The world has gone back to being white again, but it's still good to be back home. It's nice to sit at the computer without someone sitting behind me wishing I would leave so they can check their email!
Just catching up and loving your report. I especially enjoyed the mexican beach gnats description, as I am an american who did not bargain well on the beach last year. Oh well, it was vacation.
And you have such a way with words. I can understand detroitdads feelings about the inside jokes, because I too do not have as much time as I would like to spend here on the boards, and you are so eloquent and make everyone feel good. Even if you might need to use a time out once in a while.
You are awesome. Hope your vacation is wonderful.

mikamah: I hope you had a great time in Mexico despite the fact that the vendors got the better end of the bargain. I think tourists seldom come out ahead, so you have plenty of company on that! You had me laughing about the time out because it took me a minute to remember the incident you were referring to! Yes, that was funny. Since I feel I know the party I put in the time out chair, it was all in good fun, and I think we all had a great laugh over it.
Yay! I'm first! Now I have to go read it. LOL!
Kay! That's why it's Maelstrom....is a FASTPASS????????????
It's not so bad in and of itself...but the fact that after it's finally over you're STUCK waiting to go into/through(please don't STAY for the movie!) the theater.
Great episode!

MommyPoppins: And speaking of the Time Out Culprit, here she is! And behaving very well, I might add. No more pork jerky for MommyPoppins.
The movie shows some very awesome scenery, but of course you only want to watch the movie once or twice, not every time you go on the ride, so its too bad they designed the attraction so that you must walk through the movie when you finish. We watch it this time since I think we only saw the movie once before, and it was filmed during the era when I visited Norway.
My work is done, do I still have to post.....

NAB: Yes, NAB, you cant sneak off now. You did a good job, though, keeping my report from languishing in obscurity on page 2 or 3 while I was on vacation, so thanks again. I am sorry there werent a host of new readers helping you with that task, or at least more of my faithful readers posting more, but I probably drove everyone away by telling them in advance I wouldnt be around.
Thank You for taking us Fjording, Kay!
Did you see the hidden mickey on the viking on the mural in the loading area?
Did you stay for the movie, or walk through? I stayed once. I walk through now.
How FUNNY they played Country Western music in Norvay!
I cant wait for the pictures!

UMA: No, I didnt see the hidden Mickey. Rats! Now I have to go back! Ooops, I think maybe the word RATS! Is like a swear word when used in Mouse Country.

Sorry, Mickey!
Picture? You want pictures of Norvay? Or my more recent trip? I didnt find any hidden Mickeys in Hilton Head, but to keep things on the Disney theme, we did stop over at the Disney DVC resort in Hilton Head and we took some photos there. We stayed there on our last trip to Hilton Head, but I didnt own a digital camera then. This time we stayed at the Marriott Grande Ocean, which is also a timeshare resort, but its right on the ocean, whereas Disneys is on Broad Creek and the marshlands (also very scenic).
Ok has anyone actually seen someone using the FP on Maelstrom? Are the FP kiosks even open?
I would consider Maelstrom a take it or leave it ride.
Keep up the good writing Kay!

Maine-iac: Im glad someone else answered your question, because I, too, find it hard to believe that this ride ever has enough demand to require a Fast Pass. Apparently, the answer is yes, though.
Why yes, yes I have

I have photographic evidence, even.
Kay!!! You forgot to put *spoiler* in your title!!!!

HaleyB: Good to see you, and thanks for the answer to Maine-iacs question. As for the Spoiler notation, yes, youre right, although all of my ride reviews up to this point have been spoilers to some degree, and in the case of Maelstrom, I think it would be pretty difficult to find much to spoil!

(Sorry Maelstrom fans!)
Kay, you are killing me
But Maelstrom IS a Fastpass!

Backstage_Gal: I will let you argue this opinion with Vidar and Thor!
QUOTE=Minnie_Moo;17374496]"What's in your wallet?"
Yes, I had the misfortune to wait a half hour to ride Maelstrom back in May whilst people bearing fastpasses were able to directly board the Viking ships [/QUOTE]

Minnie_Moo: And here is yet another witness to the fact that Fast Passes are sometimes required. And whats more, you even admit to waiting a half hour for this ride. Absolutely shocking! I see that this ride really does have a loyal following. Or maybe you only waited in hopes of getting some fresh baked Viking brownies. YUM!
"Country Pirate Jamboree"----or could it be "Country Viking Jamboree"--that show you saw in Bergen?
My grown-up boys and I love to ride Maelstrom (now you know my guilty secret) just so we can lean over and say "You are not da first to pass dis vay" to each other just before the viking voice says it. I did that to my husband(Mr. Un-Disney) on our 25th anniversary trip in December. He admitted that he had never ridden on Maelstrom, and could we possibly get a fastpass and ride it? (What he actually said was "I've never been on that Norway ride--I would be willing to do that.") I said the line, then the "voice" said the line, and he looked at me in amazement with a look that clearly said "You must be psychic!" (Or possibly "I can't believe you are such a dork that you have the lines on the rides memorized.")
Bringing back great memories! Keep the story coming.

Hey, a new reader! Hello and welcome! Thanks for sharing your story. I loved that! I can just see you intoning, "You are not da first to pass dis vay" and the look on Mr. Un-Disneys face. What a riot!
You really got me on the County Viking Jamboree idea. Youre so right. It would have been more appropriate with Vikings than Pirates. Maybe Disney can give that a try and see if its more popular than the version with the bears: Country Music Viking Jamboree. I like it! The show I watched in Norway would have been funnier if they had been wearing mixer bowl helmets with horns instead of jeans and plaid flannel shirts!
Okay, now the pictures Im including are because the ones I posted from my actual Disney trip are so distant that no one could really see Lowell, and mine was pretty far away, too. I have a close-up of Lowell at HDDR that comes later in the report. So, these are not from Disney (Shhhhhhh! Dont tell anyone else, and this will be our little secret.) BTW: the foyer in this condo was about the size of our entire room at the Wilderness Lodge. Remember, Ive told you a million times, I dont exaggerate! The photo of Lowell is the classic "Lowell on the couch with the TV remote while I'm busy unpacking" photo!