The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[All7OfUs]

Liesa, it was so great meeting you and everyone else, I felt privelleged to be invited to that Dismeet. I would have loved to have met up with ya'll in D.C. (Work stunk that day) your tour of it sounded amazing. I have only visited once and I did the bus loop tour.

My adventure to Mon Ami Gabi went as follows.

All I had as far as directions to the restaurant was what they had posted on their website, I figured Kent being the directional savant he claimed to be, finding Mon Ami Gabi would be effortless. Well, I should have known better, I have lived with Kent long enough to know that when ever we travel somewhere for the first time, we always get lost.

The directions I had didn't really make much sense either, so I called my brother Matt in Texas and gave him the address to the restaurant, he map quested it for me and I wrote down the directions. Easy enough? No, not really. We found Bethesda no problem, and we found the road that Mon Ami Gabi was supposed to be on, and we drove that road back and forth for 40 minutes. We could not find this place. I was so frustrated I was ready to cry. I tried calling Liesa's phone, but it went to voice mail. why I didn't call the restaurant I will never know. But all of a sudden there it was, sitting on a corner, we had passed it several times, I had seen the outside seating area and even remarked, "why can't that be it? if it were, we would be there now."

But hidden from me, in plane sight was the sign. Mon Ami Gabi. It was a crazy woman laugh that came out of me. "Really? Really?" I kept repeating.

Alright, we found it, now where do we park? We found a little parking lot around the corner and quickly left my car and footed it back to the restaurant. I think I might have been a little late. I went up to the podium and told the host I was meeting a group of people there.

"Ok, he smiled, and your parties name?"

"Ummmm....Liesa? I think it would be under her name."

"what's her last name?"

"I don't know, I've never met her, or any of the others to be honest."

He then figured out that I was with the big group of people. Kent and I followed him back to the room, I was nervous, I was meeting strangers, yet they weren't strangers. But still, what if it's awkward? what if there are those moments where nobody talks and we all reach for that last roll of bread at the same time and just do that wierd smile and nod thing when you're not sure what else to do?

I was crazy to even have thought it would be awkward. I walked in the room and never felt more welcome by a bunch of people that I had never met before.

I really only "Knew" Liesa from following her PTR. But quickly found out that I also knew of Rosie and Rob, when they mentioned his screen name I felt like I was then in the presence of a celebrity, and he was a PA. neighbor. Hershey is only 45 minutes West of me. I kept leaning over and whispering in Kents ear about people. "Remember I told you about Trouncy, Bouncy and Flouncy, the triplets? Rob is their Dad, remember I told you I loved his PTR?"

I also met Tracy for the first time, she was a sweetheart and easy to talk to.
Rosie is just a dear woman, all smiles all the time.
And Liesa, she's is just as funny and quick witted in person as she is on the DISboards.
I thought that Kent would feel out of place being the only non DISer there, but he did just fine.

The food was so good, the company was even better. Dinner was over far too soon. Liesa, Tracy and Rosie walked with Kent and I back to our car and we then drove them to the parking garage where their car was parked. We walked them down to their car where we said our goodbyes. Liesa gave me a gift bag. There was a chocolate bar in there, foreign chocolate, but it translates well. there was something else in there too but I still haven't opened it because I don't know what it is. but my favorite thing was a rock, yes a rock, it was from the country she had just come from, it was part of the earth from over there. I loved it and it sits next to my favorite knick knacks in my den.

Kent and walked back to our car and I felt like crying, I didn't have enough time I told him.

I put on my star shaped framed sunglasses that were also included in the gift bag from Liesa, they came in really handy, I couldn't see a thing as we got lost on our drive home. Kent's driving scares me.

All in all it was a great Dismeet, I had the time of my life and I am proud to say I have met you all in person.

Thank you Liesa for letting me share my story here.

It was so great to have you be with us that night!! Truly, there was NOT one awkward moment at all! Besides, if you had reached for the last roll, I'd have quickly showed you who was boss.

My hubby would have been like Tammie's man- he'd have given up a LONG time before that! Glad ya'll were persistent!

THANK YOU so much for chiming in and filling your part in- I wish I could find Rob and get him to give his story as well!

 

[All7OfUs]

What a sweet story, Ty! You are so funny - I'm glad you got to meet some of the peeps! You and Kent were diligent to drive back and forth for 40 min. I think Jim would have given up.

It's fun to get the various perspectives on a trip- that's why I also like to read the tandem TR's like Jen and MEK's. and LL and Jenjolt's as well. No one can remember all the juicy details by themselves.

All caught up again.

On the camera talk, I had the same problem with what is now my "old" camera. My last trip it was going all wonky and just not focusing right. Still now completely sure it was not operator error but in the end I wanted a better zoom.
I researched but kept coming back to a Canon Powershot XS30 IS. It is a point and shoot for the most part but has an impressive 35X zoom! I have to post some pictures of the zoom capability.
It has all the scene - sports- continuous shoot and manual as welll as many I still need to learn to use.
It has some real good reviews too. I am happy with it and now I can take pictures of the gorilla's eyelash if I want.

35X is quite impressive!! WOW! I guess I also need to evaluate how much I'm willing to spend, because let's face it, every dollar I spend on a camera, is one more Disney dollar on something else. And naturally postpones a trip that much further out.

Now with all these great suggestions and reviews from ya'll, I guess I need to start and Excel sheet.

 

[All7OfUs]

I really think both types of cameras have great advantages and really working with a DSLR camera can be a wonderful hobby!

However, I still think there are huge differences between different non-DSLRs and since it is the night time shots you are interested in, I put together a collection of my best night time pictures in this Photobucket album. You might need the password nighttime to access it. However, the one thing that my camera was never good at is fireworks. But I think for those you really need a tripod...

I did some looking around and one camera I found which I think looks pretty good is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 (appears to be called DMC-ZS7 in the US), which gives you quite some freedom to set shutter speed and aperture and it has quite an impressive 12x optical zoom. It isn't the fastest and seems to have a rather short battery life, so I would not fully recommend it, but that's the type of camera I think I would love to have (even though I still love the one I have at the moment...) in order to be able to play around with manual settings. There are more cameras of that type around now... I am really looking forward to being in the market for a new one in about two years time or so...

Those photos are VERY impressive! Really! The POC would never have done that- all would have been blurry messes not worth posting at all. And I agree, having a DSLR would be a fun hobby, and since i would only buy one with the understanding and commitment to take a class, it really would be a hobby. Every time I see stuff in Glenn's or ToddH's threads I get severe camera/ skill envy, and well, now seems to be as good a time as any.

 

[Poolrat]

35X is quite impressive!! WOW! I guess I also need to evaluate how much I'm willing to spend, because let's face it, every dollar I spend on a camera, is one more Disney dollar on something else. And naturally postpones a trip that much further out.

Now with all these great suggestions and reviews from ya'll, I guess I need to start and Excel sheet.

Look it up on the Canon website. Even though the MSRP looks high I got a great deal at Best Buy. More that $50.00 off the MSRP is pretty easy to find if you are patient. It is bigger like DSLR but is considered a point and shoot.

 

[All7OfUs]

Look it up on the Canon website. Even though the MSRP looks high I got a great deal at Best Buy. More that $50.00 off the MSRP is pretty easy to find if you are patient. It is bigger like DSLR but is considered a point and shoot.

Well, I certainly have time right now to do that.... I am stuck in the airport in Ontario, CA with a 2 hour delay because my flight is delayed coming from Phoenix. And it's going to Vegas before Portland. Winter weather sux, and i want to move to Antigua today.

Anyway, lots of DISing time- as a consolation prize.

 

[Poolrat]

Well, I certainly have time right now to do that.... I am stuck in the airport in Ontario, CA with a 2 hour delay because my flight is delayed coming from Phoenix. And it's going to Vegas before Portland. Winter weather sux, and i want to move to Antigua today.

Anyway, lots of DISing time- as a consolation prize.

Geez. Taking the direct route aren't you. At first I just read Ontario and thought- San Diego to Ontario Canada to Vegas to Portland????? But now it is Ontario Ca- a bit better but it still sux.

Get comfy and maybe we can entertain you.

 

[All7OfUs]

Geez. Taking the direct route aren't you. At first I just read Ontario and thought- San Diego to Ontario Canada to Vegas to Portland????? But now it is Ontario Ca- a bit better but it still sux.

Get comfy and maybe we can entertain you.

Nope, I'm in the heart of the "Inland Empire", Ontario, Californee. En route to Lost Wages, then onto Portland. I think now, I won't be arriving until midnight- and still have to take a shuttle to long term parking- it's going to be a long stinking night. No, I mean really, I forgot my deodorant, as well as my toothbrush. Luckily I have some gum, but sadly no Secret.

 

[Poolrat]

Nope, I'm in the heart of the "Inland Empire", Ontario, Californee. En route to Lost Wages, then onto Portland. I think now, I won't be arriving until midnight- and still have to take a shuttle to long term parking- it's going to be a long stinking night. No, I mean really, I forgot my deodorant, as well as my toothbrush. Luckily I have some gum, but sadly no Secret.

Don't you hate that your mind still goes through your checklist of what not to forget long after you are too far away to do anything about it.


At least I can give you the gift of the Electrical water parade and Wishes.
Check your pm.

 

[All7OfUs]

Don't you hate that your mind still goes through your checklist of what not to forget long after you are too far away to do anything about it.


At least I can give you the gift of the Electrical water parade and Wishes.
Check your pm.

Had nothing to do with a list- more to do with the empty seat next to me. J/K but I really did forget it.

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Ty !!!It was great meeting you and Kent !! That food was awesome !!! Have to tell ya that rock is a Blankistan snack food , but personally I too call it a rock , sure beats what Glenn and I thought it was !!

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi Ty !!!It was great meeting you and Kent !! That food was awesome !!! Have to tell ya that rock is a Blankistan snack food , but personally I too call it a rock , sure beats what Glenn and I thought it was !!

Never can have too much petrified camel poo!

 

[jenbear123]

HAPPY NEW YEAR LIESA!!!!​

 

[All7OfUs]

HAPPY NEW YEAR LIESA!!!!​

Too you too, Jen and Bubba!!!! Celebrate well!

 

[mom3sonstt]

Looks like you made it home safe and sound - just in time to ring in the new year with your family.

Here's hoping 2011 has more happiness and less sadness than the preceding year! And that all of the drama is the good kind!

 

[All7OfUs]

Looks like you made it home safe and sound - just in time to ring in the new year with your family.

Here's hoping 2011 has more happiness and less sadness than the preceding year! And that all of the drama is the good kind!

I finally rolled in the driveway at 1:30 AM- 2 1/2 hours later than scheduled. Apparently, my first plane needed a tire change.

And yes! I do hope this year is filled with pleasant things, and my life takes a turn for the more stable! Hope you have a GREAT New Year and a WONDERFUL 2011 in general too!!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Here's wishing you a happy new year, Liesa! May it be filled with happiness as you settle into your new home and new routines.

 

[All7OfUs]

There are few things I lose sleep over in this world. Some are important, like trying to remember the name of “that group” who had that one hit in 1985 (can I tell you that happened WAY too often at POP!), and won’t get out of my mind at 2:30 AM; and some are not, like when I wonder if I put the load of laundry from 2 days ago into the dryer. As you can guess I did not get any sleep the night before I left, because I was stewing over important things like whether the hurricane that was brewing over the Atlantic and slugging its way up the coast was going to delay my flight, and whether I was going to get a Mear’s bus or some slick ME Mickey wheels or not. I also felt bored and anxious enough to have the urge to re-do my toes. As “cute” as they were, I was feeling the need to bring on the sassy, and ended up with this:

I also took some time to put my pen to Mickey heads- it was time to get those Wishes into a tangible form for a special project I had planned for our Belle Battalion. For those of you who are not familiar with what I’m talking about, here is a link for that Pre-Trip Report where all of our hopes and dreams for this trip are cached:

HERE

I had had several of my DISFriends who took part in the infamous “Mickey Head Liberation Campaign of 2010” send me a bit of their stash for me to do this with:

Each of us was supposed to come with our Wishes written out. And, my oh my, what a fun project this really ended up being!!! I can’t wait to tell you about it, and show our progress along the way!

I did more than the usual tossing and turning, and finally threw up the white flag and got up to repack my carry on.



Again.



For the 37th time.

Toothbrush: check. Gels and liquids in a bag: check. ID, tickets, Super Secret Disney account bank card: check. Mickey and Minnie books in an accessible place? Yep. Pen for my Sudoku? Uh-huh. POC? Got that too. Tate? You don’t really think he’d let me skip out on him/her, do you?

I took an extra long shower, and that felt good after having slept very little (and yacking and worrying with Brook) the night before. I was wishing I could have hugged TK after I hopped out and put on my super cool, really, really nifty tie-dye Mickey T that she made us! It was only obvious that that was the perfect get up for arriving at POP in!

Since I had plenty of time to play out this trip in my mind (ad nauseum) over the last 2 years, I had micro-managed even down to the breakfast I’d make for my travel. How does this sound: Ham quiche with gruyere and cheddar cheeses, spiked with spinach and green onion? I thought so. Don’t mess with the “I’m going to Disney World breakfast”. Well, what I didn’t plan on was being up too early for even the bed bugs to have gotten full, so I went ahead and ate it pre-travel, in the quiet, dark kitchen all decked out in my bright, colorful, tie-dye, ready to take on the World.

I was on top of my game and ready to go. Except I remembered I needed to brush my teeth again. So I did. I’ll bet you think that’s an unnecessary little tidbit of information, don’t you, Dear Reader?

Finally, it was time to be out the door and on our way to Dulles. I was a bit deflated when no one complimented my exquisite feet, but managed to trudge through security just the same. I had oodles of time, and was completely thrilled when I spied a Dunkin’ Doughnuts at which I quickly ordered a latte on Tim. THANKS again, Tim, it was delicious and the perfect start to my Week O’ Freedom! Now, not only did I look ravishing, but I felt ready to face the day properly tanked up on coffee bean chemicals. See? I even took a picture to make sure I documented making myself look insane to the airport workers at 8:00 AM.

I also snagged a picture of a paper at the airport, to make sure I’d always have the headlines on this highly thrilling day of setting my sails towards my week of unbridled fun-o-rama. There he is: Earl, the Potential Trouble Maker.

My flight was on time- good thing too, or I might have exercised my newly acquired American cultural mandate and sued them- and as we cruised along at 35,000 feet, I gazed out at the clouds that were the telltale swirls of Hurricane Earl threatening to bring ruin and destruction to my vacation. Back off, you Bad Boy!

Other than that, the flight was the usual boring affair with some guy droning on and on about something that wasn’t Disney-related, and me consuming just enough liquid to make myself perfectly miserable just about the time the seatbelt light flashed on.

After I landed, I quickly took care of business while chanting my post-landing mantra, B and Down, B and Down, B and Down. I know it might have meant having to wait for the next bus into town, but hey, what good is a sooner bus ride, if you’re wet?? And I don’t mean from the Florida rain, folks. And for the record, needing to turn left is a good reason to miss the first ME bus you could have ridden; going down to hallway A is decidedly NOT!

In case you also suffer from MFPP (mid-flight pee panic) just look for the signs- they are pretty clear, as are the signs to ME. Finding the Mickey bus station was super easy, superfast, and super exciting. It was the first time I was going to get to ride a bus that didn’t have 100’s of people standing in the aisle with their armpits in my face and wasn’t going to stop for herds of goats and cows crossing the road every couple of miles. However, I did get a lineup, but was loaded on pretty quick- but not quick enough for me to get a front seat- DOH! Really, this was such a momentous occasion, and I contemplated kissing the bus driver on my way in. But I didn’t, thinking he’d be so flustered he’d take me to All Stars Sports instead of POP. No offense to those who love their ASSp, but that just wasn’t today’s destination!

So did I get a REAL Mickey bus? I realized about 5 minutes into the trip that it really didn’t matter. What was going on INSIDE the bus was what really mattered. Close your eyes, and listen to this older brother telling his younger brother and sister about how much fun they were going to have, about the rides, “here’s this” and “here’s that”! They were nearly bursting with excitement, as was I!

I also got to enjoy a video in between their squeals of delight; if I weren’t 43, I’d have been squealing too, at least on the outside.

Today was all about gettin’ hip hop and groovy; about taking a stroll down memory lane in far more ways that you can ever imagine; for celebrating the joys of all I’d planned for so long. It was a complete reality that I was all alone, with only the company of me…. IN DISNEY WORLD!!! The day was wide open for anything I wanted to do with no one to say, “I’m tired”, “I’m hungry”, or “I have to go to the bathroom again”. That would have been great, except, you all know me really well by now, and I had to do those as much as any typical 3 year old who might have trailed along with me. Except I don’t scream in my stroller when I’m tired, I don’t eat nuggets when I’m hungry, and I can wipe myself.

The only thing I had hard wired into my day was a date with myself at the Derby. Before that I had a lot of adventures which might include another famous episode of The Battle of the Undercooked Shrimp!!!!


Tune in next time for: Bring on the POP!

 

[Poolrat]

Can I tell you a sercret? I start out almost every trip feeling that way.
With a few exceptions of course.

I have a travel toothbrush that is not my regular toothbrush so when I have brush my teeth just one more time at home, I don't forget my toothbrush.

I have yet to eat quiche before a trip either but a few similarities too.

MFPP- usually a result of the coffee or the cranberry juice I consume preflight or in flight... or both. If they are serving a free beverage I am getting one, because if I don't I feel like I am not getting my money's worth.


The ME bus ride - I try to hold the squeal in but sometimes it gets out.

I love POP mostly for the music on the bus. I know that sounds odd but I had more fun standing on a crowded bus after evening EMH going back to POP than I had seated going to any other resort. I was playing name that tune the whole time. sometimes I was singing, and sometimes I was even dancing.

 

[onelilspark]

Yay! On your way to Disney!!

Sorry I've been lurking lately, I've had a lot on my plate, but I've been around! Promise!

Happy New Year

 

[glennbo123]

Another great installment describing the anticipation that was bursting from within you like so many Dunkin' Doughnuts lattes.

I also felt bored and anxious enough to have the urge to re-do my toes. As “cute” as they were, I was feeling the need to bring on the sassy

I read this and thought, "Oh no. The poor guys in line at Security won't stand a chance." Glad to hear it worked out without an incident where you had to beat somebody with your purse ala Ruth Buzzi and Arte Johnson on "Laugh In".

Each of us was supposed to come with our Wishes written out. And, my oh my, what a fun project this really ended up being!!! I can’t wait to tell you about it, and show our progress along the way!

I'm interested to hear how this worked out.

I have a travel toothbrush that is not my regular toothbrush so when I have brush my teeth just one more time at home, I don't forget my toothbrush.
[/SIZE]

Me too.