Disney Nomads ... 3 Resorts in 8 Nights! ALL NEW 9/2!

[buzz1121]

Am I the only one who thinks the cow picture needs to resurface?

Please NO!!!

Yes... you are the only one.

Bless you Pkondz, bless you!

Nope. That's just not something I need to see again... you'll have to ask Nebo for that one.

And again Pkondz, thanks for holding firm.

Laura, your TR is terrific and I apologize for being out more than in, but the Nebo and Pkondz TRs are about all I can consistently keep up with. I'm trying, I really am. I want to read and post on Shannon's as well but I need more hours in the day. I love you both, I really do!

The Nebo cow picture is bad Laura, really bad. It will leave a permanent seared image on your brain that can never be erased. Nebo has posted the "gem" many times, and I'm sure he will again, but trust me......you will regret asking for it.

If you want to see it, it is in his newest "old" TR. But, you have been warned...

 

[laura74]

Laura, your TR is terrific and I apologize for being out more than in, but the Nebo and Pkondz TRs are about all I can consistently keep up with. I'm trying, I really am. I want to read and post on Shannon's as well but I need more hours in the day. I love you both, I really do!

Thanks! Don't feel pressured to post. This is supposed to be fun, not stressful.

The Nebo cow picture is bad Laura, really bad. It will leave a permanent seared image on your brain that can never be erased. Nebo has posted the "gem" many times, and I'm sure he will again, but trust me......you will regret asking for it.

If you want to see it, it is in his newest "old" TR. But, you have been warned...

Now I'm curious.

 

[laura74]

We arrive at Hollywood Studios and start walking toward the gate. We each have a must-do today. Monkston wants to see the American Idol show, Mr. Squid wants to visit his favorite, The Great Movie Ride, and I want to go on the new Star Tours. We also have a reservation at Sci Fi Dine-In for lunch.

I see you shaking your head, thinking what kind of random plan is that? Where’s Toy Story Mania? Where’s Tower of Terror? Where’s the most awesome roller coaster at Disney, Rock and Roller Coaster????

I know, I know. We knew we’d have to skip Toy Story since we’re getting here so late and these too chickens aren’t going on anything that has Terror, Tower or Coaster in the name. So random touring it is.

I like Toy Story, but I really dislike that pull-toy shooting mechanism. It makes my arm ache afterword and makes everyone look slightly… hmmm… how do I put this without sounding naughty? Never mind. My parents may be listening.

“Monkston,” I say. “I know we said this is a strolling vacation this year but we need to run over and get fastpasses as quickly as we can so we can make it to American Idol before lunch. You and Daddy can wait in front of the theater and I’ll run over by myself if you want.”

“No, we want to come too.”

After much confusion trying different combinations of fastpasses and fingers, we finally make it through the gate.

And we’re off!

“Hold on Monkston!”

I’m a fast walker by nature. Slowly strolling has been a huge challenge for me this week. As many times as I tell myself that I’m only as quick as the slowest member of my party, I can’t seem to slow down enough to match their pace.

Now that I have a mission, I’m even faster. I pull my daughter quickly through the crowds, weaving in and out of the slowpokes, the strollers, the lost and confused. I take a quick look back for Mr. Squid and he’s right behind us.

“Almost there Monko!”

“Mommy, I’m tired. Can’t we slow down?”

“Nope. Sorry. We’ll slow down later. Look. There’s the theater. You can wait with Daddy.”

“No, I want to go with you!”

“No complaining then…”

We get to Star Tours, grab the passes and I see we have about 10 minutes before the show starts.

“Just a little more fast walking and then we can relax you guys.”

(Record screeching)

Josh from easywdw.com: I see we’re making a little progress here. At least you’re actually using a fastpass and you seem to have some sort of plan, pathetic as it is.

Laura74: I’m sure you don’t look at all pathetic walking around taking pictures of fastpass return signs.

Josh: It’s important work Laura74. Please don’t make a mockery of it. And please feel free to visit www.easywdw.com. Thank you.

We get back to the theater just in time. Aaaaaaah seats. Aaaaaaah air conditioning.

Monkston just loves the American Idol Experience and we find it pretty entertaining too. I’ve long since given up on the actual TV show though.

The judges come out and I recognize the mean one from last year. As I recall he was just “Disney mean” though, and didn’t really say anything that would hurt anyone’s feelings. He mostly mocked their clothes.

The first contestant is a teenage guy singing “Mercy Me” and he does a good job. He’s on key and he gives it a nice modern edge. He seems a bit too pleased with himself though, a bit too smug. I hope one of the other two are better so I don’t have to vote for him.

I nudge Mr. Squid. “What do you think of him?”

I ask Mr. Squid’s opinion on all things musical because as a musician, he has an ear, whereas I do not.

“He did a great job,” he says. “Really natural.”

I still don’t like him. The judges all give him good marks though. The mean one didn’t have anything but positive things to say.

A pretty teenage girl comes out next. She seems pretty nervous. She says she’s going to sing “This Is Me” from “Camp Rock.” That’s a pretty tough song. I’ll bet she’s good. And she seems nicer than that other kid. I hope I can vote for her.

She starts singing and oh my goodness. She is off key. Really off key. Off the charts off key. The poor thing. I feel terrible for her. She probably can’t hear herself now but she’ll have to watch that video at the end. Awwww.

Monkston taps my arm. “She’s really pitchy,” she says.

The judges give their opinions. “Randy” compliments her looks and her outfit and says nothing about her singing. “Paula” also tells her she looks nice and tells her she had some pitch problems. And then “Simon” lets her have it. He tells her that that’s 3 minutes of his life he’s not getting back and that he wants to remove his ears.

What happened to “Disney mean?” That was “MEAN mean.”

The final contestant is a middle-aged woman, attractive, but certainly not glamorous. The host asks her who is in the audience to cheer her on and she says her ex-husband. Immediately I think of my unmet friends, Nebo and Smidgy. I lift my arm to elbow Mr. Squid and then I remember he has no idea who they are. He has no idea of the depths of my DIS board involvement. No idea that I may write a trip report.

I imagine his reaction. “You’re going to do what? You want to write a report? About vacation? For fun?”

She stands in the middle of the stage and says, “You want to have some fun?” I like her immediately. She would be good at a party. She puts her hands up to get us to start clapping and starts singing “Want You Back.” And she’s really engaging. Nice voice!

I look at Mr. Squid. He’s not clapping. He refuses to clap along with the audience because they’re “doing it wrong.” I can never remember what he wants everybody to do. Clap on the 1 and 3? The 2 and 4? I think it’s the 1 and 3. How do you tell what the 1 and 3 are?

I look at Monkston and she’s happily clapping along, clearly enjoying the performance.

The audience gives her a huge round of applause and the judges all have good things to say.

Monkston taps my arm and tells me she’s voting for her. Good girl, I think to myself. Can’t let that smirky kid win.

The votes are in and our gal gets it! Yay for the grown-ups!

And now comes the part of the show I hate. Jordin Sparks tells us all to get up and clap and sing. I just wish they would take that part out. I always feel like an idiot but I have to show some pretense of enjoying it for Monkston.

After the show, we walk over to Sci Fi Dine-in for lunch. This is our first visit here because previously we have always been on the dining plan and I didn’t think it made good use of our credits.

We check in and I go off in search of the restroom while Monkston and Mr. Squid wait near the podium.

I walk in the ladies room and I spot the American Idol winner! Wow! Celebrity sighting at Disney!

“Hey, congratulations!” I say. “You were great! My daughter and I voted for you!”

She looks a little uneasy with my gushing. “Um, thanks.”

I get back to the podium and I don’t see my family. Hmm. I guess they were seated.

I give the hostess my name and ask if she’s seated the rest of my party. She checks her chart and asks me to follow her.

We go into the dining room and man is it dark! It’s darker than the San Angel Inn! For the second time today, I think of my unmet friend Nebo and wonder how he would fare walking around here.

She walks over to an empty table. Not there. Up and down the aisles we go. My eyes try to adjust to the dark. I don’t see them anywhere.

“I don’t see them. Are you sure you sat them?”

Back to the waiting area we go. They’re not here either. I head outside to call Mr. Squid’s cell and there they are. Right outside the door.

Hmmm. Didn’t think to check there.

Our name is called and back we go to the dining room.

This place is really neat and it does look a lot like a drive-in theater. But boy is it dark in here. I know. Necessary for movie viewing, but it is really difficult to see the menu. No matter though. I already know what I want. I usually get salad but I really wanted to try the picnic burger.

What is a picnic burger you ask? Here’s allears’ description: flame broiled Angus burger patty topped with grilled hot dog, sauerkraut, and sauteed onions, drizzled with ketchup, mustard and crowned with a pickle spear, served with a choice of cucumber salad or french fries.

Sounds pretty weird, doesn’t it? I’ve heard good reviews though, so what the heck.

Mr. Squid asks me what I’m getting and I tell him.

He stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“You’re getting what?”

“A burger with a hot dog on top. Doesn’t that sound cool?”

“That sounds disgusting.”

We order and sit back and watch the old movie reels. I love the 1950s vision of the future. Apparently we should all have rotary phones with big TV screens attached to them.

Our food arrives and I literally cannot see what’s on my plate. I’m not even going to try to pick this thing up because surely it will end up on my shirt, and cute though it is not, it will be made worse splattered with ketchup and sauerkraut.

Because it’s so dark, I have no idea what’s on my fork so every bite is a surprise. I know I’m not eating this the right way. It’s good, but basically like eating a hamburger and a hotdog. It’s huge and I can only finish half of it.

Monkston is enjoying her umpteenth cheese pizza and Mr. Squid says the Reuben is pretty good too.

We’re too full to order dessert, so we pay our $137 check and walk over to Star Tours.

I really like the improvements to this. It was fun and as close to a thrill ride as these two will allow.

We take a walk through the Animation Academy hoping to get into a class but the next class is full. Monkston decides to play with the games downstairs for a while. I try to get her to pose with some characters but she’s not interested.

We have one more must-do before we head over to the Boardwalk. The Great Movie Ride, Mr. Squid’s second favorite attraction after Carousel of Progress. Hey, he walks to the beat of a different drum.

The Great Movie Ride is not MY favorite though. In fact, it annoys me. Has anyone else noticed how the imagineers phoned it in when it came to creating female animatronics?

Take a look at Mary Poppins.

Does that dead-eyed robot show any resemblance to Julie Andrews?

And what about Ingrid Bergman?

And look what they’ve done to poor Dorothy! Judy Garland is spinning in her grave.

And it’s not just at the Great Movie Ride. All of the females seem to have the same dead-eyed face.

Except for this one. She’s awesome.

I don’t understand how anyone approved these!

After a short wait, we get in our tram.

“Hola heverone. Hwelcome to Great Movie Ride. Hyll be takeen you hright eento thee haction hove thee greatess feelms hever made.”

Mr. Squid and I look at each other. Charo is our tour guide! First Lucy Ricardo’s hobo voice at Ohana and now Charo at the Great Movie Ride! Awesome.

“Ole on yer hwallets a porses folks. Theese don’t look like ha good neighborhood.”

“Mommy, I can’t understand what she’s saying.”

“Sshhhhh.”

We spend the rest of the ride not understanding anything Charo is saying. I think maybe she would have been better suited to playing Pooh over at the Animation Academy.

We peek into a few stores as we head toward the exit, stopping in our favorite, Sid Caheunga's One-of-a-Kind last. We love looking at all the memorabilia, though we’ve never bought anything there. As a matter of fact, I’ve never actually seen anyone buy anything there.

We decide to walk to the Boardwalk rather than take the boat. I need to burn a few calories after that lunch.

 

[shan23877]

Please NO!!!

I think the cow picture is hilarious! The coppertone would do though Ponz


Laura, your TR is terrific and I apologize for being out more than in, but the Nebo and Pkondz TRs are about all I can consistently keep up with. I'm trying, I really am. I want to read and post on Shannon's as well but I need more hours in the day. I love you both, I really do!

Thank you! I understand too though, there's not enough hours in the day sometimes.

If you want to see it, it is in his newest "old" TR. But, you have been warned... [/COLOR]

Look for it Laura! It's awesome!

Gonna read the new update now.

 

[laura74]

Look for it Laura! It's awesome!

Gonna read the new update now.

I got to page 5 and the eye from hell was there!!!!

 

[ChefDisneyLu]

I am loving this TR! I have laughed out loud and find that we share the same humor I love your take on things and feel as if we probably agree on a lot of stuff (except for the "uncute" shirt, that pic from sci-fi does not look too bad!)

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

Lisa

 

[shan23877]

I see you shaking your head, thinking what kind of random plan is that? Where’s Toy Story Mania? Where’s Tower of Terror? Where’s the most awesome roller coaster at Disney, Rock and Roller Coaster????

I was thinking that!

I know, I know. We knew we’d have to skip Toy Story since we’re getting here so late and these too chickens aren’t going on anything that has Terror, Tower or Coaster in the name. So random touring it is.

Bummer. I love thrill rides.

I like Toy Story, but I really dislike that pull-toy shooting mechanism. It makes my arm ache afterword and makes everyone look slightly… hmmm… how do I put this without sounding naughty? Never mind. My parents may be listening.



(Record screeching)

Josh from easywdw.com: I see we’re making a little progress here. At least you’re actually using a fastpass and you seem to have some sort of plan, pathetic as it is.

Laura74: I’m sure you don’t look at all pathetic walking around taking pictures of fastpass return signs.

Those are a bit much Josh.

Josh: It’s important work Laura74. Please don’t make a mockery of it. And please feel free to visit www.easywdw.com. Thank you.

Monkston just loves the American Idol Experience and we find it pretty entertaining too. I’ve long since given up on the actual TV show though.

I'm pretty much done with the TV show myself, just couldn't get behind the kid who looked like Alfred E Neuman. Maddie really wants to see AIE though, we've got to fit it in one of these days.

The first contestant is a teenage guy singing “Mercy Me” and he does a good job. He’s on key and he gives it a nice modern edge. He seems a bit too pleased with himself though, a bit too smug. I hope one of the other two are better so I don’t have to vote for him.

Something about smug teenage boys brings out the bully in me. I don't blame you.

Monkston taps my arm. “She’s really pitchy,” she says.



The judges give their opinions. “Randy” compliments her looks and her outfit and says nothing about her singing. “Paula” also tells her she looks nice and tells her she had some pitch problems. And then “Simon” lets her have it. He tells her that that’s 3 minutes of his life he’s not getting back and that he wants to remove his ears.

What happened to “Disney mean?” That was “MEAN mean.”

Ouch! Poor kid!

The final contestant is a middle-aged woman, attractive, but certainly not glamorous. The host asks her who is in the audience to cheer her on and she says her ex-husband. Immediately I think of my unmet friends, Nebo and Smidgy. I lift my arm to elbow Mr. Squid and then I remember he has no idea who they are. He has no idea of the depths of my DIS board involvement. No idea that I may write a trip report.

Same for me. I often begin to tell him something and then imagine how it would go. "Yeah, a friend-I mean someone on that website I told you about? They told me, I mean wrote about it in their Trip Report. A TR- it's a trip report- is something you write to tell everyone about your trip. Yes they're interested! Oh, nevermind."


I look at Mr. Squid. He’s not clapping. He refuses to clap along with the audience because they’re “doing it wrong.” I can never remember what he wants everybody to do. Clap on the 1 and 3? The 2 and 4? I think it’s the 1 and 3. How do you tell what the 1 and 3 are?

My DH is the same way. He likes to clap, but he's the only one doing it right.




Back to the waiting area we go. They’re not here either. I head outside to call Mr. Squid’s cell and there they are. Right outside the door.

Hmmm. Didn’t think to check there.

oops.

Our name is called and back we go to the dining room.

nice picture!


“A burger with a hot dog on top. Doesn’t that sound cool?”

“That sounds disgusting.”

I agree with Squid.



We have one more must-do before we head over to the Boardwalk. The Great Movie Ride, Mr. Squid’s second favorite attraction after Carousel of Progress. Hey, he walks to the beat of a different drum.

The Great Movie Ride is not MY favorite though. In fact, it annoys me. Has anyone else noticed how the imagineers phoned it in when it came to creating female animatronics?

You make a good point


Mr. Squid and I look at each other. Charo is our tour guide! First Lucy Ricardo’s hobo voice at Ohana and now Charo at the Great Movie Ride! Awesome.

Great update!

 

[mmeb144]

You're right about the female animatronics. You'd think the team who could pull off Capt. Jack on Pirates could do a better Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins' animatronic should be practically perfect, after all!

 

[laura74]

I am loving this TR! I have laughed out loud and find that we share the same humor I love your take on things and feel as if we probably agree on a lot of stuff (except for the "uncute" shirt, that pic from sci-fi does not look too bad!)

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

Lisa

Thanks Lisa! And I see from your screen name that you like to cook too!

Bummer. I love thrill rides.

Me too. Although they're not very thrilling to read about, are they?

I'm pretty much done with the TV show myself, just couldn't get behind the kid who looked like Alfred E Neuman. Maddie really wants to see AIE though, we've got to fit it in one of these days.

I'm making everyone watch America's Got Talent because I'm a big Howard fan.

Same for me. I often begin to tell him something and then imagine how it would go. "Yeah, a friend-I mean someone on that website I told you about? They told me, I mean wrote about it in their Trip Report. A TR- it's a trip report- is something you write to tell everyone about your trip. Yes they're interested! Oh, nevermind."

I agree with Squid.

It was very unlike me but I was curious. It was pretty good but I don't think I"d order it again. Too much food.

Great update!

Thanks Shannon!

You're right about the female animatronics. You'd think the team who could pull off Capt. Jack on Pirates could do a better Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins' animatronic should be practically perfect, after all!

Good point!

 

[bankr63]

I see you shaking your head, thinking what kind of random plan is that? Where’s Toy Story Mania? Where’s Tower of Terror? Where’s the most awesome roller coaster at Disney, Rock and Roller Coaster????

I know, I know. We knew we’d have to skip Toy Story since we’re getting here so late and these too chickens aren’t going on anything that has Terror, Tower or Coaster in the name. So random touring it is.

Very different families ours! My kids LOVE thrill rides, and will drag me on every one they can. For some reason it's always DAD's job to accompany kids on the terror, er... thrill rides...

I like Toy Story, but I really dislike that pull-toy shooting mechanism. It makes my arm ache afterword and makes everyone look slightly… hmmm… how do I put this without sounding naughty? Never mind. My parents may be listening.

Thanks for THAT enduring image Laura. Ick, a ride full of adolescent boys pulling their... ropes! I don't think I can ever ride it again now. Unless I can avoid actually touching the vehicle while laughing hysterically as that image flashes through my brain...

We get to Star Tours, grab the passes and I see we have about 10 minutes before the show starts.

Mark this...

(Record screeching)

Josh from easywdw.com: I see we’re making a little progress here. At least you’re actually using a fastpass and you seem to have some sort of plan, pathetic as it is.

Laura74: I’m sure you don’t look at all pathetic walking around taking pictures of fastpass return signs.

Josh: It’s important work Laura74. Please don’t make a mockery of it. And please feel free to visit www.easywdw.com. Thank you.

And who is this Josh guy anyway? I may actually have to click that link one day and check it out.

A pretty teenage girl comes out next. She seems pretty nervous. She says she’s going to sing “This Is Me” from “Camp Rock.” That’s a pretty tough song. I’ll bet she’s good. And she seems nicer than that other kid. I hope I can vote for her.

She starts singing and oh my goodness. She is off key. Really off key. Off the charts off key. The poor thing. I feel terrible for her. She probably can’t hear herself now but she’ll have to watch that video at the end. Awwww.

Which is why I avoid this attraction like the plague. I am petrified that my DD will want to try out, and that would be her up there... (sweetie, if you EVER discover disboards and read this, I love you tons!! But don't try AIE 'cause that is the noise I am going to make...)

Nice hair Laura; cute top too...

I really like the improvements to this. It was fun and as close to a thrill ride as these two will allow.

Really?!? All that rushing for fastpasses, and long descriptions of the rides you DIDN'T take, and all we get for Star Tours is ONE SINGLE LINE?

Despite my disappointment in your description of Star Tours (which I still have not been on; the six moons of Antar have not yet aligned for us), that was a really fun report.

Thanks Laura

 

[laura74]

Very different families ours! My kids LOVE thrill rides, and will drag me on every one they can. For some reason it's always DAD's job to accompany kids on the terror, er... thrill rides...

If I want to ride a thrill ride with someone I have to make sure Druid is in the park go go with me.

Thanks for THAT enduring image Laura. Ick, a ride full of adolescent boys pulling their... ropes! I don't think I can ever ride it again now. Unless I can avoid actually touching the vehicle while laughing hysterically as that image flashes through my brain...

Ha ha! Sorry.

And who is this Josh guy anyway? I may actually have to click that link one day and check it out.

It's actually a really great Disney site and he's very funny. He posts free crowd calendars that I find are better than touring plans. He also goes out to the parks a lot and reports on the day. Very entertaining.

Which is why I avoid this attraction like the plague. I am petrified that my DD will want to try out, and that would be her up there... (sweetie, if you EVER discover disboards and read this, I love you tons!! But don't try AIE 'cause that is the noise I am going to make...)

Aw...

Really?!? All that rushing for fastpasses, and long descriptions of the rides you DIDN'T take, and all we get for Star Tours is ONE SINGLE LINE?

Despite my disappointment in your description of Star Tours (which I still have not been on; the six moons of Antar have not yet aligned for us), that was a really fun report.

I'm sorry. I guess I figure everyone knows about the rides. Blah, blah, blah. R2D2 was my pilot. Blah, blah, blah, it feels like you're flying through space and the space ship shakes when you get hit with a meteor. New 3-D effects are cool. Looks like things are flying at you. No, it doesn't smell like apple pie.

 

[laura74]

I just reread this thebloggess entry and had to share because she is brilliant. I dare you not to laugh.

http://thebloggess.com/2011/07/would-you-like-to-buy-a-monkey/

 

[jedijill]

I just reread this thebloggess entry and had to share because she is brilliant. I dare you not to laugh.

http://thebloggess.com/2011/07/would-you-like-to-buy-a-monkey/

OMG. I just peed my pants.

Jill in CO

 

[nowellsl]

I knew as soon as I started reading the blog it was the same person, read this one

http://thebloggess.com/2011/06/and-thats-why-you-should-learn-to-pick-your-battles/

It's been around on Pinterest! Hilarious!

 

[laura74]

OMG. I just peed my pants.

Jill in CO

Love her! I'm reading her book now.

I knew as soon as I started reading the blog it was the same person, read this one

http://thebloggess.com/2011/06/and-thats-why-you-should-learn-to-pick-your-battles/

It's been around on Pinterest! Hilarious!

Beyonce the chicken is another classic. Have you read her book?

Not Beyonce's. Jenny's?

 

[shan23877]

I just reread this thebloggess entry and had to share because she is brilliant. I dare you not to laugh.

http://thebloggess.com/2011/07/would-you-like-to-buy-a-monkey/

I was fully prepared not to laugh because I like a good challenge, but that was some funny sh**. Thanks for sharing that. I think I'll go strangle-or hug-someone.

 

[laura74]

I was fully prepared not to laugh because I like a good challenge, but that was some funny sh**. Thanks for sharing that. I think I'll go strangle-or hug-someone.

I know! I love her! Difficult to read at work though. I mean if I were to do that sort of thing.

 

[nowellsl]

Love her! I'm reading her book now.



Beyonce the chicken is another classic. Have you read her book?

Not Beyonce's. Jenny's?

I didn't know she had a book - I'll have to google it! She is great!

 

[laura74]

I didn't know she had a book - I'll have to google it! She is great!

I think it's on the bestseller list. "Let's Pretend This Never Happened"

 

[pkondz]

We arrive at Hollywood Studios and start walking toward the gate.

I usually sashay. But you go ahead and do what you gotta do.

We each have a must-do today.

I'm shocked that you would go out in public and muss your do.

oh, must do... disregard.

I see you shaking your head, thinking what kind of random plan is that? Where’s Toy Story Mania? Where’s Tower of Terror? Where’s the most awesome roller coaster at Disney, Rock and Roller Coaster????

Nope. I just wanna know what else you did to fill the day.

We knew we’d have to skip Toy Story since we’re getting here so late and these too chickens aren’t going on anything that has Terror, Tower or Coaster in the name. So random touring it is.

No Aerosmith? Actually my DW won't ride it anymore either, I don't think. The first (and last) time she rode it. She got out of the ride at the end and couldn't quite figure out why her vision was blurry. Then she found her contact lens stuck to her forehead.

We have no idea how it wound up there.

I like Toy Story, but I really dislike that pull-toy shooting mechanism. It makes my arm ache afterword and makes everyone look slightly… hmmm… how do I put this without sounding naughty? Never mind. My parents may be listening.

Young boys seem to be very good at this game. They play it over and over and over again.

Some of 'em like to ride Toy Story too.

And we’re off!

And we're off??? Isn't that a Nebo trademarked phrase? Did you ask permission to use it? You might be in some trouble here young lady.

I’m a fast walker by nature.

Me too.

As many times as I tell myself that I’m only as quick as the slowest member of my party, I can’t seem to slow down enough to match their pace.

You sound like me when I'm stuck in traffic. "You're only as slow as the moron at the front of the line."

Now that I have a mission, I’m even faster.

But only if you chose to accept it. Otherwise it will self destruct in 5 seconds.

I pull my daughter quickly through the crowds, weaving in and out of the slowpokes, the strollers, the lost and confused.

I think you've just described a way of identifying Disers from non.

“Mommy, I’m tired. Can’t we slow down?”

Slow down??? Where does she think she is? This is Disney! Slow down when you get back home.

“Nope. Sorry. We’ll slow down later. Look. There’s the theater. You can wait with Daddy.”

Atta girl.

“Just a little more fast walking and then we can relax you guys.”

Hah!

Josh from easywdw.com: I see we’re making a little progress here. At least you’re actually using a fastpass and you seem to have some sort of plan, pathetic as it is.

Laura74: I’m sure you don’t look at all pathetic walking around taking pictures of fastpass return signs.

Josh: It’s important work Laura74. Please don’t make a mockery of it. And please feel free to visit www.easywdw.com. Thank you.

pkondz is sitting idly by. Sipping a glass of wine. He calmly, slowly, deliberately rises from his chair, saunters casually over to Josh. And stuffs the cork in his pie hole.

There, doesn't everyone feel better now?

We get back to the theater just in time. Aaaaaaah seats. Aaaaaaah air conditioning.

There's not much better than coming into air conditioning out of the Florida heat.

The judges come out and I recognize the mean one from last year. As I recall he was just “Disney mean” though, and didn’t really say anything that would hurt anyone’s feelings. He mostly mocked their clothes.

Mocks their clothes? I can imagine, considering the average tourist wear that you normally see in the park that he must have a field day. I've never been to AIE and don't know if I ever will. Oh, probably some day.

The first contestant is a teenage guy singing “Mercy Me” and he does a good job. He’s on key and he gives it a nice modern edge. He seems a bit too pleased with himself though, a bit too smug. I hope one of the other two are better so I don’t have to vote for him.

Ugh. Smugness. I know I can come across that way from time to time. But that's because I've earned it!!!!

Kidding! Kidding! Ow! Stop it! I'm kidding!!!

Sheesh.

Anyway, what I was going to say before I got pelted, was I probably would've voted for someone else, no matter how good he was, if he was doing the smug dance.

I nudge Mr. Squid.

Who goes flying out of his chair. Writhing on the floor, an ambulance is called and he's carted away.

Some people just don't know their own strength.

She starts singing and oh my goodness. She is off key. Really off key. Off the charts off key.

And this from someone who professes not to have an ear for music.

The poor thing. I feel terrible for her. She probably can’t hear herself now but she’ll have to watch that video at the end. Awwww.

Well... maybe she's so off key because she's got the same ear you do. Maybe she'll listen and think, "Wow, I was really good. I don't know why I didn't win."

I've seen the TV show, and I'm sure some people think that.

He tells her that that’s 3 minutes of his life he’s not getting back and that he wants to remove his ears.

More ears. Maybe that's why they sell those Mickey ears all over the place?

What happened to “Disney mean?” That was “MEAN mean.”

What?

I mean what do you mean? Mean, mean I mean. Know what I mean?

I imagine his reaction. “You’re going to do what? You want to write a report? About vacation? For fun?”

I know just what you mean. I usually tell people that I'm writing a blog. No one seems to question that.

I look at Mr. Squid. He’s not clapping. He refuses to clap along with the audience because they’re “doing it wrong.”

I think in this case, majority rules. If everyone's clapping on the wrong count... then doesn't that make it the right count?

How do you tell what the 1 and 3 are?

Ask Monkston. She'll tell you that 1 and 3 equals four. Try counting on your fingers, it helps.

Trust me, I know.

Don't ask me to do more than 10 though.

I look at Monkston and she’s happily clapping along, clearly enjoying the performance.

And that right there makes it alllll worth while.

Monkston taps my arm and tells me she’s voting for her. Good girl, I think to myself. Can’t let that smirky kid win.

After the show, we walk over to Sci Fi Dine-in for lunch. This is our first visit here because previously we have always been on the dining plan and I didn’t think it made good use of our credits.

Hm. We went there with free Dining... because we wanted to.

We check in and I go off in search of the restroom while Monkston and Mr. Squid wait near the podium.

I walk in the ladies room and I spot the American Idol winner! Wow! Celebrity sighting at Disney!

“Hey, congratulations!” I say. “You were great! My daughter and I voted for you!”

She looks a little uneasy with my gushing. “Um, thanks.”

Well, if you're in a restroom and gushing, I'd be uneasy too.

I give the hostess my name and ask if she’s seated the rest of my party. She checks her chart and asks me to follow her.

I wonder what it was she was looking at on her chart that made her think they'd been seated? "Hm, I have these circles around these tables... I guess that means this lady's family have either been sat or didn't want to be near her uncute top."

She said it, not me.

We go into the dining room and man is it dark! It’s darker than the San Angel Inn! For the second time today, I think of my unmet friend Nebo and wonder how he would fare walking around here.

Well considering that he can't see unless it's high noon on a cloudless day during summer solstice.... Yeah, I'll buy that.

She walks over to an empty table. Not there.

Yup. Odds are that they are not going to be at a table where there's no one there. Did she stop and point to the empty chairs and ask, "Is this them?"

Up and down the aisles we go. My eyes try to adjust to the dark. I don’t see them anywhere.

They're at another table that has no people at it.

Back to the waiting area we go. They’re not here either. I head outside to call Mr. Squid’s cell and there they are. Right outside the door.

Hmmm. Didn’t think to check there.

That's just like my DW. If I turn around, she disappears. She's really good at doing that too.

1. Nice hair.
2. Nice picture... very nice in fact.
3. I'm a guy, I can't judge whether a shirt is cute or not.
4. I'm a guy, I can judge whether or not a woman wearing that shirt is cute or not.

What is a picnic burger you ask? Here’s allears’ description: flame broiled Angus burger patty topped with grilled hot dog, sauerkraut, and sauteed onions, drizzled with ketchup, mustard and crowned with a pickle spear, served with a choice of cucumber salad or french fries.

Sounds pretty weird, doesn’t it? I’ve heard good reviews though, so what the heck.

Sounds like it could be really good... or really, really bad. One of those, "You won't know unless you try it" kinda meals.

Mr. Squid asks me what I’m getting and I tell him.

He stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“You’re getting what?”

“A burger with a hot dog on top. Doesn’t that sound cool?”

“That sounds disgusting.”

Especially if you only order salads as a rule. He probably wanted to know who you were and what you'd done with the real Laura.

Apparently we should all have rotary phones with big TV screens attached to them.

Apparently? You mean you don't have one yet? Where have you been?

I’m not even going to try to pick this thing up because surely it will end up on my shirt, and cute though it is not, it will be made worse splattered with ketchup and sauerkraut.

Oh, yeah. That's hot. Nothing says sexy like a shirt splattered with condiments. Oh, baby. I swoon just thinking about it.

And if the tag fairy sees this, I'm in deep, deep trouble.

It’s huge and I can only finish half of it.

So would you say then that you ate an entire burger? Or an entire hotdog?

Monkston is enjoying her umpteenth cheese pizza

Sounds like our last visit. I think DD8 had mac 'n cheese for every single meal... every. single. day.

We’re too full to order dessert, so we pay our $137 check and walk over to Star Tours.

I think it's sad when people are too full for dessert. Perhaps there ought to be a support group of some sort. Undereaters anonymous, maybe.

"Hi, my name is Bob and I'm an undereater."
"<Hi Bob!>"
"Last week, I had free dining... and I didn't eat dessert... not once... but twice."
"<gasp!!!>"

I really like the improvements to this. It was fun and as close to a thrill ride as these two will allow.

Some day I'll try the new Star Tours. Is it really that much better?

We have one more must-do before we head over to the Boardwalk. The Great Movie Ride, Mr. Squid’s second favorite attraction after Carousel of Progress. Hey, he walks to the beat of a different drum.

The ho-hum drum? Wait, let me guess. His favorite ice cream is vanilla. Right? Right? I'm right, right? Right.

Has anyone else noticed how the imagineers phoned it in when it came to creating female animatronics?

Take a look at Mary Poppins.

Hey! Who's the dude dressed up like a woman?

Charo is our tour guide!

Cool! How does she look now?

“Mommy, I can’t understand what she’s saying.”

“Sshhhhh.”

We spend the rest of the ride not understanding anything Charo is saying.

I love the way you shush her so you can go on not understanding Charo undisturbed.

I think maybe she would have been better suited to playing Pooh over at the Animation Academy.

Or having pooh flung at her?

We decide to walk to the Boardwalk rather than take the boat. I need to burn a few calories after that lunch.

Calories? On vacation? Me no unnerstand.

Great chapter Laura!