P.O.T.C. On Stranger Rides! The Missing Chapter,,Final Thoughts,, Preview Thoughts.

[Sandy Mouse]

oh, me too...
Tawwllk amungst youselves, I'll give you a topic. Puppies vs kittens - do you declaw to even the odds? Go

Mike Meyer, Saturday Night Live. I don't remember the name of his character in this skit... Linda something, based on his mother-in-law. That was always funny.

(first post using my iPhone. D_ _ _ I'm good!)

 

[Thumper_Man]

Sir, I'm not quite sure what you meant by the veterans s comment,

Well Mr. Nebo sir, let me see if I can explain it to you. It started off by me saying this.

Even though DW and I are going at the end of the year, I don't think I could be as creative as Nebo and Pkondz. So I doubt I would ever write one. Lady H has the college degree of the house. Maybe I can get her to write it.

Then you went on to say.

Now, here's the thing:
Your wife is not only intelligent, but also clever and sarcastic.
Ok, you said you don't want to do a report yourself, but I truly think Lady H is up for the task.
And,,,, I really, REALLY want to read a trip report from DisenyWorld Veterans now doing a report from DisneyLand!
Both of us are dying to go there to compare, and I cannot believe there aren't reports doing exactly what I just mentioned!

So if you are going in August, it would work out great if you can tell us anything about it, we hope to go in August or September of '13.

What do you say Lady H? Sound good?
You could fulfill my feeble fantasy about learning more about Disneyland, and you just know that Ponzi and I will not leave you,,, um,,, neglected?

Now notice the emphasis I put on Disney World Veterans. I felt like you were calling us Disney World Veterans wanting Lady H to do a DL trip report. Trying to butter her up some, since I said I wouldn't do it. Making her feel good. Giving Lady H a nudge in the right direction as if saying "Hey Lady H, we know you want to do one" nudge nudge, wink wink.

So at this point I said to myself, "I'm not a WDW veteran." I don't know if Lady H considers herself a WDW Veteran, but that Nebo sure is making her feel like she is. To me, a WDW veteran is someone who has been to WDW at least 5 times or more in their life. Has stayed/lived on site at a least a good 6 months on their trips (remind you of anyone we know ). Can walk around WDW BLIND-folded and still get where they need to go, because they already know the way. Knows all the best places to eat, watch the night time shows and can still manage to sneak in liquor without getting caught. I am by no means a WDW veteran.

So naturally I replied.

That would be interesting, considering we're not WDW veterans yet. Master the World we must, yes.

So that there Mr. Nebo is what I meant about not being a WDW Veteran. I feel like I don't meet the necessary criteria to be a WDW veteran. We only have 2 trips to WDW under our belt and are still learning more and more about WDW. Remember who you're talking to. We are the couple who has yet to stay on-site at WDW. This will only be our 3rd trip to WDW this year. And it will be AFTER we do DL. If Lady H decides she wants to try a DL trip (you know I'll help along the way), we will try to compare apples to apples though. Which Splash Mountain was better. If we liked the Rainforest better at DTD in DL than the one at AK. Stuff like that.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Ok. After all that said, I've read many threads where people try to compare WDW to DL. WDW to Universal Studios, on and on. It's always a big debate. You have the faithful DL fans defending their parks and why it's better than WDW, and vice-versa; the WDW fans defending their parks and why its the best. The fun ones are when WDW fans try to compare to US. My perception is, no park is going to be the same. Everyone's experience is going to be different.

If you go in with an open mind, you will have fun. If you go in trying to compare one to the other, you will have a miserable time; because that's all you're going to do the whole trip. Especially if your mind is dead set that WDW is greatest place on earth. You will spend your entire trip trying to find each fault at DL that's not at WDW. "Did you see the way that CM just looked at me? They would never look at me like that at WDW." "Can you believe the lines to get into DL? They're never this bad at MK." "Can you believe you can only make ADR's 60 days out to DL. You can make them 180 days out at WDW." This last one is true by the way. I called DL the other to make ADR's for Steakhouse 55. They said they only accept ADR's 60 days out.

Only reason I'm actually posting is to mainly say, that's probably why you don't see any TR's comparing DL to WDW. Most people prefer one to the other and most always look for the bad instead of just having fun, and appreciating their at Disney. And please everyone, let's not end Nebo's TR on a DL vs. WDW debate. I'm just stating what I've seen here on the Dis.

 

[cjlvsccm]

Thanks y'all! Nebo & Smidgy, it's always terrific fun reading your trip reports. And loads of with all the comments from the peanut gallery.

for all the hard times you went through on that trip. Looking forward to your next adventure, may it be smooth and awesome!!

And a to remember Grandaddy!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Oh no! It can't be over already! But, but...I just got back from the Princess Half marathon, and I need something to keep me smiling!

Good thing I've only read the first TR, I have a pile to enjoy until your next one!

That last chapter scared me, the tire would have done me in! Great job, Nebo!

And can I just stay that having tried to relax one afternoon at the main pool at ASMo, I now understand the relentless, insidious nature of the yellow jacket, and the impossibility of ignoring them?

It has been such a pleasure to go along on your trip, Thank You and all the great commentators. I'll be keeping my eye out for future Nebo & Smidgy fun!

Maria

 

[KRIS10420]

Ok. After all that said, I've read many threads where people try to compare WDW to DL. WDW to Universal Studios, on and on. It's always a big debate. You have the faithful DL fans defending their parks and why it's better than WDW, and vice-versa; the WDW fans defending their parks and why its the best. The fun ones are when WDW fans try to compare to US. My perception is, no park is going to be the same. Everyone's experience is going to be different.

If you go in with an open mind, you will have fun. If you go in trying to compare one to the other, you will have a miserable time; because that's all you're going to do the whole trip. Especially if your mind is dead set that WDW is greatest place on earth. You will spend your entire trip trying to find each fault at DL that's not at WDW. "Did you see the way that CM just looked at me? They would never look at me like that at WDW." "Can you believe the lines to get into DL? They're never this bad at MK." "Can you believe you can only make ADR's 60 days out to DL. You can make them 180 days out at WDW." This last one is true by the way. I called DL the other to make ADR's for Steakhouse 55. They said they only accept ADR's 60 days out.

Only reason I'm actually posting is to mainly say, that's probably why you don't see any TR's comparing DL to WDW. Most people prefer one to the other and most always look for the bad instead of just having fun, and appreciating their at Disney. And please everyone, let's not end Nebo's TR on a DL vs. WDW debate. I'm just stating what I've seen here on the Dis.

Well said!!

 

[nebo]

I'm glad you all made it through the tire blowing out. It's unreal how many things went wrong on this trip! I've loved reading this trip report, and I'll be looking forward to hearing about your trip with Jackson. He's adorable and I bet he'll bring a bit of good luck on the next trip. Things can't go wrong with a grandkid around, right?

Thanks Kate, it's going to be strange going ffror our April trip when we keep talking about going with Jackson in August, and I k now the April trip is going to sneak up on me, like I should have started buying the little bottles by now, couple at a time, couple at a time, otherwise you feel really stupid going up to the counter and saying ""Uh, Yeah,,, I need 15 little bottles of Smirnoff, and ten little bottles of Early Times,,, and uh, what have you got in a Rum back there?"
Let me restate one thing, if you're in Epcot and have a silly mind to spend the nine bucks for a fancy combo Margarita in Mexico's Pavillion, adding a single little bottle of rum to that otherwise almost alcohol free drink is a must!
Now it's worth it.

Thanks Thumper Man for the well wishes for DS! He is feeling better.

Nebo, you are right, I was looking forward to trying to outlast MK, but it will have to be another time. After you shared your scary no sleep story, I was a little afraid I might fall off the ferryboat or have a sleep induced psychotic break where I saw the evil clown from IASW jump from the hot air balloon and attack me. Yikes! I just wanted to see if I still had it in me to voluntarily stay up all night. It's been awhile, probably during college. But DS has been snuggly and cuddly, which at 6 is becoming more rare, so it's been nice to be with him. I think I need to soak this up because before I blink he will be "grown and gone".



I was so sad to hear about Davy Jones today. I love "Day Dream Believer" and "I'm a Believer" and "Last Train to Clarksville". I like listening to "oldies" music. I was hoping to catch him at a Flower Power concert one of these years.

Thanks for taking the time to share with us Nebo. I'm hoping and praying for a mini report for late April/May! I'm a bit of a Nebo TR junkie, but I do appear to have a bit of company in these here parts!

DeeDee

I really hate that about Davey, I went from geing totally ambivalent towards him to really liking him from the short little concerts at Epcot, now every time I look at the American Gardens Theatre I'm going to think of him and "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha"
Oh, buzz, where are you staying again in August?
And, OH! We have a name now, Diane had a Dee Dee as one of her bridesmaids for our wedding.

The first one.

This Dee Dee is the one that used to do "Murder Mystery Parties", and when she'd make up a new storyline she'd get a bunch of us try it out first. One time The local newspaper, The Northwest Herald sent a reporter and phototgrapher to cover it, then next day there was ONE picture posted in the newspaper, of a dead Nebo!
Actually,,, "Albert Hopps", the very alcoholic ex-banker.

Can you imagine casting me as an alcoholic? What could she have been thinking? But I had a gas that night, spilling drinks on the reporter, acting like a complete, arrogant craphead and putting everybody down, well at least it was fun until I was shot.

That would be interesting, considering we're not WDW veterans yet. Master the World we must, yes.

If we don't do a TR though, we'll send you a pm and let you know about DL. I can even give you my email address so we can talk about it easier if you like.

Yeah, I don't want anything to do with "which is better" thing,, Grand Bob sent a link to a thread talking about if "World" people would like the "Land". I think it's by a guy named Hydroguy and I read a lot of it.
I learned something amazing there, Disneyland and Cal. Adventure have 94% or so of all the rides and attractions in all of DisneyWorld!
You just don't walk as far to get ot them out by the left coast.
And I still think you and your wife would write a really fun trip report, you don't need to be "veterans" to be fun.

Never underestimate the power of ninja kitty!

Shawn, there is a daily comic strip in the Chicago SunTimes named, "One Big Happy".
And in it there's a recurring character that shows up for a week or so every couple of months: Ninja kitty that lives under a parked car and terrifies kids, dogs, and anything else that wanders too close to the car.

 

[nebo]

Thanks y'all! Nebo & Smidgy, it's always terrific fun reading your trip reports. And loads of with all the comments from the peanut gallery.

Yeah, this gallery has some great nuts in it allright!

for all the hard times you went through on that trip. Looking forward to your next adventure, may it be smooth and awesome!!

And a to remember Grandaddy!

Thank you veddy much, Roll Tide!

Oh no! It can't be over already! But, but...I just got back from the Princess Half marathon, and I need something to keep me smiling!

I'm not familiar with that, did you dress up as Jasmine and then have to go and run for 26 miles?

Good thing I've only read the first TR, I have a pile to enjoy until your next one!



And can I just stay that having tried to relax one afternoon at the main pool at ASMo, I now understand the relentless, insidious nature of the yellow jacket, and the impossibility of ignoring them?

It has been such a pleasure to go along on your trip, Thank You and all the great commentators. I'll be keeping my eye out for future Nebo & Smidgy fun!

Maria

You read the first report? Isn't that funny?
That trip started at Universal for 4 days, although admittedly I left most of that part our because I wasn't sure about the rules and if I could post much about Universal or not. But then it went to 3 days at FQ, then 4 days at WL, then 3 more days at Pop Century.
We saw 3 different bands that trip I'm pretty sure, at Epcot, and from start to finish, I believe the entire report was all of 16 pages!
I had no idea what I was doing back then, my chapters were like Cliff Notes from a Reader's Digest Version from Twitter!
If you read them real fast you could actually go back in time!
Then there was the fact I had maybe 3 readers, with me and Smidgy making up two of them!

"Smidgy and the Grump" ended very abruptly also, our 12 year old computer on dial up had had it by then,,, and it was always crashing in the middle of a chapter, it was all I could do to sum things up there and finish it.

Ok. After all that said, I've read many threads where people try to compare WDW to DL. WDW to Universal Studios, on and on. It's always a big debate. You have the faithful DL fans defending their parks and why it's better than WDW, and vice-versa; the WDW fans defending their parks and why its the best. The fun ones are when WDW fans try to compare to US. My perception is, no park is going to be the same. Everyone's experience is going to be different.


Only reason I'm actually posting is to mainly say, that's probably why you don't see any TR's comparing DL to WDW. Most people prefer one to the other and most always look for the bad instead of just having fun, and appreciating their at Disney. And please everyone, let's not end Nebo's TR on a DL vs. WDW debate. I'm just stating what I've seen here on the Dis.

I would also give just about anything to be able to see ALL the Disney parks, not for head to head, which one is better comparisons, but to just be able to appreciate any little and subtle changes or differences in the same rides.
for example, I've heard that in "Land", on Space Mountain you sit side be side instead of single file,,,, and Indy Jones is teh same as Dinosaur but with a different plot line, that right there is enough to hook me, I'm dying to see Disneyland now,,,, and OH, a new a different type of nightime show.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Yeah, I don't want anything to do with "which is better" thing,, Grand Bob sent a link to a thread talking about if "World" people would like the "Land". I think it's by a guy named Hydroguy and I read a lot of it.
I learned something amazing there, Disneyland and Cal. Adventure have 94% or so of all the rides and attractions in all of DisneyWorld!
You just don't walk as far to get ot them out by the left coast.
And I still think you and your wife would write a really fun trip report, you don't need to be "veterans" to be fun.

Yeah, I caught the "Better Than" after I posted. Didn't have a chance to go back and edit. For sure it wouldn't be a "Better Than" TR. More like, "I have to walk 7,920 ft. to get to Splash Mountain at MK. At DL I only needed to 2,640 ft. to get to Splash Mountain. Man what a difference." Or "I took the bus to CA and wouldn't you know, it dropped me off right at the front like it does at DHS." That type of stuff. If I did a "Better Than" TR, then I'm contradicting what I wrote in my latter post. To go with an open mind. Which is what we plan on doing.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Shawn, there is a daily comic strip in the Chicago SunTimes named, "One Big Happy".
And in it there's a recurring character that shows up for a week or so every couple of months: Ninja kitty that lives under a parked car and terrifies kids, dogs, and anything else that wanders too close to the car.

 

[pkondz]

Just popping in for a quick second. I'll have to go back a page or three and re-read everything since I've only skimmed. But sometimes you just have things that have to get done and you can't take the time to read everything, you know?

Anyway, let's see here... Ah! Here it is:

He now has a look of shock and awe on his face, he wouldn't have been more impressed if I had parted the Seven Seas Lagoon so the tourists could reach the Promised Parking Lot.

It took me a while to track it down, but I have a buddy who works at the TTC and he told me about this picture he had snapped a few months ago of something he saw. It was a picture of something a little odd with the Seven Seas Lagoon. When Nebo mentioned it (in the above quote) it reminded me of the picture. He sent it to me but then I couldn't remember where I put it.

Finally found it.

Anyway, here it is. See if you notice anything odd about the lagoon.

 

[buzz1121]

I want to go to Disneyland too! I want to go when they decorate IASW for the holidays and dress HM with a Jack Skellington theme. Heck, I really just want to go anytime I can get there.

Yep, I mentioned I had to give up my name before August. So, the interesting thing about the name is that it is not a nickname for me, it's actually my real, on the birth certificate name. I remember in kindergarten everyone wanted to spell and have my name, hey it's mastery of only two letters D and e. I consider myself lucky in the naming department with my parents. My younger sister has the same name as a beloved Irish setter they had when they married. Talk about easy to tease, yeesh!

Nebo, I can't imagine who in the world would cast you of all people as a wisecracking alcoholic! I mean really!

So we are staying at the WL in August. I booked with a 35% bounce back in December, but having just cancelled my quickie trip to WDW due to the evil strep throat pox, I'm going to give you one guess as to what I have already done. Insert Jeopardy theme here. Yep, I added a few days to the front end of the August trip. The bounce back won't cover the added dates, but I am hoping there will be an AP room only rate at some point. We will be in the World from August 1st - August 11th. I'm crossing my fingers that the Brazilian tour groups will be gone, but I'm willing to risk it for a few extra days.

You guys are at Pop, right?

What concerts are you planning to catch on your April/May trip?

Oh yeah, when you get a chance, I PMed you and Smidgy. Will you check to make sure you got it?

 

[smidgy]

that is JUST the BEST!!!!!!! I can't believe how hilarious that is!!!how the heck do you DO that?

if I could figure out how to print pictures out, I would put together a collage of all of your nebo photshopped shots.
youa re a true genius!!!

 

[Mac Brew]

Helo Nebo I have been a lurker for many a year on the dis reports sight. Reading all of your reports through the last few years. You have finaly suceeded in getting myself to register with the dis I had to do this just to stop the guilt of enjoying your trip reports and never telling your self or smidgly As you can proably tell I spell things the english way which is slightly diferant to the spelling in the states Its not wrong just differant. My condolaces for both your loss.


2004 C b. 2006 WL, 2008,WL, 2010, WL Oct 2012 wl

 

[McDisney]

Anyway, let's see here... Ah! Here it is:



It took me a while to track it down, but I have a buddy who works at the TTC and he told me about this picture he had snapped a few months ago of something he saw. It was a picture of something a little odd with the Seven Seas Lagoon. When Nebo mentioned it (in the above quote) it reminded me of the picture. He sent it to me but then I couldn't remember where I put it.

Finally found it.

Anyway, here it is. See if you notice anything odd about the lagoon.

 

[jakeybake]

just popping in for a quick second. I'll have to go back a page or three and re-read everything since i've only skimmed. But sometimes you just have things that have to get done and you can't take the time to read everything, you know?

Anyway, let's see here... Ah! Here it is:



It took me a while to track it down, but i have a buddy who works at the ttc and he told me about this picture he had snapped a few months ago of something he saw. It was a picture of something a little odd with the seven seas lagoon. When nebo mentioned it (in the above quote) it reminded me of the picture. He sent it to me but then i couldn't remember where i put it.

Finally found it.

Anyway, here it is. See if you notice anything odd about the lagoon.

awesome!!!!

 

[Thumper_Man]

You sir are the master of Photoshop.

 

[pkondz]

that is JUST the BEST!!!!!!! I can't believe how hilarious that is!!!how the heck do you DO that?

if I could figure out how to print pictures out, I would put together a collage of all of your nebo photshopped shots.
youa re a true genius!!!

awesome!!!!

Thanks everyone!

Smidgy, if you want I can send you a better copy. Nebo still hasn't PMd me your mailing address for his postcard. PM me and I'll mail you a copy.

Off to read the last few pages now.

 

[pkondz]

Hey, what's everybody doing 28 years from now?

Looks like we could have a Hot Fudge Sundae that may fall on a Tuesday. (Ponzi knows what i mean)

It's from the book Lucifer's Hammer, about a comet hitting the earth.

Well there is now a huge asteroid on a possible collision course with the earth, that would be in 2040, they'll knnow more in a few more years, it was just discovered in January,,,it's name is 2011 AG5 I think.
Disney said they aren't taking any ADR's for Le Cellier for that date until they know for sure.

Guess those Mayans were a little off with their calendar.

Hamner-Brown

Great dissection Pkondz! I sure am going to miss you guys!

Thanks!

Alas, I would be at Disney right now, but DS is sick with strep throat, so we will have to live on the edge and survive MK for 24 hous another time. I couldn't leave with DS being sick.

Sorry to hear about your little guy being sick. I already know from my previous skim through that he's doing better. I like that you're already planning on being back in four years. Now that's planning ahead!

 

[pkondz]

It went by fast, didn't it?

40 chapters.

Geesh!

Looks like you just wrote a book there, mister. Guess that makes you an author... an unpaid author, but an author.

I'm sure you can also believe that I changed my mind about ten times on whether or not to even do a report, with Diane's daddy passing away, the whole idea seemed insensitive to me.
But it gave us then a chance or opportunity to talk about him as well.

People say that it's always best to talk about things and not keep them inside. I suspect that this TR may have been a little bit cathartic for you both, too. Hope so, anyway.

And of course, their were just too many strange and odd things that happened that ,,even though they made for a crappy trip, when it came to writing about them they were
Trip Report Gold!

Oh really? What were they?

I'm kidding! I"M KIDDING!!!

sheesh.

I want to thank the Splash Monster, Crabby Hall Lady and of course, the Yellow Jackets.
And naturally, metaphorically speaking, the Beast.

Tamed. Atta boy, neebs.


Am I the first to call you that? If I am, stick a © on it.

He got and replaced the tire the next day.

Did you ever get a good explanation for the valve stem issue?

"So, your telling me that the catalytic converter with the 8 year warranty expired 7 months ago?"

Of course it did. I swear, anything with a warranty comes equiped with an internal hidden clock that causes catastrophic failure as soon as the warranty expires.

Concerning where we stayed, which did I like better?
Animal Kingdom Lodge or Bay Lake Towers, my choice would definately be,,,

The Caribbean Beach Resort.

I'm really surprised! I guess you just assume that a deluxe would be so much better then a mod. But I do agree with you that the exterior corridors, while sounding 'cheaper' is actually better, given the climate. I love the idea of stepping out of my room and I'm immediately outside. Maybe that makes it feel more like a home than the apartment style deluxes?

What I/we, really regret, is that our friends with the DVC points , well, the points really arent' good for the mods or values,they aren't available for the values, and they cost a TON of points to stay in any of the mods, not sure why, you can stay in Beach Club Villas cheaper than French Quarter.

That's just weird... Or
The bulk of Disney guests will generally stay at Values or Mods resulting in those resorts being filled. The deluxes, without the DVC and few people who can afford them, sit empty. It's a theory.

One thing I sure hope you all realize,
is just how appreciative I am, and have been, on all of your help and contributions to this thread. I really
considered it to be a joing effort on all our parts, and that's
what made it a success in the long run.

Check. Sucking up so we don't abandon you on your next TR.

Oh, look! Thumper and Backstage Gal and Buzz and... okay, everybody are gathering outside my door armed with torches and pickforks. I wonder if we're all going for a picnic?

But you all know who you are

who who, who who?
I woke up in a Disney doorway
A CM knew my name
He said, "You can go and ride Big Thunder
If you can get a fastpass today"

and I'm hoping you will just eaccept my love and appreciation for your time, both reading and posting.

You know, from this and from skimming posts farther up, I thought to myself, "We've got a really great group of people who genuinely seem to care for each other. That's pretty rare. And pretty wonderful."

But then I thought, "Maybe there's been enough sharing on everybody's part, and everybody already knows how they feel, etc..."

So I decided to go this way instead.

"I love you man."
"No, man. I love you, man."
"No, you don't understand. I love you man."
"No, wait. I do, I really, love you man. Really."
"Yeah, me too. Except, you know what?
"What, man?"
"I love you man."

Keep repeating until one or both fall down.

when I come up with a dumb line or joke, or a pun bad enough that I just know Ponzi is gonna cringe for sure.

Nah.

Well. Maybe a little.

This may sound maudling, but I don't care:
We never know when someone's last day will be, so love
them with all you've got, and let them know it. Even if you're not the
demonstrative type, tell them anyway. They may be embarrassed, or you may be, at the time, but when they are laying in bed that night they just might remember,,,
and smile.

Sigh. I know that... but do many people actually ever do it? I do try once in a while to remember that... but...

We lost Grand-daddy while we were gone this trip, and now we
are starting over with Jackson in August, and these pictures from last year just seems so fitting:

Very nice pics. And yes, there certainly is a resemblance to Smidgy there, as was already mentioned.

Well, once again, my brain has gone numb, I guess there's nothing left to say that hasn't been said.
And you know what?
I'm already dreading having to come up with a name for the next trip report!
Yep, true story, I just hate that part cuz it's so important,
at least to me.

Action Jackson takes on the World and rescues two old coots.

but do me a favor tonight, say a prayer, and mention Diane's dad in it, or better yet, refer to him as Granddaddy, we did miss the funeral, and this talking about him has helped.
And please, don't forget to tell him where you got it!

smidgy and nebo...... steve and diane,,, hugs

Consider it done.