Canadian Buffoon's Hi Low Vacation - South Central Musings

[pkondz]

Here and present!

Yay!!! More presents!
I love presents!


What is it?!?!?!?

is that redundant? I think so lol

Presents are never redundant.


Never.


And to the TR, Marita!

 

[pkondz]

Hi - I've binge read several of your other reports and enjoyed the banter.

Hi! Nice to meet you!
The banter is what makes it work.
It's certainly not me!

And to the TR!

I don't recall if I found your reports through Captain Oblivious or vice versa.

We're interchangeable.
Except he's younger
and I'm better looking.

Either way, I'm happy to get to join in on this one.

And I'm glad you're here for the ride!

Looking forward to reading about your solo adventure.

Details coming up!


(after shout-outs, uploads, etc.)

cinderkelly took the words right out of my head.

OMG! Are you okay?
Didn't that hurt?!?!?

Dude that is trying to look too cool in back while the rest of the folks are beyond scared.

"Trying to look" cool?

Lady, I are cool.




(until you meet me.
then I'm just a dweeb.)

Hey now! Some of us young whipper snappers have not accepted being 'old' and I was around in '78.

I may be old,
but I'm young at fart.



heart.


or not.

What a sweet sweet wife - always looking at things from a logical perspective. I have to say, I would be hard pressed to suggest a solo trip for DH - then again, I'm the one that enjoys Disney and he has really joined the bandwagon since.

She's pretty special all right.
Then again, she sees the crazy
hours I put in and knows if I don't go,
I'll just keep working them.

Have faith - I'm sure it will arrive.

Results in the next chapter.

We seem to be "lucky" enough to experience fraud on our cards or be part of some 'breach' at least once a year. This typically happens over a holiday weekend or such where we are without a card. The companies usually overnight the card. I do hope you get it as that is not something you need to worry about while out of the country.

Once a year????
Holy crap!
Man that totally sucks.
I found once to be more than enough.

5:15 am

Both on time - I mean....you are pkondz

Stamped. I'm kinda envisioning Austin Powers "Yeah Baby"

Pop Century - top floor

Epcot

0 min - I mean, who are we kidding

Noted.

Love love love this - I cracked up reading this on your other report.

That answer was the best!

Um....already here?

Oh! So you are!

Silly me.

I concur (plus, I've read sucking up may garner extra points)

Depends on my mood.
Or the TR.

I think she's just camera shy.

Partially. But there's a more important reason.

 

[pkondz]

You spelled checking wrong!

I chequed, and I did not.

5:15am

on time

All Star Sports

Magic Kingdom

2 mins and 4 mins

Noted.

thanks! I have met you IRL! And I'm in first place! Probably the only time during the whole TR!

That's so weird!
I've met you IRL too!
And how do you know this
is the only time you'll be in first?
Maybe you'll stay there the whole time.

Or maybe not.

You never know.

How is this already on the second page?

Probably a computer glitch.

And to the TR!

 

[pkondz]

Alrighty the work day of hell has finally ended so now I can comment properly!

Sorry to hear about the day.
Hopefully it got better.

Yesssss.....

oooohhhh..... I think I love you even more now.

You cant get rid of me that easily....

(pssst. don't tell anyone...
but I don't want to.)

So exciting!!!

Back then? Sure.
Now it just seems so passé.

Bahahahaha

Ahem...you could have waited an extra month...

I finally figured out what would've been best.
Just stay there for a month.

Then again,
there's that whole $$$ thing.

don't know anything about Banff but I'll throw you a woohoo anyway!

Well, then I guess I'll have to show
it to you, right?

That sounds more intense than my trip and mines four weeks longer!

I hardly think so.
More driving, though.

My new card only arrived yesterday - six business days later...

Got it well before you leave though,
so that's good.

A google search suggest the flight leaves Winnipeg at 5:15am getting you to Toronto at 8:37, and then flying out 10:35 arriving Orlando at 13:20. That would mean you'd get to a park that day



Both flights on time


Yes you get a stamp. You're face looks pleased because you're that one step closer to Disney



You did Pop last time so I was going to say one of the all stars - but a quick look at the rates says Pop is only an extra $10 a night and I reckon that would be worth it for you (the dedicated bus etc).



You could be keen to try AK to experience the new night things but my heart says you'll go MK as it has late night EMH.



I think you've skimped on the VIP pass this time but they still remember you so you only wait 12 minutes on this day.

Noted.

I'm on the board!

Yes you are!

You have no idea where I'd lead you.

 

[pkondz]

I'm a glutton for punishment. JK!

Then you've come to the right place!

This is like the reverse plot of Home Alone.

You're the second person to make that connection.
Pretty clever, I thought.

Those non-disney folk just love that "relaxing" thing.. I dont get it

If you don't come home from a Disney vacation
needing a vacation, you're doing it wrong!

As long as you know!

Hopefully more highs!! Although, sometimes the lows make for better stories lol

I have stories.
From this trip.
Yup.

Pan-handle

Great idea!
Hobo outfit included?

You had me at chocolate

That always works!

1. What time is my flight out of Winnipeg?
Hint: I connect in Toronto and plan to (hopefully)
hit a park the same day.
9:00am

2. Two flights. Winnipeg/Toronto, Toronto/MCO.
On time? Delayed? One of each?
::fingers crossed:: both on time!

3. I'll be clearing customs in Toronto.
This is always fun.... 50/50. Does my passport
get stamped?
Bonus points if you know the expression on my face.
Yes.

4. When I finally arrive at the resort...
Where is it? (Yes it's on property.)
Hint: I'm squeezing pennies, remember?
All-Star Sports

5. So I get there. I go to a park. Which one?
Magic Kingdom

6. I don't know if I'll do a transportation game or not.
But just in case... how long do I wait for transportation
to and from the park.
<2 minutes each way.

Noted.

 

[pkondz]

Disgusted with myself I didn't see this til page 2, but I'm here.

So, so, sad.
Page 2.
And you're just now getting here?



I am bitterly disappointed.






Well... to the TR anyway!

 

[fallonkendra]

Gather up Ruby, then fly to Edmonton, AB
on Monday.
Grab a car and see the Rockies.

I just came back to this, and now I'm confused. You mentioned going to Banff, but why would you fly into Edmonton when that's a 4 hour drive? If you flew into Calgary, it's only a little over an hour to Banff...but because you specifically said you were flying into YEG, that must mean you went to Jasper instead! Am I right? Do I win a prize?

 

[pkondz]

Because we enjoy running amok!

I knew it!!!

Which I'm sure you often look smug.

What?!?!?
Why I...
I mean...
But....



Yeah, okay.

Or maybe we're just odd.

I would never contradict you, Alison.

Don't hold it on my account!

Thank goodness you posted that!!

OMG! I can't even believe that at 13 you even thought it was OK to leave the house in just Long Johns! I would have at least put something else on over them!

Actually, I'm surprised my Mother
didn't notice I was wearing the wrong
pants until then.

That's too bad. Maybe if we all four went together. She could accompany Fran back to the hotel and relax, and when I got tired of your running around, I would let you continue on while I went back and relaxed with Fran and Ruby!

Well.... Ruby actually said...
She actually said this...

"I wouldn't mind seeing Disneyland."

Well at least you found out before you booked everything.

It's too bad you didn't have a larger reserve slush fund, but I understand the critters come first.

Yeah and ... Yeah.

That's nice you appreciate her.

She makes it easy.

Well that is quite the whirlwind adventures, and very very different.

It is, isn't it?

Yup that happened to us on our last Disneyworld trip only we were on our way to the airport when we found out about the fraud charges. Luckily they overnighted the card to our hotel and we had other cards to use in the meantime.

How did you find out?
By luck, like me?

Do you not have other credit cards you can use?

Yes, but I really didn't want to.
No points.
Plus I like to leave that one clear
for Ruby to use.

Oooh, ooh! Is there chocolate in the one that is on it's way to me?

You already know the answer to that!

5:15AM, I checked West Jet's website, gets you into Orlando by 1:20PM

I'm going to say no delays.

Since I don't think my passport has been stamped, I'm going to say no. And you are disappointed.

I think you got a sweet deal on a moderate, just doing my research. And since you didn't become a moderator, yet you did use that word twice, I think that's the clew. I am going to guess Port Orleans.

I'm going to guess Epcot for their F&W stuff. You got scared off by the lines and drunk people I mentioned on Saturday night, and especially since that's opening day.

5 minutes to, 0 minutes from, for a total of 5 minutes.

Noted.

Sure.

Good.

Well, usually those things arrive later in the day.

Details coming up...

Really? In the US they want you to spend money on their cards so they make sure to get it to you!

True!

Well hopefully your errand paid off and the credit card was waiting for you when you got home.

Details coming up...

 

[pkondz]

I'll be the first to wish you the most magical, wonderful trip to the Happiest Place on Earth!

Enjoy every minute!

Thanks, Liesa!

What about your credit card?

That's in Chapter 2!

 

[pkondz]

Slowly catching up on the shout-outs.
Gotta run.... to....




Work!

After being off for three weeks....
This sucks!

At least it's an evening shift.
They're usually pretty chill.
I should be able to finish up
(or at least put a major dent)
into finishing up the shout-outs.

 

[franandaj]

How did you find out?
By luck, like me?

Actually the fraud department called, "Did you make a purchase in the amount of $250 at Walmart yesterday?"
Me, "Fran did you place an online order with Walmart yesterday?"
Lady on the phone, "Ma'am this was an in store purchase in Little Rock, Arkansas."
Me, "Uh, no. That wasn't us."

Yes, but I really didn't want to.
No points.

We have our Citibank Advantage for American Airlines miles, our Disney Chase Visa (which I redeemed about $400 for our F&W trip), should cover the kiosks, our Driver's Edge for Ford dollars towards a new vehicle and American Express whoses points are good for most anything. Oh yeah and Capital One where you can "erase" travel purchases.

You already know the answer to that!

And we ate them all!

Details coming up...

Well....we're waiting

Slowly catching up on the shout-outs.
Gotta run.... to....




Work!

After being off for three weeks....
This sucks!

I was wondering when that was going to happen again!

 

[pkondz]

I came hear after posting on the "forever" TR and it's on page 2 already! Must mean the gang is all here again!

I think by now, most are.
Still some stragglers I think...

Still need to send out a bat signal.
Still feed weird about that, but....

Dear Pkondz, the almost alone taxi drive and the long underwear..sounds like something that would happen to you. Thanks for the chuckle.

You're welcome!

I think it's cute how you talk about Ruby. You both sound like you think the world of each other. It's so sweet. I mean...hello..another trip for you to Disney!

Really, it's the only reason I married her...

And looking looking I can multi quote! Hopefully I don't goof up on this one

Lookit you! All multi-quotie.

4:19AM
Both on time
Sure lets stamp it. Your expression is your slightly cocky look of "Oh yea my passport is taking me to Disney again"
I'm going with POP
Hollywood Studio
Your wait in total of 15 min

Noted.

I doubt I'll do very good on this contest. Not sure if I will be on DIS when gone for 10 day. I only come here on desktop. Might have to load it to tablet/phone.

Ya never know.
I'm gonna try really hard
to get the next chapter up soon.
So if you get your guesses in
before you go,
you should be good.

So I will tell you again, what I said 5 min ago on the other TR, Have a great time!!

Thanks!

Got to go read the chatter here now

You're probably ahead of me there!

And to the TR!

 

[pkondz]

Have a fantastically wonderful super duper magical trip! You're going to Disneyworld in the morning! Safe travels!!

Thanks!

Have an amazing time! And if you happen to get delayed at Disney for a few weeks (freak accident/storm/lack of desire to leave) that would be awesome too

Wouldn't that have been great?

Then again, Ruby may have been
less than pleased.
(She needed a break
as much as I did.)

We fly down Thursday! Also from Canada.

Hi! And to the TR!

We could have met!
Ah well. Like two sheep that pass in the night...


Unless of course you saw me... ?

Ours was a last minute trip because we had Westjet dollars about to expire.

I didn't know they expired!
Huh.

We are staying at Old Key Westin a two bedroom. Bigger than our usual one bedroom but it was all that was available on short notice. So cool.

Hope you have a nice trip! Be safe!

Thanks!

Mosey around the world for me!

I did! Thanks!

 

[pkondz]

woo hoo only on page two.

You're a poet and you may not
have been aware of this fact.

ok so here are my guesses
flight 5:45 am
both on time
passport stamped, and you look constipated
all star sports
epcot is your first park
you wait 10 minutes for the bus to the park
you wait 15 minutes for the bus from the park

Noted.

have an amazing time and enjoy your dis meets

Thanks!

oh and on behalf of your so cal fans you need to come out to the original house of mouse sometime/

This may happen....

hope the credit card issue is resolved

That'll be in chapter 2.

and travel safe while we run amok here

Okay!

And to the TR!

 

[Susan R]

Looking forward to reading about your adventures! Instead of trying to win the contest, I think I will read at a leisurely pace and drop in a comment here and there.

I never guess the right times for your travel but I do think you passed customs... Your expression? A look of confusion that the border guard mistook for constipation.

Happy Monday!

 

[pkondz]

Yes, you are!

Yes I did!

We might paint your nails.

I kid you not. The first thing that popped into my head was, "Iiii'm to sexy for my...."

Sounds legit...

Not because of that, but because of your shades and nonchalant pose. Just thought it was funny.

Oh.
Still works for me.

Reminds me of a long-past episode of married with children.

Oh?
Shouldn't I have one hand inside my waistband then?

(Pretty sure I remember Al always sitting like that.)

I get this. Truly, and tragically, I do.

Why thanks!




Oooooh, those special people.

Trust me.
Between you and @SnowWhiteOz....
I really, realllllly wanted to stretch my vacay out a month.


Heck. I still do.

Then you are FAR more awesome that us.

Oh, shucks. Just different ways of doing things up here.

Please tell me that this is a Disney Visa! Or an airline one.

We don't have Disney Visa available up here!

But yes. An airline one.

5:15 AM; Fl. #520 WestJet. If it wasn't like 3 in the morning for me, I'd listen to the LiveATC of YWG Dept and Arr.

On time. Both

Yes. A smile.

POP.

MK. 2 reasons: You like to start trips off there, and it has PM EMH

10 there and 15 back.

Noted.

OH, I suppose.

Such enthusiasm!

Long Johns: Wore them every night and most days for 6 straight months for 10 years. It would get so cold IN our house the Windows would be iced over. I win.

You win.

I haven't worn 'em since.
Not even when I was outside in -45 degree weather.
Nope.

 

[pkondz]

Yay! I'm going to read a Pkondz trip report in real time!!

Yes you are! to the TR!

And I'm going to try a contest.

Go for it!
(I give good prizes.)

1. 5:15
2. Both on time
3. Yes & surprised
4. Pop
5. MK
6. 5 to, 15 from

Noted.

And here is me from my 1st trip in 1972...no idea who the 2 women are. They refused to get out of the picture.

Awwwww.... look how cute you are!

 

[pkondz]

After a long **** day at work, I'm reading the Dis-chuckling.

Sorry about the former.
Glad to hear about the latter.

I then notice the time, calculate the time difference, and have a brief wave of jealousy - you are in your last bit of wonderful sleep before going to WDW.

Sleep? What is this sleep you speak of?

I want to go. I'll stop my whining now.

Come with!

Hope you have a fantastic trip!

Thanks!

Hopefully the new card arrived.

Details in the upcoming chapter.

Have fun storming the castle!

Thanks!

Are you at the airport yet?

Well, no.... not now.
But I was fairly recently...

Hope
you have a magical time. Wishing for a ground floor room for you!

Thanks... and thanks!

So I guess you got your credit card. Otherwise you wouldn't be so happy.

Or I just gave in to the inevitable....

Details... eventually.

 

[pkondz]

I'll wave as you're coming in to land in Edmonton

Oh! That was you!

I saw this redhead waving frantically
and just figured "Wow! They're sure friendly here!"

And to the TR!

Also - are you just doing Banff?

Well, I'll tell you a secret.

That will be in a later chapter.

I think it's beautiful there, but it's way too busy for my liking. If you want the beauty of the mountains, without the insane tourists - I'd recommend Jasper if you want to be in the National Park, or Kananaskis if you're ok with being on the edge of the Rockies but saving on National Park Fees

I asked my Mom if we did Jasper
when we were there in '72.

Apparently not.

And I know we didn't go when
we were there a few years ago.


And Kananaskis?
I've heard of it... but that's it!

I was going to write "Is there even another airline in Canada?!"

And I'd have agreed.

"Hmmm.... Let's see.
I can get a direct flight at a decent time on Air Canada.
Or I can get up Gawd-awful early and connect twice
with WestJet.... WestJet it is!"

but actually I flew with New Leaf last week (oddly enough, to Winnipeg) and it wasn't terrible!

You're the first person I know who's used them.
Not terrible?
Good enough for me!
(Air Canada. Now that's terrible.)

It's a low cost airline, so you need to be aware of everything (oh, you need your boarding pass printed once you get to the airport because you didn't load it onto your phone? $10 please.)

Good to know about the little extras.
I wonder if they'll be able to make a go of it.
Many have tried.
Few have succeeded.

For a return trip from Edmonton to Winnipeg, with a checked bag both ways and paying a bit extra to reserve the front seat both ways came to $262 after taxes and fees.

Not bad... Not bad at all.

It's nice to have another option in this country, and it's an airline that doesn't start with Air and end with Canada...

I hear that!

5:15am

Winnipeg flight - on time
Toronto flight - delayed, because it's Toronto and I rarely have a flight from there leave on time.

No stamp. I've never got one in Toronto before.

Pop

Epcot for some food and wine kiosks!

You won't be catching the bus during a normal "busy" time, so it will be a little slower. In total, I'd guess 13 minutes

Noted.

 

[pkondz]

pppssssttt. pppsssttt, I guess the coast is clear, ok mermaids it is time

Swimming in to cause amokiness! Bring on the silliness!

Oh well, new TR fresh scent is gone. I love the smell of amok in the morning...

Oh, dear Lord...

Just swimming thru! What shall we do to keep ourselves amused? Any ideas?!

No. Anything but....

We could secure the borders from a man infiltration by posting our favorite park shoes and then move onto park bags and purses. Following that, we can discuss our swimsuit purchasing woes.

.... That.



Wait.....

I'll allow it if accompanied by photos
of y'all in said bathing suits!

Woot!

Then if you have time, swing by my thread- I need any advice on F&W strats you can give! What are your faves? And how did you tour?? (like my shameless plug? )

Plug away, sister.
Yours is well worth visiting.

I already have pictures of many of my Dooney purses already uploaded to photobucket, as I have posted them in various Trip Report!

Feel free to post them!


On Liesa's thread.
Please. Go right ahead.

I am planning on swinging by your thread to give you some thoughts, this being your first time at F&W, you are doing a lot of what I did my first time.

Is that good or bad?

Anyway, quick question, do you think we'll need jackets in November?

Hmmm... This depends on what your comfort area is.
Lows of 13C/56F, highs of 25C/77F

For me, nope. Jacket not required.
YMMV.