Canadian Buffoon's Solo Disney Vacation - Update 07/08! pp99 - Here today gone tomorrow

[pkondz]

St. Bernard farts! Fart jokes will get me every time.

Yes, I pride myself on my high brow sense of humour.

Unfortunately, in my case, "high brow" is really just a reflection of my receding hair line.

And I love that you were able to surprise your sister.

I know, right?
How many Disney trips start with a major highlight even before you get to Disney???

Anyway, just proving that I'm here and I'm catching up!

Hmmm.... I dunno.
It could be someone else operating under your pseudonym.

But just in case it is you... to the TR!



(Note to self: Insert more fart jokes.)

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I once read a comment that Smidgy made that when she goes to a restaurant,
the least she'll tip is five dollars.

Wow, that's way more generous than the tips @afwdwfan gives out.

There was no direct route, even though both my house and the garage were on main trunk roads.
So I had to transfer at about the halfway point.

It took an hour and a half.
An hour.
And a half.

I probably could've walked it in forty five minutes or so.

Granted, the city is trying to improve by introducing rapid transit corridors, but...



My point being (yes Virginia, there is a point) that waiting twenty minutes for a bus
is nothing if you're used to service like that!

It's all relative! I wish more people understood this in my area.

I love the look on the little girl's face in the foreground, bottom right.
Doesn't that look just epitomize what Disney's all about?

Absolutely!

And doesn't that lady in the first seat epitomize the look of ninety percent
of all parents of small children at Disney?

But at least now I can claim to have actually seen one at AK.
Or at least claim that I've seen the top half of a lion's head at AK.

You'd think they would make the animatronic sleeping lion more visible.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Yes, I pride myself on my high brow sense of humour.

Unfortunately, in my case, "high brow" is really just a reflection of my receding hair line.

I know whereof you speak. In both cases. But then again, I'm the guy who posts photos of his baby son's blowouts.

(Note to self: Insert more fart jokes.)

Guaranteed to double your readership, or your money back.

 

[pkondz]

Wow, that's way more generous than the tips @afwdwfan gives out.

And this surprises you.... why?

It's all relative!

Are we back talking about my sister again??

You'd think they would make the animatronic sleeping lion more visible.

Total fail for the Imagineers there.

But then again, I'm the guy who posts photos of his baby son's blowouts.

Yes. I recall that.

Vividly.

Did I ever thank you for that burnt into the retinas image?

Guaranteed to double your readership, or your money back.

Sweet!

Wait...

 

[afwdwfan]

Wow, that's way more generous than the tips @afwdwfan gives out.

That tip was a solid 25% of the bill.

 

[orangecats2]

Technically I'm not allowed to post links. So if I get in trouble it's Ponzi's fault!!!
https://www.kickstarter.com/project...s-3-sci-fi-horror-comic-anthol?ref=nav_search It's only going for another 12 days so no slacking.

We're not doing anything with the car. Just living with it. Maybe in the future we'll see how much it would cost to get some things repaired.

I had a horrible day. One of the kittens died and our bank account was hacked. !!!???

 

[mmeb144]

I had a horrible day. One of the kittens died and our bank account was hacked. !!!???

I hope your day gets better.

 

[Sandy Mouse]

And you win.

Of course... right after you award me extra points - Lots of extra points.

You should get the tiara.
Here ya go.

And it's so pretty! Does it come with points?

I think if it happens again, I'll just get it towed to a seedy part of the city and let it entertain me for a while.

Ohhh, can I come?

But anticipate a new chapter in the near future.

Aaannnnnnddd we're waiting, we're waiting.

We're not doing anything with the car. Just living with it. Maybe in the future we'll see how much it would cost to get some things repaired.

I had a horrible day. One of the kittens died and our bank account was hacked.

Aw, I'm sorry about your kitten, your bank account and your day. Tomorrow will be a better day.

 

[RGirl]

Otherwise, this is probably pretty close:

Perfect! Looks just like you!!

I learn a valuable lesson.
Our insurance dictates that in a similar situation,
it is preferable to plow into the car that cuts you off rather than avoid it.
Yes you will probably kill the other driver, but you have an airbag and should survive.
That way, the other driver will be at fault for cutting you off and it will save you money.

Insurance logic is terrifying.

A day or so after this, someone rams into Elle's car, damaging it quite a bit.

Impossible!! It just CAN'T be!

I lose it.

I'm impressed that you hung on so long.

Car is dead, dead, dead.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I can 1.) volunteer to stay for a sixteen hour shift.... while I'm completely beat. Or;
2.) be forced to stay because someone has to and the only other person here has already worked a double shift.

Tough choice there......

Bonus points for naming the next park I visit plus first three rides.

MK, obviously! Hmmmm, 7DMT first, then Space, then BTMRR.

I'm holding off on the next chapter for a bit for stragglers.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!

 

[pkondz]

Technically I'm not allowed to post links. So if I get in trouble it's Ponzi's fault!!!

I can live with that.

It's only going for another 12 days so no slacking.

I quickly popped over... but only for a second to make sure the link worked.
I'm too tired tonight to do much else.
I'm going to catch up on my shout outs and pass out.

But the little I saw looks great!

I had a horrible day. One of the kittens died and our bank account was hacked. !!!???

Oh man! So sorry to hear that!
Hope things get better soon!

Of course... right after you award me extra points - Lots of extra points.

Okay.
But don't be greedy.

And it's so pretty! Does it come with points?

Yes it does! Just look at the picture and count them!

Oh. Wait.
You mean contest points.


Then, no.

Ohhh, can I come?

I'll PM you when I'm ready to do the sting.

Aaannnnnnddd we're waiting, we're waiting.

I work at 3pm Saturday.
Expect a new update shortly after that.
I'd say not later than 5pm (CDT).

 

[pkondz]

Perfect! Looks just like you!!

Ha! That just shows how little you know me.
I never wear long sleeve shirts.

Insurance logic is terrifying.

Well, that might be my interpretation of it... but, yeah.

Impossible!! It just CAN'T be!

Oh, yes it can.... Oh, yes.... It can.

I'm impressed that you hung on so long.

Actually.... me too.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

MK, obviously! Hmmmm, 7DMT first, then Space, then BTMRR.

Got it! You'll find out how you did tomorrow.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!

You're welcome... and yes... you're one of the ones I was thinking of.
Still haven't heard from Laura and she's a front runner.

(And right now, everyone else is screaming "Post now!!! Post now!!!")

 

[mmeb144]

(And right now, everyone else is screaming "Post now!!! Post now!!!")

Yes, yes we are.

 

[Steppesister]

Alright. I read the introduction, and then I confess you had me at contest, so I did the unthinkable and skipped straight to that chapter. I did not pass Go, nor collect $200.

And then I got absorbed in a day at AK. I love your comments about photogs and who really has, or rather should have, the right of way. The term common courtesy comes to mind and it's refreshing to see someone who will both give, AND appreciate when being given deference.

The tracks are a compelling shot, as well as animal butts. I did not see any here.

AK is the bomb-diggity to just s.l.o.w.l.y wander around and liiiiiiinger. The atmosphere screams "SLOW DOWN, Moron! There are craftsmen from all over the world wanting to share a moment with you!" (But certainly NOT before pouding out EE. Several times if possible.)

Obviously, I"m late to the gig here, so can't make legit guesses, but I"m almost tempted to say Flights of Wonder. That having read nothing past that post or any comments or chatter.

Ok back to the reading, with comments to trickle in over the next days. After all, it is a holiday weekend AND an pre-exam weekend on top.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Sliding in to first base at break ankle speed before you post your update here! Hey, at least my pants are dirty so you know I got to play, right? I"m going to go rogue and say you went to Epcot and rode Soarin, Test Track and spaceship Earth.

Your car escapades sound like you might live in San Antonio Especially the "He might be in today or tomorrow part. I guess you win the man with the most patience award. I'll go shopping for your trophy later

 

[Sandy Mouse]

I'll PM you when I'm ready to do the sting.

Well, I can bring my taser if you really want to sting people. It's pink!

 

[pkondz]

Alright. I read the introduction, and then I confess you had me at contest, so I did the unthinkable and skipped straight to that chapter. I did not pass Go, nor collect $200.

Could've been worse... You could've gotten a Go To Jail card.

But... Welcome to the TR!
Nice to have you on board!

And then I got absorbed in a day at AK. I love your comments about photogs and who really has, or rather should have, the right of way. The term common courtesy comes to mind and it's refreshing to see someone who will both give, AND appreciate when being given deference.

Oh, really? Because normally I'm a big fat jerk... and I trip people who get in my way.
Just ask anyone! They'll confirm it!

(Hmmmm.... I should be more careful with what I say.
We're just getting to know each other.
You'll read that and.... unwatch thread <click!>)

The tracks are a compelling shot, as well as animal butts. I did not see any here.

Got it. You want lots of butt pictures.
I'll try to do better next time.

"And here is a glorious picture of a rhinoceros. Notice the glorious horn on this adult male.
And for Liesa, here's the rhino's butt."

I am nothing if not accommodating.

AK is the bomb-diggity to just s.l.o.w.l.y wander around and liiiiiiinger

Agreed. But hard to do on a limited time budget I'm afraid.

The atmosphere screams "SLOW DOWN, Moron!

As a card carrying member of the International Brotherhood of Morons
(IBM... we also make computers) I did in fact hear that.

I just had to ignore it at times.
Luckily, at others, I listened.

There are craftsmen from all over the world wanting to share a moment with you!" (But certainly NOT before pouding out EE. Several times if possible.)

There are rules, ya know!

Craftsman: "Would you like to watch me make this intricate carving?"
Me: "Not now!! I've got a date with a Yeti!"
Craftsman: "Hey! That's my sister you're talking about!"
Me: "Sorry! Gotta run!"

Obviously, I"m late to the gig here, so can't make legit guesses, but I"m almost tempted to say Flights of Wonder. That having read nothing past that post or any comments or chatter.

Well, you'll see how that turned out of course... but it's a good guess.
Just not the right one.

I did think about going to see it... and probably would have given just a bit more time.

Ok back to the reading, with comments to trickle in over the next days. After all, it is a holiday weekend AND an pre-exam weekend on top.

I totally get that!
But thanks again for joining in!

Sliding in to first base at break ankle speed before you post your update here!

Wait.... Who's ankle?
Yours... or are you sliding in (cleats first) into my ankle???

Hey, at least my pants are dirty so you know I got to play, right?

I'm the same way... Well except when I get my pants dirty,
it usually means I've just dumped a plate of spaghetti on them.

I"m going to go rogue and say you went to Epcot and rode Soarin, Test Track and spaceship Earth.

Oooohhhh.... She's going rogue everyone! Watch out!
You'll find out in a few minutes how you did.

Your car escapades sound like you might live in San Antonio Especially the "He might be in today or tomorrow part.

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that poor customer service is becoming more
and more the norm instead of the exception.

I guess you win the man with the most patience award. I'll go shopping for your trophy later

Sweet! But don't go to too much trouble.
Try to keep the costs down, say between $3,000 and $4,000.
And make sure it's at least three feet tall.

Nothing too ostentatious.

Well, I can bring my taser if you really want to sting people. It's pink!

Deal!

I just showed Ruby a video I recently found.
It's funny, but has some language that prevents me from posting it here.

In a nutshell, it shows a young man who's obviously extatic about his new taser.
He keeps cheerfully saying how he's going to tase you if you come at him.
<paraphrasing>
"Just like that!" <bzzzt>
"That's right!" <bzzzt>
"Just like that!" <bzzzt>
"I'm gonna tase this Coke can!"
(places taser near the straw) <bzzzt>
(places taser near the can) <bzzzt>
<hoots for joy>
"Now I'm gonna tase this!"
(Holds up a metal bracelet...)
<bzzzt>

And falls to the ground with his legs twitching merrily away!

 

[pkondz]

Save dessert for last.

I don't eat my apple pie or banana split or chocolate cake...
and then eat my meat and potatoes.

Why am I hungry all of a sudden?
Huh.

So I don't eat dessert first...
Well, there was that fancy schmancy meal where I had a blackberry sorbet
between courses as a palate cleanser.
And I, being the refined gentleman that I am,
squealed "Dessert!!!!" when it arrived.
But I digest* (*copyright Nebo, all rights trampled underfoot)


When I was pondering my ADR and FP+ choices,
I had to choose where I would be on any particular day.
Animal Kingdom on day 1.
DHS on day 2.
Epcot on day 3.
and for dessert, MK on day 4.

Except one day isn't enough for Epcot.
I want to explore!
That was actually my number one requirement on this trip.
I'm going solo! No kids to worry about!
I want to spend a butt-load of time in World Showcase!

So let's see... DHS has evening EMH on the first night.
I'll do AK until four or five, then flick over to DHS.
I'll make an ADR for six-ish and meet up with Caitlin, Dawn and Dale.
Perfect. Frees up time for more Epcot.


Except that didn't quite work out.
The only time I could do an ADR at 50s was for three fifteen.

Will that be enough time for AK?
Oh, I could've spent more time there, but it was enough.
Plus, as I've already mentioned,
I'd already decided that I had to come back more often than just once a decade!

So the plan changed to:
Day 1. AK/DHS
Day 2. Epcot
Day 3. MK
Day 4. Epcot
Day four was based on the primary requirement but I'd be flexible with it.

See? Pretty logical, right??


The alarm woke me at 6:45am.
While that's not particularly early,
it's never really a problem waking up when in Disney.
At least not for me, and I suspect, not for you, either.
Unless of course you're getting up early to leave...
but let's not get ahead of ourselves!

I got myself ready for the day.
And yes.... I whisked open the shower curtain
only to discover that the entire bathroom floor was wet... again!
And yes... I felt shame... again.


I'm never going to get used to this, am I.


I checked the temperature and forecast.
Hmmm... currently 53F (12C) with a high of 65F (18C).
Great! I don't need a jacket.
Shorts and a T-shirt are all I need.
(Most Canadians are like this: All warmer climate folks are like this: or possibly )

I was out of the room around 7:45.
While there were some clouds still hanging around from yesterday's rain,
it didn't rain again for the rest of the trip.
Not even the typical Florida afternoon shower.


At 7:52 I arrived at the bus stop.
My bus pulled up at 8:00.
Not bad! Eight minutes. I'll take that!

Twenty five minutes later, we were pulling up to the park.
I wasn't in a huge rush, the park only opened at 9:00am.
I was more than content to sashay over to bag check while the unwashed masses
(I guess they didn't feel guilty about wet floors) ran and jostled ahead.

Just out of curiosity...
How many of you looked at the first photo and thought "Uh, huh. Monorail. Epcot. Yup."
And then looked at the second photo and went "What? That's not near Epcot!"

Maybe none of you.
Or maybe none of it registered because I've bored you to sleep.


Well..... To heck with logic!
I can't wait three days to get to MK!!!!
Are you nuts???
That's like giving a kid a popsicle and telling him to wait three daysbefore eating it.
Fat chance!

(The vast majority of you are rejoicing that you picked MK in the bonus round...
sorry Tammie, Claire.)


Getting through bag check was a breeze.
There was plenty of security and I was through almost without stopping.
(And I wouldn't have stopped if I hadn't been tackled by that security guard.
I still have the scars... emotional scars, of course.)

Ahhhh... that first glimpse of the train station.
Second only to that first glimpse of the castle.

You walk around the corner, you glance up and.... not to sound clichéd but...
it's like the weight of the world is lifted off your shoulders.
Just because it's a cliché doesn't mean it's not true.
Everything just becomes.... lighter.

You look around, and everywhere you look...
People are standing up a little straighter.
They're smiling a little bit broader.
It's all.... good.


Now I know... oh, I know there's been tons of debate over FP+.
Mostly negative.

But...

I don't watch the MK welcome show.
I never watch the welcome show.
I can't. I have to be as close as possible to the entrance.
Preferably right up against the ropes.
Because I have to make a mad dash for... well, whichever ride is popular at the moment.

But today... today I have a fast pass for 9:10am.
I don't have to rush!
Everyone else can rush. But not me.
I have a FP+.


So I planted myself right smack in the middle of the courtyard and settled in to watch the show.
I wasn't going nuts over it.
I'd seen lots of pictures on other peoples TRs so I knew exactly what I was going to see.

And I almost didn't get to see it anyway.


I wanted to make sure that I wasn't blocking any little ones,
so I picked a spot right at the back of the courtyard,
right in front of a trash can, actually.

A rather tall young man also decided he'd like to see the show.
I had my camera out, in anticipation, but even that didn't matter.
He plunked himself Right. In. Front. Of. Me.
And I mean Right in front.
If he'd been wearing a backpack, MK would not exist today.
If two objects occupy the same space,
a cataclysm of untold proportions will occur and MK would cease to exist.


Worse, I might be hurt too.


So I guess I should be grateful he wasn't wearing a backpack.

Still, you'd think he'd feel it when my nose brushed the back of his neck.
On the plus side, he smelled good.
Like a bloodhound.


I tapped him gently on the shoulder and glanced down at my camera.
He said, "Oh! Sorry." and moved over out of my sightline.

I suppose I can't really blame him.
He was probably lost in la-la land.
MK has that effect on people.


Not too long afterwards, the Mayor came out to start the day.

And even though I knew what was coming... I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Here's more pictures of which you've already seen 4.2 million versions of.
But it's my TR, so you're gonna see more.

I didn't notice it when I took the picture (I'm not that good)
but I just love some of the reactions here.
The woman holding the child with the green cap. (Replete with Mickey ears.)
Look at her face!
She's totally bonding with her child and making unforgettable memories.
Or how about the couple to the right. In pink jacket and grey sweatshirt?
Arm in arm, just happy to be here together.
Or even the girl up front, center. Waving to everyone on the platform.

Man I get choked up just looking at them.
I'm making supper and chopping onions.
Plus I have dust in my eyes.

Here...
Look at more pictures while I finish the onions.

I'm not quite as enamoured with this crowd shot.
What stands out the most, to me anyway,
is the gentleman taking photos/video using a selfish stick.
No! No! Go right ahead sir! There's absolutely no way anyone could be behind you.
And even if they were, they couldn't possibly be anywhere near as important as you!!

<Dream sequence!!!>
His arm gets jostled "accidentally". Possibly by me.
The camera falls to the ground where it is also "accidentally"
trampled into an unrecognizable pulp.
An old lady smacks him upside the head and says,
"Didn't your Momma teach you no manners?"
A lesson is learned.
And the average IQ of the planet goes up by a tiny fraction.
(It could go up more. But this is Disney. So I don't kill him.)

<End dream sequence>

Those kids have no idea just how lucky they are.
Soak it in kids. Soak it in.
Soon, instead of being young, cute and the center of attention, you'll be old.
And tall people bereft of backpacks will stand in front of you.
Probably while waving a host of selfish sticks in the air.

What?


Once the show concluded, there was a general rush to get inside the park.
I let the uneducated boors trample the unwary ahead of me.
This is what they looked like, from the safety of the rear...

Ahhhh..... home again.

How can you not read that and not get a little verklempt?
Sheesh, I was sure I'd finished those onions already!

Mooving on with the cattle...


There's a truism when it comes to pkondz and MK.
Upon entering the park, pkondz will concentrate on getting to that first ride.
He will do so and spare no thought for anything or anyone.
Young children and the infirm have fallen by in his wake.
Castle? Yes, yes, very pretty, but I've no time for such frivolities.
I have a ride to get to!
And no mere castle can stand in my way!!!!

And all that went right out the window today.
I had a FP+
I had no need to rush.
I could actually help the infirm back onto their feet
and reunite small children with their desperate-for-Dumbo parents.

I could pause and take it all in.
And my God... it's beautiful.

And yes.
I know.
There are some of you who are saying "I've seen better pictures."
Some may say "I've seen that same shot with an empty park."
Some will say "There's construction on Main St. marring the view."
Some will say "The man right in front, or the woman and girl he's photographing are distracting."
Some may say other criticisms which I haven't even thought of...

And to those I say, humbly and respectfully...
Shut the heck up. (And I wouldn't say "heck", either.)

I was so happy to just stop... for the first time ever... and just.... be.

Let's take a little sashay down Main St. and take another picture, shall we?
We shall.
No rush.
Plenty of time.

Don't mind me... I'm just going to stare for a few minutes okay?
BRB.






Wait. Not done yet.





H'okay. I'm back.

I might have walked along Main St. and turned right on the bridge heading towards Cosmic Ray's.
It's a bit of a blur, actually.
I do know I stopped to take this picture.
Why?
I have no idea. It's a terrible picture. But here you go.
If I have no idea, then you can too.

Probably the grass.... Look! No snow!

But I do know that I eventually came out of my fog
and turned around to take a slightly more interesting pic.

As I mentioned earlier, I had a FP+ coming up.
I was heading towards Cosmic Ray's.
I crossed the bridge and headed straight towards the Tea Cups.
<shudder> No. I did not stop there.
I'd had some OJ that morning and had no desire to see it again.


My original plan was to turn right here and ride Space Mountain first thing,
then head over to my first FP+ of the morning.
At least that was the original plan.

Not long before I came down here, I did.... something... to my neck.
I think I just slept funny on it.
(I presume that's how clowns sleep?)
Either way, it was really sore for at least a week.
It was okay by the time I got down here, but...

I remember reading so many comments about how rough Space was now...
And I discussed it with my physiotherapist and she suggested
that if I was going to ride it... to do it at the end of the trip.

Yeah... Between my neck, my back and those reports.
I think I'm just going to have to face up to a very unpleasant reality...
and.... skip it.
But you know what? I was on such a high, just being here,
that I didn't even really miss it all that much.
I guess I was at peace with my decision.


Before reaching the Tea Cups of Nausea and Despair, I turned left and continued to...

...the already massive line-up for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
(If this was a Hobbit based ride, it would be Seven Dwarves Mine Train...
and be a very different ride, don't you think?)

The above is only a fraction of the line that had already formed.
Of course there was that part that was already through the turnstiles
and winding its interminable way through the zig-zag maze.
It also stretched out past the railway and into the Florida swamp.
Where hungry alligators kept the line from growing out onto Winter Garden Vineland Rd.

Oh, sure. You lose a few patrons that way.
But there's so many of them! A few losses here and there hardly matter.


Now you know which ride my FP+ is for.
And I'm sure that comes as no surprise.
So I went on my first ride of the morning.
I'd waited over five years to get back to Magic Kingdom.
And finally... Finally! I felt like I was back where I belonged.

Time to ride.


Time for some thrills!



Time for some action!



Time for!!!!!!



Pooh?????

Didn't see that one coming, didja!

Remember I hadn't been here for a while?
Since then, they re-did the Pooh queue.
I really didn't care that much about the ride, but I did want to check out the new queue!

And while the queue was, I'm sorry to say, a little disappointing for me.
(Yes, I get that it's geared towards the wee ones. And I think that's a great idea.)
I did, however, think that the "honey walls" were pretty cool.
I could easily see little ones (and not so little ones) playing with them quite a bit
while they waited in line.
As you can imagine, though, this early there was no line at all.

I exited the Pooh ride... Hmmm.....
You can actually turn to someone and say "Urine the Poo line."
And you could get away with it.

Sorry.


I exited the Pooh ride <snort> and glanced over at the ever extending line-up for 7DMT.
Yup. Still long. People fidgeting, moaning, being devoured whole.
I, on the other hand, went over to the FP entrance
and with a wave of my wrist, sashayed right on in.

Look at those poor saps.
Standing in line, wasting prime ride time.
I casually sashayed right past them.
They looked upon me with wonder and awe.
Some looked upon me with jealousy and ire.
Who was I to boldly pass them by?
What made me so special?
Well, my Momma always told people,
"Don't mind the lad... he's "special" you know."


So I told them.
"You have to be incredibly rich or stupendously famous to bypass the line."
"Which are you?" They cried.
"Both." I replied... then sashayed on.

That last part might not have exactly... you know... happened.


Still, plenty of time. After all, there's no line on this side of the fence.
How about I take a picture?

And before you ask...
No. I didn't take any more pictures of the queue or of the ride.
I put the camera away and just enjoyed the moment.
Sometimes you have to ignore the hungry masses and feed yourself.
Sorry folks.
Tell you what. Crowdfund me to go back and I'll take more pictures.
Okay?
No?

Worth a shot.


My impression of 7DMT?
Pretty much the same as everyone else's I think.
The queue, while I didn't spend much time in it,
(others did... lots of time. Heh.)
was really interesting.
Crowdfunding will get you plenty of photos of it... still no?
Plenty of interactions while you waited.
The ride itself was... cool!
Yes, it's fairly short. But not so short that you feel shortchanged.
(Get it? Dwarfs? Shortchanged? ... nevermind.)

You have a section of ride that's like BTMRR, albeit a tamer version.
And there's a section which is more like a dark ride similar to... well,
Snow White's Scary Adventures.
Except with much better animatronics.
Then it finishes with another section of tame BTMRR.

Would I ride it again?
You bet!
Will it supplant BTMRR as one of my favourite MK rides?

No.
But it is fun.


After the ride, my next FP+ was for BTMRR.
And I had plenty of time.
Tons of time.
Time to start walking in that direction... but not for BTMRR.
I had another attraction in mind.
Another favourite of mine, actually.
I would put it at number three on my list of MK attractions.
HM is number one. No question. No doubts.
BTMRR comes in at number two. It's just too fun not to.
And number three?
Peter Pan.


I will never, ever forget the first time I rode it, back in 1978.
(Umm... Dating myself a bit here.... I was still a fetus. Yeah, that's it.)
I didn't really understand Disney then. (Fetus)
I'd seen some of it on The Wonderful World of Disney on TV. (Fe... uh...)
In black and white, no less.
But the only thing that really struck me and stuck with me from that show was HM.
And it was every bit as good as I thought it would be.

Back then, Mom and Dad had bought some tickets for my Sister and I.
We rode the brand new Space Mountain
(waited an hour and a half... but it was worth it.)
We (obviously) rode HM.
I don't remember much of anything else we may have ridden.
But I do remember getting in line for PP.
And I remember not really wanting to.
I mean, really? It's just another boring cart ride.
You get on. You go into a dark building.
You zig zag back and forth.
You see boring stuff that you could care less about.
It's for babies.
Blah, blah, blah.
Oh, well. We have a ticket. Might as well use it.
Someone just shoot me.

And then the track that you're rumbling along on.... ends.
And suddenly.... you're flying!

Oh. My.
It was like all those flying dreams you've ever had...
have suddenly become real.
And just when you think it couldn't possibly get any better than this....
you fly over London.

Absolute. Bliss.
Pure unadulterated Disney magic.
That ride, more than anything else, cemented my love of Disney.


Now I actually had a FP+ for this ride later in the day.
But I was hoping.... Yes! The standby wait time is fifteen minutes!

While I had a FP+ for later, I really did want to check out the new queue.
I mean, who wouldn't want to see what Disney considered more important than a bathroom???
And I was not disappointed.

The new queue is... marvelous!
Disney really did an outstanding job with this one.

And once again, dear reader, I've failed you.
I neglected to take photos of the most amazing part of the queue.
I'm sure you've either read about it, or seen the YouTube videos.
But seeing it on a screen versus in real life are two different things.
In one area, you watch as Tinkerbell flits about the bedroom,
knocking toy boats and picture frames akimbo,
only to disappear through the keyhole of the bedside dresser.
Or the shadow wall where you can ring the shadow bells
or hold out your hand for a shadow butterfly to alight on it.

I want to be a Disney Imagineer.

I did get one (crappy) shot of another magical area.
As you walk down a length of hallway,
Tinkerbell suddenly appears and pops into a wall sconce.
And then, if you're lucky, she showers you with pixie dust.

The reactions of the little ones when this happens is pure gold.
Like this one, on her Daddy's shoulders.

I only hope this poor excuse of a picture conveys at least a little bit of how that magic is received.


As I mentioned, the posted wait time was 15 minutes.
And I have no idea how accurate that was.
I was so entranced with the queue that I have no recollection of time passing by.

Which I suppose is the whole point.
I do know that at some point,
I exited the new queue and rejoined the old one just before the FP+ entrance.
I occupied myself, for the next very few minutes,
by watching guests board their carts.


There was an older gentleman guiding guests.
He kept repeating the same line.
"Watch your step please. Enjoy the ride."
And he would wave his arm to indicate that you could proceed.

A family with a little princess was up next.
"Watch your step please. Enjoy the ride." <wave>
Then a young couple.
"Watch your step please. Enjoy the ride." <wave>
Then an older couple.
"Watch your step please. Enjoy the ride." <wave>
Etc.
I kept watching and listening and knew exactly where a cart
would have to be before he would admit the next guests.

Soon it was my turn.
As per usual, I held up my right index finger
(get your minds out of the gutter... I said index)
to indicate how many in my vast party.

And as my chariot reached its designated spot
and my usher opened his mouth.
I immediately said,
"Watch your step please. Enjoy the ride." in tandem with my guide...
And waved.
He did a double take and broke out into a grin.

I happily hopped onto my ship.


And of course, the ride was just as magical as it had been
all those years ago.
I was a little kid again.
"Here we go!..."

Have I mentioned how much I love this place?


Well, all good things must come to an end.
And sometimes those endings can be quite...
no, very traumatic.

I hesitate to even share this with you..
It was horrible.
A sight that no one should have to witness.
A sight so terrible, so... awful.

Maybe I won't mention it after all.
I know it will just upset a lot of you.

I'll have to think about this for a second...

Continued next post!​

 

[pkondz]

Continued from previous post!​

All right... I've decided to show you.
But for those of you without strong stomachs,
I strongly urge you to look away.
This isn't going to be pretty.


You've been warned.


After spending some marvelous time as a little kid on PP,
I exited the ride on a high and was looking forward to the next one,
whatever it might be.

I was full of sunshine and hope for all mankind, when....
I admit, I should have known.
But I didn't think!
It just happened!

I looked up....
and....

Oh, God....

I saw... I... I saw.....

It.

The world grew dim.
Bile rose in my throat.
I knew I had to get away... and quickly!
Any moment now, if I tarried, I might hear...
I might hear.... that...

No. I can't go on.

I fled the area as quickly as I could.


I passed underneath the bridge and was soon in Liberty Square.
I looked longingly to my right.

Ah... There you are my old friend.
HM... The best ride on this world or any other.

And I passed it by.


Oh, it wasn't easy.
But I knew that it loaded fairly quickly
and I'd have plenty of opportunity to ride later.
And relatively soon, too.
But first, I wanted to scratch something else off the list.


Which sounds terrible. Like I was only doing it to do it.
And nothing could be further from the truth.
I was roughly following a customized Touring Plan.
Well, maybe not "roughly". I did deviate with PP,
but this next ride was the next one on the plan.

I got there in short order, hoping to see a not too long of a wait,
only to see this:

That's right! A woman eating something!!!!
(Or possibly measuring the width of her tongue.
I really can't be sure.)

No. Wait. That's not it....
Oh! Right. A five minute standby time!

All right!

The five minute wait was probably only posted
because they had no way to post zero minutes.
At least that's what I assume.
I sashayed into the building and continued down
uninterrupted all the way to the first boat.
I literally did not break stride, but kept walking
right up to and into the boat.

It was like they were just waiting for me.
Come to think of it, they probably were.
Must've known about the upcoming crown.


This time, I did not make the same mistake as last time.
I did not. Repeat. NOT make any mention of George.
I learned my lesson and did not care for a repeat.


As I was saying, I got in the boat without breaking...
What?


You want to know about the lesson?
And some of you don't know about George?
Well, I suppose if you really want to know....
You do?

Well, all right. Since you insist.


The last time I was in Disney was in 2009.
I was with DW, DD12 and DD8.
And for the most part, we had a very nice time.
The girls were old enough to go on all the rides
that they'd missed four years earlier.
One of them being POC.

Now as some of you know, there's an urban legend about POC.
Legend has it that when POC was being built,
a worker named George died during its construction.
Now, it's customary at the beginning
and at the end of the day that a CM has to say
"Goodmorning" and "Goodnight" to George.
Otherwise there will be unexplained shutdowns.
Guests, mocking George, have been known to have issues as well.

I told this story to my DDs.
Why not? It's a fun story.
Adds to the ambiance.
And if it terrified them a little...
Well that's what Fathers do.


As we were approaching our boat,
I jokingly asked a CM if George was around today.
At first he looked confused, but then sort of shrugged
and said something non-committal.

We, along with others, climbed into the boat.
Now most, if not all of you, are familiar with POC.
It starts off smoothly and then you come to the drop.
"Whee!" right?
Well we no sooner got settled into the boat when it suddenly lurched.
And violently!
So much so that everyone was thrown forward.
A few women screamed and one man yelled (might've been me.)
Everyone looked around and wondered what the heck happened.
I heard a woman behind me ask "Is that supposed to happen?"
To which a very shaky "NO!" was the reply.


I don't talk about George anymore.
I just zip it.


And this time it was much smoother.

The obligatory Redhead photo.

Really the only woman who gives Ariel a run for her money.
And she's not even a real person.

And of course the all-time classic scene:

The ride is entertaining as always, but it doesn't hit me in the gut like PP does.

So let's see... So far I've done Pooh, 7DMT and PP... and now POC.

I seem to be forgetting something.... hmmmm...

Oh! Right.

The Contest

So the correct answer to the bonus question would be:
MK for the park and Pooh, 7DMT and PP for the rides...
and I'm killing myself laughing because I knew
no one would guess that Pooh would be my first ride!
Heck, I wouldn't have guessed that!

Since I'm having such a good time, I'm awarding points as follows.
One point for the correct park.
One point for each correct ride.
One point for each correct ride, in the correct order.
No points for being the first to correctly guess all rides in order...
because no one did!

Here are your guesses, in order of posting and points awarded.

orangecats2 - MK - 7DMT, HM, Space - 2 points
mmeb144 - MK - 7DMT, BTMR, Splash - 2 points
Scoobymoons - Epcot - Soarin, Spaceship Earth, Test Track - sorry
ForeverDance - MK - BTMRR, 7DMT, Under the Sea - 3 points
shan23877 - MK - 7DMT, Space, and BTMRR - 2 points
ddstratton - MK - 7DMT, BTMRR and Space Mountain - 2 points
afwdwfan - MK - BTMRR, Space, 7DMT - 2 points
lisaviolet - MK - HM, 7DMT, Space - 3 points
courtneybelle - MK - 7DMT, Splash, BTMRR - 2 points
Sandy Mouse - MK - BTMRR, 7DMT, Space - 3 points
RockinDisney - MK - POC, Splash, BTMRR - 1 point
Thumper_Man - MK - 7DMTR, BTMRR, HM - 2 points
Tracy161 - MK - Jungle Cruise, Splash, Space - 1 point
KatMark - MK - Space, 7DMT, POC - 3 points
dgthree - MK - BTMRR, Space, 7DMT - 2 points
dawnbu40 - MK - HM, POC, Space - 1 point
RGirl - MK - 7DMT, Space, BTMRR - 2 points
MAGICFOR2 - Epcot - Soarin', TT, SE - sorry


And bonus, bonus points awarded as follows:

dgthree - 2 points for making me happy.
lisaviolet - 1 point for being envious that I own a Harley.
orangecats2 - 2 points for asking for points.
courtneybelle - 1 point for knowing things.
Sandy Mouse - 3 points - 1 for guessing only 7DMT was FP+ and 2 points because she asked for points.
RockinDisney - 3 points - 1 for fitting in and 2 for general Python knowledge.
Tracy161 - 3 points - 1 for being succinct with her choice of words and 2 for the hug.
Steppesister - 1 point because she likes big butts and she cannot lie.


Contest points so far

dawnbu40 14 points
Sandy Mouse 13 points
shan23877 13 points
afwdwfan 12 points
orangecats2 12 points
Laura74 11 points
MAGICFOR2 10 points
dgthree 8 points
Rgirl 8 points
Tracy161 8 points
courtneybelle 6 points
ddstratton 6 points
ForeverDance 6 points
KatMark 6 points
lisaviolet 5 points
mmeb144 5 points
Scoobymoons 5 points
Thumper_Man 5 points
RockinDisney 4 points
Self_resqing_princz 1 point
Steppesister 1 point

More points getting opportunities coming up!
And as always, if you notice a mistake, let me know!



After braving the pirate's den
(and George's wrath)
I was feeling a tad peckish...
and knew exactly what I was in the mood for!

If you're really observant, you might notice that the top isn't quite perfect.
Gimme a break! I hadn't had a Dole Whip float in over five years!
Five years!!!
I wasn't even out of the line, heavenly golden concoction in hand,
before I stuffed a spoonful in my face.

Oh, Lord.
Nirvana.
(Not the band.. or that too, if you're really into them.)

But then I stopped, spoon poised mid swoop.
Oh, PRAC! I have to take a picture before it's all gone!

You're welcome.


I visited the Tangled Tinkle spot* (*Copyright Rob... and I'm shamelessly stealing it)
but neglected to take a picture.
I guess I had more pressing issues on my... mind.
I did take some later, I believe.
But now I had a FP+ coming up so I headed out.


I had a few minutes before my FP+ for BTMRR was due,
so I thought I'd check the wait for Splash and ride it first.
I paused to take a picture and waited for a log to go by.

And waited... and waited...
Hmmm.... Nothing's happening.
It had been operating... but it wasn't now.
And they kept it shut down for the rest of the day.
Is there anything sadder than a dry flume ride?

I guess I wasn't going to ride it this time after all.
I wasn't too broken up about it.
I'm not that crazy about it.
It's okay. And dodging water's always fun.
But if I missed out, I wasn't going to let that ruin my day.


I still had a few minutes before my FP+ window
and I didn't feel like wandering too far away,
so I occupied myself by taking a few pics.

Soon it was time and I sashayed over to the FP+ entrance.
I didn't notice the wait time, but it was getting pretty busy.
Well, busy for those other unfortunate souls, that is.

And, as per always, BTMRR did not disappoint!
Too much fun.

But now it was finally time for...

Continued next post!​

 

[pkondz]

Continued from previous post!​

...HM!!

Some of you may be wondering why I didn't FP+ this,
considering how much I love it.

Well, I guess the straight answer is
because it doesn't really need it this time of day.
Plus, I'd heard so much about the queue that it was
actually more important for me to see it than get a FP+
and save a few minutes.


I got in line and as we moved along,
I noticed that you could catch a glimpse of both
Tom Sawyer Island and BTMRR.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone take that shot before.
Of course I wouldn't be surprised if there's tons of similar shots.
It's not hidden from view or anything.


I was getting closer and closer to the new queue area.
Oh boy oh boy oh boy!!!
And then, just before you pass the gate and enter the new area...
A CM opened a hitherto closed gate
and motioned our group towards the second stretching room.

Thus bypassing the new queue area.

I guess I should've been upset, but I really wasn't
How could I?
Hello! I'm going into HM now!

Seconds later I'm here.

I chose not to "do it his way" and sashayed out through the door
which I may have strategically placed myself by.

There was no line up outside the stretching room
and I was in my Doombuggy lickety split.

Pretty sure I've never used the term "lickety split" before.
Guess I'm more excited about this than I thought.


Mostly I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
But I did snap a few pics, just for you.

Whoops! Looks like Madame Leota is dead on her... uh... head.
Obviously dead tired, anyway.

What? Cut me some slack!
It's my favourite ride!

Sheesh.

At the hitchhiking ghosts, my head got popped off
and borrowed by one of them.
I was laughing too hard to even attempt a picture.
Don't know if one would turn out anyway.

In short order, I managed to escape...
Nah. That's not true.
I'd never leave, given a choice.

In short order, I was kicked out of the mansion.

I decided that if Ruby ever came to her senses and left me,
I'd not make the same mistake and quit at six.
And never, ever marry anyone named Lucretia.

That's just asking for it, don't you think???


Okay! HM done!
What to do now???

Well go back on HM of course.
D'uh!

This time, I didn't bypass the new queue.
If offered, I might have taken the second room again...
And then ridden again!
Until such time as I finally got to see the new queue!

But that didn't happen, so here ya go.

I did notice that while many of the guests either knew about the instruments
or took their cues from others,
there were still plenty of people who didn't realize that these were interactive.

Again, I put the camera away and just enjoyed myself.
They really did a good job of making the queue interesting
and setting up some of the backstory.

One of the things I get a kick out of here is,
I pointed out to a Mom how Leota's eyes open and her face moves a bit.
She immediately tells her kids, another young couple start to watch,
a few more people start to look, little kids go running back to their parents
to tell them what "they've" discovered.
All part of that Disney magic, right?

It's those little touches. Man I love 'em.

Soon, though, the doors opened and I was back inside.
I'll give the ghosts another chance to make room one more.
I didn't time it, but I think it was less than the posted fifteen minutes.
But then again, I was enjoying looking around, so it could have been.

She looks a little more animated this time, doesn't she?

Aww.. doesn't she look friendly? Just look at that smile!
(Please disregard the axe...)


Just as I was descending into the graveyard,
the ride came to a halt.
When this happens, I'm never alarmed.
On the contrary!
I love when that happens!
Gives me more time to take it all in and pick out details.

One time, there was a fairly lengthy delay while I was stopped
in front of the ballroom.
Knocked that one off my bucket list!

But this time I was stuck with not too much to look at.
I noticed the stars for the first time I think,
so that was all right.

And then I decided, since we weren't moving anyway,
to break the rules a bit and take a flash photo.
Yeah, yeah. I'm a bad boy.
Sue me.
The picture turned out though, don't you think?

And no. I would never ever take a flash photo while it was moving.
Or even in a better area.
Still.... yeah, I feel a bit guilty about it still....

After only a few seconds, we were moving again.

Just one last shot before they kick me out again.

Trust me, I'd love to hurry back.
But I've got a FP+ coming up, so....
See ya later, widder.

I had plenty of time so I sashayed over to PP.
No queue this time, which was a good thing
since the posted wait time was now about an hour.

I don't wait in lines.
Rides wait for me (see POC earlier.... )


The same gentleman who was there earlier was still
guiding guests.

"Watch your step please. Enjoy the ride." <wave>

I refrained from chiming in,
but did glance at him to see if he'd remember me.
He showed no flash of recognition.

Darn.
But then again, I generally have that effect on people.

"pkondz who?"

Nevermind.


After my inner child went out on a flight over London and Neverland,
I glanced at my watch and....
Ya know... I still haven't eaten anything today.
Well except for that Dole whip float.

Hmmm... time for something a little more substantial!
I looked around.
(But not up! And not straight ahead!
I wasn't making that horrible mistake again!!! )

So....
For bonus points...

Where did I go for lunch?
Extra bonus points if you can also guess what it was that I ate.

And just a hint, it wasn't at a cart.
But I'm not saying if it was quick service or table service.
That's up to you to decide.

Wow! Three posts for one update!


I wonder if anyone actually read all that???
Fools! Mwahahahaha!

Whoops!
I mean... Thanks for reading!!

Link to next post! - Is this seat taken?​

 

[bankr63]

Just to let you all know that I AM still reading along! It is taking a very long time to catch up on my DIS reading after our two weeks in the Happiest Place on Earth.

I'll let you guys throw in your three cents. (Inflation)

But I also thought it fair to point out just how devious our host is, especially to you unsuspecting Americans. See we got rid of the penny up here in Canada a little while ago. Everything is rounded to the nearest nickle. So if you throw in your two cents, well that rounds DOWN to zero, so it's effectively free. However, once you hit three cents, it rounds UP to a full nickel. So when you throw in your opinion, pkondzi has effectively inflated it by 150%, and is making money hand over fist. Hats off to you pkondzi - that is brilliant!

However, with the state of the Canadian dollar right now, that nickel in Canadian is probably worth about two cents US. And with all the hassle of exchange, perhaps it would be more brilliant to just let it deflate down to zero anyway. After all, I am WELL known for offering free advice anyway.

The prosecution (persecution?) rests.


(ETA - how did I manage to post that just one minute after a new chapter?!? - now I have even MORE catching up to do!)