I Told You Driving Was Bad For Your Health! *2/2* NEW TRIP REPORT LINK P102

[nowellsl]

I have STILL never been to Tom Sawyers Island. I will have to put that high on the list for this October!

Go early and look for the paintbrushes..... if you turn one in you get a special fastpass for everyone in your party

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I kept looking for the gallows, then realized you meant the stocks! LOL the gallows are where one gets hanged.

I love that part of the MK, especially even it's fairly empty. I really like the faux historical look of the area. So much detail is put in such a small place.

Only 3 days before Disney! I need to get packing!

 

[KatMark]

MEK, I'm trying to catch up as best I can (today was the day I was going to spend the entire day reading, but instead waited for an update on my brother who was supposed to get a pacemaker but who they decided it would be of no help to him and that his only chance is a heart transplant).

The place you stayed looks quite nice (I know...you'd still have preferred being at Disney) and your pictures at the MK are simply as good as always. I love the new Mermaid ride but can see that Mark isn't crazy about it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am still back on page 24, but I am determined to catch up.

So scary about Denny and his hospital visit, and so surreal to see all the lovely resort pictures juxtaposed next to the story. Glad it all turned out well, and you were able to extend your trip.

Lovely beach walk and Bluffton pictures -- we have never explored Bluffton, but it looks fun!

You know I love Savannah pictures! If you ever find yourself back there, you should tour Juliette Gordon Low's house -- it is really neat and Juliette was quite a fascinating person.

Yeay for Leopold's! Didn't you just love it there?

 

[MEK]

what is VRBO??

Well, hopefully you already know the answer to this - Vacation Rentals By Owners. Oh yeah VRBO.com. If you haven't checked it out yet make sure you do so.

[/COLOR][/SIZE]
Yes you are a bit off track for Little Mermaid

Just a little, you think?

http://s235.photobucket.com/user/me...13 Day 2 Part 1/IMG_2337_zps94ee1ce5.jpg.html

of course you do, or we would not all take pictures like crazy every time we go to WDW or even to the same park multiple times on one trip!!

Being an obsessive picture taker has its rewards at times!

Love this! Haven't been able to get this shot for a while because you're right, there is always a load of people.

I know. So my mistaken navigation really did reap some benefits.

[/COLOR][/SIZE]
I have STILL never been to Tom Sawyers Island. I will have to put that high on the list for this October!

It's cute. Contrived, but cute. There are some interesting views from the island - of Big Thunder and of the HM. Kids love this place. It's really filled with a lot of intrigue.

You have fantastic BTMRR shots! Love your sales pitch there MEK - I'm sold! but truthfully I think BTMRR is the perfect level of thrill ride for all ages.

Well, you already know its one of my absolute favs and I couldn't agree with you more!

Looks like Splash was a hit too - glad that you did not get soaked (though I would be disappointed if I didn't get wet!)

Disappointed? REally?

I enjoyed the LM ride but if you were expecting something other than Nemo I can see how it would be a bit of a let down. I am SO looking forward to the Mine Train opening up next year. I hope it opens before June!

I think the Mine Train is going to be very fun. I'm really looking forward to that. I hope its similar to how I feel about BTMMR!

 

[MEK]

I totally agree with Denny's view on the Little Mermaid ride, the one in CA anyway. They hyped it up so much that it would have been impossible for it to live up to it.

That can definitely happen with a ride. I think I just didn't prepare him well enough for the ride. I should have told him what to expect. Oh well. *sigh*

Love Splash and BTMRR. You are so brave taking pictures during BTMRR. I'd surely drop my camera or phone.

I would definitely be afraid of dropping my phone, but I wasn't too worried about my camera. I had it strapped around my neck and I was holding onto it with a death grip!

Your photos are fantastic. I especially love the one of the Mark Twain. It's called the Mark Twain at MK isn't it? Both are great pics.

Thanks! I don't think its called the Mark Twain. I think its called the Liberty Belle. But I could be wrong.

When is the Mine rode supposed to open?

I have no idea, but I would love its open by next October. I thought it was Late 2014, but again, I could be totally wrong.

Go early and look for the paintbrushes..... if you turn one in you get a special fastpass for everyone in your party

Do they still do that? I think that's so cool. How fun would it be to actually find one?

I kept looking for the gallows, then realized you meant the stocks! LOL the gallows are where one gets hanged.

silly me! Like I would know the difference!

I love that part of the MK, especially even it's fairly empty. I really like the faux historical look of the area. So much detail is put in such a small place.

It's a really cute area and is in the most perfect location. I love the historical look as well. It's so quaint.

Only 3 days before Disney! I need to get packing!

I hope you have a wonderful time. I think you are leaving any day now. I'm so jealous. I know its going to be fantastic!

MEK, I'm trying to catch up as best I can (today was the day I was going to spend the entire day reading, but instead waited for an update on my brother who was supposed to get a pacemaker but who they decided it would be of no help to him and that his only chance is a heart transplant).

Kathy - you know when I read this the other day I felt terrible. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your brother and his family. I know this must be a very scary time for everyone. Please keep me posted.

The place you stayed looks quite nice (I know...you'd still have preferred being at Disney) and your pictures at the MK are simply as good as always.

I enjoyed the resort we stayed at. For what we paid and our purposes it worked out perfectly. I'm glad I stumbled upon it.

I love the new Mermaid ride but can see that Mark isn't crazy about it.

See- its a boy thing. If they aren't into princesses they are going to go all "gaga" over that ride. It's just the way it is. The main thing is that they tolerate it!

 

[MEK]

I am still back on page 24, but I am determined to catch up.

Welcome back Jackie! I hope you get caught up. I miss seing you on the boards!

So scary about Denny and his hospital visit, and so surreal to see all the lovely resort pictures juxtaposed next to the story. Glad it all turned out well, and you were able to extend your trip.

It is always surreal when something bad happens when you are on vacation. It's the place you least expect or want something to happen. But we were very happy and grateful that everything turned out OK.

Lovely beach walk and Bluffton pictures -- we have never explored Bluffton, but it looks fun!

It was really a cute little town and that Farmer's market was so cool. I really enjoyed that. If I ever go back (and I better) I will visit during the Farmer's Market again.

You know I love Savannah pictures! If you ever find yourself back there, you should tour Juliette Gordon Low's house -- it is really neat and Juliette was quite a fascinating person.

I would love to tour that house. I was really interested in seeing it, but its hard when You know no one else really wants to see it. I really enjoy taking house and museum tours and missed that this past trip.

Yeay for Leopold's! Didn't you just love it there?

It was an adorable little place and the ice cream was awesome!

 

[nowellsl]

Do they still do that? I think that's so cool. How fun would it be to actually find one?

DD found one a few years ago and she was very excited...........until she found out all you got was a fastpass I think she thought she would get the key to the city or something It was fun though!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Okay, I'm getting all caught up. I'm gonna hop in at the WDW point with the comments, so I'm not so far behind.

Ha! So that's where the title came from. That would be the equivalent of my Dad saying that he didn't want to drive anymore. He just loves to. And always tries to convince us that it's less expensive. Now he has a Volkswagon Passat diesel that gets like 47 mpg. I think he's going to try to convince us more and more that we need to drive.

4 hours to fill out an application? Get out!

Wow. $432 for five nights? That's crazy! Good deal.

Nick's GF's niece definitely does deserve the picture of the night award, she's flipping adorable!

Plane full of crying babies? No thanks! I've typically been lucky, but I'm just waiting for the day that I'm not.

I'm excited for your wait list! So so so convenient for F&W epicness!

What a scary descent! I would have screamed too.

If you can't make it into Marrakesh, then Tangierine Cafe will definitely do the trick.

I do wish that I had the energy to run early. I'm all for running, and I have no problem running at night, but I'm so lazy and like my sleep too much in the morning. I gotta find the motivation.

I thought all AP's included parking too? I thought local residents were the only ones that needed to buy parking? Not premium. How annoying!

I'm thinking VGF for our trip next November. I want to stay at my beloved Beach Club for our May trip.

Listen, we all do it, even the most experienced ones. We go the wrong way!

Thunder Mountain is great. We had such fun on it in July with Joaquin. He just kept saying "OH MY GOD!" the whole time.

I just adore LM. I could ride it over and over again.

Haha! Leave it to a dude to be like "it was okay." Jason and my Dad were like that when I took them on it in California. They were like "meh."

Okay, I have to see. I think one of our trips might finally overlap!!!! We're going in May. Most likely arriving on the 16th. Is it possible?!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

MEK, we are leaving in the morning, non stop to MCO! As we are testing the Magic Bands it will be interesting.

We have a fast pass for CS lunch at BOG & have our FPs made for Wishes & other busy rides!

 

[glennbo123]

Getting caught up...

I can't believe that LM wasn't open when you first got there, you certainly gave them enough time to get rolling, what with that circuitous route you took to get there.

Who doesn't like BTMRR? My daughter Marlene when she was 5. We were there with family and my sister was watching her while Judy and I went on some other rides. Anyway, my sister took her on and Marlene did not like it and was mad at her aunt. It was too funny when we caught up with them.

 

[MEK]

DD found one a few years ago and she was very excited...........until she found out all you got was a fastpass I think she thought she would get the key to the city or something It was fun though!

Haha! That's too funny! I guess getting a lousy FP when you are a kid is no big deal. For us adults its a whole other story.

Okay, I'm getting all caught up. I'm gonna hop in at the WDW point with the comments, so I'm not so far behind.

Danielle! Did you just sub or has it just been forever since I've seen you? Whatever it is, I'm so glad you're here.

Ha! So that's where the title came from. That would be the equivalent of my Dad saying that he didn't want to drive anymore. He just loves to. And always tries to convince us that it's less expensive. Now he has a Volkswagon Passat diesel that gets like 47 mpg. I think he's going to try to convince us more and more that we need to drive.

47mpg! That's awesome! didn't he have some big SUV before this? Wow - he must be in heaven now!

Yeah - Denny has ALWAYS wanted to drive and he did a complete 180. Who am I to argue?

4 hours to fill out an application? Get out!

Well, part of the problem was this one online form. When I went to save it, it tried to charge me a storage fee. Heck no. So I found the form on a different site, filled it all in and it wouldn't save. Finally I just printed out the entire form, hand wrote in the questions, scanned it and submitted it. Talk about the long route.

Wow. $432 for five nights? That's crazy! Good deal.

It really was. I have checked the price there periodically and I have not seen it that low again.

Nick's GF's niece definitely does deserve the picture of the night award, she's flipping adorable!

OMG - She is just TOO cute! I probably shouldn't have posted her picture, but I just couldn't resist.

Plane full of crying babies? No thanks! I've typically been lucky, but I'm just waiting for the day that I'm not.

This was probably the loudest baby flight I have ever been on. I guess it was the time of day and day of the week.

I'm excited for your wait list! So so so convenient for F&W epicness!

Total epicness. And I found the trick is to waitlist in small increments. I definitely think it increases your chances.

What a scary descent! I would have screamed too.

No one expected that sudden turbulence. It really woke everyone up, that's for sure!

If you can't make it into Marrakesh, then Tangierine Cafe will definitely do the trick.

I love Tangieriene cafe. It is now my official #1 choice for QS in Morocco. So good!

I do wish that I had the energy to run early. I'm all for running, and I have no problem running at night, but I'm so lazy and like my sleep too much in the morning. I gotta find the motivation.

Personally, I think you should just go with whatever works. I don't mind evening rides. Sometimes its hard for me to get going, but for the most part I just pick which is ever most convenient.

I thought all AP's included parking too? I thought local residents were the only ones that needed to buy parking? Not premium. How annoying!

I think it was just some weird mistake. Fortunately, it was easily remedied and we got it fixed before we left MK that first day.

I'm thinking VGF for our trip next November. I want to stay at my beloved Beach Club for our May trip.

I'm definitely staying VGF next October. Can't wait!

When is your May trip. I will be there May 12th for a week!

Listen, we all do it, even the most experienced ones. We go the wrong way!

Well, thanks for admitting that. I am sure there are some DISers who never back a bad turn, and those who will never admit making a bad turn.

Thunder Mountain is great. We had such fun on it in July with Joaquin. He just kept saying "OH MY GOD!" the whole time.

I bet he was so cute. Isn't it delightful seeing the magic in a child's eyes and hearing it in their voice. Such a great ride!

I just adore LM. I could ride it over and over again.

It's a lovely ride. Really done well.

Haha! Leave it to a dude to be like "it was okay." Jason and my Dad were like that when I took them on it in California. They were like "meh."

It's definitely a guy thing. I mean, really, how many guys really care about a dark ride built around a princess theme? I would venture to say, not many.

Okay, I have to see. I think one of our trips might finally overlap!!!! We're going in May. Most likely arriving on the 16th. Is it possible?!

OMG! Yes Yes Yes! I get there on the 12th! Woo Hoo! So awesome. Ditch - here we come!!!!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

OMG! Yes Yes Yes! I get there on the 12th! Woo Hoo! So awesome. Ditch - here we come!!!!!

I'm so excited!!!!! We get to overlap!

 

[MEK]

MEK, we are leaving in the morning, non stop to MCO! As we are testing the Magic Bands it will be interesting.

We have a fast pass for CS lunch at BOG & have our FPs made for Wishes & other busy rides!

Well, its the second day of your trip now! I hope you are having a fabulous time and I hope the Magic Band testing goes well. I didn't realize you could make a CS reservation. I like that!

Getting caught up...

I can't believe that LM wasn't open when you first got there, you certainly gave them enough time to get rolling, what with that circuitous route you took to get there.

Uhm - yeah - I did, didn't I?

Who doesn't like BTMRR? My daughter Marlene when she was 5. We were there with family and my sister was watching her while Judy and I went on some other rides. Anyway, my sister took her on and Marlene did not like it and was mad at her aunt. It was too funny when we caught up with them.

I guess the exception is young kids. I know that can scare them. It's a shame because when they get older they inevitably love it. Poor Marlene. Poor Marlene's Aunt. She probably felt terrible.

I'm so excited!!!!! We get to overlap!

I wish we overlapped more, but I am happy we are overlapping as much as we are. No excuse not to get together!

 

[MEK]

Sorry I missed my regular update. Better late than never, I always say. If I haven't caught up on your TR, I promise I will. We had a busy weekend and this week I am working 56 hours. Yup. That's right. 16 hours of OT.

Speaking of work, I am into my 11th week at my new job. Yup - that's right. I am counting every week. That's how much I wish I had a part time job right about now. *sigh*

Things are falling into place for our October trip. In a future update I will post an overview of our plans. In the mean time I have to get crackin' on this TR.

So without any further adieu please join me for...

Please Don't Feed the Ducks

In my last update we were enjoying a great morning in the MK. We still had about 45 minutes until our lunch ADR. What should we do next in Tomorrowland? The People Mover was moving, the wait for Space Mountain was long, and the line for Buzz was wrapping outside the building.

How about visiting one of Denny's favorites?

You know - this one





Denny loves this ride, because, you know, it really IS a great big beautiful tomorrow!

No flash photos allowed. The key to this ride is don't even go near your camera (in a non-flash mode of course) until you have spun to the first scene or you WILL get nailed. It seems that the CMs here don't know the difference between flash and non-flash, so why take the chance.

Once we rotated to this position it was time for a picture.







The animatronics in this ride are really good, considering the ride was built in 1964 for the World's Fair. I know it has seen upgrades, but still. I really think its a timeless attraction.



Before the blow



You know I used to have that same oven, right?

I did, so this scene is my favorite. I love my new oven, but I still miss that one every time I see it go up in smoke!



Fortunately, mine never did this!



After we said good bye to John, Sarah and the rest of the family, we decided to get FP's to Buzz. Problem was we thought the return time might be too soon, so we hung around for about 10 minutes to get a later return time.

Then it was time for lunch

Here



Ah, yes, the Plaza! One of my favorite lunch spots. What's not to like? Well, except maybe the wait. There is always a wait here.

So we got our beeper and sat under an umbrella, with this view.



And this view



and this





Looks like we have a new round of recruits.





I noticed we had a friend



So cute, that little beggar



I thought I saw some crumbs on his beak. I think this picture shows I was correct.



Ummmm... Isn't there a rule about feeding ducks? (Like the way I snuck a picture of that indiscretion). I wanted to say "Please don't feed the ducks", but I thought better of it. It wasn't worth aggravating another park goer, so I bit my tongue and turned my back. Denny hates when I get super focused on rules, so I let it go.

I turned my attention the rest of my surroundings.





Yay - Our beeper went off!

Inside we ventured to a nearly empty restaurant. All those empty tables and we had to wait outside. What gives?



Fortunately the service was quick. Denny was still trying to eat somewhat healthy, so we decided to split two meals.

The healthy meal



The not quite as healthy meal



Mark (captain oblivious) - I thought of you when I was eating my half of the burger because it was REALLY yummy!

I loved our lunch. I was pretty full when we finished, so we skipped dessert, which stinks when you are in an ice cream shop. But there is no way I could have had another bite.

Continued In the Next Post....

 

[MEK]

Continued from Previous Post

Next stop - Buzz!







My score





So intent!



Back outside we were starting to feel the mid day heat. We decided we might melt, so it was time to head back to our top secret off site location for a pool break.

On the way out





Bye Castle. See you tonight!



Bye Tomorrow land!



As we were passing the castle a little pixie dust struck and we saw the same nice couple we had seen earlier that morning near the gallows, I mean the stockade (thanks Doris!) What luck. Time for another photo-op. We took their picture again and they took ours.



Heading out



The clouds were so pretty





Still not sure how I feel about this





Obligatory balloon picture



You know me by now - Not sure which one I like better, so I have to post both!



Make that all three



How cute!



I think that clocks says 12:30. Wow. We really are warm weather wimps!



Photobomb alert




I was curious about the construction wall



On the ferry back to the parking lot




Continued In Next Post...

 

[MEK]

Continued From Previous Post





Site of my 2014 anniversary trip













It sure was busy on the water this afternoon!











I love the wedding chapel



We walked back to the car and headed back to the condo.

Oops - I almost forgot to post this. I love this backpack. How cute is this?



Up Next - How this construction foils our pre dinner plans and a visit to the Beast's house!

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Nice wrap-up to your morning. Took me a while to visit CoP, but it is now pretty much a must do!

Plaza.......YUM! Probably one of my favorite go-to restaurants when I'm in MK. They have so many tempting items on the menu that I still have lots more trips to stop there to try them all!

It is funny how they always seem to get the very intense pictures on Buzz. Looks like you were both really into it!

Yes, those are very interesting clouds! And some great balloon pics!

I always enjoy using the boats for transportation whenever possible. So relaxing, and so many photo ops!!!

 

[Pinkocto]

Great update! Sorry, have to skip all the chatting I missed while away. Anything new happening?

I like balloon number 2 picture best because of the strings.

I understand escaping the heat.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I love the Tinker Bell balloon. If I had seen one of those when we were there in February, I would have bought one for our three year old granddaughter.

I love the pictures that you took from the boat. We stayed at the WL and riding the boats was so much more fun than taking the monorail or a bus.