Return to the Scene of the Crime: The Lurkyloos’ First Anniversary at WDW! New VIDEO!

[romymichelle21]

Which 'country' were they in? I think they're glass too - I just thought, "Ok, they have to be something more than just cool looking glass poking sticks, if they're in the middle of a gift shop."

But who knows? Maybe other people are like us and buy them anyway!

I will absolutely buy some (someday) when I go to Epcot. You just watch. I'll even get you one - which color do you want?

We need to petition DCA to add those guys! And, wouldn't you know, every time I mention it - Will rolls his eyes and goes, "They have to be here somewhere", but even he can never find them. Boys are nerds.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

DH’s family enjoys the (German?) Christmas tradition of hiding a pickle ornament on the tree and competing to see who can find it first. I wonder if the Germans started the tradition using real pickles, but then had to switch to fake because the smell was a dead giveaway....

I found the pickle!

Now I have to hijack! I love that you put (German?) in your description...

I live in Germany and I've never seen an actual pickle (except at the Commissary, which is our American grocery store)! You get cucumber slices on your hamburgers if you ask for that sort of thing...not the pickled kind! So I think it's funny we perpetuate this pickle story! All the shop attendants in the Germany Pavilion are probably like "crazy Americans"

 

[lurkyloo]

I will absolutely buy some (someday) when I go to Epcot. You just watch. I'll even get you one - which color do you want?

Oooh! Ooh! I want that clearish turquoise one! Also, I will totally sign your petition....

So I asked DH, and he says they were used by a craftsman to make little glass animals and things - he was using a torch, I guess. I have no idea where I was during all this... maybe trying to find the pickle...

Now I have to hijack! I love that you put (German?) in your description...

I live in Germany and I've never seen an actual pickle (except at the Commissary, which is our American grocery store)! You get cucumber slices on your hamburgers if you ask for that sort of thing...not the pickled kind! So I think it's funny we perpetuate this pickle story! All the shop attendants in the Germany Pavilion are probably like "crazy Americans"

Oh meine Güte! Jetzt überfallen die Deutschen meinen Reisereport! + <----- Autobahn Smiley

You got me curious, so I did a little research and turned up an in-depth examination of the myth of the German pickle: http://german.about.com/library/blgermyth11.htm

Verrrry interestink!

I feel kind of like I did back when Victoria's Secret used to tack "of London" on their name and I discovered the company is based in Columbus, Ohio!

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

LOOOVVEE the autobahn smiley! My Mom (who is German) is always trying to get me to promise NOT to drive fast on the Autobahn! Hellooo! That's the point.

I looked up that website, too! I wanted to make sure I wasn't hijacking based just on my personal experience! I try to be a responsible hijacker when at all possible (if that's possible).

I will say Germans ARE big into the glass-blown ornaments, so that kinda makes sense. Maybe the pickle was a ploy during WWII (with all that anti-teutonic sentiment floating around) to establish a long-lasting slap in the collective German face

 

[LouDisney]

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mmmm...look at this crazy cake! Reeses Pieces AND Peanut Butter Cups!

OOOHHH!!
That is heaven to me.

 

[Beka]

Another great update! Your TR makes me realize just how much of WS we've missed! I remember spending the majority of a day in the Germany pavilion, purchasing a cuckoo clock & a stein. Dad got one of those traditional German hats, the little one with the feather... No idea where that is now.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

pirates français ? Je suis un pirate irlandais qui parle français !

 

[lov2b@disney]

so enjoying your TR......

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

I am super jealous of all the French and German talk. I would love to know how to speak French. For now I have to settle with my Italian.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

prevedo questo rapporto di viaggio ogni giorno!

More! More!! I have pictures to post as a stalker er, reader!

 

[jennifaerie]

Hey, nice ponchos (and quasi-vomiting fish)!

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

prevedo questo rapporto di viaggio ogni giorno!

More! More!! I have pictures to post as a stalker er, reader!

ahh very nice!!!

 

[Mysteria]

Just caught up with your report. Very good! Now I have to go back and read your wedding/honeymoon one.

The picture at the kodak spot made me I pointed it out to my DH because that is something that we would do!

 

[aharbin88]

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mmmm...look at this crazy cake! Reeses Pieces AND Peanut Butter Cups!

<Ahem> Do I need to remind you of the required disclaimer?
So, here's what I need you to do for me. The next time you are writing a post like this one, I need you to put a disclaimer at the very beginning. One that reads:
"To all my pregnant readers out there: I will be showing you pictures of a ginormous Reese's Pieces AND Peanut Butter Cup cake which I have no power to share with you. I realize that this will send you into a hormonal meltdown, the likes of which your DH/SO/local SWAT team have never seen, so I want you to be prepared. DO NOT proceed with reading this trippie unless you are armed with a sufficient amount of Reese's Cups Easter Eggs, or have the nearest Dairy Queen on red alert. Thank you for your time."

I speak on behalf of all the DISer preggos when I say we appreciate it.
__________________

 

[irisbud]

<Ahem> Do I need to remind you of the required disclaimer?
So, here's what I need you to do for me. The next time you are writing a post like this one, I need you to put a disclaimer at the very beginning. One that reads:
"To all my pregnant readers out there: I will be showing you pictures of a ginormous Reese's Pieces AND Peanut Butter Cup cake which I have no power to share with you. I realize that this will send you into a hormonal meltdown, the likes of which your DH/SO/local SWAT team have never seen, so I want you to be prepared. DO NOT proceed with reading this trippie unless you are armed with a sufficient amount of Reese's Cups Easter Eggs, or have the nearest Dairy Queen on red alert. Thank you for your time."

I speak on behalf of all the DISer preggos when I say we appreciate it.
__________________

I can only imagine. It about sent me into a meltdown, and I'm not even pregnant

 

[lurkyloo]

LOOOVVEE the autobahn smiley! My Mom (who is German) is always trying to get me to promise NOT to drive fast on the Autobahn! Hellooo! That's the point.

You get to drive on the Autobahn?! Yeah, I think we're definitely going to have to come visit you. With a Ferrari....

OOOHHH!!
That is heaven to me.

OK, does anybody know what the inside of that cake is like? I must know! (Andrea, step away from the computer....)

Another great update! Your TR makes me realize just how much of WS we've missed! I remember spending the majority of a day in the Germany pavilion, purchasing a cuckoo clock & a stein. Dad got one of those traditional German hats, the little one with the feather... No idea where that is now.

Awww... cute! I hope you at least have pix of your dad in the hat.

so enjoying your TR......

Thank you! I love your new signature pictures!

I am super jealous of all the French and German talk. I would love to know how to speak French. For now I have to settle with my Italian.

I don't speak a word of 'em! I just have this baby in my back pocket:

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_txt



Actually, that's not true. I can say "I know nothing" in five languages.

prevedo questo rapporto di viaggio ogni giorno!

You do and you'll clean it up!

Hey, nice ponchos (and quasi-vomiting fish)!

See how much use we got outta those free ponchos you scored us at the Siemens Lounge? When we were packing for the trip, I had a choice of those or the regular WDW ones I'd bought, so of *course* I wanted to represent Siemens!

Just caught up with your report. Very good! Now I have to go back and read your wedding/honeymoon one.

Oooh! Have fun with the wedding/honeymoon one! We'll see you back here in a few months...

<Ahem> Do I need to remind you of the required disclaimer? :

My sincerest apologies, madam. I don't know how those people got in here...

I can only imagine. It about sent me into a meltdown, and I'm not even pregnant

Mmmmm..... meltdown......

 

[lurkyloo]

I started the day very fussy. My feet were bothering me and I couldn’t decide which shoes to wear and my Band-Aid Blister Blockers wouldn’t stay on. And because we were going to the Magic Kingdom we would be far from the room/car if I needed to switch shoes. That’s a lot of pressure! Then I was cranky because we had to take a bus to the MK because everyone knows it’s a total waste of time to take your car, but I hate waiting for busses. Never mind that it was a gorgeous day, the sun was shining, the temperature was mild, we had a lovely shady bus stop, and we were going to the Magic Kingdom, fer cryin’ out loud!!!

Beach Club bus stop

The bus pulled up mere moments after we got there, which I grudgingly admitted was nice. Of course the sign in the window gave me pause...

Once you can get past the utter horror of having to ride the bus, you have to admit it’s kind of nice to be dropped right at the front of the park.

“If you lived here, you’d be in the Magic Kingdom by now!”

The first thing we did after stepping off the bus was hop on a train! Well, actually, the first thing I did was pitch a fit because my blister blockers had come off two steps inside the front gate. DH, bless his heart, sat me down in a shoeshine chair under the train station, took my shoes off and helped me put on new blister blockers and the socks I’d stashed in our bag. What a sweetie!

So THEN we hopped a train, yet another thing we’d never ever do first thing in the morning at the MK in Commando Tourist mode.

I’m pretty sure we didn’t see this from the train, but it was in with the other photos, so...

After making the Grand Circle Tour of the Magic Kingdom, we decided to hit Tomorrowland and see what the big deal was with the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. We’d been once on our honeymoon and found it mildly amusing – and it was funnier than we’d expected. But upon hearing that Jennifaerie & Rob had done it eight times in a row, we had to check it out again and see what we’d been missing.

First of all, bless them for standing through the interminable wait between shows in that bland lobby.

And I love the huge signs bearing legal disclaimers about sharing your intellectual property by texting in jokes for the show. I think they must’ve been dreamed up by the same suits who decided Disneyland’s City Hall should no longer write down guest complaints because someone might sue the company for stealing an idea if the thing s/he complained about was fixed!

Even Monstropolis has lawyers

We did not have an ideal Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor experience. We got herded to the very back of the auditorium, so there was zero chance we’d be picked on to play in the game. Boooo!

After we were herded out of the Laugh Floor, I announced that it was my turn to pick the next ride so I could surprise DH and steer us toward the Tomorrowland Speedway – a ride he always seems to want to do and I never want to do. (Subconsciously I must’ve been trying to earn “Good Wife” points after callously dragging him all over WDW when he had food poisoning.) Call me crazy, but the idea of puttering along a fixed track at 4.99 MPH while sucking exhaust from the car crawling ahead of me is not my idea of a good way to spend $75 (or whatever daily admission costs these days). I get enough of that kind of frustration driving L.A.’s freeways every day!

Kinda makes me homesick!

But we’d never done the Speedway before, and at least there wasn’t a 55-minute wait in blazing summer heat to contend with. DH graciously let me drive.

“Get your motor runnin’...”

“Head out on the HIGHwaaaay...”

“Lookin’ for adventure...”

“And whatever comes OUR way...”

“BORN to be wiiiiiiiiild!”

It was fun to see what WDW’s scenery looked like compared to ours at Disneyland. And at the end, a CM offered to take our picture!
From the Speedway, it was a natural choice to hit up the Peoplemover as the next activity in our transportation-filled day.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Whooooooooooooooooooaaaa!

We got you these top-secret photos of the construction going on at the site of the former Tomorrowland Theater. They’re installing a highly-themed multi-million dollar E-Ticket ride based on an original idea that was not dreamt up by Pixar and which will completely revitalize the moribund Tomorrowland. .... Just kidding – they’re putting in a cast parking lot!

But let’s put all that out of our minds and instead focus on this:

Ooooh.... pwetty castle!

Yet another blurry shot of our beloved Progressland/EPCOT... We gotta take the Roots with us on the ride next time!

 

[lurkyloo]

Now approaching construction of yet another low-value guest experience: Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration Stage.

By the end of our Peoplemover ride we were starving, and, since we still haven’t found a good restaurant at MK, we decided to try the newly refurbished Nine Dragons at Epcot.

So our journey that day took us from a bus, to a train, to a car, to the Peoplemover and then... to the Monorail! (As Nathan said, it sounds like a children's book in the making!)


All this could have been ours...

I LOVE going to WDW in the off season!

You can’t tell, but the water was really sparkly at that hour

We’re walking, we’re walking...

We’d never eaten at Nine Dragons. Before the refurbishment, it always sounded like the kind of greasy Americanized Chinese food your grandma would drag you out for. Don’t get me wrong, I love Americanized Chinese food. But there’s the fresh, well-prepared kind and then there’s the high fructose corn syrup-drenched chunks of stringy meat served in a creepy, windowless Imperial palace-looking place in the corner of a 1980s Camarillo, CA strip mall. Hmmm. I seem to be exorcising some personal demons there....

Anyway, I was really surprised by how much I loved Nine Dragons! I loved the new spin on the traditional decor, and I thought the food was fresh, creative, and delicious. Because of that, you’ll have to endure lots of pictures.

Shutter bug

After a bad experience with a broken door lock in the old ladies’ room, I was excited to see they’d re-done the restrooms too!

Love the color scheme!

We got a nice table right by the window, where we could people-watch and gaze into the sparkly lagoon. We started with the Chicken Consomme with Pork Dumplings

Followed by the Shrimp and Taro Lollipops.

Holy crap, were these tasty! Each one was a small shrimp wrapped in taro, uh, dough and fried. They were served with a slightly sweet dipping sauce, the remainder of which I ended up dumping on my rice, it was so good.


Lunch was classic Sweet and Sour Pork (split).

One funny thing: the little boy at the table next to us had been chattering away for the whole meal, asking tons of questions and making humorously sweeping declarations about life. After they placed their order, he asks in a loud voice, “Moooom – why do you always have to get alcohol all the time? Why, mom?!” Yikes...


Toward the end of the meal, DH started to get antsy cuz I’d told him he could go play with the stick thingies in at the cart in front of China only after we ate. As we were waiting for the bill, he was like, “Um, I could go ahead and check out the stick thingies while you pay. Oh wait – but I want you to be there to watch me do the stick thingies...” It was really cute.

At last!

I also tried to get a pic of the sparkly water, but you still can’t really tell.

Believe me, it was like Tinkerbell threw up in there!

More to come....

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

MMm..I had the sweet and sour at 9 Dragons that weekend..yummY!

 

[inkedupmomma]

I have just got this lovely image of Tink puking her glittery guts out lol Great update! I agree about it being a waste to drive to mk...but it still seemed better for us with the double stroller and sleepy kids! I often wonder what WDW would be like with out my lovelies!