Jumping, Dancing & Jamming Our Way Through Walt Disney World! I'm With the Band Now!

[racefanof88]

LOVE IT!!! Now I'm gonna go send one!

 

[TinksThree]

John says I don't need to be barging in on Lacey and Jesse and that I have to share her with his family too. I told him that they will get to see her all the time and I won't so that's sharing. I need to get the names of some hotels from you just in case we do go to Tennessee. If we do go, our dates will probably be just like your's. John can't take off many days from work either.

I agree with you! I think if they were living LA and you tagged along to Knoxville..then you may possibly be "barging in" but they already "have her! Right?!?!

I will PM some of the hotels.

I wonder if that was the same Suburban. We were between Jackson and Meridian when we saw it. So, that's in your neck of the woods.

I could tell they were both MS tags but that was about it. My picture was so blurry. I saw it and started digging in my purse for my camera. Then I had a thought people may think I was stalking or something and tried to take the picture very quickly!

I read through that thread on the discounts. One thing I got from it was that some people seemed to think that people consider the discounts an entitlement. My thinking from there went more with the thought it isn't an entitlement but when the rates are already so much higher (except Values for the most part) than off site and quality can sometimes be down then that is where I seem to begin looking at the discounts. I am constantly looking at the best pricing option both on-site and off-site but I just love being on-site so much! I prefer spending money on other things than just rooms and tickets.

 

[mickeystoontown]

My internal alarm clock went off a little after 8:00 a.m. What the heck? Doesn't my brain know that I'm on vacation? Guess not. Oh well, it was time for John to take his morning dose of meds anyway and, of course, I forgot to put them in his room. I called over to the other room and they didn't answer. So, I called his cell phone and he didn't answer. I called Hunter's cell phone and he didn't answer. Come on guys....answer your darn phones! Dumb me forgot that I had one of his room keys in my purse. I walked out into the hallway with my puffed up on one side/smooshed on the other hair and Tinkerbell night shirt on and slipped the room key into their door. Didn't work! I thought they said they fixed it. I knocked on the door and nothing.

I went back into my room and started the phone calls again. One on the hotel phone and one on my cell phone. They were going to answer their doggone phones or else. Finally, after about 10 tries, John answers and said "did you call me?" Uh yeah like 50 times. (no need to let him know it was just 10 ) Open your door, my key doesn't work.

John took his meds and slipped back into the bed. I went back to my room and tried to go to sleep but couldn't of course. I turned on the television and started watching the Casey Anthony trial. What a bunch of horse poo! Why they didn't find that woman guilty of something other than lying to the police, I don't know. But, I won't get into that argument right now. I did doze here and there but it was never a full-on REM sleep.

Around 9:45 or 10:00, Lacey called. She wanted to know what we were doing. I told her that we were trying to catch up on our sleep but I knew we'd all be starving for lunch by the time we were finished getting up and ready for the day. I told her we'd call her when we were ready and she and Jesse could come to the hotel and we'd follow them to where ever Jesse suggested we eat for lunch. After getting off the phone, I called John again and this time he answered the second phone call. He said they'd get up and start getting ready. I called Mama too and she had been up for an hour or so. She had already gone down and gotten something from the continental breakfast.

An hour or so later, everybody met in my room and I called Lacey so that they could come get us. We had no idea what was nearby or even where we were since we came in to town super late. While we waited, we watched more of the Casey Anthony trial. Did I tell ya'll that I can't believe they found her not guilty of anything other than lying to the police? Oh yeah, I said I wasn't going to talk about that.

After a little while, Lacey called and said they were at the hotel so we went down to get our hugs. We hadn't seen Jesse since Lacey's birthday in April and I was anxious to see my big boy (Hunter's my little boy.) I was also happy to see Lacey since she had been in Tennessee for a couple of weeks. This mini-reunion brought tears to my eyes because I know that I'm not going to get to see my two babies very often when they are living in Tennessee. Misty eyes were cleared when our stomachs started growling and reminding us that we hadn't eaten anything that morning.

Jesse said there was a burger place not too far away that was really good. We told him to lead the way and we'd follow along. Soon, we were pulling into Fuddrucker's. (Thus the.....be careful how you say this restaurant's name or you'll say a cuss word.....reference.) I've seen the t-shirts. I've seen the name. I've heard the reviews. But, I had never eaten there.

When we walked in, we could see that we had hit the restaurant at just the right time because there were lots of empty tables and only three people in front of us in the line. We all placed our orders, got our glasses, fixed our drinks and found a table large enough for the six of us. After just about 10 minutes, they called our name and our food was ready.

While we were waiting, Lacey was telling Jesse about how everybody reads my trip reports and how I have to take pictures of everything. That was right about the time I took my camera out of my purse and sat it on the table. I guess she was preparing him for what was to come.

Hunter and Lacey were happy to see each other. After all, it had been a whole two weeks since we had seen her.

John and Jesse went to get our food and when they came back, it all looked super delish! I was only able to snap a picture of my burger because everybody else had taken off to the toppings bar before I could get pictures of their's.

Speaking of the toppings bar, I was as impressed with it as I am of the one at Pecos Bill's. They had homemade salsa, banana pepper rings, relish, chopped onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce and a few other things. They also had the requisite mayo and mustard. In addition, they had jalapeno cheese and cheddar cheese just like at Pecos Bill's. Yum yum!

We had such a good time sitting and laughing together. I am so happy that Jesse fits in so well with us. He likes to laugh, tell corny jokes and make silly faces. Just like a true McBride!

Mama and John had been eyeballing the ice cream counter every since we had come in. Lacey had commented on the delicious looking cookies in the display counter. John, Mama and Jesse got mini ice cream cones and Lacey got a cookie. Hunter is not a big dessert eater so he passed and I just nibbled on a piece of Lacey's cookie.

While John was waiting on his ice cream, he got Hunter a Fuddrucker's hat:

Who knew that a little paper hat would cause such laughter. I don't know why we thought it was so funny but it was. Of course, it helped that Hunter was acting all silly and telling funny jokes while wearing it.

After lunch, we went to a nearby Walmart to buy transmission fluid. Hunter had forgotten to pack his contact solution and I had lost my sunglasses so we needed those as well. We looked around for a little while and I was delighted to see that they still had their fabric department. Our's closed a while back and I was sad to see it go. I bought three pieces of fabric and could have bought more but I didn't want everybody to have to wait on me.

Lacey and Jesse were busting at the seams to show us their apartment. We were anxious to see it as well. Again, we followed them because we had no idea where to go. The drive to the apartment took about 10 minutes and was in a nice semi-secluded area. The apartments are two story buildings and have nice shady outside seating areas. There's also laundry facilities, a tennis court and swimming pool there and each require a key to get in which is nice.

The apartment itself was really cute. Much nicer than the one bedroom piece of poo we lived in when we first got married. I wish I had pictures to show you guys but I forgot to take any. I know.....I can't believe it either.

We unloaded all the stuff that we brought with us and then hung out at the apartment for a while. Jesse's parents wanted to cook dinner for us at his brother's house that night. We were all still pretty tired and decided to go back to the hotel for a while and try to nap before we met them for dinner. They took us back to the hotel and told us they'd be back around 5:30 or so to pick us up.

As is usually the case when you're on vacation, it was hard for us to sleep. I take that back, it was hard for Hunter, Mama and I to sleep. John...he had no problems at all. He can sleep anytime, anywhere. We were ready when Lacey and Jesse came back for us and we spent a nice evening with Jesse's brother, sister in law, mother and father. It was good to spend time with them and know that Lacey will have a family in Tennessee that loves her. Jesse's dad told us a way to get to Gatlinburg that was the "back way". We weren't sure what we were going to do the next day but Gatlinburg was a possibility.

Before we parted ways with Lacey and Jesse again, we made arrangements for them to meet us the next morning so that we could figure out what we were going to do. They had a 9 a.m. meeting with Jesse's uncle to look at the pictures he had taken of them earlier in the week. They said they'd call us when they were on their way.

Oh wait....I forgot to mention something....Mama didn't go with us to eat with Jesse's family. She had stomach "issues" and didn't think it would be best to leave the hotel that evening.

I had noticed a stand with travel brochures in the hotel by the vending machines and we stopped to look at them before going up to our room. It was then that I noticed a few "different" items for sale in the vending machines.

I thought it was pretty smart to put the toothbrushes, combs, sewing kits, etc. in the machines. It sure beats having to run to Walmart to get them if you forgot them at home.

We called Mama to check on her. She said she had taken some meds and was feeling better. She asked how our dinner went and if we had a good time. We told her that we did and that we still hadn't decided what to do the next day. She said she was good with whatever we wanted and to call her in the morning.

We watched a little televison. Did I tell ya'll that I can't believe that Casey Anthony...... Even after looking at brochure after brochure, we still couldn't decide what to do the next day.

***Up next: Who's idea was it to do this?

 

[TinksThree]

I totally agree about the Casey Anthony trial!! What is up with that? Hard to believe it just ended yet it was going strong when we were at Disney!!

How clever to put the toothbrushes and medicines and such in the vending machine! And I was right!!!!! I thought it would be Fuddruckers!!! I was waiting for you to say John made a salad out of the topping bar...and then fell asleep... while talking on his cell phone with the Pecos Bill reference....

Interested in that "back way". We are always looking for alternative routes to Gatlinburg...anyway other than going through Sevierville!!!!

 

[racefanof88]

Love the pictures . I agree, it was a great idea for the hotel to put those items in the vending machine. Those are the small things that a lot of people forget to pack. Now you and I, we pack the kitchen sink when we go .

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Nice update. Toothbrushes in a vending machine would be quite handy right now. We are in CA (Disneyland tomorrow) and discovered my DD forgot hers at home. Guess I will have to find a shop. Luckily that seems to be the only thing forgotten this trip.

 

[Caretames1]

OMG! I LOVE Fuddruckers! They have one about a half hour from us and we go about once a month. I think the pickles are the best!

Don't get me started about Casey Anthony I will say, GOD will be the final judge!



The vending machine cracked me up, the only thing missing would be some pepto!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

First of all, I totally agree with you about Casey Anthony. And that's all I'm going to say.

We have a Fuddruckers right by my office. Never been there. Sounds good though.

And that may be the best vending machine ever. Toothbrush, Advil, etc is so smart to have. Convenient for the guests so they don't have to go shopping, and for the hotel so they don't have to have extras either for those that ask, but they can assist guests but telling them where to get them!

Can't wait to hear what you decided to do the next day.

 

[MEK]

I totally love your letter. I don't think Disney will get rid of its discounts. It may cut back, but I think discounts are part of the master plan to get people hooked. For all the discounts they give, they are hoping to get a certain amount of $ back in other expenditures - party tickets, souvies, dining, alcohol, dessert parties. They know that once people are there, they are willing to open their pocket book wider.

That being said, one of the reasons I bought DVC was so I didn't need to stress about discounts. One year I found I was really getting obsessed with free dining. I didn't like it. I got wrapped up in the hysteria.


about Lacey's comment when you took the camera out at Fuddrucker's. That's something my son Nick would say.

 

[RedRed]

Thankyou for the awsome trip reports , such wonderful writing

 

[aprilisis]

Great update, Lisa! I love the Fuddruckers toppings, too- we only have one in the Foxwoods casino in CT & a few north of Boston, though, so I don't get to go often.
Ugh- don't get me started on the Casey Anthony trial! That's all I can say.
I can't wait to hear more about TN!! I've always wanted to go there.

 

[jenseib]

Love the letter. I hope they actually listen to people and read that thread too.
I have never been to Fuddruckers, but have heard good things about them. I don't even know if I've ever seen one or drove past one. LOL! But I will have to give it a try if I ever get near one.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Just wanted to post a copy of part of the continued discussion that's going on over on the Discounts and Deals (or whatever the proper name is) thread:

Originally Posted by Amy&Dan
Lisa, when people like you are thinking of not going toWDW for their next vacation, to me that should be very concerning to Disney.

We have been 17 times in the past 8 years, we just got back from two wonderful weeks.

But when I plug in our dates for next June, same two weeks, same resort, same tickets, same meal plan and its over $2200 (I got free dining this year)more it makes me realize there's not offering discounts and then there's simply a ludicrious difference in what I have been paying vs. what I will pay if in fact Disney does not offer me a discount.

I am pretty sure we will still go, it will most likely be our last trip before our son joins the Marines in 2013 but we will have to drop the hoppers, water parks, QSDP and probably a few days to make it happen if we don't get that discount.

I am composing an email to send to Disney.

I have two very dear friends who are as Disney addicted as I am. One is not going at all in 2012, the other is currently contemplating cancelling her upcoming trip. They have both been going for many years and their kids have grown up going to WDW. Its just sad.

My Reply:
As you know, we have never contemplated spending our Summer vacations anywhere else but at Disney. Well....there was that time when I had a really high fever, was halucinating, talking out of my head and thought about going on a two week road trip out West. But, then, I took two aspirins, went to bed and woke up with a clearer mind.

In all seriousness, this is the first time in many, many years that we are seriously thinking about spending our money (or at least a significant portion of it) elsewhere. Like you, we will, in all likelihood, still go to Walt Disney World, but we may also shorten the stay at Disney and venture to other places in Orlando. I've already looked into the deals that Universal is offering as well as those offered by Sea World. In addition, I'm researching offsite tourist attractions, restaurants and hotels. I've got to admit that those other resorts/attractions are looking mighty tempting.

I used to be the one who was always championing Disney's perks and extolling the benefits of staying onsite and telling everyone that those perks and benefits far outweighed the money-saving costs of staying offsite. However, with the constant rise in the prices, I am not sure that I can continue to do so. Yes, I love the fact that I can park my car and let Disney do the driving for us. Yes, I love spending those extra evening hours in the park. Yes, I love the convenience of having the dining plan. Yes, I love having Disney take my packages to my resort for me. Even still, I know that I can do without those perks because we did without them many years ago when were "offsiters".

Just like you, I plugged in dates for next year to get an idea of what I could expect for our 2012 vacation. I used the same number of days, same resort, same tickets....but one less person. The total for three people without dining, was $265.19 more than I paid this year for four people. When I added dining, it increased the price by $1,546.20. That's more than half of what our rooms and tickets (8 day with no add ons) would cost.

I am known as the unofficial Walt Disney World vacation planner in my social circle. I've helped people from all walks of life and with varying budgets (Judges, Judge's secretaries, Assistant District Attorneys, attorneys, members of our church family and family members) price out and plan their vacations to Walt Disney World. They know they can come to me to tell them like it is. Well, telling them like it is now is different than it was before.

I truly hope that everybody here on the boards realize that they need to put pen to paper (okay, so most folks don't actually write "real" letters any more but ya'll know what I am talking about )and voice their thoughts and concerns to Disney. Like I said in my email to Disney, I am just one little fish in the sea that swims/travels to Walt Disney World every year but I wanted them to hear what I had to say. Maybe if all of us did this, they'd feel more inclined to continue to put special offers out there that we can all use. If they don't, then we will all "do what we gotta do".

 

[natebenma]

Fantastic letter, Lisa! I am going to send one, myself, and let Disney know that one of the reasons we booked the Universal trip this year is because we were not offered a discount (which is partially true). I won't mention, however, that we dropped a whole load of money at our day at MK because we couldn't resist the Mouse...

Thanks for your kind words about my report!

Gotta go back and read your trip posts now.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I've finally gotten my boss out the door and on his way to New Orleans. He is getting married there tomorrow night and I couldn't be happier for myself....I mean him. He's been very scatter brained lately and has been driving me even more Coo-Coo for Cocoa Puffs than I already am. Best Wishes to him and his bride-to-be!

Before I start responding to your replies, I wanted to post a few pictures that Lacey and Jesse had taken while she was in Tennessee.

Lacey got this crazy idea for them to jump in the fountain and take pictures there. Jesse thought she was nuts but went along with her anyway. I'm so glad he did because these are my favorite pictures out of the 100+ they had taken and they show Lacey's free spirit:

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

What great pictures!!
Lacey is so pretty.....even soaking wet!!!

They look so happy.....oh, to be young and in love again

I think the fountain pictures are the best!

 

[Woth2982]

Lacey looks JUST like you in that last photo! I LOVE the fountain photos. I was listening to a song called "tightrope" and it was at the Chorus and it seems to be the perfect song for those photos! They came out so well. So happy for them!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

First of all, I love what you wrote on the board! I am staying onsite at POP in February but I doubt I will stay onsite again after this. My hotel that I stayed at in November was 1/3 the price what I am paying at POP, was new (only open 8 months at that time) and the room was about the same as what I am getting at POP. And it is only 7 miles from WDW. But I really wanted to stay onsite again to see how worth it is for me. Unless I win the lottery soon or find myself a rich man rotfl2 I probably will have to stay offsite after the next trip. I will be writing Disney later myself about prices too.

I love the pictures of Lacey and Jesse! I can't believe they got over 100 taken. The fountain ones definitely show personality and are adorable.

 

[ronnmel]

Lovely pictures, and I agree with you, the ones in the fountain are the best!

 

[aprilisis]

I love those photos of Lacey & Jesse in the fountain! They are awesome.
I have to say that I was thinking of not going to Disney next year. I like your idea about all of us writing letters. The thing that ticks me off is that I can NEVER get an annual pass discount anymore. I have tried on every trip, but they always "run out of rooms available at the discounted price".