Baby and the Tramp...and a Pop (half) Century! Where Did It Go???

[MeMom]

Let me echo that sentiment. I continue to be amazed at my love for Disney. I find such incredible wonder and delight in walking those streets and soaking in the sights, sounds and experiences at Disney. There is a seam in the sidewalk I step over every time I walk though the train station and enter Main Street that makes me believe in magic and pixie dust and fairies every time. I know I've entered another world, a world of fantasy and make-believe. And, even as a 52 year old man, I revel in the sheer joy that floods over me. Give me an annual pass and 3-4 trips in October through February every year and I'd be a happy guy. Sadly, my wife doesn't get it either. Oh well, I'll keep working on her.

19 days!!!

That's looking good to us!

GorshGoofy - I know what you mean about that magical seam, and I'm right there with you in age. Those October to February trips seem better and better as I make my preparations to go and burn up down there in a few weeks. It has already been so hot here, and thinking about standing in lines in the heat this summer definitely make me appreciate those October, November, December, and March trips when the weather was just great!

I'm sorry your wife doesn't share in your Disney fun, though, because I know that would make it that much more awesome for you. Just keep opening doors for her to go, and maybe that perfect moment will come when she will just finally fall in love with it. Then it will be even more special than ever as you share it in your 'golden years'.

jacobsmom00 - Don't the goodies look so....gooooood?!??! Kristi likes the rice krispy treats, so we usually bring her one of those. The small version, though - not the big gigantic Mickey heads!

TCKK - You are fortunate that your husband shares your love for Disney. I wish my boys liked it more. I mean, they like it once they get there, but they're not always looking for an excuse to go like I am. We just all have to appreciate the others' interests, even though we don't understand them. Drew can stand in an aisle full of fish hooks and poles and reels and bait for an hour, and I sure don't get that! Trent works out two to three hours a day at the gym, five days a week, after working all day. As much as I need to get that....no way!!! I'm lucky that I have Jill to share my Disney fanaticism with, and we're training Brooklynn up right, too!

punkin413 - I'm glad you got to talk Disney with your friends. One of my teacher friends called me yesterday to help her plan. She's going with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandson in July. They're going to Savannah, GA for a day, then down to St. Augustine to stay the rest of the time. They're doing one day at Magic Kingdom, so I am writing down how I think they can best maximize their time in that one day. I enjoyed writing it all down, thinking about how much Eli (4) will enjoy it, but it made me realize more than ever the joys of being able to stay longer, use EMH, park hop, and such.

micandminforever - The power of sweet suggestion was too much for me. I ended up going to get a bowl of brownie cheesecake ice cream after I looked at the pictures a few times!

SnoopyDancer - I do hope you will have time to see the little things next time around. I see new things every time I go, because there is so much to see! Jill makes fun of me for taking pictures from the weirdest places, but then she enjoys looking at them when we get home. She admitted that the last time she was here, too. She said she thought it was quite humorous to see me down on the ground taking a picture of a crack in the sidewalk (no, I don't really do that...but I might take it under consideration if I find an interesting one), but that I really did end up getting some pretty cool pictures.

I'm afraid of being disappointed in the ones this summer, because the camera I have now is not as good as Drew's old one. I don't know why he sold that one. I need to go choke him.

declansdad - I didn't mean to leave you guys out; I just didn't know if you'd like all the frills. But, now that you're with us, go back and tell me what your thoughts are on that first purse, 'cause I thought it was pretty cute. I will work on making our virtual shopping experience a little less blurry this time around.

Just like a man, though - brought to a stop by the FOOD!

 

[MeMom]

I've never tried Casey's and it looks yummy! I love a good ol' fashioned hotdog so we'll have to try this on our next trip I think. I've only been once and still don't get the "been there, done that" attitude either. I'd like to go multiple times for the rest of my life if I had my way.

I think I was typing over the top of you. We like to get a spot for one of the parades and eat our Casey's while waiting. I'm not much on hot dogs. I don't eat them at home, but there's something very different about a Disney dawg!

I'm sure there will be numerous trips in your future. Your kids are all at good ages to go and really be in love with it. Someday maybe we'll be down there at the same time and we can meet up. I'd love to see your kids' eyes light up as they chomp down on a big old Casey's hot dog and spot SpectroMagic coming down the street!

I hope that November 2009 trip really happens for you. Let us know your dates when you decide for sure, and we'll see if they coincide with anything we can do. Unfortunately, our 2009 schedule has us going back to the three day Thanksgiving holiday instead of a full week like we got last year and will get this year. That's why it was important to me that we take the opportunity to go this Thanksgiving.

 

[declansdad]

declansdad - I didn't mean to leave you guys out; I just didn't know if you'd like all the frills. But, now that you're with us, go back and tell me what your thoughts are on that first purse, 'casue I thought it was pretty cute. I will work on making our virtual shopping experience a little less blurry this time around.

Just like a man, though - brought to a stop by the FOOD!

I thought it was a little busy. It should lose the lock.

 

[Nicole786]

I can't go enough times to make me say "I'm good." and throw in the towel, you're right about the magic of Main Street -- even now, I can't help but dream about extending my trip for another day even though I know i'll be back there probably in December and for sure in May! (for the cruise)

I love the food porn pictures!! And I loooove Casey's! Except I can never find a seat inside and I am done eating outsides with the ducks, so I hope this time we'll find an empty seat or two.

That empty seat is really tempting, but I don't think I can go It's my parents anniversary weekend and David and I will be busy planning the surprise! (it's real elaborate with pirates treasure and a hunt! I can't wait to show you) plus I'll probably have to work thanks for keeping the offer open!

 

[declansdad]

MeMom I'm disappointed. YOu ask for my opinion and I give it and you run over to our PT and tell on me.

I'm comfortable enough in my masculinity that I can make comments like that.

 

[MeMom]

MeMom I'm disappointed. YOu ask for my opinion and I give it and you run over to our PT and tell on me.

I'm comfortable enough in my masculinity that I can make comments like that.

Oh, okay then. You can just be one of the girls. I mean, one of the gang. We'll make it generic.
I did ask, didn't I? And I should have invited you guys to come along shopping with us, I guess.

I'll have to take the computer to Disney World and put up pictures of stuff I'm contemplating buying and let you weigh in.

Ma said she signed Declan up for that Science camp. I think he will have a great time at that. How's his hockey going?

 

[MeMom]

I can't go enough times to make me say "I'm good." and throw in the towel, you're right about the magic of Main Street -- even now, I can't help but dream about extending my trip for another day even though I know i'll be back there probably in December and for sure in May! (for the cruise)

I love the food porn pictures!! And I loooove Casey's! Except I can never find a seat inside and I am done eating outsides with the ducks, so I hope this time we'll find an empty seat or two.

That empty seat is really tempting, but I don't think I can go It's my parents anniversary weekend and David and I will be busy planning the surprise! (it's real elaborate with pirates treasure and a hunt! I can't wait to show you) plus I'll probably have to work thanks for keeping the offer open!

That's too bad that we're not coming on one of your free weekends. I know you'll be planning an awesome day for you parents! They will love it, and we will want to hear all about it, of course.

 

[declansdad]

Oh, okay then. You can just be one of the girls. I mean, one of the gang. We'll make it generic.
I did ask, didn't I? And I should have invited you guys to come along shopping with us, I guess.

I'll have to take the computer to Disney World and put up pictures of stuff I'm contemplating buying and let you weigh in.

Ma said she signed Declan up for that Science camp. I think he will have a great time at that. How's his hockey going?

LOL, I'll do the shopping but don't be surprised if at some point I wander off and maybe sit on a bench somewhere.

Last lesson for hockey was today. He did pretty good for just starting to skate. Of course, right now he is saying he doesn't want to play in the fall but we're sure that will change. Soccer starts Tuesday night.

 

[hlrababy]

I love the count down calendar!!!

The rice krispy treats look sooooo good!!!!! Yummmmmm!!!

Ya'll have the cutest Disney themed parties ever!

 

[MeMom]

LOL, I'll do the shopping but don't be surprised if at some point I wander off and maybe sit on a bench somewhere.

Last lesson for hockey was today. He did pretty good for just starting to skate. Of course, right now he is saying he doesn't want to play in the fall but we're sure that will change. Soccer starts Tuesday night.

Has he ever played soccer?

Both my boys played. (That's actually where Trent got hurt and almost didn't make it, but that was a one in a million accident that would never happen again.) I had always been used to basketball, but soccer grew on me. I'm not sure I ever really understood all the penalties in that game, though, like who couldn't run in front of who and such. Trent ended up being MVP and making the All-District and All-Region teams, so he had a lot of fun with it.

I think it's a great game for young kids. Most all of my third graders love to play. If he decides he likes soccer more than hockey, there are soccer leagues going on pretty much all year. The boys played indoor soccer, too, in between seasons. The coaches liked to keep the teams active. I'll be anxious to hear if he enjoys it, because it seems to be growing in a big way.

 

[MeMom]

I love the count down calendar!!!

The rice krispy treats look sooooo good!!!!! Yummmmmm!!!

Ya'll have the cutest Disney themed parties ever!

Jill said Brooklynn gets up first thing every morning now ready to open the new window on the calendar.

The goodies do look good, don't they? The displays are very tempting.

We have fun with the parties. They're not so much parties as just us acting silly and having fun meals. We wanted to have a Pop Century party, but I don't know if we'll get to or not. Kristi just left today for Europe, and we only have two weekends left before we leave!!!

 

[declansdad]

Has he ever played soccer?

Both my boys played. (That's actually where Trent got hurt and almost didn't make it, but that was a one in a million accident that would never happen again.) I had always been used to basketball, but soccer grew on me. I'm not sure I ever really understood all the penalties in that game, though, like who couldn't run in front of who and such. Trent ended up being MVP and making the All-District and All-Region teams, so he had a lot of fun with it.

I think it's a great game for young kids. Most all of my third graders love to play. If he decides he likes soccer more than hockey, there are soccer leagues going on pretty much all year. The boys played indoor soccer, too, in between seasons. The coaches liked to keep the teams active. I'll be anxious to hear if he enjoys it, because it seems to be growing in a big way.

Yup, this will be his third year. Soccer and swimming have been the two sports he has been doing the longest. I take him to volleyball practices with me but he hasn't shown much interest in that one yet. Except for one weekend when he travelled with us and sat on the bench. I think he thought he was the coach.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

Jill, Sully is sooo cute!! I think the Disney Store we go to is closing also, I live in RI, so we go to the Mall in Waterford CT. right over the RI/CT line...I am going in October for a long weekend. but its later than your family is going..Staying at POP. I wish we could`ve been able to meet..
I noticed you went back to work. Did you go back to A Day Care or Pre-school setting? I worked in Day Care for a long time as a Aide,,loved it! might go back in Sept after Annie goes to K. (My last of 3)
I loved the countdown calander also!!!

I am back teaching preschool. I have the 3 and 4 year olds. I only work 4 days a week and I have no pressure. I love it!

 

[LastLookAtTheCastle]

Yay! We love having new readers along! I hope you'll make yourself at home here, along with all of our old faithful pals.

It's hard for me to explain how I feel about family. I came from an uninvolved and unaffectionate family as I grew up, but I was the total opposite in raising my own kids. They mean the world to me, and Brooklynn just adds to the joy. Being around her is so much like doing it all over with Jill, because so many of the things she does remind me of things her mommy did.

I'm so glad to be here!

Again, you sound so much like my mom. She vowed when she had kids that she would create a family, not just have kids. We both love watching my kids experience the magic of Disney.

 

[GorshGoofy]

GorshGoofy - I know what you mean about that magical seam, and I'm right there with you in age. Those October to February trips seem better and better as I make my preparations to go and burn up down there in a few weeks. It has already been so hot here, and thinking about standing in lines in the heat this summer definitely make me appreciate those October, November, December, and March trips when the weather was just great!

I'm sorry your wife doesn't share in your Disney fun, though, because I know that would make it that much more awesome for you. Just keep opening doors for her to go, and maybe that perfect moment will come when she will just finally fall in love with it. Then it will be even more special than ever as you share it in your 'golden years'.


declansdad - I didn't mean to leave you guys out; I just didn't know if you'd like all the frills. But, now that you're with us, go back and tell me what your thoughts are on that first purse, 'cause I thought it was pretty cute. I will work on making our virtual shopping experience a little less blurry this time around.

Just like a man, though - brought to a stop by the FOOD!

Hey MeMom! Thanks for the encouragement! I will keep opening those doors for her.

For me there is a magical seam in the concrete, just as you walk out of the MK train station into the Main Street Courtyard and see the castle for the first time. I take that step as a ritual ... once I step over that line I'm home!! It's like passing through a barrier ... on one side I can feel the tingle of pixie dust and magic but once I pass the barrier marked by that seam in the concrete I'm immersed in pixie dust and magic. I'll have to think about where those barriers might be in the other parks.

I'll have to stand with declansdad ... Food!?! Or course we stop for food! Pictures of food run a close second!!! However, it is with the deepest chagrin that I am forced to admit that I have never eaten at Casey's. I'll have to book a trip just to have that experience!!

 

[declansdad]

I'll have to stand with declansdad ... Food!?! Or course we stop for food! Pictures of food run a close second!!!

Amen Brother!!

 

[VandyFan10]

I just got a phone call from Glendamax. She's in line at Buzz Lightyear. She says it is sooooo hot and there are soooo many people there. She said it just like that, so I believe her!

MeMom or Jill: you guys have to call me when you are riding through HM!!!! I have to hear Grim-Grinning Ghost!!!!! You can just leave it on my voice mail if I don't answer

Glad you heard from Glenda.....I'm hopingwe might meet up with her in Sept!!!

18(??) DAYS for you!!!!!

 

[MeMom]

18 days, 1 hour, and 13 minutes is what the counter is saying right now!

Just to make it a little more exciting this morning, I'm adding a couple of pictures from last summer.

We'll soon be riding the good old Magical Express bus up to this sign,

where we'll be happily greeted by our old friends, the Potato Heads.

We've talked about getting Potato Head parts on the last few trips, and since Brooklynn has sort of figured out what you do with them now (well, except for that whole putting the ear where the hat belongs thing), I think this will be the trip where we start our collection. I happen to have four generic Potato Heads, bought out here in the real world, so I think I'll pack two of them to take with us.

Now, who said to themselves, why does MeMom have four Potato Heads?

#1 was from years ago, but it was in a box in the attic.

#2 was purchased for last year's Pop Century send off party, because even though I knew there was one in the attic, I was too lazy to go up there and try to remember which box it was in.

#3 was bought so we could have two for the trip - for the "family reunion" with the giant Potato Heads.

#4 (and the final Potato Head to be bought, I told myself) was bought because I was at Target in the toy aisle, planning for the Toy Story Mania party, and I couldn't recall off the top of my head what I had done with the other two Potato Heads that were not in the attic. Since I was still not wanting to go up into attic, and I didn't want to make another trip back to Target, I bought another one! Luckily, they're only five bucks.

Now, all four members of the Potato family are in ONE spot in plain sight in the back/Disney/closet room.

I have dubbed them Spud, Mash, Julienne, and Fry. They sit quietly each day, anxiously awaiting the decision on which two will be making the trip.

Now that you know more than you ever wanted to know about the Potato Heads, I bid you all a good Tuesday!

VandyFan10 - We'll give the Haunted Mansion ride a try. I tried to call Jill and let her 'ride' Soarin' with me on the one trip she didn't get to go on, but I couldn't get a signal.
If it doesn't work, we'll at least take a special picture there and dedicate it just to you!

 

[Kristina]

Hi MeMom! I just want to say how much I love your reports , they really make me feel like I'm back home at Disney even though I am so very far away. I'm not sure when I will be able to get back to the World however and it's killing me. You see me and my DBF Kev are separating and he is moving back to the UK for a while while we see how things go. While I'm an American from CA we live in Sweden and he's had a rough time of it so, yeah, we will have to see how it goes being apart. Very personal I know but I feel safe in sharing it here with you in your thread. Anyway, he's my DRP (dear ride partner) and it may seem trivial to people outside of the Disney way of thinking but besides everything else, I'm a bit lost without him to visit with.

So now until I'm ready to do a solo trip I am going to continue to visit the world in your fine trip report. Makes me happy so thank you! We always stayed at the Pop and I love that place to bits so I can't wait for your next trip. I love your shopping pictures, if it's not to much trouble do you think you or Jill could take a few of what's for sale now at the Everything Pop gift shop? Thanks a bunch !

 

[punkin413]

VandyFan10 - We'll give the Haunted Mansion ride a try. I tried to call Jill and let her 'ride' Soarin' with me on the one trip she didn't get to go on, but I couldn't get a signal.
If it doesn't work, we'll at least take a special picture there and dedicate it just to you!

i know some people think it's silly to call others during rides or concerts to let them hear everything, but it really is cool to be on the other end of the phone! once my sister called me during my favorite song at a killers concert and i was dancing around the kitchen and singing! and then last year she called me when she and her boyfriend were on ToT and i put it on speaker so ray could listen too - it was hilarious to hear all those people screaming!