Firsts, Fourths, and Farewells (4/28 Back to the Future!)

[thecapells]

Yep. It's the box the woodsman is supposed to put her heart in.

Thanks for the trivia Dawn!
I learned something new today!

 

[thecapells]

After our Disney VISA photo shoot, it was time for another Capell first.
I finally built up enough nerve to try Test Track.
And I was gonna take the two eldest kids along for the ride.
You can see they were still a bit nervous for this venture.

Of course, just like before any new ride, we must take lots of queue pictures.
There’s a lot going on in here…

And then, after our quick briefing, we were led to a car.
I still wasn’t so sure about this…

And here’s the proof.
The "inside" tests were alot of fun.
Then we rounded the corner for the "Barrier Test."
You can see me tensing and the kids seemed very nervous as well...
Ummm, does anyone else see that barrier right in front of us?
Anyone? Anyone?

And then we were off!
Wind blowing in our hair as we zoomed around the track.
I was actually enjoying this.
That is, up until we passed under the MPH sign – that last turn was a bit much for me.
I was holding on for dear life and my foot instinctively slammed on what should've been the brakes.
But I made it.
And I even said I’d do it again.
But first, time to explore the post show area.

These next pictures were for X since he was too small to ride.
How cool is this car?

And, yes, I bet we looked like this:

So, another ride checked off from our Disney Bucket List.
Now it was time to rejoin our fellow travelers.
Any guesses where Mom disappeared to with X in tow?

 

[MEK]

Great pictures, as usual. I am bummed that TT will be closed during my next visit. Oh well!

What is on that lady's face. She looks like she has a zoro mask on?

Mom and X either went to club cool or Mousegears!

 

[dawnbu40]

for being brave and trying Test Track. You all (except for Uncle J) look so nervous in that picture, its so cute! Glad you liked it!

I'm guessing Mom and X are at the Mission Space play area?

 

[thecapells]

for being brave and trying Test Track. You all (except for Uncle J) look so nervous in that picture, its so cute! Glad you liked it!

I'm guessing Mom and X are at the Mission Space play area?

It's pretty funny actually - we tried it again later and the contrast in pictures is hilarious. There's alot to be said for knowing what to expect.

As for Mom and X, nice guess but also wrong.

 

[thecapells]

Great pictures, as usual. I am bummed that TT will be closed during my next visit. Oh well!

What is on that lady's face. She looks like she has a zoro mask on?

Mom and X either went to club cool or Mousegears!

I think that's her hair whipping around.
And surprisingly you are 0-for-2 on Mom's destination.
Anyone else?

 

[boxmaster]

for being brave and trying Test Track. You all (except for Uncle J) look so nervous in that picture, its so cute! Glad you liked it!

Yep, the three of them were uber-nervous. I'm all about the thrill rides and don't mind not knowing exactly what's going to happen. (Heck, we were all prepped in the briefing room, anyway. Nothing left uncertain, even the "surprise" test.)

I still don't understand why pulling however many Gs on those turns outside is such a problem for Mike. You need to use a sunroof more often.

 

[TheCapellsMom]

Well, I’ll award a gold star to Dawn because the original plan was for X and I to head straight from Innoventions to the Mission Space play area - but the little guy had other ideas.
He was seriously bummed that we didn’t get to see Goofy and Donald at the Disney Visa Photo Op.
So when I saw that the line for the Character Connection wasn’t too long, I decided it was worth a few minutes in line to see the rest of our Fab Friends!
Of course X spent his time online chatting with the cute little girls ahead of us- he is such a lady’s man!
It only took about 10 or so minutes to get through the whole queue - which is NOT usually the case for this place - we just lucked out!

My favorite thing about character connection is the way each character makes a point to pay some special attention to the person/people who come to visit!
They also take the extra time to look at the Photopass photographer and then turn slightly to look at my camera.

See how Mickey knelt down to be face to face with X?
And Goofy showed off his floppy ears?
You don’t always get those shots when you go to the character meals and everything is more cramped and rushed.
X was just thrilled to see everyone - especially Goofy and Donald!
He kept turning around to give them extra hugs instead of looking at the cameras for pictures.

When it was over, he raced out the door towards the Mission Space Play Area!

 

[TheCapellsMom]

Photopass also inserted some stock Character Connection photos with our CD.
I love that little perk.
So here you go!

DONALD

GOOFY

PLUTO

MINNIE

MICKEY

THE WHOLE GANG!

 

[dawnbu40]

thanks for the gold star!

I'm glad X got to see the characters he missed Very cute pics! I like how they include the stock photos too!

It was nice to get an update from Mom

 

[thecapells]

thanks for the gold star!

I'm glad X got to see the characters he missed Very cute pics! I like how they include the stock photos too!

It was nice to get an update from Mom

Yeah, I had to drag Mom back to the TR since I couldn't recap events I wasn't even at!!
She's been busy prepping for the cruise and helping schedule the trio with all the spring events.

 

[thecapells]

We still had a bit of time to kill before Mom was finished introducing X to the Fab Five so we headed to our next adventure – a mission through space!

While DS had experienced this attraction before, this was to be our princess’ first trip to Mars (and Uncle J’s as well).
You can see that even after prepping her, she was a bit nervous…

While DS was raring to go!
This had become one of his favorite rides!

Once inside our capsule, I once again turned into a little kid.
I’m “that” guy who presses every button (even some in front of the kids) and flips ever lever.
If this was a real rocket, it would blow up before ever leaving the ground.
DS and DD got into the spirit as well and soon, the four of us were busy trying to find the self-destruct on our little pod.
Finally, we leaned back and prepared for launch.
The foursome continued to press every button we could reach and flash every light possible throughout our journey.
And the entire ride, we were laughing hysterically, hooting, and hollering, and having a grand time!
Finally we landed – just barely – on Mars. Mission complete!
Then, back at the Mission: Space Base, we waited for Mom while the kids had fun running all around in the giant hamster trail.
We also sent home a couple of “Postcards from Space.”
When Mom finally arrived with X, J offered to watch the kids so Mom could experience the ride herself.
And, yes, we got a chance to ride another ride by ourselves!

Author’s Note: always bring a third adult along to Disney!

Mom thought the ride was ok – this was her first time as well – but she had a little too many of the “oh no, I’m falling” sensations.
She said she’ll do it again but I imagine if she skips it, it’ll be no big deal either.

When we arrived back at the Mission:Space Base, J had just returned with the kids.
Poor J – not only did he watch the kids so we could ride together, but he had to suffer a “potty emergency!”
For those of you who don’t know, the closest restrooms to Mission:Space are in the building directly in front of both Test Track and Mission:Space (a bit more on the Test Track side).
It’s right past Innoventions.
So J grabbed the kids and headed out to avoid an accident (since our kids were fond of letting us know at the last possible minute).
All three kids.
With a stroller.
And all our bags.
In the rain.
Did I mention it started to rain?
Such a good Unca our kids have…

He survived and the kids made it without an accident so all was well.
Except the kids wanted more time to play in Mission:Space Base.
So we gave them a couple more minutes while Mom made a postcard and then it was time to head out.
The rain had stopped and we would be returning here for some fun tomorrow.
But, for now, we had some character rain checks to cash in!

 

[MEK]

Those are great pictures of X with the characters! And bonus character pictures too - NICE!

Good old Unca for surviving the potty emergency. Those restrooms are always so crowded, too! Yikes! He definitely deserved a gold star, or a margarita, for that experience.

Question - I am pretty sure you told me that kids on the dining plan can order off the adult menu for CS. I am taking my brother's family to disney this summer and we are staying in a treehouse. We are probably getting the QS dining plan. His 8 year old is NOT going to get full ordering kids meals. Can you reassure me that he can order from the adult menu when necessary? If not - he is going to need an adult DP. Thanks!

 

[dawnbu40]

I love the contrasting pics between the princess looking nervous and her big brother looking so brave and excited I'm glad she ended up enjoying it!

for Uncle J's babysitting skills

 

[thecapells]

Those are great pictures of X with the characters! And bonus character pictures too - NICE!

Good old Unca for surviving the potty emergency. Those restrooms are always so crowded, too! Yikes! He definitely deserved a gold star, or a margarita, for that experience.

Question - I am pretty sure you told me that kids on the dining plan can order off the adult menu for CS. I am taking my brother's family to disney this summer and we are staying in a treehouse. We are probably getting the QS dining plan. His 8 year old is NOT going to get full ordering kids meals. Can you reassure me that he can order from the adult menu when necessary? If not - he is going to need an adult DP. Thanks!

Yup, it should be no problem.
Basically, your receipt on the dining program tracks "Counter Service Meals" or "Table Service Meals."
There is no distinction between kid and adult.
At a table service, the server sees you have children and will charge accordingly based on your KTTW card.
At a counter, the cashier has no idea who you are ordering for.

It's funny - we've ordered adult meals before but it's always been for the princess (7 yrs old) and not DS (now 10 yrs old).

 

[thecapells]

I love the contrasting pics between the princess looking nervous and her big brother looking so brave and excited I'm glad she ended up enjoying it!

for Uncle J's babysitting skills

I thought those were pretty funny side by side as well.
It's okay - the nerves only lasted so far - she's a big fan of the ride now!

 

[thecapells]

With the rain stopped but the clouds hovering ominously, I figured we only had a small break between storms.
So we bolted out of Mission: Space towards the World Showcase lagoon.
I was determined to get back to…
Duffy the Disney Bear!

Our kids are teddy bear kids and Duffy is the ultimate stuffy.
So they love meeting the big guy – all so soft and cuddly.
Due to the rain, there was barely a wait so we got on line and read his story…

And who doesn’t love that Hidden Mickey pawprint!

I think this picture shows that even our eldest has a soft spot for teddy bears.
He buried himself in that fluff so much, you can’t even see him in there!

And I love the cool little Duffy borders Photopass allows you to add…

X was next up and just as excited!

Followed by the princess of course.

And, of course, the group shot.
X wouldn’t let go of his Duffy Bear.

We gathered our things and got ready to bid Duffy good-bye.
But DS pointed out that there’s a Hidden Mickey on Duffy’s butt.
So we made him turn around and sure enough there it was!

Okay, so how many other people have pictures of Duffy’s butt?
You gotta love it.
Anyway, we had one more character to catch before the rain started again.
Does anyone remember who we missed?

But before we get to that, enjoy some stock Duffy pictures!!
Yet another Photopass Bonus…

 

[dawnbu40]

Aww, great pictures with Duffy. They all came out great! I know a lot of people are on the fence about him but I think he's adorable and I love his story

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Gotta love the hidden Mickey on Duffy's butt. Disney does think of everything. Great pictures.

 

[thecapells]

Aww, great pictures with Duffy. They all came out great! I know a lot of people are on the fence about him but I think he's adorable and I love his story

Yeah, we don't mind him.
Like I said, our kids are big stuffy fans so they love their Duffy.

Gotta love the hidden Mickey on Duffy's butt. Disney does think of everything. Great pictures.

X loves to open the butt flap on his baby stuffed Duffy to unveil the Hidden Mickey.
Gotta love Disney...