Who knew choking each other would earn us fastpasses?

[PittypatBR]

Wow, I was gone for a week and so much happened!! First of all, congratulations to Lacey and Jessie. And how wonderful for you to have your girl close a little while longer. Planning the wedding together will be so much fun. I just got back from my niece's wedding in Denver, and it was so sweet!

Second, I have stayed at most of the values, as well as Coronado Springs, and I LOVE Pop. It is my favorite by far. We stayed in the 70's, and it was a great location. It is a quick walk to the main building, the bus stops, and the main pool. The bus service from Pop was quite good - much better than the All Stars. I even thought it was better than CS, because it took a long time to circle the resort, and by that time the Pop bus would be well on its way to a park. I don't think you will regret it at all - after all, the parks are the main event, and you don't end up spending much time in the room after all. You can rent a mini-fridge for the room, but if you are on the dining plan you really don't need one. Go to the Pop pages on the resort section, and/or look at the pics on my old TR, and you should be happier.

Finally, I have been enjoying the mini-TR on the trip to Georgia and Dollywood. The first time I went to WDW I made an observation which has always held true. There is so much attention to detail, cleanliness, etc. at WDW that even though it is expensive, you always feel you get your money's worth. That isn't always true at other parks, so you really can't compare them to Disney World!

 

[PittypatBR]

Oh, and I forgot to say Happy Anniversary!! Hope y'all get to take a little nostalgic trip to Arkansas!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Hi Lisa,
Yeah, finally caught up!
First of all - Congratulations to Lacey for graduating from Ministry college -

Happy Anniversary to you and John!

How wonderful that Lacey will be at home for awhile...planning a wedding is so exciting..you and Lacey will be busy, but you will have a blast! I like the beach theme..

Love your mini-trip reports to other locations....Ever since I saw a special about Dollywood on the travel channel I wanted to check it out....it seems neat, but like you said, you cannot help but compare it to Disney....

 

[Bridora]

Hey Lisa! I've been behind, but I didn't realize how much until I had to keep clicking back and back and back pages. Then I was wondering how I got 10 pages behind, until I read the 'good news' posts! So:

Congratulations

to your family on Lacey's engagement and home-moving!

We stayed at Pop back in '04 and it was not bad at all. The rooms are smaller and the resort has a different feel to it, but it's still Disney and it's still on property! Hunter will probably really like all the huge sculptures around the place, too. I don't know if you're still considering All Star Music or not...we haven't stayed there, but we have stayed at All Star Movies twice. Again, the same as with Pop, but there are big statues of fun things, characters, etc. all over the grounds, which are fun and good for pictures!

I'm enjoying your mini-TR. We went to Dollywood & Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg several years ago for our anniversary....maybe in '04? I remember the tornoado-themed rollercoaster...but not a lot else. I think they've added a lot to the place since we went. BUT, we should be going back there next year for a family reunion, so it's nice to get a feel for what's there. I do hope your Mama did the zip line because I'd love to hear about it! I would love to do it, too! We just went to Branson with my BIL & family and they had one up at the Inspiration Tower and another we saw on the way to Lambert's & Springfield that we talked about doing, but never stopped to do. I'm thinking if we're at Dollywood & a zip line is in the park that I'll be more likely to get to do it!

And that Dizzy Disk reminds me of the ElectroSpin at Silver Dollar City. My brave kiddos rode that for the 1st time this summer, but not me! First rides they've really ever done on their own......besides the kiddie roller coaster, that is! Anyway.....I'll try to keep up better now....and I'm sure I wanted to comment on something that I've forgotten.....

 

[Bridora]

......like you anniversary!

I hope you guys get to come up my way & enjoy yourselves this weekend!




.......and your blog.....Wedding themed or not....I would read!

 

[Believeinfairytales]

The pictures of the eagles are so pretty! And an ice cream right about now certainly sounds good. It's hot as fire outside right now! Heat index is right at 100 degrees.

Hmmm...how did Hunter get soaked to the bone? My guess is the River Battle. Now that is one ride where you literally get soaked to the bone!

 

[racefanof88]

Love the Dollywood update . I think you should get the picture of John, showing his belly, blown up to sofa size and have it framed.........LOL.

 

[BPATSMouse]

Dollywood is the first place my wife applied to work at when her family moved to Gatlinburg in the late 80's. She got an interview but never was called back, in hindsight she is glad they didn't call. She ended up working at the Boot Shop in Pigeon Forge and sold boots and hats to some of the the Country Singers that played at Dollywood, including a few big Stars. We have been back once since we married and are talking about going next year. Your TR is helping make our dicision. You will like POP its our favorite place to stay this year will be 5 out of the last 6 years to stay there.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Good morning all my Dis friends! It's Friday the 13th! I was going to try and get an update posted this morning but it's looking like that ain't gonna happen. We had a client from out of State fax something last night for a deadline that is, of course, today. Why does that always happen on Friday when we close at Noon? Ughhhh!

Anyway, I'll try to get the last bit of Dollywood posted very soon. I need to get back to talking about Disney!

 

[teedee]

I'm loving the Dollywood report, but I don't think I'll be headed that way anytime soon. I can't imagine anyone buying toe jam jelly! Not in the least bit appealing in any way.

It's definitely Friday the 13th. One of my son in law's receptionists is out today and I was going to go fill in and catch up on his book keeping for him today. He called me at 7:30 to tell me that all his servers were down and it would be this afternoon before they will be back up! Friday the 13th strikes first thing today! He can't see any patients because all the charts are all in the computer, as well as some things he needs for his exams. I offered to come in to call and reschedule appointments but he said the other receptionist can do it, so I get to relax and have more Disney time.

Terri

 

[aprilisis]

Great updates!! I love the photos. That spinning ride looks like they should rename it Vomit Comet!

 

[KatMark]

That spinning ride looks like they should rename it Vomit Comet!

 

[Tygansmom829121]

The name of the train at Dollywood is Cinder-ella. Nice Disney tie in, huh? We were in Dollywood several weeks ago. Dollywood doesn't compare to Disneyworld, but for those people who can't make it down to Florida it is a nice park.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Well, I got the deadline done and, as is typical with the way things work in our office, the client didn't fill in half the blanks he was supposed to. I've given him a call and all I can do is wait on him to call me back. In the meantime, I thought I'd try and write an installment on our Dollywood trip.


So far, we had been pretty lucky and the rain had held out but it wasn't looking too good. We would feel a sprinkle every now and then. Finally, finally, we had reached the part of the park where the zipline was located. We walked up to the building where you sign in and that's where we saw the "extra charge" to ride. Forty-nine buckaroos! You've got to be kidding me! I don't know what I was expecting but I didn't expect that. John and I told Mama that one of us would do it with her if she wanted to. She said there was no way she was going to pay $49.

For those of you who are thinking we are a bunch of cheapskates.....we are! Well, sorta. Had this been our main Summer vacation, I would have paid that. But, we had already been to Disney World for 10 days and gone on a couple of road trips this year. And, we had paid over $230 for us to get into Dollywood. Shelling out another $200 to ride a zipline over Dollywood wasn't happenin'.

Right beside the zipline was the new Adventure Mountain attraction. Hunter wanted to do that as did John. I wasn't going up there. Heck, it had three or four levels and you were strapped on and walking across little boards. I don't think so! Mama, Lacey and I found a table and sat down to wait. That's when it started showering. Crap! We ventured a little further down and there was a vendor thingie....you know a little shed type thing that they let down the front covers on. We shopped in there and stood there a little while. Somebody left an umbrella table so we snatched it up and sat there until it quit showering.

I took this picture of a snack stand. You can't tell it but it had all sorts of cute little things on the roof:

I walked back down the path and found a couple of empty benches in the shade and motioned for Mama and Lacey to come down. Once we had a permanent seat, I started walking around and looking for John and Hunter on the attraction. It took me about 15 minutes to even find them. I had to take pictures. John has on the burgundy shirt and khakis. Hunter has on the tan shirt and plaid shorts.

Here they are walking out onto a rock ledge. John said it was super narrow:




***Shoot, I have to run to the courthouse and then we're closing at Noon. I'll try and get back this afternoon and finish up Dollywood.

 

[Believeinfairytales]

Cool attraction that John and Hunter are doing. I don't think that one is for me, either, Lisa. Much to high and narrow!

 

[janloz]

Okay, so what's part three of our news?

We've decided to stay at Pop Century next year. Why? Because, there is a chance that Lacey might come along with us for one last hoorah before getting married. Still not sure but it's a possibility. It will save us $726.00 if we we stay in a value resort.....even more if a deal comes out.

Even though Lacey is not a materialistic, fru-fru, girly girl, she does want a wedding and I'm sure that $726.00 will come in handy.

So, it looks like our beloved CBR will have to wait for us to visit another year but at least we'll still be in Disney!

CONGRATS on all the good news1

Pop is great, we have stayed there twice and if you want to join a fridge, coffeepot & toaster swap at POP, i organize one there. Let me know.

 

[Run4Disney]

Wow! There's no way I would have paid another $49 per person to do the zip line.

 

[jusero]

Tanisha and I went wedding dress shopping today ... yes, on Friday the 13th. But she found THE dress on the very first try. She tried on about three or four others just to make sure, but she chose the first one. If you want to see pics, I have them on my facebook page.

Can't wait to hear about yours and Lacey's dress shopping.

 

[KatMark]

Nope...not me. I'm not afraid of heights, but I'm not climbing that...nope, nope, nope. Another $49 for the zip? That is crazy.

 

[MaryAz]

You posted all your good news right after my post. Hurray for Lacey moving back home! Hurray for getting engaged! Yay for her wanting to honeymoon in iIsney and possibly going back with you!!
Love the Dollywood updates!