Could the Dream Turn the Grump into a Believer? Charleston Update 10/13

[SoonerGirl]

Great update on the Braves game - too bad they weren't playing great that night

I love Johnny Rockets - there's one here that is not doing anything to help me lose my baby weight

So excited to read about the cruise portion!!!

Yeah, they aren't the Braves of the 90s anymore that's for sure! We still had a good time though.

Ha! Burgers and milkshakes don't really help in the weight loss category do they?

We're almost to the cruise, a couple of days at Disney first though!

Oh great posts and updates about the rest of your day! FUN! YIKES on the EAR though!!!! And I hope that turns out alright...

I also wonder about your NASA trip so I will wait to see what you have to say about it!!!! BUT the Disney portion of your trip is just starting and I can't wait!!!!

Looking forward to the next post!!!!

I was disappointed in the trip to KSC, but that was mostly due to the company....

Another fun update. That's one of my dad's goals...traveling and visiting all the different baseball stadiums. Maybe I should suggest we go to Atlanta because it looks like there's a lot of neat stuff to do there!

That's cool they have the Braves Mickey at their stadium. They have the Brewers one here at Miller Park too. I can't believe how empty the stadium was!

Don really wants to take the boys on a trip and visit different baseball stadiums around the country. I think they should just do it one summer, I keep telling Don that they will be grown before he knows it and he just needs to plan the trip!

The baseball Mickey's are so cute, I was really happy to see it there. The stadium filled in a little, but it was every bit of half empty

Leave it to a Disney lover to find a Mickey everywhere she goes!

So glad Don got to see his game. So now we know how you got him to agree to the trip! Very smart lady you are! Hey, whatever works, right?

Can't wait for the cruise!

I think the Atlanta portion of the trip did have a lot to do with Don being more agreeable to the vacation I wanted. I keep having to find and work new angles - don't know what I'm going to need to come up with for the next one

It looks like a nice fun day in Atlanta. But yikes to that admission fee to the aquarium. If it makes you feel better, I think the aquarium up here is close in price and then you tack on another $20+ for parking and it's not as nice as the georgia one.

I grew up seeing Horsehoe crabs on the beaches in the summer too (I grew up in the mid-Atlantic states and went to Delaware beaches a lot). They are a bit freaky looking.

Um, I have never seen the Coke cheerleader before. I would have wanted the Polar bear too. At least it was all included in your admission price!

Yikes! $20 for parking? I think all aquariums are expensive, I know it upkeep must be really high for them.

All of the characters from the new Coke Happiness Factory are really weird, not at all cute and cuddly like the polar bears!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Michelle, I am FINALLY all caught up.

Love the intros. I can't believe how big the boys are getting. Tell them to stop growing so fast!

The Aquarium looks really neat. We went to one in Ohio one year that we really enjoyed (I think we may drive to the one in Miami this year while we are at Marco).

The Coke Museum looks like an interesting spot as well. Although I have to admit, I am a Pepsi girl through and through, and hate Coke.

I am so glad that Don got to go to his Braves game. Obviously, living in Chicago, we are diehard Chicago Cubs fans (would never root for that other team), and one of my all-time favorites played for my Cubbies and Don's Braves -- Greg Maddux.

Okay...you may now continue to update.

I know Kathy, it's nuts how fast they are growing! Before I know it, I'm going to be like you and going to their college graduations!

Funny how we are so devoted to one brand of soda isn't it. Coke lovers hate Pepsi, and Pepsi lovers hate Coke. I'm just glad Disney is on the right side with their soda choices

Wrigley Field is one of the places that Don really wants to take the boys to watch a game. Heck I might like to tag along on that trip, I loved Chicago the one time we went! I didn't realize that Greg Maddux played for the Cubbs too.

Hey Michelle!! I'm all caught up! It looks like you had a wonderful time in Atlanta!! And your pictures are just GORGEOUS!!! WOW! Can't wait to hear all about AKL and the Dream!!

Hey Becky! We did have fun in Atlanta, I was very glad we went.

Our arrival at AKL will be coming up soon!

What a fun time at Johnny Rocket's!!! Love Richard's ketchup masterpieces!

Ah, Chipper Jones -- he is the only player I still recognize on that team from the years when I first moved to Atlanta, and we would go to the games pretty regularly. I don't know any of the other young 'uns any more.

Love the Braves Mickey! Too cute!

Jared sounds like my two -- they are always trying to buy adult sizes when they don't need to -- glad he found a hat he liked.

The ketchup masterpiece cracked me up! It was a really fun meal.

Yeah, Chipper Jones was about the only player I knew too. The rest of my clan knew the other players, but not me. I get my fill of baseball just watching my kids, I don't feel the urge to keep up with MLB

Jared is trying to grow up much faster than is necessary. He's trying to hard to be like his big brother, I think.

Joining in. World of Coke looks brill and btw yes the do still have the BEluga Experience in Seaworld.

There is a SeaWorld in San Antonio, just about 7 hours drive from us. We haven't been since Jared was about 3. I think a return trip is in order!

Not good news about the hurting ear.

Beverly - yuck!

Glad the guys enjoyed all the baseball stuff. We all have our loves, so it's good that they got to soak all that in before they were forced to do something Disney.

Jared's poor ear

Bevery - double yuck!!

Before the trip when I asked them all what they were most looking forward too, the Braves games was at the top of the list. Afterwards, it took a back seat to the rest of the trip

 

[SoonerGirl]

another great update! So glad hubby got to go to the game. Getting so excited to hear about the cruise!

The game was fun, but not nearly as fun as the cruise

Love the updates. I am so not a baseball fan, so a lot of ot is foreign talk to me.

But I'm so glad Don got to go on "his " Dream!

At Johnny Rockets, I would've told Richard to skip t he waters and go for the milkshakes!!! MMMM Maybe thats why I can't lose weight.

Both my boys are baseball players, we pretty much live and breathe it around here from March through July, so yeah, I know more about baseball than I ever cared to

Normally I would have been all over a milkshake from Johnny Rockets, but our bellies were so full of soda that we couldn't even think about anything heavier than water!

Hi Michelle!
We are back from yet another fantastic trip and I am all caught up here! I enjoyed the Atlanta pictures-especially World of Coke. We went to the Aquarium in Baltimore that HappyDog mentioned over spring break. While it was great, we felt much like you did and we paid more to get in!!

Looking forward to your AKL pics!! We are staying there in October for our little weekend trip!

Hey Stacy! I had fun following along with your trip on FB. Let me know if you decide to write a TR, I'll be there

We loved AKL I just wish we had had more time there!

Just joining now! Can't wait to hear more!

Hi there! Thanks for joining in!

I love your report! We have a lot in common. I too have a husband named Don, and I have not two but three boys!. Your boys remind me a lot of my own, because they always look happy, I love trip reports where the kids look genuinely happy and they actually like each other, so much like mine, they have a lot of fun together on our Disney trips. Our oldest is actually a CM there now, loving it. Can't wait for more, really enjoying all your pictures!!

Hi and thank you!

One of the reasons that I love taking family vacations is to watch my boys have fun together. When we are at home they tend to pick at each other all the time, but when we are away something changes and they really enjoy each other's company. Warms my heart!

How exciting that one of your sons is a CM! I've talked to Justin a little bit about the college program, I hope it's something that he'll take an interest in.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Fun update!
I love that you had such a enjoyable server at JR! The edible art was sooo cool!
Thanks to Jared for the pic!

The whole Braves game experience would be exactly like Marc at a Card's game or Baylor at the Red Sox! I'm sorry your team wasn't playing their best but I know Don had to enjoy that walk down memory lane with the exception of his boycott season...

Looking forward to more!

Happy 4th you all!

A great server can do wonders on making a simple meal memorable

Oh, Jared loves the Cardinals! He was in heaven last year when we went to a game in St. Louis.

Hope you guys had a great 4th and are starting to recover from all your traveling! Are you home for a little while now?

Great updates, Michelle!!!

I loved your pictures of the aquarium!!! I know what you mean, I am not a fan of jellyfish either. They really freak me out for some reason!

I can't believe how much they charged you at the aquarium & then everything else cost additional money! Wow! I was really impressed that everything was included at World of Coke!!! That's exactly the way it should be!

As usual, I LOOOOVE all of your pictures!!! Can't choose a favorite, they are all great!!!

It was nice to see the boys enjoy their day at the Braves game. That's neat that they have a little museum area at the stadium.

I can't wait to hear about your cruise!!! I cheated & looked at some of your pics the other day -- and now I am REALLY looking forward to reading all about it!!!

Happy 4th to you & your family!!!

Jellyfish are just creepy looking, yuck!

I think Disney has us all a little spoiled in that even though they charge a premium for their park tickets, you know when you walk through the gates that all the entertainment is included with your admission. I'd rather pay a little more up front and have everything be included than to get inside and have to pay extra for things, kwim?

Well, I didn't post all of my pics on FB, so you'll see some you haven't seen yet on here.

Hope you guys had a great 4th - and didn't eat too many hot dogs The boys watched that hot dog eating contest yesterday, that was nasty!

I just found your TR today. I've looked and looked and can't find the name of the hotel you stayed at in Atlanta. We've been talking about a trip there for a while. I would like to stay someplace close to everything we want to do (World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium, maybe CNN tour).

Can't wait to read about the Dream portion of your trip.

Hi, thanks for reading!

Sorry, I know posted the name of the hotel in my PTR, but I probably neglected to list it here. It was the Embassy Suites at Cenntienal Olympic Park. We loved the location!

Happy 4th July to you and your family! Hope you are all enjoying this special day so far

Thanks Tanz! It was a busy weekend that's for sure, and I think I probably don't need to eat for at least a week now

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Hope you had a great one!

**********************

I had planned on getting an update up over the weekend, but just never could find the time, we had something going on everyday! I did get my pictures for the next day uploaded to photobucket yesterday, so I should be able to get an update posted sometime today. Sorry for the delay!

 

[pooh'smate]

All caught up. I agree that $100 is a lot for the aquarium and then to charge you for other things on top of that. World of Coke looks really fun. I would have wanted to see the Polar Bear too. Johnny Rockets looks like a lot of fun. Lexi was sitting next to me while I was reading and she thought the food was really fun. Bummer about the ear hurting.

 

[jenjolt]

Awww glad you had a good time at the game!! Bummer the Braves were losing!!!!!!

Love the ketchup art...too fun!!!!!!

Can't wait for more! Hope you guys had a fun 4th of July!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

All caught up. I agree that $100 is a lot for the aquarium and then to charge you for other things on top of that. World of Coke looks really fun. I would have wanted to see the Polar Bear too. Johnny Rockets looks like a lot of fun. Lexi was sitting next to me while I was reading and she thought the food was really fun. Bummer about the ear hurting.

The upcharges for everything at the aquarium were about the only complaints we had for the whole day, all in all it was great!

Awww glad you had a good time at the game!! Bummer the Braves were losing!!!!!!

Love the ketchup art...too fun!!!!!!

Can't wait for more! Hope you guys had a fun 4th of July!!

You know, I didn't used to care much for baseball, but it's grown on me. I guess living at the ballpark nearly everyday of your summer for 11 years will do that to you So, yes, we did have a good time at the game, just wish there would have been a better outcome!

The ketchup art was great!

Hope you had a good 4th too, even though it was minus fireworks. We had enough rain this past week that we felt comfortable setting them off.

More coming right up!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I hope no one minds, but we went to my niece's first birthday party this weekend and I just have to share some pictures.

I love this little face that she has started making, so funny!

She had lots of fun playing with the tissue paper, who needs gifts, just give me some tissue!

Her little cake

And her big cake - isn't it cute! My SIL said she ordered it close to 2 months ago and when she did the lady told her that she really wasn't giving her much time and she wasn't sure she'd be able to fit her in. Two months not early enough? Wow!

Getting ready to chow, but at this point she was much more interested in the balloons tied to her highchair

Once that cake was in front of her though she was all business, she loved it!

Ok, thanks for letting me share, now back to your regularly scheduled trip report!

********************************

So, as most of you have probably guessed my idea of getting on the road by 6:00 am went over like a lead balloon. We finally compromised and I agreed to set the alarm for 5:30, Don agreed to get up by 6:00. He was slow to get around and the kids were even slower. I felt precious Disney minutes just ticking away! We ate breakfast before we left since it was free, then we grabbed our bags, loaded the car and hit the road. It was about 7:30. Not nearly as early as I had wanted, but I suppose it could have been worse.

Eventually we made it to the Florida state line and we stopped at the welcome center for our little tiny shot of orange juice. I also grabbed a brochure for Kennedy Space Center to look through. Then we took a photo to prove we were there and got back on the road.

I was hoping to be in Disney for lunch, but since we got such a late start, I knew we'd never make it, so we stopped along the way. I think we had Wendy's........Mara would have been soooooo much better!

About the time we hit the turnpike our sunny skies were replaced with rain clouds, soon it was POURING and it rained the rest of the way to Walt Disney World. I was bummed because I really wanted a good picture of the sign as you drive onto Disney property, but this was the best I could get

We followed the signs and made it to Animal Kingdom Lodge without any problem at all. We've never had a car on any of our previous trips to WDW so it felt kind of strange to be driving around instead of riding in a bus! We gave the gate attendant our names and he gave us our parking pass and soon we arrived at Jambo House (I took this picture later in the trip, which is why you can see the sign instead of raindrops )

I went to check in while Don unloaded the bags with Bell Services and parked the car. I can't tell you how excited I was to be here at one of my dream resorts, and when a CM greeted me with a 'welcome home' as I was walking in, I felt like I was soaring! Who cared if it was cloudy and still a bit rainy outside, I was in my happy place, and about to spend two glorious days at a beautiful resort.

Check in was quick and painless and we soon made our way to our room on the zebra trail. We had number

As soon as I walked in the room I was in love. Seriously folks, I may never be able to go back to moderate, staying deluxe really might have been a big mistake on my part, I can see my pocketbook suffering from this decision for years to come

Let's take a little tour of our room, shall we

The beds

Headboard

Light fixtures

Television cabinet

Mini fridge

Table

Dresser

Continued in the next post

 

[SoonerGirl]

Bathroom

Our balcony

Our view - we had a pool view room, and if you looked between a small clearing in the trees, you could actually see the pool

It was still sprinkling a little, so we decided to just take a little walk around the resort and check things out. I grabbed the camera and out we went!

I thought these chairs looked rather inviting

So I tried one out

The boys were anxious to wander though, so wander we did

What's an animal viewing without a picture of one's backside?

It eventually moved around so that we could see the other side too

Flamingos - stinky, stinky birds!

Pretty though

I had done some exploring here last May when I ate at Jiko with my mom, but Don and the boys hadn't been since 2005 when we came for dinner at Boma. Jared was only 4 at the time, so he didn't remember it at all.

Don is always very careful not to pay Disney any really high compliments around me, he doesn't want me to think he's starting to enjoy it there but I could tell he liked the resort. I crossed my fingers that just maybe I was making a kink in his armor with this stay.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Aaw love the pics of your little niece Michelle! She is such a cutie!

Wow at 2 months not being enough time to get a cake made! Both the little and big cake looks delish!

Yay on being on the road for 7.30 - that's still not bad. If your boys are anything like my brothers they can take their time getting out of bed!!

Oh no on it raining but am glad that did not put a dampner on your arrival. Love, love, love the pics of AKL and your room - can't wait to visit the resort.

Them chairs sure look inviting. Lol at the pics of the animal's backside!

Woohoo on making a breakthrough with Don!! I wonder if you mentioned AKL he may be tempted to return sometime soon

 

[Happy Elf]

Your niece is adorable!

I understand about getting on the road early....rarely happens at my house either.

Your room looks beautiful as does AKL. I'm hoping to visit AKL when we are there in July. I've never been there!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Your niece is just adorable! I can tell you really enjoy having a little girl in the family to dote on. Her cake was really awesome too!

AKL looks very inviting. I could see how someone could become a deluxe snob staying there. We are staying at a moderate this year for the first time and I have a feeling I might get a little spoiled too.

I'm so glad that Don liked the resort. It's sounding very promising for him. He liked the cruise.... he liked the resort.... this is good!

 

[jenifred]

I loved your AK pics. We are staying there before our cruise in September. Can't wait to see more!

 

[KatMark]

Great pics of AKL, Michelle. I am getting more and more excited to stay there in two months. I hope that perhaps a little "magic" rubbed off on Don with your stay there.

Your nice is absolutely precious. What a cutie on her first birthday!

And back to Greg Maddux for a minute. He was drafted by the Cubs and played there before going to Atlanta; then he came back to the Cubs after Atlanta and then went to LA and San Diego at the end of his career.

Don would love Wrigley Field. It is a very old park, but it has a great atmosphere. It's one of the few things I like about living in Chicago.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Oh my goodness, that niece of yours is so stinkin' adorable!!! Was the cake as tasty as it looked? I'm in charge of ordering a birthday cake for a double celebration on our Christmas trip...
I wonder how much notice I'll need to give them?

Jambo is the one DVC, WDW resort we have not stayed at, we were at Kidani a couple of years ago, so I think I'll call tomorrow and see if we can switch over after the big kids go home at Christmas and we leave the big villa at OKW, Jambo might be just the place for us if they have some availability. I'm pretty sure we are renting a car and I know I want a car if we are staying over there, it's kind of far away from the parks...
OK, I'm rambling!

To answer your question, we leave Friday for Baylor's state baseball tournament. It's not too far away, but far enough that we need to stay away from home and take the dogs to the kennel again.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Your niece is just precious and, wow, that cake looks spectacular!

Even in the rain, that welcome sign is a great view!

AKL is such a pretty resort. And I am afraid you are right...when the deluxe bug bites, it is very tough to go back.

Hoping it made a dent in the armor!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

All caught up. Great updates and I was so happy to vicariously visit the Coke Museum. Something else I'm going to have to think about adding to my bucketlist.

And your niece is 1 year old now? Wow! Where did that year go? She's so cute.

I love your pictures at AKL. Your room looks great. Waiting for more...

 

[Charleston Princess]

Your niece is so precious in her little birthday outfit!!! That cake looks delicious, but I am surprised two months was barely enough time to place the order!

Yeah, I can never get my gang moving super early to leave for Florida, either.

Oh, Animal Kingdom Lodge, how I love thee!!! Thanks for the photo tour! I would love to be in one of those rocking chairs right now!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Yeah we've made it to the happy place.
I just love AKL. It is one of those places that no matter how many times I walk in the lobby....I still am amazed.
We are staying at Kidani in January....can't wait!

 

[Happydog]

Jambo is the one DVC, WDW resort we have not stayed at, we were at Kidani a couple of years ago, so I think I'll call tomorrow and see if we can switch over after the big kids go home at Christmas and we leave the big villa at OKW, Jambo might be just the place for us if they have some availability. I'm pretty sure we are renting a car and I know I want a car if we are staying over there, it's kind of far away from the parks...
OK, I'm rambling!

But Anita, it is the BEST kind of rambling!!!! So much fun!

We loved the Jambo house DVC studio, really felt spacious... more so than a few others... not sure why? We had our car, I agree it is far, but I think they pay more attention to that fact with the busses...

SOO SOO pretty! And we were able to get a room at the last minute there in Jambo house...

MICHELLE!!! I was just there!!!!! Okay, now I will be SO fabulous! The kids really love AKL. I have to say it is really vying for my favorite resort... The Kidani side is really nice too, Personally I like that kid splash area best! One of the best on property... I completely understand once you do Deluxe it is hard to go back!!! LOL!