Follow Me! I Will Lead Us Into Battle! A Thanksgiving 2013 TR *COMPLETE*

[RGirl]

Wow - a true “small world” moment there!!!

Oh, I love the drink-buying story! That is just so cool. We had something along those lines happen at DLR while waiting for the fireworks - not as good as a drink , but very thoughtful of other guests.

The Processional sounds like it was amazing! I would love to do that someday. And I LOVE Gary Sinise!!!!!

Wow! You’re going to Italy next month?? How cool is that!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Cool that your car was still there. Nice thinking on that science experiment.

Woah, how cool about that guy that was celebrating his birthday that went to your school.

Lieutenant Dan.....ice cream...... I can't resist, every time I see Gary Sinise, it pops into my head!

You go to Italy so soon! You're going to have so much fun. It's incredible. I want to see pictures! I have so many.

 

[jediprincess23]

Joining the party! I just found you but it looks like we have A LOT in common already! Great report!!

 

[emilyindisney]

Garden Grill, my one true love! That cake is awesome and I'm so glad that's the restaurant you got it at because the characters are over-the-top-awesome with their interaction there. It's the perfect place for a special celebration!

I'm quite intrigued about Enchanted Tales and your special pass. Can't wait to hear!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Oh no Courtney, I too am glad you did that little science experiment. I only rode it the one time so I didn't get a chance to try it. Nice work!!

Wow, small world indeed. That's such a cool story.

Yeah seriously, how dare you wear your birthday button when it's not even your birthday.

Oh man I LOVE how (most) people behave in Disney like that guy buying coffee. Seriously, if we could all learn to do that daily, just think of how much better we'd all be.

I've heard so much about the CP lately, I'm a little ashamed that I had no interest in it. But I may finally be a convert for the next holiday trip.

YAY CHRISTMAS PARTY WHAT WHAT?? Looking forward to the final day (not that it's the final day but that it'll be great.)

 

[CarolAnnB]

I hope your science wizardry pays off on your Bio test tomorrow.

Running into that kid from your school also celebrating his 21st was just insane! It was nice of them to offer to buy you a drink but alas it was not actually your birthday. Then he's like, "Oh yeah, it's not really my birthday either." And you were worried!

I LOVE Gary Sinise. Loved him on CSI:NY, even love him on Mission: Space. He is such a good guy - he does a lot of good work with veterans' groups, etc.

I want to know how you get to be the girl on the top of the Christmas tree display in the CP! That is a cool job! But if I ever got it, I am so clumsy I would probably fall out. I was glad we did not listen to the CM at the CP info booth earlier in the day who told us to get there a half hour before the show since we had the package - we got there an hour before and we were all the way back to the Japan stores. I was getting a little panicky but I think we had decent seats.

The burnt pizza left a bit to be desired but when the guys are that cute, you can't really send it back. Maybe that is why they hire them.

 

[Wood Nymph]

That is very cool that you were able to use the car that you had made on an earlier visit to Test Track. I like to do experiments like that, too. It is very scientific.

We were at Epcot the Sunday after you and saw Gary Sinese and ate at Via Napoli. It must have been hard not to stay a little later and enjoy all the Christmas stuff they had there.

 

[khertz]

It's so fun running into people in Disney who are from your hometown. I remember how surprised we were to find a CM at Disneyland from where we live now in Louisiana. I think even he was surprised when we said we were from there! He probably doesn't see many people from Louisiana since WDW is so much closer to us than DL.

Love the CP! Gary Sinise seems like he would be a really great narrator, although I might be ready for him to give me instructions for the space shuttle launch right after.

Mmmm Via Napoli!! We didn't even think to mention to our server that we are going to Italy later this year. That would have been a great conversation to have!

Sleeping in at Disney. What is this madness?!?!?

 

[courtneybelle]

Wow - a true “small world” moment there!!!

Oh, I love the drink-buying story! That is just so cool. We had something along those lines happen at DLR while waiting for the fireworks - not as good as a drink , but very thoughtful of other guests.

The Processional sounds like it was amazing! I would love to do that someday. And I LOVE Gary Sinise!!!!!

Wow! You’re going to Italy next month?? How cool is that!

It really was! Especially since I go to a pretty small school, it was an awesome coincidence.

It was so sweet to see! I definitely want to hear that DLR story

I really loved it! He was fabulous. I was really hoping Neil Patrick Harris would have been ours but Gary did such a great job.

I'm actually going next week I'll be spending spring break in Venice and Florence! I'm so excited!

Cool that your car was still there. Nice thinking on that science experiment.

Woah, how cool about that guy that was celebrating his birthday that went to your school.

Lieutenant Dan.....ice cream...... I can't resist, every time I see Gary Sinise, it pops into my head!

You go to Italy so soon! You're going to have so much fun. It's incredible. I want to see pictures! I have so many.

Thank you! I'm here to answer the hard-hitting questions about MyMagic+.

It was really awesome!

Bahahah. I know, I was expecting him to break out into the Mission: Space narration any minute.

I definitely will post a couple pics! I fly out one week from tomorrow!

Joining the party! I just found you but it looks like we have A LOT in common already! Great report!!

Welcome and thank you for joining in! I started reading your TR, I'll definitely finish it this weekend!

Garden Grill, my one true love! That cake is awesome and I'm so glad that's the restaurant you got it at because the characters are over-the-top-awesome with their interaction there. It's the perfect place for a special celebration!

I'm quite intrigued about Enchanted Tales and your special pass. Can't wait to hear!

WELCOME BACK EMILY! I can't wait to hear about your trip! The characters at Garden Grill were so much fun. Mickey was a little reserved but everyone else was fantastic.

Coming up next...

 

[jediprincess23]

I'm glad you like my TR! I hope it's as much fun to read as it is to write!

 

[courtneybelle]

Oh no Courtney, I too am glad you did that little science experiment. I only rode it the one time so I didn't get a chance to try it. Nice work!!

Wow, small world indeed. That's such a cool story.

Yeah seriously, how dare you wear your birthday button when it's not even your birthday.

Oh man I LOVE how (most) people behave in Disney like that guy buying coffee. Seriously, if we could all learn to do that daily, just think of how much better we'd all be.

I've heard so much about the CP lately, I'm a little ashamed that I had no interest in it. But I may finally be a convert for the next holiday trip.

YAY CHRISTMAS PARTY WHAT WHAT?? Looking forward to the final day (not that it's the final day but that it'll be great.)

Thank you Rob! I'm glad I'm not the only one who found it kind of cool.

Haha, I was just worried this guy was going to be so excited that we had the same birthday, only to find out I really didn't...it was all good, though.

It was so amazing to see. The guy said it totally as a joke, and then the man actually got him a drink. Magical!

Honestly, I didn't have much of an interest in the CP, but I'm so glad I went! It was really incredible and I hope you get to see it next time you're in WDW for Christmas.

CHRISTMAS PARTY COMING UP NEXT!

I hope your science wizardry pays off on your Bio test tomorrow.

Running into that kid from your school also celebrating his 21st was just insane! It was nice of them to offer to buy you a drink but alas it was not actually your birthday. Then he's like, "Oh yeah, it's not really my birthday either." And you were worried!

I LOVE Gary Sinise. Loved him on CSI:NY, even love him on Mission: Space. He is such a good guy - he does a lot of good work with veterans' groups, etc.

I want to know how you get to be the girl on the top of the Christmas tree display in the CP! That is a cool job! But if I ever got it, I am so clumsy I would probably fall out. I was glad we did not listen to the CM at the CP info booth earlier in the day who told us to get there a half hour before the show since we had the package - we got there an hour before and we were all the way back to the Japan stores. I was getting a little panicky but I think we had decent seats.

The burnt pizza left a bit to be desired but when the guys are that cute, you can't really send it back. Maybe that is why they hire them.

I think/hope it did

That was so awesome. It's one of the standout moments of this trip.

Gary Sinese was so great, I'm glad you got to see someone you've liked forever!

Oh my gosh I know! That and being all packed together would make me woozy. I could never do it. I thought our seats were perfect, I really appreciated not having anyone directly in front of us.

Yep. It's all about the Italian men. The food is secondary

That is very cool that you were able to use the car that you had made on an earlier visit to Test Track. I like to do experiments like that, too. It is very scientific.

We were at Epcot the Sunday after you and saw Gary Sinese and ate at Via Napoli. It must have been hard not to stay a little later and enjoy all the Christmas stuff they had there.

Thank you!!

Haha that's crazy that we had the same plans! I was a little bummed, but the Christmas party was my number one priority and I really wanted to be rested up for that.

It's so fun running into people in Disney who are from your hometown. I remember how surprised we were to find a CM at Disneyland from where we live now in Louisiana. I think even he was surprised when we said we were from there! He probably doesn't see many people from Louisiana since WDW is so much closer to us than DL.

Love the CP! Gary Sinise seems like he would be a really great narrator, although I might be ready for him to give me instructions for the space shuttle launch right after.

Mmmm Via Napoli!! We didn't even think to mention to our server that we are going to Italy later this year. That would have been a great conversation to have!

Sleeping in at Disney. What is this madness?!?!?

I know! That's awesome that you ran into someone from nearby at Disneyland, especially since it's much further!

Hahaha I felt the same way. My mom can name all the movies and shows he's been in and I'm like...Mission: Space!

Oh man! Well, next time you can tell your waiter all about your trip!

I know, it was crazy. All will be revealed in the next update...

 

[courtneybelle]

Just wondering if anyone heard the announcement about the 24-hour day over Memorial Day? I'm playing around with some numbers and seeing if it's doable...time will tell...

Chapter Seventeen: Pushing and Splashing

This morning I woke up at 8:50…to find that my mom and sister were both gone, and my dad was awake and ready to go. I guess I was the only one that benefitted from sleeping in…

I got ready quickly and we left the room, but then I remembered I forgot my festive Christmas socks, so we went back. My dad was complaining about how my contact solution was making his vision worse…and then he said, “Wait, did I put my contacts in today?” He didn’t.

With socks on and contacts in, we went to the food court. I got a chocolate croissant, and Dad got a plain croissant and cheese Danish. We were eating on the run, so no food pictures, unfortunately!

The bus stop was packed, but we got on the second Magic Kingdom bus. A man fainted when we arrived at MK! I felt so bad for him, and for the little kids who saw it and were scared.

We met up with Mom and Kylie. They got us up to speed on what we had missed. The park actually opened at 9, not at 8, so they were there for rope drop. They went to Guest Relations to pick up our no-strings…but when my mom said it was for Belle, the CMs informed us that it couldn’t be used for Belle and could only be used for rides with legacy FP. It was a little frustrating because we really only needed it for Belle, but it happens. So Mom and Ky had a bit of a rough start, but now we were all together in the most magical place on earth!

Kylie made her traditional wish in the wishing well while we were at the hotel:

Our first ride of the day was SPACE MOUNTAIN! Kylie, Dad, and I used FP+ to ride and had so much fun, as always.

We found Mom sitting outside Merchant of Venus, and an old friend came over and started chatting with us…

PUSH! I hadn’t seen him in a long time, but he came right up to us and started chatting. He thought Kylie’s socks were so cool, and sang Santa Claus Is Coming to Town to her. Then, he saw my dad’s personalized shirt, and said, “That must be your dad, you had to label him!” Push said that sometimes his dad was silly and forgot to change his lining.

A few little kids started jumping on Push at that point, but Push just told them to take it easy and then rolled over to me. He saw that Santa was on my socks and asked what I wanted for Christmas. I said I wanted a pony, and he said, “Show me how you would ride a pony!” So I pretended I was holding some reins…and Push started playing Gangnam Style. It was absolutely hilarious, and one of my favorite parts on the trip!

Push had to go after that because a TON of kids were jumping all over him, but I was really happy he spent some time with us. This part is a little bittersweet now that Push is no longer at WDW. I understand that we have to keep moving forward, but between this and the rumored end of the Jammin’ Jungle Parade, I can’t help but be a little sad that some of my favorite Disney experiences are on their way out. I was very glad to have the opportunity to hang out with Push one last time!

Next, we had a FP+ for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, so we headed to Frontierland! We stopped at the Rapunzel bathrooms on the way, and I found some Pascals:

After BTMRR, we were going to head to Main Street to see Mickey, but on our way to the train station, we saw that Splash Mountain had a five minute wait. UH. MY FAVORITE RIDE IN ALL OF DISNEY WORLD HAS A FIVE MINUTE WAIT. I’m not one to pass that up.

We literally walked right on the ride. In the queue, we saw Wayne, the CM who has a character based on him in the Kingdom Keepers books! Dad and Kylie are very into them so that was exciting.

I made Mom take pictures of Dad and me while they were waiting for us.

Everybody’s got a laughing place. This is mine.

One of my favorite Disney fun facts is that one of the critters in Splash Mountain sneezes and makes the sound “FSU!” because one of the Imagineers went there, and I got to hear him this time!

WE LOST HALF THE BOAT!

Continued in next post
​

 

[wiigirl]

Great pics!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Oy, yeah heard about the 24 hour day. What I don't understand is why Disney feels the need to torture me, lol

“Wait, did I put my contacts in today?”... THAT is the coolest thing I've heard all day!!!!

So..... did Kylie wish to be splashed in the face again this time, or did she learn her lesson and try a different wish?

Oh God, seeing Push here just made me SO SAD!!!! Your interaction was awesome, but so very bitter-sweet now.

SP-LASH!!!!! THAT IS SO COOL you got REAL on ride photos!!!!! Well done Mom!!

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

Danielle and I heard about the 24hr day too..... YEAH we will actually be there so are trying to decide if we are going to dress up and which costume we will wear.

 

[emilyindisney]

WAYNE IS REAL?!?! You don't understand how blown my mind is right now!

So that's totally a pain that your special won't work for Belle but I guess it was still a really nice thought. Can't wait to see where you end up using it! Maybe a double mountain ride? Or Peter Pan?

 

[CarolAnnB]

Sorry I was just too close to get better picks of you and Push! That was great fun. So glad we got that since sadly his contract is up, or some such nonsense.

I was a big wimp and didn't want to do Splash - I just ALWAYS get soaking wet on that ride and since it was not July, there was no way I would ever be dry. But I was glad to be able to take pics of you and Dad! I like that Sports setting on my camera - it's great for action shots like that.

 

[courtneybelle]

Great pics!

Thank you!!

Oy, yeah heard about the 24 hour day. What I don't understand is why Disney feels the need to torture me, lol

“Wait, did I put my contacts in today?”... THAT is the coolest thing I've heard all day!!!!

So..... did Kylie wish to be splashed in the face again this time, or did she learn her lesson and try a different wish?

Oh God, seeing Push here just made me SO SAD!!!! Your interaction was awesome, but so very bitter-sweet now.

SP-LASH!!!!! THAT IS SO COOL you got REAL on ride photos!!!!! Well done Mom!!

You and me both, Rob...

Haha it was one of the funnier moments of the trip!

I do not know what her wish was, but she didn't get splashed in the face so I'm assuming she made a better choice this trip.

Oh, I know! I'm so glad we had that last opportunity to see him, but it's definitely sad to look back at it now.

Ughhh it was so awesome! Usually we're split up, Kylie and Mom are doing something else while Dad and I ride, but since the wait was so short they waited for us. The pictures came out great!

Danielle and I heard about the 24hr day too..... YEAH we will actually be there so are trying to decide if we are going to dress up and which costume we will wear.

That is so awesome that you're going to be there! I'm excited to see who you guys dress up as.

WAYNE IS REAL?!?! You don't understand how blown my mind is right now!

So that's totally a pain that your special won't work for Belle but I guess it was still a really nice thought. Can't wait to see where you end up using it! Maybe a double mountain ride? Or Peter Pan?

I KNOW! It was such a cool moment. I wish I had realized it sooner so I could have asked him about it, but I was getting on the boat when it clicked.

It was a bummer but it was still a great gesture by that CM!

Sorry I was just too close to get better picks of you and Push! That was great fun. So glad we got that since sadly his contract is up, or some such nonsense.

I was a big wimp and didn't want to do Splash - I just ALWAYS get soaking wet on that ride and since it was not July, there was no way I would ever be dry. But I was glad to be able to take pics of you and Dad! I like that Sports setting on my camera - it's great for action shots like that.

That's okay! I think the pictures are great. It was an awesome experience.

Hehe it's okay. My hair looked bad for the rest of the day, but Splash is my absolute favorite so there's no way I can miss out on it. I'll get you on it in July when it is 95 degrees, though!!

 

[RGirl]

Hmm, I thought I was all caught up on here over the weekend, and I just noticed that I was not!

Oh my! I absolutely love Kylie’s socks!!!!!!! And what a fun time with Push!

Your MK time is off to a great start with all the mountain riding!

 

[maddiebee]

Your Dad totally cracks me up. He must really be into mushrooms because he seems like such a fun...gi...

heh.

We had tried to meet Push on our last trip but didn't end up running into him and I'm sO bummed that we won't get to meet him I really hope that they bring on something similar!