disneygurlz2s

I have never read the books (I did read an exerpt from book 3 or 4 and was intriqued, but that was as far as it got....) or seen the movies... just not my genre, I guess, but we did get caught up in the HP Mania last night so I thought I would share..... My family likes to go out to dinner and then head to the local Barnes and Noble or Borders and just browse and hang out for a couple of hours. We especially like to do this when Samantha is not along, as we don't have to spend all our time sitting in those tiny chairs in the kids section. Last night, Sam had an overnight event at her day care, so we went out to a late dinner (8:30 is late when you are over 40 ) and (and this was MY bright idea) to Barnes and Noble since I knew they would be open late. OMG!! I have never seen so many children, babies, adults, teens in costume. It was like Halloween. Only much weirder. Some older lady (older than me) had stuffed cats all over her (what is THAT about?). There must have been 1000 people in that store and about an hour after we got there they closed the entrance and they would only let in the number of people that went out. Of course, with the exception of Herb and I, no one was planning to leave, so there was this huge line, easily another 100 people, outside the store and all they way up to the Old Navy store two doors down. You could not find a place to sit, the line at the Starbucks was HUGE and there were all kinds of things going on around the store to keep the crowd entertained. It was quite the experience. I wanted to stay until midnight to see the crowd go wild when the books were wheeled out, but my party pooper husband didn't want to. At least when we left at 11 two more people got to go in!! It was enough to make me want to read the book.... or at least the last page or two so that I can find out what happens/ed to Harry..... Shari "I was ready to declare myself a Muggle or something" Shoufler

Loved the pictures of KT and Lou's head as a tumor. Can't believe the Jungle Cruise ripoff! It WAS truly the ghetto version!! Looking forward to more pics. Shari

I've never flown far enough to get jet lag, so that's one more way the 5 month old has a more interesting life than mine..... Truthfully, I agree with a lot of your random thoughts on the time zones, but as a mom, I can also tell you that you could stay at home in CA with KT and still go through some of the same sleep issues you are now (and not be having nearly as much fun). Seriously, Samantha would go through these periods where she would be WIDE AWAKE at like 3 am in the morning. I remember this happening the most when she was between 2-4 years old. I would put on some videos and go back to sleep on the floor next to her. God Bless Elmo!! I'll loan you Elmo Saves Christmas when you get here...it's even more bizarre to watch at 3 in the morning but it always kept her occupied..... Shari

I'm at work so I can't view the poem right now , but I bet it's great! Loved the update and I'm very jealous you got to stay at that fabulous resort. The porn shop next to the Pizza Hut would be my husband's idea of Heaven. Shari

Yes, many times. You really have to remember that this was a groundbreaking concept and, honestly, ahead of it's time technically. By the time they were tearing it down, other parks (BGE "Big Bad Wolf", CP "Iron Dragon") were being built and they worked fine in comparison and are still running today. By the time KI/PKI built Top Gun it was like "You are kidding me? They are rebuilding "The Bat". Thanks for this post. It was a great trip down memory lane. Some of those pictures almost made me cry. Shari

Kudos to Homer for lightening the mood here.... However, I am a bit concerned about little Kristen. She seems to have gotten so thin on the trip? Perhaps Robb and Elissa are so preoccupied over all this arguing about updates, lack of updates, and people being pissed about people being pissed about updates that they have forgotten to feed the baby? She looks like a stick figure! Welcome back home to all the travelers! Shari

OMG!!! Loved the paintbox update. I think all the whiners should be allowed to get these and no others. On the other hand, I personally WANT more paintbox updates.... that was great! Where's paintbox KidTums? Elissa Friendly Food? An acceptable amount of wetness? LOU???? Please, please, continue to give the Alveys a break and give us more of this! (Kinda like courthouse drawings on Saturday Night Live years ago, I think...) Shari "The first person who'll get banned for whining about wanting more paint updates" Shoufler

^^ Thanks.. I just checked their website, actually. We have tenative plans to sail out of Tampa next summer on a cruise and I was thinking of heading over to Disney for a few days as well, but then I realized my name isn't Hilton or Gates or Buffett and so perhaps I am getting a little carried away. But a day at BG would be do-able for sure. Shari

Wow!! I hate to say it, but it has been something like 25 years since my last visit to BG and I would LOVE to go back. Having seen it on the Food Network last night and then seeing these awesome photos. While they have added TONS of new rides over the years, it tickled me to still see Nessie, the log flume and DaVinci's cradle, which was brand new on my last visit. It is great to see a park that has truly kept up the THEME concept, as that is something I really love, which is why Holiday World, Disney and Dollywood rank as my favorite parks. Can anyone tell me if BG Tampa/Africa is as nice and well themed??? Awesome TR, great pics.... Shari

We watched it too and it was a good special, the way they intermixed the food and the attractions. It really made me want to go back to Dollywood and to visit Knobels. I had to laugh, as soon as they showed the Phoenix I yelled out "Knobels!!" and Sammi looked at me like "what the hell are you saying, MOM?". We have never been there and I wouldn't have a clue if not for my education here at TPR!! Shari

Finally got a chance to view this report. Great pics... I love WDW. I also would love that replica castle, too bad it would take a year's salary to buy it! Shari "Wonders who buys those things" Shoufler

Now if they'd just take that damn Mickey hat down at MGM..............

I would love to go on DCL. We are going on our first cruise next June (Carnival) and if we triple-love-it like I think we will, DCL will be the next goal for sure. Loved the photos..thanks for sharing.... Shari

^^^I think my retinas are burning. Thank God I'm at work in an eye doctor's office!!! Seriously, Robb.... those of us who've been around a while know that you are having fun but also keeping long hours, as well as keeping track of your tour (and I am sure you need to keep your eye on that bunch!). As much as we all enjoy living vicariously through your trips and reports, the majority of us can get through our day without an update. (Although it does make my day to see KT's cute little face ) Keep up the fun.... Shari

. Based on the posts I am reading, you weren't the only one!!! Seriously, guys and gals, before everyone goes all "Oh my gosh, I hope this doesn't scare people away from waterparks" and "First the girl's feet and now THIS", can I just point out that this woman's death does not fall in the same catagory as that of those who have been injured or died as a result of a rider/operator error or ride malfunction?! Congestive heart failure is a medical condition, and having personally suffered from it when I was pregnant with my daughter 9 years ago, I can tell you that it's pretty hard not to know you have it. Now granted, she may have had an underlying medical condition that caused CHF to develop, and especially since she was a young woman, she may have chosen to ignore the symptoms, but.... chances are she wasn't feeling too great when she got to the park. Just as has been the case in many incidents in recent years (Disney stands out in my mind), visitors to amusement parks sometimes do not use the best judgement when it comes to choosing to ride rides or participate in park activities when they aren't feeling well or know they have a medical condition. In this case, Holiday World, it's rides, wave pool, etc. were not to blame. Chances are this gal was ticking time bomb and while her death, especially on a holiday, is very sad, it is NOT in any way the fault of the park, and anyone with any sense should understand that! Shari "I could have collapsed anywhere myself" Shoufler

^^ I was thinking the same. I think it's fabulous that they were able to do that much. As others have stated, no one has really said where her feet were found, the condition that they were in or how quickly they were able to get her to surgery, so the fact that they could reattach one is a miracle. Shari

^^ LOL!! Ok, that guy's funny and hot! Bring him back to the states with you, would you please?? I seriously want to ride Bouncy Bouncy. Reminds me of a ride we had at LeSourdesville (aka Americana) when I was kid. Keep the fun coming. PS to Kristen-Girlfriend, charge them $5 each to watch their bags. You can never start too early with the college savings (or to pay for the therapy you will likely need!) Shari

And speaking of Kid Tums, what the heck was going on behind Elissa's thumb? I cracked up at Dave and the others staring down at her. "What's that smell?" "You change her" "No, you change her" "Aw, that credit whore mother of hers will be back in minute, just act like you didn't smell anything!" I am sure they were just admiring her cuteness, but it was hard to tell Shari

Well, considering there was absolutely NO ACTION going on in the "ACTION ZONE" on Friday (Drop Zone, SOB and Delirium ALL closed....), they probably figured they needed to come up with their own thrill ride!!! Shari

What kind of ride is this? At first, I was picturing something like one of those Gravitron rides like they have at fairs and carnivals, but then when I read the new report it almost sounded like an Octopus (or at KI Monster) type ride. I agree that it seems crazy that the ride op on duty wasn't paying any better attention. Shari

Glad you enjoyed Cincinnati's parks and rides

Hillarious video! Have a great trip...looking forward to the updates! Shari

Wow!! Looks like a great time. Love the picture of you in front of the limo-you look like Mr. Big Shot!! Ahh... to be young and single again...... Shari

^^^ Well, I love all three of the Deluxe Resorts at Seven Seas Lagoon, so I will be excited to see which one it is..... (hoping Grand Floridian.....) Shari

Five years ago, my 23 year old niece was killed when a 22 year old, off-duty Sheriff's Deputy crashed head on into her Honda Civic. His blood alcohol level was 2x over the legal limit. In the days that followed, his mother, who was also grieving (he died in Air Care enroute to the hospital) made the effort to contact various members of my sister's family who were willing to speak to her so that she could offer her condolences and apologize for her son's poor judgement. My sister refused to talk to her, but at least she could never say that this guy's family failed to acknowledge our family's loss. My point is, it's one thing if Six Flags park or corporate personnel made attempts to talk with or offer assitance to the Lassiter Family and they chose not to speak with them. It is something entirely different if they have not tried to contact the family. Someone here is not telling the truth.