Hijinks & Shenanigans but not much Mayhem@The Dark Side+Disney:Link to DL/Hawaii TR

[natebenma]

Love the update! Too bad this little fella is going to the great trash pile in the sky soon!

That is sad news. I hope at least he can get a job working with WALL-E.

You deserved a quiet week after all the craziness

It feels good to start getting caught up again.

Thanks I was quite pleased that I was able to convey my feelings on the matter in a suitable fashion ]

Very proud of you!

I also forgot to mention that a friend of mine overheard another mother in line waiting for one of the middle school shows "They didn't collect my ticket yesterday, so I am going to use it today" Really??? $5!!!

Love that Ben got to interact with PUSH.
I adore the peoplemover -it always gives us respite from the crowds/walking while providing a wee glimpse into rides like SM that I haven't been on (yet). I love watching people from the ride too

Looking forward to the next installment

The peoplemover is one of our stand-by favorites.

Can't wait to hear all of the new adventures you will be experiencing as part of your birthday gift!

 

[teekathepony]

There is no way Nate would pick the essay. How did you do on it?

I aced it. Apparently I had a fantastic grasp of contraceptives for a teenager.

I love all the silly Splash Mountain pics! (And Flash Mountain pics! ) but that Monopoly one is especially hilarious.

“Double Triple Mountain Whammy” -- awesome.

Thanks to my underwater camera, I always go for this shot!

Great capture! I never think to bring our waterproof cam to MK so at this point I'm always hiding my good camera under my shirt.

Oh PUSH! I am so sad that he's gone. Doody. Too funny. And I keep hearing it in PUSH's voice too.

Love the Buzz and Photopass pics!

 

[mickeystoontown]

How neat the Ben got to interact with PUSH. It's unfortunate that we never got to see PUSH in person and now we never will.

 

[natebenma]

I aced it. Apparently I had a fantastic grasp of contraceptives for a teenager.

Oh, my! Your parents must have been so proud. Or not!

I love all the silly Splash Mountain pics! (And Flash Mountain pics! ) but that Monopoly one is especially hilarious.

“Double Triple Mountain Whammy” -- awesome.

Great capture! I never think to bring our waterproof cam to MK so at this point I'm always hiding my good camera under my shirt.

Oh PUSH! I am so sad that he's gone. Doody. Too funny. And I keep hearing it in PUSH's voice too.

Love the Buzz and Photopass pics!

We had a super afternoon. I think that was either our 2nd or 3rd Double Triple Mountain Whammy during our trips. We are mountain junkies!

It is so convenient for me to use my point and shoot waterproof for my photos, but what I need to do is bring out the big-girl camera more often.

Push. We hardly knew ya!

How neat the Ben got to interact with PUSH. It's unfortunate that we never got to see PUSH in person and now we never will.

We didn't realize when we met PUSH that it would be the first and only time. I am really glad we got the chance.

 

[natebenma]

Three Comics in the “Communications Throughout History” theme in honor of one of our favorite attractions









Our favorite way of getting back to the Beach Club after a morning/afternoon at the MK is to take the monorail to EPCOT and enjoy a few attractions along the way. It may not be the quickest way to get there, but for us it is the best.

I love the views as you ride the loop around the park.











Apparently, I was able to convince my family to stop for a few photopass pictures on our way in.







Now, as we established earlier in this report, it is a physical impossibility for us to go past Spaceship Earth without going on for a ride (no matter how late we are for our dinner reservations). This time, we didn’t have any imminent plans, so we were able to go with a totally clear conscience.









Next, we decided we would check out the wait time for Sum of All Thrills. It wasn’t too bad, so we joined the line. The last time we did this, Ben was not allowed to design a ride that went “upside-down” due to his age, but this time he was clear to design whatever he pleased.

















Mark used to work for Raytheon, the sponsor of this exhibit.


Continued in Next Post

 

[natebenma]

Continued from previous post

After we were finished at Sum of All Thrills, we decided to venture over to the World Showcase.

Along the way we saw some pretty landscaping:









I love this view of Morocco with ToT in the background. I was blown away by Disney’s cleverness when I learned that the same color scheme was used for ToT so it would blend in.





We arrived in Mexico





Let’s ride, although I’ll say it once again- I liked this ride a lot better before the 3 ducks were added.



















I wish I had lined up this picture so that this guy was “wearing” the hat





Onward to Norway. Wait time for Maelstorm was outside of our tolerance zone, so we doubled back and returned to Mexico for a “quick” snack.

Just how long does it take for an order of churros? WAY TOO LONG!

We were behind a guy who had a question about his order. I can’t remember what the problem was, I think it had something to do with the dining plan, but he kept asking the same question. Over. And Over. And Over. When it finally was our turn, we placed our order and it took forever for our churros to be prepared.





This encounter sapped the life out of us, and it was starting to get late, so we returned to the Beach Club for a quick rest before what would be

My Favorite Meal of the Trip

.

 

[saintstickets]

Nice update and I love your pics. Looking forward to seeing what was your favorite meal!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

My God it's been ages since I took the Epcot Monorail (in that direction anyway). I so need to fix that because you're right, the views are spectacular. And I'm just talking about World Drive!

Incidentally I love the idea of trekking Epcot to the Beach Club. Frankly, it's the only proper thing Dee. The IG is there for a reason.

Isn't that ToT design brilliant???? And yet I've never really taken the time to admire it. Thank you for the photo.

Haha, I actually like your hat guy photo. It looks like the hat is floating off of his head. Kinda cool.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Dee - one of my favorite "rides" at Disney - Monorail from TTC to Epcot. Love the view coming into Epcot

You actually got a lot done on your detour! Thanks for the bit about TOT. Got to love Disney! And our favorite meal is....?

Rebecca

 

[momabbate]

Great update! I do see why this is your favorite way back to BC. I think it would be mine if I could only get to BC. (It is high on my list.) Can't wait to see your favorite meal.

 

[natebenma]

Nice update and I love your pics. Looking forward to seeing what was your favorite meal!

Thank you!

Some of my favorite pictures are food porn and I love sharing it here, since my family doesn't really "get it"

My God it's been ages since I took the Epcot Monorail (in that direction anyway). I so need to fix that because you're right, the views are spectacular. And I'm just talking about World Drive!

Incidentally I love the idea of trekking Epcot to the Beach Club. Frankly, it's the only proper thing Dee. The IG is there for a reason.

Isn't that ToT design brilliant???? And yet I've never really taken the time to admire it. Thank you for the photo.

Haha, I actually like your hat guy photo. It looks like the hat is floating off of his head. Kinda cool.

It had been a while for us too on that monorail route- I think 2010. We considered riding it when we were taking a break and killing time before dinner at Kona on our MK only day, but instead we did the resort loop a couple of times. (The monorail is TOO a ride!)

The location of the Beach Club is really what does it for us. We love being able to have a bonus EPCOT or HS visit on our way back to the resort from wherever we are, like another resort or DTD.

ToT is so masterfully blended in with the Morocco pavilion that I didn't know about it until I read about here on the DIS.

Thanks- it does look like it is floating off his head. If I had just asked him to move over a smidge!

Dee - one of my favorite "rides" at Disney - Monorail from TTC to Epcot. Love the view coming into Epcot

You actually got a lot done on your detour! Thanks for the bit about TOT. Got to love Disney! And our favorite meal is....?

Rebecca

Totally a ride!

Isn't that awesome about ToT and Morocco???

Well, my favorite meal was close to "home" and I have to say that the enjoyment of the experience was not all about the food.

Coming soon.

Great update! I do see why this is your favorite way back to BC. I think it would be mine if I could only get to BC. (It is high on my list.) Can't wait to see your favorite meal.

My fingers crossed for you to get to the BC!

I love being able to relive experiences and meals again by sharing them here.

 

[MEK]

Those pictures from the monorail are beautiful. I love that view of Mission Space!

Great PP pics. When you are traveling with 3 boys its always a bonus when all agree to stop momentary for a PP pic. Score!

Ugh to the forever line in Mexico. I have been in those lines that sap the life out of you. I was in a line once where the guy literally spent a full 10 minutes looking through the ingredient book in front of me. Get out of the line if you are going to do that.

Great update.

I never knew ToT was just beyond Morocco like that. Cool!

 

[MeMom]

He told Ben “Your shirt says Doody” (Call of Duty)

When I taught third grade, I used the Disney CD of The Ballad of Davy Crockett to teach my kids that song. When they got to the part where it says, ".....seeing his duty clear", they fell apart. They thought it was hysterical the first time I played it and giggled like crazy every single time we played it after that. Year after year - same results. I tried my best to explain 'duty', but they weren't buying it.

Along the way we saw some pretty landscaping:

The landscaping is a big part of creating the complete experience in each Disney park and even at the resorts, from the tropical flowers at Poly to the savannah at AKL to the sea-like plants at Art of Animation. I know nothing about plants, but I'd love to spend some time with the WDW landscapers listening to what they do probably 24/7 throughout the entire property.

 

[teekathepony]

Oh, my! Your parents must have been so proud. Or not!

Oh dear! Yes I just realized that could go two ways. Ok I'll clarify a little. I was a really good kid who REALLY didn't want kids EVER, so I knew my options.

On to your update!

Oh I so love the monorail ride to and through Epcot. It's so relaxing gliding over everything like that!
Love the Photopass pics!
I'd love to try Sum of all Thrills, but I'm so scared of the tiny little pod things. Just claustrophobic. DH loves the ride!

http://s657.photobucket.com/user/natebenma/media/Hijinks Trip Report/Disney/EPCOT/P1160999.jpg.html I love this view of Morocco with ToT in the background. I was blown away by Disney’s cleverness when I learned that the same color scheme was used for ToT so it would blend in. http://s657.photobucket.com/user/natebenma/media/Hijinks Trip Report/Disney/EPCOT/P1160997.jpg.html

Wow! I never realized you could see ToT from there! So I guess you could say Disney's clever idea worked!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[jenseib]

I hate when people in front of you in line are so slow. I seem to always pick the line that has those people!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

It feels good to start getting caught up again.






Very proud of you!

I also forgot to mention that a friend of mine overheard another mother in line waiting for one of the middle school shows "They didn't collect my ticket yesterday, so I am going to use it today" Really??? $5!!!



SERIOUSLY I really dont get people sometimes!


The peoplemover is one of our stand-by favorites.

Can't wait to hear all of the new adventures you will be experiencing as part of your birthday gift!

I'm so excited I've got them all picked and ready Do you want to hear the line up? Wont bore everyone with all the details/ hijack your report unless you ask me to!! Then I will happily bore you all

 

[natebenma]

I'm so excited I've got them all picked and ready Do you want to hear the line up? Wont bore everyone with all the details/ hijack your report unless you ask me to!! Then I will happily bore you all

Yes, please share your ride line-up!!!

 

[natebenma]

Those pictures from the monorail are beautiful. I love that view of Mission Space!

Great PP pics. When you are traveling with 3 boys its always a bonus when all agree to stop momentary for a PP pic. Score!

Ugh to the forever line in Mexico. I have been in those lines that sap the life out of you. I was in a line once where the guy literally spent a full 10 minutes looking through the ingredient book in front of me. Get out of the line if you are going to do that.

Great update.

I never knew ToT was just beyond Morocco like that. Cool!

Thank you!!! For some reason, I don't think I have many pictures taken from the monorail of the attractions around EPCOT. I don't know why, unless it was just that I was enjoying the scenery in past trips.

The family was thankfully cooperative about the photopass pictures on this trip. They didn't like it, but they did it.

Seriously, if you don't understand the answer after it is given to you 3 times, it probably won't help to keep asking the same thing!

Isn't that the coolest thing with the ToT/Morocco!

When I taught third grade, I used the Disney CD of The Ballad of Davy Crockett to teach my kids that song. When they got to the part where it says, ".....seeing his duty clear", they fell apart. They thought it was hysterical the first time I played it and giggled like crazy every single time we played it after that. Year after year - same results. I tried my best to explain 'duty', but they weren't buying it.

That is an awesome story!!! Thanks for sharing it!

The landscaping is a big part of creating the complete experience in each Disney park and even at the resorts, from the tropical flowers at Poly to the savannah at AKL to the sea-like plants at Art of Animation. I know nothing about plants, but I'd love to spend some time with the WDW landscapers listening to what they do probably 24/7 throughout the entire property.

I know, right! The attention to detail is really what makes the Disney experience what it is.

:

Oh dear! Yes I just realized that could go two ways. Ok I'll clarify a little. I was a really good kid who REALLY didn't want kids EVER, so I knew my options.

On to your update!

Oh I so love the monorail ride to and through Epcot. It's so relaxing gliding over everything like that!
Love the Photopass pics!
I'd love to try Sum of all Thrills, but I'm so scared of the tiny little pod things. Just claustrophobic. DH loves the ride!

Wow! I never realized you could see ToT from there! So I guess you could say Disney's clever idea worked!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thank you!

Have you been able to do Mission Space? Sum of All Thrills is a little tighter than that. But if you are claustrophobic, then the experience really isn't for you! It is the same ride technology at Forbiden Journey at WWoHP, but the cars ("brooms") in that ride are open.

Now that you know ToT is there, I need to see your picture of this view.

I hate when people in front of you in line are so slow. I seem to always pick the line that has those people!

Just annoying!



Now I know not to get in line behind you!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Yes, please share your ride line-up!!!

Ok since you asked

MK-I'm asking for BTM as it sounds like the most fun and for some reason everyone always agrees to do Splash Mountain so the only one I'm missing is Space Mountain. I do have a bit of a cunning plan here as our trip overlaps with my daughter and her fiancee and I'm hoping we can hook up with them in MK 1 day and I will go on Space Mountain with him and send the others to get an ice-cream or something but even if that doesn't happen I will be delighted to have done 2 out of 3 mountains

HS- I'm asking for RnR coaster as I've never been on it whereas I have managed to persuade eldest son to do ToT in the past (who knows I may wear him down again by the end of the trip to do it too)

EPCOT-I'm going for Soaring because I love it and again bizarrely connor has no problem, in fact he loves MS, so It's a trade-off, I do MS orange for him (bearing in mind I can't do the teacups without feeling ill so it is me being a tough girl lol) and he will do Soaring with me. We all love TT though I must check the height limit for the youngest son. Fingers crossed he's big enough because I think he would love it too

AK- Well it's a no brainer really - it's got to be EE

You have no idea how excited I am by all this

Ok maybe you do I CANT WAIT

 

[natebenma]

Ok since you asked

MK-I'm asking for BTM as it sounds like the most fun and for some reason everyone always agrees to do Splash Mountain so the only one I'm missing is Space Mountain. I do have a bit of a cunning plan here as our trip overlaps with my daughter and her fiancee and I'm hoping we can hook up with them in MK 1 day and I will go on Space Mountain with him and send the others to get an ice-cream or something but even if that doesn't happen I will be delighted to have done 2 out of 3 mountains

HS- I'm asking for RnR coaster as I've never been on it whereas I have managed to persuade eldest son to do ToT in the past (who knows I may wear him down again by the end of the trip to do it too)

EPCOT-I'm going for Soaring because I love it and again bizarrely connor has no problem, in fact he loves MS, so It's a trade-off, I do MS orange for him (bearing in mind I can't do the teacups without feeling ill so it is me being a tough girl lol) and he will do Soaring with me. We all love TT though I must check the height limit for the youngest son. Fingers crossed he's big enough because I think he would love it too

AK- Well it's a no brainer really - it's got to be EE

You have no idea how excited I am by all this

Ok maybe you do I CANT WAIT

Great choices!!!

Big Thunder Mountain is my favorite MK ride. And it is not too "thrilly", just FUN!



RNR was Nate's threshold coaster- once he finally did this, there was no stopping him. There is almost nothing he won't ride now. Ben finally rode for the first time in July (age 12)

EE: Exciting, Great Scenery!

Soarin- Nothing too scary there. Everyone will love it!