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

[mustinjourney]

Looks like I missed a posting -- guess I'll do these out of order.

I woke up five minutes before
my alarm time of 7:00am.
Elle wasn't getting up until 7:30am,
so I took the opportunity
to relax on the balcony
while munching on some
delicious bacon, courtesy
of @docsoliday1.

I love having a balcony while at disney. It's so nice to go outside and take it all in.

At 8:07, two minutes after we arrived,
an empty Epcot bus pulled up.
Elle and I were the only passengers.
I presume Disney's way of apologizing
for the previous day's unimaginable
20 and 30 minute waits.

wow -- that's impressive.

In no time, we were in line for bag check.
The Epcot bag check is registered with the
Guinness Book of World Records as the
slowest bag check line in the world!

The front of epcot is the absolute worst of all the parks. That's why I LOVE staying at Beach Club -- the international gateway is a million times better (at least for now before the gondolas open up).

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

I have yet to step foot in the standby queue for this ride. It's been FP or single rider every time.

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.

maybe the CM was directionally challenged?

I cleaned my face and she rinsed out her clothes
and we headed over to our next FP.

that was pretty subtle -- almost didn't notice it. Good work.

The polar bears bug me.
They don't move like that
in real life.

As I've never experienced a real polar bear, I always just assumed they could move like that.

 

[pkondz]

Sorry!

Everyone keeps posting pics of their cute, little Orange Bird spiders and I'm kicking myself for not getting one

Oh, too bad.
They are pretty cute.

Yuck!

Those bugs were AWFUL! When we were there at the beginning of April, they were just starting to come out. We noticed them for the first time as we were sitting having our lunch on the porch at Tony's and they were annoying then, but nothing like they were in May. They were everywhere! I don't know that I would choose to go back in May for this reason. My kids would have been freaking out with the amount of bugs there

I'd go back in May.
I've been before and they
weren't nearly as bad.
I overheard someone say
that it was the worst in years.

Pretty

Very!

I've never seen this. I should go in someday

It's not the greatest...
It's pretty dated.
But the scenery is wonderful
and the air conditioning
is even better.

We haven't played Agent P in a few years and at the time, they gave us a flip phone to use. I didn't realize you use your own phone now, though it sounds super glitchy.

I'm not sure if it was
the app or the wifi.
Either way, it was frustrating.

I love all your photos. It looks so peaceful at night. The one time I stayed at OKW was in 2006 and I barely took any pictures of the resort. It wasn't really a "thing" then and it was long before I ever wrote a trip report. Your pictures are lovely and captured the serenity of OKW perfectly

Thanks!

Oh, no! Those poor people!

Sorry, people below me!
But... blame Disney on that one.

That happened to us once. We came home to The CR at like midnight after attending MNSSHP and our bathroom was full of water. They came and moved us a few doors down and comped us for everything we already had charged to the room, which I think was around $800. Totally worth it for a little inconvenience!

Wow!
How does one go about
flooding one's bathroom?

Asking for a friend.
Purely theoretical.

 

[pkondz]

It's 8:15am and my body now thinks it's time for lunch.

Have a sandwich.
I'll wait.

What a disappointment!

It really was.
I was looking forward
to that more than
anything else.

He died how he lived.

Fast and free... and hot.

I also still don't know how you resisted. I have yet to enter the caramel shop and come away empty handed.

The thought of Tepan Edo
sustained me.

That's my story.

Ohhh I have words about that whistle.

Any that are suitable
for a family board?

No it's just the power of Disney Magic holding it together

Ohhhhh...
Of course.

Stupid of me.

Disney is the place where I realized I didn't really want children.

You want to see the gamut
of emotions and reactions
associated with parenting...

You've come to the right park.

Great photos!

Thanks!

 

[pkondz]

Very tragic. I'm sure you suffered for hours. NOT.

The sacrifices I make.
I really should receive some
sort of medal. Or compensation.

Nice to know the bus pass is working.

Worst bag check ever!

They really need to look
into that.
What do they do at that park
that they do differently
everywhere else??

I like this pink, it's not too bright.

Classy, not crassy.

Awwwwww.

I still miss the oranges too.

You're rocking that Mr. T hair!

I pity the fool that
doesn't think so!

Nope.

I'm sneaky that way.

 

[pkondz]

Who cares? It's still amazing.

Very true.
You don't have to dissect it
to enjoy it.

Unless we're talking about steak.

Nice! Very pretty.

If only you'd waited for that monorail...

Oh! I forgot to mention.
It was lunch time.
Should've put that in.

Agreed. Sometimes simple is best.

That's an adage, isn't it?
"It's the simple things."

Ew. Sounds pretty disgusting. Corn on the cob and McDonald's french fries are both foods that should always be served fresh and hot.

Both need salt, too.

This mental image really makes me laugh.

(Except me... angrily)

Yuck. Those are never fun to deal with.

Nope. And it got worse.

There are probably worse ways to go.

Name three.

So they didn't make it into the postcard, then? Or the text message?

No and no.
I have my standards.

They're exceptionally low...
but I have them.

You're surprisingly nonchalant about this development. I'd have been screaming bloody murder.

Meh. It's not like it was
my good eye.

And calories don't count on vacation!

While true...
Stomach stretching is a real thing.

Truth.

Definitely worth a stop.

Also truth. The whistling gets old and irritating after...oh, about 4 seconds.

Yeah. Although it sounds
like you have more patience
than I do.

VOL are wonderful. I hope they never go away.

Really like them.
The costuming, the songs,
the harmonizing...
All of it.

Wow, that's really stunning!

I know!
Nicest I've seen... anywhere.

I use that trick frequently as well.

The TR writer's cheat sheet.

I don't know whether to tip my cap to clever planning or shake my head in disappointment at it being fake.

Probably the latter.
That garden isn't meant to
be as... authentic, I think.

Sounds like a lot of the best attractions in Epcot.

shocking

I'm sorry. I should have told
you to sit down, first.

Can we just blow this attraction up and start over? Again?

Oh man, if ever there was a perfect photo!

I saw him and knew I had
to take the photo for the TR.

Nicely done, random Japanese chef.

He was a lot of fun.
He totally made that meal


Literally.

The lesson here is that stereotypes are always funny!

Ok, maybe not.

I'm just glad the kid in the front right seat knew proper etiquette and kept his hands down, thus preventing anyone from being Wazowski'd in the photo.

I'll have more to say on that...
in the next update.

There's something about Disney at night, isn't there?

Oh, yeah.
Very much so.
I love it at night.

I like that angle. Nice shot.

Thanks!

Yes! ...finally. Do you own Epcot now?

Just sponsoring.

 

[docsoliday1]

VOL are wonderful. I hope they never go away.

The only thing worth stopping for in the US pavilion for me. Maybe the seats and the AC for AA, but usually not worth the wait.

Can we just blow this attraction up and start over? Again?

Only if they start over with the original. This has always been one of my favorites. They just need to get someone other than the people who designed MDE to work on their computers. To be honest, I wish I could get them to hire me...I know how to (and could) fix some of their idiotic computer flaws.

Oh man, if ever there was a perfect photo!

The essence of Disdads!!!

 

[docsoliday1]

The sacrifices I make.
I really should receive some
sort of medal. Or compensation.

Interesting...wonder what type of compensation you'll expect for sacrificing again in a couple months.

 

[pkondz]

sure seems like that would be really good. I love garlic parmesan on my chicken wings.

It sure sounded good on paper.
I should've just eaten the paper.

What's funny is from the picture -- it almost looks like the corn has been deep fried a little -- which then made me wonder how that would taste. A nice, light crunchiness on the outside. I think it could be a winner.

Hmmm... I'd try it.
But... have a feeling that
boiled (or grilled) will still
be the only way to do it.

You guys probably don't get a lot of good guac up in the great north. All guacs are not created equally.

We do, but... you're asking the
wrong Canuck.
I'm not a fan and don't eat it.

at least one of your VIP cards is working.

Both, now, actually.

I read several reports about them being especially bad this year.

Yeah. I'd heard the same.

Just more protein!

And yet she didn't eat it!
Something wrong with her.

Never get veggie spring rolls -- always stick to pork egg rolls.

That's all they had.
Rotten trick.
Elle got to eat half.

at first I was....

then I was like...

Eye see you saw why eye did.

something about seeing people with green faces just throws me off.

Because it looks like they're
about to throw up?

I still haven't caught a performance of theirs yet. Closest I came to seeing a performance was a couple years ago, but they had literally just finished.

I've yet to see one from the
beginning, but I sure liked
what I heard.

This is also on my list of things to check out on my next solo trip.

The movies a bit dated...
but the scenery is stunning.

And it's air conditioned too!

maybe it's a code you have to break?

Oh, it was broken all right.

I actually had my oldest walk on my back on one trip -- it was quite nice.

You have to pay good money
for that in some places.

That's a pretty good one -- even better that you didn't realize it at first.

Just sounded so... natural!

I fell asleep in the jacuzzi tub at Animal Kingdom Kidani. Woke up after like 3 hours.

Uh, oh... during the day?
Sunburned?
Or just came out looking
like a prune?

I guess Pkondz is sponsoring a festival booth?

 

[pkondz]

Looks like I missed a posting -- guess I'll do these out of order.

Great!
Now the whole TR is ruined!!

I love having a balcony while at disney. It's so nice to go outside and take it all in.

Okay, here's the thing.
Usually when I go solo,
I just book a Value, because I'm
just not there much.
I also book a main floor,
so I can walk out the door and not
have to do stairs. Quicker.
But... with Elle there,
and having a generous benefactor
to rent points from....

I loved the balcony in the morning
while waiting for Elle.
By myself? No.
With someone else? Yes.

wow -- that's impressive.

It's deplorable.
Never should have waited
in the first place!
They need to come up with
a VIP pass that doesn't need
charging up.

The front of epcot is the absolute worst of all the parks. That's why I LOVE staying at Beach Club -- the international gateway is a million times better (at least for now before the gondolas open up).

I've used the International Gateway
several times.
Sooooo much easier/better.

Hope the Gondolas don't
affect it too much.

I have yet to step foot in the standby queue for this ride. It's been FP or single rider every time.

Since Soarin' and TT are Tier 1,
I usually chose Soarin' since I can
single rider TT if necessary.
In this case, it was a moot point
since we were there before park
opening.

maybe the CM was directionally challenged?

He could've said "From the East"!

that was pretty subtle -- almost didn't notice it. Good work.

As I've never experienced a real polar bear, I always just assumed they could move like that.

No.
Not jerky like that.
Bugs me.

 

[pkondz]

The only thing worth stopping for in the US pavilion for me. Maybe the seats and the AC for AA, but usually not worth the wait.

I'd like to see the American Adventure again.
It's been literally decades.

Only if they start over with the original.

I don't remember the original.
I suspect I never saw it.

This has always been one of my favorites. They just need to get someone other than the people who designed MDE to work on their computers.

To be honest, I wish I could get them to hire me...I know how to (and could) fix some of their idiotic computer flaws.

You got my vote.

Interesting...wonder what type of compensation you'll expect for sacrificing again in a couple months.

I don't care.
As long as it's a lot of money.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

Any that are suitable
for a family board?

 

[pkondz]

View attachment 413688

 

[vamassey1]

That menu... Um...
I'm kinda drooling right now.

If you ever make it down to New Orleans give them a try.

Of course you thought of me.
You're madly in love with me,
aren't you?

I am not at all surprised.

Our first stop, the Citrus Blossom.
Kay (DD18) had asked for the
souvenir Orange Bird cup, so...

He's really cute!

These both look good but I think I would like the lobster more.

It was downright awful.

So sorry. It looks like it should have been good.

She loves guac.
I on the other hand, do not.

I love guac too!

Yuck! We have love bugs down here too. Some years are worse than other years. In 2007 we had them while at Disney. They have a certain smell when you squash them, I'm smelling it right now in my smell memory. Yuck!

Elle also got herself a bubble tea
which she pronounced to be:
"The Best Tea Ever".

Danielle loves bubble tea too.

While pretty much everything looked
amazing, we knew we had an upcoming
ADR and managed to walk out
empty handed.

I still don't know how we did it.
I still don't know why we did it.

Total fail. Even if you didn't want it now you could have saved it for later. There is too much goodness in this shop not to get something.

And no one can pass by the little
model railroad and village in Germany
without stopping.
It's just not possible.

Very true.

Unfortunately, they were just starting
the last song of their set.
Still... it was enough for a small taste.
They're so good. Love hearing them.

Some VOL is better than none. The first time we heard them we were just catching the last song too.

Sooooo pretty!

I reached out and gently nudged
a grain of sand with an outstretched finger.
The grain didn't budge.
The entire display was glued solid.

I did not know this. Now I'm going to have to touch it too.

This is one of my favourite attractions
in World Showcase.
It's air conditioned... and has seats.
Oh, and there's a movie or something.

We did this for the first time in 2017. It was so nice to get out of the heat that a dozed off.

I took this photo, because it
encapsulates fathers everywhere,
but especially at Disney:

Yup and grand dads too.

(Elle would pronounce this meal
to be in her top 3 for the trip.)

Danielle loves this place too.

Photopass was working this time.
It would appear that we enjoyed the ride.

Yes it does.

Once at the resort, I grabbed my
camera and tripod and headed
out to shoot some resort photos.

Beautiful photos from around the resort. It looks so peaceful.

Did you see it
in this chapter?

Yes I did!

 

[Kiotzu]

Now ya do.

HOORAY!

Wow.
Isn't it amazing how one
(or in your case, two)
change can change your
whole life?

It is! I was going nowhere and changing schools(I moved back to Vancouver but didn't get into the school I wanted to) was amazing. I had never had a close group of friends and I ended up becoming very close with a bunch of super driven people and that rubbed off on me! So blessed to have them in my life.

 

[Self_resqing_princz]

I totally missed it in the last chapter AND this chapter! I can't believe this! I'm slipping. AND... I'M SUPER stoked! I'm "in talks" with my dad about doing a family trip (10 people) to Disney for 5 or 6 days- in FEBRUARY! Which is amazing because the three of us are already going in October- with my husband's side of the family! 2 Disney trips in less than a year?! Can that be?! Stay tuned for that!

 

[mustinjourney]

Because it looks like they're
about to throw up?

I think it's b/c it makes them looks like aliens or something.

Uh, oh... during the day?
Sunburned?
Or just came out looking
like a prune?

haha -- not the hot tub by the pool -- but the jacuzzi tub in the room. The 1BR villas (DVC rooms) have jetted tubs...and after two straight days of long days...and after a nice big dinner at Boma, I was pretty exhausted. I passed out probably around 10 or 11 pm...woke up around 2 am I think.

Okay, here's the thing.
Usually when I go solo,
I just book a Value, because I'm
just not there much.
I also book a main floor,
so I can walk out the door and not
have to do stairs. Quicker.
But... with Elle there,
and having a generous benefactor
to rent points from....

I loved the balcony in the morning
while waiting for Elle.
By myself? No.
With someone else? Yes.

the balconies at animal kingdom savanna view are really sweet.

I've used the International Gateway
several times.
Sooooo much easier/better.

Hope the Gondolas don't
affect it too much.

I'll be staying at the new Riviera resort next January as part of my next Daddy/Daughter trip (with the youngest daughter)...so I'll get some early first hand experience. Definitely keeping my fingers crossed.

Since Soarin' and TT are Tier 1,
I usually chose Soarin' since I can
single rider TT if necessary.
In this case, it was a moot point
since we were there before park
opening.

Yeah -- I almost always single rider this one b/c at least one kid hasn't been tall enough to ride. Our T1 FP is pretty much FEA...so I don't ride Soarin' every trip either.

 

[pkondz]

If you ever make it down to New Orleans give them a try.

I'd love to make it down there.

He's really cute!

I'm kinda regretting
not keeping him!

These both look good but I think I would like the lobster more.

The lobster was the clear winner!

So sorry. It looks like it should have been good.

I love guac too!

You can have my share.
I don't dislike it, but would
just rather have other things.

Yuck! We have love bugs down here too. Some years are worse than other years. In 2007 we had them while at Disney. They have a certain smell when you squash them, I'm smelling it right now in my smell memory. Yuck!

Ew. Gross.

Danielle loves bubble tea too.

We'll call 'em the
Bubble Tea Twins.

Total fail. Even if you didn't want it now you could have saved it for later. There is too much goodness in this shop not to get something.

Yeah...
I don't know what I wasn't thinking.

Some VOL is better than none. The first time we heard them we were just catching the last song too.

Yep.
Even a little is great.

Sooooo pretty!

Isn't it???

I did not know this. Now I'm going to have to touch it too.

Just the one inside, though!
Pretty sure the outside ones
are real and not glued.

We did this for the first time in 2017. It was so nice to get out of the heat that a dozed off.

I'm not surprised.
I almost dozed off too.

Yup and grand dads too.

Danielle loves this place too.

I'm seeing more and more
similarities.

Beautiful photos from around the resort. It looks so peaceful.

Thank you!
It was a really nice resort.
I'd stay again in a heartbeat.

Yes I did!

 

[pkondz]

HOORAY!

It is! I was going nowhere and changing schools(I moved back to Vancouver but didn't get into the school I wanted to) was amazing. I had never had a close group of friends and I ended up becoming very close with a bunch of super driven people and that rubbed off on me! So blessed to have them in my life.

Amazing what being around
the right (or wrong) people
can do to and for a person.

 

[pkondz]

I totally missed it in the last chapter AND this chapter! I can't believe this! I'm slipping.

I made those a bit harder than usual.

AND... I'M SUPER stoked! I'm "in talks" with my dad about doing a family trip (10 people) to Disney for 5 or 6 days- in FEBRUARY! Which is amazing because the three of us are already going in October- with my husband's side of the family! 2 Disney trips in less than a year?! Can that be?! Stay tuned for that!

That's great!!
I hope it all comes together.

 

[pkondz]

I think it's b/c it makes them looks like aliens or something.

That'll do it.

haha -- not the hot tub by the pool -- but the jacuzzi tub in the room.

Oh!

The 1BR villas (DVC rooms) have jetted tubs...and after two straight days of long days...and after a nice big dinner at Boma, I was pretty exhausted. I passed out probably around 10 or 11 pm...woke up around 2 am I think.

the balconies at animal kingdom savanna view are really sweet.

Yes!
Some day...

I'll be staying at the new Riviera resort next January as part of my next Daddy/Daughter trip (with the youngest daughter)...so I'll get some early first hand experience. Definitely keeping my fingers crossed.

That'll be cool.
The gondolas should be running.
They're supposed to be up in time
for SWGE and they looked ready already.

Yeah -- I almost always single rider this one b/c at least one kid hasn't been tall enough to ride. Our T1 FP is pretty much FEA...so I don't ride Soarin' every trip either.

I usually skip FEA.
Been there. Don't need
to do it again.
At least not if it costs
a tier 1 FP!