How Much Do You Ladies Charge to Haunt the Castle? -- Departure Day up (See index

[englishrose47]

Thank you for thr tribute!!! Thid year as Backlot was closed and LMA didn't have a show that fit our schedule we miseed that area and Carol said just before we left for our last DHS day "We didn't do the Umbrella shot " We always do this after Backlot or LMA and missed this year sooooooo glad you and Mark filled in for us !!You will see that the group honored Mark with Many Hat poses !!!!!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay, gotta love TSM first thing in the morning, even if Mark did beat you...it was only by a little!

Love the umbrella pics, I'm so glad I found that last October, I never knew where it was until then! It didn't rain for us though, does it not do that anymore?

Star Tours is always fun, yay hat pics!

 

[Janet B]

Hi Kathy!!

Just discovered your TR .. but I will have to go back and read later when I have more time (that's a laugh, right? ) ... oh but I will!! ....Sure this TR is already chock full of hat pix ...which we ALL love..

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/Luvwrestling/Day%201%20Sept%2016%202012/Day1Part1September16039.jpg[/IMG]

Up next....what do you want to do now?

He has to get these ears! I wish I had somewhere to store them because I'd buy them all. I love Disney ears. Any idea what that special value is behind him?

 

[SoonerGirl]

My TSMM score is always in the same range as what Mark had, I just can't seem to get any higher than that, then my stupid brother, on his first trip to WDW last week, texts me that he got like 279k or something like that I told him if he didn't have photographic proof, it was a lie

 

[eandesmom]

UGH for the nasty response at the front desk. Was it the same CM or did someone give them cranky drinks that day? So awful that it happened more than once.

I admit, I do not like King Crab legs. I think part of is it being in the NW, I grew up on Dungeness which are huge and easy to crack. The long skinny legs of a king drive me nuts. Too much work for too little meat.

Seeing TK would definitely lessen the pain but how frustrating your goodies were held hostage

TSM is a great way to start the day and no lines make it even better!

 

[KatMark]

Do you ever make shutterfly books? We were given a gorgeous print (it's similar enough to your style the artist may be one in the same), but it has sand pails with Disney characters on them....and we took a picture of the print, then used it as a background for the book. I actually used the sand pail backgrounds for our beach club stay pictures. It looked so cute when we were done. It's one of my favorite books so far.

I've never used Shutterfly. Is it better that photobucket which I've about had it with?

Ok, I sub'd some time ago. This month is going by tooo fast!!! I have been back for nearly 2 weeks

So let me get caught up....

Your early flight - I almost always have to be up early. Doesn't it just make you exhausted? I know it does me. It takes me a good day or two to recover and be "normal"

I think with the lack of sleep with Mark's mom passing, it made it evey more difficult with the early morning flight.

Your first class seat - I remember from your PTR that this would be happening, but I still have to say So free bags AND some breakfast? Nice!!! Course... would you say it is worth paying the extra for?

First class was awesome; but it will be a long time before we do it again because I do NOT think it is worth it to pay twice or three times the price of a coach ticket.

Arriving in Orlando - Everything from the fact monorail to driving through/under the archway... don't you just love those first moments? The entire vacation ahead of you, but you are FINALLY there?!

I love when we touch down and we see our first palm tree.

Your mom - I am glad you are continuing with the TR. I know that this hasn't been an easy time between all going on with your mom and the passing away of Marks.

It's been hard, but it is getting better...mom is coming home this week.

OKW - I wonder if someday I might want to stay here. In february, I don't know what I am doing yet. It will be a short trip with likely few if any park days. OKW looks like it is relaxing... but is it easy to travel from and to?

Check in - Sorry that your cm wasn't too magical. Sometimes there are the notable ones who just really make you realize you are in WDW and then there are those... just doing their job.

Bailey's Shake - YUM! Ok, on my list for February!!!

Dismeet - I love dismeets!!! Even if they are just brief... it is so nice to connect with someone from dis!!!

I just love this picture of the two of you!!!!

Thank you...it's a favorite of mine too.

Just a little?

That was probably the hardest rain we've had in Florida in our last four visits

Cape May - hmmm we did cape may. I should have realized that it was mainly shell fish before I went Lets just say.. not my favorite things

I love fish, but not the kind they had. I'm glad we went, but we won't be back any time soon.

I love the beach and I love Disney so why not combine the two! You should definitely go for it when you move to Florida! One of my friends has a beach theme in her bathroom, I am totally stealing have her ideas lol.

We're beach lovers too and the reason we go to Marco for a week after Disney every year (oh yeah...and to see Nicki too ).

You beat Mark ???????

I WISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great update. Looks like you were first in line for Toy Story. No one in the que in fron of you. I'm looking forward to read more updates

We were close...there were only a handful of people in front of us.

that you rode TSM first thing! That ride, while I like it well enough... I wish wasn't so hard to get a ride on.

Outside your room is beautiful. I love the mickey lattice!!

Love the photos from the rest of the morning. You look so pretty! And the umbrellas...well, if and when I start my TR... I have a story to share.

I love to get TSM done first if at all possible to avoid the crowds. Last year, we did it later in the day because Andy went and grabbed Fastpasses while Mark and I rode Star Tours because Andy can't handle that ride.

Good job getting on TSMM right away, even if Mark did win

I always miss that umbrella! I actually know where it is, but manage to walk right past it and forget about it until I get home and realize I once again didn't get a picture there!

When I went on Star Tours in February I got almost the same exact ride both times.

Mark cheats...have I ever told you that?

I try to always remember the umbrella just for Rosie if for no other reason.

We only did Star Tours once this trip, and I know it was different than my ride in January.

 

[KatMark]

Cape May sounds a bit disappointing. I always avoid it b/c DH is allergic to shellfish so I am kind of glad it's not a fantastic experience I am missing. I would like to try it one day, but it can stay on the bottom of the list for now.

Yay for beating Mark at TSM. I love that ride but just hate the whole rope drop/fastpass drama. I wish they would just build a few new things at DHS to take the heat off TSM.

Love the hat pictures, glad Mark didn't give them up

Our youngest son is allergic to fish and it is one food he always liked when he was young but he would get violently ill if he ate it.

Unfortunately, the only part of TSM that I beat Mark was my accuracy. I NEVER win at that game. Andy is looking forward to revenge against his dad during the December trip.

I threatened Mark that all the DISer's would show up at our door expecting dinner if he gave up the hat pictures.

Looks like a good start. I still haven't tried TSM...just don't like HS enough to get there for rope drop. It's usually a sleep in day for us. Maybe next time. But I did get to try Star Tours for the first (and second and third) time in July and I loved it!

We don't like DHS enough either, but we always make rope drop to do TSM and then TOT and R&R and then fill in with whatever else we want to do before we go back to the resort to swim. I'm glad you loved Star Tours...it's great (although I felt a little queazy after the last ride).

I am absolutely in agreement with getting on to the fun!

Mark totally pulled a move my Dad does all the time. Forgetting his AP in the room.

That's some great accuracy. My BFF Farrell said to me that her accuracy was better than mine. I said to her "screw accuracy, I just want the points!!!"

OMG, they have a hat of the Hoth Monster at the dump shop for Star Tours?! That's awesome! And if you don't know what I'm talking about, it just solidifies my dorkiness (it's the white one). If you do know.....that's awesome.

I thought we'd all suffered enough misery with our check-in day that it was time to get to the good parts.

I gave Mark a break since it was our first ever AP's.

See, I think accuracy is more important.

I had no idea what you were talking about on the hat (not a Star Wars fan), but glad that Mark was able to show it to you.

Great hat photos

Thank you.

I'm joining in and I promise I'm not going to get lost this time. I agree with you about Cape May, I am a crab legs fan, but the ones at Cape May are kinda lackluster. We're going to try Fulton's in April, and hopefully they'll be a little better there.

Great job getting to DHS for rope drop and I think you guys did awesome on TSM. I also loved your photos from Star Tours, I'm happy you can still find Captain Rex!

Looking forward to more!

I'm so glad you found me. Please don't worry if you get "lost"...you have a young child and I know how that can be (did you guys ever move?).

LOVE LOVE Fulton's crab...out of this world (although very pricey).

Hi Kathy! I was way behind but I'm all caught up now... I don't know HOW I missed the news about Mark's mom. I must have had my head in the sand. I'm so sorry for your loss!

And so sorry to hear about your mom too. I used your links & I haven't read all of the comments so I don't know if you've given any more updates but I hope she is doing well in the new facility.

I'm glad you made it to your happy place & survived travel day! Glad you've moved on to day 2!

Amy, thank you for the hug for Mark's mom. We knew it would happen eventually, just didn't quite expect it two days before we left.

My mom, thankfully, is doing much better. She is actually coming home this week.

I am more of an accuracy person myself.

See...us girls need to stick together.

 

[KatMark]

Yay! for getting on TSM first thing! Ed always beats me, too. But, my accuracy is always slightly better than his. Hmmmm....maybe we should forget about accuracy all together & we'd beat the guys?

I really like the dump shop at Star Tours. I can always find fun things in there.

You might have an there; I'll give that a whirl in December and see how it works.

It is a fun dump shop at the end of Star Tours.

The R2D2 ears pics are priceless. Good work Mark

Yay for TSMM first thing! Speeder thingie pics! Maddie would be so proud

Mark says thank you very much.

I'm glad I made Maddie proud.

Sorry to hear you were a bit disappointed in Cape May. But in a way I'm glad to hear that. I was beginning to think I was abnormal (I am, LOL) because it seems like I am the only one who has not been impressed with Cape May; both for dinner as well as breakfast. Perhaps it's because I'm just not a real big buffet fan.

You are not abnormal...just a guy. Seriously, I just was not impressed with their dinner. I do enjoy their breakfast though and we will be there in December.

Ooooh Ms. Kat, I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience at OKW and at Cape May.

Thanks, Camille. I did send an email to Guest Services and will be reporting later on what they are "doing for me" to make up for it.

I love the picture Niki found for you, and your bosses wife sounds like a really nice lady. What a treat to have people looking out for you like this.

I'll say it again...she is the best!

The picture with Alisha is really pretty. Y'all look beautiful together, I love how your face lights up when you're around her. You've really taken her in as your family already, trust me when I say how important that is.

She does that when she walks in a room...she is just so happy with life.

Your shake looked yummy by the way, I'm wondering what other yummy drinks you like to have while you're in the "World".

Must have a Grand Mariner Slush while in World Showcase and the Raspberry Pina Colada at the Dawa Bar at Animal Kingdom. The Pina Coladas at the pool at Coronado are very good too.

My son Tyler wants to go back to WDW once he's legal so he can try all the yummy drinks he's seen me have on our last trip. I need to collect a good list! I think my next trip will be during the Food and Wine, that way we'll be sure to try lots of yummy everything!!

I think this is the main reason Markie complains he hasn't been back in 12 years...he can now drink around the world.

Hope your trip get's better after your evening of heck.

By the way, loved the Chewbacca (wow! looked up the spelling of Chewbacca to make sure it was right.....it was right-what a nerd I am ) hat Mark had on!

Mark cracks me up with his hats...he finds some real dandy ones.

 

[KatMark]

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Thank you.

I wouldn't expect a veteran to make that mistake.

He was not a veteran of the AP...he's used to the ticket being on his room card so I gave him a little slack this time. He better not let it happen in December though.

Is he still wearing that Blackhawks hat?

Absolutely; just like he wears his Bears hat and his Cubs hat...even if all of our teams stink.

Doesn't look like the TSM line was too bad.

It wasn't bad at all

Awesome hat pictures!

Glad you enjoyed.

Looks like a great morning in the Studios, with some nice hat pictures. 2

If you liked, why are you laughing?

I just have to say congratulations on being more accurate, but we all know is is the big number that counts.

Typical guy response.

I am really enjoying the tr!!! TSM with a short wait!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love hitting TSM first thing and then being able to ride it again later with a FP.

Love the OKW pics and hat pics

It's a really beautiful resort; and since you are new...be prepared--there will be an abundance of hat pictures...it is my husband's trademark.

That is great!!! Nicki made a great find by the way (but you know that ) LOVE the print!!

Yes she did and yes I know.

Hi there Kathy! Ahhh Mark and his silly hats - love it. It really has become his tradeMark!

Yes, and to bhink he almost gave it up because everyone was stealing his thunder.

Glad to see you the victor with TSM - who cares about accuracy when it's the score that counts - at least that's what I say to my DH when I win but when he wins then I say at least I'm more accurate. Gotta have it work both ways!

You have that a little backwards...Mark won the game, my accuracy was better.

Just last trip we discovered the umbrella pole - I love those photos of you!

I never thought to take pictures by the umbrella pole until I saw Rosie's. Now it has become a running joke.

 

[KatMark]

cool you got on to TSM so quickly, we LOVE that ride!
love the photo of Mark with the Wookie hat!

It is one of my favorites...that's for sure.

I hate to point it out Kathy, but accuracy doesn't matter when you have unlimited ammunition.

And by now, do CMs working in the stores recognize Mark and whisper to each other "hey, here comes the hat guy again."?

Another guy piping in about accuracy, ammunition, high scores.

I wouldn't be surprised...some of them look at him like they've seen him before.

What a great start to your day! Well, after Mark went back and got his AP, it was a great start to the day.

Thanks, Lisa. It was a great start of the day and just got better.

i always feel like im going to pull the rope thingy out of the gun on TSM, but a small price to pay for using the quick trigger.

My arm is killing me by the time I get off that ride.

hmmm, trying to pull a fast one and posting a picture from the trip last year huh?

Leave it to you to see I cheated and used last year's picture (I forgot to take a lot of attraction sign pictures this trip.

Keeping up with the chatter !! I am still trying to get caught up with all my "to do" list and I have a long way to go ... 7 more Memory books , uploading the pix (if PB cooperates), trips to bank and bills to pay the list just doesn't end !!!

I don't know how you do it Rosie.

Thank you for thr tribute!!! Thid year as Backlot was closed and LMA didn't have a show that fit our schedule we miseed that area and Carol said just before we left for our last DHS day "We didn't do the Umbrella shot " We always do this after Backlot or LMA and missed this year sooooooo glad you and Mark filled in for us !!You will see that the group honored Mark with Many Hat poses !!!!!

You are most welcome; Mark couldn't figure out why I was posing like that until I told him. I can't way to see your people honoring Mark.

Yay, gotta love TSM first thing in the morning, even if Mark did beat you...it was only by a little!

Love the umbrella pics, I'm so glad I found that last October, I never knew where it was until then! It didn't rain for us though, does it not do that anymore?

Star Tours is always fun, yay hat pics!

He beat me every since time we rode that OR we rode Buzz.

It rained for us; maybe it was broken?

I really like the new Star Tours.

Hi Kathy!!

Just discovered your TR .. but I will have to go back and read later when I have more time (that's a laugh, right? ) ... oh but I will!! ....Sure this TR is already chock full of hat pix ...which we ALL love..

Janet, I'm so glad you found me. Welcome and come back whenever you have the time. Trust me, I know how it is.

He has to get these ears! I wish I had somewhere to store them because I'd buy them all. I love Disney ears. Any idea what that special value is behind him?

I'm not sure what the special value was behind us...I don't think I looked. I tried to talk him into it, but he said he had his Eeyore ears and that was enough. Wait until he see what Nicki gets him for the birthday trip.

My TSMM score is always in the same range as what Mark had, I just can't seem to get any higher than that, then my stupid brother, on his first trip to WDW last week, texts me that he got like 279k or something like that I told him if he didn't have photographic proof, it was a lie

Stupid brother...no picture, it definitely did NOT happen.

UGH for the nasty response at the front desk. Was it the same CM or did someone give them cranky drinks that day? So awful that it happened more than once.

I admit, I do not like King Crab legs. I think part of is it being in the NW, I grew up on Dungeness which are huge and easy to crack. The long skinny legs of a king drive me nuts. Too much work for too little meat.

Seeing TK would definitely lessen the pain but how frustrating your goodies were held hostage

TSM is a great way to start the day and no lines make it even better!

I think they definitely put something in the CM's coffee that morning.

I love the King Crab legs and usually don't have much trouble with them. But these were hard. I don't think I've ever had the Dungeness crab.

Seeing TK was a great experience...what a wonderful gal.

 

[KatMark]

Before I get to the next update, I did want to let you all know that I wrote to Guest Services about our issues at OKW with the check-in and the hot water. They called me yesterday and I had a lovely talk with them. They asked if this meant I wouldn't be staying at OKW again. I told them we would definitely be back, just not on our next trip because it wasn't available in December so we were going back to CSR; but we plan on being back at OKW in August.

She said they would take care of us in December at CSR (whatever that means) and they gave us a $75 credit on our American Express for the rudeness of the CM's and the lack of hot water for two days.

So, when I last left you, we had just finished riding Star Tours and trying on some hats.

Neither Mark or I had any breakfast before leaving OKW because we knew we had an 11:30 ADR for lunch. But we were both getting hungry so we stopped here to get a bite to eat and some coffee:

I took a picture of these couple of items in the case because I thought they were so cute:

I had a cappucino and Mark had a coffee and we split a chocolate muffin (I forgot to take pictures).

We then just started walking again and took a few more pictures:

We ended up here and decided this was going to be the year of meeting "new characters" -- characters we had never bothered to stop and have a picture taken with before:

We then stopped at the little store right near here for some hat shots:

We bought these t-shirts (this was when we actually arrived home in them as I forgot to take a picture when I bought them):

It was time to use our Fastpasses for Toy Story (I don't like this having to come back within the hour the fastpasses are good for), so we headed back there:

When we got through, we saw that The Voyage of the Little Mermaid had no line and a show was going to start shortly, so we hopped into the waiting area. I had seen this with the girls in January and Mark hadn't seen it since the first or second year it opened so I thought it was time he saw it again (and rumor now has it that they might replace it with something else so I'm glad we went):

Continued in the next post

 

[KatMark]

After the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, it was close enough to our ADR time that we could walk over to

We waited less than two minutes to be told to get over to our table before our Uncle had to send out a search party for us

We were seated in a back room with one other family. I wish I could remember the name of our Uncle as he was pretty good...he knew which table he could joke with (ours) and which one he could not (the ones next to us by the Television who seemed to not appreciate his attempt at humor).

Our uncle even begrudgingly took a picture of us:

Mark ordered a chocolate shake and I ordered the onion rings as our appetizers:

Mark had the sampler platter

And I had the fried chicken

As I said, our "Uncle" was very good; I wish I could say the same about the food. It was just "okay." My chicken was fine...nothing special (about the same as I can get at Popeye's or Kentucky Fried Chicken really); Mark said his chicken was fine, but he did not like the meat loaf at all...said he didn't like the way they cooked it and he said the pot roast was bland and had no taste at all...even after he added a generous helping of salt and pepper.

After the milkshake and onion rings, we were full enough that we chose not to order dessert. We settled the bill and left to hit a few more attractions before we had to leave the Studios.

Before we hit another attraction, we stopped for some photopass pictures (again these are from my camera and I'll post the photopass ones when I get the CD):

After our photopass pictures, we went to the Animation Studio and participate in the drawing class. This year we got Mickey Mouse. There was a battle amongst those present whether to do Mickey or Donald. Since we had done Donald the last time, I really wanted Mickey. They took a count of hands and since no one was sitting on one side of me, I rasied both my hands for Mickey.

After seeing my drawing, we should have gone with Donald because I did a pretty darn good drawing of Donald. My Mickey...not so much. It is so bad that I think I threw it away and definitely did not take a picture of it.

Once we were done in drawing class, we stopped to see a few friends:

We stopped in the store on the way out of the courtyard, and Mark decided to model this:

Up next, what attractions do we still have time for before we head back to OKW for our rest?

 

[eandesmom]

I think they definitely put something in the CM's coffee that morning.

I love the King Crab legs and usually don't have much trouble with them. But these were hard. I don't think I've ever had the Dungeness crab.

Seeing TK was a great experience...what a wonderful gal.

They are both sweet, however I think that the King is richer and firmer and the Dungeness flakier and much more moist. The dungeness has shorter legs which means a lot more meat and as a result, easier to work with (less effort).

I tend to eat it just plain (or in a crab cake or a open face crab salad melt sandwich) but then again, it is named after a place I've actually been to that's not that far away so they are local and fresh and easily found live at the market. One of my favorite pictures is from Dungeness Spit (the location it's named after) when I was doing the single mom thing. The boys are 2&3 in the picture I think. It was about a mile walk down to the beach (spit) and then the same back. I had Eric on my back and on the way back Evan melted down and had to be carried. My girlfriend called me a sherpa.

But I loved the crab long before then, it's what I grew up with and honestly all I'd ever had until I was maybe in my teens or even an adult. Interestingly enough my kids have probably had King more than the Dungeness...I need to fix that. Except it stinks up the house...gotta boil those suckers outside! Good local canned is available though and makes a killer open faced crab salad sandwich on toasted sourdough, topped with tomato slices and shredded cheddar and then tossed under the broiler.

Ok, I'm getting hungry!

some info....

The difference between Dungeness crab and Alaskan king crab is probably bigger than you think. They are both decapod crustaceans - a group that also contains lobsters, crayfish, and shrimp - and they are both found in Alaskan waters, but their similarities end there. King crabs are not true crabs, as the Dungeness crab is, but rather crab-like crustaceans. They are believed to have evolved from hermit crabs. The Dungeness crab is a single species living along the Western coast of North America, while Alaskan king crabs encompass three different species of king crab living in Alaskan waters.

Both Dungeness crab and Alaskan king crab are highly prized as delicacies. Both may be cooked by steaming or boiling, and both are low in fat and high in protein. The flesh of both Dungeness crab and Alaskan king crab are sweet and delicate.

A Dungeness crab may reach eight to ten inches (20-25 cm) in length and may be caught in many areas along the coast from Alaska to Northern Mexico. The Dungeness crab is named after a Washington town where the species was once harvested. Alaskan king crab species are much larger than Dungeness crabs.

 

[Terkina]

Great hat photos. I really liked the look of Mark in the Mike hat. The t-shirts looks amazing. I want one like that to. Guess I have to look for one when I go to WDW in February.

 

[SoonerGirl]

I love how in the picture with Mike and Sulley, everyone is giving the scary pose except Sulley, the one who is supposed to be scary

While the atmosphere at 50's intrigues me, the menu has never appealed to me, so I've never eaten there. Your review does nothing to help change my mind on that one

 

[solana131]

Hmmm....they will "take care of you in Dec at CSR"?? That sounds promising!

So glad you got to see Mike and Sully....they were so much fun with us

 

[LuvvsMickey]

I love how you know every detail of your trips. Me? I remember zip. Nada. Just that we were there. LOL

My solo trip might be happening in January or February. Lots of stuff going on right now and I need to be home. Mom has been to emerg twice in a week. I'm nothing but nerves and after my experience from last night, I don't care if I have insomnia for the rest of my life!! I am so happy that your mom is going home and her meds are now the correct cocktail.

I am glad that guest services were helpful and made things right. They have always been wonderful with me. I am shocked that your meals at 50's were only okay. (love that place) However, if you want a really awesome pot roast meal? The best one on resort property is at Olivia's. Hands down. We couldn't believe it. Mark had the steak and he said it was the best he has ever had on property, also. Of course, we only discovered this hidden little gem under our noses the day before we left! Figures!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I think all your character photos are super cute! I still haven't figured out exactly where Mike and Sully meet, so kudos to you for finding it!

I have very similar feelings about Prime time, I think the food is OK, but nothing really special (that is except for the PB&J milkshakes). My in-laws seem to think that it is the greatest thing ever, so when we vacation with them, we're always dragged to 50's.

I think the photo of your DH with the Jake and the Neverland pirates hat is my favorite hat picture so far!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Fun morning at DHS. Sorry your 50s Prime Time lunch wasn't very good. We had an awful wait for our table once but otherwise we've always enjoyed earing there. I wish there were more TS restaurants at DHS. We almost always eat at 50s & have done Sci Fi a couple times. We've done Hollywood & Vine a couple times too and aren't in a hurry to get back there now that the kids have outgrown those characters. We may end up there for a Fantasmic package sometime though.