WOOHOO Complete 4/08 Trip Report NOW UPDATING WITH NEW SPRING 2011 PRE TRIP PLANNING

[LeslieR]

oh yeah, keep it coming! Details and more details, I want to hear every minute. I love the descriptive way you write...I'll be watching for more!

 

[t-and-a]

Hi Wendy! Welcome home! I can't wait to read about your experiences at the parks! I hope they were better than what you encountered on the way!

Yes, I have pics. . . 584 of them!! I've loaded them to my computer, but need to upload to photobucket. The problem is, the last few pics I've posted aren't sized correctly and I don't know how to fix it. So, someone help me out and I'll post pics. . . I've got food pics and all kinds of stuff! No worries, I won't post all of them

It's easy to re-size photos on photobucket. There is an option to resize your photo and you can even just click "message board size" and it does it all for you. You will have to choose whether you want to overwrite your original or rename it.

 

[macraven]

hope to read more of your trippie very soon!

 

[marciemi]

Hi Wendy - stopping in to catch up and enjoying it so far!

Alison - I've had the same problem on photobucket lately too. Before I always used all those size options without problem. Now I've found that pretty much no matter what I choose, they'll appear huge on a thread. Then sometime later when I go back to the thread, somehow they'll be tiny. I'm choosing the same option I normally used or even one smaller. I think somehow it's the computer's memory and although it looks right to others, on my computer I see the original until I restart the computer if that makes sense.

Wendy - go ahead and post the pics - if they're too small or too big, we'll at least enjoy seeing them!

 

[RVGal]

Photobucket recently changed/upgraded their site, including the "edit" options. Once you've uploaded your pic to Photobucket, there will be 5 words on top of the picture. Choose the one in the middle that says "edit". Once the edit page load, click on the "Fullscreen" button above your picture. Next, click the "Resize" button. Use the pulldown menu that says "Preset Sizes" and choose "Message Board".

Once you've done all that, you'll need to click "Save". An option will pop up to "overwrite the existing file" or to "save a copy". Here is the problem I have been having since the new and improved Photobucket started. If you overwrite your exisitng file, it will NOT change the size. You HAVE to save a copy and then use the new link to get the new size picture.

I have fought with it and fought with it, but that is the only way I can get the new resizing program to work.

 

[marciemi]

Okay, Tricia - I'm hijacking this thread to try this out (hopefully it will help you too Wendy so it won't be a total hijack!). I just grabbed a pic from the soccer tournament (so I know it hasn't been resized before) and followed your steps. It seems like a lot more work than just hitting the "resize" button like I always used to do!

My attempt:

 

[marciemi]

Well, I guess it worked! Maybe you can do the same too Wendy!

While I have a minute, I wanted to share a story with you regarding your IHOP experience! Our "best" experience ever came from an IHOP as well - probably 10 years ago now back when the boys were little. We went to one near our home in Michigan, along with Grandma, and all ordered.

Well, time passes. And more time passes. And I have 3 hungry hyperactive preschool boys who aren't doing so well at sitting anymore. Finally I get up and go find a manager. Who asks where we're sitting. And then tells us basically, sorry, but your server quit! After taking our order. And taking her pad with her and of course never placing the order!

Wow - I hadn't thought we were being that difficult. Of course we had to start all over again and they were short-staffed (obviously!) and it took forever. But now whenever we're at a restaurant and it's taking a long time, we're always like "Uh, oh, our server must have quit again!"

 

[RVGal]

It seems like a lot more work than just hitting the "resize" button like I always used to do!

It IS a lot more work than it used to be! Then, the "overwrite" option doesn't even work! Thanks for the upgrade Photobucket.

 

[phamton]

I'm excited to read the rest of your report with or without pictures.

 

[keishashadow]

wow, don't think i've ever read a description of such a bad breakfast...and at a place that probably has made a zillion of them. i've never eaten @ an IHOP, not sure i ever will now

hope u it didn't foreshadow the tone for the rest of the trip

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Wendy, this is a great trippie. I can't wait for more. Oh yeah, ignore phamton. We want pics.

 

[bubba's mom]

Sorry to hear your vacay started out on the wrong foot....from the dog, to the van, to breakfast ....but, a bad day on vacay is better than a good day at home

btw... I resize my pix on my computer BEFORE i upload them to photobucket...nobody else does this??

 

[marciemi]

btw... I resize my pix on my computer BEFORE i upload them to photobucket...nobody else does this??

I don't because I might want the originals for some reason some day at the full size (ie clearer picture).

 

[pixeegrl]

I don't because I might want the originals for some reason some day at the full size (ie clearer picture).

You can resize them and save a copy of the ones you want to use. Then you still have your originals.

 

[bubba's mom]

I resize them and still have the originals....

Apparently, according to DH, it's a program Windows uses... don't know what it is, but I do know he installed it on my laptop for me

 

[wwessing]

So I'm uploading some pics to photobucket right now and we will see what happens.

On with the story. . . . .

After our wonderful experience at IHOP. . . btw, we have eaten at IHOPs across the nation and never before had an experience quite like that. We have had not so great service a time or two, but nothing to prevent us from going back. We will continue to go to IHOP from time to time, just never to THAT one again. I am going to write to the owner as well. . . .anyway. . . .

Back in the van and program gps with the address for Nickelodeon Family Suites. You all know that Nick does not have a great reputation. I've read some horrible reports along with some that are great. So I am a bit nervous about what we will encounter, but it's for the kids and we will deal with whatever comes our way. I have spoken with their staff and management several times over the months previous to the trip due to our special needs and just a couple days before called and confirmed that all was set and taken care of.

So we don't have too long of a drive now and everyone is awake and refreshed after breakfast and ready to go. Dh and I have decided to go to Nick hotel first, see what's going on, then venture out as we are fairly certain the room won't be ready quite so early and we have planned to visit that ginormous McDonald's Bistro and I've decided I hate my new socks so I need to find a Gold Toe store and get some REAL socks. I bought some silver toe socks, but they ain't the gold baby! Dd15 just inherited a whole slew of new socks, which she will love since they barely cover the ankle. So, an uneventful drive to Orlando ensues, through the tolls with no problem since I planned ahead and we had correct change on hand and it isn't long before we roll up on Nick hotel. I unfortunately did not get any pics because I was way too busy gawking, so sorry for that, but believe me when I tell you that if you have kids you will understand when I tell you this place is WAY COOL! The building is just so. . . well, so Nickelodeon and the grounds are very nice. Landscaping is well maintained and pretty. They are very security minded and you can not pull into the parking lot, even to check in, without first stopping at the security gate. . . .unless you have the magic slime green placard that it. So, stop and check in with security and drive right into a parking spot near the front door. Inside we go and are very happy to see that since it is well before noon, there's not very many people. Get in line and wait my turn. I'll digress and say that there was some irate lady hanging out at the end of the registration area and while I did not hear what her issues were, she was not happy. I'll must also say that they were not moving very quickly and I would hate to be in line during a busy time. Perhaps they have more help then, or move quicker, but there was only like one family ahead of us. It seemed to take a long time. While we are waiting, Squidward shows up and we get some pics.

So I guess this will do for now. It doesn't appear to be very clear here though. I'll try to work with it later.

Finally, it's our turn and check in goes just fine. Our room is not ready, but that's ok, we've got some errands to run. Nice check in guy explains how things work and gives us our wrist bands, which you must wear during your entire stay or risk being stopped by security, and says the nice lady over at that desk has a treat for the kids. So, we step over, kids get their treat which is a packaged tray of Spongebob show gummy things. Kids are excited over that, but now we have to listen to 5 minutes of nice lady trying to get us to sign up for a timeshare presentation for the next day. Sorry, nice lady, but we don't want to, thank you very much. So, check in taken care of, back to the van we go. We have decided we will give luggage dude our bags when we return, rather than have them in the holding area while we run errands. We picked up a few brochures in the lobby and have a couple of malls to choose from. We call and find one with a Gold Toe store, program gps and off we go. Drive right to the mall, find our store and in we go. Yeah, they have my socks and not only that, they have this way cool sale on dh's socks too. He gets more than me, but hey, he doesn't get to wear cute little sandals that definitely don't require gold toe's so he wears socks more than me. Dd15 decides she needs a bathroom and an inquiry to the gold toe worker lady about where is the closest potty yields us the offer of using the bathroom right in the back room. How nice!! Thanks so much!! 2 minutes later dd15 comes out with this panicked look and says, really loud, "I have to go back to the van, so give me the keys because I JUST STARTED". Welllll, alrighty then! I said, can you hang on for 2 minutes because we are finished and just checking out and I will take you to the van then back to a restroom and she says "NO - I NEED SOMETHING NOW". Very, extremely nice gold toe lady says I have something I'll be glad to give you. . .I've been in your situation before. So problem taken care of and both dd15 and I are upset because it's the first day of vacation and we have LOTS of pool time coming up! Well, good thing we have already talked about this and practiced using something that will allow her to swim. For those of you who don't know, dd15 has special needs and surprised are NOT a good thing. We must plan and prepare and know exactly what to expect, so this happening was not good. I completely was prepared for a meltdown, but was so happy when she handled it well, took care of herself, said a very nice thank you to gold toe lady, who btw, gave us an additional discount off our already way discounted items. We got the best bargain of our whole vacation right then and there. . . actually the best bargain we've ever gotten on gold toe socks. Glad we decided to buy quite a few and stock up so when she offered the additional discount I was not compelled to go, oh, wait, let me be greedy and get some more. We had plenty and were very thankful and appreciative. Back to the van, where I was again expecting some problems, but dd was so totally not worked up I couldn't believe it. She was like good thing we've been practicing, huh? So I told her how mature she was behaving and how proud we were than she handled that situation so well and, darn it, you're going to have fun and nothing is going to get in the way!! K, so back to the van and program gps with Mickey D's address. It's lunch time by now and kids are hungry. Off we go and drive right to the door. Out of the van and in we go. . .HOLY MOLY. . this place is PACKED and REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LOUD!!!! As I discover after a while, there is some kind of youth group outing going on and tons and tons and tons of basically unsupervised youngsters getting food and playing and generally causing chaos. So the lines are way long, but we are here to stay so pick a line and get in it. I had a couple coupons so that dd9 & 11 got their meals free. I had a second coupon we didn't need, so I tap this guy in line next to us to offer the coupon, and he jumps and spins around and has this look of terror on his face. . . oops, sorry I startled you dude, just wanted to offer this coupon. Oh, ok, thanks nice lady. Uh, dude, you got the mafia after you or something? So after just a few minutes, it's our turn to order. You place your order at a register 20 feet or so before the actual counter, then you que up in the next line to actually get your food and pay. We got the kids meals, but dh and I had ordered a salad and sandwich plate from the bistro menu and had to wait for that. Off to find a table with the kids food in hand and go to the drink bar to fill up cups. Easily find a couple tables next to each other, so girls at one, us at the other and spread out their food while they get their drinks. They are completely fascinated with this place and can't seem to get their food in the mouths because their heads keep turning. DH goes to the bistro counter and picks up our food and we share it. I actually got a picture of the sandwich plate because it's not like any Mcdonald's I'ver ever had before.

So, kids finish eating and off they go to explore and play games. Dh finishes up and wanders off to explore and I'm left sitting by myself, which is ok, and I enjoy finishing my meal and people watching. This is when I discover the youth group chaperones trying to round up all their charges and get them on their buses. Oh, ok, so it's not usually this chaotic and LOUD. Now that 60% of the kids are gone, the noise level has been reduced by about 80% and it is actually not bad at all. I watch a young couple do that dancing game thing and chuckle to myself as the younger brother of one of young parents is trying to keep sippie cup and pacifier in the stroller of they baby who wants to throw it out. I heard no less than 4 different languages and felt humbled when a young family of 4 said a prayer before their meal. Dug quarters and one dollar bills out of baggallini for kids. . .and dh. . .and watched and they each won a very nice bouncy balls out of some crane machine. Finally dh determines that we have spent enough money on games (uuuhhh, I didn't spend a dime on games and so watch your we's mister) and so we should go back to Nick to check on our room status. Here's some random pics during the lunch break.

So these pics look horrible. They are actually very clear and crisp but are not transferring that way. We were so happy with our new camera and the beautiful pics is took. I'm very disappointed in the quality showing up here. Dang!
Next up. . . Back to Nickelodeon Family Suites.

 

[wwessing]

Sorry to hear your vacay started out on the wrong foot....from the dog, to the van, to breakfast ....but, a bad day on vacay is better than a good day at home

You know, none of it bothered me. It was so way cool. Things just seem to be like happening to someone else and I thought it was funny. Later in the vacation my kids got seriously on my nerves a couple times, but for the most part, I think I vacationed with someone else's patience!

Plus, I'm giving you the good, bad and ugly. I could leave out details like eeewww, that van is nasty, but I wanna share it all!

 

[wwessing]

wow, don't think i've ever read a description of such a bad breakfast...and at a place that probably has made a zillion of them. i've never eaten @ an IHOP, not sure i ever will now

hope u it didn't foreshadow the tone for the rest of the trip

It was the worst and we had some excellent meals as you will soon find out!!

 

[LeslieR]

That gold toe lady was awesome! What a great start (or mid-morning) to the day...

Can't wait for more!

 

[tlinus]

I like the small details

waiting for more