Rides, Slides, Eats & Meets Oct DISmeet Trip. 5/6-Ch 14 Closing Thoughts

[KatMark]

Hi, there stranger. Did you forget I have an ongoing TR and a PTR????

Great start to your solo trip which turned into a trip with Jonathan. I know that this is going to be one interesting and fun TR. It's just too bad you couldn't add other DIS meets too.

 

[marvali]

Chapter 2 Epcot Morning with an International DISmeet Flair



I had the alarm clock set for the next morning to give us plenty of time to get ready, eat breakfast and head out for our first DISmeet of the trip. As usual, the alarm clock didn't matter as I was already awake before it ever went off. I left Jonathan sleeping while I got my shower. When I came out of the bathroom I woke him up to get his shower while I finished getting dressed. Jonathan finished his shower and I headed to breakfast telling him to meet me there when he got ready.

The good thing about this Comfort Suites is that they had a complimentary "hot" breakfast that was quick and easy. Not only did they have the typical continental breakfast fare, but you could make your own waffle, and they also had the serving pans with different items depending on the day of the week. Typically they might have bacon or sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, or other assorted items. Although the "hot" parts of the offerings are of your typical quick and easy hotel variety, most of it isn't too bad and at least you have choices. While I was eating Jonathan arrived and joined me. Since I had a head start I finished up and headed back to the room to brush my teeth and double check everything I would need was ready to go.

Jonathan wasn't far behind me and when he was ready we headed to the car. We were on a mission to make rope drop at

It is nice not to have to pay for parking at the parks when you have an AP and we were quickly through the booths and parking the car. We made the short walk to the gate area, passed through bag check and headed for the turnstiles. So did we make it in time? Well, if the previous picture didn't clue you in, maybe these will

I had been discussing plans with Magdalene. She and Katharina were staying at BWV and they planned to come in through the International Gateway and we would all head directly to Soarin' and meet out in front of the entrance to the ride. There was no way I was going to be late and have Magdalene kid me about it on the DIS, so rope drop was a given and I made sure we had plenty of time to not even cut it close. Mission accomplished!

While Jonathan and I waited for the rest of the crowd to arrive I had the chance to take a couple of pictures of the empty park entrance. Food and Wine was front and center for Epcot while we were there.

We also got to see the "family of the day" get selected while we waited. Finally it was time to open the park and after being coached, the FotD helped to announce the opening of the park from just inside the turnstiles. I don't believe there was an opening show that morning where they stop you at ropes at the plaza on the far side of Spaceship Earth. If there was, I was too preoccupied to take any pictures of the event. I think we were able to walk through the turnstiles and head straight for Soarin'. Even though a handful of people half jogged by us on the way up the ramp, Jonathan and I were in the first 10 or 15 to walk into The Land Pavilion doors.

On the way in I hadn't seen anyone coming from the direction of the IG yet, so I knew we would be waiting when Magdalene and Katharina arrived. While I found a good place to stand out of the way of the approaching crowd anxious to take an early morning hang-glider journey, Jonathan headed to the FP machines so we could ride a second time. Shortly after he made it back to my location I saw M and K coming through the glass doors on the second level. The crowd wasn't bad yet so it was easy to pick them out. They looked like they were enjoying their morning already, walking along, deep in sisterly conversation. I got a picture of them as they were headed my way. Of course someone walked in front of me just as I took the picture............

As they started towards us Magdalene spotted Jonathan and I and headed our way while Katharina went to get them FPs. As happens so often with DISmeets it doesn't feel like strangers finally meeting, but seeing an old friend again instead. Being a "hugger" I instinctively gave Magdalene a friendly hug, then proceeded to introduce Jonathan and we had started to chat casually when Katharina joined us with their FPs. When Katharina walked up I greeted her with a hug like I did Magdalene, but this time I felt like Katharina wasnt quite as receptive. Now I dont share this to embarrass Katharina in any way, but to discuss things you can run into at times with different cultures. I wasnt sure if I had overstepped my bounds, or violated some protocol of German culture, or just caught Katharina by surprise.

It wasnt anything really that Katharina did. I didnt know if hugs were something we often do so easily as a greeting in the United States that isnt quite as common in Germany. But Magdalene didnt seem to have a problem with it, so maybe it was because Katharina is married and that caused the difference? I know Magdalene is a little more outgoing here on the DIS and maybe I just caught Katharina by surprise, or maybe she was just a little less comfortable showing outward expression like that and a little more shy? I just hoped I hadnt offended her and strained International Relations in some way and told myself I might need to be a little more careful since not every culture, or even everyone in any particular culture, is necessarily the same.

(Now before anyone gets upset with me about this little revelation of my initial interaction with Katharina I have talked this over a little with Magdalene and I think I have some additional light to shed on this topic, but that will come later in the trip report, so you will just have to wait for the final analysis.)

We all headed into Soarin' and rode as the Standby time was still very short. I was sitting beside Magdalene and tried to point out all of the Hidden Mickey's in the ride to her, but according to her TR she never did see the blue balloon one. When we got done with our flight it was almost time for our FP window to open so we decided to wait and ride again while we were there.

When we got done with Soarin' Magdalene wanted to go to the Pavilion between Ellen's Energy Adventure and Mission Space, which was the Festival Center for the Food and Wine Festival. On the way we realized that we hadn't done the official DIS "If you didn't get a picture it didn't happen" group photo to commemorate our DISmeet! We found a perfect spot and Jonathan played the role of picture taker, which started a theme for the trip.

I think Magdalene may have wanted to get one of the F&W Passports that you can get stamped at the different locations you visit, but I believe she also got one of the bands you can wear on your wrist and put money "on" that they simply swipe when you purchase items at the different booths, like a preloaded debit card??? While we were there we walked around and looked at a lot of the items they had for sale there, and also some of the shows/presentations they had you could sign up to participate in (for a cost I'm sure).

This is one of the items I saw in the Canada section. Being a bigger fan of Canada after spending time with Jenbear and her friend Stitch on our summer trip, and also a fan of maple syrup, I thought of Jen and had to take a picture in her honor!

And of course there was no way I could pass up THIS picture, especially knowing it would be one of Rosie's favorites!

Those were really nice and heavy, and I probably would have bought one if it wasn't for just getting our day started and not wanting to carry it around the rest of the day.

I thought the ceiling inside the Food and Wine Pavilion was interesting.

When we got finished at the Festival Center it was time for another ride, so we headed for Test Track. Of course, no trip to TT is complete without looking for the HMs hidden throughout the queue.

They managed to hide two of them here...........

We got finished with the ride and looked around the showroom a little. Jonathan wanted me to take his picture.

We headed towards World Showcase and wanted to try some of the F&W food booths. Along the way it was time for a couple more pictures.

As we walked along one of the first places we stopped was the Caribbean booth. The Jerk-Spiced Chicken Drumstick with Mango Salsa caught my attention because I had heard about jerk seasoning quite a few times, but had never tried it. For $3.25 I figured it was a good chance to give it a try. Sorry I didnt get a picture but there really wasnt anywhere to eat in that location so we basically stood at the railing. It was very good, money well spent I thought, but also very messy so I had to look for somewhere to wash my hands or risk no more pictures.

We worked our way around but nothing really interested us. I really think that Magdalene was interested in trying the Germany offerings all along, just to see how they compared to authentic&&&&&like she would know! Lol The item I believe we both got was listed as Nüernberger Sausage in Pretzel Roll. I remember Magdalene being upset with the spelling they used on the sign as being incorrect. Hopefully Magdalene wont get upset with my plagiarism but I found where she discussed this in her Trip Report and copied/pasted it here.

Well, already the sign lacked some authenticity... While I very much approved the use of the German letter Ü here, they unfortunately added one E too many. It should read Nürnberger - or if you have a keyboard which does not have the Ü you could substitute the Ü with UE, so Nuernberger would also be correct. I told Marv all about this when we got our sausages there together and quite a few people around us seemed to be rather amused by my lecture.

If you check the links in the front of her Trip Report for her Food and Wine Review you will see that she also compared this item to the authentic in a very detailed and interesting way there.

There was a Cheese booth that either Katharina or Magdalene ordered from. This is the Cheese Fondue with Sourdough Bread which I believe they let me taste.

Magdalene really wanted a group picture while we were in the Germany Pavilion. Once again Jonathan played the role of photographer.

Magdalene had a friend from South Florida in town during this time also. Her friend wasnt interested in early morning trips to the parks so we had already arranged for us to share the mornings, and then she and Katharina would share the afternoons with her friend so Jonathan and I had time to do some things on our own also. It was at this point that we were going to part ways for the day, but before they headed off Magdalene had a surprise for me. She had selected this location especially to present me with some gifts she had brought with her from Germany.

The first item was a desk calendar that spent last year on my desk at work. Each sheet of the calendar covered a week. But also each sheet was perforated so that the scene of a famous landmark in Germany was actually a postcard. There were a lot of wonderful sights that I would love to see one day. Even though the dates are off a little this year, I am actually cycling through the sheets again this year so I can enjoy the picture postcards again!

The second item was Lebkuchen, or more commonly gingerbread; but this was no ordinary Lebkuchen. Magdalene told me that different towns (or maybe regions) in Germany have their own special recipe for their Lebkuchen. The Lebkuchen that Magdalene brought me was the special recipe for her home city of Nürnberg. I believe Magdalene said that this Nürnberger Lebkuchen is the most well-known recipe. These were delicious, soft and sweet with chopped nuts in them. Sadly they didnt last very long, but I do still have the box that they came in.

The final item was the shopping bag that the other two items were in. This was a special cloth shopping bag that again reflected Magdalenes home town of Nürnberg. The bag shows a scene of the city, with what looks like maybe a castle in the background. I was hoping the bag would say exactly what was depicted but I dont see it anywhere. I'm sure Magdalene can tell us when she reads this update. These were all wonderful items and I appreciated them very much and I'm still enjoying them where possible. I think they were made more special by their being tied to Magdalene's home town.

After Magdalene finished her presentation we said our goodbyes for the day knowing we would meet again the next morning and do it all again at Animal Kingdom. Magdalene and Katharina headed for the International Gateway and Jonathan and I headed towards the front of the park since we had plans for the evening. On the way out of the park we decided to walk through Innoventions East. We had been in the West side on a few occasions, but Jonathan and I were wondering what else was located here. As we walked through Jonathan saw something that grabbed his attention.......The Sum of All Thrills. Jonathan asked if he had time to try it out and I told him sure, so he headed off to get in line. I looked around the area for a little bit and checked back to see if I could spot Jonathan. I was afraid I might have missed him when he finally appeared in the loading area for the ride. For those who dont know, this is a simulator where you design your own roller coaster ride and then they load it into the simulator's computer and you ride the roller coaster you designed. Obviously Jonathan designed quite a creation as you can see from the pictures.

Jonathan really enjoyed this attraction and I think he has found another favorite to enjoy whenever we return to Epcot! From here we headed for the exit, knowing we had plans to head to Downtown Disney for another DISmeet.



Coming up Chapter 3 - Rockin' the House of Blues

 

[englishrose47]

Ahhh...too young..and he woûld need to speak Italian!

will tell him that !!Maybe he will start to learn Italian, would be a shame to waste those 2 years as an alter boy!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Great Update Marv!!! (ouch that hurt , saying nice things to Marv I too received some of those cookies from Magdalene and a cloth bag !! Which my granddaughter took to school for one of her classes !!! She did eventually return it !!!. Jonathon's invention looks SCAREY to me !!!I think it may have been that night that I met the sisters at Epcot for Illuminations !!!

 

[Poolrat]

I'm sure THAT won't last long.......... Talk about your classic pot/kettle scenario.

I would give you this but I guess that might prove your point...

so you get this...

Not always, but yes, I guess it does happen an awful lot. Thankfully I am so far only a spectator of such events and not actually a "participant" in them.

I hear you - My little "cloaking device " episode was as close as I care to come to being a "participant".

In spite of your allowing Pat to be a bad influence, this IS your first post here so

back at ya!!

Obviously Jonathan designed quite a creation as you can see from the pictures.

Jonathan really enjoyed this attraction and I think he has found another favorite to enjoy whenever we return to Epcot! From here we headed for the exit, knowing we had plans to head to Downtown Disney for another DISmeet.

Oh Chris and Jonathan would get along great. Chris spent some time time at this but basically wore out the coaster simulator at Disney Quest.

I need to do it again. I guess I need to pick a day when I am NOT wearing a dress in the parks.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Marv! What a great DIS meet! Funny how we can all connect here and feel like we've all known each other for a long time! Some great friendships have been make here You all look great in the photos BTW. Looks like the Sum of All Thrills can be a crazy ride!

I've seen your next meet from Judy's point of view - looking forward to yours!

 

[marvali]

Well I enjoyed the brief positive comments about me !!!But to let go by "QUIET MARV" just can't happen !!!

This TR is gonna be fun !! Of course there will be embarrassing pix of Rosie !! If you don't post them I will !!!

Oh, you KNOW I will post any embarrassing pics of Rosie I have..........

good intro even if you dont have any pictures.

how about you post again today to make up for that mister.

Great idea!!!

and 0 Judys

Dude, give it UP already...........

 

[marvali]

All I can say it that the Pope and I are very good friends now. (Of course, should you come visit when I'm in Disney that might move you up a notch on the totem pole. )

Oh really? With, or without the spoon???

One of my staff really thought he would be the next Pope he said he was an alter boy for 2 years , but consoled himself by saying he was tooooo young

Ahhh...too young..and he woûld need to speak Italian!

will tell him that !!Maybe he will start to learn Italian, would be a shame to waste those 2 years as an alter boy!!!

Guess that leaves ME out. I don't speak Italian either........well, that and I'm not Catholic.

I do EAT Italian though.........

Hi, there stranger. Did you forget I have an ongoing TR and a PTR????

Great start to your solo trip which turned into a trip with Jonathan. I know that this is going to be one interesting and fun TR. It's just too bad you couldn't add other DIS meets too.

You're still milking that TR???

There were a few more DISmeets besides the ones I mentioned so far in the Intro. You'll just have to wait to see who else might make a cameo appearance............

 

[MEK]

Every DIS meet I've ever had starts with a hug, so I completely understand! It just seems so natural. It seems like you have known that person for ever.

You did a great job getting to Epcot super early. Way to go!

So funny about the sausage in Germany. I am sure most of the foods there are much authentic than we want to believe.

Great update!

 

[englishrose47]

I will patiently wait for the embarrassing pix of moi!!!As for my pope aspiring staff he too eats Italian !!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Wonderful pictures of Katharina and Magdalene (you and Jonathan too!). Lovely gifts they brought for you! Absolutely nothing more wonderful than DIS Meets! By the time I meet DISers they have already walked into my heart and considered dear friends.

I have several dear friends (nuns)who are from Würzburg, Germany. Most of them are not inclined to hug at all. My closest friend , Sr. A, will hug anyone she knows immediately, even if the first meeting ... if she has known you via email/phone etc. for some time.

The roller coaster ride is amazing! Jonathan must be fearless!!

A correction is in order concerning the Pope - official requirements: male, baptized Catholic. Obviously speaking Italian is a plus, as is already being a Cardinal. . Therefore, Mr. Marv Elous, it appears you meet one requirement! Me thinks eating Italian food just misses the mark.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

good update marv, but i cant get over the fact that you didnt have more food and wine samples...you will need to go with me on a food an wine trip sometime and ill show you how to do it right.

 

[englishrose47]

Wonderful pictures of Katharina and Magdalene (you and Jonathan too!). Lovely gifts they brought for you! Absolutely nothing more wonderful than DIS Meets! By the time I meet DISers they have already walked into my heart and considered dear friends.

I have several dear friends (nuns)who are from Würzburg, Germany. Most of them are not inclined to hug at all. My closest friend , Sr. A, will hug anyone she knows immediately, even if the first meeting ... if she has known you via email/phone etc. for some time.

The roller coaster ride is amazing! Jonathan must be fearless!!

A correction is in order concerning the Pope - official requirements: male, baptized Catholic. Obviously speaking Italian is a plus, as is already being a Cardinal. . Therefore, Mr. Marv Elous, it appears you meet one requirement! Me thinks eating Italian food just misses the mark.

Ohhh I see my staff first has to become a Cardinal

Like thos

or this

 

[Minnie&Nana]

He has the required red hat!! You're up to mischief again, Rosie!!

 

[Poolrat]

good update marv, but i cant get over the fact that you didnt have more food and wine samples...you will need to go with me on a food an wine trip sometime and ill show you how to do it right.

I think we need to teach him how to do Food and Wine right!!!!!


It is careful and calculated plan to eat and drink around the world with stops in Ellens Energy Adventure to take a nap.

 

[Poolrat]

He has the required red hat!! You're up to mischief again, Rosie!!

While Marv is away.....

Something tells me all this rain will cancel a soccer game- better watch out!!!

Someone might have some time on his hands tonight.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

While Marv is away.....

Something tells me all this rain will cancel a soccer game- better watch out!!!

Someone might have some time on his hands tonight.

Uh oh....

It would be too bad if they get rained out though - especially the first game. It's pouring buckets here too. Took Rosie out in the backyard (Maltese Rosie, not Dis Rosie! ) - we were both drenched within minutes. Thank goodness she is fast in the rain. We do not let her go out alone as we have hawks in the area and she is little. My friend was sitting on her deck with her Maltese in her lap when a hawk swooped down to grab the pup!

 

[Poolrat]

Uh oh....

It would be too bad if they get rained out though - especially the first game. It's pouring buckets here too. Took Rosie out in the backyard (Maltese Rosie, not Dis Rosie! ) - we were both drenched within minutes. Thank goodness she is fast in the rain. We do not let her go out alone as we have hawks in the area and she is little. My friend was sitting on her deck with her Maltese in her lap when a hawk swooped down to grab the pup!

 

[marvali]

Great Update Marv!!! (ouch that hurt , saying nice things to Marv I too received some of those cookies from Magdalene and a cloth bag !! Which my granddaughter took to school for one of her classes !!! She did eventually return it !!!. Jonathon's invention looks SCAREY to me !!!I think it may have been that night that I met the sisters at Epcot for Illuminations !!!

Yes, I think it WAS that night that you met Magdalene and Katharina. I had to swear them to secrecy so they wouldn't spoil your impending "run-in" with Security..............

I hear you - My little "cloaking device " episode was as close as I care to come to being a "participant".

But like me so many times, at least you still remained only a spectator in the event......... I know that would have put a damper on an otherwise fun and special trip.

Oh Chris and Jonathan would get along great. Chris spent some time time at this but basically wore out the coaster simulator at Disney Quest.

I need to do it again. I guess I need to pick a day when I am NOT wearing a dress in the parks.

When we were at DTD later that day Jonathan considered some time at DisneyQuest, but we didn't have that long before our ADR at HoB and the concert, so the cost for such a short time was prohibitive. I remember us discussing they needed to have a partial day price for after 4:00 or something for just such an occasion.

Sum of All Thrills + dress.............yes, I see where that might be an interesting combination!

Hi Marv! What a great DIS meet! Funny how we can all connect here and feel like we've all known each other for a long time! Some great friendships have been make here You all look great in the photos BTW. Looks like the Sum of All Thrills can be a crazy ride!

I've seen your next meet from Judy's point of view - looking forward to yours!

You are so right Tammie! This trip was a continuation of ones including numerous DISmeets and they have always been like meeting old friends you have known for years! I have made some wonderful friendships here for sure!

The meet with Judy and family (and other DISers) at HoB was another great event! Working on getting that one ready to go now that the pictures are uploaded to PB.

Every DIS meet I've ever had starts with a hug, so I completely understand! It just seems so natural. It seems like you have known that person for ever.

You did a great job getting to Epcot super early. Way to go!

So funny about the sausage in Germany. I am sure most of the foods there are much authentic than we want to believe.

Great update!

Thanks Mary Ellen! Starting a DISmeet with a hug just seems so natural, especially with those you chat with here so often that it is just like you are neighbors. Magdalene was here on the DIS so much more leading up to this trip than Katharina had the time to be, so I had much more interaction with her so I'm sure that had a little to do with the difference.

It was great having Magdalene and Katharina along to share insights about the wording and authenticity of things that they obviously see every day that we probably wouldn't have a clue if they are authentic or not! I remember her talking about the wording on a T-shirt (where is Cynthia when you need her?) being a little incorrect and some of the items in Karmel Kuche not being really authentic that I certainly wouldn't have known. I remember her discussing on the DIS a while back about the Pickle Tree too. I always love hearing her cultural lessons.

 

[marvali]

I will patiently wait for the embarrassing pix of moi!!!As for my pope aspiring staff he too eats Italian !!!

Yes, a few updates before you make an appearance! Just remember, Jonathan was taking pictures the whole time in the Lego Store, so he caught some really great expressions..............

Maybe I can get that update posted while you are on your trip..........so plenty of people can comment before you have a chance to defend yourself!

Wonderful pictures of Katharina and Magdalene (you and Jonathan too!). Lovely gifts they brought for you! Absolutely nothing more wonderful than DIS Meets! By the time I meet DISers they have already walked into my heart and considered dear friends.

I like that description! So very accurate!

I have several dear friends (nuns)who are from Würzburg, Germany. Most of them are not inclined to hug at all. My closest friend , Sr. A, will hug anyone she knows immediately, even if the first meeting ... if she has known you via email/phone etc. for some time.

I was hoping the difference was just how much more I had chatted on the DIS with Magdalene than Katharina, but I guess we will all have to wait to find out...........

The roller coaster ride is amazing! Jonathan must be fearless!!

A correction is in order concerning the Pope - official requirements: male, baptized Catholic. Obviously speaking Italian is a plus, as is already being a Cardinal. . Therefore, Mr. Marv Elous, it appears you meet one requirement! Me thinks eating Italian food just misses the mark.

Can't think of any ride Jonathan has EVER been afraid of riding. I can think of at least two he was very upset when they measured him and said he wasn't tall enough yet.............

I only meet one of the requirements? How about one of the Little League baseball teams I played on we wore "cardinal" red............does that count as a second one. I did have the cap.

good update marv, but i cant get over the fact that you didnt have more food and wine samples...you will need to go with me on a food an wine trip sometime and ill show you how to do it right.

I think we need to teach him how to do Food and Wine right!!!!!


It is careful and calculated plan to eat and drink around the world with stops in Ellens Energy Adventure to take a nap.

Okay you two, this trip was about DISMeets, not Food and Wine. That wasn't even on my radar so what little I did was just an add on......... Planning to go specifically for F&W would be a whole lot different for sure!

Ohhh I see my staff first has to become a Cardinal

Like thos

or this

He has the required red hat!! You're up to mischief again, Rosie!!

Wow, you leave your TR unprotected for just a few hours and look how everything spins out of control............

Not sure where Rosie got the idea that hijacking someone's thread while they are away is an okay thing to do...........