I'M JUST SHOWBOATIN' AROUND THE WORLD! & getting pooped on. Jan 13 TR! NEW TR POSTED!

[DharmaLou]

Your Test Track photo - especially Bruce & Amy - is epic. LOVE IT!

Not knowing who Gonzo is makes my 8 year old self very sad. Maybe she was born and raised in the wilderness without electricity until last week?

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

If you haven't figured it out yet, Matt and I have a hard time with awkwardness/when people embarrass themselves.

​

OMG, I can not handle this either! It makes me so uncomfortable, I have to get away and fast! I'm embarrassed for them!​

 

[khertz]

Okay, I feel sad for a Disney CM who does not know who Gonzo is...

Random trash can photo = success!

Ugh, new Test Track...I haven't ridden it yet, but I am not excited about it at all. I don't get why they had to change it so much, and it doesn't even sound like the new version is all that exciting?

Awkward people make me feel embarrassed for them too! I think I probably would have bolted like Matt did. Even on TV when someone is totally embarrassing themselves, I have to change the channel!

 

[danimaroo]

I can understand (sort of) how a non-Disney person may have forgotten who Gonzo is, but a CAST MEMBER? WHAT? Maybe Disney needs to start adding an "Identify this Character" portion during their interview process.

I love when you're able to get pictures around the Fountain of Nations without anyone else around. It's probably one of my favorite areas in WDW.

Exactly! That was my thinking.. Like, you work for Disney! And it's not some obscure character, it's Gonzo! Haha. Perhaps they should add that to their interview process! Yeesh.

I totally agree, I was kind of surprised there wasn't anyone around, considering we'd been there for a bit before I started taking photos. It's a gorgeous area, and with the perfect Future World music piping it, ugh... I just wish I could be there RIGHT now.

I have no idea if I have responded to this update, I do know I've read it twice in my flu-induced-delirium. The TT pic gave me a laugh, which is something I haven't done much of in the last 4 days being sick! I'm reading! Sometimes twice!

Hahaha ohhh Karen, I'm so sorry you're so sick!! That doesn't sound like fun at all... The good news is, I don't think you responded yet so at least you're not THAT delirious! But I'm glad you've read it twice now. I hope you feel better soon!!

Your Test Track photo - especially Bruce & Amy - is epic. LOVE IT!

Not knowing who Gonzo is makes my 8 year old self very sad. Maybe she was born and raised in the wilderness without electricity until last week?

Hahaha thanks, I thought it was pretty awesome. I am dying to show some of our future ones, because they are hysterical.

Yeah, I was sad for her! She didn't seem like your typical super happy CM most times I saw her, so who knows. At least the CM next to her knew who I was talking about!

OMG, I can not handle this either! It makes me so uncomfortable, I have to get away and fast! I'm embarrassed for them!

Hahaha THANK YOU! I'm glad we're not just weirdos! It was so awkward and we were both embarrassed for the guy.

Okay, I feel sad for a Disney CM who does not know who Gonzo is...

Random trash can photo = success!

Ugh, new Test Track...I haven't ridden it yet, but I am not excited about it at all. I don't get why they had to change it so much, and it doesn't even sound like the new version is all that exciting?

Awkward people make me feel embarrassed for them too! I think I probably would have bolted like Matt did. Even on TV when someone is totally embarrassing themselves, I have to change the channel!

Yeah, I felt a bit sad for her, too.

Okay, new TT isn't BAD it's just... an unnecessary change. And I don't like how the car-creation room causes a back up in the line. But if you liked the original, I think you'll still enjoy this one. Just don't expect to have your mind blown by a "new" ride, because it's not.

Hahaha, it was soooo awkward. And I'm the same way with people on TV! Michael Scott on The Office would sometimes make me have to get up and walk out of the room, or even worse, David Brent on the British Office. OMG he was the worst. I just can't handle it!

 

[danimaroo]

Chapter Seven: "Happy Anniversary!!" "...thanks?"
Day 2: January 18th, 2013

After we finished with Test Track, we started to head over towards World Showcase!

Of course, our first stop was Mexico!

We did a quick walkthrough, mainly because we knew we'd back many times to explore even more, but it did allow me to get a few decent photos of the pavilion. It's one of my absolute favorites in World Showcase, as I just think it's absolutely beautiful!

We left Mexico and beelined it for Norway. Amy was really excited to check Norway out because of her heritage. We checked out the Stave church first.

Even the details on the top part of the entry way are impressive.

So when we stepped in, I immediately thought of Karen (Twoboysnmygirl) and her previous TR where she'd SWORN they were playing Lord of the Rings music in the Stave church. I actually stopped and listened to the music and they were playing the main theme from Lord of the Rings, hahaha. It amuses me that they play it in there, just seems kind of random.

We knew our next stop had to be Maelstrom, because Bruce and Amy HAD to experience the best World Showcase attraction there is!

Gosh I love this mural.

I pointed it out last year in my January 2012 TR, but I still just don't get why this boy is SO happy about gutting the fish! Even better, while reading Sally's (AussieSalad) TR, she brought it up as well, and it was in that moment (in addition to her hilarious sense of humor) that I figured we'd be pretty solid buds in real life. Bonding over the creepy devil fish gutter child.

Anyway, Maelstrom was a delight. And I just adore this troll and his peeking ways... even if he's very upset with us.

We exited the ride and bolted right on out the door, very similar to how we did last year. Unfortunately nothing will ever beat Matt's "Norway? More like NO WAY!" run out the door scenario from last trip, so we all just made a beeline for it. I'm not sure if Amy wanted to actually stop for the movie, and it's quite possible she did, but I didn't feel too bad since we'd be back anyway.

We walked around the shop for awhile, since Amy really wanted to look around. Of course, obligatory photos with Senor Troll were necessary. I love this little guy!

I made Amy try on some Viking gear. She took this very seriously.

I noticed these little trolls. They're kind of creepy. I wonder if people actually buy them... (Please, if you have, let me know.)

We finished looking around, then... THEN... we went to a very important place.

Because CLEARLY there was School Bread to be had!

School bread is something we learned about through the DIS prior to last year's trip. We gave it a shot and it was love. LOVE, for both of us.

So obviously Matt and I snagged some School Bread for later!

The sun finally was popping out and it was getting warm out, so we started to head back towards England and Canada, with the idea of possibly stopping to see the Limited Time Magic, which was a Winter Wonderland in Canada.

Unfortunately, the line was SUPER long to wait to meet the characters. I knew no one really wanted to wait, and I honestly didn't either because it was our first day in the parks! Considering I was the only one in the group who was even considering meeting characters, we decided to continue on, but I had to snap a photo of the gang being cute.

Oh and hey, if those are your kids in the photo, there's a nice photo for you to add to your bunch.

Matt and Bruce volunteered to bring all of our sweatshirts and food back to the room real quick, since we were definitely not needing them anymore. Amy and I decided to hang out and wait for them, and strolled over to France.

We walked around for a bit, then found a place to sit down while we waited for the boys to come back.

Well, wouldn't you know... A HOVEROUND TOUR CRUISED BY!

Hahaha, if you have no idea what I'm talking about... Last trip, a Segway tour went by us and I exclaimed to Matt, "Look, HOVEROUNDS!"

Ummm, nope. Not even close.

I have no idea why I thought they were Hoverounds in that moment, but we still laugh at it. Because then I always think about the Hoveround commercials and little granny yelling into the Grand Canyon about her love for her Hoveround.

Anyway, I got a text from Matt that they were heading back in, so Amy and I made our way back towards England to meet up with Bruce and Matt.

As they walked up to us, they were both smiling. I asked what happened, and they told us that apparently when they walked into the International Gateway, a CM congratulated both of them on a Happy Anniversary! Well, considering they were both together and were wearing Anniversary pins, it made total sense!

What I loved was that both Matt and Bruce just quickly said thanks and didn't even bother letting the CM know that they were not married. Basically, it made me love my husband and Bruce even more because they just didn't care. And also Disney for just being so darn cool and awesome.

We laughed about it though and then headed back through England because we were all starting to get hungry.

Next, we continue the tradition with a classic choice for lunch and finish playing around in Epcot... then start on a new adventure in another park! I'll give you one guess where we're headed...

Continued in next post​

 

[marDgreen88]

I AGREE, the Mexico pavilion is beautiful.

Um, I actually have about four of those trolls. BAAAA just kidding, they are terrifying.

HAHAHA awww, what a cute couple Matt and Bruce are.

You were starting to get hungry... I have to wonder if that means you were gonna try to go to an ADR early or go to a CS place. Hmm... OKAY MY GUESS IS VIA NAPOLI.

 

[beachphotog]

Ahhhhh, further proof that we would be good friends in real life... I love beyond love the Mexico pavilion! Like insanely love. I was so bummed on my last trip during F&W because it becomes so crowded and you can't even walk around and really enjoy all the joy that is the Mexico pavilion.

Ah Norway. Every time I read about it, I think back to your "Norway, more like No-way" report. I haven't been on that ride since I was 15 and really, it was not that great. But I was 15, so I clearly couldn't appreciate all it had to offer! Side note: do you remember those troll dolls that were really popular in the late 80's/early 90's? I probably had about 20 of them. (have I mentioned how super cool i was, yet?) But if they had looked like the ones sold in the Norway pavilion, I'm thinking they wouldn't have been as popular! Also, that little kid's face is super creepy and not on his body right, I think?

I know I made a huge deal about it on twitter, but I still love the fact that the CM wished Matt and Bruce a happy anniversary and they just rolled with it! Love it!

Mmm, Epcot food. Man, I'm hungry now!

And I think you are headed to... Hollywood Studios?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Love the Mexico pavilion! I think it's the most beautiful one!

Yay school bread!! I'd love to have some right now!

 

[arbolita]

I had school bread for the first time on our trip and OH MY GOSH it was such a glorious moment. Why I put it off for so long, I have no idea.

 

[onelilspark]

The Maelstrom mural is even more funny if Norway is the last country you need to do to finish drinking around the World

 

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

Joining in!

 

[mouseketeer70]

Phew! Finally caught back up. So many things to comment on that I can't remember now. Maybe it's the NyQuil kicking in. Oh well...
STACEEEYYYYY! I love her but I seriously want her job! I need to go watch her new scenes on YouTube. I hope they didn't change her theme song!
Ride photos and random awkward line photos are off to a good start! So awesome that your friends were game! We tried with our friends and the photos are hilarious because we always posed and they just look so serious. They never played along

Your "happy anniversary" story is funny because it is very similar to what happened to me and my friend one trip. We usually go the first week in June. Being that week, and being that my brother and his partner have gone that week, you would think we would have realized that both of us, husbandless with children, wearing anniversary buttons, would be interpreted a certain way but.... Anyway....as the guys went to play golf we took our combined kids to see all the princesses. Well, at each royal photo op they kept commenting on our lovely family and beautiful children etc, etc. As we left town hall and got yet another "Happy Anniversary", to which we both happily replied thank you in unison again, our teenage boys, who are best friends, started laughing and said, "you two don't have a clue do you?" and as they explained it to us we all just died laughing! The best part, aside from the fact that apparently the kids knew what everyone thought and never felt the need to correct anyone, was one of the kids commented how nice every single person had been to us. So it's good to know that Disney respects all families! I have proof
Ok trip report hijack over! Sorry!
Theresa

 

[DanniDeer]

I laughed pretty hard at Matt and Bruce's marriage celebration. I imagine they either just went with it 1. because it was too awkward to correct, or 2. they didn't realize the implication. either way, it's comedic gold.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I KNEW IT! I knew I wasn't crazy! My family told me I was losing it when I said they were playing LOTR music in the Stave church! When we went in there it wasn't the main song, a more obscure LOTR song and they are always tell me that I think EVERYTHING is LOTR Theme music so they didn't believe me! Thank you for redeeming me! And, it made my day to realize that you thought of me while at Disney! I know, geeky, but still made me smile!

OMG, too cute that the guys got Anniversary wishes!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I know that I am not the first to do so, but I would like to wish Matt and Bruce a very Happy Anniversary! I should have sent a gift; I am sorry.

Seriously, though, let's discuss School Bread. Oh, wait, I can't because I am drooling.

I'm glad I'm not the only person obsessed with that mural! When I see that happy boy, I imagine him saying, "YESSSSSSS!" as he slices through the fish. Score one for the creepy boy!

Heh. I remember the Hoveround. Heh. They play that commercial still on the GameShowNetwork quite often, and the Grand Canyon bit gets me every time. One day, I will totally yell into the Grand Canyon while on a Hoveround, even if I don't need one yet. I feel like they should have one set up for people to reenact the commercial, just a random tourist spot/photo op.

And with that, I think I'll be done before people start giving me the side-eye like the troll in Maelstrom.

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Oh wow I am laughing so much at the happy anniversary story - so sweet and funny!!!

The pics of the Mexico pavilion make me want to be the so bad - then have a school bread treat!!

 

[Malroy]

your story about matt and bruce is HILARIOUS. Reminds me of when I go to Safeway with the BF and we use my parents phone number for membership and they call him Mr. my last name, it cracks me up everytime!!! And your pictures are just making me think that we need to spend WAY more time in Epcot next time!!! The day we were there there were intermittent showers - like every 20 minutes it would start pouring (like clockwork) so we didn't spend as much time there as we should have.

 

[danimaroo]

I AGREE, the Mexico pavilion is beautiful.

Um, I actually have about four of those trolls. BAAAA just kidding, they are terrifying.

HAHAHA awww, what a cute couple Matt and Bruce are.

You were starting to get hungry... I have to wonder if that means you were gonna try to go to an ADR early or go to a CS place. Hmm... OKAY MY GUESS IS VIA NAPOLI.

Yes, yes it is.

HAHAHA if you had those I would die laughing. Like, a little sign above them, "Marissa's Norway Trolls"... that would actually make my year.

Yeaaah, so cute! I love it. Matt and Bruce, forever!

Ooooh, I like your thinking... buuuut I'm not telling. Mwahaha.

Ahhhhh, further proof that we would be good friends in real life... I love beyond love the Mexico pavilion! Like insanely love. I was so bummed on my last trip during F&W because it becomes so crowded and you can't even walk around and really enjoy all the joy that is the Mexico pavilion.

Ah Norway. Every time I read about it, I think back to your "Norway, more like No-way" report. I haven't been on that ride since I was 15 and really, it was not that great. But I was 15, so I clearly couldn't appreciate all it had to offer! Side note: do you remember those troll dolls that were really popular in the late 80's/early 90's? I probably had about 20 of them. (have I mentioned how super cool i was, yet?) But if they had looked like the ones sold in the Norway pavilion, I'm thinking they wouldn't have been as popular! Also, that little kid's face is super creepy and not on his body right, I think?

I know I made a huge deal about it on twitter, but I still love the fact that the CM wished Matt and Bruce a happy anniversary and they just rolled with it! Love it!

Mmm, Epcot food. Man, I'm hungry now!

And I think you are headed to... Hollywood Studios?

Haha yay! Mexico is just wonderful. I could just sit in there for an hour and be happy. That's so sad you couldn't really visit though! Next trip!

Hahaha I'm glad you go back to that TR title, it still cracks me up! We love Maelstrom just for being so over the top absurd! It's great. Haha I definitely had my share of little trolls, for sure! But yes, the ones in Norway were mega creepy and were staring at me.

Yeah, I loved that, too! Like, good for all of you... but it was still really funny just because I can picture them just not knowing how to respond, but then shrugged and said thanks, hahaha.

I KNOW, I'm starving right now and all I want is something from Epcot. WAH.

WE WILL SEEEEE. MWAHAHA.

Love the Mexico pavilion! I think it's the most beautiful one!

Yay school bread!! I'd love to have some right now!

It is so gorgeous inside, I adore it!

Man, me too. I wish there was a way I could just snap my fingers and a little serving of School Bread would just pop up on my desk. That would be delightful.

I had school bread for the first time on our trip and OH MY GOSH it was such a glorious moment. Why I put it off for so long, I have no idea.

IT IS SO GOOD! I love it so much. I just had no clue it existed until I started hanging out on the DIS like a cool kid back in the day. And now it is my favorite snack everrrr.

The Maelstrom mural is even more funny if Norway is the last country you need to do to finish drinking around the World

Hahaha I would probably just sit there and laugh and then be banned from riding it ever again for being that drunk girl who sat and laughed at the mural for too long.

 

[danimaroo]

Joining in!

YAY! I'm so happy to have you here! I hope you enjoy the ride.

Phew! Finally caught back up. So many things to comment on that I can't remember now. Maybe it's the NyQuil kicking in. Oh well...
STACEEEYYYYY! I love her but I seriously want her job! I need to go watch her new scenes on YouTube. I hope they didn't change her theme song!
Ride photos and random awkward line photos are off to a good start! So awesome that your friends were game! We tried with our friends and the photos are hilarious because we always posed and they just look so serious. They never played along

Your "happy anniversary" story is funny because it is very similar to what happened to me and my friend one trip. We usually go the first week in June. Being that week, and being that my brother and his partner have gone that week, you would think we would have realized that both of us, husbandless with children, wearing anniversary buttons, would be interpreted a certain way but.... Anyway....as the guys went to play golf we took our combined kids to see all the princesses. Well, at each royal photo op they kept commenting on our lovely family and beautiful children etc, etc. As we left town hall and got yet another "Happy Anniversary", to which we both happily replied thank you in unison again, our teenage boys, who are best friends, started laughing and said, "you two don't have a clue do you?" and as they explained it to us we all just died laughing! The best part, aside from the fact that apparently the kids knew what everyone thought and never felt the need to correct anyone, was one of the kids commented how nice every single person had been to us. So it's good to know that Disney respects all families! I have proof
Ok trip report hijack over! Sorry!
Theresa

Haha aww, I'm sorry you're not feeling well! That is never ever fun. What a bummer.

Stacey is the bombdotcom... in her own special way. I think her job would be amazing, seriously. BUT DON'T WORRY! They haven't changed the music, thank goodness! Well, the main theme I mean anyway.

Hahaha our friends were very good sports! They definitely went along with our ridiculousness... which is why they are our best friends!

HAHAHA I loved your story! That is so amazing, seriously. Both hilarious but also wonderful to hear. I love Disney so much!

Don't ever worry about hijacking, I don't mind, I swear!

I laughed pretty hard at Matt and Bruce's marriage celebration. I imagine they either just went with it 1. because it was too awkward to correct, or 2. they didn't realize the implication. either way, it's comedic gold.

Haha it was pretty awesome. I am guessing it was number 1 since they figured out pretty quickly what was going on and started giggling about it as soon as they saw Amy and me. Too amazing. But I also love Disney respecting all sorts of anniversaries!

I KNEW IT! I knew I wasn't crazy! My family told me I was losing it when I said they were playing LOTR music in the Stave church! When we went in there it wasn't the main song, a more obscure LOTR song and they are always tell me that I think EVERYTHING is LOTR Theme music so they didn't believe me! Thank you for redeeming me! And, it made my day to realize that you thought of me while at Disney! I know, geeky, but still made me smile!

OMG, too cute that the guys got Anniversary wishes!

Hahaha, I have validated that you are NOT crazy and now your can tell your family! It was super funny because right when we walked in, it was that main theme, so I was like.. YUP definitely LOTR! And yes, I totally thought of you because I'm a LOTR fan and thought that was such an awesome catch on your part!!

Haha it was so cute and they were giggling but it also made me happy!

I know that I am not the first to do so, but I would like to wish Matt and Bruce a very Happy Anniversary! I should have sent a gift; I am sorry.

Seriously, though, let's discuss School Bread. Oh, wait, I can't because I am drooling.

I'm glad I'm not the only person obsessed with that mural! When I see that happy boy, I imagine him saying, "YESSSSSSS!" as he slices through the fish. Score one for the creepy boy!

Heh. I remember the Hoveround. Heh. They play that commercial still on the GameShowNetwork quite often, and the Grand Canyon bit gets me every time. One day, I will totally yell into the Grand Canyon while on a Hoveround, even if I don't need one yet. I feel like they should have one set up for people to reenact the commercial, just a random tourist spot/photo op.

And with that, I think I'll be done before people start giving me the side-eye like the troll in Maelstrom.

Bahaha, it's okay, you can just put it in the mail now, no big whoop!

School Bread. Nom. End of story.

He is such a terrible human being, that little child. Why does he get such joy out of killing the poor fish? The world may never know.

HAHAHA I love that you know what I'm talking about. And TRUE STORY. Last week I was working from home because I wasn't feeling well and for whatever reason left GSN on all day. Anyway, they were playing Hoveround commercials all day long! So I know what you are talking about, haha. I hope you one day reenact that scene at the Grand Canyon, just because.

Psh no side-eyes from this girl; I mean, I AM the one who called Segways Hoverounds.

Oh wow I am laughing so much at the happy anniversary story - so sweet and funny!!!

The pics of the Mexico pavilion make me want to be the so bad - then have a school bread treat!!

Haha we were all laughing pretty hard! It was so cute though.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind going for a stroll around World Showcase right about now!

your story about matt and bruce is HILARIOUS. Reminds me of when I go to Safeway with the BF and we use my parents phone number for membership and they call him Mr. my last name, it cracks me up everytime!!! And your pictures are just making me think that we need to spend WAY more time in Epcot next time!!! The day we were there there were intermittent showers - like every 20 minutes it would start pouring (like clockwork) so we didn't spend as much time there as we should have.

HAHAHA you know what's funny? Whenever we go to Safeway and use my Safeway card, they call Matt Mr. [my maiden name]! I haven't changed my last name on my Safeway card, because I don't even know how/don't bother, but that always makes me laugh whenever we pay, hahaha.

We spent a lot more time in Epcot this year than previous years and it was amazing! You totally should, there's so much to explore and see there. I find something new every trip!

 

[okw19]

I get so ridiculously giddy when you update!
I have been in love with the Mexico pavilion since childhood. It's just gorgeous. Plus, you're outside while inside....mind blown.
I have noticed that most people have no idea that you can go inside of the stave church. All I can think of when I see the fish gutting boy now is how happy he is. I point it out to people, haha.

OMG TRAPPER DONALD IS SO CUTE. Look at his furry little bum! So cute. I have such love in my heart for that duck.

Hoverounddddd...ound...ounddd
That is such a cute story about Matt & Bruce. Awesomeness all around. I just love WDW.

I have no idea what's to come.. A classic for lunch? Sunshine Seasons.
Next park HAS to be MK. It's Amy's first day ever in WDW!