I Kicked it I Played it and now..Wheeling & Dealing at the WL final 9/9 p87/88

[Charleston Princess]

Finally caught up again! Whew!

If Space Mountain is tamer than before, maybe, I can handle it! That's another one I haven't ridden in a good, long while (1995 to be exact ).

Love the picture of the Little Green Men. Connor would love it, too, if he was around right now.

Really, I am not sure why CMs are still so picky about taking pictures in attractions. Don't they know that almost every possible angle has been captured and posted on the internet by someone?

What a shame about Splash Mountain being down! Did you get a chance to ride it later in the trip?

I am cracking up over Denny getting lost on the way to Mickey's Philharmagic. We knew he was bound to do something like that sooner or later.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Loved your photos, they remind me of the kind I used to take with my 35mm SLR. That thing was so heavy to carry around, so it didn't go on vacation much. I just love the new digital cameras!

I have never ridden the Dumbos or Peter Pan. Our sons never cared much for Fantasyland. This past Sept. due to some misunderstandings we didn't get to spend much time in MK, just enough to see the Wishes fireworks. Those were great,BTW.

Enjoying the ride so far. I gotta get some new friends, none of mine want to go to WDW!

 

[MEK]

Mary Ellen I just love this! I would love to be able to take a trip with another couple, or even just a girlfriend some day!

It is fun going with another couple. But my fav is when I just go with Denny. Denny lets me do all the planning, he doesn't care what order we visit things, he's very flexible, and we move at the same pace.

September I will be going with a GF who is a Diser too, so I know we will be on the same page.

Hey, I found your TR finally! You'd think I would have noticed it in your sig sooner on Anita's TR! You've gotten really far, so I'll just say I'm enjoying it!

Sheree! So glad you came on over from Anita's TR. I 'm glad you like the TR so far!

Anyway, I love all the cool picture edits you did. My DH got a mac recently and has been playing with pictures. I have to show some of yours to him.

Thank. The mac is really easy to work with. It's making writing this TR so much easier than my last one. It's so easy to copy, cut, past, & open other files. Plus the picture editing is great. I had intended just to use it for music and photos and leave everything else for the PC, but this is just too much easier.

Looks like you had a great day in the MK! That camera was a good investment. The pictures are terrific!! Sure wish I was heading out the door to go walk down Main Street instead of going to work.

I hear ya Christine. I think we ALL wish we were walking out the door to go to the MK, instead of walking out the door to go to work!

The exquisite parasol Miss DaPointe is holding is made of authentic Battenburg Lace- the real deal. During the late 1800’s, every English Duke had his own pattern. Queen Victoria named her son-in-law as the first Duke of Battenburg, thus Battenburg Lace was born. What elegance…

Shocker - How do you know this?????? That's such great trivia. Thanks!

Great update!! I am enjoying your pictures/writing so much!! Sorry about Splash-- I hope it opened up!

Thanks - alas, no Splash this visit, but we did return!!!! So glad you are enjoying the TR.

Great updates and your pictures are fantastic! You sound like you are being a very accommodating guide, too. Looking forward to hearing about the pool break and the pool drinks!

Thanks! I was having so much fun with the new camera.

I am an accommodating guide, aren't I????? I did finally break free later in the week.

Pool break is coming up!

I am planning to get a new Dumbo picture in September, I've already arranged it with Marc.

Silly CM, doesn't he know that we are rule followers?

I adore Philharmagic and the AC is just an added bonus!

Oh...you better get an updated Dumbo picture. Let's see if you can top the original.

Silly CM is right. I remember how awesome your CoP pictures were and I really one some of my own.

It felt like it was a bagillion degrees out that afternoon. I could not get in the AC quick enough!

I'm all about trying to get that amazing nighttime Dumbo picture! Next trip, evening at MK...I'm totally taking my tripod and going to town! I will get me an amazing blurry Dumbo picture LOL!!!!

Loved this update!! YAY for not having to wait 30 minutes for POTC!

Getting lost on the way to Philharmagic LOL!! At least you found each other and enjoyed the AC...I love Philharmagic...what a great 3-D show!!!!

Two updates...LOVING IT!!!!

The tripod really worked well for nighttime. Only problem was I wanted in to stay in my backpack and just stick out the top of the compartment. But it was so heavy it kept unzipping the whole bag. So I ended up putting it under my arm. Next time I will figure out a more effective way to carry it.

Can you believe that Denny got lost on his way to Philarmagic???? How can that happen?

Wow, i work all weekend and come back to 4 and 1/2 pages to catch up on! Great pics. They are just fabulous! Makes me wanna be there right now!!

Off topic, i had one of your pyscho patients this weekend although his drug of choice was FOOD! 6'4" and close to 400 lbs threatening to walk around naked and throw everything in sight if he didn't get his food. lol A 2400 ADA low na diet was not making him happy at all. fun, fun. AH the joys of working in the medical field huh? i really do love it!

That is my goal - to make people want to go to Disney RIGHT NOW! They should be giving all of us an enabling kick-back!

400lbs..... I wouldn't want anyone that big going psycho on me! Sheesh!

Yes - the medical field is filled with all types of crazies!

Mary Ellen, I have to tell you that I've now lost my husband's heart to you. He said he was in love with anyone who could take Dumbo pictures like that. It is all time favorite ride (no matter how old he gets) and we ride it at least once a trip. You have made him feel very young today.

Looking forward to more outstanding pics.

That's cute. I didn't know your DH had a weakness for Dumbo. Seems that Dumbo has a lot of fans!

Finally caught up again! Whew!

If Space Mountain is tamer than before, maybe, I can handle it! That's another one I haven't ridden in a good, long while (1995 to be exact ).

haha - do you know the exact month, too? Oh CP - I know you can handle it. It's the perfect ride for you to try. You would be so excited after you did it.

F

Love the picture of the Little Green Men. Connor would love it, too, if he was around right now.

I like that pic, too!

Really, I am not sure why CMs are still so picky about taking pictures in attractions. Don't they know that almost every possible angle has been captured and posted on the internet by someone?

Good point! I understand the "no flash" rule because it is annoying to other people. But with or without the flash this camera is quiet and fast so what's the big deal?

What a shame about Splash Mountain being down! Did you get a chance to ride it later in the trip?

We sure did!

I am cracking up over Denny getting lost on the way to Mickey's Philharmagic. We knew he was bound to do something like that sooner or later.

I knew YOU would understand. I was completely floored when he walked right past it. This was not the last airhead move he would make this trip, trust me! With other people around he got more and more air headed!

Loved your photos, they remind me of the kind I used to take with my 35mm SLR. That thing was so heavy to carry around, so it didn't go on vacation much. I just love the new digital cameras!

I thought this camera might be a little awkward, but it really wasn't. Plus its fairly light weight. It looks like it might be heavy, but its not! I was really worried I might drop it accidently, but fortunately I had no mishaps!

L

I have never ridden the Dumbos or Peter Pan. Our sons never cared much for Fantasyland. This past Sept. due to some misunderstandings we didn't get to spend much time in MK, just enough to see the Wishes fireworks. Those were great,BTW.

My kids were so old when I took them there the first time that we didn't go anywhere near Fantasyland. We were too interested in hitting all the mountains! Someday I would like to go ride all the rides in fantasyland just to do it! Glad you liked the wishes fireworks.

Enjoying the ride so far. I gotta get some new friends, none of mine want to go to WDW!

Well, there is always the solo trip option. I did take a solo trip in 08 and it was actually OK. I didn't know a lot of Disers then, so I didn't have any meets. But I really enjoyed talking to the CM's and following my own touring plan. There's a lot of freedom in that!

 

[Nermel9]

Love all your newest pics, especially Dumbo, of course! I haven't been on Dumbo since my first trip when I was 7, I always wonder if adults are even allowed on without kids...and every time I walk by it I want to try to go on, it's just so cute!

Philharmagic is amazing, one of my favorites!

 

[KatMark]

Love all your newest pics, especially Dumbo, of course! I haven't been on Dumbo since my first trip when I was 7, I always wonder if adults are even allowed on without kids...and every time I walk by it I want to try to go on, it's just so cute!

Philharmagic is amazing, one of my favorites!

Believe me, they let BIG kids ride without "little" kids (DH and I No longer fit in the same Dumbo).

 

[MEK]

As we were leaving the MK I decided to take a few final shots. It was HOT, HOT, HOT and we all felt a tad like we were melting into the pavement. Going from a cool 72 degrees in the midatlantic to a crazy 92 degrees in subtropical Florida was messing with our thermostats. We needed a total pool submerge. Well, at least I did.

Here are a few parting shots:

So who was the lovely damsel carrying an authentic parasol?

The exquisite parasol Miss DaPointe is holding is made of authentic Battenburg Lace- the real deal. During the late 1800’s, every English Duke had his own pattern. Queen Victoria named her son-in-law as the first Duke of Battenburg, thus Battenburg Lace was born. What elegance…

Courtesy of Shocker....Thank you shocker. You are a veritable wealth of knowledge and Disney trivia. Yeah, Yeah, I know Anita....it all goes to his head. haha!

She was having a wonderful time entertaining a pint sized guest. He wasn't quite sure what to make of all her attention. (I cropped him out of the picture cause I feel funny taking pictures of other people's kids. It seems a little "stalkeresque")

Nothing say magic quite like the sight of colorful balloons.......

I was going for the Roots Photography look with the balloon shots. I don't know if you know who the Roots are, but they are local photographers who pay frequent visits and contribute beautiful photos to all of Lurkyloo's trip reports. So what do you think? Did I get close? Even a little close?????


More Main Street pics.......

I lingered on the way out because I knew we probably wouldn't have another daytime visit to the MK on this trip. I found these posters below the train station....

Bye, Bye MK....See you real soon!

On our way home......

We didn't wait long for a boat, but we were at the very end of the line. We stood in the hot sun for what seemed like an eternity and silently taped our feet while all the strollers were folded and stored. We got the last few seats.....but the last few seats are way better than NO seat.

I was surprised by how short the trip was and how refreshing the cool breeze felt. I cooled down immediately once we hit the open water. Lovely and a welcome relief. Upon arriving back at the lodge we decided it was time to get some refillable mugs. Did you know there is only one fill station in the whole lodge? I was a little surprised, but whatev Cold drinks in hand, we returned to the villa.

Denny and I wasted no time changing and getting down to the pool. It was probably around 3 or 3:30pm and the sun was shining. The temperature was perfect and the skies were crystal clear. Ahhhhhhh! In our relaxed state both Denny and I failed to notice that there was no one swimming in the villa pool. As soon as we tried to test the water we were politely told that the pool was having a "bio break" Obviously someone had fouled the water. ooops! So we picked up our towels and pool drinks and hit the main lodge pool. I got a change to swim with the ducks.

In case you are wondering about our pool drinks....well Denny was drinking some ice cold beer he bought at the CVS. I, on the other hand, smuggled some UV blue into my checked luggage. I always pack a collapsable cooler with water and other drink items. I love that bags fly free on SWA. I can pack enough beverages for a day or two.

For those of you who have never had it, UV blue is actually a raspberry flavored vodka. It mixes really well with lemonade....3 parts lemonade....1 part UV blue. (Or for hard core lushes - 2 parts lemonade.... 1 part UV). See - those refillable mugs really are good for something other than soda. Yum......I don't have a picture of my drink and it certainly isn't as impressive as a Lost on Safari or a Blood Orange Margarita, but it makes a tasty and convenient summer drink. And a bottle costs only a few dollars more than a Disney drink. Denny calls it a "Tidy Bowl", because it does resemble the color of something you might use to clean the toilet. Yeah - like Denny would know about cleaning the toilets.

But I digress. All I remember is the bio break ended, we returned to the villa (or old people's pool as one young guest called it), chuck and cathy emerged, and we all sat around the pool talking, laughing, and catching up. The next few hours flew by all too quickly. Darn Disney time. Finally we all agreed it was time to get ready for our dinner.

And where was dinner you ask....Well, I am excited to say that we would all be dining at a restaurant that we were trying for the first time - Rose & Crown. Not only were we first timers, but we had a perfect ADR time: 730pm. Can you say Illuminations on the back patio? Well, I was sure hoping to.

So....up Next......R&C, Illuminations, and a trip to "Peaches & Cream"

 

[manntra]

to Shocker and his lace umbrella knowledge!!
ME your pictures are just so crisp and clear!! I can totally tell the difference in this TR!!!
at Denny and getting lost.....I swear you called him 2x at AK when I met up with you again later in the week!!
I ended up with the 1st seat in SM twice....I offered once to Sue but she declined I think it really is so much better.....I never got to play any of the games either but that was fine....just meant shorter lines!!
So funny that you thought of Dawn's kids for the PP picture! I thought the same thing!!!!

Tracy

 

[MEK]

Love all your newest pics, especially Dumbo, of course! I haven't been on Dumbo since my first trip when I was 7, I always wonder if adults are even allowed on without kids...and every time I walk by it I want to try to go on, it's just so cute!

Philharmagic is amazing, one of my favorites!

Another Dumbo fan! Is there anyone who doesn't love Dumbo???? As you can see below, Dumbo is appropriate for all age groups!

Believe me, they let BIG kids ride without "little" kids (DH and I No longer fit in the same Dumbo).

I love this picture! It's a keeper! How 'bout a Dismeet at Dumbo. Can you imagine if the whole ride was full of adults?????

 

[MEK]

to Shocker and his lace umbrella knowledge!!

I agree. How the heck did he find that information so quick? Who knows that stuff or where to find it??????

ME your pictures are just so crisp and clear!! I can totally tell the difference in this TR!!!

It's a huge difference. I was looking at one of my old TR's and I could really tell the difference. That camera was worth every penny and having the mac to edit makes its that much sweeter!

at Denny and getting lost.....I swear you called him 2x at AK when I met up with you again later in the week!!

That's right! He could not find us. He totally went the wrong direction. Seriously - that's how the whole week went. He was always doing something like that. By the last day it got super annoying.

:
I ended up with the 1st seat in SM twice....I offered once to Sue but she declined I think it really is so much better.....I never got to play any of the games either but that was fine....just meant shorter lines!!
So funny that you thought of Dawn's kids for the PP picture! I thought the same thing!!!!

Tracy

First seat twice - I am definitely going for the first seat in September. I did enjoy the ride and I liked how smooth it felt. I need to try both sides!

Yeah - Dawn's ride pic is a classic. She posted it when I was reading TRs at work. When I complained that I couldn't see it, she texted to me. I thought I was gonna die laughing right there at work!

 

[KatMark]

Another Dumbo fan! Is there anyone who doesn't love Dumbo???? As you can see below, Dumbo is appropriate for all age groups!



I love this picture! It's a keeper! How 'bout a Dismeet at Dumbo. Can you imagine if the whole ride was full of adults?????

First, your pictures are just blowing me away! Absolutely terrific. Sounds like you had a nice relaxing time at the pool.

I would love a Dismeet at Dumbo. I can just see those CM's now wondering what the heck was going on and the people in line behind us.

 

[jenjolt]

Another great update with great pictures!!!! WOWzers you took some really good shots!!

Ewww...to the bio break...but YAY to fun pool time! Glad you guys were able to relax!!

OOH Rose and Crown...one of my all time favorite places to eat!!!!

 

[wsushocker]

As soon as we tried to test the water we were politely told that the pool was having a "bio break" Obviously someone had fouled the water.

You make it so easy for me and I certainly cannot resist!

 

[klacey1]

I absolutely love your pictures of the posters on the way in/out of MK! I've been trying to track down the Pirates one to buy for DBF-- that or the Hall of Presidents.
It's funny how a boat ride is instantly cooling-- glad you were able to enjoy nice drinks and a nice dip, too!!

 

[dawnbu40]

Another great update! We never seem to see the Main Street characters but we always see the ones at DHS. We'll have to look for them in August!

Dale loves those posters and takes pics of them every trip!

The pool time sounds great except for the "bio break"

Looking forward to hearing how you liked R&C! We have never seen Illuminations from there but have enjoyed many meals there

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Again amazing pictures! I really don't think I can say that enough!

Sounds like a fun afternoon at the pool!

I can't wait for your next update Rose and Crown is one of my favorite TSs!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I love waking up to a new MEK update! No pressure to keep this schedule or anything...

FANTASTIC pictures! The balloon pics DO remind me of the Roots. In fact, I want to them to take my wedding pictures. (Not that I'm getting married in the at all near future or even have a solid candidate...)

I'm not sure how I feel about drinking a "Tidy Bowl" but in the name of alcoholic research, I am willing to try!

Sounds like a nice, refreshing afternoon at the pool!

Can't wait to hear about your evening- sounds like you have a few of my favorite things: World Showcase, Illuminations and Beach Club!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love love LOVE your balloon pictures, they are very pretty. Good job!!

It always creeps me out when they have to close the pool.

 

[MEK]

First, your pictures are just blowing me away! Absolutely terrific. Sounds like you had a nice relaxing time at the pool.

Thanks so much! I am pleased with how the pictures are turning out. I the balloons.

I would love a Dismeet at Dumbo. I can just see those CM's now wondering what the heck was going on and the people in line behind us.

An adult Dismeet at Dumbo would be quite the sight. If I wouldn't feel so bad about stealing a Dumbo ride from some poor kid, I would be totally up for that. How about Dumbo at midnight? Aren't most of the kids out of the park by then?

Another great update with great pictures!!!! WOWzers you took some really good shots!!

Ewww...to the bio break...but YAY to fun pool time! Glad you guys were able to relax!!

OOH Rose and Crown...one of my all time favorite places to eat!!!!

Jen - this is crazy, but you have been on the top of the page for your last 3 posts. How did you manage that?

I'm glad you like the pictures. Yes - we did have a great pool break.

R&C - I gotta tell you - I LOVED it! It was really a great meal and I actually took a picture of my entree.

You make it so easy for me and I certainly cannot resist!

Where do you find these thing?????? So 30 minutes of correcting a biological hazard must mean that the chlorine concentration at Disney pools is 1.6 ppm. Did I just do some Disney math?

I absolutely love your pictures of the posters on the way in/out of MK! I've been trying to track down the Pirates one to buy for DBF-- that or the Hall of Presidents.
It's funny how a boat ride is instantly cooling-- glad you were able to enjoy nice drinks and a nice dip, too!!

Those posters are pretty cool and I never took the time to really look at them before. So many details that reveal themselves with different trips.

Another great update! We never seem to see the Main Street characters but we always see the ones at DHS. We'll have to look for them in August!

Dale loves those posters and takes pics of them every trip!

Maybe that's where I've seen the posters before. I know they were in someone's TR. Seeing a Main Street Character was a lot of fun, but that outfit had to be HOT!

The pool time sounds great except for the "bio break"

Looking forward to hearing how you liked R&C! We have never seen Illuminations from there but have enjoyed many meals there

Ewww to the bio break, but thanks to Shocker I will now be able to calculate out the length of any bio break based on chlorine ppm. All I need is my chlorine test kit.

I R&C. Really good meal!

Again amazing pictures! I really don't think I can say that enough!

Sounds like a fun afternoon at the pool!

Thanks Caitlin. My two best pictures are yet to come (on AK day! )

I can't wait for your next update Rose and Crown is one of my favorite TSs!

This ended up being one of my fav meals of the trip. It really exceeded my expectations and I always had the impression it was "hit or miss".

I love waking up to a new MEK update! No pressure to keep this schedule or anything...

As long as I keep the updates short, I can crank out one every evening or so. I am at 97% on my photobucket occupancy, so I will have to switch over to Flicker for my next download (Day3). At least I started editing those pics.

FANTASTIC pictures! The balloon pics DO remind me of the Roots. In fact, I want to them to take my wedding pictures. (Not that I'm getting married in the at all near future or even have a solid candidate...)

Well....thanks! I love the Roots photography and you should definitely have them photograph you wedding, when that event does happen. Oh man - I'm sure you will have one heck of a Disneymoon!

I'm not sure how I feel about drinking a "Tidy Bowl" but in the name of alcoholic research, I am willing to try!

Sounds like a nice, refreshing afternoon at the pool!

I don't really care for the Tidy bowl name either, but that UV vodka is really yummy. Heck - It's not grey goose, but if you like lemonade, it makes a nice refreshing drink. I plan to take a case with me to the OBX this summer. Ok - maybe not a case, but a few bottles......

Can't wait to hear about your evening- sounds like you have a few of my favorite things: World Showcase, Illuminations and Beach Club!!

Well - I didn't want to ruin the surprise, but I am about to enter the WS through YOUR private entrance. I said hello to all the CM's for you!

 

[praisehisname]

More beautiful pictures!

For those of you who have never had it, UV blue is actually a raspberry flavored vodka. It mixes really well with lemonade....3 parts lemonade....1 part UV blue. (Or for hard core lushes - 2 parts lemonade.... 1 part UV).

Yum! Sounds like a trip to my liquor store is in my near future! I was looking for something different this summer for drinking around the pool; last summer was the bucket of margarita mix, but this sounds good!

Is the time different for "unformed" fecal matter???

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, how I adore your balloon shots, Mary Ellen! They are just fantastic!

I also really like your photos of the attraction posters! I always wish I could have those in my home!

Your pool drink sounds lovely -- I may have to look for some of that UV blue when I am at the store next time -- our pool opens Friday, and I may be bringing something along to celebrate!