I'm Not As Tink As You Kronk I Am - Final Thoughts on Mustard's January Trip to WDW

[Leger13]

I'll still have to rent it sometime just to see the Spider Pig in action

Thank you so much about your thoughts on the stretching room pics

Yes, DD11 is especially good at spotting the little details I'm glad you found the umbrella and I know you'll get some great character shots and sword shots next time

Oh yes, Bob Sagett is extremely crude on stage - it is just so weird to hear those words coming out of his mouth

Yay, I beat ya - I think I just aged another year *cough cough wheeze wheeze*



Yeah, no kidding - I wanted secret service talking into sleeves and a fleet of black suburbans rolling out of there and got neither

Yeah, it would be interesting to be the tatoo guy, except that I know a guy from my military days who is really like that and he doesn't have much of a life other than training and trying to keep his clients alive. I guess it's the persona rather than the reality that gets people.

Yup, basically the same principle with spotting the secret service guys, except with them you can look for ear pieces

And I'm still pretty jazzed about meeting the Pres - just that whole concept that you shook the hand of the guy who lead the free world for eight years.

Yeah, that part is pretty funny....and there is another part in there that you just have to crook your head and say "did I just see what I think i saw?" I'll let you experience it

You're very welcome

It's always easier to spot things like that when you have extra eyes scouting the place out. My DH doesn't help much with that kind of stuff. He's always on a mission to get to the next ride

Yes it is....I was very disgusted.

well, I'll be adding yet another year here myself in September.

Maybe you should write Bill a letter and tell him he needs his Secret Service to be more showy like in the movies.

Oh yes, all the training can take over your life. That's why I'd only like to be "that guy" for a day.

Ah, so I see....it's a little easier to spot those Secret Service agents. You'd think they'd have those really tiny ear pieces that no one can see to make them pretty much undetectable.

Well yeah! I'm sure that moment was amazing. I can't imagine how I'd react....I met the band Korn once and and got their autographs and all I could say was "Thank you" to each of them....nothing else....I was so star struck I'd probably be even worse meeting a former president. I'd be the blubbering idiot

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

sounds like the Princess lunch was a hit.

I was told I was doing it in June 2009

 

[Tat2ddisneymom]

Two great Disney updates!

I love the pictures of the Haunted Mansion. The headstones were great. I think my favorite is Fred's (where a big old rock fell on his head ). I don't get much of a chance to really check them out, so its nice to be able to look at the pictures.

I agree with Cheri...the picture you got of the hanging man is AWESOME! How on earth did you get that? I tried that with my camera but I just got black. I may have to steal it, too.

I don't know if I've told you this before, but your daughters are absolutely beautiful. In the picture of Pumpkin Girl standing next to Aurora, I thought - she could pass for an Aurora. Seriously, she could get a job at WDW when she's older playing Sleeping Beauty. And Bean eating that chocolate crown... ...too cute.

How did you manage to snag an invitation to the castle? They didn't give us one when we went there. Am I missing something?

Oh, and on Bill Clinton...I'm psyched you got to go see him. I always liked old Billy Boy, even though he was a dog. He was a good president. I hope Obama gets the nomination, but if he doesn't, I'll vote for Hillary. I can't stand republicans. George Bush is a tard.

 

[Leger13]

Looks like y'all had a great time at Cinderella's Castle. I agree, I think the Disney photographer whent a little heavy on the flash too. Good thing you were taking pictures as well.

Glad you all had good meals Very cool for Sleeping Beauty to be so sweet about the fact that she had already signed at another park. I love how thoughtful the characters are. I would be afraid for my husband to see princess Jasmine. He'd probably run off with her

Those chocolate crowns look delicious and very cool. I love the little touches Disney thinks of. Can't wait to read about the update with the very bad girls

 

[mnmrmustard]

Yeah, that part is pretty funny....and there is another part in there that you just have to crook your head and say "did I just see what I think i saw?" I'll let you experience it

Okeydoke

You're very welcome

It's always easier to spot things like that when you have extra eyes scouting the place out. My DH doesn't help much with that kind of stuff. He's always on a mission to get to the next ride

Well yes, hard to take in the details when you're on a mission to get to the next destination

Yes it is....I was very disgusted.

Bad Sagett bad bad Sagett! Oh, and never rent the movie "The Aristocrats" - a movie about a joke that comedians tell each other to try and top each other for the raunchiest joke ever told. Sagett does the punchline.

well, I'll be adding yet another year here myself in September.

Awww, be happy about it Aging can be fun - you get to call other people young pups who don't know anything

Maybe you should write Bill a letter and tell him he needs his Secret Service to be more showy like in the movies.

I'll get right on that

Oh yes, all the training can take over your life. That's why I'd only like to be "that guy" for a day.

Fair enough.

Ah, so I see....it's a little easier to spot those Secret Service agents. You'd think they'd have those really tiny ear pieces that no one can see to make them pretty much undetectable.

Yup, it's pretty much a giveaway - lol

Well yeah! I'm sure that moment was amazing. I can't imagine how I'd react....I met the band Korn once and and got their autographs and all I could say was "Thank you" to each of them....nothing else....I was so star struck I'd probably be even worse meeting a former president. I'd be the blubbering idiot

Well he was pretty laid back and down to earth, which made it easier. Whereas meeting Korn, especially if it was after a concert, would be a whole lot more intense

great update and pics.

sounds like the Princess lunch was a hit.

I was told I was doing it in June 2009

It was a great hit and I know you'll enjoy it when you to

Two great Disney updates!

I love the pictures of the Haunted Mansion. The headstones were great. I think my favorite is Fred's (where a big old rock fell on his head ). I don't get much of a chance to really check them out, so its nice to be able to look at the pictures.

I crank them out when I can, hehehe. I'm very happy that you liked the tombstone pics, the humor in them always brings a smile

I agree with Cheri...the picture you got of the hanging man is AWESOME! How on earth did you get that? I tried that with my camera but I just got black. I may have to steal it, too.

Well getting the hanging man was a lot of luck plus a camera and lens that can shoot fast and pull in all the light possible. Steal away!

I don't know if I've told you this before, but your daughters are absolutely beautiful. In the picture of Pumpkin Girl standing next to Aurora, I thought - she could pass for an Aurora. Seriously, she could get a job at WDW when she's older playing Sleeping Beauty. And Bean eating that chocolate crown... ...too cute.

Well thank you for that, they are beautiful girls - they get it from their mommy I bet she'd enjoy bringing smiles to all those kids as a character. Yeah, Bean loved that choco crown

How did you manage to snag an invitation to the castle? They didn't give us one when we went there. Am I missing something?

Oh, and on Bill Clinton...I'm psyched you got to go see him. I always liked old Billy Boy, even though he was a dog. He was a good president. I hope Obama gets the nomination, but if he doesn't, I'll vote for Hillary. I can't stand republicans. George Bush is a tard.

The invitation was packaged with the 8x10 picture that we got of the girls, so technically we didn't have it ahead of time

Yeah, I thought Billy was pretty cool and I'm pretty much in the same boat as you as far as voting. And yes, G-Dub is a major weenie.

Looks like y'all had a great time at Cinderella's Castle. I agree, I think the Disney photographer whent a little heavy on the flash too. Good thing you were taking pictures as well.

Glad you all had good meals Very cool for Sleeping Beauty to be so sweet about the fact that she had already signed at another park. I love how thoughtful the characters are. I would be afraid for my husband to see princess Jasmine. He'd probably run off with her

Those chocolate crowns look delicious and very cool. I love the little touches Disney thinks of. Can't wait to read about the update with the very bad girls

Castle was cool and darn those flash bulbs - lol. The characters rocked, the only one DD11 didn't like was Aladdin from Epcot because he played up the ego side of the character a bit much. But the princesses were all great and Jasmine does have that mistique about her.

Hehehe, I'll get to the very bad girls tomorrow hopefully

 

[mnmrmustard]

After dessert DW took the camera as Bean came around to Papa John and talked to him

…and then gave him a BIG HUGS!

And DD11 used her wand to bestow a magical wish upon me

I forget what Bean was talking about, but she sure had our attention

Her and Papa John were really enjoying their time together

The moms where having a wonderful conversation while they sipped drinks and let that good meal settle

Finally our time in the castle was over and we made our way out. The moms took the elevator while the rest of us hit the stairs. I took one more shot from up top I liked the arches and the little details like the crown in the top of the chandelier

On the way down I caught a shot of one of the stained glass windows in the tower

We went outside and came across a very special granter of wishes :-]

We went into TInk’s Treasures and shopped for almost an hour. The place certainly lives up to its name as the ladies found all kinds of treasures that they wanted – lol. Now here’s where things get interesting. I saw a spark of color outside the window where the fairy godmother had been standing.

I grabbed the girls and we went out to find the Wicked Stepmother and the Stepsisters! Now I have to say right now that these naughty girls were the BEST character interaction of the trip.

There wasn’t a line at this point so they really took their time.

I love the look the stepmother gave me in this one

They noticed the girl’s “first timer” buttons and went into their own first timer song.

They laughed, they screamed, they generally made a spectacle of themselves and took the girls along for the ride

They were making so much noise DW could hear them from the other end of the store and the store started emptying to see what was going on.

And the posed shot was just fantastic

By now it was getting close to time for our last special treat of the trip. We had arranged for the moms and the DDs to go parasailing at Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre at the Contemporary! We were leaving at a good time since most of the crowds were still circulating around the park.

We strolled out and followed the pathway under the monorail

As you can see it was a little gloomy but we didn’t mind, it was still about 20 degrees warmer than it would have been at this time in Oregon – lolol. Next time you’ll see the ladies hit the skies!!!

 

[cherbear]

great "Billy" pics! How cool that you got to shake his hand. I thought that was great that he stopped to come back to y'all.

And the pics at Cindy's castle were so great!! That chocolate crown DID look good!!!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

How great that they got that special attention from them. Little things like that make it worth while. Ok the whole place does but you know what I mean.

can't wait to see the parasailing.

 

[earthfaries]

Someone help me!!! I've turned into a major lurker

Enjoying your TR, can't believe it's coming to an end

 

[mnmrmustard]

great "Billy" pics! How cool that you got to shake his hand. I thought that was great that he stopped to come back to y'all.

And the pics at Cindy's castle were so great!! That chocolate crown DID look good!!!

Thank you and yes, it was pretty cool to meet him and that he took the time

I'm glad we did the castle - the interaction and the food were great. The girls really felt special. Yes, the crown did look yummy ...i kept threatening to take DD11's if she didn't start eating it - lol

great update and pics.

How great that they got that special attention from them. Little things like that make it worth while. Ok the whole place does but you know what I mean.

can't wait to see the parasailing.

Thanks much and I totally agree, those little moments really make the trip Parasailing will hopefully be posted in a day or two. Today we're taking the girls to the carnival at our city's "Boatnik" celebration - wheee!

Someone help me!!! I've turned into a major lurker

Enjoying your TR, can't believe it's coming to an end

Well hi there - good to see you! Thank you for stopping by and I hear ya - how can it be coming to and end??? Oh well, just have to plan another trip

 

[kindakrazy2]

Great updates Mike!

Your photos are, as always, fantastic!

So, how was the food at Cindy's castle? I am tempted to do it with the kids but the bed reviews have me nervous.

 

[MeMom]

I have really enjoyed the many stories and pictures from your trip. Thanks so much for sharing it all with us! GREAT trip report!

 

[mnmrmustard]

Great updates Mike!

Your photos are, as always, fantastic!

So, how was the food at Cindy's castle? I am tempted to do it with the kids but the bed reviews have me nervous.

Thank you so much Sarah

I too was worried about the reviews of the food there, but we must have come on the right day because we were all very happy with our meals. The meat was well cooked and seasoned and the veggies weren't soggy. Good filling meal in my book.

I have really enjoyed the many stories and pictures from your trip. Thanks so much for sharing it all with us! GREAT trip report!

Hiya MeMom! Thank you so much for taking the time to share our adventure! I'm happy to hear my first attempt at a TR is being well-received

 

[mnmrmustard]

We strolled and/or rolled along the path and headed towards the Contemporary

And made our way around back to the marina area. The girls played while we checked in and signed all the “if I fall off the boat/out of the sky, I will not sue Sammy or Disney” forms. We then strolled down the dock and I took a quick shot of the girls, who were of course hamming it up

And then I turned to scope out our boat

We all got on the boat and met up with the guys who were taking us out and they were very nice and helpful throughout our experience.

First up was Bean getting strapped in…

…and then MiL

Before you knew it we were underway and they called Bean up to get connected with MiL on her heels

One of the guys gave some last minute tips

And then they were officially at LIFT OFF!

They gained altitude pretty quickly

They got up to 600 feet in the air and were truly flying around the place. They had a beautiful view of the resorts and the Magic Kingdom and beyond :-]

While they were flying the guys started getting Pumpkin Girl and Grandma Dollface suited up

As you can see DD11 was beaming and my mom was making conversation with one of the guys

All too soon MiL and Bean’s 12 minutes were up and they started reeling them in. I love that they had a pirate flag flying from their antenna

Down they come

Do they look happy or what?

Coming right on this update’s heels, our second group takes flight!

 

[mnmrmustard]

Back down safe and sound

And off to sit and reflect on their wonderful experience

Meanwhile Pumpkin Girl had already gotten strapped in and Grandma Dollface came up to join her :-]

Before you knew it they were taking to the air!

And were smiling down at us

We circled around, giving them views of everything around us

On the turns they would dip down a bit and fly far behind us

…and then shoot skyward again

The lake was pretty empty due to the cloudy/windy weather, but there were a few other pleasure seekers out there with us

Bean and MiL were still aglow and reflecting on their time in the sky

The ladies continued their RL “Soarin’”

…while one of the guys got an earful of what Bean thought of the experience …Hehehe

I took a quick shot of the new resort being built next to the Contemporary. Rumor had it that it was going to be another DVC destination ;-]

Finally it was time for our second flight to come back down

A quick catch…

…and another perfect touchdown

Up next, some last moments on the water and the end of our journey

 

[cherbear]

awwww....how fun!!! Those pics were the best! I LOVE the look on Pumpkin girl's face when she was sitting there waiting her turn. And Bean's face talking about it.

So I noticed 2 of them had shoes on, and 2 were barefoot. I am guessing it's based on preference? Don't people "fall in the water" and get their feet wet sometimes?

 

[mnmrmustard]

awwww....how fun!!! Those pics were the best! I LOVE the look on Pumpkin girl's face when she was sitting there waiting her turn. And Bean's face talking about it.

So I noticed 2 of them had shoes on, and 2 were barefoot. I am guessing it's based on preference? Don't people "fall in the water" and get their feet wet sometimes?

Hey Cheri! Wow, you're fast ...AND very observant! Yes, some really great expression on all of the ladies and I thought about talking about the shoe thing but decided to see if anyone would notice

When MiL and Bean were strapping in the guys said that due to the wind up there it is not uncommon for shoes, especially slip on style shoes to fly off and be lost in the lake. MiL had slip ons and Bean's were velcro so they both took theirs off. And I can tell you their toes were pretty cold by the time they came back down.

When my mom and DD11 went up my mom was wearing on a slip-on style but decided to take the risk. Pumpkin Girl laced her shoes on extra tight to make sure they wouldn't go anywhere

And no, there isn't really a chance of ending up in the water. These guys are VERY focused on the speed of the boat and air speed as they are letting the riders go up or bringing them back in. They make absolutely sure that the only thing you touch is the deck of the boat.

 

[cherbear]

Hey Cheri! Wow, you're fast ...AND very observant! Yes, some really great expression on all of the ladies and I thought about talking about the shoe thing but decided to see if anyone would notice

When MiL and Bean were strapping in the guys said that due to the wind up there it is not uncommon for shoes, especially slip on style shoes to fly off and be lost in the lake. MiL had slip ons and Bean's were velcro so they both took theirs off. And I can tell you their toes were pretty cold by the time they came back down.

When my mom and DD11 went up my mom was wearing on a slip-on style but decided to take the risk. Pumpkin Girl laced her shoes on extra tight to make sure they wouldn't go anywhere

And no, there isn't really a chance of ending up in the water. These guys are VERY focused on the speed of the boat and air speed as they are letting the riders go up or bringing them back in. They make absolutely sure that the only thing you touch is the deck of the boat.

hey, I guess I happened to look at my User CP just after you posted. And I'm a fast reader, too.

Oh I can imagine! I noticed they were both bending their toes backward before landing, probably trying to thaw them!

Glad your mom didn't lose her shoes!

Well, that is good...Disney seems to do EVERYTHING better than everyone else!

 

[Tat2ddisneymom]

That looks like something I'd totally do. I had the opportunity to do it with my sister last January, but I didn't go because I didn't want to not take the kids. I'll do it someday. Didn't you go up? What about DW?

 

[Leger13]

hey Mustard. Sorry I have been slacking. Haven't been around much. I read the end of the update from cindy's castle and the pictures with the bad girls. Love Love those pictures of the wicked stepmother and step sisters. That is awesome that they took such time with the girls and made a specticle out of it. I'm sure that is something they will never forget