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

[FauntleroyFAN07]

It'll be interesting to see where our paths cross. Gotta meet Parker.

Changes? Who makes changes this close to arrival-time?

well i think we are both still going to be in MK on wednesday we will be in fantasy land for sure for a few hours...then hit toontown when the characters are there in themorning.

but we will be texting im sure.

i think that the AK/epcot day is theonly change that we have right now.

but who knows.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Hey Glenn!

Went back and used your chapter links to get all caught up. I missed a ton of stuff!

First off, love the retro TR as always. And great photos. Speaking off which, that's a sweet gear bag!

I remember how awesome it was when the countdown went from months to weeks. Can't wait to hear how your trip turns out.

 

[glennbo123]

well i think we are both still going to be in MK on wednesday we will be in fantasy land for sure for a few hours...then hit toontown when the characters are there in themorning.

but we will be texting im sure.

i think that the AK/epcot day is theonly change that we have right now.

but who knows.

We'll probably be doing "the mountains" that day, but we'll definitely have to work in a time to meet up.

Hey Glenn!

Went back and used your chapter links to get all caught up. I missed a ton of stuff!

We try to be reader friendly here. Glad the links are getting some use.

First off, love the retro TR as always. And great photos. Speaking off which, that's a sweet gear bag!

Thank you!

I remember how awesome it was when the countdown went from months to weeks. Can't wait to hear how your trip turns out.

It's definitely getting close! Hard to believe, really.

 

[eandesmom]

Ok there is a HUGE difference between a golden delicious and a red.

Not that I like either one mind you, I"m a Pink Lady gal, but my kids are Golden fanatics. Golden's run $1.99 a pound here and what's that, 2 apples (they are big suckers) so really, yes it's more but not as much as you might think.

I remember having a heart attack for what I paid for Pink Ladies last year via GG but it was worth it.

For me personally though, I packed PB and J and a few of the condiment things, saved a bit of $$ that way. We really over ordered last year so this year it's pretty scaled back but is probably still too much. I do have my order mocked up already too!

SWEET camera bag. Fancy Schmancy.

Hyperspace Hoopla?

I'd be in, just for the name! I can't wait to hear about it. TWO weeks. SOOOO jealous.

Good rescheduling.

 

[glennbo123]

Ok there is a HUGE difference between a golden delicious and a red.

What can I say? I'm not a fruit guy. Never met a veggie I didn't like though.

Not that I like either one mind you, I"m a Pink Lady gal, but my kids are Golden fanatics. Golden's run $1.99 a pound here and what's that, 2 apples (they are big suckers) so really, yes it's more but not as much as you might think.

I remember having a heart attack for what I paid for Pink Ladies last year via GG but it was worth it.

We got several Pink Ladies last year. They're the same price as Golden Delicious, $1.19 each. I'm not sure why Judy wanted to just go with one variety this year.

For me personally though, I packed PB and J and a few of the condiment things, saved a bit of $$ that way. We really over ordered last year so this year it's pretty scaled back but is probably still too much. I do have my order mocked up already too!

That's our plan, probably carry some lunch stuff into the parks a day or two and save some dough. I'm thinking my order is probably a little too much too, but we'll see. I just hit the button. I changed-out the chewy chocolate chip granola bars for crunchy oats and honey. The kids don't like the crunchy as well as the chewy, so that's why I had the chewy in the cart. But chocolate chips aren't going to fare too well in Florida in June, and Lauren said she'd eat the crunchy ones with me, so the change was made. The other two kids said they'd try the chewy oatmeal raisin. It's a miracle if I can get two to agree on something.....three is absolutely out of the question. So that's as good as it is going to get.

SWEET camera bag. Fancy Schmancy.

Ya think?

Hyperspace Hoopla?

I'd be in, just for the name! I can't wait to hear about it. TWO weeks. SOOOO jealous.

Should be good!

I'm getting almost close enough to start checking weather forecasts!

Good rescheduling.

I thought it worked out pretty well. Last night Judy mentioned that she's going to call her sister in Florida to see if she wants to visit us for a day. That's all well and good, but in regards to my planning.....I think my eye started twitching.

In light of that, please enjoy these compilations of scenes of Herbert Lom playing Chief Inspector Dreyfus in the Pink Panther movies --> Part 1 Part 2, the best eye-twitcher in the biz.

 

[Lynn5700]

I am joning in way too late. I am going to try my hardest to catch up, lol.

 

[glennbo123]

I am joning in way too late. I am going to try my hardest to catch up, lol.

Hey Lynn!

You're not too late at all....feel free to use the chapter links in my first post to help you get caught up. You'll miss the in-between banter, which has some good stuff, but you'll get the gist.

I'm glad you're here!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Thanks Rebecca. So when does that "Dad of the year" ballot happen? It's been like 5 years and I still haven't heard anything about my award.

We'll be passing out ballots soon, I promise! I think the awards ceremony will be taking place on June 12th. Oh, wait - you'll be in WDW then, darnit! I'm sure you would have been a shoe-in, but the rules say you have to be present to win. Sorry

Pink ladies, huh? Wasn't that the girl gang from Grease? Didn't know it was an apple, too. I'm a Fuji gal.

 

[glennbo123]

We'll be passing out ballots soon, I promise! I think the awards ceremony will be taking place on June 12th. Oh, wait - you'll be in WDW then, darnit! I'm sure you would have been a shoe-in, but the rules say you have to be present to win. Sorry

Figures, that's just my luck!

Pink ladies, huh? Wasn't that the girl gang from Grease? Didn't know it was an apple, too.

Oh yeah, you're right! Stockard Channing.

I'm a Fuji gal.

I'm not familiar with that girl gang.

 

[SurfinTX]

I can't believe summer is almost here. It seems like only a while ago when you dropped into the double digits. We are down to 14 days and nearly everything is final. Just waiting to see if Disney will add a second F! showing anytime like the did in May.

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh yeah, you're right! Stockard Channing.

I watched that in June last year, and had forgotten what fun music it had!

 

[glennbo123]

I can't believe summer is almost here. It seems like only a while ago when you dropped into the double digits. We are down to 14 days and nearly everything is final. Just waiting to see if Disney will add a second F! showing anytime like the did in May.

Yep, getting close. It's good to hear that you're pretty much ready.

According to another website I belong to, Disney just added oodles of second F! showings.

I watched that in June last year, and had forgotten what fun music it had!

It's one of Judy's favorite movies, but not really my thing. I've probably seen the whole thing in bits and pieces, but never from start to finish.

 

[queenbeaz]

You've cried? I'm not sure that even I've cried in this process. Not since Up! anyway, but let's not go there, something got in my eye, seriously.

Ummm...yes, because 1) I'm an overly emotional person & 2) There is nothing better than seeing the absolute joy on children's faces when they experience the magic of Disney. There's a lot of joy in your TR's! I went back & read your first one & it's great too. The hubs has been drawn in as well. We have been contemplating DVC ever since our honeymoon in '99, but it's never really been a good time for us to buy until now. Maybe. Although at this point its really just down to deciding where and how much to buy, I think. Are kids only got one day at DL and we can't wait to take them back!

It's one of Judy's favorite movies, but not really my thing. I've probably seen the whole thing in bits and pieces, but never from start to finish.

I once watched it 11 times in one week! I'm not sure I could count how many times I've seen it all together. On second thought, maybe I'm the one that deserves an !

 

[glennbo123]

See, I knew your second post would be worth waiting for!

I'm an overly emotional person

I once watched it 11 times in one week! I'm not sure I could count how many times I've seen it all together.

Based on these two statements, I think you'd get along great with my wife!

There is nothing better than seeing the absolute joy on children's faces when they experience the magic of Disney.

I absolutely agree.

There's a lot of joy in your TR's! I went back & read your first one & it's great too. The hubs has been drawn in as well.

Aw, thanks. hubby.

We have been contemplating DVC ever since our honeymoon in '99, but it's never really been a good time for us to buy until now. Maybe. Although at this point its really just down to deciding where and how much to buy, I think. Are kids only got one day at DL and we can't wait to take them back!

I know how the urge to buy can get a hold of you. But remember, there's no rush. You can even rent points here on the DIS, under the DVC threads. We got some "developer" points when we bought, as an incentive, but we couldn't use them at the time so I found somebody on those threads to rent them from us. It worked out great for both them and us. Or, you can look at the resale market and maybe buy a small contract (ie. smaller than Disney's minimum buy-in) and through banking and borrowing you could go every couple of years, and add-on more points when you're able to. Just some thoughts...I wasn't really aware of all of these options when we bought, not that I regret it though.

I once watched it 11 times in one week! I'm not sure I could count how many times I've seen it all together. On second thought, maybe I'm the one that deserves an !

I'd have to be tied-up for that to happen. Like something out of "9 to 5". Pic

 

[jenbear123]

Thanks jenbear. Maybe it was one of your TR postings that I read that? I think maybe Great Biscuit wrote about lining up early too. I don't know, so many threads!

I feel your pain on the "so many threads!" comment. It's hard to keep up. Speaking of which, I don't know how I missed your recent trip update post. Now I shall comment!

We’re 24 days away from our arrival at Disney World, and recently there has been a small flurry of planning activity happening, so I thought I’d give you an update.

Flurry? Snow? GAH!

I really hope you can get Dan for The Wave. If not, I found another great server when we ate there in April. His name is Jimmy. Add that to the list I expect a full report on Summer Nightastic. I'm so sad I won't be seeing it this year

I wish I had those time guides ahead of time at Epcot. Next time, I'm going to plan a full day around those shows in WS.

Great groceries list. Am I invited for dinner?

The new camera bag you got looks like the better choice. Not so bulky like the other one. I hope it serves it's purpose well.

 

[glennbo123]

I feel your pain on the "so many threads!" comment. It's hard to keep up. Speaking of which, I don't know how I missed your recent trip update post.

Well don't stray too far then. I've got a feeling something might be coming soon. Too bad your little green light is out.

Now I shall comment!

Da, da-da daaaaah. (It just sounded like it needed a trumpet fanfare.)

Flurry? Snow? GAH!

Hey, lookit you with your smilies!

I really hope you can get Dan for The Wave. If not, I found another great server when we ate there in April. His name is Jimmy. Add that to the list I expect a full report on Summer Nightastic. I'm so sad I won't be seeing it this year

You probably can't go wrong at Disney. Last year we had great servers at Sanaa, Kona, and 50's Prime Time. I think the only one that was kind of a dud was at 'Ohana, but there's less interaction there since you don't place an order --they just bring the stuff to your table.

I wish I had those time guides ahead of time at Epcot. Next time, I'm going to plan a full day around those shows in WS.

Sounds ambitious! I haven't really looked at them close enough to see if there's a "flow" that you could catch a bunch of them if you started at a certain time and traveled clockwise or counterclockwise. But if somebody wanted to take a look and let us know....

Great groceries list. Am I invited for dinner?

Sure. You wanna come for ravioli night or pizza night? 'Course if you come for pizza night, you'll get babysat by my kids because Judy and I will be at The Wave.

The new camera bag you got looks like the better choice. Not so bulky like the other one. I hope it serves it's purpose well.

I used it this weekend and it worked just fine!

 

[glennbo123]

One of the things on my pre-trip "To Do" list was to download the Windows Live Photo Gallery software and try a test run at making a panoramic photo, like the many panoramics which appeared in Great Biscuit's trip report. Link to Biscuit's Grand Adventure Thanks GB for pointing me in the direction of this software!

A few weeks ago, after about 3 attempts, I got the software installed. I'm not sure why I had problems, but that really was the hardest step in the whole process. Then I went and sat on my deck and took 8 pictures of my backyard, 4 left-to-right covering about horizon-level and up, and 4 left-to-right covering the horizon-level and down.

After camping with James and a group of dads and boys from church this weekend, I needed to download all of the photos from my camera and after doing that, I decided to try out the software to "stitch" the panorama together.

Here's the end-result. The deck looks like it belongs in a fun-house, and you'd have to be a drunken sailor to walk across it, but overall I think the picture turned out pretty cool. I think that to get it to look better I need to take even more pictures than 8. Hmmm, I better look into extra memory cards.

And since I mentioned our camping trip, I'll throw in a few pictures from that. We were around Raystown Lake, which is in south-central PA. There were about 18 dads and boys. We went biking along the Lower Trail around Williamsburg, PA. It's a "rails to trails" biking/walking/jogging path and was very nice -- very gradual grade, no ruts, small cinders (ie. not gravel). James and I rode 12 miles. We did this same trip last year and went 22 miles, but that was just too much for those of us with butts that aren't used to bicycle seats. Some people did 22 this year and they were pretty much done for the day.

Most of my pictures have lots of people in them, and I don't want to post their pictures, so I'll stick to pictures of James or nature. Of course, now that I said that I'll break that rule with the first one. It has another boy in it, but you can't really see his face. It gives you a good idea of the trail though.

And we saw monoliths, like this:

And wildflower-filled fields, like this:

Then we drove to Trough Creek State Park to do some hiking. We took a couple-mile hike up and down a mountain. Unfortunately, it was kind of rainy so I didn't want to take my expensive camera along. It was a shame because we went across a really cool suspension bridge, and saw some beautiful waterfalls.

I did take this picture from a bridge close to where we cooked dinner at the park though.

And of course James located a stick to keep as a souvenir.

Link to next chapter

 

[Jake & Crew]

Been lurking for a month and now all caught up and ready to sub as you get ready to launch this trip

 

[All7OfUs]

Your pan shot looks awesome! Going to get my rum now.

No really! It does look fun; I'll have to see if I can work on some panoramic shots, but uploading software scares me.

Your biking/hiking/cooking trip looked like great fun!! The scenery was something I could lose myself in! I especially like seeing that little abandoned house just ahead of the boys. Reminded me of the Movie Fried Green Tomatoes a little.

Given a choice, I'd be there for ravioli night. I'd love to be babysat by your kids, though on pizza night. They seem like good kids, but I'm sure we could cook up some trouble, though.

 

[glennbo123]

Been lurking for a month and now all caught up and ready to sub as you get ready to launch this trip

Jake & Crew!!! Thanks for coming out of lurkerdom and getting caught up!

"Launch this trip" -- I like the sound of that. 18 more days!