Insert Catchy Title Here: An August TR 13 Years in the Making **Finished! 12/31

[Beka]

Just started reading your TR, your son is adorable!!! Have to ask, where are you going to nursing school. I used to live is SC and started out at Coastal Carolina U in Myrtle Beach then went to MUSC. I love SC and am missing it terribly right now with our 6 inches of snow!! Going back to read more about your trip.


Melissa

I'm at Horry Georgetown Tech. I'll finish in May. I'll do my preceptor at Conway probably, since I have a contract with them, and we have our critical care clinicals at Grand Strand. How long have you been gone from SC? I'd like to get my masters, prob. from MUSC. CCU is suppose to start a BSN program soon.


I would die in 6" of snow. You need to get your heiney back to the South STAT!

 

[MAJ RN]

I went to Horry Georgetown for some of my prereqs and enjoyed it there. If you can go to MUSC, GO!!! I loved the experience there and was given opportunities to do some extra work with the medical student which I felt helped in my overall education. I miss SC so much!! My youngest brother still lives in Charleston so I visit frequently and plan to go back in late March early April for a visit. Also have to tell you that I love the pic of your son and father on IASW, I can tell that your dad is on . I feel the same way about Sea World, if I am in Disney I want nothing but Disney!!! Can't wait to read more!!


Melissa

 

[Beka]

When we last left off, we were bored in a hot fishy land. Back on sacred ground, it was time to eat. Kyle is a bit of a Food Network junkie, and especially likes Iron Chef. When I told him that Kat Cora was opening a restaurant, that was the ONE thing he got really excited about, so I tried, with success to get a reservation.

Inside the lobby:

There’s a hidden Mickey in there!

Sneak peek at the restaurant while we wait:

See that post there in the middle of the pic? We sat right beside it.

Children, shield your eyes, because it’s time for some Food Porn!
Goat Cheese-stuffed Grape Leaf

Large Grape Leaf filled with Herbed Goat Cheese and Grilled $6.99
This was yummy! Perfect mix of creamy cheese & salty olives. Yum.

Kyle’s dish:

Oak-fired Pork T-bone with Farmhouse Greens and Citrus-Fennel Marmalade $26.99
Ok, this was just so-so, especially after the appy. The “t-bone” (aka pork chop) was bland, but cooked perfectly.

Kyle also got a side, just to try something else:

Kouzzina Smashed Garlic-fried Potatoes $5.99
Also not so great, but not horrible. Some were seasoned perfectly, others weren’t. We chalked this up to the fact that at this particular point in time, the restaurant hadn’t been open long & they were still perfecting things.

My dish:

Pastitsio Greek-style Lasagna with Bucatini Pasta, Cinnamon-stewed Meat Sauce, and Bechamel $19.99
Also known as “perfection”. This was soooo yummy, I still crave it! OMG. Where’s Sophia when I need her?!

This was all I was able to eat of it:

The kitchen:

Us post-meal, all full & ready to hit up some rides!

After dinner, we walked a little around the Boardwalk, but didn’t hang around long because we were itching to get to DHS. Kyle did say he was interested in Boardwalk as a place to possibly stay in the future!

 

[Beka]

We drove over to DHS after dinner. This was going to be a night of firsts for both of us! Kyle had never been to DHS. Had I have known this, I would have scheduled a day for the park, but then again, it’s pretty cool at night, so I’m happy with the way it worked out.

We headed toward Toy Story Mania, but the stand-by time was insane & there were no more Fast Passes, so we moved on to Star Tours. This was a first for me!

I saw another DISer in line (Bittersk), but the line was moving pretty smoothly & I didn’t get a chance to embarrass my husband, I mean, call out to her. Oh well.

ST was pretty neat, but could really use some updating. I got a kick out of all the 80s fashions.

Now we moved on to another first for me: Tower of Terror! OMG, I was soooo nervous! I texted Jenn, but she hadn’t ridden it either at that point either, so that didn’t calm me down any.

Overall I loved it. Scared me though, but I thought it was less intense than Expedition Everest.

We then tried TSM again. The stand-by was 60 minutes at this point, so we figured why not? I was so tired by that point, I just wanted to rest, and standing in line does NOT count as rest. I can go all day as long as I keep moving, but my back was SCREAMING as well as my feet at that point.

Mr. Potatohead was really cool.

All in all, a great ride.

I just stink at video games.

Our last ride for the night was Great Movie Ride.

An oldie (very old) but a goodie. I still like this attraction, but it needs to be updated too.

We really wanted to do some shopping & grab a milkshake, but the park was closing relatively soon & we were completely beat, so we headed home.

Night, night DHS.

Some random shots from around the park that night:

I like the sign in the lower right corner of the window.

Nice name!

What all happens on our last full day at WDW? Stick around & find out!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Great updates! I am thrilled to be mentioned a couple of times! BTW- I hated Tower of Terror! Glad you liked it some!

Also, I am totally stealing the 1st anniversary of my 29th birthday line I almost died when I read that!

So how was your Christmas!?! Sorry for all the junk you have been going through! post some pics of baby boy!

I'll post some pics on your page as soon as I get them up on photobook!

 

[Beka]

Great updates! I am thrilled to be mentioned a couple of times! BTW- I hated Tower of Terror! Glad you liked it some!

Also, I am totally stealing the 1st anniversary of my 29th birthday line I almost died when I read that!

So how was your Christmas!?! Sorry for all the junk you have been going through! post some pics of baby boy!

I'll post some pics on your page as soon as I get them up on photobook!

I had TOT built up so much in my head, that short of it throwing me to my death, I was bound to have a decent time on it. I was also expecting the full 13 story drop, which didn't happen on our ride. I love the way the place is decorated (I say as I listen to music from the 20s-40s).

Christmas was good. Not great, since we spent SO much time in KY that we didn't get to do stuff as the 3 of us, which took away some from the Christmas feeling. The tree is coming down today since the trash comes tomorrow & they're taking trees this week. I love my little tree & I finally could smell it today.

All 3 kids:

Conner playing in the box of gifts his aunt sent him:

The view from Mom & Dad's place:

Snow in TN on the drive from KY to SC:

 

[inkedupmomma]

awe I'm sorry you feel like you got Christmas robbed The good news is, Connor won't really remember this years festivities or lack there of! So next year you can go double all out!

That make you feel better??

Btw- i don't think I knew that you could drop 13 stories on ToT..... Idk if our ride did, but every drop felt like a million to us! HATED it!

 

[Beka]

awe I'm sorry you feel like you got Christmas robbed The good news is, Connor won't really remember this years festivities or lack there of! So next year you can go double all out!

That make you feel better??

Btw- i don't think I knew that you could drop 13 stories on ToT..... Idk if our ride did, but every drop felt like a million to us! HATED it!

I was assuming it was that much, I could be WAY off.

 

[Beka]

We all got up early & decided to hit up the MK so that Conner could finally meet some characters. We arrived by 8:15. I headed to Town Square (I think that’s what it’s called?) to meet Chip while Kyle ran to get fast passes for BTMRR.

After the pics with Chip, Conner & I walked over to the hub in front of the castle & I shot a few photos. I also saw a group of people training for their new jobs! Lucky ducks!

When Kyle met up with us, we decided to go to Fantasyland & ride Peter Pan before the line got ridiculous, since we had plenty of time before Toon Town Fair opened. Our group was split, and my parents & Kyle’s parents rode Snow White & a few others.

On the way to Peter Pan:

Peter Pan Pics:

A hidden Mickey in the queue:

After Peter Pan, we hit up Pooh. Conner *loved* this ride! He was saying “Oooh!” in the heffalump room. I thought it was really cute too.

We poked around the gift shop for a bit while Kyle got a cream cheese pretzel. (Have I mentioned how yummy these things are?)

We then headed to Toon Town Fair. We had a little wait before it opened and a crowd was starting to gather.

Lucky for us, most of the children in the crowd were girls who were itching to meet fairies & princesses. Phew!

After hanging out in Toon Town for a bit, we hopped the train & rode it around the park to Frontierland so Kyle & I could ride BTMRR. FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!! I was pumped about this! My parents & in-laws & Conner stayed on the train to make one more loop & catch a breeze.

That was a fun ride, but I almost wish it went slower so I could see all the detail that went into the ride. Guess I’ll have to ride it again some time!

 

[Beka]

We called our parents when we got off BTMRR & decided to meet up at Columbia Harbor House. When they came up with Conner, he wasn’t looking good. He was rally pale & very sweaty. We quickly got him something to drink & out of the stroller & into the AC. After he got some food & drink in him, it was obvious he was feeling better. Mom, Dad, my FIL, & I all had the fish ‘n chips. They were good, but it was basically a jumbo fish stick. Dad also tried a side of clam chowder, which he said was good. My MIL got the anchors aweigh which she liked, & Kyle got the chicken salad, which was deemed edible.

We all decided that it was pretty hot out that day (by the time we were done eating it was around noon) so we would take it easy. My in-laws took Conner back to the condo for a nap, while Kyle & I along with my parents went to the Emporium so that I could spend my gift certificate. I got a few photo frames, a mug, a pen, and a shirt. All in all, I was pleased with my purchases, & still use them. It’s nice to start a day with a WDW mug, ya know?

I wanted to go back & watch Philharmagic, but it was so hot that the thought of walking back there was exhausting, so we headed back to the room to pack.

On the way to the Emporium, we caught the tail end (TAIL – get it? Mouse, tail… hah!) of this show:

Some pics from around Mail Street:

Any of you see that show about Ub Iwerks & his contribution to Disney? It’s fascinating.

My final monorail ride:

(I totally cried a little.)

We headed to the pool once we got to the room, but it was too full. My final straw was the man who came by us with a cigarette & said “Watch out! I’m a little drunk!” No CPR for me today, thanks, I’m outta there. That’s NOT magical! We went back to the room, packed some, showered, & rested. We settled on Olive Garden for dinner. I’m not a fan, but it’s consistent.

Kyle & I just weren’t through with WDW though. Up next: What we did our final night on Disney property

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Great update!

 

[Beka]

Great update!

Thanks! I'm trying to get it finished before the new year. Then, after May, I hope to start a new PTR!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Thanks! I'm trying to get it finished before the new year. Then, after May, I hope to start a new PTR!

for a sept trip....right??

 

[Beka]

When I last left you, drunks were in the pool, I got to ride BTMRR for the 1st time, and my birthday $$ had been spent.

We decided to go back to EPCOT for Reflections & hang out a little afterward. When we got there, Kyle was dying to ride Test Track, but the stand by was 60 minutes, & there were no FPs, so we tried Mission Space. The stand by time for the wimpy side was about 20 minutes, so we did that one. OMG, I didn’t realize I was that claustrophobic. Yuck. There is no way I could stand the spinning version. At least they have air blowing on your face. Phew.

After MS it was time to head to find a spot to watch Reflections. We stood on the FW side & got a view of most of World Showcase, so it was a pretty good spot.

After Reflections, we tried to go see Figment, but the attraction was closed. *shrug* I needed a potty break & handed Kyle the camera. This is the result:

We then walked over to England & just sat in the gardens in back & soaked in the atmosphere.

After a bit, we thought we might make one final lap around World Showcase, but once we got in France & had a pastry, we were beat, so we headed home.

Well. That’s it. Trip’s over. The ride home was uneventful.

Right now I’m not planning a trip back to WDW, but that’s because I’m trying to survive nursing school. I love the DIS but it’s a huge distraction when I’m trying to get some homework done. Facebook is bad enough! If I’m quiet on any of your trip reports, just know that I’m lurking, reading, and living vicariously through your posts. I truly enjoy seeing my happy place through someone else’s eyes, & I hope I did the same for you.

Happy New Year!

 

[inkedupmomma]

so... no September trip??? when is this nursing school over??? Great update though!

 

[Beka]

so... no September trip??? when is this nursing school over??? Great update though!

School is over in May. I might not be able to stand NOT planning before then! Though, I was thinking, that when I start my job, I'll need to tell them out the gate that I have a WDW trip planned & give them dates so they can schedule accordingly.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Great update and an awesome end to the trip! The pool drunk cracked me up. For a minute I thought I was reading Jordans TR! Hope you guys are able to make it back soon!

 

[Beka]

Great update and an awesome end to the trip! The pool drunk cracked me up. For a minute I thought I was reading Jordans TR! Hope you guys are able to make it back soon!

I thought of his TR when I wrote that! He's a magnet for drunks!

The plan is to go back as a graduation gift, I just don't know when. It's hard to plan a trip before you have the $$ to fund it, especially when you do Dave Ramsey's plan!

 

[praisehisname]

Great updates! I really enjoyed reading your report!

 

[Beka]

Great updates! I really enjoyed reading your report!

Yay! Glad you enjoyed it!