Confessions of a Disboard Dropout...New chapter 3/14

[pkondz]

Have at it Ponzi.

Who? Moi???

 

[bankr63]

Created a twitter account. @DisLaura74 if you want to follow me on my trip.

Now that's a tough one. I have avoided the twitterverse for a very long time. Can @DisLaura74 finally get me to crawl out from beneath that rock?

 

[laura74]

Come out from under that rock, Montague!

I just think it will be easier to upload photos from my phone that way. You may be sick of Disney after spending 12 days there the month before me.

How long does that drive take?? Where are you staying?

 

[laura74]

You have to try a cronut in Epcot. I can't remember if it's at refreshment port or promenade.

 

[pkondz]

You have to try a cronut in Epcot. I can't remember if it's at refreshment port or promenade.

Straight out of my wish list in the first post of my TR:
Cronut at snack booth just before Canada

(That's my way of trying to lure you over, Laura. <evilgrin>)

 

[laura74]

Ponzi, I am really out of it! You went to DW by yourself? This I have to read...

 

[bankr63]

Come out from under that rock, Montague!

I just think it will be easier to upload photos from my phone that way. You may be sick of Disney after spending 12 days there the month before me.

How long does that drive take?? Where are you staying?

Well maybe. And I kind of like the Montague, perhaps that can be my tag - @MontagueUnderock

It's a leisurely 22-24 hours of driving (that's about 15 hours at the speed I drive) We'll stop over somewhere around the border between the Carolinas on the first day, about 16 hours in. Then a shorter 6ish hours for the final push. A lot depends on the route though. We have a choice to stay inland of the Appalachians on I-81 or cutting over to I-95 around Washington. With all the weather that's been blasting up the coast, inland is looking pretty good right now.

We are staying at both of the timeshare resorts we own at. The boys have three nights at Silver Lake Resort on an "owner's update" rate. About $50/nt for a 2BR villa, BUT I have to sit through a 90 minute "owner's update" presentation. We have never actually stayed at this resort in the 6ish years we've owned it, I use it as a trader because it get's me pretty good trading power for the maintenance fees. The boys will do DHS one day, and a first visit to Universal to ride all the stuff that A+ doesn't like. An evening at DQ is probably in the works too.

A+ joins us on Saturday as we move the rest of the stay to the Sheraton Vistana Resort, our home away from home. If you ever stay offsite, I highly recommend it; but then I pretty much moderate the Vistana Resort thread here on DIS so I have to say that. Week 2 is AK, MK, USF/IOA, a trip to Siesta Key (voted #14 of the top 25 beaches in the world on Tripadversary) and a couple of "down" days at the pools.

We've got all the tickets on hand, Passports ready, Florida SunPass is pasted to the car window, Disney Trading Pins stocked up, and with all the -40 weather we've been having, I am READY TO GO!!!!

 

[laura74]

I would avoid 95 near Washington. It's always a nightmare, especially just south of it in Northern Virginia.

You deserve some warm weather. I feel like a Canadian today. It's bitterly cold in NJ.

If you sign up for twitter, you can use a pseudonym and you can create a gmail address just for that so your real name won't be attached to it.

 

[pkondz]

We'll stop over somewhere around the border between the Carolinas on the first day, about 16 hours in. Then a shorter 6ish hours for the final push.

That's how I like to do it too. Push hard the first day so I can coast the next.
Except it doesn't work for Disney.
It would be push hard 15 hours the first day... then push hard another 15 hours the next.

 

[laura74]

Got some great news today. We didn't think Mickey and Jack would be able to make it this year but this morning they surprised us with the news that they will be there for four. Nights! So excited. Will try to finish this out with the notes I have. Don't expect a masterpiece or even am amateurpiece.

 

[pkondz]

Got some great news today. We didn't think Mickey and Jack would be able to make it this year but this morning they surprised us with the news that they will be there for four. Nights! So excited. Will try to finish this out with the notes I have. Don't expect a masterpiece or even am amateurpiece.

Umm... maybe I'm stupid. No. Scratch that, I know I am. But who are Mickey and Jack?
Also finishing would be nice, regardless of level of finessiness. (is too a word)

 

[laura74]

1. So long since posting of course no one would know. Mickey is my brother and Jack Skellington is his wife

 

[pkondz]

1. So long since posting of course no one would know. Mickey is my brother and Jack Skellington is his wife

Ah!

 

[laura74]

It’s 6:05. We are dangerously close to being on time. And on time is this close to being late. I’ll admit I have a problem. I’ve spent a good portion of my life waiting for people and only in recent years have been spared from the inherent boredom by owning an iphone.



Confession #16: I’m neurotic about being early.



What is taking Mr. Squid so long? Does he not know how long the hallway to the lobby is? I think it’s a mile.



I tell myself to relax. Stop being neurotic. We’re on vacation. They won’t mind if we’re a little late for dinner.



It’s 6:10. Bzzz goes my phone.



(Ed Note: This is where I would put those cute, time-consuming cell phone graphics but if I want to finish this thing, those have to go.


Druid: Where are you? We’re in the lobby.


Sheena: I can’t believe you’re not down here. You’re always first.


Me: Be down in a few.



Relax. You’re only as fast as your slowest team member…or something like that. They can wait a bit.



It’s 6:17 and we are finally starting our long journey to the lobby, when Squid realizes he doesn’t have his phone and has to go back.



Monkston and I carry on our trek alone.



“Where’s Squid?,” Sheena asks.

“He can’t find his phone.”

“Uh oh.”



Mr. Squid has been known to look for his glasses while they are sitting on top of his head. This could take a while.



We wait.



And we wait.



He finally arrives with a panicked look on his face. He still can’t find his phone. We try calling it to see if maybe it’s in his backpack. No luck.



Sheena says she’s going to go up to help him and they will meet us at the bus stop. This will probably be the first time I wish for a bus not to show up right away.



I really love the Boardwalk. It’s convenient to two parks and it’s beautiful. The biggest letdown is the bus service. The buses stop at two other resorts before heading out to a park. I think the moderate and value resort buses are much better. Maybe we would have been better off walking through Epcot to the monorail. Although in my mind, that sounds like a feasible plan but it is a very long walk through a crowded park. And then we still have to get on another monorail to get to the Contemporary.







Squid and Sheena finally arrive with the phone. It was in the safe.



It’s 7:00. Finally a bus arrives. It will take at least 20 minutes to get to Magic Kingdom. Our reservation is at 7:15. We call Disney Dining and explain that we are late because of the bus and they say to just tell the person at the check-in desk and it will be fine.



It’s 7:25 and we’re finally at Magic Kingdom. We start fast walking toward the Contemporary when Sheena asks Druid where his backpack is. He looks panicked and starts to run after the bus while a couple cast members chase after him telling him to stop. They say to go to guest relations and they will track down the backpack. Squid and Druid go over to give them the information. Luckily there wasn’t a line and they return rather quickly.



And then Squid wonders if he told them we were staying at Beach Club rather than Boardwalk. Back they go. At this rate we should be sitting down to dinner at about 9.



Finally, we are on our way. I lead the way because I’m the fastest walker and the most neurotic about being late.



“You guys! Keep up! You can relax when we get there!”



Breathlessly we arrive and tell the woman at the desk why we we’re late. She said she was just about to delete our reservation (and charge our card a late fee). She says our table is ready.



Sheena inspects the table and says it’s fine, not that there’s another open table for 10 anyway.



We get our drinks and are settled in when a baby starts crying at the table next to us.



“We should move.”

“Sheena, we are 10 people.”





She asks the server if they will be leaving soon but unfortunately they arrived just before us. She assures Sheena that the kitchen is rushing their order though. Frankly, this is nothing compared to that screaming infant in the Top of the World lounge last night.



(Am I really still on Day 2? This is the slowest trip report in the history of trip reports.)



(I can’t recall what everyone had for dinner. I only know that Sheena had the sustainable fish with edamame stew because she always has that. Everyone was pleased with their meals and Merida got a birthday cupcake.)



After dinner, we walk over to Magic Kingdom. Our plan is to grab a spot in front of the castle to watch Wishes and stay as late as we are able. The park is open until 1 am.



Confession #17: I am not a stay awake until 1 am person.



Every other year we have been here, we’ve been able to grab a spot on the pavement directly in front of the castle. But FastPass+ has changed that. We are directed to keep moving. There really isn’t a great spot to watch it so a few of us decide to ride Astro Orbiter and catch some of the fireworks from there.



None of us have ever ridden this before. We get in line in front of the elevators and wait. And wait. And then finally we are crammed into an elevator and then into another queue. This seems like a lot of bother for what is essentially a carnival ride. It does afford nice views though and at least we can cross it off the to-do list.



I won’t bore you with the laundry list of rides we went on. We were able to go on quite a few though. A few of us had enough at midnight and made our way back to the bus. Our plan is to go to Epcot tomorrow.

 

[laura74]

How do you edit the subject line now?

 

[mmeb144]

You still have a lovely family. That photo was priceless. Thanks for attempting to wrap up your trippie.

 

[pkondz]

Confession #16: I’m neurotic about being early.

Confession #1. I'm not at all surprised.
Confession #2. I have no idea why.

(Ed Note: This is where I would put those cute, time-consuming cell phone graphics but if I want to finish this thing, those have to go.

Yes, but what's really going to drive you nuts is that now that I've quoted it, you can't really change the fact that you forgot to include a closing parenthesis.

You’re only as fast as your slowest team member…or something like that.

I say something similar all the time.
Usually when I'm in a rush (i.e. always) and following a slow line of cars.
"You're only as fast as the slowest car at the front of the line."

I really love the Boardwalk.

Nope. Still haven't been.
Some day.

Squid and Sheena finally arrive with the phone. It was in the safe.

I can just hear that conversation.
"Call my phone... I hear it! My God it's in the wall!!!"

We start fast walking toward the Contemporary when Sheena asks Druid where his backpack is. He looks panicked and starts to run after the bus while a couple cast members chase after him telling him to stop.

Without trying to sound mean... but would you classify Druid as perhaps having his head in the clouds sometimes?

And then Squid wonders if he told them we were staying at Beach Club rather than Boardwalk.

Nevermind.

“You guys! Keep up! You can relax when we get there!”

A Disney vacation is not for the weak.

(Am I really still on Day 2? This is the slowest trip report in the history of trip reports.)

This is the point where I say something pithy, like: "Oh, no! It's wonderful that you're doing this!"
But....


yes.

a few of us decide to ride Astro Orbiter

And was it as cramped as I'd heard?

How do you edit the subject line now?

At the top of each page, right hand side, you'll see thread tools and a down arrow.
Click it and you have the option of Edit Title and Add Poll.

 

[laura74]

Hold on to your hats...well if anyone actually reads this anymore...but I have another update coming.

 

[laura74]

We have FastPass+ reservations for Test Track between 10:30-11:30. When I made those reservations it seemed like a reasonable hour. After a late night at Magic Kingdom it seems everyone else would rather sleep. My phone has been unusually quiet.

Perry finally gets up and I send out a text to see if anyone is awake.


Me: Anyone up? Fast pass at test track.
Druid: Miles and I are almost ready
Me: Perry is getting dressed now
Druid: Meet you on the BW in 15
Me: Mickey?
Mickey: Awake. What time is test track?
Sheena: Is anyone hanging out at the pool?


Here’s Sheena doing it all backwards. Park first, then pool, Sheena. You go to the pool when it’s hot and crowded…and you don’t have reservations.


After more texts about where/when we are meeting Squid, Druid, TGM, Monkston and I meet in the bakery. The others are going to catch up at Epcot. Monkston wants a chocolate chip muffin but no one else sees anything they want. I tell Squid to wait for a cronut.


It’s another beautiful day and we enjoy the walk to the Refreshment Port, which appears to be empty. Good. We can zip in and out and have plenty of time to get to Test Track. Just before cronnutty goodness is within our grasp, six people get in line before we can get there. So close.


Sadly, the Refreshment Port people are not great multi-taskers. They’re actually not very good taskers since cronuts are all they make. It is taking a very long time to make the cronuts. Ha! Time to make the cronuts! So worth the wait. Have I mentioned that I like cronuts?


I get a text from Sheena: Is there a food court at Boardwalk or is Epcot its food court?


How do you not know what’s at your resort? I spend so much time reading reviews, looking at photos, and descriptions of anywhere I will be staying. I like the anticipation. How does she not know there’s no real food court? We tell her to go to the bakery.


Before we went on vacation, Mr. Squid bought a fancy new pair of sneakers and it turns out that although they’re stylish, they aren’t very comfortable. Welcome to my world.


Since we’re still waiting for the rest of them to catch up with us, we go to Mousegears to see if they have any decent footwear. What they have are Crocs. They’re actually not too croc-like because they have a faux leather look. Not too bad…for Crocs. I tell Squid he should try them on. Even if he doesn’t wear them anywhere but Disney, it’s better than having sore feet all week. We also decide to have a little fun with Sheena who hates Crocs and told Druid he’s a dead man if he wears them.


I get another text from Sheena: I’m at the pool and a woman has a cell phone connected to her bikini!
Druid: One must be connected. Squid is trying on Crocs
Sheena: NOOOOOO
Me: He didn’t buy them
Sheena: Thank God
Druid: They look like leather
Me: Drew did. The look almost normal
Druid: Really cool actually
Sheena: I have a table with an umbrella saved for when you guys come to your senses


She’s persistent.


Me: Drew will show you his Crocs





Sheena: They would look great with the pineapple swim trunks. Maybe you can pick up a tie with Mickey on it while you’re there
Me: We’re going on test track
Sheena: I feel guilty holding these chairs. Should I bother?


See how persistent?


Then we get a message from my brother that they are having terrible problems with their magic bands. They are at guest relations trying to work it out. We meet up them after Test Track and he tells us that because he had so many problems with the bands we all get a special fastpass per day of our trip that can be used on anything! Score!


We ride Mission Space and decide to try out our magic fastpass at Soarin. Squid doesn’t like this ride. He finds it almost as terrifying as Everest and has ridden it with his eyes closed. The first time we rode it we were with his 80 year old mother and a four-year-old Monkston. Guess who was the only scared one? I love teasing him about it because whoever heard of anyone that’s scared of that ride?


We luck out and get the no-feet row. Squid is nervous but he’s a trooper and wants to ride with everyone. I look over and he seems pretty calm. We both remark that it could be in high def. He said he wasn’t as nervous because the picture was so blurry.


We decide to have lunch at Sunshine Seasons. Druid tries to get Sheena to come to Epcot when Sheena tries to get him to go back to Boardwalk. Who will win? Normally I would go with Sheena, but Druid has sheer numbers on his side with all of us here.


I ask if she’s mad.
He shrugs.
“Why is she at the pool now? She should go later with the rest of us.”
He shrugs again.
He gets another text from her.
“She’s on her way. She wants to know how to get here.”
“She’s been here a million times!”
He shrugs again.


We scatter to various food stations. I don’t see much that appeals to me and Monkston only wants an uncrustable. I’m so disappointed that they don’t have the Bhan Mi sandwich anymore. I settle for the Asian Tuna Salad which was pretty good but not what I had in mind.


We all are just about finished when Sheena arrives. Our timing is really off.


After everyone is done, we walk over to Spaceship Earth. I ride with Mickey and I point out the dead-eyed female mannequins. He points out that the Greek student in the Ancient Greece scene has a really young face and really old hands. They must have run out of young hands at the factory. At the end of the ride I’m again asked about the stress of picking out clothes. It’s like they know me!!


The kids want ice cream and popcorn. Everybody wants to go see Ellen but I decide to go back to the room for a bit.


“Sheena, you want to go to the pool?”
“No, I’m going on Ellen.”
“We need to coordinate this better.”


Monkston decides to go back with me because she’s afraid she won’t get to finish her popcorn. On the way I see he looking at Starbucks, her favorite place. (She doesn’t get anything caffeinated.) I’m kind of curious to see if Disney Starbuck is more magical than the one at the mall.


We walk in and they have all the switchbacks set up, just like a ride. Can you imagine how chaotic this place gets in the summer? One difference I noticed is that instead of just yelling out your name the barista will sweetly say with a smile, “Suzy, your double shot latte is ready.”


Monkston takes a picture of her drink and popcorn and we walk back. We kill some time watching “Pretty Little Liars” before getting ready for dinner with the princesses.


The princess dinner in Norway is fun if overpriced. It’s really only a good deal if you are the dining plan, which we are not. We did get some nice shots.





When Perry was little, her favorite game was “Not Nice Princess,” which was basically making some of her princess figurines *****y. I asked how you can tell which ones are nice and she said they do this…











Not sure when Mary Poppins became a princess, but here she is…




The men declare Belle the hottest princess.


Here are the kids clowning around in the gift shop.





As we watch the fireworks while walking back to the Boardwalk, the kids ask if we can do that thing where they all stay in one of the rooms and the adults go out.


Hmmm… Let me think about that.


Um. YES! Belle Vue Lounge, here we come!

 

[laura74]

Yes, but what's really going to drive you nuts is that now that I've quoted it, you can't really change the fact that you forgot to include a closing parenthesis. .

I thought I was allowed to get a little sloppier with this to get it done. Montague said so!

A Disney vacation is not for the weak. .

Definitely not the most relaxing vacation you could take.

This is the point where I say something pithy, like: "Oh, no! It's wonderful that you're doing this!"

But....



yes. .

LOL

And was it as cramped as I'd heard?

I wouldn’t know. I’m a petite flower.

At the top of each page, right hand side, you'll see thread tools and a down arrow.

Click it and you have the option of Edit Title and Add Poll.

Thanks!