Should I or Shouldn't I....post a trip report? Updated 11/2

[MEK]

I'm catching back up. I haven't read the posts I have missed, but I did see a Target post. I too am a Target lover ~ can't imagine living 35 minutes away from one. That must be tough!

Yeah - it's rough living so far from Target. When I do shop there I look at everything in the store. I spend at least 1 1/2 hours there so I don't overlook anything. I live sort of far from everything. It takes me 15 minutes just to get to the grocery store I like. There is finally a Kohl's 15 mins from my house and soon there will be a superwalmart. I am living larger now!

 

[MEK]

Great so far!! I think I would have had to go for a flashy color on the crocs...just for the heckofit!

Looking forward to the Epcot tale.

Oh, I would have gone for the pink or blue ones, but I've already had all those colors for work. I think I've had just about every color but purple! When you wear blue scrubs everyday, you need some color to brighten things up!

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Your Safari pictures came out so good! You're doing a great job. Thanks for sharing your TR.

My DH is also a one time rider like yours so yet another thing they have in common....he would have stayed in at VB with the view, TV & beer if you recall...

But not me....I will ride over & over or when I'm forced to leave Ds & I did that on our trip 2 weeks ago (after DH had left for the day - tee hee)

 

[MEK]

Your Safari pictures came out so good! You're doing a great job. Thanks for sharing your TR.

My DH is also a one time rider like yours so yet another thing they have in common....he would have stayed in at VB with the view, TV & beer if you recall...

But not me....I will ride over & over or when I'm forced to leave Ds & I did that on our trip 2 weeks ago (after DH had left for the day - tee hee)

Thanks TDTD -

I think my DS took a lot of those Safari pictures. I can't tell you how many Safari pics we have taken over the years. I hope I have time to post a new installment tonight. My kids started school today and I have to work for the next 6 days so time is a precious commodity.

Yeah - Our DH's sound a lot alike. I have an upcoming short trip planned for Dec with just DH and I. Hopefully we will be in synch for the same actitvities. At least I know he can get up for park opening!

 

[MEK]

I must preface this chapter of my trip report by saying..... Today was the first day of school for my kids. I know some people love when the kids go back to school, but it makes me kind of sad. Even though summer is not over, at least according to the calendar, it feels over to me because I know the cooler weather is right around the corner. I feel sad everytime I see a tree with colored leaves in late August. I also feel sad because this is one of my favorite times to be at the world. I was there the past 4 out of 5 Augusts. My kids usually don't start school until after Labor Day, but every once it a awhile they start a week early. It has something to do with the number of weeks they count back from the June graduation date. I like having the last kids to go back to school after Labor Day. The kids also have 2 weeks off over Christmas this year. Great for them, but I seriously can't afford to go anywhere over Christmas. It is just too expensive for me.

But I digress...... So after DH, DS 13, and I returned from AK, we decided a swim was in order. DS15 and DSF were still at HS. They did ToT twice or three times and RnR twice. They also stood in the standby line for Toy Story Mania. It was exactly 90 mins from the time they entered the line, until the time they got off. That is far too much line time for me, but I guess they just text messaged the time away.

So as soon as DH and I get to the quiet pool, they closed it down for bad weather. I think I managed to jump in for 1 quick second before they closed it down. It never did rain. The skies just got really dark. So DH and I just sat there for about an hour, watching the clouds, and drinking whatever concoction we put in our Disney mugs. I think it was some kind of rum drink. Just as the sun started to emerge, it was time for us to get ready for dinner. We had our first real ADR tonight. Now you are probably hoping for some really great ADR, but I know this restaurant is NOT one of the favs on the boards. That's OK, my kids LOVE this place. I mean - Love it - They want to eat there everytime we go to the world. Why do they love it so much? I am not sure.

So were in the world did we eat????? I'll give you a hint - yes it was in Epcot.

Here I am with my "pooky" look. It's my "hurry up our ADR is in 5 minutes and we have to walk to the world showcase. Now is not the time for pictures" look. It's also my "maybe I really didn't need that rum drink at the pool" look. I guess it might also double for my "I can't walk another step, my feet hurt" look. See, a picture really does speak a thousand words.

Here is the back of DS15 and his friend. This was one of the few times we saw them on the trip - morning, bedtime, and dinner. As you can see, they had no interest in smiling for the camera.

Why am I all alone at this table????? I don't remember. Did all the boys take a BR break?

I do think the San Angel Inn has a pretty good atmosphere and I think the food is fine. Some people think it's too authentic, some think it's too TexMex. I like it. I have never had a bad meal, so I will return when my kids request it. It's no Le Cellier, but its a heck of a lot easier to get an ADR there.

After dinner Ds 13 went with his older brother and friend, while DH and I hung out together. We rode the ride in Mexico first, then DH and I rode Spaceship Earth followed by MS. I always worry about claustrophobia, but once the ride starts I am fine.

Then we rode Ellen. If the CM reminded us one more time that the ride lasted 42 minutes, I was going to scream. As I told us, sometimes I am prone to anxiety, so I really don't like being trapped on a ride and I was starting to feel like I was entering the point of no return. I only felt that way because the CM kept reminiding people over and over again that they couldn't get off the ride once it started. Duh. OK, I think we got it the first 10 times you said it. I don't know how that ride is 42 minutes because it seems to go pretty fast. I like to ride it every 2 or 3 years especially when there is no wait.

After we got off Ellen we could see Illuminations in the background.

We didn't actually watch Illuminations because we had that planned for when our Daytona friends arrived. I have some really good pics, but you'll have to wait to see them.

After Illuminations we went to ......

I tried to text the kids, but my message would not send until I got out of Nemo. The kids were already on the bus to go back to the resort. I think they probably rode soarin and left.

DH and I decided to do a quick run through Figment.

After that I decided I really was too tired to do anything else. I really wanted to ride TT at night, but my dh will NOT go in the single rider line. He refuses everytime I ask. But you know what - come Dec if I want to ride TT from the single rider line in the dark, I am going without him. So there!

Wow - I was really tired. It was a little after 10pm and I was draging. Still, it was the perfect night, weather wise. I was starting to love these June nights, if only I could stay awake later.

So DH and I headed home together. Do you think DS15 and DSF were there when we got back to SSR???? NO they had decided to head over to the High Rocks pool. I found out later it was because they met a couple "hotties" over there. So I had to stay up and wait for them to get home. A mother's job is never done.

Up next .... touring our Florida friends through the world.

 

[AInWonderland]

Great trip report, you have made me decide that I need to do vero next year. I also have teenagers and can totaly relate to the late sleeping!!

 

[MEK]

Great trip report, you have made me decide that I need to do vero next year. I also have teenagers and can totaly relate to the late sleeping!!

Vero is great! I will definately go there again, but probably not next year. In all the trips I've taken to disney, I have not seen Sea World. I have to do that next time.

Gotta love those teenagers! I sometimes wish I was on their sleep/wake cycle. It would be nice to sleep away the morning and stay up late at night in the parks. But that darn sun keeps waking me up!

 

[ILuvCrush]

great Update! i've wanted to try San Angel, but til now I haven't. I usually can't make it past the margarita stand

Paula

 

[MEK]

great Update! i've wanted to try San Angel, but til now I haven't. I usually can't make it past the margarita stand

Paula

They do have VERY TASTY Margaritas!

 

[MEK]

On Friday June 13th our Daytona Beach friends were coming to the world for the weekend. Hard to believe they've lived in Florida for over 12 years, but the've never set foot in Disney. They don't have kids, so I guess they never saw a reason to visit. Plus people don't always appreciate what's in their own backyard.

I decided that DH and I would give our Dear Friends Keith and Trina (DFK, DFT) the MBR and we would move to the pull out sofa. The living rooms in the Saratoga villas do seem a bit small, but I was more than willing to make the sacrifice. I needed to put my tour guide hat on. or does this hat look better....? oh, no... I think this one is best....

I went to get DF's room cards and parking pass and then I set out for a run. Today I went through the grandstand section of SSR. I don't have any pictures, but I really like this area. The pool is fairly large and the whole red/white motif appeals to me. I also like that this pool has its own bar. Nice.

DH and I decided to stay put until our DF's arrived. I knew thay weren't in any rush to get to the world, but I thought it would be rude to be in the parks when they arrived. Remember, this was their first visit.

They arrived a little later than expected because they stopped at a store to get lunch food and then they got lost. They ended up at the entrance to MK before they realized they were quite lost. OOOOPPPPPSSSSS!

When they arrived, we set out for some quality pool time. We went to the quiet pool near the Paddock and had the whole place to ourselves. Nice. It was perfect pool weather and a nice change from the usual routine. I often don't get to the pool until late afternoon, and we all know what happens in Florida in the late afternoon....... RAIN!

DS15 and DSF went to AK and DS13 stayed in to watch .... ta da.....soccer.
It was a nice morning.

By about 2pm we were ready to head into MK. MK had to be the first stop on our DF's tour. Plus we had dinner ADR's at Ohanas.

I started texting DS15 about an hour before we left. When he didn't return several of my texts (which is very unusal), I tried to call him only to find out that his phone was dead. I did not like this at all. So I texted DSF. I was in near panic mode before he finally texted me back and said "Mom WE are fine". When DS15 finally called me I told him he better keep that phone charged in the future or he was not going off on his own ever again. I love texting - to me it is like having a GPS on your kid. I don't like when they let the kids let their phones die. I told DS15 he better GET BACK TO SSR AND CHARGE HIS PHONE!

When we arrived at MK it looked deserted

We headed right to Tomorrowland and grabbed FP's for Space Mountain. I was so excited we would get to ride Space before dinner.
Obviously once we were in the park, things were a tad more congested, but not bad at all.

Here's DS 13 looking a bit embarrased by the old folks!



DH made an executive decision to take us to CoP. Can you believe it???? I was the tour guide and he was leading us towards this ride first. DH is a few years older than I am, so maybe there was something magically nostalgic for him. (It's a great big beautiful tamorrow) He loved this ride and tried to visit it a third time this trip. To that I responded, "No freak'n way!"

After CoP we hit the blue line then we jumped on Buzz. From Buzz we walked right into the Monsters Inc. Comedy Club. I was secretly hoping that DH would get to be "that guy". DH has a full head of grey (actually white) hair. I was hoping that would be suitable criteria for the "that guy" selection.

Well DH did not get picked as "that guy", but yours truely unwillingly ended up with a cameo role in the show. When we entered the theatre I followed DFT across the center isle and ended up on an end seat about halfway up the theatre. Next thing I know this bright light is over my head and DFT starts laughing, "Mary Ellen it's you...hahahahahaha".

OMG - talk about major stage fright. I started laughing so hard that I could not even speak. I could feel my cheeks turning bright red and my throat got dry and my heart was racing. I could hardly even remember my name, let alone say it. All the time I was thinking, "why me, out of all these people" and "I am about to make myself look like a fool. HELP". Honestly, I don't even remember what I had to do. I know it had something to do with guessing or picking a number. If anyone can remember, PLEASE TELL ME!!!!!!

Seriously, I can't remember the last time I got that nervous. I talk in front of people and sing/play music in front of people all the time. But I was so NOT prepared for this. Something about being caught off guard set me for a tizzy. Plus I was supposed to be the cool tour guide. I wasn't supposed to be turning red in front of a room full of people. Sheeshh

So after my moment of embarrasment, we left tomorrow land and headed to frontierland. We had a few more adventures along the way, which I will telll you about when I return with pics!

 

[MEK]

I've got lots of great pics for this part of the post, so I think I am going to sum it up quickly.

We left tomorrowland and headed for Philarmagic. I figured our DF's should see at least one 3D movie, and this one is probably the best. I know DFT liked it cause she laughed alot.

After Philarmagic we took a ride on a Doom buggy. This is acutally the longest line I've ever stood in for HH.

After HH we took a few pics in Frontierland.....

There's DS 13 with the old farts again (DH is taking the picture). After our fabulous photo session we turned around to see the boat (I forget her name) pull into dock.

So we decided to hop aboard. I have not been on this boat since my very first trip to the MK. AT first I was reluctant but then I thought, what the heck, if that's what everyone wants to do, I'll go along. I soon realized that I was about to experience a great photo op. Here are some pics I took from the boat:

I vowed I wouldn't wait another 6 years before I rode that boat again. Darn what is that boat called ..... The River Belle????? Help me out here people.

I also want to make sure I visit Tom Sawyer's island before another 6 years go by.

After our exciting boat ride, we managed to grap a quick ride on Big thunder. I could hear DFT laughing - cool

I have NO IDEA why I am running here, but I posted it anyway. I figure I will remember why sooner or later.

By now it was time for our FP for Space. While we were in line for space, DS 15texted me to say they were broken down on the blue line right at the loading platform for Space. But by the time we got there, the blue line was up again, so we missed them.

One nice thing about 5 people together on Space..... Somebody in your party is bound to get the front row, and that somebody was ME!!!!!! I love the front row and I could hear DFT laughing through the whole ride. Another fun attraction. I'm so glad my friends were having fun!

After space we met up with the older boys and we all left MK together to eat at Ohana's. I had to split our ADR into 2 parties - 4 people at 8:15pm and 3 at 9pm. Fortunately, when we checked in they said they would be able to sit us all together. So, by the time we all finished one super yummy ice cream drink and listened to the man in the lobby play Hawian music, it was time to be seated.

I love Ohana's. My favorite part of the meal is the shrimp, which is always served last. As is true to form for me, I got partially full on the appetizers and I was already a tad full by the time the meat was served. But the time the shrimp came, well you get the idea. I really had to work to keep eating all the shrimp. Ouch - major stomach stretch! It was DFK birthday and they brought him a cupcake with a candle.

We finished dinner right before 10pm. I guess we could have stayed at our table longer, but we were on the side of the room opposite the window, so we decided to watch Wishes from the beach. DS15 and DSF left to go back to SSR. At the time I was wondering what their rush was, but as I already told you, I found out later they were in a hurry to go see the hotties at the pool. Apparently these girls were from Miami and they leaving the next day to go home. DS did show me a pic of one of them and she was quite cute, so now I understand their rush to get there.

Meanwhile, we saw Wishes from the Poly Beach.....

This cool pic was taken by DH and I don't think he had any idea how he got such a cool pic.

Well, by 1230 I think everyone was home from the pool and ready to sleep. Another adventurous day comes to a close.

Next up....HS and Toy Story Mania ...or Not!

 

[fireworks fan]

I love all your pics. And I think the boat is called the Liberty Belle, but I have never been on it before

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Great photos of HM and the Liberty Boat....Makes me want to go back right now!

 

[MEK]

I love all your pics. And I think the boat is called the Liberty Belle, but I never been on it before

Thanks fireworks fan. I did enjoy taking those pics from the boat. And I think you are right, it probably is the Liberty Belle. That make sense. It's weird how I forget the names to some of these attractions. It's like my mind suddenly goes blank.

 

[MEK]

Great photos of HM and the Liberty Boat....Makes me want to go back right now!

I agree. But the next time you go back, I want it to be with your DH! I can't wait to read about that trip!

 

[MEK]

I would add another post tonight, but I am just too tired. I did go in and edit last nights post because I made a bunch of typos.

More tomorrow!

 

[MEK]

I am saving this spot for an addendum to my last post. I thought we all went to bed when we got home from Ohana's and the pool, but I was wrong. When I went to download more pics I remembered that something else happened before our evening ended.

But.....I can't tell you want until I post the pics. Let's just say we did something a tad silly before we all retired for the night!

OK - here it is. I remembered that we didn't go to bed right away. the older boys were at the pool and DFT got this great idea to go "embarrass them".. All of a sudden she started pulling daytona beach tee shirts out of her bag - biker shirts, spring break shirt. She had more clothes in there than a bag lady has in her paper bag.

So we dressed for success.... or should I say ....to embarrass the boys at the pool. We were going to head there and start heckling them. Aren't we a lovely group at midnight. I think my circles speak for themselves.

We never made it to the pool. As we were walking there, the boys passed us on the side of the road. They didn't even recognize us until we started to laugh. I guess our disguises worked.

Check this one out. DS13 would kill me if he knew I posted it!

 

[MEK]

On June 12th we planned for an early assault of HS. That is the 5 of us. DS15 and friend were going to Blizzard Beach.

There was just one problem ......the boys would not get up (for a change) and they locked their door. Try as I might to bang loud enough for them to hear, they couldn't because their beds were way too far from the door.

Well, DFT wasn't having any of this nonsense. She picked the phone up and called the front desk to ask them to send someone to unlock the door. A maintenance man was there in, oh .... maybe 2 minutes. He showed us a quick trick to correct any future episodes of inappropriate door locking we might encounter.

When he was leaving I said, " How much for you to go in there and scare the crap out of those kids so they don't lock the door again"? He laughed , but I was sooooo serious.

So what time do you think the dynamic fivesome arrived at HS?

Well - not too bad. We got there around 9:30am. It could be worse, a lot worse. While we grabbed a locker DS13 went to get FP's for RnR. They only problem was he didn't tell anyone that he was going to come all the way back to the lockers to get us. Hey, we're old and slow, BUT NOT THAT SLOW. So we missed him. When we got to RnR, he was nowhere. About 10 minutes later, and after a brief episode of panic on my part, we were reunited. Honestly, I can't remember what we had FP's for. All I know is we rode RnR first and I know K & T loved it. We did not tell them what to expect, so they were completely surprised. I figured they could handle it. After all, they went on some horrific, highly unsafe, uninspected thrill ride named "EL Chucko" while they were in Venezuela. And they lived to tell about it. Infact, after DFK returned to the states, he told us about this ride several times, so it obviously left a lasting impression.


I think we had time between RnR and ToT, so we headed over to TSM. But the FP return time was already 5:45pm What?????? I knew it would be late, but I couldn't help but hope for a miracle. So, I realized I took one for the team and we would not be riding TSM this vacation. I just don't do standy by, so if that means I skip a ride....well.....it will always be there when I go back. That is what I love about Disney There is always something to look forward to.

OK ....gotta go .....will post later tonight with pics.

 

[KyDerbyMan]

Yeah...we got to TSM about 9:30am ourselves and FP return time was already out to 5:30pm. Definitely hit up that one first!

Love the bit about having the maintenance guy scare them! lol!!

 

[MEK]

Yeah...we got to TSM about 9:30am ourselves and FP return time was already out to 5:30pm. Definitely hit up that one first!

Love the bit about having the maintenance guy scare them! lol!!

Gotta love it. Guess what.... they didn't try to lock that door at night anymore!