An Alphabetical, (Flower and) Garden Variety TR- V is for: Vida la Tucson! TR COMPLETE! (3/14)

[Steppesister]

I don't even think I know what that is....but I do notice that some of the things I used to be able to do with html don't work anymore.

It used to be so intuitive. Highlight, click, bold, whatever.... now, it's just 99% of the time a "no go". Sad.

I bet! It sounds like you were still pretty under the weather.

Oh for SURE! And it continued for another week or more.

Yes that's probably a smart idea.

Turns out I had to. Without it, I can't even apply to any travel jobs.

Yeah, that's what Fran kinda has to live with. We don't plan two big things in a day. And when we do a big thing, the next day or two need to be pretty mellow.

So hard!

Well let's hope you don't have too many of these moments.

I'm just getting warmed up!!!

That's why we OWN scooters!

I can totally see that!! What a pain otherwise!

I hadn't realized that you were using a walker...very brave of you to attempt such a trip!

There was ZERO way I could have without it. None. I literally could hardly carry my purse, which I used as a carry on, let alone the camera bag.

Interesting they were still serving breakfast!

I think because it was "easy" fare and not hard to heat up.

Even longer for a scooter to come up from below!

I can imagine!! I understand how you'd have to build in extra time for that!

That's good you got some sleep. Too bad about the charger.

I am not sure I could have gone to dinner without that long nap for sure. AT least not in the condition I was in. As for the charger... ugh, but there are solutions...

This is why I'd never take a red eye. I don't know what we would do without a home. It's hard enough when we switch resorts.

Definitely a con of doing it this way. You gain a whole day and can do a park, but you do have to "wander" for a few hours. Unless you can go straight to your resort, dump the stuff at Luggage, and hit a park that opens right at 8:00. Which is something I've definitely done, but NOT this trip. Not at all.

One more to go! And you already said that you won't be doing one this weekend. But I need to get going on my day and start getting steps!

Well.... I DO have it mostly written, but will give folks a chance to catch up a bit and post later this week. Plus, they opened the pool this weekend and I might have to go sit with a book and some water.

 

[Steppesister]

Yep. And I suspect they won't fix it until the next major upgrade/version... if at all.
You can still use the BB code/HTML but only with difficulty, unless you're very familiar with it.

.... which most people aren't. Including myself.

 

[Steppesister]

Wow! That was really sweet of her! Did they have a 1 br or a studio?

I guess a studio? It seemed like just a normal room to me with 2 beds, a table and chairs, tv and dresser. I don't think it was a DVC room. ???

That's amazing!

It really was!

A full belly always helps the sleep!

Yes, and a warm room.

Oh yeah, and splinters too!

I remember that. Such a scary tumble!

Don't you mean Roll-E?

I do, I DO!!

No not an idiot, just been very healthy and able bodied for a lot of years and not used to dealing with pain.

Well, yes, and no. Ever since my neck surgery gone bad, I've had a fair amount of daily pain but my Gabapentin usually takes care of it. Except when I'm even MORE of an idiot and think I'm 25 again and decide to go tubing behind a boat. Like last weekend. My body did NOT appreciate that at all and I'm super paying for it. So yes, I have chronic pain, but most of the time it's managed fairly well if I'm careful.

I've been when it's great, but last time for me was Meh too.

I have NO hurry to go back.

I had one at Wolfgang Puck Express that was very good. That's gone now right?

Sadly, it is. I've had a couple of decent meals there in the past.

So good you got some good rest!

I don't think I could have held on much longer without some.

knowing you anything!!!!

Awesome! I think upgrades there are fairly common. I've heard of lots of folks getting them.

I agree but in this case... we're getting to that.

I've never been to AoA so I don't even know about the distances, but I'm sure it's a sprawling resort!

At a brisk pace for most people it's a 9-10 minute walk from Building 9. I have short, stubby legs and it is more like 12 for me. It's stupid far and the #1 complaint of that resort.

 

[Steppesister]

D is for: Dinner in DTD​

I’m sorry! I know I sort of halfway promised that I wouldn’t post another chapter until sometime later, but I tend to want to make hay while the sun shines and with such an unpredictable schedule with wildly varying hours, best to post when one has the time. @franandaj, will you forgive me?!

We last left off with a snooze and a rinse off which admittedly did in fact revive me a bit. By then it was 3:00 or so, and, knowing how long it took me to get anywhere or do anything, I was grateful that Mary Ellen and Denny offered to take me to Art so I could get settled in before our dinner ADR at 7:45. Our story finds us at Luggage Services where the scooter that I’d rented for the trip was waiting and my bags were on their way ahead of me to the cushy digs of our Nemo Room. Yes, as Kari shared, we’d been upgraded to a suite, which was good… and terrible. I was soooo happy she checked in and right away had a place to rest her own weary head on that early arrival morning!

As planned a happy little scooter was indeed waiting for me ready for a bit of vroom-vroom. Except that in order to vroom-vroom it needs to start.

This one didn’t.

The very nice guy at Luggage Services did all the things he had tried in the past, all to no avail. So, Steppe, our irritated heroine, made a call to Scooterbug asking what the options were. “I kinda need a scooter…” “Try getting under it and flipping the switch.” “Dude!!! I freaking can’t tie my own shoes! Or even take a shower really. I can’t get 'down under there'.” <Luggage Guy goes above and beyond> “I’m so sorry, it must have gotten wet when it rained. We can have one there by tomorrow morning.”


Great. Fantastic.


There may or may not have been a few tears.


But it was the best they could do, and I was happy at least it’d be before our scheduled park time.

Whelp, off to the room to get settled in. I was grateful for the extra space and took the Murphy bed. Kari took the sofa couch, and Marcia would get the bedroom with the separate bath as I’m just not that picky. I did end up using that shower the entire trip, and it all worked out. I also threw my suitcase on the floor in there. That room is big!!

But, back to our story- more on the room in a bit. Where were we? Yes, taking forever to do anything. Stuff dumped and no scooter, it was time to tackle DTD. My appetite was ready; still not really Disney-worthy, but I felt like I could eat something and enjoy it. Let’s go!!!

OH wait! I forgot a big part of the story! When I woke up in MEK’s room, there was a text waiting for me from Marcia! She’d just landed and was headed down to ME. Uffda! I had really wanted to be at the room when she got there to welcome her. At the point when I’d woken up, there was just no way. For the next hour, I got little updates and indeed she did beat me to the room with a little time to spare. She filled me in on her ME adventure which, she said, was very smooth and easy to navigate. I’m really going to miss that. Yes, ridesharing is an (usually) easy alternative, but it can really add up. I’ll be VERY interested to see how the Brightline thing works out in the next few years! Anyway, Marcia did some unpacking and organizing (remember that), and by the time I got there and got my own self organized, it was time to start the trek to Downtown Disney. (For my new Readers: I’m a stubborn holdout and still use DTD. And while I like the concept of The Springs, “DTD” is nostalgic and easier to type. So there.)

(I look so terrible and tired!!!)​

NOW, let’s goooooo!!! Easy now, simmer down. This is slow, remember?! From our Nemo Room on the corner, basically the closest room possible to Animation Hall to the bus stop, it took us about 15 minutes. Then we had to wait for a bus. And of course we got a tour bus. No ramp for the wicked. But the driver was nice enough to stash it underneath for me and I managed to make it up the stairs holding up the line for what felt like a year. Seriously, time seems to stand still when you know you are causing a major disruption and it always seems like everyone is staring making it so much worse. I have a far greater understanding of what living with a disability can be like. It dawned on me that I was “that” person. The trip in its entirety was like living in an alternate universe- one in which I had to learn to be even more patient and find workarounds that I hadn’t had to before.

Safely on the bus (Yes, stairs actually did scare me quite a bit. The 2nd day after surgery I had a fall while getting into bed that I’m pretty sure did a bit of damage) we rolled, and the trip didn’t take long at all. The whole getting off was an exact repeat of the getting on in reverse order and pretty soon, Roll-E and I, and Marcia and Kari, were on our way. Our reservation was for 7:45, so we had about an hour to kill. That was perfect! I’d planned for us to stop by Erin McKenna’s for pastries for breakfast and I wanted to try the Wake Up Call at Wine Bar George before dinner, so first stop- The Bakery. I got a savory veggie scone or something, and I think Marcia got some coffee cake or such. Luckily, I paid $6 for a pastry I never ate. I think on Thursday I finally threw it away. It’s almost like I have money to burn.

​

Now, it was time for that cocktail I’d been dying to try: the Wake Up Call- Espresso-infused Barsol Pisco, Caffe Borghetti Espresso Liqueur $15 that @Jenny Sanders (Joe) had been loving the last few trips of theirs. Some of you know that my favorite spirit is Pisco and my absolute favorite cocktail is a Pisco Sour enjoyed on the outdoor patio at The Nomad. Pisco is extremely difficult to find anywhere on Disney Property, well anywhere for that matter, and when it is available, I’m quick to order! I’ll always ask. Most of you know I also love coffee too, so holy macaroni, this was like my DREAM COCKTAIL!! The two beverages at the very top of my list all in one (hopefully) amazing combination! Let’s see if $15 is worth it!

WBG was full to capacity, so on a hunch, I hobbled up to the window at The Basket just adjacent, and asked the happy helper if I could order a Wake Up Call from there.

​

She called over another employee and they conferred. The answer was, “YES!” Elated, I paid and then wandered a tiny bit taking random photos here and there while waiting for it to be crafted.

​

Marcia wanted to explore DTD a bit, so she ordered a Gin and Tonic and took off with the plan to meet back up at The Paddlefish at 7:45. Kari also wandered, and I honestly can’t remember if they were together or not. I just know I savored what is quite possibly the most amazing, delicious cocktail I have EVER encountered. Creamy, sweet, but not overly so, full of espresso flavor, just soooo yummy!! Yes, it's an every-time-can’t-miss-it drink for me now. I found a place to revel in this delicacy and did some people watching.

​

Sitting itself was absolutely divine and soon enough it was time to meet up at the big, faux paddlewheel “boat”.

​

I adore the concept, but man it’d sure be super cool if it actually floated like a riverboat and took you on a dinner cruise. I’d totally pay for that. Ah well. All checked in, I asked for a rooftop table, but that was not to be. It wasn’t re-opened yet, which was really too bad. I’d specifically booked it FOR a table with a view up there. Poop. Regardless, we did have to go up a floor for our table and I was grateful for the elevator. And once seated, we did appreciate a really, REALLY lovely view from our window table. See? The evening was perfectly gorgeous, the water provided a lovely, mesmerizing view, and the food would prove to be better than average. (But not amazing.)

​

Onto the meal! I started with a Captain Handsome- Cathead vodka, fresh raspberries, framboise, thyme- $16.00. It was pretty good and the only change I’d have made was to have had the thyme muddled a bit for more flavor. It goes without saying that it was mostly soda water and not worth $16, but it was refreshing, nonetheless. This is the Disney (cocktail) Way.

​

And while I was hungry, I was not overly so. In the moment, an order of Fried Green Tomatoes- Elote (**is it me or does this sound like an East African gazelle-like animal?), queso fresco, and remoulade (and does this not sound like an exotic nightclub strip tease?) for $10 sounded like it’d hit the spot. It was meant for all 3 of us and I think Kari tried one or two as well.

​

Marcia, being gluten and dairy-free declined as memory serves and so begun a bit of dining drama. Let me begin by saying I adore her, and her friendship has been a Godsend to me, but I will not lie… accommodating those particular sensitivities was, at times, extremely frustrating and time consuming. To the point that it split us up many times while she focused on food and finding what she could eat. Again, more on this as time goes on.

Marcia settled on the fish: Mahi- Caponata, salsa verde, herb roasted potatoes- $29.00 She asked for the Caponata on the side, as she wasn’t sure she’d like it. I don’t remember if she ended up eating it or not. LOL!! On 2nd look I think the salsa verde is also missing!

​

Kari ordered a Caprese Salad- Fresh mozzarella, beefsteak tomatoes, olive oil- $10.00 If memory serves, this one was better than the one she got at Enzo’s Hideaway in January. ( @Malia78 )

I also had the Crab Cake- maque choux, fried green tomato, remoulade for $18 brought as my “Main”. Apparently, the fact that it came with ANOTHER Fried Green Tomato was lost on me at the time I ordered, so I was a bit disappointed in that. The crab cake was very good though, and I did finish all of it. Not the best I’ve ever had, but decent and not too terribly filling. Which was good. I didn’t want or need “heavy” at all. In fact, in hindsight, after the tomatoes, I’d have done just as well with a light salad or maybe should have gone with the Caprese too.

​

Would I give Paddlefish yet another try? Yeah. But only if I could be guaranteed a rooftop seating. For me that’s the entire point. The food just isn’t good enough to go there for that alone. There other FAR better places at DTD for good food: #imlookingatyoujaleo

By the time we finished up, it was dark but we had one more errand to take care of before heading ‘home’. When we entered DTD we skillfully put our names onto the Gideon’s virtual queue so that we could get a trip cookie, and for me to just be able to say I’ve at least tried them. I was not disappointed. I don’t need one every time, but jumping a bit ahead, I can say I did enjoy that bad boy the entirety of the trip. But TBH, the cookie itself was only half the fun. Check this en pointe door greeter out! Tickle me Emo! Sorry, Folks, none of us will ever be this cool. (Zoom IN! You won't be sorry!)

​

As for the store itself…. I’d taken some storefront photos during the day (which turned out crappy) when we put our names in. I think they are enough to give you the gyst that yeah, everything serves to tell a macabre tale of mystique and dark. I actually really love it. Creepy HM/Potter-esque.

Inside...







​

I adore the story of the cookie found here if you’re interested and wanna go the extra mile:

https://gideonsbakehouse.com/about/

Our views while waiting in line:






​

The choices are fun, but after some online review reading, I’m glad I got the one I did- pistachio toffee chocolate chip:

"A long-standing favorite in our community, this flavorful Cookie mixes our favorite chocolate chips with crunchy toffee pieces. Top that off with lightly salted pistachios and perfection is achieved. Sweet and Salty. Soft and Crunchy. Known for being our most sophisticated and addictive flavor, this is the Cookie that the Orlando Weekly suggests you try first."

It was gigantic. And yes, it indeed lasted my entire trip. I nibbled a few bites each evening as I lounged in bed, hoping it’d do the job that Dilaudid should have been doing. But that goes back to my “I’m an idiot” statement earlier. Decadent, fattening, full of tooth-decaying richness. Sigh… this is what vacation dreams are made of. Yes, I realize that I still need to try the Peanut Butter Cold Brew.

Treats in hand, it was time to make our way back to the buses for our trek home. Ask me how many times I had to stop and rest. Go ahead. I’ll wait. Kari and Marcia did. Over and over and over. I found a bench at one point and just rested. Yes, it was late. Yes, we were tired. Yes, we eventually got to bus stop #114 and got on one.

Back at the Ranch I kyped half of Marcia’s pillows from the big bed and made myself a little nest. Comfort may or may not have been found. All I know is that once I got settled there was no way in Purgatory I was getting back out of bed to “go”. I did find a bit of sleep, but far less than I should have….


Up Next: E is for: Every Door, Every Time

 

[Wood Nymph]

(I look so terrible and tired!!!)

I've made it a rule to never take Photopass pictures on arrival day. The fatigue always shows.

And once seated, we did appreciate a really, REALLY lovely view from our window table.

You got lucky to get that view. We were in the main dining room when we ate there and had a great view of the food preparation area.

Would I give Paddlefish yet another try? Yeah. But only if I could be guaranteed a rooftop seating. For me that’s the entire point. The food just isn’t good enough to go there for that alone.

We won't be going back. They charged $24 for a Manhatten and the food was just okay.

Creepy HM/Potter-esque.

I love the way Gideon's looks but would only go there if there wasn't a line. I don't understand why people are obsessed with their cookies.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Hey Liesa!

I'm finally here and all caught up. Just didn't have enough time to multi-quote every chapter thus far. Sounds like quite a few struggles getting to Florida and dealing with the scooter, etc. I was worried you were pushing yourself too much during your recovery. Glad you have good friends to help out!

 

[vamassey1]

This one didn’t.

Oh noooooo!

There may or may not have been a few tears.

I would have been crying with frustration.

I’m really going to miss that.

Me too. As much as I have complained over the years it's still a nice perk.

​

Cute!

And of course we got a tour bus. No ramp for the wicked.

You just can't catch a break.

The trip in its entirety was like living in an alternate universe- one in which I had to learn to be even more patient and find workarounds that I hadn’t had to before.

I can see this. Sounds a lesson for 30 years down the line.

I’d planned for us to stop by Erin McKenna’s for pastries for breakfast

This is a great idea, too bad you never ate it.

I've never noticed this. I'll have to look for it in the future.

I just know I savored what is quite possibly the most amazing, delicious cocktail I have EVER encountered.

Finally something truly good. You deserved this after all the pain.

Yes, it's an every-time-can’t-miss-it drink for me now. I found a place to revel in this delicacy and did some people watching.

I like people watching too.

Looks interesting.

Marcia, being gluten and dairy-free declined as memory serves and so begun a bit of dining drama. Let me begin by saying I adore her, and her friendship has been a Godsend to me, but I will not lie… accommodating those particular sensitivities was, at times, extremely frustrating and time consuming. To the point that it split us up many times while she focused on food and finding what she could eat. Again, more on this as time goes on.

I can see where this would be an issue. I think most of us go to Disney for the food. I usually just get what sound good and not worry about "if I can have it".

I also had the Crab Cake- maque choux, fried green tomato, remoulade for $18 brought as my “Main”.

I love a good Crab Cake.

When we entered DTD we skillfully put our names onto the Gideon’s virtual queue so that we could get a trip cookie, and for me to just be able to say I’ve at least tried them.

Good game plan. DH and DD didn't have the patience for this when we went in May. I'm not sure if I'll have time to try this approach in September.

Inside...

Great photos. I'm guessing the line was moving slow so you had time to really look around.

I’m glad I got the one I did- pistachio toffee chocolate chip:

This is the one I want too.

I did find a bit of sleep, but far less than I should have….

That doesn't sound good.

 

[Steppesister]

I've made it a rule to never take Photopass pictures on arrival day. The fatigue always shows.

You're so right, Sue. The weariness of travel does not wear well. In this case, though, even though I hate these first few photos/selfies, they will stand as a reminder when I go back and read how utterly spent I was.

You got lucky to get that view. We were in the main dining room when we ate there and had a great view of the food preparation area.

Oh yuck! NO thanks!

We won't be going back. They charged $24 for a Manhatten and the food was just okay.

$24?! Out of control. I'd have majorly complained about that one!

I love the way Gideon's looks but would only go there if there wasn't a line. I don't understand why people are obsessed with their cookies.

After I try the PB Cold Brew, I think I"m in the same camp. Yes, they are good, but not good enough, now that I've seen the interior, to stand in line for 30-45 minutes AFTER waiting 2.5 hours in the virtual queue.

 

[Steppesister]

Hey Liesa!

I'm finally here and all caught up. Just didn't have enough time to multi-quote every chapter thus far. Sounds like quite a few struggles getting to Florida and dealing with the scooter, etc. I was worried you were pushing yourself too much during your recovery. Glad you have good friends to help out!

Well, hello there old long-standing friend! It's really great to have you join in again. I just saw your thread while I was at work (sneaking on my phone) and will read and sub in later tonight.

And yes, I totally get the time issue. I face it too so just start from here and comment as you can.

The struggles were more than a few, but in the end, what can I say? I was at Disney, and as they say, the worst day at Disney is the ...

I pushed, but overcame and overall, did have a really great trip in the end. There were ups and downs, but by the end I was far more comfortable despite being an idiot.

 

[Steppesister]

Oh noooooo!

Sigh...

I would have been crying with frustration.

Well, admittedly, I was. It didn't last long, but the thought of walking so far at DTD was very daunting.

Me too. As much as I have complained over the years it's still a nice perk.

It really was. Right away got you "in the bubble" and ready for Mickey!

I can see this. Sounds a lesson for 30 years down the line.

Absolutely! Or 20 depending how one treats the old bod.

This is a great idea, too bad you never ate it.

Whoops!! Just always had leftovers and I should know about myself that I am just not that big of a breakfast eater.

I've never noticed this. I'll have to look for it in the future.

It was the first time I'd seen them as well! they are right in front of the Basket/Gideons and there are, as expected, 4 of them.

Finally something truly good. You deserved this after all the pain.

I can see where this would be an issue. I think most of us go to Disney for the food. I usually just get what sound good and not worry about "if I can have it".

For sure. Plus, I'm just not used to traveling with someone who has to be careful and I just either plan carefully what sounds good and look at menus a LONG time ahead of trips or pick up stuff on the fly wherever I am and it's easy since I'm not picky or have any issues.

I love a good Crab Cake.

Mmm! Me too!!!

Good game plan. DH and DD didn't have the patience for this when we went in May. I'm not sure if I'll have time to try this approach in September.

I think if you have a dinner ressie it's no problem, as you can add your name, go eat, enjoy, and then come back without too long a wait. The faster way of course is to go during the day before the dinner crowd.

Great photos. I'm guessing the line was moving slow so you had time to really look around.

It took half an hour or so after they let us in line. So we got to listen to a bit of the Raglan Road Guy, and watch the door hostess. INSIDE no, once you get in they MOVE YOU. I mean, "pick it out, hurry up and get out!". Truly, they do rush you a bit. There are signs politely asking you to, or at least suggesting that you have something in mind by the time you order.

This is the one I want too.

I will try another kind next time, but probably not the original as most people say it's just too rich with too much pure chocolate and not "enough cookie".

That doesn't sound good.

Duh, duh, duhnnn.....

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Beggars can't be choosers at this point.

Please, I would probably sleep on the curb to go to Disney right now!

Great update. I can't even image how tired you must have been! But sounds like you made the most of it.

I have to try Wine Bar George. And I will have to remember that drink!

 

[pkondz]

Nah, I've met you... you're a generous guy!

I see my evil plan to fool people is working!

Ain't that the truth!! ESPECIALLY at work!

Mmm, pizza!! All toppings work except pineapple.

And olives. Noooooo olives!

.... which most people aren't. Including myself.

Dunno. I see you got a ticker up and running.

I’m sorry! I know I sort of halfway promised that I wouldn’t post another chapter until sometime later

HOW DARE YOU!?!?!?

@franandaj, will you forgive me?!

Don't do it Alison! Hold her to her promises!

We last left off with a snooze and a rinse off which admittedly did in fact revive me a bit.

It's amazing what a bit of water on your face will do. I tend to splash water on my face at least once when I'm working a midnite shift.

Yes, as Kari shared, we’d been upgraded to a suite, which was good… and terrible.

Oh?

As planned a happy little scooter was indeed waiting for me ready for a bit of vroom-vroom. Except that in order to vroom-vroom it needs to start.

This one didn’t.

Oh, no.
That's kinda the whole point, ya know. Otherwise it's just a very expensive paper-weight.

The very nice guy at Luggage Services did all the things he had tried in the past, all to no avail.

Nice of him, but... if he can't start it... then you need a new one.

“Try getting under it and flipping the switch.”

“I’m so sorry, it must have gotten wet when it rained.

Of course. I mean, who would dream that a scooter, designed to be outdoors, might ever get wet???

We can have one there by tomorrow morning.”


Great. Fantastic.

There may or may not have been a few tears.

I'm sorry you were off to such a frustrating start.

I also threw my suitcase on the floor in there.

She filled me in on her ME adventure which, she said, was very smooth and easy to navigate.

That's good. I'm going to miss that.
I always felt that I was at Disney as soon as I saw the check-in desks.

I’ll be VERY interested to see how the Brightline thing works out in the next few years!

I suspect it will be an improvement... depending on the number of trains they have going.

Marcia did some unpacking and organizing (remember that),

Got it.

(I look so terrible and tired!!!)

Nah. You look great.

NOW, let’s goooooo!!! Easy now, simmer down. This is slow, remember?!

Whoops! <puts the brakes on>

No ramp for the wicked. But the driver was nice enough to stash it underneath for me and I managed to make it up the stairs holding up the line for what felt like a year.

Oh dear.
I feel your pain. When my back goes out, stairs are extremely daunting.

Seriously, time seems to stand still when you know you are causing a major disruption and it always seems like everyone is staring making it so much worse.

Too bad for everyone else. Learn to exercise a little patience and humanity.

(Yes, stairs actually did scare me quite a bit. The 2nd day after surgery I had a fall while getting into bed that I’m pretty sure did a bit of damage)

Oh no!!!!

Luckily, I paid $6 for a pastry I never ate. I think on Thursday I finally threw it away.

Sooooo... were they? Cute uniforms?

Some of you know that my favorite spirit is Pisco and my absolute favorite cocktail is a Pisco Sour enjoyed on the outdoor patio at The Nomad.

I know now.

holy macaroni, this was like my DREAM COCKTAIL!!

S for... Saratoga Springs??

Cool! Even the itty bitty critters like to go to DTD.

I presume this one passed you as you walked?

I just know I savored what is quite possibly the most amazing, delicious cocktail I have EVER encountered.

Glad it was as good as you hoped.

I adore the concept, but man it’d sure be super cool if it actually floated like a riverboat and took you on a dinner cruise.

That would be great! Who doesn't love a dinner cruise?

All checked in, I asked for a rooftop table, but that was not to be. It wasn’t re-opened yet, which was really too bad. I’d specifically booked it FOR a table with a view up there. Poop.

Well... poop!

Fried Green Tomatoes- Elote (**is it me or does this sound like an East African gazelle-like animal?),

Yes it does. The elusive Baked Tan Yam Antelope.
Very rare.

Marcia, being gluten and dairy-free declined as memory serves and so begun a bit of dining drama. Let me begin by saying I adore her, and her friendship has been a Godsend to me, but I will not lie… accommodating those particular sensitivities was, at times, extremely frustrating and time consuming.

Oh boy. Well... if you want people to wait for you while you climb those bus stairs, I suppose you could wait for Marcia to pick a meal.

I don’t need one every time, but jumping a bit ahead, I can say I did enjoy that bad boy the entirety of the trip.

I don't think I could make a cookie last more than a few minutes.

Check this en pointe door greeter out! Tickle me Emo! Sorry, Folks, none of us will ever be this cool. (Zoom IN! You won't be sorry!)

She's awesome! (And I did zoom in!)

everything serves to tell a macabre tale of mystique and dark. I actually really love it. Creepy HM/Potter-esque.

Cool looking place! I love it!

I nibbled a few bites each evening as I lounged in bed, hoping it’d do the job that Dilaudid should have been doing.

I would imagine you hoped in vain.

it was time to make our way back to the buses for our trek home. Ask me how many times I had to stop and rest. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

How many times???

All I know is that once I got settled there was no way in Purgatory I was getting back out of bed to “go”.

So you wet the bed. Understood.

 

[Steppesister]

Please, I would probably sleep on the curb to go to Disney right now!

The things Disney park fans will do... LOL!

Great update. I can't even image how tired you must have been! But sounds like you made the most of it.

I sure tried to, that's for sure!

I have to try Wine Bar George. And I will have to remember that drink!

The food is really very good. And I think they have a bit of everything. Nice place for an adult getaway- I've never seen any kids there, so pretty quiet place.

 

[Steppesister]

I see my evil plan to fool people is working!

And olives. Noooooo olives!

Yes, olives.

Dunno. I see you got a ticker up and running.

Indeedy-do!!

HOW DARE YOU!?!?!?

Don't do it Alison! Hold her to her promises!

Too late!

Here's one Evil looking at another.

It's amazing what a bit of water on your face will do. I tend to splash water on my face at least once when I'm working a midnite shift.

OH absolutely! I have a sleeper shift coming up soon and will look forward to the shower

Oh?

Coming up in next update.

Nice of him, but... if he can't start it... then you need a new one.

It just didn't work. Not gonna get me anywhere fast.

Of course. I mean, who would dream that a scooter, designed to be outdoors, might ever get wet???

They parked it under the overhang, but the tiller can NOT get wet. If so, kapput. It had rained pretty good before I'd gotten there earlier.

<is immediately put into traction>

That's good. I'm going to miss that.
I always felt that I was at Disney as soon as I saw the check-in desks.

THIS! ^

I suspect it will be an improvement... depending on the number of trains they have going.

Or not...

https://inside the magic.net/2021/07/brightline-pause-indefinite-ad1/

Remove spaces to make work.

Whoops! <puts the brakes on>

That's better!

Oh dear.
I feel your pain. When my back goes out, stairs are extremely daunting.

:yes:

Sooooo... were they? Cute uniforms?

Know what? I have NO idea!

S for... Saratoga Springs??

NO, there are 4 of them. N, S, E, and W. I only got photos of S, and W. Need to grab the other 2 to satisfy the completist in me.

Cool! Even the itty bitty critters like to go to DTD.

I presume this one passed you as you walked?

He (presume it was a he?) was on the cement planter seat in front of The Basket.

That would be great! Who doesn't love a dinner cruise?

See?! I'm on to something!

Yes it does. The elusive Baked Tan Yam Antelope.
Very rare.

OH delicious!

Oh boy. Well... if you want people to wait for you while you climb those bus stairs, I suppose you could wait for Marcia to pick a meal.

Waiting to pick a meal at ONE place is fine, but having to walk to MULTIPLE places is not a good use of time.

I don't think I could make a cookie last more than a few minutes.

Even one that's half a pound?!

How many times???

Multiple.

So you wet the bed. Understood.

I tried not to as Mousekeeping was non-existent.

 

[franandaj]

@franandaj, will you forgive me?!

You're forgiven, it's just taken me all week to get here, and then another couple days to finish commenting.

Our story finds us at Luggage Services where the scooter that I’d rented for the trip was waiting and my bags were on their way ahead of me to the cushy digs of our Nemo Room.

Cue ominous music.

As planned a happy little scooter was indeed waiting for me ready for a bit of vroom-vroom. Except that in order to vroom-vroom it needs to start.

This one didn’t.

Rut-roh

“I’m so sorry, it must have gotten wet when it rained. We can have one there by tomorrow morning.”

That's a stupid excuse. I've had a scooter sit out in the rain and still work.

I had really wanted to be at the room when she got there to welcome her. At the point when I’d woken up, there was just no way.

Stuff happens...

I’ll be VERY interested to see how the Brightline thing works out in the next few years!

I don't even know what this is.

it took us about 15 minutes. Then we had to wait for a bus. And of course we got a tour bus. No ramp for the wicked.

What is a tour bus?

The Bakery. I got a savory veggie scone or something, and I think Marcia got some coffee cake or such. Luckily, I paid $6 for a pastry I never ate. I think on Thursday I finally threw it away. It’s almost like I have money to burn.

Well that sucks.

this was like my DREAM COCKTAIL!!

Yay for dream cocktail!

I just know I savored what is quite possibly the most amazing, delicious cocktail I have EVER encountered.

Glad you enjoyed it!

And once seated, we did appreciate a really, REALLY lovely view from our window table. See?

A view of SSR. I think that I sat in that same hall back when it was Fulton's Crab house.

Marcia, being gluten and dairy-free declined as memory serves and so begun a bit of dining drama.

I can see that being a problem. Although I have a gluten free vegetarian friend that we've visited WDW with and she actually has no problems. Then again she is fairly flexible.

Apparently, the fact that it came with ANOTHER Fried Green Tomato was lost on me at the time I ordered, so I was a bit disappointed in that. The crab cake was very good though, and I did finish all of it.

There other FAR better places at DTD for good food:

Yes there are. I enjoyed my meal there, but I haven't been in a huge hurry to go back.

When we entered DTD we skillfully put our names onto the Gideon’s virtual queue so that we could get a trip cookie, and for me to just be able to say I’ve at least tried them. I was not disappointed.

Hmmm....interesting idea.

I nibbled a few bites each evening as I lounged in bed, hoping it’d do the job that Dilaudid should have been doing

Oh wow. You were given Dilaudid! Not that wimpy Norco or Percoset! That's some potent stuff!

All I know is that once I got settled there was no way in Purgatory I was getting back out of bed to “go”.

You peed in the bed?!?!?!

 

[pkondz]

Yes, olives.

NO!

Too late!

Here's one Evil looking at another.

It just didn't work. Not gonna get me anywhere fast.

No. They aren't good as paperweights.

They parked it under the overhang, but the tiller can NOT get wet. If so, kapput. It had rained pretty good before I'd gotten there earlier.

Poor design, I think.

<is immediately put into traction>

Or not...

https://inside the magic.net/2021/07/brightline-pause-indefinite-ad1/

Remove spaces to make work.

Well... poop. I was even surprised to see that it was 2026... but now longer? (Or never?)

Know what? I have NO idea!

"Look! A photo saying "cute uniforms"!"
"You gonna take a photo of the uniforms too?"
"Heck no!"

NO, there are 4 of them. N, S, E, and W. I only got photos of S, and W. Need to grab the other 2 to satisfy the completist in me.

Ohhhh... I saw "W" and immediately jumped to "Walt".

See?! I'm on to something!

Waiting to pick a meal at ONE place is fine, but having to walk to MULTIPLE places is not a good use of time.

This is when you look at the menu before you go.

Even one that's half a pound?!

90 seconds. Tops.

I tried not to as Mousekeeping was non-existent.

Which really bugs me. Ya wanna stop mousekeeping? Sure.
1. Ensure that this is made very clear before any reservations are made. (It's not.)
2. Reduce the room price for stays >1 day.
Ridiculous. Have you ever been to a hotel (outside Disney ) that doesn't have housekeeping????

 

[Steppesister]

E is for: Every Door, Every Time​

Let me begin with a comment or two about the tone of this TR. I was not feeling great. In fact, I was not even feeling good or mediocre. I was feeling downright terrible and this, I’m afraid is tainting the tenor of this tale. Instead of painting an “everything-was-magical-and-merry” picture of all things in a happy Disney bubble, I feel a need to keep it honest and real. Not all vacations are great, and while this was in part self-inflicted, many things were not. Some things were out of my control, some were just bad luck, and still others were viewed through a post-surgical lens. I do want to be real with the challenges and yet, still show how I had a great time in general and overcame despite those issues. I am sorry if these chapters are a bummer to read or jerk you back into the harsh realms of reality, but I’m committed to giving you the stories as they were felt and experienced. I invite you to travel with me despite the “hard”, knowing there will most definitely be some fun and funny moments along the way. I also apologize if my wordy style is tedious. I do want to describe it all as I experienced it and give as many details as possible.

All tucked into my little pillow nest, I was ready, no far, far past ready, to find some deep, Disney sleep. And I was just about there, when “WHAM!”. The heavy metal door that was right next to our room closed with a clattering thud behind a noisy, boisterous family excitedly talking about the fun they’d had in the park they’d just left. The 20 seconds it took them to move past earshot seemed like 20 years. Hearing every word I was crabby. I am not one to use a ton of potty language, but you can better believe there was a veritable stream of expletives in my mind aimed at the Noisies. For the next 2 hours, that scene played out about every 5 minutes- out, in, out, in, some laughing, some arguing, slam!, out, in, giggles, suitcases, out, in…. I wanted to scream. Even my low-dose Ambien wouldn’t drown out the conversations of every single person passing by our door. This was NOT an upgrade; it was a little section of Hell reserved for the folks who forgot earplugs. (This would be fixed in a few days, but too late for this resort.)

Sure, the extra space was great, but I wasn’t sure if that or the need for some solid, Disney sleep was more valuable. In my ire, I decided that it was definitely sleep. Eventually, I found some, but all too soon it all started all over again promptly at 6:00AM. Families with noisy kids gotta get to DHS for those first boarding groups and rides on Smugglers!! I’ve been "that noisy family” before, but I did try very hard to hush my kids ad nauseum in hotel hallways. Maybe that’s not a thing anymore. So, yep, for 4 nights it was going to be a little bit of sleep from 11-5:30 or so even on the days we could have slept in. Like our first morning when EPCOT didn’t open until 11:00. Sure, we wanted to be on the Skyliner by 10:00 But I didn’t need to be up at 6:00 in order to do it. Know what I did love though? The 2-minute ride/walk to the ‘Liner station.

I took very few photos of the resort; you’ve seen it all before a thousand times. I can say that it was nice to see Marcia duly impressed at the artistry and level of detail from the hardscaping to the landscaping. The way that the Landscaping Imagineers work so hard at telling the story through the plants is always so amazing to me.

​

With Roll-E on turtle, we made or way to the gondolas for our first ride of the trip. YAY!! Just adore the most magical flight on Earth. So serene and smooth up there! A word about scooters loading and unloading… it’s EASY! Yes, you do have to wait a tiny bit extra for a gondola to load into, but once there is one, drive straight in, turn it off, they chock it, and away you go.

​

At the CBR Station, we got off, as everyone must, and detoured quickly to the Joffrey’s. This is my favorite morning stop for coffee. $ixbucks is simply too busy and their coffee is swill compared to most other places. Java in hand (side note- if I had to do a scooter again, Scooterbug and most other rental places offer a drink holder as an upcharge. I’d have done this, as the basket is a bit dicey to stash drinks in. I did try and ended up with a few colossal messes!), we got back on and took the 2nd leg to the IG. Easy-breezy! After our temp scans, we made it to security where I had to get off, walk through the metal detector, and get back on. It was not easy but do-able. If someone is not able to walk the short distance through, they are very nice and have another option. They did ask every single time and security was just so, so nice. And with a wave of our MBs we were off and rolling.

​

*** A side note about Marcia and coffee- she is extremely particular about her coffee and really only wanted to drink one certain type. I guess that there is one variety that doesn’t produce heartburn for her, but Disney doesn’t sell it. Well, she did find it at ONE $ixbucks the entire trip, but she wasn’t happy. Either she didn’t like it, wasn’t feeling good, or went without making for a very unfortunate situation. I am picky, but nowhere near… that. One more food circumstance that was at times very frustrating and time-consuming. ***

Anywho, we were off and rolling. And while the morning was still young, I thought it best to head to WS to tackle some rides before the lines were long and before we got too hungry. And FW is to the left, so that’s the way we headed. But first a quick stop at the UK Pavilion to see if the Tea Tour was happening and if so, get us on the list/virtual queue/reservation. It was not, which was rather disappointing, but c’est la vie. I snapped a couple of photos and we kept on a-goin’.

​

Now a word about my photos, and I think this is a good time to just throw this out there as an FYI:

Remember that bit about the HEAVY camera bag? Having to lug it through the airports not once, but, of course, twice? Using the walker seat to put it on because it was simply too heavy for me at all and I absolutely just couldn’t carry it even a little? Yeah, I was feeling so crappy that I literally did not use my camera even one time. Not in AK, not in Tucson, nowhere. Not once. Every single photo from this TR is with my iPhone. Ah well, ya do what ya gotta do. This was NOT a photography-centric trip and it shows.

After we got into FW-proper, it was natural that I give Marcia the Grand Tour of EPCOT first and start by taking in all of Flower and Garden in a big picture sort of way. We walked all the way to the front of the park so I could see the new entrance, which underwhelmed me greatly sadly, and saw that SE wasn’t open yet, or down, or whatever. That’s okay, F&G was in its full glory and that was happily NOT disappointing. The topiaries were, as always, incredible and serve as a standing memory of my very first trip to EPCOT in 2000.

​

I’ll leave off here and continue next time with our touring as we backtrack our way to WS by way of a few rides in Future World. Until we meet again, Friends.

 

[Steppesister]

You're forgiven, it's just taken me all week to get here, and then another couple days to finish commenting.

And I am super behind on yours too.

Cue ominous music.

All was not well in my world.

That's a stupid excuse. I've had a scooter sit out in the rain and still work.

I don't know if that was in fact what was wrong, but it was the excuse they gave me.

Stuff happens...

And in this case it was sleep.

I don't even know what this is.

https://www.gobrightline.com/orlando

What is a tour bus?

The kind of buses that are used for ME. The kind with stairs to get into them. They cannot accommodate scooters so you have to wait until a regular one with a ramp came around. Sometimes it was taking up to an hour.

Yay for dream cocktail!

A view of SSR. I think that I sat in that same hall back when it was Fulton's Crab house.

It is a nice view for sure!!

I can see that being a problem. Although I have a gluten free vegetarian friend that we've visited WDW with and she actually has no problems. Then again she is fairly flexible.

It is if you have ADRs and a lot of the kiosk places don't have GF and she hunted one day forever for something she wanted. At that point we have to split up as I wasn't going to just spend the day looking for food.

Yes there are. I enjoyed my meal there, but I haven't been in a huge hurry to go back.

Nor am I, but if I could be guaranteed a rooftop table I sure would.

Oh wow. You were given Dilaudid! Not that wimpy Norco or Percoset! That's some potent stuff!

For a bit, but discovered I get some heart dysrhythmias with it, so asked my surgeon to switch me to oxy, which causes horrible itching for me. Finally figured out that an oxy/benedryl combo worked really well, so that was my usual cocktail. I think at the point I was in Disney, I'd have put up with the dysrhythmias for some pain relief.

You peed in the bed?!?!?!

OH Heavens no, and sure glad I didn't have to!

 

[Steppesister]

No. They aren't good as paperweights.

I dunno. I ran over some napkins a few times and it seemed to hold them down pretty well.

Well... poop. I was even surprised to see that it was 2026... but now longer? (Or never?)

Sigh.... Uber wins on this one.

"Look! A photo saying "cute uniforms"!"
"You gonna take a photo of the uniforms too?"
"Heck no!"

Gotta remain unpredictable and silly sometimes.

Ohhhh... I saw "W" and immediately jumped to "Walt".

If I hadn't be quiiiite so lazy, the E and N might have been helpful.

This is when you look at the menu before you go.

I did try. :/ It does pay to plan a bit.

90 seconds. Tops.

I would NOT want to be your tummy with a half pound cookie in it!

Which really bugs me. Ya wanna stop mousekeeping? Sure.
1. Ensure that this is made very clear before any reservations are made. (It's not.)
2. Reduce the room price for stays >1 day.
Ridiculous. Have you ever been to a hotel (outside Disney ) that doesn't have housekeeping????

EXACTLY!!! For a $400/night room GET ON THIS!!!!

And no, absolutely NOT. It literally is no longer a valid excuse- I mean, if we're gonna follow the science that is.

 

[disneyAndi14]

This was NOT an upgrade; it was a little section of Hell reserved for the folks who forgot earplugs. (This would be fixed in a few days, but too late for this resort.)

I had to laugh at this quote, oh my I’m so sorry! I hate noise and doors in the hallway at hotels!
I will be back to quote more, got to head off to work!