RUMOR HAS IT... (My Dec 2007 Disney Vacation)

[jackdis]

Ty,
Reading your reports helped me take care of my Disney withdrawals. We're going in March for a few days!!! Hope you're doing ok.

 

[Suzerella]

Ty, hope all is going well with you and that you are on your way to a speedy recovery!

 

[disneyaddicted]

Hi everybody, thank you for your prayers and get well wishes. they all meant alot to me. I am doing fine, recovering well, I just can't seem to get my energy back, I guess that will take time. I have been all kinds of busy, tons of deadlines with silkscreening, and still having to coach Red Lion cheerleading. but I am caught up on that, now I will take a few days to rest and be ready with an update this weekend, however photobucket is not working for me, and I doubt I will make it to theresas to use her high speed anytime soon, so the update will be pictureless, I will add pictures later, it just might be a month or two.
Hope everyone is doing great, Thank you ILMICKEY for the bump. acm563, candizfan I agree, it had to be that 5 ton box. jackdiswelcome back, glad to hear from you again, xoprincessmomxo, dddisrunner,Poohtiggey, ericamcl,Thanks for hanging in there. carri5317 Thank you for your prayers. suzerellaI am doing great, thank you.

I'll be back soon!

 

[snubie]

Hi everybody, thank you for your prayers and get well wishes. they all meant alot to me. I am doing fine, recovering well, I just can't seem to get my energy back, I guess that will take time. I have been all kinds of busy, tons of deadlines with silkscreening, and still having to coach Red Lion cheerleading. but I am caught up on that, now I will take a few days to rest and be ready with an update this weekend, however photobucket is not working for me, and I doubt I will make it to theresas to use her high speed anytime soon, so the update will be pictureless, I will add pictures later, it just might be a month or two.
Hope everyone is doing great, Thank you ILMICKEY for the bump. acm563, candizfan I agree, it had to be that 5 ton box. jackdiswelcome back, glad to hear from you again, xoprincessmomxo, dddisrunner,Poohtiggey, ericamcl,Thanks for hanging in there. carri5317 Thank you for your prayers. suzerellaI am doing great, thank you.

I'll be back soon!

I am just starting to read your pre-trip and this trip report but I wanted to say that we have family in Red Lion. My husbands family is all there. He did not grow up there but we do visit every few months. Small World.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Glad to hear that you are doing well Ty.

 

[disneyaddicted]

The ride to WDW property was fun but long. I couldn't wait to get the vacation started, I couldn't wait for Coley and Coach to see how much fun Pop Century can be. I felt teary eyed at times which made me feel like a goof, I had to cover it up with a yawn and say I was tired, but they all saw through me. Whatever!
We drove under the sign that says Walt Disney World. I forgot to take a picture for my album, so I figured I could take it on the way back to the airport and no one would be the wiser, except for you all cause I just told you. Pop Century was the first drop off, YES! We got off the bus and I made it to check in before anybody. YES AGAIN! I need to go back first and tell you that the feeling of stepping off the bus was amazing, I felt like I had never left and been gone too long all at the same time. it was different then driving up to it too. I felt more free. any who, I was first in line, check in went great, again the cm drew all over my map, but this time I asked for 2 extra resort maps, she gave me a wierd look, obviously she is not a scrapbooker or she would have understood.

*side note- Coley is a huge scrapbooker, we have massive scrapbooking sessions, like 24 hours at a time, so she was already taking tons of pictures!!!

We asked the CM about our water delivery from garden grocer. She said she didn't know anything and to ask at baggage. We didn't ask at baggage, we figured we would come back later. Instead we went to find our room. The CM sent us a round about sort of way to our room, really far out of the way, we walked all the way around the building just to come back to the front of it. I think she just liked drawing on my map for heck of it. We walked into our room and was over come with a heavy tobacco smell, Coley started wheezing right away and we knew no amount of Febreeze was going to cover that stench. So we walked back to the checkin (we took our short way) this time there was a line. They were playing the hustle and a bunch of CM's were dancing to it, Coach got right out there and joined them, so the wait didn't seem so long, it was fun watching them dance. Finally I got up to the CM and explained the smelly situation, she switched our rooms, basically in the same location just on the 3rd floor instead of the 2nd. Easy enough right? But she still felt the need to get out a new map and draw all over it again.And it was the long way again! Go figure

Our room was in the 60's by the hippy dippy pool, not facing the pool just right around the corner though, I liked the location.

We walk into our new room, aaah, the smell of no smell! We dropped off our carry on bags, and headed to the Pop cafe for some food. It was pay out of pocket the first night, I got chicken strips and fries, Reese got some fettuccini thing, Coley had chicken and coach had something... it didn't look like food, but she ate it and said it was good. We then all got our refillable mugs, and filled them with hot chocolate.

IT was a little chilly that night as we walked around the resort. Coley who wants to go into photography had just gotten a new camera before the trip. I think that thing is worth more than my car. Am I jealous? I'll never tell! But anyway, she was taken pics left and right, I was video taping it all. We walked to the 80's and 90's, that's something I didn't do last time. IT sure was quiet there compared to all the other areas. Reese had to pose with all the icons, making sure her butt was perfect in each shot! We then went and did some eye shopping at Everything Pop. Eye shopping means no money spent, no merchandise taken. I just eyed things that might be worth a purchase later. I know I wanted ears at some point, I just couldn't find what I wanted. They also had jibbitz, but I said later to those.

We headed back to the rooms and Reese's Key didn't work, I had put it next to my cell phone, so we all went down to get it fixed, no problem, headed back to the room, all keys worked. Coach and I got on our jammies and the girls left to explore some more. Our bags had arrived along with our 4 cases of water. That is a lot of water. Do we manage to drink it all? You'll have to wait for the last day to find out.

I was putting stuff away and couldn't find Reese's mug, I called her to see if she had it, she didn't. Very typical of Reese to lose things. I am always threatening her that I am going to put idiot strings on her cheer poms because she is always misplacing them. ANYWAY I gripe a bit about the $12 dollars I am out but that got old quickly so I let it go.

I had brought stuff to decorate our window. (as soon as I can I will post pics of it) I think our window looked so cute, the lights fell that night and I just left them on our windowsil in a pile, it was a cool effect if you aske me. The girls came back to the room around 11:00pm, They had met some CM's and was hanging out with them. One of them by the name of Alfredo told Reese he would get her a new mug, free! So I told Reese to make friends with the DVC people the next day

We were all asleep by midnight. I could not wait for our first day at the parks. Sleep did not come easy, but when it did, it hit hard!

Got to go watch my show now, I will be back tomorrow.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Sounds like an excellent start to the trip (aside from the smelly room but that got fixed quickly).

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Reese had to pose with all the icons, making sure her butt was perfect in each shot!

LMAO...I adore that girl...That will be my daughter in a few years!

So glad to see a new post. That "stinks" (couldn't resist) about your room. At least they were accomadating and changed your room with little problem. Most hotels outside of the room would have said "tough luck".

Can't wait for more!

 

[disneyaddicted]

Snubie Very small world, I wonder how many times I have passed by your relatives on the street, heck , maybe I know them. Anyway, welcome to my trip report, I hope you enjoy it.

Lifelong Dreamer I have to come right out and say, this trip was awesome and I am so excited to share it. The stinky room was the worse thing that happened.

xoprincessmomxo Reese is so in love with her own butt! Every chance she gets to check it out in a mirror, she does! It's funny. It's sort of a running joke in this house now, even when she pops a piece of gum in her mouth she'll joke and ask does this gum make my butt look big?

 

[jackdis]

Can't wait to hear more. We love the POP so much. We will be there in a little while....can't wait. I'm so excited. Just booked Fantasmic package at Brown Derby for DH's birthday. It's a short trip - again - but short is better than nothing!

 

[disneyaddicted]

We woke up early. Actually I woke up early, and let me tell you Coach snores!!!!! I knew this already from all the hotel rooms we shared for competitions in the past. I was so glad I brought my tiny fan, it made just enough white noise to slightly cover the snoring.

I got in the shower and by the time I got out Coach was up and getting ready. (just want to add that the hotel shampoo and soaps were different looking then the last time I was there, do they change the look every year?)
I had to keep after Reese to get up. She thought (and this is funny) that since she was on vacation she would get to sleep in. NO CHILD! GET UP NOW!

I had my outfit already picked out the night before, so did Reese, but really that means nothing because she changed her mind 4 times, she would put on an outfit just to switch 5 minutes later, no amount of telling her "That's cute." could help, she says she has to feel the outfit become one with her, if she doesn't get that bond she will be uncomfortable all day. Seriously I don't see what her deal was, she ended up wearing a hoodie and covered her shirt up anyway, so why the 20 minutes of changing shirts Reese? HUH?

Coley, who had dumped out her suitcase in a corner the night before, rummaged through and had her clothes picked out in 2 minutes. Yay, Coley, no muss no fuss Coley!

We were out the door early, coach stopped in at the pop shop and got a cup of coffee and then we got in line for Animal kingdom. This is my least favorite park so that is why I chose to go there first, I wanted to get it behind me. The line was long and I made a mental note to get out to the buses earlier the next day. OF course even that early in the morning they had the music going and Coach T never passes up the chance to dance. Coley told her to quit, but I was like "Ya know what dude? we are on vacation, it's time to let lose, and you'll never see these people again." A light went on in Coleys eyes, I think she got it. This was a trip for no holds barred. Live it up fully!

The bus filled up quickly and Coley and I ended up standing. This here is a time when I would get out my soap box and complain, but I wasn't too ticked off about this, more like puzzled and here is why, there was a man and wife with their baby, they took up 4 seats, the baby was in one, their bag in another and then of course the 2 adults. Had they held the baby and the bag it would of opened up 2 more seats. Coley and I were the only 2 standing and you'd think they would have thought of that. But I was in such a happy place in my mind I didn't let it upset me. Coley and I had fun standing anyway, she kind of talked loud on purpose and made it seem to people around that I was a pole dancer, she kept making comments like "even on vacation you can't get away from the pole can you?" I played along with it, told her that I could use this time to work on my new routine. The only thing that made it really funny is .... I don't have the body of a dancer, so I am sure men were wincing at the visual they might of had in their minds.

WE got off the bus at AK, and walked the 2 miles to the entrance, Coley speed walks and Coach kind of oozes along like a snail, I was trying to get us a steady pace that we all could enjoy, that didn't work, so I was kind of in between the 2 yelling up to coley and back to Coach, each of them yelling back "What?" we were probably known as the loud annoying people that day. Reese was really quiet, I think she was second guessing her outfit.

We all met up by the Christmas tree at the front and whipped out our cameras and video, this went on for about 5 minutes, then we got in line at the gate. I got out a map and we started making our plan of attack, 10 minutes later they let us in and we walked up to the next waiting point. Coley was freaking out. Why isn't anybody moving? I told her the park wasn't "officially" open yet, just then Minnie and Goofy came out with Pluto in tow. I was so excited, I realized I was going to get to see the opening show, I hadn't done that last time either. I cried, just a few tears, but it was all good, I was wearing shades! Then Mickey came out, he was kind of off in the distance, but I used my zoom and got some pretty good pics. I had given the video camera to Reese, which now when I watch the video it's mostly alot of peoples heads, she is so short she can't see anything, so she just held the camera above her head and hoped she was getting something, and she did.

*SIDENOTE. I made the mistake of letting Reese and Coley use the video camera alot, and therefore my vacation videos are filled with lots of cute boys and commentary on them. There is also alot of butt shots.

The show was over and we made our way to EE, The wait said 10 minutes, but really we didn't wait at all. Reese and Coley got into the car infront of Coach and I. I wasn't scared at all, not until we started our climb, I don't really get scared on rollercoasters, so really I don't know what my deal was. Coach T just kept saying, oh my Gosh, over and over, and things like, why am I doing this? I can't believe I am doing this. Reese and Coley were just talking normal, probably about boys

We get close to the spot of the yeti, where they just give you the shadow, Coach said, "Oh, they make it seem like a Yeti really pops out at you, but really it's just a cartoon." I knew better though, I kept quiet anyway! And then in the next few seconds, BAM! AARRRGG, no wait that's a pirate....BAM! Roooaaaarrrr! there's the yeti and Coach screams, so do the girls, I was trying to so hard to get a picture of him I poked my eye! I used a disposable camera and haven't gotten it developed yet, so I don't know if I got the shot or not. Way too soon the ride was over. We made our way over to see our pics on it. We didn't buy the pic, I just took 2 pics of it and it turned out pretty good. We exited and I said let's all get fastpasses, I had to explain the whole deal to Coach and Coley again. "This is so we do not have to wait in line to ride again." "OOOOOO" they both sing.

We slowly make our way over to the safari, and when I say slowly I mean sloooooooowly. Coley had the camera up to her face the whole way, the girl took 700 pictures that day. I must say I am glad she did, some of those pics are really nice.

WE came across King Louie and Baloo, I was super excited, this was going to be our first meet-n-greet of the day...of our trip. I got out my little clipboard and searched through all my asorted colors of card stock, I settle on a light grey for Baloo, he signed and gave me a big bear hug, then almost smothered Reese, King louie doesn't sign autographs, but he will ham it up for the cameras. He is such a cutie patootie. I love that at each meet-n-greet, Coach would take so many pictures, my album is going to be so great thanks to her and Coley. Reese would get her picture taken but didn't get any autographs, Coley was collecting autographs though. she was nervous the first time but got the hang of it quickly.

We stop for more photo ops and Coach buys an apple. She is really going to do well on her life change (it's not a diet, but a change of eating habits) she munches and crunches and slurps that juicy apple while in line for safari, the wait said 30 minutes, we waited close to 20. I was going to video, and Coley was going to take pictures, but soon we discovered that sometimes the animals were on my side and she couldn't get the pic. SO I handed the video to Reese and used my camera too, alot of that ride video was Reese turning the camera on herself and making faces. We saw tons of animals, my favorite was the lion laying on the rock, it was just like Mufasa in the Lion King, looking out over his kingdom I loved it!!! We saw giraffes, which made me think back to when Reese was little and obsessed with them, I waited for her to oo and aaah, she didn't! just a smile, that's all. The crikety bridge was a little scary for some of the smaller kids on that bus, my heart jumped a bit too, so I can only imagine what was going through their minds. Then there was that whole poacher thing happening, we saved the day, I kind of knew we would though. As we were exciting, or actually as they say, disembarking the ride they were saying goodbye to us in African, coach says to them "And a gallopengawko to you."
(I knew I would never live that down)

We walked and took more pictures, we watched a little street show for a bit, then we went back to EE for a second go. We passed by the little place that Reese and I had gone to before where they had the best mango slushies, we said we would come back to it later.

The second ride on EE wasn't as scary this time, it was still fun though. Loved everyminute, tried again to get a picture of the yeti, this time I managed to keep the finger out of my eye, still don't know if I got the shot though.

We disembarked the ride and decided to go see about the finding Nemo show, the line was astronomicaly long, and it was still 40 minutes to show time, we decided to head to Dino land and come back to find Nemo later.

I was going nuts taking pictures, in my scrapbook album from my 2006 trip there is hardly any pictures from Animal Kingdom, I was making up for that now. I never noticed just how cute Dino Land really is, and...there's a boneyard! how did I miss that? We went into a shop, Coach wanted to find a Raptor to bring back for our cheer squad, since the Raptor is our allstar mascot we thought it would be cool to bring it to each competition, kind of like a good luck charm. We found one and was going to buy it until I glanced Goofy outside, we dropped everything and headed over for our second character greet of the day. I was star struck. I really can't wait to post pictures of this, I never realized just how much of a kid I am when it comes to the characters, I think that is why coach took so many pictures at the greets, she wants to show them to her friends and laugh at me.

Goofy signed his name Luv Goofy, but I noticed the person before me just got plain Goofy. I think he had a crush on me. Feelings mutual Goofy!

We were heading over to ride dinosour, Reese and I love this one and couldn't wait for Coach and Coley to love it too. We were taking some pictures out front when my phone rang, I wasn't going to pick up, but caller ID said it was my house phone. Who is calling me 10:30am? Kent should be at work and my son should be in class. It was Jim

Jim: Hey Mom!
Me: Hey Bo!
Jim: How's the weather?
Me: Low 70's, a little cool with a breeze, I am wearing a sweater, your sister swears she is going to freeze to death. Why aren't you at school?
Jim: It's 12 degrees and snowing, school was cancelled!
Me: OMG IT'S SNOWING!

We all start whooping all hollerin, so happy that we weren't in it, so happy that we had plans to hang out at the pool and didn't need to conern ourselves with snow.

Jim: Yeah, so I'm gonna get a fire going now. Call me later!

Looking back I feel bad, then again at least he had a snow day. I love snow days when I don't have to go out in it. I really missed Jim too. I felt so guilty being in the Florida sun with Reese and my friends, while he was home in the cold, all alone. Coach tried cheering me up, reminded me that he was given the chance to come and he didn't want to. I didn't stay sad for too long, I didn't want to ruin anyones good time, I just told myself I would get Jim something awesome.

Dinosour! still love that ride. Coach like it, Coley wanted to get back in line immediatley, so we did. we hammed it up for the cameras both times, the first time we took a picture of the picture, the second time we bought the picture, I will post these soon I promise! We shopped around some more. Then went outside and took more pictures. Reese's knee was killing her, so we decided to go get lunch so she could have food on her stomache and take Motrin.

FlameTree Barbque was the place we came to first. so we hopped in line for our first dining plan meal of the trip. Coach and Coley could not believe how much food they give you. "and this is just counter service." Reese Piped in.
I could tell she was feeling better now, Motrin was kicking in. When she is in pain she just quits talking, we had missed her and all her funny commentary, so Coach and I made a pact that we would keep Reese full of Motrin.

The food was so good. I loved the coleslaw, I am very picky when it comes to coleslaw, this passed my test. The ribs were great, Reese got some turkey sanwhich, so did coley, Coach got something really healthy, Whatever! She got the frozen lemonade for dessert, so did I Reese got the cake or was it a brownie? It was good either way. I liked this lunch, it was relaxing, we laughed alot. I couldn't believe it was just turning noon time, I felt like already I had done so much more than I did before and there was still so much time left. My biggest fear (one of them anyway) was time going too fast and not being able to see it all. But it was going great. My vacation was fun packed but not time flying.

 

[ElizaB39]

OMG TY! I am so glad you are back and feeling better. I love the trip report already!

I have been waiting for it and am happy to read it as well.

We are busy with cheering too, our first competition a week from tomorrow near Phila. Have a great season, take care of yourself.

Also, I am happy to report I get to go to Orlando for a week in Sep for a work trip, how sweet is that?!?! Can't wait to start planning my evening activities.

 

[Poohtigeey]

Great updates! Can't wait to see the pics. It's so interesting to hear people's park favorites. We LOVE Animal Kingdom, and Disney Studios is our least favorite. It sounds like you had fun anyway!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I would have loved to see their reactions on Everest.

The line for Nemo is ridiculous. I am glad I saw it once but to me it is not worth standing in that long of a line for so long. It eats up a good chunck of the day that I could spend doing lots of other stuff.

Glad that Reese was starting to feel better.

 

[dddisrunner]

Yay! Welcome back Ty! LOVING it so far I hate trying to get the entire group to walk at the same pace! Never works That is why my kids will sit in the strollers until their heads poke through the top! So funny about the Yeti on Everest! Glad Reese was feeling better! Looking forward to more!

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Great update Ty! I'm a little nervous about Animal Kingdom. I've been to the three other parks, so I know we will like those. Last summer, when we went to the Omaha Zoo, my 5 year old kept asking about every 10 minutes when we would go back to the hotel and swim. She could have cared less about those animals. Except the petting zoo part, she didn't get into it at all! I have only scheduled one Animal Kingdom park day and a chance to add it in later if we really like it day. So glad to hear your vacation went well!

 

[pjstevens]

Great update. Glad you are starting to feel better. Can't wait to read more and see those photos. Hopefully the email notifications will be working then so I'll remember to check back in.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I finally made my way over here!! Great start to your trip Ty!! haha, your stories about the girls make me laugh. I remember going to Disney with my best friend when we were probably their age and luckily we didn't have a video camera. The conversations defintiely revolved around all the cute boys in the parks though!

Seems like you're having a blast at AK! Can't wait to read the rest and SEE PICTURES!!!

 

[theles]

I am enjoying your report and can't wait to read more

 

[disneyaddicted]

jackdis I think even if I struck it rich and could afford the grandest resort I would probably still stay at Pop, it just appeals to my personality. Gosh, I would love to go back Disney right now, even if it were a short trip, I keep seeing all the commercials and I just want to go again.

ElizaB39 Our first comp is in Reading, Pa. on Feb 2nd, I am so excited, it's our first time competing AllStar. Do you know if your team is going to "Reach for the Beach"? Good Luck in your season, I wish the best for you all.

Poohtigey I used to have a least favorite, I just love them all now. I think alot of it is what you make of it and I just didn't make enough of it the first time and that is why I didn't care for it.

Lifelong Dreamer I think it would help if they had more showings. I guess they do the best they can.

dddisrunner believe me several times I wanted to push Coach in a wheel chair, she just walks too slow, I know she was kust taking it all in, but come on, I wanted to make rope drop.

xoprincessmomxo Animal Kingdom is so different then a zoo, there's alot for little ones to do and see aside from the animals, I think you'll like it.

pjstevens I am trying so hard to get pictures posted, but photobucket wasn't cooperating a COach T's house either. Who knows when i'll get all my pics up.?!

disneygirlinnj Those 2 girls cracked me up so much. i have only begun to tell you some of the things these girls did. Sometimes I just walked away from them because it was just too much. Stay tuned for my MGM update, that night I could have died at the girls antics.

theles I am glad that you like it. I will update again soon.