Terra Nova Guy and the Raiders of the Lost Park - an August 2018 TR *COMPLETE* 4/28

August 17, 2018 – Travel Day (a.k.a. the boring post before we get to the good stuff)

Well, our trip starts as many do, trying to force yourself up out of bed when your body is saying “Why, why are you attempting to move vertically at such an inappropriate hour?”

Because it's vacation! Get your butt up! Besides, it is much more difficult to move horizontally. ;)

Our Orlando flight boarded at 2:30pm, got away a bit late for a reason I can’t remember and we landed in Orlando around 6:00pm, about half an hour late. I was only in the airport at this point, but I was still excited – I was finally back in Orlando!

You can't remember because they probably didn't tell you the real reason anyway...the people were sifting through your luggage to see what they wanted to lose and since you'd packed for 11 whole days, it took longer than expected.


From this point, I needed to get our rental car, drive to ASMu to check in, have supper, get a few supplies like water for the week, and I even had a thought, if we weren’t too tired, to possibly go to the Polynesian to watch Hallowishes, since this was the first night of MNSSHP. That would have been cool since I’ve never seen the perimeter fireworks from a distance.
Good plan

Here’s where things come off the rails a bit.

Ruh roh George.


We were really looking forward to our planned restaurant – Olive Garden. Now, some of you may be thinking, what? But here’s the thing. We’re not fancy, and Italian is our favourite food. We don’t have Olive Garden where we live, it would be our only meal off Disney property the whole trip, and it seemed like a good way to start off the vacation. We had about half an hour wait to get in, but got our food quickly. Three of us got the Tour of Italy – lasagna, chicken parm, and fettucine alfredo because we like it all, and Katie – who doesn’t like alfredo sauce – got corkscrew pasta (cavitappi?) and meatballs. We all enjoyed it, although we all probably ate too much. But that’s how you know vacation has started.
My wife is Italian and has spoiled me with so many home-made options, so I'm not an Olive Garden fan, but good for y'all!

Have to leave for work, so will have to answer questions later...
 
Okay...on bus(and phone) going to work. Multiquoting is out.


If y'all ever come down Atlanta way, I'll see if I can get DW to spoil you with some amazing Italian cooking.

1. I'm going to say no about rope drop. You mentioned something about only one sink in the room and with 3 girls/women doing hair and makeup, I think you didn't make rope drop.

2. Hmmm...the way you asked that leads me to believe it wasn't one of the newer ones, sooo...I'm going with jungke cruise

3. You saw piglet walking down the street and since all you'd had for breakfast was a pitiful muffin, all you could thing of was BACON. You were chasing him, tackled him and started knawing on his leg. This just before you were escorted out of the park by security.
 
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What the WHAT?? They waited an HOUR to tell you? I"d have been fuming!
Oh, tell me about it. The baggage service people claim they didn't know either. I was trying not to get too irritated and start the trip off badly. Another problem is that I wanted to go down and do the rental car paperwork, but afraid the moment I left the bags would start coming out and I didn't want the girls left to deal with the 4 big suitcases.

Laundry stinks- quite literally sometimes, but heavy bags are not fun. Nor are extra bag fees.
Yes, we had been debating about squeezing everything into 3 suitcases at least on the way down. In the end I just coughed up the 4th bag fee and had some room for purchases.

While the baggage debacle would have upset me, you guys have a good attitude about missing them. It'd been a long day and you may have been right. Best to get to bed for an another early day.
It was really a long shot, given that we would be so tired with travelling. I had mentioned the idea a few times and nobody was overly enthused about the idea. Although it would have been fun, it may also have put the next morning off to a bad start.

Boo? No clue. None.
Hints have been dropped in this TR and one other...that's all I'm saying.
You'll probably laugh when you find out :p
 
Phew what a long travel day for you all! That REALLY stinks about the baggage. I would have been so annoyed!

Hey, nothing wrong with Olive Garden! Especially if you don't live near one! Love their alfredo!

I'm sure it was nice to finally get to your room! Glad you got a good location!


1. Yes

2. Space Mountain

3. I really had no idea...but reading the comments I'm wondering if it's a sweet girl who had some freshly dyed hair :goodvibes
 


I hate to hear about the travel delays. I dare not speak of my lack of travel problems in the past for fear of receiving a curse on our upcoming Land & Sea vacation in January/February! (I'm just a tad excited by the way...)

On to the questions..
1. I don't know you very well, but rope drop is life to me. So, let's hope you made the right choice. I'll go with YES!
2. It's A Small World? Seriously, I would guess 7DMT
3. A giant ball of chewed bubble gum? (I would certainly hope not in Walt's parks). I really have no idea on this one, but can't wait to see..
 
Hi I’m joining in, we were there for part of your stay, we were actually at that MNSSHP the first night!

Sorry your luggage took so long, we are also in the 3am travel group haha!

I’m going to guess you do make rope drop, jump on 7DMT, and you see Meghan?? She had pink hair this trip, we missed her at Epcot, which was a bummer!

Glad you got your room requests.
 
Well, our trip starts as many do, trying to force yourself up out of bed when your body is saying “Why, why are you attempting to move vertically at such an inappropriate hour?”

because Disney beckons. There is no other valid reason.

do we pack enough clothes for the entire 11 days, or do we do laundry part way through?

I've done both. I prefer not... but DW doesn't like coming home (or me coming home) to a bunch of laundry either.

we decided to forget the idea of doing laundry. Who really wants to do that on vacation anyway? There’s enough of that at home.

::yes::

we slept most of the way up.

Lucky. I just can't.

(Side note: I know a lot of Canadians who despise Air Canada. I have never personally had any major issue with them, so I’m kind of indifferent; I just choose the flights that work best for me)

Uh, huh... I'll reply to this in a bit.

They have improved the process since and now you don’t see your bags again until Orlando, a much better set up.

Yes! That's so much better than what they used to do. I was pleasantly surprised.

There are clusters of tables between the gates, each table has iPads that you can order food from the nearby restaurant, or browse the web, plus charging stations for your devices.

::yes:: That was really nice to see. Wish more airports did that.

we landed in Orlando around 6:00pm, about half an hour late.

Not too bad.

I was only in the airport at this point, but I was still excited – I was finally back in Orlando!

:goodvibes Isn't that the best?

there was no information coming from the Air Canada baggage services

Should have flown WestJet.



:lmao:

It took another half hour before our bags came out. This was definitely not something I expected,

No. Not at all. I've never seen that before.

Olive Garden. Now, some of you may be thinking, what? But here’s the thing. We’re not fancy, and Italian is our favourite food. We don’t have Olive Garden where we live

We have a couple here, but before they did, it was one place we had to go when we were somewhere that had one.

And yet... the food isn't that great. It's okay… but not great.

We all enjoyed it, although we all probably ate too much.

Yep. That place'll do that to you.

img_0753-jpg.350551


img_0754-jpg.350552

Look at you! Your first TR and you're taking food photos.

I was happy with our room location – Calypso

I bet! Nice score.

I had opted to get a Preferred room with the free dining package

Ah! You hadn't mentioned that. If I'd known you had Preferred, I would've known to pick Calypso. Ah well.

I had heard about the loooong walk from some of the other sections.

Oh, Lord. That's sooooooooo long. Horrible.

I found it a bit disappointing that they only had four colours available (what do families of more than 4 do?)

Sharpies.

1. Do we make rope drop at Magic Kingdom?

Yep.

2. I had not been to Magic Kingdom in four years. What ride did we absolutely have to do first?

BTMRR

3. We hop to Hollywood Studios in the evening. I see something pink that had me running up Hollywood Boulevard. Any idea what or who that could be?

Pink???? No idea. Wait.... a princess? You were going to try to see em' all, so.... maybe?
 


I know exactly the back road you're talking about! It was the quickest way for us to get from the timeshare to Animal Kingdom—a shorter drive than the bus rides to AK from a lot of the Disney resorts, for that matter!
Yep, Sherbeth Road I think it was called. I had no idea it existed until I had a good look at the maps before my trip. It doesn't seem like it will go anywhere, and the first time I drove it was at night. It's very twisty and winding, I felt like we were going to get lost, but all of a sudden, Disney signs!

Hmmm...I wonder what would cause that... :scratchin
alladin thinking.gif

With all these hints, I think some people must have it figured out by now :rotfl:
 
Besides, it is much more difficult to move horizontally. ;)
Very true! It is much easier to get up when you are going on vacation.

My wife is Italian and has spoiled me with so many home-made options, so I'm not an Olive Garden fan, but good for y'all!
If I'm being honest, Olive Garden was just OK. I'm sure there is better out there. I think it's more the idea of going to a popular place that we don't have at home that excited us.

If y'all ever come down Atlanta way, I'll see if I can get DW to spoil you with some amazing Italian cooking.
:thumbsup2 If I'm ever in Atlanta, I'll look you up!
 
Phew what a long travel day for you all! That REALLY stinks about the baggage. I would have been so annoyed!

Hey, nothing wrong with Olive Garden! Especially if you don't live near one! Love their alfredo!

I'm sure it was nice to finally get to your room! Glad you got a good location!
I was very annoyed about the baggage, but I was trying not to melt down. I really didn't want to start off the trip that way.
The alfredo was my favourite part!
We were definitely relieved to get to bed, it was a long day.

I hate to hear about the travel delays. I dare not speak of my lack of travel problems in the past for fear of receiving a curse on our upcoming Land & Sea vacation in January/February! (I'm just a tad excited by the way...)
I guess the delay could have been worse - like a missed flight connection - but it really started the trip off on the wrong foot.
A Land & Sea vacation sounds fantastic!

Hi I’m joining in, we were there for part of your stay, we were actually at that MNSSHP the first night!
Cool! I heard the first MNSSHP was really crowded. The second wasn't much better :sad1:

you see Meghan?? She had pink hair this trip, we missed her at Epcot, which was a bummer!
.but reading the comments I'm wondering if it's a sweet girl who had some freshly dyed hair :goodvibes
We're dropping hints all over the place...someone was going to figure it out! I think the (Cheshire) cat is out of the bag @MeghanEmily :rotfl2:
 
I've done both. I prefer not... but DW doesn't like coming home (or me coming home) to a bunch of laundry either.
Yeah, that was the bad part about it. We were a full week trying to get all the laundry done (even worse since DW likes to wash all the clothes they just bought in Florida). That was brutal, but better than spending valuable park time in the laundromat at Disney.

Lucky. I just can't.
I generally have trouble sleeping on planes, but manged OK this time.

:goodvibes Isn't that the best?
I know, I was even excited about the little monorail...like a first ride!

Should have flown WestJet.
I know, I know....

We have a couple here, but before they did, it was one place we had to go when we were somewhere that had one.

And yet... the food isn't that great. It's okay… but not great.
Yeah, sounds about right. That's what I though about my food there

Look at you! Your first TR and you're taking food photos.
Hehe. At first the girls thought I was crazy. By the end of the trip they were well trained. "Dad, can we eat now? Did you take the picture?" :rotfl2:

Ah! You hadn't mentioned that. If I'd known you had Preferred, I would've known to pick Calypso. Ah well.
Yeah, that was a bit of a curve ball question. I remember having discussion in the DIDDads thread before I booked, I think I asked about ASMu and the size, I remember you mentioning the long walk from Country Fair. Pushed me into a Preferred room. I was happy with the choice.
 
Yeah, that was the bad part about it. We were a full week trying to get all the laundry done (even worse since DW likes to wash all the clothes they just bought in Florida). That was brutal, but better than spending valuable park time in the laundromat at Disney.

True. Very.

I know, I was even excited about the little monorail...like a first ride!

Because it is!
On the way back... it is not.

I know, I know....

:laughing:

Hehe. At first the girls thought I was crazy. By the end of the trip they were well trained. "Dad, can we eat now? Did you take the picture?" :rotfl2:

::yes::
Mine too. "Dad? Did you want to take a photo before I start eating?"
Me: "Oh! Right. Thanks. <click>"

Yeah, that was a bit of a curve ball question. I remember having discussion in the DIDDads thread before I booked, I think I asked about ASMu and the size, I remember you mentioning the long walk from Country Fair. Pushed me into a Preferred room. I was happy with the choice.

Do not make that walk. Sooooooo worth the couple extra bucks for the preferred.
 
Yeah, that was the bad part about it. We were a full week trying to get all the laundry done (even worse since DW likes to wash all the clothes they just bought in Florida). That was brutal, but better than spending valuable park time in the laundromat at Disney.
The good thing about driving...I don't have to worry about extra bags or weight. We normally stay in DVC resorts and they have washers & dryers, so laundry isn't a big deal either.

I generally have trouble sleeping on planes, but manged OK this time.
I think the only time I slept on the plane was the trip to Italy and it was from sheer exhaustion (I don't remember how many hours exactly, but I know it was over 24 between layovers and such).

I know, I was even excited about the little monorail...like a first ride!
You mean fakeorail? Ironically, it wasn't long after Disney opened that the airport put those in. I'm trying to remember what they had before, but hey, I was young.

Hehe. At first the girls thought I was crazy. By the end of the trip they were well trained. "Dad, can we eat now? Did you take the picture?" :rotfl2:
::yes:: PR was taking photos too on our February trip, but with the camera being stupid with auto focus not working, most didn't turn out whether I took them or she did.

Yeah, that was a bit of a curve ball question. I remember having discussion in the DIDDads thread before I booked, I think I asked about ASMu and the size, I remember you mentioning the long walk from Country Fair. Pushed me into a Preferred room. I was happy with the choice.
I vaguely remember something along that line, but since it's just for fun, I decided to have fun with the answers.
 
The good thing about driving...I don't have to worry about extra bags or weight. We normally stay in DVC resorts and they have washers & dryers, so laundry isn't a big deal either.
Driving would be a nice option. For me it's 3 or 4 days depending how crazy you want to go with the miles each day. I do envision myself in retirement behind the wheel of an RV heading to Florida. Who knows...
I still would like to try a DVC resort one day. I need to look into renting points, I can't swing the rack rate $$$$

I vaguely remember something along that line, but since it's just for fun, I decided to have fun with the answers.
Nothing wrong with having fun!
 
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Do not make that walk.
You know, in the 10 days we spent at ASMu, we did not once make the walk, even just to see what it looked like. I have no knowledge of that resort past the Calypso building and the pool!
I suspect the walk is not fun any time, but we definitely did not feel like doing it in the heat.
 
Driving would be a nice option. For me it's 3 or 4 days depending how crazy you want to go with the miles each day. I do envision myself in retirement behind the wheel of an RV heading to Florida. Who knows...
I still would like to try a DVC resort one day. I need to look into renting points, I can't swing the rack rate $$$$
Yeah, 3 or 4 days would make it much less tenable. Having it be a 7-8 hour drive, while the drive is boring/monotonous to me having done it so many times, it's not too bad in the big scheme of things.

I know we had that discussion in DISdads and depending on what my daughter does, might still be an option for ya(or one of the other guys). I'm just surprised it's still as low as it is....considering it was about that much 10 years ago when I first rented (before I bought), it's a really good deal for the renter.
 
Driving would be a nice option. For me it's 3 or 4 days depending how crazy you want to go with the miles each day. I do envision myself in retirement behind the wheel of an RV heading to Florida. Who knows...

Just adding input here where nobody asked my opinion: I highly recommend trying the drive someday down the road! We can usually do it in 3 days from Halifax, but sometimes still stretch it out to 4. It's a major undertaking, but also a lot of fun to see the whole coast of a country pass you by. Nathan usually does most of the driving (bless him!) but other than a few tricky areas (NY, DC, etc) it's not a bad drive at all. :)
 
You know, in the 10 days we spent at ASMu, we did not once make the walk, even just to see what it looked like. I have no knowledge of that resort past the Calypso building and the pool!
I suspect the walk is not fun any time, but we definitely did not feel like doing it in the heat.

Other than to take a quick glance at the piano pool.... there's nothing back there to see. It's just.... far, far away.

but other than a few tricky areas (NY, DC, etc) it's not a bad drive at all. :)

ah yes. DC. I spent a year on the beltway one day.
 

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