Excuse me, you'll need to see security. What has Mickeystoontown done? Update 3/25x2

[mickeystoontown]

I have always wanted to call the phone booths!! I do who see how many people really pick up though.

What lovely, lovey dovey pictures. One may believe you like each other a bit! LOL

Movie in France! This is news to me, I think once my kiddo gets a bit older we may not have to rush WS and actually take some time to wander and discover the little things.

Yeah, sometimes we get all lovey dovey and make OUT (did you read that TinksThree?....gosh how one little letter came make a word take on a whole new meaning )


The movie in France is pretty neat. The screen and curtains open up really wide so that you almost feel as if you are in France.

You are making me think about getting PhotoPass for the next trip (April, our 36th anniversary). I love the romantic shots.

I pre-ordered the CD and paid about $100 for it. I wish that I had more pictures taken but I felt like we got our money's worth, that's for sure.

Wow, I must have been out of the Disney trip reports for a long time, because I can't imagine how I missed your TR! I'm usually a lurker on your trip reports, but I have read several of them and feel like I know your family! I'm sorry John wasn't feeling well and that your cruise was less than wonderful. We have been on a few short cruises that were also less than wonderful (we cruise Carnival, though....we just can't find the money to do a Disney cruise). I would advise going again and putting in lots of down time afterwards. I always need lots of down time after a cruise.

Hey there! Glad to see you! I think that we are going to go back on a cruise in 2014. Before I go, though, I'm going to do more research so I don't feel like I'm running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.

We love CBR and I think that the CBR FAQ thread is what originally brought me to your trip reports. I love all the pictures and the details you give on CBR. We are hoping to head back there in June for a weekend trip.

Thank you! We love the CBR and I'm glad that I'm able to help other's out.

Subscribing so I remember to come back and read the rest!

Don't be a stranger!

Replies in red

Ah, the lovely dovey pictures are sweet! Bummer about no one answering the phone.

I know! Jesse was the most disappointed out of the whole bunch. As a matter of fact, he called the phone booths on the drive home just to see if anyone would answer. They didn't.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh ok!!!!

I have wanted to try the phone booth trickery before but never found the time. Bummer that it didn't work for you guys!! Great pictures around WS!!

Oh gosh! What one little letter can do to a word.

The bathroom break provided us with the time to make a few phone calls since we were waiting around on each other to finish up their "business".

Am I understanding correctly? You haven't done the movie in Canada??? You should really try it out. I enjoy the new version with Martin Short. Well, I don't know how new, but it is not the original movie.

Nope, never seen it. We love Martin Short too.

The photo pass pictures are all wonderful!

Thank you!

My boys have not seen the movie in France, and the last time I did, it was on a solo visit to EPCOT in 2008.

If John would ever stay awake long enough, I am sure that he'd enjoy it just as much as the rest of our family.

I liked hearing about the time you spent just hanging out and exploring and observing in Morocco.

Morocco is a neat place to walk through. There's so much to see there.

Too funny about the attempted phone calls. Two years ago I was going to try it, but I didn't program the number into my phone. Every time I went by, I either just had the numbers on a piece of paper, or I just had my phone. Never both at the same time.

For the class trip in June, I had programmed the numbers, but it was too wet when we were in the area to try it.

I have called from home once or twice- that is fun, too.

Jesse couldn't believe that I had the phone numbers in my phone. I told him to never underestimate the power of the Dis.

Replies in red

We used to stand on the corner outside the shop, watch the phone booths, then call. Tyler had the numbers on his phone, so he'd call randomly, and someone would pick up. My guys loved that, and would stand there forever trying to get people to answer. Gave me more time to shop in England tho!! I'm WAAAAAY behind, gotta go read up a bit!!

How neat that you would actually have people pick up. We were bummed that only one person answered.

Great update Lisa! I love hearing about people trying to call the phone booths! Too bad they only got one answer.

Cute pictures! and I love the HM pics. I don't really know where any of them are, so I appreciate it.

Hunter and I are big Hidden Mickey watcher-outers. Every once in a while, John will find one. I love looking for them.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I was back on page 130 and spent the evening catching up. I have been horrible with keeping up with tr's lately.

Sorry to hear about mama's scare at her house. I'm glad she was able to get everything taken care of and there was no serious damage.

That's great everyone loved the surprise at Cirque Du Soleil!

I love all the pictures and it looks like everyone is having a great time!

I hope you have everything all figured out for your next trip(dates and where your staying)

Don't feel bad Kathy. I'm so behind on all of my reports. I'll spend an entire evening catching up too.

We were very happy that someone came so quickly and reconnected everything for Mama. She was a nervous wreck.

I've pretty much got 2013 plans worked out. The only thing we are unsure of is whether or not we'll get that extra day off work. If not, I'll just cancel that night's reservation.

Fun update. The photopass guys never ask us to kiss, maybe they see the evil I am giving Skip at any given moment when he makes some sarcastic comment thinking he is being funny. I need to explore WS more. We usually rush through for the most part.

Seriously? Skip and John remind me a lot of each other in the things that they do. John hardly ever kisses me in public but, for some reason, at Disney, he has no problem acting a fool and licking my face.

You really do need to slow down a bit and explore World Showcase. The first time we went to Epcot back in 1998, I was very very disappointed. I vowed to take it more slowly the next trip and we were happy that we did because we enjoyed it so much more.

I have my OWN computer today, so I can see pictures! Your PP pictures on the bridge turned out fantastic.

I also love all the pictures you took in Morocco! You got some really cool and creative photos!

I also really like John's shirt.

See how much I notice when I can see pictures!

Yay for seeing the pictures!

Morocco is one of my favorite World Showcase countries. For some reason, there seems to be more to explore.

John's shirt was kinda neat. It looked like it was turned inside out because the colors on the inside were a deeper color.

Just wanted to go on record and say I don't think it's really fair that in La y'all are getting ice and cold weather and in SC it's been in the 70's. I would really like just a little bit of snow. Stay safe out there sounds like it could get messy your way today.

Well, it did sleet and rain and we had some freezing rain for two days. It was pretty nasty out. Nothing stuck to the ground or roads but the trees were iced over. Lots of fallen trees and limbs.

Today, the temperature is supposed to get to 56.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Love the pics from WS!! I didn't know you could call the phone booth i might have to try that. I love the england pavilion, i actually have a telephone booth like that round the corner from where i live.

How cool! We haven't had phone booths around here since....since.....hum, don't remember if we've ever had them. Just little half booths.

After seeing all your pictures etc we definitely need to spend more time in WS. It is hard with the kids but I know my 12 yr old GS would love it now. Definiely plan to split up and spend more time there in Dec.

It's is kinda of hard to keep kids interested in WD. We've done different things to make them pay more attention to their surroundings. Once, we had them purchase a snack item in every country and, after we had made the entire way around, we all sat down and tried the new "treats". Some were good, some were not-so-good and some were just gross. But, it was a neat way to see and do something different.

Great pictures in Epcot! Your PP shots are great!
I just want to say that I found the hidden mickey in the Morocco mural BEFORE scrolling to the next picture! Very proud of myself!

And YES, I remember the Happy Days dad wearing the fez - he was the Grand Poobah of something!

Ding! Ding! Ding! Yay for spotting the hidden Mickey before looking at the close-up picture. I love searching for them.

Yep, he was a Grand Poobah of something or other. Can't remember what though.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I've got to say, I really miss having a real person narrating on Living with the Land. It was nice to be able to ask questions. Once time we were riding it with our Hidden Mickey book out looking for as many as we can find and the captain kept helping us- Even pointing out a few he didn't think were in the book! It was great!

I miss them too. How cool that you were given the inside scoop on Hidden Mickeys. I love stuff like that.

this is OT but Captain Kangaroo went to Dartmouth College. I used to work as a buyer in the Dartmouth store and he came in and he was one nasty SOB!

Seriously? Now that I think about it, he did look like a nasty SOB.

And I'm a child support enforcement agent with the State, so we are practically TWINS!!!

Triplets!

Love all the great PP pics on the bridge!

I wanted to try the phone booth trick during my trip, but no one was ever near the booths. Too bad it didn't work out well for you.

We're going to have to all set up a stake out on the phone booths and only call when there are tons of people around.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I know who Captain Kangaroo is!!! I know I know!! I loved that show.

You go look him up on Youtube. He had great hair!


I have Living with the Land to thank for educating me about pineapples. I never knew they grew low on the ground like that. Our first trip on 2009 was when I learned that. I always thought they came off trees!


I hope you guys do that one night at POR. I'm so excited for you!

Oh yeah, the hair was what made him such a looker!

Oh gosh, I'm sorry but I had to laugh at the pineapples growing on trees. Pineapples don't grow on trees watermelons do.

Your photos of the unidentified plants remind me of the bit on the Jungle Cruise: "And now I will take a moment to point out my favorite plants...this one...and that one over there...and that green one there."

Oh they sure do! I'd make a great Jungle Cruise Captain!

I believe the lost shaker of salt is with the 9 pound lime!

Must be because I never found it!

I remember Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans and after you mention it the ping pong balls ring a bell, but I'm blanking on Mr. Moose and Rabbit.

Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit were the ones who were always playing tricks on each other and ping pong balls would fall all around them.

But I have total recall of Mr. Rodgers and all of his friends from the Land of Make Believe!

Our kids never did really get into Mr. Rodgers. Not sure why.

Fantastic update from Living with the Land. I that attraction. So many photo ops!

I agree!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Adorable photopass pics! Too cute!

The Morocco pavilion is my absolute favorite. It is so well themed and has so many cool little tucked away places. Thanks for all the pictures!

 

[blessedmom4]

Hi Lisa I found you and I will be back to read (a lot it looks like!)

I have more to say, it is coming, it is just going to take me a bit...and thank you.

 

[caa1277]

Really enjoying your trip report. I'm trying to talk my wife into taking a cruise. Maybe one of these I can convince her to take the plunge. I kee telling her that we need to at least try it. I'm looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip.

 

[ronnmel]

Phew, finally caught up! Too much to comment on, so I'll just say the usual : Great updates!

 

[MHTeacher]

Thanks to your chapter links, I believe I'm caught up! It took over 30 minutes, so forgive me for not mentioning everything, but I'm at the age where can't remember half of it!

You got great pics of the tigers on the Jungle Trek at AK.

Love that everyone was so happy with the Cirque surprise!

I really want to call the phone booths in UK/Epcot the next time I'm there. You'll have to send me the numbers!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks to your chapter links, I believe I'm caught up! It took over 30 minutes, so forgive me for not mentioning everything, but I'm at the age where can't remember half of it!

You got great pics of the tigers on the Jungle Trek at AK.

Love that everyone was so happy with the Cirque surprise!

I really want to call the phone booths in UK/Epcot the next time I'm there. You'll have to send me the numbers!

Hey! I understand not remembering everything you want to comment on. I am quite sure that I wouldn't remember either.

Everybody was super surprised when we pulled out the Cirque tickets. It was well worth the money spent.

I'll be more than happy to provide the phone booth numbers. Remind me to post them on my pre-trip report.

Adorable photopass pics! Too cute!

The Morocco pavilion is my absolute favorite. It is so well themed and has so many cool little tucked away places. Thanks for all the pictures!

Thanks Missy! I think that Morocco is beautiful too.

Hi Lisa I found you and I will be back to read (a lot it looks like!)

I have more to say, it is coming, it is just going to take me a bit...and thank you.

Hello Judy! I'm so happy to have you here!

Really enjoying your trip report. I'm trying to talk my wife into taking a cruise. Maybe one of these I can convince her to take the plunge. I kee telling her that we need to at least try it. I'm looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip.

I'm glad that we tried the cruise and, while it didn't end as we wanted it to, we did enjoy it and we will probably be going back in 2014.

Phew, finally caught up! Too much to comment on, so I'll just say the usual : Great updates!

I hope that everybody in your household is feeling better. Looking forward to reading all about your trip.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hey ya'll! I hope that you all had a great weekend and are gearing up for the work week.

Even though tomorrow is a holiday, we're still going into work. We have someone coming in to do some heavy duty cleaning on our office.....carpet cleaning, baseboard washing, etc. The computer guy is also coming in to work on my computer. Apparently, an email that I received had a virus attached to it...in it....I don't know I'm not computer savy. Anyway, I have a virus and my computer is locked up. When I explained to the computer guy what had happened, he knew what it was immediately. So, hopefully, it will be an easy fix.:


As far as what we did this weekend, well, John worked a bit on Saturday and had to go back this afternoon which is unusual for him since he normally doesn't work on Sundays. But, he had set some posts in concrete on Saturday and needed to go back to check on them this afternoon.

I finished up two orders of backsacks and cut out a new set (yep, those would be your's Cynthia) to start working on. I also did the usual housekeeping and errand running.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but Hunter is taking Driver's Ed and had his second driving lesson yesterday. Tomorrow, he has to be at the school at 7:00 a.m. to drive again. John and I both say that the $200 registration fee is well worth the money spent since we have somebody else teaching him, in somebody else's car and it's way less stressful for us.

Enough chitty chat, let me stop here. I'm going to write up the next installment and post it this evening while I have a minute or two. I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to do it at the office tomorrow.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oooh baby, look at that big fat hairy guy right there! I soooo want him!

Lacey and Jesse found us sitting in the Morocco courtyard gazing up at the juuuuust out of reach limes. They looked around a little bit more and took some pictures and then we continued our journey around World Showcase. Next stop was Japan. I love Japan!

My mother always gives money for Christmas or for my birthday and I save it to do something special. The last four years, that something special has been to purchase an oyster in the Japan pavilion at Epcot.

When we got to the Pick A Pearl station, I paid for my oyster and was given a number. There were three other people in front of me so I had some time to look at the tanks and decide which oyster to choose. I had my eye on a big fat hairy guy in the right tank because I've always heard that the hairy ugly ones were the "lucky" ones. Hey, it's worked in the past, why not keep going with tradition.

Remember me saying that there were three others in front of me? Well, one of them almost chose "my" oyster. Can you believe that? Out of all the oysters in the tanks, she was eyeballing "my" oyster. I looked over at my group and gave them a look of desperation. What do I do? Do I point out another oyster to her? Do I accidentally bump her hand when she's pointing to my "oyster" so that it's pointing at another? Do I trip her and make her fall into the oyster tank? Nah, that's going to the extreme. I'd just use the power of my mind and will her not to choose that one particular oyster. At the last second, the lady changed her mind and chose another oyster. Whew!

My number was called and I gave the camera to Lacey and told her to take some pictures. First, the castmember had me point out the oyster that I wanted. Oooh, I want that big fat hairy guy right there!

I think that Lacey was trying to get a picture of the oyster in the bowl but she got a picture of me standing with my hands on my hips. That's my normal stance which is why my boss calls me Tinkerbell. He says that I am stubborn and stand with my hands on my hips just like Tink.

Once they've placed the oyster on the table, they make you do a little bow which is a little odd but, hey, I'll go with it.

Here's the big fat hairy guy just waiting to be shucked:

They then have a countdown 1! 2! 3! Let's get that baby open! Well, I added the "let's get that baby open!" but they really do the countdown.

Next, the castmember smooshes her fingers around in the oyster:

Look! Look! Do you see what I see? Twins! Yes, Mr. Big Fat Hairy Guy Oyster came through for me!

Pretty!

After they've cleaned the pearls, they measure them.

The castmember said that it was unusual to have two 6.5 mm twins because most were two different sizes and smaller. Do I know how to pick the right oyster or what?

**Continued in next post

 

[mickeystoontown]

The castmember writes the size of the pearl(s) on a small plastic bag:

Then, everybody is told to clap their hands and the castmembers sing a little oyster pearl song and beat on a drum several times. Kinda odd like the bowing thing but...hey, when in Japan, do as the Japanese do.

Clap and cheer:

Beat on a little drum:

Say cheeeeeese:

Or was I saying Duuuuuh?

Once the ceremony, if you will, is done, they hand over your pearls. Ta-dah!

Notice that that I said the pearls were the same size in the first post? Well, when they gave them to me, a castmember said that they re-measure them before giving them to you and one of mine was just a tad bit bigger than the other. One was 6 1/2 mm and the other was 6 3/4 mm.

Now that the fanfare was over, noboby was interested in watching any more. Jesse, Lacey and Hunter went out to look around while John and I stayed behind to pick out a setting for the pearls. Originally, I wanted a gold setting since the ones that I bought in the past were sterling silver. But, the settings for twins were more expensive and I didn't want to spend the money on a gold one. After looking at several, I finally decided on a pretty twisted setting, paid for it and was told to come back in an hour and a half.

We ventured further into the Japan store and found all sorts of goodies including these cuties:

I can't imagine eating these! Dried crabs and fish? I don't think so!

Dried squid anyone?

While we do enjoy the Japan pavilion, it's pretty hard to spend an hour there. We decided to walk through World Showcase and I'd backtrack later to pick up my pearl.

**Up next: I so hope that we don't lose our teeth on these things!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I thought you were talking about an oyster with the "Big, hairy guy". At least, I hoped you were . I've never gotten twins, but last February when I did it I got 5 oysters (I was using them for gifts for my Mom, 2 sister and myself!), and I picked all hairy ones. I got 2 8mm silvers, 1 7.75mm Pink, 1 7.5mm Gold and a 7.5mm White. All big and an array of colors.

I love that you documented the whole process. I've only done it alone so I've never gotten any pictures of the process since it's hard to take them while doing everything.

 

[KatMark]

Fun update, Lisa. Every year I say I'm going to do the pick-a-pearl and always forget to do it once we are there.

I'm glad your "thinking" kept the woman from stealing your pearl. And how neat that you got two...and almost identical size.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Pick a Pearl has been on my list forever! How fun that you got twins!! I look forward to seeing your setting.

 

[ronnmel]

Twins, wow! That's great.

Most people can't spend an hour in the Japanese pavilion. My set-daughter, however, is in love with everything Japan. I had to put a stop to it after 45 minutes and say she could come back later in the week. Otherwise she could have spent the entire evening there!

 

[shan23877]

Loved the update Lisa! One of these days I'm going to do the Pick a Pearl thing. It looks like such fun, and a great souvenir! Maybe I'll wait until Maddie's old enough that we can do it together though.

I love to poke around in the China and Japan pavilions-such cool stuff to see!