The Last Trip: An (Eastern) Fantasy Food Adventure-Bonus Feature, Pam & Her Mom Pt 2 Sept 17 the end

[Steppesister]

YAY for Saturdays! Finally time to play catch up!

AWww, cute little furballs!

Not much news on the vacancies. I've shown the 1st one a few times, no applications yet. The second one will be turning in their keys in less than a week. I did a walk through with them and it looks like they may possibly get a full refund on their deposit. I've never seen an apartment in such great condition! Essentially I'll be able to bring the “For Rent” sign with me to put up when I pick up their keys! The last one has until the beginning of October to vacate, that apartment is in the same building as the second one. I'm hoping I have the second one rented by the end of the month so I don't have two apartments in the same building competing against each other.

UGH! Vacancies and the turnovers suck. But wow! That's nice to have one returned in such great condition like that. Saves you such an enormous hassle.

Our trip is rapidly approaching, only about 40 days or so? I need to place our grocery order in the next week. Regardless of what we plan to eat out, I still need cereal, yogurt, bread, and then I always like to make at least one or two real breakfasts. That really says vacation to me. I can’t tell you how many times in the last few weeks that I’ve woken up thinking how much I’d like to make bacon and eggs with toast, and then real life sets in and I realize that I barely have time to make coffee and scarf down a bowl of cereal with a glass of V8 on the side. I’m still hammering out the final details of what to order and I hope to do that by early next week.

I'm lucky to get coffee at all on my work mornings.

BUT, yes! I've don't GG in the past and we end up not using much of it. In fact, on our last trip, I ended up giving an entire case of OJ to a sweet Swedish family who was just checking in.

Love this view! So pretty!

I remember when those used to be outside the HBD at DHS. I have a fun photo of me with them. (That I'm not going back to look for.)

I LOVE orchids. This is a really beautiful display.

It turns out that someone dumped a couch in front of the De Soto apartments. When you call the city to pick it up, they charge you around $100 for a special pick up. He said that he could take it to the dump for $60, so I told him to go ahead and we would also pay him for his time. I’d rather give the money to him than the city. It never stops, even when we’re on trips.

Just wow. People are such pigs.

hurt and I was considering taking a half of one of her pain pills. If I’m doing that, you know it’s bad because they are serious pain pills. If you go to the dentist and get a root canal and the dentist gives you a prescription for pain pills, they are probably half the strength of Fran’s “light” pain pills. Hence the reason I take half. Her “general” pain pills are substantially stronger, and if she is really hurting she has a huge supply of morphine. No we are not selling or anything like that. We are hoarding it for when her pain is that severe.

Hydrocodone? Norco? You poor thing.

I ended up rubbing some magic gel on my shins to ease the pain. It’s a wonderful thing, and thankfully I am now stocked up on it for the next who knows how many years! Thank you. You know who you are!

That's great someone came through for you like that! Nice, You Know Who You Are!

When they brought the meal, it was nothing that I expected. They had sold out the chicken and this was the only thing left. It was a gosh darned Chile Relleno! I’m not a fan of chile relleno, in fact I don’t even like them.

That would bum me out too. Especially if the choice was something I didn't care for. I DO like chili relleno, but know not everyone does.

In the terminal we had our own special escort. She waited with us while we waited (forever) for the scooter and then, she accompanied us down to the baggage claim. I’m not sure why she felt the need to do this, we’re perfectly sufficient on our own, but she helped me get Fran to the curb with the bags and then I took off to get the car.

That was a nice touch. While some folks can be pigs, others go above and beyond, and that's really nice!

The kitties have picked up on how to be aloof when we first get home

Cats. Typical.

 

[franandaj]

The kitties are so cute!

Wow! I'm so impressed with how much you were able to accomplish before heading home!

And they get cuter and cuter with each passing day.

That late departure does give us a lot of time to get things done, but it also makes for a long day when we arrive home.

Hmmm.... That helps... Then again, I usually go pretty early.... dunno.

Early is not normally part of my vocabulary, but the last time I went to that part of town on race weekend had to have been over 15 years ago. I was stupid enough to make a dinner reservation at one of the places near the track and it took us an hour to get there. Since then I've avoided the race like the plague.

I saw I had one from you, but haven't had a chance to reply (or read it!) yet.
Soon!

And now I have no idea where we are in the planning. I guess when you have something new to tell me you will.

That's so... bizarre to me. The whole reason there's a race weekend is because of the Sunday race.

Well the M-F news has a whole staff and all kinds of "field reporters". The weekend news is a skeleton crew with almost no staff and barely can send people out in the field. I have a feeling that the logistics of getting in and out of the race on such a crowded day make it hard to give it proper coverage. Besides the "during the week" coverage is like promotion for the race. By Saturday or Sunday if someone hasn't committed to attend, I doubt anyone would jump in their car to go down there. Like I said it took us an hour to go 3-4 blocks to get into the restaurant parking area.

This too is bizarre to me. Maybe when I retire.

I hope you never have to experience it.

Standing by!

And still you are standing by.....

oh. Well.... good luck!

She starting to settle in on having some thrift shop just come and pick up the furniture...

Interesting. Here I think it's an increase of 1-3 percent only is allowed?

Wow! For us it is whatever the market will bear. But if you want to raise an existing tenant's rent, you have to give 30 days for less than 10% increase and 60 days for over 10% increase.

I checked.
RELAUNCHED! Mission: SPACE

Close enough.

Oh! I wasn't aware of that.

Deja Vu. Didn't we just have this conversation?

Admirable. Seriously.

Thanks!

I'm a little behind but I am slowly catching up!

I'm way behind too. Life hit the fan the day after I posted this last update.

What! That is so cool, they did not have this on CC in February. But maybe gazpacho is more of a summer thing, and it wasn't that warm the day we were on CC.

Well this cruise left on February 25, but it was warm after the rain went away.

My FIL loved the banana ice cream. I have yet to try it but I was all over the chocolate.

Maybe next time I'll go for chocolate.

so cute! I love the coconut shape!

I love the coconut shape, but wouldn't eat coconut if you paid me!

Hahahaha that's so funny. I'd totally hide from my family too. I tried to do that in August.

Since we never travel with family I don't have that problem!

These were so cool. I wish I had more time to look at them.

I know this weekend was so rushed for us!

Yum! How does it compare to BoG?

I honestly don't remember, but I'm going to say it was better at Chefs de France.

I've had this too and it was good but very rich!

I wish they had half portions!

My favorite!! I loved this!!! During F and W they are currently having a POG flavored one. Not sure which one I liked better.

I'm going to have to try that one! Only 30 days left for me!

 

[franandaj]

Oh boy, at least it is back in business now.

And every time I open the door I look at the thermometer. It's holding pretty stable between 38 and 41 degrees.

Cute! We had a couple of orange kittens like that born in our hay stack this spring. We have a hard time keeping cats safe at our house. DW is allergic to cats so we don't have any in the house. We put food and water in one of our barns and take in some strays for barn cats because it is nice having them around, but we've had a rough couple of weeks with them. One cat accident last week ended up with a happy ending and reuniting with his buddy. I was shocked that Benny looked this good after being inside the fan of my truck when I started it. The kids were with me and I felt horrible. I was afraid we had lost him but it is hard to imagine this was just a couple of days after that happened. Those 2 follow each other around everywhere.

Naked Jim (who comes from Illinois) tells me about barn cats that live on his brother's farm. I find this concept interesting as we have only had indoor cats. I'm glad the poor cat suffered no ill effects and LG and the cat were reunited!

The other incident resulted in taking a stray black cat that we'd seen around a few times recently to my sister, who is a vet tech last night. He had a badly injured leg that was infected. She did some surgery on him this morning to try to clean things out, but found that the infection had spread and there was a lot of dead muscle tissue so she had to put him down. She thinks based on the injuries, it doesn't look like a coyote or a predator attack and there are no broken bones so if she had to guess it got its leg caught in a snare. That's got me worried because we don't allow anyone to hunt or trap on our property, nor does our neighbor. I feel like I need to get a walking stick and a gun and go walk the woods this weekend to see if we have some signs of poachers trespassing.

That's an awful story, but I seriously hope that you don't have people trapping and poaching on your property. I can't imagine what that's like to have property so large that you can't see it all from your back or front doors!

Beautiful! I love seeing all of the topiaries!

I really like them too, they are so artistic and take so much work.

Well, I'm glad it worked out this time!

It wouldn't have taken much work to photoshop out the people from the other day's pictures, but I really like it when I can get a natural picture and not have to fix it up.

People are just awesome, aren't they? Just disgusts me when they do things like that. I'm glad your gardener was able to help you out and it sounds like a win/win.

I'm sure once we get the place fixed up and have tenants in there we won't have problems like this. It's because the front unit if vacant that people think they can get away with stuff like that.

So all they have left is something that isn't even on the menu? Probably just hanging around in the freezer from a flight last week.

I know. Pretty gross, huh?

Well, I'm definitely glad that your situation has improved on this front!!!

Me too! I just wish that we could get the place finished up and in renovation! It's driving me nuts, but Fran doesn't want me to go ahead with anything without her blessing.

Leave that poor cat alone!!!!

She's not out in the garage! She has a primo spot basically wherever she wants inside the house.

Well, someone looks happy. (I'm not referring to the cat.) And... awwww!!!!

They are incredibly cute.....and getting cuter every day!

Nice! For all parties involved.

Now all I need to do is get it rented and things will be hunky dory!

yay!
Although... sucks that we're just going to miss each other.

I know, but you're quite a few weeks later than me.

What says vacation to me is not cooking.

There is a balance for me. I don't want to be making full on meals, but there is something about having my own food when I want it and the way I want it. I make dinner just about every night, but rarely do I get to make a nice breakfast. At home I occasionally splurge and make my breakfast pot pie, or other fun treats, but at Disney I like to have bacon and eggs (maybe while sitting in bed), or French Toast (not in bed cause syrup and bed don't mix when you don't have daily maid service).

I never thought of shooting from there. Nice shots, Alison!

You should have seen me ricocheting across from side to side to get the pictures on each side of the monorail!

DISboards rule. Always get a shot of a dog's butt.

I didn't even notice.

Love this shot of you guys.

Thanks!

I think I might too. I thought of that before I read that you did it.

Melting ice cream always beats savory treats!

Sure! I have a pork loin and cranberry recipe.

Hmmm, not a cranberry fan, a little too tart for my taste.

I'm not a fan either. Much to my German father's chagrin.

I like potato pancakes, but the potato needs to be ground finely.

I would probably not think so. Everything is just a vehicle for the berries (for me.)

I can see that. I like apple better, much better balance between the pastry and the fruit.

Shoulda told him to dump it in front of city hall.

I think that's illegal.

That's one thing I do like about my job.
When I walk out the door, everything stops.
I don't have to worry about catching up on emails or a backlog of calls or a pile of work.

I'm not sure that I had that when I had a day job. I worked two days a week from home for the last few years before I quit so even then I still had to log on from home and do conference calls on my "days off".

Maybe. But you know I'm not a fan.

Yes. I do.

Then again... maybe with all those choices, I'd find something I'd like.

They do have cooked shrimp and salmon

Whoa...

Poor Fran. I don't know what to say.

Well with her current drugs, she hasn't been taking nearly as many high strength pills so something is working right.

I was just thinking that when you posted "As I walked up the hill to the Boardwalk"... "Don't trip!"

Heck I seem to be having problems almost falling in my own home.

You're welcome.

I am eternally grateful!

That sounds pretty good!...

... what a rip off. Just... no.

Yeah, total bait and switch.

Okay. Noted.

It wasn't bad, but there were better ways to spend a couple hours.

I concur!

Kale is always nasty.

Yum! Yes, please!

Butterscotch however is not.

Huh. Is that something that happens often?

No. We were kind of like, "piss off... please" We don't want you sitting around talking to us about nothing.....

Frankly... no.

We did have to schlep all our bags up from the lower level to the upper one on the Vancouver/Alaska trip. It wasn't fun.

This is another place that I've heard of for years... but never been to.

You're not missing out on anything.

Flattering, but.... after a while, ya need to move!

Yes, I'm happy that he loves me, but 15lbs is a lot of cat to be sitting on you!

Looking forward to them!

Got one all ready to post, just need to catch up on about three more TRs and finish replies here!

 

[pkondz]

Early is not normally part of my vocabulary, but the last time I went to that part of town on race weekend had to have been over 15 years ago. I was stupid enough to make a dinner reservation at one of the places near the track and it took us an hour to get there. Since then I've avoided the race like the plague.

Yes, I can see how you'd develop an aversion to going. But if you were a race fan... you'd still be ticked about it taking an hour to get there!

And now I have no idea where we are in the planning. I guess when you have something new to tell me you will.

Been busy, but I really need to book my hotel(s).

Well the M-F news has a whole staff and all kinds of "field reporters". The weekend news is a skeleton crew with almost no staff and barely can send people out in the field. I have a feeling that the logistics of getting in and out of the race on such a crowded day make it hard to give it proper coverage. Besides the "during the week" coverage is like promotion for the race. By Saturday or Sunday if someone hasn't committed to attend, I doubt anyone would jump in their car to go down there. Like I said it took us an hour to go 3-4 blocks to get into the restaurant parking area.

Okay. I get that. Plus, the TV coverage does the race itself.

I hope you never have to experience it.

That bad, huh?

And still you are standing by.....

She starting to settle in on having some thrift shop just come and pick up the furniture...

You'd think someone would want it. We have "free giveaway" weekends a couple times a year. Any crap that you don't want, just leave it out on the driveway or whatever. We had a couple really crappy, beat up, scarred, over-painted end tables. Also some other miscellaneous crap (like an old sun hat of Ruby's for example.) It all went in minutes.

One man's junk is another man's treasure.

Wow! For us it is whatever the market will bear. But if you want to raise an existing tenant's rent, you have to give 30 days for less than 10% increase and 60 days for over 10% increase.

Must make the tenants a bit nervous.

Deja Vu. Didn't we just have this conversation?

I don't think so.


I don't think so.


(ok. we did.)


(ok. we did.)

She's not out in the garage! She has a primo spot basically wherever she wants inside the house.

Not what I meant. You said you had to go out to the garage to get milk. Ergo the cat must be out there and you're getting your milk from her. Hence my comment of leaving her alone.

Now all I need to do is get it rented and things will be hunky dory!

What does a small Ukrainian boat have to do with it?
(Sorry, old Winnipeg joke... but I am curious to know if you get it. Maybe it's not so local.)

I know, but you're quite a few weeks later than me.

Close enough for me.

There is a balance for me. I don't want to be making full on meals, but there is something about having my own food when I want it and the way I want it. I make dinner just about every night, but rarely do I get to make a nice breakfast. At home I occasionally splurge and make my breakfast pot pie, or other fun treats, but at Disney I like to have bacon and eggs (maybe while sitting in bed),

Okay, sure. I can see that.

or French Toast (not in bed cause syrup and bed don't mix when you don't have daily maid service).

You should have seen me ricocheting across from side to side to get the pictures on each side of the monorail!

That would've been something to see!

Hmmm, not a cranberry fan, a little too tart for my taste.

So your tastes don't run to little tarts. Got it.

I like potato pancakes, but the potato needs to be ground finely.

Huh. I've only had it a couple times. Never knew that might make a difference.

I think that's illegal.

Just because what city hall is doing is legal doesn't make it right.

I'm not sure that I had that when I had a day job. I worked two days a week from home for the last few years before I quit so even then I still had to log on from home and do conference calls on my "days off".

Ugh. on your days off??? Yech.

They do have cooked shrimp and salmon

Problem solved.

Well with her current drugs, she hasn't been taking nearly as many high strength pills so something is working right.

Good to hear!

Heck I seem to be having problems almost falling in my own home.

Please don't fall, Alison.

Kale is always nasty.

Kay tried to make kale chips once.


Once.

Butterscotch however is not.

No. We were kind of like, "piss off... please" We don't want you sitting around talking to us about nothing.....

That struck me as funny.

You're not missing out on anything.

I figured. It's not on my "to do" list.

Got one all ready to post, just need to catch up on about three more TRs and finish replies here!

Standing by again!
(And I've just effectively delayed you again.)

 

[franandaj]

I am glad that this is sorted.

Finally. So far, so good.

I keep my fingers crossed for you.

Thank you! Nothing yet though.

I love the perspective of this photo.

Thanks! I love capturing pictures from the height of the monorail.

This floral design is absolutely beautiful.

F&G is a beautiful time of year.

I am glad you got the photo.

Me too. I could have photoshopped, but I like natural ones better.

I share that love, but I have to admit the biggest temptation would have been the Curry Wurst for me.

I'm still afraid to try the curry wurst. I'm not a fan of ketchup or curry and I'm afraid it might be a mix of the two.

I does feel kind of strange reading this as things have definitely moved on.

Yeah, I like to write what I am thinking/feeling at the time and when I get back to it sometimes things may have changed. I really thought we would have been done with the place by now.

That seems like very specific advice!

Well not really. Don't trust someone's buddy when they work for a private contract, they don't have to provide any customer service after the fact. At least the company who replaced it has an interest in keeping us happy or we'll take our business elsewhere. Unfortunately we've found that there aren't many other places to turn in our situation.

Awwwwww....

And they get cuter by the day....

Those flower displays are stunning. They never get old.

No they don't, probably why they keep doing something similar every year.

Go! Go! Go!

We're trying!

Good grief. What's wrong with people?

I have no idea.

I'm with her on that. I know you're shocked.

Shocked! I tell you.

Ew. That's just wrong. These airlines keep finding more and more ways to torture us!

Well now that we will be flying Southwest, we'll be bringing our own snacks now.

Is that good for shin splints?

Well lucky he lays on my thighs and pelvis and not shins!

I'm glad you've got the opportunity to still have some fun! All work and no play makes for dull life! Looking forward to the continued updates....

I look at it this way, she shouldn't punish me for her not wanting to move on this stuff. She had six months where we didn't travel farther than Anaheim or LA and still hardly anything happened.

YAY for Saturdays! Finally time to play catch up!

I find that Saturdays are busier than other days...

AWww, cute little furballs!

Aren't they?

UGH! Vacancies and the turnovers suck. But wow! That's nice to have one returned in such great condition like that. Saves you such an enormous hassle.

It was nice to have a unit returned so clean that all I had to do was put up the sign.

I'm lucky to get coffee at all on my work mornings.

Mornings without coffee =

BUT, yes! I've don't GG in the past and we end up not using much of it. In fact, on our last trip, I ended up giving an entire case of OJ to a sweet Swedish family who was just checking in.

We actually end up eating all the bacon and eggs, yogurt and most of our bread and cereal. I do have to say that we never finish the butter I order, but we do a good job on the bread and of course the wine!

Love this view! So pretty!

I remember when those used to be outside the HBD at DHS. I have a fun photo of me with them. (That I'm not going back to look for.)

I might have a photo of that as well!

I LOVE orchids. This is a really beautiful display.

There are just so many beautiful things.

Just wow. People are such pigs.

And then there are also not so beautiful things.

Hydrocodone? Norco? You poor thing.

I think the strong one is oxycodone, the lower one is Norco,so if I take half, I get a normal Vicodin.

That's great someone came through for you like that! Nice, You Know Who You Are!

Yup. All the way from somewhere far away where it is available OTC...

That would bum me out too. Especially if the choice was something I didn't care for. I DO like chili relleno, but know not everyone does.

Perhaps if it weren't so darned bitter, but it was nasty.

That was a nice touch. While some folks can be pigs, others go above and beyond, and that's really nice!

It was nice of her, but we were tired and cranky and didn't really want to be making small talk with a stranger at 10 or 11 at night after a long day.

Cats. Typical.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I'm not a fan of ketchup or curry and I'm afraid it might be a mix of the two.

It looks like that this is not for you then. The sauce is essentially ketchup with curry powder.

Yeah, I like to write what I am thinking/feeling at the time and when I get back to it sometimes things may have changed.

I take the same approach.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

Yes, I can see how you'd develop an aversion to going. But if you were a race fan... you'd still be ticked about it taking an hour to get there!

Yes, but at least now I'd know how long it was going to take and I would plan accordingly.

Been busy, but I really need to book my hotel(s).

Yes, you do. And I owe you and @Steppesister an email!

Okay. I get that. Plus, the TV coverage does the race itself.

That could be another reason. Licensing issues....

You'd think someone would want it. We have "free giveaway" weekends a couple times a year. Any crap that you don't want, just leave it out on the driveway or whatever. We had a couple really crappy, beat up, scarred, over-painted end tables. Also some other miscellaneous crap (like an old sun hat of Ruby's for example.) It all went in minutes.

One man's junk is another man's treasure.

I understand that. I'm sure someone might want this stuff, we just don't seem to be able to connect with that person.

Must make the tenants a bit nervous.

Not really. We only do it maybe once a year.

I don't think so.


I don't think so.


(ok. we did.)


(ok. we did.)

Sounds familiar.

Not what I meant. You said you had to go out to the garage to get milk. Ergo the cat must be out there and you're getting your milk from her. Hence my comment of leaving her alone.

That's what I thought you meant....but since she wasn't in the garage I wasn't bothering her....

What does a small Ukrainian boat have to do with it?
(Sorry, old Winnipeg joke... but I am curious to know if you get it. Maybe it's not so local.)

Nope. No clue.

Close enough for me.

True. You don't get there as often.

Huh. I've only had it a couple times. Never knew that might make a difference.

I've had them a bunch of ways. The finer the grate, the better the product.

Ugh. on your days off??? Yech.

Well since I was technically "working from home", they weren't supposed to be days off.

Please don't fall, Alison.

I'm trying not to....

Kay tried to make kale chips once.


Once.

I bought them from Trader Joe's once. They went right into the trash.

That struck me as funny.

It was meant to be funny. We didn't want to try and be pleasant to a stranger at 10PM on a day that had been already going on for 17 hours.

I figured. It's not on my "to do" list.

I wouldn't expect it to be, but if you have to eat fast food, it's not a bad option. I like their egg rolls.

Standing by again!
(And I've just effectively delayed you again.)

Well pretty much. I wasn't going to say it, but since you did....

It looks like that this is not for you then. The sauce is essentially ketchup with curry powder.

That's what I thought. Glad I skipped it!

 

[franandaj]

Here we are halfway through another week, double digits until the new year, but more importantly four weeks from today we will be on our way to WDW! Since my last update here life has been crazy Disney! Pam (@Pinkocto) finished her B2B Alaskan cruise and West Coast Repo in San Diego and spent almost a week at the VGC in Anaheim. They arrived on 9/15 and Fran and I spent part of almost all six days that they were in town with them, the majority out at Disney. We had a ball, but it sure took a toll on us! Maintaining your daily life (pet care, daily chores, tenant responsibilities, band practice, etc.) is difficult when you're exhausted from riding GotG six times in five days, in addition to other rides and shows! To say it took me another week to recover is no exaggeration.

So that will be a story for another time and Bonus Feature.

Life goes on and the kittens are growing up. We've moved on to potty training and the new challenge is teaching them to eat kitten food. We hope that they are no longer nursing by the time that we go on our trip. We don't want Jim to have to mess with weaning the kittens while we're gone. And this gives me an excuse to post more cute kitten pictures.

We still have two vacant apartments and a third one to open up next week, but I am receiving a steady stream of inquiries, so hopefully they'll rent before we go. And next week the contractor will be back working for us again. I sure hope we sell some stuff on eBay to pay for all that's going on!

Well that's it for what up here! Since I've wrapped up the old TR and haven't started the new one yet time for Bonus Features!


May 28, 2017


While we were enjoying our lovely meal (which you may have read about in the final update on the other TR), there was an AP event going on in DCA. The much awaited redo of Tower of Terror was opening in it’s new incarnation, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. While we couldn’t attend the AP event, I had every intention of riding this ride in it’s opening weekend. One little problem, I hadn’t seen the sequel yet. So on Saturday afternoon (the 27th) we went to a showing of the second movie in the franchise. I thought it was great! If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? If you have, isn’t that first scene with Baby Groot the best?


So I digress….


It was on Sunday that I chose to go out and brave the crowds and ride the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride. My parents were still in town and my mom agreed to ride it once, and be sure that she had her depends. The waits were crazy long like 175 minutes to 225 minutes when I looked on the app, but we were blessed with some FP pixie dust and didn’t have to brave those huge wait times in the staggering heat. Here I go!

Groot can be found outside holding meet and greets.

A statue of the Collector stands outside the building housing the Tivan Collection.

When you enter the building, you get a sampling of the creatures and artifacts in the collection as they are suspended from the ceiling or in display cases on the floor.

For purposes of this update, I have combined photos from several different occasions of riding. When you use FP, you bypass the queue and all the pictures I'm about to post. However for continuity’s sake, I'm including them here.

There is a repeating loop that plays on this screen which sets up the stage for the Guardians of the Galaxy who have been imprisoned by the Collector and he has them on display.

As you walk through the entrance area, you can see some other things in the “collection”, if you look hard enough, you can even see Figment in one of the boxes.

As you prepare to enter the office, you come upon this basically lifesize painting of Taneleer Tivan.

Once inside a video of Tanaleer Tivan welcomes you to his private office.

While animatronic Rocket, mutes the soundtrack and reveals his plan for helping his friends escape.

He blows up the generator

Which unlocks all the cages

And Mantis is waiting with the getaway vehicle.

The queue is pretty much the same as it was for ToT except that they have added touches to make it Guardians specific. The elevator is called a Gantry lift, and there are some cute little other touches and “Easter Eggs”. There is a whole routine where you hold your hands up to be scanned for clearance, which after riding a dozen or so times, it’s a little annoying.

When the ride starts, there are six different songs.

“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benetar, I’ve had this twice
"Give Up The Funk" by Parliament, this one twice as well
"Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf
"I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5, This is the song I’ve had the most.
"Free Ride” by The Edgar Winter Group
"Burning Love" by Elvis Presley, this was the last song I needed to make the six tunes, and I finally got it on September 3rd.

Here we are on the ride, I had forgotten where the camera was on this one, but don’t worry, I don’t make that mistake again!

My Mom hated the ride, to be honest, she only ever rode Tower of Terror once as well. My Dad had fun and I had a total blast. Mom had to go get a Ginger Ale to settle her stomach after the one ride. Once she was feeling better, she decided that she was hungry so we stopped at the Cozy Cones for a Green Chile Chicken Cone.

I didn’t want that much to eat as I was hoping to save my appetite for dinner. My Dad and I opted for Chimichangas from one of the stands on Paradise Pier.

Now that we weren’t starving, we decided to take a spin on TSMM. I had learned all about the fun things to unlock extra points a month earlier and I tried to give that knowledge to my Mom, but obviously we weren’t successful.

My Dad wanted to ride Space Mountain, so we hopped over to DL.


[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

My Mom sat the ride out and for whatever reason, I didn’t get a picture of our ride photo, so you’ll have to take my word for it that we rode it! But we did stop in front of the Castle to get some photopass pictures since I never get pictures of me and my parents together.

Now this picture is a little deceiving in that it looks like we have the park to ourselves.

I just photoshopped everyone out of the picture so I could post it on FB, I didn’t bother to do it with the other pictures.

It was kind of a hot day, and I was getting tired. I’d been on three rides already and that’s kind of a few for me, so we decided to get some libations. I think Mom just got an iced tea. I had a Moscow Mule, and I don’t know what Dad’s drink is...

Chip and Dale just happened to be there, so I grabbed a few pictures…

Mom was hungry again so she ordered a bowl of soup, it was some sort of asparagus soup.

I saved my room for dinner. It had been a long time since I’d been to the Uva Bar in DTD, so we decided to head over there. It was after 5PM and it was starting to cool off outside so I was happy to dine at this outdoor patio bar/restaurant.

Dad got an appetizer order of Calamari for his dinner.

My Mom got the Lamburger with salad as her side.

I got the Lamburger with the garlic fries, sooooo good!

And that was it for our day. I was tired, it had been a big weekend with Dinner on Friday, movie on Saturday, and running around the part Sunday, so we went home after that and were probably back home by sundown, just in time to get the kitties inside before coyote time!

 

[dolphingirl47]

They arrived on 9/15 and Fran and I spent part of almost all six days that they were in town with them, the majority out at Disney.

I can't believe that they have already been and gone. I have no concept of time at the moment.

They are absolutely precious.

I don't think I will ever ride Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, but they did a great job with this. Considering that the transformation did not take long in Disney terms, this is really an amazing transformation. This looked like a really fun day.

Corinna

 

[pkondz]

Yes, but at least now I'd know how long it was going to take and I would plan accordingly.

True.

Yes, you do. And I owe you and @Steppesister an email!

Standing by!

That could be another reason. Licensing issues....

That's the word I was looking for! Licensing.

I understand that. I'm sure someone might want this stuff, we just don't seem to be able to connect with that person.

Put it at city hall.

Not really. We only do it maybe once a year.

I suppose. More often and you'd be looking for tenants fairly often.

Nope. No clue.

It's from a commercial that ran in the 80s. Winnipeg has a large Ukrainian contingent and most of the city likes perogies. Hunky Bill sold a product and he was obviously Ukrainian. He played it up, too. And of course a dory is a small boat.

True. You don't get there as often.

At first it was never... then rarely... then every few years.
Now... it's gotten to be a lot more often in comparison.

Well since I was technically "working from home", they weren't supposed to be days off.

I withdraw the "yech".

I bought them from Trader Joe's once. They went right into the trash.

Perfect spot for them!

It was meant to be funny. We didn't want to try and be pleasant to a stranger at 10PM on a day that had been already going on for 17 hours.

Nope. I can see that.

I like their egg rolls.

Really! Egg rolls. Huh. Didn't think that would be there.

Well pretty much. I wasn't going to say it, but since you did....

Sorry!

Reading update...

 

[pkondz]

single digits until the new year,

Your calendar and mine differ.

Fran and I spent part of almost all six days that they were in town with them

Nice!

We had a ball, but it sure took a toll on us!

Maintaining your daily life (pet care, daily chores, tenant responsibilities, band practice, etc.) is difficult when you're exhausted from riding GotG six times in five days,

Not so sure if I feel totally sorry for you now.

And this gives me an excuse to post more cute kitten pictures.

Nope! Don't need an excuse.

We still have two vacant apartments and a third one to open up next week, but I am receiving a steady stream of inquiries, so hopefully they'll rent before we go.

Good luck!

The much awaited redo of Tower of Terror was opening in it’s new incarnation, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.

Was it? Much awaited, I mean? I know if they did that at DHS, I would be seething... not awaiting.

One little problem, I hadn’t seen the sequel yet.

I still haven't.

If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for?

Time, mostly. We had time a couple weekends ago when we were in Minneapolis, but... the in-room entertainment service wasn't working.

My parents were still in town and my mom agreed to ride it once, and be sure that she had her depends.

we were blessed with some FP pixie dust and didn’t have to brave those huge wait times in the staggering heat.

Nice!

Groot can be found outside holding meet and greets.

Cool!

When you enter the building, you get a sampling of the creatures and artifacts in the collection as they are suspended from the ceiling or in display cases on the floor.

That looks really good. Haven't seen the sequel, but... it still looks cool.

if you look hard enough, you can even see Figment in one of the boxes.

No way! That's great!

While animatronic Rocket, mutes the soundtrack and reveals his plan for helping his friends escape.

Love that! Great touch.

There is a whole routine where you hold your hands up to be scanned for clearance, which after riding a dozen or so times, it’s a little annoying.

Oh. yeah I can see that.

My Mom hated the ride, to be honest,

Too bad.

My Dad had fun and I had a total blast.

Great! Glad you guys liked it at least.

we stopped at the Cozy Cones for a Green Chile Chicken Cone.

That looks interesting. How was it?

I didn’t get a picture of our ride photo, so you’ll have to take my word for it that we rode it

Pictures or it didn't happen!

But we did stop in front of the Castle to get some photopass pictures since I never get pictures of me and my parents together.

Awwww...

Now this picture is a little deceiving in that it looks like we have the park to ourselves.

Not bad, Alison. Not bad.

Mom was hungry again so she ordered a bowl of soup, it was some sort of asparagus soup.

Hmmm... that could go either way. Did she say if she liked it or not?

My Mom got the Lamburger with salad as her side.

Those look huge! Did you both finish them?

just in time to get the kitties inside before coyote time!

 

[jedijill]

You guys were enjoying GotG while I was hungover and flying home! It was so worth riding once I finally got too a few weeks ago!

Jill in CO

 

[afwdwfan]

I appreciated the "tour" of Mission Breakout! It looks like a great re-theme and I hope I can get out that way sometime to ride it. Having ridden the Disneyland Tower of Terror, I feel like this was probably a huge upgrade to that attraction.

My Mom hated the ride, to be honest

Well, at least she was able to experience it once, and most importantly, survive the experience!

It was kind of a hot day, and I was getting tired. I’d been on three rides already and that’s kind of a few for me, so we decided to get some libations. I think Mom just got an iced tea. I had a Moscow Mule, and I don’t know what Dad’s drink is...

I mean if I could go once a week, 3 rides and then drinks would work for me too... Looks like a nice day at Disneyland with your parents. I'm glad you got to check out the new GoTG ride and enjoy some quality Disneyland time with them!

 

[franandaj]

I can't believe that they have already been and gone. I have no concept of time at the moment.

Yeah, it went by so quickly! We were just having fun every day and then next thing you know they were gone and I was exhausted!

They are absolutely precious.

They are, aren't they? I need to spend more time socializing them. There's one who is excelling at cuddling more than the others.

I don't think I will ever ride Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, but they did a great job with this. Considering that the transformation did not take long in Disney terms, this is really an amazing transformation. This looked like a really fun day.

It didn't take long at all. But then again they started working on the transformation before the original ride even closed.

That's the word I was looking for! Licensing.

Yup. It always comes down to the lawyers and money.

I suppose. More often and you'd be looking for tenants fairly often.

Pretty much.

t's from a commercial that ran in the 80s. Winnipeg has a large Ukrainian contingent and most of the city likes perogies. Hunky Bill sold a product and he was obviously Ukrainian. He played it up, too. And of course a dory is a small boat.

Nope. Never heard of it at all.

At first it was never... then rarely... then every few years.
Now... it's gotten to be a lot more often in comparison.

It's cause you're hanging around with all of us!

Perfect spot for them!

Really! Egg rolls. Huh. Didn't think that would be there.

Yeah, it's kind of an eclectic food chain. They have the normal burgers (chicken and beef) and fries and onion rings, but then they have a Teriyaki Rice Bowl and egg roll, some quasi mexican food (We call them crappy tacos, you get two for about a dollar), something called a chicken fajita pita, and then they keep coming up with other trendy things that come and go.

Sorry!

Reading update...

Your calendar and mine differ.

Actually I meant Double digits. I changed it.

Not so sure if I feel totally sorry for you now.

I hadn't meant to make anyone feel sorry for me...I totally get that I'm spoiled! :flower3

Was it? Much awaited, I mean? I know if they did that at DHS, I would be seething... not awaiting.

Yeah, but as I keep saying DHS's is way better than DCA's. Just see Andy's comment.

Time, mostly. We had time a couple weekends ago when we were in Minneapolis, but... the in-room entertainment service wasn't working.

Don't you have a DVD players at home?

That looks really good. Haven't seen the sequel, but... it still looks cool.

Well, the Collector is only in the first movie. It's a Hybrid of the two movies.

No way! That's great!

I'll point him out to you in April if you want....

Great! Glad you guys liked it at least.

It was awesome! I like it so much better than Tower.

That looks interesting. How was it?

It's one of my favorite snacks. It's not too spicy (unless you get a rare batch like Jenny's son did once), has a nice amount of chicken, but it's rather filling. The chile is really flavorful.

Not bad, Alison. Not bad.

It didn't take too long either. I saved it like seven times while working on it so when I click through my pictures you see the people in the background disappear systematically.

Hmmm... that could go either way. Did she say if she liked it or not?

She's a veggie lover, so she liked it.

Those look huge! Did you both finish them?

They're actually not that big. I think they're probably 1/4 to 1/3 of a pound, but I think I did finish mine, not the fries though. Remember, I paced myself all day. My mom ended up ditching the bun and just finishing the patty.

You guys were enjoying GotG while I was hungover and flying home! It was so worth riding once I finally got too a few weeks ago!

Jill in CO

Yeah, but you got to hear Star Wars in Concert that night! We'll be sure to ride it again in December.

I appreciated the "tour" of Mission Breakout! It looks like a great re-theme and I hope I can get out that way sometime to ride it. Having ridden the Disneyland Tower of Terror, I feel like this was probably a huge upgrade to that attraction.

It really was. I thought the DL version was OK, but without all the extra movement and such you get on the DHS version, it wasn't all that special. Now with the music and scenes inside the Collector's lair, it's a top notch ride! And with the Monsters After Dark overlay, its super fun!

Well, at least she was able to experience it once, and most importantly, survive the experience!

She rode ToT once when it opened and now once with the retheming.

I mean if I could go once a week, 3 rides and then drinks would work for me too...

That's what being a local AP holder is all about. You go out to the park with a goal in mind (ie ride Guardians and get the special holiday burger) and then anything you do beyond that is icing on the cake. Drinks are always a fun option for me and there are so many fun places to do so!

Looks like a nice day at Disneyland with your parents. I'm glad you got to check out the new GoTG ride and enjoy some quality Disneyland time with them!

It was a fun day. We were relaxed (which my Mom appreciated) but we still got in a few rides and I think my Dad enjoyed that part. I liked all of it!

 

[pkondz]

Yup. It always comes down to the lawyers and money.

Nope. Never heard of it at all.

Not surprised.

It's cause you're hanging around with all of us!

Actually... That's true!

How I feel when I'm at Disney plays a pretty big role, too.

Yeah, it's kind of an eclectic food chain. They have the normal burgers (chicken and beef) and fries and onion rings, but then they have a Teriyaki Rice Bowl and egg roll, some quasi mexican food (We call them crappy tacos, you get two for about a dollar), something called a chicken fajita pita, and then they keep coming up with other trendy things that come and go.

Huh! That's really interesting. Never woulda thunk it.

Actually I meant Double digits. I changed it.

Ah.

I hadn't meant to make anyone feel sorry for me...I totally get that I'm spoiled! :flower3

That's okay. You deserve to be spoiled a bit.

Yeah, but as I keep saying DHS's is way better than DCA's. Just see Andy's comment.

Gotcha.

Don't you have a DVD players at home?

Yep! But what I don't have... is the DVD!

Well, the Collector is only in the first movie. It's a Hybrid of the two movies.

Shows how much I remember.
Better see it again.

I'll point him out to you in April if you want....

Yes! I forget that, that's possible.

It didn't take too long either. I saved it like seven times while working on it so when I click through my pictures you see the people in the background disappear systematically.

You shoulda posted those.
"As we waited for our photo, the PP kept shooing people away until we were finally alone."

They're actually not that big. I think they're probably 1/4 to 1/3 of a pound, but I think I did finish mine, not the fries though. Remember, I paced myself all day. My mom ended up ditching the bun and just finishing the patty.

Ah, okay. From the photos... they look enormous.

 

[Pinkocto]

Sweet kittens

I don't think anyone said but pimentos are mild peppers. I just had pimento cheese for the first time last week and its pretty tasty. I made mac/cheese with it last night. Costco sells a big tub of it.

The new mission space is quite nice. It goes over earth instead of into space and you get a tour of the world if I'm remembering correctly.

I personally found a lot more choices at the F & G booths than this year's F & W. I'm looking forward to the Christmas booths again.

 

[Pinkocto]

How sad about that gorgeous furniture. I would have definitely taken it if I lived anywhere closer.

When we flew down I'd always bring butter and end up taking some home too. It hurts me to pay grocery store prices when Costco is so much less.

If you need I could pick up stuff or take you to the store?



We had so much fun with you and Fran!!!! Time really did fly by! I'm sad that my new favorite ride is all the way across the country that really is the best ride ever

Can't wait to see you in a couple weeks I think I'm off the 25th, 27th, 29th, 31st, and 2nd. The 31st I must see Hanson at Epcot. I missed them last year and I was devesated. But their first concert is at 5:30 I think and only half an hour.

 

[Steppesister]

four weeks from today we will be on our way to WDW!

39 days for me!!!!

but I am receiving a steady stream of inquiries, so hopefully they'll rent before we go.

YAY!!! I hope you can clean that off your plate before you leave. Not having to worry about that would be nice! That and the kitty potty training.

The much awaited redo of Tower of Terror was opening in it’s new incarnation, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.

I will always lament the loss of my beloved ToT, but am excited to ride this one too. I will be sad at the eventual demise of the FL version, but hope they keep for a while anyway.

As you walk through the entrance area, you can see some other things in the “collection”, if you look hard enough, you can even see Figment in one of the boxes.

Awwww, I LOVE Figment. And would't even mind riding that on my trip. Been a long while.

and there are some cute little other touches and “Easter Eggs”

Love it when I spot them.

we stopped at the Cozy Cones for a Green Chile Chicken Cone.

WHAT!? WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!?! That just shot to the top of my list.

I tried to give that knowledge to my Mom, but obviously we weren’t successful.

I Neeeeeeeeeeeeeed these tips!

I saved my room for dinner. It had been a long time since I’d been to the Uva Bar in DTD, so we decided to head over there. It was after 5PM and it was starting to cool off outside so I was happy to dine at this outdoor patio bar/restaurant.

I've walked past that last time and wondered how it was. Looks like a fun place!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Here we are halfway through another week, double digits until the new year, but more importantly four weeks from today we will be on our way to WDW!

Hooray!!

So on Saturday afternoon (the 27th) we went to a showing of the second movie in the franchise. I thought it was great! If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? If you have, isn’t that first scene with Baby Groot the best?

Baby Groot is the best, period!

Wow. I didn't know the redesign meant turning the whole building on its side, too.

For purposes of this update, I have combined photos from several different occasions of riding. When you use FP, you bypass the queue and all the pictures I'm about to post. However for continuity’s sake, I'm including them here.

Much appreciated! Nice to see how the queue is designed.

As you walk through the entrance area, you can see some other things in the “collection”, if you look hard enough, you can even see Figment in one of the boxes.

Love it!

I like the low-tech plan graphics.

My Mom hated the ride, to be honest, she only ever rode Tower of Terror once as well.

I like your mom.

But we did stop in front of the Castle to get some photopass pictures since I never get pictures of me and my parents together.

Hey, your mom and I have the same ball cap!

Mom was hungry again so she ordered a bowl of soup, it was some sort of asparagus soup.

Aw, crap. And here I thought she and I were simpatico. And then it was lost.