Delicious Indeed!

[amyrella]

Hello! I'm a little late but great tr so far! You guys are pretty funny!!!
I'm sorry about all the wedding stress! I swear if I get married again I'm eloping it's just so expensive and stressful!
Just an FYI in case no one told you there is a cracker barrel in ny. It's in fishkill like 10 mins from Poughkeepsie. Depending on where you live it's only like an hr from NYC! I say take a day trip up and see the Roosevelt and Vanderbilt mansion and hit cracker barrel as well!!
Can't wait to read more!

 

[JenAusty]

Jen, have your DH take Bonine in the morning before you get to Epcot and ask him to try the ride again - it works wonders for me!!

Thank you- I wrote that down and added to our list of "NEED TO BUY".. I am going to try it too- because I get motion sickness really easily.. and for the weirdest things.

 

[RachelNinja]

Thanks Rae, now I'm singing that song! Jared was a HUGE HSM fan and we must have watched those movies 100 times.

Bummer that picture of you girls is blurry, it looks like it would have been really cute!

I get slightly dizzy during the city scene too, it's the only part of the ride I don't like.

Haha, you're welcome! I'll listen to some HSM3 later to get this one out of my head! Howard just recently bought HSM3 for me. It's the only one I really really really love, so I'm super excited!

I take the time during the city scene to look at the people around me or to look down!

Aww, nothing like the first ride of the trip!! I'm glad the "kids" (LOL) enjoyed it so much!

I felt like such a happy "parent" knowing that the "kiddies" were having fun!

First of all, love the HSM reference. It's funny you used that line because whenever I hear that song I always think of Soarin' just because they use the word "soarin'".

Ahh yes, that FP dash is quite nuts. Unless it's raining...you'll hear more about that in my TR. But it is a great first ride. I like seeing first timers' reactions too, mostly because everyone's kind of afraid and then they all say it was awesome. haha

Oh man, I can't imagine doing that FP dash in the rain! I love the excitement you can hear in some people when we first "lift off"!

Hooray for getting the first row! It's so exciting watching first-timers experience Disney

I agree with you about Soarin's queue- I think it is such a snooze-fest

There's just absolutely nothing to look at! I think they can add cute destination signs in the queue. Maybe put up some posters advertising what will be in California or something!

I am really excited to see Howard's pictures! I think he did a pretty good job! It's always hard when setting your controls initially to take the shot. Did he find the class useful?

Yay! You guys were so early for Soarin'! My sisters sat on the top row too for the first time so their experience was just as good! The next time, we had requested middle top!

I have only stood in the stand-by line once for Soarin'. I didn't realize they had the motion sensor games in that line. It was only fun for like 10 seconds.

I like how you got to watch the CM's walk to their attraction. That sounds so fun!

It was good for him to be around people who used all the terminology and stuff. Haha, all the stuff that I don't know. He had fun being able to talk camera/photography stuff with Ray because usually I'm not as interested I just like the good pics to use in my TR!

I'll one day see how the motion sensor games work!

Ok I have to tell you my Soarin' cutter story:
I went with 2 girlfriends and we were in the stand-by line. This older woman, maybe mid-late 30s was dragging her maybe 2-3 yr old son behind and she was going through saying "excuse me, pardon me" and pushed through. We assumed that she was looking for maybe her DH or the rest of her party. Maybe her DS had to use the restroom or something.

We get to the end of the line, queue up in our designated row and who is in front of us? The woman and her child. Alone. With no other people. I said to my friends, in a very LOUD voice (I'm not shy when it comes to ignorant people) "is this the woman that just cut us all in line?!" She doesn't even look at me, picks up her child and cradles him as if I was going to attack her. Weirdo.

How great that you got row 1?!

HAHA, that's a great cutter story only because you actually SAID something! I can't believe the nerve of some people! Are lines just not your thing? Are you better than everyone else? Where do these people come from who think that they're so entitled?!?

Weeeeeeee Soarin'! I think my face looked exactly like Nik's when I first rode Soarin'!

So glad you got the first row!

Haha, that's why I really wanted to make sure I had my camera with me to capture those moments!

Yay, Soarin!!! One of my favorite rides ever! It must have been fun to go on it with first timers! I love sitting in the front row too, it kind of ruins it a little when you have to see people's feet dangling in front of you!

I'm not a big fan of the Soarin queue either, I do like all the blue, but once you get past the blue and have to wait in that boring hallway, it seems like time stands still!

My family calls it the "chow gerk" ride, which is a terrible Chinese to English way of saying, "Smelly feet"!

You described it in the best way possible: time stands still!

Yay! I had two updates to read, so I sat back with a glass of Crystal Light and took my time reading them! I love watching your videos, they make me feel like I am right there with you!

I have no clue what those triangle things are either. I always assumed they were some solar panel thingies, but I really don't even know what I mean when I say solar panel. I have no clue...but they look cool!

That picture of the father and his son is amazing! It seriously looks just like something they would put in a Disney advertisement! I love that they were off in the peace and quiet just doing their own thing. That's so nice!

I am so flattered that you and Howard thought of my PTR game on your trip! By the way, I was reminded today that I never sent off your prizes! I am so ashamed of myself! John put them in a box and I never got around to mailing them, and then I forgot all about them! I am determined to mail them ASAP; I feel terrible! I will just go ahead and tell you that I bought you a Mickey kitchen towel for you and Howard to use in your home when you get married. It's white and light green, which I thought was pretty. I'm sorry I made you wait months for a kitchen towel!

Anyway, I'm so glad your group got to sit in row 1 for their first adventure on Soarin'! I have never been in row 1 and I always get a little aggravated with the dangling feet. It's still a great ride though! My favorite part is when you go over the orange (orchard, grove?) and smell oranges. I love it!

Ooo, I've always wanted to try Crystal Light! I drink a good amount of water on school days because I have a reusable bottle with me every day. However, sometimes I just get tired of it and would like some flavor when having my lunch! What flavors do you like?

That would've been a great picture if it had the father and son AND the Soarin' crowd. It's magical for all of us really, so it's like, make your choice of how you want to experience the magic!

Awww, don't worry about not sending out the prize yet. Life really does get hectic, especially as a TEACHER! Haha, I totally understand. I had to copy and paste what you wrote and tell Howard though because it really is a very thoughtful and sweet prize/gift! How perfect for our kitchen especially since green is Howard's color! Our wedding colors are pink and green! It'll be a reminder of you (even though we mention you in real life already!).

I take DEEP breaths with the oranges since in the past, I never knew that the scent was there! I'm so obviously to smells, which is a good thing since I'm with stinky middle school kids all day long (and with the warm weather coming soon ... blech!).

Soarin' is the perfect way to start a Disney day. I bet it was fun riding with first timers. I love the part where it looks like my feet will touch the water, too.

It's the greatest part, and I wish the scene were longer!

Hooray for Soarin'! I love that ride! The beach scene is also one of my favorites for that very same reason. It's even better when you do have your shoes off, then! It's such a unique ride...I love the smells, too. I'm glad you & the kiddies enjoyed it!

I've never ridden it with my shoes off. Hmm, I'm kind of tempted to try that next time! Haha, but it'd be weird since nowadays, I always wear sneakers!

I've spent the last 4 days reading your TR! I LOVE all the details you put into it...it makes me feel I am experiencing Disney with you, and I am definitely going through withdrawals since we just returned from the Sunshine State without paying a visit to the mouse! Your TR is helping me cope!

Cannot wait for more!

Haha, I love how you caught up in 4 days! So glad you're here though! Oh wow, I don't know that I could survive going to Florida and NOT going to WDW! The two are synonymous in my book. Even the one year we went to Tampa with my grandparents required a drive up to Orlando to go to the parks!

I'm ALL caught up! I always feel guilty not keeping up with your TRs, especially when I'm in them! Maybe I should start thinking about doing a photo-TR for April

Hehehe, I ALWAYS hear that song when I see "Soarin'". Then I remember it's not Zac's voice for a lot of it and shift over to "Can I Have This Dance" and then I'm not thinking about the ride anymore

Thanks Su-Lynn! I did find the class helpful. I think it gave me the confidence to play with settings on the fly so I can get more dynamic shots instead of shooting on program. Thanks for your help

Can we go to CB soon? I'm hungry and we need to go out on a date again

Haha, do you really think you could keep up with a photo TR? Plus, your pics would already be here, hehe.

Thank you for all the Soarin pictures! I absolutely love this ride and I only got to ride it once last time because DH said it gave him motion sickness. This time I'm going to make sure I ride it more than once and he can just sit with his eyes closed! hehe

Hehe, your DH can be like my younger brother who just holds on to my mom and closes his eyes!

Jen, have your DH take Bonine in the morning before you get to Epcot and ask him to try the ride again - it works wonders for me!!

Good tip! I was thinking I would have to take Bonine or something like it before going on Mission Space ... the GREEN side!

Wow. I'm so behind. First off - I'm so sorry to hear about all the wedding stress! But Yay for a new date. May is a wonderful time of year! And it means you get 2 Disney trips in 2 months. Lucky duck!

Sucks about the CB dinner. Hope you get to go again and they make up for it!

Yay for the no - feet view on Soarin' That's always the best! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!

I think the wedding stress has diminished since we're not really doing much planning right now! Haha.

I could really go for some CB right now ...

Hello! I'm a little late but great tr so far! You guys are pretty funny!!!
I'm sorry about all the wedding stress! I swear if I get married again I'm eloping it's just so expensive and stressful!
Just an FYI in case no one told you there is a cracker barrel in ny. It's in fishkill like 10 mins from Poughkeepsie. Depending on where you live it's only like an hr from NYC! I say take a day trip up and see the Roosevelt and Vanderbilt mansion and hit cracker barrel as well!!
Can't wait to read more!

Oh yay! Welcome! I love getting new readers!

I wish we could just elope. I'll have a celebration back at home, but I'd really like to just get married with a few people. I'd be a lot more comfortable with it too!

Thanks for the NY tip! We're actually closer to Jersey, so going upstate-ish would be much longer. I've never heard of the Roosevelt and Vanderbilt Mansion though ... what's that all about?

 

[dancin_princess]

Sorry to hear that the wedding planning is so stressful and bringing you to tears. I hope you are able to get everything worked out smoothly without the tears (only happy ones). I'm sorry that you have to sacrifice the wedding you have dreamed of please everyone else.

How do you get Danielle mixed up with Tonya, they sound nothing alike. It's been years since I've been to a CB. Even when I lived close to one, I didn't go that often. Now looking at your pics I want to go. lol

I wish I was in Florida right now too, I miss my homestate.

I remember when Miller's Ale House was under construction.

So disappointing that they messed up your order. I really dislike when that happens (although I usually check before I leave), especially when you're not in the restaurant. However, I will say that the catfish did look really yummy, Hope it tasted as good as it looked.

After I'm caught up here (and if I'm not too sleepy, I'll catch up on the other TR, i still have it bookmarked of where i last left off)

I have that song as my ringtone for when my dad calls.

when i read the title "we're soarin', flyin'..." i kept singing..

I haven't read Kingdom Keepers 3 yet? Have you read the newest one?

 

[RachelNinja]

Sorry to hear that the wedding planning is so stressful and bringing you to tears. I hope you are able to get everything worked out smoothly without the tears (only happy ones). I'm sorry that you have to sacrifice the wedding you have dreamed of please everyone else.

How do you get Danielle mixed up with Tonya, they sound nothing alike. It's been years since I've been to a CB. Even when I lived close to one, I didn't go that often. Now looking at your pics I want to go. lol

I wish I was in Florida right now too, I miss my homestate.

I remember when Miller's Ale House was under construction.

So disappointing that they messed up your order. I really dislike when that happens (although I usually check before I leave), especially when you're not in the restaurant. However, I will say that the catfish did look really yummy, Hope it tasted as good as it looked.

After I'm caught up here (and if I'm not too sleepy, I'll catch up on the other TR, i still have it bookmarked of where i last left off)

I have that song as my ringtone for when my dad calls.

when i read the title "we're soarin', flyin'..." i kept singing..

I haven't read Kingdom Keepers 3 yet? Have you read the newest one?

We were so confused with the Danielle/Tonya thing! I just can't believe it took so long for the whole thing to be figured out!

Yeah, I always check orders too, but since Dani was charging it, I didn't have it. Otherwise I would've checked it. At the same time, I would hope that places don't mess up orders as badly as they messed up ours! My catfish was decent. It wasn't as crisp just because it had been sitting there for a while.

Nope, I haven't yet ordered KK3! I don't know what I'm waiting for. I think it's because I'm deciding on other purchases as well. Plus, I've been reading library books on my nook that have expiration dates, so that's why I've been pretty occupied.

 

[RachelNinja]

Monday, February 21: Living with the Land Queue

(Yes, I know it's not a creative title. Haha, I didn't want a lack of an interesting title to keep me from updating this next part. What would YOU have named it?)

Since we had gotten the FP for another ride on Soarin', we stayed in The Land Pavilion until then and went on Living with the Land. It's become so much of a tradition for me to go there in between rides of Soarin'. While walking over, Howard took this. It's not as great as some of his previous shots in this area, but it was a walking shot.

Wait, there's a line again?

I think it's funny that people would get FP for this ride. I mean, yes, even if there's a line, it still moves pretty quickly. I guess it would make sense if you're eating a meal there and the FP is soon after. That way you can just hop right on a boat after eating.

I personally was very excited to see this because I had gotten this round in Joni's game on her PTR called "The Waiting Game." I remember someone had guessed a different attraction, and I thought I had missed it, but then I ended up searching and seeing that it was actually Living with the Land!

I excitedly pointed out the Hidden Mickey to the group here. It's turned to its side. I think I knew there was one in the area, and I just happened to see this when scanning the walls.

The CM wardrobe for this ride looks the most "normal," I think. Or at least it's one of the most normal.

Howard and I loved seeing the open FP machines. Crazy technology when you think about it!

Howard was talking about building his very own. Haha, who even says stuff like that? Nerd. <3

This is a very easy picture to guess if I were to ask, "Where are we now?"

The game should be "Who took this picture?" instead! Haha, mine is clearly not as clear.

A very easy "Where are we now?"

Even though this is a dark picture, I still kind of like it because it somehow reminds me of Kingdom Keepers.

After the fairly quick walk through the line, we were approaching the loading dock!

Look at those happy people.

Howard and I have not been able to find where the Hidden Mickey is on this mural. I think it's supposed to be somewhere near the farmer.

YESSS!!! Ride vehicle! Before we got on our boat, I explained to the rest of the group that I could NOT sit on the right side. I was planning on being sandwiched in the middle, but then the CM gave us 2 rows! AGH! Howard and I sat in one row together. Scary!

You'll have to wait until the next update to find out if I survived it or if I began crying uncontrollably.

 

[heathsf]

Fun update! I've never seen that hidden mickey in the queue. I'll be on the lookout next time.

 

[RachelNinja]

Fun update! I've never seen that hidden mickey in the queue. I'll be on the lookout next time.

Thanks! I think the ones that I find after seeing a picture of it is still almost as much fun as finding it on my own! I just think it's so clever of the Imagineers or CMs to add those in there.

 

[Cinderella16]

I just love Living with the Land! Probably because the line is indoors and we always ride it after lunch at Sunshine Seasons, when the belly is full, it is much easier to enjoy things!

I don't get the FP machines, either...the line moves so fast!

Love the Hidden Mickeys, too. Anxiously awaiting more!

 

[Cat0727]

I don't get those Fastpass machines. I have seen people use them and I'm like, huh? Lol.

It's almost dinner time and thinking of the Land pavilion makes me want something from Sunshine Seasons right now! Haha.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I dont think I have gotten FP for LWTL for many years, but yes on this past trip the line for LWTL was pretty long! I was surprised!

Remind me again why you are scared to ride on the right side of the ride? I must have missed it...

Nice pictures!! I actually just got the first book of Kingdom Keepers on my ipad...so looking forward to reading the series!

 

[dancin_princess]

I haven't read it yet either, I've only read the first one. So I'm really behind.

There costumes do seem pretty "normal".

Well since you're updating I'm sure you survived but I hope you didn't cry uncontrollably.

 

[RachelNinja]

I just love Living with the Land! Probably because the line is indoors and we always ride it after lunch at Sunshine Seasons, when the belly is full, it is much easier to enjoy things!

I don't get the FP machines, either...the line moves so fast!

Love the Hidden Mickeys, too. Anxiously awaiting more!

Ooo, that's a good ride to go on after a meal! Next trip, I told Howard that we have to eat at Sunshine Seasons. Now that I know they have a beet salad, I must must must eat there!

It's really great how the line just keeps moving even though they don't fill the boats to squish people!

I don't get those Fastpass machines. I have seen people use them and I'm like, huh? Lol.

It's almost dinner time and thinking of the Land pavilion makes me want something from Sunshine Seasons right now! Haha.

I think it'd be funny if people skipped Soarin' and went to LWTL first to get FP, haha!

I can't believe I didn't have the beet salad from Sunshine Seasons. When I got back home and looked at the menu or saw someone's pictures, I was like, WHAT?!?

I dont think I have gotten FP for LWTL for many years, but yes on this past trip the line for LWTL was pretty long! I was surprised!

Remind me again why you are scared to ride on the right side of the ride? I must have missed it...

Nice pictures!! I actually just got the first book of Kingdom Keepers on my ipad...so looking forward to reading the series!

I'm glad that even if the line is long, it still moves continuously. I don't know what I'd do if it didn't because you're actually very close to people when you're standing there!

Haha, scariest animal EVER!!!

All the KK books aren't the best in terms of like, "Oh, that was wonderful literature." Haha. They're just great because of the characters and the places!

I haven't read it yet either, I've only read the first one. So I'm really behind.

There costumes do seem pretty "normal".

Well since you're updating I'm sure you survived but I hope you didn't cry uncontrollably.

Don't worry; it'll still be here whenever you have the time!

 

[RachelNinja]

Monday, February 21: Living with the ... CMs?

We were finally on the ride after a fairly minimal wait. I admit that the beginning of this ride kind of scares me mainly because I didn't like it as a kid and had a few bad dreams about it. I know it's not that scary to learn about other environments and weather conditions, but it frightens me! Plus, it's so dark! I mean, can you even tell what this picture is supposed to be?

Or this?

You can make out roots here.

Of course, the one picture I would prefer to be unclear is this one! Haha, Howard took a picture of it, of course.

I, on the other hand, took a video is actually pitch black, but you can hear my commentary on it!



I did have Howard take a picture of the mailbox in front of the house. There is an 82 on it, which is the year Epcot opened.

I was going to say "Gobble gobble," but it's the wrong animal.

Finally we were out of the creepy part (where we saw Jez and Amanda hop off the boat!) and into the bright and sunny part!

Howard said that when he was little, he used to think that this was the ride inside the golf ball. Haha, so cute!

I'll spare you all the pictures, but I still want to post some! We were all curious to see what Java apples looked like, but we didn't see any on the actual tree. However, if you do a Google image search, you can see that they actuall look rather funny! I wonder how they taste. I mean, I know they're apples, but the shape of them makes me think that they wouldn't taste like apples.

Of course, I always have to post a pic of the baby pineapples!

What made this ride different than all the other times I've ever ridden it is that we saw some CMs doing their work! I pointed out the surgical-type booties that this one was wearing.

Since we were out in the greenhouse, I was able to enjoy our boat ride more. I love ride vehicles! I know I say it almost every other update, but I seriously do. I like being able to see the water splash up onto the boat and make that puttering sound.

Oh Rachel, why didn't you take a video of that splashing sound? Don't worry, dear DISers, I did! Haha. At the end of this lovely 7 second video, I pointed it upwards towards the cilantro because I never knew it was there. One of our friends LOVES cilantro and could probably mow down that entire area.



Dani thought the bananas were really funny looking and made a comment that they looked like fingers.

Soon we were headed towards the fishies! We saw the catfish and were all like, "We had catfish last night!" (Ray, Howard, and me). Why is it that much more interesting when you see something that you've eaten? I also like this picture because it shows the boat in the picture as well. It's a ride vehicle in the middle of a ride!!!

Howard took pics of the two hidden Mickeys even though we did it during our last trip already.

We were very excited to point out all the HMs to the group.

Here's another CM doing her job.

If I were here, I'd look up at each boat and wave ... unless they're given specific directions not to interact with the visitors.

Howard liked the sunflowers because he loves seeds. He can have sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds as a snack.

The other day Ray had said "Cara-ba-bas" instead of Carabbas when we passed the restaurant by the timeshare. When we saw cassabanana, we started laughing at that too because it was so similar.

Of course, as Chinese folk, we pointed out the big huge melons that our families would be making in soup.

Big pumpkins! I wonder if that net could hold me up.

(continued in next post)

 

[RachelNinja]

(continued from previous post)

Where are we now?

I pointed out the sweet potatoes to Howard because he likes sweet potato fries. I never really liked sweet potato because after my gallbladder was removed, and I was supposed to keep a simple diet, my mom made mashed sweet potatoes for me. I was still dealing with nausea from the surgery, so after that, I started associating sweet potatoes and nausea. I have, however, begun to like sweet potato fries just because Howard makes them look so good! I haven't gotten to the point where I'd order them on my own, but I do steal a few from Howard's plate!

We were excited to see that the left side of the ride didn't have a hidden Mickey head anymore (the right side still did). Instead, it said Epcot!

I was too close to it, so I couldn't fit it in the picture, so I took a video of it. Of course, since I posted Howard's pic first, you technically don't have to watch the video of it!



I took this picture of the cilantro for our friend Teresa.

We all liked seeing the cucumbers (or what would become cucumbers) because Dani and Nik's mom (my aunt) makes this really good cucumber salad with sesame seed oil and all that yummy stuff. Even my mom has started making it now.

Yum, the left side was ready for salad!

Howard commented that he had never seen anyone in this lab before. I reassured him that yes, there were people in there at times!

I still still still want to try brussels sprouts!

Hidden Mickey in the test tubes!

Howard and I saw this vegetable and realized it's a vegetable we eat with our families. We only know it as "yeen choy," but those red leaves are so distinctive!

This was the final picture of the ride. We were leaving the bright greenhouse back into the dark, but it wasn't scary because there weren't any animals around! I love the fact that the boats have the little awnings on them!

Okay, at this point we had done 2 rides at Epcot. Where would we go next? Well, it's kind of a giveaway considering we did get FP for it ...

 

[PirateKate]

You know the fourth KK book is out now, right? I requested it from the library, but I'm still waiting for it. I'm sure it will come in while I'm at Disney and then I'll have to re-request it.

Living with the Land, I've never considered it to be a very scary ride before, but I do think I might have seen a giant scorpion monster in one of those pictures.

 

[JenAusty]

Suprisingly, I liked this ride.. I didn't think I would but I knew that DH would like it. It's kind of a relaxing enjoyment for me. hehe

Excited to see where you go next and to see pics!

 

[wdwgirl03]

That was a great update...just like riding along with you guys. Aww, I want to go back already (but then again what else is new?).

When we rode Living with the Land on our trip I thought of you when we passed the buffaloes, hehe.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Poor buffaloes, they aren't so bad Rae!

I remember when we took the Behind the Seed tour they were adamant that we not touch or walk on the sand/soil in the greenhouses, they don't want it getting contaminated with anything, thus the booties when the CMs have to go out there to work.

 

[jenbear123]

I can relate to you and your sweet potato phobia. When I was little, I got the stomach flu (or food poisoning) and I ended up barfing the Kraft Dinner I ate the night before (I know, TMI) but for the longest time, I refused to eat KD because I thought it would make me sick.

Brussel sprouts are okay. They taste like... a vegetable Sorta like thicker cooked lettuce. Meh, not my favourite but I'd eat them if someone cooked them for dinner.