145 Middle Schoolers: Wicked Awesome or Epic Fail???DeParting-Such Sweet Sorrow p. 76

[natebenma]

It's to bad you weren't able to get over to the BC to see Teena, but at least you rode by and saw
it.

Happy belated Birthday Dee!! I thought I had posted earlier but I guess not.

Thanks for the birthday greetings!

Teena and I talked about trying to get together, but we couldn't make it work. I really didn't have any chunks of free time when I wasn't supposed to be watching boys!

I forgot to say we were right near your neck of the woods. DH and I went to NH for the weekend.

Sounds nice! Where did you go?

Yeah - we found it. It's pretty obvious once you are standing in front of it and know what you are looking for.

You really are soaked. That rain - yuck.

Thank for all the great picture of the Beach Club and the surrounding areas. I love seeing it get duskier and the lights come on. It looks so pretty.

Are you going to post pictures? Or try?

That was probably the second or third most drenched I have been in my life. One year during a Jimmy Buffett concert it POURED, but what can you do? We were also at Disney during Tropical Storm Faye and it rained pretty hard for 4 days.

It was really great seeing the all resorts at night from the boat. I'm not really a night person, and we have only walked back from HS at night, so I haven't really had that perspective before.

Hi Dee - just caught up. Love your pics of the Beach Club! Pick a pearl is always one of our favorite locations in World Showcase. I think I have 4 items from there and my daughters have just started their collections. The kimonos are beautiful! Love the Photopass pic. No rain is going to stop you from enjoying Disney!

Thanks!

Even with the rain, I had a pretty enjoyable evening. I enjoyed watching the Pick A Pearl ceremony. It really was a show!

I was not about to sit around in my room on the last night of the trip.

 

[natebenma]

Hope to get an update posted, and catch up on everyones trip reports in the next couple of days. Running a Casino Night Fundraiser tonight and that has kept me pretty busy.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Good luck for tonight-hope you raise loads of dollars

 

[teekathepony]

Oh my, you are soaked in that PP picture, what a sin! That can't be comfortable!
Your pictures from the boat are beautiful, I love the boat rides around WDW, it's so nice to sit back and see the sights.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Thanks for the birthday greetings!

Teena and I talked about trying to get together, but we couldn't make it work. I really didn't have any chunks of free time when I wasn't supposed to be watching boys!

Sounds nice! Where did you go?

DH and I stayed at a bed & breakfast (Notchland Inn) right outside Bartlett. I can't think of the name of the town right now but I know that they only have 35 registered voters. Lol
We did some Christmas shopping in N. Conway. It was fantastic!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Hope you had a great turnout last night!! I'm sure you're relieved it's finally over.

 

[dtr_angel]

Dee - it's been a long process but I am FINALLY all caught up on your TR! Can't wait to read the rest. I was so nervous for you keeping tracking of all those teenagers!! Any trips to your beloved "home" in the hopper?!

 

[natebenma]

Good luck for tonight-hope you raise loads of dollars

Thanks for the wishes. The event won rave review from the few people who showed up. We had a much smaller turnout than we hoped for, but a large enough group that it wasn't embarassing. That was my fear this past week when the only ones who preregistered were my dad and brother and I wrote out that check.

Oh my, you are soaked in that PP picture, what a sin! That can't be comfortable!
Your pictures from the boat are beautiful, I love the boat rides around WDW, it's so nice to sit back and see the sights.

Yes, I was pretty wet. I was ok, and glad that my DH was not with me on this trip. He would have been miserable soaked like that!

Thanks for the nice comments about the pictures. The BC and YC hold a special little place in my heart, so it gave me such joy to gaze at them and take all of those pictures.

DH and I stayed at a bed & breakfast (Notchland Inn) right outside Bartlett. I can't think of the name of the town right now but I know that they only have 35 registered voters. Lol
We did some Christmas shopping in N. Conway. It was fantastic!

Sounds like a nice getaway, and I'm guessing you had lots to talk about!

Hope you had a great turnout last night!! I'm sure you're relieved it's finally over.

SO glad it is over! On Saturday my DH commented that I seemed remarkably calm, at least outwardly, but all of my friends cringed when I called them during the day on Saturday. They were afraid I had gone over the edge.

Really mixed emotions. It was a fabulous event, but a financial dud. We did make some money and for that I am grateful. I had pre-event jitters that we were not even going to break even.

Dee - it's been a long process but I am FINALLY all caught up on your TR! Can't wait to read the rest. I was so nervous for you keeping tracking of all those teenagers!! Any trips to your beloved "home" in the hopper?!

Glad to have you caught up. Not too much left in the report.

No visits back home currently planned but I am hoping to get back there this summer. A little time at Disney, a little at Universal (my son has been wooed by the Dark Side). We do have a trip booked to the Barcelo Maya in Mexico for February vacation, though.

That's funny that you are concerned about me keeping track of the kids. It just occured to me that there is an advantage to chaperoning a group of teenagers. Is anyone really going to complain if we lose one???

Oh wait. You may need another 12-13 years before you can answer that!

 

[Missyrose]

Okay I am finally (FINALLY!) caught up on your last day. Wow, that is some soaking wet touring. I sometimes get that anti-poncho feeling and just say "screw it," because you end up getting kinda wet in the poncho anyway.

Great photos of the World Showcase and the Epcot resort area! And I'm glad you got a good look at "home" on this trip.

I waved to Boardwalk every time we glanced across the lake in October and I can't wait to go "home" in January (67 days!).

Can't wait to see your Fantasmic photos, can you believe we haven't seen that show since our very first trip together in early 2009? It just never seems to fit our plans. Maybe in January or May?

 

[natebenma]

Okay I am finally (FINALLY!) caught up on your last day. Wow, that is some soaking wet touring. I sometimes get that anti-poncho feeling and just say "screw it," because you end up getting kinda wet in the poncho anyway.

Great photos of the World Showcase and the Epcot resort area! And I'm glad you got a good look at "home" on this trip.

I waved to Boardwalk every time we glanced across the lake in October and I can't wait to go "home" in January (67 days!).

Can't wait to see your Fantasmic photos, can you believe we haven't seen that show since our very first trip together in early 2009? It just never seems to fit our plans. Maybe in January or May?

Hooray for catching up! I know you have been busy making special plans since your return from the World.

There was definitely a benefit to having a waterproof camera so I could document everything that happened that night.

I knew the tentative plan for that evening was going to HS after EP to see Fantasmic, but it actually took me awhile to remember that I would do that by taking a Friendship boat and that taking a Friendship boat would bring me by the BC. That made me very

That's funny- the last time I saw Fantasmic before this trip was in July 2009. Again, the whole "my family doesn't do shows" thing.

 

[natebenma]

We arrived at Hollywood Studios around 8:45. As we were approaching the turnstiles, the other mom told me her son and his friend wanted to go to Star Tours again. I didn’t see how there would possibly be time to go through Star Tours and make it to Fantasmic before it started, so I did what any responsible chaperone would do. I bid them farewell and said I would see them back at the resort later tonight or tomorrow.


ALONE AGAIN!!!


It was at the turnstiles that I encountered a problem… For most of the trip, I had carried the meal vouchers and park tickets in a ziploc bag in my fanny pack. Not fashionable, but effective for keeping everything safe, accessible and dry. Well, earlier that evening, when the rain had started, one of the boys gave me the MP3 player he had so it would stay dry. I took out my park ticket and moved that to another pocket in my bag, and I put his electronic device in the Ziploc along with my cell.

Back at HS, when I put the ticket through the reader at the turnstile, it got stuck! The CM opened up the machine and the soggy ticket was jammed in some gears. She tried to pry it out. I told her I didn’t need the ticket anymore since this was my last night, but she didn’t offer to let me through. This was taking a lot of time, I knew F! was starting soon, and I wanted to go.

I remembered I had the park ticket for the boy who was sick and didn’t go with us. It was almost 9. I told the CM I had another ticket I could use. She said “No, no, I’ll get yours”. At this point, the time it would take was more valuable than the ticket itself, since this was going to be the last visit to a park before returning home.

I put the ticket through the reader, and it worked.

I’M IN!!!

I decided I had time to stop for a photo:

I think the caption is an appropriate summary of my past few days.

I have only seen F! once before this trip. In 2008, we had the meal package at Hollywood & Vine with the reserved seating for the show. Two things happened on that day- Tropical Storm Faye hit Florida and a stomach bug hit Nate and kept him and me from the parks that day. I was pleased that the concierge at our resort (All Star Music) was able to cancel our package that morning without penalty. But we missed seeing the show that year.

In 2009 we booked the Mama Melrose F! package. Enjoyed dinner, saw the show, but my family is not into shows, so we haven’t been back.


I settled into my seat like 2 minutes before the show started. Seating was ok. Towards the left, about 1/2 way back, with one post obstructing some of the view.

My shirt was dripping. My shorts were soaked. My shoes and socks were drenched. I made a decision. Maybe not a good one. I took my shoes and socks off to try to give my feet a break from the saturation. How easy would it be to get my socks back on? I didn’t care.

The show started and I raised my camera:

Continued in Next Post

 

[natebenma]

Continued from Previous Post

I enjoyed the show. More than I did when I saw it with my family 3 years ago. But I was perplexed that the characters from Pochahontas were some of the main villains in the show. That did not make a lot of sense to me.


After F! let out, I did something I rarely do. I went into a gift shop. I don’t do much souvenir purchasing, but as I was getting dressed earlier that afternoon, I realized the only two clean shirts I had were the shirt I planned to wear home tomorrow (my Beach Club shirt) and my sleeping shirt. So I had to put on my sleeping shirt for the evening (the grey one). Which was now soaking wet! I needed to purchase something that I could sleep comfortably in that night.

I also tried to complete a mission that pixarmom had given me, to get sizing and color information on Mickey crocs, but I failed to find what she wanted.

I found this shirt, purchased it and went into the nearest bathroom to change.

Ahhh… That’s a lot more comfortable.

Bye Bye Hollywood Studios.

After an uneventful bus ride, it was around 10:30 by the time I got back to Movies. But the day wasn’t over yet. Since we were leaving early in the morning, we needed to do bed checks and room inspections. Problem was, in two of the rooms “my” boys were in, some of their roommates, from another walking group with different chaperones, were not there. I went back to those rooms 2-3 times (one was Nate’s room) and finally told the teachers that the other chaperone would have to magnet the boys’ door after they arrived.

I returned to my room and settled in for the last night of our trip.


Next up: Departure Day

 

[MEK]

You did update today! I just knew it! ESP! Unfortunatley I am at work so I can't see pics, but you can bet I read it when I get home. Right now I will just skim the print!

 

[MEK]

Ugh - your poor thing, having to sit through F! still soaking wet. But I am glad it gave you an excuse to buy a new shirt.

What a PITA getting in the park. It just seems like this trip was a drag for you in a lot of ways. I think its impossible traveling with a big group and traveling with people who just don't get Disney. At least you really enjoyed F! and I can't wait to see your pics! And your new shirt!

 

[emmysmommy]

Seeing your photos from F! Made me remember how much I love that show.

Glad you were able to pick up a shirt and get comfy and dry. I think I'd of been tired of being soggy a few hours earlier - you have a great attitude! Oh, and your BRAVE caption for the photopass photo - very appropriate.

Sorry to see this coming to a conclusion since you have such a funny and captivating way of sharing your adventures with us in your TR.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I thought exactly the same about your Brave caption lol even before reading it!!

How did you get so lucky again being on your own??!! I think someone was watching out for you and giving you a much deserved break.

I got my flights on Monday for July. I scored $70 one way on the way down!! And $140 coming home. I think those were the best prices I have ever gotten.

 

[eandesmom]

That Brave caption is perfect and I'm thrilled for you that you got a little unexpected alone time. Were the group tickets not matched to fingerprints? I was surprised you were able to use the boys ticket but so happy it worked and you got to see F!

You deserved a dry shirt to sleep in! What a drag that kids were not yet in, hard to settle down knowing folks were still out like that I bet.

 

[natebenma]

I posted a Disney "Happy Thanksgiving" over on the Beach Club board, but this is the one I have on Facebook:

Hope all of my cyber-friends have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

.

 

[natebenma]

You did update today! I just knew it! ESP! Unfortunatley I am at work so I can't see pics, but you can bet I read it when I get home. Right now I will just skim the print!

Ugh - your poor thing, having to sit through F! still soaking wet. But I am glad it gave you an excuse to buy a new shirt.

What a PITA getting in the park. It just seems like this trip was a drag for you in a lot of ways. I think its impossible traveling with a big group and traveling with people who just don't get Disney. At least you really enjoyed F! and I can't wait to see your pics! And your new shirt!

Not quite the same without the pictures, since this was mostly a photo update!

The worst part was when I had to put my wet socks back on. ICK. I considered just carrying them and putting on the sneakers, but that would have been bad too. Sandals would have been a smart idea that night!

The upside- I didn't have to worry about sitting down on a wet bench at Fantasmic.

Seeing your photos from F! Made me remember how much I love that show.

Glad you were able to pick up a shirt and get comfy and dry. I think I'd of been tired of being soggy a few hours earlier - you have a great attitude! Oh, and your BRAVE caption for the photopass photo - very appropriate.

Sorry to see this coming to a conclusion since you have such a funny and captivating way of sharing your adventures with us in your TR.

I enjoyed the show more this time than I did the first time I saw it. Wet, apparently is better than Hot.

I love the shirt I got- and I was really glad to slip into something dry.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the really nice feedback about the report! I think writing about what happened really brings back the details of the trip and it is great to share the memories and adventures. I'm so lucky to have all of you who joined me and laughed and commiserated with my journey.

That Brave caption is perfect and I'm thrilled for you that you got a little unexpected alone time. Were the group tickets not matched to fingerprints? I was surprised you were able to use the boys ticket but so happy it worked and you got to see F!

You deserved a dry shirt to sleep in! What a drag that kids were not yet in, hard to settle down knowing folks were still out like that I bet.

I always love Disney alone time when it is just about me, me, me, but it was even more gratifying on this trip! I had a couple of moments of solo bliss.

No, the tickets were not subject to fingerprint ID. THANK GOODNESS!!! I can't imagine what it would have been like having to actually match up the tickets to the 20 people in our group.

I finally gave up on checking on the boys. I did my part. I knew my guys were in.

 

[MEK]

I posted a Disney "Happy Thanksgiving" over on the Beach Club board, but this is the one I have on Facebook:

Hope all of my cyber-friends have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

.

Cute!

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Finally back to check out your F! pictures and you have me convinced that I should go see it this summer! It's been a long time and its such a fun show!

CUTE T!