The Side effects of the AP-Trip#6 Oct 10 Final thoughts and some TMI

[Charleston Princess]

I always love big kitty pictures! You got some great shots of the tigers!

 

[KatMark]

Another morning at CSR, another sunrise. 7:15 am.

The ride home was uneventful. We stopped for gas ( for the car Glenn, Dan and Marv) and a meal at the same place we did on the way down. I drove and B kept me awake on the ride. I think I dropped them off at 10:30pm and I got home a little after 11 pm.

Great picture of the CSR, Pat (can't wait to be there in six months).

I am gladyou got to see "active" tigers (I don't think we ever have).

Too funny about the gas and your comment to the three guys!

I say we are all cozy and just to continue here.

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

Love the pics of the Tigers!!!

My vote is one AP equals one TR...

 

[SoonerGirl]

Love the pictures of the Tigers! I've seen them up and active just once, and you guessed it, it was when it was cool outside in December

You girls really had a great trip, so much fun despite the crowds!

I vote to just keep it going here, afterall you've got about 180 pages of room left to play

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

great tiger interaction it is a shame they are on the endangered list.


we had a good one on our trip as well...they were actually playing in the water when we were there.

 

[Poolrat]

Awesome tiger pics. at the "special" pics of the tiger.

In fact I put a collage of photos together for the girls for Christmas and one of them was the tiger. I did crop it so it was just his head with the eyes peeking over the branch. Even though that side was not shown we all knew what he was doing and it will remind them everytime they look at it.

As for what to do for the next trip: if it ain't broke don't fix it!

Vote noted- and you are not alone it seems.

 

[Poolrat]

Wow, what a wonderful trip to share with friends! Your TR really has encouraged me to not be too scared of crowded conditions at WDW.

Don't be scared of the crowds, just try to avoid them, plan and be ready to go somewhere else if need be. That worked for us.

I always expected there to be more trips to come out of the AP and to be excluded in this TR! So I would say, please keep this TR going and just continue with trip #3. However, maybe for new readers it might be easier to join if you start a new thread?

Thanks for the thoughts. I had those same thoughts and figured I would put it out there. I have plenty of room so we might just stay comfy.

 

[Poolrat]

I always love big kitty pictures! You got some great shots of the tigers!

The trick is to go when it is freezing out.

I would try for a cool morning instead of a freezing cold day though.

 

[Poolrat]

Great picture of the CSR, Pat (can't wait to be there in six months).

Such a pretty resort. Even if i am not staying there i may have to make sure I at least visit.

I am gladyou got to see "active" tigers (I don't think we ever have).

Cold Morning = active tigers Not sure if I want a cold vacation but a cool morning should keep them moving.

Too funny about the gas and your comment to the three guys!

I write the updates when I have time to dedicate to do so and I think there was some gas talk when I was writing - Well that narrows down when I wrote it doesn't it.

I say we are all cozy and just to continue here.

Vote noted Thanks - I think we are leaning to stay here.

 

[Poolrat]

Love the pics of the Tigers!!!

My vote is one AP equals one TR...

That's a great theroy!


I am glad the tigers were active. The girls really have no idea how lucky they were. I fear if we go again they will be disappointed.

 

[Poolrat]

Love the pictures of the Tigers! I've seen them up and active just once, and you guessed it, it was when it was cool outside in December

Those big cats get really lazy in the heat.

You girls really had a great trip, so much fun despite the crowds!

We had a bit of luck and lots of . Girls trips are the bomb.

I vote to just keep it going here, afterall you've got about 180 pages of room left to play

Look like we are almost unanimous here!

 

[Poolrat]

great tiger interaction it is a shame they are on the endangered list.

It was a great day for tigers with fur coats.

we had a good one on our trip as well...they were actually playing in the water when we were there.

The CM was throwing the food and most of it landed in the water and they had go down to get it. Even the tigers were a bit slow getting in the water, I guess the water was cold.

 

[MeMom]

Beautiful animal.
Seems like you could just go right up to him and rub those ears like I do to my cat.
My cat purrs, however.
Not so sure about this guy.

 

[Poolrat]

Looks like everyone has settled and is comfy. Feel free to raid the kitchen and help yourself. Mi case es su casa. We have quite a ways to go.



Well, my original intentions were complete. I had my annual pass and completed the 2 trips I had intended. I got my money’s worth. I also knew that the annual conference I attend was being held in San Antonio in 2010 and I could go before or after ( or both) and be still within my dates of the AP.

During the winter months I also looked at the school calendar. What’s this? My DS would have off Labor day and then 2 days at the end of the week for teacher workdays. Well that is practically a whole week. Surely he could miss 2 days and we could make it a week. Star tours was also closing and that sealed the deal. My DS had to be there on the last day.

As winter gave way to Spring I got a 40% pincode for a room that I used for 10/1- 10/5. I also booked 10/10-10/12 since at some point I believed I needed 2 roundtrips, NC to Orlando and MCO- SAT. Both stays were at POP.
The Sept trip was free dining so I booked 9/4-9/11 at POFQ. I had to book a package and at least 2 day tickets. I did that and I had options. Use 4 days for DS, upgrade DS ticket when we got there and save mine for a future use or buy 7day tickets and use DS and leave mine unused.


But those would be tales for later on. The reality was I was feeling the side effects of the annual pass.


The ability to have a “ free trip”. We know it is not free but it sure seems like it right? Now I need to get through the rest of Spring and summer.
I was busy during the Spring. Things were getting busy at work. We had our person who handles Birthday parties and groups going out on maternity leave and rumors of widespread cuts. I got most of her work and summer was busy time. We were going to be working longer hours and even though I am used to NOT taking a summer vacation because it is so busy, I saw everyone else in our building requesting time off.

I quickly realized for my sanity I should take some time off. It would do me good and if I didn’t I would be resentful that everyone else was taking time off and I was not.

During this time, Summer Nightastic was being promoted. Special fireworks, limited engagement parade, ToT special effects and then Taste of Africa was announced. I looked at dates, between working a night during the week ( Wed. ) and rotating weekends, the only time I could go was the weekend of 7/10.

My original thought was drive down, spend one or two nights max and drive back. Quick trip.

What do I do? I call my friends who went down NYE and invite them. They are both teachers so summer is when they have time off. B says if it were longer she might be able to go.

How about 7/8-7/13? I call to book at POP. For the first time there is am AP rate- score another plus my AP has granted me. 30% off rooms at POP. It is calling to me and I cannot resist the pull.

B calls back, she can’t go. A can’t go either. Plans are already in place to be at the beach. Darn.

This would be a solo adventure. I can’t turn back now, I am pretty much committed. Looking at gas prices and how much we spent in Dec to drive vs. flying and flying is really about $20 more. I book the flight and I am ready to take off. Wigd and Shocker as well as MeMom and crew as well as dancing princess and her family would also be there. A big MSEP meet was planned as was a Taste of Africa meet. This was just what I needed.


Summer Nightastic July 8-13 Staying at POP

Rough Plans
Thurs Arrive and get settled
Fri- meet for Taste of Africa/MSEP meet
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tues leave for home. Very loosey goosey. Maybe some time to actually relax?????

 

[KatMark]

Sometimes "loosey goosey" is the best way to go.

Can't wait to read more.

 

[Poolrat]

Sometimes "loosey goosey" is the best way to go.

Can't wait to read more.

This trip was all about keeping my sanity. Not sure if it worked.

Our work environment was getting so stressful that I needed to take that time. I knew if I didn't, I would be resentful and that wasn't going to be helpful at all.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Yay for an unexpected summer trip and yay for DISmeets!

 

[Poolrat]

Beautiful animal.
Seems like you could just go right up to him and rub those ears like I do to my cat.
My cat purrs, however.
Not so sure about this guy.

I would like to go up and scratch his belly but i have a feeling I can't do that. I would lose my arm.

 

[Poolrat]

Yay for an unexpected summer trip and yay for DISmeets!

CP had my wheels turning as she planned Disney - changed her mind for the beach and then went back to Disney.

The marketing of Summer nightastic suckered me in, willingly of course. I think once I booked it all I realized I had very little planning time. Usually I had months not days. The Dismeets were a bonus considering my dates were dictated by work but that also made it easier to justify going.

 

[glennbo123]

Nice tiger pictures!

Hey, somehow I always eat and get gas at the same time.

I vote for a new thread. Just kidding!