Our End-of-the-Summer Celebration! *TR LINK ADDED!!*

[wdwgirl03]

Ooh, I LOVE Tower of Terror!! I was not such a fan, at first though. Last trip, my sister and I road it about 7 times. My favorite time to ride it is at night. It makes it even more spooky!

Btw, don't you just LOVE having the low ticker?!

I know, it's just such a fun ride. I still get a little nervous right before the drops start but I love it. We've never done it at night so that might be something new to try!

And having the low ticker is awesome. So exciting!

you are not sounding like a broken record, just a very excitable person and well who could blame you really

I have to say i didn't like TOT, the themeing was great fun, and i loved all that and the ride up in the lift BUT gawd when that thing dropped and kept going back up and dropping again my poor head. I got off and felt like everything in my body was trying to escape through my brain, i hated the feeling. I don't think i'll ever give it a second chance.

Oh no, sorry you didn't like ToT! The first time I rode it we did TOT and RNRC which was not fun. I felt like I had jelly legs afterward!

So tell me more about these vinylmation things! What are they??? I've never hear dof these yet!
Dothey actually sell them at Disney?????

They're these little plastic Mickey figurines that artists design so they're all different. They have a bunch of different sets...there's 11 to a set and then what they call a chaser, so for the hard-core collectors they try to get all 12 of them. They're also like the mystery pin sets in that you don't know what you're going to get (which is the only drawback, I like to know what I'm getting). I guess they're theme park exclusive items but I just got an email last week saying you can buy them on Disney Shopping. Here's a website that describes them a little bit more:

Vinylmation

Four weeks, four weeks!

Last night as I was falling asleep I was thinking about how today makes our trip 40 days away. Then I thought of you, and it seemed like yesterday you were saying 40 days, so before I know it, I would be counting weeks! Fuzzy Disney Math for ya, anything to make the trip seem closer.

The theming of ToT always amazes me! It is SO well done. Even the queue is creepy!!!!

It's so true though, I feel like I was just counting down from 100 days and now it's only 27?! Where did the time go?!

All this talk of the TOT makes me want to ride right now! I can almost hear the music in the queue...

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Sooooo soon! I'm starting to get jealous!!

 

[Goofy22]

I know, it's just such a fun ride. I still get a little nervous right before the drops start but I love it. We've never done it at night so that might be something new to try!

And having the low ticker is awesome. So exciting!



Oh no, sorry you didn't like ToT! The first time I rode it we did TOT and RNRC which was not fun. I felt like I had jelly legs afterward!



They're these little plastic Mickey figurines that artists design so they're all different. They have a bunch of different sets...there's 11 to a set and then what they call a chaser, so for the hard-core collectors they try to get all 12 of them. They're also like the mystery pin sets in that you don't know what you're going to get (which is the only drawback, I like to know what I'm getting). I guess they're theme park exclusive items but I just got an email last week saying you can buy them on Disney Shopping. Here's a website that describes them a little bit more:

Vinylmation



It's so true though, I feel like I was just counting down from 100 days and now it's only 27?! Where did the time go?!

All this talk of the TOT makes me want to ride right now! I can almost hear the music in the queue...

Wow! Those vinyl nations are pretty neat! I have to get off here I have a cheerleading coaches meeting were getting the rest of our dance together we start practice Tuesday so i'll be super busy these last like 28 days so they should fly bye!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Sooooo soon! I'm starting to get jealous!!

I know, it's almost 3 weeks away!

Wow! Those vinyl nations are pretty neat! I have to get off here I have a cheerleading coaches meeting were getting the rest of our dance together we start practice Tuesday so i'll be super busy these last like 28 days so they should fly bye!!

Yeah, they are pretty cool. Hopefully I don't get too addicted to them though. haha!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a good weekend. My sisters and I saw David Cook on Thursday (ok, not technically the weekend but it was a lot of fun!), went to the Brewers game last night and then today I spent some time watching the Thunderbirds from our backyard. There was an air show down by the lake and since we live fairly close we could see them sometimes flying over the house! It was pretty crazy.

I can't believe it's already the end of July (wasn't it just the 4th of July?!) and Saturday is the start of August! We're only 25 days away! I still have to share some more must-dos for the Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney, and Blizzard Beach. Right now Emma and I still want to go there but we haven't decided for sure. But before I share those plans I thought I'd post some more of my favorite things!

Favorite Thing #4: The Space Mountain Dash

I always love going to the Magic Kingdom at rope drop. Usually our first stop of the day is Space Mountain (I am still really bummed it's not going to be open while we're there ) along with so many others. While we don't run ourselves, it always cracks me up at how many people feel the need to sprint ahead to be the first ones on. But I guess it's just part of the excitement and it's fun to watch everyone else as we just walk briskly. haha! So are any of you guys guilty of running to Space Mountain even though they tell you not to run???

Favorite Thing #5: Ride Photos
Over the years we've gotten some pretty good ones. We also get a kick out of looking at other people's pictures...gotta love how some people pose for them and then some reactions are PRICELESS. Especially on Dinosaur. Here's a couple of our past ride photos:

Rock 'N Roller Coaster 2003. Yes, that is me in the purple jacket and I was quite terrified. I love how everyone else has their mouth wide open.

Expedition Everest 2006

And one more favorite...don't laugh, it may sound strange but I know I am not the only one who likes it!
Favorite Thing #6: Disney Toiletries!

First of all, I have to say this is NOT my picture, I searched for it on the internet. But I can't help it each trip collecting a few of those little soap bars and shampoo bottles. They're so cute! I remember those older ones that said "Everybody neat and pretty? Then on with the show!" Aww I loved them. Oh yeah, plus they're nice to take along when we go on other vacations.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Animal Kingdom Must-dos!

I have to say that Animal Kingdom is my second favorite park next to the Magic Kingdom. I just love the animals and I think the theming is amazing. So here's the plan for when we visit AK:

Expedition Everest. I think this is now my favorite roller coaster in Disney World. We all love it!

Kilimanjaro Safaris Another one of my absolute favorites. I mean, where else can you see all those animals up close? So neat.

Dinosaur As much as this ride freaks me out (well, mainly just that huge dinosaur at the end...) I can't pass it up.

Festival of the Lion King We weren't able to do this on our last trip so now it's a must.

Primeval Whirl OK, I know a lot of people don't like this ride but we do! We usually do a lot of laughing when we ride it with all that spinning.

Rafiki's Planet Watch I did this for the first time a couple trips ago and thought it was pretty cool. Unfortunately we didn't get to spend a lot of time there so I'd like to go back again. Plus it was neat getting to see the animal houses on the train ride back there!

Kali River Rapids We'll definitely save this for our last ride of the day so we don't have to walk around soaked!

Walk around some of the animal trails

So did I forget anything? 24 days!

 

[xoktenox]

Yesss, I totally got a new appreciation for AK when we were there in April. EE is also my favorite roller coaster in WDW and Festival of the Lion King is my favorite show!

Only 24 days

 

[Goofy22]

Yesss, I totally got a new appreciation for AK when we were there in April. EE is also my favorite roller coaster in WDW and Festival of the Lion King is my favorite show!

Only 24 days

I totally agree! I love the festival of the lion king!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Yesss, I totally got a new appreciation for AK when we were there in April. EE is also my favorite roller coaster in WDW and Festival of the Lion King is my favorite show!

Only 24 days

I was the same way when we saw it for the first time in several years a couple trips ago. It really is a great show!

I totally agree! I love the festival of the lion king!

Me too! I was actually listening to the soundtrack today on my ipod. The music is amazing!

 

[tinkgurl]

I have to admit, it was so weird not riding the TTA or Space this trip. Tomorrowland was definately quieter!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I love the ride photos, this is the BEST one we have ever gotten...my DH is in the brown in the front row on the end (the big red arrow), CHECK OUT THE DUDE IN THE BLUE! LOVE IT! And the girl in the back with her hands up!

Have you had the new Disney toiletries? They are little tubes with blue shampoo and aren't quite as cute, but nicer products. I don't know if all the resorts have them...but I'm fairly certain they do!

Animal Kingdom Must-dos!

This is a GORGEOUS picture! Where were you standing when you took it? I love the waterfall and the animals in it, wow!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Sarah!

Been MIA from DIS for a wee while but all caught up now! Can't believe how quick your countdown has disappeared, not long to go now! Mine seems so far away!

Your plans for MK and Epcot sound good - just a comment on Mission Space, I totally agree with the spinny side (definately never again! ), but the non spinny side is OK, I think the green one? If you like ToT you should be OK on that. It's worth it alone to see Gary Sinese's hair if nothing else

Di x

 

[wdwgirl03]

I have to admit, it was so weird not riding the TTA or Space this trip. Tomorrowland was definately quieter!

I bet it was strange! It's really weird too because I saw that TTA is opening on Aug. 24 but Space Mtn. is still down until November.

I love the ride photos, this is the BEST one we have ever gotten...my DH is in the brown in the front row on the end (the big red arrow), CHECK OUT THE DUDE IN THE BLUE! LOVE IT! And the girl in the back with her hands up!

Have you had the new Disney toiletries? They are little tubes with blue shampoo and aren't quite as cute, but nicer products. I don't know if all the resorts have them...but I'm fairly certain they do!



This is a GORGEOUS picture! Where were you standing when you took it? I love the waterfall and the animals in it, wow!

haha, that picture is hilarious! Dinosaur has to be the ride with the best pictures. Some of them are great! We have a pretty good one too but I'm not sure if I have it on the computer. I'll have to see if I can find it...

Yep, we've gotten the new ones. I have a few of them up in the bathroom closet. It's funny how they sell full-sized versions of those!

Aww, thanks! I actually can't remember where I took it but it must've been on one of the trails around the Tree of Life. It is definitely one of my favorite pictures.

Hi Sarah!

Been MIA from DIS for a wee while but all caught up now! Can't believe how quick your countdown has disappeared, not long to go now! Mine seems so far away!

Your plans for MK and Epcot sound good - just a comment on Mission Space, I totally agree with the spinny side (definately never again! ), but the non spinny side is OK, I think the green one? If you like ToT you should be OK on that. It's worth it alone to see Gary Sinese's hair if nothing else

Di x

Hey! It is amazing how fast the time has gone (I feel like school just ended and it's almost time to go back!).

Yeah, if I did do M:S I'd definitely start out with the non-spinning one. I am curious to see what the inside of the attraction looks like.

 

[wdwgirl03]

ONLY 3 WEEKS TO GO!!!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

3 WEEKS! So crazy! You've been planning this forever so I know you must finally be feeling like it's really happening! I loooooove the Animal Kingdom! I've only done the dash for Space Mountain once when I was little and my dad made my sister and I run there with him so he wouldn't have to wait for us in line later LOL!

Ummm PS this is OT but I wanna see pics from the DCook concert!! He's coming by me the night after the Daughtry concert but NO ONE will go with me!! Grrr

 

[wdwgirl03]

3 WEEKS! So crazy! You've been planning this forever so I know you must finally be feeling like it's really happening! I loooooove the Animal Kingdom! I've only done the dash for Space Mountain once when I was little and my dad made my sister and I run there with him so he wouldn't have to wait for us in line later LOL!

Ummm PS this is OT but I wanna see pics from the DCook concert!! He's coming by me the night after the Daughtry concert but NO ONE will go with me!! Grrr

I know, it is insane how we're down to only 3 weeks. That means in a couple of days we'll be in the teens!

LOL, I've got my David Cook pics on my facebook but I'll post a few for ya! We saw Daughtry a couple years ago when he was at Summerfest...it was a pretty good show. So was DC!

 

[wdwgirl03]

OK, per request (AlohaPolynesian )and because I know you're all dying to see them, here's a few pictures from the David Cook concert my sisters and I went to last Thursday. He was at the Washington County Fair since I guess he wants to play smaller venues. It was a great show! I'm not saying I hated DC on American Idol but I think I like him a lot more now. He really is a good entertainer.

DC playing baseball before the show. He threw a ball over to where a few people were watching and this one crazy girl literally jumped all over it so she could throw it back to him.

My sisters signing a beach ball someone brought for him.

And their messages:

The opening act was Green River Ordinance...they were actually pretty good.

Crowd shot

Right before David Cook came on this huge group of people felt it would be OK to get out of their seats and stand in between the two sections of chairs they had set up. I think I yelled something out like "are you guys planning on standing there the whole time?" to which my sister told me to shut up . Thankfully a security guard came and kicked them out and everyone started clapping. haha!

Anyways...more pictures of DC!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Happy last day of July!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the start of August. This summer has gone by way too fast. The State Fair starts next week and to me that's kind of the beginning of the end of summer! Though it's going to be exciting being able to say we're going to Disney World this month.

As of yet we still need to get our tickets (supposedly there are rumors the prices are going up Aug. 2). Since we're so close to the actual trip we'll probably just pick them up at will call when we get there.

Oh yes, the countdown today is 20 days! Time for another trip down memory lane...

Magical Memory #9
This happened back on our trip in January of 2008. It was the year when I swear it was colder in Florida than it was back at home. Anyways, it was our last full day at the parks so we were at Animal Kingdom. We were hanging around Camp Minnie Mickey meeting characters and waiting for the Festival of the Lion King. Mom was sitting on a bench and I decided the character lines were too long so I went to find her. So while we were waiting, one of the cast members came up to us and we started talking. She asked us if we were planning on seeing the parade but we told her no since we still wanted to see FOTLK. Well, then she asked us if we wanted to be IN the parade. Dad and my sisters were still off somewhere so I went to find them. We couldn't turn down that offer! The CM then told us to meet her near Kilimanjaro Safaris so we could get in "costume." I was so excited!

We hung around the park for a little while and then made our way over to Kilimanjaro Safaris where we met the CM as well as the other families who were going to be riding in the parade. We got some instructions, like not to take pictures of the backstage area and which float we'd be riding on. We got to ride on the last vehicle with Mickey!! Then we got our costumes...it was still the Christmas version so we had to wear these red vests and Christmas tree hats. Finally we got up to Mickey's truck and were ready to roll! All the other CMs in the parade were so nice and it seemed like they were pretty excited for us. As we made our way onto the parade route, the CM took our picture (sadly, I think my mom threw out the camera before we got those pictures developed ).

We all had so much fun riding along and waving to the crowd. And we definitely had that song stuck in our heads for a while afterward. But it was a great way to end our trip and I got to live out one of my Disney dreams of getting to be in a parade!

Here's a couple of pictures I took from the parade route...
There was another couple who rode on the float too...you can kind of see what our outfits looked like!

 

[OhMari]

Seriously, our paths are bound to cross one of these days.
We were at the Washington County Fair Sat. nite.
We saw the Steve Miller Band.

Me and Callie will be in Milwaukee tomorrow,
meeting up with Cassie.
We are going shopping, hopefully Southridge,
Mayfair scares the begeebies out of me.
Bayshore is fun, but the parking stinks.
I would love to go down to Kenosha,
Outlets, but the road
construction stinks.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Seriously, our paths are bound to cross one of these days.
We were at the Washington County Fair Sat. nite.
We saw the Steve Miller Band.

Me and Callie will be in Milwaukee tomorrow,
meeting up with Cassie.
We are going shopping, hopefully Southridge,
Mayfair scares the begeebies out of me.
Bayshore is fun, but the parking stinks.
I would love to go down to Kenosha,
Outlets, but the road
construction stinks.

haha, that is funny! That was the first time we'd ever gone to the Washington Co. Fair but we always go to the State Fair.

We go to Bayshore a lot but even there it can be kinda creepy now...especially late afternoon and into the evening. Just a few weeks ago I heard a high speed chase ended there. Have fun shopping!