ABCs of Trip Reporting, Pt. 2-Life Can Be Crappy and Then You Move On (3/7)

[All7OfUs]

Great update, Liesa (I have a picture of Mark in that hat in Mexico!).

You are the darnest cute drowned rat I've ever seen.

I think you have a picture of Mark in almost EVERY hat at WDW! They are just so fun to get!!

HAHA! Thanks! I was thanking my lucky stars for the hair dryers at the Poly for sure!!

Great update !! Oh Yes no Disney vacation would be complete without a soaking
The HM on Maehlstrom is one I have actually spied before !!! I confess I tend to forget to look for them !!!

I'd much rather be soaked by a downpour than say off of Kali or Splash. Running through the rain is just so fun and refreshing- if it's a warm rain like in Orlando, and NOT freezing cold rain like here in Oregon!

I was on a mission to find as many HMs as I could!

Great updates, Liesa. I think I may have missed an update (or two) while I was away, but I'm catching up, slooowly... All the things you're involved with right now sound like so much fun; even the canning! I would love to learn how to do it, but I'm scared I'd mess it up and kill everyone. I also want to get back to your blog, which I also find very interesting.

Personally, I'm thankful to have such a great TR to read, regardless of how quickly the updates come.

That's ok, I've missed like about 20 on yours (and everyone else's). It's so tough to stay caught up and I just don't have the 2 or more hours a day anymore to stay that way. I will be back and get really caught up, but not probably til summer is a bit further on.

Today, we are doing up cherries again... my neighbor offered his whole tree full, so I imagine we'll get 30 or more quarts from it. THANK Heavens, my MIL left all her canning stuff, and I had/found my own, so I have LOTS of jars!
It isn't that hard, especially if you are doing sweet stuff, like jam. That doesn't even require processing! Just pour in while boiling and it's done. Cherries and other fruits do require water bathing, but even that's pretty easy. Give them a quick boil after you open them, and no one will get hurt!

Thanks for the complements on the blog. It's been so good to get some of it out! I imagine I'll have a lot to write about for quite some time. And of course, we're only on day 5 here...

The air show was enjoyed by everyone! It wasn't as good as some - this was on a small scale. I didn't really go to watch, but I spent some time in the red cross booth, signing donors up. I saw a little of the flying. In coming and going from the base Fri and Sat, the jets flew right over the top of the access road I was on - always cool!

How was the Ball? I only saw one pic on FB

Gosh I wish we could have come down, but these kids won't miss a ball for most anything. Their whole network of friends go, and they just have too much fun! I love aircraft, and speed- someday, I should learn how to fly! Funny you should mention the Red Cross... Bek just helped with a blood drive at school, and loved it.

I had put a link in the at life update, to a friend named Daniel Sauble's album. I don't know if it worked or not- I should try it actually. He had TONS of pix up. A couple of the kids choreographed a light saber fight that was pretty cool, one family MADE an R2D2 that was roboticized and beeped and all that, that was also super cool, and of course, we danced the night away!

Loved your extreme tour of WS! I felt like I just read the cliff notes!

Wow! You were really drenched! It's crazy how fast a downpour like that can happen! I can't wait to see how fast you turn in to a princess for the ball!

We trekked around the WS so fast, and I"m so glad we did- the rain came in and we only had a couple hours anyway. This was LeeAnn's quick intro to it, as I knew we'd back for an entire DAY of WS a couple days later-so there was no need to feel like we were missing anything this time around.

Liesa, thank for letting us know when there is a new post on your blog and thank you for writing it. Please say thank you also to your co-author!

You definitely did a lot of canning! I missed my opportunity to make strawberry jam, work was much too busy before we left for vacation. I hope I'll at least manage some apple sauce and plum jam (or plum butter? Found both in the dictionary). Homemade jam withour preservatives is much better for me with the food intolerances.

I think you accomplished a lot in only two hours in WS - even a drink! I still have to try on of those... Actually, your TR is quite a good place for tips on drinks!

HI Katharina!! I thought about you yesterday when I ate one of my marzipan treats you girls sent me last Christmas. (Yes, shockingly, I'm still eating those!) Aw, too bad you missed the jam making window! But applesauce is tasty too, and coming up later. I'd imagine your plums are starting to ripen now, so don't miss those! I agree, homemade not only is healthier, but VERY much more tasty than that store bought junk with all the high fructose corn stuff in it!

WE did get a bunch of stuff done that day. Amazingly, the crowds were still very low, and as you saw Maelstrom only had a 20 minute wait! We didn't have to dodge thick crowds, and really had such a nice time!

I'd say the slushie aspect of the drink was nice for a hot day, but if you want a good stiff drink, this is not it. Like MEK says above, if you want Disney to be your "happy hour place", stick with wine or beer, or go to La Cava. But I'll throw in my final opinion in my drink wrap up at the end.....

 

[All7OfUs]

We have this great video from the late 90s of all of our family inside the France Pavilion, waiting for the movie to start because we were soaked it was raining so hard. We were all sitting on the floor except my Dad, who was looking at some of the things on exhibit. My brother was capturing my Mom and I laughing about how wet we were and then turnednthe camera on my Dad. When he asked "what about you Dad?" he was met with a history lesson on everything my Dad had just learned!

That's a crack up! I'll bet it's funny to watch such a dramatic change of subjects! I guess, we all process the rain differently- some laugh...

some dive into history???!

I love your comment - far less boozy than it should have been for $9! Those are my sentiments exactly. I started secretly calling these fu-fu drinks and now stick to margaritas, beer, and wine!

Ughhhhhhhhh to the downpour. Can't wait to see how you went from wet to fabulous!

Good strategy, my friend!! I hate to see a good $9 go down the drain- those drinks should be only legally like $4.50. But whatever.... I'll go to La Cava with you any day!

If it'd been raining before we set out on our 2 hour tour, I'd have been pretty miffed, but it held off just long enough to make it around and end where we wanted to.

Thank you Liesa--I don't know how much I "talked Rob into" catching up with you all again--I think it had more to do with his Family settling on a tentative date for their Dis-return that got him motivated to wax poetic!!

I'm not sure his Mom would agree with you (though secretly, I think she enjoys listenin' to him gibber-jabber about where everyone should go for the first night's dinner!!)

I, too, have waiting to hear these stories (hearing them in person is lovely but I love to read MPP's writing!!)

I understand that the excitement of being on the DIS ebbs and flows with trips being planned (or not). I just love his writing, so am thrilled he's back! And you, of course! I love seeing you on FB. The pictures are always great to follow along.

Yes, the first dinner is rather important! Choose wisely!

[/QUOTE]

Just Jamie!

Isn't it great to have them all back??!

Well, what d'ya know ... I think I finally figured out how to do that quote thingy you all do so well ... and I even managed to create a signature for myself !!
Now if only that Rosie were around to see my work ... Jenbear too ... and hey, where is that Tracey?!

Hippety hip, HOORAY!!!

Tracey is actually having a bit of a difficult season in her life.... I've talked to her several times, and she says she'll be back when she feels better. You could toss up a prayer for her if you think of it.

Good for Mikki on the combo HS/college thing!!!!

Talk about a whirlwind trip around the world! Yum - grey goose slushies! Love the miniature train set in Germany and you got some great close-up shots of it. Holy soaked! You are low maintenance though - I am sure you will pretty yourself up in no time!

Just Jamie - LOL Glenn! I forgot about that! Can you believe it has almost been a year since the DC meet?

I think she'll do well, but is my one kid who really stresses out and is a perfectionist about school. I hope this doesn't give her ulcers.

Wasn't that a fun tour?? We hit all the majors, and now, when we go back, can catch all the little details that are there!

No, I can't even fathom that it's been almost a YEAR!!! What's up with that?!

enjoyed it, and there are points when you get so wet that you dont really care anymore it is more funny than anything else...looks like your legs fall into that catagory.

i was thinking the same thing, let marv get at it.

I was actually wringing water out of those pants for a couple days!! I hung them in the tub to dry, but honestly I'm not sure they ever did, for the entire trip! And we all know how well the dryers work, right Glenn...?

Where is Marv, when you need him??

Oh my goodness GREAT drowned rat photo! Can't wait to see the comparison once you're all dolled up for dinner.

I was so wet, it was hilarious!! and actually kind of fun!

The transformation is drastic...

 

[marvali]

I was actually wringing water out of those pants for a couple days!! I hung them in the tub to dry, but honestly I'm not sure they ever did, for the entire trip! And we all know how well the dryers work, right Glenn...?

Where is Marv, when you need him??

Sorry haven't been around much, but like you very busy lately. Only two more days and we head out for our next trip, and hopefully meet Jenbear soon after. We will be there Friday and so many last minute things to do. Thankfully I've been able to keep up with you somewhat on FB.

So much to comment on but will have to let most of them go until another time. But since so many expect it..........

Those are some awfully small maracas you've got there!!! (oops, I'm guessing that wasn't what everyone had in mind....)

Usually when I have pants that wet, it isn't that far down the legs.......

And finally, are those wet pants going to lead to a brand new Liesa greeting we can all comment on for posts to come???

Take care of all the "life" going on Liesa! You know we aren't going anywhere (well, at least not for a while after I get back from Disney!!!)

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Usually when I have pants that wet, it isn't that far down the legs.......

spreak for yourself, ah never mind.....refer to my text i sent you earlier.

 

[jenb1023]

I knew we could count on you Marv for a few zingers before you go!

Liesa - I am all caught up on your blog and posted over there but just wanted to say WOW. That's it. Can't believe everything you all had to endure.

 

[mom3sonstt]

Good to see another update! I am working on getting caught back up on everything. I was only gone one day (to Chicago for a ball game) plus errands cutting in to some other days....I can't imagine how big the hole will be I will be digging out of after being gone basically 16 out of the next 20 days. (Some of that is the MeatLoaf concert this weekend) Luckily I can read some on my phone - but its a hassle since the screen is so small and terribly awkward to try to reply on. And Danny will have a computer there once he arrives but I doubt I will get on very much.


If you have any free time - There's still a week before I leave if you want to take a stab at my shameless heist of your Predictor Game

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Nifty update Liesa!

Love the hat.

Cracked up at the drippy britches.

For the obvious reasons.

 

[englishrose47]

"I am so happy you're back, Jamie!!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAHOOOOTY!!!!
Glad you talked Rob into joining us again!!
We will be watching for you...."

Thank you Liesa--I don't know how much I "talked Rob into" catching up with you all again--I think it had more to do with his Family settling on a tentative date for their Dis-return that got him motivated to wax poetic!!


"DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE!! MPP is back!! Rob, I'm so glad you are back to hang!! I swear it's like Christmas today! Okay, now that that's out of my system, no, it's never too early to get all giddy inside for a trip."

I'm not sure his Mom would agree with you (though secretly, I think she enjoys listenin' to him gibber-jabber about where everyone should go for the first night's dinner!!)

"I am so looking forward to at least some stories and pix from your trip last year! Those 3 little piggies of yours are just hte cutest things EVUH!! And I'll never forget your snack post- I'm dying to know which ones you sought out and consumed!"

I, too, have waiting to hear these stories (hearing them in person is lovely but I love to read MPP's writing!!)

"Oh wait: Inaugural Dinner. My 2 choices would be Ca. Grill or Narcoosees. Not been to the latter, but hear it rocks."

I will be checkin' those suggestions out shortly!![/QUOTE]

Just Jamie welcome back !!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Liesa, once again a wonderful update. You really manage to take your readers along with you when you explore the parks.

I am surprised that you think that there was not much buzz in your slushie. I had it a few times now and always felt rather tipsy afterwards... With other Disney drinks I tend to agree with your assessment, but here you might have happened upon an off day.

Still need to read your blog update! Am looking forward to it.

 

[JJ Tinker Wish]

Just Jamie welcome back !!!![/QUOTE]

ROSIE--there ya are !! Thank ya kindly and I'm glad to be back!! What are your thoughts on this first night's dinner of mine (ours, really ... all 14 of us!!)?? Glenn and the Jen's--any suggestions?
I haven't yet begun my "research" into such things as I haven't yet made it to THIS year's vacation (to the NJ beach in later August)--this brain can only handle so much excitement at one time ... and this will be my first time away with the entire (immediate) My Pal Pluto clan--did I mention that makes 14 of us?!
... no, no ... I'm not nervous ... well, not too nervous

 

[jenb1023]

Thank ya kindly and I'm glad to be back!! What are your thoughts on this first night's dinner of mine (ours, really ... all 14 of us!!)?? Glenn and the Jen's--any suggestions?
I haven't yet begun my "research" into such things as I haven't yet made it to THIS year's vacation (to the NJ beach in later August)--this brain can only handle so much excitement at one time ... and this will be my first time away with the entire (immediate) My Pal Pluto clan--did I mention that makes 14 of us?!
... no, no ... I'm not nervous ... well, not too nervous

14 Wow!!!! Hmm first night dinner is tough. It really depends on who is going and if you want to do a park the first day. If there are a lot of kids, then a character meal can be a fun way to kick off a trip. We personally have liked going to Epcot our first day - on the only trip we took with more people than the three of us we did the Coral Reef which everyone enjoyed. I love Le Cellier too. If you are not doing a park and don't need a character meal, it would depend if you want a signature/expensive restaurant or not. If you want a one credit or something more kid friendly, then probably Ohana at the Poly or for a little more adventurous Boma at AKL.

 

[englishrose47]

Just Jamie welcome back !!!!

ROSIE--there ya are !! Thank ya kindly and I'm glad to be back!! What are your thoughts on this first night's dinner of mine (ours, really ... all 14 of us!!)?? Glenn and the Jen's--any suggestions?
I haven't yet begun my "research" into such things as I haven't yet made it to THIS year's vacation (to the NJ beach in later August)--this brain can only handle so much excitement at one time ... and this will be my first time away with the entire (immediate) My Pal Pluto clan--did I mention that makes 14 of us?!
... no, no ... I'm not nervous ... well, not too nervous [/QUOTE]

I think I would go with Teppon Edo !!14 of you would mean 2 tables as they usually seat 8 although will squeeze in 10 but 14I can tell you that everyone who has gone there with me has loved it including 7 year (then) DGS and 14 year old twin DGDs ,the desserts aren't to exciting but the whole cooking at your table is sooo neat!!

 

[JJ Tinker Wish]

I think I would go with Teppon Edo !!14 of you would mean 2 tables as they usually seat 8 although will squeeze in 10 but 14I can tell you that everyone who has gone there with me has loved it including 7 year (then) DGS and 14 year old twin DGDs ,the desserts aren't to exciting but the whole cooking at your table is sooo neat!![/QUOTE]

... ok, novice here ... help me out with the "lingo"--what (or WHO) the heck is/are "DGs/DGDs's" ... rotflolatmylack of no comprende!!!!
Thanks for your suggestions about Teppon Edo (and who dat?!) Rosie, and JenB, Rob (who has been to Ohana) was tryin' his dangdest to coax his Mom into agreeing to Ohana the first night but she wasn't havin' it (seems her brother in law wasn't a fan & that's enough for her ). MPP's family loves Boma but I'll have to ask about Coral Reef and Le Cellier.
Thanks for the tips and I'm off to do a lil research of my own-- enjoy the day all!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Time to move along! If you’ll recall, Dear Reader, I had just finished up checking out the backside of water, which is apparently very difficult to do, and we were headed to my very favorite land in DisneyLand- New Orleans Square! I love this area more than any other for several reasons: I think it’s the most elaborate and authentically themed; I used to work in this area once upon a zillion years ago; and they have these:

But more on that later….

Here’s a little something we saw on our trek through “the deep south”:

How about a little closer??

Wanna get even closer?? Even inside??





FORGET ABOUT IT!!!

Have no idea what’s so special about that place?? Here’s a website that might help shed some light for you. If you thought it was difficult to see the backside of water, try Club 33!!

http://www.disneylandclub33.com/How-Do_I-Join.htm

Near and around we drank in the scenery and popped in and out of a few shops to browse:

I also think I love this area because my two most very most beloved rides are nearby¬- Pirates and Haunted Mansion.

I could not wait to get on my spooky favorite, but therein laid an obstacle I wasn’t sure we could surmount…. The ride vehicle itself. I knew we’d have to transfer my aunt out of her chair and onto our Doombuggy, and the process itself was, as of yet, quite a mystery. At first, we thought we’d stick to only those rides she didn’t have to transfer for, but that was quite limiting, and well, she does yet have SOME use of her legs, so we huddled up and made the team decision to give it a whirl, getting as far as we could go, and at the very least enjoy the macabre queue and preshow.

Up to the handicapped entrance we went, where we encountered the most incredibly helpful and friendly CM on planet Earth. In great detail she explained what the procedure was, how we would load, where we’d go, etc… and were loaded right onto the elevator.

And into stormy passageway:

We were told to keep to the left, bypassing the line, so we could wait at the exit for an extra special Doombuggy. When it arrived, the ride shut down, (you know those times when the ride stops and you hear something like, “We’ve stopped temporarily, please remain seated, blah, blah, blah…, and you wonder if it’ll be one minute or one hour.) and, lifting one leg at a time into the ride vehicle, taking probably a lot more extra time than your average transfer guest, we managed to load her in. Honestly, it wasn’t that hard; mom sat on one side, while I took the other in order to “anchor her” in a bit more securely.

Can I just say we had the time of our lives?? It was magical in every way…. the harmony-singing busts still being my most very favorite part. (Don’t be alarmed at this photo, I’m pretty sure my camera had undergone some sort of metaphysical whack out at this point.)

We giggled like little girls at the end when we looked at which hitch-hiker we got, and then it was time to do the whole process of unloading all over again.

Along the way, I enjoyed a bit of my own photography while mom pushed Aunt Cherrie, and got a few pix I could never have gotten before. Handicapped riders are given a special way out- and that’s right back up the elevator. How utterly, uber cool it was to be the only ones on the elevator where I could take all the flash pix I wanted of those awesome stretchy portraits. I once saw a set of slide-y pins of the pictures, and should have bought them, but, of course, didn’t. UGH!

Here’s a photo you RARELY ever get to see:

There are usually about 100 people standing on this floor as you load onto the elevator, but we got to be the only ones on it, and a nice CM pointed it out to me! A spider web inlaid on wooden floor!! Cool beans, eh??

After all was said and done, I realized this was a key moment in our trip together as we learned that “doing the transfer thing” was not all that difficult afterall. Yes, it took some extra time, yes, it was a bit of a hassle, but knowing we could get on at least twice as many attractions really opened up our touring world and changed the entire dynamic of our day.

Well, it was now time to hit up the bathroom again (you get the pattern: attraction, pee, attraction, pee…) , and this time one of my favorites, at that. You know that one that looks like a broom closet tucked away about halfway through New Orleans Square? This one is magic though. It’s like it comes right out of Narnia! With one singular door, the crowds swell to astounding proportions while people mill around waiting for their loved ones to emerge happier. But that’s deceiving. Once inside you are met with a cavernous expanse of neatly, and I might add tastefully (NOLickingthefloor), tiled walls and floors and clean sinks. There was enough room for us to maneuver around in and get in and out in a hurry. And hurry we did, for the day was yet young and there were other places we needed to be….

Anyway, if I don’t stop writing, I may have 99 spooks coming to haunt me… well, ok, maybe only 5 kids who also want to use the internet and computer. I hope you have enjoyed our jaunt through New Orleans Square… I’m certain we’ll be back here soon, as there is yet one last item of business that needed tending. I’ll leave you with the most charming little light fixtures I think I’ve even seen that were tucked away in NOS, aren’t they adorable??

 

[All7OfUs]

Sorry haven't been around much, but like you very busy lately. Only two more days and we head out for our next trip, and hopefully meet Jenbear soon after. We will be there Friday and so many last minute things to do. Thankfully I've been able to keep up with you somewhat on FB.

It's been a crazy summer- how very, very different than last summer for me anyway. And Fall is adding up to the prospect of homework and perhaps a bit more routine.

Have a wonderful trip if I don't "see" you around in other places before you leave.

Those are some awfully small maracas you've got there!!! (oops, I'm guessing that wasn't what everyone had in mind....)

That was funny!

Usually when I have pants that wet, it isn't that far down the legs.......

That was funnier!

And finally, are those wet pants going to lead to a brand new Liesa greeting we can all comment on for posts to come???

OHhhhhhhh the possibilities!!!

Take care of all the "life" going on Liesa! You know we aren't going anywhere (well, at least not for a while after I get back from Disney!!!)

Trying my best, Marv. Today, holds all kinds of camping preparation. UGH! What I'd give for an "easy" Disney Vacation again!

spreak for yourself, ah never mind.....refer to my text i sent you earlier.

Oh wow, Curious minds want to know!

I knew we could count on you Marv for a few zingers before you go!

Liesa - I am all caught up on your blog and posted over there but just wanted to say WOW. That's it. Can't believe everything you all had to endure.

He's full of it... What I'm not sure, but full of it! (small, indeed!)

Thanks for reading along in the blog- it's been an interesting series to write!

 

[All7OfUs]

Good to see another update! I am working on getting caught back up on everything. I was only gone one day (to Chicago for a ball game) plus errands cutting in to some other days....I can't imagine how big the hole will be I will be digging out of after being gone basically 16 out of the next 20 days. (Some of that is the MeatLoaf concert this weekend) Luckily I can read some on my phone - but its a hassle since the screen is so small and terribly awkward to try to reply on. And Danny will have a computer there once he arrives but I doubt I will get on very much.


If you have any free time - There's still a week before I leave if you want to take a stab at my shameless heist of your Predictor Game

Tanya, have a simply wonderful time! I wish I had the time to get over to your thread and join the send off- but I can barely keep up here and post the occasional update. I know you're going to have a GREAT birthday trip and I will hopefully "be back" by the time you write your TR!!!

Yes, it will be difficult to catch up; I know it has been for me!! It's a terribly cycle that only gets worse the more you are away!

Let me see if I can at least try my hand at your game

Nifty update Liesa!

Love the hat.

Cracked up at the drippy britches.

For the obvious reasons.

Hey! GB is still here!! I'm just glad the britches weren't white!

Liesa, once again a wonderful update. You really manage to take your readers along with you when you explore the parks.

I am surprised that you think that there was not much buzz in your slushie. I had it a few times now and always felt rather tipsy afterwards... With other Disney drinks I tend to agree with your assessment, but here you might have happened upon an off day.

Still need to read your blog update! Am looking forward to it.

HI! That was such a nice complement! I hope everyone that reads feels like they have had a nice trip to the parks as they read!

I dunno, we'd had a rather large lunch, so that may have had a lot to do with it too?? It just was so teensy weensy too, on top of being weak. Thinking back, a champagne flight might have been a nice thing instead.

 

[jenb1023]

Great update!

The theming of New Orleans Square looks amazing! So glad you tried transferring and that it worked out fairly well! Neat shots at HM! I would so love to just look at Club 33 - wouldn't that be amazing?!?? That and Walt's apartment!

 

[KatMark]

Liesa, I love the update. And what a charming area...I can see why you love it so. I'm so glad the transfer went easier than you all expected and that you could do more than you thought you would be able to.

 

[glennbo123]

I'm glad to read that it wasn't too difficult to transfer your aunt to the doombuggy and that you had such a good time on the ride. And that now you'll be looking for more ride opportunities.

 

[chloe770]

I'm so glad you were able to expand you choices of rides. It really does seem like you all were having a great time. I really do love DL and hope to someday go back.