OUTPLAN-OUTPLAY-OUTLAST: a Sleepingbooty TR! New Princess trip update 4/2

[glennbo123]

But, and here's the kicker: too add a fourth day would only cost $8 more than that.

That's where they get ya. But I don't mind...it helps with the Disney math.

We'll try to catch Yeehaw Bob later that night.

That'll be fun. Have you seen him before?

Instead, I was able to get a lunch ADR for us at Sci Fi Dine In - a surprise at this late date.

Good choice, but stick with the burger. You've been warned.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

That's where they get ya. But I don't mind...it helps with the Disney math.

It was amazing how quickly I got the lot of them to see my fuzzy disney logic.

That'll be fun. Have you seen him before?

No, never. When we stayed at POR in 07, my brother went down and watched him one night and said he was great. But by the time we got back from the parks each night, the girls were always too pooped. Lucy was usually asleep and being carried up the stairs by an also pooped Scott. Hopefully with just us gals, we can stick it out. Plus, its our first night, so I know we'll still be energized. Although we are getting up at 4 that morning. Hmmm. Maybe we'll have to get a nap in if our room is ready when we arrive. Well, but that would cut in to AK. I don't know. People are just gonna have to suck it up, I think

Good choice, but stick with the burger. You've been warned.

I think that's all I've ever had there. Oh wait, I did have the reuben, and it was pretty good. As was the spinach and artichoke dip - but it was a tad salty. Yeah, we won't be ordering anything fancy, but it'll be fun.

 

[glennbo123]

BTW, I have a post for you on my thread (towards the bottom of pg. 239).

 

[KatMark]

I love the ice on the trees. I think we got your share of the blizzard.

I love the t-shirts. What a bargain for $3 each.

Love the new plans. And Sci-Fi is a favorite of ours -- be sure to get the onion rings.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Yeah, up here in Waterloo and Toronto, we didn't get much snow either! Our university decided to stay open while the university down the street was closed. In fact, most schools and post-secondaries were closed yesterday.

We were expecting a huge storm to come in at night. The storm picked up speed around noon time. Over all, throughout the whole day, I would say we got about 2-feet of snow.

I shoveled the driveway and the sidewalk, and the snow plow comes along and RUINS ALL MY WORK. It looks like I never shoveled it at all.

Another couple of days at the parks, sweet! Yeah, you guys will have all that extra time because of your early and late flights.

I was GOING TO buy that Mickey shirt at Walmart! They have such a cute Disney tees, don't they?

 

[princessjv]

I'm glad your storm of a century didn't do your town in! Alas, you got a veg out day!

My hubs is STUCK in Arkansas and attempting to get out before they shut the airport back down! {We are supposed to be meeting in MX tomorrow!} ACK!

Cute tops! {fabu deal!}

Tutto has some AMAZING reviews. I need to add it to my list!

 

[jenbear123]

What was up with that snowstorm anyway? "Snowmageddon" YEAH RIGHT! Come on, this is Canada and we panic at 10cm of snow

Love those shirts from Walmart! There's some good finds to be had there sometimes.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

BTW, I have a post for you on my thread (towards the bottom of pg. 239).

Found it - thanks!

I love the ice on the trees. I think we got your share of the blizzard.

I love the t-shirts. What a bargain for $3 each.

Love the new plans. And Sci-Fi is a favorite of ours -- be sure to get the onion rings.

And for $3, I don't care if they shrink - we can wear 'em once and pitch 'em (not that I'll do that). Sorry about sending all the snow your way

Ooh, I forgot about the onion rings, good tip!

Yeah, up here in Waterloo and Toronto, we didn't get much snow either! Our university decided to stay open while the university down the street was closed. In fact, most schools and post-secondaries were closed yesterday.

We were expecting a huge storm to come in at night. The storm picked up speed around noon time. Over all, throughout the whole day, I would say we got about 2-feet of snow.

2 feet??!!!! Wowza!

I shoveled the driveway and the sidewalk, and the snow plow comes along and RUINS ALL MY WORK. It looks like I never shoveled it at all.

Another couple of days at the parks, sweet! Yeah, you guys will have all that extra time because of your early and late flights.

I was GOING TO buy that Mickey shirt at Walmart! They have such a cute Disney tees, don't they?

I know, I LOVE flying in early and leaving late.

You need to go back and buy the shirts!

I'm glad your storm of a century didn't do your town in! Alas, you got a veg out day!

My hubs is STUCK in Arkansas and attempting to get out before they shut the airport back down! {We are supposed to be meeting in MX tomorrow!} ACK!

Oh no! Bummer that your hubby is stuck. Does he have a place to stay, or is he overnighting in the airport? You are meeting in Mexico?

What was up with that snowstorm anyway? "Snowmageddon" YEAH RIGHT! Come on, this is Canada and we panic at 10cm of snow

Love those shirts from Walmart! There's some good finds to be had there sometimes.

You panic at 10cm? But aren't you used to major snow? Yuki got 2 feet!

I don't even know what made me go over there and look at those shirts. I think I'd seen Disney shirts there in the past, so I thought it couldn't hurt to look. Usually I'm bemoaning the fact that Disney merchandise is so ubiquitous these days - but I was quite please that day!

 

[YukiPhnx]

It's really weird how this snow worked. It was covering a large area, but some wind pockets formed, which explains why some places didn't get a lot of snow while other places were buried.

Ohhh, I found an adorable Mickey shirt in the kids section at H&M. Adults need more cute things like that.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Episode 6: The Big Surprise!

Those of you that followed along with my pre-trip report know that I had a big surprise planned for the girls. We were going to spend a day at Islands of Adventure to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Jenna is a HUGE fan of the Potter series. Who am I kidding? So am I! I read all the books to her when she was in 2nd grade. We read at night before bed, about a half hour at a time, so it took us nearly the whole school year to get through them. After we finished each one, we'd watch the movie together as a family. Boy, we just got hooked! After we finished the whole series, Jenna hadn't had enough. She went back and started reading them herself. I was surprised she was able to get through them on her own, but she's always been a good reader. She's now read each of them several times. I swear, the girl reads faster than I do!

So, when I decided to bite the bullet and plan a day there, I was SOOOO excited about surprising them. This was going to cost us a LOT of extra $$ just for one day (well, not even a whole day really), but I figured it would be like a once in a lifetime kind of experience, considering she may not be so into Harry Potter in another year.

We told the girls that this was an "open" day. That we would decide where we wanted to go that day when we got up. I could hardly contain my excitement when I woke them up and asked them where they wanted to go today. I'm not sure what the first response was (probably Magic Kingdom), but then I said, "What if you could go anywhere - not just here at DisneyWorld - maybe somewhere else in Orlando?" Jenna started looking at me kinda funny, I think maybe the light was dawning. Then I said, "We're going to Harry Potter!!!!!" And here's the response I got:

Okay, NOT the reaction I was hoping for!! A weak smile from Jenna, and ..What? Lucy's crying?????!!!!! I think Jenna was in shock, but I had no idea why Lucy had burst into tears. I asked her what was wrong, and she said, "I don't want to leave Disney World!"

I think she thought that I meant we were done with Disney. It took me a while to bring her around, but after she realized that we were coming back (that evening, even!) she was okay.

We ate cereal bars in our room and then headed for the bus stop. We got on the next bus that came and got off at the Barbados stop and walked across the street to the Customs House where we'd catch our ride.

Our towncar came about 7:50, about 10 minutes early. The driver was very friendly and professional. The drive took us about 15 or 20 minutes. We were dropped off and walked through the CityWalk to Islands of Adventure. I picked up our tickets at the will call window and we got in line for the turnstiles. It was about 8:20 at this point and the lines were starting to grow quickly.

My parents hadn't signed on to the Harry Potter adventure when I first planned it, so I hadn't booked car service for them. When we got closer to the trip, they decided to go with us. They headed for Old Port Royale at the same time we left for the bus stop. They had a counter service breakfast and then grabbed a cab. The cabbie charged them $16 per person. This was more than we paid, but not too much. According to them, he was very rude.

I spotted them about 10 minutes after we got in line and they joined us. The park was due to open at 9, but I knew they'd probably let us in early. Sure enough, at about 8:40, they opened the gates.

We probably should have really booked it back to WWoHP quickly, but we sort of meandered, stopping to take pictures.

Ahh, there it is, the village of Hogsmeade!

I knew from my research that we should get in line for the little show at Ollivanders first. The line was already winding through the outdoor queue, but I knew it would only get worse until late in the evening, and we wouldn't be there late in the evening. All in all, it took us 30 minutes to get inside, but it was worth it.

The person playing Ollivander was FABULOUS. The whole production probably took only five minutes, but it was really, really cool. He did some "spells" that left us impressed with the special effects and then we were allowed into the shop beyond. I knew the girls would want wands, so I was prepared for this. Boy, the shop is small though, and hard to move around with all the people. We bought the wands and had them sent to the front of the park.

A couple blurry pictures:

Then we headed over to the main event: The Forbidden Journey. This is the ride that is inside Hogwarts Castle.

The posted wait time was 10 minutes ! You enter through the greenhouses:

There really was no wait at all. We didn't stop walking until we got to the loading dock, but it does take 5 or 10 minutes to get there. The inside of the castle is very cool. They've made the portraits move just like in the movie. Here's a bad picture:

I was a little distracted as we went through the line, because there was a yucky situation going on right in front of us. There was a young girl with what looked like her mother, father, and grandfather. The girl was scared to go on the ride and was crying. Her father AND grandfather were both verbally berating her, and as the father was yelling at her he pushed her as she was walking. The girl didn't fall, but it was a hard push. Then she fell back and was walking with the mother who put her arm around her. The father and grandfather continued to make mean remarks to her, and at one point the grandfather reached out to swat the girl. He was in a wheelchair and that saved her because he couldn't quite reach, but he'd swung hard.

We were all getting very upset at this. It was so hard not to say anything. I had to stop my dad from getting involved. I knew what would happen. It was obvious that the father and grandfather were completely shameless. They were not being quiet about it, they didn't care who heard or saw them. If my dad (or one of us) had said something to them I'm sure they would have been very confrontational, and it could have led to violence. The other thing my mom and I were worried about was that if my dad provoked the men by confronting them, they could take it out on the mother and daughter later. We decided to talk to the park security instead. The whole thing made me sick to my stomach. I really felt like I was witnessing abuse, and if they would behave that way in public, how must they treat them behind closed doors? Anyway, at the end of the ride, my dad found an employee to report it to and pointed them out. He called security immediately. Of course, I don't know what came of it, but how much can you do in that kind of situation?

Anyway, back to the ride. I don't even know how to describe it. It was the most intense ride experience I've ever been on, and also completely different from anything I've ever been on. VERY very cool.

We were all a little shaky after that, so we did not head for another ride just yet. Instead, it was time for a little liquid libation!

Up Next: Episode 7 Harry Potter Continues

 

[YukiPhnx]

Haha, what a surprising reaction from them! Poor Lucy thought you guys were leaving Disney already.

Woow, Seuss landing looks really cool!

I thought you were going to have them wear the other tops? I guess it turned out too hot to wore the blouses.

Wow.....It must've been so hard to watch that going on with that family. The father probably learned his behaviour from the grandfather. It must've been even harder for your dad not to do anything. It breaks my heart to see abuse like that.

Wow, a 10 min wait though, that's awesome!!

You guys got butterbeer next right???

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Yay!!!!! I'm all caught up!!

It's so fun reading your TR b/c I'm always thinking things like "oooh, what park was that with the ampitheatre? Kirkwood? Laumier?" AND, PLEASE...snowpocalypse?!?!? We got about what you guys did, since we're both right near the hwy 44 line where it seemed to go north of us and STL. Did you guys get more last night? After predicting FEET of snow last week, this time all I heard was maybe we would get a couple flurries and woke up to 2 inches! They can't seem to get it right!

Can't wait to hear more about HP! We are torn about it b/c it would really be pushing the budget to try and go, and I'm just not sure it's worth the money for a couple rides and some themed shops??

Can't wait to hear more about the Princess trip as well, I'm training to run it next year, Rey & I are going to try and go alone as well!

 

[All7OfUs]

That would have made me sick to my stomach as well. But, you're right- intervening might have made a bad situation even more terrible! Glad you called security; I hope something sooner than later happens there to rescue her!

That was also NOT the reaction I was thinking would be. Hmmm....

I remember your dilemma with finding a good, affordable solution for a ride over there. glad the towncar worked out for you!

 

[glennbo123]

Thanks for the report on Harry Potter land; it sounds really cool. I'm sorry to read about that situation that occurred in front of you. It's tough to know what to do....I agree a confrontation would have been worse. I hope security was able to do something about it.

 

[Flossbolna]

Oh, it will be interesting to read more about your adventures on the "Dark Side!! I am still debating about wether I want to go there on my next trip, but your experience sounds great so fat (minus those horrible people, how sad that things like this happen and that you had to witness it!).

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Haha, what a surprising reaction from them! Poor Lucy thought you guys were leaving Disney already.

Woow, Seuss landing looks really cool!

It was! You would have loved it!

I thought you were going to have them wear the other tops? I guess it turned out too hot to wore the blouses.

I actually never found the blouses. So I didn't end up with quite a schoolgirl look like I'd imagined, but I do think they look somewhat Scottish, right?

Wow.....It must've been so hard to watch that going on with that family. The father probably learned his behaviour from the grandfather. It must've been even harder for your dad not to do anything. It breaks my heart to see abuse like that.

It was heartbreaking. Why take your child on a vacation and then treat her like that?

Wow, a 10 min wait though, that's awesome!!

You guys got butterbeer next right???

You'll have to wait and see!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Karen! Glad you made it over!

Yay!!!!! I'm all caught up!!

It's so fun reading your TR b/c I'm always thinking things like "oooh, what park was that with the ampitheatre? Kirkwood? Laumier?" AND, PLEASE...snowpocalypse?!?!? We got about what you guys did, since we're both right near the hwy 44 line where it seemed to go north of us and STL. Did you guys get more last night? After predicting FEET of snow last week, this time all I heard was maybe we would get a couple flurries and woke up to 2 inches! They can't seem to get it right!

You probably haven't been to this park, its a small park in Cottleville that was just built around the corner from our neighborhood.

So you guys didn't get much snow either? We did wake up to about 2 inches on Saturday morning also. I think more is coming tonight?

Can't wait to hear more about HP! We are torn about it b/c it would really be pushing the budget to try and go, and I'm just not sure it's worth the money for a couple rides and some themed shops??

I hemmed and hawed. It ran us about $500 for the tickets for the four of us, towncar there and back, lunch at IoA and souvenirs (2 wands, 2 chocolate frogs, a couple small charms). We really only went for Harry Potter, but of course we did tour the rest of the park also. Ultimately, I rationalized it as research for work, since I did have a couple clients who were interested in going and I wanted to be able to give them first hand advice (hey, does that mean I can deduct the cost?)

Can't wait to hear more about the Princess trip as well, I'm training to run it next year, Rey & I are going to try and go alone as well!

I am REALLY looking forward to this trip. Can not WAIT to get out of this midwest winter, if only for a few days!

That's awesome that you are in training. Its a great goal!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

That would have made me sick to my stomach as well. But, you're right- intervening might have made a bad situation even more terrible! Glad you called security; I hope something sooner than later happens there to rescue her!

That was also NOT the reaction I was thinking would be. Hmmm....

I remember your dilemma with finding a good, affordable solution for a ride over there. glad the towncar worked out for you!

Yep, the towncar worked out great and the price was right.

It so hard to know what to do in those situations. You hate to judge based on 10 minutes observation, but we had to do something. Of course I was upset that we had to witness it and have it put a damper on our morning - and then you feel guilty for even thinking that!

 

[KatMark]

I have to say I love the response of the girls to the news. I think they were probably both in shock.

I'm sorry your family had to deal with that very uncomfortable situation; you did the right thing by contacting secuirty about it.

I'm not a Harry Potter fan (our kids were much older when it came out and I just couldn't get into it), but it sounds as if the ride is really awesome...glad you enjoyed it.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I do look back and laugh at their reactions now, but at the time it made me a bit sad. Of course, you build things up and of course you'll be disappointed.

The Harry Potter thing was so cool and authentic, I think you could really get into it even if you weren't a fan. But obviously not to make a special trip for it. In fact, I'd definitely avoid it for a while til the crowds die down.