Back for Another Round (Complete)

[Disney owl]

Thanks for sharing

Great photos

 

[TennVolTony]

Friday June 2nd for OCM....Grandpa Tony writes a Trip Report



For some strange reason OCM has asked me to write her trip report for report for Friday. I guess she thinks my memory is as good as hers, but she is wrong. Anyway, I agreed to do it so here goes.

I'll give it a shot but don't expect this to be anywhere near as good as hers are folks.... Looking back on all this and reading the reports she has written I can't remember having a better time at Disney.
Hanging out with her and her kids and Deena and her family was a blast.


So here it is Friday morning....she told me last night that she was gonna let the kids sleep in this morning and she was going to call me when she woke up. By 8am, I figured she thought I was suppose to call her. She never sleeps in that late, she must have forgotten. I called OKW and she was up and the kids were still sleeping. I said I would be there in about an hour to help get her packed up and out of OKW and
over to All-star.

Shortly after 9 I get to the room and they are ready to go!! We get her van packed and decide we need to get breakfast. We tried to get a character meal but there was nothing available that morning. She had said she would rather do lunch. She called Disney Dinning and had them check every restaurant for a lunchtime. Everything at MGM was booked because of Star Wars weekend. So it was my idea, my BAD idea . that we should just go to Olivia's there at OKW for breakfast. It was at the resort anyway, and it LOOKED ok. OCM tried to tell me that this wasn't a good deal on the dining plan and so did the waiter. It would be better she said, if we did lunch on the DP because you get App/Ent/Des.

Guess what dumb-*** didn't listen to her?? Yep...me...the Waddler...I guess all I was thinking about was FOOD!!! Like I hadn't had enough already. I should have just stuck to what I had done so well all week when I opened my mouth...SHOVE FOOD IN IT!! OCM was not
pleased with my decision...and I wasn't either. Bit it was at this point where it happened......

"all the guys reading this will know what I'm talking about. We got it from our mothers growing up, and our girlsfriends and then our wives...the LOOK!! She was giving me the look. You know the evil eye that makes our skin crawl and makes us all feel as if we are abou three feet tall."

I got the "look" but I did deserve it.... Maybe Putt Putt would not be a good idea today if Nico mentions it. A putter makes a damn good "waddler-whacker"... I'd probably deserve that too...

Olivia's was not very good. If you are gonna serve breakfast potatoes don't screw 'em up by trying to get fancy with them....Just leave them alone...... And try to serve the food hot. Not a good
choice on my part folks. So we leave Olivia's and head to All-star to get them checked in there and start our day.

My first time staying on Disney property was 1998 with my brother and nephew and we stayed at All-star Sports. Since then I have stayed on
property at moderates and deluxe.... Maybe I have become a little spoiled.

I don't remember feeling like I was at a Motel 6 when I was at All-star back in 1998. I'm glad they only had to stay there 1 night.
Of course when we get to All-star the room isn't ready. I'm betting it was
ready, they just don't want you to have it. After we get checked in Ocm
suggests Wolf Gang Pucks for lunch. Oh boy!! More FOOD!!! I
wasn't going to argue...I had already made a bad food decision for breakfast so I was going to eat wherever and whenever she suggested.

She was the expert at this after all. We parked my car at All-star and headed to DTD in the van.

The kiddies were kinda quiet that day. I think they were both worn out. I
know I was getting there myself. But we were really all having such a good time.

We arrive at WGP's about 12:30 and we are seated right away. At this point the thought of food was not on the top of my thinking list, which is usually a short list anyway. We all ordered, I think I had a burger...and had a nice lunch.

Then OCM uttered her famous Disney Dining words.....DON'T FORGET YOU HAVE TO EAT DESSERT..IT'S PAID FOR!!!! ARRRGGGG....

Don't get me wrong folks, OCM and I have become great friends and we have more fun then should be allowed when she and the kids are here. BUT......sometimes I just want to take her over my knee.
Just when I would think I was done with a meal...here came those words....DON'T FORGET DESSERT!!



We ordered desert......I love Key Lime pie...so I ordered that....I'm not
sure what the kids got......I was too busy trying to find a place to hide
the pie...and I didn't hear OCM order Chocolate Fondue. .They food came and the Chocolate fondue was amazing! The Key Lime pie SUCKED!! Why is it so hard to find good Key Lime pie in Florida?? It is the state pie !! The waitress came by and asked if everything was ok? OCM said..No as a matter of fact the pie is terrible. Can we get something else?
I don't think in all the meals we had over the days that we had one bad server.
I ended up sending it back and getting MORE fondue!! I think all of us got into the 2nd order of fondue. I remember Sammie having chocolate all over her face. Or was the OCM??? Eating the fondue became very
entertaining to say the least.

We finished lunch and If I remember Nico wanted to go to Epcot. We piled into the van and headed to Epcot.....When we got to Epcot I looked in the mirror and Sammie and Nico were sleeping. If I hadn't been driving I would have been too!! I got out and went to the back of the van to get the stroller out. Now I'm really proud of myself with this stroller thing.....Not only did I put it together...but I can open them up with one hand and be ready to put Sammie in in a flash!! Pretty good for a single guy huh ??? The things you learn in just a short time with little ones. Part 2 of
Friday later.......

 

[sweetlovin']

My Aunt is in town visiting and I didnt have time to writ ethe report. However, there is some explaining to do with that report he made.



Ok, in all fairness to TVT, it isnt all his listening skills. My Dh tells me that when I make a decision it comes across as a suggestion not a decision. So, people don't always know when I'm actaully making a decision. See, this is another element at not making decisions well.

I told TVT that the better deal was lunch. I told him that I wanted to eat lunch (I never ask to eat a meal.) I knew I wasn't going to be eating that night at the Garden Grill. But, I probably only told him in a way that sounded like a suggestion. (It may have been his listening skills. I mean he is a guy..we all know how they are. But, we will give him the benefit of the doubt...for now )

Not only that, but I have a tendency not to stand up and say, THIS is what I want. If people seem to want something other than what I want, I tend to just stop talking..instead of making my point clear. So, it was not ALL his fault.

That being said..this is what happened..

We get there and I said, "That's weird, they have appitizers listed for breakfast."

"So do we get an app becuase it's the dinning plan." He asked.

"No, that is why I told you lunch would be better." I explained.

"Excuse me," TVT turned to the waiter, "Do we get to order the appitizers on the breakfast menu since we are on the dinning plan?"

The Evil look number one. HELLO..I JUST said that.

Then, he got his food. "Awe these potaotes are aweful."

"Yeah the kids aren't eating theirs either." I responded

"And my food is cold." He complained.

Evil look number two.

Seriously, don't make a decision that I don't want to do then complain about it to me.

Then the waiter comes back to pay. "Yeah if you are on the dinning plan, unless this is your last day and HAVE to use it here, this really isn't a good deal. Because breakfast prices are the cheapest meals and really, you spent a little over 20 for an adult and two kids meals. So unless you have to, I wouldn't use that here."

I was staring at TVT. The final look!! Even the waiter got what I had been saying.

Now, in all fairness, we were there, I needed to get over it. But I hadn't yet.

Just for that, I said with my evil smile, Im going to make you eat a full lunch and dinner. You wont live this down today.

 

[missmun52]

great reports. I loved reading TVT's report, its great to hear how he experienced the trip.

 

[TennVolTony]

So we get to Epcot and it's HOT again. Wonder why Florida is so damn hot??
We weren't here too long. We managed to ride Space Ship Earth, then over to Figment. I think the kids just want to ride Figment so they can play with all the neat stuff and make pictures to send via e-mail when the ride is over.


We decide to leave Epcot and go back to the room to RELAX for a bit before we have to go eat more food. Now remember...I did say relax NICO!! I think just about every night when I would take OCM and the kids back to the room Nico wanted to play a game I ACCIDENTLY taught him the first night. He would jump on the "jumping" bed in the hotel room. That's right I said jumping bed. That's why there are 2 beds, one is for sleeping and one is for jumping.

Anyway....Nico would start bouncing on the bed and while he is in the air I would knock his feet out from under him and flip him. He would laugh and giggle and probably do this for hours. But he wasn't alone in this. Sammie saw how much fun Nico was having and made her way onto the other bed. She would look at me and run and jump at me . I guess the little gal knew there was no way I wouldn't catch her. I would, and then I'd have to flip her too! So here I am trying to catch 2 kids on two beds and having a ball !! Those kids, all 3 of them are just incredible.

So we finishing RELAXING and it's time for ..... YEP....MORE FOOD!!! OCM made, or was it me, a reservation at Cape May Buffet. SO we head out the door and start to make our way to the van when we realize it's raining. The 4 of us get to the parking lot and I tell OCM and Sammie to wait where so they won't get wet. Nico and I go get the van. What do us 2 WILD and CRAZY GUYS care if we get a little wet. We get to the van and my car is parked next to it. I grab a big golf umbrella out of my trunk and toss it in the van. Nico and I pile in the van and I pull up to pick up OCM and Sammie. I motion for her to stay put. Now me being raised differently than she is used to I guess she was really shocked when I got out the umbrella and came and got her and Sammie. Didn't want you girls getting wet....you could have melted or something. Anyway we are off the Cape May.

OCM has a severe alergy to seafood so I was a little concerned about going here. But she said as long as she didn't touch any she would be fine. I'm the same way. No alergies to seafood, I just don't want to touch it. I wasn't real pleased with the food there, it was OK I guess but the kids liked it. What I liked was my LAST PLATTER!!

OCM said that she was going to get us all dessert. She hops up from the table and takes off. A few minutes later she comes back to the table with a PLATTER filled with some of everything from the dessert table. But the kicker was what she put in the middle of the platter. She knows my one dessert weakness is Strawberry Shortcake! I have NEVER seen so much one one plate!! It was wonderful!! Nico and I piled into it and by the time the 2 of us looked up it was gone!!!

It was now time to waddle out of Cape May and back over to Epcot. We had promised Nico we would take him to see Crush at The Living Seas. We made our way over and got in line to see the show. This is a really cute audiance interactive show for the kids. The person playing Crush is really good and keeps the kids laughing! Duuuudeeeee...CHAAAA!

The show was over and there was nobody there for the last show of the night. We decide to go back in. This time Crush picks Nico out of the small group of kids and is talking to him. I think this made Nico's trip. Crush asked Nico who brought him and he said my Mom.....then Crush talks to OCM...it was really fun. As we were getting ready to leave Nico looks up at OCM and says "I forgot to say GrandPa Tony too when Crush asked who brought me "...Nico looked at me and said "I'm sorry GrandPa Tony"... Don't worry about it Nico....I'm GLAD you forgot.

As we head out of Epcot to go back to the room for the night Nico hears and sees a little of Illuminations and decides tomorrow night he wants to see it. This will be another first for him.

I got them back to the room and safe and sound for the night and headed
home . See you guys in the morning!!

 

[sweetlovin']

When i get time..I'll write out a report for Friday...MY VERSION.

But a huge thank you to TVT for getting out what he could remember. These things take a long time to write out and I jsut dont have the time.

 

[sweetlovin']

I am extremely grateful to TVT for helping me out and writing the report. I truly appreciate it. He forgot a few details however with Friday, so I'll write out my version, It'll be like a he said/ she said day..if you aren't interested, just skip over this part but, Saturday won't make sense if I don't put in the details of Friday.

We got out of Old Key West, after the ordeal at Olivias and headed to check in at All Star. It was a pretty painless effort, but the room wasn't ready. We all piled back into the car and headed out to the West Side of Downtown Disney. Deena had eaten at Wolfgang Puck's for dinner on Thursday night and she had said it was really good. I had no idea how good until I got there.

To say I'm not a big eater, is a little bit of an understatement. I really don't like almost everything, and when I find something I like, I fill up relatively fast. So, I constantly share meals or don't order anything at all. When we got to Wolfgang Pucks, I asked TVT if he minded if we used his app. I know he wanted to try the crab cakes, but my children love spinach dip. Getting Veggies in them on vacation is difficult enough, so when I find something I know they like, I try to order it. I also got Sammie the BBQ chicken quesadillas off the appitizers for her meal. She liked hers a lot, but Nico didn't like the bread that the dip came with. I felt so bad. I should have kept my mouth shut and let TVT have his app. One time on the last trip I asked him if he shared meals and food and he said no that he never does. So, knowing that, and Nico not eating that bread, I felt even worse.

We got our entrees and everyone liked it. Sammie was still working on her quesadillas and Nico and I finshed our half a sandwich. "You have to order dessert" I said to TVT laughing. I knew he probably wasn't too hungry, but I also took his appitizer. So, I was sure he had room for dessert.

He ordered the Key Lime pie and I ordered the chocolate fondue. The food came out and everyone got ready to share.

"Ok what am I suppose to do? How do I eat this?" Nico asked.

"It's just like a dip honey. Just dip it into the chocolate and eat it". I took a strawberry dipped it in..and OMG it was heavenly!!! Ok, enough of the demonstration, Nico was on his own., I handed a peice of brownie to sammie and grabbed another strawberry. The melted chocolate was amazing. It came with powdered sugar on the top.

"What's that?" nico asked.

"It's pound cake," I said between bites, "you can dip it or not dip it, you'll like it plain." I said right before I stuffed anouth chocolate dipped strawberry in my mouth.

It was sooo good when TVT told me his pie was gross, I didn't hesitate to send it back and get more fondue. The second came out and I dove into that one too. This isn't like me at all, I rarely order a dessert, let alone eat two, that is just how incredibly amazing this was. Ok..serisouly, I need to stop talking about it, now, I'm craving it.

We left Wolfgang Puck and headed over to Epcot. Confesssion, I have a little bit of a video game addiction. I NEVER play..well almost never. I haven't played in a good two to three years. Why? becuase once i start playing I have a hard time turning it off. Knowing this, I haven't played. The last game I played was Kindgdom Hearts. The problem is, Kingdom Hearts 2 was just realeased and they had it at Epcot!!!! Nico and I played for a bit unitl TVT basically told us to stop. I swear, sometimes I need a father figure around to tell me to stop playing video games. Very Sad..I know.

We went and did a few more rides. When we got off figment, TVT suggested we get a snack. Now this was his idea to get the food and of course, I went along with it. Sammie was asleep in the stroller, so we got a water, and Itsakadoozle for Nico and TVT got a nestle Crunch Bar. I really wasn't hungry, but I did get a chocolate covered banana. Now, I'm very picky about food and the banana was really gross, but the chocolate was ok. So, I sucked the chocolate off the banana. It wasn't until TVT told me to stop that and I looked up that I realized that, me sitting there sucking the chocolate off a banana didn't look very good.

Anyway, we left not long after that and went to the hotel. I wanted the kids to relax for a bit and I needed to make a decision about dinner. I knew TVT was really tired of the Garden Grill and the food there really wasn't appealing to him at all. So, I called to see what else Disney had for that evening.

"Where do you want to eat?" I asked TVT, "I know the Garden Grill isn't all that appealing to you."

"No, not really, but this is your vacation, I'll go anywhere." he said. Well, I'm assuming by now, he knows that I would never do that. I try to accomidate everyone. If someone doesn't want to go somewhere, I try to change the place so we can go wherever they want.

"Nico, where do you want to eat?" I asked,.

"What about the dinner with Cinderella. he suggested.


I called 1900 Park fare, but there was nothing. The only thing they did have available was Cape May Buffet. Nico loves shrimp, so I quickly booked that and got off the phone to tell everyone that we had two reservations and we needed to decide which one we were going to.

"Oh, I want the all you can eat Shrimp." Nico said excitedly

"Yeah, I've never been there for dinner that sounds ok." TVT said.

Oh thank goodness., everyone agrees. Now, I knew I wasnt going to eat there. I'm allergic to seafood and I was sooo full from the two desserts at lunch, I wasn't close to being hungry. They went back to laughing and flipping on the beds. My kids never get to play at home like that. I think they would have been entertained for a day or two just having pillow fights and flipping on the bed. It was fun to watch them.

It was time for dinner and when we started to head out, it was raining. Humidity and rain are horrible on my hair, so pushing Sammie, I was going to have to make a run for it. We walked under cover for as long as we could, until we got to the parking lot.

"Wait here, I'll pull the car up." TVT said. "Come on Nico" He and Nico walked to the car. I thought, wow how very nice of them. I don't have to run in the rain as far now. Now there is a really nice guy. The car pulled up and TVT hopped out. I had no idea what he was doing, so I started to run out.

"No no no..wait there." he called.

I was shocked, here he comes with an umbrella ready to walk Sammie and I to the car. I've never heard of anyone ever doing this. I wasn't sure if I was suppose to tip him or what??!! No serisouly, it was the nicest gesture. I grew up with 5 brothers I was always excited when I wasn't locked out of the car.

We got to Cape May and TVT dropped me off at the front and went and parked the car while the kids and I checked in. Again, very nice. We were seated and he told me to go get the kids food while he sat and waited. I'm not use to that either. Usually, my Dh gets his food and the kids and I wait, so I felt bad getting up and grabbing their food. I tried to be quick. The food seemed to be ok. No one was really excited about it. I wasn't sure if they were just not hungry or if it was just average. Since I wasn't eating, I did watch a few other people. The guy at the next table over loved the food. I thnk he got 7-8 different plates of food. So, don't take my opinion on the food.

I noticed everyone was just about done eating, so I told them all to stay there. I would get the dessert. Heck, I needed to do something to make myself useful. So, I went to the dessert line and grabbed pretty much a little of everything. I did notice that they had Strawberry Shortcake and that was the one dessert everyone in line seemed to be going for. I took more of that than anything else.

When I put it on the table, I found out why everyone in line was getting only the strawberry Shortcake. Nico and TVT dove into that dessert as if it was going to get up and walk away. I was going to try a bite, but I was afraid I was going to lose my hand. They loved it. I think the entire dinner was worth it, just to watch them enjoy that dessert as much as they did. I did manage to get Sammie a bite and she loved it too.

"You know, maybe we should try Turtle Talk. The guy did tell us there was much less of a wait if we went in the late evening." I suggested. "We're right here anyway, we can take the boat or walk if it isn't raining."

Nico got so excited when he heard Turtle talk that I don't think TVT could have said no even if he wanted.

We got in there and it was not too crowded. We didn't have to wait very long. Nico went and sat with the other kids up front. I know he is going to Kindergarten next year, but I'm still a worried mom.

"I can't see him, I need to tell him to move where I can see him." I said to TVT.

"He's fine mom," he said rolling his eyes at me, "I can see him and he's not going anywhere."

The show started and Nico was laughing and laughing. He really is the perfect age for that, because he is old enough that he got the jokes, but young enough to beleive the it's Crush talking to the kids. We left and he was still talking about it. As we walked out, I turned to TVT,

"There is no one in line, do you care if we do it again? He loved it and it was really neat to watch. him" i was trying to convince him.

"Sure, i don't mind." We walked right back into the next show and sat in the front row. There was a little girl about 9 years old that Nico was trying to befreind. She wasn't very nice to him. Maybe she was at the age where she didn't want to hang out with little boys, I don't have a 9yo girl, so Im not entirely sure, but I wanted to tell Nico to move.

"Isn't this so cool" I could here Nico excitedly say to the 9yo, "we just did the last show and Crush actaully talked to one of the kid. He TALKS to us. Isn't that cool?"

"Don't get that excited. It's just a guy that standing behind the screen, it's not really Crush." She said,rolling her eyes at him and trying to move away from him.

Like I said, maybe she was just being 9, but I wasn't in the least bit happy with her. Nico is really innocent, he doesn't realize that all kids don't want to be friends and talk and laugh. He just hasnt really expirienced that yet. And I know that it's coming and that it's a life lesson, but it doesn't have to be learned right now sitting at Turtle Talk.

"No, I saw him talk to the other kid, Justin was his name" refering to the last show the little boy Justin that Crush had interacted with, "I saw crush talk to him."

The girl tried to move away, "Whatever" she rolled her eyes and moved a little further from him. Then another litte boy sat next to Nico on the other side that seemed a bit more friendly and a little closer to his age.

Beleive me, I was sitting there very frustrated and TVT was trying to calm me down. "He wont understand what that girl is saying. Don't move him to another place, just let him be. It will be ok" he was trying to comfort me.

Then, the show started and the first person Crush talked to was Nico. He was thrilled!! He is still talking about how the real crush talked to him. I was so excited for him. Crush asked him his name and how old he was and who brought him. I talked to Crush too, but Nico was soo excited and I was so happy for him. My baby still beleived.YAY!!

We left there, walked back to Beach club and got the car.

"This is the last day of the dinning plan and I still have a few counter Services to use." I explained. "If you want, i can take you back to the All Star and you can get your car and leave."

"What do you mean? What are you going to do?" he asked.

Now, i was truthfully exhausted. I thought I had made it clear, but I guess not.

"I'm going to get food and keep it for tomorrow. I don't want to waste this, plus I have snacks left too." I explained.

"Ok got it. You are way too tired to be driving around with the kids in the car. I've been with you when you've fallen asleep at the wheel, " He was refering to Mothers day as he was shooting me this, don't even begin to think about arguing with me look, "I'll go with you."

He was right, I was exhausted and I wasn't going to argue with him. So, we got to Marketplace and went into Earl of Sandwich. Nico has really been into Ham and Cheese sandwiches and Deena is always telling me how good their sandwiches are. So, I deicded to go there. I ordered and as I was waiting, I turned to TVT

"Is it ok if you wait here with Nico and Sammie and I run to Wolfgang Puck express and start the order there?" I asked. I felt bad asking, but it as getting really late and I was trying to get us all home faster. We were all so tired.

"No, good idea, I'll meet you there." he responded. I guess he was thinking the same thing I was..let's get this over with.

I walked quickly to Wolfgang Puck Express. My DH LOVES the brownies there. I think it's the same chocolate that they use to make the fondue, but they are amazing brownies. So I used my snack credits to grab a few of those to bring back to my DH and ordered a Pizza there too.

With all the food, we all piled into the car. I know TVT and I talked in the car and I'm pretty sure he helped me get the kids to the room. But at this point, I was so exhausted, I have no idea what I said or what he said. I don't remember getting the kids to bed or anything. For me to forget things like that, you can imagine how tired I was. All I knew was I was not getting a wake up call from the hotel and all I wanted to do was sleep as long as I could.

 

[TennVolTony]

I wasn't gonna ORDER the crab cakes...I was just wondering how they were. And the WAY you ate the chocolate fondue and the dang banana were very similar!!

As far as the umbrella deal....I was raised in the south ma'am...that's the way it's done!!! You are right about the strawberry shortcake....you very well could have lost a limb reaching for it.

That guy at Cape May had at LEAST 7 FULL plates!! never seen anything like that! Going back to Epcot was a good idea....Nico loved Crush.
I didn't mind going at all.

I don't remember if I helped you get the kids back to the room or not, but I bet I did. I really had a wonderful time with you guys and look forward to the next time we get to do it all again....

LYMI....all 4 of ya's!!!!!

 

[sweetlovin']

TVT called me early Sat morning. This was another morning that I had decided to let the kids just sleep. We had been up so late the night before watching Turtle Talk, and I was so exhausted. I think we all really needed to sleep.

Now, in all fairness, I don't know what I said to Tony the night before. When I'm that tired, I do talk, I just have no idea what I am saying. I'm one of those people that can carry on a conversation while sleeping and have no idea I'm doing it. (I know what you people are thinking, NO..you cannot sneak in my room or call me late at night and get blackmail information!!! Get that thought out of your heads!)

The phone rings at 7:30am. "Morning Kiddo. I know you said to call in the morning when I woke up. What are the plans for the day?"

"I did? I was going to let everyone sleep in?" I said, yawning

"Do you remember talking to me on my drive home?" TVT asked.

"Uh, no. Did you call me?" I was trying to remember, but I really didn't have a clue.

"Yes, I called you to find out what time we were heading out today. I know you need to check into the Dolphin and get out of that horrible hotel. What time do you want me there?"

"Are you sure I talked to you last night?" I asked. See, I know that I fall asleep while someone is talking to me on the phone. And I know that I have fallen asleep while talking on the phone, but I had no idea I could answer a phone asleep. I do take my clothes off while Im sleeping, so I guess I really shouldn't be suprised.

"Yes, Im sure. Are you going to move forward with the conversation and answer me on what time I should be there?" he was being very sarcastic for 7:30am. If anyone should be sassy at 7:30am, it really should be me.

"You can come anytime, I'm sure I'll be ready by the time you get here. But if you want, I can just meet you.."

"I'll be there." he interrupted

I was ready with all the kids dressed, packed up and ready to go when TVT got there. Nico was watching out the window anxiously. He couldnt wait for Mr Tony to get there. When TVT pulled up, Nico ran out to greet him. He was just so excited. He came back in with Tony, and a big black bag.

" What is that?" I asked.

"The food. The food I took home for you that you got a Wolfgang puck. This is a cooler bag thing, to keep your things fresh. I never use it, so you can just keep it." He said.

"Wow, thanks!!" I didn't remember any of that, but it was very thoughtful of him.

I got the car packed up and headed for the Dolphin. TVT parked his car at the Beach Club. Then hopped in my car to drop me off at the Dolphin while I checked in. The room wasn't ready, but we were prepared for that. I hopped into the car and we were off to Winter/Summerland to play the summer course.

We got there and found out that we were 10 minutes before they opened. That was fine, we could wait. We talked about food and I decided right after we finish there, we could go to Baches and Cream for lunch. They open right at 11am and feed the kids an early lunch. He didn't bring up breakfast once. He is a quick learner!!

Now, we weren't the only ones waiting for the Putt Putt place to open. These two guys were sleeping on the tables waiting for them to open. We got in line and the two guys got behind us.

"Welcome, you are the first customers of the day" The lady said to us.

"Well, we figured this place had to be amazing. These guys camped out for it. They were over there sleeping on the tables waiting for Winter/Summerland to open." I said as I winked at one of the guys. "If its that good to have people camping out, we had to be here."

"Hey, we camped out and then you guys just jumped in line, got here first. Took our good morning welcome to the first ones here, greeting." he guys said smiling and winking back. He really was a cutie.

"I know, see how I am? I'm just like that. You have to be on the lookout for me." I said, laughing.

So, we got our putters and balls and Sammie got her little plastic one. She was hilairous to watch. She would put her ball right next to the hole and knock it in with the putter. She LOVED playing. Nico was thrilled to be playing again, He loved the Santa Clause snoring in the sand. He thought that was great. At the last hole, TVT was adding up the scores, while Nico hit Samantha's ball into the last hole.

"Well, we tied." TVT said.

"Really, I was sure you won this one." I really was suprised, I hadn't been keeping score, but I was sure.

"Nope, we tied," he added it up again, "Heck, I look at this as a victory for me. I'm just happy to tie you at this point." He said laughing.

"So who won?" Nico asked, " I know I never win."

"We tied baby" I said.

"We did?" Nico asked, "Wait, who tied?"

I opened my mouth to tell Nico that Mr Tony and I tied when TVT jumped ahead of me

"All of us," He said shooting me that look that says keep your mouth shut, "All three of us tied."

Nico was thrilled. He was so excited. "Really, WOW, We ALL tied? All 3 of us?" I think if he wasnt sitting in the car in a car seat, he would have been up doing a victory dance. He was just on cloud nine.

We got to Beaches and Cream a little early and TVT took us in to show us the game room right next door. Now, all of you that have been following realize by now that I never have cash on me. So Nico was highly disappointed that he didn't get to play any games. We really should just stop going to arcade type places. Anyway, we went out and we were seated.

Nico and I shared a meal and Sammie got a hot dog and TVT got his own meal. Then, I got a No Way Jose for dessert. I was laughing so hard when she sat that thing in front of me. It's huge!! But, I love ice cream..it's the one thing that even if I'm stuffed, I seem to have room for it. The waitress put it down in front of me and said, "No way Jose is she going to finish that." I didn't hear her say it, I was laughing too hard at myself. My kids eyes were huge. Everything was really excellent. My only complaint about that place is that it seems to be consistantly slow with service. They are nice, very sweet, and really really slow. I wonder why that is.

While we were there, the Dolphin called me to tell me my room was ready. WHOO HOO!! We left there and got settled in the room. Then headed out to Downtown Disney for some shopping. I had to bring Julianna something back. We walked around the World of Disney or the WOD and the christmas store. We spent a good three hours shopping before we stopped for a snack. We went to a little snack stand that served these delicious Cinnamon Pretzles. MMMMMM..they were good.

I bought a few things, then we headed back to the hotel. We all just needed to relax for a bit. This is when I found them. These huge nasty bug bites all over my legs!! It looked aweful. There were so many of them so close together, I looked like I had some sort of rash/disease type thing. They were just bug bites, but it looked aweful. I was so itchy too. And I had no cream or anything.

"Mom, I'm really thirsty." Nico said starring at the refidgerator.

"Well, honey I love you dearly, but you can't have one of those drinks. I'm not paying $4 for a can of Sprite or $6 for a bottled water. Sorry," I said apologetically, "but you are just going to have to wait."

"Come on Nico," Tony got up and grabbed my key, "There is a place downstairs I can get you a drink." Nico and TVT both came back with drinks and TVT had benedryl cream for me. It was very thoughtful of him to grab me some, but then again, he had to listen to me complain about how much it itched and how aweful it looked for a good 45 minutes to and hour. I'm sure he bought it not only to help, but also to shut me up.

"OMG ED!!" I shouted about 20 minutes after everyone was sitting and relaxing. I think I scared them. Nico jumped at the noise. Sorry Nico. "I forgot Ed's Tshirt. I told him I would get him one. I promised him. I need to go to MGM." I expalined to TVT and Nico. "I told him I would do it. I have to get there." I said, getting up and putting Sammies shoes on her.

We got to MGM and we went to the store outside the park. The park looked insanely crowded, but it was a Saturday and Star Wars weekend. They didn't have Ed's size, so I called him. He didnt answer the first time and I just hung up. I turned to TVT and asked him his opinion.

"I've never met Ed," he said, "but I would get the smaller one. Those look big to me."

I called back again, this time leaving a message about the different sizes. At this point, I just really need to make the decision myself, but we all know by now how good I am at those. Finally, I was able to make a decision. I decided just to buy both and not worry about making the decision.

As I was paying, my cell phone rang.

"Hey handsome," I said, "They don't have your size, they have the one bigger or the one smaller. I held one up to me and they seem huge. But, the guy says they will shrink a little. What do you want me to do?" I asked hurriedly.

"No, I don't think I could eat my way into the bigger one," he said laughing, "just get the smaller one."

"Ok, no problem, talk to you later." I said..it was a Sat and I had no idea if i was bothering him or not. I didn't want to keep him on the phone if he was busy.

"Ok, you have fun, bye" he said.

We got the shirt and I bought Sammie her own sunglasses before taking the boat back to Epcot. We got off at the Beach Club stop and walked to Epcot. I'm a fast walker and TVT can keep up when he has to. We quickly walked to make our dinner reservations.

Now, I know on the Friday report, that TVT said we didn't have poor restaurant service one time that week. However, he forgot about Sat night. Everything seemed to take such a LONG time. We were 20 minutes early, and we let the kids sit and color until our name was called about a half hour after our reservation time. Then, we had asked for a booth, which is why we thought it took longer. No booths available. That was fine, no big deal, but the food then took forever. The waiter never seemed to be around when we needed him to be. The kids loved their food and that really to me was the most important. But, it really was poor service from the hostess all the way through.

While we were there, Nico asked if we could watch Fantasmic.

"No honey, there is no way that we are going to be able to get over to MGM this late for a showing, " I explained, "but we could watch Illuminations, but I know you really don't like that. So, let's just go home." I comforted.

"I'll do Illuminations," Nico said. Seriously, who's child did I bring on my vacation with me.

We left and got a spot to watch from Mexico. About 5 minutes before it starts, Nico sarts to panick. "Mommy, I want to go. It's too loud. I don't want to do this. It's too scary."

I put Sammie down in her stroller and held onto Nico. "Honey, we aren't going to be able to make it out of the park at this point. We can't leave, but it will be ok. Just put your hands over your ears and it wont be as loud." I said. He did, but he was shaking with fear.

Finally, TVT took him. "Here, let's watch from over here. Nothing at Disney can hurt you, these are too far away to get you. I'll help you cover your ears if it gets too loud." He said taking Nico farther back. Nico did great throughout the whole show. He watched the entire thing and didn't cry or get scared. He said the end was a little too loud, but other than that, it wasn't scary. This is a HUGE step for my baby. Sammie loved the fireworks. She was so fascinated with them and had such a huge smile on her face. It was really neat to be able to enjoy fireworks again with my kids.

We walked back to the hotel, said our goodbyes and the kids and I went to bed. I was getting up at 1:15am to leave by 2am and I still needed to stop at the gas station that morning. I got my 1:15am wake up call and got moving about 1:30. First thing on the agenda was to take my caffine pills. I woke Nico up and he helped me carry the bags down to valet. He was a trooper considering we were leaving and it was so early in the morning. The valet guys made sure I knew where I was going and by 2:30am, I was on the turnpike for my long drive home.

 

[missmun52]

Your report is so great.....i really really enjoy reading it. I hope you post how the drive home went.

with all the threads going on about bed bugs i hope thats not what bit you at the all stars

I also loved reading how your day went by both you and TVT. Maybe he can write somemore on his version of the trip. That would be so nice!

 

[sweetlovin']

You know, I agree with you. I'd like to read more about how he saw things as well, maybe between the two of us asking, he will actaully do it.

 

[TennVolTony]

You know, I agree with you. I'd like to read more about how he saw things as well, maybe between the two of us asking, he will actaully do it.

Oh you would huh???

 

[sweetlovin']

Oh you would huh???

Good thing I wasn't holding my breath for it!!

 

[TennVolTony]

yeah it was.....

 

[pumba]

fantastic report by you both......thanks so much for giving us two versions of a trip report.......you guys are great.......

 

[Philadisney]

i just stumbled on your report now, but read it straight through! your attention to detail is amazing. thank you for a great read, both of you!

 

[sweetlovin']

Awe thank you.