DDA Chapter 20

[my3princes]

I'm starting to think about adding a day or 2 onto the beginning of our trip and going to Universal first. The problem is I know nothing about it. Chanon or Kristine or Deb, or anyone, will a day and a half be enough, and what's the difference between the 3 hotels? Are they all close? Within walking distance? Do they have discounts, like WDW does, or is it all rack rate? Anything else that I should know?

I don't know a ton, I'm sure Kristine or Chanon will come along with better info. That being said Universal Studios is 2 parks. They are both very good sized. Alyssa will probably not be tall enough for every ride and perhaps Nicholas will be too short for a few. We found that we had to child swap frequently to do the park as we wanted to do all the coasters and thrill rides ourselves. So if that is the case I think a day and a half would be pushing it. Even with front of the line access there is alot of ground to cover. As far as the hotels go, they are themed and have conceirge, but that is really all that I know off the top of my head.

For the past 24 hours or so I have been trying to get some news coverage of something that just blew me away yesterday afternoon. When I got to the studio there were "suits" all over our street, talking to one another and watching everything going one. There were 2 Lincoln Navigators as well as a couple of other limo-type cars parked right in front of my school! There were news photographers as well. Which is why I don't understand why I can't find any photos!

The barber next door, who usually knows everything going on in our 'Burg knew nothing and neither did my student who works at the paper. About 30 minutes later 6 men and 1 woman walked right by me... The woman and 5 of the men were dressed in black suits with lapel pins that matched and the other man in the middle of the group who nodded and smiled at me was dressed slightly differently. I still did not know what was going on and no one seemed to be able to find out. A couple of locals asked the bodyguard/secret service types and got "He is already here" and "A foreign dignitary you wouldn't know is visiting" as responses. It certainly seemed like a lot of hoopla for someone insignificant!

Finally, one of the barber's regular customers came in who probably knew what he was talking about. He is in charge of the security at the Pentagon and had set up everything required for Gates' reception for the King of Jordan that morning. Seems that the King (and possibly his wife) were in Fredericksburg for some reason. I know that there was a lot of activity at the newly opened museum at the other corner of our block the night before with caterers and lots of people, so I am wondering if possibly they were setting up for his visit and he was there.

Wow, that sounds exciting, but all the secret service could be a bit alarming too. Maybe you saw the King and didn't even realize it Can you google pictures of the King to see what he looks like?

 

[my3princes]

Elin he is definitely in the states. He went to the White House on the 21st and rode Harley Davidson Motorcycles to a cafe in West Virginia on the 23rd. I found an article and photos from that, but nothing from Fredericksburg. He is supposed to be on Meet the Press on Sunday.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Tammi - We are planning one full day at US, one full day at IOA. We went ahead and booked one night at RPR because it was cheapest. I got a AAA rate, but I had to call - couldn't find it online. My credit card has STILL not been charged, so it is entirely possible we won't really have a room when we get there. If that is the case, I will rant and rave at them and then we will simply go back to our villa at AKV for the night. Chanon says the US/IOA hotels are just that way so I shouldn't worry.
The hotels are in walking distance of the parks.
You can call me the night of August 4 and I can tell you all about it.

 

[PNO4TE]

Wow, that sounds exciting, but all the secret service could be a bit alarming too. Maybe you saw the King and didn't even realize it Can you google pictures of the King to see what he looks like?

Elin he is definitely in the states. He went to the White House on the 21st and rode Harley Davidson Motorcycles to a cafe in West Virginia on the 23rd. I found an article and photos from that, but nothing from Fredericksburg. He is supposed to be on Meet the Press on Sunday.

Oh, I am pretty sure I saw him! I believe he was the man in the center of the group that walked past me. And I think the lapel pins were for Secret Service.

 

[PNO4TE]

Elin he is definitely in the states. He went to the White House on the 21st and rode Harley Davidson Motorcycles to a cafe in West Virginia on the 23rd. I found an article and photos from that, but nothing from Fredericksburg. He is supposed to be on Meet the Press on Sunday.

He was also at a function at the Pentagon yesterday and I believe David Gregory already filmed the Meet the Press segment that will air tomorrow. I just find it odd that with photographers around, nothing has popped up!

 

[Tammi67]

Thank Deb and Elizabeth - I know the kids won't be tall enough for everything. I looked on their site and saw that there are a few 52" inch things. Nicholas might be tall enough for those. If the kids can't ride, I don't need to. I'll have to research it further. Now Bob says he would like to go to Seaworld. Maybe that instead of US.

 

[Glynis]

It's a rainy afternoon here in Utah! Luckily, it was clear enough this morning for us to get the garden spot cleared and ready to be tilled up. Alan also transplanted the strawberries to a spot where they won't get trampled. He's excited to get planting, but won't do it for a couple of days while the ground dries out a bit.

Jacob had a birthday party this morning, and the twins are at a party now. Katie and I went swim suit shopping, and were expecting to spend many hours looking for a suit for her. She's at that awkward stage where her top and bottom sizes don't match. However, we got to our first store, and found 3 suits she liked. She tried on 2 one piece suits, and they were ok, but really didn't flatter her figure at all! However, the third suit was a tankini, and once she tried it on, we knew it was the suit for her! It is just darling! She took one look at herself in the mirror and broke into a huge smile! "It doesn't make me look fat!" was her exclamation! I almost cried with joy! Her self-esteem has been sinking due to some mean girls at school, but this really perked her up! We also found her a new pj set, and some earrings for when she can change her studs. All in all, I'd say it was a good day for Katie.

Since the kids did so much work at the house today, we are going to take them to Cabela's to watch the fish being fed. It's really something to watch! The kids love it! Then we'll take them upstairs to the Wild West Shooting Gallery. They love this as well. I might even be able to talk Alan into buying some buffalo burgers for dinner. Cross your fingers.

Have a good evening, everyone!

 

[Pooh67_68]

Thank you.

Heidi congratulations to you & John on DVC!

 

[Tammi67]

Did you see that Bea Arthur died?

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Did you see that Bea Arthur died?

i just saw that!

 

[babytrees]

Did you see that Bea Arthur died?

oh no!!

I just spent the last 2+ hours doing Cassidy's hair and makeup. Going over to do pictures shortly. Then I will post them for all to see.

 

[my3princes]

Thank Deb and Elizabeth - I know the kids won't be tall enough for everything. I looked on their site and saw that there are a few 52" inch things. Nicholas might be tall enough for those. If the kids can't ride, I don't need to. I'll have to research it further. Now Bob says he would like to go to Seaworld. Maybe that instead of US.

Colby wants to go to SeaWorld too. They all want to go to Universal and WDW and on a cruise. Basically they just want to go somewhere at this point We are thinking a cruise and WDW next summer.

 

[UP Disney]

Have you seen Susan Boyle's makeover? Boy, there is a lot of hoopla over that. I was glad to see that she didn't get all glamed up but just got a little more together look.

 

[UP Disney]

Did you see that Bea Arthur died?

Hadn't seen that yet.

 

[my3princes]

Have you seen Susan Boyle's makeover? Boy, there is a lot of hoopla over that. I was glad to see that she didn't get all glamed up but just got a little more together look.

I have seen many articles about that. I really think that she needed a makeover. The poor woman was a spinster, never even been kissed, unemployed...She needed a makeover. I truly hope that she finds tremendous success in every aspect of her life.

 

[UP Disney]

I have only a dozen or so posts left before I decide whether I want to change my userid. I hate to lose my post count but I really don't connect with my current one. I'm using Disney Yooper everywhere else. Decisions, decisions.

 

[MrsHeg]

I just spent a few hours visiting with the kids, Aubrey is growing like a weed,

Not very ladylike, but I love this one,

 

[MrsHeg]

I'm off to the Gulf Coast DIS meet, I really wish that you could all be there.

 

[PNO4TE]

Did you see that Bea Arthur died?

 

[PNO4TE]

I just spent the last 2+ hours doing Cassidy's hair and makeup. Going over to do pictures shortly. Then I will post them for all to see.