12 days until WDW! 
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Hey, ya'll!
First of all, thank you SO SO SO much for all the well wishes and support after my last post about evacuating with the kitties due to Hurricane Matthew! I promised an update tonight on how things are going, so I'll do that first, then get back to the Disney planning.
Just to recap, the plan was on this past Thursday morning we were going from our homes in Beaufort SC to where my Aunt Debby and Uncle Mark live about 250 miles away in Senoia GA, which is just southwest of Atlanta. My parents would be staying with their dog in their travel trailer in my aunt and uncles yard. I booked a hotel in the last town that we would be passing through along the way, Griffin GA, for me and the cats.
The trip up on Thursday took about 9 hours (instead of the usual 5 hours), which put the kitties in their carriers for 10 straight hours. I rode with them in the travel trailer that my parents were towing behind their pickup truck. It was a tight squeeze with all the slides pulled in, but we fit just fine. The only problem was that the one operational USB port is at the back of it in the kitchen area, and on the road I can't get to it from the sitting area without vaulting over the kitchen counter, which I'm not about to do going down the interstate at 70 MPH. So I was without my phone after about the first 2 hours, but at least I had my Kindle. It got a little warm in the trailer, but nothing we couldn't handle. Worse than the temperature was how dang BUMPY the ride was. At some point though I must have gotten used to it, because I managed to doze for a bit in one of the recliners.
The kitties were NOT happy during the drive, Butters especially. I've determined that I need to get a bigger pet carrier for his chubby butt. He pretty much fills up the one he has, which I never worried about because it's fine for quick trips to the vet and what-not, but not so much for 10-hour journeys. He'll have to deal with it again for the return trip, unfortunately (and hopefully it won't be no dang 10 hours this time), but if we ever have to do this again in his lifetime, I know to go buy a bigger fat cat carrier for him to travel in.
We got to the hotel and got me all checked-in, no problems. I was able to get 15% off the normal rate using a discount code I have through my work. The hotel staff has actually been very cool. I talked to the manager (or maybe owner, I wasn't sure) a bit, and he told me that they're not normally a pet-friendly hotel, but they've made an exception during the hurricane for the evacuees, which I think is extremely cool of them. I've had zero problems with my room, it's very clean and comfortable, and housekeeping has respected my DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door. The kitties settled right in. I thought they'd be all weirded out and freaked by the unfamiliar surroundings, but nope. None of them have even taken any interest in the door or escaping. In fact, within the first half-hour, they were all alternately curiously exploring their new temporary digs, or carelessly lounging on the bed with me.
Now here we are 3 nights later, and they've actually settled in so well there isn't any room left in the bed for me. No, really. This is me, right now, having been banished the arm chair, sitting with my feet up on the bed and writing this post:
They're such little a-holes.
As far as the actual hurricane damage to my town, it's pretty much a mess. Lots of flooding and downed trees and power lines. Also, an entire section of I-95 near my town is completely closed down, going both ways. My Mom is losing her mind because we can't go home tomorrow like we originally planned, but that's her typical drama. Anything that inconveniences her is the worst thing in the entire world, basically. (Really glad the cats were a perfect excuse/reason to have my own space during this evacuation.) My stepdad keeps saying we're going home as soon as they open I-95 back up, but I keep telling them there's bigger problems than just that. Primarily that police are stationed at the county line, and are not letting anybody return until they get the road cleared of fallen trees and busted power lines. Who knows how long that will take. Tonight we extended my hotel room through Tuesday, but they said that if we check-out on Monday, they'll just refund the one-night's stay.
So that's that! We're all safe and sound, and will HOPEFULLY be back on the road headed home on Monday. Fingers crossed!
With that all covered, it's time for some Day 6 Plans!
This will be a comparatively chill day that includes just one park,and a somewhat later start... sorta. This is the morning I'll be endeavoring to get up and get some time in at...
Stormalong Bay! This will be the real test of that new swimsuit I bought, too! Hoping to spend some time floating along the lazy river, maybe checking out a jaccuzi, and perhaps even just relaxing poolside with a drink in one hand and my Kindle in the other (because drinking at 8am is totally accpetable on vacation). Around 10am, I'll head back up to the room to get changed and cleaned up, then back down to the pool deck for lunch at...
Hurricane Hannah's! Which I know it seems kinda silly to be excited about eating at a pool bar, but it's all for one specific item. I've been itching to sink my teeth into this beauty for ages...
Lobster, Shrimp, and Scallop Roll. It just looks SO TASTY!
After that, I'll be on my way for a full day of fun back at...
Epcot! I'll begin by strolling (scooting) along through World Showcase over to my first FP+ of the day...
Frozen Ever After! While I was sad to see Maelstrom go, I have to admit, I'm excited to check this out!
After my ride through the northern kingdom of Arendale, I'll then stroll (scoot) along exploring Norway and Mexico on my way down to my next FP: The Character Spot! Because I love an opportunity to get pics with classic Mickey & Minnie!
From there, I'm going to try for another first, especially since this one is likely going away soon, I want to make sure to get it done before it's gone forever...
Ellen's Energy Adventure! Not that I have some big love of Energy or anything, but I dig Ellen, and I dig Bill Nye! But mainly I just don't want it to go away without ever having seen it. And I know it's silly long, so it should kill just the right amount of time before my third FP, over at.
Mission: Space! Green Team, of course. Because I'm a big ol' wussy girl about spinning rides. But I love the more mellower Green side!
From there, it's a little trip back up through World Showcase to resume my country touring and probably some F&W nibbling along the way. I'll start in China, and the goal is to make my way through at least Morocco by 7pm. Because then it will be time for my dinner ADR at...
Monsieur Paul! I don't see much about it on these boards, but it's one I've always been incredibly curious about. And it's probably the nicest restaurant I've EVER eaten at, too. So I'm really really excited for this one!
I'm expecting this to be a longer meal, which is good, since I figure I should be wrapping up my meal right around the time Illuminations is wrapping up (which I'll be seeing later in the week). Then I can stroll (scoot) right back over to Future World, for tonight is late EMH at Epcot! Two main goals during this time: Single rider line for...
Test Track! Followed by one more ride of Soarin'. Beyond that, just playing it by ear, hanging around, and soaking up the enjoyment of Epcot at night!
Around 11:30pm, I'll make my way back to the International Gateway and on to the Beach Club to tuck myself into bed for the night!
My old boy pretty much would have refused to go and not let me forget how much I inconvenienced him the whole time we were gone, and my little girl would have just been a terrified mess. They're worse than children lol!
I can't wait to see all the face painting you have done!
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So cool that you could have them in your room; good call on the hotel's part!
(and yes, I will have it done and YES!...I will post a pic for you!)
