May 2011: The Year of Surprises! [TR]

[Lidian]

I remember getting texts about the bugs in the pool. Weren't they lovebugs? I think we were swimming in our caged-in pool at the same time, and I invited you over to a clean pool.

I don't think they were lovebugs, I think just flies and ants, a mixture of every bug possible. I just know it was disgusting!

DTD seems to be either hit or miss. There are days we drive around for a long time waiting for a parking spot. Other times the place is empty. Wasn't the Lego store under refurbishment went you went?

We've noticed that it was hit or miss ... but wasn't sure if there was a trend. TP doesn't give me the CC days for DTD.

The Lego store was up and awesome! Took lots of pics and really enjoyed the displays. It was the first time we ever went into the store. DS actually made a purchase there (which I forgot to mention - as I just now recalled) on our last day at DTD.

Yesterday we went to the MK and met up with some of the central FL DISboarders and someone from the CSR board. Anakin asked if we were going to see "Pirate Boy" too. He still remembers meeting your children!

That's awesome! The kids have asked periodically about you and Anakin as well. We'll definitely have to get together on our next visit - perhaps schedule some play time for the kids.

My in-laws love Denny's. My husband can't stand the restaurant. It's a mainstay in their family. I think they keep Denny's in business. I never heard of the bacon dessert. Sounds scary. Your friend is brave.

Too bad you didn't get to Kobe. Singledad makes it sound wonderful!

It was the first time I'd ever been, but DH has frequented Denny's before (working odd hours while he was in the AF). The menu actually made the bacon sundae look appealing ... but I was burnt out on sweets from having one with every meal (a horrid thing to say, I know!). I didn't bother to tempt it ... but DH did consider it. I'd say it would be good ... sweet and salty all in one ... and maple syrup vs chocolate syrup.

I wish DH would have just waited it out ... it would have been much better than Denny's! But there's always next time!

 

[lbuzz52]

you are right- a crowd calendar for DTD would be awesome!

sorry the day didn't work out as expected. i can imagine it could get depressing to move offsite.

Bacon seems to be a big thing in the culinary world right now. i swear its on almost every food network show.

 

[KatMark]

Dang it all...I missed two updates (we were out of town for Labor Day and then I was sick the whole week).

I'm glad you got to spend more time at AK, but sorry you still didn't get everything done you wanted. Love the FOTLK; saw it for the first time last year and can't wait to see it two weeks from today.

You can never judge when DTD is busy and when it is not. We've been lucky on most trips and never had to deal with really big crowds.

And all I can say about the pool is I hate bugs, and dead bugs in the pool are disgusting. There is NO way I'd be going in that pool.

Not a fan of Denny's at all -- not even breakfast.

 

[Lidian]

you are right- a crowd calendar for DTD would be awesome!

sorry the day didn't work out as expected. i can imagine it could get depressing to move offsite.

Bacon seems to be a big thing in the culinary world right now. i swear its on almost every food network show.

It was depressing ... but at least I was still down there.

Yes, bacon seems to be everywhere.

Dang it all...I missed two updates (we were out of town for Labor Day and then I was sick the whole week).

I'm glad you got to spend more time at AK, but sorry you still didn't get everything done you wanted. Love the FOTLK; saw it for the first time last year and can't wait to see it two weeks from today.

You can never judge when DTD is busy and when it is not. We've been lucky on most trips and never had to deal with really big crowds.

And all I can say about the pool is I hate bugs, and dead bugs in the pool are disgusting. There is NO way I'd be going in that pool.

Not a fan of Denny's at all -- not even breakfast.

You've been busy, so don't stress over it!

I think its just inevitable that things won't get done. Plus, it gives us an excuse to go back, right?

We get lucky off and on. Sometimes we're squished trying to get anywhere, other times we wonder where all the people are.

I refused to go near the pool. And I really wanted to cool off. Oh well.

Denny's was okay. Nothing good, nothing bad.




I also wanted to say ... I have a new ticker. I crunched more numbers last night and DH approved for going in March. Granted, nothing is booked yet (hopefully soon), so it's not in stone. The kids would only miss a couple of days at school (it's a short week for them), and its early March, so hopefully we'll beat the Spring Break crowds. It is, however, with Free Dining and staying at a Moderate (it will depend on what's available -- some showed up when I checked, but they could go before I can put down a deposit). If March falls through, then we'll have to see what kind of discount I could get for May -- if any. Fingers are crossed and a PTR will start once deposit is made.

Oh, and I promise to get around to finishing this one soon. It's almost done, I promise.

 

[AKL LOVER]

Yay for new tickers! And I am glad to see that other May '11 trippers are still finishing their TRs too--I'm not the only one!

 

[Lidian]

Yay for new tickers! And I am glad to see that other May '11 trippers are still finishing their TRs too--I'm not the only one!

There's several of us who are still working on TRs. But mine has been delayed due to random things -- not regular updates like most of the others. Oh well! Better than nothing, right?

 

[KatMark]

There's several of us who are still working on TRs. But mine has been delayed due to random things -- not regular updates like most of the others. Oh well! Better than nothing, right?

Hey, don't fret it. I have three friends here on the DIS that are still working on March and DECEMBER TR's.

 

[Lidian]

Hey, don't fret it. I have three friends here on the DIS that are still working on March and DECEMBER TR's.

Now I don't feel so bad for taking forever.

 

[Lidian]

Sunday, May 22nd; Magic Kingdom

Here's a sampling of PP pictures we were able to get. There's actually a lot more, but you get the idea. Minnie loved that DD was wearing her on her shirt (after I pointed it out) and Mickey went nuts! He made sure to let DD know he was in love with her shirt, since he loved Minnie, too. Enjoy!

 

[KatMark]

Great photopass pictures -- I love them.

I just ordered mine so I won't be able to incporate them into my TR so I will have to add them to the end. We didn't get to see Mickey & Minnie this time so I enjoyed your photos.

 

[Lidian]

We woke early, per DH's request. Once everyone was bathed and dressed, we lugged the suitcases down to the car. We made the depressing walk to the lobby and ate breakfast (they had a few fruits, cereals, waffles, and some breads). While nibbling on some fruit, I saw that Phineas & Ferb was scheduled to debut that day at DHS. I begged DH to let us go see P&F, but he put his foot down and made us get in the car. I cried a little, but I knew that he was beyond ready to get home and it was a long drive.

Once in the car, he hands me his phone and tells me to call out the directions. I do as I was told, but he still manages to get us lost. Yep, this was the year of "the lost". We had to pay so much in tolls trying to figure out how to get where we needed to go. He was very frustrated, and tried to insist it was my fault somehow, but he wanted to rely on the GPS system on his phone -- which was not accurate at all apparently. He realized it wasn't my fault, so don't be upset with him. But he was very frustrated. It took us almost two hours just to get where we needed to be (where it was a straight shot home).

It was a quiet ride. Everyone was depressed (well, except DH). The kids were sad, and I was already suffering from Disney Depression. I was going into withdrawals. The kids do really well in the car, so I was very proud that they were so well behaved. (Now why can't they do this all the time?)

We get about half-way home and DH says he wants to try a new route. After all the times we got lost this trip, he wants to try a new route home? I was terrified. I didn't mind being lost near Disney, but lost near home? That's not fun at all!

I spent most of the drive back texting with lovethattink and chatting (via Facebook, etc) with a few others -- such as TK, who was just arriving on site! So it was great to get a pic from her of their check-in experience!

DH didn't have any issues with the new route home. I guess he just can't drive in Florida? We arrived safely around 7pm. DH ran out and grabbed us some dinner (Sonic, I think) and we nibbled and got comfy. There was a cloud looming around us ... we all missed WDW (except maybe DH). But the cloud dispersed after a few days ... well, mostly.

And thus concludes the TR. I'll finish the PP pictures over the next day or two. Then..... I will be posting a link to my new PTR! We are officially booked.

 

[Lidian]

Great photopass pictures -- I love them.

I just ordered mine so I won't be able to incporate them into my TR so I will have to add them to the end. We didn't get to see Mickey & Minnie this time so I enjoyed your photos.

Thanks!

I couldn't incorporate mine either. I think its neat to just stick them at the end. Kind of like a "TR in review" type thing.

Sorry that you missed M&M. But there's next time right?

 

[KatMark]

Sorry DH would not give in on going to the Studios. I hate the GPS...sometimes I think the old Mapquest way is the better way.

Can't wait to see the rest of the photopass pictures and to follow the PTR. I've not decided if I'm doing a PTR for the January trip or not.

 

[Lidian]

Sorry DH would not give in on going to the Studios. I hate the GPS...sometimes I think the old Mapquest way is the better way.

Can't wait to see the rest of the photopass pictures and to follow the PTR. I've not decided if I'm doing a PTR for the January trip or not.

It's okay. DH was the one driving, and if we went to DHS, he knew he'd never get me out .... He had to return to work on Monday, so he really wanted to go home and curl up in bed.

I agree. I prefer Mapquest, but he was insistant on using the "reliable GPS system on his phone".

If you do a PTR, be sure to let me know! I'm totaly in.

 

[lbuzz52]

Yay for new tickers! And I am glad to see that other May '11 trippers are still finishing their TRs too--I'm not the only one!

There's several of us who are still working on TRs. But mine has been delayed due to random things -- not regular updates like most of the others. Oh well! Better than nothing, right?

i'm still working on mine... for the most part i've been updating regualrly- its just at my regular got switched form 3/ week to 2/week, to 1/ week







yeah for a new trip!!! i'm itching for mine. i've got a green light, but now i just have to figure out when.

 

[Lidian]

i'm still working on mine... for the most part i've been updating regualrly- its just at my regular got switched form 3/ week to 2/week, to 1/ week

yeah for a new trip!!! i'm itching for mine. i've got a green light, but now i just have to figure out when.

March 4-9 sounds like a good time. >.>

 

[lovethattink]

Love the photopass pics!! Sorry I missed some updates.

Hurray for the new ticker!!! Glad you are coming back soon!

 

[Lidian]

This is our full day at MK. Here's a sampling of the PP pictures we got. Enjoy!

This is the first time we ever got a picture of the family in front of the castle. In 2009, I snapped one of the kids. This is our first official castle picture as a family -- and the first picture of ME in front of the castle.

 

[KatMark]

I love the Pirate League photopass pictures--they are great. And a wonderful family picture in front of the castle -- glald you got in it this year.

 

[Lidian]

Continued