In Search of the Purple Cat & Other Wild Goose Chases

HouCuseChickie · Dec 27, 2012

...more beach...

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All in all, it was a nice relaxing time, but by Saturday morning it was time to pack up and start heading back to Texas. We opted to take I-95 up to Jacksonville vs. the Turnpike...and I think we actually saved some time even though it wasn't the recommended route. The goal was just to make it as far as possible today since we knew we'd hit a lot of traffic on Sunday and we had to get the dog before the boarding facility closed.

If you've ever made the drive...that stretch across the FL panhandle just feels so long. It's bad enough on the way out, but it felt like it was going on forever on the way back. We were hoping we'd make it to the Louisiana state line, but reality sunk in and we decided Biloxi would be the best stopping point. I started searching for lodging on my phone and found a place with decent reviews, right on I-10, that had dropped their rates for just that night...so I booked it. We'd initally thought about the Beau Rivage or Hard Rock, but DH said he was just too tired to gamble- so there was no point in dropping the $.

It was also an interesting drive because it was relatively warm in FL, but as we drove west, the temps dropped. It was in the 70s when we left the Ft. Lauderdale area and when we stopped in the Mobile area for dinner- it was around 36 degrees...it was about the same when we arrived in Biloxi.

The girls were fast asleep when we arrived, but Kendall praised me on my lodging choice when she woke up the next morning. And for about $75 a nt + tax on a holiday weekend...I'd say we did pretty well...

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And what's really crazy...the staff here...even the lady who handled our late night check in...were far more pleasant than the bulk of the YC staff. Now that bugged me...not that they were nice, but that this place cost a fraction of that room and the customer service was so good.

We got up really early the next morning and started the rest of the drive home. We made a stop in LA for some Cajun Italian fusion and got caught in some ugly traffic once back in Texas.

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Still, it felt good to be home + we made it in time to get Daisy! Of course the girls thought she'd shrunk a bit while we were away ... they got used to being around Callie who is much bigger. Still, we were all home and thrilled to sleep in our own beds again.

Coming up...Closing thoughts.[/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url]

Pooh'sBuddy · Dec 28, 2012

HouCuseChickie said:
It then hit me that I forgot to buy some gifts for my nephew...so we stopped into a shop and after hunting down infant wear...I wound up getting him a Mickey hoodie (the one that kind of makes the wearer look like Mickey) and a plush Donald.

....yet, here I am walking still trying to take lighting pics.

I looked off to the buses, being hit with waves of jealousy that all of these were people headed to other parks or back to their Disney resorts...i.e. people who weren't getting ready to leave...

It's funny, DH had suggested we walk from the car to the entrance earlier that day...and he'd suggest it again when we left. Considering Kendall had a blister and Sammie complained of tired legs 2 or 3 times...I wasn't dreaming of making them walk back to the car. I guess at least our first stroller free day was a success since every time Sammie whined about it- we told her the only option was leaving the park- which quickly halted any complaining.

Again, I'm missing half the comments I'd like to make...

That is an absolutely fantastic picture of EE.

We bought hooded Mickey towels for the boys with the white gloves and ears in 2009. They still love them.

I've enjoyed your light fixtures pics.

Leaving is an awful feeling.

This will be a totally stroller-free vacation for us. Gotta remember to take frequent breaks and have band aids with us. I've heard of body glide - it might be worth investigating.

HouCuseChickie · Dec 29, 2012

PUSH said:
It made me sad when you left WDW! I think it's worse going to a park and leaving the same day than it is to leave the next day. Our last trip was the first time we went home right after leaving a park (Epcot if you wanted to know). It was the saddest walk of my life from World Showcase to the gates! After that we still headed back to the resort to buy a few things at the gift shop and refill our mugs, but it just didn't feel right. However, there's always next trip!

It definitely is a sad moment. We all spend so much time planning these trips...not to mention the anticipation...and nothing says "it's over" quite like seeing the back side of one of the maingates. We've never done a park on our last day when it's been more than a day trip. In some ways it helped the sadness...in others it increased it. It would have been nice to head back to one of the hotels to refill our mugs and bulk up on snacks and in hindsight- we should have done it. Although, I wonder if it would have increased the

faces. But yes...there's always next time!

HouCuseChickie · Dec 29, 2012

Pooh'sBuddy said:
Again, I'm missing half the comments I'd like to make...

That is an absolutely fantastic picture of EE.

We bought hooded Mickey towels for the boys with the white gloves and ears in 2009. They still love them.

I've enjoyed your light fixtures pics.

Leaving is an awful feeling.

This will be a totally stroller-free vacation for us. Gotta remember to take frequent breaks and have band aids with us. I've heard of body glide - it might be worth investigating.

It's OK...I kind crammed a lot of posts all in together making it even harder.

Funny how much better pics turn out when the fam lets me stop for a moment!

After looking at some of the kids gear, I really wish they made some of these things in adult sizes. I would totally wear an adult sized version of some of those things!

I really enjoyed having the side focus on lighting. DH wondered if I'd go the same route next time or pick something else like flooring or themed non-lighting decorative features. We shall see!

Always very sad to leave, but thankfully we had several things to soften the blow last time.

I really was kicking myself for forgetting our first aid kit. I rarely leave town without one. At the very least, I should have bought a few things when we were at Walgreens, but I don't think I was aware at that point that I'd left it home. I've used Body Glide on summer trips and it is a help...just make sure you don't get the heat version like I mistakenly purchased. I was in a rush and had assumed it was a summer formula for hot temps...not that it was like Body Glide and Icy Hot. YIKES!

Pooh'sBuddy · Dec 29, 2012

I'm looking forward to your parting thoughts.

HouCuseChickie · Dec 29, 2012

Pooh'sBuddy said:
I'm looking forward to your parting thoughts.

I was working on them right now, but my silly computer decided to lose it's connection.

Gotta head out to the eye dr and then Santa- I mean DH - is taking me on a shopping spree so I can at least have a week or two of not saying "I have nothing to wear."

So, hopefully tonight.

HouCuseChickie · Dec 30, 2012

It’s always tough wrapping these things up…especially when you don’t know when you’ll be returning. I went into this thinking we’d go back for my milestone birthday this summer, but I’ve actually had a change of heart.

Before we get into all of that… a few thoughts on this past trip…

· DH and I were able to confirm this trip that while we like the Epcot resort area and might consider a split stay with some time at Boardwalk, we much prefer to stay in the MK area. It turns out he really liked WL from our 2010 trip and I want to try the Poly and make a return to the Contemporary

… so I see some combo of that lodging in our future.

o DH also made me promise that we’d never stay at Yacht Club again. His beef was the lack of decent QS and the layout. My beef was the consistently cold/grumpy/rude attitudes from a number of the YC CMs. We all pay a premium to stay onsite, and I feel kind of ripped off that this trip was lacking in that 24/7 magic.

I did submit a complaint (and also noted the above average ride breakdowns as well). I don’t expect anything more than a canned reply, but maybe it will help future patrons.

· We are just so conflicted about dining. We really like TS meals, but I think our preferences may be changing. We have so many signature meals we want to try next time, but with the girls getting bigger and able to last longer…we’re seeing more usefulness of snacks and quick service. Yet, there's still greater fears with those due to allergies. We still aren’t good candidates for DDP though since we prefer appetizers to desserts with TS meals, often share meals for QS, and have trouble with the more popular snacks due to allergy issues. I still wouldn’t turn down DDP if it’s free and we have no decent room offers, but it will be interesting to see what we do food wise next time around…especially since my wish list involves a bare minimum of 4 signature meals. I know- high maintenance!

· I think I’m done with surprises for a while. Next time we go, I want the planning process to be a collective series of group decisions. Sure, everyone’s happy with the trips I’ve planned- actually insanely happy

, but I often find myself seeking validation as the trip progresses- i.e. I’m just never sure if everyone is going to like what I’ve planned until we’re immersed in everything. This way I'm also not the only one accountable for the choices.

· I’ve had around 20 or so trips to WDW and while all of our trips have missed the fall festivities as well as flower & garden in the spring, I’ve decided that I prefer warm weather trips to the World. Of course, I’d love to have a fall trip and get to do MNSSHP and Food & Wine, but I just don’t know how I can make it work with TX’s strict attendance laws. So, I think our next trip…whenever that is…will be a summer trip- preferably August. Hey- it's MUCH easier and lighter packing! I know lots of people gripe about the heat, but we live in Texas…so going to Orlando in August is really not a huge deal. In 2011, it was actually significantly cooler in FL. Don’t get me wrong, I like going during the holidays and I think I could take up residence in Osborne Lights

, but there’s just something about the heat and the longer days that seem to enhance the magic for me. Yes, I'm a bit crazy.

· I felt better knowing we could make the drive going straight through. I just think we now know that break days are in order in the beginning if we do it. I also really liked ending by staying with my parents first. Not only were we more rested for the road, I just wasn’t nearly as sad. In fact, I think we were all ready to home!

· I normally wouldn’t go anywhere but MK on our first day, but sometimes you have got to break from tradition to experience something special. While I’m grateful that I was able to get that BoG ADR and get everything else to fall into place, I still didn’t feel quite right with this trip until we were in MK. So, unless it’s something super special- I don’t see us deviating from the first day must be at MK plan again.

So, that just leaves us with the all-important question of WHEN? When do we return???
Sadly, I don’t have an answer to that.

Before leaving on this trip, I had visions of a return trip in August for my milestone birthday…I was even still on this kick when we got home. BUT- the pixie dust has settled a bit and there are other things to consider.
The most important…a few weeks before my birthday, DH and I are celebrating a milestone anniversary and that means a trip to Vegas is in order. There is a slight…and I mean SLIGHT…chance we will drive to California for a few nights and retrace some of the steps of our honeymoon as well. If that happens, a stay in Anaheim will be in order…which means a day at Disneyland.

DH isn’t opposed to this, but he’s also not overjoyed about it either. It will probably be several months, at least, before I know where things stand with this.

The next factor is other adventures. DH and I both have a number of non-Disney trips in mind for the girls…the first of which is a ski trip. We've already postponed it once, but I think it needs to be the next biggie. And due to those pesky attendance laws, here we may just be skiing over Christmas break or spring break…and paying through the nose for it. i.e. it’s going to take a huge bite out of the budget. This is also just one of a handful of things we want to do too. I know a number of people have suggested a DIsney cruise, but I'm still not so sure about that. My parents love to cruise, but DH and I have never done one and aren't sure we want to do one until we know we can trust the girls on board. Sammie has a very rebellious streak, and when you consider that I still have nightmares about her risky defiance while on board the Battleship Texas...I just don't know if I'm ready to have her on another large vessel. Then there's the debate about a Disney cruise vs. another cruise line. Disney lovers will say it must be a Disney cruise, but I know other seasoned cruisers who would disagree. Either way...all of that is out of the discussion right now.

The other big thing…new Orlando experiences -> we’d like to take the girls to Universal, but I can’t justify taking them until they grow a bit. I know there are plenty of things to do there for kids who don’t quite measure up, but Kendall is a huge Harry Potter fan. It would be cruel to take her there before she’s tall enough to ride the Forbidden Journey. I also want both girls to become stronger swimmers because I’d like to try Discovery Cove over at Sea World. So really- we’d like the girls to grow up a bit more before we return…just so they can get a whole new experience.
So, it may be as early as 2014 (MIne Train!!!)…maybe 2015

…maybe even longer

. I really don’t want it to be that long, but we’ll just have to wait and see how these things go. There’s also the chance that we’ll be able to visit family again in Florida and pop up to WDW for a day or two…ya never know.

Lastly , but most importantly...I wanted to thank everyone for reading and looking at my many pictures…the good and the bad. It was lot of fun photographing the light fixtures, and who knows what I’ll choose to focus on for the next trip.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

TheMouseFan · Dec 30, 2012

So sad your TR is over.

I really enjoyed reading it! I hear you on the when to return. My husband has been on my case about going somewhere else for our next big vacation. We also really want to go to Disneyland, but I want the kids to be able and willing to ride all of the rides so we can experience everything together and not have to leave 1 or 2 of us out. Happy New Year!

PUSH · Dec 30, 2012

Great Trip Report! We always have a tough decision on whether we want to go somewhere new or Disney World every year. As much as we'd love to go other places, WDW is in our blood and has our hearts.

HouCuseChickie · Dec 30, 2012

TheMouseFan said:
So sad your TR is over. I really enjoyed reading it! I hear you on the when to return. My husband has been on my case about going somewhere else for our next big vacation. We also really want to go to Disneyland, but I want the kids to be able and willing to ride all of the rides so we can experience everything together and not have to leave 1 or 2 of us out. Happy New Year!

As am I.

The trip doesn't feel totally and completely over until the report is over. Oh well, not much I can do but hope that we return at some point in the semi near future. The pixie dust has settled enough for DH that he's now talking about going to WDW at all the next time we hit the Orlando area!

Crazy talk! I guess at least with Disneyland, there are many other things to do in Cali. This had been the original goal for our 2012 trip...I was looking at time in San Diego, whale watching in Dana Point, etc.

Happy New Year!!!

PUSH said:
Great Trip Report! We always have a tough decision on whether we want to go somewhere new or Disney World every year. As much as we'd love to go other places, WDW is in our blood and has our hearts.

Thank you!

DH doesn't love it quite as much as me, so it really may be some time before we return. It happened after our 1998 visit...talking about what we'd do next time we returned to WDW, but also talking about all of the things there that inspired us. We ended up using that inspiration and going many other places. I love going a little bit of everywhere, but I'm just hoping it's not another 12 year hiatus for WDW

.

Pooh'sBuddy · Dec 31, 2012

That’s a bummer that your service was less than it should have been. I agree – at what you paid, it’s expected.

We make our decisions together, especially since I can’t bottle up all my excitement of planning and being there. Our older son really liked the idea of staying at AKL, so we will, especially since we're getting a 30% discount.

I was wondering how your drive went. Don’t think that the hubby would ever really agree to it. With other destinations considered, it seems that it would be easy.

Hope you return when you can and when everybody is ready! Thanks for the TR. I’ve enjoyed your adventures and pictures. Happy New Year!

HouCuseChickie · Dec 31, 2012

Pooh'sBuddy said:
That’s a bummer that your service was less than it should have been. I agree – at what you paid, it’s expected.

We make our decisions together, especially since I can’t bottle up all my excitement of planning and being there. Our older son really liked the idea of staying at AKL, so we will, especially since we're getting a 30% discount.

I was wondering how your drive went. Don’t think that the hubby would ever really agree to it. With other destinations considered, it seems that it would be easy.

Hope you return when you can and when everybody is ready! Thanks for the TR. I’ve enjoyed your adventures and pictures. Happy New Year!

I hate having to complain, but it's got to be better than staying quiet on bad service. It's too bad, because the actual room was nice. Oh well.

My brother and SIL stayed at AKL back in 2010 when the rest of us stayed at WL. I actually preferred the AKL room decor. They also were in a standard view but got a free upgrade to a Savannah View- sweet! I have two friends from college who also stay there every trip. Getting a good discount % surely helps a lot as well.

The drive really isn't too bad as long as you take turns. The going straight through is a bit more brutal, but still doable. Of course, DH and I are both on board with road trips...so that helps. Both of us would love to rent an RV and do a big national parks tour. Of course, I don't know if I want to drive the RV!

If we were to drive back to WDW any time soon, I think we'd probably stop for the night around Pensacola on the way there...and I think Biloxi is still our preferred stop on the way back.

I'm hoping it's not too long before we return to WDW, but you never know with these things. The reality...I really do want to do a host of other things, so maybe now is a good time to take a break. This way maybe it will feel a bit more magical to everyone when we make our big return

Thanks again for reading! And Happy New Year!!!

KayFeb13 · Jan 2, 2013

Great TR! I really enjoyed it

HouCuseChickie · Jan 3, 2013

KayFeb13 said:
Great TR! I really enjoyed it

Thanks! It was a really fun trip!

And welcome to the forum!

DisneyDebNJ · Mar 2, 2013

HouCuseChickie said:
OK, so picking up where we left off...head towards...you guessed...

Before we headed in, I snapped some pics of the hotels from across the lake. After just a day, I'd gotten used to seeing BW from the YC and BC area, but I hadn't seen them from that kind of vantage point until now.

Before we head into BW, a couple of regrets.

1. I regret not finding a way to fit in Kouzzina. After seeing how close it was and remembering how much I drooled over the menu...it's unfortunate we just couldn't work it in. More reason to return!!!

2. I really wanted to stop into BW Bakery for a cupcake (especially since we always seem to have leftover snack credits). The problem, I don't trust them for Kendall and I don't think it's fair to her to have us get sweet treats when there's no safe option for her. I know they make non-nut goodies, but they also have a rep. for refusing cake orders to people with nut allergies. So, if they feel there's too much risk with a non-nut custom cake, I don't trust non-nut items in the regular bakery. So, next time I need a plan!!!

OK...so, now time to head in...

I know this is going to sound crazy, but when we entered BW...I realized that this is where we should have been staying. Don't get me wrong, I still think YC and BC are very pretty, but BW was this wave of childhood nostalgia- and it hit me hard.

As you may have seen in other posts from me, I grew up in NJ. While I lived in suburbia fairly close to NYC, my maternal grandparents lived on the bayshore and would take us to Asbury Park when we were young (dad also liked the boat show there) and my dad's side of the family is in south Jersey, so trips to Atlantic City and that area of the shore were also pretty easy day trips. Of course, I'd spend the most time in more central portions of the Jersey shore, these areas left a strong impression on me. And the decor and vibe in BW just screamed Asbury Park and Atlantic City to me...like I was 5 and somehow expected to look up and see my grandfather's face smiling at me. Ok- sappy, I know, but it really hit me.

It hit me even harder when I saw this...

I saw it and immediately, out loud, exclaimed "LUCY!!!"

Kendall saw it too and knew just what it was. With all of the hurricane Sandy coverage and seeing so much destruction - especially of places we knew, I made a point to introduce her to Lucy when I'd heard she'd been spared by the storm. Kendall got to see Lucy in person when she was an infant, so it made it even that much more special.

So, who knew a little version of a big elephant would make me feel like "home."

(in case you want to see more about Lucy in Margate, NJ
http://www.lucytheelephant.org/?presets=preset5)

Sandy, I did the same thing LOLOL, Lucy *lives* 6 miles from me, and I spent all my summers in Asbury Park and Seaside Heights growing up!

HouCuseChickie · Mar 3, 2013

DisneyDebNJ said:
Sandy, I did the same thing LOLOL, Lucy *lives* 6 miles from me, and I spent all my summers in Asbury Park and Seaside Heights growing up!

I still can't believe how much it hit me. I'm hoping DH will be good with staying there if we ever do a F&W trip. Although, I have a funny feeling we'll have a "bring the girls up from TX for a week down the shore" kind of trip before anything like that. Probably wouldn't stay right in Seaside Heights, but maybe Seaside Park, Lavalette, or Ortley once enough rental properties come back.

DisneyDebNJ · Mar 3, 2013

HouCuseChickie said:
I still can't believe how much it hit me. I'm hoping DH will be good with staying there if we ever do a F&W trip. Although, I have a funny feeling we'll have a "bring the girls up from TX for a week down the shore" kind of trip before anything like that. Probably wouldn't stay right in Seaside Heights, but maybe Seaside Park, Lavalette, or Ortley once enough rental properties come back.

you should see how much work theyve already done, its great! The boardwalk will be back by memorial day. Talk about Jersey strong!! When I go Disney, I bring a few boxes of *authentic* Salt Water taffy with me, and hand them out to my fav CMs! Ohhhhh food and wine is a blast!!! You would have a ball!!!

HouCuseChickie · Mar 4, 2013

DisneyDebNJ said:
you should see how much work theyve already done, its great! The boardwalk will be back by memorial day. Talk about Jersey strong!! When I go Disney, I bring a few boxes of *authentic* Salt Water taffy with me, and hand them out to my fav CMs! Ohhhhh food and wine is a blast!!! You would have a ball!!!

I've heard they've made a ton of progress. I have a friend who lives in Lavalette, so we've been getting a lot of updates and pics via Facebook. That sounds like a blast handing out Salt Water taffy. My parents used to take a winter stop into Asbury Park most years to get a TON from their fave place to last us until the first real spring thaw. YUM!

Mollie_Minnie · Mar 11, 2013

I really enjoyed reading your trip report! You have a lovely family! Love your pictures too! And just like you, I have different pictures of lights around WDW!

HouCuseChickie · Mar 13, 2013

Mollie_Minnie said:
I really enjoyed reading your trip report! You have a lovely family! Love your pictures too! And just like you, I have different pictures of lights around WDW!

Thank you! And thanks for reading

I really don't know what drove me to take all those lighting pics, but it really is mind blowing to think of how many different light fixtures and bulb types required to light WDW. LOL

Now to decide what will be my muse for the next trip...maybe windows and window treatments?