145 Middle Schoolers: Wicked Awesome or Epic Fail???DeParting-Such Sweet Sorrow p. 76

[pixarmom]

I'm so glad it was helpful! Are you doing any excursions?

I'm avoiding the boardwalk area for that very reason, somehow the beach at the poly or the TOTWL seems less painful. Lol!

We are! I can't tell you how many times I considered Taku based on your trip report, but my husband and I are not great in small planes. Our boys were definitely up for it! We're also a bit limited because our youngest is 5 and we wanted to stick together. Otherwise, we'd be ziplining! So we booked Takshanuk Mountain 4x4 for Skagway, Dog Sled Discovery and Musher Camp in Juneau and the Rainforest Canoe Adventure in Ketchikan. Really looking forward to it!

 

[pixarmom]

Dee, your latest update makes me so happy. I read it last night with a huge smile. This is all such good stuff! I think I'd call it one of your greatest Disney successes - so well played! Starting with the idea of doing the FP run and getting a moment to grab your own lunch, to the fabulous lunch itself, to the corner seat. I love sushi and didn't realize they have such a great selection at Starring Rolls. Add in the tart and it's an outstanding lunch. As for that corner seat - well, that's both happy and entirely appropriate for your mini escape. Wish I could have joined you for your few moments of corner dining - I would have ordered the same and, because I'm not an 8th grade chaperone, brought along a glass of wine! Still smiling . . .

 

[natebenma]

I have wanted to eat lunch at Starring Rolls on several occasions, but my group always vetoes it or burgers. Good for you for doing a solo lunch. Please I had no idea they had sushi there. Wow. A big thumbs up to that one. Sushi and a fruit tart sounds amazing, although I have to admit that those star wars cupcakes look pretty cool!

Well, I would have taken pictures of the premade sandwiches in the display case, but there weren't any!!!

And oh, the line really built up after that!

I briefly considered getting a cupcake, but the tart won out and I'm not sorry.

Nothing like a little alone time. It is great! I have never had sushi yet, but I am hoping to give it a try in the future!

I usually stick with the California Roll type sushi (imitation crab, avocado), but once and awhile I will branch out into one of the more adventurous types. Not this day, though.

I hope you give it a try.

We are! I can't tell you how many times I considered Taku based on your trip report, but my husband and I are not great in small planes. Our boys were definitely up for it! We're also a bit limited because our youngest is 5 and we wanted to stick together. Otherwise, we'd be ziplining! So we booked Takshanuk Mountain 4x4 for Skagway, Dog Sled Discovery and Musher Camp in Juneau and the Rainforest Canoe Adventure in Ketchikan. Really looking forward to it!

I loved Cynthia's description of her trip to Taku!!!

Your excursions sound like a lot of fun. I know the boys will love the Dog Sled trip.

Will you guys be paddling the boats? I row. Canoe?

Dee, your latest update makes me so happy. I read it last night with a huge smile. This is all such good stuff! I think I'd call it one of your greatest Disney successes - so well played! Starting with the idea of doing the FP run and getting a moment to grab your own lunch, to the fabulous lunch itself, to the corner seat. I love sushi and didn't realize they have such a great selection at Starring Rolls. Add in the tart and it's an outstanding lunch. As for that corner seat - well, that's both happy and entirely appropriate for your mini escape. Wish I could have joined you for your few moments of corner dining - I would have ordered the same and, because I'm not an 8th grade chaperone, brought along a glass of wine! Still smiling . . .

I'm so glad you liked the update. I know you were very concerned after the first lunch episode. We shall here-to-fore call that little piece of real estate "Dee's Corner".

It was just recently I learned about the sushi there. A nice departure from the other choices everywhere.

Wine would have been a nice addition to the lunch ambiance, but alas...

 

[JanetMom]

Love the alone time! That looked like a little slice of heaven. You look like a child on Christmas morning in that photo.

Can't wait for the love installment.

 

[natebenma]

Love the alone time! That looked like a little slice of heaven. You look like a child on Christmas morning in that photo.

Can't wait for the love installment.

I was so very happy!!!

Nothing like a fantastic lunch and a feeling that I was "getting away" with something.

I'll post my next installment in the morning.

 

[natebenma]

Most of our group was back together, so we went through Toy Story Mania with our FPs. We buzzed (pun intended) right through the line and I think we loaded onto the ride in about 5 minutes.

Here are a couple of pictures from the queue line, but honestly, we were through so quickly that we didn’t really stop until we were at the stairs:

I rode with the dad of one of Nate’s friends. And I won! I NEVER win!

It was a fun ride and everyone enjoyed it.

A few things happened when we were done.

One of the boys threw up. This boy had been drinking water throughout the day, so I don’t think it was dehydration. I suspected that it might be due to the ride on Star Tours followed by lunch. The chaperone who had come to the park late, and didn’t have FPs for TSM or RnR said he would leave with the boy.

The remaining members of our group showed up- they went into TSM with their FP.

I purchased drinks for some of the boys who were getting hot.

And I decided this would be a good time to count:

Park passes. Count to 18 (2 missing, chaperone and sick boy)
Fast Passes, RnR: 19 (Everyone except chaperone who came late)
Fast Passes, ToT: 20 (We were all together at lunchtime when I got these)
Boy Cards: 13 (The chaperone took the one for the boy when he left)

Who is in TSM? I decided to try to figure out which boys were in TSM to make sure everyone else was here.

As I was intently looking at the cards, a face popped into my face. A green face! It was a Green Army Man from Toy Soldier! I love them!!!

I said, “Oo-Oo, can we get a picture, please?”

He obliged. I know I said I wasn’t going to post pictures of the kids on the trip, but I just can’t resist. This is my absolute favorite picture from the trip!

After the picture I went over to G.A.M and said “Thank you so much! I love a man in uniform”

And he gave me a little kiss on the cheek.




Next up: Rock ON or Rock NO? 24 eyes rolling simultaneously

.

 

[JanetMom]

After the picture I went over to G.A.M and said “Thank you so much! I love a man in uniform”

And he gave me a little kiss on the cheek.




Next up: Rock ON or Rock NO? 24 eyes rolling simultaneously

.

Excellent update (except for the puking part).

Sounds like you had a great day all around - solo lunch, followed by making out with the one in green. Can't wait to hear how you top it in the evening.

 

[DrMomof3]

I also love the green army men. My first race ever was the Disney Half. The only hill of the race is around mile 11. It's an entrance ramp onto on overpass. Mile 10 is usually a big wall for many runners during the half. Most of us were pretty done at this point. In the middle of the "clover leaf" was a green army man with a megaphone yelling at us! One of the highlights of the race for me.

Amanda

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Ooh! A soldier's kiss

Dee- your ability to manage fast passes is to be admired

 

[WsPrincess]

Sorry the boy got sick (ice, I don't do puke well, even with my own kids) but I am glad it was not the sushi!

I also LOVE the GAM! I am hoping to get a picture during the Princess!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Star Tours and lunch would probably have the same effect on me
Love the GAM, and a kiss on the cheek-bonus!
Counting all those passes and making sure you have a count for all those kids would probably make me insane! Kudos to you and the other chaperones That is a huge responsibility. I stress on field trips with my class at a small zoo nevermind WDW!!

Love the pic with GAM and boys!! Glad you were able to post it. I can see why it's your favorite- real cute!

 

[natebenma]

This is from our 2010 trip:

When we got out of the Toy Story building, a Green Army Man was heading to his post. One of Ben’s favorite toys is army men, so before our trip, I thought to myself I would love to get a photo with an Army Man from Toy Story. I asked (ok, begged) to get a quick picture of him with Ben.

This is our only “character” photo of the trip!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

CUTE pic w/ Ben too!

 

[natebenma]

Excellent update (except for the puking part).

Sounds like you had a great day all around - solo lunch, followed by making out with the one in green. Can't wait to hear how you top it in the evening.

This was a fun day! Looking back, it is just around 2 PM and I have been on ToT, RnR, met an Imagineer, rode Star Tours, SOLO LUNCH, Toy Story Mania, and enjoyed a little illicit romance.

That is not to say that the day is without drama. There's a little of that coming up.

I also love the green army men. My first race ever was the Disney Half. The only hill of the race is around mile 11. It's an entrance ramp onto on overpass. Mile 10 is usually a big wall for many runners during the half. Most of us were pretty done at this point. In the middle of the "clover leaf" was a green army man with a megaphone yelling at us! One of the highlights of the race for me.

Amanda

The G.A.M. are truly my favorite characters. Sorry Mickey!!! I think the costumes are so darned cute and clever. Look at those feet. And you know what they say about feet!

I love that they were cheering you on during your run. So cool.

Ooh! A soldier's kiss

Dee- your ability to manage fast passes is to be admired

Thanks. The great thing was that I didn't even have to get most of the FP on this trip. I just had to keep track of them.

And for those of you keeping track- that's one kiss from a character and one CM from Soarin' who pity-flirted with me when the kids were dissing me.

Sorry the boy got sick (ice, I don't do puke well, even with my own kids) but I am glad it was not the sushi!

I also LOVE the GAM! I am hoping to get a picture during the Princess!

I'm glad it was not the sushi, too!!!

I hope you get a picture. I can only imagine how motivational the G.A.M. with a megaphone are!

Star Tours and lunch would probably have the same effect on me
Love the GAM, and a kiss on the cheek-bonus!
Counting all those passes and making sure you have a count for all those kids would probably make me insane! Kudos to you and the other chaperones That is a huge responsibility. I stress on field trips with my class at a small zoo nevermind WDW!!

Love the pic with GAM and boys!! Glad you were able to post it. I can see why it's your favorite- real cute!

I felt badly for the boy who got sick. This was his first trip to Disney. Not sure what his prior experience with thrill rides was, but he certainly seemed willing to try everything.

Counting the park tickets, and FP and ID cards was not nearly as difficult as trying to count the boys. Trying to count 14 of them, when they don't stop moving and they keep blocking each other...

 

[natebenma]

CUTE pic w/ Ben too!

Thanks!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I was a couple of updates behind but I'm caught back up again. You look so happy to be sitting off in a corner all by yourself and eating your lunch. Even though I know you're having a great time with the group, I know it must have been a nice break.

Look at you...beating your Toy Story Mania opponent! I never win at games either so I'm doing a little for you!

 

[cindydare]

Glad it wasn't the sushi!!

Last year one of the GAM snuck up on my husband....it was hilarious and happened so fast that I couldn't get my camera out in time. I love "surprise" character meets!

 

[MEK]

I love the Green Army Men! They really know how to play their character perfectly. I would love to do that job, except those green costumes look REALLY hot! Yikes. I'd probably have a panic attack with that green mask across my face!

 

[15isto2]

These children appear to be faceless

 

[MHTeacher]

Enjoyed the update. Especially the little kiss from the GAM! How sweet!

You're the second TR I've read recently where there's a puking story! I've kind of been glad--strange I know--because we had our own little incident during this past trip!