Trip with Mom 2004 Revisited- UPDATE 4/10/2006 - MK Part 3- The Country Bears - MORE NEW PIX!! About This Page:

[ripkensnana]

Okay, I've resized some pictures, so let's see what happens!

Travellers: Myself, DH Bob, DF Malcolm, and my DM Jessie (hereinafter referred to as "Mom")

Dates: February 28 through March 8, 2004

Resort: Westgate Lakes

This report was originally posted in almost the identical fashion shortly after the trip happened, but at that time, I wasn't able to post pictures. I've just discovered how to do this, so here we go again...Malcolm's report is in blue, and my comments are in red....Good thing I keep stuff like this on my computer for future scrapbooking purposes

<font color="blue"> I've been trying to put this off because it means the trip is really over. I'm even still laying my souvenirs around to sort out the ones that are complete as they are, from the ones that I'm trying to hold back (as a secret until later), </font>

<font color="red">Gifts for his girlfriend, Barb.</font>

<font color="blue"> from the ones I need to do some modifications to. When I just dumped the bag out onto my bed a few minutes ago, I realized what I was really doing and MADE myself sit down and start typing.

For those of you who weren't subscribing the "The Malcolm Monthly" </font>

<font color="red">Malcolm's online newsletter...and talk about putting things off...He just put last July's issue out....And I thought I was bad! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] </font>

<font color="blue"> last year, I have a friend in my Science Fiction group named Carol. </font>

<font color="red">That's ME</font>

<font color="blue"> Her husband is Bob and her mother is Jessie (whom we call "Mom"). Last year, I had an unused timeshare condo week floating around looking for a place to get used. Carol, a fellow Disney maniac, found a vacation package for her mother (who loves *HER* Atlanta Braves). </font>

<font color="red"> It was in her "Chop Talk" fanzine, which she subscribes to.</font>

<font color="blue"> It involved four days at Disney World because that's where the Braves have spring training. When Carol told me about it, I suggested that we try using my 7-day, spare condo week which was the same price as a single person in the travel package. It has become an annual March event (except they outright rented a condo this year).

Being a Disney maniac, I have no REAL qualms about going to Florida twice a year except it starts eating into my bank of vacation time - which will eventually limit the number of times I can go to Florida. Irony - ya gotta love it! Aside from going at all, the really big bonus for me is being able to buy stuff for my girlfriend/fiancee/significant other, Barb. This year there was the extra bonus of being able to ride Mission:Space again, but in a different seat position than I had before. This will be explained later in greater detail.

So I spent the last full weekend before March doing laundry and pre-packing the clothes I wanted to wear on the trip because I didn't want to forget and accidently wear any of it before the trip. </font>

<font color="red"> Thus necessitating re-laundering. I, on the other hand, have some stuff that I only wear at WDW (does anyone else do this?), so I don't have quite the same issues. I just tend to start packing about a month before we're due to leave... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] </font>

<font color="blue"> Then I spent nearly every night of the last actual week before March trying to determine what other things I wanted to take (camcorder: yes, laptop computer: no, previous souvenirs: some of them, etc.) and figuring how to pack them in which cases.

I finally got it all packed into my suitcase, my briefcase, and my camcorder bag on Friday JUST before Bob and Carol came to pick me up. They had just come from Bob's retirement event/last day at his old job. I was still in the middle of triple-checking the packing and trying to decide how to reset the VCR's for which shows I REALLY wanted to see once I got back. As per usual, I had the feeling I had forgotten something and it took me until I got to Florida that I didn't bring my phone book to call the local family members to let them know I was in down - nothing special, just to say "Hi". Once again, for those who don't remember last year's trip, Bob and Carl like to get up VERY EARLY in the morning (5:30am) so they can got on the road VERY EARLY in the morning (6:00am). This is opposed to me who likes to flop out of bed around 9-ish and get on the road about 10-ish. Over our bowl of cereal, Carol got up to take a picture, but I was ready for her. I closed my eyes and tilted my head to make it look like I was still asleep (in spite of sitting upright). She didn't notice the pose until we got back at the end of the trip and we all had a laugh at it. </font>

<font color="red"> Hey, the earlier we leave, the earlier we get there... </font>

<font color="blue"> This is opposed to me who likes to flop out of bed around 9-ish and get on the road about 10-ish. Over our bowl of cereal, Carol got up to take a picture, but I was ready for her. I closed my eyes and tilted my head to make it look like I was still asleep (in spite of sitting upright). She didn't notice the pose until we got back at the end of the trip and we all had a laugh at it.



This year we didn't leave until 7:30am and everyone had appropriate fun saying they let me sleep in.</font>

<font color="red"> We DID let him sleep in! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] </font>

<font color="blue"> The plan of attack was to drive as far as we could before stopping for the night. At each border crossing, we stopped at the first rest area to pose with a "Welcome to..." sign.

Nothing special happened in Ohio other than Carol making use of a new book she bought which reveals trivia details and travel hints, tips, and warnings about I-75. It revealed such details as which state tends to have the cheapest gas (saved us 15 cents per gallon at one point), reports on what restaurants are at which exits, little-known tourist places to discover, and even the names of the people who work at the welcome centers (the author encourages you to stop in say hello). </font>

<font color="red"> The title of the book, for anyone who's interested is: "Along Interstate 75" by Dave Hunter. It retails for $21.95 in most bookstores. I paid about $16 and change on Amazon.com. And Malcolm forgot to mention that it also shows the places where the cops tend to hang out with their radar. It's full of historical things that occurred along the route, as well - like the route of the Great Train Robbery (Civil War). I love this book!</font>



<font color="blue"> On the "Iron Man" drive (as I have come to call it) to get as far into Georgia as we can before stopping for the night, there were the expected, gasoline, potty, and stretch breaks until we got down to Tennessee. We've found a now-favored restaurant called Louie's on the Lake. It is actually in Cove Lake State Park off a curvy exit which leads to a curvy road that ends at a traffic light to a non-descript road. Off of which you turn into a barely-marked entry and then turn again. It's a miracle Bob and Carol found the place by accident
on a previous trip. </font>

<font color="red"> Except for the fact that we had directions from a local, who told us about it and how to find it.</font>

<font color="blue"> It has become an expected part of the trip - especially since we pass there about early dinner time. I make special mention of the place because I had the best pork steak I have EVER had in my life! I've heard the phrase "melt in your mouth" before and always thought it was just an advertising gimmick. THIS piece of meat REALL DID melt in my mouth! I had to watch myself to make sure it didn't fall apart on my fork. And it tasted heavenly!!
</font>

<font color="red"> I had the same thing, and I second the motion! They have a neat little daily "special" (every day), in which for 6.99, you choose your entree and three side dishes, which include salads and veggies of varying kinds. At dinner time, they also have an "all-you-can-eat" special, which varies from day to day. </font>


At the Tennessee Welcome Center

<font color="blue"> Our overnight in southern Georgia was at a nice little place that was part of the Scottish Inn franchise. It had adjoining rooms so we could open the door and feel palatial - amazing how little it takes to make a place seem special. I forgot to write down what exit is was on (but Carol did) so I'm hoping to remember to ask for that info because I think I may be able to stop there for my second night's drive toward Florida in July.
</font>

<font color="red"> Exit 293, Carterville, GA. Nice and clean, and inexpensive. I think that with tax it was about $32 per night. </font>


Malcolm relaxing in the "Guys' Room"


Mom in our room


Bob's gonna kill me for this... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

<font color="blue"> Sunday was check-in day - the condo place has Friday to Friday, Saturday to Saturday, and Sunday to Sunday options - but first we had to cover the rest of southern Georgia. </font>

<font color="red"> Not to mention the northern half of Florida.
</font>

<font color="blue"> I can't help but mention how me managed to find the world's slowest McDonalds for breakfast. If you walk into a regular McDonalds during a meal rush, you could be in line for upwards of five minutes - seven if someone ahead of you is being indecisive. We were third in line, none of the customers was being indecisive, yet we still were in line for upward of fifteen to twenty minutes (it SEEMED like thirty). There were lots of people who were waiting for orders to be filled, one lady got tired of waiting and demanded her money back, and at least two people came back reporting incorrect orders. </font>

<font color="red"> Our order was messed up a little, too. </font>

<font color="blue"> We talked about that place in amazement for several miles. There is a Wendy's here in Lansing that actually matched the TV commercials' speed twice (on separate trips), so now I think I've experienced pretty much every fast-food speed available.

Because we enjoyed the meal so much last year, we made a purposeful lunch stop in another favored eatery called Sonny's Real Pit Barbecue. We found out (thanks to Carol's I-75 book)</font>

<font color="red">Don't leave home without it - if you're traveling I-75, that is... </font>

<font color="blue"> that this chain has stores spread out over several states from Florida to Virginia, so we were able to push along until we actually got hungry before we started looking for it. We always get the "Feast for Four" which includes BBQ chicken, beef and pork slices, ribs, baked beans,
coleslaw, french fries, and a really big drink. </font>

<font color="red"> And the price is $24.99! This is probably the best meal deal going!! And you can get refills on everything except the meat! The meat is slow-cooked BBQ style, but has no sauce. The have the sauces on your table, in varying degree of spiciness, so you can add your own. </font>

<font color="blue"> What we have leftover (which is never much) we can take with us for a snack. Bob says it's the first place we get to that has "real" sweet tea made the proper southern way. </font>

<font color="red"> I even indulge, and I'm not a sugary-drink person...I much prefer diet beverages, but this is special. </font>

<font color="blue"> It was here that the Quote-of-the-day was made. While discussing how much we'd like to have a Sonny's in Michigan - and whether it would be successful - a comment was made about making a separate trip, Bob said "It wouldn't be worth it to make a separate trip down here just for Sonny's". Carol responded with "Those are the three main reasons for our current trip: Sonny's, Louie's on the Lake, and Disney." And I said "And almost in that order!" There was much laughter.

We stayed at Westgate Lakes (up I-4 on the other side of Disney from my regular place) and the service continues to be lacking. </font>





<font color="red"> Well, it's not Disney, ya know.... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] </font>

<font color="blue"> There was no escort to the villa and no welcome party, so "Lakes" continues to be the leader of NOT providing top-notch service. It's almost as though they are the test-bed for new ideas on how the company can get away with not doing something any more.

On the other hand, because Mom has her own wheelchair, Carol was able to
request a handicapper-accessible room - which puts it on the first floor - so that was enjoyable. </font>


Malcolm in the morning....

Bob in the Boys' Room.

<font color="red">Except that the "Handicap Accessible" bathroom has no tub (except the whirlpool), and no edging on the edge of the shower to keep water from getting all over the floor. I guess they expect you to wheel your wheelchair right into the shower! Mom isn't all that handicapped, so I guess we didn't really need all that, especially since the accessibility features cut down on the storage places in the bathroom (drawers for personal hygiene stuff were missing, so as to provide for wheelchair access to the lavatory). </font>

<font color="blue"> Still, we really don't need much from the facility since we send nearly all day every day at the theme parks. And we found out that because we were renting, they provided maid service free of charge (you have to pay extra once you become an owner). Except for a particularly frustrating attempt to CONTACT someone about a mid-week problem we had in the villa, things went well... overall. </font>

<font color="red">Actually, I think the maid service was a slip-up on their part, because I noticed on the little list of "guidelines/rules" I got (which I didn't read until we were getting ready to check out, to find out what we had to do), they mentioned that maid service was available for an additional charge. They didn't ask me to pay when I checked out, and I would have refused, because I didn't request it...It was nice to have, though! </font>

Anyhow, this has been a rehash of part one of our trip report. Hope y'all enjoy it...



NEXT UP: EPCOT FUTURE WORLD!

[LisaJ]

Great pics!

[Colexis Mom]

Great job [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[LizardCop]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[ripkensnana]

So, here we are with the second installment of our 2004 trip with my mother. I need to note that some of this was written for some people who've never been to WDW, so a bit more discription of things was necessary. I'm sure that a lot of this is old news to most of the folks here on the boards, but bear with us [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Once again, Malcolm's writing is in blue, while my timeless prose is in red. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

DAY ONE: EPCOT FUTURE WORLD!

<font color="blue">Whoops! Nearly forgot to mention that we stopped in at the Disney WelcomeCenter in Ocala to pick up a free gift. It was just a key chain, but each of us got Sorcerer Mickey except Jessie, who got Minnie. We promptly declared her "special" because hers was different. We're not sure if there is a pattern where occasionally a rare item is given away (which really WOULD be special) or if this was just some unsold stock that was being expunged from the store.</font>





<font color="red">This is where you can make Disney Resort (hotel) reservations, if you haven't already done so, and/or Priority Seating arrangements. Disney uses these instead of reservations...With a reservation, you have a table guaranteed for a specific time. With a PS, you show up at the specified time and get the next table available for your size group. We've had to wait up to maybe 20 minutes at a really popular restaurant, but usually get right in, while people who were there before us would sit and watch (and glare).</font>

<font color="blue">Okay, back to Monday's report.

Monday was our first day in the parks and we started at EPCOT.</font>





This is a picture of the exact geographical center of WDW

It's just past Innoventions West as you're heading toward The Land

<font color="blue">Bob and Carol had found a reference to where you could renew your wedding vows and have Mickey as the Best Man. I was thinking there would be some kind of semi-officious ceremony, but it turned out to be highly informal and comparable to the standard restaurant birthday spiel except you get a certificate (not official). Since it was part of the restaurant fare, I nearly missed getting it on video tape. I'm certain I could have gotten into position for a better shot, but with unexpected surprises you get what you can. I suppose now would be a good time to mention that we ate in The Garden Grill, the restaurant located inside The Land pavilion.




It is a "Character Meal" which means that various characters wander around the place and stop by your table to greet you. We saw Chip, Dale, Pluto and Mickey in a farmer's outfit. I can't remember if it was Chip or Dale that came by, tapped me on the shoulder and started inching his finger toward my dessert, but I made the expected snarl-and-chomp noise and he ran off feigning panic. I think they liked the fact that we were playing along with them.</font>






<font color="red">Not every restaurant has "Character Meals", and the characters are specific to a particular restaurant. So the characters we met were the characters you see there. Chip and Dale were also dressed in farmer costumes. These meals tend to be a bit more pricey, but are for the most part of the "all you can eat" variety. In the Garden Grill, the food is brought to the table, family-style, and the price includes beverage (soft-drinks) and dessert, so it's not too bad. And the food was very tasty - the veggies are grown in The Land's greenhouses, which you can see on the Living with the Land ride. Oh, and this is a revolving restaurant, so the view changes as you eat. Price for lunch is $19.99 plus tax and tip. The wedding vow thing is called a "Rehitchin'", and you request it when you book your PS, and mention it again to the Cast Member at the podium.
(Note: This is no longer being offered, unfortunately....it was a fun thing to do).</font>





SOME IMAGES FROM "LIVING WITH THE LAND"






<font color="blue">Backing up a bit, because we had been reading about it online (and because I got to test-ride it last year), we made our first stop the new Mission:Space attraction.</font>




<font color="blue">If you remember last summer's trip report, the ride is a simulator type ride but with the feature of pulling real G-forces. Most simulator rides are a platform that tilts you around in synchronization with the movie. Mission:Space puts you into an enclosed cockpit riding on the end of an arm which PRODUCES the launch G-force by spinning you and the others with a centrifuge effect. Rather than just sit back and watch the film, you are
INCLUDED into the ride because each person is given two buttons to push. The Engineer pushes the buttons for Hypersleep and extending the wings for landing. The Commander pushes the buttons for first stage separation and activating manual control. The Pilot pushes the buttons for the second stage rocket and shields. The Navigator presses the buttons for the orbit and descent thrusters. If no one is in the seat, or you react too slowly, the computer engages an override and makes it all happen on schedule anyway. And of course, each station has a control stick "in the event of an emergency landing" (grin).</font>

<font color="red">I'm trying to remember - I'm sure was Pilot, and was between Bob and Malcolm, and Mom was Engineer, and either Bob or Malcolm pushed Mom's buttons for her.</font>


<font color="blue">Carol's reaction was one of great joy: "That made me dizzy as hell, but I don't care! That was awesome!")</font>

<font color="red">Mom, on the other hand, had a very adverse reaction to the ride. She had a great deal of difficulty with the pressure of the liftoff, and said that she actually thought that she was dying, that her chest hurt her that much. It took a couple of hours for her to get over it. We reassured her that she never has to do it again.</font>

<font color="blue">We spent the rest of the day in Future World (the front half of EPCOT) moving through the attractions in a clockwise direction (Universe of Energy, but not Test Track and it's 40 minute "Singles" line wait, Journey Into Your Imagination, The Land - for lunch as mentioned earlier, Living Seas, and Spaceship Earth).</font>













<font color="red">Actually, we skipped Test Track because it was down for a rehab, and for some reason skipped Spaceship Earth altogether. We did make a brief foray into Canada to try to catch a performance of a group called "Off Kilter" (bagpipes and electric guitars...Celtic Rock!), but found that they weren't performing that day. I'd heard a lot about them, and wanted to hear them...bummer!</font>


To be continued....

[ripkensnana]

Post deleted by ripkensnana

[simbarel]

Carol...your mom is adorable and your photo captions are hysterical. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] Glad you got a chance to get rehitched! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update Carol [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[PrincessSharon]

Great so far, Carol! Your photo captions crack me up! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Can't wait for more!

[disneymom9092]

I love your photo cations Carol!! You are so much more computer suavy than me-although I think Bill and Sue would disagree [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img].

I love this report-more please!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[ripkensnana]

Bumping up in preparation for an update in a couple (I hope) days.

[ripkensnana]

Bumping again...

[iamgrumpy]

Carol Great report and the captions on the photos made me laugh! More Please!

[ripkensnana]

Bumping once more

[ripkensnana]

Okay, it's about time I got the next installment going...

As usual, Malcolm starts out with a tidbit from the previous day...(and once again, Malcolm is blue, I'm red).

<font color="blue">On Monday, the first stop I made was to buy the newest Disney high-tech toy, Pal Mickey.</font>

<font color="red">Mom kept making me take pictures throughout the parks of "A grown man playing with a stuffed toy." She was flabbergasted by the price. </font>

<font color="blue">Okay, back to Tuesday.</font>


Taken from another Disney Ferry (still not Tink, though...)

<font color="blue">We got to the Magic Kingdom's entrance just after opening time.</font>


The Main Street Train Station from just outside MK


Making our way down Main Street, USA


The Magic Kingdom Icon!




<font color="blue">Because of that, we arrived at Cinderella's Castle in time to see the first show of the day. Another stage show featuring that battle of good versus evil wrapped in a theme of giving presents. Wrapped. Presents. Sometimes I feel so clever. :-) ANyway, once the show was over, Carol got pictures of the statues in Central Park.</font>


Mom and Malcolm with the "Partners" statue (Pal Mickey seems to be trying to make a getaway...)


The Obligatory Shot of the Partners Statue in front of Cinderella's Castle (what DS refers to as "The Money Shot")

<font color="red">I love these little bronze statues!</font>


DONALD

DUMBO

PINOCCHIO

Mickey's Main Squeeze (besides me.... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] )

I think this one is my favorite...

Or maybe this one...

Mickey Mouse's Dog

But which is which? (*insert evil snicker here*)



One of the WDW gardeners...I think her name is Karen


[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img]My DH and Best Friend [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img]


<font color="blue">Then we started working our way around the park.</font>


Heading into Adventureland


Malcolm teaches Mickey the finer points of video taping


I caught him in mid-spit! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

<font color="blue"> We had to skip Pirates of the Caribbean due to an excessively long line.</font>


Entrance to POC

<font color="red">But Carol got her picture with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, which made up for it. :-) </font>



<font color="red">Okay, this post is getting a bit long, what with all the pictures, so I'm going to divide it here, and in a day or two (I hope!) I'll post more of our adventures in MK - which includes lots of pix of Spash Mt., it's a small world, and SpectroMagic and Wishes...I think the MK portion of this report is going to take at least three installments... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]