DIS Dads DDC XIV - It's a trap!!!

[BigTikiDaddy]

It's a working/research trip - but it'll be fun no matter what I do.

I'm definitely planning to explore the island a bit as well. I've been to Hawaii before, but never spent any real time on Oahu. Only as a stop over before going to other islands. This will be my first stay on Oahu without going to another island. Pearl Harbor is definitely on my list of things to see (not that I have a lot on my list ... yet).

Parasailing.

That's something I'd like to do as well.

Maybe I'll do that while I'm there.

I also can't wait to go to Disneyland after Hawaii. I'll be stopping over in LA for a few days before flying home, and staying at VGC. I can't wait to go back!

You'd need a battleship to lift me in the air.

I think Pearl Harbor be tops on my list if I went. Just watch out for evil Tiki Idols...

We will get to Disneyland one day, I have doubt on that, the only thing standing in our way is the cost of getting out there. I told DW by playing Adventures, by the time we go, I'd know my way around as well as at Magic Kingdom

 

[stopher1]

My son Matthew (the birthday boy) has a friend over tonight for a sleepover for his birthday. AND he's taking his friend along to Laser tag. It's his best friend, and they were both so pumped about getting to spend something like 36 hours together uninterrupted by things like school, homework, etc, etc. Ahh to be a kid again and get to just hang out with your buds for so long. I keep telling my kids to enjoy it now, because it won't last forever.

 

[stopher1]

You'd need a battleship to lift me in the air.

I think Pearl Harbor be tops on my list if I went. Just watch out for evil Tiki Idols...

We will get to Disneyland one day, I have doubt on that, the only thing standing in our way is the cost of getting out there. I told DW by playing Adventures, by the time we go, I'd know my way around as well as at Magic Kingdom

Yeah, I know it's pricey - but it is so worth it.

I haven't seen the Adventures game myself, but I must say I am tickled that they used the original for the game.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Oh it is such fun. Last time we had around 65 boys and 15 adults there. I believe we've got around 80 boys signed up and about 20 adults this time around.

It's a great way to hang out, play and just have lots of fun. It's awesome to interact that way.

Plus as part of it all, there's unlimited drinks and pizza all night long. Now if only there were bacon... oh well. I guess you can't have it all.

Bacon on pizza!

My son Matthew (the birthday boy) has a friend over tonight for a sleepover for his birthday. AND he's taking his friend along to Laser tag. It's his best friend, and they were both so pumped about getting to spend something like 36 hours together uninterrupted by things like school, homework, etc, etc. Ahh to be a kid again and get to just hang out with your buds for so long. I keep telling my kids to enjoy it now, because it won't last forever.

Indeed. I can recall those days. I remember an epic sleepover highlighted by a Leafs-Canadians game etc. Now I barely talk to anyone anymore, just drifted after high school.... You are only a kid once, unless you are Disney of course.

 

[stopher1]

I also need to figure out when our next family trip to FL will be.

My eldest came up to me last night and asked if I would plan a trip in July so we could go to a concert in Orlando - not for the parks, just for the concert. He's a big Legend of Zelda player, and there's a concert tour of the music. He knew that asking for the Orlando tour date, he'd get better consideration on my part than say the Atlanta or other tour dates. Smart boy. Except - I don't DO Florida in July or August. Yuck. Way too hot & humid for my liking. DW refuses to go to FL between May & September... so figuring out the family trip is a bit more difficult. Especially with the eldest a sophomore in HS.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Yeah, I know it's pricey - but it is so worth it.

I haven't seen the Adventures game myself, but I must say I am tickled that they used the original for the game.

It was a good choice, and the attention to detail is amazing. I think that it is technically to scale too. I found it confusing at ffirst, I wanted to go certain ways, being I was used to WDW, and it would throw me off places like the Matterhorn

 

[stopher1]

Bacon on pizza!

You are absolutely correct - normally - but for the lock-ins, the pizza is always just pepperoni, just sausage, and just cheese. I WISH there were other options.

Indeed. I can recall those days. I remember an epic sleepover highlighted by a Leafs-Canadians game etc. Now I barely talk to anyone anymore, just drifted after high school.... You are only a kid once, unless you are Disney of course.

Oh yeah, me too. They were fun, while they lasted. But that's a big part of why I'm as involved with Scouts as I am. Sure it's to support my sons and be a good role model - but honestly - a big part of it is to be able to have fun and be a kid again. I live for Scouting events. It's awesome the crazy fun the other leaders and I have.

 

[stopher1]

It was a good choice, and the attention to detail is amazing. I think that it is technically to scale too. I found it confusing at ffirst, I wanted to go certain ways, being I was used to WDW, and it would throw me off places like the Matterhorn

Oh yeah - I can see that. Growing up with DL, the MK threw me a lot at first those first few visits. Frontierland, way around beyond Liberty Square - are you kidding me? Big Thunder Mountain way around on the other side of the Rivers of America? Wow. But of course after so many visits to WDW, I'm certainly very used to both now.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

I also need to figure out when our next family trip to FL will be.

My eldest came up to me last night and asked if I would plan a trip in July so we could go to a concert in Orlando - not for the parks, just for the concert. He's a big Legend of Zelda player, and there's a concert tour of the music. He knew that asking for the Orlando tour date, he'd get better consideration on my part than say the Atlanta or other tour dates. Smart boy. Except - I don't DO Florida in July or August. Yuck. Way too hot & humid for my liking. DW refuses to go to FL between May & September... so figuring out the family trip is a bit more difficult. Especially with the eldest a sophomore in HS.

For us, as much as we want to go back, we pushed it two consecutive years, so have to recover from that, so no trip this year. Next year we've got that date narrowed down to go to the Food and Wine and MNSSHP. I agree about August, we were not prepared for just how hot/humid it was going to be. We are going to stick to October whenever possible now.

Your son sounds like my brother and his schemes

 

[stopher1]

It was a good choice, and the attention to detail is amazing.

I'd really like to see it. I just have to find a friend nearby with the right system ... who also happens to have it.

 

[stopher1]

For us, as much as we want to go back, we pushed it two consecutive years, so have to recover from that, so no trip this year. Next year we've got that date narrowed down to go to the Food and Wine and MNSSHP. I agree about August, we were not prepared for just how hot/humid it was going to be. We are going to stick to October whenever possible now.

I hear you. We were scheduled to go as a family over Fall break this last year to WDW. But that whole thing fell apart with work stuff. But then I'm very glad it did - considering the extended family stuff that was going on. We were originally scheduled to be in FL during the week that ended up being my FIL's funeral. Thankfully we'd cancelled that trip long before "having to" cancel it.

Your son sounds like my brother and his schemes

Oh yeah, he is a schemer. He's figured out which buttons to push to get what he wants - for the most part. But he hasn't quite figured out that mom & dad are on to him. We know what he's up to most of the time, and have been able to successfully counter many, many times. It took a little bit to realize it all, but once we did - oh yeah. But we like to keep him guessing, and let him think he's "won" every once in a while.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

You are absolutely correct - normally - but for the lock-ins, the pizza is always just pepperoni, just sausage, and just cheese. I WISH there were other options.



Oh yeah, me too. They were fun, while they lasted. But that's a big part of why I'm as involved with Scouts as I am. Sure it's to support my sons and be a good role model - but honestly - a big part of it is to be able to have fun and be a kid again. I live for Scouting events. It's awesome the crazy fun the other leaders and I have.

We never did much stuff like that, mostly hanging out, more laid back.Lots of fishing etc.It's cool though to have something that both you and your kids can enjoy together..

Oh yeah - I can see that. Growing up with DL, the MK threw me a lot at first those first few visits. Frontierland, way around beyond Liberty Square - are you kidding me? Big Thunder Mountain way around on the other side of the Rivers of America? Wow. But of course after so many visits to WDW, I'm certainly very used to both now.

I am the runner for the family at Magic Kingdom/Epcot. no issues there. Get me to DHS or Animal Kingdo, I alwys get turned around some reason. Adventures won't be a perfect subsitute, but it'll get me a lay of the land. I hope to go within 6 years, if not in 6 yearrs when I earn an extra week vacation/year (my 18th as full time)

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

I hear you. We were scheduled to go as a family over Fall break this last year to WDW. But that whole thing fell apart with work stuff. But then I'm very glad it did - considering the extended family stuff that was going on. We were originally scheduled to be in FL during the week that ended up being my FIL's funeral. Thankfully we'd cancelled that trip long before "having to" cancel it.




Oh yeah, he is a schemer. He's figured out which buttons to push to get what he wants - for the most part. But he hasn't quite figured out that mom & dad are on to him. We know what he's up to most of the time, and have been able to successfully counter many, many times. It took a little bit to realize it all, but once we did - oh yeah. But we like to keep him guessing, and let him think he's "won" every once in a while.

DW was in WDW when she was around 4 when they had to rush back for her grandfather's funeral, it wa not pleasant. I was pretty freaked as we got closer to last years trip when Dad got his cancer/operation. He was operated on one week before we were to fly out He wasn't released till the day we left for the airport, so it made for some tense times, but I was glad I could check up on him from home and not the hospital.

My oldest is just trying to scam now, it's going to take a bit for her to figure out our buttons though

 

[stopher1]

We never did much stuff like that, mostly hanging out, more laid back.Lots of fishing etc.It's cool though to have something that both you and your kids can enjoy together..

Very true. We're all having a good time with it - though my DW says it seems I'm having more fun with it then they are. And that is entirely possible. I don't know for certain. I'm having lots of fun with it.

I am the runner for the family at Magic Kingdom/Epcot. no issues there. Get me to DHS or Animal Kingdo, I alwys get turned around some reason. Adventures won't be a perfect subsitute, but it'll get me a lay of the land. I hope to go within 6 years, if not in 6 yearrs when I earn an extra week vacation/year (my 18th as full time)

No, you're right, nothing is a perfect substitute, but if it helps, that's great. DL is certainly more compact than the MK - let alone Epcot or AK - but the walkways are much more congested as well. When working there I could get from one side of the park to the other on a busy, busy day in just about 4 minutes (without running). Even today, I'm fast, but not quite that fast - I can get from one side to the other on a busy, busy day in about 7 or 8 minutes. It really is an "art" to be able to dodge in and out of tourists without much trouble.

 

[afwdwfan]

Hi guys, is this the insomniac support group?

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Well, I should think about bed pretty soon, it's almost 2 here. Gotta get a bit of sleep before the girls get me up, it has been a real pleasure chatting with you Chris....

 

[stopher1]

Hi guys, is this the insomniac support group?

Hey Andy. Just having a pleasant conversation.

 

[stopher1]

Well, I should think about bed pretty soon, it's almost 2 here. Gotta get a bit of sleep before the girls get me up, it has been a real pleasure chatting with you Chris....

I was thinking the same thing, even though I'll be up much longer tonight. It's been pleasant chatting with you as well. Have a good night.

 

[afwdwfan]

Hey Andy. Just having a pleasant conversation.

I see that... I've read through it. And there is no such thing as a "work" trip to Aulani.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

No, you're right, nothing is a perfect substitute, but if it helps, that's great. DL is certainly more compact than the MK - let alone Epcot or AK - but the walkways are much more congested as well. When working there I could get from one side of the park to the other on a busy, busy day in just about 4 minutes (without running). Even today, I'm fast, but not quite that fast - I can get from one side to the other on a busy, busy day in about 7 or 8 minutes. It really is an "art" to be able to dodge in and out of tourists without much trouble.

I amazed DW one night going against the flow, crossing the street, dodging the crowd right after Spectro to get into Pecos Bills to grab dinner before the fireworks, I walked into an empty queue, ordered and turned around to find a MOB behind me. In/Out like that. I have a good sense of wwalking through crowds, you learn working in liquor stores at Christmas time