Not so much a savings, more like reallocating where the money goes (Part 20 pg14) NEW

[dean556]

love it

 

[gracer9977]

Great report. We are going this October as well and it's nice to read about what was going on last October so close to our trip.

Seriously though can't wait till the next installment!!!

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

Enjoying your report ..... can't wait for the next installment.

We'll be there in October too.

Debbie

 

[OhMari]

TC, are you finished? Sorry you and TC have almost identical headings-she is a poster from Colorado and she post very raringly-I usually have to remind her to come and post on the DIS.

 

[HaleyB]

TC, are you finished?

What is TC??? Just wondering?

But no, not done. Yet.

Part 13

After our fine breakfast/snack at the Fountain View we decided to see if we could get a set of Fast Passes for Test Track. I think we did. I know we rode it three times. I have had a middle seat every time I have ever ridden this ride, except the last time. The middle seat stinks. Just so you know.

Last year we tried to ride Ellen’s Energy Adventure but it broke down. After we had waited in line for awhile. So we wasted about 20 minutes on that. This year it did not break down. So we wasted the better part of an hour on it. I think. It felt like an hour. The coolest part is the vehicle, and the air conditioning was ok too. I think even the kids agree we never need to ride that again. Ever.

Somewhere in there we messed around in Innoventions for awhile. It used to be so much less lame. The problem with it is, of course, that it gets outdated every 30 days or so. That or we are such a wired family, it seems outdated to us. We call our son downstairs to dinner by IM. Anyhow. I think this was the day we made the robots/toothbrush holders. We still have them. Yippee. I love me a free souvenir and all, who wouldn’t? But the part where I now have 2/3rds of one of my bathroom counters occupied by plastic robots I like a bit less. I think they might have to go. Of course we will bring home more in October. The making of the robots is an interesting peek into our family, I think. If you have never done it, it is at the end of the Plastics demonstration thing, they have bins of robot parts and you get to build one. There is not a lot of variety in shapes, but there are a number of colors to pick from. Max is my happy go lucky child. He picked through, found parts he liked, and built a cool robot. I don’t think any of his parts matched in color or that there was any overt pattern to his design. Sophia is a girl. Need I say more? She picked four times as many parts as she needed, built and took apart her robot four times, cried because Daddy took the “last” grey part that she needed, which of course she was victorious in acquiring from him, and finally smugly told Max her robot was cooler. Thank goodness he has learned to use the ignore feature. Steve’s robot was unique, yet had an overt pattern to it (two tone alternating). My robot was made up of whatever parts were closest to me, because I spent all my time looking for parts in specific colors or trying to convince Sophia that he abundant grey blue color was cooler than the scarce grey black swirl color. If Ryan had been with us I imagine he would have reengineered the robot by coming up with a unique way to fit the parts together. While building the robot he would have regaled us with stories of his latest debate triumph, and what affirmative argument he won with, over West Point or the Liberty kids. Alternately he would have gone off for a walk while we made robots.

Aside about Ryan. He is really good at debate, which I could have told anyone since he was 7. He loves being on the debate team and nothing made him happier than beating West Point, because they are a good. Nothing tickled him more than the fact that he won a debate against Jerry’s kids (no not those Jerry’s kids- the scary ones at Liberty U in Va.). He made the Judge snicker, even. Mama is proud. It also turns out he and his partner were the top ranked novice team in the nation. He forgot to tell me. I found out when I Goggled his name, just to see.

Back to Epcot.

So I think at this point we may have used or FP’s for Soarin’ (over California) and TT. Maybe. Or maybe not, I can’t really remember. I do remember that we rode Soarin’ more than once and got front row every time. Being that Disneyland is my first love and home park, even if I live closer to WDW now, it makes me homesick. Homesick for a park that has Star Tours in Tomorrowland where it belongs. And where the Haunted Mansion is in old New Orleans square where it fits in, with the theme... plus New Orleans is just more fun than an old New England square. Think about it. Puritans or the home of Jazz? No brainier people. I’m just saying.

Hang on a second. I need to see if I can find my notes. Nope. Ok so we were pretty well done with Future World and ready to enter the World Showcase. We started out back at the Greece booth. For wine and Spanakpita. The wine was really good. The Spanakpita was just ok. We have had better. Being the crazy kids that we are we each had our own 2 oz glass, even. Yum.

Next we stopped in Canada. Because we have to stop in Canada. We love Canada. Sophia feels it is very important to let the CM’s there know she was born in Canada. Who doesn’t love Canada?

Then we moved on to the next wine booth we wanted to hit, Australia. Sophia scarfed a kiwi roll here too. I think she ate it in one bite and then licked the plate. She liked the kiwi rolls so much that even though we bought them both times we did the WS, I never got a chance to try them. After that we had some more wine...

 

[horsegirl]

Great installment Haley! I love the world showcase too, especially Norway and Canada.

 

[Mr. Silly]

Next we stopped in Canada. Because we have to stop in Canada. We love Canada. Sophia feels it is very important to let the CM’s there know she was born in Canada. Who doesn’t love Canada?

Canada was really awesome. We always spend a lot of time in Canada. The Epcot WS Canada is not as cool as the actual country itself (we loved living there), but it's nice to be able to talk to the Canadians there about their home and native land.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Canada was really awesome. We always spend a lot of time in Canada. The Epcot WS Canada is not as cool as the actual country itself (we loved living there), but it's nice to be able to talk to the Canadians there about their home and native land.

Great TR Haley.....

Thanks for all the kind words about Canada.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Great installment, Haley, I would really love to visit Canada.

 

[Chapter 11]

So I think at this point we may have used or FP’s for Soarin’ (over California) and TT. Maybe. Or maybe not, I can’t really remember. ... For wine and Spanakpita. The wine was really good. The Spanakpita was just ok. We have had better. Being the crazy kids that we are we each had our own 2 oz glass, even. Yum. ... Then we moved on to the next wine booth we wanted to hit, Australia. Sophia scarfed a kiwi roll here too. I think she ate it in one bite and then licked the plate. She liked the kiwi rolls so much that even though we bought them both times we did the WS, I never got a chance to try them. After that we had some more wine...

Hmmmm. I wonder whether those glasses weren't slightly bigger than 2 oz. That might account for the gaps in your memory. Of course, you could simply posit that you used your fastpasses. That's what Plato would do. Just sayin'.

Nice installment Haley -- and so few typos that I felt no need to point them out this time. Keep on writing.

 

[sheridac]

Thank goodness he has learned to use the ignore feature.

Haha, I’m sure you are well aware, this is a FAVOURITE function of mine. Esp. with the Maelstom men. Just sayin’

 

[HaleyB]

TC, are you finished? Sorry you and TC have almost identical headings-she is a poster from Colorado and she post very raringly-I usually have to remind her to come and post on the DIS.

Tee Hee
Thought so. Just checking, reminders are good.

 

[NAB]

All as I will say is I am enjoying your report....

 

[EnviroChick]

Anyhow. I misjudged my limit. Pushed it too far. And I threw-up, a little bit, in my mouth.

After spending the last hour+ reading all nine pages of this TR, I must say, I loved this line best!

 

[mjmcca]

New installment soon???

 

[Grammyof2]

Haley - HI we are going to WDW in October, with you!!!!!

Could you finish one story before we get there. Just saying

Great read

 

[HaleyB]

_________________________Part 14____________________________

Well I think it is time for a reintroduction to our cast:

Me- HaleyB- Compulsive Disneyaholic, trip planner, Mom type person. Also a bit long winded at times, a little ADD, and some what of a procrastinator. Also I am spelling challenged. Wears Disney clothing sometimes and has a Princess beach towel.

DH, Steve, Steven, Steve(n), Mr Silly- Less compulsive about all things Disney, but not due to any lack of love for the Mouse. Likes that I do all the planning except when I threaten to cut out the second trip to Boma (next trip). Then suddenly he wants more control. Also somewhat of a procrastinator. Spells perfectly all the time and thinks it is funny that I don’t. Wears a Mickey Baseball cap to work every day. Works in shorts and a tee-shirt, which is business casual in Austin. He also has really long hair, which is just a needless tid bit of info I felt like adding in here. Also has a Stitch beach towel, although the kids tend to use it more than he does.

Ryan, 18- Just Ryan, or Ry for short. Not on this trip. Freshman in college (at the time of this trip, which was, ahem, last October). Tuition+Room and Board costs more per day than a trip to WDW. Trying not to think about that as we wait for his financial aid letter for next year. Also half of the top rated novice issue debate team in the country. I think I already told you that. My little sophist, Mama is so proud. Has no Disney beach towel and might wear a Mickey Che shirt if he had one. Spells perfectly and picks up foreign languages with ease.

Maxwell, 10- Max for short. Also called PIB sometimes (Pain in the Butt). Allergic to Milk, tree nuts, and some herbs. He is a happy child, but lacks equanimity at times. Life is not always easy for him and he manages to keep a smile on his face most of the time. Sweet boy. Has given up wearing Disney related clothing unless they glow in the dark and are POTC related. Except to sleep in. Then my Tigger Tee shirt is prime. Max spells like his Mother. Has a Stitch beach towel.

Sophia, 7- Soph for short, or Princess works too. Also called Wednesday by some (as in Adams Family). Also called PIB at times. Loves chocolate. She is a tom boy princess. She almost always has something on her face, can do anything boys can do, better, plus she can paint her nails and be a girlie girl. Sophia pretty much always gets her way, at home. She has all the boys in our family under her thumb. She is rather glum, unless she is in a giggle mood. Sophia tends to be shy with adults, not so much with kids. Wears Disney clothing all the time, has a Princess beach towel, and fights with Max over my Tigger shirt that is now a sleep shirt. Spells like her Father.

So where were we?

Epcot. World Showcase. Exactly. Drinking wine.
Walking across the International Gateway bridge we stopped for a photo. Max and Sophia were goofing off instead of posing for a nice, Grandma worthy photo. I did want a nice picture and after a a few goofy ones they complied. They are good kids, very easy, we are blessed. A little further on there was another family trying to do the same thing. Only they were not in their happy place. The poor little girl, about 8 or 9 wanted her picture, but apparently she didn’t pose just right or fast enough for her Mother. So her Mother refused to take the picture. Very mature of her. She also berated the poor child for wasting time. The poor thing ended up crying. I love Disney, but it never fails that I see a parent or spouse do something that really brings me down. I am a bleeding heart and this sort of thing really bothers me. I am not a perfect parent, and I have a quick temper. Sometimes I even get a bit snappish. But I always catch myself, and I always apologize. I am big on that. With my kids. If I am wrong I like to apologize. I am not so good about that with Steve. Well actually I am just never wrong about anything with him. Yeah, that’s it.

Where was I. Oh yes, on the bridge. So we move on and I cheer myself up by looking around at all the families that are in their happy place. They way outnumber the grumpy ones, really. I think we pretty much blow through France. Been there done that. Well we might have stopped for some wine. I guess odds are we did. But we knew Morocco was right around the corner. And in Morocco there is the Tangerine Cafe. My very favorite place to eat in Epcot. Mr Silly loves it there too. So does Marky Mark, it seems.

We love the Morocco pavilion. It is beautifully done and often very peaceful. We try to go on the free tour at least once per trip. They have times posted and they are almost always ‘private’ tours because so few people take the time. They are led by Cast members from Morocco and are always informative. We love the chance to talk with someone from what really is another world. We always learn something new and more importantly we always feel like we made a connection with someone. We ask questions about their childhood, families, what games they played as a child, things like that. Questions I am not sure we would ask of someone if we ever did get a chance to visit Morocco. One thing I have always noticed is how much pride these young CMs have in their country. They always point out that the Morocco pavilion was made by Moroccans sent over by the King. The workmanship is wonderful. If you get the chance ask about the tour next time you are in Morocco. Moving on, but first a recap.

So while in Morocco we scarfed down some good eats, took a look around, and I am sure took some pictures by the fountain. Doesn’t everyone? The food, by the way, was free. Because we are on the free dining plan. Free food tastes better.

Next would be the pavilion we love to hate, or hate to love. Sophia and Max treat the huge store in Japan like some sort of treasure trove. The number of overpriced kitschy items they request in there is astounding. We mostly talk them out of everything, by laughing when they ask of they can have it. However Max did purchase a Pokemon origami book, in the end. I point out a few cute Hello Kitty items to Sophia but she never wants them. I never wanted any of that sort of stuff as a child either, but I am oddly attracted to them now. We all play with the cool paint with water thing towards the back. We look through the store very carefully. Aside from Max’ big find we purchase nothing.

At some point I notice the Candy Lady is about to start a show, so we head over and Max and Sophia stand around trying to look extra cute and well behaved. Last year Max got picked by the candy lady and she made him a really cool dragon. Max is obsessed with dragons. He carries around the book “Dragonology” all the time and quotes from it as if it were a scientific journal. Which I think it might be. Last year Sophia got passed up even though we stayed for two shows. So my hopes were high that she would get picked. I knew she was really disappointed last year, even though she sucked it up and was really happy and excited for Max.

We really enjoy her show. She is very talented and has a great sense of humor. At least we find her running commentary humorous. We tend to see humor in just about everything, it is a nice way to go through life. So we watched her make a frog, on a lily pad, very cute. We listened to her sing song little ditty, if you have ever heard her I bet you can hear it in your head right now, “Candy, Caramel, tastes good, tastes good” or “I make for you, just one minute, just one minute”. We watched her make an Eagle (not as cute as the frog), and then two more because watching her make the wings was so cool (at least that is why I think kids kept asking for it).

Sophia kept looking cute. She has huge serious eyes. I was sure she was going to get passed up, she is more than a little timid sometimes and there were some pretty pushy people in the crowd. But the Candy Lady likes well mannered children, not pushy ones. Sophia got picked! Yea for Sophia, yea for pixie dust! She had already decided she would ask for a dragon if she got picked, which is what she asked for. She had to say it more than once because she used her little voice. She is such an interesting child. So timid and shy sometimes, and so bubbly and confidant other times. I am so happy and relieved to see that bubbly confidant girl coming out in her as she gets older. I probably let her get away with too much sassiness sometimes because I am just so happy to see her sticking up for herself.

Max did not get picked, but just as Sophia had sucked it up the year before, he sucked it up for her. He actually was very pleased for her. He even reminded us to take pictures of it. I think the Candy Lady is somewhat inaccurate when she claims it “tastes good, tastes good.” It actually tastes gross, unless you are Max. Max is the only one of us that likes this “candy” so after we did a photo shoot, and Mom carried it around for several hours, Sophia let Max eat it.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Great post as always. Haley. I am sure you will finish before 2007! We are a patient bunch of Vikings, with certain things... Just git 'r done

 

[em'smom]

So Haley, do you think you might be done with this report before your next trip?

How proud you must be of your kiddies that they are happy for each other.

 

[horsegirl]

_________________________Part 14____________________________

Well I think it is time for a reintroduction to our cast:

Me- HaleyB- Compulsive Disneyaholic, trip planner, Mom type person. Also a bit long winded at times, a little ADD, and some what of a procrastinator. Also I am spelling challenged. Wears Disney clothing sometimes and has a Princess beach towel.

The poor thing ended up crying. I love Disney, but it never fails that I see a parent or spouse do something that really brings me down. I am a bleeding heart and this sort of thing really bothers me. I am not a perfect parent, and I have a quick temper. Sometimes I even get a bit snappish. But I always catch myself, and I always apologize. I am big on that. With my kids. If I am wrong I like to apologize. I am not so good about that with Steve. Well actually I am just never wrong about anything with him. Yeah, that’s it.

Haleybug, you and I are alot alike woman. I knew it...only I do apologize to my dh when I am snarkish or unfair. Course I never am...

The food, by the way, was free. Because we are on the free dining plan. Free food tastes better.

True at Disney but not of airplane food....

Sophia kept looking cute. She has huge serious eyes. I was sure she was going to get passed up, she is more than a little timid sometimes and there were some pretty pushy people in the crowd. But the Candy Lady likes well mannered children, not pushy ones. Sophia got picked! Yea for Sophia, yea for pixie dust! She had already decided she would ask for a dragon if she got picked, which is what she asked for. She had to say it more than once because she used her little voice. She is such an interesting child. So timid and shy sometimes, and so bubbly and confidant other times. I am so happy and relieved to see that bubbly confidant girl coming out in her as she gets older. I probably let her get away with too much sassiness sometimes because I am just so happy to see her sticking up for herself.

Max did not get picked, but just as Sophia had sucked it up the year before, he sucked it up for her. He actually was very pleased for her. He even reminded us to take pictures of it. I think the Candy Lady is somewhat inaccurate when she claims it “tastes good, tastes good.” It actually tastes gross, unless you are Max. Max is the only one of us that likes this “candy” so after we did a photo shoot, and Mom carried it around for several hours, Sophia let Max eat it.

I love your description of your children. Clearly they are a product of the smart, silly and sensitive parents that raised them. I so agree about the need for humor in dealing with life and parenting. Sounds like you have a wonderful philosophy about life in general, and certainly about going to Disney.

Haley, this was by far your best installment yet. I loved it- every word. Thank you. Keep on writing!