A Birthday Trip without a Birthday - 2/16: Conclusion and Bonus Birthday Tea

[Poolrat]

Isn't it sad how many people feel like that: a park with a few really great attractions, but somehow it does not really work as a park. I very much understand your issue with the dead end. I often was annoyed about having to walk all the way back to ToT only to figure out that the wait is really long because they only have one elevator operating...

I think a lot of its issues are from how it was built. From what I have heard it was built very quickly as a response to Universal building in Orlando as well and they wanted to open MGM Studios before they opened Universal. And a huge part of the park was only accesible via the Studio Tour, you were never supposed to wander around the Streets of America as you are now. Now the park is burdened with a less than perfect concept and I think maybe it really needs a totally new master plan...

I think we read the same book. I read about the layout being very much like US because Disney basically stole it to get a park like US open.
I think before Pixar Place, you would get stuck by Little Mermaid and then again down by Muppets and the streets of America.

It seems like they should be able to open up some sort of path between where the bathrooms are at RnR and the back of the fook kiosks but I think that area is involved in Food prep

I thought oyu would like the water park update!! I wish we had more opportunities to spend time there... This is one of the things that make me want to rent a car next time I am there, just throw the bathing suit in the trunk and then I can head directly from a park to a water park.

Dragging the tubes up the hills is not fun, that's why Katharina and I did opt out of the family raft ride at TL, much nicer at BB, where they have a lift for the huge rafts!

Driving might make it more reasonable to get over there more.
The worst is going back all wet on the air conditioned bus

I'm the opposite of Glenn--I've been to Blizzard Beach, but never TL. Hope to get there on the next trip.

That being said, it sounds like you really enjoyed your time there. We were looking at other water parks (non-Disney) when we were doing trip research and were struck by how much Disney theming makes a difference! At the "other" parks it was just concrete, stairs, scaffolds, and waterslides.

So I guess Crush 'n Gusher is the can't-miss attraction at TL. Did you try the shark swim?

Slowly waterparks are themeing more but for most of them it is a poor attempt and it looks cheesy. They spend so much money on getting the actual attraction they leave nothing to look at whie you wait.

Shark swim =

As I said before, I love both water parks. So if you have never been to TL, I can definitely recommend a visit! Do you go on water slides?? I mean, they include a drop into water...

Good one

And the first ever water park Katharina and I went to was in 1992 in New Braunfels, Texas. I think Disney might have copied a bit of their theme when building BB since this is supposed to look like an Alpine village. I remember it looking a bit strange and definitely not as pretty as Disney, but it was not too bad either...

The Schitterbaun. In reality it should not take much to theme a place in an acceptable manner. Disney spares no expense but we have a waterpark near us ( outdoor) that has 1 "themed" waiting area. It is cheesy and totally lost on anyone walking in.

Even our place has only bright colors ( for a space theme?) and really no other themeing.

Love your thoughts on the MNSSHP. I believe if you go to MK the week of Halloween the parade is during regular nights. At least it was in 2006. A CM in the candy store made a point of telling us the Halloween parade was happening and even with the warning I had no idea ( PreDIS) how special it was.


So fireworks from the Poly and maybe the parade close to Halloween. Save the money. However with a group I imagine teh party would be a hoot. I was alone the time I went and while I had a good time and did most of the specil things I might go back if I knew I would be part of a group going. I think that might be the deciding factor for me.

 

[Flossbolna]

I've never been there for MNSSHP but I'd like to see the parade, however I doubt that it's worth the money just for that.

I'm not a big fan of tootsie rolls or candy corn. Reese's peanut butter cups and Mounds are a different story.

I agree, that's a really good picture of you in the pumpkin-ears hat!

Thanks for the pumpkin compliment!

I think if you have never been to MNSSHP it is worth it to pay for the ticket at least once - however, thinking of your family of five, that is a lot of money if you have to get five tickets!

I know Reese's peanut butter cups and love them, too. They aren't regularly available here, but many food stores have corners with exotic products and they usually have stuff from the USA as well, very often those are on offer. I had no idea what Mounds were - a search came up with these: http://www.hersheys.com/almondjoy-mounds/products/mounds.aspx?ICID=AMJ0002 Is that what you are talking about? I have never had them. They do look like they are similar to Bounty?

Glad you had a good time at the Halloween party, I would love to go if only for that parade and to see all of the costumes, but DH is not a huge fan of Halloween so it would take some convincing to get him to go with me. I love those pumpkin Mickey ears! I Love tootsie rolls and candy corn but with the candy corn I can only eat so much of it.

As I said, it is definitely worth a visit if you have never been. I am not sure what your DH does not like about Halloween, but perhaps you can convince him with the argument that most attractions have very short lines during the party?

I often think that people like candy not only for the taste but also for the childhood memories connected with them.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Count me among those who say it's a great picture of you!

I've never seen the Halloween party either, so it's interesting to read about it. Seems like everyone raves about the Hallowishes fireworks show--I guess I'll have to try that sometime.

And why all the hate for candy corns? If you have an unbalanced table, they're great for holding up the leg.

 

[marvali]

I just sent you an email about the card and pictures I sent you.

 

[glennbo123]

I think if you have never been to MNSSHP it is worth it to pay for the ticket at least once - however, thinking of your family of five, that is a lot of money if you have to get five tickets!

It's terrible to have to consider everything "times 5", but that's the reality and I signed up for it. Someday we'll do some of the tours, like the Segway tour, etc., but they'll have to wait until they're "times 2".

I know Reese's peanut butter cups and love them, too. They aren't regularly available here, but many food stores have corners with exotic products and they usually have stuff from the USA as well, very often those are on offer. I had no idea what Mounds were - a search came up with these: http://www.hersheys.com/almondjoy-mounds/products/mounds.aspx?ICID=AMJ0002 Is that what you are talking about? I have never had them. They do look like they are similar to Bounty?

Sometimes we'll run across a local candymaker that makes peanut butter eggs around Easter time, and they're actually even better than Reese's, but Reese's are pretty good. Yes, you found the right Mounds. You've gotta like coconut to like them, 'cause that's all they are....coconut and chocolate. Almond Joy are the same, but with an almond stuck in. I like them better without the almond.

 

[marvali]

Sometimes we'll run across a local candymaker that makes peanut butter eggs around Easter time, and they're actually even better than Reese's, but Reese's are pretty good. Yes, you found the right Mounds. You've gotta like coconut to like them, 'cause that's all they are....coconut and chocolate. Almond Joy are the same, but with an almond stuck in. I like them better without the almond.

Love both Almond Joy AND Mounds. The other difference is Almond Joy is Milk Chocolate and Mounds is Dark Chocolate.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Love both Almond Joy AND Mounds. The other difference is Almond Joy is Milk Chocolate and Mounds is Dark Chocolate.

Sometimes you feel like a nut...

 

[Poolrat]

Sometimes you feel like a nut...

sometimes you don't....

 

[marvali]

sometimes you don't....

Almond Joy's got nuts........

 

[tiggrbaby]

Almond Joy's got nuts........

Mounds don't...

 

[marvali]

Mounds don't...

Because.........

 

[Poolrat]

Because.........

Almond Joy's got rich milk chocolate
Coconut and a crunchy nut, too

 

[marvali]

Got a text message from Magdalene about an hour ago. Guess what finally showed up in her mail box.......one day shy of five weeks since I sent it!!!

Maybe we'll get an update soon with that red-neck photo of our ride on Dinosaur........

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Got a text message from Magdalene about an hour ago. Guess what finally showed up in her mail box.......one day shy of five weeks since I sent it!!!

Maybe we'll get an update soon with that red-neck photo of our ride on Dinosaur........

Next time, don't send it by carrier pigeon! Poor little fella has to be exhausted.

 

[Flossbolna]

I think we read the same book. I read about the layout being very much like US because Disney basically stole it to get a park like US open.
I think before Pixar Place, you would get stuck by Little Mermaid and then again down by Muppets and the streets of America.

It seems like they should be able to open up some sort of path between where the bathrooms are at RnR and the back of the fook kiosks but I think that area is involved in Food prep

I guess a lot of the info about WDW is repeated at so many different places. I am really not sure where I picked up that bit!

I just wish that they would give DHS something similar to the treatment DCA got in Florida, it is the park which needs it most!

Driving might make it more reasonable to get over there more.
The worst is going back all wet on the air conditioned bus

Well, we made sure to dry off and change before getting on the bus back home. But, yes, we nearly always had a jacket with us for the bus which would be freezing cold.

Slowly waterparks are themeing more but for most of them it is a poor attempt and it looks cheesy. They spend so much money on getting the actual attraction they leave nothing to look at whie you wait.

I don't really mind theme so much as greenery. I don't need everything to look like a Bavarian ski resort, but trees and other vegitation make a place much more inviting than concrete.

Shark swim =

Yes, that was another reason why we did not find it that appealing...

The Schitterbaun. In reality it should not take much to theme a place in an acceptable manner. Disney spares no expense but we have a waterpark near us ( outdoor) that has 1 "themed" waiting area. It is cheesy and totally lost on anyone walking in.

Even our place has only bright colors ( for a space theme?) and really no other themeing.

one themed waiting area sounds rather bizarre... And your place has a space theme? That sounds interesting!

Love your thoughts on the MNSSHP. I believe if you go to MK the week of Halloween the parade is during regular nights. At least it was in 2006. A CM in the candy store made a point of telling us the Halloween parade was happening and even with the warning I had no idea ( PreDIS) how special it was.


So fireworks from the Poly and maybe the parade close to Halloween. Save the money. However with a group I imagine teh party would be a hoot. I was alone the time I went and while I had a good time and did most of the specil things I might go back if I knew I would be part of a group going. I think that might be the deciding factor for me.

I don't think that they show the Halloween parade without the party anymore. I know they do it for the Christmas parade. But I never heard this about Halloween. So your plan would only work half.

 

[Flossbolna]

Count me among those who say it's a great picture of you!

Thanks!

I've never seen the Halloween party either, so it's interesting to read about it. Seems like everyone raves about the Hallowishes fireworks show--I guess I'll have to try that sometime.

Yes, and I would really recommend to take the Poly beach option, the sound should be piped in and I think they will look fantastic from there! You can see all of the perimeter fireworks which in the park are all around you.

And why all the hate for candy corns? If you have an unbalanced table, they're great for holding up the leg.

Yes, I can see that they would be useful for that! But not in the house which I have to clean...

It's terrible to have to consider everything "times 5", but that's the reality and I signed up for it. Someday we'll do some of the tours, like the Segway tour, etc., but they'll have to wait until they're "times 2".

And I think the "times 5" brings a lot of great moments with it anyway, even if you have to wait for the Segway tour for a while...

Sometimes we'll run across a local candymaker that makes peanut butter eggs around Easter time, and they're actually even better than Reese's, but Reese's are pretty good. Yes, you found the right Mounds. You've gotta like coconut to like them, 'cause that's all they are....coconut and chocolate. Almond Joy are the same, but with an almond stuck in. I like them better without the almond.

Those easter eggs sound delicious! And I will certainly try to find Mounds in real life now the next time I am in the US, they sound delicious!!

I also found out now (thanks to Wikipedia) that our Bounty chocolate bar does not exist in the US - because of Mounds. Bounty is produced by Mars and they look like this:

There are two smaller bars in the package and the blue is milk chocolate and the red is dark chocolate. None of them has an almond!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Love both Almond Joy AND Mounds. The other difference is Almond Joy is Milk Chocolate and Mounds is Dark Chocolate.

Sometimes you feel like a nut...

sometimes you don't....

Almond Joy's got nuts........

Mounds don't...

Because.........

Almond Joy's got rich milk chocolate
Coconut and a crunchy nut, too

Ok, I don't really understand what you are all about, but it seems like you had fun!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Got a text message from Magdalene about an hour ago. Guess what finally showed up in her mail box.......one day shy of five weeks since I sent it!!!

Maybe we'll get an update soon with that red-neck photo of our ride on Dinosaur........

Yes, I was so happy to get it! Including the lovely birthda card!!

Next time, don't send it by carrier pigeon! Poor little fella has to be exhausted.

Well, my suspicion is that the letter travelled by boat. At least both Marv and I were told by our respective post office that the letter was in Miami in November and then I had a sticker from the customs office at the harbour in Hamburg on it. I just don't understand why.

 

[marvali]

Those are the lines to the commercial jingle for Mounds and Almond Joy.

Looks like if you added two almonds under the milk chocolate of each bar in the blue package you would have the same as an Almond Joy. Red would be the same as a Mounds. Package colors would be essentially the same.

 

[Flossbolna]

Those are the lines to the commercial jingle for Mounds and Almond Joy.

Looks like if you added two almonds under the milk chocolate of each bar in the blue package you would have the same as an Almond Joy. Red would be the same as a Mounds. Package colors would be essentially the same.

It's quite funny how those chocolate bars are so similar even if they are from different manufacturers. I did some more research and found out that even other chocolate bars differ between Europe and the US. Your Milky Way for example is more like our Mars bar. While our Milky Way is like something called 3 Musketeers in the US. Very confusing!