Operation Big Thunder: the Dole Whip Conspiracy COMPLETE

[Mrs. Knowitall]

Dave actually had a Disney beanie hat like this when he was 2 years old. He wore it everywhere, until the propeller broke and fell off. Then he refused to wear it ever again. He wanted the propeller!

We still have the hat sans propeller, but Dave gave it to Scotty.

Thanks, honey. Were you still bitter about the riding BTMRR at night thing?

Who? Me?

Beautiful pictures of Kidani! The missus took them, I assume?

I took some of them, but the Captain took most.....I was otherwise occupied....(read wrangling kids....)

 

[Pixie Princess]

Yea! Movie quote " I don't know .. I can imagine quite a bit. " Han Solo, Star Wars, EP 4

"You can be my wingman anytime." Ice, Top Gun

 

[MEK]

In addition to the kids all looking like they lost their best friend, there sure is a lot of loot in the back of that van. So yeah! A second mortgage indeed!

Beautiful pictures of Kidani.

Is leaving harder when you have to drive? I'm just curious since we will be driving this summer. I want to be thoroughly prepared.

So 5 hours to Savannah. I was wondering about the distance. I'd like to make it to south of Savannah on the way down.

Curious to see if you did a St Augustine drive by. I really want to see that town.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Got busy and missed this one…
Que Sera.

Time to read

Mission Log #22: Checking Out

Good play on the theme.

"Check Point: Heartbreak"
Might have been more appropriate, but still…

No days left on our park tickets. No nights left on our reservation. No ADR's left. I guess it's time to go home.

I hate this part of the trip.

Don’t we all?
But arriving at that point does mean that you were traveling (and right now, that’s something I wish I was doing).

We had about 5 hours of driving to do, as we would be spending the evening near Savannah, Georgia.

Nice choice… and you have a lot of time to explore new things

• Drive to St. Augustine, Florida and explore the oldest town in America, picking up some valuable education on America's history and culture.
• Drive straight through to Savannah and spend some time walking the city, again enjoying the history and beauty of one of the most representative cities of the Deep South.
• Find another family of 5, hit them over the heads, and then steal their tickets/room and pose as the "Griswold Family" or whoever the case may be for the next week. We could hide the other family in the Journey Into Imagination ride, where no one would ever go in and find them.
• We could simply stall our departure as long as possible, soaking in as much Disney atmosphere as possible before being forced to leave.

Good ideas all… I like the creativity of number-3 (it even has some clandestine elements that would fit nicely into the Operation Big Thunder story line), but I suspect that’s not the one you went with.

The kids thought things over carefully. And by thought things over carefully, I of course mean they immediately begged to stay at Disney World as long as we possibly could. Julie and I took this into consideration before providing a measured response, by which I mean that we immediately agreed without argument.

Like I said…

Not that the rest of the country is bad or anything. America is great indeed. Imagine a country so free, one can throw glass on the streets!

So long as it’s not a “Molotov”… things like that tend to upset the Homeland Security folks.

I will always love the Wilderness Lodge, and I think it has no peer in terms of the theme. But the theming is just as good at AKL, and it has the bonus magic of animals outside your window. Hard to match that.

Haven’t stayed at AKL yet, but having been on property several times, I can agree with this observation.

We generally find ourselves in the moderates, but the time we’ve had to spend at Wilderness and Beach Club (which is high on our list o experiences) will change your perspective

…and spoil you rotten in the process.

After wandering a bit and taking a few more pictures, we made like good Disney visitors and exited through the gift shop.

But of course

We made our way back up to our room and finished packing. I made multiple trips up and down the Zazu elevator as we piled everything into the van.

Zazu elevator?


Odd detail…

Then we did a thorough check of the room and made sure nothing was left behind.

We refer to this process as conducting an “Idiot Check”

For some reason, Darth Vader wasn't there to see us off.

Important Empire business to attend to I’m sure.

Of course, it may never happen, since the world is supposed to end on Dec. 21.

Being as that “prediction” is based on a calendar devised by a couple million folks that lacked the clairvoyance to see that they’d be completely wiped out by only a couple hundred mercenaries arriving via sea (and a half a millennia prior to the end of said calendar), I think we can take their prediction of future events with a large grain of salt.

So… go on ahead and spend the extra bucks on the Christmas gifts.
Good plan.

We found one of Andy's long-lost relatives while we were there.

Now let's think about this for a moment. The shirt is in the men's section. It's pink. And it features a rainbow. Who do you think the target demographic is here?

Most of the cast members form “The Birdcage”?
PeeWee Herman perhaps?

This remains my favorite giant Lego creation ever:

Mine to. It inspired both a particularly good update in a previous TR and one of the best “Bonus Features” that I’ve ever fabricated… errrr… I mean painstakingly researched.

It had been a wonderful if brief time in the World, full of adventure and surprise and magic. None of us wanted to leave it behind. There was begging, pleading, whining, and dragging of feet.

So much for you… how did the kids take it.

But eventually Julie had to tell me to pull myself together and get in the van.

Like I said…

Coming Up Next: We stumble into a, uh, unique lunch spot. And maybe a little bit of history after all.

Sounds, uh, foreboding.
That one should be interesting.


Of course you could always just make stuff up.

 

[Pixie Princess]

"Be careful what you shoot at. Most things in here don't react too well to bullets."

Hunt for Red October

"And now for something completely different." - Monty Python

You could make pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich...- Forrest Gump

Do you know what the penalty is for animal cruelty in this state? ...well, it's probably pretty stiff.  Vacation

All drains lead to the ocean- Finding Nemo

"You Americans, you're all the same. Always overdressing for the wrong occasions." Raiders of the Lost Ark

 

[afwdwfan]

No days left on our park tickets. No nights left on our reservation. No ADR's left. I guess it's time to go home.

I hate this part of the trip.

I can't even think about that part of a trip today...

• Drive to St. Augustine, Florida and explore the oldest town in America, picking up some valuable education on America's history and culture.
• Drive straight through to Savannah and spend some time walking the city, again enjoying the history and beauty of one of the most representative cities of the Deep South.
• Find another family of 5, hit them over the heads, and then steal their tickets/room and pose as the "Griswold Family" or whoever the case may be for the next week. We could hide the other family in the Journey Into Imagination ride, where no one would ever go in and find them.
• We could simply stall our departure as long as possible, soaking in as much Disney atmosphere as possible before being forced to leave.

Come on, give us some credit. We knew what you were going to do as soon as you left us with a cliffhanger on the last update. Nice list, but not needed.

The attention to detail and the way they're able to immerse you in the story and shut out the rest of the world will never cease to amaze me.

I think the Animal Kingdom Lodge might be our new favorite resort on property. I will always love the Wilderness Lodge, and I think it has no peer in terms of the theme. But the theming is just as good at AKL, and it has the bonus magic of animals outside your window. Hard to match that.

Now if that isn't a ringing endorsement for AKL, I don't know what is.

We found one of Andy's long-lost relatives while we were there.

He must be from the Extra Terrestrial side of the family. Going to be hard to phone home with one arm though.

At one point, Julie spotted a t-shirt she liked, but it was in the men's section. It was a pink shirt with the old 70s-style Walt Disney World logo and a rainbow. But she couldnt find one in her size.

Now let's think about this for a moment. The shirt is in the men's section. It's pink. And it features a rainbow. Who do you think the target demographic is here?

Naturally, Julie asked me to go find a CM and ask if they had the shirt in a different size.

Thanks, honey. Were you still bitter about the riding BTMRR at night thing?

Well played, Julie!

We couldn't resist a stop at the Lego Store.

Is there any other reason to go to DTD???

This remains my favorite giant Lego creation ever:

It is pretty awesome.

Although this one is cool, too:

Arriving:

Departing:

They say a picture says 1000 words, but these 2 combine to say a heck of a lot more than that.

Coming Up Next: We stumble into a, uh, unique lunch spot. And maybe a little bit of history after all.

Wouldn't be a Captain Oblivious TR without a unique lunch spot.




And the lie is that you didn't find my long lost relative.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Congrats to Jill on being around when the post went up. I was doing some volunteer work and couldn't do my usual stalking.

Beautiful pictures of Kidani! The missus took them, I assume?

Too funny on the shirt. So, did you get any strange looks?

if you forgot to put a lie in the chapter you can use glenns line as the line.

 

[marvali]

if you forgot to put a lie in the chapter you can use glenns line as the line.

Is that the same LINE Glenn used to catch that whopper of a fish???

 

[glennbo123]

if you forgot to put a lie in the chapter you can use glenns line as the line.

I was waiting to see who would comment.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

I was waiting to see who would comment.

i wasnt going to leave that one alone.

 

[glennbo123]

if you forgot to put a lie in the chapter you can use glenns line as the line.

Is that the same LINE Glenn used to catch that whopper of a fish???

i wasnt going to leave that one alone.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

that head is totally photo shopped on there.

 

[glennbo123]

that head is totally photo shopped on there.

You're saying that because that couldn't possibly be my head on that super-muscular body?

 

[Poolrat]

that head is totally photo shopped on there.

Took the words right out of my mouth...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Amazing contrast between arriving and departing facial expressions... I am right there with them. Why can't we all just live there??

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Wargames.

Jill in CO

Griswolds

Reference to National Lampoons vacation.

America is great indeed. Imagine a country so free, one can throw glass on the streets!

Coming to America.

Jill in CO

Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria!

Ghostbusters

Jill in CO

Game over, man, game over!

Aliens

Jill in CO

That is the sound of inevitability.

The Matrix

Jill in CO

+6

Jill swoops in to clean up in this chapter!

The lie is - you didn't take out a 2nd mortgage at the World of Disney store.

Come on, I know you've shopped there before.

War games

In this sort of race, there's no silver medal for finishing second.

This Generic Winter Holiday

Happy Holidays

Jill in CO

I have never heard of this movie, and couldn't find confirmation anywhere.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

This could be the lie, no other options than delaying the inevitable as long as possible were discussed.

I would at least present the options to everyone, even if I already knew the answer.

Hmmn. How does Santa empty his wallet, looking at his notes and grabbing pins (none of which seem subtle to me) , if the kids are present? Perhaps the lie is that they were not in the store but elsewhere.

We're pretty good at tag-teaming. Either I or Mrs. Claus will take the kids one way to distract them (or help shop for the other grown-up) while the purchases are being made.

I am rather fond of rule #2 myself.

I mostly like to have the souvenirs to remind me of these trips. Ok, and maybe brag a little. But they are good conversation starters.

I hope we get to see pictures of all that Santa bought!

Hmm. I didn't think to take pictures of all the loot. I was probably too busy trying to figure out how I was going to pay off the credit card later.

Me too.

Like the cavalry, I'm riding in late in the mission. I have a lot of catching up to, but wanted to pause and say how completely brilliant your intro is! Can't wait to get started reading more about the mission. My only regret is I'm way behind on the movie quote and spot the lie games.

Pixie Princess! I'm glad to have you on board!

Thanks so much for your kind words. I see through the other responses that you've been spotting plenty of movie quotes!

Congrats to Jill on being around when the post went up. I was doing some volunteer work and couldn't do my usual stalking.

Pictures or it didn't happen!

Beautiful pictures of Kidani! The missus took them, I assume?

Hey, you know what happens when you assume. I believe these were actually mine, proving the adage about blind squirrels.

Too funny on the shirt. So, did you get any strange looks?

Mostly from the poor CM who tried to help me. When I gave her my request, she kind of looked around and said, "You know, this shirt is meant for...well..."

I just said, "Yeah, I kind of figured. My wife just asked me to check."

I'm sure she was thinking, "Yeah, sure, your wife..."

I just lucked into reading it as I was stuck on a boring conference call. I couldn't believe you guys weren't on top of it!

Jill in CO

My TR beats boring conference calls!

 

[that's nice]

Great pictures of AKL. The last day always sucks. In your case I can imagine it sucks worse since you have to drive.

You are hilarious... budget and Disney in the same sentence? BUUHHHHAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Zazu - reference to the Lion King series of movies
Darth Vader - reference to the Star Wars series of movies, or since he wasn't there to see you off, it might be a reference to one of the many options you could get during the Star Tours ride at DHS.

Darth Vader is, of course, the name of the Ankole cow who graces the savanna with his presence.

I'll give you a point for Zazu, though.

+1

The lie would be that a measly 20% off coupon would bring prices down to almost reasonable levels........

Not necessarily the lie in this chapter, but I might give you credit anyway just for making me laugh.

On to checkpoint 1! I can't tell you how much I love that you stopped at South 'of the Border! I grew up in SC and passed many a road sign for the place, and have NEVER been. I hear The Peddler Steakhouse is pretty good...food cooked over a "live charcoal fire"..how can you go wrong?

I think I can safely say that will be our one and only stop in our lifetimes.

I actually wondered about that sign. Have you ever had a dinner cooked over a dead charcoal fire? I can't imagine that would work very well.

We still have the hat sans propeller, but Dave gave it to Scotty.

I think Scotty's head is too big for it.

Who? Me?

I took some of them, but the Captain took most.....I was otherwise occupied....(read wrangling kids....)

But the pictures were worth it, though...right?

Yea! Movie quote " I don't know .. I can imagine quite a bit. " Han Solo, Star Wars, EP 4

"You can be my wingman anytime." Ice, Top Gun

Good work!

 

[jedijill]

+6

Jill swoops in to clean up in this chapter!



Come on, I know you've shopped there before.



In this sort of race, there's no silver medal for finishing second.



I have never heard of this movie, and couldn't find confirmation anywhere.

http://www.mollybeckferguson.com/gwh.html

Jill in CO