The Most Expensive Free Trip Ever - TR Link is Up! Pg. 164

[glennbo123]

I have GOT to start a countdown calendar for the kids...I guess I have to put that on my list of things to do! We arrive the 12th, package starts the 13th...since we're leaving the 11th, though, I'm going to use that for my own personal countdown, and that means 38 days for me!! It's a good thing you and Dan are basically going the same time we are, or I'd completely loose track of the countdown!!!

Glad we could be of some service. Hey Jen -- your trip is closer than it appears!

My plan is still basically the Master Plan from way back in this post. Have you compared it to your plan to see if we'll cross paths at any point?

I think you're on the right track with your attitude about the tickets - save your sanity and wait until you can do something about it! And good idea about the coffee...I might have to pass that idea on to the coffee-drinking members of our group!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

One day, all my questions will be answered.

So true.

Is community coffee a brand? I think the Starbucks thing will be a lot easier than brewing. (and I'll get regular coffee )

Yes it's THE brand to drink here in Louisiana....or at least my part of Louisiana.

So are your readers!

I have slacked BIG TIME this TR.

Hoping to start getting the TR caught up. Jordan took a time out and he's still ahead of me!

 

[pintamino]

I'm coming in late here... but I had to comment because I clicked on your last trip report, and saw the picture of your family at the Blue and White Game -- SOLD. Penn State Class of 2012 here.

 

[All7OfUs]

We jump around a lot on this thread. Right, people?

Right! From Studel to Via; tickets to popcorn.

 

[SurfinTX]

Hey Glennbo! Just wanted to say I have been lurking about your TR for a while now. I'm heading to the Poly in 33 days so we will be heading out just as you arrive.

I have to tell you that VIA stuff does pack a kick. It's probably the best instant on the market right now. More than likely we will pack a few on our trip as well and just heat the water in the pot.

I hope your ticket situation works out for the best!

 

[glennbo123]

Hoping to start getting the TR caught up. Jordan took a time out and he's still ahead of me!

I'll be looking for it!

Right! From Studel to Via; tickets to popcorn.

Yep, with occasional outhouse humor thrown in for good measure.

 

[glennbo123]

I'm coming in late here... but I had to comment because I clicked on your last trip report, and saw the picture of your family at the Blue and White Game -- SOLD. Penn State Class of 2012 here.

pintamino I wish there was a nittany lion smiley.

You got here just in time for the good part, where I sing the fight song.

<sung melodically>
Fight on State
Fight on State
Strike your gait and win,
Victory we predict for thee
Ever true to you, dear old White and Blue
Fight on State
Fight on State
Roar, Lions roar
We'll hit that line, roll up the score
Fight on to vic'try ever more <sorry, my voice cracked on the high note>
Fight on, on, on, on, on, Fight on, on, Penn State!

So....what're you studying? You are studying aren't you?

Hey Glennbo! Just wanted to say I have been lurking about your TR for a while now. I'm heading to the Poly in 33 days so we will be heading out just as you arrive.

I have to tell you that VIA stuff does pack a kick. It's probably the best instant on the market right now. More than likely we will pack a few on our trip as well and just heat the water in the pot.

I hope your ticket situation works out for the best!

SurfinTX

Thanks for coming out of lurkdom! You are going to have a blast at the Poly. Their pool looks great. Do you have plans to eat at Kona Cafe and 'Ohana?

I guess I was picturing myself microwaving water in a mug, but heating water in a pot is probably better. That way I can heat more than a mugful and dilute that Via a little bit. Thanks!

By the way, I love the yeti picture in your signature.

 

[All7OfUs]

Yep, with occasional outhouse humor thrown in for good measure.

I do my best...

 

[glennbo123]

I do my best...

We settle for nothing less around here.

 

[glennbo123]

Friday, June 24th would be our MGM day. It feels good to call it that, and it was accurate back in 2005. Anyway, when I was planning for this trip, I was disappointed that the Star Wars weekends at MGM would end just before we got there, on the weekend we were traveling down. But I happened to go onto the Disney website a few days before we left and learned that they had extended Star Wars weekends for one more weekend. Woo hoo! I knew that my kids, especially James, would love that. I told Judy about it, but we kept it a secret until we arrived at MGM.

And speaking of arriving at MGM, stormtroopers were on the roof over the turnstiles when we got there. As expected, the kids were very excited when we explained that the park was holding a “Star Wars Weekend” today.

These guys were great. One of them pointed to the crowd and asked the other, “Should I blast ‘em?” To which the other replied, “No, they said it makes too much of a mess.”

Then one of them said, “What is that they’re doing?” And the other one said, “It must be some kind of greeting.” Then they put their hands up to their faces like they were holding a camera and pretended to click the shutter, as a way of greeting us alien life forms.

We made our way around Echo Lake and started in the direction toward Star Tours. Along the way we saw that we could get our picture taken with Jedi Mickey. I believe this was near the Sounds Dangerous area. We figured that we’d be smart to get that done now, rather than wait, so we got in line.

When we came out, a Jedi Training Academy session was going on. James was absolutely enthralled watching it, and it did look like a lot of fun. After watching the little padawans fight Darth Vader, we finally convinced James to move along with the promise of a ride on Star Tours.

Here are some shots of the queue area.

Then we had a lot of fun meeting different characters.

Chewbacca.

A stormtrooper.

Queen Amidala (who I call “Queen You-owe-me-a-dallah”)

Then the big guy...Darth Vader. There was no monkey business for this photo shoot. Look how James is standing way back as he hands him his autograph book.

After that we had lunch at Studio Catering Company. The kids each got a happy meal type of thing that came in a small metal lunch box. They were actually pretty nice and the kids brought them home to store stuff in. While we were there Judy ran into one of her PChef consultant friends who lives in a different state and she and her family sat with us.

Then we went to see Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. This was a new attraction and I was pretty excited to see it. It didn’t disappoint. I posted a lot of pictures from this show last year, so I’ll just post a couple that I like from this time around.

The “falling guy”.

The “wrecking a motorcycle while sliding through fire guy”.

After LMA! we walked around some more and happened upon R2D2 and C3PO. You can see that James turns into a different kid when he gets a light saber in his hands.

I had to get a picture of this AT-AT Walker because I think it is so cool! I’ve always thought of it as “life size” (at least what would “seem” to be life size from a fictional movie), but according to Wikipedia, this statue is 1/3 scale.

More Star Wars Weekend stuff next time.

Link to next chapter

 

[All7OfUs]

That must've taken some time to put together. And, as such, it'll take some time to read as well. Back in the AM (my time). Adios!

 

[glennbo123]

That must've taken some time to put together. And, as such, it'll take some time to read as well. Back in the AM (my time). Adios!

Fair enough...have a good sleep!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

AWESOME update and pics!! I can't believe that statue is only 1/3 scale! I"ve always thought of it as "life size" too. YIKES!!!!!

Queen Amidala (who I call “Queen You-owe-me-a-dallah”)

Our 1st day this trip is actually the last day of Star Wars weekends. Kind of a bummer. I'm sure it will be packed. It would be nice to see it but we will not really have a full day on our first day.

On another note..... I got my towels!!! I LOVE THESE THINGS!!! I showed them to DH while telling him ALL about them. He told me I sounded like I was trying to sell them to him. Oh well, whatever. I did inform him that he will be carrying them in the backpack this trip.

 

[marvali]

Love the Star Wars pics. One day I'm gonna have to try planning a trip for SWW. One question; who is that strange looking SW character on the right in the picture with Darth Vader? I don't recognize that one......

BTW, you were a little off key on that fight song. I'll attribute it to "early morning voice" and move on.

 

[glennbo123]

AWESOME update and pics!! I can't believe that statue is only 1/3 scale! I"ve always thought of it as "life size" too. YIKES!!!!!

Thanks!

I know, that thing's big. I can't believe Luke took on one of those things all by himself on planet Hoth. (Great Biscuit, that was for you.)

Our 1st day this trip is actually the last day of Star Wars weekends. Kind of a bummer. I'm sure it will be packed. It would be nice to see it but we will not really have a full day on our first day.

I know exactly what you mean, not being a full-day on the first day. And you probably need to get there early if you want to get any of the actor's autographs -- I think they do fastpasses for those. We get in the day before, so we'll be hitting DHS on that last SWW day. I have an ADR at Sci Fi -- how appropriate! I hadn't even thought of that. Then that evening we have an ADR at Biergarten.

Hmmm, I wonder how long it takes to take the bus from DHS to Epcot? Hucifer, do you know?

Back on SWW, I'm not sure if my kids will be into seeing the characters again. They may just want to ride RnR.

On another note..... I got my towels!!! I LOVE THESE THINGS!!! I showed them to DH while telling him ALL about them. He told me I sounded like I was trying to sell them to him. Oh well, whatever. I did inform him that he will be carrying them in the backpack this trip.

That's what we like to hear! I'll tell Judy how pleased you are with them. And if you want to sell them, I can hook you up with that too. Hee hee hee.

I'm sure your husband is thrilled to add some more weight to his backpack.

Love the Star Wars pics. One day I'm gonna have to try planning a trip for SWW. One question; who is that strange looking SW character on the right in the picture with Darth Vader? I don't recognize that one......

Why that's Glennbo Skywalker of course. Be careful, he's a Jedi.

BTW, you were a little off key on that fight song. I'll attribute it to "early morning voice" and move on.

That excuse works for me!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

that weekend sounds cool, we wont be going to those when we are there i think it will be to crowded, but sounds cool.

i like the family pick with the light sabor very cool faces.

 

[glennbo123]

that weekend sounds cool, we wont be going to those when we are there i think it will be to crowded, but sounds cool.

Give Parker another year or so to become a Star Wars fan.

i like the family pick with the light sabor very cool faces.

The Force is strong in this one!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

It took me a bit of squinting to make out the writing on the shirts - at first I thought it said something about being Polish. But that wouldn't make any sense, I guess.

So, bummer about the whole ticket deal. At least you're resigned to it. I'd be pretty frustrated still.

 

[SurfinTX]

SurfinTX

Thanks for coming out of lurkdom! You are going to have a blast at the Poly. Their pool looks great. Do you have plans to eat at Kona Cafe and 'Ohana?

I guess I was picturing myself microwaving water in a mug, but heating water in a pot is probably better. That way I can heat more than a mugful and dilute that Via a little bit. Thanks!

By the way, I love the yeti picture in your signature.

We have an ADR for 'Ohana our last night so we can get some resort time and pack up. The Star Wars pics are great! I have some similar ones from '07. We will be doing SWW our first day as it is a must for us fans. My DS(8) is a big fan so we will be spending about 10 hours in the park.

 

[eandesmom]

I already know I'm going to be mad. It's not good to go in that way, but I just know it.

As Liesa mentioned below, that would be interesting to hear about sometime.

Via was as easy as it could possibly be, and pretty good.


I believe it.


Me too, but you're right, I'm not sure what forum would be best.


I know -- we've thought about giving them to family; we even thought about that consultant who just missed out on the trip. But not knowing if they're transferrable, that could turn out to be a nightmare if they're not!

Ugh I hear you on the tickets. I find myself in a similar mess rather unexpectedly with no clear way out. I share your madness right now. Honestly I would bet money that they are NOT transferable but that's just me being cranky.

I'd be happy to share my feelings on the big green dot. I can wax away on the moral aspect of instant coffee as it pertains to core values.



Not sure what the best forum would be either though lol!

It would not be a bash session though, I'll say that upfront for all. I had a great ride but it was time to move on. I miss the way it was. Something pretty important got lost along the way and I hope someday they can find it again. It makes me sad.

Enough of that (for today)

I'll admit though, it's not what I buy anymore. The fact that it's no longer free has as much to do with it as anything.