I'm Not As Tink As You Kronk I Am - Final Thoughts on Mustard's January Trip to WDW

[jordanyosh]

Sorry I missed you!!!!

Have a Happy Birthday Weekend!!!!!!!

 

[irene_dsc]

Happy Birthday, Mustard!!! Enjoy your camping trip!

 

[scottny]

have a great weekend and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

 

[Tat2ddisneymom]

yes he does, hope your not on dial up.

Nope, but even with high speed it has a tendency to run slow with a lot of pictures on one page.

 

[Tat2ddisneymom]

Hey, Mustard! Have a great birthday! How old?

 

[Leger13]

Hope you have a GREAT weekend!! Have fun breaking in that camping trailer!!

 

[Disneydad99]

Happy Bday my friend I hope its a good un!!!

miss ya over my way...I am back in case Ya didnt know!!!

Disneydad!!!​

​

 

[byoung]

Great report.

 

[kindakrazy2]

Happy Birthday!

Hope you had a great weekend celebrating!

 

[Leger13]

oh Mustard! Where oh where have you gone?

Hope you are okay

 

[mnmrmustard]

Howdy everyone! Sorry for not being there for the b-day wishes. The camping trip was great, but was immediately followed by a busy Monday leading into a drive 4hrs north to a 2-day BOLI supervisor training for new managers.

While I was up there the college's document imaging system had some serious issues and I spent my breaks/evenings working on it remotely or over the phone with my admins.

Spent Thursday with a 12hr day back on site finishing fixing the mess and Friday had to do a walk-through of a sattelite location we're remodeling/expanding. On the way back in I got a speeding ticket in a state police sting operation with a spotter plane and 6 rotating troopers operating out of my own parking lot

What a week

Sorry I missed you!!!!

Have a Happy Birthday Weekend!!!!!!!

No problem, I only worked 1/2 day on my b-day and then spent the afternoon finishing packing, getting out to the campsite, and getting everything set up for the first time.

Happy Birthday, Mustard!!! Enjoy your camping trip!

Thank you very much! It was a good weekend - good friends and perfect weather

have a great weekend and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Thanks much my friend :-]

Nope, but even with high speed it has a tendency to run slow with a lot of pictures on one page.

Yeah, I gotta get more chatter going between posts and/or just wait longer to post. Luckily we're through the "biggest" days - not quite so many pics for the last two ;-]

Hey, Mustard! Have a great birthday! How old?

Thankyee kindly - I am 39 yrs old

Hope you have a GREAT weekend!! Have fun breaking in that camping trailer!!

It was fun but still a learning expreince. Next time we'll have everything packed more logically/efficiently to help with setup time and functionality when we're camping.

Happy Bday my friend I hope its a good un!!!

miss ya over my way...I am back in case Ya didnt know!!!

Disneydad!!!​

​

Well hey there DDad!!! Good to see you again and thanks much for the great b-day wishes!

Great report.

Thank you very much and welcome to my TR!

Happy Birthday!

Hope you had a great weekend celebrating!

Thank you - it was really good!

oh Mustard! Where oh where have you gone?

Hope you are okay

Hehehe, well you've probably already read the beginning of my post so you know what's been going on. I have a couple of hours to tinker here before I have to go in to DW's work and do more computer work - wheee! At least I got to sleep in

Thanks for asking

 

[Leger13]

Howdy everyone! Sorry for not being there for the b-day wishes. The camping trip was great, but was immediately followed by a busy Monday leading into a drive 4hrs north to a 2-day BOLI supervisor training for new managers.

While I was up there the college's document imaging system had some serious issues and I spent my breaks/evenings working on it remotely or over the phone with my admins.

Spent Thursday with a 12hr day back on site finishing fixing the mess and Friday had to do a walk-through of a sattelite location we're remodeling/expanding. On the way back in I got a speeding ticket in a state police sting operation with a spotter plane and 6 rotating troopers operating out of my own parking lot

What a week

that sounds like one heck of a week!! Fixing technology problems over the phone is no picnic. Hope you got everything worked out.

And a ticket to boot? At least you had a good birthday weekend

It was fun but still a learning expreince. Next time we'll have everything packed more logically/efficiently to help with setup time and functionality when we're camping.

Glad you had fun! Every new experience is a learning one. As long as nothing bad happened then I'd say you had a successful camping adventure. Hope you get the kinks worked out for the next adventure

]quote]Hehehe, well you've probably already read the beginning of my post so you know what's been going on. I have a couple of hours to tinker here before I have to go in to DW's work and do more computer work - wheee! At least I got to sleep in

Thanks for asking [/QUOTE]

Yes I do and I am glad to see you are okay. Sorry again for the rough week though. Hope you got at least a little time to rest in between all that computer work. Oh the life of an IT professional

you're welcome I gotta keep track of my dis buds

 

[scottny]

sorry to hear of the ticket but great to hear from you.

 

[mnmrmustard]

that sounds like one heck of a week!! Fixing technology problems over the phone is no picnic. Hope you got everything worked out.

And a ticket to boot? At least you had a good birthday weekend

Yeah, glad to have that one behind me. And yes, we got everything worked out. Yup, ticket was no fun, but I was speeding so what can ya do, aye? Yay for the b-day weekend

Glad you had fun! Every new experience is a learning one. As long as nothing bad happened then I'd say you had a successful camping adventure. Hope you get the kinks worked out for the next adventure

Amen to that. And the only bad thing that happened with the camping was a faulty (cheap) bike rack that started coming apart. It caused DD11 & her friend's bikes to drag the ground for about 50ft. Ended up costing $42 to get both of them repaired. I know we'll be more together for the next trip

Yes I do and I am glad to see you are okay. Sorry again for the rough week though. Hope you got at least a little time to rest in between all that computer work. Oh the life of an IT professional

you're welcome I gotta keep track of my dis buds

No worries, all is well now. Had to work at DW's for 7hrs, but at least I get paid well for that ...hehehe. Yup, the joys of being a techno-geek. Today will be a mostly restful day though. Hope yours is too!

sorry to hear of the ticket but great to hear from you.

Such is life, but yes - glad to be back on the boards Happy Sunday to ya!

 

[mnmrmustard]

We were all excited about going to Discovery Cove. We had to make reservations long in advance, even with it being off season. Pop had not wanted to go but promised that he would be there tomorrow for our last day at MK.

We got up and did showers and stuff but didn’t have to worry about breakfast since it was included in the admission price. We drove in and missed the turn initially …it’s pretty low profile. After doing a couple of turn-arounds we found the entrance and still arrived just after 9am.

The grounds are very lush and the Check In/Welcome Center lobby has a nice tropical theme and looks very comfortable. We just stayed there long enough to get our pictures taken and our ID cards printed out. They hang around your neck on lanyards and act as access passes/mementos of the day there. If you are going to Sea World on the week pass you get with your purchase, they also act as your ticket to get into that park.

Once the paperwork side of it is done we were told that we could have actually arrived at 8:30am and that the breakfast buffet started then …grrrr. Oh well, still plenty of time to eat and have fun. We headed out the back door and onto a deck where we outfit MiL and my Mom with these funky bubble-tired wheelchairs that we found out work GREAT on the sand but not quite as well on sidewalks.

You follow a trail through tropical plants and trees and over bridges, working your way down to the cabanas and bungalows where the house the gift shop, dining area, and access to the different water areas. Here are a few pics as we walked down the trail towards the main park area:

The Coral Reef and cabanas from afar

More thick foliage

A lifeguard on watch at part of the Tropical River

As you can see they really cover the whole concept of “lush”

We were stopped almost in sight of civilization and had our picture taken. I know we have that one somewhere, but I haven’t come across it. Ahhh well – I’m sure y’all can survive with one less picture from me – lol.

From there we were directed to the buffet line where we grabbed up some good breakfast grub. The seating was outside and we chose a table overlooking the dolphin pool. After yummy vittles time we walked down to our assigned cabana to get our lockers and wetsuits. If you do this the short-sleeve/legged versions are the way to go. Much cooler while walking around the park.

I think all of us except the kids had to try on at least two to get a good fit – not much fun peeling them off but worth it in the end. It was about 10 when we wandered down to the beach by what they call the resort pool. It is shallow and made into rock formations with a double waterfall that cascades over a water cave system.

Of course the girls were first to get their snorkels on and try them out

My mom gives some helpful hints

And away they go!

The pool/river area is a comfortable 86 degrees, so even though it was overcast and not a particularly warm day, you could take a dip in this area and be nice and comfy

MiL is getting a kick out of watching he girls swim

The girls start following the current provided by a series of water jets that are placed all along the river loop

It takes you through the caves and around the tropical river through the aviary if you let it. Or you can go more towards the waterfall and just float around – good spot for smaller kids. Here is a couple of shots of the pool area and the entrance to the cave

I went with the girls for a ‘once-around’ on the tropical river. You go through the cave area (has light from openings all along it while still maintaining that ‘cave’ feel). After that you go into a deeper pool followed by a water wall entrance to the aviary. You can also get out and walk through chambered doors to the aviary and feed/interact with the birds.

We just floated through, looking at all of the cool looking birds as they flew around above us. The current carried us past another area where you can get out and walk the aviary and then through the exit water wall, which keeps the birds from flying out.

After that there are some themed areas of the river including some Atlantis-style pieces and a sunken cannon. Then you come around a bend and there is an underwater window that lets you look into the coral reef area. From there it is a few more turns and you are back to the pool area.

DW and the moms had the girls under their watchful eye so I walked back up the beach

…and around…

…over to the dolphin lagoon

They break everyone up into groups of eight or less and set times for them to interact with the dolphins. Our time wasn’t until 3pm. Here are some other folks enjoying their time with them.

From there I walked over to the Conservation Station, where they have animal and marine exhibits and interactions with a focus on protecting/restoring the environment for animals and humans alike. When I was there they were speaking about different birds and specifically owl breeds and their environments and the effect of human encroachment.

I scoped out a couple of areas on the river

…and then checked out the coral reef area

The coral reef, ray pool, and dolphin cove areas have temps around 77 degrees to make the marine life as comfortable as possible. On a hot day I can imagine it would be very refreshing, but for us it was just a touch on the cool side.

More to come on our aquatic adventures!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics as usual.

Biff's son and granddaughter did the over ngiht stay at DC and loved it. It looks like alot of fun.

 

[Leger13]

Yeah, glad to have that one behind me. And yes, we got everything worked out. Yup, ticket was no fun, but I was speeding so what can ya do, aye? Yay for the b-day weekend



Amen to that. And the only bad thing that happened with the camping was a faulty (cheap) bike rack that started coming apart. It caused DD11 & her friend's bikes to drag the ground for about 50ft. Ended up costing $42 to get both of them repaired. I know we'll be more together for the next trip



No worries, all is well now. Had to work at DW's for 7hrs, but at least I get paid well for that ...hehehe. Yup, the joys of being a techno-geek. Today will be a mostly restful day though. Hope yours is too!

yeah, not much you can do about the speeding ticket since you were speeding. Them's are the breaks

oh well, I'd say that's not too bad then. Just get a better bike rack for next time

glad you got to rest today after working so much. My day was pretty restful too. saw an old friend and spent time with the inlaws

btw, great update!! love all the pictures. That place looks so fun! What a neat experiance

 

[jordanyosh]

Great pix!!!!

That's all I got for you..I'm beat from a long weekend.....I'll be back with comments when I get some rest....

 

[mnmrmustard]

great update and pics as usual.

Biff's son and granddaughter did the over ngiht stay at DC and loved it. It looks like alot of fun.

Thanks bud. The overnight looked pretty cool, but not one I'd want to do unless it was a wee bit warmer than it was when we were there - hehe

yeah, not much you can do about the speeding ticket since you were speeding. Them's are the breaks

oh well, I'd say that's not too bad then. Just get a better bike rack for next time

glad you got to rest today after working so much. My day was pretty restful too. saw an old friend and spent time with the inlaws

btw, great update!! love all the pictures. That place looks so fun! What a neat experiance

Yup, just gotta roll with it - both with the ticket and the faulty bike rack.

Yes, just kicked back for a while then had a good dinner (pork chops! ) and settled in with DW for some Pirates of the Caribbean online

It is nice to catch up on old friends - gotta keep those connections alive. Hope you had a good visit with the in-laws.

Thanks on the pics, I had to re-find the ones we took with the cheapo underwater cameras and get them ready for posting. Hoping to get an update done before I have to take DD11 to volleyball practice

Oh, and I bit the bullet and picked up a couple of pins from the online disney store, two for me and two for DD11. And an Aristocats snow globe for DD8 - she's got expensive tastes - lol.

Great pix!!!!

That's all I got for you..I'm beat from a long weekend.....I'll be back with comments when I get some rest....

I completely understand about the long weekend - I can't believe it's Monday already! Thanks much for stopping by :-]

 

[Leger13]

Yup, just gotta roll with it - both with the ticket and the faulty bike rack.

Yes, just kicked back for a while then had a good dinner (pork chops! ) and settled in with DW for some Pirates of the Caribbean online

It is nice to catch up on old friends - gotta keep those connections alive. Hope you had a good visit with the in-laws.

Thanks on the pics, I had to re-find the ones we took with the cheapo underwater cameras and get them ready for posting. Hoping to get an update done before I have to take DD11 to volleyball practice

Oh, and I bit the bullet and picked up a couple of pins from the online disney store, two for me and two for DD11. And an Aristocats snow globe for DD8 - she's got expensive tastes - lol.

yum pork chops I haven't had those in forever!

oh for sure. It is hard to do that after everyone is an adult. Lives just get in the way. We did have a good visit with the in-laws. Thanks

YOu're welcome. Looking forward to seeing the under water pictures

You just can't resist those pins. Especially when there's a sale going on. You should take pictures of them when you get them and post 'em here. I love me some pin porn

Cool that you got a snow globe for DD8 too. I'm sure she's gonna love it? any special occasion for these gifts or is it just because you love them so much?