The flawed product of a deranged mind - FINAL CHAPTER - post 100

[JKMJ441724]

Chapter 1 - The Decision

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Ten years. Yep, the Styrofoam anniversary. Rather than splurge on a new set of Dixie cups, we decided we needed to take a trip. Just the two us. Rekindle the romance and all that. This has NEVER happened since the children came into our lives. Not even for a long weekend. Life seems to just get in the way. Diapers and doctor appointments; jobs and sports; school and budgets.
Where could we go and have a good time, yet not break the bank? We will still have to take the children on vacation this year, too.

We tossed around the ideas of going to Vegas or taking a cruise on one of the cheap cruise lines; but what could compare after traveling on both the Wonder and the Magic?

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In the back of our minds, we had the idea of going to the World, the land of yellow. And the more we thought about it, the more it just made good sense.

A couple of years ago, before we went on the Magic, we made a one day stop at the Magic Kingdom. My husband and I made the command decision to go ahead and buy the seven day Magic-Your-Way ticket with the non-expiration option. Six days left!! Plus, that same year, my sister convinced us that renting DVC points was the way to stay to play. We could stay deluxe for about 1/3 of the rack rate price.

So, to the Dis I went. I was shopping for some points. Just want to give a shout-out to CYBANT - you da man. Thanks for the points. We are staying Sunday through Thursday for only $480 at Saratoga Springs. I've never been there before but the pics on Allearsnet look great. And according to Disney's website, rack rate for that room during our week is around $1,400. So even if we decide to pay for the dining plan - GASP!! - we would be coming out better by renting points. Just one small victory for us in the battle for our wallets.

The world may just be coming to and end, but we had a second victory in the battle for our wallets. We live close enough to the World to drive, albeit a long time, and that is usually what we do. But our airport just got service by a new airline and in an effort to drum up business they are offering $39 flights to and from Orlando. We can fly and get a rental car for less than what it would cost us to drive.

I'm ashamed to admit that we had already booked the trip before we made arrangements to have someone look after our children. But I really did not think it would be a problem. They have three sets of absolutely doting grandparents that would probably fight with each other for the job of keeping them. And while we adore our children, they can be a challenge to those who don't train everyday. Joe Blow would not just sign up for the Boston Marathon without spending quite a bit of time conditioning his body. And even though our parents successfully raised us, they are once again amateurs. We did not believe that any of them could single-handedly go the distance of looking after the children for five days. We decided to split the time between them. My father will take us to the airport Sunday and spend the day with the kids before he drops them off with my in-laws for a couple of days. Then they will take the children to my mom's house for the remainder of the trip and she will pick us up at the airport.

Momma was happy and everybody was happy. I guess that phrase works in reverse. Except the kids weren't happy. We were going to Disney without them. Even now, as I see it in print, it hurts my heart a little bit. I hope we can make it for five days without them. I hope we don't spend all of our time thinking how much our girl liked Stitch's Alien Encounter or how much our son likes to drive the cars at the Speedway. But for once in a long while, I am glad that I will get to hold my husband's hand and not a stroller. That I will get to sit by him on the rides. Yes, sir. An anniversary trip to Disney is much better than forty matching coffee cups.
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Chapter 2 - Post #9

[Tea Rose]

Can't wait to read your trip report! DH and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this year with a trip to Disney World! We are so excited (even if our 3 kids aren't)! :lmao:

[Disfan3]

:woohoo:

YEAH~~ can't wait to read all about it...we are taking an anniversary trip too wo kids...so I can feel your heart string-tugging pain....but I can also feel your anticipated Joy!

Happy anniversary :hug:

[Momof2princess]

Can't wait to hear about your trip. My DH and I are taking an "adults only" WDW vacation in Sept. I am sure you guys had a blast.:cool1:

[OhMari]

Can't wait to find out your conversations you had.

We just came home from Adults only trip. We could go 2 hours without saying a word to each other and I would look at my dh on a ride with me and a big smile on his face. Sometimes talking is over rated-it's the small moments.

Our favorite times were Drinking around the World at Epcot and he about flipped when I suggested the Mono-rail Drink -a-thon. We are not big drinkers, but we still had a blast doing parks in the morning and :drinking1 in the afternoons. Hope your Adults only turned out great.

[kellyb2000]

Plus, that same year, my sister convinced us that renting DVC points was the way to stay to play.

Sounds like you've got a pretty smart sister. I hope you don't miss her too much when you go to Disney World without her!!!!! :rolleyes1

[lamagique]

Oooh, I like the way you write. This sounds good already! *subscribing*

[DisneyFan06]

I am excited to read. :banana:

*subscribing*

[JKMJ441724]

"Panic is not a pretty sight (1)." That's a line from Gone With the Wind - the best work of fiction ever written and the best work of cinematography ever produced. That's a game my sister and I play. We try to work as many movie quotes into our conversations as possible and see if the other one knows which movie they are from. Movies or lines from F*R*I*E*N*D*S. More often than not, they come from F*R*I*E*N*D*S. That show has covered every possible topic of conversation imaginable. Somehow, it always comes back to F*R*I*E*N*D*S. Feel free to play along in this trip report. I'm sure a few will be sprinkled in here and there.

Anywho….

I had my first real pang of guilt about not taking the children a couple of days ago. I imagine the looks on their faces at the airport. I wonder if they will understand that mommy and daddy are coming back for them. I want to make sure they know we still love them. Good night, I don't think there will be enough prizes in Walt Disney World for us to buy and bring back for them. Plus, I will miss my sister terribly. She's my homey, my Disney partner in crime, she completes me (2).

Then, yesterday, a toddler in our area died after his father forgot that he was in the car and went to work for the whole day. When he went to his car after work, he found the child. You can guess the rest. I can only assume that the dad was not the usual one to take the child to day care, that it was out of his routine. That he got in the car and like most of us, turned on the auto-pilot. That scared the stew out of me. What if the people I'm leaving my children in the care of, forget they have our children simply because it is not what they do everyday? Abba Father, watch over our family.

I know we can not live our lives playing the "what if" game. We are not given a spirit of fear.

We have to trust, and call home a lot.

[JKMJ441724]

Well, it was finally the day before the day we leave. We had so much to pack into one day. Since we were leaving on Mother’s Day, we decided to honor our mothers on Saturday. Naturally, we waited until the last minute to buy our gifts. So we had to make a mad dash to buy presents, visit three sets of parents AND come home to pack. So when my sister called and asked us to come over play on the slip-n-slide for a while, I said we would have to pass. We simply had too much to do today. She said that we could do it so much faster if she was watching the children for us. Oops, she wasn’t asking all of us to come over; just the short ones in the family.

So, we immediately got the children ready and pushed them out of the car as we sped down my sister’s road. Kidding. We slowed down, some. Kidding again. After we carefully got the children settled in at my sister’s house, we drove over to the local Target to look for some mother’s day presents. You know, we wanted to get them something classy.

While we were walking into the store, there was a young mother holding hands with her daughter that was obviously just learning to walk. I asked Babe if he would miss our kids while we were gone. He said sure.

Oh, didn’t I mention that I call my husband Babe? I’ve called him that a lot longer than the pig has been in the city. A lot of people ask me if he has a real name. He does. I would just have to go dig out my marriage license to remember what it is.

Anywho… We picked out some real nice gifts for the parental units and headed back over to my sister’s house to pick up the children. As we were getting ready to walk out the door, my sister jumped on my back and screamed “TAKE ME!!! TAKE ME!!!!” I promised to call her and fill her in on what was happening at the parks. OK, I was really going to call and rub it in that I was in Disney World and she was stuck at her office working with a bunch of dang criminals. HAHAHA. Love ya, Sis. Mean it.

Once we had visited all the mothers, we came home to begin packing. Now, I'm no LaLa but I can definitely hold my own with most of the rest of the world's over packers. I'll concede that LaLa owns the gold, but I could probably take the Silver, at minimum the bronze when it comes to stuffing a suitcase, or a car, or my purse. We packed enough outfits for our entire stay, bathing suits (that we did not need), something a little bit dressy for Pleasure Island, shoes, socks, deodorant (never leave home without it), ponchos, glow bracelets, snacks for the plane, fire extinguisher, dust buster, and this little beauty….

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When everything was in it’s place, we settled down for the night. I could not sleep, I was too excited. Plus, I was totally afraid that we would miss our plane. So I tossed and turned most of the night. Around 2 a.m. our very nearly three year old boy climbed over me to get into the bed with us. Usually I resist this but this night I let him. Big mistake. Within thirty minutes my back was killing me so back to his bed he went. It was then that I decided to check on the girl. She was having a good dream and was laughing out loud.

We got up on time and everyone cooperated while getting ready to leave. We drove over to my dad’s house so they could follow us to the airport. They were going to watch the children for the day and their little grocery getter does not have enough room for car seats. By grocery getter, I mean their 2006 candy apple red convertible corvette. One of them was going to drive our car back to their house so they could use it for the day.

Nebo is right. The best part of the trip is not taking the right turn to go to work; it's taking that left turn to go to the airport and on to the World. The anticipation of the fun to come, the ability to dream about the magic left to happen. We arrived at the airport, checked in and waved bye-bye to our luggage. With all the new rules and regulations, only ticketed passengers could go through the gate. So we sat in the café for a few minutes and watched several planes take off and land.

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Finally, we figured we needed to go on through security and head to our gate. While we were saying goodbye our girl said “mommy stay.” Our boy started whimpering and said “I ride in Mommy’s lap on airplane.”

We had finally hugged and kissed everyone when my mom called me to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day. I wished her one too. She told us to be safe and have a good time. I promised that we would.

Then we had to say good bye to the kids again.

While waiting at the gate, a little girl sitting near us told her mommy that she wanted to see Mickey. I said “Me too.”

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It was tough knowing that a lot of these families were on their way to a magical vacation in Orlando. I had to tell myself that it was ok that we were not taking our children and choke back some tears. We had just taken the children to Disney back in September and we were going to the beach in just a few weeks. We needed this break.

Before you could say “Jiminy Cricket” it was time to board our plane. We don’t fly a lot but when we do taking off always makes me nervous. I have read the statistics that you have a greater chance of being seriously injured in a car wreck than in a plane crash, but that did nothing to calm me down. I think it has something to do with being in control. I know what you are thinking, “Control is an illusion you infantile egomaniac (3)” and I know that’s true. But still I was holding onto to Babe’s arm for dear life. When the flight attendant came around with the drink cart I said “hold on baby- Mommy needs a cocktail (4).” 10:30 a.m. isn’t too early to drink, is it?

[mcarthur205]

Enjoying your report! DH and I are taking an adults only trip to WDW in July -only for a couple of days, but it'll be great. :goodvibes We have family living in Florida and we're leaving the kids with them for a short break. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip. :)

[Davidsmommy]

I'm IN! My husband and I are also celebrating 10 years this year (us in October) and we are taking a solo trip to DW as well. My kids are less upset about it since I decided to take the 7 year old for a quickie trip for Free Dining only a month before, and the 2 year old doesn't quite understand that she is the only one not going again in 2007, but that is ok!

I also booked before securing childcare, but I knew my parents would pull through!

[kellyb2000]

Plus, I will miss my sister terribly. She's my homey, my Disney partner in crime, she completes me.


And you had me at, "Get out of my room you stupid brat!"

[ncseric]

We're also taking an adults only trip to celebrate our 10th anniversary in December. I'm excited to hear how everything goes. So, how old are your kids? We're not telling ours because they'll be very upset that they don't get to go!

[JKMJ441724]

We're also taking an adults only trip to celebrate our 10th anniversary in December. I'm excited to hear how everything goes. So, how old are your kids? We're not telling ours because they'll be very upset that they don't get to go!

Our boy will be three in just a few days. I do a countdown with him daily on just exactly how much longer we will tolerate his TERRIBLE twos.

Our girl is nearly six and going on 17.

As the old saying goes, I wouldn't take a million dollars for either one of them and I would not give a nickle for another one just like them.
princess: pirate:

We tried pretty hard to keep it a secret from them for as long as we could. My girl is pretty astute. She picked up on some of our subtleties.

[I Believe n Fairies]

So, one can actually survive a trip to WDW w/o kids?? Our 10 yr is in August. We're telling our kids that Mommy and Daddy are going to Florida. Not a lie, just not a full truth! :lmao: Our kids are close in age, my dd is 6 and my son (I call him destruct-a-boy) will be 3 in a couple weeks.

We took dd last year, but left ds at home. Now, I'm leaving them both at home and cannot wait to plan a family trip with everyone! We're looking forward to our trip, and cannot wait to hear more from yours! :upsidedow

[tinawv]

Can't wait to read more. I know a little about the guilt you are feeling. My sister and I went to WDW last September, and my kids really placed a guilt trip on me. Almost ruined my trip, but I was able to pull away from the guilt and had a wonderful time (spent a little too much money on soviners). ;)

[nicolemarie]

I love this report!

My husband and I took our first "no-kids" trip to Disney this past March. I was happy to realize that I could have a great time in the World without my kids...although knowing we would be back soon with them helped a lot.

we drove over to the local Target to look for some mother’s day presents. You know, we wanted to get them something classy.

Of course Target is classy! It's not like you said you were going to Walmart!!

Now, I'm no LaLa but I can definitely hold my own with most of the rest of the world's over packers. I'll concede that LaLa owns the gold, but I could probably take the Silver, at minimum the bronze when it comes to stuffing a suitcase, or a car, or my purse.

I think LaLa would share her gold in overpacking, just don't try and make her share the gold for the waterslide olympics. She's pretty possessive about that one. :thumbsup2

We don’t fly a lot but when we do taking off always makes me nervous. I have read the statistics that you have a greater chance of being seriously injured in a car wreck than in a plane crash, but that did nothing to calm me down. I think it has something to do with being in control.

I could have written these sentences myself. I'm just thankful that flying is not the quickest nor cheapest way for us to travel to the World.

This is a great report. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your adventures!! Thanks for sharing!

NM

[roberrl187]

DH and I are going on a solo trip in Sept. But our kids are 18 and 14. They are already giving us the guilt trip. :lmao:

[JKMJ441724]

I'm glad I'm not the only sitting in the guilt corner. Thanks for the company.

Congrats to all of you celebrating anniversaries!!!!

Hope to read all about your travels and experiences SOON!!!

Thanks for reading and posting.

[JKMJ441724]

Chapter 4 - The Magic is in the air

Our plane landed with no muss or fuss. We made our way to the baggage claim area. We were happy to see that all of our bags made it to Orlando. We then hiked a mile or so to the rental car place. I casually mention to the attendant that it is our tenth anniversary and asked if he could give us an upgrade. He says for $16.95 more per day, he will be happy to upgrade us to a convertible. Apparently, I was too subtle for him. I told him thanks anyway.

Then, when he told the lot guy that we were ready, he said to get us something nice - since it was our anniversary. I’m not sure what we were going to get, but we ended up with a sporty little Volvo. It was cute. Almost as cute as a spotted pup. I was expecting a Yugo or a Focus or some other equally compact car. We made our way out of the lot and completely guessed which direction to go. There were no signs as we exited the airport telling us which way to go to get to WDW. Our guess worked. We were on our way to Disney.

I pulled out my mapquest directions, which were very easy to follow (unlike Pulp Fiction) and totally accurate (unlike James Frey). But once we got on the main highway, there were plenty of signs to follow, like this one

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Before long we saw this one

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Then we followed the signs to Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. We pulled into the Carriage House, parked our ride, and went inside to check in. We handed our reservation confirmation papers to the nice CM, who had already earned her ears by the way, and she checked us in with no problem. Our room was ready. She pulled out her little map to show us how to get to our room over in Congress Park. It was pretty far away from the Carriage House. Figures. Plus, we were on the third floor. I was already getting myself psyched up for a let down.

But our room rocked. We had an excellent view of Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island.

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The quiet pool was just steps away. We stayed in room 2301, in case you want to request it for your trip. I’m pretty sure that Cybant told the DVC people that we were celebrating our anniversary. I don’t know if this was the room we would have received anyway or if we were given a preferred view location as an upgrade.

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Well, enough of this drivel. Let’s get on with the show.

We drove over to the ticket and transportation center and caught the first monorail to the Magic Kingdom baby.

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What’s up with the new colors on the monorail? I know Disney has a new promotion going on but wow, that’s a lot of color. But that is one of the things we love so much about Disney; their attention to detail. No stone goes unturned. Even the monorails get a facelift.

As we rode through the Contemporary, Babe said that we will definitely have to bring the children back to Chef Mickey’s. If we ever go again, that will make two times that we have been there. But it was an instant hit with us. We were there for breakfast on our first morning last year. The character interaction for the most part was great. We waited a very long time to see Mickey. We had finally given up when the famous one made his appearance. We caught a glimpse of him as we were walking out of the restaurant.

We finally made it to the Magic Kingdom. A very pleasant CM was handing out carnations to all of the women for Mother’s Day. Write that down. Something free.

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We had a Photopass picture made in front of the train station. We walked through the tunnel and were met with a wonderful sight - Main Street USA.

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I heard the music in the background!! I smelled the wonderful concoctions being baked in the bakery. And oh my goodness, there was a wonderful aroma coming out of the ice cream parlor on the corner!

We had our photopass picture made in front of the castle.

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One day, I think I will gather all of our pictures made in front of the castle and see how they have changed over the years. The castle, I'm sure, will look the same, the faces will have changed a bit (5).

I've read so many trip reports where people talk about the music in the background as they stroll around the World. I'm usually one of those people who is so busy running from attraction to attraction that I miss a lot of the little stuff. This year, my plan was to stop and smell the magic. Pay attention to detail.

As we sped past all the slow moving traffic on our way to Tomorrowland, I noticed a couple consulting their park map and trying to decide where to eat. I could hear them questioning whether they should eat at Tomorrowland Noodle Buffet or Cosmic Ray’s. Newbies. I was debating on whether or not I should give them my two cents about their options. But it turned out not to be necessary as the Noodle Buffet did not open until 5:00 p.m.

A few weeks ago while eating my child-friendly cereal, I got a Chicken Little step counter as my prize. It was my plan to use it at the World. That’s the kind of dork I am. I actually wanted to know how many steps I took each day. Not that I would have made any kind of notes about it, nor put it in any sort of trip report. My camera kept hitting the reset button so I ended up just giving up after only an hour or so. It stayed in the bag the rest of the trip. That was one thing I packed that I could have left out.

We grabbed a fastpass for Buzz. We noted that we could not get another fast pass for an hour. That blew our idea that we could get Buzz and Space Mountain fast passes and then kill an hour eating. So we stored our one FP and headed over to Cosmic Rays for lunch. This was our first meal of the day and it was already after 2:00 p.m.

Cosmic Ray's has been the same for as long as I can remember. I love Sonny Eclipse. That is one witty alien. Kind of like Alf. Babe and I both had burgers. In case you did not know, you can get just the burger. The menu lists a combo with fries. It’s about $1.00 cheaper if you don’t want the extra grease and fries. We hit the toppings bar and scoured the joint for a place to sit and enjoy the show.

After lunch, we jumped in the standby line for Space Mountain. I think it was only about a twenty minute wait. I had wanted our girl to go through the line with us last year so she could see the inside of the mountain. The CM at the gate would not let her go in. I told him that we were going to do the baby swap (the first time we had tried it) and he just gave me a ticket and had Babe wait in the gift shop - coincidence, I don’t think so. I thought that we would all stay in line together and when I got off the ride, I would get the girl and Babe would immediately get on. Did not work that way for us. Once I got off the ride, I had to go find my family and Babe just got to go in the FP line. He still had to wait about fifteen minutes.

Back to the current trip…

Next we headed over to Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, er, I mean Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.

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We got in the FP line and another family got in the standby line at the same time. We both worked our way through the queue. The standby family actually got on the ride before us. The lines were shorter than Danny DeVito‘s inseam.

Now this is a ride that I dominate my family on. Seriously, I kick their butts every time. Sure, the boy was barely two and a half when he rode it last and the girl was days away from turning five. So Babe was my only real competition. We waited for the “restraint bar” to lower and we manned our guns. It was ON! Some spinning here and some zapping there. As usual, I won.

Next, we rode the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, formally known as the WedWay People Mover. I have to tell you that this is one of my all-time favorite rides at the Magic Kingdom. No, this ride does not cause your stomach to do flips, nor does it overwhelm your senses with all the detail of other rides. It is a less-is-more type of ride. Of course, it is usually well over two-hundred degrees Fahrenheit in Florida no matter what time of the year you go. Plus, you are constantly on the go or when you are stopped, it is because you are standing in line. It is nice to catch this ride, feel the breeze and just put your feet up and relax.

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I love, love, love to look out over Tomorrowland from our new vantage point. I reminisce about other trips to the World, things that have changed and things that have stayed the same. Plus, it’s SO cool to go through one ride while you’re ON another ride.

We skipped that spinning ride that’s up in the air. I don’t remember what it’s called. We rode it a few years ago with the girl. I was pregnant with the boy but we did not know it at the time. I won’t do it again. Momma doesn’t do spinning rides and the whole time I was on it I had to resist the urge to toss my cookies.

We headed over to Carousel of progress. Please jump over to ZZUB‘s report and insert his narration on this ride here. I‘ll wait.

We made our way over to the Laugh Floor. This was a cute way to cool off.

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We may have enjoyed it more if the kids were with us. It is something that we would probably skip if we ever come here again without the children. Up next was Stitch‘s Great Escape or whatever it‘s called. This has never been one of my favorite rides. I have to hold my breath when Stitch burps in my face. Our girl, however, loves it. The ride, not the burp.

This chapter is getting tediously long, so I will wrap it up at this point. It’s going to be a cliffhanger. I will have a sequel out in a few days. So, to recap, we landed, drove, checked in, saw Mainstreet, ate some grease, kicked some butt and relaxed and smelled the magic.

[nicolemarie]

I've read so many trip reports where people talk about the music in the background as they stroll around the World. I'm usually one of those people who is so busy running from attraction to attraction that I miss a lot of the little stuff. This year, my plan was to stop and smell the magic. Pay attention to detail.

We are definitely guilty of being one of those families that is busy running from attraction to attraction. And our kids wouldn't have it any other way. But when we were there with just us, it was really nice to stroll down Main Street, or slowly make our way around the World Showcase, or - and this is a huge one - not make park opening!

Glad your trip is still going well! I'm looking forward to hearing more.

NM :flower3:

[I Believe n Fairies]

Sounds like fun. It also sounds like you really missed your girl and your boy. PLEASE tell me that I will not spend my entire trip missing my kids. PLEASE tell me that I can have good clean grownup fun without guilt! :guilty:

[JKMJ441724]

Sounds like fun. It also sounds like you really missed your girl and your boy. PLEASE tell me that I will not spend my entire trip missing my kids. PLEASE tell me that I can have good clean grownup fun without guilt! :guilty:

You can!! You can!! But when you least expect it, the guilt will creep in. Most of our day was fine. Every so often I would see a family having fun, or go on an attraction that was so memorable for us the year before, I would have a moment of of SERIOUS lonliness for the other half of my family. I don't know if it was guilt that I was having a good time (because I know they were having fun swimming, etc back home).

I'm one of those people who's general rule is that if my whole family can't go, then I don't have any business being there. But I really felt and still feel like my husband and I needed this time alone. I am GLAD that we did it. I just don't plan to do it again for a while.
:banana: :cheer2: :woohoo:

[JKMJ441724]

As I previously mentioned, our girl is fairly intuitive. She figured out pretty early on that we were going to the World without her. She wasn’t very happy about it either. Before we left, she “wrote” Mickey a letter for us to personally deliver to the Head Mouse, hereinafter known as HM. She’s five, so she can write her alphabet and a couple of words and her name. So mostly, the “letter” had some drawings (one Mickey head and a smaller Minnie head) and some upper case and lower case letters and her name. She sealed it up in an envelope and made me promise to give it to the HM. I can tell you that on packing day before we left, that was one of the first things to go in the bag. I had made a promise to my little girl and I was going to keep it.

So after we left Mr. Morrow’s hometown, we headed over to the Judge’s Tent in ToonTown to play post office. Wait a minute, that can’t be right. We did go over there to deliver a letter. We got in line to meet the head cheese. The line was not too bad. It was completely inside the tent but the queue inside the tent was full. It probably took us thirty minutes or so (this was one of the longest lines we stood in during our entire stay).

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It has been a long time since we stood in line for anything in the Judge’s tent. The last time I can remember was eleven years ago, the last time it was just Babe and me. We had no idea what we were in line for. Turns out it was Mickey and Jafar! What a combination. But my memory of that previous time was fuzzy. I was thinking that we had a few minutes alone with the HM. So this year when they put us in the room with about six other families, I was a little insecure about having a conversation with a rodent. I felt crazy enough being in there without a child in tow anyway. But I sucked it up and went to present Mickey with the girl’s letter.

I would do it for her.

When she was born, I made a sign stating that to be my focal point during delivery. I'll admit that I am a wuss when it comes to pain. And my mom said many times during my pregnancy that I would get in the delivery room and cry and say "I want my momma. She'll do this for me." Of course she was kidding, but I don't mind telling you, my friends - not my mom, that this incensed me quite a bit. If she would do some monumentous action for me, her child, does it not stand to reason that I would do something just as wonderful for my child? So I made the sign and I did it for her.

I prefaced my presentation by telling Mickey that Babe and I came to DW without the children this year. He gasped and covered his mouth with his hand and shook his little (um, big) rodent head. Then I explained to him about our girl writing a letter to him and pointed out the Mickey head and the Minnie head. He took the letter and pressed it close to his chest and swayed back and forth. He was full on. He acted like it was the best gift he had received. I have it all on video. The whole thing lasted maybe three minutes, but it was sweet.

Mickey held the letter proudly as I had my picture made with him.

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Then in his little mousy way, he told Babe to put down the video camera and get in the picture as well. That’s one way to get you to buy that Photopass picture.

As we were leaving, I leaned in to Mickey and asked if he wanted me to just take the letter back and put it somewhere for him. He quickly hid the letter behind his back and shook his head no. Those characters, they never lose their focus.

We walked quickly though Mickey’s house and garden.

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We skipped Minnie’s house and headed over to the Goofy’s Barnstormer.

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Again, I felt a little silly riding this roller coaster without a child. But not silly enough to stop me from riding it. As we waited in the line, we looked out over the Miss Daisy.

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And waved to the conductor of the Walt Disney World Rail Road.

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We walked past Pete’s garage and made our way over to Fantasyland. I told Babe that our PLAN would completely skip Fantasyland if we felt like we were pressed for time. But the lines had not been bad, so we decided to hit some of the hi-lights of the area. First up Philharmagic.

This is one of those attractions where I have missed lots of the magic in the past. The first time I saw it, my sister and other people in our group were talking about the smells associated with different parts of the movie. The second time I watched it, I made a point to pay more attention. This was probably the fourth or fifth time I have seen the movie and I find something new in it every time.

The show is spectacular. The most awesome part is where Ariel reaches out and her jewels go flying into the audience. It was cool to watch our girl try to reach out and get them last year. Simba is pretty large and in charge, too, when he pushes his head through the leaves to make his mane.

There is a ride in Fantasyland that Babe and I just about argue over. Can you guess which one? It’s one that I think is very cute and Babe thinks is a form of torture, worse than the Chinese water kind. Because this one has Australian, Scandinavian, Japanese, Asian…you name it. This is water torture of the worst kind for my husband. Have you figured it out? It’s a Small World!

Last year, since we were in such a large group, the wives let the husbands slide and miss the boat. They headed off and got something cool to drink while we took the children on the ride. I like this ride. I like the whimsy of it all. I like the intricate costumes, the lavish sets, the song. Plus I ride it because I always ride it. This ride screams Magic Kingdom just as much as the Castle, Space Mountain and the Jungle Cruise.

Babe, however, put his foot down. He was absolutely refusing to ride. He said there was no reason to ride it since the kids weren’t here. But being in the Magic Kingdom makes us all kids again. Finally, I had to dig my heels in and say, “Just be a man and ride It’s a Small World.” In the end, he did it because I wanted him to and to show his love for me, not to prove any sort of masculinity and ability to stand up to torture.

[kellyb2000]

As we were leaving, I leaned in to Mickey and asked if he wanted me to just take the letter back and put it somewhere for him. He quickly hid the letter behind his back and shook his head no. Those characters, they never lose their focus.


Awww...I love that mouse. You didn't tell me that part.

[JKMJ441724]

After we delivered our girl’s letter to the Head Mouse and Babe gave in to my feminine wiles, we headed over to Liberty Square for another family favorite, The Haunted Mansion.

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We walked past the hearse driven by the invisible horse and, one would assume, an invisible coachman. Does that mean there is an invisible corpse inside the coffin?

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In all the times I have ridden the HM, it has never failed to creep me out. The cast members play their parts as macabre chamber maids and household servants. Then we are led to another room and asked to stand in the dead center before our ghost host points out that there are no doors or windows. But we can always opt for “his way out.” Now, I’ll tell you that I am thirty (cough, cough) something years old and I can’t look at the ceiling when the lights go out.

We made our way to our doom buggy and I snuggled up to Babe. I can’t remember which room comes first, second and third, but let it be known that we were sufficiently creeped out in that long hallway where all the door knockers are moving and the one door is about to come off the hinges; the clock where time is running backwards and one of the “hands” is actually a finger; and the raven sitting on the piano (pronounced in the South as piana) where you can see the shadow of the pianist on the floor. We saw the hidden Mickey in the ball room scene. For both of you people reading this report who don’t know where it is, it’s in the place setting on the far left.

The bride in the attic has always confused me. I felt that she was simply out of place. One element that did not fit with the others. I stumbled onto a website that said the original concept for the ride was a sea captain and his bride who met their demise in the house. Huh, who knew? - Update to this post - I have finally seen the movie Haunted Mansion and it kinda shows that - Wow, you can get an education by watching TV.

We participated in the séance and went through the graveyard. Then we picked up a hitchhiking ghost who rode with us all the way back to our house. It’s all good though. He was a former member of the domestic staff and now he cleans our bathrooms.

LaLa thrilled us all with her quest for a Dole Whip. That’s how I felt about the turkey legs when I first had one. I stumbled upon the cart years ago as we looked for a place to sit for the Electric Light Parade / Spectro Magic. That’s how long ago it was, I can’t even remember what the parade was called back then. That was back before I knew as much as I know now (and honey, trust me, it’s still not much). I thought that was some good eatin’. I just assumed that you could get them anywhere. I did not realize that even the restaurants and snacks are themed in this mother of all theme parks. So the next day when I wanted another one, I had no idea where to find one. Same for the next year. I had forgotten where I got it and could not find my way back to it. I was upset. Distraught even. So imagine my surprise when last year, I discovered that turkey legs were served in Tommorowland. I had one at 10 o’clock in the morning just because I COULD (6).

So after survived the HM, we stopped at the cart for a turkey leg and debated going across to Tom Sawyer’s Island for the last twenty minutes it was open. We had not been over there in twelve years and I really have no idea what is over there anymore. I wanted to go over just so we could see it, but Babe said we should just skip it.

As we stood there contemplating our next move and sharing the goodness that is a WDW turkey leg, I was immediately reminded that not everyone in the world (both Disney and the actual world) has a full length mirror in their home and/or hotel room. Or if they do have a full-length mirror, many people obviously do not check their reflections. Or if they do check their reflections, they don’t care what meets their eye. I am a pretty practical person. I give diapers as presents for a baby shower, I save for my retirement because I believe there will be no social security insurance by the time I can quit working, I take people at their word. I do not, however, wear high heeled shoes to Disney World, or black pants and a black long sleeved shirt (it was 85 degrees every day). I saw both of these and more on our trip.

So, when I saw a woman reach down the back of her black stretchy pants and pull her thong panties out of her crack, I thought I was going to lose it. She was completely out in the open and made no effort to hide herself, much less excuse herself to go to the restroom. So mothers everywhere: shield your children’s eyes from I-ain’t-got-enough-sense-to-not-wear-whale-tails-to-the-Magic-Kingdom lady (7).

Not sure why that made me want to call home and check on the kids but I decided that this was an opportune moment to see how they were doing. Then I called my sister and asked her to look on the internet and see if any of our photo pass pictures were up. I wanted the children to be able to see them. I was hoping that it would keep them from missing us too much.

I truly believe that this was the first time I had called my sister. She had already called me a couple of times to see what we were doing or seeing or riding. But my brother-in-law did not know she was calling me. He knew that we had talked several times already and it was still just our first day.

When we hung up this time, he asked my sister if I was calling her so much because I just could not have as good of a time without her as I could have with her. My sister said something to the effect of “I like to think so.”

Next up, Big Thunder Mountain. I used to be afraid of roller coasters. Now I have come to love them. One of the things that we all love about Disney is that they go all out with the themes. Even the roller coasters are decorated. Babe spotted this little beauty as we walked up the queue

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Neither of us had ever really noticed it before. One more piece of the "magical" puzzle. Babe laughed about it the whole way through the queue where we literally walked right onto the ride. Now I don’t know if they kicked this ride up a notch or if the seats were just coated in sweat, but we slid hard back and forth across the bench seat as we rounded the bends.

When we got off the ride, I wanted to do the hustle because we had already done the Bump. I glimpsed what I thought was a hidden Mickey in the gears at the end of the ride. I had never noticed it before. Babe asked if I wanted to ride again so I could get another look at it, but we decided to press onward.

We walked over to Splash Mountain and looked at the suckers getting drenched. Or was that soakers?

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We spent more time working our way through the queue than actually waiting for it to be our turn on the ride. Is it just me or is this one of the cutest rides.

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Can you tell that I like this ride?

While we were planning our trip for last year, I started a thread asking people to post pictures from inside their favorite rides. One guy posted one that he had taken right at the cusp of falls. When I look back on that photo, it still gets my heart racing.

Before long we were singing a little ditty called “yo, ho, ho, a pirate’s life for me.”

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I overheard a lady behind me in the boat say that there we four Johnny Depp animatronics figures. I have only seen three. Anyone seen the last one or was she trippin'???

In my pre-trip planning, I noticed that the Swiss-family treehouse was going to be closed for refurbishment while we were there. We had skipped it last year because this children were so hot and tired and that was way too many steps for us to be able to carry them.

I was a little disappointed. I had videoed so much stuff for the children to watch once we got home and I believe they would have truly enjoyed seeing this. It would give their little imaginations a star to hitch to when they are playing in the treehouse in our backyard.

I love the Jungle Cruise. Never miss it. Well except this time. There was about a thirty minute wait and we just did not feel standing there in the heat next to that many people for that long. And I love the Jungle Cruise. I mean, how can you walk away from the backside of water? Where else can you learn to tell the difference between an African elephant and an Asian elephant? Where else will someone tell you not to be afraid to go through the ancient ruins, this is Disney World, there’s probably a gift shop in there? Plus, that baby elephant is so darn cute.

But skip it, we did.

Momma wanted to make sure that we got a good spot to watch the parade.

What? What’s that you say? There is no parade today?

What the _____?

There were two things that I HAD to do this trip. See SpectroMagic and Fantasmic. I would be sad to miss other stuff but these two things were on My must see list. Stupid times guide. When will I learn to use it? Seriously people. Is anyone out there feeling my pain? This was supposed to be our only day at MK, my only chance for the parade. And it was gone, Gone With the Wind.

As I stood there pondering my fate, and what I had done to deserve this (and please don’t say it’s because I left my children at home to party it up with Mickey Mouse by myself), I saw him.

A dad.

Looking for his little girl.

I watched for a couple of minutes to see if he found her quickly. He didn’t. He was panicked. And who wouldn’t be? His child was missing in this sea of humanity. A gentleman walked up to the dad and asked for a description of the child. Five years old, blonde, wearing a green shirt and green shorts. I immediately began scouring the area. That’s what I do.

I was a lifeguard for a couple of summers after I graduated high school. I can’t go to a pool, or the lake or the ocean or any other place with a significant amount of water without watching the people swim. All the people. Not just mine. So now I’m a mom. And that’s what I do. I watch the children. If I see a child in the parking lot not holding a parent’s hand, I am watching for the cars. When I know that a child is missing, I’m on the hunt.

And Babe was recruited. We walked around for about ten minutes looking for the girl. Ashley.

Babe spotted her. She was talking to a lady. A lady who turned out to be her mother. Whew. Catastrophe averted. They had found her. Mom was calling Dad on his cell phone to tell him everyone was present and accounted for. Thank heavens.

But that little incident brought sharply in focus a couple of years ago when I lost our girl. At Disney. It was the day that we made a one day pit stop at the MK before we headed over to Port Canaveral to get on board the DCL Magic. We had been in Tomorrowland, and ToonTown. We were headed over to Fantasyland. All of us. I think there were nine of us on that trip and most everyone was in front of me. I could see my mom and step dad. I could see my sister and her family. I could see Babe pushing my son in the stroller.

But where was the girl? She was nowhere to be found. I stopped dead in my tracks and yelled out to those in front of me “where’s the girl?” They all stopped and spun around. They looked at me but did not move. Oh my gosh, people. What’s the problem? Am I the only one who knows how big this place is? Am I the only one who realizes how many people are here? Am I the only one that knows child molesters and abductors hang out at child-friendly locales? Again I scream “where’s the girl?”

Again, I am met with steely gazes.

In that split second, I decide to just go look for her myself. Every moment is precious and I had no idea how long she had been missing. I took three big steps in the direction of ToonTown when I heard my sister call my name. I spun around and with much exasperation yelled “WHAT?”

My sister looked me right in the eye, pointed her finger in my face and said….

Wait for it.

Are you deep in the suspense?

It’s totally worth it.

Just hang in there.

She said, “you’re holding her.”

And I was. She was perched there on my left hip in my left arm. Just hanging out. Wondering if mommy was really that stupid. She cried when she realized the answer was yes(9).

When we got home and I told some other people that story, they asked me if I was embarrassed. The answer was and still is no. I was relieved.

What makes that story even more crazy is that I did it a couple of years before that. I was holding my nephew’s hand and started yelling out “where’s Hunter? Where’s Hunter?” In case you missed it in the previous sentence, I was holding his hand. He was looking at me as if to say “what am I? Chopped liver?”

[kellyb2000]

When we hung up this time, he asked my sister if I was calling her so much because I just could not have as good of a time without her as I could have with her. My sister said something to the effect of “I like to think so.”
::yes:: :teeth:


Wondering if mommy was really that stupid. She cried when she realized the answer was yes.

We all did.....cried LAUGHING that is. :rotfl:

[JKMJ441724]

Once we made sure that the little girl lost was actually found, we stood around in front of the castle for a little while and caught a little bit of wishes. But I was so disappointed about there not being a parade that I just was not feeling the fireworks love. We decided to hit fantasyland and hit some of the rides we had skipped earlier in the day. We rode Pooh.

We have a client in my office who’s name has exactly the same number of syllables as Winnie-the-Pooh. I can’t say his name - attorney/client privilege and all, but every time something comes up on his file we sing his name to the Winnie-the-Pooh tune. So the whole way through the ride, I was just singing his name. It’s kinda like when I was in tenth grade chemistry class. My DBFF was sitting behind me and just sang out (loudly, I might add) “oh, Mr. Murray.” and Mr. Murray being the dork he is raised his pointed finger and said “yes DBFF” cause that’s what we all call her, and she very sheepishly replied “oh, nothing. I was just singing your name.”

It was when we were in line for Peter Pan that I noticed the couple behind us sporting buttons that read “happy anniversary.”

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I had never seen these before. I knew they had birthday buttons. Our girl had gotten those the past two years (plus one time on the Mickey boat). I made it a point to drop in guest relations and get some buttons for Babe and me to wear the next day. It was then that I noticed that Disney had a plethora of buttons. I saw people sporting "my first visit" buttons and birthday buttons and anniversary buttons. At Disney, everyone is special and they have a button to prove it.

We left the park before the extra magic hour was even over. We were so worried that we would not have enough time to do all the things we wanted to do at the MK this day since we had gotten such a late start and we were planning for this to be our only day at this park.

But everything worked out fine.

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As we made our way down Main Street, U.S.A., I reached out and took Babe’s hand in mine. We were tired, but we were happy. We located the rental in the semi-empty parking lot and made a bee-line for the SSRS.

Now, I believe that I have mentioned that our room was nice. I can’t be bothered to go back and check to be sure. But it was kickin’. After we had dumped our stuff at check-in, we set the thermostat to seventy degrees. Imagine our surprise when we walked in, ready to hit the hay, to a balmy seventy-five degrees. We wondered if housekeeping had come in while we were gone and reset the thermostat. We concluded, after this happened several times, that Disney somehow does control the climate in our climate-controlled room.

It’s as if the air-conditioning “knows” if we are in the room or not. Every time we would go in the room, we would lower the thermostat and somehow, when we returned it was back at 75. Anyone know anything about this???

I took a peak at our view. Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney were lit up like the strip in Vegas. Not that I would knowfrom personal experience, but I see and read and hear things. Plus, I occasionally watch the television series with the same name.

I don’t sleep well in my old age. So, many nights I will take a Tylenol PM to help doze off. I knew that was a must for this night. Even though I was exhausted and had taken a sedative, it was still one of the worst nights sleep of my life. I was glad when I got the wake up call from Mickey and Stitch the next day just so I could quit working so hard to try and sleep.

And the evening and the morning were the first day. And we looked around and saw that it was good(10).

[JKMJ441724]

We got up and got ready in a flash. We were planning to spend the whole day at what may be our second favorite park - MGM studios. But this year, I have to say it, Epcot gave it a run for it’s money. I’m not sure how that happened. I was a little amazed by the discovery.

Even though we loved The Studios, we did not think we would be able to fill twelve hours of studio time. Fifteen if you include the extra magic hours benefit. So we decided to take a little time to smell the magic at our resort. We walked around for a while. We headed over to the High Rock Spring pool and looked at the kiddie area.

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I think this is a great resort for couples. When we come back with the kids, we will stay somewhere else. Compared to say, Pop Century, this is a classy place. From the pictures I have seen, I would say that it is the least childish resort on property. Don’t get me wrong. I think kids would enjoy anyplace at Disney. It’s just that some resorts are more Disney than others.

We made a stop at Artist’s Palette gift shop and bought some postcards to mail back home. Babe filled out one with Goofy on the front to the boy and I filled out one with Minnie on it for the girl.

After we put the cards in the mail, I pretended to go for a carriage ride in the carriage out front of the carriage house.

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I tried to get Babe to get on the horse statue out front, but he said that was too silly.

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Instead, he held the reins for a picture. Because it’s not silly to hold the reins of a fake horse, just to pretend to ride one.

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We got in our car, which was already stifling hot at 10:30 a.m. and headed over to MGM. We parked the car and made it to the end of the row just in time for the tram. The tram was not packed by any means but people did not have room to just spread out and kick back. There were about 4 people in the front two rows of tram. You know the section, where the first row faces the back of the tram and the next row faces forward. Four people - I say. I asked one gentleman if we could squeeze in with them. He moved his feet but not his knees or his bag out of the way. He certainly did not make any room for Babe. I was coming in, though. I was not going to wait on another tram when there was a perfectly good one right there. Babe squeezed in the row behind me. The announcer/driver guy said that there should be five people per row and that if there were not that many in the row, everyone should move over. There should have been room for Babe beside me on this row. All in all, we had three people on my row. Mr. I’m not moving made a smart comment that people would be invading his two feet of personal space. So, I’m going to get on my soapbox for a minute. That is part of what’s wrong with this country. Too many people thinking only of themselves and not for the greater good(11). He did not care if people were left baking in the hot sun, as long as he was able to stretch out on a section of bench made for ten people but only used by four (until I butted in anyway).

Anywho.

We go through security and let them rummage through our bag. I had to pick a bag that would not be incredibly hot, but that was also not the least bit feminine. I did expect Babe to carry it most of the time, for Pete‘s sake. I chose the bag we received as a castaway club member gift from our last cruise on the Mickey boat. Sturdy and functional, and completely manly.

We scanned our Key to the World card and entered into the East Coast version of Hollywood.

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Once we were inside, we had a photo pass picture taken in front of the big blue hat.

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I was so glad the lovely CM’s taking the photo pass pictures will take a picture using our camera, too. We have some great shots of the two of us.

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Usually, it’s pictures of me and our girl or Babe and our boy. Or the other way around. But very rarely do we get pictures of the two of us.

We walked down Hollywood Boulevard and made a right onto Sunset Boulevard. We held hands as we watched a cop give a ticket to a kid in a stroller for going too fast. We smiled as we watched a casting call in the middle of the road.

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We gazed into each other’s eyes as we bid one another farewell for the day….

What?

Just kidding. Not for the day. Just for the first ride. Babe loves, loves, loves ToT and I absolutely refuse to set foot on it again. Oh that’s right. I rode it one time. On our very first trip to the World together. I think it is a cool-as-all-get-out ride. Very well themed and decorated and just plain COOL. Then there’s the drop. That’s all I’m saying.

Now, I’m not as little as I used to be. But I’m still pretty skinny (just more jiggley than I used to be, I'm still trying to lose my baby-weight). And that first time I rode, I remember sitting on a bench seat with several other people. There was a lap bar that came down over all of us. It did not come even close to touching my skinny little legs. I bet I came six inches out of my chair. Scary enough. But then there’s that sudden stop at the bottom. BANG!! On my bottom. Not going to do it again. No, sir. You can’t make me. No way. Don’t mean maybe.

Ok. Maybe - maybe. One day, many years from now, my children may be able to talk me into riding it again. But the odds are better that I will win big at the roulette table in Vegas. And as of right now, I have no desire to even go to Vegas.

So Babe headed off to ToT and I got in line for RnR. You’ll never guess who was in the line behind me. Oh, you did guess. That’s right. Mr. Wonderful from the tram. Someone “broke” line to catch up with the rest of his family who was further up in the line. I guess he had to stop to pee or get a drink or even take a smoke. It did not matter to me. It was one guy. It’s not like one person was holding the line for fifteen others. Mr. Wonderful said “we are the only one’s doing right in this whole park”. I wanted to smart off to him so bad, but I graciously held my tongue. Little does he know that I am going off on him (albeit anonymously) on the internet. A girl who was obviously part of his group said this ride goes 0 to 60 m.p.h. in half a second. That’s absurd. Stacey clearly tells us it is 2.8 seconds.

I was finally able to tune out Mr. Wonderful and his entourage. I began to listen to the music. Finally, “What it takes” came on. This is the best Aerosmith song of all time. Yes, I realize there are a lot to choose from. But this is my choice. I choose my choice (12). This song makes me very nostalgic for the glory days of high school. My two best friends and I would skip school and go out for breakfast. Yes, one of those friends is the same one from chemistry. We would always listen to this song. Of course we made up new words.

There goes my old boyfriend.
Yeah. I got another diamond ring.
All those late night promises - hell, they didn’t mean a thing.
So Baby, here’s the story - I have found another man
Yes, it’s easy to sleep in the bed that we made
Cause I don’t look back and feelings just fade away.

Yes. I know. Totally immature. How crazy is it that I still remember that after sooooo many years.

As I stood in line, I watched workers in a huge crane work on the ToT.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT00171.jpg

I don’t know what they were doing, but you could not pay me enough money to do it. They were WAY up in the air.

I wondered if I would be able to spot Babe on ToT when the doors opened up. I really doubted it, but watched just the same.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT00169.jpg

I figured that I would be finished long before he was done. I was already planning to get in line and let him “break” to catch up to me. Boy was I wrong. He was sitting on the wall waiting for me as I walked out. Then I rode it again with him.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT00173.jpg

My boss took his kids to WDW for Christmas a few years ago. When he came back, he said that RnR was awesome, and declared it to be his favorite ride out of all the rides in all the parks. As I stood in line to ride it again, I was temped to call my office and tell him that I was about to ride it just for him. But then I figured he would ask me about some files or some crazy stuff like that and I was on vacation for goodness sakes. I would just have to tell him about it once I got back.

We got in our limo and drove like maniacs to get to the concert. This is one cool ride. Although it made me feel a little bit like a dog hanging it’s head out the window. There was so much wind in my face that my eyes were watering. My eyes were watering enough to sprinkle the people in the limo behind me. But I did not dare close my eyes because I did not want to miss the sign for my turn.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT00172.jpg

We went into some of the gift shops to look for prizes for the children. Boy, Ursula was right. Life’s full of tough choices - ittn’t it. We finally settled on an Aurora doll with both a pink gown and a blue gown for our girl. Plus we got her a princess coloring book. For our boy, we picked out some Mickey and friends sports stuff. He is all about sports. Our boy, not necessarily Mickey. We had the prizes sent back to our room. It was our right and it was free. Of course we would have to pick them up the next day in the gift shop of our resort, not at the front desk, mind you. Disney does everything they can to get you to spend every dollar you have and a few that you don’t.

[JKMJ441724]

And you had me at, "Get out of my room you stupid brat!"
you know I love you more'n my luggage (13).

[JKMJ441724]

After we shipped our prizes back to our resort, we headed over to the Great Movie Ride. I remember riding this for the first time years ago when I went to the world with my DBFF in the tenth or eleventh grade. It really made an impression on me, especially the Alien part. I liked it then and I like it now. However, I may not ever be able to ride it again because of our girl. Last year, we were in on the front bench. When the gangster hi-jacked our car and gave his little spiel, he looked right at our then 4 year old daughter and said “what are you looking at?” She cried for the rest of the ride. To this day, she tells me how much she dislikes that ride.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT00174.jpg

We follow-up what may have been my last time on the Great Movie Ride with a nap during Sounds Dangerous. Seriously, that may be my all-time least favorite attraction at any of the parks.

We have one ADR planned for the our whole vacation. We had decided not to get buy the dining plan this trip. We just did not think we would use it enough to make it worth our while. Plus, we were trying to cram so much stuff into such a limited amount of time, we just did not feel we could justify the wait time that we had experienced while using it last year. But we did want to have at least one meal that was used to celebrate our anniversary. We chose to go to Whispering Canyon. We booked our trip on such late notice that most of the dinner reservations were booked. We could have dinner (or supper, for the rest of you Southerners - dinner is actually lunch for us) at 4:00 p.m. like the snow-birds do, or at 9:00 p.m. We decided to go over for lunch (dinner).

We headed out to find our car. On the way out, I took this picture

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0191.jpg

Isn’t that gross? Those love bugs were everywhere.

We drove over to the Wilderness Lodge. I’m the type of person that can’t stand to be late, so we left in plenty of time to make our reservation. In fact, we left TOO early. We got to Wilderness Lodge and still had about 45 minutes to kill.

A very friendly, almost overly friendly CM working the valet in front of the Lodge saw our anniversary buttons and offered to take our picture together. I stated that he bet we did not have any pictures together from this trip. We told him that every photopass CM had taken our picture together with our own camera and that we actually had quite a few but we appreciated him taking one as well. After he was so nice, I had to take his picture. And here it is.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT00178.jpg

And that aint't no bull.

It's a bison.

We decided to walk around a little while and check out the Lodge. I have already decided that this is where I want to stay on our next trip. We looked at pool and went in the Merc. No prizes for our babies in there. That used up a whole fifteen minutes.

Finally, we could take it no longer. We were about to eat our own arms off. We decided to see if we could go ahead and check in. It was almost thirty minutes early. I was not going to be shocked if they told us no way. But it turned out to be no problem. They where not crowded for lunch. But I tell you Mr. and Mrs. Debonair don’t eat here. If you have never been here before, save the pearls and the sports coats. It ain’t that kind of place. Last time we were here, with our huge group of people, it was more festive. Our waitress really played up her part. We had straws thrown at us, gallons of Coke and tea, don’t even get me started on the ketchup.

This time, our waitress was much more low key. I was a little disappointed. I’m not sure if it was because it was lunch time, or because we did not have children and she did not think we would appreciate ruckus.

Babe and I both ordered the all you can eat skillet. The waitress brought out one skillet. It was some kind of good. I was surprised when she asked if we wanted another one. I remember thinking, we paid for two of course we want two. And two was enough for us.

While we were there, I made it a point to listen to the background music (since everyone on these boards has talked so much about it). I listened to a twanged out version of Circle of Life and Zipedeedodah. As we were waiting for our check, they played “Baby of mine” and it made me sad and very lonesome for my children. This was probably the time that I missed them the most. I wondered what they were doing and if they missed us.

That’s the thing about taking breaks, it makes you see just what you are missing and just how importing certain things are. I love my kids all the time and I believe that my husband and I needed (and deserved) this time to ourselves. But I’m not going to lie to you, it was hard at points.

[JKMJ441724]

Since I was having some major withdrawal symptoms over my children, we decided to run to DTD to look for some more prizes to bring home to them before we headed back over to the studios. We had plenty of time. We did not have a park hopper option for this day and still had several hours to go before the park closed. I did not want to get burned out on the park and want to go back to the room. Remember, I said that seeing Fantasmic was one of the two things that I HAD, HAD, HAD to do this trip. I had already missed the first one. I was not going to let that happen on this one.

You may also recall that I mentioned Babe was a human GPS. He is so good at it, that I no longer even try to remember landmarks to help us get to or from any certain place. Imagine my surprise when he malfunctioned. We were driving down a road and I said
“Do you know where you are going?”

His response, “I’ve been on this road before.”

To which I replied, “You did not answer the question.”

To quote LaLa once again, the man drove us slap out of Disney World. But it was all good. We were only lost for a few seconds before we saw a sign, an oh so magical sign, pointing us in the direction we should go.

I really enjoy walking around DTD. I look at all the crap that I really don’t need and can’t afford and just drool over it. I want it all. Why is that???? I believe that it is all about the merchandising. The presentation. They show us the stuff in the best possible light and make us imagine all the ways we can use it. So we fork over the dough only to sell it in a garage sale the next year for a fraction of what it cost originally. So, this year, I refrained.

For myself, anyway.

The kids were another story.

But, back to the presentation of the merchandise…

It’s been said that sex sells. So much so that even Disney is doing it.

Using sex to sell that is.

Just look at this pimped out Tinkerbell.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0188.jpg

I was appalled. I know Tink is a vixen but she still has that childlike innocence thing going for her. I thought this looked like she should be sitting in front of a fire, waiting for her man. She definately has a "come hither" stare thing going on. I could not believe my eyes. Someone, please let me know what you think. Am I the only one shocked by this???

[ILMICKEY]

Yep, she's definitely wantin somthin'!

GREAT report! Sounds like you two were having a wonderful time. I want to do the grownups trip sometime.

OMGosh! I was in tears when you wrote the part about losing your daughter!! That was great.

Keep bringing the funny!!

[JKMJ441724]

Yep, she's definitely wantin somthin'!

GREAT report! Sounds like you two were having a wonderful time. I want to do the grownups trip sometime.

OMGosh! I was in tears when you wrote the part about losing your daughter!! That was great.

Keep bringing the funny!!

Thanks for the props. My family still gives me a hard time about losing her. Looking back, even I think it was funny. But at the time I was in absolute panic.

As much as I missed my young children, I would recommend the adults only trip. We really had a great time.

[angelmav]

Great TR, I should cut and paste and add it to my own! I have to agree with you that Tink is used a little too adult for my tastes nowadays.

[lynn71092]

I agree.
Great report!!:banana:

[JKMJ441724]

So, we had finally made it to DTD and did a little shopping. I am proud of myself for the amount of restraint I showed by not purchasing the things that I wanted for myself. I focused on my children. I know I would have had more fun if they could have been there to pick out their own prizes, but I would also have been much poorer financially.

I know it was the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot, but they did not stop with the landscaping there. There was a beautiful flower bed just outside of Once Upon a Toy. I had to get my picture made in front of it. It was just gorgeous.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT00182.jpg

We stopped to smell the magic in front of those flowers. We sat on a bench and just talked to each other for a while.
In that same general vicinity, there was a fountain coming up out of the side walk. Kinda like the one at Epcot near Figment. Or at the kiddie section of your resort pool. This boy about our son’s age was playing in the water. The water was coming out of the shoots in a circular pattern and the little boy was chasing it around. Finally his parents convinced him to just stand at one of the shoots and wait for the water.

Can you see what’s coming?

The boy stood astraddle of the shoot looking down at it so he could see when the water was coming. The water shot right up in his little face and just drenched him. Babe laughed out loud, so much so that the kid’s parents gave us a dirty look.

It’s really funny.

I have the whole incident on video. We watch it occasionally just for kicks.

[kellyb2000]

So, we had finally made it to DTD and did a little shopping. I am proud of myself for the amount of restraint I showed by not purchasing the things that I wanted for myself.

I'm glad you showed some restraint on something.


I know it was the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot, but they did not stop with the landscaping there. There was a beautiful flower bed just outside of Once Upon a Toy.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT00182.jpg

That is beautiful. I wish I could have been there with you to see it in person.


The boy stood astraddle of the shoot looking down at it so he could see when the water was coming. The water shot right up in his little face and just drenched him. Babe laughed out loud, so much so that the kid’s parents gave us a dirty look.

It’s really funny.

I have the whole incident on video. We watch it occasionally just for kicks.

:rolleyes1 I wish we had the whole I-lost-my-child-at-Disney episode on video. I know we could have won $100,000 with that one.

[JKMJ441724]

I can't believe we did it!!!! Babe and I just put in a bid on a DVC at SS and it was accepted!!!! So, if Disney does not buy it out from under us, we will be the proud owners of a VACATION CLUB!!! Whew-hoooo!

Anyway, I've been caught up checking that out that that I have neglected my trip report about SS. I promise to have a new post up soon.

Thanks for reading. I really appreciate everyone's sweet comments.

[mt mommy]

great TR. CANNOT BELIEVE Tink in the sexy Christmas duds. Appauling in my opinion. If I had been there personally I might have told someone in the store that it looks terrible!

Waiting for your next fun update!:)

[PrincessFan0809]

This is an awesome TR! :thumbsup2

[jwwi]

1st we rent points, then we buy...............
Need to try that with DH.:lmao:

Enjoying the TR.

BTW, my DS is my favorite Disney companion too.

[JKMJ441724]

1st we rent points, then we buy...............
Need to try that with DH.:lmao:

Babe is as bad as I am about wanting to go to Disney. He can do without all the Disney merchandise. But he's even cool by letting me get my fill of the shops and never complains. I know that I have a keeper.:love:

It all started last Wednesday night (well, not really started, I have looked at buying points for a year now) when he mentioned that he wanted to go back to Disney next year.

I said, if we are going to go on a regular basis, we really should consider buying points. So for a couple of days, I looked at what was available on the website that sponsors this website. I can't think of what it is and I'm too lazy to look it up real quick.

I actually had to argue with him. I thought we would be fine to buy 50 points and bank/borrow and go once every 3 years. But he was insistant that we buy 100. I did not make him twist my arm for long.:rotfl:


BTW, my DS is my favorite Disney companion too.

I love her right up to the moon and back. Can't live without her. It's amazing how much she used to get on my nerves when we lived together as children, but now that we live in separate houses, she's pretty cool.

For a while.

Then we say that we've had enough family bonding:grouphug: and go home.

[JKMJ441724]

We felt no need to rush right back to The Studios, so we went back to the room for a few minutes to freshen up - you know, run a brush through our hair, reapply the deodorant.

While we were there, I took a moment to call the children. Gran reported that everything was A-OK. There were a few tears and she said that those were expected. I said yeah. And I expected the kids to cry some too.

We got in the car and headed back over to MGM.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT00165-1.jpg

While driving over, we saw a man and woman on a motorcycle - without helmets.

Now, our Declaration of Independence tells us and the world that people are born with certain inalienable rights - among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Part of the right to liberty, I believe, includes a fundamental right to be stupid.

And stupid is as stupid does.

And make no mistake about it, I think people who ride motorcycles without helmets are stupid. The bugs in the teeth is enough of a reason to want a full face helmet. I’m generally all for allowing American adults the right to make decisions for themselves. And if they want to ride a motorcycle at 60+ mph without a helmet and nothing between them and asphalt but air, so be it. But I don’t want to have to pay for their folly. I think if people suffer head trauma as a result of an accident while on a motorcycle, without a helmet, their insurance should not pay for it. At minimum, public funds should not be used.

Remember, I’m on a soapbox here, so some of this is just airs. But most of it is true.

I heard many motorcyclist claim that we need to educate drivers to be on the lookout for bikes, blah, blah, blah. Then there’s the bumper stickers. But how often do they talk about weaving in and out of traffic and driving WAY over the speed limit. Anywho. That’s just my two cents that riding without a helmet is stupid and the only thing that saves lives where motorcycles are involved is a loud-mouthed woman.

I’m done now.

We made it to the park and caught the Indiana Jones Stunt Show Spectacular.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT00167.jpg

I think that's a picture of the entrance. If not, someone please let me know.

This was the first time I had seen this in about 11 or 12 years. And it’s still basically the same show. It’s good. But the same. Our girl loves to watch the “Dr. Jones” movies at home. She’s only 5 but she already has a proclivity for scary movies. And those movies are scary to her. I can’t wait to bring the children back next year so they can see this. I’m sure our boy will love the part with the stunt drivers.

We were trying to decide what to do next when we realized that Mike and Sully were about to make an appearance. The line was fairly short so we jumped in. I was on the lookout for characters that we did not get pictures with or autographs from last year. I thought the kids would enjoy an autograph from two of their favorite characters. But hold the phone.

They don’t do autographs because they don’t believe in paperwork. As you read that sentence, you should hear it in Rozz’s voice in your head. If you didn’t, read it again correctly. I’ll wait.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0195.jpg

Next up, the Back Lot Tour.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0206.jpg

This is another one of the rides that we ride this year because we rode it last year. And we’ll ride it again next year. Put simply, we ride it because it’s there. It’s a good way to get off your feet for 15 minutes. There’s not really anything super cool about it, well except the 5 mph breeze. We watched 4 complete strangers make complete fools of themselves. That’s always fun. Then we worked our way through the props room. Kinda cool to look at all that stuff. I always wonder if those are real props used in real movies, or if they are just decorations that Disney has such a way with to make everything look so authentic.

Of course, the best part of the tour is Catastrophe Canyon. I was a little upset because we were on the right side of the tram. I wanted to be able to shoot a little video without heads and ears and noses in my way. When the driver said that the people on the right side of the tram could get a little wet, the people on the left side of our row looked over at Babe and me and laughed. I silently snickered. Then the driver announced that the people on the left side would get very wet and those people changed their tunes.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0216.jpg

It’s fun to be at Disney with people who have never been there before. They freaked out. Of course, they did not get very wet, but they did get heavily sprinkled.

Up next: Momma finally gets to see FANTASMIC!

[ILMICKEY]

And stupid is as stupid does.

And make no mistake about it, I think people who ride motorcycles without helmets are stupid. The bugs in the teeth is enough of a reason to want a full face helmet. I’m generally all for allowing American adults the right to make decisions for themselves. And if they want to ride a motorcycle at 60+ mph without a helmet and nothing between them and asphalt but air, so be it. But I don’t want to have to pay for their folly. I think if people suffer head trauma as a result of an accident while on a motorcycle, without a helmet, their insurance should not pay for it. At minimum, public funds should not be used.

Remember, I’m on a soapbox here, so some of this is just airs. But most of it is true.

I heard many motorcyclist claim that we need to educate drivers to be on the lookout for bikes, blah, blah, blah. Then there’s the bumper stickers. But how often do they talk about weaving in and out of traffic and driving WAY over the speed limit. Anywho. That’s just my two cents that riding without a helmet is stupid and the only thing that saves lives where motorcycles are involved is a loud-mouthed woman.

I’m done now.
I couldn't agree with you more!!


Of course, the best part of the tour is Catastrophe Canyon. I was a little upset because we were on the right side of the tram. I wanted to be able to shoot a little video without heads and ears and noses in my way. When the driver said that the people on the right side of the tram could get a little wet, the people on the left side of our row looked over at Babe and me and laughed. I silently snickered. Then the driver announced that the people on the left side would get very wet and those people changed their tune.
It’s fun to be a Disney with people who have never been there before. They freaked out. Of course, they did not get very wet, but they did get heavily sprinkled.

Ha Ha!! Tourists!!!!!!

[kellyb2000]

but now that we live in separate houses, she's pretty cool.

Don't kid yourself - you know you think I'm the epitome of cool - but later teach me how to spell that work, K?


For a while.

Then we say that we've had enough family bonding :grouphug: and go home.
Amen, sister.

[JKMJ441724]

For years I have been reading about how fantastic Fantasmic! is. I’ve gotten the free videos from Disney and they just rave about the brilliance of this show/experience. This was definitely on my list of must-dos. I was psyched. After our back-lot tour, Babe wanted to ride ToT again. I wanted to get a good seat for the show. We parted ways. I got us some popcorn and drinks and made my way to the amphitheatre.

That place is HUGE. Gigantic. And several other words that mean the same thing. I was impressed just by the structure.

And it was crowed.

Crazy crowded.

I went in 45 minutes before the show started. And the seating area was already about 75% full. I was way on the left hand side. I was worried that I would not be able to see everything and that I would not get the full effect of the show. But it was fine. There were screens on both sides (and maybe even one in the middle). I can’t remember now.

I got a spot on a bench right beside the aisle. SCORE!! There were three families that were together behind me. Each family included at least a couple kids. Again, I was a little bit sad because our children were not here to enjoy this with us. We had wanted to see this show last year, but it was so hot and the kids were so tired, that we left the park before it came on. And by the time we went to our room and rested, we just weren’t in the mood to go back to the park.

As I said, there was quite a bit of time to kill before the show started. Not really a big deal for a grown-up. I was content to eat my popcorn and people-watch. The kids behind me were kind of restless. Then the vendor came by selling the light up necklaces and teeth and bracelets and other junk. One of the smaller kids behind me reached for something as the vendor walked by. The parents were joking about it.

That reminded me. I had glow bracelets in my bag. We had stocked up on them last year before we went to Disney. Our local dollar store has them with six bracelets with connectors for fifty cents per pack. We bought so many last year for our kids that we had plenty to share with other kids.

I turned around to face the family behind me and said that I had something they could have. And I pulled out several packages of the glow bracelets. There were enough for every child to have three bracelets. The older children hooked theirs together to make necklaces. They had a great time snapping them to make them glow, and twirling them around.

Not only was I stopping to smell the magic this year, I was sharing the magic.

Fantasmic! was a big hit for me. I enjoyed every minute of it. It may have been a little intense for my small children but I would still probably take them to see it the next time we go. I guess if it scared them, we could get up and leave, or just let them bury their heads in our sleeves. I most liked the parts were Maleficent turns into the dragon and Jafar turns into the snake.

Up next - Do I dare ride ToT???

[MAGICFOR2]

Found your TR last night, and I'm hooked!:banana: MY DH and I went to WDW for our first ever vacation by ourselves after 24 years of marriage in 2004! I didn't think we could have fun without our kids, even though they were grown :rotfl2: We found that there are lots of ways to have fun w/o kids :thumbsup2

By the way, Welcome Home! :cheer2: We love SSR - it's a quiet break from the crowds! We stayed in Grandstand, and the new pool area there is really fun for the kids! A lot smaller, but a lot less crowded and the giant squirt gun area is great! My niece and nephew loved it so much they never made it over to the High Rocks(?) pool.

[JKMJ441724]

Found your TR last night, and I'm hooked!:banana: MY DH and I went to WDW for our first ever vacation by ourselves after 24 years of marriage in 2004! I didn't think we could have fun without our kids, even though they were grown :rotfl2: We found that there are lots of ways to have fun w/o kids :thumbsup2

By the way, Welcome Home! :cheer2: We love SSR - it's a quiet break from the crowds! We stayed in Grandstand, and the new pool area there is really fun for the kids! A lot smaller, but a lot less crowded and the giant squirt gun area is great! My niece and nephew loved it so much they never made it over to the High Rocks(?) pool.

Welcome to my report. Glad to have you onboard. Congratulations to you on the marriage that lasts!!! Those are apparently pretty rare these days. My husband's parents are about to celebrate their 45th!!! :hug:

We still vacation with my parents alot. We are finally tossing around the idea of just a trip with our immediate family of four. We have not gone on vacation without my parents since our daughter was born - almost six years ago.

Thanks, too for the SSR shout-out. May PM you to hear all about your experiences. Unless you have all of that in your trip report - which I'm going to click over to and read.

[JKMJ441724]

We made our way out of the madness that is the sea of faces leaving Fantasmic! The night was clear and warm. And we weren’t quite ready to go home.

Babe had made an attempt to ride ToT before Fantasmic started but the line was way too long. He knew how much I wanted to see the show and he wanted to be there with me, so he skipped ToT. Now that Fantasmic was over, he wanted to try again. I agreed to wait with him in the line.

The first year we went to Disney together, I rode ToT and thought it was WAY COOL. But also thought it was way too scary for me to ever ride again. The second year we went to Disney together, I stood in line with Babe as long as I could and then told him that I would meet him in the hotel lobby and gift shop after the ride was over. I went shopping and looking around.

But while I was in line with him, we began talking to another couple with a little girl who looked to be about ten years old. The little girl did not want to ride the ride but they told her she had to go. I felt so bad for her. They were asking us about the ride and I told them that the ride scared me. But they insisted that she go with them. I thought one of them should have gotten out of line and stayed with her. I believe this was before they had the child swap available.

Well, I had shopped for a while and thought enough time should have passed so that Babe would be getting off the ride. I made my way back to the HTH and copped a squat on one of the benches where the people get off the ride and make their way over to the look at their pictures. I had not been sitting there long when the little girl came out of the door crying. I mean sobbing, crying.

I looked around for Babe and the other couple. I got the girl and asked where they were. She said they were on the ride, that finally her parents agreed to not make her ride it. They sent her down the chicken hatch by herself. I silently fumed. I was glad that I was there to watch her until they were finished, and she was not left to roam around by herself. When the ride was over, her parents came out. I could tell they were glad that I was there, too.

Anyway. Back to this trip…

I stood with Babe in line for his second favorite ride in the park. Once again I marveled at the detailing - the uniforms of the bellhops, the dust on the tables, the spectacles next to the books, the old fashioned telephone, the cobwebs in the corner.

The line moved forward and when we came to our first CM in the hotel lobby, I mentioned to him that I wanted to wait in line as long as I could, but that I ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY DID NOT WANT TO RIDE. I don’t like that long drop with the sudden stop. And I asked him where the chicken hatch could be located. He told me that I could go through two more rooms - the library and the boiler room. He said that I should tell someone in the boiler room that I did not want to ride and ask to be directed out.

DONE AND DONE.

We made it into the library and someone shut the door, the room darkened and the movie started. There were a couple of ladies standing behind us. I heard one tell the other “you better grab something because when this floor drops…..”

The lady freaked out. I’ll admit that it got my heart racing, too.

[ILMICKEY]

“you better grab something because when this floor drops…..”

The lady freaked out. I’ll admit that it got my heart racing, too.
That is too funny!!! I love it when people do this.

My husband and I went to WDW for our honeymoon. He had never went. We were on the POTC and I had totally forgot about that little "hill" you go down.

Mind you he absolutely despises roller coasters!

We started going down, I thought he was going to have a heart attack:lmao: ! It was the best! I was like "Oops, ummm, forgot about that"

[The Disney 6]

I am loving your TR:goodvibes My husband and I are going to the world by ourselves Friday:banana: My "mommy Guilt" is in full swing.....I can hardly bring myself to pack:confused3 The kids are excited for us and are even making pre trip plans for when the six of us go together some time in the spring. Your TR is helping to get me in the "Disney Mood":) Thanks so much:)
Can't wait to read what happens next....you do take the chicken exit don't you?
Meg

[kimnkel]

Love this TR! Too funny, and the soap box forays are excellent--I am glad *some* of us still do some thinking :snooty: Sometimes, as much as I love all things theme park (especially Disney) being cheek to jowl with so many of my fellow human beans is quite :scared: making.

WRT the motorcycle helmet speech: Ditto. And while we are on the subject (were we?) I also am for making "Stupidity" a valid, legal cause of death. Just write STUPIDITY on the CAUSE OF DEATH line, and let's skip the bullhockey about "head trauma" and the rest of those other euphemisms for stupid. No more beating around the bush.

Here: :flower3: This is for all of the helmet-less, flip-flopped shod, tank-top attired easy riders out there that are going to hate me forever for saying that. Tough noogies, but here's a flower. You can keep it on your bedside tray at the rehab facility where you will be residing, if you are "lucky" enough to survive the pavement. Also, while I am at the bidness of highjacking this thread, I also resent the amount of noise pollution some of those hogmobiles generate. :mad:

So there.

What was I wanting to really say? Oh, yes, now I remember. Listen, all you parents: Skip the guilt trip, and just go to Disney together. One of the best gifts you can give your children is a solid, loving home--- and that means taking the time to re-connect as a couple--not just relate to each other as parents. It's important. It's worthwhile. It sets an example for your children, and lets them know that while you love them more than your next breath, they are not, in fact, the actual center of the universe.

And the whole world will thank you for that.

Because maybe it will mean your child will grow up to someday actually scoot his carcass over on the tram.

You never know...

[JKMJ441724]

My husband and I went to WDW for our honeymoon. He had never went. We were on the POTC and I had totally forgot about that little "hill" you go down.
Mind you he absolutely despises roller coasters!
We started going down, I thought he was going to have a heart attack:lmao: ! It was the best! I was like "Oops, ummm, forgot about that"

:rotfl2: :rotfl2:

My husband and I are going to the world by ourselves Friday My "mommy Guilt" is in full swing.....I can hardly bring myself to pack The kids are excited for us and are even making pre trip plans for when the six of us go together some time in the spring. Your TR is helping to get me in the "Disney Mood" Thanks so much
Meg


Meg, So glad to have you along for my trip. I'm happy that my drivel is helping you to get in the Disney mood. That's part of fun - the anticipation. Have a great time on your trip. I'm sure it will be a blast. You will have to tell us all about it.


Can't wait to read what happens next....you do take the chicken exit don't you?
Meg


I could probably post my next installment today if people would quit bringing me WORK to do!!


WRT the motorcycle helmet speech: Ditto. And while we are on the subject (were we?) I also and am for making "Stupidity" a valid, legal cause of death. Just write STUPIDITY on the CAUSE OF DEATH line, and let's skip the bullhockey about "head trauma" and the rest of those other euphemisms for stupid. No more beating around the bush.
So there.

:lmao:

What was I wanting to really say? Oh, yes, now I remember. Listen, all you parents: Skip the guilt trip, and just go to Disney together. One of the best gifts you can give your children is a solid, loving home--- and that means taking the time to re-connect as a couple--not just relate to each other as parents. It's important. It's worthwhile. It sets an example for your children, and lets them know that while you love them more than your next breath, they are not, in fact, the actual center of the universe.

And the whole world will thank you for that.

Because maybe it will mean your child will grow up to someday actually scoot his carcass over on the tram.

You never know...


Kimnkel: Thank you so much for your post. It had me LOL - especially the part about scooting over. You sound like my kind of people.

[JKMJ441724]

So, I make it through the library and into the boiler room. I wait in line with Babe through the queue. I ask the next available CM where the chicken hatch can be located. She tells me to go down a hall and get in an ELEVATOR! and press the down button.

Are you kidding me??? The whole point was that I did not want to get on an elevator. I knew that I was on the right elevator because there were no seats or restraining devices, but I’m not afraid to say that I was hesitant about pushing the button. :scared:

After I narrowly escaped the ToT we made a mad dash over to Star Tours. We had gotten a fast pass for it before we had taken the back lot tour. When we came back after our tour, Star Wars was shut down for some reason. Complications arose, ensued, were overcome. We held onto our fast pass and after ToT it was up and running. And apparently it had not been working for very long. We showed the nice CM at the fast pass line our FP and told him that is was down when we came back at our appointed time. He let us in. There was no one in the FP line in front of us, but the standby line was long. It wasn’t outside the building or anything but I felt guilty about getting to go in front of ALL those people.

Well, I told you that I forced Babe to wear a “Happy Anniversary” button and everyone who saw it had been telling us happy anniversary. The CM at the front of the Star Tours line told us Happy Anniversary as he showed us to our transport. I told him thanks. Then he asked how many. I said ten. OOPS. He was already talking to the group of people in the standby line, asking them how many were in their party.

This ride is awesome. We are a family of thrill seekers. Even our daughter liked this ride last year and she turned five years old the week we were there.

In case you are thinking of taking a Star Tour just be advised that there are no light saber duels or Jedi mind tricks allowed on the aircraft.

After our tour of the galaxy, we decided to go home for the night. The park did not close for another couple of hours but we had done everything that we came there to do. Sure we could have ridden some of the rides again, but we were satisfied and just wanted to go back to our room.

I slept much better this night.

I had put in a wake up call request for pretty early the next day. I can’t remember exactly what time. When Stitch called, I popped up like a daisy in the snow. We had a lot to do today.

I took a quick shower and got myself ready. Then I set about getting everything else ready. This is our usual routine. I get everything together while Babe watches TV. I put our spare set of camera batteries in the charger (it only takes 15 minutes), I made sure we had an extra tape for our video camera, I made sure both cameras were in the bag. Then I made sure that we had cash, our room cards and our park passes. Cell phones? Check. Sunglasses? Check, check.

We were ready to go. Then Babe asks “did you get the cameras?”

“Yes, dear.”

“Did you get my cell phone?”

“Yes, dear.”

“Did you put extra batteries in the bag?”

“Yes, dear. Momma‘s prepared.”

“As always,” he said.

At least he can appreciate that.

And away we went.

This was going to be our only day to park hop. We had gotten the tickets that we used for the past two days several years ago and we did not buy the park hopper option. But for this trip, we knew that we wanted to go over to Universal Studios one day (GASP!!) so in order to fit in all of Disney we would have to fit two parks into one day.

I ordered these one day park hopper tickets off ebay. I was able to get both tickets for the price of one ticket purchased at the gate. I don’t mind telling you that I was a little bit scared. I was afraid that we would get up to the gate and be DENIED.

You can also read that DE-NIED. That’s how we say it in the South. It’s kind of like the police and the PO-LICE. The Police is an 80s rock band. The Po-lice are who come get you for jay walking and other crimes against society.

But the tickets worked fine. In fact, I think I’m going to try it again when we go next year.

When the tickets came in the mail, they were in an envelope from Disney. The return address was Disney Toon Studios in California. It gave me the impression that the guy that sold them worked for Disney. And I don’t mean as a ticket taker or a crowd controller. I figure he got them free as a perk of the job and thought “I do this all day long. That’s the last place I want to go on my day off.”

So we get to Epcot just a few minutes after the park opens (for extra magic hour). We practically had front row parking. Babe tells me to stand in front of the ball so he can take my picture. I oblige. The batteries in the camera were dead with the first picture. So much for being prepared.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0222.jpg

But I really was prepared. We put in the batteries that I charged up that morning. We figured if they ran down, we would just have to pay $57,000 for some batteries from one of Disney’s vendors.

[kimnkel]

Oh goodie! Another installment! I love your writting style, JMK787458321.0

Listen girl, I knew we would get along as soon as I read that crack (not to say 'crack') about the high heels and thong undies on Main Street. It might not have been Main Street, but you know what I mean. Tres, tres inappropriate, but it did give me the idea for a Girlie Girl Tip which I posted on another thread called "Useless Information", useless information being a little specialty of mine. (If I may brag a little.)

To wit: Girlie Girl Tip of the Year: It doesn't matter how "hot" one dresses if it is inappropriate for the situation and/or occassion. Honestly? It just comes off as vaguely desperate and more than a little pathetic. (I'm thinking here of cleavage and hooker heels at the Magic Kingdom.)

Yes, I am trying to see how many people I can offend. So far I can count motorcycle riders (the helmet-less ones, anyhow) inconsiderate space hogs, and hoochie-mamas. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity, BTW.

I am so :banana: about our family's upcoming trip, and reading your report is kinda like methadone for a heroin addict. Say, the SAT people should use that. "Reading trip reports on <blank> is like <blank> to a <blank>." (10 points)

But getting back to my one (1) point. I know I had one. What was it?

!

Oh, I forget. But I know that my sweet husband and moi(you call yours Babe? Mine is henceforth known as Dog) had such a great time last year, just the two of us. :love: However! I did have a bit of an issue with the rudeness thing. I mean to say, I love my Fellow Americans... in theory. In practice they really can get on a girl's last good nerve. SO! I have formulated a plan. Would you like to know the plan?

Check out my next installment!

*

!

Just kidding! That would be so declasse--highjacking! :eek: Rudeness! My plan :idea: is to treat my shoving, space hogging, line cutting, inappropriately attired and/or behaving, small children mower downing, stroller wielding maniacal fellow park goers as animatronic Disney attractions, and thus not worth getting upset over. After all, they are just animatrons, and thus just part of the fun!

PS: What is dis "DCL" of vhich you wrotted in your siggie line? I am not completely from your country.

[JKMJ441724]

Oh goodie! Another installment! I love your writting style, JMK787458321.0

Listen girl, I knew we would get along as soon as I read that crack (not to say 'crack') about the high heels and thong undies on Main Street. It might not have been Main Street, but you know what I mean. Tres, tres inappropriate, but it did give me the idea for a Girlie Girl Tip which I posted on another thread called "Useless Information", useless information being a little specialty of mine. (If I may brag a little.)

To wit: Girlie Girl Tip of the Year: It doesn't matter how "hot" one dresses if it is inappropriate for the situation and/or occassion. Honestly? It just comes off as vaguely desperate and more than a little pathetic. (I'm thinking here of cleavage and hooker heels at the Magic Kingdom.)

Yes, I am trying to see how many people I can offend. So far I can count motorcycle riders (the helmet-less ones, anyhow) inconsiderate space hogs, and hoochie-mamas. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity, BTW.

I am so :banana: about our family's upcoming trip, and reading your report is kinda like methadone for a heroin addict. Say, the SAT people should use that. "Reading trip reports on <blank> is like <blank> to a <blank>." (10 points)

But getting back to my one (1) point. I know I had one. What was it?

!

Oh, I forget. But I know that my sweet husband and moi(you call yours Babe? Mine is henceforth known as Dog) had such a great time last year, just the two of us. :love: However! I did have a bit of an issue with the rudeness thing. I mean to say, I love my Fellow Americans... in theory. In practice they really can get on a girl's last good nerve. SO! I have formulated a plan. Would you like to know the plan?

Check out my next installment!

*

!

Just kidding! That would be so declasse--highjacking! :eek: Rudeness! My plan :idea: is to treat my shoving, space hogging, line cutting, inappropriately attired and/or behaving, small children mower downing, stroller wielding maniacal fellow park goers as animatronic Disney attractions, and thus not worth getting upset over. After all, they are just animatrons, and thus just part of the fun!

PS: What is dis "DCL" of vhich you wrotted in your siggie line? I am not completely from your country.

Honey, I can't wait to read your report. You are cracking me up, right here at work and we all know that there's no fun at work. She's having fun, Sir.

And I'll go ahead and say it. My name's Kim. And if you haven't figured it out, KellyB2000 is my sister. As soon as I saw your post, I called her and said "there's a KimnKel that posted on my report!!!!" I know. It takes very little to get me :cheer2: :cheer2: .

Great minds think alike. I, too, claim to have a plethora of worthless knowledge stored in my hat rack. For instance, I know the mythology part of the incident that started the Trojan War - you know, WHY Paris thought he could just take Helen. It wasn't that she was in love with him (but why wouldn't she be? Good night, he sure was pretty in the movie.)

Is that Dog "The Bounty Hunter?" I need to know before I post anymore personal information. The statute of limitations has almost expired.....

DCL - Disney Cruise Line. We have been on both ships. Made our boy on the first one (with spare parts from a Mr. Potato Head display in the gift shop). Just like the commercial says "he's our little souvenir." I hear there are a couple more ships in the works. We've been talking about taking another cruise. Maybe the new ships will be ready by the time we finally make our plans. There will be no little souvenirs from that trip, though.

Let me know how your new animatronic plan works.

Glad you came back for another installment!! I'm so happy to have some imaginary friends.

[kimnkel]

My name is Kim (duh, I know, you knew that) and The Dog's name is Kelly. :cheer2: :banana: :cheer2:

As you can see, I'm easily excitable, also.

No, my Kelly/Dog is not THAT Dog, because that would make me Beth.
:eek: So don't worry about those pesky warrants, you're cool.

Hmm. On further reflection I think I will refer herein and hereafter to my Kelly as The DogMan.

Helen of Troy! This is kinda weird: I went to college largely because of an essay I wrote about Homer's use of heroic themes <zzzzzz...wake up!) in epic poetry. Before the essay episode I was mainly focusing my high school field of study on boys--- and finding the Pefect Pink Lipgloss to accent the Perfect Blonde Highlights in my hair. I was very deep back in the day.

I love Greek mythology. There are so many parallels between...

...Oh, right. I digress.

Maybe we could have a thread about ancient Greece. I'm sure it would be wildly popular. :rolleyes:

I really hope the animatronic self-hypnosis thing works. It's really kind of imperitive. Because you would not believe how I can get. The DogMan listened to my plan with sweet attentiveness and stated that, "Yeah. Well. All I can say is that all that animatronic amusement will go out the window if anyone dares touch a hair on Jack's head. I pity the fool."

Did I mention my 2 year old grandson's name is Jack?

Back to the football game. GO SAINTS! :scared: Dang Colts!

[JKMJ441724]

Did I mention my 2 year old grandson's name is Jack?



Did you notice my "name" in my siggie? MadJacksMom. Huh? See where I'm going with that? The parallels are endless.::yes::



Back to the football game. GO SAINTS! :scared: Dang Colts!

Isn't that "geaux" Saints?

[MAGICFOR2]

Interesting about the ebay tickets! I have been afraid to try it - thought we might be DE-NIED, too. I will have to give it a try. Our kids are now wanting to take the babies to AK after our cruise next year.

[JKMJ441724]

Interesting about the ebay tickets! I have been afraid to try it - thought we might be DE-NIED, too. I will have to give it a try. Our kids are now wanting to take the babies to AK after our cruise next year.

Hey, Magicfor2 - I'm envious of your cruise. Is it a DISNEY cruise? Nevermind. After I posted this, I looked at your siggie. Now I'm really, really jealous.

We just heard back from the TimeShare Store. Disney waived its right to purchase. WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO BECOMING OFFICIAL DVC MEMBERS, BABY!!!

[kimnkel]

Geaux, go, git, whatever; it didn't work last night. And yet I go on. Yes, I am an amazingly strong woman. Celine Dion should be singing a heart stirring melody in the background. Except Celine Dion gives me a :headache:

OKAY! Now I have offended all the Celine Dion fans, and perhaps by extension, all Canadians. But if that wasn't enough for the Canucks, there is this: last night while walking our dogs, The DogMan starts talking about the Canadian Football League, and how they are picking up all the cut NFL players. So I have to laugh; he's excited because the CFL teams he likes are picking up the fourth string cast-off players from America? :laughing:

All I can say is: America Rocks, Baby. The rest of the world is happy just to pick up a few of our crumbs.

So, to recap:
Rude people
Motorcyclists
Hoochie mamas
Canadians
Canadian Leaque Football fans
Celine Dion fans


And really, JMK123456789, imaginary friends may be the best because they never want to borrow your favorite little black dress or steal your husband.

Something to think about.

Cruises. I don't get the appeal. Sure, they may be great for obtaining babies and all :love: but what else is there? Isn't it just a bunch of eating and shuffleboard?

Are you afraid of heights, enclosed spaces, or both? Why not ride the ToT, sweetie? :flower3: There's nothing to be afraid of. :rolleyes1

Is your son's name Jack, or is that his nickname?

[kimnkel]

I just noticed my ticker now says 2 MONTHS 4 WEEKS and 1 DAY until or family trip to WDW! Oh, man--that seems soooo much closer than when it said 3 months!

:hourglass hurry up! hurry up!

[kellyb2000]

Babe tells me to stand in front of the ball so he can take my picture. I oblige. http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0222.jpg

Next time, tell "Babe" to zoom in a little so I can see you - especially when you're wearing that funny little hat - I can't see your face.

And quit telling people we're related. As George Banks once said, "DO-I-KNOW-YOU?"

and The Dog's name is Kelly.
For a second there, I thought "Great. The dog's name is Kelly." Kind of like that ape at the Bronx Zoo. But then I remembered it's not the dog, it's THE Dog so we're good.....we're good.

[kellyb2000]

Did you notice my "name" in my siggie? MadJacksMom. Huh? See where I'm going with that? The parallels are endless.::yes::
I my gosh, I think someone might just crack your code. I wouldn't answer your door without making sure you know who it is first; it might be some crazy DISer.

[kimnkel]

Next time, tell "Babe" to zoom in a little so I can see you - especially when you're wearing that funny little hat - I can't see your face.

And quit telling people we're related. As George Banks once said, "DO-I-KNOW-YOU?"

As if this whole post doesn't PROVE you are sisters, Kelly.

[MAGICFOR2]

Hey, Magicfor2 - I'm envious of your cruise. Is it a DISNEY cruise? Nevermind. After I posted this, I looked at your siggie. Now I'm really, really jealous.

We just heard back from the TimeShare Store. Disney waived its right to purchase. WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO BECOMING OFFICIAL DVC MEMBERS, BABY!!!

Congrats on DVC:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Yes, we are going with our grown DSs and fams with 3 grandbabies in tow - they will be 3yrs, 16mos, and 14 mos. We will be a busy group! We are already busily planning our excursions - a day at AK, where to stay, who gets to go to Palo when, etc. etc. :woohoo:

[MeLaNie9]

OK, I must jump in here...
Kelly and Kim or is it Kim and Kim or is it The Dog and KimMan or.... anyways you guys are totally cracking me up!!! (Ooops - there's that pesky crack again, now I'm thinking of the lady in MK and will have to bleach my brain again...)
This TR is great and with the addition of kimnkel I have literally been laughing out loud :rotfl2: - my DH is shooting me the "you're a weirdo, laughing at the DIS" look.

So speaking of offending hoochie mamas...
I did so at my son's gym class. A mother there was wearing a micro mini (I mean when she sat down you could SEE her thong...in the front) with this strap thingy across her butt with a metal buckle? plaque? on it that read "J. Lo" . I couldn't help it, I had to comment on it to my DH and she overheard me and started yelling at me about how the skirt was a gift and its not my business and why don't I just shut up and blah blah blah.... Who wears that taking their 3 year old son to a gym class??? Who can even drive to and from the class in that, I mean, without it being pretty much around their waist with that plaque thing gouging their back? And what happens when she puts her kid in his car seat, its gotta ride up! :scared1: Come on lady...inappropriate!

So now we can add:
Micro mini wearing moms
J. Lo fans

Anyways, DH and I are thinking about an alone trip in Feb. It would have to be in conjunction with a work conference at WDW for me, but we might go together and add on a few days. Every time we discuss it, we have that surge of guilt about not taking the kids and then we talk about taking them and then not taking them, etc. Needless to say, we haven't booked anything.

Congrats on DVC!!!:goodvibes
Keep up the great (and hilarious) work!

[kimnkel]

OK, I must jump in here...
Kelly and Kim or is it Kim and Kim or is it The Dog and KimMan or.... anyways you guys are totally cracking me up!!! (Ooops - there's that pesky crack again, now I'm thinking of the lady in MK and will have to bleach my brain again...)

Hi Melanie9! I am acting as unofficial hostess on this thread, since it appears KellyB2000's sister, JKMJLMNOP12345, has abandoned us for her husband and children! Of all the...unmitigated gall.

I love this phrase: UNMITIGATED GALL. It's multi-purpose, multi-tasking, and waaaayyyy classier than saying, "I was so pissed off at..." I dislike that saying, BTW. "Pissed off". Yech. It's nasty, and sounds much too British for my taste.

Anyway, it's Kim and KelMan. Or Kim and DogMan. Now I'm confused. Maybe if I added some numbers?


This TR is great and with the addition of kimnkel I have literally been laughing out loud :rotfl2: - my DH is shooting me the "you're a weirdo, laughing at the DIS" look.

So speaking of offending hoochie mamas...
I did so at my son's gym class. A mother there was wearing a micro mini (I mean when she sat down you could SEE her thong...in the front) with this strap thingy across her butt with a metal buckle? plaque? on it that read "J. Lo" . I couldn't help it, I had to comment on it to my DH and she overheard me and started yelling at me about how the skirt was a gift and its not my business and why don't I just shut up and blah blah blah.... Who wears that taking their 3 year old son to a gym class??? Who can even drive to and from the class in that, I mean, without it being pretty much around their waist with that plaque thing gouging their back? And what happens when she puts her kid in his car seat, its gotta ride up! :scared1: Come on lady...inappropriate!

Are you from Brooklyn? Or Las Vegas? Because this seems like a Brooklyn or Las Vegas thing to do. It's always tough when someone like you (Melanie9) or us (everyone on this thread, obviously) is The One with Taste, Class, and a Sense of Decorum.

UPDATED LIST OF PEOPLE THAT WILL BE OWED APOLOGY POSTS AT A LATER DATE:
Micro mini wearing moms
J. Lo fans
British people
People that routinely say, "pissed off."
Peope from Brooklyn
People from Las Vegas

(NOTE I said "owed". I did not say "WILL BE RECEIVING")

When I first read this, I thought you meant she had hiney plaque. And I thought, "Ha, hiney plaque! Perhaps that is why she wears a thong! She hopes it will floss that pesky plaque off! :lmao:

Oh, I do so crack myself up!

Or I thought, perhaps her rear end is an actual plague, like locusts, or Brazilians. (Note: Add Brazilians to list. I don't think locusts can read, so there will be no need for me to go back and apologize to them later.)

Anyways, DH and I are thinking about an alone trip in Feb. It would have to be in conjunction with a work conference at WDW for me, but we might go together and add on a few days. Every time we discuss it, we have that surge of guilt about not taking the kids and then we talk about taking them and then not taking them, etc. Needless to say, we haven't booked anything.

Oh, you need to go ahead and book. February hmm---might be coolish; I recommend the Wilderness Lodge. Snuggling opportunities, etc. And, hey: This is the perfect excuse to dodge the kids! Er, I mean, uhm, the perfect opportunity to escape the little rats! No, what I am trying to say is that it will be the perfect reason to spend some quality time with your DH, enhancing your relationship and building a stronger, happier home in which to raise the little loves of your life. :hug: And that really is what I mean. Go and do it, Melanie, and dump the guilt. It's okay. I'm a veteran parent of two well adjusted grown daughters (bummer about the other three kids, but hey! 2 outta 5 ain't bad! It's a jungle out there, people!) <---that is a joke, folks---and I even have my grandma campaign ribbon, so go ahead--have a little fun with the DH! I will give you the advice my DH gives the kids: Never stop dating your spouse.

[daisax]

I heard many motorcyclist claim that we need to educate drivers to be on the lookout for bikes, blah, blah, blah. Then there’s the bumper stickers.

Oh those bumper stickers make my blood boil - "Motorcycles are EVERYWHERE!"

Well, they shouldn't be. If they're in the middle of a lane, taking their turn in traffic like any other vehicle, they'll be seen just fine. If they pass cars at a reasonable distance (i.e. one that permits their visibility via car rear and side view mirrors) they will be seen just fine.

But don't come zooming up between lanes of traffic and then try to take some moral high ground about people not looking out for YOU!

[packerbeth]

I was glad to find your trip report. I will be taking a trip without my kids next week, and know that I'll miss them but plan on having a great time, like it appears you did. Hope to read more before I go!

[MeLaNie9]

kimnkel - Did you mean that I must be from Brooklyn or Las Vegas because that is where a children's gym class-attending mother might wear such a get-up, or because that is where someone might actually make a comment on said get-up to their husband - possibly loud enough for the wearer to hear?
Either way...I not from either place! I didn't even know that J.Lo had a clothing line - people in Brooklyn would know that I bet - ya know, Jenny from the block and all!:banana:

Oh boy - I was laughing aloud again (same look from DH:rolleyes: ) and there wasn't even a new update from our trip reporter!!! kimnkel, you are such a gracious hostess while our reporter is unavailable. Thanks for the laughs!

We haven't pulled the trigger on the Feb trip, but continue to discuss, hash/rehash, etc.

Eagerly waiting original hostess return and updatepopcorn::

[JKMJ441724]

Interesting about the ebay tickets! I have been afraid to try it - thought we might be DE-NIED, too. I will have to give it a try. Our kids are now wanting to take the babies to AK after our cruise next year.

You are officially an honorary Southerner, since you used De-nied.

Watch out about those Disney Cruises. You may pick up a planned or unplanned extra souvinir.

Yes, I am an amazingly strong woman.

A roll model to us all.

But if that wasn't enough for the Canucks, there is this: last night while walking our dogs, The DogMan starts talking about the Canadian Football League, and how they are picking up all the cut NFL players. So I have to laugh; he's excited because the CFL teams he likes are picking up the fourth string cast-off players from America?

Speaking of football!!!!!!! While I was off galavanting with my family, we went to a college football game on Saturday. Babe loves sports, any kind of sports (even lady's bowling. OK just kidding on that. No one likes lady's bowling.) He will frequently go to games by himself. Makes KellyB CRAZY. She always wants him to take a friend. I tell her not to worry about it because he is there with 108,000 of his closest friends.

So we are sitting in the stands Saturday and the boy points at all the people across the field. He asks, "Mom, can all those people come to our house?"

I tell him that I don't think they will all fit in our house. Then he says, "but they are all my best friends."

Yes. He is definately Babe's child.

By the way, the stadium was not as crowded as the MK. Have to through that in there so we don't get in trouble for being off track.


And really, JMK123456789, imaginary friends may be the best because they never want to borrow your favorite little black dress or steal your husband.

Something to think about.

Heather Locklear should really read these boards.

Cruises. I don't get the appeal. What else is there? Isn't it just a bunch of eating?

Yes. Therein lies the beauty of it all.

Are you afraid of heights, enclosed spaces, or both? Why not ride the ToT, sweetie? :flower3: There's nothing to be afraid of. :rolleyes1

:sad2: :sad2: Never going to happen, my friend. It's enough that you go through the corridor of some haunted hotel (can anyone say REDRUM!! REDRUM!!) It's the drop. Totally, the drop. I'm not afraid of heights. It's just precarious heights. I'm fine at the observation deck of the John Hancock Building. But it's the part about being in a steel box hanging over air seventy stories up.....


Is your son's name Jack, or is that his nickname?

His name is Jackson. But we call him Jack. And occassionally, we very lovingly refer to him as Jackenstein or Jackzilla. I love him with every fiber of my being. But he's a wildman. I completely blame it on the fact that I rode Space Mountain when I was 4 days pregnant.


Next time, tell "Babe" to zoom in a little so I can see you - especially when you're wearing that funny little hat - I can't see your face.

And quit telling people we're related. As George Banks once said, "DO-I-KNOW-YOU?"


For a second there, I thought "Great. The dog's name is Kelly." Kind of like that ape at the Bronx Zoo.

You know he's not the camera natzi in the family.

What? You want me to quit telling people we're related? Not only am I going to tell people we're related. I'm going to start telling them stories from our childhood. Oh wait, that could go both ways.

The ape Kelly at the Bronx Zoo. That's always a good one to bring up. Glad you brought it up and no me.

By the way - Kelly's belly is full of jelly!!! HaHaHa.


I my gosh, I think someone might just crack your code. I wouldn't answer your door without making sure you know who it is first; it might be some crazy DISer.

You know, I was sitting in my living room this weekend, just minding my own business - when the doorbell rang.

I was not expecting anyone so I peaked out the window. It was a lime green attired seven year old, pig-tailed girl. Wanting me to buy a coupon book to support our local public schools. THE UNMITIGATED GALL!!! How did she ever track me down???

Wow. That's enough for one post. More to follow.

[JKMJ441724]

We are going with our grown DSs and fams with 3 grandbabies in tow - they will be 3yrs, 16mos, and 14 mos. We will be a busy group! We are already busily planning our excursions - a day at AK, where to stay, who gets to go to Palo when, etc. etc. :woohoo:

I know you will have a great time!!

OK, I must jump in here...
Kelly and Kim or is it Kim and Kim or is it The Dog and KimMan or.... anyways you guys are totally cracking me up!!!
This TR is great and with the addition of kimnkel I have literally been laughing out loud :rotfl2: - my DH is shooting me the "you're a weirdo, laughing at the DIS" look.


Stock up on the bleach. There may be more crack-ups to come.

I asked Babe the other day if he wanted to read my report and the replies. He did not even move a muscle othere than his the ones controlling his mandible to say "uh, no."

So speaking of offending hoochie mamas...
I did so at my son's gym class. A mother there was wearing a micro mini (I mean when she sat down you could SEE her thong...in the front) with this strap thingy across her butt with a metal buckle? plaque? on it that read "J. Lo" . Was she the hooters waitress that got kicked off the airplane the other day? Now we can add Hooters girls to the the list.

Anyways, DH and I are thinking about an alone trip in Feb. Needless to say, we haven't booked anything.

Just do it.

Wow. That would make a great slogan for something. I wonder why no one has thought of that before. Glad to have you on board!!


When I first read this, I thought you meant she had hiney plaque. And I thought, "Ha, hiney plaque! Perhaps that is why she wears a thong! She hopes it will floss that pesky plaque off!

:lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2: You said hiney plaque!!!


Oh, you need to go ahead and book. February hmm---might be coolish; I recommend the Wilderness Lodge. Snuggling opportunities, etc. What I am trying to say is that it will be the perfect reason to spend some quality time with your DH, enhancing your relationship and building a stronger, happier home in which to raise the little loves of your life. :hug: And that really is what I mean. Go and do it, Melanie, and dump the guilt. It's okay. I'm a veteran parent of two well adjusted grown daughters (bummer about the other three kids, but hey! 2 outta 5 ain't bad! It's a jungle out there, people!) <---that is a joke, folks---and I even have my grandma campaign ribbon, so go ahead--have a little fun with the DH! I will give you the advice my DH gives the kids: Never stop dating your spouse.

AAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

I feel ya. Sometimes just for fun I say that we've been married eight wonderful years. The other two were just ok.

"Motorcycles are EVERYWHERE!"

Well, they shouldn't be.

But don't come zooming up between lanes of traffic and then try to take some moral high ground about people not looking out for YOU!

Welcome, Daisax. Glad you stopped by. My family grew up on dirt bikes. But out in the woods, they hear you coming. I remember my brother getting seriously injured racing dirt bikes (at the raceway, not on the street). He didn't have to go to church the next day and the rest of us had to. Stupid broken collar bone. And that is why my son will never have one. Love you, Bro. Mean it.

I was glad to find your trip report. I will be taking a trip without my kids next week, and know that I'll miss them but plan on having a great time, like it appears you did. Hope to read more before I go!

I'm sure it will be a blast. I should have a new installment up by this afternoon.

Eagerly waiting original hostess return and updatepopcorn::

I reiterate my love of my imaginary friends.

This was a great start to my work-week. Oops. I guess I should be working.

[kimnkel]

I asked Babe the other day if he wanted to read my report and the replies. He did not even move a muscle othere than his the ones controlling his mandible to say "uh, no."

His loss. He does realize this clears the way for you to post a personals ad on Disboards? :surfweb: Ask him if he knows that. See if he manages to move any other muscles this time.

Just kidding! Don't go all righteous indignation on me! I can't take it! I'm very sensitive!

Righteous indignation is another handy phrase, BTW. You can use it multiple, multiple times in your Disney trip reports. (Not off topic, notice how smooth I am?)

The Babe's reaction. Hmm. Similar to the reaction I get when I say, "Dogman, would you like to look at the wedding/grandson/Christening/grandson/graduation/grandson/birthday/grandson/vacation/grandson's pictures with me again?"

I think it is the again part that he objects to. And he says irrelaevant things such as, "The graduation was five years ago!"

So? Isn't that what the photographs are for? Besides, I think looking at the photos of graduation is a touching way to commemorate paying off the student loans.

Happy Monday, everyone! :laundy: etc.

[JKMJ441724]

Our first ride of the day - the ball. Whatever it’s called. This is one of those relaxing rides. You just get to sit back and enjoy being at Disney. I snuggled up to Babe. :hug:

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I made it a point to smell the magic again. I could smell the smoke as Rome was burning. I had read about it on these boards but had never taken the time to notice it.

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The ride stopped for a few minutes while we were under Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel. Of course Babe made the “pull my finger” joke about the painting.

We made our way further into Epcot. We were there for the Flower and Garden Festival. I have never been at Epcot for this event before. It was spectacular.

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Mission Space was the next ride on our dance card.

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Last year I rode the wimpy version. This year I thought I would go for the intense side. Can’t remember if I was on the green mission or the orange mission. I’m not going to lie to you, I was afraid. :scared1:

I don’t do well in confined spaces. I immediately thought of the movie Armageddon where Billy Bob Thornton asks the doctor is they can physically survive the trip. And the doctor said - I’m surprised they survived the tests.

But even the “intense” part of this ride was not too bad. It’s just the tight squeeze that gives me the heeby-jeebies.

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We sent the kids a post card from space and headed over to test track. Out of all the pictures I took, somehow I did not get a picture of that ride (this year).

I did get a picture of my guy with the dummy.

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I was torn on whether we should ride Ellen’s energy adventure or not.

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I could not remember a lot of it from last year. Now I remember why. It’s pretty forgettable. While we waiting in the holding cell, a five year old girl was chosen to be an honorary cast member and welcomed everyone to the show. She said hi and have a nice day. I’m sure it was certifiably magical.

Ellen had to go wide screen to tell her story - wider, wider; No wonder she felt like a dentist. Everyone rinse and spit.

But Ellen can be seriously funny sometimes. Is that possible? To be seriously funny?

One of my favorite parts of the movie is where she got rained on and dried her hair with a hair dryer in the helicopter. Then they go on to talk about oil and where it comes from. It cracks me up that she sings the Beverly Hillbillies song. That’s a knee-slapper right there.

Then she talks about fission. That’s where scientists thought the atom was the smallest thing in the universe but they split it open and all this other crap came out.

Then we went over to the Land.

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We picked up our fast passes for Soarin’. We made a pit stop in the bathroom. We decided to grab some breakfast from the food court. I have never been a fan of the food at this food court. But it was the only place that I knew of that was close. I just don’t know my way around Epcot that well. The food was slimy yet satisfying. Since neither of us was overwhelmed by the food choices, Babe and I shared a meal. You know, just something to tide us over until we could find something better.

Believe me, it was enough for anyone. We did not want to spend the rest of the day with a stomach ache. Besides, we had heard that hazmat was still cleaning up an explosive number 4 at the men's bathroom in Canada. They would definitely be off-limits.

We jumped in line for Living with the Land.

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I remember riding this with my DBFF years ago (in high school. Boy that was a trip. A whole other report, possibly. I may sneak some of it in here because for some reason, Epcot is what I remember most with her.)

I don’t remember riding it when Babe and I came all those years ago. When we came last year, I really wanted to ride it. So did my step dad. He said that it was the one thing that he remembered from when he came last time -- twenty-something years ago. But it was closed last year. Bummer. We were all so disappointed. But it was open this year. Very informative and also a great way to just cool off. We all gazed spell-bound at the nine pound lemon and the Mickey head pumpkins.

After our three hour tour (our three hour tour), we walked back over to Soarin’ for our fast pass time. Oh snap! Every other fast pass that we had gotten was for a one hour return. I had just looked at the minutes on the FP and not the HOUR. This one was two hours. Now what do we do?

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The stand by line was fifty minutes and we were not going to wait. Do we skip it? We rode it last year and I thought it was OK. Then I read ZZUB’s report and how great he thought it was and thought “did I miss something?” I really wanted to check it out again, but we were going to be pressed for time this day. We still had to fit AK in - somehow.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends was finally up and running.

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We decided to check it out.

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Again, I love how Disney takes the time to decorate the lines. It makes the wait easier to swallow. You have something to occupy your thoughts other than how long you have been standing there pressed way too close to people you hardly know. I would say that you “don’t even know” but once you’ve been that close….

Over all, I enjoyed this ride. If I were ever to go to Disney without the kids, this is one that I might skip. It’s basically the movie on screens and you are in a moving clam shell watching it. I’m sure my children will love it when we bring them back next year.

I had to get my picture made inside Bruce’s mouth.

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I wasn’t scared. I figured Bruce would say “people are friends, not food.”

We jumped on the ride formally known as Rio del Tiempo.

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They threw in a couple, ok three new characters but it was still the same old ride.

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Something that is easily skipped if you are pressed for time. Don’t get me wrong, there is very little about Disney that I don’t like. I ride it because we always do. The food smelled fabulous as we rode past all the people on the terrace (using their dining plan) with their plates laden with delicacies.

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And we always ride Maelstrom. We actually like this ride. I am always scared that we are going to go backwards off the falls and that the troll is going to grab us and eat us. This ride was down for refurbishment and we were sad.

We had time to run back to Soarin’ and that was the last thing we did before we left the park.

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We stored our Mickey ears because Puddy told us to. It’s cool that Disney has so many celebrities (and big corporations) endorsing their rides.

We had an exceptional flight even though we were on the bottom row with lots of feet in our field of vision. There were two little old ladies sitting to our right and this was apparently their first time on the ride. They oohed and aahed and wowed and awsomed during the whole flight. I made a point to pay attention to the sounds and smells of Disney this time after reading so many trip reports where people were amazed by the detail. The orange grove smelled like oranges, the snozzberries smelled like snozzberries. Go ahead, lick a tangerine.

We were officially finished with Epcot. It was a whirlwind affair that lasted only a few hours. We planned to come back and check out the countries once we finished with Animal Kingdom. But sometimes our minds get changed for us. Now that we are back and I’ve checked out a few more TRs, I realize just how much we have missed at the World Showcase. I have never seen the guy on the chairs in France, or the living statute, where ever she may be.

Mental note: check these things out next year.

OK so it wasn’t a mental note.

[MeLaNie9]

First of all, I have to say that I LOVE your matching shirts!!! I went a bit nuts on DH prepping for our upcoming trip and because Disneyshopping.com was having a huge sale, I got matching shirts for our whole crew...well actually SIL didn't get one because she absolutely refused to be a part of all of us wearing matching shirts and the one we ordered for our youngest DS was way too big. So I will have a blue one, DS3 will also, DH has a lime green one, MIL a grey one (all have the same Disney design). SIL is going to be sorry when she sees how cool we look;)

Great update! :thumbsup2 This trip-without-the-kids idea is really starting to grow on me. DH and I have discussed yet again....I think we are getting closer to deciding to do it.:goodvibes

I too have been finding that we have done/seen very little in the WS part of Epcot. I think that will be remedied on this next trip because I think this is all MIL wants to do/see. We're not too sure how much walking she can do so she'll be probably be doing some international bench sitting!

[JKMJ441724]

First of all, I have to say that I LOVE your matching shirts!!!

Great update! :thumbsup2 This trip-without-the-kids idea is really starting to grow on me. DH and I have discussed yet again....I think we are getting closer to deciding to do it.:goodvibes

I too have been finding that we have done/seen very little in the WS part of Epcot. I think that will be remedied on this next trip because I think this is all MIL wants to do/see. We're not too sure how much walking she can do so she'll be probably be doing some international bench sitting!

We got the shirts last year when ALL 9 of us went. We all wore them on our first day - because we are dorks like that. Babe and KellyB's DH looked really cute standing side by side because their's were the same color. Note: they made it a point to not get too close to each other.

The more you talk about going - the more likely you are to do it. Just keep the door open to the idea. :woohoo:

I'm researching more and more about WS and Epcot in general. I see that I have misunderstood this great park for several years now.

[kimnkel]

I am making everyone wear matching shirts for our upcoming trip. It's the kind of dorkiness that only works at Disney and football games.

Anyway, WS is DH's favorite park. He loves that place. There is incredible detail put into each country; for example, the King of Morrocco sent over a hand picked team to make sure every facet of the Morroccon plaza was up to snuff. I mean it: The detail is incredible! When we were visiting France-land there was even real trash spilling out of the cans onto the street, at the exact time the real (Non-Disney CMs) French (ish) students were striking/rioting back in the REAL France!

I went inside the little pastry shop (La Boolyabase, or something like that) to kindly inform them there was trash all over their street and first they ignored me, and then they haughtily replied that it vas not zere prob-leem. I really felt as if I was right there in Paris!!

Disney: You're good.

[JKMJ441724]

Disney: You're good.

:goodvibes

I don't need a map to get there.

I can get there from anywhere;

When I'm going in my mind.

just sitting here listening to mouseworldradio and dreaming of my next trip.

I hope to get a new installment up soon.

[JKMJ441724]

We made our way out of Epcot and into the parking lot. And wouldn’t you know it, would could not find the car. And we had a great parking spot. We knew it was very close to the front and very close the sidewalk. We used up quite a few minutes of our overly-packed schedule looking for the dang thing. Oops. It was just a couple rows over.

That reminded me of a time when I was in high school. I had gone to my job, at Service Merchandise I think, to pick up my paycheck. I dropped in the local grocery store to get it cashed. I had just pulled into the parking lot and found a front row spot right beside the door. SCORE! I walked in and had my check cashed. I promise you, I was not away from my car for more than five minutes.

Literally.

I walked outside and my car was GONE. You don’t forget where you parked when you score a front row parking space on the first try. But still, I wondered aimlessly around the parking lot for a few minutes trying to convince myself that I had parked somewhere else. I walked all the way down one row and was walking back up another row, when I saw them.

My mom and step-dad.

They were standing under the awning in front of the grocery store laughing their hineys (minus the plaque) off. They had seen me go in the store and immediately moved my car.

That taught me a valuable life-lesson: to be careful who I let have spare keys to my stuff.

So, anyway…

We headed over to Animal Kingdom. Babe’s driving exerted more G’s on my body than Mission Space.

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We whipped into a parking spot, caught the tram, used our un- DE-Niable park hopper pass to get in the gate and picked up a park map. We had only been here one other time and had no idea which direction to turn.

We stopped for only a moment to have our picture made in front of the Tree of Life.

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The photo pass photographer was gracious enough to take a picture with our camera, too. As soon as he took the picture, something “popped up” on our screen.

Oh no. The memory card was full.

Good thing that Momma was prepared this time. I brought a spare. We moved over out of the sea of humanity coming through area and I changed the cards.

I had learned life-lesson number 2 the year before. I did not take all the pictures from home off my memory card last year before we traveled and my card became full. I was not expecting that to happen. I did not have an extra memory card. I was not prepared. Oh, the horror.

We were in the MK and I had to run down to some store on Main Street. The charged me about $13.00 to take just 120 pictures off my card. My card ended up getting full again on that same trip. I debated on having another 120 pictures taken off. But I just told my mom and sister to take lots of pictures for the rest of the trip and I used some of theirs. Once we returned home, Walmart charged me about $3.00 to take off about 600 pictures. So there, use that information however you choose. It was really a bummer that year as far a preserving our memories were concerned. Our video camera somehow got moisture inside and it stopped working, too. Dang technology.

We made our way through the roots of the Tree of Life

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and stood in line for It’s Tough to Be a Bug. I really enjoyed listening to The Flight of the Bumble Bee while waiting for the doors to open. As we stood inside the tree we looked at the movie posters in the holding area. A couple of my favorites were “Antie” and “A Stinkbug Named Desire.”

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Going inside the theater brings into perspective just how big the Tree of Life really is. I don’t know how many people can fit inside the theater but it is huge, and that’s just the base of the tree. It’s very impressive.

Babe had never seen this attraction before. When we came last September, they would not let us bring our stroller inside and the boy was napping. If there is one life-lesson that I have learned from being a mother it’s DON’T TOUCH A SLEEPING BABY. I tell ya, that boy needs his naps.

So Babe pushed the baby in stroller around the park while I took the girl in to see the movie. When the girl and I got inside the theater and found our seat on the last row, who was sitting beside us? You guessed it, a family with a stroller with a sleeping baby inside.

Anywho, Babe and I and 400 of our closest friends told Flick to start the show. We did not buzz or sting during the show. I have to admit there was a little pollinating going on, though.

We were hungry and thirsty. Our slimy, shared breakfast had worn off. I got in line to get us some water and Babe got in line for Expedition Everest.

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He called me to say that his line was moving faster than mine and I needed to head on over if I expected to ride with him. So I skipped the water and went over to got my scream on. The line was very short. It was barely though the Yeti Museum.

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This was our first encounter with truly under-deodorized people. Sure, we had caught a whiff here and there throughout our trip, but this time we were in line next to someone who smelled. And he was wearing a muscle shirt, and he had no muscles. Just uncovered pits emitting noxious fumes into the atmosphere.

We climbed into our train and made our way up the mountain. It was my Everest. I rode it just because it was there. One day, when I am a little bit braver, I want to try to have my camera ready when we get to the peak of the mountain and take a picture looking out over the park. It’s an awesome view.

We had great weather the whole time we were there. It was not too hot. Our first day it was cloudy and we thought it might rain, but it never did. It just cooled things off nicely. Even on days when the sun was brightly shining, there was a stout breeze. That was great news for us, but bad for the firemen trying to put out the fires in other parts of Florida.

We made our way over to Dinoland USA.

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We took a turn on Primevil Whirl. I like this ride. It is a nice combination of a Mousetrap type ride and a roller coaster. Babe skipped it last year, so I made him ride it this time. He enjoyed it, too.

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We made our way into Dinosaur. I believe that this just may be my favorite ride in ALL of the parks. Let the stoning begin. The nice elderly CM working the entrance to Dinosaur asked me how long we had been married. When I said ten years, he told Babe that he robbed the cradle.

I told the CM that comment just made him my new best friend.

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Then we rode it again for good measure.

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We got back from our time travel just in time to land a great spot to watch Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade with no wait!!

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One of the people in the parade used his birdy beaky thingy to get my hair. It scared me because he had already walked past me and I had focused my attention on other characters coming down the lane.

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We videoed the whole parade for the kids to see when we got home. We did not get to see it last year. It was just too dang hot and we were too dang tired.

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Babe had said that after the parade, he wanted to ride the Kilimanjaro Safaris. I had wanted to just skip it. We rode it last year, and while it was wonderful, it just did not justify the wait in line. Plus, the spot we had on the parade route was right beside the entrance and I figured that people would deluge the ride as soon as the parade was over. I voted NO.

But Babe did want to ride and marriage isn't about gold bands and bath towels. It's all about compromise.

After all, he did ride IASW for me. So off we went towards the entrance.

[MAGICFOR2]

...and :surfweb: I was so caught up in your story, "did they Safari or not?" that I didn't realize the installment had ended... I picked up my laptop to see if the words were under there somehow :rotfl2: Seriuosly, great installment - loved the pics!

[JKMJ441724]

...and :surfweb: I was so caught up in your story, "did they Safari or not?" that I didn't realize the installment had ended... I picked up my laptop to see if the words were under there somehow :rotfl2: Seriuosly, great installment - loved the pics!

We rode.

My next installment is called "The One With the Tearjerker."

[MeLaNie9]

Love the updates! Good to hear your take on the intense side of MS- that it wasn't bad. I opted for the green side last time but was thinking of doing the orange side this time - I am "planning" on doing all those rides I have never ridden before (this also includes EE) due to wimpiness on my part and inability to ride with DH. This time we'll have MIL or SIL to watch the kids so we won't have to baby swap and ride alone.
Looks like we probably won't be doing the WDW trip without the kids after all. We have added 2 days to our upcoming WDW trip (now 9 days with the kids, MIL, SIL:confused3 ) plus I will probably have to go to a work conference in Honolulu and DH might come along - Hawaii sans kiddies, just like our honeymoon! :love:
Great pics again! You guys just look like you are having such a great time!:banana:

[JKMJ441724]

Love the updates! Good to hear your take on the intense side of MS- that it wasn't bad. I opted for the green side last time but was thinking of doing the orange side this time - I am "planning" on doing all those rides I have never ridden before (this also includes EE) due to wimpiness on my part and inability to ride with DH. This time we'll have MIL or SIL to watch the kids so we won't have to baby swap and ride alone.
Looks like we probably won't be doing the WDW trip without the kids after all. We have added 2 days to our upcoming WDW trip (now 9 days with the kids, MIL, SIL:confused3 ) plus I will probably have to go to a work conference in Honolulu and DH might come along - Hawaii sans kiddies, just like our honeymoon! :love:


Babe and I are thrill seekers of the wimpy kind. It's nothing to ride a roller coaster but you won't find either of us jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

It's so nice to be able to ride your favorite rides with the man you love. And it's also nice to be on a ride that the whole family can be on together. Their are pros everywhere. No cons.

A 9 day trip to WDW. That deserves a whole row of :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

A trip to Hawaii on your boss - :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: But I hope when you said just like your honeymoon, there wasn't a conference involved.

[JKMJ441724]

When we finished watching a jungle parade that was totally jammin’, we made our way to the entrance of Kilimanjaro Safaris - along with what appeared to be 2,000 other people. I thought we were in for a long haul. I was mentally preparing my I-told-you-so speech.

But apparently no one was riding the safari while the parade was going on. It took us longer to walk through the queue than to wait to get loaded onto our jeep. The jeeps were lined up just waiting for people to get in. There were about 15 of them parked in line.

While we were waiting for our turn to load up into a safari wagon, I saw him.

A boy of about ten or so years.

Wearing a Make-A-Wish pin and hat.

And he brought back a memory that was still painfully fresh, a wound that was still open and sore. A memory that was only a few weeks old or almost a year old, depending on when you started counting.

One Monday morning last summer, my boss walked into my office and announced that his oldest daughter had been diagnosed with leukemia. She had gone to the doctor for her routine sports physical the Friday before.

And her blood counts were off.

He was meeting her and his wife at our local hospital for them to run some more tests later that morning and he needed me to clear his calendar for next few days.

They first said that it was ALL leukemia and that if she HAD to get leukemia, this was the type to get. It had a high cure rate and she could be treated at our local hospital.

But then there were more tests.

And they said that it was the much more severe AML leukemia. She was moved to the nearest St. Jude Hospital which is five hours away from her home. Mom and daughter lived five hours away from husband and three other children.

They discovered that she was genetically resistant to treatment. But they aggressively gave her radiation and chemotherapy. Followed by a bone marrow transplant. She bravely fought for a few more weeks.

Then death, like a gypsy, came to steal what he loves.

She was two days shy of turning sixteen.

You guys know that I am not one of those people that has a way with words. No eloquent speeches coming from me.

Which is why I rely so much on movie quotes to get me through a conversation.

Occasionally, I rely on songs.

There is one by Casting Crowns that says “Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn gray, as she slips away. You‘re holding their hands, you‘re straining for words, you‘re trying to make sense of it all. They’re desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view and they are looking to you.”

I submit to you, my imaginary friends, that even though this was not my child it was the hardest thing I have ever lived through.

Later on, my boss told me that she signed up for Make-A-Wish and that her wish was for her family to be able to go back to Walt Disney World.

She was never well enough to go. She only left St. Jude twice to my knowledge. And that was only to go home for two weekends. She was there for eight months.

I said all of that to say this: Disney is so wonderful to terminally ill kids. I will gladly spend more time waiting in line so they can go to the front any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I’ve read some trip reports from Make-A-Wish families where they said that people actually groaned when they saw the family moving to the front of the line. Don’t do that.

Unless we are raptured by God, most of us can be reasonably sure that we will see tomorrow. No, it isn’t guaranteed. Those children will probably never grow old, may never graduate high school. They know their time is short. And it’s precious. Give them this gift. The gift of time. Let them spend what time they have left enjoying pleasant things. And be grateful that your children are well enough to stand in line.

And give to St. Jude and Make-A-Wish.

I’m done now.

Right behind the make-a-wish family was a family holding DREAM FASTPASSES. Man that rocks.

We loaded into our safari vehicle and took the tour. We did not see a lot of animals on our tour. Even the guide commented on the lack of wildlife. Here are a few shots of things we did see.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0063.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0055.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0059.jpg

We ran to ride Expedition Everest one last time. Again, we walked right up and right on the ride.

Momma like.

[momtoccc]

Well you are right - that was a tearjerker! Very well stated! We can never take for granted this gift of life we have! :)

Thanks for sharing!

[JKMJ441724]

Kellye,

I'm glad you are along for my trip. I wish I had only good things to report from this trip, but you get the bad with the good.

I think about her all the time. I know my boss does too.

If you look back to my post #9, the grand jury in our area refused to indict the man who left the toddler in the car in the hot sun. We were talking about it and my boss said that if there were ever a case where justice should be tempered with mercy, that was it.

He said that the guilt is overwhelming when the child's death is not your fault and you have done everything humanly possible to prevent it. He could not imagine the guilt that father is living with. He said that he bets that father goes to bed and rises in the morning seeing the face of his child. He said that he speaks from personal knowledge.

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow! Thanks for the reminder of how precious life is! I WAS crying - it is good to remember what really matters most.

[MeLaNie9]

Very well said.

[JKMJ441724]

After riding Expedition Everest for the final time this year, we walked out of the park. We were starving. We had not had anything since our grubs at the food court near Soarin’. We had always wanted to eat at Rainforest Café but had never made the time. We were supposed to meet a friend of mine later in the evening for dinner (more on that later), but we simply could not wait.

We walked over to the host and put our name in. There was no wait if we wanted to eat at the bar. If I waited much longer, I would eat the bar. I ordered a pizza and Babe had a burger. As we walked over to our table, I heard the host ask a family if they were on the Disney Dining Plan.

What?

Part of the reason we did not eat at Rainforest Café last year was because we thought they did not accept the DDP. I was going to be upset if they were on the DDP and I had somehow been mis-informed by the DIS. Was that even possible?

Does a dog move it's lips when it reads?

I don't think so.

The host just wanted them to know up front that they did not accept the DDP. I guess he has seen too many people make a scene because they wanted to use their DDP and he had to DE-NY them.

After we placed our food order, I called my DBFF to talk about our plans for later.

She lives in Tampa. She is a travel wholesaler. Not sure what that means but she’s on the road A LOT. She had come home a few months earlier, the day we booked this trip as a matter of fact, for her sister’s baby shower. I told her then that we were going down to go to Disney for our anniversary. She said that maybe she and her husband could meet up with us one day. Then she looked at her calendar and said “Crap. I have to go out of town that week.” And we did not really talk about it after that.

Then she called me a few weeks before my trip and said that she did not put two and two together. Her “out-of-town” was going to Orlando!!! How awesome was that? She was working a travel show at a hotel that was within WALKING DISTANCE from Saratoga Springs and DTD.

My DBFF is the best DBFF that has ever lived. I will tell you that she has been a much better friend to me than I have been to her. We have known each other since the third grade. We were science fair partners, Halloween trick-or-treaters, over-night house guests, vacation partners (Disney and the beach), field-trippers, high-school sorority sisters, class-reunion buddies and so much more.

She talked me into trying out for cheerleader my senior year. We practiced cheers in the backyard. I knew the words and the moves. My arms were straight and I had a smile on my face. I was golden. I was in. Then she said those fatal words: “Girl, we are going to throw you all over the place.” WHAT? Nevermind.

There were so many things that we did together. We know too much about each other to ever risk NOT being friends.

She has been there for me - through heartbreaks and joyous times. I would like to think that I have been there for her, too.

She has moved several times. She has lived in Atlanta and Savannah and Seattle and Tampa. I keep begging her to come home. Even though the miles separate us, and we have been known to go for weeks without talking, we are fast-friends. When she picks up the phone to call me, it’s like we have never been apart. We just start where we left off the last time.

She is always in my heart, and often on my mind.

I thank God for her.

She said that her show should be over around 8:00 p.m. or so and then she would have to clean up and get changed. We planned to meet around 9ish. She would call me when she was finished.

I called to check on the kids.

Our food came and it was fabulous. Totally worth it. Definitely two thumbs WAY up. Of course, there is very little a starving man won’t eat.

We paid the bill and walked out of Rainforest Café. I looked at my watch. Of course it was the exact time that the park was closing for the day and there was a mass-exodus heading for the tram. Figures.

We got in line for the tram. In line in front of us was the same family from Fantasmic the night before. As the family was getting off the tram, the husband said, “I guess we’ll see you tomorrow.”

I know he was joking. But then he said, “You are going to Universal, right?” And we said yes and we all laughed.

Our original plan was to go back to Epcot and see the World Showcase. But we decided to go over to Magic Kingdom to finish out our day and our time at Disney.

Babe asked if I wanted a butt-kicking on Buzz Lightyear. I told him to bring it on. We shook hands and I said “May the best man win.“ He said, “I will.“ We were at a tie at Buzz for this trip with one game each.

To say that we were tied overall would be a gross misstatement of the truth. Out of all the times we have ridden this ride, he has only beat my score the one time. Babe jumped out to an early and commanding lead this time. I was sweating my title as Buzz Lightyear butt kicker extraordinaire.

But all was not lost. I nailed a fabulous come-from-behind victory. It was like the Red Sox in game six of the 1975 World Series. It was spectacular. People were cheering and rushing into the seat with us. For the rest of the day, people were asking me for my autograph. It was crazy.

Babe said that I must have hit a target that paid the out jackpot. I said it did not matter where or when the points came. All that matters was my score was higher when time ran out!

We got our scream on one more time at Space Mountain. Babe wanted to run over to Splash Mountain. He wanted to make it a triple and go on BTMR but I was too tired. I was beat. I was spent. And three other things that mean the same thing.

We worked our way through some of the shops on Main Street. We were still trying to get some prizes for the kids. I had packed an extra suitcase to bring them all back home in, after all.

Then we walked down Main Street and through the tunnel. I chocked back my tears. Good-bye, Disney.

We went to our room to freshen up. Then headed to DTD to meet my DBFF at the Irish Pub.

Then we went home for the night.

[MAGICFOR2]

Thanks for sharing a peek at your beautiful friendship with DBFF! A friend like that is a treasure! I am getting sad to see your TR winding down!

[JKMJ441724]

Like I told you very early on, this trip report is full of random movie quotes. I was going to wait until the end to tell you what they all are, but who knows if this thing is ever going to end. I have gone back through the posts and marked them with numbers. Here is a list of where the quotes came from.

1 - I told you in the paragraph that it came from Gone With the Wind. It was the scene where Rhett and Scarlett are fleeing Atlanta during Sherman's march.

2 - Jerry McGuire

3 - By Nicole Kidman in Days of Thunder where Cole and Rowdy are racing each other in the rental cars through the parking garage.

4 - Said by Carrie in Sex and the City when Miranda confides that she is in love with Steve. Carrie is holding Brady and she fixes a drink for Miranda.

5 - Said by the old Rose as she looks over her belongings that were retrieved from her stateroom. She is looking at the mirror and said it hasn't changed since the last time she saw it, but the reflection has changed a bit.

6 - Said by Chandler in Friends, you know, the one with Monica's Thunder. He is having trouble consumating his love for Monica.

7 - Another reference to Carrie in Sex and the City - It's the one called Freak Show. She is on a date with a millionaire who steals used paperback books.

8 - What? What's that you say? This is taking from a children's poem by Shel Silverstein called Sick. The book is Where the Sidewalk Ends. I highly recommend it.

9 -This is straight from the comedian Gallagher (yes the same one who smashes watermelons). He said he had not realized how much his daughter had grown until he was going to put her in the car seat and hit her head on the door frame of the car.

10 - The creation story from Genesis. I'm am afraid there are some out there that don't know it and felt obliged to spell it out.

11 - Incredibles, duh. I love what Frozone's wife says after that "I am your wife. I am the greatest good you have ever known." I wish I had a sign with that cross-stitched in it or something to just hang over my fireplace.

12 -

13 - Steel Magnolias by Claree (or Clarice??) to Weezer after she tells Malynn to hit Weezer.- Post 31

[JKMJ441724]

Well, it has taken me almost a year to write this trip report. I am already planning my next visit to the world, so I thought I better get kicking on finishing this thing. I’m pretty obsessive-compulsive so the thought of leaving this thing unfinished makes me pretty-well-crazy. So here goes the next installment….

We woke up the next morning (big surprise since I’m still here writing this drivel.) We did not get an early wake up call. We just rolled out whenever we rolled out. We were tired. We had been going hard for the past 3 days. Rode hard and put of wet so to speak. Trying to pack as much fun into our small get-away-vacation as possible.

Today’s plan was going to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. I add this chapter and maybe one more on Universal for a means of comparison. It was part of this trip, after all. I’m sure my friendly moderator will redirect me, should I be in error for posting this part on this board.

Universal Studios used to be my favorite park in ALL of Orlando. But this year, I just was not feeling the love. I blame it on being SO worn-out.

Even though we were not in a hurry, I did not want to just lollygag. As usual, I was ready long before Babe. And I got all of our stuff ready, too.

We stepped into the sauna that is Orlando in May and got into the oven that was our car in Orlando in May.

The drive to Universal was longer drive than I expected from our room. I was surprised to see a parking garage. That was new from the last time we visited here eleven years ago. We parked in the Jurrasic Park section of the parking garage.

We had purchased our tickets on-line. We walked to the automatic ticket kiosk. Dang technology!! It took us a couple of tries before we figured it out and got our tickets. Strike One.

We decided to hit Islands of Adventure first since that was not there the last time we came to Universal. We walked in the gate and headed left. I’ve read that most people pick the right side for stuff. Like in a buffet line. And since most people go right, I’ve heard that you will fare better if you go left, instead. Now the secret is out and both of you reading this report will start going left and it’s just going to be chaos.

Our first ride of the day - The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0077.jpg

We jumped in line. There was a twenty minute wait. A ride attendant told us that we could not take our backpack on the ride. That we had to store it in some free electronic locker.

We got out of line and made our way to the locker. It took forever to figure out the locker. We are not teenagers after all. Modern technology confuses us. It took about fifteen minutes at the locker. Not all of that time was figuring out the lockers. Part of it was waiting in line to get to use the electronic locker. Strike Two.

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By the time we got back in line, the wait time had jumped from twenty minutes to thirty-five minutes. So far, Momma was not happy with Islands of Adventure. We debated on BUYING the Universal version of the FastPass. We decided we would try a couple more rides before we made our decision.

I have to say this was an awesome roller-coaster. We were impressed. That is until the ride stopped.

I mean STOPPED. Not the-ride-was-over, or done, or finished. We were stuck.

Thank goodness we were near the end of the ride; the part were you are basically coasting to get back into the loading and unloading area. Now I believe in safety, so when we were told to pull the harness down, I pull it as far down as I can possibly get it, even to the point of cutting off my breathing ability.

While I was fine with the pressure of the harness while the ride was in motion, it was incredibly uncomfortable once the ride stopped - and stayed stopped for several minutes. To make matters worse, we were in the baking sun. Babe even said “the white people are melting out here.”

He didn’t mean white. He meant not tan.

The pressure was on, claustrophobia was beginning to set in. We were way out where no one could hear me scream. No one except babe and the poor dad and his teenage son sitting next to me. SOMEONE GET ME OUT OF HERE.

Strike Three.

If this place was a ball game, Universal would be batting whatever really bad is.

[JKMJ441724]

I think I have clearly established that I don’t do rides that drop or rides that spin. This late in the game, I felt no need to hurl my cookies so we skipped Storm Force Accelatron. Ditto for Doctor Doom’s Fearfall. Feel free to go back to my post regarding Tower of Terror.

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Another point that I think has been used to beat a dead horse is that I had never paid attention to all the background music at Disney. And in my math failure to notice equals subtlety. At Island of Adventure and Universal, I felt that the music was very loud. Rock concert loud. Here, the music was being pumped straight into my melon. I’m not sure if I was just exhausted from our whirlwind of a trip or if this place was a bucket full of suck.

We headed next to the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. I can not recall anything about this ride at this point (some nine months later) except that it was a very cool 3D roller coaster.

We decided to go ahead and grab some lunch. We ordered two hotdogs, one large Coke and one bag of chips and it cost nearly twenty dollars. I know that is probably what it would have cost at Disney, but I’m more likely to turn over an Andrew Jackson there because it’s THERE, at Disney.

While we were munching on our hotdogs, we noticed a worker with a sign directing people right past where we were sitting. I told Babe to check out what she was saying. Apparently, we were in the right place at the right time to have our picture made with Spiderman. We wolfed down our dogs and got in line. I must say Spidey looked pretty good in his tights.

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We were going to ride Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls but we did not want to get wet. We decided to skip it. As we walked over the bridge, we looked at the people in the raft. They were soaked. We made a good call. There on the bridge were machines that you could put money in and operate a “soaker.” This was a contraption where you could pick the soaker and when you pushed the button, it would spray the people in the boat who just finished their ride. So if you had managed to stay dry on the ride, you could potentially get drenched here. And apparently, it was very cold. Pretty cool, as long as you are the one operating the controls and not the unsuspecting fool in the boat. We skipped Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barge’s for the same reason.

Even though Jurassic Park River Adventure was a water ride, we decided to try it.

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There was a sign that advised we could get very wet on this ride, too, but we risked it anyway. I used my park map as a shield. Pretty corny, I know. I guess I could have actually pulled out my poncho, but I didn’t want to look like a complete dork. Overall, I liked this ride with one exception. There was one dinosaur that we could actually hear squeak. He definitely needed a tune-up. It made me think of all the maintenance Disney does at night and I wondered about Universal’s maintenance.

If we had brought the children I would have ridden Pteranodon Flyers. We did not ride it because they would not let us. You see it is a kiddie ride and you had to be a kid or be escorting a kid to ride. It looked very cool. I don’t know if we will take the kids there any time soon, because I think both of these parks are just not very kid friendly. At least not for kids that are 5 and 3.

Poseidon’s Fury was definitely on my must do list for this park.

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I was not sure what this attraction was all about, but I had seen this picture on the Disboards and thought this was the ride.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0102.jpg

That was not the “ride.” This is not a ride after all, but more like a show. Don’t get me wrong, it was cool, but not what I had built up in mind. We would like to have watched the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show but we had to skip it due to lack of time.

I did, however, have time to take this picture of Babe's bum.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0104.jpg

We picked the Fire side of The Dueling Dragons. This was one wicked-cool roller coaster.

Live it, Learn it. We decided to make our last stop of Island of Adventure the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0107.jpg

I step onto the train and once again got my restraint too tight. Learned my lesson the first time. I say old chap - a bit of assistance, if you please. I asked the attendant come loosen it. Sure did not want to get stuck on this ride and not be able to breathe.

After the ride was over, I took a picture of my grinch with THE Grinch.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0108.jpg

We walked over to Universal.

[MAGICFOR2]

:lmao: Hey! She's back! Looks like you had fun at "the other place." Did you end of wet on Jurassic Park? I love that ride, but I always get soaked :eek:

P.S. I just noticed something funny - you know how the google ads at the top of the page indicate they have picked up on some topic of conversation and tailor them to something you might be intertested in....well... the ads at the top of this page, where you have said, "restraint" and "Old Chap" and "assistance" The ads are for Step-In Bathtubs, home elevator installation and transport chairs :lmao:

[JKMJ441724]

:lmao: Hey! She's back! Looks like you had fun at "the other place." Did you end up wet on Jurassic Park? I love that ride, but I always get soaked :eek::

I'm glad you have come back for more.

I remained mostly dry on Jurrasic park. But there is a soaker to come!!! One that I would never have expected.


P.S. I just noticed something funny - you know how the google ads at the top of the page indicate they have picked up on some topic of conversation and tailor them to something you might be intertested in....well... the ads at the top of this page, where you have said, "restraint" and "Old Chap" and "assistance" The ads are for Step-In Bathtubs, home elevator installation and transport chairs :lmao:

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: I did not see that. That is too funny!!!!

Again, glad to "see" you back!

PS: In your siggie, is that a road trip to DISNEYLAND, as in California - the land of fruits and nuts? My daughter will be so jealous. She has been begging us to take her to California to see Sleeping Beauty's castle. You will have to do a trip report and post lots of pics so I can show them to my little princess.

[JKMJ441724]

It had been eleven years since our shadows had darkened the entrance to Universal Studios.

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At one time, this was my favorite park in all of Orlando. All those years ago, we actually waited (a long time) to see Terminator.

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Then, once we got to the doors, they told us they were having technical difficulties. We came back to it later, but by then, we were so tired that I did not commit much of it to memory. So Terminator was the first thing on our list for this day. Turns out, it really wasn’t memorable to me. I can’t recall very much about it now except that it is a blend of 3D movie and live action. I did think that our girl would be freaked out - in a good way - by the life size terminators in the auditorium. The girl is afraid of nothing.

I wanted to video some of ET for the kids.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/madjacksmom/PICT0138.jpg

I loved this ride last time. I remembered the forest while standing in the queue. It took me back years, before a mortgage, before kids. Back when we were just kids ourselves. Well, I was anyway. Babe is a cradle robber.

And even though he is 40 (41 now - man it has taken me a long time to write this) he reached his full maturity level at age 18. I know it is wrong to stereotype but in my experience, most guys reach their full maturity level at age 18.

When you first enter the building for this attraction, you have to give the attendant your name and they type it in a computer and give you a piece of plastic similar to a credit card with a magnetic strip on the back. Once you get on the ride, you swipe your card and ET will tell you thanks at the end of the ride. For five minutes before it was our turn, Babe tried to decide which fake name he should give the attendant. He ultimately decided on “Shaggy.” There were others, some of which he never could have gotten away with.

We boarded our bikes and I get my camera ready to video and the attendant tells me there is no videography or photography allowed on this ride. I was disappointed. I really wanted to video but I am a rule-player and I did not want to risk being thrown out of the park for using video equipment after I had already been warned not to do so.

At the end of the ride, I did not hear ET say my name or Shaggy. Talk about insult to injury.

We were using this trip as a reconnaissance mission. I told Babe during our last trip to Disney that IOA and UO were too grown up for our children. And I still stand by that assessment. There were some things that they would like but I do not feel like there is enough there for small children to justify the admission price or a full day of our time.

One of the things our children would have enjoyed was the area themed with Curious George. Our daughter’s pre-school teacher loves Curious George and therefore, our daughter loves him, too.

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This was a water park type area. Don’t go in unless you are planning to get soaked!! We would have to bring full changes of clothes if we were ever to go in there or allow our kids to go there. I don’t like to be wet unless I am at a water park. Then I am properly attired. This has been discussed in previous chapters.

We decided that this would be a great time for a break. We got an Icee and a pretzel. Boy, were they GOO - OOD. We copped a squat on the curb (all the benches were taken), at our pretzel and drank our Icee and watched the kiddies play in the water.

Once we were refreshed, we walked past what used to be the Back to the Future ride. That was my favorite ride in all of Orlando in the past. I lamented its passing, bowed my head in sorrow that I would not get to ride it again. Times, they are a changing. I don’t know what is coming in it’s place, but it better be awesome. I took a picture of the train.

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We jumped in line for Men in Black. But first, we had to stow our backpack in the lockers. By this time, we had them pretty-well figured out. Men in Black is very similar to Buzz Lightyear, except in this ride the rider does not control the spinning. We took our laser guns and fought the bad guys. And wouldn’t ya’ know it - I kicked Babe’s butt again.

We headed next to Amity. Not to be confused with Amityville.

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I guess I should not have allowed that to come into my mind as I sit here in my darkened living room typing this out. You know how you can just freak yourself out over nothing….

Babe needed a pee break so I told him that I would jump in line for Jaws and he could catch up with me. Turns out he couldn’t catch up because there was NO line. For a while, I was literally the only person in line. Finally, a few people got in line and I told them to go ahead while I waited for Babe.

I had read on these boards that the “Captains” would not let people take pictures during the ride. I sheepishly got my camera out thinking I would be publicly rebuked and humiliated at any moment. But nothing was ever said and I took pictures til my heart was content.

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I remember this being a pretty tame ride. Sure there were moments of intenseness when the shark jumps out of the water, but I remember staying dry….

Can you see what’s coming? I had managed to stay dry for my whole trip. But when we got the part of the ride were our boat won’t run so we duck into some type of garage and Jaws comes speeding towards us…

There was a tidal wave of water directly onto Babe and with those hard plastic seats, the water had nowhere to go except into my shorts, then down my legs into my socks and shoes. We were both soaked.

On Jaws.

So, to the bathrooms we went to stand under the hand driers for a little while. This helped my shorts but I squished with every step.

We waited in line for earthquake. This ride is phenomenal. I did not want to miss it this time because it would probably be gone by the next time we came to this park.

We passed by Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Review. We remembered it from last time. Isn’t it amazing how some things just never change. Kinda like Dick Clark. We simply did not have enough time. We wanted to hit some things that were not there on our last trip.

Like Revenge of the Mummy.

This ride alone may be worth the price of admission. I would have loved to had an opportunity to ride it again but the line was just too long.

We stood still and watched a Twister go by.

Then headed over to catch Shrek 4D.

It was time to go and we walked out of the park.

[JKMJ441724]

With Babe’s hand in mine, we walked to our car.

Before we went back to our resort, we stopped in one of the generic souvenir shops to look for last minute prizes for the kids. Disney they ain’t. Their stuff was crap. Even though they had Disney themed merchandise, it just was not the quality one finds in Disney. There was nothing there that could make me part with my money.

We were ravenous. And just like the day before, we could not wait until we met up with my friend before we ate. We were on the strip outside of Disney property and there were several restaurants to pick from. We decided that we would just get something light and simple and maybe we would still have room for dessert with my DBFF.

We picked Hooters. It’s been about eight years since I have eaten at Hooters. Now I remember why. We just got several appetizers. Wings, shrimp, something else. I can’t even remember. It was very disappointing. But it was just like the Hooters I remember.

My DBFF was supposed to give us a call once her travel show was over. She still had not called so we headed to our room to begin the sad task of packing for home. Before we went to our room, I had to make a pit-stop at the front desk. You see before we left home, I printed out directions from the airport to our hotel but forgot to print out directions from the hotel back to the airport. It took a few minutes for them to mapquest the directions but a nice CM at the front desk was able to help us out.

While getting my directions, my DBFF called and said that she would be ready to meet up with us in about an hour. We quickly freshened up and headed over to DTD. We were going to make one final excursion for prizes for our boy and girl. Plus, I had to bring something back for my sister’s son. I just did not think it would be right for him to meet us at the airport and take us home and see that we had gifts for our kids but nothing for him. That’s just not fair.

We were making our final selections when my friend called and said that they were on DTD property. She and some of her not quite co-workers met us and then we headed back to the Irish Pub. I say they were not quite co-workers. They were all people that she does business with in the travel industry. I can’t remember their names now, but they were very interesting and friendly. I think one worked for Sandals competition and the other for Club Med. Forgive me if I have that wrong.

We were able to score a table on the patio. I liked this much better than inside. Oh, the band was good and dancing girl was lively, but I was there to see my friend. We hung out with them for a couple of hours, but we had to call it a night pretty early. We still had to go back to the room and get packed and ready to leave. We had an early morning ahead of us.

The fat lady was tuning up.

It was time to go.

Back in the room, we laid out the things that we would need in the morning and packed all the other stuff. We used the extra suitcase I had brought and packed in the prizes. I will tell you now, there were not as many as I would have originally imagined. It just wasn’t as much fun without the kids there to pick them out.

We had a wake up call from Stitch at 4:45 a.m. We sprang out of bed like daisies in the snow. Both of us got ready fairly quickly. All you really need is a twirl here and a yank there and voila - you’ve got an aesthetically pleasing configuration of hair. We simply did not dare risk missing our flight. The cheap airfare that we got was only good on certain days of the week. If we missed our flight, we would have to pay through the nose for another one. We loaded the bags into the rental and headed out towards the airport.

When I woke up enough to think clearly, I told Babe “Happy Anniversary.” He told me the same. Awwww. The warm fuzzies!:hug: The very next song on the radio was “the Break-Up Song.” Man, that can’t be good. But just a couple of songs later contained the lyric which stated the truth about our relationship. I’m forever yours - Faithfully.

Am I giving away our ages by telling you the type of music we listen to?

While driving the forty-five minutes or so to the airport, we had our obligatory speeding ticket scare. I mean, really, can you ever go on vacation and not have your heart jump in your throat and get an adrenaline rush incomparable to any ride in the park?

We stopped to fill the car up with gas. We did not want them to charge our credit card double the price of gas for not returning it with a full tank. Babe thought I should go ask the clerk which way to the airport. I’m sure she was thinking to herself, “do you seen a sign that says mapquest.com on my forehead?” She pointed us in the direction we were already headed. That was good. We were on the right track.

We made it to the airport in plenty of time to make our flight. We deposited the rental car in the quick-drop lot and hiked the mile and a half to our terminal carrying all of our bags (plus the new one).

They called our flight and we boarded the plan. I was very anxious about the flight home. It was crazy but it seemed like we were speeding up and slowing down while in mid-air. Every time the intercom came on or the seat belt light illuminated, I had a personal moment of panic.

As before, the plan was packed. I let Babe have the window seat. I had no desire to look at the ground so far below us.

In case I haven’t mentioned it, Babe is a sports nut. He pointed out that we were flying over Atlanta. He immediately spotted the Georgia Dome and Turner Field. I did take a peak out the window to see these two things. Which later on sounded crazy, I’ve seen them before. It’s just something different to see them from the air.

I was glad when the pilot told us that we only had about twenty minutes to go. As we were making our descent, I heard the voice of Dustin Hoffman as Raymond Babbitt in my head saying “we‘re going down, definitely going down.” That was immediately followed by Robin Williams as the Genie saying “Mayday, mayday.” I hear these voices from time to time. I’m seeking treatment.

My mother was coming to pick us up at the airport and I could not wait to see our boy. I was tempted to push the little old ladies out of my way so I could get off the plane to see him. Our girl was at school and I did not want her to miss it just to come see us at the airport. I had told her all week that I would come get her at school.

I had asked my mom not to tell the boy that he was coming to get us that morning. I wanted to see the look on his face when he saw us come through the gate. I thought it would be a look of excitement. It was not what I was hoping for. He got a mad look on his face and buried his head in my mom’s knees.

He was sad because he thought he was coming to see the airplanes. Seeing us coming through the gate meant that he was not going to get on a plane but instead he was going home. It only lasted a second and then he was peeping out at me and I picked him up. He hugged me and I hugged him back. I showered him with kisses and then reluctantly passed him over to Babe so he could get some sugar, too.

We made our way to the baggage carousel to collect our bags. It seemed like ours were the last ones off the plane. Then we headed to the car. We had Mom run through a drive through for some breakfast.:car: Then we took our luggage home. We weren’t in a hurry. Our girl did not get out of school until 3:00.

We went to Mom’s to get our car seats and kids’ belongings.

I had waited as long as I could. I had to get the girl. I did not care if she was marked as leaving school early. I had to see her.

We drove to her school. Her class was playing on the playground. She was right in front of us. I walked over to the fence. It was a minute before she saw me. Then she did a double-take. It was as if I could read her thoughts. She was thinking, “is that my mom?” Then she realized it was really us. She ran the full length of the fence to the gate and jumped into my arms.

She hugged me tight.

And long.

That was the reception I was looking for. I carried her over to the teacher and told her that we were leaving. I was her mom and I was taking her home because I COULD. I had waited a long time to see her. I wanted to spend some quality time with her and her brother.

We had gathered the other half of our family.

I think Dorothy said it best, there’s no place like home.

And that’s all I have to say about that.


I’ll be back….:3dglasses