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

[khertz]

I probably would have ended up being led to Mama's as well, because I have a hard time telling people no! I'm glad it ended up being a good meal though. It looks like y'all had a fun last evening before heading back to the bubble!

Great pics of the Tree of Life. Love that icon!

The Dinosaur ride pic is EPIC!!! You are really trying to embrace that carnotaur!

 

[MEK]

I would love to do replies tonight, but I was up early for church and then we finished all the Christmas decorations today. I can't believe how long it took, but it's done! I'm exhausted. I have to work tomorrow night, so I may not get to any replies tomorrow either.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Great position or not... That is a beautiful sunset.

Hmmm, they almost seemed to try and hide the "Free Wine Tasting" part on the sign. Must have known you were coming.

Oh wow, kind of hard to turn down dinner politely if the woman is actually walking you there.

I can honestly say that I have never had smoked alligator. Ewwwww...

Ahhh, Hwy 27. I am actually familiar with that.

I know that exit sign well too!!! Exit 62.

I have to add that I hate that you don't pass under the arches going to DHS. That just feels wrong.

I always get such a kick out of Dino ride photos. The range of reactions is almost always priceless.

 

[MEK]

Tarpon Springs looks like an interesting place. The sponge industry makes it rather unique. I bet a lot of people didn't even know that natural sponges come from a live animal. I remember when I was younger that we had some natural sponges. Their texture is different from the more common cellulose sponge.

Tarpon Springs is a pretty cool place. I'm glad we got to visit it. It was fun!

I do remember my grandmother having the natural sponges. They are totally different from cellulose sponges. There is just something weird about the natural sponges.

You and Denny were very adventurous that night, following that stranger to some unknown destination. I'm glad it turned out alright.

Yes - we were really living on the wild side that night. Actually, it wasn't as creepy as I made it sound. She was just hustling on a slow night and it totally worked. I'm pretty sure she brought other people after us.

Yay! You are back in the Bubble!

I know, right? Can't stay away from that bubble too long!

Your dinner at the Greek place loked pretty good, that Saganaki looked yummy, I just love just about any kind of cheese and melty cheese is the best.

Me too! Nothing better than gooey, melted cheese. Love it! Plus it comes with fire!

Awesome ride pic!

I was clearly having fun with that one!

Nice final night in tampa. I couldn't help but laugh at the creepy lady who lured you into Mama's. I guess that's how you drum up business.

It was pretty funny and it probably would have felt creepier if we hadn't had happy hour before dinner. I think I probably made it sound worse than it was. She really was out there hustling for costumers on a Monday night. Gotta give her that!

That's a fantastic Dinosaur ride photo. I love it. Wish I could have seen the other guests' faces when they looked at and saw the stark difference between them and you two.

I know - I was like - come here Dino! I timed that perfectly!

 

[KatMark]

Playing catch up again.

I'd have been a bit leery of that woman who "walked you to the restaurant", but then I work in Downtown Chicago and have learned not to trust a lot of people that are down there.

Dinner looks yummy. I'm sorry the calamari wasn't that good.

Yay...you are back in the bubble and going to one of my top parks (it really is moving up the ladder and could reach #2 soon).

I am at the picture on Dinosaur. I LOVE it.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I decided to wear a dress, since I had packed several and hadn’t worn any yet.
A serious selfie

You don't look very thrilled about the idea of going out here.

Once again, I spent money at the FREE wine tasting.

Sounds like you're the target demographic!

I guess this is a good time to take a break, but I’m not going to leave you guys hanging. I promised we’d get back to the bubble and “dog gone it” we ARE! Can I get a boolah??????

Come on! Let's see some Disney already!!!

Has anyone ever heard of Showcase of Citrus?

Did you notice admission is FREEEEEEEEE! (Captain Oblivious)

I know I've said, "If it's free, it's for me," but it's hard to get excited over oranges. Maybe if they had bacon?

Wait! Are we in the wrong lane to go under the Disney arches????

What?

Yup

I didn't even know that was possible.

OMG LOOK! Just for Cynthia & Pat!

A chemist’s dream

You know the story of these formula, right?

There is perhaps one of my all time favorite Dinosaur red neck ride photos

Awesome!!

 

[BarbP]

Loved loved loved your Skyway Bridge adventure and then your foray into my beautiful home town. I was born in Bradenton and lived here my whole life. It is paradise and I love it. Your pictures showed the beauty that is Manatee County. Come down and stay on Anna Maria Island some time. We still have the small old fashion beaches vs the ones of St Pete or Sarasota with their huge Condos. Nothing better then renting a beach house or small condo right on the Gulf and walking out to the beach every morning. This was our staycation this past summer. And it was wonderful. All in all your trip this time sounded fabulous! Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

 

[Leshaface]

Can free really ever be free? I've done many a 'free' wine tastings before, yet my purse feels lighter after every taste. Hmmm...

What is saganaki?

looks like you're saying "Come on! Have at me, I'm right here!" on Dinoasaur!

 

[MEK]

Loved this update!!!

Thanks!

You have totally convinced me to check out this area of Florida. The Honeymoon Beach area was beautiful and I loved your description and pictures from your return to Tarpon Springs.

It's a cool area and I think its important to see all the other areas of Florida. If I am going to be a snowbird I have to know my Florida so I can pick the best locations to snowbird!

I would love the shops and restaurants there! All I could picture as you were talking about that woman was the Gypsy from the book/movie "Thinner" (Stephen King/Richard Bachman)

Not quite that dramatic. She looked pretty normal. She was just out hustling for costumers and it worked. I have to give her props for that.

I adored everything about Mama's restaurant. The drink specials (how/what was the Greek Sangria), free flaming cheese and Greek food. Opa!!!

I loved both Greek restaurants that we went to. Hellas was a little fancier inside, but they both had good food and service. And, yes, free flaming cheese is the best! Opa for sure!!!!!

Why did you end up in a lane not under the arches? But I think the photos came out great anyway. It is hard to get in the whole view, Mickey Minnie and the arch in a single shot as you are going underneath.

Denny was driving. Does that answer your question???? Seriously, I have no idea. We went in near Celebration and I thought we were following the signs for AK. Who knows?

Nice start at AK- we often start our day there at Dino.

I love Dino! I'm glad we had time to go there before EE!

Oh my goodness, your Dinosaur picture is fabulous!!!!

Thanks! I have to try to replicate that next time. It was fun hitting is just right.

Weird creepy lady guiding you down a deserted alley? They need to get better advertising

Hey, she was seriously out there hustling for a Monday night. I think I made it sound creepier than it really was.

Was that a real shark Denny was touching?

I think it was fake. Or at least dead!

I liked those wooden frogs at one of the shops, those were cute.

They were cute. They had some fun things in several of the shops. I actually picked up some nice soaps but I never took pictures of them. The problem was there was just too much junk mixed in with the good stuff. Sometimes that makes it hard for me to shop.

Hooray for going back to WDW! You guys did so much on this vacation, what fun!

It was a really fun and different vacation. It was fun to start and end at Disney. I enjoyed that.

 

[MEK]

Annoying bugs cutting happy hour short! I would cry. Nothing should cut happy hour short.

You got that right. That's when you need to move happy hour INSIDE!

Free wine? Um, yes please.

It was a pretty nice tasting. But I would have felt sort of weird if I hadn't purchased anything because we were the only ones there drinking in a little hole in the wall.

Hustling for dinner? Sounds like Italy. They try to hustle you in if you even just walk by.

That's exactly what Karin said. Hey - whatever works.

Wow, that's a lot planned for 32 hours left in your trip!

I know, but its Disney. Sleep is over-rated!

Totally random, but every time I see the word foliage, it makes me think about the Simpson's episode where Marge keeps saying FOILage, and Lisa keeps correcting her over and over. Okay, random aside complete.

Nice Dinosaur pic!

Thanks! I love that pic!

I probably would have ended up being led to Mama's as well, because I have a hard time telling people no! I'm glad it ended up being a good meal though. It looks like y'all had a fun last evening before heading back to the bubble!

I figured we really didn't know where we wanted to eat. We were totally up for anything. So when she led us away the decision was already made. It worked out well.

Great pics of the Tree of Life. Love that icon!

Thanks! Me too!

The Dinosaur ride pic is EPIC!!! You are really trying to embrace that carnotaur!

Well, yes...yes I am!

 

[englishrose47]

Great Updates Mary Ellen !!! I think you are BRAVE going to that back alley restaurant with a stranger !! I can't say I would have touched the fish but your greek dish looked good !!
I have yet to get a good pix of the Disney arch !!! But at least you didn't have to deal with lunatic shoppers

 

[MEK]

Great position or not... That is a beautiful sunset.

Doesn't Florida have the most beautiful sunsets? Just another reason to live there!

Hmmm, they almost seemed to try and hide the "Free Wine Tasting" part on the sign. Must have known you were coming.

Oh yeah - I'm sure they did!

Oh wow, kind of hard to turn down dinner politely if the woman is actually walking you there.

For Denny it sure is. But since we really didn't have any set plans, in a way it was nice to have someone else make the decision!!!!

I can honestly say that I have never had smoked alligator. Ewwwww...

I know, right? Once you leave the WDW area you see signs for that all over the place and I always think WTH is THAT? Yuck!

Ahhh, Hwy 27. I am actually familiar with that.

Isn't it fun when you see Florida roads that you actually know. It makes you feel like a local.

I know that exit sign well too!!! Exit 62.

Oh YAYAYAYAYAY!

I have to add that I hate that you don't pass under the arches going to DHS. That just feels wrong.

It IS very WRONG! All parks entrances should pass under the arches!

I always get such a kick out of Dino ride photos. The range of reactions is almost always priceless.

You are so right about that. Dino has the absolute BEST reactions. Roller coasters can be pretty predictable, but not Dino!

Playing catch up again.

You crack me UP! You always say you are playing catch up, but you are probably the most "caught up" DISer I know!

I'd have been a bit leery of that woman who "walked you to the restaurant", but then I work in Downtown Chicago and have learned not to trust a lot of people that are down there.

I hear ya! - Being from a big city definitely does that to you, but it was such a different feel there and I really didn't ever think about being unsafe. At that point we were like "Did you say dinner? Well then sure! "

Dinner looks yummy. I'm sorry the calamari wasn't that good.

Yay...you are back in the bubble and going to one of my top parks (it really is moving up the ladder and could reach #2 soon).

Really? I do love AK. It's so different from the other parks. Totally different feel and I really think Safari is the best, all immersive attraction on property. For what it took to create and maintain that. It's just amazing!

I am at the picture on Dinosaur. I LOVE it.

Thanks! I completely forgot I did that. My ride photo from October is such a fail compared to this one!

 

[MEK]

You don't look very thrilled about the idea of going out here.

I know, right? I was concentrating so hard on getting a picture where I didn't look like a dork that this was the end result.

Sounds like you're the target demographic!

That I am!!!!!

Come on! Let's see some Disney already!!!

Hey, I'm trying! I'm trying!

I know I've said, "If it's free, it's for me," but it's hard to get excited over oranges. Maybe if they had bacon?

Oh gee - there's a great flavor combo - orange slush and bacon! Hey, wait - you may be on to something there!

I didn't even know that was possible.

Well, now you do! There is proof!

I love that sign and neither of them has even stopped by to appreciate it!

You know the story of these formula, right?

I don't. Does that mean I am going to have to google it or will you tell me? I'm curious now!

Awesome!!

I love that picture. I am totally going for that next time!

Loved loved loved your Skyway Bridge adventure and then your foray into my beautiful home town. I was born in Bradenton and lived here my whole life. It is paradise and I love it. Your pictures showed the beauty that is Manatee County.

Wow - thanks for the compliment. What a beautiful place to live. You must feel so fortunate. I'm so glad you enjoyed my pictures.

Come down and stay on Anna Maria Island some time. We still have the small old fashion beaches vs the ones of St Pete or Sarasota with their huge Condos. Nothing better then renting a beach house or small condo right on the Gulf and walking out to the beach every morning. This was our staycation this past summer. And it was wonderful. All in all your trip this time sounded fabulous!

That sounds so lovely right now! My DH and I plan to be snowbirds for January and February once we both retire. I was thinking how nice it would be to spend one month on the gulf coast and one month on the Atlantic coast (with some Disney world thrown in between). I'm not trying to rush my life, but I am really looking forward to that life style!

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Thank you!

 

[MEK]

Can free really ever be free? I've done many a 'free' wine tastings before, yet my purse feels lighter after every taste. Hmmm...

I know, right? That is why Denny hates wine tastings. Before we go in he always says, Only buy ONE bottle". But I love them. I know the purchases add up, but there is something about a tasting that I just enjoy so what the heck.

What is saganaki?

It's the fried cheese. When they bring it out flaming everyone calls out "Opa". It's a fun tradition!

looks like you're saying "Come on! Have at me, I'm right here!" on Dinoasaur!

I was a little over exuberant, wasn't I? My October ride photo really lacks compared to this one!

Great Updates Mary Ellen !!! I think you are BRAVE going to that back alley restaurant with a stranger !!

I think I made it sound worse that it was. Plus I had Denny to protect me, right?

I can't say I would have touched the fish but your greek dish looked good !!

Denny actually enjoyed the fish, but if you are not a seafood fan that would totally be a gross out!

I have yet to get a good pix of the Disney arch !!! But at least you didn't have to deal with lunatic shoppers

I only wish I knew how many pictures of the arches I've taken over the years. I could have my own photo folder devoted to that.

Lunatic shoppers? To whom are you referring?????

 

[khaleesi]

All caught up!!!!

Isn't being a tourist fun?? I also love reading little plaques. And just taking pictures!! Yours are amazing.

What's not amazing is all that traffic. *groan*

And just looking at that bridge is making me hyperventilate. Not a fan of driving over bridges!!!

 

[jenseib]

I think I would've gotten scared with that lady leading me to the back entrance. Did she say why you went in that way?

Love the dinosaur picture....and I love all the dining pictures you took outside too.

 

[MEK]

All caught up!!!!

Yayayayay!

Isn't being a tourist fun?? I also love reading little plaques. And just taking pictures!! Yours are amazing.

Me too! Well, I'm not super great at reading plaques. I leave that to Denny. He loves it because he has a great attention span. Me - not so much.

What's not amazing is all that traffic. *groan*

That is probably the one reason why I wouldn't want to be a snowbird there in February. Just too darn many cars. The weather is great, but that traffic was just silly!

And just looking at that bridge is making me hyperventilate. Not a fan of driving over bridges!!!

Seems to be the common comment hear. Not too many bridge fans on the DIS boards.

I think I would've gotten scared with that lady leading me to the back entrance. Did she say why you went in that way?

She never said, but I am guessing because the rest of the restaurant was pretty full. She probably didn't want to schlepp us past a bunch of other diners. Clearly she had been doing a good job that night!

I Love the dinosaur picture....and I love all the dining pictures you took outside too.

Thanks! I still crack up over that dinosaur picture, especially since I had forgotten all about it until recently.

 

[MEK]

Hey guys -


I usually have an update by now, but its been a busy weekend and I probably won't be posting anything until mid week.

Hope everyone is having fun getting ready for the holidays.

I promise to get caught up on everyone's TRs really soon.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Thanks for postponing another update and giving me a chance to almost possibly come close to catching up..............

That is really strange that you got snatched from one location to go eat somewhere far enough away to constitute a tiny hike! I'm guessing after the happy hour and the wine tasting and the additional happy hour drinks with dinner, it would have been even more appropriate to have an escort to get you back to the main street!

Based on that redneck ride photo on Dinosaur, I'm not so sure you weren't still feeling the effects of your evening at Tarpon Springs.........

 

[MEK]

Thanks for postponing another update and giving me a chance to almost possibly come close to catching up..............

Well, if you can't get caught up on this TR then you might as well give up because right now I am moving as slow as molasses!

Actually hoping for a new update soon!

That is really strange that you got snatched from one location to go eat somewhere far enough away to constitute a tiny hike! I'm guessing after the happy hour and the wine tasting and the additional happy hour drinks with dinner, it would have been even more appropriate to have an escort to get you back to the main street!

Probably, but we managed.

Based on that redneck ride photo on Dinosaur, I'm not so sure you weren't still feeling the effects of your evening at Tarpon Springs.........

If I was still feeling the effects of Tarpon Springs it would have been in a much different manner. Just sayin....