Cruisin' a DREAM and WDW July 2-July 15th TR updated 1/25:Final Entry! page 15

[dededisney]

dededisney, gotta' cut the man some slack. All waterparks look the same when you are getting a faceful of water, and you sink thanks to the extra weight. (yeah, I'm around the 45 - 50 pound overweight area as well)

So, would you like to go to TL and think they had the long raft ride there? DH wants me to correct any errors he makes...he readily admits he does not have a good memory for this stuff...that is why I write it all down. I just don't want people to be disappointed if they go somewhere expecting a certain ride and it not be there. That's all

 

[QuiltTeddy]

OK, ok, I'm here.

I'm guessing you were in the dog house for quite a while and had quite a bit of pennance to serve!

If you are here....where's the next installment? I'm thinking you won't even leave Disneyworld before we head out on our cruise on 03/18/12.

 

[DisneyZell]

Just an FYI for those reading...Blizzard Beach has the longest family raft ride, not Typhoon Lagoon. TL is actually a pretty short slide with a long line. We waited maybe 2 minutes for the family raft ride at BB. (just didn't want anyone going to TL expecting a long raft ride!)

ah yes. As FF notes below, yes they do all run together. I remember now that this one had a long line (it even broke down and we had to wait for them to fix it...a little fact that DW conveniently left out of her Journal), and they had a photographer. On the longest family raft ride at Blizzard Beach they didn't have a photog! I'ts just not right. But because DW forgot to write this in her journal I'm blaming her.

Umm, I think CPS would more appropriately be called if you had taken the kids to the timeshare presentation. Something in the realm of holding them hostage, emotional torture, even listening to It's a Small World over and over for 30 minutes would be kinder.

dededisney, gotta' cut the man some slack. All waterparks look the same when you are getting a faceful of water, and you sink thanks to the extra weight. (yeah, I'm around the 45 - 50 pound overweight area as well)

Luckily, the sinking is temporary --FAT FLOATS!!!

Ha! I just hope fat floats before I drown! Thanks for the defense there...but DW is right, I *did* tell her she could correct me. It's one of those things I just have to put up with. Just kidding...

I LOVE Typhoon Lagoon

DH and I had a great day at TL! Not as great a day at BB, maybe because it rained and I broke my toe, but overall I really enjoyed TL better.

I'm not sure if rain and a broken toe can influence your enjoyment...uh..oh yeah. it can. Blizzard Beach review will be coming up sometime in the next 6 months. I expect you to weigh in heavily on that one!

So, would you like to go to TL and think they had the long raft ride there? DH wants me to correct any errors he makes...he readily admits he does not have a good memory for this stuff...that is why I write it all down. I just don't want people to be disappointed if they go somewhere expecting a certain ride and it not be there. That's all

see, she is just taking care of me left and right. But note *she* didn't bring up the fact that she had not written about us waiting while the ride was broken. What's up with that anyway, how can a water ride break???

I'm guessing you were in the dog house for quite a while and had quite a bit of pennance to serve!

If you are here....where's the next installment? I'm thinking you won't even leave Disneyworld before we head out on our cruise on 03/18/12.

No dog house, just doin' other stuff. It's football season now...so now I am doing videos and stuff! and I just did one today! what do you want from me???

DZ

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Yay! An update! Now when can we expect the next one?

 

[dededisney]

Yay! An update! Now when can we expect the next one?

Well, since more people are posting, you may get lucky...DH likes the positive feedback so I think that will move him along a little faster. You would think I wouldn't need to read these posts b/c I was there...however, I just write the boring part and he turns it into something so much funnier. It also feels like we are still there and makes me want to go back soon!

 

[DisneyZell]

Yay! An update! Now when can we expect the next one?

Tink, you are very, very demanding. OK, fine, I'll do another one today.

Well, since more people are posting, you may get lucky...DH likes the positive feedback so I think that will move him along a little faster. You would think I wouldn't need to read these posts b/c I was there...however, I just write the boring part and he turns it into something so much funnier. It also feels like we are still there and makes me want to go back soon!

Yes, DW knows my quirks. The more people post in my TR, the quicker I respond! otherwise I'm like the old fat white dude that falls asleep in front of the TV...snoooooooore!

DZ

 

[Figment_Fan]

How long am I in the doghouse?

I was just defensive as I have the same memory problems. Not as bad as remembering that I visited Harry Potter over in Fantasyland, but close. (By the way, they serve beer in the LINE over there!!!) I'm generally good on the rides, it's the places to eat I get confused.

Since it is rare that somebody defends my memory lapses, I just wanted to help a person with the same affliction. You know, my name is John . . .(all: Hi, John) . . . I have a memory problem and I'm here to join the group, ah, why was I here again???

Anyway, on with the entertainment.

 

[DisneyZell]

Today we were headed for the other Kingdom...Animal that is. As we had not opened the parks two days in a row we were determined to get there before opening. Plus we wanted to ride Expedition Everest and didn't want to stand in line...so there you go. We took off toward WDW at 8am...and soon saw this...

We got to the entrance around 8:20am....so we had some time to wait.

Connor sits and waits

Having visited Animal Kingdom before we knew that there is a back way to get to Expedition Everest (through Dino-Land. When we were there last we were one of maybe 7-8 people. It was better because the rest of the hundreds of people went the direct route...and were held back by slow walking CM's (Cast Members for those of you who aren't paying attention!). Last time we also had someone with a rope...but they moved faster so we got there first.

They finally dropped the ropes and we made a b-line off to the right...breaking off from the main group. As we made our way toward EE (that's Expedition Everest, you get a pass this time because I had not shortened it!), we discovered that there was not a CM to guide us to the ride. I was shocked. So we broke the golden Disney rule...and we ran. There were 3-4 others running right along side of us (well, running isn't the right word for it...loping along...or limping along is a more accurate term).

We arrived well in advance of the big group...so much so that we were able to grab fast passes jump into line and be on the first car. Nice! If you have never taken a ride on EE...it is really a great roller coaster. I won't ruin it because I'm too nice, but it has some fun surprises on it. Even when you have ridden it multiple times like we have you can still have a lot of fun. We rode three times in a row right off the bat before the line became too long and we decided to move on. Yes three times. I'm like one of those people in the seventies who watched star wars 5,345 times. Approximately.

Connor and Nick waiting for EE. This must have been our 3rd ride because the first two we just walked on.

Deanna and the boys.

Connor wanted to take a picture. That's me on the phone with the electrician because we needed him to come back and make a fix in time for the inspection of the basement work. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go back and read the report! I wrote it for a reason.

Connor and Nick on EE

It is just wrong to take a picture of a picture instead of paying Disney for it. Or is it???

After that we headed over to get FP's for the Safari ride. Again...we don't want to wait in line at all if we can avoid it. We were going to go on Kali River Rapids so Deanna headed up to get FP's for the Safari and we hung out kind of in the middle of Africa. Naturally it was time to take some pictures. Moral to this story before I even go there: Don't leave Drew alone with the kids and a camera.

This seems perfectly normal, right? Two boys enjoying the drums.

Naturally after playing the drums any child would work up a thirst, right?

And after you drink water...well...what do you have to do next?

Connor feels much better.

Nick does too

What? they should have used a bathroom? But why? The fire hydrant was so much more convenient...

Now was the time for Kali River Rapids. DW doesn't like water rides, but she went along anyway. What a trooper! We all piled on. This is one of those raft rides which seems nice...until you get soaked. Typically I'm the one that ends up in the bad seat. Oh, it does NOT matter which seat I sit in, I try to use strategy in my assessment of which seat will get the least amount of wet...but alas it doesn't work.

Except on this ride. This ride I shall exit relatively unscathed. Unfortunately DW cannot say the same as she became soaked through. Ouch! While she would have no problem cackling at me because I was wet, I really did feel bad. She was not happy. Nick also got soaked but...well...he is a kid, so he can survive. We went and found a bathroom and I suggested that she try to use the blowers to dry herself off. She went in..but of course that is an extremely bad suggestion because the only way to use the blowers to dry yourself off would be to stand in a bathroom in Disney in your underwear. So while I was well meaning...and the thought of DW in her underwear is normally a good thought...

Naturally this is a good picture after the underwear though. Yes this is set up.

After the failed blower attempt we headed back over to EE to use our fast passes. We stopped to take a picture of the monkeys. OH, and there are some climbing in the background too.

Monkeys, monkeys everywhere...

Connor and DW on EE (#4 for the day!)

Have I mentioned that it is just wrong to take a picture of a picture and not donate more money to Disney. I need to take a firm stance on this!

On the way to EE we took some pictures.

And more. Bored yet?

We have traveled a lot over the years...and this is a cool picture...as you wouldn't even know you are in a theme park, well except for the big Animal Kingdom border on the bottom.

Stitch seemed much bigger at Hollywood Studios.

 

[DisneyZell]

I don't remember where this was. But it's a fun picture.

Now it was time to go do the safari. For some reason I don't have any pictures of that. This is disturbing to me while it is most likely a welcome break for you. The Safari is cool, and I think for the first time since we had ever ridden the safari ride the animals were very active so we got to see a lot. Ok, now I remember, we did have a lot of pictures, but they were of the animals. While some TR writers might subject you to animal pictures by themselves I'm not one of them. Your welcome. Ha!

Once we were off that we went to get fast passes for Dinosaur. For those of you who do not know, Dinosaur is basically just like Indiana Jones at Disneyland. Or perhaps Indiana Jones is just like Dinosaur? Not sure which one was first. Nick, being the wonderful pre-teen that he is, whined and complained the entire walk to Dinosaur. It sucks...it's not any fun...it's a waste of time. This was wonderful to listen to on vacation. Nothing is better than listening to whining kids. So I asked him if he liked Indiana Jones. Oh yeah, that's a great ride. I informed him it's the same ride...but of course it isn't in his mind. Ah well..what can you do? He is 12. I can't wait for the rest of the teen years!

I think Dinosaur is a very fun ride and one of the better ones. There was another ride in Dino land that was fun, lots of spinning and roller coaster action...but I think someone either got hurt or died on it so it closed down. That leaves Dinosaur as the best ride on that side of the park! Now, it's no EE...but what is??

I beat my kids into submission so they still smile in the pics!

This one is kind of funny. It is actually the second time we rode Dinosaur. We got fast passes but the standby line was short so we jumped in. The first time our picture wasn't that great. The second time we knew when we would get our picture so we all acted freaked out. When we came out and I was taking my picture of the picture (which is just wrong by the way, how many times do I have to say it???), there was a couple standing in front of us who said "they clearly must have known where the camera was and acted for it.". HA! yup. I cannot believe they think we weren't scared!

We stopped and had lunch on our way to Camp Mickey Minnie (or Minnie Mickey?). Why were we going to Camp Mickey Minnie (or Minnie Mickey...I could look it up....but where is the fun in that?). I will tell you if you would be more patient!

Me and the boys on a bench. Yup...doesn't get any more exciting than that!

We found a photographer...yes we did.

Look at us by this cool truck. It's ours...isn't it?

ACK! Animals in the trees!

Aw...see, that's why I worry about DW being wet...it's all about the love.

And the family shot.

So really, were all of the pictures above taken by that photographer right after lunch? No idea. But I can't just drop the pictures in all at the end can I? No way!

Honestly not sure when this was taken either, but I know you were looking for another family picture.

 

[DisneyZell]

So then we headed for Camp Mickey Minnie (or...well you get the idea by now). The reason is that when we were last at Animal Kingdom we got picked for the parade. We were in the Camp Mickey Minnie area around the same time and a CM came up and picked us out of the crown. That was cool. We were hoping to have a repeat of that situation. We walked down into Camp Mickey Minnie, and then realized why the rest of the park was so empty. They were all there. 9,835 people (approximately) packed into this little area. Ouch. So we decided to mosey on.

We headed back over to EE...

Must have a picture by the tree of life.

ACK! Animals! By the way, what's up with this being off centered? Maybe the Photopass Photographers need to lay off the suds at lunch!

The boys looking cool

Well, I always knew these two were animals. CPS anyone???

One more time on EE...

This was #5

We headed back over to use our FP's for Dinosaur (you already saw the picture!), and the boys then decided they wanted to leave and go hit Disney Quest again. We left about 1pm and headed back to the resort.

Overall Animal Kingdom is a good park in my opinion. It takes a lot of heat because of the lack of rides...but as I mentioned in one of the pictures, the set up and design of the park is very cool and very much looks and feels like you wander from country to country. I find that pretty incredible.

After cooling off a bit it was back over to Disney Quest. We played some "classic" video games (Galaga...I love Galaga). DW played Dig Dug. Gotta love that. It's all free with your admission (which by the way I would never, ever pay. Because we had "fun" tickets we used those...and it's the only way I'd do it. If we had more days I don't even think I'd do that as I'd go back to the water parks again). I believe this was the time that I talked to our realtor in New Hampshire and found out that the beloved town inspector had freaked out about some things in our basement including....dum...dum...dum....an electrical outlet that did not have a plastic cover! Holy cow! I know! I was freaked out too! what if a child sticks their hand behind the outlet and electrocutes themselves! What if...wait. Where was the outlet? Oh, it was on the CEILING. So let me change the scenario...what if a child pulls a 10 foot ladder to the middle of the room and climbs to the top, perches precariously on the top step and reaches behind it...

Thank god our towns are looking out for us.

Ahem.

Anyway, that put a severe damper on my enjoyment of DQ.

After that fun we went to do Cyber Space Mountain again...we got our roller coasters all set up and then got in line. Then the lights went out and came back on. That really screwed up all the virtual reality stuff...so it was shut down for a while. The video games were pretty much all that was left so we played those for a while. Eventually we checked back with Cyber Space Mountain and it was up and running again so we got back in line and rode it.

While we were there we found out from the CM's that there was a huge lightning storm that went through and all of the parks actually had to shut down. I think we were happy that we were inside!

We got bored with DQ so we headed out. When we left it was absolutely pouring out...we dashed to the car and headed to our old Mainstay...Chevy's. While there I got to talk to some handymen to go to my house to fix all of the dire problems that we had. Luckily the electrician could go back in and put the plate on the outlet and save all future Kidos from getting electrocuted!

so DQ gets a C or D grade from me. It's kind of fun for a few hours...but that's about it. I had read on reviews that it was dated...and boy is that right. Disney needs to overhaul that to bring it up to speed. What was very cool 20 years ago is more mundane now and they could easily fix that in my opinion.

So it was an early night for us...by about 6pm. TV and books...and off to bed.

Next up: Chapter 7: Day 6...BRRR, is it cold in here?

Hope you enjoyed my latest!
DZ

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Tink, you are very, very demanding. OK, fine, I'll do another one today.

Someone getting picked on and it's not me!!!!

Yes, DW knows my quirks. The more people post in my TR, the quicker I respond! otherwise I'm like the old fat white dude that falls asleep in front of the TV...snoooooooore!

DZ

 

[DisneyZell]

Someone getting picked on and it's not me!!!!

Come on now, I haven't picked on you in at least a week!

DZ

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Come on now, I haven't picked on you in at least a week!

DZ

Isn't that due to the fact that you've been MIA for equally as long?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I don't care who gets picked on as long as there are more updates!

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Isn't that due to the fact that you've been MIA for equally as long?

And I agree with QuiltTeddy

 

[DisneyZell]

Isn't that due to the fact that you've been MIA for equally as long?

ouch! That hurts! so I took a week off, don't I get credit for posting two in one week??? And no comments on the kids peeing on the firehydrant? What's up with that. I think maybe you don't read.

I don't care who gets picked on as long as there are more updates!

You guys are a tough crowd

And I agree with QuiltTeddy

I guess that I need to be careful since apparently you two are the only two actually posting on my TR...so whatever you two want.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

ouch! That hurts! so I took a week off, don't I get credit for posting two in one week??? And no comments on the kids peeing on the firehydrant? What's up with that. I think maybe you don't read.

You guys are a tough crowd

I guess that I need to be careful since apparently you two are the only two actually posting on my TR...so whatever you two want.

Was it only a week?????

No, no comment on the fire hydrant.....I'm still trying to find out how to get the alphabet and numbers off my face/forehead.....

AND, YA KNOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.......I could take the first mode of transportation available out of this TR!!!!!

 

[HeyyCali]

I'm reading too! I am new to these boards and I am loving your trip report! You guys look like you're having a blast! I can wait to take my little guy to WDW now. He is only 2 so I think we're in for a little bit of a wait. Maybe by then you will be done with your TR... Sorry, I just hate to be left out of picking on people!

And the fire hydrant pics are hysterical! I love pics like that.

Oh! And welcome to California!

 

[LuvEeyore]

The fire hydrant pictures are hysterical. Loving the laughs your reports provide. Ready for some more!!

 

[DisneyZell]

I'm reading too! I am new to these boards and I am loving your trip report! You guys look like you're having a blast! I can wait to take my little guy to WDW now. He is only 2 so I think we're in for a little bit of a wait. Maybe by then you will be done with your TR... Sorry, I just hate to be left out of picking on people!

And the fire hydrant pics are hysterical! I love pics like that.

Oh! And welcome to California!

*sigh*, I WOULD welcome you to my TR, but if your gonna pick on me, get in line! It's a long one! Thanks for the note, and for the welcome. It's actually welcome *back* to california. I missed giving my entire paycheck to the state.

Was it only a week?????

No, no comment on the fire hydrant.....I'm still trying to find out how to get the alphabet and numbers off my face/forehead.....

AND, YA KNOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.......I could take the first mode of transportation available out of this TR!!!!!

All modes of transport are currently experiencing delays. Sorry for the inconvenience!

The fire hydrant pictures are hysterical. Loving the laughs your reports provide. Ready for some more!!

Thanks! glad I can entertain. And thanks for posting..if no one posts I get very pouty. It drives DW insane!

Thanks everyone, new episode is coming soon! Really!

DZ