Eat, Run and Celebrate- Day 7- Last Day and New Orleans

[CanadianWDWfan]

Wow, congrats on doing the 5k! What an awesome way to start the next chapter!

I send you hugs cause I know what you have been going through.
Not fun but I am happy to hear you are staying positive.

I'm looking forward to comparing notes on your TR. The 40th was wonderful and crazy.

I was on the other side of the castle from you. We probably passed by each other sometime and never knew it.

We should have met up for a DISmeet.......I'm sure there will be a next time.

It must be awesome to be in the DVC!

Glad to be here from the start and see how your trip played out.

 

[MEK]

I'm here!!!!! Sorry I am so slow. I haven't been DIS'ing full time for the past 4 days and I am falling behind!

 

[jordanyosh]

peep

 

[nowellsl]

peep

Heeeey, It's Jordan!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Hello! Followed you from the numerous other TRs we both follow! Looking forward to hearing about your trip. :

 

[Poolrat]

Hi Pat! I'm here - I'll be back to catch up later!

Not too much to catch up on yet. Hopefully I can start a "real" update this week.

Yeaaaaa, Pat has a new TR!!

I look forward to taking everyone on the ride.

Subbing. Now I need to catch up.

I know you will be done quick.

 

[Poolrat]

I just found the link from your last trip report, so count me in.

I hope your "year of change" turns into many positive things for you.

I'm looking forward to hearing all about the "40th" celebrations. Come on Pat, let's get this party started.

I need to get a move on. Bleieve it or not I am caught up at work so I need to find a little time.

Wow, congrats on doing the 5k! What an awesome way to start the next chapter!

I send you hugs cause I know what you have been going through.
Not fun but I am happy to hear you are staying positive.

I'm looking forward to comparing notes on your TR. The 40th was wonderful and crazy.

I was on the other side of the castle from you. We probably passed by each other sometime and never knew it.

We should have met up for a DISmeet.......I'm sure there will be a next time.

It must be awesome to be in the DVC!

Glad to be here from the start and see how your trip played out.

I bet we did pass each other. Hopefully we will cross paths again. Look for yourself in My pictures.

I'm here!!!!! Sorry I am so slow. I haven't been DIS'ing full time for the past 4 days and I am falling behind!

no worries I just got the intro out to help me move it a bit.

 

[Poolrat]

peep

Peep back at you buddy. I am so Happy to "see" you.

Heeeey, It's Jordan!!!

It is and I am glad you are along for the ride.

Hello! Followed you from the numerous other TRs we both follow! Looking forward to hearing about your trip. :

Glad to have you here. I hope to have a real update soon.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I'm here!!! Can't wait to hear about the 40th and your 5K!

 

[jordanyosh]

Peep back at you buddy. I am so Happy to "see" you.

Can't wait to hear about the trip....I'm glad I'm here from the beginning. I am only online mon/tues and some wed...so I'll be here occasionally as time permits.

 

[jordanyosh]

Heeeey, It's Jordan!!!

It's me...I'm baccccck.

 

[Poolrat]

I'm here!!! Can't wait to hear about the 40th and your 5K!

Glad you are here. Despite not being busy .... I am busy Trying to carve out some time to at least start.

Can't wait to hear about the trip....I'm glad I'm here from the beginning. I am only online mon/tues and some wed...so I'll be here occasionally as time permits.

It's me...I'm baccccck.

I will take any time of yours I can get.

Did a peep say June 2013????

 

[Poolrat]

Trip dates Sept 26- Oct 3
Staying at All Star Sports – A first for me.
Leaving from Greenville – Spartanburg SC via Southwest.


Mon Sept 26th – a regular day of work but going in to tie up loose ends.

When I planned the trip I started on Friday Sept 30th and worked backwards. I wanted some time for Food and Wine before the crazy first weekend.

That added Thursday so I would have all day Friday. Then I wanted some time with low crowds so I added Tuesday and Wednesday. With the conference the next week I stopped there. Almost 2 weeks away is enough.


Usually I fly AirTran out of Charlotte but Southwest added Greenville Spartanburg last March. Couple that with a SW anniversary sale that landed me a $40.00 flight to MCO and I was there.

My flight to New Orleans was $80 and then home was slightly more do to the indirect route through Baltimore.

Flight time was 10 am . I literally had to drive PAST the Charlotte Airport on the way to Greenville.
I was up early, out the door by 6:23 am and had everything packed.

I left as soon as DS left for school, yes he leaves that early every day!!!

1 suitcase with WDW stuff and Running stuff, 1 smaller suitcase with NOL stuff, including a dress for the session I was speaking in, and instead of a backpack to carry the computer, I just brought the smallest Disney roller suitcase to save my back.

I tell you this only because along the way it becomes a bit significant.

I had no traffic, manage to get cheap gas in SC and breakfast about ½ hour outside the airport. I arrive and park in the economy lot at about 8:30 am. The Long term lot if you will.

The Lot was crowded but thankfully not full.

The car gets parked and the sunshade gets put up. Now I try and tackle the bags. Hmmmm 3 bags that all roll and 2 hands with which to roll them. This could get interesting. I did not have a free hand to get a picture or I would have.

I have 2 royal blue Disney bags with a Mickey head on the front pocket. They were a sale purchase from the Disney Store and the little red bag was the promotional bag I picked up in Sept.

Both my Royal Blue bags have a loop and buckle to attach a smaller bag to so that is what I did. I was able to attach the smallest red bag to the bigger Royal blue bag.

Now I wish I had video of this process and the subsequent attempt to roll the bags. You see, I had to get all three bags out, all which were top heavy and fell forward when I stood them up. I needed to close the back hatch to the van and NOT lock my keys inside and then configure the mess so I could get to the terminal.

Then again if I had video it would mean that I had help doing this which would mean I would not need to do it at all. Obviously I survived the situation, but it also comes up 3 more times before I get to back to this spot and my car at the end of the trip.

But alas I am getting ahead of myself.

Ok back to the car. The hatch is shut, keys in my purse – yeah I had that too but it was small park bag not the big mommy purse so that actually worked.

I lean small blue bag against the car take the tiny red bag and attach it to the big blue bag AND have to extend the handle and lean the bag back to balance. Then I get to extend the small blue bag and configure my self and the bags so I am either pushing 1 and pulling one 1 or pulling both without catching my toes or bumping my heels.

Try it, I dare you. It takes talent.

Now I look around after this magic trick to find a shuttle stop. There is always a shuttle to the main terminal right?


I look left. I look right. I see someone walking. YOU MEAN I HAVE TO WALK TO THE TERMINAL????

Crap. Well on the good side, how was I going to get this mess in the shuttle anyway?

Being the planner I am, the map of the airport show the Economy lot across from the daily lot and the daily lot is just across a small road. According to the map the terminal is next to the daily lot.

Now in Charlotte the map shows this too but in reality there is even a shuttle from the daily lot to the terminal. I was a bit worried but hoped if anything, the training for the 5K might aid in this epic journey.

I trudge myself and my load of Disney luggage out through the exit lane and cross the small street.

There is no sidewalk so I look around and yep there is a sidewalk on the OTHER side. I am not crossing back.

I walk a short distance to the end of the Daily lot building, about the distance of 1 block in DHS from the Crossroads at the entrance to Sunset Blvd. I get to the corner and look both ways. To my left and towards the Economy lot, I see a path into the parking lot that connects to the sidewalk I should have taken. Next time, right?

To my right I see a sidewalk and another building in the not too far distance.. The terminal!!! YAY I can see it and it does not appear to be THAT far. Again using a reference everyone can probably relate to, The distance from the bus lot to bag check at EPCOT. But You are not staying at POP or All Stars so the walk is a bit shorter, like from POR stop let’s say.
I might be using the pull – push method to get to the terminal over the sidewalk … cracks and unevenness and all. Luckily, it is not cold or raining and I duck in the first door I see and SW is right there. Thanks goodness for small airports.

I get right up to the counter to release my bags and lighten the load. They are both way underweight so I am glad to learn I can bring home plenty of stuff and I leave with my now printed A boarding pass.

I am directed up an escalator and this is where I find security. Again no line and I get my items organized and pass through security easily.

Then what do I see? Another escalator up. I finally reach the departure part of the terminal but I find that a bit odd. Not one but two escalators with security in the middle.

I find my gate

Oddly enough it is the same gate letter andclose to the gate number I mostly flew out of in Charlotte. I am able to get my laptop out and DIS for a bit.

As the time draws near, I visit the restroom and I am officially on vacation. I am in the land of automatics again. Auto Flush, water and towels, and even auto soap but that resulted in some misfires and while staring at the white liquid soap in the sink instead of in my hands just made me giggle. Then shake my head, then giggle again.

Probably about 20 minutes before my flight was due to take off, the plane came in, people got off and we got on. We left. I found it incredibly fast and dare I say efficient?

Follow me to Orlando!

 

[englishrose47]

Great begining !!!Luggage can be such a pain !!!!I will be going down for the night within an hour or so as my alarm is set for 2:45 a.m. !!
I will catch up when I get back!!

 

[Poolrat]

Great begining !!!Luggage can be such a pain !!!!I will be going down for the night within an hour or so as my alarm is set for 2:45 a.m. !!
I will catch up when I get back!!

Safe Trip and magical travels.

My poor luggage almost deserves its our TR.

 

[chloe770]

Ha! I can so relate to the luggage struggle. I will eventually learn that the kids don't use half of the stuff I pack for them as entertainment on the plane. And, NO, I don't not really need 2 changes of close per day.

 

[jecskc]

As the time draws near, I visit the restroom and I am officially on vacation. I am in the land of automatics again. Auto Flush, water and towels, and even auto soap but that resulted in some misfires and while staring at the white liquid soap in the sink instead of in my hands just made me giggle.

My facebook status on the day we left was, "I am now leaving the Disney bubble and returning to real life where I have to flush my own toilet and no one will tell me to have a magical day."

The automatic flush toilets are important, yo.

 

[momof2TNboys]

Joining in! can't wait to hear about your adventures! We were there the same time.

 

[Poolrat]

Ha! I can so relate to the luggage struggle. I will eventually learn that the kids don't use half of the stuff I pack for them as entertainment on the plane. And, NO, I don't not really need 2 changes of close per day.

I actually used all of my Disney Clothes except for the extra running outfit I packed, just in case. As for my Conference clothes, the pants came back home unused along with a pair of shorts. I bring capri's but prefer shorts unless the conference rooms are freezing, which they were but not enough for pants. We are water people, shorts without holes are business casual.

My facebook status on the day we left was, "I am now leaving the Disney bubble and returning to real life where I have to flush my own toilet and no one will tell me to have a magical day."

The automatic flush toilets are important, yo.

So totally agree. I always have those " Dorothy you are NOT in Knas anymore" When no matter where I land after leaving Disney. Sorta slaps you in the face. And makes me want to go back. How does Disney do THAT?

Joining in! can't wait to hear about your adventures! We were there the same time.

Shoot- I was so busy I didn't have time to track down everyone who was going at the same time. NYE? You going?
Look for yourself in the pictures.

 

[KatMark]

Oh my...you are one talented woman. We had two people with three rolling luggages, a laptop computer in the case, my purse, Mark's carry on and we had difficulty.

Glad you were able to all work it out.

Now it's time for vacation.