Canadian Buffoon's Semi-EPIC Vacation - 10/29 - Link to new TR!

[pkondz]

I'm here!

Hi Ariana!
to the TR!

Still pages and pages behind on your other TR but at least I'm in on the start of this one.

But now you have time
to catch up!
Nothing gonna be happening there
for a bit, I think.

(I "think")

One of the reasons I'm glad I live in the south. We might get snow once a year and then it's an event and we get to stay home from work.

It's an event up here too.
I get to shovel.

Very eventful.

I know that one! Ellie is a pain and likes to wake us up 5-10 minutes before the alarm goes off.

oooooh... I'd hate that!
She doesn't go lie down
again if you tell her to?

OK, I'm super curious as to what the heck those people were checking in all those boxes.

I was too!
I did mosey over and take
a quick glance.

Toronto is one of Canada's
major hubs.
(Or perhaps they were catching
a different morning flight?)
I think the boxes were labeled
Malaysia or Philippines or something
like that.
I got the impression they were bringing
items back that they couldn't get there,
or were cheaper here?

But I really don't know.

And her specially labeled seat!

Yikes! I would be freaking out! It made me nervous just reading your story.

I was almost freaking out...
but then reasoned that if we
missed our flight...
They'd put us on the next one.
I wasn't super worried.
It was early in the day.
They have other flights.


I didn't want to miss it.
Indeed I very much wanted
to catch it...

But if we missed it...
we missed it.

Also... since we were likely
among the first passengers
to get there (despite the extra
screening we had to do),
I figured they'd delay the flight
a bit too.

Very cool! (or maybe I should say very cold? or very Frozen?)

Sure! They all work.

Figured I wasn't the only one.

Been there once. Wasn't impressed enough to make the trip back but would probably eat there again if I was staying at the resort.

I wouldn't go out of my way for it,
but, like you, I'd eat there again
if I was staying there.

My Mom wasn't impressed with the Crab Cake either. I had the buttermilk chicken which was pretty bland. And you know if I say it was bland it must have been really bland.

Now that's bland!

Yep, made a reference above!

 

[pkondz]

I'm here. Gotta go back and read.

Hi Vanessa!
to the TR!
Glad you're here!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

I'm here! (And just missed out on the first page - darn!)

Oh, to be young and not sleep before a vacation! (Who am I kidding?! It's only my last trip that I learned how to get more than a few hours sleep before leaving by finishing my packing the day before rather than the night before! )

You'd think you'd be able to avoid the $30 bag fee on Pkondz airlines...

I'm so glad you made it onto your connecting flight - I was concerned as I read through your customs adventure! I'm also glad Elle was able to get some sleep on both flights!

Old Key West - how fun! It's a good thing you confirmed which building they'd assigned your ground floor room - it's not your first rodeo! I'm sure you'll appreciate being close to the main building!

I've always wanted to try Olivia's! The menu looks so tasty. I'm thrilled you got to try the chowder as I know you're a chowder fan!

You're off to a great start!

 

[pkondz]

Semi-EPIC still sounds pretty epic!

Courtney! Hi!
to the TR!

Okay, well... it was semi-pretty, too.

Congrats to her!

I'll pass that along.

Snow in April would be my worst nightmare. Maybe not my worst but definitely up there.

Mine too.
Except I get to live it.

For me though snow still means I have to make it to work and that I may not be allowed to leave at the end of my shift!

Ugh... yuck.
I've (I think) missed one day
of work due to snow.
I've been stuck at work because
my relief couldn't show up,
maybe once or twice.

My cat also looks at me this way when I stay at my parents and wake up at strange hours. She still demands food, regardless of the time. Then demands food at the normal meal times as though it never happened. This is how we have a 30 pound cat.

Definitely sounds like something I would do.

Courtney!
Ya gotta get organized!

At least they let you go and didn't make you physically move the stuff! This is my biggest airport beef- if my bag is over and DBF's is under (cuz that's usually how it goes), and together they add up to less than 100 pounds- what difference does it make what bag it's in!! #rantover

I've been in the situation
where I've had 4 bags open
on the floor at the airport,
trying to redistribute stuff.

Pain in the... rear.

But... I guess it's for the baggage
handlers?
So they don't grab a suitcase,
thinking it's max 50lbs only to
throw out their back because it's 100?

Maybe?

Wise decision!

I thought so.

I mean, a set of pots and pans would definitely put you over the weight limit

I've done that!!!

About 10 or so years ago,
DW and I went to Vegas and
went on a charter bus to Primm,
on the Nevada/California border.
There was supposed to be this
amazing outlet mall there.

Well, the mall was "okay"
(not amazing), but did have
a Williams Sonoma outlet.
I bought a 10-piece All-Clad
pots and pans set.
I couldn't not.
That set is regular about $800
and (I think) there it was about $100.

Lugging that massive box from the bus
back to our hotel was an excursion
I won't soon forget.

But man what great pots!

Also sounds like something I would do

Get some sleep!

Ouch. Nothing like a concussion to start a vacation!

Concussion?
I don't remember if
I had one.

Ooo that sounds delicious!

It was!

There's no such thing in my world.

Well, I had a concussion, so...

Wow- I never knew that.

Right????
Why is it not pronounced
like it's spelled???

You'd think with your own airline you could go to Disney whenever you want!

Nah. They seldom
tolerate my presence.

I get that from pretty
much everyone, too.

 

[pkondz]

Haha np!! Wanted to read anyway!

I actually live in Niagara Falls but the US side. Yep, its been THAT cold lol there's a daily conversation of WHY do we still live here? But then I remember that I would probably rather do cold than snakes, alligators and hurricanes lolol

Um... in that case...

She said it was 30... Celsius.
So 86F.

Hahahaha

 

[pkondz]

I'm here.

Hey Doc!
to the TR!

Were your ears burning?

May even make the first page for a change.

You did!

 

[pkondz]

What oatmeal is the good part of that meal just so you know.

Oh!
So you're the one person
that eats oatmeal without
brown sugar... and likes it.

to the TR!

I knew this was the correct version.

Considering where I'm posting this,
I suppose that's a fairly safe bet.

I remember they used baggage charges as a response to the increased oil prices but oil low now and we still pay for bags.

Hmmm... I thought it was fuel
prices.
And of course now that they're
back up (thanks carbon tax)
maybe they'll increase the fees! Yay!

Pictures?

Sure!

Ahh, the fabled Plus seats. I have only been so lucky once.

I do them fairly often.


I'm spoiled.

but but but I want 6

In that case, have them all
at the same time.

It'll save time, later on.

You got that right!

The worst feeling in the world, my heart started racing on your behalf because I have had this happen.

I kept glancing at my watch.
Over and over.
The rest of the time I was
staring at the line,
willing it to move faster.

The time on the watch went
faster and the line went slower.

I think I got it backwards.

sigh, one day I will ride this bus! My only trip to was one that we drove(was on the road with my father(long haul trucker).

I remember that about your dad.

again, one day I will see this beautiful sight! We arrived quite early and I was still sleeping in the cab.

And he didn't wake you???

 

[pkondz]

I am here and joining in.

Hi!
to the TR!!

I may not get to comment a lot but I will when I can.

Sounds good!
Comment when you can,
read when you wish.

I'm pretty easy-going with
that stuff. I know life gets
in the way.

We never have a direct flight from here either. We always have had to connect usually in Chicago or St.Louis (it is 50/50)

I can see that.
Chicago, more so, but...

Yep. I can see that.

Once we did have to connect in New Orleans but we had to stay on the plane while some people got off and new ones got on.

Interesting connection.
I presume that was because
of a better time, or lower price?

 

[pkondz]

Although I’ve yet to catch up on your other TR, I’m jumping in on this one too!

Hi, Jeff!
to the TR!

You can take your time on
the other one.
I don't think it'll get updated
for a while.

I think so, anyways.

You may be the coldest reaches in winter, but when it’s iceberg season things stay pretty cool around these parts. It’s been particularly bad this year. Lots of north east winds blowing off the cold Atlantic keeping temps just a couple degrees above freezing all May.

I totally get that.
Those things have an ecosystem
all to themselves.
While we didn't have the big ones
you guys get, when we lived up North,
we did have lots ot "bergie-bits"* that
would get stranded on shore when the
tide would go out.

*say the size of a double-decker bus.

I just keep my eyes closed for the scary parts.

Wise decision.

I’ve made comments in other Epic TRs that I would have liked to be there. While that’s true I also would have felt a bit like an intruder on a girls weekend. But it seems there were a couple husbands tagging along too.

There were...
And that's just it.
They were husbands.
So... to me, it made sense.
You're not going to be in Disney
and tell your Spouse
"Sorry, you can't come."

I’m more or less familiar, but I’ll read anyway. It’s 4:30am and I can’t sleep. I’ve got nowhere else to be.

Same time here.
(Well, when I read that.)

What is this "sleep" you speak of?

I’ve done this before myself. Didn’t hit another car. Hit a low lying bumper height stack of wood. Not driving up insurance for that.

Yeah... when no one else is
involved... Nope.

Good plan. Now that I have a 19 year old, it’s a new way of thinking when it comes to travel and money.

As per my earlier comment, we’ve had snow in May. No shoveling, but still a pain in the rear.

I don't think I had to shovel in May
down South. In the North, yes.
But not down here.

I’m just glad there’s someone else out there with a daughter who does stuff lacking in common sense. I thought I was the only one.

Oh you are definitely not alone.

Always the part of travel that stresses me out. I feel like the Last Post should be playing as the bag disappears.

Now I could never be sure,
but I thought that I heard the
sound of "Taps" being played.
Gently.

Same here. Westjet does one direct flight from St. John’s to Orlando but it’s only on Saturday. One week is not long enough for me but two full weeks is a tad too long, so I’ve never taken direct.[/QUOTE

I think they do one a week
during certain parts of the
year, from Winnipeg.
But I've never seen it.

Always frustrating and seems unnecessary to me.

Very much so.
Just how much contraband
did I pick up while I flew
from A to B?

...in credit card debt from this trip, check, I got that. In cash on my person...not a chance.

I thought of using that...
But perhaps saying that to
a surly TSA agent may not
be the right time.

Can’t tell, I’m closing my eyes, it’s the scary part.

You is a wise man.

I’m pretty sure I spotted that in TO too. Or the Mickey one.

I've seen the Frozen plane
a couple of times now.
I think I've seen the Mickey one, too.

I thought that was a decent movie, but I don’t think it did very well.

No, I don't think it did.
But it's fairly well done.

I didn’t know that. There’s my new thing for the day.

My TRs are nothing if not educational.

Um... maybe they're nothing.

For the record, yes I saw it. You’re adding special touches to your fleet these days.

Gotta keep up appearances.

 

[pkondz]

I'm here! (And just missed out on the first page - darn!)

Hi Jenny!
Glad you could make it!

to the TR!

Sorry about the first page.
Life moves pretty quick
around these parts!

Oh, to be young and not sleep before a vacation!

Just get old like me.
Then you just can't sleep!

(Who am I kidding?! It's only my last trip that I learned how to get more than a few hours sleep before leaving by finishing my packing the day before rather than the night before! )

But see?
You've already learned to do
things ahead of time!

You could be silly and... oh, I dunno...
Only get the money you need
a few hours before your flight.

You'd think you'd be able to avoid the $30 bag fee on Pkondz airlines...

I told them I didn't want any special
privileges.

I didn't expect to have to pay, too!

I'm so glad you made it onto your connecting flight - I was concerned as I read through your customs adventure!

It was fairly close.
Turned out to not be as close
as some of my connections
have been... but, close!

I'm also glad Elle was able to get some sleep on both flights!

I'm just a little envious of her.

Old Key West - how fun! It's a good thing you confirmed which building they'd assigned your ground floor room - it's not your first rodeo! I'm sure you'll appreciate being close to the main building!

Nope. I always ask now.
I've made those loooooong treks
to the back of the resort.

Not a fan.
Not after walking a million miles
in the parks all day already.

I've always wanted to try Olivia's! The menu looks so tasty. I'm thrilled you got to try the chowder as I know you're a chowder fan!

I am! And it was good!
Very good!

You're off to a great start!

More to come!

 

[docsoliday1]

Although I’ve yet to catch up on your other TR, I’m jumping in on this one too!


You may be the coldest reaches in winter, but when it’s iceberg season things stay pretty cool around these parts. It’s been particularly bad this year. Lots of north east winds blowing off the cold Atlantic keeping temps just a couple degrees above freezing all May.


I just keep my eyes closed for the scary parts.


I’ve made comments in other Epic TRs that I would have liked to be there. While that’s true I also would have felt a bit like an intruder on a girls weekend. But it seems there were a couple husbands tagging along too.


I’m more or less familiar, but I’ll read anyway. It’s 4:30am and I can’t sleep. I’ve got nowhere else to be.


I’ve done this before myself. Didn’t hit another car. Hit a low lying bumper height stack of wood. Not driving up insurance for that.


Good plan. Now that I have a 19 year old, it’s a new way of thinking when it comes to travel and money.


As per my earlier comment, we’ve had snow in May. No shoveling, but still a pain in the rear.


I’m just glad there’s someone else out there with a daughter who does stuff lacking in common sense. I thought I was the only one.


Always the part of travel that stresses me out. I feel like the Last Post should be playing as the bag disappears.


Same here. Westjet does one direct flight from St. John’s to Orlando but it’s only on Saturday. One week is not long enough for me but two full weeks is a tad too long, so I’ve never taken direct.





Always frustrating and seems unnecessary to me.


...in credit card debt from this trip, check, I got that. In cash on my person...not a chance.


Can’t tell, I’m closing my eyes, it’s the scary part.


I’m pretty sure I spotted that in TO too. Or the Mickey one.


I thought that was a decent movie, but I don’t think it did very well.


Awesome! Nice one @docsoliday1


I didn’t know that. There’s my new thing for the day.

For the record, yes I saw it. You’re adding special touches to your fleet these days.

Can't multi quote, but you are definitely NOT the only one with a daughter that does ....... things.

You can insert lack of common sense if you want, but I was (with respect to mine) thinking something that rhymes with plum bass.

Thanks for the shout out @pkondz and the comment @Terra Nova guy , but in reality I didn't think it was a big deal...be able to use my points to help a friend...absolutely.

 

[pkondz]

Can't multi quote, but you are definitely NOT the only one with a daughter that does ....... things.

You can insert lack of common sense if you want, but I was (with respect to mine) thinking something that rhymes with plum bass.

Thanks for the shout out @pkondz

Well deserved!

but in reality I didn't think it was a big deal...be able to use my points to help a friend...absolutely.

That's just it.
"Friend"
What I love about this community.

 

[pooh'smate]

Interesting connection.
I presume that was because
of a better time, or lower price?

They only had that flight once it was back when I could get a round trip ticket for 150 on Southwest. It actually was the best flight of the day (according to us), it was the first flight out of the day and also the fastest. We took off around 6am and landed at MCO around 12:30.

 

[gypsy_at_heart]

Following along!

I usually plan my flights to connect in the States and clear customs before I leave Vancouver. Having to go through that on a connection would stress me out I’m glad you made it!

 

[pkondz]

They only had that flight once it was back when I could get a round trip ticket for 150 on Southwest. It actually was the best flight of the day (according to us), it was the first flight out of the day and also the fastest. We took off around 6am and landed at MCO around 12:30.

Ah! So it was a good thing!

 

[pkondz]

Following along!

Hi!
to the TR!

I usually plan my flights to connect in the States and clear customs before I leave Vancouver. Having to go through that on a connection would stress me out I’m glad you made it!

I wish we could do that.
We've cleared customs in
Winnipeg when we've flown
US carriers out of here,
but I have/get points with
WestJet, so I usually fly with them.
They always connect elsewhere
in Canada, though.

 

[Steppesister]

Here... will take me approximately 3 decades to read and quote it, but I'm here. Your patience is kindly requested. <refills coffee, tells neighbors not to call for a welfare check, and settles in...>

 

[Steppesister]

Which is why I put brown sugar
on oatmeal.

I just... can't. Maaaaaybe steel cut, but regular... nope.

While I was asked to join
in on the festivities, I didn't
feel it was my place to
intrude.

But... um, if you were INVITED (and you were) it's not an intrusion. Yes, I get that Elle doesn't enjoy Meets, but, you did pay for most of her trip, no?

I want to go!
I quite happily agreed.

There it is...

Then it was:
"Dad. I don't think I can
afford to go. Too many expenses."

And again... theeeeeere it is....

Except... it was telling me
that Elle's bag was going
to cost $30.

You got off easy. Alaska charged me $50.

(She was. Still didn't stop
me from imagining
(i.e. worrying) that she'd
fallen asleep and wouldn't
show up.)

It's what parents do.

Don't have kids, folks.
You heard it here first.

Amen!

We were waved forward and
Elle placed her bag on the scale.
33lbs. Well under the 50lb limit.
I put mine on next... fairly sure
that it was going to be over.


Yep.
55lbs.

So... you didn't re-distribute??

I wisely kept my mouth shut.
"Yes sir! We'll refund that $30.
And now if you'll just pay the
$100 over-weight penalty?
Have a nice flight!"

Shoulda found 17 pounds worth of stuff to put in her bag...

Have you ever seen
a more empty airport
security area???

Nope! But we have several (million) people we could send your way to fill those queues up. All the ones who promised to leave 3 years ago... just sayin'...

After retrieving our belongings,
putting my watch back on,
pulling up my pants and putting
my belt back on,
(always travel with clean underwear.
umm... always travel with underwear.
I'm looking at you, Liesa.)
we wandered off in search of our gate.

HEY!!!! Party pooper. Well, close anyway.

Or whatever. I have no idea.
All I know is I was not on a
plane piloted by Frank and Beans,
or Frank and Stein.

Bitter, bitter disappointment.

Stawwwwwp.

De-icing! On April 30th!

Our scheduled time of arrival
in Toronto was 8:20am,
but we arrived at 8:03.

LOVE flying west.

This time I didn't mess around.
I took off my shoes, belt and watch
and went through without a hitch
other than the hitching up
of my pants.

And we're back to underwear....

He does not ask me if I am
constipated because I am
practically pooping my pants
(mercifully held up by my belt.

.... and party pooping.

Or relieved?

I sure hope not!

I can always replace the plate
in my head, but a good camera
isn't easy to find in Disney.

Nor a tripod evidently.

"It might not be ready until 4pm." She said.
I assured her that was fine.

Patience is a virtue in all things Disney.

 

[pkondz]

Here... will take me approximately 3 decades to read and quote it, but I'm here. Your patience is kindly requested. <refills coffee, tells neighbors not to call for a welfare check, and settles in...>

3 decades goes by so
quickly these days!

I just... can't. Maaaaaybe steel cut, but regular... nope.

"regular" is why you
eat it in the first place!

But... um, if you were INVITED (and you were) it's not an intrusion. Yes, I get that Elle doesn't enjoy Meets, but, you did pay for most of her trip, no?

Well... there was also another reason.
You can PM me if you really want to know.
I won't post it on an open forum.

And I did pay for most of the trip,
which is why Elle had to suck it up
while I met with a few people.

There it is...

And again... theeeeeere it is....

Yep!

You got off easy. Alaska charged me $50.

Because Alaska is farther North.
The farther you go, the more
expensive it gets.

It's what parents do.

You know when parents stop
worrying about their kids?


Never.

So... you didn't re-distribute??

Nope! Didn't have to.

Shoulda found 17 pounds worth of stuff to put in her bag...

Why?

Nope! But we have several (million) people we could send your way to fill those queues up. All the ones who promised to leave 3 years ago... just sayin'...

Funny how that
never happened.

HEY!!!! Party pooper. Well, close anyway.

I'm not Jennifer!

Stawwwwwp.

LOVE flying west.

Um... except Toronto is
East of Winnipeg....

And we're back to underwear....

Yes. Yes we are.

.... and party pooping.

It just happens!!

I sure hope not!

Nor a tripod evidently.

Is that the thing that the
camera sits on top of?

Patience is a virtue in all things Disney.

Especially at the bus stops.

Well... for most people.

 

[VAtink]

Joining in! Can't wait to read more!