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

[lurkyloo]

(insert smiley with exploding stomach).

That smiley would RULE!!! Whom do we petition to get it added to the DIS?

i confess, I thought Mickey shaped waffle baby

(insert smiley with exploding stomach)

 

[lurkyloo]

DH really wanted to see the puppets in the Nemo show at Animal Kingdom, and we were running out of time to schedule it into our trip. I have absolutely zero interest in any stage show at WDW, but I knew how much it meant to DH and thought maybe I could earn a few more Good Wife points by making time in the schedule for us to see it. It turned out that there was a showing that afternoon, but by the time we got back to our room, we had less than half an hour til it started, and our car was in the parking lot at Epcot!

We dropped our edible loot at the room (this may be how Tink’s wing was broken), dashed down the secret path to the International Gateway and booked it through the park to where Clementine was in the lot. Fortunately, since we’d arrived so early for the Segway tour, she was in the first row.

I decided that I should drop DH off so he could run ahead and get seats, so I jumped behind the wheel and put my foot to the floor. Clementine roared to life, accelerating from 0 to 60 in just six minutes! We leaned forward to make her go faster. Fortunately, there’s not a lot of traffic on the roads of WDW, and we were finally starting to figure out where everything is in relation to each other, so we made good time. When we got to Animal Kingdom’s parking lot I frantically cranked down the window and hollered, “Where do we go for drop-offs?!” The woman in the booth told me to follow the white line.

Clementine squealed around the wide curves of the confoundingly far-flung road to the guest parking areas and then careened out of the designated lane to follow the bus path up to the entrance. A CM in a golf cart yelled at us, “You can’t park up there!” as we whizzed by. Clementine screeched to a halt at the entrance and DH tumbled out of the passenger seat and took off running. On my way back out of the restricted area I waved merrily at the shouty CM in the golf cart and claimed my rightful parking spot waaaaay out in the boonies.

As I reached the park gate, I got a call from DH, who said that he’d managed to be one of the last to enter the theater and they weren’t allowing anyone else inside – YESSSSSSS!!! Suddenly I had at least 45 minutes of free time at Animal Kingdom to do with as I pleased. I was drawing a blank, so the first thing I did was stop at the merchandise cart by the entrance and *finally* buy a pair of gloves cuz it was so dang cold. I should have done this at least 2 days earlier. Then again, the chenille fabric had pretty much disintegrated by the end of the day, so maybe the less time spent wearing them the better.

Then I wandered aimlessly around Discovery Island for a few minutes before realizing I could be riding Everest as many times as I wanted! So I legged it over to Asia and hopped in the longest line I’d ever seen for Everest (cuz we always go first thing in the morning and only use FastPass), where I stood for 5 or 7 minutes before I realized – duh – I could be using the single-rider entrance. Which is all to say that I definitely could have ridden Everest more than four times in a row in the time it took DH to watch the Nemo show if I’d been thinking straight.

What DH saw...

What I saw...

Still, four times in a row ain’t bad, and it topped the three in a row we managed in September, when a friendly CM showed us inside the control booth and walked us right on the ride. It was fun sitting with different people each time. Twice I went with people speaking another language (fortunately, the language of screams is universal!), and once I went with a newly engaged couple (I sat behind them with Mom). I think the last time I was with one of those thrill-junkie preteens you see riding the E-tickets with friends and no adults in sight.

I was kinda sad when DH called to say the show was over and he was on his way, but let’s just keep that between you and me — I have enough Bad Wife points against me as it is....

We had a DHS moment and couldn’t think of anything to do, but then DH suggested we check out the Maharajah Jungle Trek.


Are they ever gonna finish building these condos?

Oooh! Pretty flowers!

This guy’s business in the front and party in the back

Today was a great day to see the tigers. I think maybe they were more active cuz of the cold, and lots of them were hanging out right near the glass.


(Not an actual tiger)

Awww.... he’s just like our kitty at home, except lower-maintenance

“Let’s see... napped all morning in the sun, had a bath... what am I forgetting...?”

“Crap – I was supposed to be at the pool 10 minutes ago!”

We think it was getting close to feeding time cuz a few of the tigers were pacing back and forth near the gate. Either that or they were reciting Shakespeare.

“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day...”

“That guy thinks he’s sooooo smart...”

“ENOUGH with the Shakespeare already!!!”

It always amazes me how you walk right around the corner from the carnivorous tigers and find cattle hanging out in what looks like it must be the far end of the tiger enclosure.

Either Disney’s fences are really well hidden or these dudes know karate.

After our journey through Asia, we headed back toward the Tree of Life to find a quiet makeout spot – NO! Kidding.... heh heh... we went to take pictures, of course!

How many animals can you spot in the picture? Winner gets to write the next installment of this report!

At this point we headed out of AK and went back to our room to nap (just like on our wedding day!) and get ready for.... Anniversary Surprise #6!

To Be Continued...

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

that is a Royal Poinciana tree..we had one in the yard my whole life..I took it for granted that I always had orchids in my yard!!

 

[lpizzuro123]

I still have a few pages to read to catch up on your report but I just had to make a few comments.

You are so right about watching Wishes from Main Street. We love watching it from the beach at the Poly but there is NOTHING better then Main Street.

T-Rex looks great. I was not going to stop by there on our trip this coming March but I think I will just to check out the dinos and maybe that great dessert you had.

Love the surprises for your DH on your anniversary. We are planning on going back for our One Year Anniversary this November and you have made me want to do a Segway Tour on our actual anniversary date. We have done the Epcot Segway tour twice and loved it.

Linda, Sheldon and Logan (Sheldon's son) a few years ago.

I will have to schedule one for later this year so we can get that famous double shot.

Wedding Day

Also about surprises - we are heading down to WDW the end of this month for DH's birthday and so far we are meeting 7 of our friends that live in Florida for a late lunch in Italy (our wedding spot) the Saturday before his birthday. On his actual birthday I have booked the Mickey Magical Milestone Tour for the morning and then a spring training game at the Wild World of Sports for that afternoon. So far all of these are a surprise so hopefully he will enjoy everything.

Sorry to hijack - back to your report.

Linda.

 

[Disneygrl36]

How cool was the Attic surprise?????? And what a beautiful place it is.
I love love love the pictures you got of the tigers sooooooo cute.
Now, I hate to be nosey but I never knew a private dessert party was even an option.........was it remotely affordable? Because I may have to do this sometime as I think that would be a great surprise for Eric because Illuminations is his favorite---especially if you can get lots o' chocolate cause he's a chocoholic.

 

[twiu]

Carrie, next time you're in town, let me know. I work at the Nemo show on occasion (I play Deb, the ditzy fish in the tank) and I'll show your hubby the mechanics of the awesome puppets. Too bad you have no interest

Now, keep writing!

 

[lpizzuro123]

Wow - surprise brunch in The Attic. Looking forward to reading more.

Linda

 

[aharbin88]

Carrie, next time you're in town, let me know. I work at the Nemo show on occasion (I play Deb, the ditzy fish in the tank) and I'll show your hubby the mechanics of the awesome puppets. Too bad you have no interest

Now, keep writing!

I was just coming on here to say that I couldn't believe Carrie wasn't interested in the Nemo show! It is climbing the list of my VERY FAVORITE things in any of the parks. I am a huge AK fan, and Nemo just seals the deal. It's so awesome! And I'm totally a little star-struck to "talk" to a CM of the show on here....

Carrie- we got some news yesterday. We're having a baby GIRL! No need to get the Roots AK pics for a safari nursery ( , remember?). I love them so much that I may need to find another use for them anyway, though!

Sorry to hijack. Where's that darn pirate smiley????

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

No need to get the Roots AK pics for a safari nursery ( , remember?). I love them so much that I may need to find another use for them anyway, though!

you could use the Root's pictures of Princess Carrie!

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

You know, thinking back, we didn't have the carousel horses or the barrels with the legs around either! I liked the Carousel horses too.

 

[dukehoopsfan]

Carrie ~

I am stepping out from the shadows of lurking to tell you how much I have thoroughly enjoyed your trip report and looking at your pictures! (Which has led me to the brides forum to look at your wedding photos, which led to Heidi and Tom's wedding story and then to the Roots blog to "meet" them!) You are a fantastic writer - I have found myself laughing right out loud.

My husband and I were married 22 years ago and honeymooned at WDW - my plan is to have a VR on our 25th - never knew there would be so many options to a ceremony! How do I ever decide?!?!

Ok, back to lurking I go...but I look forward to the next installment!

Kim

 

[ElleBren]

I hear you about parking out in the boonies, we got there almost first thing in the morning and we still had to trek 5 miles to get to the front entrance. My mom could barely keep up with me(me=5'10 mom=5'2). Thats another park that taking the bus almost makes sense.

 

[romymichelle21]

Eagle, camel, alligator, dragonfly!

And... 1 or 2 others I can't identify because I only see parts of them.

Do I win?? Can I write your next installment??

 

[KatGarcia]

Whew...all caught up. Enjoying every minute of it!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

that is a Royal Poinciana tree..we had one in the yard my whole life..I took it for granted that I always had orchids in my yard!!

It's pwetty!

Also about surprises - we are heading down to WDW the end of this month for DH's birthday and so far we are meeting 7 of our friends that live in Florida for a late lunch in Italy (our wedding spot) the Saturday before his birthday. On his actual birthday I have booked the Mickey Magical Milestone Tour for the morning and then a spring training game at the Wild World of Sports for that afternoon. So far all of these are a surprise so hopefully he will enjoy everything.

Those sound like great surprises! You know, you've upped the ante with that wedding shot - when you try to replicate it on your anniversary you'll have to be able to smooch each other on Segways!

Now, I hate to be nosey but I never knew a private dessert party was even an option.........was it remotely affordable?

Yes! Or at least I thought it was affordable last fall when I booked it and DH was still rolling in library puppet-show dough!

After I post the dessert party report here, I am going to post a thread on the Weddings board with all the info about prices, booking, etc. (I'll link to it here.) But basically there is a $100 venue-rental fee and then a $220 food and beverage minimum and that's it (plus a 21% service charge on the food and beverage and then 6.5% tax). I mean, that's a lot of $$$ to spend on dessert, but considering the level of service you get and the private patio and general all-around awesomeness of the event, I thought it was worth it!

Carrie, next time you're in town, let me know. I work at the Nemo show on occasion (I play Deb, the ditzy fish in the tank) and I'll show your hubby the mechanics of the awesome puppets. Too bad you have no interest

Wow - really?! That would be amazing - and I would totally be interested! I told DH and he got really excited. Thanks!

I was just coming on here to say that I couldn't believe Carrie wasn't interested in the Nemo show! It is climbing the list of my VERY FAVORITE things in any of the parks. I am a huge AK fan, and Nemo just seals the deal. It's so awesome! And I'm totally a little star-struck to "talk" to a CM of the show on here....

You know, I'll bet if I'd seen it I would have liked it. I'm just not that into stage shows in general, so you kinda have to make me go see them.

Also, congrats on the little girl!!! You are going to have so much fun decorating her nursery!

you could use the Root's pictures of Princess Carrie!

Yeah, I think Andrea's daughter needs a 16x20 of this one:

You know, thinking back, we didn't have the carousel horses or the barrels with the legs around either! I liked the Carousel horses too.

They moved them out cuz they knew you needed room for the Chippendales dancers - oops! There I go again scooping your trip report!

I am stepping out from the shadows of lurking to tell you how much I have thoroughly enjoyed your trip report and looking at your pictures! (Which has led me to the brides forum to look at your wedding photos, which led to Heidi and Tom's wedding story and then to the Roots blog to "meet" them!) You are a fantastic writer - I have found myself laughing right out loud.

My husband and I were married 22 years ago and honeymooned at WDW - my plan is to have a VR on our 25th - never knew there would be so many options to a ceremony! How do I ever decide?!?!

Thanks for coming out of lurkdom, Kim! I'm so glad to know you've enjoyed the reports and they led you to other great reports/blogs! And I can't wait to read your vow renewal plans!

I hear you about parking out in the boonies, we got there almost first thing in the morning and we still had to trek 5 miles to get to the front entrance. My mom could barely keep up with me(me=5'10 mom=5'2). Thats another park that taking the bus almost makes sense.

Yes, or getting one of those ECVs!

Eagle, camel, alligator, dragonfly!

And... 1 or 2 others I can't identify because I only see parts of them.

Do I win?? Can I write your next installment??

Well, since you already have so much experience writing my trip reports, how can I say no?

 

[lurkyloo]

Whew...all caught up. Enjoying every minute of it!!!

Thanks! Me too! I'm gonna have to make up an imaginary trip to report on when this one's done...

 

[romymichelle21]

Well, since you already have so much experience writing my trip reports, how can I say no?

Holy cow! I totally forgot about that!

Well, I'll let you continue this one on your own this time

 

[A-T-G]

Great update, Carrie. Jeff, Sean, and I all fell deeply in love with DAK on our trip last year. We got VIP seats for a "Year of a Million Churros" give-away. It turned out to be pretty sweet! We got in early and snagged primo views. Then Sean and I tried REALLY hard to get a backstage tour. We tried HARD (and I'm usually pretty good at pulling that kind of thing off). We told them we were puppeteers but, it didn't work. They did, at least, ask the big shots if it was possible...the show was great! I'd go see it again (especially if I could tag along with Patrick and mooch of your Dis board fame to see how the puppets work!).

DH says he's going to attempt a surprise at some point, since we shamed into it!

I cannot WAIT to hear all about the Dessert Party! This TR is flying by...what will I do when it's over?! (I'm thinking go to DL...)

 

[inkedupmomma]

Carrie, next time you're in town, let me know. I work at the Nemo show on occasion (I play Deb, the ditzy fish in the tank) and I'll show your hubby the mechanics of the awesome puppets. Too bad you have no interest

Now, keep writing!

OOOOH, I am coming in September.. I'm interested Just sayin.. I'm no puppeteer, but still ;>

 

[PopArtGal]

Subbing! Just wanted to remind myself that I'm at page 25