Dorkapalooza 2006 - EPILOGUE on PAGE 15!!

[drebert]

That's weird, I don't remember us taking a normal picture.

Musta been that Daiquiri I had!

 

[jamal]

You guys are great! I have been away all day today, and I come back to find a little party here on my thread. Woo Hoo!!! Jami, baby, thanks for the pictures. I had never seen that Kona pic. And I know I've told you, that is my FAVORITE picture of YAK!!!!

Okay, our friend Kimmie sent me the group shot I've been looking for. Sher is not covering Grammy's face. And PONGO is in the shot (See Horsey on the phone!)

I really love this picture. BUT YAK wasn't there! Must've been at the bar again........

THANK YOU ALL for reading and encouraging and joining in the fun. Chapter 6 is underway. Hope to post by Weds. or Thurs. With tales of woe and lots more pictures!!

I love this picture too, so I had to see it again. KIMMIE!!! Will you send it to me????????

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Ok, I feel like I'm eavesdropping by reading this TR, but it's sooooo great! I love it!

I am having so much fun reading all the different *viking* TR's.
You girls and your men seem to really have enjoyed being together. Your pics, well, umm.. your *borrowed* pics are really great!

Waiting for the next installment, with baited breath.... sorry about the breath!

 

[AshClan]

Ok, I feel like I'm eavesdropping by reading this TR, but it's sooooo great! I love it!

NO, please don't feel like you are eavesdropping! I am trying to write this not only to share the fun with my friends, but to (hopefully) entertain the "general DIS public", too! I'm glad you are sticking with me, Disneyland Mama!! Thanks for posting!!

 

[Frickles]

ASH!!! I knew my ears had been burning...but I didn't realize it was you all talking about me.

What sweet things you all said! And I do love chips and Pepsi so thank you girls! The feeling is ultra mutual and I just love you all and WISH I had been there earlier. I had to squeeze in Fantasmic and wash the Disney Dirt off of me before I joined you. THEN, I got lost twice and drove over and bunch of curbs, Magic Kingdom entrance lanes and beautiful Disney grass trying to get to the POLY! All of the 'off roading' took an extra 10 minutes off my time with you all! Shoot. Thanks for not spilling the beans about what happened to me that night too!

Love your TR ASH! Keep it up and thanks for the sweet, sweet, sweet shout-out! Ly/mi!

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

I am having so much fun reading all the different *viking* TR's.
You girls (oh and boys ??, do you DH's really want to be refered to as *boys*?? oh, well) seem to really have enjoyed being together.

I believe they prefer to be referred to as "men". Being that I'm married to one of them, I am pretty sure about this.

SUSAN!! LOVED this chapter, honey! And... can't wait til tomorrow's! (In Sher's time continuum tomorrow, that is!)

 

[NAB]

I love seeing all these pics again.

Thought I would bump to you to the top......you don't belong on page two.

 

[AshClan]

Look down.....for Chapter Six (?)

 

[AshClan]

We decided to relax a bit on Sunday. Get breakfast at Roaring Forks. Not kill ourselves to get to MK at opening. We were skipping Space Mountain (Jay gets horribly bruised knees on that ride. Every time), and I wasn’t stressed about crowds, really. We were meeting a bunch of Vikings at 10:30 at HM. That was our only appointment. I also wanted, as mentioned earlier, to hit Johnny in the Caribbean and Splash and Philharmagic. If we got a chance to do BTMRR and Buzz, we would. But no biggie if we missed ‘em. Nothing else was really high on my list. I love the lack of pressure when another trip is so close on the horizon!!! Oh, and we had a lunch ADR at Liberty Tree. Cash meal. Not wasting my TS credits on a LUNCH, that’s fer sure.

The day started off so well. We got up at a normal hour. 7:30 or so, I think. Took our time getting ready. Discussed our plans for the day. Packed up the backpack. We decided to stay in the MK until 2:30 or 3:00. Then come back to get ready for the DVC pitch. There was some discussion about whether or not it made sense to get all dolled up for Cali Grill before the pitch or after. I decided that we would have enough time to save that for after. Because I would feel silly going to the pitch all dolled up, and it would still be kinda early to show up at the Cali, too. Our ADR wasn’t until 9:00, but we wanted to get there at 7:30 or so. To hang out at the bar and to make sure we were settled in at Wishes time.

So....as I was saying, it started off well. We ate a nice breakfast at RF. Got myself a cup-cover so I could take my tea to go, and we headed out to the boat launch. There was a boat there. It was a Contemporary boat, but it was there, so we decided to just take it, and catch the monorail to MK. Well, Jay got on. Then I got on. I guess I wasn’t really paying attention. There wasn’t a CM at the entrance as usual. He was further up on the dock. So nobody saying “watch your step”, like there normally is. PLUS, this boat HAD a step. Unlike the boats to the MK, which are level at the entrance. Do you get where I’m going with this? Yes, goofmeister that I am, I fell. Twisted my ankle. And splashed tea all over some poor woman and her daughter in the front seats. Made QUITE the spectacle of myself, really. But that wasn’t the worst of it. I really hurt myself. At first, I thought I may have broken my ankle. Has this ever happened to you? Your heart pounds, you break out in a massive sweat, you get majorly nauseous. This was all happening. Jay helped me to a seat and just kind of looked at me with concern. As did most of the other people on the boat. Would’ve really been embarrassing had I not been in such a state. Of pain and nausea. And I couldn’t hear! My head was roaring. Blood pressure? I guess so. So.....I tried to calm myself. I tried not to cry. I don’t think I did. Can’t benember, really. I hope I didn’t swear, as there were kids around. I tend to do that, though, so I may have. Apologies if your kids were with you on that boat and heard me. All I could think was that I had just blown our weekend. WDW is NOT the place to be with a broken, or even badly sprained, ankle. Especially when you don’t have a “heads up” on the condition. No ECV reserved. No desire to ride around in a wheelchair. And plans. BIG plans. Believe it or not, one of the first things that crossed my mind was my OUTFIT for Cali Grill that night. What a vain little thing am I? I wanted to wear my new DRESS. With my HIGH HEELS. Was I going to have to just destroy this pretty little black dress by having to wear it with BROWN CROC FLIP-FLOPS??? Oh, the issues we women have to deal with. Really.

Bottom line, my BP eventually started to lower. My heart rate too. I felt slightly less nauseous. I was still sweating like a pig. But, I dared to lower my foot. To do THE TEST. Could I put weight on it? I could! It really didn’t feel too terrible. I knew it was more than a little twist, and it was going to swell, but I should be able to function fairly normally. I assured my concerned fellow passengers that I’d be alright. I told Jay not to worry. He is an athlete, BTW. And a coach. He is really good with these types of injuries. And he can wrap a mean Ace bandage when he needs too. So it was good that he was with me. Well, it’s always good when he’s with me. But this time it was convenient too. We agreed that we would continue on, take the monorail to the MK, and make the first aid station our first stop. I could get an ice pack and take some Advil and all would (hopefully) be okay. We could still make it to the HM meet, anyway. And we’d play it by ear from there. I was optimistic, though. And determined to suck it up. I guess that illustrates how much I was INTO this trip. And these people. I was having too much fun, dammit! I would not let a little injury ruin things.

Boy, was that ride on the monorail looooonnnnnnggggg. If you ever try to do this, keep in mind that the Contemporary is the FIRST stop after the Magic Kingdom. So you have to do the whole resort route before hitting the MK again. It wasn’t bad, really. We shared a car with some of our boat mates. Who gave me sympathetic looks of pity as I put my leg up onto Jay’s lap. I also stole some of his water so I could take a couple of Advil. Because I ALWAYS have Advil with me. And, fortunately, I remembered to put it in the backpack that morning. We were both watching the ankle. To see if it was swelling. I think it was, just a little. It hurt. But....we were going to the Magic Kingdom! My favorite park. The FIRST part of Disney World. The only one I knew as a kid (well, the only one that was there when I was a kid...) We got off the monorail, and walked to the entrance. Funny, we had been here for two days. And had been at the entrance to MK multiple times. Friday night on our way to Boma and on the way home. Then Sat. when we were headed to the Poly, too. I was so happy that THIS time we were actually entering the park! Jay sent me on ahead as he went through the security bag check. I headed up Main Street pretty quickly for a crippled girl. But I was a little sad to be distracted from the excitement of this walk, and this view. And it wasn’t too fun doing it alone, either. Now that I think about it, I don’t know why I didn’t just wait for him. We may have just wanted to get this over with in plenty of time to head over to the meet. So....I limp-walked up Main Street (once again praising the comfiness of my Crocs....thanks Jami!), and made my way past Casey’s and into the first aid station. I explained to the CM what happened. She was very nice, offered me Tylenol (told her I was set with my Advil), and told me she’d get an ice pack. I was given the option of laying down there with the pack for a bit, or just fastening the pack on with a little net-socky kinda thing she had for me to use. As I was pondering, Jay came in, and we jointly decided that I might as well find a more interesting place to sit while I iced my ankle. I was given, frankly, a pretty pathetic home-made ice pack (crushed ice inside what appeared to be an envelope. Made of paper!). It wasn’t very cold, and when I walked, the sock didn’t do a very good job of holding it, but it would do. For now. We thanked the kind lady and headed out. As I was hobbling behind Jay, this guy walked by, gave me a pity-filled look, and said “You poor thing. I was on the boat. Are you okay?” Okay, I have to admit it. Now that the pain wasn’t as bad? Now that my memory was starting to come back? Now...embarrassment set in. What an loser I must’ve looked like lurching onto the boat (well, technically, the FLOOR of the boat). Not exactly the graceful image I normally endeavor to present in public, that’s for sure. I told him thanks, I’d be fine, and boogied away as fast as I could. For a gimp.

We decided that we could maybe ride something leisurely. Something that wouldn’t have a wait, and that would allow me to elevate my foot for a bit. Hmmmmm, seems I hear someone paging me. No, that’s not me they’re paging. That’s Mr. Morrow...Mr. Tom Morrow! Yep, we decided to ride around on the TTA, the lamest.....NOZ.....ride in the park. No, really. It isn’t lame. It’s nostalgic. I guess. And you get to see the inside of Space Mountain. Another lame ride, if you ask me (NOMel). We didn’t even hear anyone screaming. And the ride was running. We could see the cars moving through. Just didn’t sound like anyone was very excited to be on it. I did give Jay a big smile near the end, though, when we heard that page. Ahhh, ZZUB, the first “appearance” for you on this day. (BUT, just wait until later! We’re coming up on ZZUB’s second appearance....perhaps the best part of the trip!!!) We rode. I iced. Jay kept shaking his head at the lameness. We pined for the old ski lift ride. Because it was getting closer to HM time, and the ski lift thing would’ve been a neat way to get closer to HM without all the walking-with-a-really-lame-ice-pack-semi-attached-to-my-foot baloney. Anyhoo, we headed over to the Haunted Mansion. On the lookout for our friends. The ones we had already met, and some of the ones we had not yet had the pleasure of meeting. We were walking, and talking, and actually walked right past the HM! Had to turn around!! What a pathetic loser day I was having! Ironically, though, I was still having fun! And it was about to get better.......

We got to the entrance to the Haunted Mansion. With thoughts of Mel dancing in our heads. Well, actually, probably just my head. Don’t think Jay thinks of Mel very often, NOM. He just doesn’t “know” her as well as the rest of us. Or at all, for that matter. Like I said, other than some little ZZUB selections that I’ve had him read, he’s never been on the DIS. He had, however, read a bit of Kimmie’s TR on the plane. I had Horsey’s for him to read, too, but he never got that far. He is happier getting the “live” version of the imaginary internet friends. A concrete, three-dimensional kinda guy. We didn’t see anyone. So we sat on one of the benches to wait. Shortly thereafter, Jay spotted Kim, and I quickly noticed who she was approaching. It was Mark (FSUMarchief), Rhonda (GADisneyGirl), & their Magic Magnet (their son, Wesley)!! After all the pictures I’ve seen of them, they were EASY to spot! Plus, Kim & Doug were kinda leading the way. We headed over, and introduced ourselves...while hugging. I think, in fact, that I was hugging Mark before he even got a chance to ask who I was! It was so fun, once again, to meet more wonderful DISfriends face to face. And Wesley, well, let me just say, he is the CUTEST and SWEETEST little boy! He has the most beautiful smile, which always seemed to be present on that adorable face. And he seemed so very comfortable with the adults. I have said it many times before, but there is no doubt about his mad skillz in the charm category. No wonder he’s such a magic magnet! Shortly thereafter, we were joined by Horsey. Grammy and YAK & her friend K, too. I think they all showed up together, but I’m not 100% sure. At any rate, the now routine (but still oh so fun) hugging, screaming, laughing stuff went on for awhile. Haley also made it, along with Sophia and Max. Mr. Silly joined us eventually. I think he made it JUST in time for the pictures, actually. A “semi-lurker” DISer showed up too...wdwr (Shelley) and a couple of her friends joined us for this Mel tribute. Actually, now that I think of it, she also stopped by to say “Hi” on the Poly beach the night before, too. Here is a picture of the crew at the Haunted Mansion.

A word about this picture. It was sunny that day. And hot. I know Mark agrees with me here. In fact, everyone in this picture agreed with me. It’s only Sher who didn’t think it was hot this day. But she wasn’t here. Posing. For what seemed like HOURS. While the CM took our picture. With Kim’s camera. Then with Mark & Rhonda’s camera, then with Gram’s camera, then with the Silly’s camera, then with Horsey’s camera. I am not exaggerating, folks. I think it was at this point that we decided that from now on, we didn’t have to get the same pic on everybody’s camera. That we could share. (This is the one from Grammy’s, BTW.)

So, once the picture torture was over and done, we headed in to THE RIDE. Or should I say, THE ATTRACTION. We were thinking thoughts of Mel. Imagining how great it would’ve been if she could’ve been here with us. Ignorant of the fact that she was, in fact, heading here veerrrry soon after us. In fact, even while some of us would still be down there. But, I digress. And this was a Mel tribute. So no Mel dissing (not DISing) will take place here. I’ll leave that to Mark. Let’s just say Mel was with us in spirit. For real. As we entered the mansion. As we stood in the stretching room. Viewing everything with new eyes, after YAK had regaled us earlier with stories from her “Keys to the Kingdom” tour. Or was it the “Backstage Magic” tour? Whatever it was, it taught her lots of interesting background info. About lots of things. This ride being a big one of those things. Really a depressing backstory, though. Murder. Suicide. People being buried alive. Yuck. BUT, back to our Mel tribute. And our sweaty selves. Slowly recovering in the cool indoors. We boarded our Doom Buggies. Kimmie and Doug were right behind Jay & me. We rode, we observed. I soaked it all in, since it had been soooo long since I had been on this ride. And we saw the floating green head in the crystal ball. And thought of Mel even more. THEN, we got to the hitchhiking ghost part. Just as I was lamenting about how all the sweating had really wrecked my hair. I pulled out my brush. Began attempting to at least diminish the sweaty stringy mess that my hair had become. When.....BUSTED!!! Kimmie saw me. In the mirror. “ARE YOU FIXING YOUR HAIR?!?” she yelled. (Or something along those lines.) Yes, I was sitting in my Doom Buggy. With my husband and our hitchhiking ghost. And Kim caught me using the mirror to perform personal hygiene. What can I say....it was still less embarrassing than the boat wipe out, so it’s all good.

Next up: Chapter 7: Splashtastic fun and Cali Grill!!!! (And a lot more pictures)

 

[drebert]

I'm so glad I'm first! I loved this installment but I was a little sad that we didn't get to do the HM ride with all of you.

So sorry that you got yourself a little boo boo. But I have to say, Of course you sucked it up! You're a warrior! Us warrior types have to perserver(sp) in the face of adversity when going to Disney!
Count your blessings. At least you didn't end up at Urgent Care!

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

ASH!! I'm working on this day, too!! That was such fun... and so hard to believe that was the first time we'd "met" you!

Although... ask Mark what he THOUGHT you looked like! (I guess he never saw the pics you posted??)

So sorry about your ankle, we felt terrible for you. I trust you're all better now, though??

Many hugs, I miss you girl!!

 

[NAB]

I forgot that you were hurt. I was so caught up in your report. Glad you didn't break anything.

Funny that Kimmie saw you brushing your hair. See you guys are like old friends, a stranger wouldn't have said that to you....

Can't wait for more......Thanks for sharing it with us. I am really enjoying it Ash.

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Great job Susan - I really enjoyed it. ANd you're right - Wesley is the man! LOL.

And I'm not dissing Mel. I'm just trying to make her feel a little guilty so she might come back and play over here. I did enjoy that story though. it's cool to see everyones version of the meet(s)

Blessings!
MarkyMark

 

[bdg100]

Ash:

I have been lurking. Great report. I appreciate learning more about all of you people. Thanks for taking the time to write about your experiences. And, well written too.

BDG

 

[kpk89]

Susan! thank you!! Thank you for bringing back that day. I can still benember it like it was this morning. Which it wasn't, sadly. Very sadly. Except for the heat. That day was ugly hot. And this morning was bitter cold. Happy medium, anyone? (YES, I say! It's called Disney in January!)

I think the exact quote was "Stop brushing your hair!" Honestly, girlfriend, you looked great. ((and did you not realize that EVERYbody is looking at the same mirror??)) NAB is right, that definitely wouldn't have been said to a stranger. By me. And I think shriek rather than yell conveys the voice I used. TFI.

What a fun, fun day that was. Except for your poor ankle. But the depths of your trooper-ness have yet to be revealed ...

 

[HaleyB]

And I thought the picture on my camera was bad...

Really we are a MUCH more attractive bunch than that photo makes us look like. And that was the hottest 30 minutes out of the entire 10 days we were there.

Next time we need to do a HM meet in the late afternoon, much better light for a photo later in the day.

I love reading all the POV on the meet(s). Sorry about your wipe out.

 

[AshClan]

Dre, we missed you that day! Would've been great had you still been around!

Rhonda, yes, I really felt like I knew you guys so well already! And you were just as I imagined you'd be. Maybe better!

NAB, thanks for keeping me on page one. You are the queen of page turning! Also, you are right, Kim calling me on the hair thing was the act of a true friend. I think.

Mark, I KNOW you're not REALLY dissing Mel (and so does she, I'd wager). But I just felt I had to mention her trip, and thought of you when I did, because, well, you know.....you brought it up first!!

B, thanks! You are da man!

Kimmie, you can say you shrieked and that's okay. If I said it, it might've sounded mean And, yes, I'm already pining for the warm weather. Guess it's a good thing I'm heading back so soon!!!!

Haley, sorry about that. You ARE a much better looking group than what is shown in that picture. I hadn't noticed how unflattering it was until you mentioned it! People, just look at H's siggie pic. It's a more flattering, and realistic, shot!! (Keep in mind, Haley, that the 1st picture I saw of you was the soaking wet Fantasmic one on your TR. In comparison, I think this one is pretty good!!)

THANKS for reading, friends! Hope to have another chapter up tomorrow or Sunday.

 

[jamal]

Ash!!! Great great reporting, of course. This was a day I missed and I knew I missed some fun! We were MGMing while you were on the HM.

First: I am so glad to know the real story of how you hurt your ankle. Folks, this sweet girl NEVER complained about the pain she endured! I knew you had twisted it on the boat, but had not heard about the first aid, the transport, and how you were REALLY feeling.

Readers, this Ash is a trooper and, in my mind, would make an excellent Marine. She perservered through some difficult (you'll see) circumstances and never lost that beautiful smile.

Now, I must comment on the HM picture.
Dear readers, you must hear me when I say that every single one of these Disers looks better--by far-- in person than in this photo. Well, Mark and Wesley look OK and some of you MIGHT look lovely if you were not in silhouette.

Was this before or after the ride?

Many of you look like you swallowed #1000 in your DoomBuggy
Grammy looks like she is milliseconds from running for her life to get away from the nuts.

The Silly Family looks extremely, painfully, NOT Silly. What did you all eat for breakfast??

I have the utmost respect for you all for paying tribute (in the deadly heat) to Melly. Where would we be without her? NOT at a Dis meet, KWIM?

Ash, LOL about brushing your hair!!! Good one busting her, Kimmie

One more thing: DisneyMama...I know Ash is thrilled you are reading!! Thanks for joining the trip report!! Really!!!!!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Susan, great report again. Wish I could have been there, darn work

First time I heard about how you hurt your ankle, so sorry! I know it stayed with you for quite a while.

Looking forward to the rest, you do a great job!

 

[Grammyof2]

ASh - I have lots to say but instead I will just say this to what everyone else said.

And it was HOT and I actually came with the Sillies