"Can I Play on Your iPhone?" A WDW Trip in a Digital Age (May 28 - June 7) About This Page:

[Jillybean]

Yay!!! I'm so happy that you started again! I noticed that you stopped right where you guys were leaving us for the night - - I bet that's why you stopped because you were too sad to write about it.

A few comments:

1) I can still hear Thom whining about the walk to DTD
2) I can still see Zack standing in the Lego store with two Build-a-Dino boxes in his hands. If looks could kill . . .
3) I also had no idea that there were that many blonde people walking around AK

It's good to know what you two did without us - - watch Law and Order!

Jill

[Grammy Grumpy]

So glad to see you here Karen (love following you on FB!). I agree that family means everything. I have so enjoyed watching Zach, MD, Maddie, Caulder, Stefanie, Alexa, Colin, Emily, and so many other grow up because there was a parent or two who were PPers and found this place a safe place to share their family adventures. So sorry about your Dad. I've been missing mine lately very much. When he first retired (many years ago) he began to trace his family's history. When he passed I became (according to my older brothers) the recipient of all family treasures, non-monetary. However it's taken me several years to pull out his work and add to it from things I have found on ancestry.com. It's brought me closer to him and my mother through their shared history.

Didn't mean to hijack your TR, just so glad to see you here to finish this TR.

[PrincessSharon]

I'm so glad you decided to finish this! Now I can remember every single detail of your vacation the way you do mine. For the next 5 minutes. Love that you dropped off your chocolate at the Koenigs' door! And I've done the walk SSR to DTD, so I can hear the whining, even though I wasn't there to witness it! And as someone who's watched Hillybilly Handfishing while on vacation, I am impressed with your L&O viewings.

[lindawdw]

So sorry to hear about your Dad's passing Karen. It must have been a rough time for you and your family but it was nice that you were able to spend time with your sisters in Hawaii when you could actually take a breather. The PP Boards are a very special place and I think we all feel a close connection to certain families that allow us into their lives through their wonderful trip reports. Thank you for sharing your family and vacation experiences with us. They are always so entertaining. Loved your update! It's so sweet how Zack enjoys entertaining MD and Maddie so much Can't wait to hear what you thought of Harry Potter World!

[Eeyoresmom]

I was like totally visualizing Josh in the orange camero . . . except my version was me in bleached, permed and shellacked high hair and the Trapper Keeper said Josh + Tanya 4ever! Sounds like a fun time and a great memory to be documented.

[zacksmom_1993]

Originally Posted by chezp

Great to see you writing again Karen.

Thanks Cheryl! I seriously am in awe of writers like you. Even with the report handwritten now, it still takes me forever to type it up and get photos posted. How do you do it?

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Hopefully, I'll be safely ensconced in my new Orlando apartment by the time your next trip rolls around.

I've been cyber-stalking you the past few days to see if there is any news. I'd love to have you as a local to visit every time we're down there!

Originally Posted by Coop

So sorry about your dad. Glad you're back - I really like your writing style. You had me cracking up at "Love in an Elevator" and Trapper Keeper! Did you have leg warmers on too?

No leg warmers. Too hot in Orlando. Although, I could have totally been sporting the off the shoulder t-shirt with tank top underneath.

Originally Posted by sc507

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. Hugs to you and your family.

Originally Posted by taylan1

Yippee! A Karen update! Glad you are back to finish this TR! Sorry the you have had such a rough several months, big hugs. My condolences on the loss of your father.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

I'm so sorry about your Dad! Prayers and hugs for you and Zack!

Originally Posted by nursemom

I'm very sorry about your dad. You have been through a lot. Thanks for your great update. Love your thoughts on your Camaro "date" with Josh. So funny!

Originally Posted by JoanneS

I'm sorry about your Dad, but thrilled to see an update!

Originally Posted by JKnott17

I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad, and I'm glad that you decided to finish up this TR. You crack me up! "Josh and Karen 4 ever!"

Originally Posted by njlaura

Mixed emotions here. I'm so sorry to hear about your father but very happy to see an update. I LOVE your writing and always enjoy a good CLQ story.

Originally Posted by disney_duke

I'm sorry to hear about your dad, but glad that you've been inspired to continue this TR! Your musings always crack me up, this update included!

Thank you all. I'd like to think that my parents are watching and continuing to get a kick out of me. Parenting me as a teenager, you either laughed or you cried (and usually both simultaneously!)

Originally Posted by Caldercup

Yeah, Ms. Cool and Casual -- we're not letting you off the hook for just getting this in under the soon-to-expire statute of limitations on unfinished TRs.

Uh oh. What is this statute of limitations of which you speak? Hopefully not based on how many Disney trips you've taken before your last report was finished because I think I might be approaching six.

Originally Posted by mcc0313

I have to say seeing this random update put a smile on my face, which was pretty hard to do as it is gray outside, pouring cats and dogs and the subway stalled at least 5 times on my trip in....but a Karen update, suddenly in my own little world the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the train went express from my house to Times Square....ok I don't even think that would happen even in my dreams but you get the picture. Loved seeing the update...

Don't feed the beast (my ego), Meg!

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

So sorry about your dad. I lost my dad to cancer 4 years ago now, and it is still hard.

Over the past six months I've about had it with cancer. In fact, as I told Eileen recently, cancer can f- off. (I may not have abbreviated in the text to her, and I think it's a bad sign that my iPhone is no longer auto-correcting my expletives.)

Originally Posted by Dlandmom2

I'm so glad to see an update here, though! Your flashback to the 80's had me chuckling quite a bit, I remember it all...except my dream crush drove a 65 Mustang!

Was your dream crush Brandon Walsh... totally not judging, but I was a Dylan girl.

Originally Posted by lauriep

We can add your return to this TR to the continuing ripple of influence Stefanie has on this world.

Well now I have to finish. Stefanie's influence will be in my life forever.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Welcome back Karen!
So sorry about your dad.
From FB it sounds like you & your sisters had a fabulous time in Hawaii.
Can't wait to hear what's next as this update was fabulous!

Originally Posted by Courtney892

I sympathize with you greatly over your loss this year. My husband has lost both grandfathers over the last 3 months and actually it was the latest loss that cancelled our SWW trip. I am glad that Zack had such a wonderful trip filled with so many great friends !

Originally Posted by Huntermom

Just found this update. I am so sorry to hear about your dad.

Originally Posted by clio

Sorry to hear about your dad. I'm glad to see that you're back , though.
Liz

Originally Posted by mousestruck

Oh, Karen, I'm so, so sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad and the difficult few months you've had. On the other hand, I'm so happy to see that you've decided to finish this TR! You will have the memories documented, so you can treasure them all the more, and we get to share in your adventures!

Originally Posted by KMB733

It's good to see you updating again! I'm sorry about the loss of your dad

Thanks to you all!

Originally Posted by Jillybean

It's good to know what you two did without us - - watch Law and Order!

We're rudderless without the Koenigs!

Originally Posted by Grammy Grumpy

So glad to see you here Karen (love following you on FB!). I agree that family means everything. I have so enjoyed watching Zach, MD, Maddie, Caulder, Stefanie, Alexa, Colin, Emily, and so many other grow up because there was a parent or two who were PPers and found this place a safe place to share their family adventures. So sorry about your Dad. I've been missing mine lately very much. When he first retired (many years ago) he began to trace his family's history. When he passed I became (according to my older brothers) the recipient of all family treasures, non-monetary. However it's taken me several years to pull out his work and add to it from things I have found on ancestry.com. It's brought me closer to him and my mother through their shared history.

Didn't mean to hijack your TR, just so glad to see you here to finish this TR.

Hijack away! You said exactly what I'm feeling about writing this trip report. My Dad actually had taken the time a few years ago to write up his own personal history. We used some of his own words in the program we created for his service. I also found all the letters that my Mom and Dad sent to each other while they were dating in a box in his closet. Those two things are more precious to me than anything!

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

I'm so glad you decided to finish this! Now I can remember every single detail of your vacation the way you do mine. For the next 5 minutes. Love that you dropped off your chocolate at the Koenigs' door! And I've done the walk SSR to DTD, so I can hear the whining, even though I wasn't there to witness it! And as someone who's watched Hillybilly Handfishing while on vacation, I am impressed with your L&O viewings.

Hillbilly Handfishing! Gotta catch that one. I sense an opportunity to feel superior.

Originally Posted by lindawdw

So sorry to hear about your Dad's passing Karen. It must have been a rough time for you and your family but it was nice that you were able to spend time with your sisters in Hawaii when you could actually take a breather. The PP Boards are a very special place and I think we all feel a close connection to certain families that allow us into their lives through their wonderful trip reports. Thank you for sharing your family and vacation experiences with us. They are always so entertaining. Loved your update! It's so sweet how Zack enjoys entertaining MD and Maddie so much Can't wait to hear what you thought of Harry Potter World!

Thanks so much Linda. I am in love with so many families on here, it's not even funny. Now that you put it that way, why aren't I using you all for dating connections? You know, since things didn't work out with Josh.

Originally Posted by Eeyoresmom

I was like totally visualizing Josh in the orange camero . . . except my version was me in bleached, permed and shellacked high hair and the Trapper Keeper said Josh + Tanya 4ever! Sounds like a fun time and a great memory to be documented.

The eighties, photographically speaking, not my friend.

[zacksmom_1993]

Wednesday, June 1 – Part One

I’m usually an earlier riser anyway on vacation (too much to do to waste time sleeping!) but I was up particularly early this day, so excited to check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I got myself dressed and caffeinated and then packed things up as Zack did the decaf version of the same. Don’t worry; he made up for it later!

We stored our bags with bell services and then made our way to the walkway to Islands of Adventure out of Tower 1 that I had scoped out the night before. I also may have spent an embarrassing amount of time on Google Earth figuring out the fastest path to Harry Potter, including the elusive shortcut through the parking lot of RPR. But, we don’t need to mention that… especially to my boss.

The walk is lovely and short, but this little bend here
is a complete 180 degree turn. Go ahead, look it up on Google Earth (especially if you’re at work, it’ll make me feel better. ) I’ll wait. Lovely; but by the third time walking it, Zack and I thought a bridge would be even lovelier. We got to the gates in short order though, and were able to use our nearly decade old tickets with no problem. We just had to “tag” them with the biometric scanner and were delayed a bit when an older TM (I think Team Member) wanted to show them to a newer employee. When your tickets are used for a teachable moment, you know them are some old tickets.

We were held up for just a moment, but them by showing our room keys, we were in the gates right at 8AM. By 8:02, we were here.


I spent the next few minutes following the crowd and snapping away.


That one kid looking back cracks me up. You know he’s left his lame parents and his lame little sister in the dust. And, he’s torn between waiting for them or just pretending he thought they were right behind him and heading straight for the rides. Hee!


My first view of Hogwarts was overwhelming. It is absolutely spectacular.

Zack and I had watched the show from Ollivander’s Wand Shop on Youtube before the trip. We’d decided it wasn’t a priority for us at all and that the Forbidden Journey ride would be our first stop. We’d also gotten creative with our clothing choices to maximize pocket space, allowing us to go bagless. What little line we encountered

was actually just at the junction for the lockers, right at the entrance to the castle.


Once past there, we were zooming through the line. Through the herbology greenhouse.


Past the House Cup beads.


Beyond the Gryffindor common room.


Past the portrait of the fat lady.


And onto the ride. I didn’t even have time to take a picture of Dumbledore’s office or “see” Harry, Ron, and Hermione. From the time we approached the castle until we were walking past the sorting hat and onto the ride, nine minutes had passed.

The ride itself moves quickly on the loading platform, so you don’t have time to dilly dally. Zack and I both really liked Forbidden Journey. The motion of the “coaster” added to the special effects is incredible. It takes the immersive experience to a whole other level. My only very slight criticism would be that sometimes the transitions between scenes (particularly when you were flying from “outside” to “inside”) kind of messed with me. I wanted to ride again, but I know I couldn’t ride right away.

We’d done well. We’d ridden the major attraction, looked briefly through Filch’s Emporium, and walked back to Hogsmeade in less than 25 minutes.

Doesn’t Zack look impressed?

The other thing I wanted to accomplish before the park opened up to the general public was to spend some quality time in the shops of Hogsmeade. The stores are all fabulously themed with incredible merchandise. But, JK Rowling wanted them to be completely authentic, read tiny and cluttered. Before 9, however, they’re much more reasonably negotiated.

First on tap was getting two postcards sent by owl post to my two favorite Harry Potter loving Muggles, Eileen and my sister Kirsten.


I quickly addressed them in the owlery while Zack looked around for a wand. He also tried to avoid the growling and snapping of this little fellow.


We moved on to Zonko’s after passing the steaming Hogwarts Express.


Zonko’s and Honeyduke’s WERE Harry Potter brought to life. I wanted to touch and taste it all.


We settled on a chocolate frog ($9.95) a box of Bertie Bott’s ($10.95) and a bottle of pumpkin juice for Zack for breakfast ($5.99). My wallet’s still grumbling. We wandered around just a bit, looking in shop windows and poking about. If you like Harry Potter, even just a little, you really have to go see it.


A bonus hidden Zack in that last one.

Even the ATM’s were themed!


We found a quiet picnic area behind the Three Broomsticks, overlooking Hogwarts. Zack sampled the Pumpkin Juice, but wasn’t really a fan.


Considering that sucker had cost me six bucks, I wasn’t about to let it go to waste. I thought it was OK, kind of like spiced cider. $6 spiced cider.

Zack was ready to pull the trigger on the wand he’d been looking at. After we’d purchased it, they were nice enough to put the candy and the empty pumpkin juice bottle (I wanted to keep it as a souvenir) in the bag with the wand and send it to the front of the park for pick-up at the end of the day. We moved on to the ride formerly known as Dueling Dragons next, both ready to get our thrill ride on. Even if you’re not a roller coaster aficionado, the line for this ride is worth seeing.

Though, we skipped what little line there was by using our room keys to get in the Express Pass line.

Even though the pumpkin juice had been a swing and a miss (a $6 swing and miss ), Zack was game to try some butterbeer. I’d heard it was much easier to get inside the Hog’s Head Bar instead of at the cart. A shorter line and atmosphere. Score!


The butterbeer was a hit with Zack, so much so that I only got a taste or two. Good stuff.


I’m getting the evil eye here for jonesing for another sip!

There was only one thing left on my to do list for the Wizarding World: a trip to the restroom. No, silly rabbits, not to go, but to listen for Moaning Myrtle. I found her (heard her?) fairly easily. But I do have to say, if one did have to tinkle, Myrtle’s prattling about would make it tricky!

We were exiting Hogsmeade right around 10AM, just two hours after we’d entered the park, completely satisfied with our trip to the Wizarding World. Leading me to… Karen’s Tip of the Day #10. Actually, you’re going to get my top three tips for enjoying the Wizarding World. You’re welcome. (1) If at all possible, try to get early entry access. Yes, the onsite hotels aren’t cheap, but you get two days of early access for each night. Plus, there are vacation package options at neighboring hotels that are inexpensive. I know it’s tempting to just take a day out of a WDW trip, but tacking on a couple of days at the beginning or end (or in the middle of a split stay like we did) makes the most sense to me. That extra hour probably saves you at least three hours. Seriously. (2) Prioritize Forbidden Journey, the show at Olivander’s, and shopping (again, seriously.) You can probably accomplish two of the three easily in the first hour so figure out what’s most important to you. (3) Try to channel your inner Princess Sharon and go bagless as much as possible. It makes many of the rides so much easier.

As soon as we turned the corner out of Hogsmeade, we were immediately back in standard amusement park.


The theming at Harry Potter is spectacular, but the transitions at Islands of Adventure between lands are jarring. We moved on to Hulk, only to realize that Zack didn’t have his room key to get into the Express Pass line. Zack was hugely apologetic, but I told him it actually worked out better since I’d forgotten to check out via the TV like I had planned to that morning. The Universal hotels didn’t have an Express Checkout option, but I figured they’d just charge the room service from the night before and the parking to the credit card on file. Now, I could make sure everything was kosher. Plus the trip gave me a chance to photograph more of the walkway and the hotel grounds.


Jill, note that my bathing suit shots are of random strangers who look smokin’ hot in their bikinis. Nine months later. Still outraged.

The lobby itself is really pretty, especially the fountains in the courtyard.


We took care of matters quickly and were soon headed to the boat dock, with time for even more pictures.


We had a bit of a wait for a boat and Zack took the opportunity to let me know that he was anxious to go to Universal Studios to see the Simpsons ride. The plan had been to finish up at Islands of Adventure and switch over to Universal Studios later in the afternoon. But, since I’m all about flexible touring plans, I said no problem. Honestly, it must be true because the next thing you know we were inside Universal Studios.

Zack was single minded in his desire to experience all things Simpsons. And, as luck would have it, the Simpsons’ RV was parked right at the entrance for a meet and greet. Zack wasn’t interested in waiting, but he did stop to snag a couple of pictures.


Notice the signature pose is missing. The Simpsons is serious business, yo!

I do like the theming of Universal Studios, especially the Hollywood section.


Look, it’s Lucy!


But, Holy Storm Clouds, Batman!


It started to rain and then it started to pour and then the bottom dropped out. We ducked into the nearest store to take cover, and, Zack’s lucky day, it happened to be the Kwik-E-Mart. Zack immediately set his sights on a nutritious snack.


Yup, that would be a Duff energy drink and a Lard Lad donut. Told you he didn’t need coffee earlier.

Looking at that Lard Lad Donut… how genius is that? I’d have so much more willpower if there was a little more truth in packaging. Heavy Heifer HoHos? I’d pass ‘em right by! Wide Whale Whoppers? No interest. I think I’ll just have to remember that trick before I’m tempted to indulge. Starting tomorrow. After I finish my Saggy Saddlebags Strawberry Shortcake. Sigh.

We waited out the deluge in a sugar coma. Let’s recap. So far we’d consumed coffee, Pumpkin Juice, a butterbeer, a Duff energy drink, and a Lard Lad Donut. I need help. I tried to get Zack to wear a poncho; partly to protect him from the still falling rain, mostly to eliminate one of the unsightly bulges in my cargo pants. We will not be recapping all of the bulges. Plastic ponchos were not part of the ensemble Zack had in mind so he passed for now, but we headed out when the rain had lightened up substantially anyway.

The Simpsons’ area is adorable, totally campy fun.


The ride itself was great, although Zack was sad that it had come at the expense of the Back to the Future ride. Zack enjoyed it so much that he wanted to go on it again immediately. Since the touring plan was out the window, I readily agreed. I will admit that the combination of the rain and access to the Express Pass line was making a touring plan unnecessary. I’ll admit it to YOU, but don’t go spreading it around. I have a reputation to uphold!

Zack wasn’t really interested in Men and Black, but I kind of pushed him onto it. Good thing, too, since I think he brought up the average in our vehicle by about 100,000 points. The rest of us were lame. Zack wasn’t really interested in Disaster, but I kind of pushed him onto it and we both enjoyed it. Zack wasn’t really interested in The Mummy, but I kind of pushed him onto it. Are you sensing a theme here? Actually, neither of us was terribly impressed with The Mummy. I don’t know if Forbidden Journey was making other things pale in comparison, but it just seemed OK. It was short too; good thing we only waited about 2.5 minutes with the Express Pass.

I don’t know what it is about Universal Studios. The park is nice enough.


It just doesn’t really do anything for me. And it was doing nothing for Zack. He’d be perfectly happy to ride The Simpsons a few times and leave. I guess he’s just a Disney loyalist! Zack had no interest in riding the Rip Ride Rocket roller coaster and since it was starting to rain again, I didn’t push the point. The only thing that really excited him was finding props from one of his favorite movies.


It was really starting to come down again, so much so that I couldn’t even interest Zack in another ride on The Simpsons. Instead, we picked our way to the front of the park via stores and then dashed across to Islands of Adventure. Poncho-less Zack moved faster. We figured we’d end our day with adventures with super heroes!

Up Next… i-Phones are making us stupid, yo.

[Colexis Mom]

Great pics from WWoHP and US! Glad you were able to get so much done with the early entry and express pass! Love the pictures!

[Eeyoresmom]

Originally Posted by zacksmom_1993

Jill, note that my bathing suit shots are of random strangers who look smokin’ hot in their bikinis. Nine months later. Still outraged.

You captioned this one incorrectly . . . it should be "I opted to take a quick dip in the pool in my bikini and Zack snapped a photo while I was talking to another random swimming"

[Dlandmom2]

Originally Posted by zacksmom_1993

Was your dream crush Brandon Walsh... totally not judging, but I was a Dylan girl.

Actually, it wasn't Brandon or Dylan. There was a senior at my HS when I was a freshman...he was so cool, and he drove a beauty of a Mustang that I'm sure he fixed up himself. Ah, memories.

Great day at IoA and US. I'm surprised you had to nudge Zack into those rides...he seems like a ride aficionado to me. I'm so looking forward to trying WWoHP someday, hopefully sooner rather than later!

[disney_duke]

I'm so bummed I missed out on seeing the flying car! I forgot that was in the Dueling Dragons queue and we didn't go on that ride. Darn it! Oh well. We (my DD10 and I) both loved the butterbeer too. Mmmmm yum! Glad you managed to squeeze in some normal Universal stuff in between rain showers. Even if it was... just... normal.

[lauriep]

Very impressed at the success of your touring strategy, including the google earth research!

[cubfancolleen]

WWoHP looks so great! Just not sure when I'd be allowed to leave the bubble!

[Grammy Grumpy]

Great update. I'm still not very interested in anything there but WWoHP and will probably try Sea World and even Gatorland before going to Universal. Sorry Universal lovers!

[njlaura]

Looking at that Lard Lad Donut… how genius is that? I’d have so much more willpower if there was a little more truth in packaging. Heavy Heifer HoHos? I’d pass ‘em right by! Wide Whale Whoppers? No interest. I think I’ll just have to remember that trick before I’m tempted to indulge. Starting tomorrow. After I finish my Saggy Saddlebags Strawberry Shortcake. Sigh.

Too funny! If only...