The ABC's of Trip Planning, Pt 1- K is for Keeping Things Kooky- Drinks V-Z; pg. 197 + New Link

[kroseycorn]

I was an A student when I was an undergrad. Then I went for my masters, was working two jobs and getting married... ha! Not quite as fun when you can't give it 180% (and can't recover from hangovers in a few hours with a greasy sandwich and some gatorade). So, kudos to you with your 88%! That is marvelous!

 

[eandesmom]

I am so beyond behind I have to figure out where I left off but thought I would at least say Hi!

 

[Steppesister]

I was an A student when I was an undergrad. Then I went for my masters, was working two jobs and getting married... ha! Not quite as fun when you can't give it 180% (and can't recover from hangovers in a few hours with a greasy sandwich and some gatorade). So, kudos to you with your 88%! That is marvelous!

Giving 180% is catching up with me. It is getting MUCH harder to even get out of bed, and for the first time in forever I just took a 3 hour nap in the middle of the afternoon. I DID get my one extra percentage point (so far) on my paper, so am officially at an 89% right now. Now, the last test and Final will end up determining my final grade. Today was my LAST lecture of the year and I've decided I'm not going to study at all for the remainder of the night, but rather pick it back up in the morning at our favorite Coffee Shop for an all-day stint tomorrow.

I totally understand not being able to do everything. I know a lot of our students are trying to juggle jobs and young families- there are even a few single moms trying to do it, but it has been so tough for them. We've lost 8 students out of 56 so far this year, and I anticipate at least a few more next. Not an easy program, but I study when I can, and don't have the energy to do a whole lot more. As for hangovers.... let's just say, that there have been more than a few study sessions that have involved wine. Only once did we go a bit overboard with a White Russian night (when we watched The Big Lebowski- which was quite possibly the stupidest movie ever made, but funny while drinking White Russians), but that was a weekend night which eased the pain of the morning. Our study group, being a bit older, takes it a bit easier; with age comes wisdom.

 

[Steppesister]

I am so beyond behind I have to figure out where I left off but thought I would at least say Hi!

You're sweet Cynthia!! I am just sitting down to write an update right now, as I'm intentionally going to take the rest of the evening off. I took a 3 hour nap, which I haven't done once since school started, and frankly have reached burn-out. I need to carefully finish out the year with some built in rest, but I also need to write my speech for our Pinning Ceremony (wanna come down for it?) and a half a million other things asct'd with that night being Chairperson, on top of school, so need to pace myself. So, DIS is my go-to for finding some downtime.

 

[eandesmom]

You're sweet Cynthia!! I am just sitting down to write an update right now, as I'm intentionally going to take the rest of the evening off. I took a 3 hour nap, which I haven't done once since school started, and frankly have reached burn-out. I need to carefully finish out the year with some built in rest, but I also need to write my speech for our Pinning Ceremony (wanna come down for it?) and a half a million other things asct'd with that night being Chairperson, on top of school, so need to pace myself. So, DIS is my go-to for finding some downtime.

That is a lovely downtime activity! I am so behind in even getting my photos that are a year old up to photobucket it's made me even more behind on my own updates! I did spend a chunk of yesterday sorting pics on the external and uploading some. The good news is I've finally got all of them uploaded for the rest of the girls trip with Mary Ellen. The bad news is I barely made a dent in the rest of the trips that came after that and it's a frightening amount of pics. As much as I hate to say it, it is very likely a few of those trips will never have a TR.

Pinning ceremony, how exciting! I don't suppose it will be around our July trip will it lol? We've got a crazy next 3 weeks here. Evan is turning 16, Taylor is graduating college and the in laws are all coming in.

And my dryer is possessed.

Lord help me.

 

[pkondz]

Giving 180% is catching up with me. It is getting MUCH harder to even get out of bed, and for the first time in forever I just took a 3 hour nap in the middle of the afternoon.

Good. If you had a 3 hour nap, it's your body telling you that you need one!
You can't keep burning the candle at both ends indefinitely. I know.

Today was my LAST lecture of the year

Hurray!

I've decided I'm not going to study at all for the remainder of the night, but rather pick it back up in the morning at our favorite Coffee Shop for an all-day stint tomorrow.

Good idea! Recharge the battery a bit.

 

[Steppesister]

W is for: Wishing I Was Doing Something Else- Pt. 1​

With my son in the kitchen cooking dinner, the floors relatively clean from hosting Study Group over the weekend, a hubby not due home for 2 hours and the laundry somewhat caught up, I have decided to walk away from studying for the evening. On purpose. Intentionally. For my own mental health. You didn't know the DIS could be a bona fide tool of therapeutic rest and healing, did you? Now you do.

I'm tired. Really, really tired. Not so much that I'm giving up. Not by a long shot, but I AM going to sit right here in this relciner- where I usually sit to do my nightly butt-widening exercises- and instead of studying about ulcers, diverticulitis, chronic renal failure, and seizures, I am going to write a little update. Because I need to. Not because you really want to hear more unimportant drivel about a random internet family's trip in over a year (but hey, did you see the progress on my ticker?! It's come a fair ways!!), but because I plan to study for the next entire week before my last exam and I need some downtime. Might even pour a margarita (and fancy it up with salt) and sip while I type. Because today was the last day I have to get up before 8:00 until our exam on Tuesday. So, you get an update! Hot diggity!!


But what can I possibly have to write about when there's still 16 months away? What would possibly interest my readers enough to say hello, reply, or even come back? I have some ideas, and while I step away to drive KukiLala into karate, I will stew on it some more.

Ok, I'm back....


Since the nature of a Pre-Trip Report is more vague planning, especially this far out, than actual substance, I won't try and re-invent the wheel. Yes, I throw in some fun pictures along the way, and try to keep it Disney-related as best I can given that this trip isn't even close to being paid for yet, but for the most part, it is life with a side of

Wishing I Was Doing Something Else.


Speaking of which, I haven't taken the opportunity to show a bit more of my Disney side and, since you are reading this you must be at least somewhat more interested in hearing my Disney-prattle than the dirt on the Duggers or that bacon has now been found to be a healthy food source. No lie. I'll see you when you get back from getting your daily recommended allowance.




That was fast; you must have microwaved it.


Now, onto what I

Wish I Was Doing Instead

Or as some might call this: The Almost-Mandatory-Pre-Trip-Chapter-of-My-Favorite-Everything-I-Love-About-WDW-and-The-Readers-Don't-Really-Give-a-Crap-But-Will-Read-It-Anyway-Because-We-Are-Kinda-Like-Family


So without further ado, I bring to you: The Almost-Mandatory-Pre-Trip-Chapter-of-My-Favorite-Everything-I-Love-About-WDW-and-The-Readers-Don't-Really-Give-a-Crap-But-Will-Read-It-Anyway-Because-We-Are-Kinda-Like-Family Chapter....


Starring in tonight's all-star cast is EPCOT. Because EPCOT is awesome and it's my favorite park. By a long shot.

The Runner-Ups are Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and DHS, in that order. I have a feeling that there are very few people out there who would rank them in that order, but I could be wrong.

The reasons for ranking them in that order are fairly simple. I love to travel (obviously) and I love other cultures' foods, costumes, art, ALL of it. I can't go to all of those places and see the real deal, but Disney has done a pretty good job of showing the sterile, clean side of each of those places and I love getting a tiny smidgen of a "visit"

Animal Kingdom ranks above MK because it's more fun to photograph, IMHO, has more quiet places to explore and go at a slower pace that are just beautiful, some excellent street entertainment, super awesome shows (yes, I even love to visit Bwaana Bob!). The animals are pretty cool too.

MK is great; don't get me wrong. I love everything there, and can easily spend 2 full days enjoying everything... just not as much as the other parks. More on what I actually LOVE there in a bit...

DHS is fine. And there's still bits and pieces I haven't even touched, like One Man's Dream, but it's just such a small place with something lacking in draw for me. Again, there are some very, VERY specific things I do love about it, but let's move on for now.


How about favorite rides/attractions? Everyone has their own, and again, I think I'll be hard-pressed to find an identical lineup; that's what makes a trip to Disney so unique to each person and why it appeals to so many.

DHS is the home to my favorite attraction, despite it being my least favorite park in general. ToT is is such a genious work of art, mechanically AND in terms of theming. The backstory is well thought out and the detailing to support it just "works".

Expedition Everest would have to be my favorite at AK, for many of the same reasons that ToT is in the Studios.

Soarin' is my top choice at EPCOT, although I was greatly saddened to hear that the flight is changing scenery sometime soon. Because although, the ride itself is a fun concept, it was really the ride over California, where I grew up, that makes it so very special to me. The scene over the orange groves, in fact, flies directly over the hills, almost to the street, I lived on during my Middle School-High School years, before it veers off to the groves which were directly east of my home in Hemet/San Jacinto/Valle Vista. Yes, I cry every. single. time.

The Magic Kingdom is harder to choose a favorite. So much so, that basically I can't. But the top 3 would be, and not necessarily in this order all the time- it depends on my mood and which line is shortest at any particular time- 1) PoTC 2) HM and 3) Splash. But really almost everything is fun to go on (or in), and I'd go on anything there and enjoy it, except for Stitch. I don't need to smell alien gas, although ironically, I really enjoy Figment farts every trip. So go figure.

This is getting long, and dinner is ready. So I think I will bust this up into 2 parts. I'm going now to mix up my margarita, eat with the family, and then be back up with some more favorites. I'm on a roll and LOVING my evening off!! Also, I am not going to proof this part quite yet. Please excuse my typos, and I'll fix them, after they are forever immortalized into your quoted replies later tonight.

 

[pkondz]

I have decided to walk away from studying for the evening.

As I said earlier... good.

You didn't know the DIS could be a bona fide tool of therapeutic rest and healing, did you?

Actually... Yes. Yes I did.

where I usually sit to do my nightly butt-widening exercises

Good. Getting some exer.....

Might even pour a margarita (and fancy it up with salt) and sip while I type.

Okay. This should be fun.
We'll watch as the typos increase with your level of inebriation.
When we see something like this:
jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

We'll know you've passed out with your head on the keyboard.

you must be at least somewhat more interested in hearing my Disney-prattle than the dirt on the Duggers

No offence... But anything is.
That and Kardashian "news".



I fear for us as a society.

The Almost-Mandatory-Pre-Trip-Chapter-of-My-Favorite-Everything-I-Love-About-WDW-and-The-Readers-Don't-Really-Give-a-Crap-But-Will-Read-It-Anyway-Because-We-Are-Kinda-Like-Family

I will agree with the We-Are-Kinda-Like-Family part.

The Runner-Ups are Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and DHS, in that order. I have a feeling that there very few people out there who would rank them in that order, but I could be wrong.

You could be right.

Disney has done a pretty good job of showing the sterile, clean side of each of those places and I love getting a tiny smidgen of a "visit"

ToT is is such a genious work of art, mechanically AND in terms of theming. The backstory is well thought out and the detailing to support it just "work".

Absolutely. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm not a big fan of drops... this could be my favourite ride of all parks.
Loved watching the Twilight Zone!

Because although, the ride itself is a fun concept, it was really the ride over California, where I grew up, that makes it so very special to me.

Oh!

Gee, now I feel bad for wanting them to fix it up.
Makes me sad now to think you'll go and not have that same connection.

Yes, I cry every. single. time.

 

[Steppesister]

W is for: Wishing I Was Doing Something Else- Pt. 2
​

Now, where did I last leave off? Ah yes! I'd finished ranking my parks and listing my favorite rides in each one. A pretty easy-peasy task, so let's move on to some categories that are a bit more vague. I assure you it has nothing to do with the Orange Amaretto Margarita I just concocted that is going down very nicely on my self-induced night off.

I'll ease you in, Dear Reader, with a list of favorite restaurants/meals I've had to date. Mind you, I have not had the privilege of dining at most places on property, but I am careful to try new places every time I go. There are some places I would happily repeat however; they were just that good. So I give you: The Top 3 meals I've enjoyed at WDW...

1) The California Grill- Everything about this place made it enjoyable. It was a total package slamdunk- food, decor, atmosphere, service, view, everything. I had the cheese flight and a flatbread, and the nicest glass of white wine. The somolier paired me up nicely, and the servers went all out to time our (extremely) LONG and leisurely meal with Wishes.

2) The Brown Derby- I dined here solo, and enjoyed every last detail. The reason I may have loved this so much was that I primarily chose it to have a private Memorial of sorts honoring and grieving my grandma who had passed away not too long before my trip. Without going into details, she had taken her own life after a pretty horrible marriage, but she was a class act all the way until dementia took its toll. She was a stunningly beautiful lady in the Big Band Era who exuded the Brown Derby in every way. I have vivid memories of listening to her Big Band music on the radio as she cleaned while I stayed vacation time with her as a young girl, and I always pictured her at the Officer's Clubs with Grandpa enjoying cocktails and dinner. Grandma and Grandpa's favorite cocktail was Apricot Sours, so I ordered one. And then another. I really couldn't have cared what the Cobb Salad tasted like after a couple of those (I just remember it was so big I could have swimmed in it); I was really only there to imagine Grandma smiling down on me as she Swing Danced in Heaven, free from whatever pain she had here on Earth. Sometimes, it's not the food, but rather the meaning behind the meal that matters most.

3) The last one will surprise you perhaps. It wasn't fancy. It wasn't expensive- well, relatively speaking anyway. I mean everything at a Disney Park costs approximately 23.5 times what a reasonable market would bear. But Disney atomizes brain-addling, wallet-opening intoxicants along with their chocolate chip cookie scent on every main thoroughfare leading to the Wienie, so of course, in a spending frenzy trance we happily pay those prices. I digress; speaking of wienies, that leads me back to my 3rd favorite "meal" in the memory banks: Corn dog nuggets from Caseys. But not *just* corn dog nuggets. Corn dog nuggets eaten on the Hub Curb waiting for the Main Street Electrical Parade to start! I probably could have been eating haggus or Crapistani horse hoof jello and called it my 3rd most favorite meal on property. Because MSEP was literally just around the corner and Wishes was just about to follow that. Oh, AND there was a thunderstorm that followed that. Yep! A meal that made a lifetime memory.


Favorite Parks: Check
Favorite Attractions: Check
Favorite Meals: Check

Onward.

How about favorite Non-Park stuff that I've done:

1) Cirque du Soleil- Well worth the money!
2) The Behind the Seeds Tour- See above
3) Have a couple of drinks, AND THEN watch the Yeehaw Bob Show
4) Hoop de Doo- No drinks necessary, although I'd highly recommend the Sangria.
5) Watching Wishes from the Poly Beach- (time it on a night that you get the EWP too); chase it with a, late night swim in the pool (if you're a guest, although I'll reserve my own opinion on this touchy topic)

And because I'm having too much fun at this, I'll just keep going. I know you're all riveted.

Favorite character:

I have absolutely NO favorite character whatsoever. They are all cute, but I'd never stand in a line more than 2 minutes to see any of them. If they are open, great; a nice photo op, but let's MOVE ON, PEOPLE!

Favorite shop:

The WS shops will draw me in, but not much else in any park. I'm not a shopper, and don't really buy souvenirs except on my Shop-Around-the-World tour that I'll do again on the next trip. I may spring for a monorail T, but I suspect I can find one online for a fraction of the price and call it good.

Favorjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

Eh hmmmm....


Favorite Resorts:

I've only stayed at- The Poly, POR, Pop, and Ft. Wilderness, so I really don't have a lot of authority here. But if I were to have to take a stab at it, or just re-title this section as "The Resort I *think* I'd like the best" this is how it'd go:

1) The Poly (yes, I chose my favorite to stay in last time)
2) AKL
3) Beach Club

It's totally up in the air as to where we'll be staying on our upcoming trip. It really comes down to how much money I can rake in this summer to pay for school this coming year, and then again after graduation up until the trip. I just don't know. It may be AoA for this trip, and then on a future trip with some ladies that may want room up with me to split the costs, I can splurge on a deluxe. Who knows...

Ok, I'm gonna call it quits there, Friends. I've been up since 5:15, and I'm bushed. I don't have to be up until 8:00 tomorrow, but I still feel despite my long afternoon nap that I need a bit of extra sleep to get me through the next, and last, study marathon of 2 weeks. Just think, in exactly 2 weeks from today, I will be officially FINISHED with the first year of Nursing School. Half way there.....


Almost.

 

[Steppesister]

Replies coming tomorrow. If I'm going to be productive whatsoever tomorrow, I'd best knock off for the night. Butt widening exercises are now complete and have been once again quite successful.

 

[Flossbolna]

Sorry that you are feeling so exhausted. Have you considered to take at least one or two weeks off from studying/working this summer? I know that you want to work through your break to earn money for tuition and the vacation. But it sounds like you really need to recharge your batteries for the next year of studies!!

Congratulation on the extra point! I will keep my fingers crossed that the other missing point will also be gained!

I have a feeling that there are very few people out there who would rank them in that order, but I could be wrong.

I am nearly with you! My order is AK, Epcot, MK, DHS.

Corn dog nuggets from Caseys. But not *just* corn dog nuggets. Corn dog nuggets eaten on the Hub Curb waiting for the Main Street Electrical Parade to start!

Oh, I remember all the corn dog talk you and @brookelizabeth had in the past!!

4) Hoop de Doo- No drinks necessary, although I'd highly recommend the Sangria.

I did that for the first time on our last trip and am currently writing the update covering it! It would definitely be on the list of my out of park favourite things as well!

The WS shops will draw me in, but not much else in any park.

There are some really neat new merchandise options around now. Lots of Adventureland inspired dishes for example that I could see you really liking.

It may be AoA for this trip, and then on a future trip with some ladies that may want room up with me to split the costs, I can splurge on a deluxe.

Are you thinking the AoA family suites? When I looked at prices for them I found them very very expensive!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I have decided to walk away from studying for the evening. On purpose. Intentionally. For my own mental health. You didn't know the DIS could be a bona fide tool of therapeutic rest and healing, did you? Now you do.

Actually, yes! I come here to escape the office quite a bit.

Speaking of which, I haven't taken the opportunity to show a bit more of my Disney side and, since you are reading this you must be at least somewhat more interested in hearing my Disney-prattle than the dirt on the Duggers or that bacon has now been found to be a healthy food source. No lie. I'll see you when you get back from getting your daily recommended allowance.

That could take a while. But yes, I'd rather read about what my friends are up to than pointless, marginally-true news articles. Funny, I thought the former was why I was on FB in the first place.

That was fast; you must have microwaved it.

How dare you?!?!?!

Ok, maybe I did. But it was still awesome, because it was bacon.

Because EPCOT is awesome and it's my favorite park. By a long shot.

YES!! It bothers me so much when people complain about EPCOT. It's a park for nerds! That's why I love it!

The Runner-Ups are Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and DHS, in that order. I have a feeling that there are very few people out there who would rank them in that order, but I could be wrong.

I'd be close. Right now, I'd probably switch MK and AK, but Animal Kingdom has grown on me quite a bit. I think if it had a couple more really cool rides...

The last one will surprise you perhaps. It wasn't fancy.

I'm always less interested in the fancy meals anyway.

But not *just* corn dog nuggets. Corn dog nuggets eaten on the Hub Curb waiting for the Main Street Electrical Parade to start! I probably could have been eating haggus or Crapistani horse hoof jello and called it my 3rd most favorite meal on property.

Exhibit A why experiences are better than things!

How about favorite Non-Park stuff that I've done:

Haven't tried some of these, but I love Wishes from the Poly beach! I'm hoping the new bungalows there haven't messed it up too much. And I need to get back to Hoop-De-Doo Revue. It's been a long time. Honestly, I love to just resort-hop and check out the details of the different themes.

I have absolutely NO favorite character whatsoever. They are all cute, but I'd never stand in a line more than 2 minutes to see any of them. If they are open, great; a nice photo op, but let's MOVE ON, PEOPLE!

AMEN! You know it's just a guy in a suit, right? I'm a terrible father because that's what I've taught my kids.

Favorite Resorts:

No WL or AKL? I was surprised by how much I liked POR when I stayed there.

Just think, in exactly 2 weeks from today, I will be officially FINISHED with the first year of Nursing School. Half way there.....

And the summer break will feel wonderful, I'm sure!

 

[MEK]

OK - so let me see if I have this straight - you still have two more weeks of school? Did I read that right? I was kind of hoping you would be done by now. I was sure the University of Delaware had to be the ONLY school that continued past Memorial Day.

At any rate - I hope your last exam goes fabulously. And I hope your summer is awesome.

Loved all your favs. Interestingly, I have never stayed at the Poly. I probably could have stayed there a night in August but passed on it because I am already in the red with points for this year. But its definitely on my list.

I had no idea that you actually lived right near the orange grove scene in Soarin. How very cool.

Great ride choices. Great restaurant choices!
What else can I say? Great updates!

 

[afwdwfan]

(when we watched The Big Lebowski- which was quite possibly the stupidest movie ever made, but funny while drinking White Russians),

That's the kind of study session I could get myself interested in.

You didn't know the DIS could be a bona fide tool of therapeutic rest and healing, did you?

No. I didn't. Did they teach you that in nurse school?

I always thought the Dis was just a tool for procrastination.

What would possibly interest my readers enough to say hello, reply, or even come back?

Good question...

Speaking of which, I haven't taken the opportunity to show a bit more of my Disney side and, since you are reading this you must be at least somewhat more interested in hearing my Disney-prattle

than the dirt on the Duggers

The what?

that bacon has now been found to be a healthy food source.

WHAT?????? I'm outta here

 

[afwdwfan]

A pig just died because of you...

Ok, where were we?

I have a feeling that there are very few people out there who would rank them in that order, but I could be wrong.

Oh, you're right. I wouldn't rank them like that!

Animal Kingdom ranks above MK because it's more fun to photograph, IMHO, has more quiet places to explore and go at a slower pace that are just beautiful, some excellent street entertainment, super awesome shows (yes, I even love to visit Bwaana Bob!). The animals are pretty cool too.

I agree with everything you said here. But I still can't move AK above my 4th favorite.

That said it is a Disney park, so being the "least" favorite still makes it pretty frickin' awesome and definitely someplace I'd prefer to be than here at work!

Soarin' is my top choice at EPCOT, although I was greatly saddened to hear that the flight is changing scenery sometime soon. Because although, the ride itself is a fun concept, it was really the ride over California, where I grew up, that makes it so very special to me. The scene over the orange groves, in fact, flies directly over the hills, almost to the street, I lived on during my Middle School-High School years, before it veers off to the groves which were directly east of my home in Hemet/San Jacinto/Valle Vista. Yes, I cry every. single. time.

Ok, I'm kind of looking forward to some new scenes on this one. But I totally get where you're coming from and I can see how it would mean so much to you. I'm sorry that this might be going away.

But then again, I really think it would be awesome if they had a rotation of films they could use once they upgrade to digital. You know, so that it is kind of like Star Tours and it isn't the same flight every time? I think it would be great if they could do something like that and still keep the original flight in the rotation.

The Magic Kingdom is harder to choose a favorite. So much so, that basically I can't. But the top 3 would be, and not necessarily in this order all the time- it depends on my mood and which line is shortest at any particular time- 1) PoTC 2) HM and 3) Splash. But really almost everything is fun to go on (or in), and I'd go on anything there and enjoy it, except for Stitch.

Again, I totally agree with you. All the rides there are fun and it really does kind of depend on the lines and my mood. But I'm still a little disturbed by your top 3. No BTMRR? No Space? Really? Neither one made the cut?

Now, where did I last leave off?

Dinner and margaritas. I hope you brought enough for everyone.

Corn dog nuggets from Caseys.

Love those! Although your reason for loving them beats the heck out of my gluttonous reason for loving them.

The Behind the Seeds Tour- See above

Bucket list...

Have a couple of drinks, AND THEN watch the Yeehaw Bob Show

Bucket list...

Hoop de Doo- No drinks necessary, although I'd highly recommend the Sangria.

Bucket list...

Always so many new things to try, so little time and money to make them happen!

And because I'm having too much fun at this, I'll just keep going. I know you're all riveted.

No, we're just waiting to see this PTR go off the rails when that margarita really kicks in...

I'd never stand in a line more than 2 minutes to see any of them.

I'm with you. Unfortunately, our kids aren't. Truthfully though, we just try to use FP+ and then only hop in standby lines if they are short. We might wait over 2 minutes, but I can't think of a time we've ever met a character after more than a 5-10 minute wait.

It may be AoA for this trip, and then on a future trip with some ladies that may want room up with me to split the costs, I can splurge on a deluxe. Who knows...

This is kind of like my comment about choosing a favorite park. You really can't go wrong.

Unless you stay at Coronado Springs during Pop Warner. Then you went wrong. Very wrong. Still having PTSD about that one...

Anyway, there really is no wrong choice. AoA is an awesome value resort. And the Deluxe resorts are always a great place to stay. Whatever the budget allows, I'm sure you'll find a place you'll be happy with.

I don't have to be up until 8:00 tomorrow, but I still feel despite my long afternoon nap that I need a bit of extra sleep to get me through the next, and last, study marathon of 2 weeks. Just think, in exactly 2 weeks from today, I will be officially FINISHED with the first year of Nursing School. Half way there.....

Good luck next Tuesday! Time sure flies when you're busting your @$$ 24/7, doesn't it?

 

[glennbo123]

I agree on Hoop-de-doo, but disagree on the Sangria.

I'm rooting for your end-of-school-year push!

 

[KatMark]

I love your list of favorites. And what I love even more is that it shows how different all of us are, but we are all still friends because of our love for Disney in general. My favorite parks would be: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and then DHS (name to be soon changed...again). I am with you on TOT; but you wouldn't catch me dead on EE. And you've reminded me yet again I still haven't eaten at California Grill.

Best of luck this last week of school.

 

[Steppesister]

That is a lovely downtime activity! I am so behind in even getting my photos that are a year old up to photobucket it's made me even more behind on my own updates! I did spend a chunk of yesterday sorting pics on the external and uploading some. The good news is I've finally got all of them uploaded for the rest of the girls trip with Mary Ellen. The bad news is I barely made a dent in the rest of the trips that came after that and it's a frightening amount of pics. As much as I hate to say it, it is very likely a few of those trips will never have a TR.

Yeah, the photo management is definitely the most tedious and time consuming part of doing a TR. I don't envy you whatsoever!

And yes, when you have that many trips stacked up, doing them all may not be even necessary. Just to keep doing TRs from becoming a dreaded task rather than something you look forward to.

Pinning ceremony, how exciting! I don't suppose it will be around our July trip will it lol? We've got a crazy next 3 weeks here. Evan is turning 16, Taylor is graduating college and the in laws are all coming in.

No, it's on June 10th- right around the corner! I am still mulling over what to say in my speech, although I sent around a questionaire and gathered some very interesting facts about our cohort. I will "introduce" us using those. Our of the 48 students that filled one out, 20 have gone on an antidepressant or anti-anxiety since beginning school. An interesting snippet at just how stressful Nursing School can be, I thought.

And my dryer is possessed.

Lord help me.

Oh dear! That is probably the WORST appliance, 2nd to the washing machine that can go out. I hope you can get that fixed muy pronto-like!!

 

[Steppesister]

As I said earlier... good.

It felt great to get a bit more caught up, and just relax a bit. Tomorrow night is my last all-nighter Clinical, and I need to prepare for that this evening and study before a nap tomorrow morning. No rest for the weary!

Actually... Yes. Yes I did.

I imagine you come here to do at least some amount of escape as well. For therapeutic reasons, of course.

Good. Getting some exer.....

It's a very effective form of exercise!

Okay. This should be fun.
We'll watch as the typos increase with your level of inebriation.
When we see something like this:
jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

We'll know you've passed out with your head on the keyboard.

I only slipped out of conciousness once. ^^ See? Right up there.

No offence... But anything is.
That and Kardashian "news".



I fear for us as a society.

You are not alone. Dismal is a rather sad understatement for the state of affairs.

I will agree with the We-Are-Kinda-Like-Family part.

You could be right.

I can be occasionally. Unless you're my teenage kids. I'm sure they hallucinate a 4 foot long nose on my face every time I open my mouth.

Absolutely. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm not a big fan of drops... this could be my favourite ride of all parks.
Loved watching the Twilight Zone!

Every Thanksgiving Day they aired a Marathon of episodes, and I spent a good part of the day camped in front of the tube after the extended family left. It was awesome while in my turkey coma.

Oh!

Gee, now I feel bad for wanting them to fix it up.
Makes me sad now to think you'll go and not have that same connection.

Nah, a change will be good. And I'm sure the new one will grow on me as time goes on. Maybe the new film will have a place I've been, and it too will become special.

 

[Steppesister]

Sorry that you are feeling so exhausted. Have you considered to take at least one or two weeks off from studying/working this summer? I know that you want to work through your break to earn money for tuition and the vacation. But it sounds like you really need to recharge your batteries for the next year of studies!!

I am not sure I can afford to. I still have about $1,000 in debt from the term I am finishing, and each term next year (3) will cost me another $1,500. PLUS, if this trip is going to happen, I need to raise the money for it BEFORE we can go. I can pay for some out of Mike's salary, but not all. I am also going to take an internship class ($300) this summer. We will be having our Orientation to next year's classes next Wednesday and will know the summer homework that we'll have to do. From what I hear, there is a TON of reading that we have to do.

On the bright side, we do have a camping trip to NE Oregon planned that I will take my texts to, and of course, I'm going to visit my parents in the beginning of August in Kentucky/Nashville, so that'll be a nice break! So, yes, I do have a bit of time for doing something different which will provide some brain rest.

Congratulation on the extra point! I will keep my fingers crossed that the other missing point will also be gained!

Thanks! Apparently, we must get a certain score on that exam to get the extra points. I"m not counting on it, so am really hoping to get a decent score on my Final. I"m sorta counting on getting another 88% on Exam #5.

I am nearly with you! My order is AK, Epcot, MK, DHS.

See?! We'd have so much fun!

Oh, I remember all the corn dog talk you and @brookelizabeth had in the past!!

They're just so fun and yummy! I like that they are easy to take on the go, and can be consumed in any line, or any fun little place that suits your fancy.

I did that for the first time on our last trip and am currently writing the update covering it! It would definitely be on the list of my out of park favourite things as well!

OH, I DO hope you enjoyed it. I went to the later showing, and it definitely had an edgy side to it. The corny puns were so funny and I LOVED the audience participation!

There are some really neat new merchandise options around now. Lots of Adventureland inspired dishes for example that I could see you really liking.

I should probably check these out, then! I certainly do love me some dishes!

Are you thinking the AoA family suites? When I looked at prices for them I found them very very expensive!

No, we'd never splurge on a Suite. We double up beds and stick a "kid" on a rollaway if necessary. I don't have any idea how that will work with having everyone's tickets linked, but Mike will like not show up until we are at least halfway done with the Disney portion of the trip. I need to do some research on how this'll work. We just don't need the space as we're rarely in the room other than to sleep. Some of us will shower the night before, and some in the AM, so even a small bathroom is doable.