But Rhett! Where Shall I Go? What Shall I do? Frankly, m'dear... a MAY 2010 PTR

[drakes]

Happy the kids know and you are still alive!

Even more excited about an extra night and hotel stay at Disney! That means more reporting for your TR .

I need to join your club of bad writers. When I started I thought it would be easy- every one else makes it look so easy

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Hey Drakes, don't down yourself! I love your TR!!

How do you guys get the link in your siggy?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Welcome back JO! Hope you had a great weekend with your mom! Can't wait to hear all about it and then start talking Disney plans!!!!


Congrats on your ticker starting with 1 month! And here I was excited that mine starts with 7 months.

 

[JoBird]

Good Morning my Disney World Planning addicts!

Hope all is well with each of you-- I had the most wonderful weekend away with my Mom.

I went home for a reason--- that reason being an annual Oyster festival that my whole extended family attends- they come from all over-
and I know this is completely off topic but thought I'd give you all a taste of my home--

Charleston, SC....

My flight out of middle America where I live started out pretty rough.
Rhett, aka Mark, dropped me off at the airport after we picked the kids up from school. By the time we pulled up to the curb where he was letting me out, the Red Head was in hysterics- screaming, wailing.
You would've thought I'd said no dessert while I'm away. She does it b/c she thinks she's letting me know how much she will miss me, not b/c she's really distressed.

Goodbyes were said, and I made my way to the United ticket kiosk where I put my Credit card in and started attempting to check in.

It was then that the announcer should have said "Houston, we have a problem". My flight was delayed into Chicago, thus causing me to miss my connection and consequently - I'd not be able to make it out of there that night b/c I was booked on the last flight into Charleston. The screen started giving me flight options for the next day-- like I should be thrilled with that choice.



Breathing deeply I did what I do best.

I panicked.
Then I did what I do second best...

I called Rhett and exclaimed into the phone--- "YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW AND FIX THIS!!!!!"

So panic reaching intense levels, I got into line where I kept reminding myself of the old Southern addage- "You catch more bees with honey" and had calmed myself down by the time Rhett and company walked thru the door.

The Ticket agent was very helpful when I told him I had to leave To-NIGHT not a second later and scrambled to get me onto a Continental flight thru Houston---
"Houston, we don't have a problem after all... I was only teasing when I said that before"--- and I got into Charleston at 10:32 pm!! Wooo-the-heck-hoo it felt good to breathe that humid air.


Stayed downtown the first two nights at my Aunt's vacation house with my cousins and we had a loooong 2 1/2 hour lunch with our mom's (They are twins- my mom and their mom).
Here's where we ate---

I had the salmon salad- sorry no pics-- but we all shared dessert---
Black bottom pie- yummy chocolatey goodness--

and Bread pudding with a Bourbon pecan sauce.

Yes we considered licking the plate.

Afterwards I ran to visit my In laws who will soon be adding an outlaw to the clan--- my SIL got engaged this weekend! We are very excited and happy for her.


The next morning, my mom and I walked thru downtown Charleston in the rain------

before heading over to get shrimp for our party right off the creek.

Continued next post

 

[JoBird]

The next day was our oyster festival-

lots of oysters were eaten and a great time was had by all.





And now that my off topic side trip to Charleston has come and gone- I can now concentrate on May and the trip to the World!

Coming up----- plans , they are a'changing.

 

[JoBird]

My almost 7 year old has some funky dance moves that I KNOW she did not learn in her tap/ballet classes!! Not sure where it comes from, but I know I've never done those moves.

Have a good trip to your mom's!

LOL! I think they are born with the groove in them.

Sorry I've been missing JO. Somehow my part time job has been keeping me very busy lately!!

So anyway -- Glad you made it through telling the kids! That ended up much better than expected!

Have a great weekend/trip




Can't wait to talk about your plans when you get back!

Thanks Shelly! I know your part time job has you very busy-- that's okay- we'll take ya when we can get you.

Happy the kids know and you are still alive!

Even more excited about an extra night and hotel stay at Disney! That means more reporting for your TR .

I need to join your club of bad writers. When I started I thought it would be easy- every one else makes it look so easy

oh the extra night is so great-- we are so excited!

Oh my-- I'm pretty sure we'd have a ton of followers on the bad writers club.

i'm just so much better at telling what happened already.

Sigh.

 

[JoBird]

Welcome back JO! Hope you had a great weekend with your mom! Can't wait to hear all about it and then start talking Disney plans!!!!


Congrats on your ticker starting with 1 month! And here I was excited that mine starts with 7 months.

Thanks ShellY!

Wooo hoooo- 53 days and I'll be there!


7 months---- well- at least it isn't baby length anymore.

 

[mickeystoontown]

What a great trip to Charleston...well, the airport issues were great but the rest was. The pictures of the town were so pretty. Oysters...I could live without 'em but my mother and husband love 'em. I'd rather have shrimp.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

OOH, thanks for sharing Charleston with us! It looks beautiful, even in the rain! I have to visit someday. I have yet to go to SC and there seems to be a lot of cool places to see there.
Is this oyster party an annual thing? You sure had a lot of people there! I was ready to lick the screen for that pie dessert!

I'm ready to hear about your changing plans and extra night etc.
I'm hoping to update my TR today (I'm home with a sort-of sick kid. She was sick yesterday and couldn't go back for at least 24 hours). I have to get off these boards and do some real work and scrapbook today too. That's my plan at least!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Great TR on Charleston. What a great looking town. Have to check that out someday soon.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great Charleston TR! Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had a great time despite the rain. That black bottom pie looks so good!

Can't say I've ever had oysters.



Now what's this talk about changes to your WDW plans???

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

7 months---- well- at least it isn't baby length anymore.

True

 

[Jane-in-PA]

Great side trip report, Jo! I have never been to Charleston, but I've heard how beautiful it is, and your pictures prove it.

Thank goodness your screwed up flight plans worked out in the end. I'm glad the ticket agents were able to get you there that night.

Shelly, don't feel left out that you've never had oysters. I love seafood like there's no tomorrow. Give me shrimp, crabs, crawfish, any kind of salt or freshwater fish......but keep your oysters, thank you! I have to admit I've never actually tried one, except for accidentally letting one get by in some gumbo! So Jo, do you eat them raw? Do you put them on crackers and add some sauce or just au naturale?

 

[JoBird]

What a great trip to Charleston...well, the airport issues were great but the rest was. The pictures of the town were so pretty. Oysters...I could live without 'em but my mother and husband love 'em. I'd rather have shrimp.

I had a great trip to Charleston! It was fun and my mom has decided that I've been gone long enough- I now have to come home every Spring for a Girls weekend.
Oysters--we grew up just having oyster roasts in the backyard for no reason at all- it's easy I suppose when you grow up on the coast.

OOH, thanks for sharing Charleston with us! It looks beautiful, even in the rain! I have to visit someday. I have yet to go to SC and there seems to be a lot of cool places to see there.
Is this oyster party an annual thing? You sure had a lot of people there! I was ready to lick the screen for that pie dessert!

I'm ready to hear about your changing plans and extra night etc.
I'm hoping to update my TR today (I'm home with a sort-of sick kid. She was sick yesterday and couldn't go back for at least 24 hours). I have to get off these boards and do some real work and scrapbook today too. That's my plan at least!

Oooh- hope youR DD feels better very soon. That stinks.
SC has a ton of fun places--- it looked so dismal in the rain. It's usually very sunny and bright- looking at those pics I'd say it doens't even look like home, LOL. There are lots of things to see and do- those pics were only from a couple of hours of walking.
The roast - I know it sounds like my family put it on-- but we didn't- we just attend it every year.
However- it's a big deal b/c we all go to my Aunt's house for appetizers before the roast- and then after the roast, we go back to my mom's house for dessert, making it one loooooong BEHIND day. We haven't thrown any roasts since my Dad died- he was Oyster King in our family.

I can't wait to start to post my plans for the MAYcation next!

Great TR on Charleston. What a great looking town. Have to check that out someday soon.

If you ever go--- you must tell me. I will be happy to put together a wonderful itenerary for you! (They cruise out of Charleston now too!)

Great Charleston TR! Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had a great time despite the rain. That black bottom pie looks so good!

Can't say I've ever had oysters.



Now what's this talk about changes to your WDW plans???

The black bottom pie was so very rich it almost screamed in my ear--- you're gaining ten pounds -- spit me out, spit me out!
I have to say- I am not a big fan of oysters---- crazy, I know!
They are in the same category for me as the squishy, tentacl-ey things I hate.

I do eat them- just to say I've had some from every oyster roast.

The family was all laughing at me this year exclaiming--- "What was your last name again?" and "Are you sure you weren't adopted?" - I'm the only one that doesn't consume a bucket or two.

As to the change in plans....
um...
I think you know them already. -- you helped my blonde-ness in my time of need!

Great side trip report, Jo! I have never been to Charleston, but I've heard how beautiful it is, and your pictures prove it.

Thank goodness your screwed up flight plans worked out in the end. I'm glad the ticket agents were able to get you there that night.

Shelly, don't feel left out that you've never had oysters. I love seafood like there's no tomorrow. Give me shrimp, crabs, crawfish, any kind of salt or freshwater fish......but keep your oysters, thank you! I have to admit I've never actually tried one, except for accidentally letting one get by in some gumbo! So Jo, do you eat them raw? Do you put them on crackers and add some sauce or just au naturale?

I do not eat them Sam-I-Am!

I'll eat fish, shrimp, crawfish, lobster, I've been known to educate many a person on crackin' crabs by the seaside-- but I don't do the oysters. I just travel very far for the party and festivites that go along with them!

If you ever get a trip to Charleston--- feel free to ask questions! I do love that city. I cried when my plane left, just like always...


Okay- so tomorrow- I'll begin day one of my plans! Yay!

Have a good night my faithful readers--- thanks for sticking with me!

 

[Jane-in-PA]

I do not eat them Sam-I-Am!

I'll eat fish, shrimp, crawfish, lobster, I've been known to educate many a person on crackin' crabs by the seaside-- but I don't do the oysters. I just travel very far for the party and festivites that go along with them!

Well, really, that's the only thing that matters!

If you ever get a trip to Charleston--- feel free to ask questions! I do love that city. I cried when my plane left, just like always...

I would love to travel through both the Carolinas and up through Virginia and Washington, D.C. one day. And I'm sure I would have lots of questions about Charleston. Thanks!


Okay- so tomorrow- I'll begin day one of my plans! Yay!

Have a good night my faithful readers--- thanks for sticking with me!

We'll stick with you like white on rice!

 

[Pluto_fan]

Jo--thanks for sharing your Charleston trip pictures! It does look lovely, even in the rain. I could live without oysters too. Are those buckets served buffet style? Maybe that lessens their appeal for you.

Can't wait to hear more about your WDW plans!

Shelly--the Snowbirds miss you! Drop by and tell us about your job.

 

[JoBird]

ready to talk plans?

Here we go!

Originally we had planned to depart on May 8th late in the afternoon- arriving at MCO around 8pm.
We're flying Airtran and as you all may know- they aren't known for keeping their flight times.

So yes, as in a previous post I stated- they changed the flight time on me and we were going to be arriving around 9 pm which meant once we picked up the rental car (we always rent one) and got to the Poly- it would be pretty late.

I was okay with that so I told Airtran that it was fine.

Fast forward about a month and things happened at Rhett aka Mark's work where some people were let go and a coworker resigned...and he decided that knowing his work the way he does- he'd never have a good vacation Monday- Friday- that the only days he'd relax without the phone ringing off the hook were Sat- Sun.

Sooooooooo- long story short, I called Airtran, told them my plight and they changed my flight to the day before without charging me the $75 change fee OR the difference in price for flights.

I looked into staying at a value- it was going to cost $102 for one night at All Star Sports. Rhett said without pause he was sticking with his previous statement of never staying in a value again and told me to look up POFQ- our favorite Mod. We like it for the small quaintness of the resort and Rhett likes to run in the mornings down the walk by the water to POR and back. That was $146- so I booked it. Was able to change the rental car to one day earlier for $22 more, so the total for changing my trip by one day was $168.

Very good Disney Math-- rationalize the heck out of leaving one day earlier.



With the background laid- here's the plan...

Friday May 7--
Arrive MCO late- pick up rental car, head to POFQ.

Saturday May 8-- Wake up, Rhett will get me coffee in a cute little refillable mug and then go for his morning run. I will do what I do best while on property- watch Stacy, of course!

Since I never had us arriving until later that day- the only reservation I made was for much much later at night at 'Ohana. So we'll just head to the Poly for check in.

I never requested a building- I really couldn't decide where I wanted to be. I have this love affair going on with the monorails. When I grow up I really really want to drive one but for now I have to just ride. I didn't know if I wanted to ask for a longhouse with a monorail view or not- so I only requested "balcony". I'm hoping since I didn't ask for much we can get that. Actually I don't want to be near the pool- and would rather be in a quiet area- so it will be interesting where we land.

Once we get there we'll get settled and do whatever until that night when we go to dinner. We may or may not head to MK for lunch at Columbia Harbor House.

After dinner we are hoping to catch Wishes from the beach in a hammock.

So there you have it- day one of the trip!

 

[JoBird]

We'll stick with you like white on rice!

LOL! As we call it--- WOR!!!!
And yep- the party/festivities is REALLY what it's all about. Just give Southerner's a good excuse for a party-

Jo--thanks for sharing your Charleston trip pictures! It does look lovely, even in the rain. I could live without oysters too. Are those buckets served buffet style? Maybe that lessens their appeal for you.

Can't wait to hear more about your WDW plans!

Ahhh, thankfully at that roast they were in buckets- but yep- at a lot of roasts they just throw them up on the table and it's a free for all. What saves it from being horrifically gross is the hard shell that you have to pry open-- tough to get to those suckers so I'm guessing the Ebola virus that is lurking dangerously around the bend to get me (And only me-- the rest of y'all are perfectly safe, you know-) at the buffets won't get in either.



So I see your ticker is fast approaching it's destination--- have you been to DLP before?? how exciting!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly, don't feel left out that you've never had oysters. I love seafood like there's no tomorrow. Give me shrimp, crabs, crawfish, any kind of salt or freshwater fish......but keep your oysters, thank you! I have to admit I've never actually tried one, except for accidentally letting one get by in some gumbo! So Jo, do you eat them raw? Do you put them on crackers and add some sauce or just au naturale?

I don't eat any of that!!

As to the change in plans....
um...
I think you know them already. -- you helped my blonde-ness in my time of need!

Oh yeah!

We have been through so many plans/itineraries between both of our trips this year that I tend to get a little confused.

Shelly--the Snowbirds miss you! Drop by and tell us about your job.

Hey there

I actually did post about my job a few weeks ago, but I don't think anyone saw it!

I am so excited for your DL Paris trip!!

ready to talk plans?

Here we go!

Originally we had planned to depart on May 8th late in the afternoon- arriving at MCO around 8pm.
We're flying Airtran and as you all may know- they aren't known for keeping their flight times.

So yes, as in a previous post I stated- they changed the flight time on me and we were going to be arriving around 9 pm which meant once we picked up the rental car (we always rent one) and got to the Poly- it would be pretty late.

I was okay with that so I told Airtran that it was fine.

Fast forward about a month and things happened at Rhett aka Mark's work where some people were let go and a coworker resigned...and he decided that knowing his work the way he does- he'd never have a good vacation Monday- Friday- that the only days he'd relax without the phone ringing off the hook were Sat- Sun.

Sooooooooo- long story short, I called Airtran, told them my plight and they changed my flight to the day before without charging me the $75 change fee OR the difference in price for flights.

I looked into staying at a value- it was going to cost $102 for one night at All Star Sports. Rhett said without pause he was sticking with his previous statement of never staying in a value again and told me to look up POFQ- our favorite Mod. We like it for the small quaintness of the resort and Rhett likes to run in the mornings down the walk by the water to POR and back. That was $146- so I booked it. Was able to change the rental car to one day earlier for $22 more, so the total for changing my trip by one day was $168.

Very good Disney Math-- rationalize the heck out of leaving one day earlier.



With the background laid- here's the plan...

Friday May 7--
Arrive MCO late- pick up rental car, head to POFQ.

Saturday May 8-- Wake up, Rhett will get me coffee in a cute little refillable mug and then go for his morning run. I will do what I do best while on property- watch Stacy, of course!

Since I never had us arriving until later that day- the only reservation I made was for much much later at night at 'Ohana. So we'll just head to the Poly for check in.

I never requested a building- I really couldn't decide where I wanted to be. I have this love affair going on with the monorails. When I grow up I really really want to drive one but for now I have to just ride. I didn't know if I wanted to ask for a longhouse with a monorail view or not- so I only requested "balcony". I'm hoping since I didn't ask for much we can get that. Actually I don't want to be near the pool- and would rather be in a quiet area- so it will be interesting where we land.

Once we get there we'll get settled and do whatever until that night when we go to dinner. We may or may not head to MK for lunch at Columbia Harbor House.

After dinner we are hoping to catch Wishes from the beach in a hammock.

So there you have it- day one of the trip!

Awesomeness!!
An extra day in Disney, what could be better??? Oh -- a balcony at the Poly!

I hope you guys are able to get a lot done and enjoy the weekend before Mark's phone starts ringing on Monday. I know I cringe every time DH's phone rings when we are at WDW.

 

[JoBird]

Yay!~ Shelly's here! I'm finally able to talk plans and everyone's gone.

Sniff, sniff.



I know, right--- we've had plans A, B C, D, E, F and so on for our trips.

I think I've finally nailed it down. yay for decisiveness! Sort of.