The Battle For My Wallet III: The Smell of Free Dining (Addendum, pg 34)

[LegoMom3]

Bummer!! We will miss you by just a couple of weeks - we go down 9/20 for a week at POR (although AB section - we need that trundle!). But since I'm the early morning coffee-walk person in our family, I'll be thinking of you as I cross that bridge to fill my lifetime-membership mug! ("as is my right!")

Oh, and we rented Napoleon Dynamite so many times after reading your report that I finally broke down and bought a copy!!! My DH also has a hat that proudly displays "Vote for Pedro." I figure for one day at WDW he's gonna wear that and I just might wear my hair in a side-ways pony tail!!!

Hope your trip is as magical as ever. Can't wait for the next Zzub TR!

p.s. Jeremiah 29:11 is hanging on the wall right by my computer....My favorite!

 

[musicmama]

Dear Zzub -- I've read your trip report at least twice now. And these words sum it all up for me ...

"Disney’s mind games or not; we had a great vacation. I’m constantly caught in a tug of war between where I want to be and where I need to be. Work demands my attention; my family deserves it. But in order to have the time with my family and to have the things we need, I have to work hard. I don’t mind hard work. I come from a long line of hard working men. It’s what we do. But oh how I love to see my wife smile and listen to my daughter giggle. It’s what keeps me going through a long day of paper and phone calls, judges and opposing counsel. And clients. I work hard 12 hours a day 6 days a week so that I can come home at night and eat dinner with my family and play with my daughter. I work hard 49 weeks of the year so that I can take a few weeks vacation with the people I love."

I laughed at the fun you all had. I sobbed at your loss. I was amazed at the faith you are not afraid to show. But by the time I got to the end (the 2nd time), I just had to copy these words and tell you how much they impressed me. Men like you are a rare gift in today's crazy world. Your family is blessed to have you. And the final effect of these words was to make me look twice at my DH. I might laugh a lot at him and I might get frustrated by him frequently but I realized these words describe him too. Thank you for helping me see that.

I sincerely hope your next trip works out well. You all deserve it.

 

[mattnday]

Thanks ZZub

you da best

 

[EEyorelover22]

Zzub,

Thanks to you, I became obsessed with trying Tonga Toast on our recent vacation. At the time I thought it would be our last trip for a very long time because our children are both getting older and with their high school schedules coming up, I thought the trip we just returned from would be our last till after college which would be in 9 years (hopefully). So, it was "now or never". We are now planning a trip in December though to see Mickey's House in full decor, but it's much shorter so I'm glad we did the TT this trip. It's our last opportunity to visit during that time due to their practice schedules for sports.

DD and I were so tired the morning we were going to Kona for TT. We took a cab rather than the bus since we were meeting friends there at 9:00. She was able to sleep nearly an hour later that morning. I let her sleep. I had never been to the Poly before either so that was a new experience for us. Our friends are CMs at WDW so they were taking us to the CM store that morning so we couldn't miss that adventure.

I became even more obsessed with trying TT after I read that it was the same as the French Toast on the Sunrise Safari at AK for the breakfast afterwards at the Tusker House.

Well, it was delicious However, I didn't eat the banana. I don't like mushy food so I just removed it. I'm glad I read your trip report so I tried something new this trip. It was expensive food due to the cab

We had a wonderful trip and I am watching the days slowly drift away as my children grow. In only 4 short years, my son will be off to school and in 5 my daughter will be off making noise bothering someone else. I was very sad the last time I watched Philharmagic which is my son's favorite due to Donald. I pulled myself out of the forming tears when I realized I would some day return with my grand children. I even mentioned this to DS15 on the plane home and told him I couldn't wait to take his children there and then he could take the Crabby Donalds home and I wouldn't have to deal with them afterwards. He laughed. A friend referred to it as "The Cirle of Life."

While we were gone, my husband received a note from a friend who he has met through the coaching circles for shot put and discus throwing. Part of his note said, "Enjoy the moments with your family while they are still young. Find a way to make your wife a big part of the experience. Redeem the time...it is like a vapor that is here for a moment and then vanishes away."

Savor every moment Soon you'll have your own Indy Speedway with your own car as I do.

 

[UtahMama]

Formerly we are the LURKER family! We abso-smurfly LOVElovelove your TR!
We read and re-read this novel good enough for the New York Times best seller list! We are vacationing Sept. 5th - 14th at the POR so if you are there at the same time and happen to see a slightly overweight mama and a man that errily resembles Goofy with 4 (gosh,yes,FOUR ) kids in tow.....RUN,run away! Actually, we're the gracious,non-cell-phone,shirt off our backs type of family you may just like. Our cats will be very well taken care of so you needn't ask.

We owe you a huge debt of gratiitude for saving us from the sub-par Akerhaus princess meal we had planned on wasting our time at. You didnt sway us from the 50's Prime Time Diner because I'm just curious enough to risk it. This may be an I-told-you-so experience (I'll consider us warned).

My darling Goofy Husband (DGH) got me HOOKED on your Trip Report and I am so glad he did. You should hear how I made fun of him for reading someone else's experience....eating crow I am.

I had to laugh at all the Seinfeld/ NapoleanDynamite!!! Way to go! I love that I GOT it.

Oh, we've also had a baby go back to God before being born, so we can also feel a little of your pain. Your experiece stirred ours back to the suface and we had a good cry!

Thank you dearly for your wonderful writing and humorous style! Nice to have a daddy's view!

Now we're going to read all your other works of art! Thanks again!

 

[Madi100]

What a wonderful trip report. What captured me is how much you enjoy Disney and how much you love your family. Not only did you tell a wonderful story, but you showed a wonderful example. I hope you saved all of your report including your epilogue. It is very moving. I am sorry for you loss.

Off Topic, but just wanted to say that I love your Bible verser referenced in your signature. I was in the hospital pregnant with our second daughter having surgery. DH, of course, has no fears and all is wonderful. Come to find out later at church when it was his time to read that morning, that he was terrified. He shared that while at the hospital with me he needed some fresh air, so he left the room to be met with a picture on the wall right outside my door. It had Jeremiah 29:11 on it. While it's been a few months, I'm sorry for your loss, but hang onto that verse. It's a very comforting one.

I look forward to reading your next trip report.

 

[Tanya90210]

Just saw your trip report yesterday... I am a newbie to reading the trip reports... and I must say I loved every minute of your report. I was sad to see the news in your epilogue, I too have suffered a similar sitiation and it is alot to take in.. my heart goes out to you and your wife. I am glad to see you are hading back to WDW... too bad not while i'll be there. I hope you and your family have a great time when you go and can't wait to read your next report. I will be searching back pages to find your first reports and check them out too...

 

[Dustmouse]

Zzub, I had to take a moment and thank you for inspiring me not to miss Puppies of Progress on our trip last month! I had to drag my 2 teenage DS's over there but they ended up liking it so much that we went back the next day with DH. He enjoyed it as well and we were all singing...."It's a great big beautiful tomorrow..." for the rest of the day!

Thanks again!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Is ZZUB really gone forever? I keep checking for a new post.

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

Just thought I'd stop over here to say "Hi".

Once again.

Also: I can't believe people are STILL reading this thing. Over 100,000 views you have. Now.

There's no accounting for taste.

It appears.

I gotta go. And do some work. I'm writing a song for you.

Mel happyhaunt

Your nemesis. And ally.

Two mopeds for you:

 

[deekaypee]

Zzub -

I'm new to the boards and just finished reading your TR in one sitting. It made me alternately smile, laugh, roll my eyes, and yes, cry. It takes a special gift to connect with people as you do.

I am sorry to hear of your family's loss, but am glad to know you and yours are strong in your faith. I can think of no one who more deserves the joy a trip to Disney brings.

 

[zacksmammie]

Although I've just read your report for the first time today- I have to take a moment to thank you for sharing so much with everyone. And although I really appreciate your insight and details of the DW trip - it's even more moving to think you took time to share your sorrow too! I'm so sorry for your sadness--but know that the thoughts and prayers of everyone truly help to lighten the load.
Glad to hear you will be returning to D/W - selfishly will be waiting for another report - thoughts and prayers with you and your family

 

[UtahMama]

bunmping because Zzub should never be on the trip reports board past page 1 or this TR wil DIE!!!!! We cant have that now can we...your welcome Zzub!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I have seen the references, and I have heard the legend. Now, finally, I have experienced the joy. After 39 pages, everything I was going to bellow forth has already been proclaimed by others. So I simply say: Well done, and God Bless.

 

[Dustmouse]

bunmping because Zzub should never be on the trip reports board past page 1 or this TR wil DIE!!!!! We cant have that now can we...your welcome Zzub!

I couldn't agree more!

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

I ALSO popped by here today to bump this trippie.



But...backwards.

To page 3 brazillion.

(Anyone know how to do that? Help Me(l) out.)


Role Tide, Mel.

 

[sheridac]

Holy Crap!!!

This is The trip report THAT WILL NEVER END.


Good Night!!

 

[KJMAX1]

Ah the SMELL. I dont get it, do these people not smell their own stank?? I remember being behind a man like this, and then....HE BACKED INTO ME....UGH. In Seattle you really dont get smelly people...Unless of course they dont believe in showering, which on the waterfront I have seen before....We leave in 19 days for free food too!! Trying out the POP Century. Never stayed at a value before, but thought coming such a long way we could stay for 10 days instead. Youre not missing a whole bunch from the WL. I totally think its overrated, but thats me coming from the Northwest. I have bigger trees, real ones, outside my house...Dont even get me started on the jacked up prices on their lame "food court" area...I know there are diehard WL people here, but it wasnt anything to write home about...Now compare the WL to the Westin Maui....NO CONTEST...Westin hands down..I think WL has the SAME beds as the CBR. Youd think if you are at a deluxe youd get a really nice "Heavenly" bed.

 

[erinch]

I missed this while it was unfolding. I wasn't reading the Boards, since we didn't go to any remotely Disney-related location this year, and I've got otherpeoplesvacationswhicharen'tmythisthisyearfraude.

But the minute we got back from our quite nice but not Disney trip to New Mexico, I started reading Trip Reports. Go figure.

My DH always refers to Le Cellier "as that place which used to be a cafeteria" which ought to bring it down a peg or two in its own estimation.

 

[angelmav]

To the Amazing MR Zzub, thank you for sharing your Joy, your Faith, your Ups and your Downs. These past few hours reading through this not only got me through a long night at work (take that Uncle sam), but I feel as if I have taken the journey with you. May you and yours share in Gods blessings for many years to come!

Now a Zzubs tip o the cap: Maelstrom has a fastpass?!