Thumping Our Way Through Disneyland.

[pkondz]

Carrying a backpack is making my back sweat even more than what it normally would and I can feel it running down my back.

Your backpack is running down your back? Isn't that what the straps are for? To keep it from running around back there?

Are you sure it was running? Maybe it was just walking or trickling around?

No its not walking down or even trickling down. It’s literally running down my back.

Oh. Okay then, I guess it really was running.

Our bags are a little lighter now

Yeah, sure. Because all the running it did has caused it to lose weight.

That makes perfect sense.

because we both finished the 3 bottles of water each of us brought with us.

And that too.

But mostly it's the exercise your bag got from all the running.

We didn’t want to be like our friend Nebo and take a dive. Of course at the time we didn’t know of his major accident. We just knew that we needed to keep hydrated ourselves.

So you're saying that you're smarter than Nebo?

At least that's the way I read it.

Nebo, are you gonna take that? Them's fightin' words!

Yes the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
...
Personally, I didn’t notice too many differences at all, but here is what I did notice.

Thanks for all the info on the ride. Interesting differences, not the least of which is the building facade.

“raise your hand if this is your first time riding? No one. You all came back? Did you not learn the first time? I pity all of you,”

“Would you like me to show your bags to your room?” I tell him “sure” to which he replies “I bet you would. If you want to see your bags again, you best find a way to hold on to them.”

Even better! Gotta love it when you get a good CM.

The fun part was Lady H and I trying to hold onto our bags. We put our feet through the straps, but that still wasn’t enough to keep them in place. I think we finally had to step on our bags to keep them from going all over the place. That was real hard to do when the ride would go down and our feet would leave the floor.

I was reading this and thinking, "Why didn't they just hold on to them with their hands?" Then I realized it's because you're holding on to for dear life with both hands and you don't have any to spare for incidentals.

Finally we make our way to the front and get a locker. Storing my bag may help keep my back a little cooler.

Nothing makes your back hotter then a backpack that's been running up and down and getting itself all hot and sweaty.

All I got was the look. You know the look, all woman have it. The slight head nod and the word “Sure.”

Ah, yes. I know that look.

We get to Paradise Pier and to my horror. “NNNOOOOOO!!!!!!!” It can’t be. Do you know how long I waited to ride this thing?”

15 - 20 minutes?

Yup, it was closed. How can they close California Screamin’?

Easy. They put a little sign on the gate that says "closed" and voila. Closed.

STRIKE 2. TSM is also closed.

Geez! Right about now I'd be thinking, "Where do I go to get my refund?"

In this case, you must head straight to park entrance to the exit gates. Do not pass go and please leave us another $200.

And it's only $200/person.... because of the closures. Otherwise it'd be more.

Ok, I know you’re all probably wondering, what is Goofy’s flight school.

It would be DCA’s version of AK’s Primeval Whirl.

Okay.

Pass.

I don’t know what they were smoking, but they said we would have to wait 30-40 minutes if we wanted to ride.

Wait 30-40 minutes for a Primeval Whirl type ride?

Not.

Once the show is over, we head down the steps as Goofy comes up. We give each other a high five as we pass each other. Job well done.

And here I thought you were gonna give him a smack in the head, "What's with closing TSM and CS??"

Plus there was no way am I going to even attempt to translate French, Portuguese, Chinese or even Japanese.

Mandarin's okay though, huh?

We were kinda close to the machines, but they were in a place we would’ve never thought of.

Inside a giant Taco? Buried under 6 feet of Mickey Bars?

You can see them bottles chilling in the chillers, and they were calling our names.

See that would creep me out.

"Ponzi.... Ponzi....
pull off our heads...
and drink from our necks... "

Nope. Gross.

Too many husbands have probably been bashed over the heads with the bottles, so they probably figured this was a tad bit safer for them.

Plus, how many would be launched from the apex of the roller coaster?

Just as long as we get branded with the hand stamp and have our park tickets.

Heh. Branded. Just for fun, next time they stamp your hand, scream like you were branded just to see the CMs reaction.

Great. We still need to go back and get the postcard we saw for Ponzi in the gift shop.

You're darn tootin' you do!

Plus we’ll need international postage to mail it to.

Next time, save yourself the hassle and just shove two stamps on it. That should be enough, no? It's overkill up here but I'd rather spend an extra 10-15 cents then run around trying to find exact postage.

As we walk into Condor Flats, Minnie Mouse and some hotties; oh um, I mean some lady dancers dressed up as stewardesses are performing. We stop and check them out (well ok, so I was the one checking them out)

Atta boy.

It’s only a 25 minute wait here. Yup, that’s right. Only 25 minutes. Not the 60+ that you would normally see at WDW.

And now you know why.

We went inside Taste of Pilot’s Grill. CS restaurant right next to Soarin’.

Ummm…. Ew?

Taste of Pilot? Who’d want to taste a pilot? What if he had a bad day and was all sweaty from a bad landing. Man, that’s just gross.

I’ll pass, thanks.

After staring at the menu, nothing sounded good to us at the moment.

Pilot au gratin
Pilot flambé
Honey Garlic or Hot Wings (see what I did there?)

Which I find a little ironic. Over at Epcot, which we all know is in Florida, you fly over California. Don’t you think it should be the opposite for DCA? Shouldn’t we be flying over Florida instead?

Yeah… and it would cost more to film. But really…. How much more?

On a hot day like today, we also debated on whether or not we should go on GRR.

I had to re-read the entire chapter (not that that’s a bad thing) to figure out what GRR was.

Japanese version of GMR? (Great Roovie Ride)
Golly River Rapids?

Only problem is, the wait time is 60 minutes and we just got a FP for WoC. What we didn’t know at the time is, we could’ve gotten a FP for GRR as well.

Ah well. But, no. I wouldn’t have waited an hour for KRR (or GRR in this case).

Once you come from the DCA entrance, you have to walk an eternity to get the gift shop.

That statement boggled my mind. Well more than usual. You had to walk a long way to get to a gift shop????

After about 5 minutes he finally told her he would get someone else to try and help her because he was still fairly new.

Or not… and just fed up.

Now my issue was simple, all I needed as International Postage to send my friend up north, (the one who lives in Canada, who’s Nebo’s favorite and didn’t send us a postcard when he went to Hawaii) a postcard that we went out of our way to get.

All you had to do was ask. Or even just PM me your address. When I went to the post office and asked them to send the postcard to Mr. & Mrs. Thumper they looked at me funny and slowly backed away.

Not sure why.

And for the record. Nebo’s favorite?

Yes. Yes I am.

On the way to the business center we pass the mailbox and I tell Lady H “mark this spot on your phone’s gps. We made need it to find our way back here after we find the business center.”

Good thinking.

Here’s your postcard Ponzi. You owe us one.

Oh, all right. I owe you one. PM me your address and I’ll see what I can do.

Plus, I'm kinda mortified that you had to go to so much trouble for me. If I'd have known, I wouldn't have asked. So. Sorry about that.

Seriously, PM me your address.

The price I have to pay for wanting to go to WDW. And you know what, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

That’s so true. Many, many of us DISers will make sacrifices to feed our Disney addiction, no?

Thanks again everyone for sticking it out with us in this long, drawn out TR.

And thanks for the chapter, Mike! :

Hey! Now I’m only one chapter behind. Woot!

 

[pkondz]

I think teh version at Epcot is ALSO losing it's clarity, A LOT, I won't wait for it anymore if it's not just about a walk on.

Yeah, it’s the movie. It’s not your eyes.
No, it couldn’t be that.
Nope.
Definitely the movie.

I agree with the Nebo. The quality of the video is starting to make this ride a if we do it fine, but no longer a must

Hmmm…. Okay, so maybe it is the movie.

Isn’t that odd, though? Is it a film? Not digital? If it’s digital, there shouldn’t be any degradation, should there?

Wow...Talk about losing track of things. Between finally getting my barrings after the trip

Cool! How many places did you get barred from?

Threw out my back on Tuesday, Merry Christmas to me. Was laid up on Wednesday, because I could barely move. Came to work yesterday and went immediately to the Chirporactor who did wonders. And today is another short work day because I am going for a massage in hopes that I will be better by New Years Eve. Lets all hope for the best!!!!

Ugh… Sorry to hear about your back. Both Nebo and I know just how you feel. Hopefully by now you’re back is back to normal.

Smidgy, correct me if I’m wrong but you already are a thrill junkie…I mean you married the man…TWICE. Aren’t you already “biting the bullet” and saying ”dumb wife, dumb wife”?

<snort> Heh, heh.

When we walked out towards the other area of the park, for a while you are still walking along RT 66. The paved road is still under your feet, you can see the center divider line, and the rocks off to the side of the road, and then all of a sudden your no longer there…It takes you a minute to figure out where you are and when you missed that transition.

That’s cool. I love how Disney does stuff like that.

Plus I need to remember what we did at SeaWorld for my next part of the TR…This will be fun…

Can’t wait! :

Man, I can't trust Ponzi or Nebo anymore, can I.

No. No you can’t.

 

[pkondz]

Let's try to finish this day up, shall we?

Well... if you must.

After sending Ponzi his postcard, we ventured back out into the heat.

There! Right there! See? Because of me, you were saved from almost certain heat stroke.

We passed “Award Weiners” this morning after we got off of ToT and on our way to get a locker.

Elle would love that. Hotdogs are her favorite snack food.

The chili dog was actually pretty good and not too expensive if I recall correctly. At least not for Disney counter service.

So that's what... around $325.00?

After chowing down, we wanted to give Muppets 3D a try since it was right next door to AW. We wanted to see how it compared to WDW’s version. We were denied access. Not because the ride was down, but because we hadn’t downed our sodas yet. So we go to see what else is in the area while we finish our soda’s.

Did you ever get back to it?

Although I don’t know if you can consider a door-nail dead.

Word of advice. If you ever see a door-nail that's alive.

Run.

There’s Monster’s Inc.
...
Another ride similar to Pooh and Wild Toad.

Did any or all of the monsters in your pics move? Like was Boo smacking Randall?

Finally figured out a few action settings on my camera, so I was able to get better pictures.

Good pics!

Now that we ate and we’re not feeling as whoozy from the beer, naturally it’s time to get another beer.

Naturally.

Want to watch a parade? Of course you do.

That parade looked pretty good. The attention to detail gets me every time.

It’s about 2:30 and my weather app says it’s now 98 degrees outside. Feels like 110.

Know what the difference between 98 and 110 is?

12

Oh, all right. I don't think I'd be able to tell. Once it gets above 90, it's just hot.

we decided to just head back to the resort for a while and go swimming.

Swimming? On a hot day? What a novel idea!

We empty one bag with everything but Lady H’s tennis shoes. She wants to change into them for the evening.

What was she wearing before? Sandals?

I guess at 95 degrees or so it's better to have coolness over walking comfort.

Yes, I’m psychic, I can tell when they are doing these things. Don’t believe me? The fact that we had a different shuttle driver than the one that pulled up has nothing to do with it. Believe in my psychic abilities.

I absolutely believe in your psychotic abilities.

Once aboard the bus, we sit there waiting for the 2 drivers to complete the shift change.
...
Finally after another 30 minutes, we get rolling.

30 minutes? What kind of a shift change was that?

"So the little pedal on the right makes bus go vroom, vroom.
Big pedal on left is stop.
Wheel in middle makes bus turn.
Got it?"

"No, tell me again. Which one makes bus go vroom, vroom?"

They allow people with FP’s to start lining up an hour and a half before show time.

Oooh. I was wondering how a WoC fastpass worked. But you said you could line up an hour and a half early. Do you mean at your viewing spot? Or just a queue that will get you to your spot quicker?

If you want the prime real estate, you have to be like our ancestors and stake your claim.

I think our ancestors would walk up to someone who’d staked a claim and hit him over the head with a club and take it.

But nevermind, I see your point.

but first we need to cross the street to the liquor store. Nebo is probably disappointed already that there is a liquor store across the street, and we haven’t picked up any park bottles yet.

I can see him shaking his head and muttering, “Rookies, what were they thinking?”

Take a shower to wash all the bleach (aka chlorine) off and wait for Lady H to do her hair and make-up. All us men know the routine by now. Might as well grab another beer while I wait.

Grab a beer.
Order Pizza
Watch a Football game or two.
Take a nap.
Read a book.
Etc…

What was interesting about her grilled cheese sandwich is that it was made with Fried Mozzarella Sticks, served with a side of marinara sauce and french fries.

That’s just… weird. I’m not gonna knock it, cause I haven’t tried it… but… weird.

This is the time when you wish they had a no bag line.

Again with the racism? What is with you and maligning the poor bag ladies?

I had the park bottles in my cargo shorts. When it came time for us to go through, I just walked on by. Lady H had to get her bag checked. It’s an easy bag to check though. We took along our drawstring type bags, so there’s only one big pocket to check. All she had in there were Simply Raspberry Lemonades.

I’m thinking that Nebo is shaking his head again. I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to mix the bottles before you go in the park. So if you do get searched, all you’ve got are Sunny D (or in this case Simply Lemonade) bottles and no alcohol.

No major down pour, but it did provide for us a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Carsland.

Nice pic.

Soon the lights went out and it’s time for World of Color to start.

What? Cliffhanger? Sheesh, Nebo is rubbing off on you.
Thanks for the chapter! :

 

[pkondz]

I did it! I did it! I'm all caught up!!!


Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go lie down for a bit.

 

[smidgy]

Ponziis correct. you mix the alcohol into the sunny D' (or simply lemonade, but in that sase the word "simply" disappears) in your room. with booze from that big bottle you have in your room.

however, ponzi, you still sneak in the little bottles, so later you can add them to the soda you buy. (we often save the empty sunny D bottles, then buy one soda and split it between the 2 empty, adding our little bottles.)

sigh..nebo, they have SO much to learn.

 

[pkondz]

Ponziis correct. you mix the alcohol into the sunny D' (or simply lemonade, but in that sase the word "simply" disappears) in your room. with booze from that big bottle you have in your room.

however, ponzi, you still sneak in the little bottles, so later you can add them to the soda you buy. (we often save the empty sunny D bottles, then buy one soda and split it between the 2 empty, adding our little bottles.)

sigh..nebo, they have SO much to learn.

Well, yeah. We's just little. We's still learnin'!

 

[smidgy]

Well, yeah. We's just little. We's still learnin'!

well, glad we could teach you. we all need t leave a legacy (our sons will be SO proud!)

 

[cp'ersmom]

When you were watching the stewardesses and Minnie do their act did you notice something unusual about Minnie?

 

[orangecats2]

Ponziis correct. you mix the alcohol into the sunny D' (or simply lemonade, but in that sase the word "simply" disappears) in your room. with booze from that big bottle you have in your room.

however, ponzi, you still sneak in the little bottles, so later you can add them to the soda you buy. (we often save the empty sunny D bottles, then buy one soda and split it between the 2 empty, adding our little bottles.)

sigh..nebo, they have SO much to learn.

Nebo was flabbergasted when I told him I don't really drink...He said "So then why are you reading my TR?" I think he's been suspicious of me ever since.

 

[Mom&RN]

Ugh, sorry it was such a hot day! One of the benefits of DL is supposed to be that the weather is "always" beautiful there. I'm really looking forward to your WoC pictures - I've heard its a great show. Lady H - I LOVE your new hairdo, it is sooo cute and the color is great on you. Sorry T Man, another vote for the new 'do!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

So now I'm only two chapters behind... <sigh>



And here I thought you were my friend. Oh, the humanity!

I'm so sorry to be a turncoat. We'll always have Hawaii.



Already commented on the pic... But that line reminds me of a scene they've done a few times on The Big Bang Theory:

Sheldon will mention that if they invent time travel, they will come back to now and tell their current selves... then they pause and look expectantly at the door.

Love that show! (and I'm not just sayin' that to make you feel better.)

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Nice update, Mr and Mrs T. I can't wait to see Carsland! I think I would like to drive Route 66 out to see Disney's Route 66! Sorry you missed dinner at GW. We love CPK followed by dessert at Cheesecake Factory. Your restroom bartending skills amaze me!

 

[pkondz]

We'll always have Hawaii.

 

[nebo]

Boy, how did I fall this far behind?
Gotta see if the Ponz left me any Easter Eggs;

So you're saying that you're smarter than Nebo?

At least that's the way I read it.

Nebo, are you gonna take that? Them's fightin' words!

Um, actually, yes, because apparently his IS smart enough to stay wet.



Wait 30-40 minutes for a Primeval Whirl type ride?

Not.

I actually like Primevil Hurl, nothing yells out "Vacation" like having your back go out, and the sciatic nerve shooting down your leg. Oh, I'm sorry, "trickling".



Mandarin's okay though, huh?

I speak fluent Cantonese like the people in Ohio.




Plus, how many would be launched from the apex of the roller coaster?

Apex? Did he just use "apex", to refer to the top of a roller coaster? Oh gag me with a utilitarian kitchen utensil.

Heh. Branded. Just for fun, next time they stamp your hand, scream like you were branded just to see the CMs reaction.

That's good. I wish I had thought of doing that when they still did it a the World.




I had to re-read the entire chapter (not that that’s a bad thing) to figure out what GRR was.

Japanese version of GMR? (Great Roovie Ride)

I was wondering the same thing,
and that's the first thing that popped into my mind too!
I can still picture a Get Smart villian who was Japanese holding up a deformed hand and saying;
"My name is the Craw."

"The Craw?"

"No, not the Craw, The Craw!"




Ah well. But, no. I wouldn’t have waited an hour for KRR (or GRR in this case).

Ok, so, I still don't know. It IS Golly River Rapids?



That’s so true. Many, many of us DISers will make sacrifices to feed our Disney addiction, no?

Yes, and some of us even GO there occasionally!

And thanks for the chapter, Mike! :

Hey! Now I’m only one chapter behind. Woot!

What? That means I am too!

 

[nebo]

Nebo was flabbergasted when I told him I don't really drink...He said "So then why are you reading my TR?" I think he's been suspicious of me ever since.

That's right, and I've still got my eye on you.

 

[pkondz]

Apex? Did he just use "apex", to refer to the top of a roller coaster? Oh gag me with a utilitarian kitchen utensil.

Just because a Foreigner speaks better American English then you do is no reason to be churlish.

Go ahead, look up churlish... I'll wait. :

I can still picture a Get Smart villian who was Japanese holding up a deformed hand and saying;
"My name is the Craw."

"The Craw?"

"No, not the Craw, The Craw!"

I remember that! And on a similar vein, The Evil Dr. Yes asks a question and his four henchmen answer (the henchmen are German, Spanish, Russian and French)

Dr. Yes: You agree, yes?
Ya!
Si!
Da!
Oui!

Ok, so, I still don't know. It IS Golly River Rapids?

Don't tell him! Make him look it up like I had to!

 

[orangecats2]

That's right, and I've still got my eye on you.

I had a Kahula and Creme on NYE. Then later I had non-alcoholic champagne!!!

I read your TR's for the witty commentary! Seriously though you, thumper, ponzi and a couple others are all I'll read anymore, you have spoiled me!

 

[pkondz]

Seriously though you, thumper, ponzi and a couple others are all I'll read anymore, you have spoiled me!

I got bad news for ya then... It'll probably be years before I get back to Disney.

You never know though, here's a true anecdote (it's too short to be a true story).

My eldest DD, Elle, goes to dance class five days a week. Luckily we live fairly close to another family who's DD also goes to the same dance studio, so we split the driving duties. Whenever I drive home from the studio I take "the long way around". It's a longer distance as the crow flies, but it's quicker with higher speeds and fewer lights. One stretch is on a highway that is used to bypass the city.
Every time I get on that stretch of road... and I mean every single freaking time... I always think to myself, "If instead of turning right at the intersection I go one more mile to the next intersection and turn left... in thirty hours I could be in Disney World."

You doubt me? Let me tell you what I used to do about six times a year, ready?

I would wake up at 7am to get to work by 8. I would work from 8 to 4pm. Still with me? Then I'd come home, cook and eat dinner, watch some TV or read or play some video games... then go to work and work from midnight to 8am (been up for 25 hours straight by now). Still with me? Here's where it gets good. I get home shortly after 8am, grab some suitcases, hop back in the car with Ruby and then drive... no let me clarify... Ruby would sit in the passenger seat and I would drive to Winnipeg. No big deal? Well, it was a 12 hour drive. So by the time I finally got to bed, I usually would've been up for 39 - 40 hours straight.

So do you really think I wouldn't make that left turn and drive for 30 hours... to get to Disney????

There's just one problem... THE DRIVE BACK!!!

 

[Thumper_Man]

I had a Kahula and Creme on NYE. Then later I had non-alcoholic champagne!!!

I read your TR's for the witty commentary! Seriously though you, thumper, ponzi and a couple others are all I'll read anymore, you have spoiled me!

I don't know if its a good thing or bad thing to be put into the same category as Nebo and Ponzi. I gotta say, I feel honored to be put into this category. Thank you for the kind words. I think.

 

[Thumper_Man]

I got bad news for ya then... It'll probably be years before I get back to Disney.

It will be about 9 months until we get back to Disney. The D to the L that is. It will be a long time until we get back to WDW ourselves, as I mentioned earlier we're going to Hawaii next year. I may have to pick your brain a little and get some info from you as to what sites you used to book your day time excursions.

I would wake up at 7am to get to work by 8. I would work from 8 to 4pm. Still with me? Then I'd come home, cook and eat dinner, watch some TV or read or play some video games... then go to work and work from midnight to 8am (been up for 25 hours straight by now). Still with me? Here's where it gets good. I get home shortly after 8am, grab some suitcases, hop back in the car with Ruby and then drive... no let me clarify... Ruby would sit in the passenger seat and I would drive to Winnipeg. No big deal? Well, it was a 12 hour drive. So by the time I finally got to bed, I usually would've been up for 39 - 40 hours straight.

So do you really think I wouldn't make that left turn and drive for 30 hours... to get to Disney????

There's just one problem... THE DRIVE BACK!!!

Is this the same as "it's not the fall that will kill you, but the landing?" But in your case it would be "its not the drive that will kill me, but the falling asleep behind the wheel plowing into the semi truck that will." You know you could always stop at a hotel for the night and sleep. Just a thought.