Travel – Page 3 – Concert Katie

Disney Trip: Memory Maker

Katie November 19, 2014 0 Comments

Memory Maker is offered at Disney World as a way to get professional photos throughout the park. No matter how long your trip is, it costs $150. I wasn’t able to justify the cost of that for just 3 days – so I looked into a Memory Maker Share which is when you go in with several other groups/families and share the cost of the $150. It was a $30 buy-in and we all had to link our accounts together to the account which had the Memory Maker paid on it.

If you don’t get Memory Maker you can still get your photos taken, but they cost about $15 to buy – so basically as long as we had at least 2 we wanted to buy (and let’s be real, as a scrapbooker I bought them all) we would come out ahead.

We basically made it our mission to seek out every photographer we could (easier said than done since we had so much rain on our trip!) and ended up with about 150 pictures.

Once you get back, you can log in to the account and add borders and stickers to the photos, which can double or triple the number of photos that you have depending on how you edit them)

The only downside to the share is that you need to wait for everyone to come home from their trip and edit before you can download all your photos as a group. Then once you do download there are several zip files (our group had 55) and you have to sort through them to find your photos. This actually went pretty quickly once all the files had downloaded, but the wait was the hardest part!

Photographers are around the park and also with most of the characters at their meets. They will take a photo with your camera if you ask, but their cameras are professional and they’ll take several shots with it. Here are a few of the shots that we got – including some MAGIC shots! (The big reason why I wanted to get Memory Maker!) Oh and you get ride photos too! (And in the case of 7 Dwarfs Mine Train – a video! And we got video of holding Lumiere as well!)

Product Review Travel

Product Review: Packing Cubes

Katie November 18, 2014 0 Comments

I travel 2-3 times a year by plane and am always trying to figure out how to fit all my clothes in just a carry on so I don’t have to bother with a checked bag. Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about packing cubes and was excited when Dot&Dot gave me the chance to try out their large packing cubes in my favorite color, orange.

Here are just a few benefits of using packing cubes:
See through mesh panels allow you to easily find what you need.
Maintain your privacy while going through security in the airport.
Save time ironing your clothes! The packing cube will help minimize wrinkles.
Maximize your luggage space so you can squeeze in more of your stuff.
Traveling with the entire family? Make packing and unpacking easy by assigning a cube per person or purpose.
Save time packing and unpacking by allowing you to unpack only what you need.
Cubes fit in luggage, duffels, suitcase, backpack, slim bags and can be used on their own.

These cubes fit perfectly in my carry on and while I only tried out one cube – it easily fit an outfit for the day and certainly had room for more if I wanted. I really like that it can help keep things organized – if I pack each days outfits into its own cube, I just have to worry about pulling the appropriate days out and bringing it in the bathroom with me each morning. No time wasted digging around for the shirt I wanted to wear with those shorts, etc. It will certainly make my traveling life a lot more organized (something that I definitely need!)

These cubes don’t quite fit in my backpack, but my backpack is a bit on the small size. If you have one a bit larger for travel, I think it will fit and then you can keep your clothes separate from anything else you may be traveling with (electronics, etc.) I know if I am going away for a short trip and want to get my Nook out I always have to pull out my PJs, underwear, etc to get to it at times – so this will make digging through a lot easier (and less embarrassing!)

I am looking forward to taking these cubs on my next trip in January! (I’ll try to remember to snap some more pics then!)

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

If you are looking for backpacks for your travel needs, Backpacks Global would be the best site for you to visit.

Concert Hanson Photos Travel

Disney Trip: EPCOT Day 2 Part 2

Katie November 5, 2014 0 Comments

After hiding out in China to miss out on the rain, we made it to a covered area near the America Pavilion to wait things out again. We decided not to wait in line and once again for the first show see what would happen. Well, the sky kept getting darker and darker and then an announcement came that the first show was going to be canceled because there was lightning in the area.

The second and third shows were scheduled to go on – and they did.

For the second show it started raining – but fortunately the handicapped area and rows in front of it are under an overhang, so we were OK. By the end of the show – the middle of the overhang was majorly leaking though!

Show 1, err 2, errr I don’t know… had a setlist of

Where’s the Love
Waiting for This
This Time Around
Watch Over Me
Juliet
Get The Girl Back
MMMBop
If Only

We had the Chase wristbands for the last show of the night and figured we’d end up with the prime handicapped spot right up front. Unfortunately, when I scooted my way up there, I was told that they can only accommodate wheelchairs up there and not ECVs! (Except I was in the same spot on the other side the night before and no one said anything to me?) So I backed up and still ended up in one of the 4 prime spots – but it would have been nice to actually be able to use the wristband to be a little bit closer!

The setlist for the final show – in the pouring rain – was

You Can’t Stop Us
Tragic Symphony
Thinking Bout Somethin
Been There Before
Minute Without You
MMMBop
Get The Girl Back
Already Home
Long Way To The Top

We had to pick up our bottle of MMMHops at the front of the park (you can’t carry alcohol around in the park with you so it has to be shipped to the front of the park for pick up when you leave) and so did 98 other Hanson fans and EVERY other park goer who had bought alcohol…. Meanwhile everyone leaving EPCOT decided to just cut through the line instead of go around which caused all sorts of drama (Tired, wet, cranky people are not a good mix)

So once again we skipped out on Illuminations and headed back to the hotel as we had a pretty early time to pick up the bus to take us back to the airport 🙁

Overall we had a great time but it would have been nice if there was no RAIN. (We figured there would be a quick shower every day – as “that’s Florida” but this constant rain all night was not what we were expecting and even my friends who live in FL say that it was very abnormal to be happening!)

Travel

Disney Trip: EPCOT Day 2 Part 1

Katie October 29, 2014 0 Comments

Day 2 kicked off with Hanson’s Seminar at the Festival Center. As soon as we were let in to the park, we rented my ECV and then made our way to the Festival Center. There were 4 girls there before us but 1 ended up staying behind us to make sure that the scooter didn’t end up trampled (thank you!) and I ended up #4 and Maribeth #5 for the seminar. We were seated in the front row and waited patiently for Hanson to come out.

At first we were under the impression they would be signing bottles of MMMHops – which was fine – but once we arrived we found out that the bottles were pre-signed (and $7.95) and that we’d be getting PHOTOS with the band too! And not only a photo – a SOLO photo. Jackpot!

The guys chatted for about half an hour or so about the beer and then the first 100 people who had wristbands got a bottle of beer and the chance to meet the guys. (The seminar was also open to standing room only)

After the seminar we made our way to the World Showcase (after having spent most of the previous day in the other side of the park) and headed to America to get wristbands and hang out in the Chase Lounge for a bit. We got wristbands for the 3rd show that night and made a game plan to ‘Eat Around the World’. We headed back towards Norway as we had a fastpass for Maelstrom (our first 2 FP+s expired while we were at the seminar – Soarin’ again and Spaceship Earth!) only to find out that it was broken down! (We did make a stop in Poland and China first for some snacks and Germany for photo ops!) Our Fast Pass turned into one we could use at any ride (except Test Track or Soain) at any time – so we decided to continue our way around the world and hit up Norway again after.

Our other snacks included dole whips, London to meet Tigger and Pooh, Creme Brulee in France (and FINALLY track down the Chip magic shot!), and meeting Aladdin and Jasmine in Morroco. Aladdin had me freaking CRACKING UP omg. I dont even know why everything was so funny, but Aurora told me at lunch that Jasmine borrowed a carpet and never brought it back. Jasmine said that she didn’t know what Aurora was talking about and she must have dreamt it!

We also had some bread in Brazil and then headed through the store in Japan because it is cute and it was hot and we wanted to steal some AC for a bit. We made it back to America but storms were coming so we headed down to Norway – rain jackets on – and Maelstrom was up and running! Hooray! So I took what I believe to be my first – and last – ride on it. When we got out of the ride it looked like the skies were about to open up. We quickly hopped on the scooter and found a place to hide in China and it poured and poured.

Watching the weather on a phone app, we made a break back to America so we’d be in position to scoot down for the Hanson shows….

But more on that later!

Concert Hanson Photos Travel

Disney Trip: EPCOT Day 1 Part 2

Katie October 22, 2014 0 Comments

For the first Hanson show, we didn’t bother getting in line and hoped we would have a handicapped spot waiting for us. We did. There are what I like to call 4 “prime” handicapped viewing spots and we were 2 to the side from one of the four. I knew I would have to stand to see because everyone in front of me stood – but the ECV was pretty cool and between the controls in front of me and the seat behind me I felt pretty secure!

The setlist for the first show was

Fired Up
Ive Got Soul
Where’s the Love
And I Waited
Minute Without You
MMMBop
Get The Girl Back
Waiting For This

There was a medical emergency during this show – I believe that a girl had a seizure and had to be taken away. (I hope everything turned out ok there!) and you could tell that the guys were concerned. Taylor mentioned her after a couple of songs and stopped after a song to talk to security to see what was going on as well. But the show must go on and they pushed through their set.

The second set we pretty much did the same approach and got the exact same spot haha For this show t he setlist was

Scream and Be Free
Thinking Bout Somethin
Runaway Run
This Time Around
Tragic Symphony
Give a Little
Minute Without You
Lost Without Each Other

We left before the last song and got back in line – only to be cut by a couple more wheelchairs and scooters so we were 1 off from the “prime” spot – until I spotted a friend next to one of the 4 prime spots. She called us over and I had a pretty much amazing unobstructed view for the 3rd show. (Thanks Jillian!)

The setlist for the 3rd show was

Fired Up
Ive Got Soul
Where’s The Love
You Can’t Stop Us
Thinking of You
Penny and Me
MMMBop
Get The Girl Back
It’s a Long Way To The Top

We didn’t hang around for Illumiations even though we had wristbands because we needed to be up early for the Hanson Beer Seminar the next morning. We thought maybe we would catch it the next night…

Travel

Disney Trip: EPCOT Day 1 Part 1

Katie October 15, 2014 0 Comments

Our second day in Disney was our first day at EPCOT. We had 3 fast passes for the day – Soarin’, The Seas with Nemo and Figment. First thing we rented an ECV and then made our way over to the “Leave a Legacy” to find the NSYNC pictures. We also got several sets of photos with the PhotoPass photographers and 2 magic shots with Stitch!

EPCOT was typically a park that my parents would do without kids when we went on trips, so there aren’t many rides that I can recall ever being on. When I was at EPCOT 2 years ago for Hanson shows – we only rode Spaceship Earth (which this trip we were unable to fit in, which was fine!) So Soarin’ was a ride I had never been on before. We ended up in the front row and it was really cool. (Though I did get a little motion dizzy in the beginning, fortunately that calmed down relatively quickly)

Then we made a stop in Club Cool where you can flavor Coke products from around the world including Italy, Greece, Thailand, Japan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Peru and Brazil. I had actually tried Inca Kola before – and it was one of my favorites of the bunch. Italy has “The Beverly” which is very bitter and there are videos all over of people making grossed out faces after drinking it. I guess my Italian roots came in handy as I didn’t make any faces. I can’t say it is something that I’d want to enjoy regularly, but I was hoping for it to taste a bit nastier than it did!

Next up was the Nemo ride. It was very cute, Nemo is one of my favorite movies. Unfortunately the whole trip I never did figure out how to get photos on the rides in low light when we were moving so I have a lot of blurry pics of everything! There is a new song at the end of this ride which was pretty cute too. After the ride we checked out the aquarium tanks around EPCOT and got to see some of the fish being fed. We also found out that they change up the fish in the exhibits a lot, so the ones featured around the tanks aren’t always everything inside the tank. We were trying to figure out what one of the animals was but a nice cast member told us it was a shrimp fish! (And gave us the tip on the info around the tanks) After that we got our photos taken outside with the Nemo statues and headed to Figment!

Figment was nothing of what I remembered from when I was a kid – but I guess that it is because it is completely different. (Good to know it is not my memory failing!) We paid our respects to Robin Williams whose character from Flubber is featured in the ‘Imagination Institute Inventor of the Year Awards Recipients’ photos on the way in to the ride queue. Afterwards we played around in the area after the ride and made some music. Then we too a break to enjoy some Mickey ice cream! I opted for the ice cream sandwich and Maribeth got the classic Mickey Head on a stick 🙂

We made a quick stop to the Festival Center to find out about Hanson’s appearance there the next day and then headed to the World Showcase as we had lunch reservations with the princesses! We first met Belle and got a photo with her and then were greeted while we ate by Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel and Aurora! I liked that Snow White and Aurora talked to us about Hanson and our shirts. Cinderella liked that we matched and said she wanted to make outfits for Gus and Jack but they could never decide on the same color! Snow White left our table and told us to “Enjoy your Hanson!” which pretty much made my life. (Snow has been my favorite since I was a kid!) Ariel just talked to us about Eric because he’s so cute haha and Aurora asked if Hanson was the name of a Prince! We told her it was the name of THREE Princes and she asked if they had any fairies. We didn’t think so, so she said she would send her fairies over to help them out.

We spent some time in Norway getting pictures with trolls and then headed to the special Disney Visa cardholder meet and greet where we met Mickey and Goofy. Mickey really liked our shirts!

After that we headed back up to the World Showcase to get ready for the Hanson shows! I’ll recap those in another post 🙂

Travel

Disney Trip: Magic Kingdom

Katie October 8, 2014 1 Comments

Our first day at Disney we decided to go to the the Magic Kingdom. I had not been in 15 years and neither my friend Maribeth nor I had seen New Fantasyland. We opted to skip rope drop to sleep in a bit, but managed to get there just a bit after opening anyway. We rented my scooter and got “celebrating” pins from a cast member that was from PA (where Maribeth is from and where a lot of CM seemed to be from that we encountered lol) and headed to Main Street.

We did a Memory Maker share so instead of paying $150 for the Memory Maker package we split it with several other families. So our first photo of the day was between the pumpkins (everything was decorated for Halloween) with the castle in the back. Then we made our way up to the castle, got another photo from a photopass photographer and headed to Buzz’s ride which we had a fast pass for. I had read a cheat online about how to get max points on this ride but apparently did not remember it as I should have because Maribeth kicked my butt! After we got off the ride, Buzz had just come out to do his M&G so he was our first character meet. I had also spotted Stitch, but unfortunately by the time we got through Buzz’s line (which was pretty quick) he was long gone.

Next we did Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor which was a lot of fun because they really get the audience involved. Our first 3 rides / shows we ended up getting one of the red time keeper cards which has to be some sort of a new record! 😉

After our time in Tomorrowland we went back up to the castle and there was a dance party going on in the hub. We got more photos taken by the castle from a different angle and then headed to New Fantasyland. Our other 2 fast passes were Enchanted Tales with Belle (more geared towards little kids who want to be in the show they put on for Belle, but worth it to see the animatronic Lumiere that is incredibly impressive!) and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. We also had a fast pass for lunch at Be Our Guest which was so amazingly well done you really feel like you stepped right into the movie!

We tried 4 times to meet Gaston – but the first time he was walking away as we arrived, one time the line was cut and then the weather just was not working in our favor after that. We did stop to meet Ariel in her grotto though because that was pretty high on my must-do list – I really wanted to see her in her fin!

At around 3 we wanted to head to main street for the parade, but it looked like it was going to rain. We stopped and grabbed our rain gear just in time as the skies opened up and we had trouble finding a spot to hide. Finally we did and waited out the rain storm. Then we rode It’s a Small World until it was time for the Mine Train. The ride was very short, but the 7 dwarfs are my favorite so I loved it. The animatronic dwarfs were amazing and the witch at the end made me jump haha.

We also rode DUMBO which sends you through a play area that was obviously geared for those a bit younger than us 😉 Fortunately our ticket to Dumbo buzzed within a few minutes of us hanging around in there. After that ride it seemed like it was going to pour again so we ducked into a store and put on hats to take pictures and kill time and then found a plug in the corner to charge phones. We were discussing maybe riding Pirates when a cast member said he had fast passes and gave them to us! Awesome!

From the store we headed down to Haunted Mansion where we had gotten a 4th fast pass for. The line was long and we considered not even getting on, but then they started letting everyone in again and things moved quickly. Good thing we decided to get on the ride because we ended up being on the ride with Hanson! When we stopped to get photos with the photo pass photographer the whole family walked by us. How cool! (We didn’t bother them as they were with their families and we figured it was not the time or the place!)

After Haunted Mansion we ended up BACK in Fantasyland to ride the teacups and Ariel’s ride. (She told us that it was a good ride except for Ursula’s singing)

After that Maribeth rode Pirates but I sat it out because I wasn’t sure I was up to get in to another boat ride. We had to go around and a head of the parade to get there. Then we grabbed a spot for the 2nd showing of the parade and got to see part of the fireworks (though not from a great angle, but we had to sacrifice a bit if we wanted a good spot for the parade!)

After the parade we made our way to the exit, returned the scooter and headed to our resort bus. It seemed like once midnight hit – our day went downhill. We were a bit exhausted and minding our own business in the bus line when something landed on my head. I turned to Maribeth and asked her to help me and her response was “that’s a big bug!” She hit me on the head with our poncho bag and a FROG was on the ground. Yes, a FROG jumped on my head. We have no idea where he came from and then I was scared to walk past him to get on the bus because I thought that he was going to jump on me again! He ended up jumping off to the side and I heard a little girl shriek – here’s hoping he didn’t actually land on her too!

Next week I will recap our first day at EPCOT!

Travel

Disney Trip: Travel Day 1

Katie October 1, 2014 2 Comments

Friday I left work early and headed up to Windsor Locks to catch my flights to Orlando (by way of Baltimore). The ride up kind of stunk, but it is probably because I am used to driving up to the airport at 2am and not 2pm! I haven’t flown in the evening in quite some time (well, maybe last year to Vegas, but, still… it seems more often than not I am on 6am flights!)

When I got to the valet shuttle, I was asked if I was going to Chicago. I did see that all their flights were grounded and the shuttle driver told me that a guy went nuts and set the place on fire and then tried to kill himself – and in the process messed up the whole country.

My first flight went without incident. I landed in Baltimore and headed over to the gate for the 2nd flight, met up with Maribeth and then we grabbed dinner. Our flight was delayed from 8:10 to 8:40 at that point and when we got back to the gate it had gotten pushed back to 9:55!! Then it turned out there was a problem with the plane and it was broken and they had to get us a new one. Fortunately, the new plane for us had just landed so we just had to move to a different gate.

Once we arrived in Florida we headed to the Magical Express check in area and got in line to get on our bus to head to Pop Century. There were several other families with us. Fortunately, Pop ended up being the FIRST stop. Check In was moving very, very slowly and we ended up getting to our room at about 1:45AM.

We decided to skip rope drop for Magic Kingdom on our first day since we wouldn’t be getting much sleep at all!

Next up… our Magic Kingdom day. (Which may or may not end up in several posts. We’ll see how it all works out)

Sorry for no pictures but I promise there will be some to come in the future posts!

Concert Hanson Travel

Tulsa Recap – Part 2

Katie May 28, 2014 0 Comments

Saturday we woke up and decided we would check out Center of the Universe which is just a cool spot in Tulsa, you stand on a circle on an overpass and talk and you hear it echo but no one else does. It’s just a fun trick. Then we went to the Hanson gallery to see some paintings Zac did (that unfortunately were all sold out before we even got to Tulsa) and some photos Taylor had taken. There was a group photo for sale that we did like – but it was $60 and we just couldn’t justify it. There were several paintings I would have wanted had they still been available though. Oh well! (Moral of the story is, get to Tulsa the day before the check in starts so you can be first in line for everything)

We went to Mexicali’s for lunch and then headed back down to Cain’s for Taylor’s lecture that was bumped from the day before. He “taught” us a bit about photography and then brought fans on stage to take their photos and then he took a picture with them. He kept saying things needed to get sped up but then kept having more and more people come on stage for photos. The only catch was they had to wear headphones because the photos are going into an “Are You Listening” Gallery which will be added to the website. He had things rigged so the photo went to his laptop and then to a projector so we could see the photos as they were taken.

After Taylor’s lecture was done, all 3 brothers took to the stage to deliver the “State of the Band” where they talked a bit about what their plans were for the rest of the year. They did get boo’ed when they said it wouldn’t include a tour! A new fanclub website is coming next month and they are working with other artists. I’m still hoping a couple of one -off shows turn up (preferably close by!) because I am now at 99 shows so the next show is going to be #100!

Then it was time to head back outside from Cain’s and wait for the Members Only Event concert to begin! Despite things seeming to be a bit behind, the show did seem to start about when it was supposed to. The set started out with 5 new songs from the Members Only EP – this is always a treat because for the most part the only way you are going to hear these songs is to go to the event in Tulsa. Every now and then a couple of the songs do make it into other setlists but this is the only guarantee to hear them. The rest of the set was a mixture of some other members only songs, some rarer songs they don’t play much and then some typical songs as well. Overall I thought it was a really solid mixture of a setlist! The only bummer was Taylor and Isaac both did solos and Zac didn’t, but the rumor going around is that he was not feeling well.

On The Road
Show Me The Way
What’s Your Name
Panic in the Streets
White Collar Crime
Sunny Day / Cecelia
Down
Stories
Penny and Me
Never Let Go (Taylor Solo)
Deeper (Isaac Solo)
Roller Coaster Love
Scream and Be Free
Thinking Of You
Runaway Run
And I Waited
Get Up And Go
Already Home
Sound of Light
Best of Times
Man From Milwaukee
Waiting For This
In The City

After the show it was the after party! This is the 3rd time we have seen Taylor do an afterparty. The party in Hershey, PA sucked. The party in Jamaica was awesome. So we weren’t sure where this one was going to fall on the spectrum. Turns out, just about in the middle. The songs weren’t as good as Jamaica but were better than PA. It wasn’t as high energy and I could barely even look at him on the stage because the stage lights were flashing and making me tear up to look at them. He played songs from Haim, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Lorde – to name a few. It was a mixture of older and newer songs.

Sunday we decided to sleep in a bit since it was a late night the night before. When we woke up, the Hop Jam stage was set up right outside our hotel (though unfortunately our room was in the back of the hotel and not the front!) and we walked around to see what was going on and if we would spot any Hanson’s. When I stopped to take a photo of the stage we got yelled at to get back inside. And at that point – no one was even ON the stage so I’m not sure why I couldn’t stop to take a photo for a second! Sheesh.

We went back to our room but I heard soundcheck starting so we went to the lobby where we had a pretty clear view of Hanson (and of the guard who yelled at us – so we stuck our tongues out at him assuming the windows were tinted and they weren’t! haha oops) so we hung out there and watched them do a few songs and then walk down the street.

At 3pm the doors to the festival opened, we went and got in line for merch (and got everything we wanted and then some! yay!) and grabbed some food from the food trucks. Then we went in the hotel to eat and then decided to venture through the craft beer area. A lot of the stuff was already gone and they weren’t even really selling sample tickets anymore because too many people were coming back and saying things were sold out! I guess that was a good thing for those who were selling beer but not so much for anyone who wanted to try anything!

At 5pm the music started – with opening act winner Capitol Cars (woo hoo I voted for them!) but it was so hot out and no real shade, I ended up heading to the hotel after their set and never returning outside. There was no ADA section and we figured that in the hotel lobby was the safest place for me to enjoy my 99th Hanson show! Also performing at Hop Jam were Taddy Porter, Butch Walker (who I had been told was amazing and did not disappoint!), Robert Randolph and the Family band – and of course, Hanson.

After the show we walked around a bit (since I had been sitting in basically the same spot for hours and needed to stretch!) and ended up spotting all 3 Hanson’s briefly, but did not get a chance to chat with them. Isaac was at a local bar that we did pass and considered going in to, but ultimately opted against it and went back to the hotel for snacks instead.

Fired Up
Ive Got Soul
Wheres The Love
Waiting For This
Minute Without You
Been There Before
Penny and Me
This Time Around
Crazy Beautiful
Happy Together
Watch Over Me
Thinking Bout Somethin
Give a Little
Get The Girl Back
MMMBop
Never Been to Spain

Livin on Tulsa Time (w/ Butch and Robert)

Random Travel

Tulsa Recap – Part 1

Katie May 21, 2014 0 Comments

I am back from my 6th trip to Tulsa to see Hanson! Today’s post will recap Friday and next’s weeks post will recap Saturday and Sunday! (Monday was just a travel day, not too exciting) Sorry for no photos in this post – getting over a cold and the computer hasn’t been cooperating with me either.

Friday I woke up at 3am and drove to the airport. Made it through security with no major problems, got to the gate and realized that my flight was landing and my next flight taking off in 2 completely different terminals so I arranged to get some help with that. The flight to Chicago made it with no problem, I had a wheelchair waiting for me and then we got to ride a cart around which was a lot of fun. It spun all around and reminded me of the teacups at Disney World. I got dropped off and then waited for Maribeth and Amber to meet me as we had coordinated to have the same flight to Tulsa. They arrived and the gate had changed – but we decided to hang out, charge our phones and change our clothes and then I had a mini freakout we totally missed our flight. Turns out, I just am horrible with time zone changes. (Which I pretty much already KNEW…) So I changed my watch time to Central and we were in much better shape 😉

When we landed we decided to give Uber a try because Hanson had teamed up to offer a $25 off your ride for the weekend. It went well and we were excited when it offered me a $10 off code to refer a friend – we figured we could use that on the way back (since the Hanson offer would expire before we left!) We got to the hotel, checked in and headed down to get ready for the Hanson Day activities.

The first step – was to check in. We got down there a little after 1 and waited an hour and a half to check in, which was insane. The line was split by first name which meant Maribeth was in one line and Amber and I were in another. Then Maribeth got through the line and we didn’t. So that was a bit annoying too since one line was moving much faster than the other. Then we headed down to Cain’s Ballroom to get photos with the band. It was scheduled “first come, first serve” from 1-4. Of course somehow we got there at the precise moment the guys decided to take what appeared to be AN HOUR BREAK. So we waited again… the picture was as expected awkward. There were 10 people in it. Amber ended up in the back by Taylor and Isaac and Maribeth and I were awkwardly squatting in the front by Taylor. I’m glad they took the time to do photos but I am never really a fan of how my group ones come out. Hopefully this will be a good one though. (After we took the first one Isaac yelled “I BLINKED!” so they did another without the flash) By the time we got through were starving and while we needed to be back for the lectures at Cain’s we decided to eat instead.

We went to The Hunt Club and got some bar food and tried MMMHops. When we got out, the line for the lectures was still insane so we decided rather than wait in THAT line, we’d wait in the store line instead. That went rather quickly, but unfortunately, most of what we had wanted to buy was already sold out either completely or in our sizes. I didn’t even spend $100 which if you know me, know is rare 😉 Hoping some of it ends up back in the Hanson.net store to buy later. *fingers crossed*

We got in line for the lectures and made it in and got seats. Isaac went first and did his talk on “Underneath Naked” which was him talking about how they recorded the album Underneath 10 years ago and a bit of a behind the scenes look at the “layers” on several of the songs. Interesting but a bit longer than it probably needed to be – although with it being Isaac it was expected. He did give me some nice tidbits to use on my Hanson site for trivia though!

Then they set up for Taylor’s lecture. And then they un-set up for Taylor’s lecture. And then they set up something else. (You read that pretty quickly but it certainly did not happen that quickly) and then Zac came on stage. He was going to write a song based on cards we had filled out. Of course, our cards were never collected. He did a beat but then didn’t like our stomping, he kept messing up singing stuff and re-doing it and then played us each verse, chorus, bridge, etc. The cards basically asked for person/place/thing and he tried to work in as many as he could so it is quite a random song. He had us sing the chorus and then he had his brothers join him to sing the chorus as well. Lots and lots of mess ups later Zac says “Oh I better save this right?” ha. It sounds like the song will be released in a compilation coming soon to Hanson.net.

Zac also let us know that since time went so long, the dinners had been pushed back and they were talking to the movie theater and also that Taylor’s lecture would end up being tomorrow since they went over time so much. (I ended up taking my photo of my dinner menu at 10pm when dinner was supposed to start at 8:30…)

The guys ended up showing up at my dinner which was nice and they chatted a bit with the street team leaders and we took a group photo. I had chicken and waffles which was really good.