Canadian Buffoon's Solo Disney Vacation - Update 07/08! pp99 - Here today gone tomorrow

[pkondz]

Logical...

Nope. Stupid. But it's a dream, so it's all good.

Ouch!

You're not kidding.
That's no time for anyone to be up... ever.
Unless you're partying and you're still up.

Then it's okay.

Until the next time you get stuck in one of those rooms, then I bet you start the whole process all over again!

Oh, of that I have no doubt!

Good because there is a magic to seeing a quiet resort before anyone is awake.

You're 100% right.
It was so peaceful, so serene.
Made leaving just that much harder.

Nah, that's just the leaving Disney blues talking.

Yep.

Huh, I thought that the Canadian Dollar was stronger?

It was.
We were on par (and even for a bit, slightly higher) with the greenback not too long ago.
But when oil prices tumbled, so did our dollar.
We are the #1 exporter of oil to the US.
Most Americans (I think) believe that they get most of their oil from Saudi Arabia.
We send you two to three times as much in any given month.

After Canada and Saudi Arabia, the next three countries you import oil from are Venezuela, Mexico and Columbia.
We send you more than all of them combined.
Heck add in the oil you get from Russia (#6), Kuwait (#8) and Iraq (#9) and we still send you more.

Wow! very cool!

I like that shot too!

Well you did say yourself that it was still stupid o'clock.

True. Maybe I should cut him some slack.
Plus I was already grumpy.

But But bUt but.......... The sign saying 12-17 is AFTER gate 13.

My best guess is... old sign and new gate assignments?

Got one!

But you got that one! I didn't think anyone would!

The credit limit for the rooms depends on the level you are staying at. I believe that the limit is only $500 at the values. Its $1500 at moderates and I don't know deluxe

Okay. Thanks for that info.
I kinda figured it was something like that.

Should I know what the UOG is?

Oh, sorry. It's the Unnoficial Guide to WDW.

Not too shabby for joining in so late.

 

[pkondz]

Hi!
Coming out of lurkdom to say hey and that I enjoyed reading your TR!

Hi! right back atcha!
Thanks for poking your head out and saying hello!

Yay for a trip to wdw soon!!

I thought the earliest I'd get back would be January/February.
And all of a sudden.... BAM! I'm going again!

I've been trying to figure if I can steal away for a quick trip before our APs expire, but it's not coming to a conclusion I like haha

Your APs (just judging from your siggie) expire in October?
Still time. Keep them fingers and toes crossed!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I could tell, because I could see a maintenance crew from my vantage spot,
working on maintaining the Tree of Life.

But as I rounded the Golf Ball, I immediately saw what the problem was.
No wonder people were running in the opposite direction!
I joined them too!

Cross the streams, boys!

Nicely done!

2:00am.
Welcome back to the real world.
Time to get up.
Time to go... ugh... home.

Bleh. 2:00 should only come once a day.

Don't get me wrong, I miss my wife and kids.
I miss the dog too.
Maybe even the guinea pigs a little.

We used to have guinea pigs in our house. Once on Groundhog Day I came downstairs and told my wife, "Hey, I just checked on the guinea pigs and they saw their shadows. So they're giving us 6 more weeks of uselessness."

But now. Now that I'm travelling, the US dollar is worth more than a Canadian loonie.
So by paying cash, I'm saving about 25% over paying with the card
and paying the exchange rate.

Slick. Real slick. I wonder if I can do that with my Delaware money.

And sure enough, at 3:05, the bus rolls up.
It disgorges a few new Disney arrivals.


I hate them with all my soul.

Not bad. I think I did pretty good.
What do you think?

Not too shabby!

What in the heck could anyone hide underneath a watch???

Stand back! It's a Canadian loonie!

Gate 13.
Look back at that last photo.
See it on the right hand side?
How many of you missed it while you were looking at the

GATES 12-17 sign?

Thanks, Disney, for costing me an extra 25% on half my trip.
I appreciate that. Truly I do.

Slick. Real slick.

And there, at the bottom, was Ruby.
Waiting with a big smile on her face.
Pretty sure I wore a matching smile.

All together now: Awwwww....

The next morning the alarm woke me at 5:00am.
Time for work!
It's -18F (-28C) with the windchill equivalent to -41F (-41C).


Welcome back to the real world!!!

No, welcome to Canada!

I will be continuing on with this TR with a mini Toronto report.

Wooohoooo!!!!!

You all suck! In your face!

Oh, wait a minute.

I should win with dignity.

Ah, I kicked your butt in fantasy football.

 

[afwdwfan]

Funny you of all people should say that.

When I wrote that line, I was going to make some quip about
"Not including Andy and..."

And then I stopped.
I didn't want to offend anyone by leaving them out of the insult!

Or offending someone because I included them!

("What do you mean I disappoint you???" or "Why didn't you include me! Don't I disappoint you??")

Oy.

Yeah... sometimes you just can't win.

And I just had to call you out.

Ah, I kicked your butt in fantasy football.

I had my Dole Whip Cup first.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I had my Dole Whip Cup first.

And then I took it away. That's the important part here.

 

[afwdwfan]

And then I took it away. That's the important part here.

Who has it now?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Who has it now?

You don't know, either?

 

[afwdwfan]

You don't know, either?

No, but the odds were in my favor. I think I just proved my point.

 

[jandlinz]

Oh no it's over! So sad. I guess that means you'll have to plan another WDW trip soon!
-Lindsey

 

[orangecats2]

Even Andy says I'm the real winner!!!

What is Andy getting?

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Who are we?

Well, I’m fairly certain that you’re not me
And that’s a very good thing for you.

We've yet to meet Ponzi, but I feel we've become really good friends through our postings here.

If Ponzi hasn’t chased y’all off before now…
than that’s a good enough recommendation for me.

Howdy! Glad to meet ya’ T Man.

The day was Friday June 5, 2015.

A date that will live in infamy?

Lady H won 2 roundtrip airline tickets, 2 nights hotel and 2 tickets to the 2015 Belmont Stakes.

Nope, that’s not infamous…
That’s a dang fine little haul right there.
Congrats to y’all

I'm sure you can guess all did not go well.

I sense that drama is about to ensue…

10 minutes later we notice the flight time changed on the gate.

Oh how I love it when they do that

We were told they would hold the plane for us in Dallas and we would make our connecting flight.

Well, I feel better at least…
we all know that airlines are amongst the most trustworthy organizations on Earth.
So much better now than before the deregulation and consolidations

No worries until we learn that the plane we were supposed to board was struck by lightning 3 time on its flight from Phoenix.

Is that all the problem was!
Who needs functioning electronics…
I’m sure the pilot could just dead stick it.

They have a plan in place to make sure we make our connecting flight.

Just like Dr. Evil has a plan for world domination.
I’m sure this one is just as foolproof.

Especially if it in any way evolves sharks with laser beams attached to their heads.

Turns out the passengers saying we're flying to Chicago were right. Only we wouldn't be getting a connecting flight to LGA that night. We would have to stay the night in Chicago and catch an early flight out first thing in the morning.

Fool proof? Debatable…
Were fools involved in devising the process? I’d say that was confirmed.

And not one bloody laser in site.

It was well worth the walk as it was one of the best pizza places we've ever eaten at.

Finally! A win.
What was the name of the place?

Our luggage made it to NY the day before, why couldn't we.

Apparently you need to be traveling in the cargo hold to make it there the same day.
I can see new up charges coming from the airlines…

“The ticket will cost only xxx, but bringing luggage will be an additional charge of xxx.
Guarantying that there will be a seat on the plane will be an additional xxx. Oh, and of course there a charge of xxx to ensure there will actually be a plane as opposed to a bus will be and extra xxx. May I also recommend that you go the extra mile and upgrade to our premium plan where we actually guarantee that we will get you to your destination at some undefined point in time in the future. And if I were you I’d jump at this deal because next month we will start charging for the oxygen in the cabin. There will be plenty of nitrogen available of course, but ensuring that oxygen is included will require an additional fee.”

Soon we would be on the shuttle and on our way to the hotel where we would now only stay 1 night instead of 2.

The airline didn’t offer up a voucher for that now did they?

Getting there was rough but I'm glad we made it. The rest of the trip was smooth sailing.

And that’s good to hear. Very good indeed.
Nice pictures of from NYC there as well.
I for one would love to hear more about the events surrounding the race and your time in the Big City.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

So I last left you with the news that I'd booked my and Ruby's Deadwood trip.

I remember something along that line.



Yeah, I know that everyone else is way ahead of this point in the proceedings…
but I need to make up some ground here.

Well, she told Ruby (she didn't get the chance to tell me yet)
that she would be happy to sleep in the airport,
just like they do in The Amazing Race.

If she watched the entire footage of the time spent sleeping on the floor of some airport…
She might think differently.

Wait. You'll have to work every weekend?
For a measly three days off???

Wow… that sound like my employers.
Benevolent to a fault they are.

But I can see the writing on the wall.
"Ruby, would you like to delay our trip to Deadwood?"

Yes. Yes she would.

Sorry ‘bout that.
Tough choice but money making generally has to come before money spending (even when counterfeiting is involved), and remaining employed is somewhat integral to that outcome.

Don’t make it right, but it is so.

On the other hand.
When one door closes...

So Kay and I have our flights booked and we're booked into Pop
from August 21st to 27th.
Everything's booked!

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY!!!!

Well good for her! And lucky you…

You’re now even farther in debt to Ruby
(but you already know that; I suspect that she took one for the team here)

Did I mention we're going to Disney??????

Yes…
I do believe you did.
Better yet, I may just get to read about it (since I ain’t going any time soon)


Now it’s off to read your most recent update…
Which isn’t really all that “recent” because I’m all that far behind…

Did I mention that my employers remind me a lot of Ruby’s overlords?

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Yes,they expire in October. I keep trying to think of a way to get even a long weekend in, but work and kids make it harder to figure out. Even if I just get away, I've never done a solo trip before, but I wouldn't mind trying! Haha my husband would not be happy I go without him though. My mom and I took my oldest a few years ago, drove down, and were going to spend one day in MK to watch my sister March. My hubby made himself available to be there too, so he wouldn't miss out LoL He LOVES disney.

 

[pkondz]

Nicely done!

Thanks!

Bleh. 2:00 should only come once a day.

Ya got that right.
Unfortunately, with shift work I see it all too often.

We used to have guinea pigs in our house. Once on Groundhog Day I came downstairs and told my wife, "Hey, I just checked on the guinea pigs and they saw their shadows. So they're giving us 6 more weeks of uselessness."

Slick. Real slick. I wonder if I can do that with my Delaware money.

Try it!
Take as much folding cash as you can get your hands on,
wrap it in a couple of sheets of newspaper,
bury it in the back yard for 5 years... and then see what you'll get!
I'm betting you'll be surprised!!!

Stand back! It's a Canadian loonie!

Yes. Yes I am.

Oh! You meant under the watch.
Actually, it would fit under there quite well.

Gotcha!

All together now: Awwwww....

No, welcome to Canada!

Who else would live in an insanely cold place like this????

 

[pkondz]

Ah, I kicked your butt in fantasy football.

I had my Dole Whip Cup first.

And then I took it away. That's the important part here.

Who has it now?

You don't know, either?

No, but the odds were in my favor. I think I just proved my point.

 

[pkondz]

Oh no it's over! So sad. I guess that means you'll have to plan another WDW trip soon!
-Lindsey

Yep. All done... at least this part.
Toronto coming up soon.
As for planning another trip.... I'll be there (With Kay, DD14) in just over a month from now.

Even Andy says I'm the real winner!!!

Andy! Don't call Carrie a wiener!

What is Andy getting?

Well.... technically....

Nothing.

He's donating his prize to another party who shall remain nameless
unless @afwdwfan wants to say who it is.

 

[Sandy Mouse]

The alarm got louder and seemed to be coming from right beside my head!


I opened an eye.
My iPod was playing a merry little tune that I immediately loathed.
2:00am.

Tricky - that's lower than a snake's belly in a wagon wheel rut.

Wanna see what a resort looks like at three o'clock in the morning?
Neither did I!
But if I have to be up at God o'clock, you're gonna see it anyway!

That's something I would say. If I'm up, everybody should be up.

Arriving at the empty lobby, I walked up to the lone CM manning the station.
"Hi." I cleverly said. "Checking out. pkondz."

And right away she knew you were Mr. ___.

"Yes sir, Mr. pkondz." It was nice that he played along, no? "I have your balance right here."

She was a good sport about it. Did you slip her a twenty?

A teeny tiny, itsy bitsy knife?
"All right! I'm taking over this plane with my miniscule weapon!

And the whole crew laughed!

Nobody move or I will incessantly jab you with it until you become annoyed!

You're such a Canadian.

Nah. Better not. Or Karma will come back and bite me!

Stab it with your miniscule knife.

(Now. How many of you noticed that I mentioned
that Gate 11 was in the 12-17 area???)

I don't want to offend anyone (see what I did there - pretended to be Canadian) but when we lived in Florida, my (then) husband planned to put our kids in private school, even if we had to work two jobs! The schools were not great.

They had charged me for the first two or three nights mid-way through my stay.
They just went ahead and charged it to my card.
Now I guess there's some small print somewhere that says this will happen...
But I know it didn't happen the last times I stayed on site.

They don't ever do that. It must have done by mistake - supposed to be another room.

I was through customs at, glance at the contraband hiding watch, 9:35am.
Five minutes!

I was counting on no lines but still thought it would take a few more minutes.


I am so sorry I had to leave in the middle of posting my comments (and I've lost the rest of the quotes) but lunch was over, I was back on the clock, and my brother called to discuss my parents' latest antics. Evidently, while I was multi-quoting neighbors had emailed both of us.
I will come back later and do more.

 

[pkondz]

Yeah, I know that everyone else is way ahead of this point in the proceedings…
but I need to make up some ground here.

Not to worry, I'm still here.

If she watched the entire footage of the time spent sleeping on the floor of some airport…
She might think differently.

Like a lot of things.
The reality isn't nearly as rosy as the romanticised version.

Wow… that sound like my employers.
Benevolent to a fault they are.

It's crazy the amount of workload she has.
I honestly don't know how she does it.

Sorry ‘bout that.
Tough choice but money making generally has to come before money spending (even when counterfeiting is involved), and remaining employed is somewhat integral to that outcome.

Don’t make it right, but it is so.

It's not so much about the money. More about the workload and projects that need doing.

Well good for her! And lucky you…

You’re now even farther in debt to Ruby
(but you already know that; I suspect that she took one for the team here)

Yeah... I suspect that too.
I'm thinking that she rationalized it all in her head so that Kay could get something.

Better yet, I may just get to read about it (since I ain’t going any time soon)

Now it’s off to read your most recent update…
Which isn’t really all that “recent” because I’m all that far behind…

Like I said. I'll be here.

Did I mention that my employers remind me a lot of Ruby’s overlords?

Might have been alluded to, yes.

 

[pkondz]

Yes,they expire in October.

I guessed right???

I guessed right!

I keep trying to think of a way to get even a long weekend in, but work and kids make it harder to figure out. Even if I just get away, I've never done a solo trip before, but I wouldn't mind trying!

Do it!

do it, do it, do it, do it.

Try, "If you love me you'll set me free (to go on a Disney solo trip)."

Haha my husband would not be happy I go without him though.

Tell him he should be happy if you're doing something that makes you happy which in turn will make him happy.

I think I'm dizzy now.

My mom and I took my oldest a few years ago, drove down, and were going to spend one day in MK to watch my sister March. My hubby made himself available to be there too, so he wouldn't miss out LoL He LOVES disney.

One day?
Are you crazy?


Never mind that I would've done the exact same thing!

 

[pkondz]

Tricky - that's lower than a snake's belly in a wagon wheel rut.

Didn't see that one coming, huh?

That's something I would say. If I'm up, everybody should be up.

Remind me not to accept an invite to stay overnight at your place.

Wait.... What's early to you?
Maybe I get up earlier than you do?

And right away she knew you were Mr. ___.

He even called me Mr. ____.
Which I thought was kinda rude, actually.
My stony silence tipped him off that it was way to early for jokes and he quickly reverted to "Sir"

"Master" and "My Lord" would also have been acceptable.

She was a good sport about it. Did you slip her a twenty?

Nope.
I only do that on the way in.
And never at Disney since I'm almost positive it wouldn't be accepted or do any good.

And the whole crew laughed!

I actually saw it more as
"And the whole crew stared at me in disbelief, then shook their heads slowly in disbelief."

You're such a Canadian.

Well... Yeah!

Stab it with your miniscule knife.

I don't want to offend anyone (see what I did there - pretended to be Canadian)

Very good. Keep it up and we'll give you a temporary, probationary citizenship.

but when we lived in Florida, my (then) husband planned to put our kids in private school, even if we had to work two jobs! The schools were not great.

Not positive I know where you're going with this.
Is it you went (and sent your kids) to a good school so you immediately recognized that 11 is not within 12-17?

They don't ever do that. It must have done by mistake - supposed to be another room.

It certainly took me by surprise, but apparently this is the thing now.
Who knew?