Mr. and Mrs. Weak Sauce Go the Distance (a completed Disneymoon TR!)

[Lovemy3babes]

DTD at night is pretty. The AK gift shop definitely has a different feel. How nice to stay there and get to browse often. I had to laugh at the big head comment. My husband and I have big heads too I think. Ha!

 

[RachelNinja]

I could stay in DTD for hours!
I am pretty excited about the new things that are coming for DTD/Disney Springs. (Not crazy about the name, but I imagine I will adjust.)

I live Zawadi!!! Some of the things in there remind me of things my dad had collected on his travels in the Air Force, so I always think of him when I am in there.

Very adventurous looking.

Yep.

Especially nice for those who don't care for 'in your face' Disney things. I bought a giraffe for a giraffe-loving DIS friend one time. She loved i!

I'm still waiting for the chance to spend a lot of time at DTD. I wonder if it's less crowded early in the morning. We never get there early enough, and the crowds always get to me! It's no fun shopping when you're waiting to look at a certain area of the store that's full of people.

The more time I spend in Disney and the older I get, the more I appreciate things like those giraffes and the other specific things they sell at places like Animal Kingdom.

I don't think we've ever done DTD at night but we're thinking this year we might.

I love how you can go to DTD and still have a lot to do and see without having to pay for a park day. Just wish there an easier solution when it comes to parking or taking the bus!

I like walking around DTD at night but sometimes it can be SO crowded that it's not as enjoyable. Weekends can be downright awful! But we can't take a Disney trip and not make at least one visit to World of Disney. It just isn't possible!!

Wow that loud music on the bus!! I guess I can understand from a safety perspective why they don't want the drivers messing with the radio controls while in motion but you would think the driver would have noticed how loud it was before driving off from the bus stop???

Yeah, the crowds are super irritating to me! I get kind of panicky in those types of situations. Haha, I'm a bit agoraphobic. If I know exactly what I want to get or see though, it makes it easier. Grabbing Earl of Sandwich for the trip home helps me calm down!

Haha yeah, it took so long before it was fixed because I didn't even start recording right away! We were just all puzzled thinking why it wasn't being fixed.

Playing a bit of catch up, starting back with your Raglan Road updates!

I know what you mean about referring to your husband as your husband, haha. I've been married 3.5 years and it still doesn't get old.

I love your and your husband's photography!

I think I said it in my response to your comment on my post, but I am bummed you guys didn't have a great Raglan Road experience. I'm wondering if you would have had a better time if you'd been in one of the side rooms instead of the center one. Hopefully one day if you decide to give it another chance you'll have a better time.

I looove the twinkly lights in the trees at DTD. Such a small detail that adds so much to the atmosphere.

Glad to hear it doesn't get old! I'd like to think that even 25 years down the road, it's still fun to be like, "Oh, my husband's right there."

Thanks! It's mainly his photography. Haha, I'm not very good. You can see the difference between the ones taken on his camera and the ones taken on mine. But he likes taking pictures of thing whereas I like taking pictures of moments, so it works out well especially when we're in a group like our Feb 2011 trip with my cousins.

Yeah, that experience at Raglan Road definitely wasn't something I enjoyed, but I really see the difference in people's reviews for lunch and for dinner! I am just not a person who appreciate the loud, raucous environment. Plus, I really should have ordered something else considering the appetizer!

I agree about those twinkly lights!

Everything at the AKL gift shop looks amazing! I really wish all of the resorts had so much resort-specific merchandise.

After staying at Pop, I see that the AKL gift shop was really something spectacular. I didn't quite understand just how great it was until the same ol' stuff was in the Pop gift shop. I did like the Art of Animation one though!

DTD at night is pretty. The AK gift shop definitely has a different feel. How nice to stay there and get to browse often. I had to laugh at the big head comment. My husband and I have big heads too I think. Ha!

It's hilarious how many times we would go through the gift shop but still see something new each time we went through!

Haha, I like knowing that other people have and admit to having big heads too! Makes me feel not so ... big, haha. I definitely would be so insecure if my husband's head was smaller than mine.

 

[RachelNinja]

Attempting MK EMH

Since this was our 3rd Disney day, I knew it wasn't realistic to think that we'd hit an EMH every single day. Seriously, the whole stress of the wedding stuff really wore us out, and we were really enjoying being able to get up whenever we wanted and going to whichever park we wanted to go to that day because of our annual passes. I did, however, really want to hit Magic Kingdom during a morning EMH day because my dear friend Sarah, wdwgirl03, and her dad are always raving about how much they can get done on those mornings! I was all for that! Well, let's see what happened that morning ...

VIDEO: Bus Stop All Alone

As you can see in the video, I was waiting at the bus stop by myself because Howard accidentally left his memory card in the laptop. I thought I could go in by myself, but then I realized I had his park ticket. Technically I could have gone in and enjoy Main Street and such, but it wouldn't have been the same. I was really hoping that the bus we saw pass by was the MK bus and that he'd get there in time before the MK bus actually arrived.

Of course, the MK bus arrived before he got back! I did hop on just in case there was something I wanted to do early in the morning on my own. Before we even got out of the bus area at AKL, I saw Howard running down along with another guy as well. I was about to tell the bus driver that that was my husband, but the driver didn't stop. Later we figured that the driver was not allowed to stop again once he pulled away from the actual bus stop. It made sense, but at the time, I was like, AGH, he was so close! In hindsight, I should've just waited for Howard to return.



I was on the fun bus too with the seats that face each other. I had to take this picture to show that I was sitting on the bus alone! Never thought we'd be going to a park separately! This was, of course, way before our Christmas trip at the end of last year where I got sick at the end of the trip and Howard went to Epcot and then DTD on his own.



It wasn't long before we got to the Magic Kingdom! It's strange seeing pictures of the new colors nowadays. I'm so used to the pink and purple. I was texting Howard in the meantime, and he just got on another bus not too long ago, so I knew he wasn't far behind. But then as all you bus takers know, once you arrive at the MK arch, it really doesn't mean you're close to the park! There were so many other buses and cars in that area leading up to the front of the park that we were sitting in MK traffic for a little bit. I was trying to see if I could make it right in time for EMH opening in case there was a morning show. How does that work anyway? Is there a morning show? I just remembered that that's why I wanted to get there early and it's why I was willing to go on my own.



Once I walked to the front of the park from the bus stops, I got my bag checked and then ended up sitting on that center planter between the turnstiles. This was my view. Not too shabby!



If I were more of a photographer, I would've had a blast taking pictures of details or trying to get different angles, but I just felt so odd being there without Howard!



It was just me and my bag! I did have an opportunity to people watch, and as you'll see in the next video, I was just so baffled as to how there could be SO many people entering the park at that time! I was trying to figure out where they all went considering it was still EMH time.



And there I am all by myself with my "Happily Ever After" pin, haha. It seemed as if I had to wait a long time, but it really wasn't too bad. Of course, since I got stuck in that MK traffic, so did Howard. But if you have to wait anywhere and for anyone, the best thing is to wait at Disney World for your husband to show up!



FINALLY we were reunited! I was just so excited not to be alone! Haha, maybe a solo trip to Disney is something that can never happen for me although we did discuss whether or not Howard would ever go to Pixelmania since he's recently become involved in the Disney photography community. If that were the case, I might explore the parks alone as he did photography stuff with that group.

VIDEO: Reunited in MK

In the video, I point out Snow White and also say, "There's Melissa!" Melissa is one of my colleagues and was my mentor teacher when I first started teaching almost 6 years ago (I still consider her a mentor!). About 3 years ago, we had an 8th grade class that we were especially close to as they were just so sweet and caring and so much fun! They started a thing where each girl was a Disney princess as well as each female teacher. I was Mulan (I wonder why!), Melissa was Snow White because it was her favorite princess, and our other good friend and colleague Jessica was Pocahontas. It was our theme for a good part of the year, as they would do the "Face in a Hole" things and stick our faces in place of the cartoon characters and put the pictures on our classroom doors! On one of our dress down days, the girls all came to school in costumes and such too! Our yearbook that year had a Disney-esque theme without actually being Disney as that would've cost extra, haha, but their names were preceded by Princess. Don't worry. The boys weren't left out. They were the seven dwarfs, haha.

By the way, in videos I really realize just how strong my NY accent is. I apologize for that! Howard points it out all the time, and it doesn't help that the people and kids I work with have even STRONGER accents if you can even imagine that! Hopefully, the music used in Wall-E will help distract you from my speaking.

While on Main Street, I found one window that that I wanted to see that had Yale Gracey's name on it. I don't go too crazy searching for windows, but there's usually one or two that I try to keep an open eye for just because I learn about Disney history or something and want to see that person's window.



The other window I just happened to see was one for Arts & Crafts! Um, can that totally be my window? Can you imagine? I would be thrilled if I could craft for a living, and it'd be even better if I could do it while living above Main Street USA! And just in case you didn't know, my blog is loveandsushi.blogspot.com although I haven't updated it much recently since teaching life takes over every aspect of my being.



I wouldn't even mind it if the street was sometimes under construction. Let me live there anyway!



I was going to say I'd totally turn Pooh-sized if I lived so close to an awesome bakery, but I'd probably end up walking more if I lived in MK, right? Gotta get some BTMRR action every day, right?



It was such a joy to be reunited and getting to enjoy one of our top four favorite parks, haha. Where would we go first? Well, we'll go where we ALWAYS go first!

 

[marDgreen88]

Ugh, what a bummer that Howard missed the bus. At least you weren't alone for too long!

There is definitely a welcome show on EMH days! In fact, the only time I've ever SEEN the welcome show was on an EMH day!

I can totally see you living in the little arts and crafts window! How cute!

 

[MEK]

Glad you had a nice time shopping at DTD and back at the resort. That loud music on the bus would have drive me crazy as well.

It is hard getting separated from your companion while at the world. Glad you were reunited quickly because there's nothing like that first walk down Main Street at the start of the day!

Looks like a gorgeous day!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hi Rachel! I saw your twitter post about having a new TR update so I had to come check it out before we leave (I wish you and Howard were going too...it would have been fun to have another DIS meet!).

I agree, as awesome as EMH are, it is kind of hard to do it every morning. Especially if they're at 7 am. I can't wait to hear about your MK day though.

Oh, and I don't think your NY accent is that strong. I never really thought I had a Wisconsin accent until one of my dad's friends' sons said something about it a few years ago so now I think I'm more aware of my own Midwestern accent!

 

[Jennifer48]

Aww too bad Howard didn't make the MK bus but your reunited video is so cute!

I don't think your NY accent is that bad. You want to hear bad, you should hear my Boston accent. I get made fun of at work all the time from coworkers that live in MA too!

 

[mermaid764]

Hi Rachel, I haven't commented in forever cause I fell totally behind but had a chance to get caught back up

That's too bad that Howard missed the bus, luckily you didn't have to wait too long.

The arts and craft window is soo cute, that's definitely one i've never noticed before

 

[khertz]

That had to be so frustrating seeing Howard coming and the bus not being able to stop!! I am with you on the solo trip thing, it seemed like fun until I spent time alone in the park. It's fun for a couple of hours, but I definitely couldn't do a whole trip without DH!

I watched your video, and I don't think your accent is strong at all! Maybe that's because I grew up around the "yats" in New Orleans, and the accent is similar?

Yay for an early morning at Magic Kingdom! Those are the best!!!

 

[RachelNinja]

Ugh, what a bummer that Howard missed the bus. At least you weren't alone for too long!

There is definitely a welcome show on EMH days! In fact, the only time I've ever SEEN the welcome show was on an EMH day!

I can totally see you living in the little arts and crafts window! How cute!

It FELT a lot longer than it actually was! I just kept thinking, AGH, why is there so much traffic?

Ooo, good to know! That's why I went off on my own hoping to catch it because I love it so much! Haha, I guess trying to catch the morning show during our honeymoon when we were exhausted just wasn't going to happen.

Oh, I wish! That's my new "I wish I could live there" place. In the past, it used to be in one of the buildings in China in Epcot because I liked the little hidden staircase.

Glad you had a nice time shopping at DTD and back at the resort. That loud music on the bus would have drive me crazy as well.

It is hard getting separated from your companion while at the world. Glad you were reunited quickly because there's nothing like that first walk down Main Street at the start of the day!

Looks like a gorgeous day!

I think the loud music was even funnier because of the actual song being played!

Yeah, at first I was thinking that I could've walked in a for a bit, but it definitely wouldn't have been the same walking down Main Street without him.

It was a beautiful day! I wouldn't go again in May though, haha. I like it a lot cooler than that.

Hi Rachel! I saw your twitter post about having a new TR update so I had to come check it out before we leave (I wish you and Howard were going too...it would have been fun to have another DIS meet!).

I agree, as awesome as EMH are, it is kind of hard to do it every morning. Especially if they're at 7 am. I can't wait to hear about your MK day though.

Oh, and I don't think your NY accent is that strong. I never really thought I had a Wisconsin accent until one of my dad's friends' sons said something about it a few years ago so now I think I'm more aware of my own Midwestern accent!

YES, I wish we were there with you too! It just seems so wrong that we're not both there at the same time in April! I found out recently from my mom that our timeshare week lined up PERFECTLY, but we wouldn't have been able to go anyway because Howard's sister is getting married this upcoming Saturday. Boo. Haha. Then we have to go back to work this Friday too because of one of the days we lost due to Hurricane Sandy. Boo even more!

We really were trying to get so much more done during EMH just like you and your dad do!

I love love love hearing my DIS friends talk. Haha, it just makes everyone seem more "real," if that makes sense. I didn't think anything of your accent the first time we met. I don't even think I was even that conscious of my own accent at that point either! I think regardless of accents, Disney language is all the same

Aww too bad Howard didn't make the MK bus but your reunited video is so cute!

I don't think your NY accent is that bad. You want to hear bad, you should hear my Boston accent. I get made fun of at work all the time from coworkers that live in MA too!

Thanks! It stinks that we didn't really get to enjoy EMH, but I knew we still had the entire day ahead of us.

Haha, I'd like to hear your Boston accent! Hearing DISers in videos is one of the greatest things, I think.

Hi Rachel, I haven't commented in forever cause I fell totally behind but had a chance to get caught back up

That's too bad that Howard missed the bus, luckily you didn't have to wait too long.

The arts and craft window is soo cute, that's definitely one i've never noticed before

That's okay! I'm glad you were able to catch up. I have to do that a lot too because I just can't keep up.

Yeah, if I had to wait anywhere, waiting at MK was the best. I did get to people watch, but I was like, wow, this is so odd just being here on my own!

I think that might be my favorite window now!

That had to be so frustrating seeing Howard coming and the bus not being able to stop!! I am with you on the solo trip thing, it seemed like fun until I spent time alone in the park. It's fun for a couple of hours, but I definitely couldn't do a whole trip without DH!

I watched your video, and I don't think your accent is strong at all! Maybe that's because I grew up around the "yats" in New Orleans, and the accent is similar?

Yay for an early morning at Magic Kingdom! Those are the best!!!

Yeah, I think it made it worse to see him so close to getting on the bus! And before he went up, we debated whether or not he was gonna go up to get it for a few seconds, and it made me think that we wasted time there! Oh well. I guess a solo trip really isn't for me, haha. Howard did look into Pixelmania for a bit, and if he did that, I wouldn't mind going off on my own for a bit as long as we were in the same park! That way I can always go where he is if he's off photographing with a bunch of people.

Haha, I'm glad my accent isn't that bad. I guess I never really thought about it much until Howard pointed it out. A few of my students are even WORSE. And then there are those who don't believe they have accents, and I'm like, "Um, we live in NYC; we all have accents."

What I would do to have an early morning at MK right now!

 

[RachelNinja]

We're Coming For You, Zurg!

On most trips of my entire life, we've always headed to the right to Tomorrowland even before Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin existed! Ahhh, the days of Delta Dreamflight! It's funny that I don't really recall ever heading to Fantasyland first. As I got older and was more of the one in control of deciding where to go, I would make my family backtrack between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland to get and use FPs. There's something about walking across the Tomorrowland bridge that makes it feel so real to me!



I love being able to walk right through that line especially when it's the standby line. That music and those sound effects and Buzz speaking really set the mood. Even the brightly colored fake buttons set the tone!



This is not one of Howard's better shots of Buzz, but this was because we zoomed on by! Usually he will quickly stop to make sure he gets the shot he wants without holding up the line too long, but this particular line was moving really fast, and we figured we'd be on it again later in the day.



As we go through each Disney trip, I love seeing how much better Howard gets at photography. Haha, these are clearly not showcasing his skills, but he has gotten awesome shots on Buzz before! Nowadays, he studies people's camera settings for their shots. Flickr is really great at allowing you to do that.



Those guys just love that disco ball!



Awesome! I love the super clear shots of the rooms in Buzz because I end up noticing many things I"ve never noticed beforehand because I only see targets once the ride starts. See that guy all the way to the right pushing something? Haha, I literally never noticed that until just now!



Our scores were pretty gosh darn low on this ride.



Remember what this used to be during Dreamflight?



I like seeing all these people in their ride vehicles so focused on what's ahead of them!



Ahhh, it's Zurg once again!



Haha, very disappointing and actually kind of embarrassing that our scores were so low! Of course, Howard's score was lower because he did take a few pictures.



Ride vehicles! Love the batteries attached to the backs of each one. I know many people prefer the DLR version since the guns are not mounted to the ride vehicle, but I actually like the challenge of trying to get a target at the right time to get the right angle.



I was able to snap a picture of our ride photo. See how serious this ride is to me? I have to pull my hair back into a ponytail so that it's out of my way, haha.



Okay, so maybe our scores weren't that great, but we still had a lot of fun! Plus, a low score means that we just have to go on it again!

 

[MeMom]

I'm still waiting for the chance to spend a lot of time at DTD. I wonder if it's less crowded early in the morning. We never get there early enough, and the crowds always get to me! It's no fun shopping when you're waiting to look at a certain area of the store that's full of people.

Yep - if you go in the morning, you can get lots of good empty streets and stores pictures and shop in World of Disney w/o a crowd.

Okay, so maybe our scores weren't that great, but we still had a lot of fun!

And fun is what is all about.

I can see your pictures on my school computer.
That's a rare thing to see DIS pictures here, so I am loving it!

 

[khertz]

I love all of the colors in Buzz Lightyear! Howard got some really nice photos in there too. I actually thought your score was kind of high, considering I usually get less points than what Howard got...and I'm not stopping to take pictures either! I am so terrible at that ride. Now I just let Paxton play.

 

[AGPrincess]

Subbing -- can't believe I hadn't come across your TR before now!! First of all, your wedding photos are gorgeous, sounds like it was a wonderful day! Loving all your photos of AKL...you're making me miss that place SO much.

And SANAA. I adore that place. I usually go with the tandoori chicken (YUM) but may have to branch out and try the shrimp next time! Also love that you had the bread for breakfast the next morning. Awesome.

 

[Self_resqing_princz]

Love that you take it so seriously... my husband and I do too and we compete... if I lose, I pout. That's how bad it gets! Sometimes if the line is going quickly, we'll do it twice so whomever lost can try to win.

 

[Enchantress01]

Hi Rachel.

I came across your TR and I am so glad I did. Your attention to detail (the math formula - love that!) and your unique perspective are so interesting! I can't wait to see what you and Howard discover next.

You and Howard make a wonderful couple (but you knew that ) Your wedding pictures are so beautiful. In fact, a friend of mine is getting married this month and I told her she has to have a b&w photo with the trees arching over her like yours. Recently, a group of friends and I had to make a u-turn through a cemetery and what do we see? A gorgeous tree-lined street that would look perfect for that photo. We have been trying to convince her to take her photos in the cemetary ever since- with little success I might add.

I love the way you still look at your ring and think of how wonderful it is to be married to a wonderful man. I still do that too!

That crafting window is beautiful. You have such talent too.

Anyway, I hope you don't mind me screeeching in late. I'm enjoying the ride as you keep dipping your way through the World.

 

[MEK]

I love your pictures from Buzz. I have actually never taken a lot of pictures on that ride because I am always so intent on boosting my score (which often doesn't happen ). Really cool shots!

I swear some of those guns don't work properly. that's always been my excuse for a low score.

 

[RunningGirl]

I know what you mean about the bridge to Tomorrowland - I just love it, especially at night!!! And you really made me want to ride Buzz...

 

[RachelNinja]

Yep - if you go in the morning, you can get lots of good empty streets and stores pictures and shop in World of Disney w/o a crowd.

And fun is what is all about.

I can see your pictures on my school computer.
That's a rare thing to see DIS pictures here, so I am loving it!

I think we'll definitely try to get there earlier the next time we're there. We didn't spend so much time at DTD these past few trips because we had our APs. The next time we'll have more time since we'll be back to our no expiration park tickets.

I switched to Flickr instead of using Photobucket! Maybe that's why you can see them. Glad you can get some Disney there!

I love all of the colors in Buzz Lightyear! Howard got some really nice photos in there too. I actually thought your score was kind of high, considering I usually get less points than what Howard got...and I'm not stopping to take pictures either! I am so terrible at that ride. Now I just let Paxton play.

It must be so fun for Paxton to play though! I think when we have our kids, we'll have to take turns with letting our kiddies play, haha, because I know I'll still want to play! I love this ride! I actually like the challenge here more than the challenge in Toy Story Mania because that gets me super tired.

Subbing -- can't believe I hadn't come across your TR before now!! First of all, your wedding photos are gorgeous, sounds like it was a wonderful day! Loving all your photos of AKL...you're making me miss that place SO much.

And SANAA. I adore that place. I usually go with the tandoori chicken (YUM) but may have to branch out and try the shrimp next time! Also love that you had the bread for breakfast the next morning. Awesome.

So glad you're here! Our wedding was definitely a wonderful day, but if we had to do it over again, I would still stick to my wish of having a destination wedding in DISNEY! Maybe in the future we'll do a vow renewal! Or just do a super long 2 week WDW vacation instead!

Mmm, I've seen the tandoori chicken option too when I've examined the lunch menu. I want to go there for lunch AND dinner in the same day! That way we'd have lunch, dinner, and then breakfast the next day all from Sanaa! Delicious!

Love that you take it so seriously... my husband and I do too and we compete... if I lose, I pout. That's how bad it gets! Sometimes if the line is going quickly, we'll do it twice so whomever lost can try to win.

Haha, I love this kind of fun competition! We usually do something corny like, the winner has to give the loser a kiss so that either way, we both win!

Hi Rachel.

I came across your TR and I am so glad I did. Your attention to detail (the math formula - love that!) and your unique perspective are so interesting! I can't wait to see what you and Howard discover next.

You and Howard make a wonderful couple (but you knew that ) Your wedding pictures are so beautiful. In fact, a friend of mine is getting married this month and I told her she has to have a b&w photo with the trees arching over her like yours. Recently, a group of friends and I had to make a u-turn through a cemetery and what do we see? A gorgeous tree-lined street that would look perfect for that photo. We have been trying to convince her to take her photos in the cemetary ever since- with little success I might add.

I love the way you still look at your ring and think of how wonderful it is to be married to a wonderful man. I still do that too!

That crafting window is beautiful. You have such talent too.

Anyway, I hope you don't mind me screeeching in late. I'm enjoying the ride as you keep dipping your way through the World.

Yay! I'm so glad you're here! I always get excited about new readers.

The pictures we were able to take outside and on the grounds of our venue are what definitely pulled me to have our reception there. I LOVE outdoor pictures, which is funny because I actually don't like spending time in nature, haha. But the contrast of the white dress against the green of the trees and the ivy is something I really love. Haha, it's so funny that you guys are trying to convince your other friend to take a picture in a cemetery! Hopefully, there'll be another place that you guys will randomly find for pictures like that!

When I stop by the mall on the rarest of occasions, I have the jeweler clean my rings. I get super excited when it's extra sparkly all over again. I just had them cleaned last Saturday!

Hope you continue to enjoy my random ramblings about WDW!

I love your pictures from Buzz. I have actually never taken a lot of pictures on that ride because I am always so intent on boosting my score (which often doesn't happen ). Really cool shots!

I swear some of those guns don't work properly. that's always been my excuse for a low score.

I think Howard's shots get better during our December trip, so when I finish this trip report, stay tuned for that one!

Yeah, sometimes they really don't work properly though! I know that it has definitely happened on Toy Story Mania where it's a bit more obvious to see that they're not working. We've had to tell the CMs about it and were allowed to ride again.

I know what you mean about the bridge to Tomorrowland - I just love it, especially at night!!! And you really made me want to ride Buzz...

I love that old-timey futuristic look of Tomorrowland! I hope they never change it. It's so part of what Disney means to me!

 

[wiigirl]

Great TR!