I thought 7 was supposed to be a lucky number?? Sept TR **Life & PTR Update 5/11**

[PhoenixStrength]

So glad you have found such a great workplace!! Sounds very positive - and a Disney trip?!? Woooo hoo!!

It is a great workplace for sure, I really enjoy it. The owners are professional, but laid back and easygoing people.

I'm very excited for my WDW Christmas trip!!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

First off, I'm glad to see you back on the Dis. I've missed you my friend! It's so good to hear that you are loving your job. A big old CONGRATS! for going to Walt Disney World again! I am beyond jealous.

The pictures of your walk around the resort brings back great memories and makes me wish that I were there right now. I always forget how pretty the resort is until I see pictures. They were just building the firepit on the Martinique beach when we were there so it's neat to see what it looks like.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

First off, I'm glad to see you back on the Dis. I've missed you my friend! It's so good to hear that you are loving your job. A big old CONGRATS! for going to Walt Disney World again! I am beyond jealous.

The pictures of your walk around the resort brings back great memories and makes me wish that I were there right now. I always forget how pretty the resort is until I see pictures. They were just building the firepit on the Martinique beach when we were there so it's neat to see what it looks like.

Thanks, I've missed all of you too!!! And I'm very excited to spend Christmas and New Years at WDW.

The pictures make me miss CBR too, it's just so gorgeous and peaceful.

 

[SAT887]

The grounds look beautiful! A ton of pictures to look through. The resort is prettier than I remembered. I haven't been there in ages though - I think we stopped there for dinner in '04... Long time - things get blurry! Looks like a nice relaxing evening

And I remember that rainstorm!!!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

The grounds look beautiful! A ton of pictures to look through. The resort is prettier than I remembered. I haven't been there in ages though - I think we stopped there for dinner in '04... Long time - things get blurry! Looks like a nice relaxing evening

And I remember that rainstorm!!!

The grounds are beautiful!!! I took 3 times as many that night than I posted, and many more over the course of the week. It was a great, relaxing way to start my trip.

That rainstorm was crazy. I have pictures I'll be posting in the next update showing how much rain came down in part of MK.

 

[SAT887]

The grounds are beautiful!!! I took 3 times as many that night than I posted, and many more over the course of the week. It was a great, relaxing way to start my trip. That rainstorm was crazy. I have pictures I'll be posting in the next update showing how much rain came down in part of MK.

Somehow we had awesome timing and didn't really have to deal with much rain... I guess Mother Nature was in tune with our schedule... As for pictures- totally get it! I'm currently wading through 2000+ for my TR and photobook!!!

 

[Pluto0809]

So glad everything is going well with your new job!

Excited (and jealous) that you get to go back for Christmas stuff! I want to see the Christmas decorations so bad it almost hurts. Mom's coming here for a week at Thanksgiving and she made the off handed remark that we should go to Disney for a few of the days. Of course I immediately started making plans. But the cost is going to be too much for her and even though I could pay for both of us, I know she would never let me. Oh well, we will be back in 88 days.

I loved all of your pictures from CBR! I liked it so much better than CSR from this last trip. Made me kind of homesick seeing it again.

 

[afwdwfan]

This morning I found out I have some unexpected money to use toward only certain things (I won't get into the details, but it ain't cash, but is appreciated!!!).

Well, that is quite the pleasant, and welcome surprise to offset some of the bad breaks you've had recently!

One option is a trip. So, I'm sure you can see where this is going....I'm going to Iowa!!!!

I hear it is lovely in the winter.

No, not Iowa, I'm going to Walt Disney World for 11 days!!! I'll be there December 24th until January 3rd.

Christmas... and New Years... Sounds amazing. Very crowded, but amazing!

And yes, I'll be by myself again, but I have figured out why I had a bad time alone for this trip so I know I can enjoy myself immensely this time.

I hope you have and can make this one much better!

I'll just post some of the pictures I took along the way rather than try to explain them all!

They always say a picture is worth a thousand words. And these pictures sure beat the white stuff on the ground I see when I look out the window.

I love the look and feel of their "food court". It really feels like an open-air market.

I do too... never been there, but I love the way it looks.

It was all very delicious and I ate every bite of it all.

Looks great. Kind of a nice change of pace meal from the typical Disney food court stuff.

About a half-hour into the movie we could see (and hear!) Illuminations above the buildings of Barbados, right across from us.

Did they pause the movie? I could see how that might be a little bit of a distraction!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Somehow we had awesome timing and didn't really have to deal with much rain... I guess Mother Nature was in tune with our schedule... As for pictures- totally get it! I'm currently wading through 2000+ for my TR and photobook!!!

I didn't have to deal with rain either, I just saw the aftermath of it!

So glad everything is going well with your new job!

Excited (and jealous) that you get to go back for Christmas stuff! I want to see the Christmas decorations so bad it almost hurts. Mom's coming here for a week at Thanksgiving and she made the off handed remark that we should go to Disney for a few of the days. Of course I immediately started making plans. But the cost is going to be too much for her and even though I could pay for both of us, I know she would never let me. Oh well, we will be back in 88 days.

I loved all of your pictures from CBR! I liked it so much better than CSR from this last trip. Made me kind of homesick seeing it again.

The Christmas decorations are wonderful. I hope you get to see them on a trip soon!!!!

Sorry CSR didn't leave up to your expectations. CBR is just so gorgeous, I loved staying there!!!

Well, that is quite the pleasant, and welcome surprise to offset some of the bad breaks you've had recently!


I hear it is lovely in the winter.


Christmas... and New Years... Sounds amazing. Very crowded, but amazing!


I hope you have and can make this one much better!


They always say a picture is worth a thousand words. And these pictures sure beat the white stuff on the ground I see when I look out the window.


I do too... never been there, but I love the way it looks.


Looks great. Kind of a nice change of pace meal from the typical Disney food court stuff.


Did they pause the movie? I could see how that might be a little bit of a distraction!

We got our first flurries here today and everyone went nuts over it. I'd be perfectly happy with no flurries ever, thank you very much!

Part of the reason I got that meal was that it is quite different from the normal CS meals.

They did not pause the movie and it was quite distracting!!!

 

[taaren]

So glad you're enjoying the new job; even better that it's flexible and you can take trips!

I've got interviews for better positions coming up, and I'm a little worried that the vacation time might not be as good ... can't ask in the interview since one can't let their Disney Addict side show before you're hired!

And a holiday trip no less! Will anybody be able to meet you for a few days here or there?

 

[PhoenixStrength]

So glad you're enjoying the new job; even better that it's flexible and you can take trips!

I've got interviews for better positions coming up, and I'm a little worried that the vacation time might not be as good ... can't ask in the interview since one can't let their Disney Addict side show before you're hired!

And a holiday trip no less! Will anybody be able to meet you for a few days here or there?

My bosses are great!

Good luck in your job search! I hope you get a Disney-addict boss

Update about the trip shortly!

 

[KatMark]

Congrats on your Disney Christmas trip Our oldest son will be there the 28th through January 2.

Great pictures around the Caribbean Resort. We've never stayed there (and probably never will), but it is a beautiful resort.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

TRIP UPDATE:

So, some things always change while never changing. I'm now not going to go to WDW over Christmas and New Years. While I'm bummed about that, the reason for the change is cool. A friend of mine who lives in Kanab, UT is fulfilling her life-long dream of moving to Germany next year. Since this may be the last chance I have to see her before she moves I'm going to go out there instead, December 26th-January 4th. She lives a few miles from Best Friends Animal Society so I'm going to volunteer there again (I included a trip there in my Feb 2012 trip PTR) and visit with her and some other friends who live in the area. I'll probably include a mini-recap of that trip within this TR.

So, no WDW, but yes to visiting my second favorite place to vacation and seeing friends!


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[PhoenixStrength]

Congrats on your Disney Christmas trip Our oldest son will be there the 28th through January 2.

Great pictures around the Caribbean Resort. We've never stayed there (and probably never will), but it is a beautiful resort.

See above about my trip, but congrats to Andy for being there during that time!

CBR is absolutely gorgeous! I had a great stay there and will most likely stay there during any future trips!

 

[SAT887]

TRIP UPDATE: So, some things always change while never changing. I'm now not going to go to WDW over Christmas and New Years. While I'm bummed about that, the reason for the change is cool. A friend of mine who lives in Kanab, UT is fulfilling her life-long dream of moving to Germany next year. Since this may be the last chance I have to see her before she moves I'm going to go out there instead, December 26th-January 4th. She lives a few miles from Best Friends Animal Society so I'm going to volunteer there again (I included a trip there in my Feb 2012 trip PTR) and visit with her and some other friends who live in the area. I'll probably include a mini-recap of that trip within this TR. So, no WDW, but yes to visiting my second favorite place to vacation and seeing friends!

While missing WDW is disappointing - spending time with you friend in UT is awesome!! It's great you have the time to do this before she leaves!

 

[KatMark]

I think the trip to Utah sounds wonderful; it will be good to see your friend before she leaves.

I'm glad you enjoyed CBR.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

While missing WDW is disappointing - spending time with you friend in UT is awesome!! It's great you have the time to do this before she leaves!

I agree! I'm glad I'll get to go out there.

I think the trip to Utah sounds wonderful; it will be good to see your friend before she leaves.

I'm glad you enjoyed CBR.

I'm looking forward to seeing her before she goes! Funny enough a woman came in today to my workplace with a cat to get spayed that she adopted while living in Germany. She just moved back to MD from living in Germany for years.

 

[mickeystoontown]

TRIP UPDATE:

So, some things always change while never changing. I'm now not going to go to WDW over Christmas and New Years. While I'm bummed about that, the reason for the change is cool. A friend of mine who lives in Kanab, UT is fulfilling her life-long dream of moving to Germany next year. Since this may be the last chance I have to see her before she moves I'm going to go out there instead, December 26th-January 4th. She lives a few miles from Best Friends Animal Society so I'm going to volunteer there again (I included a trip there in my Feb 2012 trip PTR) and visit with her and some other friends who live in the area. I'll probably include a mini-recap of that trip within this TR.

So, no WDW, but yes to visiting my second favorite place to vacation and seeing friends!


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While it would have been great to spend Christmas/New Years at WDW, you are getting to do something just as fun. It's wonderful that you'll get to spend time with your friend before she moves and volunteer at the Animal Society. Two things that you love to do. Throw in some gorgeous scenery and it'll be a super trip.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I'm Back!!!!! ​

Ok, I know I've been gone a while again, but I have pretty much worked out everything that was keeping me away, so I'm going to try to actually get this TR going again!

I'll be doing a quick update shortly! I hope everyone follows along for the rest of my TR. ​

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY TWO, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH

I woke up early that morning and took a shower, then got ready and headed out the door. I was leaving pretty early for a special reason, I was doing something new today!!

I took a couple of pictures of CBR while walking to the Barbados bus stop.












There was no one else at the bus stop yet, and it didn't take long for my bus to arrive.









I was heading to Magic Kingdom, for the Keys to the Kingdom tour! The bus had a few others on it, but it was mostly empty. The bus was soon heading through here (Am I the only one who misses the old Pink/Purple entrance colors?)






I could see Cinderella's castle as we drove toward the entrance, and started to get excited for my trip to begin!






The new bus area still being worked on:






The baggage check line was non-existant, so I was quickly in line here:






They were only letting the 8am breakfast ressies in at the moment, but said they would let myself and the others waiting for the tour in soon. While I waited I took a few pictures, of course!












A few minutes after 8am they let us on the tour in, and told us to check in by 8:15am for the tour. Since I had about 10 minutes still to check-in I got a bunch of pictures of the mostly-empty Main Street area, decorated for Halloween!


















I didn't want to miss check-in, so I wandered into the building and it took only a minute to be set. I just gave them my name, picked my lunch meal and they handed me my name tag and said to be back there by 8:25am. My name tag:






Since I still had time I went out to get more pictures of Main Street.












There were a few Photopass Photographers already out, so I got one to take a picture of me in front of the castle. Here is the one from my camera:






But for some reason I cannot find the actual Photopass pictures I took before the tour.

Since it was getting closer to tour time I walked back down Main Street, getting more pictures of the shops.












CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST



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