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

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I can sneak away and get just a little...
A Little! more park time before I go.

You can?
Have we run smack into a hallucination here?
COOL! I like hallucinations.

I board the bus and in no time flat I'm at AK.
Why AK?

Because the drugs are in charge right now.

I don't even remember the bus ride there.

Bus, Schmus…
We’re in lullaby land here; why not just catch the express monorail from ASMu over to AK?

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

“Mmmmmm… Lots of minerals in that foliage”

What? It’s a known fact that sauropods can speak perfect English when we’re in lullaby land

In what seemed like no time at all, I'm stepping off the monorail and running...

See! An Express Monorail from AK over to Epcot
Now that’s more like it.

Excellent!
Did you construct these images or find them?
Nice work either way.

(Interesting how even in real life, Godzilla's black and white.)

Using the “Improved” Godzilla from the more recent version of the film just wouldn’t have cut it.

Seems they were talking about some problem and they were pretty surprised
that Disney had to ask Universal, of all things, for help.

Ok, now this little “trip” is just starting to get out of hand.
I mean, really… Godzilla sightings and sauropod gardeners are one thing…
but let’s not get completely abstract here.
Keep it together man!

Cross the streams, boys!

Well of course, but we need to consider the size of the Twinkie first.
Oh and more importantly…
Was your care satisfactory?

I opened an eye.
My iPod was playing a merry little tune that I immediately loathed.
2:00am.
Welcome back to the real world.

Nooooooooo…
Reality and 2am are not compatible with one and other. The result is usually similar to losing the containment field between the matter and antimatter in the reactor core.

Either eject the core or go back to sleep!

Time to get up.
Time to go... ugh... home.

Think I’d rather be drowned in thirty tons of burnt marshmallow.
No, on third thought (remember, always skip over your second thought, it’s usually wrong)…
on third thought maybe my first thought wasn’t the best option either.

Alright, let’s get this over with then.

Maybe even the guinea pigs a little.

Sure about that one?

Maybe it's because it was just way too early.
Maybe it's because I was leaving and I was just too apathetic to care.
Maybe I finally got used to it, but...

I didn't give a rat's patootie that there was water on the floor.

I’m going to go with option A here.

I took one last look... for that darned missing Jack Skellington Magicbandit.

Never found it.
Swallowed up by the Disney accounting department.

Wouldn’t be surprised, those folks are thorough

Funny.
Arriving late at night a few short days before it must've looked similar to this.
I don't remember feeling the same way, then.

Odd… can’t imagine why that’d be so.

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

You rascal, you.

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.

Very sound reasoning there.
Obviously not something that just came to you one early morning at stupid o’clock.

The CM quotes me a price.
Sweet! I must've spent less than I thought!
I'm way under budget.

Really? I’ve never been under budget down there.
It’s Disney for Pete’s sake, what’s a budget!

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


I hate them with all my soul.

And in a few days, they’ll be hating some other lucky so-n-so hopping off the bus with just as much passion.

The bus pulls away from the curb and roars off...

Uh...

Must have been the “Disgorge Only” bus.

I think I did pretty good.
What do you think?

you got a lot done.
Still stinks that you’re leaving though.

I was thrust out of my reverie when I saw the bus go by... in the opposite direction.
Uh...

Where is that express monorail when you really need it?

I was through security at 4:33am.
I know that because of a weird thing that happened.

Didn’t have anything to do with either a corkscrew or a back-scratcher, did it?
Just checking…

I went through the metal detector with nary a beep.
But after I went through, a TSA agent asked (and was given permission)
to look under my watch.

OK, you fell back to sleep while riding the bus over to MCO and this is just part of that dream.
Right?

See? TSA prevented me from possibly making a fool out of myself!

So they’re actually good for something then?

Ha! They obviously don't know me very well!

Clearly not…

The sign most definitely does not say:
"GATES 1 - 29 Now with special bonus gate 14!"

Highly Inconsiderate of the folks that designed the signage…

I assured him that he was on the right track.

Monorail track, or thought track?

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

Oh, don’t worry, Karma will bite you anyway. It always does.
You don’t even need to do something to deserve it; you’ll just get bit.

How many of you missed it while you were looking at the

GATES 12-17 sign?

Well, it didn’t say "GATES 12 – 17 Now with special bonus gate 13!", now did it.
You already demonstrated that the veracity of the signage at MCO is questionable at best.

Come on, I'm really curious. Spill.

Nope… didn’t see it either.
I was following the story line, not paying attention to the art work.

I mean, it was just a picture of an airport concourse…
Wait, if you showed me a picture of something as apparently mundane as that, then I should have questioned your motives in the first place. There’s the lesson of the day

Maybe it was a sign.

There are several signs there; mostly inaccurate once, it appears.

I sidled up to the Burger King counter,

Breakfast at the BK-Lounge?
Could I interest you in something else; something from a vending machine, perhaps?

Surely (don't call me Shirley)

Wouldn’t dream of it, but we’re all still counting on you.

I pulled out my receipt and...
Oh, you scoundrels.
(I didn't use the word "scoundrels",

I suspect you didn’t say “Fudge” either.

They had charged me for the first two or three nights mid-way through my stay.

Why on earth? I’ve not seen that done.
(or was I not paying attention then either?)

I was not pleased.
Thanks, Disney, for costing me an extra 25% on half my trip.
I appreciate that. Truly I do.

Yeah, that is quite unfortunate.

Ahhhh..... see ya, suckers!
I meant that literally since there were several kids with pacifiers.
Some parents, too.

At stupid o’clock…
I can see this as being entirely plausible.

Here, there were just machines, waiting to scan your passport.
Huh. Okay.

Interesting…

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

Well, I’ll get a couple points for that one at least.

It was a copy of the UOG!

Had to look that one up… Still couldn’t find it.
I’m obviously deficient on some aspect of common knowledge amongst traveling Canadians.

They boarded the entire rest of the plane before they let the Plus passengers on.

I don’t suspect they’ll be refunding that upcharge.

The flight departed a little late, about 25 minutes, but was uneventful.
I had some "free" Pringles chips (that's Crisps, Katie)

I did know that English-to-English translation though…

I was, however, the first down the escalator.
And there, at the bottom, was Ruby.

“…and all was right with the world”

Upon arrival at the school, Kay was already outside,
chatting with some class mates.
I wisely refrained from hugging her and thus saved her
from dying a thousand deaths of embarrassment.

And she thanks you greatly (just not out loud, of course).
Considerate parenting, there…

Elle came home and she wasn't averse to getting a hug.

Well, none of her peers were present at the time.

The next morning the alarm woke me at 5:00am.

I see you got to sleep in this time.

I will be continuing on with this TR with a mini Toronto report.
And you're all welcome to come along.

I consider that to be a moral imperative.

The Contest


Bonus questions were:
1. Alarm time? 2:00am (It hurts just to type that.)
2. Customs time? 5 minutes.
3. Never before seen photo? Fire alarm and glass breaking rod on wall of Jazz Inn at ASMU.

GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 6:30 - 5 minutes - fire extinguisher, break glass, ASMu - 12 points

Not too shabby.

Bonus points!

GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 1 point for being the prognosticator of prognosticators, 2 points for piranhas, 1 point for being unfathomable, 1 point for being fancy, 2 points for stuck lines.

A nice total haul for the round.
Don’t think it’ll be enough to garner the illegal candy bar though…

Contest points final tally!!

afwdwfan 85 points
orangecats2 84 points
BibbitybobityLu 75 points
Sandy Mouse 74 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes 71 points

Nope… not quite.
But not too bad for joining in on the proceedings rather late in the game.

Thanks for the whole TR, I’ve enjoyed it immensely.
Wish my feeble writings were even half as entertaining.

 

[pkondz]

You can?
Have we run smack into a hallucination here?
COOL! I like hallucinations.

I like it too!
But given a choice, I prefer Wishes to ... oh.
I thought we were talking about Illuminations.

Because the drugs are in charge right now.

That explains it!

Bus, Schmus…
We’re in lullaby land here; why not just catch the express monorail from ASMu over to AK?

Because I took it to Epcot from AK.
At this point in the story, I didn't know it was stupid yet.

“Mmmmmm… Lots of minerals in that foliage”

What? It’s a known fact that sauropods can speak perfect English when we’re in lullaby land

No they can't! Didn't you ever watch the Flintstones???


(A cartoon show that single handedly convinced a massive swath of the continent
that Man and Dino co-existed. )

See! An Express Monorail from AK over to Epcot
Now that’s more like it.

Well, of course! Why would I not take it?

Excellent!
Did you construct these images or find them?
Nice work either way.

A little of both, I guess.
Let's see.... I think the AK and MK base shots as well as the dino, Godzilla, Baymax and Ghostbusters shots were all taken from Google images.
I think possibly that the Japan shot was mine... might not be. Don't remember.
But the concepts were mine and I did put them all together though.

Using the “Improved” Godzilla from the more recent version of the film just wouldn’t have cut it.

Ya got that right!!

Ok, now this little “trip” is just starting to get out of hand.
I mean, really… Godzilla sightings and sauropod gardeners are one thing…
but let’s not get completely abstract here.
Keep it together man!

Well, it's the only way to get the Ghostbusters in there!

Well of course, but we need to consider the size of the Twinkie first.
Oh and more importantly…
Was your care satisfactory?

Reality and 2am are not compatible with one and other.

No. No they definitely are not.

The result is usually similar to losing the containment field between the matter and antimatter in the reactor core.

Either eject the core or go back to sleep!

Think I’d rather be drowned in thirty tons of burnt marshmallow.
No, on third thought (remember, always skip over your second thought, it’s usually wrong)…
on third thought maybe my first thought wasn’t the best option either.

Wanna try for a fourth?

Just trying to be charitable.

Sure about that one?

Oh, sure. They're cute little useless things.

Wouldn’t be surprised, those folks are thorough

Too thorough... by a country mile.

Odd… can’t imagine why that’d be so.

Apparently, it's a thing.
No one probably notices because it just goes on the card, right?
But if you paid with cash, or two cards or something, then you'd notice.

You rascal, you.

Nope. Not rascal. He did know my real name, though.

Very sound reasoning there.
Obviously not something that just came to you one early morning at stupid o’clock.

It would've been... if I'd followed through and paid at the start or during the trip.

Really? I’ve never been under budget down there.
It’s Disney for Pete’s sake, what’s a budget!

It's a small colourful song bird.

Oh! Budget... Sorry, I thought you said budgie.

And in a few days, they’ll be hating some other lucky so-n-so hopping off the bus with just as much passion.

There's a lot of hate at Disney.

Must have been the “Disgorge Only” bus.

you got a lot done.
Still stinks that you’re leaving though.

Oh, well. Maybe I can get most or all of the rest next month.

Where is that express monorail when you really need it?

I really don't know why they don't build one between the resorts and out to the airport.

Design and cost? Who cares!

Didn’t have anything to do with either a corkscrew or a back-scratcher, did it?
Just checking…

Now what kind of a crazy person would bring a corkscrew or back-scratcher through security????

OK, you fell back to sleep while riding the bus over to MCO and this is just part of that dream.
Right?

It sure felt like it.
I mean, really? Under my watch???

So they’re actually good for something then?

Now look who's dreaming.

Highly Inconsiderate of the folks that designed the signage…

You'd think at an airport where 95% or more of the passengers are tourists...

Monorail track, or thought track?

Race track....
Oh, sorry. We're not supposed to mention religion or race or politics, right?

Oh, don’t worry, Karma will bite you anyway. It always does.
You don’t even need to do something to deserve it; you’ll just get bit.

Yes. I'm quite familiar with that concept.

Well, it didn’t say "GATES 12 – 17 Now with special bonus gate 13!", now did it.
You already demonstrated that the veracity of the signage at MCO is questionable at best.

No. It certainly didn't.

You have no idea how stupid I was feeling... until I figured out that the signs were wrong.

Makes me wonder now if that guy ever found Gate 14. Maybe it was in a whole other wing.
"14? Yessir. Follow the signs for Gates 30-58. You can't miss it.
Well... don't follow the first 30-58 sign, but the second one."

Nope… didn’t see it either.

Yes!

Wait, if you showed me a picture of something as apparently mundane as that, then I should have questioned your motives in the first place. There’s the lesson of the day

Nah. I'm pretty mundane.
You're first thought was correct.


Please don't fall out of your chair in shock.

There are several signs there; mostly inaccurate once, it appears.

Glad someone caught that!
I was so proud of putting that in there.

Breakfast at the BK-Lounge?
Could I interest you in something else; something from a vending machine, perhaps?

I figured the vending machine food would be weeks old... at best.
Which means, that yes, it would've been better.

Wouldn’t dream of it, but we’re all still counting on you.

I suspect you didn’t say “Fudge” either.

I said THE word... plus others.

At stupid o’clock…
I can see this as being entirely plausible.

Yep.

Had to look that one up… Still couldn’t find it.
I’m obviously deficient on some aspect of common knowledge amongst traveling Canadians.

You're not alone.
Sorry, I thought everyone knew.
UOG = Unofficial Guide to WDW

I don’t suspect they’ll be refunding that upcharge.

Your suspicions are correct.

“…and all was right with the world”

And she thanks you greatly (just not out loud, of course).

As a matter of fact, she did mention her relief at avoiding the dreaded showing of feelings.

Well, none of her peers were present at the time.

Nah. That one's older and very different from her sibling.
She has no problem giving her old man a hug.

I see you got to sleep in this time.

I know! About 9 hours! That never happens! (5 or 6 is the norm... if I'm lucky.)

I consider that to be a moral imperative.

Good!

A nice total haul for the round.
Don’t think it’ll be enough to garner the illegal candy bar though…

Nope… not quite.
But not too bad for joining in on the proceedings rather late in the game.

You did pretty darned good.

Thanks for the whole TR, I’ve enjoyed it immensely.
Wish my feeble writings were even half as entertaining.

Glad you enjoyed it!
And I hardly think my writing is better (or even as good) as yours!

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Yes! You guessed right!

Haha, it MIGHT work to say that, but not sure. I know people I could stay with, so I'd only need air and food $..... now I need to go crunch some numbers LoL

The only thing setting me back is my youngest, very attached to me and still nursing. So, makes me reluctant go leave him. He's so so SO strong-willed, too!

Yes, one day, but we drug it out into 2.5- 1 night at dtd, 1day at resort, 1day in MK. Spring break time, but at least we were there and went. Better than not! we also visited family beforehand, so there's that LoL

 

[orangecats2]

Andy is doing what with his prize? I don't understand this "donating" word you used?

 

[KathyM2]

Sorry...been MIA for a few days but I think I'm caught up...

It's like it's waiting just for me.

That is the absolute best...too bad it was a dream lol

Ahhhh... Magic Kingdom. And there's almost no one there!

Sadly...another thing that is too good to be true...

But I was leaving Disney!

Sad.

So by paying cash, I'm saving about 25% over paying with the card and paying the exchange rate.

Smart move! I should maybe try that...but when I have cash in hand...it tends to somehow dissappear very quickly...sigh..don't know how that happens...

They just went ahead and charged it to my card.

Ugh..not nice of them. Who reads that fine print.

That's about fifty five minutes less than what it usually takes! Who da man? I da man!

This is usually pretty awesome. Except when you get stuck behind a bunch of idiots who can't figure out how to work the machines....

KathyM2 - 2 points for parallel traits.

You mean like...being Canadian?

KathyM2 31 points

Wow...I'm really movin' on up!!

 

[ursalita]

Congrats on going to Disney!!

Loved the dream sequence complete with photos.

I opened an eye.
My iPod was playing a merry little tune that I immediately loathed.
2:00am.
Welcome back to the real world.
Time to get up.
Time to go... ugh... home.

2AM!?!

So by paying cash, I'm saving about 25% over paying with the card
and paying the exchange rate.

Sweet!

The CM quotes me a price.
Sweet! I must've spent less than I thought!
I'm way under budget.

Nice! Nothing better than that.

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


I hate them with all my soul.

I know that feeling well. It balances out that feeling of superiority I feel when I'm arriving at Disney watching the poor people going in the other direction.

I didn't do everything on the list... and that's okay.
Gives me an excuse to go back right?

Thinking about the next trip takes a bit of the sting away.

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

Not too shabby.

But after I went through, a TSA agent asked (and was given permission)
to look under my watch.

What? It never ceases to amaze me how increasingly ridiculous these airport screenings can be. I can't seem to get through without being groped. And I know that I have it easy given my demographic.

"Excuse me? Does this go to gate 14?"

I glanced up at one of the many, many signs that said "GATES 1 - 29"
Well, I suppose he has a point.
The sign most definitely does not say:
"GATES 1 - 29 Now with special bonus gate 14!"

Now there are no stupid questions, pkondz...

Ummm... where's 13?
I marched back to the sign.
Nope. Hadn't misread it.

It's over there on the right.

Except there's no Gate 13 to be seen.

It's the bright and shiny 13 on the right.

How many of you missed it while you were looking at the

GATES 12-17 sign?

I saw it but I'm sure it was much harder to see in person.

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.
So what I paid cash for was the remaining balance.

Ugh! Similar thing happened to us but they charged the card late on the day before we checked out so they had to run the card again because of course we spent money on the last day we were there. Luckily I was planning to use the card anyway. They must run a nightly cycle on the credit cards before you check out. I don't see why they can't do that at the end of your stay that way if you choose to pay in cash they won't charge your card. And they will only have to charge your card once because of course you're likely to spend more $$ on the day you check out.

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

Jerks.

I watched a movie called "The Judge".
It was okay.

Good to know. It's on HBO Go so I was gonna watch it. Maybe I won't make it a priority.

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

I don't miss those temperatures. Well, I don't think it ever got quite that cold here but it was still a bad winter. I will never complain about the heat of summer ever again.

Enjoyed your report, thanks!!

 

[lisaviolet]

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 Colombia.
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.

\

Look at the **** one learns from you. Laughing. I am mesmerized with Venezuela, Mexico and Colombia. Who knew? Well you.

Yep. All done... at least this part.
Toronto coming up soon.

Lord. Totally on the edge of my seat.

 

[pkondz]

Yes! You guessed right!

I'm smarter than the average bear!
Which isn't saying that much considering a bear will get his head stuck inside an empty jar of peanut butter.

Haha, it MIGHT work to say that, but not sure. I know people I could stay with, so I'd only need air and food $..... now I need to go crunch some numbers LoL

Air, schmare.
Drive it! It's only... what? 17 hours or so from your place?

The only thing setting me back is my youngest, very attached to me and still nursing. So, makes me reluctant go leave him. He's so so SO strong-willed, too!

Well.... okay. That might be an issue.

Begin the weaning process!

Yes, one day, but we drug it out into 2.5- 1 night at dtd, 1day at resort, 1day in MK. Spring break time, but at least we were there and went. Better than not! we also visited family beforehand, so there's that LoL

Family. Sure. But Disney!!!!

Andy is doing what with his prize? I don't understand this "donating" word you used?

It's a complicated term involving turning down amazing gifts for you and your children.

Sorry...been MIA for a few days but I think I'm caught up...

Welcome back!

That is the absolute best...too bad it was a dream lol

I didn't know that at the time, so does it still count?

Sadly...another thing that is too good to be true...

Yup. I could buy all the other stuff.
Real dinosaurs snacking on the Tree of Life, Godzilla running amok in Japan... but an empty MK?
That's when I should've realized I was dreaming.

Smart move! I should maybe try that...but when I have cash in hand...it tends to somehow dissappear very quickly...sigh..don't know how that happens...

Weird, isn't it?
I think it's Gremlins.

Ugh..not nice of them. Who reads that fine print.

I happen to know a guy who didn't.
Wait... that's me.

This is usually pretty awesome. Except when you get stuck behind a bunch of idiots who can't figure out how to work the machines....

I figured the same thing. Right there is a good reason to get off the plane early.

You mean like...being Canadian?

Sure. That's what I meant. Let's go with that.

Wow...I'm really movin' on up!!

But... it's over.
Better luck on the next one!

 

[pkondz]

Congrats on going to Disney!!

Thanks!

Loved the dream sequence complete with photos.

Glad you liked it!

2AM!?!

Those two smileys there pretty much accurately describe the look on my face.

Nice! Nothing better than that.

Too bad that turned out to be as real as my dream sequence.

I know that feeling well. It balances out that feeling of superiority I feel when I'm arriving at Disney watching the poor people going in the other direction.

Exactly!

Thinking about the next trip takes a bit of the sting away.

Not too shabby.

I thought I did okay.
If I'd been a little more alert and had that marg and slush...

What? It never ceases to amaze me how increasingly ridiculous these airport screenings can be. I can't seem to get through without being groped. And I know that I have it easy given my demographic.

You get groped? Really? I don't think that's ever happened to me.


Hmmm... that might be fun.
Depends on who's the gropee.

Now there are no stupid questions, pkondz...

Here's your sign, sir!

It's over there on the right.

Where?

It's the bright and shiny 13 on the right.

Oh, there!

I saw it but I'm sure it was much harder to see in person.

Not when you're looking straight ahead, concentrating on the (erroneous) directions.

Ugh! Similar thing happened to us but they charged the card late on the day before we checked out so they had to run the card again because of course we spent money on the last day we were there. Luckily I was planning to use the card anyway. They must run a nightly cycle on the credit cards before you check out. I don't see why they can't do that at the end of your stay that way if you choose to pay in cash they won't charge your card. And they will only have to charge your card once because of course you're likely to spend more $$ on the day you check out.

So you feel my pain.

I have a feeling I know why they do this.
With Disney prices constantly going up and up and up,
I bet they have their fair share of people who just take off...
While the room cost exceeds the limit of the credit card.

Could be wrong.

Good to know. It's on HBO Go so I was gonna watch it. Maybe I won't make it a priority.

Yeah. I thought it was pretty "meh". I don't think it lasted very long in the theaters.

I don't miss those temperatures. Well, I don't think it ever got quite that cold here but it was still a bad winter. I will never complain about the heat of summer ever again.

Yes you will.
We all do it.
It's a rule.

Enjoyed your report, thanks!!

Thanks for following along!

 

[pkondz]

Look at the **** one learns from you. Laughing. I am mesmerized with Venezuela, Mexico and Colombia. Who knew? Well you.

I could sense that about you.

Lord. Totally on the edge of my seat.

Hope I don't disapoint!
Just as long as you realize that I've been there multiple times,
so don't expect much CN Tower or ROM stuff!

 

[ursalita]

You get groped? Really? I don't think that's ever happened to me.

Hope this isn't TMI but the wire in my bra always sets off the metal detector so I get that full body search. It's kinda sad how much we give up for the sake of safety. Geez, I sound like a Libertarian or something.

I have a feeling I know why they do this.
With Disney prices constantly going up and up and up,
I bet they have their fair share of people who just take off...
While the room cost exceeds the limit of the credit card.

Could be wrong.

Yeah, that makes sense. They want the opportunity to hunt you down if your credit card gets declined. Of course they would do it their ultra-nice Disney manner.

Yes you will.
We all do it.
It's a rule.

Nope! Never again. The other day there was like 100% humidity and I was pouring sweat but I was HAPPY!!

Yeah. I thought it was pretty "meh". I don't think it lasted very long in the theaters.

I didn't even remember it being in theaters even with that cast. That fact alone should have clued me in.

 

[KathyM2]

But... it's over.

Next time I will try to get in the game sooner...good thing there's gonna be another TR soon, right?

 

[pkondz]

Hope this isn't TMI but the wire in my bra always sets off the metal detector so I get that full body search.

Nah. If I was a teenager, maybe I'd be giggling and thinking up lewd comments.
But I'm older now and not giggling.




(Actually, I believe that's a very common issue.)

It's kinda sad how much we give up for the sake of safety. Geez, I sound like a Libertarian or something.

Rebel without a rebellion.

Yeah, that makes sense. They want the opportunity to hunt you down if your credit card gets declined. Of course they would do it their ultra-nice Disney manner.

Nope! Never again. The other day there was like 100% humidity and I was pouring sweat but I was HAPPY!!

: It'll be cold soon enough. Don't wish the heat away!

I didn't even remember it being in theaters even with that cast. That fact alone should have clued me in.

I remember seeing a preview for it at some point.
Even then I remember thinking... "I don't think I'll bother."

Next time I will try to get in the game sooner...good thing there's gonna be another TR soon, right?

 

[ougrad86]

Well, I made it back before this TR completely shut down, but now it looks like you will be extending it a bit.

Sorry I have been MIA. I have only been on the boards sporadically since November. My mom was diagnosed with cancer and it was very fast. She went downhill just after Thanksgiving and I went to her home in Illinois to help my brother take care of her. She passed away the second week in December., glad I was there with her. Doug (DH) had come with me, but Rob (DS) was finishing up his freshman year at college. He did OK with exams, although his best friend said that he was very subdued. Glad she was there with him. Grandma had been insistent he stay at school to finish the semester.
Once winter break came, my company closed between Xmas and NY so we went back to clean out her apartment in Illinois and our old house in Wisconsin. So it was a rough close to the year. I threw myself into my work only to be told in February that my position was being eliminated. I looked around the company but wasn't really qualified to do anything else that was available, so after a gut-wrenching couple of months I had to leave my job. Back to Wisconsin to finish up the house and then move Rob out of college. A few weeks, and then Rob had to go in and have jaw realignment surgery - basically they break both his upper and lower jaw and then put it in better position and screw it all back together. He starts solid food again this Tuesday - he wasn't allowed to chew for 6 weeks. Luckily I was there anyway (although I had planned to take off work) to take care of him.
In between all this, we did make our Grand Canyon trip (my mom had been very excited Rob was going to see it), and a couple of amusement parks (Busch Gardens Willimsburg and Kings Dominion). He did very well at school as well, made the Dean's List with Distinction, so he earned those trips.
I am now not working, not very motivated to look for work, and still trying to pick myself up from a confusing winter/spring. About a month ago, when I was 24/7 with Rob, my friend priced a flight to Orlando in January - super cheap. When we start talking we can't stop, and have booked our trip to a Universal and WDW during the kids winter break. There is nothing like planning a trip to get you excited. And now mulling retirement, not sure if I could swing it, but can't really get a job and then take time off for both Xmas and a January 10-day trip. Need to see how things look after we sell Mom's house.
While on the boards, I saw your thread nestled among my old watched threads. After planning our trip and doing some housecleaning on some other old threads I settled in and began reading when I got a chance and finally managed to catch up today.
Sounds like an awesome trip! Convinced me to make an ADR at BOG.
Congrats to Elle on her graduation - we say going to college - is there another way in Canada? I have heard going to University. She must be excited.
And so glad you managed to work it out with Kay. A father daughter trip sounds great! Rob and I will be going but Doug needs to stay home. But we will have our friends along.
Go to the Black Hills in September - it cools off and the leaves change. We made that trip a couple years ago in early July and it was sometimes very warm and a little uncomfortable - but it was great.
Sorry for the long winded monologue - I tend to talk a lot and over explain. I started typing and it just poured out.
So getting back to things, and reading your TR was lots of fun. It took awhile because I read it all - not just the chapters - half of the good stuff is in the banter! Thank you for your great TR! And I'll be there for the next ones!

Carol

 

[Sandy Mouse]

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?

Florida schools are not good; Floridians can't count.

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

I was just there in November and it wasn't the thing. You always have the choice to pay by some other method. Disney, you can't change things, now!

 

[pkondz]

Well, I made it back before this TR completely shut down, but now it looks like you will be extending it a bit.

and welcome back!

My mom was diagnosed with cancer and it was very fast. She went downhill just after Thanksgiving and I went to her home in Illinois to help my brother take care of her. She passed away the second week in December.

Oh my. I'm so sorry. Please accept my condolences for your loss.
That must have been a very, very difficult time for all of you.

Once winter break came, my company closed between Xmas and NY so we went back to clean out her apartment in Illinois and our old house in Wisconsin. So it was a rough close to the year.

I can't even imagine.
Both Ruby's Mom and my folks are getting up there.
I dread the day that is inevitably coming.

I threw myself into my work only to be told in February that my position was being eliminated.

Adding insult to injury. You really have had a rough go of it.

A few weeks, and then Rob had to go in and have jaw realignment surgery - basically they break both his upper and lower jaw and then put it in better position and screw it all back together. He starts solid food again this Tuesday - he wasn't allowed to chew for 6 weeks.

Was this something that always needed doing? Or the result of an accident or injury?
I would think he must've lost weight during that time as well.

In between all this, we did make our Grand Canyon trip

Ah. At least you managed to get some relief.
Were you able to enjoy the trip?

He did very well at school as well, made the Dean's List with Distinction,

Congratulations to him!
Well done!

I am now not working, not very motivated to look for work, and still trying to pick myself up from a confusing winter/spring.

I of course don't know what your situation is, but if you can, take your time.
Give yourself the opportunity to be okay.

When we start talking we can't stop, and have booked our trip to a Universal and WDW during the kids winter break.

Good for you!

There is nothing like planning a trip to get you excited.

(Or in my case... PANIC!!!!! It's too soon! )

While on the boards, I saw your thread nestled among my old watched threads

Yup. My thread's a nestler.

I settled in and began reading when I got a chance and finally managed to catch up today.

I hope I was able to let you forget your troubles for a bit and bring a smile to your face.

Sounds like an awesome trip! Convinced me to make an ADR at BOG.

Good choice. I really, really liked it.
I'm hoping Kay and I will be able to go.

Congrats to Elle on her graduation - we say going to college - is there another way in Canada? I have heard going to University.

Yes. We say going to University.
Up here, a University is where you would get a degree. A college is where you'd take a class to become a plumber or cook or graphic artist, or whatever.

And so glad you managed to work it out with Kay. A father daughter trip sounds great!

Go to the Black Hills in September - it cools off and the leaves change.

Now I don't even know if we're doing it at all!
She's now got a Calgary work trip scheduled for September.

Sorry for the long winded monologue

Not at all. I'm pleased and honoured that you'd chose this spot to share this with us.

I started typing and it just poured out.

Then you probably needed to say it.

So getting back to things, and reading your TR was lots of fun.

Good! Glad you liked it!

It took awhile because I read it all - not just the chapters

All of it??? Not at once, surely. Your head would explode!

half of the good stuff is in the banter!

I would say that all the good stuff is in the banter.
It's better than the chapter, that's for sure!

Again, for you. Hope everything is starting to be better, and sorry for everything you've been through.

Thank you for your great TR! And I'll be there for the next ones!

 

[pkondz]

Florida schools are not good; Floridians can't count.

So I should double check my change, then huh?
Or...
"Could I get change for a twenty? Maybe a five, a ten, five singles and two fives?"

I was just there in November and it wasn't the thing. You always have the choice to pay by some other method. Disney, you can't change things, now!

I'm going to have to ask what the policy is when I get there.
I'm hearing conflicting reports.

 

[TheLittleKatie]

WHAT AM I READING.

I opened an eye.
My iPod was playing a merry little tune that I immediately loathed.
2:00am.
Welcome back to the real world.

Oh ok. For a moment there I thought you'd totally lost it.

But from that list, here's what I did get done.
Dole whip float (twice!)
Go to Prime Time
LeFou's Brew
Pecos Bill's for the burger and fixins bar
Mickey head pretzel
Kaki gori in Japan
Cronut
Karamel Kuche
Cheddar cheese soup.
And just enjoying World Showcase?
I think so.

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

A very successful trip!!

How many of you missed it while you were looking at the

GATES 12-17 sign?
Come on, I'm really curious. Spill.

Haha, that huge "13" sign?... I totally missed it!

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

Thanks everyone! I guess that wraps it up!

BOOOOO.

TheLittleKatie - 1 point to help her be less scared, 2 points for looking in her eyes, 2 points for Beyoncé, 3 points because she thinks I'm the best, 3 points for best ideas.

I live for reading my list of bonus points. They always cracks me up

Contest points final tally!!

afwdwfan 85 points
orangecats2 84 points
BibbitybobityLu 75 points
Sandy Mouse 74 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes 71 points
Rgirl 56 points
TheLittleKatie 56 points

Oooh I really climbed my way up there in the end!!! Not too shabby.

Thanks for the entertainment!!!!!

Heheh, just kidding I loved reading this!!! Can't wait for the next one

 

[pkondz]

WHAT AM I READING.

A trip report! It's a trip report!!!
OMG! She doesn't know what she's doing!

Oh ok. For a moment there I thought you'd totally lost it.

Oh, goodness no. That happened many, many years ago.

A very successful trip!!

Thanks! I thought I did pretty good.

Haha, that huge "13" sign?... I totally missed it!

Got another one!

I live for reading my list of bonus points. They always cracks me up

I usually wonder if anyone even gets what I'm referring to when I post those.

Oooh I really climbed my way up there in the end!!! Not too shabby.

Ya done good, girl. <applause>

I loved reading this!!! Can't wait for the next one

Toronto mini trip report coming soon!

 

[Mrs T 2009]

About 17, if I stop for more than just a fill up-of gas LoL
I'm just a bit south of Cleveland.

Yeah.... he's a stubborn lil dude, but we've started the weaning, it's just naps and bed... it'll happen sooner than he thinks!