A Quickie with Mickey! Sep. 2011 Pre-TR **I'm back! 4 Updates page 2-3!**

Hi Shannon. Love the title.
I talked DH into APs for DL, so we have a "quickie w/ Mickey" coming up in Nov. Figured out this morning that we are scheduled to lead a retreat the weekend that includes the Sunday we were planning to head down. DH said, "let's pack 2 suitcases, and head right down from the retreat to DL." It only took me 26 years to train this man to my way of Disneythink.:love:
Looking forward to hearing about your trip.popcorn::<light popcorn, of course.
 
Good luck with the WW! I love their program. :thumbsup2

Irene fizzled out pretty much by the time she got to NYC too. NJ didn't fare as well, but NYC was spared. Whew!
 
Checking in Shannon, looks like things are progressing nicely...Hoping EVERY thing works out as planned and you have a blast...it is almost time for your trip! :goodvibes:woohoo::goodvibes
 
Hi everyone!

I actually have a trip update! But first, a recap of the past few weeks. Actually not much to recap, work (the new job I started in June) is going great! The toughest part is not having holidays off (unless it falls on the weekend of course), but I’m already getting used to it and I have plans already for how I can still be with my family on the big holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas). I also wanted to update on Winston…you all know I can’t go too long without talking about my #1 doodlebug.

Here he is last week, after getting groomed.
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And here he is modeling the Notre Dame jersey I bought him. Clearly its not bringing them any luck as they have lost their first two games by just a few points.
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And thanks for the WW encouragement. I know I can do it and I have 100% faith in the program. It’s really my mental thinking that sabotages and messes everything up. But I’m happy to report I am down 2 lbs as of my first weigh in. Weigh in #2 will be this Saturday!

Now onto trip news! So as you all know my original plan was to leave early on Friday, but I really wanted to be able to wake up in Disney on Friday so….I added an extra night and I will be coming up Thursday night, after work! The latest I’ve gotten out of work, on average, is 4:00, and I can group some of my patients which shortens the amount of time I’m at work so I should be out by 2ish, I’m guessing. I’m still going back and forth with getting an annual pass. Part of me worries I won’t get my moneys worth, but I sort of like having an excuse to bring me up to Orlando. If I don’t get an annual pass, I’ll probably go with the FL Res 4-day play pass. Here is my tentative itinerary so far!

Thursday
Leave work as early as possible, probably not until early afternoon
Check in, then change and head off to Epcot for dinner, shopping and a few rides
Sleep!

Friday
MK! I’m really excited I’m going to get a chance to go there this trip.
Pool time at the best pool on property – stormalong bay
Meet up with my Orlando friend – apps and drinks at Bahama Breeze, then off to a work function his co-workers are having at Howl at the Moon (a dueling piano bar – for those that don’t know)

Saturday
Epcot! My Orlando friend has discussed park hopping before Epcot, but honestly, I’d rather just leisurely explore Epcot, especially since we are just a short walk away! Once World Showcase opens, we will be drinking our way around the world! And my friend also wants to do a Kim Possible mission – hey, we’re all kids in Disney right? Hoping to cap off the night with Illluminations!

While we are typically very responsible (hey, I’m 31) when drinking, we still like to have fun, so we are deciding on drinking games to do in each country. So far we have that when we spot someone wearing Crocs, the other person has to take a drink (no offense to all the croc people – I get they are comfy, but its still funny to me how many people wear them at Disney!) Another one is to make the other person drink when we see a family fighting/having a meltdown. Things like that…anyone have any other suggestions?

Thank you all again for reading!
 

Well, I made another change. What I failed to mention last night was my new room was a water/pool view because they didn't have my original garden view room for the extra night. I splurged but kept feeling guilty about it. It was way more than I planned to spend. So I checked online this morning, saw something I could handle, and called Disney at 7:30!

I'm now staying garden view at the Yacht Club. So still that close proximity to Epcot, Stormalong Bay. And a chance for me to try a resort I've never been to before, as a sleeping guest anyway.

Anyone know I'd their rooms have been refurbished like the BC?
 
:love: LOVE :love: seeing Winston opening the report, I can't wait to show the girls! No answers about the resort, I have never had the pleasure to stay on property...I think you SHOULD get the AP, if you can.
GLAD to read the job is gong so well, what a BLESSING!
Now I HAVE to leave, it is a BUSY DAY for us! Hope yours is wonderful! :flower3:
 
Yay for the update :) YC has been updated. If you look at my FB pics of Aug 2010 when my brother moves to FL to become a CM, we stayed at YC (cl but the rooms are the same) and they are refurbished with the nice bedding, flat tv, etc. Let me know if you want the link!
 
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Hi everyone! Happy Saturday!

Today is my only day off for the weekend since I'm working tomorrow so I can have Friday off! Hopefully the next few days of work go smoothly and we don't get too many new admissions. Those darn screens and evals take up a lot of time and I don't want to be busy and working late this week, at least not on Thursday!

Anyway, my friend and I were talking about this Saturday and in addition to our drinking games, i.e. spot the crocs, etc. We have also created a scavenger hunt of sorts for each other. And we will be hitting all 4 parks in one day to do it. Should be a hilarious adventure and I'm so stinkin' excited. To give you an idea of what we are doing, some of the dares I've written for him:

Dress up in Princess gear (crown, sash, wand) in the MK and take a picture.

Do the Can-Can in France.

Roar at a dinosaur.

Pet a goat.

Say the Pledge of Allegiance in the USA.

Just silly things. And if we can't or don't do it...we drink! :laughing: Responsibly of course ;)
 
Hi everyone!

Tomorrow is the big day! I have been so excited that I actually am pretty much packed, except for toiletry items that I still need. I was really hoping that I'd be able to leave at a reasonable time on Thursday from work. I even made my schedule 2 days early and it had me finishing up with my last patient at 12:30.....but then our rehab director shared that we are doing our rehab awareness "open house" from 1-2 (basically fun things for the staff, like wheelchair races and drinking honey thick liquids through straws). But that means I'll be at work almost 2 hours later than I thought. :rolleyes: Oh well. Leaving at 2 is still better than leaving at 3, 4, or 5 and who knows, maybe I'll still be able to get out a little earlier.

My friend, A, is just as excited as I am. We have been talking almost every night about our trip.

My itinerary has changed a bit compared to my earlier posts. I'm almost convinced I'm going to be getting an annual pass only because the 4 day FL Res ticket with park hopper is almost $180. And if I go for 2 more visits in the next year, that has paid for my annual pass so it almost seems silly not to get one since I know in the next 12 months I will take a few more short trips and will hopefully get my money's worth. Here is my itinerary as of right now:

Thursday
Leave work ASAP :laughing:. Assuming I leave at 2, I'm going to get a coffee and then hit the road so I should be at the hotel by 5 at the latest, assuming I hit some traffic up there. After checking in and getting my park ticket, I'm going to head over to Epcot for some dinner!

Friday
Sleep in! Grab some breakfast or maybe even get room service (I've NEVER gotten room service at Disney). Then head down to Stormalong Bay and get in lots of pool time. A is coming over around 3:30/4:00 and we'll be out late that night so I want to have a light, relaxing day. That evening, A and I are going for drinks and apps at Bahama Breeze ("our place") and then to Howl at the Moon.

Saturday
A plans on meeting up with me at 11 at my hotel. And that is when the real adventure begins. We will be attempting to visit all 4 parks in one day, completing tasks/dares along the way. Our order is MK, AK, DS, Epcot. Our grand finale is Epcot and we plan on staying until closing. Since we will be drinking and definitely not going to drive, A will be staying over at the YC that night. It should be interesting if we get to every park, but I'm sure we will have fun trying!

Sunday
I have to get back at a reasonable hour to pick up Winston plus I need to be out of the hotel by 11 so nothing is planned, unless A mentions getting breakfast or something before I leave.

So that is it! Send good travel vibes and I'll "see" you all when I get back!
 
Hi everyone!

I am back from my semi-solo Disney weekend!

And it was a little anti-climactic. Unfortunately. This is why I hate getting excited about things.

I’m going to be honest right up front. I will not be doing a trip report on this trip for a few reasons. One, I think I took about 2 pictures the entire weekend. Two, there was not nearly enough exciting fun things to even make remotely interesting enough for a trip report. Plans fell apart. I barely got any Disney time. Ugh.

For those that have been reading or lurking my pre-TR, I will be giving a brief trip report down below so you all know how it all went down. I appreciate all of you reading and lurking and didn’t want to leave you completely in the dark, without any closure.

Thursday
Of course the day had to start off great with a ton of new patients that I had to screen, but it did all work out and I was out of work by 2pm. I made amazing time getting up to Orlando, even with getting caught in a little rain. My friend, A, had asked if I wanted to do dinner Thursday night when I got into town. I didn’t have the heart to say “no, I want to walk around Epcot and eat there” so I said sure. I drove straight to Carabba’s off of 535 (for that that know the area) and we had an early, yummy dinner. Then he set off for home while I drove to the yacht club to check in! It was pouring by this point so I opted for valet because I didn’t want to walk in the pouring rain, especially with my luggage. Check in was a breeze and I was in my room in no time. Okay, about 15 minutes later since that is about how long it took me to walk the Looooonnnngggg hallways to get to my room at the very end of one of the long hallways. It was on the corner and had 2 small windows plus the balcony, which overlooked the YC quiet pool. VERY nice room, very similar to the BC but more navy blues, brown and red in color scheme. I unpacked, trekked back downstairs to get something to drink and a little snack, then trekked back upstairs, showered and watched grey’s anatomy in bed. I was so exhausted I didn’t even make it to the end of the show. But I called my mom the next day to fill me in.
 
Friday
I woke up, without an alarm, at about 7:45ish I think. The plan for today was to swim! I took my time waking up and putting on my swimsuit before heading over to the BC Marketplace for some breakfast. There was a long line but it moved quickly and soon I was enjoying my ham, egg and cheese croissant and diet coke on the rocking chairs outside the BC. The Solarium (where I planned to eat) was closed. FAIL. By the time I finished eating, Stormalong Bay had just opened so I walked in and sat in my “usual spot” near the lazy river. I spent a few hours at the pool before I started getting hungry again. It’s vacation…your supposed to eat every 3 hours. Right? I walked back to the BC marketplace and picked up a couple sweet treats for the rest of my trip – a chocolate chip cookie and a coconut bar (amazing!). Then I hit hurricane hanna’s on the way back for a burger and fries which I carried back up to my room. I ate and took a mini nap before it was time for me to start getting ready for my night’s adventures!

A was picking me up at 4…so I showered and got beautiful and met him downstairs. Our first stop was Bahama Breeze on I-Drive for some drinks and appetizers. Okay drinks and appetizer. One appetizer. Which was basically a fancy form of cheese and crackers. This is probably where the night started going downhill. A’s friend soon joined us and then we were ready to walk next door to Howl at the Moon. A’s work had won a happy hour that includes free drinks and a buffet. Well I wasn’t hungry, even though I didn’t eat much so I just had a couple more pieces of cheese. And beer. Lots of beer. They just kept appearing on the table! We stayed there until about 10ish when the friend went home and A and I walked down the street to ICE bar. This is quite possibly one of the oddest bars I’ve been to. You walk in and there is a dance floor and a bar. Then there is a line to get into the actual ICE bar. We of course wanted to see that so we waited in line and then were given a hooded cape and one glove. Yep. Just one. Apparently the other hand is supposed to go numb. Well the ICE bar is literally a small room that is made of ice…the tables, the bar, the seats, the walls. Everything. You could see your breath. It was freezing in there! We lasted about 5 minutes then left to dance the night away. Soon, we had had enough of it all, and got a taxi (we are responsible) and headed back to the YC. ($36 by the way). In our drunken stupor, we thought it was totally okay to order room service (yikes, luckily it wasn’t that expensive) and then we fell fast asleep. But not for long…

Saturday and Sunday coming soon (probably tomorrow)
 
Saturday
Even in my altered condition going to bed Friday night, I knew I was not going to feel well on Saturday. Just a couple short hours after I fell asleep, I woke up and went to the bathroom. Then I laid back down. And woke up shortly thereafter with an upset tummy. Let’s just say I spent the next hour in the bathroom, praying to the porcelain throne (off and on). It was horrible. By this point it was 7ish and I just collapsed back in bed. I was thirsty but I was afraid to drink. My head was pounding but I was afraid to take anything for it. So I laid there and suffered.

Kids – don’t do this at home. You might be okay in your 20s partying like a rock star. But at the ripe old age of 31, I just cannot do it. I can party responsibly with 2-3 drinks and be okay the next day. I exceeded my personal limit by large margins.

A on the other hand appeared to be fine and all he wanted to do was get his car. There was no way in heck I was driving anything when I could barely get out of bed so he went wandering around the hotel while I recovered. Sympathy is not his middle name. When he came back I was actually starting to feel better and had taken an Excedrin which was just starting to kick in. I ended up taking a shower with the plan of getting some breakfast and then me driving him back to his car at Bahama Breeze. Yes, I was actually hungry for breakfast. Can you believe it?

Once I was ready, we walked over to the Boardwalk and were able to be seated without any wait at Kouzzina (which I was secretly really excited about because I had heard the breakfast is good). The waitress was baffled by my request for an iced coffee with some nonfat milk. I even heard her ask her manager if she could make it for me. I didn’t get what the big deal was, but she did bring it and it was very good. We both ordered the signature dish on the menu:

“Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast - Two Poached Eggs, Kalamata Olive Toast, Artichoke Spread, and Sweet Potato Hash with choice of Bacon or Chicken Sausage $11.99”

It was delicious, but I would probably just stick with the regular eggs and sweet potato hash next time. The artichoke spread was good, but a little odd for me to be eating so early and with eggs. I liked it on my toast though! We both opted for the bacon, instead of the sausage. Overall though, I would not hesitate at all to eat here again. There were lots of yummy sounding things on the menu. I’d like to try dinner here sometime as well.

After eating, we walked back to the YC where I picked up my car and drove A to his car at the restaurant. Our plan was for him to go home and clean up/change and then head back to the hotel. If you remember my plan that I mentioned before I left, we were going to all 4 parks in one day. Well, in large part to our late night Friday night adventure, our 4 parks in one day adventure was thrown out the window. I was okay with it only because I was exhausted and while not queasy anymore, I still felt blah. Instead, we were just going to go to Epcot.

It took him a little more than an hour to return and in that time, I took a little nap and was starting to get really tired. A was ready to drink around the world and I was ready to sleep in the world. Far far away from anything alcoholic. We compromised and hit future world. Crowds seemed non existent as we did pretty much everything in future world with little to no wait. It was really hot though and I still wasn’t feeling 100%. Plus it was hard for me to do Disney with someone who doesn’t do Disney like me. That is, I like to ride rides and look at the overpriced Disney merch. Maybe even buying a thing or 5. He doesn't. I was starting to get a little bummed out. And hungry. I thought that was the problem since I turn into a huge grump when I’m hungry. We walked all the way to Japan with the plan of eating at the quick service there however it was closed and they were refurbing! So, we decided to try Teppan Edo. I know what you’re thinking. You can’t just walk into Teppan Edo on a Saturday afternoon and get a table?!?!?!

Well you can. Because we did. With a less than 2 minute wait.

This was my first time eating here and I really really enjoyed it. My only regret was not getting the chicken and steak combo (I got just chicken). I can’t wait to bring my mom here on our next trip, she will really get a kick out of the “festivities” while preparing the meals. Unlike my dining companion…
With my belly full, I seemed to feel better. Until A’s friend showed up again and all they wanted to do was drink. Seriously? How do they do it? I know I could have just hung out with them and not drank, but its really annoying being around people doing that. I was becoming quite the Debby Downer and all I wanted to do was look in a gift shop, explore the countries, do what I usually do when I visit Epcot – not rush by them as fast as I can so you can get a beer in Germany. By the time we hit Norway, I had hit a wall. Going 90. I was done.

A knew I was not in a very good mood, so he wasn’t really surprised when I told him I was heading back to the hotel. Apparently, he wasn’t interested in doing what his friend (me), who drove 200 miles to see him, wanted to do on “her” mini-vacation. So I ditched them. I went to future world actually, called my mom and vented. Then walked around MouseGears, one of my fave Disney stores. I was so hot and sticky, that I couldn’t concentrate and hoofed it back towards the international gateway to get back to the YC. After changing and heading down to the pool, I was able to get about 2 lazy river laps in before I saw lightning in the distance. I stayed in awhile longer before I just decided to get out and dry off. I had texted A to make it clear to him that I was not okay with them staying at my hotel that night. (A was originally going to but then he invited his friend too! Rude? Yes!) I was nice about it. I didn’t hear from him at all that night and didn’t hear from at all period until later the following afternoon when he texted to ask if I got home okay. Back to the pool…I was just throwing my cover up on when they cleared the pool due to weather. I stopped in the Marketplace at the BC again to pick up a few things then walked back to my room where I packed, ate my cookie from the day before, and fell asleep in my comfy YC bed. I was SO ready to go home.
 
Sunday
I woke up still annoyed with A for not being a better friend when he was realizing I was not having a good time and for being so selfish as to continue doing what he wanted to do. But I was ready to hit the road. I showered and packed fairly quickly and after stopping at the Hess station near the Boardwalk for gas, I drove to Downtown Disney. That’s right. I was going to end my trip on a happy note. Actually, I was picking up some body butter for my cousin at Basin. Then I browsed a couple shops…and looking for the companion piece to my Jim Shore Alice in Wonderland teapot, but couldn’t find it. A short time later, I was in the car and on my way home. I again made really good time. I did my grocery shopping, unpacked, picked up Winston (who just makes everything better) and snuggled on the couch for the rest of the afternoon.

I was so looking forward to this trip. And it ended with so many disappointments and annoyances. I didn’t make it to any other park besides Epcot. And I spent very little time at Epcot. My friend really hurt my feelings and annoyed me for not being more understanding. Plus annoyance at myself for having TOO much fun Friday night which ultimately ruined Saturday (to an extent).

The good news, if there is one, is that I did end up buying an Annual Pass. So I have unlimited Disney visits paid for until next September! And after talking to my mom, she said she wouldn’t mind going up for a few days either. I thought maybe we could do it October or November, but my schedule at work gets so crazy (with arranging my schedule to get a day off) plus I really need to chill on the exorbitant spending. So…we thought that maybe we’d go in January or February. A bonus to that is lower crowds, cheaper resorts, cool weather, and my vacation time will kick in by then and I can take a paid day off instead of working on a weekend to make up the day! Then I still have my AP for quick getaways where I don’t need to take a day off and I can just getaway by myself and get my fix. Actually, I may even do that in the next couple months, but not anytime soon.

Well, that was my trip. Sort of a dud. I'm starting to think the Epcot resorts are cursed for me. I've yet to have a really great trip while staying at the BC or YC. Sorry to disappoint and not have any pictures. I think if I start planning a trip next time, I may just wait until after the trip and then decide if I want to write about it or not. So…with that said, thanks everyone for reading and lurking!
 
I was so looking forward to this trip. And it ended with so many disappointments and annoyances. I didn’t make it to any other park besides Epcot. And I spent very little time at Epcot. My friend really hurt my feelings and annoyed me for not being more understanding. Plus annoyance at myself for having TOO much fun Friday night which ultimately ruined Saturday (to an extent).

I have been so far behind on the DIS, so I just saw your report. I'm so sorry! :sad2: I hope that you and A have made up and things will go better on your next trip!!!
 
I have been so far behind on the DIS, so I just saw your report. I'm so sorry! :sad2: I hope that you and A have made up and things will go better on your next trip!!!

I wish I could say we cleared things up…but we haven’t. Other than a “I hope you got home okay” text, I haven’t spoken with him. It is what it is and sadly, its not unusual for us to have little fights like this and then makeup like nothing happened. But this time I just don’t care. It’s taken 10 years, but I think I’m over being in a one-sided friendship. I mean, in almost 10 years, I have always been the one to drive and visit him both in Orlando and on the west coast of Fl (other than the time we both lived in Orlando). Not once has he ever offered or even considered coming to me instead.

But in brighter news, I still have an AP burning a hole in my pocket that I am determined to get my money’s worth of. And paid vacation time that will be available for use after Christmas. So I’m thinking a late January/early February trip is in order. But I will NOT be staying at the BC or YC. They are cursed! Both times I’ve stayed at those resorts, I’ve left sad, disappointed and/or depressed. I’m gonna go cheap and stay at a value or Port Orleans. Depends on my budget as it gets closer. And I will not do a trip report, but if you are on facebook, you can see any pics I take.

I may however do a non-disney trip report over on the community board about my upcoming Mediterranean cruise (June 2012), but not sure if I’ll have enough readers.
 
I will read about your cruise, just make sure you send me the link! One sided friendships are hard, especially when you are doing all of the investing...you deserve SO much better and I am excited you get to go back to Disney with your AP...You deserve a MAGICAL trip! Wish I could tag along!
 














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