Maybe I'll do a trip report? Don't read! I haven't decided! NEW for 1/31! Read it!

[Hedy]

Wendy Lou Hoo!
There is no way I can post right now. I just moved, my house is a COMPLETE disaster, I started school this week and I have two papers due already (one is due Saturday!) plus work has finally picked up for me!
I have no time!

Also, for all my loyal readers, Tammy and I broke up at the beginning of December, so I'm trying to let a little time pass and some wounds heal before I go back to the trip report.

My mom did FINALLY put her pictures on a CD for me, so I have those.
And the ones of the tea look really good!

 

[Mr._The_King]

We interrupt this pre trip report to bring you an excerpt from Mr._The_King’s trip report!




Ahh. So good. And nicely relevant given the Pooh story.

A real stalker pops up months later to give you a shout out!!

Shout out!!!

How is my favorite flavorless vegtable?

So sorry to hear about your breakup

 

[UtahMama]

CELERY!!!!

UPDATE!!!!!!!

ANYthing will do!

 

[celerystalker]

Disclaimer: If you note any hints of bitterness, I apologize. Since I am single, I am able to tell this story the way I want to.

So we made it through the loooooooong nemo ride queue. And made sure my mom boarded her clam mobile in relative safety.
Then Tammy, Jeanie and I piled into a clam mobile!
Wheee!
Jeanie liked it.
And then it was over.
So what was next?
CRUSH!
We found the new waiting area and Jeanie spent time looking at the fish.
I only had to grit my teeth at the other kids who were pushing and shoving twice.
Time for a moment.

~~~~~~~~
I am a childless woman.
I love kids.
When I go to WDW, I do what the heck I want to when I want to.
But I do not have kids.
I fully believe that if you have children, if you’re in a place DESIGNED for them, you should cater to their needs as much as possible.
I’m not saying buy them every toy they see.
I’m saying try to make their experience as enjoyable as possible without having an absolutely miserable time yourself.
This will be a theme throughout the rest of this trip report.
That’s right.
I can say what the heck I want because I no longer have an attachment to most of the people who appear in it!
WOO!
Anyway.
Tammy and I discussed this many times before the trip.
Parents who yell at their kids (or godkids) in the parks need a time out.
Parents who ignore their kids need a time out (unless the kid is acting like a brat and you are ignoring the child so as not to give into their stupid tantrum but still keeping an eye on them so they don’t hurt themselves or other guests).
Parents who are too interested in having fun themselves at the expense of other guests or their kid’s enjoyment need a time out.
So we had a plan.
Since Tammy is not a mind reader, she needs to pay attention to certain cues I give her.
Any dark and confined space could be left at any time.
We have a two year old.
A TWO YEAR OLD!
We had escape plans ready for Voyage of the Little Mermaid (sit as far back and as close to the exit doors as possible, repeat ad nauseum: "Mermaid is dark, but FUN!").
We were going to try only ONE 3-D movie, and only that one if Jeanie was in a super good and well rested mood when we happened to be near Mickey’s Philharmagic.
We were going to let her reactions guide our reactions.
~~~~~~~~~~~



So there we are at Turtle talk. Bear in mind that Tammy has seen Turtle Talk before.
My mother disappears in the back.
Tammy and I grab a seat on the front row.
I debate about whether we should try the floor or not, but decide that it will be easier to grab Jeanie if we are elevated above her.
So we corral her between us.
She starts using Tammy as a jungle gym.
Tammy lets her.
I’m sure this is incredibly enjoyable for the parents around us who are getting bumped by a bouncing toddler.
So I grab Jeanie and let her bounce between my legs where she won’t hit other guests.
Then she starts talking.
I look at Tammy.
She does not make eye contact. She is ENGROSSED in the wonder that is Crush.
So I grab Jeanie and walk to the back of the theater.
Tammy sits.
And continues to watch Crush.
While I try to keep Jeanie from running around too crazily.
Wait.
What’s going on?
Is this our plan?
Are we making an exit?
NO!
Thank the Lord that a father with a toddler about the same age was in the same boat as me.
He had one side of the clearing in the back of the theater, I had the other.
Then lo and behold!
His toddler found the magic button!
He pushed the wheelchair exit button.
Heh.
Success!
We were free!
We ended up in some scary underwater hallway.
I felt like I was backstage and was going to get in trouble, but I knew it HAD to lead somewhere.
We passed a custodian cast member who looked at us kind of funny, but we just kept on trucking.
Jeanie and I.
Not Tammy.
She was still watching the show.
And then the next miracle happened – we were led right to where the nemo people left my mom’s ECV.
WOO!
Which was in sight of the Crush exit and in sight of the dolphin and manatee exhibit.
So I spent the rest of the Crush show showing Jeanie the dolphins and manatees. Which she liked MUCH better than Crush.
Moral of the story:
2 year olds are not entertained by Turtle Talk with Crush, but 31 year olds can not tear themselves away!

After we gathered everyone, we headed towards the exit. But first, we had to go by Character Connection.
And Jeanie was awake!
Yay!
We looked through the windows for a bit.
Pluto was standing there all alone!
There must be no line!
So I find the entrance and go on in.
Rats.
Foiled again by Disney Imagineers!
They HIDE the line.
It only LOOKS like the characters aren’t busy.
Harumph.
We’ll see characters tomorrow.
So we leave Epcot and head to Wal Mart.
Geez.
ONE BILLION HOURS LATER! We leave.
But if you have access to a car on your next trip, definitely go there for souvenirs. They have great Disney stuff and it’s CHEAP!
I got the CUTEST pair of shorts there for 14 bucks.
I’ll post pics maybe one day.
We get back to the room and collapse. I guess. It was a long time ago at this point. Hehehe.
So up next is our first full park day!
Yay!
Animal Kingdom, here we come!

 

[UtahMama]

YAY! I'm first!

You were in the under world inner workings of the Crush show? WOW!

I love the crush show. Except when he talks to one or more of my kids and somehow there winds up being a microphone in my face 9 out of 10 times. I have PICK ME written across my forehead with imaginary neon arrows pointing at my head.

I feel psychic! I predict a Two-fer in the next couple posts. LUCKY US!

So? are you still talking to Tammy? Can we take sides?

 

[Hedy]

Ugh-that's too bad Tammy didn't stick with the plan-I think your plan was very smart, though.

 

[HeatherSue]

I've been anxiously anticipating your update since I found out you and Tammy broke up. How sick and wrong is that? I thoroughly enjoyed it! I hope there's more truth to be told in future editions!

 

[celerystalker]

So we get up and add em (at them! Ha! Math camp humor for all y’all!) the next morning. I want to be at AK for rope drop. Cuz they do a show.
Right?
Right.
At 9.
At the entrance?
Or after you get through the oasis?
I dunno!
Someone will, though.
Right?
Right.
So we pack the Pilot.
Drive there (flashing your AP is kinda fun. Heheheh).
Unload the ECV.
Unload the stroller.
Start running.
Well, not really.
Get to the entrance at 9:05.
And there is no sign of a show.

So we go to the oasis.
I ask a nice custodian cast member about the show.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I think the janitorial/custodial staff in the parks are some of the nicest people around. They’re always eager to help.
As was this gentleman.
He just didn’t know anything.
Ok.

Let’s recap.

You work in the oasis at AK.
The show is either at the gates or just past the oasis.
Your shift is obviously in the morning.
This alleged “show” is pretty loud and pretty big and even has characters on a zip line or something like that.
And you don’t KNOW if there is one or not?

So he asks one of the zoologist kinda people.
Who is in one of the parrot enclosures rearranging a parrot’s perch.
They don’t know either. Ok.

So I’ve got to mention my dear friend Marita right here. She’s worked at WDW for 35 years. She has no clue what goes on in the parks. She doesn’t ride rides, she doesn’t even GO to the parks unless forced. But she works in finance. We forgive her. Cuz we love her.
And she knows SOME stuff that goes on around her. Unlike these people who can’t look ten feet in front of their face to see a show?

Time’s a wasting, people!

I tell them thank you (and I was sincere! Cuz I did appreciate their care, just wish they had known) and went on my merry way.
We get to the bottom of the tree of life and there is no show in sight.
I dunno.

I am determined to ask about it on the DIS later though.

Cuz we all know not to ask a cast member – ask a Diser! Heh.

Anyway, it’s only a few minutes after 9 and I’ve never done Safari this early before, so we head in that direction.
Here are some choice shots:

Yes, folks, that’s the elusive Patricia in her natural habitat!


The trunk of a giant redwood.

I’m not sure about this one.

I swear there’s a lion in this one SOMEWHERE!

And here’s one where I managed to get an animal actually IN the shot!

I got mad skillz!

 

[WheatThins]

Wait. Was Mel on your trip? Was she the one in charge of picture taking?

Wheat Thins

 

[celerystalker]

WT - Do you see Tommy with an upside down map in any of my shots? Nope!
It was all me!
Just so you all feel relieved - I only took 96 pictures.
And I'll share only the best for my loyal readers!

Heather - HARUMPH! Of course you're allowed to feast on other's drama. It's the beauty of the dis!

hedy - Thank you! I do too!

Utah - You're right. I didn't see a response.

 

[WheatThins]

WT - Do you see Tommy with an upside down map in any of my shots? Nope!
It was all me!
Just so you all feel relieved - I only took 96 pictures.
And I'll share only the best for my loyal readers!

Heather - HARUMPH! Of course you're allowed to feast on other's drama. It's the beauty of the dis!

hedy - Thank you! I do too!

Utah - You're right. I didn't see a response.

I'm still not convinced that she wasn't there. However, IF she was not in charge of picture you and she share an uncanny ability to take pictures at precisely the wrong moment.

Wheat Thins

 

[celerystalker]

After the safari, we picked up our stroller in the nightmare that is stroller parking. But I had a plan!
I bought a flower with a wire stem to tie to the stroller handle so we could find it! Here’s a pic with the flower in it (it’s teal and shimmery)

Well, we were able to find our stroller with no problem. It wasn’t until later that I realized we received a magic moments certificate for being the most prepared! Yay! I still have it.

We decided to head to see Festival of the Lion King. (after getting separated, of course! )
According to the plan, we placed ourselves as strategically as possible. Since my mom was in the ecv, we got to sit in the handicap section. We chose a bench on the end near an exit in case we had any two year old melt downs and needed cast member assistance to exit the premises.
No need to worry.
This was Jeanie the whole time:

The zebra (“ZEBRA!”) was her favorite:

My favorites are the monkeys and the birds:

And the expressions on the “animals” faces in this one makes me laugh.

After the show, we hung back to try and let the crowd disperse. I do not like crowds. I don’t like being touched unless I know and REALLY like you.
And being super close to a bunch of hot, sweaty, mean people is not my idea of fun.
It freaks me out!
So after some of them cleared out, I looked at the sea of people.
Umm.
No.
We’re hanging in the smoking section and taking a bathroom break.
After we all took turns running to the potty, the crowd was STILL insane.
So we spent some time listening to the singing guitar playing cast member.
Finally, the lines for the greeting trails started to die down and I decided it was time!
Jeanie wasn’t near melt down yet.
She was just a little sleepy.
And she’d been talking about Goofy for a few days.
So we got in line for Goofy.
We talked about him in line. I made sure to move around so she could see him ahead of us.
We were going to try it!
(But, being the planner that I am, we were prepared to run if she got scared)
Well, someone didn’t inform one of the cast members of my plan.
This is her first reaction with a character! I don’t care about a “perfect” “family” portrait where we’re all facing the camera! I want to see her reaction!
This cast member was YELLING at me to face the camera!
Geez.
Anyway, here are the shots:

I think she did really well for her first time!

 

[celerystalker]

YAY! I'm first!

You were in the under world inner workings of the Crush show? WOW!

I love the crush show. Except when he talks to one or more of my kids and somehow there winds up being a microphone in my face 9 out of 10 times. I have PICK ME written across my forehead with imaginary neon arrows pointing at my head.

I feel psychic! I predict a Two-fer in the next couple posts. LUCKY US!

So? are you still talking to Tammy? Can we take sides?

Tee hee!
You are one funnie ladee!

I don't think it was the under world inner workings. I think it was the regular entrance, it just seemed weird cuz it was dark and empty and seemed half built?
Sure, you can take sides.
As long as it's mine.
And we see each other at church.
Do we "talk?"
Umm.
Does "Give me money!" count?
Ha!

 

[Hedy]

Inquiring minds want to know...who got the timeshare?

 

[celerystalker]

Hedy - She wants to "Get her name off of it."
Which can't be done without refinancing.
And since we bought it in May, refinancing it makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER!
So her name's still on it under mine.
But my money pays for it.
And I've already got my next two vacations planned and reserved.

 

[babynurse1]

Thanks for the update.

I enjoyed your pictures. But then again, we can't all be critics.

 

[celerystalker]

Now it’s time for some inside info.
The pride of Tammy’s existence is her godson Anthony. His 9th birthday was on his next to last day of the trip. Our plan was to spoil Jeanie before he got there and after he left and spoil him while he was there.
He loves two things more than anything else!
1. Legos (specifically, bionicles, but he enjoys all legos)
2. Dinosaurs.

You all know where I’m going with this!
He’d known since Tammy and I started dating that I liked Legos, LOVED Disney and that Disney World has one of the few Lego stores.
We’d been talking about going for FOREVER!
And there’s a whole section of AK devoted to Dinosaurs!
The only thing that could make it better is if Lucky happened to be visiting ON his birthday. I knew that wouldn’t happen, but a girl can dream.
Oh yeah – I made it a point to NOT tell him about Ellen’s energy adventure. He’s a typical 9 year old, thus he knows everything.
I knew he’d be griping and complaining about having to sit through a 45 minute movie. I couldn’t WAIT to see his face when the screen opened up to reveal REAL LIVE (ok. Not really live, but you know what I mean!) DINOSAURS!!!!
Since he threw a fit when I bought him the Birmbaum’s for kids guide book (It has 90 pages! I don’t want to read! ), I knew he didn’t know about the dinosaurs.
Ok.
Anyway.
Back to the present. Err. The past.
I’d never been in the boneyard before, so I wanted to scope it out before Anthony arrived. I figured the playground would give Jeanie a chance to run around, so we headed to Dinoland.
We played in the water and slides for awhile and FINALLY found the boneyard.
Which Jeanie hated.
Heh.
She had on sandals and didn’t like the way the pieces of “dirt” stuck to her feet, but I knew it’d be something for Anthony to play around in.
Next we rode “Hector and Jawhatachamacallit not really but pretend Dumbo ride.” A good time was had by all.
By this time, we knew it was naptime.
So we headed towards the front of the park.
Only I realized that we hadn’t done the obligatory tree of life shot!!!!
Oh no!
So we stopped for that.
(Note the “I’m comatose” expression Jeanie has)

Yeah. Tap a sleepy 2 year old on the head, why doncha?

Then I had a brilliant idea!
We needed a pic of her with Simba!
Hehehe.
Since her arms were pretty much spaghetti, this was easier than you’d think.

Good times, good times.
I’m pretty sure she was out by the time we got to the car.

 

[celerystalker]

Thanks, BBN!

 

[WheatThins]

Heeeeey. I got an idea. Let's take a picture. But, let's be different. Ok, YOU with the camera. You stop riiiiiight here. We will keep walking until we are at least two blocks away. Then, when at least one of us is looking in a different direction, the lighting is terrible, and we are not in focus, TAKE THE PICTURE.

Wheat Thins

 

[babynurse1]

Heeeeey. I got an idea. Let's take a picture. But, let's be different. Ok, YOU with the camera. You stop riiiiiight here. We will keep walking until we are at least two blocks away. Then, when at least one of us is looking in a different direction, the lighting is terrible, and we are not in focus, TAKE THE PICTURE.

Wheat Thins

AHA! You DO read my trip report.

ETA: Celery, I was going to mention that I hate how they trick you at Character Connection too. Stinkin Imagineers