March 2012: The Year I Almost Survived Spring Break
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DMGeurts
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I totally agree - in general - that's one thing I love about Disney, is that they allow you to take pictures on their rides (although some of them nix the flash).
D~
Lidian
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To start: I have several BIG tests this week. Once I survive, I'll try to finish out Sunday and move on to our first "Disney" day! 
Is he looking forward to The Avengers? I saw a preview for it yesterday at the movie (went with my cousin to see The Hunger Games). It looked really good, and I'd like to see it. DH said he'd rather wait for Netflix.
And you should come back! I run an Alliance guild! We're lots of fun! (As you can see.
) My heart is Horde though ... but all my friends are Alliance, so it's more fun to play pixels with friends than play fun pixels alone. 
I agree about the story. The original log flume at DollyWood was the same way. You just rode through a water ride and then went down a MASSIVE hill. They revamped it many years ago and now it tells a tale. I don't recall the story, but I think it was just about being in the Great Smoky Mtns. I want to say the Dudley Falls is scenic, but not sure if it tells a story. It was too cold to find out. I'm sure you can find info if you're really interested!
D, I say you should go! I will answer your question later, okay? I still have a ton of stuff to cover (but more in words than pictures, since the batter in my other camera gets low
).
I loved the bubbles, and really wished we got more pictures.
I highly recommend a day trip! It's what we did. We've been trying to get to USO/IoA for years, but never could get it into our schedule or budget. We were lucky this year! (And lucky for next year! I hope)
I was very discouraged at how little you can use your camera there. It was working my nerves a bit ... but it was still worth going and we had a blast!!
And I had little knowledge before our arrival.
I knew some very basic things about the rides. That was it.
I agree D!
My DH wil flip out when he sees your pics of the Marvel area! He grew up with Marvel comics and still loves them, in fact this past Xmas he was checking out the Cap't America toys
Oh yeah He will want to go to US IOA for sure. By the was I use to play WOW big time Alliance
Is he looking forward to The Avengers? I saw a preview for it yesterday at the movie (went with my cousin to see The Hunger Games). It looked really good, and I'd like to see it. DH said he'd rather wait for Netflix.
And you should come back! I run an Alliance guild! We're lots of fun! (As you can see.
) My heart is Horde though ... but all my friends are Alliance, so it's more fun to play pixels with friends than play fun pixels alone. I agree about the story. The original log flume at DollyWood was the same way. You just rode through a water ride and then went down a MASSIVE hill. They revamped it many years ago and now it tells a tale. I don't recall the story, but I think it was just about being in the Great Smoky Mtns. I want to say the Dudley Falls is scenic, but not sure if it tells a story. It was too cold to find out. I'm sure you can find info if you're really interested!
D, I say you should go! I will answer your question later, okay? I still have a ton of stuff to cover (but more in words than pictures, since the batter in my other camera gets low
).I loved the bubbles, and really wished we got more pictures.
I highly recommend a day trip! It's what we did. We've been trying to get to USO/IoA for years, but never could get it into our schedule or budget. We were lucky this year! (And lucky for next year! I hope)
I was very discouraged at how little you can use your camera there. It was working my nerves a bit ... but it was still worth going and we had a blast!!
And I had little knowledge before our arrival.
I knew some very basic things about the rides. That was it.I agree D!
Lidian
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We were just leaving Sinbad around 2:30. What will we do with the rest of our day?
Well ... We should go back to WWoHP!
Okay, this is when I realize that the battery on my 2nd camera is LOW. So pictures start to get scarce ... but the good news is, we're almost done with posts! lol
So we walk back over to WWoHP. We all wanted to browse the shops and get a delicious mug of Butterbeer (granted, I was the only one who had ever had Butterbeer before -- yay for book release parties!).
Sadly, I realize I didn't take any pictures of inside the stores ... except one.
Anyone need a good book to read?
The kids were wanting to look at wands, but the store was PACKED! I mean, we were gridlocked and I was starting to panic. I finally get DD to the front of the store (I was on my way out) when she saw the wands. A lovely Citizen of Hogsmeade noticed DD and pulled her over to the wands. She said, "You're here for your wand, aren't you?" DD grinned. I really wish I had taken pictures here ... Ugh ... but anyway. The lady asked her a couple of questions and then pulled a wand down. I tried to intervene when DD answered incorrectly, but the lady shushed me and said that wands work in mysterious ways ... and the right wand, will indeed, pick her if she's ready.
So I stepped back and watched. The lady handed DD the wand (Birch and I forget the other details that went along with it) and told her to give it a swish. DD waved it around. The lady said she was a natural, but she wasn't quite sure this was her wand. DD agreed. She asked her another question (I won't tell you what the questions are, in case anyone wants to be surprised). DD answered (truthfully this time). The lady pulled down a different wand. Each time, she describes the wand in magnificent detail.
This wand was a Rowan wand (but don't recall the other specifications). She handed it to DD and her eyes lit up. She then said, "Don't be silly, give the wand a good swish!" So DD waved the wand. The lady claimed out! "I do believe this wand has chosen you!" DD was ecstatic! She turned to me and asked if she could buy the wand. I was just in awe at how well this staff member had just treated my child and had made her day -- of course I let her get the wand! So then DS wanted to get a wand. The first wand he held picked him. (It was an Ivy wand, and I forget the spefications.)
At 2:57, I posted to FB that the wands have chosen the kids! (Pictures of kids with their wands to come at a later update -- chronological.)
We weren't quite done in WWoHP. We browsed some of the shops and then decided it was time for a restroom break for the boys. Us girls were smart and went earlier before we got to WWoHP ... so we sat outside and waited.
Kouga came out of the restroom, wide-eyed and pale ... as if he had seen a ghost. I asked if he was okay, as I was worried he may not be feeling well. He said that Moaning Myrtle was in the boys restroom. ROFL!!! He said it was a very interesting experience. Can you imagine??? WOW! LOL!!
So after we stood there and laughed for a bit, we did some more browsing. We went into Zonko's (the joke shop), then to Honeydukes (the candy store) ... and no purchases were made. We decided it was time for BUTTERBEER!
DD wanted a Frozen one:
I wanted a regular one:
Side by side:
We also got a regular (non souvenir mug) one for DH and for DS.
We all agreed: REGULAR IS BETTER! It was unanimous. 100%. Frozen was fine, and probably great on a HOT day ... but as far as taste, regular. REGULAR ALL THE WAY!
We enjoyed our beverages as we made our way over to the Lost Continent again. DH wanted to browse a shop. He found a sword that he debated on purchasing:
Twenty points if you know what that sword is from.
I found some swords for my dad (second picture is a close-up):
Then we decided to take a pit stop so I could rinse out my mug. DH decided to take DS to the restroom as well.
DD and I come out of the restroom and immediately see Kouga sitting. So we join him as we wait for DH and DS. A few moments later, a bird comes out of nowhere and starts harrassing me! First, it flew right towards me and barely missed. (Kouga uses this time to call "HEALER AGGRO!" ... as my WoW characters are all Healers.) Then the bird comes back. "WINNING!" So finally the bird is gone (I hope) and we're cracking up laughing. After a bit, I start to worry about the boys. They should have been out by now. It had been about 15 minutes or so. I ask Kouga if he thought they fell in ... and Kouga asked if I wanted him to go check to see if things were okay. Yes, please!
So Kouga stands up and says he found them. They were standing near a tree. Wait ... how could we miss them coming out when we were watching the door? Stupid bird distracted us. And second .. how could HE not see US? We were directly straight from the door, couldn't be missed.
So I called DH.
Hi honey.
You guys almost done in there?
(Ewww, really? He thought I was calling from inside the bathroom? No way! That's just wrong!!)
Uhm.. yeah, we've BEEN done. We're standing outside. I see you...
(He starts to turn, slowly looking)
Where? I don't see you at all.
I'm right behind you.
(He turns around.)
No, don't see you.
We're all giggling at this point, and several bystanders have figured out what was going on and glaring at us. Sheesh, it's a vacation. Lighten up and have some fun.
He finally follows the glares and sees us. We weren't hidden by ANY means. He just wasn't looking. So I know he felt like a silly-goose. He said he had been waiting out there for a bit. We would have noticed him coming out if I hadn't gotten attacked by a bird. Yay for Healer aggro. lol
Okay, I have to break here ... I hoped to finish out the day at IoA ... but I'm going to be late for class.
Hoping to finish it out today though!
Well ... We should go back to WWoHP!
Okay, this is when I realize that the battery on my 2nd camera is LOW. So pictures start to get scarce ... but the good news is, we're almost done with posts! lol
So we walk back over to WWoHP. We all wanted to browse the shops and get a delicious mug of Butterbeer (granted, I was the only one who had ever had Butterbeer before -- yay for book release parties!).
Sadly, I realize I didn't take any pictures of inside the stores ... except one.
Anyone need a good book to read?
The kids were wanting to look at wands, but the store was PACKED! I mean, we were gridlocked and I was starting to panic. I finally get DD to the front of the store (I was on my way out) when she saw the wands. A lovely Citizen of Hogsmeade noticed DD and pulled her over to the wands. She said, "You're here for your wand, aren't you?" DD grinned. I really wish I had taken pictures here ... Ugh ... but anyway. The lady asked her a couple of questions and then pulled a wand down. I tried to intervene when DD answered incorrectly, but the lady shushed me and said that wands work in mysterious ways ... and the right wand, will indeed, pick her if she's ready.
So I stepped back and watched. The lady handed DD the wand (Birch and I forget the other details that went along with it) and told her to give it a swish. DD waved it around. The lady said she was a natural, but she wasn't quite sure this was her wand. DD agreed. She asked her another question (I won't tell you what the questions are, in case anyone wants to be surprised). DD answered (truthfully this time). The lady pulled down a different wand. Each time, she describes the wand in magnificent detail.
This wand was a Rowan wand (but don't recall the other specifications). She handed it to DD and her eyes lit up. She then said, "Don't be silly, give the wand a good swish!" So DD waved the wand. The lady claimed out! "I do believe this wand has chosen you!" DD was ecstatic! She turned to me and asked if she could buy the wand. I was just in awe at how well this staff member had just treated my child and had made her day -- of course I let her get the wand! So then DS wanted to get a wand. The first wand he held picked him. (It was an Ivy wand, and I forget the spefications.)
At 2:57, I posted to FB that the wands have chosen the kids! (Pictures of kids with their wands to come at a later update -- chronological.)
We weren't quite done in WWoHP. We browsed some of the shops and then decided it was time for a restroom break for the boys. Us girls were smart and went earlier before we got to WWoHP ... so we sat outside and waited.
Kouga came out of the restroom, wide-eyed and pale ... as if he had seen a ghost. I asked if he was okay, as I was worried he may not be feeling well. He said that Moaning Myrtle was in the boys restroom. ROFL!!! He said it was a very interesting experience. Can you imagine??? WOW! LOL!!
So after we stood there and laughed for a bit, we did some more browsing. We went into Zonko's (the joke shop), then to Honeydukes (the candy store) ... and no purchases were made. We decided it was time for BUTTERBEER!
DD wanted a Frozen one:
I wanted a regular one:
Side by side:
We also got a regular (non souvenir mug) one for DH and for DS.
We all agreed: REGULAR IS BETTER! It was unanimous. 100%. Frozen was fine, and probably great on a HOT day ... but as far as taste, regular. REGULAR ALL THE WAY!
We enjoyed our beverages as we made our way over to the Lost Continent again. DH wanted to browse a shop. He found a sword that he debated on purchasing:
Twenty points if you know what that sword is from.
I found some swords for my dad (second picture is a close-up):
Then we decided to take a pit stop so I could rinse out my mug. DH decided to take DS to the restroom as well.
DD and I come out of the restroom and immediately see Kouga sitting. So we join him as we wait for DH and DS. A few moments later, a bird comes out of nowhere and starts harrassing me! First, it flew right towards me and barely missed. (Kouga uses this time to call "HEALER AGGRO!" ... as my WoW characters are all Healers.) Then the bird comes back. "WINNING!" So finally the bird is gone (I hope) and we're cracking up laughing. After a bit, I start to worry about the boys. They should have been out by now. It had been about 15 minutes or so. I ask Kouga if he thought they fell in ... and Kouga asked if I wanted him to go check to see if things were okay. Yes, please!
So Kouga stands up and says he found them. They were standing near a tree. Wait ... how could we miss them coming out when we were watching the door? Stupid bird distracted us. And second .. how could HE not see US? We were directly straight from the door, couldn't be missed.
So I called DH.
Hi honey.
You guys almost done in there?
(Ewww, really? He thought I was calling from inside the bathroom? No way! That's just wrong!!)
Uhm.. yeah, we've BEEN done. We're standing outside. I see you...
(He starts to turn, slowly looking)
Where? I don't see you at all.
I'm right behind you.
(He turns around.)
No, don't see you.
We're all giggling at this point, and several bystanders have figured out what was going on and glaring at us. Sheesh, it's a vacation. Lighten up and have some fun.
He finally follows the glares and sees us. We weren't hidden by ANY means. He just wasn't looking. So I know he felt like a silly-goose. He said he had been waiting out there for a bit. We would have noticed him coming out if I hadn't gotten attacked by a bird. Yay for Healer aggro. lol
Okay, I have to break here ... I hoped to finish out the day at IoA ... but I'm going to be late for class.
Hoping to finish it out today though!
DMGeurts
Never open texts with the "Hand Sewn Button" attac
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Great update Liddy!
The Butterbeer looks amazing... I can only imagine how wonderful it tastes...
Sorry about the bird - it makes for a great story though...
Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!
D~
The Butterbeer looks amazing... I can only imagine how wonderful it tastes...
Sorry about the bird - it makes for a great story though...
Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!
D~
Moodyzblu
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Love it !! There is SO much to see and do at IOA .. Glad we have 2 day passes. I know we'll want to go back a second day for sure. Thanks for the heads up on the "spinning" ride. I don't do spinning things. I suffer from vertigo and this ride would do me in for the rest of the day.
I can't believe we'll be there this week !!
I can't believe we'll be there this week !!
Lidian
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Great update Liddy!
The Butterbeer looks amazing... I can only imagine how wonderful it tastes...
Sorry about the bird - it makes for a great story though...
Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!
D~
Thank you D.
The Butterbeer was so yummy! The frozen was good, but I really think the regular was just much better.
Yeah that bird... (sigh) ...At least it was the last of my aggro for awhile.
Hoping to get the rest of the day completed today.
Love it !! There is SO much to see and do at IOA .. Glad we have 2 day passes. I know we'll want to go back a second day for sure. Thanks for the heads up on the "spinning" ride. I don't do spinning things. I suffer from vertigo and this ride would do me in for the rest of the day.
I can't believe we'll be there this week !!
I'm so glad you have two day passes! The boys are going to have SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear all about YOUR trip!!!
I didn't realize Cat in the Hat would be so .. spinny! It was BAD. So if you can't handle the tea cups, definitely skip the Hat.
I can't believe you have THREE DAYS!!!! I'm so excited for you!!!
kittylady1972
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Yippee I'm all caught up AGAIN! I read your first post about Sunday and that weather...yep BRRRRR...I remember it well! I think I can predict if it will be warm enough for you to do any of the water rides! Still it looks like great fun so far and great photos too! I had to laugh about your DH and his picture taking abilities...which is why I guess my DH very rarely has the camera!
Of course, he just takes photos with his cell phone when he wants to do so and actually those do tend to turn out pretty well.One of these days I'll get around to finishing my TR and my dining report. I'm just so far behind and having trouble getting motivated now that the trip is all over...and I'm busy planning our June non-Disney trip where I'm now considering adding in some Disney non-park flavor just for fun!
mblc14
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We seriously thought about taking some time and heading off Disney property and check out the Universal area...I thin kwe just might have to next we go for a week. It's just so hard for me to physically leave the world when we are there tho, but it might just be something worth trying next time..it looks like a blast!!
oopsiDAISY
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Can I just say that you are like one of the BEST storytellers ever? 
I have absolutely NO IDEA about most of what you are talking about (HP and WoW), but I am intrigued none-the-less. I just keep coming back for more, because you weave a tale so perfectly! 
The butterbeer looks sooo yummy! (insert drooly face emoticon that Dis STILL hasn't created) The bird story is hilarious! Loved the story about the great CM who assisted your daughter in getting picked by a wand. 
Oh, I am just hanging on your every word... 
I have absolutely NO IDEA about most of what you are talking about (HP and WoW), but I am intrigued none-the-less. I just keep coming back for more, because you weave a tale so perfectly! The butterbeer looks sooo yummy! (insert drooly face emoticon that Dis STILL hasn't created) The bird story is hilarious! Loved the story about the great CM who assisted your daughter in getting picked by a wand. Oh, I am just hanging on your every word... 
Lidian
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I had to laugh about your DH and his picture taking abilities...which is why I guess my DH very rarely has the camera!
One of these days I'll get around to finishing my TR and my dining report. I'm just so far behind and having trouble getting motivated now that the trip is all over...and I'm busy planning our June non-Disney trip where I'm now considering adding in some Disney non-park flavor just for fun!
I'm glad you're all caught up! It was COLD that day!!!
Okay, DH knows how to take good pictures. But he didn't care about the kids, he was ONLY taking pictures of the characters and our kids kept getting in the way of his picture taking.
G'luck on planning your trip!
I'd love to read more of your TR... hint, hint. (Okay, so you did update and I did just comment. Just sayin'.)Honestly, I struggled with the issue myself ... I kept thinking ... we just added another day ... I could do a park twice! I could do two days at DHS or Epcot ... so I was torn ... but once I got there... SO MUCH FUN! I'm looking forward to our 2013 trip where we'll dedicate two full days to USO/IoA!
I highly recommend it! I think your family would enjoy it ... and you could go for just a half day and do a WDW park in the evening.
Yes, I say it's okay to have your cake and eat it too. Can I just say that you are like one of the BEST storytellers ever?
Oh. Well. Thank you.
I agree that we need a drooly face.
Yes, the bird story is hilarious ... but not when it happened, not immediately anyway. I loved that my kids got picked by wands! Perhaps next year, I'll get picked by a wand. (I just couldn't fathom the money for something that would sit in a box.
)So what does Butterbeer taste like? Obviously it isn't a real beer or ale, is it like cream soda? No clue at all. It looked good though
That bird would've freaked me out!
It's 100% alcohol-free. It's basically a version of cream soda with a butterscotch flavored foam topping. It's all made on site from a secret recipe (I was trying to find the recipe to be more precise). I did read that they wanted it to be so family friend that it contains real sugar and no dairy products. The source was pretty reliable, so I believe it (and now feel better about my DD having some.
)
Lidian
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Let's see if I can finish up IoA.
After our potty break, bird attack, and laugh-fest .. we wander over to Suess Landing.
The wait for the Trolly in the Sky was posted as 45 minutes, so we kept walking. We popped into some shops, where DS decided he wanted to try on some hats.
Then we decided that it was finally time. Yep. The time has come. We must CONQUER the HULK!
Okay, so I wasn't 100% better from the previous coasters, but I was close. (I'd guesstimate about 85% better.) I partly prayed that the line was too long ... but part of me really wanted to ride the Hulk. It was absolutely intimidating and looked right up my alley.
So we start making our way there and we come across a bridge (that the Hulk goes over and under -- we're basically standing above and below the tracks). We watch the coaster for a few minutes and I ask DD if she was sure. Before this day, the only coasters she had ever ridden were the WDW ones, and they're all tame compared to the DC and Hulk ones.
So we round the corner ... and fingers are crossed that it's a 30+ minute wait.
The sign says ....
Wait time ....
Five minutes.
Drats. So I told DH to hold our stuff so we didn't have to rent a locker. I also handed him my glasses and told him we'd be right back.
So I take DD's hand and tell her to lead me to the ride. I'm blind as a bat, and I really can't see very well without my glasses (I'm terrified they'll fall off on intense rides). So she's leading me through the queue. The wait was pretty accurate. The staff member at the top instructs us which two seats to sit in within our row (since it seats four people across). We climb into the seats she specified and a couple joins us. DD was seated next to the gentleman (I'd estimate them to be in late 40s or early 50s in age). I make sure she's strapped in real good and .... WE'RE OFF!
Let me state this.... I've been a coaster junkie since I was a little girl. The Hulk is my current #1 favorite coaster. It was slightly themed (from what I could hear). You're about to be an experiment (the staff calls the riders experiments: Welcome back Experiments! Good luck Experiments!). And I could totally feel the theme on the track!
At one point, I was thinking... OH MUH GOSH! THANK GOODNESS IT'S OVER! AHHHHH! It's not over!!!! There was, I think, two places where I honestly thought the ride was over and we were pulling into the "station" when we were SHOT back out again. It was INSANE! I loved every minute of it! I know the ride probably lasted just a couple of minutes ... but I swear we were on it all day. I highly recommend riding The Hulk!
So we get off the ride, and I'm holding on to DD as she's walking us back to DH. I'm looking for what I would recognize as DH ... but not seeing him where we left him. I asked DD if she saw him. So we walked around for a bit, we checked the restroom, the locker area, the "tea cups", and then we start walking through the shops. DD asked me to just call DH ... but he had my phone -- it was in my purse.
Now ... I was really struggling at this point ... after just riding the coaster, and now I can't see. I'm starting to suffer from a migraine and I'm getting queasy from trying to focus my eyes so much. We walked through EVERY shop in the Marvel area ... then we went back to where we left DH (thinking maybe they grabbed a snack and would return). It has now been about 30 minutes since we came off the ride, and still no DH.
I'm in tears. Real ones. Ones that I was trying to hide from DD, because I'm at a loss for what to do. She was bored and was wanting to do something, and I was scared -- because I'm blind, I have nothing on me, and I don't know what to do.
At this point, we had sat down on the ground ... I have her get up and I decide we'll check the stores one more time. As we're walking through the arcade, DD said she saw Kouga. So I walked up to Kouga, and in a quiet, calm tone, ask where my DH was. Only... I truly said it quietly, because I had some choice words mixed in there. I was so ANGRY. I wanted to belt DH for not thinking.
At this point, Kouga was scanning for DH and DH comes around the corner. He's grinning (I can hear it in his voice) as he asks if we enjoy the ride. I don't reply, but calmly state that I wanted my purse and my glasses. I take DS and DD's hands and I walk out of the arcade. DH stops me and asked what was wrong.
This is where I burst into tears. I was so mad, all I could do was cry. Kouga comes over and asks what was wrong. I calm down enough to ask DH why he couldn't wait just five minutes for us to enjoy a ride. What was he thinking taking my stuff and not telling me WHERE I could find him -- since he didn't leave me with a way to contact him. I felt like I wasn't important to him, that he didn't care. Had the wait been 15+ minutes, I would have rented a locker and met up with them later -- or scheduled a meeting time/place. But with a 5 minute wait ... surely they could sit down for a few minutes and let us girls have some fun.
Kouga tries to intervene (he's a sweetheart, I confess) and says it was all his fault. He talked DH into going to the arcade. I told him that I didn't care whose idea it was, DH should have known better and said "let's wait -- she won't be able to find us". So regardless of whose fault it was, it happened, and I was mad at DH. So I take the kids and start walking. I just wanted to put a little bit of distance between DH and myself for a bit so I could calm down. DD still wanted to do some shopping, so we walk over to Toon Lagoon.
She specifically had asked to go into the Betty Boop store earlier that day. We walked in, but for some reason, we walked back out (I think there was people blocking the entrance). So we go into another entrance.
As DD is standing near the register looking at the earrings, I gasped. OH WOW! Could it be?
It was! It was! It was Betty Boop! And she was making a beeline to my DD!
She saw DD was looking at earrings of herself and they chatted for a few minutes. Then she asked DD if she'd like to step outside and get a picture taken with her! (She treated DD like SHE was the celebrity!!)
So we all made our way back out of the shop (will we ever get to go in? lol).
DS decides to join them (after Betty made sure it wasn't some random child). Better works on a pose with DD.
And then it was time for a picture! (She commented to DS about how strong he looked.)
Betty was happy that DS decided to come see her, so she requested a hug!
He was tickled pink to meet her (even though he had NO CLUE who she was lol).
DH snapped this one with his phone:
So we went back in the store and DD purchased a pair of dangle Betty Boop earrings. This was when I had to post "Boop-oop-a-doop!" to FB at 4:36. I don't think anyone realized what I was talking about ... but I was super excited to see Betty Boop!
The kids wanted to ride the "tea cups", so we decided to head back to Marvel Island. I was a little less mad at this point (thank you, Betty!) ... and on our way ... we saw some other characters we had to say "hi" to!
POPEYE AND OLIVE OYL!!!!
Popeye gives DS instructions on how to show his muscles, like he just ate a whole can of spinache. Olive tells DD how to pose. lol I confess, I really loved meeting Popeye and Olive as much as I did Betty!!! All three of them gave my kids LOTS of attention, and there was NO LINES!
And one from DH's phone:
So we said goodbye and started on our way to the "tea cups". Wow ... we got busy all of a sudden ... because here's another character!
DS wouldn't go near the Green Goblin. I have no clue who the Green Goblin is, but he was really into character and everyone was having a blast with him. We only had to wait just a minute to see him. However, the next character, we had to wait several minutes.
Dr. Doom was pretty cool. I think he enjoyed having DD come pose with him. And afterwards, he did that "bro-fist" thing with DS (the knuckle-bump firework explosion thing). DS got a kick out of that and even hugged Dr. Doom. lol
So then it was time for the "tea cups". I told DH I'd sit this out and took all the bags. It was about 5pm. While they were waiting to ride, Kouga and I talked. He was worried that I was going to beat DH up after we left ... but I was calming down. I tried to explain that I wouldn't have cared if it wasn't for the fact that he had my phone and I told him we'd be right back. He really wanted to make sure things were smooth, and he really wanted me to blame him. I can't stay mad at DH for long, but I did want to be angry for a little while. Yes, I confess. I wanted to be angry at him.
I tried to snap a pic of them on the "tea cups" ... or Storm ride, whatever it was called ... but that's easier said than done. This is the best I got with my phone:
Afterwards, we made our way back to WWoHP. (I've lost count how many times we made it back to WWoHP lol!!)
I snapped another picture of Hogwarts:
Then we went back over to Jurassic Park. DS wanted to ride the Pteranodon Flyers, so we made our way that direction. The wait was over an hour, so no riding.
We stopped for a picture on the way back to WWoHP:
We decided it was time to call it a day .... But first ... we had to get a picture with the train! So we made our way over to the train. There was a group of young girls (college-age) trying to get a picture with the conductor. They asked if we'd take their picture for them. They handed over several cameras (I took two, DH took one, Kouga took one) and we snapped a few pictures for them (I like to take at least two, in case I botch one up). The conductor appreciated us helping them out and proceeded to chat with the kids and Kouga. (I can't take Kouga anywhere!) He asked the kids where they were from and some other little questions. Then the conductor figured Kouga was part of our family and asked him something about TN -- which Kouga replied that he didn't live in TN, he was a local. The conductor acted shocked, and commented that he didn't have an accent and asked how long he lived in London. Kouga realized that he wasn't playing along and changed his story to him being from Florida. I handed DH the camera and hoped the battery lasted long enough to get a picture.
It didn't.
So DH pulls out his phone.
We proceeded to walk to the front gate. We had an absolute blast at IoA ... and there was lots of things we just couldn't do because of the weather (or refurb).
Things we missed:
Dr. Doom's Fearfall (because it was terrifying!)
Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (refurb)
Me Ship, the Olive (wet)
Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges (wet -- raft ride, and we never even made it over to the area to even see the ship or the ride)
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls (wet)
Pteranodon Flyers (long wait)
Jurassic Park River Adventure (wet)
Dragon Challenge (blue)
Poseidon's Fury (ran out of time)
I hated that we completely missed a small area of the park ... but that's what next year is for, right? Had the weather been nicer (and the crowds not been higher), we would have had time for everything. I actually spent a good chunk of time walking around looking for characters. We saw lots more, but we had already met them so we didn't stop (X-Men characters were out a lot).
We made our way to the parking garage ... this time, letting the moving sidewalk just carry us -- we were all tired of walking. We hugged Kouga bye (but it was only for a few days -- we'd see him again soon!) and hopped in the car. DH gave me his phone and asked for me to play navigator.
Guess what. We got lost.
He was able to fix the mistake. At 5:48, I posted to FB that we were leaving IoA and we had a blast.
We had to get back to the resort and get cleaned up for dinner.
After our potty break, bird attack, and laugh-fest .. we wander over to Suess Landing.
The wait for the Trolly in the Sky was posted as 45 minutes, so we kept walking. We popped into some shops, where DS decided he wanted to try on some hats.
Then we decided that it was finally time. Yep. The time has come. We must CONQUER the HULK!
Okay, so I wasn't 100% better from the previous coasters, but I was close. (I'd guesstimate about 85% better.) I partly prayed that the line was too long ... but part of me really wanted to ride the Hulk. It was absolutely intimidating and looked right up my alley.
So we start making our way there and we come across a bridge (that the Hulk goes over and under -- we're basically standing above and below the tracks). We watch the coaster for a few minutes and I ask DD if she was sure. Before this day, the only coasters she had ever ridden were the WDW ones, and they're all tame compared to the DC and Hulk ones.
So we round the corner ... and fingers are crossed that it's a 30+ minute wait.
The sign says ....
Wait time ....
Five minutes.
Drats. So I told DH to hold our stuff so we didn't have to rent a locker. I also handed him my glasses and told him we'd be right back.
So I take DD's hand and tell her to lead me to the ride. I'm blind as a bat, and I really can't see very well without my glasses (I'm terrified they'll fall off on intense rides). So she's leading me through the queue. The wait was pretty accurate. The staff member at the top instructs us which two seats to sit in within our row (since it seats four people across). We climb into the seats she specified and a couple joins us. DD was seated next to the gentleman (I'd estimate them to be in late 40s or early 50s in age). I make sure she's strapped in real good and .... WE'RE OFF!
Let me state this.... I've been a coaster junkie since I was a little girl. The Hulk is my current #1 favorite coaster. It was slightly themed (from what I could hear). You're about to be an experiment (the staff calls the riders experiments: Welcome back Experiments! Good luck Experiments!). And I could totally feel the theme on the track!
At one point, I was thinking... OH MUH GOSH! THANK GOODNESS IT'S OVER! AHHHHH! It's not over!!!! There was, I think, two places where I honestly thought the ride was over and we were pulling into the "station" when we were SHOT back out again. It was INSANE! I loved every minute of it! I know the ride probably lasted just a couple of minutes ... but I swear we were on it all day. I highly recommend riding The Hulk!
So we get off the ride, and I'm holding on to DD as she's walking us back to DH. I'm looking for what I would recognize as DH ... but not seeing him where we left him. I asked DD if she saw him. So we walked around for a bit, we checked the restroom, the locker area, the "tea cups", and then we start walking through the shops. DD asked me to just call DH ... but he had my phone -- it was in my purse.
Now ... I was really struggling at this point ... after just riding the coaster, and now I can't see. I'm starting to suffer from a migraine and I'm getting queasy from trying to focus my eyes so much. We walked through EVERY shop in the Marvel area ... then we went back to where we left DH (thinking maybe they grabbed a snack and would return). It has now been about 30 minutes since we came off the ride, and still no DH.
I'm in tears. Real ones. Ones that I was trying to hide from DD, because I'm at a loss for what to do. She was bored and was wanting to do something, and I was scared -- because I'm blind, I have nothing on me, and I don't know what to do.
At this point, we had sat down on the ground ... I have her get up and I decide we'll check the stores one more time. As we're walking through the arcade, DD said she saw Kouga. So I walked up to Kouga, and in a quiet, calm tone, ask where my DH was. Only... I truly said it quietly, because I had some choice words mixed in there. I was so ANGRY. I wanted to belt DH for not thinking.
At this point, Kouga was scanning for DH and DH comes around the corner. He's grinning (I can hear it in his voice) as he asks if we enjoy the ride. I don't reply, but calmly state that I wanted my purse and my glasses. I take DS and DD's hands and I walk out of the arcade. DH stops me and asked what was wrong.
This is where I burst into tears. I was so mad, all I could do was cry. Kouga comes over and asks what was wrong. I calm down enough to ask DH why he couldn't wait just five minutes for us to enjoy a ride. What was he thinking taking my stuff and not telling me WHERE I could find him -- since he didn't leave me with a way to contact him. I felt like I wasn't important to him, that he didn't care. Had the wait been 15+ minutes, I would have rented a locker and met up with them later -- or scheduled a meeting time/place. But with a 5 minute wait ... surely they could sit down for a few minutes and let us girls have some fun.
Kouga tries to intervene (he's a sweetheart, I confess) and says it was all his fault. He talked DH into going to the arcade. I told him that I didn't care whose idea it was, DH should have known better and said "let's wait -- she won't be able to find us". So regardless of whose fault it was, it happened, and I was mad at DH. So I take the kids and start walking. I just wanted to put a little bit of distance between DH and myself for a bit so I could calm down. DD still wanted to do some shopping, so we walk over to Toon Lagoon.
She specifically had asked to go into the Betty Boop store earlier that day. We walked in, but for some reason, we walked back out (I think there was people blocking the entrance). So we go into another entrance.
As DD is standing near the register looking at the earrings, I gasped. OH WOW! Could it be?
It was! It was! It was Betty Boop! And she was making a beeline to my DD!
She saw DD was looking at earrings of herself and they chatted for a few minutes. Then she asked DD if she'd like to step outside and get a picture taken with her! (She treated DD like SHE was the celebrity!!)
So we all made our way back out of the shop (will we ever get to go in? lol).
DS decides to join them (after Betty made sure it wasn't some random child). Better works on a pose with DD.
And then it was time for a picture! (She commented to DS about how strong he looked.)
Betty was happy that DS decided to come see her, so she requested a hug!
He was tickled pink to meet her (even though he had NO CLUE who she was lol).
DH snapped this one with his phone:
So we went back in the store and DD purchased a pair of dangle Betty Boop earrings. This was when I had to post "Boop-oop-a-doop!" to FB at 4:36. I don't think anyone realized what I was talking about ... but I was super excited to see Betty Boop!
The kids wanted to ride the "tea cups", so we decided to head back to Marvel Island. I was a little less mad at this point (thank you, Betty!) ... and on our way ... we saw some other characters we had to say "hi" to!
POPEYE AND OLIVE OYL!!!!
Popeye gives DS instructions on how to show his muscles, like he just ate a whole can of spinache. Olive tells DD how to pose. lol I confess, I really loved meeting Popeye and Olive as much as I did Betty!!! All three of them gave my kids LOTS of attention, and there was NO LINES!
And one from DH's phone:
So we said goodbye and started on our way to the "tea cups". Wow ... we got busy all of a sudden ... because here's another character!
DS wouldn't go near the Green Goblin. I have no clue who the Green Goblin is, but he was really into character and everyone was having a blast with him. We only had to wait just a minute to see him. However, the next character, we had to wait several minutes.
Dr. Doom was pretty cool. I think he enjoyed having DD come pose with him. And afterwards, he did that "bro-fist" thing with DS (the knuckle-bump firework explosion thing). DS got a kick out of that and even hugged Dr. Doom. lol
So then it was time for the "tea cups". I told DH I'd sit this out and took all the bags. It was about 5pm. While they were waiting to ride, Kouga and I talked. He was worried that I was going to beat DH up after we left ... but I was calming down. I tried to explain that I wouldn't have cared if it wasn't for the fact that he had my phone and I told him we'd be right back. He really wanted to make sure things were smooth, and he really wanted me to blame him. I can't stay mad at DH for long, but I did want to be angry for a little while. Yes, I confess. I wanted to be angry at him.
I tried to snap a pic of them on the "tea cups" ... or Storm ride, whatever it was called ... but that's easier said than done. This is the best I got with my phone:
Afterwards, we made our way back to WWoHP. (I've lost count how many times we made it back to WWoHP lol!!)
I snapped another picture of Hogwarts:
Then we went back over to Jurassic Park. DS wanted to ride the Pteranodon Flyers, so we made our way that direction. The wait was over an hour, so no riding.
We stopped for a picture on the way back to WWoHP:
We decided it was time to call it a day .... But first ... we had to get a picture with the train! So we made our way over to the train. There was a group of young girls (college-age) trying to get a picture with the conductor. They asked if we'd take their picture for them. They handed over several cameras (I took two, DH took one, Kouga took one) and we snapped a few pictures for them (I like to take at least two, in case I botch one up). The conductor appreciated us helping them out and proceeded to chat with the kids and Kouga. (I can't take Kouga anywhere!) He asked the kids where they were from and some other little questions. Then the conductor figured Kouga was part of our family and asked him something about TN -- which Kouga replied that he didn't live in TN, he was a local. The conductor acted shocked, and commented that he didn't have an accent and asked how long he lived in London. Kouga realized that he wasn't playing along and changed his story to him being from Florida. I handed DH the camera and hoped the battery lasted long enough to get a picture.
It didn't.
So DH pulls out his phone.
We proceeded to walk to the front gate. We had an absolute blast at IoA ... and there was lots of things we just couldn't do because of the weather (or refurb).
Things we missed:
Dr. Doom's Fearfall (because it was terrifying!)
Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (refurb)
Me Ship, the Olive (wet)
Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges (wet -- raft ride, and we never even made it over to the area to even see the ship or the ride)
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls (wet)
Pteranodon Flyers (long wait)
Jurassic Park River Adventure (wet)
Dragon Challenge (blue)
Poseidon's Fury (ran out of time)
I hated that we completely missed a small area of the park ... but that's what next year is for, right? Had the weather been nicer (and the crowds not been higher), we would have had time for everything. I actually spent a good chunk of time walking around looking for characters. We saw lots more, but we had already met them so we didn't stop (X-Men characters were out a lot).
We made our way to the parking garage ... this time, letting the moving sidewalk just carry us -- we were all tired of walking. We hugged Kouga bye (but it was only for a few days -- we'd see him again soon!) and hopped in the car. DH gave me his phone and asked for me to play navigator.
Guess what. We got lost.
He was able to fix the mistake. At 5:48, I posted to FB that we were leaving IoA and we had a blast.We had to get back to the resort and get cleaned up for dinner.
DMGeurts
Never open texts with the "Hand Sewn Button" attac
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2008
- Messages
- 9,666
Excellent update Liddy! Bummer about your pictures exceeding bandwith - Hopefully it will be resolved soon, because I am dying to see them!
I agree with you about DH - I would have been upset too... I guess, more because he knew you couldn't see with out your glasses, so you'd have a very hard time finding him - throw the no phone into the mix and it's even worse. I'm glad you eventually found him and everything turned out good.
It sounds like you had an amazing day at IoA! It really makes me want to squeeze it in for our next trip... my only problem would be transportation - I have no idea how we'd get there, because we don't get a car...
Thanks for the wonderful update!
D~
I agree with you about DH - I would have been upset too... I guess, more because he knew you couldn't see with out your glasses, so you'd have a very hard time finding him - throw the no phone into the mix and it's even worse. I'm glad you eventually found him and everything turned out good.
It sounds like you had an amazing day at IoA! It really makes me want to squeeze it in for our next trip... my only problem would be transportation - I have no idea how we'd get there, because we don't get a car...
Thanks for the wonderful update!
D~
Lidian
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2010
- Messages
- 3,450
Excellent update Liddy! Bummer about your pictures exceeding bandwith - Hopefully it will be resolved soon, because I am dying to see them!
I agree with you about DH - I would have been upset too... I guess, more because he knew you couldn't see with out your glasses, so you'd have a very hard time finding him - throw the no phone into the mix and it's even worse. I'm glad you eventually found him and everything turned out good.
It sounds like you had an amazing day at IoA! It really makes me want to squeeze it in for our next trip... my only problem would be transportation - I have no idea how we'd get there, because we don't get a car...
Thanks for the wonderful update!
D~
Ugh, thanks for letting me know about the bandwith issue.
For those just joining, and those who are missing the updates: I WILL RESOLVE THE BANDWITH ISSUE LATER TODAY!
D, you could take a taxi if you did IoA. It's really not far, so the bill won't be horrible.
I highly recommend a visit to IoA. I can't talk about USO, since I've never been ... but IoA was definitely worth it!!
Lidian
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2010
- Messages
- 3,450
I can't state if the wand store was neat or not ... it was too crowded.
And yes, Moaning Myrtle in the men's restroom.... GENIUS! Kouga was not happy though.
kittylady1972
Disneyholic
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2003
- Messages
- 4,513
Wow, you are totally making me want to go back to Universal now! I admit I sat out of Hulk this last visit...having done it before (back in August of 2003!) and I am determined to wait a few more years to return when all three kids can ride more stuff...but I am a coaster junkie too!
Good move! Part of our group went on that ride back in June and my DH said the wait (which was over 70 minutes!) was just insane and totally NOT worth it!!! However it was one of the few rides my nephew would ride...so they did it. Wow you really did get a LOT done and I'm jealous of all of the character photos too! We really didn't get ANY during our trip there but again...another reason to return! You absolutely must go back just for Spiderman...one of our favorites! We didn't do Dr. Doom but did do the Bilge-Rat Barges...and yes we got SOAKED and my nephew CRIED almost the whole time because he was wet!
It was a hot enough day in June for us to be wet though! We did miss Ripsaw Falls though. Jurassic Park actually did not get DD and I very wet at ALL and DH and I totally "took one of the team" and let the other adults do Dragon Challenge because, again, we've done it before....back in August of 2003 but the new theming sounds pretty cool! I am in total agreement with you about DH...how frustrating that must have been to come out and not find him, especially with such a short wait. Just crazy! Men...they just don't get it sometimes though!
Hoping to see the rest of the photos later when you get it all fixed!
Lidian
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2010
- Messages
- 3,450
You can go back ... and back ... and back ... and back. I won't mind. I'll allow it!
DH said that they tried to get DS on earlier when the wait was like 10 minutes, but DS was scared.
I reminded DS that sometimes you have to take people up on their offer when it's given, because it might not be feasible later. He was upset (and cried), but it was getting close to time to leave anyway ... so we just decided to go ahead and leave. So it worked out okay, and I reminded DS we had all week for rides.I had heard that it was definitely something skippable, so I didn't worry too much. And we tried to see Poseidon's ... but Kouga said that it was neat, but worth skipping, so we did.
Wow you really did get a LOT done and I'm jealous of all of the character photos too! We really didn't get ANY during our trip there but again...another reason to return! You absolutely must go back just for Spiderman...one of our favorites! We didn't do Dr. Doom but did do the Bilge-Rat Barges...and yes we got SOAKED and my nephew CRIED almost the whole time because he was wet!
I am in total agreement with you about DH...how frustrating that must have been to come out and not find him, especially with such a short wait. Just crazy! Men...they just don't get it sometimes though!
Hoping to see the rest of the photos later when you get it all fixed!
We got a ton of stuff done. DD wanted to ride Dr. Doom.... but I just couldn't let her ride it alone and I couldn't handle it. If it had been indoors like ToT, I may have considered it ... but I was just terrified something bad would happen. Yes. I'm paranoid and over-protective. I can't help it.
I asked Kouga how wet we'd get on JP, he said that it was a toss-up. We could walk away unscathed, or we could get SOAKED. SO we skipped it. I wasn't willing to take the chance with it being so cold out. The kids eventually took their jackets off, but I never did. And I couldn't imagine walking around in wet jeans!
It was frustrating, and I know my anger was probably slightly out of line ... but if he didn't want to wait, he should have said so. And I was lucky that he was still in the Marvel area! He doesn't understand how bad my eyesight really is. I don't think he wants to understand (not being ugly -- but I think he's kind of in denial). However, he has tried on my glasses several times and always remarks about how blind I am and if they are really that necessary.
I was mad that Spiderman was on refurb. It was only down for a couple of days, and they didn't give much notice (so it wasn't as if I could have picked a better day to see IoA that late in the game with ADRs). DS was excited for Spiderman and Kouga said it was his favorite ride.
I did hear that they're expanding somewhere ... and there will be a Despicable Me attraction and a few other changes. I don't recall everything ... but I did see the official announcement earlier this year. Hopefully all of that will be done by the time we arrive.
The pictures should be up (and should have been when you posted).
I fixed it quickly ... and they were showing up for me. Can anyone else see the pictures? Wonder if maybe it's just me it got fixed for.
oopsiDAISY
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2010
- Messages
- 3,289
The DH story... Nothing else to say really...that sucked!I
Popeye and Olive Oil!!! I probably would have made a complete fool of myself over them! I cannot tell you how many times my brother and I watched the Robin Williams Popeye movie when we were kids! That movie was so corny, and cheesy, and goofy, and EPIC!!!!!! 
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