145 Middle Schoolers: Wicked Awesome or Epic Fail???DeParting-Such Sweet Sorrow p. 76

While my soldier marched away, the rest of our group came out of TSM, so we were all together again. Well, 13 boys and 5 chaperones, since one chaperone and one boy had returned to the resort.

Our window for Rock-N-Roller Coaster was due, so we headed over there.


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You can see in the pictures that the sky is pretty gray.

One boy didn’t want to ride. I volunteered to sit out and wait with him. We took everyone’s backpacks and shopping bags, including a couple of newly purchased light sabers. As soon as we sat on one of the walls in the courtyard, it started to sprinkle. I covered up the light sabers. Then it started to rain harder, so the two of us gathered up all of the bags and brought them into the gift shop.

The boy looked around the gift shop a little bit, but I stayed in a corner, next to the penny press machine, with all the bags. The gift shop became more and more crowded as people gathered to get out of the rain.

This was NOT the most fun I had ever had at RNR.

Why 24 eyes rolling simultaneously? Well there were 12 boys going upside down on the coaster. I prefer this kind of eye roll to what I normally experience from teenagers.

Fortunately, when everyone had finished with the ride, the rain had stopped. I think it was around 2:30, and although we had FP for ToT at 3:30, everyone wanted to head back to All Star Movies to swim.

One of the chaperones took the 20 ToT FP and distributed them to families. He caught up to the rest of us as we were making our way out and exclaimed “I made 20 people happy! I feel like Mr. Disney”

After exiting HS and as we headed towards the bus stop, I snapped a picture of one of my favorite finds at Disney:


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“What is that?” you ask. These are luggage lockers. They are HUGE! And the rental fee is just $1!!! I have used these a couple of times on past trips, on days that we visit AK, Blizzard Beach, Boma and then HS and have lots of stuff we are carrying.

The only downsides to these lockers are that they are outside of the park, and they are one use only, so when you open it, the key stays in. But neither of those is a big issue.


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We waited at the bus stop for a long, long time. And I think it was a change in shift, too. It was close to 3 PM before a bus came by. And while we were waiting, it started pouring.


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When we returned to All Star Movies, we made a plan to meet up at 6 for dinner and to decide what we would do that evening.

Next up: Downtime, Deluge, Dinner and Dodging Downtown

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Yay for alone time. I am sure you were craving that by now.

Also, congrats on the TSM win. I don't think I even put up a fight....:rotfl:

We experienced the re imagined Star Tours in California and I still felt a bit sick. I think my Star Tours days are kindda over. I was always OK for Mission Space though. Go figure....

I LOVE Starring Rolls. This is our lunch spot at DHS. It is a little hard to find seating but I have seen people taking it to go and going to eat at ABC's Com. I might try that this year. If you can't steer your family to eat there next time you should at least go for the dessert.

The picture of the boys with the GAM man is very cool. Any boy whoever enjoyed watching Toy Story has to love the opportunity of posing with the green guys.

Have a good week!
Q
 
We posted at the same time!

The Mr Disney comment is so cute. I always enjoy handing our unused FP and see the reaction of the people. Some have no idea of a FP even is!

Oh no... rain!

Q
 
I think the sky looked like that 90% of our trip in April. We had our fair share of rain. Which is unusual during our April trips usually the weather is the best.
"Mr. Disney"- Cute:rotfl:
It's fun giving out FPs.

On another note~ I have 2 possibly 3 interviews this week!!!:yay: Send some pixie dust my way- ok?? I need all the help I can get. If I don't get a job, we may have to relocate come the new year.
How's your PM inbox??? If it's full I'll email you all the drama.
 


Love eating at Starring Rolls though we normally have breakfast/brunch there-Yum!
We gave away 3 fastpasses for peter pan on our last trip and it felt so good to spread a wee bit of magic! Giving away 20 must have been amazing:thumbsup2
 
I'll get to all the replies later today...


On another note~ I have 2 possibly 3 interviews this week!!!:yay: Send some pixie dust my way- ok?? I need all the help I can get. If I don't get a job, we may have to relocate come the new year.
How's your PM inbox??? If it's full I'll email you all the drama.

Pretty full!!! I have one slot open on the Natebenma account, a few in the BeachClubDee PM box. You can also email me at beachclubdee@yahoo.com

Wishing good things for you. It would be nice to know you have something heading into the new school year. Good luck!
 
Glad you got out of there before the real rain started!

I LOVE the locker rentals, we used them on our trip for when we went to AK before I went to work so I didn't need to lug my Tomorrowland things around the park, it worked out great!
 


Awww... Mr. Disney!! What a good deed and I'm sure there were a few people that really appreciated the kind gesture. :) Sorry about the rain putting a damper on things... you and the boys appear to go with it. I'm from Southern California where 12" of rain a year is epic so we all stand around and watch it like it is some marvelous creation!! :rotfl2:

I didn't know about those large lockers - and only $1 - that is a bargain!! ;)
 
Love that your group took the time to give out the Fastpasses. We've had them given to us before and we really appreciated it. It is such a nice surprise when you come across those random acts. :)
 
I never knew about those lockers...are they outside of each park? Why only a dollar? What a deal!
 
Yay for alone time. I am sure you were craving that by now.

Also, congrats on the TSM win. I don't think I even put up a fight....:rotfl:

We experienced the re imagined Star Tours in California and I still felt a bit sick. I think my Star Tours days are kindda over. I was always OK for Mission Space though. Go figure....

I LOVE Starring Rolls. This is our lunch spot at DHS. It is a little hard to find seating but I have seen people taking it to go and going to eat at ABC's Com. I might try that this year. If you can't steer your family to eat there next time you should at least go for the dessert.

The picture of the boys with the GAM man is very cool. Any boy whoever enjoyed watching Toy Story has to love the opportunity of posing with the green guys.

Have a good week!
Q

I was loving the alone time. And I felt zero guilt!

I'm usually not that great at TSM, at least compared to my family.

Are you ok on Mission Space Orange? I haven't tried that (and won't).

I think your trip report is one of the ones that sold me on Starring Rolls.

I love the toy story movies. TS2 came out around the time that Ben was born, and the gift we gave to Nate (age 2 years, 9 months) from the baby was a Toy Story set. I thought it was so cute all the boys saluted. Well, except for the kid who gave the G.A.M. bunny ears.

We posted at the same time!

The Mr Disney comment is so cute. I always enjoy handing our unused FP and see the reaction of the people. Some have no idea of a FP even is!

Oh no... rain!

Q

The comment was cute- now I remember the whole quote "I made 20 people happy. I feel like Mr. Disney"

Oh yes... rain!


I think the sky looked like that 90% of our trip in April. We had our fair share of rain. Which is unusual during our April trips usually the weather is the best.
"Mr. Disney"- Cute:rotfl:
It's fun giving out FPs.

I guess the upside to the rain is that it wasn't blisteringly hot for most of the trip.

We always give out FP when we have extra. Of course, it was better when they could be used late, because now you need to find people who will be at the attraction during the time window.

Even before that, it was sometimes difficult to find people who would take them. People didn't understand, or thought we were trying to scam them somehow.

Responded to the other part of your post above.


Love eating at Starring Rolls though we normally have breakfast/brunch there-Yum!
We gave away 3 fastpasses for peter pan on our last trip and it felt so good to spread a wee bit of magic! Giving away 20 must have been amazing:thumbsup2

Cupcakes for breakfast??? :rotfl2:

The chaperone was so giddy after doing that! I'm so glad we gave them to to him to distribute.

I would LOVE if someone gave me 3 Peter Pan FP. Major score!


Glad you got out of there before the real rain started!

I LOVE the locker rentals, we used them on our trip for when we went to AK before I went to work so I didn't need to lug my Tomorrowland things around the park, it worked out great!

We didn't get too wet. Then.

The lockers can really pay off.


Awww... Mr. Disney!! What a good deed and I'm sure there were a few people that really appreciated the kind gesture. :) Sorry about the rain putting a damper on things... you and the boys appear to go with it. I'm from Southern California where 12" of rain a year is epic so we all stand around and watch it like it is some marvelous creation!! :rotfl2:

I didn't know about those large lockers - and only $1 - that is a bargain!! ;)

It was good that we left when we did. The rain did not have so much of an impact on the decision as did the students desire to swim, but if we had stayed any longer, we would have gotten very, very wet!

I was so excited when I found the lockers in 2009. They take quarters and I happened to have some in an M&M mini roll (money for pressing pennies). I ditched my wet clothes from earlier in the day at Blizzard Beach. For a buck!!!



Love that your group took the time to give out the Fastpasses. We've had them given to us before and we really appreciated it. It is such a nice surprise when you come across those random acts. :)

We have given away more than we have received, but either way, it is a very magical feeling. One guy gave Nate his Year of a Million Dreams FP lanyard once- it still had the tab for Toy Story Mania on it!

My favorite give away was when I had 4 FP to Everest. I used one because the boys did not want to ride. I was riding with a little girl, her mom and her grandmother. They were from the UK. It was their first time on the ride and they LOVED it. When the ride was over, I asked them if they wanted to go again. Now! They asked if I was serious and I handed over the 3 FP.
 
My favorite give away was when I had 4 FP to Everest. I used one because the boys did not want to ride. I was riding with a little girl, her mom and her grandmother. They were from the UK. It was their first time on the ride and they LOVED it. When the ride was over, I asked them if they wanted to go again. Now! They asked if I was serious and I handed over the 3 FP.

:goodvibes
 
I never knew about those lockers...are they outside of each park? Why only a dollar? What a deal!


Here is the info I have on these magical luggage lockers. I have only used the ones at Hollywood Studios.

There are Luggage Lockers at Epcot and at the Ticket and Transportation Center and Hollywood Studios. The Epcot luggage lockers are located behind the bus information booth. The TTC lockers are located next to the bus information booth. At HS, they are on the side of building between the bus stops and the entrance. These are coin operated and require 4 quarters each time they're used. The dimensions are: 23"H x 16"W x 29" Deep.

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Forgive me, I fell woefully behind on your TR. Darn Olympics taking up all my time these days.

Anyway...

Loved 50 Shades of Green! Such a cute story with the army man.

I'm glad you liked the new version of Star Tours. I think it throws you around a little more than the old one, at least that's what we've noticed on a couple of rides since it reopened.

Brilliant move to score some alone time at lunch. Franklin wants to know if the Starring Rolls sushi was any good.

That sucks that you didn't get to ride R-n-R AND it started to rain on you. The gift shop for that ride is one of the most claustrophobic in all of Disney World.

Great tip about the luggage lockers, I never knew they were there!
 
Forgive me, I fell woefully behind on your TR. Darn Olympics taking up all my time these days.

Anyway...

Loved 50 Shades of Green! Such a cute story with the army man.

I'm glad you liked the new version of Star Tours. I think it throws you around a little more than the old one, at least that's what we've noticed on a couple of rides since it reopened.

Brilliant move to score some alone time at lunch. Franklin wants to know if the Starring Rolls sushi was any good.

That sucks that you didn't get to ride R-n-R AND it started to rain on you. The gift shop for that ride is one of the most claustrophobic in all of Disney World.

Great tip about the luggage lockers, I never knew they were there!

No worries! I'll be right here when you have the time. Besides, I loved reading along as you posted your comments about the Opening Ceremony. :goodvibes

The army men have been my favorites, even before this encounter!

Wish I would have had one more ride on Star Tours so I could see the differences in the scenes.

The sushi was ok. I haven't had a lot of experience with really great sushi, this was right in the ballpark of what I am used to. Which is mostly grocery store sushi (although at our store they make it right there). It was a nice change from a sandwich, burger, chicken nuggets, etc.

Yeah, I didn't love the gift shop, especially when it started to get really crowded. And I couldn't really move around much because I was watching all of the bags. As I am writing this report, I am coming to the realization that I sat out quite a few rides.

I wrote about the luggage lockers in my very first trip report, but I hadn't taken a picture, so when a friend was going to the world, I asked her to get a photo for me. So I felt "completed" when I took this picture. My fellow chaperones thought I was a bit nuts when I said "I'll catch up. I need to take a picture of this"
 
Sorry it took me almost a week to put up the new installment of my trip report- that’s a lot longer than I usually take. It was a very busy week!

Nate was in Coastal Discoveries boat camp Monday to Friday (8:30 am to 4 pm). They go out every day on the Erica Lee II and fish, pull lobster traps, swim at the beach, tube, kayak, and other ocean-related activities. They also have a boating class every day and a test on the final day to get their private boating certification.

Nate didn’t take a camera with him, so the only pictures I have are of his boat coming in to dock. :sad2:


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Monday they hauled lobster traps and Nate caught 5-6 halibut while fishing.

Tuesday they went fishing for striped bass at the mouth of the Merrimack River- he didn’t try fishing that day. He said there was a line to use the poles, and not everyone caught fish, so he wasn’t waiting in line to not catch a fish.

Wednesday was deep sea fishing- Nate caught a small dogfish

Thursday- Nate stayed home. He was pretty tired from the week and had experienced some seasickness, so he took a break.

Friday- trip to the beach for tubing and games, and a cookout on board the boat. Nate tried mussels for the first time and loved the lobster rolls.

Nate didn’t end up taking the boating test. He missed two classes, one on the day he was absent, and he was playing cards with friends on the boat when one of the classes was going on.

Since Nate was doing this awesome camp, we planned some fun things to do with Ben.


Monday- a friend came over

Tuesday- Mark took the day off and we brought Ben and his friend to York Maine to York’s Wild Animal Kingdom and Golden Rod restaurant. Ben was really looking forward to visiting the penny candy counter here.

Wednesday- took it easy at home

Thursday- I brought Ben and a friend to Water Country

Friday- Hampton Beach with Ben and a friend. My aunt has a cottage there, so she made lasagna and my dad came to meet us for lunch.
Very fun busy, week.

In my spare time, I have been ghostwriting and posting pictures for a live trip report for my friend Teena, who is a greeter at the Beach Club resort. Her daughter and granddaughter are visiting for a couple of weeks and 1 year old Lily is making her first trip to Walt Disney World.

Oh, and I had to start up a new Beach & Yacht Club FAQ thread because the old one is almost at the maximum number of pages.

I’m back at work on Monday and Friday- we have camps from around Boston come to the farm for field trips.


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Ben and Rusty the Rooster


Phew!

I’ll share some pictures of my excellent adventures with Ben this week in the next couple of posts.
 
York's Wild Animal Kingdom is a small zoo and amusement park in the beach town of York, Maine. We usually visit once every summer. Our tradition is to spend a couple of hours at the zoo, enjoy some rides then go for lunch at Goldenrod. This is a locally famous restaurant known for their spectacular salt water taffy. You can watch the taffy being made and wrapped through the windows of the restaurant/candy store. The Goldenrod is just a few steps from Short Sands Beach in York and there is a really huge, awesome playground overlooking the beach.



York Zoo:


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Capybara- largest rodent in the world

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Prairie Dogs at the Alamo

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Butterfly Kingdom:

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Paddle Boats:

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Amusement Park


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View from the top of the Ferris Wheel:

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Goldenrod Restaurant:

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Short Sands, York Beach:


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Water Country is a decent-sized water park in Portsmouth NH. There is a wave pool (more of a bobbing pool like Blizzard Beach rather than the awesome, rugged Typhoon Lagoon wave pool). There's a pretty good-sized lazy river and a variety of other rides and slides for all ages.


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Dee's Favorite Ride- sitting in a lounger with a book to read

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Hampton Beach was the beach I went to with my family when we were growing up. I spent a lot of time with an aunt and uncle and cousins who lived in Hampton, so we were there a lot. I have another aunt who still has a cottage there, so it is fun, and easy, to visit without parking hassles.

It was a really hot day and the beach was CROWDED! The waves were awesome!


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