MagicBands + Margaritas + Muggles + Minions = TRP. New TR link is up! 10/31

[Chilly]

Checking in from Darths Mall to say hello! Having a great trip.

 

[KatMark]

Cynthia, forgive me, but I got way behind. I did read, but I forgot what I wanted to say. Work has been beyond nuts the last two weeks and I've been trying to run errands for last minute items for the trip. I haven't even thought about what I'm packing or anything yet.

I am loving your updates on FB and it looks like you and MEK are having a great time. I'm glad you got to meet the other Mary Ellen's husband at the Studios.

Keep the updates coming.

 

[glennbo123]

Ewww, I just read the last two updates in one shot and they sure didn't add up to the best park day ever. Sorry about that. So difficult to have the group not stick to the plan, and then to have the weather not cooperate, followed by an argumentative server. Oy! I hope it got better for dinner.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Checking in from Darths Mall to say hello! Having a great trip.

I know you are having a great time!

But how does it always happen that days are shorter at Disney???

 

[eandesmom]

Welcome aboard, Geeky!

Seriously

why is anyone not surprised?

Jeff is having a field day

Perfectly executed. What could go wrong?

Whew!

Sigh. Well, you can lead a horse to water...

Probably a good call there. Gotta pick your battles

Oh no! That's awful. I'm so sorry to hear that.

is about all I could do for that morning.

Your home away from home!



This was just not your day.


That's the spirit!

we made lemonade

or really

limeade

Have a great time with Mary Ellen!

I did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this looks like a great plan! I know you are there... probably already executing this plan. Sorry to be so behind on this to miss your send off.

Oh please, I am SO behind everywhere, including your PTR and TR's, you are no allowed to be sorry about anything.

I am SO excited for my next trip, my next girls trip, with YOU!

But for the record.

OH

MY

GOD

did that cronut hit the spot.

I may or may not have been entirely covered in sugar as I then tried to speak to the overly kind folks who had it waiting for me as I walked it. I may not have spoken before the first bite. I certainly didn't take a picture before the first bite.

inhaled.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good.

For someone who avoids sugar as a general rule, man, was it perfect.

When the "unlimited" fp's came out I figured going with early morning reservations would be a better bet for most people...and thus I wonder if those are going to fill up more easily than before.

Well...



I can't say.

We will not win any commando awards on the FP scale. We never tried to get more, in fact we blew off some we had.

Funny how an adult only, girls only, trip has different priorities at times.

Try not to work too hard this week!

I didn't. Am doing a bit now...which kind of buys me a week back.

Great must do list!

We will see how well I did.

Since I am behind, I have not read through to see if anyone gave suggestions... but I do think each park has some place that sells art. Perhaps even two or three? Like DHS has the "antique store" and then isn't there more up near the camera shop? In fact, don't most of the camera shops have some art work? Maybe not as much as the one that you exit into after the animation class...but some. Maybe not AK. Ok, so now I am really curious. I can't wait to see what you found.

yes, at least 3 do plus DTD. On the camera shops, I have no idea.

I did find stuff

Can the DVC sunrise safari be done even if you are not staying at AKL? I thought it was just if you stayed there?

Nope, only if staying. In the past it was concierge only. Now DVC can do it as well. While I know we would love it, I agree we will be happier not being committed to an early time event.

I have not been to US since before they put in Harry Potter stuff. I always say someday... and then I always just stay put in the world. Who knows... maybe in october it will happen. I will have to update my PTR...but of course there are going to be some changes to that... that trip is just a never ending battle of "what ifs and mind changes" that I am going crazy over it.

OMG it reminds me of my 2011 trip with Jeff's mom and the ever changing dates/plans/flight delays/health issues......

Wow... that is a very frustrating morning for sure. I can see why there were few pictures.



Seriously? That is crazy. With how many people are large people... the size cut off is near your mom's? I kinda feel like a good majority of people then can't fit on that ride.

Yeah. It was kind of brutal.

I am sorry to hear that breakfast was not as good as you have had in the past. I think mood definitely can play a role in how well we enjoy things.

HUGE factor, in reality the food was probably equally as meh the first time but we were on a Harry Potter OH MY GOD I CAN'T BELIEVE WE ARE IN THE THREE BROOMSTICKS FOR BREAKFAST WITHOUT A SPECIAL PASS" kind of high.

AH.. ok. I felt bad all of a sudden thinking that I missed you being a vegetarian and here I was suggesting things like bacon wrapped asparagus.

me, no. No way. Though I love many vegetarian dishes

I remember you mentioning that... I guess we will have to see if I muster up the courage to go on it.

I'm ok either way.

Given how many people love it... I would assume it was mine. I wonder if the fryer had not been heated quite to temp yet when I got it?

or we like grease more

Don't get me wrong... I think both the boys look like you. Just in different ways.

I will be anxious to hear how it goes.

The race will be interesting for sure!

Wow, what a crummy day at Islands of Adventure! That meal was just absolutely ridiculous, and add in the monsoon outside...no fun!

Ah well, we did have some seriously good moments and ultimately a lot of laughs over the whole thing. Yes, it kind of sucked in the moment but in the big picture it worked out.

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Cynthia Can't wait to hear all about your trip !! It was so great to meet you on Monday at Epcot , MEK of course we met the day before !! Poor Mary Ellen we sure gave her a shopping lesson

 

[eandesmom]

Well, I got way behind, but I'm caught up now... And you're gone!

Story of my life!

Sorry I missed your send-off but I know you and Mary Ellen (and some surprise guest stars) will all have a fantastic time!

Hmmmmm now what did you know about surprise guest stars missy?



we had an amazing time

Tea Time looked like a great girls get-together.

Soggy Studios!

I'm glad you were able to enjoy the Osborne Lights, though. Nice pictures!

You cobbled together an awesome supper in the World Showcase. There are so many great options there!

It was a great, albeit soggy at times, day!

Your day at the Wizarding World/IoA was truly... unmagical! Between the weather and herding cats and dead/dying batteries, I would have gone ballistic. And your server at Margaritaville was unreal! As one of our favorite singers says

"Oh, the stories we could tell!"

Yeah...at that point you go...

It's 5 o'clock

Like for the rest of the day



spoiler alert

It may not get less soggy

it DOES get better

Well if you ask me, it looks like you made the best of a rainy low-ride day with all those adult beverages

at a certain point, what else can you do?

Ok, to be fair, what else would WE do. I do realize that is not for everyone but we do love Margaritaville and the Lone Palm and honestly, we had a lovely if sopping time at the Lone Pam and well, darn it, it helped. It helped not only in the moment but in preserving our parrot head love, which might be a bit silly but is kind of a big deal to us.

Have a wonderful trip and enjoy F&G! Can't believe you're lucky enough to hit both US parks just a few weeks apart!

I can't believe it either!!!!!!!!!!!!

VERY different trips. Both wonderful.

That's truly sad. Thoughts and prayers to TK. I certainly hope that you and MEK were able to suitably honor them.

We were lucky enough to do it in person complete with a drunken dole whip as planned.

Completely makes sense.


What is really odd is when you're just minding your own business walking around Seuss Landing, having never seen that show, and a who walks up to you and says "Happy Wholidays." Talk about a reality check...

Wow, that is just an absolutely awful experience. I also love Margaritaville, and have eaten at that particular one multiple times. And I must say, I have always had great experiences there. But I realize you can have something like that happen anywhere. I'm just glad that to see that one bad (horrible, awful, terrible) server didn't ruin it entirely for you. At least you did get plenty of quality family time together there... And I'm glad to see that you got better service at the bar waiting out the rain. A few margaritas can make everything better. Temporarily at least.

One server does not define a restaurant. Bad food, can. Thankfully it was the former. We are HUGE fans. For many reasons. We will go back. And yes, a good rita, especially at 2 for 1 happy hour prices..helps.

A lot.

I'm sorry the day was basically a total wash out. Thankfully, nobody drowned. I can totally understand any meltdowns that may or may not have happened leaving the queue for Hulk. I'd have probably been trying to grab and attach myself to any permanent structure I could find if you were trying to make me leave before I could ride.

I wouldn't go so far as to say a wash out. It wasn't for the kids. They got on everything. For me, I simply was greedy, I wanted more than 1 ride on my favorites and I wanted Hulk. Did I miss anything I'd never done before that day? No. I missed the Hulk. Heck, I still miss it. But in the big picture of the trip if there is only 2 total rides you really missed that you didn't get on, over 11 days well...

you can't complain

at least I'm not going to

I hope the girls trip is a success!! Enjoy a drink or 2 for me!

I hope it's ok that we didn't count.

Cynthia, forgive me, but I got way behind. I did read, but I forgot what I wanted to say. Work has been beyond nuts the last two weeks and I've been trying to run errands for last minute items for the trip. I haven't even thought about what I'm packing or anything yet.

Catching up here should be last on that list!

I am loving your updates on FB and it looks like you and MEK are having a great time. I'm glad you got to meet the other Mary Ellen's husband at the Studios.

He was SO much fun! We had a blast, from start to finish.

Keep the updates coming.

Ewww, I just read the last two updates in one shot and they sure didn't add up to the best park day ever. Sorry about that. So difficult to have the group not stick to the plan, and then to have the weather not cooperate, followed by an argumentative server. Oy! I hope it got better for dinner.

Yeah...not "best park day ever" worthy. Ah well. We all have them, at one park or another. A day that isn't quite "it".

We lived. At a certain point it moved beyond frustrating, disappointing to humorous. Which, I think, is a good thing.

I know you are having a great time!

Had.

WAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the plane home now.

But how does it always happen that days are shorter at Disney???

not.enough.hours.in.the.day

#donthashtaganything

 

[eandesmom]

Hi Cynthia Can't wait to hear all about your trip !! It was so great to meet you on Monday at Epcot , MEK of course we met the day before !! Poor Mary Ellen we sure gave her a shopping lesson

Too short Rosie!

SO much fun hanging with you and Carol for a bit, absolutely loved every minute.

I think you shopped her to death though. Really stinking funny (for me) but maybe less so for her at the time, absolutely worth it in the end. The question is...

Did any of you actually buy anything?

 

[Leshaface]

Can't wait to hear about you trip! Thanks for posting all the fun pics on FB!

 

[CarolynK]

...At 7pm we were still in line. And it was NOT moving. We made the very unpopular decision to leave. Eric may or may not have had a meltdown. I may or may not have been very sympathetic about it.

I'm thinking "may not"? This totally cracked me up...but also having teenagers, this type of situation sounds familiar!

I want to say I did more than that but really, I don’t think I did! Despite that, outside of Hulk I did get my must do's in (with the rain, Jurassic was NOT a must do). It may not have been the day I'd hoped for but it was memorable. Despite it all there were some very good moments in there and in looking back..I still laugh. The volume of rain alone...wow.

Bottom line, you will remember it always. There is planning and then there is real life...you gotta go with the flow, which it sounds like you totally did!!

 

[annmarieda]

Oh please, I am SO behind everywhere, including your PTR and TR's, you are no allowed to be sorry about anything.

Well, I always find something to feel bad about. Just a state of being I guess for me.

I am SO excited for my next trip, my next girls trip, with YOU!

OMG! I am soooo excited!! I think we will have a pretty good time even with it being a short trip. I have given some thought to dinner... so I will send you a message on fb.

But for the record.

OH

MY

GOD

did that cronut hit the spot.

I may or may not have been entirely covered in sugar as I then tried to speak to the overly kind folks who had it waiting for me as I walked it. I may not have spoken before the first bite. I certainly didn't take a picture before the first bite.

inhaled.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good.

For someone who avoids sugar as a general rule, man, was it perfect.

I may have to try another one just to see if it was just a fluke.

We will not win any commando awards on the FP scale. We never tried to get more, in fact we blew off some we had.

I think that sounds like the signs of an excellent girls trip!

Funny how an adult only, girls only, trip has different priorities at times.

With relaxing and me time being at the top, right? Those are hard to do with kids in tow.

I did find stuff

Yay! glad you found some stuff.

Nope, only if staying. In the past it was concierge only. Now DVC can do it as well. While I know we would love it, I agree we will be happier not being committed to an early time event.

That is what I thought. Good to know for future visits... but it also is only on certain days too, right?

OMG it reminds me of my 2011 trip with Jeff's mom and the ever changing dates/plans/flight delays/health issues......

I think I am the biggest offender in our group. I think I am the one who is changing things or at least thinking about changing them more than the others. And while mil had originally changed her mind on things... she is now back to the original plan. (well, maybe she may actually want to go to the parks now. Which will totally make me revisit my ADRS )

The race will be interesting for sure!

Judging from the fb pics it looks to have gone well!

 

[Poolrat]

All caught up.

What a soggy day at IoA. That trip sure had some rain.

You made the best of it though.

 

[eandesmom]

Can't wait to hear about you trip! Thanks for posting all the fun pics on FB!

We had SUCH a great trip!!!!

I'm thinking "may not"? This totally cracked me up...but also having teenagers, this type of situation sounds familiar! Bottom line, you will remember it always. There is planning and then there is real life...you gotta go with the flow, which it sounds like you totally did!!

You can only plan, and hope for the best. Life doesn't always cooperate and sometimes, how you deal with whatever happened can create some really memorable moments! In the end it was a good day. Not the one we planned but good regardless.

 

[eandesmom]

Well, I always find something to feel bad about. Just a state of being I guess for me. OMG! I am soooo excited!! I think we will have a pretty good time even with it being a short trip. I have given some thought to dinner... so I will send you a message on fb. I may have to try another one just to see if it was just a fluke. I think that sounds like the signs of an excellent girls trip! With relaxing and me time being at the top, right? Those are hard to do with kids in tow. Yay! glad you found some stuff. That is what I thought. Good to know for future visits... but it also is only on certain days too, right? I think I am the biggest offender in our group. I think I am the one who is changing things or at least thinking about changing them more than the others. And while mil had originally changed her mind on things... she is now back to the original plan. (well, maybe she may actually want to go to the parks now. Which will totally make me revisit my ADRS ) Judging from the fb pics it looks to have gone well!

It was a great trip!!!!!

Oh my, I know how challenging the group planning is and...ugh. I'm sure you just want it settled? Whatever "it" is lol.

The race was a total blast. So proud of Eric! And the girls. They smoked me, as expected. But not by nearly as much as I would have thought. Had things been different (not stressing about Eric, not post flight and time change) I do think I could have been close to their time,

Given my state of being and stopping to take pics of the boys (full stop, chat with Eric, unzip phone, unlock phone, run backwards to take the pic lol) I'm pleased with how I did.

I am most pleased though that I truly was able to turn it on for the finish in a way I've not felt before. Best finish in that regard for sure. Makes me excited for Sunday.

It was humid and warmer than is expected, definitely had a few toasty moments in there. Big race, probably similar overall to the seahawks one. Really well run we thought.

 

[eandesmom]

All caught up.

What a soggy day at IoA. That trip sure had some rain.

You made the best of it though.

It was about as soggy as it could be. I am grateful in retrospect we had the morning dry for the initial visit to Hogwarts and at least got that in.

 

[eandesmom]

I am back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not remotely unpacked but home at least. I got in late Saturday night, by the time I got my luggage, home, etc it was past midnight Seattle time (so 3 am to me!).

We then had a race to do in the morning so at 6am I was up getting myself ready and helping Jeff get everyone else moving.

As you might imagine I did not sleep very well.

It was our first "family" race. It was pretty cool. This is an annual 8K race where you have to "beat the bridge". There are 2 bridges you run over in this race, the 2nd one is a little more than 2 miles in to the course. The bridge goes up 20 minutes after the last runner crosses the mat. So if you are last, you need to be at a 10 minute mile or better at least for those first few miles. Farther towards the front and you have more wiggle room. Not a ton though, I think they get everyone through in about 2 minutes, possibly less.

Jeff has always wanted to do this race and I'd promised I would be back for it. Which, between Mothers Day and soccer did give me the exact 6 day window for our trip so thanks Mary Ellen for being able to work with those very specific dates!

He and I registered a bit ago. Shortly after we did I got an email from Eric (and Evans former) XC coach. Turns out a member of the XC team has juvenile diabetes. The race is a giant fundraiser for it. His team, "Free Sisyphus" had been doing this for a few years. We decided to move our registration to the team and support Eric's classmate. As did a LOT of folks. Once Eric heard about it, he wanted in. So did Kendall, and her BF!

So we all went. None of the kids had ever run that far despite all having been on track and some on XC. K's best friend had done a couple adventure runs with her mom but never an actual race. The girls, thanks to soccer, were in great shape so I wasn't worried about them. Eric though...I was worried. He's middle of the pack at best and this was a HUGE distance increase.

Plus he had a track meet on Thursday with 4 events. The most he'd ever gotten to do at an event, which of course meant more running than usual. My plan was to run with him, unless he really wanted to be with his friends. I hoped that enough of his friends that were on the team, were at his pace. We met with the team at the meeting spot and the kids enjoyed bars, donuts and juice. Ok the girls had a bar and a little beverage. Eric, despite having been told not to have cereal earlier, decided a chocolate doughnut would be a good idea. We caught him mid way through and urged him to stop. He didn't listen. Great. Now in addition to worrying about his pace I had to worry about him getting sick!

He really wanted to go with his friends, and I let him. Made me nervous as all get out but there was quite the group. And with a team of over 100 I knew other team members would look out for him too if something actually happened. We discussed race etiquette, rules and what to do if something happened. His group got farther up in the starting corral and I think may have made it out in the first wave. The girls, Jeff and I went in the 2nd one. I ran with the girls for about a mile and then they pulled ahead. Approaching the bridge I saw a live band and lots of cheering. I will say this. Running over those bridge grates is...weird!

Just past the bridge, I passed Eric and his friends. They were over the bridge and starting to walk. I stopped, did some high fives and asked if they wanted a picture. They did! So out came the camera and then I ran ahead, turned around and ran backwards to get the shot. Amazing how me wanting a picture made them all start running again!

After that I took off. At about the 4 mile point, I saw Eric on the other side, a solid half mile or more behind. He was walking and holding his side.

The revenge of the chocolate doughnut.

I really thought about stopping, going back, running with him. However I knew that it would

Bug him
Bug me (as then I really would lose my pace entirely)
Kind of endorse the bad choice of the doughnut

I decided to just cheer him on and yelled "you got this" and "it's ok to walk!". And then I kept going.

The race ends at the UW stadium (GO HUSKIES!) and it was pretty cool to see and hear the Seahawks drum line as we ran in. I was able to really turn up my speed at the very end, my best finish in that regard ever which was cool. I even heard Jeff yell as I crossed.

Still, thanks to the picture stop and a couple of water breaks (5+ hours of sleep, time change, coffee and warmer than expected = a very dry mouth for the race) I didn't exactly break any speed records. It wasn't awful, wasn't great either. However given I know I lost a minute to the photo, if I factor that in, it's about where it should be or relatively close. It does make me very excited for my race next Sunday as I won't have any of those factors to deal with!

Of course, the girls and Jeff smoked me though in the case of the girls not nearly as much as I'd have thought. Eric finished and made his way to the meeting spot just fine.

His first words were.

That was fun! I want to do it again next year! And other races too!

followed by

I will never have a doughnut before a race again

I am SO proud of him. Huge accomplishment. The girls had a blast too (though were both thinking they might have trouble walking today ). A little bit of competitiveness for sure with those 2. They finished at the same time but K did beat her friend which honestly surprised Jeff and I as we expected the reverse. We did have team members who did not beat the bridge. It's pretty fun though, they have a party while it's up. Pretty cool too to see our community come together and run to support one of our own, combined we raised almost $14,000! I have a feeling that it will just keep growing now that his classmate has hit middle school.

The rest of my day was taken up with the end of the HS musical and then it was back to work today and dinner club tonight. However, Jeff's out of town till wednesday so there is a very good chance I will get an update up, tomorrow!

And then being the process of catching up everywhere. I am not sure yet how we are going to handle the TR situation. I need to finish this one, do one for DL and well, I can't manage more than one very well. Mary Ellen is in a bit of the same boat so...stay tuned for news on that once we figure it out. What I can say is that it was the BEST girls trip ever! We had SOOOOOOOOOOO much fun! It was so exactly what I needed, I seriously feel like a new person. A little tired but very rejuvenated. Just what the doctor ordered.

 

[teekathepony]

Welcome back, Cynthia!
Wow, I can barely function after a Disney trip, let alone run a race! Good for all of you and wow, that's a lot of money raised!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[englishrose47]

Too short Rosie!

SO much fun hanging with you and Carol for a bit, absolutely loved every minute.

I think you shopped her to death though. Really stinking funny (for me) but maybe less so for her at the time, absolutely worth it in the end. The question is...

Did any of you actually buy anything?

I think I did , but we were so intent on stalling I can't remember I think I may have bought 2 Graduation Bears for the Girls next month

 

[englishrose47]

Let me know when you start this TR!!! There was a whole lot of secrets involved in the planning !!Not just OVER shoppingA whole lot of people were in on the secrets

 

[jedijill]

Welcome back!

The race sounds like a lot of fun (except the whole running part! )

I can barely manage one TR let alone multiples!

Jill in CO