Lightsabers, Mouse Kisses and a Man in a Lucky Shirt! A January 2010 TR

[Northern Disney Girl]

I'm still here!

YAY!!!

Are you still doing dishes Kim?? That's what husbands are for!

He actually washed, and I dried! He was also trying to catch up on four months of missed TR quoting!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Boy, I'm sorry your tummy troubles kept bugging you! Not a fun way to end a trip, but looks like you did a lot at EMH! If we get a chance in winter when it's not super late hours, we might try it. The kids barely make it until 10 these days. I'm glad the wine and bath and tums helped!

Ken - you are too funny! I wish I could see you wearing the Mickey ears at work and saying some of those things you think you'll never say at work!

Sad to see it all coming to an end! Is it too soon to start the PTR for next year's trip???

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Boy, I'm sorry your tummy troubles kept bugging you! Not a fun way to end a trip, but looks like you did a lot at EMH! If we get a chance in winter when it's not super late hours, we might try it. The kids barely make it until 10 these days. I'm glad the wine and bath and tums helped!

Ken - you are too funny! I wish I could see you wearing the Mickey ears at work and saying some of those things you think you'll never say at work!

Sad to see it all coming to an end! Is it too soon to start the PTR for next year's trip???

Well, seeing as how it is still a dream and a wish at this point and more than 11 months away I think I will probably wait for a few months before starting a PTR!!! Have to come up with a catchy title first and THAT alone will take me AT LEAST 3 months!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Well, seeing as how it is still a dream and a wish at this point and more than 11 months away I think I will probably wait for a few months before starting a PTR!!! Have to come up with a catchy title first and THAT alone will take me AT LEAST 3 months!!!

I hear ya on that one!!!

 

[ksumn1]

Sounds like you had a great trip. Glad you finished your TR. I hoep we get to go back soon but seeing as how the trip has been moved/cancelled//moved like 4 times since last May....let's just say I'm glad I never started a PTR!!!

And your little girls are just adorable. I loved the attitude over the bday cupcake at CHH...Thanks but no thanks. Unless you wanna see me hurl.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm sorry you were feeling so crappy on your last night. But it sounds like Ken took care of you and you got to feeling better eventually!

You guys really got a lot done at MK on your last evening. Looks like a wonderful (but chilly) time.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Looks like a fun night at EMH!!! Sorry your tummy problems came back. I know what it's like to feel miserable at WDW and it's awful! It's supposed to be the Happiest Place on Earth. No one is supposed to feel sick there!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Sounds like you had a great trip. Glad you finished your TR. I hope we get to go back soon but seeing as how the trip has been moved/cancelled//moved like 4 times since last May....let's just say I'm glad I never started a PTR!!!

And your little girls are just adorable. I loved the attitude over the bday cupcake at CHH...Thanks but no thanks. Unless you wanna see me hurl.

Hello! Aww, thanks! I think they are pretty adorable too! We did have a fabulous time! I dream of going back almost every night! It really is my happy place!

I'm sorry you were feeling so crappy on your last night. But it sounds like Ken took care of you and you got to feeling better eventually!

You guys really got a lot done at MK on your last evening. Looks like a wonderful (but chilly) time.

Yes, my hubby is a wonderful man! He takes good care of me and the girls! Now that I thin about it, we DID do a LOT of stuff that night! I think maybe the cold scared people away after a certain point cause when we left the park at about 1045pm, it was empty!

Looks like a fun night at EMH!!! Sorry your tummy problems came back. I know what it's like to feel miserable at WDW and it's awful! It's supposed to be the Happiest Place on Earth. No one is supposed to feel sick there!

I agree! I think maybe we need to remind Mickey to put some more Pixie dust in the water so nobody gets sick!!

 

[Firestarter]

CHAPTER 9: A day of fun and magic!

After breakfast the girls were divided on what they wanted to do. Emily was near desperate to ride Big Thunder and Natalie had yet to ride Dumbo. So, we decided that Ken and I would each take a girl and go our seperate ways. Emily and I would head to Frontierland for a ride on BTMR and Ken and Natalie would go have a ride on a flying elephant!

Here is my kindness to my wife showing. I chose Dumbo over a roller coaster. Add to it the fact I hate crowds and you'll see I was a flippin' saint at this moment. I say this now in hopes that it will give me compound interest on the brownie points...


You might remember that when we had finished eating we were held at the restaurant until the park actually opened. Emily and slowly inched our way over to the far end of the terrace so that when we were released we could be some of the first few to enter Frontierland!

If you are familiar with the "Kongsberger technique" from ski jumping, my ladies were mimiking that.


When the Cms told us we could go we took off at a slow trot (restrained gallop) towards BTMR! Just over near the bridge we were stopped by a CM and told that Big Thunder was down for the time being and that they weren't sure when it would be back up! We were welcome, however, to go get FP's. We decided to pass on the passes and head over to Fantasyland to catch up with Ken and Natalie instead!

We spotted them just as they were about to get on Dumbo! Our origianl plan called for us to meet back at Winnie the Pooh AFTER they had procured FP's for Peter Pan. Ken had all our tickets so I couldn't even get the FP's while we were waiting for them! We decided to make use of our time and find a washroom!

I had all the tickets so that we COULD have Peter Pan passes for later. I did well getting the fast passes AND getting in line near the front for Dumbo. We would have been closer if we didn't have to waddle after that much breakfast.


Ken had the camera with him during this time and thoroghly enjoyed snapping some interesting photos of their time on Dumbo! I will let him tell you about these!!!

The first time I rode Dumbo I had a bit of a wait with the children. I drank in the detail of the ride, none of the cheap plastic covers for the apertures of the ride. No, at Disney they ornament even the machinery. I wouldn't be surprised to find a hidden Mickey on a piston head.

BTW, as I type the phrase "hidden Mickey" I keep thinking about concealing booze. I grew up in a small town and so a hidden mickey meant you tried to sneak 13 oz of your Dad's scotch into the bush for a party.

Back to Dumbo. I was watching the ride and I noticed these decorations which I could only describe as a groundhog or squirrel hanging onto a wheel. On the other side of the aperture there is a pinwheel, and between there is clearly a metal rod. I thought "Oh my gosh, they have impaled Chip and Dale's poor cousins to the Dumbo ride!" The effect looks like these poor rodents are stapled to the ride, forced to spin with their expressions open in surprise and mute agony.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I don't work with kids.

"Let me off, let me off!"

"Sure Dad, I get it. Gophers on pinwheels. (Lord I hope no-one hears him, he is SO embarassing)."


It was about 920 when we finally found each other and rode Winnie the Pooh! I will NEVER get tired of this ride! It is just so wonderfully made and so charming! So clever and fun! Definitely one that I would ride even if my children were not with me!

Funny, most of the rides I like I don't GET to bring the children with me: Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur.


Next, Emily wanted a spin on the tea Cups. Natalie actually decided that she wanted to brave the cups as well so that meant that I HAD TO RIDE TOO!!! I said that I would go on but under NO CIRCUMSTANCES WHATSOEVER was she allowed to turn that wheel! She agreed and I survived! It really wasn't that bad!

My wife's voice is a calming melody of soothing tones that can pull me from the duldrums of everyday life to the peak of loving joy. Except when she is giving the kids heck while I'm on the phone and when her screams of terror let me echo-locate her by the doppler effect. "ahhhhhAHHHHHHahhhhhhAHHHHHHahhhh!"

Emily and I are both solid enough in constitution that we attempt liftoff by rotating the cup to the point where it creates its own vortex of wind. I do my part by reefing at that wheel with all my meagre strength and she does her part by shouting "FASTER!" at me.



As we were planning this trip the girls somehow found out about the hidden paint brushes on Tom Sawyer's Island! The both agreed that they wanted to be on the first raft over to TSI for a chance to find one of the aforementioned brushes! So at precisely 940am we found ourselves at the front of the line for the first raft over to TSI!!! Man, we were having such luck at the front of the line thing on this trip!!!

Noting that we LEFT for Winnie-The-Pooh at 9:20. 5 minutes for that ride, and 5 minutes for the Teacups. Then we made it to the heart of Frontier Land in under 10 minutes. I assure you NONE of my ladies can make much more than a meter a minute in the morning, and here their legs blurred from the speed.


The raft ride over was a bit pack as many other families seemed to have the same idea as we did! The girls were very excited to go hunting for paint brushes and made fast friends with a couple of other little girls who were also on the lookout for a paint brush! We cautioned the girls that there were only a couple of brushes to be found and that even if they didn't find one that we wanted them to have fun and enjoys themselves.

I'm a "glass half full" kind of guy. As in, the glass is half full of Vingegar if you're lucky. I wanted the kids to enjoy Tom Sawyer's island for it's own merit and not see it as a conquest that only mattered if you got a paintbrush. I am quite averse to competition for it's own sake, it makes for bad manners and hurt feelings. I'd rather my kids be good than be first, and get their self value from who they are, not their ranking in contests.


When the raft landed on the island side about 6 big boys pushed ahead of all the little girls. We told our girls to stay where we could see them and we tried our best to keep up with them as they took off to hunt for a paint brush! Well, I wish I could tell you that they were successful. They tried VERY hard – looked just about everywhere imaginable! We kept encouraging them to keep looking, but also to make sure that they had some fun too!

They did have fun, but I missed WAY to many chances to come charging out of the bush and frighten them. Oh well, next time.

Kim conducting the kid's foot orchestra. They played "Flight of the manic, directionally challenged Bumblebee"


Well, we never did find a paint brush but they sure did have a good time! I think that we must have spent about 45 minutes over there! We went back to the dock and waited for the raft to return and take us back to the mainland!

I still want to try the riverboat. It looks classy and fun. And NO, I do NOT have any weird experiments for the paddlewheel, although I do admit putting a few cards in the spokes would be a neat touch.


When we disembarked the raft we headed straight over BTMR to see if it was running yet! It wasn't! We grabbed some Fast Passes and then decided to go and take a spin on Aladdin's Flying Carpets! Iremember when the spitting camels were a part of the Aladdin parade at MGM-Studios! Natalie considers it her personal goal to make me sick to my stomach when we ride this together! She likes to do the tilt and keeps it at a bucking bronco pace!

This ride is very similar to Dumbo except it has pitch control, over about 30 degrees. I am YET to see a camel spit on the passengers. The effect of the immediate marketplace around does make for a good atmosphere though.


Done with the carpets, we decided to try for the Jungle Cruise! We had a fabulous skipper last year (I believe her name was Sarah) and hoped that we would be so lucky again this year! We headed down to see how long the line was. It looked pretty long but it actually moved quite quickly!

This is a ride that I would go to just to be in line. It is like being in a Black Adder or Monty Python sketch for all the peculiar and absurd jokes. I laughed my way all through the line. That and my shirt probably had a few spectators saying "good for them, bringing him along and all".


I think it was about 11 oclock when we got in line and were getting on to our Cruise ship at about 11:15. Not bad considering the line was half way across the lower plaza when we jumped in line! We weren't quite so lucky in the skipper department though! Can't remember the dudes name but he just did not seem to really enjoy his job much! He seemed bored and slightly bothered that he had to “entertain” us at all!

I think the problem was that Sarah was SO good at her job last year.

Notice that even on this ride Natalie has the "grip for dear life" going on. *shakes head*


He did do a couple of the classics though and managed to get a few laughs! The girls did enjoy themselves and Emily in particular seemed to enjoy hearing some of the puns! In fact, it was on this ride through the jungle that Ken took one of my absolute favourite pictures of the whole trip! This is Emily “getting” one of the puns!

"Oh..My.."


​

As we were leaving the Jungle Cruise we overheard that the next Pirate Tutorial would be starting in a few minutes. Ken and Natalie had expressed some interest in seeing this show so they went and found a place to watch and Emily and I went to take a tour of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse again! We also used the washrooms and did some window shopping at the POTC dump shop!

Emily had a Pirate party for her 7th birthday. She made Natalie sit through "Curse of the Black Pearl" before coming on this trip. Did she WANT to see Captain Jack? NO! And yet the younger one couldn't get enough of it. I felt bad that Emily was avoiding the show, it is such fun.

When the show was over, there was only a 5 minute wait for POTC so we hopped in line! I have probably said this before but I don't think I could ever get tired of this ride! As Jack Sparrow says “I Love this song!” There is just so much to look at! It is a different experience every time!

Another example of Disney's relentless attention to detail. Brilliant ride.


Leaving Adventureland behind we set ourselves in the direction of Liberty Square. It was time to visit some Happy Haunts! Emily is NOT a great fan of the Haunted Mansion . She gets a little spooked in the stretching room! She had saved her earplugs from AK the day before and had brought them along just for this exact purpose! We entered into the room and found a place to stand. As soon as her feet were settled, in went those earplugs! She does not like the “ghost host” AT ALL!!! When we sat down in our doom buggy she took them out and enjoyed the rest of the attraction! Funny Kid!

I understand Emily on this. I was terrified of Mr. Boogedy when that came on the Disney show on TV. She does manage to GO on the ride which is impressive. There was a boy who was easily older than her having a complete breakdown for having to go on the ride. I wanted to say "I'm with you man" but he wouldn't have heard me over his shreiks of fear anyway.

I was really tickled that Natalie loves it and isn't afraid at all.


When we were leaving the ride I made sure to stop and have Ken get a GREAT shot of Mr. Toad in the Pet Cemetery! I think it is so sad that he is all the way at the back where nobody ever notices him! I was fortunate to have ridden his “Wild Ride” 2x in my life! It was a great one! I hope someday to visit Disneyland to be able to experience it again!

When I took this photo I was thinking of putting it up on the boards.


From there we moved into Fantasyland and used our FP's for Peter Pan which were by now, quite past the return time! No problem! We were ushered in and bypassed the sad and hot people who were waiting in the 55 minute long stand by line! I LOVE FASTPASS!!!

MWUHAHAHAHAHAHAH! I actually can't look those people in the eye for fear that one of them may be able to kill with looks alone.


After our flight over London and Neverland, we decided to take a ride on the happiest cruise that ever sailed! YUP – we exposed our selves to the loveliness that is It's A Small World! I was concerned that Ken's head might start to spin on this ride but I do believe that he actually enjoyed it! I will let him share his thoughts with you on that one!

The song normally has me convulsing after the 14th refrain, but this time I was either caught up in the magic of the moment or I was on the downswing of the sugar high from breakfast. Either case I really enjoyed the ride, and the girls were really sweet and worried about my mental health and all.


I tried to take a few pictures but absolutely none of them turned out! The are all blurry and fuzzy! Darn! Well, I enjoyed the ride anyway and made sure to look for some hidden Mickey's! Natalie and I found a couple new ones that we had never noticed before! I am not going to tell you where they are, you'll just have to find them for your self!



After our lovely little cruise, we decided to take in something completely new! To us anyway! When we were at WDW last year, Micky's Philharmagic was down for refurb so we weren't able to see it! Well, this show is now one of our FAVES in all of WDW!!! I LOVE IT!!! So cool! What an amazing little show! It is now a must see on every trip!

I loved the Philharmagic. 3d AND the orchestra! All it needs are lightsabers, rocket boots and Jayne Cobb to require a warning that the awesome level has peaked and that Chuck Norris would be barred from the ride for fear of critical mass of awesome.


Next, we tried something else that we hadn't done last year. Snow White's Adventures was beckoning us! There was absolutely no line up and the girls had both declared themselves brave enough to handle the “Scary” parts! I had shown them pictures online of what to expect so they knew what they were in for! At the end of the ride, they both said “That's it?, That was NOT scary!” HA! I have me some brave girls!



Well, while she was still feeling brave we decided to try and see if we could coax Natalie into riding Big Thunder! At first she seemed okay with the idea, but as we got closer to the Mountain, she began to walk slower and slower and slower. We decided to give her a chance to watch it for a few minutes and see if she would warm up to the idea. NOPE!!! She was NOT going to ride it! NOT. AT. ALL. So Em and I had a ride. When were done our ide, Ken took Emily back on again with the other FP's and Nat and I went to find a spot for the 3pm parade!

You can lead a kid to a ride, but you can not make them stop screaming when you try to drag them through the gate.

At least Emily got to ride it 2 times in a row.


We were lucky and gor a spot on Main St near where we had watched Spectro and Wishes on our firat night! When Ken and Emily joined us, I went to Casey's and paid OOP for some Corn Dog nuggets and then went over to the bakery and used a couple snack credits for a delicious cinnimon roll and a fruit bowl! A yummy afternoon treat for watching the parade! We each had about 6 nuggets and then shared the cinnamon roll and fruit! So yummy!

And so inadequate as my memory serves. My stomach was no longer over 90% full!


While we were waiting for the parade to start, there were some CM's on the street with skipping ropes and Hula hoops and they were inviting the kids to play! What a great little piece of Disney Magic! We were very happy that the girls chose to participate and not just sit and ask “When is it going to start?”

As I recall, I was encouraging the kids to "go out and just have fun" while my wife was concerned about them blocking the parade, or worse, be caught up in the parade Ferris Beuller style.


I passed the time people watching and enjoying the beautiful weather! I think that day was about 78 degrees! Nice and sunny with only a few wispy clouds in the air for colour and daydreaming! A perfectly beautiful afternoon! Excellent weather for parade watching!

At home it would be -20 at that time. No complaints at all.


Well, since the Give a Day, Get a Day endeavor was in full swing there was a little pre parade happening before the Main Event! The muppets were involved and it was a cute distraction! It was nice to see the muppets have a bit more of a presence
in the parks if only for a year!

I love it, although it could always do with more Gonzo, Rolf and the Sweedish Chef.

​

Con't in next post.

As will my commentary be.

 

[Monny2AE]

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!! PLEASE put up a disclaimer before Ken posts. It's naptime here and I am actually covering my mouth to keep from laughing too loud. I've got 6 kids sleeping here for pete's sake!

I love the Photopass Pic of you all at night in front of the castle. Little cold, eh? (Did I use "eh" correctly? Did I? Did I? )

 

[Dancegrl624]

Ken-Just to let you know, I have been spit on by the camels on numerous occassions. My lovely family likes to make sure I'm the one who gets spit on each and every time. Not cool.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!! PLEASE put up a disclaimer before Ken posts. It's naptime here and I am actually covering my mouth to keep from laughing too loud. I've got 6 kids sleeping here for pete's sake!

I love the Photopass Pic of you all at night in front of the castle. Little cold, eh? (Did I use "eh" correctly? Did I? Did I? )

YAY!!! You DID use "eh" quite correctly!!! Good on ya! I do apologize for my husband! He just can't help being funny! I am a very lucky woman! He makes me laugh EVERY day! If the saying is true that Laughter is the best medicine then I will be healthy for a loooonnnggg time!!!

 

[Firestarter]

CHAPTER 9: Part 2

Once the little muppet parade was done there were still a few minutes before the Dreams Come True parade started so the girls happile skipped off to join in the skipping for a few more minutes! As crowded as Main St is for watching parades, you just can't beat the perks!

The crowding does become stressful. You "mark out" your territory by setting down bags and standing like you're preparing for an earthquake. As more people crowd around and your kids AREN'T nearby you suspect more of the latecomers want to edge in on your coveted space. I was stepped on, bumped into, and had to ask a few people not to sit where my kids would be sitting (at my feet).

I wonder if one could get away with "marking territory" using a borrowed seeing eye dog. Perhaps more effective, ar at least less stressful knowing the pup would take a wizz on anyone trying to sit on your feet.

I just LOVE the little guy wearing the Peter Pan suit, don't you??​

I love the look of the girls.
"Run for Cover. This place is gonna go!"


Well once the parade started they came rushing back and we enjoyed watching this parade together VERY much! We didn't watch it last year on our trip and I hadn't seen it on my last trip as a teen so I had not watched an MK afternoon parade since 1991!! YIKES!!!

I hope these guys get to do other things at the park. Otherwise their resume will read:

2008-2010: Carried a sign and smiled. Included walking.

These dancers are so into it. I can't dance and smile, I'm too busy thinking "move left arm, now move left foot. Keep right foot down, I can't lift both at once."

I got a wave and a kiss from my fave mouse!​

Conceited woman, I was standing right beside you. It COULD have been for me.

Emily was particularly very excited to see some of her fave characters! Mary and Bert from Mary Poppins, Alice from Wonderland and Cinderella and her Prince Charming! Cinderella saw Em's birthday button and called out “Happy Birthday Princess Emily!” and blew her a kiss! Mary Poppins waved right at her and Bert gave her a salute and Alice threw her a hug! What a magical day for my girl!

With those winter clothes on you would think she was supposed to be on the LAST float, so you could know when it was over.

​

I must have been really tired that day because it took me about 2/3 of the parade before I figured out that the female dancers HAD to be wearing wigs! I mean, the highlights in their hair match EXACTLY the colour of their dresses which match EXACTLY with their male counterparts shirts! That, and they ALL had the same hairstyles! DUH – totally blonde that day! Oh well, it was a great parade and I am very gald we finally got to se it! Not a must do for every future trip but definitely a fun time!

It was a good parade, better than most I've seen in my life. That said, I would compare it against spectro or the Pixar parade and it wouldn't come out on top.

When the parade ended we decided that we had done enough for the day and walked right down the middle of Main Street USA as we headed for the bus stop to take us back to our resort! Since it was such a lovely day, the girls wanted to go swimiing! That and we had a Supper ADR over at Riverside that evening!

The kids ALWAYS want to go swimming. This summer we took them to the water park in West Edmonton Mall. We swam for 4 hours in the wave pool and took in the amazing water slides. Upon arrival back at the hotel Natalie immediately asked "can we go swiming?"




Up next...an afternoon and evening at Port Orleans!

Yay Port Orleans!

 

[Firestarter]

Catching up, slowly.

CHAPTER 10 – Takin' it easy in the Big Easy!

Now where did I leave us last time??? Oh yes! I believe we were headed back to POFQ for some much needed relaxation time!

Disney VACATION does not readily make for Disney RELAXATION. This year we were so busy at the parks we didn't get the much needed day off to enjoy our resort. Never again I say.

When we arrived at the lovely POFQ, the first thing the girls wanted to know was if they could go swimming yet! I figured it was warm enough and our ADR wasn't until 6pm so I told them to get suited up and Dad could take them to the pool for a dip!

Warm enough for Dad, not warm enough for Mom. SIGH.

I wasn't quite in the swimming mood (After all, it was only about +15C out) so I grabbed the refillable mug and the camera and set off to do my own thing. I first paid a visit to the hot chocolate station at Sassagoula and then had a little browse through the gift shop! Lots of wonderful treasures to be found there! I could probably wander around in there for hours!

I bet she could. The gift shop is small, two or three aisles, maybe 3000sq feet. My worry is if she got LOST in said gift shop...

I decided to then go and check up on my family and see what they were up to! I wandered doen to the swimming pool and on the way took a few shots of these guys...

I found Ken and the girls and they told me that our friends (who were staying at POR) had stopped by and made a date for us to meet up with them after our supper at Boatwright's.

We knew these friends would be in the sister resort and it was a chance meeting. They just got off the bus and were heading to the boats when they spotted us in the pool.


I snapped a few shots of them playing in the water and going down the serpent slide and then wandered around the pool area taking pictures of whatever caught my fancy.

Kids sure don't appreciate it when you tell them to keep thrashing about since they will be the distraction for the sharks while you can get away. No sense of ha ha.

One just enjoys, the other has to pose.

Brave photographer, that is the pose she assumes right before striking...

Let's keep tabs on what catches Kim's fancy, shall we?

Gator playing water out of clarinet, check.

Two gators re-enacting a scene from 'Cabaret', check

Half naked Tritan tearing down a palm tree whilst riding a dinosaur, check

Boats at dock, check

Husband, nil....


Soon enough it was time to head back to the room to get ready for supper. We literally had to drag the girls out of the water as they were having SO MUCH FUN!!! I hated to do it but I REALLY wanted to eat at Boatwright's.

Even threats of "shark", as terrifying as they were to other bathers, did not affect my children.


Quick as a flash we were all cleaned up and ready to go and we had a lovely leisurely stroll along the river over to POR! Twilight was just starting and the lamplights were just coming on – it was so beautiful and serene!

It is a beautiful riverside path

We arrived a few minutes early and took a minute to enjoy the beautiful Lobby! It is quite lovely! Very elegant!

So nice, I almost wish there were a dress code. Just to wander around that lobby in a tux would be RIGHTEOUS!


We then walked down the hallway to Boatwright's and checked in. We waited maybe 3 minutes before we were taken to a table near the back of the restaurant. The server noted that Natalie and I both had allergies and said he would send the chef out for a chat! Normally my allergies are not an issue but since we were dining in a restaurant that included seafood with pretty much EVERY entree, I wanted to make sure that I was safe!

Kim suffering from shellfish will make her swellish so we were selfish and asked for help ordering. It makes our lives easier.


The chef came out for a visit and conferred with me about my choice of entree. He assured me that he would personally oversee its creation and make absolute sure there was no cross contamination! We found something on the kids menu for Natalie to eat and we were good to go!

I on the other hand wanted to ask for additional cross-contamination, but Kim has a certain look in her eye that, encourages me to behave in public.

Our server brought our drinks and a basket of corn bread. OH. MY. WORD. Maybe it was just because we were so hungry, but that bread was TO. DIE. FOR. SO YUMMY!!!

Death by Corn Bread at Boatwrights, Husky police don't loaf as they stalk the crumbs through the maise of this mystery. More at 11.

Now, while we wait for our dinner to arrive, please allow me to brag about my children for a bit! Ken and I have worked VERY HARD to teach (Threaten within an inch of their very lives)
our girls good manners and proper restaurant behavior. We try to take them out to eat at a nice sit down restaurant at least once every other month or soNormally to different restaurants to give the servers a break from my comedy routine.. This is to give them the opportunity to practice their good manners and restaurant behavior.

Now, throughout this meal at Boatwright's, they were very well behaved and I was very proud of them. It had been a long day and they were very tired but they were both being so good! Our server noticed too. When they ordered their food, they looked him straight in the eyes and stated what they wanted to have and said it kindly and politely. Each time he returned to our table (which was actually quite often as it was not very busy there!) the girls greeted him and if they needed something, asked for it very nicely.

Our meals arrived less than 30 minutes after ordering and we plowed in rather quickly as we were quite hungry!

I had the Grilled Tenderloin Medallions with sweet potatoes and asparagus

Ken had the Jambalaya

Shrimp + Chicken + Ham + Rice + Spice == Happy Ken ^4

Natalie had the Kids meaty Macaroni

and Em had chicken nuggets and fries with chicken noodle soup as her appy.

Ken also had a beer flight! Again he found one he did not care and discovered that it was again a Wheat beer!

Beer flights appeal to me on two fronts. 1) I get to expermient and expand my palette. 2) More beer for less. I have found I do not like wheat (or corn) based drinks. I prefer Barley or Grapes.
Really, only the Purple Haze beer didn't do it for me.

Now I have heard many people say that they did not enjoy the food here. Not sure why cause WE LOVED IT!!! I will definitely eat here again! The service was outstanding and the food was delicious!! I would say that while the restaurant itself was quiet, clean and spacious it was not anything to write home about. The boat skeleton overhead was neat though!

We finished up and ordered our desserts. Emily got her standard DDP kids ice cream. Natalie had her fruit from her meal, I oredered the no sugar added Lemon Pound cake and Ken, of course, had the Pecan Pie.

Now, a note about the word Pecan. Up here in Canada, we say it PEE-can. I have been told by my DIS friends in the south that our pronunciation is entirely wrong and disgusting too. It is properly said Pe-CAHN. Forgive me my southern friends!
My wife, my lovely wife, suggested/insisted/demanded that I say it properly. I did, but I also did my best Jeff Foxworthy accent to go with it.


Anyway you say it, that pie was SCRUMPTIOUS!!!!! I was really full after my sinfully delicious supper that I really didn't have much room for my dessert. I managed a few bites though.It was really good but not as good as that pie!(Which she managed to get a few bites of. It was too good to keep to myself. I am sure I shared a few milligrams.

Our server brought us our bill and also brought the girls beads and balloons! He told them that they were the best behaved little girls that he had ever had the pleasure of serving! He told us that we were doing an EXCELLENT job as parents! I think my head swelled a bit just then! It really does feel nice to have your efforts recognized!
My response of "Yeah, the little idiots weren't miserable tonight, you were lucky" was prevented by the look of "say it and become an alto singer boy" from my wife.

We squared up with the DDP and then used the restrooms before heading out to meet our friends! While we were waiting in the Main Lobby, the girls found the little TV area and watched some cartoons!

Not too much later our friends showed up and we talked about what we wanted to do. We decided to take a walk over to their room so they could get their arcade card. We enjoyed a lovely stroll around POR as we meandered our way to Magnolia Terrace where their room was located. POR really is very beautiful at night! It is SO BIG though! Not sure if I would ever want to actually stay there! I really enjoyed the smallness of POFQ!
I personally prefer smaller resorts. Wilderness Lodge and Port Orleans were the best of all the onese we've stayed at.

We retrieved the arcade card and then headed back to the Main building and all the kids used up the free minutes and then some in their efforts at air hockey! When they were done we all decided to walk back towards POFQ as it was getting late for us and our friends wanted to head over to DTD for a while! The kids in that family are a bit older than ours and are quite used to being up late! We had already had a long day and were quite ready for bed!
AKA we were rotten exhausted.

We walked along the river and parted ways at the POFQ boat dock! After saying our goodbyes, we headed back to our room and got ready for bed! I think the girls watched a bit of TV before falling asleep! It had been a LONG day!

 

[Firestarter]

CHAPTER 11 – Breakfast in Paradise!

The morning dawned a bit cloudy this day and we were fully expecting it to rain at some point. We slowly got up on this morning as we were not expected at out breakfast ADR until after 10am!

As usual none of us really slept in. I think we were all up and going by 7:30! I sent Ken to Sassagoula for coffee and beignets while the girls and I got dressed and prettied up! Our receipts from that transaction tell me he was at the food court at 8:15!

Apparently I wake up pretty, or as pretty as I'm gonna get, so I get to be the beignet and coffee boy.

Having read so much about them and hearing so many differing opinions about them, I was quite anxious (Beside herself in sugary anticipation )to discover for myself the mystery of the beignet!

You know what would make deep fried pastry better? Sugar. And by better I don't mean you'll live longer or lighter either...

I will not spoil the mystery for you but let me just say this – Beignets are best consumed when hot!
Also, don't wear black because powdered sugar gets EVERYWHERE. Thanks to the children it looked like either it had snowed in our room, or someone in desperate need of "Head and Shoulders" shook themselves off by the table.

I am pretty sure we left our room around 9am and caught the bus to MK. We then walked over the Monorail platform and caught the resort Monorail to The Poly. Yes, we were going to have breakfast at 'Ohana!!

The pictures I have from the monorail ride are time stamped at 945am. I believe our ADR was for around 10;25am.

Natalie clinging to the rail for physical as well as emotional support.

I actually do insist the kids stand if there aren't enough seats. I know their legs work and it is a good opportunity to teach consideration.

The Monorail going through the Contemporary resort. Cool to a staggering new level. It feels like I'm in 2001: A Space Oddessy, but without the screaming apes or malevolent and sentient computer. Actually, the apes totally depends on the behaviour of some of the other passengers...

We arrived at the Poly and I immediately went over the podium to check us in for our breakfast. The waiting area was packed so I knew that we would probably be waiting for a little bit!

We found some seats and proceeded to wait for our pagers to alert us that our table was ready! While we were waiting I seem to remember that Ken and the girls did a bit of a walk around to some of the shops. Ken was hoping to find a new Hawaiian shirt! His motto for this type of shirt is “the more garish it is: the more I like it!”.
I also took the girls to ensure their survival. They were hungry, hopped up on beignets and needing to be taken out for a good run.

As far as the shirts go, yes, I want to wear things that Lady Gaga would find tacky. In my mid thirties I have finally found my style, and it is "colour blind, fashion handicapped surfer."

I believe we were paged at about 10:30 because the next bunch of pictures are time stamped at around 10:40. We were brought to our table by our “cousin” Mickey – not be confused by the Mouse! He was so nice and kind and helpful. He brought us out our coffee and juice and very soon the characters began to show up!
Best. Coffee. At. Disney.

We LOVE “Ohana!!! We ate supper there last year and now breakfast this year! I think that 'Ohana has become a must do for us from now on! We really enjoyed both meals! I really enjoyed and appreciated the Family-Style method of serving the food they have there! So much better than having to get up every time you want more! It is also so much easier when dealing with characters!
The only downside is when the tables are too close or the people are too far out from their own tables. It can make it difficult for servers, children, and characters to navigate a moving maze of baby carriers, oversized backpacks, and people who lean back too far.


The girls were very excited about the characters at this breakfast! They had their autograph book open and ready as soon as they sat down! First came Lilo, then Stitch, My favourite Mouse came next closely followed by his best pal, Pluto!

I love Stitch. How many other meets can you suggest the character consume your children headfirst? That is what happened here, and look how happy they all are.

Stitch refused, just so you know.

Uhhh, Dad? He won't REALLY eat us, right? Dad? Put down the camera and pick up a knife. Dad?

​

We enjoyed our food very much and didn't feel rushed at all as I have heard others express! We were so hungry that morning we pretty much forgot to take any pictures of the food! First brought out was the bread basket and fruit. The breads were AWESOME and the fruit was very fresh and very juicy! As others have said before me, the juice is absolutely amazing! I asked about it and Mickey (server; not Mouse) said it was a blend of Passionfruit, Orange and Guava! So GOOD!!!

Next came the hot food. A huge bowl of eggs – THE BEST EGGS EVER!!! I don't even want to think about how much salt and butter were in those!! There was also a plate of meat, potatoes, bissuits and waffles! So much food! It was ALL so yummy!! My favouirtes were the eggs and potatoes!
As an egg snob I am proud to say they were eggsactly perfect. They shelled out a dish worthy of poaching.

Sorry, bad yolk.

Come on honey, SMILE for the camera. Look at your sister, she knows how to smile.

Actually, don't overdo it like your sister. Forget it, Daddy no longer knows what he wants. Except more coffee.


When we were close to being finished, the restaurant was beginning to clear out and the characters were coming for a second round! We were lucky enought ot have more hugs and snuggles with ALL the characters and we even had our picture taken with My Main Mouse!!

Grin altogether now...

Soon after that the parade started and both girls joined in! The pictures are a little fuzzy sorry!

We gathered all our things together, hit the washrooms and then decided to take a strool (Strool: (n) An akward gait of an overstuffed restaurant patron, still bemused by the excesses of superb cuisine. Often accompanied by drooling and slurring of words, although in children the opposite effect is observed, where squirming like a squid with alergies and chattering like a squirrel on meth are more common) around the atrium and browse the shops! Ken did not find a shirt that was gaudy enough to take home so we just poked around and enjoyed the scenery. After we finished our window shopping we decided to go down to the main entrance area and take some “nice pictures” by the waterfall!

The girls were getting pretty squirmy by that point so we were not able to get a “really nice picture”! HA!!

"Sit still you. Yes you, and your sister too. No you can't swim in the waterfall. Just face the camera and don't lean back and sit-still-or-I-will-get-all-evil-stepmother-on-your-mouse-eared-butts... and together now, SMILE! (click)


It was getting close to noon by that point so we decided to head outside for a bit of a stroll around the grounds on our way to the TTC!! We were going to try to be at EPCOT for around 1pm!

As soon as we walked out the doors near Captain Cooks to head to the pool area all of us said, at almost the same time - “We should stay here sometime!” How BEAUTIFUL!!!

What an amazing location, beautiful scenery, wonderful food, tremendous transportaion options (MONORAIL!!!!!)! As Mary Poppins says – practically perfect in every way!! I do believe that our family will be staying there someday!

We were slightly delayed in our attempt to depart the Poly. Without names and ALL the gory details I will explain why. There was a little girl who waited too long to use the washroom. This resulted in a trip back to the Main building to make a purchase of new undergarments! Nuff said!
AHHH, family vacation memories. Insufficient back pressure at home doesn't generate nearly the same level of nostalgia, or embarassment.

We finally found our way to the TTC and the EPCOT Monorail at about 12:30pm. We were ready to Test some Tracks, Soar over California and wind our way around the world!! Epcot, here we come!

As God as my witness I have no idea what Emily is doing there.​

Yay Epcot!

 

[Monny2AE]

We loved OHana I don't do coffee but if their coffee can compare to how yum their OJ is, then I suppose it's good coffee.

Never thought to ask Stitch to devour my kids head first. There have been moments this past week when I'd love to call him up and ask him!

 

[Firestarter]

CHAPTER 12: A Rainy afternoon in Epcot!

We arrived at Epcot at about the same time the sun disappeared and the clouds started to roll in! YUP – it was gonna rain!! With that in mind we decided to take our jackets and leave the rest of our stuff in a locker.

That taken care of, I offered to go and fetch us some FP's for Test Track while Ken took the girls to Innoventions for a bit. They had seen the Runtime game the previous day and wanted to try it out.

Before that though we saw a Photopass person and decided to have some fun pictures taken! We had seen her doing “the balloons picture” with another family so we asked for that!

I can not believe my hair stands at about 30% my head diameter. A bit more gel and I'd be Egon Spengler or Jimmy Neutron.

Natalie has yet to learn to smile naturally. She still confuses it with her "scare the baby" face.

Kim is either trying to hold balloons and rub her tummy, or she was going for that "Statue of Liberty" look.

I look at this picture and am reminded of one thing.
MY BELLY!
GAH! I am sorry but my vanity but it helps to remember that only a few years ago I was running marathons. Now it appears my belt has the endurance tests. ~ Serves me right for wearing a shirt that I received while in High School.

​

I ran for FP's and I believe we had a return time of about 1:55 or so. These are the photos Ken took of the girls creating their game!

"Daaah, it looks like a campooter... all purtty."

This is a really neat activity for the kids. The motion capture and graphics are not this years best, but for ease of use and fun re-play IBM had it figured out here. Two thumbs up for entertainment. I know I *could* make better if I had about 18 months development time, but I know I never will

​

It is so cool – you put in your email addy and they will actually send you a link to your game that you can play from home!!! So cute.

My memory is getting a little fuzzy on what happened next but I think that we went to ride The Seas with Nemo!! It must have ben getting close to our FP return time because we didn't stay for the next Crush show but just the customary photo op with Big Bad Bruce before heading over to ride TT

#1 worst spot for taking your kids pictures. Altough a fun shot should you get it, the work and stress involved isn't worth the bother. I recall there being several families of kids ahead of us and they all took enough pictures to make their own 5 minute movie frame by frame. Then when the girls FINALLY had a chance I had to repeat myself over and over "no, lean FURTHER out of the shark's mouth". The picture doesn't work if they stay inside, they have to get partly out of the mouth for the flash to illuminate their little cherub faces between the rows of serrated teeth.


By the time we arrived at Test Track it was raining so the FP pics have me with my hood up!! Ken figured out exactly when they take the picture so he was able to ham it up for the camera!! What a funny guy!!

Too fun to do that for the photos. Each time I went through I would try to get the face a LITTLE more terrified. Still yet to beat what naturally happened on the "Dinosaur" ride though...

​

We then decided to head into the World Showcase. It was after 2pm by this point, we had ADRs for 6pm and the girls still wanted to do their masks!! They were determined to do every single one!!!

First up was Mexico. We rode the ride, the girls did some colouring and we procured a plastic bag to keep their masks in so they would stay somewhat dry in the rain. We also tried on some fun hats and shook a few maracas!!

The rain was POURING by now so everyone in the vicinity was inside, and their kids were at the table colouring. It was hard for our kids because we demand they don't push, shove, or hog markers. Other kids at the table had no such restrictions.

Not sure what look they are going for here, but if I had to guess it would be "Mexican Gringo Gangstas".

​

Next up was Norway where we donned the viking wear and took some more silly pictures! Natalie was terrified of the big troll so I had to do it this time!! We rode the Maelstrom as well this time – all of us! Last year was Nat was so scared of the waterfall that she wouldn't even consider it! She braved her fears this year and actually enjoyed it!!

If you look you will see some of the 'raincoats' sold at Disney. They were, in effect, recycling bags converted into ponchos. The rain was not bad at all, hardly more than a drizzle, yet families would pass by like it was "the day the garbage took itself out". "White Trash" jokes would be too easy in this case. This goes to show two things:
1. I was still upset about realizing my t-shirt highlighted my beer gut.
2. I was jealous of their ponchos.

Kimhilda and her knockneed accomplice "Half-axed" Emily

By now the rain had already stopped. That didn't halt the fashion display of ponchos.


We moseyed on over to China and got to see the acrobats this time and the girls got to meet Mulan! We also enjoyed the Clay Warriors and waited out the rain for a bit!! The girls did some shopping and each bought a gift for the other!! Emily bought Natalie a fan and Natalie bought some chopsticks for them to share!!

Me: "Don'ttouchdon'ttouchdon'ttouchdon'ttouchdon'ttouch"

Mulan is my favourite of the Disney princesses for her warrior side. The whole "Twelfth Night" cross-dressing thing is best not reflected on too much though...


​

We decided to bypass Germany as we would be eating there later and headed on over to Italy. Last year we took a GREAT family photo quite by accident in Italy! We decided to try and get another!

The rain had other ideas! We searched for a good spot but couldn't find one we were willing to set the camera upon. Finally we accosted a young man and his girl friend and asked them if they would take our photo. He agreed and then we returned the favour! The picture didn't turn out so great cause Em was being a bit too silly, alas!

My reaction once I saw the photo was akin to Homer discovering Bart doing something of the same sort. My Dad would say I deserve everything she does. I would reply "I get to pick your home, Dad."

I repeat this advice: DO NOT try to re-create a moment from your last Disney trip. You are doomed to fail since part of what made it a moment in the first place was the suprise and spontenaity. Just make new moments.


​

We made it to American adventure and had just enough time to do a pic in front of the fountain and for the girls to get the tags on their masks before we needed to turn around and head back to Germany for our 6:15pm ADR @ Biergarten.

Through Gritted Teeth: "Yes Daddy, we are being VERY good for this picture. Now let us go play already."


​

continued in next post!

You betcha snookums.

 

[Firestarter]

We arrived at the podium to check in right before 6. There was quite a crowd so I expected us to have to wait for quite a while. Imagine my surprise when we were paged almost immediately! We were seated with a family from the Gulf coast of Florida who had just driven up for the weekend!

The music began quite quickly and the girls were eager to dance! We told they could go for a few minutes until we were ready to get our food! It was tough to haul them off the dance floor! They were having a great time!!
It just so happened we were sitting where the sound of the amps converged. It was LOUD enough to make your ears um-pa-pop.

"Twirl your sister till she drops, let go when her shoulder pops."

​

We ate lunch at Biergarten last year and Ken enjoyed it SO much that he pleaded with me for a repeat! I relented and decided that we would try supper this time! I don't know what it was but I much preferred our lunch last year. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it – the food is GREAT!!!

Perhaps last year being lunch time it was a bit more calm and relaxed or maybe I was just plain ole worn out! Whatever the reason, I just didn't enjoy the experience as much this year! I think we will take a break from the Biergarten on our next trip! I didn't even take any pictures of the food or Anything!!
SIGH. My wife is not as much a fan as I am of the following things:
1. Beer.
2. Sausages.
3. Mustard.
4. Pickles.
5. Mustard-Pickle.
6. German culture.

I love the history of there Hungarian/German Central European cultures. Fascinating. Also my favorite band (Rammstein) hails from Germany (and sings in German).

One downer to this visit was the volume. Another was that a shared family style highlights differences in families, and forcing yourself to be pollite, cordial and reserved can be a strain.

Boarders, I appeal to you, please encourage my wife to re-consider Beirgarten once more!

Well, once we were done with our dinner which I believe was about 7:30 or so by the time we got the girls off the dance floor again, we headed off to finish their masks! It was a very fast whirlwind tour of the World Showcase to get the rest of their attachments and stamps! We did it though!! I tell you, I have never seen either of them so determined to finish something!!
Ok, now I'll tell about my too-tight-tshirt. It is appropriate for the British Pavillion as it is a Manchester United jersy from the mid-90's. I thought it would be cool. Oh well, so much for co-ordinating MY fashion.

When they were finished their masks, it was about 8:30 and we decided to find a good spot to watch Illuminations! I had not seen this show since 1994 and Ken and the girls had NEVER seen it! We walked around the lagoon from Canada all the way back to the spot between Italy and Germany. We found an empty piece of railing on the bridge of sighs! It was a sweet spot!

I took the girls to the washroom and then we hauled out the glow bracelets and necklaces I had saved for just this occasion! We stood and people watched while we waiting for the show to start. Ken quite enjoyed the pre show music and decided to try and find a copy of it in a store before we left.
Tried and FAILED. I love the "1 world, 4 parks" cds we picked up last year. The CD I picked up this year had the score to illuminations, but NOT the mega-cool world prelude music. Some of it was what I would describe as "Morroccan Techno". DROOOOL.

My advice on low light photography with children: Don't. Whenever I hold the camera I get the shakes like I just quit coffee cold turkey and the kids ability to remain still eludes all but the most expensive slow motion cameras.

​

Illuminations started and I have to say.....that I was quite UN impressed! My apologies to those who just LOVE this show! I remember the one I saw a couple of times in the early '90s and this show just DOES NOT COMPARE!!! I much prefer Wishes! I have heard rumours that Illuminations is quite due for a rehab and perhaps a new show will replace the current one!
I thought the globe was cool, but our vantage point didn't give the best viewing. The fireworks were not shiverlicious like Wishes is. I would watch it again, but if I had the choice between it and wishes, well, you know what I would WISH for.

Once it was over we took our time walking around the rest of the Lagoon and even stopped at the Outpost so the girls could play a little on the African drums! They really enjoyed that! By that time I was just too plum tuckered out to even take pictures!

Once we made it back to the Future World side the crowds were starting to dissipate so we wandered into Mouseworks to look for a CD for Ken! He found one he liked and made the purchase and then we went out to take one last look at the “golfball”! We even found a Photopass person to snap a couple pics for us! We left the park by about 9:45 and were tucked into bed by 10:30!! What a Great Day!

I thought the rain made the day a bit more fun. We were inclined to duck into more pavilions and stores than we would, and there was a sence of togetherness amongst people seeking shelter together. Epcot in the rain is worth a try, and thinking about the parks, I would say it is probably the best park to do in the wet. Bring an umbrella and have fun!

Plus the clouds make for better night time pictures in front of spaceship earth!
​

What a great day!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

You're doing a GREAT job catching up honey!!! Only 4 more chapters to go and then we can finish this thing up!!

 

[jenjolt]

Kim!! I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you today!!! Hope all is well with you and your clan!! I miss ya!! We'll have to catch up soon!!!

Loving the updates!!