Like a Bad Meal (V Keeps Coming Back) - THE END! 1/12/09

ACK! I planned to get another installment done ALL week, but it hadn't happened... yet. Here's hoping for tomorrow!
 

But Busch Gardens Tampa Bay does.
And.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay happens to reside within 45 minutes of my house.
And.
For the price of a one-day ticket, I can return to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay any number of times for the rest of the calendar year.

Guess who’s getting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay passes soon?

I just got tickets for Nov. I got a special price from their website. "Everyone for the price of a child."

I was clicking on your links and your last link doesn't work.
 
Moving along to Day #2 of Trip #1, I awoke at CSR around 6am, thinking “This is a really comfy bed!”

Just as I’d done at 3am.

And 1am.

And 12am.

:headache:

As well as 10:30pm, when Leo woke me up, announcing that he needed “a snuggle.” Yeah, that signaled the beginning of a less-than-restive night, despite the comfy bed.


I’ve had an entire queen-sized bed to myself for the past five years and I’ve gotten used to it. So, suddenly sharing a full-size bed with a squirmy-sleeper wasn’t working so well. For V. Leo was just fine, thank you.

Once he was soundly asleep, I carefully moved him back to his own bed and fell quickly back to sleep myself. Only to wake up periodically thanks to Leo breathing, snuffling, snoring and generally behaving like a man-in-training (NOmen).


So, come morning, you know I had NO choice.
I HAD to do it.
WHAT else could I do?

(Beyond using ALL caps in every sentence.)


I drank the Nescacrap. Bleeehh. Nasty, but effective. :crazy2:



Leo and I got ourselves together pretty efficiently, eating breakfast in the room and packing our one night’s-worth of personal items up and into the car. As well as ourselves – into the car.

That’s right – no busses! Prior to the DIS…

Y’know, we should start dating our WDW histories a la art history – B.D. (Before DIS) and A.D. (After Dis)

B.D., I never, ever used WDW transportation, excepting the ferry/monorail from the TTC to the MK. Ever. For 15ish years, I relied solely on my car. And it was good.

A.D., I thought I’d give the busses, boats, etc. a try. I’ve done so for the better part of a year. And it was NOT good.

It wasn’t bad, either, well mostly – but I’ve come to realize I prefer my own vehicle in most instances. Why?

1. Convenience. We mostly stay at resorts with ample parking right outside our building. It’s so convenient to leave some things in the car and get them as needed, like the stroller.
2. Climate control. I make it whatever temperature I want. Not too hot, not too cold. Nice, especially when wearing a wet swimsuit après water park.
3. Weather. Or more accurately, rain. After getting caught in Typhoon Mickey this past Jan. with no way of getting from the main building of SSR to our room in the remote Carousel section, I prefer having my car nearby. Call it controlling my own destiny. But perhaps not Master of My Own Domain. (NOSeinfeld)




So we drove to the TTC and got in the short line of cars being directed into rows. As usual, I was but a few cars in from the far end of a row. But this time, it mattered not at all… because said row was the SECOND row from the street. The street by which the trams deliver guests to the TTC. That’s right, SECOND row. Baybee. :banana:

I even took a pic to mark the occasion:

2449570292_080b283438.jpg




Yes, I’ve heard that it takes longer to get to the MK by car, than by WDW bus. I’m here to provide living proof that that’s a lie. We left CSR ten minutes late, at 8:10am. We arrived at the MK turnstiles at 8:30. For a 9am opening.

So. There.


And, by the way, arriving for rope drop was not the plan. Neither Leo nor myself is a fan of the opening party. Our preference is to arrive just after rope drop. But that’s a lot harder to time than rope drop, I’m afraid.

We wound up standing around, people watching. Leo and I tour well together; we’re both fairly quiet and just take in our surroundings, pointing items of particular interest out to one another as we see fit. We’re not at all chatty. I find this so interesting because… touring WDW with Leo is a lot like touring WDW with my ex, Leo’s dad. WDW was the only place we got along really well. Honestly, having a similar experience with Leo there (though Leo and I get along fine outside of WDW, too) helps bring back the good memories of my married years, and casts the bad times back into the shadows. :goodvibes



Once the sappy-happy sing-a-long show finished, we made our way down Main Street, where I saw this fashion disaster:

2448747411_d6c85fe84f.jpg


Sure, it’s not as impressive as some her finds, but I think T will be impressed, nonetheless. I just don’t get the ensemble… it was HOT, like “Africa-hot” – who would want to be swathed in nylon in that kind of heat? Later that day, I also saw an entire family of women/young girls tottering around in 5” heeled strappy sandals. Not wedges. Not platforms. And, no, they did not look happy. No pics because it was in the ladies’ room, but again I ask, “Why?!?!”



Okay. We had a mission. Leo knows the MK like the back of his hand by now and he knows exactly what he wants to ride on any given day. The upside of this is that he’s decisive. The downside is that he leaves no room for what others (me) might want to do. Remember that.

First on our list was BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!

Only it was closed. Due to “technical difficulties.” So we snagged some FPs and move on to Fantasyland, where we did the Fantasyland Trifecta: Pooh-Pan-Small World. Only not the Small World part. For the first time I can remember, Leo chose to skip the Land of All That Is Happy and Annoyingly Cute. Which was fine with me.

At that point, we’d walked through half the park and seen virtually no crowds. Woo hoo!

Next up was a quick jaunt through Frontierland, again with no crowds…

2448747587_fbe6909562.jpg


…and on into Adventureland for one of Leo’s most favorite attractions, the Jungle Cruise. I really wanted to grab some pics of him, happy to be cruising, but he wasn’t willing. I wound up with this,

2449570890_68009869c8.jpg


And this,

2449571056_34c3a9213a.jpg


Niiice.



After the cruise, Leo said something that surprised the heck out of me:

“Mommy? I wanna ride Pirates in the Caribbean. I’m not too scared. Just a little bit scared.”

My sweet, sweet boy! :hug: Leo’s been anti-POTC for most of the past year. He loves the movies, and has more pirate toys than I can count. He’s all about pirates, my Leo. But he somehow decided that POTC the ride was too scary and nothing would convince him otherwise. This, despite the fact that he’s been on it plenty of times from age 9 months to age 5.

But this day in April of 2008, he was ready to take the plunge. Figuratively speaking. I clarify because I found out what was scaring him so: he thought he remembered a big plunge down a waterfall. Mmm-hmm, like in At World’s End.

~sigh~

All I asked for was “average.” What I got was “super-creative.” In my child. Okay, truth is I wouldn’t have any other way. But it is challenging.



Fortunately, Leo had a tool with which to bolster his confidence. Remember our previous evening’s shopping at the CSR gift shop? That held all that is piratey? Here’s what he got:

2449571262_a25ea62126.jpg


Need a close-up? Leo thought you might:

2448748277_0d9a14926b.jpg


Shiver me timbers mateys, that there is a bona-fyed Key to Davy Jones’ Locker!


Leo carried that thing around ALL day. Only pocketed it twice whilst using the restroom. (Truly, he only went twice. His powers amaze me. I stop at pretty much every other restroom, while Leo can wait all day long. It drives him batty. Heh heh.)


So the power was in The Key and The Key helped Leo conquer his POTC fears.







Or did it?

As we walked out, I spotted the Jack Sparrow Pirate Tutorial getting set up and I was STOKED! I’ve been trying to catch this for many trips, to no avail. I explained it to Leo…

“This is so cool! Jack Sparrow comes out and teaches kids how to be pirates! Do you want to try getting picked?”

“It’s scary?”

“No, no, it’s for kids – little kids. Nothing scary at all!”

“Jack Sparrow’s there?”

“Yep! Well, a pretend Jack Sparrow. Because there isn’t a real Jack Sparrow. Just in the movies.”

“Like in Pirates in the Caribbean 1 and 2 and 3?”

“Yes, just like that! He’ll teach kids how to sword fight like pirates!”

“With REAL swords??? They’re very dangerous.”

“Well no, not real swords - pretend ones. Like yours at home.”


At this point, Leo thought for a moment, then said, “No, I’d rather have popcorn.”


:confused3



The popcorn cart was just down from the Tutorial, so I suggested we grab some corn and watch the show. Leo wasn’t having it. And I quote, “I don’t want to learn how to be a pirate. They’re mean.”

Dontcha just hate when your parenting comes back to bite you?


And I have to admit, I really, really wanted to watch the show myself. So I insisted we park on a bench and wait for the show to start. Leo said, “Fine, but I not gonna watch!” and turned his back to the show.

2448748461_6044c598b4.jpg


I love my opinionated, individualistic, creative, OBSTINATE boy.



As you may have guessed, this didn’t last long. It was hot. Leo was cranky. And I wasn’t having much fun with us pretending to be mad at each other. I hung it up and we headed back to BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! To use our FPs.

After defeating Zurg once again, we took a spin on the Moving People Ride (or TTA for those unfamiliar with Leo-speak) and assessed the situation.

In just over an hour and a half, we’d done all we (well, Leo) wanted to do with the MK. It had become hotter and a lot more crowded. Leo was ready to leave, and the idea had some merit for me, as well.

Only one problem – we were to meet up with boysmom5150 that day at the MK. Boysmom was due to arrive at the Poly that morning to check in. She figured she’d be at the MK by 12pm and we could meet up then.

What to do????
 
Am I first:cool1: :cool1:

Don't you just love when a five year old uses logic on you:rotfl2:

YAY for Leo riding Pirates. :yay: :yay:
 
Only to wake up periodically thanks to Leo breathing, snuffling, snoring and generally behaving like a man-in-training (NOmen).
Girls do that too I'm afraid, oh and talk and walk :sad2:

Y’know, we should start dating our WDW histories a la art history – B.D. (Before DIS) and A.D. (After Dis)
Definitely :rotfl2:

because said row was the SECOND row from the street. The street by which the trams deliver guests to the TTC. That’s right, SECOND row. Baybee. :banana:
Wooohoooo :yay:

OMG what was she thinking????

Shiver me timbers mateys, that there is a bona-fyed Key to Davy Jones’ Locker!
:rotfl2:

So the power was in The Key and The Key helped Leo conquer his POTC fears.
That is so sweet :goodvibes

At this point, Leo thought for a moment, then said, “No, I’d rather have popcorn.”
Bless :rotfl2:

What to do????
Oh you've got to meet T2!!!!
 
Once the sappy-happy sing-a-long show finished, we made our way down Main Street, where I saw this fashion disaster:

2448747411_d6c85fe84f.jpg

DEAR GOD! What...I mean seriously...did she...are those...but who wears...scared by lycra...matching tooooo what exactly...how could...wha???

What I'm trying to say is that my soul aches for those suffering the "mirrorless" disease.

the Land of All That Is Happy and Annoyingly Cute.

Also known as Chuck E' Cheese on a Saturday afternoon during birthday party season.

So the power was in The Key and The Key helped Leo conquer his POTC fears.







Or did it?

So wait, no POTC for Leo (or V) then?

I'm crying (on the inside) for your lack of pirate-y goodness.

we took a spin on the Moving People Ride (or TTA for those unfamiliar with Leo-speak)

It will ALWAYS be the PeopleMover for me. Always.

Yay for the update! Hope all is well in V Land.

:flower3:
 
Once he was soundly asleep, I carefully moved him back to his own bed and fell quickly back to sleep myself. Only to wake up periodically thanks to Leo breathing, snuffling, snoring and generally behaving like a man-in-training (NOmen).
You lifted him? Dude, you're teeny tiny - not that Leo is a huge child, but I can't even lift Maddie with out plopping her down ungently! :lmao:

I drank the Nescacrap. Bleeehh. Nasty, but effective. :crazy2:
It pains the eyes to even read that! :eek:


2. Climate control. I make it whatever temperature I want. Not too hot, not too cold. Nice, especially when wearing a wet swimsuit après water park.
Really that's my only complaint about Disney transportation. Why do they keep those buses at artic temps?? :headache:

Way to score great parking!! It's the little things isn't it? :goodvibes Cute car, and of course cute kid. ;)

Dude, this is not a fashion disaster, it's a crime! ::cop:

Perhaps she was channeling Jennifer Beals?? :confused3

Next up was a quick jaunt through Frontierland, again with no crowds…

2448747587_fbe6909562.jpg
Ok this is how it was in August, believe it or not, in the early am. ::yes:: Before those free diners. (NOFDpeeps)

At this point, Leo thought for a moment, then said, “No, I’d rather have popcorn.”
:lmao: Sorry, I agree with Leo on that one. Popcorn v. Capt Jack.... I pick popcorn::


Only one problem – we were to meet up with boysmom5150 that day at the MK. Boysmom was due to arrive at the Poly that morning to check in. She figured she’d be at the MK by 12pm and we could meet up then.

What to do????
Jump on the monorail to the Poly and grab an adult Grilled Cheese sammy and a Lapu?? :hyper:
 
I cannot believe that this has been around since April. WTH? I've been bummed that you weren't going to write again and here this beauty is! ;) All caught up and impressed. You and Leo sound like a great pair. Can't wait to read more.
 
Once the sappy-happy sing-a-long show finished, we made our way down Main Street, where I saw this fashion disaster:

2448747411_d6c85fe84f.jpg




QUOTE]

Hey! That's me!



























Just kidding.:laughing: That seems like the worst choice for hot weather. Not to mention it just looks odd. Last Sept. it was close to 90 degrees and humid and I saw an Asian tourist wearing jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and a sweater over it. This was in Animal Kingdom.:confused3
I am glad Leo rode POTC. Last year my 5 year old freaked out and cried through most of it . I apologize to anyone who may have been on that ride with us. I don't think she stopped crying until the part where the pirates are looting the town.
Once again great update and great pictures.:goodvibes
 
I dont think Leo went back and rode POTC while wating till noonish on your dis friend.....Leo's narrated shenanigans crack me up....too funny


Hey we finally got the flights and rental car booked for Oct....now we need rooms for DLR and then later for Sea World/S.D. ZOO and the park tickets that were lookin for a deal with costco discount I have AAA so they may have a discount as well...anyone know?
 
Great update! Great parking spot! Great fashion no-no caught on film! And great job to Leo for riding POTC! (Not so great for mommy to not get to see Jack Sparrow, but hey there's always next time...right???)
 
YAY!! I'm here AND I'm not 2 weeks late!!:cool1:

First off, I can't believe you were able to pick up Leo and put him back in his bed! I tried that with Michael in January and couldn't even budge him...I got up and slept in his bed!

And ok, you make a very sound argument for driving, I must admit. Think we'll need to try that.::yes::

OMG - the FASHION DISASTER! Holy cow!! But thank you for the picture...I needed that laugh!:lmao:

I can't believe that it was the key to the locker that got Leo on POTC! :banana: But too bad he didn't want to watch the tutorial. It's pretty cute. Michael and I got a big kick out of it. Perhaps in August?? Hmmm.....

Ok, I'm off to catch up on catching up!! LY/MI!!:hug:
 
Well, I can understand the "controlling" aspect of having your own car. However, I just do not want to be "bothered" with driving, parking, riding that tram & then trying to remember where the car was parked! That last reason is the kicker!! Always had to write it down! :rotfl2:

Disney fashion -- What was she thinking?????? Oh, she WASN'T thinking!! :rotfl2:

Hey Leo, where can I get a key like that???? VERY cool!! :cool1:

No Small World???? :thumbsup2

One day, you must see that POTC Tutorial! It is very good!! Hopefully you would see the "good" Capt Jack...
DisneyPop2007-28.jpg

This sidekick is really good too!
DisneyPop2007-33.jpg

Just love it!

And the back of Leo's head???? Good pics! Kids....you gotta love 'em! :rotfl:
 
So we drove to the TTC and got in the short line of cars being directed into rows. As usual, I was but a few cars in from the far end of a row. But this time, it mattered not at all… because said row was the SECOND row from the street. The street by which the trams deliver guests to the TTC. That’s right, SECOND row. Baybee. :banana:

I even took a pic to mark the occasion:

2449570292_080b283438.jpg
Insert the Hallelujah Chorus Here:cool1:



At that point, we’d walked through half the park and seen virtually no crowds. :woohoo:

Next up was a quick jaunt through Frontierland, again with no crowds…

2448747587_fbe6909562.jpg

Again ...Insert Hallelujah Chorus" You were On some kind of a roll sister.. uh except Buzz being down:worried:


At this point, Leo thought for a moment, then said, “No, I’d rather have popcorn.”
:confused3
THAT.... IS THE BEST LINE OF ANY TR I HAVE EVER READ. You have a "straight-man" comedian on your hands V:rotfl2:

Dontcha just hate when your parenting comes back to bite you?
::yes::

Only one problem – we were to meet up with boysmom5150 that day at the MK. Boysmom was due to arrive at the Poly that morning to check in. She figured she’d be at the MK by 12pm and we could meet up then.

I have been wondering where she is .. has ANYONE SEEN HER.. "ANYWHERE"
 
Don't you just love when a five year old uses logic on you.
Oh yeah, it just makes my day! ;)
Oh you've got to meet T2!!!!
I KNOW! That's what I was saying, too....
DEAR GOD! What...I mean seriously...did she...are those...but who wears...scared by lycra...matching tooooo what exactly...how could...wha???
:rotfl2: Those were pretty much my words when I saw the pic back home. I wasn't awake enough to register more than "Take pic for DIS" that morning.
Also known as Chuck E' Cheese on a Saturday afternoon during birthday party season.
:scared:

You lifted him? Dude, you're teeny tiny - not that Leo is a huge child, but I can't even lift Maddie with out plopping her down ungently!
::yes:: I've been doing curls and squats with Leo lately! He's only 38 lbs, though, so don't think too highly of me.
Ok this is how it was in August, believe it or not, in the early am. Before those free diners. (NOFDpeeps)
Yep, ITA. But add in some ehat and a whole buncha humidity. :crazy2:
Jump on the monorail to the Poly and grab an adult Grilled Cheese sammy and a Lapu?? :hyper:
:rolleyes1

I cannot believe that this has been around since April. WTH? I've been bummed that you weren't going to write again and here this beauty is! ;) All caught up and impressed. You and Leo sound like a great pair. Can't wait to read more.
Yay - I'm glad you found me! Still lots more to write :thumbsup2
Hey! That's me!
:lmao: You had me there - I'm always afraid I'll post something snarky and wind up finding the person on the DIS! :eek:

I dont think Leo went back and rode POTC while wating till noonish on your dis friend.....
Really?! :rotfl: You know Leo well. ;)

Great update! Great parking spot! Great fashion no-no caught on film! And great job to Leo for riding POTC! (Not so great for mommy to not get to see Jack Sparrow, but hey there's always next time...right???)
Oh yes, I'll definitely be trying again! :thumbsup2
I love kids.
Want one? He goes real cheap on whiny days! :rotfl2:
YAY!! I'm here AND I'm not 2 weeks late!!:cool1:
Wooo hoo! :hug:
First off, I can't believe you were able to pick up Leo and put him back in his bed! I tried that with Michael in January and couldn't even budge him...I got up and slept in his bed!
I would have done just that, but my bed was squishier and I had my down comforter. Yes, I make my child take the lumpy bed and nasty hotel blanket. Remember me? Parent of The Year?
But too bad he didn't want to watch the tutorial. It's pretty cute. Michael and I got a big kick out of it. Perhaps in August?? Hmmm.....
I was thinking the same thing! :thumbsup2

Well, I can understand the "controlling" aspect of having your own car. However, I just do not want to be "bothered" with driving, parking, riding that tram & then trying to remember where the car was parked! That last reason is the kicker!! Always had to write it down! :rotfl2:
See, the driving doesn't bother me at all. And I have photographic memory, so I've never had a prblem remembering where I parked - jsut have to make sure I look around well before leaving the vehicle.
One day, you must see that POTC Tutorial! It is very good!! Hopefully you would see the "good" Capt Jack...
DisneyPop2007-28.jpg
There's a GOOD Capt. Jack?!
Insert the Hallelujah Chorus Here:cool1:
Exactly! :rotfl:
THAT.... IS THE BEST LINE OF ANY TR I HAVE EVER READ. You have a "straight-man" comedian on your hands V:rotfl2:
Thanks - I can't take any credit... Leo really DID say just that! Oh yeah, he's a hoot. :rolleyes:
I have been wondering where she is .. has ANYONE SEEN HER.. "ANYWHERE"
No, and I was going to ask if anyone'd seen her elsewhere. :worried:
 












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