Delicious Indeed!

[RNBelle]

I was beyond thrilled to watch the 3 experience Soarin’ for the first time. None of them had ridden it before, so they weren’t quite sure what to expect. As luck would have it, we were able to get the 1st row! Yay to no dangling feet in front of us!

At first I couldn't figure out why you had a picture of someone's rear end on here. LOL I realized now it is showing you were in row 1!!!

Before we took off, I was looking at the rafters (?) to the right because there's an important part in Kingdom Keepers 3 that takes place here ...

What else happened there besides them climbing up? Wasn't it the projection booth?

 

[RNBelle]

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.

I love KK4-- have you all read it?

Rachel, side note, I was surprised you didn't get more Norway KK pictures!! I did love that red flag though

What's a vinylmation chaser? If I think I want to do vinylmation (and I do from PirateKate and your TRs!), is it cheaper to buy ahead of time?

You guys are all so cute and so much fun. I actually got sad when you said Ray and Dani weren't together anymore. BUt I also remember reading the flat VMK adventures (or whatever they were called) when you and Howard weren't together, and being sad about that too. At least that didn't last.

It seems like you guys are really relaxed-- but the commando in me was disappointed that there weren't more rides in Epcot. I've never spent that much time in DTD and now I think I am going to make sure to schedule in a rest day-- even if it's just to explore the resorts too (I get bored of shopping). I am not going to be able to go on a lot of the thrill rides in December... so I will stay with the baby while DH & MIL ride! I'm so bummed I will miss all of their reactions.

 

[RNBelle]

I love that you had the Herbie costume in VMK! I never had one of those, but I loved getting different costumes and outfits. Wasn't Halloween at VMK the best? They always had cool costumes out then.

Will VMK ever be back? Why did they end it??

Because I was controlling the joystick, it was harder for him to shoot. He ended up just taking pictures during most of the ride. Here I was aiming for the volcano. Gotta love making the volcano erupt and scoring major points! Huh, I never noticed that creepy pteradactyl type creature on the left side fo this picture.

I like how in this picture, you can see the orange robot in the previous room that has a high point target on its left hand!

Pow pow, trying to get the bottom of Zurg!

I think I try to hit the bottom of this one too. I never remember which one requires hitting the bottom target.

I was super happy with my final score! Of course, I was thinking, "Ahhhhhhh, only x amount of points away from maxing out!" Just 81,399 would've gotten me to the 999,999 that I'm always trying to get.

My husband destroys me in TSM & buzz!!! Please give me all of your tips!!!

I think I met Robert at Merchant of Venus when I was doing some trading once, too. He's really nice!

Winnie the Pooh frequently stops when we ride it, too. I wonder if Mr. Toad's Wild Ride broke down that often.

I forgot all about Mr Toad's wild ride, so I had to watch it on youtube and had to read the wikipedia all about it. CREEPY! I didn't know Mr Toad was by AA Milne too (just like Pooh!)

Ok now I am all caught up. Time to catch up on your other TR. Then I will have Kate's new one

 

[RachelNinja]

Thank you!! I've been looking around at different crafting things, but it's overwhelming! I also realized I would need to take out a small loan to purchase all the things I want/need. I guess if I just buy a few things at a time it wouldn't be so bad. I watched a YouTube video on the Gypsy, but I'm not really sure what it does?? Is it like a substitute for a Cricut cartridge?

Also, what is a Cuttlebug good for (besides having the cutest name that makes me smile every time I type it or see it )? Just embossing papers? Can't you buy paper already embossed? Sorry for all the questions! haha!

The Pooh ride always feels cheap to me. I wish I didn't feel that way, but I think Disney could have done an even better job on this ride (a la Journey Into the Imagination, 90's edition). I do like going on it, but I hate that you can see so many bare walls, doors, and what not. I do love the new entrance though!

Haha! And I love the picture of Ray getting close to Howard!

Yeah, I had to do so much research before I bought anything because it's a good chunk of money! I didn't buy the Gypsy right away because I wasn't sure if I needed it or would use it often. Now that I do have one, I don't know what I did without it. Basically, if you just use the cartridges in the machine, you can cut the images and all the layers. Sometimes, however, it's easier to hide lines if I don't want certain things cut. Plus, I love welding letters. It works well for school. Since I don't want to have to put up individual letters on my bulletin board, I weld them together so each word is in one piece. It's so much easier to resize things too because I sometimes cut out things that were too small or too big for my card. With the Gypsy, I can clearly see what's going to be cut. I can also use all my scraps because I lay out all the separate sections on the mat before I cut. The good thing for you is that Cricut Craftroom can be used; it's free on the Cricut website and it does the same thing except it has to be done on the computer with an internet connection (and you have to be able to connect your computer to the machine). I like the Gypsy because I can just design wherever.

The Cuttlebug is used for embossing or die cutting. Basically, you can get embossing folders, put a paper in it, and then roll it through the machine to get a raised design on the paper. Very cool! You can use dies in it too, which I initially thought I wouldn't need since the Cricut is a die cutter, but I use Spellbinders Nestabilities and Sizzix dies in my Cuttlebug. Then I can make mini albums and cut through cereal boxes (the cheaper version instead of buying chipboard!).

Yeah, they could've added more to Pooh, but I guess because I have so many good memories on that ride, I can forgive it! That's why I don't like it when people take flash photos. It ruins everything when you see that it's not really water in the rainy scene!

I love the Pooh ride! There's no way I'm touching anything interactive in that queue though, I'll just watch people have fun playing with it! I'd probably pour a bottle of Purell over my hands if I touched it!

I love the pictures you were able to get because the ride stopped so many times! I can never get good pictures on that ride!

I don't think I'd ever have a chance to touch anything in the queue because it's always a FP ride for me! I'm content just watching too! I kept thinking about all the germs. I mean, there are germs all over the railings. These things were meant for kids to just rub all the germies all over them!

Yeah! That was one thing I really liked about stopping. I wonder if Peter Pan ever stops like that too!

You should have called this the "Vinylmation" trip! I love watching your videos of everyone opening theirs.

Howard's photos on Buzz & Pooh came out great! I still can't get up the nerve to watch cheat videos on the high scoring targets in Buzz. I feel like I'm cheating

Seriously! Haha, there were a ton of Vinylmation overtaking this trip!

Haha, I read about the high targets on Buzz years ago. Since I'm determined to get the full 999,999, I have to utilize those targets!

Hey, just started reading your report today and got through every single update. It seems that we both had first time trips without our parents this year. I especially enjoyed reading about your train experience...I've always wondered what riding a train was like. Seems more fun than being in an airplane because at least you have a view!

Also, I LoLed in real life at your observation of how they separated all the ethnic dolls from the White dolls. Too funny!

So glad to have you here! I really have to get back to updating this, haha. It's been so long! Taking Amtrak was really quite an experience, and I'm glad we did it. I think I'd like to take Amtrak with a room one of these days.

Haha, I hope Disney's not trying to be subversive with how they grouped those dolls!

You guys are so cute in all your pictures! I love the one of you guys with Mickey and Minnie and Mickey was busy looking at your ring and Minnie was posing already. Such a GIRL.

Your kitchen stuff is sooo cute! You are going to have a really cute kitchen! I think one day I will get the salt and pepper mills too. I keep looking at them too!

BTW, I love HH. I rarely eat it nowadays but I sooo remember when I used to make the cheeseburger one all the time...

Great updates!

Haha, I like that we took the time to take pictures with them, but I do admit, it always feels so weird to me! From far away, they're the characters. When they're up close, I think about the people inside!

I'll have a really SMALL kitchen with hopefully really cute Disney stuff! Haha. The kitchen in our apartment is miniature.

Hamburger Helper is like, the greatest thing to "cook," haha. It doesn't require much skill at all, but I love having hot food.

Ack, I missed some updates and am just now getting caught up. What would I do without some of these random slow nights at work?

What a score with the "VIP" parking space Nice.

I totally love the TTA/Peoplemover.

Um and I totally need to go on one of your next trips as an honorary member. I mean, I'm asian, and I love to eat. Although my "mini-me" may have to tag along and then I guess the trip would be totally not the same. Meh.

The cousin shots are so cute!

Oh and I saw your blog post about your "in-the-dark-crafting." Very impressed.

I'd totally love it if you and your DD tagged along on a trip! It'd be so much fun! You and DD would understand the importance of stopping and having a good meal to refuel for the rest of the day! And though I get a little weirded out by character meet and greets when it's just me and Howard, I would totally love watching DD meet everyone!

Thanks! It was quite an experience crafting then! I really want to craft badly, but I don't have time! That's why I haven't updated here either, but I'm hoping to get an update up tonight ...

I think I met Robert at Merchant of Venus when I was doing some trading once, too. He's really nice!

Winnie the Pooh frequently stops when we ride it, too. I wonder if Mr. Toad's Wild Ride broke down that often.

He really is super nice! I love meeting CMs like him.

Oh man, if Mr. Toad's Wild Ride broke down like that, I might be scared because of how creepy that ride was! Maybe it's because they added all the bouncing and whatnot in the Pooh ride.

I made it through 15 pages and we're only through Day one: Amtrak- it looks like fun, but girl you are crazy-- flying is quick and dirty!!! Secondly, you guys spent so much time shopping-- I would have gone crazy. At least you managed to have a lot of fun! I hate shopping. (But I do kind of want a vinylmation after watching that video). Finally, so sorry about the wedding stress. Hope it's getting better!

PS I thought it was so sweet that you guys split up into girls vs guys rooms. You are so much more traditional than I am, but I think it's really commendable!!!

That's exactly why Howard and I are flying for our Disneymoon! He doesn't want to take Amtrak again. I don't want to either just because I want to get there as quickly as possible without wasting time traveling and getting tired by it. I'll have to deal with the airplane next May!

Watching them open and trade Vinylmations tempted me a few times, but I knew that it was something I couldn't afford. Plus, I'd rather spend my money on crafting items!

Thanks! Yeah, we knew that we'd be splitting up into the boys and girls rooms. I wouldn't have gone on a vacation with Howard at all if it weren't with other people. That's why I'm glad we had the condo instead of 2 hotel rooms. In the condo, we wouldn't have to leave a room to visit the other half of our group. We could just hang out in the communal area.

At first I couldn't figure out why you had a picture of someone's rear end on here. LOL I realized now it is showing you were in row 1!!!

What else happened there besides them climbing up? Wasn't it the projection booth?

Haha, yup, row 1! I was so glad that they got to experience that.

Yeah, I was really nervous during that part with the hair clip falling and all that. Plus, they were watching those NY scenes that probably wouldn't make sense for Soarin', but it was fun to read about it!

I love KK4-- have you all read it?

Rachel, side note, I was surprised you didn't get more Norway KK pictures!! I did love that red flag though

What's a vinylmation chaser? If I think I want to do vinylmation (and I do from PirateKate and your TRs!), is it cheaper to buy ahead of time?

You guys are all so cute and so much fun. I actually got sad when you said Ray and Dani weren't together anymore. BUt I also remember reading the flat VMK adventures (or whatever they were called) when you and Howard weren't together, and being sad about that too. At least that didn't last.

It seems like you guys are really relaxed-- but the commando in me was disappointed that there weren't more rides in Epcot. I've never spent that much time in DTD and now I think I am going to make sure to schedule in a rest day-- even if it's just to explore the resorts too (I get bored of shopping). I am not going to be able to go on a lot of the thrill rides in December... so I will stay with the baby while DH & MIL ride! I'm so bummed I will miss all of their reactions.

I will continue to read KK as long as Ridley Pearson keeps writing them (though hopefully with better editing, haha). I bought the first 3 for Nikki as part of her graduation gift from Howard and me (along with the Hidden Magic book). I know she started reading it, but I don't know if she continued. I said it's technically a gift for Dani too because she can read them as well. Howard only read the first one so far.

Yeah, I don't have as many pictures for Norway! I think it's because we were doing the KP Mission, so I totally forgot to do a KK picture hunt!

A Vinylmation chaser is a mystery one in each set. They don't show you what it is, so you won't know unless you get it yourself (haha, or you just look online). It's cheaper to get Vinylmation beforehand at the outlet if you plan on trading. If you want to just hope to get the one you want from picking the box, you can just buy it there, but I like the idea of getting it beforehand (same with the pins from the outlet).

Yeah, it was definitely a change getting used to Dani and Ray not being together anymore. They were together for a while too. Ahhh, if they're meant to get back together, they will. I was hoping for it a lot in the beginning, but now that I think we're still all good going back to WDW in 2013 together even if they're not, I'm okay with however it turns out. If they don't end up together, clearly God has someone else in mind for each of them. But as long as we can still enjoy WDW as friends!!!

I can only do so much shopping too especially now that Howard and I are saving. That's why I entertain myself with all the pictures. I like photographing things I like but can't purchase. Plus, it's fun to post things that I find cute or fun on my TR!

Will VMK ever be back? Why did they end it??

My husband destroys me in TSM & buzz!!! Please give me all of your tips!!!

I forgot all about Mr Toad's wild ride, so I had to watch it on youtube and had to read the wikipedia all about it. CREEPY! I didn't know Mr Toad was by AA Milne too (just like Pooh!)

Ok now I am all caught up. Time to catch up on your other TR. Then I will have Kate's new one

They ended VMK because they said the promotion time was up (50 years of Disney theme parks). It lasted longer than it was planned, I think. I just don't get why they would end it if they spent so much time to create it! I guess they didn't want to pay to keep it up and running? That's just disappointing because there were a ton of people who loved it, and they even had VMK Central in MK (I never got a chance to visit though because that first trip I didn't have a chance, and then it closed before I went back). I'm STILL upset by it, and I haven't played a multiplayer game since then because nothing else compares.

Haha, in Buzz, I just aim for the high point targets, which are the ones that are farther away or in weirder places. Don't hit the ones right in front of you or at the level of the gun. Get the ones far away like on the volcano or the ones at the bottom of Zurg in the first room where you see him. The back of the orange robot's hand is also a high point spot because you have to turn your vehicle around to hit it (the car automatically faces you forward). Also, don't let go of the button even if the ride stops and you're not near any targets! It automatically adds points. Once I know I have a target hit like on the volcano, I just keep my laser gun trained on it even as the vehicle moves.

As for TSM, I don't know it enough to say! Howard and I have only been on it twice.

Yeah, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was scary. I would've felt safer in a Doom Buggy to have some protection around me! I do miss those cars though! They had Mr. Toad Magic on VMK. If you got the pin, you could say the magic word and then the avatar would ride around in the Mr. Toad's Wild Ride vehicle for a little bit.

 

[RachelNinja]

Wednesday, February 23: A Scary Adventure!

Wow, I haven't updated this trip report in a while! Haha, the last time I wrote, I was still 26! I am now officially 27, which is crazy because 27 is the age at which I will be getting MARRIED! Let's get a move on ...

After riding Winnie the Pooh, we still had to hit another Fantasyland ride. We passed by the Friar's Nook. Isn't it so cute how it says that it was established in MLXXI? I didn't notice it until looking at this picture!

Haha, silly Howard took this picture. I didn't know it, but he made it so that the word "mine" was there with the back of me. We are possessive with each other and say "mine," hehe. He's such a mush, and I love him!

We were headed towards Snow White's Scary Adventures. I'm glad we got to ride it considering it'll be closed soon. We pointed out those hidden Mickeys to our group. You can see the red Mickey heads on the boxers. There's also one on the chimney right below the two flowers under the bird.

What's awesome is that Howard's camera got a great shot of the mural, so I was actually able to zoom in!

I didn't take any pictures during this ride because I recorded it instead! While most of it is dark, I still think it's fun to watch (haha, or listen to) because I comment on the scary parts. Dani and Ray were in the first row, Nik was in the middle, and Howard and I were in the back. Since Nik had a lot of room, she moved back and forth depending on where the scary things were! The trees also were really rather frightening to me too as well as the alligators, so you can hear it in our voices and screams! We also got stopped on this ride too, but thankfully it wasn't during the dark, creepy parts!



Howard got a decent shot of the last part of the ride because that's where we stopped.

Though I still think this ride is too scary to be along with the other dark rides in Fantasyland, I still think it's fun to ride BECAUSE it's a thrill ride for me, haha.

Bye Dopey!

We walked through the gift shop afterwards. I think it was the first time I saw this in person. So cute! I had seen it on TRs before.

I really wanted to get a Snow White flattened penny for my colleague who was my mentor during my first year of teaching (I still consider her my mentor teacher even now when it's my 5th year teaching). Alas, the machine wasn't working! Two years ago, the 8th grade girls decided to choose who they were in terms of Disney princesses, and they also included the 3 female middle school teachers. My colleague was Snow White because that was her favorite, my other colleague was Pocahantas, and I was Mulan, of course! Hehe.

At this point, we were hungry and knew we wanted to go eat at Columbia Harbour House when it was still quiet. We hadn't eaten a big breakfast, so we were ready! Howard took pictures of some of the sights along the way.

Haha, doesn't it look like the guy in front of this sign is like, "Ugh, I have to go on this ride? I have such a headache from it!"

I vaguely remember reading about a Hidden Mickey in one of the grape clusters. I don't really like these HMs though. Too difficult to find! Plus, this is when everything starts looking like a HM to me! Haha.

Yay! I see our destination!

Stay tuned to see what we devoured! And I mean DEVOURED!

 

[RachelNinja]

Wednesday, February 23: Lunch in Silence

We were on our way to Columbia Harbour House! When I had written up all the lunch options to the group in those mass emails, I said that Howard and I definitely wanted to head to CHH even if they didn't want it. But when we described just how good it was, they were all for it too!

I love how big the place is as well as its location (we're usually in the Fantasyland area at that time of day anyway). Plus, the best thing is their food! I mean, I love a good burger and chicken nuggets too, but having seafood options at a theme park is fantastic.

Since I was getting used to looking for theming everywhere, I noticed this fire bucket on the counter! How cute!

I wonder if these things are stuck on or if they can be removed.

Howard and I each ordered a fried fish basket. He was hungry, so he got a head start!

We went upstairs to have some privacy and spectacular Fantasyland/Liberty Square views! I appreciate that they have the condiments bar upstairs too filled with a TON of options!

We got ketchup and mayo and all that, and it was so cool how easily the stuff came out of the "pumps." It's so smooth and so much cleaner. And it sounds like farting. And yes, I had to film it, haha.



We decided to sit on the part that is above the Fantasyland/Liberty Square walkway. Haha, there was a cute old man sitting there by himself, so I felt bad because I was wondering if he had gone there to have some privacy. Alas, we invaded! We weren't loud and obnoxious though.

Instead, we were pretty much eating in silence! Haha, once we started putting that delicious food in our mouth, we were just eating and eating and eating! But wouldn't you? Look at all this yumminess!

We all had a fried fish basket. And we really did use a TON of condiments! Lots of ketchup, mayo, tartar sauce, and tabasco. And of course, some Purell to cleanse our hands as best as we could!

This was for Howard. He mixed it with some tartar sauce. Since no one was around, I think we actually brought the bottle to our table.

It was nice being able to use the little cups for dips for whatever concoction we wanted!

The view out the windows.

I read that each room is named after a lost ship. I didn't go around to look at all the details. I just now read a blog entry about the CS location from The "World" According to Jack. Wow, so many details I missed!

When we finished eating, we cleaned up and got ready to leave. Looking down, you can see it still hadn't gotten that crowded, which was nice.

Love how they theme the cast members only doors too!

This is where Howard and I sat the first time we were at WDW together with my mom and brother. Memories! That's when we split a fish basket and realized it was just not enough, and we had to go back and get another one!

What a great lunch we had! For the rest of the trip, we kept thinking about CHH. We'll definitely be back for every trip in the future! It really was delicious indeed!

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

We ate at CHH for the 1st time last year and it was so good!!!

It's now a ""must eat at" counter service for us...

O'hana is our only "must eat at" table service...

We not picky eaters, we eat EVERYTHING!!! But these two places really stood out among all the places we've eaten ate so far...

 

[wdwgirl03]

Aww, your Snow White video makes me sad. I can't believe it's going to be gone after the new Fantasyland stuff (or is it already closed?).

Next time we go to CHH I think I'm going to suggest eating upstairs. Yours is the 2nd report I've seen recently with pictures of the view and it's really cool.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Hmmm... I'm going to have to give CHH another try. I had some salad thing there and I wasn't impressed. But the fish looks really good.

I do love all the details in the restaurant though. It's very fun.

 

[RachelNinja]

We ate at CHH for the 1st time last year and it was so good!!!

It's now a ""must eat at" counter service for us...

O'hana is our only "must eat at" table service...

We not picky eaters, we eat EVERYTHING!!! But these two places really stood out among all the places we've eaten ate so far...

Ever since I was a kid, we always ate at Cosmic Ray's. We didn't know that all the other places had different options! I guess we just assumed that it was the same burgers and chicken fingers. Too bad we didn't start going to CHH until recently! It's definitely a must eat for us too!

Aww, your Snow White video makes me sad. I can't believe it's going to be gone after the new Fantasyland stuff (or is it already closed?).

Next time we go to CHH I think I'm going to suggest eating upstairs. Yours is the 2nd report I've seen recently with pictures of the view and it's really cool.

Yeah, in the past I didn't care much about it, but knowing that it's not there is really sad! I think it's fun to be slightly scared on a ride (ok, it's probably more than just slightly!).

I can imagine taking a break at CHH and just people watching. It'll be a great, somewhat quiet place in the AC! Plus, most people don't look up so you can stare to your heart's content, haha.

Hmmm... I'm going to have to give CHH another try. I had some salad thing there and I wasn't impressed. But the fish looks really good.

I do love all the details in the restaurant though. It's very fun.

Yeah, the two times we went there, it was early so the fish was JUST fried and still super hot and delicious. I don't know if they ever get to the point where they have food waiting around; I hope that's never the case because you can't have seafood just waiting around! I read good reviews about the fried shrimp too, so that has tempted me as well, but so far, I still must must must have that fish! So crispy and bad for you but sooo good!

 

[RachelNinja]

Wednesday, February 23: We're Off to Neverland!

We weren't quite finished with Fantasyland so we headed back with our satisifed tummies. Peter Pan was our next stop.

I believe I utilized the GAC here so we went on the FP line. So grateful for that because there's no way I can wait 40 minutes while standing! You'd think that being a teacher would make it easier to deal with standing, but it doesn't. Teaching's probably the worst profession to have. Well, actually, nursing would probably the worst. Ooo, being a cashier would probably be the worst because it's standing in one spot!

For those of you who remember my list of many fears, you'll know why Howard had to take this picture after we saw what was on one of the teepees!

I was entertained by these clouds! Haha, they're not that puffy or fluffy or anything.

I wonder who designed these clouds and cut them out!

As we neared the front of the line, I caught a glimpse of this!

Fake trees.

An attempt at a ride vehicle photo. The one I got for the 2010 TR is a lot better.

I recorded the beginning of the ride when we fly over the nursery. I stopped recording right after that because it was too dark. I was trying to get on camera a glimpse of the nightstand that has the 3 cookies on the plate in the shape of Mickey's head. It didn't pick up though, but you can see part of the nursery.



When we got off the ride, I was able to get a quick shot of Nik on her ride vehicle. She wanted a pic of it, so Howard had her phone, but it didn't come out. Mine isn't very clear, but I was glad to have captured it!

Leaving this ride, we still had another ride left in Fantasyland!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Yay, Peter Pan! It is one of my favorites, but I definitely don't like to wait too long for it.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I think Peter Pan is my favorite Fantasyland ride. I also really like the queue music so I was happy to hear it in your video, even if it was really short.

 

[Jennifer48]

We love CHH too! That sitting area upstairs where you can overlook Liberty Square and people watch is our favorite!!

So glad you got the GAC and used it!

 

[RachelNinja]

Yay, Peter Pan! It is one of my favorites, but I definitely don't like to wait too long for it.

That's one ride that I can't stand waiting for even though I love it so much. It just bothers me how slow it is!

I think Peter Pan is my favorite Fantasyland ride. I also really like the queue music so I was happy to hear it in your video, even if it was really short.

The queue music reminds me of VMK! Haha, there I go again with my VMK references. It's either that or KK!

We love CHH too! That sitting area upstairs where you can overlook Liberty Square and people watch is our favorite!!

So glad you got the GAC and used it!

I can't wait to stay for EMH and have all the extra time. Having that extra time means that in the middle of the day, we can take a rest and people watch at CHH!

Me too! I know there are those who need the GAC even MORE than I do, but I'm glad I "qualify" for it too. Now it's too bad I can't get a GAC or something to help me prevent standing so much the day I get married. Oy, that's going to have to be a short ceremony, especially since I'm standing still!

 

[RachelNinja]

Wednesday, February 23: A SMILE Means Friendship to Everyone!

You can tell from the title and these pictures where we were headed next!

Isn't it so funny how simplistic the design is but how eye-catching it is at the same time?

I remember riding IASW with Danielle and Nikki when we were MUCH younger. Dani and I both wanted to sit on the end, haha, which is funny considering we were in the front row so we were both kind of on the "end" anyway with an unobstructed view!

This part looked like Japanese architecture, and Dani has already been there twice for vacation!

It took a bit to get to the bottom. I didn't want to use the GAC on this one because you have to load on the other side, and last year when we did it, I felt that people were staring (well, the family in front of us was). It was interesting to be getting into the boats on the other side now that they changed the queue.

I wonder what it's like working from this control tower and looking down at all the people. If it were me, I'd probably be thinking, "He so doesn't want to be here" and other comments like that.

Look, you can see the light turn on in the second picture.

Ready to set sail!

I didn't take many pictures because there is just too much stuff to look at, AND my pictures always come out blurry. However, I will still show you my few! The first one is of the Jewish couple under the chuppah. I just have a thing for chuppahs because I took Intro to Judaism in college (I have a minor in theology), and I just loved them since then. I love the word itself too! Plus, Luke built one for Lorelai in Gilmore Girls, haha.

Howard did take many more pictures though, and they might not be in the correct order in terms of mixing his and mine. I'll only show some of those too. Like this! Don Quixote and Sancho Panza! I forgot which teacher of mine introduced this to us. I think we read an excerpt in junior high or something about the windmills part.

Ray and Dani in Japan!

I know Dani will most likely go back to Japan in the future! She's way more of a world traveler than I am. My definition of world traveling is going around World Showcase.

I don't know if you can see it, but the two dolls that bow to you (as you pass through to the other room) really scare me. They're just a little too close for comfort! You can see the girl at the bottom right of this picture.

This scares me a bit too!

And these creepy animals frighten me! Such weird patterned skin!

I've actually had nightmares about the hyenas before. Years ago, I had a dream that I was stuck on this ride that was pretty much IASW, and I had to walk off the boat onto the platforms to an exit. But when I got on the platform, no one was around. It was just me ... and those laughing hyenas. SCARY!

First time Howard and I noticed the cacti playing guitar!

SMILE, everyone, SMILE! And put on those 3-D glasses!

I know there are DISers who don't like that these platypus want to throw their eggs at us!

Are these kiwi?

Of course, I love this picture in the last room because it shows RIDE VEHICLES! Even though it's "just" a boat, I like seeing ride vehicles in the ride scenes.

As a kid, I always wanted to ride this ferris wheel even though there was no safety bar!

Woohoo, represent America!

(continued in next post)

 

[RachelNinja]

(continued from previous post)

I got this pic in the last room because you can see "sayonara." Haha, this should be titled the Danielle in "Japan" update.

And of course, we all had to be our Chinese selves as we kept saying this over and over again. We're not Mandarin though, haha; we're Cantonese.

Haha, some of us can do a pretty good Korean accent too (not me!).

Until next time!

Goodbye to the new control tower lady! I really want to see what she sees! This is the closest we got.

BYE! Seriously, bye!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Great update! I just love IASW. And thank you SO SO much for all the valuable crafting information. You're so knowledgeable!

I FINALLY read the first Kingdom Keepers! So now I get all the references . I'm going to get the second one from the library this weekend.

 

[Jennifer48]

Me too! I know there are those who need the GAC even MORE than I do, but I'm glad I "qualify" for it too. Now it's too bad I can't get a GAC or something to help me prevent standing so much the day I get married. Oy, that's going to have to be a short ceremony, especially since I'm standing still!

Oh my I didn't even think of that! How are you going to make it through the ceremony??

My definition of world traveling is going around World Showcase.

Mine too Don't take this the wrong way but I love hearing your silly fears. Makes me want to hug you and tell you its ok.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Finally all caught up with your updates!!

Man, I just LOVE reading your TR. The way you describe everything about your group and interactions and all the little things with Howard like that "Mine" sign. I just love it~

I'm so jealous you got to go on all those Fantasyland rides, and your high score on Buzz! We were only able to go on Snow White, which I'm very glad for. I've never been on Pooh but that dream sequence looks scary....

I suck at Buzz. I just can't aim!

I've never eaten at CHH, but now I must! That upstairs floor looks so nice and peaceful.

After Epic Mickey....and Kingdom Keepers.....I don't think I'll be able to ride IASW soon. It's just....too creepy....Especially because I'll be thinking of that creepy music from Epic Mickey

Love all your vinylmations and Ray's Sasuke figure! They're so cute! I only have one right now, and I only got it because I HAD to get a NYC exclusive when I was there.