KathyRN137
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And...we're....waiting......Kathy
The financially irresponsible WDW trip! [June 25th: p.45, posts 668 & 669]
- Thread starter DebIreland
- Start date
And...we're....waiting......Kathy
sharkB8HooHaHa
DIS Veteran
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She's been spotted on other TRs, so I know she's out there somewhere.....
Disneyland_Mama
<marquee><font color=peach>His head instantly infl
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I think we need to send out the troops and get her back over here.
Hello???? Last updated 3/27???? That's just not nice, Deb!!
OK a grand gathering for Summer 2009 it is! 
DebIreland
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Part 21: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!
(Still) Tuesday October 31st, 2006
I think even the most obsessive Disney planner makes mistakes and, no doubt as punishment for my earlier sarcasm towards DH about the BOAT to MK
(yes I did actually roll them just there in real life 
) I made the mistake of deciding to get a taxi(van) to MK in order to save time. Oh no! May God have mercy on our sorry souls.
It was simple really - we were quickly coming up to 7pm, I knew the closer it got, the worse the crowds would be. So what's quicker than a bus? A taxi? Er, not in this case (and I should have known). We hurried downstairs to the taxi area and were relieved to see that nobody else was hanging around waiting for a cab. Now up to this point there was always a constant stream of taxis coming and going outside The Boardwalk. So we waited... nothing. Waited some more... nothing. Ten minutes or so went by. We were painfully aware that the bus would probably be there soon (we could see the bus stop from the taxi area) so having decided that taxis were not to be had we ran to the bus stop. A bus came along but it was for Epcot. Then Wayne spotted a taxivan back at the rank so we ran en-masse to get it but someone else got to it first.
So, with no more taxivans in sight, we ran back to the bus stop again cause we could see another bus coming. But that bus was for MGM and then, guess what? I swear I'm not making this up. DH spotted another taxivan at the taxi rank so we ran en masse again back to get that. Now remember we're running as two stressed parents, Alice Cooper, a hippie and a mini Alice in Wonderland. I swear I had to stop half way to cross my legs cause I thought I would wet myself from laughing at us running back and forth with not a shred of dignity in sight. 
So we got to the taxivan, were just about to hop in, saw the MK bus pull up below 
- noticed there wasn't that much of a line (I thought it would be mobbed) but went ahead with the taxi anyway as we were halfway in.
Wayne was mortified and really agitated at this point - "it was so embarrassing running back and forth like that." But that just started me laughing even more. I could practically see into his brain as he calculated how many more years he had left until he could legally leave home and get a life with some dignity.
So at about, I dunno, 6.50ish, we're on the road and heading to MK. Or not (as all you experts already know). The driver pulls into a place with taxis, buses and cars all around - I wasn't really looking all that much. I just heard DH say "this isn't Magic Kingdom" and then it hit me - it's the Ticket & Transportation Center. Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! We're late enough already! Then I heard DH say to the driver "excuse me but we asked for Magic Kingdom, this is unacceptable". Oh God no! Nooooooo!!!!! You see, DH is great at asserting himself (even when he's totally wrong,
). The driver explained that he is not allowed to pull up outside the entrance to MK and this is where all taxis to MK must go. Before DH threatened to have him struck off I said "he's right, this is the TTC, this is where we have to get off and get the monorail". So much for my planning and research eh? But don't ya ever just get sick of being the only one who knows these things? I mean, one mistake and there's no-one to take up the flack??!! **Sigh** Yeah, yeah, I was wrong, okay, I admit it! 
So we disembark, 15 dollars lighter, feeling like idiots, and we run to get the monorail knowing that most likely the bus from the Boardwalk is probably right now leaving people off right at the MK entrance - all 15 dollars richer than us!
At the risk of losing you good readers, I must confess I am not a fan of the monorail. I don't get the big deal about it. I don't see why people pay hundreds of dollars more to stay in a monorail resort.
But each to his own and all that. It always seems to be packed and I don't like the atmosphere in the stations. It stops and starts a lot and you need to go up and down the platform to get at it. Isn't the bus just as convenient? [Though I will concede that later in our trip we did have a very pleasant monorail experience where we got to ride upfront and I did enjoy that very much].
So we ran up the platform, determined to get on the next monorail and did manage to get 4 square inches of space between us all to stand in. I know people say it's great cause you don't have to fold up the stroller but honestly I couldn't leave it unfolded and crush everyone around us - it was just too packed. [I'll concede once more that if you're a solo adult travelling alone with a toddler or two then I could see why not needing to fold a stroller would be a God send.
]
Finally we reach MK - I said in my last chapter that we were in line at 7 - in fact I think it was more like 7.15 or so. Even though we weren't planning on doing many rides, I guess I was disappointed that we were somehow missing out on the party. Those MNSSHP tickets are very expensive and you just don't want to miss anything. But, I wasn't too stressed, not anymore. After all, the parade and fireworks were much later and all the shows and Halloweeny extras were gonna be repeated a few times in the evening. Mostly it was the dread of the queues at the turnstiles that worried me. So finally, we're in line but it moved quite fast - we got our wristbands and trick or treat bags and off we go.
Once we got past the turnstiles, despite *knowing* that MK would be packed on Halloween, the sheer volume of people all around us kinda threw us a bit.
Bear in mind, up to this point in our trip, we had to deal with practically no crowds at all - we'd had it so easy all week.
But forget crowds, forget being late, because as soon as we stepped onto Main Street I was absolutely in awe of the incredible, amazing, beautiful lighting. We all stared in wonder at the colours, reflections and shadows all down both sides of Main Street. This is when no amount of planning or scouring the net obsessively looking for MNSSHP pics (you *all* do that don't you?
) prepares you for the real thing! I don't know how they did it but those orange, green, blue, brown hues and shadows all over Main Street just blew me away. We were in this same park just a few hours before that and I swear it looked totally different. It's magic! 
Here's a very poor quality pic (all the pics in this chapter are poor quality cause I hadn't sussed how to do proper night shots on my camera) but you might get an idea of the beautiful colours......
And here are the boys - note Garth practicing his 'peace' sign....
Alice had been fed earlier but the rest of us hadn't eaten since just after noon at Tony's. But we decided to ignore our hunger pangs and get stuck into the party atmosphere.
Yeah, that policy lasted as far as Main Street Bakery (i.e. 2 minutes) when I caved and said "let's eat". I knew that all the CS places would be packed so we agreed to just get what we could here. Pickings were slim so we used our snack credits to get some drinks, cakes and Lays (love those) and decided to get something hot later.
Some drama or other unfolded at the Bakery. What was it? Oh yes, I remember. My room key wouldn't scan. This happened a few times actually but, interestingly, despite my penchant for meandering on and on with paragraphs full of trivial minutae I appear to have failed to mention it up to now.
So anyway I gave the CM Dh's key and that wouldn't scan either. He asked if we wanted to pay cash. 
Um, no, cause that would be the equivalent of paying twice, thank you very much. (Who in their right mind would want to do that?) We gave him Garth's key and that did the trick. He seemed somewhat amused that we didn't want to part with cash instead of trying a third card. Still don't get that but anyway, snacks in hand, we moved on and made our way to Liberty Square passing the beautiful castle on our way....
To be continued soon......... thanks so much for reading!!
(Still) Tuesday October 31st, 2006
I think even the most obsessive Disney planner makes mistakes and, no doubt as punishment for my earlier sarcasm towards DH about the BOAT to MK
(yes I did actually roll them just there in real life ) I made the mistake of deciding to get a taxi(van) to MK in order to save time. Oh no! May God have mercy on our sorry souls.It was simple really - we were quickly coming up to 7pm, I knew the closer it got, the worse the crowds would be. So what's quicker than a bus? A taxi? Er, not in this case (and I should have known). We hurried downstairs to the taxi area and were relieved to see that nobody else was hanging around waiting for a cab. Now up to this point there was always a constant stream of taxis coming and going outside The Boardwalk. So we waited... nothing. Waited some more... nothing. Ten minutes or so went by. We were painfully aware that the bus would probably be there soon (we could see the bus stop from the taxi area) so having decided that taxis were not to be had we ran to the bus stop. A bus came along but it was for Epcot. Then Wayne spotted a taxivan back at the rank so we ran en-masse to get it but someone else got to it first.
So, with no more taxivans in sight, we ran back to the bus stop again cause we could see another bus coming. But that bus was for MGM and then, guess what? I swear I'm not making this up. DH spotted another taxivan at the taxi rank so we ran en masse again back to get that. Now remember we're running as two stressed parents, Alice Cooper, a hippie and a mini Alice in Wonderland. I swear I had to stop half way to cross my legs cause I thought I would wet myself from laughing at us running back and forth with not a shred of dignity in sight. So we got to the taxivan, were just about to hop in, saw the MK bus pull up below - noticed there wasn't that much of a line (I thought it would be mobbed) but went ahead with the taxi anyway as we were halfway in. Wayne was mortified and really agitated at this point - "it was so embarrassing running back and forth like that." But that just started me laughing even more. I could practically see into his brain as he calculated how many more years he had left until he could legally leave home and get a life with some dignity.
So at about, I dunno, 6.50ish, we're on the road and heading to MK. Or not (as all you experts already know). The driver pulls into a place with taxis, buses and cars all around - I wasn't really looking all that much. I just heard DH say "this isn't Magic Kingdom" and then it hit me - it's the Ticket & Transportation Center. Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! We're late enough already! Then I heard DH say to the driver "excuse me but we asked for Magic Kingdom, this is unacceptable". Oh God no! Nooooooo!!!!! You see, DH is great at asserting himself (even when he's totally wrong,
). The driver explained that he is not allowed to pull up outside the entrance to MK and this is where all taxis to MK must go. Before DH threatened to have him struck off I said "he's right, this is the TTC, this is where we have to get off and get the monorail". So much for my planning and research eh? But don't ya ever just get sick of being the only one who knows these things? I mean, one mistake and there's no-one to take up the flack??!! **Sigh** Yeah, yeah, I was wrong, okay, I admit it! So we disembark, 15 dollars lighter, feeling like idiots, and we run to get the monorail knowing that most likely the bus from the Boardwalk is probably right now leaving people off right at the MK entrance - all 15 dollars richer than us!
At the risk of losing you good readers, I must confess I am not a fan of the monorail. I don't get the big deal about it. I don't see why people pay hundreds of dollars more to stay in a monorail resort.
But each to his own and all that. It always seems to be packed and I don't like the atmosphere in the stations. It stops and starts a lot and you need to go up and down the platform to get at it. Isn't the bus just as convenient? [Though I will concede that later in our trip we did have a very pleasant monorail experience where we got to ride upfront and I did enjoy that very much].So we ran up the platform, determined to get on the next monorail and did manage to get 4 square inches of space between us all to stand in. I know people say it's great cause you don't have to fold up the stroller but honestly I couldn't leave it unfolded and crush everyone around us - it was just too packed. [I'll concede once more that if you're a solo adult travelling alone with a toddler or two then I could see why not needing to fold a stroller would be a God send.
]Finally we reach MK - I said in my last chapter that we were in line at 7 - in fact I think it was more like 7.15 or so. Even though we weren't planning on doing many rides, I guess I was disappointed that we were somehow missing out on the party. Those MNSSHP tickets are very expensive and you just don't want to miss anything. But, I wasn't too stressed, not anymore. After all, the parade and fireworks were much later and all the shows and Halloweeny extras were gonna be repeated a few times in the evening. Mostly it was the dread of the queues at the turnstiles that worried me. So finally, we're in line but it moved quite fast - we got our wristbands and trick or treat bags and off we go.
Once we got past the turnstiles, despite *knowing* that MK would be packed on Halloween, the sheer volume of people all around us kinda threw us a bit.
Bear in mind, up to this point in our trip, we had to deal with practically no crowds at all - we'd had it so easy all week.But forget crowds, forget being late, because as soon as we stepped onto Main Street I was absolutely in awe of the incredible, amazing, beautiful lighting. We all stared in wonder at the colours, reflections and shadows all down both sides of Main Street. This is when no amount of planning or scouring the net obsessively looking for MNSSHP pics (you *all* do that don't you?
) prepares you for the real thing! I don't know how they did it but those orange, green, blue, brown hues and shadows all over Main Street just blew me away. We were in this same park just a few hours before that and I swear it looked totally different. It's magic! Here's a very poor quality pic (all the pics in this chapter are poor quality cause I hadn't sussed how to do proper night shots on my camera) but you might get an idea of the beautiful colours......
And here are the boys - note Garth practicing his 'peace' sign....
Alice had been fed earlier but the rest of us hadn't eaten since just after noon at Tony's. But we decided to ignore our hunger pangs and get stuck into the party atmosphere.
Yeah, that policy lasted as far as Main Street Bakery (i.e. 2 minutes) when I caved and said "let's eat". I knew that all the CS places would be packed so we agreed to just get what we could here. Pickings were slim so we used our snack credits to get some drinks, cakes and Lays (love those) and decided to get something hot later.Some drama or other unfolded at the Bakery. What was it? Oh yes, I remember. My room key wouldn't scan. This happened a few times actually but, interestingly, despite my penchant for meandering on and on with paragraphs full of trivial minutae I appear to have failed to mention it up to now.
So anyway I gave the CM Dh's key and that wouldn't scan either. He asked if we wanted to pay cash. Um, no, cause that would be the equivalent of paying twice, thank you very much. (Who in their right mind would want to do that?) We gave him Garth's key and that did the trick. He seemed somewhat amused that we didn't want to part with cash instead of trying a third card. Still don't get that but anyway, snacks in hand, we moved on and made our way to Liberty Square passing the beautiful castle on our way....
To be continued soon......... thanks so much for reading!!
DebIreland
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KathyRN137, FayeW, shark, Tracy & Mo - Thanks for piling on the pressure. Lots more to come soon but I decided my chapters were waaaaaay too long so I'm trying to go for quality over quantity or, er, scrap that, just less quantity.
Lots more to come soon but I decided my chapters were waaaaaay too long so I'm trying to go for quality over quantity or, er, scrap that, just less quantity. 
jonslola
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2007
- Messages
- 301
Hi Deb! Were staying at POP and our ADR's are as follows:
ok, this is where jonslola reaches over for her trusty Passporter, wait, it's not there! Where is it? A feeling of panic rushes over me....
Oh, I must have left it in the bedroom, ya know nothing enhances the love life like Disney planning. Huh? Not there either.
Back into the living room, not on the couch, not under the couch, not IN the couch. Uh, wait! There it is, it only fell in the floor and is DIRECTLY under where it was supposed to be. OK, here are the ADR's:
Kona Cafe
Crystal Palace
1900 Park Fare (supercalifragilistic breakfast)
Raglan Rd
Boma
50's PTC
Le Cellier
We'll be there Oct 13-20 and are also planning to go to MNSSHP on the 16th! I wish I could take you with me! But as how my trip should also be called, "financially irresponsible", I'm still solving the mystery of paying for it.
ok, this is where jonslola reaches over for her trusty Passporter, wait, it's not there!
Where is it? A feeling of panic rushes over me.... Oh, I must have left it in the bedroom, ya know nothing enhances the love life like Disney planning. Huh? Not there either. Back into the living room, not on the couch, not under the couch, not IN the couch. Uh, wait! There it is, it only fell in the floor and is DIRECTLY under where it was supposed to be. OK, here are the ADR's:Kona Cafe
Crystal Palace
1900 Park Fare (supercalifragilistic breakfast)
Raglan Rd
Boma
50's PTC
Le Cellier
We'll be there Oct 13-20 and are also planning to go to MNSSHP on the 16th! I wish I could take you with me! But as how my trip should also be called, "financially irresponsible", I'm still solving the mystery of paying for it.
DebIreland
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Here's a teeny tiny video clip that I meant to include in the second last chapter. It's the kids and DH at our lunch in Tony's. Note the background music and decor and the wonderful view of a very quiet town square. I'll warn you my voice sounds very peculiar in it - I think I was hoarse (I'm saying "ye can talk"(joking) but it sounds like "ye can tok" whatever that means. lol! We ended up using the same camera for photos *and* movies so nobody ever knew whether they were to pose for a shot or talk into the camera. lol! (We didn't have our camcorder lead with us you see). Anyway, it's only a short clip, hope ye like it!
- I think I was hoarse (I'm saying "ye can talk"(joking) but it sounds like "ye can tok" whatever that means. lol! We ended up using the same camera for photos *and* movies so nobody ever knew whether they were to pose for a shot or talk into the camera. lol! (We didn't have our camcorder lead with us you see). Anyway, it's only a short clip, hope ye like it!
DebIreland
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ok, this is where jonslola reaches over for her trusty Passporter, wait, it's not there!
Ooooh, excellent!!! We've only eaten at one of those - Crystal Palace but I so wanted to try Kona Cafe, Boma and 1900 Park Fare last time and just couldn't fit them all in. I think they're wonderful choices. I would be too scared to go to 50s PT. I would literally cry and have palpitations if I had to sing I'm a Little Teapot or something similar. But I do wish I had the courage to go - it always gets amazing reviews!
Awww, thanks!!
How I'd love to be going back in October. 
But as how my trip should also be called, "financially irresponsible", I'm still solving the mystery of paying for it.
Oh you'll get there, don't worry. If you book them (and you have) they will get paid for.
Sorry it's late here.
jonslola
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2007
- Messages
- 301
I must say I almost wet my pants too, picturing the lot of you running back and forth! Too bad you don't have a "wee little clip" of that! I posted my last reply at about the same time you posted your installment, ooh, we're on at the same time, I can feel those Irish vibes pulsing through the computer Your video clip is so cute! Your daughter talking to you is just precious! Can't wait for the next one!
Too bad you don't have a "wee little clip" of that! I posted my last reply at about the same time you posted your installment, ooh, we're on at the same time, I can feel those Irish vibes pulsing through the computer Your video clip is so cute! Your daughter talking to you is just precious! Can't wait for the next one!
Ricky's Girl
DIS Veteran
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- Sep 11, 2005
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- 817
Whew! I am so glad you posted an update. I so did not want to start my swim to Ireland.
I'd trade my DVC points (if I had any Hint! Hint!) to see you all running back and forth from the bus stop to the taxi stand again and again - all dressed in your Halloween finery.
I'll take pity on you and fess up - I only just added my name to my siggie - didn't want you to think you were losing it. Although after the taxi episode . . .
Please don't take so long before the next update . . .some of us are old and forgetful.
I'd trade my DVC points (if I had any
Hint! Hint!) to see you all running back and forth from the bus stop to the taxi stand again and again - all dressed in your Halloween finery. I'll take pity on you and fess up - I only just added my name to my siggie - didn't want you to think you were losing it.
Although after the taxi episode . . . Please don't take so long before the next update . . .some of us are old and forgetful.
puggymom
Mouseketeer<br><font color="00a0ba">The Tag Fairy
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- Sep 30, 2004
- Messages
- 4,010
Love the video clip and the new installment.
I too went to my first MNSSHP this year, weren't the lights on Main Street unbelievable. Yes I admit I looked at other pics when I was planning too, but when you see them in person, WOW!
So when can we expect the next one (no pressure, really, well maybe a little
)
I too went to my first MNSSHP this year, weren't the lights on Main Street unbelievable. Yes I admit I looked at other pics when I was planning too, but when you see them in person, WOW!
So when can we expect the next one (no pressure, really, well maybe a little
)
Ricky's Girl
DIS Veteran
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- Sep 11, 2005
- Messages
- 817
I see you just added the video clip! Excellent!
disneyaddicted
DIS Veteran
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I love it when I click on your TR and there is an update. I even giggle like an idiot. The main street picture was cool. I can't wait for the rest. I must say I don't mind quantity at all and the quality is always good.
Jake & Crew
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Deb WELCOME BACK! Love your long reports.....don't go changing we love you just the way you are!
sharkB8HooHaHa
DIS Veteran
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Everytime we have a trip to the world on the horizon, I announce to the boys that it's time to begin their "training". We take extra long walks at night so they get used to being on their feet and walking around. Now, it seems, I am going to have to start to add the taxi/bus sprint to their routine like basketball players running sprints
I'm sorry, Deb, that image is priceless. Did you have a stroller in tow? Were you all bogged down with all of the junk we all need to keep our little ones comfy? You poor thing.
So glad you're back.
And I, for one, will NOT accept shorter, more to the point, installments.
I'm sorry, Deb, that image is priceless. Did you have a stroller in tow? Were you all bogged down with all of the junk we all need to keep our little ones comfy? You poor thing.
So glad you're back.
And I, for one, will NOT accept shorter, more to the point, installments.
I'm sure it's not nearly as good (no major disaster so far). I put the link in my sig (don't ask me how long it took to figure that out).-
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Where to Go If You Need an Urgent Care on Your Disney World Vacation
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It's Not Too Late to Visit the Disneyland Resort for Halloween
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New Hawai'i Tax Will Affect Select Disney Cruise Line Sailings in 2026
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Disney in the Desert: A Park That Could Change Everything
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A New Contender for the Best Burger at Disney World
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