Episode MMXIV: We Don't Say Goodbye, We Say Kwahirini (updated 2/28)

[khaleesi]

Hi Sue! I am FINALLY trying to get caught up. So sorry for the apparently lack of being able to catch up lately. (And now that I've peeked at your blog, I'm even slower to respond since I was busy reading through it! Love it!)

Bear with me, I had a lot of catching up to do.

No worries!! And I love knowing that people are reading my blog!!

How fun to see the Beauty & the Beast stage production. Loved the Sheldon reference for the chair. We saw BatB on stage at the OC Performing Arts Center when Em was little and I cherish that memory of her watching her first stage show at 4 and loving it! There's NO WAY I'd recycle my copy of the playbill. What are people thinking to toss those aside. I'd likely frame it.

Awww! What a fun memory!! Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is coming in the fall and I'm hoping I can convince someone to go!

Ha ha! The key under the mat for Muppets 3D, I've missed it every trip until this last one. Looks like that can go on your list for next time.

Definitely on my list!!! It seemed so simple at the time, but I guess it helps to know where to look. LOL!

That's great to do Start Tours back-to-back-to-back! I love the underwater scene. Shamefully I'm not as much a SW fan so I don't know all the characters and locations but I do was alive for the "original" SW movie that ran for a year straight at our local theater when I was young.

That's cool that you are the proud owner of the SW iron-on transfer! Perfect for your SW adventures at DHS.

It was fun being able to just walk right back on it and I sooo love how they've updated it! I loved the old version. I want the new version in my house so I can ride it whenever I want! Haha. And the shirt was absolutely perfect! I was so excited about it!

Your ToT Magic shot with Chip is so cute. When they have you pose you have no idea what character will land in your hand. It's appropriate that the BatB theater is in the back.

I was really happy with it It's such a cool concept, too. I've seen online tutorials where you can photoshop your own picture to add something to it, but I much prefer doing it this way!

Very impressive that the animation instructor recognized Walt's bday - even in Feb. It may have been mentioned already but at the Animation Bldg in DCA they have a set rotation of the characters that they draw. There's a board out front with the schedule so there's no voting. You can simply decide which class to attend. And YES, you Minnie is frame worthy! I'm impressed!

Knowing your character ahead of time would be fun, too. That way you know you're getting someone you like. Probably would have prevented all the disappointed little boys in my class. Haha. Thank you! I am very proud of her!!

Ahhh tea at G Flo. I LOVE those occasions. Looks like a lovely time to spend at that beautiful resort. I think Em and I had Rachael as our server there once. She was young and adorable. No salmon sandwich for me either. Ick. I sub PB&J. My favorite sandwich is the chicken curry or egg salad - it varies by my mood. Today I'm craving that chicken curry now that I've ready your update.

I remember reading your review and I think you're right about Rachael. What's funny is that I never, ever make them for myself but after reading YOUR comment I'd craving PBJ! LOL.

Awwww you ARE a princess. Cute Solly and Mike photo. I'm 50 and a CM kept calling me that on one of my trips last year.

Hehe. I definitely like to think I am! LOL. It's one of my favorite pictures! And you are definitely royalty!!!

Oh man! That cupcake looks awesome. I love that it is so iconic with the sorcerer hat for that park.

It was really good!! And I agree about the sorcerer hat!!!

I hope you are having a great weekend!

Thanks Brenda!! Right back at ya!

When you mentioned chatting with the CM, it just reminds me how I feel like at Disney things are so different - like you just share a bond with everyone there. I truly am the same way. I dread making phone calls or talking to people I don't know - I hate going into small stores because I'm afraid someone will ask me if I need help! But at Disney I can chat with people without a problem!

I agree on every single point!! Funny story... we were just talking at work (and by "talking" I mean "everyone was laughing at me"... ) about eating at Moe's. I *think* this is a national chain, but in case it's not... it's pseudo-Mexican and when you walk in the staff all yell out "Welcome to Moe's!!". It totally freaks me out and I never go there because of it!

What an amazing meet and greet with Mike and Sully! I still haven't quite found their M&G area so I haven't seen them. I must try to do that sometime. Your story is so sweet and the M&G, and I love the fact that your profile pic covered up Mike - that's so perfect!

Ooh that cupcake looks so good!

You definitely should try to find it! The area itself is really cute with the bulletin boards and they lockers and stuff. It's adorable. I'm knew my Dis friends would appreciate Mike being covered up.

It was very good!!!

I'm finally getting caught up all over the boards. Sorry it too me so long!
I've always wanted to take my book and search for hidden Mickeys for a bit. Sounds like fun! And like you said, you get to look more closely at buildings and scenery.
Aww I love the Singing in the Rain pic! I'm glad you asked the couple to take your picture!
Star Night looks like it was a lot of fun!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Hakuna matata!

Looking for the Mickeys was fun! A lot of them are difficult to photograph and I love having evidence. But over all it's one of those things that make me NOT understand how anyone could ever get bored at Disney World. I could have spent my entire trip doing nothing but looking for hidden Mickeys. I'm a big fan of details!!

I'm glad I asked too!!!! It's one of my absolute favorite pictures of me EVER!!!!

Star Wars Night was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[khaleesi]

Day Three, Part Seven​

This final DHS update is, unfortunately, going to be a lot of words without a lot of pictures. I didn't plan very well!

After eating, I was time for my Toy Story Midway Mania FP+. This would be my first time experiencing this, and quite honestly I wasn't sure it would live up to the hype.

I sailed through the FP+ line, which was actually a little disappointing because I would have liked to take in the details a little closer. But I did wind up with two pictures.

I used to love my View Master! I had so many sets of the slides when I was younger and this just made me smile because it reminded me of my childhood. I know 50's Primetime has the ViewMaster dessert catalog, but I don't think they were doing that the time I ate there. Such a fun idea!

Lotso. Quite possibly the meanest villain in any Disney movie!!!

So, I hop into my seat and it took me a second to truly figure out what I was supposed to do. But once I got the hang of it, I LOVED it!!!! I totally understand why people are willing to stand in long lines for this! I will say that I think I would like it better without the aspect but it still absolutely lived up to the hype!

And.... well... I *barely* beat the non-existent person sitting next to me. But hey, I won a bunny!

When it was over, it was time to start heading toward Fantasmic. I have never seen this, but my sister loves it. So as I started walking that way, I realized that EVERYONE ELSE was doing the exact same thing. And I totally panicked.

So.... instead I headed toward the exist

I simply cannot handle crowds like that. If I had been with someone, it would have been different. But I just couldn't do it. And I'm perfectly fine with that decision. So my plan all along was that when I finished this update, I would see if I could find a good YouTube video of it. So I'll be doing that tonight.

Now, the logical thing would probably have been to head back to TSMM and ride it one more time, but once the decision was made to be done... well, I was done.

I had to hit up a gift shop on my way out because before I left for my vacation, I passed out Oscar ballots to all my coworkers and promised that the winner would receive a prize direct from Hollywood Studios. I wound up buying a bag of popcorn, which I thought was appropriate for the movies!

As I was cashing out, I asked the CM whose name was Alejandro if I could see his pins. I traded for a Magic Kingdom pin that I didn't love but I was enjoying this whole pin trading thing. Well, the CM working next to him asked if I wanted to see his as well. So I immediately trade Alejandro's pin for a different. Poor Alejandro told me I broke his heart.

I popped into another shop and wound up picking up my favorite souvenir of the trip:

I LOVE this ring!!!!! It's so me and it's so subtle and whenever someone sees it they gush.

On the bus ride home, a lady was very excited because her son was picked for the Jedi Training Academy. It was really cute, because it's entirely possible that she was more excited than he was.

I walked through the hotel gift shop and picked up another present for myself that I will share later because it goes along with something I would wind up buying the next day.

The CM who cashed me out was an older gentleman named Neil. He asked where I was from and when I told him "Buffalo" his response was, "oh, so are you staying until July? Or August?" I wish you all could have seen the look on his face when I told him that I actually MISSED the cold weather and that I would never survive July in Florida. It was hilarious!

I traded away The-Pin-That-Broke-Alejandro's-Heart because one of the CMs had an Animal pin that I knew my coworker would love.

I put my purchases away, grabbed a towel, and dipped my piggy toes into the swimming pool for a couple minutes before heading to bed.

Total steps: 23,248
Miles: 9.73

 

[MEK]

BUT YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great picture and good for you for asking someone to take it! I find that people are always willing to take pics for other people at Disney. It's a great thing.

OMG - that's the second picture of that cupcake I've seen in less than 24 hours. It really does looking so cute and so tasty!

 

[MEK]

I love your ring. That's so cute.

Poor Alejandro. Can't believe you broke his heart like that.

That's a lot of miles you walked! Way to go!

 

[teekathepony]

YAY! I love when people think that things live up to their hype. It's always a little further justification for me and my obsessions. (Seeeee? Sue likes TSM too!)
Yikes, I'm sorry that you opted out of Fantasmic, but I would have done the same. I have to admit though... Fantasmic? Not a fan.
Cute story about the pin trading and trading off the pin that broke Alejandro's heart!
Your ring is adorable. I love subtle Mickey jewelery.
WOW that's a lot of steps!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

You know Sue, I don't think I've yet to go through the real TSM queue. I feel like I've missed a lot, but no wait seems to be more important to me.

Look at it this way... you still won on your very first ride!

Aww I'm sorry you didn't see Fantasmic. The crowds are intimidating for sure. But oh my Lord it is so worth it. Hopefully you'll see it some day.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I was pretty skeptical too when we went on TSMM for the very first time a few years ago. Now it's an absolute must!

I think I too would be far more excited than my kids if either of them got to participate in Jedi Training!

 

[jenninaustin]

Ok - I'm only on p. 5 but I'm so glad you posted on my TR, not just because it means someone is reading it but also b/c that put me in touch with you so I could read your TR!

I have SO MANY things to say but I'll try not to babble too much:
- I want to go on a trip to WDW by myself SO MUCH
- Your food bucket list matched mine EXACTLY (b/c of reading these boards): strawberry shortcake at sunshine seasons (yum!), School bread (yum!), and the caramel shop in Germany (OMG - yum)
and....

The reference to soft kitty with the Tiger? PERFECTION!!!

Ok....I'll go back to work now so I don't get in trouble but I'll try to finish your report over the next few nights! Love your writing and your Disney attitude! (It's mine too. It's all in what you bring to the parks!)

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Glad you enjoyed TSMM! In some ways I wish it wasn't such a good ride - then I wouldn't have to deal with the lines or FP+/-, etc.

Sorry the crowds got to you and you weren't able to make it to Fantasmic! but very cool that you were comfortable with your decision!

Aw, you little heart breaker Sue!

That is a great ring! I totally know what you mean about being subtle but interesting enough to catch people's eye

 

[khaleesi]

Great picture and good for you for asking someone to take it! I find that people are always willing to take pics for other people at Disney. It's a great thing.

OMG - that's the second picture of that cupcake I've seen in less than 24 hours. It really does looking so cute and so tasty!

Thanks!!! It's my HAPPY picture!!! I don't generally consider myself to be calm and carefree, but that is exactly how I feel when I look at that pic.

The cupcake was really good!!!

I love your ring. That's so cute.

Poor Alejandro. Can't believe you broke his heart like that.

That's a lot of miles you walked! Way to go!

The ring is my favorite souvenir from the entire trip! And I almost didn't see it... I was actually looking for a bead for my charm bracelet but decided I needed the ring more.

I know. I hope he's recovering. Hahaha.

Wait until you see my MK day totals!! Hehe.

YAY! I love when people think that things live up to their hype. It's always a little further justification for me and my obsessions. (Seeeee? Sue likes TSM too!)
Yikes, I'm sorry that you opted out of Fantasmic, but I would have done the same. I have to admit though... Fantasmic? Not a fan.
Cute story about the pin trading and trading off the pin that broke Alejandro's heart!
Your ring is adorable. I love subtle Mickey jewelery.
WOW that's a lot of steps!!

I know EXACTLY what you mean!! I definitely like being validated. Haha.

My sister LOVES it... I thought the YouTube video I found was pretty cool. I definitely want to see it in person, but maybe I have to be rich and famous first so I can get my own private viewing.

I'm so glad I took the time to document some of this stuff, because otherwise I never would have remembered the story about breaking Al's heart.

You know Sue, I don't think I've yet to go through the real TSM queue. I feel like I've missed a lot, but no wait seems to be more important to me.

Look at it this way... you still won on your very first ride!

Aww I'm sorry you didn't see Fantasmic. The crowds are intimidating for sure. But oh my Lord it is so worth it. Hopefully you'll see it some day.

I like the way you think! I DID win on my first ride!! GO ME!!!! Hehe.

Maybe I need to save Fantasmic for a trip with the family. That way I can grab onto someone if I need to. And since my sister loves it, that makes perfect sense to me!

I was pretty skeptical too when we went on TSMM for the very first time a few years ago. Now it's an absolute must!

I think I too would be far more excited than my kids if either of them got to participate in Jedi Training!

I tend to be underwhelmed by things that get hyped up, so I'm so glad I enjoyed TSMM so much!

Jedi Training makes me want to have kids. Just so I can make them do things that I'm too old to do.

Ok - I'm only on p. 5 but I'm so glad you posted on my TR, not just because it means someone is reading it but also b/c that put me in touch with you so I could read your TR!

I have SO MANY things to say but I'll try not to babble too much:
- I want to go on a trip to WDW by myself SO MUCH
- Your food bucket list matched mine EXACTLY (b/c of reading these boards): strawberry shortcake at sunshine seasons (yum!), School bread (yum!), and the caramel shop in Germany (OMG - yum)
and....

The reference to soft kitty with the Tiger? PERFECTION!!!

Ok....I'll go back to work now so I don't get in trouble but I'll try to finish your report over the next few nights! Love your writing and your Disney attitude! (It's mine too. It's all in what you bring to the parks!)

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!! So glad you popped over, my newest FB friend! Doing Disney solo is something you absolutely must experience! I had the absolute best time. My last trip was solo as well, and that was also so amazing. Being able to do MY thing in my favorite place is like nothing I can even describe. I absolutely love being there with my loved ones but having the freedom to do anything I want without worrying about making sure everyone else has a good time is exhilarating.

I tell everyone Sheldon is my boyfriend. We are so much alike.

Glad you enjoyed TSMM! In some ways I wish it wasn't such a good ride - then I wouldn't have to deal with the lines or FP+/-, etc.

Sorry the crowds got to you and you weren't able to make it to Fantasmic! but very cool that you were comfortable with your decision!

Aw, you little heart breaker Sue!

That is a great ring! I totally know what you mean about being subtle but interesting enough to catch people's eye

Thanks!! It's one of those things that since I didn't know what to expect with TSMM I wouldn't really have been let down if I didn't like it because I was sort of cautious going into it... so enjoying it so much was a huge bonus!

Yeah... crowds are not my friend. LOL. And it just gives me something to look forward to in the future!

I know, poor Alejandro. I should write him a letter!

That ring just makes me happy. I will wind up throwing the subtlety right out the window with some other purchases. Hehe.

 

[khaleesi]

Happy Tuesday, everyone!!! I wanted to pop in for a minute and tell everyone about the book I've been reading. It's entirely possible that everyone already knows about it, since it was published last year.

But it's new to me and it is making my heart all melty. In a good way.

It's called "3500: An Autistic Boy's Ten Year Romance with Snow White". Here is a link to the book on Goodreads. It's super easy to read and in some ways kind of reads like a trip report. But it's heartwarming... especially when the author starts talking about the CMs at Disney World.

I couldn't NOT share this with you guys. This is the stuff that gets me through the day when I'm feeling blah. Stories of hope and magic and pixie dust!

 

[jenninaustin]

Day Three, Part Five​

When I got back into the park, I headed straight for the attraction that I think should be a requirement of anyone entering the gates of DHS.

One Man's Dream

Before I walked through though, the CM standing outside noticed my button and asked about it. So we chatted about that for a couple minutes. It's weird, because I usually hate talking about myself. And I don't like to talking to people I don't know. I tend to avoid it at all costs. I'm the person who hate it when I call a phone number and can't just push buttons to get my answers. When an actual person answers, I get all flustered. So awkward. But... this all perfectly normal. And when someone you don't know tells you, "well I'm really glad you're here" with the utmost sincerity, it makes me want to just at anyone who doesn't understand the Disney obsession. Anyway.

Then I just got lost in the awesomeness that is Walter Elias Disney.

I guess I don't have to try to explain to anyone reading this how it makes me feel. Which is a good thing, because I just can't put it into words. So I'll just post some pictures.

I would love a desk like that.

I wandered around in here for a REALLY long time, discovering things I don't remember seeing before. I'm so glad they included this in the park. I didn't stay for the movie, but I have seen it before. Mainly because I spent so much time looking at the displays that I was cutting it close to get to an M&G I really wanted to do.

There was already a pretty good line when I got there, but it wasn't terrible. And I'm really glad I stayed.

The displays cracked me up, especially this one with the UPC code right over Mike's face, just like in the movie:

It was finally my turn, and I gotta say the photopass photog at this M&G was the smartest one ever. He kept calling me "princess". Yes, I'm 42 years old and this absolutely made my day!

Princess

Why yes, I am. Thank you

And you'll notice that once again, my Kenobi-lightsaber-colored tshirt was a perfect match!

This wound up being one of my favorite M&Gs from the whole trip. These two were awesome, and the PP photog was really good too (not surprising, since he recognized my royal status right away ). Hugging Mike was a little awkward. Those arms! The PPP got a great picture of it, but I wasn't really that interested in shelling out the money for it so you'll have to take my word for it.

But let me just tell you about James P Sullivan. I got SO MANY KISSES. And you probably can't really tell in the picture, but he is hugging me SO tight. It's like he knew what I had been through to make it to this vacation and he was telling me that everything was okay and that I was safe. I think maybe he has my door and came into my room on one of the many nights I cried myself to sleep. And I know how absolutely ridiculous that sounds. But in that moment, that's exactly what it felt like.

And the only place I've shared that story is here. Because anywhere else, I know what the reaction would be!

When I first got back from my trip, I used this picture as my FB cover photo for a while... partly because it was such an awesome M&G. But also because of the way we're positioned, my profile picture totally covers Mike!! Just like in the movie!!!!!

But alas, nobody else picked up on that brilliant piece of awesomeness. *sigh*

On a relatively unrelated note... I'm sitting here wishing that Disney would make touring versions of their runDisney events.

Sniff, sniff. I'm still working my way through your TR (and thanks for finding me on FB!!) but I had to stop and say that although I've wanted to respond to so many of your posts I couldn't pass this one up. I totally get how it feels to feel the love and feel support from our Disney heroes. And I also totally get tears at night. Love from Austin up to you, girl!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Happy Tuesday, everyone!!! I wanted to pop in for a minute and tell everyone about the book I've been reading. It's entirely possible that everyone already knows about it, since it was published last year.

But it's new to me and it is making my heart all melty. In a good way.

It's called "3500: An Autistic Boy's Ten Year Romance with Snow White". Here is a link to the book on Goodreads. It's super easy to read and in some ways kind of reads like a trip report. But it's heartwarming... especially when the author starts talking about the CMs at Disney World.

I couldn't NOT share this with you guys. This is the stuff that gets me through the day when I'm feeling blah. Stories of hope and magic and pixie dust!

Thanks for posting about this Sue - I had heard of it but not really much about it, but I think I will be getting it for my kindle tonight. Looks great!

 

[khaleesi]

Sniff, sniff. I'm still working my way through your TR (and thanks for finding me on FB!!) but I had to stop and say that although I've wanted to respond to so many of your posts I couldn't pass this one up. I totally get how it feels to feel the love and feel support from our Disney heroes. And I also totally get tears at night. Love from Austin up to you, girl!

Thank you!!!!!

Thanks for posting about this Sue - I had heard of it but not really much about it, but I think I will be getting it for my kindle tonight. Looks great!

Hope you enjoy it!!!

 

[khaleesi]

Day Four, Part One

Magic Kingdom​

When I woke up at 6:45am, it was hard to believe that it was already my last full day. Even now, I can't believe that I've been home for FOUR months and the only reason I even believe I was actually there is looking back through all my pictures. It's almost like it never even happened.

Yay for melancholy. LOL.

According to everything... today was the perfect day to go to the Magic Kingdom. The predicted crowd level was a 3 and I was super excited! Plus, I had this baby sitting in my resort safe:

I had been fighting in my head trying to figure out the best way to get there quickly and cheaply and not give up too much park time. I decided the night before that the best thing to do was get there as quickly as possible, even it would cost a bit more. So I had it all figured out that I would actually plan to get there after the game had already started, since I wasn't planning on staying for the whole thing.

I'm not gonna leave you hanging. I never made it to the game. As I headed toward the exit, the sky opened up and it never really stopped raining for the rest of the day. I had no way of knowing whether the game would actually be played and I wasn't really keen on sitting on soaking wet grass.

So, I got a little ahead of myself there. But it was still an absolutely amazing day!!!!

Except that my knee hurt. I had been doing all that walking and not really stretching or anything. And I know better and can't even blame it on the MS. So for the majority of the day, I was walking around with an interesting limp. I couldn't really bend my knee the right way. Oy.

Anyway.

I grabbed a bottle of water from the food court because I had my eye on a particular breakfast food once I was inside the MK. I was practically skipping when the bus dropped us off!! You know. Except for my knee I had a pretty good spot near the front and it wasn't too long before the fire chief, Smokey Miller, came out to welcome us!! (I only know his name because DaveinFallsChurch posted a great picture of him on his last trip report! So thank you!)

Look at that bright, blue sky. Ha. Could it look any less welcoming??

But WHO CARES?!?!?! I was in DISNEY!!! In the MAGIC KINGDOM!!!!! This is how every day should start!!!

In that last picture, I'm pretty sure Minnie Mouse is pointing to me as a reminder that I hadn't come to visit her yet. It wasn't until I was home that I realized I never did an M&G with Minnie. For some reason, I had it in my head that I had seen her at Tusker House. Bonehead Move #452543

Finally it was time to go in!!!! I was sooooooo excited!!! My sister and my niece had gushed about New Fantasyland and that was my very first order of business. Sydney was SO excited for me to ride the new Little Mermaid ride and I was excited too!!

I was giddy. And then I got to the line and it. Was. Closed.



I wanted to cry, right then and there. But the CM assured us that it should be open within the hour. Technically, I think he was assuring the little girl in front of me who also looked like she wanted to cry.

So we both got the same idea in our heads and popped into Ariel's M&G line. THIS was the one I was waiting for. My little Sydney made absolutely no hesitation when I asked her who her favorite character was.

Ariel was very curious who Sydney was and was so excited when I told her that she was my Sydney's favorite. The only reason I didn't cry the next day when I left was because I couldn't wait to share my shout-out pictures!

I walked around the area for a little while, taking in all the new sights!

I would keep wandering back over here throughout the entire day, just to see what I had missed the first time. I heart New Fantasyland

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Hmmm, I guess that's why we all take so many pictures of the same things over and over. To prove to our minds that we were in fact there.

Honestly Sue, I think even pro athletes would be sore by the end of a Disney trip.

YAY, shout out pictures RULE!! Not to mention meeting Ariel herself is pretty good consolation for her ride being down.

 

[lovethattink]

Sue, I have been lurking from my phone and been meaning to post so many times. I have been enjoying your TR. May and June have just flown by with SWW. Trying to catch up now on all the threads.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

aw, sorry to hear about your knee acting up. I'll just assume that by "interesting limp" you looked something like this heading down Main St:

oh no! Ariels' ride was down! I hope you did get to go on it before the end of the day.

And yeah for shout out pictures! I am sure the characters enjoy them too since they always have a great story behind them and are a reminder what a special place the characters have in peoples' hearts

 

[jenninaustin]

So wonderful! Ariel was my Dennis's favorite when he was young and I think she still is!

 

[MidnightParade]

That rain was totally Magic Kingdoms way of keeping you to itself!!