Dude in Disney

The Countdown to our Disney Vacation is On!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:45:00 +0000

I have been making a list of things I want to remember to take along with me on vacation. We’re less than 3 months away and I feel so unprepared. I know I definitely need a new pair of sunglasses; even though I rarely wear them they sure come in handy on vacation. I wonder why that is? Lisa found some really nice women's sunglasses at Kaenon.com

Lisa is busy helping to plan a baby shower, so she’s internet deep in baby shower favors but I know as soon as she pulls off this baby shower, all her focus will be on this Disney trip!

Grand Floridian Wedding Chapel

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:21:00 +0000

I know Lisa has always wanted a Disney 'engagement' but she has never really mentioned a Disney wedding. I found this photo online while doing a search for perks when staying at the Grand Floridian:

Photo Credit

Of course I made the mistake of showing this to Lisa - what do you want to bet she'll be online later looking for mens wedding bands; she already asked me if I have any friends to be groomsmen and what kind of groomsmen gifts they'd like. I can't believe people actually get married in Disney World! Really?

Back to the friends question - I don't have any friends and that is the way I LIKE it!

Next Trip is in April

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:52:00 +0000

It's been a crazy couple of months. Let's see, Lisa and and I both had horrible sinus infections around mid-September. I remember one day, I was coughing so bad and I felt my back twist from coughing really hard. Ever since then my lower back has really hurt. Then Lisa and the kids got H1N1 (supposedly) in October, right before Halloween. That really kicked their asses!

Over the course of November/December I have just been dealing with back pain until a fall down the steps at home forced me to the doctor. I have 2 herniated discs. NOT FUN. I do see a specialist but not until the end of this month. I really hope this is on it's way to healing by our Disney trip, our next vacation is April 30 - May 8!

I am looking forward to going, I need a vacation! This time I will be more prepared, I will make sure I have a decent pair of men's sunglasses and sunscreen with a higher SPF to keep my tattoos better protected!

We Own at Bay Lake Tower

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:39:00 +0000

It's official, we are the proud owners of 320 points at Disney's Bay Lake Tower! It feels strange, I never thought we'd buy a vacation home anywhere, much less Disney but we did and to think it all started when we saw a cool Disney display at one of those custom tradeshow exhibits we go to once in a while.

I gotta admit, it does look pretty freaking awesome:

Lisa has already booked our next Disney vacation for April 30th - May 8th. I don't know how much blogging I'll be doing here regarding itinerary since Lisa handles all of that, so please hop on over to her blog Family Disney Vacations if you're interested in seeing what's in store for us on our next trip!

I'm just too tired to post!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:50:00 +0000

Lately this blog has felt as dead as I have. Every day like clockwork the king of Polaris RZR accessories runs his bike by my house about 20 times. Yah it’s day time but it’s my night time since I’ve been working overnights! That’s really why I haven’t been posting much lately. I’m pretty dead all day. In three weeks I go back to days so hopefully I’ll be able to post more. Lisa’s still pushing for her DVC and hopes to have it within the next two months so I’m sure I’ll have plenty to talk about soon! Well, I’m back to attempt sleep!

I just about set us back again!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:11:00 +0000

As if buying the Mustang didn’t set Lisa back on her quest to get a DVC, getting busted for speeding, reckless operation and no seatbelt was a sure fire way of setting us about another grand or so! Oh wait, I GOT OUT OF IT! It was either the fact that I was driving such a killer legend lime Mustang or it was the fact that I just looked cool all hunkered down in the seat just chilling in my sports sunglasses and jamming to the Cowboys from hell! He didn’t seem too impressed with me or the Mustang to be truthful but he said it was my lucky day and he let me go! So, I avoided a huge fine and a few points. Needless to say, Lisa didn’t find it too amusing.

OUCH! I got Magformered!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:07:00 +0000

Lisa and I were having one of our spirited debates about our immanent purchase of a DVC at Bay lake Towers in Disney when I told her I’d like to get the supercharger for my Mustang before we purchase her DVC. I was promptly overruled when she hit me in the head with one of the boys Magformer kits. She hit me hard too! I guess the argument is finally over since she resorted to violence! The DVC comes first and the super charger comes second.

Hitting the links in Disney

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:31:00 +0000

So Lisa put the stop to buying a 1960's inspired golf cart but she said we could take a day and try out one of the golf courses in Disney. I'll have to look into it but I don't thin we'd have enough room for any clubs so I'd have to rent my golf equipment when I get there. I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one but it seems kind of lame renting clubs!

Also, I'm not too sure how the kids would handle it. I guess they'd have to hang with Grandmas while we went for a few hours. I'm guessing we'd only be able to pay the front 9.

Think this is a DVC GT?

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:09:00 +0000

Recently I’ve taken a bit of heat from my friends for taking up golf. Apparently it’s not as cool as it was five years ago but I'd like to think I might have enough talent to actually play. A buddy of mine was giving me grief until I showed him a link to a 1960’s Mustang inspired golf cart I’ve been thinking about buying. I’m a rather lazy person and I hate lugging around all that golf equipment so riding in style sounds like a good idea to me. I’d just need to have it painted legend lime and put some mini-pipes on it! Yes folks, this is why we don’t have a DVC yet!

DVC challenges

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:06:00 +0000

Don’t you hate when you get side tracked? Well, Lisa’s been working hard to get the down payment up for her DVC but we keep getting side tracked. Some of it’s been my fault but some of it’s not been my fault. For example, my fault is the new Mustang sitting in my garage. It’s my Mustang’s fault however that it didn’t come with the Vortec Supercharger that was on display at the performance shop I frequent. I walk into the store and right there in the center of the store, on a nicely decorated peninsula display was the exact Vortec Supercharger I want for the Mustang! So, now I’m saving up for that.

It’s not my fault that Lisa wanted to have the basement renovated into a living area. It’s not my fault that we blew out budget by 3K. We really need the extra space and it’s just about done so we shouldn’t incur much more debt for it but still, I know it set her back.

So now that we have these things out of the way, I really hope that she can get back on track because I know it means a lot to her and she deserves to have it!

The magical world of muscle??

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:59:00 +0000

When I’m not busy working or dealing with my better half’s addiction to Disney I’m usually watching shows about hotrods and helping my friend install his new Polaris RZR accessories. Well, the bug to “build” finally hit me again when I picked up a 2006 Legend green V6 manual transmission Ford Mustang Coup. It puts out a steady 210 HP to the wheels but the plan is to end up with a stealth Mustang capable of 400-500 HP at the wheels while retaining the retro look of the ’69 mustang it was modeled after.

I’ve put together a blog called “Me and My Mustang.” This is where I will keep track of the modifications, upgrades and overhauls that I have planned for the 4.0 power plant and drive train. If seeing steroids injected into a muscle car is your thing, hope on over and check out the new blog!

Live from Disney..it's the freaks!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:51:00 +0000

A while back I was talking about "live event video streaming" direct from Disney and as luck has it, I saw a family doing just that right from their table from 1900 Park Far e. Yup, a family was beaming their daughter's first meet and greet with the Princesses of Disney right out to the Internet so family at home could view the event live if they wanted to! I never gave it serious thought and Lisa dismissed it right away but it seemed like a really cool idea and I think I might give it more thought for next years trip!

Seriously, it was stinky!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:39:00 +0000

It's been so humid lately that our 100 year old home has started to have that musty smell. So, Lisa made me dig out the "Disney Candles" to help freshen up the house a bit. Lisa loves beanpod candles and we usually have them all around the house to keep the house smelling "in season."

We have Disney specific candles because as awesome as the Polynesian is, it is still a room that gets used daily and it smells like a room that gets used by hundreds of people a year. With that said, we bring candles to give the room a bit of that "special Disney" smell. Apparently she wanted a little Disney reminder so I had to go dig out the left over candles!

In case you wonder, our Disney smell is Sweet Pea! :)

Well my Mom isn't happy with me!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:32:00 +0000

I was talking to my mom yesterday and we were talking about the trip to Disney and she said that she was disappointed because I didn't propose to Lisa while we were at Disney. It's not like she doesn't read my blog on occasion but I guess that she thought that I was still going to do it.

So unfortunately, as of right now there are still no men's wedding rings in our future or any wild Disney wedding cakes to be ordered but I'm starting to think that maybe next year there will be! Hey, eventually I'll get over my little protest about getting married and if I were to marry anyone again, it would be Lisa!

Next Year will be fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:46:00 +0000

While Lisa has been contemplating becoming a member of the Disney Vacation Club I've been pondering the best way to get to Disney next year. Yes, a plane is the fastest way and it's really the way most people travel. Well, I'm chicken and have no intentions on flying. So, I decided the best way to go to Disney is to go in style!

That means I just had to go out to buy a new Mustang! Sure, our Honda Pilot was great but taking a Mustang down I95 would be great! Lisa's convinced I'm going through a mid life crisis since Mr. White lab coat gave me a wake up call about my diet, exercise, and general living but I've just always loved Mustangs and now I'm in a place on life where I can have one.

Now I just have to figure out how to fit two adults, three kids and 11 days worth of luggage into a Ford Mustang? Any ideas?

Saved by the Sponge Bob

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:44:00 +0000

We just got back from spending the holiday weekend with my family in Ohio. It's about a seven hour drive one way. In the past it's been a very long drive but now that we've done the Disney drive twice a seven hour drive seemed like a walk in the park. It's a good nine-teen hour drive to Disney which makes it a two day drive each way.

On the way down and back all I could think about was those old time motor homes with the giant commercial satellites sticking out of the roof and a black diesel bloom following behind. Maybe an old Schwinn bicycle strapped onto the front for good measure.

All I could think of is that I was driving south in my mid-sized SUV with my kids in the back being quiet for nine-teen hours thanks to Sponge Bob! Yup, instead of that old Satellite, I had DVD! The power of the Sponge was strong on the trip to Disney! As much as I hate that little yellow guy, my kids love him and I had no problem listening to that laugh for 1,100 miles!

A bone to pick! Long live Motorhead!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:07:00 +0000

If you search far enough back in this blog you'll come up with several conversations Lisa and I had about appropriate children's clothing for our trip to Disney. Some things had been said about a 245 pound guy walking around the Magic Kingdom in a Cannibal Corpse shirt with children wearing Motor head shirts.

Well, I'll admit that 99% of the children I saw were wearing suitable clothing for such a venue but I did notice a small population of children outside of the norm, including one child in a Motorhead Onesie! Yes, Motorhead!

Next year it's Motorhead all around!

Going back to work is always hard!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Doesn't it seem hard to get back into the groove after a vacation? Well, I am in charge of 15 people and we all work in close quarters so we get to know each other. After this vacation it wasn't the work that was hard to get back to but the ridicule that I had to endure.

With all of my tattoos I've become accustomed to taking care of my skin over the years. As a result, I'm a bit pale because I don't want the thousands that I've put into my tattoos to fade and become ugly. Well, while I was at Disney this year I really didn't worry about it and as a result I got a nice tan. As soon as I got back to work my team accused me of airbrush tanning before I went to Disney so I wouldn't have to stand out so bad! I spent a week convincing them that I just didn't wear the sun blocker the way I would normally do.

Let's start with the heat!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Sun, 17 May 2009 12:08:00 +0000

This yer at Disney it seemed to be slightly hotter then last year. For the most part we had a nice breeze and some cloud cover but it was about 95 every day and towards the end of the trip the cloud cover rolled off and the humidity seemed to go way up (odd I know!) I think the heat index was in the billions! I even had to get me a pair of men's sunglasses because it got so bright out that I started getting headaches. I haven't owned a pair of sunglasses in over 10 years so if I needed a pair, it was bright! All in all, it was a bit hotter out (at least to me) but we didn't wait more then 10 minutes for most of the rides so had less heat related stress.

It's done for another year!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:24:00 +0000

Well first of all, I have to apologize to anyone reading this blog on the large amount of time that I did not post on this blog. Unfortunately I had to deal with several health issues, a temporary job change and preparing for this year's Disney trip. Well, my health is a bit better, I'm back to my old job and our 2009 Disney trip is in the books!

I've been enjoying some of my new found health by taking my friends up on their offer to go joy riding in one of their Yamaha Rhinos but with the weather being poor again, I have some time to get everyone caught up on our 2009 trip to Disney. Until then, you can check out our family female take on the trip at Family Disney Vacations.

Now I'm excited for Disney!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:04:00 +0000

I watched the Quinton Jackson Vs. Keith Jardine MMA fight last night and when it was over I found myself super excited about going to Disney. I was full of adrenaline and wearing my Jardine genuine in ring MMA gear and I was joking with everyone about tramping through Disney in my combat boots, camo shorts and MMA fight shirts. My buddies thought it was funny, Lisa not so much!

I think I'm the first person who was excited about scaring people at Disney LOL! Boogada boogada!

Time to get my MMA shirts ready!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:21:00 +0000

We're finally onto the final phase of planning for the trip. It's time to make sure everyone has summer type clothes to wear on the trip. Since we have all been watching our weight we will need slimmer clothing. of course I'll be sporting my traditional MMA gear so the focus will be on the kids. It's amazing how fast they grow! We have to get a bunch of stuff to take with us so we'll probably hit Walmart or the kids clothes but the Walmarts around here are a bit dicey so I'm not 100% sold on that idea.

Custom exhibit design at AAA was cool!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:55:00 +0000

When we went to AAA to pay for our trip I was really impressed with the layout of the place. I've never been to AAA before and didn't realize what they have to offer. The agent Lisa works with is dedicated to Disney and was set up in an area that had a custom exhibit design just for Disney trips. It was like a mini Disney with cut outs of characters instead of the real deal. The kids were excited and it got them all jazzed up for the trip. Unfortunately my phone does not have a camera on it so I couldn't take a picture. You'll have to trust me, it was cool!

Paid in full :(

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:21:00 +0000

Well we had to do the fun part of Disney planning. We had to get our trip paid in full which came in at $4638.41 minus the cost to drive. Yah, expensive trip. I had to put off several things like my Guitar cab upgrade and my Yamaha Rhino Racing parts that I need to get my off roader ready for the summer. It's okay because I just got a new guitar and it's money that we are spending to have some special time with the kids. I get plenty of toys but damn, by the time this trip is over I'll be 6K in the hole!

And it comes up again...

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:12:00 +0000

Today Lisa and I had to have some papers notarized so he could be placed under my insurance. It's a hassle but it's stuff that has to be done when you are domestic partners and not married. So, the inevitable popped it's head up again only this time it didn't come from Lisa. It came from her friend who apparently reads this blog on occasion. I dropped my son off at pre-school today and I saw Lisa's friend and the first thing she said is, "you better buy that girl a ring" and then she brought up my earlier post on high speed satellite Internet where you can broadcast special events like getting married in Disney.

So now my mother is in on it and Lisa's friends are in on it. I'm starting to think that I'm going have a surprise stop to Jared's while on the trip to Florida.