A Vacation From My Problems (A Sept. 2010 Trip Report) - COMPLETED 12/14

[afwdwfan]

above and beyond the call of duty

My extensive research shows this quote comes from numerous movies ranging from Patriot Games, to The Manchurian Candidate to Star Trek: Generations and I'm sure many more.

 

[Flossbolna]

Royale with Cheese--Pulp Fiction

That was my quote!!!

Congratulations Jill!

 

[jedijill]

That was my quote!!!

Congratulations Jill!

Sorry! I finally beat the boys!

Jill

 

[Sonnyeclipse]

Best. Day. Ever.

Old School

 

[MissLiz]

I'm going to have to say:

Fly? Yes.
Land? No.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom


Evil minions

Despicable Me?

(Sorry, I haven't seen the movie, but I know the little guys are called minions)

 

[FreezinRafiki]

and my parents heard a constant click-click-click-click through the entire show. I belive the count came to 57 pictures.

Goodness...how many times did he have to stop and change out film and flash cubes?

we like both classical music and hard rock, and if you can mix the sounds together? awesome

I love Christmas time - I can crank TransSiberian Orchestra up to 11 on the ole minivan speakers.

For their second number, they announced they would be singing a traditional song called "Brother John", but it was French-Canadian (I think). The lead singer said, "That's right! Not only do I play the world's most obnoxious instrument, but now I'm going to sing in French!"

Sarah really wanted to ride Mission: Space again, and there was no wait. My mom hadn't tried it, so she took Sarah to that one while we took Dave to Test Track.

Your mom went orange team, didn't she?

She took a few shots, and the speed doesn't show up on any of them. I know it was lit up when we rode it--we could see it clearly. No idea why it didn't show on camera.

Disney trademarks the speed, and you clearly didn't pay the licensing fee. I tell ya, that mouse has more ways into your wallet than you can shake a stick at.

We had a slight mishap on our landing (I warned you), but made it safely.

Here's what I don't get about Mission:Space. You are supposed to be the first manned mission to Mars, and there is a runway already built. Are we really supposed to believe we had a team of robots build a runway? Heck, we have the Spirit Rover up there now that can't get it's wheel out of the sand.
Perhaps I put too much thought into these things...

And the idiot pilot. I'm starting to understand why we flew into a meteor shower:

Would have looked better in a beret. Hopefully I can get some retroactive Mr. Knowitall points for my previous work on that front.

Mission: Space..... CONQUERED!

Nice Job, Team!

But we're fairly shallow people. We like pyrotechnics. Fire! Fire!

Ahhhh...stuff blowing up. Music to my ears.

We opened the bag. Inside were a Disney Cruise Line notebook, a Disney World autograph book, stickers, a Mickey noisemaker, buttons for all 4 theme parks, a snow globe, a pirate sword (plastic, thank goodness), magnets, and yes, trading cards. We were flabbergasted. Dave looked like this:

That's AWESOME!

Sorry, guys. I had to do actual "work" today.

I've got so many DOT jokes running around, but I can't seem wrestle one down.
"I guess you're right. That shovel isn't going to lean on itself, you know"

^^^Oh look, I found one.

 

[afwdwfan]

we like both classical music and hard rock, and if you can mix the sounds together? awesome )

Does somebody have the Metallica S&M CDs?

Julie tried to get a cool picture on the ride of our speed. Everything was lined up perfectly, except for one thing:

She took a few shots, and the speed doesn't show up on any of them. I know it was lit up when we rode it--we could see it clearly. No idea why it didn't show on camera.

I think the explanation is pretty clear... when you're traveling faster than the speed of light, it is probably impossible to photograph a number that is made up of light.

*(This does not apply to me and the Tower of Terror. Because I said so, that's why.)

I REALLY hope Sarah wants to ride it next time.

But we're fairly shallow people. We like pyrotechnics. Fire! Fire!

Who doesn't like things that blow up?

As we did so, another family just ducked under the ropes and jumped ahead of us. Have a magical day, sir!

That's why they call it a suggestion, not a line... er uh... yeah...

Mike Cochran

Hey, he's my son's babysitter's husband! Great guy. Coincidentally enough, the one I know drives a school bus...

red cars

Lightning McQueen!!!!
Not going for a quote necessarily, just sayin.....

Coming Up Next: We begin our final day in the parks.

NO!!! I'm enjoying your trip report too much. I don't want it to end.
and I don't think I can make up 15 or 20 points in 1 day

 

[reelmom]

Ok, better late than never. I happened upon your TR( I am supposed to be packing our family up to leave for Mississippi but have not yet started because of your TR. We are visiting with DH's side of the family so that may have a tiny bit to do with my reluctance to pack.) and I am hooked. Your ADR's are so close to what we have for our first ever free dining in June. We have always eaten at Counter Service because we are simple(cheap) people. Your dining reports have been helpful and make me glad that we are going to eat at Chef Mickey's, Liberty Tree, Le Cellier, and Whispering Canyon, all for the first time. So I am now caught up and I have to go pack. We are leaving when DH gets home, probably right about now.

 

[afwdwfan]

Uh oh. They've figured out my system.





Sorry, guys. I had to do actual "work" today.

You're pretty easy to figure out. It's a good thing your spy missions are over.


I had to work today too. I didn't get here till 2 hours after you posted the leaderboard. I got busy again and literally sat down at my computer 1 minute after you posted your update.

 

[dvczerfs]

nice update and pics mark!!! what a bus driver!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh, half of that is just banter from Marv. Now Liesa (All7OfUs), on the other hand, will require several threads to spin her yarn. She only came up with the title she's using because "Iliad" and "Odyssey" were already taken.



The Simpsons Movie. (Without the "Sorry Marv" part)

At least I'm working with high quality alpaca- left all that crappy camel stuff behind. As for titles, both of those have a limited letter supply (and they're damn tough to read!).

 

[All7OfUs]

Current Standings After 18 Entries and the Beverly Slogan Contest

Glennbo123 40
FreezinRafiki 39.5
Trennr 33
Afwdwfan 20.5
That's Nice 14
Marvali 11
Mom3sonstt 8
MissLiz 7
Middlepat 6
Goofy+3 4
Melk 4
Wherem I Now 3
Flossbolna 3
Mrs. Knowitall 2
Belle_princess 2
Pennylane1084 2
Sonnyeclipse 2
LegoMan3 1
jedijill 1
Emma's Dad 1
3timesmom 1
All7OfUs 1
Dvczerfs 1
sara98629 1*

I wish this was golf.

 

[All7OfUs]

I don't know what to say except: Best.Day.Ever!

Oh, and I really didn't like Off Kilter, but hey, that's a minor point compared to all the other Best.Day.Ever stuff!!

 

[Shannon84]

Darn...I left work early today and missed the update until now!!

That pretty much does sound like the best day ever...next vacation I am leaving Lee behind and joining your family...you always wanted another kid right??

I don't blame the hemming and hawing over mission motion sickness If I ever get back on this I am only doing the green side

Your Illuminations pictures are GREAT! I love the music to Wishes, but Illuminations really has some WOW factor that rocks

How can you not love disney after something like receiving that package in your room...really sets them above the rest when nice CMs like that go above and beyond

 

[glennbo123]

Man, I figured today was an update day for you, and I was watching this thread. Then you posted the standings, and I was on it like a hawk. Tick, tick, tick. I had to leave at 3:30 (like be driving out of the parking lot at 3:30) to get one of my kids to an appointment. You had to have posted literally as I walked out the door.

Well, anyway.

If David took all of these pictures of the acrobats, how come you didn't post any?

Yes, that was out of character of Scotty to wait behind with the grandparents rather than going on the exciting ride with the rest of the family, wasn't it?

I agree with your and tennr's assessment on Illuminations.

It's a tough call = The Devil Wears Prada

Kudos to Mr. Cochran!

Can't argue with your Best.Day.Ever summation!

 

[middlepat]

Great update Mark. Glad you note only saved the world but also were able to conquer some fears.

Love Off Kilter... might be partly their location.

As for Brother John I believe that it goes something like this:

Frère Jacques,
Frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous?
Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines.
Sonnez les matines.
Ding, ding, dong.
Ding, ding, dong.

Sorry couldn't resist singing a little french.

Also big Kudos to Mr. Cochran and his bag full of awesomeness!!! Total magical experience.

 

[Wherem I Now]

I think that the EPCOT updates have been my favorite so far. It is so amazing when the Cast Members go above and beyond like that and I love that you made the effort to show that you appreciated it. Hopefully it will get back to him.

What a great day!

 

[mom3sonstt]

Julie and I had never heard Off Kilter play before, and truth be told: she hates the bagpipe.
But we both have some eclectic musical tastes (we like both classical music and hard rock, and if you can mix the sounds together? awesome ) and will give almost anything a shot. It turned out to be a good call--Off Kilter is a lot of fun. They're very talented, and the bagpipe fits in seamlessly with the rock music. From my limited knowledge, they seem to be in the same ballpark musically as the Dropkick Murphys (Boston Irish band).:

Another band they remind me of is Flogging Molly. I was at Target once and heard music playing that I could have sworn was Off Kilter. It became my mission to figure out who was playing. I now have a couple Flogging Molly cds in my collection.

For their second number, they announced they would be singing a traditional song called "Brother John", but it was French-Canadian (I think). The lead singer said, "That's right! Not only do I play the world's most obnoxious instrument, but now I'm going to sing in French!" ).:

He's great! I hate when I make a point to get ther for their set and he's not there.

[

At this point, the lights came on and we were treated to a show set to James Horner's terrific theme from The Rocketeer. I was amazed at how many people walked past the fountain without a second glance. To me, the fountain show is one of the most magical parts of Epcot, especially at night. It amazes me that more people don't stop to watch it..:

I haven't seen the fountain show at night, but I did make it a point to stop and watch it several times during the day.

[

The other thing we noticed was a plastic bag lying on the bed. That hadn't been there when we left.

Stapled to the bag was a small handwritten note:



We opened the bag. Inside were a Disney Cruise Line notebook, a Disney World autograph book, stickers, a Mickey noisemaker, buttons for all 4 theme parks, a snow globe, a pirate sword (plastic, thank goodness), magnets, and yes, trading cards. We were flabbergasted. Dave looked like this:

I have no idea if this was just stuff he had collected over the years, or if he'd spent his own money, or had guest services put something together, or what. All I know is, the guy didn't have to do anything. Dave had collected cards from other drivers and had completely forgotten this. So had I, to tell the truth. Mr. Cochran went above and beyond the call of duty. And yes, it did make the stay more magical. .:

How cool!

[

When I got home, I contacted Guest Services and gave them all the info on Mr. Cochran and what he did for us. Hopefully he got a commendation or an attaboy or some sort of special recognition, because he deserved it.:.:

So, to sum this day up: Kona coffee, fun spy missions, happy kids with no whining or fighting, cultural experiences with international Cast Members, cheddar cheese soup, steak, chocolate cake, saving the world, cowbells, bagpipes, red cars, fears conquered, outdoor seating with a fountain show, pyrotechnics, and unexpected treasures waiting for my son in the room. Best. Day. Ever.

Coming Up Next: We begin our final day in the parks. And Scotty conquers a ride!

for best day ever and for Scotty's victory!

 

[KatMark]

*(This does not apply to me and the Tower of Terror. Because I said so, that's why.)

Good one, Chicken Mark.

Sorry I am so far behind in the updates...busy at work, busy getting ready for company and our youngest son coming home for a couple of days, etc.

No wonder this was the BEST DAY EVER! Al I can say is WOW!

You know how I love everything you ordered at LeCellier already.
The Kona coffee is something I still need to try. The kids did great without fighting and David conquering rides. It doesn't get much better than that. Until you throw in the great fountain show, Illuminations (although I prefer Wishes and Fantasmic myself) and the wonderful, wonderful surprise by the bus driver for David. Talk about some major pixie dust.

I can't wait to hear what ride Scotty conquers.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your lovely family.

 

[jenbear123]

Last day already??? But I feel like it just started.

Definitely the best day ever! Wow, what a shocker how that bus driver went above and beyond like that. What a great guy! I'm so glad that you spoke to Guest Services to send in the good word. A lot of people receive a good deed but don't say boo about it!