Leaving the kids and DH's Home!! SSR girlie getaway June 1-4, 2008 Update July 20th!

[TigerKat]

Great update! I've never been to AK at night, looks awesome!

 

[podsnel]

Our third morning, we woke up to a wake-up call from Mickey and hopped out of bed to head in different directions- Lonnie was going back to the SSR Spa for an 80 minute aromatherapy massage and a Maple Sugar Rub. I, however, Disgeek that I am, was heading over to Epcot for the World Showcase Segway tour!! (Lonnie has actually done a segway tour before, on a business trip to Chicago) DGF was nice enough to loan me her car, so we stopped at AP to fill our coffee mugs, and she went on her way and I went on mine.

When I arrived at the parking lot, the line was already forming for people to get into the park. But I pulled up and said the magic words, Segway tour at 8:30, and was allowed in. I parked in the front row- sweet! I was a bit early so I finished up my coffee in the air conditioned car, and then headed for the park. It is so cool to get there when everything is deserted-

While waiting to get in, I met some fellow Segway riders, a Mom and her daughter and her daughter's friend- the friend had won a trip to Disney from a NY radio station, lucky them!! Mom & DD were Disney veterans and from NJ- whenever I visit WDW, I always meet people from NJ- I guess we all really love it here! Anyway, by about 8:15 they let us into the park, and we were registering and waiting for the rest of our group. By 8:30, we were off to training in Innoventions West. As a side note, I would just like to say that I haven't been in Innoventions in probably 18 years, and it was pretty cool to see. They had a bunch of video game type stuff that I think my boys would enjoy some other time. We watched a quick film, then practiced all of our moves for about 45 minutes or so until it was time to head outside. After a quick bathroom break, we were on our way!! We waved to everyone, and headed in the direction of Mexico, riding by it and Norway, and then we went into China. What was surprising to me was that we got to ride the segways through the countries, zig-zagging through the gardens, going in and out of stores, etc. In any country we ventured in to, the guide told us some little bit of trivia, which was nice. While driving around, one rider forgot how to stop and kind of fell off in front of me, but she was ok, and got right back on after the guide reviewed operations with her. We stopped in Italy for photos and some freestyle tooling around, and then continued on to finish up our tour. It was a lot of fun, I would love to do it with my DH or my kids(when they turn 16) someday.

At the end they gave all of us this cool pin! The Segway guy moves-

This is actually my very first pin, and I can honestly say that I've never been interested in pins before. But now that I have one? OMG!!!! It's the cutest!!! I MUST HAVE MORE!!!!

Next up- my broken pin and so the shopping has to start early...

 

[addicted2dizney]

Wow! The segway tour looks great! My dis friend and I are scheduled for 9/17 to take one. It's great for a mom's only trip since my kids are too young to ride! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[TigerKat]

I so wish I could talk DH into doing a Segway Tour.

 

[podsnel]

Great report! Thanks for sharing!

You're welcome! Thanks for reading it!

Great update! I've never been to AK at night, looks awesome!

It really IS awesome at night...we tried to do the live animal stuff during the day, because that is not open at night. But the rides are, and the park is just sooooo much emptier than during the daytime. I haven't taken part in many night-EMHs, because of the kids- but without the kids, it was PERFECT!!! Definately take advantage of it, if you can-

Wow! The segway tour looks great! My dis friend and I are scheduled for 9/17 to take one. It's great for a mom's only trip since my kids are too young to ride! Can't wait to hear more!

Yes, that's why I went! You'll love it!

I so wish I could talk DH into doing a Segway Tour.

There were alot of guys on the tour- and they all were enjoying themselves. It really is a fun and different vehicle, you really feel like you are zipping around on it, and it feels like you are going faster than you probably are, especially when you go downhill. I think I'd like to try the Fort Wilderness tour next time- those Segways have different, bigger wheels for riding on the rougher terrain. The guide said they don't ride very well on pavement- the puffed up wheels make the ride too bouncy. When Lonnie did her tour in Chicago, she said it was at night and they were all...ummm...visiting Rita?....before their ride. She said it was a blast, everyone loved it. I don't think Disney will be offering a Rita Segway adventure anytime soon, though!!

 

[TigerKat]

She said it was a blast, everyone loved it. I don't think Disney will be offering a Rita Segway adventure anytime soon, though!!

That would be one DH would agree to!!

 

[podsnel]

So with my shiny new pin attached to my purse strap, I headed off for a morning in Epcot alone. I knew Lonnie and I were coming back at night, but I also knew I wanted to see some Epcot stuff I never get to see. But where to go? What to do? Usually I have everything planned, and this was kind of free form! YIKES!!! Oh look! Test Track has a 10 minute wait! I should do that. WAIT A MINUTE!!! Test Track is the ride we go on the MOST when I am with my family! I can't go to test track!!! I need to go somewhere my boys won't go! I need ...

CLINK! What the?!! OH- my shiny new pin! It fell right off and hit the ground!!! And the little Mickey head that was holding it in place has mysteriously vanished! I need to go shopping for those little Mickey thingamajigees!! And while I'm here, I'll just look at how cute some of these other pins are...OOOO- look, there's one with Tink and the castle, just like on the WWoD when I was growing up.

Well, that show is what started this Dis-ease in the first place, so I think that's the pin for me. Lonnie needs a pin, too! Lonnie gave me a big "pin" yesterday in AK-

Lonnie loves Tink!!! But Lonnie only loves the original Tink, the one with all the attitude, not that Barbie lookin one they just came out with for some movie-aaahhh, I found her! A Tink for Lonnie w/ attitude! (Sorry, I don't have a pic, but you know the Tink I mean!!). Ok, shopping is done for a little while.

Just a small piece of advice- if you take the Segway tour, and your pin goes clink on the ground, GO BACK TO THE SEGWAY PEEPS AND GET YOURSELF A NEW PIN!!! I say this because my pin fell off at least 5 times, but, somehow, I still have it- minus the Mickey Head thingamajigee.

Ok, I accomplished something, but where to next? Honestly, if I would have given this 10 seconds of thought before the moment arrived, I could have seen a bunch more, but I ended up walking in circles and then going to see Figment and taking the Land ride.

I was 1 person too late to see Crush (bummer, dude!), but I was hot. I was hungry. I needed...

Love me some Mickey Ice Cream Bar!!!

That about did it for my morning alone, I wanted to get back to see my DF by the pool, and maybe go have some lunch at the Turf Club...

 

[Camster0307]

Just found your TR -- and, of course, I'm subscribing to a fellow Jersey girl's report! (I know it says I'm from Mass.; but I'm born and raised in NJ! )

Good for you for getting your girlie getaway! You deserve it. I'm the single mom of a special needs daughter and unfortunately I can't get any of my married girlfriends to go away for a few days; so I'm taking my youngest DD in 4 days. It will be nice to truly relax for a little while.

You and your friend look like you're having a really good time. Your trip seems to be exactly like the one I would like to take. Looking forward to reading more!

 

[podsnel]

That would be one DH would agree to!!

Love it!!!!

Just found your TR -- and, of course, I'm subscribing to a fellow Jersey girl's report! (I know it says I'm from Mass.; but I'm born and raised in NJ! )

Good for you for getting your girlie getaway! You deserve it. I'm the single mom of a special needs daughter and unfortunately I can't get any of my married girlfriends to go away for a few days; so I'm taking my youngest DD in 4 days. It will be nice to truly relax for a little while.

You and your friend look like you're having a really good time. Your trip seems to be exactly like the one I would like to take. Looking forward to reading more!

Hey Jersey girl! Where in NJ are you from? I LOVE Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket- Mass is a great state!!

Yes, I do deserve a girlie getaway- we ALL deserve a girlie getaway!! They're the best! Getting away from it all in WDW is the most wonderful break from too much responsibility, which is what you and I probably both have. Have a FABULOUS girlie getaway with your DD, make sure to post and tell us what fun you had!!! And thanks so much for reading along!

 

[Camster0307]

Hey Jersey girl! Where in NJ are you from? I LOVE Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket- Mass is a great state!!

Yes, I do deserve a girlie getaway- we ALL deserve a girlie getaway!! They're the best! Getting away from it all in WDW is the most wonderful break from too much responsibility, which is what you and I probably both have. Have a FABULOUS girlie getaway with your DD, make sure to post and tell us what fun you had!!! And thanks so much for reading along!

I grew up in lovely Bayonne; then got married and lived in Old Bridge for a few years before moving to Mass. We moved up here for my former husband's job. Now I'm divorced and stuck here! Shouldn't say "stuck" - Mass. is a lovely state - but I miss my Jersey shore.....and good bagels and pizza.....and the malls!

Thanks for the good thoughts - we leave in three days! I'll definitely be doing my very first trip report for this one!

 

[podsnel]

I grew up in lovely Bayonne; then got married and lived in Old Bridge for a few years before moving to Mass. We moved up here for my former husband's job. Now I'm divorced and stuck here! Shouldn't say "stuck" - Mass. is a lovely state - but I miss my Jersey shore.....and good bagels and pizza.....and the malls!

Thanks for the good thoughts - we leave in three days! I'll definitely be doing my very first trip report for this one!

Ahh..my girlfriend down the street grew up in Bayonne- do you still have your accent? Yea, pizza, bagels, bread in general, great Italian food, LBI, etc- I'd miss it too.

Definitely write a TR- it is time consumming, but soooo much fun to relive your trip. Also helps with the "I'm not in Disney" feeling you have when you get home!

 

[Camster0307]

Ahh..my girlfriend down the street grew up in Bayonne- do you still have your accent? Yea, pizza, bagels, bread in general, great Italian food, LBI, etc- I'd miss it too.

Definately write a TR- it is time consumming, but soooo much fun to relive your trip. Also helps with the "I'm not in Disney" feeling you have when you get home!

You betcha! Prefer my dignified Joisey accent over the hideous Bah-ston accent! I've been hear almost 16 years now; have yet to start talking like the locals. And I'm still true to my Yankees and Giants!

 

[podsnel]

You betcha! Prefer my dignified Joisey accent over the hideous Bah-ston accent! I've been hear almost 16 years now; have yet to start talking like the locals. And I'm still true to my Yankees and Giants!

My gf Linda down the street has the bayonne accent- when I'm with her, I sound just like her by the end of the night- it's very catchy!! I'm surprised you haven't converted the neighborhood by now!

Nice to see you still like the right teams all the way up there- I'm surprised Boston has let you live like that all these years!!!

 

[Camster0307]

My gf Linda down the street has the bayonne accent- when I'm with her, I sound just like her by the end of the night- it's very catchy!! I'm surprised you haven't converted the neighborhood by now!

Nice to see you still like the right teams all the way up there- I'm surprised Boston has let you live like that all these years!!!

Well, baseball season has been a little rough for me around here lately; but it's all good - the Super Bowl more than made up for it! Very happy campers in my house after that one! We will never cross over to the dark side!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

fab job!! Truly enjoyable!!

 

[podsnel]

Well, baseball season has been a little rough for me around here lately; but it's all good - the Super Bowl more than made up for it! Very happy campers in my house after that one! We will never cross over to the dark side!

Well, we can always hope this season will be better, right? I just noticed in your sig- this is a SURPRISE trip for DD?!!!! That is SO EXCITING!!!
When are you telling her? Have you already? I can't WAIT to do that to my kids- I fantasize about it all the time!! But I don't know if I could keep my mouth shut!!! Really!!!

fab job!! Truly enjoyable!!

Thank-you, so much! I am truly glad you're reading it!

 

[Camster0307]

Well, we can always hope this season will be better, right? I just noticed in your sig- this is a SURPRISE trip for DD?!!!! That is SO EXCITING!!!
When are you telling her? Have you already? I can't WAIT to do that to my kids- I fantasize about it all the time!! But I don't know if I could keep my mouth shut!!! Really!!!

Well, I'm ashamed to say I couldn't keep my mouth shut either - I told her a few months ago! I'm kind of glad I did though; she's a planner like me, so we've had fun these past few months discussing what we want to do. Planning is half the fun, right?

 

[podsnel]

Well, I'm ashamed to say I couldn't keep my mouth shut either - I told her a few months ago! I'm kind of glad I did though; she's a planner like me, so we've had fun these past few months discussing what we want to do. Planning is half the fun, right?

Planning is DEFINITELY half the fun...I'm OCDD about the planning!!!
See you in a couple of days- DH & I are headed into NYC for 2 nights, today is our 22nd anniversary! My cousins are watching the boys, so I am escaping AGAIN!!!

 

[podsnel]

Got back to SSR and Lonnie was lounging by the pool, and it was HOT!! A great time to take a break in a nice air conditioned restaurant, so we thought we'd go see what the Turf Club was all about. There were so many refreshing beverages on the menu, but Lonnie HAD to get a Blackberry Lemonade because it came with...TINK! And she also needed a Mimosa. And she liked the looks of that Mint Julep on the menu, too, but since she already had 2 drinks, I decided to order that one!

That mint Julep had SOME kick!

I had read sooo many recommendations on what to eat here, and we had run into the nice CM & her Mom from Jiko the night before who said DEFINITELY get the onion rings, it was hard to narrow the choices down! Lonnie ended up with a Grilled Top Sirloin Steak sandwich with the onion rings instead of french fries

And I chose the Crab Cakes and Ceasar Salad

I have to say, this was all just so yummy! They grill the romaine lettuce before they make the salad, and I have no clue what that really does, but it was delicious. The crab cakes were very good, too! And the portions are GINORMOUS!!! I would absolutely go back to the Turf Club again!
It also had a pretty view-

Next, we're goin back to the pool and swimmin with the ducks!

 

[podsnel]

We stopped in AP on our way back to the pool to see if all our shopping extravaganza had been delivered yet- well, we got all but 1 bag, the one from 11 pm when I bought tshirts and that photo at EE. But, that's ok, I needed to take a pic of all the pretty lights like everyone else does!

And also the food we won't be eating today, but would like to some other time...

We thought it would be nice to sit at a different pool for the rest of the day, but first took these pics of where we had been.

The flowers we passed were so pretty- I would really love to be able to plant these at home, but I'm sure the deer would eat them if I did, (the deer eat EVERYTHING in my yard, it's like the Grand Buffet for them over here) so I guess I'll just have to look at my photos...sigh...

We dropped our bags off in our room, then went to the Congress Park pool. There was a Mama and 2 ducklings swimming in the pool with everyone!

The Mama duck was very attentive to her little ones, and kept them next to her the whole time she was there. But she needed to leave for a bit and the Daddy duck showed up to watch the babies. It was so funny. That Daddy duck was all about himself, struttin' his stuff, and those babies were off and on their own!! Mama duck came swooping back in, and, let's just say I don't think Daddy duck was gettin' any that night, if you know what I mean! Even Lonnie felt the need to tell him off!!

One more pic, Lonnie in the nice, quiet pool...notice the ducks in the back seem to have made up!

After a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, we went back to the room to get ready for our trip around the world- and our last night!
Here I am, enjoying the view one more time before we leave!!!