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

[Captain_Oblivious]

Only one problem, My set of gates were over there.

Man, you'll try anything to stay at Disney!

Me; I am here to check in.

Clerk: Check in is not until 4pm. ( Goes back to whatever she was doing)
Me: (after a few seconds) I understand the room is not ready yet but can I check in and leave my bags?
Clerk: Check in is at 4.
Me: Ok what can I do?
Clerk: You can come back at 4.

Toto, I don't think we're in Disney anymore.

Great I have windows but I cannot even use them because any and everybody walking by will be able to see in. The Joke is on me.

Sigh. Toto, I don't think etc., etc.

This was creepy as well as fun.

That would basically describe New Orleans wouldn't it? I've always found the Mardi Gras-type stuff a little creepy.

No trip to New Orleans would be complete without a stop at

Yummy.

Now we're talking!

The heart is covering one a bit inappropriate.

I want to thank everyone for sticking with me and I do need to learn how to pace better to have one done before I go again.

Please join me for the next ride. I will post the link here when I am ready. [/SIZE][/COLOR]

Looking forward to it!

 

[MEK]

What the......? You couldn't check in until 4pm on the nose? That's crazy. And then the room fiasco. Ughhhhh! Interesting sights, that's for sure. Was that a little dog smoking a cigar? OMG. I'm so confused.

I have never been to NO and I would like to go, so I will follow your advice on booking a chain motel. And I will bring closed toe shoes to prevent ick!

 

[Poolrat]

Man, you'll try anything to stay at Disney!

I call it Disney brain. I turn my brain down to breathing and other vital functions and let Disney do the rest. I forgot to turn it back up to airport alert before boarding ME.

Toto, I don't think we're in Disney anymore.
Sigh. Toto, I don't think etc., etc.

No Toto but we may be in Oz.

:
That would basically describe New Orleans wouldn't it? I've always found the Mardi Gras-type stuff a little creepy.

You are so right! I felt safest sitting inside a resturant looking out onto Bourbon street. That 's where I saw the devil.

:
Now we're talking!

I will say those were yummy. Get a good batch at POFQ and you could just pretend you are there.

:
Looking forward to it!

I am hoping soon. Couple of things left on the to-do list here and then I can start working on it.

What the......? You couldn't check in until 4pm on the nose? That's crazy. And then the room fiasco. Ughhhhh! Interesting sights, that's for sure. Was that a little dog smoking a cigar? OMG. I'm so confused.

That's how I felt even when I was sober. The room thing actually just made me give up and I never do that.

Hey I grew up going into NYC and I thought the whole thing was strange. I am sure there is a lot more to the city but on Bourbon street,"t-shert" places and Barely legal clubs with what may or may not be girls in bikinis trying to get guys to enter their lair seem to be it.

I was actually a bit afraid to get a drink on Bourbon street.

I have never been to NO and I would like to go, so I will follow your advice on booking a chain motel. And I will bring closed toe shoes to prevent ick!

Closed toe shoes for Bourbon street for sure. It is an experience and I am sure if we had more time to explore and felt confident on how to get around we would have found the charming part of the city.

 

[tinacaplan]

Hmmm...going into reality like that after Disney must have been surreal. Wonder if you would have liked New Orleans more if you hadn't been coming from Disney...although...maybe not!

Thank you for sharing you trip! Hope you had a great New Year's trip and can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Poolrat]

Hmmm...going into reality like that after Disney must have been surreal. Wonder if you would have liked New Orleans more if you hadn't been coming from Disney...although...maybe not!

It certainly was a wake up call. I think if the hotel was not such a hassle it would have made everything else better. It always seems like if I had just a couple more days, I could feel relaxed about it and would have enjoyed it more.

Thank you for sharing you trip! Hope you had a great New Year's trip and can't wait to hear all about it!

I had a great trip and can't wait to share.

 

[glennbo123]

I just posted on Brook's thread (you mentioning New Orleans reminded me) that I went to Cafe du Monde a few months ago based on her earlier TR.

I was on a business trip with a couple of co-workers and we got one night in New Orleans in order to catch a flight out the next morning.

Of course we had to visit:

Mmmmmm.

I had a similar walk down Bourbon Street as you, except I braved it at night. One stroll was enough for me.

 

[punkin413]

I think leaving Disney and going anywhere else but home is always a bad idea, because nowhere else compares. We went to Port Canaveral after our Disney trip in May 2007 and while we were at Kennedy Space Center that exact thing happened to us. It just wasn't as clean and well-kept. Even Ray thought so. And then once when we were on a bus going from one attraction to another there, we were in the front seat. Well, I had been on Disney buses for 5 days so I did what I had been trained to do....get up and head for the door when we stop. I'm standing there waiting for the bus driver to open the door and he gets up and stands behind me and says, "I'll open the door as soon as you move out of my way." (I wish they had a smiley that flipped the bird b/c that's what I felt like doing.) Apparently the bus driver has to manually open the door to let the passengers off there. I had no idea. Thanks for your friendliness, ******! I said out loud, "This is SO not Disney World!"

Loved the pics of crazy New Orleans. I've never been there but I want to see it someday. I don't necessarily think it's my cup of tea, but it's a part of our country that's definitely interesting.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. It was so nice to meet you too! Can't wait to hear about this most recent trip!

 

[Poolrat]

I had a similar walk down Bourbon Street as you, except I braved it at night. One stroll was enough for me.

You are brave. One Friday afternoon with a big game in town was enough for me. By then I was so tired from the Disney part and then the convention that I just wanted to get back to the room.

 

[Poolrat]

I think leaving Disney and going anywhere else but home is always a bad idea, because nowhere else compares. We went to Port Canaveral after our Disney trip in May 2007 and while we were at Kennedy Space Center that exact thing happened to us. It just wasn't as clean and well-kept. Even Ray thought so. And then once when we were on a bus going from one attraction to another there, we were in the front seat. Well, I had been on Disney buses for 5 days so I did what I had been trained to do....get up and head for the door when we stop. I'm standing there waiting for the bus driver to open the door and he gets up and stands behind me and says, "I'll open the door as soon as you move out of my way." (I wish they had a smiley that flipped the bird b/c that's what I felt like doing.) Apparently the bus driver has to manually open the door to let the passengers off there. I had no idea. Thanks for your friendliness, ******! I said out loud, "This is SO not Disney World!"

Loved the pics of crazy New Orleans. I've never been there but I want to see it someday. I don't necessarily think it's my cup of tea, but it's a part of our country that's definitely interesting.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. It was so nice to meet you too! Can't wait to hear about this most recent trip!

I agree that leaving Disney and going anywhere is always a challenge.
I had enough sleep unlike San Antonio where "chicken fried steak" frightened me since I had like 2 hours of sleep.

The hotel situation was odd but didn't set the right vibe I guess.

I am sure if I had a few days to do our own thing without the conference or any other obligations, I would have enjoyed the city more.

I think the next conference is in Las Vegas - another city I have done once and not eager to go back to- but hopefully if I can swing it Disneyland will be after.

 

[englishrose47]

I was in New Orleans once in mid JulyI enjoyed the Tram ride around all the Mansions and River Walk !!Bourbon Street was interesting

 

[eandesmom]

whew! I am finally completely caught up and...you are done. Aack! What a transition, Disney to NOLA. In defense of boutique hotels I have to say the NOLA Hotel Monaco, which is a Kimpton so part of a chain but a chain of boutique style hotels, is an outstanding place to stay. I can't stand the big chains though so I'd risk it on a new one but your experience sounds awful.

I can't believe you've never seen the auto covers on the seats before. They always kind of freak me out, like what if it doesn't rotate? Then what do I do? Did you make it up to the garden district and cemeteries? I didn't see that, quite the contrast to Bourbon street. I do love NOLA, especially the food but it is quite colorful to say the least. We actually just bought a box of the DuMonde beignet mix and might make them over the weekend, YUM!

 

[Poolrat]

I was in New Orleans once in mid JulyI enjoyed the Tram ride around all the Mansions and River Walk !!Bourbon Street was interesting

I really think if we had the time and the confidence to do a tour of the mansions or something we would have liked it better.

whew! I am finally completely caught up and...you are done. Aack! What a transition, Disney to NOLA. In defense of boutique hotels I have to say the NOLA Hotel Monaco, which is a Kimpton so part of a chain but a chain of boutique style hotels, is an outstanding place to stay. I can't stand the big chains though so I'd risk it on a new one but your experience sounds awful.

If it was a truly a horrible experience I would have looked for another hotel. It was clean ( enough) and besides not being able to look out a window I had a nice king sized bed and the alarm clock and TV worked. I think even the alarm clock showed up the next day.
Usually the WWA is pretty good when they reccommend a hotel. The staff was nice enough once I checked in, and while I would probably stay somewhere else given the chance again, I wouldn't necessarily trash the place if someone else booked a visit there.



It was an experience for sure, and one both B and I will laugh about for a while.
I do think after Disney though, the situations were just maginfied. It seems like I got every crazy situation that could happen and the one I didin't get, B got. They were booked solid so maybe that was it too.

I can't believe you've never seen the auto covers on the seats before. They always kind of freak me out, like what if it doesn't rotate? Then what do I do? Did you make it up to the garden district and cemeteries? I didn't see that, quite the contrast to Bourbon street. I do love NOLA, especially the food but it is quite colorful to say the least. We actually just bought a box of the DuMonde beignet mix and might make them over the weekend, YUM!

I saw the button to rotate it and wondered if it was automatic or manual? Do I rotate it before and after or just before?
As I rush around in a new city that is what I am greeted with
a toilet with a plastic cover. Doesn't exactly scream welcome to our city.

I am sure if we made it to the garden district or the cemeteries we would have both enjoyed that but lack of time and energy just left us roaming around the area near our hotel and then Bouron Street.

Enjoy your beignets!!!

 

[Kgroo]

Pat,
Thanks for the trip report. I just finally caught up. We were at MK on the 1st also. We were there from about 11:00 until closing that night. DD finally looked up at us and said go hotel go nite nite. Loved all of your souvies. Can't wait for the next trip.

 

[Poolrat]

Pat,
Thanks for the trip report. I just finally caught up. We were at MK on the 1st also. We were there from about 11:00 until closing that night. DD finally looked up at us and said go hotel go nite nite. Loved all of your souvies. Can't wait for the next trip.

It was a long day. I am glad I was there even though it was a low key celebration and it seemed most of the special stuff either happened that morning or was by wristband which seemed impossible to get unless you were at the gate by 6 am. Since I was running, that was impossible.

Uploading photos now.

 

[Poolrat]

I have started the new one.


When in doubt, feed the bear... but not that!!!

 

[eandesmom]

I saw the button to rotate it and wondered if it was automatic or manual? Do I rotate it before and after or just before?
As I rush around in a new city that is what I am greeted with
a toilet with a plastic cover. Doesn't exactly scream welcome to our city.

I am sure if we made it to the garden district or the cemeteries we would have both enjoyed that but lack of time and energy just left us roaming around the area near our hotel and then Bouron Street.

Enjoy your beignets!!!

you would have loved the garden district and there are some seriously amazing restaurants there (in general).

The toilet cover SHOULD rotate automatically. There was a time where it seemed like every airport in the US had them, to me at least. They seem to have gone out of fashion but back in the day when I did a ton of business travel I saw them everywhere. Now that I see it in your TR I realize...it's been quite awhile since I have.

 

[englishrose47]

Just checking in!!!

 

[Poolrat]

you would have loved the garden district and there are some seriously amazing restaurants there (in general).

The toilet cover SHOULD rotate automatically. There was a time where it seemed like every airport in the US had them, to me at least. They seem to have gone out of fashion but back in the day when I did a ton of business travel I saw them everywhere. Now that I see it in your TR I realize...it's been quite awhile since I have.

I may just need to stay away from Boubon Street. I seem to remember those seat covers but like you, have not seen them in a while. Mine did not go automatically so I pushed the button before and after. Then I began to wonder if it was like the old time towel dispensers that just kept 20 feet of towel rotating around.

Just checking in!!!

Check out the link to the new TR!!

 

[jillyb]

The transformer dude was awesome!

 

[jillyb]

As I am snapping away there goes Alice…

Alice looks like she's doing the walk of shame!