The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[MinnieM123]

you're back already?

Yes, unfortunately, just 3 nights/4 days. That's what my budget allowed. Years ago, I'd carry higher balances on credit cards, etc., but eventually I stopped doing that. (It just seemed like a vicious cycle of spending, and taking months to pay off stuff.)

Now, if I have any credit card charges, I pay them in full each month. Sure, I could go down to WDW longer and spend a lot more money, but I'd rather not carry a bunch of debt from a vacation. I just do the best I can with what I have; and believe me, I'm still very happy with even 4 days of nonstop fun! Hey, anything beats going to work every day, you know?!

 

[MinnieM123]

The smallest plane I've ever flown in was a 10 passenger twin turboprop. On the return trip I got to fly in the copilot seat. It was a total hoot!
The smallest aircraft I've ever flown in was a small, 2-seat helicopter (with the doors off) for an hour-long ride over the Austin area, that was also a hoot! I just love flyin'...!!!

Years ago, I went on a flight tour over the Grand Canyon--OMG--that was spectacular!! You would have loved it. It seated around 10 people, and was a twin turboprop. One of the coolest things was that the pilot had to perform a "short takeoff" maneuver from where he took off in the canyon. Wow, that was the steepest angle of ascent I've ever been in, in a small (or large) plane, ever!! And, like yourself, I was very lucky to be in the copilot seat and could watch the instrument panel, while taking in all the airborne sights!! Cool memories!

 

[MinnieM123]

Your impressions echo some of my thoughts about the Disney Springs area. I am only interested in a few stores (pin store, world of disney, and basin) and some of the restaurants. The pictures I've seen of the "springs" area look pretty though.

Oh, it was definitely "pretty" . . . and yet, the layout was also very confusing. I guess for "interest" the designers of the area used more semi-circular routes, versus straight lines. So I kept getting "lost" walking around there. I think they need some sort of actual directory (such as in a regular mall), because if you didn't take specific turns, you'd miss a lot of the stores. Again, the store selection wasn't really my cup of tea, but we all know there are people who love to shop--and I wonder if they'll miss out on some shops because the layout is confusing.

The other issue to keep in mind is the heat index, because this is not a closed-in mall. (At night, it wouldn't be an issue at all.) But in the daytime, with that super hot Florida sun beating down on the concrete, it was really, really hot. Even if I had wanted to shop there, I wouldn't have lasted very long.

 

[MinnieM123]

I think it cuts both ways. At Disney or anywhere public, if bathrooms are not kept up they tend to get worse. It takes a long time to fill those little boxes in the ladies room. If it is a heavily traveled restroom adequate staff must be deployed during those hours of high use to maintain. If the garbage cans are overflowing and paper lands on the floor near it I can see how that happens. Again lack of proper manpower.

And never should the hazard box for syringes be full. I still can't wrap my brain around that. If it fills that quickly mount two. But in fairness most of the restrooms at Disney I've found to be kept up well but there are several that continue to be problematic.

Although I'd say that the parks were "busy" when I was there, they weren't crazy crowded, either. With that in mind, I thought the housekeeping in the bathrooms was very good. Didn't see any lack of upkeep at all, and I was looking, as I had read a lot about this recently. My hunch is that during moderate crowd levels, they're really on top of the cleaning, but once it gets to high season, they can't keep up with the cleaning as well. Of course, WDW could assign more people at that point, to remedy that situation quickly. It sounds like they don't adjust their staffing levels properly during high seasons.

 

[MinnieM123]

And never should the hazard box for syringes be full. I still can't wrap my brain around that. If it fills that quickly mount two.

Good grief. Hadn't heard that comment before. Working in a hospital, that would never be allowed!! It's a public health issue, especially with little kids in the parks who will pick up anything off a floor and think 's a toy. Yikes!

 

[MinnieM123]

Merry Christmas! Automated Selfie Stick Coming to a big box store near you.

Yuck! By the way, while going through the bag check line at MK, a family ahead of me had one backpack that was tightly wrapped. I watched the Disney security guy feel around the outside of the bag and the took extra time to untie every single knot (there were quite a few . . . . . . did these guests think they were getting over on security?). He finally pulls out a folded up selfie stick, and told them to check it with a cast member over to the side--and retrieve it upon their exit from the park that day. I was impressed with this man for not giving up--he really had to work to get this backpack open; obviously, he knew they were hiding something . . .

 

[MinnieM123]

Thank you I think I've got our plan down to only using buses one day Speaking of buses tomorrow I'm taking my boys with me shopping and we'll ride a bus for practice, I figure a 20 minute ride each way should be good practice

Practice? I just spit out my coffee on that one! You are so funny!! (You have to understand that I've been relying on buses and trains all my life, and just the concept of people "practicing" how to ride on a bus was just so hilarious to me!! Best laugh I've had all morning!! )

 

[MinnieM123]

Was reminded today that actually I married a princess
View attachment 142791

She's gorgeous!! A perfect princess for a perfect prince!

 

[MinnieM123]

Land clearing next to Wilderness Lodge in between the resort and the road to MK and they demolished the beach area for a building? Not sure what's that building is going to be.

This also broke my heart to see. I don't care whether it's DVC or whatever. What I do care about is this continual trend of removing foliage!!!

 

[FutureCEO]

I understand I'm going to have to practice sleeping in for Disney

I've been up no later than 7 everyday. I've jogged the path past the Magic Kingdom three times.

 

[Figgy1]

Practice? I just spit out my coffee on that one! You are so funny!! (You have to understand that I've been relying on buses and trains all my life, and just the concept of people "practicing" how to ride on a bus was just so hilarious to me!! Best laugh I've had all morning!! )

My older ds doesn't like public transportation at all I do know what you mean by 14 I could by myself take a bus to the Path into the city

 

[Figgy1]

She's gorgeous!! A perfect princess for a perfect prince!

Clown Prince

 

[MinnieM123]

Clown Prince

Ha! Oh, I can't wait to see the response from @Mr Ferret 88 to you on that one!!

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Clown Prince

Still counts as a prince

Plus i get my style from you

 

[Figgy1]

Still counts as a prince

Plus i get my style from you

Just be careful not to break my new heels

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Just be careful not to break my new heels

 

[Figgy1]

@betty rose maybe more good news. Looks like you may get Soarin with the old film

 

[MOXOMUMD]

10 days until Memorial Day.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

View attachment 142850

10 days until Memorial Day.

You only eat on Memorial Day?

 

[betty rose]

That sounds so nice. Now I wish I had gone into the Basin (at Disney Springs) when I was down there. Actually, the only souvenirs I bought this time were three different sets of decorative chop sticks from the Mitsukoshi Dept. Store at the Japan Pavilion at EPCOT. My hubby loves using chopsticks; he even uses them for cooking utensils, such as stirring liquids in pots on the stove, etc.

Speaking of Disney Springs (the new Landing), which just opened on Sunday --

Went down there Monday afternoon for a while. Because it was a new area, I was curious to check it out. It's always interesting to see something new. Well, IMO, that's about it. There's a bunch of new stores and nice-looking buildings housing them, but it's all trendy retailers--Alex and Ani, Sephora, Under Armour, Pandora, Sunglass Hut, and so on. Basically, go to any big city mall and you'll find all the same (boring) stores that are now down at the "new" Disney Springs.

The Marketplace area still maintains some of the older charm and Disney-inspired shops. Have to say, I prefer the Marketplace over Disney Springs. But for people who love to shop and enjoy all the latest trendy things, they'd probably love Disney Springs. Also, the new parking garages down at that end are really large, so they're definitely bringing in customers for the stores and restaurants.

Welcome back to Chit Chat @Minnie123. Glad you made it home safely. Thanks for sharing your vacation with us!