Wedding Crasher: Lurkyloo’s 4 Parties in 3 Nights with 2 Cameras and 1 Fabulous Hat

Hooray for fabulous hats!! princess:

Oh, and can we get a review of the ST movie??? :thumbsup2
 
Ok even on my own vacation I am checking 4 Lurkyloo updates & you've started!!!!!!! I'm here.
 
How am I not the first to reply?? :rotfl:

So glad the TR is started---once it's over though, what are we all going to do? Ugh. So depressing. :sad1:

Don’t worry – the first installment is huge and it’s only up through my first, like, two hours on property, most of which I spent sleeping! I’m afraid this is gonna be another epic… :rolleyes:


I haven't even read it yet. I am just so excited it is here. I am really torn.....should I read the start of the TR or should I dictate discharge summaries, which is what I am being paid to do now???????:rolleyes1

Hmmm – what did you finally go with? And what in the heck are discharge summaries and are they as gross as they sound? :rotfl:


Your thread title got my attention. :thumbsup2

Whew! I had so much anxiety over what to name my report to make it stand out among a sea of cleverly titled trip reports… :cutie:


Signing up! I just checked out Swazzle...Patrick has come crazy mad skills! Those puppets and backdrops were AMAZING! If Swazzle ever takes a road trip to Texas, give us a shout out as I'm sure my girls would LOVE it.

Hey, thanks – I’ll pass along the compliment. Hopefully one day his company will go national and you’ll be able to see a show at a library near you. But in the meantime, if you ever get out to Disneyland, you may be able to catch one nearby!



How was Star trek? I wanna see it!


popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::

OT but what did you think of the Star Trek movie?


Hooray for fabulous hats!! princess:

Oh, and can we get a review of the ST movie??? :thumbsup2

Wow – do you guys seriously want my opinion? Cuz this is one of the rare instances where DH and I disagree on a movie and I feel like I need to be able to defend my position! (I’ll use white spoiler mode for some parts.)

OK, first, I think I was the perfect audience for this movie. I grew up watching episodes of “Star Trek: Next Generation” and we have been working our way through the original series on Netflix, but I’m more of a casual fan - not exactly a Trekkie (I don’t care if they want to be called “Trekkers” – I’m not doin’ it!). I was ready for the “reboot” everyone keeps talking about.

Plus, I fully expected to be blown away by the awesomeness of it all. And I did enjoy it! It had action, adventure, great comedy, and some wonderful characters…

But I had major issues with the way JJ Abrams conveniently chucked out the window an entire history (and a major planet!) just so he wouldn’t be bound to work up to the Star Trek history we all know and love. I get why he did it, so he won’t always have to be sure everything lines up perfectly with what we think we know happens to the characters “later,” but I still hated it. To me it’s like this movie basically obliterates the Star Trek saga as we know it and starts from scratch. None of the events that I liked from the various other movies and shows will ever happen now (within the Star Trek universe), and that makes me sad.

Still, I want to go back and see it again. I may have been predisposed not to like it cuz I wasn’t feeling very well when we went. And maybe this time the parts I liked will win me over and things like the nauseating camera work and the ham-handed drama of the opening sequence won’t seem so offensive… I reserve the right to change my mind upon further viewing! ☺

Can't wait to read! I've really enjoyed your past trip reports! :yay:

Yes!!! Another TR from my favorite TR writer. Can't wait.


Here I am!

YAY!! I can't wait to read your solo TR :)

:surfweb:

Can't wait to read more!


I can't wait to read another one of your TR's! :)

joining in. Have a great trip!


I am ready for another trip report! :cool1:


I loved reading your wedding and honeymoon trip reports, looking forward to this one too.

Lisa

I'm here! popcorn::

Yay I am ready for a Lurkyloo TR! :cool1:


Joining In. I can't wait to hear about it all.


Thank you all for following along! I’m getting really excited to write up my trip now. The first installment is coming up next!
 
Carrie, I was just reading your last TR and for some reason I totally missed the video you and Patrick made. OH MY GOD I TOTALLY LAUGHED MY BUTT OFF!!!!!!!!!! That was the funniest video ever. I have to show my husband that one. He would love it. I can totally see him and Patrick getting together. That would be fun! :lmao::lmao:
 

Day 1 actually started on Day, uh, -1, when DH drove me to the airport for my overnight flight.

IMG_0252.jpg


I was set to sleep on the plane—all showered and snuggly in my virtual jammies (which is to say that I was wearing sloppy clothes that were as comfy as PJs, not that I was wearing holographic PJs…)

I got pretty sad when DH dropped me off. Even though I’d only be gone 4 days, it was going to be the longest we’d been apart since we’d been married. Only the thought of the inordinate amounts of cake I planned to eat on the trip pulled me through!

The plan was to sleep on the plane from about 10:30pm to 2:30am PDT (a.k.a. 5:30am EDT) when we began the descent into Orlando. I had no trouble falling asleep as soon as we were airborne, but after about 45 minutes something caught my ear and I was dragged back to consciousness as excited thoughts and plans for my big day out with Jensey tumbled into my head. So then I was kinda freaked out that I would be a mess all day because I hadn’t slept enough. Even worse, I was awake to experience the woman in the seat in front of me tooting her way across the country!

When we finally landed in Orlando, I felt surprisingly awake. I took waaaaay too many photos to document the momentous occasion of my arrival (this is when I first realized that juggling an iPhone camera to live blog and a real one for the trip report was gonna be tricky.)

This shot would be really cool if I had Jensey’s camera… and her talent!
IMG_1359.jpg



I was trying to capture the Eighties Fabulous décor in the Delta terminal’s peoplemover boarding area—the place was ablaze with giant vanity mirror-style light bulbs. Instead you get this:
IMG_0255.jpg



Now this shot says “Orlando” to me!
IMG_0256.jpg


The maddening challenge of squeezing 4 days’ worth of toiletries into a quart-sized zip-top bag paid off as I sailed by the baggage claim and went straight to Alamo’s car rental kiosks to get my car.

Snag #1:
IMG_0258.jpg



Snag #2: No line, but no counter agents, either!
IMG_0257.jpg


I stood at the counter and hollered into the open doorway “Halloooooooo?” to which I got a very cranky “Whaddyou need?” when someone eventually emerged. So apparently the counter agents don’t get rolling til 6am and somebody else puts up “proceed to counter” signs on the kiosks sometime in the night. What happens if you get in before 6? At any rate, the guy warmed up eventually and I actually got out to the garage in less time and with fewer steps than I do at the kiosk, which is programmed to bore you into spending extra money on the rental with an unending stream of questions (“Would you like extra collision insurance?” “Would you like extra-super collision insurance?” “Would you like extra-super-duper collision insurance with a cherry on top?” “How about a full tank of gas?” “A car wash?” “Fuzzy dice?” etc.)

I had three choices in the Cheapo Econo section of Alamo’s garage. I went for the cute little blue hatchback that reminded me of DH’s Matrix. Unfortunately, when I started it, a very scary warning light came on and wouldn’t go out. Sure, it was probably the “low air freshener” warning, but I wasn’t taking any chances.


Tractor.jpg

Warning! This car handles like a tractor!


Unfortunately, this left me with two choices: Clementine and her albino twin!

IMG_0616.jpg


I think it may actually have been the very same car we got three months earlier on our anniversary trip. And, as you may recall, that one had No (power) Windows and No (power) Door(locks)!!!

So I did a bad thing. I turned my back on the Cheapo Econo section and took two paces over to the Slightly Less Cheapo Econo section. There I selected a navy blue Ford Focus with delusions of grandeur (leather seats, Sirius satellite radio, light-up cupholders—I wasn’t fooled. It was still a glorified golf cart!) I decided she was the type of car who had a very plain name that she insisted on pronouncing unusually. Like Deborah pronounced “D’BORah”…


What she thinks she looks like…
374.jpg



What she actually looks like
IMG_1544.jpg


Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
IMG_1550.jpg


OK, we’re not even to Disney yet! Sorry!

So the trip to Walt Disney World down 417 was smooth sailing at 6:30am. I think it took me 20 minutes, and that’s only cuz I’d heard there was construction on Osceola Parkway, so I had to take the long way around (World Drive).

Worst. Gate Shot. Ever. …But at least I didn’t crash while taking it!
IMG_1360.jpg



What Pop Century looks like on 45 minutes of sleep…
IMG_1361.jpg



Whoa—get this dame a nap, stat!
IMG_1362.jpg



I’d been worried about two things: 1) that check-in would take forever because I hadn’t been able to log on and check in online, and 2) that Pop wouldn’t have a room ready that early and I’d have to go wake up my pals the Roots in Celebration so I could crash on their couch (or, more likely, lie there as their dog Huck excitedly and repeatedly alerted them to the presence of a strange woman on the couch).

Fortunately, there was no one else in the lobby and I checked in easily. There were no rooms ready in my preferred section, ’50s, so I took a room on the top floor of the ’80s building, overlooking the computer-shaped pool (that means it’s a rectangle!). I know some people like the ’80s section cuz it’s relatively close to parking, but the parking is a long way from the lobby. I think I’m still a ’50s fan: It’s close to parking AND the main hall.

But the cool part was that I had a welcome bag waiting for me!!! If you spend any time on the Weddings & Honeymoons board you will know that welcome bags are a Big Deal for Disney brides, who spend hours collecting and assembling thoughtful gift items to make their wedding guests comfortable. Unfortunately, you’ll often hear that either the resort screws up and the bags never get to the guests or the guests get them and kinda ignore all the effort that went into them. So when I found out that DIS bride Lori (who was getting married that day!) had gone to all the trouble to make one for me, I was bound and determined to use and appreciate everything in it. Also, it was thanks to her including a large-size sunscreen and body lotion that I was able to travel with just carry-on luggage, so I was doubly grateful!

I grabbed my bag o’ loot and drove over to the ’80s building.

Not my bag o' loot - a cute luggage cart!
IMG_1364.jpg



“Duh” indeed…
IMG_1365.jpg



Yes, that’s the sun coming up…
IMG_1367.jpg


My wing of the ‘80s building was blessedly quiet that early in the morning. But I was too excited to fall straight into bed. First I had to take a ton of room pix (you know, in case someone doesn’t know what a motel room looks like!)

I am going to apologize now for how out-of-focus most of my shots are on this trip. I always thought "point and shoot" meant, you know, point and shoot! But apparently you have to hold the camera really still when you do this. Who knew? ... I mean besides DH ...

IMG_1369.jpg


IMG_1370.jpg


You can almost dry your hair while on the toilet!
IMG_1371.jpg


IMG_1372.jpg



IMG_1373.jpg



Then I sat down and rifled through my loot bag. In addition to the toiletries, I got some lovely New York City Disney shwag (because Lori and her DH live in NYC): two pins, a Minnie Liberty pen, a vintage Donald key chain, a lined journal (this is very cool because I am always on the lookout for my next journal, and I have trouble finding good ones that have pages with lines on them), and a bag of chocolate doubloons –er, coins. Plus, the bag is supercute! Thanks, Lori!

Oooooh! Loot!

IMG_1379.jpg


Finally I made myself lie down in my nap bed (I had two beds – why not designate one for napping and one for real sleeping?) even though I still didn’t feel tired. I turned on the Ambience app on my iPhone, which is a sound machine with a bazillion different clips. I only have a rain one, and it was all I needed….

Up Next: Akershus Princess Storybook Fantasy Festival of Dining: The Experience!
 
Carrie, I was just reading your last TR and for some reason I totally missed the video you and Patrick made. OH MY GOD I TOTALLY LAUGHED MY BUTT OFF!!!!!!!!!! That was the funniest video ever. I have to show my husband that one. He would love it. I can totally see him and Patrick getting together. That would be fun! :lmao::lmao:

Aww... I'm glad you enjoyed it! Maybe we can sell it as a workout video called "Laugh Your Butt Off!" :rotfl:
 
I'm a lurker too and had to come out of lurkdom to comment on this...

The plan was to sleep on the plane from about 10:30pm to 2:30am PDT (a.k.a. 5:30am EDT) when we began the descent into Orlando. I had no trouble falling asleep as soon as we were airborne, but after about 45 minutes something caught my ear and I was dragged back to consciousness as excited thoughts and plans for my big day out with Jensey tumbled into my head. So then I was kinda freaked out that I would be a mess all day because I hadn’t slept enough. Even worse, I was awake to experience the woman in the seat in front of me tooting her way across the country

Is that the kind of tooting I'm thinking about?! :eek: :rotfl:
 
Woo-hoo! It begins....
...and I am totally subscribing! I missed out on the "live" portion of your blog - I was shooting in LA with your DH ;-) and had to catch up later. THIS I won't miss. Prepare to be pestered for updates!

Speaking of which.....
 
Ok I want an iphone!! lol

Loving it so far.

More power to you for going alone. I couldn't do it.
 
Oh I am so glad it has begun! I am in awe that the room was ready for you that early! That is amazing. And how nice of Lori to make you a welcome bag.

The iphone has an ambience app?? I so want one!!
 
Yay! Found your TR! Fingers crossed that there's cake!

Speaking of, I was all set to have some Coca-cola cake at Jestine's Kitchen in Charleston yesterday, but they were closed. :sad1:


ETA: after posting the above, I went back to read, and clicked on the link to Patrick's company. Conner was sitting in my lap, mesmerized. This kid loves puppets. (BTW, he's almost 10 months.) If Patrick ever does a video of his puppets, let me know. I might have to buy stock in them.
 
OMG - Your first post and I can't see your pictures. Stupid firewall! I just about died reading about the "tooting" lady in front of you on the plane. My coworker got a big laugh out of that, too. :rotfl2:That would have been enough to keep me awake all night!
 
VERY nice first installment---hilarious as always. The tooting lady was...uhhh....funny and horrifying all rolled into one.

Now onto my question--we have never stayed at POP but booked one night on the beginning of our stay at the BWV this year. We booked the 80's section---is it really that far from everything?? We stayed at ASSp Tennis in 07 which I believe was the furthest building, and it didn't seem too bad. Hopefully POP isn't worse. I guess I could always change my room selection though.
 
love the gift bag...what a great idea. We did a small gift bag for out of town guests (which was most of the wedding guests) for my brothers wedding but just some waters and some breakfast foods...though now thinking back on it we should have added some exederin (sp??) because the reception was in the hotel everyone was staying at so we all were there til the reception ended and everyone drank alot! :lmao:
 
Great start!
I bet u wish u had gotten a mask to protect u from the swine flu on that flight! :lmao:
POP looks pretty nice & soneone was smiling on u to have a room ready so early!
 
We are back and I am now officially subbing to your TR!!!

Thanks for "crashing" our DP!!! :rotfl:

Stay tuned for my TR...(really, I swear I will do one this time!)
 
Wow, that is one nice gift bag! :goodvibes (And one nice DIS bride!)

You can almost dry your hair while on the toilet!

:rotfl2:


PS - Thanks for the movie review! I avoided the spoilers for now, but I hope to see it tonight, and then we can discusssss...
 
I hope you were able to rest in the "nap" bed. And I would have gotten the uncontrollable giggles if I had a red eye flight with a tooting lady in front of me!!!
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE







New Posts





DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom