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

[twob4him]

Welcome Home Memom!

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

We are safe and sound at home. Trent called us Friday night and we didn't hear our phones so by the time we got to Perry I had like 27 missed calls. He had been watching the SEC tournament and wanted to make sure we were okay. We arrived in Perry around 10:00 slept for a few hours and we were back on the road at 4:00 am. I'm on my way back to AL now. We had a great trip and got some great pictures.

 

[pooksma]

Glad to know all is well. Thanks for posting

 

[MeMom]

i think they were stopping in perry, georgia to spend the night and that's south of macon, so they should've avoided the storms. and knowing her, the got up at the crack of dawn this morning to head out. they should've missed all the action (i hope)!

True on both counts. We did avoid the storms, but traffic was very heavy around Atlanta, so I'm guessing some of that was storm related. We were up before the crack of dawn. We left at about 4:00 a.m.


Drew is going to work on getting all these pictures loaded for me today, so I'll be able to share soon. I have a ton of housework to do. After Jill and Brooklynn left this morning and my friend's daughter came to pick her up, I went on a scrubbing spree. Boys just don't clean house the way moms do, and even though it was fair, it wasn't great, so it needed a little TLC. My cat was glad to see me back. He has followed me everywhere I have moved.

I'll be suffering withdrawal for a few days now.

When I heard the trash truck this morning, it sounded just like a Disney bus, so it made me think of all the people standing at bus stops this morning waiting to start a magical day.

When I was fixing a biscuit, I thought of how nice it was to just walk up to a counter and let someone else take care of the cooking and cleaning up of meals.

When I was folding blankets, I thought of the hundreds of Disney Mousekeepers down there working away cleaning rooms.

When I was putting all of the gifts I brought back into a pile, I thought of all the shops I didn't get to spend time in.

I will make it through re-entry to 'normal world', as we all do after a Disney trip. Every time I go, I think I just appreciate it more and more. It is a place where I can be away from every part of my life that is stressful and just let things go. It is a place where the little inconveniences are far outweighed by the pleasures.

I watched Brooklynn play in the water - picking up two swim noodles and plopping them down a hundred times over - for about half an hour. That is all she did. Picked them up, splattered them down, and chased them as they drifted away. She would look up and wrinkle her little nose and grin like that was just the most fun she had ever had in her life. That simple little half hour while someone else in the outside world was racing in and out of a meeting, working furiously toward a deadline, listening to a complaint from a co-worker, pumping very expensive gas into a car, dealing with a sick child, or any number of other things that stress people in life...I was sitting in a lounge chair watching one of the loveliest things that has ever entered my life splash in the water.

The resort - All Star Movies - was fine, but we did like Music a little better. We decided that we liked them in this order - Music, Movies, then Sports. Pop is first, of course. We just get our happy faces on when we pull into Pop.

The crowds were manageable, and we used our fine-tuned Dis knowledge when it came to planning and maximizing.

The food was good. Too much, as always, but eating a lot is just part of the fun of our trips. We scarf down stuff in Disney World that we don't scarf down on a regular basis at home. If we did, we'd be 'whoppers'! Get it? Whoppers. Food. Oh me, she's back, and just as corny as ever!

Most of the CMs were friendly. One CM working in package pick-up one evening was sort of rushed and semi-rude to a guy who was picking up two packages. She was a bit low on pixie dust. I was glad I was being waited on by the other worker that night. We did have Debbie Downer as our hostess at Pocahontas, too. She needs to be refit into another role in the park, not the one she was filling that day. Our last safari ride was made possible by a good CM we will share later.

The parks were clean, but not spotless, of course. I saw a big wad of pink gum on a post going into Splash Mountain. It was huge, actually. On that same ride, in the first garden scene as you go up the moutain on the left, there were three water bottles growing in the garden. I told a girl at the gift shop, and she called someone in charge of water bottle removal and told them. Hopefully, they got on that pretty quickly, because it looked pretty tacky.

The buses weren't bad. We had to stand a couple of times, but we also had some nearly empty buses several times.

We were excited about seeing Block Party Bash, but from where we were, we couldn't see a lot. Brooklynn had fallen asleep on a bench, so we decided to stay there and kind of see how it all played out, just getting our strategy ready for the summer. We didn't stay long, but from what we could see, we liked Stars and Cars better. Block Party Bash was VERY loud. They tape off a huge area, and the design of the pathways they left were a bit awkward - things got very congested. The floats came to a stop and did about a fifteen minute show, but if you were at the front end, you couldn't really see what was going on further back. I'm sure we will give it a fair chance this summer, but for now, we will silently mourn our beloved Stars and Motor Cars parade. We went on out before it stopped so we could beat the crowd.

We were glad to be there on St. Patrick's Day, and there was definitely a lot of green everywhere. People were having fun with that. There were some crazy outfits - plaid shorts with long striped socks and tie-dyed shirts, big hats, etc.
We also got to be there on opening day of the Flower and Garden Festival, so we got to see cool topiaries and some very pretty flowers.

It made me want to come home and plant a garden, but that would just be a disaster. I've tried a few plants, but they have all met untimely deaths. I think the word has spread about my 'brown thumb', because I believe I have heard plants talk to each other when they see me anywhere near the garden center. They tell each other to act dead and maybe I'll pass by and not choose them, because if they make it into my hands, it will be certain death anyway!
I did have a cactus once that an ex-boyfriend gave me. I did okay with that, but then I went and left the little guy in the kitchen window when I moved from that house, and I didn't realize it until later. I was too embarrassed to go back and ask the new owners if I could get it, and I figured they had probably thrown it out anyway. It's the only plant I've ever had any success with.

Anyway, that's all my ramblings for now. I'll get more organized when the pictures are ready.

My friend called a few minutes ago and said she was pleasantly surprised to come home home to a clean kitchen, and her husband had even put a Mickey Mouse stuffed doll there to greet her. She was going to try to talk him into taking an all-family Disney trip (four grown kids, two spouses, and two grandchildren), but she didn't think he'd go for it. The Mickey doll gave her some hope!

Thanks for the good thoughts while we were traveling. I will look forward to reading about all of your trips as we await our June trip. It'll also be my last one for a while, so I'll be milking it for all it is worth!

Let the countdown begin!

 

[scottny]

glad your all ok and it sounds like a fun trip and cannot wait to hear all about it.

 

[pooh'smate]

WELCOME HOME

 

[LurrrvtheDuck]

Welcome back!! Your trip sounded fabulous, can't wait to see and read about it. So glad you guys are safe too.

I know what you mean about withdrawals, it usually takes me a week to recover from any of the trips I've made.

 

[nowellsl]

Can't wait to see your pictures I agree with your order for the values! POP is always our favorite also!

 

[MeMom]

On to Spring Break 2008 Girls' Trip.
Travelers on this journey are Brooklynn, Jill, Kay, a family friend I met when we both worked at McDonald's back when a hamburger was 39 cents, and Pirate Minnie.
Pirate Minnie was chosen to come along by one of my students. She knew that we always take a Disney pal to put up in the window as we travel, so she wanted to choose. I told her she could, but that it had to be a girl, because this trip was girls only. She quickly chose Pirate Minnie, and seemed very happy to have been allowed to make that decision. I will tell her that Pirate Minnie had a wonderful time. I will not tell her that Pirate Minnie made the trip, but stayed in the room the entire time. Usually she sat in the window and watched passers-by. She didn't join us for any of the real action.

The title of this trip would have to be "Aaah Doe?"

What in the hecky-durn does that mean, you are asking yourself.

It is Brooklynn speak for, "Where did he/she/it go?"

We heard "Aaah doe?" 4,229 times during this trip. Approximately. It could have been more.

From the time we left, anything that stepped into Brooklynn's line of sight needed to stay there, for our sanity. Things should come, but they should never, ever leave. As soon as they left her line of vision, it began. "Aaah doe?", she would say, with little hands pointing palms up and her little head cocked.
Where did the bus go?
Where did the tiger go?
Where did Mushu go?
Where did the duck go?
Where did the Mickey waffle go?
Where did...?
You get the picture. If you have a young child, you clearly get the picture.

So "Aaah Doe?" began at my school. That's where we were supposed to meet between 2:00 and 2:30 to load the car up.
Jill was there on time. Kay was not.
Par for the course. I have known this girl for over thirty years, and she has possibly three times been on time. I don't see her very often, which is probably good, because if it were more often, the late thing would drive me nuts. Since we rarely get together, I can tolerate it.

She wasn't very late, though, and she arrived with some excuse about her mother having thrown out a bunch of her summer clothes when she was getting some boxes she had stored at her house. Who knows? She had to go buy new summer clothes to take on the trip, so that's why she was late. Whatever. Let's go.

We made it out of Nashville before the evening rush, which we were happy about. We made good time all the way, except for a lot of traffic in Atlanta. We talked to Trent a little after Atlanta, and he said they had had severe weather, so we figured the traffic had been weather related with so many people going to ball games and all. I guess by reading some of the comments on several Dis reports, the weather was worse than we knew, but we never went through anything bad. Somehow, we had missed it.

We got a little sleep at a GA hotel and were out the door a few minutes after four the next morning.

A quick potty break at the Florida Welcome Center.

We made our usual Ocala Walmart stop for snacks, diapers, and last minute junk. We can be in and out of there in fifteen minutes on our way to Disney World.

That exciting sign welcomed us back once again.

I wish I could stop on the side of the road and get a good picture, but the sign says emergency stops only, so I obeyed. Reluctantly.

On we went, following signs toward our temporary place of residence.

Past this.

Finally to All Star Movies.

Pirate Minnie was happy to be out of the hot window.

We had to run through the gift shop just for one moment to soak ourselves in Disney mania.

A small group of friends welcomed us.

We checked in without issues or lines. I had requested Mighty Ducks Building 3, since it is right beside the Music food court. That means you are beside a pool and a food court without paying preferred price. We got Mighty Ducks Building 2, which was perfectly fine. Just a few extra steps away and right at the pool.

We parked the car and headed for the bus stop.

First destination, Animal Kingdom.

Every bus that drove by - all two of them before ours arrived..."Aaah doe?"

To a different park. We need an Animal Kingdom bus.
Thankfully, an AK bus came quickly.

At Rainforest, the frog looked surprised to see us.
You people, again?

The flamingoes, however, were tickled pink!

The smell of food lured us here.

Brooklynn saw a tigah.

We consumed much food.

Note the configuration of the plates. Sort of hidden Mickey-ish, don't you think?

Something seemed to be calling us toward Africa.

I guess it was these signs.

 

[declansdad]

Welcome home!

great start to your report for trip 355!

I remember that McDonalds on the way to AllStars. Declan has always been a McDonalds junkie (he doesn't eat much, a few fries maybe, but he has to have the toy) and we had to distract him every time we went by there on the bus.

 

[carrieannie]

I just popped over to see what was going on. I didnt think you would be home yet!
Now I have to go back and check out your pictures and updates! I`m sure you had a great time! Happy you made it home Safe and Sound!

 

[scottny]

you started. Great pics. Did u like Pizzafari? I did not.

so happy u started.

 

[snowbell]

yeah - Another Memom trip report. I am glad that you missed all the bad weather. I cannot wait to hear more.....

 

[punkin413]

welcome home, ladies! glad you guys avoided the storms. they were horrible here on saturday!!! one right after the other. i posted some pics of the hail on my pre-TR. anyway, glad you made it safely! and i can't wait to hear about the trip......makes me even more excited for ours!!! 36 days!!!

 

[twob4him]

I think the media made the whole thing up ....about the storms I mean! But we are so glad you are back! Thanks for the brief overview and already your first update with humorous captions to boot! You cracked me up with the frog and flamingoes. "Aaaah doe" isnt real popular around here...just plain old boring MOM, every 2.345 sec on the min on the hour! I must stay in site at all time or I hear it. Can't wait to hear more...glad Kay could join you all and didn't make you hit too much traffic by being late!

 

[BrittBritt]

Yay! Thank you for already posting! You always include such wonderful pictures. Those flip flops on Brooklynn in the bathroom are adorable!

 

[MeMom]

I loved your tr. I can't wait to read about this trip when you get back. My dd shares the same birthdate with Brookie, but she was born in 2005.

It's always nice to have a new reader along, so we welcome you warmly to the goofiness that is this report.

We are so happy to have our dear old friends hanging in there with us, too.

It's funny that we have a friendship of sorts without ever having met. When we are talking about Disney stuff, which is often, or when we are in Disney World, your names come up like we know you. When we go to Epcot's Canada, we always take a picture with Declan and his sweet mom and dad in mind. Driving through Georgia, we joke that punkin and cherokeemamma should have supper fixed for us! At Animal Kingdom Lodge, we picture Glenda out there relaxing by the pool or enjoying Boma. I could go on.

We picture how all of you enjoy the many different things that Disney has to offer with your families, and we hope that you guys all get the same feeling we do when we are there. As you go on your trips, we pray for your safety, and we wish for small crowds and short lines and happy CMs and lots of dreams coming true for all of you.

So, thanks, 'old' friends, for sharing these magical times with us.

This picture is for snowbell, and it is as good as you are going to get - full face on, but all the fat hidden behind my friend, Bruce, the shark. The rest of me you can put together in pieces like you've done so far. It's not like I'm five hundred pounds or anything. I'm bigger than what I want to be, but not motivated enough to change it. Truthfully, I am wiped out at the end of a school day and just don't have anything in me left to give to working out. Add that to the fact that I love food, and it makes for a big round belly that looks like a bowl full of jelly! So, here's the face that has so far been hidden behind whatever I could hide behind. Hope it's not too scary!

And even at that, I prefer the darker version:

Okay, all done with that. Now you can at least see the face of the author of most of this nonsense. It belongs to a fifty year old woman who has worked with eight year olds long enough to have lost many hundreds of brain cells. That should explain some of my silliness when I am writing.

Along with the fact that I just get goofy when I am in Disney World. The saddest part is, Jill has inherited that same trait, and I'm afraid we've passed it down in a serious way to Brooklynn. What other nineteen month old do you know who can point out the sphere and say "A-cot" (translation - Epcot) or leads the way directly from the bus stop to Everything Pop or knows that as soon as we check into our room we go to decorate our window?

I know I'm the proud MeMom and all, but you guys should have seen her on this trip. She was incredibly cute, as she is becoming so much more interactive with her surroundings. She beamed when she saw characters, and she is mesmerized at every show. She loves her Disney!

Now on to acknowledgements, because I don't like to leave posters hanging.

punkin413 - As you now already know, we missed all of the bad weather. Thanks for thinking of us. I'm glad you were all safe. I saw your hail pictures on your pre-TR.

scottny - We did have a great time. We laughed so much. Our friend came home with a strong desire to plan a trip for her whole family, so I hope that works out for her someday. She brought them all souvenirs to start fueling the fire. As for Pizzafari, the pizza was fine. I normally get a sandwich, but I was in a pizza mood. It always smells good when we go by there, and we love the decor.

VandyFan10 - I know you are enjoying all this basketball. Were you watching Duke and Belmont? Trent played against and with a lot of those Belmont guys in high school and on travel teams, so he was happy for them. He's a long time Duke fan, though. He imagines Coach K being not so happy right about now.

pooh'smate - I think it is SOOO EXCITING that you are planning your first trip! I hope you will love it as much as all of us do! We will be glad to help you in any way, so ask all the questions you want to.

twob4him - Thanks for taking time out from all your sewing to follow along and wish us well. I hope we will see pictures of your finished products. I know the girls will be lovely on Easter morning. Please do share a picture with us.

pooksma and declansdad - Not quite trip 355, but I can assure you I will work toward that! We thought of you guys in Epcot, as always, and when we went to Pop. I hope all is well with the three of you. Will you share some of your St. Pete trip and pictures with us?

LurrrvtheDuck - We saw friend Donald in several places. "Dondle" is one of the characters that Brooklynn gets highly excited about!
Your family trip pictures were great. That is a beautiful place, and I'm so glad you were able to share some good family time.

nowellsl - We just smile when we see that big POP sign. I guess a lot of people would think that is stupid, so I'm glad you understand. We'll be smiling our way back there on June 28th. We're flying this time, so we'll be leaving in the wee hours of the morning from here instead of driving and stopping in Georgia.

Hey, carrieannie - I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Drew loaded them and said I have over 1400. Maybe you'll see more of us than you ever cared to!

BrittBritt - She was cute in her flip flops, but they were new, so she was walking kind of funny. She woke up long enough for us to make the restroom break, and then she zonked back out in the car. She slept a lot in the car, which was good, so she didn't get too bored and restless. I hope you will enjoy the many pictures we have to share from this latest adventure.


That's it for now. I think that in honor of Easter weekend, I may skip ahead to the last day of our trip and share with you some Flower and Garden Festival pictures. It opened on our last day, and we only had until lunchtime to run through and see what we could before we needed to get on the road, so we didn't even see everything. The colors of the flowers were so vibrant it was hard to comprehend. They were so bright and rich and just beautiful! I would like to go back and spend the whole day just taking all of that in. I posted most of them on a Flower and Garden thread on the Theme Parks board, so I may go ahead and share those with you as we all share this spring break/Easter weekend.

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!

 

[scottny]

nice pic inside Bruce.

Pizzafari is nice to look at.

Thank you I will have a nice Friday and I hope you do too.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

I'm happy you posted a pic of you! So nice to put a beautiful face to the name!

 

[snowbell]

Love the pic memom -- You are BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I am going to go check out the other thread now to see your pictures. I am lucky that I get to go down in two weeks. I want to really explore Epcot... Have a wonderful Easter.