Solo and Unleashed!

[KatMark]

More great pictures of the Caribbean on your way back to the room.

Yes, when we stayed at the Dolphin, I remember that outrageous self-park rate. Score on getting a voucher at the conference.

Nice pictures of the Dolphin; it is a pretty resort, but I'm in no hurry to stay there again.

Why would you pay all that money and then be an hour late for a conference?

I'm glad you finally found your Diet Coke. But what's with the rudeness of the CM's?

Can't wait to see if you get anything to eat at B&C.

 

[jenseib]

Before now, I really hadn't seen many pictures of the Dolphin resort. Kinda neat seeing it. I do have to agree that the drapey ceiling does look a bit odd.

Why in the world was it so difficult to find a gosh darn Coke? I'd have been wandering all over the place to find one too since that's my caffeine and I don't like water or coffee.

Seriously? A terrorist group at a conference? What the heck? Only in Jen's world!

Oh and I almost forgot...so Skip's trying to play the blame game when he's known all along that he and Claire could be going with you? No sir, that won't work.

It was a strange ceiling but it really did look nice, but I kept thinking that it had to get dusty.
I was getting a little antsy trying to find one. Now this week I am trying to cut out all pop/soda and see if that helps me lose weight. I have read over and over that diet pop is worse than regular because you have all these sweet cravings...so I am giving it a try. I had my last one yesterday morning and I am already going crazy. LOL. I do like water, but it's not the same. But if I can lose some weight, it will be worth it and then maybe I can add 1 can back a day later. Now I just drink so much in one day that I know it can't be good.
Yes....Skip must've gotten woman genes because he is really good at that. When it comes to changing his mind he can out do any woman on the planet. Just to let you know how the last 2 weeks have gone...we are retiring and selling all the cows, nope we are going to actually milk MORE cows now, we are cutting the amount of cows in half, we are selling all the cows and going to grow salmon (Where did this come frome???), OK, we are keeping half the cows and selling half. That last one was yesterday. I understand he works really hard all day long all year long, but the cows are our livelihood and he really needs a back up plan if he plans to sell them

8/23 was the day our cruise docked and we arrived at the Contemporary. And OMG it was hot! My family was kind of grumpy too. You know, cruise over, too hot, everyone hungry, etc.

It was so incredibily hot! Just standing outside and doing nothing at all for 5 minutes made you sweaty.
It is easy to get grumpy in that kind of heat.

I made it over here! All caught up!

Hooray for solo trips! Sometimes it's nice to have time for yourself to do what you want!

I had to laugh at the milk with the pasta for dinner. My Italian grandma would be rolling over in her grave. In our house you could never have milk with pasta/tomato sauce/pizza. She swore the acid from the tomatoes would curdle the milk my stomach! Even as a baby I had to drink juice when there was spaghetti! To this day it still sounds gross to me, and I don't let my son have milk with pasta either!.

I get a sort of solo trip next week, but with co-workers - to Las Vegas! It will only be my 2nd time there. I can't wait!

WE obviously are NOT Italian. But for me, milk is the best with that as it settles the stomach from all that acid. Milk is my go to for things with acid and often better than a tums.
Have fun in Vegas! I have never been.
My sister is telling her girls she and her husband are going to Vegas at the end of this month and in reality they are surprising the girls and taking them to Disney. I can't wait to see their expressions. She is going to tell them a week before at little Abby's 5th b-day party. They have no clue at all.

More great pictures of the Caribbean on your way back to the room.

Yes, when we stayed at the Dolphin, I remember that outrageous self-park rate. Score on getting a voucher at the conference.

Nice pictures of the Dolphin; it is a pretty resort, but I'm in no hurry to stay there again.

Why would you pay all that money and then be an hour late for a conference?

I'm glad you finally found your Diet Coke. But what's with the rudeness of the CM's?

Can't wait to see if you get anything to eat at B&C.

It was nice to get the free parking, and was totally unexpected.
It is nice and of course I didn't see any of the rooms personally, but I am not sure I would want to stay there. It's just not officially Disney to me. Maybe for 1 night to try it out.

I have no clue why people were showing up so late. And I wondered if they got full credit for being there too...that doesn't seem fair either.
It was strange how rude the gift shop CM's were and honestly it felt like they didn't understand English well, which means if they don't, they shouldn't be working in a gift shop!

 

[jenseib]

As I got closer to Beaches and Cream I had a thought. I should check out the Captains Grille. I have never eaten there before and I have read it’s often easy to get a lunch as a walk in.





I checked at the podium and sure enough I could be seated, they were cleaning up from breakfast and it would be just a few minutes.

So I took a few pictures while I waited.





And then I was being led to my seat.





It didn’t take me long to decide what I wanted…the soup and sandwich…with the sandwich today being a shrimp salad. (I think tuna was the other choice). Clam chowder was my soup choice.



It came our really fast too.



And I inhaled it! It was really good! Both the sandwich and the soup were delicious!

I was done quickly and I paid my bill and set off. I was glad I made the choice of trying this out and I would love to come back again.
I still had a little time yet, so I sat by the pool and messaged some friends.





It was now time to head back to the seminar.









Did I mention it was hot? Boy!... that walk isn’t that far, but I was already getting super sweaty.





I went a different way back to the dolphin….I think it was slightly shorter.

















I got settled back in and we had 3 more segments of the conference.

 

[natebenma]

Just joining in now!!!

And you are already like halfway through your trip.



I had a quickie, solo trip just a few days before yours. Yes, it was HOT!!!

Can't wait to hear all about CBR, the Villains party, Royal Pacific and Diagon Alley.

I have read through your travel day.

UGH! That was not the best trip ever. The reason for your pre-flight car wash cracked me up!



Thanks for the pictures of your room at CBR. I love the colors.

Also appreciate the detailed pictures of the food court and the pool. The night pictures are so pretty! What a fun pool.

I'll come back soon for more

 

[KatMark]

We stayed at the Dolphin for one night in 2012; the room was wonderful and the Cast Members at check in were the friendliest I have ever encountered. But it definitely does not have a Disney feel...well, except our upgrade to a veiw of the Studios and we could see Fantasmic.

We LOVE Captain's Grille for dinner; we haven't done lunch but would like to try it. We were not, however, fans of breakfast. I've had their clam chowder and loved it.

When it is hot, it can seem like a VERY long walk between those resorts despite the fact that it is not.

 

[Timon]

Just reading this now, Jen

As always, very entertaining

CBR new rooms look lovely! I still don't think I would ever stay there. I really don't like those massive resorts. I like to be able to just run down to the store/marketplace/lobby to grab food and drinks.

Although I did enjoy our stay at CSR last October and the walk across the bridge to our room in Cabanas wasn't all that bad.

Pool area does look amazing though

Too funny about the lady next to you at the conference with the big mouth...sounds like me a little

And the activist people?? HAHAHA!

More please

 

[JKSWonder]

Captain's Grille sandwich looks HUGE from the picture. I've never been there either. Based upon the pic, looks like we should give it a try someday.

 

[dizneeat]

We have often dined at Captain's Grille and enjoyed all the meals there. Well, apart from the one time when we had a really strange server.
And boy can I relate to - it's hot in August. Taking my hat off to you for being able to walk to the Swolphin in the midday heat.

 

[jenseib]

Just joining in now!!!

I swear I replied to you, but I must've not hit enter.

And you are already like halfway through your trip.



I had a quickie, solo trip just a few days before yours. Yes, it was HOT!!!

It was so hot! But are these little quickie trips so nice?

Can't wait to hear all about CBR, the Villains party, Royal Pacific and Diagon Alley.

I really had a good time and did so much in so little time. I probably didn't do things the way some of the die hards would, but I had fun!

I have read through your travel day.

UGH! That was not the best trip ever. The reason for your pre-flight car wash cracked me up!



I know! But I wanted to be nice since she was taking me to the airport.

Thanks for the pictures of your room at CBR. I love the colors.

The new rooms are so much better than I thought they would be.

Also appreciate the detailed pictures of the food court and the pool. The night pictures are so pretty! What a fun pool.

I'll come back soon for more

They do have a nice food court. The pool is really nice and I think Claire would really like it!

We stayed at the Dolphin for one night in 2012; the room was wonderful and the Cast Members at check in were the friendliest I have ever encountered. But it definitely does not have a Disney feel...well, except our upgrade to a veiw of the Studios and we could see Fantasmic.

I kind of remember you staying there once. Was that your surprise trip for Mark?

We LOVE Captain's Grille for dinner; we haven't done lunch but would like to try it. We were not, however, fans of breakfast. I've had their clam chowder and loved it.

Lunch was really good.....and fast! I was so glad I thought of it.

When it is hot, it can seem like a VERY long walk between those resorts despite the fact that it is not.

You are so right. Touring in general is so much different when it is that hot out. Everything is just slower.

Just reading this now, Jen

Yay! Cass is here!

As always, very entertaining

I always try to get at least a stumble or something in for you!

CBR new rooms look lovely! I still don't think I would ever stay there. I really don't like those massive resorts. I like to be able to just run down to the store/marketplace/lobby to grab food and drinks.

That was my thought too. But where I was at was much closer than I thought it would be and I was happy. Some of the further out buildings I think I would have an issue with.

Although I did enjoy our stay at CSR last October and the walk across the bridge to our room in Cabanas wasn't all that bad.

My sister is staying there soon. What building were you in? Maybe I should make a request for her.

Pool area does look amazing though

I know our girls probably would like the pool.

Too funny about the lady next to you at the conference with the big mouth...sounds like me a little

L'il Bit!

And the activist people?? HAHAHA!

More please

I attract them all!

Captain's Grille sandwich looks HUGE from the picture. I've never been there either. Based upon the pic, looks like we should give it a try someday.

it was huge. I ate half of it with a fork because there was no way to eat all that in the sandwich.

We have often dined at Captain's Grille and enjoyed all the meals there. Well, apart from the one time when we had a really strange server.
And boy can I relate to - it's hot in August. Taking my hat off to you for being able to walk to the Swolphin in the midday heat.

I thought of you when I ate there as I knew you liked it too.
Being there in August should earn you some kind of an award!

 

[jenseib]

After each segment of the conference we got a 30 minute break, but segment 2 was running long. I kept looking at my watch and knew this presenter wasn’t even close to being done. It was interesting stuff, but I didn’t want to be there longer than 5 PM. Finally one of the guys putting on the seminar came up and I knew he told them to wrap it up as it was rushed through the rest of the material after that. We got a shorter break then and came back about 10 minutes late for the next presenter.

The nice thing was, after segment 1 we got a snack.



That was tasty. I also messaged my friends and I think the heat index was around 110 at that point….it was hot!

And here is an oddly parked car out front.





I did take a random picture at some point that afternoon to show how full the conference room was.



After segment 2 we got another snack!



Those were tasty too.

And the heat index was 106!



Honestly segment 3 was not that interesting for me, but her product was something I needed for this certification and the purpose for being here, so I sat and listened.

5 Pm came and went and I stood up around 5:15. So did many others. Sorry, but this was to be an hour long and it was running late as well and I had a party to get to. I had been messaging Jeanne at this point and she told me it was storming out…really badly! She said the winds were really high and the rain was sideways. UGH. The guy in charge of the seminar then made an announcement that there were 50 mile an hour winds so no rush to get out….well I still was feeling like I needed to rush. LOL It was actually closer to 5:30 before we were completely done.

I hightailed it out of there and made the fast walk back to my car. The ground was wet, (and slippery ) but for the most part the rain had stopped. I grabbed my bag went back inside to change but I am a clutz! As I took a step up the curb and I totally slid in my go walks, which I have found are really slippery on wet pavement, and I fell to my knees. I didn’t get hurt, but I felt so dumb! Of course a few people witnessed it….and you just want them to go away. LOL.
So embarrassed I went back inside and changed quickly….including my shoes and walked back out to the car to return my bag. The new pair of shoes were much more friendly for wet pavement.

I went out to the ferry dock to see if there would be a boat leaving soon….yes there was a boat….but NO they would not be leaving as there had been lightening in the area and they were not allowed to move at this point, so I decided to walk. At least with the rain that came through it was now closer to 89 than 110!



You could tell the storm had been a doozie. Lots of fallen leaves and branches all over the place.









Of course about halfway there the ferry goes by.



I was messaging back and forth with my friend Jeanne and her and her daughter Holly were already inside and in line for merchandise. I wasn’t that interested in getting something. I wouldn’t mind it, but I was not about to wait in a long line in hopes of buying something. And I had some FP’s to use. I was able to pick 3 with my party ticket, but only 2 were good for after 5, which is when we were allowed to get in with the ticket. Sadly, the first one, Star Tours, was already expired because of the late release of the meeting.



Well isn’t this cute?



I found the party entrance and scanned my band and got my lanyard for the party.



I made my way towards Tower of Terror, which is where my last FP+ of the day was good for.



Party sign!







I am not sure if going on this as your first ride of the day is wise…but oh well.

I tried to capture the ghosts!





And then that moment….you know the one…where you are pushed out to the shaft and you know at any moment you are going to drop, but it teases you and waits. I think that is the most nerve wracking part of the whole ride…and being the first ride of the trip I swear I had more anxiety than usual.

But it was fun and I laughed and screamed and had a great time!

 

[KatMark]

When we stayed at the Dolphin, it was during Mark's business trip and we had one night there and a day and half at the parks for Flower & Garden.

That's too bad that the conference ran late. And 106 with the humidity...oh dear; I read it's been like that off and on the last couple of weeks as well.

I'm sorry you fell, but glad you were okay.

Yay...you finally got to the Studios. And TOT would always be my first choice of attraction...I love that ride. Great pictures of the ghosts.

 

[littlenellbell]

106 WOW! That is hot!!! Sounds like your conference is going good, but I hate when they run over...especially when you have somewhere fun to be!

Your pictures of the Yacht Club make me miss that place! Totally love that whole area!

Looking forward to your party pictures!

 

[jenseib]

When we stayed at the Dolphin, it was during Mark's business trip and we had one night there and a day and half at the parks for Flower & Garden.

That's too bad that the conference ran late. And 106 with the humidity...oh dear; I read it's been like that off and on the last couple of weeks as well.

I'm sorry you fell, but glad you were okay.

Yay...you finally got to the Studios. And TOT would always be my first choice of attraction...I love that ride. Great pictures of the ghosts.

Oh that's right. I knew I read about it though.
It's been really hot down there, I hope it cools off for yor trip. My sister will be heading down in about 2 weeks and I hope it cools down for her too. Not too cool though!
I had fun on ToT, but I usually like to build my stomach tolerance up before diving into a drop!

106 WOW! That is hot!!! Sounds like your conference is going good, but I hate when they run over...especially when you have somewhere fun to be!

Your pictures of the Yacht Club make me miss that place! Totally love that whole area!

Looking forward to your party pictures!

It was really hot!!!
Yes, running over was not my idea of fun. The last one I attended also ran over and I was hoping that was a fluke, but now I know they must all tend to run over. I am so grateful I have all my things done for my certification, except one and that I will be doing at the end of this month!

I do love the Epcot area resorts!

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm enjoying the look at the Dolpin! I remember driving by there on my first trip to Orlando in 1992 and thinking I'd like to stay there one day. I better get on that!

Too funny about the mold terrorists! Do you just invite drama where your go or what?

A record high that day?

And of course the conference ran over. Oy. Don't you know it.

I heard it had rained that afternoon, but your photos tell the whole story. It was probably good the conference ran over!

But YEAH for hopping on ToT! I bet that made it all better!

 

[JKSWonder]

That day, it was a MONSOON! We were walking from our room in the Garden Wing to the main tower in order to catch the monorail for our dinner reservation at Kona Cafe. It was raining so hard, it was the kind of rain that causes you to just laugh in disbelief.

 

[geckodani]

I think ToT is an excellent choice for first ride! I may do the same!

Sorry your meeting got out so late though. Totally uncool.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think ToT is an excellent choice for first ride! I may do the same!
(

When Jen drops into a park...... she DROPS into a park!

 

[jenseib]

I'm enjoying the look at the Dolpin! I remember driving by there on my first trip to Orlando in 1992 and thinking I'd like to stay there one day. I better get on that!

Um yeah...it's been a few years now.

Too funny about the mold terrorists! Do you just invite drama where your go or what?

Yes! yes i do!

A record high that day?

I know!

And of course the conference ran over. Oy. Don't you know it.

Of course it did.....why would things go smoothly for me?

I heard it had rained that afternoon, but your photos tell the whole story. It was probably good the conference ran over!

yes, I was shocked to see so many leaves and branches down.

But YEAH for hopping on ToT! I bet that made it all better!

I must admit I was nervous with that being my first ride of the day/trip!

That day, it was a MONSOON! We were walking from our room in the Garden Wing to the main tower in order to catch the monorail for our dinner reservation at Kona Cafe. It was raining so hard, it was the kind of rain that causes you to just laugh in disbelief.

It must've been and I guess for that reason I am glad the conference went over.

I think ToT is an excellent choice for first ride! I may do the same!

Sorry your meeting got out so late though. Totally uncool.

I am glad I did it, but I had a lot of anxiety about it as I waited in line!

When Jen drops into a park...... she DROPS into a park!

I sure do!

 

[jenseib]

I decided that Rockin’ Rollercoaster would be my next ride. Can you believe I have only rode this once before and it was many years ago.





I went for the single rider line, but it was actually long. I started talking to the couple in front of me and also a few others. There were 3 CM’s in line as well and they were there for the party too. The wait didn’t seem so bad as we all chatted away. But in reality, if I had gone in the regular line it would’ve been faster. There just didn’t seem to be much of a need for single riders tonight.

Finally they just let us all go and I sat with the one CM. She has only rode it once before too and she warned me she would scream, which was fine with me as I would too, especially during takeoff. I also heard a CM who was working the ride say that he had cut off the line now for non-party goers and only those who had a lanyard were now in line. I thought that was strange as it was now only about 7 PM but the party didn’t start till 8.

The ride was great…and that take off really gets me, but it was so much fun!
We screamed and squealed and had a great time.

You can barely see me, but I am in the back…we were actually in the very last car.



I went back out and tried to message Jeanne, but my phone froze up…..and it has been doing this off and on now which really annoys me. I hope it’s not going to die as I have a few months yet before I am eligible for the upgrade.
After I let it just sit a bit I was able to turn it off and restart it and it was working fine again, but this happened a few times during the trip.

I decided it was time to find a map for the party.



My favorite show!



There were no maps to be found anywhere, so I headed back to the front.





There were a couple of CM’s handing them out and they were really strict. Only 1 map per family. I got in line to get one and a guy steps in front of me and takes his and asks for more and she says again Only 1 per family….we don’t have enough..... Really? They know how many tickets they had available for sale and they didn’t print enough maps up? Come on…Who the heck is planning this out?
I got to get my map and she tells me “only 1 per family” and I say I know and again she tells me that…and I tell her that’s fine, but I am here by myself, I have no family. She acted leery as she handed me one. Yes, people do come by themselves! I was just in line with 3 CM’s who were all there by themselves. LOL.
I read later that they did run out of maps and people were not happy.
The lines for the characters were already super long too. At 6 PM the Malificent line was already 2 hours long. I pretty much knew at that point that I wasn’t going to go meet characters as I am not a patient person when it comes to lines like that. Many ended up getting closed off early in the evening too.

I then headed towards Star Tours. I figured I would get in one more ride before the party officially started….and then I would need to find food as I was getting hungry.







Jeanne messaged me that she was in line for the Brown Derby for Club Evil now. I told her I was getting in line for Star Tours and then finding food.

The ride was walk on and basically empty. Not even 2 full rows. I was in the 2nd row and there were only 3 of us and they told us to sit where ever we wanted to.

After the ride was over the party was started. I had missed the opening show, which I really never thought about till I was on the ride. Oh well.
Jeanne messaged me and she was in Club Evil and told me to come and she had a table and she gave me the password to get in. I walked up and the line wasn’t too bad, but I told the CM that I had a friend in there with a table and gave the password and they let me cut in front of everyone and go right in. I found Jeanne in a few minutes and sat down.
Her daughter Holly was with her and they had ordered some red light up drinks. She wasn’t sure what it was, but the waiter told us it was called One Bad Apple, but I think we kept calling it a Poison Apple and I ordered one too.
Look at the cute glow cube.



It’s a skull!

The menu….there was more on the other side.





The drink was a little too strong for me and a little too sweet. It was good, but I was only going to drink one. Soon we all ordered waters as well. It was still hot and even though it was cooler in here, it still was pretty warm.



We just sat and relaxed and chatted. This was the first time I had ever been in the Brown Derby. It was smaller than I thought it would be. They had it all decorated for the party though and it was cute.
There is a bar lit up in blue lights in the middle and I swore I took a picture, but I guess I didn’t.
After a bit this lady came out and sang and talked. For the life of me I can’t remember her name now.





It took a while before our waiter took our orders….it was very busy in there, but Jeanne and I decided on the Captain Hook and Mr. Smee Sliders (2 sliders one with Wagyu Beef and on with Adouille Chicken) and Holly got the Malificent Loaded Staffs ( It has some sort of spring roll and stead fries I believe). We called them the sticks as that is what it looked like.





This lady came on over and posed for us.



We then got excited……Look who is roaming the room!





We didn’t know that there would be characters in here! What a treat!

Hi Cruella!

 

[dolphingirl47]

That breakfast really sounded like a bargain and looked good, too. I can't believe that so many people turned up late for the conference and were running late after the breaks. Captain's Grille has not been on my radar up to now, but it just made the "to try list".

You are brave doing Tower of Terror and Rock'n'Rollercoaster back to back. How nice that Startours was so empty. From what I have heard, the villains party was a bit of a mess. I can't wait to read about your take on this. It was nice so that you got a surprise character in the restaurant.

Corinna