Delicious Indeed!

[wdwgirl03]

Love the IASW update! haha, of course I thought of the one part in KK! Speaking of that, I was looking on Amazon yesterday to see if there was a release date for the next book. It comes out right before Dad and I leave in April so I'm going to have to get it to take along!

hahaha I actually lived your dream about getting stuck on IASW! I've posted the story about a billion times but when Dad and I were in Disneyland we got stuck on it for a good half hour atleast (you probably would've been really creeped out because after a while they turned the song off but the dolls were still clacking away!!! It was slightly freaky). Finally we had to exit onto some platforms and out to "backstage" Disneyland!

 

[RachelNinja]

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.

You're welcome! Not that knowledgeable, just had to do research for myself too! I LOVE CRAFTING!

YAY, now you understand all the fears! I remember when I first read it, not many DISers had, but I see more and more are mentioning it on their TRs. We don't see WDW the same way anymore!

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

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.

I have NO clue! Mom was like, "You're going to have to sit for as long as you can beforehand." I also told the pastor that the message will have to be short because I physically can't stand that long. And I'm sure my future hubby will catch me if I faint!

Haha, it's fine if you like hearing about my silly fears, as long as you don't use them against me (like a few of my students do!!!).

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.

Thanks, Yuki! I think having a fun group makes writing a TR more fun. Not to say that it's not fun with my family, but this was definitely a different kind of trip.

Yeah, the music for the dream sequence can be a little scary. The scenery itself isn't though because it's pretty bright and colorful. The voice as Pooh falls asleep isn't my favorite though!

Yes, CHH really is a must! We still talk about it now, and we won't be back until next April and then May!

Haha, I think I'll be staying away from Epic Mickey.

I haven't gotten sucked into Vinylmation ... yet. Haha. My future hubby has enough though. I'll enjoy them when we're married! I don't need to buy them.

Love the IASW update! haha, of course I thought of the one part in KK! Speaking of that, I was looking on Amazon yesterday to see if there was a release date for the next book. It comes out right before Dad and I leave in April so I'm going to have to get it to take along!

hahaha I actually lived your dream about getting stuck on IASW! I've posted the story about a billion times but when Dad and I were in Disneyland we got stuck on it for a good half hour atleast (you probably would've been really creeped out because after a while they turned the song off but the dolls were still clacking away!!! It was slightly freaky). Finally we had to exit onto some platforms and out to "backstage" Disneyland!

YAY for the NEXT BOOK!!! I get so excited when I pre-order it. Usually what I do is order it so that I have it to read AFTER my trips. That way there's a fun thing for when I get home. If that's the case, I'll probably read it AFTER the Disneymoon too!

Ooo, I didn't hear that story about IASW before! Funny thing is that my aunt told me that she went through the ride once without any sound, but the dolls were still moving. They didn't have to exit, but she said it was creepy! I don't know that I would've been able to exit. It would've been cool to try to get a picture while exiting because you'd be seeing the dolls from a different perspective.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Ooo, I didn't hear that story about IASW before! Funny thing is that my aunt told me that she went through the ride once without any sound, but the dolls were still moving. They didn't have to exit, but she said it was creepy! I don't know that I would've been able to exit. It would've been cool to try to get a picture while exiting because you'd be seeing the dolls from a different perspective.

haha yeah, I actually did stop on the platform to get a picture of me with the dolls in the background!

 

[PirateKate]

I always think of KK when I hear that line of It's a Small World. I kind of like It's a Small World, but in my family of guys, I seem to be in the minority.

We love Columbia Harbor House, too. The view from that upstairs room is great.

 

[RachelNinja]

haha yeah, I actually did stop on the platform to get a picture of me with the dolls in the background!

Do you still have it? Post it, please!!!

I always think of KK when I hear that line of It's a Small World. I kind of like It's a Small World, but in my family of guys, I seem to be in the minority.

We love Columbia Harbor House, too. The view from that upstairs room is great.

IASW is so much a part of Disney that even if I hated it, I'd have to ride it!

I'm glad that we always eat lunch much earlier than during the typical lunch hour. That way, we'll always have the chance to sit in that section of CHH!

 

[RachelNinja]

Wednesday, February 23: Sitting on the Left on HM

All the merriment and cheer of Fantasyland was now behind us as we moved forward to Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. While on line, I saw a group with a tour guide. I think that's the outfit for the Keys to the Kingdom tour guide. I haven't done it yet, so I don't know for sure.

Honk honk, I'm a boat horn.

I love going on this ride because it's part of tradition, but I admit that I'm very scared of it! When I was younger, it seemed more "okay" because I myself was smaller in size. I felt covered by the doom buggy. Now I feel too exposed at times!

I read that at night, you might be able to see something moving upstairs. I don't know if that's true, and I'm definitely not the kind of person that would wait around to try to see if it's true!

As we got closer to the door, I saw workers! I didn't realize that they were getting changing the queue. I don't know if that's what these guys were doing, but they did have tarp up to cover the tombstones area. I had wanted to show Danielle that Madame Leota's eyes open, but I couldn't. Darn.

Ray and Dani went in the first doom buggy, and then I went on the doom buggy with Nik. Howard ended up going by himself. I thought about squishing the 3 girls in one, but that meant I would be closer to the outside! Haha. I'm afraid of the ride, but I always feel braver when I'm with Nik because I have to protect her being the older cousin. Like the scary Easter bunnies? I hate them, but if Nik and I had to walk by one, I would put myself between the bunny and Nik.

Howard took pictures during the ride since he was by himself, but he didn't quite know what setting to use. I really love the ballroom scene the best. All my life, I've always looked down because I love seeing the hidden Mickey made out of the plates. However, it was only a few years ago that I paid attention to the 2 characters in the paintings at eye-level from the doom buggies. They shoot each other! Haha, how did it take me so long to notice it? I'm always reminding myself to look elsewhere now.

And here we approach the scariest part of the entire ride. I cannot stand that bride. I refuse to sit on the left side of the ride vehicle because I don't want to be near it, but because I was with Nikki this time, I was on the left! Scary! I think we were holding hands the entire time!

Unfortunately, they were redoing the inside of the ride too. I've read about what happens in the last scene now with the hitchhiking ghosts, but I'm very excited to see it on my own. Instead of the mirrors, they had tarp or scrims over it, and they just showed the 3 of them.

Phew, we survived, and we were back out in the sunshine! Goodbye Mr. Toad! We'll see you next time!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Haha, I kind of now what you mean about the doom buggies! The first time I was on that ride with my younger siblings, I put on a brave face, but when I went on with Andrew, it was ok for me to be freaked out a little...

It's the graveyard scene that gets to him though, cause it was his first time and he didn't know that things pop up! He actually jumped!

It's too bad the whole hitchhiking part was covered up. So you guys were just facing the tarp the whole way?

Haha, about the vinylmations, I think the same way with our figurines and manga! One day, it'll be ours together, so we try not to buy too much or the same of something.

 

[RachelNinja]

Haha, I kind of now what you mean about the doom buggies! The first time I was on that ride with my younger siblings, I put on a brave face, but when I went on with Andrew, it was ok for me to be freaked out a little...

It's the graveyard scene that gets to him though, cause it was his first time and he didn't know that things pop up! He actually jumped!

It's too bad the whole hitchhiking part was covered up. So you guys were just facing the tarp the whole way?

Haha, about the vinylmations, I think the same way with our figurines and manga! One day, it'll be ours together, so we try not to buy too much or the same of something.

I get scared SO much easier when I'm with Howard because I know I CAN be scared because he has to protect me! Haha. I'm glad I'm not the guy in the relationship.

YES, I hate it when they jump too! I squint my eyes to make sure we're not the doom buggy that deals with the ones that pop up! Something so simple can be so frightening when it's a surprise!

They just had an image of the 3 hitchhiking ghosts on the tarp thing, and that was it. Sad! But at least I'll get to see the new ending in April!

Our apartment is going to be SO small. We're going to have to only buy things that we need! Ahh, no fun splurges. I guess that's okay though since we need the money on those necessities anyway!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm sorry that the Haunted Mansion scares you. It's definitely one of my favorites. Trust me, the bride used to be even more scary back in the day!

 

[RachelNinja]

I'm sorry that the Haunted Mansion scares you. It's definitely one of my favorites. Trust me, the bride used to be even more scary back in the day!

Ooo, really?!? I probably went on that ride too many times with my eyes half closed, haha.

 

[RachelNinja]

Wednesday, February 23: Thunder Mountain Trio

We moved westward (um, it is westward, right?) towards Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! Have you ever stopped to look at the FP Return sign? It's dynamite! I also like the BMTR sign right above the sign. When I was younger, I didn't appreciate the theming of this ride at all. I felt that the wood and all that was so undone. Haha, I really didn't understand the reason for it as a kid. Plus, it was always so hot waiting on that line!

I did finally see the Lytum & Hyde boxes. I've read about it so often, but I always get excited seeing things with my own eyes.

We thankfully didn't have to wait in that heat (oy, heat would make the standing even worse!). I used the GAC here again, and we hopped in the FP line right away. I was happy about that because the year before, we had to go to the back using the wheelchair entrance. I don't need treatment like that; plus, everyone tends to stare. With the FP line, we just don't have to crisscross the parks to get FP and then return.

When we got down to the loading area, the CM told Howard and Ray to sit in one row and then told the 3 of us girls to sit in another. We were like, uh, are we going to fit? He said that we would, but I was skeptical since I knew that even 2 people can be a tight fit at times. Howard did take one of my favorite pictures of the trip here though. I know we don't look spectacular or anything like that, but looking at this picture reminds me of the anticipation that I felt!

Waiting and waiting!

The tracks reminded me of Joanna's DH (not_Joanna_eggs) who LOVES trains and engines and all that!

I didn't take pictures on the ride because I took video, of course! Since it was the 3 of us squished and squeezed together, it was definitely a new experience for me. Haha, there really wasn't anywhere to move! But it was fun being able to sit with both of them at the same time and record all 3 of us together.



You can see Howard in the back with his camera. Haha, he held up his DSLR and recorded! My favorite part is when Nik held up her arms in expectation of a drop, but nothing big happened at that time! That's what I love about BTMR; there are no steep drops. It always prepares you for the parts that are faster and wilder. And like a bunch of other times that morning, we got stopped on this ride! When we were going up one of the tracks, we suddenly stopped. As suddenly as we stopped, we started once again! It was definitely a fun-fun ride! I would've liked to ride it again, but there was still so much to do!

 

[RachelNinja]

Wednesday, February 23: Brer-ing It

Before we get on to our next ride, here's a random shot of the Haunted Mansion construction was it was going on. I know that when I see construction, I get kind of upset because something is covered or it messes with the look. However, now I kind of think it's fun to see these pictures. It's interesting to know what changes occurred during our trip that I can now enjoy on my next one!

Well, we conquered one mountain as a group (remember, the 3 of them went on Space Mountain, but Howard and I didn't), and we were ready to conquer one more together as a group!

I have a mix of excitement and nerves when it comes to Splash.

The drop is not that bad, but the anticipation is really crazy sometimes! Knowing that you build up more and more throughout the ride as the drops get steeper and steeper!

Haha, no squishing on this ride! Howard and I sat in the front, Dani and Nik were behind, and Ray had his own row. Sisters! Or as our uncle says it, "SEEEEEES-TERSSSS!"

Haha, I like Howard's version of this picture with Ray in the background.

I can't wait for them to read KK and think about Finn in the water as they ride this ride!

We didn't get that wet, I don't think. I was happy about that. I think Howard and I got it the most since we were in the front. But we clearly had fun, and we also clearly are meant for each other because look at how outrageous we look in the ride photo!

Where to? Where to???

 

[RachelNinja]

Wednesday, February 23: Shiver Me Timbers!

We headed to Pirates of the Caribbean next. I kind of wish we did Adventureland at night. That place has a totally different feel when it's dark out! I want to ride Jungle Cruise in the dark next time I'm there. Here are some queue shots from POTC taken by Howard.

Are you ready? We are!

What's pretty funny is that all this time, I never really thought about Castillo de Morro. From what I remember, this is supposed to be like the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico. If it is, then I've actually been there! I went to PR when I was around the junior high age when I was very clearly going through puberty. Haha, maybe one day I'll take pics of THOSE pictures to post here.

We had to wait in the regular queue for this, so it was a little tiring and nerve-wracking. To distract myself from the whole standing aspect of queues, Howard tried to help me with my dark photos. Here are the ones he took.

And here are some that I took. Haha, sorry, I don't mean to hurt your eyes with the blur.

A family crest? Haha, can you tell I'm being lazy with captioning these?

I, of course, was very concerned about any area that might be a jail cell ...

But while waiting in line and freaking out about jail cells, I also took some pics of Dani and Ray. I like taking pics of couples, haha. I kept doing it to my older brother and his girlfriend at our other cousin's recent wedding.

Um, where do these stairs lead?

While on the ride, we were able to enjoy all of the scenes without any crazy flash photograph (what Howard and I had during our 2010 ride that's on my other TR!). He took these without flash, so they're blurry, but at least he was following the rules!

We left the ride, and we showed the 3 of them the props from the movies that are in the gift shop. I STILL remember when I had to ask the pirate CM where they were in 2008. I loved that interaction! We also passed by the Pirates League area.

We survived the encounter with those scallywags, and we were ready for a nice snack!

 

[RachelNinja]

Wednesday, February 23: A Dole Whip Kind of Birthday

We were in need of a snack! We wander around Adventureland for a bit and passed by the new (haha, well, it was newer then~) restaurant.

Okay, the restaurant isn't new, but the name is! Is it just me but do those women statue bust things really creep you out too?

I guess this was inside the restaurant.

I'm wondering if we made a pit stop for the bathroom ... well, if it was, we needed to be all ready for belated (or early) birthday presents! Let's get a MOVE on!

As we were preparing for this trip, I kept writing about the eateries and all the fun things we'd be doing. As Ray (Oct), Danielle (Dec), and Howard (Jan) had their birthdays while we were looking forward to the trip, I said that I would buy them Dole whip floats for birthday presents. For Nik (April), it'd be an early present! And for me, it'd just be an awesome snack, haha. Here we were!

I was super excited for them to try it because they like pineapple a lot too. I had Howard take my camera and record it. Even though we had to wait a bit for the wonderful CM to make 5 of them, it was well worth it! I still watch this video from time to time just so that I can remember it all. I also love how the 2 CMs joke in the background!



I love seeing how the 3 of them react to tasting it for the first time. Definitely something you have to record because pictures just don't do it justice. Haha, and Ray's wacky, serious faces. My absolute favorite part of the video is when I "taste" it, and there's a CM right behind me smiling because she seems so happy to see all of us with our Dole Whips. (Haha, I kind of act like a mother in the video.)

The only bad thing about it is that there was no place to sit. The tables and chairs by Aloha Isle were taken away since they had moved a character meet and greet in that building. It would've been nice if we could just sit and relax for a bit.

It was still absolutely delicious though! And I think the CM made them really big, or at least they were bigger than what I remember. If that's true, I appreciate it since I did just order 5 of them at once!

Eventually I sat down on a planter in the sun because despite the heat, I needed to rest.

At this point, I was getting a little overheated in the direct sunlight (isn't it always hotter in Adventureland and Frontierland somehow?). I wasn't even sure if I could finish! I was thinking that maybe Howard and I should've shared.

I think Dani was the first to finish, but she is a drinker. Ever since we were kids, she always drank a lot! I can't do that. I do drink a lot more now that I work since I have a reusable water bottle on my desk.

I was taking a break at this point. I really didn't want to waste it. Plus, I knew that once I threw it away, I'd want it again!

Never fear, I did finish it! We took a walk to Agrabah Bazaar to meet up with some people we knew, and after that, I was willing to finish it all up. Yum!

Those fake snakes are creepy posed like that.

Here we were!

Right by the magic carpets.

The day before we left on our trip, I found out that the pastor at my second church (it's a local church; it's where my mom and I go if we can't make it out to our own church in the city) was going to be at WDW too! I know the 2 other daughters because they attend the school where I teach, and I had them for literacy last year. We exchanged numbers so that we could see if we could meet up while we were there, and the pastor had texted me to say that they were meeting Aladdin. That was a perfect meeting spot because Nik LOVES Aladdin and wanted to meet him. If you remember the video from the morning show, she said, "Aladdin!" in such an excited voice! All 3 of the characters were there.

I think Genie must have been a little frightening to them because they were a bit stand off-ish at first. They didn't even want to approach.

He must have known because it seems that Genie stayed back a bit and didn't really approach the girls. Love how they were wearing their princess dresses. Their mom was trying her hardest to get them to be a bit more interactive with the characters, but I don't blame them! Genie looks kind of scary! The video is adorable because the youngest one looks at Genie with such trepidation!



Anyway, we told the family about the dole whips, but they had gotten a treat from Sunshine Terrace. We said our goodbyes, and we continued on our way!

 

[RunningGirl]

Wow you have been busy - your keyboard must be smokin'!

Looks like a fun time covering a whole lot of the MK! I agree that some things are completely different after dark.

I really love the way you all celebrate every little moment.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Woah! So many updates all at once!

I love BTMRR too! I'd love to ride it at night, I hear it's really cool.

Yeah, after reading KK, I'll be thinking of that scene the next time I'm on Splash Mountain. The part before the drop still creeps me out because of the eerie music and laughter.... I love that photo of you guys! So cute!

Yes, POTC and Jungle Cruise is SOO MUCH COOLER at night! I highly recommend it. It's crazy how different these rides can feel in just one day, eh? Kind of like how much creepier HM is at night....

Andrew and I love the dole whips. We also like the pineapple floats at Sunshine Terrace. I love that there are so many great treats in MK.

Awww, that video is so cute! That little girl is just adorable! And that's a really good looking Aladdin there. The one I saw on my trip wasn't that cute. It's great to see all 3 of them there though.

 

[RachelNinja]

Wow you have been busy - your keyboard must be smokin'!

Looks like a fun time covering a whole lot of the MK! I agree that some things are completely different after dark.

I really love the way you all celebrate every little moment.

Haha, yeah, I really want to start my Disneymoon PTR! I have to finish these TRs!!!

Life in Disney is definitely something to be celebrated! I can't wait for next year so that I can be back once again!

Woah! So many updates all at once!

I love BTMRR too! I'd love to ride it at night, I hear it's really cool.

Yeah, after reading KK, I'll be thinking of that scene the next time I'm on Splash Mountain. The part before the drop still creeps me out because of the eerie music and laughter.... I love that photo of you guys! So cute!

Yes, POTC and Jungle Cruise is SOO MUCH COOLER at night! I highly recommend it. It's crazy how different these rides can feel in just one day, eh? Kind of like how much creepier HM is at night....

Andrew and I love the dole whips. We also like the pineapple floats at Sunshine Terrace. I love that there are so many great treats in MK.

Awww, that video is so cute! That little girl is just adorable! And that's a really good looking Aladdin there. The one I saw on my trip wasn't that cute. It's great to see all 3 of them there though.

Yeah, riding at night is much faster than riding in the day time! Howard and I did that in 2010, and we loved it! Definitely a different experience. Jungle Cruise is definitely next on that list!

It's fun that there are yummy treats that are so distinctly Disney! I want to try so many more!

 

[Nermel9]

Ahhh, I can't keep up with all these updates!!! I just want to let you know, I have been reading all of them, even if I haven't commented!

I finally found a new appreciation for BTMRR on our recent trip! I've never been much of a fan, but now I really enjoy it!

I love your pictures from Pirates! And those Dole Whips look SO good! I really need to be brave enough to try a float one day, it just seems so...pineapple-y!

 

[RachelNinja]

Ahhh, I can't keep up with all these updates!!! I just want to let you know, I have been reading all of them, even if I haven't commented!

I finally found a new appreciation for BTMRR on our recent trip! I've never been much of a fan, but now I really enjoy it!

I love your pictures from Pirates! And those Dole Whips look SO good! I really need to be brave enough to try a float one day, it just seems so...pineapple-y!

Yay, Jen! Haha, that's okay. I totally understand being unable to keep up with it all in terms of commenting. That's why I haven't been able to read yours yet; I need to have time! Following my updates is a-okay by me though; I like that you're still here from time to time

BTMRR is my kind of coaster, so that's why I like it so much! Just the right amount of thrill for me. Nighttime is awesome though; it really does go much faster. All that grease has melted for a slick ride!

Ooo, it's definitely worth trying it! If anything, go for the Dole Whip for just the soft serve and don't get the float that has the juice. YUM YUM!

 

[Jennifer48]

BTMRR at night is the best! Especially when the heat of the day is too much.

Love the Dole Whip Floats that you all enjoyed!

for no flash photographers on Pirates!

I've read KK1 and I have KK2 & 3 but haven't read them yet. I need to catch up!