The Moist Exhausting Free Trip Ever - Link to Part II Thread pg. 244

[englishrose47]

Are you getting excited about it yet? I'm sure that your antics will give us lots to talk about!

Who me I am purrfectly innocent !!!Poor Tracey she has to put up with me for hours and hours

 

[glennbo123]

Hi, Glenn. Stopped by to say have a good weekend and look for an update. But, alas, no update yet. Hope you and the family are having a good weekend.

Sorry about that. I'm working on another update...about halfway through. I hope to have it posted before the weekend is done.

Thanks, you have a good weekend too!

Who me I am purrfectly innocent !!!Poor Tracey she has to put up with me for hours and hours

So, Tracey will have the most stories then.

 

[glennbo123]

Day 2 - Part 9

We were all pretty pumped-up when Hyperspace Hoopla ended, so despite being a little hot and tired, we still wanted to use the remaining fastpasses we had. First up, since it was the closest, was Toy Story Mania. James rode with Judy this time, and as usual Lauren and Marlene rode together, so I was by myself. This meant that I wouldn’t have an opportunity to get those “teamwork” targets, but on the bright side, I wouldn’t have to compete for targets. Would I be able to beat jenbear’s 179,200?

Alas, no. 155,200 was the best I could muster.

From there we went over to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, where Judy, Marlene, and James still had fastpasses to use. On our way there Marlene decided that she didn’t want to go on; she didn’t like it. And then James followed suit. What?! What happened to the thrill-ride progress we’d made last year? They had both loved RnRC! Ay carumba. No amount of convincing and pleading could change their minds, they weren’t going. Well, that freed-up 2 fastpasses for Lauren and me. We gave Marlene one of our phones, and told them to wait for us in the RnRC dump shop. Judy and Lauren rode together, and I got paired-up with a college-aged girl and we talked a little as the car went around the corner and prepared for take-off. She told me she was from Kutztown State, and was in the Disney college program working as a Photopass photographer at Epcot. Just before we took off she said, “Oh, I’m a screamer.”

She was. And I can tell you that she enjoyed the ride. She said it was her favorite ride at Disney. I didn’t mind her screaming; it actually made it kind of fun.

We found James and Marlene in the shop and Marlene wanted to model her rocker-chick look.

James was itching to unload some of his spending money so he bought one of those things that shoots a multi-colored string in a circle and shines a light on it. It looks pretty cool at night. I think you can also buy them from the cart-vendors out on the streets in the parks.

From there we went over to Tower of Terror, and again it was Judy, Lauren, and I using the fastpasses for the ride. I knew that there was no way that Marlene and James would try that one. I took a couple more pictures of the pre-show before we got on the ride.

Lauren loves this cheesy, fake-looking eyeball. Last year, she kept talking about the eyeball and I didn’t know what she was talking about.

Then I got a better picture of Rod Serling than the one I took earlier in the day.

One thing I noticed this time…when the lightning strikes on the video you’re watching on the TV screen, there’s also a flash of lightning in the window. So cool! It makes sense – you have entered…the Twilight Zone.

For this time on the ride, I was determined to keep my camera out and try to get some pictures of the ghosts, and hopefully the picture of ourselves. While we were waiting to board our elevator, the elevator-operator cast member started looking at Lauren in a really creepy way and I quickly tried to capture it. I love this picture even though it’s blurry!

The shutter was open for over a second to get enough light for that photo. That guy held that creepy look that whole time, but Lauren was too creeped-out to hold still. I wish I could make out his name on his nametag. I’d send in a “thank you” comment.

Here are a couple of shots of the ghosts while on the ride.

I wasn’t able to get a shot of the picture of our elevator just before the drops. It wasn’t shown long enough for me to focus and get a shot.

Here’s a redneck photo of our ride photo.

Now, I had a spine-tingling moment about a month after we returned from our trip when I was looking at these photos. I compared this ride photo with the one from earlier in the day. Here’s a refresher:

There’s a bald-headed, Andrew Zimmern-looking guy in a white shirt in both of them. In the picture from the evening, he’s in the 2nd row, all the way to the left. In the picture from earlier in the day, he’s right behind me, one person to the left. Doesn’t it look like the same guy? These pictures were taken hours apart. I was freaking out when I saw this, but I showed them to Lauren and after looking carefully, we decided that they aren’t the same guy. The shirts look a little different.

After Tower of Terror, the kids were clamoring for ice cream. We hadn’t had any dinner (I sure don’t let that happen very often), so figured that ice cream would be a good substitute. We stopped at the ice cream stand at the end of Sunset Blvd., just before you get to RnRC and ToT.

On our way out of the park we asked a Photopass photographer to take our picture.

I think this is the first time we’ve ever gotten nighttime Photopass pictures.

We left the park at about 9:30pm; Lauren and I had been going strong for over 12 hours!

Here’s a shot of some fountains near our room at Coronado Springs.

When we entered our room we discovered that we had some goodies. Judy got these bags and water bottles from PChef for being an upper-level director. For the rest of the trip she was asked by other PChef ladies where she got those. (The higher your level, the more goodies you get. They call them “pillow presents”. If you’re really up there, you may get some swag left in your room every evening. This was the only night we got something.)

Also, her executive director gave us a box of snacks.

We each ate something out of the snack box, and then I accompanied James and Marlene to the quiet pool for a 10-minute dip. Hey, it beats filling the bathtub. Then we came back and everyone hit the hay while I wrote down some trip report notes. Actually, I think Judy and Lauren were already “out” when we got back, and James and Marlene were sawing logs by the time I turned off the desk lamp.

Man, what a day!


Up next: I see red people
Link to next chapter

 

[bellebookworm9]

Oh no! Someday you will beat Jenbear's score.

I forgot to mention in my TR that the person who sat next to me on my first ride on Everest said she was a screamer. But that was okay because I probably screamed at least as much as she did!

At least your family members stayed where they should so you didn't have to search for them for an hour.

I think I know the toy you're talking about with James. I believe a CM in World of Disney was showing to us.

I wonder how long the kissing couple on ToT was able able to keep that up. It can't be easy when you're dropping 13 stories to stay attached at the lips!

Ice cream is a fine substitute for dinner-and hey! You're on vacation! Who cares?!

The night time Photopass shots we had done were great. I have a story coming up soon about some fantastic ones I had done at DHS that became my favorite of the trip.

Congrats on being able to make it for 12 hours in the June heat!

Coronado looks really pretty at night. I'm sure those backpacks and water bottles came in handy at some point!

 

[norybell]

Hi glennbo! Great TR so far, of course...I've been away from the DIS for ages, and it's so nice to see you and your family again!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

So glad the fastpasses went to good use. How neat that you rode with a cast member in the college program.

Love the rockstar photo, I took one of those on my honeymoon, won't share mine though Mine was the blond wig with the red hat????

So cool that you got some extra PC goodies. We love PC products.

Can't wait to see the red people, though I think I just figured it out as I was typing this.

 

[glennbo123]

Oh no! Someday you will beat Jenbear's score.

We'll see. Thanks for the goodvibes.

I forgot to mention in my TR that the person who sat next to me on my first ride on Everest said she was a screamer. But that was okay because I probably screamed at least as much as she did!

It adds to the fun. It was just kind of funny how she said it right before we took off.

At least your family members stayed where they should so you didn't have to search for them for an hour.

Moms, huh?

I think I know the toy you're talking about with James. I believe a CM in World of Disney was showing to us.

Yeah, you're probably thinking of the right thing. They're pretty common at Disney. Not a lot of use at home, although James' is cluttering our steps right now.

I wonder how long the kissing couple on ToT was able able to keep that up. It can't be easy when you're dropping 13 stories to stay attached at the lips!

Good question. Hopefully they're not wearing braces.

Ice cream is a fine substitute for dinner-and hey! You're on vacation! Who cares?!

Right! One time a number of years ago we had dinner at Cold Stone.

The night time Photopass shots we had done were great. I have a story coming up soon about some fantastic ones I had done at DHS that became my favorite of the trip.

I'll be on the lookout for it.

Congrats on being able to make it for 12 hours in the June heat!

We were riding that "first day high".

Coronado looks really pretty at night. I'm sure those backpacks and water bottles came in handy at some point!

We used them the whole rest of the week. Those metal water bottles help keep the water cold longer.

Hi glennbo! Great TR so far, of course...I've been away from the DIS for ages, and it's so nice to see you and your family again!

Nory!!!! It's great to hear from you! I'm so glad you found my TR.

How are you? How are the wedding plans going? Or are you already a bride?

Did you make it to Disney this year?

(Sorry for all the questions.)

So glad the fastpasses went to good use.

Yeah, I don't like to waste 'em.

How neat that you rode with a cast member in the college program.

Yes it was. I never saw her at Epcot though.

Love the rockstar photo, I took one of those on my honeymoon, won't share mine though Mine was the blond wig with the red hat????

Aw nuts. I didn't look around a whole lot and didn't see the blond wig one. I was too busy getting the kids' spending money out. Oh that reminds me, I think Marlene bought the earrings there that she's wearing in the Photopass picture.

So cool that you got some extra PC goodies. We love PC products.

We have them bursting out of our cupboards, with a few more in the dining room, basement, and living room. Judy's having an Open House tomorrow if you want to swing by.

Can't wait to see the red people, though I think I just figured it out as I was typing this.

Yeah, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

 

[norybell]

Nory!!!! It's great to hear from you! I'm so glad you found my TR.

How are you? How are the wedding plans going? Or are you already a bride?

Did you make it to Disney this year?

(Sorry for all the questions.)

I'm wonderful, glennbo, thanks for asking! Today is my one-week anniversary. And I did make it to Disney, in May...I plan to write a TR about it as soon as I finish my old one (for which I have a new installment all ready...I'm just waiting for it to be resuscitated from the graveyard of Completed Trip Reports).

It feels great to be back! But it also feels great to be married.

 

[glennbo123]

I'm wonderful, glennbo, thanks for asking! Today is my one-week anniversary. And I did make it to Disney, in May...I plan to write a TR about it as soon as I finish my old one (for which I have a new installment all ready...I'm just waiting for it to be resuscitated from the graveyard of Completed Trip Reports).

It feels great to be back! But it also feels great to be married.

Congratulations!

That's awesome!

And on top of that, you brought good news upon good news....the old TR is about to be resuscitated, a new installment is ready, and a new Nory TR is on the horizon!

 

[always]

I've been reading your TR and I'm loving it and your pictures.

thanks for sharing!!

 

[SurfinTX]

Day 2 - Part 9

James rode with Judy this time, and as usual Lauren and Marlene rode together, so I was by myself. This meant that I wouldn’t have an opportunity to get those “teamwork” targets, but on the bright side, I wouldn’t have to compete for targets. Would I be able to beat jenbear’s 179,200?

Alas, no. 155,200 was the best I could muster.

179k would be tough alone. It's possible but you really have to have good shooting skills and be able to hit both sides targets fast.

What?! What happened to the thrill-ride progress we’d made last year? They had both loved RnRC! Ay carumba. No amount of convincing and pleading could change their minds, they weren’t going.

Awww! I'm sorry they didn't feel like riding. My two little ones always surprise me and they fear no ride. Kyler, 15, doesn't like spinning like on the teacups and assumed he would get the same effect on rollercoasters. RnRC finally broke him of that assumption.

Well, that freed-up 2 fastpasses for Lauren and me.

Admit it. you browbeat them into giving the FP to you!

Just before we took off she said, “Oh, I’m a screamer.”

She's fun! Dianna would have insisted that I would have had to ride with her.

We found James and Marlene in the shop and Marlene wanted to model her rocker-chick look.

You know with a better wig this look might really work for her. (The beginning of dad's worst nightmare. )

One thing I noticed this time…when the lightning strikes on the video you’re watching on the TV screen, there’s also a flash of lightning in the window. So cool! It makes sense – you have entered…the Twilight Zone.

I find that I discover something new nearly every time I ride it as well.

The shutter was open for over a second to get enough light for that photo. That guy held that creepy look that whole time, but Lauren was too creeped-out to hold still. I wish I could make out his name on his nametag. I’d send in a “thank you” comment.

On this years trip we really didn't have any "creepy" CMs. On our '07 trip, Oh Boy! We had this tall african-american with a super deep voice and we loved him! After we got through the boiler room and were ready to be loaded we had this goth-chick that give this wierd stare. She really creeped us out!

Now, I had a spine-tingling moment about a month after we returned from our trip when I was looking at these photos. I compared this ride photo with the one from earlier in the day. Here’s a refresher:

There’s a bald-headed, Andrew Zimmern-looking guy in a white shirt in both of them. In the picture from the evening, he’s in the 2nd row, all the way to the left. In the picture from earlier in the day, he’s right behind me, one person to the left. Doesn’t it look like the same guy? These pictures were taken hours apart. I was freaking out when I saw this, but I showed them to Lauren and after looking carefully, we decided that they aren’t the same guy. The shirts look a little different.

On the other hand they would be freaking out from seeing this crazy looking mustachio'd guy following them around!

After Tower of Terror, the kids were clamoring for ice cream. We hadn’t had any dinner (I sure don’t let that happen very often), so figured that ice cream would be a good substitute. We stopped at the ice cream stand at the end of Sunset Blvd., just before you get to RnRC and ToT.

I bet your kids are loving that! I personally need something a bit more substantial or I won't sleep well later on.

We left the park at about 9:30pm; Lauren and I had been going strong for over 12 hours!

That's saying something considering the weather! You have earned your park commando badge. Now I had it here a second ago.

Up next: I see red people

To your children's dismay if I remember correctly.

 

[MEK]

Wow - I finally rode ToT ALONE my last trip, but I don't think I am brave enough to ride it with my camera in hand taking pictures. Those pictures of the ghosts are really amazing. So impressed. first time I've seen them in pictures, not youtube videos. Well done!

That's cool that you rode RnR with a Kutztown college program student. Especially since Kutztown is fairly close to you, Im guessing.

What a great day you had at HS. Really enjoying all your updates!

 

[DisneyLaura]

I at first that was the same guy too in the picture from ToT but then noticed their shirts were different.

Ice cream for dinner The best parents in the world

I love again the photopass pics of you guys. I loved that when we went in April - we ALL were in the picture and not just the kids or my DH and the kids or me and the kids

 

[All7OfUs]

3. that's my final answer. 3 shots of Judy.

 

[englishrose47]

Awesome Update !! @ rides I will never do!!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

Hey tinkgurl! Aw, how nice! I guess that chapter was pretty recent when you went on your trip. Did you find the system for ordering/paying easy or confusing?

The system was nice! The hard part was deciding what to eat! There were so many good choices! The one thing though- I forgot that they seat you there.

 

[carissanboys]

I don't blame the kids for deciding not to do RnRC. Once was enough for me on that bad boy.

Great family shot of you all.

I just noticed - you're only on day 2?

 

[glennbo123]

I've been reading your TR and I'm loving it and your pictures.

thanks for sharing!!

Great! always! Thanks for letting me know you're following along.

179k would be tough alone. It's possible but you really have to have good shooting skills and be able to hit both sides targets fast.

You are exactly right. (Thanks for providing me with an excuse.)

Awww! I'm sorry they didn't feel like riding. My two little ones always surprise me and they fear no ride. Kyler, 15, doesn't like spinning like on the teacups and assumed he would get the same effect on rollercoasters. RnRC finally broke him of that assumption.

We made a lot of progress last year, and they liked this ride. I was surprised that we couldn't get either one on it this time.

Admit it. you browbeat them into giving the FP to you!

I was waiting for either you or Marv or Dan to make that accusation.

She's fun! Dianna would have insisted that I would have had to ride with her.

She was. I don't suppose it mattered much since they were right in front of us.

You know with a better wig this look might really work for her. (The beginning of dad's worst nightmare. )

Yeah, don't tell her that!

I find that I discover something new nearly every time I ride it as well.

I was afraid it would be one of those things that everyone responds with, "well duh...you never saw that before Glennbo?"

On this years trip we really didn't have any "creepy" CMs. On our '07 trip, Oh Boy! We had this tall african-american with a super deep voice and we loved him! After we got through the boiler room and were ready to be loaded we had this goth-chick that give this wierd stare. She really creeped us out!

That sounds great. We've never had one this creepy before.

On the other hand they would be freaking out from seeing this crazy looking mustachio'd guy following them around!

I'd never considered that! You're right...it could have been much worse for them!

I bet your kids are loving that! I personally need something a bit more substantial or I won't sleep well later on.

I don't like to miss many meals, especially dinners, but I was still kind of full from lunch, believe it or not. And just too busy with Hoopla and rides and stuff.

That's saying something considering the weather! You have earned your park commando badge. Now I had it here a second ago.

Dang. Just when I finally win something.

To your children's dismay if I remember correctly.

Well I don't know...since we were one of them.

Wow - I finally rode ToT ALONE my last trip, but I don't think I am brave enough to ride it with my camera in hand taking pictures. Those pictures of the ghosts are really amazing. So impressed. first time I've seen them in pictures, not youtube videos. Well done!

Was it your first time alone, or your first time, which happened to be alone?

Yes, I've ridden it 5 or 6 times now and finally felt confident enough that I could hang onto the camera...(or was it that I finally decided that I didn't need to hang onto the panic handles with both hands?).

Thanks! I was happy with the ghost pictures.

That's cool that you rode RnR with a Kutztown college program student. Especially since Kutztown is fairly close to you, Im guessing.

It's always neat to meet someone from "your neck of the woods". Kutztown is about an hour and a half drive away from us.

What a great day you had at HS. Really enjoying all your updates!

Yes indeed! Thank you!

I at first that was the same guy too in the picture from ToT but then noticed their shirts were different.

I really thought it was the same guy. Lauren had to convince me otherwise.

Ice cream for dinner The best parents in the world

I love again the photopass pics of you guys. I loved that when we went in April - we ALL were in the picture and not just the kids or my DH and the kids or me and the kids

Thank you. Yes, that is a huge benefit of Photopass -- everyone can be in the picture.

3. that's my final answer. 3 shots of Judy.

Thank you for playing!

Anyone else?

Awesome Update !! @ rides I will never do!!!!

Thanks Rosie! They are a little more intense than Goofy's Barnstormer, I'll grant you that.

The system was nice! The hard part was deciding what to eat! There were so many good choices! The one thing though- I forgot that they seat you there.

Glad to hear a thumbs-up on the system.

Uh oh. Did you try to seat yourself?

I don't blame the kids for deciding not to do RnRC. Once was enough for me on that bad boy.

Oh, that's my favorite coaster at WDW!

Great family shot of you all.

Thanks! I like that one too.

I just noticed - you're only on day 2?

Um, yeah. But I just finished day 2, if that counts for anything. I had a lot to cover!

 

[carissanboys]

Oh, that's my favorite coaster at WDW!

I just hated the takeoff.

Um, yeah. But I just finished day 2, if that counts for anything. I had a lot to cover!

You break your days up into manageable bites. I do the same thing.

 

[FormerLumberjill]

Haha, Hi there! Really enjoying your report.

...It might be creepy that I know this, but the bellhop in that photo's name is Darren. My friend and I used to ride Tower A LOT!