Most Expensive / Moist Exhausting Continued - Final thoughts and wrap-up

[brookelizabeth]

Yay! Someone picked up the phone in the UK, what a fun moment!

Lovely pics of all the animals Glenn. We haven't stayed savanna yet because I think we'd all enjoy it too much and have a hard time going back!

I hope you get that add-on when the time is right.

 

[CreightonsMomma]

I loved this update. Too funny that someone finally answered the phone in the UK!


I can't wait to stay at AKL in two weeks. Your pictures are fantastic. You had a really great view from your room.

Bummer about the DVC points.

 

[MEK]

You know - I love AKL because the standard view rooms are so awesome point wise, but I can see why those pictures would have you coming back to a savannah view. They are great. So much going on.

So glad someone FINALLY answered that d@%m phone!

Funny mister story. And, no, I have never heard it before, but I was late to the party so perhaps you are getting senile and telling the same tale over again. (just kidding!)

 

[glennbo123]

Great photos of the savannah, Glen. Seeing these just makes me all the MORE EXCITED with our news yesterday and staying at the AKL in September. My husband may NEVER tear me away from the balcony.

I saw this post of yours yesterday and had to make sure that I got over to your thread to get the whole scoop. That is awesome! I'm glad you're able to go, and AKL is icing on the cake. I know that you're going to love it.

darn timestamp

i suppose you are gonna say he takes after you at that age.

Well, yeah kinda. Except I would've gotten the digits of course.

tell the real story, you took them back because they were not yellow. and we know how the woman love the yellow ones.

Oh yeah, that's right. They go crazy for them.

i cant wait to get a holdof that phone number on my next trip.

If you didn't jot them down, they're listed at the beginning of the chapter just before this one.

so many comments and most of them involve marv

Oh, I'm sure!

That is AWESOME. Go James!

Thanks (on his behalf).

Again, just awesome.

Thank you!

I love this picture...you can't tell it's stitched together at all!

Thanks again. It's done using free software from Microsoft -- Windows Live Photo Gallery. I just noticed that the software that came with my camera has "stitching" capability also, so I gave it a try with the same pictures I used for the stitched photo of Coronado Springs. It was much more difficult to use and the end result turned out horrible! So I'm going to stick with the Microsoft product for these shots.

Obviously, it's saying something dirty. So I probably shouldn't repeat it here.

Thanks for showing some discretion.

It's too bad nobody answered the Epcot phones when you were actually there, but at least you had some fun with it.

I'm definitely going to try it next trip. Time to work on my Cockney accent.

You know what? We're still not done with those phones.

Oh yeah, a Cockney accent could go a long way......right, Gov'nah.

I cannot stop laughing for all of the clever comments, but I truly think that the one that takes the prize is MAGICFOR2'S!! So so good!

I agree -- I loved what she suggested! I was just running out of steam when I posted the chapter and didn't want to wait for creativity to kick-in to post it.

You've reinforced my decision to keep my savannah view room! Apparently, Maureen echoes that sentiment!

Yep, we liked the savanna-view....but I'd still be fine with a standard-view. But I'm probably a cheapskate, when it comes to points.

Darn, foiled again! Zero Judys.

I know, and you were on a roll too.

Glenn, this update is quite witty! Your TR has been so much fun to read, it's very entertaining!

Thanks Molly! Some chapters are easier than others, depending upon whether amusing things happened. This one, with a bunch of animal pictures <yawn> needed some punching-up.

Ok, used fan misters? Ewwwww! No way would I have touched that thing! Skeevy is the perfect word. Ewwwww! Someone walked off with it?? I think I just threw up in my mouth a little! But I love your story about James at the PChef misting himself and others for a small fee! What an entrepeneur! And apparently the teenage girls thought him clever too!

I'm glad you're with me on the mister. Marlene didn't really want to take it either.

I'm glad the people running the festival didn't require him to pay a vendor fee...he would've quickly been in the red, they can be hefty!

Looks like you may want to invest in a GPS for Marlene...

Yeah. Great sense of direction on that girl.

Poor Lauren! So she was still feeling poorly? Wow, she's been sick in your TR for about a month or so now! I hope she improves!

Yes, a month in TR-time equals about 6 hours of the actual trip.

Oh my word, Marlene is too adorable! She reminds me of my middle DD (H)! Looks like she had a blast talking to fake English people in Epcot too. See, now that's an appropriate memory as opposed to your urinating in the Moroccan fountain.

Oh good, glad we finally cultivated an appropriate memory!

Let's see, this giraffe is probably counting his spots...110, 111, 112...

Sounds like a good way to fall asleep.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this pic! What a fabulous shot and I wouldn't have known it was stitched! You should seriously frame this sucker, it's a beaut!

Thanks! I think it helps to take lots of pictures to stitch together, rather than just a few. Also, further distances help....to avoid the "fisheye" appearance.

Oh boy, I bet I know what these guys are whispering about..."pssst, see that guy on the balcony? Ya, the sweaty one. I heard that he writes trip reports and uses his wife in some sort of strange Where's Waldo game. And then he drags her around to meet up with people from the disboards she's never met! These humans, they're so odd!"

Man, he's got a lot to say.

Loved this update!

Thank you Molly!

Just wanted to say hi and that I've really been enjoying your TR! You have such fantastic photos, I think that's so cool you were able to see the animals so close from your room!

Stringbean&Wingnut!! I'm glad you're enjoying it and thanks for joining in!

Glad you had some fun with the Epcot phone booths! My parents went to Disney recently, and I had the phone booth numbers at the ready. My mom texted me after she told my dad to stand in the phone booth ("smile for a picture!"), and he was completely shocked when the phone rang. And even more shocked when it was me ("HI DAD!!!!!!"). He just kept asking "how did you DO this???"

That's awesome! I love the "how did you DO this??"

I love that she called the ws phone! I'll have to remember that for our next trip, my kids would get a kick out of that!

Hi Cherie! You're back from your trip already? I hope it was a great one.

From what I've read about your kids, I know they'd love it.

 

[glennbo123]

Finally you got someone to answer the phone.

That is great.


Someday I will stay at AKL, someday!

Yep-er!

Here's some for your wish!

And yet another opportunity to say: Free is guuuuud!

I LOVE free!!! Makes whatever it is taste that much better!

OK, I guess, I"m in the singular minority here. What is so skeevy about a used mister?? Most people don't like suck on them- do they?? Why not take it back to the room, wash it with soap and water and enjoy it? After all, used mugs are all the rage.

Yeah, yeah, I know....it would just needed some washing. Or that blue liquid that barbers use for their combs. Or the mystery aerosol spray that shoot into rental bowling shoes. But still....ew.

Only when they've been caught.

True.

If you're old enough to tell them twice, you're old enough to not remember what we all tell you too.

Fair enough!

I don't remember this! Can you tell the story again??

Jordan had a game on his PTR with a bunch of questions from previous trip reports of his. Great Biscuit and I were co-winners and we each got Disney gift cards! I used mine for a beer flight at Biergarten....and something else that hasn't come up yet in the TR.

Feeling the Disney Dining Binge, huh?

Ah....maybe.

I am positive that was intentional~

Not much happens by accident at Disney, does it.

GREAT Picture!!!

Thank you ma'am.

Let me translate for my fellow non-DVCers...

awoivnawivouek boehteaf, boeuavnei, bh[wqiuwa, ho a hvhivha , vaoehkv...
aoiaej eueereurelwk, euar taheas guaeh ghau]glsy, ksusult;ze, azuzuuquie, atuoeauvekuruea auasoeiruas!!!! aieuars avieua;lpoi, dufauraaw3j euafs uf;aldweije aiugv reihrs fveisjg opiouu ei u3iewrua 3,000,000, 000. aoriue reteruweua eslue wuea h ue]]a cea;tuaskvj faueuf.

It looks like Klingon!

Even the paddocks have bed bugs now.

Good answer!

I"m so glad, that could have ruined more than an afternoon for all of you!

You're right.

Psst. don't look now, but the guy in 213 just ordered in room pizza delivery! On my count...!

Good one! It's like one I was thinking of...something like "Psst. At exactly 7:32, we're making a break for it. Pass it on."

We all have our fantasies...

You make it sound like I was cruising the lounge.

I heard a rumor that Disney is doing something different with FPs !!You can reserve them online ahead of time !!They are hoping this will cut down on long lines has anyone else heard anything about this ??????

No, I haven't seen anything about that. I'll believe it when I see it...there aren't a lot of lines to get fastpasses. Only at TSM, pretty much.

Oh, so that's what he meant!!!

Yep, that's what I meant.

I can help you with the Cockney Rhyming Slang if you want!!!???Could be another Contest

Just another of your many skills!

Glen Great Animal shots and I love Marlrne's face when she called England and got an answer

Thanks! I like that picture of her laughing too.

Yay! Someone picked up the phone in the UK, what a fun moment!

Yeah, finally right?

Hey, aren't you supposed to be on your way to Disney? Maybe you are by the time I'm getting these replies done. Hope you have a great trip!

Lovely pics of all the animals Glenn. We haven't stayed savanna yet because I think we'd all enjoy it too much and have a hard time going back!

Thanks! Oh man, I'll bet that Henry would love to have animals right outside his room.

I hope you get that add-on when the time is right.

Aw, thanks.

I loved this update. Too funny that someone finally answered the phone in the UK!

Good, I'm glad you liked it. Yes, we finally got a taker.

I can't wait to stay at AKL in two weeks. Your pictures are fantastic. You had a really great view from your room.

Oh, I'm jealous! I'm sure you'll have a great time and will enjoy the resort.

Bummer about the DVC points.

Yeah, it didn't work out, but at least it wasn't costly.

You know - I love AKL because the standard view rooms are so awesome point wise, but I can see why those pictures would have you coming back to a savannah view. They are great. So much going on.

I agree, that's one of the reasons why we purchased AKV -- there are some options to make it more economical, point-wise. I just wasn't counting on my family getting hooked on the more expensive rooms.

So glad someone FINALLY answered that d@%m phone!

You make it sound like we were wearing out the ringer.

Funny mister story. And, no, I have never heard it before, but I was late to the party so perhaps you are getting senile and telling the same tale over again. (just kidding!)

I guess the scary thing is that if you're getting senile, you can't tell that you're getting senile.

 

[englishrose47]

I guess the scary thing is that if you're getting senile, you can't tell that you're getting senile.

I wondered what was wrong with me !!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Good one! It's one of those "why didn't I think of that?" moments. I guess it was late when I posted the chapter and my brain was fried. I debated on waiting to post it until today to see if I could come up with something, but that was the only thing holding back the chapter so I just thought I'd put it out there and let you folks come up with the caption. You didn't disappoint!

You're welcome!




She should have asked them to go into the nearest gift shop and inquire.

Oh, Done and done. More to come in April!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hey, aren't you supposed to be on your way to Disney? Maybe you are by the time I'm getting these replies done. Hope you have a great trip!

Yep! I was in the airport, stuck because of a delay, did a bit of DISing! Now I'm at the BWV.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

After we left the Temple of Heaven replica in China, the sky still looked pretty dark so we decided to make a beeline to the exit. However, I think we may have stopped in Club Cool for a quick, refreshing drink of Coca-Cola products*. It’s pretty hard to walk by there and not stop in for a freebie.

You were hearing the siren call of Beverly. I can tell.

But I digress…have I told that story before? Am I getting that old that I’m retelling and retelling the same stories? Reminds me of a time when James bought a fan mister at a local festival…

It was new to me! You just needed to catch some of us up, that's all.

But isn't that why we're here on the DIS? My wife is sick of my jokes by now, but they're all new to you guys!

My picture may be hard to read, but it says “He who does not know the road, holds back the one who does”. We had a good laugh over that, considering that we had to get lost to find it. We turned and took a few steps in the correct direction, and then I ran back to take a picture. I know good trip report fodder when it happens.

Then I could tell that she didn’t know what else to say, so I told her to ask what the weather was like.

“What’s the weather like?”

<pause>

“It’s kind of rainy here too. I’m at Animal Kingdom Lodge!”

And that was about the extent of it. She hung up and cracked up laughing.

Well, the prank was a bit of a fizzle, but the pictures are great at capturing the moment.

Uh oh. You know what that means – more DVC points may be required. We don’t have more points yet, and I don’t know if or when we will, but we came really close to purchasing an add-on last fall. I saw the perfect listing for an add-on for us: it was the same Use Year as our current contract, a nice round number of points, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and a decent price. We offered what they were asking, with the seller paying the dues and the closing costs. I just wanted to pay the price times the number of points. The sellers agreed and it passed Disney’s right of first refusal. About this point in the story you may be asking, “I thought you said you didn’t purchase an add-on?” That’s right, we hit a snag as we approached closing. Apparently the sellers were having some financial difficulties and a creditor wasn’t permitting the sale of any assets. The timeshare broker tried to explain to the creditor that this was liquidating the asset to help the creditor get paid, but they weren’t letting up. We signed an extension on the contract allowing another week for closing to take place, to see if they could get it worked out, but they couldn’t. The broker said she’d never seen anything like this situation before. We could have kept extending and waiting, but to be honest, in thinking about the additional annual dues we’d have to pay, we were feeling a little bit of buyer’s remorse over the purchase. So, we withdrew our offer and let it go. Now, with DVC changing some of their rules regarding contracts purchased on the resale market, I kind of wish we’d have been able to get it before the change takes place, but I'll just have to be content.

You know, I never knew what the script looked like for Charlie Brown's teacher's dialogue, but now I do! Thanks!

I took pictures for another stitched photo of the view from our balcony. This is actually 20 pictures, stitched together.

In a word: awesome.

These next pictures are from the Pembe savanna. Sorry, but I don’t have the gumption to look up what these critters are.

I'd go with "African deer". You're welcome.

"Some goofy kid just called me on the house line. I told her I was in England in EPCOT! (snicker)"

I don't think it will be happening. This year's vacation may be a day-trip to HersheyPark. Oh, I do have a Civil War battlefield tour that I won/bought in a United Way auction....so I need to schedule that sometime. That may be an overnighter.

No Grand Canyon?

Let me translate for my fellow non-DVCers...

awoivnawivouek boehteaf, boeuavnei, bh[wqiuwa, ho a hvhivha , vaoehkv...
aoiaej eueereurelwk, euar taheas guaeh ghau]glsy, ksusult;ze, azuzuuquie, atuoeauvekuruea auasoeiruas!!!! aieuars avieua;lpoi, dufauraaw3j euafs uf;aldweije aiugv reihrs fveisjg opiouu ei u3iewrua 3,000,000, 000. aoriue reteruweua eslue wuea h ue]]a cea;tuaskvj faueuf.

 

[glennbo123]

I wondered what was wrong with me !!!!!

You're trying to get me to say something that will get me in trouble. Something like, "multiple problems makes for a harder diagnosis". But no, I'm going to take the high-ground and not say anything like that.

You're welcome!

Oh, Done and done. More to come in April!

I'm looking forward to seeing what other people do with those phone numbers.

Yep! I was in the airport, stuck because of a delay, did a bit of DISing! Now I'm at the BWV.

As long as you were stuck at the airport I can understand. But now you're at BWV and peeking-in on my thread? I'm honored, but...you should be out in search of pixie dust. Get going!

You were hearing the siren call of Beverly. I can tell.

Resistance is futile.

It was new to me! You just needed to catch some of us up, that's all.

Nobody said that they'd heard it before, so I guess I'm not senile after all.

But now I'm afraid that if I thought I'd told it and I hadn't, that's just as bad!

But isn't that why we're here on the DIS? My wife is sick of my jokes by now, but they're all new to you guys!

Yours too, huh? If my kids laugh at my jokes, Judy's all "Stop, stop, don't encourage him!"

Well, the prank was a bit of a fizzle, but the pictures are great at capturing the moment.

I guess it's good to learn that she's not some professional crank caller that we were unaware of.

You know, I never knew what the script looked like for Charlie Brown's teacher's dialogue, but now I do! Thanks!

Mwah mwah ma maa mwaah mwaaah?

In a word: awesome.

That's a good word.

I'd go with "African deer". You're welcome.

That was so helpful.

"Some goofy kid just called me on the house line. I told her I was in England in EPCOT! (snicker)"

Nice one! I like the ones that make fun of Marlene rather than me. Wait, this is the first one.

No Grand Canyon?

It's not looking good. And after all of that good info. you gave me too. Oh well. Some day.

I'm so glad that you and Liesa can relate.

 

[All7OfUs]

Yeah, yeah, I know....it would just needed some washing. Or that blue liquid that barbers use for their combs. Or the mystery aerosol spray that shoot into rental bowling shoes. But still....ew.

Chicken.

Jordan had a game on his PTR with a bunch of questions from previous trip reports of his. Great Biscuit and I were co-winners and we each got Disney gift cards! I used mine for a beer flight at Biergarten....and something else that hasn't come up yet in the TR.

Ooooooooooooooh, now I get it!

Not much happens by accident at Disney, does it.

Definitely NOT.

Thank you ma'am.

That's Mrs. Ma'am to you.

It looks like Klingon!

It only took me 2 years to learn it. I'll bet it took you longer to learn "DVC".

Good one! It's like one I was thinking of...something like "Psst. At exactly 7:32, we're making a break for it. Pass it on."

That's good too.

You make it sound like I was cruising the lounge.

I hear the River Roost is a good one for that. Some top-notch entertainment there, and they encourage matching shirts.

 

[englishrose47]

You're trying to get me to say something that will get me in trouble. Something like, "multiple problems makes for a harder diagnosis". But no, I'm going to take the high-ground and not say anything like that.

Are you now saying I am Sybil!!!!?????

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Hey GB!

Most excellent update! Love that someone in England picked up. That's mighty nifty right there.

Great job on the photos!

Love the pano pic.

And the zooming.

Big fan of the zoom.

Sorry to hear the points didn't work out, but glad you didn't wind up with something you weren't happy with.

Take care bro!

 

[englishrose47]

Sybil checking in before work !!!Maybe tonite I will be Lizzie (as in Borden)

 

[Flossbolna]

It only took me 2 years to learn it. I'll bet it took you longer to learn "DVC".

DVC is pretty hard - I spent 40 minutes on the phone talking to member services just now due to possible changes to trip plans... (more to be revealed soon). Now my head feels all weired. But at least the lady I spoke to was very friendly!

 

[glennbo123]

Chicken.

Pretty much.

That's Mrs. Ma'am to you.

Yes, Mrs. Ma'am.

It only took me 2 years to learn it. I'll bet it took you longer to learn "DVC".

You must've taken a Klingon Rosetta Stone course or something. They need one for DVC.

I hear the River Roost is a good one for that. Some top-notch entertainment there, and they encourage matching shirts.

Oooooo, I know who that's referring to.

Are you now saying I am Sybil!!!!?????

Nah, that sounds too much like "civil".

Hey GB!

Yo, bro!

Most excellent update! Love that someone in England picked up. That's mighty nifty right there.

Thanks dude. It was mighty nifty.

Great job on the photos!

Love the pano pic.

And the zooming.

Big fan of the zoom.

Thanks! You were the inspiration for, and technical advisor of, those pano pics.

Sorry to hear the points didn't work out, but glad you didn't wind up with something you weren't happy with.

Take care bro!

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was for the better.

You too GB!

Sybil checking in before work !!!Maybe tonite I will be Lizzie (as in Borden)

Chopping any firewood tonight Lizzie, or do you have some other things in mind for that axe?

DVC is pretty hard - I spent 40 minutes on the phone talking to member services just now due to possible changes to trip plans... (more to be revealed soon). Now my head feels all weired. But at least the lady I spoke to was very friendly!

Oh no. I don't understand some of the rules around changes....like "points in holding status". I hope your changes are far enough in advance that you don't have that situation. Yay for friendly member services personnel.

 

[Flossbolna]

Oh no. I don't understand some of the rules around changes....like "points in holding status". I hope your changes are far enough in advance that you don't have that situation. Yay for friendly member services personnel.

That "if you cancel within 30 days your points will go into holding" thing really scared me to death the first time I heard it... Thanks to the DVC boards here, I feel I got quite a good course in basic DVC - I guess I am able to communicate, but am still far from fluent. The advantage for me is that DVC is a language which is related to legal babble in which I got a degree and am quite fluent. And as with all other languages, it really helps if you already know one from the same family.

No "holding" situations for me - only the problem of scarce availability at my home resort during Food & Wine...

 

[onescgirl]

The story of James & the mister was too funny - can you tell it to me again??

Great pictures of all the animals viewed from your balcony.
I'm glad Marlene was able to get someone to pick up!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Thanks! You were the inspiration for, and technical advisor of, those pano pics.

Glennbo Technical Advisor...DUDE! I'm putting that on my resume!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

You don't look so hot and sweaty here, did the Photopass gal powder your nose?

Voices of Liberty is one of my absolute favorite must-dos in all of WDW. I wonder how many singers they have altogether? The only one from your group that I saw this weekend is the tallest woman, the blond in the red dress. And I've seen her a lot.

I asked Marlene if she wanted to meet Mulan, but she didn’t. I guess she’s gotten too old for that kind of thing. <sniff>

That's too sad. I think we are getting close to that already with Jenna at age 10.

We especially liked this smiling guy. He must have been the joker of his platoon, singing “Do Wah Diddy” on forced marches and what-not.

* There are no paid product endorsements in this trip report. But that’s not to say that there couldn’t be…..for the right price. This is just an example of the kind of attention-grabbing promotion your product could receive.

I may take you up on that!!

I love this picture!!!

I think we need a caption contest for this next one. Maybe something that starts with “Psst. Don’t look now but,....”

but I think that guy over there is speaking Klingon.... oh wait, no, I believe it's DVC. Its so hard to tell with romance languages.

Let me translate for my fellow non-DVCers...

awoivnawivouek boehteaf, boeuavnei, bh[wqiuwa, ho a hvhivha , vaoehkv...
aoiaej eueereurelwk, euar taheas guaeh ghau]glsy, ksusult;ze, azuzuuquie, atuoeauvekuruea auasoeiruas!!!! aieuars avieua;lpoi, dufauraaw3j euafs uf;aldweije aiugv reihrs fveisjg opiouu ei u3iewrua 3,000,000, 000. aoriue reteruweua eslue wuea h ue]]a cea;tuaskvj faueuf.

I couldn't agree more. I've often said as much myself.