That's it, moved to FL to be closer to Mickey! Update 2/4 Kidnapped at WDW 10/03/09

[jmskinner]

I realized we had not been to DisneyQuest in almost a year. Had to put these Premium AP's to use. So, on the 24th of June, Jacob and I headed to DTD. Of course the first stop was the Lego Store. It wasn't too crowded yet, so Jacob finally got to build a Racer and race on the Lego Stores display.

Ready, Set,...GO!!!

He didn't win, but a good first try.

Now it was time for DQ, DisneyQuest that is, not Dairy Queen.

If you have never done this, be sure to watch the screen in the elevator. More Disney magic even when riding an elevator.

First up was our favorite:

And a few quick pics while waiting in line:

After about 20 minutes it was our turn. Previously on this one we were grouped with other people, but not today. I got to be Captain and steer the ship and Jacob manned the cannons!

Steering the ship wasn't that easy with the camera around my neck, but I did it. Here is a pic of the screen before the game begins:

As we played, Jacob ran from side to side, firing all the cannons. I even fired the cannon right beside the wheel. Jacob was very excited because we took down the BIG ship!!!

We played again, but I didn't get any pictures. This time the CM said the computer could steer us. We didn't get the big ship, but we gained more Booty!!!!

Then it was off to the Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam.

For this one you stand on these platforms and move around trying to score a goal with your puck. Let me tell you, this is a workout. My legs were weak after this one.

This was taken while waiting for the pinball game:

It is a simulation ride, and the ships are just for looks.

Just some themeing:

Jacob played several games, including Guitar Hero. Which he never plays Guitar Hero. He likes to watch me play.

We also did a game pertaining to Buzz. Basically it is bumper cars, but you pick up balls and shoot them at each other. Jacob didn't like it because it was sooooo loud! I have to admit, it was scary when you got hit.

And that was our day at DQ.

 

[Disneymommy2006]

How much does Disney Quest cost??? We are coming in a few days in August (13th) before our park tickets begin with free dining (16th)....looking for some fun things to do a couple of days at Downtown Disney...this might be a good option. What do you think?

 

[jmskinner]

How much does Disney Quest cost??? We are coming in a few days in August (13th) before our park tickets begin with free dining (16th)....looking for some fun things to do a couple of days at Downtown Disney...this might be a good option. What do you think?

Ok, just tried to do a quick check on the WDW website. It shows $34-40, guess child is $34 and adult is $40. It's included if you get the Water Park and More option, but since you won't have your tickets yet, that doesn't help. I always say everything is worth a try and if it is hot, it is a great place to hang out. As one parent said on the elevator, "Probably spent that much at the arcade at the hotel!". This was right after the heat wave that had hit Florida so I figured it would not be as busy since I would think more people would be going to the parks.

They also have a "build-a-rollercoaster" ride I've done with the DSD, but Jacob wouldn't do it. You basically create a ride with loops etc. and then hop in a capsule that will spin you around. They have stuff for little kids to do also. We did have a lot more fun on this trip than we have in the past. Really explored all four levels.

 

[Disneymommy2006]

Ok, just tried to do a quick check on the WDW website. It shows $34-40, guess child is $34 and adult is $40. It's included if you get the Water Park and More option, but since you won't have your tickets yet, that doesn't help. I always say everything is worth a try and if it is hot, it is a great place to hang out. As one parent said on the elevator, "Probably spent that much at the arcade at the hotel!". This was right after the heat wave that had hit Florida so I figured it would not be as busy since I would think more people would be going to the parks.

They also have a "build-a-rollercoaster" ride I've done with the DSD, but Jacob wouldn't do it. You basically create a ride with loops etc. and then hop in a capsule that will spin you around. They have stuff for little kids to do also. We did have a lot more fun on this trip than we have in the past. Really explored all four levels.

Ok that sound like a possibility...we are staying at the Carribean Beach Resort from the 13th until the 16th and I had thought we would do some stuff at Downtown Disney and just enjoy the resort until....we check back in on the 16th at Pop. I also considered the pirate adventure they do at the resort but that would just be for the boys and I'm not sure my youngest (just turned 5) would be comfortable doing that with just his brother since that is just for kids and we can't join them. Disney Quest would be something we could all enjoy! Thanks for the info! Really enjoy this thread- I read often but don't post...love getting some doses of Disney throughout the year!!!!!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Melissa!

I can't believe you hadn't done Indiana Jones!!!!!! Of course, you didn't get the full experience, you will need to wait until next year for that and Gordon's acting debut!

I'm kinda in 2 minds about DQ, I've heard mixed reports on it, and although entry is included in the ultimate tickets we get we've never gone. I think I feel like - we're at WDW - get out and get to the parks!!!

You're so close to your US trip!!!!

Di x

PS, note my countdown ticker - flying down it is! We'll be at a year before you know it!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

We had a great time at DQ on our honeymoon, but we decided we'd wait until our boys were older, we have heard it's not so fun with the under 3 crowd, so we'll wait until Joey is older so we can all enjoy ourselves.

We will def. have to go to the Lego store, that car racing thing looks like fun.

Discussions have begun with the possibility of one day at Universal just to see Spidey , but maybe just for me and Jack I'm trying to win one day passes on their website though- check it out it you haven't already

 

[carissanboys]

I wasn't overly impressed with Indiana Jones either. Maybe cause we're girls? Although, I do like LMA!

Disney Quest looks so cool. We've never done it before. I thought I heard a while back that it was going to close?

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Thanks for posting those DQ pics -- I've always wondered what it looked like inside! Too bad you can't get a video of the pirate game you & Jacob played! Like at Fiesta Texas on the Tony Hawk's Big Spin (rollercoaster) ride, there's a video camera in the middle of the four-seat car, and it films each side of 2 people, so you can buy a copy at the end -- just more revenue for the park, but it's funny to watch yourself go on the ride!

Yay -- only one more day of work and a day of packing between us & WDW!

 

[irky416]

I just got all caught up! Great updates!

The Wishes presentation sounds interesting! I'm glad you mentioned stuff about Disneyland because it sounds awesome. I think I have DBF convinced on going to CA next summer and DL while we're there!

The guy staring at you on ToT was too funny!!!

There was something else I specifically wanted to comment on and now I don't remember what it was...

(I still have the camera strap! It got misplaced when people were "helping" us pack, but it is in an envelope all addressed and ready to go. I just need to find where the post office is to see how many stamps it needs.)

I can't wait to hear about the Universal trip!

 

[thecapells]

They also have a "build-a-rollercoaster" ride I've done with the DSD, but Jacob wouldn't do it. You basically create a ride with loops etc. and then hop in a capsule that will spin you around. They have stuff for little kids to do also. We did have a lot more fun on this trip than we have in the past. Really explored all four levels.

I've been to DQ once and wasn't very impressed.
While the Pirates ride was very cool and we liked the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster, that was about it.
There was some VR games that were poor, the Jungle Cruise was pretty bad, and we skipped the rollercoaster-making thing.
It just didn't seem worth the price of admission and we'd rather be in the parks on our trip
(for those of us who don't live right there and can go whenever we want!!)
Do you think it's gotten better lately or is it still much of the same?

 

[jmskinner]

Ok that sound like a possibility...we are staying at the Carribean Beach Resort from the 13th until the 16th and I had thought we would do some stuff at Downtown Disney and just enjoy the resort until....we check back in on the 16th at Pop. I also considered the pirate adventure they do at the resort but that would just be for the boys and I'm not sure my youngest (just turned 5) would be comfortable doing that with just his brother since that is just for kids and we can't join them. Disney Quest would be something we could all enjoy! Thanks for the info! Really enjoy this thread- I read often but don't post...love getting some doses of Disney throughout the year!!!!!

Thanks for continue to read. Something else you might try is the miniature golf. I never posted our pics, but we had a nice relaxing time.

Hi Melissa!

I can't believe you hadn't done Indiana Jones!!!!!! Of course, you didn't get the full experience, you will need to wait until next year for that and Gordon's acting debut!

I'm kinda in 2 minds about DQ, I've heard mixed reports on it, and although entry is included in the ultimate tickets we get we've never gone. I think I feel like - we're at WDW - get out and get to the parks!!!

You're so close to your US trip!!!!

Di x

PS, note my countdown ticker - flying down it is! We'll be at a year before you know it!

I think your right, maybe that is why I didn't enjoy Indiana Jones, I knew it would be better in 2010!

I totally understand your feelings about going to the parks and not DisneyQuest. It is a nice break in air conditioning. I saw many adults sitting at booths in one of the food areas, they were either sleeping, texting, or playing on the computers there.

We had a great time at DQ on our honeymoon, but we decided we'd wait until our boys were older, we have heard it's not so fun with the under 3 crowd, so we'll wait until Joey is older so we can all enjoy ourselves.

We will def. have to go to the Lego store, that car racing thing looks like fun.

Discussions have begun with the possibility of one day at Universal just to see Spidey , but maybe just for me and Jack I'm trying to win one day passes on their website though- check it out it you haven't already

I agree, the boys need to be older for DQ. Oh, I've already won a ticket from Universal, part of the reason for going. Jonas gets a free one for being military, and we got good discounts on the kids tickets. How could we not go?

I wasn't overly impressed with Indiana Jones either. Maybe cause we're girls? Although, I do like LMA!

Disney Quest looks so cool. We've never done it before. I thought I heard a while back that it was going to close?

Like you, I like LMA.

I haven't heard anything about it closing, but wouldn't be too surprised.

Thanks for posting those DQ pics -- I've always wondered what it looked like inside! Too bad you can't get a video of the pirate game you & Jacob played! Like at Fiesta Texas on the Tony Hawk's Big Spin (rollercoaster) ride, there's a video camera in the middle of the four-seat car, and it films each side of 2 people, so you can buy a copy at the end -- just more revenue for the park, but it's funny to watch yourself go on the ride!

Yay -- only one more day of work and a day of packing between us & WDW!

We're even closer now! It would make for a funny video with us running all over the ship firing the cannons and trying to steer.

I just got all caught up! Great updates!

The Wishes presentation sounds interesting! I'm glad you mentioned stuff about Disneyland because it sounds awesome. I think I have DBF convinced on going to CA next summer and DL while we're there!

The guy staring at you on ToT was too funny!!!

There was something else I specifically wanted to comment on and now I don't remember what it was...

(I still have the camera strap! It got misplaced when people were "helping" us pack, but it is in an envelope all addressed and ready to go. I just need to find where the post office is to see how many stamps it needs.)

I can't wait to hear about the Universal trip!

I've already called my mother to see if she would want to go to CA next Summer. I want to see the World of Color water fountain show at California Adventures. Don't know if we will make it though.

Too funny about that camera strap. I have a letter I kept meaning to mail, its been rewritten and then never mailed. I seem to have an aversion(sp) to post offices.

I've been to DQ once and wasn't very impressed.
While the Pirates ride was very cool and we liked the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster, that was about it.
There was some VR games that were poor, the Jungle Cruise was pretty bad, and we skipped the rollercoaster-making thing.
It just didn't seem worth the price of admission and we'd rather be in the parks on our trip
(for those of us who don't live right there and can go whenever we want!!)
Do you think it's gotten better lately or is it still much of the same?

No, I think it is the same. They did have a lot of the Guitar Hero games and a drum one also. I thought that was a nice addition. I think it is great for teenagers and I wish they would limit the number of people allowed. The day included in this TR was a slow day. I have been on a very busy day and just ended up with a headache. If you are purchasing the water park and more, I highly recommend you stop by DQ and give it a try.

Well, we leave tomorrow morning...hopefully. Constanze has pancreatitis and hasn't responded to treatment. She is at a specialist right now for a ultrasound. Jonas and Kara took her in since Jacob had therapy today, so I am sitting here wondering if she will be coming home again. Trying to keep my mind off of it, but obviously not doing a good job.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I will try to post while on vaca!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Will miss reading your adventures, have a great trip.

for the dog

can't wait to read when you get back

 

[scottny]

Hi,
All caught up. great updates and pics.

 

[jmskinner]

Will miss reading your adventures, have a great trip.

for the dog

can't wait to read when you get back

Thank you and I'm back.

Hi,
All caught up. great updates and pics.

Thank you!

Yes, we are back. Poor Jonas had to go to work today. I know he is exhausted. Constanze is about the same, need to call the vet to see what they want to do. She seems to be keeping her food down. Both dogs are happy to be home.

I plan on continuing this TR, still have several day trips to post. I will start a new TR for the past two weeks, but have lots of pics to get organized. Still have 1000 to download. You guys know me, I snapped away like crazy. I also plan to post our Universal Days on the Universal boards, so I guess I will have 3 TR's going on at once. This should be interesting.

With what we spent the past couple of weeks and what the vet bills have been we debated cancelling the September trip. We already have the MNSSHP tickets, so we knew we wanted to stay at least one night. Well, when we got home yesterday I looked to see if any offers to AP's were being offered and sure enough a 40% off room discount was being offered for Labor Day weekend. So, we decided to cancel the Free Dining, which we were having to buy one day tickets for each of us to get, so it wasn't that free for us. I'm also thinking it will be more relaxing to really wing it and not have any ADR's. So, what was $750 or so is now less than $400. We still have a pirate room at CBR also. I can't believe I have managed to keep my mouth shut about that and not told Jacob.

Jacob has an appointment for a physical this morning and then I hope to get started on the new TR. Have to do some also. Also trying to think of a name for the TR, any ideas?

 

[JPFamilyMom]

OH WOW!!!! A pirate room, that is so exciting. I want to stay in the pirate room one day. Jacob is going to be thrilled. I can't wait.

 

[irky416]

Glad you're still going to MNSSHP! (Especially, so I can read your TR and get the inside scoop before I go!)

Ohhh, a pirate room! Be sure to take lots of pictures...like I really have to remind you!

Can't wait to read the TR's!

 

[jmskinner]

OH WOW!!!! A pirate room, that is so exciting. I want to stay in the pirate room one day. Jacob is going to be thrilled. I can't wait.

I can't either!

Glad you're still going to MNSSHP! (Especially, so I can read your TR and get the inside scoop before I go!)

Ohhh, a pirate room! Be sure to take lots of pictures...like I really have to remind you!

Can't wait to read the TR's!

Have you not done MNSSHP before? I remembered you going to a party, but it was the Pirate and Princess party wasn't it?

I keep reminding myself everyday that we are to check-in at CBR, find our room and walk in and take pictures. DO NOT CARRY ANYTHING TO THE ROOM!!!! I want pics without destroying it first.

Ok, I just realized I didn't update the sig yet, but here is the link to the new TR.

My DSD came to visit and didn't want to go to WDW????

I am going to continue this one, still have a couple of day trips to report on and I know we will be going back to WDW and will have to report on that. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[jmskinner]

So, now that I have started the other TR, I figured I should get moving on this one also. I'm trying to remember why I felt the need to go to Magic Kingdom on this day. I just remembered, it was for the HoP AP preview. Per the website it would be an all day event so I didn't rush to get us there. Per the time this pic was taken:

it was about 1:30 when we were on the tram. Doesn't Jacob look happy as usual. Per his request we rode the monorail.

Made it to the park and Main Street:

And on our way to HoP. I believe we stopped for several Photopass photographers against Jacob's wishes. Such a mean Mom making her kid pose for pics.

We get to HoP and I am digging to get the AP's out when the CM says I can just go in. The place is packed. I over hear someone stating what I was thinking, "Guess they opened it to the public." I have since learned most times they do these special AP previews, they are normally just in the morning and then everyone gets to see it. The door opened just a few minutes later and we were in. Now a CM outside said "no photography", the one inside said "no flash photography". I thought I would be a good park guest, put my camera away, and just enjoy the show.

Now, you know the laws of WDW, go all the way to the end of the aisle. Well, this one family parks themselves right at the beginning of an aisle. Well, this set me off for some reason, so I proceeded to pick this aisle, dragged Jacob behind (secretly hoping he would step on a few feet along the way ) saying loudly, "you are supposed to go to the end of the aisle!" Ok, Ok, I lost my good park guest award, but that just really ticked me off for some reason that day. So, on a row that probably holds 50 people, there were 10 of us all the way to the end, about 40 empty seats to my left and then that family. Every other aisle was packed.

I really enjoyed the show, but since it had been a year since I saw it last, I couldn't remember what was new. Of course I remembered the new President, but not sure about the rest of the presentation. It is a wonderful presentation and if you haven't checked it out, do so. Plus, great air conditioning.

Now, I was hoping to get some rides in Fantasyland, but Jacob wasn't very interested. He wanted Buzz. So we walked through Fantasyland anyways:

I noticed they were working on the front of IASW and it didn't look very busy, so grabbed Jacob and made him ride. Now, I hadn't tried taking pics with the new camera yet, so here was my chance. I'm sure everyone in the boat got tired of hearing my camera, but I never used the flash blinding them.

Jacob looked so thrilled:

I need to do some more camera research because most came out blurry.

Here's what it looks like out front:

Took some pics as we walked around, but didn't ride anything:

One thing I have noticed about Buzz Lightyear is the FP return time is normally about 30 minutes after the current time. So we grabbed FP's and Jacob decided he wanted ice cream, so we took a quick break:

I had fun washing that shirt later on.

I know I am close to the pic limit, so this is continued on the next post.

 

[jmskinner]

After ice cream we still had time before the FP time, so we did some shopping, ok, before you ask about what we purchased, it was just looking.

On the way to the next shop, I noticed this guy enjoying the MK.

Carissa, did you let Stitch loose while you had him at MK?

I liked these t-shirts, but sadly they were for kids:

And I had never noticed this:

Stitch was loose!!!!

One of my favorites

still closed:

Found a penny machine we hadn't hit yet:

Finally time for Buzz:

I can not get a pic with his face.

Now, we got to this room and the ride stopped.

Jacob knows all about the points and the volcano, so within seconds he had this score:

Takes some of the fun out of it when you can't get anymore points.

I of course, had fun taking more pics while on the ride, but most came out blurry:

Sadly I didn't catch up to Jacob score, as usual.

We both decided to head out of the park and go home:

But first I had planned on getting Jacob's hair cut in the babershop. Well, I didn't have money for a tip, so I went to the candy store to buy something to break a $10. By the time I figured out what would at least give me 3 $1 bills, we got back and the barbershop was closed.

Then I remembered something else. All day my hair had driven me nuts. When I pulled it back in a ponytail, one lock in the front would fall out. People close to me know my hair drives me NUTS! Straight, curly, however, it makes me nuts. Don't even touch. I hate fans blowing on it, I would rather be hot than a fan blow my hair around. So, I realized I would not make a full week at the parks with my hair like this, so I decided to buy a hat. So now it was hat shopping time. I asked Jacob to take a pic of me in one hat so I could see how I looked:

That one just made me feel old. I finally found one and you will see how it looks in the next MTR.

It was time for the Flag Ceremony, but Jacob wanted to go home, so off we went:

Believe it or not, there is still one more MTR, before the Universal and WDW trip. I'll try to get to it tomorrow.

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Sounds like you have had a great day!

We had an incident like the one you had where people don;t go to the end of the line and just stop and sit down. The show was packed and this family went to the middle and stopped. Steve just said to them." do you want to move along so we can all get it?" the woman looked so shocked that she got up and made them move! I told steve he could get a CM job!

Glad to see Jacob hit the 999999!!! Good on him!