From Oil Wells to Jingle Bells-Bells,pg.66, See you in September!

[lovebuzzandwoody]

I actually love cliff hangers!

And it does take longer to get to Disney from the panhandle than you'd think. After 3 trips since we moved here we've got it down to 6 1/2 hours... just had to find the right back roads to get us to 75 faster.

 

[chmbnaut66]

6.5 hours is about right when my daughter drives...she lives at the North end of our county by I-10, but it is a bit further for us. And of course, we have the little kids who need to stop for the bathroom.

We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside because we can have five in a room. In the past, I have gotten two rooms at POP when my daughter and mother would go with us. I am excited about having some pool time and seeing the kids enjoy the slide.

I bought the DDP for four nights and have ressies for Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, Parkfaire 1900, O'Hana's. I like to take the kids to Character meals because I HATE to stand inline for a photo op.

I think you will enjoy living in Orlando. I lived in Gainesville and really enjoyed the weather that the middle of the state has to offer. 29 degrees is a rarity.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

I think I went on a walking property tour on said Tuesday, BRRRRRR!!!
My son says Montana in the 40's is short and sandal weather

We'll always have Flametree"

PS: You know exactly why you went on the lack of Imagination ride: Because it was INSIDE, DUH!

 

[yellowtink]

Nebo, maybe the reason it seemed so cold was because you didn't have a jacket?

 

[smidgy]

Nebo, maybe the reason it seemed so cold was because you didn't have a jacket?

not. true, he did have one, a "spring jacket"!

he gave me suchflack about bringing a winter jacket!!! yes, it was annoying, carrying it with me through the airport in orlando. yes, i DID feel silly hanging my WINTER jacket on the back of a lawn chair, waiting for our room, going to the bathroom to change into my bathing suit.
but.. I told him.. I have read on the dis boards that it can be pretty cold in dec. I think we should bring winter coats, hats, gloves, etc. (just in case) I was outvoted (but I still had my winter jacket, hat, and gloves.)

 

[pkondz]

not. true, he did have one, a "spring jacket"!

he gave me suchflack about bringing a winter jacket!!! yes, it was annoying, carrying it with me through the airport in orlando. yes, i DID feel silly hanging my WINTER jacket on the back of a lawn chair, waiting for our room, going to the bathroom to change into my bathing suit.
but.. I told him.. I have read on the dis boards that it can be pretty cold in dec. I think we should bring winter coats, hats, gloves, etc. (just in case) I was outvoted (but I still had my winter jacket, hat, and gloves.)

And you're going to keep rubbing that in for a loooong time aren't you?


good

 

[jakeybake]

I was there the same week, from 12/4-12/7 and I couldn't believe how cold it was. I was there in December 2 years earlier and spent most of my time floating on a raft at Blizzard Beach. It was in the mid 80's.

I have your back Nebo because I was totally unprepared for the cold as well. The night of December 6th (I remember this because it was a Monday night and the Pats were playing the Jets on MNF) I went to DHS and hung around to watch Fantasmic before I shot over to the Beach Club to watch the game in the Martha's Vineyard lounge. I swear I had never felt that cold in my life. I had on a hooded sweatshirt and shorts (no long pants in my suitcase) and was shivering during the entire show. The only thing that saved me was when the lit the water on fire. I was 2 seconds away from throwing myself in front of the flames as they hit the water.

I was staying at Pop and it's really not the best place to be staying when it's cold out. At least at a Deluxe of even a Moderate, you have a lounge to hang out in for the times when you aren't at the parks. At Pop you basically have the lobby or food court and you really can't hang there for long.

Really put a damper on my trip.

J

 

[GrandBob]

It will be up Thursday at the latest, maybe sooner if I get sick of "Idol".

My local boy, James Durbin, sure rocked down the house last night, didn't he?

-Bob

 

[pkondz]

One thing we were hoping to do this trip was Turtle Talk with Crush, something we haven't done in at least 3 years now.

Love Turtle Talk, it's one of those things where you go, "How'd they do that? (And no, I don't want it explained. Some things are better left un-examined.)

But holy cow was it cold out that morning, Weather Channel said it's "Currently 29 in Disney World."

There's something intrinsically wrong about that.

I'm not sure why, but 29 up here in Chicago is a LOT warmer than 29 in Orlando, I don't care if it doesn't make sense, I stand by it.

We were up early, but weren't really trying to make rope drop, I WAS working hard on making the Dope stand up though.
She went for coffee and tea and a paper for later ...

Hmmm.. you do realise you said you were "working hard on making the Dope stand up" and then say, "She went for coffee, etc..." If I were you, I'd sleep with one eye open for the next little bit. Just sayin'

That was when I saw the funniest thing I'd seen on the whole trip:... "The tv says it's currently 29 degrees out, what do you think is going to happen to that water after it's sprayed on the concrete?"

So let me get this straight... You can barely stand up straight because of your back... and yet the prospect of navigating on a perfectly smooth sheet of ice over concrete is funny? OK. You have a very odd sense of humour my friend... Scratch that last, I'm pretty sure that's already been established!

He stood there with that kind of blank look on his face like a kid in class who is asked to stand up and say the capitol of Hungary as punishment when he's caught talking to the kid behind him.

Finally, he made his decision:

"Nah", and he went back to work.

After the lounge chair counting incident, can you blame him for doubting you? Funny 'tho!

As I hobbled to the smoking area I'm ashamed to say that I thought bad thoughts then, "hmmm, if something like THIS had caused my bad back,,,,,,,,,,,"
Right, they'd probably give me a free Itsakadoozie!

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer spills hot coffee on himself.

Yeah, "One Little Spark" is what's needed in there on top of some gasoline soaked newspapers.

But what really IS being accomplished during this time is that in my "spring" jacket, I am becoming numb, then I thought to myself suddenly, "OMG, I forgot to take the painpills!", and I jammed my hand in my pocket to find,,,
nothing.

You never did say what happened to them. Did you lose them? Put them in the safe-cracked safe?

Then we found out we probably couldn't have picked a worse resaurant for today.

Why? You ask?

WHY?

I'll tell you why.

YAY!

Morocco is an extremely open air pavillion.
All of the shops and stuff are barely under roofs, (rooves?), and some don't even seem to have doors.

Roofsezess

While waiting for our beverages we took turns going to the restroom, when she came back I did give the "atmosphere" thing a shot this time with a lame, "Of all the gin mills in all the world, she has to walk into mine, " but she just looked at me.

Well, that could have been the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

The meal was ok, we both got the Sultan's Sampler,,,
couscous, bastilla, brewat rolls,,,,

Never had the nerve or desire to eat there. Maybe I'll have to try it someday.

The waiter did come by once and asked me if I want my coffee refilled, I told him, "Yes, fill it again Sam", and I saw his eyes roll up into his head.

Oh my gosh! Did your wit (or the half that you possess ) make him fall unconscious???? Was he all right? More importantly, did he recover in time to serve dessert?

As we walked out we both kind of looked at each other concerning the meal and shrugged, I told her, "We'll always have Flame Tree."

Here's looking out for you, Nebo. Yes. you.

But it's in the front of the Italy pavillion, two towers with a thingy on top, I think they're bird feeders for the sea gulls.

Hidden cameras with panoramic views. Any un-Disneyesque behavior is strictly prohibited. Violators will be whisked away and placed for as long as it takes in the middle of Small World.

The room slowly filled up and about eight singers came out all dressed up in top hats and flowery dresses and did their thing.

Ok, the guys were in top hats and the female units were the ones in the flowery dresses, geesh!

Nope. I'm going to imagine them in both hats and dresses. You started it.

Which of course led to another weird Abbott and Costello type conversation with Smidgy:

She said, "I love that hymm," but I wasn't really paying attention to her at the time, and all I heard was, "I love,,,him." I thought she was really taken with a certain performer so I looked at where whe was looking and it was the young guy on the end with the deep voice.

"Oh, him? " I asked. "The one on the end?"
But she heard "The one at the end."

"Yes the one at the end, that's a hymm."

"Oh, that's a nice, " I said,

"What makes "a him" so special?"

"You don't like Amazing Grace?" she asked.

"Sure I do, but I thought we were talking about him."

"We are talking about a hymm, wait a minute, what are you talking about?" And she followed my eyes and burst out laughing. "You idiot, not him, a hymm"

Things that make me go: hmmmm.

I gave up and walked over and told the guy with the deep voice who was greeting guests, "Great job! Here, talk to my wife," and I walked outside.

There was no lizards doing the Godzilla thing so beats me why I took the pics again. One thing I had always wanted to do was bring a bunch of the green army men and make it look like occupied Berlin.

Time for the obligatory MASH quote. "When der Führer says: We is de Master race, We Heil <pbbt>, Heil <pbbt>, Right in the Führer's face." And I'm not even suffering from insomnia... well... not much.

I had no idea of the scary situation that was going to happen later on tonight at Epcot.

ooohh... can't wait!

 

[smidgy]

And you're going to keep rubbing that in for a loooong time aren't you?


good

yes. I am!

 

[nebo]

Hi Nebo! I've been reading your trip reports for a while now but I've never left a comment......mostly out of sheer laziness.......but your cliffhanger warranted an evil look (hey, Darth Vader is pretty evil) and me shaking my fist at the screen in frustration.

Can't wait to see what happens!!

Hi there, cool name, Princess zianha! ( here's where I find out I'm talking to a guy), yes, it is nasty to do this,,,what kind of bothers me is that I don't really know how it all worked out,, but even in the best case scenario, I get the feeling a vacation was pretty much ended.

I'm doing it again, aren't I?

I am sitting in my house,cold and I read your latest installment and Now I feel even colder. I am praying really hard for warm weather in 27 days.

Hmmm, cliff hanger, it magically warmed up that nite.

Marie, you'll be fine, it will be plenty warm with plenty of Spring Breakers. No, that will be over by then too, won't it? Great, have fun and don't take pool time for granted.

I actually love cliff hangers!

And it does take longer to get to Disney from the panhandle than you'd think. After 3 trips since we moved here we've got it down to 6 1/2 hours... just had to find the right back roads to get us to 75 faster.

Nikki, one thing I have noticed by now on all the trips driving down is that Rt. 75 in Florida is the FASTEST driven road on the entire way down. If you are only doing 75 on rt. 75 you had better be in the right lane,,, better yet,,, on the shoulder.
With speed limit 70, I usually punch in about 78 or so on the cruise and try to stay in the center lane,,,,,, nope, I almost alway end up with people flashing headlights at me to move over to the right.

6.5 hours is about right when my daughter drives...she lives at the North end of our county by I-10, but it is a bit further for us. And of course, we have the little kids who need to stop for the bathroom.

We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside because we can have five in a room. In the past, I have gotten two rooms at POP when my daughter and mother would go with us. I am excited about having some pool time and seeing the kids enjoy the slide.

Um, hate to say this, but the slide at Riverside and French Quarter aren't much at all unless the kids are really young. Well, I guess they must be if you are having one of them in the trundle bed.
You're not sleeping in the trundle bed yuorself, are you?

I bought the DDP for four nights and have ressies for Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, Parkfaire 1900, O'Hana's. I like to take the kids to Character meals because I HATE to stand inline for a photo op.

There's a rumor going around that you actually have to peel the shrimp yourself at Ohana, that could be important.

I think you will enjoy living in Orlando. I lived in Gainesville and really enjoyed the weather that the middle of the state has to offer. 29 degrees is a rarity.

I think I will too, now how do I get the rest of the family to move down there also?

I think I went on a walking property tour on said Tuesday, BRRRRRR!!!
My son says Montana in the 40's is short and sandal weather


PS: You know exactly why you went on the lack of Imagination ride: Because it was INSIDE, DUH!

You are right, Marita, I probably would have gone into Sounds Dangerous to get out of the cold. And you did mention before I think that you froze that day also, that's why I think Florida owes us right now.

Nebo, maybe the reason it seemed so cold was because you didn't have a jacket?

not. true, he did have one, a "spring jacket"!

he gave me suchflack about bringing a winter jacket!!! yes, it was annoying, carrying it with me through the airport in orlando. yes, i DID feel silly hanging my WINTER jacket on the back of a lawn chair, waiting for our room, going to the bathroom to change into my bathing suit.
but.. I told him.. I have read on the dis boards that it can be pretty cold in dec. I think we should bring winter coats, hats, gloves, etc. (just in case) I was outvoted (but I still had my winter jacket, hat, and gloves.)

yes Yellowtink, miss Smidgy is correct, she had the ultimate " I told you so" on me and I could not argue. She was right, I was wrong, it's odd, but it happens, well.......even a broken clock is right twice a day.

And you're going to keep rubbing that in for a loooong time aren't you?

Ahh, you noticed that too, didja?


good

I'm sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you.

I should have known

I was there the same week, from 12/4-12/7 and I couldn't believe how cold it was. I was there in December 2 years earlier and spent most of my time floating on a raft at Blizzard Beach. It was in the mid 80's.

I have your back Nebo because I was totally unprepared for the cold as well. The night of December 6th (I remember this because it was a Monday night and the Pats were playing the Jets on MNF) I went to DHS and hung around to watch Fantasmic before I shot over to the Beach Club to watch the game in the Martha's Vineyard lounge. I swear I had never felt that cold in my life. I had on a hooded sweatshirt and shorts (no long pants in my suitcase) and was shivering during the entire show. The only thing that saved me was when the lit the water on fire. I was 2 seconds away from throwing myself in front of the flames as they hit the water.

I was staying at Pop and it's really not the best place to be staying when it's cold out. At least at a Deluxe of even a Moderate, you have a lounge to hang out in for the times when you aren't at the parks. At Pop you basically have the lobby or food court and you really can't hang there for long.

Really put a damper on my trip.

J

Put a damper for sure on this trip too, if I hadn't said I was going to do a report I probably wouldn't have done one. So you're saying you were at Pop along with us for three days and didn't stop by for a drink?

My local boy, James Durbin, sure rocked down the house last night, didn't he?

-Bob

Yeah man, I thought he was outstanding! And turns out that the weird Casey guy with the curly hair and beard who lives out in Cal is from the Chicago area, originally. Smidgy likes him.

 

[babynurse1]

Taking after your good friend, Celerystalker I see.

yeah she is pretty much my bestie! lol


Ok, what if I promise to read your update later today. I need time to sit back and savor every moment. I wouldn't do it justice to just breeze through it.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Diva? Me? I much rather prefer Drama Queen.

Don't think I'm going to start calling you "Your Highness" now.


By the way, as long as Pop Warner isn't staying at the resort ykou are, they are no problem at all, I've never noticed them at all in the parks, I don't think they get much of a chance to go in them. Only problem is they are also invading Port Orleans now besides the All Stars, but I don't think they have ever stayed at Pop Century. Where would you prefer to stay?

Any place that I'm not going to be woken up by the Harley Boys each morning. Honestly, we've never stayed on-site. We own into a timeshare company that allows us to use different resorts throughout the U.S. So we usually just stay at the resort they have in Orlando. We're hoping to stay on-site one of these times. Just a matter if we can afford it or not.

We thought we'd like to try Port Orleans. Just from reading your TR. We've also heard a lot of good things about Wilderness Lodge. Honestly, we really have no clue what else to try. I try to read a lot of reviews about the resorts. So still baffled. The ones that sound interesting to us, are the ones we can't afford. As we get closer to planning, I'll send you and/or Smidgy a PM and get your opinions/suggestions on where to stay.

OMG!! Did I just say I would ask for Nebo's opinions/suggestions? I meant to say get more of Smidgy's opinions/suggestions.

 

[zianha]

Hi there, cool name, Princess zianha! ( here's where I find out I'm talking to a guy), yes, it is nasty to do this,,,what kind of bothers me is that I don't really know how it all worked out,, but even in the best case scenario, I get the feeling a vacation was pretty much ended.

I'm doing it again, aren't I?

Thanks Nebo! And you're in luck today, I'm not a guy! But Zianha is what I call my Disney "alter ego." My real name is Shandale so I can't take complete credit for having a cool name. And yes.....you're doing it again.......d'oh!!!

 

[1971DBday]

Hello Nebo and Smidgy!!!!! I have to catch up, but I haven't even had time to work on my own TR. Life has been to crazy, but I am hoping to have some sanity time this weekend to catch up on my DISboards!!! I can't wait to continue on your story, but for now....back to reality. I got a promotion at work and the kids are keeping me busy....I need to be back at the WDW but as you can see we have two countdowns going!!!

 

[chmbnaut66]

Um, hate to say this, but the slide at Riverside and French Quarter aren't much at all unless the kids are really young. Well, I guess they must be if you are having one of them in the trundle bed.
You're not sleeping in the trundle bed yuorself, are you?

Oh heck no!!! One of the kids will be sleeping on it. I have a six year old, a seven year old, and an eleven year old.

I bought the DDP for four nights and have ressies for Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, Parkfaire 1900, O'Hana's. I like to take the kids to Character meals because I HATE to stand inline for a photo op.

There's a rumor going around that you actually have to peel the shrimp yourself at Ohana, that could be important. Blah ha ha ...... Not a problem, I am a gulf coastal girl. I can even pinch the head off of one prior to eating it!!

By the way, I am one week out!! WHoop Whoop!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Well, this is totally non-tip report related, but it IS Disney Resort related.
I just have to share it because it really touched me:

Today I went along on a room walk, meaning going to check guest rooms for cleanliness, maintenance issues, etcs. The rooms were all looking good, but the team (GM, Exec Housekeeper, Custodial Manager, Chief Engineer, Furniture coordinator) are a picky crew. Inspected for dust, clean/uncracked glasses, no stains on sheets, everything in working order, general stains, signs of mildew in the bathroom, wallpaper border peeling etc). All rooms looked pretty good, but one had dust, another had a missing electric plate behind the armoire (you really had to look for it), or a crocked bed skirt, etc. One out of 4 rooms got an A (the others were 2 Bs and a C (for dust on the pictures and lamps).
The Housekeeper whose room gets an A after inspection gets a little PLASTIC key. You say: WHAT???? A little plastic key?????? What kind of reward is that. That's what I said too.

The Housekeeper who earned the key was about 4 rooms down working. We got her outside and the GM said she did really good with the inspection. She got a bit excited and said, does that mean I get a key? And the GM then said yes, and handed her the key (1" plastic, mind you!). Well, you would have thought she won the lotttery!! She hugged the GM. jumped around like a kid, was all excited, had her picture taken with the key and the GM. Totally made her day. It was a lovely thing to see. I bet she showed it off to all her coworkers and family and walked on air all day.

It really was so good to see her excitement. It's the recognition, I suppose.

I must make it a point to go on more of those as time permits and hope to get A room inspections.

 

[nebo]

I know I'm in trouble.
I know I've lied to you.
I know I said there'd be a new chapter tonight.

I know, I know, I know I knowIknowIknowIknow, "Hey you gotta leave the young thing alone, cuz aint' no sunshine when she's gone,,,,,,"

Yes, I will be busy tomorrow, 'splainin, Lucy.

And 'ritin.
haven't even started the next chapter yet.

But you'll forgive me, I know it cuz you love me.
Well, at least like me.
A little.

"Would you believe we wouldn't step on your head if you fell down in front of us on the way to Toy Story Mania?"

tomorrow, promise,,,,,, unless I get another 'surprise'.

 

[smidgy]

Um, hate to say this, but the slide at Riverside and French Quarter aren't much at all unless the kids are really young.

By the way, I am one week out!! WHoop Whoop!

i know you are qouting nebo, but I have to disagree with him here... it's the slide at FQ that is only good for little kids.
whle the slide at POR is not reallygood (not like CSR, or hard rock, or anything) I still enjoyed it, as an adult. I think a 6, 7 and 11 year old will be very happy!!! (and I think the 2 younger ones will enjoy a visit to ride down the dragobn's tongue at FQ, too!)

 

[pkondz]

i know you are qouting nebo, but I have to disagree with him here... it's the slide at FQ that is only good for little kids.
whle the slide at POR is not reallygood (not like CSR, or hard rock, or anything) I still enjoyed it, as an adult. I think a 6, 7 and 11 year old will be very happy!!! (and I think the 2 younger ones will enjoy a visit to ride down the dragobn's tongue at FQ, too!)

Agree with Smidgy here 100%. My DDs were 4 & 8 when we stayed at POR and they loved the slide... couldn't get enough of it. On the other hand, while the theming at POFQ was more appealing, the slide was a dud. Waaaayyy too slow. I think my DDs went on it once each and didn't bother going again.