(NEW TR LINK) Mickey MMMouse,McDonald Duck& Memo: 12 Days & 13.1 Miles. Nov 2013 TR

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Another wonderful update!!! Still waiting on the "low tire" light, but I'll just have to suck it up for now. So, you hate sharks enough to write about them on my report and your own, but yet there you are in Bruce's mouth. Nice.

I was seriously rolling, and thought the same thing reading it...fear of sharks...sure! Get inside one.

I'm overjoyed that you are on a roll, I'm in Disney-overload-freak-out-only-two-weeks-left-mode...so this helps. I've taken to googling Princess Half Marathon at times, and just clicking images and staring at photos.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Now Ann, I am just trying to look out for your safety. I would have hated for your great travel deal to turn into the trip where you got eaten by a shark. Although that scenerio would make for a compelling trip report.

Ok, stop, I can't breathe!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Nicole! I found what I'm getting you for Christmas!

 

[Tinker326]

Nicole! I found what I'm getting you for Christmas!

Seriously. Best. Find. EVAH!!!!!!

I so need that. I know what I'm asking for for my birthday!

Kinda funny story- last year Sarah had a swimming birthday party & I was all like "oh, we can do dolphin theme" (I have to theme all parties- you ,of course, understand this being queen of a theme yourself) And Sarah's all like "dolphins are stupid... I want sharks" And then tells me she wants me to get one of those fins you can attach to your back and swim around the pool with it on.. and she wanted me to wear it at her party. I'm like Sarah- no girl is ever going to come to one of your parties again if I pretned to be a shark and attack them in water...........

She would dig this as well, was my point....

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Seriously. Best. Find. EVAH!!!!!!

I so need that. I know what I'm asking for for my birthday!

Kinda funny story- last year Sarah had a swimming birthday party & I was all like "oh, we can do dolphin theme" (I have to theme all parties- you ,of course, understand this being queen of a theme yourself) And Sarah's all like "dolphins are stupid... I want sharks" And then tells me she wants me to get one of those fins you can attach to your back and swim around the pool with it on.. and she wanted me to wear it at her party. I'm like Sarah- no girl is ever going to come to one of your parties again if I pretned to be a shark and attack them in water...........

She would dig this as well, was my point....

Haha! I may just have to call you sharklady from now on. The pillow was made for you, I insist you find a way to get it or I'll have to!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

oh that tire!!! thank goodness that is over and now you have good car karma coming your way the rest of the trip, right? right? tell me I'm right!!

I LOVE that pic of you and becca and the one of all the girls in front of the fountain! those are great pictures! I like the one of you and mom with the frame too! we never saw that anywhere!

we have got to go in the Norway gift shop soon! we've never seen the troll or played with swords....bummer....

your lunch looks DELICIOUS and the the mousse looks so good! maybe that will go on our do list too! and how awesome was eating without bathroom breaks and sharing? I actually went to get a cinnamon roll this morning after I dropped everyone off and had to remind myself I could actually enjoy it and not inhale it to avoid the sharing!

I'm sorry you missed out on your fantasmic plans that night....that's a bummer. Im surprised they wouldn't just let you keep the car until the next morning or when it was more convenient for you. don't they realize your on vacation? seems like they'd have an easier plan for that.

 

[Tinker326]

My mum is just as sick of the winter storms back home!!

I also love sharks, and study them in my spare (hahaha what a funny word) time.

Great update!

You snuck in between reports... almost missed this! For me, I find myself to be fascinated with items that scare me. Almost like if I have more information I will have less fear of them? I dunno.

oh that tire!!! thank goodness that is over and now you have good car karma coming your way the rest of the trip, right? right? tell me I'm right!!

I LOVE that pic of you and becca and the one of all the girls in front of the fountain! those are great pictures! I like the one of you and mom with the frame too! we never saw that anywhere!

we have got to go in the Norway gift shop soon! we've never seen the troll or played with swords....bummer....

your lunch looks DELICIOUS and the the mousse looks so good! maybe that will go on our do list too! and how awesome was eating without bathroom breaks and sharing? I actually went to get a cinnamon roll this morning after I dropped everyone off and had to remind myself I could actually enjoy it and not inhale it to avoid the sharing!

I'm sorry you missed out on your fantasmic plans that night....that's a bummer. Im surprised they wouldn't just let you keep the car until the next morning or when it was more convenient for you. don't they realize your on vacation? seems like they'd have an easier plan for that.

No more bad car karma. You can be relieved. Ha!

I do love the Norway gift shop along wtih the Pirate one. My two favorite 'gift shops' out of attractions.

It is nice not to be forced to share. Sometimes, I"ll buy my favorite candy- hide it in my bag & not take it out till the entire house is sleeping. And enjoy quiet bliss and sugar highs without sharing!

YOu arn't supposed to go more than 50 miles on a spare. So I guess that's why they wanted it back so quick. I guess we could have probably gotten up early the next morning and taken it back but then what happened if something happened to our spare... and we already had plans for morning too- at a park. Either way we had to give something up.....

 

[Victoriasmom98]

No, No, NO!!! Boo to the tire going flat (mine's still going strong with the light on if you are wondering! ) That just totally sucks that you had to drive it all the way back to the airport. You would have thought they could take it at any same-company rental place!! I would have been sooooo annoyed and they would have known!! It sooo sucks that it ruined your whole evenings plans!! Grrrrr!!!

I see you and Karen had some shark fun while I was absent. I, too, love that body pillow and also feel you must have it!!! I'll have to discuss it with Karen on how to get it to you. I bet we can find one online that's reasonable! I think your fear of sharks kind of equal my fear of ghosts, so therefore, I must read, watch etc anything I can get my hands on about ghosts!!

Now how exactly would it be a compelling report if I'm too dead to write it??? OH, you probably meant that I was just snacked upon and didn't die, right? Even if I did die, my ghost self would come on and write it ---- no problem!!

Charlie's smile is getting so much wider in these later pictures. She's such a cutie!!

Oh and State Government office were closed at noon yesterday!! Yay!!! So, I baked some fudge for the bake sale they are having here today.

 

[skier_pete]

I'm sort of surprised we never got in a debate about the merits of having a car versus taking the bus. We have so many touring styles in common, but not that one. I know your feelings about it, and I feel just the opposite. To me, the pros of buses far outweigh the cons, even though we had some pretty horrible bus problems that trip - though none as bad as your car problem. (And the one I posted yesterday is NOT the worst one we had.)

I think maybe the mistake you made is fixing the tire. Next time, call the rental car company and tell them you have a flat tire, and you need a new car. I would imagine they would bring one out to you. (Of course I may be may off base there too.)

 

[Tinker326]

No, No, NO!!! Boo to the tire going flat (mine's still going strong with the light on if you are wondering! ) That just totally sucks that you had to drive it all the way back to the airport. You would have thought they could take it at any same-company rental place!! I would have been sooooo annoyed and they would have known!! It sooo sucks that it ruined your whole evenings plans!! Grrrrr!!!

I see you and Karen had some shark fun while I was absent. I, too, love that body pillow and also feel you must have it!!! I'll have to discuss it with Karen on how to get it to you. I bet we can find one online that's reasonable! I think your fear of sharks kind of equal my fear of ghosts, so therefore, I must read, watch etc anything I can get my hands on about ghosts!!

Now how exactly would it be a compelling report if I'm too dead to write it??? OH, you probably meant that I was just snacked upon and didn't die, right? Even if I did die, my ghost self would come on and write it ---- no problem!!

Charlie's smile is getting so much wider in these later pictures. She's such a cutie!!

Oh and State Government office were closed at noon yesterday!! Yay!!! So, I baked some fudge for the bake sale they are having here today.

I did not get off yesterday.. But at least my commute home was better than going there.

Well clearly I am not going to kill you off on your vacation to Daytona- after all- we want a trip report.. so I guess 'shark bite' will have to do....

I also love reading about Ghosts but had to stop because I kept freaking myself out at night......

I'm sort of surprised we never got in a debate about the merits of having a car versus taking the bus. We have so many touring styles in common, but not that one. I know your feelings about it, and I feel just the opposite. To me, the pros of buses far outweigh the cons, even though we had some pretty horrible bus problems that trip - though none as bad as your car problem. (And the one I posted yesterday is NOT the worst one we had.)

I think maybe the mistake you made is fixing the tire. Next time, call the rental car company and tell them you have a flat tire, and you need a new car. I would imagine they would bring one out to you. (Of course I may be may off base there too.)

Yhea, even with the problem I had - I'd still pick to drive a car (anywhere but MK). Two issues- I hate crowding onto buses when I'm tired at the end of the day. And I like control. I like knowing I have the control to leave/arrive exactly when I want.

And we did call first. They told us they were charging us $100 just to come fix it...and we'd still have to drive back. $100 bucks to change a flat. Please. That's like 25 Mickey Bars. I'll take the Mickey Bars.

 

[Tinker326]

Not really a full update but...

I completed my Half-Marathon Scrap Page tonight and wanted to share it as inspiration for certain runners who are doing the same in just a few short days...

Doing this layout brought back all the doubts & fears that I had (as I journaled) and also the triumph I felt when I crossed the line....

As the little sign says on the page: "A Single Run Can Take You Many Places"

Ain't it the truth?

You guys got this! And I'm looking forward to following your successes!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

^^^i LOVE it! That is awesome!

 

[skier_pete]

I've tied it back up my Wednesday TR is done!



Also, noticed that DD is wearing the same sweater as yours on the same (chilly) day - a mere friendship boat ride apart.

It also occurred to me if you HAD ended up going over to DHS to see Fantasmic!, we might have met a day earlier - though maybe not as we didn't go to Fantasmic. Darn flat tire!

 

[JulieODC]

Whoa - I had lots of catching up to do!!! Great updates!!

Ok, first off, that picture of the 3 girls in front of the fountain in Epcot is adorable -- that's a keeper for sure!

Sorry about the tire -- that's the worst!!

 

[Tinker326]

^^^i LOVE it! That is awesome!

Thank You!!!

I've tied it back up my Wednesday TR is done!



Also, noticed that DD is wearing the same sweater as yours on the same (chilly) day - a mere friendship boat ride apart.

It also occurred to me if you HAD ended up going over to DHS to see Fantasmic!, we might have met a day earlier - though maybe not as we didn't go to Fantasmic. Darn flat tire!

I love that cute Minnie sweatshirt our girls have! So stinkin' cute! I am still bummed I missed Fantasmic- it's been years..... oh well. Another trip! Right? Not like I won't ever be back! Hahahaha!!!

Whoa - I had lots of catching up to do!!! Great updates!!

Ok, first off, that picture of the 3 girls in front of the fountain in Epcot is adorable -- that's a keeper for sure!

Sorry about the tire -- that's the worst!!

Thanks! I like that picture too! I suppose the tire could have been much worse like blown out ON the road. Right? I'm just bummed I missed Fantasmic!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ahhhhh! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

MOST EXCELLENT JOB ON THE PAGE!!!!!

 

[Tinker326]

Ahhhhh! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!

MOST EXCELLENT JOB ON THE PAGE!!!!!

Thank you both!!!

 

[Tinker326]

Yhea, yhea. I still call it MGM.

So the previous night ended and this morning dawned with a new car, no low pressure lights & warmer weather. WINS all around!

As usually- the smallest one was up pre-dawn & that mean so was I. We quickly established a morning tradition of talking the LOOOONG walk to the lobby to fill my cup with diet deliciousness (and the hubby's cup) along with filling up waterbottles for water. Then the LOOOONG walk back to the room to wake the troops and get ready for our day.

This morning, as usual, when we got back I headed out for my private viewing....







And my favorite spikey hair friend Larry...



Once we all ate, showered & dressed - off we went to MGM. Our plan today was to maximize low crowds at this park because it was an early close at 4pm with a private event. We indeed, had low crowds.

We entered the park right around opening-



Our first order of business was to get paper FP for ToT, ride standby ToT, ride Rock n Roller Coaster with our FP+ & then use not only our paper FP for ToT but also our FP+ for ToT. Tower of Terror is my #1 favorite ride at the Disney parks. Which- to me- is a shame it's located in this park..because this park is my least favorite of all the parks. More often than not we skip this park completely & therefore I miss my ToT ride. So I was maximizing the ride today!

We had convinced Sarah to ride it- but Becca was a 'no way, no how!'. We told Charlie she was riding and she didn't know any better to say no.

On our way down to ride.. we got our 'scary picture'



In we went to check into the Hollywood Hotel....



They need new Mousekeeping. I think they current ones they hired for this hotel are the same ones that left that mystery towel animal at the Beach Club a few days ago.......

Anyone here? Anyone?



Guess not, we'll let ourselves in.

Sarah was noticably agitated because she was nervous, but she was adament about trying it- Here she and Charlie wait...



Yhea, Charlie is not at all sure what is happening. But they both rode it...and survived!!!



We got off and Charlie said "I Don't Like this ride. I do not want to ride it again". Ok. Wish granted- we won't make you.. but I sure am proud of you for trying!

The two brave girls who braved the elevators!



By this time it was time for our Rock 'n' Roller Coaster ride!! No one, and I mean NO ONE, wanted to join & Kurt.

We were on our own with Aerosmith!



It would also be a nice time to point out that camera died right here. And I forgot my back up battery. Thankfully Becca brought her point and shoot so I had that as back up!

While we were in line the girls played........(with Grandma watching..not alone!)



Becca was apparently 'too cool' for this activity.

Meanwhile.... rock on!!!



I am getting so old. These rides hurt me so much now.... I could only do RnR once......

And... when we came out, Sarah had used her sisterly persuasions to convince Becca to give Tower of Terror a try. It went along the lines like this "you are such a chicken Becca, I can't believe I'm younger than you and I went on it & you are too scared". Ah, the love.. can you feel it?

So we got back in line with Becca in tow......



I really, really wanted her to give it a try because there have been many rides when she's been terrified but once she tries it, she loves it.

As we got closer and closer- she got more and more agitated. We boarded the elevator and sat down and buckled in...and she went into panic mode. "LEt me off, Let me Off"

So we had her get off & walk to the end of the ride to wait for us. And I love this picture only because it shows she was ALMOST on it...



Oh well.

And.... one more time for fun. By this time we were pros.......



Sarah ended up buying a tee-shirt at this point at the gift shop because she loved this ride so much!

We decided perhaps we should let other people have fun at this park too (like Grandma, Becca & Charlie) and so we left this area and headed over to use our FP+ for Toy Story.

I have never ridden this ride here. Only in the Disneyland. It's the same thing & I still don't understand the immense popularity of it. While it's a fun ride & the theming is cute..there are much better rides in these parks with much, much shorter waits. I think Buzz is just as good....

Anyways, here we were, ready to give a whirl.....



Through the FP que.. past the etch-a-sketch...



Three cute Toy Story chick-a-dees...



Yup. Charlie's good "what is going on" look. Ha. I love it.

We are ready to go! Daddy and Charlie rode together...



Sarah rode with Gram & I rode with Becca. I won!!



We got off the ride and ran right into Kurt's absolute FAVORITE park characters. The Army men. We had to get pictures!!!



I'm pretty sure Kurt pushed in front of the girls way. Like "get out of my way!!!"

Chattin' up the dude!



And saluting...



We still had some time to kill before our Lunch ressie & it was about this time our 'home crisis' hit.. that was.. our dogsitter locked our set of housekeys in our house when she left. So now we had two dogs locked in our house. Nice.

So Kurt went off to try to find a resolve- calling around to see if we had other sets of keys at neighbors or family. And Gram, the girls and I headed to watch the Little Mermaid Show (no pictures).

I will leave you off with that. And my next update will be lunch & our afternoon!

 

[skier_pete]

I should've joined you guys at ToT, at least then I would have someone to ride with instead of all by myself. (Since I prefer the RnRC single rider line - I don't miss you there.) Our DD is like Becca - no way she'll go on that ride! I tell her that its just because it has "Terror" in its name. So, we started renaming it as a running joke. Everytime we talk about it its "Tower of Puppies" or "Tower of Rainbows" or my favorite "Tower of Chocolate". Nope, still doesn't work!

But what's this, you don't LOVE TSMM? What's wrong with you! That'll get you banished from the DIS.

Just Kidding. Our family all love it, I think it's probably in DW top 3 rides. While I wouldn't got that far, I always find myself laughing histerically as it ends rubbing my should from the pain I induced trying desparately to get a high score. The same as Buzz Lightyear - pshaw! I've never dislocated a shoulder on Buzz.

Eek...locked the keys in the house. D'oh! I think we'd be in pretty big panic mode with that one too. Now you make me think we should give spare keys to TWO people when we go away.