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

[MAGICFOR2]

That sounds like an excellent idea. I don't care for the idea of bringing back too much useless stuff.

I hope I feel that way after I do my first cruise.

Oh, I didn't realize you hadn't been yet, either. You will love it!!!

Congrats on the PHM and getting the BWV!!! Too bad about Jiko. Ryan and Dana ate there on their Honeymoon and didn't have a good experience, so we skipped it and ate at Boma when we stayed at AKL. I do love watching those giraffe friends from the balcony - I could do that all day!

 

[MEK]

Have a fabulous time at the beach!

Thanks Pam! despite the weather we had a lovely time with family! Plus we went down to the old town part of Ocean City and that was lovely. I love it there and haven't been there for years.

Bummer about Jiko. We've had three very delicious meals there. Denny should have definitely sent his back

I'm 1.5 for two. I think I actually rated my meal lower because Denny had such a bad experience. You are so right - he definitely should have sent it back.

That baby zebra is adorable. You're right, never too many animal pictures.

How CUTE is that baby? What a bonus! Not only did we get a reclassified room but we got to see baby animals!

I am loving the animal pictures....and that baby zebra!!!!! OOOOh so cute. And I always take 5 million pictures of the giraffes too. They are so pretty.

I really enjoyed all the animals! I never expected a reclassified room. I hoped for one, but never expected it. It was such an added bonus. And seeing the babies was icing on the cake!

Too bad your dinner wasn't that good. My cousin at there in 2012 and said she would never go back.

Really? I would go back, but I'm not sure if Denny would. It's just really unacceptable for people to leave with that impression. I know sometimes certain seasonings don't appeal to people, but this was just a nasty looking piece of chicken in general.

Too bad Denny didn't enjoy his dish, but that is a good rule to live by, and like you said, he went against it!

Seriously, your view is just incredible. Love seeing the photos of giraffes & the zebra family. Baby zebras are so cute! I can't imagine how cool it must be to see them right outside your window.[/QUOTE]

Too bad Denny didn't enjoy his dish, but that is a good rule to live by, and like you said, he went against it!

He totally went against it! I guess he got all messed up because its supposed to be a signature restaurants and its supposed to be good! I guess he thought there was something wrong with him that he didn't like his entree, but then reality sunk in and it was too late.

Seriously, your view is just incredible. Love seeing the photos of giraffes & the zebra family. Baby zebras are so cute! I can't imagine how cool it must be to see them right outside your window.

I absolutely loved our view. I will be totally spoiled for life whenever I go back there to stay. I will always want that same room (for the same points)

Not AT ALL what I was picturing. I honestly don't know what I thought... some type of fishing trip that was added on to the end of the cruise is what made the most sense to me... but it definitely wasn't that! Hahaha. Sounds like a really cool idea, if you're into that kind of thing. Which, I probably would be!!

For the longest time I knew it hung on the door BUT I didn't know that the door knob was shaped like a fish - therefore - DOH - fish extender!

It is a cool idea if you a creative person, which I am NOT. I would end up having to buy everything and spend a ton of $$$$.

I for one and glad that you were too busy to do many updates because I was slacking myself! So I didn't miss too much!

Ugh - I just haven't been able to catch up at all. I am really trying today, but I will be grateful to finish replies and see if I can get an update up. I'm usually not at all this type of slacker.

Bummer that your dinner wasn't better. But as long as you enjoyed the company that's probably the most important thing!

We did have a lovely time with our friends and the setting is beautiful. But let's be honest, when you don't love your meal its a bummer. Denny would have been happier if had just sent it back.

Those sunrise pictures are, of course, stunning!!!! And no, I will definitely never get tired of the view! I love the giraffe!!!

Thank you! The view was wonderful. I absolutely loved it and the giraffes and zebra were so special. Love them all!

And yay for getting the hotel you wanted in February!!

SOOOOOOO excited about a combo BCV and BWI trip! It's going to be lovely! Two of my absolute favorite resorts!

 

[annmarieda]

I love all the AKL pictures and no, I can't get enough of ones of your view!

I am sorry that Denny's meal wasn't great.

Funny how fast the swap out holiday decorations! Wow!

I love that shirt... I picked that one up last fall for my soon to be dil.

 

[MEK]

Honestly I do not remember. We did eat there only once and we don't ban a place unless we try it twice so I think we may try it again and see.

Well, it sounds like your meal was not that memorable! In theory I agree with second chances. I do seem to have trouble actually operationalizing that theory!

I'm all caught up Mary Ellen! I got so far behind!

No worries! I have been behind for the last 4 weeks. I am trying to get caught up today but I don't think I'll completely make it!

Sounds like you have a lot of great trips coming up, I hope that you'll share them!

I do have several fun trips planned and I am looking forward to each and every one of them! You can bet I will definitely be sharing!

I've never been that interested in AKL, but your pics might be changing my mind...

It's sic a cool resort. I wouldn't want to stay there every trip but its great to stay there every so often. I am a resort hopper and I do think AKL has some of the best theming!

I read your update but think I forgot to comment!

I hate when that happens (and it's been happening a lot to me lately!)

that IS a cardinal rule and so I have no sympathy when people don't speak up (Sorry Denny!)

I think he was baffled because this was a signature restaurant and he's always had good experiences at those restaurants. It obviously clouded his judgement!

Sad you meal wasn't the best. I know everyone loved it on our girls trip but I admit, it was not my favorite and I've not been in a rush to go back. Not any one thing really but between the waiter, my entree which was ok but not outstanding, it just didn't overwhelm me. Although I do recall we had some lovely wine!

Yes - the wine WAS good that trip! I had the filet, which I really enjoyed. I did NOT love the waiter. But I obviously liked it enough that I thought it would be a good signature meal for all of us. It just fell short, which is too bad because now I'm not in a rush to go back either.

Ahh...girafffes

And you will be seeing them soon - Next Month!!!!

Mary Ellen, I think it sounds like a perfect day. A little time at the park to do some attractions, some pool and touring of the resort and then some dinner at the resort. I'm sorry the meal was not better than it was. And bad Denny breaking the cardinal rule.

That Denny!

It was such a nice day. Keeping with the whole AK theme for an entire day was really special and a lot of fun! I totally enjoyed it and having a less than stellar meal did not detract away from that at all.

Your pictures are fabulous...as always.

Thank you!

 

[MEK]

Sure blame it on me......

Well - OF course I'm going to blame it on someone!

Hope you are having a wonderful trip right now!

Hi there! I found your TR from KatMark's and just finished all the updates.

Sheresa! Thanks so much for coming over here from Kathy's TR! Sorry it's taken me so long to officially welcome you! I have really been slacking on the IS lately!

Holy Pictures Batman! You love that camera, and I enjoyed every single one, even the blurry or low light ones.

Thank You! I do love to take pictures, which helps explain why I take so many. There is just always something new and different to see in Disney and I feel lil the camera captures it best!

I am sorry that Jiko did not impress. I've never been there, but have read reviews of people raving about it.

My first meal there was fabulous (that was a girl's trip), so I was really looking forward to taking Denny there. I just felt bad that he didn't love it, or even like it. Oh well! *sigh*

Love, love the "Standard" view room. My family stayed in a 2BR when my daughter was 16 months old. Every morning, she'd wake up, look out the window, and go, "WOW!!" The view never ceased to amaze her.

That view was so awesome! I am totally spoiled for life now. I know I will be disappointed if I ever book standard again and don't get that fantastic view. Oh Disney, you have spoiled me much too much!

Please take your own advice and breathe! This is for fun, not a race, so catch up when you can, and have a great weekend!

Thanks Dee! You're right. It's not a race. I have just been so far behind for the last few weeks and I am really struggling to get caught up. Thanks for reminding me there's no prize for the most number of updates!

Me too.

Well, at least I am in good company!

That is quite the disappointment.

It was a shame because I really raved to him about how wonderful the food was and I was really looking forward to taking him there. Oh well. *sigh*

I'd love to be a fly on the wall after hours to watch them re decorate. They really can get a lot done between the times the park closes to the time it opens.

It's really so amazing what they do. I know that have it down to a science but watching them change over from one season to the next is still pretty magical.

What? How? Isn't that like the highest profit margin product they sell??? I thought they kept some kind of an endless supply behind the counter to set out and restock when the rain falls.

It's GOT to be the highest profit margin. Seriously - those ponchos cost like what? a dollar to make??? Hugh profit! Silly Disney!

 

[MEK]

Go ahead and imply...it's the truth! Sighhhhh

Yeah - it's the truth here TOO!!! You are NOT alone!

Catching up again. There can never be too many pictures - parks, resorts, food, merchandise, I enjoy seeing them all.

Welcome back stranger!!!! How was your trip? From your posts on FB it looks like it was absolutely perfect! I hope there will be a TR coming. Please tell me I did NOT miss the start of it!

Oh, I didn't realize you hadn't been yet, either. You will love it!!!

I can't wait. The cruise is just a couple months away now. It's going to be fabulous!

Congrats on the PHM and getting the BWV!!!

Thanks! I am really excited on both counts. Plus - I got BCV for the last 3 nights of the trip! Woo Hoo!

Too bad about Jiko. Ryan and Dana ate there on their Honeymoon and didn't have a good experience, so we skipped it and ate at Boma when we stayed at AKL.

You can seriously never go wrong with Boma and I have had several amazing meals at Saana. I am disappointed that Jiko wasn't better that evening. It really should be the best of all three, but it wasn't.

I do love watching those giraffe friends from the balcony - I could do that all day!

Me too! Giraffes are such amazing animals. Watching them brings about a sense of peacefulness to me. They are rather calming.

I love all the AKL pictures and no, I can't get enough of ones of your view!

Neither can I! That savannah view was so perfect and it really raised the bar for me. I will be disappointed with anything less.

I am sorry that Denny's meal wasn't great.

I felt bad for him, especially since I had been raving about Jiko since once of our girl's trips. But I know that every restaurant has an off night and we'll eventually circle back there for another meal.

Funny how fast the swap out holiday decorations! Wow!

I would love to be down there at the end of the Halloween season and for the beginning of Christmas. That would be a lot of fun!

I love that shirt... I picked that one up last fall for my soon to be dil.

How cute it that shirt? That's the first time I ever saw it and I love it!

 

[mobulldog]

fantastic

 

[MEK]

fantastic

mobulldog. Glad you think so!

 

[MEK]

The Lost 24 hours…

But before I get to my actual update, I have a couple quick life updates.

First - In less than two weeks I’ll be heading to Williamsburg for 4 nights. I’m really looking forward to this, but since I have had absolutely NO pool time this summer and only one weekend at the beach with overcast weather and rain, well - I sort of wish I was going to a beach. But don’t worry - I will survive.

In other news, I booked my flights for February and the PHM. I will be arriving Friday Feb 20th. My flight allegedly leaves at 6:15 pm out of Philly. We will need Nick to drive us to the airport since we are flying BACK to the Wilmington Delaware airport on Sunday May 1st. There is a local airport which is 15 or 20 minutes from my house. Frontier flies directly to Orlando and Tampa several times a week. This flight was cheaper than anything SWA had to offer, even after you add in the seat charge (can you believe that?) and the checked bag charge. Plus it arrives at 3:30 in the afternoon. We usually take the last flight of the day to save money and maximize Disney time. but it will be nice to be home by 4pm.

Hmmmm - let’s see. What else?

Oh yeah - I still need to decide where to stay 2/24 and 2/25. I ruled out Vero Beach because the rooms are just too many points. I found a lovely B&B in Melbourne that’s right on a river. It got excellent reviews on Trip Advisor and has the added benefit that they will give you beach chairs and an umbrella, beer, wine, sodas, and water all day long, a home cooked breakfast, and you can kayak right off the backyard dock. I’m totally leaning in this direction. I’ve heard the town of Melbourne is adorable, so I just might have to see for myself. And the B&B is within walking distance to all the restaurants and shops.

And finally - my cruise is PIF and I have a valid passport. I am so ready!

So on to my update -

In my last update we had just entered the MK in the Rain. Remember this?



If only it was barely raining, like on this T-shirt.

Because of the rain we decided to stay in Tomorrowland. We had FP’s for Splash and Big Thunder, but I was sure that BTMMR had to be down at the moment. It was raining much too hard for that ride.

So we decided to head here. It was close. It was dry. The line was short.





Because the line was still short and it was still pouring , we decided to circle back for a second spin.







My score on round 2



I look a little wetter here.



After round 2 we headed over to the People Mover. It wasn’t a great day for pics, but I took a few.



The speedway clearly wasn’t running!





Soggy Tree



It almost looks like night time





Even the castle looks like it was protesting the rain!



Dreary



We decided to take our chances and see if Splash was running. Splash is wet! Rain is wet! It could happen.

And it did!

That would be us, the poncho people in the front two rows. A little rain can’t stop us!



Our BTMMR FP hadn’t come due yet, and I was pretty sure the ride wasn’t even running, so we decided to get lunch.

Good “Ol Pecos Bill.

Denny’s burger (with all the fixins’)



My taco salad



And here’s where it all went downhill.

I don’t have any pictures for this part.

Use your imagination.

It’s not pretty.

Remember that stomach pain.

You know - that one that started when I learned I had to return to work and work 11 days straight.

That stomach pain that just WOULDN’T go away despite Prilosec and 36 hours of no adult beverages.

Well, it came back.

With a vengeance.

It hurt - my upper abdomen and lower chest just felt awful.

We put back on our ponchos and headed out into the rain. The plan was HM and then Little Mermaid.

Only I took one giant slosh into a puddle and decided right then and there that I was done.

Perhaps if it had been a lovely, sunny day I would have tried again to forget about the stomach pain. But the fact that it was just god-awful miserable in that soaking rain made my stomach pain seem even worse.

I told everyone “I have to leave”.

Denny came with me and P&D stayed in the park. As they should. They were only there for a few days. Rain shouldn’t slow them down.

In fact, we were only there for about another 48 hours. We needed to leave Monday afternoon and it was Saturday.

So on my way to the car I made a decision. I knew I couldn’t go back to work in the state I was in. I needed some medical attention. A better antacid or another medication. Something. Anything.

So that’s what I did. I sought medical attention. And that’s where I lost the next 24 hours.

Apparently the doctor that I saw was not willing to just give my Protonix or Nexium and send me on my way. I ended up getting the fully workup. I won’t go into details, but the consensus was my heart was fine and my gall bladder was fine. But I needed an endoscopy. Which I elected to have done when I returned home. In the mean time I got pumped full of several different types of anti-ulcer meds.

So as to not keep you in suspense - my endoscopy (which I had several days later at home) showed that I had ulcerative gastritis. I guess that’s pretty much the same as an ulcer that hasn’t bled or at the very least, its the stage before an ulcer. I also have a hiatal hernia. Exciting stuff I tell you! Cultures were taken and I don’t have H Pylori, which is a bacteria that causes recurrent ulcers. Bottom line - after taking Protonix for 6 months I am healed. In fact, I felt better in a matter of days on the right medication.

When I look back on 2013 and it’s stressors, its not surprising to me that I internalized so much and ended up with an ulcer or near ulcer. It seems like light years away. Now 10 months later I feel really good, stress free, and very energetic from my new level of fitness.

But I did lose 24 hours in Disney. In the grand scheme of things it was just a small investment in my overall health.

Which fast forwards us to Sunday afternoon.

Continued In Next Post

 

[MEK]

When I recovered from my little sick leave I felt compelled to take some “catch up” pictures.

I started with the lobby.



Fooling around a bit with the lighting



There weren’t too many people hanging out in the lobby.







My next stop was the gift shop since I really hadn’t spent any time in there this trip.



Just in case I needed a little reorienting.



LOVE this shirt!



Hmmmmm…Let me think about this!



Love him, but not on my shirt



I think this was a close of up a T-shirt



The Christmas merch was starting to make an appearance













I moved on to the DVC T’s





I loved this picture



And this one



I always want to take one of these home. Unfortunately, I never do because of flying. I totally forgot the my friends could have taken it home for me. Doh!



Can’t recall what these were.



Love this picture, too!




Up Next - Fully recovered or at least recovered enough for one last trip to Epcot.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Oh my gosh, that just absolutely stinks. And while I'm sure it was not pleasant for them to put you through all of that stuff, at least you did find out what was going on.

At least it happened to you when you still had time left in Florida. Not to say it was because you would miss Disney time, but I couldn't imagine something like that going down when I had to leave in a few hours or a day.

I love the Rhinos are Just Chubby Unicorns shirt.

 

[KatMark]

Doesn't Disney know it's not supposed to rain when "we" are there? You look very serious on Buzz.

you are the only person I know who wears a poncho on Splash Mountain when you are already wet from the rain.

I'm not a fan of Pecos BIlls, but Denny's burger looks good...perhaps we should give it another try.

I'm so sorry about the stomach issue and you lost a day at Disney. But glad they were able to give you something to help until you got home for the test and that you are now feeling so much better.

You sure made up with it with the pictures around AKL. I do love that resort and can't wait to be there in 40 days. I want to just sit in that lobby and soak it all in.

Great gift shop pics too; they truly have THE best gift shop at AKL of all the resorts in my opinion.

Anxious to hear about your Epcot day.

 

[annmarieda]

Yay for getting flights!!!

I am sorry that you lost a day to feeling so ill. I guess though given how dreary a day it was... better that day than a nice sunny one. More than anything though, I am glad that you are feeling better. Stress is no fun!!! And it really and truly can affect our quality of life.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Mary Ellen- I am glad you are felling better and your doctor accurately diagnosed and treated you with appropriate medication. Take care of yourself!

I love your AKL pictures, as you said, never too many!

I am going to Boma for dinner with my mom next Saturday. Can't wait. Love it there.

Have fun at Williamsburg. Nick getting ready to go back to school? Connor goes back August 23 and he is ready.

Love your trip reports!

Rebecca

 

[saintstickets]

Great update! Rainy days are the pits on vacation and I hate it that you had to cut short your day at MK but I'm glad the malady has been solved and you are much better!

 

[MadNic]

The rhino shirt is hysterical!

 

[eandesmom]

Um ok I feel like the worst friend ever and bad roommate as I had no idea!!!!! No. Not surprising you internalized everything and thank god you got help before I got worse but oh Mary Ellen I am so sorry you had to go through that!!!

So happy the medication did it's trick, you certainly seemed fabulous in may

That is so you, to go on splash, in the rain, in ponchos. I love it.

 

[rndmr2]

So sorry you weren't feeling well and lost a day but thank goodness it wasn't something much more serious. I admit when you said "lower chest/upper abdomen" my first thought was- "Gallbladder!" So glad for your sake that's not what it was. (I had mine out in 2011). glad the Protonix did the job and you are better now. Also thank you for not leaving us in suspense.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

First - In less than two weeks I’ll be heading to Williamsburg for 4 nights. I’m really looking forward to this, but since I have had absolutely NO pool time this summer and only one weekend at the beach with overcast weather and rain, well - I sort of wish I was going to a beach. But don’t worry - I will survive.

Hope you have a great time!

And finally - my cruise is PIF and I have a valid passport. I am so ready!

My score on round 2

Not too shabby!

After round 2 we headed over to the People Mover. It wasn’t a great day for pics, but I took a few.

Does that Space Mountain sign say 10-minute wait?? That's the place to be!

That would be us, the poncho people in the front two rows. A little rain can’t stop us!

Do the ponchos really help at this point?

Remember that stomach pain.

You know - that one that started when I learned I had to return to work and work 11 days straight.

That stomach pain that just WOULDN’T go away despite Prilosec and 36 hours of no adult beverages.

Well, it came back.

With a vengeance.

UGH. I'm so sorry. Glad to hear it wasn't life-threatening, but it still sounds just awful.

When I recovered from my little sick leave I felt compelled to take some “catch up” pictures.

I started with the lobby.

I could stare at that building all day.

 

[ddstratton]

So sorry to hear about the lost day at Disney. I am very glad, though, that you got the care you needed and are back to good health.

Love the AKL pictures.