Inching My Way Closer to the Castle Final thoughts/future trips 4/2p90 The End 4/4p92

[All7OfUs]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOooHhhhNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! you teaser you!! I too am guessing that it was with you all the time too! But, I have done that too, and have had mini-meltdowns over that exact same thing.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I was a few updates behind, and I gotta say, I like detailed rooves too! The ROOVES in China never disappoint!

Your meal at LeCellier literally was making my stomach growl. That prime rib looked sooooo tasty.

Uh-oh about the pending meltdown....I'm guessing by the time you got back in the room you realized you DID have the battery after all? That would send me over the edge!

I hope you both had a wonderful holiday!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Oh dear. I am also guessing that you did have it afterall. I have done that a zillion times myself. Frustrating! I have never noticed the "Day 3 phenomenon" but will now be watching for it. What do we have planned for day 3 in May? I just looked... Chefs for lunch and Bluezoo for dinner. We'd better put some pooltime relaxing in between to avoid meltdowns!

for the kitchen pictures. And for more TR.

 

[MEK]

Ok...that update made me laugh our loud....day 3 is it? I'm going to pay more attention on the next trip...because Lord knows...I've had my share of meltdowns...it's just not acceptable when a grown adult is having one in the middle of the park Sure makes ya feel better when you know you're not the only one!

:

Yeah - I didn't actually melt, but I seriously could have. I usually melt around Day 4 of a 5 day trip and Day 5 of a 7 day trip. I would love to see what would happen on a long trip. Would I have multiple meltdowns?????

I'm guessing the battery was in your bag the whole time I, too, have done that one!!!!

Not talking! .....yet!

If I don't get a chance to chat with you again this week, I want to wish you a very Happy New Year and all the best in 2011!!!

Thanks! I wish the same for you and Jasmine and hope the 2011 is a year filled with much Disney magic!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOooHhhhNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! you teaser you!! I too am guessing that it was with you all the time too! But, I have done that too, and have had mini-meltdowns over that exact same thing.

Still Not Talking!!!!!!!!

It really is good to know that we all have meltdowns. Of course, I think some of us melt easier than others!

I was a few updates behind, and I gotta say, I like detailed rooves too! The ROOVES in China never disappoint!

Aren't they beautiful. I am going to take more pictures of them next trip. Jen's pictures make me want MORE!

Your meal at LeCellier literally was making my stomach growl. That prime rib looked sooooo tasty.

Oh Brooke - you would love it. It is was way better than Chick-fi-la. Simply the best tasting sandwich around. I wish I was eating it right now and its only 8am.

Uh-oh about the pending meltdown....I'm guessing by the time you got back in the room you realized you DID have the battery after all? That would send me over the edge!

STIIL NOT TALKING!

I hope you both had a wonderful holiday!

I had a great Christmas and I think Jen and her "folks" did too!

Oh dear. I am also guessing that you did have it afterall. I have done that a zillion times myself. Frustrating! I

That's four votes having posession of the battery all along. Hmmmmmm.....Interesting!

I have never noticed the "Day 3 phenomenon" but will now be watching for it. What do we have planned for day 3 in May? I just looked... Chefs for lunch and Bluezoo for dinner. We'd better put some pooltime relaxing in between to avoid meltdowns!

Well, that sounds perfect because it means that everything is in close proximity! Epcot in the morning, Chefs for lunch, pool time, then dinner. Sounds like the perfect way to avoid a meltdown!!!!!!

for the kitchen pictures. And for more TR.

I'll be home during the day tomorrow, so I will take them then!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I had to laugh over the Day Three meltdown phenomena. Then, I had to figure out which day that would have been on our trip -- Animal Kingdom which was pretty stress-free. Oh, except I do think I had a moment that evening at the pool that I didn't write about -- you may be on to something.

Love all the Contemporary pictures -- that Mary Blair murals is one of my favorite things at Disney.

Ugh, I can't believe you left your camera battery in the room -- or did you? Can't wait to hear what you discovered.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh dear! You're scaring me with the references to a meltdown.

I was glad to read that you realized that you had forgotten the camera battery before you really got into the park and started having fun at the party.

 

[jenjolt]

OY is right!!! At least it was a short walk back instead of being at the Boardwalk or something LOL!!!!

There is more to this moment?? Oh boy!!

Still loving the pictures!! You take some of the best!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

You're such a tease Mary Ellen - get back here and finish the story!!

 

[MaryAz]

All caught up. Great detail pics of some really cool things. Nice cliffhanger.....

 

[Ducky4Disney]

What a great day at Epcot! I love Epcot. Most of my trips are Epcot-centered. Here a couple last pics from Epcot as we walked past Mexico.

I'm curious to see how the new eatery works out in Mexico. Another reason to go back! (like I *need* a reason, ha!)

Monorail back to BLT! I really liked certain things about BLT, and the monorail was #1 on the list! Flat Mickey agrees:

I'm sure I have more vulture shots from when our stop back at BLT before MNSSHP but I think I've already shared them so I'll move on. We navigated the Torture Chamber and then huddled into the kitchen/vanity area to freshen up and get ready to party! MEK had thought of everything. First she bought beads for us to wear while at POFQ, and now she had masks for us to wear at MNSSHP! With our masks and party beads on we walked to MK.

I agree with MEK, that walk got shorter and shorter, and seeing this sign never gets old.

My memory is getting a little fuzzy because it's been a while and well, I'm getting old. Based on the order of my pictures, I believe we did the Buzz ride before we realized the camera battery was missing.

Hidden Mickey from Buzz que...

Now, as for my meltdown, I don't think I really had an official one, but I was pretty crazed the whole trip about not having button batteries for my Magical Moments Pin! Every cart or shop we passed I was looking for the elusive CR2032 battery. There came a point where I was sorry we didn't have a car because then I could drive to Publix and get some. I considered taking a taxi but that made me seem even more crazy. I was even trying to think of anyone I knew in the area that might drop some off to me! In fact, there's a CRNA I worked with here at STF that moved to Orlando in the spring and I debated on contacting him thru FB but that was way, way, over the top. LL - I almost roped you into it! MEK kept talking about meeting up with you and how you were finishing up a long trip and that you had a car but I didn't go there.

Instead I called my best Disney buddy Suzie, in Texas who is an Amazon Prime member and she OVERNIGHTED button batteries to me! Clearly, she understood the magnitude of a non-functional Magical Moments pin. I believe they were supposed to be there in time for MNSSHP but alas, they weren't. I brought Pal Mickey with me instead and I realized why they don't sell them anymore. What I pain to carry him around. Flat Mickey was much easier to work with, although less witty.

While MEK was away I hung around Toon Town waiting to be let out when the party started. There were some very creative CM's doing charicatures on the street with brooms and water!

I'll get to that later tonight.

D4D

 

[MEK]

Oh dear! You're scaring me with the references to a meltdown.

No worries. forgetting the battery could have contributed to a meltdown, but I stayed calm. If I hadn't been staying at BLT I don't know if I would have been so calm. I would have probably been so annoyed that I had to carry a useless camera around all night.

I was glad to read that you realized that you had forgotten the camera battery before you really got into the park and started having fun at the party.

Agreed!

OY is right!!! At least it was a short walk back instead of being at the Boardwalk or something LOL!!!!

Thank goodness. I would never had gone back if the room wasn't on the monorail loop. No Way! No How!

There is more to this moment?? Oh boy!!

A little bit more!

Still loving the pictures!! You take some of the best!!!

Thank you!

You're such a tease Mary Ellen - get back here and finish the story!!

I'll be back soon. Promise!

All caught up. Great detail pics of some really cool things. Nice cliffhanger.....

Welcome Back!!!!!!!

Glad you like the cliffhanger. I won't let it go on too long!

Hidden Mickey from Buzz que...

Now, as for my meltdown, I don't think I really had an official one, but I was pretty crazed the whole trip about not having button batteries for my Magical Moments Pin! Every cart or shop we passed I was looking for the elusive CR2032 battery. There came a point where I was sorry we didn't have a car because then I could drive to Publix and get some.

Was it really that sunny out when we first got to the park?

Wait till you see how dark it was when I returned. When the sun sets in Florida is sets FAST!

I couldn't believe you couldn't find the battery anywhere. How frustrating. I'm glad it finally arrived! (Much MUCH LATER!)

 

[Wicket's Mom]

That's funny, I too had a meltdown on my third day. The heat & too strong of an adult beverage got to me before our dinner at The Wave. Luckily I worked my way out of the meltdown.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

That's funny, I too had a meltdown on my third day. The heat & too strong of an adult beverage got to me before our dinner at The Wave. Luckily I worked my way out of the meltdown.

I'm trying to think back to all the meltdowns I've had at WDW and I don't know if they were day 3 or not, but I will be taking notes from now on!

MEK *says* she stayed calm and collected but if that was calm, I don't want to see a meltdown!

Was it really that sunny out when we first got to the park?

Yes, yes it was!

According to the EXIF data on my pics, we were on the monorail back to BLT at 3:35 pm (Flat Mickey on monorail pic), back to the room by 4:23 pm (pics of the room number/Mickey carpet), and walking to MK at 5:59 pm (MK walkway sign pic).

D4D

 

[Nermel9]

LOL I had no idea about this Day 3 Meltdown phenomenon! I'll have to pay attention to see if my DH or I freak out on that day! I know both of us (more me than him, of course! ) got moody a couple of times on this past trip, but I don't know if I'd call them meltdowns...hmmm! Something to think about!

Love the BLT pics!

Can't wait to see what you found when you went back to the room!

Oh, and I love that hidden Mickey from the Buzz queue, how cute!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Here they are! Making great caricatures with brooms and water!

I then said, "What? No Goofy?" And they obliged me!

It was really cool. I believe they said it started in Hong Kong Disney and it was such a crowd pleaser that they started encouraging it. I bet towel animals started the same way.

I headed into Toon Town to start my MK trick-or-treating while waiting for MEK.

Found some good advice at Minnie's house:

Along with funny flowers.

Out back I found this!

Seems like it took MEK forever to get back with her camera battery. I think that was because she took the monorail back and had to stop at the Poly and GF; is that right Mary Ellen? Because upon your return is was time to meet LL and I was sent on the wild goose chase, looking for someone near the carousel dressed in a poodle skirt. I walked round, and round, and round, the carousel, scouring the crowd looking for this person to no avail. I should have gotten *on* the carousel to look for her, that seems like it would have more efficient

D4D

 

[MEK]

So I left a little bit of a cliffhanger. Come on - I had to!

I have no idea what time it was when I got back to the room. I just remember feeling hungry and reaching for a big hunk of one of our left over Le Cellier pretzels. YUM! All that walking back and forth from the MK really worked up an appetite.

Then I turned around to look for my charger. There is was - right where I left it. But - ARRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHH! The Battery was missing - gone - vanished. What the........? Then I got a bright idea. I grabbed my camera and looked inside. What?????? Are You Kidding Me? The battery was inside the camera - right where it was supposed to be. I never do that. I always take the battery and the charger together, so it was crazy to see that I had separated the pair. In my effort to be more efficient I actually confused myself!

Now I could have really melted down, but instead I just felt totally stupid. So stupid that there was no way I was ever going to tell Jen what happened. In fact, this is my official confession to Jen. Yep - I went right back to the party and never said a word.

So maybe I needed a little down time to myself. I don't know. But I actually used the time to take a few more pictures on my return trip.

When I left the room I suddenly realized that I really didn't feel like walking back to the MK. My lazy gene hit and I decided to hop the monorail. Look at the beautiful sunset that greeted me as I walked over to the contemporary.....

The castle looked quite lovely as well.....

OK, I admit - I did a crazy edit on that pic. Here's the original:

For the longest time I couldn't figure out what this picture was and now I realize its a driveway at the contemporary:

I edited this pic, too:

I almost forgot - as I was walking to the Contemporary they already had the screen for outdoor movies set up:

While I was on the monorail LL texted me to see if I was in the park yet. I told her I was on my way and she said that she and Marc would wait in fantasyland. I texted Jen and gave her a description of LL and Marc. Just one problem - I described them in their halloween party costumes (poodle skirt, bowling shirt), which they ended up not wearing. No wonder that, despite our frenetic texting, Jen was completely unable to locate them. Heck - she was looking for a poodle skirt and a bowling shirt, not two non-descript people sitting on a bench.

Finally, FINALLY, I made it make to the MK. I think everyone on the monorail was getting off at the MK and I felt like we were crawling to the entrance. Try as I might, I could not negotiate the crowd to get in any quicker. So I gave up. What the hey? What's 5 more minutes.

Even before I got inside I couldn't resist a picture or two......

I rushed to fantasyland and acutally found LL and March rather easily. But no wonder Jen couldn't find them. She was still looking for a poodle skirt!

It was really cool to meet LL and Marc in person. I've been reading LL's TR/PTRs for years. I was very excited to finally meet her. Once introductions were completed, I believe it was LL's idea to head over to Splash Mtn. I was totally up for that since we hadn't ridden it yet. But I had visions of those wet people I had seen on Sunday, so I dug into my sherpa bag and pulled out a dollar store rain poncho.

Yeah, I looked pretty ridiculous.....

That's Jen and I up front. That's me on the right with my dollar store poncho and party glasses. Classy, huh? Look at Marc sitting behind me. He looks like he is having a blast. I love it!

LL said we only rode once and then we went over to Big Thunder. We walked right on twice. I love that ride!!!! We laughed the entire ride. Both times. What a hoot!

When we got off Big Thunder Jen said she was hungry and she wanted to eat. LL and Marc went to grab spots for the fireworks. I went with Jen. I wasn't starving because I ate that pretzel back in the room. We went to Pecos Bill, which was PACKED. We got our food quickly, but finding a seat was another story. Once seated, we tried to inhale some food because it was starting to get dangerously close to Hallowishes time.

LL texted me to tell me they were under the pavilion near the noodle station. I said, " We are on are way", just as Jen started striking up a conversation with the lady near us. She was there with twins (I think) and once we commented on how cute the babies were, she went on this long story about how one twin almost died. It was a long story and under normal circumstances I would have been interested, but all I could think of was that the fireworks would be starting in about 2 minutes and we had to navigate the crowds to get over to LL. It's actually possible that the lady was only sitting there with one baby and told us the story about how the other twin died. I don't remember exactly. I just know it was getting darn late!

Well, unfortunately I took Jen and I on a slightly indirect route. Once I realized we were further away then I originally thought, I said, "Let's Run". Jen and I started running together, but she gave up after going quite a distance. I kept going and reached LL and Marc just as the first fireworks started. I felt kind-of bad for running ahead of Jen, but I really want to get to LL and Marc. Plus, I know that Jen's a big girl and she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Knowing Jen, she ended up finding a great place to watch the fireworks and she probably got amazing pictures, too.

I probably would have done better with pics if I had changed from my zoom to a regular lens. Here's our view of the castle:

I don't think I ever quite got the whole castle in any of my pictures. Oh well.

Last year Denny and I watched Hallowishes from off to the side of the castle. We basically saw nothing. This spot was far superior. It would have been perfect if there hadn't been the same lady's head in each of my pictures. Does that happen to anyone else? You go to look at your pictures and there is the same head, picture after picture. Uggghhhh! Drives me crazy!

I love this next pic - the castle looks so creepy!

And at the end of the show, look who finally got their picture taken together!

Are we not the cutest? From looking at this picture you can tell that LL is much taller than me. That's the first thing I noticed when I met her and Marc. They are both so tall! At least compared to me, who is shrinking daily! I never noticed in LL's pictures because she when she is standing with Jenjolt they look the same height. So now I am prepared to see how tall Jen is in May.

I loved the fireworks. They were awesome. And I am so glad that I got to spend part of the evening with LL and Marc. After the fireworks, they set off in search of food and Jen and I went to stalk out a spot for the parade.

Up Next: Boo to You!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

In fact, this is my official confession to Jen.

Are you kidding me?

You only IMAGINED that your battery was still in the charger? We have got to increase your ginko intake, girlfriend!

I am speechless, I really am. You... I can't believe... I mean.... oh, c'mon!

D4D

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I am slowly recovering from the battery bombshell in MEK's last update, but I think I can solider on!

SO!

Once the Forgetful Sherpa returned from her fool's errand, she found LL and Marc, who I had been dutifully looking for in a poodle skirt and bowling shirt for a good 10 minutes. MEK and LL chatted it up and we all headed off to Splash Mtn.

Yes, that really is Mary Ellen riding Splash Mountain (wearing a yellow poncho and dollar store glowstick mask and mardi-gras beads) with her hands up screaming like a small child. I love the magic of Walt Disney World

Post Splash we went to BTMRR and walked right on! Not only did we walk on once, we walked on again. Not only did we walk on once, and walk on again, we got to STAY on and ride a third time!

Ok, Pecos was next; and it was packed and it was my idea. We did inhale our food, I remember that, and there was a lady there with a baby... or babies. The baby looked very little, like only a month or two old, but was actually much older - 6-8 months. I think that's what brought on the story and chatting. I was blissfully unaware of how close to firework time it was and had no idea that MEK was chomping at the bit to get a move on. Really, I didn't!

Then she did it. She made me RUN! And she didn't even know where we were running TO! I think if she had really known where we were running to we would have run THE OTHER WAY! As it was, we took the long way.

Mary Ellen has mentioned that she likes to run. She ran just about every morning we were there. She'll probably run every morning on her May trip. Let me tell you how I feel about running.

I only run when chased.

I only run when chased by something larger and/or meaner than me. And in the event that I encounter that thing, I only have to run faster long enough to get farther ahead of you.

It did not take me long to run out of steam! Granted, laughing along the way didn't help! What were we talking about that made us crack up? It was something about our shoes I think. Damn, I wish I remembered!

The GREAT and WONDERFUL thing about traveling with a true friend and WDW Geek is that we are ok together and apart. I enjoyed watching the fireworks and even managed to get a couple good shots!

Then I realized I was standing near the Mickey and Minnie topiary and I had an idea . I changed a few settings on my camera got in position and took these:

Then I met up with LL, MEK, and Marc.

D4D

 

[MEK]

LOL I had no idea about this Day 3 Meltdown phenomenon! I'll have to pay attention to see if my DH or I freak out on that day! I know both of us (more me than him, of course! ) got moody a couple of times on this past trip, but I don't know if I'd call them meltdowns...hmmm! Something to think about!

I think its a spectrum thing - moodiness, absent mindedness, to full blown meltdown. I think meltdowns are more common if you are traveling with a big crowd or lots of kids. In June 09 I had a full blown meltdown when my older son left my younger son in the room and my younger son had neither a cell phone or his park ticket so he called me from the room. Ughhhhh. Talk about meltdown - 14 yr alone on Disney property with no cell phone and i had to wait for him at Epcot. Not good.

Love the BLT pics!

Thanks!

Can't wait to see what you found when you went back to the room!

So now you know!

:

Oh, and I love that hidden Mickey from the Buzz queue, how cute!

That is cute. I have no idea where that's located, but I need to look for it on future visits.

Are you kidding me?

You only IMAGINED that your battery was still in the charger? We have got to increase your ginko intake, girlfriend!

I am speechless, I really am. You... I can't believe... I mean.... oh, c'mon!

D4D

Yeah, I know I know. I was tired and I deviated from my normal pattern. I never put the battery in ahead of time when I pull out the charger. I always slip the whole thing in the bag. That's why I was certain everything was back in the room. When I couldn't find the charger I assumed the battery was still attached to it. Imagine my surprise.

But you know what - it would have been worse if I had carried that camera around all night thinking it was out of operation, when it really wasn't. So it took me like an hour or so to get back there. Maybe longer, but it could have been so much worse!

 

[MEK]

Edited to delete the double post. How the heck did that happen? Always a first!