Inching My Way Closer to the Castle Final thoughts/future trips 4/2p90 The End 4/4p92

[IluvXU]

We did a poly pool hop after our dinner at Kona too! It was an awfully fun pool.... and since it is not DVC I too feel like we will probably never get to stay there either!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

What's great about BLT is being on the monorail loop!

You know what sucks about the monorail? It only runs in one direction.

When you're going to the Poly from BLT it's the first stop, yea!

When you're going back for dinner you have to make several stops. But I got some pics on the way back to the room.

I love looking at this pic and seeing 3 different resorts. How cool is that?

Home sweet home!

So!

Once we get back to the room we call and get our luggage. Yea, luggage! It's now time to get ready for dinner at the Wave. MEK takes a shower first so I wander out to the balcony because you just can't help it, the balcony beckons. I was really enamoured with the vultures. They were so graceful, so light, just floating on the updrafts. More vulture pics.

Now we get to talk about the Torture Chamber! While Mary Ellen is in the shower I keep hearing, "Ow!" and "Ouch!" I'm wondering what the heck is going on in there so I ask if she's ok, to which she replies "The shower hurts! It's like needles!". Really? NEEDLES?! Clearly, that's no good. The shower turns off and I hear laughter next.

Now what's going on?

As it turns out the tile floor in the bathroom must have been waxed with TEFLON or something because it's a damned skating rink in there on the bath mat! I mean fall-down-hip-breaking-slippery! After being pelted by sharp water, Mary Ellen goes to step out of the tub and just about does the splits! The bathroom is trying to kill her. In fact, it's not a bathroom at all - it's a Torture Chamber!

We cracked up! I mean it was just a really funny moment.

Gee, I couldn't wait to take a shower now! Bring on the needles! MEK was not exagerating. SHARP WATER! How do you make sharp water? The shower head is not fancy, folks. Not like the SSR ones that have settings. I know because I groped that showerhead all over looking for a button, a switch, a lever; somethng to make it stop hurting me! You can't wash your face in this water, not without protective eye wear, which was MEK's issue. Every time she tried to wash/rinse her face the needle-like-water tired to gouge her eyes out.

For me it was the "girls" - I kept covering them up - owie! Looking up at the showerhead to try and fix it was futile. As I was protecting the girls I looked at the little lever under the temperature handle. Hmmm... I wonder if I....
YES! IT WORKED!

IMPORTANT LESSON: After you turn the water on to the desired temperature, SLOWLY push the lever that switches from tub to showerhead until you read the desired PRESSURE. I figured it out! It's not a light switch with "on" and "off", it's more like a dimmer. Once I backed off the pressure a BIT it was better. And I think MEK could tell because I must have yelled "EUREKA" or something.

The floor has no solution other than "good luck". No wonder there's no lock on the bathroom door. A locked door would just hamper rescue efforts after you fall!

D4D

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Woo hoo for Poly pool hopping! I wish we had used the pool when we stayed there! But it was just DH and I and we had limited time!

Umm, pre-packaged sangria?! Couldn't you have brought that yourself in your handy dandy cooler MaryEllen?!

Bingo sounds like a lot of fun!

Sorry to hear about your dog Jen! Losing a pet is such a terrible lose! (((HUGS)))

 

[MEK]

Even though it was the Sherpa's afternoon off, she still brought her red ripstop bag so I had a dry place for my camera and a place for the mugs.

Sherpa's day off!

Thanks for posting all the great pictures Jen! I think this is my favorite because I barely remember you doing it!.

Thanks for doing all the response.

If we miss anybody, PLEASE let us know!!!!!

Pool hopping used to be one of the perks of staying on property. That was in the 80's when we stayed at CW.

:

I wonder when they decided to do away with it? It makes sense not to have unlimited pool hopping because its hard to enforce for off site guests. But I certainly love it as a DVC perk.

It's funny that you mentioned a paper could catch fire at the Vegas hotel because that is what was shown on the news. A paper was in a plastic bag which had melted from the sun projected on the paper.

That is crazy. Talk about some HOT sun! I would have been so surprised it that happened to me.

In fact, it's not a bathroom at all - it's a Torture Chamber!

We cracked up! I mean it was just a really funny moment.

Gee, I couldn't wait to take a shower now! Bring on the needles! MEK was not exagerating. SHARP WATER! How do you make sharp water? The shower head is not fancy, folks.

For me it was the "girls" - I kept covering them up - owie! Looking up at the showerhead to try and fix it was futile. As I was protecting the girls I looked at the little lever under the temperature handle. Hmmm... I wonder if I....
YES! IT WORKED!

OMG. That shower head! It may have taken me all week to figure it out, so thank goodness you were there! I kept reaching up around the shower head looking for the magic knob to make the torture stop.

We did a poly pool hop after our dinner at Kona too! It was an awfully fun pool.... and since it is not DVC I too feel like we will probably never get to stay there either!

It's really a cool pool. I love the way that water gushes from below the volcano. And I love the way it zero entries from the beach.

Woo hoo for Poly pool hopping! I wish we had used the pool when we stayed there! But it was just DH and I and we had limited time!

It was fun. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Umm, pre-packaged sangria?! Couldn't you have brought that yourself in your handy dandy cooler MaryEllen?!

umm, why, yes, I could have. In fact, I considered it! Costco carries a bottled sangria that I really like. Should I bring some for May? Actually, C reminded me that you can get virtually any type of wine in Epcot, so I will definitely be buying myself some sake.

Bingo sounds like a lot of fun!

It was a blast. So glad Jen made me play!

Sorry to hear about your dog Jen! Losing a pet is such a terrible lose! (((HUGS)))

I was so worried about Jen before we left because I knew the dog was getting sicker and I didn't want her to not be there when the dog had to be put to sleep. It was really hard on her, but I think she was relieved when the decision was made. And Jen and her DH had already adopted a new dog who was sorely in need of a good home.

 

[All7OfUs]

Ouch!! That just doesn't sound nice at all! What were they thinking to design a lethal bathroom?? Do they post the vultures there for when it's done its job??

 

[MEK]

Ouch!! That just doesn't sound nice at all! What were they thinking to design a lethal bathroom?? Do they post the vultures there for when it's done its job??

OMG! You're right - that's why the vultures are there, to get the left overs. Just toss the guest out the window and watch the fun begin.

 

[manntra]

for you MEK!! I didn't know Sherpas had days off

Pool hopping looked like a blast...and it was perfect being on the monorail...I just can't see hopping a bus or driving to another location....maybe but I think the monorail is the best bet I have been known to play some bingo at the pool

Awwww Jen sorry about Stella so, so, so very hard

Okay I was just cracking up at the lethal shower....I likely would have fallen anyways but the sharp water?!! I was thinking it was MEK's delicate Sherpa skin but since it happened to Jen too... That is so weird...I have never noticed it in the showers there....must be an Ikea type design Glad that you were able to remedy that

Tracy

 

[PrincessAlways]

You have got to love that Poly pool!! I think it's great.

I don't remember the shower being so "painful" at BLT! It does sound like it was pelting the 2 of you!!! Sounds like a VERY slippery floor too!! Between the shower & the floor, it's amazing that you gals survived!!

 

[KatMark]

Jen, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about Stella.

And your pictures of the pool hopping are great. I had heard about the awful shower at BLT and the fact that the bathroom sink is by the kitchen sink.

 

[MEK]

for you MEK!! I didn't know Sherpas had days off

Sadly, they are few and far between!

:

Pool hopping looked like a blast...and it was perfect being on the monorail...I just can't see hopping a bus or driving to another location....maybe but I think the monorail is the best bet I have been known to play some bingo at the pool

If we were going to pool hop anytime, this had to be the trip. It worked out great. It gave us an excuse to visit all the monorail resorts and it was a great way to beat the heat.

:

Awwww Jen sorry about Stella so, so, so very hard

I know Jen will appreciate everyone's sentiments because this was really tough for her. Stella was not very old - only 5 or 6.

Okay I was just cracking up at the lethal shower....I likely would have fallen anyways but the sharp water?!! I was thinking it was MEK's delicate Sherpa skin but since it happened to Jen too... That is so weird...I have never noticed it in the showers there....must be an Ikea type design Glad that you were able to remedy that

Tracy

That is the first time I had THAT shower experience in any of the resorts. So let that be a warning to you when you stay there - DONT turn the dial all the way to the right. No one could possibly enjoy that.

You have got to love that Poly pool!! I think it's great.

It was great! We had a really fun afternoon and enjoyed the pool a lot better than the one at BLT.

I don't remember the shower being so "painful" at BLT! It does sound like it was pelting the 2 of you!!! Sounds like a VERY slippery floor too!! Between the shower & the floor, it's amazing that you gals survived!!

Well, if we had set the shower correctly to begin with we wouldn't have been tortured so severely.

But that floor - OMG - it was super slippery. It was especially treacherous after ingesting alcohol and during night time bio breaks. I had to keep reminding myself so I would be conscious of my footing.

Jen, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about Stella.

According to Jen, Stella was a super cool dog so she is sorely missed. Jen and her DH adopted another dog and Jen's DH kept texting her pictures of the new dog taking up Jen's side of the bed. She moved right in while Jen was in Florida.

And your pictures of the pool hopping are great. I had heard about the awful shower at BLT and the fact that the bathroom sink is by the kitchen sink.

The shower wasn't too bad once we figured out how to operate it correctly, but the location of the sink was weird. I can't imagine if someone with really long hair had to dry their hair there. Yuck!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Aww, great pics Jen! The two of you are so funny with this TR!!!

I'm very sorry about Stella - We have had our dog for almost 4 years, and it sure isn't long enough. RIP Stella.

 

[rndmr2]

I just finished your May TR and I just started this one so I figured I will comment now then go back and read the rest. Looking forward to reading, your last one was very entertaining!

 

[MEK]

Aww, great pics Jen! The two of you are so funny with this TR!!!

I love Jen's pictures and thats why I kept asking her to take pictures with my camera. Then her pictures would become MY pictures.

I'm very sorry about Stella - We have had our dog for almost 4 years, and it sure isn't long enough. RIP Stella.

I KNOW Jen will really appreciate your condolences. She really loved that dog!

I just finished your May TR and I just started this one so I figured I will comment now then go back and read the rest. Looking forward to reading, your last one was very entertaining!

rndmr2! We are so glad to have you join it! And I'm glad you enjoyed my last TR! Welcome aboard!

 

[glennbo123]

Sorry, I'd gotten way behind but am caught up now. Great pictures, as always. You had a great view from your BLT room!

 

[MagicShell]

What a painful sounding shower! I'm glad you both made it through the torture.

 

[NOX PLAYMATE]

Loving the TR, keep up the great work ladies. Thankfully you figured out the shower situation, doesn't sound too pleasant. From the looks of your pictures and from what you have said doesnt seem like Disney was very busy when you were there. My hubby-to-be and I are going for our disneymoon in Sept 2011 We are so excited, we can't afford to stay at the BLT but we wouldve loved to! We are staying at the CSR, more than affordable. I hope it is just as nice when we go. Lookin' forward to hearing more about your fantastic trip

 

[jenbear123]

That shower situation was hilarious!!! Sometimes those showers can be pretty powerful. Glad you sorted out the pressure to make it somewhat tolerable. Too funny I liked the drawing in the sand.

 

[MEK]

Sorry, I'd gotten way behind but am caught up now. Great pictures, as always. You had a great view from your BLT room!

Thanks Glen! Trying to make the catch up easier by keeping up with the links!

Our view from BLT was so great. Seriously, I preferred it to an MK view because we got both - MK and BL! What's better than that!

What a painful sounding shower! I'm glad you both made it through the torture.

I'm just glad Jen figured out how it worked. Apparently I am the dumb one of the pair. But I'm old - I have an excuse!

Loving the TR, keep up the great work ladies. Thankfully you figured out the shower situation, doesn't sound too pleasant. From the looks of your pictures and from what you have said doesnt seem like Disney was very busy when you were there. My hubby-to-be and I are going for our disneymoon in Sept 2011 We are so excited, we can't afford to stay at the BLT but we wouldve loved to! We are staying at the CSR, more than affordable. I hope it is just as nice when we go. Lookin' forward to hearing more about your fantastic trip

Nox Playmate! And welcome to the DIS! The trip report section of the DIS is my favorite because you meet the nicest people here!

Congrats on your upcoming Disneymoon! I love reading all about Disneymoons because they are such a special time! CSR is beautiful. You will love it.

BLT is out of my price range too. TGFDVC - Thank goodness for DVC. If you really want to stay there for your Disneymoon consider renting points from a DVC'er. There is a lot of information about that on the DVC boards. Jen freqeuntly rents her points, but she may be selling one or both of her contracts to go to school next. It really was a special location.

Stick with our TR because later on I have a surprise that a Disneymooner is sure to appreciate!

That shower situation was hilarious!!! Sometimes those showers can be pretty powerful. Glad you sorted out the pressure to make it somewhat tolerable. Too funny I liked the drawing in the sand.

Hey Jenbear! Is this your first visit to our TR? I'm so embarrassed because I'm not sure. I know I see you all over the TR's, so if its your first visit. If it's not, Welcome Back!

That shower was crazy. It wasn't powerful in the way that some showers feel like they can knock you off your feet. It just had a setting that changed the water into shards of glass. Crazy!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Hey Mary Ellen! I'm finally here and all caught up! I'm loving the pictures as usual Sounds like you girls had an awesome first couple of days - aside from the Torture Chamber that doubled as a bathroom that is

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I KNOW Jen will really appreciate your condolences. She really loved that dog!

I really do appreciate all the condolences . We had Stella before we had kids so it was losing my first child. Adopting Sadie the weekend before we let Stella go made it an little easier. She is a lot like Stella and totally different. Sadie helped keep us in the dog routine which is good and sometimes I just bury my face in her fur and pretend she's Stella. It never works, but I try it from time to time.

I just finished your May TR and I just started this one so I figured I will comment now then go back and read the rest. Looking forward to reading, your last one was very entertaining!

We aim to please so I hope this one is just as much as fun!

Aww, great pics Jen! The two of you are so funny with this TR!!!

I'm very sorry about Stella - We have had our dog for almost 4 years, and it sure isn't long enough. RIP Stella.

I am glad you are enjoying the pics! I took over 1000 so there is more to come!
It's never long enough, that's for sure. Having a big dog I always knew she wouldn't live long but 6 1/2 years? WAY too short, especially when it happened sort of suddenly. I say sort of because I knew she had kidney issues a year ago but something told me that we could spend a lot time/effort/money finding the problem but there was going to be no fix for the problem, so I let her be her happy-self and just kept an eye on her. When she started losing weight and looked less happy, I knew the jig was up.

Jen, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about Stella.

And your pictures of the pool hopping are great. I had heard about the awful shower at BLT and the fact that the bathroom sink is by the kitchen sink.

Thanks. This is the first I've heard of the sharp water situation at BLT but I did know about the vanity sink/kitchenette thing. Someone even tried to explain it and how it was more hygenic and if you're talking about just hand washing it might be. Once you enter the realm of hair, hair products, make-up, and the like, I think that arguement is moot.

Pool hopping looked like a blast...and it was perfect being on the monorail...I just can't see hopping a bus or driving to another location....maybe but I think the monorail is the best bet I have been known to play some bingo at the pool

Awwww Jen sorry about Stella so, so, so very hard

Okay I was just cracking up at the lethal shower....I likely would have fallen anyways but the sharp water?!! I was thinking it was MEK's delicate Sherpa skin but since it happened to Jen too... That is so weird...I have never noticed it in the showers there....must be an Ikea type design Glad that you were able to remedy that

Tracy

Thanks. Pool hopping was fun and it's something I don't think I would have ever done if MEK hadn't wanted to do it. She's definitely turned me into a pool person!

Here is a big to everyone, thank you for the kind words. Stella was a great dog, couldn't ask for a better companion for my kids, and she is sorely missed.

D4D