Adventures of a DisneyWORLDholic! Updated1/24 I was an unofficial WDW tour guide.

[jmskinner]

Great pictures of the parade! I'm glad you went back for your camera! The floats are amazing. I love the animal creations.

The Christmas tree decorations were really fun to look at, too. Loved all of the Disney-character themed toys.

Happy New Year to you and your wonderful family!

I am always forgetting the important things when heading to the tram, even our passes once.

I've been trying to get more pics of the bottom of the trees, feel like that is one of those details that get overlooked most times.

Happy New Year to you also!!!

Wonderful pictures of the parade! I can't wait to make it to Disney during Christmas!

I think it could be doable (Akershus/Segway Tour) since that gives you an hour and fifteen minutes. Without little kids, I have discovered we can get out of character meals in one hour! We are going there for the first time in June....so excited!!!

Hope you make it to WDW at Christmas soon!

Happy New Year!!!

Jonas felt it was doable so the reservation stays, think we will drive over also. We have lunch at Le Cellier that day after the Segway tour, but we don't need to drink at every emal. I'll try to take lots of pics for ya.

Happy New Year!!!

Sorry, borrowed that from you.

thank you do much for sharing this last year. I feel like a stalker if I don't say anything after reading up to here and now looking for your other threads. First I want to thank you and your family for the service for this country. Second, thank you for doing just a great job writing your tr. I look forward to reading the rest of this last year. I hope to be able to do a daughter mother trip this year. (Just have to stop life from happening.) BTW you have a great looking family. Hope 2011 is the best for you. Oh and how could I forget thanks for the circus that place looks amazing will have to put it on alist of todo places.

Thank you for no longer stalking. Glad you decided to officially join, I love meeting new people through TR's.

I know how life gets in the way of trips to WDW and Dis'ing at times. Hope that mother/daughter trip works out.
I'll try to get more pics of other things to do in the area as we do them. Went to Busch Gardens the other day. It is a beautiful park.

Ok, been posting little future updates on FB, so thought I would post one here, in two weeks we will be touring the World Showcase on a Segway right now!

 

[TinksThree]

Jonas felt it was doable so the reservation stays, think we will drive over also. We have lunch at Le Cellier that day after the Segway tour, but we don't need to drink at every emal. I'll try to take lots of pics for ya.

I will forward to the pictures! We love Le Cellier. Jusst you mentioning it makes me want to go there!!
Happy New Year!!!

Sorry, borrowed that from you.

Of course I do not mind at all!!!

 

[jmskinner]

Sorry I haven't updated. Been one of those weeks, doctor appointments, trying to get house clean for DMIL's arrival next week, and just other life moments.

Hopefully I will get an update soon, still have one Christmas at WDW MTR to write about, maybe one on Busch Gardens and the Mustang show we are attending is at a little Amusement Park, so will do one on that too. Last year it was in the 30's the whole weekend, so it will be really nice for it to be in the 60's this year. Oh, and still planning a little Dismeet this Friday. It will be short though, have to drop the kiddo at school, head to WDW, and be back in time to pick the kiddo up.

Hope you are all having a great week!

 

[carissanboys]

Oh, and still planning a little Dismeet this Friday. It will be short though, have to drop the kiddo at school, head to WDW, and be back in time to pick the kiddo up.

I got to meet Melissa. I got to meet Melissa. (pretend I'm singing that) Thanks again for driving out to meet me and ride ToT with me! I had a great time.

 

[jmskinner]

I got to meet Melissa. I got to meet Melissa. (pretend I'm singing that) Thanks again for driving out to meet me and ride ToT with me! I had a great time.

It was my pleasure. Won't get to do it much longer. Had a blast on ToT with you. Jonas was jealous that he didn't get to go. He loves ToT.


Since I am on here, I promise some updates, but it will probably be another week. Scrubbing the house before the DMIL arrives. Then the hubby and me leave Saturday.

I'm a little excited. If I don't come out here anymore, hope you all have a wonderful week and a great long weekend. If you don't get a long weekend, have a great weekend!!!!

 

[carissanboys]

It was my pleasure. Won't get to do it much longer. Had a blast on ToT with you. Jonas was jealous that he didn't get to go. He loves ToT.


Since I am on here, I promise some updates, but it will probably be another week. Scrubbing the house before the DMIL arrives. Then the hubby and me leave Saturday.

I'm a little excited. If I don't come out here anymore, hope you all have a wonderful week and a great long weekend. If you don't get a long weekend, have a great weekend!!!!

The pre-MIL deep clean!

I hope you guys have a blast!

 

[natebenma]

I got to meet Melissa. I got to meet Melissa. (pretend I'm singing that) Thanks again for driving out to meet me and ride ToT with me! I had a great time.

OK, that didn't sound like singing. It was more like taunting!

Glad you guys had fun!

 

[natebenma]

Sounds like you have a lot going on this week, so if you don't make it back here before your trip...

Have a super fantastic time and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I've been a bad BFF -- haven't posted on your TR in ages!!

It was good to read the story behind the Christmas decoration pics I saw on FB...and I'm glad for Jacob getting used to his meds and doing well in school!!

Have a great time this next week...and then, it's my turn to "meet Melissa!"

 

[jmskinner]

OK, that didn't sound like singing. It was more like taunting!

Glad you guys had fun!

Had a great time with Carissa that day.

Sounds like you have a lot going on this week, so if you don't make it back here before your trip...

Have a super fantastic time and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Thank you! We had a great time.

I've been a bad BFF -- haven't posted on your TR in ages!!

It was good to read the story behind the Christmas decoration pics I saw on FB...and I'm glad for Jacob getting used to his meds and doing well in school!!

Have a great time this next week...and then, it's my turn to "meet Melissa!"

That's ok Vickie, I know you are extremely busy.

Yes, we are back from our trip. Sorry I haven't posted. The DMIL left last Thursday, which happened to be the same day I came down with something and I am still trying to get over it. Hopefully will post something tomorrow. Lots of great memories and lots and I means lots of food.

 

[jmskinner]

Since this was our anniversary trip, thought I would use the romantic color of red.

So last everyone heard, Jonas had left for Conneticut knowing a huge snow storm had just hit, about 3 feet where he went. Would he make it back in time...or would I go alone?

Well, I didn't have to go alone. He made it in about 11:00pm on Friday night. Oh, back track, remember the DMIL was coming to stay with Jacob. Well, she made it in 1:30am Friday morning. I sat up waiting for her. Friday morning, got up, took Jacob to school and then we went shopping. I was still trying to find something to wear for our Photo session and to California Grill since it was the only restaurant to mention a dress code that we were going to. I had already been to Kohls on Thurday and bought 2 dresses, and had previous purchased a couple more the previous weekend. Seems my butt suddenly grew and nothing looked good on me anymore.

But we finally found one I could live with, along with some accessories. Thought I had some shoes to go with it, so saved a little money there.

The reason I bring all this up, come Saturday morning after being up until 1:00am the last two nights I was exhausted. Jonas was the same way, but we were going. We needed to get to POFQ in time to pick up our info because we had an 11:45am lunch at LTT, then parasailing and we also had to pick up the La Nouba tickets by 6:30pm or they would put them up for grabs.

We were on the road by 9:00am, had hoped to be there by 9, but that was ok, we could still make it. Traffic wasn't too bad. Sometimes I really hate driving with Jonas on I4 and even this time I kept telling him to slow down. We did 90 a couple of times. If you haven't driven I4, it is an experience. Because even at 90, we were keeping up with the fast traffic and still getting passed. Luckily no cops were out this time.

But as you can see by this picture



we made it!

I normally am the one to check us in, but since Jonas was the one to originally make the reservation, while he did this, I tried to grab a pic of the lobby



A CM moved out of my way while I was doing this, and then asked if I would participate in a survey. Being a marketing major in college, I love surveys, as long as they aren't too long anyways. Turns out WDW is trying to determine how much money people spend above the dining plans. This is a very detailed survey, which I need to complete. Have to input data for every day of the trip (alcohol, tips, purchases etc.). But, I am suppose to get a $25 gift for completing, so I really need to get that done.

Jonas is still waiting on the CM to finish checking us in when I walk up. The CM tells him, Building 1. That's not a refurbished room. I ask and am told they don't have any. Oh well, I tried. But our room is ready so that is good news.

Since it wasn't a refurbished room, I didn't bother to take photos inside the rooms, but there are a couple of our view:




Sorry, not this best shots, but I was in a hurry when I took those.


This was taken early one morning, this is what it looked like on the walkway right outside our room


We were on the 3rd floor, in the corner room. I guess you could say this is the first room of the resort. At least we got our exercise. It was very quiet.

We managed to get all of our bags up to the room and then we were off to MK for lunch!

Was it a good idea to have lunch right before parasailing????

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Hi there! How lovely to get away just the two of you. Parasailing sounds fantatsic - can't wait to see pics of that!!!

 

[TinksThree]

An update! An update!! An update!!! I have missed your updates!!

Tough that the trip didn't begin quiet the way you had planned but you made it!! I was looking forward to seeing the renovated rooms but oh well... but you had a really nice view IMO!!!

I can't wait to hear about that parasailing! I hope the eating prior doesn't lead to an interesting story....

 

[rebecca06261]

Yay!!!


I hate cliff-hangers. I wish dad and I could have met up with you that first day but MK was soooo freaking crowded

Miss you Mel!

 

[rebecca06261]

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that I'm taking my friend Amy and her 8 yo dd to disney this weekending. Ya'll should join us!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Yay, you started it!!

That is sad about the room, but what a GREAT view!!

I would say, eat lunch prior to para-sailing.

 

[dismagiclover]

I can't wait to hear about the parasailing! That is one of the things I've always thought it would be fun to try!

 

[jmskinner]

Hi there! How lovely to get away just the two of you. Parasailing sounds fantatsic - can't wait to see pics of that!!!

Lots of pics to come and it was nice to be in my favorite place with my hubby!

An update! An update!! An update!!! I have missed your updates!!

Tough that the trip didn't begin quiet the way you had planned but you made it!! I was looking forward to seeing the renovated rooms but oh well... but you had a really nice view IMO!!!

I can't wait to hear about that parasailing! I hope the eating prior doesn't lead to an interesting story....

I'll keep them coming then.

I know, I think the whole reason I really wanted the renovated room was so I could post pics of it.

Yay!!!


I hate cliff-hangers. I wish dad and I could have met up with you that first day but MK was soooo freaking crowded

Miss you Mel!

I wish we could have met up also, but your right, it was really crowded.

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that I'm taking my friend Amy and her 8 yo dd to disney this weekending. Ya'll should join us!

Oh, I wish we could, but better stay away since I'm still trying to get over this yucky stuff.

Yay, you started it!!

That is sad about the room, but what a GREAT view!!

I would say, eat lunch prior to para-sailing.

The view was wonderful. Very peaceful, except for the boats driving through and that corner is a place where they have to honk their horn. Didn't bother me at night, but in the day time while trying to nap.

I can't wait to hear about the parasailing! That is one of the things I've always thought it would be fun to try!

Coming up!!!

 

[jmskinner]

We decided to drive over to MK. Jonas asked me which way to turn out of POFQ. Now, I knew you could get to the Contemporary, FW, WL, by turning right, so I thought you could get to the MK parking lot that way too. As soon as we came to one intersection, it hit me, we are already past the TTC parking lot entrance. Jonas complains about when I give him bad directions, but he keeps asking me for them.

Then I thought, "maybe we can park at the Contemporary since we will be parasailing there?" So we decide to give it a try. For some reason I freak out about parking at resorts at WDW. I hate getting caught doing something I shouldn't, even when it is a mistake. Jonas is a little worried also, do we be honet "We are having lunch at MK and then parasailing here, can we park here?" Or just say "We are parasailing?" Silly I know.

Jonas goes with "We are parasailing, can we park here?" The CM tells us where to park and off we go. We both talk about how we feel like we are doing something bad and then we realize the sidewalk goes right by the gate. We just kept on walking.

As we got closer, I noticed a lot of people getting off the buses, I could tell it was going to be crowded. Then its time for which security line to get in. Get in one line and see another is empty, but each time I think about it, someone is heading that way so I stay in my line, only to have a little old man push his wife's backpack ahead of mine on the other side of the table. By the time I got through the gate and found Jonas I told him that I was done being nice and was going to be just as rude as all these other people. Maybe I was just hungry.

We had some time before our ADR, so we went to see how bad the line at Space Mountain was. Wait was too long and FP return time was same time as our parasailing and we didn't want to come back to MK this day. So we skipped it.

We noticed how much Winnie the Pooh had been changed, here is a pic of the wall next to the Tea Cups, looks like part of the Castle now.




Had to get a crowd pic


I know this doesn't look too bad, but it really was crowded, or maybe everyone was in line because all the lines had long waits.

We decided to head into LTT and see about getting our table, Jonas checked us in while I found the only cushioned bench in the place empty


Can't remember if I have posted this, but I have been having problems with foot pain, turns out it is Plantar Fasciitis, and my feet were already bothering.

Wasn't long before we were seated and got our food ordered. I kept every receipt this trip, so I know what we ordered (I pulled the pricing off of a website because my receipts are zeroed out due to the dining plan).

I had the Declaration Salad $5.99, Pan Seared King Salmon cakes $17.99, and Raspberry Sorbet $4.99

Jonas had the Strawberry Salad $5.99, New England Pot Roast $17.99, and also the Sorbet $4.99. We both had tea as our drinks.

Total: $57.94 w/o drinks and tax and we tipped $12.46

I got a few pics, salad:


My Salmon Cakes:


I think Jonas got pics with his phone, but I forgot to download them. We enjoyed the food and I couldn't finish any of my plates. We knew we were in trouble with all the food to come. I will say, we recommend this restaurant!

And I have to tell you, we kept having funny little things happen with restrooms and little kids. Jonas went to the restroom there in LTT, it is upstairs and the mens and womens are across from each other. As he heads upstairs, this little girl stops him and says "You can't go in the girls bathroom." He just laughed and said "I didn't plan too."

Side story here, a few months back we were at a restaurant eating and Jonas went to the men's room. He is in there doing his business, and he starts hearing singing behind him. He turns to see a little girl coming out of the stall pulling her pants up. Luckily she didn't see anything, but he was afraid the whole meal her Daddy would come looking for the guy in the "girls" bathroom. We can laugh, but it was a little scary that no parent went with her to make sure she found the right one.

Ok, back to the TR. We headed back to the Contemporary, with a quick stop at the car for jackets. It was a very pretty day, but knew it would be a little chilly up in the air.



We had some time to kill, so we explored the Contemporary a little bit.






I know everyone wants to hear about the parasailing so I will continue in the next post.

 

[jmskinner]

I guess I was getting excited because I wanted to check-in for our parasailing. I had called from the car on the way to the Contemporary to make sure we were still on, and make sure we had what we needed. The guy that answered the phone was all hyped up and ready to go, getting me excited.

We figured out where to check-in and waited...waited...waited some more. We could hear someone speaking. After about 10 minutes, this little guy pokes his head out and then quickly apologizes.

Now while we are waiting we read the sign. 450 feet. And 320 lb max weight. I start adding up our weights. We just meet it, and I start to worry. Should we go single???? Jonas assures me we are fine, but now I am really starting to get nervous. We are asked about a photo package for $25 and decide to do it. Who knows if we will ever parasail again. And we knew Jonas' mother would just love these pics since she told us we were crazy.

Now time for more waiting, we watched as two more groups walked up. Yea, we are the oldest. Hopefully they thought we were old folks.

Took some pics while waiting:


The boat:


Here's what it looked like when the first couple went up:


And here we are taking off


We ended up being the last couple. Now, remember I said 450ft, what I didn't realize was purchasing that photo package, bumped us up to Deluxe. 600 FEET!!!



Can you tell I was hanging on for dear life. My forearms started hurting and Jonas told me to let go. I did and started pointing stuff out. I was so glad we went tandum, because we had a nice, relaxing time chatting and pointing out different things.

The scary part was on the turns they would slow down and we would lower. I kept thinking, we are going in that cold, nasty water. We never did, but if you think about the size of that lake and we were in the air 10-12 minutes, thats a lot of turns and drops. Going back up sure was fun though.



This is on a turn


And when at the max height




They had told us before going up that on the descent, the person in the back should lean one way and we both put our arms out for great pics, here we are giving this a try




And do I look like an old lady with my brown socks on?

We thought of "jazz hands", just as he snapped the last pic, but it came out blurry.

We had two girls that did it, 18-20 year olds, one of them said it was terrifying. I remember being freaked out because I couldn't feel the harness beneath me before take off and I was scared it wasn't there. But I really did enjoy it. Sadly, no pics from the sky, Jonas forgot his camera and didn't let me take the good one up. Guess we may have to do it again sometime.

So, a tandum parasail is normally $170, but with the photo package, we were bumped up to the deluxe which is $195, we paid $25 for the photo package out of pocket over the premium plan. And that photo package was a good deal, they took over 100 photos and gave us a 1GB card to keep. Good to keep around for emergency's when I fill one up.

So parasailing at WDW through Sammy Duvall's WaterSports: Recommend it!!!!