The Disney Grump is taking me on a DREAM vacation! TR Link, pg 30

[jeremysdisneymom]

I saw your post on Wigd's report and came over to join the fun! You trip sounds like it will be a lot of fun. I can't wait to read all about.

Congratulations to your son on his home run! I am sure you were very proud. Too funny that the coach told him to slow down!

I have visited the Georgia Aquarium and it is nice. There are some nice exhibits there that I have not seen at other aquariums. You should enjoy it. Go early as the crowds really pick up. I think I bought our tickets online with a timed entry. I have heard that in the summer you could be waiting for hours if you do not get the tickets in advance.

Can't wait to read more.

Erika

 

[SoonerGirl]

Yay Justin...that's awesome!!

Sounds like a good start to your vacation...way to compromise

Was it a compromise, or was I being devious trying to get my own way? Yeah, compromise sounds better

So glad to hear that your step brother & family are ok. My son works for a Japanese firm & they must be really worried about their families & friends. One family that is back there has a son that they named after my husband. I do so hope that they are alright.

I hear that the Varsity is great for burgers & the Braves stadium is pretty cool. Two of my sons have been there for games, they are Reds fans. Congrats to your son's home run. I had so much fun at my son's games when he was in school. The one that wasn't so much fun is when he ran into the out field fence trying to catch a ball. He was knocked out & had a cut to his face that needed stitched. He got a ride in an ambulance for that one & a concussion also. His first words were did I make the catch. Boys!

So far it sounds as though my step brother is better off than most. He has been posting quick updates occassionally on FB, it sounds like they are at home. They have electricity and water and the military base is close by so if they need to they can go there.

We have a Varsity here that has really good burgers too, wonder if it's part of a chain or just a coincidence.

Oh gosh, Justin plays left field so I worry about him running into a wall/fence too! Typical of a boy to be worried more about whether or not they made the play instead of their health!

Ooo, you're going to have a fun "getting there" part of your trip report! If you take lots of pics during the drive and of every little thing that you do, even that becomes fun!

Then maybe I can have 100 TR updates before we even get to Orlando just like you Seriously, your trip down was fun, I don't think I can make traveling on the interstate nearly as entertaining as you did!

for the homerun!

14 hours is just part of the way? Ouch - that is a drive, for sure!
I know the guys will enjoy that baseball game, though.

Yep, 14 hours is just part way there, it's more like 21 hours total See why I swore I'd never drive!

Justin, way to go! It's so neat when they hit that long home run when you know when it is going the minute it hits the bat.

We thought of driving too this trip, but with 150,000 mils on the car, it's just not doable. Mark has been to Turner Field and says it is really nice.

I vote for the Aquarium too.

Justin's home run was so exciting, I don't think I've cheered that loudly in a long time!

Yeah, I don't think we'd even think about driving if we weren't sure our car was up to it. I just bought a new car about 6 months ago and Don just got his new company car a few weeks ago, so whether we drive my car or his, we should be good!

Thats awsome about Justin. I so wish my boys still played baseball. On are move to DC we stoped in Atlanta for a couple days. We did the Georgia Aquarium and loved it. So far that has been the best one we have done.

I know once my boys are done with baseball I'm going to miss it so much! I worry about Justin quiting. He really, really loves basketball and told me the other day that he missed it already. I hope he continues to do both!

Do you remember how much time it took you to do the Aquarium? I'm worried about feeling rushed there.

 

[jenjolt]

I'm quite late to the party Michelle, but I'm here to read about all the great fun!!

First of all yay Justin on hitting the home run!! GOOD FOR HIM!!! What a great moment for you both!!!

Driving to Disney sounds like fun!! I love Atlanta and have been to the Coke Museum it's fantastic, but I have heard amazing things about the aquarium! I'm sure whichever you choose will be a great choice and liked by all!!!!

Can't wait for more!!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I saw your post on Wigd's report and came over to join the fun! You trip sounds like it will be a lot of fun. I can't wait to read all about.

Congratulations to your son on his home run! I am sure you were very proud. Too funny that the coach told him to slow down!

I have visited the Georgia Aquarium and it is nice. There are some nice exhibits there that I have not seen at other aquariums. You should enjoy it. Go early as the crowds really pick up. I think I bought our tickets online with a timed entry. I have heard that in the summer you could be waiting for hours if you do not get the tickets in advance.

Can't wait to read more.

Erika

Erika, thanks so much for joining in!

The coach telling Justin to slow down was so funny, he was totally confused at first!

Oooo, thanks for the tip about buying the tickets in advance. I was leaning towards just making up our mind about which we'd do when we got there, but it sounds like we need to decide before we go! Whichever we do, we will be going right at opening since we have the whole baseball thing later in the day

 

[SoonerGirl]

I'm quite late to the party Michelle, but I'm here to read about all the great fun!!

First of all yay Justin on hitting the home run!! GOOD FOR HIM!!! What a great moment for you both!!!

Driving to Disney sounds like fun!! I love Atlanta and have been to the Coke Museum it's fantastic, but I have heard amazing things about the aquarium! I'm sure whichever you choose will be a great choice and liked by all!!!!

Can't wait for more!!!!

Hi Jen! You aren't late at all, I've just barely started!

The home run was great fun, I don't know which one of us was more excited about it, probably me! The sad part is, his dad missed it, he was out of town on business, up in Wigd's part of the world!

I don't know how much fun driving will be, I'm not really a fan of road trips, we'll see how this one goes! I do like that we'll be able to see some things that we otherwise wouldn't if flying, plus we'll have a car to get around in, just hope we don't forget where we park it (Anita...... )

I'm glad to hear you liked World of Coke! I think that might be the feasible choice....

 

[micandminforever]

The Varsity in Atlanta is know for it's hot dogs They were even part of a travel channel special on hot dogs. The original is on North Avenue across from Ga. Tech. If you have time you need to go by for lunch it is an experience.

If your husband is a Braves fan, you need to go to Disney during March one year. You could visit the parks and he could go to spring training games at the sports complex. My DH and I went to a spring game this year during our visit to Disney and had a blast.

 

[cdotla]

Oh.my.gosh! NO WAY would I try to get them to leave in the 3rd inning! I was thinking more like after the 7th

Whoops! I think I got my hockey and baseball mixed up. What I meant to say is that I don't think you'll be pulling these guys out early whatever time you leave. I am betting they will want to stick around til the end. However, a trade of a whole game for an early morning start the next day seems like a fair trade to me, especially if you will be driving.

 

[lovegrumpy]

Do you remember how much time it took you to do the Aquarium? I'm worried about feeling rushed there.[/QUOTE]

I think we were there for about 4hrs. It was so awsome that we could have stayed much longer.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, you should know me better than that, Michelle! I always have a hard time making a decision! I think it depends on how much time you end up having in Atlanta. If you have a big chunk of time, do the aquarium, but if you don't, do the World of Coke. Also, even if you don't do the World of Coke, after you finish with the aquarium you can go into the big gift shop at WoC without paying admission.

 

[999ghostslover]

We did the aquarium all before lunch with two little ones that like to get into everything. World of Coke is probably a little shorter and still way fun. We aren't huge soda drinkers so I think it doesn't have a huge appeal. But if you like club cool you will love World of Coke. Or skip them both and go to Barneys and Neiman Marcus!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hey Michele~ I'm here!! Going back to read now and catch up!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

The Varsity in Atlanta is know for it's hot dogs They were even part of a travel channel special on hot dogs. The original is on North Avenue across from Ga. Tech. If you have time you need to go by for lunch it is an experience.

If your husband is a Braves fan, you need to go to Disney during March one year. You could visit the parks and he could go to spring training games at the sports complex. My DH and I went to a spring game this year during our visit to Disney and had a blast.

Thanks for the info on The Varsity, I added it to my list, hopefully we'll have time to fit it in!

We've talked about going out for spring training before but it's a hard time of year for Don to take off. It would be easier for us to go to Phoenix because that is part of his territory, he could work and play. Orlando holds much more appeal though for both of us!

Whoops! I think I got my hockey and baseball mixed up. What I meant to say is that I don't think you'll be pulling these guys out early whatever time you leave. I am betting they will want to stick around til the end. However, a trade of a whole game for an early morning start the next day seems like a fair trade to me, especially if you will be driving.

Well that's understandable given the part of the world you live in! Sad to say, but there aren't too many hockey fans around here. We have a minor league team (not even sure that is what they call them in hockey ) but I don't know anyone who goes to the games.

We'll just have to wait and see how the game is going, if it's close you're right, there is no way they will leave early! As long as they realize I'm getting them up before the sun comes up the next day and they promise not to complain about it, I'm okay with staying for the whole game

I think we were there for about 4hrs. It was so awsome that we could have stayed much longer.

Hmmmm, I'm afraid we'll just have about 2-3 hours to devote to whichever one we do....

Oh, you should know me better than that, Michelle! I always have a hard time making a decision! I think it depends on how much time you end up having in Atlanta. If you have a big chunk of time, do the aquarium, but if you don't, do the World of Coke. Also, even if you don't do the World of Coke, after you finish with the aquarium you can go into the big gift shop at WoC without paying admission.

Yes, to depend upon the queen of resort changes to make a decision for me probably wasn't the best idea I've had, huh?

I guess a lot is going to depend upon if we get to leave home on Sunday or not. I asked the boys their preference last night and they were both all over the World of Coke idea. They love Club Cool in Epcot and I think they really want to try and trick their dad with the Beverly

We did the aquarium all before lunch with two little ones that like to get into everything. World of Coke is probably a little shorter and still way fun. We aren't huge soda drinkers so I think it doesn't have a huge appeal. But if you like club cool you will love World of Coke. Or skip them both and go to Barneys and Neiman Marcus!

Ok, I'm all over your idea of going shopping instead! But since this portion of the trip is supposed to be about what the boys want to do, I probably shouldn't throw that idea out there

Hey Michele~ I'm here!! Going back to read now and catch up!!!

Hi Kristen, so happy you're here!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Before I move on with trip plans, let me fill you in on what's been going on around here this week.

Jared's baseball team had their first tournament last weekend, they took 2nd. Not a bad way to start the season! Jared pitched a game and did a really good job, normally he plays catcher, but he loves to pitch. Last year he really struggled on the mound, but he worked hard this off season and improved a lot. If I'm being honest though, I was really hoping that he wouldn't, I'm a nervous wreck when the boys pitch and I wanted this to be the season that he realized he wasn't destined to be pitcher....

In other news, the kids are on spring break this week and we had a beautiful day yesterday so we headed out to the zoo (along with just about every other person in the Oklahoma City metro area, it was packed! ). We are zoo members though, so we were able to use the members only entrance to bypass the long lines to get in, plus since we didn't pay to get in we didn't fell bad just spending a couple of hours and then getting the heck out of there as the crowd kept swelling! The main thing we went for was to check out the new elephant area that just opened, our elephants have been gone for 2 years while they completed the new enclosure. It's really nice, but there were so many people I wasn't able to take many pictures, here are a few

And the rest of what we saw (Warning for Rae, there's a buffalo in this next set of photos! )

Sleepy bear, he looks so cuddly doesn't he?

Doesn't this guy look sad, I felt bad for him.

Our baby chimp, sooo cute!

Can you believe all these catfish? The boys were feeding the geese and all these catfish just swarmed up to grab the food!

Those of you who read my last TR might remember being introduced to my niece, well she is really growing up - take a look:

I love this first picture with her little pouty face, she was not happy at all that her mama took away her binky so that we could get a picture

It didn't take long to get her smiling though, isn't she a cutie?!

We are also dog sitting for a friend of ours for a few days. The boys are loving having a puppy in the house since our dog is very old and doesn't do a whole lot of playing anymore.

Finally, we are working on the pond in the backyard that is our pool. Oh my does it look awful! The cell that produces the chlorine went out and now the pool is full of algae, so gross! So, it is in the process of draining right now, then we will be scrubbing it down with an acid wash. We'll refill it and then have the pool people come out next week to fix all the problems. It's times like this when I wonder if putting in a pool was such a good idea!

It's been a busy week!

Ok, trip update in the next post!

 

[SoonerGirl]

On the morning of June 1st I plan to have my family out of bed and on the road very early, I want to get to Disney ASAP!

We plan on stopping momentarily at the Florida Welcome Center for some fresh Florida OJ

Then a short time later we will be passing under these gates

I've never been able to grab a picture here, so I'm determined to get one this time! We'll make our way to

Hopefully our room will be ready, we'll drop our bags off and head directly to

First on the agenda will be a late lunch at

Can you say, yum?!!!!

I'll also have to do some shopping in my favorite stores

Jared wants to go to the Design Your Own Tee shop, so we'll probably do that too. And I've never gotten a margarita from the stand in DTD so I want to have one of those as well!

Finally and most importantly we will be meeting up with

Jackie, Charles, Chelsea and Connor, otherwise known as the Charleston Princess clan. I'll be honest, the real reason that I pushed to move our vacation back a day was so we would have an opportunity for this DISmeet. When Jackie announced her days and I realized that we would be passing each other on the interstate, us heading to Orlando and them heading home from Orlando, I thought about suggesting we try and meet up at a rest stop or something. Then it dawned on me that we were driving, and on our own timetable, therefore there was no reason why we couldn't just move everything back a day and arrive in Orlando earlier than we had originally planned. I was very surprised that The Grump was agreeable to this plan, mainly because it means Jared missing a day of the big Memorial Day baseball tournament that his team always plays in, but he didn't put up a fight at all. I was so excited I think I immediately jumped on the DIS to tell Jackie our trips would overlap, thankfully she was up for a meet as well! I think our kids will get along great, Connor and Jared share a birthday, although one year apart, and Justin and Chelsea are about the same age as well. Jackie has had her own struggles with a Disney resistor in Charles, but he has begun to come around, maybe he'll rub off on Don, that's my hope anyway!

We will probably stay in DTD until around 6:00 or so, then we'll head back to the resort to get cleaned up for dinner. The boys will be dining QS at Mara, while Don & I have a 7:30 ADR for

Where I will no doubt order this again

Sooooo yummy, I can't wait to introduce Don to this restaurant, I just know he is going to love it!

 

[jenjolt]

Loving your Day 1 plans!! DTD is such a great way to start off a trip! I always do some shopping ahead of time!!! GOTTA Love it!!!!!

YAY for a great DIS meet! I too hope to run into the CP gang!!! I'm sure the kids will get along fabulously!

YUUUMMMMYYY...Jiko is a favorite of mine!!! That filet looks so yummy!!!

 

[Happydog]

Awwww... I can hear your fun and excitement in your post! You are going to have a grand time!!! Jiko!! YAY!!!! AND CP and co.... YAY!!!! I am uber jealous of this meet. I hope to meet them in person SOME day.

You are going to have so much fun those days at DTD and the AKL. ENJOY!!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Congrats to Jared's team on taking second at the tournament!

Hope you are enjoying your spring break! Ours is still two weeks away and I am so ready for it! If nothing else, I just want to sleep past 5:00 during the week.

Yeay for our DIS meet! You know I am super excited that things have worked out for that!!! I have never had a margarita from DtD, either. Maybe we can do that one together!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Fun trip to the zoo!

And even more fun, a planned trip to WDW!! I think you're going to love that margarita! I'm glad you were able to work out a DIS meet!

Jiko will be a yummy dinner, I'm sure. I don't understand why they decided not to serve the filet with the mac & cheese anymore since it was so popular. But I think I heard that you can still request it.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

It looks like you had a fun trip to the zoo!

Day 1 in Orlando sounds like a great day! I have got to try Earl of Sandwich this trip. I have read great reviews on it. Wow, that dinner at JIKO looks great. I might need to add that ressie to our July trip.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on Jared's Baseball team taking 2nd - that's great!!

Love all the zoo pics - boo on everyone having the same idea. The animal pics look cute and make me want to go to our local zoo!

Your niece looks soo cute - love the pouty face and that she already knows how to get her own way

Your arrival day plans sound great! Am also looking forward to getting some yummy food at EoS

How cool to have a DIS meet on your 1st day!! Hope you all have a fab time together and then enjoy rounding off your day with a meal at Jiko!