Sorry Gaston, They are MUCH More Interesting Than You!*6/8* NEW Trip Report Link p154

[MEK]

Before I get on with my update (yes - I am updating TWICE this week), I have to share the picture Cynthia texted to me and Jenny (rentayenta) last night. Yes - she is trying to make us very jealous!



If you didn't already know, Cynthia is off lounging it up at Aulani! I bet she is really loving being a DVC member right about now.

Ok - enough of that!

On to my update

49 1/2 pounds!

I bet you know what this update is about. Yup, its about going home. And I have A LOT of pictures. Probably more than you really want to see, but here goes.

So dear DIS friends, my last day has finally arrived. Sniff Sniff. But I think I was just about ready to leave the magic and head on home. I had already missed two of Nick's soccer games and he had another this evening. Originally I had booked an early evening flight, but once I got his game schedule I changed it so I could be home by 4:30 for a 7pm game.

And you know what that means - an early ME. 10:45am was my pick up time. Originally I thought I might head into Epcot for an hour or so, but lack of motivation slowed me down. I think I was just too busy enjoying my last few moments of solitude and my magnificent view.

I dawdled around getting ready. I even took a picture of my unused FP's from the previous day!



I sat on the verandah (as Cynthia would say) and procrastinated with my coffee.


I decided I might as well for for a run. I wanted to run more through the Dolphin/.Swan property ( I still get confused as to which is which). Yeah, yeah I know the Swan as some kind of Swan on top, but when I am actually at ground level and I'm never sure where I am.

I decided to take more pictures than usual on my run (maybe because I just wanted an excuse to stop every couple hundred feet).

OK - I got this - Dolphin from the road





Pretty little blurry waterfall from outside of the property



Dolphin



I decided I wanted to find one of the pools



Clearly, that was not the main pool. But still a lovely pool all the same.

Little Swan boats





I didn't want to back track the way I had gotten there, so I literally just ran through the property and back to the actual Boardwalk area.

I didn't stop again until I got back to the Boardwalk tennis courts



At that point I just decided to walk around the front of the resort and take a few more pictures.

Here are some of the standard view villas







The section of the standard view rooms where I stayed last June





the inn and conference center through the trees



The entrance



I decided to head this away



I considered stopping at the Bakery



But instead I stopped here to pick up a breakfast sandwich



And the CM checking me out said my gift card had no more $ on it, which I knew it did. She didn't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed and she was going to have to call the manager and all that, so I decided just to take the card to guest services and see what was up. I charged the sandwich to my room.

Ok NOW it was getting hard to say goodbye to the Boardwalk.







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[MEK]

Continued From Previous Post

I went back up to the room and had my croissant sammie



That's what it looked like AFTER I removed the nastiest piece of ham EVER.



Now you guys know me and I NEVER (OK rarely) complain about food, but that ham was so rubbery and so tasteless. It HAD to go in the trash. But the rest of the sammie was yummy.

I finished packing and even posed the question on FB "Will this close?"



I mean, seriously, its a good thing I didn't buy any souvies. That would have put me right over the top!

I did buy a F&W Tee for Denny. It's the white one Cynthia posted earlier - the mission around the world T. I got it for October, but I might pack for him for June. He probably forgot all about it.

I took a final picture of the view. Seriously, why do I torture myself so?



Oh, and just in case you ever want to request my room its number



I took my luggage down to bell services to check it in. Yup 49.5 pounds. Phew - dodged that bullet. That's one way to keep your souvie expenses low - pack your luggage to maximum capacity.

Now I know at some point I walked to Guest Service at the IG and had them check the balance on my gift card. Yes - just as I suspected - I still had a little bit of mulah. I also purchased vouchers for the DVC Premium AP. I used my Disney Visa rewards and whatever was left on my gift cards to help to defray the cost.

I didn't have much time before my ME was due to arrive, so I went back and sat in the lobby.



Any lucky for you I did NOT take anymore pictures of Tood and Paul. In fact, I flat out ignored them.

I went outside to finish waiting.



And with in minutes my chariot arrived.

Look who got the front seat this time!



Without much ado we were on our way



We had a second stop and it was here - CBR



I always think about Mickeystoontown when I see this resort. In fact, she and her family are enjoying it there right now. And Tarzankat just spent her solo trip there. I love so many of the Disney resorts and this one holds special memories for me as well.



I remember staying here with Denny and the kids during the first free dining promotion. Nicholas was entering 3rd grade. Wow - that seems so long ago considering he is getting ready to graduate high school.

It was also the week of Hurricane Katrina and we literally had the resort and the parks to ourselves. It was an amazing trip. I remember floating around in one of the quiet pools late into the afternoon on Labor Day Monday, wishing that I never had to leave. That year I got flights for $119 RT per person, but it required a 7pm departure. The kids started school the next say and poor Nicholas was so nervous he spent most of the flight in the lavatory with stomach cramps. The wonderful flight attendant, who felt so bad for him, gave him a little goodie bag at the end of the trip that said "Good Luck in 3rd grade". Wow - I just got choked me up just thinking about that.

Ok - sorry for the side track down memory lane.





So, I didn't get the infamous sign on the way in, but I got it on the way out. Too bad I was going the wrong direction.





Ah, yes, MCO here we come. Good bye Bubble.





The same signs that fill you with so much anticipation when you arrive are like daggers to the heart when you leave.



Wait - maybe the ME decided to head back to Disney



Nope



Well hello airport



Hello fake monorail



There are still always little touches of Disney outside of the bubble and I had to zoom in REALLY far and be REALLY sneaky to get this blurry shot of the back of someone's stroller.



I'm sure I ate some lunch while I was waiting. I just don't remember what. I know I didn't have guac and a rita like Cynthia.



Continued in Next Post......

 

[MEK]

Continued From Previous Post

The plane, the plane



Once we boarded the plane was pretty light with passengers and I scored a window seat. I figured I might as well photo-document our flight.







We were pulling out, in case you can't tell





Sheesh - this update is good PR for Southwest



Get ready for your ears to pop



Here we go







Bye MCO. See you in a year (well, that's what I said last October because I thought it WAS going to be a year before I flew there again)







Gotta Love the Window Seat! Especially a seat with no one else in it!















Sorry, I took a ton of pictures. I couldn't help it. I NEVER get the window seat.



It was such a clear days in spots that you could actually see us passing other flights (presumably GOING to florida in my mind)



You can actually see another plan WAY off in the distance if you look near the top of the wing.



Is that bird poop on the wing?




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[MEK]

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AT some point during the flight I tried really hard to guess where we were. I am a map geek and when I was a kid I loved seeing where we were on a map. The GPS has done away with the spatial relationship that is brought to life by a map.

Anything look familiar down there?





I really wanted this to be the bridge on Rt 301 way south of DC before 301 links up with 95, and who knows, maybe it is?



I'm pretty darn sure this is Norfolk, VA with the underwater tunnel that dips down something like 1 mile.





I could not quite identify anything as the CBBT (Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel) and that was bumming me out because I thought I knew where we were.



I mean - what is THIS body of land? An island in the Chesapeake?









Where's this? No clue!



Ahh - houses - signs of Philly suburbs



A golf course. Aren't the trees pretty in fall? Probably the only good thing about going home.



Where is THIS? Is this Jersey? Help me out geographically inclined people.



High school field



I recognize this - its that huge car lot off 95 where they unload all the imports



Checking out the traffic for the ride home



Wait - did we just go back up again? After all it IS Philly and no plane does a direct descent into Philly.



Of course, I simply may have zoomed out more.



Tug boat in the Delaware Bay





Finally getting ready to land



Fort Mott, NJ?



And then *Bam* we're down. So confused. Wasn't that Jersey? Yes - I DO know its right across the bridge. Oh, never mind!



Wait right there....I still have MORE pictures in the Next Post

 

[MEK]

Continued From Previous Post







And that, my friends, is a wrap. Flight was uneventful. Landed on time. Denny picked me up. No traffic going to Delaware. Iron Hill Brew Pub for dinner




&&.and then on to see Nick's game which they might have tied, but probably lost.

I have one more cell pic. The next day was Nick's 18th birthday!



Up Next. First, Favorites, and Final Thoughts. If there is time I will try to do a recap of the entire trip!

Thanks to everyone for reading!

Oh yeah - and I almost forgot - 2 weeks to Disney!

 

[Chilly]

2 weeks till you go again, so jealous, at least 2 years for me.

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi there Mary Ellen! I'm caught up!

I love all the travel home photos. You had some really great shots like that theme park. I have no clue where any of those were taken but it is interesting to me. I like to know where I am flying over as well... when we get close to our house and see the familiar highways and landmarks I get giddy! Such a different perspective that high up. The mom in me loved you sharing about your son's nervous stomach on the flight home in 2005. That was a kind gesture from the flight attendant.

Your MK photos from your last night - especially Madame Leota - were spectacular! You may soak up Wendy's photo tips but my friend you do great on your own!

49.5 lbs!!! What a relief! Perfectly planned!

How exciting for only a couple weeks before your return!

Happy Friday!

 

[HulaHoopy]

Hi! I am usually just a lurker, but I thought I might help you out. I think the amusement park in your pics is Clementon Park in NJ.

 

[disneydancer86]

Woah...holy updates MEK! I missed a bunch I guess...

Sad face for your farewell to Disney. Whats fun about it though, was as you were writing it you were in the two week window to go back!! I know you planned that, of course, so way to go on the timing!!

Your suitcase looks like mine always do...overflowing with all the clothes I don't wear while I'm there... My DBF always asks why I pack so much and I explain EVERY TIME he asks that "I like to have options.." He doesn't buy it

Neat "from the plane" photos. I play the "OMG...theres our house" prank all the time...never fails. HAHA

Keep me posted on your plans!! We need to see if we can catch one another on your way in and my way out on the 8th!!

Happy Friday!

 

[rentayenta]

Trying to make us jealous? I think she's succeeding. I was going to post her toes on her report.

Great update. You had unused FPs? Isn't that some sort of Disney blasphemy?

That is a great view from your villa.

You're so good for running on vacation. I seem to turn into a sloth. I'm going to follow you're lead.

The BW looks great and it's on my must try during our next trip to WDW when ever that will be. We don't have a family trip planned on the books.

Those Swan boats are so cute. Are they paddle boats?

Bye bye bubble. I love the bubble.

Huge score on the window and your own row. There's some major pixie dust.

The fall colors are fabulous.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Ummm, yes, definitely jealous of Cynthia. Great photo and hope you're having a great time!!

So admire you for going on your runs while on vacation, Mary Ellen. I start out with good intentions but seem to abandon exercise fairly quickly.

Hate the last day but always good to know you have another trip planned. 2 weeks! I'm jealous of you too!!!!

Love that story about the flight attendant wishing Nick good luck in 3rd grade. So super sweet. We forget how much of an impact a simple act of kindness can have. We need more of that!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Nice run around the area! I'm glad you had time to just chill a little.
I agree about the signs being the wrong direction!
Great in flight pics too. I always try to see things, but usually I don't recognize much, even close to home!

I enjoyed your little trip down memory lane - So sweet!

Glad you made it home in time for Nick's birthday - Nice cake!!

How great is it that you are going back so soon already??!! I'm jealous of that for sure! At least here I don't feel the need to escape the weather so much now. That's the hard part - seeing other people go when it's cold and snowy here.

and THANK YOU for no more Todd/Paul pictures!!

Thanks for sharing Cynthia's picture - I just looked at it and said "aaaaahhh".

Maybe I'll go find that Aulani park bench video next.

 

[rndmr2]

Getting this in late but those chairs are just too creepy for me, LOL

So sad that your trip (report) has come to an end, but the timing is great that it's only 2 weeks to your next trip.

Lots of great pics on your run, I love the Epcot resort area, I would love to stay there some day.

Cool pics on the flight home. Glad you made it home in time to see your son's game.

 

[KatMark]

Is Cynthina aiming for all of us to bop her one? So jealous!

I loved the last update despite you having to go home.

I cannot believe that we will be in Disney in two weeks and I will finally get to meet you in 17 days.

Your pictures of the boardwalk area continue to get me excited for our stay there in December.

 

[dizneeat]

I really want to say thank you for the update, but then I do NOT like the thought of your trip being over.
Thank god, you are going back in just two short weeks and I am counting on a trip report.

I had to when I read the title of your update. Going back and having that weight limit on the airlines really is no fun. But you did REALLY well with your luggage.

The photos out of the plane window are so nice. I really love seeing countries from above.
Oh, and I nearly forgot. We were at Disney when Hurricane Katrina hit too! Isn't it fun to find out that we were all in the same place at some time without knowing each other? Nowadays it needs a lot of planning to meet up.

Thank you again for report! I just LOVED coming along.

 

[afwdwfan]

Yes - she is trying to make us very jealous!

... and it's working.

Yeah, yeah I know the Swan as some kind of Swan on top, but when I am actually at ground level and I'm never sure where I am.

Hmmm... interesting. I don't think I've been around those resorts at ground level before aside from being in a bus or something.

I considered stopping at the Bakery


But instead I stopped here to pick up a breakfast sandwich

In hindsight, maybe the bakery would have been a good idea!

I finished packing and even posed the question on FB "Will this close?"

Forget pictures, a video of you trying to close it would be more entertaining.

Any lucky for you I did NOT take anymore pictures of Tood and Paul. In fact, I flat out ignored them.

You might have ignored them, but did they ignore you?

Ok - sorry for the side track down memory lane.

Not at all! Interesting story! I'll never feel that way about CSR, but I'm glad you have a nice story like that to relate to it!

I'm sure I ate some lunch while I was waiting. I just don't remember what. I know I didn't have guac and a rita like Cynthia.

That would be your second poor decision regarding food that day.

I figured I might as well photo-document our flight.

Cool! So which airline did you fly?

AT some point during the flight I tried really hard to guess where we were. I am a map geek and when I was a kid I loved seeing where we were on a map. The GPS has done away with the spatial relationship that is brought to life by a map.

I like to do the same thing! I usually start watching out the window at regular intervals from the time we take off. As long as I can identify a main highway and kind of track it for a while until we hit a city, river or other landmark, I'm usually pretty good at keeping track of where we are (at least I think I'm close).

I am familiar with the Chesapeake Bay area and the bridges around there having spent quite a bit of time in the area for work a few years ago, but looking at random pictures from the sky, I have no idea what any of them are.

 

[jenseib]

I love your plane pictures. I have no clue what any of it is. Heck I can't even identify anything near my airport and I know planes fly over our house all the time. I have yet to spot it from the air though.

 

[englishrose47]

Great pix from the plane Mary Ellen!! SWA should pay you for the great advertisingI just booked my fkight for December !!!!

 

[jash08]

So sad it is over But I know you will have a great time in two weeks.

I really have enjoyed this trip report. Can't wait for the next one!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Great TR as usual, also wonderful photos.

You really did a nice job getting the plane photos. We never think to get many pix from the plane, although Bob did get some great ones when we were coming into West Palm Beach.

Loved your memories, time has a habit of flying by faster than it used to. Makes me want to dig out those old snap shots of our trips to WDW.

It seems like yesterday that you were on the trip with your brother & you would have been going with them again. I still have three months to go.

I need to get back to work on my TR, but I sort of lost interest since I've been busy around here.