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

[MEK]

Sorry the boys lost, MaryEllen. But it must have been a great game to go to overtime.

thanks Kathy. They played well and they did their best. That's what counts!

Love the segways!

The segways were so cool. If you ever get the chance, definitely try it!

Great update, Jen. I love your photos of Canada -- there is so much to take photos of there and it is truly beautiful.


I'm glad you finally got to try LeCellier. It is Mark's and my favorite (I love that filet).

Jen is still so far ahead of me. I have some serious catching up to do! Yikes! I'm glad she got to try Le Cellier. It's definitely one of my favs and that filet - to die for!

The more I hear about the seagway tour the more I like it.

You should definitely try one. It is so fun!

So sorry about the rude lady, I think she was just jealous she didn't have a neat toy to zoom around in.

.

You're probably right. THAT's what was wrong with her - silly woman!

Your pictures of Canada are beautiful. There is so much to see there. The mushroom filet is to die for. I've only been lucky enough to get an adr once but really loved it.

Jen's pics are really nice. And I agree on your assessment of the mushroom filet. It IS to die for!

All caught up. First, good luck w/ the real life challenges of college apps and kitchen remodel. Yikes! I can't wait to see those kitchen pics!

Thanks C. The only thing I can say about this process is I definitely think it will make Brian mature a bit. (fingers crossed)

My kitchen is so torn up right now I can't even look at it. I really can't wait until its done. I did take pictures, so I will definitely be able to post before and after pics.

All in all sounds like you gals had a super fun day in WS. You still won't get me on the segway but you've certainly made it sound cool. I like the Kim Possible missions too. Great idea someone had! Le Cellier sure is delish, isn't it?!

Love Le Cellier!

If you didn't try the KP missions during you last trip, you must in May. I have three to go and I am definitely finishing them!

Sounds like real life has been keeping you very busy! I hope Brian finds the school that is just the right fit for him!

Thanks Dawn. Its so hard to not be jealous of people whose kids have it all figured out. But I also believe good things come to those who wait (ie. those who are slow bloomers).

Flat Mickey is too cute! I hope he behaved himself in the cave

Uhm...well actually he didn't!

I love flat Mickey!! He's adorable!!

Isn't he a doll! I him at first sight!

Weird on being admonished for taking pictures in Disney. I will say that in the "real world" when I worked in retail we didn't like people taking pictures of the merchandise. Concerns ranged from someone "casing the joint" to check out security, to copying the merchandise or merchandising ideas. But none of that should apply at Disney!

Exactly! I know that there were signs up in a lot of the stores in Nashville that pictures were not permitted, but this is Disney. Everyone has a camera and part of the fun of picture taking is bringing home pictures of the obscure things. It was weird and made me feel a little guilty. But once my attention changed to flat Mickey, it was all forgotten.

Oh my! I wonder what the CM was thinking when he yelled at you for taking pictures!! I also wonder what the the response would have been if you asked what he thought you were going to do with them! That's just odd! Cranky CM! Boo!

He didn't exactly "yell" at me. He just approached me with a condescending tone, which actually can be worse than being yelled at.

I should have asked him that.

The only explanation is perhaps he was new and worked somewhere else in retail prior to starting this job.

I LOVE Flat Mickey! LOVE him!!!!

I love him, too. I have him with me at work, so I see him almost everyday!

MEK, what were the shutter speeds for those water pictures?

Oh Glen - I wish I could remember. I was basically just turning dials and only half understanding what I was doing. Since then I have learned to understand shutter speed and aperture a lot better since taking night time soccer pictures made it necessary for me to use the manual settings on my computer. I feel a lot smarter now, but I can't tell you which one of those pictures has the faster speed. I need to go repeat my lesson!

Wonderful pictures again! I liked your zoomed in pictures inside, I've never thought of zooming in on the balloons! Good idea!
The water is interesting, I wonder if you liked one better?
Hummmm, not too sure what was going on with the CM telling you not to take pictures....EVERYBODY takes pictures EVERYWHERE at Disney! That's just a given. Maybe he was new and didn't get it???

I have learned to take some weird pictures. I think its because I have already taken all the conventional pictures, so now I am into the more obscure things.

Between the two water pictures, I think I actually like the one on the left a bit better.

I'm not so sure about that CM either. I really think they may have been new and nobody ever told them that pictures are allowed at Disney!

What great updates and pictures you two. Don't worry about losing your fan base....we are still here and will wait until you have time to post more.

Ahhh....Thanks! I have more pictures uploaded and as soon as I get my replies done and check up on some TR's, I will post again soon!

Be Back Soon with more replies!

 

[MEK]

Flat Mickey is so cute!!! Is he old enough to drink? I guess we will find out when you take him down to The Ditch

You know what - they actually carded him. Of course he left his license at home. Silly Flat Mickey!

Your water pictures look really cool...the second one kinda looks like hair My friend tried Beverly in October...and liked it

Tracy

Thanks. You're right - the second one does look like hair.
to the Beverly. I guess there are a few people out there who like it!

So sorry getting ready for college has been so rought. Having 2 kids, one boy and one girl go to college and can feel for you. My oldest is a boy and it was much harder getting him ready for college. We finally had to lay down the law. You either go to college or get a job and pay rent, we're not having a bum. He finally decided to got to college the summer before and made it into the last freshman visit weekend in July. Luckily he had taken his ACT twice and had submitted his scores to a few school. Even thought it took him 7 years he did graduate in May. Boys are so much harder than girls. I never had to say anything to my daughter. She is in her JR year right now.

Once again wonderful pictures! You're flat Mickey is cute, can't wait to see what adventures he gets into.

Thanks for sharing that story with me. Brian knows if he doesn't go to college he is definitely being asked to leave the house after he graduates high school for exactly the same reason you describe. I just won't tolerate that. I'm glad you son graduated. That's wonderful!

Glad you like flat Mickey!

I feel for you, the college process can be rough. We did it with 4 sons, they all went to college. We didn't get any scholarships, even though one son graduated cum laude. Scholarships are harder to come by than in past years. My DIL got all sorts of aid since she was getting an engineering degree & female. She is also very smart.

!

That's a lot of college for four boys! Wow. I bet you had one big party when the last one graduated! Congrats to all of them for graduating and for cum laude! And props to DIL for her engineering degree.

I wasn't going to desert you, enjoying the TR too much!

I'm so glad!

Awww, Flat Mickey is so cute!

I can't believe a CM said something to you about taking pics in a store...I admit though, if I takes pics in the stores, I do it secretly because I wonder if the CM will yell at me...I guess it bothers some of them!

I'm glad you like flat mickey. He is a little cutie.

Honestly, I have never worried about CM's getting upset over picture taking. This sure was a first!

 

[All7OfUs]

That was funny that the Beverly fountain was broken!! What a testimony!!

I am sadly not one for snappy comebacks either- I always think of several dozen nasty or sarcastic quips I could have thrown out, about 14 hours too late. But, I do love your photos! All of them- but this time especially the water ones. I seriously want to take a photography class soon!

 

[MEK]

That was funny that the Beverly fountain was broken!! What a testimony!!

It's funny that I didn't even notice that until I went back and looked at the picture. But your right, the crack says it all!

I am sadly not one for snappy comebacks either- I always think of several dozen nasty or sarcastic quips I could have thrown out, about 14 hours too late. But, I do love your photos! All of them- but this time especially the water ones. I seriously want to take a photography class soon!

Really? You seem like you would have some smart comment that would just roll off your tongue. I mean that as a compliment. I think its your writing style.

I'm more like that 14 hour from comment to comment type.

I'm so glad you like the photos. I want to take a photography class too!

 

[MaryAz]

Yay for an update!!! Great pics!!! Sorry about the rude lady and the tacky CM. Just keep rolling and taking pics

 

[MEK]

Yay for an update!!! Great pics!!! Sorry about the rude lady and the tacky CM. Just keep rolling and taking pics

Can you believe it took me two weeks to update? Even worse, it is taking me forever to catch up on everyone else's TR.

 

[nilla]

Can you believe it took me two weeks to update? Even worse, it is taking me forever to catch up on everyone else's TR.

Just do what I do and ignore everyone else's TRs.

Oops - did I just say that out loud?

 

[MEK]

Just do what I do and ignore everyone else's TRs.

Oops - did I just say that out loud?

Yes...uhmm....yes, I think you did! Well, the good news is I am hoping for an update this weekend. I still haven't caught up to Jen, plus I need to update my links.

So Lehigh is playing U of D today in the playoffs and I almost got a ticket...Note...almost! But you get to watch it on TV up there. I don't think its televised here.

 

[podsnel]

Can you believe it took me two weeks to update? Even worse, it is taking me forever to catch up on everyone else's TR.

I think that's so hard- you have so many friends on here that you love keeping up with, with all these awesome TRs and great food porn, but then you have to write your own story, too. But it IS so much fun, isn't it? And once you catch up- it's all sooo much easier- until life smacks ya in the face with some responsibility again, that is!

 

[Sleeping*Beauty]

Flat Mickey is too cute!

 

[MEK]

I think that's so hard- you have so many friends on here that you love keeping up with, with all these awesome TRs and great food porn, but then you have to write your own story, too. But it IS so much fun, isn't it? And once you catch up- it's all sooo much easier- until life smacks ya in the face with some responsibility again, that is!

That's totally how I feel....like life responsibilities have smacked me in the face. I still need to see all your wonderful pictures! Thanks for stopping by!

Flat Mickey is too cute!

Isn't he great? I keep him with me at work. He is in the front of my work binder! So I get to see him everyday!

 

[nilla]

So Lehigh is playing U of D today in the playoffs and I almost got a ticket...Note...almost! But you get to watch it on TV up there. I don't think its televised here.

We have DirecTV so I missed it. I actually went to U of D for two years, but ended up graduating from Kutztown, who got knocked out of the Division 2 playoffs last week. I just can't get it right with this whole "fan of a football team" thing!

 

[MEK]

We have DirecTV so I missed it. I actually went to U of D for two years, but ended up graduating from Kutztown, who got knocked out of the Division 2 playoffs last week. I just can't get it right with this whole "fan of a football team" thing!

Really? You went to U of D? I graduated from there - BS, MS, then post master's. At least I am consistent!

Does anyone ever get the "fan of football team" thing right?

 

[MEK]

Well now that you have all met Flat Mickey I must confess that he dictated our plans for the afternoon. While Jen was quite insistent that we do the Grand Fiesta tour, Mickey had another destination in mind.

Mickey was quite insistent that we tour the world showcase. He told us he wanted to see every country. Yeah that's right....every country!

Of course, what's the best way to see all the countries? Why Kim Possible, of course. We promised Mickey we would grab a kimmunicator and do some missions. Right after we toured the Grand Fiesta. Mickey willingly agreed with our plan.

Onward to Mexico....

But not before getting a few pictures of the world showcase.

We noticed that although the new cantina was not open yet, a large group of cast members seemed to be enjoying themselves. The restaurant was scheduled to open on Thursday and it was only Tuesday so apparently they were working out the final kinks by sampling the goods.

I think this drawing was on the building, but I could be wrong.

(BTW - we did NOT go on Living with the Land. Jen informed me that my memory was faulty. Big surprise!)

When we got inside Mexico Mickey begged me to take him here:

Unfortunately, the Cave was not open yet so all we could do was window shop.

So we hopped a boat for the grand fiesta tour......

So that was 10 minutes I never get back. No, seriously, its not THAT bad. Definitely more suited for kids.

Once outside Mickey met some new friends.....

And then something crazy happened......

I took Mickey right up to the door of the Cave to take his picture. And guess what? The cave was opened. Well, the door was. So in we went....

Mickey tried his best to get a drink, but there was no bar tender in sight...

He really wanted one of these....

But all we could do was stare at the pretty bottles....

A bartender finally did arrive, but not to take our order. Rather, he informed us that the Cave would not open until 12pm and that was still at least 10 minutes away. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay because we had a date with KP for one quick mission before lunch.

Merry Old England - here we come!

So, it appears that I don't have quite enough pictures uploaded for this next episode, but when I return - the start of my KP addiction and lunch at Le Cellier!

 

[MEK]

I was sorry to leave the Cave, but to be quite honest with you I really wanted to try to get a mission done before our 12:30 ADR at LeCellier. I really wasn't sure how much time we would be spending in Epcot. It was already getting stinkin hot and I knew we wanted a break before we headed into the Halloween party. Of course, even though we were due to pick up our kimmunicator, we still had to stop for pictures.

I like this picture because you can see ToT in the background!

We picked up the kimmunicator at a little kiosk near the international gateway.

Check out this little beauty. It gave us everything we needed to know.

Jen took charge of the kimmunicator while we headed to Merry Old England, but not without taking a few pics first.

Once in England we followed a series of clues that lead us here.....

And here......

And here......

And here......

And here......

I don't know how many of you have done KP missions before, but I have to tell you that I thought they were very funny. I loved how each mission takes you to different places in each country in order to find the small details. I love the interactiveness. I think its so cool how the imagineers built each clue into countries that already existed. I thought the missions where a blast. People would look at you and wonder what the heck you were doing. It was like a treasure hunt where you became immersed in your own little world.

Before KP I may never have noticed this......

Or this........

(of course flat Mickey wanted to get in on the action)

Or this.....

So you're not sure what this is? Well, let me just say that you have to do the mission to figure it out!

Before we get to Le Cellier, let me just share a few more pics of England with you.

Up Next......the Best darn lunch ever!

 

[MaryAz]

Great updates!! Stunning pics as always. I think we are going to do a KP mission during our Dec trip. Think the girls will get a kick out of it. Yay for flat Mickey. Sorry he could not get his drink.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

What a fun set of updates with fantastic pictures and details I've never noticed before. And I spend a LOT of time in WS. Loved it!!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Wow... I just read through 47 pages and you are on my dream trip. I love taking pictures of details. You guys are doing an awesome job!

 

[glennbo123]

My kids did a Kim Possible mission last year, but you're making me think that maybe I'll have to do one next trip.

 

[nilla]

I want to do a DISmeet with Flat Mickey. No, I'm not joking - he sounds like a lot of fun!