A Gem of a trip-quality, clarity, color and "Cut that out!" completed 8/4
- Thread starter Diamondintheruff
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Diamondintheruff
<font color=magenta>Thinks she saw a flash!<br><fo
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This is not our favorite park. Hence we don't spend very much time here. I had only allocated today from rope drop to about 2pm for it. I had an agenda for today. There were things I needed us to get done so this required a meeting with the family.
"Okay guys, once again it is important that we get there for rope drop so we need to hustle"
Moans could be heard.
"This is the park that has that new ride I've been telling you about. Toy Story Mania. It's kind of like the Buzz ride we like but they say on the Disboards that this new 3D ride
is so much better."
"I don't like the 3D rides." declares Eeoyre.
I practice self-control and keep my eyeroll in check.
"I promise you it is safe. You are in a car and you get driven around all these computer screens. If you get spooked you can take off your glasses but honestly Hon, I think you will like it. I haven't read about anyone who was scared on it."
"I don't like any ride with glasses. I hated the shrinking ride and no one can make me like Philarmagic. You tell people I like it but I don't"
Clearly, Eeoyre's Dragons
(otherwise known as his anxiety) have come out to play. I take a deep breath and plow through the rest ignoring him.
"So the first thing the whole family is doing (I point at Eeoyre so he knows he is included in this) is heading to Toy Story Mania. Then we will check out the Jedi tutorial."
"Yeah!" says Jedi and begins to pretend to be swinging a light saber around the room.
"I'm not doing a Jedi Tutorial either." Says Eeoyre directly followed by a
"Humphf" by Cindy as she crosses her arms and digs her chin into her chest.
Clearly we off to the usual Diamond Clan start- 1) Humphf, 1) No way I'm doing it and 1) pretend weapon threatening to hit everyone. All the makings of a fun family outing.
"Well, I suppose we could split up for that. There is an animation building we didn't visit last year and they have a cartoonist that shows you step by step how to draw Disney characters."
"I want to draw Ariel" Cindy pipes up eyes all sparkly with promise as for a few seconds she forgets that she is supposed to be grumpy.
"Well, I can't guarantee that we will learn to draw Ariel but it will be a Disney character of some sort."
Cindy thinks about it but maintains the grump.
"I'm not very good at drawing," says Eeoyre.
"Well, you've got to be better than me" joins in Poppa breaking the tension.
"Okay so to recap, the plan is that everyone (again another point to Eeoyre who sticks his tongue out at me in jest) goes to Toy Story Mania and then we break up and some of us do the Jedi Training and the rest of us go to the Animation building. I think we would all enjoy the Indiana show so we will regroup for that. Okay? … Okay?"
"Does it really matter if it is okay with us?" Dh asks.
I glance sideways at him. I'm not sure what he is getting at but I don't like his tone of voice. We are supposed to be a united front and I'm thinking that he is straying off track.
"I signed the contract that I would follow the plan so if that is the plan than I'm following the plan. We all will stick with the plan. " Dh delivers this mini pep-talk like a coach reviving up his team in the changeroom just before a game. I can almost picture the pom-poms in his hands as he says
"Come on guys. Let's get out there and have some fun!"
Phew I think. Dh is actually on my side on this one. It's almost like we are working as a team. I must remember to put this down in my journal for my report because this like almost never happens.
As you can all tell I did indeed record this in my journal because I never would have remembered it otherwise. Instead of waiting until the kids went to bed I grabbed my notebook and jotted down a few sentences before even leaving the room that morning.
I'm not sure what everyone else does to take notes of their trips. I took the same dollar store Mickey Mouse notebook with me that I had last year. I had thought I would carry it around with me each day but honestly my backpack was already huge and I couldn't justify putting anything else in it. I also doubted that even if I had it with me in the parks that I would have used it to take notes in the heat of the moment. It's kind of like taking pictures of your food before you eat it. I always remember to take the picture but not until after I have eaten.
So writing things down each night was my preferred way of taking notes. Once the kids were in bed I would sit on a suitcase behind the curtain in the bathroom or perhaps take a hot bath (remember it rained a lot and I often felt chilled to the bone
) and write down what happened that day. I tried to be sequential in my notes but I often jumped around. I don't always use complete sentences so I can't just copy it into the computer. It still requires some thinking on my part. I would say it takes me at least an hour to complete most installments.
One night I dropped the book in the bath with me. I lost a lot of Jedi's birthday. Most of it was a huge rant about the horrible weather and my fear about whether or not they were going to cancel the luau. I would have remembered that anyway without writing about it. Since the Luau was Jedi's one birthday wish I was really worried the weather was going to get in the way. Thank goodness it all turned out okay.
So we were all pumped and ready to hit DS for the day. I had made everyone wear their yellow family T-shirts today. I was hoping for a group picture wearing them. However I had neglected to voice this wish in our discussion of the group plan.
The other tangle in our DS day was that Nanny wasn't part of our discussion of the day. She was still getting ready in her room. So she missed the whole spiel on the new Toy story ride and how busy it was. Tuck this piece of information away because this becomes important later on in the day. When she attempts to take control of the "plan".
You'd think that since we are Day 5 of the vacation that Nanny would get with the program. Or rather she would get with MY program. Apparently not so. We had to wait for her to go to the bus stop.
While waiting Jedi, who was still swinging his pretend lightsaber he managed to hit his brother. Shame that he didn't hit him with his pretend lightsaber but instead it was his fists that managed to connect with Eeoyre's shoulder. Naturally this was not taken in stride by Eeoyre. A full out sibling slap fest insued.
It did not end well. But then it had not started well so what was I expecting?
By the end Jedi had thrown Eeoyre's Lego latest Lego creation (a garden) into a smashed mess on the floor and Eeoyre had pinched Jedi so hard that he left deep crevices in Jedi's skin where his fingernails were.
Eeoyre has always been a pincher/biter while Jedi is a thrower/hitter. Cindy is a Humphf-er and a take-off and hider. Isn't it funny how they all have different fighting styles?
Eeoyre had been building a Lego garden in collaboration with Cindy (although let's face it Eeoyre gets his controlling nature from me and it was only an illusion that Cindy had any input into it at all) so Cindy was mad. She didn't hit anyone. She went right up to Jedi, looked him straight in the eyes all the while holding her hands at her side with her hands clenched into fists and tightening every muscle in her body so that she was shaking before crossing her arms and slumping off into a corner with yet another humpht.
Now all this happened in a matter of seconds. Dh, and I jumped into action ASAP with me manning Eeoyre and Dh holding Jedi.
Jedi had worked himself up into a full out fit.
His face was red, he wasn't able to make complete sentences and once again we were leaving the room for the bus with a ranting and raving 6-year-old. Dh quickly picked him up, scooped him into the stroller and took off for the bus stop in one full swoop. This was becoming quite a habit.
Nanny had immerged after all the noise and Poppa and her took charge of Cindy.
So that left me with Eeoyre.
I wasn't pleased with his behavior. The boy is almost 10 and should know better than to snap at his younger brother in an obvious accidental meeting of the flesh. We have had the talk many times before. Maybe this time it would sink in. I struck up the usual cliches such as
- You should know better than to have pinched your brother.
- I am disappointed in your behavior.
- You have powerful words. You need to use your words first.
- How else could you have handled the situation?
Later at the bus stop when all had calmed down, apologies were exchanged.
In case I didn't mention it-it was raining again.
It wasn't raining while we had our pep-talk but started again while we were waiting at the bus stop. We just missed a bus. This time it was Eeoyre and I that held everyone up. I needed to keep him a distance behind the rest of the group and when we arrived at the bus stop Dh and Jedi informed us we had indeed missed a bus. Again par for the course for the Diamond clan.
We got to the turnstiles at 9am. Didn't see any sign of a show or rope drop. Nanny thought we were making good time but I knew there were hundreds of people ahead of us and we needed to get to the Toy Story Ride ASAP.
Up next-Nanny and the weather attempt to thwart my plans. Can I salvage the day? Click here http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29558469&postcount=499
"Okay guys, once again it is important that we get there for rope drop so we need to hustle"
Moans could be heard.
"This is the park that has that new ride I've been telling you about. Toy Story Mania. It's kind of like the Buzz ride we like but they say on the Disboards that this new 3D ride
is so much better.""I don't like the 3D rides." declares Eeoyre.
I practice self-control and keep my eyeroll in check.
"I promise you it is safe. You are in a car and you get driven around all these computer screens. If you get spooked you can take off your glasses but honestly Hon, I think you will like it. I haven't read about anyone who was scared on it."
"I don't like any ride with glasses. I hated the shrinking ride and no one can make me like Philarmagic. You tell people I like it but I don't"
Clearly, Eeoyre's Dragons
(otherwise known as his anxiety) have come out to play. I take a deep breath and plow through the rest ignoring him."So the first thing the whole family is doing (I point at Eeoyre so he knows he is included in this) is heading to Toy Story Mania. Then we will check out the Jedi tutorial."
"Yeah!" says Jedi and begins to pretend to be swinging a light saber around the room.
"I'm not doing a Jedi Tutorial either." Says Eeoyre directly followed by a
"Humphf" by Cindy as she crosses her arms and digs her chin into her chest.
Clearly we off to the usual Diamond Clan start- 1) Humphf, 1) No way I'm doing it and 1) pretend weapon threatening to hit everyone. All the makings of a fun family outing.
"Well, I suppose we could split up for that. There is an animation building we didn't visit last year and they have a cartoonist that shows you step by step how to draw Disney characters."
"I want to draw Ariel" Cindy pipes up eyes all sparkly with promise as for a few seconds she forgets that she is supposed to be grumpy.
"Well, I can't guarantee that we will learn to draw Ariel but it will be a Disney character of some sort."
Cindy thinks about it but maintains the grump.
"I'm not very good at drawing," says Eeoyre.
"Well, you've got to be better than me" joins in Poppa breaking the tension.
"Okay so to recap, the plan is that everyone (again another point to Eeoyre who sticks his tongue out at me in jest) goes to Toy Story Mania and then we break up and some of us do the Jedi Training and the rest of us go to the Animation building. I think we would all enjoy the Indiana show so we will regroup for that. Okay? … Okay?"
"Does it really matter if it is okay with us?" Dh asks.
I glance sideways at him. I'm not sure what he is getting at but I don't like his tone of voice. We are supposed to be a united front and I'm thinking that he is straying off track.
"I signed the contract that I would follow the plan so if that is the plan than I'm following the plan. We all will stick with the plan. " Dh delivers this mini pep-talk like a coach reviving up his team in the changeroom just before a game. I can almost picture the pom-poms in his hands as he says
"Come on guys. Let's get out there and have some fun!"
Phew I think. Dh is actually on my side on this one. It's almost like we are working as a team. I must remember to put this down in my journal for my report because this like almost never happens.
As you can all tell I did indeed record this in my journal because I never would have remembered it otherwise. Instead of waiting until the kids went to bed I grabbed my notebook and jotted down a few sentences before even leaving the room that morning.
I'm not sure what everyone else does to take notes of their trips. I took the same dollar store Mickey Mouse notebook with me that I had last year. I had thought I would carry it around with me each day but honestly my backpack was already huge and I couldn't justify putting anything else in it. I also doubted that even if I had it with me in the parks that I would have used it to take notes in the heat of the moment. It's kind of like taking pictures of your food before you eat it. I always remember to take the picture but not until after I have eaten.
So writing things down each night was my preferred way of taking notes. Once the kids were in bed I would sit on a suitcase behind the curtain in the bathroom or perhaps take a hot bath (remember it rained a lot and I often felt chilled to the bone
) and write down what happened that day. I tried to be sequential in my notes but I often jumped around. I don't always use complete sentences so I can't just copy it into the computer. It still requires some thinking on my part. I would say it takes me at least an hour to complete most installments.One night I dropped the book in the bath with me. I lost a lot of Jedi's birthday. Most of it was a huge rant about the horrible weather and my fear about whether or not they were going to cancel the luau. I would have remembered that anyway without writing about it. Since the Luau was Jedi's one birthday wish I was really worried the weather was going to get in the way. Thank goodness it all turned out okay.
So we were all pumped and ready to hit DS for the day. I had made everyone wear their yellow family T-shirts today. I was hoping for a group picture wearing them. However I had neglected to voice this wish in our discussion of the group plan.
The other tangle in our DS day was that Nanny wasn't part of our discussion of the day. She was still getting ready in her room. So she missed the whole spiel on the new Toy story ride and how busy it was. Tuck this piece of information away because this becomes important later on in the day. When she attempts to take control of the "plan".
You'd think that since we are Day 5 of the vacation that Nanny would get with the program. Or rather she would get with MY program. Apparently not so. We had to wait for her to go to the bus stop.
While waiting Jedi, who was still swinging his pretend lightsaber he managed to hit his brother. Shame that he didn't hit him with his pretend lightsaber but instead it was his fists that managed to connect with Eeoyre's shoulder. Naturally this was not taken in stride by Eeoyre. A full out sibling slap fest insued.
It did not end well. But then it had not started well so what was I expecting?
By the end Jedi had thrown Eeoyre's Lego latest Lego creation (a garden) into a smashed mess on the floor and Eeoyre had pinched Jedi so hard that he left deep crevices in Jedi's skin where his fingernails were.
Eeoyre has always been a pincher/biter while Jedi is a thrower/hitter. Cindy is a Humphf-er and a take-off and hider. Isn't it funny how they all have different fighting styles?
Eeoyre had been building a Lego garden in collaboration with Cindy (although let's face it Eeoyre gets his controlling nature from me and it was only an illusion that Cindy had any input into it at all) so Cindy was mad. She didn't hit anyone. She went right up to Jedi, looked him straight in the eyes all the while holding her hands at her side with her hands clenched into fists and tightening every muscle in her body so that she was shaking before crossing her arms and slumping off into a corner with yet another humpht.
Now all this happened in a matter of seconds. Dh, and I jumped into action ASAP with me manning Eeoyre and Dh holding Jedi.
Jedi had worked himself up into a full out fit.
His face was red, he wasn't able to make complete sentences and once again we were leaving the room for the bus with a ranting and raving 6-year-old. Dh quickly picked him up, scooped him into the stroller and took off for the bus stop in one full swoop. This was becoming quite a habit.Nanny had immerged after all the noise and Poppa and her took charge of Cindy.
So that left me with Eeoyre.
I wasn't pleased with his behavior. The boy is almost 10 and should know better than to snap at his younger brother in an obvious accidental meeting of the flesh. We have had the talk many times before. Maybe this time it would sink in. I struck up the usual cliches such as
- You should know better than to have pinched your brother.
- I am disappointed in your behavior.
- You have powerful words. You need to use your words first.
- How else could you have handled the situation?
Later at the bus stop when all had calmed down, apologies were exchanged.
In case I didn't mention it-it was raining again.
It wasn't raining while we had our pep-talk but started again while we were waiting at the bus stop. We just missed a bus. This time it was Eeoyre and I that held everyone up. I needed to keep him a distance behind the rest of the group and when we arrived at the bus stop Dh and Jedi informed us we had indeed missed a bus. Again par for the course for the Diamond clan.We got to the turnstiles at 9am. Didn't see any sign of a show or rope drop. Nanny thought we were making good time but I knew there were hundreds of people ahead of us and we needed to get to the Toy Story Ride ASAP.
Up next-Nanny and the weather attempt to thwart my plans. Can I salvage the day? Click here http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29558469&postcount=499
Diamondintheruff
<font color=magenta>Thinks she saw a flash!<br><fo
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I bet Cindy and your Mum will look very cute in their matching dresses
Yes, I've got to get a picture of the two of them in it. Of course that is not likely until next summer now. They are not exactly Canadian winter wear.
Oh there was a night I was really pissed off at Dh and slept on the pull out ottamen. So I can say with certainty that it WAS comfortable. I was impressed even while I was in full pissed off mode.
Welcome portocall. Glad to see you posting!
I'm assuming they change their beverage selection often. I would ask about it on the official POR thread on the Disney Resort boards. They are a wealth of knowledge.
You're falling behind...
Thanks for the bump. I'll be sure and pass along the favor when you do your trip report! What can I say? It was Christmas vacation and well, life got in the way. I had friends staying with us and then with the great winter weather we stayed longer at the cottage than we had meant to. But I'm back to the regular bump and grind again. (Sigh)
Nemo32
DIS Veteran
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In your fashion, I'm on the edge of my seat.
I love the contract you have with everyone! As for notebooks, I carry mine around and write as I walk or wait in line- don't want to miss a detail.
I ALWAYS take the food photo after it's more than halfway eaten.
I love the contract you have with everyone! As for notebooks, I carry mine around and write as I walk or wait in line- don't want to miss a detail.
I ALWAYS take the food photo after it's more than halfway eaten.
lazydoxy66
Live, love, and laugh!
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I finally got caught up.
Great save on the walnut shell. You are a momma genius.
I think the picture of the kids with Mexico Donald is one of the best so far.
I do agree with you even though I've never stayed at All Star. It definately is more family/kid oriented. It does scream fun IMO. I don't know about the room size of CBR but the new rooms definitely look like a lot of fun for kids.
Great save on the walnut shell. You are a momma genius.
I think the picture of the kids with Mexico Donald is one of the best so far.
I do agree with you even though I've never stayed at All Star. It definately is more family/kid oriented. It does scream fun IMO. I don't know about the room size of CBR but the new rooms definitely look like a lot of fun for kids.
Love, love, love the update Diamond!! You made me laugh out loud a few times and I needed it. I just love the antics of your kids. They make my life seem normal now!
Oh a side note, how did Cindy like her new AG doll stuff for Christmas? Our DD got her first AG doll and loves her like crazy. She goes everywhere, which a I happy to see her do. At least she likes her and the money was well spent.
Suz
Oh a side note, how did Cindy like her new AG doll stuff for Christmas? Our DD got her first AG doll and loves her like crazy. She goes everywhere, which a I happy to see her do. At least she likes her and the money was well spent.
Suz
Diamondintheruff
<font color=magenta>Thinks she saw a flash!<br><fo
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As for notebooks, I carry mine around and write as I walk or wait in line- don't want to miss a detail.
I ALWAYS take the food photo after it's more than halfway eaten.
At least you remember to take the photo when there is some food left.
Thats because there was the tiniest bit of sun when that picture was taken. It makes all the difference. We did get some more sun at the very end of our trip and managed to get some good family shots but Nanny had left by then so they are just of Poppa and us.
what no video of the fight?
sorry it got off to a bumpy start. Hope it gets better from here.
Scott you have to have some inkling by now that it never does get better! To quote from the movie this is as good as it gets. One of my kids always hates the food, hates the place or hates me at all times.
I should attempt to video tape the kids meltdowns one day. I can torment them with it and show it to their significant others. I'm just afraid it would fall into the wrong hands and I'd end up with children's aid on my doorstep.
Cindy got the tunic and jeans outfit and the blue and silver dress for her AG doll. She liked it. It was one of the first presents she opened but sadly it lost it's luster compared to the wii. Cindy is a kick butt bowler on that thing.
Glad you laughed at the report and that your DD is enjoying her doll.
DearDaisyinDurham
<font color=green>I'm trying not to look at the po
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Oh My leave us on a limb why don't you!!!!!
Ready for the freezing rain/snow/ice pellets tonight??
Daisy
xoxo
Ready for the freezing rain/snow/ice pellets tonight??
Daisy
xoxo
Tnkrbelle565
DIS Veteran
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I have faith that you can salvage the day!!!
Diamondintheruff
<font color=magenta>Thinks she saw a flash!<br><fo
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Oh My leave us on a limb why don't you!!!!!
Ready for the freezing rain/snow/ice pellets tonight??
Daisy
xoxo
So far the freezing rain is not too bad. School buses are cancelled but my poor kids since they go to the same school that I do and I have to be there, they don't get a snow day!
How sweet!
mollyseven
Mollyseven
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You are not going to know what to do with all your free time when you and DH go on your own and you don't have any meltdowns to deal with!!
I have to say, between the rain and the kids fighting I don't know how you handle it. I would have had the rum in my water bottle daily just to get through the days. Wow......
I bet you can't wait for your adult trip!
I posted a small report on the cdn board from our Christmas trip in case you want to peek.
It was fabulous to be away for Christmas.
Hey...can you come and get mine to take to school with you!
I have to say, between the rain and the kids fighting I don't know how you handle it. I would have had the rum in my water bottle daily just to get through the days. Wow......
I bet you can't wait for your adult trip!
I posted a small report on the cdn board from our Christmas trip in case you want to peek.
It was fabulous to be away for Christmas.
Hey...can you come and get mine to take to school with you!
Glad to know the pull out was comfy in the family suite even if you were not in the best humor Toy story ride awesome, can't wait for your family's review Rain rain go away! Somedays I envy people with only children during sibling rivalry, but only for a second because, let's face it, sibling rivalry teaches us all sorts of lessons for everday life. Hmmm must be in a good mood today Can't wait to hear more. I hear you about how long it takes to write an installment, between writing and transferring pictures sometimes mine take 2-3 hrs
especially if photobucket or the computer decide to be finiky
Toy story ride awesome, can't wait for your family's review Rain rain go away! Somedays I envy people with only children during sibling rivalry, but only for a second because, let's face it, sibling rivalry teaches us all sorts of lessons for everday life. Hmmm must be in a good mood today Can't wait to hear more. I hear you about how long it takes to write an installment, between writing and transferring pictures sometimes mine take 2-3 hrs especially if photobucket or the computer decide to be finiky
Diamondintheruff
<font color=magenta>Thinks she saw a flash!<br><fo
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I'm going to head down there ASAP.
I hear you about how long it takes to write an installment, between writing and transferring pictures sometimes mine take 2-3 hrs
You take twice as long as me to write an installment because you've got way more pictures than I do. I felt like I was taking tons of them but I guess in retrospect and in comparison to some I wish I had of taken more.
Diamondintheruff
<font color=magenta>Thinks she saw a flash!<br><fo
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OMG how do you cope???? I think I would have no kids after that and maybe a jail sentance awaiting me
Nanny and Poppa say it is all payback for me. Apparently, I was a bit of a pill myself.
DearDaisyinDurham
<font color=green>I'm trying not to look at the po
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Apparently, I was a bit of a pill myself
portocall
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I have three kids and for the most part, their fighting styles are the same and IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE! I love reading your report, your kids are great! They remind me of mine and I think the TR gives me a more realistic account of what really to expect.
Diamondintheruff
<font color=magenta>Thinks she saw a flash!<br><fo
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Friday August 22, 2008
So it was 9am when the Diamond clan who were all wearing their matching Yellow T-shirts (and ponchos because yet again it was raining-or have I mentioned the rain yet?) passed through the turnstiles and headed for Toy Story Mania.
The plan today included a couple of things.
1)Toy story Mania
2)Jedi training
3)Indiana Jones
4)Animation building
5)Photopass picture of a superimposed Stitch
6)Photopass picture of the 7 of us in our matching yellow shirts.
As we are walking towards the socerer's hat I remember that I had meant to double check on the map where exactly Toy Story Mania was. I knew the general direction and of course in the end I just followed the crowd. Or perhaps the better word would be the MOB.
I've been to rope drops before but never before have I experienced the crush of people that this mob was. It was like the tour de France when you see all those little bikes in the tiny streets. They take up all the possible space there is and although are many seperate bikes they move as one unit. It was scary. You had to keep up or you would be swallowed up by it.
We tried to stay together but Nanny fell behind. The crowd parted Nanny from Eeoyre and I hoped she would be able to catch back up with us. She made one last attempt to grab on to Eeoyre's wrist but he must of sensed that she would have slowed him down and selfishly he shrugged her away. I can't really blame him. It's not like I stopped for her either. I had a mission. I had to get to that fast pass machine.
Now I knew it was going to busy but I never expected it to be as busy as it was. After all, we had arrived (close to) opening and I had chosen a good day according to TGM. By the time we reached the fast pass machines the sign read 10:30 return time and they were about 50 people deep. The ride was displaying a 25 minute wait time but people were lined up outside of the building.
I had a moment of insecurity and I panicked. I stood still in the crowd. My family stood with me and we all braced ourselves as the mob kept trying to make us move.
The level of the crowd really shocked me.
My original plan was to get fast passes for everyone and then we would ride now and ride later. But I didn't do that.
Tour Guide Mike and the Unofficial guide didn't include Toy story mania in their touring plans. The ride was too new for it. So I was on my own.
I did the unthinkable. I questioned my original plan.
By stopping to think I became one of "them". You know the people who spend the crucial part of their day at the park deciding what to do. I promised myself I wouldn't do that. But I did. Worse even, I was aware at the time of what I was doing and compromising and well… that made me panic all the more.
I couldn't tell you what the rest of the family was doing. Probably all huddled around me waiting for official word on the "plan" or else totally overwhelmed by the crowd and trying very hard not to brush up against anyone else. I do remember that none of the kids had a meltdown, which leads me to believe they were indeed suffering effects from the crush of people.
Nanny caught up with us. I'm not sure how she managed to find us in all those people. Perhaps it was Poppa's umbrella or our matching yellow shirts?
Anyhow Nanny was winded and not impressed with the crowd. (Or us for leaving her I suppose). In fact Nanny was downright cranky. She wasn't having any of this nonsense or so she put it.
"What's the big deal about this ride? Can't we just come back later when there is no lineup?"
"Actually the lineup only gets bigger as the day wears on" I explain.
"Not possible" she said, "We'll have to come back later"
Did we or didn't we? Click here to find out. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29620011&postcount=516
So it was 9am when the Diamond clan who were all wearing their matching Yellow T-shirts (and ponchos because yet again it was raining-or have I mentioned the rain yet?) passed through the turnstiles and headed for Toy Story Mania.
The plan today included a couple of things.
1)Toy story Mania
2)Jedi training
3)Indiana Jones
4)Animation building
5)Photopass picture of a superimposed Stitch
6)Photopass picture of the 7 of us in our matching yellow shirts.
As we are walking towards the socerer's hat I remember that I had meant to double check on the map where exactly Toy Story Mania was. I knew the general direction and of course in the end I just followed the crowd. Or perhaps the better word would be the MOB.
I've been to rope drops before but never before have I experienced the crush of people that this mob was. It was like the tour de France when you see all those little bikes in the tiny streets. They take up all the possible space there is and although are many seperate bikes they move as one unit. It was scary. You had to keep up or you would be swallowed up by it.
We tried to stay together but Nanny fell behind. The crowd parted Nanny from Eeoyre and I hoped she would be able to catch back up with us. She made one last attempt to grab on to Eeoyre's wrist but he must of sensed that she would have slowed him down and selfishly he shrugged her away. I can't really blame him. It's not like I stopped for her either. I had a mission. I had to get to that fast pass machine.
Now I knew it was going to busy but I never expected it to be as busy as it was. After all, we had arrived (close to) opening and I had chosen a good day according to TGM. By the time we reached the fast pass machines the sign read 10:30 return time and they were about 50 people deep. The ride was displaying a 25 minute wait time but people were lined up outside of the building.
I had a moment of insecurity and I panicked. I stood still in the crowd. My family stood with me and we all braced ourselves as the mob kept trying to make us move.
The level of the crowd really shocked me.
My original plan was to get fast passes for everyone and then we would ride now and ride later. But I didn't do that.
Tour Guide Mike and the Unofficial guide didn't include Toy story mania in their touring plans. The ride was too new for it. So I was on my own.
I did the unthinkable. I questioned my original plan.
By stopping to think I became one of "them". You know the people who spend the crucial part of their day at the park deciding what to do. I promised myself I wouldn't do that. But I did. Worse even, I was aware at the time of what I was doing and compromising and well… that made me panic all the more.
I couldn't tell you what the rest of the family was doing. Probably all huddled around me waiting for official word on the "plan" or else totally overwhelmed by the crowd and trying very hard not to brush up against anyone else. I do remember that none of the kids had a meltdown, which leads me to believe they were indeed suffering effects from the crush of people.
Nanny caught up with us. I'm not sure how she managed to find us in all those people. Perhaps it was Poppa's umbrella or our matching yellow shirts?
Anyhow Nanny was winded and not impressed with the crowd. (Or us for leaving her I suppose). In fact Nanny was downright cranky. She wasn't having any of this nonsense or so she put it.
"What's the big deal about this ride? Can't we just come back later when there is no lineup?"
"Actually the lineup only gets bigger as the day wears on" I explain.
"Not possible" she said, "We'll have to come back later"
Did we or didn't we? Click here to find out. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29620011&postcount=516
Diamondintheruff
<font color=magenta>Thinks she saw a flash!<br><fo
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2006
- Messages
- 2,683
I have three kids and for the most part, their fighting styles are the same and IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE! I love reading your report, your kids are great! They remind me of mine and I think the TR gives me a more realistic account of what really to expect.
Thanks ever so much!
I dreamt about the idealistic happy family vacation but as you have all read, it didn't happen. But we did get to spend alot of time together (be it in wrapped in plastic, or stuck in a small hotel room) and there were some warm and wonderful moments (Except in the haunted house where Dh's feet may have been warm but it was anything but wonderful!).
I'm really glad to have all the memories. But I'm also looking forward to dumping the kids and going with just DH in April!
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