What Comes Around Goes Around 6/23-7/1/07

[keishashadow]

Darn near 100 degrees today, i'm fading fast; slept in (didn't get to the park until 10:00 a.m.!)

on the way over

capt.said they were still using this plane in the bahamas a few years ago.

We revisted all the favs @ Studios, i finally cracked 200,000 on MIB (near 300,000 actually - who's counting -ha). Around the loop to Mummy, i was asked to do a fast food survey near Lombards. Sent the boys on ahead & I made a quick $10 in U money.

Decided to have a more substantial lunch today @ Finnegans, again early - worked out well. Excellent food & enjoyed the environment, shall return next trip.

Off to IOA for Poseiden & water rides. Pos. was emptied out when some fool pulled the fire alarm, no biggie for us - sure felt bad for the non-express pass folk...no return passes were handed out.

Was sitting on Popeye (one of my favs) and they closed the ride. They did hand out passes to guests good @ any other attraction. Noticed that they had to drain the waterway...odd.

MIB was closed a couple times we were there too. Didn't stick around to see how long it would take to start it back up. Don't remember any shut downs last trip???

Stealing her man (bird)

Wolfed down a huge funnel cake sundae, glad DH helped out.

Went back to the pool (open - yeah) and relaxed before packing up & dinner @ Margarittaville.

Only problem was our PS was MIA. Didn't feel like arguing, went to Studios & ate @ Mel's run away fast = mystery meat hamburger & burnt chicken fingers.

How come we're not eating here 'ma?

jaws

We caught the beginning of the show on the globes, pretty. Left after abit to avoid the crowd & grab a boat back. Glad we did, had to wait thru a couple launches. Did get to see the fireworks form the dock.

more jaws

best guide of trip

yes, i do have a thing for lighthouses!

hotel

beautiful freize, even nicer one w/flamingos further down - too tired to walk back & take pic. This was one of the few times i didn't have my hair piled up on my head.
poolscape...knew there was a reason why it was closed -lol.

 

[keishashadow]

Sunday, July 1st - you don't have to go home but; you can't stay here

Up bright & early to check out our bill on the tv - how cool. Only problem is we weren't charged @ the correct rate. Off to visit front desk, a waste of time.

Concierge was very helpful during trip & graciously printed out our boarding passes.

Stowed our luggage in rental car & walked to the parks for final day.

The FOTL privledge was resulting in longer waits, still massive improvement over the long, snaking regular lines.

Made a point to eat a hearty lunch, tried Thunder Falls Terrace; again early. Easily, the best CS meal we tried @ U. Ribs very well prepared, corn was perfect - yum!

How Soon Is Now? just missed Morrissey & Erasure @ HRH.

Too soon, time to head to airport. Desperately want to sneak in a partial day before our cruise in Dec.

Got lost again looking for a gas station, wound up near the turnpike. Glad we always leave lots of time. At MCO by 3:00 p.m. waiting for our 6 p.m. flight. New terminal for AirTran, better dining selections.

Once again we run into trouble w/AT on an evening departure. Evidently, a full flight was sitting on the tarmac for over 1-1/2 hours to DC area. They decided to give them "our flight" ; since there were only a few passengers. When I heard the term "equipment isues", much to my DHs chagrin; i inquired as to compensation.

Possible if i can use the voucher'd tix we received

They scheduled us on the next flight out 8:00 p.m. Around 6 a massive thunderstorm rolled thru & shut the airport down for 1-1/2 hours; effective backing everything up.

New departure estimated for 9:30 p.m.; only problem was we had to catch a connecting flight in Atlanta before it would arrive. Was told they wouldn't hold the plane unless 20+ people were booked on it - hadn't determined yet. Also told they doubted they'd get clearance for takeoff, too many other flights backed up. Said we should start looking for a hotel, at our own expense (no compensation for weather issues - ever w/AT).

The terminal was packed, glad we did have seats. Finally, my sharp-eyed DS noticed a flight listed up the other end of the terminal that had been diverted & was heading to ATL.

I ran & begged the rep, they were already boarding. Guess I looked desperate...he squeezed us on before they started the stand-bys.

At ATL we again RAN down the terminal to connecting flight gate, they were shutting the door... . Desk rep got them to hold the flight for us and a few stragglers.

The plane only had 20-some people on it, had to be placed around the plane to distribute the load...just glad to be on our way home.

Evidently, our co-travelers who waited for the original flight sat in the terminal overnight waiting for the am fight out.

Luggage eventually showed up on our doorstep, a good thing indeed!

--------------

My outlook has changed for the better as a result of the trip, so many twists & turns---yet, overall, a fantastic experience. I am thankful for the quality time with my family and the memories I shall dearly cherish. I've already found what I'm looking for

 

[Eclpz314]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your TP. Thanks for including all the pics with it! That RPR room view you showed was the same one as my first trip there. We had been given the $35 upgrade and ended up on club level with that little pond below our window! The view was so relaxing! We did watch some bad afternoon TSs headed at us....once causing staff to gather everyone from that side elsewhere in the hotel. I enjoyed the WDW portion of your TR also.........for future reference.

 

[Eclpz314]

The freize area at RPR was always one of my favorite places to sit and relax. There are so many details in it to see! My second favorite place was just outside that area at the tables near the boat launch walkway. So peaceful.

 

[macraven]

MP3 player lost......

ressie screwed up at rph......


MIB closed...........


other than that, sounds like you had a fab trip !

love reading your report.
cute son
hot husband
pretty janet.....

 

[keishashadow]

lynn - I always toss binoculars in our bag, cool to see the icons upclose. There were some really wild/scary rides on International Drive on those towers.

mac - u r too kind! I am a changed KS, it's all good . Take the bad w/the good; sometimes it all turns out even better!

 

[Eclpz314]

lynn - I always toss binoculars in our bag, cool to see the icons upclose. There were some really wild/scary rides on International Drive on those towers.

I thought I was the only one who traveled with binoculars! There's always something worth seeing off in the distance.

 

[onecoolmama]

That was a great trip report. That sundae funnel cake sounds delicious. Glad you had such a great trip.

 

[keishashadow]

ocm - it was soooo good, i don't often eat ice cream & it's been years since I've eaten a funnel cake

lyn - always afraid TSA will find the binoculars & think i'm a pervert/peeping tom. Always something to see upclose & personal, don't leave home without them.

 

[tlinus]

wonderful trippie -

great to see "you" as well!!

sorry to hear about the mishaps, glad to read that they didn't get you down!!

 

[keishashadow]

wonderful trippie -

great to see "you" as well!!

sorry to hear about the mishaps, glad to read that they didn't get you down!!

Thanks, i looked a wreck - hard to have good hair @ a park.

It's all good, having withdrawal - wah!

 

[macraven]

i think you looked beautiful and wonderful keisha.


you have a wonderful family.



i would have been in a bad mood if i had the flight trouble that you did.
has that ever happened to you before?

 

[bubba's mom]

well, well, well....so all you did monday was write TR??? You did a FABULOUS job! For someone who told me they didn't take notes or a lot of pix, you did awesome!!!!

I don't think I'd been too happy with the way SW weekend turned out for you...especially since you all were SO looking forward to it.

AND, I'm glad you wrote that email about your RPR stay.... odd how you had so many problems, and we didn't have 1. ...maybe next time will be your time!

And the flight home....let me just say, you are a braver woman than me! I'd hiked it back to Dad's and spent another nite AND been compensated...oh yeah....

I'm glad you had a good time...it seemed everyone did.

Thanks for giving your day to us!


(Everytime I post a DAY of TR, it takes like 4 hrs! )

 

[keishashadow]

barb - i was so tired after the trip, sorta zoned out; perfect to sit & write up the details - once i started it just flowed, probably too long lol. It's only the 2nd i've done, do like the way you set yours up with link to the pics.

The whole photoshop is so slow to upload, perhaps the paid version is quicker.

glad i did tackle the report, even DH said the details seem to run together by the time we got home- so much to see & do, nice to be able to revisit the good times.

RPR mgr really stepped up to the plate & took responsibility; class operation!!! While everything was documented in our account history, he was still shocked that things went down the way they did...i'll say we were lucky afterall!

Even though it wasn't a pool view, we thought the room we finally settled in just lovely; dreaming of returning soon.

Was great to be finally able to meet other DISers!

 

[Eclpz314]

I was looking at your pics from RPR and could almost hear the music playing in the background. And don't ever worry about making your TRs too detailed! There are those of us on that live vicariously through them! DH is already talking about skipping over to Margaritaville during our Dec. WDW trip. We may have to walk over to RPR just to see it again. I really miss staying there.

 

[keishashadow]

If i'm not on vacation, next best thing is planning or day-dreaming about them (past, present & future).

mac - i've had the usual AirTran issues (repeated changing of flight times without notice, cancellations, lost luggage...other than the comps they offer for messing up i'd have quit using them entirely once SW came into my market last year.

I had been accumulating miles/rewards thru CC, even collected the Wendy's cups lol. Evidently, i'm not the only one...have a handful of vouchers & all i hear is capacity control excuses.

One day they tell me all vouchered fares are booked for my Dec. dates, next day i hear they haven't been released at all yet. i'm nothing but persistent though - shall call every day for the next 5 months. Will probably book SW for return flight; yet keep calling -- can always bank the SW credits for next time.

 

[mlill]

If i'm not on vacation, next best thing is planning or day-dreaming about them (past, present & future).

I hear you! That goes for me, too! I really enjoyed reading your TR! Thank you for sharing your vacation with us! We used to go in June/July, but I don't know if I could take the heat anymore!

Happy Planning of your next trip!
-Michelle

 

[keishashadow]

I hear you! That goes for me, too! I really enjoyed reading your TR! Thank you for sharing your vacation with us! We used to go in June/July, but I don't know if I could take the heat anymore!

Happy Planning of your next trip!
-Michelle

thanks, guess this is the place for us dreamers

we're beginning to rethink the summer visits too, i can handle hot; the humidty is something else.

 

[bubba's mom]

summers w/ humidity don't matter staying onsite at UO janet

 

[macraven]

i grew up in the st louis metro area.

humidity is not a problem for me.