Mickey and the Monduhrail! The Stitchs' World Tour! Update 11/1!

[shan23877]

Cute, cute pictures from breakfast! We loved TH breakfast and can't wait to go back!

Some days the busses will leave you fuming. It can be so frustrating!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

We did the 8 am ADR for Tusker House too! From the angles and background in your pictures, I can tell that we were seated just two tables down from you! Love Donald's green outfit - he wasn't wearing that one when we were there.

Because Disney sets such a high standard for their CMs customer service skills, it's always so much more noticeable (and in some cases a shock) whenever we come across a less-than-stellar CM like your bus driver. Don't think that bus driver will be lasting too long at Disney if that's how he responds to guests all the time.

I didn't really mean to harp on the bus driver, but I was just blown away by "yeah, whatever"! Oh well. Everyone is entitled to a bad day, I guess! How cool is it that you were just two tables down! I liked that area!

I love it!

So that is what D looks like without the squishy face!

I know! A non-squishy face! It's unbelievable! More rare than good pics of the lion from the safari!

cute pics of Tusker House...we need to try that next trip!

sorry for the grumpy CM....hello don't they have radios he could of called to find out

have to comment on your t-shirts....we lived on HHI for a couple months when Jim did a reno at Indigo Run CC and we ate at the Salty Dog a lot!

You definitely should try it, Lisa! It's lots of fun!! That's what I thought about the radios, but I must've been wrong! That's so cool about HHI! We love Salty Dog, and my parents go there each year and get us shirts!

I was a cheerleader for 12 years. I used to think I'd want to coach but, I don't know if I could still handle all that pep!

Maddie wants to do cheerleading now, I think I'm gonna find a competition gym to try. That was always my favorite part!

Cute, cute pictures from breakfast! We loved TH breakfast and can't wait to go back!

Some days the busses will leave you fuming. It can be so frustrating!

I loved coaching! It was really terrific, but I had to get out when I had some "drama mamas"! Maddie will love the competition gym! She'll have a blast!

Thanks for the compliments on the pics! We loved TH too!! You can't beat a dedicated meet and greet with Donald!

Part two in next post!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

The safari was a walk-on, since the park had just opened. We were on in about 3 minutes. The first animal on the left were the bongos. There were two bongos. They were in LOVE. Like bow-chicka-wow-wow LOVE. The safari driver said, “On your left are the bongos, also known as the ghosts of the forest (at which point she turns her head to see them). . .PAUSE. . .oh crap. Ok. Let’s look to the OTHER side”.

I was laughing SO hard!!

Me & D on the safari:

By midway through the safari, the early morning and full-breakfast-belly were kicking in for D, and he was getting sleepy!

When the safari was over, Brian carried him out to the stroller.

I was afraid he was already done-in for the day. However, we passed the drums right after that, and HE RALLIED!!

It’s big drums that no one cared if he played! WOOHOO!!!

After the drums, we headed toward Asia. We were bound and determined to ride Expedition Everest! We haven’t ridden it since before D was born. We intended to use rider swap and both get to ride it.

When we started over, D spotted a PhotoPass photographer, and he wanted to stop to have pictures made.

Now, look behind us in those pics. See how the Everest train is STOPPED. Yeah. We didn’t notice that at first, but the photographer pointed it out to us. Evidently at that point, it had been stopped in that exact position for almost an hour. She said they had just gone up and gotten the people off of the train and had them walk up and then down the emergency steps. I honestly think I would have had a heart attack if I had had to do that!

We went on over and got FastPasses, but it was still down and didn’t look like it would be up any time soon.

By this time, D was ready for some characters! So, we headed for Camp Minnie Mickey. On the way, though, we ran into some of our very favorites. “Up” is such a special movie to us. Last year, Dalton watched it almost every day in the summer. “Adventure Is Out There!” is one of our very favorite lines ever!

When D realized he was going to meet Russell and Dug, he was thrilled! Actually, I was pretty thrilled, too!

Then it was off to Camp Minnie-Mickey!

First up, Chip and Dale. Dalton loves the old Chip & Dale cartoons, so he is always excited to see them.

Then, we went over to meet D’s favorite, Donald Duck! As we were walking up, the CM told us that Donald had to go to some quackers. We were going to go on to Mickey and Minnie, and come back for Donald, but D wouldn’t hear of it. He was determined that we would stay.

Next Up: More Stitch & Donald bonding and more AK fun

 

[mommy2mrb]

you luck out with the short wait for safari!

love the photo of D with Dug, so sweet!

I wouldn't want to be stuck on EE either....we got stuck on BTMRR last april with Shawna and had to walk off at night, was cool!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

The safari was a walk-on, since the park had just opened. We were on in about 3 minutes. The first animal on the left were the bongos. There were two bongos. They were in LOVE. Like bow-chicka-wow-wow LOVE. The safari driver said, “On your left are the bongos, also known as the ghosts of the forest (at which point she turns her head to see them). . .PAUSE. . .oh crap. Ok. Let’s look to the OTHER side”.

We love "Up" too! I only wish Carl was part of the meet and greet as well. Did you get to yell "Squirrel!" to Dug?

 

[mindystar]

There were two bongos. They were in LOVE. Like bow-chicka-wow-wow LOVE. [/B]

That had me ROTFL!!!!
Love all the pics with the characters I love how you put your foot out like Donald in your pics with him And holy cow it is a rare sighting of that cutie without a Mr. Squishy face look.

Hope you get to ride EE! And yeah, not sure how I'd do walking down emergency steps--with the fear of heights and all

 

[mirage0306]

Animal Kingdom! Tusker House! The Safari! MY FAVORITES!!

I just smile all the way through your pics. I love them. You guys seem like the happiest, sweetest family.

And I am about dying over here about the bongos. "oh, crap..."

 

[elphie101]

Tusker House looks SO DELICIOUS. It's one of the top character buffets I want to try once I can convince someone to go with me (which probably won't be till I'm at WDW with little ones again). That last photo of D waiting for Donald is utterly precious. What a great candid!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

you luck out with the short wait for safari!

love the photo of D with Dug, so sweet!

I wouldn't want to be stuck on EE either....we got stuck on BTMRR last april with Shawna and had to walk off at night, was cool!

Dug is just awesome! I don't think I could've walked off of BTMRR either (I get a little freaked out that I will fall), but I bet it was cool at night!

We love "Up" too! I only wish Carl was part of the meet and greet as well. Did you get to yell "Squirrel!" to Dug?

Yep, I knew y'all would appreciate the bongo story! We did, in fact, yell "Squirrel" from the line, as well as our repeating of the "Since I have said I have the bird, I can see how you might think I have the bird". Poor Dug. . .I bet he gets a little tired of all of that! I wish Carl was there, too! When we met them in 2009 in DHS, Carl was there, but he took a break with the family before us and never came back. I keep wanting to meet him!

That had me ROTFL!!!!
Love all the pics with the characters I love how you put your foot out like Donald in your pics with him And holy cow it is a rare sighting of that cutie without a Mr. Squishy face look.

Hope you get to ride EE! And yeah, not sure how I'd do walking down emergency steps--with the fear of heights and all

I know--it's the rare lack of Mr. Squishy! The bongos were indeed a fun way to start the day. . .I guess it was a fun way to start the day for them too, but I'm not a bongo, so who knows!

Animal Kingdom! Tusker House! The Safari! MY FAVORITES!!

I just smile all the way through your pics. I love them. You guys seem like the happiest, sweetest family.

And I am about dying over here about the bongos. "oh, crap..."

Those three are all my favorites, too! And thanks for the compliments--I love your trip report, too, because you always have fun pics, even in the rain!! The bongos definitely brought tons of humor to the morning! When we passed some other animal later, the driver said, "These animals use their horns for mating and courting rituals. . .PAUSE. . .though perhaps we've had enough mating and courting today!"

Tomorrow morning, I'll post the 3rd part to the Animal Kingdom day! Sadly, there are no more bow chicka wow wow bongos!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Tusker House looks SO DELICIOUS. It's one of the top character buffets I want to try once I can convince someone to go with me (which probably won't be till I'm at WDW with little ones again). That last photo of D waiting for Donald is utterly precious. What a great candid!

We were posting at the same time! Hmm. . .we'll be back in March 2013, if you're working, you can come do Tusker House with us! It is SO good! Thanks for the compliment. That picture is one of my very favorite ones from the trip!

 

[shan23877]

We were really excited to meet Russel and Dug too! That's such a great movie.

I don't know if I'd be brave enough to get on EE after hearing that people had been stuck for an hour! That would freak me out.

Great character pics! It's nice for me to hear about another family who spends as much time as we do waiting to meet characters! Sometimes I feel like we're the only ones!

 

[PixieMama]

There were two bongos. They were in LOVE. Like bow-chicka-wow-wow LOVE. The safari driver said, “On your left are the bongos, also known as the ghosts of the forest (at which point she turns her head to see them). . .PAUSE. . .oh crap. Ok. Let’s look to the OTHER side”.

That's too funny! I'm sure my kids would've been all, "Mommy, what are they doing?!"

Now, look behind us in those pics. See how the Everest train is STOPPED. Yeah. We didn’t notice that at first, but the photographer pointed it out to us. Evidently at that point, it had been stopped in that exact position for almost an hour. She said they had just gone up and gotten the people off of the train and had them walk up and then down the emergency steps. I honestly think I would have had a heart attack if I had had to do that!

Oh, my gosh! My friend and her family was there in May, this must have been the same day! They were on EE when this happened! Her DH and DD were in the front row, she and their other DD were in the 2nd row. She said they got the people in the back out first, so they were the last ones out of their seats. She took pictures and even blogged about it, LOL! I think it would've been cool to walk down and through the mountain... but getting me out of the train car, I'd have been a nervous wreck!

 

[mommy2mrb]

I must of been half asleep this morning when I first posted....just hit me what you had typed about the bongo's the magic of nature! wonder if many parents had to explain that

sure hope Dug and Russell are still around next year, would love to meet them!

 

[tralin]

I used to be a GS Manager in our local little tiny amusement park. We have one of the last ever remaining wooden roller coaster in NA. There are times when the trains get stuck and we (yes WE as in ME) would have to take a team up to help get them out and down safetly. Might I add that I am TERRIFED of heights unless I am Locked in with a seat belt. (i might possibly be guilty of sending an AM up to get them out while I stayed safely on the ground once or twice. ) My last night working it was October, pouring rain and cold and we had people stuck in there for 45 min. The first two rows for over an hour. THAT was a fun guest services night! I can't imagine EE as it's like 10 times higher. I LOVE that ride, but having heard that story I will be double thinking my choice. Love the pics, your family is has such a wonderful aura around it. You seem like fun folks.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

We were really excited to meet Russel and Dug too! That's such a great movie.

I don't know if I'd be brave enough to get on EE after hearing that people had been stuck for an hour! That would freak me out.

Great character pics! It's nice for me to hear about another family who spends as much time as we do waiting to meet characters! Sometimes I feel like we're the only ones!

Yep, I was definitely concerned about EE! I wasn't afraid anything would happen to it, necessarily, just afraid I'd have to walk off of it! Yes, we do love our character lines! D does not like "face" characters, but any lines for any other characters we can find. . .we're in them!

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That's too funny! I'm sure my kids would've been all, "Mommy, what are they doing?!"


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Oh, my gosh! My friend and her family was there in May, this must have been the same day! They were on EE when this happened! Her DH and DD were in the front row, she and their other DD were in the 2nd row. She said they got the people in the back out first, so they were the last ones out of their seats. She took pictures and even blogged about it, LOL! I think it would've been cool to walk down and through the mountain... but getting me out of the train car, I'd have been a nervous wreck!

That's the good thing about D being not-yet-4 years old. He didn't think anything about the bongos! That's so funny about your friend being there when that happened! I would've been terrified! I'm like you--walking down might have been ok, but I couldn't get out of the train!

I must of been half asleep this morning when I first posted....just hit me what you had typed about the bongo's the magic of nature! wonder if many parents had to explain that

sure hope Dug and Russell are still around next year, would love to meet them!

I bet there were definitely some explanations happening!

I used to be a GS Manager in our local little tiny amusement park. We have one of the last ever remaining wooden roller coaster in NA. There are times when the trains get stuck and we (yes WE as in ME) would have to take a team up to help get them out and down safetly. Might I add that I am TERRIFED of heights unless I am Locked in with a seat belt. (i might possibly be guilty of sending an AM up to get them out while I stayed safely on the ground once or twice. ) My last night working it was October, pouring rain and cold and we had people stuck in there for 45 min. The first two rows for over an hour. THAT was a fun guest services night! I can't imagine EE as it's like 10 times higher. I LOVE that ride, but having heard that story I will be double thinking my choice. Love the pics, your family is has such a wonderful aura around it. You seem like fun folks.

I would've been guilty of sending the AM up, probably EVERY time! I can't imagine having to do that! Like you, I don't mind heights or roller coasters if I'm strapped in. But I'm completely freaked by being just me and being up that high!

Thanks for the nice comments about the pics! We try to have a lot of fun!!

Long AK part 3 update in next post!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

While we were waiting, the CM was asking us what all we were planning to do (we were the only people in line). We told her that, if Everest didn’t open, we were hoping to go to the Boneyard and to Triceratop Spin. She said, “Oh, you should definitely go ride Dinosaur!” I told her that I was afraid of it, and that I was definitely sure D couldn’t do it. She said, “Oh, just don’t worry about it. Put him on the outside where the dinosaur jumps out. It will scare him to DEATH, but the photopass pic will be worth it! He’ll probably cry, but it’ll be over soon.” Then there was a freeze in the space-time continuum. I was looking at her like she was NUTS, and Brian was staring at me like Sheldon Cooper, in the hopes he could keep me from saying anything. However, JUST THEN, Donald returned, and it was all done!

We went from him to Minnie. As always, D was in love with her!

Our final character line was for Mickey. By the time we got over there, we were the only people in line. D realized this when Mickey looked up and waved down the path at him. When he saw that, he took off down the path as hard as he could go, toward Mickey. This was one of those moments where I teared up at the Disney magic!

As we crossed the park to our next destination, we stopped for some Tree of Life pics.

(Sideways camera = Sideways Stitchs!)

After that, it was off to D’s reward for the day! The Boneyard!! For some reason, we have never been to this playground. D was in HEAVEN!! Give a three-year-old a wide open space and stuff to climb on and tons of slides, and he’s good to go forever!

I took a blue-ton of pictures of this, so I’ll try to spare you, but I have to share some!

Continued in Next Post!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

After about 45 minutes, we conned D into leaving the Boneyard by telling him we’d go get french fries! I know it’s not the best parenting, but I was starving!

We headed for our AK favorite, Flame Tree BBQ. Brian went to get the food, and D and I headed down to get seats. We didn’t have any problem finding anywhere to sit, so I took pics of D while he played.

It was about 3 hours after we had first gone to Everest, and it was STILL down. No trains running at all. I was disappointed, but we’ll get it next time!

For lunch, I had the bbq chicken salad and fries. I LOVE that salad! Brian had it too. D had a hot dog (simply because Flame Tree doesn’t have chicken nuggets. . .didn’t want you to think his tastes were changing!)

We were hot and ready to go crash in the room for a while, but D had other plans. He wanted to go back to the Boneyard, so that’s what we did!

After a quick playground trip, we started out of the park. As we passed the lemurs, I noticed that they were up and about. It turned out that they were being “trained”. So, I got some good pics.

Lemur-watching over, we did some shopping and then headed out of the park. We took some Tree of Life pics at the top of the hill

And then we were headed out. Bye-bye, AK, thanks for a TERRIFIC day!

But before we could leave, we had to have some entrance pics. I thought about putting these at the front, but there was no way I was going to try to convince you they were taken at 8 am!

My very favorite pic of the day:

Next Up: Dinner in Paradise!

 

[PixieMama]

While we were waiting, the CM was asking us what all we were planning to do (we were the only people in line). We told her that, if Everest didn’t open, we were hoping to go to the Boneyard and to Triceratop Spin. She said, “Oh, you should definitely go ride Dinosaur!” I told her that I was afraid of it, and that I was definitely sure D couldn’t do it. She said, “Oh, just don’t worry about it. Put him on the outside where the dinosaur jumps out. It will scare him to DEATH, but the photopass pic will be worth it! He’ll probably cry, but it’ll be over soon.” Then there was a freeze in the space-time continuum. I was looking at her like she was NUTS, and Brian was staring at me like Sheldon Cooper, in the hopes he could keep me from saying anything.

Um, clearly this CM doesn't have kids of her own! What the what was she thinking?!

I rode Dinosaur! once... and that was one time too many for me!

We have never visited The Boneyard. I didn't know anything about it on our first trip, and then on our second I figured my kids were too old for it (they were 7 and 9 at that time)... thought it was geared more towards "little" kids but it looks like they would've liked it! Bummer we skipped it...

 

[mommy2mrb]

I agree that CM doesn't have kids....I;ve never ridden it so can't comment on the scariness of it, but don't think a small child would like it at all!

great pics, D looks like a happy boy in the boneyard!

so nice your favorite friend popped in on your PP photos

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

The Boneyard has always been a huge hit for our kids too!

I'm with you on Dinosaur. We've been shielding DD from Dinosaur as well because we know she would be freaked out by it. As of now, she doesn't want to even try PotC!