinner Sunday night.”
“We are?”
“Yeah – remember talking about it? And we decided to go to TL Monday before driving home?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Well, that’s because you prefer not to know all the details way in advance.”
“That’s true. Okay, so what clothes do I need?”


Heh heh. I’m learning.

Very good planning. That conversation is pure genius on your part.

[jcc0621]

Great update V. I can't wait to hear about Lapupalooza 07. This is gonna be goooooood:cool1:

[Disneyolic]

I love short updates and that drag on for-EVER......:dance3:

[blue_river]

I haven't read your previous TR so it was great to read about the cast members.

I don't know the story behind your friend Char but my heart went out to her. She does sound like an amazing lady. I'm glad to hear she's holding up so well. :grouphug:

[TEminnie]

I love short updates and that drag on for-EVER......:dance3:
Really??? I never would have guessed! We're not past lunch right???;)

I think I'm officially stalking you--cause I keep refreshing it to see where you are.......do you feel like someone's watching you???

[Disneyolic]

I think I'm officially stalking you--cause I keep refreshing it to see where you are.......do you feel like someone's watching you???
Everybody sing with me....I always feel like, somebody's watching me!!!

[Sleeping*Beauty]

Everybody sing with me....I always feel like, somebody's watching me!!!

And I have no privacy!!

[PrincessAlways]

I had no intentions of entering a park on this trip. No parks. Got that? Bad enough I was entering WDW in August, no way was I going to sweat out my last once of hydration at a park, thank you very much. Just Lapupalooza and back home. That’s also how I sold Gramma on coming along. No parks. We might do some swimming. She and Leo could hang in the room while I played with the girls Saturday night. But no parks.

Hardly seems enough, does it?

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I added Sunday night to the ressie. And booked Biergarten for that night, ‘cause Leo and I really dug it in May and Gramma missed out. Plus, they were out of the wiener salad, (made famous by Melhappyhaunt), on my first visit.

Know something? Biergarten’s in Epcot. That’s a park.

Oops.

Okay, then one park. And that’s it.

Wait… do water parks count? I mean, I said swimming was okay – couldn’t that stretch to, oh, say, Typhoon Lagoon??

Alright, TL on Monday, EP Sunday night, and that’s it.

Of course, Leo was not going to be happy about the lack of MK. Not at all.

:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: No other comment needed!! :lmao:


Fine. MK Sunday morning, TL Monday, EP Sunday night. And that’s final. By the way, I didn’t tell Gramma about any of this till she was ready to pack.

“Mom? Don’t forget we’re going to Biergarten for dinner Sunday night.”
“We are?”
“Yeah – remember talking about it? And we decided to go to TL Monday before driving home?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Well, that’s because you prefer not to know all the details way in advance.”
“That’s true. Okay, so what clothes do I need?”

Heh heh. I’m learning.
Sometimes, we can be slow learners!! ;)


But us DIS junkies weren’t done yet. Turned out, Sunday was Little Ones Extra Magic Hour at the MK. Opening at 8am. The morning after Laputoxication.
"laputoxicaion"....a new word!!

[TEminnie]

I can't wait to hear each of your versions of the meet. And by the way - I am soooo jealous of the meet. DH was so scared we were going to meet up with Dissers the entire trip.
:confused: Did I scare him last trip??? Nah---must have been S'late.....;)

[TEminnie]

I'm glad you are posting how this all came together. I think you all had it planned before I started being a "regular" with all of you. And very interesting about the SSR purchase sight unseen....;)
Yeah-- I was wondering about how the crew got together too--they were already done planning by the time I got met everyone in Feb!

Hey--did I read somewhere in here about pool hopping??? Can't find it now.......should I overlook it?>>>>>>
I THINK NOT!!
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u59/NOTYLERSWEENEY/flame.gif

(LY/MI);)

[twob4him]

:rotfl2: Your updates are cracking me up....loved how you kept adding things in and snuck it in on grandma! Great job :thumbsup2 I can't wait to hear more....sounds like a great time!!

[MeLaNie9]

I just love your TRs! Thanks for the update with the intros and some more background. Good to see your crew again! I didn't realize that Char (D) and her beautiful baby Harry (BabyB) were going to be along on this one too! I agree that your conversation with Gramma was just genious!!! I can totally use that technique on MIL for upcoming trip! She's already started in with "well, we can't expect to see EVERYTHING" :eek:

Good luck with your paper. :goodvibes I recently spent a few weeks studying (cramming) for a recertifying exam (first test I have had to take since having kids) and boy did I find a new appreciation for those who take classes/do homework/study/etc. with children in their lives! It was impossible to get anything accomplished! You seem like a master at juggling it all!

[cmp1111]

Now, I didn't know any of that! I love that you snuck in 3 park days!

popcorn::

[DisneyJo]

Actually V I'm with CE some of that I didn't know either, can't wait for your views on the next update :rotfl2:

[LurrrvtheDuck]

BTW if you wait for me to get to that night you'll be waiting a while :rotfl2:

Well I'm glad you said it, since I was gonna point that out too. :lmao:



V, great start! How great that Char and Harry are joining you guys again on your trip. :goodvibes

EMH for little ones after luputoxication?! :faint:

[puggymom]

YOU TOO HAVE A TIARA AT WORK:lmao: That's why I felt so connected to you, I have one to, let's people know who they are dealing with:rotfl2:

Love the conversation with your Mom. I have all ADR's and a Plan layed out for February and my Mom doesn't have a clue.;)

Can't wait to hear more details!

[PrincessV]

You are such a great writer ~ just keep going please :thumbsup2
Awww, thanks so much! :goodvibes
:lmao: I love how your trip evolved from just Lapu's with the girls to TL, EP , and MK.
I know, right - what happened to "no parks"?!
I'm sorry Leo didn't really get a change to get comfy with me and my kiddos. There's alway next year. :teeth:
Oh no, I hope you guys didn't feel slighted at all! :hug: I think it was more of ... well... shoot. I can't even exaplin without giving away story parts. Okay, just hang in there, k?! LY/MI!!

Ok, here's the scary part. I could have written that exact same paragraph about my relationship with my mother and father for that matter. :confused:
OMG - and I kept thinking about you and TE while I was writing that part - BORG!!
Hmmm... I wonder if I could talk Andy into staying in an SSR studio. :scratchin
NOW you're talkin'!

Very good planning. That conversation is pure genius on your part.
Why thank you!
Great update V. I can't wait to hear about Lapupalooza 07. This is gonna be goooooood:cool1:
Yeah!! I think it was anyway... :rolleyes1
I love short updates and that drag on for-EVER......:dance3:
Heh, heh.
I haven't read your previous TR so it was great to read about the cast members.
SEE everybody - someone appreciated my efforts to properly introduce the travelers! ;)
"laputoxicaion"....a new word!!
Yep, I think you'll understand a bit more about why Laputoxication is so appropriate as we moce on :rolleyes1
Hey--did I read somewhere in here about pool hopping??? Can't find it now.......should I overlook it?>>>>>>
Ummmmm..... no? :rotfl:
:rotfl2: Your updates are cracking me up....loved how you kept adding things in and snuck it in on grandma! Great job :thumbsup2
Thaks - leaving Gramma in the dark is SOO the way to go!
I can totally use that technique on MIL for upcoming trip! She's already started in with "well, we can't expect to see EVERYTHING" :eek:
:scared: Definitely, go in with a plan and don't tell her ANYTHING! :rotfl2:

Now, I didn't know any of that! I love that you snuck in 3 park days!
Hee, hee, I'm slick like that ;)
Actually V I'm with CE some of that I didn't know either, can't wait for your views on the next update :rotfl2:
See, that's what I love about multiple DISers telling about overlapping trips - we all learn something new!
EMH for little ones after luputoxication?! :faint:
Uh-huh, tell me about it. :sad2:
YOU TOO HAVE A TIARA AT WORK:lmao: That's why I felt so connected to you, I have one to, let's people know who they are dealing with:rotfl2:
:rotfl2: Only on the DIS could you find another work-tiara-wearing woman!

[princessjv]

I tried to post on this here great TR a few days ago and lo and behold...my internet went capooot!

I love how you work the system...um, I mean Grammy, or was that pools oh no, it was probably refillable mugs. You go girl!

I was totally in the dark that you had 'others' taggin along for this adventure. Another go around with your best bud! I hope that no little sweethearts get sick!


Can't wait for more...when you are ready! You go get a great score on that paper of yours!:)

[sorul82?]

Do we strike you as people who don’t ever break a rule or two?

:angel:





S’late, too, had other plans. Smart ladies.

"Had" other plans. I was stuck in the POR check in line. :headache: I got to the lobby promptly at 7:00AM and when I left, the line was past Boatwrights. :eek:

[boysmom5150]

Hey V
Just catching up as we were away for a few.

WTH??!!changing names on us. I just got to know everyone.
Love the way you do NO PARKS:rotfl2: :rotfl2:
You are such a great writer, I could read your stuff all day:goodvibes

[PrincessV]

Before I get to Lapu day, I need to do a bit more s’plainin. Especially about the title of this TR.


You see, Trip Interrupted isn’t just a catchy title, it’s an accurate description of what this trip turned into.


It’s been a tough year for me. Losses have been suffered, legal battles waged, children (and Gramma) wrangled, threats of imminent layoffs endured. And. On top of all that – there was school. I’m back to the books, trying to finish a degree and, while online formatting has made it possible to “go to class” at my convenience, 3+ years of non-stop studying had taken its toll. This summer was the toughest stretch yet, with six ten-page papers researched and written over the span of two and a half months. By the time I was wrapping up Lapu Fest plans, I was beyond exhausted and in desperate need of a real vacation. Meaning: something longer than 2 nights.


It would have been easy to add a couple more nights to our ressie, save for the fact that I’m already pulling Leo out of school for a week in Dec. I really didn’t want to take him out more than the one day already planned for August.

Also, I had him for Labor Day Weekend this year. I won’t have that time next year. I hated to waste that opportunity…

And Labor Day Weekend happened to fall the weekend after Lapu Fest…

And we live so close, it’s not like it’s difficult to go back and forth…

And there was a room available at a great AP rate at the POLY.





That pretty much sealed the deal for me. ;)




New plan: Aug. 25-27 at SSR with Leo and Gramma, Sept. 1-3 at the Poly, just me and Leo. A total of six WDW days, interrupted by four days of school/work. A Trip Interrupted! :cool1:



For the record, and I know this will come as something of a shock, I made no ADRs for Phase II of the trip.
You read that right – NO ADRs.
Leo and I were going to wing it.
Fly by the seats of our pants.
Take some chances in life.
Go wherever the breeze may blow us.

In other words, Mickey was sucking my last dollar at the Poly and we needed to eat on the cheap.


__________________________________________________ _______________


About a week before Lapupabooza weekend, I got the itch. That pesky little itch that says, “V? You know what would make things so much easier? Going over a day early.”

Happens every trip. And it’s almost always a mistake to act on it.

But the itch had some more pearls of wisdom to share:
“V? Lapu Night’s gonna be mighty painful if you wake up at 5am that morning to drive over.”

The itch had a point.

Done. I called WDW reservations four days out and managed to add Aug. 24 at POR at a super low AP rate.

I had to break this to Gramma, who hates, hates, hates split stays.

“Hey Mom? I’ve got great news!”
“Does this have anything to do with Disney?”

Amazing how she picks up on that…

“Yeah – I started thinking that maybe it would be better to drive over on Friday, so we wouldn’t have to get going so early on Sat. I mean, I’ll be up late, and I know you’re not a morning person…”
sigh “Where are we staying?”
“I got us a room at POR – remember how much we loved it there last Dec.?!”
“Oh yeah, it was nice.”


Heh heh. Maybe she’s learning, too.


Okay, so 8/24-27 at POR and SSR with Leo and Gramma, followed by 9/1-9/3 at the Poly with Leo! :banana:


__________________________________________________ _______________


You may, at this point, be wondering where in the heck Char and Harry fit into all of this.

Well, last I’d heard, Char was planning to spend Labor Day Weekend down on Sanibel Island with her boy. They already had plans, so I made mine at WDW.


At some point close to the beginning of September – and I honestly don’t remember now whether this happened before or after Phase I of my trip – I had a feeling I should ask Char about her plans.

Turned out, she never made the Sanibel reservations. They had no plans at all for Labor Day Weekend.

I had a petite woman and a small boy staying in one of WDW’s largest resort rooms.

The decision was so simple, it required no thought at all – I asked if Char and Harry might want to join us and they said yes!

So now the plan was for 8/24-27 at POR and SSR with Gramma and Leo, followed by 9/1-3 with Leo, Char and Harry! :banana:

__________________________________________________ _______________


Did it stop there?



Puh-leeeeeeaaaase. :rotfl:


Remember the itch? I got it again.

And it said, “V? Wouldn’t it make things easier to go over Fri. night?”

I tried to ignore it.

Then it said, “V? If you went over Fri. night, and met Char on Sat., you’d have a little extra time for just you and Leo – you could both probably use that.”

It also said, “V? Do you remember Char telling you that Harry screams ALL the way to WDW?”



Sold.


That Thursday, 8/30, I called and booked POFQ for the next night.


New plan: 8/24-27 at POR and SSR with Leo and Gramma, followed by 8/31 at POFQ with Leo and 9/1-3 at the Poly with Leo, Char and Harry. :banana:



And that was FINAL. There would be no further changes. Or would there?

Next: The day we’ve all been waiting for.

[PrincessV]

I love how you work the system...um, I mean Grammy, or was that pools oh no, it was probably refillable mugs. You go girl!
Let's be honest - if I drank soda, you KNOW I'd be working the refillable-for-life mug, too! :rotfl2:


"Had" other plans. I was stuck in the POR check in line. :headache: I got to the lobby promptly at 7:00AM and when I left, the line was past Boatwrights. :eek:
:headache: I'm feeling your pain there, s'latey, trust me. You'll see.
WTH??!!changing names on us. I just got to know everyone.
Sorry 'bout that - the initials just weren't working for me!

[DisneyJo]

:rotfl2: Oh V you and your changes :rotfl:

[jcc0621]

I love how your mind works girl. Anything to add a little extra magic to a trip:goodvibes

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

The add on. It's a disease. DH and I have it, too. We added an extra night at the end of December. Then an extra to get us to Jacksonville on the way down (you know, in order to get us to WDW at a reasonable hour;) ). Now I'm thinking that JAX ressie should be moved to Friday and we should go another day early. :scratchin

[tigger536]

I love it! An overnight trip turns into TWO 3-4 night stays! You are my hero! :worship: How cool is that! I wish I lived in Florida!

Great update as usual! Can't wait for more! :thumbsup2

[luvmyboys]

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!" (karaoke anyone?)

I love it! Making a plan & sticking to it is so YESTERDAY! Way to use logic as a means of squeaking in a few extra days at the World!:thumbsup2

[dreamn_Disney]

It is such a shame to waste a good day that could be spent at WDW getting to WDW I so agree with you and your itch. Seems like a very smart itch to me.

[TEminnie]

Wow V! You had to keep a note of which hotel to return to each night! Do they transport your luggage during the changes??

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Loving all the changes.:rotfl2:

[boysmom5150]

You and these changes or should I say add ons are cracking me up:rotfl2: . Thats something DH says that he is sure only I do. Well Ill be proudly showing him THIS!!!!:rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Glad that Gramma seems to be ok with the changes.

How fun that Char and Harry are joining you:woohoo:

[Lauralee131]

Ahhh...the add-on-itis...Get's me every time...:sad2: I've made several attempts to avoid it...it's a sickness:sick:

A 9 day trip turns into 11; An 8 day trip turns into 11; A 7 day trip turns into 11 (hmmm...what is it about 11 days with me??)...heck...a 2 day trip turned into 6...

Now my thoughts are turning to January...how can I possibly LEAVE WDW on a FRIDAY when there's still 2 more days of fun available to have???:confused3

To be continued, I'm sure...:rolleyes1

[puggymom]

I have to tell you V, reading your pre-trip planning always leaves me feeling like I took a ride on the tilt-o-whirl:lmao:


Hopefully no room smells this trip:thumbsup2

[Disneyland_Mama]

Holy shizzle! I didn't know ANY of that. I had no idea you had a whole four days planned after Lapupalooza weekend. Wait, or did I? :scratchin Did you mention that on Lapu night? Some of the detail are fuzzy.... GEE, I wonder why? :lmao:

I have to give you and LL props, my Lapu Fest '08 reunion tour has gone from 7 nights/8 days to 9 nights/10days and flying the red-eye, which essentially gives me an extra day! :woohoo:
:worship:

[Sleeping*Beauty]

The itch had a point.
I wish my itches had points.


Did it stop there?

I'm guessing not.:goodvibes





Remember the itch? I got it again.

Might wanna get a little Bendryl for that itch.




And that was FINAL. There would be no further changes. Or would there?


More changes? No way!:rotfl:

[apirateslife4evr]

New plan: 8/24-27 at POR and SSR with Leo and Gramma, followed by 8/31 at POFQ with Leo and 9/1-3 at the Poly with Leo, Char and Harry. :banana:



And that was FINAL. There would be no further changes. Or would there?

Next: The day we’ve all been waiting for.

OK, so that 4 hotels at WDW in less than 10days....you might as well book one night at EVERY WDW resort, and just get it over with.......:idea: Come to think of it..........hold on why I call up Disney Reservations........:lmao:

[blue_river]

How do you keep track with all those changes??

I'm having trouble following along :laughing:

Waiting for the next update popcorn::

[Philadisney]

yay! I just stumbled onto Michelle's pre-trip and it also lead me to yours! I'm excited to start reading. :woohoo:

[Miz Diz]

STOP THE CHANGES!

I think I am just as sick. This morning I have been trying to figure out how to optimize my DVC points and have just planned my next 4 trips.:sick:

[PrincessV]

:rotfl2: Oh V you and your changes :rotfl:
I know - it's just gotten ridiculous!
I love how your mind works girl. Anything to add a little extra magic to a trip:goodvibes
Yeah, magic, that's what it's all about :thumbsup2
The add on. It's a disease. DH and I have it, too. We added an extra night at the end of December. Then an extra to get us to Jacksonville on the way down (you know, in order to get us to WDW at a reasonable hour;) ). Now I'm thinking that JAX ressie should be moved to Friday and we should go another day early. :scratchin
Makes PERFECT sense to me! Fuzzy Disney Reservations? :rotfl:
I love it! An overnight trip turns into TWO 3-4 night stays! You are my hero! :worship: How cool is that! I wish I lived in Florida!
Living so near by definitely makes the whole thing easier, as far as planning.
Who am I kidding? I'd be rearranging things even if I lived 1500 miles away! ;)
Making a plan & sticking to it is so YESTERDAY!
:lmao: You so need that as a TAG!!!
It is such a shame to waste a good day that could be spent at WDW getting to WDW I so agree with you and your itch. Seems like a very smart itch to me.
Sadly, the itch is particularly adept at making its ideas seem sane and logical. The results, however, almost never are. :rolleyes1
Do they transport your luggage during the changes??
WHAT? Allow my luggage to be in the control of someone else? Never! :rotfl2: No, I just pack a small bag for the first night and leave the rest in the car for the next day. Works great!
Loving all the changes.:rotfl2:
Thanks!
You and these changes or should I say add ons are cracking me up:rotfl2: . Thats something DH says that he is sure only I do. Well Ill be proudly showing him THIS!!!!:rotfl2: :rotfl2:
Do you think knowing that there are lots of us will help?!
Now my thoughts are turning to January...how can I possibly LEAVE WDW on a FRIDAY when there's still 2 more days of fun available to have???:confused3
:lmao: OMG, you just read my mind - I'm having teh same dilemma about Dec.!
Hopefully no room smells this trip:thumbsup2
You KNOW I was parying to every god of smelliness I could think of!
I had no idea you had a whole four days planned after Lapupalooza weekend. Wait, or did I?
:rolleyes1 :rotfl2:
I have to give you and LL props, my Lapu Fest '08 reunion tour has gone from 7 nights/8 days to 9 nights/10days and flying the red-eye, which essentially gives me an extra day! :woohoo:
:worship:
WOOO HOOO!!!!! But - where is the resort to be????

[Goofyluver]

How sad is it that I totally understood everything you just wrote! And I bet all DISsers did as well! ::yes::

2 weekends in a row??? I'm jealous!

[PrincessV]

Might wanna get a little Bendryl for that itch.
:rotfl: Somehow, I don't think it'd help! ;) That little itch might be telling you something...


OK, so that 4 hotels at WDW in less than 10days....you might as well book one night at EVERY WDW resort, and just get it over with.......:idea:
:scared1: Oh no!

How do you keep track with all those changes??
2 words: SPREAD SHEET! :thumbsup2

yay! I just stumbled onto Michelle's pre-trip and it also lead me to yours! I'm excited to start reading. :woohoo:
Yay - welcome aboard!!
This morning I have been trying to figure out how to optimize my DVC points and have just planned my next 4 trips.:sick:
I hear ya' on the DVC points - I spent an hour last ngiht seeing what an add-on ofr 25, 30 or 35 points would do for my next 3 years' vacations :rolleyes:

2 weekends in a row??? I'm jealous!
It seemed ludicrous at first, but then I approached it like this: some people have a lake house, or a country house, that we visit on weekends. Maybe WDW's my lake house?! TFI, LL and T helped me walk through that little analogy :rolleyes:

[Disneyland_Mama]

WOOO HOOO!!!!! But - where is the resort to be????
:scratchin: Yeah, well details, my friend. I've got 3 resorts in the running: WL, Poly or .... wait... wait ... wait for it.... SSR! :woohoo:
2 words: SPREAD SHEET! :thumbsup2
Ahhhh!!! Music to my ears! :goodvibes


I hear ya' on the DVC points - I spent an hour last ngiht seeing what an add-on ofr 25, 30 or 35 points would do for my next 3 years' vacations :rolleyes:
You don't EVEN want to know how many points I would have to purchase to make all my WDW dreams come true! :rolleyes:

[TheDISneyFamily]

No parks! LOL! :lmao: Yeah, right! :rotfl:

I love your TR title. :thumbsup2 It certainly fits. I'm used to your trip planning methods, so the changes don't scare me! :eek: Split-stays! HA! No problem! We are DIS'ers, after all! We laugh in the face of Disney adversity!

You sure needed these trips and I venture to say, your December trip will be wonderful, too. :hug:

Keep it coming, Lapu girl!
-Michelle

[Lauralee131]

:rotfl: Somehow, I don't think it'd help! ;) That little itch might be telling you something...



The only thing(s) that can seem to scratch MY itch...are my Disney Visa and the 800 number to Member Services!!

[PrincessAlways]

Now that's what I call vacation planning to get the most out of your time!!!:worship: :worship:
The funniest part was that Gramma just kinda went along with the flow! Do you think you finally got her hooked?? ;)

[LurrrvtheDuck]

I completely understood all of those changes and the logic behind them!

I did the same thing with my April and June trips.

That whole driving in day just doesn't seem like enough time to spend in the World, plus the driving out day needs to be planned to make sure one's not tired. So that automatically adds 2 days to each trip! :laughing:

[LisaDKG]

V, your trip planning and add-on justification is INSANE in every good way and there is not one of us on here that can't relate. I want to add though that I felt a little sad for you when you mentioned your Disney Store is lacking...then I realized that for all the time you are there, you have the whole flipping WDW RESORT at your shopping disposal...No more sympathy (althought you can still come shopping with me if you ever find yourself in the Great White North!)

[Lauralee131]

:goodvibes


ETA: Sorry - no time for posting witty witicisms...T's puttin' the pressure on me to catch up to her...

[Disneyland_Mama]

:rotfl2: Love it! Witty Witicisms!! :rotfl2:

[PrincessV]

We are DIS'ers, after all! We laugh in the face of Disney adversity!
We do?! :rotfl:

The only thing(s) that can seem to scratch MY itch...are my Disney Visa and the 800 number to Member Services!!
::yes::
The funniest part was that Gramma just kinda went along with the flow! Do you think you finally got her hooked?? ;)
Nope. But I do think I've finally broken her will to escape The Mouse! :rotfl2:
That whole driving in day just doesn't seem like enough time to spend in the World, plus the driving out day needs to be planned to make sure one's not tired. So that automatically adds 2 days to each trip! :laughing:
EXACTLY! :thumbsup2
I want to add though that I felt a little sad for you when you mentioned your Disney Store is lacking...then I realized that for all the time you are there, you have the whole flipping WDW RESORT at your shopping disposal...
That's a really good point! :idea: I never get to go in any of the WDW shops, though, thanks to my non-shopping entourage. :rolleyes:

[PrincessV]

Really, it was.

But this portion of the story actually begins earlier – about 4:30pm on August 24th.

I’d picked up Leo from school, packed the car, over-fed the cats and we were on our way! The goal was to get OUT of the Tampa Bay area before the worst of rush hour and we stopped at McDonald’s for dinner before getting to the Interstate.

We were all pretty jazzed about getting to WDW. Even Gramma had a twinkle in her eye.




Or was that a tear of remorse?





I’m going with twinkle.




As we departed the golden arches, we felt a few drops of rain, but didn’t stress: we’re used to the daily afternoon thunderstorms that spell SUMMER in Florida.

Nope, no stress at all…. Just excitement, joy and a sense of adventure! We were on our way HOME! :banana:





Then we hit the Interstate. And came to a grinding halt. Along with several thousand of my car’s closest friends.


URRGGHH.



Did you know that Florida drivers forget how to drive when it rains? Mmmm-hmmm. It’s the most amazing thing to see. Traffic’s speeding right along, everyone’s happy to be getting wherever it is they’re going and BAM! The rain starts, everyone slams on the brakes and forgets how to signal. Drives me stark-raving mad.


So anyway, it took about an hour and half to crawl through Tampa and get to I-4. The entire trip normally only takes a bit over 1.5 hours.

When we got to I-4, things eased up traffic-wise, but….. that’s when the storm really let loose. Near zero visibility. Thunder cracking less than a second after each blinding flash of lightning. Wind threatening to roll my semi-high-profile vehicle off the road.

Needless to say, this wasn’t the way I’d envisioned the trip starting – stressed, water-logged and 2 hours late. But I was also thinking of my friends already in The World. I knew Tracy had an Illuminations cruise scheduled that night. I thought LL was going to the Pirate and Princess Party. I wasn’t sure what Jo had planned, but I was 99.9% sure it involved being outdoors. The whole way there, I just kept thinking, “Maybe it’s not raining in Orlando.”



FINALLY, 3.5 hours after we left McD’s, we made it to our WDW exit.


And. It was still raining.


We got to POR and Gramma pulled up to let me out. The plan was for me to check in real quick, then get back in the car and we’d go straight to our room.

I took about 10 steps inside the lobby and turned right back around. OMG, where did all these people come from?! It was a mad-house, I tell you. People were standing nearly shoulder to shoulder in the rotunda. The check-in line was 30 deep.

I told all this to Gramma, (who shot her mean eyes at me), and told her to park and bring Leo in. They could hang out and watch cartoons or check out the gift shop while I waited. And waited. And waited. :rolleyes1


As I waited, I pondered this new situation. I’ve never checked in this late. Normally, we check in in the morning, occasionally early afternoon. Is this what it’s always like so late in the day??? Note to self: NEVER get here later than 3pm again.



I was still wondering about Tracy’s cruise, but it was too loud in there to call – I’d have spent the whole call saying “What? Say that again…” – so I dropped a text letting her know I’d arrived.

Eventually, it was my turn and I got a terrific CM. Our conversation went something like this:

“Hi – I’ll be the easiest guest you have tonight. I’ve been here a bunch of times, I don’t need tickets, and I want express check-out. All I need is a map, keys and a room number!”

“Great! You’ll be in Parterre Place, sign here, this is your room number, here’s where you’ll park. Have a great night!”

:cool1:



I rounded up Gramma and Leo and gave them the good news: “We’re staying in the Mansion section this time – think it’s ritzier than the Bayou?”





It wasn’t.

Not by a long-shot.


We were on the first floor, the second-to-last room on the faaaar left if you’re looking out to the river. The aesthetics of the room were okay. Nothing exciting about floral bedcovers and dark wood, but nothing awful, either. It was clean, from the standpoint of having been vacuumed, sheets changed and tubs/sinks washed. But it was definitely showing its age.

What really got me, though, was the dampness and moldy smell. I’m sure the rain hadn’t helped, but I think being on the ground floor made things even worse. I wound up using my emergency asthma inhaler twice before checking out. :faint:

By that time, Tracy had texted back, asking if I wanted to meet for a drink. I did, I really did. But I was tired and knew I’d incur the wrath of Gramma if I left her to get Leo into bed. So I called to let T know and we chatted for a few minutes. It was so good to finally hear her voice! :goodvibes Up till then, our only communication had been via post, PM, email or text.

We cleaned up, watched a little TV and turned in for the night.


__________________________________________________ ___



Remember the itch? Well, another nifty idea it gave me was this: if we got to WDW a night earlier, we’d have a leisurely morning and could even fit in a real breakfast – now THAT’s a vacation!

And that’s exactly what we did. Showered and dressed, we walked over to Boatwright’s. I didn’t take any pictures, but will say that it was a pretty walk. Just not as pretty as our walk in December, when we stayed in Alligator Bayou. Apparently, a mansion-gal I ain’t.

Boatwright’s had no problem seating us without an ADR and we had a delicious pre-DIS-meet meal! Gramma and I both wanted to try the stuffed French toast, but knew we’d never make it without some protein. So we shared the French toast and an order of eggs Benedict. Oh my. Both were incredible! Leo had… a bagel. And cream cheese. But not on the bagel. The bagel was eaten plain and the cream cheese was scooped out with a fork and eaten on its own. :confused3

About halfway through this repast, I wondered aloud about the wisdom of eating such a large meal prior to donning a bathing suit and meeting a lot of people for the first time. Brilliant.


Breakfast completed, we packed back up and drove down the road to our new Home, Saratoga Springs.


My nervous excitement about meeting my cyber friends in mere hours was superseded only by the anxiety of seeing my new vacation resort for the next 42 years. Where was LL with a smoke when I needed one?

We walked into the lobby and I waited in a short line while Gramma and Leo explored. Not only was I welcomed home… not only did they have a room ready for me… not only was it in the brand-spanking new Grandstand section… I also received my one and only “Have a Magical Day!”


Since we had a room, we went to it for to change into swimwear. Remember? It was Saturday, August 25 – our illegal pool meet.

I found our building, parked right in front, took the elevator up to the third floor, found our door 15 feet away and saw this:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1166/1257859623_f44ed99b1e.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1290/1258716134_d9f2a3776d.jpg

And this:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1293/1258715832_ce2618aee0.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1078/1258715934_ed9552bf5a.jpg

Wait – no, I didn’t see other people’s belongings. The truth is, I was too excited to remember to take pics the first time we walked in! I took these after the pool meet, but I wanted you all to experience my first DVC moments along with me. :grouphug:


To say I was satisfied with my purchase would be an understatement of epic proportions. I was in LOOOOOVE!!! Everything was clean, and fresh, and pretty. But I had little time to soak it all in – we were late for a very important date.

I had missed Lauralee’s first call while I was checking us in. Her message said that Tracy and Jo were on their way and LL and her DS Michael were at the pool waiting. I walked out to the porch to call her back and saw this:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1388/1257858925_2bbc099323.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1033/1258715488_cc0a9a915f.jpg

:faint: I was in heaven, I tell you. I may even have told LL. I’m pretty sure I thanked her right then for all she’d shared about SSR, because I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, I’d made the right decision to buy there.

I’m also pretty sure she said, “You’re very welcome. Now when the heck are you gonna get over here?!”

It seems Tracy and Jo had arrived and I was late. Again.

Continued in next post…

[PrincessV]

We hustled ourselves into swimsuits and ran for High Rock Springs pool.

Well, not so much ran as walked fast.

No, not really that either. More like walked-at-a-pace-just-slower-than-a-sloth. This is what happens whenever Gramma and Leo are paired up. Each walks slowish to start and the pace seems to slow down in reverse exponential form when together. Oy. And, by the way? It was pretty darned HOT. Walking to the pool. I’m sure glad we didn’t have to walk as far as, say, DTD. :lmao:


When we got there, I looked and looked for our group…. And then I saw it: a red Maclaren stroller with a LGMH. Tracy! We walked over, put our stuff on the chairs and then I heard

“V!!!!!!”

Next thing I knew, there were wet hugs all around as we all rushed to introduce ourselves and our loved ones.

Leo hung back a bit. He was BEYOND excited to meet some new kids (trust me – I’d heard about his excitement for the past 24 hours) but froze a little when the actual moment came. That’s just his style, I guess. He warmed up eventually and he and Michael wound up having a rip-roaring good time pushing each other off the edge of the pool, dunking one another and generally acting like young boys.

Maddie and Evan were just as adorable in real life as in Tracy’s photos, as were Jo’s girls, Jess and Ellie. And I have to say, I was SO impressed with Jess and Ellie’s social skills! Jess walked right up to me, shook my hand and said, “Hello, I’m Jessica!”, followed by a bit more reserved version from Ellie. It’s so rare to find kids their age so self-confident and socially adept – awesome work Jo! :thumbsup2

So what did we all do for a couple hours?! There was splashing, and sliding and much catching up on my peeps' trips thus far. And ever so many laughs. This will be said a whole bunch of times before all of our TR’s are done, but I’m not sure it can be said enough: these aren’t just acquaintances – these friends are the real deal. These are people I hope to have in my life for a long, long time. I hope that our kids get the chance to vacation together again and that WDW will long be a meeting ground for us all. And I knew all this within minutes of our meeting. LY/MI!! :grouphug:

Around lunch time, we all trooped into Artist’s Palette for something to eat. This was almost as fun as swimming! We took up a bunch of room, and we were loud, and I’m sure we annoyed a few patrons, but holy cow, was it a good time! Poor LL really took one for the team, as she hung back to save tables while the rest of us ordered, then endured an endless wait for her own food. Michael stayed with me, Leo and Gramma, while T and Jo and kids were at another table right next to us. Leo and Michael continued their antics…

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1382/1258529672_96c530897b.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1229/1257673685_2ca03beb16.jpg

… before getting silly with the other kids after eating…

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1107/1257674331_3ec4aaf6ea.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1164/1276462018_d7e47d1a0f.jpg

Can you tell they were all having a good time?!

If anyone’s keeping track of my dining experiences, I had the roast beef and bleu cheese sandwich, washed down with a Heineken.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1266/1257673879_f78c3599fe.jpg

That was one ginormous sandwich! But it wasn’t as yummy as it looked and sounded. Be warned: they weren’t using good, lean roast beef.

Not wanting to be left out, Leo insisted on some food-porn of his own :rolleyes: :

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1259/1258530134_cb0dc64e1f.jpg



After lunch, T and Jo headed back for some shopping at DTD and LL, Michael, Leo and I hit the pool again. Gramma took this time to lay out in the sun.



Have you seen my mother? Blonde. Fair. Freckled. And she refuses to wear sunscreen most of the time. I asked her,

“Do you want me to put some sunscreen on your back?”
“No, I won’t be here long.”
“Okay, well I’ll be in the pool without a watch, so you’re on your own.”
“mmmppff.”




LL and I chatted some more while the boys played, until we recognized the signs of imminent exhaustion: both Michael and Leo were taking a lot longer to surface after jumping in.


Right. Time to head back to our rooms for some pre-dinner rest. Consummate planner she is, LL devised a plan to meet up on the bus, since I was at one end of SSR and she was at the other: we’d both station ourselves at our respective bus stops at 5:30. I’d get on the very next MK bus, which would make two stops before getting to her stop in Congress Park. 5:30, first MK bus. Got it.

Next: While Visions of Pineapples Danced in Their Heads

[DisneyJo]

Am I first??? hey hey :hyper: :hyper: :hyper:

“V!!!!!!”

Next thing I knew, there were wet hugs all around as we all rushed to introduce ourselves and our loved ones. We were all cold and wet weren't we :rotfl2:

And I have to say, I was SO impressed with Jess and Ellie’s social skills! Jess walked right up to me, shook my hand and said, “Hello, I’m Jessica!”, followed by a bit more reserved version from Ellie. It’s so rare to find kids their age so self-confident and socially adept – awesome work Jo! :thumbsup2 Awww thanks, all the kids were absolutely excellent though don't you think?

I hope that our kids get the chance to vacation together again and that WDW will long be a meeting ground for us all. And I knew all this within minutes of our meeting. LY/MI!! :grouphug: OMG I'd better get really saving :rotfl2:

… before getting silly with the other kids after eating…

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1143/1257674645_139e46073a.jpg
Jess said she was doing her fish face :rotfl2:

Can you tell they were all having a good time?! ::yes::

“Do you want me to put some sunscreen on your back?”
“No, I won’t be here long.”
“Okay, well I’ll be in the pool without a watch, so you’re on your own.”
“mmmppff.”
Uh oh, it was hot hot hot that day!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Michael and Leo look like they got along famously. You too got some great pictures of the kids goofing around at lunch time.

You guys sound like such a nice group. I think it is wonderful that you all were able to become such great friends.

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

What fabulously long installments!

I am so happy for you that you felt no buyers remorse at SSR. My in-laws own there, but they never stay there:confused3 . It really is beautiful.

I feel for you on the traffic issue. When I lived in DC, I was amazed that any and all forms of precipitation (or even FOG for that matter) turned 495 into a parking lot. But three and a half hours to make a one and a half hour drive is torture...especially when your desitination is WDW! Glad you got there safely.

:goodvibes

[Lauralee131]

Posting in "stealth" mode so I'll have to keep it short, but I'll be back later!!

I took about 10 steps inside the lobby and turned right back around. OMG, where did all these people come from?! It was a mad-house, I tell you. People were standing nearly shoulder to shoulder in the rotunda. The check-in line was 30 deep.


ACK!! I would have turned around too!! The only time I ever saw something like that was checking into All Star Sports (choking back a bit of vomit :scared: ). At 9am the line was out the stinkin' door...:mad:



Eventually, it was my turn and I got a terrific CM. Our conversation went something like this:

“Hi – I’ll be the easiest guest you have tonight. I’ve been here a bunch of times, I don’t need tickets, and I want express check-out. All I need is a map, keys and a room number!”

“Great! You’ll be in Parterre Place, sign here, this is your room number, here’s where you’ll park. Have a great night!”

They must've loved you - especially after that mess. Finally a low maintenance-knows her stuff guest!!:thumbsup2


I rounded up Gramma and Leo and gave them the good news: “We’re staying in the Mansion section this time – think it’s ritzier than the Bayou?”


Really? You've heard that??:confused3





It wasn’t.

Not by a long-shot.

Didn't think so...:sad2:


What really got me, though, was the dampness and moldy smell. I’m sure the rain hadn’t helped, but I think being on the ground floor made things even worse. I wound up using my emergency asthma inhaler twice before checking out. :faint:


V's check-in luck strikes again...hope it improves when you come "Home"...;)



By that time, Tracy had texted back, asking if I wanted to meet for a drink. I did, I really did. But I was tired and knew I’d incur the wrath of Gramma if I left her to get Leo into bed. So I called to let T know and we chatted for a few minutes. It was so good to finally hear her voice! :goodvibes Up till then, our only communication had been via post, PM, email or text.


Bummer...I was hoping to get a call from you girls...I had a "kitchen pass" and was not afraid to use it!!



Remember the itch?


I remember it well....stand by by while I scratch mine as a matter of fact...:rolleyes:





Breakfast completed, we packed back up and drove down the road to our new Home, Saratoga Springs.

:thumbsup2 Wooo Hoo!!!!! :woohoo:



My nervous excitement about meeting my cyber friends in mere hours was superseded only by the anxiety of seeing my new vacation resort for the next 42 years. Where was LL with a smoke when I needed one?


Ummmm.....I was waiting at the pool for ya!! I could have snuck up to meet ya!! :rotfl2: And actually I have pills for that too...:hippie:

We walked into the lobby and I waited in a short line while Gramma and Leo explored. Not only was I welcomed home… not only did they have a room ready for me… not only was it in the brand-spanking new Grandstand section… I also received my one and only “Have a Magical Day!”

Phew...I was hoping to hear something like that...I was stressed out about your whole arrival experience...didn't want to be blamed for talking you into buying something sight-unseen and then having your initial experience suck...


Since we had a room, we went to it for to change into swimwear. Remember? It was Saturday, August 25 – our illegal pool meet.

Illegal? DVC members and guests....:confused3 Isn't it? Maybe...:rolleyes:



Wait – no, I didn’t see other people’s belongings. The truth is, I was too excited to remember to take pics the first time we walked in! I took these after the pool meet, but I wanted you all to experience my first DVC moments along with me. :grouphug:

Did you get goosebumps????:goodvibes


To say I was satisfied with my purchase would be an understatement of epic proportions. I was in LOOOOOVE!!! Everything was clean, and fresh, and pretty. But I had little time to soak it all in – we were late for a very important date.


I'm getting verklempt just reading about your excitement!!:hug:

I had missed Lauralee’s first call while I was checking us in. Her message said that Tracy and Jo were on their way and LL and her DS Michael were at the pool waiting. I walked out to the porch to call her back and saw this:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1207/1258716038_258092e0e5.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/1257858665_9e86253420.jpg

:faint: I was in heaven, I tell you. I may even have told LL. I’m pretty sure I thanked her right then for all she’d shared about SSR, because I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, I’d made the right decision to buy there.


Love you too!!!:hug:

I’m also pretty sure she said, “You’re very welcome. Now when the heck are you gonna get over here?!”


Yep...it was something like that! All I heard was "I'm here, blah blah blah"...

When are you gonna get here?!?!?!

It seems Tracy and Jo had arrived and I was late. Again.

Actually, the meet was scheduled for 11, but we told you 10, so that when you arrived at 11, you'd be on time!:lmao: :rotfl2:

Just kidding...Love you! Mean it!!!

Back for more later!!

[/quote]

[Philadisney]

i just read this tale on Tracy's trip report, so it's neat to read your version here! I'm glad to hear your reviews of SSR - that's a resort i don't know much about and am curious. What a lovely view you had! :cloud9:

[Disneyland_Mama]

Did you know that Florida drivers forget how to drive when it rains? Mmmm-hmmm. It’s the most amazing thing to see. Traffic’s speeding right along, everyone’s happy to be getting wherever it is they’re going and BAM! The rain starts, everyone slams on the brakes and forgets how to signal. Drives me stark-raving mad.
Yeah, California drivers like TOTALLY don't know how to drive in the rain! I little sprinkle and they freak out! :scared2:

The whole way there, I just kept thinking, “Maybe it’s not raining in Orlando.”
Oh I remember you saying that to me at the pool!

I rounded up Gramma and Leo and gave them the good news: “We’re staying in the Mansion section this time – think it’s ritzier than the Bayou?”
Yeah, well I hope it's ritzier than FQ! :faint: Blah!


By that time, Tracy had texted back, asking if I wanted to meet for a drink. I did, I really did. But I was tired and knew I’d incur the wrath of Gramma if I left her to get Leo into bed. So I called to let T know and we chatted for a few minutes. It was so good to finally hear her voice! :goodvibes Up till then, our only communication had been via post, PM, email or text.
No worries, V. I completely understood. Gotta keep Gramma in her happy place! :hippie:


And that’s exactly what we did. Showered and dressed, we walked over to Boatwright’s. I didn’t take any pictures, but will say that it was a pretty walk. Just not as pretty as our walk in December, when we stayed in Alligator Bayou. Apparently, a mansion-gal I ain’t.
Now I'll admit the walk from POR to POFQ was very nice. :)

About halfway through this repast, I wondered aloud about the wisdom of eating such a large meal prior to donning a bathing suit and meeting a lot of people for the first time. Brilliant.
Oh puhleeze!! You're a tiny little thing! :rolleyes:

Since we had a room, we went to it for to change into swimwear. Remember? It was Saturday, August 25 – our illegal pool meet.
I'm sure that's debatable! :lmao:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1207/1258716038_258092e0e5.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/1257858665_9e86253420.jpg
I thought for sure you'd see a group of sweaty people in the background. Walking. From DTD. :rolleyes2:
I’m sure glad we didn’t have to walk as far as, say, DTD. :lmao:
Thanks, V! :p

Leo hung back a bit. He was BEYOND excited to meet some new kids (trust me – I’d heard about his excitement for the past 24 hours) but froze a little when the actual moment came. That’s just his style, I guess. He warmed up eventually and he and Michael wound up having a rip-roaring good time pushing each other off the edge of the pool, dunking one another and generally acting like young boys.
Yes, the did have a great time together. But now did had they met before? :confused3

Maddie and Evan were just as adorable in real life as in Tracy’s photos, as were Jo’s girls, Jess and Ellie. And I have to say, I was SO impressed with Jess and Ellie’s social skills! Jess walked right up to me, shook my hand and said, “Hello, I’m Jessica!”, followed by a bit more reserved version from Ellie. It’s so rare to find kids their age so self-confident and socially adept – awesome work Jo! :thumbsup2
Aw, thanks V. I'll admit I'm still working on Evan's social skills. Didn't he at one point splash you? :headache:
These are people I hope to have in my life for a long, long time. I hope that our kids get the chance to vacation together again and that WDW will long be a meeting ground for us all. And I knew all this within minutes of our meeting. LY/MI!!
Ditto, my friends. :grouphug:
If anyone’s keeping track of my dining experiences, I had the roast beef and bleu cheese sandwich, washed down with a Heineken. That was one ginormous sandwich! But it wasn’t as yummy as it looked and sounded. Be warned: they weren’t using good, lean roast beef.
I had the same thing! I was very disappointed! The roast beef was just a knarly fatty mess. Ewwww!!! :scared:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1259/1258530134_33a1e707ce.jpg
How cute! :goodvibes


LL and I chatted some more while the boys played, until we recognized the signs of imminent exhaustion: both Michael and Leo were taking a lot longer to surface after jumping in.
A day at the pool is the best way to tire 'em out, eh? :lmao:


Next: While Visions of Pineapples Danced in Their Heads

:woohoo:

[Disneyolic]

I'd probably go crazy driving down there then. We drive whether we can see or not up here in NY - blizzard and all! Oh yeah, you remember those days.

I think the POR mansions are exactly the same as when Rob & I went back in 1997. They were very nice then but I would think that after 10 years :confused3 . While I wasn't crazy about the room decor in the AB section, I really really loved the outdoor themeing. It was simply beautiful.

While I love the DVC, I'm not crazy about the themeing for Saratoga Springs. Maybe because it's a NY thing and I'd love to get out of here. Beach Club Villas, baby! But then, again, the AKV really really looks nice!

Anywho, sounds like a wonderful time spent with good friends. Can't get much better than that ... unless a pineapple is involved! :rolleyes:

[puggymom]

Loving all these updates ladies!

Another smelly room?:sad2:

Glad to know that SSR delivered, they are beautiful rooms, I took the tour last spring.

I am loving these pics from you pool meet, illegal, nah. You all are like a bid DIS family.

Can't wait to see what happens when you ladies mix it up with some pineapple.

[jcc0621]

Between your TR and Tracy's I am really glad we decides NOT to stay at POR or POFQ next year:eek:

SSR looks beautiful, but I reall need to get Jim on board with the whole DVC thing.

Sounds like the pool meet went great (according to you and Tracy, anyway - no pressure LL or Jo:rolleyes1 )

Can't wait to hear about Lapufestpopcorn::

[Lauralee131]

We hustled ourselves into swimsuits and ran for High Rock Springs pool.

Hustled?? Hmmm....:rolleyes: I don't know if hustled is the right word though, V...Just sayin':rolleyes1

Well, not so much ran as walked fast.
No, not really that either. More like walked-at-a-pace-just-slower-than-a-sloth. This is what happens whenever Gramma and Leo are paired up. Each walks slowish to start and the pace seems to slow down in reverse exponential form when together. Oy. And, by the way? It was pretty darned HOT. Walking to the pool.

Yep - that's a better explanation. And yep - she ain't kidding...it was sooo hot...perfect for a pool day though! I'm glad we scapped the original plan of hitting a park...

I’m sure glad we didn’t have to walk as far as, say, DTD.

:lmao: Good one!!!



Leo hung back a bit. He was BEYOND excited to meet some new kids (trust me – I’d heard about his excitement for the past 24 hours) but froze a little when the actual moment came. That’s just his style, I guess.

Ok, but let's be fair to Leo....he "froze" for a total of like 60 seconds...and then...

He warmed up eventually and he and Michael wound up having a rip-roaring good time pushing each other off the edge of the pool, dunking one another and generally acting like young boys.

They sure did! You all should have seen them!! It was so cute...they were like frick and frack...

Maddie and Evan were just as adorable in real life as in Tracy’s photos, as were Jo’s girls, Jess and Ellie. And I have to say, I was SO impressed with Jess and Ellie’s social skills! Jess walked right up to me, shook my hand and said, “Hello, I’m Jessica!”, followed by a bit more reserved version from Ellie. It’s so rare to find kids their age so self-confident and socially adept – awesome work Jo! :thumbsup2

So true, so true...I couldn't have said it any better myself...Hmmmm...which leaves me stymied at what I'm going to say...:rolleyes:

This will be said a whole bunch of times before all of our TR’s are done, but I’m not sure it can be said enough: these aren’t just acquaintances – these friends are the real deal. These are people I hope to have in my life for a long, long time. I hope that our kids get the chance to vacation together again and that WDW will long be a meeting ground for us all. And I knew all this within minutes of our meeting. LY/MI!! :grouphug:

LY too...all of you...my new bestest friends:grouphug:

Around lunch time, we all trooped into Artist’s Palette for something to eat. This was almost as fun as swimming! We took up a bunch of room, and we were loud, and I’m sure we annoyed a few patrons, but holy cow, was it a good time!

Which won't be the first time THIS is said either this weekend...more to come on THAT though later....


Poor LL really took one for the team, as she hung back to save tables while the rest of us ordered, then endured an endless wait for her own food.

I had a great time with the boys though...when I get my update done you'll see...heh heh...

Michael stayed with me, Leo and Gramma, while T and Jo and kids were at another table right next to us. Leo and Michael continued their antics…

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1382/1258529672_552613a00a.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1229/1257673685_c562bdcdb9.jpg

… before getting silly with the other kids after eating…

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Can I just say that fish faces and squishy eyeballs aside...we have some damn good looking kids???

Can you tell they were all having a good time?!

Just like their mama's...



Have you seen my mother? Blonde. Fair. Freckled. And she refuses to wear sunscreen most of the time. I asked her,

“Do you want me to put some sunscreen on your back?”
“No, I won’t be here long.”
“Okay, well I’ll be in the pool without a watch, so you’re on your own.”
“mmmppff.”

And this, my friends, ate away at our Princess the whole time we were in the water with the boys. V, you're such a mom...




LL and I chatted some more while the boys played, until we recognized the signs of imminent exhaustion: both Michael and Leo were taking a lot longer to surface after jumping in.

Yep - our little swimmers were soon turning into little sinkers...they completely wore themselves out...


Right. Time to head back to our rooms for some pre-dinner rest. Consummate planner she is, LL devised a plan to meet up on the bus, since I was at one end of SSR and she was at the other: we’d both station ourselves at our respective bus stops at 5:30. I’d get on the very next MK bus, which would make two stops before getting to her stop in Congress Park. 5:30, first MK bus. Got it.

Next: While Visions of Pineapples Danced in Their Heads

Our little bus plan worked great. And so did this installment V...great job! :thumbsup2

[boysmom5150]

We were all pretty jazzed about getting to WDW. Even Gramma had a twinkle in her eye. WOW!!!even gramma:rotfl2: :rotfl2:


Then we hit the Interstate. And came to a grinding halt. Along with several thousand of my car’s closest friends.Oh No!!!!!

Did you know that Florida drivers forget how to drive when it rains? Mmmm-hmmm. It’s the most amazing thing to see. Traffic’s speeding right along, everyone’s happy to be getting wherever it is they’re going and BAM! The rain starts, everyone slams on the brakes and forgets how to signal. Drives me stark-raving mad. in NJ its just GO GO GO!!!!Get out of the way and GO. It doesnt matter if you cant see the front of the car!!!


FINALLY, 3.5 hours after we left McD’s, we made it to our WDW exit. HOLY COW 3.5 hrs. Did Leo do ok for that long??

I took about 10 steps inside the lobby and turned right back around. OMG, where did all these people come from?! It was a mad-house, I tell you. People were standing nearly shoulder to shoulder in the rotunda. The check-in line was 30 deep.OH NO!! This was your 1st clue of whats yet to come:lmao:

I rounded up Gramma and Leo and gave them the good news: “We’re staying in the Mansion section this time – think it’s ritzier than the Bayou?” Uuuggghhhh!!!Im having flashbacks of our July trip!!!!I KNOW whats next!!


It wasn’t.

Not by a long-shot.Thats just what I thought:eek:

We were on the first floor, the second-to-last room on the faaaar left if you’re looking out to the river. The aesthetics of the room were okay. Nothing exciting about floral bedcovers and dark wood, but nothing awful, either. It was clean, from the standpoint of having been vacuumed, sheets changed and tubs/sinks washed. But it was definitely showing its age. Im with ya and then some-our room was BARELY clean, thank God for clorox wipes and lysol!!

What really got me, though, was the dampness and moldy smell. What is it with you and smelly rooms. Are you sure Disney doesnt have a "smelly room request" in your profile:rotfl2: :rotfl2:


Boatwright’s had no problem seating us without an ADR and we had a delicious pre-DIS-meet meal! Other than the grounds(we found them pretty) this was the ONLY other thing we liked about this "resort"

Not only was I welcomed home… not only did they have a room ready for me… not only was it in the brand-spanking new Grandstand section… I also received my one and only “Have a Magical Day!”:cool1:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1290/1258716134_ff20f8fbba.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1116/1257859719_c90e2e89e8.jpg
And this:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1293/1258715832_0d743a9f6f.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1037/1257859059_bcb03b7d11.jpg
Very Nice:thumbsup2

To say I was satisfied with my purchase would be an understatement of epic proportions. I was in LOOOOOVE!!! Everything was clean, and fresh, and pretty. But I had little time to soak it all in – we were late for a very important date.I am sooooooo happy for ya!!:goodvibes

It seems Tracy and Jo had arrived and I was late. Again. You werent the last to arrive at our meet in May...it was ME!!


It’s so rare to find kids their age so self-confident and socially adept – awesome work Jo! :thumbsup2 I couldnt AGREE more.

So what did we all do for a couple hours?! There was splashing, and sliding and much catching up on my peeps' trips thus far. And ever so many laughs. This will be said a whole bunch of times before all of our TR’s are done, but I’m not sure it can be said enough: these aren’t just acquaintances – these friends are the real deal. These are people I hope to have in my life for a long, long time. I hope that our kids get the chance to vacation together again and that WDW will long be a meeting ground for us all. And I knew all this within minutes of our meeting. LY/MI!! :grouphug: I am so glad a fun time was had by all(or at least in THIS version:lmao: :lmao: ). Its so great that you all got to meet with the kids

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1382/1258529672_552613a00a.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1229/1257673685_c562bdcdb9.jpg
what cutie patooties!!!

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what a mighty fine looking bunch of kiddies!!
Be warned: they weren’t using good, lean roast beef. I guess its a good thing I dont eat meat:rotfl2: !

Have you seen my mother? Blonde. Fair. Freckled. And she refuses to wear sunscreen most of the time. I asked her,

“Do you want me to put some sunscreen on your back?”
“No, I won’t be here long.”
“Okay, well I’ll be in the pool without a watch, so you’re on your own.”
“mmmppff.” Im sure this isnt the last we hear of this.....is it:confused3 ??

[LurrrvtheDuck]

Did you know that Florida drivers forget how to drive when it rains? Mmmm-hmmm. It’s the most amazing thing to see. Traffic’s speeding right along, everyone’s happy to be getting wherever it is they’re going and BAM! The rain starts, everyone slams on the brakes and forgets how to signal. Drives me stark-raving mad.

This is SO true and very annoying. :headache:

I took about 10 steps inside the lobby and turned right back around. OMG, where did all these people come from?! It was a mad-house, I tell you. People were standing nearly shoulder to shoulder in the rotunda. The check-in line was 30 deep.

That's what SSR looked like when I checked in in June. :sad2:

What really got me, though, was the dampness and moldy smell.

Oh no, not again V! :guilty:

Breakfast completed, we packed back up and drove down the road to our new Home, Saratoga Springs.

:cloud9: Don't you love when they say "Welcome Home."

To say I was satisfied with my purchase would be an understatement of epic proportions. I was in LOOOOOVE!!! Everything was clean, and fresh, and pretty. But I had little time to soak it all in – we were late for a very important date.

::yes:: I think SSR is absolutely beautiful. I knew you wouldn't be disappointed. Was the couch a pull out?



And I have to say, I was SO impressed with Jess and Ellie’s social skills! Jess walked right up to me, shook my hand and said, “Hello, I’m Jessica!”, followed by a bit more reserved version from Ellie. It’s so rare to find kids their age so self-confident and socially adept – awesome work Jo! :thumbsup2

I have to agree Jo, I was also very impressed with Jess and Ellie, you can see thier confidence already and that's great, because I know at that age I was soo shy, actually still am, but you did an excellent job with your 2 ladies. :) (I'm sure everyone else's kids are great too, but I only met Jo's)

Loved all the Goffy pics of the kids! They're all so cute. :o)

This will be said a whole bunch of times before all of our TR’s are done, but I’m not sure it can be said enough: these aren’t just acquaintances – these friends are the real deal. These are people I hope to have in my life for a long, long time. I hope that our kids get the chance to vacation together again and that WDW will long be a meeting ground for us all. And I knew all this within minutes of our meeting. LY/MI!! :grouphug:

Awwww, and that gave me a big goofy smile and I don't even know you guys for reals...well except Jo. :goodvibes


What a wonderful morning, I so can't wait for the Lapu reports! popcorn::

[daisy_77]

I am starting to forget what TR's I have commented on.:rotfl: Sorry, if this is a repeat. I love the pics at SSR! You all have adorable kids and it looks like you had a great time. I am so jealous! I am looking forward to reading about your lapupalooza!:dance3:

[KatGarcia]

The pics of SSR are just gorgeous! it's one of the few resorts we haven't visited, I def think we should check it out this time! I'm loving hearing everyones different views of what went down at the pools with all you DISers! great stuff!

[princessjv]

Oh my goodness, where to begin...

The drive down/over/up what evah sucked! I got stuck in one of those yesterday. However a tornado struck down abotu 1/4 mile away from where I was sitting in my car...with the kiddos...not a clue as to what was happening!:confused3

So POR is not all that and then some. I agree. The grounds are beautiful however. It is too bad they done squeeze a bit more $$ into the rooms.

SSR is absolutely beautiful! Wow! I am going to add that onto my list of must stays! I had seen pic's on LL's last TR, man...the pictures are just amazing.

Your pool meet was wonderful! I had goosebumps reading about the fun! All of those kiddos are just gorgeous! It is great that they all hit it off like that! I can't wait to read more about it from everyone else....I'm off to read T & Jo's updates... :)

[TheDISneyFamily]

SSR is amazing! You have a beautiful home! :goodvibes We stayed there about a month after it opened, and I think it's time for us to go back. I'm so glad that you are happy! :hug: What a wonderful day for everyone! (except for the driving part - let's just forget about that! :headache: ) It really sounded like all of your planning worked out perfectly! If the nighttime events are anything like the pool meet, I think we're in for some good reading! :thumbsup2

Thanks for sharing your day with us! :grouphug:
Take care,
Michelle

[PrincessAlways]

Hold on....didn't you have a problem with a "smelly, moldy" room at CSR??:confused3 Is that luck or what??? :rotfl:

Glad you were happy with your SSR decision. "Welcome Home" The kids looked like they were all having a great time together!

[DisneyJo]

I have to agree Jo, I was also very impressed with Jess and Ellie, you can see thier confidence already and that's great, because I know at that age I was soo shy, actually still am, but you did an excellent job with your 2 ladies. :) (I'm sure everyone else's kids are great too, but I only met Jo's) Thanks Z :hug: Lets just hope they stay that way :rotfl2:

[ArielSRL]

Enjoying the TR! Keep 'em comin!

[MeLaNie9]

Ooooh - I'm so excited to hear all about Lapupalooza!
The kids obviously had a great time together.:goodvibes
Between your report and Tracy's, I am so glad we switched out of POFQ (and didn't switch to POR esp. since MIL would have insisted on the Mansions over AB)! I stayed at Dixie Landings when it was brand new - sounds like it would look exactly the same right now!:confused3
We just did our own FDM and Fuzzy Disney Reservations and added 2 days onto our upcoming trip...I love that little itch!!!

[Miz Diz]

Love all the pics, but I really loved the reference to at least not walking from DTD.:lmao:

[PrincessV]

We were all cold and wet weren't we :rotfl2:
Yeah, but after our long, hot walk, it felt good!
Awww thanks, all the kids were absolutely excellent though don't you think?
I do. I was really impressed with how well-behaved they all were and how well they all got along! :goodvibes

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"]Michael and Leo look like they got along famously.
They really did! It was funny - LL had long guessed that they'd get along well, but there's always that parental fear that your child's planned friendship won't work out as planned, right?

I feel for you on the traffic issue. When I lived in DC, I was amazed that any and all forms of precipitation (or even FOG for that matter) turned 495 into a parking lot.
And that's the crazy part, no? It rains HALF the year in FL - it rains and/or snows ever year in DC... it's not like these are foreign concepts!


They must've loved you - especially after that mess. Finally a low maintenance-knows her stuff guest!!:thumbsup2
Yep, he was one happy CM!
V's check-in luck strikes again...
Seriously. :sad2:
Actually, the meet was scheduled for 11, but we told you 10, so that when you arrived at 11, you'd be on time!:lmao: :rotfl2:
NO WAY!! :lmao: Just so you know it was Gramma and Leo's fault, okay? ;)

I'm glad to hear your reviews of SSR - that's a resort i don't know much about and am curious. What a lovely view you had! :cloud9:
It really was gorgeous - I can't wait to go back again!

Yeah, well I hope it's ritzier than FQ! :faint: Blah!
Uh.... no.:sad2:
Yes, the did have a great time together. But now did had they met before? :confused3
Nope, that was the very first Leo/Michael meet!
Aw, thanks V. I'll admit I'm still working on Evan's social skills. Didn't he at one point splash you? :headache:
:rotfl: Yeah, but it was ll in good fun! I thought he and Maddie were an absolute delight; I didn't get nearly enough time with them, though. :guilty:

We drive whether we can see or not up here in NY - blizzard and all! Oh yeah, you remember those days.
:rotfl: I think that's why I go crazy down here. I remember many days when I couldn't see 5 feet in fornt of the car, but, gosh-darn-it, I got to school on time in Buffalo!

I think the POR mansions are exactly the same as when Rob & I went back in 1997. They were very nice then but I would think that after 10 years :confused3 .
::yes:: I think I was last there about the same time and I haven't seen much difference.

Another smelly room?:sad2:
I KNOW!! What is it with me??

Between your TR and Tracy's I am really glad we decides NOT to stay at POR or POFQ next year:eek:
To be fair, we loooooved our stay at POR in Alligator Bayou last Dec. 20 times better than BWI, in fact. But the hitch, of course, is that there's no guarantee you'll get AB.:sad2:

They sure did! You all should have seen them!! It was so cute...they were like frick and frack...
::yes::
LY too...all of you...my new bestest friends:grouphug:
DITTO! :grouphug:
And this, my friends, ate away at our Princess the whole time we were in the water with the boys. V, you're such a mom...
Neh, I just knew I'd suffer the consequences of a Gramma sunburn. :rolleyes1

[PrincessV]

Oh No!!!!!
in NJ its just GO GO GO!!!!Get out of the way and GO. It doesnt matter if you cant see the front of the car!!!
I drove through Jersey once - on the Garden State - and LOVED it! These are MY kind of drivers :thumbsup2
HOLY COW 3.5 hrs. Did Leo do ok for that long??
Actually, it was just the right amount of time for him - he got to watch Harry Potter in entirety! :rotfl:

:cloud9: Don't you love when they say "Welcome Home."
I do, and on a couple levels: 1. 'cause it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and 2. 'cause I just love a good marketing ploy! :rotfl2:
: Was the couch a pull out?
Yep, and there will be some upcoming discussion about that pull-out sofa :rolleyes1

I am starting to forget what TR's I have commented on.:rotfl: Sorry, if this is a repeat.
You're not alone! :rotfl:
The pics of SSR are just gorgeous! it's one of the few resorts we haven't visited, I def think we should check it out this time!
Definitely check it out :thumbsup2 The pictures really don't do it justice - it's far more impressive in person.
Your pool meet was wonderful! I had goosebumps reading about the fun! All of those kiddos are just gorgeous! It is great that they all hit it off like that!
It really was just... perfect! :goodvibes
SSR is amazing! You have a beautiful home! :goodvibes We stayed there about a month after it opened, and I think it's time for us to go back. I'm so glad that you are happy! :hug:
Thanks Michelle! :hug: I'm so inlove with SSr, I'm actually having a hard time getting excited about Dec. at BWV. But I'm sure that will change! ;)

Hold on....didn't you have a problem with a "smelly, moldy" room at CSR??:confused3 Is that luck or what??? :rotfl:

Yep. And at BWI. I'm curesed, I tell you. :rolleyes:
Enjoying the TR! Keep 'em comin!
Thanks!
We just did our own FDM and Fuzzy Disney Reservations and added 2 days onto our upcoming trip...I love that little itch!!!
WOO HOO!!! Good work :teacher:
Love all the pics, but I really loved the reference to at least not walking from DTD.:lmao:
Heh, heh. ;)

[TheDISneyFamily]

Thanks Michelle! :hug: I'm so inlove with SSr, I'm actually having a hard time getting excited about Dec. at BWV. But I'm sure that will change! ;)



V- I promise that you'll like, if not love, BWV! Take a look at Susie's TR...

Susie's BWV pictures (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20813814&postcount=119)

She just got back from staying there and had a great time! :goodvibes But, I do agree, I love SSR's room interior better... :goodvibes

I can't wait to read your version of "Where did all the pineapples go?" :thumbsup2

-Michelle

[Lauralee131]

V- I promise that you'll like, if not love, BWV! Take a look at Susie's TR...

Susie's BWV pictures (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20813814&postcount=119)

She just got back from staying there and had a great time! :goodvibes But, I do agree, I love SSR's room interior better... :goodvibes

I can't wait to read your version of "Where did all the pinepples go?" :thumbsup2

-Michelle

Cool...I'm at BWV in January!:thumbsup2

[cmp1111]

Hey, V, just got caught up with yours... I'm slowly making my way back after vacation! :)

I'm so sorry about the drive. The first snow every year appears to affect the NH drivers this way (LL, with me on this?) and I don't get that, 'cause, well, it snows a lot here. ;)

Sorry, too, about yet another smelly room. :(

But, I love :hippie: the SSR excitement and the initial meetings with the CA and Brit invaders. :) The pictures of all the kids are SO cute! Your sandwich looks great, too, so I'm sorry to hear that it didn't measure up. :confused:

I sure hope Gramma doesn't have to sleep on the pull out stinking up the room with Noxzema because of the sunburn! :lmao:

[scottny]

Hi,
Just wanted to say I just read your report and it is great. Love the pics. SSR looks nice.

[PrincessV]

V- I promise that you'll like, if not love, BWV! Take a look at Susie's TR...

Susie's BWV pictures (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20813814&postcount=119)

She just got back from staying there and had a great time! :goodvibes But, I do agree, I love SSR's room interior better... :goodvibes
Thanks Michelle! :hug: Yep, I've actually got Sooze's TR in my Favorites, waiting for me to get time to catch up!
But, I love :hippie: the SSR excitement and the initial meetings with the CA and Brit invaders. :) The pictures of all the kids are SO cute! Your sandwich looks great, too, so I'm sorry to hear that it didn't measure up. :confused:
It was such a fun day, despite the nasty, fat-laden sandwich. it did look good, thgouht, didn't it?
Hi,
Just wanted to say I just read your report and it is great. Love the pics. SSR looks nice.
Hi there, and welcome aboard! SSR is just wonderful - really! :thumbsup2

[PrincessV]

Gramma, Leo and I took some time to enjoy our new Home before going our separate ways for the evening. Leo insisted on snacking outdoors, on the 98 degree balcony.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1258/1257859781_48fd8eaebe.jpg

I busied myself getting outfits ready, spreading out my cosmetics and enjoying a couple cheesy tabloids, courtesy of LL. For the record, I believe Brangelina is doomed to failure. You heard it here first.

I also pondered the previous night at POR and the dramatic difference in my resort experience between there and SSR. Here’s what I came up with… Back when I first began my WDW resort stays – mid-1990’s – pretty much everything was new. Well, the places we could afford, anyway. I tried CBR, Dixie Landings, POFQ when it was just Pt. Orleans, CSR the year it opened, even All Star Music. And loved them all. Some more than others, but all had that special Disney triad: cleaner than clean, themed to the nth degree, and brimming with CM’s who LOVED their work. As I looked around my SSR studio, I realized this resort had the Disney triad… and the others have, sadly, lost some magic to plain old age. Strangely, it was a comforting thought. Because I’ve stayed at the refurbished CR and I’d seen the pictures of the new Poly rooms. And I know that old Disney magic can be brought back to long-neglected resorts. Maybe, just maybe, the suits will see fit to do the same with the moderates, too, someday. One can hope.


Or.


One can buy into a brand-spanking new DVC resort and enjoy it till the next brand-spanking new resort comes along! :rotfl:




Anyway, we all got showered and changed and I said goodbye to Gramma and Leo. They had a lovely evening at the Turf Club planned followed perhaps by some swimming at the Grandstand pool. Lauralee’s DH and son also had Turf Club reservations, so I told Gramma to be on the lookout – maybe the boys could get another swim in together before bed?

I stopped at my car to gather the lime green goody bags I’d put together for my imaginary-but-oh-so-special friends and walked to my bus stop feeling like a total idiot. The bags were much larger when open than I’d expected. I must’ve been a sight. :rolleyes:

I didn’t even have a chance to sit down when a bus rounded the corner and it read…
MAGIC KINGDOM. I looked at my cell phone – 5:20.

Shoot. The plan was to be at the bus stop at 5:30 and get on the very first MK bus. If I got on now, I’d be early and LL might not be at her stop. If I waited for the next one, and LL was at her stop, we’d miss each other. What to do?????


Neurotic? Me? Never.


Rationality did take over in time for me to realize A. LL would notice if I weren’t on the bus, and B. if I got on now, and she wasn’t at her stop, I could just get off there and wait for her. Duh.

So I hopped on board, enjoyed the drive around my Home, and spied LL at her Congress Park stop…. carrying a bunch of bags, herself. I think we took up 4 seats between the two of us with all our extra baggage. She’d arrived at her stop moments before the bus pulled up, too.

We chatted our way to the MK, talking about who-knows-what, and chose the monorail for the final leg of our journey. As we walked up the ramp, we heard “ALL ABOARD!” and caught the monorail just before it departed.

Does anyone else take a deep breath and feel every stressor in life disappear when they enter the Poly? Happens every time for me. If DVC had a property there, I’d be in deep financial trouble.

We were early – NOT late! – but a table for two was conveniently waiting for us in the Tambu Lounge. With our plethora of bags arranged around our feet, we ordered drinks and caught up on each others’ lives since Dec. It’s funny how, even though we’d been PMing and chatting on threads for the previous eight months, we found so much more to talk about in person. I’m a writer by nature, and will almost always choose written communication over verbal, but there is just no substitute for sitting with a dear friend and letting the conversation flow. It was a terrific beginning to our festive night!

What happened next is a bit of a blur. I can’t remember which came first, but in rapid succession, the heavens opened and I saw a weather alert on the TV – a MAJOR storm was moving through. No joke – it looked like a bloody hurricane out there. Trees were bent over, rain was falling horizontally and sidewalks were flooding. All this we saw form the sanctity of the Tambu, beverages in-hand. We were pretty darned impressed with ourselves. Our mojo was ON – it was gonna be a GREAT night! :woohoo:


Then we thought about our poor friends, likely caught in the torrent outside our window. That can’t be good. LL talked to somebody on the phone and heard they all got caught in the storm and were making their way in to the Poly under Tracy’s ponchos and umbrellas. I was feeling badly that our mojo hadn’t extended to the entire group, but was pretty sure some pineappley goodness would fix things right up. :thumbsup2

Tracy, Jo and S’late found us in the Tambu and I finally got to give S’late a hug! Our little group was complete and it was time to party. Like a rock star. Baybee.


***WARNING: The following information may include excessive use of hyperbole, gross errors in judgment, and numerous factual inconsistencies. Read at your own risk – management not responsible for injuries incurred in the reading of this report…

Kona Café. They never knew what hit them. Five semi-soaked, (3 by rain, 2 by booze), women invaded the family restaurant and one waiter, one bartender and one manager may never be the same.

First up – a round of Lapu Lapus, of course! What’s that? None for Jo?! That’s one smart lady, people. There was lots of catching up to do, but first some housekeeping. Toasts were made. To our Fellow Focker Watchers who couldn’t be there with us. To LisaDKG, who inadvertently brought Lapupalooza to fruition, (hope you don’t mind Lisa – we gave Kona your name as the responsible party). And to the Mactans, of whom Lapu was the fierce and mighty leader and without whom we’d not have this pineapple of grown-up goodness. “Cheers!” “Salute!” “Santé!” And. “I’M WATHCING YOU FOCKERS!” Heh heh.

Pictures were also taken for posterity (and blackmail):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/3401594865_4c7e37266f.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1414/1257689065_b14cc9c455.jpg
Jo and S’late

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1049/1258545258_c73225d056.jpg
Tracy and Lapu #1

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1008/1258545316_f864800ce2.jpg
My precious… we loves our precious…



The rest of dinner is somewhat hazy now. No, not so much due to Laputoxication, as to the fact that when a bunch of women get together and let loose, a lot happens all at once. I believe all of our recollections will be different, though we’ll likely remind each other of things we witnessed but have since forgotten. Here was my view…

~ We ordered appetizers and dinner. I had the crab cakes and they were DELICIOUS!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1420/1257689525_486a4a0f19.jpg

I also had the macadamia-crusted Mahi Mahi. It was… eehh. Not bad, but not exciting, either. There just wasn’t much going on, flavor-wise.

~ We also ordered more Lapus. One or two more rounds. I forget. But I do know they were starting to get out of control. Someone decided we shouldn’t let the server take any away so we could get a picture of all the empty pineapples. The only place to go was up, and we soon had Lapucondominiums sprouting up in the middle of the table.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1267/1258545660_deff29b469.jpg

~ S’late wowed me with her ability to tie a knot in a cherry stem with her tongue… and coaxed me into giving it a try myself. If anyone has photographic evidence of my attempts and abysmal failure, please burn them at once.

~ Discussion ensued about a variety of subjects including other people’s TR’s that we’ve enjoyed; the golfing that had occurred earlier in the day by Jo’s, T’s and LL’s husbands plus Waldo; year-round versus traditional schooling; accents from around the world; chewin’ tebacker; the relative merits of Crocs styles; and a bunch of other stuff that the tables surrounding us enjoyed as much as we did. I’m sure.



All this time, it rained. And. Rained. And rained. BWWWOOOM. The deluge. (shout out to the Living Seas, RIP)


And it occurred to us that it was getting late. And we were supposed to have been out on the beach to meet other Focker Watchers for the rest of Lapu Fest. It was time for V to worry again. Would they even come out in the rain? Would they all hate us if we couldn’t find them? The plan was to see the Electrical Water Pageant – would it be canceled due to rain? How much longer could I wait to visit the Ladies’ Room? 2-3 Lapus hold a lot of liquid. TFI.

Speaking of the Lapus… our awesome server asked if we’d like a third (fourth?) round. Yes, please! We knew we’d be heading down to the beach/lobby, but the beauty of the pineapple is its transportability.

Our server came back shortly…. empty-handed. It seems we’d run the bar out of pineapples. For real. Intelligent, resourceful women that we are, we had a solution: just refill our old pineapples!

Nope. No can-do. Wouldn’t be sanitary.

At some point, maybe at this one, the manager got involved. She came over to explain that it wasn’t just the Kona bar that was out of pineapples, we’d used up the ENTIRE Poly inventory! Seriously? They only keep eight pineapples on hand? For to make their signature drink?

But Happy-tohelp-you-please-take-your-party-elsewhere-super-manager-lady had an alternate plan: she’d have the bartender whip up another round in regular glasses and we were welcome to dump the contents into our own pineapples. Perfect!

When they came, we all ooood and aaaaahhd over the scrunchy, cute little tiki-faced glasses. Not so little, actually, but squatty and FUN! And that’s when our server mentioned that we were free to take them with us to the Tambu Lounge. And, after that, what happened to those glasses was none of his business. He said this several times. I’m a relatively honest gal, but I know when to take a hint – grab the tiki glasses and GO ladies! :moped:


And so it was that we all went home with 5lb. glass souvenirs. Did everyone get theirs home safely? Mine’s sitting on a shelf at work, reminding me of the fun we had that night.


And the fun continued. We waved to Castillo Mom, who was supposed to meet us at the beach, but wisely dumped that in favor of a late dinner with her family at Kona. Hi Lisa! :wave:

I really thought the rain had stopped and was all set to forge on out to the beach… nope. While considerably better than earlier, it was still raining pretty hard. Darn. I needed my once-or-twice-a-year cigarette and LL was ready for a smoke break, too. With memories of sneaking down to the on-campus pond in high-school, we huddled under umbrellas with T, just outside the Niuue longhouse. Didn’t it used to be smoking rooms? That was our rationale, anyway. Rebels.

During our break, Jo’s family came to retrieve her, so I got to see the girls again and meet David, her DH. What a fabulous family they make! Just lovely, lovely folks, all of them. Poor David’s impressions of us – all Lapu’d-up - however, probably weren’t so stellar. I’m just guessing here. Sorry David! I swear we’re all really nice, normal(ish) people most of the time!

For some reason, and this escapes me completely, we stayed outside, hanging out under the stairs at Raratonga. And Claire, another DISer, found us there, so the big Lapu Meet wasn’t a total wash! Here we are, in all our glory:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1022/1276462136_4b1107097b.jpg
HUGE thanks to Jo for sharing her pic, as I never got any of the group!

The rain did eventually let up, and we made it over to the beach for Wishes, where we were completely silly and probably irritated the pulp out of the other fireworks-watchers. Wait – were there other fireworks-watchers?


Eventually, we all admitted that the coach was about to become a pumpkin and we really had to get back to our respective resorts. With hugs and warm wishes, Jo and family boarded a boat while T, LL, S’late and I took a bus to DTD, there to separate onto our resort buses.

Things moved quickly after that – the bus was packed and conversation was limited. I don’t know about anyone else, but I was acutely aware of my highly Lapu’d state, surrounded as we were by non-Lapuers. When we got to DTD, the SSR bus was there and LL and I took off. I wasn’t worried about goodbyes, as I thought we’d all be meeting up again the next morning for – gulp – Little Ones Extra magic Hour at the MK. So, without stopping for hugs, LL and I dove onto the SSR bus just before it pulled out.

My stop was first. LL and I made a plan to do the same bus routine the next morning, getting to our stops at 7:30 and catching the very first MK bus. With a last “Goodnight!” the bus took LL back to her room and I made my way back to Gramma and Leo.



I took my time, walking slowly and reviewing the night’s festivities. It amazed me then, as it still does today, that five women from very different worlds had found each other in cyber-space and discovered they had more in common than just Disney. Sure, it’s The Mouse that brought us together initially, but what I experienced with these amazing ladies was so much more than “I like Disney!”, “Hey, me too!” In their company, I felt warmth. Camaraderie. Respect. Concern. Appreciation. Support.


Friendship. I believe it to be called. :grouphug:




Gramma was still up, reading, when I got in. She said their night had been something of a bust – dinner was only so-so and they’d been rained out of any pool activities. They never saw Michael and Tony. Leo had been a tad obnoxious at dinner.

Oh well. Too bad. But it wasn’t getting me down. I was in my happy place, as I gleefully described the night to Gramma, showing her my prized tiki-glass. She nodded, smiling, and said she was glad I’d had a nice time. And I believe she was glad. No passive-aggressiveness that night.

I climbed into bed myself, thinking about how much fun was still ahead, as Leo got to play with his new buddies the next morning.


Next: Can you get a hang-over from pineapple juice?

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Fantastic, V. Truly.

I bet I can speak for all of us out here who weren't there...:sad1: wishing we had been.

[Disneyolic]

It's like déja vu all over again....

It is so much fun to read your version now and in about a couple of months, I'll be reading Jo's version!

[Disneyland_Mama]

One can buy into a brand-spanking new DVC resort and enjoy it till the next brand-spanking new resort comes along! :rotfl:
Now that's a winning statment, V. I'm gonna use that one on Andy! :teeth:



Does anyone else take a deep breath and feel every stressor in life disappear when they enter the Poly? Happens every time for me. If DVC had a property there, I’d be in deep financial trouble.
::yes:: I felt like I was "home" when we arrived. OH to dream about DVC at the Poly! :cloud9:

***WARNING: The following information may include excessive use of hyperbole, gross errors in judgment, and numerous factual inconsistencies. Read at your own risk – management not responsible for injuries incurred in the reading of this report…
I'm not going to comment much on this stuff, but let me just say, I can't believe you remembered all that! :faint:

Nope. No can-do. Wouldn’t be sanitary.
Didn't we have a long drawn out discussion with the manager about this? :scratchin:

And so it was that we all went home with 5lb. glass souvenirs. Did everyone get theirs home safely? Mine’s sitting on a shelf at work, reminding me of the fun we had that night.
I take it you don't remember someone stole mine! :sad2:


I took my time, walking slowly and reviewing the night’s festivities. It amazed me then, as it still does today, that five women from very different worlds had found each other in cyber-space and discovered they had more in common than just Disney.
I don't think we even discussed Disney, with the exception of DVC. :lmao:

In their company, I felt warmth. Camaraderie. Respect. Concern. Appreciation. Support.
Friendship. I believe it to be called. :grouphug:
Well said, my friend. Well said! :hug:

[askelton]

It really is amazing that after just "talking" on line you all have become such good friends. Women and pineapples, what's not to like? Why would the DH's think that's crazy?:confused3 I do agree with sharkB8, wish I was there.

[HomeschoolMama]

subbing... I'm enjoying reading these TRs that all have their own version of what happened! Can't wait to read more! :cutie:

[jcc0621]

I would have loved to have seen the reactions of the other diners and the other people on the beach watching Wishes:rotfl2:

If Lapu '08 happens maybe someone should call the Poly ahead of time and tell them to orde extra pineapples:lmao:

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Lapupalooza sounds like it was a blast. You ladies sure sound like a riot to be around.

[cmp1111]

Kona Café. They never knew what hit them. Five semi-soaked, (3 by rain, 2 by booze), women invaded the family restaurant and one waiter, one bartender and one manager may never be the same.
Crackin' me up, lady. :rotfl2:

But Happy-tohelp-you-please-take-your-party-elsewhere-super-manager-lady had an alternate plan: she’d have the bartender whip up another round in regular glasses and we were welcome to dump the contents into our own pineapples. Perfect!

Phew!

I’m a relatively honest gal, but I know when to take a hint – grab the tiki glasses and GO ladies! :moped:

:rotfl:

V, this sounds marvelous! :goodvibes

Fantastic, V. Truly.

I bet I can speak for all of us out here who weren't there...:sad1: wishing we had been.

You can speak for me, at least. :thumbsup2

[scottny]

definitely sounds like a great night was had by all. but making the Poly run out pineapples is a little disgraceful. :rotfl2:

[TheDISneyFamily]

aww...dang... I'm all verklempt again... :sad1: I'm so happy you all had a good time together... What a wonderful night! :cloud9: The rain couldn't put a damper on THIS evening! :goodvibes

I can't wait to see how your early morning went after Lapupalooza! :eek:

Take care,
Michelle

...who wishes she was there, too... sigh... :sad2:

[DisneyJo]

Five semi-soaked, (3 by rain, 2 by booze), women invaded the family restaurant and one waiter, one bartender and one manager may never be the same. :rotfl2:

First up – a round of Lapu Lapus, of course! What’s that? None for Jo?! That’s one smart lady, people. Just don't like coconut, must find one I do like for next time!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1414/1257689065_12cc0e65ee.jpg
Jo and S’late OMG you can see how wet we got look at S'Late's arm and she had a poncho on!

If anyone has photographic evidence of my attempts and abysmal failure, please burn them at once. I don't, anyone?

Nope. No can-do. Wouldn’t be sanitary.
That was just ridiculous, as long as you reused the same one what's the difference? They just wanted to get rid of us :rotfl2:

What a fabulous family they make! Just lovely, lovely folks, all of them. Awww thanks :hug:

Wait – were there other fireworks-watchers? ::yes:: Loads of them :rotfl2:

Sure, it’s The Mouse that brought us together initially, but what I experienced with these amazing ladies was so much more than “I like Disney!”, “Hey, me too!” In their company, I felt warmth. Camaraderie. Respect. Concern. Appreciation. Support.

Friendship. I believe it to be called. :grouphug: V you have such a way with words I would have just said yep we all got along we're friends :rotfl2:

I take it you don't remember someone stole mine! :sad2: :eek: I can remember you leaving it on a table by the door, what happened?

[Disneyland_Mama]

I don't, anyone?
Nope, I don't either.


:eek: I can remember you leaving it on a table by the door, what happened?
Some bugger stole it! When I went back to get it, someone had swapped it with their boring non-Tikiman glass! I was so sad! :guilty: I had to drink alot to get that bad boy and someone just comes up and snatches it! :mad:

[princessjv]

Bravo! :thumbsup2

I can't get my smile off my face. Although, it would have been fun to witness and take part, it is an absolute pleasure to read about. What an honor to find your make believe friends to be so very real! :hug:

[puggymom]

V, you are such a great writer. I am loving all these updates from you lovely ladies.

Since it will be months before we get to Jo's version... Jo, does David still think Disser's are a bunch of crazies?:lmao:


I still can't believe the Poly ran out of pineapples. :confused:

[Miz Diz]

I love your version. I think the lapus hit Tracy harder. Can't wait to hear the other versions.

[PaMom001]

What a great update.

[Lauralee131]

I take it you don't remember someone stole mine! :sad2:


I remember! Heh heh...But you'll see...hopefully by late tonight if not tomorrow...gotta get Michael in the tub!

OH - and V - I'll be back to quote baby!!!:thumbsup2

[PrincessAlways]

Well, that must have been some get-together! :rolleyes1 Sounds like you ladies completely shocked the staff at Kona -- you used ALL of the pineapples !! :lmao: Too FUNNY!!:lmao:

[sorul82?]

OMG! I had forgotten about the chewin tobacker! I do remember the other discussion that ruined LL Wishes viewing. :flower3: I'm sorry LL!

[Goofyluver]

::yes:: I believe pineappletoxication is an actual term!

[Glendamax]

OH V! What fun you all had! Oh how I wish I was there! But at 12+ a drink, I think I'd better start saving up now in case I get to go!

It's moments like these why I LOVE this site. Yes, we all have Disney in common, but once you meet, you find out that it's alot more!

This was a very fun installment! Love the shot of all the pineapples! Hope I can join in the next time!

:wave:

[Lauralee131]

OMG! I had forgotten about the chewin tobacker! I do remember the other discussion that ruined LL Wishes viewing. :flower3: I'm sorry LL!

HUH???? Oh no...you're going to have to refresh me on that S'late...
Should I be scared??:scared:

I remember you telling us that your dad used to say something like "no daughter of mine's going to be croppin' backer"....

But OMG...what discussion???? You HAVE to tell me!!

And where in the heck have you been S'late...:confused3

::yes:: I believe pineappletoxication is an actual term!

If it wasn't a real word before...it is now!!!:thumbsup2

[Lauralee131]

Gramma, Leo and I took some time to enjoy our new Home before going our separate ways for the evening. Leo insisted on snacking outdoors, on the 98 degree balcony.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1258/1257859781_f0c93593e9.jpg

There's my handsome little buddy!!! Hi Leo!!


One can buy into a brand-spanking new DVC resort and enjoy it till the next brand-spanking new resort comes along!

Love the way you think!! Yooo Hoooo....Andy....over here....

Lauralee’s DH and son also had Turf Club reservations, so I told Gramma to be on the lookout – maybe the boys could get another swim in together before bed?

Yeah sure...provided my boys actually got OUT of bed to go to dinner...:rolleyes:

I stopped at my car to gather the lime green goody bags I’d put together for my imaginary-but-oh-so-special friends and walked to my bus stop feeling like a total idiot. The bags were much larger when open than I’d expected. I must’ve been a sight.

Yep - we were the bag ladies of the bus line!!


IShoot. The plan was to be at the bus stop at 5:30 and get on the very first MK bus. If I got on now, I’d be early and LL might not be at her stop. If I waited for the next one, and LL was at her stop, we’d miss each other. What to do?????

I was thinking the same thing when it pulled up toward my stop!!


Neurotic? Me? Never.

Me neither!:rolleyes1


So I hopped on board, enjoyed the drive around my Home, and spied LL at her Congress Park stop…. carrying a bunch of bags, herself. I think we took up 4 seats between the two of us with all our extra baggage. She’d arrived at her stop moments before the bus pulled up, too.

We had some serious bus mojo going baby!! On fiya!!!

We chatted our way to the MK, talking about who-knows-what, and chose the monorail for the final leg of our journey. As we walked up the ramp, we heard “ALL ABOARD!” and caught the monorail just before it departed.
:goodvibes The vacation gods were smiling upon us my friend...paving our way to the Poly!!

Maybe it was the spirit of Lapu Lapu himself!!

Does anyone else take a deep breath and feel every stressor in life disappear when they enter the Poly? Happens every time for me. If DVC had a property there, I’d be in deep financial trouble.

I could totally see that!!

We were early – NOT late! –

I meant to give you props for this in my TR and I forgot...

V was early - NOT late...more than once this trip!! I may have made you sound perpetually late before...and this needed to be mentioned!


What happened next is a bit of a blur. I can’t remember which came first, but in rapid succession, the heavens opened and I saw a weather alert on the TV – a MAJOR storm was moving through. No joke – it looked like a bloody hurricane out there. Trees were bent over, rain was falling horizontally and sidewalks were flooding. All this we saw form the sanctity of the Tambu, beverages in-hand. We were pretty darned impressed with ourselves. Our mojo was ON – it was gonna be a GREAT night!


Yep...it was just like that!!:goodvibes

Tracy, Jo and S’late found us in the Tambu and I finally got to give S’late a hug! Our little group was complete and it was time to party. Like a rock star. Baybee.

:cool1:


***WARNING: The following information may include excessive use of hyperbole, gross errors in judgment, and numerous factual inconsistencies. Read at your own risk – management not responsible for injuries incurred in the reading of this report…

Aaah...the moment I've been waiting for!!!popcorn::

Kona Café. They never knew what hit them. Five semi-soaked, (3 by rain, 2 by booze), women invaded the family restaurant and one waiter, one bartender and one manager may never be the same.

I couldn't have said it better myself!!


Pictures were also taken for posterity (and blackmail):

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1414/1257689065_12cc0e65ee.jpg
Jo and S’late

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1049/1258545258_115bdd4c68.jpg
Tracy and Lapu #1

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1008/1258545316_519f15fcdd.jpg
My precious… we loves our precious…



The rest of dinner is somewhat hazy now. No, not so much due to Laputoxication, as to the fact that when a bunch of women get together and let loose, a lot happens all at once.

There you go...you're right!!

I believe all of our recollections will be different, though we’ll likely remind each other of things we witnessed but have since forgotten. Here was my view…

Oooohh....this is gonna be gooooood!!popcorn::

~ We ordered appetizers and dinner. I had the crab cakes and they were DELICIOUS!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1420/1257689525_9f95551a49.jpg


Are those chopstix I spy???

~ We also ordered more Lapus. One or two more rounds. I forget. But I do know they were starting to get out of control.

Yep...

Someone decided we shouldn’t let the server take any away so we could get a picture of all the empty pineapples. The only place to go was up, and we soon had Lapucondominiums sprouting up in the middle of the table.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1267/1258545660_0b4809ae8f.jpg


Can you imagine what our table looked like from farther away???

~ S’late wowed me with her ability to tie a knot in a cherry stem with her tongue… and coaxed me into giving it a try myself. If anyone has photographic evidence of my attempts and abysmal failure, please burn them at once.

I don't but I'm sorry I didn't take any. It was darn funny, V...

~ Discussion ensued about a variety of subjects including other people’s TR’s that we’ve enjoyed; the golfing that had occurred earlier in the day by Jo’s, T’s and LL’s husbands plus Waldo; year-round versus traditional schooling; accents from around the world; chewin’ tebacker; the relative merits of Crocs styles; and a bunch of other stuff that the tables surrounding us enjoyed as much as we did. I’m sure.

Yep - it was like our own version of the View!!


Speaking of the Lapus… our awesome server asked if we’d like a third (fourth?) round. Yes, please! We knew we’d be heading down to the beach/lobby, but the beauty of the pineapple is its transportability.

I thought it was the fourth, but I could be wrong.... My giant Pina Colava didn't help either...

Our server came back shortly…. empty-handed. It seems we’d run the bar out of pineapples. For real.

:mad:

Intelligent, resourceful women that we are, we had a solution: just refill our old pineapples!

Women really should rule the world, dontcha think?

Nope. No can-do. Wouldn’t be sanitary.

Sanitary schmanitary...It's a BS rule.:headache:

At some point, maybe at this one, the manager got involved. She came over to explain that it wasn’t just the Kona bar that was out of pineapples, we’d used up the ENTIRE Poly inventory! Seriously? They only keep eight pineapples on hand? For to make their signature drink?

Thuy must've figured that a woman would have been able to deal with us better...:rolleyes:

But Happy-tohelp-you-please-take-your-party-elsewhere-super-manager-lady had an alternate plan: she’d have the bartender whip up another round in regular glasses and we were welcome to dump the contents into our own pineapples. Perfect!

When they came, we all ooood and aaaaahhd over the scrunchy, cute little tiki-faced glasses. Not so little, actually, but squatty and FUN! And that’s when our server mentioned that we were free to take them with us to the Tambu Lounge. And, after that, what happened to those glasses was none of his business. He said this several times. I’m a relatively honest gal, but I know when to take a hint – grab the tiki glasses and GO ladies! :moped: [/quote]

pirate:
And so it was that we all went home with 5lb. glass souvenirs. Did everyone get theirs home safely? Mine’s sitting on a shelf at work, reminding me of the fun we had that night.

I've got mine!! I can't believe it made it home in one piece!!

I really thought the rain had stopped and was all set to forge on out to the beach… nope. While considerably better than earlier, it was still raining pretty hard. Darn.

Imagine where the night could have gone if the weather cooperated....



I needed my once-or-twice-a-year cigarette and LL was ready for a smoke break, too. With memories of sneaking down to the on-campus pond in high-school, we huddled under umbrellas with T, just outside the Niuue longhouse. Didn’t it used to be smoking rooms? That was our rationale, anyway. Rebels.

We must've been quite a sight....:lmao:

Poor David’s impressions of us – all Lapu’d-up - however, probably weren’t so stellar. I’m just guessing here. Sorry David! I swear we’re all really nice, normal(ish) people most of the time!

Normal is over-rated anyway...


For some reason, and this escapes me completely, we stayed outside, hanging out under the stairs at Raratonga.

I was trying to figure that out too!!

I've got nothin'...


And Claire, another DISer, found us there, so the big Lapu Meet wasn’t a total wash! Here we are, in all our glory:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1022/1276462136_c41d33f194.jpg
HUGE thanks to Jo for sharing her pic, as I never got any of the group!


Ok, I don't even REMEMBER us all posing for this one!!:rolleyes1

Wait – were there other fireworks-watchers?



Yep - go see my side of the story...I don't think they liked us either. Maybe it was the people from Kona...

I snapped a couple more pictures –
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1056/1258545852_12ae26348b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1347/1257689707_8787db5eb6.jpg



Wow - yours came out much better than mine!!

So, without stopping for hugs, LL and I dove onto the SSR bus just before it pulled out.

I didn't think the driver was going to let us on...Remember he said something about how he didn't see us waiting at the stop??

I took my time, walking slowly and reviewing the night’s festivities. It amazed me then, as it still does today, that five women from very different worlds had found each other in cyber-space and discovered they had more in common than just Disney. Sure, it’s The Mouse that brought us together initially, but what I experienced with these amazing ladies was so much more than “I like Disney!”, “Hey, me too!” In their company, I felt warmth. Camaraderie. Respect. Concern. Appreciation. Support.


Friendship. I believe it to be called. :grouphug:

Yep - what she said!!!


Gramma was still up, reading, when I got in.


Did your buzz get killed too???



Next: Can you get a hang-over from pineapple juice?

I'm going to go with YES....:sad2:

[daisy_77]

Wow, what an awesome night you all had!:goodvibes

Love all the pics!

[TEminnie]

<<trying to be nice, but really envious of the good times with DIS friends>>;)

No, really, I am so glad the meet went well, and certainly tempts me to jump in next year!

[Lauralee131]

Since it will be months before we get to Jo's version... Jo, does David still think Disser's are a bunch of crazies?:lmao:


If he didn't before, he definitely does now....:rolleyes1

[sorul82?]

HUH???? Oh no...you're going to have to refresh me on that S'late...
Should I be scared??:scared:

You don't remember the cow patty bingo?


And where in the heck have you been S'late...:confused3

I've been workin and lurkin!

[Disneyland_Mama]

You don't remember the cow patty bingo?

Why does that ring a bell? But I do remember you correcting LL saying you don't "pick" tobacco, you "crop" 'baccer and something about your dad refusing to let you crop baccer. :rotfl2:

[Lauralee131]

Why does that ring a bell? But I do remember you correcting LL saying you don't "pick" tobacco, you "crop" 'baccer and something about your dad refusing to let you crop baccer. :rotfl2:

I remember the croppin baccer...but cow patty bingo?? :confused3 I can't remember that...why??? You'd think it would at least sound familiar...:sad2:

[PrincessV]

Fantastic, V. Truly.

I bet I can speak for all of us out here who weren't there...:sad1: wishing we had been.
Thanks sharkB8! You KNOW you were all there in our minds :hug:

It is so much fun to read your version now and in about a couple of months, I'll be reading Jo's version!
Yeah, but Jo's (sober) version kind of scares me... a little... :scared:
::yes:: I felt like I was "home" when we arrived. OH to dream about DVC at the Poly! :cloud9:
OMG, can you even imagine?!
It really is amazing that after just "talking" on line you all have become such good friends.
It really is, isn't it? A year ago, I could neverhave imagined this would come to pass!
subbing... I'm enjoying reading these TRs that all have their own version of what happened!
Know what? SO am I! :rotfl: S'late's should be next - and Lapu Fest was on her first day, so we shouldn't have long(ish) to wait! (Yes s'late, that is a hint.;) )
If Lapu '08 happens maybe someone should call the Poly ahead of time and tell them to orde extra pineapples:lmao:
Y'know, we've all said that a few times to one another, but I'm afraid it could backfire - do we really want them to know we're coming back???!!! :scared1:
Lapupalooza sounds like it was a blast. You ladies sure sound like a riot to be around
It really was soem serious F U N :thumbsup2

Crackin' me up, lady. :rotfl2:
Thanks - I do try ;)
definitely sounds like a great night was had by all. but making the Poly run out pineapples is a little disgraceful. :rotfl2:
Disgraceful? Us? Nah. ;)
...who wishes she was there, too... sigh... :sad2:
Oh, You are SO there for Lapu Fest 2008 :cheer2:
Just don't like coconut, must find one I do like for next time!
There's coconut in there? Really? I hate coconut!

Some bugger stole it! When I went back to get it, someone had swapped it with their boring non-Tikiman glass! I was so sad! :guilty: I had to drink alot to get that bad boy and someone just comes up and snatches it! :mad:
Nice try, but the truth has been revealed. I believe the corrected reply should read, "I had to POUR OUT a lot to get that bad boy!" :lmao:
I can't get my smile off my face. Although, it would have been fun to witness and take part, it is an absolute pleasure to read about.
I'm so glad to hear this is fun for the readers, too. I was a little worried - you know how things seem so funny when they're actually happening, but it's not always so funny to hear about later. :rolleyes:
Since it will be months before we get to Jo's version... Jo, does David still think Disser's are a bunch of crazies?:lmao:
Yes, I'm wondering the same... popcorn::

[PrincessV]

I think the lapus hit Tracy harder.
Me too! :rotfl2:
What a great update.
Thank you!
Sounds like you ladies completely shocked the staff at Kona -- you used ALL of the pineapples !! :lmao: Too FUNNY!!:lmao:
We sure did! I wonder if we've gone down as a new Poly legend? Maybe in 10 yers or so, a bar manager will be admonishing staff to make sure there are always at least 21 pineapples on hand becuase, one time, they actually ran out. And the staff member will be like "That's just an urban legend dude!"
OMG! I had forgotten about the chewin tobacker! I do remember the other discussion that ruined LL Wishes viewing. :flower3: I'm sorry LL!
:confused: Hmmm.... I'm forgetting the other discussion...
::yes:: I believe pineappletoxication is an actual term!
Yeah, me too :headache:
But at 12+ a drink, I think I'd better start saving up now in case I get to go!
Seriously. I didn't even look at my total. Didn't want to know. :sad2:

:goodvibes The vacation gods were smiling upon us my friend...paving our way to the Poly!!
I suspect they knew we had Disney Visa's in our wallets and no intention of watching our expenditures that night.

V was early - NOT late...more than once this trip!! I may have made you sound perpetually late before...and this needed to be mentioned!
Thank you my dear! :cheer2:
:Women really should rule the world, dontcha think?
Don't even get me started! :rotfl:

Wow, what an awesome night you all had!:goodvibes
Despite the rain, it was perfect in every way! :goodvibes
No, really, I am so glad the meet went well, and certainly tempts me to jump in next year!
Plans in the wroks, plans are in the works... ;)
You don't remember the cow patty bingo?
OMG, YES!!!!! :lmao:

Why does that ring a bell? But I do remember you correcting LL saying you don't "pick" tobacco, you "crop" 'baccer and something about your dad refusing to let you crop baccer. :rotfl2:
Oh, and that's right, too - it wasn't "chewin' tebacker", it was "croppin' 'bakker"! LY s'latey! :hug:

[DisneyJo]

See even though I was sober I have no recollection of Cow patty bingo, OMG what would I have been like if I'd had a drink :rotfl2:

[jcc0621]

Y'know, we've all said that a few times to one another, but I'm afraid it could backfire - do we really want them to know we're coming back???!!! :scared1:


Good point, good point.....Kind a like D-Day, lets not give them warning, :scared:

[jordansmomma]

V~ I am lovin your TR. The Lapus look pretty tasty, I am going to have to try one in March. I wonder if they have anything close to this in DL?

[dismom9761]

HI! I have read your report from the start this afternoon and have really enjoyed it.:thumbsup2 Way too much to try to comment on but Leo is still a cutie(I read a previous report-can't remember which one) and it sounds like you were having a wonderful time.:goodvibes I was at WDW the second part of your trip-Labor Day weekend.Looking forward to reading more.:surfweb:

[LurrrvtheDuck]

Once again another great installment on Lapupalooza '07. :thumbsup2

They only carry 8 Pineapples for their Lapus?!!?:eek:
Well that explains a lot... Hmmmm wonder if I should've given ya'll fair warning of this type of thing happening, because I almost experienced no pineapple goodness the week before you guys arrived.

I wonder if they'll be ordering more Lapus now though. You know as a result of all this Lapu love more and more DISers will be trying the newly famed Lapu and the Poly will be wonderin' why all of a sudden they're running out daily of their Lapus.

I love that you guys all got to share a wonderful night. It is truly amazing that the love for one thing could lead up to this wonderful friendship you've all formed. :grouphug:

I am SO there for Lapufest '08 though. :tilt:

[Disneyland_Mama]

Bump it, bump it, bump it up! :woohoo:

[jcc0621]

bump:goodvibes

[DisneyJo]

Is it Tuesday? :rolleyes1 :rotfl2:

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Is it Tuesday? :rolleyes1 :rotfl2:

It's definately Tuesday at my house.

[Lauralee131]

I had to double check, as the last time I thought it was Tuesday, it was really Wednesday...:rolleyes:

But yes, yes it is TUESDAY...:rolleyes1

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

I had to double check, as the last time I thought it was Tuesday, it was really Wednesday...:rolleyes:

But yes, yes it is TUESDAY...:rolleyes1

I've got your back, LL. We've all been there. It's just that I know it's Tuesday because I have company that leaves on WENESDAY!!!!!!!:rolleyes1

[Lauralee131]

I've got your back, LL. We've all been there. It's just that I know it's Tuesday because I have company that leaves on WENESDAY!!!!!!!:rolleyes1

Oh no...do ya need backup???:confused3

[PrincessV]

:rotfl2:

Know what? I'm in a slump. I've got me some major TR-writer's block. I'm hoping completion of School Paper #2 will fix that right up. I wrote the conclusion today, so maybe my TR juices will start flowing again later this week.

Thanks for hanging in there everyone! :goodvibes

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Oh no...do ya need backup???:confused3

Apparently I need back up in the typo department. I know how to spell Wednesday...I promise.

And, nope, no in-laws. He's my dad.:headache:

[PrincessV]

Wow… what to say about the day following Laputoxication?

It was early.

It was bright.

It was hot.



Most importantly, though…

I was NOT hung-over. :cool2:


I know – it’s craaazy! But no hangover for me. I won’t bore you with all the minute details, but trust me when I say that my body metabolizes things in strange and ever-changing ways. It’s always a mystery as to how alcohol will affect me the next day. I’ve felt badly after a single glass of wine at 9pm the night before and I’ve felt fine after several glasses of scotch at 2am. Beats me. :confused3


All I know is I awoke, though a bit tired, feeling pretty darned good.


ULP.

Except for the feeling that mass quantities of juice had infiltrated every pore of my body. It started upon wake-up and continued throughout the day; every time I burped, I could taste pineapple. Orange. Whatever-the-heck-juice they put in Lapu Lapus.

TMI? Sorry.
But it’s true.



Anyway, knowing my way around a Florida summer, I skipped the shower, (I took one less than 12 hours earlier – I was clean enough!), and went for a face-wash/tooth-brushing with the hair yanked back. No point in showering when I’d soon be drenched in sweat, right?

Leo and I were fed and out the door in record time. Off to the Grandstand bus stop and, don’t you know, a MK bus rounded the corner only minutes after we arrived! :yay: A few stops later, we picked up Lauralee… but no Michael or Tony. :sad2: They’d had a late night and really needed sleep – a situation I completely understand and can relate to.

LL did have a little person with her, though. Apparently a little girl had befriended her at the bus stop and was not ready to let go. See her TR for more on this – it was pretty funny. Plus, I missed most of what was happening on the bus. I am NOT a morning person. Really. I’m not good for much until about 9:30am Oh, I’m pleasant enough, just not all that quick, KWIM?

As the three of us made our way back to Fantasyland to search for Tracy and Jo, I was surprised by how not-as-hot-as-I-thought-it-would-be it was. Really – it was hot, but I wasn’t uncomfortable. What a difference an August morning at WDW is compared to an August morning at my house, 1.5 hours to the west. Apparently the Gulf keeps things a lot more humid where I live.


We did find Tracy and her family… and Jo and her family… where was s’late???

Uh, yeah, she wasn’t planning to come, V.

Really??? I don’t know where I got the idea that she was meeting us, but I feel better knowing that LL did, too. Of course, it’s possible that I’m the one that told her that... :rolleyes1

So I was feeling badly about not saying a proper goodbye the night before. S’latey, I’d have gladly waited for another bus in order to give you a hug before going our separate ways! :hug:


And what did we do for LOEMH? Well, I seem to recall Tracy’s family finishing up a ride on Dumbo as we arrived, then we all headed off to the 100 Acre Wood. Everything happened so quickly, there wasn’t any good opportunity to meet the rest of Tracy’s family. Isn’t that funny?! There we all were, riding the same rides, but never really met. :guilty:

So “HI!!” TE, Donald, Daisy and boys!

Someone decided to hit Snow White next and Leo surprised me in a big way – “Mommy – I wanna ride Snow White now.”
“Really? I thought it was ‘too scary’ for you?”
“No, I wanna ride it.”

He hadn’t been on Snow White since he was a baby, so I was pretty surprised, but he sounded sure of himself, so off we went.



He spent most of the ride with his head in my lap.



But when we got off, Leo was so proud to tell LL that he’d mustered up the courage to ride Snow White. I asked if he’d like to ride again and he said, “Nope.” :rotfl:


What else did we do? Peter Pan was in there somewhere, and IASW. As IASW was wrapping up, Jo called to let us know they were heading to EP or the rest of the day. LL, Leo and I exited and found Jo & family waiting for a final goodbye. :grouphug:


Meanwhile, we’d lost Tracy. And it was LL’s time to leave. She was heading home that afternoon and really had to skedaddle to make the ME bus in time. We tried calling T, but no answer, so we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways, too.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1259/1275595887_813a98f709.jpg


Leo was on a mission and we headed toward Tomorrowland, figuring we’d catch up with T at some point. Lo and behold – there she was, right in front of us! With Maddie and Waldo. I finally got to meet Waldo! :yay: I said how pleased I was to finally meet him and he said, “Tracy likes to write about me, doesn’t she?” :rotfl2: Let me tell you, Waldo’s just as adorable in real life as he is in cyberspace. Though T may have another view. ;)

More goodbyes were said and final hugs given.



Shoot. This “Magic Hour”, was turning out to be pretty depressing. I knew I likely wouldn’t see T or Jo for another two years. I knew by then that I’d see LL in January, but that was still 5 months away. :sad1:


Time to shoot off some angst.

Leo and I hit Buzz with little or no line! We may have even ridden it twice. I forget. Remember? Not a morning person.


But I do remember this: after Buzz, Leo announced that he’d like to do the rocket ships next.


As in Astro Orbiter? The ride he chickened out on last Dec.?

Yep, that’s the one.

Leo was all about challenging his fears that day.

Again, practically no wait and we were loaded into our rocket. And went hurtling through “space”, Leo whooooping and shouting with glee. “MOMMY? This is F U N!!!!! WHEEEEEE!!!”

He must’ve looked really, really happy because, as we exited, the CM on the platform asked how many were in our party – “Two” I replied. And he handed me some little white cards. I didn’t get a good look at them, as we were carried along by the group into the elevator. I looked closer when we got out at the bottom….

They were FASTPASSES! Good for ANY ride in the MK!!

And, he gave me four, so we could do TWO rides with them!!!

What’s more – these were no ordinary Fastpasses – no expiration. NO EXPIRATION! We’d be heading out of the MK shortly, but remember – we’d be back the following weekend, baybee! :woohoo:



We had one last stop before heading back to the hotel – BTMRR. Leo first rode BTMRR a year earlier and it’s been on of his faves ever since. We made our way over and… it was closed. Urgh. Poor Leo. He was not a happy camper. It appeared likely to re-open later in the day, but we couldn’t wait around for that. It was starting to heat up, big-time, and Gramma was waiting to do some swimming with us that afternoon. I reminded Leo that we’d be back to WDW the next weekend and we’d try again then.

We(I) decided lunch at Columbia Harbor House would make a nice end to our MK day and we enjoyed a lovely meal of mac & cheese for Leo, magical tuna sandwich for me. Mmmmmmm. Nectar of the gods, that tuna salad is. :cloud9:


Getting back to SSR, we found Gramma waiting for us, enjoying a leisurely morning of reading the paper and drinking coffee. She’s not a morning person either. TFI.

She did mention that she'd enjoyed a great night's sleep on the sofa-bed. In fact, she said it was very comortable and, for once, her back felt great. Remember that.


The afternoon rain clouds weren’t on the horizon yet, and we all headed over to the Grandstand pool.

Just another reason why I love SSR – two, count them, TWO theme pools! This one was a regular pool coupled with an awesome spray zone for the kids. And every inch of the place is visible, no matter where you sit. Meaning: you can sit down with a snack/book/magazine/project/what-have-you and not worry about where your little one’s taken off to. :thumbsup2

It was blazing HOT by that time and Leo had wonderful time in the water! He found another boy there to play and they had a blast.

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While I was, indeed, enjoying myself, I was getting more and more tired by the minute. When my eyes began closing of their own volition, I gave up and headed back to the room for a nap. I love vacations!



Leo never napped, but he did have some down-time, resting on the couch while watching a mellow movie. It did the trick – we both felt 100% better by the time we headed out!


And, yes, for the record, I did take a shower.


Our evening plans called for some EP time, beginning with a yummy dinner at Biergarten. Once again, our wait for a bus was short and we entered EP right on time.



Right on time for the rain, that is.



It started sprinkling as we passed Mousegears. We pulled out the umbrellas and covered the stroller in rain gear. By the time we rounded the corner around Norway, it was a full-force gale and raining horizontally. But look – Leo was nice and dry!

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Note how well the rain gear fits the stroller. Not a drop fell into the stroller or onto my sweet boy. Quite a difference from back in May…

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In case you haven’t read that TR, here’s how well that worked…
Pretty funny, no? I had NO problem dropping the money on a Maclaren stroller last year. That sucker turns on a dime and weighs, like, nothing! But. I was totally unwilling to spend $50 on the package one would need to get the Maclaren rain cover. Instead, I bought a $14 Combi one and made due. When we got back to the stroller…. it was a total WRECK. As some of you may already have guessed, my idiotic attempt at saving a few bucks resulted in one soggy mess of a stroller. The cheapo rain cover was flipped backward, protecting only the freaking handles of the ride. The seat was soaked. Lucky for Leo, I was also too cheap to spring for the seat cover, so the mesh could probably be dried off with some paper towels. Unluckily for V, the rain poured right through the mesh seat. Into the bag with my friend’s Tink clock. The clock was fine, but the packaging was a little rough.

We spent a good 20 minutes in the Norwegian ladies’ room drying the whole mess off. Two days after we got home, I ordered the Maclaren rain cover.

Let that be a lesson – buy the rain gear made for the stroller. This is not the place to be a tight-wad.


So, yeah – Leo was dry and happy. Gramma and I were… not. Dry.

Wet. Is what we were. Soaking.

Always a pleasant way to begin dinner.

Luckily for us, the Biergarten was not chilled to the usual Florida summer standard of 62 degrees. We stayed warm and enjoyed our dinner immensely. The stein of beer may or may not have helped. :rolleyes1

If you haven’t tried Biergarten yet… DO IT!!!! Where else can you eat something called wiener salad and not be turned into CPS for encouraging your child to hold their glass up proudly while engaging in drinking songs? Well, sure Britney’s house, but really, where else?

Okay, that was a cheap shot. And, for the record, I hope she gets the help she needs and gives those boys the mom they deserve.

Till then, she’s still free-game. Heh heh.


Dinner was great, but the rain had done us in. No one was much interested in hanging around for any longer. While not horizontal, it was still raining and we were all ready for the comforts of Home. After an insanely long wait at the bus stop, (clearly, my mojo had left on LL’s flight to NC), we dragged our weary selves back to our room for a final night of SSR bliss.



Coming soon: Fish Pizza, the sequel.

[scottny]

Great. :thumbsup2

Loved the Britney comment. bit no longer there either, the kids are being taken away. :sad2:

The pool with the spray guns look like so much fun.

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Yay, V! Does this mean you got some of your paper finished? Perhaps all of it?

I am impressed that you were able to pull of Laputoxication without any repercussions...I'd have been with Tracy. Hand me a Guiness and I'm good to go, but give me fruity liquor and I'm a disaster.

Sounds like you were able to pull off a nice relaxing day despite tough good byes in the morning. And just what is itabout the air conditioning in Florida? Is it some kind of statewide secret pact to keep the setting on "as close to freezing as possible without actually needing an ice scraper"? :confused3

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Great update V

I am the same way with drinking. I never know how it will effect me. I can do 8 shots of Tequila and feel nothing and then a few days later I could have a drink and be wasted and wake up with a killer hangover.:confused3

Leo is such a cutie pie. I think that is really cute that he was so proud of himself for riding Snow White.:rotfl:

How awesome that you got 4 fastpasses with no expiry!:banana: :banana:

Too bad it rained on you before dinner. The same thing happened to my family when we were eating in Italy except we were not so fortunate when it came to the temperature of the restaurant. Alfredo's felt like the arctic.