mnmrmustard
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,246
We headed out of Typhoon Lagoon just before closing. It had been a great day and I was trying to keep a mellow pace. But I wanted us to make it to Spectro, which meant making it back to the resort and showering/changing, getting food, and driving to the TTC to catch the monorail to MK ...all within a couple of hours!
We made it back to the resort without issue and the DDs jumped in the shower. My parents decided to sit this one out and DW and I decided to wait until we got back for showers.
Sooo, DDs, DW, MiL and I piled into the van and headed out - planning on making a quick stop at a McDonalds just across the freeway (or so said our GPS). We crossed under the highway and there wasn't one where the GPS said there was supposed to be one. But we saw one a bit further down on the other side of the street so no worries, right?
Well I'm starting to sweat the time a bit and traffic is not cooperating, but we finally make it to it, get our food ordered, and start eating as I drive towards MK.
We make it to the TTC In decent time and get a pretty good parking spot, and then headed for the gates. By the time we get through I'm getting a bit paniced about time and MiL's electric wheelchair starts giving out.
We have 15 minutes to go and I grab the handles on the back and start trucking up the ramp with her with DDs and DW right behind us. We make it up in time and get on the monorail, and just as the doors are closing....
...
...
...
...
...YOU GUESSED IT!
It was only my second time to the TTC and I didn't pay attention, soooooo
OFF WE WENT TO EPCOT!
I was exausted and knew I had pushed us all and then didn't look up at the entrance sign and BAM! I was in a funk
DW had seen the sign to EPCOT and had just assumed I knew where I was going. I had said Magic Kingdom, but it was in the middle of all our haste driving there so I understand her not catching it ...we were just so hurried.
So I was fuming AND felt like a jerk for making everyone rush and then blowing it.
It is amazing how long the ride to EPCOT and back is when you meant to go somewhere else. We eventually made it back with my wife talking me down and me trying to to let my bad mood rub off on the DDs.
We of course had to then go down the EPCOT ramp and up the MK ramp. There was a monorail there which I got myself and MiL to ...but DDs had to go to the bathroom and couldn't wait so we missed it :|
We took the next one and hustled down the ramp and towards the turnstiles. Bag check, ticket swipe, and I can hear the music playing! We make it through the tunnel and come out just as Mickey is rolling around in front of us!
Now one might consider this a triumph, but I knew this was the only night we'd see the parade so I wanted to get some good pictures. Here's where my next big goof comes into play.
I had been very good about charging all batteries each night but had neglected to do so the prior evening ....because we were going to use the waterproof cameras today, right?????
Needless to say I pulled out my dSLR and bing! dead battery. The parade is wheeling on by as I struggle with my camera bag. This is the one time that I lost sight of the real deal ...of making sure the girls were having a good time. No Daddy of the Year award for me.
DW got some help from a kind dad who helped the girls up onto the wall of the tree planter to the right after you go through the archway on the right. I looked up and they were set (I didn't know at the time that DW had to get help from someone else).
So I went back to my camera bag grumbling about the battery. I even played the "grumble at DW" card because that was the one purchase she said "no" to before our trip ...having an extra battery for the camera.
Grumble grumble grumble - are we all enjoying my pity party?
I pulled out our video camera, which had been giving us fits lately and not wanting to start up. After 3 tries it finally spun up and was ready to record. I was gathering up my bag and attaching the monopod when MiL waved me up onto the porch of Tony's Town Square Restaraunt.
I caught the parade about half way through an pulled these wee screen grabs from it:
We followed the end of the parade up the street and picked a spot on the sidewalk just up from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor for Wishes. We were at the back of the tape so at least nobody could crowd in behind us.
DW braved the line in the ice cream parlor to get the girls some treats while I tried to keep people from standing right in front of my MiL in her wheelchair. The show finally started and I tried the amazing feat of filming with a tired 8yr old on my shoulders.
Here's a few caps from that:
Afterwards we took our time, looking through shops and continuing the search for bells to add to DD11s bell collection as DD8 continued to to amass snow globes for her collection
I went out and bought each girl a balloon and was happy to realize that they had been too tired to notice how grumpy I had gotten earlier. We eventually made our way out of the park and back home. DW and I finally got our showers and we all hit the sack. And yes, DW and I had a talk after everyone went to bed and I promised to not let life's little oops'es get to me like that again ;-]
Whew! Another long day with over a week of fun to go! We had MGM or DHS, whichever you prefer, set for tomorrow. Would it be fun in the sun or are there more clouds on the horizon? I promise I won't hold y'all in suspense quite so long this time ...hehehe
We made it back to the resort without issue and the DDs jumped in the shower. My parents decided to sit this one out and DW and I decided to wait until we got back for showers.
Sooo, DDs, DW, MiL and I piled into the van and headed out - planning on making a quick stop at a McDonalds just across the freeway (or so said our GPS). We crossed under the highway and there wasn't one where the GPS said there was supposed to be one. But we saw one a bit further down on the other side of the street so no worries, right?
Well I'm starting to sweat the time a bit and traffic is not cooperating, but we finally make it to it, get our food ordered, and start eating as I drive towards MK.
We make it to the TTC In decent time and get a pretty good parking spot, and then headed for the gates. By the time we get through I'm getting a bit paniced about time and MiL's electric wheelchair starts giving out.
We have 15 minutes to go and I grab the handles on the back and start trucking up the ramp with her with DDs and DW right behind us. We make it up in time and get on the monorail, and just as the doors are closing....
...
...
...
...
...YOU GUESSED IT!
It was only my second time to the TTC and I didn't pay attention, soooooo
OFF WE WENT TO EPCOT!
I was exausted and knew I had pushed us all and then didn't look up at the entrance sign and BAM! I was in a funk
DW had seen the sign to EPCOT and had just assumed I knew where I was going. I had said Magic Kingdom, but it was in the middle of all our haste driving there so I understand her not catching it ...we were just so hurried.So I was fuming AND felt like a jerk for making everyone rush and then blowing it.
It is amazing how long the ride to EPCOT and back is when you meant to go somewhere else. We eventually made it back with my wife talking me down and me trying to to let my bad mood rub off on the DDs.
We of course had to then go down the EPCOT ramp and up the MK ramp. There was a monorail there which I got myself and MiL to ...but DDs had to go to the bathroom and couldn't wait so we missed it :|
We took the next one and hustled down the ramp and towards the turnstiles. Bag check, ticket swipe, and I can hear the music playing! We make it through the tunnel and come out just as Mickey is rolling around in front of us!
Now one might consider this a triumph, but I knew this was the only night we'd see the parade so I wanted to get some good pictures. Here's where my next big goof comes into play.
I had been very good about charging all batteries each night but had neglected to do so the prior evening ....because we were going to use the waterproof cameras today, right?????
Needless to say I pulled out my dSLR and bing! dead battery. The parade is wheeling on by as I struggle with my camera bag. This is the one time that I lost sight of the real deal ...of making sure the girls were having a good time. No Daddy of the Year award for me.
DW got some help from a kind dad who helped the girls up onto the wall of the tree planter to the right after you go through the archway on the right. I looked up and they were set (I didn't know at the time that DW had to get help from someone else).
So I went back to my camera bag grumbling about the battery. I even played the "grumble at DW" card because that was the one purchase she said "no" to before our trip ...having an extra battery for the camera.
Grumble grumble grumble - are we all enjoying my pity party?
I pulled out our video camera, which had been giving us fits lately and not wanting to start up. After 3 tries it finally spun up and was ready to record. I was gathering up my bag and attaching the monopod when MiL waved me up onto the porch of Tony's Town Square Restaraunt.
I caught the parade about half way through an pulled these wee screen grabs from it:
We followed the end of the parade up the street and picked a spot on the sidewalk just up from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor for Wishes. We were at the back of the tape so at least nobody could crowd in behind us.
DW braved the line in the ice cream parlor to get the girls some treats while I tried to keep people from standing right in front of my MiL in her wheelchair. The show finally started and I tried the amazing feat of filming with a tired 8yr old on my shoulders.
Here's a few caps from that:
Afterwards we took our time, looking through shops and continuing the search for bells to add to DD11s bell collection as DD8 continued to to amass snow globes for her collection
I went out and bought each girl a balloon and was happy to realize that they had been too tired to notice how grumpy I had gotten earlier. We eventually made our way out of the park and back home. DW and I finally got our showers and we all hit the sack. And yes, DW and I had a talk after everyone went to bed and I promised to not let life's little oops'es get to me like that again ;-]
Whew! Another long day with over a week of fun to go! We had MGM or DHS, whichever you prefer, set for tomorrow. Would it be fun in the sun or are there more clouds on the horizon? I promise I won't hold y'all in suspense quite so long this time ...hehehe
I shaved it down to just over 10% with 139 that I will be posting in chunks 
At least you got to be designated babysitter of the moms!
