Operation Big Thunder: the Dole Whip Conspiracy COMPLETE

[glennbo123]

Let the boat do the work = What About Bob?

 

[foodrocksluver]

Oh my gosh. The picture of that pizza is amazing. I'm seriously craving it right now but unfortunately I have to wait 62 days 2 hours and 35 minutes give or take to savor some.

There's nothing worse than watching Illuminations and having a huge pole (or are those trees?) blocking your view. Nothing besides rude bi-lingual people. Cheers.

Excited to hear about your experience at the water park.

Excuse me whilst I go shove my face with some pizza

 

[glennbo123]

"No pizza gets left behind!" could be a reference to either Lilo & Stitch or Black Hawk Down. Take your pick, they're so similar.

 

[glennbo123]

"We chose poorly" is a reference to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

 

[Flossbolna]

Wonderful update! I loved the looks on the kids faces when they first saw the huge pizza!!

Sorry that you ended up with palm trees in your line of vision, but still, you managed to get a first row spot during high season without sacrificing half a day of touring for it! Well done!

 

[Rental01]

Finally, the show started. Julie began working her magic with the camera, and we soon discovered that when it came to our viewing spot…

We chose…poorly.

If you have photoshop, there's a tool for that.

 

[afwdwfan]

I just found another quote. In your thread title it says "(UPDATE 10/4)"
Smokey and the Bandit

We had a dinner ADR at Via Napoli.

You chose wisely.

Who’s the idiot who planned this itinerary, anyway?

I'd blame Darth Vader. He's taken the blame for all the other navigational inconsistencies.

So we had that go—nope, sorry, I’ve over-used that quote enough.

Too bad... it's close enough so I'm going for the point. Caddyshack.

Our ship made port in Morocco and then we walked the rest of the way to Italy. And no, I don’t get tired of writing sentences like that.

Hmmm... take a boat to Morocco so you could walk to Italy. No wonder the Roman Empire didn't survive. Maybe they needed a Vader.

Actually, I have no idea what a whimsical Tuscan style is, but it sounded convincing, don’t you think?

The server gave us a menu, but we all knew we wanted the pizza.

They really could have saved some money by just not even printing them.

And it made the meal affordable, too.

As long as you just stick with the pizza and skip the $6 or $7 salad that you really won't need anyway.

So we had that—D’oh!

Still Caddyshack

Apparently spending all day with me and the kids was getting to be a bit much for Julie, so she ordered a stiff drink. They said it was a new one they had just added to the menu and I can’t find the name of it anywhere. But it basically was orange juice and some other fruits (including some pineapple juice, I believe) and a whole lot of vodka. That sucker was STRONG. Julie liked it, but only finished about half of it before she was getting a buzz and felt like she couldn’t finish it.

I'd say she probably deserved it. Judging by the picture at the end of this update, it looks like Scotty must have finished it off for her.

It said it served 4-5 people, so we were a little worried that it might not be enough for everyone.

No need to worry.

The pizza was absolutely fantastic.

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

We got through about ¾ of the pizza and started to slow down. But you can’t let good pizza go to waste. So we issued the rallying cry: No Pizza Gets Left Behind! And piece by piece, we finished it off.

That's the spirit!!!

As sit-down meals go in Disney, splitting one pizza among the five of us made it…well, if not affordable, then relatively less painful on the wallet.

Julie split off and may or may not have gone to do some Christmas shopping that I’m not supposed to know about.

Dude, she reads this stuff sometimes. You just blew it.

They wanted to do the United Kingdom mission, since they have an affinity for finding golf balls in phone booths. Don’t ask.

They have an affinity for finding golf balls in phone booths???

For having surrendered to Dr. Doofenshmirtz earlier in the day, they seemed to be doing just fine.

Just another day in Paris.

Guess whose task it was to walk across Epcot (again) and fish it out of the van?

Sarah?

I began the march, moving as quickly as I could.

Oh, yeah. That would make more sense.

I was so thankful for the second-row parking space we’d obtained in the morning.

Pictures or it didn't happen

The trees were exactly in line with the main fireworks rafts. So we got some pictures that would have been terrific…if not for the trees blocking the view. Sigh.

Oh well... Good effort. And you still got to see stuff blow up.

Then it got worse. The kids were up against the railing, but with a little breathing room in between. About halfway through the show, we heard a man’s voice in another language giving instructions while he gestured “forward”. Suddenly, two teenage kids muscled their way in front of Dave at the railing. Poor Dave said, “Hey!” and looked up at me. He couldn’t see a thing.

Not Cool.

“Are you kidding me?” I said out loud. The man and his kids made no effort to acknowledge us. I think they were playing the “No speak-a de English” game.

And the free pass to act like a complete and total *******.

Not wanting to start a fistfight in the Happiest Place on Earth, I lifted up Dave so he could actually see the show amongst the trees.

That's probably the best way to handle it. I wouldn't have blamed you if you'd have pulled the "oops, didn't see you there" shoulder check over the rail and into the lagoon.

It wasn’t just the group we’d seen throughout the day—there were five or six groups now

They have multiplied!!!! a

I have no idea what possessed them to just stand there and chant and block traffic.

Um... I'm guessing it was because the flag stopped there. 2 or 3 tour guides stop to say hi to each other and all hell breaks loose!

And there were too many of them for crop-dusting to be an effective dispersal technique.

True, but it could make you feel a little better.

In more ways than one.

We decided to try and have her get a shot of us with our camera. And I have to say, this lady was wonderful. She was very patient, and willing to try multiple shots, unlike some of the others that want to move you along. And her work paid off. She got this shot:

Great! We usually have good luck finding photographers that want to work to get good pictures. I guess we've been lucky.

From Rope Drop to closing, we hit just about everything we’d wanted to do. I’d say the only thing we missed that we usually love in this park was Turtle Talk. But we’ve done that a couple of times now and we were able to take in some new experiences instead. Overall, I’d say this first day had worked out really well.

I'd call that a complete and total success!

And one of my worst-ever moments as a father.

Uh oh.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

At first I thought When Johnny Comes Marching Home might be a good tip-off, since its ties to the Confederacy might be too un-PC for Disney. But then I read somewhere that they had performed it. Oh well.

This will sound like a lie…
But I also considered that at first. Bust just as I was about to start rummaging through youtube for performances by the Voices… I stoped to think that just maybe I was over thinking it again. Not wanting to live down to my nemesis’s expectations, I let that one go.

Thanks for the laff. Mark!

I enjoy seeing Rob post over on the main DISDad thread how he's "So Busy" and Doesn't have time to Keep Up with that thread!!!

Well, you have to have priorities.

Now then…
Time to read.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I don't think anyone picked this one up...

It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now, we invite to relax, let us pull up a chair, as the dining room proudly presents... your dinner.

Beauty and the Beast

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

If you’ve been wandering for miles in Florida summer heat, sweating up a storm, running to the edge of fatigue, and then letting your kids get drenched in a fountain, where’s the first place you’re going to go next?

The nearest bar (air-conditioned of course)

We’re going to Disney World!

You’re already at Disney world. You just need to head to the nearest purveyor of spirits and then we’re both on the same page.

We had a dinner ADR at Via Napoli.

There ya’ go…
Now we’re on the same page.

So, we began yet another walk all the way across Epcot. Who’s the idiot who planned this itinerary, anyway?

On this trek, we finally had the good sense to rest our weary feet and take the boat across the lagoon this time. I don’t think it saves you any time over walking, but at least we could sit down.

Agreed… it’s not faster, but it is more fun that hiking
(when your dog are baking that is)

Our ship made port in Morocco and then we walked the rest of the way to Italy.

Via Palestine and Asia Minor or were you using a more Biblically Devine method?

We made our ADR right on time and were seated within a few minutes.

Excellent for high summer.
Even being on time generally results in a wait for us most of the time.

Julie and I thought the restaurant was beautiful inside, decorated in a whimsical Tuscan style. Actually, I have no idea what a whimsical Tuscan style is, but it sounded convincing, don’t you think?

You should be a travel writer.

Apparently spending all day with me and the kids was getting to be a bit much for Julie, so she ordered a stiff drink.

Sounds like a good idea to me.
I think I’ll go mix one up right now.

In the meantime, we ordered one “mezzo metro” pizza for the family.

That looks like a rather good pie.

Julie split off and may or may not have gone to do some Christmas shopping that I’m not supposed to know about.

You’ll have to let us know what it turned out to be.

since they have an affinity for finding golf balls in phone booths. Don’t ask.

No, no… We’re asking.
You can’t toss out a hand grenade like that one and not pull the pin.

If you know U2’s music, you know there are some notes that only Bono can reach.

And even he can’t reach ‘em any more.

We figured as long as the world needed saving, we might as well save Japan too. So we did.

Thus ensuring that there will be stunningly bad television programs, films and comics unleashed upon an unsuspecting populous for decades to come. That was the one time when defeating Doofenshmirtz, was actually part of the diabolical plan.!

Bwahahahahahaha!!!

Eventually, the United Kingdom was saved from something terribly annoying…

Sharon Osbourne?

Guess whose task it was to walk across Epcot (again) and fish it out of the van?

Scotty?
I’m guessing no here…

Finally, the show started. Julie began working her magic with the camera, and we soon discovered that when it came to our viewing spot…

We chose…poorly.

Then it got worse…
…they were playing the “No speak-a de English” game.

Ummm… just wow…
That was a direct violation of rules 1 and 3.

Not wanting to start a fistfight in the Happiest Place on Earth, I lifted up Dave so he could actually see the show amongst the trees.

Just about the best option at that point (or at least the most civil one)

Of course the lesson the teens learned was: those that take, win.
There are already too many folks out there that live by that credo…



Disappointing.

the Brazillions struck back.

No good will come of this…

And there were too many of them for crop-dusting to be an effective dispersal technique.

I’d have done it any way…
A last great act of defiance so to speak.

That is a particularly fine shot.

Overall, I’d say this first day had worked out really well. What do you think, Scotty?

Zzzzzzzzzzz…




For a high summer Epcot expedition…
I’d say ya’ done good.

Coming Up Next: Our first Disney Water Park experience!

Cool!!!!

And one of my worst-ever moments as a father.

I do believe I’ll reserve judgment on that one until I hear the whole story.

 

[glennbo123]

I guess I should come back and actually comment on the chapter, rather than just look for quotes.

I pity the fool who sits anywhere near our table.

Oh let it be Brazillions.

We had a dinner ADR at Via Napoli. This was another new experience for us. Everything we’d heard about it had been outstanding, and we’d wanted to try it since it opened. The idea of wood-fired pizza was too good to pass up.

One day I'll try it, I just can never pull my kids away from Biergarten. They love their root bier. And gartening. (Ooo, maybe I'll use those when I get to that chapter from this year's trip to Biergarten!)

So, we began yet another walk all the way across Epcot. Who’s the idiot who planned this itinerary, anyway?

I don't know. He or she obviously knows next to nothing about travel and transportation.

Julie and I thought the restaurant was beautiful inside, decorated in a whimsical Tuscan style.

You always hear the funniest stories about those whimsical Tuscans.

In the meantime, we ordered one “mezzo metro” pizza for the family. It said it served 4-5 people, so we were a little worried that it might not be enough for everyone. It turned out that our fears were unfounded. It was practically the size of the table. They had to use a cart to bring it to us.

LOVE this picture!

So how’s the Italian food in this restaurant?

Did you check for a handgun taped to the back of the toilet in the restroom?

On the way, a U2 cover band with the highly original name “2U” was performing.

My favorite cover band name is Scrantonicity.

Guess whose task it was to walk across Epcot (again) and fish it out of the van?

At least you know the way.

A British family making their first trip to Disney World was next to us, and we spent some time in conversation with them.

I'm sure they thanked you for taking care of that annoyance.

Finally, the show started. Julie began working her magic with the camera, and we soon discovered that when it came to our viewing spot…

We chose…poorly.

Oh bummer. I've never gotten fireworks pictures that I'm crazy about either.

Then it got worse. The kids were up against the railing, but with a little breathing room in between. About halfway through the show, we heard a man’s voice in another language giving instructions while he gestured “forward”. Suddenly, two teenage kids muscled their way in front of Dave at the railing. Poor Dave said, “Hey!” and looked up at me. He couldn’t see a thing.

“Are you kidding me?” I said out loud. The man and his kids made no effort to acknowledge us. I think they were playing the “No speak-a de English” game. Not wanting to start a fistfight in the Happiest Place on Earth, I lifted up Dave so he could actually see the show amongst the trees.

That just stinks. Sorry to read that.

And finally, after going all day long with no problems, the Brazillions struck back. It wasn’t just the group we’d seen throughout the day—there were five or six groups now, all gathered together, right at the main entrance to the World Showcase at the mouth of the bridge. We couldn’t turn left to go down the smaller path by Canada because it was bucking a mass amount of traffic. So we were forced to go to the main bridge. Unfortunately, the tour groups weren’t moving. Instead, they were all standing, en masse, and loudly chanting. There was maybe enough room for two people to squeeze by and get to the bridge, so it was causing a massive bottleneck. I have no idea what possessed them to just stand there and chant and block traffic.

Oh sure, that's what we need. Nice.

We made our way to the entrance, and spotted a PhotoPass photographer snapping shots in front of the Big Golf Ball. We decided to try and have her get a shot of us with our camera. And I have to say, this lady was wonderful. She was very patient, and willing to try multiple shots, unlike some of the others that want to move you along. And her work paid off. She got this shot:

Very nice!

With that, our Epcot day was over. From Rope Drop to closing, we hit just about everything we’d wanted to do.

You can't ask for more than that!

 

[MEK]

I just let the boat do the work, that was my secret - What about Bob

the Crane Technique - Karate Kid

The trouble with Scotland is that its full of Scotts - Braveheart

Another great update. that pizza looks great, but I am especially intrigued by Julie's drink. Remember -I am working on becoming an alcoholic in Epcot. So, it really had an amble serving of vodka? You know I hate foo-foo drinks.

I can't believe you guys made it from park opening to park close. Way to go!

How annoying that those teenagers butted their way in front of David. I hate that stuff. It never happens in Norway.

Great pictures in this update.

 

[MissLiz]

Hmmm...I may have to try one of those yummy drinks when we eat at Via Napoli in, oh, less than a month! Woo hoo!

I always live when people try to squeeze into every little space...even when there is only about 6 inches of open space.

I'm going with you guys finishing the pizza as the lie. We ordered two of them last September for our group of eight (5 adults, 2 preschoolers, and a tween) and had so much left over!

 

[Mrs. Knowitall]

WHEW! Do I look frazzled here or WHAT? Good thing that drink's coming...

We set out once more. Julie split off and may or may not have gone to do some Christmas shopping that I’m not supposed to know about.

I can neither confirm or deny this.

I'd blame Darth Vader. He's taken the blame for all the other navigational inconsistencies.

Dude, she reads this stuff sometimes.

Sometimes.

Another great update. that pizza looks great, but I am especially intrigued by Julie's drink. Remember -I am working on becoming an alcoholic in Epcot. So, it really had an amble serving of vodka? You know I hate foo-foo drinks.

I'm really a wuss when it comes to alcohol. To me, it was an AMPLE serving of vodka....usually I can drink a mixed drink with dinner and be totally fine. Here I sipped this, had water and all that pizza and I still felt a little fuzzy. (It was delicious though! My next drink to order is the one that comes in a pineapple at the Polynesian.)

 

[eandesmom]

On this trek, we finally had the good sense to rest our weary feet and take the boat across the lagoon this time. I don’t think it saves you any time over walking, but at least we could sit down. So we had that go—nope, sorry, I’ve over-used that quote enough.

I just let the boat do the work; that was my secret.

that a boat showed up. Every time we've thought about it, we've given up after getting tired of waiting for the boat.

In the meantime, we ordered one “mezzo metro” pizza for the family. It said it served 4-5 people, so we were a little worried that it might not be enough for everyone. It turned out that our fears were unfounded. It was practically the size of the table. They had to use a cart to bring it to us.

Definitely getting that if we go with the nephews. My family is a giant group of vultures so not convinced it would be enough but it looks fabulous!!! I had an individual one, the one time I've been and it was absolutely wonderful.

Even with the disappointing pictures, we enjoyed the fireworks as always. At the conclusion, it was time to head out. And finally, after going all day long with no problems, the Brazillions struck back. It wasn’t just the group we’d seen throughout the day—there were five or six groups now, all gathered together, right at the main entrance to the World Showcase at the mouth of the bridge. We couldn’t turn left to go down the smaller path by Canada because it was bucking a mass amount of traffic. So we were forced to go to the main bridge. Unfortunately, the tour groups weren’t moving. Instead, they were all standing, en masse, and loudly chanting. There was maybe enough room for two people to squeeze by and get to the bridge, so it was causing a massive bottleneck. I have no idea what possessed them to just stand there and chant and block traffic. And there were too many of them for crop-dusting to be an effective dispersal technique.

In the end, we slowly, painfully, baby-stepped our way through the gap and past them. We made our way to the entrance, and spotted a PhotoPass photographer snapping shots in front of the Big Golf Ball. We decided to try and have her get a shot of us with our camera. And I have to say, this lady was wonderful. She was very patient, and willing to try multiple shots, unlike some of the others that want to move you along. And her work paid off. She got this shot:

I had to brighten it a good bit, but I want to point out that she took this completely handheld, with no flash. I was duly impressed. We decided to get the official Photopass picture as well, since the lighting was obviously better for that one.

With that, our Epcot day was over. From Rope Drop to closing, we hit just about everything we’d wanted to do. I’d say the only thing we missed that we usually love in this park was Turtle Talk. But we’ve done that a couple of times now and we were able to take in some new experiences instead. Overall, I’d say this first day had worked out really well. What do you think, Scotty?

Coming Up Next: Our first Disney Water Park experience! And one of my worst-ever moments as a father.

Great shots but supremely annoying about the kids muscling in front of Scotty.

No chanting, that's the lie.

And I'm far too late on all the Bond references.

 

[afwdwfan]

Julie and I thought the restaurant was beautiful inside, decorated in a whimsical Tuscan style.

I found a lie!!!! It is Neapolitan, not Tuscan.


Maybe it can be both, I guess I don't really know any more about whimsical Tuscan style than you do. I was just looking for the lie and I know I've seen it is supposed to be an authentic Neapolitan pizza place.

 

[KatMark]

We got through about ¾ of the pizza and started to slow down. But you can’t let good pizza go to waste. So we issued the rallying cry: No Pizza Gets Left Behind! And piece by piece, we finished it off.

Great update, Mark. I have to say it looks like the kids are about to let loose of their lunch right then and there. I really want to try Via Napoli one of these times...if pizza ever agrees with me again.

You guys accomplished so much in your rope drop to the end of the day.

I don't understand these tour groups; when I was with the girls in January, the tour group just decided to plop down in the middle of the road--all 200+ of them and sit there for eternity.

 

[afwdwfan]

I don't understand these tour groups; when I was with the girls in January, the tour group just decided to plop down in the middle of the road--all 200+ of them and sit there for eternity.

Occupy Disney World

 

[Mickeefan]

I just found your trip report and was able to read it all today (while at work ) The portion of the trip through Orlando to Disney gave me goose bumps.

First, I immediately recognized the hotel in the background of the Harry Potter billboard picture as I've stayed there on previous trips to Florida.

Secondly, as soon as you wrote that you were on I-4, I screamed (in my head of course, since I was at work) "don't get on I-4, there's always a wreck on I-4". I lived in Orlando for 18 months and successfully navigated around the area without ever getting on I-4! It can be done.

Thirdly, in the process of reading this report, I've come across at least 2 other reports I want to read. I plan to read about your Chicago trip & your Indianapolis trip.

I am really enjoying your report and your sense of humor. Thanks for taking the time to write it.

By the way, my name is Julie!

 

[vamassey1]

Another great update but I have to say I'm frustrated for you. Poor Dave having someone get in front of him and blocking his view. I'm really frustrated about the tour groups stopping and blocking everyone's path out of the park.

Loved the picture of the kids when the pizza arrived and again after it was gone.

My guess on the lie is your boat trip. I think you took the boat that drops off in Germany and not Morocco. It makes more sense, Germany is right next to Italy where as Morocco is few countries away. Not saying that you always makes sense.