Two Weeks until Two Weeks! - Update 3/22 - NEW TR LINK!

[Softballgirl27]

FB is my "go to" app on my phone when I need to kill a few minutes! I hardly ever even get on it on my computer anymore.



LOL! She's going to be flooded with DIS friends!



I love that there is an option on how thrilling to make it, I think he'd have fun just even sitting in the big arm thing!

yes i totally agree that is what attrcacted me to it. i didn't even know what it was. it was very fun i loved it. what is your favorite ride out of each park?

 

[pooh'smate]

Whew!!! All caught up. I hope the Yeti is working for you. I rode EE 4 times in a row (it said a 20 min wait but it was a walk on) our first day at AK and they didn't show the Yeti any of those times. Our last day in AK I rode it 3 times and on my very last ride I was in the very last row and they showed the Yeti. I don't remember if he was moving or not. I think he was. I was so excited to see him. That was my favorite roller coaster while we were there. I would love to ride EE at night. They only had 2 evening emh while we were there and one was on our arrival day and we got there really late and the other was on a non-park day so I missed it.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Is Henry excited to get to ride the monorail as much as he wants as you're at BLT?! Id be so excited as Ive noticed your a coffee adict to take advantage of Kona and the other monorail resorts... not to mention the proximity to those corn dog nuggets mmm!
Make sure at the Kennedy space make sure you have a GPS didnt you get lost afterwards last time?

 

[eandesmom]

Ok before I forget, we did baggage transfer WL to YC and had zero issues with it. Our bags were there by the time we got to the resort (around 2 maybe?). I'd schlepped a very full tote bag of stuff (swimsuits and sunscreen really but it adds up with a family of 6, Jeff had his daypack too) assuming they wouldn't be and hadn't needed to at all!

Two Weeks from Today...March 6.

The alarm clock will be beeping very early in my ear this morning. I'll rise up, get ready and head down to the BLT lobby to await for a van to pick me up.

Where am I headed?

To the Car Care Center.

Why?

Because we have a rental car! We are going OFF-SITE today!



Universal? No.
Seaworld? No.
Bush Gardens? No.

The only off-site place we have gone before? YES!

I KSC. Jeff 's it even more! We had a blast at our day there, kind of surprised he didn't push to do it on this last trip but I think he didn't want to deal with listening to K&T or his mom and Paul complain about it. I really wish I could remember where we ate dinner, it was a GREAT outdoor, on the water place, with seafood and it was just wonderful! Very laid back and casual and really hit the spot. I swear we just drove down the cape looking for something on the water and it won somehow. Jeff might recall, I'll ask him if you are interested.

That is a frightening ghetto gas story, yet very funny at the same time. I'd have needed something strong than a soda from Sonic!
We spent a small fortune on souvies that day....I still use my KSC mug all the time!

 

[palofeeyore]

I hope this week flys by for you so Disney gets here faster!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for another visit to KSC! All of you are going to have so much fun there again! Like others have said, let's hope you don't have a repeat of the ghetto gas.

 

[MeMom]

I want to get a room for NYE but I really have to figure out if anyone in my family wants to go. I guess I should just ask. I figure unless I go alone i will have to leave Jan 1st so maybe alone would be better??? I have to book a room before they are all gone.

I booked our December dates yesterday.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I booked our December dates yesterday.

Agh! I guess I better start thinking about that, too!

What are your dates, MeMom?

 

[Moira222]

Kennedy Space Center sounds totally awesome! Caught my Joe's interest! LOL

 

[jenseib]

I totally remember that trip report! As soon as I read you are planning to head to KSP, I thought to myself,....I sure hope the trip home is much more pleasant this time. It will be a great story to tell him when he is older though .

 

[brookelizabeth]

I can't believe how close your trip is getting! I'm curious to hear how the split stay works out. The longest I've ever been to Disney is a week but I got so comfortable in my room at the Contemporary I just can't imagine switching mid trip! But maybe someday I'll want to try it.

Just fyi, I'm sitting out on my friend's apartment's fire escape in the Upper East Side as I type this. We've been having a blast in NYC - eating lots of pizza and cheesecake! We headed over to the Disney Store in Times Square. Do you ever face the crowds to check that out or do you save all your Disney energy for the Parks?

Also, she lives right next to The Barking Dog! I don't know if it's the same one you go to but I was very excited to see it and we're eating there for breakfast tomorrow!

Can't wait for this trip of yours to get started!

We did a split in 2008, 1 night at Pop and then the rest at WL. It was NOT good! I felt like we didn't really start our vacation until the 3rd day after we were settled...and then Joe and I got sick. But, I'm hoping this one goes better considering we will be at each resort for a week. We also didn't know much about Disney transportation and took the LONGEST possible route from Pop to WL, which drove me nuts. Even that part should go a lot smoother this time!

We actually went to the Disney store TONIGHT! But that is only the second time we've been to the one in Times Square. We go to the Queens Mall fairly often and they have a small one there. The Queens Mall is crowded, but not Times Square crowded. I try to avoid Times Square! We only went tonight because I had to get me a Mickey themed NYC shirt for the trip! So glad you are having a wonderful time here!!! We were just in the UES tonight too for church. It's such a beautiful area, isn't it?

AND NEXT DOOR TO THE BARKING DOG! The one we go to is on 77th and York. It's a wonderful area! (we would LOVE to live there) And its' the best Barking Dog IMO! (well, I'm biased because I love the owners Angie and Spiros ) I hope that's the one! I always get the Breakfast Special. It's a huge platter of food, eggs, 2 meats, a yummy biscuit and fresh fruit. YUM!!

I will have a Oct trip. I hope. I am already booked at All stars for Sept 29th ish through Oct 2 or 3rd. My conference starts the 3rd so between the 5K I want to do and what else is going on I will fly over to New Orleans that Monday i guess. Nothing is in sstone yet and I have not even been approved for vacation yet so it is all mushy at the moment.Mushier than I like but I have a room at a great rate - even though it is not POP( my first choice) but for the 5k I get transportation from ASSP

I want to get a room for NYE but I really have to figure out if anyone in my family wants to go. I guess I should just ask. I figure unless I go alone i will have to leave Jan 1st so maybe alone would be better??? I have to book a room before they are all gone.

If the park is open until 6 or 7 then you really don't need EMH. Summer time Park was open regular hours until 7 and then there was EMH until 10. Maybe they will add some if crowds dictate they should.

I was wondering if you would go back. Now you know they way, and hopefully Henry will not be sick.
You can get a better memory of Sonic.

Oooh, that's right! You will be there for the 40th. I am starting to hear a veryyyy few rumblings about that and something possibly planned. But at least there are rumbings! I hope they have a great party or something! I'd love to be there for it, and do the 5k too. I hope your plans get firmed up! Disney + NOLA is a nice combo - and will be much better in warm October versus freeeeeeeeezing cold NYE.

Ya, I am really excited about the regular hours being extended past 5 pm. I suppose if they keep doing that, PM EMH really aren't needed unless it's insanely busy, like you said. I hope it's not that busy next week!

We are very excited to go back to KSC! We wanted to go back in December 2009 too, but it just didn't work out because we brought Joe's family and did NYE instead of early December like we had orginally planned. I just wish the shuttle launch would get delayed from Feb 24 to March 6!!! Now that would be amazing!!

I'll never forget that crazy time trying to find Sonic! There has GOT to be a closer one to the main road.

Aw thanks Brook! You made my day

The evening EMH for AK were on the schedule 6 months ago (when I was first planning my trip) But then they canceled them. I'm wondering if they are only going to have them in the summer now....or just extend the regular hours for everyone???

About the Yeti -- my understanding is that the problem is not a mechanical one with the Yeti himself but a structural problem with the base that he stands on. I guess it couldn't take the shaking and what not from the roller coaster and the Yeti's movements. EE was made in 3 parts: the roller coaster, the mountain and the Yeti...none of them touch but they are within inches of each other in some places. My personal belief is that Disney knows how they want to try to fix it but it's going to take a long time to do it so they are waiting until the roller coaster part needs a rehab and do them at the same time.

So fun that you are going back to KSC! I went there in 1984 (?) and it's nothing like it was back then....so much to see and do. I was watching a show on Mission Control (pre-shuttle) so cool....I always forget how interesting it all is.

Your welcome - it's all true!!!

I am wondering that same thing about AK. I would love it if they extended the hours all year long and just did away with PM EMH until the park had more things that could be open late. That way in the fall and winter we could still get a taste of the dark AK too.

That sounds a lot like what Magdalene said about the platforms - it's really interesting and makes a lot of sense. So, they could easily turn the Yeti on if they needed to for some reason, but could risk a bigger problem if they did. I hope when it does go down for a refurb that it doesn't take too long! But I guess only time will tell. I still love the ride with, or without, the sweeping arm. It's incredible!

KSC really is very fascinating. I love that they have slowly built the entire complex over time without using one penny of government money, but only from admissions and donations of visitors. I remember one of our tour guides on the bus tour explaining how different things have become over the years, she had worked there for a very long time and had been part of it all.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hi Brook! So exciting to see 6 days on your ticker!!! It is coming so quickly! I have been inspired and have a youtube area loop music video going on right now.. can you tell I am missing Disney??
You guys are going to have such a wonderful time! KSC will be an adventure this time with Henry being older. I bet he will love of the space things to interact with.
It's funny how you said he likes to go in car because he doesn't much anymore. I hadn't really thought of that with you guys in NYC not needing a car.
I would imagine that each visit to Disney with Henry is special in its own way. Can't wait to hear about it all!

My ticker is finally in days! It really is hard to believe that it's right around the corner. We do the YouTube Disney videos all the time! Sometimes it's helpful and other times it just makes the ache worse. We think Henry is going to just love KSC and getting to see real shuttles. Anytime he builds anything Legos, there is always at least one rocket. Before we lived here Henry was totally into trains and anytime we mentioned riding on a train he would get excited - now that's old hat. He still likes them, but he gets hyper about a car! This trip will be a lot of fun - some things he definitely remembers, but other things he doesn't at all - so it will be brand new again! I wonder how much he will remember from this one.

Love KSC - and it's the ONLY carrot I have to entice DH to go back to Disney. He definitely wants to take the boys to KSC. I'm anxious to go back too, as last time I was 6 months pregnant, it was about 150 million degrees out, and there were about 150 million people there as it was a launch day. Despite all that, we still had a pretty good time, but I'm sure it will be much better without those factors to deal with!

All your plans sound great! About switching resorts - if you plan to be out at a park all day anyway (I can't remember what your plan was for that day), might as well let them take the luggage. Most likely it would be in the room by the time you get back. Maybe you could pack a backpack with an extra outfit for Henry and your bathing suits just in case...you could leave it at a locker in the park so you don't have to drag it around with you.

Ooh, that's right! I remember you telling me about your experience on launch day at KSC now! Yes! You DO need to go back and bring those boys - they would loooooove it! Dangle that carrot girl, dangle it!

We probably won't be in a park all day, but we will be for at least some. We are going to do just as you said though, pack a small bag for the day and go from there. We figured there are a ton of things to do right at BLT too - we could even just do a monorail tour, shop, hang out in Community Hall, etc. so hopefully it will all go fine and the luggage does come at least sometime before dinner...but if not, all well - we will get it when we get it!

How cute that Henry enjoys riding in a car now!! I never thought about that!!

I would be absolutely to see a launch.... You are going to miss this one by just a few days....There is a launch in late April and I hope it gets moved to the beginning of May The closest I got to KSC was when we cruised past it on the Wonder My cousin from Houston actually works for Nasa...I have the coolest picture from her of the shuttle piggybacked on a jet when it lands in Texas.

Re: the luggage....I have done split stays and have always taken a cab....the rooms are rarely ready but just to know that my luggage is there with bell services and is at the resort makes me relieved

Tracy

He recently got to ride in a friends van and he talks about it almost weekly when he's going over to a friends house, thinking he will get to ride in the van again. He's also obsessed with taxis and the very few times we've ridden in one have been complete THRILLS for him! It's pretty cute. He tells me he will buy a car, I tell him "go for it! Mommy will be on the train!" LOL I don't miss owning a car at allllllllllll!

We have wanted to go see a launch as well - we have almost booked a couple trips around them. We are hoping that February 24th one gets delayed! March 6 would be perfect. I hope yours gets pushed back too!!!! How VERY cool about your cousin working for Nasa!!!

I do like the idea of having our luggage there, it's peace of mind. But, after discussion with Joe I think we are going to do the day bag thing and hope it gets delivered at a somewhat reasonable hour at least. Hopefully it doesn't end up as a crazy mess!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh my... Ghetto Gas is quite the story! That was my first time reading it and, I'm sorry, but I was in stitches! Too funny! The poopy baby in the cooler aisle!

I hope your trip to KSC ends better than last time! Sounds like a fun adventure for the day.

It was a horrid evening, but man! looking back we laugh and laugh! It's absurdly hilarious!!!!!! Joe and I still laugh and chuckle about it! Bare butt poopy baby right there next to the Diet Pepsi, I'll never forget the scene!

I hope this trip to KSC goes smoother as well - we will be avoiding looking for that Sonic and just head back toward WDW instead to find a meal if we are hungry!

Hey Brook!

All caught up and the trip looks amazing. I can't believe you will be there for 2 weeks and am very jealous! I can't wait to see your pictures of BLT. Hav you looked at the weather report at all? Hopefully it willbe somewhat warm for you. Hope you have a great time!

I can't believe we are going to be there for 2 weeks either! It still feels torally surreal.

As for the weather, I honestly haven't looked myself! But, I have been watching over on Amy's report on her weather updates since she leaves the same day I do. LOL It looks fantastic so far, highs in the 80s!

BLT looks so cool! It would be really nice to be right there on the Monorail line. I'm sure Henry will like taking the Monorail frequently.

Animal Kingdom at night is always fun and the Expedition Everest party sounds like it would be great.

We've mentioned the monorail a few times, but so far I don't think he really gets it! I hope it doesn't loose it's allure because we ride on the trains so much. Last trip we had only been living in NYC for a couple months and hadn't rode the trains a whole lot. But seriously, a monorail is WAY cooler than the subway!

I'm excited to ride EE in the dark again, it's so intense and freaky! I love it!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Ok so I've finally made my way through all your TRs and found my way here! Took me forever because of school but I have to say I used your TRs to procrastinate many times. I go to school at Universal but don't worry, it's an animation and visual effects school so we're very Disney friendly. Love your style of writing and Henry is just too adorable! How awesome that you're leaving in just a matter of days for a 2 week vacation! I could definitely use one of those! Reading through all of your plans here and everything sounds great so far. I love KSC, so cool that you get to go back! Hopefully your KSC trip this time ends a little better than the last one.

You go to school at Universal?! That's so stinkin' cool! Are you studying to be an animator?

Thank you so much for your kind words about my TRs! I've really enjoyed sharing them over the years and look forward to writing a new one. It's a great pastime between trips - and I really enjoy reading other people's trips as well and "living" through them.

Yes! This trip to KSC had better end smoother!!!! I can't imagine how it couldn't.

We plan to visit Universal when Henry is a bit older and tall enough for all the thrill rides - I really look forward to it!!!

This is what I know about split stays and luggage.
All luggage transfers are done at 3:00 p.m.
and has to be delivered to the next resort by 4:00 p.m.
Check-out is at 11:00 a.m. at most resorts.
People think they can go to the next resort and check-in
early and think their luggage will be there, but it won't till 4:00.
So, if you want it by 4:00, you have to call for it and also tell
the luggage dept., your luggage is transferred. There are special
tags on your luggage.
We transferred a cooler with beer & snacks,
plus our luggage and the CM laughed at us
and didn't know if the beer would make it,
but everything came all intacked.

They will count all your luggage with you and then you sign.
They usually come within 15 minutes after you call-and
I'm pretty sure you have to be there, but I could be wrong.

Oooh! This is GREAT info! So if I don't call to ask it arrive by 4 pm, it will just be gotten to whenever? I remember it taking a very long time during our last split - if I remember correctly it was after dinner, around 7 pm, which became a problem with a baby. I don't mind 4 pm at all.

Too funny about the cooler with the beer & snacks!

yes i totally agree that is what attrcacted me to it. i didn't even know what it was. it was very fun i loved it. what is your favorite ride out of each park?

Oooh favorites. I really love the thrill rides!

MK - Space Mountain or the Peoplemover. SM for the thrills, Peoplemover because it's so unique and screams "Disney" to me. So does BTMRR, so that's high on the list too.
Epcot - Soarin'
AK - EE
DHS - RnRC

But, I have to say my favorite thing is watching Henry soak up the magic doing whatever we do! Listening to his excited shrieks and watching his face light up far surpass all the thrills!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Whew!!! All caught up. I hope the Yeti is working for you. I rode EE 4 times in a row (it said a 20 min wait but it was a walk on) our first day at AK and they didn't show the Yeti any of those times. Our last day in AK I rode it 3 times and on my very last ride I was in the very last row and they showed the Yeti. I don't remember if he was moving or not. I think he was. I was so excited to see him. That was my favorite roller coaster while we were there. I would love to ride EE at night. They only had 2 evening emh while we were there and one was on our arrival day and we got there really late and the other was on a non-park day so I missed it.

Yay! Welcome back! I can't wait to read your TR! Have you started it yet? I gotta check your siggy for a link. lol Isn't EE amazing?! I love it too!! The yeti has actually been "off" for over a year now, but they have a strobe light on him, so it appears he's moving as you FLY by. He used to swipe his giant arm at the train car. It was craZy! It doesn't ruin the ride at all with him off though, it's still amazing. So glad you enjoyed it too!

Is Henry excited to get to ride the monorail as much as he wants as you're at BLT?! Id be so excited as Ive noticed your a coffee adict to take advantage of Kona and the other monorail resorts... not to mention the proximity to those corn dog nuggets mmm!
Make sure at the Kennedy space make sure you have a GPS didnt you get lost afterwards last time?

I've told H about the monorail being in our hotel, but he doesn't quite get it, it seems. He seems to remember the monorail TOY more than the actual monorail. I think he'll love it once he sees it though.

Oh yes! I have thought about the coffee! I know the CR has a special coffee bar too, it's not the amazing Kona, but I'll be trying it to see if it's any good. Kona WILL be enjoyed at least once though!!

We did get lost, yes! But we had a GPS! It was an ordeal. Our GPS took us to an armed guard area for Nasa and all over these crazy back streets! We will be bringing it again this time, but avoiding the serach for Sonic after. We'll just head back toward WDW and find something else.

Ok before I forget, we did baggage transfer WL to YC and had zero issues with it. Our bags were there by the time we got to the resort (around 2 maybe?). I'd schlepped a very full tote bag of stuff (swimsuits and sunscreen really but it adds up with a family of 6, Jeff had his daypack too) assuming they wouldn't be and hadn't needed to at all!

I KSC. Jeff 's it even more! We had a blast at our day there, kind of surprised he didn't push to do it on this last trip but I think he didn't want to deal with listening to K&T or his mom and Paul complain about it. I really wish I could remember where we ate dinner, it was a GREAT outdoor, on the water place, with seafood and it was just wonderful! Very laid back and casual and really hit the spot. I swear we just drove down the cape looking for something on the water and it won somehow. Jeff might recall, I'll ask him if you are interested.

That is a frightening ghetto gas story, yet very funny at the same time. I'd have needed something strong than a soda from Sonic!
We spent a small fortune on souvies that day....I still use my KSC mug all the time!

That is GREAT news about the luggage transfer. I hope ours goes as smoothly. I think I might ask if they have an idea of when it could be delivered....hopefully they will just for peace of mind. Otherwise, we'll have our little day bag and we'll be fine. I think!

Yes! I'd love to hear what restaurant you ate at if Jeff remembers. Did they have anything other than seafood? Joe isn't a fan, and I'm a bit iffy on it-I have to be in the mood. It sounds like something we'd totally enjoy though otherwise!!! And we sorta were going to do the same, just drive and see what we see after we are done with KSC. We also are going to make a grocery stop.

I have a feeling we will be dropping a fortune on souvies this time with Henry being so into space...but we've budgeted for it! They really have some neat stuff there. The ghetto gas was miserable in the moment, but HILARIOUS the next day!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I hope this week flys by for you so Disney gets here faster!

Thank you! I wouldn't mind it to go pretty fast, but not too fast - I still have a to do list.

Hurray for another visit to KSC! All of you are going to have so much fun there again! Like others have said, let's hope you don't have a repeat of the ghetto gas.

We had better not have a repeat of ghetto gas! I will be a basket case - or it will be just insanely funny the entire time!

I booked our December dates yesterday.

Glad you got your rooms!!

Agh! I guess I better start thinking about that, too!

What are your dates, MeMom?

Yes, you better! LOL I hope it somehow works out for us, but I really haven't a clue if it will!

Kennedy Space Center sounds totally awesome! Caught my Joe's interest! LOL

KSC is really fascinating! My 2008 report has more info about our time there with lots of pictures in case you want to look!

I totally remember that trip report! As soon as I read you are planning to head to KSP, I thought to myself,....I sure hope the trip home is much more pleasant this time. It will be a great story to tell him when he is older though .

LOL! And we are NOT going to Sonic! We better not have a repeat of Ghetto Gas!! But yes, it will be a great story to tell him. I'm so glad we can look back and laugh on it all - I was such a basketcase at the time though!

 

[Flossbolna]

I KSC. Jeff 's it even more!

Loved it that you tried to be gramatically correct even though you ar using a smiley instead of a verb!

That sounds a lot like what Magdalene said about the platforms - it's really interesting and makes a lot of sense. So, they could easily turn the Yeti on if they needed to for some reason, but could risk a bigger problem if they did. I hope when it does go down for a refurb that it doesn't take too long! But I guess only time will tell. I still love the ride with, or without, the sweeping arm. It's incredible!

I am not sure what I said about platforms? But from what I have read, Heidi is right about the structural problem. There is a concept how things can be fixed, but, yes, that would mean a lengthy refurbishment. And this would be a capacity problem. AK has so few rides that they can't operate the park without EE. So they are waiting until they get the next new addition - for some time it looked like there was a real chance for Camp Minnie Mickey being turned into Beastly Kingdom (however in a different way than originally proposed), but recent news is that AK won't get anything new for the foreseeable future. So there isn't any chance for a refurb any time soon.

But, the Yeti can be turned on and there have been Yeti sightings in the past (especially when high company officials are in town). So it might be possible...

Just like you, Brook, I love EE for the roller coaster it is. However, I am sometimes wondering wether it would't still make quite a difference. But since there isn't really a chance to compare the ride in both its versions, how can i know?

 

[MeMom]

Agh! I guess I better start thinking about that, too!

What are your dates, MeMom?

Flying down on Christmas afternoon back on Monday, January 2nd.
The way we did it last time was that Jill had Christmas morning at home, then drove up here around lunch time. I think our flight was 4 something. We got there Christmas evening and went over to Magic Kingdom for a little while, just to say we were in Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day.

This is what we arrived to at the resort - people swimming and watching Tim Allen morph into Santa Claus.

And then we went over to Magic Kingdom to see this.

It was a very nice way to end a Christmas evening and being a very fun Christmas trip!

 

[that's nice]

Brook- I was an AP holder... once. I never knew about the EE passholder event.

Henry is gonna LOVE KSC!!!!! Thanks for all the pictures!! I think Juliana would love to do this someday. It looks really fun! (I think I might like it best!)

Oh and I love your Kung Fu Fighting silhouettes!!!!

How much snow did you get down there? We only got about 3 inches here.

This is what I know about split stays and luggage.
All luggage transfers are done at 3:00 p.m.
and has to be delivered to the next resort by 4:00 p.m.
Check-out is at 11:00 a.m. at most resorts.
People think they can go to the next resort and check-in
early and think their luggage will be there, but it won't till 4:00.
So, if you want it by 4:00, you have to call for it and also tell
the luggage dept., your luggage is transferred. There are special
tags on your luggage.

Great info on the transfer... not that we've ever needed to, yet!

We transferred a cooler with beer & snacks,
plus our luggage and the CM laughed at us
and didn't know if the beer would make it,
but everything came all intacked.

Now that's MY kinda of luggage!!!!!

 

[blessedby3]

Wow Brook!!! A 5 day ticker I am so excited for you guys. Cant wait to read the FB updates and see pictures
I havent been to the KSP in YEARS!! I lived in Winter Park, FL from the time I was 1 until 11. The last time I was there I was about 10! Im sure things have changed lots I remember when I was living there, we would go outside in the backyard and watch the rockets going up. Pretty cool I know Herny will love it