2 Kids,2 Dogs,1200 Miles: 2 More Weeks in FL 2 - Finished with a Blast! P40

My goodness. Did you have to give pointers on this photo shoot? "No, honey, you really want to slice your wrists here to do it right." :rotfl2:
Goodness, no. I just stood back, tried to stay out of her way, and took as many pictures as possible!

Any rainstorm, if you watch it long enough, will stop.
That's deep, man. Deeper than Greek Philosopher deep. Deeper than Mid-evil Renaissance Man deep. That's like fortune cookie deep! :thumbsup2

Would you believe a quarter as good?

How about an eighth?

The hat at least covers up the bald spot?
Hey, I have two bald spots, thank you very much. And it covers both of them.

The Force is strong in this one. :darth:
:thumbsup2

Wow, this is dangerous! I'm going to start building a center rail into my roads for safety.
Now you're enticing me to come to Delaware!

I gotta say, I've never noticed that before, either. Mostly because I'm sprinting for the exit after finally finishing the ride. But it is pretty cool.
You can sprint through all those gas fumes and exhaust? You're a better athlete that I thought.

I can't let this guy in my ship. I just saw him drive!
Don't worry, intergalactic space has guard rails down the middle.

We'll just assume you had 300 points or so.
Thanks for the bump. I'm not sure I was even that high.

Remember that cool cliffhanger tease you had a few chapters back? This is the opposite of that.
Eh. You win some, you lose some.
 
When you save the Universe from an evil as powerful as Emperor Zurg, your life changes. We walked out of the Buzz Lightyear attraction to swarms of adoring fans and thousands of people that no longer have to live in fear of alien overlords invading their quiet, peaceful lives. But with this new fame comes a dark side. Namely, the paparazzi. People were everywhere trying to take our pictures! (Ok, we actually had to get in line for this one, but it's kind of like the same thing, right?)

IMG_7131.JPG


We assumed the huge crowd of people in the background was a "welcome back" party thrown in our honor. Turns out it another showing of the Dream Along with Mickey show. So we walked on over and watched.

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For those of you that haven't seen this show in a while, the characters have received a few upgrades. Their mouths (or beaks or bill or what have you) move when they talk and their eyes blink. In a way, it's really cool because it adds a lot of life-like features. However, you end up with a dozen pictures like this:

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We watched as that mean ole' Maleficent tried to take over the Magic Kingdom. (As Madison so eloquently put it a few years ago "Oh Boy, She's Evil!") SPOILER WARNING! Don't read the next sentence if you don't want to know what happens.

We used the powers of our dreams to defeat her!

Well then, now that everyone has rejoined the TR and the show was over and Maleficent either was defeated or is now ruling all of the Magic Kingdom, it was time for us to head out to dinner. Hey Walt, which way do we go to get out of here?

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Down that way? Thanks, buddy! I knew I could count on you. :thumbsup2

When planning this trip, we wanted to add some new things that we've never done before, including some new restaurants. One of those was going to be the Trails End Buffet at the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. We picked that as a Magic Kingdom day so we could take a nice relaxing boat ride to the campground and be basically dropped out right outside the restaurant. We made our way down Main Street, USA and out to the boat docks. Madison started her relaxing ride a little early.

DSCF0797.JPG


(Here's a little math tip for you folks out there traveling to WDW during the hot months. $3 for a cute pink mister fan at your local Walgreens is cheaper than the $10 or so they charge for them at Disney.)

After a bit of a wait, our boat arrived and we set sail across the Seven Seas Lagoon to Bay Lake. Along the way, we had to go over a bridge. On a boat. Only at Disney!
DSCF0804.JPG


If you were wondering, that's just south of the Contemporary. If you've ever taken a bus to the MK, you pass on that roadway that goes under the water.


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(Here's a little fashion tip for you. Those cute little green $3 mister fans that you can get at your local Walgreens do not do a very good job cutting hair.)

After a stop at the Wilderness Lodge, we arrived at Fort Wilderness and started walking up the short path to the buffet. Campers at Fort Wilderness have the option to rent golf carts during their stay to make getting around the 700 acre complex a little easier. You also have the option of bringing your own. And some people go all out with their carts!

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I am Soooo pimping out the van with some of those decals!

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Whoa, must be Burt Reynolds or somethin'.

Dinner was really, really good. Down home cooking - Fried Chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, etc. Also looks like some salmon, roasted veggies, pasta and corn bread. They also have some typical child-friendly fare: pizza, chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, etc.

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Oh, and an all you can eat dessert buffet and ice cream sundae station.

Fully satisfied, we made our way back to the dock to catch the boat back to the Magic Kingdom.

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Unfortunately, it was getting late and we had a big day ahead of us tomorrow, so we didn't go back into the Magic Kingdom. We just switched boats (or maybe took the monorail, I don't remember) and got back to the Ticket & Transportation Center.

Back in October of 2005, we came to WDW when Madison turned 3 and Evan turned 1.
image%252520474.jpg


In June of 2011, Madison is 6 and Evan is 4. Times sure are a changin'

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Now, to complete that trip down Memory Lane....
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(Don't worry, the kids were fine. Madison fell off a cliff, remember? She can handle an 18" bench)

I'd like to say we then went home, but we didn't. As we were loading up to do that, we realized we had left some Mickey Mouse water bottle holders back at Trails End. We sent the kids back in Grandma & Grandpa's car, and we drove over to the Fort to retrieve them. Yes, they were only like $5 each, but the kids had grown quite attached to them. If it was 10:30 at night we would have left them, but it was only around 8 so we decided to go on the search and rescue mission.

We took the intra-resort bus back to the Outpost at the far end of the 700 acre campground and easily retrieved the bottles (yes, I realize this was the second time I've mentioned that the resort is 700 acres [3rd time], but it's kind of important to the rest of the story). As we walked back to the bus stop, Bambi nudged me and said "keep walking". Confused, I did exactly as I was told and kept walking past the bus stop. After clearing it by 20 or so feet, I asked what was up. Eagle Eyed Bambi told me that she had noticed two people in ECVs waiting at the bus stop. Not only would we have to sit and wait for the bus, but then wait some more while they got loaded.

Now, before anyone starts to judge me or this TR, let me say this: I don't care what your reason is for using an ECV. That's none of my business. If you need to use it, use it. But we've been stuck at bus stops enough while they were loaded to know that if we had the option of walking instead of waiting, we'd take it.

Since it was a beautiful night out, we started the hike back to the front of the resort. We came to a fork in the road, and following Yogi Berra's advice, we took it. We kept walking, enjoying the peaceful evening when we came to a bus stop. We checked the map, realized we took the long route around the campground, but decided to keep going anyway instead of backtracking. After about another 15 or 20 minutes strolling along the road, we were passed by a bus, that stopped at a bus stop a few hundred feet up the path. As much as we were enjoying the stroll, we also enjoyed sprinting up to the bus and riding the rest of the way in air conditioned comfort.

The rest of the evening was uneventful: drive home, get stuff packed up for the next day, and hit the sack.

Up Next: SeaWorld! And Waffle House!
 
When you save the Universe from an evil as powerful as Emperor Zurg, your life changes. We walked out of the Buzz Lightyear attraction to swarms of adoring fans and thousands of people that no longer have to live in fear of alien overlords invading their quiet, peaceful lives. But with this new fame comes a dark side. Namely, the paparazzi. People were everywhere trying to take our pictures!

What a pain! You can't get rid of them, and they always seem to get you at your worst. I remember Evan flipping off one of them in the last report. :rotfl2:


Nice picture! :thumbsup2

SPOILER WARNING! Don't read the next sentence if you don't want to know what happens.

We used the powers of our dreams to defeat her!

You know, I wasn't going to read it. And then I peeked. Now I've ruined the show for myself. I guess I'll have to skip it and go on more rides now.

Hey Walt, which way do we go to get out of here?

IMG_7145.JPG


Down that way? Thanks, buddy! I knew I could count on you. :thumbsup2

:lmao::rotfl2::rotfl: Nice picture, too.

After a bit of a wait, our boat arrived and we set sail across the Seven Seas Lagoon to Bay Lake. Along the way, we had to go over a bridge. On a boat. Only at Disney!
DSCF0804.JPG

I remember my dad pointing that bridge out to me on our trips there when I was a kid. He loved to geek out about that one.

If you were wondering, that's just south of the Contemporary. If you've ever taken a bus to the MK, you pass on that roadway that goes under the water.

(Here's a little fashion tip for you. Those cute little green $3 mister fans that you can get at your local Walgreens do not do a very good job cutting hair.)

Better try a weed-whacker next time.

I am Soooo pimping out the van with some of those decals!

::yes:: Those are awesome! :thumbsup2

Dinner was really, really good. Down home cooking - Fried Chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, etc. Also looks like some salmon, roasted veggies, pasta and corn bread. They also have some typical child-friendly fare: pizza, chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, etc.

Looks like my kinda meal. I remember their breakfast buffet being pretty good, too.

Back in October of 2005, we came to WDW when Madison turned 3 and Evan turned 1.
image%252520474.jpg


In June of 2011, Madison is 6 and Evan is 4. Times sure are a changin'

IMG_7173.JPG

They're still cute, just bigger.

Now, before anyone starts to judge me or this TR, let me say this: I don't care what your reason is for using an ECV. That's none of my business. If you need to use it, use it. But we've been stuck at bus stops enough while they were loaded to know that if we had the option of walking instead of waiting, we'd take it.

Agreed.

SeaWorld!

Meh.

And Waffle House!

:woohoo::cool1::banana:
 
I told Mark right out when we started watching it that "Derek" was THE only reason (but now I really like the show too). I said the same thing...that new blonde was awful; thank the Lord she is gone this year. :goodvibes

Eh, Derek is ok....but I love Dr. Spencer Reid! Danny still misses Gideon, but we watch regularly. Tried watching last years spin off, but never really got into it as much.
 


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What was that! A camera flash! Oh, I'm a sham!
One minute you're defending the whole galaxy, and, suddenly,
you find yourself being used as a photo-op.


Years of Academy training wasted!!!!
 
Eh, Derek is ok....but I love Dr. Spencer Reid! Danny still misses Gideon, but we watch regularly. Tried watching last years spin off, but never really got into it as much.

I like Spencer too, but he's not hot like Derek. And I was never a Gideon fan. I didn't like the spin-off either (but I do like the NCIS spin-off).
 
But with this new fame comes a dark side. Namely, the paparazzi. People were everywhere trying to take our pictures! (Ok, we actually had to get in line for this one, but it's kind of like the same thing, right?)

Ummmmm… no. But…


…that is one very fine picture.


Mickey: Can I open my eyes yet?
Minnie: Not yet, just keep walking this way, I’ve got a big surprise for you…
by the way, you insurance is all paid up right?


(As Madison so eloquently put it a few years ago "Oh Boy, She's Evil!")

Priceless.

We used the powers of our dreams to defeat her!

An yet she tries it again every few hours. She is evil!


This should be the picture in the dictionary for the word: “tuckered”

(Here's a little math tip for you folks out there traveling to WDW during the hot months. $3 for a cute pink mister fan at your local Walgreens is cheaper than the $10 or so they charge for them at Disney.)


Einstein’s forty-seventh law of relativity


Dinner was really, really good. Down home cooking - Fried Chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, etc. Also looks like some salmon, roasted veggies, pasta and corn bread. They also have some typical child-friendly fare: pizza, chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, etc.

We stopped by here this past trip as well.
It was pretty good and most certainly filling.

Oh, and an all you can eat dessert buffet and ice cream sundae station.


Assuming you didn’t eat so much of the chicken and ribs
that you actually had room left for desert.


Great shot.


Mickey pushed us!

I'd like to say we then went home, but we didn't…

‘cause y’all suffer form good parent disease

Bambi nudged me and said "keep walking"…

I ain’t gonn’a be judging.
I’d have kept walking too if I wasn’t in a hurry.
 


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You have had some really great family pictures in your TR's, but this is by far one of the top 3!

We assumed the huge crowd of people in the background was a "welcome back" party thrown in our honor. Turns out it another showing of the Dream Along with Mickey show. So we walked on over and watched.

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We haven't done this in years, and I really want to catch it next week.


Down that way? Thanks, buddy! I knew I could count on you. :thumbsup2

Great pic!

When planning this trip, we wanted to add some new things that we've never done before, including some new restaurants. One of those was going to be the Trails End Buffet at the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. We picked that as a Magic Kingdom day so we could take a nice relaxing boat ride to the campground and be basically dropped out right outside the restaurant. We made our way down Main Street, USA and out to the boat docks. Madison started her relaxing ride a little early.

DSCF0797.JPG


That is one pooped girl.

(Here's a little math tip for you folks out there traveling to WDW during the hot months. $3 for a cute pink mister fan at your local Walgreens is cheaper than the $10 or so they charge for them at Disney.)

I still have mine from Disney when the kids were little. :thumbsup2


DSCF0816.JPG


(Here's a little fashion tip for you. Those cute little green $3 mister fans that you can get at your local Walgreens do not do a very good job cutting hair.)


If anyone can make it work, Evan can.


Dinner was really, really good. Down home cooking - Fried Chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, etc. Also looks like some salmon, roasted veggies, pasta and corn bread. They also have some typical child-friendly fare: pizza, chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, etc.

DSCF0820.JPG


That looks MUCH MORE appetizing than the food we had at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Back in October of 2005, we came to WDW when Madison turned 3 and Evan turned 1.
image%252520474.jpg


In June of 2011, Madison is 6 and Evan is 4. Times sure are a changin'

IMG_7173.JPG


They are even more cute three years later. :goodvibes

Now, to complete that trip down Memory Lane....
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(Don't worry, the kids were fine. Madison fell off a cliff, remember? She can handle an 18" bench)

:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

I'd like to say we then went home, but we didn't. As we were loading up to do that, we realized we had left some Mickey Mouse water bottle holders back at Trails End. We sent the kids back in Grandma & Grandpa's car, and we drove over to the Fort to retrieve them. Yes, they were only like $5 each, but the kids had grown quite attached to them. If it was 10:30 at night we would have left them, but it was only around 8 so we decided to go on the search and rescue mission.

That's what parents do.

We took the intra-resort bus back to the Outpost at the far end of the 700 acre campground and easily retrieved the bottles (yes, I realize this was the second time I've mentioned that the resort is 700 acres [3rd time], but it's kind of important to the rest of the story).

Are you just repeating that because you are running out of things to talk about? ;)

Up Next: SeaWorld! And Waffle House!

WAFFLE HOUSE! I love Waffle House and will be eating there one week from today. :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
 
Back in October of 2005, we came to WDW when Madison turned 3 and Evan turned 1.
image%252520474.jpg


In June of 2011, Madison is 6 and Evan is 4. Times sure are a changin'

IMG_7173.JPG

Ummm is it late and I am math challenged???? Do you mean Oct 2008??? :teacher: Such cuties!

Trails End good? I hear it is, so once again it has put on the list. :thumbsup2

You did good conquering MK - Can't wait to see how Sea World goes.
 
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Stand aside Space Cadet! That flashy eyed cyclops will steal your soul! Believe me, I know. I am only the ghost of myself.
 
Ummm is it late and I am math challenged???? Do you mean Oct 2008??? :teacher: Such cuties!

Trails End good? I hear it is, so once again it has put on the list. :thumbsup2

You did good conquering MK - Can't wait to see how Sea World goes.

It was October 2007.
 
I’m using this glorious Saturday morning to catch up on your TR.

I looooove this shirt.


It looks like Evan is quite a fan of Jasmine’s, um, necklace.

The pictures of Madison wearing your hat are so adorable. I’m a sucker for kids in oversized hats.

I dig the new facial expressions on the show characters! It’s a nice update.

I don’t think that I’ve seen a review of the Trails End buffet before. I’ve been curious about it, and I’m glad to hear that you liked it.

And how cute is that picture of Evan & Madison when they were teeny?!?

 
(Ok, we actually had to get in line for this one, but it's kind of like the same thing, right?)
Yeah... kind of.:rolleyes1

(As Madison so eloquently put it a few years ago "Oh Boy, She's Evil!")
::yes::

Maleficent either was defeated or is now ruling all of the Magic Kingdom
Hmmm... sounds amazingly close to the plot of a Kingdom Keepers book.:lmao:

Madison started her relaxing ride a little early.
It is never too early to relax.:thumbsup2

(Here's a little fashion tip for you. Those cute little green $3 mister fans that you can get at your local Walgreens do not do a very good job cutting hair.)
Thankfully!

And some people go all out with their carts!
I saw one at a NASCAR race this summer that probably had a stereo system on it worth more than my truck.:scared1:

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In June of 2011, Madison is 6 and Evan is 4. Times sure are a changin'

IMG_7173.JPG
Great pictures! :thumbsup2

Now, before anyone starts to judge me or this TR
You know we've been judging you all along anyway.:lmao::rotfl2:

let me say this: I don't care what your reason is for using an ECV. That's none of my business. If you need to use it, use it. But we've been stuck at bus stops enough while they were loaded to know that if we had the option of walking instead of waiting, we'd take it.
Oh, that's what you meant... yeah, I agree.:thumbsup2
 
What a pain! You can't get rid of them, and they always seem to get you at your worst. I remember Evan flipping off one of them in the last report. :rotfl2:
I like his technique. I may have to adopt that one..

Nice picture! :thumbsup2
:thanks:

You know, I wasn't going to read it. And then I peeked. Now I've ruined the show for myself. I guess I'll have to skip it and go on more rides now.
Kind of like eating a big bowl of ice cream right before dinner. On one hand, you've spoiled your dinner. On the other hand, you just had a big bowl of ice cream!

Nice picture, too.
Thanks. :thumbsup2

I remember my dad pointing that bridge out to me on our trips there when I was a kid. He loved to geek out about that one.
How cute! Your love for transportation engineering was instilled in you as a youngster.
Little Mark: "Daddy, when I grow up, I want to design roads!"
Mark's Dad: "Set your goals high, son. But if those fail, then yes, you can design roads for a living."

Better try a weed-whacker next time.
Or a blow torch.


::yes:: Those are awesome! :thumbsup2
Yup. But do you think, they'll stand up the intense heat of the jet engine exhaust? :confused3

Looks like my kinda meal. I remember their breakfast buffet being pretty good, too.
All breakfast buffets are good if they include unlimited bacon.


They're still cute, just bigger.
:thumbsup2


Eh, Derek is ok....but I love Dr. Spencer Reid! Danny still misses Gideon, but we watch regularly. Tried watching last years spin off, but never really got into it as much.
There was a spin off? I had to ask Bambi about it, she remembers it lasting maybe two episodes. :sad2:

What was that! A camera flash! Oh, I'm a sham!
One minute you're defending the whole galaxy, and, suddenly,
you find yourself being used as a photo-op.


Years of Academy training wasted!!!!
:rotfl2::thumbsup2
 
Ummmmm… no. But…

…that is one very fine picture.
Eh. To-MAY-to, To-MAH-to.:confused3

Mickey: Can I open my eyes yet?
Minnie: Not yet, just keep walking this way, I’ve got a big surprise for you…
by the way, you insurance is all paid up right?
Minnie would never whack Mickey. She knows Disney would fold without him.
Unless she caught him sending dirty pictures of himself to Cinderella. Then all bets are off.


Priceless.
The best part was the inflection in her voice when she said it. There's no way I can mimic that in text, so I won't even try.

An yet she tries it again every few hours. She is evil!
You know how Einstein defined insanity...
Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results

This should be the picture in the dictionary for the word: “tuckered”
See also: pooped. wiped out. snoozeville.


Einstein’s forty-seventh law of relativity
The price on an object at Disney world has a direct relationship with how bad you need it.

We stopped by here this past trip as well.
It was pretty good and most certainly filling.
I would suspect after unlimited food on the ship, you would feel right at home with a buffet. :thumbsup2

Assuming you didn’t eat so much of the chicken and ribs
that you actually had room left for desert.
Bill Cosby was wrong. There's always room for cookies, brownies, ice cream and hot fudge.

Great shot.
Thanks!

Mickey pushed us!
Now that you mention it, that topiary was rotating in that direction. :confused3

‘cause y’all suffer form good parent disease
Yeah, we're awesome like that. :thumbsup2


You have had some really great family pictures in your TR's, but this is by far one of the top 3!
Family pictures are easy. I just have to stand there and try not to look too goofy. Then I sort of ride Bambi and the kid's coat tails!

We haven't done this in years, and I really want to catch it next week.
We have the sound track on CD and Madison used to listen to it constantly. I had it memorized before I even saw the show.


That is one pooped girl.
Uh huh. :faint:

I still have mine from Disney when the kids were little
We have a nice collection of souvenir cups, buckets, plates, etc. And by "collection" I mean we have a cabinet overflowing with them.

If anyone can make it work, Evan can
I just hope he uses his powers for good instead of evil.

That looks MUCH MORE appetizing than the food we had at Whispering Canyon Cafe.
I've heard you're not a fan of that place. I've never had a bad meal there. :confused3

They are even more cute three years later.
Thanks!

Are you just repeating that because you are running out of things to talk about?
Mostly, yes.
WAFFLE HOUSE! I love Waffle House and will be eating there one week from today. :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
Have a great meal! (That kind of goes without saying, though doesn't it. You're at Waffle House. Of course you're going to have a great meal!)


What is that smell?!

That is the smell of excellence.:thumbsup2

We have a saying over on the Dis Dad's Club.
What's that smell?
That's the smell of excellence.
Open a window.
 

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