1 crazy family+2 resorts+5 parks+1 snake+1 surprise=A Mickeystoontown report 4/3x2

[disneylvr4vr]

All caught up! Sounds like you are having a pretty good time at sea world so far! Can't wait to hear whats next!

 

[MagicShell]

I would want my free days at the beginning.

 

[pasofan]

I agree. I would take the free days at the beginning. Then you can bat those eyelashes and use that southern girl charm to get to stay in the same room!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Happy to read you're getting 2 free nights. Yet sad to think about what might have happened that caused them to give them to you.

I won't begin to offer any advice as to when to take them since I'm sure you've got everything under control.

As to the "confusion" this is causing this is one time where you're happy to have some confusion!

BTW, what day of your vacation are we currently on? I think it's still early on but somehow lost track. I'm hoping you have a whole lot more adventures to tell us about.

When I wrote to Disney, I wasn't asking for any compensation at all. It sure was nice to get the two free nights though. Rest assured, the "blip" was an isolated one so nothing that would affect anyone else's future stay.

Let's see.....We traveled a half day; traveled and arrived at French Quarter next; checked out of French Quarter and into Caribbean Beach the next and now we are in Sea World. Oh we have a lotttttttttt more trip report to go!

Finally caught up. I hope Hunter and Momma do get to go on Flights of Wonder later in the trip.
You dinner looks pretty darn good at HOB
So are you still considering the cruise for next year or is that out now?
I would do the free rooms at the beginning too. You know you can pick your tickets up 3 days early, right?
You could do CS the first day, and pay out of pocket the next day or 2, even skipping a Table service in that time and doing some different CS you don't normally do. Or one of the cheaper Table services.

I've not ruled out the cruise but we're pretty sure that it's out if the rest of the gang book their WDW vacations.

Right now (and you know that it will probably change 100 times between now and May, 2014), we are staying two full weeks so it won't bother us if we don't go to the parks that first full day. The plan is to eat at the food court on arrival night and lunch the next day. Table service meal or counter service meal at Downtown Disney the next night. After that, we are on the package and will have the dining plan.

What Jen ^^ said!

I just spent the last couple hours catching up!

Woo Hoooo for being in the top 10!

Thank you!

Yeah for Lacey and Jesse going with you again!! It looks like this is going to be a tradition. and yeah for Jesse's parents coming too. I don't remember if you said but have they been before?

Jesse had no idea how addictive Disney is and has now said that he wants to go every year.

I can't wait to hear about your Sea World adventures.

More to come!

Looks like your Sea World day is off to a great start! I have been there a few times but not since 2004. I always liked to see the stingrays, they are so cool.

The Turtle show sounds neat, too. You got some great pics of them, I guess that was a pre-show area?

Yep, that's the pre-show area.

Can't wait for more!

More coming up soon!

All caught up! Sounds like you are having a pretty good time at sea world so far! Can't wait to hear whats next!

Sea World is definitely different from the Disney parks but in a good way.

I would want my free days at the beginning.

That's exactly what I decided to do. Great minds think alike.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I agree. I would take the free days at the beginning. Then you can bat those eyelashes and use that southern girl charm to get to stay in the same room!

That's what I'm hoping to do! Actually, John and Hunter are the ones that can make the girls swoon with their eyelashes. Maybe, I need to make sure they are standing there when we check in.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Lisa, I swear I stopped by here when you first start this TR but I can't find a post saying I'm in, so

I'm HERE!!!

I actually think that you were already here but I'm glad that you are here!

It's time for me to catch up, I'm doing better and ready to be immersed in Disney!

Beautiful family pic on your intro page! I can't wait to go along with ya'll! You always make me laugh.

Thank you m'am! That was taken at my niece's wedding.

Your resort changing made me dizzy! Give it up and just stay at CBR!

I know....just shut up and stay there already!

I'm actually looking forward to hearing how your Mom did this time. My Grandma is coming along with us in Nov. She's 85, and has asthma, she says she feels good, and walks every day, but I'm still talking with her about renting a scooter. I really don't think she'll do well without it all day.

Mama said that the walking wasn't what bothered her. It was all the standing still or barely moving. She did pretty good otherwise.

YAY, you've arrived at Disney!!

BOO for the sourpuss front desk CM!

I have no idea what was wrong with that CM but she was not a happy camper.

LOL at how small the resort is!

Isn't it crazy how the small size of the resort appeals to most but then we didn't like it. I guess that we aren't "most" folks.

How did you enjoy the boat ride to DTD? That is one of my favorite things about POR. I dream about just floating on down the river with the jazzy music playing and seeing the scenery.

Oh yes, the boat ride was so nice! I don't remember there being music on the boat. Dog gone it!


Now this is what I expect from you!

You knew those kind of pics were coming.

You got to tour AoA! I really loved staying there, (well the walk back to LM section wasn't my favorite part) but everything else was awesome! We felt so immersed in the Cars section, like we were in the movie!

The AoA theming was outstanding! Disney needs to take note that there needs to be more shade along the pathways.

That's so sweet! A coworker retired this year, and another coworker made her a sign similar to this. It was well received!



CBR, HOME! I'ts always nice to be "home"!

I saw a similar card on Facebook and decided to change it up a little to make it John Boy style.

Congrats on your TR being #8!It should be #1!

Isn't that neat!?!

How nice that next year Jesse's parents will be join you all! I'm sure everyone will have a great time.

Right now, they are on the fence about going but think they want to. Non-Disney people don't realize that these kind of trips take a lot of planning.

Seaworld was nice, not something I'd do all the time, but We loved the Otter and Seal show, very funny, and Believe was awesome!

Yeah, Sea World isn't an every year thing for us.

And I'm caught up here!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I don't know what to tell you. Why are Disney decisions so hard? We just booked a a short trip for October and I am having so many doubts. First of all, I can't believe we are going. My husband and I were talking the other day about the kids having two days off from school(Friday and Monday) for Columbus day. He was talking about doing local stuff and I suggested Disney since I am always talking about doing Disney stuff. I thought it would go over like it always does, no to Disney. Imagine my surprise when he said," ok, book it". I had my computer up and running so fast before he could change his mind. We booked POP for 5 nights with 4 day park hoppers. Now I am trying to decide whether or not to book MNSSHP. I keep thinking I am trying to cram too much in for such a short trip.

I say cram cram away! I'd try to do everything that I could even if it were a short trip. I'm excited for you!

I think I'm confused.

I would take the two free nights with a waterview and hope that they just keep you in the same room. My fear, though, is if they are starting their rehab next year and others have booked waterview and paid for it, they may have to move you.

I was confused too! That's why I had to get out the pencil and paper and was still a little confused.

My instinct would be to take the free nights at the beginning. As you said, you travel and arrive late on the first day, so no need for a park ticket. And phone agents might tell you otherwise, but unless it's changed you can always pick up your park tickets up to 3 days before your package starts. So you could still go to a park on Day 2. You'd just have to pay OOP for your meals, but no biggie,just choose the cheapest ones for that day.

As for the water view vs standard, bonus if they let you keep it. If they don't, I'd much rather switch rooms early in the trip than 2 days before I have to leave.

That was my first instinct too but then they suggested at the end. I did eventually decide to use it at the beginning.

You are thinking the same way as I am. If I have to switch rooms, I'd much rather do it after two nights than almost two weeks.

Hi! Haven't been on in a while. Finished your security trip and caught up with you in Sea World. I love your trips. I hope we get back again next year. I too think you should take the days in the beginning. If they keep you in the same room, bonus, If not, like previously said, I would rather move before I get spread out and comfy than two days before I leave. And you can't break tradition!!

Hey there! Good to see you again! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get to go back next year.

Oh no, the Crystal Palace tradition will NOT be broken!

When I see you put it like that I'd do it at the beginning too, and hope you get to keep the waterview! Even if they make you move at least you are just moving within the resort so it won't be as bad as changing resorts. And as Mel said, you can pick up your package pack tickets early so you will be fine.

Good luck getting the living room and hallway done! And for Lacey and Jesse coming to visit!!!

If we keep the waterview room, that's great. If we don't, then that's okay too. I would never book a waterview room anyway.

We started on the living room last night. Have one of the two larger walls painted. Moving on to the other big wall tonight.

I also vote the two free rooms at the beginning of the trip. I think the moving would be easier, plus you might not have to change at all.

That's exactly what we decided!

Does Mama get the two nights too?

The beginning sounds best.

Mama said that she's done. We stuck a fork in her. No, seriously, she's done going to Disney. Said she just can't keep it up.

Disney decisions can be so hard...and throw Disney math on top of it and it can be downright difficult to make a decision. I think I would go with the two nights at the beginning too....for all the same reasons others have said.

Disney Math is always fuzzy anyway but I want to get all that I can from those two free nights.

I vote for the days at the beginning and hope for the best with not having to move. You don't go at the really busy summer time, so there is a good chance you won't have to move. And it's really easy to wipe out half a day without a park visit. After last summer's no parks at all visit, I know how much other stuff there is to do. Head over to the Boardwalk around 5pm. All sorts of free entertainment, and you can get a pizza for a fairly decent price right there on the Boardwalk for dinner or go to the little stand on the water side for sandwiches/corn dogs (aka fair food). It's cheap and a great way to spend the evening. Big River Grille also is a great place to eat. They don't take ADRs, so if you get there at opening you will have no problem finding a table indoors. Burgers are HUGE!

Thank so much for the Boardwalk info! I've always wanted to go over and have a look around.

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

To bad for MaMa as I know it is not a vacation without her. At 65 I find I can not keep up with young legs. This year Linda and I went on our own more then before. Just standing is the worst. We were in line for Dole Whip for ten minutes that was not moving and decided to just head back to CBR without one. Someday?

 

[mickeystoontown]

So glad you are reporting on your day at Sea World! We are giving it a try when we go to FL this October. I went one time as a child, but have never been back since. We are all looking forward to it.

And yet another reason I need to be friends with you for the next year or so? We are taking our very first cruise EVER next October! We are taking the 7 day Western Caribbean cruise on the Disney Fantasy. I have already started stalking the cruise line thread, but I need to go back and read your last TR again to glean lots of cruise wisdom from you!

I think that you'll enjoy Sea World. It's not Disney but it's a great park.

Ooooh! A Cruise! We thought that we'd never want to cruise again but are now rethinking it. I'd suggest that you read Jen's cruise trip report. It's fantastic!

Thanks to nemo I see crush every time I see the turtles now

I have no idea why you'd say that Duuuuude!

What rumors?

I spoke with an Executive at Caribbean Beach and the resort refurb was confirmed. The rooms are getting a complete makeover starting in 2014. Not sure when it will start and be finished but it's happening.

I'm glad your drive over to Sea World wasn't too bad! I remember we all enjoyed the sting rays when we were at Sea World. So glad your Mom is getting to experience all this with you!

P.S. I started my Trip Report yesterday! Link is in my signature.

It wasn't too terribly bad. About like it was driving over to the port for the cruise. I was happy to see that you started your trip report!

Cant wait to read the rest of the Seaworld report, i was going back and forth over Seaworld or Universal for our trip, but Universal won out as my BF is really into his films and rollercoasters.

I think that Universal is on our list for our 2014 trip. It was on the list for 2013 but I figured that Sea World would work out better for Mama.

Sea World! I went once, my Grandma and Grandpa took my cousins, my brother and me. My step-mom ended up having the oldest of my younger sisters on that day. That was....um..... awhile ago. (OK so I can't remember how old she is. )
I would really like to get back, this trip though DD wants to go to WWoHP so we are think that may be where we go for one day. But we're flying down on this trip so I need to look into options for getting there.
I don't think I would have touched the stingrays, I'm a little squeamish with touching things. No snakes, frogs lizards, worms.....

I'm glad that we decided to go to Sea World. Mama's reactions were priceless. I don't like snakes but, other than that, I'm not afraid of much in the way of animals.

Loving your Sea World update. We've never been but maybe I'll think about if there is ever another trip for us. Congrats on the Top 10!

I think that you'd enjoy Sea World. The landscaping is gorgeous! Thanks for the congrats!

Interested in seeing the Sea World part as we are thinking of going there.
LOL. The turtle in the pic.
Looking forward to hearing more.

I bet that you'd like Sea World. Tell Vinny that all birds are in enclosure and can't get to him.

I love reading about your Sea World day! It's fun to learn about something different.

I'm glad that we chose Sea World as our journey offsite!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I've never been to Sea World. Some day maybe we'll go somewhere other than Disney when we go to Orlando. My DD loves Sea World and wants to see the Harry Potter portion of Universal, but we just never do them.

Shoot, we are planning our first Disney water park visit for May! We are such losers.

Can't wait to read more.

PS--I'm not sure Hunter's description of a ray would make me want to touch one. A booger? Ewww!

It's been years and years since we had ventured offsite. Well, other than going to the Port to catch the cruise. It's so hard to go outside the Disney bubble.

Don't feel bad about waiting so long to go to a water park. It took us 12 visits before we did. Heck, it took us forever to go to Downtown Disney. You ain't a loser 'cause if you are, then I am and I ain't a loser.

Only Hunter!

Congrats for making the top ten!! How exciting for you!!

Thank you!

Apparently I have been a slacker when it comes to keeping up with you Lisa...I did not even know you had started this TR! Well no matter now I am enjoying catching up lol! Here now and happily following along

Hey and Welcome!

Love the turtle pictures. In your head on pictures the turtles look like grumpy old men! I've never been to Seaworld in Orlando, we have one here in San Antonio so I'm not really tempted, though I know the Seaworld in Orlando is much bigger. I just can't seem to tear myself away from WDW!

We've been to the one in San Antonio too but it was waaaay back before Hunter was even born. That was the year that we got so turned around in San Antonio that we just parked and took the trolley everywhere. Do they even still have the trolleys there?

Love the update. I'll never feel sting rays with the same perspective again

I bet you won't! Only Hunter could come up with such a description.

Loved the update. We enjoyed our short day at Sea World last summer. Thought the turtle movie was pretty cute as well. So glad I was able to alert you to your Star Status! Let's keep moving you on up the ladder!!! We'll get you into the #2 slot before long. The #1 slot is occupied by Jess, and I don't think she will be giving it up any time soon. She has owned it for months! If you haven't checked out her DCP Frump Style, be sure to check it out.

I had no idea that there was even a Top Ten so thanks a whole bunch for posting the info for me!

I need to check out the #1 thread. Sounds like it's good!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I love Sea World! I do hope you all had a good experience.

You didn't miss much with the dolphin feedings. Because guests feed the dolphins, they have had negative behaviors re-enforced and can be down right vicious. My sister use to work there and she said the sharks were much nicer, lol.

Oh gracious....if the sharks are nicer, then the dolphins must be crazy bad.

I did a dolphin feeding when I was 15 and have the picture to prove it. The CMs (ok, not CMs since it isn't WDW but whatever) take pictures of those the dolphins approach and then try to get you to buy them. Mine was great so I bought it....anyway, enough hijacking your thread.

Never saw the turtle show, but it sounds cool. And your turtle pictures are great! Petting the sting rays is always fun too!! I can't believe your Mama had never seen a whale before!

They had a stand there selling photos. I'm a sucker and would have bought one, I am sure.

Nope, Mama had never seen a whale until that day.

Cant wait to see the rest if your Sea World adventures

Trying to get an installment type up today.

I'd like to get back to Sea World - how fun it was for Mama!

We were last at the one in San Antonio in 2007, and in Orlando in 2004 (my kids don't even remember that one!) I think we are due for a return visit.

Hope you can get a great offer on your 2 week trip! That's nice that Jesse's parents will come too. It sounds like they deserve a vacation!

Yep, sounds like you're due for a return Sea World visit. It's not Disney but it's still great!

It's been hot and humid her too then we got rain on sunday. On monday we had a really crazy storm that dropped 97mm (about 3 oz) in a two hour period that's the monthly average for July. The last time we got rain like that was in the 50's when Hurricane Hazel made her way up to us. It caused a ton of caus here flooding on roads, subway stations, and railroad tracks. A commuter train got stuck and everyone had to be rescued by boats, everyone got off of it around 1:00 Am.

The weather has been crazy all over the country!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I've decided we need to do a trip around each kid's birthday. This year we are doing my oldest's and we are suprising him w/a trip to Legoland. But for my youngest's trip, I want to suprise him w/a trip to Seaworld. My boys and I have been following your trip report and my little turtle freaked out when he saw your turtle pictures. He asked if we could go see them now, lol. He's been asking to go to Seaworld ever since he found out about the new turtle attraction. I would love to take him when we go, but it's just not in our budget this time around. I'm glad to hear the show is nice and can't wait to take him!

Oh I know all about the budget crunching. My pocketbook is still screaming from looking at our 2014 vacation budget.

I bet that your oldest is going to love LEGOLAND! I've read a couple of trip reports that included LEGOLAND visits and it looks so neat.

Your chapter titles crack me up! What cute turtles Last time I was in the Fl Keyes I went to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. It was really interesting.

Thank goodness we say some crazy things or else I'd be in a pickle trying to come up with chapter titles.

Love the update! Sea World looks like a lot of fun, so far. We've never been, but it looks like something we'd enjoy.

I bet that ya'll would enjoy Sea World! It's a bit more laid back than Disney. Having said that, we didn't do any of the rides either so it could have been more hectic had we been trying to do all of them.

Top Ten! Wahoooo!!!

It must be the "I crap you not" Southern way with words you have!
I always said that I want to write a trip report but I could never be as witty as you. Keep it up sista!!!

Thanks for the Wahoooo! I do have some silly sayin's don't I? They just flow right off of my Southern gal tongue. I bet that you'd right a mighty fine trip report. If you ever start one, let me know and I'll be right over with a plate of cookies and a jug of milk. No wine and cheese for me.

Great update! Love the pics!

Thank you!

 

[1000HappyWishes]

Am I too late to join in on the fun?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wheee doggie! Responding to all of your posts took me a while but I enjoyed reading through 'em all. I'm in the process of writing up the next installment and should be getting it posted before I leave work today.

Yesterday, as I was putting away some files in my boss' office, I informed the bossman that he had a Top 8'er working for him and he had no idea what I was talking about. Poor thing, he didn't even know that there was sucha thing as the Disboards. And, here I was thinking he was a man of supreme intelligence. So, I explained to him what the Disboards were, how the Top Ten worked (I wasn't about to admit to him that I never had a clue that there was a Top Ten 'cause I want him to think that I'm a smarty pants. ) and how we made it there. (Notice I said "we"? That's because you all are the ones who put the thread on the list.) Never once did I let on to him that a lot of my Dis'ing is done while on the company clock. No need for him to know that little tidbit of info.

Anyway, after I did the explaining, he said that he could now brag to all of his attorney friends that he had a bonafide Disney.............................

























































"freak" on his staff. Stupid Judy! What's he gonna do when I stomp my Disney freak behind outta here and start myself a travel agency? Or possibly start my own restaurant named "whatever" or "it doesn't matter"? I might even write a book for all he knows? Where's he gonna be then?

Seriously, he did call me a Disney freak but thought that it was pretty neat that we made the Top Ten. Ya'll just don't let on about me Dis'ing while at the office and we'll be okay.

Off to finish up that installment while I'm still on the clock.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Am I too late to join in on the fun?

Absolutely positively not! Welcome aboard! Good to have you!

 

[EpcotBill]

Ya'll just don't let on about me Dis'ing while at the office and we'll be okay.

Well now that you told him all about the DISboards all he has to do is check the time of your posts and you're toast.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Well now that you told him all about the DISboards all he has to do is check the time of your posts and you're toast.

Nah, he was only halfway paying attention when I explained what the Disboards were. I don't even remember if I used the proper name. He just took in the part about me being in the Top Ten and how we got there. He won't do it anyway. He's into all this Greek mythology stuff and sci-fi. Wouldn't have a clue where to even look. Even if he did see, he wouldn't say anything. His bark is way worse than his bite when it comes to his friends.

 

[mickeystoontown]

There’s no freakin way we can go all the way up there!

Remember me saying that nothin’ is easy peasy for our family? After touching boogery feeling sting rays, not getting to touch a dolphin which left us wondering if they felt like boogers too , and then moving on for some face to face time with the turtles, we would stop every now and then at an eatery and ask if we could exchange our vouchers for a wristband. Each time, we were told that they weren’t open yet and that they couldn’t. Okay, so we’ll try when it got closer to lunch time.

Where to next? Ooooh, there’s the new penguin building! Which was shut off to the public because it didn’t open until the next day. I walked over to the castmember standing guard and asked if there was any inkling of a possibility that a certain castmember could give any certain guests a sneak soft opening peek into the world of Antarctica. No? What if I slipped ya a 5'er? No? How ‘bout a Hamilton? Still no? A $20 was my limit and I wasn’t going any higher! Ain’t seen a penguin yet that’s worth more than $20.00. Man this castmember was gooood at their job.

Of course, I am just kidding about trying to slip the castmember an extra dollar or two to let us in. I did, though, ask if there was a possibility of a soft opening and was told that there wasn’t. Too bad. I’d have liked to see what the hype was all about.

We moved along and came upon a water gun shooting arcade thingamabob. It took two players to play and, since only John and Hunter were game, it looked like there was gonna be a winner amongst my men. Ready! Set! Go!



It was neck and neck for a second or two but John beat out Hunter by a mere drop or two or water. John told Hunter to pick whatever he wanted from the prizes and he got a stuffed penguin. We tucked the penguin into my backsack and we set off again. We came upon this pretty waterfall and I had to take a picture:



One of the things that we wanted to see was the sea lion show and it looked like we were pretty close to the stadium. I found a nearby castmember who told us that the show was just starting and, if we hurried, we could probably make it. We hotfooted it over and saw this:



“There’s no freakin way we can go all the way up there”, John said in my ear. We instantly knew that Mama couldn’t climb all those stairs. There were several castmembers directing guests into the stadium and told us that they were just about to close everything off. I asked if it would be possible to sit in one of the lower seats that were still available because Mama couldn’t climb. He said that we could if we were willing to split up. There were two seats available on one bench and two on another. They were just across the aisle from each other so we said “yes please”.

Even though we were on the very far side of the stadium, we still could see all of the action:





















The show was really cute and I’m glad that the castmembers were so accommodating when it came to letting Mama sit in one of the lower seats. The sea lion show would be considered a must see on our list.

**Up next: A Dis Meet and a lesson in fish!

 

[disneylvr4vr]

Great update! Bummer about not seeing the penguins, and its crazy that there is no soft opening!

I love the sea lion show! I just love seeing the sea lions perform all of those cool tricks!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

That is so weird they didn't do a soft opening for the penguin exhibit.

Yay for the Sea Lion show, and the employee letting you guys sit up front for Mama's sake!