The 5 trips of My "Disney Free Year" - A Mermaid, A Buzz, A Boat and A Steak - 7/8

[RachelNinja]

Oh man, I have been an absent DISer! I can never ever ever just zoom through your TR updates because I love reading it all and cracking up along the way, so I saved it for now! I'm back in March (Day 9)!

So cool that you guys caught the last train going out of Main Street. I guess I never thought that there'd be a last train. Haha, too used to NYC subways, I guess. I think. Huh, actually I wonder if they run 24/7 too (just less regularly at strange hrs). Wow, this is all new to me ... trains don't always run ... okay, my world's a little upside down now.

Walking around without having a set list of things to accomplish sounds like a lot of fun. I like walking around with Howard anywhere really, even in parking lots (I mean, as we GO somewhere or walk BACK to the car ... we don't aimlessly just walk in parking lots). Doing it at Disney would be fantastic! Plus, he emits a ton of heat (we call him a furnace), so nighttime strolling sounds absolutely perfect!

YAY for not having to deal with a Disney free year! It'll be totally different reading about a solo trip! It will be weird not seeing your DH's facial expression in pics though, haha.

HAHA, never mind. I'm so behind that now I see it's NOT a solo trip!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I scrolled down to the next section of your TR before I read the warning! WHY WOULD THEY PUT A BUFFALO ON AN AIRPLANE?!? If I had to fly on that plate, I'd feel its presence with me the ENTIRE TIME!!! AGHHHHHHHHHH!!! Haha, thanks for the warning though! And I'm glad you understand why they are FREAKISH. And yes, buffalo in the air is just way too unnatural.

Howard has been trying to convince me that we have to fly for our Disneymoon (I'll email you about that soon when we have more things figured out!). I sent him that picture, so now I have more reason why we SHOULDN'T be flying. You expect them on land, but you don't expect them in the air. Haha. (And we really will be flying; I just don't like thinking about it!)

Great luck (or skill!) with your ability to turn 3 quarters into $150. I'd like some of that right about now what with the wedding on its way!

WHOA, you have awesome packing skills! Howard's pretty good too. When we went to Florida, he had this little bag that was the size of a bowling bag. I was like, "That's it?" And he was like, "Yeah, how much do I need?" Then he saw my bag. Haha.

Yum, I wish we had a good sandwich place here like Potbelly. We have Subway and ... um, that's it. Oh wait oh wait! I just remembered that they're opening an Earl of Sandwich in NYC! Of course, it'll probably be crowded.

Your morning pictures are great. I like that they gradually get brighter!

Huh, that's strange about that woman giving you such a hassle about the one day park hopper. Wouldn't that be a "good" thing in that Disney gets more money? What difference did it make to her?

I forgot how much I liked Toy Story Mania for the Wii. I don't have it, but a student lent it to me for a bit. Now I want to buy it ...

Just got up to pg 22, and I have to get to bed! Almost caught up ... kinda!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Thats is the saddest thing I've ever read! I mean really, leaving Disney is the worst ending of a TR.

jk

So, when's the next trip?

I know... just once I want a TR to "end" by saying... and then we decided to just stay and live happily ever after

But don't go away just yet.... I have a few bonus features up my sleeve.

I can't accurately answer your last question quite yet... so you'll have to check back

I ran to my gate in DC the other month...I thought I had 10 minutes to make the flight. I had 20. (I still would have ran.) But they started boarding late. So I looked like a moron. It was a nice time.

That really sounds lovely, I wish I could have as much of a great time ...though my luck, they would have boarded and left 10 minutes early

I'm sad another TR has come to an end! Are there any others to look forward to?

This one isn't quite over... Well this trip is, but I've got some bonus features and non-Disney trips to slip in.

There is next trip news... I am just in the process of verifying if it is trip or trips..... so I'll keep you all updated when I have news

i feel like i have been reading non stop trip reports from you and ive loved it (albeit jealous) so hopefully i have something to look forward too soon! i will have to DIS stalk you to keep up! thanks for taking the type to post everything!

Thanks for reading along! I'm glad you enjoy reading... because I can confirm that my "nonstop" tripping is not over... I'll let you all know more when I have more details.

Also, I have a few bonus features to keep this one going for a little bit more...

Booo I'm sad your TR is over!!

Ugh, I hate having to do the run through the airport. One time when we were leaving to go to Disney, the line through security was indescribably and ridiculously long, and we ended up having to run to the gate with our shoes in our hands. We made it though!

Great TR, as usual!

Don't leave me yet. There are more Joanna/Panic shenanigans to come! Ugh... I hate when the security lines are stupid long. It's sad enough having to leave... why must TSA make it worse?

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Oh man, I have been an absent DISer! I can never ever ever just zoom through your TR updates because I love reading it all and cracking up along the way, so I saved it for now! I'm back in March (Day 9)!

So cool that you guys caught the last train going out of Main Street. I guess I never thought that there'd be a last train. Haha, too used to NYC subways, I guess. I think. Huh, actually I wonder if they run 24/7 too (just less regularly at strange hrs). Wow, this is all new to me ... trains don't always run ... okay, my world's a little upside down now.

I'm not sure about the NYC trains, but I know the Disney steam trains service ends an hour before the fireworks. I know they told us the reason on the tour - debris or something I believe - but I can't remember why now.

Walking around without having a set list of things to accomplish sounds like a lot of fun. I like walking around with Howard anywhere really, even in parking lots (I mean, as we GO somewhere or walk BACK to the car ... we don't aimlessly just walk in parking lots). Doing it at Disney would be fantastic! Plus, he emits a ton of heat (we call him a furnace), so nighttime strolling sounds absolutely perfect!

Okay I totally have this image of you and Howard just wandering through parking lots holding hands Chris is a human radiator too, it is quite nice! I have to say, late night at the MK at Christmas time is really magical.

YAY for not having to deal with a Disney free year! It'll be totally different reading about a solo trip! It will be weird not seeing your DH's facial expression in pics though, haha.

HAHA, never mind. I'm so behind that now I see it's NOT a solo trip!

Sorry, you'll have to settle for Panic's facial expressions I do want to do a solo trip a some point, but I'm very glad that I have fellow Disney lovers that want to come with me too!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I scrolled down to the next section of your TR before I read the warning! WHY WOULD THEY PUT A BUFFALO ON AN AIRPLANE?!? If I had to fly on that plate, I'd feel its presence with me the ENTIRE TIME!!! AGHHHHHHHHHH!!! Haha, thanks for the warning though! And I'm glad you understand why they are FREAKISH. And yes, buffalo in the air is just way too unnatural.

Howard has been trying to convince me that we have to fly for our Disneymoon (I'll email you about that soon when we have more things figured out!). I sent him that picture, so now I have more reason why we SHOULDN'T be flying. You expect them on land, but you don't expect them in the air. Haha. (And we really will be flying; I just don't like thinking about it!)

Oh No! Sorry!! I tried to warn you It was really freaky in the air. I really did open the window and close it right away and turned to my mom and said "Rachel would not like that" . I think you should fly (more time in Disney that way!!) but don't fly frontier... their planes have freaky animals on the wings!

Great luck (or skill!) with your ability to turn 3 quarters into $150. I'd like some of that right about now what with the wedding on its way!

WHOA, you have awesome packing skills! Howard's pretty good too. When we went to Florida, he had this little bag that was the size of a bowling bag. I was like, "That's it?" And he was like, "Yeah, how much do I need?" Then he saw my bag. Haha.

Panic should take all the credit for that... she picked the machine. Believe me, there was NO skill involved! I know what you mean, DH and I both had to get 2nd jobs when we were getting ready for the wedding. All that little stuff really adds up!

I think in many ways I pack like a guy... I don't bring a lot of clothes, I wear a lot of layers normally, so I mix and match a lot. But I do bring 4 cosmetic bags of "beauty" supplies - so I guess I am still a girl

Yum, I wish we had a good sandwich place here like Potbelly. We have Subway and ... um, that's it. Oh wait oh wait! I just remembered that they're opening an Earl of Sandwich in NYC! Of course, it'll probably be crowded.

I really want to try EOS. We never get to it in Disney I really need to make time for it! I'm not a Subway fan at all, so I can't imagine that being the only choice.

Your morning pictures are great. I like that they gradually get brighter!

Thanks! I had a lot of fun playing with my camera in the different light. It is easier to take my time when I know I can't go anywhere else because it is not open

Huh, that's strange about that woman giving you such a hassle about the one day park hopper. Wouldn't that be a "good" thing in that Disney gets more money? What difference did it make to her?

I don't know what that lady's deal was. It really rubbed me the wrong way.

I forgot how much I liked Toy Story Mania for the Wii. I don't have it, but a student lent it to me for a bit. Now I want to buy it ...

Just got up to pg 22, and I have to get to bed! Almost caught up ... kinda!

Toy Story Mania for Wii is pretty awesome, but I wish the 3-D parts were better. But it has made my tolerance for the line at TSM almost non-existent.

Thanks for reading along

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

I’m working out the details for the next trip (s?). So before I share my next trip news, I thought I’d share a little installment I call “Joanna & Panic take on Alaska”

Regrettably, DH was not able to join us on this trip at the very last minute. This just means he and I will have to go ourselves next year and hopefully we can swing a Disney Cruise this time!

But anyway….onto the trip at hand.

Joanna & Panic take Alaska.

Upon arrival in Canada (after almost being detained in Canada because I had not yet learned the lesson “don’t let Greg talk to ANYONE” and let him talk to the customs agent. Lets just say that this conversation has not been altered at all for comic relief.

Customs Agent: Are you traveling alone?
Greg: Yes
Customs Agent: Then who is the girl behind you?
Greg: Well um.. um…
Customs Agent: Why don’t you know you are traveling with her?
Me: I’m his girlfriend’s sister, so we didn’t start together, but she’ll be joining us in a few hours, and we’re ending together.
Greg: Um…um…
Customs Agent: Why are you so nervous Greg?
Greg: This is my first time…
Customs Agent: Travelling??

Yep. That actually happened. There was a brief moment where I was CONVINCED I would be dragged into a back room and tortured by a Mountie who was eating Canadian Bacon in front of me. )

So anyway, after that incident, we hopped in our chariot (okay, limo…they were all out of chariots) and headed to the ship

The next customs encounter went much more smoothly because I knew better than to let Greg anywhere near the customs agent!

Soon, we were cruising the inside passage.

The scenery is really amazing, I could have just stayed out on the balcony the whole trip, except there were ports to be visited.

Unfortunately, the first full day Panic came down with the dread of cruisers everywhere – norovirus (aka the stomach flu) which meant that Greg and I spent some quality time together.

Panic, in happier times…

Anyway, first up. Ketchikan

We didn’t do much here, it’s a pretty big city, so we just kind of wandered around and shopped.

On our way to the next port, we freed willy!

The next port was Icy Straight Point, a cruise port that isn’t a city, just a port.

Before the trip I was very worried about this port, but this was actually one of my favorites.

We went to this cooking demonstration, which is awesome and delicious!

Then Greg and I had the best crab either of us had ever had (and he lives in Boston!)

After Icy Straight point, we had another day to enjoy the scenery!

I spy pretty things!

In Juneau, Greg made a friend!

We went on a dog-sled training run.

It was beyond cool! These little dogs are super strong.

And adorable (Panic that is)

Then we headed to the Mendenhal Glacier

Cool (literally!)

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Then in Skagway, Grumpy and I went glass blowing. Not very Alaskan, but really cool and fun!

I mean just look at us, don’t we look like we’re having loads of fun?

Just in case you thought this trip was totally Disney free… I found some Disney art on the ship!

Panic had recovered by this time and was feeling her usual Panic-y self

The last day, we cruised the Hubbard Glacier.

On the ship, we had fun playing trivia (we won quite a few times!) but there was a fellow passenger who took her trivia a bit too seriously and would get very snotty about it. So of course we modeled our spoils for her!

When we left the ship, we got onto another ship to the Kenai national park. But some of us were kind of over it.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Sealions!

Harbor seals!

Ever since my favorite show ever, The Girls Next Door, I can’t see a puffin without thinking of Hef.

Mountian Goat and babies!

We waved goodbye to our ship, and headed north.

Can you spot the mountain? It’s amazing how something so huge can just dissapear!

We spent 2 days in Talkeetna, at the base of Mt. McKinnley

We planned this trip because DH saw this sandwich on the travel channel and wanted to try it. But since he wasn’t there we took a picture of the sign for him!

and ordered the ½ version! Mmm Caribou

 

[Caretames1]

There was a brief moment where I was CONVINCED I would be dragged into a back room and tortured by a Mountie who was eating Canadian Bacon in front of me. )

You should now know that the boarder patrol has your picture tacked to the wall and you will be in the back room if you ever return!

Absolutely Breathtaking!

 

[Caretames1]

Great Pictures! I really want to do the Alaska trip in about 12 years (our 25th anni) I think the scenery looks so awesome!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

WOW your Alaskan pictures are gorgeous!! See, why doesn't America in Epcot feature more stuff like these awesome natural wonders around the country, as opposed to history from 1776?

That is too funny about Greg and the customs agent! I definitely wouldn't have let him anywhere near them anytime after that!!

Your cruise must have been so much fun. (too bad Panic got the norovirus though!)

 

[portobello_rd]

OMG. you admitted that the Girls Next Door was your favorite show?
haha. ok. so i like it too. and i would have thought of that show as well as soon as i had heard "puffin"
and those goats freak me out. it looks like they are going to fall to their death at any time.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

You should now know that the boarder patrol has your picture tacked to the wall and you will be in the back room if you ever return!


Absolutely Breathtaking!

Great Pictures! I really want to do the Alaska trip in about 12 years (our 25th anni) I think the scenery looks so awesome!

I seriously wouldn't doubt it. I'm so glad that customs guy had a sense of humor.

You know, the list of places with my picture posted to not allow me to come back ever is growing...knottsberry farm, all segways - ever, Canada...I'm starting to think it might be me!

The scenery in Alaska is AMAZING. I hope you get to go for your anniversary. It is quite romantic (too bad I had to spend all my time with Greg )

WOW your Alaskan pictures are gorgeous!! See, why doesn't America in Epcot feature more stuff like these awesome natural wonders around the country, as opposed to history from 1776?

That is too funny about Greg and the customs agent! I definitely wouldn't have let him anywhere near them anytime after that!!

Your cruise must have been so much fun. (too bad Panic got the norovirus though!)

Wow...I'm obviously way too tired for my own good. I actually typed "Well, the Canada pavilion has that nice waterfall and garden, so that's pretty nature-y" Oh yeah, Alaska is a state

Now that I've got my geography straightened out, I totally agree. We usually skip right over America because, well frankly if I wanted a history lesson, I'd go to Williamsburg! I think a "coast-to-coast" American pavilion would be really cool. Celebrate the beauty and diversity of the country. Not a bunch of old guys that did some stuff a while ago!

Fortunately, nothing bad came of the incident in customs so we can laugh about it. We have an agreement, I will never make him talk to a customs agent again and he will never have to sit next to me on a plane! (I'm really twitchy and fidgety and can't sit still in general. Being smashed up against me for 5 hrs in a small space is apparently not fun at all! )

I thought the cruise was really fun. Panic might have a different story.

OMG. you admitted that the Girls Next Door was your favorite show?
haha. ok. so i like it too. and i would have thought of that show as well as soon as i had heard "puffin"
and those goats freak me out. it looks like they are going to fall to their death at any time.

What?? It's just on the internet. It's not like anyone could find out or anything Totally a secret right?

Yeah, and those goats were apparently (according to the park ranger on the boat) really low. They must have spikes in their hooves, because that incline is really steep!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

I can't sleep. Maybe it is the anticipation of seeing Panic tomorrow?? (I get the *privilege* of helping my bestest sister and her bestest boy move this weekend. Good thing there won't be any need to go through customs...)

So sorry about being all cryptic about my next trip. I just didn't want to post anything on the internets and jinx it.

Because frankly, I didn't believe it myself until a few days ago...

But we're official-y enough that I feel safe to report that over the course of the next 6 months I have not 1 but 2 for-sure upcoming trips, and 1 potential, maybe possibly!

I still can't figure out how I did it, but I convinced Mr. "I don't want to go to Disney this year" that a Labor Day trip was a good idea. I wish I could figure out what strategy worked, so I can use it again in the future!

We're still hammering out the details, but I have 3 nights booked at SSR. I have to admit, I'm not thrilled about that. I have to say that far and away, SSR is my least favorite DVC resort (though to be fair I haven't stayed at the WLV, but I just assume I would like them more) I'll admit, maybe we just had a bad room or something last time we were there, so I'm wiling to give it another try. Plus, it was all they had left for studios

Then, there's a chance I might have to be in Orlando for a conference at the beginning of December. The conference goes until Friday afternoon, so I really would be remiss if I didn't at least strongly consider adding on a night or two and hanging out at Disney. Nothing's confirmed yet, and I probably won't know more until late October, but the seed of possibility is there.

And then in mid-January, I will staying at the BCV with my BFF, her son and his godmother. I'm very excited about this trip, because I haven't been to Disney with a child since I was one. And, I always love the challenge of turning a hater (BFF) into a believer.

So... there you have it. My "Disney Free Year" isn't so Disney Free after all.

I do hope this doesn't offend anyone, but since I'm feeling rather lazy, I'm thinking about just keeping this thread going and changing the title to encompass the next trips too. I mean pressing the button to make a new thread and coming up with a witty title is kind of taxing.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

No Disney for a year, huh? Your commitment to that statement is admirable

Wow now 3 trips??? Good work! That will be a great end to your "Disney-Free Year"!!!

Oh, and I will be entirely and completely offended if you keep the same thread going. ENTIRELY AND COMPLETELY.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Geez 3 trips! Lucky you.

I think I'm biased since SSR is our home resort, but we love it there. Hopefully this time you'll have a better experience. Just out of curiosity, which section were you in the last time you stayed there?

 

[Caretames1]

WOW! I love your No Disney Year, Disney plans! I know after Sept, I may have a true No Disney year, so I have to live through you and the many others feeding my addiction!


I approve of keeping the same thread. It saves me the trouble of subbing to another thread, which just clutters up my sub page!

 

[Princess_K]

Your Alaska photos are just beautiful!

Yay for more trips! I'm completely jealous, but glad I have some TRs to look forward to

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

No Disney for a year, huh? Your commitment to that statement is admirable

Wow now 3 trips??? Good work! That will be a great end to your "Disney-Free Year"!!!

Oh, and I will be entirely and completely offended if you keep the same thread going. ENTIRELY AND COMPLETELY.

Yep, I'm pretty hard core about my promises like that

Yea, I'm not sure how the 3 trips happened.... Not that I'm complaining...

And please accept my sincerest apologies, that my laziness will offend you

Geez 3 trips! Lucky you.

I think I'm biased since SSR is our home resort, but we love it there. Hopefully this time you'll have a better experience. Just out of curiosity, which section were you in the last time you stayed there?

Yeah, I'm not really sure how that happened, but I'm super excited!

We were in the Carousel, without a car. Which is probally part of the bad taste in my mouth. We also had 6 people in a 2 bedroom, so it was really cramped. I'm really hoping we have a better experience, because it is a very lovely resort.

WOW! I love your No Disney Year, Disney plans! I know after Sept, I may have a true No Disney year, so I have to live through you and the many others feeding my addiction!

I approve of keeping the same thread. It saves me the trouble of subbing to another thread, which just clutters up my sub page!

Haha... I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up either, gotta love living vicariously through the DIS

I concur, it is so much easier to just keep one thread.

Your Alaska photos are just beautiful!

Yay for more trips! I'm completely jealous, but glad I have some TRs to look forward to

Alaska was gorgeous! I really loved it, and want to go back.

I'm very excited about the upcoming trips too! (duh)

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Our flights are all squared away, so that means it is time to obsess about food!

I had ADRs for a bunch of old favorites, but in a fit of madness I cancelled every single one of them andopted to try all (okay, okay… mostly all) new restaurants.

Friday, we get in around 2, which kind of sucks. I know we’ll be hungry, but we won’t want to eat a huge dinner at 4, so I decided to make our dinner ressie early (or at least early for us). We’re going to the Yachtsman! (Okay, yes, I know we’ve already been to the Yachtsman, but it is so yummy and I’ve been dreaming about it all year, so hush you! The rest of them are new)

I’m hoping we can resist the call of the desserts at the Yachtsman, and head over to the boardwalk bakery to pick up some yummies to go. Then head over to the Poly to watch to Wishes and enjoy our dessert!

Saturday is DHS day. I am hoping to make it to the morning EMH that was so nice in May! But I know enough not to expect DH to get up for morning EMH AND a breakfast ADR, so we’ll probably just get some goodies from Starring Rolls.

For lunch, I was torn. I kept remembering how insanely hot it was last year at that time, and I couldn’t see us digging into some good ole’ comfort food or a big bowl of Italian. Also, I promised DH we’d take it easy on this trip and not be “go go go” So what better way to relax than taking a boat over to the resorts for lunch?

I have wanted to try the Captain’s Grille for ages, but it always gets cut. Not this time! The lunch menu looks great, lots of salads and sandwiches, so it won’t compete with the heat.

For dinner, DH really wants to try Kouzzina. I’m just not a Greek food fan. I’ve tried and tried, but it just isn’t my cup o’ ouzo. I’m not sure what it is, I love goat cheese and olives, and even lamb, but there’s just something about Greek food that doesn’t appeal to me. But marriage is all about compromise, and I got my way and we’re at Disney… so he should get something – right?

Sunday we’re going to the MK. I promised DH he could sleep in as much as he wanted today (in payment for getting his butt to morning EMH), so no breakfast plans.

For lunch, we will be trying the Liberty Tree Tavern. I suppose technically, this isn’t a “first” for me, because I distinctly remember eating there as a small child, but it’s the first time in like 20 years, so that’s got to count for something! Basically, I just want the ooey gooey toffeey yumminess. Don’t really care about the rest.

Again in the interest of staying chill and taking park breaks, I wanted to go to the MK resort area for Dinner. Problem is for a “new” restaurant, the pickings are pretty slim, and since we’ve spent a lot of time in that area, and there’s no way I’d get DH to a character buffet. I was left with basically 2 choices, Whispering Canyon and Grand Floridian Café. We like a quieter atmosphere when dining, so we chose the GFC. I’ve got to say, this was the hardest one to stick with the “new” restaurants for. So if you think I made the wrong choice, let me know!

So then Monday, we will grab breakfast at Artist Pallet and catch our stupidly early ME!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I think your ADR choices sound great! We really love Kouzzina for dinner, it is definitely Greek food, but I'm sure that you will find items that you will enjoy! There's a really great variety of options.

I've always wanted to try GFC for not-breakfast, I've seen they have a little adorable dessert sampler (sadly, that does not appear on the breakfast menu!).

 

[pixiegirl]

You pictures from Alaska are awesome!!! I hope I am able to make it there sometime in the future!!

I am so excited for your upcoming trips!! I love living vicariously through you.