The Day the Mickey Died - In memoriam: Pal Mickey

[shebaxric]

I actually lost my place in the trip report and had to go back through it. I noticed you updated your trip report with PICTURES!!! I'm so glad that you found the pictures and put them up! Of course, I noticed that your picture was absent. . . .

I agree with Allison K, if you aren't actively looking for Devine, then you will find her.

 

[Peter Panic Attack]

I have a feeling that in order to find DeVine, you have to be not looking for her. The next time you go to AK, tell yourself that you aren't looking for anything in particular and poof, she'll be there. That's the secret you're missing. I've seen her countless times....when I'm not looking for her, and then when I want to find her, no luck!

I agree with Allison K, if you aren't actively looking for Devine, then you will find her.

Hmmmm.....sounds a bit like the dark arts to me.

Out of curiosity, does DeVine weigh the same as a duck? Because, if she weighed the same as a duck.....she's made of wood....and therefore...a witch.

 

[Peter Panic Attack]

Chpt 16 - Day 2....which means day 1 only took fifteen chapters...great

It was the morning of our first visit to the Magic Kingdom….and there’s not a better feeling in the world. Oh sure….AK’s nice. I mean….I like wildlife as well as the next guy….provided the next guy doesn’t set the bar very high. Obviously, if the next guy is Marlon Perkins…then I’m toast. Actually….if the next guy was the head dishwasher at Perkins…I might still be toast. Anyway, my point is….I enjoy toast. Wait….my point is that Marlon Perkins enjoys toast. Nope…..thats not right either...but I feel like I’m getting closer. There’s something special about MK? Yes! My point is there is something special about MK.

Our first day at MK meant it was time to break out the tie-dye mickey t-shirts. When you see people wearing tie-dye mickey’s, you know two things for sure:
1) - they have an unhealthy obsession with WDW; and
B) - they have waaaaaay to much time on their hands.

In our case……you have no idea. Unfortunately, we had completely forgotten about Pal Mickey when we had turned our kitchen table into a state-of-the-art tie-dying factory a couple of months before…..and he was none too happy about it. Everybody else was slipping on clean tie-dye t-shirt and Pal Mickey had to settle for his same old santa suit….and he has a little bit of a perspiration problem if you catch my meaning. I’m not saying….I’m just saying.

No shirt for poor Pal Mickey

We were in good spirits as we headed down to the bus stop. In fact…if memory serves..we were whistling. We were whistling a happy tune. Except Pal Mickey….he was sniffing his pits. Tinkershell and I had our to-go cups full of piping hot coffee…..because it was our MK day and we were determined to be full of vim and vigor….even if it was artificially produced. Sure, we were inevitably going to crash and burn later in the day…..but when? Nobody knows. That’s what makes it exciting. Kind of like Russian roulette…except with coffee.…and without the gun…..and with no fear of death.

We probably have more fun on the buses than most. Why? Well, I could tell you…but….you know what…I’m just going to tell you. The truth is…we are very easily entertained. We do thumb wars. We do rock paper scissor. We moon pedestrians. You know…just good clean fun. It helps pass the time.

The calm before the storm

So we pulled up to MK and the driver gave us the ole bum’s rush off the bus….kind of like when George Bailey got thrown out of Nick’s place which should have been Martini’s place except for the fact that George had been given a great gift…a chance to see what the world would be like without him. I think it was the mooning…us not George Bailey. I guess all I can say is….if it’s against the rules….they ought to put up a sign….because, otherwise…people are just guessing.

Next up: Chpt 17 - Whatever

 

[jjk]

cant believe that you had No tie- dye shirt for Pal Mickey

 

[Peter Panic Attack]

cant believe that you had No tie- dye shirt for Pal Mickey

I know.....and it would have made him so happy too.

Sometimes I feel like the guilt is almost too much to bear.....thank goodness for prescription drugs.

 

[Girldreamer02]

Poor pal mickey...first you buy him cheap batteries and then he dosen't get a shirt...your going to give him the wrong impression. Loving your report!

 

[wannago2disney]

You added pictures (I love pictures at Disney World!)
Your T's are great...were they hard to make?

 

[dallastxcpa]

Chpt 16 - Day 2....which means day 1 only took fifteen chapters...great

No shirt for poor Pal Mickey

Did you make your shirts at the DVC at HHI?

 

[dallastxcpa]

Introduction:

Introducing the Panic Attacks (Pal Mickey is taking the photo)

The pictures are great! You have such a cute family.

 

[Peter Panic Attack]

Poor pal mickey...first you buy him cheap batteries and then he dosen't get a shirt...your going to give him the wrong impression. Loving your report!

You should have seen the screamin deal I got on those batteries. As soon as I popped them in....Pal Mickey started talking like John Coffey from the Green Mile.

"Awful tired now boss......dog tired"

You added pictures (I love pictures at Disney World!)
Your T's are great...were they hard to make?

There is definitely a techique to it. It's kind of trial and error so the first go-round was pretty pathetic. We got the directions off Disboards.

Did you make your shirts at the DVC at HHI?

Nope....home sweet home

The pictures are great! You have such a cute family.

Thanks....obviously the kids take after Tinkershell

 

[Kewz1]

I discovered your TR last night -- just finished getting caught up this morning -- and I love it! Great job!

Looking forward to the rest!

Kristen

 

[Maxwell42]

OK, I'm normally just a lurker, but I can't resist making a comment here. And I hope that you can see that I don't mean this in a negative way at all.

I had a female friend in college who made an observation about soap operas. (I just had to trust her on this - I have no personal experience there.) She said that you could tune one in on a Monday and see a person get shot, and then tune in again on Friday and see the ambulance arrive. Such is the passage of time in soap opera world. (Can ya see where I'm going with this?)

I first discovered your TR shortly after you started it, and I could tell right off the top with the paraphrasing of Don McLean that it would be entertaining. But then for some reason I either forgot about it or just avoided it. I guess maybe I was giving you time to write so I could consume it all at once and not have to be strung along, waiting for the next juicy morsel to drop.

So I come back like a month later, and sure enough, you've written a ton. But you're only on your second day?!! So now I'm hooked, but I'm in the very position I was hoping to avoid...anxiously waiting for the next installment to drop, like some crack addict awaiting his next hit. Or something like that...the literary equivalent thereof. I guess this is like life in the days of the serial novel, when dudes like Charles Dickens would publish a chapter a month and take years to get through David Copperfield.

You're not going to take years with this thing, are you?

Seriously, though, I mean all of this as a tribute to your refreshingly humorous writing style. No disrespect to anyone else on these boards, but it's nice to see the effort you put into making this TR entertaining as well as informative. One of the reasons I've never considered doing one of these is because I hesititate to think that total strangers might care about what my family did on vacation, but you're giving me a reason to tune in.

(One of the other reasons I will probably never do one of these is because I would get a little ways into it and then never finish it. But I'm sure I'm alone in that respect...no one else does that, do they?)

Please keep it up, and I'll keep checking in eightteen times a day to see if there's another hit waiting for me. I promise. Like I have a choice now.

BTW, can I have the number for that therapist?

 

[TK Brown]

We probably have more fun on the buses than most. Why? Well, I could tell you…but….you know what…I’m just going to tell you. The truth is…we are very easily entertained. We do thumb wars. We do rock paper scissor. We moon pedestrians. You know…just good clean fun. It helps pass the time.

Ya know, I believe this to be 100% true. No pictures are neccessary to prove it though!

 

[Peter Panic Attack]

I discovered your TR last night -- just finished getting caught up this morning -- and I love it! Great job!

Looking forward to the rest!

Kristen

Thanks...it's good to hear people are enjoying it....cuz it's a little different

OK, I'm normally just a lurker, but I can't resist making a comment here. And I hope that you can see that I don't mean this in a negative way at all.

I had a female friend in college who made an observation about soap operas. (I just had to trust her on this - I have no personal experience there.) She said that you could tune one in on a Monday and see a person get shot, and then tune in again on Friday and see the ambulance arrive. Such is the passage of time in soap opera world. (Can ya see where I'm going with this?)

I first discovered your TR shortly after you started it, and I could tell right off the top with the paraphrasing of Don McLean that it would be entertaining. But then for some reason I either forgot about it or just avoided it. I guess maybe I was giving you time to write so I could consume it all at once and not have to be strung along, waiting for the next juicy morsel to drop.

So I come back like a month later, and sure enough, you've written a ton. But you're only on your second day?!! So now I'm hooked, but I'm in the very position I was hoping to avoid...anxiously waiting for the next installment to drop, like some crack addict awaiting his next hit. Or something like that...the literary equivalent thereof. I guess this is like life in the days of the serial novel, when dudes like Charles Dickens would publish a chapter a month and take years to get through David Copperfield.

You're not going to take years with this thing, are you?

Seriously, though, I mean all of this as a tribute to your refreshingly humorous writing style. No disrespect to anyone else on these boards, but it's nice to see the effort you put into making this TR entertaining as well as informative. One of the reasons I've never considered doing one of these is because I hesititate to think that total strangers might care about what my family did on vacation, but you're giving me a reason to tune in.

(One of the other reasons I will probably never do one of these is because I would get a little ways into it and then never finish it. But I'm sure I'm alone in that respect...no one else does that, do they?)

Please keep it up, and I'll keep checking in eightteen times a day to see if there's another hit waiting for me. I promise. Like I have a choice now.

BTW, can I have the number for that therapist?

I feel ya....even I'm suprised how this thing is turning out but I'm going to just keep plugging away. I guess I write by feel. All of a sudden, I'll just sit down and write a chapter but I have no formula for it...it just kind of happens.

But...I don't think we're talking years.....probably....oh, and I don't think our therapist is taking on any new clients right now......pretty busy already

We probably have more fun on the buses than most. Why? Well, I could tell you…but….you know what…I’m just going to tell you. The truth is…we are very easily entertained. We do thumb wars. We do rock paper scissor. We moon pedestrians. You know…just good clean fun. It helps pass the time.

Ya know, I believe this to be 100% true. No pictures are neccessary to prove it though!

Actually....I'll probably be in trouble with DW for that one....I really ought to pause and think a minute or two before hitting the old submit button

 

[tinkerbell3747]

Just wanted tosay I found your TR today and from the very 1st post to the last I have laughed so hard...

This is the BEST TR I have ever read.....I will admitt I have started 2 PTR's that I have only posted intro's for.....sad I know.

Keep posting cause this is addictive....

 

[Peter Panic Attack]

Chapter 17 - Whatever

Ok….so hopefully you all learned everything you ever wanted to know about our bus riding tendencies. Obviously, I am very sensitive to the fact that most people find 15 minute bus rides fascinating…. that‘s why I took the time to describe it in such detail. For the small minority of people out there who just can’t seem to enjoy the wondrous experience I like to call public transportation…..we’ll move on…..but I pity you.

This was the second morning in a row that we had made rope drop…….which for us is some kind of record. Don’t get me wrong…I’m not comparing it to DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak or the world’s second largest ball of twine….which is just four short hours away….but for us….it’s darn near a miracle. On previous trips, we had planned on making rope drops but…like the saying goes…..the road to space mountain is paved with good intentions…..or was it the road to splash mountain? I always get those two mixed up.

Ready for rope drop - by the way...check out the strength in Pal Mickey's arm...he's been working out.

Since we had a little time to burn before they officially dropped the rope, Tinkershell set off in search of a shop from which to buy DD Woobie an autograph book and matching pen. In Disneyland when DD Woobie was five…we had bought her an autograph pen that had turned out to be the writing implement equivalent to a dribble glass. By the time poor Goofy had finished with that pen…he was so covered in ink he was nearly unrecognizable. Now, I didn’t actually check his giant tag…..but I’m pretty sure ole Goofy was dry clean only…..which sounded kind of expensive……so we pushed him down and made a break for it….cuz if you’ve ever caught a gander at his feet…..that guy ain’t built for speed.

Maybe we'll get a rare autograph...like Tweedledoodie....Tweedledee and Tweedledum's half-wit cousin

Anyway, while Tinkershell was off shopping, Pal Mickey, the kids and I grabbed a bench under a shady tree and just soaked us in some MK. Ahhhh….is this the life or what? I mean…honestly….the sky was blue….the bird’s were singing….and the heavy-set gentleman facing away from us had finally hitched up his shorts to a socially acceptable and definitely more visually pleasing level. What more could we ask for?

Just soakin it all in.

Shortly after Tinkershell returned with the autograph book….I broke out the video camera and noticed that we had 1.4 seconds of tape left. Thankfully….we had packed loads of extra tapes before we left home because this isn’t our first rodeo….or trip to WDW for that matter. Yup…..we had loads of extra tapes….right next to the t.v. back in our hotel room…..safe and sound….because you can’t be to careful. I mean…if a person carried stuff like that around with them…..they’d be liable to misplace it….and then where would you be? Up a creek…that’s where. Nope…..if you’re thinking I had made a mistake..you are sadly….mistaken. I left them in the room on purpose. Its called prudent planning.

In any event, Tinkershell was soon headed back to the store to see if they had any video tapes for sale that wouldn’t require us to take out a second mortgage on our home. I’m not sure if you heard this before….but there’s a rumor floating around that buying stuff like that in the park is not exactly fiscally responsible if you catch my drift. I’m not saying….I’m just saying.

Next up: Chpt 18 - I promise we'll enter the park...probably

 

[Girldreamer02]

We brought batteries to avoid that very thing and the exact same thing happened to us. It was right before the parade and we have a little flip that takes pretty good video, but of course it needed batteries and those batteries were safe and sound in the room. Batteries cost an arm and a leg in disney...not fun! Great update!

 

[wannago2disney]

We too are not so great at making rope drop...the kids and I could probably manage it but DH is just soooooo slow in the AM. Last trip we managed to get to Epcot just as the gates were opening

 

[Peter Panic Attack]

Sorry...I've been away for a bit. Long weekends = long honey-do lists.

Should be an update today.

We brought batteries to avoid that very thing and the exact same thing happened to us. It was right before the parade and we have a little flip that takes pretty good video, but of course it needed batteries and those batteries were safe and sound in the room. Batteries cost an arm and a leg in disney...not fun! Great update!

Forgetting things and having to buy them in the parks is the adult equivalent to touching a hot stove for a little kid....except I tend to keep on touching the stove.

We too are not so great at making rope drop...the kids and I could probably manage it but DH is just soooooo slow in the AM. Last trip we managed to get to Epcot just as the gates were opening

It's not easy for sure.....but it's nice to hit the rides before the crowds show up.

 

[Peter Panic Attack]

Chpt 18 - I promise we'll enter the park...probably

Ok...I’m not sure if anybody’s noticed...but I’m kind of stuck at the MK rope drop part of my TR. I mean...it's been like eight chapters long. Back in the day....before cd’s and mp3.....and even before cassette and 8-track tapes...but after electricity and indoor plumbing...we used to get our music on records….or record albums if you prefer. I’ll give the youngsters a moment to google. You might want to search under “ancient history”. Anyway, sometimes the needle would get stuck and you had to get up and give your phonograph a smack if you wanted to hear the end of Hot Rod Hearts by Robbie Dupree on your favorite “Full Tilt” album by K-tel Records....so I’m giving myself a smack.

Rope drop..(skip)..rope drop..(skip)..rope drop..(smack). Ok...so anyway, we emerged from the tunnel onto Main Street ready to join in the dash for the mountain....in our case Space Mountain...because you have two to choose from and some people opt for Splash Mountain. We set off on our all important quick walk which is definitely not a run because that is a Disney no-no and as we passed by Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin…..I split off from the pack to pick up some fastpasses...for I am the designated fastpass specialist.

Making a bee-line for Space Mountain

With four still-warm fastpasses tucked safely in my fanny pack (thaaaats right I said fanny pack...and I can hear you snickering in the back by the way...) I met up with the rest of the family in front of Space Mountain. We were going to have to sneak Pal Mickey on because he’s not even close to 44".....probably closer to 12" if we are being honest. Because he’s so vertically challenged, we basically had to sneak him on to anything with a height restriction...otherwise we’d be doing the baby swap all day....although technically he’s not a baby....unless he doesn’t get his way.

On our previous vacation to WDW, Space Mountain had been closed for refurbishment. Only a WDW addict can truly appreciate the vile taste that the phase “closed for refurbishment” leaves in your mouth. It is almost profanity. “Mom!.......Billy called me closed for refurbishment.” Anyway, because of the refurbishment (pardon my french)...this was our kids first experience on Space Mountain.

Because we had forsaken a decent night’s sleep to made rope drop, there was no line at Space Mountain and we quickly wound our way through to the boarding area. Like I said before, this was the kids first time and it’s hard to describe the looks on their faces when they realized that…on Space Mountain…. you ride alone. They had totally expected this ride to be like Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain where you have the opportunity to sit next to the parent of your choice. Sitting next to Mom or Dad had gotten our kids through many a frightening experience. We have a great picture from DD Woobies’ first ride on Splash Mountain at the age of four where she is screaming at the top of her lungs while desperately holding my hand across her eyes.

So when it was our turn to board....I motioned for a burly CM to snatch up our children and cram their flailing bodies into their seats....because I sensed they were going to make a break for it. Not on my watch kids. For me, one of the great things about Space Mountain is how you can hear all the cars full of screaming people zipping around you through the inky darkness of space. Apparently....when you're pretty sure you're about to die anyway....those screams only confirm your worst fears. Even though both DD and DS were in the cars directly behind me.....I didn't hear a peep out of them the entire ride.

After Space Mountain, we skedaddled on over to Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin because on our previous vacation DS Buddy had thumped me pretty good....and now it was payback time. I believe it was American author and poet Dorothy Parker who wrote “revenge is a dish best served cold” or was it Dorothy Gale, the pig-tailed protagonist from Wizard of Oz who dreamt of a better life somewhere over the rainbow, I always get those two mixed up.

DS Buddy and I normally ride Buzz together because that way if he’s beating me I can just push him out of the car. On the surface that may seem a little excessive….but ever since I started using that technique I’m undefeated…and you can’t argue with results. Pal Mickey usually sits in between us and begs for a turn…… even though he’s only got three stubby little fingers that are all stuck together and he knows he can’t pull the trigger. No matter....when we are in the zone we easily block out his squeaks of protest.

I don’t really recall who emerged victorious from that particular battle....but since DS wasn’t lying back on the tracks somewhere…I’ll assume it was me.

Just a couple of poor losers.....with the emphasis on "losers"

Next up: Chpt 19 – We’re really cooking now