Canadian Buffoon's Solo Disney Vacation - Update 07/08! pp99 - Here today gone tomorrow

[Thumper_Man]

Another Disney Trip? Color me jealous. One of these days we'll make it back.

Have fun.

 

[pkondz]

Always a good idea. Even with this new auto save feature. I've found that it's reliability can also be questionable.

Yep. I don't know what the criteria is either.
I know that I can leave a post for a day and it will still be there.
Three days and it definitely won't be.

And then there's also human error...

More like human stupidity in this case.

Really??? Eh, just give it to @orangecats2 The candy bar would be a mess in the mail and I can't wear the shirt anyway.

Well, technically, I don't know if any adult could.
I was thinking about the chocolate too.
I may wait until I get back from Disney again before I mail them out.

I love her desire and conviction!

Which surprised me.
But that's her, I guess.
"I will show zero interest, because then I won't be disappointed."

But then she tries so hard to make it happen.

Just this evening she said "Dad I'm so excited about Disney World!"

But it is still a day in Disney World.

But spend $1,000 for one day in Disney?


Yeah, okay. Stupid question.

What????

Yep.

Woohoo!!!!

I guess things are working out well after all!

A Daddy-Daughter trip!!

I'm really looking forward to having her excited about this
and spending the time with her.

I know it will be magical, and she has an Ace Tour Guide to take her around!

I'll be honest.
I definitely know more than someone who's never been or never done any research.
But really, I'm still a bit of a noob there.
I just haven't been often enough.
I guess I could say I know the basics?

I can NOT wait to read all about it! It will be hot there. Really hot. Early mornings and nights, go swimming in the middle of the day. We just returned and we are fairly used to the heat, but sheesh.... Florida heat can be overwhelming.

I know! But I already know Kay well enough to know that she'll want to take things a lot
(and I mean a lot)
slower than the pace I would normally set.
She's already hinting about sleeping in... every day.

But on the other hand, she has no problem with staying at the parks until close.
No matter how late that might be.

Wow! That was easy!

I folded like a cheap suit.

I'll help you out there. I got 100, everybody else got 0.

Gee, I wish I'd read this before I went to the trouble of re-calculating all the points!
That would've been a lot easier!

But not Wall Drug?

Actually, no.
I didn't bring it up since I haven't had a chance to even look into it.
Otherwise the conversation goes like this.
Me: "...and there's Wall Drug!"
Her: "What's that?"
Me: "......."

Me and Julie did that once. Not sure I want to repeat the experience...

Then again, I'd probably do it for a Disney trip.

Closest we've come is arriving in Vancouver from Hawaii at around 2am.
We decided to spend the money and grabbed a nearby hotel room for 3-4 hours.
Having a bed, even for just a little while, and a shower was nice though.

Don't we all do that?

Surprisingly. No.
My job is always in the moment and never stops.
When I get up, someone else sits down.
So I'll get up and take a day or a year off and it makes no difference.
(Well, technically if I take more than 30 days off,
I have to re-qualify and show I'm still competent. A
nd if I took an extended leave of absence of more than a couple of months
I'd probably need some training... But you get the idea.)

Oh no!

Yeah. Major suckage.

Bummer that you had to postpone that trip but everything happens for a reason!

True. I'm hoping after August she'll come to me and say "Can we go to ___ now?"

Yea! Looking forward to hearing what ADR's you snag

It'll be a bit of a wait.
I won't post my ADRs until the TR, OK? 'Cause it's on the QT.

Whoop whoop! So awesome!

Yeah!!!!!

That is so awesome that you are getting to take your daughter to Disney World!! I will look forward to reading about that trip also!!

I'm really looking forward to it.
She's a very different bird from Elle, though.
(If you read that TR.)
She's much slower and methodical.
Likes to know everything ahead of time (no surprises).
And once she's done something, it's done.
And if something needs to be done, it better get done.

 

[pkondz]

Yes it was a crazy travel day indeed. Our stay may have been cut short for our stay near the Belmont, but we still stayed a week in NY.

A week in NYC. Not too shabby. And considering the airfare, although rough, was free...
Not too shabby indeed.

Believe it or not, Lady H let Smidgy know that we were going to be in Chicago for the night. Unfortunately we didn't get to meet up with them this time.

Yeah, they're not right next door. Chi town is big!

I wasn't really expecting you to but it was truly a trip we'll never forget, that's for sure.

We still talk about our "Amazing race" experience with our Hawaii flights.

There was another flight to LGA that left at 9:30AM, or something like that. I remember some of the flight times as I was booking our flights. I bet they put them on that flight. They should have put us on that flight as well. Oh well. We made it at least.

I was thinking about that.
I would guess that there may be plenty of room for luggage,
but not enough seats.
Especially now that people are trying to take as few checked bags
as possible to avoid fees.

Yes, we went up. That's the new one world trade center in the background behind us.

Oh, sure. I recognized it right away.
Beautiful design.

Although the building itself opened in October 2014, the observatory on the 100-102 floors had just opened up on 5/29/15. 12 days before we visited it. Lady H found out about it and we bought tickets in advance. Which was a good thing because the line to get in was super long.

Good timing! Better planning!

Another Disney Trip? Color me jealous. One of these days we'll make it back.

Have fun.

Thanks! I hope we will!

 

[Ladyfish77]

There's one person in particular that I'm worried about right now.

Ahh, so sweet. You missed me, didn't you? Well, probably not, but just for an update, I was off diving in God's aquarium! I was off in the Caribbean (the ocean, not the WDW resort) doing some awesome diving. So much cool stuff out there!

I couldn't let free dining and cheap (relatively) airfare go to waste.

Heck, no--who could? I'm using that excuse for my October trip!

Not looking so good for Disney after all.

Nooooo!

At the time they don't tell us what the plan is. We'll be given the details on our flight.

Hey, T-man, when they say that (pass the buck, pass the buck) you know you are NOT going to get to your destination!

So... it just might be a while before I get the next chapter out.
Last time it took me over two hours to calculate all the points!

Boo for losing your post. Yea for me, I can still make guesses, not ever earn enough points to get close to winning, so here goes:
Got up at 5:50am, waited 30 minutes at customs (maybe Canada is different, but I never get thru immigration/customs quickly, and I am going with the tried and true fire extinguisher.

So Kay and I have our flights booked and we're booked into Pop
from August 21st to 27th.
Everything's booked!

Have a wonderful trip, and maybe I can actually get in on your TR from the start!

Keep looking for BOG, I heard some more dates were released, but not sure if there were August dates. I'm sure things will open up for you! You have disney magic on your side (at least bus magic--except for that weird driver incident.....)

 

[pkondz]

Ahh, so sweet. You missed me, didn't you?

Of course I did.

Actually, I miss all my readers who go AWOL mid-report.

So... I miss almost all my readers!

I was off diving in God's aquarium! I was off in the Caribbean (the ocean, not the WDW resort) doing some awesome diving. So much cool stuff out there!

Very, very nice.
I doubt I'll ever do that.
You never know... but it's not likely.

Heck, no--who could? I'm using that excuse for my October trip!

Hey, T-man, when they say that (pass the buck, pass the buck) you know you are NOT going to get to your destination!

Ohhhh... That's what I forgot to say.
I was going to say the same thing.
Those were pass the buck statements if I've ever heard one.

Boo for losing your post. Yea for me, I can still make guesses,

Yep! You got lucky with my bad luck.

Got up at 5:50am, waited 30 minutes at customs (maybe Canada is different, but I never get thru immigration/customs quickly, and I am going with the tried and true fire extinguisher.

Noted.

Have a wonderful trip, and maybe I can actually get in on your TR from the start!

Well, I guess it won't be long before it gets started!

Keep looking for BOG, I heard some more dates were released, but not sure if there were August dates. I'm sure things will open up for you! You have disney magic on your side (at least bus magic--except for that weird driver incident.....)

I'll keep looking and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[pkondz]

Welcome back to the real world


Morning. The sun is shining and I realize...
I have time.
Not much.
But I have time.
I can sneak away and get just a little...
A Little! more park time before I go.

I'm out of the room like a shot and at the bus stop in the blink of an eye.
Heck... I didn't even blink.
My luck with busses is still holding because a bus is waiting at the empty stop.
It's like it's waiting just for me.
I board the bus and in no time flat I'm at AK.
Why AK?
Because that's the first bus I saw.
I wasn't going to waste a second waiting for another bus.
Was it my first choice?
Well... no. But it was a Disney park, right?

I don't even remember the bus ride there.
I must've been too pumped about one last ride on EE.
I don't even remember the walk from the bus stop to the tapstiles.
But what I do remember is that the park wasn't open yet.
And wasn't going to be open for a while, either.

I could tell, because I could see a maintenance crew from my vantage spot,
working on maintaining the Tree of Life.

I can't wait. I'm leaving soon!
I decided to head to another park.
Preferably one that's open already!

In what seemed like no time at all, I'm stepping off the monorail and running...
No time for sashaying today.
Running towards World Showcase in Epcot.
Wow. People seem to be in a rush to go in the opposite direction!

Hello people! You're going the wrong way!
But as I rounded the Golf Ball, I immediately saw what the problem was.
No wonder people were running in the opposite direction!
I joined them too!

(Interesting how even in real life, Godzilla's black and white.)

Back on the monorail.
It's okay though.
This is the park I really wanted to go to anyway.

Ahhhh... Magic Kingdom.
And there's almost no one there!
I'm at the bag search and I wait for a few seconds for the guards to notice me.
They don't.
Guess I'll just go through.
They'll stop me once they notice me, right?

Nope.

They're so engrossed in their conversation that they don't even notice me.
I don't know what was so darned important that they couldn't even do their job!
In this day and age, that's pretty inexcusable don't you think?

I caught a snippet of their conversation as I breezed by.
(Okay. I eavesdropped a little. I was curious to know what was so important!)
Seems they were talking about some problem and they were pretty surprised
that Disney had to ask Universal, of all things, for help.

No idea what that was about.
I walked out of the tunnel beneath the train tracks and...
Oh.
I see what the problem is now.

Cross the streams, boys!

Looks like they're getting ready...
An alarm began to bray.
Take cover everyone! Unless you want to be covered in marshmallow!
(Not a bad thing, really. No?)
The alarm got louder and seemed to be coming from right beside my head!


I opened an eye.
My iPod was playing a merry little tune that I immediately loathed.
2:00am.
Welcome back to the real world.
Time to get up.
Time to go... ugh... home.

Don't get me wrong, I miss my wife and kids.
I miss the dog too.
Maybe even the guinea pigs a little.
But I was leaving Disney!




I got up and started to get ready.
I stepped out of the shower and...


Maybe it's because it was just way too early.
Maybe it's because I was leaving and I was just too apathetic to care.
Maybe I finally got used to it, but...

I didn't give a rat's patootie that there was water on the floor.
Didn't even give it a second glance.

I think I'm finally cured.


I made sure that I had everything I needed.
Safe empty, bag packed and ready...

I took one long, last look around.
Not out of nostalgia...
well, maybe a little bit.
I took one last look... for that darned missing Jack Skellington Magicbandit.

Never found it.
Swallowed up by the Disney accounting department.


I left my room some time before 3:00am.
Sorry, don't remember the exact time and didn't note it.

Wanna see what a resort looks like at three o'clock in the morning?
Neither did I!
But if I have to be up at God o'clock, you're gonna see it anyway!

Overwhelmingly depressing.
That's how it looks.

Funny.
Arriving late at night a few short days before it must've looked similar to this.
I don't remember feeling the same way, then.


Arriving at the empty lobby, I walked up to the lone CM manning the station.
"Hi." I cleverly said. "Checking out. pkondz."

I really hated saying that.
Especially since I was registered under my real name.
Looking back, I'm kind of surprised he found my account.
Probably because I was the only fool to leave at stupid in the morning.

"Yes sir, Mr. pkondz." It was nice that he played along, no? "I have your balance right here."
I told him I didn't want to pay with my credit card, but with cash.


Now that probably seems really odd to... well probably everyone.
Here's how this happened.

I was at the bank a long time ago.
Ruby and I were either going to the States... or coming back.
I either wanted some US cash or was giving it back.
The teller asked me if I'd ever considered a US account.
"That way you can just put money in it and withdraw US funds whenever you want."
I looked into it and it seemed like an OK idea.
So I opened an account.
Every so often, I'd put some cash in it.
Why not? At the time, the Canadian dollar was the same value as the US dollar.

But now. Now that I'm travelling, the US dollar is worth more than a Canadian loonie.
So by paying cash, I'm saving about 25% over paying with the card
and paying the exchange rate.


The CM quotes me a price.
Sweet! I must've spent less than I thought!
I'm way under budget.
I happily (well... not as grudgingly as usual) part with my US greenbacks and head outside.


This time I check the time.
3:00am.
I'm a little early for Magical Depress but that's the way I like it.
I'm much more comfortable being early and waiting for a bit,
than late and rushing... or missing.

And sure enough, at 3:05, the bus rolls up.
It disgorges a few new Disney arrivals.


I hate them with all my soul.


The bus pulls away from the curb and roars off...

Uh...

Oh. Probably dropping off more stupid, happy vacationers,
before coming back for us poor, sad, slobs.


Well, looks like I'll have a few minutes.
Here. Look at this while I have a little cry, okay?

Hang on... gimme a second, okay?








Okay.
Continuing....

As I stood there, waiting for the bus,
I contemplated everything I wanted to do this trip,
everything I'd done, and everything I missed.

I had my wish list, which I shared with you in chapter one.
No, you don't have to go back, here it is:

In no particular order:

Dole whip float
Carrot cake cookie at the Writer's Stop
Take a bus to DHS then the boat to Epcot
Try the onion rings at Prime Time or Flame Tree
Just go to Prime Time!
Voices of Liberty at America in Epcot
Pork shank at Gaston's
LeFou's Brew
Pecos Bill's for the burger and fixins bar
Candy Lady in Japan
Mickey head pretzel
Kaki gori (shave ice) in Japan
Cronut at snack booth just before Canada
Margarita in Mexico
Grey Goose slush at France
Karamel Kuche in Germany
Heck, just enjoy World Showcase for a change
Cheddar cheese soup at Le Cellier

I didn't do everything on the list... and that's okay.
Gives me an excuse to go back right?
But I'm pretty happy with my success rate.
Some things I didn't do because I just didn't feel like it.
Like the carrot cake cookie or the onion rings.
Some things I deliberately left for future trips.
Like Voices of Liberty.
One thing was no longer there.
The Candy Lady in Japan.
Others, though. I just plain forgot.
Like a Grey Goose slush.

But from that list, here's what I did get done.
Dole whip float (twice!)
Go to Prime Time
LeFou's Brew
Pecos Bill's for the burger and fixins bar
Mickey head pretzel
Kaki gori in Japan
Cronut
Karamel Kuche
Cheddar cheese soup.
And just enjoying World Showcase?
I think so.

Not bad. I think I did pretty good.
What do you think?


I was thrust out of my reverie when I saw the bus go by... in the opposite direction.
Uh...

And again, I figured he was just turning around.
He'll be back.
It's now 3:25am.
And sure enough, two minutes later, the bus pulled up.

I don't think I was the only one on the bus, but there weren't many on it.


We arrived at MCO at about ten after four.
I had plenty of time, but I wanted to get through security as quickly as possible.
I like to get it out of the way and then relax.
It didn't take long, I was through security at 4:33am.
I know that because of a weird thing that happened.
I went through the metal detector with nary a beep.
But after I went through, a TSA agent asked (and was given permission)
to look under my watch.
I didn't have to take it off, he just pulled it up a bit and looked under the watch face.

What in the heck could anyone hide underneath a watch???

A teeny tiny, itsy bitsy knife?
"All right! I'm taking over this plane with my miniscule weapon!
Nobody move or I will incessantly jab you with it until you become annoyed!
Now take this plane back to Disney!"
"Uh, sir? If you wanted to go to Disney, why'd you get on the plane in the first place?"



"Nevermind that! Now do it!"
"No, sir. I don't think so. Now be a good boy and sit down, okay?"
"Well... okay. Do you want my knife?"
"No, that's okay. You can keep it."

See? TSA prevented me from possibly making a fool out of myself!
Ha! They obviously don't know me very well!


I wandered over to the fake-o-rail and waited for it to arrive.
There were huge signs everywhere indicating which gates were ahead.
Which, in my world, doesn't matter.

"Excuse me? Does this go to gate 14?"

I glanced up at one of the many, many signs that said "GATES 1 - 29"
Well, I suppose he has a point.
The sign most definitely does not say:
"GATES 1 - 29 Now with special bonus gate 14!"


I assured him that he was on the right track.

I sometimes wonder if there's some kind of Karmic, universal agenda.
Would I stop being asked for directions if I started giving wrong directions?

"Gate 14? No. That's in another airport. You want to catch a bus and go downtown to the train station.
Take the first train you see. It'll take you straight to the right airport. That's the fastest way."
"Wow! Thanks!"
"No problem. Better hurry! If you don't stop to ask anyone else for directions,
you should just make it!"


Nah. Better not. Or Karma will come back and bite me!


My directionally challenged friend and I rode the fake-o-rail and split up.
He to points unknown and I to my gate.
I just followed the signs.
I continued down a long hallway and every few feet I'd see a sign like this:

GATES 12-17

Easy peasy.

At last I came to the last sign and the end of the hallway.
Here's a picture:
If you look to the far left of the picture, you can just make out the up arrow
and words "GATES 12-17"
Look closely.
See it?

Confident now of having found my gate, I looked around.
On the right were gates 11, 14, and 16.
On the left were 15 and 17.

Ummm... where's 13?
I marched back to the sign.
Nope. Hadn't misread it.

GATES 12-17

Except there's no Gate 13 to be seen.

Maybe I should just ask someone.


WAIT A SECOND!
Knock it off Karma! I just thought about doing it!
I didn't actually do it!!


I walked back down the hallway,
this time while swiveling my head back and forth.

And there it was.
Just outside my peripheral vision as I passed it by the first time.
Gate 13.
Look back at that last photo.
See it on the right hand side?
How many of you missed it while you were looking at the

GATES 12-17 sign?
Come on, I'm really curious. Spill.
Of course I made sure to include it in that panorama shot above.
Not so easy to spot when you're being given incorrect directions.
Probably because of my evil ponderings.
Maybe it was a sign.

(Now. How many of you noticed that I mentioned
that Gate 11 was in the 12-17 area???)


Having finally found my gate (no thanks to the MCO airport)
I decided that a spot of breakfast was in order.
Yes I'd be getting some free grub (I paid for it... but it feels free) on the plane,
but that was a good couple of hours away still.

I sashayed (got my mojo back) back down the hall.
I sidled up to the Burger King counter,
since it was the only thing open at stupid o'clock in the morning,
and ordered a delicious sausage and egg croissant, tasty hash browns and OJ.

While I was gagging down my "breakfast"
(the croissant was disgusting, the "hash browns" coaster almost as bad
and the "OJ" was about as far from Florida OJ as you could get.)
I started to wonder about something.
When I paid my bill back at ASMu, it was less than I had feared.
But not just a little less... it was about half of what I thought it would be.
Surely (don't call me Shirley) I couldn't have been that far off the mark, could I?

I pulled out my receipt and...
Oh, you scoundrels.
(I didn't use the word "scoundrels",
but it's a family board so I can't put down what words I did use.)

They had charged me for the first two or three nights mid-way through my stay.
They just went ahead and charged it to my card.
Now I guess there's some small print somewhere that says this will happen...
But I know it didn't happen the last times I stayed on site.
So what I paid cash for was the remaining balance.

I was not pleased.
Thanks, Disney, for costing me an extra 25% on half my trip.
I appreciate that. Truly I do.


It's bad enough to be leaving Disney.
But to be leaving Disney and to be angry?
You figure it out.


I went back to my gate and settled in for the wait for boarding.
At least, with my Plus seat selection, I wouldn't have to wait long.
The agent at the podium made an announcement
which I'm sure did not please the majority of the passengers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, due to the large amount of families traveling on this flight,
there will be no pre-boarding of families with small children."

I guess it makes sense. If they did that, everyone would try to board at the same time.

Once they had the "passengers traveling in exit rows and those needing extra time" boarded,
they called for the Plus seating passengers.

Ahhhh..... see ya, suckers!
I meant that literally since there were several kids with pacifiers.
Some parents, too.


The flight was uneventful.
I had a tasty turkey sandwich.
Much, much better than the Burger King dross.
I watched a movie called "The Judge".
It was okay.
Starred Robert Downey, Jr. and Robert Duvall.
Only thing was... we were 15 minutes early and the movie ended
right around the time the plane touched down in Toronto and the screens turned off.
I wasn't positive I'd seen it all until I Googled it.
Yep. Saw it all.
It was just okay.


The door opened at 9:30.
Once again, for the third time this trip, I was the first one off the plane.
I scooted off in search of Canada customs.

Hmmm... maybe "in search of" isn't the right choice of words.
I mean, if you somehow miss them, you've just entered the country illegally.


I soon arrived at customs and... what's this? Something new?
I'm used to waiting in line for a Customs agent to be free.
Here, there were just machines, waiting to scan your passport.
Huh. Okay.
I scanned my passport and received this message:
"This is not a valid document"
Well, you gave it to me! How is this my problem?
I tried a different machine. Success!
It printed out a slip of paper which I presented to a bored agent...
and that was it!
I was through customs at, glance at the contraband hiding watch, 9:35am.
Five minutes!
That's about fifty five minutes less than what it usually takes!
Who da man? I da man!


When you enter Canada from a foreign country,
once you pass through customs, you're free to go.
In other words, to catch my connecting flight,
I had to go back through security.

And so did the rest of the planet.
I suppose it wasn't that bad.
It was a big line, but it moved fairly quickly.
I was through security in 15 minutes.

The person in front of me had a suspicious item in her carry-on.
The agent asked if he could search her bag.
Such a stupid formality.
You're free to say no, of course.
As long as you don't want to catch your flight.
Whatever.
Anyway, the agent asked if he could search her bag and she acquiesced.
He found the suspicious item.
I don't know why they didn't search my bag too.
I had the same item.
It was a copy of the UOG!


I killed some time waiting for my flight to board.
I sat, sipped some Coke and surfed the internet.
Soon they were doing the pre-boarding for the flight.
Families with small children got priority again, I see.
Ah, well. I'm next.

Nope.

They boarded the entire rest of the plane before they let the Plus passengers on.
Once on board I mentioned this to my seat mate.
He said that he had asked why they didn't board the Plus passengers earlier
and he was told that they did.
Hmmm... either every Plus seat passenger missed the call or the Westjet agent forgot it.

I'm going with the latter.
Doesn't matter. Pretty sure I'll get to Winnipeg about the same time as everyone else.


The flight departed a little late, about 25 minutes, but was uneventful.
I had some "free" Pringles chips (that's Crisps, Katie)
and watched some non-descript TV shows.
We managed to make up the time lost on departure and arrived on time.

And here, I'm sad to say, my streak ended.
I wasn't the first off the plane.
I was second.
Oh, the ignominy!

I was, however, the first down the escalator.
And there, at the bottom, was Ruby.
Waiting with a big smile on her face.
Pretty sure I wore a matching smile.


We got to the car and drove off to pick up Kay from school.
Upon arrival at the school, Kay was already outside,
chatting with some class mates.
I wisely refrained from hugging her and thus saved her
from dying a thousand deaths of embarrassment.

At home, the dog let out a little yip of excitement when she saw me
and thankfully did not pee on the rug in the process.

Elle came home and she wasn't averse to getting a hug.
I distributed the few gifts I'd picked up and showed everyone
the DiveQuest video.

We watched a bit of TV and I was asleep by 8:00pm.
Super early for me, but it had been a long day and I was beat.


The next morning the alarm woke me at 5:00am.
Time for work!
It's -18F (-28C) with the windchill equivalent to -41F (-41C).


Welcome back to the real world!!!




I will be continuing on with this TR with a mini Toronto report.
And you're all welcome to come along.
However, if you're not interested and are off to more interesting pursuits,
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my readers
who've followed me on this adventure.
Without people like you, providing witty comments, sage advice and the occasional story,
this TR would be dull, dull, dull and completely unenjoyable to write.
Whenever I post a chapter, I eagerly await to see what you, dear reader, will have to say.
And I'm never disappointed.
Actually, sometimes I'm shocked.
And I love that.
So I thank you for your participation and collaboration.

And if you've enjoyed this little ditty, and you've never come out to comment,
I'd love it if you came out of lurkdom, just for a second, to let me know.


Thanks everyone! I guess that wraps it up!


What?
Oh, yes...


The Contest


Bonus questions were:
1. Alarm time? 2:00am (It hurts just to type that.)
2. Customs time? 5 minutes.
3. Never before seen photo? Fire alarm and glass breaking rod on wall of Jazz Inn at ASMU.

8 points if you nail the alarm time.
4 points if you get it within 60 minutes.
1 point if you get it within 120 minutes.
8 points if you nail the customs time.
6 points if you're +/- 5 minutes.
4 points if you're +/- 10 minutes.
2 points if you're +/- 20 minutes.
10 points if you nail the four details of the photo
6 points if you get three details.
4 points if you get two details.
2 points if you get one detail.
1 point if you're in the ballpark (and I decide who is or isn't)

BibbitybobityLu - 5:15 - 5 minutes - something with fire - 9 points
KathyM2 - 5:00 - 20 minutes - 2 points
cinderkelly - 5:45 - 15 minutes - defibrillator - 4 points
afwdwfan - 5:20 - 6 minutes - fire extinguisher, break glass, ASMu - 10 points
Gracefulskinny - 6:14 - 60 minutes - fire alarm, break glass - 4 points
Sandy Mouse - 4:45 - 12 minutes - sign, Jazz in, ASMu - 8 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 6:30 - 5 minutes - fire extinguisher, break glass, ASMu - 12 points
MAGICFOR2 - 4:30 - 10 minutes - lamp - 6 points
orangecats2 - 6:01 - 15 minutes - break glass, ASMu - 8 points
KatMark - 4:45 - 10 minutes - 6 points
TheLittleKatie - 6:00 - 10 minutes - fire alarm, ASMu - 10 points
mmeb144 - 3:10 - 3 minutes - light - 7 points
Mac Brew - 7:30 - 90 minutes - 0 points
Captain_Oblivious - 4:30 - 5 minutes - emergency device - 9 points
ursalita - 4:30 - 117 minutes - 0 points
Ladyfish77 - 5:50 - 30 minutes - fire extinguisher - 1 point


Bonus points!

The following folks are awarded 2 points each for paying attention in school:
Mac Brew, ursalita


BibbitybobityLu - 3 points for playing footsies, 4 points for that 70s bush, 1 point for pouting, 1 point for lobsters
KathyM2 - 2 points for parallel traits.
cinderkelly - 2 points for being beautiful, 2 points for next time.
Gracefulskinny - 2 points for knowing the difference, 2 points for what's love got to do with it, 1 point for the inside track.
orangecats2 - 2 points for not having it, 1 point for being by herself, 1 point for the come back, 1 point for "kinda" love.
Sandy Mouse - 2 points for being a thief, 1 point for tasting the sausage, 1 point for wing washing, 3 points for being practically perfect, 2 points for inciting deduction riots, 3 points for supper.
afwdwfan - 2 points for AKPot, 1 point for partying on, excellent, 1 point for thievery.
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 1 point for being the prognosticator of prognosticators, 2 points for piranhas, 1 point for being unfathomable, 1 point for being fancy, 2 points for stuck lines.
DISNEYMOON10121991 - 2 points for suffering so much in so little time, 2 points for cracking up, 4 points for pixie dust.
goofymimi - 2 points for being absolutely beautiful.
MAGICFOR2 - 2 points because you've come a long way, baby.
KatMark - 2 points for timely deliveries, 2 points because she's stunning, 2 points for being a co-kidnap victim.
TheLittleKatie - 1 point to help her be less scared, 2 points for looking in her eyes, 2 points for Beyoncé, 3 points because she thinks I'm the best, 3 points for best ideas.
mmeb144 - 2 points for still being in the game, 2 points for the win.
Mac Brew - 2 points for standards
Captain_Oblivious - 2 points for epic, 2 points because he's gorgeous.
bankr63 - 2 points for airing the place out.
Thumper_Man - 4 points for Vegas Vacations, 10 points for a New York state of mind.
ursalita - 1 point for creepiness, 2 points for keeping her hands to herself, 1 point for sword fighting.
Ladyfish77 - 2 points for being missed.

And 2 points each just to say thanks for the suggestions to:
KathyM2, mmeb144, TheLittleKatie and Ladyfish77


Contest points final tally!!

afwdwfan 85 points
orangecats2 84 points
BibbitybobityLu 75 points
Sandy Mouse 74 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes 71 points
Rgirl 56 points
TheLittleKatie 56 points
KatMark 54 points
Tracy161 54 points
Captain_Oblivious 47 points
Gracefulskinny 46 points
MAGICFOR2 46 points
DonnaBeeGood 38 points
cinderkelly 37 points
@Steppesister 36 points
Ladyfish77 33 points
KathyM2 31 points
jandlinz 30 points
courtneybelle 29 points
Susan R 27 points
ursalita 27 points
Scoobymoons 25 points
shan23877 25 points
bankr63 24 points
Mac Brew 23 points
Thumper_Man 22 points
lisaviolet 19 points
mmeb144 19 points
lilpixiebabe101 18 points
Laura74 17 points
Glittercat 16 points
dawnbu40 15 points
Self_resqing_princz 12 points
ddstratton 10 points
dgthree 10 points
ForeverDance 9 points
Heluvsme 9 points
RockinDisney 9 points
DISNEYMOON10121991 8 points
LookinUp 6 points
queenbetsey 6 points
Backstage_Gal 5 points
cheekypoppins 4 points
Irene_dsc 4 points
TheDisneyNurse 3 points
Thumper_Man's Wife 3 points
goofymimi 2 points
Ravens girl 2 points
RMColosimo 2 points
goofymimi 1 point
quandrea 1 point
SnowWhiteOz 1 point
TGM 1 point


So the winner is.... afwdwfan!
Andy, if you could PM me your address, I'll be sending you a little sumptin, sumptin.

And I've got a little surprise for someone special.
I went back through all the posts and tabulated the scores based on guesses alone.
(i.e. no bonus points)
There was one person who was far and away ahead of everybody else.
As a matter of fact, this person had a dozen more points than the 2nd place poster.
I'm going to send a little something to that person also.

And the winner of the Bonus/secret photo contest is... orangecats2!
Carrie, if you could PM me your address as well, I'll send something your way too.


See you all real soon!

Toronto Mini TR - To the Center of the Universe!​

 

[orangecats2]

Man, Andy won by only one point! But at least I won the guesses only contest! What do I win? A trip to Disney? No, you're already going with Kay. Maybe something from WDW? I can't believe you get to back in a month! I haven't been since 2012! And you get two trips in this year! Yeah, so I don't feel bad that this trip is over. And we still have the Toronto mini TR to look forward to then another WDW TR! But when are you coming back to Cleveland?

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Thanks for the exciting ending! Love your nightmare sequence
yep, that karma will catch up to you.

Nice getting through customs so quickly. It should be that way in your own country.

CONGRATS to Andy and Carrie!

 

[DisneyAndrew]

I can't remember if I have commented before or not. I know I never made any guesses because I was late to the party. However, I have enjoyed reading your TR greatly, and will miss it terribly now that it's over. Can't wait for your August trip to get some more. Your writing style is hilarious.

 

[pkondz]

Man, Andy won by only one point!

It was a close one!
If you'd said that you loved me instead of just "kinda".... who knows?

But at least I won the guesses only contest! What do I win? A trip to Disney?

Yes! You get to experience a trip vicariously through my TR!
You lucky, lucky girl!

Maybe something from WDW?

Would you prefer that?
PM me (Don't forget your address) and we can discuss.
I did remember that you don't like Wunderbars.

I can't believe you get to back in a month! I haven't been since 2012!

I know!!! Yippee!!!!!

and

I know. So sorry.

And we still have the Toronto mini TR to look forward to then another WDW TR!

That Toronto one's gonna have to be a quick one.
No way I want to be in the middle of it while I'm at Disney or afterwards.

But when are you coming back to Cleveland?

That, my dear, is one of the mysteries of life.

Thanks for the exciting ending! Love your nightmare sequence

Thanks Tammie. Glad you liked it!

yep, that karma will catch up to you.

But I didn't do anything!
Surely just thinking evil thoughts is okay???

Nice getting through customs so quickly. It should be that way in your own country.

It should. And now with those machines, maybe it will be.
I guess it still depends on when you get off the plane.
If you're at the back then you're gonna wait.
There's only so many machines to go around.

I can't remember if I have commented before or not.

No, this is your first time.
Welcome!

I know I never made any guesses because I was late to the party.

Ah, you should've played anyway (if you wanted to. Not everyone does.)
Look at Lu, she started late and finished in 3rd!

However, I have enjoyed reading your TR greatly, and will miss it terribly now that it's over.

Glad you enjoyed it!
Still a little bit to go if your're interested in a Toronto report.
Plus the next one isn't that far off!

Can't wait for your August trip to get some more. Your writing style is hilarious.

Thanks a lot! I appreciate you're taking the time to tell me that.
Makes my day!

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Okay...when I first saw this I totally did not get that there was anything "added" to this photo...

Until I saw this photo!

Take cover everyone! Unless you want to be covered in marshmallow!
(Not a bad thing, really. No?)

Of all the white sticky things you can get covered it Marshmallow is one of the better ones...

But I was leaving Disney!

Well, looks like I'll have a few minutes.
Here. Look at this while I have a little cry, okay?

Hang on... gimme a second, okay?








Okay.
Continuing....

I feel like you may have said this many times before...

I'm taking over this plane with my miniscule weapon!

Nobody move or I will incessantly jab you with it until you become annoyed!

I feel like you may have said this many times before...

How many of you missed it while you were looking at the

GATES 12-17 sign?
Come on, I'm really curious. Spill.

I actually saw the 13! Giant fake dinosaur I miss...small numbers that I'm not meant to be looking for I see!

At home, the dog let out a little yip of excitement when she saw me
and thankfully did not pee on the rug in the process.

So the dog didn't but what about you?

Actually, sometimes I'm shocked.

Never by my comments of course

BibbitybobityLu 75 points

Look at Lu, she started late and finished in 3rd!

 

[pkondz]

Okay...when I first saw this I totally did not get that there was anything "added" to this photo...

When I did that, I wondered if that would happen.
"Oh, look Harriet. He got a shot with that tree and one of them dinosaurs in it."

Until I saw this photo!

Actually, that one's real.
They were having a Godzilla revival that day at the Japan pavilion
so they put up that oversized inflated Godzilla.

Of all the white sticky things you can get covered it Marshmallow is one of the better ones...

Better for you maybe...
What are some of the other ones?

I feel like you may have said this many times before...

Not me.
You must be mistaking me with someone with real feelings and emotions.

And I didn't even think of that!
(Note to self. Don't write TRs when you're tired anymore.)

I feel like you may have said this many times before...

Just to Ruby.

I actually saw the 13! Giant fake dinosaur I miss...small numbers that I'm not meant to be looking for I see!

Good for you! I wonder if you're one of the few, or one of the many?

So the dog didn't but what about you?

Hmmmm.... I don't know if I should say or not.... it Depends.

Never by my comments of course

Oh, no. Of course not.
A sweet innocent little girl like you?
Nah.

 

[cinderkelly]

14th place, I'll take it! Good show ! I'm sad to see this TR come to a close. I've really enjoyed reading along and even though I'm sure the contest was a times a PITA for you it really made things fun! Oh and your writing was pretty good too you bet your booty I'll read along on your mini Toronto TR.


Arriving at the empty lobby, I walked up to the lone CM manning the station.
"Hi." I cleverly said. "Checking out. pkondz."



I really hated saying that.
Especially since I was registered under my real name.
Looking back, I'm kind of surprised he found my account.
Probably because I was the only fool to leave at stupid in the morning.

"Yes sir, Mr. pkondz." It was nice that he played along, no? "I have your balance right here."
I told him I didn't want to pay with my credit card, but with cash.[/QUOTE]

Boo!

Easy peasy.

At last I came to the last sign and the end of the hallway.
Here's a picture:
If you look to the far left of the picture, you can just make out the up arrow
and words "

I noticed gate 13 also!!

Welcome back to the real world!!!

Real world schmeal world. It's overrated.

Thanks for sharing your adventures! I think you did pretty darn good with your wish list too

 

[TAPMD]

Welcome back to the real world


Morning. The sun is shining and I realize...
I have time.
Not much.
But I have time.
I can sneak away and get just a little...
A Little! more park time before I go.

I'm out of the room like a shot and at the bus stop in the blink of an eye.
Heck... I didn't even blink.
My luck with busses is still holding because a bus is waiting at the empty stop.
It's like it's waiting just for me.
I board the bus and in no time flat I'm at AK.
Why AK?
Because that's the first bus I saw.
I wasn't going to waste a second waiting for another bus.
Was it my first choice?
Well... no. But it was a Disney park, right?

I don't even remember the bus ride there.
I must've been too pumped about one last ride on EE.
I don't even remember the walk from the bus stop to the tapstiles.
But what I do remember is that the park wasn't open yet.
And wasn't going to be open for a while, either.

I could tell, because I could see a maintenance crew from my vantage spot,
working on maintaining the Tree of Life.

I can't wait. I'm leaving soon!
I decided to head to another park.
Preferably one that's open already!

In what seemed like no time at all, I'm stepping off the monorail and running...
No time for sashaying today.
Running towards World Showcase in Epcot.
Wow. People seem to be in a rush to go in the opposite direction!

Hello people! You're going the wrong way!
But as I rounded the Golf Ball, I immediately saw what the problem was.
No wonder people were running in the opposite direction!
I joined them too!

(Interesting how even in real life, Godzilla's black and white.)

Back on the monorail.
It's okay though.
This is the park I really wanted to go to anyway.

Ahhhh... Magic Kingdom.
And there's almost no one there!
I'm at the bag search and I wait for a few seconds for the guards to notice me.
They don't.
Guess I'll just go through.
They'll stop me once they notice me, right?

Nope.

They're so engrossed in their conversation that they don't even notice me.
I don't know what was so darned important that they couldn't even do their job!
In this day and age, that's pretty inexcusable don't you think?

I caught a snippet of their conversation as I breezed by.
(Okay. I eavesdropped a little. I was curious to know what was so important!)
Seems they were talking about some problem and they were pretty surprised
that Disney had to ask Universal, of all things, for help.

No idea what that was about.
I walked out of the tunnel beneath the train tracks and...
Oh.
I see what the problem is now.

Cross the streams, boys!

Looks like they're getting ready...
An alarm began to bray.
Take cover everyone! Unless you want to be covered in marshmallow!
(Not a bad thing, really. No?)
The alarm got louder and seemed to be coming from right beside my head!


I opened an eye.
My iPod was playing a merry little tune that I immediately loathed.
2:00am.
Welcome back to the real world.
Time to get up.
Time to go... ugh... home.

Don't get me wrong, I miss my wife and kids.
I miss the dog too.
Maybe even the guinea pigs a little.
But I was leaving Disney!




I got up and started to get ready.
I stepped out of the shower and...


Maybe it's because it was just way too early.
Maybe it's because I was leaving and I was just too apathetic to care.
Maybe I finally got used to it, but...

I didn't give a rat's patootie that there was water on the floor.
Didn't even give it a second glance.

I think I'm finally cured.


I made sure that I had everything I needed.
Safe empty, bag packed and ready...

I took one long, last look around.
Not out of nostalgia...
well, maybe a little bit.
I took one last look... for that darned missing Jack Skellington Magicbandit.

Never found it.
Swallowed up by the Disney accounting department.


I left my room some time before 3:00am.
Sorry, don't remember the exact time and didn't note it.

Wanna see what a resort looks like at three o'clock in the morning?
Neither did I!
But if I have to be up at God o'clock, you're gonna see it anyway!

Overwhelmingly depressing.
That's how it looks.

Funny.
Arriving late at night a few short days before it must've looked similar to this.
I don't remember feeling the same way, then.


Arriving at the empty lobby, I walked up to the lone CM manning the station.
"Hi." I cleverly said. "Checking out. pkondz."

I really hated saying that.
Especially since I was registered under my real name.
Looking back, I'm kind of surprised he found my account.
Probably because I was the only fool to leave at stupid in the morning.

"Yes sir, Mr. pkondz." It was nice that he played along, no? "I have your balance right here."
I told him I didn't want to pay with my credit card, but with cash.


Now that probably seems really odd to... well probably everyone.
Here's how this happened.

I was at the bank a long time ago.
Ruby and I were either going to the States... or coming back.
I either wanted some US cash or was giving it back.
The teller asked me if I'd ever considered a US account.
"That way you can just put money in it and withdraw US funds whenever you want."
I looked into it and it seemed like an OK idea.
So I opened an account.
Every so often, I'd put some cash in it.
Why not? At the time, the Canadian dollar was the same value as the US dollar.

But now. Now that I'm travelling, the US dollar is worth more than a Canadian loonie.
So by paying cash, I'm saving about 25% over paying with the card
and paying the exchange rate.


The CM quotes me a price.
Sweet! I must've spent less than I thought!
I'm way under budget.
I happily (well... not as grudgingly as usual) part with my US greenbacks and head outside.


This time I check the time.
3:00am.
I'm a little early for Magical Depress but that's the way I like it.
I'm much more comfortable being early and waiting for a bit,
than late and rushing... or missing.

And sure enough, at 3:05, the bus rolls up.
It disgorges a few new Disney arrivals.


I hate them with all my soul.


The bus pulls away from the curb and roars off...

Uh...

Oh. Probably dropping off more stupid, happy vacationers,
before coming back for us poor, sad, slobs.


Well, looks like I'll have a few minutes.
Here. Look at this while I have a little cry, okay?

Hang on... gimme a second, okay?








Okay.
Continuing....

As I stood there, waiting for the bus,
I contemplated everything I wanted to do this trip,
everything I'd done, and everything I missed.

I had my wish list, which I shared with you in chapter one.
No, you don't have to go back, here it is:



I didn't do everything on the list... and that's okay.
Gives me an excuse to go back right?
But I'm pretty happy with my success rate.
Some things I didn't do because I just didn't feel like it.
Like the carrot cake cookie or the onion rings.
Some things I deliberately left for future trips.
Like Voices of Liberty.
One thing was no longer there.
The Candy Lady in Japan.
Others, though. I just plain forgot.
Like a Grey Goose slush.

But from that list, here's what I did get done.
Dole whip float (twice!)
Go to Prime Time
LeFou's Brew
Pecos Bill's for the burger and fixins bar
Mickey head pretzel
Kaki gori in Japan
Cronut
Karamel Kuche
Cheddar cheese soup.
And just enjoying World Showcase?
I think so.

Not bad. I think I did pretty good.
What do you think?


I was thrust out of my reverie when I saw the bus go by... in the opposite direction.
Uh...

And again, I figured he was just turning around.
He'll be back.
It's now 3:25am.
And sure enough, two minutes later, the bus pulled up.

I don't think I was the only one on the bus, but there weren't many on it.


We arrived at MCO at about ten after four.
I had plenty of time, but I wanted to get through security as quickly as possible.
I like to get it out of the way and then relax.
It didn't take long, I was through security at 4:33am.
I know that because of a weird thing that happened.
I went through the metal detector with nary a beep.
But after I went through, a TSA agent asked (and was given permission)
to look under my watch.
I didn't have to take it off, he just pulled it up a bit and looked under the watch face.

What in the heck could anyone hide underneath a watch???

A teeny tiny, itsy bitsy knife?
"All right! I'm taking over this plane with my miniscule weapon!
Nobody move or I will incessantly jab you with it until you become annoyed!
Now take this plane back to Disney!"
"Uh, sir? If you wanted to go to Disney, why'd you get on the plane in the first place?"



"Nevermind that! Now do it!"
"No, sir. I don't think so. Now be a good boy and sit down, okay?"
"Well... okay. Do you want my knife?"
"No, that's okay. You can keep it."

See? TSA prevented me from possibly making a fool out of myself!
Ha! They obviously don't know me very well!


I wandered over to the fake-o-rail and waited for it to arrive.
There were huge signs everywhere indicating which gates were ahead.
Which, in my world, doesn't matter.

"Excuse me? Does this go to gate 14?"

I glanced up at one of the many, many signs that said "GATES 1 - 29"
Well, I suppose he has a point.
The sign most definitely does not say:
"GATES 1 - 29 Now with special bonus gate 14!"


I assured him that he was on the right track.

I sometimes wonder if there's some kind of Karmic, universal agenda.
Would I stop being asked for directions if I started giving wrong directions?

"Gate 14? No. That's in another airport. You want to catch a bus and go downtown to the train station.
Take the first train you see. It'll take you straight to the right airport. That's the fastest way."
"Wow! Thanks!"
"No problem. Better hurry! If you don't stop to ask anyone else for directions,
you should just make it!"


Nah. Better not. Or Karma will come back and bite me!


My directionally challenged friend and I rode the fake-o-rail and split up.
He to points unknown and I to my gate.
I just followed the signs.
I continued down a long hallway and every few feet I'd see a sign like this:

GATES 12-17

Easy peasy.

At last I came to the last sign and the end of the hallway.
Here's a picture:
If you look to the far left of the picture, you can just make out the up arrow
and words "GATES 12-17"
Look closely.
See it?

Confident now of having found my gate, I looked around.
On the right were gates 11, 14, and 16.
On the left were 15 and 17.

Ummm... where's 13?
I marched back to the sign.
Nope. Hadn't misread it.

GATES 12-17

Except there's no Gate 13 to be seen.

Maybe I should just ask someone.


WAIT A SECOND!
Knock it off Karma! I just thought about doing it!
I didn't actually do it!!


I walked back down the hallway,
this time while swiveling my head back and forth.

And there it was.
Just outside my peripheral vision as I passed it by the first time.
Gate 13.
Look back at that last photo.
See it on the right hand side?
How many of you missed it while you were looking at the

GATES 12-17 sign?
Come on, I'm really curious. Spill.
Of course I made sure to include it in that panorama shot above.
Not so easy to spot when you're being given incorrect directions.
Probably because of my evil ponderings.
Maybe it was a sign.

(Now. How many of you noticed that I mentioned
that Gate 11 was in the 12-17 area???)


Having finally found my gate (no thanks to the MCO airport)
I decided that a spot of breakfast was in order.
Yes I'd be getting some free grub (I paid for it... but it feels free) on the plane,
but that was a good couple of hours away still.

I sashayed (got my mojo back) back down the hall.
I sidled up to the Burger King counter,
since it was the only thing open at stupid o'clock in the morning,
and ordered a delicious sausage and egg croissant, tasty hash browns and OJ.

While I was gagging down my "breakfast"
(the croissant was disgusting, the "hash browns" coaster almost as bad
and the "OJ" was about as far from Florida OJ as you could get.)
I started to wonder about something.
When I paid my bill back at ASMu, it was less than I had feared.
But not just a little less... it was about half of what I thought it would be.
Surely (don't call me Shirley) I couldn't have been that far off the mark, could I?

I pulled out my receipt and...
Oh, you scoundrels.
(I didn't use the word "scoundrels",
but it's a family board so I can't put down what words I did use.)

They had charged me for the first two or three nights mid-way through my stay.
They just went ahead and charged it to my card.
Now I guess there's some small print somewhere that says this will happen...
But I know it didn't happen the last times I stayed on site.
So what I paid cash for was the remaining balance.

I was not pleased.
Thanks, Disney, for costing me an extra 25% on half my trip.
I appreciate that. Truly I do.


It's bad enough to be leaving Disney.
But to be leaving Disney and to be angry?
You figure it out.


I went back to my gate and settled in for the wait for boarding.
At least, with my Plus seat selection, I wouldn't have to wait long.
The agent at the podium made an announcement
which I'm sure did not please the majority of the passengers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, due to the large amount of families traveling on this flight,
there will be no pre-boarding of families with small children."

I guess it makes sense. If they did that, everyone would try to board at the same time.

Once they had the "passengers traveling in exit rows and those needing extra time" boarded,
they called for the Plus seating passengers.

Ahhhh..... see ya, suckers!
I meant that literally since there were several kids with pacifiers.
Some parents, too.


The flight was uneventful.
I had a tasty turkey sandwich.
Much, much better than the Burger King dross.
I watched a movie called "The Judge".
It was okay.
Starred Robert Downey, Jr. and Robert Duvall.
Only thing was... we were 15 minutes early and the movie ended
right around the time the plane touched down in Toronto and the screens turned off.
I wasn't positive I'd seen it all until I Googled it.
Yep. Saw it all.
It was just okay.


The door opened at 9:30.
Once again, for the third time this trip, I was the first one off the plane.
I scooted off in search of Canada customs.

Hmmm... maybe "in search of" isn't the right choice of words.
I mean, if you somehow miss them, you've just entered the country illegally.


I soon arrived at customs and... what's this? Something new?
I'm used to waiting in line for a Customs agent to be free.
Here, there were just machines, waiting to scan your passport.
Huh. Okay.
I scanned my passport and received this message:
"This is not a valid document"
Well, you gave it to me! How is this my problem?
I tried a different machine. Success!
It printed out a slip of paper which I presented to a bored agent...
and that was it!
I was through customs at, glance at the contraband hiding watch, 9:35am.
Five minutes!
That's about fifty five minutes less than what it usually takes!
Who da man? I da man!


When you enter Canada from a foreign country,
once you pass through customs, you're free to go.
In other words, to catch my connecting flight,
I had to go back through security.

And so did the rest of the planet.
I suppose it wasn't that bad.
It was a big line, but it moved fairly quickly.
I was through security in 15 minutes.

The person in front of me had a suspicious item in her carry-on.
The agent asked if he could search her bag.
Such a stupid formality.
You're free to say no, of course.
As long as you don't want to catch your flight.
Whatever.
Anyway, the agent asked if he could search her bag and she acquiesced.
He found the suspicious item.
I don't know why they didn't search my bag too.
I had the same item.
It was a copy of the UOG!


I killed some time waiting for my flight to board.
I sat, sipped some Coke and surfed the internet.
Soon they were doing the pre-boarding for the flight.
Families with small children got priority again, I see.
Ah, well. I'm next.

Nope.

They boarded the entire rest of the plane before they let the Plus passengers on.
Once on board I mentioned this to my seat mate.
He said that he had asked why they didn't board the Plus passengers earlier
and he was told that they did.
Hmmm... either every Plus seat passenger missed the call or the Westjet agent forgot it.

I'm going with the latter.
Doesn't matter. Pretty sure I'll get to Winnipeg about the same time as everyone else.


The flight departed a little late, about 25 minutes, but was uneventful.
I had some "free" Pringles chips (that's Crisps, Katie)
and watched some non-descript TV shows.
We managed to make up the time lost on departure and arrived on time.

And here, I'm sad to say, my streak ended.
I wasn't the first off the plane.
I was second.
Oh, the ignominy!

I was, however, the first down the escalator.
And there, at the bottom, was Ruby.
Waiting with a big smile on her face.
Pretty sure I wore a matching smile.


We got to the car and drove off to pick up Kay from school.
Upon arrival at the school, Kay was already outside,
chatting with some class mates.
I wisely refrained from hugging her and thus saved her
from dying a thousand deaths of embarrassment.

At home, the dog let out a little yip of excitement when she saw me
and thankfully did not pee on the rug in the process.

Elle came home and she wasn't averse to getting a hug.
I distributed the few gifts I'd picked up and showed everyone
the DiveQuest video.

We watched a bit of TV and I was asleep by 8:00pm.
Super early for me, but it had been a long day and I was beat.


The next morning the alarm woke me at 5:00am.
Time for work!
It's -18F (-28C) with the windchill equivalent to -41F (-41C).


Welcome back to the real world!!!




I will be continuing on with this TR with a mini Toronto report.
And you're all welcome to come along.
However, if you're not interested and are off to more interesting pursuits,
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my readers
who've followed me on this adventure.
Without people like you, providing witty comments, sage advice and the occasional story,
this TR would be dull, dull, dull and completely unenjoyable to write.
Whenever I post a chapter, I eagerly await to see what you, dear reader, will have to say.
And I'm never disappointed.
Actually, sometimes I'm shocked.
And I love that.
So I thank you for your participation and collaboration.

And if you've enjoyed this little ditty, and you've never come out to comment,
I'd love it if you came out of lurkdom, just for a second, to let me know.


Thanks everyone! I guess that wraps it up!


What?
Oh, yes...


The Contest


Bonus questions were:
1. Alarm time? 2:00am (It hurts just to type that.)
2. Customs time? 5 minutes.
3. Never before seen photo? Fire alarm and glass breaking rod on wall of Jazz Inn at ASMU.

8 points if you nail the alarm time.
4 points if you get it within 60 minutes.
1 point if you get it within 120 minutes.
8 points if you nail the customs time.
6 points if you're +/- 5 minutes.
4 points if you're +/- 10 minutes.
2 points if you're +/- 20 minutes.
10 points if you nail the four details of the photo
6 points if you get three details.
4 points if you get two details.
2 points if you get one detail.
1 point if you're in the ballpark (and I decide who is or isn't)

BibbitybobityLu - 5:15 - 5 minutes - something with fire - 9 points
KathyM2 - 5:00 - 20 minutes - 2 points
cinderkelly - 5:45 - 15 minutes - defibrillator - 4 points
afwdwfan - 5:20 - 6 minutes - fire extinguisher, break glass, ASMu - 10 points
Gracefulskinny - 6:14 - 60 minutes - fire alarm, break glass - 4 points
Sandy Mouse - 4:45 - 12 minutes - sign, Jazz in, ASMu - 8 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 6:30 - 5 minutes - fire extinguisher, break glass, ASMu - 12 points
MAGICFOR2 - 4:30 - 10 minutes - lamp - 6 points
orangecats2 - 6:01 - 15 minutes - break glass, ASMu - 8 points
KatMark - 4:45 - 10 minutes - 6 points
TheLittleKatie - 6:00 - 10 minutes - fire alarm, ASMu - 10 points
mmeb144 - 3:10 - 3 minutes - light - 7 points
Mac Brew - 7:30 - 90 minutes - 0 points
Captain_Oblivious - 4:30 - 5 minutes - emergency device - 9 points
ursalita - 4:30 - 117 minutes - 0 points
Ladyfish77 - 5:50 - 30 minutes - fire extinguisher - 1 point


Bonus points!

The following folks are awarded 2 points each for paying attention in school:
Mac Brew, ursalita


BibbitybobityLu - 3 points for playing footsies, 4 points for that 70s bush, 1 point for pouting, 1 point for lobsters
KathyM2 - 2 points for parallel traits.
cinderkelly - 2 points for being beautiful, 2 points for next time.
Gracefulskinny - 2 points for knowing the difference, 2 points for what's love got to do with it, 1 point for the inside track.
orangecats2 - 2 points for not having it, 1 point for being by herself, 1 point for the come back, 1 point for "kinda" love.
Sandy Mouse - 2 points for being a thief, 1 point for tasting the sausage, 1 point for wing washing, 3 points for being practically perfect, 2 points for inciting deduction riots, 3 points for supper.
afwdwfan - 2 points for AKPot, 1 point for partying on, excellent, 1 point for thievery.
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 1 point for being the prognosticator of prognosticators, 2 points for piranhas, 1 point for being unfathomable, 1 point for being fancy, 2 points for stuck lines.
DISNEYMOON10121991 - 2 points for suffering so much in so little time, 2 points for cracking up, 4 points for pixie dust.
goofymimi - 2 points for being absolutely beautiful.
MAGICFOR2 - 2 points because you've come a long way, baby.
KatMark - 2 points for timely deliveries, 2 points because she's stunning, 2 points for being a co-kidnap victim.
TheLittleKatie - 1 point to help her be less scared, 2 points for looking in her eyes, 2 points for Beyoncé, 3 points because she thinks I'm the best, 3 points for best ideas.
mmeb144 - 2 points for still being in the game, 2 points for the win.
Mac Brew - 2 points for standards
Captain_Oblivious - 2 points for epic, 2 points because he's gorgeous.
bankr63 - 2 points for airing the place out.
Thumper_Man - 4 points for Vegas Vacations, 10 points for a New York state of mind.
ursalita - 1 point for creepiness, 2 points for keeping her hands to herself, 1 point for sword fighting.
Ladyfish77 - 2 points for being missed.

And 2 points each just to say thanks for the suggestions to:
KathyM2, mmeb144, TheLittleKatie and Ladyfish77


Contest points final tally!!

afwdwfan 85 points
orangecats2 84 points
BibbitybobityLu 75 points
Sandy Mouse 74 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes 71 points
Rgirl 56 points
TheLittleKatie 56 points
KatMark 54 points
Tracy161 54 points
Captain_Oblivious 47 points
Gracefulskinny 46 points
MAGICFOR2 46 points
DonnaBeeGood 38 points
cinderkelly 37 points
@Steppesister 36 points
Ladyfish77 33 points
KathyM2 31 points
jandlinz 30 points
courtneybelle 29 points
Susan R 27 points
ursalita 27 points
Scoobymoons 25 points
shan23877 25 points
bankr63 24 points
Mac Brew 23 points
Thumper_Man 22 points
lisaviolet 19 points
mmeb144 19 points
lilpixiebabe101 18 points
Laura74 17 points
Glittercat 16 points
dawnbu40 15 points
Self_resqing_princz 12 points
ddstratton 10 points
dgthree 10 points
ForeverDance 9 points
Heluvsme 9 points
RockinDisney 9 points
DISNEYMOON10121991 8 points
LookinUp 6 points
queenbetsey 6 points
Backstage_Gal 5 points
cheekypoppins 4 points
Irene_dsc 4 points
TheDisneyNurse 3 points
Thumper_Man's Wife 3 points
goofymimi 2 points
Ravens girl 2 points
RMColosimo 2 points
goofymimi 1 point
quandrea 1 point
SnowWhiteOz 1 point
TGM 1 point


So the winner is.... afwdwfan!
Andy, if you could PM me your address, I'll be sending you a little sumptin, sumptin.

And I've got a little surprise for someone special.
I went back through all the posts and tabulated the scores based on guesses alone.
(i.e. no bonus points)
There was one person who was far and away ahead of everybody else.
As a matter of fact, this person had a dozen more points than the 2nd place poster.
I'm going to send a little something to that person also.

And the winner of the Bonus/secret photo contest is... orangecats2!
Carrie, if you could PM me your address as well, I'll send something your way too.


See you all real soon!

I'm one who's been lurking behind the scenes. Thanks so much for your trip report. I really enjoyed it!!

 

[afwdwfan]

I board the bus and in no time flat I'm at AK.
Why AK?
Because that's the first bus I saw.
I wasn't going to waste a second waiting for another bus.
Was it my first choice?
Well... no. But it was a Disney park, right?

I guess you can't argue with that logic...

I could tell, because I could see a maintenance crew from my vantage spot,
working on maintaining the Tree of Life.

Wow!!! They turned AK into Jurassic World!!! It just moved up from number 4 on my list of Disney World parks.

In what seemed like no time at all, I'm stepping off the monorail and running...

Monorail? What have you been drinking?

Hello people! You're going the wrong way!
But as I rounded the Golf Ball, I immediately saw what the problem was.
No wonder people were running in the opposite direction!
I joined them too!

I thought they were running the other way because it wasn't 11 yet?

It isn't like nobody's ever seen a lizard in WS anyway.

No idea what that was about.
I walked out of the tunnel beneath the train tracks and...
Oh.
I see what the problem is now.

Awesome photoshop skills. I love it!

I opened an eye.
My iPod was playing a merry little tune that I immediately loathed.
2:00am.
Welcome back to the real world.
Time to get up.
Time to go... ugh... home.

2 am??? Why did you even go to bed?????

I didn't give a rat's patootie that there was water on the floor.
Didn't even give it a second glance.

I think I'm finally cured.

About time...

Never found it.
Swallowed up by the Disney accounting department.

They're highly skilled at swallowing things up.

I really hated saying that.
Especially since I was registered under my real name.

But now. Now that I'm travelling, the US dollar is worth more than a Canadian loonie.
So by paying cash, I'm saving about 25% over paying with the card
and paying the exchange rate.

Wow! That works out great!

I'm much more comfortable being early and waiting for a bit,
than late and rushing... or missing.

I hate them with all my soul.

They suck.

I didn't do everything on the list... and that's okay.
Gives me an excuse to go back right?

Absolutely! And it won't be long before you can cross more things off!

I had plenty of time, but I wanted to get through security as quickly as possible.
I like to get it out of the way and then relax.

I pulled out my receipt and...
Oh, you scoundrels.
(I didn't use the word "scoundrels",
but it's a family board so I can't put down what words I did use.)

They had charged me for the first two or three nights mid-way through my stay.
They just went ahead and charged it to my card.
Now I guess there's some small print somewhere that says this will happen...
But I know it didn't happen the last times I stayed on site.
So what I paid cash for was the remaining balance.

I was not pleased.
Thanks, Disney, for costing me an extra 25% on half my trip.
I appreciate that. Truly I do.

NO!!!! The only thing worse than leaving Disney is leaving Disney being mad at Disney.

I scooted off in search of Canada customs.

You didn't sashay?

Anyway, the agent asked if he could search her bag and she acquiesced.
He found the suspicious item.
I don't know why they didn't search my bag too.
I had the same item.
It was a copy of the UOG!

Funniest thing I've ever seen them pull out of a bag at a TSA checkpoint was a lead boat anchor in Portland once.

Pretty sure I'll get to Winnipeg about the same time as everyone else.

Just a split second sooner, actually.

The next morning the alarm woke me at 5:00am.
Time for work!
It's -18F (-28C) with the windchill equivalent to -41F (-41C).

Welcome home!!!!

Whenever I post a chapter, I eagerly await to see what you, dear reader, will have to say.
And I'm never disappointed.

Really? Your standards are way too low.

So the winner is.... afwdwfan!

Wooohoooo!!!!!

You all suck! In your face!

Oh, wait a minute.

I should win with dignity.






Who am I kidding?

Man, Andy won by only one point!

Nah, you won the real competition.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Because that's the first bus I saw.
I wasn't going to waste a second waiting for another bus.

Logical...

No idea what that was about.
I walked out of the tunnel beneath the train tracks and...
Oh.
I see what the problem is now.

My iPod was playing a merry little tune that I immediately loathed.
2:00am.

Ouch!

Welcome back to the real world.
Time to get up.
Time to go... ugh... home.

But I was leaving Disney!

I didn't give a rat's patootie that there was water on the floor.
Didn't even give it a second glance.

I think I'm finally cured.

Until the next time you get stuck in one of those rooms, then I bet you start the whole process all over again!

Wanna see what a resort looks like at three o'clock in the morning?

But if I have to be up at God o'clock, you're gonna see it anyway!

Good because there is a magic to seeing a quiet resort before anyone is awake.

Overwhelmingly depressing.
That's how it looks.

Nah, that's just the leaving Disney blues talking.

But now. Now that I'm travelling, the US dollar is worth more than a Canadian loonie.
So by paying cash, I'm saving about 25% over paying with the card
and paying the exchange rate.

Huh, I thought that the Canadian Dollar was stronger?

The CM quotes me a price.
Sweet! I must've spent less than I thought!
I'm way under budget.

at the same time uh oh.

I'm much more comfortable being early and waiting for a bit,
than late and rushing... or missing.

I'm the same way.

Here. Look at this while I have a little cry, okay?

Wow! very cool!

I didn't have to take it off, he just pulled it up a bit and looked under the watch face.

What in the heck could anyone hide underneath a watch???

"Excuse me? Does this go to gate 14?"

I glanced up at one of the many, many signs that said "GATES 1 - 29"

Well you did say yourself that it was still stupid o'clock.

Nah. Better not. Or Karma will come back and bite me!

At last I came to the last sign and the end of the hallway.
Here's a picture:
If you look to the far left of the picture, you can just make out the up arrow
and words "GATES 12-17"
Look closely.
See it?

And there it was.
Just outside my peripheral vision as I passed it by the first time.
Gate 13.
Look back at that last photo.
See it on the right hand side?

But But bUt but.......... The sign saying 12-17 is AFTER gate 13.

How many of you missed it while you were looking at the

GATES 12-17 sign?

(Now. How many of you noticed that I mentioned
that Gate 11 was in the 12-17 area???)

While I was gagging down my "breakfast"
(the croissant was disgusting, the "hash browns" coaster almost as bad
and the "OJ" was about as far from Florida OJ as you could get.)

Now I guess there's some small print somewhere that says this will happen...

But I know it didn't happen the last times I stayed on site.

The credit limit for the rooms depends on the level you are staying at. I believe that the limit is only $500 at the values. Its $1500 at moderates and I don't know deluxe

It's bad enough to be leaving Disney.
But to be leaving Disney and to be angry?
You figure it out.

Ahhhh..... see ya, suckers!
I meant that literally since there were several kids with pacifiers.
Some parents, too.

I scanned my passport and received this message:
"This is not a valid document"

I tried a different machine. Success!

That's about fifty five minutes less than what it usually takes!
Who da man? I da man!

It was a copy of the UOG!

Should I know what the UOG is?

Hmmm... either every Plus seat passenger missed the call or the Westjet agent forgot it.

I'm going with the latter.

Me to!

I was, however, the first down the escalator.
And there, at the bottom, was Ruby.
Waiting with a big smile on her face.
Pretty sure I wore a matching smile.

The next morning the alarm woke me at 5:00am.
Time for work!
It's -18F (-28C) with the windchill equivalent to -41F (-41C).


Welcome back to the real world!!!

Gracefulskinny - 6:14 - 60 minutes - fire alarm, break glass - 4 points

Gracefulskinny - 2 points for knowing the difference, 2 points for what's love got to do with it, 1 point for the inside track.

Gracefulskinny 46 points

Not too shabby for joining in so late.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Hi!
Coming out of lurkdom to say hey and that I enjoyed reading your TR!

Yay for a trip to wdw soon!!

I've been trying to figure if I can steal away for a quick trip before our APs expire, but it's not coming to a conclusion I like haha

 

[pkondz]

14th place, I'll take it! Good show !

I'm sad to see this TR come to a close.

I have mixed feelings.
On the one hand, I'm sad. But on the other... whoo boy it was a lot of work!
And now I'm doing two more???

I've really enjoyed reading along

Thanks!

and even though I'm sure the contest was a times a PITA for you it really made things fun!

I couldn't believe how much work it took.
Not at first, but towards the end.
I think the last tally took over two hours!

But if you had fun with it, then it was worth it.

Oh and your writing was pretty good too

Becarse i be an good speeller?

you bet your booty I'll read along on your mini Toronto TR.

I'll see you there then!

That's two! (You and orangecats)

I noticed gate 13 also!!

Oh, man! I'm 0 for 2!

Real world schmeal world. It's overrated.

Tell me about it!!

Thanks for sharing your adventures! I think you did pretty darn good with your wish list too

You're welcome!

And I thought I did good with it too.
And yet when I typed it out, I was a little surprised at all I'd missed.

Next chance to correct that coming up in just over a month!

 

[pkondz]

I'm one who's been lurking behind the scenes. Thanks so much for your trip report. I really enjoyed it!!

Thanks for popping in and letting me know!
Glad you enjoyed it!
If you stick around for the next one, don't be a stranger!
(Unless you prefer to lurk. In which case, that's okay too. )

 

[pkondz]

I guess you can't argue with that logic...

Sure you can. It was a stupid reason.
Dreams don't always make sense.

Wow!!! They turned AK into Jurassic World!!! It just moved up from number 4 on my list of Disney World parks.

Wait.
I'm guessing to number 3?

Monorail? What have you been drinking?
I thought they were running the other way because it wasn't 11 yet?

I'm glad someone caught those!
It's a dream, where does logic fit in that?
Monorail from AK? Sure!
WS open first thing? Why not!

It isn't like nobody's ever seen a lizard in WS anyway.

Awesome photoshop skills. I love it!

Thanks!

2 am??? Why did you even go to bed?????

Shift worker.
Trust me when I say I know about getting little to no sleep.
Ten years ago, I might've stayed up.
But now, I know that 2 - 3 hours will be better than zero.
Plus I think Heinlein once wrote that a shower was the second best substitute for sleep.

He was right.

So nap and shower. Yep.

They're highly skilled at swallowing things up.

Unfortunately... yes.

Wow! That works out great!

Not so much for my upcoming trip with the Loonie at lows not seen since the recession of 2009.

They suck.

Yes.
Yes they certainly do.

I'll have to try to remember that so when I arrive back there,
if I see someone waiting to go, I can point at them and laugh.

Absolutely! And it won't be long before you can cross more things off!

I hope so!
But I'm not going to make it a big priority.
#1 on the list is making sure Kay is happy.

NO!!!! The only thing worse than leaving Disney is leaving Disney being mad at Disney.

I was not amused.
If I'd known (my fault, I suppose for not asking) I could't paid cash on arrival.

You didn't sashay?

Not this time.
I have to stay ahead of the masses so I can beat them to customs.

Funniest thing I've ever seen them pull out of a bag at a TSA checkpoint was a lead boat anchor in Portland once.

Why on Earth would you have that in a carry on????

Just a split second sooner, actually.

That comment made me wonder.
I guess it's how you interpret it, right?
I was at the front of the plane so geographically I was there sooner.
Plus I was off the plane, well before almost everyone else,
so I was in Winnipeg well before people at the back of the bus.

But the people sitting over the wheels would technically arrive first?
Being in closest proximity to that part of the plane that touches the ground first.
Or would the people at the rear of the plane be first since they were closest to the ground first?
And wouldn't that mean that the last people to arrive were the pilots?

Welcome home!!!!

Yeah. Great. Yahoo. Awesome.

Really? Your standards are way too low.

Funny you of all people should say that.

When I wrote that line, I was going to make some quip about
"Not including Andy and..."

And then I stopped.
I didn't want to offend anyone by leaving them out of the insult!

Or offending someone because I included them!

("What do you mean I disappoint you???" or "Why didn't you include me! Don't I disappoint you??")

Oy.

Wooohoooo!!!!!

You all suck! In your face!

Oh, wait a minute.

I should win with dignity.

Nah. You're doing a fine job of gloating.