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

[amazingact21]

You always do such fantastic wrap-ups, Mary Ellen! It's incredible to summarize how many firsts you experience on each trip. I think all DISers love seeing that, because it's proof that you can go to Disney World over and over again and it never gets old!


That is a beautiful beach shot! I can see why it's your favorite.

A good number of DISmeets happened on this trip. Very cool.


And now I cannot wait to read about your February trip.

 

[Poolrat]

That's what I want to hear. I'm all about distractions. I am really worried that I am going to need that.

Plenty of them.

I remember you ended up in a really nice hotel. OMG - I would have died if I had been up all night and there was no place to sleep. That really couldn't have worked out better!

The Grand Hyatt then the Hyatt Regency. Not too bad.

 

[MEK]

Hi Mary Ellen - That was a great recap! I love your lists of "firsts". It is always fun to have some firsts on every trip.

Thanks Sue! I'm so glad you enjoyed my recap! It's always fun to write a review of the trip. It puts the final seal on the trip!

It was your trip with Cynthia for the F&W in 2012 that made me want to go see what F&W was all about. I have to see those chocolate sculptures, too.

F&W is SO fun! You will absolutely love it. It's a whole other side of Epcot that you haven't seen before, even though it does get a little crazy on the weekends!

That does look delicious!
Did you make it to the Flower & Garden Show this year? It was where I had my first ever Grey Goose Slush - at France - so yummy. I had to go back almost every day for one. Now I hope they have another great version for F&W. The Grey Goose Slush was something I never knew about until the Dis. Now it is on my "must have" list.

Yes - I made a quick trip into Epcot just as F&G started in March and then Cynthia and I visited in May. It's gotten a lot more interesting than when I first visited several years ago. I think Disney got smart and started to capitalize on the F&W type kiosks. People love small plates and they lovely sampling.

We've stayed at the BC many times, eaten dinner at one of the Boardwalk restaurants many times, and have never yet seen the performers. We must be there too early. We'll be at the YC next week, with some open evenings, so maybe we'll get lucky this time.

I've missed the performers in the past too, but I must have lucked out last October. The performers were a lot of fun!

We're looking forward to seeing the Halloween decorations, too. And I'm almost ready to buy tickets for our first ever (see, another first ) Halloween Party. I'd also like to see the decorations over at Fort Wilderness. I've heard that some of the campsites really go all out with Halloween decorations.

I have never been over to FW at Halloween. That's a great suggestion because I am looking for some new things to do.

You will love the decorations at the MK and the Halloween party is awesome! So much fun!

We'll see you next month. It should be a fun trip.

Looking forward to it!

You always do such fantastic wrap-ups, Mary Ellen! It's incredible to summarize how many firsts you experience on each trip. I think all DISers love seeing that, because it's proof that you can go to Disney World over and over again and it never gets old!

Thanks! I enjoy figuring out my firsts. As many times as you go to Disney there is always something new to do. I love that. And its never forced! All the firsts just sort of come naturally!

That is a beautiful beach shot! I can see why it's your favorite.

Thanks. I wish I could figure out how I took that picture so I could replicate it.

A good number of DISmeets happened on this trip. Very cool.

I totally lucked on the DIS meets - new and old. Our May trip was pretty great for DIS meets, too - both first time DISers and repeats!

YAnd now I cannot wait to read about your February trip.

I'm gearing up to start that TR edition soon!

 

[MEK]

Plenty of them.

AND

The Grand Hyatt then the Hyatt Regency. Not too bad.

Not too shabby AT ALL!!!!!

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Are you insinuating that's its taken me FOREVER to finish this TR? Well you're right - it HAS!

Me? Insinuating?

Yes, I mean, like I have such a great track record...........

 

[MEK]

Me? Insinuating?

Yes, I mean, like I have such a great track record...........

Good Point!

I have spent the last 15 minutes updating my links and I'm still not done.

 

[Leshaface]

I loved re-living your trip through all the pictures in your recap! There are some great ones in there.

And so many firsts this trip which is great! I'm sure you'll find much more firsts on all your upcoming vacations too.

Totally loved the TR and will be hanging around waiting for your next one

 

[MEK]

I loved re-living your trip through all the pictures in your recap! There are some great ones in there.

Thanks! I love doing a recap. It's actually fun for me to go back and look at all my pictures.

And so many firsts this trip which is great! I'm sure you'll find much more firsts on all your upcoming vacations too.

I try to always have a first attraction and a first restaurant. I guess I will eventually run out of "firsts", but hopefully it won't happen soon!

Totally loved the TR and will be hanging around waiting for your next one :good vibes

Thanks!

 

[Pinkocto]

Mary Ellen, can I pick your brain a bit? I'm going to rent a car for the first time next week and trying to figure out tolls and which is the best way to go to WDW. Do you prefer one road over the other? And do both accept cash payment? I don't want to use the rental car toll thingee. I'd appreciate any thoughts

 

[MEK]

Pam - Go to carrentalsavers.com and get the best price. It may only be one r. They will list the price for all the on and off site. As far as concerned they are are the same. I go with the cheapest on site. And check daily cause the rate could stop.

 

[SunnieRN]

Wonderful recap with your awesome pictures!! Looking forward to your next visit!!! It's a lot of fun living vicariously through you!!

 

[Pinkocto]

Pam - Go to carrentalsavers.com and get the best price. It may only be one r. They will list the price for all the on and off site. As far as concerned they are are the same. I go with the cheapest on site. And check daily cause the rate could stop.

Thanks, I remember you recommend them. I have the car, $138 for a week at the airport. I'm wondering which road you take to WDW and if you know if the tolls allow cash payment or will it automatically charge the transponder in the rental?

 

[MEK]

Thanks, I remember you recommend them. I have the car, $138 for a week at the airport. I'm wondering which road you take to WDW and if you know if the tolls allow cash payment or will it automatically charge the transponder in the rental?

Either way out of airport will take you. We usually go the route that takes you in near DTD but I never drive so I'm not sure if we go north or south. Take a gps. Yes- the tolls take cash. It's about $2.75 in tolls. Don't rent the sun pass. Total rip off.

 

[MEK]

Wonderful recap with your awesome pictures!! Looking forward to your next visit!!! It's a lot of fun living vicariously through you!!

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed. I love writing a bout my trips. And I'm working on Feb TR now.

 

[Pinkocto]

Either way out of airport will take you. We usually go the route that takes you in near DTD but I never drive so I'm not sure if we go north or south. Take a gps. Yes- the tolls take cash. It's about $2.75 in tolls. Don't rent the sun pass. Total rip off.

Thanks so much! I've read that about the sun pass which was why I was worried about the ability to pay cash. I really appreciate the info!

 

[MEK]

Thanks so much! I've read that about the sun pass which was why I was worried about the ability to pay cash. I really appreciate the info!

There are seriously good signs everywhere. You pretty much can't help but get to WDW. It's so well marked. I usually take a ton of quarters with us, but you really don't need to. All the collectors take cash.

 

[MEK]

The Great February Freeze Escape

Welcome to my newest TR. A TR within a TR, so to speak. It should be a quickie, so I figured why not just keep writing here. After all, our winter return to Florida was the direct result of our October trip.

You see - shortly after we got home from our empty nester trip, I knew I was never going to make it to my girl’s trip in May without some type of getaway. Remember, at the time I was working an 11 day stretch. The thought of working long stretches and lots of overtime got me planning a trip in no time.

The first thing I started to do was look at flights. Frontier Airlines had previously added an Orlando, Fort Myers, and Tampa route to my local airport in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware. I decided to check out the schedule and see what I could come up with. I wasn’t really set on any one particular destination. My goal was just to get to any warm location in Florida. Since I was still relatively new to my job, I decided that it would be safest to do a 5 night trip and only take 4 days off from work.

Not surprisingly, this didn’t work too well with the limited schedules that Frontier offered. I could do a week trip or a 4 night trip, but not a 5 nighter. That is, until I decided that it might be smart to fly into Tampa, but return by way of Orlando.

Hey - that would work. Genius!

I found an early morning Friday flight into Tampa and a Wednesday flight home via Orlando. Just one problem - the Orlando return flight was at 10:30 in the morning, basically wasting a whole day.

So I decided to look at Southwest’s schedule. I could basically get the same price (or better) and fly out Thursday night and home late Wednesday afternoon.

Can you say “Book it”!

Flights booked, I now had to find a place to stay.

I really wanted to spend some time in the Tampa Bay area and 2 nights at WDW at the end of the trip. Because the time frame involved was in my new DVC use year, I had access to plenty of points, but the only place that had availability for two nights was SSR.

Booking SSR was easier than finding a place near Tampa. First of all, I wasn’t sure where to stay - city or beach? St Petersburg or Clearwater or one of the smaller beaches in-between? I new nothing about the area, so I was basically starting from scratch.

I also failed to consider Spring Training. Seriously - February and early March are definitely the “bread & butter” season for the Tampa Bay area. Every hotel I wanted to stay at was at least $250 a night PLUS all the taxes and resort fees. Bottom line - I was looking for something a little more budget friendly.

But budget friendly prices ended up being attached to properties I didn’t think I would be too happy staying at. Oh Disney - you have spoiled me!

What a dilemma!

I decided to try VRBO. I was actually able to find a few properties that would rent for 3 or 4 nights.

I started to zero in on a cute little “carriage house” in Tarpon Springs. The unit was above the detached garage on someone’s property. Denny hated this idea. He insisted he didn’t want to stay at someone’s “house”. I tried to convince him that it was like staying at a B&B. He wasn’t quite buying it.

But the best part of this property - the owner was charging $150 night. The carriage house included a full kitchen, small living room, bathroom, and bedroom. The reviews on trip advisor were outstanding. Plus the owner provided 2 bottles of wine on arrival and ingredients for the first morning’s breakfast. I could barely find a flea bag hotel for this rate. To me it was a no brainer.

I finally got Denny’s “seal of approval”. Unfortunately, Thursday night was not available, but Friday through Sunday nights were.

That worked. With a late arrival into Tampa I figured it might be smarter to stay close to the airport anyway.

So:

Flights - check
Accommodations - check

Rental car search commenced.

I’ve never flown in and out of two different airports. What I found was the rental car rate was approximately $75-100 more than if I was flying in and out of the same airport.

Ugh!

I started rethinking the whole two different airport thing. Then the VRBO owner contacted me and offered Monday night for $85.

Seriously?

I couldn’t get a parking space for $85.

I decided to go for it.

And when I did, I changed totally revamped my plans and changed our arrival flight to Orlando. I canceled one of my nights at SSR and wait listed for BCV for Tuesday night.

Now I just needed a place in Orlando for Thursday night.

Following me so far?

Denny, of course, balked at the idea of using DVC points for Thursday night. I get that. Realistically, a 7pm flight wouldn't put us at the resort until 10:30pm (best case scenario).

So I decided to book a resort that we have never stayed at before - All Star Sports. It was literally the cheapest AP rate on property coming in at $95. I figured it would be fine for one night, even fun. I requested the Hoops Hotel section.

Oh yeah - and my BCV wait list came through.

So the trip looked like this.

Thursday Feb 27 - 7pm flight from Baltimore - All Star Sports
Friday Feb 28 - FP’s for RnR, TSM, and Star Tours at Hollywood Studios. Lunch at Sci Fi. Drive to Tarpon Springs in the afternoon and get checked in
Sat March 1 - Monday March 3 - Explore the Gulf Coast
Tuesday March 2 - drive back to WDW for a 10am FP at EE, 11am Safari, 12 pm Dinosaur then check in at BCV. Our evening would be spent at Epcot, of course.
Wednesday March 3 - FP’s at MK and a DIS meet with Kathy (Katmark) 5:30 pm flight home.

All we needed to do now was wait…and wait….and wait….as winter drug on.

As many of you know we had a crazy cold winter. We don’t normally get much snow here in Delaware, but this winter was an exception. I can’t tell you how many snow days we had because I don’t have small kids. I just know it snowed a lot, even if the overall quantity was not much. You know - just enough to clear all the bread and milk off the shelves and make people panic.

I did my best to take advantage of the unwelcome precip!



I am lucky to live near a field that hasn’t been developed in the 24 years I’ve lived here!








Less than a week before we were due to leave we woke up to more of the white stuff. OHHHHHHH! NOOOOOOO! Panic Panic!

This picture is entirely representation of the small of amount of snow that we get in Delaware. Those of you that get “real” snow can laugh now!



See - we even get our driveway plowed if it snows more than 3 inches. No - make that 2.5!



These babies are almost 30 years old. I almost considered buying a new pair this winter, but it probably won’t snow again for another couple years so I decided not to.



Ok, enough about weather woes already. Let’s get this trip on the road, shall we?

Well, you guys know me well enough to know that all my stress goes to my GI tract. So would it surprise you that I literally had an IBS attack the night before we left. That’s right. I had some kind of GI thing that contributed to me getting all of 3 hours of sleep the night before departure. I might be exaggerating, but that’s the way it felt in the morning.

Remember, I had to go to work that morning and so did Denny. He dropped me off with plans to pick me up around 3:30 to drive to BWI airport. By the end of the work day I actually felt pretty good, but still a little peakish. So you only get a half face departure selfie!



To Baltimore we go!



We actually made great time and were soon in the tunnel. We decided to go down 95 and take our chances with potential rush hour traffic.

Score.

No traffic whatsoever!



We actually had plenty of time to kill before our flight. So deciding on dinner was our next goal.







I took these pictures, but for the life of me I have no idea what we decided on!


It if fair to say that I have an obsession with the Maryland State Flag. It is seriously the BEST flag in the nation. Hands Down! Sorry if you disagree!



Shortly after eating we sat down at the gait and heard an announcement that our flight was going to be delayed by 35 minutes. Crapola! It was already a 7pm flight. Now it was 7:35pm flight. Boo!

I think our plane was here, but our crew or another connecting flight wasn’t. I forget. Doesn’t matter.

The sun went down shortly after this picture was taken.



When we finally did get on the plane I took this picture of our neighbor.





I paparazzied a bit and snuck a picture of this guy who stood at the front of the plane for a very, very long time. Air marshall? I don’t know, but I found him a bit unnerving.



Getting ready to go!





Seat belt buckled.



Bye Baltimore





I watched a movie during the flight and, as usual, I didn’t quite get a chance to finish it before it was time for our final descent. But the flight was smooth and fast, so no complaints from me!

Continued In Next Post

 

[MEK]

Hello MCO!




First Mickey Alert













For a Thursday late night, it took awhile to get the rental car. I have no idea why. But I do know that at least this time Denny didn’t blow through the first toll by accident. Oops.

Our destination - All Star Sports. I think it had to be close to midnight by the time we got all checked in and found our room.



We had a very chatty CM checking us in (even though I already did online check in). He was a little excessive for that late at night and I tried to be as cheery as possible, but it was tough. There was another guest waiting behind us and I could tell even he was getting tired of the late night banter.

We basically dropped into bed, happy to be home and ready to begin our vacation in earnest.



I actually took this picture hastily the next morning, but you get the idea.



So I hope you'll join in as we visit the four DIS parks, have 2 fun DIS meets, visit the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs, kayak with manatees, collect shells on Honeymoon State Park, and visit Ana Maria Island.

Up Next - A surprise DIS meet and a Hollywood Studios Do-over!

 

[natebenma]

I'm here! I'm here!

Now back to read.



OK- caught up.

What a fantastic start. With all of the research and changes you made leading up to the trip, I thought I was reading one of Cynthia's reports! And of course I mean that with all due respect to both of you!



I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the trip that you ended up with! Can't wait to hear all about it. Awesome quickie trip.

I am also intrigued by the guy you photographed. Is he wearing a suit along with his KC hat? Your flight was neither coming from or going to KC. Hmmmm...

Love your pictures of MCO- especially the faux-no-rail and the closeup of the lamp post bulbs. Very cool shots.

I'll be at All Star Movies in June, with Ben's class trip.

 

[dawnbu40]

Those snow pics make me so happy we don't have a Michigan winter to be dreading this year. Last winter was brutal so I totally get the need to "escape"!

Looking forward to hearing about your vacation