Mel's Unflashy June 2008 TR: Funnel cakes have fewer calories in FL. Updated 12/2!!

[DisneyJo]

Mel sending you lots of hugs and prayers today

 

[carrieannie]

 

[rachel3]

wow, bob , that was awesome!!!!!!

mel , your dh rocks!!!!!

there is no way i would ever be able to get mine to write a trip report!!!

yes, bob needs a name.........hmmmmmmmmmmm......... gotta think on that one.

just one question, though........... hey bob, was it hot???

 

[Muffinygood]

I decided that we needed a morning to sleep in. I don’t know if you’re keeping track, but it’s Tuesday. That means today I get to meet KyKatt2 and hopefully her family! Apparently, Katt is REALLY excited to meet me because she calls my cell phone and leaves me a voice mail at about 9:30 am. Her message was SO funny!
Katt: (who sounds a bit like Paula Deen to me) “Come on Mel! Time to rise and shine! Get up, Girl! What are you doing sleeping in DISNEY?!!”

I listened to her message and then promptly rolled over and went back to sleep.
The boys were all still out cold when I got up at 10 am and started making noise to let them know that sleepytime was over! This morning is already a late one. The night before when your butt is draggin and you think about getting up early AGAIN, it sure sounds good to sleep late, but the reality is that when you wake up and it’s 10 am and you’re going to Typhoon Lagoon, you realize that it was a BAD idea! That sums up our morning. I let everyone sleep until 10 and then my inner drill sergeant kicks in!
“GET up! We have places to GO! Come on you guys! Let’s move it!”

Now, lest you get the impression here that I don’t love my children equally, I will assure you that I do. The only problem is that sometimes I don’t like them equally. IYKWIM? SD has this VERY annoying habit of moving at the exact speed that will send me flying into a rage. I think it’s some sort of 15 year old, psychic ability he has to see into my brain and pick the speed that’s sure to cause me an aneurysm. So, we know that we’re going to TL. We know what we need to pack, and I’ve done that. We ALL know that showering, getting bathing suits on and flip-flops too is mandatory. Somehow, we all manage to understand that the SOONER we complete these tasks, we will be able to leave our room, board a bus and go to TL. All of us except SD!!! He is in the shower for 40 minutes. Yes, you read that right. NO, he does NOT (to my knowledge) require any special care in there that would account for that much time. I can wash, condition and rinse my hair twice, shave my legs and shower in under 15 minutes. I go with the assumption that he’s sleeping, standing up in the shower.

Fully “beautified” and in a bathing suit in a mere 1 hour (OMG!), SD finally graces us with his presence. We shuffle quickly down to the bus stop and notice that JUST as we are skipping down the walkway, our BUS has driven away! GRRR. SD!!!!
Here is the gang waiting on another TL bus...it was a LONG wait. See how SD looks as if nothing has happened? Yeah. He’s clueless sometimes. You can’t even see the vein throbbing in Bob’s temple....

The ride to TL was LONG. I can’t stress this enough. I think that the trip from BWV (via three resorts, two stops at DTD and a driver change) took over 40 minutes! I don’t understand why this has to be this way. Now, I get that in the interest of saving money, they might condense routes during the off-season, but it’s the last week of June! A week before the 4th! IT’S BUSY!

We exit the bus at TL and Gus yells, “Look! It’s the Angriest Man in Disney!” Bob looks around wildly, clearly trying to find the man who’s tearing hapless tourists limb from limb or at the VERY least shouting obscenities at small children who cry into their NEMO towels for their mommies....
Nope. Nothing.
He looks quizzically at me and Gus. We decide to fill him in. The “angry” guy is buying tickets to get into TL. He’s not currently angry though. Bob is perplexed.

I step up and we purchase our passes to get into the park. (Have to interject here to say that I would NOT pay $140 to go to a water park again, unless I am THERE at 8 am!!!) Somehow, it completely eludes me that they have towels available in the front of the park. I didn’t bring any with me, didn’t know to get them in the front, and this meant that we drip-dried on our way out later...

I had a vague recollection of V’s very helpful map of where to sit. We made our way around a sidewalk. I was not really interested in riding water slides and was perfectly content to hold down a chair with a magazine and my Ipod. I love the spot we found. It was in front of some “shark” building. I don’t recall now if it was one of V’s spots, but it was SHADY and quiet and had a potty and food nearby!

This is the view from my chair!

And if I turn to the right:

Yep. That’s the extent of our photos from this outing. Sad, huh? The boys all went off to ride the Crush n Gusher, Humunga Cowabunga, Storm Slides etc. I stayed put. I sat in the chair for about two hours. They finally came back (I didn’t dare leave the spot, I was afraid I’d NEVER find it again!) and asked me to ride the Crush n Gusher Water Coaster with them! I left our things and went with them.

There are three lines to chose from. I believe they were : Pineapple Plunger, Coconut Crusher and Banana Blaster. Gus and I rode the Pineapple Plunger together first. The guy who “launches” you says, “Take off your glasses and hold them in your hand.” Well, I’m BLIND without them, but they cost alot of money and I figured he knew what he was talking about, so I took them off. He issues a warning before you launch, “Keep your Butt Up!” Ok. Let me tell you he is NOT KIDDING. KEEP IT UP. In fact, after the first “bump” you hit that you AREN’T holding it up for, you will keep it up!!! OUCH. My but had a bruise on it for a week!

You shoot out the end before you know it. It was alot of fun so we decided to go again. We switched partners though and I rode with SD this time. I think the second ride we did the Coconut one. I held my butt up this time! And I forgot to take off my glasses...but they were still on my face when we shot out the end.
Thank Goodness!

They had photopass people at this ride, but they were only taking pictures of slides 1 and 3 and only every other raft. So, we missed out both times! The boys said they saw NO photopass people on any other rides. We split ways at this point and I went back to our stuff and got it packed up. While the boys rode the Humunga Cowabunga again, I checked out the map. I don’t think it was long before they returned and told me about the ride again, and all the old men that hang out at the bottom watching the girls come down. Ewww.

We hauled our things over to the wave pool and grabbed a chair for the stuff. Then we all waded out to the waves and had a blast! It was tons of fun. Last Easter we took a trip to Vegas with the kids. (They love Vegas, go figure! ) Our favorite hotel is Mandalay Bay and they have a lazy river and a wave pool. Their waves are SOOO small compared to TL! I was pleasantly surprised! The waves are about 5 feet when they break and that’s plenty to move you quite a distance from where you first encounter the wave!
Again, no pics because I didn’t have a waterproof camera and there was not a single photopass photog anywhere! After several great waves, we strong-armed the boys outta there!

We started the trek to the front, dripping without towels, and hauling tons of things! At the front, we found towels and did a quick dry off. I spotted a funnel cake stand and YEP, we purchased two of those gorgeous babies to go! As we walked out of the park, we munched on the delicious hot dough! People were looking at us with LUST on their faces! That’s two funnel cakes so far for those of you who are counting. I felt a little guilty that Gus’ meals for the day included 1. bowl of cereal and 2. funnel cake, so I threw away the last bit so he’d have room for dinner. It was around 4 pm at this point.

In case you’re wondering, the bus ride back to the BWV was just as slow. The traffic was considerably heavier. We arrived back at BWV and made the LONG trip down the hallways to our room. Showers are in order for everyone. I forgot to add earlier in this TR that a nice feature in the DVC villas is that jacuzzi style tub. I filled it up and plunked Gus in while the “big peoples” had turns at the shower. It saved alot of time! And he was VERY happy to hang out there. All dressed up and on our way to Narcoosee’s! Yum!

Our reservation is for 7:30 pm but I have a crazy, southern girl to meet first!

See you next update! You’ll get to meet Katt!

 

[Goofyluver]

You can't leave us before you meet Katt!

You're rotton!

I'm not a water park kinda gal. People just don't need to see my rear stuffed into lycra.

But, I'm glad you had fun!

 

[jcc0621]

So I guess you aren't going to the Focker WP meet?

I can't believe you stopped before you met Katt

 

[PrincessV]

SD has this VERY annoying habit of moving at the exact speed that will send me flying into a rage. I think it’s some sort of 15 year old, psychic ability he has to see into my brain and pick the speed that’s sure to cause me an aneurysm.

OMG, do I ever know all about this!!! Let m tell ya', 6yo's can master the technique, too.

The ride to TL was LONG. I can’t stress this enough.

Mel? Could you PM this little fact to LL? She's having a hard time understanding why I want to drive to TL!

I had a vague recollection of V’s very helpful map of where to sit.... I love the spot we found. It was in front of some “shark” building. I don’t recall now if it was one of V’s spots, but it was SHADY and quiet and had a potty and food nearby!

Mel, I think I love you! This is IT... THE spot!!! Hope you don't mind - I'll be using this post & pics for reference items!

 

[KatGarcia]

I'm glad you are feeling (or seeing I should say) well enough to post!

I have yet to go to TL or BB...maybe one day. I'd be contented to relax on the chair as well and wouldn't send any money and stay at the hotel for that!

Yay we get to meet Katt next!

 

[DisneyJo]

Katt: (who sounds a bit like Paula Deen to me) “Come on Mel! Time to rise and shine! Get up, Girl! What are you doing sleeping in DISNEY?!!”

Awwww how cute

I listened to her message and then promptly rolled over and went back to sleep.

You didn't

He is in the shower for 40 minutes. Yes, you read that right.

Hang on a minute, 40 minutes ummmm were yu not about to go to a WP????? Why did you need to shower?

so I threw away the last bit so he’d have room for dinner.

You threw away funnel cake OMG Mel

See you next update! You’ll get to meet Katt!

Wooohoooo, I hope you gave her my pressie

 

[kykatt2]

I decided that we needed a morning to sleep in. I don’t know if you’re keeping track, but it’s Tuesday. That means today I get to meet KyKatt2 and hopefully her family! Apparently, Katt is REALLY excited to meet me because she calls my cell phone and leaves me a voice mail at about 9:30 am. Her message was SO funny!
Katt: (who sounds a bit like Paula Deen to me) “Come on Mel! Time to rise and shine! Get up, Girl! What are you doing sleeping in DISNEY?!!”

Hey ... I did not bother you on Monday.. ..I allowed you to sleep till 9:30.. could not believe that you would still be sleeping and heading to TL.. you know you have to get there early and get your chair.BESIDES.. YOU LEFT A WAKE UP CALL NOTICE FOR ME

Uh Paula Deen.. Let me think on that one.. A.) Like to cook like her....
B.) Sounding like her... Oh..... US SOUTHERN PEOPLE ALL SOUND ALIKE HUH ??

Note to self.. turn off "Southern Twang" and crank up some "Boston" speak when around Mel.. oh and Speak like 85 mph.

I listened to her message and then promptly rolled over and went back to sleep.

feel the love..

The ride to TL was LONG. I can’t stress this enough. I think that the trip from BWV (via three resorts, two stops at DTD and a driver change) took over 40 minutes! I don’t understand why this has to be this way. Now, I get that in the interest of saving money, they might condense routes during the off-season, but it’s the last week of June! A week before the 4th! IT’S BUSY!

O.K. someone help me out here... Why do the buses from these nice resorts.. take longer to get you to places than those of us staying in the "projects".. Why DTD ??that's on your route ?? UGH maybe the "projects "are better

I would NOT pay $140 to go to a water park again, unless I am THERE at 8 am!!!) Somehow, it completely eludes me that they have towels available in the front of the park. I didn’t bring any with me, didn’t know to get them in the front, and this meant that we drip-dried on our way out later...

THAT"S WHY I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE UP AND ON THE WAY (IF NOT ALREADY THERE)

Towels

There are three lines to chose from. I believe they were : Pineapple Plunger, Coconut Crusher and Banana Blaster. Gus and I rode the Pineapple Plunger together first. The guy who “launches” you says, “Take off your glasses and hold them in your hand.” Well, I’m BLIND without them, but they cost alot of money and I figured he knew what he was talking about, so I took them off. He issues a warning before you launch, “Keep your Butt Up!” Ok. Let me tell you he is NOT KIDDING. KEEP IT UP. In fact, after the first “bump” you hit that you AREN’T holding it up for, you will keep it up!!! OUCH. My but had a bruise on it for a week!

Oh Man... I think I read this part 3 times... THAT IS FUNNY...
You were walking fine when I saw you.

You shoot out the end before you know it. It was alot of fun so we decided to go again. We switched partners though and I rode with SD this time. I think the second ride we did the Coconut one. I held my butt up this time! And I forgot to take off my glasses...but they were still on my face when we shot out the end.
Thank Goodness!

Glasses stayed on Butt in the Air.. Oh Man...

We started the trek to the front, It was around 4 pm at this point.

7:30 ressie.. meeting me at 6:30 ( changed from 6:00 because I needed more time.. I bet you were glad for that ..

Our reservation is for 7:30 pm but I have a crazy, southern girl to meet first![/

HEY !!

Smile when you call me CRAZY

You can't leave us before you meet Katt!
You're rotton!
:

I can't believe you stopped before you met Katt

She's waiting till I leave for Florida...

:

Wooohoooo, I hope you gave her my pressie

Pressie... ?? THERE WAS A PRESSIE...???
All I got was a hug....

 

[Parla]

Now, lest you get the impression here that I don’t love my children equally, I will assure you that I do. The only problem is that sometimes I don’t like them equally. IYKWIM? SD has this VERY annoying habit of moving at the exact speed that will send me flying into a rage. I think it’s some sort of 15 year old, psychic ability he has to see into my brain and pick the speed that’s sure to cause me an aneurysm. So, we know that we’re going to TL. We know what we need to pack, and I’ve done that. We ALL know that showering, getting bathing suits on and flip-flops too is mandatory. Somehow, we all manage to understand that the SOONER we complete these tasks, we will be able to leave our room, board a bus and go to TL. All of us except SD!!! He is in the shower for 40 minutes. Yes, you read that right. NO, he does NOT (to my knowledge) require any special care in there that would account for that much time. I can wash, condition and rinse my hair twice, shave my legs and shower in under 15 minutes. I go with the assumption that he’s sleeping, standing up in the shower.

They had photopass people at this ride, but they were only taking pictures of slides 1 and 3 and only every other raft. So, we missed out both times! The boys said they saw NO photopass people on any other rides. We split ways at this point and I went back to our stuff and got it packed up. While the boys rode the Humunga Cowabunga again, I checked out the map. I don’t think it was long before they returned and told me about the ride again, and all the old men that hang out at the bottom watching the girls come down. Ewww.

My nine year old goes at a snail's pace when he's getting ready too. I think part of his problem is that he sneaks Lego playtime into his getting ready time.

How do people carry their photopass card in the water parks?

 

[princessjv]

Mel- If I have a 6 year old who moves slower than slow, what does this mean? Yours are so much older... Do they never loose this pace?? It DRIVES ME NUTSO!


You were lucky not to have lost those spectacles on that trip down. LUCKY! What would you have done??? Can you even wear contacts?


Were you afraid that anyone would steal your IPOD when you went to ride??

 

[kykatt2]

How do people carry their photopass card in the water parks?

THey have small ones that are attached to a plastic band that you can wear on your wrist or ankle

 

[Parla]

THey have small ones that are attached to a plastic band that you can wear on your wrist or ankle

Thank you! I have seriously always wondered that!

 

[LuccaDrake]

about spotting angry man and having to explain. Another hilarious installment. I can't wait to hear how Narcoosee's was. I think that'll be on our list for next year.

~Beka~

 

[carrieannie]

Great update Mel!! You left us hanging with the Katt meet!! and where did the 2 come from after her name?

Speaking of Katt...wheres your new WDW ticker?

 

[ncsjodi]

Hi Ed!!

 

[kykatt2]

Great update Mel!! You left us hanging with the Katt meet!! and where did the 2 come from after her name?

Speaking of Katt...wheres your new WDW ticker?

I took it down.. because right now it is in Limbo
Story of my Summer

 

[ncsjodi]

I took it down.. because right now it is in Limbo
Story of my Summer

Oh no.... not again!!!!

 

[whogirl'smom]

That sounded like a great time! (once you finally got there) I didn't know boys ever took a long time to get ready.

P. S. I don't sound like Paula Deen either!