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

[eandesmom]

OMG! Your family.....scattered......like a Death Eater had appeared in the middle of the pack.....and.......and.....didn't phone home to stick with the plan of getting on the FJ ride FIRST?

LOVE it!

That's like grounds for performing one of the 3 Unforgivable Curses on them!!!

Unfortunately the only one with the tool to do that was one of the unforgivables!







man, the difference 3.5 years makes! He's still got that wand though.

I so sympathize.


And yes, breakfast is just barely acceptable at the Three Broomsticks. One can only hope that there are better food options in Diagon Alley.


At least your mom got on the ride.

You know for some reason we liked the food back in 2010. Probably because we were SO shocked to be able to get in. Back then, right after opening, breakfast was only offered through a resort package special ticket. I was very glad she got on and once was enough for my dad (and Melissa and big Eric too).

I however wanted more. LOL!

Yay for your trip being so close! I am an overpacker of the shoes too so I can sympathize with you on that front.

Well at least flip flops don't take up much space

What a great idea to use a car service to get your group to the Dark Side. I hadn't even thought of that. Must make a note of it for our May, 2015 trip.

It seems a bit pricey at first but when you factor in the hassle of picking up a rental (if you didn't already have it) and then paying for parking at Universal (which is a whole 'nother story) it comes out to be a decent deal depending on how many people you have.

Ugh, I can't stand it when there's a plan in place and others totally screw it up. Seriously? Good for you going ahead and riding though. No need to just stand there and wait on them when you can enjoy yourselves.

Nope, we were NOT going to let that line get any longer.

I was probably as annoyed that it meant I missed the Tri Wizard challenge as darn it, Jeff and I like that ride too! And would have gladly done it right after FJ.

Oh well.

Well... good luck.


Priorities!!!

Yes, assuming I can get one of the bands to let me into the park...I am all over the food plan!

Wow... a busy month. When you started out running, did you ever think you'd have 3 races scheduled in just over 1 month's time???

Nope. Definitely not! It was only a year ago that I started!

Definitely a bittersweet moment for her, and you.

SNIFF!

That was nice of her!


I have to say, that this is the beauty of World Showcase.

It is. Sometimes I think we spend too much time there compared to the other parks but you know what? It's a happy place full of color, beauty and yes...good food and drink!

You've definitely done well in finding a suitable replacement for Olivia's breakfast.

It's not exactly the same but, it will do and I won't feel like I am wasting the morning away for Mary Ellen. A direct red eye gets me in so early I need the sit down meal but this is a later arrival and I am thinking sitting down may make me kind of squirrely!

Internet quizzes never lie!

Oh yes they do! This one though...maybe not.

Looks like fun! Have a great time!


Uh oh... I sense some upcoming limitations to their "freedom."


Yeah, not fun at all. I'm glad that she was able to ride!


Brutal... I guess I didn't realize there was adult supervision with the boys at first. That makes it even more frustrating...

Yeah, the adults certainly could have rerouted and didn't feel the need. I just needed to get over it. I was as frustrated with the time wasted trying to communicate about it. "Not delivered" was the repeating theme of our text messages and it was very stressful. No ones fault but UGH.

It has to get better. Right???

One would hope huh!

Oh man, I hate it when there's a good plan and people don't follow it!!! I would have been ticked too.
This is why I'm not inviting any family to join us for our trip at NYE this year! HA! No, not really. If anyone else comes though, they can make their own plans.

And even if you do make plans for them...they will make their own. which really, is fine. 99% of the time. I was just ticked. I did get over it.

So when you say the ministry means business, how intense is that ride? I'd love to go see WWoHP, not the next trip but someday, but if I can't handle it, what other rides are more tame, if any? I'd hate to spend all that $ to look around.

Oh I just meant by all the warnings on it!

I'd say the ride is a combination of Soarin', Haunted Mansion and Spiderman. Which doesn't help a whole lot if you've not been on Spiderman. Think of Soarin' as a free floating diving thing with some stuff jumping out at you. and you'll kind of get the idea. I LOVE it personally. I think the coasters are more intense than FJ but it's really a personal thing, what bugs different people. If you don't like Mission Space, I'd probably skip it. That is a pretty horrible description though!

Universal definitely focuses on more intense rides in general. For me, if you can do EE, SM, RRC, the bulk at Universal will be fine. But maybe someone else can weigh in?

I hope the dark day brightens.

well we ARE on the dark side you know

Good luck with the packing! I always have more shoes than anyone else!

It's ridiculous! (me, not you)

 

[eandesmom]

Before I get to the next update, I learned some very sad news late last night. A very special DISer, TarzansKat, or TK as she is known, lost her Nana this week. TK and her Nana were scheduled to be at WDW next week and we had fast passes and a special meet planned (involving a certain Dole Whip, with Rum). She has cancelled her trip and is now busy with the sad details of celebrating an amazing life and figuring out what exactly happened, they suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.

So please everyone, check those smoke detectors and CO2 ones. Get some if you don’t have them. It was the first thing I did when I got up this morning. While mine appear to work fine they are just now outside the 8-10 year full replacement range, I probably need at least 1 more on the main floor and 2 more of the CO2 so that all my floors have one, Take those trips with your loved ones, your parents, your grandparents and everyone you love. Enjoy the time you have. I know she did, with her Nana and is grateful for every moment.

Next week Mary Ellen and I will keep our meet as planned, have that Dole Whip with Rum, toast to TK and her beloved Nana, and head to the Land to ride with them as we'd all planned. I know TK and her Nana will be with us, and it is what they both would have wanted. And while I don't know that Nana was the pirate that TK is, she certainly gave her love of Disney to TK, TK's mom (her daughter, who TK lost just last year, also suddenly) and to her beautiful grandsons and I know that will live on. Even know I didn't "know" her, I feel like I did, through TK's words and trips. I suspect Nana's heaven might look like the GF and have a lovely tea, or is in France and involves a glass of champagne, but whatever it is, I know there is a touch of Disney here.

For those that know TK and are interested in contributing to flowers feel free to PM me here or on FB if we are FB friends, there is a DIScollection going through Sunday. It is NOT public FB knowledge (but is within a portion of the DIS community if that makes sense) so please please do not post publicly anywhere about it.

 

[eandesmom]

It was 10:30 am. In a packed park full of crazy intense rides what is your first choice of things to do?

See a show.

Yeah, wouldn't have been my choice either. But it was something Kerri could actually do!

Don't get me wrong, I like shows. But, at the end of the day it was more important to me to be with my folks and siblings who weren't up for intense rides or actually couldn't go on them for various health reasons.

At least it was a show I'd never seen.

MERRY GRINCHMAS!

Which seemed a little odd given that both Christmas and New Years were now past but what the heck, why not.

Plus it looked like it was going to rain. Good thing Jeff had a new jacket.

We followed directions based on the little special event flyer we’d gotten as we came in. And walked. And walked. And walked! Jeff and I had backstage world showcase déjà vu! It took us to a HUGE theater. Where we had no problem getting seats.



You all know the story

Whos dancing around







Cranky green guy...



More whos



Uh oh!





That's a lot of loot



With the cutest dog EVER



The dogs trainer got a lot of applause



Why Santy Clause, WHY?





Thankfully he brought it all back, more songs were sung and the dog was much admired.

It was cute. A little weird. The who noses were weird and an adult playing Cindy Lou was just...odd. The Diva in the red dress (the Mayor’s wife I think) didn't have to wear the nose. We didn't think it was fair.

We excited and hit some who shopping.

And found this guy





I cannot recall what he was saying but he was funny!



My folks found a few things



To try on that is.

I bought Jeff a Grinch Ornament.

Appropriate.

LOL!

Actually my mom bought some stuff too, on the fly, for baby freight train and we combined it all and used my AAA to get the discount. We’d done the same thing at FJ. I’d not bought anything there but my mom had. A journal and some patches I think.

Now honestly I am not positive what happened next. We may have just killed the next hour shopping. Or we may have headed over and done single rider Spidey. Or we went and got a locker. Or coffee. Or the bathroom or, argh, I don't know! I think we did Spidey here but don't have a picture to prove it. I do know we got on Spidey at some point, I think twice and am pretty sure it was both that day. Kind of sad, we made it onto so few rides that morning and I can't even recall. Why? Well it was raining. My battery was dying. I really rely on camera time stamps (which somehow had become un synchronized that day) and photos themselves to remind me what we did. At any rate about an hour later we met the boys at the front of the park and headed out. They'd had a GREAT time and had gotten a lot done.

Gotta love single rider!

Any guesses where we were headed?

A place where we could all get much needed adult beverages!

You know, where it's always 5 o'clock?

It started to pour as we walked but we made it there right on time. As I checked in, Jeff headed to the bar to take care of something important.

Ordering a round!



Typically it can take a while to be seated here; this however was not the case. As you may recall we were disappointed to find that the restaurant had been booked by a private party for dinner, so made arrangements for our group of 11 to come there for lunch. While waiting for our table, we ordered drinks from the bar, knowing in the past it could be some time before we were actually seated. We were pleasantly surprised to be seated quickly, before the drinks were even ready. At the time I felt bad that we'd not ordered them from our server however this turned out to be a good thing as not once did our server ask if we wanted another during the meal.

We ordered relatively quickly, the kids drinks took a good 15 minutes to arrive. So long in fact we let them all go outside to sit in the sun to try and dry off as we'd just gotten drenched on our walk in.

Once the drinks did arrive, they got busy being silly with the provided kid toys





Approximately 1 hour after ordering, our food arrived. During this time we’d had to go to the bar to get a second round of drinks as our server never stopped by to check on us. Still, we weren't all that bothered as we were together enjoying the volcano, the videos and each other. Oh and being DRY! It was a monsoon outside, we could see it from our table.

When our order arrived our server insisted on delivering "rancho" burgers to all of us that had ordered burgers except for the one kids meal. While some of the group had ordered that item, 2 of us had ordered the regular cheeseburger in paradise. She insisted that we take the ranchos and was very confused despite our repeated insistence that we did not order them, that we just wanted the regular ones. After what felt like 5 minutes of her refusing to not deliver them or believe us (an honestly truly seeming not to even understand what we were saying, that we had not ordered that kind of burger) and get us what we'd asked for we said that we'd take them but expected to be charged for what we'd ordered. While I realize it is only the difference of a dollar each, neither of us wanted or needed the bacon (and it made the difference in my child not being able to finish his) but at that point we were starving and just wanted our food (2pm, we'd checked in at 1).

Thankfully, the food, as always, was quite good and at least cooked to the temperatures we’d asked for.

I didn't take pictures. At that point I just inhaled.

Long after we were done with our meals, our server finally came by to collect dirty dishes and start bringing bills. The bills arrived one by one (we had 4 different billing groups), not all together. When mine arrived (last) it had 4 rancho burgers on it, when it should have been 2, and 2 cheeseburger in paradise.

I asked to have it fixed.

15 minutes later, the rest of our group were handing back their bills with payment and she came by to say she couldn't figure out how to fix it on the bill so had just taken 2 ranchos off and would only charge me for 2 and presented a bill that had only 2 ranchos on it. I wasn't looking for anything comped, just a correct bill for what I’d ordered. Given that we were now going on 2 hours and wished to get to the parks I said ok after my group insisted I should. She left without taking my payment even though I pulled out my card, but took the other checks for our group.

10 minutes later she came back with 2 of the 3 checks that had given her payment and yet another bill for me, this time with all 4 burgers back on it but 2 at the right price. And then promptly left again without taking my payment. While I was not at any time looking for anything to be comped, the fact that she said it would, argued ad nasuem in the first place about what we’d ordered, basically forced us to take them (not to mention our fears of trying to get the right burger taking up to another hour) and then brought back the full bill after all and took another 15 minutes to close it out (by which time I’d told the rest of our group of 11 to go to the park without me and not waste their day) really didn't sit well We are huge fans, the food was good but 2 hours for a burger, an arguing server who brought the wrong thing, couldn't figure out how to fix it, said they’d just take care of it and then changed their mind well, it just doesn't sit well at all. I can honestly say I have never in my life emailed customer service about a poor dining experience but given that our group when there on our insistence and then to experience what we did was well, pretty mortifying. My group felt I should have stayed and gotten a manager involved given the sudden change in bill but at that point I just wanted out of there. Even worse, as we were a party of 11 the bill had an automatic gratuity. While I appreciate the need for those, and rarely if ever leave less than 15% on my own (typically 18-20) this was absolutely an instance where the full gratuity was not warranted.

As a former restaurant manager and server I understand the nature of kitchens getting behind and order mix ups as well as poor service and am generally pretty tolerant of almost anything. This however, was beyond that for me.

I will say, post trip, the manager contacted me after my email, was appropriately moritified and offered to treat me and my party to dinner to make up for it.

Given that I don't know when I will be back to that side, not really an option. Nice thought but not practical.

It was now after 3. Yep. After 3. My phone was dead, Jeff’s almost so and the family was scattered to the wind. So scattered 2 had left entirely. Kerri wasn't feeling all that great, (neither was Eric but they didn't tell us that then) and was tired. And there simply was very little she could do at the park. Especially with all the rain. So they left to go take a nap. I believe they took a cab but am not sure. What a total waste of park tickets for them! I felt bad. They had planned a date night and I hoped that they’d be able to regroup and have a nice one. We finally got a text to go through to the rest both ways and found the kids off riding the various coasters over and over again, and the other three kicking back at the Hogs Head with a Beer (dad) and Wine (mom and Mel) so they could avoid the rain.

We went to the store. A trip to Margaritaville, horrible service aside, is not complete without a trip to the store for Jeff.

Who found a tee.

It was still raining.

Wanna see?



Guess what.

It was 3:30

We did what any reasonable parrot head would do

Find Shelter





Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

Continued from previous


The rain kind of came and went





The lovely bartender plugged in my phone behind the counter!

Our turn to do what WE wanted

Even if it was be default



Ominous



And the rain came back



In Buckets



It was happy hour

Time for another round!

Holy cats was it windy!





We had to laugh. Ok, several margaritas over the 4 hours might have had something to do with the laughing but we had to laugh. What else can you do, right?

We were grateful to have the stools at the bar, the tables were not cutting it



Around 4:30 we gave up. My phone had a little juice in it thanks to the back bar charging so we headed back in to meet up. Earlier in the day we had gotten a locker for the group to share and at some point we’d stashed some things and gotten some things out. I know we stashed the new tee before heading back in and I am pretty sure that I ditched the big camera here as well, maybe changed shoes? If memory serves (since we dodged rain the entire time) we found the crew in Hogsmeade, hit the TriWizard Challenge, then SpiderMan but did not make it on the Hulk. We tried to get on the Hulk. The single rider line would close, and then open. Or not open. The boys had been trying all day. We'd managed that on Spidey and finally got a window on the Hulk. We got in line, waited, waited some more and…the ride was down.

The boys REALLY wanted to wait it out. And by boys I am including Jeff. I really wanted to ride it, it was covered in the area we were waiting in (which was good as it was raining again) so why not.

So we waited. And waited.

I had originally scheduled our pick up by towncar for 6pm. The original thought had been that my folks and Kerri would be toast by then. However, between the rain, Kerri bailing and my folks spending a decent amount of time at the pub versus out in the rain, at lunch we’d elected to push it back a little and as a result it would be a 7:30 pm pick up. Our dinner reservation was for 8:30 and we figured that would give us enough time to get there. I’d arranged for the cars to take us to dinner, instead of back to BWV.

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. At any rate we needed to meet up with the other adults & kids as at this point, it was us and I think 3 of the boys. Kolby maybe had opted out of Hulk, and I knew once we met them at the park entry, it wouldn't be a fast walk to where the town car would be.

So with that, we left.

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.

The End of the Trail

 

[scottny]

LOL at how they r taller.
Glad it worked out with the changing of Trails End.
I see the snow in the pics.
Little secret here. We never made it to the lights this time.
That is a lot of races.
The food you all had looked good.
I think the cronut was made here in NYC first. I have yet to try one. There is always a line around the corner to buy them.
The Florida Fresh shrimp and grits was so good when we had it last year.
Plans look good.
Glad it worked for your Mom, I was told twice so far I could ride it.
I wish they played Merry Grinchmas when we went but it was starting the week after.
Nice pic with Grinch.
Love Spidey’s ride.
Wow! That is really bad service. I hope the tip reflected it. We had great service when we went in December, sorry you did not.
I would have called her manager over and explained everything to them and also emailed corporate. Once I would have seen the automatic tip I would have had that manager over so fast. She probably knew the tip was included and figured she could get away with it.
Nice the manager offered that, next time talk to them in person. That is terrible service and unacceptable.
Sounds like not so great of time there but glad you made the most of it. I cannot wait to go back for the new section of HarryLand.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

OH man, that rain! Such a bummer that so many factors impacted your day negatively.

What really stinks about the bad service, is that by the time you could get it resolved, you just wanted to get out of there. Then you don't get the opportunity to talk to the manager right then and there and take that automatic (and undeserved) tip off the bill. I'm glad the manager responded to your email but the cost had already been paid and you lost so much time because of it. Really BAD service!

So sad about TarzanKat's nana. My thoughts and prayers to her and family. I saw on FB and didn't make the connection to her DISname. Thanks for clearing that up. I need to replace my CO detectors -they are old! Will do that this weekend.
I hope that when you are at EPCOT you feel her with you and enjoy that special Dole Whip!

I'm getting a rather ominous feeling about you getting to dinner on time for some reason! I hope I'm wrong!

 

[Leshaface]

Oh gosh, how absolutely terrible! I don't know TK, but my prayers are definitely with her and her family. And right before leaving on a magical vacation.



How cool the Grinch show! And you got to meet him too.

Ugh, your experience at lunch sounds AWFUL Doesn't sound like this server knew what she was doing at all. I would have been bugged too if they took the burgers off and then put them back on.

At least the margaritas somewhat made up for the day you were having.

Hopefully dinner will be nice!

 

[dizneeat]

Just wanted to report that I am FINALLY all caught up again.

Too much to comment on, but man, that much rain is just horrible.

 

[addictedtothemouse]

WOW just wow on your Dark Side day. I would have been furious too if my family didn't follow the plan, but like you said you got to ride with your parents and that's what counts ion the end. I had to laugh with you about the rain, it reminded me of my trip in 2009. It rained so much on that trip that we actually threw several pairs of shoes away because they never dried out properly and were really smelly.

 

[MEK]

Wow - major updates this week. Glad I checked in!

I'm thinking I may head to Epcot Monday morning and meet you there. I won't eat before you get there because you know all the menus and I know nothing. I must wait for my official tour guide to arrive.

I was devastated to read about Nana yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work. I drove to work pretty numb. It's events like that which make you so grateful for each and every big and small moment you have with your family because you just never know.

And bless Brook for arranging a gift. I was actually going to contact you after work yesterday. So glad she did that.

I am officially packed. I just have to close the suitcase tomorrow and put on the ME sticker. I think my suitcase is going to come in way under 50lbs this time even though I have gifts and the rum and coffee. I hope. We'll see.

I'm pretty much just going to check in tomorrow and then head off to DTD to meet Rosie. I'll have my computer so I am just taking my computer backpack and my camera and heading straight there. I don't want to leave my computer with bell services. You know I usually don't travel with one and when I do I have a car, so I'm all messed up but I think I have it figured out.

I will go to the room after I get back and then I still have to call for groceries, right?

On to your update - Oh My. Major rain, long waits, less than stellar customer service. At least you got to ride Forbidden Journey right away. I can't wait to check that out in October.

You must have had a newbie waitress. She was probably so overwhelmed she just messed everything up. What a mess.

And the rain (oh yeah - I said that already).

Hope the day gets better!

 

[Chilly]

Rain rain go away come again another day (when we've gone home).

I'm hoping you end on a high and the meal tonight is amazing.

 

[eandesmom]

LOL at how they r taller.
Glad it worked out with the changing of Trails End.
I see the snow in the pics.
Little secret here. We never made it to the lights this time.

WOW! You've seen them before though, right?

That is a lot of races.
The food you all had looked good.
I think the cronut was made here in NYC first. I have yet to try one. There is always a line around the corner to buy them.

It is kind of a lot! Wierd. Funny how it's worked out. Never thought I'd be here when this whole thing started that is for sure.

I had heard the cronut started in NYC. I'd stand in line for it but maybe not around the corner.

The Florida Fresh shrimp and grits was so good when we had it last year.

That's the 2nd endorsement, it's moving to the top of the list!

Plans look good.
Glad it worked for your Mom, I was told twice so far I could ride it.
I wish they played Merry Grinchmas when we went but it was starting the week after.
Nice pic with Grinch.

The Grinch was cute. You had SUCH better crowds there though, I'd give up the grinch for your crowd levels. I was very glad it worked out for mom, it would not have been pretty. I don't think that had ever happened to her before and really took us all aback.

Love Spidey’s ride.

Me too! One of the best ever.

Although...not to be a spoiler...Transformers may beat it. I am pretty sure they updated Spidey a little since 2010, it seemed even better.

Wow! That is really bad service. I hope the tip reflected it. We had great service when we went in December, sorry you did not.
I would have called her manager over and explained everything to them and also emailed corporate. Once I would have seen the automatic tip I would have had that manager over so fast. She probably knew the tip was included and figured she could get away with it.
Nice the manager offered that, next time talk to them in person. That is terrible service and unacceptable.
Sounds like not so great of time there but glad you made the most of it. I cannot wait to go back for the new section of HarryLand.

Sadly it was an automatic tip due to the party size. My whole family thought I should get a manager involved but I just wanted OUT of there at that point.

Of course Jeff now wants to try to go there in September (which seems really complicated) but maybe we will and take her up on the offer.

OH man, that rain! Such a bummer that so many factors impacted your day negatively.

Well it was a bummer but it was also funny. I mean what can you do? Except laugh and make the best of it.

What really stinks about the bad service, is that by the time you could get it resolved, you just wanted to get out of there. Then you don't get the opportunity to talk to the manager right then and there and take that automatic (and undeserved) tip off the bill. I'm glad the manager responded to your email but the cost had already been paid and you lost so much time because of it. Really BAD service!

REALLY bad. And she wasn't a spring chicken, nor new to waiting tables. Just bad.

So sad about TarzanKat's nana. My thoughts and prayers to her and family. I saw on FB and didn't make the connection to her DISname. Thanks for clearing that up. I need to replace my CO detectors -they are old! Will do that this weekend.
I hope that when you are at EPCOT you feel her with you and enjoy that special Dole Whip!

I'm getting a rather ominous feeling about you getting to dinner on time for some reason! I hope I'm wrong!

It is so sad, it was jsut 2 years ago she lost her mom suddenly. It hurts my heart. She is such a special person!

Oh gosh, how absolutely terrible! I don't know TK, but my prayers are definitely with her and her family. And right before leaving on a magical vacation.

It is so sad. She is handling it with strength and grace which doesn't surprise me a bit.

How cool the Grinch show! And you got to meet him too.

He was a riot! Very much the Jim Carrey version of the Grinch

Ugh, your experience at lunch sounds AWFUL Doesn't sound like this server knew what she was doing at all. I would have been bugged too if they took the burgers off and then put them back on.

She was beyond clueless. It was bad.

At least the margaritas somewhat made up for the day you were having.

Hopefully dinner will be nice!

Seriously, the margaritas were a requirement at that point!

Just wanted to report that I am FINALLY all caught up again.

I know that feeling well!

Too much to comment on, but man, that much rain is just horrible.

It was a drag. But hey, at least Jeff had a jacket!

WOW just wow on your Dark Side day. I would have been furious too if my family didn't follow the plan, but like you said you got to ride with your parents and that's what counts ion the end. I had to laugh with you about the rain, it reminded me of my trip in 2009. It rained so much on that trip that we actually threw several pairs of shoes away because they never dried out properly and were really smelly.

UGH on the shoes! I was grateful I had packed my "rain" flip flops as back up. Some of my flips and sandals are super slippery in the rain or get a weird sliding thing going on that can end up causing chafing or blisters but I'd put my keens in my daypack along with the rain jacket so at least I was covered there.

 

[eandesmom]

Wow - major updates this week. Glad I checked in!

I'm thinking I may head to Epcot Monday morning and meet you there. I won't eat before you get there because you know all the menus and I know nothing. I must wait for my official tour guide to arrive.

Well you better have fruit and yogurt in the room or you will be starving!

That sounds like a perfect plan and I'm not holding up your morning, love it!

I was devastated to read about Nana yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work. I drove to work pretty numb. It's events like that which make you so grateful for each and every big and small moment you have with your family because you just never know.

I had the same reaction at about 11:30 the night before. I checked FB before bed and I was just gutted.

And bless Brook for arranging a gift. I was actually going to contact you after work yesterday. So glad she did that.

Me too!

I am officially packed. I just have to close the suitcase tomorrow and put on the ME sticker. I think my suitcase is going to come in way under 50lbs this time even though I have gifts and the rum and coffee. I hope. We'll see.

YAY for rum and coffee! LOL!. I think I will come in under too. I have too much stuff but it is all light.

I'm pretty much just going to check in tomorrow and then head off to DTD to meet Rosie. I'll have my computer so I am just taking my computer backpack and my camera and heading straight there. I don't want to leave my computer with bell services. You know I usually don't travel with one and when I do I have a car, so I'm all messed up but I think I have it figured out.

I have left mine with Bell services many a time but I get why you don't want to for sure! I will head to the room once I arrive as I will want to freshen up before hitting the bus.

And I have to make a work phone call but it should be quick.

I hope.

I will go to the room after I get back and then I still have to call for groceries, right?

Yep. I'd just tell them at bell services when you walk up from the boat. They might even offer to grab them and then drive you to the room with them

On to your update - Oh My. Major rain, long waits, less than stellar customer service. At least you got to ride Forbidden Journey right away. I can't wait to check that out in October.

Yeah, not exactly magical but we did try hard to make the best of it

You must have had a newbie waitress. She was probably so overwhelmed she just messed everything up. What a mess.

And the rain (oh yeah - I said that already).

Hope the day gets better!

Not a newbie. Not a spring chicken either (probably my age?). Just really really bad.

 

[eandesmom]

Rain rain go away come again another day (when we've gone home).

I'm hoping you end on a high and the meal tonight is amazing.

Exactly! When we've gone home is perfect.



I expected the gamut of weather but honestly it was more rain that I'd really anticipated at that time of year. We had the stuff for it but, bleh. It did help with the crowds later on so at least we got on a few things and that helped overall.

 

[rentayenta]

I am sorry for your friend TK.

What would Jimmy Buffet do with buckets of rain? Happy Hour!!!

Have a wonderful trip with MaryEllen. I count you'll keep us semi in the know on FB.

 

[franandaj]

First off, I'm so sorry to hear about TarzansKat. I don't know her, but I have seen her post on friend's TRs. Very sad and I send my condolences.

That said we put CO2 detectors in all our units annd they are still new enough that they should still be working.

You're probably on your way out and may not be back so I hope you have a happy trip. I'll be back tomorrow but had a healthy dose of reality today. Ugh!

Have a great time and you are so lucky to have family still at home whole you're gone!

As far as ditching you on FJ, that was just rude! I can't believe how inept your lunch server was! And that rain, I would have abandoned everyone and gone back to the hotel! JK but it would have crossed my mind!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Condolences to TK. That's so sad.

 

[PrincessInOz]

What a lot of rain! And what bad service! Memorable it may have made the day; but that's not what I want to remember at all.


Hope it dried out....eventually.



Have a great trip with MEK.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Happy Mother's Day Cynthia! Hope you have a safe flight and a wonderful trip!

 

[eandesmom]

I am sorry for your friend TK.

Me too, too much loss in such a short time. From what I know, Nana totally rocked and I am sad not to have the opportunity to meet her.

What would Jimmy Buffet do with buckets of rain? Happy Hour!!!

Darn straight!

Have a wonderful trip with MaryEllen. I count you'll keep us semi in the know on FB.

Count on it!

First off, I'm so sorry to hear about TarzansKat. I don't know her, but I have seen her post on friend's TRs. Very sad and I send my condolences.

She has not been around much in the past few years, small children can do that to you! She's a very special gal, one who has become a IRL friend even though we've never met live. I am gutted for her.

That said we put CO2 detectors in all our units annd they are still new enough that they should still be working.

We only have 1 CO2, on the sleeping floor but really should get 2 more so there is one on each floor. OUr smoke detectors all seem fine though again, it's a similar set up. Have them in all the bedrooms, hall outside the bedroom but only 1 on the main floor. Which, from a cooking and fireplace perspective has been fabulous but I wonder if we shouldn't have at least 1 more. I read that you should replace the whole unit at 8-10 years, which is where we are at (10). Not sure why but since they are hardwired, kind of a pain. It's on my radar now for sure.

You're probably on your way out and may not be back so I hope you have a happy trip. I'll be back tomorrow but had a healthy dose of reality today. Ugh!

Oh no! I don't like healthy doses of reality. Good thing you have another vacation not all that far away.

Have a great time and you are so lucky to have family still at home whole you're gone!

I am very ready for a trip where I am only responsible for ME!

As far as ditching you on FJ, that was just rude! I can't believe how inept your lunch server was! And that rain, I would have abandoned everyone and gone back to the hotel! JK but it would have crossed my mind!

And there's the rub. Had we been staying on the Dark Side, as we did previously, we could have done that. It really is the way to go and boy did we feel it then. But bailing on the whole day, when we only had 2 over there, just wasn't a practical option.

Condolences to TK. That's so sad.

It is

What a lot of rain! And what bad service! Memorable it may have made the day; but that's not what I want to remember at all.

Oh there were good moments in there, there always are. Still, I'd be very happy to not have a day like that again that is for sure.

Hope it dried out....eventually.

We shall see!

Have a great trip with MEK.

Thanks!

I will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day Cynthia! Hope you have a safe flight and a wonderful trip!

Thank you!