Puppy-Port: April 24, 2004--May 3, 2004 About This Page:

[LuckyPup]

Faithful Puppy fans:

I'm going to be away from the computer this weekend, as Diz is in his true hometown of Detroit (OK, not really Detroit, but a suburb.) and I'm going to visit him! Anyhoo, this Pup will post on late Sunday/early Monday. Didn't want ya'll to think I'd forgotten to post!

Thanks to all the great comments--I know it's not a "true Disney" TR, but more an "around Orlando" report. And for everyone who is fearing the worst for my Orlando job quest--remember, this is a Disney report--everything turns out OK in the end!!

Also--glad all my little godmailers are happy with their cards!! I had lots of fun doing it, and so did everyone else I recruited into the effort!

[Mel & Richard]

I'm really loving your trip report. The cliff hangers are great!

Mel

[TeacherKim]

I am loving your report and dying for the next installment!

BTW, I also need to post my thanks for the godmailer postcards! My son (the Rock N'Roller Coaster one) was half embarrassed, half excited to get it. He's definitely decided he's doing the ride, though, so maybe it helped him with the decision!

[Jennifer2003]

Just catching up with the report...it's so much fun!

Keep it coming!

[LuckyPup]

Hey there Puppy Pals!! (ohh--now there's a good idea for a new Disney "Pal"--Pal Lucky!!.) Anyhoo, Michigan was lovely, and I went to a small sci-fi convention while I was there. You find the darnest things at those conventions--I ended up getting a bootleg DVD of "Song of the South". I haven't watched it yet, but I am willing to post a review if anyone is interested (and if it's allowed.).



But enough of that! Let's all get back to the Puppy realm!! When last our faithful readers left our valiant Pup, she was slightly disapointed about her mouse-rejection, but willing to drown my sorrows in chocolate chip cookies and dreams of Disney. However, I was sadly informed that Dr. Doom, our resident cast member, would not be able to take us to the mouse house until Thursday!!! ARRGH!!! Not even a visit to the happy place!!! I felt very upset, but at least we were going. After all, Diz promised!! So, I was a good little Pup and did not protest too much. However, that did leave the question of what to do on Wendnesday...



April 28: "Why can't I go into the Carlton Cards?"



Wednesday dawned nicely, and after a little canoodling around, Diz and I got going (OK--we did some late canoodling as it was about 3 PM when we left his house. ). We were going to meet his mother at a local restaurant in Oviedo. Now, Oviedo is where Diz grew up (born in Michigan, but really grew up in Florida). So, we toured that area, saw his school, his old house, his grade school--all sorts of stuff. We then stopped at the Oviedo mall. The walls of the mall were covered in jasmine, and it was all blooming--OMG--the smell was wonderful! There is nothing like blooming jasmine in Florida! I was raving about it, and Diz was looking at me as if I was insane. What can I say-I love the scent!

Anyway, we strolled around the mall, and looked at some things. I showed him the candles at Bath and Body Works. He liked the one that smelled like Firewood. Then I saw a Carlton Card store. I was thinking that I needed to get a thank you card for Terry from Disney, but Diz wouldn't let me go into the store! I was like--why not? Turns out, that's where Chuckles' girlfriend works! Remember--I'm taking over her room?!? Plus, she's a bit of a pain to talk to anyway.

Finally, we made our way to the resturaunt, met Diz's mom, and had a great meal. She's a really nice person, and extremely kind. We get along very well. So, that was a nice time.

We made our way home after dinner and popped in "Atlantis". Diz loves this movie because the designs are inspired by Mike Mignola (who wrote and illustrated a little comic called "Hellboy" that became a major motion picture this year!) Helga, from "Atlantis" is the iconic Mignola woman--he tends to draw blond femme fatales a lot. Hellboy--GREAT graphic novel, and I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone to read!! We dropped off to sleep with the intent to wake up bright and early for our day of DISNEY!!



April 29: "Ralph, party of 3!"



The Disney day!! OK, I have to admit, I was pretty psyched. In Florida, it's not really a big deal to go to Disney, but for me, it was like being called home to the mothership!! I had a minor fashion crisis, since the weather was still continuing to be spotty. It would go from cold to hot to raining cats and dogs. Very frustrating to plan for. I opted for layers, wearing an oat-colored cami top with tropical print sheer cami over it and brought an oat-colored cotton hoodie with me. That way, I could wear it when I got cold or tie it round my waist when I was hot. I also wore my Doc Marten sandals.

I packed my Mickey sling with my digital camera, sunglasses, wallet, sunscreen, ibuprofen, personal meds, tissues, my almay foundation (the touch-pad one--perfect for travel as it doesn't spill, has SPF and creates decent coverage), my MAC powder compact (for the mirror)and my Aveda lip gloss (tres yummy!).

Overall, a pretty light bag. I didn't really need that much, and figured that whatever I needed, I could buy--right? Diz and I made arrangements to meet Doom at the McDonalds at Crossroads. I knew where that was, and Diz helped me navigate any confusing spots.

We arrived about 10 minutes later than our meeting time of 9:30. Since I was two months late to my own birth, I figured that ten minutes to a meeting was fairly on time for me. (Note about the birth thing: I was born in '75 and the tests weren't exactly accurate then. Mom figures that the test was inaccurate, but that she concieved soon after--at Disney no less--and that I was actually a week early than my proper due date. But it's still a family joke.)

We all met up though and had a lovely (though slightly queasey) McD's breakfast. OK--I'm a breakfst snob, I'll admit it. While I will gladly eat fast food for dinner, I can't quite handle the breakfasts there. If I eat bacon and eggs for breakfast, I'd much rather eat at a sit-down place than a fast food place. Although, really, I prefer fruit, cereal and orange juice for breakfast. And pancakes. And waffles. Must have waffles forthwith!! Although, the best breakfast I've ever had was churros and Spanish hot chocolate while in Spain--talk about heaven!!

After breakfasting (we all pretty much had the bagel thingies except for Doom who had the McGriddle thingie.), we set off for the Happiest Place on Earth! The traffic was super light, and we quickly got into the Pluto parking lot. We hopped on the tram and had a lightning fast ride to the TTC. So, guys, confesion to make here: This is the first time in about 26 years that I have parked in the TTC lot and taken the tram to the MK. This was a totally new experience. Kinda fun as well! Doom and I chatted about Disney while Diz kinda rolled his eyes while mumbling "mouseheads" under his breath. At the TTC, we evaluated the ferry vs. monorail. Now, I know that they are "supposed" to take the same about of time, but I would really like someone to do a study. Cause I'm thinking that during high volume times that the ferry is faster. We elected to take the ferry over. Doom had stated that sometimes characters are on it in the mornings, so I think that swayed my vote. We caught the boat just as it was setting out!!

The ferry was a nice way to get to the MK, and on the character front--Minnie was aboard. I was tempted to get a pic with her, but I chickened out. One nice thing about the ferry is that it really gives you some room to stretch out and plan your day. The monorail is a bit cramped for that sometimes. One other cute thing was that we saw a ferry speeding back from the MK going to the TTC and it had Chip and Dale on it. They waved to our ferry from theirs. Doom noted how cool it was that the characters stayed in "character" even when they didn't have to, and I have to

agree. So, if you want quick character interaction, the ferry is totally for you!

The last time I went to Disney was in 2000--before the attacks. Getting off of the ferry, I immediatly noticed some changed that I was pretty ticked off at. No, not at Disney, but at the whole war, national security and terrorists. Grrr. Before, you could walk right up to the gates and now you have to go through an ugly security area. Sigh. (and I'm liberal! ) But for the common good and all, eh? So I got inspected and of course I picked the longest line. Made it through and then joined Diz and Doom at the Cast Member entrance. Diz handed me his ticket to carry and our happy gang headed off into the world!



What ride does our intrepid Puppy pick first? Is traveling with two men too much, or do they let her be girly? And what's up with the Ralph thing? Want to find the answers to all this and more? Tune in tomorrow for the next installment of the Puppy-Port!!

[luvnwdwgal]

Great update!! Looking forward to reading all about your day at MK!!

[Jennifer2003]

I love your report! It reminds me of old cartoons, and more recently, Dave the Barbarian with all your What Ifs and foreshadowing!

Great report, looking forward to more!

[MegglesMom]

Ralph? Uhoh, I think I know what's coming!

[Tara O'Hara]

Wow,Lucky Pup! I am just catching up with your grand adventures!! They are awesome and I can't wait to read the rest of your report!! You are a terrific writer!!

[2princessmom]

Love your report and am trying to wait patiently to see what happens!

[Caldercup]

Has there been more of this trip report posted? I can't find it -- and I've been enjoying it so much, I don't want to miss anything.

Eileen