Vacation Observations

The family took a vacation recently.  Being a trained noticer, saw a few things that interested me along the way.  

Yes, we went to Disney again.  Took the four night cruise then went to Orlando for a couple days afterwards.  Thought I’d write a few of them down to get them out of my noggin.

  

• Had my first real parents-aren’t-hip faux pas during the trip.  My son and daughter were having a little back and forth about something.  My girl got a real good zinger on my boy.  I said, “Oooh, you got  burned.”  Apparently, the phrase these days is “you got served.”  Received a few hearty guffaws for that one.  Oh well, just the first of many I suspect;
• On the drive down, got behind a car that had an Auburn Tiger bumper sticker on one side.  The other side had a sticker which had a Rebel flag with “Fighting Terrorism Since 1861” written on it.  Have to admit was more than a little relieved to see my university was not on the car AND it had a Florida license plate on it instead of Alabama.  We lost the War of Northern Aggression.  Get over it already;
• Never really realize how much you use your smart phone to pass them time until you can’t get a signal.  Kept mine with me on the cruise for the camera.  Can’t tell you how many times I reached for it to look something up on the internet only to realize I didn’t have a signal out there.  We’re thinking about looking into the international plan with our provider for next year’s cruise;
• My son and I went to see a Braves spring training game.  We sat in the grass out in left field behind the Mets’ bullpen.  One pitcher out there was giving autographs.  My son stood in line with about 10 other people and got one.  When I asked him who it was, he didn’t know and didn’t care.  Looked the dude’s number up on the spring training roster and couldn’t find him there, either, which probably means he has no chance of making the big team.  Dawned on me how people want your autograph and don’t really care who you are as long as you are wearing one of those uniforms;
• Went to a pin trading event while we were at Disney.  Wife and kids had a real ball at it.  Didn’t trade for anything myself, but enjoyed the people watching.  Was a wide variety of people in attendance there.  Reminded me of the Cantina scene in Star Wars: A New Hope;
• While I was standing in the hour-long line for Soaring (we were there at 11:30 PM), it hit me how people can patiently stand in line for hours on end at Disney but they can’t stand to wait two minutes at Walmart.  Disney has trained us well… 

As always, we had a great time.  Have already booked a cruise for next year.  Gonna go the first week of June this time so the water will be a little warmer.  Can’t wait.

Y’all have a good one!

Random Mish-mash

Well, the holidays are over.  Hope everyone survived them OK.  We actually had a white Christmas at our house.  According to the news, the first one in about 100 years.  Was very pretty.

Got a few things to get out of the noggin.  So, if you’re interested, here we go:

• The family went to Disney over New Year’s weekend.  Celebrated the new year and the twins’ 10th birthday.  Have never seen that many people in one place.  They reached capacity at 11 am on December 31.  The good news was, with the exception of one ride, we didn’t have to wait more than an hour for any attraction.  The fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom that night was the best I’ve ever seen.  Period.  Only had one real complaint about the whole weekend.  Rented a locker on New Year’s Eve.  When you return the key, you get a $5 deposit back.  When I returned my key, that particular register was out of cash and they gave me credit on my debit card.  I paid cash so I expected cash back.  After all, they had been raking in lots o’ cash all day long so know they had it there somewhere.  Anyway, the crowds thinned out starting on January 1 so the rest of the weekend was even more enjoyable.  The wife and I agreed we were glad we experienced it, but we’re not so sure we would want to do it again;
• The new Congress starts this week.  Hope they accomplish some things that get our country back on track.  Have read the Pubs are going to spend the first few weeks doing things that look good but don’t have much meat to them such as repeal Obamacare.  Before you start to panic or celebrate, President Obama has the power to veto any repeals so it’s not very likely to happen since there are not enough Pubs to override a veto.  Would rather they immediately get to the meat, even though I’m still not sure what their plans are.  Will hope for the best on that.  Also read they are about to take a two week break.  Wish I could take two weeks off after starting a new job.  Oh well, guess those pesky things like unemployment will solve themselves eventually;
• Speaker of the House Boehner cut Congressional staff budgets by 5%.  Some people have commented how this is only a small drop in the deficit bucket.  Reckon it’s mostly symbolic, but guess you have to start somewhere.  Looks like they are going to raise the debt ceiling again, which indicates spending will continue to increase.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Wish I could raise my debt ceiling at will like that;
• Saw where the Pubs are going to read the Constitution out loud during an upcoming session.  Wonder if anybody will learn anything from it?  Frankly, will be surprised if many of the Congressmen hang around to hear it.  They have too much important stuff to do than hang around listening to someone read our most important document.  You know, things like planning junkets to exotic countries, attending lunches with special interest groups, working out at the gym.  Important stuff like that.  It is a good gesture, though.  If it helps one representative remember they are there to serve the people, it will be worth it;
• Got the big BCS Championship game between Auburn and Oregon coming up.  Auburn is in the SEC and I like Oregon so it doesn’t really matter who wins to me.  Ultimately, my loyalty to the SEC will probably win out, though.  Think it will be a great game.  While Oregon hasn’t faced a defense like Auburn’s, Auburn hasn’t faced an offense who thinks they are going too slow if the ball isn’t snapped before the play clock hits 20.  Oregon definitely hasn’t faced a player the caliber of Cam Newton, either.  Won’t be surprised with either team winning.  Only thing that will surprise me will be a blowout by either school;
• Heard the Ohio State fans were taunting the Arkansas fans with chants of “SEC!” after they barely beat the 4th or 5th best team in the SEC.  Congratulations, Big Ten fans, your conference went 1-3 against the SEC, including one of your co-champions losing by 42.  Can see where you would want to celebrate that accomplishment; 
• Feel bad for TCU.  They’re undefeated with no chance of even being considered for the national championship.  More times than not, the BCS Championship game has had the two best teams playing in it.  In years like this one and 2004, you are left wanting a little more closure.  The NCAA says they don’t want a playoff because it will keep the athletes out of class too much.  The current bowl system stretches into the middle of January now.  How much more class would they really be missing?  Hope they will at least go to a “plus one” system in the next couple years.  We shall see.

Well, that’s all I got for now.  Going to get back to posting weekly again now that the holidays are over.  As always, thanks for hanging with me.  Please feel free to leave a comment or two.

Happy New Year!

Disney Vacation

Well, just spent a week visiting with The Mouse.  Went on the cruise then headed over to Orlando for a couple of days of the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.  As usual, had some random observations rattle around in me noggin.  So, will share ‘em with you so I can clear ‘em out of me head.

If you’re ready, here we go:

• What is it about Disney that inspires people to plop down $30 on crazy hats which you won’t wear the next day much less after you get home?  You know the ones I’m talking about.  The sorcerers hats, the ears, etc.  We were guilty of it, too.  Bought a bunch of stuff for the Pirates in the Caribbean party on the boat which will probably never be worn again.  Unbelievable; 
• Disney is all about customer service.  They will do anything they can to make a guest happy as long as it’s within reason.  About the only time they willingly disappoint guests is when the characters leave with people still in line to see ‘em.  There’s just no way around that, though;
• That being said, they’re all about customer service cuz they’re all about the Benjamins.  Happy guests open their wallets way more often than unhappy ones.  They nickel and dime you until you’ve spent way more than you realized/wanted.  Nothing wrong with keeping your business afloat, but wish they would let me keep some of my money for when I get back home;
• Quote of the week from my daughter:  “You mean they charge to get into Disney?!”  as we were pondering a last  minute trip to the Magic Kingdom.  Ah, the innocence of childhood;
• Quote of the week from my son: “Why do people congest the roads” as we were sitting still on the interstate for the umpteenth time for no apparent reason while trying to get home Saturday.  Wish I had an answer for him.  Just can’t understand how traffic can stop on a road with no stoplights or stop signs when there are no wrecks;
• There are some Bama fans that work at Disney.  When I took pictures of Mickey and Minnie on Castaway Cay, both gave me the thumbs up for the Bama cover on my iPhone.  Figured they did that for everyone regardless of the school.  Well, when I took my son’s picture with Capt. Hook, he did the same thing and gave a hand cheer when I said, “Roll Tide.”  My son said, “War Eagle” (yes, he cheers for the other side, sigh) and Hook gave him a thumbs down.  Would guess that’s not standard procedure;
• The smiles on your family’s faces make it worth all the money  spent and time spent standing in lines.  Memories truly are priceless.

A cast member asked us if we were having a good time.  Told ‘im we wouldn’t be talking with him to book our cruise for next year if we weren’t.  Although we had a great time, it’s always  nice to get back home and sleep in your own bed…even though it rained, hailed and snowed the day we got back with a little bit of sunshine thrown in, too. 

Thanks for letting me reminisce a little.  Hope it made you think of some of your own great vacation memories.

Until next time…

 





 

More Vacation Memories

We decided to join the Disney Vacation Club this year and took advantage of the free points to visit with The Mouse over Labor Day weekend. It's always great to spend time with the family and this one was no exception. It was a great trip! Went to the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot.

The Magic Kingdom was all made up for Halloween. Friday night was the first night of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween. Kids of all ages dress up in costumes and trick or treat in the park. My daughter went as Hannah Montana. Rest of the family went as ourselves, which is scary enough.

As I've said before, vacations are all about memories. Here are some of the memories I will take away from this trip:

• Saratoga Springs Resort - Very nice and right next door to Downtown Disney. Had a two bedroom suite with a full kitchen and living room. Loved riding the bus everywhere! Our car never moved once we got on-site


• Jogging through Downtown Disney. Saw some stores hadn't ever seen before. It's pretty peaceful when all the stores are closed


• My daughter blushing every time one of the cast members said, "There's Hannah Montana!"


• My wife getting excited over the Halloween pins
• People oohing and aahing over the pin collection she already has. She needs 3 lanyards!


• My kids enjoying the Haunted Mansion...both times. Wanted to go again but didn't have time


• Shorter lines! With the exception of the Toy Story game at Hollywood Studios, don't think we waited in any line more than 15-20 minutes. Probably shouldn't have told that


• Trading for more Muppet pins. Especially loved the Beaker pin I got


• The Boo to You Parade. Awesome music. Still echoing in me brain

• The Lights, Motors, Action! stunt show at Hollywood Studios. Muy bien!

• Going through the American Movie Institute exhibition at the end of the Backlot Tour. Very cool costumes. Too dark to take a photo of Darth Vader, but the Darth Sith picture was good

• Breakfast with the characters at Chef Mickey's. Side benefit - since the kids saw the characters at breakfast, they didn't ask to stand in the long lines at the park to see them

• My son loving Stitch in Time ride! Can still smell that chili dog Stitch ate, though. Yuck!


• Scoring 493,000+ points in the Buzz Lightyear game. Yes!!!!


• My daughter getting a Bippity Boppity Bootique makeover


• Watching her blush when people called her "Princess"


• Soarin' at Epcot. Would stand in line for 2 hours to ride that one again. However, as The Mrs. pointed out in my Facebook post, will be waiting alone if that happens. Fortunately, only had to wait about 20 minutes this time


• Kids wanting to stay at Innoventions most of the day. Got to stay in the A/C! Woohooo!


• Downside - they have a neat fire prevention exhibit there. My son worried about fire hazards and ended up sleeping with us that night. Thank God for king-sized beds!


• Learning how to ride a Segway

• Going on the Kim Possible mission through France and finding the clues on the first try. Well, most of them, anyway


• The Hoop Dee Doo Review - Awesome food and entertainment

• Kissing Miss Claire - twice!!! (She asked me to. It was part of the show)


• My daughter stomping to my side of the table to ask why I cheated on Momma!
  

Overall, a very nice vacation. Everyone said they had a great time, which is the most important thing. Also have some great memories to file away in the ol' noodle.

Awesome Memories!!!

Vacations are all about creating memories. Sometimes the memories are good. Sometimes they are bad. Sometimes what seems like a bad memory turns in to a good one as time goes by. The best part about memories is they are what you make of them. You don't even have to remember all the details to enjoy them.

The family went to Orlando, FL last week and it was one of the best trips I have ever taken! I have lots of memories from this trip which will remain with me forever. I would like to share some with you and hope they bring back your pleasant memories.

They include (in no particular order):

• The kids' reactions every time they saw a Disney character
• Watching the space shuttle launch at dusk and feeling proud to be an American
• Hearing people around me clap because they were proud, too
• My daughter's excitement the first time she saw Shamu
• My daughter getting more excited seeing a lizard (which she sees just about every day at home) outside the gorilla compound in Animal Kingdom than seeing the gorillas inside the compound
• My son slapping high-fives with everyone around him after he got a game ball at the Braves' spring training game
• My son running the bases and getting autographs after the game
• My wife getting excited collecting Disney pins
• Getting kissed on the cheek by Minnie Mouse
• The whole family getting soaked by 52 degree water at the Shamu show and loving every minute of it (well, I did , anyway)
• Being happy the wife took the cheaper camera that day (it seems to be working now)
• My daughter wishing for and getting twin pearls out of an oyster at Sea World
• Diving (s0rt of) with the sharks at Sea World
• The kids hating Splash Mountain as much as they loved the Haunted Mansion
• My wife beating my score in the Buzz Lightyear ride
• Noticing how the light everywhere we went made my hair look gray in all of our pictures but not my wife or kids (how strange)
• Seeing an older gentleman wearing a t-shirt which said "Growing old is mandatory; Growing up is optional"
• Going to bed every night thinking there's no way tomorrow can be any better
• Being wrong about that every day and loving it!
• Being grateful God gave me the opportunity to enjoy this trip with my family!

So many memories. So little time and space.

Well, thanks for indulging me with my first blog. Never said they would be great but hope you enjoyed it, anyway. If this blog has brought back good memories from any of your past trips, I will consider it a success.