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

[SimmerBaggins]

Awww...poor Bubblegum!

Saying a prayer for you and your house. I'm curious what you heard at the Space Center, with the Space Shuttle program ending.

I like your picture of the HM ghost-woman -- it IS spooky!!

 

[natebenma]

Thanks for updating us on your move.

Hope things go well from here on in.

Glad to hear you saw and loved the DHP2! We finally saw it on Tuesday. WOW!!!

A fitting finale to a spectacular series!

 

[jmskinner]

Awww...poor Bubblegum!

Saying a prayer for you and your house. I'm curious what you heard at the Space Center, with the Space Shuttle program ending.

I like your picture of the HM ghost-woman -- it IS spooky!!

I need to call and check on Bubblegum, she looked so broken.

There is still a lot going on with the Space program and I realized that the same thing occured after the Apollo missions, they stopped the program and many years before the shuttle program stopped. And satellites will still be going up.

Thanks for updating us on your move.

Hope things go well from here on in.

Glad to hear you saw and loved the DHP2! We finally saw it on Tuesday. WOW!!!

A fitting finale to a spectacular series!

It really was a great ending to the series. I cried at the very end.

 

[TinksThree]

Hi! Just checking in since it has been a while! I am sure you have not been busy one little bit!!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Hey!

As always I have loved all your pictures! You have a real talent there. I can't believe you are moving already. It seems like you only moved to Florida recently. Although there are hiccups I hope the rest of the move goes really well. Where are you moving to? I am assuming SC means South Carolina but I could be very wrong!!!!!

Here's hoping you get settled very soon!
Lx

 

[jmskinner]

Hi! Just checking in since it has been a while! I am sure you have not been busy one little bit!!

Thank you for checking up on me, been busy and not really in a Dis mood. Guess it is the withdrawals. I'm put a little move update below.

Hey!

As always I have loved all your pictures! You have a real talent there. I can't believe you are moving already. It seems like you only moved to Florida recently. Although there are hiccups I hope the rest of the move goes really well. Where are you moving to? I am assuming SC means South Carolina but I could be very wrong!!!!!

Here's hoping you get settled very soon!
Lx

Thanks Lx! I'll have to check out your pre-Tr. Sure wish I could still be in FL to try to meet ya this time. We are hoping for August of next year. And we are in the suburbs of Washington, DC. We ended up in Virginia in the small community of Round Hill. Don't even have a grocery store, have to go to the next town for that, but only 3 miles away.

I am so sorry I have not posted in so long. As stated above, haven't been in much of a Dis mood. Don't really like doing updates on the laptop and we only recently got the office in a functioning way so I could use my desktop, which is now about to die. More money out the door. We closed on the house August 4th, very surprising. Guess our realtor annoyed the banks realtor enough to get the AC fixed and they have worked well.

We painted our you-know-what's off before the furniture arrived on the 11th. Got 4 rooms painted, had a painter come in and do the 23 foot wall in our family room. Very nice man who kept looking up at the ceiling every time he came off the ladder, but never looked down once on it.

We had to go 5 days without a refrigerator. When we found that out, I wanted to go to another store, but the DH said we would just stick with that one. Only a man would be willing to do, by the look on every woman's face we told that to.

Movers were due to arrive that Thursday, the 11th, when they didn't show up we called and found out that the truck had broke down. They wanted to put it off until Monday and DH freaked. So they loaded a Uhaul with some stuff, including a mattress for us. We had thrown out the air mattress that morning when it realized it was no longer needed and off'd itself by springing a leak.

Everything else arrived the next day, well I say everything. When finishing up the little checklist, several item numbers were missing and the guy said he remembered seeing them. Then I realized my trashcan was missing. I know the guys thought I was nuts, but it was a Simplehuman, stainless steel $90 trashcan. We then thought maybe it was placed in a box, so we let them go. The next day DH realized one of his plastic lockers with his stuff was missing. Then I realized a large tub of mine with my Boyds bears was missing. We grabbed the checklist and realized 9 40 gallon plastic tubs were missing. At least 3 had my Bears, in their original boxes and they were all the ones that cost $60 and more. Jonas has determined he is missing about $2500 in his figures, and some were made out of lead and can not be replaced since they don't use lead anymore. Jacob has realized some of his toys are missing.

Found many broken things including an antique table, all of our living tables and end tables are messed up. And my guest bed makes me just shake my head in disbelief. When they carried it in, we noticed one piece was broken off. We figured it was fixable. Well, Jonas goes out in the ally and finds one of the bolts to that bed and it was bent. Now, the movers were not allowed in the ally and the guest bedroom overlooks the ally. So we think the guy trying to put it together gave up on the bent bolt and chunked it out the window, which meant he had to remove the screen to do so.

Oh well, we have a home to live in. Jacob is in school and it seems to be working really well and they are working well with him.

Ok, if anyone is still here after all of that, I will do an update.

 

[jmskinner]

Ok, I promised an update on Flights of Fantasy, but I just realized I haven't uploaded those photos to Smugmug, I'll let the computer work its magic tonight on that. I promised an update and I am following through on that promise with a continuation of my fun being an unofficial tour guide to my friend Marcia and her boys. Guess Jacob was one too.

Since we had already done Epcot and MK, that left DHS and AK to see. Since AK can usually be done in less than a day, I planned an early arrival to DHS, another stay at Pop since it worked so well previously and then AK the next day when we had to leave for home that day.

We were at DHS in time for opening. Now usually I will run and get FP's for TSMM, but decided I wouldn't do so in that craziness, and I told Marcia, her and the boys would want to ride two times anyways since it is that much fun. Plus, they had to see Mr. Potatohead.





Once we were off the ride, and had FP's to ride again, we headed this way






I so love watching newbies on rides and this was a great one. Evan (Marcia's youngest) didn't look too sure after riding, but he did enjoy it.

Jacob didn't ride it, I let him take the chickenout elevator and wait on us.

Next we took a limo ride with these guys




Here's me


Jacob actually rode this with Bryce. He still doesn't like it though.

Now, Evan had studied the maps of the parks and wanted to ride TGMR. It was a pleasant surprise to get to stop here




I explained to Marcia that this was only my 2nd time to see the cowboy scene and how she must be good luck.

I am never happy with the pic I get of Dorothy and the gang




I'm sure you are wondering why we took a pic of this squirrel. It posed like that for us. Evan spotted it, the rest of us had all passed it and he hollered to look at it. It stayed long enough for us to walk back, talk about how it seemed odd for him to stop on the side of the tree like that, and finally we took pics. I think he was still like that as we walked off.



Not very often you see this area empty






I was totally shocked to see Mater out and about, didn't know they did this anymore.


Ok, will update this soon. I promise. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

 

[natebenma]

Glad to see you posting again, good to hear you are settled in but WOW- what a horrible moving experience! I am sick for your losses!

That just s*cks!

Now off to read your update.

 

[natebenma]

Great update at HS. What did your friends think of TSM?

So cool that you got the cowboy scene! We got that the last time we rode.

Didn't know Mater ever came out of the garage meet and greet area. Neat!

 

[jmskinner]

Glad to see you posting again, good to hear you are settled in but WOW- what a horrible moving experience! I am sick for your losses!

That just s*cks!

Now off to read your update.

I guess we have been very lucky in the past. Don't know why this one had to be so horrible though.

Great update at HS. What did your friends think of TSM?

So cool that you got the cowboy scene! We got that the last time we rode.

Didn't know Mater ever came out of the garage meet and greet area. Neat!

Oh, they really liked it. I didn't know Mater ever came out either, I tried to get video but my phone takes horrible video.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I knew about your loss during the move, but you really described it pretty well here -- wow. How depressing it must have been (and enraging)! It makes me second-guess wanting to ever move again.

I was really surprised when you said Jacob rode RnRC! Was it the thought of riding it with the other boy?

And I still have NEVER gotten the cowboy, and didn't even know he existed until a couple of years ago...!!

 

[jmskinner]

I knew about your loss during the move, but you really described it pretty well here -- wow. How depressing it must have been (and enraging)! It makes me second-guess wanting to ever move again.

I was really surprised when you said Jacob rode RnRC! Was it the thought of riding it with the other boy?

And I still have NEVER gotten the cowboy, and didn't even know he existed until a couple of years ago...!!

I feel the same way about moving now, before it never bothered me since we had been so lucky not to have anything lost or broken.

Sometimes Jacob surprises me and will ride. I think having the other boys there helped, but not enough for ToT.

Hopefully this next trip you will get to see the Cowboy. Funny thing is, I have even seen him in costume walking the park. Remember thinking "that is exactly why the MK has the utilidor system." It was strange to see him out.

 

[jmskinner]

Ok, really need to move this along. Sorry I keep going MIA.

I knew the boys would love the HISTK playground. It really is a cool place, but can get a little crowded.



As we came out of the playground, Mater was heading back in for a break.


If I remember correctly, he was playing "Born to be Wild" on his radio. Tried to get video with my phone but it didn't come out too well.

After this it was time for the LMA Stunt Show. I knew the boys would like this and they did:












After the show Jacob wanted to show the boys the umbrella. He loves that umbrella and is only something we found after to moving to Florida.



Next we headed for the backlot tour. This one lady whipped her family in line in front of us and Marcia and I both were a little ticked. Especially when they made it through and we had to wait for the next show. The CM's started talking to us and trying to get us volunteer for the show. Well I knew what was involved and no way was I going to do it. Marcia wouldn't leave her boys, and they all started in on me, so I became an actor for a few minutes. And of course which part did I get:















Thank you for Jacob for the pics.

I could not believe I had to do that, but what a great memory. I went back, took the gear off and met up with my party.

We then took the rest of the tour, which I hadn't heard that they had changed it so you weren't going onto a live set. I thought that was a much better storyline. Corny, but a better story line.

Got pics of the split Herbie


After this we used our FP's for TSMM. The way to get a really high score is to ride by yourself, that way you aren't sharing points with the person in the other car.

We decided to take a break and head to the hotel after this. Would we get the same building at POP as last time?

 

[dismagiclover]

I have never actually seen LMA. The times are always so limited and have never worked for us. I love that you got to be in the Backlot tour! Awesome pictures of your big moment

 

[natebenma]

That is really cool (and wet) that you got to star in the Backlot show! A little karma for being cut off. Jacob did take some great pictures of you!

We have only done the HISTK playground a couple of times. Like you said, crowded. And HOT!

Bet everyone loved TSMM.

 

[jmskinner]

I have never actually seen LMA. The times are always so limited and have never worked for us. I love that you got to be in the Backlot tour! Awesome pictures of your big moment

You have got to see LMA sometime, it is a very good show. Isn't Mater in it now?

I'm not one to do things like that so it was a big moment.

That is really cool (and wet) that you got to star in the Backlot show! A little karma for being cut off. Jacob did take some great pictures of you!

We have only done the HISTK playground a couple of times. Like you said, crowded. And HOT!

Bet everyone loved TSMM.

They did love TSMM. I didn't think it was cool about being in the Backlot show, but now look at it as a great memory.

Wish they would make the HISTK playground bigger. Could be an amazing place...wouldn't that be a better area than Avatar?

 

[jmskinner]

We were ready for a break and headed to Pop! I asked Marcia to take some pics for me since I was driving








She did a great job, even took a pic of the guard


We got checked in, which I was a little nervous about because the previous time, both rooms were in my name and I had used the military discount. This time I had used the AP discount and I was worried they would expect Marcia to have one also, but everything was fine.

I really think that this is the best themed resort




My Mom has this phone


Not this big, but it does have the rotary dial just like this one.

We rested for a few moments and then headed to the pool. No pics this time because I didn't take my camera since Marcia and I planned on swimming too. But not until we had a drink and I lucked out on mine. Ordered a margarita and once the bartender poured mine, he noticed there was only a shot left in the bottle and poured it into my cup. That was the strongest Margarita of my life, couldn't taste the Margarita in it. Boy was I buzzed, glad there would be no more driving for the day and I had another adult with me.

I love finding others staying at the resorts






After awhile we were well rested and ready for another go at DHS, while we waited at the bus, saw this MH


If there is something to climb, my boy will climb it


I always tell him to get down, but not until I take a pic

Jacob likes the back of the bus because the seats are warm





Sorry I haven't updated in a couple of weeks. Been busy working on the house and then two weeks ago I finally got an Iphone and spent that Friday night trying to figure it out, only to realize my poor ol desktop just can't handle it. Actually there isn't much it can handle anymore, so a new one will be coming my way. Hopefully I get this moving more quickly because I hope to have a new ticker soon.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[natebenma]

If there is something to climb, my boy will climb it


I always tell him to get down, but not until I take a pic

I'm the same way!!! Gotta document everything!!!

What a nice break at the resort. We have never stayed at POP but it looks like a really fun place to explore!

Can't wait to hear about your visit back to DHS, but I am even more excited about the tease for the new ticker! Yeah!!!

 

[jmskinner]

I'm the same way!!! Gotta document everything!!!

What a nice break at the resort. We have never stayed at POP but it looks like a really fun place to explore!

Can't wait to hear about your visit back to DHS, but I am even more excited about the tease for the new ticker! Yeah!!!

No more teasing, new ticker is up and running!

So much has changed since that last post. Took a part time position at Kohls. My family and friends all laughed when they heard about this, "Why would you do that? You might as well sign your check over!" So far I have. But it really helped out since we needed a lot of winter gear after living in FL for 3 years. I worked a lot of crazy hours over Christmas, including 13 hours on Black Friday. I sure was tired when I got home, but it was so much fun watching people come in at Midnight. Cracked me up that the first two in the door were a couple of senior citizens. My pt position was also suppose to be seasonal, but they have asked me to stay on, so I am super excited about that. No hours this week, but the following week I do have some so I figure this week I will clean house, do a little more painting, and Dis!

Oh, and I have a new computer. Top of the line and shouldn't fail me. Even purchased Adobe Lightroom, so hopefully some amazing pics will follow.

If you notice my ticker, we have a trip planned for August. Now, I know this TR was going to be my last year in FL, but I just haven't kept it moving very well, I apologize for that. I am thinking that I will finish the trip with Marcia and her boys and will start a PTR for our trip in August. I am going to put our last trip as Florida residents in the PTR if anyone wants to follow along. But for now, lets continue this last little bit with Marcia.

 

[jmskinner]

We made it back to DHS after our little rest at POP, first stop was a bathroom stop. So love how our body changes as we get older, and all I use to worry about was the wrinkles.

On the way to the Indiana Stunt Show, we saw this family stopping for a bite to eat:


Marcia's younger son was all excited to see this show. None of my photos came out very well though.

From there we wandered around into Tattoine, since Star Tours was still down.

I love these caps:


From there we had FP's for RnRC from earlier in the day to burn, so we rode it. Surprisingly, so did Jacob.




After this we headed back to the room to prepare for AK the next day.

Of course we started it with a safari tour, was this bird seriously taking on the Rhino


These guys always seem to be a little camera shy, hiding under the water


I have watched this guy since he was just a little one, he has gotten so big now


I managed to get a few photos here because a rhino decided to walk in front of our vehicle at this point. In fact, it was this one



It is so difficult to get pics on the safari because of the way the vehicle bounces you around and we were in the very last row, and that seems to be the bounciest. If you have back problems, I would ask for a row closer because you get some air riding in that last one. (I have no idea why part of this is underlined and blue?)

Do you see the lion?
[url=http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/WDW/WDW-with-Marcia-and-the-boys/16270108_FqdzcK#!i=1295555833&k=Xz3Dn5Z&lb=1&s=A]

After the safari we took the trail behind it. I can never remember the name of the trails, but Jacob enjoys looking at all the birds and I love the gorillas on this one.

The Hippos weren't close enough for a pic this day, but these ducks were having a blast swimming back-and-forth across the window.


And one of the gorillas was right up front


And anyone who reads my TR's knows there is always an animal butt in them:


I will finish this up this week.
[/url]