That's it, moved to FL to be closer to Mickey! Update 2/4 Kidnapped at WDW 10/03/09

[scottny]

all caught up.

great updates and pics.

the day with the Dis'er sounds like a nice time.

The trip to the island looked really nice.

 

[jmskinner]

I will plead the 5th on what you asked for but I love reading your trip reports. I can conjure up all the places you refer to and seeing the picture reminds me of all my trips before....Buzz is a big fave of mine. Looking forward to the next part.

Gordon

Can't wait until next year when you and your family are able to make it back!

I STILL would never know that was your dad...!! I like it that you rode it with him.

I love this that you met up with them...can't wait to see what else you rode with them! Cheryl looks like her normal zany self!

Have you told them about this blog?

I've mentioned it to them, but they are both really busy. Cheryl's mother has Alzeimers and lives with them, so this was a huge break for all of them. Don't know how they do it.

I have a hard time every time I see my Dad also. He is still that crazy guy, which you will soon realize how crazy, but he is starting to look his age. Don't tell him I said that.

all caught up.

great updates and pics.

the day with the Dis'er sounds like a nice time.

The trip to the island looked really nice.

Thanks Scott. The island was nice. We use to get out and explore more wherever we lived, but haven't done it so much since moving to Florida, so when family comes we keep finding something new to do and see. Plus, beaches aren't as appealing to me now as when I was younger.

 

[jmskinner]

So, where did I choose for lunch. First hint:



We had to take a boat from MK, so did we go here for lunch:


Nope.

We went on the bridge of water:


Is that you call it when the road goes under the waterway? So, anyone guess where we were going?


I'm sure most of you have guessed by now:










Now, everytime we got to WL for WCC, it rains. It was sprinkling while we were on the boat.

Jacob started in with the Lincoln Logs while we waited on the table:


We were taken back right away, the restaurant was very quiet, which was strange. I also noticed on the way to our table that every table had a bottle of ketchup already on it.



Our waitress was fantastic. The restaurant was very quiet, not the normal craziness going on, but she was fun. She kept dropping things and yelling at me to stop throwing things at her. She even gave us a pole dance:


And I got a piece of birthday cake:


At one point I needed more tea and she brought me diet coke and said I would drink what she brought me. Maybe she was trying to give me a hint. A few minutes later she brought me another glass of tea.

I need to ask Jonas because I can't remember what was going on here:


We had a very nice meal and were all incredibly full, but it was time to leave. Of course, we first had to argue over who would pick up the tab.





And how many times have I have been inside the WL lobby, but never noticed this:










We made our way back to the boat ramp just in time:





Oops, got too picture happy and had 46 images in this post, next post coming right up!

 

[jmskinner]

So, it was back to MK.



Something else I haven't caught before:


We headed into Frontierland:




And decided to take a Jungle Cruise:






Had to mess with the tarantula:


And our tour guide was great:








And you know I have to throw in an animal butt, real or fake.






We made it back safely. Dad and Cheryl enjoyed the corny jokes. Vickie can tell you, that my Dad and his wife could probably come up with some great ones for the ride. I have spent most of my life rolling my eyes, slapping my forehead, and saying "Oh Dad!" In fact, there was an "Oh Dad" moment coming up!

 

[thecapells]

I need to ask Jonas because I can't remember what was going on here:

What was going on here!?!?!?!
You have to remember - this is too weird...

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Wow. That waitress looks scary.

I am just loving your pictures. You amuse me with the little butterfly pic -- that's something I would do! I think taking pictures really does something for you, girl.

I am so ready for a nice, relaxing boat ride...

 

[Finkelstein's Hubby]

WCC is awesome, we loved it the last time. Shame they never did the ketchup thing though, our kids ended up with tons of bottles of the stuff. Looks like the waitress was "wired to a Mars bar", ie. insane

Wilderness is my favourite resort but not managed to stay at it yet, maybe one day

Gordon

 

[jmskinner]

What was going on here!?!?!?!
You have to remember - this is too weird...

I asked Jonas and he doesn't remember either. That waitress was fantastic though. I really loved her!

Wow. That waitress looks scary.

I am just loving your pictures. You amuse me with the little butterfly pic -- that's something I would do! I think taking pictures really does something for you, girl.

I am so ready for a nice, relaxing boat ride...

She wasn't scary at all, but my Dad didn't know what to think of her and you know my Dad. Or maybe he was just tired.

You will get to take that boat ride before long, anyone notice Vickie's sig???

WCC is awesome, we loved it the last time. Shame they never did the ketchup thing though, our kids ended up with tons of bottles of the stuff. Looks like the waitress was "wired to a Mars bar", ie. insane

Wilderness is my favourite resort but not managed to stay at it yet, maybe one day

Gordon

Love the Mars Bar comment. She was a lot of fun, don't know why they weren't doing the ketchup, but we still had a great time.

I hope you do get to stay there. I want to stay at all the resorts at least once in my lifetime.

Hey Gordon, just noticed your ticker, you are almost at the one year mark. It will be here before you know it!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Great updates and photos! I love WL! so it was great to see the photos of it! Shame about the ketchup bottles, I wonder if they've stopped doing it? I've read a couple of TRs on the DIBB (UK site), and they said they didn't get the big hoopla when they asked for ketchup. I had read somewhere that there had been some complaints about WCC and some people felt intimidated and picked on, but honestly!!!! Some people have no sense of humour, and personally I think if you complain about the fun in WCC you should get a lifetime ban from WDW! rant over now...

Di x

 

[jmskinner]

After living through the jokes on the Jungle Cruise, it was off to:






Now, here is when we had the "Oh Dad!" moment. We headed to the left line, which was only as long as the platform down to the boats. There was a CM looking over the railing at everyone. He was an older gentleman. My Dad sticks out his finger and says "Hey, pull this and see if we can clear out this line!" (I wasn't really scared, but I think this work for shocked and embarassed also.) Only my Dad! We finally made it into the boats.





For some reason, Davy Jones wasn't there this day.



I do have to say one thing at this point, I wish people would stop using their flashes on this ride. I can always count on Jacob to yell out, "No Flash Photography!" That's my boy.

We headed over to check out SM and BTMRR, both had long waits so we decided to get FP's for BTMRR and then hopefully get on SM. Next up, HM.

Now as many times as I have been on this ride, I have never noticed the ornamentation on the benches in front of it:









It wasn't too long of a wait before we were inside:







We still had some time before our FP and decided on this one:



It was nice to get out of the heat and the folks seemed to be really enjoying themselves.

Now it was time for BTMRR:














Can you imagine, I have too may pics in my post, the rest of this is coming up in the very next post.

 

[jmskinner]

Now, SM still had about a 40 minute wait. This is my absolutely favorite ride (I love log flume rides) and it was my B-Day. Jonas said he didn't mind waiting in line, but it would have to be the last ride of the day because we needed to get back home since he had to work the next day.

So believe it or not, we waited. Line really didn't look that long, but with all of the FP people going by, it made it a really long wait, but we had a nice visit while waiting:

Jonas was showing Jacob how to touch each finger with his thumb quickly:


Obviously we aren't very exciting people.

Just throwing this one in so you can see my B-Day button:


Now, you may have noticed no mention of my brother Tanner. He was with the church group and they had to stay in with the groups they started out with, can't have them doing things they shouldn't be. But we ran into one of the groups and one of the boys had lost his ticket so the whole group couldn't get FP's. They asked if they could use Dads, but I then explained to Dad that he wouldn't be able to use it for FP's himself, so they decided not to. But then after discussing how that was hurting the whole group, we were going to give it to him, but then never saw them again. I felt really bad that I didn't just let my Dad give the kid athe ticket. I also didn't think about telling him to go to guest services and see if they could give him a new one. Yup, the came on way to late.

We had a nice ride and Cheryl kept commenting on what a great long ride it was. And we got wet:






I just love all the birds at WDW:


Remember again, it was my BDay, now what else could a girl want at MK on her BDay? A Dole Whip!!!



We forgot to take pics of it, but my Dad had one also and said he liked it. Of course we look like horrible people because we don't Jacob anything, but since they don't have chocolate, he won't eat it.

But he had fun playing with the guns:






Sometimes the boy scares me.

Another one of those scenes where I can't believe I am in an amusement park:


And I just love these trees:


And that was it at the MK for my 40th Birthday!!! I had a great time and can't think of anything else I would rather do!

Next up I'll post some Photopass pics from that day and then on to Labor Day weekend and MNSSHP!

 

[jmskinner]

Great updates and photos! I love WL! so it was great to see the photos of it! Shame about the ketchup bottles, I wonder if they've stopped doing it? I've read a couple of TRs on the DIBB (UK site), and they said they didn't get the big hoopla when they asked for ketchup. I had read somewhere that there had been some complaints about WCC and some people felt intimidated and picked on, but honestly!!!! Some people have no sense of humour, and personally I think if you complain about the fun in WCC you should get a lifetime ban from WDW! rant over now...

Di x

You posted while I was updating, so I didn't want to miss commenting on this. I totally agree with you. Guess the CM's taking ADR's should tell people "You may get embarassed at this restaurant" when people book ADRs. Maybe a sign out front also, they let you know that you may get wet on rides, why not embarassed at restaurants. Funny thing is, who is going to even know who they are.

 

[carissanboys]

Looks like a lovely 40th birthday! And those last pictures with the gorgeous flowers are awesome.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Can't think of anywhere nicer to spend your 40th birthday! Loved all your pics as usual! You managed to cram loads inot your day and the pic of Jonas in WCC is great!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

You posted while I was updating, so I didn't want to miss commenting on this. I totally agree with you. Guess the CM's taking ADR's should tell people "You may get embarassed at this restaurant" when people book ADRs. Maybe a sign out front also, they let you know that you may get wet on rides, why not embarassed at restaurants. Funny thing is, who is going to even know who they are.

Totally agree! When we were there the interaction was all really light hearted and in fun - not mean or anything. I guess some people just don't like any attention being directed at them, but all the reviews I had read about WCC said about the CMs and the jokes and everything. One guide book even said to wear a US or IOA tshirt to see what they said about you!

Anyway, enjoyed the updates! You look like you had lots of fun, it'll be my birthday during our trip next year and I'm hoping to get booked for WCC, and I want some fun!!!!

Di x

 

[jmskinner]

Looks like a lovely 40th birthday! And those last pictures with the gorgeous flowers are awesome.

I love those trees. I need to print out pics to take to local Florists and see if I can get some of the plants they have at WDW. And it really was a nice 40th birthday.

Can't think of anywhere nicer to spend your 40th birthday! Loved all your pics as usual! You managed to cram loads inot your day and the pic of Jonas in WCC is great!

We still can't remember what was going on that day. Hopefully I'll remember soon.

Totally agree! When we were there the interaction was all really light hearted and in fun - not mean or anything. I guess some people just don't like any attention being directed at them, but all the reviews I had read about WCC said about the CMs and the jokes and everything. One guide book even said to wear a US or IOA tshirt to see what they said about you!

Anyway, enjoyed the updates! You look like you had lots of fun, it'll be my birthday during our trip next year and I'm hoping to get booked for WCC, and I want some fun!!!!

Di x

Book dinner, I have read lunch wasn't as exciting as dinner.

I apologize not updating in so long. Life getting in the way of Disney, it should know better.

 

[jmskinner]

I know everyone is waiting on MNSSHP pics, and I promise they are coming, but I thought I would show you all the photopass pics we had taken over the Summer. I'll try to keep some order here.

Typhoon Lagoon (I'm leaving my pic out of this one, don't want to scare anyone)


Jacob is not afraid of Darth Maul:




We were happy, it was SWW!!!



This Stormtrooper did not appreciate my t-shirt:






Me and Mickey:


Us with my Dad and Stepmom:


One more pic of my parents:


And Jacob with Tinkerbell (he wasn't impressed)


And now on to Labor Day Weekend and MNSSHP!

 

[jmskinner]

For a whole year I had been waiting for this trip. We had booked it as a bounceback from when we went to MNSSHP in 2008. I hadn't told Jacob about the pirate room, so I was excited to surprise him.

Now, if you remember, we had a horrible time last year getting to the party, replacing brakes on the truck, getting there later than we wanted to, and getting lost within the All-Star resort area.

That was not happening this year, got the oil replaced in the truck a week before the trip. No other work to be done. Jonas took the day off work, so he could help pack and everything. The plan, drop dogs off at kennel, go sit in line at school to get Jacob. First we figured we would grab some lunch. We had been wanting to try this place down the street from us called Qdoba's, a Mexican grill. We thought it was really good, until we got to the house afterwards. Our stomachs didn't really like the food, lets just say I was worried about Jacob being trapped in the car with us.

Mine seemed to clear up before we even dropped the dogs off, so I figured we were ok. Got them to the kennel, got in line to pick up Jacob, we were only the 10th car in line. Got Jacob in the car and on we went.

I had also researched the hotel and map really well, so we would know where to go to check-in and know what area the room would be in. We found the place where you check-in without a hitch, I had done the online check-in and I found the correct window this time. The boys had wandered off since they figured there would be a wait. Found them and off to the truck.

Found our building in Trinidad South without a hitch. Even got a close parking spot. I took off to take pics of the room before it was destroyed by us later:

The beds:






Bedspread design:


The curtain separating the sink area from the beds:


TV and chest of drawers:


Refrigerator was well hidden in the barrel:


For some reason there were two refrigerators in the room, the one outside the barrel was a lot cooler, so we mainly used it.

Table:




This had more blankets and a pillow tucked inside:


The sinks (Jonas noticed later on that when you turned on the lights, they slowly got brighter):


Shower Curtain:


The Black Pearl etched into the shower:


A little ghost was waiting for us:


Jacob wasn't afraid of it:


Nightstand:


Nice wood floors:

Just kidding, that was the carpet, but I thought it was very .

The picture on the wall:


I really enjoyed this room. The foot of the beds took up a little more room than the normal beds in a moderate, but that was ok. Probably wouldn't spend the money for a pirate room again, but it was a great one-time thing to do. Jacob was more impressed with the TV.

Oh, and I was so excited that we got a corner room with the two windows, and I didn't even put in a special request for it.

I promise, MNSSHP coming later.

 

[carissanboys]

Love the pirate room! Thanks so much for posting the pictures. And glad you had no issues this time.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I just love the pictures of that room. Hey, but I wouldn't go around telling folks that the Flying Dutchman is really the Black Pearl...Jack wouldn't appreciate it, I'm sure!

I'm curious how much more you actually did have to pay for that room (no need to divulge here) -- isn't it funny how adults tend to appreciate room decor more than kids do?