HobNobbing with Nobby (A Gnome's 1st Trip to the World) FINAL Upt: 9/23 (P.48)

[BellaSoleil]

Great update! I love the swim sign and can't believe how dead DTD was. You should have seen it the day we arrived - can you say MADHOUSE?!?!?

Okay.... I'm so anxious for you to post the next post! I can't wait to hear about Akershus, too.

 

[jenjolt]

Jen

WELCOME BACK!!!!!

I totally took a DIS break for about 10 days. I think I was starting to lose touch with reality because I was spending too much time here!!! Plus, I really needed to get some work down around the house ( I redid my upstairs bathroom). Plus, I marched in the inaugural parade last week.


Anyway - I love the start to your trip report. I can't wait to go home and look at your pictures. Sounds like Nobby made a great travel companion. Sorry, you had such cold weather. I was thinking of you when I heard how cold it was! BRRRRHHHHH!

Can't wait to read more!

Welcome Home!! Well I hope you had a great time in DC and I'm sure you had to put up with some cold weather of your own LOL!!!!

Congrats on actually getting some things done!! I really need to take an evening this week and focus on unpacking and getting my stuff put away so I can have my room back to normal! That and to make a mental note of where I stored everything for my next trip!!!!

Nobby is fantastic I love him!!!

Great update! I love the swim sign and can't believe how dead DTD was. You should have seen it the day we arrived - can you say MADHOUSE?!?!?

Okay.... I'm so anxious for you to post the next post! I can't wait to hear about Akershus, too.

I figured you would appreciate the no swimming sign...if you had been there when I was you would have been shivering right along with me LOL!!!!

DTD was literally empty no one was there it was really really nice!! Next time I have an urging to go into a restaurant to eat I'm going to do it LOL NO talking myself out of it LOL!!!!

 

[BellaSoleil]

You better! I'm still a little bit upset that I don't have a food report from T-Rex.

 

[jenjolt]

You better! I'm still a little bit upset that I don't have a food report from T-Rex.

Yes Ma'am!!!!! LOL you are too funny!! Thanks for the pick me up- I have the blahs today LOL!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Want to know a sure cure to the blahs? Write an update for your adoring fans.

 

[kschafer]

Want to know a sure cure to the blahs? Write an update for your adoring fans.

I know that would help with my blahs!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I know that would help with my blahs!!!!

Mine too. Sixth period is taking a test so the next hour will just drag by -- some time with Nobby would help my mood tremendously .

 

[jenjolt]

Want to know a sure cure to the blahs? Write an update for your adoring fans.

I know that would help with my blahs!!!!

Mine too. Sixth period is taking a test so the next hour will just drag by -- some time with Nobby would help my mood tremendously .

Wow...you guys are good...really good!!

I'm working on an update and will have another one posted tonight! Unfortunately work computer doesn't like photobucket so I have to wait to add pictures at home!! Speaking of pictures I so have to order my prints today YAY!!!!!

 

[BellaSoleil]

Wow...you guys are good...really good!!

I'm working on an update and will have another one posted tonight! Unfortunately work computer doesn't like photobucket so I have to wait to add pictures at home!! Speaking of pictures I so have to order my prints today YAY!!!!!

Photobucket hasn't been friendly on my end either! Regardless of the computer I use.

 

[jenjolt]

Chapter 4: Magical Character Experiences

Well I promised another update, so I’m munching on another piece of Main Street fudge and listening to the “Golden Dream” from The American Adventure (I don’t know about you, but nothing makes me feel more proud to be an American than that show…whoooo just listening to it brings tears to my eyes and goose bumps up and down my arms). Well, let’s talk about my first evening at EPCOT.

So Nobby and I made our way over to EPCOT, we arrived around 1pm. I was surprised by how close to the entrance we were able to park. I quickly took a picture of the parking sign near where I parked so I could remind myself on the way out how to find my car (this would come in handy many times throughout this trip when I would forget where I parked LOL). I figured that Nobby and I would make our way over to Soarin’ and get fast passes so we could ride this amazing ride after dinner. Well I carefully placed Nobby into his carrying vehicle; you see he didn’t have a ticket so I was going to have to sneak him in. However we were busted, but the EPCOT security guys were the best and let us get in without too much of a fuss. Anyone want to guess what our first stop was??? Well the Photopass photographers of course, I had purchased my Photopass CD before I had left and I knew being solo (well almost, but Nobby was too cold to ever take his hands out of his pockets so he wasn’t going to help with the picture taking LOL) that I would be taking advantage of Disney’s Photopass and boy did I take advantage, about 291 pictures worth! (AN: My photopass CD is due on 01/28 and I promise to update my photos with those as soon as I get them, because there are a couple on there you just have to see LOL). Here are my first photos at EPCOT

From there Nobby and I hopped over to Soarin’ to get a fast pass! Much to our surprise the return window was 3:05pm to 4:05pm….seriously!! At this point I was beginning to realize that things were not very busy EPCOT! Well after grabbing a fast pass I decided to make good use of my Disney Visa Rewards card and go to the special character meet. Well at this point in the story it becomes about me and a very special moment for me. Nobby will return with his own special moment later in the evening, for now everyone say goodbye to Nobby!

Well after finally figuring out that the meet was INSIDE Innovations West (I must have looked so lost wandering around looking for a line outside LOL). After finding the queue (I was only like 4th family in line) I had a very nice conversation with the people near me and I waited about 20 minutes and then it was finally my turn. As I walked into the room I was greeted by Minnie Mouse, I love her, she is so cute. I remember looking around and seeing a very realistic Goofy statue standing on the opposite wall and thinking wow I so want to get a picture with that statue before I leave. I mean if I can bring a gnome with me, I surely can ask to get a picture with a statue. Well as I went to go greet Minnie and give her a big hug all of sudden I get a tap on the shoulder from behind and I turned around and got the biggest startle. That was no statue, that was Goofy and he scared the bejeezus out of me. I have no idea what the look on my face must have been like, but I think Goofy felt a bit bad for scaring me that he engulfed me in a huge hug (Once again these photos are on the Photopass I don’t have yet LOL)! The photographer of course loved it and once I retrieved my heart from my throat I was greatly amused with Goofy. Well I had a nice chat with Minnie about how her day was going when Goofy grabbed my left hand pointed to my wedding ring and then looked around, obviously looking for my husband. Well I informed Goofy that I was traveling solo this trip and if he would be my date for the evening. Goofy readily agreed (got to love the Goof!!!) and then he grabbed my hand and asked me to dance. I love to dance so Goofy and I started to dance; well Goofy already knew he could surprise me easily so he decided to do it again. We were enjoying our dance together, when all of a sudden he dipped me! I have never in my life had so much fun or been so shocked, Goofy dipped me it was amazing! By this time I was laughing hysterically and truly enjoying this magical moment that was all mine!

Here are a few pictures of the magic unfolding:

(On the photopass there is actually a photo of him dipping me that I promise to post as soon as I get the photopass into my possession.)

Well as we all know all good things must come to an end, however my new magical friend Goofy was quite the gentleman and took me by the arm and so graciously escorted me and gave me a very sweet kiss goodbye. I must tell you all; when I left there I was on cloud 9, in 7th Heaven, completely and utterly mesmerized and high on pixie dust. That was by far the most amazing experience ever and I literally walked out of Innovations and just reflected on that moment with the most “Goofy” smile on my face. Of course like any good woman I had to share this and I immediately called my friend Soleil (yes that is our one and only wonderful BellaSoleil and told her about my magical moment). As you can guess my one free picture that I received as I left EPCOT that evening was of me and my “date” Goofy and is now in a frame on my desk at work to remind me every day of what “magic” really is. So to “Goofy” thank you for making my first moment of my most special and magical trip the bestest ever, I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome!

After I recovered from my euphoric high I headed back to the Land to ride the Living Land! As a science teacher I really enjoy this ride especially the Mickey tomatoes, I really wish they would let take one of those home or at least teach me how to grow them like that. I also really like the rotating spices that are just too cool for words. Here is a picture of said tomatoes…

Well soon we were off to the Living Seas…once again the Zoology teacher in me just had to visit the aquariums however at this point Nobby made his presence known and insisted he wanted to visit with his friends the seagulls. He also is a little troublemaker, our Nobby doesn’t like to follow the rules at Disney. First he comes without a ticket, sheesh, and then he stands behind the guardrails, I’m surprised we didn’t get kicked out of the park with all his stunts.

Then it was off to ride one of my favorites at EPCOT, the golf ball, or as it is really called Spaceship Earth. I haven’t ridden this ride since the renovations were made to it and I must say I really do love this ride even more. Maybe it’s the history, or the smell of Rome burning, or maybe it’s the animatronics, but I love me some Spaceship Earth. I was even more impressed with the ending and how I could pick my own future. Apparently I’m going to be an ultra conservationist who only uses natural products in my house and plants a garden and uses distilled sea water to keep my plants alive. Okay I had to laugh at this because anyone who knows me, knows that I keep plants alive for as about as long as a piece of Main Street Fudge lasts in my refrigerator…in other words not very long. So we’ll see maybe in my future things will change, until then I’m staying away from gardening LOL!

Well after SpaceShip Earth, Nobby said it was his turn to pick a ride so being the great companion that I am I said sure Nobby where do you want to go? Well what did Nobby choose?

(Trying a larger size pic to see if I can use this setting instead of medium for the rest of my pictures LOL)

Nobby wanted to see for himself if the single rider line was really all it was cracked up to be. Well was it? Did Nobby make it out alive? Did we really ride the orange side of Mission Space? Does Nobby continue to break safety rules at Disney? And when does Nobby get his magical moment? Well stayed tuned until next time my friends to get your answers to all of these questions and even more!!! Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoyed our newest addition to our Great Tale!!

PS...ooh I like the larger pics...from here on out I will use that setting LOL!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I like the bigger pics too. Medium is what size I used when I was using photobucket.

Your moment with Goofy is just so precious. I hope to have moments like that too! What a great Goofy.

I love the pic with Nobby with the Seagulls. This update also gave me a really good idea for a photo op with Nobby in May.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Fun update. I think I would have passed out from shock if I though a "statue" touched me!!!

 

[jenjolt]

I like the bigger pics too. Medium is what size I used when I was using photobucket.

Your moment with Goofy is just so precious. I hope to have moments like that too! What a great Goofy.

I love the pic with Nobby with the Seagulls. This update also gave me a really good idea for a photo op with Nobby in May.

I really did love my moment with Goofy, it totally made my day and my week!

Hmmmm...can I get a pm head's up of your photo op LOL...I don't think I'll survive the suspense LOL!!!!

For photobucket I'll be using the large setting from now on!! Much larger pics for you readers to enjoy!

 

[jenjolt]

Fun update. I think I would have passed out from shock if I though a "statue" touched me!!!

I almost did...I was like HOLY MOLY its moving...Goofy sure did make up for his "shocking" appearance!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

GREAT update, wow what a magical time you had with Goofy. Lucky you, you were definitely sprinkled with some Can't wait to see if Nobby gets into trouble and keeps breaking the rules, hehe

 

[jenjolt]

GREAT update, wow what a magical time you had with Goofy. Lucky you, you were definitely sprinkled with some Can't wait to see if Nobby gets into trouble and keeps breaking the rules, hehe

I'm not quite sure even the word magical covers it all, but it will have to do!! I love looking at that pic and telling my Goofy story!!!

Nobby is trouble with a Capital T that is all I'm going to say about that LOL!!!

 

[jenjolt]

Chapter 5: Princesses, Princesses, and yes Even more Princesses

Wow, I had so much fun writing the last chapter why not continue and write one more update before I go to bed!! So what am I doing right now, well I’m listening to the Boo to You Parade during MNSSHP! That is my new thing to be fascinated with because I will be at that parade, I will be dressed up, and I will enjoy Hallowishes. Because as many of you know I’m a huge Haunted Mansion fan (and they are all over MNSSHP) and even more so do I love me some villains especially Maleficent (who actually shows up in the Haunted Mansion…do you know where??? LOL) Besides, as you know one of my Disney dreams was to ride Haunted Mansion at midnight (and if I can keep your interest for long enough you’ll find out if I actually made that dream a reality) well along those same lines I want to ride Haunted Mansion during MNSSHP (since it will be as close to Halloween as I can get LOL). So right now I’m really enjoying watching YouTube clips about MNSSHP…well I’ve let that hijack enough of this update let’s get back to what you really want to read about LOL!

So Nobby made his wishes known and wanted to go ride Test Track and who was I to tell the gnome no! So off we went, and let me tell you I’m totally sold on the single rider line. Nobby and I walked in…see a picture of Nobby in line (while he broke many other rules, he at least was not a line jumper LOL).

Here are a few other photos of the Test Track Queue, I have to tell you watching them beat up on the dummies like they do always makes me a bit uneasy. I tend to be more on the empathic side and have an aversion to thinks that go “crack” so watching them get their knees pummeled with a hammer makes me wince. Either way more photos for your enjoyment…

During our very brief wait in the single rider line I attempted to text my friend Julez (julezdisney), because she was going to ride along with me, however we missed each other, but don’t worry she and I would enjoy the Animal Kingdom together later in the week. (Okay I guess I should explain, to help pass time in line as Nobby and I waited we would often text message one of our lovely Marcettes who would then keep us company and share in the magic that is Disney.) By this time it was time for Nobby and I to ride Test Track and we loved it…oh yes we did. Of course I was freezing, are you kidding me, 65mph at about 50 degrees, yeah definitely a bit cold. Nobby of course loved it and had no trouble whatsoever with the cold wind. As we exited the ride Nobby insisted he wanted a picture next to one of the machines, what is with guys and machines that destroy things. I can’t even tell you what the purpose of this machine is (of course I could read the sign behind Nobby but why would I do that LOL), although if Nobby had wandered any further back he might have found out first hand. However, here is Nobby and his “manly” picture with a large moving machine (Guys…pppffftttt).

Well at this time it was about 3:30ish and Nobby and I decided we had time for one more ride before we headed to Norway. Since we were at Test Track we headed towards Mission Space.

Now I enjoy this ride because who doesn’t like looking at Gary Sinse (oh wait…nevermind I’m going to stop right there LOL), I mean who doesn’t like becoming an astronaut. Nobby and I argued for awhile over the green or the orange side. Nobby is quite the daredevil and he was all about the G’s however it was almost dinner time and I’m getting old so I told Nobby next time we would go “orange” and he had to settle and go on the “green” side with me. The ride as usual was fantastic and Nobby played the role of “Engineer” perfectly. I had the best sleep of my entire trip during that ride and our landing was not particularly splendid but Nobby made sure the wings were out when they were supposed to…YAY for Nobby! Of course Nobby and I had to send email postcards to Prince Phillip!

After some careful deliberation Nobby decided I should be abducted by aliens, so we made the video and we sent it along. Prince Phillip would let us know the next day that we were obviously having way too much fun on our trip LOL!!

Well as much as Nobby would have enjoyed playing more of the games in the Mission Space area, I knew we had to make it over to our ADR, so it was time to go. Nobby and I really enjoyed our walk over to the World Showcase. It was a great time to just enjoy the view across the lagoon.

Nobby also wanted his picture taken by the lagoon and once again I can’t say no to his cute little face, although I would have preferred taking his picture on the ground where it was safe. However, because I insisted on the “green” side of Mission Space Nobby was not all about being “safe.” Instead he climbed up on the railing (see what I mean about breaking rules, I’m pretty sure this is not allowed) to pose for me.

I soon realized that if Nobby had his way he would have me stop every few feet to take his picture and well we just didn’t have time for that so I convinced Nobby it would be best if he took a short nap before meeting the princesses (we didn’t want Grumpy instead of Nobby showing up for dinner). So I placed Nobby back into his carrying vehicle and headed for Norway, little did I know it would be who would be making the next stop. You see on this trip I had already decided if time allowed if I saw a character I would get in line and take a picture. Why? Because every other trip I went on NO ONE in my party was interested in meeting characters and by golly on my magical solo trip I was going to meet characters. Well you want to guess who was out in Mexico??

(Look TK, my perfect Hoodie LOL, this will start a trend of outdoor pictures where I never took off the hoodie LOL).

Yup I got to meet Fiesta Donald!! He was quite the charmer also; I can’t even begin to tell you how many kisses I got on this trip, Prince Phillip would have been jealous!

Okay now it was seriously time to stop dawdling and make my way over to Norway and my dinner reservation. I had made this reservation for the earliest possible time of 4:25pm; you see this would be my first meal of the day. I know, I know, I had been up since 2am and I haven’t eaten yet…well nothing of substance, I think at 4am I had a cereal bar. I knew that traveling I wasn’t going to stop and eat and while I was tempted to eat at TREX (and Soleil almost had me talked into going LOL) but I really wanted to get to EPCOT and ride some rides. That being said I made a very early dinner reservation for me and Nobby that evening. Apparently gnomes don’t have to eat a lot because Nobby didn’t complain once about being hungry LOL!

Our Princess Dinner: CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST

 

[jenjolt]

Chapter 5 Con't:

Nobby and I arrived for dinner at 4:15pm, 10 minutes before our 4:25pm reservation at Akershus, the Royal Banquet Hall.

We checked in and were told we would need to wait a few minutes, turned out to be about 10 minutes and then we were royally invited to enter the banquet hall. Our first stop was to meet our hostess, Princess Belle. I love Beauty and the Beast so I was especially excited to meet Belle. She was very gracious and welcoming.

After the pictures, Nobby and I were seated at a cozy table for two.

I would find out that we were in a prime location, our table was the fourth stop for the princesses and near the buffet. Our waitress for the evening was Nina and she was amazing and very attentive. She sat down and talked with me and Nobby for a few minutes and explained how the buffet worked and gladly offered to help me take pictures. At this time, Nina’s brother, came out and said hi! He worked in the kitchen. I made sure to ask them what they recommended on the menu for someone who did not like seafood. Her brother suggested the pasta dish, so that is what I choose for the evening, Grilled Vegetable-stuffed Pasta with mushrooms and carmelized onion cream. Nina then suggested that I head up to the buffet and get a few things from there before the princesses would arrive and they would get my dinner ordered placed for me.

I really enjoyed the cold buffet, I got a plate for me and Nobby to share.

We had the Apple and Beet Salad, Salad with Disney Vinagrette, a chicken salad, and a little bit of pasta salad. It was all fantastic!! Nobby and I didn’t have to wait too long for our main course to arrive.

Once again a superb choice by our host and hostess! The pasta had a great filling inside and the sauce was amazing, not too much onion flavor, just amazingly good.

It was during this time that I asked what Princesses would be stopping by to say hi this evening. I told Nina that Nobby had a very favorite princess he wanted to meet. She then asked Nobby which princess was his favorite, and of course Nobby choose to be shy at this time so I had to tell Nina that Nobby really wanted to meet Snow White. Well, Nina informed us that Snow White was not going to be joining us this evening, however we might be able to find her in Germany later on. Nobby was extremely bummed by this news, but I promised right after dinner we would head to Germany and try to find her, he seemed to perk up a bit after that.

Then the princesses arrived…first was Princess Aurora, my favorite princess.

So why is Aurora my favorite, well because she has a Prince Phillip just like me! We have so much in common!!Now I’m not much of a crier, unless something terrible has happened or I’m extremely moved. However in that moment meeting my favorite princess and being able to tell her about my Prince Phillip really moved me and at that moment I really missed my Prince. Aurora completely understood and gave me a hug and said she missed her Prince Phillip too and wanted me to make sure I told my Prince Phillip she said hello when I talked to him next. That was a really sweet and special moment for me.

Next was Jasmine, and I must say she is completely gorgeous!

There was a family next to me with two little ones and their little girl was dressed like Jasmine and I loved watching them interact. It made me wish for the day I bring my child to Disney and they meet their favorite character of all time. To me that is what Disney is all about those special moments when your eyes or your children’s eyes light up and the magic is so real you can just reach out and touch it. That was what watching that moment with that little girl and Jasmine was like.

Ariel, in her beautiful blue dress stopped by next.

Ariel insisted that we pose as the real princesses that we are! She was a lot of fun to meet and talk to.

Last but definitely not least, Cinderella made her grand appearance

I enjoyed seeing Cinderella, although I got the impression that it was a bit awkward for her meeting a solo adult. However, at this point I was in the midst of a Disney High and dessert was waiting for me so I didn’t mind. We said hello and she went on her way to meet her other guests.
Speaking of dessert, holy moly, how in the world was I suppose to eat all of that on my own (Nobby was really full and wanted no part of dessert).

I got a sample, a pretty big sample of three different desserts. On your left is a rice cream with a strawberry sauce, in the middle was a Flourless Chocolate cake, and to the right was the famous school bread. So which one was my favorite? The school bread was really good, but the dessert I loved was the rice cream…it was smooth and creamy and all around just amazingly delicious. I ate all of the rice cream, most of the school bread, and only had about a bite of the chocolate cake.

Overall Nobby and I had a great dinner and would return again another time. We think my mom would really like this restaurant. Nobby and I both decided we had eaten way too much and that we needed to walk off some of the calories we had just ingested. Nobby insisted that we head straight to Germany so we could find his favorite princess and who was I to argue with him. I just got to meet my favorite princess and I had a very magical moment with Goofy, it was definitely Nobby’s turn.

So does Nobby ever get to meet his favorite princess? Well…its bedtime …so I guess you’ll have to find out next time. Sweet dreams everyone.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

OMG! Two updates!! Yippee!!! I only had time for Chapter 4 this morning but you can be sure I'll be back this evening for Chapter 5!

I love the Golden Dream song too... I get goosebumpy and teary too!

I am jealous of you munching on fudge. I am going to have to remember to bring some treats home on the next trip!

I LOVE your "Goofy story." That is just pure magic. And I love that you have the photo on your desk to remind you of magic.

Sounds like the parks were not crowded at all!!

I've seen mickey pumpkins but not tomatoes! I'm not a science teacher but I like that ride too! Although I miss the live boat captains vs. the recorded narration now.

Oy! Today is going to go by so slowly as I wait to get home and read your Chapter 5! You have a great writing style... I'm really enjoying your tale!

 

[jenjolt]

OMG! Two updates!! Yippee!!! I only had time for Chapter 4 this morning but you can be sure I'll be back this evening for Chapter 5!

I love the Golden Dream song too... I get goosebumpy and teary too!

I am jealous of you munching on fudge. I am going to have to remember to bring some treats home on the next trip!

I LOVE your "Goofy story." That is just pure magic. And I love that you have the photo on your desk to remind you of magic.

Sounds like the parks were not crowded at all!!

I've seen mickey pumpkins but not tomatoes! I'm not a science teacher but I like that ride too! Although I miss the live boat captains vs. the recorded narration now.

Oy! Today is going to go by so slowly as I wait to get home and read your Chapter 5! You have a great writing style... I'm really enjoying your tale!

I know I was on a roll last night and yet I'm still not done with day 1...I can see this is going to take me awhile LOL!!!

I think I listened to almost all of the "oldies" but "goodies" last night on YouTube and I loved the American Adventure and I really enjoyed the Carousel of Progress again...I really love that song too!

I only have one more piece of fudge left its going to have to last me a few more days LOL!!! I'm also going to be bringing that and pretzel rods back with me..those were so good and I forgot to take a picture of them. DELICIOUS!!! I'm so bringing home like 10 of those with me LOL!!!

Thanks for the encouragement and compliment Christine!! I'm so glad you are enjoying reading my story!