A Hop, NO Skip, and Many Mishaps to a Disney Dream!

[mom2rtk]

$70, huh????

Man, that sucks. Nothing else to say about it.

So now probably wouldn't be the time to note that you could probably get a generic from China for like $2?????

Sorry....... couldn't resist.............

Drew sold a NIkon Point & Shoot camera of his a couple weeks ago. He couldn't find the cord for his charger and low and behold..... he discovered my Canon cords worked on his NIkon! Hmmm....... At first I told him no, even though I have extras because of the various models of Rebels I have had through the years. I think I've seen the genuine Canon chargers go for about $40 on Ebay, so that sounds right for the new one to be $70. But I caved and let him have it.

I'm glad at least you got back up and running with a real camera again. Even more glad I didn't have to pay that for a charger!

 

[bubba's mom]

I'm REALLY hoping you didn't leave your clothes in the dryer and forget them!

but...extra bells & whistles w/ the charger...worth it!

Note to self....when you EACH order a platter with the intention of 'splitting it', and 2 people decide to share it...it's like ordering your own meal But..makes for good leftem'overs

I woulda told Dad to 'chillax' too...As my Grandmom used to say: "Here's your coat & hat....what's your hurry?"

Looking forward to the next day..........

 

[Woth2982]

Very excited to get two updates today! Helped keep me entertained during the hurricane, which was a tropical storm here in Boston. The coast however got hit pretty hard from what I hear. But we are OK! No power losses at all! Just had to stay home all day.

Loved the update! CF is one of my favorite restaurants! I love the photos of the Whales too! I have loved Killer Whales since I saw Free Willy many moons ago (we actually got four copies of this movie for christmas one year, I remember because I was highly amused by this lol). Sad story about their captures though. I am glad they no longer do that.

 

[jenseib]

Great update, Jen. We haven't been to Sea World in so long...really need to get back there to see all that they have added. It is a sad story of the whales and them capturing them to use in shows--very sad.

We LOVE Cheesecake Factory for meals; Mark likes their cheesecake well enough (although it is NOT Eli's) (I don't like cheesecake so I'm okay with just ice cream).

Dad did like the cheesecake this time around, or at least he didn't compalin and ate the whole huge peice. I am all about peanutbutter and chocolate, so mine was like HEAVEN. But I had to eat it in phases because there was so much. (I even ate a bit of Claire's too.

Glad to hear your Dad liked the food - I just love Cheesecake factory! We don't have one close either It figures that Best Buy would be out of chargers! I would have bought it too though - can't be without a charger on vacation!

I do too. I really want to go to one again sometime soon. I guess I need to travel somewhere to be able to do that. LOL!
I hated paying that, but I had to be able to charge my battery. I hate to say it, but I don't think I have used it since my trip again. But at least I have that backup.

$70, huh????

Man, that sucks. Nothing else to say about it.

So now probably wouldn't be the time to note that you could probably get a generic from China for like $2?????

Sorry....... couldn't resist.............

Drew sold a NIkon Point & Shoot camera of his a couple weeks ago. He couldn't find the cord for his charger and low and behold..... he discovered my Canon cords worked on his NIkon! Hmmm....... At first I told him no, even though I have extras because of the various models of Rebels I have had through the years. I think I've seen the genuine Canon chargers go for about $40 on Ebay, so that sounds right for the new one to be $70. But I caved and let him have it.

I'm glad at least you got back up and running with a real camera again. Even more glad I didn't have to pay that for a charger!

I know, I know, I KNOW!!!!!! I knew I could go home and get one much cheaper, but I just didn't want to take a chance. With the flower and Gardne Festival at Epcot, I was hoping for some decent shots and I just didn't think I could get them with the point and shoot.

I'm REALLY hoping you didn't leave your clothes in the dryer and forget them!

but...extra bells & whistles w/ the charger...worth it!

Note to self....when you EACH order a platter with the intention of 'splitting it', and 2 people decide to share it...it's like ordering your own meal But..makes for good leftem'overs

I woulda told Dad to 'chillax' too...As my Grandmom used to say: "Here's your coat & hat....what's your hurry?"

Looking forward to the next day..........

I did like the fact that it can be used in the car. That can really help out at times.
I don't know why my Dad gets that way. I swear he just liked to keep complaining to hear himself talk at times. And he doesn't know when to shut up...and sadly I sometimes have that problem too.
My youngest sister has gone on vacation with my parents a few times over the past few years and her advice to me was don't be alone with Dad. He'll drive you nuts!

Very excited to get two updates today! Helped keep me entertained during the hurricane, which was a tropical storm here in Boston. The coast however got hit pretty hard from what I hear. But we are OK! No power losses at all! Just had to stay home all day.

Loved the update! CF is one of my favorite restaurants! I love the photos of the Whales too! I have loved Killer Whales since I saw Free Willy many moons ago (we actually got four copies of this movie for christmas one year, I remember because I was highly amused by this lol). Sad story about their captures though. I am glad they no longer do that.

I have to admit they were short, more like one update....and I had the food pictures already online from my dining review, so it was easy to finish up.
I do want to watch that movie again. I'm sure Claire would like it. I need to go and look through the boxes with all our VHS's and see if we ever ownded it.

 

[mom2rtk]

I know, I know, I KNOW!!!!!! I knew I could go home and get one much cheaper, but I just didn't want to take a chance. With the flower and Gardne Festival at Epcot, I was hoping for some decent shots and I just didn't think I could get them with the point and shoot.

Well, I would have sprung for the $70 too. You spend a lot of money to get to Disney and you need to have your good camera ready to go.

But I'd probably have better friends. The kind that didn't rub it in the way I did!

I'm laughing with you, not at you remember.......

Hopefully enough time has passed that you can laugh now too?????

 

[Caretames1]

Ouch! $70. But I would ponied up the dough as well. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Cheesecake factory! I learned there is one in Milwaukee,sooooo I'm thinking on our return day we may have to make a stop! I mean we will need to eat lunch, and we'll be in Milwaukee!

I can not wait to see your Epcot pics!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

You just made my mouth water!!! I love the Cheesecake Factory and I always ordered the Adam's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake too! It is my all time favorite. We live far from one... about 3-4 hours so we only get to one on vacation. I have seen whole cheesecakes at Sam's but not the PB cup one. We usually get the pumpkin around Thanksgiving.

 

[jenseib]

Well, I would have sprung for the $70 too. You spend a lot of money to get to Disney and you need to have your good camera ready to go.

But I'd probably have better friends. The kind that didn't rub it in the way I did!

I'm laughing with you, not at you remember.......

Hopefully enough time has passed that you can laugh now too?????

And here I thought I was your new best friend!

Ouch! $70. But I would ponied up the dough as well. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Cheesecake factory! I learned there is one in Milwaukee,sooooo I'm thinking on our return day we may have to make a stop! I mean we will need to eat lunch, and we'll be in Milwaukee!

I can not wait to see your Epcot pics!

Yeah, I wasn't too happy with that price.

I think that sounds like a perfect plan. There is one in Columbus, and I keep thinking I should go visit my sister who lives there....would it be wrong to only visit my sister because she lives near Cheesecake?

You just made my mouth water!!! I love the Cheesecake Factory and I always ordered the Adam's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake too! It is my all time favorite. We live far from one... about 3-4 hours so we only get to one on vacation. I have seen whole cheesecakes at Sam's but not the PB cup one. We usually get the pumpkin around Thanksgiving.

I don't shop at Sams, but my Mom and MIL do, I should ask them to pick me one up. I'll be happy with any flavor.

 

[mom2rtk]

And here I thought I was your new best friend!

Isn't it amazing how fast the newness wears off????

 

[jenseib]

Isn't it amazing how fast the newness wears off????

Yes, shockingly fast!

 

[jenseib]

April 5, Tuesday ~ Day 7

Sadly, this was our last full day. I got up bright and early and showered. I took a few shots of our room, which was quite messy at the time.

I then went for breakfast. Like the other Residence Inn, this one had a buffet with a good selection as well.
My original plan was to be at Epcot at opening, but that plan went out the door, since I had to wait till 9 to talk to the lost and found for Pop. Mom and Dad did not want to go for Rope Drop, nor did they want to stay till closing. I let them know that I was going as soon as I could, they could come or get a shuttle or taxi. Mom said something about just leaving early and I could take them back. Again, I knew how precious our time was going to be and I told her they could take the Van back and then come back and pick us up later, or take a taxi back.
But at this point in time, my whole family just kept sleeping, which drove me nuts.
I wandered around outside after breakfast and called Skip, who didn’t answer. So I called Paige and told her about the trip so far. As we were finishing up I got a call waiting beep and answered it. It was about 8:50 now.
And it was a CM from Pop Century, I think her name was Lisa. She was really nice and let me know right away that the charger and battery had indeed been found and turned in. I am so happy, but I do think they need a better system for this.
She told me I could go over to Pop and pick it up (she was sending it back over there.) If I had been staying on property, they would’ve sent it to my resort.
She also said, “I notice you are from Swanton, OH”, and I said yes, and she let me know she was from there too. She told me the road she used to live on and I was familiar with the area. Small World.
I went back to the room and told the family that I was going over to Pop to get the charger and if they weren’t going to get up…Claire included….then I was heading over to Epcot and they could call me when they got up.

Mom let me know she had finished up the laundry last night and brought it all back up. (she was up till 2 AM!)
Dad just kept saying it was going to rain and my reply was, I don’t care, I’ll wear a poncho. I wasn’t going to sit in a hotel room all day because of rain.
They decided they would get up and ready and then eat breakfast and I could come back and pick them all up after I got the charger.
I left and the skies did look a bit awful. Skip called me and he also mentioned the rain….I guess I may melt if the rain touches me?
Of course the minute I hang up with him, the sky opens up and just starts pouring. As I pulled into Pops parking lot it did lesson up a bit.

And of course, the ponchos were left in my bag back at the hotel. I scrambled around the back of the van and found Moms coat that had a hood.
I went to the desk and asked about the charger, she made a call and went to the back to fetch it. I talked to 2 other CM’s while waiting, they both said the rain should be done by noon. Yay! That was a relief!
The CM came back with a bag of my goodies and I signed for them and took a quick look around the gift shop.
I headed back and the family was just about ready when I returned. We hit the road to Epcot and arrived with it just lightly raining. I think it was about 10:30 by now. Claire and I were going in, but Mom and Dad were going to wait for the rain to slow up more.
Now here is where things went downhill, but I didn’t really know it at the time.
I got ponchos on Claire and myself, and Claire is evidently a poncho snob. My cheap dollar store ponchos weren’t cutting it for her. She said they were ugly and complained about wearing it. I told her to wear it till we got in the park and then I would fix it so it could cover the stroller. At the same time my Dad was asking….over and over…if I had my phone. YES, I had the dang phone! I finally got us situated and made our way to the tram and hopped aboard. I was amazed at how close we had actually parked to the entrance. It has been many years since I have actually parked at Epcot ( and then my ex had a handicap parking permit, so we parked very close) and I wasn’t familiar with the whole parking lot thing. We finally got in and we stopped for some photopass pictures.

And a few of mine.

We looked for the lockers and I got one for my bag. Claire had decided to bring along her Mary Poppins dress again, in hopes of seeing her again. So we shoved all that gear in the locker. I then bought her a Disney poncho, as that one was “OK” for her to wear.
The plan then was to head over to Soarin and get Fast Passes. I took a few pictures on the way over.

1 was OK, I go smiles!

I guess the 2nd one was pushing it a little. LOL!

Again, I think I was pushing it with a 2nd picture.

We got FP’s for later that afternoon, but I didn’t write down the time, that I can see at this point. I am think it was like 4:20?

Claire was a little hungry and since I wasn’t sure how much she actually ate for breakfast, we stopped off for a pretzel.
And I think this shot was from the pretzel cart area.

It was now when I realized that I did NOT have my phone in my pocket!!!!! I was pretty sure I had it when I left, after all Dad kept asking me, but I was slightly stressed too, so maybe I didn’t. I decided we should go back to the van and see if I did indeed leave it out there. After all, if I didn’t find it, how would I get in contact with Mom and Dad later on?

 

[joy13]

Oh no - it's the worst feeling when you don't know where your phone is! I hope you don't have to take too much time to find it!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Oh no! i hate when I misplace my phone. I hope it was in the car! such suspense!!!

 

[jenseib]

Oh no - it's the worst feeling when you don't know where your phone is! I hope you don't have to take too much time to find it!

I don't want to give much away, but I did write about it on my PTR when I got back. It led to my mommy meltdown!

 

[KatMark]

Great Epcot pics, Jen.

I wonder how we all survived in the days BEFORE cell phones? Now we all panic if we can't find it.

 

[Woth2982]

Great update! I am learning through this report that I don't think I ever want to do a split stay! You forget the convenience of staying on site with the buses, until you have to stay off site with only one mode of transport.

 

[cass'mom]

How funny as my lovely DD's also complained about my cheap dollar store ponchos when we went to WDW! I had to fork out $ for the Mickey ones (well, they knew I as worn down by that point in our trip so for my sanity, I bought them!) Must be a trend?

I'm wondering if your Dad is any way involved in the mommy meltdown?

Oh BTW, feel free to come visit me any time as there is a Cheesecake Factory only 10 minutes from my house!

 

[jenseib]

Oh no! i hate when I misplace my phone. I hope it was in the car! such suspense!!!

I wish it was that easy! But this is ME we're talking about!

Great Epcot pics, Jen.

I wonder how we all survived in the days BEFORE cell phones? Now we all panic if we can't find it.

I know! So many years of no cell phones for me and now I feel like something will surely happen when I leave it at home. Of course back in Jan. when I left it at home one day, was the day Skip kept trying to call me and have me run numbers for this trip.

Great update! I am learning through this report that I don't think I ever want to do a split stay! You forget the convenience of staying on site with the buses, until you have to stay off site with only one mode of transport.

I am not totally opposed to split stays, but it was a bit of a pain, more so being off site. I know onsite is the way for me now. I like that if we want to split and go back to the resort, we can just take a bus, boat or whatever.

How funny as my lovely DD's also complained about my cheap dollar store ponchos when we went to WDW! I had to fork out $ for the Mickey ones (well, they knew I as worn down by that point in our trip so for my sanity, I bought them!) Must be a trend?

I'm wondering if your Dad is any way involved in the mommy meltdown?

Oh BTW, feel free to come visit me any time as there is a Cheesecake Factory only 10 minutes from my house!

Who would've known she was a poncho snob? And yes, it was our last day and I just wanted her to stay dry and not hear any complaints, so when she siad she really liked the "Disney" poncho, I just went and bought one. Of course by then the rain was close to done and she didn't wear it long. But now we have it for future trips too.

Ok, you are 10 minutes from a Cheesecake Factory....hello new best friend...........Sorry Janet. You made fun of me earlier! LOL!

 

[Caretames1]

Too bad it had to rain on your last day, but then I'm like you Rain or not here I come!
I wouldn't like to stay offsite, it does seem like a pain.

Your phone problems, I remember but won't say anything yet It is funny how we rely on something so much! I would lose a lot of phone numbers if something happened to mine, I really need to write them down!

Ok, you are 10 minutes from a Cheesecake Factory....hello new best friend...........Sorry Janet. You made fun of me earlier! LOL!

Ahh, the price of friendship...a piece of cheesecake

 

[cass'mom]

Ok, you are 10 minutes from a Cheesecake Factory....hello new best friend...........Sorry Janet. You made fun of me earlier! LOL!

Ahh, the price of friendship...a piece of cheesecake

Yes, my new BFF can come over any time and bring your cutie Claire! My girls will love her!

And we are not talking just ANY cheesecake...

http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu/Cheesecake/