"I'M STUCK IN DISNEY!!!!!!!!" A Delightfully Unliveable TR ~ NEW TR 9/27!!!!!!!!!!!

[DisneyOBSESSEDMommy]

Can't wait to read all about it!!! So glad you had such an awesome time (like anything else was even possible )!!

 

[peachmermaid]

Can't wait to read your next TR!! I'm glad you had so much fun and got to enjoy new things.

 

[JDUB]

Welcome back Lia! Can't wait to hear about your exciting TR. I love your obsession and hope my kids grow into that same obsession so I have more trips to plan!!!!
Hope everything works out this summer so you get to go back to WDW soon. The Boss misses you already!!!

 

[Lorelei528]

Hey Lia-
Just want to say thanks, cause Idk...thanks for being you. Because of you, I really want to slow down even more on our next trip and notice things I never noticed before, eat things I have never tried (can you say cupcakes?), just have new experiences in general.
And I don't mean the big stuff, like WAT (which we have planned) but just small stuff, taking more time to enjoy each other in the most amazing place on earth....

Kind of hard to put into words, unfortunately I'm not as talented a writer as you are.
I loved following along on Instagram and Twitter with you this trip. I never really used Twitter before and I'm not as intimidated by it anymore thanks to you!
I can't wait for more updates of this TR and I really can't wait till you start the new one!!
Enjoy the rest of your time with Gina in Florida and I wish you a safe return to the....TRI STATE AREA!!!! LOL.

P.S. Have you ever tried Baked by Melissa? I was recently turned on to her cupcakes by a fellow Disney friend.

 

[TangledUp]

Yay you're back! Can't wait to hear all about this trip and finish reading about the current one! Looks like you had an amazing time!

 

[Tracy161]

SO happy to hear that you had such a great time!!! Sorry that it went so fast! It'd be great to find a "slow motion" button for our Disney trips so we could stretch it out it little!

Really looking forward to reading about it though!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sandite]

I am beyond thrilled to have stumbled upon your report! Our family is going to the Halloween Party this October. Halloween is my FAVORITE THING IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD!!! I love Disney in general and combining that with Halloween is going to be the most amazing thing ever! I am so glad you gave such detail on how the night goes down. I am most worried about missing something I really want to do.

I was supposed to be born on Halloween, but my mom had me induced two days early so I woudn't turn out to be a weirdo spook. HA! So alas I call the entirety of October my birthday month as she stripped me of my birth right date of October 31st. Dressing up in costumes is by and large my favorite thing ever.

My hardest thing is what to wear to the party! Was it cold or hot? I went as Cruella for Halloween at work this year, but I think that would be way too hot to walk around in a fur shrug and long gloves. I have an entire family and my parents to costume as well!!!! So much fun planning, but lots of stress as well.

I'm so jealous you got to go to the party three times!!!!! I would love to be able to go by myself and just enjoy everything. Can't wait to hear even more Halloween party details.

BTW if I see Hanson around Tulsa I will tell them you said hello.

 

[burly]

I'm sorry that your trip is over.
But i'm happy that you will be updating again soon!


KIM

 

[Heavenisadolewhip]

Fantastic reporting! I'm looking forward to reading more about this trip and your most recent one!

 

[Cinderella16]

I so cannot wait for you to start your new report and looking forward to you finishing this one up too!

I was in WDW at the same time as you, but our paths never did cross. I have been having Disney depression since we got home, so some of your updates will certainly help me make it to October when my next trip is planned.

 

[__disneygirl]

HELLO HUMANS! I'm home. It sucks. However, there are new updates coming soon! SO GET READY!!!!!

 

[Miss Potts]

Welcome home! Looking forward to trip updates!

The first few days back are always the worst... I always stow away extra Mickey rice krispee treats to make the transition easier.

 

[Tornado4571]

I love reading your trip reports!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

All ready to read!!!!

HELLO HUMANS! I'm home. It sucks. However, there are new updates coming soon! SO GET READY!!!!!

 

[__disneygirl]

OCTOBER 28, 2012
Day 8, Part 3 In Which I Watch The Bird... Again​

When I last left you, I had just found out that I was literally #StuckInDisney and was enjoying a plan-free and care-free afternoon in Animal Kingdom!

Looky who I saw passin' through...



Russell and Dug! I had already met them a few days earlier though, so I kept going.

Owl!!



I was headed for Asia because it was YETI TIME!!!



Unfortunately, it ended up NOT being yeti time. This had never happened to me before, but the single rider entrance was closed!

I found that odd. Why would they close it? Hmm.

I have to mention, single rider on Everest is the best EVER. There are certain rides, like Rock N Rollercoaster, where Single Rider is kind of a crap shoot - it can be super fast or it can take awhile. However, on Everest, Single Rider gets you on instantly almost every single time. I swear by it!! So for it to be closed was disappointing. Oh well.

The line must have been longer than 20 minutes, because I didn't feel like waiting. I wasn't upset though, being #StuckInDisney meant there would be more Yeti time in the future!

After the yeti disappointment, I pretty much just wandered around. It was almost time for the park to close, so there weren't many people in any place other than Everest. It was very peaceful and relaxing.

Despite most of AK calming down for the day, the Indian DJ and dancers were still Livin it Up, BIG TIME. They would get along so well with Stacey. They were just very non-stop.

Aaaand back to the calm relaxation.

Since I had just really gotten my day started, I had a strong desire to get another attraction in, but the park was literally minutes from closing. So I just hopped in the nearest line at the time, which was It's Tough To Be A Bug!

And by "line", I mean I wandered through the queue taking pictures and looking for signs of life. If it hadn't been for the CM out front announcing the last show of the day, I would have thought the attraction was already closed!

The second-to-last show had just begun, so I had to wait a bit. I spent the time just enjoying life and taking silly pictures of myself in the bug glasses. Because I'm awesome, mainly.

This isn't my favorite attraction. Nothing says fine family entertainment like being attacked by bugs! However, Flik is so adorable that he just makes it worth all that! I love A Bug's Life.

How many animals can you find in the tree?

Animal Kingdom was now closed, so I made my way out to the busses.

The times guide was covered with this:

I have been to AK at closing time before, but never saw that, so I thought it was pretty cool!

Next, I was surprised and delighted to see the "Watch The Bird" bird that my mom and I saw on our April 2010 trip! You may remember him from this post in that groundbreaking TR.

I was happy to see him in good spirits still rockin' the messed up leg atop a pole at Animal Kingdom! I was actually impressed he was up there. Doesn't let an injury stifle his adventures, that bird. A true inspiration!

Can you guess where I went next?

EPCOT OF COURSE!!! Extra time in Disney means EXTRA FOOD!!!!!!! I literally skipped from the bus to the security check. I mean, wow. I was supposed to leave and here I was about to do my favorite thing ever, eat at the Food & Wine Festival. IT WAS THE BEST!

Up Next: My deliciously awesome night in Epcot!!​

 

[__disneygirl]

OCTOBER 28, 2012
Day 8, Part 4 In Which I Eat A Lot of Food and Make a Lot of Friends​

​

​

On my way to Epcot, I pondered Disney entertainment.

@babybritney: Hey Disney, what is the difference between a "fireworks extravaganza" and a "fireworks spectacular"? I need to know.

Hmm.

I arrived at the park feeling even more immense joy than I usually do! It was getting near the time that I would have been taking off to go home, but nope. I was in Epcot instead. WHAT BLISS.

My first stop was the ticket window! I had to add another day onto my park ticket due to my rockin #StuckInDisney status. The CM who helped me was one of the most delightful CMs I have ever met. Once we got to talking, we discussed acting, New York, broadway, Sondheim... aka, all the wonderful things that exist in the world. She too told me that I could be a Disney princess, especially Cinderella or Snow White, and that I should audition. I would love that job, but it's never really been a real dream of mine or anything. However, with so many Cast Members either mistaking me for a princess or telling me I should be one, my mind was certainly beginning to wander!

She was just too kind. I loved meeting her! The interaction gave me an overall feeling of "I'm supposed to be here, I'm not supposed to be flying home right now." She was just so encouraging and nice and told me about a bunch of entertainment CMs she knew, including her nephew who works on the cruise line. I actually have a friend who just got done with a 9 month run on one of the Disney ships (friends with Aladdin) and he had the time of his life! There are just so many interesting entertainment roles within the Disney company that you could do. Anyway, it was just great to meet this CM, she just had that supportive mom vibe going on and it goes to show how much you can impact a guest's day with some good conversation!

I was going to head straight to World Showcase for some Food & Wine Festival action, but I realized I hadn't been on SSE yet that trip so I decided to take a spin through the history of communication first! I mean, why not? Being #StuckInDisney affords time for such things.

I don't know what happened, but they blacked out my eyes for the photo and I look slightly... well... dead inside.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

I don't know what's happening in this next one...

In the future, why can't I just let these two play their game of checkers without standing above them and vibrating? Also, why is one of the people sitting down totally green? It looks like a bad episode of Doug... if there were any bad episodes of Doug, which I'm guessing there were not. Flawless show. Does anyone remember Doug Live at MGM Studios back in the day? hahaha. I think it was in like 1998 or 2000. Sigh, I miss those days, though it was weird that Doug was suddenly a Disney thing when it is so completely Nickelodeon.

I miss 90's Nick. Sigh.

This trip report has really gone off the rails.

Oh well!

Back to Epcot. PRETTY FOUNTAIN!!

By now, you know me pretty well. You probably think I ran straight to Canada to get my bonus Cheddar Cheese Soup on. However, if you REALLY knew me you would know I am an unpredictable, madcap, fly by the seat of my pants kinda gal!!!

That's right. I said madcap. And gal.

I also said "fly by the seat of my pants" which is a phrase I don't understand.

I know that it means to be spontaneous, but think about it. Break it down. It doesn't make sense.

This isn't a "strange phrases and what they mean" report though, so I'll leave that for you to do on your own time!

Another one to think about: being "head over heels" in love.

Last time I checked your head should ALWAYS be over your heels.

If it isn't, see a doctor.

Anyway, I was in the World Showcase NOT at the Canada booth!!!

CAN YA BELIEVE IT?

I went to Hawaii instead, for one of the famous sliders!

It was the Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy
Mayonnaise, and it was DELICIOUS. I don't put any kind of mayonnaise on anything, ever... nor do I mess with chutney. In addition, I am not the biggest fan of pineapple. You may be asking why I even got this in the first place... it's simply because I love trying new things and the Food & Wine Festival is the absolute best place to do this at!

The result: DELICIOUSNESS. I loved this so, so, so much and it will be one of the first things I shove in my mouth after running 100 miles an hour toward the World Showcase next time I'm at the Food & Wine Festival.
Get it!!!

While I was eating this, a group of people asked me to take their picture. They were eating something else and I convinced them all to get sliders and Cheddar Cheese Soup. So I think meeting me was a profound experience in their lives.

Next, I hit up the Dessert & Champagne booth!

At this location, you can order one of three desserts, which I will now list:
~Yogurt Panna Cotta with Orange Cake, Raspberries and Pomegranate
~Lemon Custard Verrine with Blueberry Compote
~Dark Chocolate Mousse with Chili and Salted Caramel

OR, you can order all three in a trio!!!!!!

That is QUITE OBVIOUSLY what I did. How they sell any by themselves is beyond me.

Almost everyone who I have discussed these desserts with has asked me which one is the best. For some reason, it is human nature to always examine a group of something and select the best out of the bunch.
This is unnecessary.

They were all phenomenally splendid. There is no best. I assume it would come down to your tastes. I enjoy all desserts, so I really could not choose a favorite. I REALLY HOPE they have these again because they were all so delicious. Eating them together was great too - it's just so much better to have a variety of flavors at your disposal!

I was talking to my mom during this time and she just kept telling me to relax and enjoy my bonus Disney time! I have to admit, she didn't have to tell me twice. I could get used to this!

@babybritney: I'm supposed to be at MCO right now and instead I'm sitting in Epcot eating 3 desserts at one time. I don't hate my life.

Oh, it was grand.

After that, I just wandered around enjoying life and flirting with hot foreign Cast Members!

Ah, Germany.

If the Christmas store doesn't give you the warm fuzzies, I don't know what will. And not just because of the guys that work there!!

The pickle tree is amusing to me.

Cause like, it's a tree full of pickles. But I also enjoy that not many people know the significance of the pickle tree. So when I tell them, I sound smart. Or weird. You know, whatever.

Then, I decided to take a picture of... um, the fine german architecture in the wine and chocolate shop.

Nope, that's not what that picture is of. Moving on!!!

I love all the crystal figurines in the next shop.

So pretty! That Ariel & Flounder one up top is especially cool.

Then, I went across the way into DER TEDDYBAR. You must say that in an incredibly thick German accent. LOUDLY, as if scolding someone.

DER TEDDYBAR!!!!!!!!!!

Whew.

This store is magnificent because they have cute CMs and a Rapunzel section:

There was a hot German just wandering around like a normal person, when we all know he had to have been a Calvin Klein model or something. I guess I was showing how excited I was to see all the perfect Rapunzel merchandise, because he asked if I liked Rapunzel. DO I EVER. He said he loved her too! A HOT GERMAN WHO IS ALSO A FAN OF TANGLED?! I don't know why I didn't marry this man on the spot. They need to have ordained ministers in the World Showcase for situations like these!!!

DER TEDDYBAR!!!!!! did not have many teddy bears, but they did have Minnie dressed as Rapunzel:

I love any time characters dress like other characters. On my most recent trip, I found a plush of Mickey dressed as Jack Skellington at the POTC store and I freaked. AMAZING.

I left Germany and just made my way around the Showcase enjoying Disney. When I was close to the other side/Canada area, I noticed a wall open up and then a sea of people came out of it.....???

My mind was kinda blown because I had no idea they did special events or whatever it was back there. There seemed to be a lot going on ~*behind the wall*~. Dun dun dunnn!

At last, I reached Canada and got into the Cheddar Cheese Soup line. The crowds weren't bad, but this is always the longest line due to the perfection of the soup. So it took some time. During my wait, I noticed an extremely gorgeous, dapper looking fellow standing in front of me. He was around my age but had this ridiculously attractive beyond-his-years Don Draper thing going on and I almost fell over when he started talking to me. His friend was a tall, skinny dude with a blonde curly afro who was like your typical surfer guy straight out of a movie. They were with a girl, and luckily, she was Draper's SISTER!! That NEVER happens. It's always the girlfriend, not the SISTER! It was Disney magic.

Anyway, we got on the topic of Soarin'. It was their last day in Epcot but they had not gotten to ride it and were kinda bummed and super curious about it. By this time we had gotten our Cheddar Cheese Soup and were just like standing around chatting and eating.

Here's yet another picture of my beloved soup by the way:

As we were talking, I thought, they technically COULD still get on Soarin'. It was about 10 minutes until closing time (9:00 PM), so they'd have to be fast. I really felt like going on myself, and I knew that I could run over there in time. It really wasn't THAT far, especially for a pro like me!

I told them this, and they were surprised to hear that Disney lets you get in line right down to the minute before the park closes. As long as you're in line at 8:59, you'll get to ride.

They were SO down for that and so we ran, me and three strangers, Cheddar Cheese Soup in hand, to Soarin.

It was hilarious.

And REALLY frumpy. We were laughing like the whole time.

We got to Soarin' at 8:58. It was an impressive time. I believe we high fived. We approached the line out of breath and a mess, basically. The CMs looked at us oddly.

Draper's friend said, "We can still get in line, right?" A CM replied, "Of course."

"Good, cause we ran to get here in time!" The CM gave him a weird look and then said, "Oh... we're open until 10."

WHAT? HAHAHAHAHAHA. Omg.

My new friends were suddenly doubting my Disney expertise that they were so impressed by just minutes ago. The CM explained that because Test Track was closed for refurbishment, they were keeping Soarin' open an hour later to make it up to guests.

OH OKAY. Obviously, I was not aware of this. It was pretty awesome though to have Soarin' open later. Draper and his friends didn't really mind. They just thought the whole thing was hilarious.

We got in the (still very open) line and the wait was like 30 minutes. We mostly just talked about Disney and how much we all love it. Draper's sister really wanted to do the College Program the next fall, but she honestly didn't know what she wanted to do so we discussed a million different Disney roles. I think I redeemed myself with my Disney knowledge there!

It was really fun and they LOVED the ride. They kept saying how they were so happy that they met me or else they probably would never have gotten to go on. *hair flip* Yes, I am fabulous. Thank God for me!

That's why it's cool to be solo... when I'm not chatting with my travel companion(s), people just talk to me for some reason (probably the fabulousness factor), and usually they're awesome people! So that was fun.

As I left the park, I noticed (for the first time) that there were Food & Wine projections on the monorail station!

It was hard to get a picture of... but do you see the grapes projected onto the building in the photo below?

I thought that was really cool!

As I walked to the busses, HalloWishes started, and I could see it from where I was! It was so awesome to see it from another perspective, especially so unexpectedly. It made me so giddy! Everybody screeeammmm... EVERYBODY SCREEEEEEEEEEAMMM!!

Back at Movies, I saw a giant moth:

and ate the rest of my Butterfinger cupcake (YUMMAY!). I had been talking to people back home and everyone was pretty shaken by Sandy already. I felt guilty since I was basically in a cocoon of not just safety, but complete bliss, and nearly everyone I love was in danger. My mom just kept saying how happy she was that she did not have to worry about me and knowing I was safe was the most important thing to her. This was right before we lost power at my house for FIVE DAYS! She just kept telling me to enjoy myself, have fun, and not worry. I worry about everything even when there is no problem, so this was much easier said then done. I have to say though, despite my worries, there was something just oh so beautiful about going to bed in Disney when I was supposed to be going to bed at home. The bottom line is: being #StuckInDisney doesn't suck, but it would have been a lot better if one of the most devastating hurricanes in recorded time wasn't attacking my home state at the time.

So yes, there were mixed feelings. And again, there was nothing I could do. So I went to bed hoping that everyone would stay safe and that my house would still be there when I got back (whenever THAT would be)...

Up Next: "I'm not even supposed to be here today!"
​

 

[tinkerbell87512]

I've been following along with your TR and from one solo traveler to another I'm super jealous that you were stuck in Disney! Haha I can only hope that happens to me one day. Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Welcome Home. I know it sucks to hear that, but we've all been there. From the tid-bits I picked up over Twitter, it sounded like a FABULOUS time.

Super excited to hear about your latest adventures, especially Monstrous All-Nighter.

Single rider closed on Everest would have "literally" destroyed me.

Hmmm, deciding between going home or Epcot. Yeah easy choice.

Having just finished my first ever solo trip (good God it's been a month already, jeesh time flies), I can totally agree with its awesomeness to see and do things you might not otherwise see or do. It's a Whole New World. Plus meeting such wonderful people. Can't wait for more.

 

[Carable]

Welcome back, Lia! It has been hard without your fabulous updates to sustain me. I really enjoyed your twitter updates though, and I am really excited to see what trouble you girls got into when you hopefully start that TR. And on a personal note, I just have to thank you for all your Disney details and recommendations that you have put in all your reports, I was able to use them during our week in Disney and it was just that much more magical. And, bonus, my family thought I was Da Disney Bomb.

 

[Tracy161]

Solo tripping is just the best!!! I mean, of course I love going with people I love, but sometimes it's just great to have the carefree luxury of doing whatever you want whenever you want! I'm going by myself in September and cannot wait!!! It's been about seven years since I went solo, so I'm pretty excited!

LOVE your story about Soarin'! What a great experience to be running through Epcot with strangers-turned-friends with Cheddar Cheese soup in your hands - does it get any better?!?!?!