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

[SimmerBaggins]

Wow, Melissa, you got (again) great shots. Here's my weakness -- when it comes to rides, I am more concerned about hanging on than whipping out my camera and taking shots! Thus, you see me just having a great ol' time on EE!

BTW, I took most of your EE shots and put them on my screensaver at work. My boss is going to WDW next week for 10 days and staying at BLT...he's been rubbing it in all week long.

Anyway, I will be working on my segment in the next day or so...I'm a little soused by the "ladies night" we just came back from -- bunch of us got together after work for margaritas at Garcias Restaurant!! Robert & Jordan joined us for dinner, so it all worked out for a great evening.

But enough of that -- will get to work on the next part!!

Simmer

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Melissa,

Another great update, sounds like you had so much fun! You got some great photos. Missed doing PW last year as it was closed, it's really good fun but very shuddery! Is it still the same or is it a bit smoother now?

Di x

 

[jmskinner]

Evening

Ben and Heather love Primeval Whirl but its the only ride I have come off in pain from, not enough to stop me going on again but its a real bone-shaker though maybe the rehab fixed that. AK is one of those parks that no matter where you point and shoot you will get something interesting and I hope to be in it at night when it is dark as I have heard the Tree of Life looks spectacular when lit up.

Gordon

Yes, you must see the Tree of Life at night, I think the only way to do it though is during EMH because it seems like the park usually closes before dark on regular days. You are so right about all the details in AK. I think I took the most pictures there. Hope the rehab did help.

Wow, Melissa, you got (again) great shots. Here's my weakness -- when it comes to rides, I am more concerned about hanging on than whipping out my camera and taking shots! Thus, you see me just having a great ol' time on EE!

BTW, I took most of your EE shots and put them on my screensaver at work. My boss is going to WDW next week for 10 days and staying at BLT...he's been rubbing it in all week long.

Anyway, I will be working on my segment in the next day or so...I'm a little soused by the "ladies night" we just came back from -- bunch of us got together after work for margaritas at Garcias Restaurant!! Robert & Jordan joined us for dinner, so it all worked out for a great evening.

But enough of that -- will get to work on the next part!!

Simmer

And you didn't invite me for drinks. Is your boss going to be there this weekend, maybe I can keep an eye out for him.

You know me, since about 10 years old it has been all about hangtime and not holding on when on rides. Maybe back then I realized I would be a picture taking fool.

Hi Melissa,

Another great update, sounds like you had so much fun! You got some great photos. Missed doing PW last year as it was closed, it's really good fun but very shuddery! Is it still the same or is it a bit smoother now?

Di x

I believe PW will always be rough. Being a spinning wild mouse coaster that is what it was designed for. Sorry to hear it was closed last time.


We are off to WDW this weekend. Surprising Jacob with that Pirate room at CBR. Wonder if POR will still feel like home? Have no dinner reservations, actually no plans at all except for MNSSHP tonight. For all the Americans, hope you have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend and for all of those overseas from us, hope you have a wonderful weekend yourselves!

 

[daly7o9]

I just found your TR and am only at day one. I was wondering where that miniature golf place is...Orlando or Tampa? It looks like fun.

By the way, thanks for not using photobucket for your pics. I read TRs at work (during lunch, of course ) and IT has photobucket blocked here. I'm always happy to find a TR whose pics I can see.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

We are off to WDW this weekend. Surprising Jacob with that Pirate room at CBR. Wonder if POR will still feel like home? Have no dinner reservations, actually no plans at all except for MNSSHP tonight. For all the Americans, hope you have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend and for all of those overseas from us, hope you have a wonderful weekend yourselves![/SIZE][/COLOR]

Have a great time! We're going to MNNSHP in October and this will be our first one, so be sure to post lots of pictures and tell me all about it! I hope you enjoy CBR and the pirate room...we love CBR.

Great updates and great pictures!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

After what I’d call a really fantastic ride on the Expedition Everest – wait. I do want to say this: in 2007 when we rode this ride, I would swear the Yeti was white, and he was much closer to us than this particular time. On this ride, he was so far away, all we could really see was his eyes, and a vague image of him, and I was pretty sure he wasn’t white. I knew they had made some changes to the ride, but I don’t know what they were, officially.

Okay, so here’s a picture of us reunited with Jacob, who has been passing the time with his DS.

Has anyone ever taken note of the fact that this dinosaur has teats? Or, even if you want to believe that what I’m seeing isn’t so…someone was laughing when they put those doodads there.

Yeah, I don’t have any pictures of the other ride, either. Here’s tons of pictures of the boneyard, though!

“Oh,” she says, “you found us!” Jordan and I had been sitting in the hot part of the play area, when I decided to find out where Jacob and Emily had gone. Once I found out how much COOLER it was there with all the huge fans, I went back & fetched Jordan…who, btw, was miffed at having to wait on the kiddies.

Then, we found a hidden Mickey!!

I find it interesting that my family looks completely worn out and over-heated, but Melissa looks like a breath of fresh air….

Heat? What heat? The kiddies in the sand are oblivious…

After this, the Nemo show!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Great updates, both of you.

Melissa, I don't know how you can ride and take pictures at the same time You are amazing

And I don't know how I missed that you had updated like three days ago. I must've missed it getting on and off so much throughout the day between work and the kiddos taking turns on the computer, yes even Joey plays on computer now.

Know you are having a fabulous time in WDW right now, will be anxious for that Nemo update when you return.

 

[jmskinner]

I just found your TR and am only at day one. I was wondering where that miniature golf place is...Orlando or Tampa? It looks like fun.

By the way, thanks for not using photobucket for your pics. I read TRs at work (during lunch, of course ) and IT has photobucket blocked here. I'm always happy to find a TR whose pics I can see.

Smugglers Cove Miniature Golf is actually in the beach towns like St. Pete around Tampa.

Glad I can help you out at work. Sadly, the reason I don't use Photobucket that much anymore is because we had a computer crash and I lost everything and decided to pay for storage of all my pics along with having them on my external hard drive. Still use Photobucket for some though so you may be unable to see them while at "lunch". Thanks for joining.

Have a great time! We're going to MNNSHP in October and this will be our first one, so be sure to post lots of pictures and tell me all about it! I hope you enjoy CBR and the pirate room...we love CBR.

Great updates and great pictures!

600 pics taken last night! I'm sure a lot will be deleted, but we watched both parades and the fireworks. Walked on Peter Pan. You will love MNSSHP! Haven't explored the resort much, but hope to do so today. Pirate room is fantastic.

Great updates, both of you.

Melissa, I don't know how you can ride and take pictures at the same time You are amazing

And I don't know how I missed that you had updated like three days ago. I must've missed it getting on and off so much throughout the day between work and the kiddos taking turns on the computer, yes even Joey plays on computer now.

Know you are having a fabulous time in WDW right now, will be anxious for that Nemo update when you return.

I have always been one of those crazy people that throws their hands in the air when riding rollercoasters. Ask Jacob about it, I squashed him on BTMRR one time because I slid across the seat in one turn. He doesn't let me forget.

My boys are all passed out so I may do a quick update, I'm not doing anything else.

 

[jmskinner]

After ITTBAB we headed over to Nemo. A little back story here. Vickie and her family filled out the WDW maps showing everything they wanted to do and emailed them to me since I was the planner. Of course, I forgot to take them into the park. Anyhoo, Nemo and Dinosaur were left off the map, so I asked about these two long before our trip and she wasn't sure about seeing Nemo and they didn't care for Dinosaur. Not a problem, I can skip Dinosaur, but she had to see Nemo.

Just a few shots before the show:

Check out Roberts umbrella:

Just as we got in line, it started moving and we were on our way. We ended up in the back of the theatre, but in the center. I was afraid I wouldn't get to sit with Vickie and her group because another family squeezed inbetween us, but once we were about to all sit, I told them I was with the people on the other side of them, they were very nice and let Jacob and I by. After the long time of, "please move to your right, we want to sit everyone" the show began.

I love the big bird:

This is the first time I had been able to see the show with the DSLR in hand, so I took a lot more pics, but don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen the show. This is one I highly recommend you all see!

While trying to gather everyone, Jonas called and said he was there at Nemo. Well I couldn't find him, he acted like he didn't believe me, but he didn't realize there were two exits out of Nemo. We decided to meet at KRR since it was time for our FP's. We eventually did find him, but only after we had to follow this for a little bit:

And you know how horrible the crowds are after a parade. Turns how Jonas was the smart one and went the other way around. Shhh, don't tell him I said that.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Goodness Melissa, even updating about the world while in the world

I forgot Jonas was on the trip oops.... glad you all found each other.

Great Nemo pictures, even in the dark

hope you are having fun... looking forward to another update

 

[SimmerBaggins]

JPFamilyMom, you can compare my terrible pics of the show with Melissa’s, and know you were right – she got some good ones.

We began with an already lengthy line for the show, but I was impressed how close we were, anyway. The kids looked forward to the shade…or, I should say, Jordan looked forward to the shade, and Emily looked forward to an opportunity to shop!

We managed to get pretty good seats, albeit high at the top, as Melissa said. I took the photo opp, me & the girls. I coulda used some blotter….

The show was pretty incredible – I was impressed with Squirt’s swimming ability, and the fact that they used the actor’s legs to move him (see him hovering?).

The size of this bird cannot be overstated. He really dwarfed everyone…Disney just does it right.

This was the end of my uploaded pics…will try to do more tomorrow!!

Simmer

 

[jmskinner]

Goodness Melissa, even updating about the world while in the world

I forgot Jonas was on the trip oops.... glad you all found each other.

Great Nemo pictures, even in the dark

hope you are having fun... looking forward to another update

Yup, you know me. Figured that since I had time I could do so. It was really an uncomfortable update for me though sitting on the floor inbetween those two beds. Wish WDW would go wireless.

I was very excited how well those pics came out.

Vickie, I realized I didn't comment on your update about EE and now you have updated again. Too funny about the belly on that dinosaur. I can just picture execs sitting in a room discussing whether they should or should not be there. I have never noticed that they were there.

I was thinking the Yeti was white also and it did seem brown this time. Need to look up some old pics here on the Dis.

Love the pic of you and the girls before the show. Jordan does look like she could use some air conditioning.

Will try to do another update soon.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

We loved Nemo -- it's now our favorite show at WDW.

Great updates -- I love all of the pictures!

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

600 pics taken last night! I'm sure a lot will be deleted, but we watched both parades and the fireworks. Walked on Peter Pan. You will love MNSSHP! Haven't explored the resort much, but hope to do so today. Pirate room is fantastic.

When you have a chance, tell me all about MNSSHP! Did you have fun trick or treating? My girls want to ride the rides -- they're not interested in meeting the characters (although I do want a picture with Cinderella's coach...). They're just looking forward to candy and rides. Did the park feel crowded? Were a lot of people dressed up? We're getting really excited...just wish we were staying at CBR again. They didn't have a room available with two double beds for the weekend we're going.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I keep meaning to look into the EE ride changes, but forget -- and now it's bedtime, and I STILL didn't get to my update!! I did get the next pics loaded & ready to go -- looks like my next update will be in Rifiki's World (I think that's the name).

Jonas wasn't real happy with us after the Nemo show, was he? I will say this, as Jonas became happier, my DH became crankier, with the heavy backpack and his being a little unprepared for all the walking we were doing...luckily, he managed to hang in there for the rest of WDW. After this day, though, he was ready for some R&R.

I do remember trying to do different shoes as time went on...a few blisters did try to form, but I kept 'em guessing!

Okay -- long day...hey, did you see the EE ride on FB, Melissa? Do you think I should post it here? In the picture you have of me teasing Emily about the track, you can see Robert's camera rolling...!

 

[jmskinner]

We loved Nemo -- it's now our favorite show at WDW.

Great updates -- I love all of the pictures!

I think Nemo is my favorite show also and thanks about the pics. I enjoy taking them.

When you have a chance, tell me all about MNSSHP! Did you have fun trick or treating? My girls want to ride the rides -- they're not interested in meeting the characters (although I do want a picture with Cinderella's coach...). They're just looking forward to candy and rides. Did the park feel crowded? Were a lot of people dressed up? We're getting really excited...just wish we were staying at CBR again. They didn't have a room available with two double beds for the weekend we're going.

Love MNSSHP. Jacob doesn't like to meet characters either, but there are a lot out. Trick or treating doesn't take long, you just walk through a line, they put it in your bag and off you go. We got there about 5:00 and rode Buzz, Speedway, Barnstormer, Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, and Peter Pan. We also ate supper at Cosmic Rays and then watched the parade which I think started at 8:15 or so. Never made it back to Frontierland due to the DH getting sick, but we watched the fireworks and the parade again before going home. Peter Pan was a walk on about 7:00pm. Can't beat that. Didn't feel crowded at all. I'll try to get to it in my other TR before your trip.

I keep meaning to look into the EE ride changes, but forget -- and now it's bedtime, and I STILL didn't get to my update!! I did get the next pics loaded & ready to go -- looks like my next update will be in Rifiki's World (I think that's the name).

Jonas wasn't real happy with us after the Nemo show, was he? I will say this, as Jonas became happier, my DH became crankier, with the heavy backpack and his being a little unprepared for all the walking we were doing...luckily, he managed to hang in there for the rest of WDW. After this day, though, he was ready for some R&R.

I do remember trying to do different shoes as time went on...a few blisters did try to form, but I kept 'em guessing!

Okay -- long day...hey, did you see the EE ride on FB, Melissa? Do you think I should post it here? In the picture you have of me teasing Emily about the track, you can see Robert's camera rolling...!

I hadn't watched the EE video on FB, I was waiting on your to post it here. I think you should post it.

I remember you trying different shoes. What all was in the backpack Robert was carrying? Ok, updating now!

 

[jmskinner]

Ok, probably did not spell that correctly, but hey, I'm finally doing another update.

So, we finally met up with Jonas, but we had FP's for KRR and of course didn't have one for him. I knew he would like to ride EE, so I asked if anyone else wanted to ride it, and they did, so Jonas and I got FP's for EE and Vickie and her clan took off with Jacob for KRR.

This guy was just hanging around:

Once everyone met back up, which was quickly, we headed over to ride the train. Can't remember how wet everyone was, Vickie will have to give that story. And I also can't remember why we decided to walk to the other side of the park to ride the train?

The train ride turned into a safari ride when we saw this guy:

I always manage to get pics of animal butts.

Vickie and I tried to get a pic of these guys, but everyone was leaving us, this is the best I was able to get:

Believe it or not, I had never been in the building (our first trip to WDW we rode the train and then decided not to stay.)

Look who was there:

We went out to the petting zoo, Vickie and her clan went off to pet the animals, Jonas and I found a bench and Jacob looked at merchandise. It started to rain so we headed back in.

I can't remember if any of our group stuck their hand in the hole to feel the spider:

Jacob kept wanting to climb on this guy, but I was a good parent and wouldn't allow:

Pocohontas (sp?) appeared as we were about to head out and I remembered she was one of those a co-worker had requested Vickie get a pic of:

This guy seemed a little upset that we weren't paying attention to him:

One more update by me will finish this day, if we survive the Yeti, yet again!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I somehow must have begun forgetting to take pictures, because the next picture I have is inside the building. On the River ride, Jordan and I got the MOST soaked. Every single time there was water action, we got it. We had nothing dry left. It was at that time I decided – no more water action for me. I like a little…don’t like a lot.


Mr. Grumpy (my DH) began to really come out, and snapped a few times when we got to Rafiki’s place, so I wasn’t as enthused – I followed DGD around as she watched the Lizard Show. She’s in the blue shirt & red hat. I didn’t notice when the tiger entered the shot.

All you can see of her here is her red hat – I encouraged her to go forward and pet Mr. Lizard, and she didn’t hesitate.

Amazingly, no pictures of the auspicious goats. That’s really all there was to pet, as the miniature donkeys were fenced off and far away, and the cow wasn’t interested. But even still, most of the goats were in the cordoned off area (resting away from the people), with the exception of the two goats who decided to give us the hint of a peep show…the adults were slightly embarrassed, and the kids didn’t have a clue. Emily was only slightly interested, anyway – she was almost scared of them.

So, we washed our hands of the goats and their wily ways, and Emily did a little side-shopping at the little boutique – and found a monkey. You know, one of those LARGE, hang-around your neck with Velcro hands-monkeys. Not very Disney-like, I thought, so we encouraged her to keep looking around, as he was about $20. Keep this monkey in mind.

No, Melissa, no one was brave enough to touch the spider in the hole.

And then someone yelled out when they saw Pocohontes as we were about to walk out the door – yay! Another official picture-gift about to happen! Emily got her picture with her…

but then, my coworkers didn’t want a child in the picture. Oh, no. They wanted: DA-DA-DAAAA…sexy Pocahontes. I walked up to her to try to tell her…and this little girl was either the most innocent, shy person in real life, or she put on an excellent act. I couldn’t break it. I couldn’t say to her, “show ‘em a little leg…” as much as I knew that’s what they wanted. It seemed…pornographic – I would be taking advantage of her!!! It was a horrible moment, as I tried to explain that my co-workers just wanted a picture of HER…ahem. Well, I think she put her best chest forward…and that was good enough for me, and she was certainly pretty enough – all that would be good enough for THEM!!

And it was. They loved her. They still (both) have her up on their desk.

And, yeah, I couldn’t resist taking a picture of Rafiki – but no one wanted a pic WITH him. I felt sorry for him. He even had Simba with him!!

Melissa was tired.

And these are the last pictures I have of us in AK. When we rode EE again, that time, the Yeti was REACHING – I mean CLOSE ---to us. It was so dad-gum obvious that the guy moves around every so often…if only we could ride him enough to find out more!! After this, I’ll put up the first ride video from EE.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Enjoy the ride!!!


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[irky416]

Great updates!

Melissa, great pictures! As usual! The ones from the Nemo show are really nice!

I'm jealous you got to meet Flik!