Sizzlefest 2006....*New 9/25 DONE*

[Yzma and Kronk]

“In ev’ry job that must be done
There is an element of fun
You find the fun and snap!
The job’s a game

And ev’ry task you undertake
Becomes a piece of cake
A lark! A spree!
It’s very clear to me…..”

The dates are set. It’s going to be a Sizzlefest! July was chosen because a few years ago we spent DS’s birthday at the World. DD announced that someday she’d like to celebrate with Mickey and the gang. So July it was. Plus, we wouldn’t have to take the kids out of school…….bahahaha….not that that would matter! It’s Disney after all.

First, the cast:

DH – The Anti-Disney. Went to Disney the first year it opened (lucky him!). Has been back with me about 7 times. To him, it’s purely “Been there, done that!” Workaholic. Will definitely bring his cell and take work calls standing in line! This is a good thing…..keeps him distracted from the long lines. Like bubbles for little ones! Works way too hard, but desperately needs family time. So he’ll tolerate it like the great Dad/Husband he is! Plus, it’s his birthday in July too! Imagine that, the AD (Anti-Disney) celebrating his Birthday at the House of Mouse.

Me – Worked for 18 years in the airline industry (no, not at the airport or inflight - I was an Airline Suit!), now SHM. Disneyholic. Loves the World. Obsessive planner. Tour Guide extraordinaire – Julie McCoy, Jr.

DD11 – Birthday Girl. Takes after her Mommy. Loves Disney. Guaranteed she’ll work at Epcot one day!

DS8 – Likes Disney. Likes, not loves Disney….yet. It would be better if Pokemon or Mario were there. Star Wars will do, but no characters please! Wants to bring his Nintendo DS for passing the time in line…..is that allowed? Ya, right! Now over 52 inches so can ride everything.

So, "Julie McCoy, Jr." and family are on their way to the World.

Aside: Julie McCoy was the Tour Director on a little show from the 1970’s called “The Love Boat” She was the ultimate Tour Guide…..just like Isaac was the ultimate bartender!

As we all know when undertaking such a trip, you just can’t pack a few things and go. There are plans to make and things to take.

So for me it starts with my extra-large LLBean bag. It sits in the closet and if I come across anything I’ll need at the world, in it goes. Most of these items come from ideas and tips from other DIS’ers:

Things like:

- 99 cent throw away ponchos – I hate to get wet and hate to carry wet ponchos around. Besides Disney get’s enough of our money to pay for nice Mickey ones. If you need a mickey one, ask the CM for those "free" stickers they give out and slap one on your 99 cent poncho. Same thing!

- Pipe cleaners. Real cheap from the dollar store. The best “keep the kids from fighting and being bored in the car” things made. You can even substitute them for cell phones in long lines…

- Squeeze fans – absolute must from May-September. And you can buy them at Wal-Mart, real cheap

- Mini fans – picked up some Disney ones in the sale bins at the Disney Store a while back.

- Ziploc bags – 101 uses for these. I brought the jumbo 21/2 gallon ones to put all our stuff in on the wet rides. Boy were people jealous!

- Dollar store glow sticks. Instead of buying expensive Disney ones during fireworks, illuminations and Fantasmic. Plus, they are cheap and kids love them. Spread the glow to stranger kids. See what happens!

- Mini M&M tubes for quarters and pennies for pressed pennies. You’ll know what I mean when you have a Ziploc bag of quarters explode all over a shop floor right after a parade!

- More zippy bags. Again 101 uses! Do not use for quarter and penny storage....see above. Perhaps a wet washcloth with ice-cubes to cool off in line. Keeps the Cell cool and dry too!

- Small note pad for taking notes for your TR

- Mousekeeping “tip” envelopes. Get the kids to decorate them. Leave them for Mousekeeping and just maybe an extra special surprise will come your way made from face cloths!

- Fanny pack! Sorry I’m a traditionalist. Can’t leave home without it! And you never know when you have the urge to Zzub. (Sorry, inside joke – but I’m sure you can figure it out…)

First I make my spreadsheet listing the days we will be in the World. Check park hours. Check extra magic hours. Figure out where I want to dine. Make ADR’s Slot in park visits according to ADR’s. Make rough plan. Check difficult to book items and when they can be booked. For us it was “Breathless” for Illumination’s Cruise. For you it could be a Princess Breakfast. Mark that date on the calendar. Read, read, read. Re-read the stuff you already know. Spend too much time on the Boards. Second guess yourself. Talk to 407-WDISNEY 3 times per day. Become friends with 407 CM’s. Learn about their families. Print off menu’s of potential restaurants. Change ADR’s. Show ADR’s to AD. Second guess his “I don’t really care where we go (s)”

And so it goes for months before departure….

The kids and I will drive down, and take the opportunity to stop by and visit good friends in Georgia. We used to live there, so it still feels like home.

AD finds that he can’t take more than 1 week from work, so he’ll fly and meet us at the World. I start obsessively watching the Southwest “Ding” fares.

A few days before leaving, I get out my stash of 2 ½ gallon Ziplocs to pack. For my fellow Canadians, I have yet to find these here, so next time your are in the U.S. pick up a box or two, you won’t be sorry!

I take out 10 shirts, 10 shorts, 10 undies, and 10 socks for each of the kids and pack a set into each zippy bag. Number them by day according to where you’ll be at the Parks. Example: Star Wars T-shirt at MGM, etc. (I don’t really do this, but have heard from a DISer friend, who shall remain nameless….is into colour co-ordinating the zippy-pack for the kids…..hee-hee) Fold them nice, then roll them up and squeeze out all the air. Each day, give them a bag. Saves time and aggravation in the morning. At the end of the day put the dirties back in the zippy and viola! Packing made simple!

The date is rapidly approaching.

So much to do, and this is what I’m beginning to feel:

(Cinder) Mommyrelly, Mommyrelly
Night and day it’s Mommyrelly
Make the fire, fix the breakfast
Wash the dishes, do the mopping

And the sweeping and the dusting
They always keep her hopping

We are driving so got to get the car all tuned up and ready. We’re having company right after we get back (who planned that???) so house needs to be fairly clean before we leave. Get the lights on timers. Neighbours to look after the house. Cancel the paper. Pet's in kennel's (whoops we don't have any pets...) Plus all the regular stuff that goes on.

Where is AD you say? On his Cell, of course! Mommy get's to do all the prep. After all it was my idea....

Yikes,

She goes around in circles
Till she’s very very dizzy
Still they holler

Mommyrella!!!

No worries, we’ll be in the world soon.

Up next: The Long and Winding Road.

 

[ZZUB]

Hey YAk! You're off to a scintilating start. I agree with MasterG (which scares me); it's not hard to write better than Mel. Vomit on the page and you've succeeded.

 

[sheridac]

Fanny pack! Sorry I’m a traditionalist. Can’t leave home without it! And you never know when you have the urge to Zzub. (Sorry, inside joke – but I’m sure you can figure it out…)

YAK!!!

EEEEKKK!!!!

PLEASE tell me you didn't WEAR it???? It was just for potential zzubbing, right??

Please???

 

[AshClan]

Great start YAK. Can't wait to hear how the ride went, and I'm glad SOMEONE is going to report on the mini-meet! Keep up the good work!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

YAK, you are really funny and gifted. Can't wait for the next part.

 

[HaleyB]

I admit it.

I color coordinate my kids.
Sometimes.

Max objects to pink and purple.
But contrasting colors are ok.
Just no clashing colors.

I have a scrapbook page to think of, and red shirts are a total pain to work around. Unless everyone is in red.

I heart ziplocks.

Love the report so far.

 

[NAB]

Yak great start. Want to know if thinking of our cold winter works. We are heading down in August. Good tips so far. Can't wait to here more.

 

[jamal]

Excellent start, YAK! I think our pre-trip shopping lists are pretty similar, except for the fanny pack!

Keep it coming!

Jamal

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

“Do ya need a break from modern livin?
Do ya long to shed your weary load?
If your nerves are raw
And your brain is fried
Just grab a friend and take a ride
Together upon the open road.

Every day another new adventure
Every mile another new zip code
And the cares we had are gone for good
I’ve got no strings on me
I’m feelin’ fancy-free
How wonderful to be
On the open road!”
(A Goofy Movie)

Sorry, we’re not at the World yet, but since we didn’t fly I can’t do the “went to the airport, had a couple of drinks, fell asleep and we were in Orlando” It took a bit longer than that and without the drinks!

Before I start I want to point out that I love music. Especially oldies. I still have my collection of 156 albums in milk crates in the basement. Sorry AD – I’m not getting rid of them! I love to impart my obscure trivial knowledge of music by way of a bizarre form of “Music Appreciation” to my children. In the car. Captive audience!! And I control the station/CD ! I truly believe it’ll make them “real cool” one day. Either that or crack Trivial Pursuit players.

So my “tune-age” selections for the first 5 km’s (miles) were:

“On the Road Again” by Willie
“Georgia on my Mind” by Ray

Since we were doing both that day.

We set off at 8:50am on Sunday July 9th.

I apologize that this part may be somewhat boring but I did take time to write it all down. Those who drive may be interested, so here is the “by the numbers” version:

8:50am – 10:25 – our house to the U.S. Boarder
10:25 – 10:40 – Duty Free
• All Canadians must stop at Duty Free – cheap stuff! By cheap I mean inexpensive. Plus I had to pick up a small portion of Mommy “medicine” Have a Coke and a Smile at the end of the day…..I always say!

10:40 – 12:55 – Gas stop ($2.89/gal)
• This was at our most favourite station in Pennsylvania. Sheetz Gas Station. That’s just too funny to us. Say it out loud. Sheetz. We giggle every time we go there. It’s actually a real name. Steve Sheetz is the president. Really. I read it on the bathroom wall!

2:10pm – passed by Pittsburg, PA
• Major construction. But it’s Sunday. We sailed right through! “Whoopty-Doo Basil” DS’s comment for the day. He was watching Austin Powers!

2:45p – 3pm – Potty Break somewhere in West Virginia
• “Almost Heaven, West Virginia……Blue Ridge Mountains”…..Thanks John!
• Picked up essential non-Canadian travel items: Hostess Orange Cupcakes, Good and Plenty Candy, and Fruit Stripe gum!

4:50p – 4:55 – Close to Summersville, WV – our favourite lookout
• Watch for it. It’s on the left side. About 5 miles on US-19 – the bi-pass to Beckley. Good for a quick 5 minute stretch….and very beautiful!
• Passed through Powell Mountain, WV. 2,276ft elevation.

6:10p – 7:10p – dinner stop at Beckley, WV
7:10p – 9:30p – Stop for the night – Jonesville, North Carolina.

Total Time: 12hours, 40 minutes.
Cost of Gas: $64.12
Total Amount of kiddie arguments: 2 (minor ones)
Total times DS said, “Are we there yet” : 4
Total amount of road kill: I won’t say. Aren’t those scoopy-up guys supposed to work on Sunday??
Total ounces of Coke Zero drank: 85…..hey we were in The States. You can have a Coke for breakfast if you want! Don’t try this in Canada…..or you’ll be haunted by the ghost of Tim Horton!

Places I would have visited if we had time to stop…..but we were on our way to the World.

• Dry Tavern, PA - 10 miles from Waynesburg, PA Nevermind!
• Gassaway, WV – off 1-79 – What kind of place is this???? Sometimes I need a little some of this….
• Whippoorwill Road – near Summersville, WV. Who is Will? And why did they do that to him???

We crossed the Western Hemisphere’s Longest Arch Bridge near Summersville, WV. Traveled through two tunnels – East River Mountain Tunnel (about 2 km’s long) dividing West Virginia and Virginia. The Big Walker Mountain Tunnel (1.3km’s) in Virginia.

Monday July 10th

We left Jonesville, NC at 7:50am, after gassing up the car.

Interesting spot on the way:

• North Carolina’s Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Ex36 off I-77 at Mooresville, NC. Fer y’all Nazz Car fans

9:55 am – crossed into South Carolina “Smiling Faces. Beautiful Places”
11:15am – crossed into Georgia “on my mind”
12:30 pm – Arrived at our Georgia destination.

Total KM’s 1,580.0
Gas: $83.59

At this point we stayed a few days in Georgia catching up with friends.

Up next: Georgia DIS Mini-meet

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I know you’re asking: “Are we there yet?”

No, not yet because first we have to make a DISney diversion!

Let’s see I left y’all back in Georgia.

We left Atlanta at 10:30am for Macon, GA as something special was happening that day.

As mentioned in my forword and in my quest for new knowledge and spending way too much time on the Boards, I ran into a bunch of Vikings. Some of which live in Georgia. Many of which live in Georgia. Of some of which live very near each other. I wondered if any of these DISer’s lived near I-75. They did. So the “Sonny’s Mini-meet was a go.

Enroute, I received a surprise telephone call from FRICKLES. She apologized and said she was sorry she couldn’t make it to the lunch, but she would be calling us during lunch to say “hay”.

I am going to attempt to do this mini-TR for y’all from a true Suthern perspective. After all I did live there for four years. I actually ate fried okra, grits and drank Sweet Tea!

So, this is how it went: (insert your best Jimmy Carter accent here - and btw I mean absolutely no disrespect to anyone from the South. I LOVE IT there and hope to return to live again someday!)

So........

Me and my kin was gonna meet up with three families of Maelstomers in Macon, GA

The meetin time was set at 12:30pm.

There was gonna be FSUMARCHIEF and his wife GADISNEYGIRL, plus their darlin’ baby boy, Wesley. GeorgiaAristocat, nicolemarie and her two+one adorable childrens and me, Yzma and Kronk, and my two chillin’s. With teleconferencing by JAMAL and FRICKLES, and thoughts of sheridac!

GAKitty was able to git away from her awfis for a spell as did FSUMARCHIEF. GADISNEYGIRL and nicolemarie arrived right smartly and we waz all together at the good ‘ol time of 12:30pm I recognized them from the git go by the pictures on the DIS, but me, I plum didn’t know how to do put myself up on the cum-puter. I spect that they’all figure me out right smartly. Cuz I look lack I’m from the Nawth. I spect the little red maple leaf flags gave it away!

We set down and proceeded to have a good ‘ol time. Introdukshuns were done. Pleasantries exchanged and I bileve thar waz a lil huggin in honor of our dear friend Sher! We was bound to git up to no good in the hour or so we was there!
We whooped it up, jess the way the ‘ol boys do it. It was right fun gittin to know those f-eye-n DISer’s. They was all so sweet.

There was talk of Football , the Dawgs and sum uthur team from Floreeda, waz it?, local politic’s , and a touch of religion on a count of FSUMARCHIEF being in the bidness of pastorin’ We talked of ourselves and where wez come frum. Of course we talked our bestest topic - Disney. And our pal’s that culdn’t be thar, the Maelstromers.
They’all culdn’t believe I was Nawthun. I felt like a real true Suthern girl. Exceptin’ I drank UNSWEET tea. Gasp! But it was OK., that dear sweet GADISNEYGIRL joined me with unsweet so as I wuldn’t git tofeelin out of place.

We had some good ol times at Sonny’s Bobbycue eatin pulled pork, and other fixin’s. We et and et. Tawked and tawked. Until we was plum wore out. I brang the chilin’s a little piece of Canader. Maple Syrups, flags and smarties. Nicolemarie brought each of us ladies a n-eye-ce gift too. Very dear of her!

The phone rang and glory be, it was FRICKLES! We’all chatted with her for a spell. Then JAMI was on the phone. Good to hear her lovely voice too! It wuz all so n-eye-c
Amy done mean’t to call Sher, but alas didn’t brang her number. You waz thought uf, girl!

Then Mark said, “I reckin jew best git er goin to the World. Ifin it was me, I’d be thar already”

So that ended our Mini Meet.

Pictures were taken for the memory book and posted in my absence. No, I’m not really that tall 5’7” – I think ya’ll are kind of short!! But I do agree, Nicolemarie – big purse!

Here is the link if anyone wants to check it out:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1120233&page=371&pp=15

Post: #5555

It was so nice to meet everyone in person. It’s funny how you become cyber-friends and find you have so much in common. Then you meet in person and it’s like we’ve know each other for a long while. Very nice group of new friends. I so look forward to continuing in October!!

NEXT UP: We finally get to The World.

 

[sheridac]

OMG YAK!!!!!!

10:40 – 12:55 – Gas stop ($2.89/gal)
• This was at our most favourite station in Pennsylvania. Sheetz Gas Station. That’s just too funny to us. Say it out loud. Sheetz. We giggle every time we go there. It’s actually a real name. Steve Sheetz is the president. Really. I read it on the bathroom wall!

I laugh out loud EVERY time I see one of these too!!! We are warped!!!

Pleasantries exchanged and I bileve thar waz a lil huggin in honor of our dear friend Sher!

Amy done mean’t to call Sher, but alas didn’t brang her number. You waz thought uf, girl!

Aaaww!!! Girl! You are soooo sweet!!!!! Y'all are!

 

[monymony3471]

I love this. When you went into your description of your dis meet, I read it like I heard whoopie goldberg was surmising it from one of her past movies. Toooooo Funnnnnny! Toooooo gooooood!

Ok, you baited me. Can't wait for more. We're driving down from Michigan on Thanksgiving. Done it before and I can totally relate. Except your route is a little different.

 

[Grammyof2]

Who stole YAK? She can't be a Maelstromer. Except for Rhonda, they don't do trippies in a timely fashion.

Since I am a wee bit southern myself, WV born, I have been to most of the places you mentioned. Beautiful countryside. But when in the south, you must drink sweet tea. It is a must.

With you all the way on the music. My kids and grandkids know ALOT about all kinds of music. Albums and 45 collection out the wahzoo. I even have a 1958 Jukebox in my diningroom that spins 45's. No new stuff on there

Loving the report!!!!!!!

 

[AshClan]

Thanks for the mini-meet report! I'm happy that we FINALLY got some details!

Oh, and the music....my dad indoctrinated all 4 of us at a very early age. Stones, Beatles, Joplin, Clapton, plus some random Broadway stuff (60's Broadway, though...Hair and JC Superstar) and some Irish music, too! It provides such rich memories. For a lifetime. And, as you said, it really gives the kids a leg-up on the trivia contests!!!

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[LaLa]

Things like:

- 99 cent throw away ponchos – I hate to get wet and hate to carry wet ponchos around. Besides Disney get’s enough of our money to pay for nice Mickey ones. If you need a mickey one, ask the CM for those "free" stickers they give out and slap one on your 99 cent poncho. Same thing!

- Pipe cleaners. Real cheap from the dollar store. The best “keep the kids from fighting and being bored in the car” things made. You can even substitute them for cell phones in long lines…

- Squeeze fans – absolute must from May-September. And you can buy them at Wal-Mart, real cheap

- Mini fans – picked up some Disney ones in the sale bins at the Disney Store a while back.

- Ziploc bags – 101 uses for these. I brought the jumbo 21/2 gallon ones to put all our stuff in on the wet rides. Boy were people jealous!

- Dollar store glow sticks. Instead of buying expensive Disney ones during fireworks, illuminations and Fantasmic. Plus, they are cheap and kids love them. Spread the glow to stranger kids. See what happens!

- Mini M&M tubes for quarters and pennies for pressed pennies. You’ll know what I mean when you have a Ziploc bag of quarters explode all over a shop floor right after a parade!

- More zippy bags. Again 101 uses! Do not use for quarter and penny storage....see above. Perhaps a wet washcloth with ice-cubes to cool off in line. Keeps the Cell cool and dry too!

- Small note pad for taking notes for your TR

- Mousekeeping “tip” envelopes. Get the kids to decorate them. Leave them for Mousekeeping and just maybe an extra special surprise will come your way made from face cloths!

- Fanny pack! Sorry I’m a traditionalist. Can’t leave home without it! And you never know when you have the urge to Zzub. (Sorry, inside joke – but I’m sure you can figure it out…)

Okay, now this is just scary.

We are SO Borg!

I always load up on the Dollar store glow sticks and let the kids give a couple of extras out to kids around them. They think it's cool. I gotta say the poncho thing made me laugh. Although we've never tried the pipe cleaners. Hmmm. Must be a Yankee thing.

Speaking of which, I really liked the Southern drawl blow by blow on the Mini Meet. It cracked me up. But I gotta say I'm a little disappointed that you left out some of the biggies. You know, the phrases that are unmistakably Southern. Like fixinto. Or over yunder. Jeetchet? Wadjuwant? And my all time personal favorite...it's rainin' harder'n a cow peein' on a flat red river rock. In case there's any confusion about what any of those mean, just ask ZZUB. He can tell ya. He's a Redneck too.

I just found your report and I'm loving it. You're doing a great job, YakkityYakDon'tTalkBack. Keep it up. I'm really looking forward to hearing more.

La2

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

YAK -
Rhonda and NicoleMarie have accents to.

Almost as strong as your blow-by-blow.

Which was hilarious.

I was fixin' to tell everyone about it, but I just knew you were better at the story-tellin' than I am.

Really enjoying the report, can't wait to see how the kids liked EE and the adventures of plutopants!

 

[javamom]

Yak! Loved, loved, loved, your Suthern! I had such fun reading that, I think I used a Scarlet O'Hara tempered with a little Golden Girls....lol

Fun, can't wait to read more!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

I think this is my new favorite trip report!

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

...ok, just wanta you to know i read your "begging" over on
ms [me{l} secret code for gary?]...ha! i'm so glad..cos i wouldn"t
miss it..i'm just way behind! oh, boy,can't wait til i get to sit back
and read all your news! me> ! thanks a bunch!

*and knowing all the great input you have given on the ms board,
well i'm expecting a great one! [no pressure ]..but i
know great insights when i see 'em!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

DAY 1 – We finally arrive in The World


Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?
Look Elmo, another farm!

No, sorry dear(s) not yet……

We left Sonny’s and the Georgia mini-meet around 2:15pm happy that we just made some new friends. This is a very good thing. You can never have enough!
Hot snot!

Since I know you are anxious to get to The World, I’ll quickly go over “highlights” of the rest of the road trip:

• Saw an actual Georgia Peach tree around exit 142 on I-75. This is momentous because we currently live in one of the best peach growing areas of North America. But not Georgia. It’s the Peach State. When we moved there I was very happy. I love Peaches. But sadly, I think in the whole 4 years I think I saw maybe one Georgia “real” peach! (They are in the southern part of the State – who knew??) For a while I wondered why Georgia wasn’t the boiled peanut state. Or the chicken-fried-steak State.
• Montezuma, GA at exit 127. Huh??? I’ve been to Mexico, thanks. Don’t need to re-visit that revenge!!
• Barney, GA exit 29. “I love you…..you love me”
• A few more “whoopty doo, Basil’s” from DS
• Suwannee River, Florida, exit 439. Because we were “way down upon the…..”
• Florida Tolls: Don’t remember where because we were getting close and all focus now was on the Disney signs! Paid out $2.50 once, and then for no apparent reason, another 50 cents. I just think the State of Florida is preparing us for Disney. Welcome to Florida. “We’ll be happy to lighten the load. Deposit 50 cents, please”
• WE ARE AT THE WORLD!!!

“What’s this? What’s this?
There’s color everywhere
What’s this?
There’s white things in the air
What’s this?
I can’t believe my eyes
I must be dreaming
Wake up Jack (DS…) this isn’t fair
What’s this?

The streets are lined with
Little creatures laughing
Everybody seems so happy
Have I possibly gone daffy?
What is this?

(What’s this? Nightmare Before Christmas)

What an appropriate song for our first impression of The Pop Century Hotel!

I am both excited and extremely apprehensive.
I am staying at a value…….gasp!

Don’t get me wrong (or stop reading, please) I am absolutely not a snob. I wear a fanny pack (see previous chapter) But admittedly a bit of a resort snob. Have only stayed at Deluxes. Ever.

This comes from the fact that I used to travel a fair bit in my past and stayed at many very nice hotels. The four diamond types. On someone else’s dime. I got used to it! However, I don’t get to go to luxurious hotels that are company paid anymore. Reality check. Big time. We needed two extra hotel nights – so POP it was!

We walked into the expansive lobby and I immediately think, “Wow the line up to check in is really short!!” You really get a strange perspective of things when you are a board regular!

I was impressed. It didn’t have the WOW factor of the Grand Floridian or Animal Kingdom Lodge, but it certainly isn’t the Motel 6.

Our CM, Francisco checked us in and then asked me to wait. He had a package for us.

It was Plutopants!

If you have read 1000th Happyhaunts current TR, then you know who Plutopants is. See her bit about riding/not riding Maelstrom in Norway.

Plutopants is a little Pluto Viking. He travels with DIS’ers around The World. He has his own passport and has been to The World many times. It was my turn to show him around and another DIS’er – Minnie dropped him at POP for me.

DD was so excited to get him that she opened the box right there.

So now we had to explain to Francisco why we had this Pluto-in-a-box. My explanation was gathering a crowd of CM’s . Francisco and another CM Alvin graciously welcomed Plutopants to the POP by way of a photo. (please someone PM with explicit instructions on how to post pictures and I'll post some....thanks!)

My park passes from Ticketmania (excellent service – highly recommend) were also waiting for me at check in.

Now we are fast friends with Alvin and Francisco and because of them we experienced our first bit of Disney Magic. Alvin presented the kids with a very special “POP” gift to remember our stay. Thanks guys!

Since it was now about 8pm we decided to grab a quick bite and head for the Hippy Dippy Pool. First, upon entering our room we immediately turned on the dedicated Disney channel. A must for those staying on property. They shouldn’t even bother with any other channels on the TV. This year we got to hear over and over and over and over the “Top 7 Must See’s at Disney” as told to us by Stacey. She really did become part of the family, in a weird sort of way.

Looked around the hotel. Very impressed with the theming. Disney is so great at this and since I’m a child of the sixties, I can relate to everything there!

Went to the Hippy Dippy pool. Far out, man! (I just love saying Hippy Dippy…..if they had a Hippy Dippy at Sheetz, I’d never stop laughing!) I had a well deserved “hippy dippy” drink on a job well done – solo Mommy driving to The World.

Up next: Breakfast with Mickey……REAL early!