Houston, We Have A Secret: A TX Vacation With A WDW Surprise ...aaand Done! Page 43

[dvc4life]

I admit, I had to Google "corker". I don't think I've ever heard it before. (But the definition totally fits. )

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Agreed! We went to the local Six Flags park in Chicago a few weekends ago. We mostly used it as a reminder why we go to Disney so much.

YUCK! We've not been to Great America since the boys were like 10 and 8 -- AWFUL park and food.

Hmmm...sounds like I did well to skip that part of Chicago...

 

[FreezinRafiki]

YUCK! We've not been to Great America since the boys were like 10 and 8 -- AWFUL park and food.

Hmmm...sounds like I did well to skip that part of Chicago...

Ugh, it was bad. I know it was a Saturday in August, so it was going to be packed, but their crowd management was horrible. Two examples:
They have Looney Tunes characters in the park. We came across Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. But they had no line what so ever for people to stand in to get their pictures - just a crowd of people all around them. There was an employee standing to the left of the characters, so I had the kids stand next to him and the few other people behind him, assuming he was the line. All of a sudden, he walks out in front of the characters and announces that the line forms behind him! Madison looks at me with a "what just happened? I was in line." look. While people were scrambling to get in line behind this guy, I just told the kids they were next, we got the picture and got the heck out of there.
Example 2: The have a gigantic play area in their water park for the kids. It's 4 levels of slides, bridges, water guns, dump buckets, etc. But again, there are no defined lines for any of the water slides. There is one that people can literally come from 3 different directions that converge right at the top of one slide. We decided even before we went on our first slide that day that we would probably never come back.

Ok, I thought I was done ranting about that place but I have one more. They have signs all over the place (some billboard sized!) proclaiming this the "Cleanest Theme Park in the World!". Clearly by "world" they mean "North Chicago Suburbs". There was one spot in line for a roller coaster where there was probably 50-75 pieces of gum stuck to a rock.

One good thing about it, though - the kids rode Deamon, their first coaster that loops and goes upside down. They loved it!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Remember at the end of the last entry when I said:

"I can't top what just happened, so why even try...

...or can I?"


Well, I can't. Not even close. That was just a tease to get you back here. But, as long as you're here, you might as well read along.

As I mentioned before, this week was hot. Hot, hot, hot, hot, HOT. And what better ride to cool off on than...


Splash Mountain!

This has quickly become the kids' most favoritest ride in all of Disney World. They've even gotten brave enough to make sure they're sitting up tall enough for the camera to catch them as we hit the drop!

After Splash, we made our way over toward Fantasyland. Bambi, always one to keep an keen eye on our investments, stopped to check out the stocks.

HA! And you thought I was done with the puns! I was just laying back, waiting for you all to get relaxed, then WHAM!

That fuzzy and slightly out of focus picture serves no purpose other than to remind me to tell you that we rode Peter Pan's Flight next. Hey, I think Bambi did a pretty good job, considering she was shooting out of the back of a moving ship. I can't think of a clever way to work it into the narration, so I'll just say it: Poop deck. Hehehehehe (Yeah, I have the sense of humor of the average 12 year old)

Wild Stallions! Bucking Broncos! Spinning gently in a circle and whimsically going up and down!

I guess no matter how hard you try, you just can't make a carousel sound like a thrill ride.

Time for a quick shade break:

Interesting thing about that picture: when we were back down in WDW this summer, we were walking though Fantasyland and something just didn't seem right. Then it hit me: that planter/bench that the kids are sitting on was gone! A victim of the Fantasyland expansion. I'm sure a similar one will replace it in the future, but I'm kind of glad that they pulled it out - it's tight enough back there right now without having to navigate around things like that.

The line for Dumbo was well over 60 minutes, so we decided to skip it. But here's a Dumbo shrub. Interesting how it's the middle of Spring, yet the leaves on Pooh's tree are already (still?) red and orange.

We then headed to Its a Small World. As we were standing in line, the kids kept talking about Splash Mountain and how they really wanted to ride Splash Mountain again. I had to be the bearer of of bad news and tell them that we didn't have any more FastPasses for it and they line was pretty long. That's when I made the ultimate parental sacrifice. It would be one of the hardest things I've ever done, but as parents, we don't think twice about what's good for us, we just do what's best for the kids. I decided to have them enjoy the nice Air Conditioned, Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed, It's a Small World. While I braved the burning sun, intense heat, and crowded sidewalks filled with all sorts of ruffians and scalawags to cross the parks and get Fast Passes for Splash Mountain. You're welcome, kids.

For those of you keeping score at home, I've now missed out on the Country Bear Jamboree and It's A Small World. Bambi, who did NOT get to miss out on either of these attractions, didn't seem too pleased about this.


Madison loves to play with the camera. Because she gets to take pictures of herself.

I met everyone at the exit to Small World, and the kids immediately wanted to go ride Splash. Slow down there, kiddos. I got FastPasses, but they're printed on paper, not some kind of magical parchment. We still have to wait until the time printed on them. So off we went to protect the Galaxy from the threat of invasion from the evil Emperor Zurg, sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance! And his two sidekicks.

Evan seems a bit to happy to be in prison...

Lunch Time! We had made reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern. We had been there years ago, back when it was a character dinner. Today it served as a nice, cool place to sit and eat. We knew they didn't do the big family style turkey meal at lunch, and that was fine with us. In fact, with the heat outside I really wasn't all that hungry. In fact, I just ordered the Tri-Corner sandwich, thinking it would be a nice, light meal.

....or, they'll cram an entire side of beef between two pieces of bread.

With our bellies very, very full, we charted out a course for the rest of our afternoon. Literally, Evan used a sextant and everything to chart out a course. What, you thought I was using some kind of play on words there or something?

And where did Evan's course take us? Yup.

Such a nice picture of mother and daughter. And some random strange lady that though I was taking a picture of her.

After Splash Mountain, Madison decided it was time for me to pay the piper for missing both Country Bear Jamboree and Small World by taking her to the Hillbilly Bear Show. Seriously, with the banjos and all, does this show remind anyone else of Deliverance?

After the show, it was still hot, so we decided to say good bye to the the Magic Kingdom and spend a little more time in the pool before we had to get up bright and early the next morning for our flight home.

I did manage a few parting shots as we walked down Main Street, USA.

Up Next: The Crack of Dawn and the Journey Home

 

[afwdwfan]

Ok, I thought I was done ranting about that place but I have one more. They have signs all over the place (some billboard sized!) proclaiming this the "Cleanest Theme Park in the World!". Clearly by "world" they mean "North Chicago Suburbs". There was one spot in line for a roller coaster where there was probably 50-75 pieces of gum stuck to a rock.

I went there once, probably about 10 or 12 years ago. Someone's breakfast made a re-appearance near the exit of one of the rollercoasters. Understandable... it happens once in a while and they can't make it to a bathroom or trash can. What isn't understandable is the fact that the next time I walked by a couple of hours later it still hadn't been cleaned up. That is the most specific detail I remember from that park.

One good thing about it, though - the kids rode Deamon, their first coaster that loops and goes upside down. They loved it!

Awesome!

Remember at the end of the last entry when I said:

"I can't top what just happened, so why even try...

...or can I?"


Well, I can't. Not even close. That was just a tease to get you back here. But, as long as you're here, you might as well read along.

Don't worry, Barry. I knew that was going to be the case, but I planned to read on anyway.

After Splash, we made our way over toward Fantasyland. Bambi, always one to keep an keen eye on our investments, stopped to check out the stocks.

I can't think of a clever way to work it into the narration, so I'll just say it: Poop deck. Hehehehehe (Yeah, I have the sense of humor of the average 12 year old)

OK, I guess the poop deck thing is kind of funny.

I guess no matter how hard you try, you just can't make a carousel sound like a thrill ride.

Well, if they'd crank the thing up to about mach 2... but then they'd have to hire more janitors.

Evan seems a bit to happy to be in prison...

What, you thought I was using some kind of play on words there or something?

You? Use a play on words? Never!

Such a nice picture of mother and daughter. And some random strange lady that though I was taking a picture of her.

I don't know what's creepier. The fact that you're taking pictures of random strangers, or the fact that the random stranger looks so happy to be in your picture.

Love the last 2 pictures!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Remember at the end of the last entry when I said:

"I can't top what just happened, so why even try...

...or can I?"


Well, I can't. Not even close. That was just a tease to get you back here. But, as long as you're here, you might as well read along.

Well played, Barry. Well played.

After Splash, we made our way over toward Fantasyland. Bambi, always one to keep an keen eye on our investments, stopped to check out the stocks.

Looks like she needed a bailout.

I can't think of a clever way to work it into the narration, so I'll just say it: Poop deck. Hehehehehe (Yeah, I have the sense of humor of the average 12 year old)

Hey, look at that! I have the same sense of humor!

I guess no matter how hard you try, you just can't make a carousel sound like a thrill ride.

But there is a way to make it look like one.

That's when I made the ultimate parental sacrifice. It would be one of the hardest things I've ever done, but as parents, we don't think twice about what's good for us, we just do what's best for the kids. I decided to have them enjoy the nice Air Conditioned, Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed, It's a Small World. While I braved the burning sun, intense heat, and crowded sidewalks filled with all sorts of ruffians and scalawags to cross the parks and get Fast Passes for Splash Mountain. You're welcome, kids.

This brave, noble sacrifice brought a tear to my eye. You are the father I aspire to be someday. I salute you, sir.

For those of you keeping score at home, I've now missed out on the Country Bear Jamboree and It's A Small World. Bambi, who did NOT get to miss out on either of these attractions, didn't seem too pleased about this.

Being a good wife, I'm sure she wanted you to share in the joy of these attractions.

Madison loves to play with the camera. Because she gets to take pictures of herself.

Is it just me, or does this look like a giant Madison is ravaging Fantasyland?

Evan seems a bit to happy to be in prison...

Get used to those bars, kid.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

In fact, I just ordered the Tri-Corner sandwich, thinking it would be a nice, light meal.

....or, they'll cram an entire side of beef between two pieces of bread.

Well, it looks tasty, anyway.

Such a nice picture of mother and daughter. And some random strange lady that though I was taking a picture of her.

Hmm. Well, she has a nice smile. It would have been creepier if she showed up in all of the rest of your pictures.

Seriously, with the banjos and all, does this show remind anyone else of Deliverance?

This may be the first time that movie has been associated with anything at Disney World.

I like this shot. I like it a lot!

 

[KatMark]

Remember at the end of the last entry when I said:

"I can't top what just happened, so why even try...

...or can I?"


Well, I can't. Not even close. That was just a tease to get you back here. But, as long as you're here, you might as well read along.

Nice job, Barry.

This has quickly become the kids' most favoritest ride in all of Disney World. They've even gotten brave enough to make sure they're sitting up tall enough for the camera to catch them as we hit the drop!

Not sure how "tall" Evan can sit up, though.

HA! And you thought I was done with the puns! I was just laying back, waiting for you all to get relaxed, then WHAM!

Oh, we knew that all along.

That fuzzy and slightly out of focus picture serves no purpose other than to remind me to tell you that we rode Peter Pan's Flight next. Hey, I think Bambi did a pretty good job, considering she was shooting out of the back of a moving ship. I can't think of a clever way to work it into the narration, so I'll just say it: Poop deck. Hehehehehe (Yeah, I have the sense of humor of the average 12 year old)

This is very true, people!

We then headed to Its a Small World. As we were standing in line, the kids kept talking about Splash Mountain and how they really wanted to ride Splash Mountain again. I had to be the bearer of of bad news and tell them that we didn't have any more FastPasses for it and they line was pretty long. That's when I made the ultimate parental sacrifice. It would be one of the hardest things I've ever done, but as parents, we don't think twice about what's good for us, we just do what's best for the kids. I decided to have them enjoy the nice Air Conditioned, Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed, It's a Small World. While I braved the burning sun, intense heat, and crowded sidewalks filled with all sorts of ruffians and scalawags to cross the parks and get Fast Passes for Splash Mountain. You're welcome, kids.

Such a brave, brave daddy you are.


Evan seems a bit to happy to be in prison...

Hmmmm....why does that not surprise me?

Great update, Barry, as always (comments in red).

Hey, look at that! I have the same sense of humor!

I can attest to that after lunch.

Is it just me, or does this look like a giant Madison is ravaging Fantasyland?

Mark, I thought the same thing! It's "Honey, I Blew Up the Park Visitors."

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Remember at the end of the last entry when I said:

"I can't top what just happened, so why even try...

...or can I?"


Well, I can't. Not even close. That was just a tease to get you back here. But, as long as you're here, you might as well read along.

Alright, if you insist...

After Splash, we made our way over toward Fantasyland. Bambi, always one to keep an keen eye on our investments, stopped to check out the stocks.

So good!

Another great update! I'm sad this trip report is coming to an end, but I'm looking forward to hearing about your last trip.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

You're welcome, kids.

For those of you keeping score at home, I've now missed out on the Country Bear Jamboree and It's A Small World. Bambi, who did NOT get to miss out on either of these attractions, didn't seem too pleased about this.

I can't imagine why...did you also manage to make a FastPass run during Stitch's Great Escape and the "Under New Management" version of the Tikis?

....or, they'll cram an entire side of beef between two pieces of bread.

Well, yes. It's the right thing to do!

With our bellies very, very full, we charted out a course for the rest of our afternoon. Literally, Evan used a sextant and everything to chart out a course. What, you thought I was using some kind of play on words there or something?

Evan is quite the multitalented kid!

Such a nice picture of mother and daughter. And some random strange lady that though I was taking a picture of her.

I'm always faced with that conundrum, whether or not to smile for strangers photographs when I know that I'll be included in them. Like, I'll either end up being the stranger gazing off into the distance, or staring stony-faced into the camera, or giving them my best winning smile. I usually vote for the smile too .

Oh no, the TR is coming to a close!!

 

[dvczerfs]

nice picks barry!!! i love the guy in the one pic next to dw sticking his hands through where you head goes. love the look on his face! i always smile in other peoples pictures!!! in june in line for toy story, there were three girls taking pics of each other, i was giving the one bunny ears the entire time. the other two girls were laughing. i dont think they told her. wait till she sees those pics.

 

[Poolrat]

After Splash, we made our way over toward Fantasyland. Bambi, always one to keep an keen eye on our investments, stopped to check out the stocks.

Poop deck. Hehehehehe (Yeah, I have the sense of humor of the average 12 year old)

Time for a quick shade break:

Interesting thing about that picture: when we were back down in WDW this summer, we were walking though Fantasyland and something just didn't seem right. Then it hit me: that planter/bench that the kids are sitting on was gone! A victim of the Fantasyland expansion. I'm sure a similar one will replace it in the future, but I'm kind of glad that they pulled it out - it's tight enough back there right now without having to navigate around things like that.

chacha changes..

We then headed to Its a Small World. As we were standing in line, the kids kept talking about Splash Mountain and how they really wanted to ride Splash Mountain again. I had to be the bearer of of bad news and tell them that we didn't have any more FastPasses for it and they line was pretty long. That's when I made the ultimate parental sacrifice. It would be one of the hardest things I've ever done, but as parents, we don't think twice about what's good for us, we just do what's best for the kids. I decided to have them enjoy the nice Air Conditioned, Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed, It's a Small World. While I braved the burning sun, intense heat, and crowded sidewalks filled with all sorts of ruffians and scalawags to cross the parks and get Fast Passes for Splash Mountain. You're welcome, kids.

What a sacrifice!!

Evan seems a bit to happy to be in prison...

Madison does look too broken up about it either.

....or, they'll cram an entire side of beef between two pieces of bread.

Yowza! that may have to go on the list for a good filling meal.

Love this!!!

 

[petals]

Luvin the update!
You sound like you were devastated to be missin Small World!
I loled at the "they'll cram an entire side of beef between two pieces of bread" pic and the random lady who thought you were taking her picture!

Boo to next update being going home time!

 

[mom3sonstt]

Still trying to get caught up here...


Great update(s)! Loved Madison's Flash mob experience. The Bre'ers are so friendly - Bre'er Bear is one of my favorites! And I am so jealous you got to meet Big Al in person.....although, if he was outside dancing - who was inside performing....

Evan is a doll! He probably got more digits than just that crowd of girls....you are just being modest.

 

[KatMark]

Just popping in to see if there was anything "new" to report or announce over here.

 

[buckeev]

Awesome stuff Mr. B!
Been reading along for quite some time and figured I'd shout out a THANKS FOR SHARING!
I enjoyed hearing your take on Houston, especially Galveston. (grew up there and still live on north Galveston Bay).
I wish I had the patience to attempt a TR, but wouldn't even begin to do justice to the very entertaining stuff you come up with!
"Streaky Tiki"

Looking forward to more postings!

 

[petals]

Just popping in to see if there was anything "new" to report or announce over here.

I was looking to see if that had happened as well

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I went there once, probably about 10 or 12 years ago. Someone's breakfast made a re-appearance near the exit of one of the rollercoasters. Understandable... it happens once in a while and they can't make it to a bathroom or trash can. What isn't understandable is the fact that the next time I walked by a couple of hours later it still hadn't been cleaned up. That is the most specific detail I remember from that park.

I guess when you're operating season is only May through September you have to squeeze every penny of revenue you can. And if that means not hiring custodial staff...

Don't worry, Barry. I knew that was going to be the case, but I planned to read on anyway.

I knew I could count on you, Andy. (Suckerrrrrr....)

OK, I guess the poop deck thing is kind of funny.

There, that made reading this entire TR worth it, didn't it?

Well, if they'd crank the thing up to about mach 2... but then they'd have to hire more janitors.

There's probably a few that were laid off from Six Flags that could use jobs...

You? Use a play on words? Never!

Every once in a while I need to keep you guys on your toes!

I don't know what's creepier. The fact that you're taking pictures of random strangers, or the fact that the random stranger looks so happy to be in your picture.

She got to share a Splash Mountain log with us. That might have been her dream come true!

Love the last 2 pictures!

Thanks!

Well played, Barry. Well played.

I figure that by the time most people read that part, they would be to lazy to click the "back" button and would finish reading out of pure laziness. At least, that's what I'd do...

Looks like she needed a bailout.

Is your sad face because of my pun, or that you just realized that you've sunk to my level and used one of your own? Either way, Welcome To The Club!

Hey, look at that! I have the same sense of humor!

Bambi and I were discussing it, and we (she) came to the conclusion that saying it is the sense of humor of a 12 year old is a disservice to 12 year olds. I believe we settled somewhere in the 6-8 year old range.

But there is a way to make it look like one.

Very true. When you get to that point in your TR, free to shamelessly plug it here. Heck, plug it here now if you want. You know what? I'm not doing anything now, I'll do it.
Everybody - go read Mark's Non-Disney Trip Report about his summer road trip here. It's witty and well written, but most of all, my family makes a cameo appearance .

This brave, noble sacrifice brought a tear to my eye. You are the father I aspire to be someday. I salute you, sir.

I'm no hero. I just do what I gotta do. Truth be told, I may have skipped - just a little bit - as I left IASW's queue.

Being a good wife, I'm sure she wanted you to share in the joy of these attractions.

Something like that...

Is it just me, or does this look like a giant Madison is ravaging Fantasyland?

Raaarrrr! Give me everything sparkly and pink or I'll tear your town apart!

Get used to those bars, kid.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Not unexpected. +1

Well, it looks tasty, anyway.

Oh, it was. It was indeed.

Hmm. Well, she has a nice smile. It would have been creepier if she showed up in all of the rest of your pictures.

I believe it was from this ride that we actually purchased the ride photo. All 6 of us are clearly visible and have adequate expressions of fear on our faces. This lady and her son are ducking down below the seat so it looks like we had the log to ourselves.

This may be the first time that movie has been associated with anything at Disney World.

Are you sure? I could have sworn I saw an banjo-playing hillbilly doll in It's a Small World...

I like this shot. I like it a lot!

Thanks!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Not sure how "tall" Evan can sit up, though.

OK, "sit up" may not be the best choice of words. He does "pull himself up to a semi-standing position" to be seen in the picture, though.

This is very true, people!

I'm pretty sure the only think that you from just getting up and leaving from lunch was the fact that Evan and I had you pinned into the corner of the booth!

Such a brave, brave daddy you are.

Just paying it forward to the next generation.

Great update, Barry, as always (comments in red).

Thanks Kathy!

Alright, if you insist...
Another great update! I'm sad this trip report is coming to an end, but I'm looking forward to hearing about your last trip.

Thanks. I keep going back and forth about if I'm going to do a TR for that trip. There are some great stories to tell, but I'm getting a bit burned out. But I can't disappoint my loyal readers, can I?

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I can't imagine why...did you also manage to make a FastPass run during Stitch's Great Escape and the "Under New Management" version of the Tikis?

We've been on Stitch's Great Escape exactly once - and that was before even Madison was born. We can walk by it and see a 5 minute wait and decided that it too long to wait for that ride.

Well, yes. It's the right thing to do!

Evan is quite the multitalented kid!

You think that's talent? He can do this thing where he presses his tongue to the roof of his mouth then "clicks" it down. I have no idea how he does it, but the sound he makes to incredibly loud. Total strangers will hear him and ask how he does it!

I'm always faced with that conundrum, whether or not to smile for strangers photographs when I know that I'll be included in them. Like, I'll either end up being the stranger gazing off into the distance, or staring stony-faced into the camera, or giving them my best winning smile. I usually vote for the smile too .

Excellent choice! Picking your nose is a good one as well!

Oh no, the TR is coming to a close!!

Yes, but all good things must end. And apparently, so do mediocre things as well.

nice picks barry!!! i love the guy in the one pic next to dw sticking his hands through where you head goes. love the look on his face! i always smile in other peoples pictures!!! in june in line for toy story, there were three girls taking pics of each other, i was giving the one bunny ears the entire time. the other two girls were laughing. i dont think they told her. wait till she sees those pics.

Ewwwww....like, who's the creepy old guy in all my pictures! You rock, Dave!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

chacha changes..

Yup. I look back at old pictures from when my family went to WDW when I was in 2nd grade and see how much as changed. I can only imagine what Madison and Evan will think when they see these pictures again in 15 or 20 years.

What a sacrifice!!

Madison does look too broken up about it either.

Good point. But her look also has a bit of "Dad took the picture, can I get out now?" to it.

Yowza! that may have to go on the list for a good filling meal.

Typically I'm stealing fries from the kids' plates. I'm pretty sure I left some fries behind on my own after that sandwich.

Love this!!!

Thanks!

Luvin the update!
You sound like you were devastated to be missin Small World!
I loled at the "they'll cram an entire side of beef between two pieces of bread" pic and the random lady who thought you were taking her picture!

Boo to next update being going home time!

Thank you. I like to think of going home time as really the start of our next vacation. If I don't, I'll drive myself insane.