missy28
<font color=purple>unnaturly obsessed with all thi
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2002
- Messages
- 258
July 2 through July 11th, Marriott Horizons Resort
Cast of Characters:
Me (Melissa): 30, prosecuting attorney by trade, Disney Nut by hobby, acting as Tour Guide for the second time to my friends family who are:
Chris: 37, also a prosecuting attorney by trade, and slowly progressing into a Disney nut, husband to Tracy, and dad to Madison and Logan
Tracy: 34, teacher by trade, mom by design, my fellow poolside tropical drink drinker, and planner-ahead extraordinaire, and mama to Madison and Logan
Logan, aka Lo: newly 8, lover of Legos and fake weapons of all sorts, makes great sound effects
Madison, aka Mo: 5, a budding princess if there ever was one, lover of puppies and Kim Possible, and the Cheetah Girls.
Intro:
Ive known Chris and Tracy for 4 years, and met them when I got my first job as a prosecutor in the sleepy little area known as the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. You may be more familiar with it as the place known for the infamous Tri-State Crematory fiasco. (Thats a story for another day.) Chris has been a prosecutor up there for quite a while, and Tracy teaches Elementary School. They live in Ringgold, which is a suburb of Chattanooga, TN. I left my job up there 2 years ago and moved back to Atlanta, where Im originally from (yes, there are a few of us natives left.)
Day 1, Friday, July 2, 2004: This trip is Cheetahlicious!
The plan was for Chris and Tracy to pick me up at my parents house (where I was unloading 2 very large dogs for the week) at 6:30 am. I was there at 6:15am, and waited and waited. I get a call from Tracy, who tells me that they are stuck in traffic on 75 (no shocker there, its Friday morning in Atlanta.) So, I talked around the jam using the backroads and we were on way by about 7:30 or so. The ride down was uneventful to a point, although I must tell you that being single, I am not used to the sibling banter that goes on between an 8 year old and a 5 year old. Tracy, ever being the mom at the ready, settles both kids with surprise toysa small set of legos for Logan and a princess bucket full of crafts for Madison. This settles them for a while. Then Madison decides she wants to watch The Cheetah Girls movie, or as she says it, The Cheetah Gurlzzzzz. She proceeds to watch this movie roughly 3 times as we make our way down 75. So, other than the noise of her singing to the movie, and Logans gameboy music, we have a peaceful ride to Horizons, which is near Sea World.
Now, I am an on property girl usually, but I must admit, this place was nice. Since it is still in contruction, only about 4 buildings were open, which meant it was never hard to get a chair at the pool, and things werent overly crowded. This place has a pirate theme, which did get a little old, but worked great for the kids. There is a pirate ship in the pool with slides, and a separate water playground with dumping buckets, water cannons, etc. AND they had activities for the kids including a kids night out program which we took advantage of one night. Chris and Tracy had exchanged a week in their timeshare for this resort, and we had a 2 bedroom condo, and I was bunking with the kids. I was a little concerned at first, but we never had any problems.
We arrived at Horizons around 4:30pm, and looked around. Chris and I made a grocery run to Goodings, where he made the comment that we should have just bent over. I reminded him I told him it was convenient, not cheap. After this, we headed for the pool, where the kids swam for a bit, and then the lightening started. This amazed me all weekparents letting their kids swim in a pool with lightening swarming all around them. And of course, Lo and Mo didnt get why all these other kids could swim but they couldnt. Tracy said it was because she didnt want fried kids. So, we ate at the pool bar, snacking on wings, cheese sticks and the like. The kids had been a little grumpy with each other, so Tracy, ever being the teacher, decided to let them win quarters for the games in the arcade by saying something nice about the other. They each won about 4 quarters, and Madison became entranced with the Claw machine. I told her it would be more efficient if she would just throw the money in the trash, since she kept going for the same stuffed animal, and never got it. Some lessons are harder to learn than others, I suppose. We spent a reasonably quiet night, and went to bed pretty early. Tomorrow is another day at the resort, with dinner at the Whispering Canyon Café.
Day 2, July 3: KEEEEETTTTTCCCCHHHHHUUUUUPPPPPPPP
So we slept in this morning, and since I love to cook, and never get to, and Tracy does it all the time, I cooked a swanky breakfast of bacon and scrambled eggs. It was yummy. The kids were headed out to have Breakfast with the Pirates, a program where they eat cereal, and watch cartoons. It made for a peaceful morning for the first day of vacation. After they were finished we headed to the pool, and settled in for the day. I am very fair skinned, and started with 15 spf mistake. I burned. So, later in the week, I switched to 40 spf. That seemed to work.
We got showered and cleaned up, and then we headed to Whispering Canyon. I hadnt told them anything about the place, and I had never been there myself, but knew what to expect. While were waiting for a table, I surprised the kids with a Pal Mickey. I must admit, my motivation for this was a little selfish, as I could never justify buying one to walk around with alone, but with 2 kids, I finally had my opening. They loved him. We were seated, and all decided for the buffet. Now, looking back, this may not have been the best Disney-esque restaurant to start the kids on. There manners are good, and theyve been taught not to misbehave in a restaurant. They were at a loss. Logan had a meltdown toward the end of the meal, and fell asleep in his chair, butt side up, no less, but Madison seemed to warm up to things. She did the pony ride with Chris and Tracy, with me behind the video camera. Very cute. We headed back to Horizons for an early bedtime, since tomorrow was the 4th, and we would be at MGM allllll day.
Day 3, July 4, Post Traumatic Tower of Terror Disorder, or Why did we put her on THAT one first?
So, we awake early and hit the road by 8am, and are at the gates by 8:30. The plan is for them to get the stroller, and Ill wade through the crowd to get Rockin Roller Coaster Pastpasses, and meet them at the Tower of Terror. Its much easier to bob and weave as a party of 1; strollers and throngs of people arent good for your health. (More on this later.) I accomplish the Mission and we line up for Tower of Terror. Now, we were here 2 years ago, Madison was 3, and Logan was 6. Madison was the daredevil then, and was much more Mulan than Cinderella. Something switched in the 2 years while I wasnt looking. She had no problem with any rides 2 years ago, tried whatever she was tall enough to, with the exception of the Haunted Mansion (the stretching room was too much.). Didnt blink an eye at the Tower and handled Dinosaur better than I ever will. So, we hit the library, and she starts to freak. This, in turn, makes Logan start to wane. Chris tells her to hug Pal Mickey, and that she will ride next to him. We manage to get her on the ride, and she comes off of it worn and weary, and looking like she will never believe another word we say. So, whats next? Rockin Roller Coaster, of course. Yeah, good luck with that one. We tried to explain that she wasnt going to ride, but just go through the line, and switch off. She wasnt buying it, and a few times actually dug her heels in as we were walking in the line. So, then Logan got cold feet. He rode this twice last time, and was looking forward to it this time. No dice. He said we could come back later and ride it, but I reminded him that since it was so crowded, we probably wouldnt be able to, so now was the chance. No luck. I skipped the ride, and waited with the kiddos while mom and dad rode. Chris and Tracy both came off saying if Madison had ridden it, she wouldve wet her pants, and we wouldnt even be able to get her on Dumbo.
We landed at the Great Movie Ride, and Madison proclaimed at the entrance that she was NOT riding this ride. Chris and I told her it wasnt scary, just a ride through the movies, and got her on. Well, we failed to mention all the gangster gunshots and popping aliens and the wicked witch. This poor child was looking at therapy for the next 50 years what had I done? So, after this ride, I wanted something so tame it would bore her. Millionare it was. She sat next to me, and played along, and actually enjoyed herself. I figured with 2 attorneys and a teacher, our collaborative minds couldve gotten someone in the hotseat, but no luck. From here we headed to Muppets. Again we had the no way am I riding problem. But this time, it also came from Logan. So, we got them in there by convincing them that I was the one who really wanted to see it (I did) and they needed to come along. Its funny but the kids dont know the muppets. I guess they arent around like they used to be. Pity.
We ate lunch at the Prime Time Café and had Sister Jamie for a server. She did an excellent job, even if she fussed at me for tattling on Chris for having his elbows on the table. Madison got her autograph in her autograph book. (When Madison bought her autograph book, the castmember told her she could get any castmembers autograph, if she liked them and thought they were doing a good job. This happened a lot. At One Mans Dream, there was a blind and disabled castmember who did an excellent job introducing the film about Walt, and Madison got her autograph as well. It was great.)
We saw most of the rest of the attractions with the exception of Playhouse Disney (told old for that this year) and Sounds Dangerous (never been a fav of mine). The animation tour about made me cry. I enjoyed the first segment with Mushu, but the rest felt like I was walking through a cemetery. It was so sad.
We had a Fantasmic Dinner package and ate at Mama Melroses. This was my first time here, and I really enjoyed it. The food was great, and I was surprised at how large the restaurant actually was! Tracy and I split a carafe of Sangria and Chris had some fine Italian beer.
After dinner, we saw the Little Mermaid, and this made Madisons day. The only thing that distracted me from the wonderful performance was the man behind mehis cell phone kept flashing colors, and you could hear it vibrating, and yet he never made a move to shut it off or even cover it. He pretended it wasnt doing anything. (This seemed to be the first of many rude people we encountered over the course of the week. I have never in my life come across such rude people, anywhere, much less in Disney World. Im not saying everyone should hold hands and sing kum-by-yah, but a little common courtesy goes a long way.)
We meandered down Sunset Blvd and Chris and I rode Tower of Terror another time. By this time, it was dark, and it had been a long day. We are standing in the line chatting, and I turn around and noticed 3 girls in line behind usall dressed to the max, with makeup out the wazoo one of them was even wearing 3 inch white stiletto heels!! They couldnt have been more than 16, and we couldnt figure out for the life of us why they were dressed that way. They certainly hadnt maintained that look all day in the parks, with the weather being so sweltering. I couldnt help but wonder where their parents were, and if they knew what their daughters were dressed like. Scary.
So, when it was time for Fantasmic, we went in through the secret back entrance and found a really good seat. Chris and I left Tracy with the kids on a search for beer. It was July 4th after all. BUT the line is ridiculous, so we wait. They made an announcement about inclement weather, and that the performance might be delayed. We wait in line some more. About this time, a man a few people behind us decides to strike up a conversation about how ridiculous the cost of food is, and how he could just as easily go back to the HoJo and drink a six pack for a lot cheaper. I turned to look at him, and he was BOMBED out of his mind blotto, drunk, snookered, blitzed. He was all of them. And he was in line for more beer. So, as we made our order, I discreetly informed the cashier that the man was highly intoxicated. As we walked away, I heard her tell him they were out of Heineken. I hope someone called him a cab.
Fanstasmic was wonderful as always, and Lo and Mo were fascinated by the whole good versus evil thing. I think I had more fun watching them than the show! By the time we arrived back at Horizons, it was 12:30 or so, and we were all exhausted. Tomorrow is another resort day, thankfully. It will give my feet a chance to rest.
Cast of Characters:
Me (Melissa): 30, prosecuting attorney by trade, Disney Nut by hobby, acting as Tour Guide for the second time to my friends family who are:
Chris: 37, also a prosecuting attorney by trade, and slowly progressing into a Disney nut, husband to Tracy, and dad to Madison and Logan
Tracy: 34, teacher by trade, mom by design, my fellow poolside tropical drink drinker, and planner-ahead extraordinaire, and mama to Madison and Logan
Logan, aka Lo: newly 8, lover of Legos and fake weapons of all sorts, makes great sound effects
Madison, aka Mo: 5, a budding princess if there ever was one, lover of puppies and Kim Possible, and the Cheetah Girls.
Intro:
Ive known Chris and Tracy for 4 years, and met them when I got my first job as a prosecutor in the sleepy little area known as the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. You may be more familiar with it as the place known for the infamous Tri-State Crematory fiasco. (Thats a story for another day.) Chris has been a prosecutor up there for quite a while, and Tracy teaches Elementary School. They live in Ringgold, which is a suburb of Chattanooga, TN. I left my job up there 2 years ago and moved back to Atlanta, where Im originally from (yes, there are a few of us natives left.)
Day 1, Friday, July 2, 2004: This trip is Cheetahlicious!
The plan was for Chris and Tracy to pick me up at my parents house (where I was unloading 2 very large dogs for the week) at 6:30 am. I was there at 6:15am, and waited and waited. I get a call from Tracy, who tells me that they are stuck in traffic on 75 (no shocker there, its Friday morning in Atlanta.) So, I talked around the jam using the backroads and we were on way by about 7:30 or so. The ride down was uneventful to a point, although I must tell you that being single, I am not used to the sibling banter that goes on between an 8 year old and a 5 year old. Tracy, ever being the mom at the ready, settles both kids with surprise toysa small set of legos for Logan and a princess bucket full of crafts for Madison. This settles them for a while. Then Madison decides she wants to watch The Cheetah Girls movie, or as she says it, The Cheetah Gurlzzzzz. She proceeds to watch this movie roughly 3 times as we make our way down 75. So, other than the noise of her singing to the movie, and Logans gameboy music, we have a peaceful ride to Horizons, which is near Sea World.
Now, I am an on property girl usually, but I must admit, this place was nice. Since it is still in contruction, only about 4 buildings were open, which meant it was never hard to get a chair at the pool, and things werent overly crowded. This place has a pirate theme, which did get a little old, but worked great for the kids. There is a pirate ship in the pool with slides, and a separate water playground with dumping buckets, water cannons, etc. AND they had activities for the kids including a kids night out program which we took advantage of one night. Chris and Tracy had exchanged a week in their timeshare for this resort, and we had a 2 bedroom condo, and I was bunking with the kids. I was a little concerned at first, but we never had any problems.
We arrived at Horizons around 4:30pm, and looked around. Chris and I made a grocery run to Goodings, where he made the comment that we should have just bent over. I reminded him I told him it was convenient, not cheap. After this, we headed for the pool, where the kids swam for a bit, and then the lightening started. This amazed me all weekparents letting their kids swim in a pool with lightening swarming all around them. And of course, Lo and Mo didnt get why all these other kids could swim but they couldnt. Tracy said it was because she didnt want fried kids. So, we ate at the pool bar, snacking on wings, cheese sticks and the like. The kids had been a little grumpy with each other, so Tracy, ever being the teacher, decided to let them win quarters for the games in the arcade by saying something nice about the other. They each won about 4 quarters, and Madison became entranced with the Claw machine. I told her it would be more efficient if she would just throw the money in the trash, since she kept going for the same stuffed animal, and never got it. Some lessons are harder to learn than others, I suppose. We spent a reasonably quiet night, and went to bed pretty early. Tomorrow is another day at the resort, with dinner at the Whispering Canyon Café.
Day 2, July 3: KEEEEETTTTTCCCCHHHHHUUUUUPPPPPPPP
So we slept in this morning, and since I love to cook, and never get to, and Tracy does it all the time, I cooked a swanky breakfast of bacon and scrambled eggs. It was yummy. The kids were headed out to have Breakfast with the Pirates, a program where they eat cereal, and watch cartoons. It made for a peaceful morning for the first day of vacation. After they were finished we headed to the pool, and settled in for the day. I am very fair skinned, and started with 15 spf mistake. I burned. So, later in the week, I switched to 40 spf. That seemed to work.
We got showered and cleaned up, and then we headed to Whispering Canyon. I hadnt told them anything about the place, and I had never been there myself, but knew what to expect. While were waiting for a table, I surprised the kids with a Pal Mickey. I must admit, my motivation for this was a little selfish, as I could never justify buying one to walk around with alone, but with 2 kids, I finally had my opening. They loved him. We were seated, and all decided for the buffet. Now, looking back, this may not have been the best Disney-esque restaurant to start the kids on. There manners are good, and theyve been taught not to misbehave in a restaurant. They were at a loss. Logan had a meltdown toward the end of the meal, and fell asleep in his chair, butt side up, no less, but Madison seemed to warm up to things. She did the pony ride with Chris and Tracy, with me behind the video camera. Very cute. We headed back to Horizons for an early bedtime, since tomorrow was the 4th, and we would be at MGM allllll day.
Day 3, July 4, Post Traumatic Tower of Terror Disorder, or Why did we put her on THAT one first?
So, we awake early and hit the road by 8am, and are at the gates by 8:30. The plan is for them to get the stroller, and Ill wade through the crowd to get Rockin Roller Coaster Pastpasses, and meet them at the Tower of Terror. Its much easier to bob and weave as a party of 1; strollers and throngs of people arent good for your health. (More on this later.) I accomplish the Mission and we line up for Tower of Terror. Now, we were here 2 years ago, Madison was 3, and Logan was 6. Madison was the daredevil then, and was much more Mulan than Cinderella. Something switched in the 2 years while I wasnt looking. She had no problem with any rides 2 years ago, tried whatever she was tall enough to, with the exception of the Haunted Mansion (the stretching room was too much.). Didnt blink an eye at the Tower and handled Dinosaur better than I ever will. So, we hit the library, and she starts to freak. This, in turn, makes Logan start to wane. Chris tells her to hug Pal Mickey, and that she will ride next to him. We manage to get her on the ride, and she comes off of it worn and weary, and looking like she will never believe another word we say. So, whats next? Rockin Roller Coaster, of course. Yeah, good luck with that one. We tried to explain that she wasnt going to ride, but just go through the line, and switch off. She wasnt buying it, and a few times actually dug her heels in as we were walking in the line. So, then Logan got cold feet. He rode this twice last time, and was looking forward to it this time. No dice. He said we could come back later and ride it, but I reminded him that since it was so crowded, we probably wouldnt be able to, so now was the chance. No luck. I skipped the ride, and waited with the kiddos while mom and dad rode. Chris and Tracy both came off saying if Madison had ridden it, she wouldve wet her pants, and we wouldnt even be able to get her on Dumbo.
We landed at the Great Movie Ride, and Madison proclaimed at the entrance that she was NOT riding this ride. Chris and I told her it wasnt scary, just a ride through the movies, and got her on. Well, we failed to mention all the gangster gunshots and popping aliens and the wicked witch. This poor child was looking at therapy for the next 50 years what had I done? So, after this ride, I wanted something so tame it would bore her. Millionare it was. She sat next to me, and played along, and actually enjoyed herself. I figured with 2 attorneys and a teacher, our collaborative minds couldve gotten someone in the hotseat, but no luck. From here we headed to Muppets. Again we had the no way am I riding problem. But this time, it also came from Logan. So, we got them in there by convincing them that I was the one who really wanted to see it (I did) and they needed to come along. Its funny but the kids dont know the muppets. I guess they arent around like they used to be. Pity.
We ate lunch at the Prime Time Café and had Sister Jamie for a server. She did an excellent job, even if she fussed at me for tattling on Chris for having his elbows on the table. Madison got her autograph in her autograph book. (When Madison bought her autograph book, the castmember told her she could get any castmembers autograph, if she liked them and thought they were doing a good job. This happened a lot. At One Mans Dream, there was a blind and disabled castmember who did an excellent job introducing the film about Walt, and Madison got her autograph as well. It was great.)
We saw most of the rest of the attractions with the exception of Playhouse Disney (told old for that this year) and Sounds Dangerous (never been a fav of mine). The animation tour about made me cry. I enjoyed the first segment with Mushu, but the rest felt like I was walking through a cemetery. It was so sad.
We had a Fantasmic Dinner package and ate at Mama Melroses. This was my first time here, and I really enjoyed it. The food was great, and I was surprised at how large the restaurant actually was! Tracy and I split a carafe of Sangria and Chris had some fine Italian beer.
After dinner, we saw the Little Mermaid, and this made Madisons day. The only thing that distracted me from the wonderful performance was the man behind mehis cell phone kept flashing colors, and you could hear it vibrating, and yet he never made a move to shut it off or even cover it. He pretended it wasnt doing anything. (This seemed to be the first of many rude people we encountered over the course of the week. I have never in my life come across such rude people, anywhere, much less in Disney World. Im not saying everyone should hold hands and sing kum-by-yah, but a little common courtesy goes a long way.)
We meandered down Sunset Blvd and Chris and I rode Tower of Terror another time. By this time, it was dark, and it had been a long day. We are standing in the line chatting, and I turn around and noticed 3 girls in line behind usall dressed to the max, with makeup out the wazoo one of them was even wearing 3 inch white stiletto heels!! They couldnt have been more than 16, and we couldnt figure out for the life of us why they were dressed that way. They certainly hadnt maintained that look all day in the parks, with the weather being so sweltering. I couldnt help but wonder where their parents were, and if they knew what their daughters were dressed like. Scary.
So, when it was time for Fantasmic, we went in through the secret back entrance and found a really good seat. Chris and I left Tracy with the kids on a search for beer. It was July 4th after all. BUT the line is ridiculous, so we wait. They made an announcement about inclement weather, and that the performance might be delayed. We wait in line some more. About this time, a man a few people behind us decides to strike up a conversation about how ridiculous the cost of food is, and how he could just as easily go back to the HoJo and drink a six pack for a lot cheaper. I turned to look at him, and he was BOMBED out of his mind blotto, drunk, snookered, blitzed. He was all of them. And he was in line for more beer. So, as we made our order, I discreetly informed the cashier that the man was highly intoxicated. As we walked away, I heard her tell him they were out of Heineken. I hope someone called him a cab.
Fanstasmic was wonderful as always, and Lo and Mo were fascinated by the whole good versus evil thing. I think I had more fun watching them than the show! By the time we arrived back at Horizons, it was 12:30 or so, and we were all exhausted. Tomorrow is another resort day, thankfully. It will give my feet a chance to rest.
