"Do You Mind?" - Disney Adventures with Teens August Trip Report

[Planning fanatic mom]

Granma Bonnie, you keep right on writing. I love it.

You add a different perspective, and I like when you and Susan respond to each other.

I won't reply often, but I like to read.

We can't go this year

We are doing a week at a friend's condo at Myrtle Beach. MUCH CHEAPER!!!!

I will live vicariously through you and your family.

I looked last year for LGMH but couldn't find any. I wasn't brave enough to get my own.

Right now I'm helping my friend plan her trip next Dec. with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids. I should point her here. They've never been. I wish I could go and be the tour guide.

Looking forward to more!!!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

TY PFM,
I appreciate your comments. It's nice to know that even in retirement, I'm still educating, informing, and entertaining.
Maybe you ought to offer to be your friend's tour guide in exchange for R&B.
Just an idea.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

OK, I'm taking the time to review your Not to Be Missed List.

MAGIC KINGDOM

I agree with all the roller coaster rides. Even at my age. (I just have to remember to hold on to my 3rd and 4th eyes. (Glasses.) So bring on the mountains!

Remember that I have been there more recently than you. So I can tell you that it won't take much for you to get into the Buzz Lightyear's Spaceranger Spin. When we (Jo's family and I) went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, we must have gone on this ride nearly a half-dozen times. It's a ride with "two to a car", so one of us may have to share with a stranger or ride alone if allowed.

The Carousel of Progress has always been one of my favorites. I have noticed that through the years minor changes have been made, but only to keep it up to date. What was "current" in 1974 when we first saw it, is now some of the "old time" stuff that has been added.

What is a Dole Whip? It sounds like a virgin pina colada to me. I hope it is. I'll have two, thank you.

Well, I definitely have to spend some quality time at the Emporium on Main Street. Last time I bought the best piece of luggage I've ever owned. I absolutely love it even if it means that I am the only gray haired lady toting a piece of luggage with Mickey Mouse on it. All I can say is that it was one of the best $99 I spent at WDW....ever! Of course, it was Christmastime and I bought a "darling" hat which looks like a Christmas Tree adorned with vairous Disney characters and lights that flicker. I really get into the holidays! You have to know me, to know that the hat is typical for me. To know, know, know me, is to love, love, love me!!!! So I'm a little eccentric! That's one of the fun things about being a Senior Citizen!

Personally, I like the Jungle Cruise, the Country Bear Jamboree, the Hall of Presidents, It's a Small World, and of course, my favorite.... the Enchanted Tiki Room. If I remember correctly, there's a cute skit at the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon that includes Woody from Toy Story.

Well, enough writing for now. I'll tackle more of your plans later.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

I'm back to discuss EPCOT plans. BTW I've done 'Soaring' and it is great!

I agree with all of your above comments/plans, etc.

I have to say that when we took Jo's kids, we were prepared for them to be bored and to want to move through it quickly. But since you have last been to Epcot, it has been made more kid-friendly. They loved it so much that we went back a second day.

I love spending shopping time at each and every pavilion. I usually pick up a Christmas ornament in each. Although some don't sell them, I can always find some kind of trinket there to make into an ornament. (For those who don't know me, I collect Christmas tree ornaments.)

Going to Epcot at Christmastime is special because you learn of the different customs of celebrating the Holy Season. This was particularly interesting for the grandkids. They had opportunities to see how Santa looks in each different country.

We especially appreciated the people in the China Pavilion because at the time, Haley was rehearsing for her performance in "The King and I". The lovely Chinese ladies helped us to select just the right costume for Haley to wear in the play. As we were taking pictures of her in the costume, the ladies would bring all kinds of props for the picture. It was a fun time.

Another thing I always make a point to purchase at the China pavilion is several bars of their soap. I love, love, love their soap. I've also bought the same soap in NYC and Frisco ChinaTown shops.

One thing that I want to be sure to get is a henna tattoo. There was a kiosk outside the Morocco Pavilion, but when Joann and I went back to get the tattoos, the kiosk was closed.

I purchased a cuckoo clock at the Germany Pavilion, but it never seemed to work. I may get another one and not be so chintzy with my $$$. You get what you pay for and I didn't pay very much for the one I bought. I bought a small one that would be easy to pack. This time I'm going to have it shipped. You live and learn...... if you live long enough!

 

[swwake]

I just want to check in real quick. I am sorry that I haven't posted more plans or any responses to all of your great comments (Mom and everyone else). I do plan to do that. It will probably be later this weekend though. My work is (finally?) starting to get busy. Usually I am much busier by this time of tax season. Don't know what's up that's keeping me from working ridiculous hours, but I am sure not complaining.

On a quick other note, our dance instructor started teaching us the choreography for our showcase tonight. It is going to be a really fun routine, both to dance and to watch. I am no actress and have never been. I commented to Taletha that I feel like she insists on making me "cute" with this choreography (which I don't mind - I just feel out of my element). She corrected me and said "you're already 'cute', I might just make you cutER!" She also commented on my weight loss - it's great that someone noticed!!

See y'all soon. And I promise to respond to everyone. I am so thankful to have readers and people to bounce ideas off of.

NEXT UP: BREAKING NEWS!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

ANIMAL KINGDOM PLANS

I agree pretty much with everything you've listed. This seems to be where the most new additions are. There's a lot here I haven't seen. When I went to AK with y'all, it had only been opened two weeks and not everything was available. When I went with Jo's family, I was the "designated scare shield" for Haley. She was very "antsy" (I specifically chose that word since we are talking Animal Kingdom here.) about some of the activities. So if there was somethings she didn't want to see or do, I stayed with her in "a safe place." We usually found an ice cream stand or a shop to visit while the others were being entertained by "creatures of the animal world."

I can't let the part about Conservation Station pass by without remembering when you, Susan, were in the "I'm going to be a vet stage." Who will ever forget the Black Cat Story? (Here comes another Grandma Bonnie Story.)

Susan always had a magnetic attraction to animals. That was ok when we lived on a farm. But at the time in this story, we lived in a condo. So animals were kept to a minimum... a dog, a cat, and the "unmentioned bunny". (At this point, we have a Grandma Bonnie Sub-story.)

It was Easter Week and the girls were out of school for Good Friday. So they were out and about in the neighborhood with their friends. Saturday came and the whispers and giggles increased exponentially until I finally pinned them down and asked what was the secret.

After much prodding, Susan and Joann admitted that the day before they had pooled their money and bought me an Easter present. (How sweet!)

Later Saturday afternoon, Susan called me into her room and said, "Mom, we can't wait until tomorrow to give you your gift. So here it is!) With great flourish she opened the door to her closet and out hopped a real, live, breathing, (and pooping) bunny. The girls were so proud! I was so ????? (I can't even think of an appropriate adjective/adverb for how I felt.)

I thanked the girls for their thoughtfulness and explained that our condo was just not a good home for the bunny and asked where they got it. Apparently a neighbor was selling bunnies from her home for $10 each.

We walked the few blocks, bunny in our arms, to the neighbor's house and I explained that we really were not equipped to give the bunny an appropriate home. Then I sent the girls home with their $10. What they didn't know was that I remained and gave the neighbor lady a lecture on selling live pets to children without checking with their parents first. How rude! How inconsiderate! How stupid! How (this is where the reader can fill in the blank) _____________! (I like audience participation.)

Now to the Black Cat Story. So Susan was so intent on becoming a vet that she joined a Boy Scout Explorer Program. (Yes, Boy scout.) They let girls into the Explorer Program for some activities. She had a lot of experiences related to animal science. One of the activities was to acquire a dead cat from the University and (get ready, the following may gross you out) remove all body parts except the skeleton. (NOTE: If that was too much for you, you may wish to skip the next paragraph.)

I didn't have a big enough pot for the cat. So Susan "borrowed" a huge stew pot from her stepmother. I built a fire in our grill on the patio and we placed the cat in the stew pot with copious amounts of water and boiled the cat. We added more charcoal and water throughout the night and well into the next day. After several bags of charcoal and several gallons of water and hours and hours of lifting the lid to look for bones, we gave up. That black cat certainly had nine lives (even in death.)

FOOTNOTE: after the stepmother heard of how Susan used the stew pot, she told her it was a gift. So we threw it away. I don't remember what Susan did with the cat. But I never saw it again. And soon thereafter, Susan decided to become an accountant. End of Story.

 

[swwake]

I can't let the part about Conservation Station pass by without remembering when you, Susan, were in the "I'm going to be a vet stage." Who will ever forget the Black Cat Story?

Good thing I'm here to set the facts straight.

The cat story: This was an AP Biology project in my senior year in high school. We had dissected earthworms, frogs, a pig, a shark, and lastly a cat. After dissecting the cat, we could get extra credit by assembling the skeleton as a group project. In order to get to the skeleton, we had to boil the carcass to get the skin and other organs to fall off of the bones. That is what we were trying to do. I remember the stench was outrageous and I'm not sure why the neighbors didn't complain and the cops didn't show up. Mom was right - we were unsuccessful in getting the bones, so we missed our extra credit. Now, the question that remains is how my house got chosen to do this little project. Why not Michelle's or Ricky's or Jeff's? I will say we did have some good bonding times over that cat. All in the name of science.

Now, Mom mixed up her stories. I WAS part of an Explorer post in my Senior year. I WAS going to go to pre-vet at UT and vet school at UT or Auburn. I observed a cat neuter procedure at the vet's office as part of the Explorer post, followed by a german shepherd spay. That's what did it. As I observed, my knees were locked. I didn't realize it, but that restricted the blood flow. I got queezy on the large incision and moving the organs around inside and fainted. That was when I decided that I can hug and hold and cuddle and pet and love all kinds of animals all day long; I just don't think I'm cut out for surgical procedures.

By my Senior year in high school, I had all the credits I needed to graduate, had already been admitted to my chosen university, and had three periods to fill. I filled two periods with teachers' aide assignments and the third I filled with 1 semester of typing and 1 semester of accounting. Both of these were "Vo-Tech" classes that people took for fluff if they didn't want to work hard. They were easy A's. They were also among the best course decisions I ever made. Typing is invaluable. Accounting showed me a new world that I didn't know existed, which happened to be right up my alley! The rest is history!

Oh, and the bunny's name was Peanut Butter (like Haley's stuffed dog). He was cute and fluffy and loveable.

 

[dddisrunner]

Here's a picture of Caitlin that I lifted from her MySpace.

Caitlin is beautiful! I love the expression on her face!

I just want to check in real quick. I am sorry that I haven't posted more plans or any responses to all of your great comments (Mom and everyone else). I do plan to do that. It will probably be later this weekend though. My work is (finally?) starting to get busy. Usually I am much busier by this time of tax season. Don't know what's up that's keeping me from working ridiculous hours, but I am sure not complaining.

On a quick other note, our dance instructor started teaching us the choreography for our showcase tonight. It is going to be a really fun routine, both to dance and to watch. I am no actress and have never been. I commented to Taletha that I feel like she insists on making me "cute" with this choreography (which I don't mind - I just feel out of my element). She corrected me and said "you're already 'cute', I might just make you cutER!" She also commented on my weight loss - it's great that someone noticed!!

See y'all soon. And I promise to respond to everyone. I am so thankful to have readers and people to bounce ideas off of.

Good luck in the showcase!

Good thing I'm here to set the facts straight.

The cat story: This was an AP Biology project in my senior year in high school. We had dissected earthworms, frogs, a pig, a shark, and lastly a cat. After dissecting the cat, we could get extra credit by assembling the skeleton as a group project. In order to get to the skeleton, we had to boil the carcass to get the skin and other organs to fall off of the bones. That is what we were trying to do. I remember the stench was outrageous and I'm not sure why the neighbors didn't complain and the cops didn't show up. Mom was right - we were unsuccessful in getting the bones, so we missed our extra credit. Now, the question that remains is how my house got chosen to do this little project. Why not Michelle's or Ricky's or Jeff's? I will say we did have some good bonding times over that cat. All in the name of science.

Now, Mom mixed up her stories. I WAS part of an Explorer post in my Senior year. I WAS going to go to pre-vet at UT and vet school at UT or Auburn. I observed a cat neuter procedure at the vet's office as part of the Explorer post, followed by a german shepherd spay. That's what did it. As I observed, my knees were locked. I didn't realize it, but that restricted the blood flow. I got queezy on the large incision and moving the organs around inside and fainted. That was when I decided that I can hug and hold and cuddle and pet and love all kinds of animals all day long; I just don't think I'm cut out for surgical procedures.

By my Senior year in high school, I had all the credits I needed to graduate, had already been admitted to my chosen university, and had three periods to fill. I filled two periods with teachers' aide assignments and the third I filled with 1 semester of typing and 1 semester of accounting. Both of these were "Vo-Tech" classes that people took for fluff if they didn't want to work hard. They were easy A's. They were also among the best course decisions I ever made. Typing is invaluable. Accounting showed me a new world that I didn't know existed, which happened to be right up my alley! The rest is history!

Oh, and the bunny's name was Peanut Butter (like Haley's stuffed dog). He was cute and fluffy and loveable.

My roommate and I had to disect a cat my freshman year of college for an anatomy class. Can you imagine carrying a dead cat back and forth to the lab and hanging it outside your window at night when you didn't have time to bring it back to the lab Thank god it was the middle of the winter and thank god we lived on the 4th floor! Sounds almost cruel as I type this!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

DISNEY HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Your plans are fine with me. I would like to be able to do the Tower of Terror more than once. And I'm going to miss the old TV shows with audience participation. Why did they get rid of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Looking forward to my birthday at the Brown Derby. The park will always be the MGM Studios for me.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

DOWTOWN DISNEY, WATER PARKS, RESORTS

I never get enough time at DTD, so I'll probably go back while y'all are at the Water Parks. I usually hit the Christmas store and Raintree Forest Gift Shop. I need to spread my money around more. I'm all for hangin' at the resort pool if we get totally worn out. I'm not one to stay in the sun for long periods of time. First, I'm very pale and freckle instead of tan. Second, most of the meds I take say "stay out of the sun for prolonged periods of time." I do burn more easily while on those meds. I have to wear SPF 50 on my left arm if I'm going to drive for any length of time. Even with the window up. TMI, I know.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Whew! Huff, huff! Puff, puff! I'm finally caught up with your postings.

Thanks for correcting the cat story. Never would I want to impart false information.

Now I can surf some of the other Disney threads and just respond to your postings.

I'm reading the UG and having a lot of de ja vu moments. Perhaps, I'll comment on parts of it at a later date.

Ta ta for now.

 

[swwake]

BREAKING NEWS!!

La Nouba tickets came in the mail today! It all feels so real now! They are not so much tickets, rather credit cards. I haven't decided if that will make them more difficult or easier to keep up with. Hmm

8th row! Yippee!!

NEXT UP: DIAMOND HORSESHOE MUSINGS

 

[swwake]

I think the question isn't so much as to whether you are off the deep end or not - more, whether or not you WANT to meet other DIS'ers on your trip. I didn't think my dh would be too thrilled with random people coming up to us from the DIS, so I chose to avoid lime green entirely. (One of my favorite casual sweaters is lime green and aqua stripes, believe it or not - but I didn't pack it, even tho it was really cold that first day or 2!)

I agree with you. If I try to start scheduling and meeting DISers, we may not have time to enjoy the things we have planned. Random meetings even might slow us down, and we all know I have things that need to get done!! I wouldn't want to be rude to someone and say "I'm really sorry to interrupt, but I must get back to my FASTPASS." I also think my family will appreciate not being sidetracked by meeting people we don't really know. Now, would it stop me from wearing my fave sweater? I'm not sure I'd go that far. Maybe I would just pretend not to know the connection if I were asked while wearing my sweater.

That is so me. We are building a house right now, and I just get overwhelmed and cranky when confronted with to many choices!

I know. Isn't it amazing! I am not sure what causes it, other than maybe impatience. Enjoy building your home. It is alot of fun and quite rewarding.

Oops! I goofed. Being the accountant I'm surprised that you didn't catch it. Your grandmother is in her 10th. decade.

I have told you before, I don't do math. That is what calculators are for.

As far as all the books you've bought... slow down, save a tree! There's just so much you can read and the more you read, the more options..... get my gist???

I am ok with reading. Gives me something to do in my small amount of leisure time. I just bought 3 more books this week.

 

[swwake]

You and Chris may prefer appetizers, but I prefer desserts. Especially if ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, or sorbet is involved. But I seldom have enough room or appetite for dessert if the entree is good.

You will be right at home with Beaches & Cream right at our hotel!

I'm still looking forward to the KTK tour. (Did I get the acronym correct?) I am a little concerned about the girls being on their own, but they are good girls and Katie is wise beyond her years, so I think they will make good choices. And, after all, we WILL be in the same park, won't we?

I think it's KTTK. I'm really not worried about them inside MK while we're on the tour. We might run into them at some point even. I am sure we will have opportunities to give a call and check on them during our breaks. They are very excited about getting to the park for "rope drop" and riding a few rides (maybe a few times) without long lines.

As for surfing lessons at Typhoon Lagoon, count me out. I have enough trouble surfing the internet. Sounds like a good day for me to shop.

You may want to shop while we surf, but I'm thinking you will more likely be sleeping, since we would go at 6am and be done by 9am. I think you should plan to meet us for breakfast, either at BC or at Kona for Tonga Toast.

You are correct. We never did any character meals. I couldn't afford them.

I know we didn't with you, but even when we took Katie, we didn't do any. That would have been me affording them, and I guess it just wasn't a priority.

I thought we went to a restaurant at Wilderness Village when we were there for a weekend. Is this the same as WCC?

We went to the Hoop De Doo Musical Review at Fort Wilderness. For some reason, I think we were seated around the corner from all the action. We have pictures of Katie where it looks like she was really enjoying herself, but I really don't remember it being much fun. I have fonder memories of the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon.

Bar-b-cue? What about Memphis bar-b-cue?

Nothing even compares to Memphis barbecue. Nothing else should be allowed to be called barbecue. But we have domiciled in Texas and now barbecue means beef to us. Looks like what they serve at the WCC.

What do you mean some "very formal meals?" Am I going to have to pack heels and a dress?

Did I say that? I don't remember, but we are not doing Victoria and Albert's and that's the only one where I think a jacket (and maybe tie?) are required. We are eating at a couple of places with "business casual" dress code (blue zoo, California Grill), but to Disney, that apparently means "no tank tops, no cut-off shorts". Almost an Austin vibe, so we'll be right at home. I don't think any dresses are necessary.

Granma Bonnie, you keep right on writing. I love it.

You add a different perspective, and I like when you and Susan respond to each other.

I won't reply often, but I like to read.

We can't go this year

We are doing a week at a friend's condo at Myrtle Beach. MUCH CHEAPER!!!!

I will live vicariously through you and your family.

I looked last year for LGMH but couldn't find any. I wasn't brave enough to get my own.

Right now I'm helping my friend plan her trip next Dec. with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids. I should point her here. They've never been. I wish I could go and be the tour guide.

Looking forward to more!!!

Reply all you want! I love contributors! Sorry you can't go this year. but you are welcome to live vicariously through us. I agree with Mom that you should hitchhike on the trip with your friend. I KNOW they would have a better time if you were along as a personal VIP tour guide!

 

[swwake]

Remember that I have been there more recently than you. So I can tell you that it won't take much for you to get into the Buzz Lightyear's Spaceranger Spin. When we (Jo's family and I) went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, we must have gone on this ride nearly a half-dozen times. It's a ride with "two to a car", so one of us may have to share with a stranger or ride alone if allowed.

I didn't realize alot of these things aren't just brand new. I guess anything under 10 years old is brand new to me. There are probably attractions that have come and gone since we last went! Keep in mind that you were there during a slower time, so the lines were likely not as long as what we will encounter. Buzz is a FASTPASS attraction, so I am thinking there are regular lines there.

I'm sure there will be lots of rides that we will have to "split up" for. I remember several (Haunted Mansion? Spaceship Earth?) where they were 2-seaters.

The Carousel of Progress has always been one of my favorites. I have noticed that through the years minor changes have been made, but only to keep it up to date. What was "current" in 1974 when we first saw it, is now some of the "old time" stuff that has been added.

OK so - question for you. I remember way back when that when you finished Space Mountain (I really think it was SM, but I could be wrong.), you rode a moving sidewalk through the "Home of the Future". It had kind-of skewed octagonal rooms with small white walls and we were watching a family live in that home. They seemed to be the same family from COP. I remember things like a...

wait for it...








"MICROWAVE" Can you believe it?! And I think a projection TV and some automatic window blinds. So my question - do you remember this? I think it was not there the last few times I've gone.

What is a Dole Whip? It sounds like a virgin pina colada to me. I hope it is. I'll have two, thank you.

I will try to find a description and a picture for you. Everyone on the DIS RAVES about these. I believe it's dole ice cream with pineapple juice. I think you can get it at Aloha Isle in Adventureland (?) and maybe somewhere in Tomorrowland too. I will find out.

Well, I definitely have to spend some quality time at the Emporium on Main Street.

I remember the Emporium from one of the last two trips. I really like it. We spent alot of time in there. I just read that they have recently expanded the store!! But alas, I believe that was "recently" in 2003. So you have probably already experienced that as well.

Personally, I like the Jungle Cruise, the Country Bear Jamboree, the Hall of Presidents, It's a Small World, and of course, my favorite.... the Enchanted Tiki Room. If I remember correctly, there's a cute skit at the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon that includes Woody from Toy Story.

Jungle Cruise - I like it too, as long as you get a tour guide who is playing along. Last time I saw CBJ, I thought the bears were old and had lost some of the magic, but if you want to do that, we will put it on the NTBM list. I think I had Enchanted Tiki Room on the NTBM list, but if not, I will add it. Have you been there since they have been under new management? My understanding is that Iago and Zazu are now integrated and they have included "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin. Katie, having been a geniette in Aladdin, will know that song and sing right along!

Diamond Horseshoe - "In 2005 the saloon was turned into a facility for private functions, leaving the entire Adventureland/Frontierland/Liberty Square side of the park without a permanent facility for live entertainment. Though the last couple of Diamond Horseshoe productions were appallingly lame, the closure of the saloon caught many Disney failthful off guard." (from UG 2008)

I'm back to discuss EPCOT plans. BTW I've done 'Soaring' and it is great!

I can't believe you have done that too! Everyone talks about it like it just started yesterday and it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. So we won't be disappointed?

I have to say that when we took Jo's kids, we were prepared for them to be bored and to want to move through it quickly. But since you have last been to Epcot, it has been made more kid-friendly. They loved it so much that we went back a second day.

Honestly, I think Katie and Caitlin will really enjoy all of Epcot, including the World Showcase. Katie's quite interested in traveling the world, and she wants to be an architect, so she will likely be highly interested in the different pavilions. But I know that when we can't find them, we will have to look no farther than Club Cool. They are both Coca Cola addicts!

One thing that I want to be sure to get is a henna tattoo. There was a kiosk outside the Morocco Pavilion, but when Joann and I went back to get the tattoos, the kiosk was closed.

Ok we will put your henna tattoo on the NTBM list. This one should be easy, since you (or we) can walk right over there any day.

I purchased a cuckoo clock at the Germany Pavilion, but it never seemed to work. I may get another one and not be so chintzy with my $$$. You get what you pay for and I didn't pay very much for the one I bought. I bought a small one that would be easy to pack. This time I'm going to have it shipped. You live and learn...... if you live long enough!

I think you bought that one when we were there in '97, didn't you? And I agree, have it shipped.

 

[swwake]

I just found something interesting about the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon. At allears.net: "The Diamond Horseshoe in the Magic Kingdom is currently serving lunch from 11am to 4pm during the busy President’s week. Premade sandwiches, a Caesar Salad, and drinks are available. I asked a cast member if this was a permanent arrangement and I was told that this venue would be used occasionally throughout the year during busy times. The Disney Dining Plan is accepted here." Here's a link to pics I think I would be sad to eat pre-packaged food in there with an empty stage, remembering how vibrant things used to be

NEXT UP: That's the plan anyway...

 

[swwake]

When I went to AK with y'all, it had only been opened two weeks and not everything was available. When I went with Jo's family, I was the "designated scare shield" for Haley.

Great, then this will be mostly new for all of us. I remember that there really wasn't much for us to do that day when we went in '98. I didn't remember that it had only been open 2 weeks. I really think all there was were the "It's Tough to Be a Bug" and Rainforest Cafe on the outside. I remember the Lion King show and meeting Mickey (probably because we have pics of that!) I have SO got to dig out my pics and scan them to post here. How fun would that be?? Well, this time you'll get to do the stuff you didn't when you were with Haley. I remember that Katie couldn't do Dinosaur when we went before - she wasn't tall enough, so I think you stayed back with her then.

Caitlin is beautiful! I love the expression on her face!

I would say "thanks" but since she's not mine, I don't think I can claim that. She is a cutie kid. It's been fun to watch her grow over the years. Last summer, Katie pulled out some old video she and Caitlin had made when they were 7 or 8 and it was hysterical!! That face - we call it "MySpace Face". For whatever reason, that's what they all do!

Good luck in the showcase!

Thanks! We are looking forward to it. We have alot to learn, but plenty of time. Taletha says we will learn from bottom-up. She says we will teach our feet to do what they are supposed to, then add hands and arms, finally adding styling. I can already tell it is going to be lots of fun! It's not 'til June 8th, so it's awhile off from now.

My roommate and I had to disect a cat my freshman year of college for an anatomy class. Can you imagine carrying a dead cat back and forth to the lab and hanging it outside your window at night when you didn't have time to bring it back to the lab Thank god it was the middle of the winter and thank god we lived on the 4th floor! Sounds almost cruel as I type this!

That's funny - so I'm not the only one! Did it draw flies hanging outside? I think we tried to boil that thing for a whole weekend and didn't get the skeleton out. Someone in the class the year before us was successful, because I remember a cat skeleton in the class. Wish I could remember that Bio teacher's name. Oh yeah! Mr. Rogers!! I remember now! He called me "Grum" because he liked to mispronounce my name. Last name was Grumme, pronounced like Crummy. Or Dummy.

Your plans are fine with me. I would like to be able to do the Tower of Terror more than once. And I'm going to miss the old TV shows with audience participation. Why did they get rid of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Looking forward to my birthday at the Brown Derby. The park will always be the MGM Studios for me.

I think we will all want to do ToT more than once. I think they have fixed it so that it is never the same experience twice now. (Number of drops, extent of drops, etc.) I don't know what happened to that old TV show thing. I enjoyed that too - but I thought you did the Ethel thing the time we were there?? We never saw Millionaire - must be one of those things that came and went in the past 10 years. They should probably have American Idol by the time we get there. Maybe we will check that out. I understand that Toy Story Mania is taking over the space once occupied by Millionaire (and more!). I am really looking forward to that - hope it's open. I read a good article on it here.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Hello,

I don't know how to do the quote in the yellow box thing. If someone would like to take the time to explain to me, I would appreciate it.

Anyway, Dole Whips are in Adventureland. They are amazing. My family picked on me something awful about putting this on the MTBM list. Then after they had one, they still rank it as the best snack. 3 of us got the pinapple and 1 got the chocolate. The chocolate was amazing. One should buy pinapple and one chocolate and then share.

Soarin' is really cool. However, FP go quickly, so get yours fast. I'm not a huge fan of MS, so I went and got the FP for Soarin' and met the family at TT. Don't forget to inhale through your nose during the ride.

Although tagging along on my friend's trip would be amazing, I certainly wouldn't want to impose. I'm enjoying her enthusiaism. I send her a Disney Tip of the day through e-mail. I don't make them everyday, but a couple times a week.

Have a great Sunday!!

 

[swwake]

I don't know how to do the quote in the yellow box thing. If someone would like to take the time to explain to me, I would appreciate it.

Not a problem. On the bottom right corner of each person's post, there are two buttons. One says "Quote". If you click that, it will open a reply window and will have the person's message already in there with some code around it. You can edit what's in the middle, if, for example, you only want to respond to one thing in the post and you don't want to take up space by re-posting the whole person's post.

The next button to the right is smaller, looks like it has a little letter on it and great big quote signs like this ". Well, sorta. If you want to quote several people's posts, or several different posts in a single reply post, you can click this button on the bottom of each post and then hit the "reply" button on the bottom left side of the whole page. When you do that, again it opens a reply window with all the various quotes all set up inside code. You just click in between the quotes and type away.

Try it out.

Anyway, Dole Whips are in Adventureland. They are amazing. My family picked on me something awful about putting this on the MTBM list. Then after they had one, they still rank it as the best snack. 3 of us got the pinapple and 1 got the chocolate. The chocolate was amazing. One should buy pinapple and one chocolate and then share.

Thanks for the info on location. We will definitely be getting those. I am a certified chocoholic so we will try one of each.

Soarin' is really cool. However, FP go quickly, so get yours fast. I'm not a huge fan of MS, so I went and got the FP for Soarin' and met the family at TT. Don't forget to inhale through your nose during the ride.

I think I had read that somewhere - something about orange groves? I guess this takes the place of the scents that used to be in the Horizons ride where Mission: Space is now.

Although tagging along on my friend's trip would be amazing, I certainly wouldn't want to impose. I'm enjoying her enthusiaism. I send her a Disney Tip of the day through e-mail. I don't make them everyday, but a couple times a week.

Tip of the day - Great idea!

 

[Donald is #1]

I will try to find a description and a picture for you. Everyone on the DIS RAVES about these. I believe it's dole ice cream with pineapple juice. I think you can get it at Aloha Isle in Adventureland (?) and maybe somewhere in Tomorrowland too. I will find out.

Well I think that I am the only Diser that was under-whelmed by these. After reading all the reports about them, I made sure that I had one during my Oct 06 trip and my response was: Gee, this is good soft serve ice cream but nothing great. Of course this is a personal opinion. On the positive side, I also tried the school bread in Norway on the same trip and became addicted.

I can't believe you have done that too! Everyone talks about it like it just started yesterday and it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. So we won't be disappointed?

Soaring is an awesome ride! I just love it!

Ok we will put your henna tattoo on the NTBM list. This one should be easy, since you (or we) can walk right over there any day.

My sister did the henna tattoo during our trip last October and she ended up being disappointed in it. The color was un-even and started wearing off that night. She had her hand done. So of course it gets used and rubbed all the time. So that may have been the reason of the early disappearance. Maybe doing your arm or your leg would work better?