ABCs of Trip Reporting, Pt. 2-Life Can Be Crappy and Then You Move On (3/7)

[All7OfUs]

Toy Story 6 times?? I was there 12 days and only rode it

• once

Only once?? Not even once with a FiP and once standby??

Good luck to Andrew on his driver's test! When I went for my license the first time my mother bet a friend of hers that I would not pass the first time. I did and I made darned sure she paid off her bet! There was an instructor at the driver's license place who was notorious for not passing kids, so maybe part of her rationale was his reputation (he was in the Reserves with my dad), but I saw it strictly as lack of confidence in me.

That's not a good way to instill confidence at all. I'm really glad you passed it the first time, so you could show her you were boss on this!!

I haven't heard of dilly beans in forever! Probably since I was a kid and my grandma still lived on the farm. Once granddad died and she moved in to town she didn't do any canning or anything like that anymore.

I got 18 pints of htem, and we eat about one a month or so. They are nice to have around for the occasional cookout of hamburgers with potato salad. They are nice for an hors d'oeuvres time too with chips and salsa and a drink. I really enjoy canning a lot. I honestly don't even know if I save money, but I do love having my shelves full of good food that I know doesn't have any preservatives in it, and it's something the girls and I can do together.

Looking forward to reading more of your updates - both reports here and on your blog. I read Becca's entry the other day. She definitely received your talent for writing!

She is a REALLY good writer! I'm glad she's going to be around so she can help me on my papers this term!

I DO remember you talking about problems at Andrews dorm room last year - yikes! Not fun for him to have hanky panky going on around him all the time!

So.... what are dilly beans? I'm guessing green beans done up like dill pickles? If so, that sounds yummy! I remember being served a bloody mary some years back that had a pickled green bean in it instead of celery - unusual, but good!

If I come out to Oregon, will you teach my how to can?

Not at all!! And it makes me so, so sad they the parents both only 19 now, had to drop out of school for this!

They are exactly like pickles but done with beans instead of cukes. We really like them as they tend to be much more crunchy than the other. I love the idea of that in a bloody mary. Sounds like a perfect garnish!

Of course I can!! It's not hard at ALL!! but you'd have to be here in summer when everthing is fresh and ripe!

After getting horribly behind I am caught up on trip updates but I had to sacrifice the chatter in between. I'm really sorry to miss it since this report has some of the most entertaining chatter.

I can not even imagine ridding TSM 6 times in one day. Was your arm sore the next day? I rode it 4 times in 2009 and mine was.

I'm really enjoying your DL updates. For one thing the story telling with you Mom and Aunt is just priceless and for another the pictures are fabulous since I have never been there.

I'm going to try my best to keep up from here on out.

I'm doing the same as I try to dig myself out of my hole! It's hard to be gone for so long!

Yeah, my arm was actually QUITE sore the next day! But it was totally worth it!!

Glad you are enjoying the DLR part! Up next on that one is a few more attractions, then DINNER!!!! You're gonna love it!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

and we underlings parked it on damp seats where a million shoes have trod, ensuring we’d emerge with brown and itchy butts. You know what I’m talking about….

As a package sort of deal, this attraction just hits the mark for entertainment. Even the most hardened manly man’s gotta admit that you just can’t help but hum along and at least enjoy watching the kids around you have a great time.

Um...

I'm trying here. I really am. I think I can give you the latter point. Except my kids mostly made fun of me while we rode it.

There’s so much to see and take in, you just can’t tackle it all; all around you there’s a cacophony of spinning figures, twinkling lights, glimmering tinsel, all wrapped up in a pretty amazing orchestral soundtrack written by an Academy Award winning team of brothers. What’s not to like?

Well, The English Patient won an Academy Award too, so their judgment remains suspect.

But really, the ride doesn't need much to make it special. Just this, mounted on the boats:

Look carefully, and you’ll see that in each of their hands was a long stick, and they were busy pushing the boats along the track. When our turn came to be pushed, we were informed that our side’s track was not working and at this point there was no way to offload us since we HAD to go on that side where the wheelchair ramp was. The boats they COULD push through had to go around again, as did we. Ok, once is great; two would be twice as good, right??

http://nooooooooooooooo.com/
(chorus)

Over, and over, and over, and over it sang out, by this time mocking us, just as the once happy grins on the faces of the dolls began to taunt us, asking, “Just how much of this can you endure?” Seriously, as much as I love this ride, by the 3rd minute in, I was praying that our track would be fixed and we could exit fully sane, lucid and whole. It was truly a test of fortitude, as they had very purposefully put the ride on SSSSSSSSSSSSSSLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW, as to make sure we had plenty of time to enjoy it- errr, for them to fix the problem.

My goodness. This is horrifying! I've got the shakes.

But those who know me best could guess that I took the lemons and made some pretty fantastic lemonade. The first time around I completely messed up my every opportunity to get photos of the characters they’ve added to the ride. This time around, I got nearly all of them. Check it out!

Remind me to pick you for my zombie apocalypse survival team. This is an amazing example of grace under pressure! You don't freeze in a crisis!

So did we manage to come off undamaged??

 

[jenb1023]

Well, The English Patient won an Academy Award too, so their judgment remains suspect.

This made me LOL!!!! I thought I was the only person that thought that movie was terrible!

Liesa - yea for Andrew passing the driving test!!!! I hope Mikki changes her mind and decided to go for it. Good luck to Bekka!

Getting stuck on IASW is DH's worst nightmare! You should write the official description for IASW - I think what you wrote would make anyone want to ride it! It is interesting how different it is than the one at WDW and I think I like the new additions!

 

[All7OfUs]

You are a better person than me. I have to tell you that I was NOT disappointed that IASW was closed when we were there last year at all. But to have to sit through it twice, you would have had to take me to a loony bin. I'm glad you enjoyed it the FIRST time through; and I do have to say I love the new "characters" added.

Oh gosh, I was. I really wanted to go on it. Once. And now I know that woudl have been enough.

I really like how they blended the characters into the countries they belong to. Very cool!

Of all the rides to have go throught twice, IASW would probably be on the bottom of the list.

We are in accord.

I must agree, the facade at the DL It's A Small World is much prettier than the one at WDW. Also, there's the fact that this one is outside and that one is inside, but still, this one is a ton cooler and they have a little pre-show to go along with it. Still searching on YouTube for that.

Oh my gosh! You went on IASW, twice?! I'm so sorry, I can't believe you actually survived though. I think I would've been driven insane myself. I mean, you're right the song is catchy and the ride is just so amazing the first time around, but after that, done. At least you got pictures of the Disney and Pixar characters added to the ride. I really wish they would add that to the WDW one, a real cool addition there

Can't wait to read more!

I think the facade fits in so well with the Fantasyland theming- and it's such a shame that the one in Orlando is so "coverered up", and all hidden.

It is so odd how once is ENOUGH!! too much of a good thing, I guess.

 

[Pimama]

I do love IASW but twice in a row, with the second time on slow speed...eek! I did ride it 2 or 3 or 4 times in one day last September. I was pregnant so I got stuck, I mean I got to enjoy extra time with the two little ones, while my husband got to take the older two on the wilder rides. We did lots of Casey Jr. as well.

I keep hearing things like "IASW and POC are better at DL". What's better at WDW?

BTW- ever notice the little girl on the couch who looks like she's part of a harem, always looked a little wrong to me...

This made me LOL!!!! I thought I was the only person that thought that movie was terrible!

I'm with you two. I remember my husband saying as the credits were rolling "There's 2 (or was it 3?!) hours of our lives will never get back." That burn scene was just to creepy anyway, I really don't need images like that floating around in my head just for the sake of entertainment.

Thanks for another fun update!

(Confession time- I've only read probably less than a quarter of your PTR/TR. Still hope to someday but, you know, life.)

 

[All7OfUs]

How funny that the same experience the second time around becomes torture! But I think I would feel exactly the same way. I still remember that Katharina and I were so shocked with IASW on our first trip in 92 - really not the attraction which speaks to two teenagers. And then made a joke out of going on it on every Disney trip. Now I kind of like it...

And I still think that DL truly has the most beautiful version of it - at least from the outside!!

No, it's definitely not "teen friendly"; I still love the picture of Andrew being dragged on it on our 2008 trip. The look of disgust was priceless.

I grew up with it, so it's something I really look forward to every time I go. But twice was OVERLOAD for sure!!!

Did you come off IASW undamaged? Well since you went into it "damaged" I'm guessing riding it twice didn't "improve" your situation any........ I do think it is cool the way they blended in the new characters. Nice job on the pictures. Now I don't have to ride it to see them!

Hey, who you callin' a scuttlebutt!?!?

So, you're saying I spared you from certain amounts of torture?? As for being damaged... haha, I have no idea what you could be talking about... Scuttlebutt.

I'm sure I wouldn't come out of this experience unharmed. Besides the brainwashing music I find all these littel faces which somehow look all the same very creepy. I guess I would have nightmares. But Magdalene is right, we ride it at least once every trip and I am always afraid of getting stuck.

That fear, apparently, is a very real one. It can happen. So now you can go into your next time fully confident that you could emerge whacked out and scarred for life.

BTW, I did get your PM, and will have to write you back soon. I'm not sure it's going to work this year, with me going back to school, but we'l definitely think on it for next year!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

This made me LOL!!!! I thought I was the only person that thought that movie was terrible!

I'm with you two. I remember my husband saying as the credits were rolling "There's 2 (or was it 3?!) hours of our lives will never get back." That burn scene was just to creepy anyway, I really don't need images like that floating around in my head just for the sake of entertainment.

My wife fell asleep 3 separate times during that movie (once for each hour, I guess). I remember thinking I'd never seen a movie before that lasted 3 hours and yet nothing happened.

I do love IASW but twice in a row, with the second time on slow speed...eek! I did ride it 2 or 3 or 4 times in one day last September. I was pregnant so I got stuck, I mean I got to enjoy extra time with the two little ones, while my husband got to take the older two on the wilder rides. We did lots of Casey Jr. as well.

I keep hearing things like "IASW and POC are better at DL". What's better at WDW?

Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom are all better at WDW.

 

[All7OfUs]

You know what I"m talking about... the feeling you get when you've been swimming and your suit is not quite dry. I hate that!

Um...

I'm trying here. I really am. I think I can give you the latter point. Except my kids mostly made fun of me while we rode it.

Your kids? Make fun of you??

Well, The English Patient won an Academy Award too, so their judgment remains suspect.

I've not seen that one... apparently from the looks of later comments, I need not.

But really, the ride doesn't need much to make it special. Just this, mounted on the boats:

I need one of those!!!!! For my firetruck I want.

http://nooooooooooooooo.com/
(chorus)

I thought you'd appreciate that.

My goodness. This is horrifying! I've got the shakes.

doesn't seem nearly as bad as being dragged down the to the ice cream shop and enduring a waffle cone.

Remind me to pick you for my zombie apocalypse survival team. This is an amazing example of grace under pressure! You don't freeze in a crisis!

I have many talents. Now here's a thought.. what if all the dolls actually BECAME zombies?? That would spice up the ride!

This made me LOL!!!! I thought I was the only person that thought that movie was terrible!

Liesa - yea for Andrew passing the driving test!!!! I hope Mikki changes her mind and decided to go for it. Good luck to Bekka!

Getting stuck on IASW is DH's worst nightmare! You should write the official description for IASW - I think what you wrote would make anyone want to ride it! It is interesting how different it is than the one at WDW and I think I like the new additions!

Another vote for "terrible" movie. I think I'll pass.

I think she's pretty savvy in knowing that if she just waits until she's even one year older, she'll pay 1/2 the insurance. So we'll see....

HAHA, yeah I coudl send that in to Disney's PR team, and have them take a look.

Mine will hardly go on it. I just dont' even bother to ask anymore.

I do love IASW but twice in a row, with the second time on slow speed...eek! I did ride it 2 or 3 or 4 times in one day last September. I was pregnant so I got stuck, I mean I got to enjoy extra time with the two little ones, while my husband got to take the older two on the wilder rides. We did lots of Casey Jr. as well.

Oh I remember the "pregnant days" for myself very well. There was a zillion times I was shafted with the "boring" stuff. WOW! Voluntarily riding it 4 times is truly a feat of love. I could ride Casey a bunch; what a cute little ride!

I keep hearing things like "IASW and POC are better at DL". What's better at WDW?

Hmmm... well, aside from the sheer SCOPE of the resort. specific to MK, I'd say you should definitely check out this blog from my favorite Disney blogger who no longer writes:

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2008/11/disneyland_vs_magic_kingdom_pa.html

It has a GREAT explanation of the differences.

BTW- ever notice the little girl on the couch who looks like she's part of a harem, always looked a little wrong to me...

I think she's supposed to be a princess of some sort?? I wonder if we're talking about the same one?

I'm with you two. I remember my husband saying as the credits were rolling "There's 2 (or was it 3?!) hours of our lives will never get back." That burn scene was just to creepy anyway, I really don't need images like that floating around in my head just for the sake of entertainment.

I can think of about 2 dozen I'll run out and get before this one... thanks for the heads up.

Thanks for another fun update!

(Confession time- I've only read probably less than a quarter of your PTR/TR. Still hope to someday but, you know, life.)

I would be absolutely flabbergasted if someone actually went back and read the whole lot! That's a HUGE amount of drivel right there. It's even more amazing that I'm over halfway through with thread #2 on this TR and only halfway done wih the trip. YIKES!!

 

[mom3sonstt]

My wife fell asleep 3 separate times during that movie (once for each hour, I guess). I remember thinking I'd never seen a movie before that lasted 3 hours and yet nothing happened.

Try seeing the Constant Gardener. I would tell you what it's about, but I really can't remember a thing about it. We go to movies occasionally with another couple. Danny & Walt (and me) like the action movies, Pam likes chick fliks. Every once in a while we will find something that we think all of us will like. She suggested this one. Well, when it was over we were all in agreement - none of us liked it! Maybe it's Ralph Fiennes fault - he was in both of those movies......

 

[marvali]

So, you're saying I spared you from certain amounts of torture?? As for being damaged... haha, I have no idea what you could be talking about... Scuttlebutt.

My wife fell asleep 3 separate times during that movie (once for each hour, I guess). I remember thinking I'd never seen a movie before that lasted 3 hours and yet nothing happened.

For a second there I thought you were talking about your honeymoon, until you mentioned how long it lasted......... (rimshot)

Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom are all better at WDW.

 

[Flossbolna]

That fear, apparently, is a very real one. It can happen. So now you can go into your next time fully confident that you could emerge whacked out and scarred for life.

BTW, I did get your PM, and will have to write you back soon. I'm not sure it's going to work this year, with me going back to school, but we'l definitely think on it for next year!!

I think Katharina should pack emergency ear plugs into her park bag for that case!!

Katharina and I thought that you might still have a lot of readjusting to life in the US to do - but maybe you know someone else who might be interested? But it is great to hear that you will think about it for next year!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Your kids? Make fun of you??

I know. Where do they learn this stuff?

doesn't seem nearly as bad as being dragged down the to the ice cream shop and enduring a waffle cone.

The horror! Too soon!

I have many talents. Now here's a thought.. what if all the dolls actually BECAME zombies?? That would spice up the ride!

It would only become...THE GREATEST RIDE EVER!!

Try seeing the Constant Gardener. I would tell you what it's about, but I really can't remember a thing about it. We go to movies occasionally with another couple. Danny & Walt (and me) like the action movies, Pam likes chick fliks. Every once in a while we will find something that we think all of us will like. She suggested this one. Well, when it was over we were all in agreement - none of us liked it! Maybe it's Ralph Fiennes fault - he was in both of those movies......

Haven't seen that one. And it sounds like I won't be anytime soon.

For a second there I thought you were talking about your honeymoon, until you mentioned how long it lasted......... (rimshot)

Falling asleep every hour? No, that was from waiting for an update on your TR.

 

[All7OfUs]

Try seeing the Constant Gardener. I would tell you what it's about, but I really can't remember a thing about it. We go to movies occasionally with another couple. Danny & Walt (and me) like the action movies, Pam likes chick fliks. Every once in a while we will find something that we think all of us will like. She suggested this one. Well, when it was over we were all in agreement - none of us liked it! Maybe it's Ralph Fiennes fault - he was in both of those movies......

Now, there's a movie I actually liked. It was pretty dramatic, the scenery and setting were super, and the story had a goodly amount of suspense. I don't ever keep track of who's in what, but the plot was pretty decent, I thought.

For a second there I thought you were talking about your honeymoon, until you mentioned how long it lasted......... (rimshot)

OUCH!

 

[All7OfUs]

I think Katharina should pack emergency ear plugs into her park bag for that case!!

Katharina and I thought that you might still have a lot of readjusting to life in the US to do - but maybe you know someone else who might be interested? But it is great to hear that you will think about it for next year!

I would have thought you two would have had those in your bags anyway, at least for the plane trip, and perhaps for that occassional snoring sister.

I know. Where do they learn this stuff?

Certainly NOT from their ever-so-loving parents!!

The horror! Too soon!

And don't forget the attacking sprinkles.

It would only become...THE GREATEST RIDE EVER!!

Yeah, coupled with those laser (??) cannons, well, it'd be just about the brightest star since Betelgeuse!! We should send in our collaborative idea right away!!

Haven't seen that one. And it sounds like I won't be anytime soon.

I actually kinda liked it... if you like intrigue, it's pretty decent.

Falling asleep every hour? No, that was from waiting for an update on your TR.

Oh wow, this is like the old times...

 

[mom3sonstt]

Now, there's a movie I actually liked. It was pretty dramatic, the scenery and setting were super, and the story had a goodly amount of suspense. I don't ever keep track of who's in what, but the plot was pretty decent, I thought.

I couldn't tell you a single thing about it now plot-wise or scenery or anything. I don't remember if any of us knew what it was supposed to be about going in and it didn't live up to our expectations, or if we were clueless and trusted Pam's recommendation. I guess I'll have to read a plot summary sometime to see if it rings any bells.....I just remember being disappointed when we left

 

[Poolrat]

I did start to enjoy it more. I think a big part of my problem with it, was I just couldn't ever seem to get my bearings in there and was constantly lost. I never know which way to go to see this or that- but now that I've spent more time there, I can find things a bit more easily. Plus, I spent more time watching the Streetmosphere, which really added to what I think the park was really meant to be.

I read somewhere that DHS was a quick answer to US. In fact the layout was similar too. I vaugely remember something about "stealing plans" but that would explain why there are dead ends and you get confused walking around. Not sure how true but after I read that DHS made a bit more sense to me.

But really, the ride doesn't need much to make it special. Just this, mounted on the boats:

Hey when I dragged Chris on IASW one trip we suggested Buzz Light type lasers at every seat to shoot the dolls for points. A dad in front of us thought it was a great idea and we laughed about it the whole ride.




Congrats to Andrew !!!!!!

 

[nodnol]

I remember seeing The English Patient in the cinema and wondering what all the hype was about, but enjoying it nevertheless. Like Lawrence of Arabia I think you need to sse it on the big screen in the cinema. (But of course, if you have trouble falling asleep, watch it on DVD).
I read The Constant Gardener and are still wondering, why the chose to adapt this book by John Le Carre, as I think there are much better ones not yet adapted to film. The book is quite disgusting in parts - did they leave all that out in the film?

 

[Flossbolna]

On the DHS layout: You have to know that most of the park where you are walking around now was never intended to be open to the public. The park itself was really rather small and the biggest part was the backlot tour. Which took two hours when DHS opened. It was a tram tour, then a break and then you continued on foot. I think only Hollywood boulevard and Echo Lake with Indiana Jones and Star Tours behind it were public areas, the rest was all Backlot Tour. If you are interested, I am sure I can find a blog which tells the history quite well. Sunset Boulevard with Tot (and then RnRC) was a later addition. MGM when it opened was a bit of let down and as Pat said: built in haste because Eisner wanted it to open before Universal.

 

[All7OfUs]

I couldn't tell you a single thing about it now plot-wise or scenery or anything. I don't remember if any of us knew what it was supposed to be about going in and it didn't live up to our expectations, or if we were clueless and trusted Pam's recommendation. I guess I'll have to read a plot summary sometime to see if it rings any bells.....I just remember being disappointed when we left

Yeah, I can see if you think a movie is going to be one thing and it turns out to be something entirely different would be very disappointing. Read the IMDB summary and see if it lines up with what you remember...

I read somewhere that DHS was a quick answer to US. In fact the layout was similar too. I vaugely remember something about "stealing plans" but that would explain why there are dead ends and you get confused walking around. Not sure how true but after I read that DHS made a bit more sense to me.


Hey when I dragged Chris on IASW one trip we suggested Buzz Light type lasers at every seat to shoot the dolls for points. A dad in front of us thought it was a great idea and we laughed about it the whole ride.

Congrats to Andrew !!!!!!

That would make sense. Quick (poor?) planning might be the answer to the chaos I call DHS.

I think we're onto something!!

I remember seeing The English Patient in the cinema and wondering what all the hype was about, but enjoying it nevertheless. Like Lawrence of Arabia I think you need to sse it on the big screen in the cinema. (But of course, if you have trouble falling asleep, watch it on DVD).
I read The Constant Gardener and are still wondering, why the chose to adapt this book by John Le Carre, as I think there are much better ones not yet adapted to film. The book is quite disgusting in parts - did they leave all that out in the film?

Hmmm... I don't remember any really graphic parts that stuck out too much, but then again, I tend to "go make popcorn" when I feel like soemthing's coming up too. I think there were actually a couple of slaughter parts where she gets murdered?? I've not read the book so can't speak to the adaptability.

On the DHS layout: You have to know that most of the park where you are walking around now was never intended to be open to the public. The park itself was really rather small and the biggest part was the backlot tour. Which took two hours when DHS opened. It was a tram tour, then a break and then you continued on foot. I think only Hollywood boulevard and Echo Lake with Indiana Jones and Star Tours behind it were public areas, the rest was all Backlot Tour. If you are interested, I am sure I can find a blog which tells the history quite well. Sunset Boulevard with Tot (and then RnRC) was a later addition. MGM when it opened was a bit of let down and as Pat said: built in haste because Eisner wanted it to open before Universal.

I think I would have liked the "old school" MGM thing. A working lot concept sounds really neat! It's current iteration sounds like a mere shell of what it used to be really- and to be honest wish they had spend more time on the whole concept. I actually think a nice combo of the rides they have now, AND the whole movie industry thing would be a winning duo?

 

[mom3sonstt]

I think I would have liked the "old school" MGM thing. A working lot concept sounds really neat! It's current iteration sounds like a mere shell of what it used to be really- and to be honest wish they had spend more time on the whole concept. I actually think a nice combo of the rides they have now, AND the whole movie industry thing would be a winning duo?

We have been going to MGM since it opened. I remember the old backlot tour would take you by soundstages. We never saw anything being filmed, but we did see the set of a children;s show - don't remember now if it was the Mickey Mouse Club or if it was something else they were doing. We were also there once when there were signs up that they were doing filming of the Cuba Gooding Jr & Anthony Hopkins film, but once again, we missed seeing anything. I think the shooting wound up being delayed until the next day or something.

I definitely agree about getting lost there. My first visit there this trip I was going to head straight to TSMM (of course) but wound up going waaaay out of my way. I turned left at the Movie Ride and wound up winding my way back by the entrance to the car show and back up the Streets...and, well, I'm not sure exactly how I found it - but I did get there. I finally figured out that you have to go to the right of the Movie Ride through the Animation area then hang a left at the Mermaid. At least the Tower is easy to get to and that is the most important thing!


I wanted to add - in the "old" days, when the backlot tour was longer. They used to do a couple green screen things. They had one where they would have a couple kids lay on a giant mechanical bee and they would place them in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie. My kids were too little then and never got picked. But later they put in a bicycle and would film a man on the bike getting drug down the steps at a park...from the 101 Dalmations live movie. Danny did get picked for that once. Somewhere in our closet I should have a picture or maybe 2 of that. Of course if it happened now, in the digital age, I would have 100 pictures and some video clips!