Separating P-Sha From Her Money About This Page:

[lindawdw]

Sounds like a fun day was had at AK! Sorry that it was so hot that the baby gorilla wasn't around though. I'm hoping to see it on the next trip in September. I agree with you about the bus system when staying at the B&Y Club! Each resort should have their own bus service. There's way too many stops for all those resorts. It takes forever to get to the Park and back!!!

[TheMadonna3]

Oh yeah, I agree about the buses too. I don't remember where we were going, but we were coming back from DHS and we took the boat to BC to grab the bus. I think we were going to DTD. Well, we stopped at YC, BW, S&D, before we left for DTD!! I was on the bus for 20 mins before I even went anywhere.

I thought it was just because of the late hour that all the stops were combined on one bus, but I guess that's the norm instead of the exception.

[PrincessSharon]

Sorry I've been neglecting my TR! My life has been pretty lately. I hope I can find time to finish this TR soon. Since it was such a short trip, I just have to finish Day 2 and write day 3 and I'm done! I hope to have the next update done by tomorrow, and hopefully the whole TR done by the weekend! Thanks for being so patient!

Originally Posted by MontiMouse

P-Sha I am really jealous that you have already gone back to Disney (even if it was only for a few days)!! Looks like lots of fun and I agree with you on the buses to BCV from the parks - all those stops really push my buttons!!



And I am certainly glad Sharon didn't see us when we were making our move from BLT to the Poly via the monorail! Needless to say we had a whole monorail car to ourselves because people would see our luggage and keep on moving to the next car - after looking at us like we each had three heads! I had Charlie help us since Kim and Macy and I couldn't handle everything ourselves. Macy's only request for our upcoming trip is that we let Disney handle our luggage transfer between BCV and BLT because as she says "that was really embarassing"!

I wouldn't have said a word, Monica. Actually, hopping the monorail isn't so bad. If I only had one bag, I would consider doing that myself. Besides, that was only 2 stops. I probably would use the monorail! And just hope nobody like me was in there with their camera ready.

Originally Posted by dsteiny23

Catching up when I should be working...that seems to happen an awful lot to me
I love the light and angles on the safari pics. You can tell they are morning shots. Although not a morning person, I love the morning sun.
Thanks for asking about the water drawings. I just would have thought that the water would evaporate much quicker than it does.
Love the meerkat on sentry duty (she said duty). Have you seen Lion King 1 1/2? When Nathan Lane a.k.a. Timon breaks out into a broadway song and dance during sentry duty (she said duty again) (by they way can you tell I live with 4 boy). I think it's funnier than the first.

Yes, Dawn, I love Lion King 1 1/2!

duty

Originally Posted by bkwrm

My very first P-Sha trip report.....since I'm a newbie here......and I'm loving it and all the great photos. You're a lucky woman to be able to visit WDW as often as it seems you have. I am not worthy.....
Sharon

Welcome! And

Originally Posted by I live with a 'Stitch'!

That is a cute shirt! I will never miss the (tiny) Mickey ear'd yeti in the EE line again! And, I'll think of you every time.

Jill, that's one of my favorite Hidden Mickeys!

Originally Posted by krisk11

Just got caught up with your TR and it's fabulous. I hit my 365 day mark yesterday so I'm currently living vicariously thru other travelers right now and your trip report makes me want to head down for a weekend.

I am really surprised at how much I can get done on quick weekend trips. I almost wish I didn't, so I wouldn't be so tempted to head to WDW whenever I have a few days off!

Originally Posted by scdisneyfan

YAY! I found this TR
OKay so I love the shoutout to southerners....we do have some great sayings LOL weird ones mostly...I even get random looks here in SC for my sayings.
YAY shout out to me on the Color accent dontcha just love it??? That was such a great picture BTW!
TOT with summer nighttastic I have to see it! arghhh...I hope they decide to keep it for a little while.
Your room at the BC is great...I really like that.
Metallica ... I would love that personally but I hate that Aerosmith will be leaving do you know when those changes might happen??? that really stinks!
That is such a great PP meet its so nice to have little surprises like that...and the shirt from AK!
Devine is just amazing and a must see. Great shots of her
cant wait to hear more!

Crissy! I don't think they're keeping the Summer Nightastic effects at TOT, but I could be wrong about that. But you will most likely get to see the MSEP, so that's good!

Originally Posted by TheMadonna3

What about the night setting? Do you need a tripod for night pics? I seen your castle pic in your other TR and thought that was pretty impressive. My camera needs a tripod for it's night pics because it sends out a burst before it takes the pic and if it's not steady then it creates a big blur.

I am a photographer's worst nightmare! I use the auto setting almost exclusively. And I never use a tripod. I've gotten pretty good at holding the camera steady in my hands. I have tried using the night setting, and I find that it's harder to get pics that aren't blurry with it, so I just use auto.

Originally Posted by tkd lisa

Loving this! Your reports are always great! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the rest of the Summer Night Tastic Stuff!

And I LOVE the color added pictures of Prime Time! DD found that feature on her camera and it really adds a neat touch.

BTW, if your "end of August" trip spills over to Labor Day, let me know and we might finally meet.

Yes, it will! I'll be spending Labor Day weekend at the Poly!

Originally Posted by lissybri

Great updates P-Sha. Thanks for the Cape May Cafe pics and review. I really wanted to go there in July, but just couldn't fit it in. It is on my must do list for next year. The characters are just so cute in their swimwear (and you in your Goofy t-shirt of course are adorable).

That sidewalk art is so cool. Is it really just water? Amazing!

I just read about your surprise Pp'er meet in Jill's TR. That's so cool. Sounds like so much fun. I've never met another passporter and I'm a little jealous, lol.

Love all the pictures of the animals. Looks like you really took your time to enjoy AK. More please.

I really love meeting fellow PPers. I've met so many wonderful people through these boards. Maybe one day I'll get a chance to meet you and your adorable boys!

Originally Posted by Caldercup

He's in a little cabinet that has chicken wire insets -- I believe it's the last section that's before you are actually outside in the loading area. He'sin there with food supplies and other hiking essentials. While you're looking for him, notice the boxes of "Yet Tea"...

Heeee!

And no comments from the peanut gallery about how I couldn't let a question go unanswered. I'm comfy with my personality foibles, and you guys should be too at this point.

Originally Posted by lindawdw

Sounds like a fun day was had at AK! Sorry that it was so hot that the baby gorilla wasn't around though. I'm hoping to see it on the next trip in September. I agree with you about the bus system when staying at the B&Y Club! Each resort should have their own bus service. There's way too many stops for all those resorts. It takes forever to get to the Park and back!!!

They should at least break them up. Like one for the Swan/Dolphin, one for Yacht & Beach, and one for Boardwalk.

Originally Posted by TheMadonna3

Oh yeah, I agree about the buses too. I don't remember where we were going, but we were coming back from DHS and we took the boat to BC to grab the bus. I think we were going to DTD. Well, we stopped at YC, BW, S&D, before we left for DTD!! I was on the bus for 20 mins before I even went anywhere.

I thought it was just because of the late hour that all the stops were combined on one bus, but I guess that's the norm instead of the exception.

And the thing is, they don't need to have buses for Epcot or DHS, so they could easily split up the routes. It's crazy!! And a lot of times you don't get a seat on the bus either!

[Cam22]

Can't wait to read the finish!

[luvnwdwgal]

Looking forward to the rest of your trip report Sharon!

[OCEANGRLLG]

Cant wait until the update!!

[krisk11]

Can't wait for more updates

[OhToodles!]

So thanks for only having one update while I was gone.

How great that you got to meet Jill and her family and do some rides with them too! Awesome safari photos! And I'm thinking you did more in 3 days than I did in 5!

[PrincessSharon]

Day Two, Part Two
Narcoossee’s at last!

It’s a good thing I’d set a wakeup call, because I was still asleep when the phone rang! I got up and got ready for dinner. Just as I stepped outside the door of my room, I got a text from Heather to let me know they were waiting at the bus stop. I got to the stop the same time as the bus and we all climbed aboard.

It was a quick ride to the MK since we didn’t need to make any other stops. When we got to the MK, we considered getting the monorail, since both Heather and I were in search of a Contemporary resort magnet, but I figured if they hadn’t had any when I visited in June, they weren’t likely to have any now. We discussed the best way to get to the GF and decided on the boat, which arrived shortly after we got in the queue.

We’d left plenty of time to get from the BC to the GF, and since we had, of course we got there as quickly as possible.



We were so early the restaurant wasn’t even seating dinner guests yet. We still checked in early and then went outside to smoke. I didn’t smoke, I just got a few pictures.





Then we went inside to sit at the bar and wait for our table. I was surprised by the beachy, casual feel to this restaurant, in the Grand Floridian, and a signature restaurant to boot! I actually liked it a lot, though.

While at the bar, I got a magical star cocktail (very girly, according to bartender Heather ). It even came with a light up cube (which still had the sticker on it – extra fiber for everyone – whee!).



We were at the bar for quite a bit, but were finally seated at a window table with a lovely view. I guess I forgot I had my camera once I got my cocktail, since I have no more pics from dinner!

I told Heather that I was happy to order the way they usually do – order several appetizers and split them. This is great for me, as I am a grazer by nature. Also, it allowed me to taste things that I might have wanted to try but would never actually order myself in case I wouldn’t like it. Since this was my first visit to Narcoossee’s, I let Brandon and Heather do the ordering and we all shared the appetizers. I don’t have the menu, but I know we had ceviche, calamari, crab cakes, mussels, and duck rolls. Heather and Brandon got a bottle of wine. I had a taste of it and it was very nice.

Brandon decided the order of courses for the apps, and the server had a little bit of trouble getting the order straight, but once he got it, everything was fine after that. The appetizers are great for sharing, even with four of us, because they are huge!

I mentioned I didn’t take pictures, so obviously no food photos from me. I really enjoyed the ceviche. The calamari (by the way, this was the first time I’ve ever tried calamari) was delish. Brandon proclaimed it to be the best he’s ever had, so I know next time I have it, I won’t expect it to be that good. The crab cakes were good, but I like the ones at Flying Fish better. I’d never had mussels before, and after trying them, don’t think I’ll ever have them again. I don’t think Blake liked them much either.

By the time the duck rolls came out, I was too full, so I only had a little taste of the duck meat, which I thought was pretty good. A few days later I mentioned to my DM that I’d eaten duck for the first time and she was all “eww! Duck! ” It wasn’t that she doesn’t like duck, she just thinks it’s gross to eat a duck. I’m thinking, that’s about as close to chicken or turkey as you’re gonna get. But maybe that’s just me.

After we’d all eaten, Heather paid ( again, Heather) and we headed out. To the smokers’ porch. Again, I didn’t smoke. There was water shooting into the sky that we were trying to figure out what it was. At first I thought that it was the geyser at the WL, but it was on the other side of the Contemporary. I think maybe it was a burst pipe or something! It’s kind of hard to see from the photo, though.



We took the monorail to the MK. Brandon and Blake decided that they were too tired to spend the evening in the MK, so we said our goodbyes. Heather and I headed in. After a quick stop for a bathroom break for Heather, we walked to the hub where we were to meet Wendy (Wendyismyname). We found her easily and she introduced us to her DM Carol and DS Michael. It was great to see Wendy again and catch up with her. We spent the time waiting for the parade to start chatting.



I really like the Main Street Electrical Parade, so I was glad to get a chance to see it again (though I did see it at DCA a few years ago). These pictures were all taken on the “auto” setting. I started out using flash, but then switched to no flash. I stopped using flash because I didn’t like how the flash washed out the beautiful colors of the lights I do this every nighttime parade, but I never learn. So here’s my commercial. Buy this camera and you, too, can get results like this.


With flash


Without flash



















Towards the end of the parade, my camera battery started to die. I didn’t have a spare (I bought one right after I got home), so I crossed my fingers that I wouldn’t miss out on some awesome shot later because of a dead battery.

Once the parade ended, I needed a little space because I was starting to feel claustrophobic. I walked over to a clearing and before long, a few strangers were cramming in on my space. So I walked back over and joined the gang. The people who’d been sitting on the curb in front of us were complete pigs and left a huge mess – trash and ketchup spills and everything. That completely grossed me out and made me feel a little sick to be honest (I sort of hate the smell of ketchup if I have to smell it for any period of time). It couldn’t be cleaned because people were in the way waiting for the fireworks.

I tried not to think about the trash and just enjoy the view and the chance to chat with my PPer pals.



By the time the fireworks started, I was almost wishing they would get over so I could get some fresh air! But I was glad to get to see them, they were fantastic! I got a few pictures before deciding to just save my batteries and enjoy the show.





The fireworks were brilliant, and I’m so glad I got the chance to see them. But once they ended, I was like, get me outta here! I wanted some air, so the group walked down a bit with me so I could get away from the exiting crowds, but after a bit, I needed to sit down, so I walked over and grabbed a table by Casey’s and sat down for a bit. Nothing gets the ketchup smell out of your nose faster than a sauerkraut smell! I realize it’s kind of weird, but sometimes I have a smell get “stuck” in my nose and I keep smelling it for a while even after the actual smell is gone.

After about 5 minutes, I was all better and joined the rest of the group. The park had cleared out somewhat, so I was happy about that. I’d done everything that had been on my “must do” list, so I let Heather decide what we should do. But I think it was Wendy who suggested Pirates. Sounds good! It was a walk on. I’m glad I got to ride, I love it.


My last photo taken before my camera’s battery went totally dead

Michael sat between Heather and me and I guess warmed up to us enough to get chatty. Carol noted that I was pretty quiet too, unlike her daughter! I don’t think Wendy is a big chatterbox, but perhaps that’s because of the company I keep! Just kidding!

Next was another classic, the Haunted Mansion. I think I may have asked to ride this one. I can’t imagine visiting WDW and not riding the HM (or POTC for that matter)! Heather wasn’t really into BTMRR, so we decided to head to Tomorrowland to ride the People Mover. Wendy and her family were off to ride BTMRR, I think, so we said our goodbyes. I hope to squeeze in a trip next April so I can see Wendy again!

Heather and I were both running out of steam, so we agreed to just do the People Mover and then leave. We walked through Fantasyland to get to Tomorrowland to avoid the parade. By the time we made it over there, EMH had started, and the PM wasn’t running! We walked to Main Street and stopped in the bakery for a snack. Heather got a cookie ice cream sandwich and I got some grapes and chocolate milk (which is an odd combination when I think about it).

After our snack, we headed to the bus stop. There was a long line at our stop, but it got much shorter when the Boardwalk/Swan/Dolphin bus arrived at the next stop. A bunch of people from our line went over and got on that bus. Our bus arrived about 10 minutes after we’d gotten in line. We were happy to snag seats and Heather was amazed at my ability to nap on a noisy bus (I can sleep through pretty much anything ).

I was heading to Epcot in the morning, and Heather and the guys were planning on sleeping in. I was planning to have lunch at Beaches and Cream before my DME pickup, so I told Heather if they were still at the BCV around 4:00, to let me know.

I went to my room and decided I didn’t need a wakeup call to make it to Epcot by 9:00. I knew I’d also be up early enough to pack (the little stuff I had), so I turned in. It was around 1:00 when I turned off the lights.

Up Next: A sweet ending

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great meal at Narcoossees and a great time at MK! Love the ELP pics! Sorry it's all coming to an end!

[OhToodles!]

You got some great parade photos! I noticed that they put some on my PhotoPass card too - not sure how, but they're awesome.
I can't believe you're heading home already! But I guess I shouldn't be too sad since you're going back so soon.

[chezp]

What a wonderful evening - superb parade and firework photos!

[SharonK0527]

Awesome photos! I saw the MS Electrical Parade at DL about 6 years ago and loved it! Can't wait to see it again when we visit WDW in October. So glad you liked Narcoossee's - that is one of mine & DH's favorite restaurants

Can't wait for the next update!

[RodandMel]

Narcoosee's sounds delish! I love ordering appetizers and sharing them for a meal but DH likes a real meal. Fortunately on our last trip, one of my BFF's and her family were traveling with us. She and I shared appetizers and entrees (depending on the restaurant). Wish I could pack her in my suitcase for every trip we go on!

Great update (again) Sharon!

[Mickey Mama]

The pics of the electrical parade are awesome! Thanks for another great update! Can't wait for more.