michygoomy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2003
- Messages
- 822
I laughed, I cried, then I realized the DIS boards we're back up again!
This is it. The end. I can't afford to go back anytime soon, so give me some sugar, posters! I hear replies mean instant Karma for later lives, possible ones involving continuing vacations in WDW.....
Previous days:
Day 1: It's Not Vacation Without the Weather Channel
Day 2: A Tropical Wave is a Future Tropical Storm
Day 3: How Can We Be On Earth if We Were Just on Mars?
Day 4: You Have 13 Boyfriends?
Day 5: Oooh, They Have Pac-Man!
Day 6: Please Get Under That Stone Shelter, Ma'am
Our cast:
Me--excellent trip planner, bad traveler, 5th trip to the world
R--DH, ? trips to the world
JL--DS10, fourth trip, just like Momma, not a thrill-seeker
Saba--DD7, third trip, thrill seeker who is finally tall enough
Day 7: August 19, 2003: Vacation is an Attitude, Not a Place
Day 7 dawns, our last full day in the World and EMH for my favorite park (and now Sabas, thanks to R&RRC), MGM! We get there in time to stand in line at the entrance, then stand in line again at the ropes. A guy next to me complains loudly about this second wait. You know, you can be rude in a British accent and still sound polite and refined. The rope drops, and JL and I head off to Star Tours. We walk right in and get in the first shuttle of the day. Partway in our trip to Endor, the sound cuts out and the scene with the Star Destroyer just isnt the same without the soundtrack. I dont know if the other passengers appreciate my impromptu DUM-DUM-DUM-DUM-DA-DUM-DA-DA-DUM. The ride stops, the lights come back on, and after a couple of minutes the CM comes on to reset the ride. He again wishes The Force To Be With Us, and someone says, You said that last time!. Were off and finish without a hitch (well, if you dont count Rexs piloting mishaps).
R pages just as we finish; he and Saba have finished R&RRC. JL thinks we need to do Star Tours again and knows his Momma wont say no to Star Wars! One more loop through the queuing area, right on the shuttle, and were off again.
We meet R and Saba, and they have FP for R&R. We split again (not sure why we even met up) and JL and I head for One Mans Dream. We missed a lot of the exhibits yesterday, so we take the time to linger over the models this time before seeing the movie.
We meet up again, get FP for Little Mermaid, and I take JL and Saba to see the animation tour. The first movie is cuteI didnt expect to see Robin Williams and that is always a nice surprise. I miss him in The Timekeeper, since it was closed. There are a few artists working at their desks animating, and I wonder why we dont catch any of them checking their e-mail or playing a quick game of solitaire. Sure doesnt look like my office.
R is waiting right at the exit to take Saba off for their R&R FP. They run off, and JL go into the waiting area for the Little Mermaid show. R pages just as we are let into the theaterthey are right outside and the CMs wont let them in. JL watches the show and I half-napI think Im getting a little moused-out. The magic is wearing off.
When we leave Little Mermaid R pages and says they are going into the next show. We say well get in line for the Great Movie Ride. We stop for some fabulous Mickey bars and head to the long, long line. There is no FP for this ride and the lines are bad, though quick-moving. We stay in line until were on the last loop before you go inside, and let people ahead of us while we wait for R and Saba. They catch up, and we go in.
The ride is fun and I watch the movie clips carefully at the end to see if theyve updated it all. I do catch a couple of more recent films, but think they are odd choices. I dont remember what they were now!
We had decided this morning that the MK parade was a priority over the MGM parade (weve pretty much given up on the idea of seeing them both), so we leave MGM and head up to MK.
Back up to MK and a quick, cold, and tasteless counter-service lunch and weve staked out a spot on the parade route right at the beginning. Wait, whats that I feel? Is it the inevitable raindrops? They announce that the parade will be delayed, but that doesnt deter us, nothing is going to rain on our parade! We don our trusty ponchos and grab an even better spot due to all the wimps leaving. It starts to thunder and lightening, and a CM stops to tell us that they will most likely cancel the parade as the outdoor rides are shutting down. This does not dilute our resolve; we still stay fixed in our spot in the driving rain. The official announcement finally comes over the speakersI guess we can write off the parade this trip.
It is really, really pouring, and everyone is cowering under overhangs, but we stroll down to Country Bear Jamboree and decide to give that a try. We get some pressed pennies and miss the first show, but get right in the next one. Heading out, the crowd develops a bottleneck at the entrance. Just go out in the rain, people! We slip past and stroll down the street for a last ride on Its a Small World.
We decide there is nothing left indoors so we head out of MK. The whole way we are singing, dancing, and skipping in the rain (Its a WET world, after all!) all the way to the bus stop. Everyone arriving and hunkering under cover seems so depressed about the rain, and were having a grand old time. Its then that I realize that vacation is an ATTITUDE, not a place, and Im happy for the vacation weve enjoyed this week.
A trip back to the room, a little rest, and were off to our last evening in the World at PI. Before heading in to PI, we realize we havent eating in a while so we stop to get some Wetzles Pretzels. They are yummy, and the ice cream looks good too, so we promise to stop back on our way out. This time at the gate I have my ID, and it seems saying I have it is enough and I get the magic wristband. We head to 8-Trax, and Saba and I dance for quite a few songs. Its 80s night, so I have a little nostalgia (have to stay when they play the Axle F song!), but not as much as playing Pac-Man the other day.
Were off to the Adventurers Club, where we see both a new library show and one in the map room. I still love Sonny, shes a trip.
We get in line for the Comedy Club, only this time its all adults (10:30 show). Im not as sure about it tonight, and after talking to the kids, I realize everyone is getting tired and might be better served by some ice cream and heading back to the resort. We get our ice cream (nice dinner tonight, Mom, pretzels and ice cream! Must be vacation!), then take a leisurely walk back through DTD to that stop for a better chance of getting on the bus. Oh, look, lots of seats left in the shelter! OH, look, someone puked there, thats why. Yuk. Well stand.
We barely get on a bus and I think Saba is going to fall asleep standing up. On the way to our room, we talk about all the things well be happy to get back to. My own bed is at the top of the list. While Im sad that its all ending, its been a fabulous trip and Im ready to get home.
The last and shortest installment is Day 8: I Have to Praise You Like a Shoe
Day 8: I Have to Praise You Like a Shoe
When I booked this trip, I was bummed that I picked such an early time to leave because we would miss a last little trip around a park. This morning, Im happy with our choice, partly because we all get to sleep in, and partly because we get to pack at a leisurely place. Considering how lived-in this room looks at this point, thats a good plan.
R takes the kids down to breakfast, then takes Saba for a last swim while JL plays in the arcade. This gives me some blessed peaceful time to pack ALONE. I get some last pictures of the room, and our Mickeys and Minnie in the room, and the arcade, and were ready to go after I check under the beds, in the drawers, and in the bathroom two more times. Nothing like a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder to keep us from leaving anything behind.
Were out front early, and see our drivers Lincoln, but no driver. Thats OK, were really early. He comes out and we head off to MCO where we pass security without many delays. Before long, its time to board the big flying machine, and we have a pleasant flight back. While Im less nervous, I still dont let R sit by the window because he has to be ready to fight the terrorists. Thats not as funny as the fact that I sit on the aisle so I can fight the terrorists. Id better put that 50#s back on if I think Im going to have any effect.
Were back north in a short time and I can feel the change in humidity already. At this point, Im confused about how Charlie Browns works, and Im surprised when they pick us up in the shuttle instead of our car. Oh, well, when we get there our car is waiting, pointing right out of the lot, so we hop and start to head off. The driver is whistling and yelling at us, and I find out that I did NOT, in fact, pre-pay and have to pay now. Wow, we must look like a couple of deadbeats. I pay, red-faced, and we actually find the interstate this time with no wrong turns.
The ride home is peaceful, regardless of the ubiquitous road construction, and we pass the time listening to one of our CDs and signing along. Saba thinks this song is silly and wants to know why it says I have to praise you like a SHOE. OK, sweetheart, its I have to praise you like I SHOULD.
I wait for that point on I-79 while you go over a little hill and can see the lake. That means home to me. But its hazy, and as we pass my hill, there is no lake to be seen. Did they move it? Boy, weve been gone a while.
Were finally home and happy to be here. Reality starts next weekschool, work, but for now we can just bask in the glow of a wonderful vacation. The kids will never be this age again, and I know these are memories we will cherish forever. Now why didnt the house sitter (mouse sitter?) bring in ANY of our mail?
~FINI~
This is it. The end. I can't afford to go back anytime soon, so give me some sugar, posters! I hear replies mean instant Karma for later lives, possible ones involving continuing vacations in WDW.....
Previous days:
Day 1: It's Not Vacation Without the Weather Channel
Day 2: A Tropical Wave is a Future Tropical Storm
Day 3: How Can We Be On Earth if We Were Just on Mars?
Day 4: You Have 13 Boyfriends?
Day 5: Oooh, They Have Pac-Man!
Day 6: Please Get Under That Stone Shelter, Ma'am
Our cast:
Me--excellent trip planner, bad traveler, 5th trip to the world
R--DH, ? trips to the world
JL--DS10, fourth trip, just like Momma, not a thrill-seeker
Saba--DD7, third trip, thrill seeker who is finally tall enough
Day 7: August 19, 2003: Vacation is an Attitude, Not a Place
Day 7 dawns, our last full day in the World and EMH for my favorite park (and now Sabas, thanks to R&RRC), MGM! We get there in time to stand in line at the entrance, then stand in line again at the ropes. A guy next to me complains loudly about this second wait. You know, you can be rude in a British accent and still sound polite and refined. The rope drops, and JL and I head off to Star Tours. We walk right in and get in the first shuttle of the day. Partway in our trip to Endor, the sound cuts out and the scene with the Star Destroyer just isnt the same without the soundtrack. I dont know if the other passengers appreciate my impromptu DUM-DUM-DUM-DUM-DA-DUM-DA-DA-DUM. The ride stops, the lights come back on, and after a couple of minutes the CM comes on to reset the ride. He again wishes The Force To Be With Us, and someone says, You said that last time!. Were off and finish without a hitch (well, if you dont count Rexs piloting mishaps).
R pages just as we finish; he and Saba have finished R&RRC. JL thinks we need to do Star Tours again and knows his Momma wont say no to Star Wars! One more loop through the queuing area, right on the shuttle, and were off again.
We meet R and Saba, and they have FP for R&R. We split again (not sure why we even met up) and JL and I head for One Mans Dream. We missed a lot of the exhibits yesterday, so we take the time to linger over the models this time before seeing the movie.
We meet up again, get FP for Little Mermaid, and I take JL and Saba to see the animation tour. The first movie is cuteI didnt expect to see Robin Williams and that is always a nice surprise. I miss him in The Timekeeper, since it was closed. There are a few artists working at their desks animating, and I wonder why we dont catch any of them checking their e-mail or playing a quick game of solitaire. Sure doesnt look like my office.
R is waiting right at the exit to take Saba off for their R&R FP. They run off, and JL go into the waiting area for the Little Mermaid show. R pages just as we are let into the theaterthey are right outside and the CMs wont let them in. JL watches the show and I half-napI think Im getting a little moused-out. The magic is wearing off.
When we leave Little Mermaid R pages and says they are going into the next show. We say well get in line for the Great Movie Ride. We stop for some fabulous Mickey bars and head to the long, long line. There is no FP for this ride and the lines are bad, though quick-moving. We stay in line until were on the last loop before you go inside, and let people ahead of us while we wait for R and Saba. They catch up, and we go in.
The ride is fun and I watch the movie clips carefully at the end to see if theyve updated it all. I do catch a couple of more recent films, but think they are odd choices. I dont remember what they were now!
We had decided this morning that the MK parade was a priority over the MGM parade (weve pretty much given up on the idea of seeing them both), so we leave MGM and head up to MK.
Back up to MK and a quick, cold, and tasteless counter-service lunch and weve staked out a spot on the parade route right at the beginning. Wait, whats that I feel? Is it the inevitable raindrops? They announce that the parade will be delayed, but that doesnt deter us, nothing is going to rain on our parade! We don our trusty ponchos and grab an even better spot due to all the wimps leaving. It starts to thunder and lightening, and a CM stops to tell us that they will most likely cancel the parade as the outdoor rides are shutting down. This does not dilute our resolve; we still stay fixed in our spot in the driving rain. The official announcement finally comes over the speakersI guess we can write off the parade this trip.
It is really, really pouring, and everyone is cowering under overhangs, but we stroll down to Country Bear Jamboree and decide to give that a try. We get some pressed pennies and miss the first show, but get right in the next one. Heading out, the crowd develops a bottleneck at the entrance. Just go out in the rain, people! We slip past and stroll down the street for a last ride on Its a Small World.
We decide there is nothing left indoors so we head out of MK. The whole way we are singing, dancing, and skipping in the rain (Its a WET world, after all!) all the way to the bus stop. Everyone arriving and hunkering under cover seems so depressed about the rain, and were having a grand old time. Its then that I realize that vacation is an ATTITUDE, not a place, and Im happy for the vacation weve enjoyed this week.
A trip back to the room, a little rest, and were off to our last evening in the World at PI. Before heading in to PI, we realize we havent eating in a while so we stop to get some Wetzles Pretzels. They are yummy, and the ice cream looks good too, so we promise to stop back on our way out. This time at the gate I have my ID, and it seems saying I have it is enough and I get the magic wristband. We head to 8-Trax, and Saba and I dance for quite a few songs. Its 80s night, so I have a little nostalgia (have to stay when they play the Axle F song!), but not as much as playing Pac-Man the other day.
Were off to the Adventurers Club, where we see both a new library show and one in the map room. I still love Sonny, shes a trip.
We get in line for the Comedy Club, only this time its all adults (10:30 show). Im not as sure about it tonight, and after talking to the kids, I realize everyone is getting tired and might be better served by some ice cream and heading back to the resort. We get our ice cream (nice dinner tonight, Mom, pretzels and ice cream! Must be vacation!), then take a leisurely walk back through DTD to that stop for a better chance of getting on the bus. Oh, look, lots of seats left in the shelter! OH, look, someone puked there, thats why. Yuk. Well stand.
We barely get on a bus and I think Saba is going to fall asleep standing up. On the way to our room, we talk about all the things well be happy to get back to. My own bed is at the top of the list. While Im sad that its all ending, its been a fabulous trip and Im ready to get home.
The last and shortest installment is Day 8: I Have to Praise You Like a Shoe
Day 8: I Have to Praise You Like a Shoe
When I booked this trip, I was bummed that I picked such an early time to leave because we would miss a last little trip around a park. This morning, Im happy with our choice, partly because we all get to sleep in, and partly because we get to pack at a leisurely place. Considering how lived-in this room looks at this point, thats a good plan.
R takes the kids down to breakfast, then takes Saba for a last swim while JL plays in the arcade. This gives me some blessed peaceful time to pack ALONE. I get some last pictures of the room, and our Mickeys and Minnie in the room, and the arcade, and were ready to go after I check under the beds, in the drawers, and in the bathroom two more times. Nothing like a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder to keep us from leaving anything behind.
Were out front early, and see our drivers Lincoln, but no driver. Thats OK, were really early. He comes out and we head off to MCO where we pass security without many delays. Before long, its time to board the big flying machine, and we have a pleasant flight back. While Im less nervous, I still dont let R sit by the window because he has to be ready to fight the terrorists. Thats not as funny as the fact that I sit on the aisle so I can fight the terrorists. Id better put that 50#s back on if I think Im going to have any effect.
Were back north in a short time and I can feel the change in humidity already. At this point, Im confused about how Charlie Browns works, and Im surprised when they pick us up in the shuttle instead of our car. Oh, well, when we get there our car is waiting, pointing right out of the lot, so we hop and start to head off. The driver is whistling and yelling at us, and I find out that I did NOT, in fact, pre-pay and have to pay now. Wow, we must look like a couple of deadbeats. I pay, red-faced, and we actually find the interstate this time with no wrong turns.
The ride home is peaceful, regardless of the ubiquitous road construction, and we pass the time listening to one of our CDs and signing along. Saba thinks this song is silly and wants to know why it says I have to praise you like a SHOE. OK, sweetheart, its I have to praise you like I SHOULD.
I wait for that point on I-79 while you go over a little hill and can see the lake. That means home to me. But its hazy, and as we pass my hill, there is no lake to be seen. Did they move it? Boy, weve been gone a while.
Were finally home and happy to be here. Reality starts next weekschool, work, but for now we can just bask in the glow of a wonderful vacation. The kids will never be this age again, and I know these are memories we will cherish forever. Now why didnt the house sitter (mouse sitter?) bring in ANY of our mail?
~FINI~
The kids really pick up on their parent's attitudes and I can see that you have shown them how to make "lemons into lemonade".
