How Do You Think We Stay So Happy?*Final Thoughts & Farewells* 10/7 p100

[sunny_stace]

OMG - my GF called me today. She was really hoping I would go because she will be there for a few days without her DH and she had 3 kids. When I told her why I wasn't going she completely understood.

Well - her dad lives in Florida (maybe two hours from Orlando), so she asks him to go for a couple days and go to the park with her and the kids for one day. He says - "I'm not really into that kind of thing. I'll have to think about it". He hasn't seen his grandchildren in a year. How terrible. And now I feel terrible for not going. So I'm gonna rethink it. Seriously, my whole purpose for going would be to help her with the kids and be her tour guide.

I'm sorry that her dad is giving her the run-around. I know I would certainly be upset. It does sound like a good opportunity for you to get another trip in for tour guide duty! It would be nice if you could just make a long weekend out of it or something! It would be fine to check out Universal Studios too. I thought about doing it this year to check out the Harry Potter additions, but I just can't justify the amount of money I would spend in one day to see one small area. Nothing else has changed since I was there a few years ago so I think I'll wait it out some more. We've got the new Harry Potter movie next week so that should tide me over until I have another chance to get there!

It was terrible! Actually in my next update about the situation you'll read that the guy in the fraud department at the bank, who talked to the owner of the company, said that she "wasn't very intelligent and doesn't understand customer service!" Umm, yeah! I was hoping they would give me back the cost of the trip the airport. But they didn't. I should have fought for it but I was really done with dealing with them!

"Wasn't very intelligent and doesn't understand customer service" No sugar-coating there! I would probably complain to the Better Business Bureau (do you guys have that in the USA?). If she's not very intelligent, I worry that other people are being over-charged too!

MEK - I don't think the sunlight hindered your HM queue photos one bit! I think they were great! I liked the one of Captain Culpepper, how the sunlight is streaming in over the top - very cool! I am soooooooooooooo excited to see it in person! I understand what you mean about not being able to resist things that make noise. If it makes noise or if there is any kind of button I can press - I'm all over it!

 

[MEK]

Continued......

What a view

Hello HM!

Hello Castle!

Hello BTMMR!

Next Stop....The Fort....

Then I found another great viewing area of BTMMR.

I enjoyed my time on TSI. I didn't walk the whole island (lazy - I know), but I did take some time to just sit and chill. It was a really pleasant way to spend a half an hour. Timing wise, it worked out perfectly because I returned to land just in time for BTMRR FP to become due.

Up Next, the rest of my morning at MK and meeting up with the ladies for lunch at Le Chefs de France!

 

[MEK]

Ugh! I am so sick of my knee hurting at this point! UGH! I still haven't gotten the authorization for the MRI! I swear it's getting worse every day! Boo! Ok, pity party done!

Oh No - It's getting worse???? That's not good. Then I agree that you need the MRI and you should not have to wait this long for the auth. I hope it comes through very soon.

Well, you know I'm not the right person to ask this question to! Afterall, I went 3 times in 4 months this year! And I'll be back twice before the end of the year! In the span of a month and a half!

But, I think you really, really need to follow your gut. Don't feel guilted into anything!

You and Jen really are the queens of the repeat trips.
I agree with you though- I need to follow my gut and my gut tells me its not the right time to go. Yet - I still feel so torn.

I'm glad Nick had such a good time in WV. It sounds like it was good for him!!

I know it was good for him. I had to push him a little to go, but he is having a most excellent time and I am really looking forward to seeing Morgantown.

 

[MEK]

Sorry I am not getting to all the replies now, but I am going to sleep now to try to get up early. Notice I said - TRY!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I still regret not buying that mug after our dinner at Jiko!

Want me to tell my SIL to pick up 2 if she finds it???? I'd send it to you!!!

Hope your knee gets better soon!

MEK - those pictures are lovely - such great colors!! What a nice way to spend your time! I'm looking forward to getting back and seeing the changes. They had started to change HM when we were there in March. The queue hadn't changed yet, but the hitchikers were changing.

I think if you feel in your heart (and checkbook) that it's just not the right time, you should pass on the trip. I know it sucks to be responsible, but like you said, college bills are coming... Your friend will understand and while it would be nice to help her out, it's really not your responsibility, it's just something that if it had worked out, would have been great. Tough decision to make for sure! I always have a hard time turning down any travel opportunity, let alone a WDW trip!!!

So my SIL will be there next week. I'm a little jealous, as I am with everyone else's trips. But I do remember last July when we went, and how hot it was. I'll be more jealous of all the DISers I know going in October!!! That's when I want to go!! But it will be October 2012 most likely when I go back. Sigh. It seems very far away.
But I do have Disneyland Paris in March to look forward to. All I can say is it BETTER work out. If that plan gets messed up, I'll be hoppin' mad!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I have never been out to TSI - you got some really great pictures out there Mary Ellen! Almost looked like you had the place to yourself too.

 

[IluvXU]

So my big regret is not getting to Tom Sawyer Island this past trip... these pictures make it worse. My kids asked, but we ran out of time/the heat. They would love to explore!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

For Sheree

That looks like the perfect mug Just the right size and shape, the handle is "comfy" and the glaze is nice and slippery inside. I'm so picky about my mugs and Disney has so many that are "just right!"

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay, caught up again. Mary Ellen, it would be so hard for me to say no to a request like that, but sometimes we just have to do what we know is best for us and our budget and have peace about it. I know you'll do the right thing for you.

Fun pics at TSI! I think I've been over there once and just peeked in the cave with the kids for a little bit, then sat it out - I really should explore it some time!

I hope your knee feels better quickly!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great pictures, as always, ME! I haven't been to TSI in probably ~30 years so it is fun to get a look around. I remember being scared of those caves as a kid.

As for a "bonus" trip, as others have said you should follow your gut. There are lots of ways to help your friend and ensure they have a great time without being with them (as fun as that would be!). Good luck with your decision.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Oh man, I know I'd be torn about going in September too! I'd definitely say go with your gut. I don't get to go to Disney as frequently as that, so I'm always like "let's go, let's go!", but I know if I was feeling that much hesitation about timing, I would definitely take that into consideration.

I loved your pics of the HM queue! I don't think the sun was that big of a problem (at least, it didn't seem like that!), you got pictures of the details really nicely! Ahhh you got a picture of the hanged man. I'm usually too busy telling DBF to look up with me and then getting freaked out and holding onto him. Funny enough, I just found out about him around a year ago, I never knew he existed until then! DBF and I watched a youtube video of it, and I had pretty much the same reaction!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Oh I will always have some very very fond memories of Blue Zoo and I so look forward to eating there again!!!

Well I too am not the right person to ask, I went down twice within 4 weeks of each other am going back in October and maybe again in Dec LOL!!! So I'm not a bias judge!!

Glad Nick had such a great time!! That is fantastic for him!!!

And Jen is going to go in Dec around the 1-6 so she can hang out with me and DH! We can float in the WL quiet pool!

Melissa enjoyed your catch up. Of course the more I read about the limo charges the madder I got. I would have been freaking out. I think they should have refunded you the whole amount too. It's on thing to make a mistake but to not go above and beyond to fix it is even worse.

I agree! I was trying really, really hard not to freak! I knew DH could put money in the account for me but I didn't want him to have to! Especially because the money was money I had purposely put aside for the trip! Grrrrr!

"Wasn't very intelligent and doesn't understand customer service" No sugar-coating there! I would probably complain to the Better Business Bureau (do you guys have that in the USA?). If she's not very intelligent, I worry that other people are being over-charged too!

That guy cracked me up! He really went above and beyond for the bank! They understand customer service! We do have BBB! I reported them and i wrote reviews on like 8 - 10 different sites where you can review things to let people know what happened!

Oh No - It's getting worse???? That's not good. Then I agree that you need the MRI and you should not have to wait this long for the auth. I hope it comes through very soon.


You and Jen really are the queens of the repeat trips.
I agree with you though- I need to follow my gut and my gut tells me its not the right time to go. Yet - I still feel so torn.



I know it was good for him. I had to push him a little to go, but he is having a most excellent time and I am really looking forward to seeing Morgantown.

It is! UGH! My doctors office stinks at things like referrals and authorizations! It's a giant pain in the rear! My doctor used to be on her own and about a year ago she joined a practice. The practice is known for these kind of problems! I'd change doctors but I love my doctor and the PA! I've been going to them for 13 years! I called yesterday and left a message with the girl at the desk and left a not so nice message with the coordinator! DH was actually there yesterday too and mention it to the PA and she knew about it already. So hopefully it's getting taken care of!

I can see why you're torn! I would be too. But perhaps you should just explain to her, honestly, what your reservations on going are and offer to help her make plans!

Sometimes a little push is good Mama! We had to push Johnny into doing sailing lessons this year (it was the first year he was old enough) and he LOVES it!!! He's talking sailing talk with DH now! LOL! I've also seen a increase in his self esteem since he started!!! I bet Nick is glad you pushed him to go!

Want me to tell my SIL to pick up 2 if she finds it???? I'd send it to you!!!

Hope your knee gets better soon!

Aww, that's so sweet of you to offer!!! I have it on my list for Oct!

Thanks very much!

Great pictures, as always, ME! I haven't been to TSI in probably ~30 years so it is fun to get a look around. I remember being scared of those caves as a kid.

DH and I did TSI on our trip in 09! I think he said "now I know why we never come over here!" LOL! The kids want to go there! I'm scared one of them is going to get lost!!!

 

[Nermel9]

I got a little behind on this TR, but I'm all caught up now!

Ugh, that's a tough situation with the possible September trip, MEK! I'd say if you can find decent airfare, go for it, but I understand about the timing too. Since my trip is coming up soon, and this is the first time in 3 years that we won't be there for Christmas, I'm desperately trying to find a cheap way we can go over Thanksgiving weekend, but I'm not sure it's the best thing to do right now! It's so hard to say no to Disney!

I love your Haunted Mansion pics! Especially the ceiling one-I have to try to get a picture like that!! And Tom Sawyer Island looks so nice when you take pictures of it! When I was there a year ago, I was so bored, I mean, it's cute, but it was so hot and we were tired of walking around already, but now you have me wanting to go back and explore it again! I love that you do things alone, I really have to get up the courage to go to a park alone on my upcoming trip. I love being with my DH, but it would be nice to just wander by myself for a few hours!

 

[TanzUnited99]

I hope you manage to decide what to do about the possible trip in September. I agree with others on that go with your gut instinct. If you do decide to go think you may be there whilst we are at Disney!

Love the HM pics! Lol am the same with anything that makes a sound. Me and my sister went to the build a bear shop the other day and pressed all the sound buttons!

Cool TSI pics! I keep seeing great pics of that area and am now thinking that we have to pay it a visit on our trip

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So I'm trying to remember what I did this morning of the trip. Thank goodness for pictures that stayed in order otherwise I'd never know!

I wogged (walked/jogged) the path around the Boardwalk over to Hollywood Studios. This would serve as my only exercise all week. Unless walking around World Showcase or lifting a fork/glass counts.

On my walk over I did see this on the shore past the Swan/Dolphin but before DHS. Not exactly sure what it is? Perhaps a prop for the kids' pirate cruise that departs out of Yacht & Beach Club?

After my wog, I went to... wait for it.... Epcot/World Showcase. Who is shocked? I think Tracy had gone over early and I texted with her and met up somewhere. Maybe at the UK pavilion?

I think it was before 11am so the rest of WS wasn't open so we were heading into Future World. I was fascinated by this sand sculpture. How does it withstand rain, wind etc??

I love hippos. Little did I know just how close I'd be getting to a real live one in just a day or two...

The flowers were so pretty. If I had an unlimited budget and/or DVC points, I would try to visit for F&G every year!

We went to the Festival Welcome Center in the old Wonders of Life Pavilion. There were some cute things there but overall much less activity than the welcome center for F&W. I thought this living wall was pretty cool.

Now my pictures fail me but I think we walked back toward World Showcase and perhaps took the "long way" around past Mexico toward our lunch destination.

We might have stopped in Italy for bellinis.

And then we arrived in France for lunch.

I'm not sure what the rest of the gals thought but this was one of my favorite meals of the trip. I just love Chefs. I didn't take one picture, however, so I'll have to depend on the others. Although we did not have a hot waiter, we did have champagne, good food and lots of laughs. And Chef Remy seemed to find us quite amusing as well!

 

[KatMark]

ME, in over 20 visits to Disney, we have NEVER gone to Tom Sawyer's Island, so thank you for the great pics. It does look as if you had the park to yourself in many of your pics.

Christine, I love the sand sculpture for the African Cats movie.

 

[norybell]

Wow, I just spent a good two hours getting caught up on about a hundred updates! What a nice way to spend some time, with all of you lovely ladies!

I love blue zoo...I think I may have had my best WDW meal ever there.

Seems like you're all having the perfect combo of solo and together time...I'm jealous!

 

[nilla]

Love the HM picks, Mary Ellen! Also nice to see you didn't let me peer pressure you into riding Splash Mountain without your scuba gear on

This is a really fun TR. Sort of like watching a soap, where each character has her own plotline, but that plotline crosses that of the other characters now and then!

 

[inkedupmomma]

I'm about half way through your Tr and I gotta say, bravo!! I love that you all did something for yourselves, and I love that you all are having so much fun! I adore the DISboards for the friends I have made, and thoroughly enjoy reading about other friendships made on here!

Great pics too btw, what do you all shoot with?

bookmarking to continue reading later!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Just thought I would pop on and say I am still reading along! What fun you all had and what great pictures!!!

Mary Ellen, loved seeing my mug in your pictures. It makes me smile every time I use it or even just see it sitting in my cupboard. LOL!