June-11 Trip: Are you Eating, Flying and Sailing Nuts? FINAL UPDATE 9/14

[cj9200]

Excuse me while I paddle to the Rhineland and see how Dirk is doing since I called him Fed Ex MVP and Ich bin loserhausen for years on end. Now they suck because Cuban caught on and brought a psychologist to team Mavs and Dirk got his an actual MVP while he was still wearing a playoff uniform.

Now you are talking smack.

I forgot to say thank you. Thank you.

I am. And I was so unsure how I would feel. Not about downtown - I ADORE it. Just about a new area. I used to live in PRIME downtown. (By complete accident - I just bought in years before anyone else could catch on that drugs, hostels and prostitutes a few blocks up could not take away the beauty. LOCATION. 'LOCATION. LOCATION. )

So I was unsure because I wanted to be back in my old one (ten years). This one is preplanned (blech) and spaced out. I love conjestion.

But it is great and I barely made it back into the downtown market. So Ièm - OMG this keyboard is going to steal my shaky sanity - grateful.

Itès young. LIKE YOUNG YOUNG. Sunday mornings are as interesting as Saturday nights. All these young men out walking so early. I have no idea where theyève been all night.

Parties are like fifty on one balcony. Itès hysterical. Great energy youth brings. Even noise is okay - reminds me of university days.

I have no idea why I just wrote a synopsis of my move.

Big step. Glad you like the change in scenery.

The disboards is going to irritate me and force me to say something. Imagine it for me. Ièm much too tired.

Funny. No way I am going to get into anyone else’s head though. Mine is crowded enough.

Loved the picture, comment and the link.

As for your dive - fantastic. It must feel like pure freedom. In general I mean - not just with your recovery. Or maybe I should actually ask what a dive feels like instead of imagining for myself.

I am all caught up but donèt have it in me to deal with losing posts or this da*n keyboard for one more second. And Iève inadvertently spent hours on posting on this TR today. And itès heaven outside. We have been blessed with days and days and days of gorgeous weather.

The Victoria and Albert post was one of my favourite posts of all your TRs. But then again I love food.

Thanks. I am so glad surprise #1 came off the way it did.

It felt really good to get back into the water. Diving is an awesome experience. You do feel a sense of freedom because if your buoyancy is right, gravity is negated and you are weightless. It is also neat exploring a totally different environment. Just you and the fishes. It is also a good aerobic exercise.

Hope you went out and enjoyed the weather.

And V&A was obviously my favorite meal of the trip.

Oh hey neighbor! I love PA Dutch cooking, so yummy! I grew up in the Upper Perkiomen Valley and now live in Doylestown, so we're not that far from each other! I have to say my very favorite thing is the Shoefly pie, I just love that! That's Dutch right? I find the Dutch pastries and desserts just yummy!

Wow! You know about Scrapple all the way on the other side of the country? I'm so impressed!! From what I understand (somethings are best unconfirmed ) scrapple is pretty much what it sounds like, it's the scraps that aren't used in any of the other pork products, like hot dogs. It's really a love or hate it thing, most people are not fans, but I have to say, I really like it!
How are you doing? Thanks again for the AKV 2 bedroom pics. I showed my sister-in-law and she was so excited and it was completely not what she had expected!!!!!!

When I was a kid, my parents often took is to Penn. Dutch country. Really beautiful and an interesting sub-culture. We would mostly stay at a resort in Lancaster. It had an indoor and outdoor pool. During the winter people would go to the outdoor pool, stay as long as they could and then run into the sauna. My brother and I did it more than a few times. Talk about waking the senses.

Oh, there is no comparisons between hot dogs and scrapple. Just don’t go there. If you do, I may have to give up hot dogs forever. Don’t like to think about what actually is in them.

So much to catch up on after 2 weeks away but I have really enjoyed doing so - have you ever considered writing comedy as a 2nd career? And has your DD seen your comments about the EE pictures?
You were so lucky to catch the lion in action- I have never even seen any of the lions even standing up, never mind roaring!
Oh, I agree completely about getting older and your experience of RnRC- I managed to skip it this time due to whiplash from a ride at Typhoon Lagoon (that's my story and I'm sticking to it)

What a lovely surprise going to V&A -glad you had such a lovely meal there. I hope I manage to eat there one of these days.

Thanks for your earlier reply about the July 4th fireworks - we went to Epcot on your recommendation and it was AMAZING. Way better than the show at the MK which we saw on the 3rd (even though that was pretty spectaular too!) Loved it!

Hope you have enjoyed your dive trip and I am looking forward to the next instalment.

Hope you had a great time over here. Epcot is cool on the 4th, haven’t done it in a number of years. Maybe next year. Meanwhile, I recommend to anyone that can and wants to, try V&A at least once. I realize how lucky I am to be able to afford both the time and money to visit WDW a lot and do things like this. Wish DD thought so. I’m kidding of course. She does realize it.

Comedy writer? Never thought of it. Isn’t going to happen but thanks. I am thinking about killing some time to start a blog though. Don’t know step 1 on how to do it though. No DD has not seen the EE pics. Saving them for a good time to show her.

The conditions for diving were perfect last weekend. I went with a very good friend and we had a great time in the water. Still need help getting in and out of the boat but the crew is very helpful. They know me well and are glad to help.

I'm a foodie, I make it a point to know about all kinds of things all food, high end and common folk. My parents brought me up on mid to upper class food, but not the the really high end (I've discovered that on my own). They avoided what might be called "peasant food" but I have discovered a new love for comfort food of the masses, Chicken Fried Steak, Ham & Hominy, and many other foods my parents never introduced me to. I have not ever tried scrapple, but have heard of it on many food shows. I will have to at least try it, I've had Haggis before and it sounds pretty similar.

Anyways back to CJs TR....Love V&A's, seeing what they do for vegetarians was really cool. I'm an omnivore so the only thing I say "no" to there is salmon cause I don't like it.

HAGGAS? No way Jose. I used to be a very picky eater and am still somewhat like that. Trying to expand my tastes but there are some things there is no chance I will eat. That includes all the tofu stuff DD eats.

Like most eateries at Disney, they are very vegetarian friendly. At V&A the chef puts as much thought and care to the vegetarian menu as they do the main menu.

Yay! Anxiously awaiting an update!!! A side note, hows your Mac working for you? We just bought the Mac Book Pro and love it, though I don't think we're using it to the full potential!

Also have a Mac Book Pro and love it. Wish I changed many years ago. Having a couple of problems and instead of trying to fix it myself, I will visit the “Genius Bar.” Going to have my first One to One session later in the week.

One of the problems is with I-Photo which may delay future TR installments. Next update will probably be up tomorrow.

I second that, YEA! I am glad you had a good time with your friend. By the way, I am sure you have heard it often, but your daughter is absolutely beautiful (inside and out). You are very lucky she is willing to occasionally vacation with "just Dad".

Had a great time. Thanks for the compliment on DD. Same could be said about your DD. Just Dad vacations are getting fewer and fewer. At the end of the month, we visit her Aunt and Grandmother in Savanna. From there I drop her off at a friend of hers that lives near Savanna. While she is there, it is a solo road trip for me to Tennessee and Kentucky. We will be going next month to the Keys but I will probably bring 1 with us.

They only take 16-18 people per night, and it comes with the wine flight. We had a sommelier, a dining room manager and the chef. The chef came out with each course and described it. There was a veal reduction with the main entree that was pretty close to the most perfect thing I've ever tasted. The wine flights were bottomless glasses. I don't think my glass was ever empty. The sommelier described each wine and told us what we should be smelling and tasting and how it tasted different with and without the food. It was definitely an amazing experience just a notch above V&A's. I love V&A's, and I don't like to rank anything above the experience, but I have to say this one took the spot.

Wow. Sounds great. Have to get off the meds before I would attempt that because of the wine flights. Love wine.

 

[cj9200]

As you know, the TR has slowed down because I was off to the Keys. Conditions were near perfect. As a holdover, thought I would post a couple of pics. Next update sometime tomorrow.

A little nurse shark chilling in a crevice.

This pic was a total fluke. It looks like the sergeant major is staring down a barracuda. It was actually further in the background out of harms way. Didn’t know I had it until it was downloaded.

A good friend of ours passed away last year. To commemorate his life, other friends placed a plaque on one of the dive sites. He would have loved diving this weekend. We miss you Hans.

It is a real cool area in a swim thru. Lots of color with the coral and tons of fish.

 

[ajf1007]

When I was a kid, my parents often took is to Penn. Dutch country. Really beautiful and an interesting sub-culture. We would mostly stay at a resort in Lancaster. It had an indoor and outdoor pool. During the winter people would go to the outdoor pool, stay as long as they could and then run into the sauna. My brother and I did it more than a few times. Talk about waking the senses.

Oh, there is no comparisons between hot dogs and scrapple. Just don’t go there. If you do, I may have to give up hot dogs forever. Don’t like to think about what actually is in them.


Also have a Mac Book Pro and love it. Wish I changed many years ago. Having a couple of problems and instead of trying to fix it myself, I will visit the “Genius Bar.” Going to have my first One to One session later in the week.

One of the problems is with I-Photo which may delay future TR installments. Next update will probably be up tomorrow.

Lancaster County is a beautiful place! We have many friends who live there and it is so interesting to see a whole different way of life. Gotta be careful of the horse and buggies though, people don't pay enough attention to them.

I love my Mac too! I'm just now starting to download all of my photos that we saved on a disc to the I-Photo, so far I haven't had any issues. Fingers crossed.

I'm so happy you had a wonderful dive trip! I've often thought of doing it, but I'm a bit nervous about being eaten by a shark! Really though, it seems so serene and peaceful! What a wonderful memorial for your friend too, I got all misty when I saw that picture. What good friends you all are.

Very excited for the next installment! Can't wait to see what you further fun you have in store for your DD! What a beautiful girl and you can so see the love for you in her eyes! Such a great dad!

 

[Sandy321]

again, love your perspective! Thank you for taking us on the V&A food tour - I really thought we could do it this year...

one day -

also on a macbook pro - also figure I'm not even close to understanding it - one thing that is driving me crazy is somehow I have multiple pictures of the same shot on iphoto - I know its not the mac - its the driver!

 

[cj9200]

Day 4 Wednesday, June 15: What will today bring? AKA Running around like chickens with our heads cut off.

Last night we got to the room around midnight. I sat out on the balcony for a while just enjoy the evening. There were a few animals out there which surprised me. I thought they all went in at night. There was a smile on my face and I was utterly contented. A great meal, my daughter was a happy camper and I am sitting on my veranda on a beautiful night.

We were checking out of Kidani in the morning and I needed to pack. DD just had to throw some stuff on her face, pack her beauty products and zip her suitcase. I on the other hand had to not only pack my clothes that were neatly folded or hung in the closet but also pack the supplies. I was dead tired so postponed all that to the morning.

Called Mickey to wake us at 9:00 and snuggled under my sheets. All was good with the world.

The next morning, I woke up to a knock on the door. Huh? Look at the clock with the one eye that was open. IT WAS 11:00! Mickey didn’t call me. Probably couldn’t find a phone since they tore down his house in Tunetown. Found out later that Mickey did call. DD picked up the phone an promptly placed it back in its cradle. I never heard it. What is unusual about this is 1) I am almost always up before the sun is and 2) Any noise will wake me and I can’t go back to sleep.

Apologized to housekeeping and we rushed around putting our stuff together. DD was practically useless because of her beauty product needs. What a difference. A few hours ago, we were luxuriating over a quiet dinner and now we were in full rush around mode. In record time we were ready and waiting for bell services to pick up our bags.

I hope the next occupants didn’t have to wait long to get into their room. We were also now under somewhat of a time crunch. Surprise Number 2 was scheduled at 1:00 and we had to be there 30 minutes before that. We still had time but we couldn’t goof around.

Over at the Boardwalk, the security guard welcomed us home and we were greeted in front of lobby entrance by a CM holding a clipboard. He also welcomed us home and escorted us to the front desk. No one was in line so he introduced us to Brian who also welcomed us home. Ahh, the DVC difference.

We had a preferred view and I asked to be close to the elevator on as high a floor as possible. Did not want to walk down that hallway after a park day. DD would have had to carry me or push me in a wheelchair. He showed me around where the assigned room was on the map. Not a bad location. “Let’s see if we can do better.” OK, if you must. Some more taping on the keyboard ensued. “Here is one really close and it is ready now.” OK, I guess I’ll take it. A big Whooo Hoooo on the inside! This is an example of why I do not use online check-in. That and the fact that I can’t log on to the Members Site. Worked with MS Tech people multiple times and they could never get it to work right. So I gave up.

Quick debate over whether to leave the bags in storage or have them delivered. We still were on tract time so why not. As we were waiting for the bags I used the time to take a few pictures of the room.

First up was the view

This is a preferred view and not a Boardwalk View even though we can see part of the Boardwalk. We are in one of the rooms facing the Great Lawn with good sight lines for the BW, the golf ball and the lawn. Fifth floor. Great location. No complaints from me.

Mickey Head. Is it me or are they not getting as creative as they used to with the towel animals.

The bed and pull out.

The bed/couch. DD said that this was more comfortable than the one at AKL

The desk. Internet hookup is here.

TV. Again, my new flat screen is bigger. Ha.

The sitting area. I don’t know about you but we only use this as a dumping area for the luggage.

Provision holding devices

Vanity area

And yes, the tub and commode

You will notice that there is not a picture of the safe. I was going to take a picture of the closet (because I do) when I noticed the safe. Safe? SAFE! Oh no, just then it hit me like a brick in the face. I did not take the cash out of the safe at AKV. Shoot (or rather a more descriptive voicing of emotion).

Counted to 10 and came up with a plan. DD would stay in the room, I would go to the concierge desk and see what they could do. Now time was getting to be a problem. I thought it was $450 in the safe but forgot I spent $200 yesterday. Still $250 is more than a few citrus swirls. The dilemma was to either miss the already paid for surprise or take a chance on getting the cash later. The CM (forgot her name but I think is forgivable because I was stressed) called Kidani and explained the situation. Then she was put on hold. “They are getting a Manager.” And she is on hold. And on hold. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and we are now in a time crunch.

Eventually she hangs up and redials. After a little more holding she speaks to a manager and he promises to go to the room himself and look in the safe. She hangs up and takes my room and cell number and says she will have a manager (she had another name for the person’s title) call me to let me know.

OK, now there is no way we are going to make it. Get the car from valet and we are off. Reached I-4 and luckily traffic wasn’t too bad. I sped down the interstate while DD dialed the place’s number. She hands me the phone and I explain to the person we are running late. “You need to be here by 12:30 or you can’t go. You can’t be a minute late. We will still let you do it later in the day but it won’t be for a couple of hours.” She then asked where we were on I-4. I answer and she deadpans, “You’re not going to make it.

Oh yea? Quickly but safely (kind of like “not running” after rope drop) we zoom down I-4. The place is near Universal and we take the exit. Luckily it was right next to the exit and we screech to a halt in the parking lot. From there it is a dash to the office. Their clock said 12:29:45 as we come up huffing and puffing. “I just called you. Did we make it on time?”

Now I could end here and leave you guessing but that wouldn’t be fair. So, did we make it? Yes, just barely. What did we make? Well, that will have to wait until the next installment.

Up Next Day 4 Part 2 Wednesday, June 15: Surprise Number two. AKA Are you Flying Nuts?

 

[cj9200]

Ooops

 

[mckryan]

Oh no....don't you hate that sinking feeling when you realize you left something behind?! $250 is nothing to sneeze at either! Crossing my fingers that you have good news to report on that front.

Flying nuts? Oooo...helicopter ride?!?

 

[Disney Princess]

When I first saw your double post - I thought I was getting the second installment. Now I have to wait.

Your view at BWV is just beautiful. We always scrimp on points and stay standard view, but if we ever book a preferred view, I am requesting village green. It is lovely.

I hope you got your $250 back - I would be stressed too. What a morning. Can't wait to see what the surprise is.

 

[cj9200]

Sorry, didn't mean to leave until the next post the conclusion of the safe saga. Yes, we did get the cash back. The Manager from the Kidani hand delivered it to another Manager at BWV. All was good there. Left a message to the Kidani Manager's number and did report on the CM's involved to their bosses.

No harm no foul.

 

[DenLo]

Whoa, what an exciting day so far. I can't figure out the plan, so I guess I'll have to be surprised on your next post.

 

[afwdwfan]

A great meal, my daughter was a happy camper and I am sitting on my veranda on a beautiful night.

Great way to end a day!

I never heard it. What is unusual about this is 1) I am almost always up before the sun is and 2) Any noise will wake me and I can’t go back to sleep.

Must be your subconscious way of saying you don't want to leave Kidani.

A big Whooo Hoooo on the inside! This is an example of why I do not use online check-in.

I'll file this information away for future use.

The sitting area. I don’t know about you but we only use this as a dumping area for the luggage.

That sounds about right.

Safe? SAFE! Oh no, just then it hit me like a brick in the face. I did not take the cash out of the safe at AKV. Shoot (or rather a more descriptive voicing of emotion).

I hate that feeling you get at that instant that you realize you just screwed up bad. I'm glad it worked out for you in the end though.

She then asked where we were on I-4. I answer and she deadpans, “You’re not going to make it.

Oh yea? Quickly but safely (kind of like “not running” after rope drop) we zoom down I-4. The place is near Universal and we take the exit. Luckily it was right next to the exit and we screech to a halt in the parking lot. From there it is a dash to the office. Their clock said 12:29:45 as we come up huffing and puffing. “I just called you. Did we make it on time?”

That is just great. I just want to know what the reaction was from the lady who told you you weren't going to make it.

 

[irenep]

Another great update - what a nerve-wracking start to your day though. I've left things behind myself and had that awful panic on realising - once it was our passports and another time travellers cheques. Luckily, like you, we got them back.

Returned last night from a trip to the Keys with a friend from the UK. Great time.

Good to hear you enjoyed your dive trip.

Funny thing. My friend from the UK is a big fish eater. We went out and I actually ordered a Mahi-Mahi sandwich. It wasn’t bad. Not nearly as good as a burger but healthier. Also had them bring me extra tarter sauce.

Funny about the solo rides. I will be doing it many times soon. We did the single rider line at EPCOT for the first time and it really cuts down time in line. I imagine it is really fun when you are paired with a newbie.

Your friend seems to be preparing you for a trip to a real fish'n chip shop when you visit in addition to the fancy tea rooms (Ritz?) - of course, if you were in Scotland you could combine the two and have a traditional Scottish 'High Tea' - fish'n'chips followed by sandwiches/scones/cakes etc.

I imagine single rider lines are generally quicker but this was not our experience at RnRC where my DD and DS joined ths single rider line and boarded after others who joined the regular line at the same time - shockingly it was a 70 minute wait for me!

This is an example of why I do not use online check-in
Mickey Head. Is it me or are they not getting as creative as they used to with the towel animals.
Now I could end here and leave you guessing but that wouldn’t be fair. So, did we make it? Yes, just barely. What did we make? Well, that will have to wait until the next installment.

The one time I did OLCI we got a 4th floor MKview room beside the walkway at BLT- never again.

I agree about the towel animals - if we get one at all it's a nice surprise.

Can't stand the suspense now - hope to find out what the next surprise will be soon..... please!

 

[dgaston]

I think it's a towel Minnie! Notice the bow -- I've only ever received towel Mickeys. Guess my mousekeepers were less creative.

 

[DenLo]

I think it's a towel Minnie! Notice the bow -- I've only ever received towel Mickeys. Guess my mousekeepers were less creative.

I think you are right dgaston. I've never seen a bow on that towel design before. Very creative on the CM's part.

 

[cj9200]

Lancaster County is a beautiful place! We have many friends who live there and it is so interesting to see a whole different way of life. Gotta be careful of the horse and buggies though, people don't pay enough attention to them.

I love my Mac too! I'm just now starting to download all of my photos that we saved on a disc to the I-Photo, so far I haven't had any issues. Fingers crossed.

I'm so happy you had a wonderful dive trip! I've often thought of doing it, but I'm a bit nervous about being eaten by a shark! Really though, it seems so serene and peaceful! What a wonderful memorial for your friend too, I got all misty when I saw that picture. What good friends you all are.

Very excited for the next installment! Can't wait to see what you further fun you have in store for your DD! What a beautiful girl and you can so see the love for you in her eyes! Such a great dad!

I am trying to get over to the Apple store for my first session. Was having a problem with iphoto but fixed that by myself. I am starting to use Facebook and need to figure how to import photos to my FB album.

Most of the sharks you see are really babies and unless you are a fish in distress, they won’t hurt you. The nurse is a predominant shark species in the keys. Usually whenever anyone does get bit, they are beach goers on the surface or doing something stupid underwater. Not that I would go free diving with Great Whites. They have intro to scuba down here for around $200 or you can get certified in two days for around $300. You should try it. DD and I love it.

Next one might be tomorrow or Friday at the latest. This surprise was pretty fun.

again, love your perspective! Thank you for taking us on the V&A food tour - I really thought we could do it this year...

one day -

also on a macbook pro - also figure I'm not even close to understanding it - one thing that is driving me crazy is somehow I have multiple pictures of the same shot on iphoto - I know its not the mac - its the driver!

Iphoto is stumping me on a couple of things. Pages (the word processing software) is a snap so far. I like the App Store and the ease of getting new software. Customer support has been excellent.

Oh no....don't you hate that sinking feeling when you realize you left something behind?! $250 is nothing to sneeze at either! Crossing my fingers that you have good news to report on that front.

Flying nuts? Oooo...helicopter ride?!?

Yep, Yep, Nope.

When I first saw your double post - I thought I was getting the second installment. Now I have to wait.

Your view at BWV is just beautiful. We always scrimp on points and stay standard view, but if we ever book a preferred view, I am requesting village green. It is lovely.

I hope you got your $250 back - I would be stressed too. What a morning. Can't wait to see what the surprise is.

Oops on the double post. Don’t know how that happened. I mix it up with views at times. I have had all three categories. Preferred was the best chance for the waitlist to come through so that is what I picked. This was a great location for preferred view.

Whoa, what an exciting day so far. I can't figure out the plan, so I guess I'll have to be surprised on your next post.

DD had no clue. Next installment was the good part of an exciting day.

Great way to end a day!

The best.

Must be your subconscious way of saying you don't want to leave Kidani.

Maybe if we were leaving but moving to the Boardwalk is incentive enough to get up. By far my favorite DVC. Funny but I slept the best I have in years on this trip. Certainly much better than I am now.

I'll file this information away for future use.

Even if I wanted to use online check-in I can’t log on to the Members site. Maybe Disney’s way of saying don’t do it?

That sounds about right.

It is too uncomfortable for anything else. The luggage seems to like it.

I hate that feeling you get at that instant that you realize you just screwed up bad. I'm glad it worked out for you in the end though.

I don’t know about you but I’ve screwed up so many times, that feeling is all too familiar.

That is just great. I just want to know what the reaction was from the lady who told you you weren't going to make it.

She was a bit surprised. I got two experiences for the price of one. What we did once we got there and the Richard Petty Driving Experience getting there.

Another great update - what a nerve-wracking start to your day though. I've left things behind myself and had that awful panic on realising - once it was our passports and another time travellers cheques. Luckily, like you, we got them back.

I once lost $300 at the MK. I was young and stupid and had cash for the trip. That hurt.

Good to hear you enjoyed your dive trip.

One more this summer next month. An instructor I had is leaving the Keys and we want to dive with him one more time. The “Brit” will be coming back in September so a couple of dives there. Plus the Brit and I signed up for a week dive trip to Roatan.

Your friend seems to be preparing you for a trip to a real fish'n chip shop when you visit in addition to the fancy tea rooms (Ritz?) - of course, if you were in Scotland you could combine the two and have a traditional Scottish 'High Tea' - fish'n'chips followed by sandwiches/scones/cakes etc.

If DD goes on the trip, we will do tea. I doubt she could set foot on UK soil and not do tea. Also as a prep to that potential trip we dined at Rose and Crown (I know not the real thing).

I imagine single rider lines are generally quicker but this was not our experience at RnRC where my DD and DS joined ths single rider line and boarded after others who joined the regular line at the same time - shockingly it was a 70 minute wait for me!

Wow, that surprises me. Hope it is not typical.

The one time I did OLCI we got a 4th floor MKview room beside the walkway at BLT- never again.

I agree about the towel animals - if we get one at all it's a nice surprise.

Can't stand the suspense now - hope to find out what the next surprise will be soon..... please!

They are getting more rare and many of them are rudimentary. I think it is the staff layoffs and the pressure to get the rooms ready. Next up coming soon.

I think it's a towel Minnie! Notice the bow -- I've only ever received towel Mickeys. Guess my mousekeepers were less creative.

I think you are right dgaston. I've never seen a bow on that towel design before. Very creative on the CM's part.

I think you are right. I never saw a towel Minnie before. Very creative on her part and observant on yours.

 

[cj9200]

Lancaster County is a beautiful place! We have many friends who live there and it is so interesting to see a whole different way of life. Gotta be careful of the horse and buggies though, people don't pay enough attention to them.

I love my Mac too! I'm just now starting to download all of my photos that we saved on a disc to the I-Photo, so far I haven't had any issues. Fingers crossed.

I'm so happy you had a wonderful dive trip! I've often thought of doing it, but I'm a bit nervous about being eaten by a shark! Really though, it seems so serene and peaceful! What a wonderful memorial for your friend too, I got all misty when I saw that picture. What good friends you all are.

Very excited for the next installment! Can't wait to see what you further fun you have in store for your DD! What a beautiful girl and you can so see the love for you in her eyes! Such a great dad!

I am trying to get over to the Apple store for my first session. Was having a problem with iphoto but fixed that by myself. I am starting to use Facebook and need to figure how to import photos to my FB album.

Most of the sharks you see are really babies and unless you are a fish in distress, they won’t hurt you. The nurse is a predominant shark species in the keys. Usually whenever anyone does get bit, they are beach goers on the surface or doing something stupid underwater. Not that I would go free diving with Great Whites. They have intro to scuba down here for around $200 or you can get certified in two days for around $300. You should try it. DD and I love it.

Next one might be tomorrow or Friday at the latest. This surprise was pretty fun.

again, love your perspective! Thank you for taking us on the V&A food tour - I really thought we could do it this year...

one day -

also on a macbook pro - also figure I'm not even close to understanding it - one thing that is driving me crazy is somehow I have multiple pictures of the same shot on iphoto - I know its not the mac - its the driver!

Iphoto is stumping me on a couple of things. Pages (the word processing software) is a snap so far. I like the App Store and the ease of getting new software. Customer support has been excellent.

Oh no....don't you hate that sinking feeling when you realize you left something behind?! $250 is nothing to sneeze at either! Crossing my fingers that you have good news to report on that front.

Flying nuts? Oooo...helicopter ride?!?

Yep, Yep, Nope.

When I first saw your double post - I thought I was getting the second installment. Now I have to wait.

Your view at BWV is just beautiful. We always scrimp on points and stay standard view, but if we ever book a preferred view, I am requesting village green. It is lovely.

I hope you got your $250 back - I would be stressed too. What a morning. Can't wait to see what the surprise is.

Oops on the double post. Don’t know how that happened. I mix it up with views at times. I have had all three categories. Preferred was the best chance for the waitlist to come through so that is what I picked. This was a great location for preferred view.

Whoa, what an exciting day so far. I can't figure out the plan, so I guess I'll have to be surprised on your next post.

DD had no clue. Next installment was the good part of an exciting day.

Great way to end a day!

The best.

Must be your subconscious way of saying you don't want to leave Kidani.

Maybe if we were leaving but moving to the Boardwalk is incentive enough to get up. By far my favorite DVC. Funny but I slept the best I have in years on this trip. Certainly much better than I am now.

I'll file this information away for future use.

Even if I wanted to use online check-in I can’t log on to the Members site. Maybe Disney’s way of saying don’t do it?

That sounds about right.

It is too uncomfortable for anything else. The luggage seems to like it.

I hate that feeling you get at that instant that you realize you just screwed up bad. I'm glad it worked out for you in the end though.

I don’t know about you but I’ve screwed up so many times, that feeling is all too familiar.

That is just great. I just want to know what the reaction was from the lady who told you you weren't going to make it.

She was a bit surprised. I got two experiences for the price of one. What we did once we got there and the Richard Petty Driving Experience getting there.

Another great update - what a nerve-wracking start to your day though. I've left things behind myself and had that awful panic on realising - once it was our passports and another time travellers cheques. Luckily, like you, we got them back.

I once lost $300 at the MK. I was young and stupid and had cash for the trip. That hurt.

Good to hear you enjoyed your dive trip.

One more this summer next month. An instructor I had is leaving the Keys and we want to dive with him one more time. The “Brit” will be coming back in September so a couple of dives there. Plus the Brit and I signed up for a week dive trip to Roatan.

Your friend seems to be preparing you for a trip to a real fish'n chip shop when you visit in addition to the fancy tea rooms (Ritz?) - of course, if you were in Scotland you could combine the two and have a traditional Scottish 'High Tea' - fish'n'chips followed by sandwiches/scones/cakes etc.

If DD goes on the trip, we will do tea. I doubt she could set foot on UK soil and not do tea. Also as a prep to that potential trip we dined at Rose and Crown (I know not the real thing).

I imagine single rider lines are generally quicker but this was not our experience at RnRC where my DD and DS joined ths single rider line and boarded after others who joined the regular line at the same time - shockingly it was a 70 minute wait for me!

Wow, that surprises me. Hope it is not typical.

The one time I did OLCI we got a 4th floor MKview room beside the walkway at BLT- never again.

I agree about the towel animals - if we get one at all it's a nice surprise.

Can't stand the suspense now - hope to find out what the next surprise will be soon..... please!

They are getting more rare and many of them are rudimentary. I think it is the staff layoffs and the pressure to get the rooms ready. Next up coming soon.

I think it's a towel Minnie! Notice the bow -- I've only ever received towel Mickeys. Guess my mousekeepers were less creative.

I think you are right dgaston. I've never seen a bow on that towel design before. Very creative on the CM's part.

I think you are right. I never saw a towel Minnie before. Very creative on her part and observant on yours.

 

[mckryan]

I am trying to get over to the Apple store for my first session. Was having a problem with iphoto but fixed that by myself. I am starting to use Facebook and need to figure how to import photos to my FB album.

When you open up an event and see your pictures in the right-hand section, you can Command-Trackpad Click multiple pictures and then chose the Facebook button at the bottom right of your screen to start the import into Facebook.

Also, did you buy your Mac after June 6th? If so, you qualify for a free download of the new operating system, Lion, that was released today.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Funny but I slept the best I have in years on this trip.

Perhaps the little purple pills had something to do with your restful sleep??? I do not know what this icon is but it is purple and shaped like a traditional pill.

 

[lisaviolet]

I way too quickly and practically screamed, “No, we are eating at Narcoossees tonight. Not V&A, no, we won’t be eating here. Nuh nuh, no way. We have reservations at NARCOOSSEES! NOT VICTORIA AND ALBERTS!” She looked at me like I was weird, took our picture and told us to enjoy dinner at NARCOOSSEES.

Priceless all around.

Madeline (or whatever her name was) brought us to the table...

The laughter is for you picking Madeline as *maybe* her name.

I looked at the wine list because I decided to have a glass of wine to celebrate. Shhh, don’t tell my doctor.

Yeah!

I don’t eat fish. Period. Exclamation Point.

Blasphemous. Period. Exclamation Point.

In honour of such blasphemy I think I will have some rainbow trout tonight.

Each course was nicely paced and you could enjoy good conversation and dine in a relaxing manner.

Lovely.

Words cannot describe how good this was. I could hear angels in the background singing Hallelujah in time with the Harpist. Oh my god was this good. Involuntarily, my eyes were closed and head tilted back as I let the food tickle my taste buds. WOW.

OMG. This and all the pictures almost killed me. Just lovely. One day.

Well actually we did somewhere at WDW - many courses - when I was sixteen but it wasn't called Victoria and Albert's.

Loved this post. Yours I mean.

 

[cj9200]

Day 4 Part 2 Wednesday, June 15: You should warn people.

OK, we made it. What did we make?

After screeching to a halt in the parking lot DD’s eyes were wide open and she deadpanned, “You should warn people before you spring something like this.” While looking at the sign, only the bottom word registered in her brain. SKYDIVING?

She actually thought that I would throw her out of a perfectly good airplane so she could hurdle to certain death when she contacts the ground at speeds exceeding 200 MPH. Afterward I chuckled because while there is a chance that I would throw her out of a perfectly good airplane, THERE IS NO WAY THAT I AM GOING TO JUMP OUT OF A PERFECTLY GOOD AIRPLANE.

Anyway, I was distracted thinking that we would have to wait hours before they could reschedule our time to fly INDOORS. As I posted earlier, we just made it. The staff member had us sign forty or fifty forms saying we would not sue them if we died a horrible death. And we had to fill out a health form. Heart problems, No. Diabetes, No. Mental Health Issues, debatable but I checked no, Overall health, I am in good health comparatively. And so on. There was one concern on the checklist. The one that caused me to pause was, “Have you separated your shoulder?” Well, no but. Both my shoulders have had problems since I was discharged. At first, I could barely get them to shoulder level. Now they are much better but still I am unable to fully extend them. But they were not separated so I checked no.

After the forty or fifty forms, she directed us up the stairs. Even now, stairs are still a problem for me. Not wanting to miss this, I faked that I could run up them. Now what? I see people in an observation room but they are obviously not in our class. There are people flying now in a sealed chamber so no asking them. Nothing left but to enter the control room where I was directed to another waiting area.

About a minute later, our instructor enters and directs to a “practice room.”

There they show us a video on how to not severely injure yourself while you are doing this. OK, how you do this: Stand at the entrance door, cross your arms and fall down (the wind is suppose to keep you from smacking your nose against the floor). Arms straight out (oh, oh), bend you knees and relax. Since it is louder than standing next to a jet engine (well you are standing on top of a jet engine) he gave us some signals we had to memorize so he can instruct us on how to get in a balanced position.

Then it was practice time. You lay down on this...

The top of the Y is for your arms. Everyone does it with varying degrees a success. We were near the end and after awhile it is my turn. “Lift your arms higher.” “They don’t go any higher.” “OK, we will compensate for it when we get in there.” HUH?

Next it is time to suit up in the connecting room. They give you a baggy flight suit, helmet, goggles and ear plugs. They had lockers off to the side where you can put your valuables and other stuff. Wish I would have known this because I purposely left the camera in the car. So there are no before pictures of us.

The flight suits

Lockers

The previous group was ending their adventure and it was now our turn. We file into this plexiglass booth where there is a bench for you to sit. There were about fifteen people in our group and we were the last to enter the “chamber.” Needless to say there was room for thirteen people on the bench. DD and I were standing by the egress door.

The booth

The first person to start was someone that did this multiple times and he made it look easy. “I got this,” I am thinking. Next, one of the newbies starts. He did not do well. Spent an awful long time kissing the floor until he finally got up. Then the next person goes and the next person... Unfortunately, no one moved down from their spot on the bench and there was getting to be a log jam at the exit door. My yelling, MOVE YOUR GLUTEUS MAXIMUS DOWN was met with deaf ears. Maybe because we were sitting on top of a jet engine, I don’t know. Finally someone decided to fill in the open space and the logjam was cleared.

Each flight is 2:00 and they adjust the engine power based on your estimated weight. If you look to the lower part of the clock, you can see the MPH and percent of engine power.

Only one person other than the “expert” was able to fly without the instructor holding on to them. It then comes to DD’s turn and within seconds, she is flying by herself. Of course, it was a snap for Princess. Then it was time for the last person in the group. Me.

Despite the natural tendency not to fall face forward into the ground (well there were a couple of times in college), I crossed my arms and leaned forward. Instead of chewing on a face full of rubber (the floor material), I was flying. The instructor was in front of me holding me by one hand giving me a hand signal. It thought it was, “bend your knees”, so I bent my knees. What he was really telling me was my knees were too bent and to straighten them out. Once I did so, all was well and he let me go.

OK, here I am flying on top of a jet engine and I have to tell you, IT WAS COOL. I successfully avoided crashing into the wall by just using a finger or two to push me off it when I was close. The force of air makes your mouth flap in the wind and no small amount of saliva was flying around. After my allotted time, he directed me to the exit and not as gracefully as I wanted, I was on my feet out of the wind.

You get two rides and we went through the line again. This time, they cranked up the jet engine a bit and with the instructor holding you, you both fly up twenty or thirty feet to near the top. He did this a couple of times. They don’t give you any warning they are going to do this and luckily I was not first in line. If I was, they would have had to take my baggy suit out to the cleaner.

Soon it was over. We both did very well and even though my shoulder hurt like the villain in Hercules, it was a lot of fun. You go back to the suit-up room where pictures are showing on the TVs above you.

Just to show you that we did fly solo, I had to buy the pictures.

From there, it was back out to the car where you naturally had to exit through a gift shop. Resisted the urge to buy T-shirts and took a few other pictures before we left.

I think I mentioned you are on top of a jet engine

Surprise number 2 done and perfectly executed. From there it was back home for a little R&R. Coming next, the rest of our afternoon and evening.

Up Next Day 4 Part 3 Wednesday, June 15: The rest of the story.