Canadian Buffoon's Semi-EPIC Vacation - 10/29 - Link to new TR!

[Kiotzu]

So? How was it?
What are you doing?

It went well, they went above and beyond the wage I was expecting, about 15% higher. The job isn't what I wanted, I wanted more technical but ended up in sales. Will be transferring ASAP.

most pups are good pups.

Yep, usually! She is a little leash reactive but we are working on it.

Awwww....

I didn't think it was so cute!

Also I found pictures of me, not the tree of life one, my dad must have it. Well I found a picture of the tree of life.


and one of me and my sister at Fuente De La Fortuna

 

[afwdwfan]

Well, hi there!
Welcome to another
Canadian Buffoon adventure!

This is what I get for being so far behind in the last one... I didn't realize you started a new one that I'm not already terribly behind in... I'll try to stay caught up now!

"How about I pay for your
airline ticket (I had enough points
to cover us both), and you
room with me, so that won't
cost you anything and you
just pay for your park ticket
and food?"

Isn't it a little bit painful being wrapped around her finger like that?

Kay (my youngest DD)
was going to drive us to the
airport, but she was out
with some friends, trying to
stay awake.
She'd said she'd be home
by 2am.
(She was. Still didn't stop
me from imagining
(i.e. worrying) that she'd
fallen asleep and wouldn't
show up.)

I'd be worried too!

So she was forced to withdraw
$500 before midnight
(her withdrawal limit),
and then another $500 after
midnight.

Hey, at least she was smart enough to find a workaround...

De-icing! On April 30th!

I thought that was an everyday occurrence in Canada.

As we taxied, I spotted
WestJet's "Frozen" plane.

The perfect set-up...

I wonder if it always needs de-icing?

And he already took the punchline.

Because about 5-10 minutes
after we got going, it fell out
of the overhead bin and landed
on my head before falling into
the aisle.
There was a collective
"oooohhhhh!!!" from the
seats behind me.

Holy crap!!! How does that even happen?

And it was a bit early for booze.

Nope... not buying it.

Don't you just love putting "th"s at
the end of wordths?


I digreth.

It's a Canadian thing... like you guys with that extra "u"

Sure!
Besides... I'd been looking for
Big Top Treats and hadn't noticed
it the last time I'd (hurriedly) been
through here.

It's only that huge, colorful tent in the middle of Storybook Circus. I mean I can see how you might miss it.

Okay, oil and bread is the
trendy thing to do I suppose...

But where's the good ol' fashioned
butter??? Amirite @vamassey1 ???

I'm with you on that one!

"FP Pooh!" She said.
So I did.
But when we got there,
the ride was down.
No Pooh for us.
Kinda like when I cross a border.

Before leaving the room,
I checked the app to see
what time the next DHS
bus would be coming by.
8:06am... and it was 8:03am.

Really? In the MDE app? This must be new since my last visit. They just had the displays on the bus stops back then. Where do you find it in the app?

Once on the bus,
a gentleman spoke with us
and wanted to know if we
were heading to DHS to
take part in the 30th anniversary
celebrations.

Uh... I had no idea that was today.
Also... I was hoping for a low
attendance day.

Um...

Planning fail...

Time for something a little
less heart stopping.
Something calming.
Soothing.
Zen-like.

We marched over to RNRC.

I can relate... That's my zen-like happy place.

Obviously, Babybel has paid
Disney a schwack of cash for
advertising.
I'm okay with that, actually.

Yeah. I mean, anything to help keep room and ticket costs down.

Oh, right...

"This is the one that pokes
you in the back, right?"
I told her not to worry,
that it didn't hurt...

Much.

This coming from the guy who always hurts his back.

She's going to make a great teacher.
She's always watching out for the little ones.

What I am trying to start
is that everyone refer to
Pandora as "Pandra".
I've decided the "O" is silent.
(Rhymes with Sandra)
Besides, you can say it much
more quickly.
Try it.
Pan-d'oh-Rah.... horrid.
Pandra. Much better.

I thought you were from Canada, not the deep south?

Once we were safely mounted on
our respective simulated Ikrans,
the woman beside Elle says:
"Yeah. No."
A CM came and released her
and she left.

I kept looking nervously at the time.
We were not going to be on time
for our ADR.

I'm sure you're not the first one to be held up on the safari.

I explained that we'd been delayed
by a giraffe and the host replied with
"It happens."

See!

Within five minutes, we were
escorted up the stairs
and sat at a table by a window.

You got Liesa's table!!!

We were on the ride a reasonable
40 minutes later.

Reasonable? 40 minutes for It's a Small Moon... I guess since it was Elle's one shot at riding I'll let it go.

It was unfortunate that Elle
didn't eat pork, whereupon
I was forced to consume it
all by myself.

Tragic.

What a dad! Way to take one for the team!

The Epcot bag check is registered with the
Guinness Book of World Records as the
slowest bag check line in the world!

True story.

I've said this before.
CMs are not allowed to say
"I don't know."
I suspect that on occasion,
a CM will just give information
that he thinks might be right,
rather than have to go to the
trouble of actually finding out.

Still makes for an interesting
photo, I suppose.

Interesting story... but that stinks. I wonder if it isn't that the CM is directionally challenged and forgot that EPCOT sits the opposite way you'd expect.

The polar bears bug me.

There's a lot about new Soarin that bugs me.

People everywhere wearing ponchos,
or soaking wet or holding umbrellas.
There'd been a deluge while we were
inside and we hadn't even been aware of it.

Well, I guess it's better a deluge than people reaching for umbrellas and ponchos due to leaks.

Anyone else ever notice that
the car is plugged in????

What is up with that? It's 2019 and I have a phone that charges wirelessly!!! Can the car of the future not charge wirelessly too? Come on you lazy Phoenicians! Get it together!

 

[Kiotzu]

I was forced to consume it
all by myself.

Sounds like a horrible fate.

At 8:07, two minutes after we arrived,
an empty Epcot bus pulled up.

Gotta love that VIP Bus Pass

We were in (standby) line for TT by 8:36.

GASP...standby

I let Elle design our car.
Of course she chose pink.

Looks fast non-the-less.

I've said this before.
CMs are not allowed to say
"I don't know."
I suspect that on occasion,
a CM will just give information
that he thinks might be right,
rather than have to go to the
trouble of actually finding out.

Still a fan of your shot! Looks great.

I crushed her with the trivia.

Was it movie trivia or just general stuff?

And quite a lot at times.
But they arrange it so as not to disturb
those of us with VIP weather passes.

Sounds like I need to pick one up.

the car is plugged in????

Plugged in while driving? Must be a long extension cord.

 

[Sue M]

Thanks!


Was super happy when
I found out.
Was happier still to see them.
Bummer about being on
the wrong side of the ball, but...

Oh, I've heard of the Abbotsford
show for years!
It's on my bucket list.

Oh?
Do you know why not?

Nope.
And as far as I've been able
to tell, so far it's just a rumor.

Hopefully, if it does happen...
It'll be an improvement.
Guess we'll see.

No idea why they stopped the fly overs. Too bad as they went right over my house!

 

[pkondz]

Still not entirely sold on these things.

What are you thinking?
I know that I'm worried
that they'll be too hot.

I love that she just strolls around the park!

Makes for a bit of Disney magic.
Like Devine (whom I did not see.)

Oo sounds delicious!

I highly recommend.

Aw how sweet!

That's the kind of
person she is.

Hm, ok I'll join the bandwagon.

Yussss...

Wonder if I can use that at work.

I don't see why not.
It's worked every single
time I've used it.

Oh no! Yak and Yeti is our absolute favorite! I'm sad that you had a bad experience, but I definitely recommend going back and ordering different dishes!

Well, you're (I think)
about the 5th person
to say that.
I'll give it another shot.

Couldn't find this one to save my life!

Well, now you know, yes?

 

[pkondz]

Good of you to take one for the team.

The sacrifices one must make...

Man, I need to get that connection!

Not easy to get...
But soooo worth it.

They knew what was good for them!

A sternly worded letter
was being drafted...

Awesome!

That's frustrating- but still a good picture.

Yeah... but thanks!

The automotive division explains the VIP transportation!

Ok all caught up now!

Phew!
You were busy!
Are you okay?
Do you need to lie down?

 

[pkondz]

I'm jealous! I hope to get there within the next couple years!

I hope you do too!
I'm thinking of going again
in the not too distant future.
Would like to visit @franandaj
Fran and Alison again.
I hear she makes a killer crab cake.




(No, you don't have to cook for me, Alison.
But it would be nice to see you guys again. )

So, did you buy the WDW UOG again?

Nope! Not that one, either.

It's the least they can do.

An apology should've been offered,
but I'll take just fixing it.

The worst! And honestly, nothing annoys me more than when you get up there and the bag-check CM tries to make small talk. That's mean, I know, but it just makes me think that maybe the line would just go faster if they moved faster and stopped chit-chatting

Interesting!
I've never thought of that.
Actually, I've had the opposite reaction.
The last time (at Epcot) when it took
forever to get through, the woman doing
my lane wouldn't say a word... and was
so slow!
The man beside her was chatting away
and was super quick!
I think there were 10 people in front
of both of them and he'd done his 10,
while I was still waiting 4-5 back in her line.

We were there the same day!

Yes, I know.
Didn't see you guys, though.

Ohhhh…okay.

You're welcome.

Oops

Still a really cool pic

Yeah...
But thanks!

I'm going to have to check into getting one of those. I'm missing out, apparently.

Not easy to get. Fair warning.

Love it!

That look is so me.

 

[pkondz]

I'm pretty good at finding Marvin.... and at spotting most of the Pkonds you drop in the pictures... but I am completely befuddled... I went through all of the photos 3 times and didn't see anything.... maybe I need glasses to wear on top of my contacts.... hmmm.

A few others have seen it.

Also, the blue angel shot is still pretty cool.

Thanks!

I watched one of my favorite youtubers (The Daily Woo) was there that day and he got video of the fly over... which apparently they did twice? Very cool that you happened to be there that day though.

Yes, they did do two.
I only found out as that
single one did the overhead
break over our heads.



Ah well.
Next time I'll position myself better...
And they'll go in the opposite direction.

 

[Tracy161]

It was unfortunate that Elle
didn't eat pork, whereupon
I was forced to consume it
all by myself.

Tragic.

The sacrifices you have to make

I presume Disney's way of apologizing
for the previous day's unimaginable
20 and 30 minute waits.

Clearly! The horror.

The Epcot bag check is registered with the
Guinness Book of World Records as the
slowest bag check line in the world!

It is! I looked it up after my last trip!

I learned that they'd fly from South to North.
Or, for those of you who are directionally
challenged, from World Showcase
towards Future World.

Thank you! Needed that

And Elle insisted on riding Orange.

So... on my last trip, I hopped into the Green side line. Waited until they lined you up on your circles. Waited a little more. And just as they began loading, I ran for the exit. On Green. Kudos to you for braving the darker dark side.

she still said she missed the smell
of oranges.

Me too! Have you heard they're bringing back Soarin' OG (for the summer) to Disneyland?! Maybe World, too? (don't quote me on that last piece... I'm just making up rumors )

Time travel you say? How is that possible?
Thank the Phoenicians!

Thank you, Phoenicians!

Mini-skirts.
Thank the Phoenicians!

Thank you, Phoenicians!

The Phoenicians also invented
kickin' skin care products.

Thank you, Phoenicians!

And I'm totally digging
my Mr. T mohawk.
I love the new hair rejuvenators!
Thanks, Phoenicians!

Thank you, Phoenicians! That look does suit you

 

[pkondz]

That was lucky! How nice!

Luck?
Luck had nothing to do with it, lady.

How on earth do you do that?! I swear you have the best transportation luck of anyone I know!

I told you. VIP bus pass.

And I believe it's getting worse?!

How could it possibly
get any worse?????

I wonder if it's because you have to turn after going through bag check rather continuing in a straight line? I swear that's the only difference between Epcot and the other parks - I don't think they have fewer bag checkers than HS and AK. It's annoying regardless of the reason.

I have no idea.
Maybe?
Good a guess as any.

It's a great photo! Perhaps not what you had in mind, but still great.

Thanks!

Sometimes I wish they could just say, "I don't know." They could always follow that up with, "Let me find out!"

But I think that's the problem!
They don't want to do the follow up!
It's easier to just answer incorrectly,
then it is to go hunt down the answer.

How very nice.

I'm hoping you're just injecting your usual humor and actually survived the ride?!

Yes I am.
I rode Orange not long ago
and felt quite ill afterwards
for about an hour.
But this time it didn't last
very long.

I believe I remember it from a past trip. I think it's just so darn dark in there that's easy to miss some of the queue details.

And most people don't
look up.
I'm surprised I did!

I think I may remember the bikini top! It was rather hysterical. (And I think most children have seen a bikini top - I don't feel like it's that scandalous.)

Not really.
It could be that Disney
just wanted to put
something more...
theirs in there instead.

Buzz Lightyear could create some amusement, too, though... depending on the children that were sitt

Seriously, you have the best luck with buses AND weather! I may need to start traveling with you!

I'm there in two months
and three weeks.

Ah, Spaceship Earth. I do love that attraction and will be sad to miss it next year if it's closed for refurbishment!

If.
I've yet to hear any
firm dates.

I still believe they'll keep most of the charm - at least I certainly hope they do!

I sure hope so!

 

[pkondz]

It went well, they went above and beyond the wage I was expecting, about 15% higher.

Great!

The job isn't what I wanted, I wanted more technical but ended up in sales. Will be transferring ASAP.

Which will be... how soon?

Yep, usually! She is a little leash reactive but we are working on it.

I didn't think it was so cute!

Also I found pictures of me, not the tree of life one, my dad must have it. Well I found a picture of the tree of life.

and one of me and my sister at Fuente De La Fortuna

Let's see... You're about 4' tall there...
So... two years old?

 

[cindianne320]

No picture of your dad?!

 

[pkondz]

This is what I get for being so far behind in the last one... I didn't realize you started a new one that I'm not already terribly behind in... I'll try to stay caught up now!

Andy! to the TR!
And I see you're already all
caught up.

Isn't it a little bit painful being wrapped around her finger like that?

I stretch first.

I'd be worried too!

Yeah. Just a little.
I may have had a
backup plan or two.

Hey, at least she was smart enough to find a workaround...

This is true.

I thought that was an everyday occurrence in Canada.

Well... sure.
Just thought I'd mention it.

The perfect set-up...
And he already took the punchline.

Sorry!

Holy crap!!! How does that even happen?

Operator error.

Nope... not buying it.

It's a Canadian thing... like you guys with that extra "u"

Just being neighbourly.

It's only that huge, colorful tent in the middle of Storybook Circus. I mean I can see how you might miss it.

I passed it by the first time
because I thought it was where
all the character meets happened.

I'm with you on that one!

Butter makes everything better.

Don't believe me?
(Of course you do,
just playing Devil's advocate.)

One word...

Popcorn.

Really? In the MDE app? This must be new since my last visit. They just had the displays on the bus stops back then. Where do you find it in the app?

I don't remember and I
can't look since it's GPS
enabled I think.
I just know that when we
were in our room, I could look.

Planning fail...
[/QUOTE]
Oh well...
At least I had FPs and ADRs done.

I can relate... That's my zen-like happy place.

I remember that about you.

Yeah. I mean, anything to help keep room and ticket costs down.

Oh, right...

This coming from the guy who always hurts his back.

It took me a long time before
I dared see that.
Then I reasoned I probably wasn't
the only one in the World to go
with a bad back and Disney wouldn't
design an attraction to injure you.


Much.

I thought you were from Canada, not the deep south?

It's all about shortcuts.
We need to find the quickest
path from point A to B so we
don't freeze to death.
That means shorter conversations
if you're outside.
So... shortcuts.

I'm sure you're not the first one to be held up on the safari.

Maybe I was! Prove me wrong!

You got Liesa's table!!!

:laughing:
Yes I did!
And a few others pointed
that out too!

Reasonable? 40 minutes for It's a Small Moon... I guess since it was Elle's one shot at riding I'll let it go.

I think 40 minutes is reasonable
compared to 120.

What a dad! Way to take one for the team!

The sacrifices we make.
We really should get medals.

Interesting story... but that stinks. I wonder if it isn't that the CM is directionally challenged and forgot that EPCOT sits the opposite way you'd expect.

Hmmm... No.
He did say from World Showcase
to Future World.

There's a lot about new Soarin that bugs me.

Yeah.

But.
Being familiar with polar bears,
it just... looks like they took a
shortcut (of their own) with the
CGI there, thinking "Who'll know
the difference?"
Who knows? Maybe people from
Africa who are familiar with elephants
think the same about them.

Well, I guess it's better a deluge than people reaching for umbrellas and ponchos due to leaks.

True!

What is up with that? It's 2019 and I have a phone that charges wirelessly!!! Can the car of the future not charge wirelessly too? Come on you lazy Phoenicians! Get it together!

 

[pkondz]

Sounds like a horrible fate.

Terrible!
I suffered, so!

Gotta love that VIP Bus Pass

Worth every penny.

GASP...standby

No FPs before park opening.
And with the tier system,
I pick Soarin' since you can
single rider line TT.

Looks fast non-the-less.

Not too shabby.

Still a fan of your shot! Looks great.

Thanks!

Was it movie trivia or just general stuff?

Neither, actually.
It was sea life trivia.
Um... like
True or False.
The male seahorse carries
the babies.

Sounds like I need to pick one up.

Plugged in while driving? Must be a long extension cord.

Nah. Just charging prior
to lift off.

 

[pkondz]

No idea why they stopped the fly overs. Too bad as they went right over my house!

Coooool!

 

[Sue M]

Coooool!

Yes it was! We live on a hillside overlooking one of the inlets, and they flew right up the inlet heading into the valley.

 

[Sue M]

No Pain, No Rain
The Phoenicians also showed us

our future.
I love how neither of us age.
The Phoenicians also invented
kickin' skin care products.

Anyone else ever notice that
the car is plugged in????
And I'm totally digging
my Mr. T mohawk.
I love the new hair rejuvenators!
Thanks, Phoenicians!

And with that, we blasted off
from Future World and headed
towards World Showcase
and all that the Flower and Garden
festival had to offer.

Good a place as any to leave off.


And...
In case you didn't see it
last chapter:

Did you see it
in this chapter?



Coming up... Flowers and Gardens

Yay, the pics work at SSE again. I love doing the postcards home too! Our last trip (last August) the Welcome to Your Future wasn’t working at all, for the 2 weeks we were there. No future for us!

What? You didn’t ride the boats in The Land

Hope California is playing at DL Sorin this August while we’re there! I miss the oranges too!

 

[pkondz]

The sacrifices you have to make

I'm such an amazing person!!!!!!

Clearly! The horror.

It was inexcusable!

It is! I looked it up after my last trip!

Thank you! Needed that

You're welcome.

So... on my last trip, I hopped into the Green side line. Waited until they lined you up on your circles. Waited a little more. And just as they began loading, I ran for the exit. On Green. Kudos to you for braving the darker dark side.

You got close, though!
I'm surprised you even got
in line! You is brave!
(Totally not kidding here.
I know how you get.)

Me too! Have you heard they're bringing back Soarin' OG (for the summer) to Disneyland?! Maybe World, too? (don't quote me on that last piece... I'm just making up rumors )

Oh... you!
Actually, I did hear that
they will be replacing the "flight"
for an underwater tour through
Hawaii, Great Barrier Reef and Mariana's Trench.

Or maybe I'm making up rumors.

Thank you, Phoenicians!

Thank you, Phoenicians!

Thank you, Phoenicians!

Thank you, Phoenicians! That look does suit you

I would so rock a Mohawk.

 

[pkondz]

No picture of your dad?!

oooooohhhhh...
If I was still giving out bonus points,
you would've cleaned up!

I was too busy pointing him out
to Elle.

 

[pkondz]

Yes it was! We live on a hillside overlooking one of the inlets, and they flew right up the inlet heading into the valley.

I really need to get out there.
Well... probably will in May, but...
Not airshow time.

Yay, the pics work at SSE again.

I love doing the postcards home too!

I'll comment (sort of) on that
next update.

Our last trip (last August) the Welcome to Your Future wasn’t working at all, for the 2 weeks we were there. No future for us!

That's... dark!

What? You didn’t ride the boats in The Land

Nope!
Not a huge fan.

Hope California is playing at DL Sorin this August while we’re there! I miss the oranges too!

That'd be awesome to see again.