Biscuit's Grand Adventure | An epic tale three decades in the making!

[GreatBiscuit]

I haven't gotten through all of it but I love your TR! Your kids are adorable and I love your pictures of Pop. We had the exact same reaction to the toilet at the Poly!!

Thanks for your kind comments. Those toilets were something else! Somehow an ordinary hopper doesn't quite seem the same!

 

[SunnieRN]

Wow!!! I have no idea how I missed this until now, but I read the whole thing in the wee hours of this morning. I must say I feel a kinship to you, however I grew up in Northern CA and lived there all my life until about three years ago now, so substitute disney world with disneyland (the original magic kingdom bye the way, if you're interested in that piece of trivia), and my early disney history is a lot like yours.
I will say that I went for the first time when I was 8 and have been there numerous (probably about 50-60 times) since then.
You are WAY ahead of me at disney world however!! I only went there for the first time last September.

Loving your disney history and can't wait to read all about your families trip!!!! Your daughters are SO adorable and I bet your Mom and Dad loved seeing everything through your daughters and nephews eyes, I know I LOVED seeing disney world through my grandsons eyes!! Tell your Mom she looks younger now then she looked in the older picture! She didn't fib when she said she looks better now!!

 

[SunnieRN]

Sorry, I forgot....what part of Texas are you from? I am an hour from Austin. (See that's what happens when old folks stay up all night and then try to type), lol.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Sorry, I forgot....what part of Texas are you from? I am an hour from Austin. (See that's what happens when old folks stay up all night and then try to type), lol.

We are in the massive metroplex of Cove/Killeen/Heights & Hood.

Wow!!! I have no idea how I missed this until now, but I read the whole thing in the wee hours of this morning. I must say I feel a kinship to you, however I grew up in Northern CA and lived there all my life until about three years ago now, so substitute disney world with disneyland (the original magic kingdom bye the way, if you're interested in that piece of trivia), and my early disney history is a lot like yours.
I will say that I went for the first time when I was 8 and have been there numerous (probably about 50-60 times) since then.
You are WAY ahead of me at disney world however!! I only went there for the first time last September.

Glad to have you aboard! Always good to have a kindred Dis spirit following along!

Loving your disney history and can't wait to read all about your families trip!!!! Your daughters are SO adorable and I bet your Mom and Dad loved seeing everything through your daughters and nephews eyes, I know I LOVED seeing disney world through my grandsons eyes!! Tell your Mom she looks younger now then she looked in the older picture! She didn't fib when she said she looks better now!!

Thanks! It was awesome seeing the world through their eyes. BTW - you made Nana's day!


I'll be updating soon, either later tonight or tomorrow. Been a busy day. First Lady Biscuit's family is coming for a visit so we've been doing the whole "Deep Cleaning" thing today. (Why is it I always work harder on days I have off of work? It just don't seen right!)

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Episode 50 – A Dining Newbie No-More

Previously on Biscuit’s Grand Adventure, Magical Express was located, resorts were checked into, and the joys of power flushing were discovered. It was now nearing noon and we were ready for lunch. Gathering the brood, we descended to the food court and in the process began a debate that would last the ENTIRE trip. “Whose turn is it to press the button on the elevator?” (The girls never wanted to let ME have a turn and it’s not fair.) On the way I snapped several pics of the Hippy Dippy Pool & Sixties area.

From our balcony:











Once we arrived in the food court, we broke rank and fanned out in search of sustenance. I had a general idea of what was offered here, but I still spent quite a bit of time wandering around.






One of my first discoveries was the stack of refillable mugs. I rallied the troops and bespoke the glory of said refreshment receptacle. We then went through the whole, “what color do you want?” thing. Finally, I got the black lid, the girls each got red, and First Lady Biscuit selected yellow.

Having properly secured our mugs, it was time to get to the heart of the matter, namely the entrées. Tahli wanted macaroni and cheese, which came as no shock to us. That kid can smell out Mac N Cheese from a mile a way. Tracy decided on Pizza, Hailee went with the Vegetable Lo Mein, and I elected to try the Shrimp Lo Mein. (I have no idea why I felt compelled to capitalize all the food names, but whatever.)

Triumphant in our quest, we headed to the register to complete our first purchase on the Disney Dining plan. Those of you familiar with this plan know that the counter service credits include an entrée, dessert, and a drink for adults and a kid’s meal and drink for the young ‘uns. The CM looked over our trays and advised us we weren’t done shopping yet. (I have her name on a receipt somewhere, but it’s nearing 3 AM and I am unable to compel myself to go search it out.) We still HAD to select drinks for all 4 meals and dessert for 2. (Even though I was buying refillable mugs, she couldn’t apply them to the meal and thus was unable ring up the meals without us selecting 4 additional drinks.) She pointed us in the direction of the bottled drinks & desserts, and explained that they could stamp our receipt if we wanted a sundae. We then did the dining walk of shame, and went in search of our missing items.

Alrighty then. Let’s see if we can’t try that again. We got the girls each a chocolate milk, and Tracy and I each grabbed a bottle of Lemonade. After carefully perusing the dessert selections, I discovered something that triggered a memory from the Dis Boards. Somewhere, I had heard a review or two speaking to the glorious goodness of Tie-Dyed Cheesecake. I decided to grab a slice and give it a try. Tracy elected to go with a sundae.

We returned triumphant to the same line and this time, our still nameless CM declared that we were good to go. SCORE. I handed her all 4 four our Key to the Kingdom cards, and she advised me that she only needed one. Ohhhhh…right…gotcha. She rang us up and then said “Congratulations! You are now officially a member of the Mickey Dining Club!” WOOOHOOOO! Do I get a hat or something?

The entire process took us a good 20 minutes, mainly because we weren’t quite sure what the process was. But I am happy to report that from that point on, we did pretty well with figuring out the Counter Service options on the dining plan. We found our table and met up with my mom and dad who had tried the Chicken Mediterranean Flatbread and a cheeseburger respectively, and my nephew Preston who had gone with cheese pizza.

Here’s some food porn for you.



I have to say that I was not overly impressed with the Shrimp Lo Mein. It had been flavored with a more than healthy dose of sesame oil. I would not be averse to ordering it again, I would just ask for it without the oil. The other food seemed to be adequate. My mom really enjoyed the flatbread, Tracy said the pizza wasn’t stellar, but wasn’t horrible either.



But the desserts, well those my friends were a different Kettle O’Fish. First this lovely thing.




Now I’m not a HUGE sweet eater, but I do enjoy a nice slice of cheesecake. May I just say my friends that this little jewel was all that and a can of biscuits. It was AWESOMELY good.



Then there was this not so little concoction.



When they told us you could get a sundae, I was expecting something like what you get at Dairy Queen. When they handed me this monster bowl of goodness, I was quite surprised. I could not believe how big the thing was. Tracy and the girls dove right in and I may or may not have stolen a taste or four. It too was QUITE tasty.



While we were working our way through the line, Tracy and I had decided that as excited as the kids were, we really needed to try to get them to take a nap. They had only slept about 3 hours the night before and we knew that once they were in the park, they would want to stay. We were also worried about Tracy’s foot. On the plane ride down, her foot was hurting right in the arch. Whenever she took a step, she’d get a sharp pain. (NOT the sort of thing you want on your first day at Disney.) She wanted to take some Aleve and a nap to give it a chance to either heal or numb a bit.

With lunch now completed, we returned to our room to put our plan into action. The girls of course protested and wanted to go swimming. I in turn pointed out that we did not yet have our swimsuits. (See the wisdom of my packing?) They both said they were not sleepy and would not take a nap. Tears may have been shed. (But I stopped once Tracy gave me the eye.) Of course once the lights were out, they were literally sleeping in 5 min. Yet, hard as I tried, I could not join them. I was too excited. Once I was confident all three of the ladies were zonked, it was time to hit the door. Look out Pop Century! GreatBiscuit is on the loose baby!

Coming up on Episode 51 – Painters, Pools, Pennies, & Panoramics

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Accidental Double Post. Nothing to see her. Keep the line moving.

Sidebar Edit - It's now 7 years later - anyone still reading along?

 

[Mrs. The King]

Biscuit!! I hope you tried that chicken crusted in wonderfulness.. I still have dreams about that bad boy.

You girls are beautiful. You had a nice size clan with you. I love that you were crying about taking a nap. That made me LOL.

That cheesecake made me lick my computer screen.

That little splash park from your beawesome balcony looks new.

Welcome back to the real world my friend. Wasn't Mickey's place divine?

 

[MrsSpratt]

Another great update!

Sunnie RN - where are you? Mr. Spratt and I are in Htown, and The Bueller Family is in Austin!

Oh GB, any fireworks palns today?

Happy fourth of July! (She says from work....)

 

[jcc0621]

We still HAD to select drinks for all 4 and dessert for 2.

See I did not know this. That litl ebit of info is being marked into the notebook

Tie-Dyed Cheesecake.

Chicken Mediterranean Flatbread

I had different flatbreads several times last year. They were yummy!

I have to say that I was not overly impressed with the Shrimp Lo Mein.

Me either. I thought it was very bland.

We were also worried about Tracy’s foot.

Oh no. Hope it was okay!

(But I stopped once Tracy gave me the eye.)

Of course once the lights were out, they were literally sleeping in 5 min.

GreatBiscuit is on the lose baby!

Coming up on Episode 51 – Painters, Pools, Pennies, Panoramics and Paramedics.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Loved the excursion to the food court, GB. Very funny update. I love the chicken mediterranian flatbread there too
I worked at POP for 15 months (well, in Finance). I loved to drive over to get the Adult breakfast platter for brunch too.

Sure hope that Tracy's foot got better

 

[MKBekka]

Wow, that tie-died cake looks SUPREMELY good, I love to bake, but we can't get the right stuff for that here, next time you go, you'll have to eat a piece for me!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Biscuit!! I hope you tried that chicken crusted in wonderfulness.. I still have dreams about that bad boy.

You girls are beautiful. You had a nice size clan with you. I love that you were crying about taking a nap. That made me LOL.

That cheesecake made me lick my computer screen.

That little splash park from your beawesome balcony looks new.

Welcome back to the real world my friend. Wasn't Mickey's place divine?

WELCOME BACK MTK! I kept an eye out for your guys, but alas, no luck. That cheesecake was definitely scrum-diddly-umptious. The World was all that and more. Now I'm gonna go subscribe to your TR!

Another great update!

Sunnie RN - where are you? Mr. Spratt and I are in Htown, and The Bueller Family is in Austin!

Oh GB, any fireworks palns today?

Happy fourth of July! (She says from work....)

We'll only see fireworks if Fort Hood shoots them off.

See I did not know this. That litl ebit of info is being marked into the notebook

It'll save you some frustration, that's for sure.

I had different flatbreads several times last year. They were yummy!

It certainly looked good. I had a case of "I wish I'd took that!"

Oh no. Hope it was okay!

Well...not exactly.

Loved the excursion to the food court, GB. Very funny update. I love the chicken mediterranian flatbread there too

Hey BSG. I would definitely go that way next time. It looked mighty fine.

I worked at POP for 15 months (well, in Finance). I loved to drive over to get the Adult breakfast platter for brunch too.

How COOL! I kept and eye out for a Marita nametag, but alas never came across one.

Sure hope that Tracy's foot got better

Well, lets just say it makes for an interesting evening.

MKBeka - it shows you posted, but for some reason I can't see it. If it shows up, I'll catch you in a new reply.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Wow, that tie-died cake looks SUPREMELY good, I love to bake, but we can't get the right stuff for that here, next time you go, you'll have to eat a piece for me!

Now I see you! It was some awesomly good stuff. I gotta say, I'm not normally a dessert eater, but when we were on Disney Dining, they were all so good, that I ate every single one of them.

 

[SunnieRN]

We are in the massive metroplex of Cove/Killeen/Heights & Hood.

Glad to have you aboard! Always good to have a kindred Dis spirit following along!


Thanks! It was awesome seeing the world through their eyes. BTW - you made Nana's day!

Wow, it really is "A Small World After All"!!! My front yard is in Killeen and my back yard is in Harker Heights and I work at Metroplex!! How is that for a coincidence!! I will be working tonight on the second or 5th floor, so may be able to peek out at the fireworks!

Great update!! I hope tears turned to smiles and feet healed too!!! As for making Nana's day, she sounds like the best!!!! Looking forward to more, and I am loving your pictures, WOW!!

Another great update!

Sunnie RN - where are you? Mr. Spratt and I are in Htown, and The Bueller Family is in Austin!

Oh GB, any fireworks palns today?

Happy fourth of July! (She says from work....)

You are the best Aunt!! I am loving your trip report and hope you get to go on their next trip with them!!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Wow, it really is "A Small World After All"!!! My front yard is in Killeen and my back yard is in Harker Heights and I work at Metroplex!! How is that for a coincidence!! I will be working tonight on the second or 5th floor, so may be able to peek out at the fireworks!

Great update!! I hope tears turned to smiles and feet healed too!!! As for making Nana's day, she sounds like the best!!!! Looking forward to more, and I am loving your pictures, WOW!!

That's cool! I live about a mile from metroplex. The firworks were good, but its hard to compare when you've just come back from Disney!

 

[brookelizabeth]

It was actually a free download from Microsoft. (Shocker I know!) It’s designed for Vista, and is pretty easy to use. To create a panoramic photo, you launch the software, pull up the folder, highlight the pics, right click, and select Create Panoramic Photo. The one drawback is when it comes to cleanup. Once you stitch the photos together, you have to crop out the edges. On larger pics, Windows Live Photo errors out so you have to use a secondary editing app. I used MS Office Photo Manager and it worked like a dream.

Thanks! A fellow never can tell how toilet commentary will be received.

So far it’s one of my favs! I still have 18 rolls of film that are yet to be developed.

It actually worked out very well….eventually.

Oooh, too bad for me...I'm still an XP user. Is Windows 8 out yet? Once it's out, I might upgrade to Vista. I just don't trust the current OS'.

18 more rolls of film! Holy smokes! Are you planning on going digital anytime soon? There is a certain quality to film that digital is completely absent of. I feel you get more emotion from film...

Glad to hear the bags deal worked out...eventually.

(Sony Cybershot DSC-S700, Auto Mode)

(Sony Cybershot DSC-S700, Auto Mode)

(Sony Cybershot DSC-S700, Auto Mode)

You are going to post these on the Food Pictures thread right?? They are great shots!

I love the picture of the girls eating too-adorable. I hope Tracy's foot gets better... and VERY smart planning on getting the girls to nap!

about you sneaking out while you forced the kids to nap!

 

[topdog]

Whew!! I finally made it.

I only manage to caught up with the recent trip. I always want one of those Disney toilet for my house. Not sure the plumbing can handle the pressure thought since I don't even have public sewer system.

I dig the panorama shot.

I like to see how the kids got so excited when they get to Disney. They had a glow on their faces. Your are no exception.

A Nikon N60. Good choice. Maybe I need to dust my FM and bring it out of retirement. Which film did you use? Now that Kodak discontinue Kodakchrome.

 

[eandesmom]

I'm late to the party, I mean grand adventure, but I'm in!

Love the tie dye cheesecake!

We have 2 of those toilets in our house. If memory serves the slogan at the time we bought them was "you can flush 7 golf balls down without clogging!".

Now. Why one would want to flush 7 golf balls down a toilet I've no idea but given that my youngest once took out our entire system with a glow in the dark eyeball ball (wanting, of course, to see if it would glow "down there"), when we moved I took the new toilets seriously.

I only wish I had more of them. 4 kids, lots of guests...nary a clog. Or at least nary a clog in those SO LOUD THEY SCARE YOU TO DEATH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT and might take you down with them, toilets.



Off to backtrack to your prequel! You have a lovely family.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Oooh, too bad for me...I'm still an XP user. Is Windows 8 out yet? Once it's out, I might upgrade to Vista. I just don't trust the current OS'.

Gotcha! I wound up with Vista when I had to replace my laptop. It's not as bad as I thought it would.

18 more rolls of film! Holy smokes! Are you planning on going digital anytime soon? There is a certain quality to film that digital is completely absent of. I feel you get more emotion from film...

Our digital point and shoot is as advanced as I'll be getting for a while. Our home AC unit burned out and we had to replace all 4 tires on Tracy's car the week we left for WDW.

You are going to post these on the Food Pictures thread right?? They are great shots!

Probably, once I get them all together for the trip.

about you sneaking out while you forced the kids to nap!

There was NO WAY I was going to sleep!

Whew!! I finally made it.

Welcome back!

I only manage to caught up with the recent trip. I always want one of those Disney toilet for my house. Not sure the plumbing can handle the pressure thought since I don't even have public sewer system.

I hear you. I'd be totally digging one of those!

I dig the panorama shot.

Thanks!

I like to see how the kids got so excited when they get to Disney. They had a glow on their faces. Your are no exception.

They were beaming all week!

A Nikon N60. Good choice. Maybe I need to dust my FM and bring it out of retirement. Which film did you use? Now that Kodak discontinue Kodakchrome.

The only film I could find was Fuji. One of the stores here was going all digital so they had their 5 roll packs on sale for $2.00.

I'm late to the party, I mean grand adventure, but I'm in!

Glad to have you aboard!

Love the tie dye cheesecake!

It was TOO good!

We have 2 of those toilets in our house. If memory serves the slogan at the time we bought them was "you can flush 7 golf balls down without clogging!".

Now. Why one would want to flush 7 golf balls down a toilet I've no idea but given that my youngest once took out our entire system with a glow in the dark eyeball ball (wanting, of course, to see if it would glow "down there"), when we moved I took the new toilets seriously.

I only wish I had more of them. 4 kids, lots of guests...nary a clog. Or at least nary a clog in those SO LOUD THEY SCARE YOU TO DEATH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT and might take you down with them, toilets.

That is TOO awesome! See, I could never have a toilet that made that claim because I would feel compelled to prove it. It would gnaw at me until I put it to the test.

Off to backtrack to your prequel! You have a lovely family.

Thanks!

 

[MKBekka]

Now that's cool...our toilet is just the opposite. In fact, my DD is replacing our tiolet today because it blew a hole in the back of it. We definitly need a Disney tiolet!