Tequila, Dole Whips & Tonga Toast: Celebrating 50 years! Read all about it!

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Just say the word! I have Tonga Toast pics from 2009 and 2010. Plus the Macamazingdamia Pineapple Pancakes AND the Big Kahuna Too. LOVE breakfast at Kona!

2 more trip days!

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Friday night EMH hours at Magic Kingdom
How to totally exhaust yourself: A test of endurance

Well it had been a looong day but looking back, it was a FUN day full of special activities. The farther in the past it becomes, the more endearing it was (or should I say enduring)

We had toured adventure land, dad recovered from Big Thunder RR Mtn, I got to have my first Dole Whip, we'd seen our first luau & in the end, everyone agreed that the Pirates Cruise really was fun.

DS: So, can we go to the Magic Kingdom now for EMH?

DH: I'm done for the day

ME: Don't you want to go in so we can do the Haunted Mansion with you?

DH: Hon, I'm tired & ready to call it a night

DS: But dad, MK is open late

DH: Don't care, you & your mom have fun. I am going back to the room.

So we all decide to walk back towards the Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary Resort. DH plans to catch the bus while DS & I take advanatage of EMH.

On the way, I'm thinking about how sticky hot I really do feel. I'm also thinking to myself, here you go again. You say to yourself every time you come down here you're not going to GO GO GO until you exhaust yourself. So what am I doing today

No matter how many times I tell myself we'll be back, I get all nostalgic and think, but it's been X #of years since our last trip, and when WILL we get back down here?

Plus, I love night Extra Magic Hours! I tell myself walking towards MK. We didn't have a good experience at EPCOT the other night arriving late & on top of that not having any FP's and then having to watch everyone who did walk past us on SOARIN' so I'm thinking, well, we have FP's for Splash, 2 sets for BTRRM & Buzz so although I'm feeling tired on top of hot & icky, I decide to damn the torpedos & forge ahead & go for it.

I've completely talked myself into it as we approach the fork in our path, where DH will now turn to catch the bus back to ASMusic & we will continue on to MK.

ME: DH, you sure?

DH: I'm sure

We always kiss goodbye & since DS knows nobody there, he tolerates a hug goodbye from dad.

DH: You 2 nuts have fun.

Now on the way into MK, I point out to DS that I have to see the Main Street Electrical Parade that was brought back.

DS: MOM! We have done all your stuff, I want to ride rides.

ME: If we don't watch tonight, can we watch our last night at MK?

DS: I'll watch it with you then, but I really don't want to watch it tonight, okay?

ME: The 11pm parade is usually less crowded.

DS: No mom, I promise I'll watch it Sunday.

So we head into MK. The parade is in full force now as we attempt to move around the hub & up Main st. There is a MOST excellent spot to stop & watch. DS gives me the hairy eye-ball so we keep walking down Main St.

We almost make it to the bakery & then it's total gridlock No going back, no going forward. No crossing the street, no place to go.

Oh the agony.

My feet are killing me.

Now my calves hurt. I think they've hurt all along but being stuck after 11pm after not having our swim & rest break today & having been out since noonish I'm realizing my brain is fried & I no longer can think straight. I've allowed my 14 yr old to lead me into this crap.

We finally break free. No place to go but towards the noodle station.

Luckily it had opened up since the desserts party.

Finally in tomorrowland. So we use our Buzz FP's This is more like it. But the line wasn't too long since there was a parade, still, I just totally enjoy getting to walk right on using a FP, I have to tell ya

Space Mtn is a 70 minute wait....I don't think so.

Anyway, we start walking towards FantasyLand. DS is on a mission, he wants to ride mountains!

How in the world did he get so obsessive

We're about to the tea cups. I'm starting to become annoyed walking to frontierland via the longest possible route you can take.

ME: DS, my feet are so hot & tired. Why did I let you talk me into walking this way over to Frontierland

DS: Mom, it'll be okay. Once we get there we can use our FP's

ME: Son, you know I'm almost 50...blah...blah...blah

Then it hits me. This must be how my guys felt earlier I'm really starting to feel like a heel

ME: DS, I'm sorry I was griping. I am tired & ready to call it a night & I think that's how you & dad were feeling earlier? I thought I was planning all these nice things for some wonderful family moments & it felt like you were both so ungrateful with your griping & now I'm doing it.

DS: Mom, I AM grateful & I DO appreciate how you plan stuff. You always make our trips fun. And I'm sorry if I was complaining early.



I just wanted to squeeze him silly, right there in front of Winnie the Pooh.

So I did

DS: OKAY mom....can we get to BTRRM?

Well, for a moment he was back. The cute little guy I remember. Wait, he's still there, he just hides inside a teenage body right now

Well, we made it to BTRRM right about 11pm. And guess what? They weren't going to honor FP's that night

But it was less than a 20 minute wait. We rode twice

Over to Splash, same thing. Not honoring FP's. But by then it was less than a 15 minute wait. Not too bad.

So it just goes to show, you never know about using FP's for EMH. ANyway, we rode Splash & BTRRM soooo many times I lost track. At one point, we hear from some other guest the park is open until 3am!

Wait, the park according to all my obsessive planning said 2am

Nope, 3am tonight. So it's almost 2am we're riding BTRRM again. In the car behind us, a husband & wife ask us if we're planning to ride Space Mtn? We say we were over there earlier & the line was long so we passed.

They offer us 2 FP's.

US: Why thank-you, but they weren't honoring FP's here earlier at BTRRM & Splash Mtn

THEM: They are at Space - we just rode 20 minutes ago but we're tired & leaving. So enjoy.

DS:

Mind you, on our way over (yes I walked across the park AGAIN) at Peter Pan, can you believe it, a 30 minute wait? It's 2 in the freakin morning!

There are lots of insane people here tonight!

I think we saw Mickey's Philharmagic on the way over - we both adore that show.

When we got to Space Mtn. 70 minute wait.

BUT they are taking FP's

So thanks to our "friends" we are able to ride. Believe it or not, they've got one side only open for walk in with the other side open for FP only.

It drives me crazy I can't understand EMH & how the rules change with the wind

On the way out, DS wants a Mickey ice cream bar.

You're kidding me? He wasn't. While he was eating, I snapped a couple picures on the way out.

Mickey & Minnie

I never tire of seeing castle pictures at night

On the bus ride home, DS falls asleep leaning on my shoulder. We walk back to our room in the jazz building like 2 happy zombies.

Up Next: A Jammin' Jungle Day

 

[mandas08]

2 am You all are crazy lol. Btu wow sounds like you got to ride alot that night Its nice that you and Ds got some one on one time. I'm sure its hard to get that to happen at home.

No tonga toast pics...shame on you haha

 

[Queenofallthings]

I could totally relate to you when you were talking about feeling hot and icky! My DD17 can go until 3am no problem, it's me that hits the wall now....how the tides turn as they get older!

I have never heard of them changing the rules about FP's at EMH...good to know for our upcoming trip....thanks for the heads up!!!

 

[natebenma]

Nice update! Wow, I am exhausted just reading it. You had quite the busy day, and night (and morning, too)! Morning is my time of day, so for making it so late. Sounds like it all worked out, with and with out the FPs.

What time do you get started next? I won't say next day, because it will be same day!

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

2 am You all are crazy lol. Btu wow sounds like you got to ride alot that night Its nice that you and Ds got some one on one time. I'm sure its hard to get that to happen at home.

No tonga toast pics...shame on you haha

We ARE crazy Looking back though, it was totally worth it. We had a great time. You're right, those one on one moments don't happen as often at home

BYW, I took a pic of DS eating his Mickey Ice cream bar walking out on Main St. by the street clock, the time then was 3:10am

Lucky for me Natebenma has promised to post some of her tonga toast pic's for me when we get there

I could totally relate to you when you were talking about feeling hot and icky! My DD17 can go until 3am no problem, it's me that hits the wall now....how the tides turn as they get older!

I have never heard of them changing the rules about FP's at EMH...good to know for our upcoming trip....thanks for the heads up!!!

I've heard they can change FP's rules for EMH but I didn't think it'd be inconsistent from one side of the park to the other Just goes to show just when you think you've got it figured out, you realize you don't have it all figured out

Nice update! Wow, I am exhausted just reading it. You had quite the busy day, and night (and morning, too)! Morning is my time of day, so for making it so late. Sounds like it all worked out, with and with out the FPs.

What time do you get started next? I won't say next day, because it will be same day!

It really was a test of endurance. I did push this old body past its limit but looking back, I'm glad I did. We had such a ball.

A few hours after we got back to our room, Animal Kingdom was opening for early EMH's I will give a spoiler though, I didn't make it for that rope drop

 

[thecapells]

Hey, I followed your signature link from my TR over here and I'm catching up now.
But I had to stop and post after I read the family drama at the POTC.
That had me laughing out loud!!
I can't believe after all that when you went to meet him, he decided to finally find POTC himself.
Priceless!

Now to catch up on the rest...

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Hey, I followed your signature link from my TR over here and I'm catching up now.
But I had to stop and post after I read the family drama at the POTC.
That had me laughing out loud!!
I can't believe after all that when you went to meet him, he decided to finally find POTC himself.
Priceless!

Now to catch up on the rest...

Glad to have you reading along WELCOME!!!!

Yes, my DH is one of a kind Ask him, he'll tell you he's the easier one to get along with. You may agree after you read Mutiny on the 7 Seas

 

[thecapells]

Just caught up - sounds like you guys had a blast!
And the DH stories keep cracking me up!

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

A Jammin' Jungle Day!
But first tape up your feet!

With only 1 day for the Animal Kingdom, Sat was THE day. Since DS wanted to do the 2 late EMH's at MK & we wanted our DHS day to coincide with Fantasmic, Sat. ended up having to be the day.

Unfortunately, this happened to be an EMH-morning over at AK but due to the forementioned reasons, this could not be avoided. I already made up my mind the night before there would be no alarm clock waking for EMH I needed to sleep until I was rested.

Waking the next morning after all the excitement of the night before, I am keenly aware of the fact that my entire lower body is now in some sort of pain. My feet now have "official" blisters, my calves are sore & lying in bed I realize this morning that even my bottom is sore. But hey this HAS to be great exercise, right? I MUST be toning up because I can FEEL it EVERYWHERE

DH having the good sense to have called it a night after the Pirates & Pals cruise the night before is feeling rested. After awakening, he showers & heads over to the food court with our 2 mugs in hand. About the time he gets back, I've showered & am in the process of taping up the blisters on my feet.

DH: Whatcha doing?

ME: Taping up my feet. I've got blisters starting.

DH: Ouch. Do you want to just hang out at the resort today?

ME: Heavens no! Today is Animal Kingdom day. We're having dinner at the Tusker House

DH: My favorite!

ME: I know, that's why it's in the plans today

DH: How long are we going to let DS sleep?

Funny, we're always talking about how long DS is going to sleep in the mornings

So we talk about our dinner reservations & what we all want to do that day & decide we'll head over about noon.

And it's nice to lay around a little to let my sore muscles rest a little.

We got sleeping beauty up about 11:30. Once he got ready, we headed out to the bus stop, right smack in the heat of the day. It was still before noon

But a bus arrived practically the moment we arrived at our bus stop!

We were in the AK in less than 15 minutes! For a Saturday arriving late it wasn't too buzy.

Check out the crowds walking in.

I expected a lot worse for an EMH morning, but I was hoping what I read was true. And that was that the crowds at AK usually head out early afternoon since most people tour it in about a half a day.

So I'm sure by now you can guess where DS wanted to go first?



Of course, Expedition Everest! So we head over & surprisingly so, the stand by wait time is only about 15-20 minutes Of course we still get 3 FP's. DS loves all the MK mountains & the RnRC, but I think EE is his all time favorite Disney thrill ride. He was so happy to be able to ride it as soon as we arrived. We didn't think it would happen but we got a good dose of

So it was great to be able to ride & have 3 FP's before we had been at the park even a half hour. After our thrilling ride meeting with the Jeti, we met DH over at the entrance to the bird show, Flights of Wonder.

DH had never seen this show & the only time I saw it was on a trip with my mom when DS was 6, so he didn't remember. We all enjoyed this show. I think it's one of those overlooked gems at Animal Kingdom.

Check out the beautiful bald eagle

I'm happy to say eagles have been removed from the endangered animals list

If you've never taken the time to see the bird show at AK, I highly recommend it. Birds are so amusing IMO.

I'm partial to macaws so I have to include them here - we've seen these guys in the oasis as well - I like to "talk" to them

AFter the bird show, we were all starved! DS wanted pizza at pizzafari, but DH & I wanted to try the Yak & Yeti. Since it was now time for more FP's, DS headed over to EE to get 3 more while DH & I shared an order of the honey chicken & rice. It was really good. Then I stuck the chocolate cake in my purse & when DS returned with FP's in hand, we all headed over to Pizzafari. There, we ordered 2 meals of pizza, salads & drinks. DS ate both the pizzas while DH & I had the salads. DS didn't like the desserts at Pizzafari so DH & I had those while DS had our cake from Y&Y.

Don't we work well together......sometimes


And check out what we now have to look forward to later

No way was DH going to go on EE So bonus for DS & I! But EE was going to have to wait for our food to digest. Meantime, there was another show my guys were willing to go to. This is my favorite at AK. Can you guess what one it was? (hint: It's NOT ITTBAB)

Up Next: Bugs & a show And I ain't talking Bugs Bunny

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Off topic of my TR but I hope everyone is having a SUPER Labor Day

 

[thecapells]

Meantime, there was another show my guys were willing to go to. This is my favorite at AK. Can you guess what one it was? (hint: It's NOT ITTBAB)

We LOVE Finding Nemo: The Musical.
Could that be the show in question?

 

[mandas08]

I was so excited when I found out that you dont have to use fastpasses at the designated time. It's so neat that you and DS will get to ride 3 times!!!

After reading a few planning books I also thought Animal Kingdom would be swamped on EMH mornings..lucky you!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Holy Moly! I was so far behind. I am sure that I will miss commenting on somethinig but here goes.....

I'm so sorry but your description of your wait for the luau had me laughing. Poor things, having to wait out in a holding area. Makes me glad that we arrived "just in time" for the luau (both times we went). No holiding pen for us.

Glad to hear that everybody's spirits lifted on the Pirates & Pals cruise. There's nothing better than Disney fireworks to make someone smile.

Yay for getting free Fastpasses for Space Mountain.

Sounds like your day at the Animal Kingdom is starting off well!

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

We LOVE Finding Nemo: The Musical.
Could that be the show in question?

Finding Nemo is one of my favorite disney movies - I can relate to Dory but AK has another show that happens to be one of my favorite disney movies too......

I was so excited when I found out that you dont have to use fastpasses at the designated time. It's so neat that you and DS will get to ride 3 times!!!

After reading a few planning books I also thought Animal Kingdom would be swamped on EMH mornings..lucky you!

I did not know about being able to use a fastpass after the designated time until reading about it on the DISboards either. It has made our one park a day tickets so much easier to enjoy. This strategy really doesn't work if you are park hopping a different park later in the day.

Oh, we DID love having the 6 EE FP's. ANd there was more pixie dust on another attraction before we got back that afternoon.....

Holy Moly! I was so far behind. I am sure that I will miss commenting on somethinig but here goes.....

I'm so sorry but your description of your wait for the luau had me laughing. Poor things, having to wait out in a holding area. Makes me glad that we arrived "just in time" for the luau (both times we went). No holiding pen for us.

Glad to hear that everybody's spirits lifted on the Pirates & Pals cruise. There's nothing better than Disney fireworks to make someone smile.

Yay for getting free Fastpasses for Space Mountain.

Sounds like your day at the Animal Kingdom is starting off well!

Looking back on the Luau, I really am glad we went....but yes, that wait in the "holding area" was no fun in the August heat. It felt like we were being punished for coming early like they requested us to. IDK, maybe our seats were better because of it? I think you did it the right way by showing up just in time.

Everyone did enjoy the P&P cruise, but it does seem like we're always fussing at each other about something I read other TR's & think, gee, does everyone else really get along that well all the time We don't, but then again, we were there in the heat of August! At least we do pretty good at regrouping & then laugh about it later

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Bugs & a Show

After finishing up at Pizzafari everyone was in good spirits. So far, DH was liking AK day. We had all slept in & I wasn't touring like a crazy woman at AK which he likes. Today was more his pace. He'd done a small amount of people watching, seen the bird show which required sitting & no sharp turns, curves or thrills And he had shared a plate of Honey Chicken with his sweetie, moi from the Y&Y and completed the meal with our salads & desserts at Pizzarfari while DS consumed all the pizza. He was primed for going with the flow & ready to go see my all time favorite show at AK.

Having 6 fast passes in my purse for EE had put DS in a favorable mood as well upon completion of his lunch

Ahhh, family bliss. If you've been reading along, you know this is a good thing for our group.

But first.....our last trip we had run out of time to go see the bugs in the tree of life so I reminded DS that he promised the next time we came to WDW's AK, that he'd go see it with me.

I don't know why I like this show. I don't like bugs, they creep me out & I will run like a person on fire if one so much as gets near me. Yet I find "It's tough to be a Bug" a hoot.

And since it's only a 5 minute wait

Sorry this picture is a little fuzzy, there was literally no line so we were walking quickly around the base of the tree to get inside for the next show

There's a sick part of me that gets amused at the audience reaction to "It's tough to be a Bug" Now I admit, I do cheat a little (as does DS) & we will do undisney like things such as keeping our feet off the floor or lean forward in our chair during certain segments. It's shameful, I tell you, being the coaster thrill seekers we claim to be acting like 2 sissies in a 3-D show trying to avoid the special effects. And then there's my DH, he'll sit back & grin through these things the whole time like Jack Nickelson in "The Shining" BUt anyway, that's how we do the "bugs" & I laugh & enjoy the entire show, squirming the whole time & then glad to be out.

It's like exercising for me. You may dread it, but when it's over, you're glad you did it. So after getting our "bug" fix for the day - once truely is enough in there for us - we're off to see my all time favorite AK show.

This is a MUST SEE show for me every trip. I gotta see it - I love it!

Have you guessed?

Well if you knew that a giraffe sounded like a sheep, then you might be a FOTLK fan!

I get excited when I start seeing the floats come out for the Festival of the Lion King. I think this show is as good as a broadway show. I love Timon as the MC and especially love the monkey acrobats. They are soooo talented & amazing.

We were seated pretty far back in the lion section, but that was okay. There isn't a bad seat in the house. We arrived about 20 minutes early & I thought we might be cutting it close, but we did get a seat

I love how Disney always includes the kids. Some of them were joining in the "parade" around the stage

ANd the grand finale, the "bird" lady is suspended in the air - doesn't she do a great job?

DS grins every time at the end of the show when Timon makes the annoucement it's "time to go" by thanking everyone for being a "lovely audience, NOW GET OUT!"

Oh joy I just adore this show. I just think the colors are so vibrant & the audience participation is amazing for this show. I really like how they get every section assigned to an animal & each group will make their animal sounds. Warthogs are a big hit with little people

And the performers really do a great job. This is just a superb show if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. Very family oriented & something for boys & girls alike.

I realized walking out I forgot to get a picture of Simba & Puumba so as we were herded out, I snapped a close up

Next: A bumpy ride & a gorilla

 

[thecapells]

Nice update.
FOTLK was always our favorite too - until we saw Finding Nemo - The Musical, that is.
We have definitely bumped that about FOTLK on our list.
You said you love the movie but have you see the show?

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Nice update.
FOTLK was always our favorite too - until we saw Finding Nemo - The Musical, that is.
We have definitely bumped that about FOTLK on our list.
You said you love the movie but have you see the show?

I LOVE the movie but I have to tell you, when DS & I saw the show in 2008, I don't know if I was just extra tired or what, but getting in that dark airconditioned auditorium with all the singing lulled me into a nap I think I snoozed about halfway through the show

I actually felt embarassed when the lights came up because I have sleep apnea so I've always wondered if I had SNORED loudly through the performance? I would HOPE that DS would've woke me if I had, but honestly I think he dozed off too.

DS did not care for it very much, felt he was a little old for it, so since our time was limited & FOTLK is my favorite, we opted to just see it this time. I would like to try NEMO again because I was impressed with the puppeteers.

 

[natebenma]

Bugs & a Show

There's a sick part of me that gets amused at the audience reaction to "It's tough to be a Bug" Now I admit, I do cheat a little (as does DS) & we will do undisney like things such as keeping our feet off the floor or lean forward in our chair during certain segments. It's shameful, I tell you, being the coaster thrill seekers we claim to be acting like 2 sissies in a 3-D show trying to avoid the special effects. And then there's my DH, he'll sit back & grin through these things the whole time like Jack Nickelson in "The Shining" BUt anyway, that's how we do the "bugs" & I laugh & enjoy the entire show, squirming the whole time & then glad to be out.


Next: A bumpy ride & a gorilla

I'm finally back and getting caught up!

OK, maybe you cheat at Bug's Life, but there's a little piece of Hell reserved for me. When we did ITTBAB in 2008, I clued my DH in on the roaches and stinging, but we let the kids "experience" all of its features. That was the last time we did this attraction!

I love the Lion King show too. Amazing performers and the Lion King songs are awesome! But the rest of my family really doesn't care for the shows.

Looking forward to hearing about your upcoming dates with the Yeti.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

I'm finally back and getting caught up!

OK, maybe you cheat at Bug's Life, but there's a little piece of Hell reserved for me. When we did ITTBAB in 2008, I clued my DH in on the roaches and stinging, but we let the kids "experience" all of its features. That was the last time we did this attraction!
I love the Lion King show too. Amazing performers and the Lion King songs are awesome! But the rest of my family really doesn't care for the shows.

Looking forward to hearing about your upcoming dates with the Yeti.

Come on now, like I say, it's like exercise. You gotta make yourself do it