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

[Clarf]

Lisa, I'm so sorry for the loss of your uncle. You and your Mama will be in my thoughts.



Your CBR pictures are beautiful as always and make me wish I was there now. I can't wait to be back there in September! I don't know if you've ever seen the pirate rooms in Trinidad South, but I have some good ones if you'd ever like to see them. My girls refuse to even think of staying anywhere else at this point.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Okay, just a thought about mama sitting the next trip out (albeit not asked for nor any of my business) but My mommy said the same Thing last time. I ended up talking her into using a scooter and it was great. She took down days when she wanted and on days she joined in the fun she had the scooter to keep her fro getting worn out. Now if your mama is anything like mine, she had to get past her pride but once she did she was so glad. Just a thought to throw out as an option for your mama! Of course mine didn't stay the whole time so prob def a horse of another color here. Still reading and loving the report!

Oh believe me, I've tried to get her to rent a scooter. I even checked into different companies and prices but still couldn't talk her into it. It's good to hear that your mother ended up renting one so that she could have a better trip.

Another thing with my Mama....she wants to stay in her own room. That means the cost of the trip for her is pretty expensive. When we are traveling to Florida or to Tennessee (when we go visit Lacey and Jesse), she doesn't mind staying in a room with us. But, for Disney trips, she wants her own room.

Lisa, I'm so sorry for the loss of your uncle. You and your Mama will be in my thoughts.



Your CBR pictures are beautiful as always and make me wish I was there now. I can't wait to be back there in September! I don't know if you've ever seen the pirate rooms in Trinidad South, but I have some good ones if you'd ever like to see them. My girls refuse to even think of staying anywhere else at this point.

Thank you! It's been pretty rough on Mama.

I wish that I were there right now too! I would love to see the pics and I am sure that others would too. Feel free to post pirate room pictures here!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Lisa, so sorry to hear about your uncle. And you are very right. People deal with death in their own way and have to do for themselves what they feel they can handle. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers as you all go through this rough time.

As always, your CBR photos are wonderful and informational for all interested.

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Thank you!

I've priced out the values for our next trip to see how much money we would save. It's only $400. Not that $400 isn't a lot of money to us but I know that we wouldn't want to stay in a value for two weeks. I'd certainly do it though to go to Disney. Oh my! I'd love love love to stay at AKL!

The only values I've stayed in are ASMu, POP, and AoA Finding Nemo suite. I don't think I will stay in any of the All-star resorts again. The AoA is really cute if you have littles with you, but POP, I really don't mind POP. Now don't get me wrong it's no AKL! But if I have to go inexpensive that's my choice. My absolute last choice would be off-site, but if that was the only way to be there, I would.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Lisa, so sorry to hear about your uncle. And you are very right. People deal with death in their own way and have to do for themselves what they feel they can handle. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers as you all go through this rough time.

As always, your CBR photos are wonderful and informational for all interested.

Thank you so much! Prayers are appreciated!

I love walking around the CBR and looking at all of the details.

The only values I've stayed in are ASMu, POP, and AoA Finding Nemo suite. I don't think I will stay in any of the All-star resorts again. The AoA is really cute if you have littles with you, but POP, I really don't mind POP. Now don't get me wrong it's no AKL! But if I have to go inexpensive that's my choice. My absolute last choice would be off-site, but if that was the only way to be there, I would.

John's brother's family stayed at Sports and they really really liked it. But, they are sports fans and the brother doesn't like to part with money so he'd say it was great even if it weren't.

We used to stay offsite and were perfectly happy. But, we didn't know any better either back in those days. I'd absolutely stay in a value or offsite even if it meant that I could go to Disney.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Morning ya'll! I had thought that I'd get an update posted yesterday but things have been a little "off" here at the office.

You see, the cold weather came blowing in and our pipes froze. Did I still have to come to work? You betcha. Did my boss? Well, he came in one of the three days because he had court. The other two days, he was dealing with frozen pipes at his house and a car that wouldn't start.

It's been "interesting" to say the least. Picture me in an office with no bathroom. Or maybe you don't want to do that. Thank goodness we are just a block from the courthouse and I can walk down there and use the facilities. The bathroom is up and running today. Who would have thought that you'd have to have a dancing smiley when talking about a working toilet?

For those of you who are friends with me on Facebook, you know the other issue that I've been dealing with.

My mother and 68 other State Retirees are set to board a cruise ship out of New Orleans on the 20th of this month. None of them had received their travel packages or even a booking/confirmation number. All they had was a letter stating that they were booked. Mama was getting worried about not receiving anything and started trying to call the travel agent. It was a pain in the rear end even trying to reach her.

The travel agent spouted off all sorts of stories (my Mama and Daddy didn't let us use the word lie so we say stories) about why they hadn't been mailed, then changed it to that they had been mailed, would be emailed, etc.

Long story short, I have pitched several fits over the last two or three days and I now have confirmation that Mama will have her packet in her hand on Friday. It's being hand delivered to her by one of the people on the State Retirees Board. It's been a real nightmare and not the way any of these retirees wanted to start off their trip.

Mama has made several comments in the past that I can get too aggressive but I'm betting dollars to donuts that she's glad that I am.

I'm working on a couple of new pleadings but once they are off my desk and on my boss's desk, I'll get to work on the new update.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Oh Lisa, I just don't understand why life has to be such a struggle. I swear you have to fight for everything you have, even though you were supposed to have it in the first place!! I'm so glad Mama now has her confirmation. Boy, that agency now knows not to mess with Mama's tigress cub, eh? It's just like Peter's car accident (he's fine) -- the other driver admits to it being her fault by running the stop sign and yet her insurance is still fighting it. WTH??? (that was Heck, not >>>) Fight, fight, fight......sometimes it really gets exhausting!!!

 

[natebenma]

Well, you had quite a range of experiences at the luau! What is it with those Polynesian places? The only time we felt "punished" for being late to an ADR was at 'Ohana. I have heard others who have similar stories.

And now you were treated less-than-courteously by the photographer. I'm so glad you had the opportunity to speak up and some folks helped make it up to you.

GREAT pictures. You may be color-coordinated, but not in an obnoxious way. I'm not sure I would have noticed had you not pointed it out.

Cool Hidden Mickey in the fire!

 

[natebenma]

Just finished reading about your downtime day. We are still not at that point in our trips yet, but I can definitely see the attraction. It is nice to just walk around and experience the beauty of the resort and then have a nice easy-going, casual lunch.

about recreating the surprise reaction.

Speaking of surprises- how many trips in a row can you surprise your family with Cirque de Soleil tickets before it is no longer a surprise? Or will the next surprise be a trip when you don't see the show?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh Lisa, I just don't understand why life has to be such a struggle. I swear you have to fight for everything you have, even though you were supposed to have it in the first place!! I'm so glad Mama now has her confirmation. Boy, that agency now knows not to mess with Mama's tigress cub, eh? It's just like Peter's car accident (he's fine) -- the other driver admits to it being her fault by running the stop sign and yet her insurance is still fighting it. WTH??? (that was Heck, not >>>) Fight, fight, fight......sometimes it really gets exhausting!!!

Doesn't it just irk the crap out of you when people try to finagle their way out of what's clearly their fault? Makes me madder than rip! Hope that you get everything worked out in your favor.

Well, you had quite a range of experiences at the luau! What is it with those Polynesian places? The only time we felt "punished" for being late to an ADR was at 'Ohana. I have heard others who have similar stories.

I don't know what's up with them but they sure were in a grumpy mood.

And now you were treated less-than-courteously by the photographer. I'm so glad you had the opportunity to speak up and some folks helped make it up to you.

I was very happy that the opportunity came for me to say something.

GREAT pictures. You may be color-coordinated, but not in an obnoxious way. I'm not sure I would have noticed had you not pointed it out.

Thanks!


Cool Hidden Mickey in the fire!

I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who noticed it.

Just finished reading about your downtime day. We are still not at that point in our trips yet, but I can definitely see the attraction. It is nice to just walk around and experience the beauty of the resort and then have a nice easy-going, casual lunch.

I've found that having at least one or two down days helps us enjoy the vacation even more. John pretty much needs those days to recoup.

about recreating the surprise reaction.

Speaking of surprises- how many trips in a row can you surprise your family with Cirque de Soleil tickets before it is no longer a surprise? Or will the next surprise be a trip when you don't see the show?

I've often thought that same thing. Unless they change the show up a bit, we probably won't return for a while. Like you said, maybe that will surprise 'em.

 

[natebenma]

We love T-Rex, too! So.Much.Food!

You are right on with your description of the check-in process there. It really is chaotic!

We have never been seated in the ice room!

Love your family pictures, especially the fishy-lip ones.

 

[natebenma]

AND I AM FINALLY CAUGHT UP!!! (for now)

Thanks for posting the CBR pictures you found. That is a beautiful resort! Wow- that flower pot is gorgeous- what a great picture!

BTW- I keep meaning to ask you- how is that waterproof camera you won at the auction working out for you? Is it still working? Shortly after you posted some of the cool cartoony pictures you took, I learned how to do it, and then that camera broke!

 

[nolacindy]

Great pictures of the resort.

Coming from someone who is self conscious about being in a bathing suit thank you for not taking a bunch of pictures of the people in the pool area!

Though I have been known to take the occasional picture of men in speedos and mullets, and crazy shoes, and inappropriate clothes... dang I need to mind my own buisness!

 

[mickeystoontown]

We love T-Rex, too! So.Much.Food!

You are right on with your description of the check-in process there. It really is chaotic!

We have never been seated in the ice room!

Love your family pictures, especially the fishy-lip ones.

They really need to change up the check-in process at T-Rex. It wouldn't be that hard to hang a few signs up.

AND I AM FINALLY CAUGHT UP!!! (for now)

Thanks for posting the CBR pictures you found. That is a beautiful resort! Wow- that flower pot is gorgeous- what a great picture!

BTW- I keep meaning to ask you- how is that waterproof camera you won at the auction working out for you? Is it still working? Shortly after you posted some of the cool cartoony pictures you took, I learned how to do it, and then that camera broke!

Yay for being caught up! Hate to tell ya but I'm about to post another update so you'll be behind again.

I do still have the camera and I love it. As a matter of fact, it may be the only camera that I take next year since it's small enough to fit in my pocket.

Great pictures of the resort.

Coming from someone who is self conscious about being in a bathing suit thank you for not taking a bunch of pictures of the people in the pool area!

Though I have been known to take the occasional picture of men in speedos and mullets, and crazy shoes, and inappropriate clothes... dang I need to mind my own buisness!

Yeah, I'm self conscious about my bathing suit body too. Or I should say, lack of a bathing suit body. It's definitely not made for one.

Girl, I take those kind of pictures too! Maybe we are both noseys.

 

[mickeystoontown]

That woman has my bag! That woman has my bag! That woman HAS my bag!

Today we were going to EPCOT! Over the years, we have grown to love the park. In the beginning, not so much. But, then again, our kids were much younger. We were toting around a baby. And, it was back in the day before they had Kidcot stops. As I said, now we love the park and were excited to spend our next to the last day there.

As had been the case the entire trip, bus mojo was good and we were on our way and walking to the park entrance in less no time at all. For those of you wondering how long it takes to get to EPCOT from Caribbean Beach, I timed it. It took 11 minutes from the time we sat down on the bus, made our way around the resort and pulled into the bus stop at the park.

We made it to the park right before official opening and bag check was crowded. Wanna see how crowded? Lacey stood on a concrete ledge and took this picture.



Freak a deak! This was the worst bag check line of the entire trip. It was then that I made the resolution to never ever go through bag check again and that I’d wear nothing but cargo shorts next trip. **FYI: I’ve already broken the resolution. What can I say? Belk had a really really good sale this Winter and I bought some cute clothes for next trip. How good of a deal? I bought three pair of capris, three pair of shorts and a shirt for less than $16 with tax!

Looks like Lacey took a picture of the security guy looking through someone’s bag:



Lacey and I found the guys standing in line to go through the turnstiles and, thankfully, we were in the park in way less time than it took to go through bag check. We had decided that we would make Test Track our first attraction of the day but the line was already long:



so we pulled Fastpasses and walked over to Mission Space.

Somewhere along the way, John stopped so I could take his picture and, apparently, he was about to climb up but I took the picture before he could:



Lacey has acute sinus arrhythmia and was a little afraid to go on the intense side of Mission Space so we told the castmember that we needed a green card (no we aren’t immigrants...green is the less intense side). Fortunately for us, the green side line wasn’t long at all and we were inside the building, standing in the pre-show room and then waiting to receive our last instructions.

Because there were five in our group, we were split into two groups. Lacey and Jesse were in one. Hunter, John and I were in another:



Lacey had my camera and I told her to take some pictures of them inside the space capsule and this is what she took:





In her defense, they did share a capsule with two other people and she said that she felt odd taking pictures with others in such a tight space.

Hunter wanted to play some of the games once we were done and the next round was just starting so the timing was right. I believe that Lacey and Jesse went off to do something else. Maybe a bathroom stop? John and I stood around and waited.





While we were waiting, John took a picture of the backsacks that I made for the trip:



**Continued in next post

 

[mickeystoontown]

We had a while before we could use our Fastpasses and I’m not one for just standing around and doing nothing (or watching a teenager play umpteen thousand video games ) so we called Lacey and Jesse who said that they would meet us on the walkway outside Mission Space. We found them enjoying a little bit of shade underneath an umbrella:



At this point, I handed the camera off to Hunter and it looks like he took a couple of pictures of himself:





It was decided that we would go over to The Land and get Fastpasses for Soarin’ and then ride Living with the Land if it wasn’t too long. Or vice versa.



When we got to The Land, we realized that we had a little time before we could get more Fastpasses and John declared that “Fastpasses are the dumbest thing ever! When did they start making you wait to get more?” Poor poor man! I guess that he hasn’t been paying attention all of these years. He thought that it was just plain stupid to stand around and wait to get a Fastpass. I thought that he was possibly having issues with his epilepsy. Turns out that he just had never paid attention to the rules since I was always the Fastpass go-getter.

Anyway, we had to wait to get more Fastpasses so we made the decision to go ahead and board Living with the Land and then go back. Looks like Hunter didn’t take as many pictures as I normally do in the attraction. He only took about a dozen.



















**Continued in next post

 

[mickeystoontown]

I always enjoy Living with the Land. It’s kinda of like the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover. Nothing spectacular about it. I just like it.

We still had five minutes before we could get our Soarin’ Fastpasses so we took a bathroom break to pass the minutes. Fastpasses in hand, it was time to head baaack across the front of the park and make use of the set of Test Track Fastpasses that were burning a hole in our pocket.

As we were going through the breezeway by Mousegears, I saw a lady on a scooter with one of my backsacks! I poked John and said “That woman has my bag!” I turned to Lacey and Jesse and said “That woman has my bag!” Hunter looked at me and I said “That woman HAS my bag!”

I wanted to approach her but didn’t have the nerve. I mean, seriously, who goes up to somebody and says, “y=You have my backsack?” Yes, she bought and paid for it (or it was a gift) but still. I couldn’t do it because I don’t know a lot of the folks who buy my bags. She parked the scooter and told another lady to watch it for her while she went into Mousegears. I felt safe enough to sneak in a picture them. See the polka dot bag peeking out?



It was neat to see one of my bags in the park! Cool!

**Up next: Cadillac on 22s! Now that’s a good lookin’ ride!

 

[natebenma]

Yay for being caught up! Hate to tell ya but I'm about to post another update so you'll be behind again.

I do still have the camera and I love it. As a matter of fact, it may be the only camera that I take next year since it's small enough to fit in my pocket.

Always have a backup. Just in case.

I think I'm bringing 4 cameras to Mexico!

 

[eandesmom]

Morning ya'll! I had thought that I'd get an update posted yesterday but things have been a little "off" here at the office.

You see, the cold weather came blowing in and our pipes froze. Did I still have to come to work? You betcha. Did my boss? Well, he came in one of the three days because he had court. The other two days, he was dealing with frozen pipes at his house and a car that wouldn't start.

It's been "interesting" to say the least. Picture me in an office with no bathroom. Or maybe you don't want to do that. Thank goodness we are just a block from the courthouse and I can walk down there and use the facilities. The bathroom is up and running today. Who would have thought that you'd have to have a dancing smiley when talking about a working toilet?

For those of you who are friends with me on Facebook, you know the other issue that I've been dealing with.

My mother and 68 other State Retirees are set to board a cruise ship out of New Orleans on the 20th of this month. None of them had received their travel packages or even a booking/confirmation number. All they had was a letter stating that they were booked. Mama was getting worried about not receiving anything and started trying to call the travel agent. It was a pain in the rear end even trying to reach her.

The travel agent spouted off all sorts of stories (my Mama and Daddy didn't let us use the word lie so we say stories) about why they hadn't been mailed, then changed it to that they had been mailed, would be emailed, etc.

Long story short, I have pitched several fits over the last two or three days and I now have confirmation that Mama will have her packet in her hand on Friday. It's being hand delivered to her by one of the people on the State Retirees Board. It's been a real nightmare and not the way any of these retirees wanted to start off their trip.

Mama has made several comments in the past that I can get too aggressive but I'm betting dollars to donuts that she's glad that I am.

I'm working on a couple of new pleadings but once they are off my desk and on my boss's desk, I'll get to work on the new update.

VERY glad to hear you have working pipes today but I'll be glad to hear your Mama has that packet in HAND before relaxing. How awful and stressful!

I always enjoy Living with the Land. It’s kinda of like the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover. Nothing spectacular about it. I just like it.

We still had five minutes before we could get our Soarin’ Fastpasses so we took a bathroom break to pass the minutes. Fastpasses in hand, it was time to head baaack across the front of the park and make use of the set of Test Track Fastpasses that were burning a hole in our pocket.

As we were going through the breezeway by Mousegears, I saw a lady on a scooter with one of my backsacks! I poked John and said “That woman has my bag!” I turned to Lacey and Jesse and said “That woman has my bag!” Hunter looked at me and I said “That woman HAS my bag!”

I wanted to approach her but didn’t have the nerve. I mean, seriously, who goes up to somebody and says, “y=You have my backsack?” Yes, she bought and paid for it (or it was a gift) but still. I couldn’t do it because I don’t know a lot of the folks who buy my bags. She parked the scooter and told another lady to watch it for her while she went into Mousegears. I felt safe enough to sneak in a picture them. See the polka dot bag peeking out?



It was neat to see one of my bags in the park! Cool!

**Up next: Cadillac on 22s! Now that’s a good lookin’ ride!

Very cool to see one of your bags at the park!!! Very funny about the FP wait frustration for John, I could see Jeff doing that. I will say Magic Bands were nice for that, not having to worry about when windows opened and what might be left for return times. It has its limitations to be sure but overall I think I like it better.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Always have a backup. Just in case.

I think I'm bringing 4 cameras to Mexico!

Crap! I hadn't thought about that although I don't know why it slipped my mind when I always take at least two cameras. Maybe I will just take the two smaller ones or maybe three smaller ones. Heck I don't know!

VERY glad to hear you have working pipes today but I'll be glad to hear your Mama has that packet in HAND before relaxing. How awful and stressful!

Welcome home! I am anxious to hear about your NYE trip!

I will be so happy when Mama gets her packet in her hand. She'll probably kiss it.


Very cool to see one of your bags at the park!!! Very funny about the FP wait frustration for John, I could see Jeff doing that. I will say Magic Bands were nice for that, not having to worry about when windows opened and what might be left for return times. It has its limitations to be sure but overall I think I like it better.

It was neat to see one of my bags being used. I'm surprised that I noticed it.

I'm looking forward to having the Magic Bands and am hopeful that all of the kinks will be worked out by the time we return in May.