Canadian Buffoon's Disney With a Teen Vacation - 08/13 - The Wrap

[pkondz]

I didn't think Flight Plan was too bad.

Oh, we enjoyed the movie.
We were really wondering which way it was going to go.
The whole "Is she onboard or isn't she."
(without giving away any spoilers)
But there were a few too many plot holes in it for our liking.

Still... we enjoyed it.

I think I'm able to suspend disbelief for movies better than for shows.

I think I can do it for either.
Unless a show is trying too hard
to portray itself as realistic... and it isn't.

We need to see the new Star Trek.

Ditto. Don't know if I'll get around to it though.
I've missed a bunch of movies lately.

I start dog, cat, house sitting next weekend for two weeks

Again?? Didn't you just finish?

Their central air is so nice! The hot tub's not too either.

Ah. Well, as long as the perks are nice.

I thought that you weren't aware of the HDS by me. I would have told you about it but I don't think that I knew you collected chips back then. I'd send you one but I think you said that you like to get them yourself.

I probably wasn't really aware of it.
I tried to do my shopping when it wouldn't bother the girls.

And you probably didn't know.
I'd just started at that point.

And I do like to get them myself.
I like to say, "Each of these, I've been to."
But thanks for the offer, Carrie!

I told Heather HB on FB so I'm not in trouble! Doesn't FB sent you a reminder? Maybe you have notifications turned off.

I do get FB reminders,
but I'm not FB friends with Mike or Heather.

 

[pkondz]

Awww poor puppy And poor you. Must've been a roller coaster of excitement and then... not so much.

Yeah, pretty much.
It's almost surreal.
I had the WestJet site, the DCL site and the Disney site all open.
I had the flights selected and the cruise and cabin selected.
The only thing stopping me from pulling the trigger
was the trouble I was having with the Disney site...
And then I get that text.

Talk about stomach dropping.

Hopefully she gets better fast, and you'll soon be able to plan another similar trip.

She sure seems to be getting better.
It's almost harder on us not to let her run around.
She seems fine!

Also, that is crazy, about the lady out in the middle of the night. I mean, having known my share of controlling moms/grandmas (and thinking of certain past personal events...), could also be that she kicked herself out and blamed it on the daughter, but whichever the situation is, it's a good thing she likely at least got to the airport safe.

I'm glad I helped, but...
I really was looking for the scam.

Plus, afterwards, I knew I hadn't heard
the full story.
And yes... I did suspect it was probably Mom pushing too much.

Sounds about right!

Rotten, too clever for her own good, dog!

Well, you know. Live your life

Precisely!

I wasn't gonna say it, but since you did..

Then again, I've never particularly thought of street names as having much logic, unless they're major streets.

I was thinking it was like naming a street
"Sue" or "Bob"... and then.... D'oh!

(Okay, I'm done laughing at you, I swear).

Oh, shush, you.
I already know I'm an idiot!

In all fairness, half an hour would typically be right with the distance and speed limits. If it didn't involve being downtown Montreal as a starting point.

Yeah.... I may have discovered that
little nugget of information.

Of course there was

Uh oh... I can already tell where this is going...

And you didn't warn me?!?!?

Most people around here (well, people who remember those Olympics and everything around it) call it the toilet bowl. They may be taking it down.

I don't see why not.
It's 40 years old for pity's sake.

Yep... should've asked me, I could have told you that. We were there just the day before you.

Should've asked you.

You are having a rough day of it man.

Ah well. First world problems.

"I have to walk 14 miles... one way, for dirty water."
"You think you've got it bad! I left my frozen lemonade
on the parking machine!"

100% why I do not drive in Montreal. Or anywhere for that matter. But especially in Montreal.

It's kind of funny though.
I remember thinking earlier
"I don't know what the fuss is about.
The drivers here are fine."

I found out.

That, and the 10,000 (approximately) one way streets.

Huh. Funny I don't remember that as a problem.
Probably because Betty was navigating.

No flaming from me. I love Disney. I love cruising. We will, possibly, some day, do a Disney cruise. Maybe a three nights Bahamas. Maybe treat ourselves to the Alaskan cruise.

But at the end of the day... I just don't feel like it's worth the premium of the cost. I can accept Disney World being so expensive, for the most part. It's a pretty unique experience. It doesn't compare to other theme/amusement parks.

But the only thing that pulls DCL apart from other cruiselines is the characters, and some of the shows (which we only sometimes go to see anyway). I'd rather pay a whole lot less and get just about the same experience. We've done Princess, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, and all three were great.

You're really convincing me to not do Disney.
I really don't care one bit about the characters.
And the shows?
I may or may not see one (and probably... not.)

(In other news, if you're ever looking for a cruise and want insight, I sell cruises for a living )

Oh! Didn't know that.
So if I asked you to keep an eye out for a good deal
(when I figure out when we'd like to go)
you'd be the person to see?

Do you work independently?
Or for an agency?

Yay for both Banff and Disney! This took a turn for the awesome fast

It did, didn't it?

 

[MarieLightning]

Talk about stomach dropping.

I guess the silver lining here is that you got the news *before* booking it all, so... here's one to Disney's online systems being a joke!

She sure seems to be getting better.
It's almost harder on us not to let her run around.
She seems fine!

Isn't that the way! When our kitten got spayed, they told us she'd probably have a rough first couple of days, be more lethargic and so on.

We were almost looking forward to it.

No such luck, she was crazy and all over the place in minutes.

And you didn't warn me?!?!?

Well, next time you'll know to share you plans before you leave, sheesh!

Ah well. First world problems.

"I have to walk 14 miles... one way, for dirty water."
"You think you've got it bad! I left my frozen lemonade
on the parking machine!"

You're really convincing me to not do Disney.
I really don't care one bit about the characters.
And the shows?
I may or may not see one (and probably... not.)

I mean, it is a great cruiseline, people rave about the service and so on. But I've quoted inside cabins at over 10,000$ for a family of four and it's like... no. Just, no.

Oh! Didn't know that.
So if I asked you to keep an eye out for a good deal
(when I figure out when we'd like to go)
you'd be the person to see?

Do you work independently?
Or for an agency?

Sort of I see promotions come through (for example, right now Norwegian has a Canada at Par promotion on some of their sailings which is really good, because it gives you the price in Canadian dollars for the same cost as what they sell it in US dollars), but we offer a little over a dozen cruiseline so I don't browse them a whole lot, I mostly quote what I'm asked for. It's a little hard to keep an eye out for a good deal with cruising because there's really no logic to the prices, not like with most hotels, where this room category is this price during this season.

However, if you at some point have a bit more of a specific idea (like, date wise or destination wise), I can have a look around and give some pointers.

I work for a wholesaler (yep, I'm one of them fun call center people ), so I'm not technically speaking a travel agent. Our primary clients are actually travel agents (so if you ever go sit in front of a TA and they pick up the phone to get prices on a vacation, chances are, they're calling one of us ), so my technical title would be reservation agent. But when a direct client calls us, then I do sort of act as a travel agent to them. If it makes sense.

 

[pkondz]

I guess the silver lining here is that you got the news *before* booking it all, so... here's one to Disney's online systems being a joke!

Yep. I've mentioned that to a few people.
Disney's site being down was lucky for me.
It wouldn't have been the end of the world,
but it still would've been a pain
having to cancel everything.

Isn't that the way! When our kitten got spayed, they told us she'd probably have a rough first couple of days, be more lethargic and so on.

We were almost looking forward to it.

No such luck, she was crazy and all over the place in minutes.

I hear you! Oh, I hear you!

Well, next time you'll know to share you plans before you leave, sheesh!

But then you'll know how the TR turns out!
Takes the mystery out of it.


Then again... if I'd told you,
you could've skipped that whole update.

I mean, it is a great cruiseline, people rave about the service and so on. But I've quoted inside cabins at over 10,000$ for a family of four and it's like... no. Just, no.

Yikes! No kidding, no!

"So the cruise is $3,000.
But if you want to see an oversized rat,
that'll be $10,000."

Sort of I see promotions come through (for example, right now Norwegian has a Canada at Par promotion on some of their sailings which is really good, because it gives you the price in Canadian dollars for the same cost as what they sell it in US dollars), but we offer a little over a dozen cruiseline so I don't browse them a whole lot, I mostly quote what I'm asked for. It's a little hard to keep an eye out for a good deal with cruising because there's really no logic to the prices, not like with most hotels, where this room category is this price during this season.

I have read that the earlier you book,
the better.

However, if you at some point have a bit more of a specific idea (like, date wise or destination wise), I can have a look around and give some pointers.

Okay, thanks!

I work for a wholesaler (yep, I'm one of them fun call center people ),

I love call center people.
You wouldn't love me.

I'm not technically speaking a travel agent. Our primary clients are actually travel agents (so if you ever go sit in front of a TA and they pick up the phone to get prices on a vacation, chances are, they're calling one of us ), so my technical title would be reservation agent. But when a direct client calls us, then I do sort of act as a travel agent to them. If it makes sense.

Makes sense.

 

[MarieLightning]

Yikes! No kidding, no!

"So the cruise is $3,000.
But if you want to see an oversized rat,
that'll be $10,000."

I have read that the earlier you book,
the better.

The thing is with cruises, there's really no disadvantage to booking in advance. Unless it's a specific promotion, the majority of cruiselines offer a refundable deposit until final payment (varies between 90-75 days before departure), and if the price drops, it can be adjusted. Even if it's a new promotion that says only applicable to new bookings, worst case scenario is cancelling and rebooking, which doesn't matter since your deposit is refundable anyway.

I love call center people.
You wouldn't love me.

Depends

If you call with something in mind as to what you're looking for, you're good to go.

If you call me up and ask for a Mediterranean cruise on any cruise line any time in June or July, then I will probably be thinking very bad thoughts about you all while using my very best great customer service voice.

 

[cinderkelly]

Just a fly by to say hi!

I'm happy that Luna is on the mend, she's a spunky little one! She sure is a cute little fur ball though.

I'm so happy for you that you get your Disney trip after all! Still bummed that I'll miss you by 10 days, but you and the girls will have a blast meeting up!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I will say that there are many Canadians who
are more than a little... terrified...
if one particular candidate becomes Mr. President.

You’re not alone In your concerns…

I don't get it.

Perfect!
You’re in the club!

Well.... your heart's in the right place.
In your chest, of course.

Are you certain?
There’s been some debate on that.

Thanks for the grandiose and lengthy explanation!

Proof of the point.

I was wondering how you'd answer that!

Carefully was the watchword for that particular response.
Do I have to stay in the corner or has that been enough penance for now?

Not all that often actually.
Now having said that...
Who's side are you on, here?

I rather walk through Death Valley barefoot then be forced to drive a Four-Two, but that was a brilliant move on the part of the econo-box’s owner.

Now that's interesting.
I find that when I watch an older movie,
the comedy is completely lost on my DDs.

I often see similar reactions from my young’en.
At least he sees the humor in Monty Python.
I’ll take that as a win.

Interesting.
I guess we're a little gun-shy.
Our neighbours went on a cruise
and it was a disaster.
We're worried about going on a cruise,
hating it... and being stuck for x days.

That's why we want to start with a shorter one.

By all means, try something shorter, experiences vary.
Disasters are possible as well, but I’m generally amazed when I hear about them.
Not sure if that was a function of unmeet expectations, improper research or a failure on the part of the Cruise Line chosen. A couple Lines are more likely to have such a result, but even there it’s rather unusual, in my experience.

I think the flight is at 2pm.
Which means DUD pick up time is 10am.

Yep…
We’ll be waving at your bus as it passed through the Welcome gate at about that time.

But it sounds like you’ll have the chance to meet a better grade of folk than me on the trip anyway, so no real loss on your part there.

 

[franandaj]

I have read that the earlier you book,
the better.

With Disney the prices go nowhere but up. My next two cruises were both booked on opening day and one of them we were only able to book it opening day for gold members as the category we needed always sells out the first day.

I'll have to go another ocean cruise line to figure out if Disney is worth their pricing. By the end of 2017, we will have sailed almost all the possible itineraries they have to offer (from US ports). Maybe then we will try one of the other lines to see if the magic is greater on the Disney ships or not. I can tell you that while the crew on the River Cruise were outstanding, Disney Crew members were definitely a few notches better on just about every count.

 

[pkondz]

The thing is with cruises, there's really no disadvantage to booking in advance. Unless it's a specific promotion, the majority of cruiselines offer a refundable deposit until final payment (varies between 90-75 days before departure), and if the price drops, it can be adjusted. Even if it's a new promotion that says only applicable to new bookings, worst case scenario is cancelling and rebooking, which doesn't matter since your deposit is refundable anyway.

Oh! That is very good info to know.

If you call with something in mind as to what you're looking for, you're good to go.

If you call me up and ask for a Mediterranean cruise on any cruise line any time in June or July, then I will probably be thinking very bad thoughts about you all while using my very best great customer service voice.

Yeah... er... that'd probably be me.

 

[pkondz]

Just a fly by to say hi!

I'm happy that Luna is on the mend, she's a spunky little one! She sure is a cute little fur ball though.

She's a real sweetheart.
Except when she's gnawing on something
and your hand gets in the way.
Those little teeth are sharp!

She gets her stitches out today.
No idea how that's going to go.
But hopefully... no more cone!

I'm so happy for you that you get your Disney trip after all! Still bummed that I'll miss you by 10 days, but you and the girls will have a blast meeting up!

Yeah... I'd love to be able to meet everyone, but...
I'm sure I'll enjoy meeting those whom I can!

 

[pkondz]

You’re not alone In your concerns…

So I've been hearing...

Are you certain?
There’s been some debate on that.

I said where it was... not how cold or small it might be.

Carefully was the watchword for that particular response.

Do I have to stay in the corner or has that been enough penance for now?

Hmmm.... okay.
You can come out.


For 3... 2... 1...

I often see similar reactions from my young’en.
At least he sees the humor in Monty Python.
I’ll take that as a win.

I've often thought that I shouldn't let
anyone in the house,
unless they can complete this sentence:
"We are the knights who say..."

By all means, try something shorter, experiences vary.
Disasters are possible as well, but I’m generally amazed when I hear about them.
Not sure if that was a function of unmeet expectations, improper research or a failure on the part of the Cruise Line chosen. A couple Lines are more likely to have such a result, but even there it’s rather unusual, in my experience.

I was actually pretty shocked when my neighbour
said they'd had a horrible time.

Yep…
We’ll be waving at your bus as it passed through the Welcome gate at about that time.

But it sounds like you’ll have the chance to meet a better grade of folk than me on the trip anyway, so no real loss on your part there.

Who are you meeting? DISdads?

It's kinda funny.
I am meeting wonderful people.
They, on the other hand, are forced to meet... me.

 

[pkondz]

With Disney the prices go nowhere but up.

This, I've heard.

I'll have to go another ocean cruise line to figure out if Disney is worth their pricing. By the end of 2017, we will have sailed almost all the possible itineraries they have to offer (from US ports). Maybe then we will try one of the other lines to see if the magic is greater on the Disney ships or not. I can tell you that while the crew on the River Cruise were outstanding, Disney Crew members were definitely a few notches better on just about every count.

Interesting.
Well, if you do another cruise line,
I'm sure you'll post about it... right?

 

[franandaj]

Interesting.
Well, if you do another cruise line,
I'm sure you'll post about it... right?

It's my therapy. Fran has noticed that since I create "cyber photoalbums" I no longer make those huge books about our trips and bring thme everywhere and subject my friends to look at them. She is grateful for that. I am grateful that I have an audience here that enjoys looking at my pictures and hearing about stuff.

 

[MarieLightning]

Yeah... er... that'd probably be me.

Then I would suggest you do business with like, Expedia Cruiseship Centers, I hear they're great

 

[orangecats2]

I did just dog sit a couple weeks ago when they were in Norway for a week. Now it's their yearly two week camping trip to Pennsylvania where they pretend fight different battles. They dress up and everything! It's called Pennsic. I did enough camping when I was younger with girl scouts and church youth group. I'm too old for that now!

Heard from Smidgy tonight. Her and Nebo will going down to Orlando on Aug. 19 so you'll miss them too. Only by a week and a half though.

 

[natebenma]

Popping in!

Just read the update from your solo time in Montreal. It can be very liberating to do what you want to do without having to drag along others. I'm glad you had a chance to hit a few Harley stores for poker chips. Not being a collector of these myself- are they different colors at different stores? How do you store and/or display your collection?

Very cool looking train station!

I love your Dueling GPS systems story, but it would drive me crazy. I have a love-hate relationship with GPS. We have a portable, but I don't have one in my car or on my phone. Mark has one on his phone, and I mostly drive when we are together. I find that he pays too much attention to the spoken directions and less attention to visual navigation. And his GPS is always telling me I am speeding by beeping at me. Annoying!

Yum at the Timmie's display of pastries. Was the Maple Boston cream-filled? The white pastry cream or cream anglais like you would find in a Boston Cream/Éclair?

What a bummer about the Chinese garden being closed, especially after paying for parking! UGH.


I am so happy to hear about your quickie trip to Florida to visit with some friends. I have had 3 recent friend-focused trips and they have been wonderful! I haven't read comments... will you have any park time?

So, Luna's recovery has been eventful. Hope she is continuing to do well.

As (too) often happens, I relate what I read to goats. At the farm where I work, we had a goat named Luna. She was not named for the character in Harry Potter. At the time, our goats all had celestial names. Sun, Shine, Luna, Cloud.

Luna was the most inspirational goat we have had at the farm. Her right legs were deformed, but she got around just fine. I would always tell the kids who visited about her, that she came from the MSPCA to live on our farm as her forever home. And how her disability never seemed to bother her or stop her from getting where she wanted to go.

It sounds like your Luna has a very similar spirit!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I said where it was... not how cold or small it might be.

There’s still debate as to whether it’s actually in there at all.

Hmmm.... okay.
You can come out.


For 3... 2... 1...

You’re magnanimous to a fault.




Quite the fault, might I add.

I've often thought that I shouldn't let
anyone in the house,
unless they can complete this sentence:
"We are the knights who say..."

Now I just need to get a shirt to go with that one that says:
Ekke Ekke Ekke Ekke Ptang Zoo Boing!



Ni!

Who are you meeting? DISdads?

No one…
At least there’s nothing planed.

It's kinda funny.
I am meeting wonderful people.
They, on the other hand, are forced to meet... me.

And that’s similar as to why I’ve nothing planed.

We’ve determined that I’m heartless, but I’m not cruel.

 

[pkondz]

It's my therapy. Fran has noticed that since I create "cyber photoalbums" I no longer make those huge books about our trips and bring thme everywhere and subject my friends to look at them. She is grateful for that. I am grateful that I have an audience here that enjoys looking at my pictures and hearing about stuff.

Win/win!

It's funny.
I know people who'd rather slit their wrists
than look at vacation photos.
I'm the opposite. I love looking.
Let's me vacation vicariously through them
as well as give me planning ideas.

When I get calls from call centers is when you'd hate me...
or not... depends on my mood.
Usually, when I get an 800 call, I'll just let it ring
(and the machine answers)
or I'll pick it up and hang up right away.

But sometimes....


Sometimes I like to play with them.

Then I would suggest you do business with like, Expedia Cruiseship Centers, I hear they're great

I believe I'll pass on that one.

I did just dog sit a couple weeks ago when they were in Norway for a week. Now it's their yearly two week camping trip to Pennsylvania where they pretend fight different battles. They dress up and everything! It's called Pennsic.

I thought you'd just finished.
Thought I was losing it there for a second.

Well... of course I am... but for different reasons.


As for Pennsic.
Google imaged that and... Whoa! It's huge!

I did enough camping when I was younger with girl scouts and church youth group. I'm too old for that now!

I'm not!
I hardly did any camping.
I think.... once? when I was a kid?

Took the DDs a couple of times.
I'd like to do it again.

But I'm only a 2-3 day camping kind of guy.

Heard from Smidgy tonight. Her and Nebo will going down to Orlando on Aug. 19 so you'll miss them too. Only by a week and a half though.

Oh crap! That'd be great to see them again.
I'm such a bad friend.
I keep meaning to call... and never do!

 

[pkondz]

Popping in!

Hi Dee!

Just read the update from your solo time in Montreal. It can be very liberating to do what you want to do without having to drag along others.

However, I find that when I see/do
something really cool, I wish someone
was there to share it with.

I'm glad you had a chance to hit a few Harley stores for poker chips. Not being a collector of these myself- are they different colors at different stores?

The stores always have 2-4 different colours to chose from.
And different stores have different colours,
but there is overlap.
Because of that, I have several of the same colour.
The logos and (most importantly) the locations
are all different though.

How do you store and/or display your collection?

I keep them all in a Harley branded wine glass.
As you can imagine, (since I only started recently)
I don't have many yet.
I counted the other day... 18.

Very cool looking train station!

It really stood out.

I love your Dueling GPS systems story, but it would drive me crazy.

I have a love-hate relationship with GPS. We have a portable, but I don't have one in my car or on my phone. Mark has one on his phone, and I mostly drive when we are together. I find that he pays too much attention to the spoken directions and less attention to visual navigation.

Uh, oh. Are we going to see a picture of your car
on the news?
"Driver follows GPS instructions and winds up in river."

And his GPS is always telling me I am speeding by beeping at me. Annoying!

Oh, man! That'd drive me nuts!
Betty just shows the speed in red,
so it doesn't bother me at all.

Yum at the Timmie's display of pastries. Was the Maple Boston cream-filled? The white pastry cream or cream anglais like you would find in a Boston Cream/Éclair?

It's been a while, but I'm almost positive
that it was cream Anglais.

What a bummer about the Chinese garden being closed, especially after paying for parking! UGH.

I was less than amused.

I am so happy to hear about your quickie

Hey now!

trip to Florida to visit with some friends.

Oh, yeah... that...
I'm really looking forward to it.
Actually, it's the main reason I'm going.

I have had 3 recent friend-focused trips and they have been wonderful!

Glad they worked out!

I haven't read comments... will you have any park time?

Oh, definitely!
Otherwise it wouldn't be worth the expense.
Not a lot of time... but some.

So, Luna's recovery has been eventful. Hope she is continuing to do well.

She is, however...
Yesterday I was holding her
and she was really squirming.
Obviously I can't put her down
so I had to hold on.
I must've squeezed or she must've twisted
because she let out a squeal.
I felt so bad for hurting her.
She seems okay, though.

As (too) often happens, I relate what I read to goats.

At the farm where I work, we had a goat named Luna. She was not named for the character in Harry Potter.

Funny. That's what I thought when the kids suggested that name.

At the time, our goats all had celestial names. Sun, Shine, Luna, Cloud.

Luna was the most inspirational goat we have had at the farm. Her right legs were deformed, but she got around just fine. I would always tell the kids who visited about her, that she came from the MSPCA to live on our farm as her forever home. And how her disability never seemed to bother her or stop her from getting where she wanted to go.

It sounds like your Luna has a very similar spirit!

Cute story about the goat.
Reminds me of Luna shortly after she broke her leg.
Even though she only had three legs to use,
she was more than raring and happy to go!

 

[pkondz]

There’s still debate as to whether it’s actually in there at all.

Not having recently viewed your chest x-ray,
I will have to defer the existence (or non)
to you.

You’re magnanimous to a fault.

Yes.



Yes I am.

And don't forget "benevolent".

Quite the fault, might I add.

Hey!

Awesome.

Now I just need to get a shirt to go with that one that says:
Ekke Ekke Ekke Ekke Ptang Zoo Boing!

Might have to use a smaller font.

Ni!

Now you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forest ...

with a herring.

No one…
At least there’s nothing planed.

Ah.

And that’s similar as to why I’ve nothing planed.

We’ve determined that I’m heartless, but I’m not cruel.

Got it.