The Empty Nesters Magical Mystery Tour *1/28* Link to New Girl's TR p141

[IheartDDuck]

I'm super excited to meet you too!!! How can Yeti not be there! I'm still thinking Jellyrolls sounds good too! Maybe we can do a Ditch meet AND a Jellyrolls meet! No, I'm not a lush......

Isn't there a dry cleaners and a chinese restaurant in all strip malls? I thought that was part of the "strip mall" criteria?

We're doing a minor split stay in May (Boardwalk for everything except the last night, then we're at Art of Animation), and I thought the same thing! I was like "we gotta color code these!"

Labyrinth like! They halls at the Boardwalk are Labyrinth like, complete with David Bowie! (I wish...)

Yup, not a huge fan of the Boardwalk buses here either. But I'll deal with it for the primo location.

I haven't heard anything on the opening date yet, but they're making really good progress. They were running trains when we were there last month.

Wow, you guys were just getting there and a DISmeet already! Nice!!

Get a FP+ for BOG! It was super super easy! And it doesn't take away from your 3 FP's daily.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

We did the fastpass for BOG, it was wonderful! There was quite a line, but we walked up to the FP booth, checked in & walked right in with no wait. I had preordered our food so all we needed to do was pay. All was good, we had the onion soup & a sandwich ewe shared.

 

[saintstickets]

Hello MEK! Remember me? I can't believe it has been 4 months since I've been on the DISboards but after life got in the way for a while, I'm backkkkk! Glad to see you are posting on this TR. I just started back on my TR from the October, 2013 trip. I'm looking forward to yours so much!

 

[KatMark]

Sounds like you have quite a few DIS meets set up.

you've arrived at Disney. I love that entrance photo...good job.

Good thing to know about the MB's; we will have a split stay in September so I'll be sure we get different colors.

Glad you got on SM first and then got over to Mermaid and saw all the construction going on at the Mine Ride. I've not heard any updates on opening? I heard at one point early summer, but who knows if that has changed?

Mark and I are going to do the FastPass for BOG in September.

I'm so glad you got to see Melissa; she looks terrific.

 

[MEK]

I didn't DIS at all yesterday because I was laid up with a cold this weekend. That should be a perfect day to DIS, but all I did yesterday was watch movies and play candy crush. I'll do replies tonight.

Happy Monday. Not!

 

[MeMom]

I didn't DIS at all yesterday because I was laid up with a cold this weekend. That should be a perfect day to DIS, but all I did yesterday was watch movies and play candy crush. I'll do replies tonight.

Happy Monday. Not!

Sorry you have a cold, but glad you got to have a rest and movie day. I don't know anything about Candy Crush, but a lot of people play it, so I guess it's a fun way to pass some time.

I am not a fan of Mondays. Fridays - now those I am more fond of......but if we could add more Saturdays and Sundays to the week, I'd be exceptionally happy!

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Yay for arriving at Disney! I heard that the mine train may be up and running by the time they roll in the new parade.

We have two different reservations for our next trip and we've chosen two sets of colors. I was afraid that they'd get mixed up and I'd run into snags.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Hi! Mary Ellen. I am here and at the beginning of the trip, finally! My dis time had not been very good last year so I am trying to do better.

I had no idea you didn't cruise last year. So happy that you are this year. I know you will love it. And a back to back....way to go!

What a great view from your room! I have always gotten a view of the pool.

I had not seen any pictures of the Poly construction yet so thank you! I fought the urge to add on at the GFV and am holding out for Poly. Love the pics of the GFV too.

Hope you are well. Can't wait to read more.

 

[afwdwfan]

CRAP!!!! I did a multiquote reply and lost it.

In summary... The magic band thing seems like a pain. I really hope that eventually, they get it to the point that a split stay can be done entirely on one set of bands so you don't have these kinds of problems.

I really enjoyed the construction pictures from the mine train. I really can't wait to see this ride up and running!


Congrats on yet another successful Dismeet.

 

[podsnel]

UGH- sorry you are not feeling well- there is so much going around! Hope you feel a little better today-

That stinks not being able to find your hotel- glad you got there EVENTUALLY- even better that you were checking in at WDW the next morning! It is very different getting to MCO at night, isn't it? I kind of liked it- I actually got some sleep the night before flying down when we did it.

So, the Magic Bands....they are REALLY REALLY good when they work! Not so much when they don't! And the split-stay issue is yet another problem! I thought ultimately they are planning on issueing them just once- but they are still figuring everything out. We also had double bands- I don't even remember using the other ones, when we switched over to BCV, but I guess we must have. Really confusing! VERY good idea picking different colors, though!

I wanted to tell you, too, I forgot you had a son at Salisbury- one of my best friends has a daughter there, she is a Freshman and loves it!

Fell better-

 

[englishrose47]

Sorry you have a cold Mary Ellen. Hope you are feeling better today. I have been checking the 2013 Food Booth menus and pix, and am sure I will be waddling out of Epcot that day!!! Lots of YUMMIES!!!!!

 

[KatMark]

MEK, I hope you are feeling better today.

 

[MEK]

So sad that I will miss you in May. But I look forward to hearing all about your trip and all those Dismeets.

I know. I can't believe we are just missing each other by a few days. That's such a bummer. I hope our paths cross another time.

I think you will need a spreadsheet tat this point.

I think Cynthia is already on it! I her organization!

Back to your report.... YAY! Finally through those MK gates. I love the photo tour of the monorail resorts from the ferry. Some of my favorite places in all of anywhere right there on that lake.

I really do enjoy riding in on the ferry. I understand now why Walt designed it that way. I hate lining up for the ferry, but once its out on the lake it is very relaxing!

That Mine Train ride should be open by the time you travel in May I believe. It has been great seeing the progress over the last couple years. I can't wait to see it.

Can't wait!!!!! It really has been fun to see the progress. I think its going to be a great ride!

Great photos - are those with your phone? Either way, very nice!

Only a couple are with my phone. Most are with my camera! I think the frames make them look better. I got that idea from jenseib.

You are ever so popular. You can't be in a park more than 15 minutes before lining up a Dismeet! That's great it worked out.

Look whose talking about being popular! That was true luck - getting to see Melissa! Made my morning!

Of all the Magic Band issues I have been reading on the boards, at least that one was an easy fix! Great tip about using 2 different colors for split stays.

Yeah - it was totally an easy fix and if I wasn't such an airhead I would have had the right bands out right from the start. Doh!

I hope the Mine Train will at least be in soft openings by the time we go in May!!!

That's what I'm hoping to!

You ARE confused! I have been by, commented...you commented back...

OMG - I AM confused. I totally don't remember reading a reply from you and I couldn't figure out why you hadn't replied yet (other than being totally busy). So sorry for being such an airhead.

Yes, at least 3. All of whom aren't very active any more and one we have traveled with before!

Oh Wow! We TOTALLY need a spread sheet. C isn't going, is she? Who else. Better yet - we should do another DIS meet.

Started the spreadsheet today, figured I should do that before I try and move Cali so we can see the DHS FIREWORKS!!!!!!

VERY excited about that.

yayayayay! Me too! That is going to be great and such a fun thing to do on our last night!

Ok I am impressed with that, given your location. I always map out my runs before a trip (or before heading out) but around a strip mall? Not sure I'd have done that!

It's not as bad as it sounds. While we were trying to find the hotel we drove into a development right near the strip center. I ran there, told Denny exactly where I was going, and took my phone. I never venture very far in unfamiliar places.

I am surprised it was an issue. When we were there while I did check in iwth the "right" MB, it also worked on the second stay room. Either band did, both for doors and tickets. Granted, I didn't try the 2nd rooms band with the first one but...

I didn't even think to try the first band on the second room. We left Disney property between the two stays so I can't imagine they would be linked, but who knows.

I did get different colors for each stay. Which reminds me, you need to pick a color for your 2nd band (although you still have 6)+ days still do it lol).

Are you serious? Already? I had until the end of January for my early March band. I'm shocked. I better get cracking then!

Love the borders and your view!!!! And I just love the Boardwalk, long halls and all. Besides, there are always stairs nearby, we hardly used the hall at all.

I am certain I can't sustain the borders, but they do make the pictures look nicer. We used the stairs to go out and run but it was easier to use the elevator to exit towards the boardwalk. It was an odd location, but I really did love the view. It was so private.

YAY you are at the MK and visiting Melissa! I do know how those meets go when the kids are along, I had one of those in January..it was like a drive by meet!

she looks fabulous!!!!

Pretty much a drive by meet. It would have been fun to meet up with them sans kids because in approximately 30 seconds Denny and John were already talking football and sports. But it was still great to see them and to see her cute kids.

 

[jenseib]

Love the borders!!! They can even make crappy pictures look good too!

You got some great pictures that morning. It's so bright and sunny and blue. I almost forget what weather like that is.

 

[MEK]

I wondered if they were all on that side. I will be happy no matter what then.

I think you will be. All the halls end in exits which go right down to the pathway to HS. You'll be fine!

Great start to your trip! Especially with your room ready, already. Not a bad view from your balcony.

I was so excited that our room was ready. I loved out view. It was really cool in person and just so private!

This is such a happy picture!

It really is. Walt was pretty visionary to know that people would instantly relax when they approached the MK by water. So pretty!

Mine! Mine! Mine!

Yikes!

I know!

I love all of the different borders you are using for your pictures.

Thanks! I'm sure I won't keep it up, but it was fun to try it. I just love Jenseib's pictures, so I figured why not?

Once we actually intentionally avoided that welcome arch!

It was our first trip to US/IA and we were surprising the boys with a day at MK, so we told our driver to go a back way. It worked. Somehow the boys didn't know our destination until we reached the Contemporary.

OMG - that's perfect. Good for you! Very sneaky! Love it!

OK catch-up time. I get lost with maps and GPS so I can understand losing the hotel. I wrote down the wrong exit for our December trip. If Jim had listened to me we would have been in Tampa.

OMG - that would NOT have gone over well, I expect! Denny and I get lost a lot, but we just roll with it. I didn't mind too much because it was our first night. If it had been later in the trip I'm sure I would have been irritated.

The MBs are mixed for me right now but good thing it was an easy fix.

I honestly like them. I just can't believe I mixed up the two sets. I was so sure I had the right ones. NOT!

I have never ben on Space Mountain and don't think I ever will. Just not a huge fan of dark coasters.

Well, not only is it dark, but its pretty bumpy. I ask to not be placed in the back row. It's just too rough for me.

I really hope the construction is finished on the Mine Train and the ride is up and running by the end of May. I only have one trip planned this year.

So you're going at the end of May? I hope its open at the beginning of May. I really can't wait to try it!

Here a little late but I finally am getting back to the swing of things on DIS after our trip last week!

Dave!!!! Thanks for joining in! I hope you and your family had a fantastic trip. I can't wait to hear all about it!

Couldn't help but notice that the strip mall at your first hotel also had a Giordanos Pizza place!! I totally would have had a midnight snack if I was staying there.

Was that on the sign? I've gotta tell you - NOTHING was opened by the time we got there. It was so late. I have always wanted to try that pizza. Is it good?

Great start to your MK day!

Thanks. We were definitely off to a good start!

 

[marDgreen88]

Somehow I managed to not comment on this TR yet. For shame! I'm definitely here and I'll be getting caught up tomorrow!

 

[Leshaface]

For a second when you said, "Alicia and her family will be there too", I was like, I am?! YAY I'M GOING IN MAY!...then sadness took over...wrong Alicia

But really cool that you'll be having so many DIS meets! Yes, Cynthia needs to get one of her famous spreadsheets going on.

Danielle, if you're reading this, I BETTER see the Yeti on this trip

 

[Tracy161]

Joining! Now going back to catch up!

 

[Nermel9]

I feel like the picture you have of that Walgreens across the street from your hotel is the Walgreens Brandon and I always go to on our trips to get water and everything! It's not a big deal, and it might not even be the same one, but it just made me so sad, not knowing the next time I'll be in Disney!

Oh no, Magic Band mix up! These things are more trouble than they're worth, I'm really not a big fan. But at least your room was ready, and the view was awesome!

Love that you went right to a park, why wait? Your pictures from the Little Mermaid are so nice, mine are always so horrible on the dark rides! And wow, that line for BoG at 10:30 is crazy! I think you can get a FP now for lunch though, right? If I end up going this year, I'll probably do that, bc I like lunch better than dinner there and there's no way I'm waiting in that line!

You meet so many DIS'ers on your trips! I wonder if we'll ever be in the parks at the same time!!

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!