Only The Cool Kids Start Their Pre-Trip Reports This Early! - September Trip 2012

[BeckWhy]

I woke up Sunday and finally had my chance to go shopping! My mom was feeling better, my dad still ill. But it was just me and my mom shopping anyways.

For breakfast we headed down to the Chairman's Club. My dad believed that they served breakfast. But really the host told him they didn't it was served at the Saltan's Palace, which is a buffet. The last time my parents ate here, and the time before that and before that and before that, they said it was horrible. But they checked it out and decided we would try it. It was under a new chef and management.

There was a selection of fruit like bananas, apples, oranges, prunes and breads, but no croissants. Spinach omlet (which I thought was good), a kind of southwest egg scramble with eggs, cheese, red bell pepper, onions... I thought this was good too. Plus french toast which was just white bread. It was ok. Waffles which were very, very, very soft. They had regular sausage (which was way too fatty tasting for me), turkey sausage (which I like much better), and bacon. They also had cream of wheat, oatmeal, cold cereals... none of which I tried.

Overall I didn't think it was bad. I actually liked it... but the food was cold. I noticed that they were putting out huge portions on the buffet but there were only about 7 people in there eating. Of course the food will be cold then. And they were already setting up for lunch (bringing the food out) and it was only 11 and lunch didn't start until 12:30. Is buffet food supposed to hang out that much? Goodness

Anyways, we headed off to the outlets after that. The best store there, besides the Disney Store was the Michael Kors store. He had a great selection of bags, but I found one for a friend of mine, I thought she would love.

I sent her the pic and... she just bought it when she was in Myrtle Beach.

I don't know, something about the current styles I don't get. So I thought the shopping was horrible!

Except at the Disney Store! Like half of the store was on clearance! I was so excited. I got my nephew a Mater tee shirt. I bought me a Lightning McQueen tee... and a stuffed Guido & Luigi (which were BOGO Free). I got all this for under $10! Killer deal!

Headed over the Caesar's for a potty break and then to the Pier Shops.
Here's a couple pics from Caesar's lobby:

First stop: Gucci

$2200.

Limited Edition Louis Vuitto $2850 It was locked in a case and I waited 20 minutes for a sales associate who was just standing around so I could look at it. I was so aggitated! You know, this girl makes 25% commission off my purchase and she'd rather stand around talking with her co-workers... NO! I'm sorry... I'm not paying your inconsideration. Literally they were standing there talking while I waited for them. I mean I could have gone over and grabbed one, but for $2800 someone should come to me. It's like buying a car. So I guess I have to wait until I go back to NYC to buy my Louis Vuitton bag... since I adore my salesman there. He is definitely worth the money he makes.

Then we went to Juicy Couture. I was excited because I wanted a track suit so bad! But they only had 3 options! And I wasn't happy with the colors. I mean I really wasn't having luck shopping!

I liked this bag though... don't ask me how much it was, probably around $300 since that's what mine was.

After that there really wasn't any good stores, or nothing worth taking a picture of.

After that we headed back to the Taj... it was late and we hadn't ate lunch. I was getting hungry.

 

[kaoden39]

I remember when Caesar's opened up in Lake Tahoe. It is quite opulent for that area.


I love going to the Disney Store. I went into our local Disney Store on Friday. I got my mom the cutest wallet. She loves Disney and that is where I got my love of all things Disney.

 

[BeckWhy]

It looked as if they renovated Caesar's recently. My aunt and uncle stayed there once... didn't like it. I haven't been past the casino, so I'm not really sure how the rest of the hotel looks. But I'm noticing it's kind of just the lobby, if even that, that fits the theme of the casino. Not even the casino fits the theme. It's so different from Disney World. Their hotels fit their themes dead on, through and through, even down to the restaurants. I don't even think you could get Indian food at the Taj.

As for the Disney Store, I'd have to drive about 3 hours to the closest one. Yeah it totally sucks for me... oh and it's in Canada, so I'd need a passport too! HAHA But if there was one within 45 minutes I'd probably be working at it!

 

[BeckWhy]

Walking back was fun! I wanted to check out Wild Wild West casino at Bally's. My mom said it really sticks to the theme.

The Taj again.

And some more pictures of the view from my room.

And Luigi & Guido

So we decided to go back to the Borgata for dinner again. That way I'd get to try whatever it was that I didn't get the first time around.

This time the line was so long! But that's ok. We didn't wait long since my dad has a black card or something. It's like a fast pass! HAHA! We were sat almost the same location!

I tried the Chinese, not quite what we have at home. More pizza and mostly desserts. They had a new dessert in a chocolate cup this time, but for the life of me, I don't remember what it is.

My dad ate a the bar near Bobby Flay's restaurant, which we couldn't find for the life of us once we left the buffet.

Back to the Taj and the slots... then bed.

 

[BeckWhy]

My dad asked what time we should leave, and I said check out. It's only 8 hours home, so we'd be home at what 9 pm the latest? That works for me, time to take a shower and go to bed! And be refreshed for work the next day.

So we were off about 1 pm after we refueled. We didn't have directions home because we assumed my dad knew how to get home. Well he didn't want to drive through Phila... he wanted to go through the Delaware Water Gap. Now my GPS has real time traffic updates, I mean it can't predict accidents, but my dad was worried about hitting traffic in Phila... my GPS didn't predict any traffic. But going through the Delaware Water Gap added another hour of drive time. Plus it's all back roads, and construction.

Anyways, my GPS said to take some road and my dad argued with it and said that would put us in NYC. So he turned south on the road instead and we headed right towards Phila. Of course what does my state of the art, $900 GPS unit know. Anyways, we stopped at a gas station and my dad asked for directions and the guy told him to go the way my GPS said in the first place. It put us 2 hours behind schedule.

Here's some pics from the drive!
Jersey Shore

When we finally hit PA I was so excited.

Once again, I couldn't even nap in the car. And I can't really read. And it was way too hot so we had the windows down so no music. Finally I broke down and busted out the DVD player and tried to watch Transformers Revenge of the Fallen. It didn't work out too great. It made me a little dizzy.

By the way it was 90+ most of the drive home. It didn't start cooling down until we were about 30 minutes away from home.

Oh and guess what time we finally got home! 12:30 am! Not joking! I didn't even unload the car, just ran upstairs and put my PJs on and went to bed.

Overall the trip was good, I wish it was warmer in AC and a little more relaxing. I'd like go to again, probably soon... my dad is still sick.

 

[BeckWhy]

I'm not sure if this will work, but I took two videos when I was in AC. I think they are both crooked.

Here's the elevator ride...


And this is of the Trump Helicopter bringing someone important to the Taj... I have no idea who!

 

[monkey30]

Great pics! GPS is my PITA! The one in my truck is great... the one DH has I hate it took us through some really rough areas last time we went to DL in 2008! I am a map type girl paper suits me just fine!

 

[BeckWhy]

Great pics! GPS is my PITA! The one in my truck is great... the one DH has I hate it took us through some really rough areas last time we went to DL in 2008! I am a map type girl paper suits me just fine!

I like maps too. I have one in the pocket in the back of the front seat. I also have two GPSs, a Garmin and the one my phone. The Garmin is nicer, but the one on my phone has real time traffic.

My dad has no maps in his car... and God forbid we stop someone where buy one. Oh well!

 

[BeckWhy]

Well it appears that my Disneyland trip is back down to myself. I don't even know why I even considered going with anyone else. It just made it all the more complicated.

My sister completely bailed... She wants to go to WDW with my dad.

My mom said "find all the cancelation policies." Well I haven't booked anything yet and nothing will get booked until the last minute, and when you book last minute, there is no cancelation policy. You lose it all. So I'm assuming my mom is planning on not going either.

It really doesn't change much, except now I don't have to worry about making arrival and departure times close together. And I'm not sure how I'll get to and from the airport.

 

[BeckWhy]

I'm really considering moving. I have spent my entire life with my family and have never done anything on my own. I mean, I'm 29 and still live at home. But that's really not the reason for all this. I live in a small city and there just isn't anything here (except family). There's no jobs, no nightlife, nothing. I'm not saying I'm going to find anything else anywhere else, but at least I looked.

I don't know much about USA, my history and geography background is in Russian history... and I've only been to Seattle and Orlando. But I have decided on a few cities that I'd like to research. But if anyone has any suggestions they'd like to throw out there, go for it.

 

[monkey30]

Well it appears that my Disneyland trip is back down to myself. I don't even know why I even considered going with anyone else. It just made it all the more complicated.

My sister completely bailed... She wants to go to WDW with my dad.

My mom said "find all the cancelation policies." Well I haven't booked anything yet and nothing will get booked until the last minute, and when you book last minute, there is no cancelation policy. You lose it all. So I'm assuming my mom is planning on not going either.

It really doesn't change much, except now I don't have to worry about making arrival and departure times close together. And I'm not sure how I'll get to and from the airport.

Well you wont ever be 'alone' plenty of Dis'ers going at the same time, we will be right next door!

I'm really considering moving. I have spent my entire life with my family and have never done anything on my own. I mean, I'm 29 and still live at home. But that's really not the reason for all this. I live in a small city and there just isn't anything here (except family). There's no jobs, no nightlife, nothing. I'm not saying I'm going to find anything else anywhere else, but at least I looked.

I don't know much about USA, my history and geography background is in Russian history... and I've only been to Seattle and Orlando. But I have decided on a few cities that I'd like to research. But if anyone has any suggestions they'd like to throw out there, go for it.

I have to say moving away from everything you have ever known is scary, we did it just over 4 yrs ago, picked up and moved 4hrs from family friends and to a place where we had never really been.
I don't regret it at all. best thing we could have ever done. Good Luck!

 

[BeckWhy]

Well you wont ever be 'alone' plenty of Dis'ers going at the same time, we will be right next door!

I have to say moving away from everything you have ever known is scary, we did it just over 4 yrs ago, picked up and moved 4hrs from family friends and to a place where we had never really been.
I don't regret it at all. best thing we could have ever done. Good Luck!

The truth is, I prefer to travel alone. I like to be in charge and center of attention. I know that's kind of selfish to say.

When it comes to the moving... I planned to move to Louisiana for college after high school. Failed. After college planned to move to Orlando. Failed. Tried to move to Orlando up until about a year ago, then threw in the towel. I decided friends and family was more important that any type of independence. But over the past year things have gone downhill and I don't think there is any surviving here. At best I can hope for a sales job that pays commission, but will still only make around $25,000 a year here.

Did you guys just move without jobs? I won't move without a job, or major prospects. In this economy, I don't know if I can risk it.

I'm planning on going across country, not just a couple hours away. The cities around here are disasters...

Anyways, I figure I can move... what's the worst thing that happens? I don't like it? I'll just come back. HEHEH

 

[monkey30]

Did you guys just move without jobs? I won't move without a job, or major prospects. In this economy, I don't know if I can risk it.

I'm planning on going across country, not just a couple hours away. The cities around here are disasters...

Anyways, I figure I can move... what's the worst thing that happens? I don't like it? I'll just come back. HEHEH

he had a job offer that prompted us to do the move, and it was great.

Thats the way to think, you can always come home, but unless you try it you will never know if you are missing something!

 

[martinolichfamily]

I'm really considering moving. I have spent my entire life with my family and have never done anything on my own. I mean, I'm 29 and still live at home. But that's really not the reason for all this. I live in a small city and there just isn't anything here (except family). There's no jobs, no nightlife, nothing. I'm not saying I'm going to find anything else anywhere else, but at least I looked.

I don't know much about USA, my history and geography background is in Russian history... and I've only been to Seattle and Orlando. But I have decided on a few cities that I'd like to research. But if anyone has any suggestions they'd like to throw out there, go for it.

We too moved 4 hours away from our family and friends almost a year ago for DH job promotion...I really love where we are, the only drawback is not having family close! But......the road goes both ways as do planes!
Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

[BeckWhy]

We too moved 4 hours away from our family and friends almost a year ago for DH job promotion...I really love where we are, the only drawback is not having family close! But......the road goes both ways as do planes!
Good luck in whatever you decide!

Where about it Texas do you live? Austin is one of the cities I was considering.

 

[martinolichfamily]

Where about it Texas do you live? Austin is one of the cities I was considering.

I've lived in Houston and surrounding areas my whole life...Dallas area now.
Austin is nice area! My mom use to live near there as well as my aunt lives near Austin now.

 

[BeckWhy]

I haven't forgot about you guys... I've just had some major things going on in my life. I'm not sure if I'm going to even go to Disneyland or not come this fall. It will all depend on how I'm feeling. But as soon as I'm ready to talk, I'll let you all know.

 

[monkey30]

Doesn't sound good, but we will be here waiting!

I hope you can go, no matter what it can be a good thing to get away!

 

[helloirishkitty]

Oh no! Well, I will sub anyways and I hope everything gets better.

(I'm from WNY too!)

 

[BeckWhy]

Doesn't sound good, but we will be here waiting!

I hope you can go, no matter what it can be a good thing to get away!

It's not good. As for getting away, I think if I'm feeling like crud I'll go to WDW as opposed to DL because I've never been to Disneyland. I want to experience it as the wonder that is it and I don't want something that's on my mind affect it.

But there is more to this...

Oh no! Well, I will sub anyways and I hope everything gets better.

(I'm from WNY too!)

What part of WNY are you from? I live in Chautauqua County... I'm about as far west as they come!