Okieatheart

I really am enjoying seeing your parade float pictures.  I know how hard those were to shoot because I was there a couple of days later, and my pictures aren't nearly as good as yours.  I think I got more caught up in the oohing and aahing rather than actually taking pictures.  Good shot of the Seashell Lady!  Sometimes you have to flirt a little to get a good shot!

Funny you should write about the caprese push pops, as I was in the Festival Center at the Impressions Café and thought about getting one of those - but I decided against it. Now I wish I had given in to my instincts.

I am loving this trip report! And thanks for stopping by!

We also saw the parade from the second story of the Train Station.  We got there about 2 pm and stood directly behind a couple sitting closest to the railing.  I asked her what time they had arrived to secure such a coveted spot, and she said at 1 pm.  This was on Tuesday, the 9th.

The parade was spectacular from this vantage point, but I agree with other posters who said they missed much of the action on the ground.  But on any level, this is one of the coolest parades I have ever seen!

A bit of trivia - the parade arrives at the corner of the Confectionary at 3:23 pm - just in case you were wondering.

Absolutely beautiful!

Oh Ray, your pictures made me cry!  Your daughter is so beautiful, and those pictures are so sweet!  You are making unforgettable memories for her - and you.  I can't wait to read the rest of your report!  

We won't be there until March 3, but warm up that path for me, okay?

How cool!  Hope he did well!

Ah, Gwen, this last picture is perfect!  Rephrasing:  All of your pictures are perfect, but this last one just hit the perfect chord!  Unless something else happens, I'll be walking on that path really soon!  Wish you could be with us!

I think I bought both of those books.  I know I bought the Dummies one; I have it right here.  Although I agree with the other posters who said you can find out anything just by looking on the internet, my problem was that I didn't know what to look for.  We were like you; we had never owned an RV before, so I used the books as my starting point.  When I didn't understand something the book referred to, I turned to the internet.  

For example, I didn't know you were supposed to winterize an RV.  Dumb, I know. But the book had an entire chapter on that.  Turns out we don't have to do that to a great extent here in Houston, but I wouldn't have even thought about that without the book.  

I would recommend buying at least one of the books - just to start your research.  But then, I'm a retired English teacher; books are my life!

Like I give a Rat's atouille . . . 

 

 

I love this!!!

Ah, Lou - dear, dear, gorgeous-when-you-were-young-but-not-so-much-now Lou.  Bless your heart.  You just can't help it, can you?  It must be that inner urge you have to rain on parades, to burst bubbles, to laugh in the face of danger.  But no one can take the magic that is Disney away from me.  

The minute I walk into Magic Kingdom I'm mentally transformed into that little girl of so long ago who sat mesmerized in front of the TV, idolizing Annette, Sharon, Cubby, Karen, Bobby and the rest of the Mouseketeers.  I remember a time when my parents could solve all of my problems, take away every pain, and make me laugh so hard I thought my sides would burst.  I also am reminded of a time when the only "ism" we feared as kids was Communism - even though I really didn't know what it was.  We knew nothing of sexism, racism, or the other terms that darken our attitudes and our world today.  

There you have it.  It's a magical escape for me, back to the land of the Mickey Mouse Club - and no other "amusement park" affords me that unique pleasure.  

So, go back to your puking, and I'll continue to look forward to the next time I can visit that Disney magic.

Rather than ruin the magic, the KTTW tour enhanced it for me.  The guide pointed out so many things I would have missed - symbolic things like the changing of the light posts on Main Street.  As for the backstage area, it was fascinating to learn how the park works - from the disposing of the garbage to the water system for Splash Mountain. The Utilidors part was cool, too - although short.   I really loved this tour.

If you have extra time, I suggest seriously considering this tour.  However, our tour was about 4 1/2 hours with lunch included.  And also keep in mind the time of year you want to do this.  I imagine it can get pretty hot standing around listening to the guide.

I'm so glad to see the calliope back in the barn.  I wanted my friends to see it when we were there in November, but even our Segway tour guide had no idea what happened to it.  Perhaps this is our little apology gift for them planning to put a DVC structure in our midst.

Beautiful job, Lou!  I actually like yours better than the original.  I, for one, am stunned at how far paint-by-number sets have come.  :rofl3:

You bet I've offered apple pie!  As soon as my feet hit the ground I'll be at the Fort with apple pie in hand!

Gorgeous pictures!  Can't wait to see and read more!

Lou, that is seriously one fine chart!  I only look for two things when beginning to plan our trips to WDW - the temps and the crowd levels.  You've consolidated all those crowd calendars into one chart that I've downloaded and printed out for future reference.  Now that's what I call helpful info!  Thanks for posting it!

I'm in, too!  I'm so excited about this TR!  I've been dying to hear about this "wild" trip!

One of my favorite things to do is simply sit outside our RV with my husband and dog, listen to the boat horn, the train horn, and watch the squirrels and the people walk or ride by.  On our first Fort trip, it rained the first day, so we just sat beneath the awning and relaxed with the radio playing 60's music, cold beverages beside us, watching the soggy people return from the parks.  It is one of my favorite memories. 

We did the same thing Judy did.  We rented and RV and drove 3000 miles through the interior of Alaska.  We even made it up to Dawson City in the Yukon Territory of Canada. We feel as if we did things most tourists don't get to do.  It was an amazing trip; you will love Alaska!

I loved those videos!  Thank you so much for taking them.  I WANT TO BE THERE!!!!  But since I'll be there in February, I don't have long to wait to mosey over to the Meadows and simply enjoy the solitude that an early morning at the Fort brings!  Well done, TCD!

I could have done without that snakeskin picture, however.  I hope you didn't show it to your girls.  YUK!

I'm still trying to figure out if I think this is going to be a good thing for the Fort.  Part of the allure of the Fort is the relative quiet, the natural side, the take-a-walk-back-in-time feeling you get when returning from a day at the parks.  Right now, the parking lot is out of view to the campers and the trees and shrubs offer a kind of silent reminder that peace and tranquility are awaiting - after a hectic day of running around the parks.  

With a large parking lot right behind loop 700 - my loop - and all of the people curious to see how the campers live, I can't see how that is going to improve Fort Wilderness.  We probably won't be allowed to use any of their cool stuff - like the river floating thing - and the only addition to the Fort itself with be a new dining facility, which will probably be overly crowded.  This is not boding well in my mind.  It just kinda ruins the atmosphere that Disney is trying to create at the Fort.  

If the Fort could expect some upgrading - like new activities, a fabulous new pool, or overall wireless accessibility without having to use that contraption - then perhaps it would be worth having to endure the infusion of parking lots and hotel civilization.  But that upgrading isn't going to happen.  All the money will go to the new DVC.  

Oh, well, what am I griping about?  I probably will be too old to go to the Fort, or anywhere else for that matter, by the time they get the DVC built.

Aaaaahhh, I love that picture!

Funny thing. DPI is looking for coordinators. They have a list so those interested can sign up and go through interviews for the position. I talked to a leader about becoming a relief coordinator but never signed up on the list or took it further than asking a few questions.  

 

I looked at my development connection today and I have training scheduled........... for becoming a coordinator. No interview, no resume, no signing up. Just like that. The selections aren't even supposed to be made until the 18th. The leader said they would rather have me as a relief coordinator than not at all.

Oh, WOW!  What a nice compliment!  Isn't it great when someone truly appreciates your good work?  Congratulations!

Oh, golly gosh, Lou.  I so hate to hear that about Dobby.  But if I may put in my two cents here, we had an epileptic dog about 30 years ago, a poodle named Brandy.  When she had her first seizure, I ran her to the vet and he gave me the same advice that yours did.  However, Brandy had another seizure the next week, and another three days later.  

So, it sounds as if Dobby might have just experienced an incident, rather than having full blown epilepsy.  Several of my friends have had dogs throughout the years which have had incidental seizures and those dogs lived long lives.  One encouraging thing several vets told me was that unless the dog hits his head during a seizure, he will not die during one of those episodes.  And sure enough, Brandy died many years later of totally unrelated causes.

My thoughts are with darling Dobby (notice the alliteration?), and with you and Gail as you nervously watch over him.