Canadian Buffoon's Hi Low Vacation - South Central Musings

[cindianne320]

I read your report last night, but photobucket must have been having a problem, ,so I couldn't see any picture- on 2 different devices and 3 different browsers! But I checked back this morning, and they are all there!
Love PKONDZ studios! And of course all your ride photos. I'm not sure if I commented before, but Splash is still my favorite!
Sorry your lost your poker chip.
It looks like you had plenty of yummy food- those onion rings look heavenly!
Can't wait to hear more!

 

[orangecats2]

Why is Ponzi missing? Where could he be?

 

[natebenma]

As this is Wine & Dine Dash Weekend, I did my own marathon and caught up on your report.

What an odd and frustrating episode at your bank. But at least you got your credit card.

Nice pictures of Toronto from the plane flying in and out.

LOL at grumpy passengers on the faux-no-rail. I could understand if it was the trip back. But how, exactly, did you take this picture of a bunch of pouty strangers. When I am trying to take pictures like that of people I don't know I do the fake selfie thing or I'll sneak the picture without holding the camera or phone up to my face.

I would say your travel day went pretty well.

******************************************

Come in threes
(if you wait long enough, everything comes in threes)

Congrats on the new Harley, the trip to Vegas and the possible trip to Florida which sounds like it might include Disney AND Universal (AND Capybaras)

******************************************

Fetch it to Ketch it

Gorgeous shot of Main Street from the train station!


Your review of Skippers is the most positive I have read. Your drink looks and sounds really good. I am a sucker for passionfruit.

on the Splash Mountain ride photo!!! During the class trip, I was mocked for having a prop (golf ball for Soarin')- I can only imagine if I had smuggled formal wear into a park.

Another lovely picture of Main Street, especially the way you made the crane disappear by having it stand in for a balloon string.

Bunch of photo comments to follow- and a question- what are you using for a camera?

Your photos in HM are awesome!!!

Great picture of Beast's Castle. I would also compliment the photo of your Dole Whip, but that looks good no matter what. Glad you enjoyed it.

Bummer on leaving behind the tripod piece you needed, which led to Wishes issues. Your MSEP pictures are great, though! I was happy to see them as I never actually stopped to watch the show.

We rarely rent lockers at MK, but one morning we did. When we were leaving the park that evening and wanted to get our deposit back we encountered a very long line of people who were mostly waiting to rent lockers for the night. Someone at the front of the line was taking the attention of both of the CMs working there and the line was not moving at all.

This resulted in my trip report chapter titled "PSSST... Wanna buy a locker?" We asked the woman in line in front of us if she was in line for a locker. I told her I would sell her the key I was returning for the cost of my deposit ($5). The locker was going to cost her $12, $7 for the locker and $5 for the deposit, so we both made out and we were able to ditch the line. Win-Win.

Speaking of lockers, if you don't know- Outside the gates of HS (in between the bus drop off and the park entrance) are huge luggage lockers. They are single use, but only $1 (you need quarters). If we ever have anything we want to stash before going into HS, we use these lockers.

 

[natebenma]

You really criss-crossed all over the world today!


So not wowed by the new Soarin'? That's funny about scraping together the money for the "G". It's not like they spent it on a new pre-show.

As you discovered and had confirmed by 2/3 CM's, you can indeed get to the International Gateway before World Showcase opens. Breakfast in France is now available starting when the park opens and you would also be able to get to the EPCOT resorts if you were a guest there, had a breakfast reservation or just because.

Well, surely you can?

WOW!!! either ToT is not crowded or some people got lost in the Twilight zone.


I know how you feel about not noticing the car was a guitar head and the tracks are strings. I didn't know until recently that there was a keyboard below the giant guitar when you get into the plaza.

Always glad to see a trip to Beaches & Cream, unless it is by me.

Love your Dive Quest tour. Sorry you had some annoying folks in your group.

Someday I hope to learn to dive, but the one time I tried to do a resort dive, I almost died. Seriously. But I love to snorkel. On my bucket list is snorkeling with sharks in the Bahamas. Stuarts Cove in Nassau and another tour in the Exumas offer this.

Your focus shots of the golfball before Illuminations are spectacular, and I enjoyed yours pictures of the show. Great spot for viewing.

 

[natebenma]

Questions, next round:
1. The usual... what time do I get up?

7 am.

2. How long do I wait for that first bus?

5 minutes

3. Which park do I visit?
Hint: It's Magic Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom

4. Do I go through the metal detector again?

Heck Yeah, but not yet.

5. What's my first ride.
Hint: Think a little deeper. Outside the box a little.

Monorail. I don't know why, though. Guessing breakfast meet in one of the resort hotels.

6. Why yes, I do have a lunch ADR.
And it's in the park! Guesses?

Liberty Tree Tavern



7. I try a new-to-me ice cream treat.
What is it?

Citrus Swirl

8. What ride do I FP... but don't use it.

Buzz

9. What ride do I FP... and use.
Hint: I know what I said. Read it again.

Space Mtn


Bonus: Did you see it? You did, didn't you?
I mean it was really obvious.
Be vaguely vague in your specificity.

And if you tell me when you noticed
I'll throw you a few more points.
Sometimes the obvious ones
are overlooked at first.

On the way to Andy's room (is that too non-vaguey)?
Saw it right away, at approximately 1:17 Eastern Standard Time.

 

[MHSweb79]

I usually read this thread on my ipad which is a pain to quote, add a picture or do anything but type one or two sentences. So tonight I'm on the actual laptop. You are welcome. I made the extra effort just to show off my pumpkin:



The squirrels had been eating the top for a few days, but it really didn't show too much. I printed the pattern off the internet and used an X-Acto knife to carve. Very carefully! So carefully that I came away entirely injury free. Yay! Until later that night, when I decided to take the now grubby blade out of the knife and dispose of it. I was watching TV so I stuck the dirty blade inside a Snickers wrapper to discard later (I didn't think it was safe, loose on the coffee table. This is called "foreshadowing.") At around 10:30, I woke up, jumped off the couch, grabbed the candy wrapper and crumpled it up to throw it away. YEOWZA!!!!! I now have a vertical 1/4" cut in the palm of my hand. Seems to have missed any and all important tendons and other gross innards, so I was lucky, I guess. (That's the kind of thing that will wake a person up!) The worst part of it is, Snickers aren't even my favorite.

Back to the TR: Not going to participate in the contest, but I will say that I, too, was disappointed in Soarin'. I was there the same week as PKondz so we saw the exact same show. The first time was pretty cool, but we were near the middle so we didn't notice any distortion. I was pretty disappointed with the elephants, though- I half expected one of them to flap his ears and come up flying beside us. So cartoony! Later rides were in the side seats and the distortion pretty near ruins the experience. Basically, with the rubber buildings and the p*ss-poor CGI, they sucked the thrill out of the entire ride. (With the exception of the Great Wall of China- that is very very cool.) The previous ride was one thrill after another, so the new one is pretty sad. The silver lining, I guess, if there is one, is that it will likely become a "one and done" ride for many visitors, and that will cut down the wait times dramatically.

Edited to add: Don't expect me back for a few days. I'm going to hide in my closet with my hands over my ears ('LA LA LA LA") until the election is over.

 

[pkondz]

Why is Ponzi missing? Where could he be?

Where is that slacker?
Oust the bum!


Wait...


Just catching up plus real world stuff got in the way.
We've had some freakishly nice weather last couple of days
so I took the opportunity to do some outside stuff
that I'd been meaning to do.

Then Saturday night was Kay's Honour Band concert
which I and the missus enjoyed very much.

Add work and ferrying the DD around
into the mix and... no DIS time for me!


Now going to go back and start shout-outs.

 

[Steppesister]

... I'm embarrassingly behind here. Glad to be back in my home state; hope Oregon and I can hang out together for a while now.

 

[pkondz]

We were down about 100 kids this year compared to last year. Final count: 138 kids. No we didn't count every kid. We counted what we had left. Lady H and my MIL like to put together little bags to hand out. We started the night with 300.

300!! Holy crap!
(And yes, I get you didn't get that many.)

That's way too much candy left.

I gotta know.
Is it all gone now?
As in... eaten?

We live in a HOA neighborhood and they have a FB page. Lady H was reading the posts on there and some of the posts stated that the older kids felt discouraged to go out this year. There had been recent car break-ins by teenagers. You know how the old saying goes about rotten apples turning to mush or something like that.

I do know.
One bad apple spoils the barrel/bunch.
And it's based on science, too!

Anyways the good kids said so many adults were already looking at them like they were doing something wrong, or about to do something wrong. Kids felt uncomfortable and scrutinized so they stopped trick or treating, or just plain out didn't feel like going. They didn't want to be judged or uncomfortable.

Aw, that's too bad.
Halloween should be a fun time for all.

Some parents are trying to put together a post Halloween event for the older kids that didn't want to go, or the kids that never got a chance to go for some reason or another.

Nice, but it's never quite the same.

 

[pkondz]

I'm excited to read this, but getting a late start on it tonight. Which gives me something to look forward to tomorrow.

And? Did you?

 

[pkondz]

I think a Mickey bar would be perfectly acceptable.

Better than merely "acceptable"!

Are we saying “Oh, the horror” for bonus points again? No? Bonus points for remembering we said “oh, the horror” for bonus points on your last TR?

Granted!

I hope you used a suitably fruity scented body lotion afterwards.

Of course! Don't you???

And we all breathe a sigh of relief that no further description of “the other things” was included. There’s only so much detail we enjoy reading…

I actually considered this!
"I then put on deodorant and brushed my teeth and...
Okay, this is stupid."

I saw the original when I was 9, but I only remember the dinosaur part.

I only vaguely remember that.
But it has been almost 30 years...

I also saw the Ellen version I think on a trip in 2000 with an ex, and let’s just say there’s not much memorable about that ride, although that fact that I’ve tried to erase “those years” from memory probably didn’t help.

Yeah, I can see that.

It is one of our traits than sometimes works against us.

Sadly, this is the most common complaint I’ve read about the new Soarin’ without a g. I’ve also read that row B1 is the one to ask for. I need to keep that in mind when I get there again.

Ah! So you've seen similar comments.
I was wondering if I was treading
on sacred ground.

Row, B1, huh?
Must try to remember that.

(I put it in my Disney to-do list.)

Agreed. I’ve not seen hatless Chinese theater yet in person, but I like the pictures.

They go to all this effort
to recreate old Hollywood...
Then plunk a giant hat in the middle of it????

If you read any rumours, there’s one for just about every ride in DHS and Epcot that says Marvel/Guardians is taking over that ride. OK, well maybe not every ride, but I’ve read them for ToT, RnRC, Universe of Energy, and (perhaps most shocking of all) Spaceship Earth. I guess bottom line is – they’re coming, just don’t know where or when.

I'll worry about them when it happens.
Just don't wreck TOT!

Well done. Expensive guitar picks – most likely. Worth it – definitely.

Expensive? YES.
Worth it?
She seemed happy, so yes.

My wife has ridden it three times. The first two (on separate trips, mind you) she was the rebel spy both times! Not fair!

Wha?!?!? Not fair!!

And she’s never even seen a Star Wars film in its entirety!

Okay, now it makes sense.
They're trying to suck her in
so she'll buy merch.

Sounds like great service. I’ve done 50’s three trips in a row. The food was consistent each time, but I found the service went downhill each time, to the point where I’ll probably take a break from it. Good to know there’s still some good servers around though.

I've had some okay servers there
and some good ones.
This one was a really good one.

 

[pkondz]

You suck.

Jealousy will get you nowhere... literally.

Coincidentally, that's exactly what everyone is rushing to see!

Reminds me of the time we did RD at DHS.
Everyone rushing to TSMM and one guy yells out:
"I can't believe everyone's rushing to One Man's Dream!"

It is an excellent place for a nap. And you're not missing much.

This is what I've been hearing.

Besides I knew it was a load of crap because it isn't even open during EMH!

So you're saying Canadians are slow?

We slow down in he heat.
We're built for cooler temps.

What? Fake bears? What's next? Are you gonna tell me that polar bears don't even like to drink Coke?

Of course they do!
Sheesh!

At this rate I'm beginning to question whether polar bears even truly exist? It's a conspiracy!!!!!

They're real...
and they're magnificent.


Sorry.... now thinking of Teri Hatcher...

I haven't ridden it yet... but I've seen a lot of similar reviews.

Interesting.
I hadn't heard anything about it.

I'll give it a chance, but I'll be completely honest. I'd ride Soarin' once a trip with FP.

Ditto.

I sure as hell wouldn't stand in line to wait for it.

Nope.

But Soarin never really impressed me as much as it seems it was supposed to.

I remember the first time I rode it.
At the time, it was listed as the #1
ride in all of WDW.
(And then TSMM came along
and I realized that the new ride is
probably always going to be #1.)

I liked it... but expected so much more.

I enjoyed it but the whole disjointed element where you're flying over mountains... oh wait a minute I just blinked and now it is a golf course... well, it just kind of ruined the entire illusion for me of what that ride was supposed to be... if that makes sense.

Interesting! Never thought of that.
But then I suppose you couldn't have
all the various locales...
unless the ride lasts for hours.

I was really looking forward to the refurb and hoped it would make it more streamlined with better transitions.

Sorry, but I was so bugged by
the crappy CGI, that I didn't
notice the transitions.

What happened to all the people in the back row?????

So that's why I kept hearing
the theme to the Twilight Zone

and screaming.


(Just one of the benefits of RD... no waits.)

I hope this one is safe. I think changing the one in DCA makes a lot of sense, but I hope this one stays as it is. This is "the" Tower of Terror, the one in DCA was just a rush job that fell a little bit short of the awesomeness of this one. A re-theme makes sense there.

Hope you're right.
It would be a crying shame to change this one.

You're pretty observant.

Uh huh. Did you notice the car was curved??

I'm even a Star Wars fan and that was pretty much my reaction to it too!

$$$ Cha-ching!

I didn't think Canadians had it in their DNA to hate?

We have different definitions of "hate"
Yours is more "I wish he was dead"
while ours is more "I'm slightly annoyed
and may not even pay for his lunch... Nahhh."

Well, if he's a big he should know a thing or 2 about food.

Makes sense!

Awesome! I'm glad the onion rings and the service lived up to and exceeded your standards!

He was great and those rings were... incredible.

You're losing your mind!

"Losing"?


I believe "lost" would be more correct.

Didn't you already establish the fact that if a CM doesn't know the answer they just make it up? Will you ever learn?

Apparently.... no.

Easy peasy! You have the VIP package, right?

Yes.

I thought you said it was 2 pm? Are you trying to go all non-chronological like @Steppesister now?

When I posted that line,
I really thought if I should break
it up like I did.

"No one's going to think the 2pm ADR
is for 6pm, right? Nah. Only an idiot
would think that."

And I was right!

Well that's a ringing endorsement if ever I've seen one!

Yeah. Give it a miss unless you're really bored.

And if they tried... problem solved.

I didn't care anymore.
I was having wayyyyy too much fun!
(And couldn't hear them.)

Hey, @pkondz , I found your dive buddy!

He was certainly close enough!

Ok... Let's do some math...
9:33
+5 minutes
=9:35



Is there some kind of time warp I'm missing?
Do Canadian clocks work differently?
Are you still stuck in the Twilight Zone?

No idea what you're talking about.
Go back and see for yourself.

(Yeah, okay. I fixed it.
This is what happens when you rush.)

6:45

9 minutes

I'll go out on a limb and guess Magic Kingdom

no

Jungle Cruise

Be Our Guest

Mickey Mouse Ice cream bar

Space

7DMT

Noted.

Now producing our very own in flight entertainment!

It's cheaper that way.

Actually saw it right away. It was very well done though! Looks exactly like it has always been there!

Thanks!

 

[Steppesister]

And? Did you?

Sniff.... no.... I, I didn't. Sniff. Can I still be in the club, though. It ended up being quite a bit busier than I'd hoped.

That, and I want to read it when I can reply. I just can't on my phone, and that's all I've had for 4 days.

 

[pkondz]

Sniff.... no.... I, I didn't. Sniff. Can I still be in the club, though. It ended up being quite a bit busier than I'd hoped.

That, and I want to read it when I can reply. I just can't on my phone, and that's all I've had for 4 days.

Not to worry...
I've got lots of shout-outs to get through still.

And "club"???
Don't you mean harem?

Probably just an oversight.

 

[pkondz]

Only people who forget their shoes are allowed to be dumb enough to go out of order....

 

[pkondz]

1. I'll stick with 7:00am, it got me a few points last time

2. 4 minutes

2.0. I'll go with Magic Kingdom?

3. Of course. You're a grown man going to the parks without any children - you are being profiled.

4. Deep? As in Under the Sea with Ariel kind of deep? Or just not your standard first ride?? Either way, I'll go with the Little Mermaid Ride since I'm fairly certain she is your favourite princess.

5. Liberty Tree Tavern for Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake.

6. Mickey Pants Sundae!

7. Space Mountain, it wouldn't have gone well after that Mickey Pants sundae!

8. I'm going to go away from the norm, and pick Dumbo.

Noted.

Bonus: You need to go back to kindergarten to learn to count your questions.

I have no idea what you could possibly mean.

(That and I went back and fixed it.
Sheesh. That's the last time I rush an update.)

Also, that movie studio are the people behind some of my favourite movies about Jets and Blue Bombers.

And Goldeyes. Don't forget the Goldeyes.

Bonus Part 2: Like, what time? Because it was 11:46pm Alberta time. If you're asking if I had to go back to find it, I noticed the photoshopping right away - I am a certified inspector after all, it's my actual job to find mistakes that other people make! Also the numbering mistake, picked up on that as soon as I started answering the questions.

Clever girl.

 

[pkondz]

Well that’s just crazy. I’d be asking for my money back!

If it gets any worse, I will!

Sure, why not. I’ll bet you get the “special sauce” on your ice cream then….

Oooh!!! What does that taste like!?!?

No Way Jose is awesome, but yes, very filling. Nothing wrong with a good, solid banana split.

Definitely filling.
But sooooo good.
I just couldn't justify buying one
and leaving 80% behind.

I’ve never done Colortopia, but that’s pretty much how I feel about it just by reading the description.

I think if you go crazy over the interactive
exhibits at the end of the Figment ride,
then you might like this.
Otherwise...

Oh please, when has that ever stopped you...

True!

Now I’m wondering why these rooms are labelled like that and what actually goes on inside. All related to caring for animals I suppose. I guess chemistry is all the additives they put in the food and/or water. I’ve heard the term husbandry before, I just can’t think what specifically they would do in that room. (Google says it may be related to breeding. Perhaps I’d rather not know.)

I don't know.
He didn't go into any detail about them whatsoever.

Millenials

Had it been me, there definitely would have been more colours trailing behind me!

Um.... ew.
Just what exactly did you eat?!

That does sound like a lot of fun. I can see why you did the tour again.

Absolutely love it.
Would do this tour every time
I did a solo trip.

(Or with someone else who's dive certified.)

That’s the one I would have liked to try. Mac & cheese and bacon, how can that be bad.

It wasn't.
Just not quite as good as I hoped.

Pretty much!

That must have been awesome. She seems like a lovely person, just from reading her TRs.

Nope.

She's better.

She’s been rather absent from the boards since her trip, so I hope she’s doing fine.

I think I saw one post from her
on Facebook.

I think.
And that was a while ago.



Yeah... I'm worried too.

Just curious, is it from DHS or is it Wishes from MK?

Now that I looked at a map,
I think it must've been MK.

1. 6:50am
2. 7 minutes
3. AK...no, no...DHS...no, no, wait, Magic Kingdom. Yep, that's it for sure, MK.
4. Yes (they always pick out the shifty looking guys)
5. one of the Main Street vehicles (horse & buggy?). (Are we calling that a ride? Too far outside the box? Oh well...)
6. The Plaza
7. Ice cream cookie sandwich
8. 7DMT (it was raining or broken down)
9. Buzz Lightyear

Noted.

Bonus: So, instead of a dancing lamp, does a Harley drive out during the opening credits?

So you've seen some!

And I did see it right away. Nice job.

Thanks!

 

[pkondz]

I hope my nudge didn't come across as that the other day! Not intended that way at all. I know how much effort it takes to host a busy thread and I hope you always feel you have the freedom to do that well. We can only go at the pace we have time for, and sometimes that is... less.

I feel so.... so.... used!!!

On a similar note, as you know, traveling to a very important engagement, er wedding, tomorrow! I'm intentionally saving your massive saga for some reading during some downtime this weekend if any comes available. Otherwise, after I return.

Well.... you're back....
Oh, sure. Throw that whole
"I'm exhausted" thing out there.

Eh tu, Brute?

 

[pkondz]

Yay! new chapter! Can't believe you did the whole day!

Me neither.
I don't think I'll do that again!
Just too much! Too big!

I'll have to go with you to 50's PTC, DH didn't like it.

Oh? What did he have?

DH makes me go on Ellen every time just so he can see the dinosaurs.

Oy.
Now I see why you want
to go with me!

I can't believe you got to go scuba diving again! Lucky!

Man I love doing that!

Yes!

Ya like that do ya?
But I'm thinking...

FIRST PLACE!!!

... that you like that even more!

I saw Ponzi Place right away!!!
I'll come back later with the other guesses.

Seems to be a trend...
Standing by.

Oh, and when you do,
could you mention when you saw it again?
I'm liable to forget to credit you otherwise.

I'm watching game 7 of the World Series. I don't think we're going to win.

I know when you posted that.
And while you were right,
it got a lot closer than you
probably suspected.

 

[pkondz]

Fun Update!

Thanks!

Sorry your experience on Soarin wasn't that great, I have heard the same from others too. Disappointing.

It was disappointing.
And here they've built an extra theatre.
I wonder if they'll need it.

We go on Ellen just about every trip. I like her so it is entertaining to me but it's also a nice break in the A/C if you are there on a Really Hot, sticky day.

I like her too....
But with all the negative comments,
combined with the length of the ride...

I remember the old one too and I do miss some parts- those revolving screens were cool and I liked the 2 songs.

I don't really remember.
It's been almost 30 years.

Love the ride pics!

Thanks!

I can't do TOT, I went on it once under semi- duress (My Teenage niece wanted to go and didn't want to go alone, I didn't want her to go alone either) but never again, I don't like that dropping feeling.

I didn't like it either.
But when I let go of the hand holds,
a curious thing happened.
I stopped being bothered by it.

I have never done RnRC, not a fan of upside down. I have been told that you can't totally tell what you are doing in the dark but it still makes me nervous (I might be able to be talked into it someday but seeing as how my DH Hates Coasters, unless we go with others it probably won't happen)

Hmmm...
I never force people to go on rides,
but I do love RNRC.

Great that you got a fun waiter at 50's PT, That place is on my list to try someday.

I think I need to go back
when I have more of an appetite.
I missed not having the chicken
and especially the PB&J shake!

Love that you went to Beaches and Cream, I would like to go there too, but to try that No Way Jose! I LOVE Peanut butter/chocolate in a sundae!

It's sooooo good!

The Dive tour sounds fun,

It's the best!!

I have been scuba diving before but I'm not certified.

Yeah, you have to have your card.
Otherwise you can't go.

That shark was scary, those TEETH!

He looks scary, but really
he's pretty tame.

Still... a little disconcerting
to turn your head and
he's Right. There.

1. The usual... what time do I get up?---------7:30am

2. How long do I wait for that first bus?------3 minutes

3. Which park do I visit?-------------Ummm... MK
Hint: It's Magic Kingdom.

4. Do I go through the metal detector again?-------------------yes

5. What's my first ride.
Hint: Think a little deeper. Outside the box a little.--------------------the Monorail

6. Why yes, I do have a lunch ADR.
And it's in the park! Guesses?----------------------Liberty Tree Tavern

7. I try a new-to-me ice cream treat.
What is it?------------------------------------The Mickey Pants Sundae

8. What ride do I FP... but don't use it.------------------Buzz

9. What ride do I FP... and use.-----------------------Space Mountain

Noted.

Bonus: Did you see it? You did, didn't you?---yes I did, Wow First an airline, now a Movie studio?!

We're branching out.

I actually saw it right away

Seems everyone is.

I worked on Halloween so I didn't get to give out candy and DH is not a fan of Halloween for some reason so we had our light off but we usually only get about 30-50 kids.

Not bad. My folks had maybe 12.

My Dad in Philly gets about 100 or so kids every year. They do have a lot of kids from other areas of the city to come to his neighborhood to trick or Treat, not necessarily for better candy, but that it's a safer neighborhood to do it in that where these kids live.

Really! Interesting.
I don't know if the kids here do that.