The Battle For My Wallet VI: The Trip Report That Isn’t a Trip Report (P.24, 11/24)

[TarzansKat]

Alright, I'm sure others will wax sentimental and talk all about the beauty of the resort, and the photos, and all that jazz.

I just want to say...

HOT HOLY CARP, ZZUB!!!! That's what a number four looks like??? That's some powerful s----stuff!

 

[AshClan]

It is safe to say that Joe is the most famous plumber in America.

Unfortunately for him. Evidently.

IMHO, you can't complain about a perceived future tax increase until you pay the ones you already owe....

Nor can you start a plumbing business without a plumbing license.

Thanks for the pictures, Z. It strikes me how many of those balcony shots are very reminiscent of cruise ship photos.......

I was admiring how you managed to get that mirror shot without actually getting yourself in the pic. Did I miss something? (Not that I looked that hard.)

DED on the Number 4.

Praisehisname, the Z man is mixin' it up, so no one's thinking to come by here. Guess you just lucked out

 

[nicolemarie]

That I would be sitting down here on a Friday morning, drinking coffee out of my new Disney Photopass coffee mug, (with a picture of the NMs gettin' their scream on in a Test Track car - good times), and wishing I had a new ZZUB installment to check out?

Since I clearly missed the one on Monday.

Oops.

Thought it was this COMING Monday.

Loved this pictoral installment, as well as the description of y'all checking into the CR. What an awesome feeling that had to have been!

Unfortunately, the room designers didn't seem to grasp the way refrigerators work. The fridge being trapped in a cabinet can't get enough air and it ends up getting really hot. ZZUB Tip: when you leave the room and when you go to bed, open the cabinet doors in front of the refrigerator. That way the fridge gets air and stays cold.

DANGIT!!! If only I had known this before all the fruit from our Mickey Mouse fruit arrangement had spoiled!!!

Freaky borg. This is the same stupid setup they have at the Poly, as well. And after we called maintenance - twice - about our faulty fridge, the second man told us that the thing would never cool well because of the placement in the cabinet. We had fridged room temperature water the rest of the week.

It sucked.

I shot this one morning after I had my quiet time. Man I loved watching the World wake up.

More freaky borgness. That was my favorite thing about the CR when we stayed there. I'm a Disney transportation geek, (as well as a weather geek, a music geek, and a "general" Disney geek) and I LOVE watching the busses, the monorail and the boats come and go. The balcony of the CR provides entertainment 24/7.

I had a lot of fun finding new angles to take pictures of the Monorail. Being underneath it or above it was a big deal to me.

Now you're freaky borg with the little NMs. They LOVED running under the monorail track and standing there when a monorail was coming overhead. Freaked me and their dad out a little bit - we're not so much into that. But they thought it was coolest ever.

Lots of cool shots, there, ZZUB. And one thing is clear as a bell in all of them - y'all LOVED you some CR. I'm really glad for you. Glad it was all you wanted it to be and all you expected. Because when you have expectations THAT high, there's a good chance they can't be met. But when God blesses, sometimes He really pours it on. I'm thankful that was the case for y'all.

Great installments - both of them. I don't know when you're next installment will be either, but I'm voting for next Friday morning. This worked pretty good for me.

Take care, friend.

NM

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Hi NM!

Great pictorial Z!

Even though I haven't stayed at the CR since the new sinks, I kinda like them. I wonder why Quennifer needs them to be deep?? And not rectangle.

Borg on the fridge issue. We placed a call to maintenance at the Poly recently because the Happy Cokes were not being kept happy. I wonder if the CM's tally the hot fridge calls/complaints for giggles?

I miss the picture of the snack drawer.

Oh well.

Keep it coming!

 

[jillyb]

I started reading Battle VI and had to go back and read Battles IV and V (missed Battles I-III ) I've really enjoyed reading about you and your family. Thanks for sharing part of your world and I can't wait to read about the latest adventures of the ZZUBs.

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Lovely pics Z.

I will have to keep that coffee place in mind. Since there are so few decent coffee stops in the world. But I doubt it would be necessary if we stayed there since the Husband does not travel (especially for the length of a Disney vacation) without his own coffee pot. Flavia. To be exact. Not that anyone cares.

 

[Mrs. The King]

Chapter Four: Friday is the New Monday

That is the most evil thing ever typed.

It is safe to say that Joe is the most famous plumber in America.

I beg to differ. My Personal Plumer is world renown for his ingenuity, strong stomach, and fantastic crouch to run reflex. And he has an actual license to plumb.

ZZUB Tip: when you leave the room and when you go to bed, open the cabinet doors in front of the refrigerator. That way the fridge gets air and stays cold.

That sounds like a Zzub set up to force Mrs. The King to slam her shin into a pretend fridge door on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Here's a picture of the castle after it ate dinner at Teppanyaki. For those of you who have wondered, that's what a number four looks like.

Unlicensed DED to your Sir.

It never dawned on me before that you can see The Lodge from the Contemporary. But you can. You can also see EPCOT.

Am I in an episode of Romper Room here

I shot this one morning after I had my quiet time. Man I loved watching the World wake up.

Love the soft orange light. I bet it smelled like heaven out there.

I actually shot a ton of pictures of the Resort. Most of them were fairly typical pictures. But then I tried to find shots I hadn't seen anywhere.

Wow. You captured "I am having an epileptic seizure outside the Contemporary" very nicely. (NOepileptics, including my dog)

And finally, the shot from the end of the marina:

That is gorgeous. I have not seen that shot before.

I purposefully didn't do everything I wanted to do because by leaving stuff undone, I knew we'd be back.

Now, that is what I will tell Mr. The King when he gets home today and the house is still a wreck.

 

[ZZUB]

HOT HOLY CARP, ZZUB!!!! That's what a number four looks like??? That's some powerful s----stuff!

Why do you think they had to close the Outpost bathroom and "rehab" it for 14 months?

IMHO, you can't complain about a perceived future tax increase until you pay the ones you already owe....

Ashclan, I think you and some of your friends have missed the point. It's not about Joe the plumber. It was his question which was interesting. More significantly, it was Obama's answer which was revealing. For a campaign which tells us nightly that they don't want to get distracted with character smears but focus instead on the issues, it was informative that instead of confronting the issue raised by Mr. The Plumber's question, they instead decided to smear him.

It's just the most recent example of Mr. Obama's listen to what I say and ignore what I do (or have done) attitude.

Freaky borg. This is the same stupid setup they have at the Poly, as well. And after we called maintenance - twice - about our faulty fridge, the second man told us that the thing would never cool well because of the placement in the cabinet. We had fridged room temperature water the rest of the week.

Did the maintenance guy not tell you to open the door? Maybe he wasn't a "licensed" maintenance guy. You should have googled him. Find out whether he "really" was a maintenance guy. Because making fun of him would have solved your problem.

And one thing is clear as a bell in all of them - y'all LOVED you some CR. I'm really glad for you. Glad it was all you wanted it to be and all you expected. Because when you have expectations THAT high, there's a good chance they can't be met. But when God blesses, sometimes He really pours it on. I'm thankful that was the case for y'all.

You're right on, NM. We did love us some Contemporary. It was scary how high my expectations were. But God really blessed us.

I started reading Battle VI and had to go back and read Battles IV and V (missed Battles I-III ) I've really enjoyed reading about you and your family. Thanks for sharing part of your world and I can't wait to read about the latest adventures of the ZZUBs.

Welcome aboard. I used to have links to all the previous Battles in my signature. But when I put the Monorail picture in, it wouldn't let me keep all the links. If you run a search of my username, you should be able to find the first three Battles. If you can't locate them, let me know by posting back on here and I will locate them for you.

UKWILDCAT:Congratulations on the forthcoming li'l one!


And where is Sneezie?!

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

Still, I like some of these angles.

I purposefully didn't do everything I wanted to do because by leaving stuff undone, I knew we'd be back.

Well, ZZUB... I'm thrilled that you liked some of those angles.

However.

And, here's a little window into MY MIND... I DID NOT LIKE THE ANGLES!!!

At all.

Firstly, the inital picture there made me sit very still, take a deep breath and roll my deskchair backwards. And over my toe. And I thought I felt: Woozi.

(I felt I was too close to the monitor. Also to the building in the photo.)

The second picture made me inadvertantly reach to my right... quickly... and grab hold of the shelf beside me. I began to feel: Giddi.

(I felt that I was about to fall off of my chair. Also off the balcony in the photo.)

Then the third picture made me close my eyes and then open them and then close them again. I tried to focus on the horizon outside my window while I tried to figure out if I was looking up at the sky or down into water. I experienced increased salivation. I was feeling: Anxieti.

( I felt that because I couldn't figure out just exactly WHAT I was looking at...maybe I was actually on an angle myself. Instead of the picture. Was the picture on an angle?! Or was I?!)

Moving on to the fourth picture I got completely off my chair and lay down on the floor spread eagle. I called weakly for flat Coke and some Saltines. The cat came over. Sniffed my hand and walked away. I crawled to the cupboard and tried to carb up in a effort to settle my stomach. I ate three dry pasta bowties straight from the bag. I was feeling: Cranki.

(I felt that, in that picture, I was looking up. Or down.)

Fifth picture. *Whew*. I rolled my chair in as tight as I could against the desk. And wrapped my arms around the montitor. I whispered, "Don't let go.". Softly. Since it was a whisper. After all. And I thought about letting go only to go in search of some ginger to calm my stomach. And then I thought about "ginger" again. Harder. And felt sicker. Also I was feeling: Angri.

(I felt that I was looking down at a monorail or straight ahead at some sort of helmet. Not unlike I wished I was wearing for protection. At that moment.)

Finally...with the last picture...I slipped forwards and bumped my nose on the screen as I braced myself with both hands against the wall behind the monitor. I threw up a little in my mouth. And started to sweat. And pant. Like I had just run a marathon. Or else down the street about 50 metres. Perhaps... I was having a stroke. Or not. I felt: Silli.

( I was sure I was gonna fall down and hurt those cute little bushes in the planters.)


Ok.


What I'm trying to say with all of that is this: I really liked the remainder of the pictures. They were pretty nice. Thanks.

Cheers, Mel.

 

[Goofyluver]

It is safe to say that Joe is the most famous plumber in America.

Pffffft. Super Mario Bros. anyone??

This is how you get two chapters in the same week. It's the same chapter. Only with pictures. And a gerund thrown in for good measure.

Double dipping is germy and unsanitary.

Looking into our room from the hall. You'll notice ZZUBY's croc was cast aside like Barack Obama's pledge to cut taxes for 95% of Americans will be about 5 minutes after he takes office. (C.F. Clinton, Bill, circa 1993).

"Read my lips"...anyone??? Anyone???

Left alone, in the middle of the floor. Lonely like a cloud. Like Guy Ritchie now that Madonna is gone.

Only Guy's gonna come out with some somethin' somethin' in the end...that I'm sure of.

Now..as for your croc...

Here's a picture of the castle after it ate dinner at Teppanyaki. For those of you who have wondered, that's what a number four looks like.

Honey...come to New Mexico...where it's only good if it burns going in and coming out.

There's a little window into my head for you. I purposefully didn't do everything I wanted to do because by leaving stuff undone, I knew we'd be back.

Word.

 

[EPRV We love Disney]

There's a little window into my head for you. I purposefully didn't do everything I wanted to do because by leaving stuff undone, I knew we'd be back.

___

ZZUB and family, I feel like I know you. I've followed along through all of your "Battles". Laughed and even sniffled a bit. Loved all of them. Enjoyed the repartee with you and your Disboard counterparts (you know who they are!).

Now, the above quote is perfect. Just perfect. I'm trying to keep this image in my head now all the time. It's just as good in "real life" as it is at Disney.

Lovely.

 

[Frickles]

Do you have any freaking idea how much more expensive that place is compared with the Moderate-Deluxe Wilderness Lodge?!

I finally pulled the trigger so after booking my trip this week, I sure do! Quick question. I booked the standard room Atrium Club Level. Is this what you booked? Tell me how you secured the MK view instead of the lake view if this is what you were booked in. I need some mad skillz in this department. (Hi Sher!) Knowing my luck, I will be at the non MK side on the lake side, which will not totally suck because of the great view of the other stuff Disney has to offer, but it will not be the same as the MK view.

Snack area and closets with ZZUBY's backpack. I actually liked the snack area in the Lodge better. It was a better set up with bigger snack drawers. We ended up piling a bunch of our snacks on top of the deal.

I knew five times over that you were going to bring up the snack drawer at some point in time. I'm worried about myself.

The fridge is under the counter in a cabinet. Unfortunately, the room designers didn't seem to grasp the way refrigerators work. The fridge being trapped in a cabinet can't get enough air and it ends up getting really hot. ZZUB Tip: when you leave the room and when you go to bed, open the cabinet doors in front of the refrigerator. That way the fridge gets air and stays cold.

So borg with the sucky Poly fridge NM and Yak.... If only he had shared this lil tidbit (Hi Chappie!) a tiny bit earlier.

Here's another shot of the sinks. You can see the towel ladder in the reflection. If you look closely, you can see me, too.

You had to have turned sideways and sucked in.

Thanks for sharing your angley pictures!

 

[jillyb]

Ashclan, I think you and some of your friends have missed the point. It's not about Joe the plumber. It was his question which was interesting. More significantly, it was Obama's answer which was revealing. For a campaign which tells us nightly that they don't want to get distracted with character smears but focus instead on the issues, it was informative that instead of confronting the issue raised by Mr. The Plumber's question, they instead decided to smear him.

It's just the most recent example of Mr. Obama's listen to what I say and ignore what I do (or have done) attitude.

OK...with regards to this statement I just have to say:

CAN I GET A WITNESS AND AMEN BROTHER!!!!

 

[AshClan]

Oh, for heaven's sake. RELAX all you crazy Republicans. I was making a lil' joke. Thought that's what we did here.....

Oh, no, sorry Ms. Moderators. What we REALLY do here is talk about our trips to Disney World. Because, yes, this is the TRIP REPORT board. I'll lay off the other stuff if you will

 

[ZZUB]

Quick question. I booked the standard room Atrium Club Level. Is this what you booked?

We didn't book Atrium Club. We booked Tower MK View. We didn't want/need concierge level. If your trip is in 2009, you can book MK view for Atrium Club level. Of course, it's extra.

But you don't have to stay Atrium Club to have an MK view.

Last edited by AshClan : Today at 12:25 PM. Reason: You want a debate on which party spends more time smearing people? I'll be there with bells on. But not here!

There's no debate. It's the Standing in the Back Dressed Stupidly and Looking Stupid Party! THEY are the masters of the smear! They make Republicans and Democrats look like pishas.

But why would you be wearing bells? Is it that whenever a bell rings another "working family" receives a tax cut/tax credit/rebate check/my money given to them?

 

[angelmav]

Another fun look into your trip Zzub, you even got Mel to come out of hiding, I wonder if the orderlies know that she has been sneaking onto the computer???

Your only in that bathroom photo like the ghost that supposedly can be seen in 3 men and a baby! The rumour is rampant, but darned if I can make it out!

I look forward to co-opting an increased percentage of your TR's, as mr O' would say, ya gotta spread the wealth!

 

[nextidiot]

Here's another shot of the sinks. You can see the towel ladder in the reflection. If you look closely, you can see me, too.

Dude.... you're invisible. That's paranormal. Great pic!

 

[crabbygal902]

Are you a vampire?? I'm figuring that you are or you have mad skillz in the photoshop department. Seriously man, how did you manage that sink/mirror pic?

Thanks for all of the up-close-and-personal room shots. You'll be happy to know that you helped convince this Wilderness Lodge family to give the Contemporary a shot on our 2009 trip. I just received the e-mail quote today and when my wallet stops screaming, I'll pull out the dusty credit card and plunk down the deposit. Magic Kingdom view, indeed. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

...although CrabbyHusband will be a little disappointed in the lack of snack storage. Where is he going to keep the massive amount of Twizzlers and Pringles that must accompany us on all vacations? I appreciate the heads up.

Maybe I'm showin' my stupid here, but I thought that your signature pic was from the top of a Buzz Lightyear display in Hollywood Studios---didn't realize that it was a monorail shot. Nice. Very artsy.

Another fabulous installment.

 

[ukwildcat]

Glad you enjoyed the Contemporary. As for me, it's not my cup of tea. I've stayed there twice, and while the location is great, I found staying in the atrium to be ridiculously loud, no matter which side or end we stayed.

On another note, where's Melinda been? I haven't seen her around for a while. Maybe you should send out another APB.

And thanks for the congrats. Do we get the better end of the deal with this baby stuff or what? I feel terrible for my wife, but she's a trooper, much stronger than I'll ever be.

Now get on with the next chapter so I can waste another chunk of my day.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Looking into our room from the hall. You'll notice ZZUBY's croc was cast aside like Barack Obama's pledge to cut taxes for 95% of Americans will be about 5 minutes after he takes office. (C.F. Clinton, Bill, circa 1993). Left alone, in the middle of the floor. Lonely like a cloud. Like Guy Ritchie now that Madonna is gone.

Like Britney's self-respect.

Here's a picture of the castle after it ate dinner at Teppanyaki. For those of you who have wondered, that's what a number four looks like.

DUDE.
DED.
DUDE.

There's a little window into my head for you.

AHHHHHH!!!! SHUT THE BLINDS! SHUT THE BLINDS!

Kidding.



Thanks for the great pics of the Contemporary, Z. And all the non-pics of you.