The Neverending "Disney" Story
- Thread starter DisnsyDog
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roberrl187
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Great report. Thanks for sharing.
Disney owl
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Great start looking forward to the rest
After Akerhush we went to Mexico to get a little bite to eat. In Mexico they serve their food hot in case you are wondering. We split two counter service meals which were both pretty good. My DW said she had the best empinadas of her life (we live in Minnesota we are not exactly flush with mexican food up here,) which I found rather disappointing because she ate both of them before I had the kids set up with their food. After taking in dinner part two we set off to ride the all mighty Maelstom. While it is a FP attraction (settle down Zzub) there was not a wait. I didn't have any expectations for this ride as I had heard it was pretty mediocre. I found it pretty enjoyable. It had a little excitment yet I didn't have to worry about DS or DD freaking out. However at the end they have that little show about Norway. I feel so bad for that Norwegian kid who operates the movie. You would have to think his feelings are a little hurt people run from a movie about his country like they are being forced into a Kenny G concert. Well, we ran just like every one else (I hate Kenny G) and took a stroll around the world.
I would like to make a little side note at this juncture. The world showcase is not a substitute for visiting the world. Before Disney performed the lobotomy on me (I don't have a scar or anything but that can be the only explanation for my condition,) I felt it was important to get out of the country while we had the chance (I am not saying this because Bush is in office,) however my dear and loving DW ( I used to call just call her wife, very un-Disney-ish isn't it) had a dream. She had a dream of a place, where all people could wake up in the morning and know today they would behold flying elephants, magic carpets, teacups that spin (not to fast,) and a castle for all too share (as long as you had a PS.) I on the other hand had a dream of visiting distant continents such as Europe and Asia. However I agreed to go on the vacation she never had as a child. Next year we would tackle my dream an eight hour flight with two toddlers and upon arrival countless hours spent on trains to pack in as many destinations as possible and then travel ten hours back on an airplane with two weary, crabby, toddlers. Luckily Disney saved me all the horror and endless tantrums. They put more countries you could visit in a week into an area you could walk around in 30 minutes.
You don't have to take a train or fly across an ocean to visit Great Britain, hang a right once you exit Future World. Care to visit Norway take a left. This is what my DW with the help of a few Disney imagineers forced me to think. All of a sudden I didn't want to go to Europe (they have all that anti american sentiment over there anyway, I don't like pretending I am from Canada, I am very believable by the way) I just wanted to go to Disney World. However today at work in a recurring training class we were asked where we have been internationally. Immediately all of the countries in the world showcase came into my mind. When it was my turn to answer I said, "While I don't have a passport, I have managed to visit the World Showcase at Epcot in Disney World." Immediately the class started laughing. Obviously I was very confused by this reaction. The trainer didn't even ask me what countries the world showcase encompassed to write them down like she had for everyone else. At first I thought she was jealous because she had never been to the World Showcase, but then it occured to me the World Showcase is not a substitute for visiting another country, it is only a taste. Like Baskin Robbins with the mini taste spoons, it is enough to wet the palate, not quench the thirst. Upon explaining this to my DW today she smiled and told me if she gets enough free tastes she can quench her thirst (has anyone ever tried to taste all 31 flavors and then walk out the store without buying anything.) Despite my DW's contention that if you eat lots of ice cream while visiting the world showcase it is just like traveling the world, I hold that the general population does not believe this is the case.
Side note taken. While we were walking around the world we decided to find a spot for illuminations. We got a very nice spot on a bench and bided our time. This was very uneventful, I will spare you the disscusion I had with my DW regarding the price of the light up crap they were selling on the segways. So Illuminations started, I was so excited to see it, this would be my first time (the previous year it was rained out when we went.) A light, laser, fire, and water show it really sounds thrilling. After seeing Wishes I expected great things of the Disney pyros who put these things together. The show starts off great with the fireworks and the lasers and the fountains. There is the flame shooting up from the lake it is great. But then it stops, all of a sudden a giant TV in the shape of a ball comes out. This is where I am going to lose everybody, I know several thousand people genuinely like this show. My opinion is if I want to watch TV on a disco ball I will do that on my own time. Yeah, I know, I am in Epcot and everything is all lovey dovey with the world in here it is great to see all the people smiling on the floating TV ball, but this was supposed to be a show with fire and water and lasers. If they want to impress me with a ball they turned into a TV, throw Spaceship Earth out there, that would be impressive. Needless to say I was very dissapointed, but you know what, I was in Disney World with my family and we still had 7 more days to have fun. Things can't get too much better than that.
Up next: Day Four: Dumbo or Die
I would like to make a little side note at this juncture. The world showcase is not a substitute for visiting the world. Before Disney performed the lobotomy on me (I don't have a scar or anything but that can be the only explanation for my condition,) I felt it was important to get out of the country while we had the chance (I am not saying this because Bush is in office,) however my dear and loving DW ( I used to call just call her wife, very un-Disney-ish isn't it) had a dream. She had a dream of a place, where all people could wake up in the morning and know today they would behold flying elephants, magic carpets, teacups that spin (not to fast,) and a castle for all too share (as long as you had a PS.) I on the other hand had a dream of visiting distant continents such as Europe and Asia. However I agreed to go on the vacation she never had as a child. Next year we would tackle my dream an eight hour flight with two toddlers and upon arrival countless hours spent on trains to pack in as many destinations as possible and then travel ten hours back on an airplane with two weary, crabby, toddlers. Luckily Disney saved me all the horror and endless tantrums. They put more countries you could visit in a week into an area you could walk around in 30 minutes.
You don't have to take a train or fly across an ocean to visit Great Britain, hang a right once you exit Future World. Care to visit Norway take a left. This is what my DW with the help of a few Disney imagineers forced me to think. All of a sudden I didn't want to go to Europe (they have all that anti american sentiment over there anyway, I don't like pretending I am from Canada, I am very believable by the way) I just wanted to go to Disney World. However today at work in a recurring training class we were asked where we have been internationally. Immediately all of the countries in the world showcase came into my mind. When it was my turn to answer I said, "While I don't have a passport, I have managed to visit the World Showcase at Epcot in Disney World." Immediately the class started laughing. Obviously I was very confused by this reaction. The trainer didn't even ask me what countries the world showcase encompassed to write them down like she had for everyone else. At first I thought she was jealous because she had never been to the World Showcase, but then it occured to me the World Showcase is not a substitute for visiting another country, it is only a taste. Like Baskin Robbins with the mini taste spoons, it is enough to wet the palate, not quench the thirst. Upon explaining this to my DW today she smiled and told me if she gets enough free tastes she can quench her thirst (has anyone ever tried to taste all 31 flavors and then walk out the store without buying anything.) Despite my DW's contention that if you eat lots of ice cream while visiting the world showcase it is just like traveling the world, I hold that the general population does not believe this is the case.
Side note taken. While we were walking around the world we decided to find a spot for illuminations. We got a very nice spot on a bench and bided our time. This was very uneventful, I will spare you the disscusion I had with my DW regarding the price of the light up crap they were selling on the segways. So Illuminations started, I was so excited to see it, this would be my first time (the previous year it was rained out when we went.) A light, laser, fire, and water show it really sounds thrilling. After seeing Wishes I expected great things of the Disney pyros who put these things together. The show starts off great with the fireworks and the lasers and the fountains. There is the flame shooting up from the lake it is great. But then it stops, all of a sudden a giant TV in the shape of a ball comes out. This is where I am going to lose everybody, I know several thousand people genuinely like this show. My opinion is if I want to watch TV on a disco ball I will do that on my own time. Yeah, I know, I am in Epcot and everything is all lovey dovey with the world in here it is great to see all the people smiling on the floating TV ball, but this was supposed to be a show with fire and water and lasers. If they want to impress me with a ball they turned into a TV, throw Spaceship Earth out there, that would be impressive. Needless to say I was very dissapointed, but you know what, I was in Disney World with my family and we still had 7 more days to have fun. Things can't get too much better than that.
Up next: Day Four: Dumbo or Die
Queen_freckles
Mouseketeer
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- Dec 30, 2004
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I am loving your trip report! I am trying to imagine your warm weather while I too am in single digit temperatures for the days and nights 
Marlene
Marlene
FSUDisneyGirl
<font color=#FF8000>Hey, my eye feels weird....AAA
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Your trip sounds like fun! I'm waiting for another report! : )
Shelby5514
<font color=87005b>John Taylor is my guilty pleasu
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hee! hee! 
I love it!
I love it!
jugglinfish
Mouseketeer
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- Jul 15, 2004
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- 205
Keep it coming. Thanks for the very enjoyable read.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Dumbo or Die it is a touring plan referred to in the Unofficial guide as the ultimate sacrifice Disney parents can make for their Disney children (personally I think receiving the Disney lobotomy is a greater sacrifice, but who am I to correct the great guide.) DW and I are always game for a challenge (I have to be honest on occasion we have locked ourselves in the bathroom to escape DD's fits, but that doesn't count, she aims to injure us,) so we took up the challenge with a few modifications to this 27 step touring plan. Step one is arrive 50 minutes prior to opening. That is nuts we would have to be on a bus at like 730a. That means we would have to be up at 630a to make that happen. So we set a wake up call for 7a, which should put us at MK just before opening. The guide also called for a nap around lunchtime. Unfortunately my kids stopped napping when they turned two. I would have really enjoyed a nap, but DW said naps are not Disney-ish and that would not be happening while we are on vacation (actually she said, "Are you serious? You think you flew all this way to nap. Get your a** in the shower and come out here ready for some fun! Now!" I would like to say that DW claims this is untrue and is watching me type this paragraph, thus I agree with her.) In lieu of the nap we added Cinderellabration, Share a Dream Come True Parade, BTMRR, and The Hall of Presidents (hmmm maybe I could nap there.) This pushed our plan to include 31 elements.
Of course our plan had several flaws. First of all we had to be up at 7a. That is really early especially after a late night at Epcot. You think that would have dawned on us when we set up this long day, but no we just thought we could push through the "pain." When the wake up call came I think my wife answered the phone (I really don't recall it was awfully early) and hung it back up. It was a great start to the day. I came to around 8a. DS and DD were already up watching TV, but DW was still out of commission. There was no way we were going to make it to MK before opening. As a result we took our time in getting ready, I went to get an icee (there is nothing like an icee before 9am) while the gets sipped on juice boxes. When I returned from the icee run DW was up cracking the whip. The kids were dressed and in the stroller. I hit the warm mister (aka shower,) pounded down a juice box or two and we headed for the Disney bus.
I feel the most annoying issue with Disney is the transportation. Waiting in line for the Disney bus when you have two young children, a stroller, and two emergency bags is a very stressful situation. Upon getting in the line you first try and figure out if there will be seats for you when you get on the bus. On several instances we have had to let people pass us because it was standing room only. After we have figured out where we are in line we start looking out for the bus. Every time you see a bus from the other side of the tree line your stress level rises a little. This is because there are several things we must do to get on the bus. First DW must leave the gift shop (she rarely waits in line with us, "there are things to be bought" is her excuse.) Then she needs to grab the kids out of the stroller. Once the kids are out I need to grab the emergency bags off the stroller and fold the stroller up. It is really quite annoying having to deal with this twice a day. What are the other options though. Paying 200 a night to stay in a monorail resort or getting lost while driving a rental car only to deal with a similar problem with the trams going to and from the parking lot. Not only that, but we would have to pay to rent the car. So this was another situation where my thrifty side got the best of us. So we waited for our bus.
Upon arrival to the park at 930a we headed for Dumbo. I couldn't believe how empty the park was. It really wasn't busy over the weekend, but today it was almost vacant, except for that long line at Dumbo. We decide to come back to Dumbo later and hit some other rides. We ride Pooh, Peter Pan, and Snow White without any wait at all. We then head to one of my favorites the tea cups. The teacups bring an element of tension to our family. My DW dislikes any spinning at all on the teacup. While I feel you should try and spin as fast as possible. We actually have had several discussions on the matter prior to our arrival in Disney World. Our final decision allowed me to spin as long as DD was helping turn the car. Once she was either done spinning or pinned to the back of the teacup I had to stop spinning. Along with the agreement my DW was only allowed to touch the wheel to help. If she touched the wheel to hinder our spinning all bets were off. We got into our teacup and DW reminded me of our agreement. I nodded and told the kids to man their battle positions. DW rolled her eyes and sat back. We were off, the kids and I were doing every thing we could to get rolling our cup rolling. DW told me to take it easy and asked DD to sit back with her. Thus forcing me to stop spinning. However I countered by telling DD she could get a Mickey bar if she helped spin us faster (I know I am awfully pitiful.) The gloves came off on that comment, DW gave me the look, and I was both impressed and shocked. I was shocked that she was able to muster such a look while we were in Disney and Shocked because DS was pinned to the back of the teacup while DD was yelling at me to spin faster. I immediately pulled back to enjoy the rest of the ride.
We visited several more rides including Dumbo. We rode it over lunch and only waited 20 minutes. I think that was the longest we waited for a ride all trip (except for the bus ride back to Pop, more on that later.) For lunch we went to Cosmic Rays. We got a really nice table up by the little show and I went to order the food for everyone. The place was packed it was almost like every one in the park decided to eat at the same time at the same place. I threw a few elbows and made my way back to my family with all of our food. At first the whole Cosmic Ray act is very cute, however after listening to it for 30 minutes I couldn't take it anymore it was loud people were all over the place the smell of Disney counter service was all over the place. I was having a Disney mental breakdown. I told my DW we had to go outside or I was about to go postal. She agreed and we headed for its a Small World. That is right I decided if I was going to go postal it should happen in its a small world. All those little people of the world looked like perfect little punching bags. After calming down in its a small world DW says that was her favorite ride and she wants to ride again. I was overcome by stunned disbelief. It is a cute ride, but come on it plays that song the whole time that could be enough to push one over the edge. I ignored her comment and we moved on.
to be continued...
Of course our plan had several flaws. First of all we had to be up at 7a. That is really early especially after a late night at Epcot. You think that would have dawned on us when we set up this long day, but no we just thought we could push through the "pain." When the wake up call came I think my wife answered the phone (I really don't recall it was awfully early) and hung it back up. It was a great start to the day. I came to around 8a. DS and DD were already up watching TV, but DW was still out of commission. There was no way we were going to make it to MK before opening. As a result we took our time in getting ready, I went to get an icee (there is nothing like an icee before 9am) while the gets sipped on juice boxes. When I returned from the icee run DW was up cracking the whip. The kids were dressed and in the stroller. I hit the warm mister (aka shower,) pounded down a juice box or two and we headed for the Disney bus.
I feel the most annoying issue with Disney is the transportation. Waiting in line for the Disney bus when you have two young children, a stroller, and two emergency bags is a very stressful situation. Upon getting in the line you first try and figure out if there will be seats for you when you get on the bus. On several instances we have had to let people pass us because it was standing room only. After we have figured out where we are in line we start looking out for the bus. Every time you see a bus from the other side of the tree line your stress level rises a little. This is because there are several things we must do to get on the bus. First DW must leave the gift shop (she rarely waits in line with us, "there are things to be bought" is her excuse.) Then she needs to grab the kids out of the stroller. Once the kids are out I need to grab the emergency bags off the stroller and fold the stroller up. It is really quite annoying having to deal with this twice a day. What are the other options though. Paying 200 a night to stay in a monorail resort or getting lost while driving a rental car only to deal with a similar problem with the trams going to and from the parking lot. Not only that, but we would have to pay to rent the car. So this was another situation where my thrifty side got the best of us. So we waited for our bus.
Upon arrival to the park at 930a we headed for Dumbo. I couldn't believe how empty the park was. It really wasn't busy over the weekend, but today it was almost vacant, except for that long line at Dumbo. We decide to come back to Dumbo later and hit some other rides. We ride Pooh, Peter Pan, and Snow White without any wait at all. We then head to one of my favorites the tea cups. The teacups bring an element of tension to our family. My DW dislikes any spinning at all on the teacup. While I feel you should try and spin as fast as possible. We actually have had several discussions on the matter prior to our arrival in Disney World. Our final decision allowed me to spin as long as DD was helping turn the car. Once she was either done spinning or pinned to the back of the teacup I had to stop spinning. Along with the agreement my DW was only allowed to touch the wheel to help. If she touched the wheel to hinder our spinning all bets were off. We got into our teacup and DW reminded me of our agreement. I nodded and told the kids to man their battle positions. DW rolled her eyes and sat back. We were off, the kids and I were doing every thing we could to get rolling our cup rolling. DW told me to take it easy and asked DD to sit back with her. Thus forcing me to stop spinning. However I countered by telling DD she could get a Mickey bar if she helped spin us faster (I know I am awfully pitiful.) The gloves came off on that comment, DW gave me the look, and I was both impressed and shocked. I was shocked that she was able to muster such a look while we were in Disney and Shocked because DS was pinned to the back of the teacup while DD was yelling at me to spin faster. I immediately pulled back to enjoy the rest of the ride.
We visited several more rides including Dumbo. We rode it over lunch and only waited 20 minutes. I think that was the longest we waited for a ride all trip (except for the bus ride back to Pop, more on that later.) For lunch we went to Cosmic Rays. We got a really nice table up by the little show and I went to order the food for everyone. The place was packed it was almost like every one in the park decided to eat at the same time at the same place. I threw a few elbows and made my way back to my family with all of our food. At first the whole Cosmic Ray act is very cute, however after listening to it for 30 minutes I couldn't take it anymore it was loud people were all over the place the smell of Disney counter service was all over the place. I was having a Disney mental breakdown. I told my DW we had to go outside or I was about to go postal. She agreed and we headed for its a Small World. That is right I decided if I was going to go postal it should happen in its a small world. All those little people of the world looked like perfect little punching bags. After calming down in its a small world DW says that was her favorite ride and she wants to ride again. I was overcome by stunned disbelief. It is a cute ride, but come on it plays that song the whole time that could be enough to push one over the edge. I ignored her comment and we moved on.
to be continued...
omg!~ please relay my sympathies to DW as I was the one last Sept in the pink cup screaming at my otherwise happy and adoring children and husband... "if you touch that spinny thing again...it will be the last thing you ever do..." or something very evil like that...
lets just say after the ride was over, I let the Mad Hatter know just what I thought about his "tea party" and what he could do with it!!!
who knew tea cups could bring a grown woman to her knees...
of course dh reminds me it is not wise to try to take PHOTOGRAPHS while spinning!!!!
I really love your reports!! GREAT!!!
Do you have pics to share btw???
MOMOFMNM said:
My wife is happy to here that she isn't the only one that has issue with the mad hatter. I do plan on posting a few pics eventually it is just a matter of sending DW away for a few hours, as she doesn't like me posting pics online. I will show her. I will try and get the next installment out by tommorrow evening. Thanks for reading.
I love the banana dance.We rode a few more rides and grabbed a spot for the 3p parade. We arrived at about 245p. This meant we had to entertain the kids for 20 minutes until the parade hit our spot. Which shouldn't bet that hard, they each had an ice cream treat in hand and were starting to wear down (you know it is pretty rough sitting in a stroller all day, I wish I was five and could be carted around like that,) so we thought. It all started when DD decided she didn't like the sun on her legs and asked for her blanket to cover them. When we presented her with the blanket she claimed she was hot (as we warned her.) I then offered to block the sun by standing next to the stroller to offer a shield. She said that she didn't want daddy and only mommy would do. However mommy has the inability to block sun sufficiently and was fired, promptly. Now DD was really getting pissed she smacked DS in the arm and said he was making her hot. DS brilliantly followed the DD drama evacuation plan by jumping out of the stroller and maintaining a five-foot radius from the hazard. I promptly buckled DD in the stroller to contain the situation. She bucked and kicked trying to destroy everything in her reach. At last the parade was just around the corner from us, it would only be another minute or so and maybe she would settle down. No such luck she was in the middle of a full-blown drama. There was no amount of kisses from a bubble princess that could cure this problem. We gave up our front row seat and decided on an attack plan for the rest of the day.
At this point we had done just about every ride on the docket and we obviously needed a rest. So we decided to saunter towards the bus to Pop for a break when we encountered Pluto skipping through Main Street. This seemed to be the cure for DD's drama. She loves that yellow guy always flipping his ears on her face. DS ran up to where Pluto had settled and had an in-depth discussion with him about his strategy to defeat the girls in buzz. DD ran up and got some much-needed love from a large furry stuffed animal and an autograph in her autograph book. This brings me to my sidebar of this installment. Prior to this trip I really disliked the whole autograph book idea. I was not about to pay $5-$10 for an autograph book in which a person dressed up in a large suit either stamps or forges the signature of some make believe character. What Disney marketing genius can I thank for that idea? That must have been some marketing pitch.
Marketing guy: I have this great idea.
Dis Exec: Will it cost us money.
Marketing guy: About 20 cents
Dis Exec: Will it cost the customer money.
Marketing guy: About 5 bucks.
Dis Exec: So, we will be making money on it then. Right?
Marketing guy: Yes.
Dis Exec: What is it?
Marketing Guy: We will slap some pieces of paper together put a Disney stamp on the first one and call it an autograph book.
Dis Exec: Will it be made in China?
Marketing Guy: Of course.
Dis Exec: Great, lets do it.
I just never thought buying one of these creations was sensible or economical. I mean why can't you just buy a little notebook at Target for these characters to sign. Well, according to DW a notebook is not Disney-ish. DW also had advised me prior to our arrival at Disney that we would be buying an autograph book for each child so I should suck it up as this was non-negotiable. (Lucky for me when we bought our Disney vacation (at rack rates) we got a free autograph book and two lanyards (what is up now Disney marketing people I got free stuff.)) However I would like to say that DW was right and I was wrong (shock and surprise.) Notebooks are not Disney-ish, they are functional but not Disney-ish. Plus those autograph books are great for scrapbooks. In fact we have taped a picture next to its corresponding signature. This has been a lot of fun to look at with the kids since returning from Disney.
Anyway, we visited several other characters and headed for the exit. This was the only day we left to go back to the hotel the entire trip. It is such a pain to leave the park and wait for the bus. Then ride the bus back to Pop (I swear half the time these drivers get lost,) only to struggle with the kids to take a rest. After an hour of fighting the non-nappers we go back to wait for the bus. Then we get lost on our ride to MK. Then we go through security and finally back onto Main Street. It is very annoying thinking about it make me want to throw back a shot of schnapps.
We were back, ready to hit some rides. This is when it occurred to us that it was dinner time and we were kind of hungry. We headed for Pinochio's Haus. When DW and I were going over all the menu items throughout Disney I saw they served loaded fries at Pinochio's. They sounded very good, in fact they reminded me of this touristy place in Chicago called Ed Debevic's. They serve these great fries with bacon, cheese, chives, sour cream, and just about every other unhealthy thing you could think of. I was pretty excited about these fries, as I have been craving Eddie D's fries for over a year. I was a little concerned going to this place as I had read a lot of poor reviews for it, but it isn't that hard to throw together a burger and some greased up fries, or is it????? I guess it is difficult because this place didn't have another soul eating there ( this was around 5pm,) and for good reason to. The food was very poor. I was so disappointed I had a craving for cold scrambled eggs (yeah it was that bad.) After dinner my freshly energized children and DW were ready for some rides. We hit (yikes) the ride with the song that should not be mentioned (which DW loves for some unexplained reason,) phillharmagic (for the 5th time,) and several other rides for the second time of the day.
All in all it was a pretty good evening. We watched wishes from our "getaway spot" (by that bakery on main street with food that smells way better than it tastes) and savored the moment. There is just something to be said for that show. I can't believe that DW and I never knew about the wishes cd. We will have to buy one (at a discounted price of course) next chance I get. At the end of wishes we were herded towards the bus for our long wait to return back to Pop.
DW and I have a ritual when we return to Pop after these long days. She gets the kids in bed while I head to the food court to grab a late night snack and a delicious beverage from the bar. I grab a parmesan crusted chicken breast, salad, beverage, twinkie tiramisu (One of our reasaons to return to Pop,) and return to our room. The kids are usually asleep by the time I return and finally DW and I have an opportunity to relax and eat a little late night dinner. Lets face it, nothing says vacation like your second dinner of the day, around 11pm, while planning for more adventures at Disney.
Up Next: Day Five: Did you intend to tip the table over?
At this point we had done just about every ride on the docket and we obviously needed a rest. So we decided to saunter towards the bus to Pop for a break when we encountered Pluto skipping through Main Street. This seemed to be the cure for DD's drama. She loves that yellow guy always flipping his ears on her face. DS ran up to where Pluto had settled and had an in-depth discussion with him about his strategy to defeat the girls in buzz. DD ran up and got some much-needed love from a large furry stuffed animal and an autograph in her autograph book. This brings me to my sidebar of this installment. Prior to this trip I really disliked the whole autograph book idea. I was not about to pay $5-$10 for an autograph book in which a person dressed up in a large suit either stamps or forges the signature of some make believe character. What Disney marketing genius can I thank for that idea? That must have been some marketing pitch.
Marketing guy: I have this great idea.
Dis Exec: Will it cost us money.
Marketing guy: About 20 cents
Dis Exec: Will it cost the customer money.
Marketing guy: About 5 bucks.
Dis Exec: So, we will be making money on it then. Right?
Marketing guy: Yes.
Dis Exec: What is it?
Marketing Guy: We will slap some pieces of paper together put a Disney stamp on the first one and call it an autograph book.
Dis Exec: Will it be made in China?
Marketing Guy: Of course.
Dis Exec: Great, lets do it.
I just never thought buying one of these creations was sensible or economical. I mean why can't you just buy a little notebook at Target for these characters to sign. Well, according to DW a notebook is not Disney-ish. DW also had advised me prior to our arrival at Disney that we would be buying an autograph book for each child so I should suck it up as this was non-negotiable. (Lucky for me when we bought our Disney vacation (at rack rates) we got a free autograph book and two lanyards (what is up now Disney marketing people I got free stuff.)) However I would like to say that DW was right and I was wrong (shock and surprise.) Notebooks are not Disney-ish, they are functional but not Disney-ish. Plus those autograph books are great for scrapbooks. In fact we have taped a picture next to its corresponding signature. This has been a lot of fun to look at with the kids since returning from Disney.
Anyway, we visited several other characters and headed for the exit. This was the only day we left to go back to the hotel the entire trip. It is such a pain to leave the park and wait for the bus. Then ride the bus back to Pop (I swear half the time these drivers get lost,) only to struggle with the kids to take a rest. After an hour of fighting the non-nappers we go back to wait for the bus. Then we get lost on our ride to MK. Then we go through security and finally back onto Main Street. It is very annoying thinking about it make me want to throw back a shot of schnapps.
We were back, ready to hit some rides. This is when it occurred to us that it was dinner time and we were kind of hungry. We headed for Pinochio's Haus. When DW and I were going over all the menu items throughout Disney I saw they served loaded fries at Pinochio's. They sounded very good, in fact they reminded me of this touristy place in Chicago called Ed Debevic's. They serve these great fries with bacon, cheese, chives, sour cream, and just about every other unhealthy thing you could think of. I was pretty excited about these fries, as I have been craving Eddie D's fries for over a year. I was a little concerned going to this place as I had read a lot of poor reviews for it, but it isn't that hard to throw together a burger and some greased up fries, or is it????? I guess it is difficult because this place didn't have another soul eating there ( this was around 5pm,) and for good reason to. The food was very poor. I was so disappointed I had a craving for cold scrambled eggs (yeah it was that bad.) After dinner my freshly energized children and DW were ready for some rides. We hit (yikes) the ride with the song that should not be mentioned (which DW loves for some unexplained reason,) phillharmagic (for the 5th time,) and several other rides for the second time of the day.
All in all it was a pretty good evening. We watched wishes from our "getaway spot" (by that bakery on main street with food that smells way better than it tastes) and savored the moment. There is just something to be said for that show. I can't believe that DW and I never knew about the wishes cd. We will have to buy one (at a discounted price of course) next chance I get. At the end of wishes we were herded towards the bus for our long wait to return back to Pop.
DW and I have a ritual when we return to Pop after these long days. She gets the kids in bed while I head to the food court to grab a late night snack and a delicious beverage from the bar. I grab a parmesan crusted chicken breast, salad, beverage, twinkie tiramisu (One of our reasaons to return to Pop,) and return to our room. The kids are usually asleep by the time I return and finally DW and I have an opportunity to relax and eat a little late night dinner. Lets face it, nothing says vacation like your second dinner of the day, around 11pm, while planning for more adventures at Disney.
Up Next: Day Five: Did you intend to tip the table over?
heaven2dc
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 26, 2003
- Messages
- 4,126
Your report is SO funny - really enjoying it (esp the teacup part - I haven't gone on them yet but then I've only been to the World once). Now you've given me dastardly ideas for my DS12 
j/kCan't wait for more! (what does this little guy
mean by your Dec 2006 - just curious).I really enjoy your reports!!
They are quite entertaining without going overboard...(vs another report that I love but after 3 weeks I am on part 32
) I did not think I was a slow reader...until I started reading it!! But they are all so fun!!
Thanks again~~
You seem to confirm my reservations on leaving the park mid day...just seems like such a hassle. It will get better, my kids are older now and could take an open to close day at every park for 4 days in a row without ONE meltdown!!!
Reason #457475 why we should LIVE at WDW!
Let me know where you find that discounted Wishes CD!! I want one too!!
They are quite entertaining without going overboard...(vs another report that I love but after 3 weeks I am on part 32
) I did not think I was a slow reader...until I started reading it!! But they are all so fun!!Thanks again~~
You seem to confirm my reservations on leaving the park mid day...just seems like such a hassle. It will get better, my kids are older now and could take an open to close day at every park for 4 days in a row without ONE meltdown!!!
Reason #457475 why we should LIVE at WDW!Let me know where you find that discounted Wishes CD!! I want one too!!
heaven2dc said:Can't wait for more! (what does this little guy
We are excited to go back, but not so excited to do the bannana dance (We usually hit that point around 90 days out,) so we do the cool guy dance.
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