This Trip Is Being Refurbished for Your Future Enjoyment: UPDATED 11/15!

[jenjolt]

Awww saying goodbye is always hard!!! It's probably the hardest part of the trip for me! I always miss Phillip!

They SING on SW...I so didn't know that!! I'm starting to like SW more and more! I hope I get a singing crew when I fly in January!!

72 at 6am HOLY MOLY that is HOTT!!!!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Oh no, no, no!!!

Yes, yes, yes!!!

And now this sounds like an Herbal Essences commercial.

Um, I was doing the Happy Cold Front Dance this morning because it dropped all the way down to 73 last night.

Sadly, there was no Happy Cold Front Dance danced during this trip. The Holy Hot and Humid Jig was completed multiple times daily, however. I thought about auditioning for a spot somewhere along the World Showcase.

What's next?

Hmmm...walking, walking, s'mores, walking, and HOLY PEOPLE, BATMAN!

I'm really enjoying your tr.
Can't wait to read more!

Welcome Jenn!!!

I'm in! Looking forward to reading about your solo trip. I've always thought it'd be fun to take a solo trip...doing everything I want on MY schedule!

Welcome!!!

And I warn you. That solo time can be addictive.

I just got back last week...it looks like our trips overlapped by a couple of days. I'm always interested to read what other people thought of the same days I was there.

Neato! What were your dates?

Hi, I'm joining! I found your PTR maybe a week or so before you went on your trip and read through the whole thing, but figured it was pointless to sub so late, so I'm here now! Love your TR so far, can't wait to read more!

Well, I'm glad you're here now! Thanks for surviving the rollercoaster of a PTR.

Savvy?

Aye.

And this is the best snort laugh I've had for a while!

Mission accomplished.

Yeah--you are probably right. I just would have loved to have seen him.

I just have good SW karma, I guess.

They SING on SW...I so didn't know that!! I'm starting to like SW more and more! I hope I get a singing crew when I fly in January!!

Apparently not all the time or from everywhere but I've had a singing flight crew multiple times now!

72 at 6am HOLY MOLY that is HOTT!!!!

Oh you just wait. That was nothing.

 

[TarzansKat]

A thousand curses be laid upon the internet gods who determined that on September 30th, our DSL router would decide to call it quits.

Suffice it to say, new router is installed, working, and I am FINALLY here.

Now I have to read it all.

Pray for me.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hey there!

I didn't realize you started!! I'm here, going back to read now.....

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

A thousand curses be laid upon the internet gods who determined that on September 30th, our DSL router would decide to call it quits.

Suffice it to say, new router is installed, working, and I am FINALLY here.

Now I have to read it all.

Pray for me.

Well, there's not THAT much to read.
And don't you have all the time in the world? I mean, c'mon, you're only raising a 2 month old and a 5 year old. Geesh.

Hey there!

I didn't realize you started!! I'm here, going back to read now.....

Hi! Glad to see you 'round these parts.


Hey folks! Working on the next chapter. Maybe today or tomorrow...maybe...

In the meantime, if y'all can figure out how to add 4 more hours to every day I'd be much obliged.

 

[TarzansKat]

Well, there's not THAT much to read.
And don't you have all the time in the world? I mean, c'mon, you're only raising a 2 month old and a 5 year old. Geesh.

I've read.

Now for the witty comments.

Commencing in three...two...

hold on, someone needs something.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Hey folks! Working on the next chapter. Maybe today or tomorrow...maybe...

In the meantime, if y'all can figure out how to add 4 more hours to every day I'd be much obliged.

Flux Capacitor

 

[brookelizabeth]

I've read.

Now for the witty comments.

Commencing in three...two...

hold on, someone needs something.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Just wanted to pop my head in and say hi! As soon as I get some of my stack of dirty Disney clothes in the wash I have to go back and get caught up!

 

[TarzansKat]

Alright, before I get into the mega quoting that we so know and love, I just have to say the thing that struck me the most about your first post is your description of what happened after you got the news that BF wasn't going.

You called your mom.

And then you called me.

I'm honored to be included in that short list, and it's even more poignant for me now that I'm not able to do the same. I'm honored to be included in any list that includes a mom, savvy?

Me! Tinkerbellarella

Have we met?

I'm, well, a character.

If that isn't a bold understatement...

I love my boyfriend, family, friends and cats with the fierceness of a lioness.

Okay, that's dead on.

Supporting Cast Members

As I mentioned in the last chapter, this trip was originally supposed to be shared with my BF, my Prince Charming:

At Universal Studio from our US/IOA/SW trip in April 2009.​

I really love this picture of him.

However, you know which one is my favorite from this trip. Speaking of which, did you send that to me? I can't remember if I have it on my computer, if not, I need that framed, in my house, stat.

TarzansKat - also known as my long, lost DIS twin. KittyKat and I "met" on the DIS a few years ago and then met for real on our Sept. 2008 trips. We are kindred spirits, we share the same soul, we are driven by The Force (I'm Luke, she's Leia, minus the cinnamon rolls). Kat SO wanted to take BF's place on this trip, but as she recently had her second son and her first son was starting kindergarten, it simply wasn't feasible. So, instead, I talked to her almost every day, sometimes multiple times, and she stalked me via her imagination.

I did. I was an imaginative stalker.

Oh! I almost forgot. The most important part. TK loves her some Capt. Jack Sparrow. And I may or may not also be amenable to the dreadlock-ed captain and may or may not have brought rappeling gear on this trip to scale the MNSSHP float and commit my first felony - kidnapping.

No worries. I have AAA. They have a bail bond service.

Ahem. Moving on.

I would have bailed you out. After we'd had a nice little chat with the good captain, of course.

Maybe more than a chat.

Okay, okay, I'm not going any farther on the DIS.

I was EX-hausted.

And wide awake.

I fell into an uneasy sleep and unfortunately saw the clock at 12:30, 1:30, watched most of the minutes pass between 2:30 and 4:00 and then fell into a blissfully deep sleep.

For 30 minutes.

This happens to me every time we go.

Remember how much (little) sleep you and I got before our May trip? I swear, it's Disney high.

We met on the sidewalk and embraced in what could contend for the Guiness Book of World Records title for the Longest. Hug. Ever.

:cue Titanic soundtrack:

"I'll never let go, BF, I'll never let go."

Then, just like Rose, I let go. Only I wasn't holding on to Jack's frigid, lifeless grip. I was holding onto my boarding pass for a 7:00 a.m. flight to Orlando.

Am I allowed to laugh at this?

O.M.G.

At that moment, my phone vibrated. BF had beat me to it. He texted that he missed me already but he wanted me to have a good time. And that he'd talk to me once the plane was on the ground.

He's a good egg, that one.

Oh.

And he sang.

If you've flown SW you might've encountered some of their singing flight crew. They're a lot of fun and their little songs are hysterical. Before breaking out into song, he announced, "This is a non-smoking flight. There is also no whining, crying or complaining. It's too early."

After he performed our Broadway spectacular, he said, "Thank you for flying Southwest, home of low fares and bad entertainment" and strapped himself in.

I love it when they sing! And tell bad jokes.

It's delightful.

Then, just as we were starting to pick up speed down the tarmac I heard her say, "Hold on, we're ready to blast off now!"

And blast off we did.

Did I ever tell you about Nemo's similar comment on a flight?

It was our Pirate's Life for Three trip, and we were getting ready to land at home, when our three year old proclaimed, "WE'RE GOING DOWN!!!"

He was really enthusiastic, and fortunately, no one heard him except myself and DH.

And THIRTY minutes early!!!

Now that's cause for celebration.

We had arrived.​

There's not much better feeling than that.

 

[JKMJ441724]

UP NEXT: There's NO CRYING at the airport! She's crying, sir!

(Kudos to the person who knows what quote/movie that's adapted from.)

I do! I do!

and even though I'm only on the first post, I'm enjoying it immensely. It's great to be back in the World with Tinkerbellerella.

 

[JKMJ441724]

My first ever "Welcome to Disney" sign photo. At least I think it's my first one.​

Awww. Gives my heart a little pitter-pat.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Shortly after driving under the sign of all signs, we pulled up to the light waiting for the left hand signal to turn into the Caribbean Beach Resort (CBR). It was about twenty to eleven.

And it was all I could do not to get a little teary.

There’s no crying in Disney World!

Ok, that one has now been properly beaten to death.

And I promise, I don’t cry through my whole vacation.

I was a little teary because I was missing my friend KittyKat and wishing she could’ve been there, with me, in her favorite place in the World at her favorite time in the World. Kat and I had had the opportunity to do a ‘girls only’ trip the previous May and had stayed at CBR. Though she and I had enjoyed ourselves some Flower and Garden Festival and delightful late Spring weather, there’s simply something right about the TK clan being in the World in the Fall enjoying all the not-so-scary festivities.

However, our May trip had been a good one and I simply couldn’t help but remember pulling up to the Custom House, seeing our Jamaican room for the first time, running like 5 year-olds through the courtyard during the thunderstorm to end all thunderstorms. And of course, “Where you live?”

That was for you, KittyKat.

Our ME stop at CBR was brief. I’d been curious how much travel time gets eaten up by all the stops the coach makes before (and after) your stop. Answer is, not a whole heck of a lot – at least not in my experience. Maybe a third of the bus said good-bye here and any of their luggage was quickly pulled out from under the bus and whisked away.

We headed out of CBR and made our way on to POP Century with only one near disaster.

Ever wonder what would happen if one of those automatic security gates that lets vehicles in and out of the resorts didn’t “see” the bus when it was supposed to? Me too.

On our way out of Disney’s interpretation of a smorgasbord of tropical islands sans hurricanes we were traveling behind another vehicle. The vehicle, shorter than the bus, triggered the security gate, which raised without a problem. Bill nudged the bus slowly forward. The gate continued to move back down. Bill still confidently rolled on, expecting that arm to raise back up aaaaany minute now.

It didn’t and we all watched with interest wondering if we were about to bust right through the gate (accidentally, of course) a la most Jason Statham movies.

At the Last. Possible. Second. the gate changed its mind, sensed the bus and made its slow but sure ascent. At this point I think it was a couple of inches from the front of the bus. Bill’s reaction?

“Well.”

He may have muttered something missed by those of us more than 3 rows back and he shook his head and we moved on.

Crisis averted.

(Funny what constitutes a crisis in the real world versus Disney World.)

We made the short trip over to Pop and were thanking Bill for his kindness and mad driving skillz before we knew it.

And the answer is no, I couldn’t have taken a worse picture.​

I hadn’t stowed anything under the bus and since I was sans children and anyone else to wait for, I was the first person strolling down the red carpet (literally) and into the lobby. I breathed in my first big breath of my Disney Resort Air.

Unfortunately it didn’t have that Poly smell. If you’ve been to the Poly you KNOW of what I speak. Write. Whatever.

I’d rolled the dice and completed online check-in before I’d left and it was time to see how that roll panned out. As I wound my way through the empty line, I glanced over at the regular check-in line. There was one person waiting. And, as I approached the end of the line and was ushered over to an available Cast Member (CM), that one person was also signaled to proceed.

Gentleman (and ladies), start your engines. It’s ON.

From what I’d gleaned from various threads here on the boards, information is sparse and time is short when you’re doing online check-in. And that was alright with me. I’m not stranger to Disney or Pop. So, in my head what was about to happen was something along these lines:
*my ID would be checked
*my packet would be handed to me
*I’d receive my room assignment or be told when to expect my room to be ready
TOTAL TIME ELAPSED: 37 seconds

Hm.

Someone didn’t let Frannie, my CM, in on the plan. She was very sweet. Really. And very sincere about welcoming me back to Pop and to Disney. She asked me if I vacationed there often and I explained that this was my second trip to Pop and my twelfth to the World. She then proceeded to go through the whole welcome packet. And the resort info. And my dining plan.

I did the puppy head tilt. You know the one. It has this sound effect: “Baroo?”

Part of me wanted to say, “Um, excuse me Frannalanaadingdong, but I’ve stayed here before. Matter of fact, I’m a DISer, so you know that means I’ve scoured every inch of the internet for every bit of information I can get about this resort, your job, the entire World, including their trash pick-up schedule so no, I don’t need you to go into detail about where I can find the laundry facilities.

Besides, who does laundry in Disney World?! Ok, ok, I know there are a lot of you out there that do. And I’m sorry for it. It’s Disney. Those Premium Mickey Head Ice Cream stains should just magically disappear.

Not that it was a race or anything, but I glanced over at the woman from the regular check-in line who was already gathering her belongings and heading out to breathe the Disney Resort Air over in Everything’s Pop (EP). I turned my attention back to Frannie.

“Your room will be in the 70’s section in Building 6. Here.” Cha-ching! My one room request had been honored! She then began to draw a detailed plan of how I could walk from 70’s building to EP. From the 70’s building to the buses. From the 70’s building to my house. And included the mileage, speed limits and Sonics I’d encounter along the way.

I repeat, Frannie was sweet as I imagine peach pie to be since I’ve never had it. She would’ve been the PERFECT CM to check in a first timer. And I complimented her before leaving the desk on her mad checking-in skillz. But at that moment in time I think my eyes were screaming, “Hot Holy Carp Frannie, just give me my room key.”

To which she promptly responded to my eyes, “I’m sorry Miss Tinkerbellarella but your room isn’t ready yet. However, if you give me a number, we can either call you or text you as soon as it is. It should be all set for you sometime between 12 and 2.”

Ouch. A burp in the good Disney juju.

I reminded myself I was in no rush, even if I was coming in second and dangerously close to third in the Disney Check-In Olympics and opted for the text option. Which just kind of struck me as neat. Disney World was going to text me!

It doesn’t take much.

As I FINALLY bid Frannie adieu, I glanced down at my watch. 10:55. All things told, I was “free” in the World almost an hour a head of what I’d originally hoped for. Though I did have to settle for taking home the Bronze for the Check-In event. Perhaps with more training and some performance-enhancing drugs I will take home the gold next year.

On my way back out the front door I was first distracted by the wall displays. Here are some of my favorites:

LL, I saw this one and thought of you!​

Tinkerbellarella can haz ze monorayle game?​

All I have to say is, “Thunder…Thunder…Thunder…Thundercats, HOOOO!”
Oh and, there was a time when mothers would’ve beaten each other down and smashed through that glass for that Cabbage Patch Kid.
And finally, my bedroom threw up in this diorama.

R.I.P. MJ​

I was then distracted by giant Legos (and 4 very well-behaved blonde boys). They were having a blast. I totally wanted to join them.

Sorry oldest blonde boy who I’ve now made internet famous on my TR.​

I headed over to the baggage check and left my 86lb carryon in Will’s capable hands. I advised him my laptop was in the bag and to please be careful with it. He advised me he’d guard it with his life. With my bag now in the care of its very own Secret Service agent, I was ready.

But…what to do?

I wasn’t quite hungry yet, so lunch was out. It was a beautiful day and, despite it being rather toasty, there was a pleasant breeze and nothing but blue skies and white puffy clouds. The original plan was to check in and then head immediately over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS) (R.I.P. MGM). But, despite having been on Disney property for more than a minute and a half, I wasn’t quite ready to get my park on. And thus it was decided. A walk around the resort was in order.

I headed out of the back side of Classic Hall and turned right.

Welcome to the 1950’s. Now get in the kitchen, woman, and heat me up a TV dinner.​

As I’ve only ever stayed on the “left” side of the property, I decided to walk towards what I didn’t know. As I passed this:

and this:

I couldn’t help but think of a very talented artist and sweet friend I happen to know. Who is all about the tye dye.

As I approached the larger than life Lady in the 50’s area, I was passing by people who were in various stages of heading to the parks, checking out, and groping each other.

Yes, you read that right. Groping each other.

And also, smoking wherever they darn well pleased.

Hmph. That little bit of un-Disney irked me. But I pressed on.

Am I the only one who thinks Lady’s expression is just the tiniest bit evil looking?! Seriously, at the right angle…​

He’s a tramp…​

Am I the only person on the planet who didn’t know that this cute, not-so-little doghouse exists between Lady and her Tramp? I discovered it for the first time this trip. Very cute. It’s all in the details.

It even has a doggy blanket. ​

Thankfully Disney left out the giant-sized pooper scooper detail that would be necessary for these pooches.

I walked by the bowling pin pool.

Anyone got any change?

Just out of shot is the man I called ‘The Headslapper’.​

There were a few families hanging around but it was relatively quiet. As I snapped pictures of the area, I suddenly heard a THWAP!, followed by a cry of pain, disbelief or both. As I turned my head, ready to help if it was needed (or possibly run away if it was bloody) I was further irked. There stood a father, hand still in the post-slap-upside –the-head position, standing by a whimpering little boy, who looked to be about 7 or 8.

Really?

I’m not a parent. But I’m also not clueless. I have godchildren. BF has 4 nieces. I know how difficult it can be to keep your patience and effectively parent children while dodging obnoxious verbal abuse and obstinate resistance from them. And I’m not delving into the commentary on whether or not we should physically discipline our children. But slapping your 7 year-old upside the head loud enough so that I can hear it a few yards away?

UGH. Wasn’t I in Disney?

Part two in the next post...

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

The father and I locked eyes for a single second and then I turned my head and moved closer to the jukebox on the front of the building. I started to scan the titles, thankful for the distraction and this one caught my eye and made me laugh:

Do you think Misty Kristy and the Countertops might open for Lady Gaga?​

I hung a left and ended up on the path by Hourglass Lake. What are they going to call this now that the resort on the other side of it isn’t a sister property to POP??? The breeze was even nicer by the water and, since it was a Sunday, there was no work going on across the lake and so it was also relatively quiet. As I walked along, snapping pictures here and there, I noticed how BUSY the resort was. But not with guests, with CMs. There were maintenance people and Mousekeepers everywhere. And they were all super friendly and seemed genuinely happy to be greeting the guests. Not one person passed me by in their little Disney golf cart without saying hello or wishing me a magical day.

Ahhhhh. THERE’S my Disney.

“I know!” cried the lead Imagineer, “let’s construct the buildings in the ugliest color possible. That way, when we abandon the project in a few months they’ll be the most depressing buildings on property!”

Legendary Hall. Not so legendary, apparently.

The bridge to nowhere over Hourglass Lake.

Any time I walked by here people were just hanging out and smoking. It was like the Pop version of a high school bathroom.​

I kept mostly to the path by the lake past the 60’s, 70’s, and then, at the 80’s/90’s section, continued along to where the sidewalk ends (NOShelSilverstein), rather unceremoniously, at a green fence and a parking lot. I turned around and started to wind my way in and out of the buildings.

Little did I know how much of this red yo-yo I’d be seeing!​

I was young but I SO remember the 8 tracks in my parents’ car.

Just. Can’t. Solve. This.

Do you ever wonder if they’ll add a 2000’s section that will have a giant iPod?

When we win Powerball, I want a pool house shaped like this. I’m completely enamored with it. And I have no idea why.

And I thought my laptop was bulky.

70’s Courtyard

That’s one Big Wheel.​

Notice the left-hand soccer player’s Justin Bieber do.

This dad was having the best time watching his kids have the best time. Very sweet.​

Until I saw THIS:

UGH. Just looking at the picture makes me all scratchy and irritated. I need to go slap something…​

That’s right, folks, the much despised yet ever prolific LOVEBUG (NOHerbie). Hm, I thought, isn’t this pretty late in the year? It must be the end of the season for them.

Yeah, remember that.

I wandered around the 60’s area and the Hippy Dippy pool.

And had to take a picture of these guys.

The Disney Ducks. Who were working just as hard as all of those CMs make sure not a crumb remained on the pavement. They were cute, on the move, and maintaining a constant low quacky conversation between them.

I’d been walking for about 45 minutes and was starting to get a rumbly in my tumbly. As if perfectly timed, I was just passing by Petals Pool bar.

Where, by the way, they have this:

Which immediately made me think: They play Beer Pong here?! AWESOME! When I turned around saw the ping pong tables behind me, I was properly shamed.

I set course for EP and the food court to make my first dining plan purchase.
Upon walking in, though, I was immediately distracted.

OOOOOoooo. Shoooppping.

I made a beeline for all of the Disney logo’d items, all of the mugs, all of the Halloween-themed treats for sale in the retail section of EP. I’d be lying if I said my restraint was strong and I easily felt I could wait until later in the week to make some purchases. It was only my first day! Plenty of time!
It was SO HARD not to buy those flip flops that I knew would cut up my feet but which were adorably emblazoned with Mickey’s outline. I DIDN’T NEED a ridiculously sweet plush of Zero from the Nightmare Before Christmas. And a big hooded sweatshirt in 90+ degree weather? I could find away to justify it. Believe me. (And I did, later in the week.)

I finally satisfied the shopping predator in me with two very simple purchases – a new Disneyfied carabineer keychain and some postcards.

My tummy made another rumble of protest. Ok. Time to eat.

I walked into the mostly abandoned food court and picked up the refillable mug included with the DxDP. I then checked out all of the food stations for options before deciding on something from the Asian section. As the CM dished out the portion, my eyes popped out of my head. Holy Food, Batman!
I knew exactly what I’d be having for dessert and so I popped that and a bottle of water on my tray. As I checked out, the CM said to me, “Are you here ALONE?” I nodded. “But WHY?”

::sigh::

Even in Disney you can’t avoid the unavoidable.

I gave her my stock answer and went to the mug filling station. I don’t drink soda anymore, so my choices were iced tea, which I normally love…but I’m not a fan of the brand Disney has. I could have Blue Powerade, but alas, I only like red. Or I could have Minute Maid Lite Lemonade (5 calories per serving). Lemme tell you, in a world of soda, that lemonade saved my life. As I filled my mug, I glanced at the woman next to me, also filling mugs. The big, fat, old school mugs. So old you couldn’t tell what resort they were originally from.

I imagined all of the people on the DISboards having a fit. And laughed a little to myself.

I found a quiet table and began to dig in:

Refillable Mug – was refilled many, many times this trip with lemonade. And once with hot chocolate. Which ended up all over the inside of my purse. But that’s a story for later.

Water – which I brought back to my room for later in the week. Note – there are two sizes of water in the coolers. I saw lots of people getting the small one with the DDP but when I brought the large one with me and asked if it counted, the CM said absolutely! I didn’t get to test the consistency, though. That was the only bottle I bought all week.

Beef and Broccoli with white rice – this was really tasty! Plenty of beef, water chestnuts and broccoli (though I don’t eat cooked broccoli so that didn’t get touched) and the flavor was just right. There was only one problem – there was WAY too much of it!! The serving could’ve easily fed two people. Also, the Beef and Broccoli to rice ration was a little off (I’d have liked more rice) but other than that, this was great.

Tye Dye Cheesecake – Hm. I’m not really sure what to say about this. It tasted fine, nothing spectacular, and again the portion is HUGE but there was just…something…I finally put my finger on it. I felt like I was eating Play-Doh. Not taste (obviously) but consistency. It was very dense and the bright colors just really brought me back to playing with Play-Doh.

After eating I decided to start filling out some of my postcards. Just as I’d decided who’d get what card, my pocket vibrated.

Would it be Disney telling me my room was ready?!

Or was it just BF calling to tell me the new and improved way he’d discovered to torture our kittehs?

Stay tuned to find out.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

First off I just wanted to thank everyone for being so patient. It's been a tough, tiring, interesting 10 days or so, but BF and I are slipping into a routine...finally. Just in time for the routine to change next week when I move into the new place with him. We still have a TON of moving to do but I'm trying to look at things in little chunks, rather than the big bites we've got left. Work is crazy too.

So, it's just a matter of balancing the craziness.

Anyone have a straightjacket?!

So, anyhoo, the next chapter is already pretty much written, so I'll be able to post that sometime this week.

And to all of you who have PTRs, TRs or other threads I'm following, know that I haven't abandoned you. I'm just behind. And also hoping to catch up this week.

Thanks you all again for waiting.

Flux Capacitor

AWESOME.

Just wanted to pop my head in and say hi! As soon as I get some of my stack of dirty Disney clothes in the wash I have to go back and get caught up!

Welcome home! I can't wait to hear all about the race and the trip.

Alright, before I get into the mega quoting that we so know and love, I just have to say the thing that struck me the most about your first post is your description of what happened after you got the news that BF wasn't going.

You called your mom.

And then you called me.

I'm honored to be included in that short list, and it's even more poignant for me now that I'm not able to do the same. I'm honored to be included in any list that includes a mom, savvy?

Aw honey, don't forget, you ARE a mom, so you're automatically included in that list.

Have we met?

You DO look awful familiar!

I really love this picture of him.

Me too, although I think you'd actually LOVE the fact that my absolute FAVORITE picture of him is one where he's wearing a pirate hat.

However, you know which one is my favorite from this trip. Speaking of which, did you send that to me? I can't remember if I have it on my computer, if not, I need that framed, in my house, stat.

I got you, yo.

I would have bailed you out. After we'd had a nice little chat with the good captain, of course.

Maybe more than a chat.

Okay, okay, I'm not going any farther on the DIS.

Remember how much (little) sleep you and I got before our May trip? I swear, it's Disney high.

We just couldnt' shut up. That was the first problem. Then we managed an honest 27 minutes of sleep.

That's not perfectly acceptable?

It was our Pirate's Life for Three trip, and we were getting ready to land at home, when our three year old proclaimed, "WE'RE GOING DOWN!!!"

LOL!

Oh, I meant to tell you...ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween begins Tuesday...and I think they're starting with the first Pirate's movie.

I do! I do!

and even though I'm only on the first post, I'm enjoying it immensely. It's great to be back in the World with Tinkerbellerella.

Hot Holy Carp! It's GREAT to see you 'round these parts. Welcome!

Awww. Gives my heart a little pitter-pat.

Me too. Gets me excited for the next trip...

 

[Lady Lallie]

What a wonderful way to start my Sunday morning!

#1. I noticed TONS of people smoking on my last trip and not in the designated areas either. It is really annoying. I know they pay their money just like everyone else but they have those designated areas for a reason.

#2. I had to laugh at your refillable mug comment. I see those older mugs all the time and while they don't bother me, I always chuckle a little at those heated discussions on the DIS.

#3. I saw a lot of "rough" parenting in September too. It's sad.

#4. I hate the way they posed Lady. She looks weird, like she can't keep her neck up.

#5. Can you tell I'm in a list-y mood this morning?

Great update!

 

[creativeamanda]

Ever wonder what would happen if one of those automatic security gates that lets vehicles in and out of the resorts didn’t “see” the bus when it was supposed to? Me too.

Yes, I have, as a matter of fact.

At the Last. Possible. Second. the gate changed its mind, sensed the bus and made its slow but sure ascent. At this point I think it was a couple of inches from the front of the bus. Bill’s reaction?

“Well.”

He certainly did not seem to concerned, did he? I wonder if the back tires of the bus activated it again and he knew?

I’d rolled the dice and completed online check-in before I’d left and it was time to see how that roll panned out. As I wound my way through the empty line, I glanced over at the regular check-in line. There was one person waiting. And, as I approached the end of the line and was ushered over to an available Cast Member (CM), that one person was also signaled to proceed.

Gentleman (and ladies), start your engines. It’s ON.

From what I’d gleaned from various threads here on the boards, information is sparse and time is short when you’re doing online check-in. And that was alright with me. I’m not stranger to Disney or Pop. So, in my head what was about to happen was something along these lines:
*my ID would be checked
*my packet would be handed to me
*I’d receive my room assignment or be told when to expect my room to be ready
TOTAL TIME ELAPSED: 37 seconds

Hm.

Someone didn’t let Frannie, my CM, in on the plan. She was very sweet. Really. And very sincere about welcoming me back to Pop and to Disney. She asked me if I vacationed there often and I explained that this was my second trip to Pop and my twelfth to the World. She then proceeded to go through the whole welcome packet. And the resort info. And my dining plan.

I did the puppy head tilt. You know the one. It has this sound effect: “Baroo?”

LOL, I had a similar thing happen at POFQ last year. Only I had not done online checkin and was through well before the person with online checkin. BUt I think Pixie Dust was all over that trip, because my room was ready at 7am.

Part of me wanted to say, “Um, excuse me Frannalanaadingdong, but I’ve stayed here before. Matter of fact, I’m a DISer, so you know that means I’ve scoured every inch of the internet for every bit of information I can get about this resort, your job, the entire World, including their trash pick-up schedule so no, I don’t need you to go into detail about where I can find the laundry facilities.

Besides, who does laundry in Disney World?! Ok, ok, I know there are a lot of you out there that do. And I’m sorry for it. It’s Disney. Those Premium Mickey Head Ice Cream stains should just magically disappear.

I do laundry at Disney.

Tinkerbellarella can haz ze monorayle game?​

Only if creativeamanda can haz it tooo.

All I have to say is, “Thunder…Thunder…Thunder…Thundercats, HOOOO!”
Oh and, there was a time when mothers would’ve beaten each other down and smashed through that glass for that Cabbage Patch Kid.And finally, my bedroom threw up in this diorama.​

My mom being one of those

I was then distracted by giant Legos (and 4 very well-behaved blonde boys). They were having a blast. I totally wanted to join them.

Sorry oldest blonde boy who I’ve now made internet famous on my TR.​

Wow, holy Legos, batman! My son would have a field day. He normally won't approach other kids, but if he had seen that, he would have (politely) walked up to them and said, "Can I please play with a couple of them?" And give his sad puppydog eyes, which no one seems to be able to say no to. Myself included.

I couldn’t help but think of a very talented artist and sweet friend I happen to know. Who is all about the tye dye.

How sweet.

As I approached the larger than life Lady in the 50’s area, I was passing by people who were in various stages of heading to the parks, checking out, and groping each other.

Yes, you read that right. Groping each other.

And also, smoking wherever they darn well pleased.

Yuck.

Am I the only one who thinks Lady’s expression is just the tiniest bit evil looking?! Seriously, at the right angle…​

Don't see it Tink. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong angle.

Am I the only person on the planet who didn’t know that this cute, not-so-little doghouse exists between Lady and her Tramp? I discovered it for the first time this trip. Very cute. It’s all in the details.

It even has a doggy blanket. ​

No, you aren't. But that's because when we stayed at POP, we really did not walk around the resort.

Thankfully Disney left out the giant-sized pooper scooper detail that would be necessary for these pooches.

Just out of shot is the man I called ‘The Headslapper’.[/SIZE]

There were a few families hanging around but it was relatively quiet. As I snapped pictures of the area, I suddenly heard a THWAP!, followed by a cry of pain, disbelief or both. As I turned my head, ready to help if it was needed (or possibly run away if it was bloody) I was further irked. There stood a father, hand still in the post-slap-upside –the-head position, standing by a whimpering little boy, who looked to be about 7 or 8.

Really?

I won't even get into the debate here, but even in parent who do use corporeal punishment, it is definitely not okay to hit said child anywhere but on the buttocks. That was abuse. Being a first responder (and all teachers are), I'd have to call CPS right then and there. Glad dh wasn't there, because he'd probably tell the dude what he thought of him.

I hung a left and ended up on the path by Hourglass Lake. What are they going to call this now that the resort on the other side of it isn’t a sister property to POP???

It's going to be the Art of Animation Resort, and when it opens, the creativeamanda clan will be staying there.

And they were all super friendly and seemed genuinely happy to be greeting the guests. Not one person passed me by in their little Disney golf cart without saying hello or wishing me a magical day.

Ahhhhh. THERE’S my Disney.

That's who makes DIsney, isn't it? The CMs who say, hello; the ones that tell us to have a magical day. For a second there, I got the "I'm in Disney" feeling. Thanks.

“I know!” cried the lead Imagineer, “let’s construct the buildings in the ugliest color possible. That way, when we abandon the project in a few months they’ll be the most depressing buildings on property!”

LOL, that is too funny. They are ugly, are the not? You should see the concept drawings--they are beautiful!

The bridge to nowhere over Hourglass Lake.

In all of my resort changing, this is the thing that bothers me the most--I won't walk over that bridge.

Any time I walked by here people were just hanging out and smoking. It was like the Pop version of a high school bathroom.

Then again, maybe that's a good thing.

Little did I know how much of this red yo-yo I’d be seeing!​

I sense something here. . .

I was young but I SO remember the 8 tracks in my parents’ car.​

I had an 8track player!

Notice the left-hand soccer player’s Justin Bieber do.​

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle! It is!

That’s right, folks, the much despised yet ever prolific LOVEBUG (NOHerbie). Hm, I thought, isn’t this pretty late in the year? It must be the end of the season for them.

Yeah, remember that.

LOL, I have a feeling I know. We still have mosquitoes here at home. I can only imagine the plethora of bugs hanging around a Disney resort late September.

I set course for EP and the food court to make my first dining plan purchase.
Upon walking in, though, I was immediately distracted.

OOOOOoooo. Shoooppping.

That is so me! Another reason to stay at POFQ--I don't have to walk through shopping to get to the food court (well, technically, I could take the back door into the food court at POP, but I wouldn't do it. I just wouldn't.)

As I checked out, the CM said to me, “Are you here ALONE?” I nodded. “But WHY?”

::sigh::

Even in Disney you can’t avoid the unavoidable.

I knew it. It was only a matter of time.

I gave her my stock answer and went to the mug filling station.

Sometime you have to share your stock answer with me so I know what to say.

As I filled my mug, I glanced at the woman next to me, also filling mugs. The big, fat, old school mugs. So old you couldn’t tell what resort they were originally from.

I imagined all of the people on the DISboards having a fit. And laughed a little to myself.

there was WAY too much of it!! The serving could’ve easily fed two people. Also, the Beef and Broccoli to rice ration was a little off (I’d have liked more rice) but other than that, this was great.

That's the same container POR does the make-your-own pasta in, and Sweetie and I were always able to share those meals. We had a lot of it in June, because it spread out our CS credits a lot.

After eating I decided to start filling out some of my postcards. Just as I’d decided who’d get what card, my pocket vibrated.

Would it be Disney telling me my room was ready?!

Or was it just BF calling to tell me the new and improved way he’d discovered to torture our kittehs?

Stay tuned to find out.

Your know, I am the only one to leave in a cliffhanger. ​

 

[Native NYer]

I love your writing. You and TK should both become writers and write Disney guidebooks

Pop looks like such a fun resort. I love your photo walk around the resort We're thinking of spending two nights there before our 10 nights at BLT next summer.

I don't get parents and the extreme discipline at Disney or wherever. Sorry you had to witness that.

Your lunch at EP looks delish! But cheesecake the consistency of Play Doh does not sound pleasant \

Looking forward to your next update!

 

[jenjolt]

Hmmmm....a vibrating phone cliffhanger.....very interesting!!!

WOW, something new, I have never seen that dog house before!!! Awesome! I'm so going to have to check that out someday!!! WOOT WOOT!!!!

Loved your pictorial stroll through POP!! I love the theming of that resort!!!!!

Looking forward to more!!

 

[Nermel9]

Great update! I love how you write your TR, like a story! Mine is just "we did this, here's a picture" . I'll have to work on that for my next TR!

Anyway, I love all the pictures of Pop! I have yet to visit there, but now I almost feel like I don't have to!

I noticed people smoking everywhere when I was in WDW in May. I sometimes wonder why they even bother with smoking areas.

I am kind of sad that they aren't finishing the other side of Pop, I think those decades would have been a lot of fun...who wouldn't want to stay in a 20's section? I like the idea of an Animation resort, but they could have put it somewhere else!

I've read all about the infamous tie dye cheese cake on the DIS...it looks pretty, but yeah, a bit play doh-y.

Can't wait to read more!