2 Kids,2 Dogs,1200 Miles: 2 More Weeks in FL 2 - Finished with a Blast! P40

[glennbo123]

For a sleep-in day, it looks like you got quite a bit done at the parks Barry.

Nice tiger pictures!

Your kids' expressions on thrill rides, whether waiting in line or while on the ride, always crack me up.

Glad you got that fuse problem figured out. I guess you "re-fused" to let it get in the way of your fun.

 

[afwdwfan]

On this day we did something that came very unnaturally to us. We slept in. On vacation.

Who does that???

So yes, we decided to sleep in and not only miss rope drop, but miss lunch at the theme park.

By "we" you really mean Bambi, right?

.

Grandpa was very completely surprised and very happy to see that pin.

After the ride, Bambi asked how it went. Well, I replied, I went 5 years between rides. And that sounds about right. I'll see you again in 2016, Dinosaur.

I like Dinosaur. I'm kind of disappointed that I missed out on it this time.

I could spell out the name of the attraction, but I'm just to lazy to look up the proper spelling of Mahsharanjjajja.

Even if you did look up the proper spelling, it's not like we'd know the difference.

How hot was it? Well, this tiger couldn't decide between laying in the shade or laying in the water, so he chose both.

Wow... and cats don't like water.

Even the Fast Pass line was long.

Unlike the ride itself.

Afterwards, we showed Evan the button that would soak the riders under us. I fear we have created a monster.

Get 'em, Evan!!!

During our running around the park that afternoon, I was able to score a second set of FastPasses, which the kids decided the best time to use them would be RIGHT NOW!

Well, when you're already wet...

We got a little more wet on this ride. Just a little bit.

Because it would have been impossible to get a lot wetter.

The backwards riding wasn't really high on Madison's "awesome" list. She said she liked it, but didn't really want to do it again. Evan, however liked it and demanded that we get FastPasses for later.

Too bad it wasn't Madison's favorite, but I'm glad she at least gave it a shot. I'm glad Evan enjoyed it though!

Cool picture!

I switched out, locked and unlocked the doors a few times (because I can, that's why) and we headed over to Epcot.

Hey, honey! Look! I fixed something! See, it works! Really, watch me push the button. Lock. Unlock. Lock. Unlock.

The restaurant was already pretty empty when we go there. Besides being a character dinner, Garden Grill also rotates. Fast. I almost fell out of the seat a few times due to the spin.

So in other words, it's EPCOT's version of Dumbo, Aladdin, Astro Orbiter, Triceratops Spin...

We started chatting and he said he was on a 15 minute break and was lucky enough to time it watch Illuminations. (Best job perk of the best job ever?)

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Sunday July 3, 2011

On this day we did something that came very unnaturally to us. We slept in. On vacation.

Us too… but only because this was the day we had to finally pack everything up and drive back home. Too bad we couldn’t get a Dis-Meet put together before then… maybe next time.

You may not believe this, but we had some more car trouble. A few miles after leaving the grandparents' house, the radio went out. Everything else seemed fine, just no radio.

I have found that this is actually a very bad sign. It’s often a precursor to a charging system failure. Hopefully it didn’t turn out to be that bad

After the ride, Bambi asked how it went. Well, I replied, I went 5 years between rides. And that sounds about right. I'll see you again in 2016, Dinosaur.

We actually like this one. I don’t know why… but we do.

Along the way, we had to stop and march to the beat of our own drums.

Never miss an opportunity to play the drums when they’re put out in public and the staff actually wants you to play them (or you might find yourself later on in the day absent mindedly drumming on the tabletop in one of the restaurants much to the annoyance of the rest of the guests and the mortification of your family).

What? Y’all don’t do stuff like that? So again… it’s just me that has these kinds of public brain malfunctions?

Figures…

I could spell out the name of the attraction, but I'm just to lazy to look up the proper spelling of Mahsharanjjajja. See? Never should have even tried to type that.

Zerphonics spoken here!

Afterwards, we showed Evan the button that would soak the riders under us. I fear we have created a monster.

There is an Amusement Park just a few miles from our house called Carowinds (it’s run by Cedar Fair now a days and is not a bad little park actually)… anyway, they had a “saturation roller coaster” in there for a while where there were about as many water hazards as you’d find on a river ride, including a gushing fountain that fired from below and was triggered by the guests on the ground that were just walking by. Kids would always stop and hit this button but almost never timed it correctly. I happened to be standing there looking after my then nine-year-old and his buddy as they were trying to get it to work and I realized that there was a bit of a hitch in the way the cars came through that part of the ride. Evil as I am… I pointed it out to them and gave them a count and a command to fire and we spent the next twenty minutes absolutely drenching every poor slob that road the thing that day. I… was the monster (I’m a baaaaaaaaad boy).

During our running around the park that afternoon, I was able to score a second set of FastPasses, which the kids decided the best time to use them would be RIGHT NOW!

Well, ok.

You were already wet, so why not.

I’ve never ridden Kali. The last time we road a river ride was as the last attraction of the day at Dollywood a number of years back. As we headed back to the car, we were both soaked and absolutely miserable, so unless I’m staying long enough to go to AK just to ride Kali and then to back to the resort… it just ain’t happening.

And now, it was time for the kids to cross a new thrill off their lists.

EXPEDITION EVEREST!

And what better way to experience a new ride than from the front two rows?

I had to manually unlock the doors. What is this? 1980?
Anyway, I gave the fuse panel another once over and finally found the blown fuse. I switched out, locked and unlocked the doors a few times (because I can, that's why)

Just a fuse? Your lucky.
Or… will we be hearing more about this in the next Update?

Finally we headed over to Garden Grill for our ADR, which appeared to be the last seating of the night.

One of my favorite places to eat actually. The characters are nice, but the “home style” food rocks (and the whole thing spinning at un-ludicrous speed is pretty cool as well)

One time even, Pluto decided to sneak up on Madison. He's a sneaky little dog, that Pluto.

Yes, yes he is. One of the best character pictures we ever got was with Pluto while at the Garden Grill.

Here… see for yourself

As we were standing there, I noticed that the person standing next to us was a monorail pilot. We started chatting and he said he was on a 15 minute break and was lucky enough to time it watch Illuminations. (Best job perk of the best job ever?)

I need to figure out how to get that job.

If I were the type of guy to mention those types of things. Which I'm not.

We know…
And I’m not the type of guy that would ever dream of going off topic in a TR either.

So now we have definitive proof of just how trustworthy the two of us are.

 

[KatMark]

Well, lookie who posted an update. I assuemd you fell off the face of the earth (especially after that Packers loss last week) since I've not seen you on MY TR or any others for that matter.

What a great update. You got a lot done considering you slept in.

Madison certainly did NOT look very happy towards the end of EE. But Evan certainly enjoyed it...the little daredevil (love the picture of you and him on your second trip).

The photos on Kali Rapids are terrific...the kids sure were enjoying getting wet.

We've not done Garden Grill in probably 15 years. How was the food? I love that you got to see the characters numerous times.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

On this day we did something that came very unnaturally to us. We slept in. On vacation.

Inconceivable!

You may not believe this, but we had some more car trouble. A few miles after leaving the grandparents' house, the radio went out. Everything else seemed fine, just no radio.

Inconceivable!

So it's sort of a reverse-Planes, Trains & Automoblies situation, then.

Ok, enough with the movie references.

We arrived at Animal Kingdom around 1 pm. We gathered up our stuff and headed toward the parking lot tram. I hit the "lock" button on my key fob and ... nothing. Great, more electrical problems. To heck with it, on with the fun!

That's ok. At this point, you might have been relieved if somebody stole the van.

After we rode Dumbo...uh..Aladdin's carpet..uh....Astro Orbiter..uh...whatever ride that was (yes, I recycled that joke from a previous Trip Report. But that's why you like mine. Expect the unexpected. Even when the expected was completely expected.)

You're recycling jokes now? Incon--oh, never mind.

Well, they insisted we buy it for Grandpa (he was over in the Dinoland store, so had no idea what was happening). How could we say "no" to that. Grandpa was very completely surprised and very happy to see that pin.

I don't know if I've mentioned this recently, but your kids are cool.

After the ride, Bambi asked how it went. Well, I replied, I went 5 years between rides. And that sounds about right. I'll see you again in 2016, Dinosaur.

Hmm. I'm with Andy and Rob--I like Dinosaur. I guess when we're all there together, you get to watch the kids while we ride.

Along the way, we had to stop and march to the beat of our own drums.

Let me guess: there was dancing involved.

I could spell out the name of the attraction, but I'm just to lazy to look up the proper spelling of Mahsharanjjajja. See? Never should have even tried to type that.

Gesundheit!

Afterwards, we showed Evan the button that would soak the riders under us. I fear we have created a monster.

What does Evan's evil laugh sound like? Is it more Jafar, or Zurg?

EXPEDITION EVEREST!

Poor kid.

Nice shot!

I had to manually unlock the doors. What is this? 1980?

Hey kids! Don't worry about seat belts, just climb around wherever you want!

Seriously, just look at how much that background is blurred!*

Wow, that's worse than the tea cups! Hope it was a light meal.

As we were standing there, I noticed that the person standing next to us was a monorail pilot. We started chatting and he said he was on a 15 minute break and was lucky enough to time it watch Illuminations. (Best job perk of the best job ever?)

(checking how many years I have till retirement)

He also said that Magic Kingdom had topped out at 65,000 people that day. (This is where I would have mentioned that our original plan was to hit MK that day, but I switched it to AK after seeing that MK had Extra Magic Hours that night and would be packed. If I were the type of guy to mention those types of things. Which I'm not.)

I will definitely be making note of this...

 

[IheartDDuck]

Madison's face on Kali River Rapids is just priceless. It's like you can see what's going through her head: "I want to get wet.....wait, I don't want to get.....I want to.....aaaaahhhhhh".

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Awesome use of FP and park hopping. Totally understand the late start and I will excuse it this time.

Touring in the summer while staying offsite present some major challenges. The first rule: avoid the park with evening EMH.

You braved the heat of the day, sorry the van was being a difficult toddler and just selectively shutting down only to make your life miserable.

I think if it were a toddler, I'd have a better idea what to do. Feed it or stick it in Time Out. Of course being a van has pluses too - I can beat it with a wrench and not get in trouble.

How awesome would it be to have a job where you can time your break to watch Illuminations??? That's amazing.

Yup. Heck, I'd even be the guy that carries a shovel and follows the horses in the parade as long as I was working at WDW.

Sorry to hear that the car was giving you so much trouble! But you're not getting any manually unlocking the doors sympathy from me - no fancy keys with buttons here, and my car can't unlock all of the doors when I first open the driver's side door, I have to do that once inside (which drives DBF nuts ).

Wow, do you have to give it a kick start with your feet like the Flintstones?

 

[FreezinRafiki]

For a sleep-in day, it looks like you got quite a bit done at the parks Barry.

Efficient use of the time we had.

Nice tiger pictures!

I can't take all of the credit. Having the tigers actually out and about is half the battle!

Your kids' expressions on thrill rides, whether waiting in line or while on the ride, always crack me up.

Thanks. It's such a blessing to have kids that love to mug for the camera.

Glad you got that fuse problem figured out. I guess you "re-fused" to let it get in the way of your fun.

I have an opening for an Apprentice Punmaster. It's an unpaid internship, but I do offer a medical plan. Basically, I'll mail you a band aid if you get hurt. But you have to prove you got hurt while in process of creating a pun. Or defending yourself from someone that didn't appreciate the said pun.

Who does that???


By "we" you really mean Bambi, right?

No, if I recall, this one was pretty much a joint decision.

I like Dinosaur. I'm kind of disappointed that I missed out on it this time.

It's a nice enough ride - but it seems like the add a lot of the herky-jerky just for the sake of having more herky-jerky.

Even if you did look up the proper spelling, it's not like we'd know the difference.

It's always nice to have an audience that's just as motivated on fact-checking as the writer is about getting facts right.

Wow... and cats don't like water.

Ummm...you crawl in there and tell him that.

Unlike the ride itself.

That's why you ride it twice.

Get 'em, Evan!!!

I wish I could have captured his diabolical laughter on video.

Well, when you're already wet...

We packed extra clothes just because of this ride. Wouldn't make any sense to change, then ride later and the spare clothes wet.

Because it would have been impossible to get a lot wetter.

Maybe we could have used some of Mark's hydrogen-infused water.

Too bad it wasn't Madison's favorite, but I'm glad she at least gave it a shot. I'm glad Evan enjoyed it though!

Cool picture!

Thanks - that's Bambi's handiwork.

Hey, honey! Look! I fixed something! See, it works! Really, watch me push the button. Lock. Unlock. Lock. Unlock.

Were you there? Did you get me on tape?

So in other words, it's EPCOT's version of Dumbo, Aladdin, Astro Orbiter, Triceratops Spin...

Almost. You couldn't make it go up and down.

[/QUOTE]

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Us too… but only because this was the day we had to finally pack everything up and drive back home. Too bad we couldn’t get a Dis-Meet put together before then… maybe next time.

I know. Every time I read another of your TR entries I think "this guy is cool. I really wish we could have made that meet up work."

I have found that this is actually a very bad sign. It’s often a precursor to a charging system failure. Hopefully it didn’t turn out to be that bad

Luckily, it was just a blown fuse. And it was the same kind that I carry spares of. (When I wired in the extra power outlets in the backseats I put in an in-line 10amp fuse and tossed the extras in the glove box.)

We actually like this one. I don’t know why… but we do.

The themeing is great, but my joints and bones are getting brittle in my old age.

Never miss an opportunity to play the drums when they’re put out in public and the staff actually wants you to play them (or you might find yourself later on in the day absent mindedly drumming on the tabletop in one of the restaurants much to the annoyance of the rest of the guests and the mortification of your family).

What? Y’all don’t do stuff like that? So again… it’s just me that has these kinds of public brain malfunctions?

Figures…

I absently mindedly drum on the table sometimes. The worst part is that I can't keep a decent beat to save my life.

Zerphonics spoken here!

Precisely. Oops. I accidentally capitalized that.

There is an Amusement Park just a few miles from our house called Carowinds (it’s run by Cedar Fair now a days and is not a bad little park actually)… anyway, they had a “saturation roller coaster” in there for a while where there were about as many water hazards as you’d find on a river ride, including a gushing fountain that fired from below and was triggered by the guests on the ground that were just walking by. Kids would always stop and hit this button but almost never timed it correctly. I happened to be standing there looking after my then nine-year-old and his buddy as they were trying to get it to work and I realized that there was a bit of a hitch in the way the cars came through that part of the ride. Evil as I am… I pointed it out to them and gave them a count and a command to fire and we spent the next twenty minutes absolutely drenching every poor slob that road the thing that day. I… was the monster (I’m a baaaaaaaaad boy).

Monster? I disagree. You were spending quality time teaching the next generation important lessons about proper timing of sequences. And for that you should be commended.

I’ve never ridden Kali. The last time we road a river ride was as the last attraction of the day at Dollywood a number of years back. As we headed back to the car, we were both soaked and absolutely miserable, so unless I’m staying long enough to go to AK just to ride Kali and then to back to the resort… it just ain’t happening.

I recall one time as a youngster a youth group I was part of took a bus to the "local" six flags park. (By "local", I mean it was a 4 hour bus ride.) I rode a water ride right before we left, then spent the next 4 hours in soaking we clothes on a coach bus. Not fun. Not Fun At All.

Just a fuse? Your lucky.
Or… will we be hearing more about this in the next Update?

Stay tuned....

One of my favorite places to eat actually. The characters are nice, but the “home style” food rocks (and the whole thing spinning at un-ludicrous speed is pretty cool as well)

I agree - the food was wonderful. Especially the part where you point to an empty platter and tell the waitress "more of that please". And she brings it.

Yes, yes he is. One of the best character pictures we ever got was with Pluto while at the Garden Grill.

Here… see for yourself

It's a shame that half of that boy got in your Pluto picture.

I need to figure out how to get that job.

As soon as I retire from it, I'll put in a good word for you.

We know…
And I’m not the type of guy that would ever dream of going off topic in a TR either.

So now we have definitive proof of just how trustworthy the two of us are.

Shhh....don't tell anyone.

Well, lookie who posted an update. I assuemd you fell off the face of the earth (especially after that Packers loss last week) since I've not seen you on MY TR or any others for that matter.

Falling off the face of the Earth would have been easier compared to the week I had. (In laws in town, multiple Christmas programs a various schools, house remodeling....)

What a great update. You got a lot done considering you slept in.

Thanks.

Madison certainly did NOT look very happy towards the end of EE. But Evan certainly enjoyed it...the little daredevil (love the picture of you and him on your second trip).

She was pretty upset during the ride, asking me to stop it. Umm..sorry darling, once a coaster starts, there's really no stopping it.

The photos on Kali Rapids are terrific...the kids sure were enjoying getting wet.

It was a HOT day, so it felt really good.

We've not done Garden Grill in probably 15 years. How was the food? I love that you got to see the characters numerous times.

The food was good - family style, so when you ran out of something, they just bring you more.

 

[Poolrat]

There is an Amusement Park just a few miles from our house called Carowinds (it’s run by Cedar Fair now a days and is not a bad little park actually)… anyway, they had a “saturation roller coaster” in there for a while where there were about as many water hazards as you’d find on a river ride, including a gushing fountain that fired from below and was triggered by the guests on the ground that were just walking by. Kids would always stop and hit this button but almost never timed it correctly. I happened to be standing there looking after my then nine-year-old and his buddy as they were trying to get it to work and I realized that there was a bit of a hitch in the way the cars came through that part of the ride. Evil as I am… I pointed it out to them and gave them a count and a command to fire and we spent the next twenty minutes absolutely drenching every poor slob that road the thing that day. I… was the monster (I’m a baaaaaaaaad boy).

You must be close to me but I am north of the border. I could nail someone from the coaster when you let out all your canisters of water. A good payback.

I think if it were a toddler, I'd have a better idea what to do. Feed it or stick it in Time Out. Of course being a van has pluses too - I can beat it with a wrench and not get in trouble.

It is when you start bargaining with it that you know you are in trouble.

Please start and I will get you a nice carwash.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Inconceivable!

No, really, that's what we did.

Inconceivable!

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means

So it's sort of a reverse-Planes, Trains & Automoblies situation, then.

No, a reverse Planes, Trains & Automobiles would be when John Candy has his hands between my pillows. Or something.

Ok, enough with the movie references.

Inconceivable!

That's ok. At this point, you might have been relieved if somebody stole the van.

Why do you think I left it running with the windows open?

You're recycling jokes now? Incon--oh, never mind.

I only have so many of them. I'm waiting for you to do another update to your TR to see if there are any that I can steal.

I don't know if I've mentioned this recently, but your kids are cool.

They get that from their mother.

Hmm. I'm with Andy and Rob--I like Dinosaur. I guess when we're all there together, you get to watch the kids while we ride.

Ok. I'll take them on Tower of Terror. They're not scared of it, right?

Let me guess: there was dancing involved.

You've met Madison. That's not really a guess, now is it?

Gesundheit!

Farfegnugen

What does Evan's evil laugh sound like? Is it more Jafar, or Zurg?

Kind of like a higher pitched Doctor Evil.

Nice shot!

Thanks. Again, all Bambi's work. I just had to ride the ride so she could take it. The sacrifices I make for good pictures...

Hey kids! Don't worry about seat belts, just climb around wherever you want!

And don't forget to flip off the truckers as they pass, they love that. And they'll reciprocate by playfully running you off the road.

Wow, that's worse than the tea cups! Hope it was a light meal.

There is not such thing as a light meal when the waitress just keeps bringing more of whatever you run out of.

(checking how many years I have till retirement)

I'm encouraging my kids to do the Disney College Program, just so we can go visit. In fact, I'm signing them up when they hit Junior High.

I will definitely be making note of this...

Good. Julie will be thrilled that you're following my advice again.

Madison's face on Kali River Rapids is just priceless. It's like you can see what's going through her head: "I want to get wet.....wait, I don't want to get.....I want to.....aaaaahhhhhh".

That about sums it up!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

It is when you start bargaining with it that you know you are in trouble.

Please start and I will get you a nice carwash.

Ok, if you drive nicely all the way to WDW and back, I'll fill you up with premium and synthetic oil, deal?

 

[middlepat]

No, a reverse Planes, Trains & Automobiles would be when John Candy has his hands between my pillows. Or something.

Let's see... John Candy passed away in 1994 and if his hands were anywhere near your "pillows" I'd really be scared of where you were and what you were doing.

Ok. I'll take them on Tower of Terror. They're not scared of it, right?

Who would be scared of ToT?

You've met Madison. That's not really a guess, now is it?

I gotta give Barry this one Mark. We've met Madison and from what I can gather, there is always a reason to dance.

Kind of like a higher pitched Doctor Evil.

And here I was picturing more of a Doofenschmirtz on helium.

Thanks. Again, all Bambi's work. I just had to ride the ride so she could take it. The sacrifices I make for good pictures...

Don't sell yourself short there Barry. That was some fantastic posing on both yours and Ethan's part. Have you ever considered hand modelling?

I'm encouraging my kids to do the Disney College Program, just so we can go visit. In fact, I'm signing them up when they hit Junior High.

Slacker. We're working on the advanced placement for our girls already.

Good. Julie will be thrilled that you're following my advice again.

As long as you don't follow Barry's directions, you should be ok.

 

[Poolrat]

Ok, if you drive nicely all the way to WDW and back, I'll fill you up with premium and synthetic oil, deal?

Exactly!!!!


It really used to work on an old Buick I had in college.. Never stranded me, but when I was looking for a new car it would act up as I pulled in the dealers lot.

 

[dvc4life]

Merry Christmas to you and your Family.

 

[KatMark]

Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family.

 

[Poolrat]

Merry Christmas Barry, Bambi, Madison, Evan and peanut

 

[Rozz]

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Let's see... John Candy passed away in 1994 and if his hands were anywhere near your "pillows" I'd really be scared of where you were and what you were doing.

Ed Gein was from Wisconsin. So was Jeffery Dahmer. Not that those facts have anything to do with John Candy's corpse...

Who would be scared of ToT?

Beats me.

I gotta give Barry this one Mark. We've met Madison and from what I can gather, there is always a reason to dance.

Waiting 2 hours for a seat in a pizza place? Let's boogie!

And here I was picturing more of a Doofenschmirtz on helium.

Don't sell yourself short there Barry. That was some fantastic posing on both yours and Ethan's part. Have you ever considered hand modelling?

Thanks! But, uh, who's Ethan?

Slacker. We're working on the advanced placement for our girls already.

We don't want them to grow up too fast. Otherwise, how can I be that annoying Little League dad that constantly yells at the coach?

As long as you don't follow Barry's directions, you should be ok.

Or a CTA map.

It really used to work on an old Buick I had in college.. Never stranded me, but when I was looking for a new car it would act up as I pulled in the dealers lot.

Merry Christmas to you and your Family.

Thank you! I hope your's was good!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family.

Thanks Kathy! I see that you got some time with both boys and their girls this Christmas.

Merry Christmas Barry, Bambi, Madison, Evan and peanut

Thank you!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Thanks, we did! How was everyone elses?