Why Not Just Queue Up Another Disney Trip? Link to New TR 6/24 p136!

[MEK]

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

Darn. I was hoping it would be somebody exciting. Oh well.

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

It is pretty funny that we wouldn't have met without the DISBoards. Although you probably met us a couple of years ago. Remember the couple with the whining, screaming kids who tried to take 25 items through the Express lane at the grocery store while you just wanted to buy a gallon of milk?

Me? Buy only a gallon of milk? It will never happen. I haven't seen the express lane in like,.....oh....ten years. I can go into just for cat food and come out $100 poorer. I'm sort of an impulsive shopper. I don't shop for long periods of time and then I go crazy. It's not something I'm proud of.

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

Let's do it again! When is your Woodstock performance?

Definitely! And if you and Julie ever want to go out and you need a sitter, call me. I'm responsible. Sort of!

Woodstock is Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 3 and 8pm. Dress rehearsal Friday at 5pm. Send good thoughts that I don't forget any words. I am very nervous about that since I always play/sing with music.

Originally Posted by jeremysdisneymom

Yay for a dis meet! How neat and at Friendlys on top of that! My DH was just mentioning that place the other day and how he wishes we had one close by!

It is a great place for a casual dinner and the ice cream is top notch! It's a great place to take kids. I think the kids meals are great.

Originally Posted by jeremysdisneymom

Hope your soccer banuqet went well!

It was very nice - thanks for asking! The facility was beautiful and the food was excellent.

Originally Posted by KatMark

MaryEllen, I love your office decor...perfect.

Thanks. I am having a ton of fun decorating. It's a great place to put my Disney "stuff".

Originally Posted by KatMark

And as I mentioned on Captain_Oblivious' thread, I am SO jealous that he got to meet you. One of these days we will be in the World at the same time.

I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Julie and Sarah, but the guys were the best!

I knew he lived in the same state, but I didn't want to be nosey and ask where. I'm glad he pm'd me.

Hopefully we will get a chance to meet on one of these trips. I am sure I will be back again sometime in September. I know you always go at the end of Sept, so I will keep that on the radar screen.

Have an awesome trip in 2 days!

I forgot you only met the boys. You need a do-over!

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

Thanks Kathy! Your check is in the mail.

Well let's hope it gets there in time for her trip!

[MEK]

Originally Posted by Nermel9

Your Disney office looks so cute! I have random Disney stuff at work too!

Isn't it fun? I am so excited I actually have a space to decorate with Disney stuff! So great!

Originally Posted by Nermel9

I'm so mad I'm going to miss this epic Dis meet in October, by like 3 weeks. I'll probably be going the last week of September.

Well - you definitely have to go BEFORE your AP expires. That is the ONLY bad thing about an AP. It does make you a little less flexible at times. But it's worth it.

Originally Posted by eandesmom

I Sanaa. There is a chance I'll be there in August but I'd do it twice in a heartbeat. Kind of pathetic but I'm trying to force a general time decision on a larger group trip, if there is one for the next couple of years so I can decide what we are doing this summer.

Hey - we are all uber planners so we gotta do what we gotta do. I was thinking about Sanaa for lunch in June, but decided on a late breakfast at Boma. I have never had a Boma breakfast and I really want to try it.

Originally Posted by eandesmom

I think loving the pools is VERY important...lets you practice noodling. I can't say I've ever noticed the music at any of the pools, how wierd is that? Granted, I'm usually trying to find Eric but was there music at the BCV villa pool? I totally don't remember!


I've only been to the main pool and...well you have my lame comment on music above. Which is pretty funny when you think about the fact that I had the ipod on while we were in the room or on the balcony at all times

I never notice the music at other resorts either. At VWL it was really only in the main lobby that I noticed it.

At Kidani it was definitely playing around the pool or on the walk to the pool. It's not just music, its also cool animal sounds. I just loved it because it really worked its magic on relaxing me.

Ah - noodling. Both of those pools would be great for the noodle.

Originally Posted by eandesmom

I love the idea of BWV for proximity to Food and Wine

That's def my first choice for F&W and even if we don't get we can probably waitlist there and get it.

Originally Posted by eandesmom

yeah, one or the other but not both. I loved the lunches but the days we had both was OOOF! Both in time and gut bombness.

I can do it maybe one day (that's what we did in December), but that's it. I am just an overeater by nature and I will eat most of what's in front of me whether I'm full or not.

The other thing is I know a lot of people just get the wrist bracelets and eat around the world. I can't wait to do that. I want to try everything.

Originally Posted by eandesmom

I've only been to 1900 PF for dinner, nothing else yet.

I've only been to Narcoossee's (which I still can't spell) so I would still like to try Citricos and the GF Cafe. Plus tea. I do think I want to try tea, especially if we do stay at VWL. We can do the monorail rounds one afternoon. Maybe even do tea and then pool hop to the Poly, which is one of my favorite activities.

Originally Posted by eandesmom

good question and no clue! I can see where owning at AKL would have it's advantages for those club level studios. Not sure about the safari but for some reason I think so.

I'll need to look into that - safari and points.

Originally Posted by eandesmom

So true. I didn't get one on the cruise (got a refillable but not a ceramic) and I'm jonesing for a new one big time, it's scary!

I did get a new one in December so I now have the set and Nick gave me a cute Eeoyre mug for Christmas.

Originally Posted by Wicket's Mom

MEK, we don't have anything defineate for WDW this Sept. I have decided if FD come again, to book a trip. I'm looking at OKW or maybe AKL, I figure that I can afford either of those since I paid for the last trip & that was two rooms at CBR.

I would have to look at the cost of going during F&W a compared to early Sept. I do like the low crowd levels then.

It is kind of hard to deny the savings that come with visiting in September, especially if free dining is involved. It doesn't matter quite as much when you are staying DVC because you have to pay for food anyway.

Have you stayed at either OKW or AKL before? If not, I really have to recommend AKL. As much as I liked OKW there is something really special about AKL that I just love.

[MEK]

So, I wrote an update afterwork today and all I have to do is post some pics into it. Let's see how that goes.

Soccer banquet was a lot of fun. We went to a brand new facility and one of the dad's cooked the dinner at cost. It was amazing. Seriously SO much food. It started with flatbreads and antipasto, then went to salad, apps, and minestrone soup, then dinner included a huge pasta station (5 different types) and chicken parm, meatballs, sweet and sour chicken, spicy chicken, veggies, potatoes. Then dessert! I feel like I ate enough for the entire week.

We were also thrilled to learn that Nick is the coach's choice for captain next fall. He was so happy and I know he will do a great job.

So on with the update........

TSM Out the Whazoo!

It’s finally – the beginning of Day 2. I took over 450 pictures today, so I’m sure Day 2 will need to be several updates long. Ironically, I took zero pictures during my first hour or so in the park. No. Wait. That’s a lie. I took one and you’ll see it soon.

But first I thought it might be fun to recap our Day 1 adventures just to see what we actually did accomplish.

So the talley is this…..

Space Mountain – check
Big Thunder mountain – check
Splash mountain – check
Haunted Mansion – check
Buzz Lightyear – check x 2
People Mover – check x 2
Carousel of Progress – check
Lunch at LTT
Dis meet with Roxychica7
Dinner at La Hacienda
Drinks at the Ditch
Grand Fiesta Tour
Maelstrom
And finally – touring the Christmas Decorations at the BC.
Not a bad talley for Day 1.

On to Day 2, our HS day!

I was really looking forward to this day. In fact, this was a major reason why I opted to take a park trip over a non-park trip. Let me back up. You probably don’t know this, but I actually considered NOT purchasing a park ticket for this trip. I considered just doing the Christmas party, resort dining and exploration, DTD, mini golf, a trip to Sea world or the dark side, a tour of Celebration, and possibly other miscellaneous Orlando attractions.
I considered this for all of about 5 days and then I decided I NEEDED to experience the new Star Tours. While not a Star Wars freak, I love anything that has a simulator involved. I can do this type of rides over and over again.

In May we missed the soft opening by about a week. Bummer.
So today I was really looking forward to Star Tours. I was up early and out the door to do my run. Everyone was fairly efficient this morning and we made it in time for park opening. I guess if you want to call it that. I think the park opened about 10 seconds after we made it through the turnstiles.

Just a side rant about the turnstiles…….WHY, OH WHY am I always in the longest one? No matter which one I pick, it always seems to be plagued with people who can’t get their park pass to work. So frustrating and I could feel myself becoming impatient. Fortunately it didn’t last long.

End of Rant!

Once we got in the park I followed the sea of people over toward TSM while Denny and Nick headed over to Star Tours. I figured I could take one for the team, until I saw the TSM FP line. Seriously out the whazoo! Longest FP line I have ever encountered. And believe me, for more than a split second I seriously considered getting out of line and saying “forget it”.
Instead I decided to take a cell phone pic to document my position in line. I was right by One Man’s Dream.



Yup - that's how far back in the line I was.

Shockingly the line started to move and once it did, it moved with great organization. There were CM’s directing traffic everywhere and they even used a rope to separate the FP line from the rest of the crowd. At each FP machine there was a CM who took park passes and gathered all the FP’s. I ended up loving it because of the efficiency. So you go CM’s!!!!!

Proof that I persevered! FP return time of 10:50am



In the amount of time that I stood in the FP line Denny and Nick had already ridden Star Tours. Fortunately, they were ready to ride it a second time!
I loved the ride. I can’t say much about it other than the simulation worked great and the digital video was outstanding in color and clarity. I loved the different sequences. The ride is definitely a keeper and I know my nephews will love it!

Not surprisingly, I wanted to ride a second time, but I wasn’t so sure I could convince Denny and Nick to ride a third time. Plus it was essential that we ride RnR and ToT. We did RnR first because it always has the longer line out of the two. I suggested SR line, but Denny has this thing about being a single rider. I have no idea why he cares since he ended up being a single rider anyway. And he got to sit with a teenage girl to boot.
Redneck cell phone ride photo!



I have no idea why Denny's face looks so freakishly red in that photo?

Great ride as always. Love the take off. Someday I would love to see the track with the lights on. I know RnR does a climb right up the back wall. I so want to see what that really looks like.

Our next stop was ToT and I finally took out the real camera. I thought I was going to have enough time to take a bunch of queue pictures, but the line actually moved faster than I wanted it to. So here’s what I got.



















Once we got inside I actually think people were starting to get upset with me for pausing to take pictures. Oh well.

















Continued..........

[MEK]

Continued.......

I decided to try to get pictures in the library. Yeah – it worked. All non flash pics people. Of course, a CM kicked us out quite promptly while we dawdled for a few minutes.



















The ride itself was fun and for once I was in a elevator without a screamer. I always get a screamer. This time I was prepared and I even tried to pick out the potential screamer. But everyone was quite calm and laughter instead of screams filled the air.

Redneck ride photo



See - it's a pretty sedate group.

I look bored. Is that possible?



I love this mural right before you get to the dump shop.



I really want to know what's in the Sunset room.



We looked around for a few minutes in the dump shop.



You have to admit - this is a cute pair of ears!



Once outside I tried to wait in line at that coffee kiosk, but it was moving way too slow so we decided not to wait.













Not quite sure why Nick looks like a "grumpy-grump" in this picture. Properly was getting tired of me taking pics.



I took this picture just to prove we had ridden RnR (ummmm - I guess that really doesn't prove anything, does it?)



Our FP's hadn't come due yet, but we decided to start walking in the general direction of TSM.





I somehow convinced the boys that they absolutely must draw a character. I did this more for Nicholas because I thought he would enjoy having his own Disney character.

[MEK]

Continued......

I took a few pictures on the way











I pointed out Starring Rolls as we walked past and suggested that we eat there for lunch. Neither boy seemed too excited about that.

We stopped for a pic



As luck would have it we just missed the start of the 10:30 drawing class. Since our FP's came due at 10:50 we decided not to wait, but we did hang out for awhile.





I played one of the interactive games where you sing along with the song and make a recording.





It was mildly entertaining.

Then I went into the gift shop and bought a postcard to add to my collection.

Finally it was time to hit TSM.

Up Next......TSM, lunch and the backlot tour.

[Poolrat]

I have been that far back for TSM FP before. Usually the toy soldiers are directing traffic.

I like how you got your 'biggies' out of the way. That is usually how I do it too. My last trip didn't really work out that way though.

[MEK]

Originally Posted by Poolrat

I have been that far back for TSM FP before. Usually the toy soldiers are directing traffic.

It was funny because they had big flashlights for directing traffic. Really? I have never seen such an elaborate set up at a FP machine.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

I like how you got your 'biggies' out of the way. That is usually how I do it too. My last trip didn't really work out that way though.

I always try to get the "biggies" out of the way. I prefer to go straight to RnR and ToT but then I would never get to TSM. It's just such a pain to go over there for that FP.

Hmmmmmm......curious to find out what happened on your last trip.

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Wow, you are a kabillion times more patient than I am! There's no way I would have waited in that FP line!!!

Great TOT pics!!! You do look a bit bored on your ride pic!

[thecapells]

Hey - finally caught back up.
I LOVE the new Star Tours.
We ride it over and over and over and over and over... you get the idea.
I guess it helps that we don't do thrill rides like RnR or ToT so we just spend a while at Star Tours!

[MEK]

Originally Posted by Stringbean&Wingnut

Wow, you are a kabillion times more patient than I am! There's no way I would have waited in that FP line!!!

You have NO idea how badly I wanted to bail, but I tend to be really impatient so I talked myself down. I knew the Nick had only ridden TAM once before, so I really did it for him.

Originally Posted by Stringbean&Wingnut

Great TOT pics!!! You do look a bit bored on your ride pic!

I'm pleased with the ToT pics - all except for that one desk picture where I was being rushed.

I'm really not sure if I was bored or scared. Sometimes I go expressionless when I am scared.

Originally Posted by thecapells

Hey - finally caught back up.
I LOVE the new Star Tours.
We ride it over and over and over and over and over... you get the idea.
I guess it helps that we don't do thrill rides like RnR or ToT so we just spend a while at Star Tours!

The new Star Tours was great and I know I will be riding it multiple times with my nephews this summer. They will be less likely to want to ride ToT and RnR. I did ride it a second time this trip, but that was it. I really needed a third ride and probably should have gone back, but you'll here about that in a future update.

[dawnbu40]

The soccer banquet sounds great! Congrats to Nick on being chosen captain!

It's crazy how long that TSM FP line can get! Not to mention that you can get trampled as you head over there

Glad you enjoyed the new Star Tours. I think it must be somewhat addictive. Dale and Caitlin rode 3 times in a row in August.

I love all the pictures of the ToT and the ones of you and Nick at the animation building are really cute!

[MEK]

Originally Posted by dawnbu40

The soccer banquet sounds great! Congrats to Nick on being chosen captain!

Nick is quite excited. There really aren't a lot of upcoming seniors on the team, but he is thrilled none the less. He was also named a DIAA scholar athlete (Delaware interscholastic athletic association), so that's quite an honor and will look good on his college apps.

I ate some of the left over pasta last night and it was yummy!

Originally Posted by dawnbu40

It's crazy how long that TSM FP line can get! Not to mention that you can get trampled as you head over there

That was my first experience with a line THAT long. Thank goodness that those CM's had it totally under control.

Originally Posted by dawnbu40

Glad you enjoyed the new Star Tours. I think it must be somewhat addictive. Dale and Caitlin rode 3 times in a row in August.

Let's just say that I could have ridden it many more times and not gotten bored. It was really fun!

Originally Posted by dawnbu40

I love all the pictures of the ToT and the ones of you and Nick at the animation building are really cute!

I was happy I got the camera settings mostly right to take those indoor shots.

I'm glad you like the ones of me and Nick - thanks!

[jenjolt]

First of all congrats to Nick!! No doubt he'll make a great captain!! WOOT WOOT!!!

Loved this update...I'm hoping with the soft opening of DHS a bit earlier (shhhhh we don't want word to get out LOL) that we won't have to deal with the long long lines of TSM!! I love that ride!!

Isn't the new Star Wars FANTASTIC!! I love it!! I am a big Star Wars geek (just got Darth Vader as the voice on my GPS) so I love to ride it over and over and over again!!!!

[MEK]

Originally Posted by jenjolt

First of all congrats to Nick!! No doubt he'll make a great captain!! WOOT WOOT!!!

Thanks Jen. He is very excited. This kid loves playing soccer. The team is not the greatest, but they certainly are a nice bunch of boys and that's more important.

Originally Posted by jenjolt

Loved this update...I'm hoping with the soft opening of DHS a bit earlier (shhhhh we don't want word to get out LOL) that we won't have to deal with the long long lines of TSM!! I love that ride!!

I heard about that so perhaps that's why I got in such a long line. I know we where there at park opening. Well, this summer I will be absolutely sure I am there well BEFORE park opening. I won't be the first at the turnstiles, like you, but I'm definitely shooting for an earlier arrival.

Originally Posted by jenjolt

Isn't the new Star Wars FANTASTIC!! I love it!! I am a big Star Wars geek (just got Darth Vader as the voice on my GPS) so I love to ride it over and over and over again!!!!

I loved it and I certainly could have ridden it over and over again. Where were you when I needed you?

[KatMark]

MEK, you got a lot accomplished on Day 1 -- very impressive.

I have never seen the line that long for FP's for TOT...that is just crazy.

You do look rather "bored" in your TOT picture.

I love the hat in the dump shop at the end of TOT. That is one Mark missed trying on and I hope it is still there in September.

How could the men not want to go to Starring Rolls for lunch? It is so good and the cupcakes are heavenly.