DIS Dads DDC XXXIV: The Original Home Of The DISDads!!!

[cj9200]

DD and one of her nursing brat pack. 4 of them got ready this morning with mimosas

Great pic and congratulations to her and her friends. Last year DD and her roommate came over the night before to the hotel where I was staying and had champagne while stirring in the hot tub of the pool. Not sure they had anything before the ceremony. Well done Mike on raising her. Not only graduating but having mimosas before the ceremony. Well done sir.

I was thinking about Fast Pass, and I may get disagreement on this (I'm not sure I agree with myself), but it's hard to figure out where you'll be and how you'll feel two months from now in Florida (or in my case, how someone else will feel). I wonder if Universal's way is better - pay for Fast Pass upfront if you want it, then just get into whatever Fast Pass line you happen to be near on that day. No having to book and guess where you'll be or how you'll feel.

If I'm not mistaken, anyone can buy the Express Pass at Universal. But if you stay at one of their deluxe resorts, you get it free. Since Cabana bay is their value, you get no perks and you're just like the masses in regard to the Express Pass.

Not a fan of buying U's FP option but did enjoy the perk of front of the line access when we stayed there. Last time was before Harry opened and almost everything didn't need it but it was nice to have. It is kind of tough to plan everything out at WDW way in advance though. If I'm doing a park heavy trip I make my ADRs then based on that I pick when I am visiting which park what day and get FPs.

Got in at 11 and then decided to do the kids board for Disney. Now I am very interested in a cheeky Woodford Reserve and a Cuban. Ribs marinating in the fridge in dry rub, smoker out tomorrow. All in all a good weekend so far. CJ hopefully you made it down for the guac in the end.....

Saw the board, well done sir. I did make it down for quac yesterday. A good time. Using the leftovers as part of a salad with shrimp tonight for dinner. Enjoy the Woodford.

The dream is over. The Boys ran into a hot team in the semifinals and fell 2 sets to 1.

Too bad they lost. There is always next time though.

Afternoon chaps! Ribs and smores all done, homework complete and just chillin for the rest of the day.

I'll be right over.

 

[londontime]

If I'm doing a park heavy trip I make my ADRs then based on that I pick when I am visiting which park what day and get FPs.

I go the other way. Parks first, then ADR, then FPs.

Using the leftovers as part of a salad with shrimp tonight for dinner

I'll be right over.

Cool. Bring the Guac. I'll let customs know, it will be totally fine.

 

[Swissdog2010]

West Ham mate. Always West Ham.

Evening boys from London. Went to see West Ham beat Spurs last night and pretty much end their title hopes. It really doesn't get much better than that.
Got in at 11 and then decided to do the kids board for Disney. Now I am very interested in a cheeky Woodford Reserve and a Cuban. Ribs marinating in the fridge in dry rub, smoker out tomorrow. All in all a good weekend so far. CJ hopefully you made it down for the guac in the end.....

Okay, hang on. As a native New Jerseyian I don't have the football gene but if one is watching Swansea v Everton how does one root for West Ham, unless the lower ranked team beating the upper ranked team advances WHU's cause. Generally speaking, if it doesn't impact Bournemouth, I tend to root for the underdog. Unless one of the manager's a colorful character and then I root against him so I can enjoy the sideshow.

 

[AirGoofy]

Put in 6 hours if work at the church today. Have to drive 144 miles round trip each day next week to campus. I get Saturday off. At least there are a couple nights of tennis in there. I really don't like these weeks.

If I'm not mistaken, anyone can buy the Express Pass at Universal. But if you stay at one of their deluxe resorts, you get it free. Since Cabana bay is their value, you get no perks and you're just like the masses in regard to the Express Pass.

I stand corrected. I did like the Express Pass option.

This is me as well. Never seen avatar. We'll go in July but I'm not super excited to see it. I'll try and watch it before we go.

Same here. We'll get to AK next year. I'm sure something will break down in Pandora and they'll never fix it, kinda like the Yeti in EE. Although, we were there when it still worked.

I go the other way. Parks first, then ADR, then FPs.
.

Same here. And, we usually try to pick parks that DON'T have extra magic hours, in hopes of getting smaller crowds. I'll still try to get a MK open to midnight though. We usually don't book ADRs at the 180 days anymore as my dds have outgrown the character buffets. I'll get Kona & Via Napoli at 180 days out each trip, and plan the rest of the vacation around that.

FP+ strategy is simple. Load them all in the morning. Add on extra on your phone as soon as you scan the MB at FP+ station.

 

[londontime]

And, we usually try to pick parks that DON'T have extra magic hours, in hopes of getting smaller crowds. I'll still try to get a MK open to midnight though. We usually don't book ADRs at the 180 days anymore as my dds have outgrown the character buffets.

Yep, we are the same. We always do MK first (I agree with Darcy, Parks always start with a view of the Castle), plot in whatever follows, then anywhere we want to scope out for next holiday and then fill in the gaps.

Okay, hang on. As a native New Jerseyian I don't have the football gene but if one is watching Swansea v Everton how does one root for West Ham, unless the lower ranked team beating the upper ranked team advances WHU's cause. Generally speaking, if it doesn't impact Bournemouth, I tend to root for the underdog. Unless one of the manager's a colorful character and then I root against him so I can enjoy the sideshow.

Sorry mate, I might have been a bit glib with my answer (as is my predeliction as a Brit). English football fandom is pretty tribal. I never root for another team, irrespective of the minor impact it may or may not have on West Ham's position. So therefore I'm not rooting for either, I only care about West Ham, hence my answer. There are teams I look out for the score on, such as Charlton, as my now departed favourite uncle supported them, but I would never cheer them on or go to a game, or really care about the result.

There only a couple of exceptions to this. Anyone below the championship who is in the FA cup against a big team gets cheered on to an extent. If it were down to one game and a team needed to do us a favour to keep us up in the Premiership may get a nod. But only in the context of breathing out and winking at your mates if they pull off the favour. On the flip side of that, there are the extremes of ridiculousness, one of my mates is a Leeds fan, and has often said he would rather see Man U lose than his own team win. That's just bonkers.

Why the Cherries? Is that a family thing? Been to Dean Court a couple of times. Proper old school ground.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

'Morning all...
6 to 3 shift this week.
Getting out "early" can be useful (on the days it actually happens at least) but having to get up in the middle of nothingness each morning starts getting really old by about mid week.

I'm not a big fan of WDW system but I do know I don't want to pay for them like at Universal.

Agreed that neither system is all that great but the real problem to me with FPs is the tiered choices at some of the parks. They could do like The-U but I suspect that that the vast majority would then pay the bucks. That would be good for their bottom line but to paraphrase Syndrome...

Once Everyone has FastPass...
No one will.

This is me as well. Never seen avatar. We'll go in July but I'm not super excited to see it. I'll try and watch it before we go.

Never seen it either. Still not planning on it.
I do know the story line and am aware of enough of the details that I believe it'd make sense.
Technically we shouldn't be able to see it this trip anyway as our last park day is just before the official opening, but they may do a bit of a soft opening that week so we'll see what opportunities are available.

 

[declansdad]

Morning Guys,

A bit of a sunny break here this morning. The river is still high and there is some flooding around but I have seen it a lot worse and it's not as bad as some other place right now. There is some more rain in the forecast but hopefully the river doesn't come up any higher. The ground is so saturated here right now there is nowhere for the water to go.

Soccer season kicked off last night with a 1-1 tie. A bit stiff this morning but not too bad.

Hope this Monday goes by quickly for you all and before long we will all be looking at another weekend.

 

[AirGoofy]

Happy Monday. Waiting on work internet to download a document. I should have done it from home since it is faster there. Excited for regional HS tennis tonight.

Yep, we are the same. We always do MK first (I agree with Darcy, Parks always start with a view of the Castle), plot in whatever follows, then anywhere we want to scope out for next holiday and then fill in the gaps

.

I don't always to MK first, especially if hours are bad. I did like staying at BLT and waking up to see the castle everyday.

'Morning all...
6 to 3 shift this week.
Getting out "early" can be useful (on the days it actually happens at least) but having to get up in the middle of nothingness each morning starts getting really old by about mid week


Agreed that neither system is all that great but the real problem to me with FPs is the tiered choices at some of the parks. They could do like The-U but I suspect that that the vast majority would then pay the bucks. That would be good for their bottom line but to paraphrase Syndrome...
.

I usually drive the girls to school, along with myself at 7:00 AM. So, I am awake by 6 and asleep by 9:00 PM. It is a nice, quiet way to start the day, but I can't get out of the routine on weekends though.

I agree with you on tier system, especially at Epcot. You can only get a FP for Soarin or Test Track or Frozen After Ever. I think that is crap.

Soccer season kicked off last night with a 1-1 tie. A bit stiff this morning but not too bad.

.

Congrats on not injuring yourself.

There is another joke in there about not being too stiff. They have meds for that now.

 

[declansdad]

Happy Monday. Waiting on work internet to download a document. I should have done it from home since it is faster there. Excited for regional HS tennis tonight.

Good luck on the download and the tennis.

Congrats on not injuring yourself.

There is another joke in there about not being too stiff. They have meds for that now.

 

[londontime]

Soccer season kicked off last night with a 1-1 tie. A bit stiff this morning but not too bad.

Is it an office team or a social thing?
No shame in drawing first game of the season.......Whenever we used to play there were always about 6 guys missing for the first game. But that's probably because it started in August, and most were still on their jollies...

 

[Terra Nova guy]

That would be good for their bottom line but to paraphrase Syndrome...

Once Everyone has FastPass...
No one will.

Excellent point. I guess there is good and bad parts to both Disney and Universal systems.

A bit of a sunny break here this morning. The river is still high and there is some flooding around but I have seen it a lot worse and it's not as bad as some other place right now. There is some more rain in the forecast but hopefully the river doesn't come up any higher. The ground is so saturated here right now there is nowhere for the water to go.

Good to hear you're not being hit too hard. I've been reading the news out of Quebec and it looks pretty rough there.

There is another joke in there about not being too stiff. They have meds for that now.

I must be off my game. I missed that opportunity. Glad someone channeled their inner 13 year old.

 

[declansdad]

Is it an office team or a social thing?
No shame in drawing first game of the season.......Whenever we used to play there were always about 6 guys missing for the first game. But that's probably because it started in August, and most were still on their jollies...

It's a 35 and over league. We have 6 teams, last night was the exhibition season and Wednesday kicks of the regular season (usually 28 games). Top four teams make playoffs.

Good to hear you're not being hit too hard. I've been reading the news out of Quebec and it looks pretty rough there.

Typical spring around here, 2008 was the last real big one. Here is link to pictures of the area right now http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/view-of-the-flood-1.4103798

In 2008, the river crested in the City just short of 9 meters (little shy of 28 feet). The main crossing point looked like this:

 

[AirGoofy]

I must be off my game. I missed that opportunity. Glad someone channeled their inner 13 year old.

I never stop channeling my inner 13 year old. One of these days, I'll grow up - maybe - doubtful.

Typical spring around here, 2008 was the last real big one. Here is link to pictures of the area right now

]

That is a scary view, seeing the road drive into the water. Glad the pitch is above water.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I was thinking about Fast Pass, and I may get disagreement on this (I'm not sure I agree with myself), but it's hard to figure out where you'll be and how you'll feel two months from now in Florida (or in my case, how someone else will feel).

I don't think it's too terrible. I figure most parks have at least 3 rides I know I will definitely want to do, so I'm basically just making sure I get on them. I liked the paper FP system better because it was easier to make sure I got multiple rides on my favorites. Now it's pretty much geared to make sure I only get 1 chance/day on the headliners.

I'm not a big fan of WDW system but I do know I don't want to pay for them like at Universal.

Yep. Not going to complain as long as it's free.

This is me as well. Never seen avatar. We'll go in July but I'm not super excited to see it. I'll try and watch it before we go.

Have you seen Pocahontas or Dances With Wolves? If so, you've seen Avatar.

Same here. And, we usually try to pick parks that DON'T have extra magic hours, in hopes of getting smaller crowds. I'll still try to get a MK open to midnight though. We usually don't book ADRs at the 180 days anymore as my dds have outgrown the character buffets. I'll get Kona & Via Napoli at 180 days out each trip, and plan the rest of the vacation around that.

I used to panic about ADR's, but now I figure I can usually get the places I want without too much trouble as long as I'm not doing character meals. If I get into a super-popular place, great, but there are enough restaurants I like that I'm always going to have alternatives.

Agreed that neither system is all that great but the real problem to me with FPs is the tiered choices at some of the parks. They could do like The-U but I suspect that that the vast majority would then pay the bucks. That would be good for their bottom line but to paraphrase Syndrome...

Once Everyone has FastPass...
No one will.

I agree with you on tier system, especially at Epcot. You can only get a FP for Soarin or Test Track or Frozen After Ever. I think that is crap.

I agree. I hate the tiers. In any case, I think Rope Drop will always be the best, most reliable strategy.

In 2008, the river crested in the City just short of 9 meters (little shy of 28 feet). The main crossing point looked like this:

 

[pkondz]

Prayers.
Congrats.
Pixie dust.

And not going back to see who gets what.
Sort it out for yourselves! We're all adults here.

Some of us are...


A couple....


Yeah.... Nevermind.

 

[londontime]

Prayers.
Congrats.
Pixie dust.

And not going back to see who gets what.
Sort it out for yourselves! We're all adults here.

Some of us are...


A couple....


Yeah.... Nevermind.

Nice to see you again sir.

 

[londontime]

Have you seen Pocahontas or Dances With Wolves? If so, you've seen Avatar

Well that just saved me a couple of hours, cheers Mark

 

[declansdad]

Morning Guys, almost time for lunch!

Prayers.
Congrats.
Pixie dust.

And not going back to see who gets what.
Sort it out for yourselves! We're all adults here.

Some of us are...


A couple....


Yeah.... Nevermind.

Good to see you. I'll be in Winnipeg for the entire length of the Canada Games; we'll have to set up a time to meet when we get closer to the Games.

 

[AirGoofy]

Morning guys. Well, dd lost another close one in a 3rd set tiebreaker 3-6, 6-4, 9-11. She said she was tired. I thought she looked nervous. Sadly, she was the only one on the HS team that lost the first round match, but she did draw against a really good player. They only seed for the top 6, and then draw names out of a hat for the rest of the pairing. Hopefully she will have several more years.

I don't think it's too terrible. I figure most parks have at least 3 rides I know I will definitely want to do, so I'm basically just making sure I get on them. I liked the paper FP system better because it was easier to make sure I got multiple rides on my favorites. Now it's pretty much geared to make sure I only get 1 chance/day on the headliners.

I agree. I hate the tiers. In any case, I think Rope Drop will always be the best, most reliable strategy.

Sadly, we did the RD at Epcot for Soarin and then FP that followed. We had a 30 minute wait, and were in the center concourse B, row3 (on the bottom). We then rode it FP, and were on the very end of concourse C, top row, to the very far right. The buildings curved. It looked like a bad copy of the movie Inception. I was extremely disappointed, and it would have been worse if that was my only chance at the ride. We got lucky and the Frozen After Ever ride was down. We walked past it and it re-opened. So, we walked on with no wait, and I preferred it to the inception buildings at Soarin. Test Track also has went down each of our last few trips. That tier system definitely isn't working. But, at least I can eat and drink around the world there.

I used to panic about ADR's, but now I figure I can usually get the places I want without too much trouble as long as I'm not doing character meals. If I get into a super-popular place, great, but there are enough restaurants I like that I'm always going to have alternatives.

And, I like to try new restaurants. So, if I can't get a favorite, it gives me a reason to try something new.

Prayers.
Congrats.
Pixie dust.

And not going back to see who gets what.
Sort it out for yourselves! We're all adults here.

Some of us are...


A couple....


Yeah.... Nevermind.

Classic Disdad effort.

Morning Guys, almost time for lunch!

.

You buying? I'm sure hungry. Why don't you pick me up something along with a lapu lapu and bring it on down.

 

[budamacdvcr]

Thanks for all the well wishes on DD graduation. Just a bit proud over the weekend of her. If I missed anything big, cheers, pixie dust, prayers, bacon and dole whips.

OK boys. That's it. I'm calling it. Work week over. Everyone out. Happy Cinco de Mayo. Last one at the Tequila bar has to take Ariel home. And let me tell ya, she turns crazy when she gets hold of your dinglehopper.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddri...-alcohol-content/ar-BBAKlx9?OCID=ansmsnnews11

Please tell me one our Canadian dads picked up a coupl bottles before they pulled it all....

The dream is over. The Boys ran into a hot team in the semifinals and fell 2 sets to 1. I have never seen that team play as well as they did today and a few key non-calls and a couple of questionable calls didn't help either. It is always interesting when you play in that part of the Province. They gave it a good run and it is always fun to watch them play.

Sorry about the results but like you said, just watching him play is fun.

This morning I booked Fast Passes for DW and DD's dance school trip in July. Since it was the first day, everything was available, including Pandora, although I only got them the boat ride since DW is not sure she will even bother going there. I reminded her that you don't need to like or know the Avatar movie to appreciate the land, but she's on the fence.

I was thinking about Fast Pass, and I may get disagreement on this (I'm not sure I agree with myself), but it's hard to figure out where you'll be and how you'll feel two months from now in Florida (or in my case, how someone else will feel). I wonder if Universal's way is better - pay for Fast Pass upfront if you want it, then just get into whatever Fast Pass line you happen to be near on that day. No having to book and guess where you'll be or how you'll feel.

I can see your point, but guess I have just gotten use to planning the stuff out.

I'm not a big fan of WDW system but I do know I don't want to pay for them like at Universal.

I hear ya, expensive enough for tix or AP I don't want to pay even more per day. Maybe they could keep the program as is and add another tier to pay for being able to get 6 FP with removal of the stupid attraction tiers like EPCOT has.

Not a fan of buying U's FP option but did enjoy the perk of front of the line access when we stayed there. Last time was before Harry opened and almost everything didn't need it but it was nice to have. It is kind of tough to plan everything out at WDW way in advance though. If I'm doing a park heavy trip I make my ADRs then based on that I pick when I am visiting which park what day and get FPs.

I go the other way. Parks first, then ADR, then FPs.

I usually go parks, ADR then FP+ with ADR's & FP+ almost concurrent. I like to focus on park plan first to either avoid EMH or to take advantage of some of them - something about getting to MK when the sun has just come up.

Same here. And, we usually try to pick parks that DON'T have extra magic hours, in hopes of getting smaller crowds. I'll still try to get a MK open to midnight though. We usually don't book ADRs at the 180 days anymore as my dds have outgrown the character buffets. I'll get Kona & Via Napoli at 180 days out each trip, and plan the rest of the vacation around that.

FP+ strategy is simple. Load them all in the morning. Add on extra on your phone as soon as you scan the MB at FP+ station.

You can't add until you have used up all 3 FP+ right? We still use RD strategy to get in a lot and then will group FP+ for later in afternoon / evening especially if we are taking a midday break.

Agreed that neither system is all that great but the real problem to me with FPs is the tiered choices at some of the parks. They could do like The-U but I suspect that that the vast majority would then pay the bucks. That would be good for their bottom line but to paraphrase Syndrome...

Once Everyone has FastPass...
No one will.

Great point - concern is the more they expand FP+ the attractions that you only have to wait 30minutes for become over an hour wait due to all the FP+ traffic.

Morning Guys,

A bit of a sunny break here this morning. The river is still high and there is some flooding around but I have seen it a lot worse and it's not as bad as some other place right now. There is some more rain in the forecast but hopefully the river doesn't come up any higher. The ground is so saturated here right now there is nowhere for the water to go.

Soccer season kicked off last night with a 1-1 tie. A bit stiff this morning but not too bad.

Hope this Monday goes by quickly for you all and before long we will all be looking at another weekend.

Sorry to hear about the flooding but glad not as bad for you're area

Prayers.
Congrats.
Pixie dust.

And not going back to see who gets what.
Sort it out for yourselves! We're all adults here.

Some of us are...


A couple....


Yeah.... Nevermind.

Nice to hear from ya!

Morning guys. Well, dd lost another close one in a 3rd set tiebreaker 3-6, 6-4, 9-11. She said she was tired. I thought she looked nervous. Sadly, she was the only one on the HS team that lost the first round match, but she did draw against a really good player. They only seed for the top 6, and then draw names out of a hat for the rest of the pairing. Hopefully she will have several more years.

Sorry about the result for DD, hopefully not discouraged by the result.