My DSD came for a visit & didn't stay for our trip to WDW??? Update 1/13Kadani Villag

[SimmerBaggins]

It was getting late...we were getting tired...and we wanted to go back to the front of the park. We managed to get to the pier to catch the LAST boat back...and here are the lovely, late afternoon views:

Here comes the boat!!

A view of Italy...buh-bye, Italy!

I dunno what they're talking about...

We get onto the boat and settle...I think we're all feeling froggy at this point, although Jacob looks frightened, here!! (maybe it's just the angle)

Because, now, he's up. Not sure why, and not sure why I took the picture of him...! (maybe it was just me, feeling froggy)

Hee, hee --

Anyone feel the level of expectation rising, here?

And, suddenly, while I'm trying to show Melissa the picture I just took, I stupidly hit the wrong button and took Jordan's picture!! It was so funny, and she was in such an awkward position...!

Thus, the funny business reached its apex, as my daughter fought with me over the camera, while the rest of us laughed at her awkward photo -- and Melissa's picture of us laughing is the climax...! (good boat ride!)

 

[jmskinner]

Vickie finally updated. I can't really say anything, I haven't been Dis'n at all lately. Playing stupid games on FB, but I am not going to do that anymore, at least not as much.

Great update Vickie. Your right, Jacob does look scared and in the next photo he looks like he doesn't feel well, guess he was just tired like the rest of us. I know we were all full from dinner in Italy.

You and Jordan have a great memory with that photo. Jordan really did try to get that camera away from Mom.

Ok Vickie, do you have another update before DHS?

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Melissa and Vickie,

All caught up again, enjoyed the photos from Italy, the food looked lovely! Was that the new Italian restaurant there?

You look like you had a fun time anyway!

We've managed to book our flights for next year, we got a good deal flying with Continental from Edinburgh via Newark, and we're now going for 17 nights! Yay!! So we'll have 3 full weekends in Disney! Can't wait!

Di x

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Yes, I do have one more small update for Epcot -- will make a promise to get to it tomorrow so we can go on!!

Sorry to keep you waiting...you'd think there would be more time during this time of year to get to stuff like this, because we all should be relaxing, enjoying family...right??

How exciting, Di!!! 17 days...wow! I know how good it feels to begin making those plans...but what a long trip!

I don't know if the Italian restaurant is new...it seemed to be the same place we went to in 2007. We really enjoy the quality of the food; with the meal plan, this restaurant is a great deal!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Sorry -- I forgot my daughter had a band concert tonight!! Here's a smalllllll update...

We made it to the other side with no further excitement...and saw a bit of wildlife:

When suddenly!! a rogue squirrel comes bounding into the picture -- could this be the self-same rascal from previous episode of mischief??

We decide to head for the landmark...the newly refurbished (well, to us) ride!

And, what do you know? The line is long. But, it moves fairly fast.

We had some really fantastic pictures that they take during the ride, and had a great time putting it all together -- but do you know what? We never got the email of them. I don't think we all did the same thing wrong...but I was really disappointed not to have that souvenier.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

That was the last ride of the day, but before we left Epcot, there were still a few pictures I needed to take...for those folks in my office. I still didn't have a picture of "the head of Walt Disney", for Brian, the guy who was convinced that Walt's head was frozen somewhere; I needed a picture of Chicken Little for Melissa, who thought that would be a tough character to find (she was right); and I needed a picture of Mortimer Mouse -- or the original Mickey, for Dave, who is kind of an older guy in my office.

We went into an art store in the park to try and get these photos. The first picture I took wasn't very good.

Yes, it's Walt, and a statue of him, but I couldn't get a good shot. Some of the pictures I took were just for me...can you find Pinnochio in this shot?

This one needs no explanation....

This one I took because Jordan and I like to play Kingdom Hearts, and this is one of the scenes on the planet of Agrabah...a difficult fighting scene that I somehow goofed up on once and was trapped in a never-ending sequence...so I had to start over on it.

I love Peter Pan. This is a great little statue.

Here's Dave's photo -- I found it!!

There was once a time in my life when I first read all the Winnie the Pooh books, and they were so magical...this picture with the gigantic forest makes me think of that.

Another Mickey, but I didn't give Dave this one.

Here's Brian's picture!!

Our parting shot of Epcot -- the colors of the sunset playing beautifully on the globe.

 

[luckylady]

Oh a Thomas Kinkade. I didn't know they sole his paintings there. Some great shots there.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Luckylady, that painting really surprised me! If you look carefully, you'll see butterflies that trail off into the distance on the lower right corner...it's such a pretty piece. I should have looked to see if I could find some more Thomas Kincade.

 

[jmskinner]

Hi Melissa and Vickie,

All caught up again, enjoyed the photos from Italy, the food looked lovely! Was that the new Italian restaurant there?

You look like you had a fun time anyway!

We've managed to book our flights for next year, we got a good deal flying with Continental from Edinburgh via Newark, and we're now going for 17 nights! Yay!! So we'll have 3 full weekends in Disney! Can't wait!

Di x

Can't wait to meet you guys. I don't care what is going on, I am making the trip to Orlando to meet you.

Vickie, I didn't get notice of any of these updates. Really must stay off of Facebook. I totally forgot about exploring that art store before leaving the park. I wish I could have purchased everything in there. We spent a long time. Also, wasn't this where you asked if Chicken Little was going to be anywhere in the parks and they checked for you? Love the CM's!!!

Ok, I'll start the next update, my last day with Vickie, Robert, Jordan, and Emily.

 

[jmskinner]

So the next morning, we had to pack because it was our day to check out of the hotel and go home. A sad day for us, but it worked out really well because we drove to DHS instead of riding the bus. We get to DHS and this is what we run into:


I was in total shock, I expected to be hanging out inside the park waiting on rope drop, not in this long line. Finally we got in and then had to wait for park opening. Now while we were waiting, Vickie and I were texting back and forth. They were waiting on a bus, then they actually ended up waiting to get dropped off of the bus. This whole time I'm concerned about getting on TSMM. We decided to grab something to eat at Starring Rolls and then I decided to meet Vickie at the gate so I could grab their tickets to get FP's for TSMM.

The line for the FP's for TSMM was all the way back to the entrance of Walt's Dream. If I remember correctly we got sometime after 3:00pm or so. Why I didn't get a pic of that line, I will never know. I had the camera in my hand.

Well, had the FP's and was now off to meet up with everyone. We decided to ride ToT. Vickie and her group had never ridden it. I had told them they had to ride it. Robert said he wasn't going to ride and Jacob of course didn't want to ride, so I asked Robert if he would mind watching him and he didn't. So off we went. I think it already had about a 30 minute wait, here is Vickie and Jordan waiting.




My plan was to get pics of Vickie and Jordan on the ride, which isn't easy. We weren't on the same row and even though we were on the same vehicle, the images came out blurry, but I am sure Vickie was doing exactly what Jordan was doing in this pic:



I'm very interested to hear Vickie's thoughts on the ride. I made a point not to let her know anything about the ride. Hopefully where the car rolls forward was a surprise.

 

[thunderbird1]

Vickie finally updated. I can't really say anything, I haven't been Dis'n at all lately. Playing stupid games on FB, but I am not going to do that anymore, at least not as much.

An early New Year's resolution? I'm so glad I never started playing games on FB. I just know I'd be completely addicted and my family would be wandering around starving, dressed in rags, and wallowing in their own filth.

What I love most about getting Vickie's updates are pics of Melissa! We never get to see you--you're always behind the camera.

Speaking of which, you can take a picture on ToT while the elevator is going up and down ?!? You are quite the photographer!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Farmville by any chance? I seem to have found myself addicted to farmville and Bejewelled Blitz. not good!

So sad that your trip is ending. I have loved the 2 authors together! You all look like you have had such a good trip together.
Lx

 

[jmskinner]

An early New Year's resolution? I'm so glad I never started playing games on FB. I just know I'd be completely addicted and my family would be wandering around starving, dressed in rags, and wallowing in their own filth.

What I love most about getting Vickie's updates are pics of Melissa! We never get to see you--you're always behind the camera.

Speaking of which, you can take a picture on ToT while the elevator is going up and down ?!? You are quite the photographer!

Jennifer, I didn't realize you were following, or have I just forgotten since it has been so long. My memory seems to be getting worse and worse.

I just wish the pic on ToT had come out better. I love taking pics while on the rides.

Yes, I think my home is showing the effects of FB. And I know Jonas bought me a new phone for Christmas and updated our account so I have a feeling I'll now be FB'ing on the go. Hopefully I can Dis also!

Farmville by any chance? I seem to have found myself addicted to farmville and Bejewelled Blitz. not good!

So sad that your trip is ending. I have loved the 2 authors together! You all look like you have had such a good trip together.
Lx

Lx, we did have a great time. Can't wait for June when we can meet again. Too bad we will only be together for one weekend, Jacob's school doesn't get out until the following week.

Yes, Farmville and Bejeweled Blitz are my downfall. Also Farmtown. I also like to play Typing Maniac, but haven't played it in awhile. Music Mania is fun also. Oops, guess I shouldn't mention other games people could get addicted to.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Oh, man -- this day was crazy!! And the ToT -- okay, they really fooled us on that one, because the line said like 30 min, it was more like over an hour!! Yes, I will pontificate on the ToT, later...gotta find my photos!!

And, Thunderbird1, I also kept away from the games for the very same reason! I'm glad ya'll like my pictures of Melissa, but like you, I'm surprised she got that picture of us, too -- what's funny -- the official photo CAUGHT her taking our picture!! LOL Jordan was like -- "No way -- is Melissa taking our PICTURE??"

Okay -- will try to get an update tomorrow!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

As we began our last day at the parks, Emily began her fun early with a bean-bag toss at the bus stop for Jambo House. Sometimes we would see the CMs come out with little games for the kids -- I encouraged Emily to go over and give it a shot.

She was really good at it! However, my picture-taking skills weren't warmed up, yet.

We took a moment to savor our last park, after Melissa hurriedly got our FPs for the Toy Story ride:

I really kind of felt that although we weren't really LATE, we just didn't have the park skills that the Skinners had refined...fortunately, we had them working for us.

Another office mate of mine had asked for a picture of American Idol; since we hadn't planned to go in, I felt rather cheesy about taking this picture! But I did the best I could with it:

As we waited for the FPs, we decided to go ride on Star Tours -- one of our favorite rides! Emily kept asking questions about it, so we tried to hype up what was really going to happen...!

This is a bad pic:

There's nothing like mom chewing you out when you've brought the space cruiser home in bad shape.

Was C3PO just talking too loud? I'm not sure, but I don't remember holding my hands over my ears...or, maybe that mom was walking by with that shrill voice of hers....

'Lil robots watching us and gossiping as we walked under them...

We got out of the ride alive, and met up with Melissa...more to come!!

 

[thunderbird1]

Jennifer, I didn't realize you were following, or have I just forgotten since it has been so long. My memory seems to be getting worse and worse.

What? Who are you? Where am I? I hear you on the memory stuff--bought my dd a churro at Costco the other day, and she said I finally paid her back for the churro I promised to get her at WDW but never did. Huh?

I've been trying to follow along when I can find the time. I really enjoyed all the Universal stuff, since we haven't been to Universal since our honeymoon 15 years ago. And back in those days (do I sound completely decrepit yet?), there was no IOA. Gotta get there again someday.

Oh, man -- this day was crazy!! And the ToT -- okay, they really fooled us on that one, because the line said like 30 min, it was more like over an hour!! Yes, I will pontificate on the ToT, later...gotta find my photos!!

And, Thunderbird1, I also kept away from the games for the very same reason! I'm glad ya'll like my pictures of Melissa, but like you, I'm surprised she got that picture of us, too -- what's funny -- the official photo CAUGHT her taking our picture!! LOL Jordan was like -- "No way -- is Melissa taking our PICTURE??"

Okay -- will try to get an update tomorrow!!

Love that the official photo caught her--that would have been funny to see. I always take pictures of my family members taking pictures, probably because I always have to wait for them.

 

[jmskinner]

Jennifer, glad you enjoyed the Universal stuff. I have to go back when they have the Universal stuff, but not sure when that will be. I am actually thinking of buying AP's for Busch Gardens.

Vickie, too funny about the ST pics. There is one part of the preshow where an alarm goes off. Jacob doesn't handle loud sound well at all. Not sure if that was the problem of the other little boy, or if his mother was. Was I there for that, or was that while I was standing in line for the FP's for TSMM.

Also, I had forgotten that was your last day at the parks, thought you had one more after we left. Geez, that memory thing has really gotten bad.

Ok, guess I need to update, but first must go clean Jacob's room. Send help if you don't hear from me.

 

[thunderbird1]

Jennifer, glad you enjoyed the Universal stuff. I have to go back when they have the Universal stuff, but not sure when that will be. I am actually thinking of buying AP's for Busch Gardens.

Vickie, too funny about the ST pics. There is one part of the preshow where an alarm goes off. Jacob doesn't handle loud sound well at all. Not sure if that was the problem of the other little boy, or if his mother was. Was I there for that, or was that while I was standing in line for the FP's for TSMM.

Also, I had forgotten that was your last day at the parks, thought you had one more after we left. Geez, that memory thing has really gotten bad.

Ok, guess I need to update, but first must go clean Jacob's room. Send help if you don't hear from me.

Would you like to borrow my haz-mat suit?

 

[jmskinner]

Would you like to borrow my haz-mat suit?

Its wasn't too bad, but might need it next time.
And thank you for not pointing out my brain lapse, here is what I typed, "I have to go back when they have the Universal stuff". That was suppose to be Harry Potter stuff. Maybe its good I haven't been Dis'ing, who knows what I will say.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Wow Ladies I'm all caught up and that was after being sick twice and away from DISing playing games on FB with Melissa

Hello, my name is Jessica and I'm a farmville addict.

Ok now back to the "real" stuff here.

Love all your pictures of Italy, both of you. My best friend went there or lived there or something and the pictures she sent were similar to some you all took. I would love some Italian food eating on our trip- but it won't happen, lol.

I can't wait to explore Epcot on our trip.

Your DHS story has me more anxious about our trip and trying to get tickets onto TSM. That is one ride I have to get my boys on. Can't wait to read the rest.

Have a Merry Christmas if I don't talk to you all before then.