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Post by jedimom3 on Feb 10, 2024 9:13:57 GMT -5
Happy Mardi Gras Saturday! and oh yeah, Super bowl weekend. The Saints aren't in it, so I dont' care, except for the commercials, and Taylor
4 weeks away from our Spring Break trip....unless we cancel. ha. This one is shaping up to be a bit different for sure. I think it'll just be DS and me. While DD is on spring break at the same time, she's planning a trip with her college roommates, and DH took a solo trip in Jan, so he's had his Disney fix for a while. Honestly, DS is pretty much over much of Disney, but for some reason, he agreed to go, so we'll see!
THere was a flurry of activity a few days ago, trying to grab rooms, change dates, etc. One of the absolute must-dos of this trip is to see Rick Springfield. I've seen less than 10 concerts in my life, but Rick Springfield was one of them, 1985 in Baton Rouge. It was pretty much the only big concert like that I saw as a teen (I tried all night to win Duran Duran tickets, but didn't make it.) We've always missed him at Epcot, but not this year!
But original plans had us in Riviera at the end of the week. DH kept stalking the site, and finally a few options opened up at the start....although they were mostly SSR. So, we're trying SSR for those first few days. I'm not looking forward to those buses at all, I mean AT ALL! I hope it'll work out. DS has started going back to the room on his own, so with a place like SSR, I'll have to make sure he's paying attention to where the bus drop offs are. It's going to be so very inconvenient, when we're used to Boardwalk. but we were able to add 1 night at CCR. yay! That's been on my bucket list for a while, and finally get to do it.
Then more insanity trying to get the Universal part figured out. After Rick Springfield, the other draw of this trip was Mardi Gras at Universal. I've cancelled and modified rooms so much, and procrastinated on booking, it's gonna cost, but I'm splurging this time on 1 night at Portofino, a premier, to get the express passes, but first night will be Dockside, in a 2 bedroom suite, Dockside is like Pop/Art/Animation, not fancy, but it'll do for 1 night. Also, once I stay at Dockside, I will have stayed at all the Universal on site hotels, so woohoo, sense of accomplishment.
As far as DH"s solo trip, he flew down the week of MLK holiday. That same week that we were completely snowed in up here. As a couple, we've not done this solo trip thing. I mean, he's traveled a lot for work. I've traveled solo to visit family, but never to like a destination. I was a bit pouty and put out I must admit, but I'm very glad he had fun. He's had an extra stressful time with work lately. He went at that time to experience the Festival of the Arts, and he LOVED it. He even went to all the Broadway shows in Epcot. He never does that. Loved the food, art booths, all of it, so glad for him. He brought me caramel bars from Germany, so I was good.
Looking forward to the getaway, but not the drive. If DD is not coming, and I"m doing the driving, I'm opting for the I65 route through Alabama, instead of going through Atlanta. It'll add about 1-1.5 hours though. Also debating if I'll leave Friday evening. I absolutely dont' want to be driving at night if I can help it, but maybe can get a few hours done, and finish Saturday. If there's any way, I could make it in time to see Berlin , that would be awesome. Love their music too.
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Feb 10, 2024 10:52:23 GMT -5
If I was seeing Rick Springfield, I would be crossing my fingers he would do "Human Touch"! I just pulled up the video for fun, it has that interesting "1983" thing going on...in what appears to be a super-futuristic (for the time) sci-fi post-apocalyptic world, he asks the computer what year it was and the computer replied "2016 A.D."
Berlin would be awesome to see, too!
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Post by fuzzylogic on Feb 10, 2024 12:50:48 GMT -5
How old is DS? What are his favorites? Your avatar would suggest you're a bit of a Star Wars fan... is he? Maybe dress in full SW gear and hang out in Batuu?
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Post by jedimom3 on Feb 11, 2024 6:43:49 GMT -5
If I was seeing Rick Springfield, I would be crossing my fingers he would do "Human Touch"! I just pulled up the video for fun, it has that interesting "1983" thing going on...in what appears to be a super-futuristic (for the time) sci-fi post-apocalyptic world, he asks the computer what year it was and the computer replied "2016 A.D." Berlin would be awesome to see, too! oh my gosh, I just had to pull it up. What a blast from the past. So many videos used that look around then. I just rewatched Dancing with Myself, and forgot all the Mad Max vibes. and 2016, ha. too funny. So interesting to see when sci-fi/futuristic writers/creators predicted when things would be a certain way. No, not quite, often not even close, but. Sometimes they get a few things right. Just looked up Blade Runner, all of that was supposed to be 2019. Back to the Future 2 - 2015. Soylent Green is 2022. Totally forgot Terminator times are coming up, had to look that up. 2029....now with all that AI going on, I think that one could actually happen. haha I do hope I make Berlin. I loved The Metro when it came out. If I stay one more night, I could catch Modern English. I only know 1 song by them, but could still be a lot of fun. |
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Post by jedimom3 on Feb 11, 2024 6:55:29 GMT -5
How old is DS? What are his favorites? Your avatar would suggest you're a bit of a Star Wars fan... is he? Maybe dress in full SW gear and hang out in Batuu? Hey, he's 16. He does enjoy the rides like GUardians, coasters, and some of the nostalgic stuff like Toy Story Mania. He's very much a homebody/introvert, so I thought he'd opt to just stay home. On our last trip in Oct, he did get out in the AMs and PMs for rides/theme parks, but the rest of the day, he took it easy in the room, watched a bunch of movies. I'll make sure to bring the Roku or Fire stick, and try and think of some good ones for this trip. I've never done any 'bounding' in Galaxy's Edge, that would be so fun. That's a great idea. I usually do have SW t-shirt/Ahsoka or Fett ears on, but I do very much like the idea of more of a cosplay. If I dont' figure it out before this trip, I"ll be planning for October. Love it! |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Feb 11, 2024 12:24:05 GMT -5
So many videos used that look around then. I just rewatched Dancing with Myself, and forgot all the Mad Max vibes. I forgot all about the "Dancing with Myself" video, thanks for reminding me! Watching it, you can see that so many of those "early days of MTV" videos had a similar look...I watched an interview with Darryl Hall one time, he was saying that when MTV first aired, they needed more of these "music videos" because there weren't very many, and it was all completely uncharted territory and nobody had any idea of what to do, and of course budgets were low. He said they were supposed to do a video for "Private Eyes" and they basically threw trench coats and sunglasses at them and said "do stupid stuff while singing" (to paraphrase). Interestingly, I dug into the credits for "Dancing with Myself" and compared it to "Human Touch" by Rick Springfield, they had different producers and stuff but the same cinematographer! Possibly there weren't many to go around back then. Mad Max 2 came out in 1981 and it seems the music video world couldn't get enough of that look. I know even Duran Duran, by the time their third album came out in 83, you can see (and hear, kind of) the Mad Max influence. Of course their second album was all "Indiana Jones" in the music videos! |
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Post by jedimom3 on Feb 12, 2024 23:13:52 GMT -5
So many videos used that look around then. I just rewatched Dancing with Myself, and forgot all the Mad Max vibes. I forgot all about the "Dancing with Myself" video, thanks for reminding me! Watching it, you can see that so many of those "early days of MTV" videos had a similar look...I watched an interview with Darryl Hall one time, he was saying that when MTV first aired, they needed more of these "music videos" because there weren't very many, and it was all completely uncharted territory and nobody had any idea of what to do, and of course budgets were low. He said they were supposed to do a video for "Private Eyes" and they basically threw trench coats and sunglasses at them and said "do stupid stuff while singing" (to paraphrase). Interestingly, I dug into the credits for "Dancing with Myself" and compared it to "Human Touch" by Rick Springfield, they had different producers and stuff but the same cinematographer! Possibly there weren't many to go around back then. Mad Max 2 came out in 1981 and it seems the music video world couldn't get enough of that look. I know even Duran Duran, by the time their third album came out in 83, you can see (and hear, kind of) the Mad Max influence. Of course their second album was all "Indiana Jones" in the music videos! That's so cool about the videos having the same choreographer. I LOVED those Duran Duran videos from Rio. That got me hooked for sure, and I do think they changed the landscape and expectations of videos on MTV. yeah, some of those early ones are awful! |
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Post by jedimom3 on Feb 12, 2024 23:15:22 GMT -5
Still need to make some park reservations, and devote a little bit of time to planning some of our time. Getting excited for all the food!
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Post by Brian5581 on Feb 16, 2024 17:01:31 GMT -5
Sounds like a good time to me. Enjoy!
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Post by jedimom3 on Feb 24, 2024 17:40:11 GMT -5
Less than 2 weeks until I leave. Got a surprise this week: DD decided she wants to come. I'm excited and very glad, but this changes my driving route, and puts me driving through Atlanta...I haven't driven through ATL since 2011, and I am NOT looking forward to this at all. I will spend some time looking at alternate routes...or maybe if we hit it early enough in the morning, it wont' be dreadful.
Work week has just worn me out. They started offering overtime, and I haven't done any. I am completely spent after my 8 hours on the phones, I can't imagine even one more minute. Even with the stressful drive, I"m SO looking forward to a Disney/Universal break.
Do need to spend time this weekend packing, now I'll have to start gathering DD's Disney clothes, etc. She wont' be home from college to pack anything before the trip. Need to find magic bands, Univeral passes, interactive wand, Minnie ears. ALL the fun stuff!
but also need to make a couple more park reservations. So stupid we still have to do that. and I don't think my Copper creek night is linked. we changed our GFV to CCV. I've been wanting to stay at Wilderness Lodge for SO long, I can't wait.
but now we are moving SO much at the end of the trip. 3 nights SSR, 1 night CCV, 1 night Dockside, 1 night Portofino....
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Post by WDWGoof on Feb 24, 2024 20:28:21 GMT -5
Driving through Atlanta, all I can say is EOV lanes. Staying in that the whole time and will be less stressful. Yes, you still have to keep up with traffic speed wise but it eliminates many from dodging in and out of your lane (seeing single drivers aren’t allowed to use them).
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Post by tomandrobin on Feb 26, 2024 9:52:18 GMT -5
Yeah for DD joining the trip!!! Boooooo for the drive thru Atlanta!
Don't fear the SSR busses. Just don't use the Springs bus stop.
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Post by minniesueb on Feb 27, 2024 9:58:49 GMT -5
Put in a request at SSR for Grandstand - it's the first bus stop & close to Carriage House. Enjoy your trip!!!
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Post by jedimom3 on Mar 2, 2024 9:03:39 GMT -5
Change is good right??
More changes for the spring break trip, hopefully all for the best. DH kept stalking the availability, and found another night for us at Copper Creek, so now we have Tues and Wed night there, so we can do the late night Wed at MK if we'd like, However, that greatly shortens our Universal experience. I'll be dropping our Wed night at Dockside....I'll just have to complete my Univeral hotels another trip. And we'd booked a 2 bedroom suite, so was looking forward to trying, but another time,
Still have the 1 night at Portofino, but now, if staying out past 1 AM at MK, probably wont' be checking in until later on Thursday AM there. Will cut into our Universal time, but we will have express. But as awesome as express is, if it's crazy busy, like I expect it will be for spring break, you'll still be waiting a bit in lines. I THere is a lot of Mardi Gras food I hope to try. Also , not in any rush to leave for home Friday, as long as we get on the road at some point, so should have time on Friday for some things. Velocicoaster has been having a lot of downtime lately, hope we'll get some rides on it.
More changes: DD doesn't have classes next Friday, so DH might go get her in Chattanooga, bring her back here in the morning, and we'll just go back to the original route, if I want to do that. I am more comfortable with the I65, Alabama route, but it adds drive time......Frankly, I'm getting very, very stressed about all of the drive, no matter which route. It's so long. Well, if there's anything that helps me get over my phobia of flying, ti's these long ass car trips.
I need to force myself to get a lot done this weekend, packing, etc. but enjoying my coffee, and hanging out on these forums, listening to youtubers talk about Flower/Garden food.....I am the WORST procrastinator.
Thanks for all the tips/well wishes!!
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Mar 2, 2024 10:50:35 GMT -5
I am the WORST procrastinator. You want to have a contest? Tee hee hee We will start that later. This email ain't gonna check itself, you know. re: fear of flying, lots of people seem to have that. I grew up flying so I love it. Wife to this day grabs my hand during takeoff; she is scared during that part. (Landing she's usually asleep lol.) I stare out the window, listen to the engines, listen to the creaks and groans and snaps and bangs of the decades-old flimsy aluminum tubes with seats in them, think about the interesting arrangement of air pressure above the wings vs below, lifting the fuel-filled wings (with engines dangling below them) up into the air with our "aluminum tube-with-seats" hanging between them, and smile. It's all fun and games to me! |
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