FINALLY going to Florida - TOMORROW - Go to last page for more info

[PennyLane1084]

It really will be a whole new Disney for me. So much has changed. I completely forgot about the weinermobile until I found this picture. I remember screaming and bouncing up and down in my seat in the van while passing it.

 

[YukiPhnx]

I remember how much I wanted to see it, but never did. What a catch!

 

[PennyLane1084]

I love the retro pics!!!! Fanny packs are cool....
LOL

Haha, Of course they are Tim.

My dad did have a pretty nifty Marbrolol Fanny pack he got courtesy of my mom blacken lungs, (we used to save them 'miles' from the sides of the cigarette boxes and redeem them for awesome stuff) it had a bunch of compartments for all kinds of different stuff. He still has it but I don't think he uses it anymore.

Here it is:

 

[YukiPhnx]

I remember how much I loved my fanny pack. I brought it everywhere

 

[PennyLane1084]

So, If you've noticed I've been completely neglecting this PTR as of late. It is true that I have been busy with stuff for christmas but this trip as also been dangerously close to getting canceled. Basically, people who said they were going to help fund this trip now can't help. The other problem is air fare and the fact that I can't afford it. I was so sad that my DBF was said that he wanted to take me because I knew I could afford to pay for 2 people to go to Disney if we drove.

Then today I had an epiphany. As I was typing this really REALLY angry post about how I have to cancel the trip and how people are stupid and angst and more angst. And then like somebody came and bonked me over the head with a frying pan, I had an idea.

Why don't I just have Steve come with us, we can all drive together in my grandma's mini van, and rent DVC points.

I started looking on Ebay for some deals...when I came across condo rentals RIGHT NEXT TO DISNEY for $79/night AVAILABLE FOR THE TIME WE WANT TO GO!!! Holy guacamole I think it was meant to be.

IT'S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE PEOPLE!!!!

Stay tuned for more developments.....

 

[YukiPhnx]

Woah, so many new changes!!!!!

Offsite options sound pretty good.

 

[that's nice]

IT'S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE PEOPLE!!!!

Stay tuned for more developments.....

LOL You are too funny!

OK I've been gone for a week and haven't really been on that much due to Christmas shopping and craziness so tell me again how many people are going and your dates again. Have you thought about renting a house? We rented a 3500sq ft 5/6 bedroom house last March for 8 days for $1185 (including pool heat, tax, and cleaning). We split it with another family. I know you can find a house cheaper than this for a week. I have a ton saved on my computer from when I was doing research. I'll email the list to you if you'd like.

 

[PennyLane1084]

Tim, This Trip is so chaotic, I won't believe I'm at Disney until I see the Castle!! I thought about getting a house but I don't really need that much space. NOW, it's will most likely be Me, Steve (my DBF), My grandmother Ceil and my 10 year old cousin Mia. So I only need 2 rooms. The condo will be good because we can eat breakfast there in the morning.

 

[that's nice]

Tim, This Trip is so chaotic, I won't believe I'm at Disney until I see the Castle!! I thought about getting a house but I don't really need that much space. NOW, it's will most likely be Me, Steve (my DBF), My grandmother Ceil and my 10 year old cousin Mia. So I only need 2 rooms. The condo will be good because we can eat breakfast there in the morning.

I didn't realize there was only 4 of you. A condo sounds like a great idea. Make sure you check:

vbro.com and vacationrentals.com

I'm sure you can find a good deal. $79 a night isn't too bad either!

 

[smileycrissy]

LOL, I should rent you my 2nd bedroom!! I'll tell the fiancee, hey its some income right.

Definitely check around the Disney area for some deals be it a hotel or condo. We stayed at the Royale Parc Suites over on 192. It was really nice, had a kitchenette and decent food for its free breakfast. Here is their link: http://www.royaleparcsuitesorlando.com/ It looks like they are offering 20% off for a 5 or more night stay.

Thanks for sharing the pics. I so know what you mean about the miles thing with marlboro, my parents didn't smoke but my mom's best friend did. And she would order us all the stuff, the jackets, bookbags, etc.

 

[PennyLane1084]

I'm continuing my exploration of the Disney Parks with EPCOT.

Memories of EPCOT
One of my Earliest memories of EPCOT is my very first trip in '89. On our day to EPCOT we came back at night to see Illuminations. For some reason my family got separated after the show and one of those famous Florida downpours started. My grandmother couldn't find the rest of our group in the rain and darkness, and hunker down by the Mexico Pavilion. Two very nice young ladies, invited us under there table that was covered by a large umbrella and offered us some of their nachos. I don't know why I remember the nachos but I do. I remember my grandma kept saying thank you and still talks about those two women's generosity to this day. So if those two women (who would be in their 40's now) are out their: Thank You!!

Future World

Future is pretty awesome, but my family never spent a lot of time there. I have a feeling that Mia may be bored by this part and there will be a lot of: "(SIGH) OMG, Kristin you're such a GEEK!" This is a common utterance from my darling cousin who does not appreciate my geekiness. She's the "Too Cool for School" type of girl. I am not deterred in the least bit when she says this, in fact I usually Geek out even more just to get the patented Sigh and Eye roll out of her. Which is usually followed by crossing of the arms, taping of the foot and shaking of the head. (she's 10 going on 16 didn't you know) Like I said, we're like sisters.

But I digress, BACK to FUTURE WORLD....

Space Earth: I love this ride. I haven't been on it since the refurb, I last time I went on it they showed what technology would be like in the future and they showed a video of a girl taking to her mom via a web cam and how in the near future you would be able to play video games with someone on the other side of the world. I marveled at that kind of stuff back in the day and 12 years later it's a reality. Can't wait to see it now.

Universe of Energy: Meh, saw this once, I don't think it's changed since. However I do love Ellen so maybe....

Mission Space: I've heard this ride is bad for people who are claustrophobic and get motion sickness easily. I think I'll be skipping this ride.

Test Track: The last time I was at Disney Test Track had only been open for a year, so it was the TSM of it's time. I think I stood in line for 2 hours (also pre Fast Pass days) But it was totally worth it. Can't wait to ride it again, and again and maybe once more for good measure.

Innoventions is something that my brother and I always wanted to spend hours in and my mom would drag us away saying it was a waste of time. I might need to make up for lost time on this trip.

The Seas with Nemo and friends: I haven't been to this since Nemo moved in. I'm really really looking forward to Turtle Talk with Crush.

The first time my family went through this, my grandmother was creeped out. She is afraid of the weirdest things. Have you ever seen Jaw 3? Well don't, it's a terrible movie. But there is a scene where the Great White shark some how gets into an aquarium with a glass tunnel surrounded by water and the shark bites through the glass and tries to kill the mom from MY So Called Life. Well There was this awesome glass elevator and my grandmother starts saying "Oh I don't like this" which in turn made me nervous. She says it reminded her of Jaws 3. So, I don't know how keen my gram will be on checking this out. If I tell her they rebuilt it and Jaws WILL NOT get us she might go in. I better keep her away from Bruce's section.

The Land: I've done the land ride once and would do it again but it's not a deal breaker if we don't.

Imagination: I probably went through this when I was very young and don't remember it. I might do it again. Figment has always intrigued me. I'm also VERY excited to see Captain EO. I love me some Michael Jackson. Say what you will but I've been a life long fan. Can't wait for awesome 80's cheesiness.

On to World Showcase....

 

[PennyLane1084]

I didn't realize there was only 4 of you. A condo sounds like a great idea. Make sure you check:

vbro.com and vacationrentals.com

I'm sure you can find a good deal. $79 a night isn't too bad either!

Funny you should say that. VRBO is where I found the condo. Great minds think alike.

 

[smileycrissy]

I loved Turtle Talk with Crush. I've only done it once but when we did it, the kids were too cute. They sit all the kids up front so Crush can talk to them. Well the first kid asks 'How old are you' and Crush answers. So he moves on to another child with a question who asks 'How old are you', Crush made some sort of a joke about it and moved onto the third child who asked 'How old are you'. At this point Crush asks 'Does anyone have a question other than how old I am' I thought it was too cute.

I'm very disappointed with Imagination. It is really not the same from the old days. It's cute but kind of cheesy. I really preferred the other one and the older song.

You'll love Captain EO. I'm not sure how Mia does with loud shows(one of my nieces hates loud sounds and really hates Its Tough to be a Bug) so I made sure to tell my sister NOT to take her to Captain EO because I was pretty sure she was going to be screaming and crying.

 

[PennyLane1084]

World Showcase it my favorite part of Disney. My grandmother and I could walk around WS for a week straight and not get bored. Once Mia said "I love cheese so much. I want to try all the cheese of the World" So maybe she will get her chance.

Mexico: Being Mexican I always have to stop here and show some ethnic pride. The boat ride is a family favorite. My family ate at San Angel Inn once. It was pretty good but it was the first time we encountered black beans. My family normally cooks with Pinto beans because of the region of Mexico we originate from. So when we got our food brother says "Mom, these beans are weird!?!" I always love catch "Mexican Donald" as my family calls him. Donald wears a sombero and a sarape in the Mexican pavilion, I wish they had characters for the other 2 Cabellaros.


Norway: I've only rode Maelstrom once and I've wanted to ride it in the past but my parents did like it, so we didn't. I WILL go on Maelstrom this time!!! I also remember the bakery being delicious, I would love to try the school bread I've heard so much about her on the Dis! MMmmm

China: I love China. The temple is sooo pretty. I've always wanted a Chinese dress from here but they are pretty pricey. On year my Dad and I went to see the film about China and I lost my Dad's sunglasses in the theater. He got so mad he left us at the park and went back to the resort. This little meltdown is known in my family as "The China Incident"

Germany: Beer is here, enough said (where do people get that smiley face drinking the pint of beer emoticon from?)

Italy: I'm excited to see this Pavilion since going through a year of Art History. I've heard the architecture is very authentic.

American Adventure: Meh, I live in America.

Japan: I'm so excited to check out Mistukoski Department Store and the Anime display things Yuki talked about in her TR. Mia and I love Hello Kitty, lots of money will be spent here, including Pocky, Koala March cookies and Ramune Japanese Soda. :rool::
Morroco: This one is ok, not my favorite.

France: I would really like to get some crepes from here.

United Kingdom: Being a HUGE Beatles fan (hence the screen name) I love stopping in the little court yard to rest my feet and listen to the British Invasion. TIP: If you're wearing a Beatles T-shirt, you might have a better chance at getting picked to introduce the band. This happened to my cousin once. She was so excited also being a huge Beatles fan. I will also have to get a Pint in the Pub and maybe some Fish and Chip to go with (I swear I'm going to gain about 20 lbs. on this trip)

Canada: I would love to eat at Le Cellier but it's a tab out of my price range. Also will have to stop in for all my Canadian buds.

 

[YukiPhnx]

You can find the drinking smiley after you click on "more" at the bottom of the smilies we see on the right.

Hahaha, The China Incident. That's so awesome.

Hooray for Canada!

I love Future World! Innoventions has added a lot of cool new activities, so I'm sure Mia will have lots to do. The Kim Possible adventure sounds like a lot of fun too!

Omg, Turtle Talk is so good. Every time.

 

[All7OfUs]

It's been a crazy few weeks for me, but finally have time to sit for a spell and catch up on a few threads!! Finally!

WS is my favorite place in all the World!! Just love it there. Don't undersell the American Pav. The fife and drum corps is fabulous and the VoLiberty are simply NOT to be missed! Their voices are pure perfection and they seriously brought tears to my eyes last summer.

Ouch on the China Incident. He like, just left you?? Don't miss the acrobats there, they are pretty nifty too.

Anyway, love your plans! EPCOT is just such a great park!

 

[smileycrissy]

LOL, gotta love Dad's and their meltdowns. Hopefully you'll come back with a good story for China this time around.

Oooh, don't forget the Karamelle Kuche store in Germany.

And I meant to ask earlier but forgot, are you going to check out Coke's Cool Zone with all the sodas? And try the infamous Beverly??? LOL.

 

[smileycrissy]

Hi Kristin, I just wanted to wish you, Steve, and your family a Merry Christmas!

 

[PennyLane1084]

It's been a crazy few weeks for me, but finally have time to sit for a spell and catch up on a few threads!! Finally!

WS is my favorite place in all the World!! Just love it there. Don't undersell the American Pav. The fife and drum corps is fabulous and the VoLiberty are simply NOT to be missed! Their voices are pure perfection and they seriously brought tears to my eyes last summer.

Ouch on the China Incident. He like, just left you?? Don't miss the acrobats there, they are pretty nifty too.

Anyway, love your plans! EPCOT is just such a great park!

YAY Liesa!

And just to clarify: I was with my mom, brother and grandma after the China Incident when my dad stormed off to take a nap and cool off in the room and we were staying on site. So it was just a short bus ride back to the tree house villas. So he didn't just leave his kid to wonder around EPCOT alone.

 

[PennyLane1084]