The Pirates and the Frog (7/17 Welcome to the Next Adventure!)

[thecapells]

After washing ashore once more, we moved our escapades to a more colonial period.
This was a land we had not ventured into much at all in our previous visits to this World.
So we figured it would be ripe for adventure!
Welcome to Liberty Square.

At the heart of this square rested an enormous bell.
Since we figured this must be the town’s way of warning the people of pirates, we needed to put a stop to it.
With one slash of me sword, I cracked the instrument rendering it useless.
Now the town be ours matey!

We headed deeper into the square to get our bearings and found a simple gazebo tucked away in a corner.
Alas, what approached?
A foreign prince and his princess were holding court in the gazebo.
Well, this was all me Pirate Princess needed to see.
A new princess whom she had not met yet?
Well, we explained that her name be Tiana and her prince be Naveen and their tale would be told worldwide in another month or so.
Story or not, me Princess wanted to meet them so meet them we did!
First a hug for this apparently is me princess’ way of greeting all royalty…

And then onto the festivities!!
Dancing was first on the schedule.
Naveen took center stage and the arm of me princess and led our crew.

He even spun our princess to squeals of delight!

Meanwhile Tiana scooped up me First Mate and began a dance of her own!

Then the music stopped and it was time for the royal portraits.

And a couple of the newlyweds themselves…

We took our leave of the prince and princess and were very excited to hear their tale when we returned home.
In fact, here are some portraits of when that took place about a month later…

 

[thecapells]

Now, back to me tale.
Exploring more of this Liberty Square, we ventured into the town of Sleepy Hollow.

We had heard the tale of this village.
Music Teacher Ichabod Crane was attacked by the fearsome Headless Horseman one gruesome Halloween.
And here was an homage to that fateful night complete with Ichabod and Horseman pumpkins.

Across the way we found Crane’s school if you will – still in tact after all these years.

Sitting in the windows of this fine town, we found some treats – however, even here the shape of that rodent made an appearance…

We, instead, opted for a beverage – the Liberty Swirl they called it.
A frozen drink mixed with blueberry and raspberry supposedly honoring the colors of the colonies.

As you can see, there was much debate over this treasure.
Me crew just could not get enough of it!

Near this tavern of sorts, we found some chairs and decided to rest for a while.
In the distance we could see and hear the Big Cheese and his mate capping off a heroic victory.

But closer by we were paid a visit by another sort of creature.
This one was smaller but much quicker and we watched with delight his meanderings along the porch wall.

Alas, our respite was over as our cup be empty.
But with our bellies replenished, twas off to pillage and plunder once more.
Back to the Land of Fantasy says I!
Sail Ho!

 

[boxmaster]

See? You just have to spice it up a bit!
As for the upcoming trip, we're ecstatic!
And, of course, I can't help tinkering with our schedule every day!!

It's a good thing I'm not a control freak. (Well, at least about this. ) Otherwise your constant tinkering would drive me Goofy.

 

[All7OfUs]

The Colonies treated your crew well this time around! Refreshing refreshments, royal highnesses, and ferious (?) beasts to entertain!!

 

[thecapells]

It's a good thing I'm not a control freak. (Well, at least about this. ) Otherwise your constant tinkering would drive me Goofy.

Nah, you're just along for the ride.

The Colonies treated your crew well this time around! Refreshing refreshments, royal highnesses, and ferious (?) beasts to entertain!!

Who knew Liberty Square could be so much fun?
We've definitely never really hung out there before.

 

[thecapells]

Okay - 2 weekends to go before we're headed back to the world.
And the Disney Movie Countdown runner up is....

FANTASIA

The kids have never really seen the whole thing before (although they've seen clips) but it was time.
X fell asleep at one point but he enjoyed it when awake and the other two kids really had fun.
They liked Sorcerer's Apprentice of course and DD was excited by the fairies and the dancing hippos & alligators they know from Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas.
They've also seen the ostriches from last year's Flower and Garden.
X was fine with the ostrichs, hippos, and alligators, but when the elephants started dancing, he announced "NOW, this is silly."

DS8 was more interested in the dinosaurs and liked meeting Chernabog for the first time.
X announced that he was very "freaky."
All in all a great one to save for towards the end since so much in WDW is now based on Fantasia.
From the Sorcerer's Hat to the Great Movie Ride to Mickey's Philharmagic to Fantasmic! and the topiaries throughout DHS, it is definitely a centerpiece of WDW.

So, one big holiday weekend to go.
Any guesses what we cap our countdown with?

 

[katman2540]

I just noticed we are arriving at Disney at the same time.

I guess Pirates of the Caribbean. (SP?)

I hope you all have wonderful trip!

 

[thecapells]

I just noticed we are arriving at Disney at the same time.

I guess Pirates of the Caribbean. (SP?)

I hope you all have wonderful trip!

Was it that obvious?
ARGH!

 

[thecapells]

We departed the colonies and headed back in the land of magicks and fantasies.
Our Pirate Princess quickly found Cinderella Fountain and gave a regal pose.

For those that don’t know the story here, if you angle it just right, Cinderella goes from rags to riches as the crown above her in the mural magically appears on her head.
Here’s a closer look with the Princess pointing out the magic…

Alas, we had not time for magicks.
We be here to PLUNDER!
We immediately went in search of the royal treasury and found it nearby in a newly named shoppe:

At the time, this magical shoppe was actually two shops in one. One served the Kingdom’s Castle while the other was the trading post of those evil fairies!

I think since the two have since merged back into one but I digress.
We stormed into the royal entrance only to find the establishment of the Royal Dressmaker.
On display was the regal dress of Princess Aurora herself.
A breathtaking pink gown which our Pirate Princess could not take her eyes off.

However, if you listen carefully, you can hear Flora and Merriweather bickering and, sure enough, the dress magically changes colors before your eyes as Merriweather casts her magic.

Have no fear, the feud is not over and the dress will go back and forth for as long as you watch.
Over in Tinker Bell’s side of the store, that dreadful little fairy will show her evil self if you ring the bell and call her name.
Just threaten the peasant at the register at sword-point and you’ll see what I mean…

And not far away is a reminder of this store’s protector – the nuisance of a boy – the Pan.

We used this opportunity to acquire our Princess her souvenir.
She has established that each visit to the Mouse’s World would result in her notching another victory over him by plundering a charm.
So she started with her favorite – the Princess of Atlantica herself – Ariel.

From here we headed to another shoppe for plundering and almost lost our heads.
In the midst of us scouting the establishment, someone literally raised the roof!
We were being invaded by a Giant.
ABANDON SHIP ME HEARTIES!

But on the opposite counter, the Mouse himself appeared to save the day once again.
Wretched Rodent!

And with that, we headed out.
It was nearly time to fill our bellies with grub once again.
But before we did, the Princess wanted to see Cinderella’s Wishing Well.
And how could we not oblige?
Stay tuned….

 

[thecapells]

We arrived at the Wishing Well and it was just like our Pirate Princess imagined.

What we did not count on, however, was yet another Portrait Taker to be present.
So we took advantage!
First the Pirates posing in front of Cinderella’s Castle – what a view!

And how about when Pirates Take Flight!

For our troubles, the Pirate Princess was given some balloons…

And even tried to smush that troublesome fairy…

But she escaped – much to the shock of our Princess

While the balloon merchant had their eyes on the Princess, our First Mate took off with his booty!
And I do literally mean “took off!

Then it was the First Mate’s turn with the fairy.
First he lulled her into a false sense of security…

And then he unleashed the gruesome taunts of a Pirate!

And where be X, you ask?
Why, he be passed out once again.

He even missed a fairy crossing his path

All this squashing fairies and plundering balloons definitely made us hungry.
So to fill our bellies, we wandered back to Main Street.
We be in search of some grub and some entertainment.
Any guesses where we be headed mateys?

 

[katman2540]

Food and Entertainment? I am thinking Cosmic Rays!

 

[MEK]

Your liberty square pictures are excellent. I love the headless horseman on the pumpkin! That is my favorite pumpkin.

That last set of PP pictures are wonderful. You kids certainly know how to pull off all the poses!

 

[thecapells]

Food and Entertainment? I am thinking Cosmic Rays!

Nice try but we were headed for the exit and that was a bit off our path.

Your liberty square pictures are excellent. I love the headless horseman on the pumpkin! That is my favorite pumpkin.

That last set of PP pictures are wonderful. You kids certainly know how to pull off all the poses!

Why thank you!
But you haven't seen anything yet.
Just wait until you see us in our Halloween costumes!
We went overboard on the MNSSHP Photopass pics...

 

[thecapells]

Wandering over to Main Street we found a tavern of sorts on the corner – Casey seemed to be the name of the proprietor.

The establishment was obviously the location of a historic game.
It seems there had been one today.

And Mudville apparently was defeated, 4-2.
Yet, here in Mudville, both the patrons and the barkeeps were in good spirits.

Bats, balls, bases, and other recently used equipment were stored throughout the area.

Images of previous games lined the walls.

It seems this one is of the Mighty Casey, owner of this place.
This Captain let his team down with everything on the line.
Must have had some sort of mutiny after that one…

Despite the game being over, we took refuge in the bleachers with our grub.
We each grabbed a Hot Dog Combo complete with french fries.
The Pirate Princess added a brownie while the First Mate got into the sports spirit and grabbed some cracker jacks.
I, of course, plundered the toppings bar next transforming my meal into cheese dogs with cheese fries.
The First Mate was content with ketchup and his eyes were locked on the big screen across from the bleachers.
In lieu of the game we missed, the Mouse was showing old clips of himself and his friends playing various sports through the ages.

Me crew was dazzled by the images and enjoyed the break in the bleachers.
Our Maiden went off in search of other grub while X all the while continued to dream of the high seas.

The Maiden soon returned with a sandwich and pie that she plundered from the Main Street Bakery further down the street.
She took up some stadium seats in the corner and enjoyed her booty.

Then, with our bellies full and our minds reeling with images of Rodent Sports, we ventured back down Main Street.
It seems word had got out about pirates sizing up the Magic Kingdom as a posse was forming at the end of Main Street.

We best get a move on…

 

[skhermsmeyer]

Yay for all the updates! I haven't been on here much because of our Dec trip etc, but glad to see you're still posting! (and your computer got fixed)!

I have to ask, WHERE did you (or DW) get DD's mickey Halloween hair bow?!? I NEED to get one for my DD! I'll have to tape it in, but I want it!

Love all the magic shots you all took (even with DS1 sticking out his tongue at Tink).

My kids both loved IASW so we rode it 5 times in a row before I called a time out and we went to PP and the speedway. I'm trying to talk DH into going in Oct. of this year, but I'm not sure it's going to happen.

Have a GREAT time in 4 days on your trip!

 

[thecapells]

We hurried into Town Square only to find a wooden puppet waiting there for us.
Me crew was ecstatic as this was one of the rodent’s henchmen we had never seen before.
Quickly they grabbed the wooden arms and posed for a portrait.

Then we joined our mates.
It was very sunny and you can see the effect on me crew but we snapped the portrait anyway.

Around the corner, the Pirate Princess found yet another member of royalty and had to stop once again.
So much for our quick getaway.
This time, “The Fairest of Them All” had stopped to adore her people.
Our Pirate Princess wasted no time introducing herself.

At once, both of the princesses lit up and smiles were everywhere.
Here are the royal images:

And, we can’t forget the hug…

The First Mate, meanwhile, found a bench next to a Golden Goofy.
He exchanged greetings with the giant canine and sat for a spell.

It was right out front of another eating establishment.
Maybe we’ll plunder this one next time…

I detoured into the Exposition Hall.
I had heard tale of some magical tickets which would allow me princess to see Tiana on the Silver Screen for free.

Indeed I had heard correctly for I was able to plunder several passes for just that!
So I secured a pass for each adult pirate in me crew and took off.

Me Pirate Princess would be pleased.
I was also able to secure a digital poster of the event some time later but it seems appropriate to show it off here…

Then it was finally time to return to the ship.
We departed this Magic Kingdom confident we knew enough for our planned attack later this evening.

Avast, ye mateys, it will be grand.
This be what you have all been waiting for.
Grab your sword, raise your colors, and prepare for battle me hearties.
For now this tale gets interesting. Savvy?

 

[thecapells]

Yay for all the updates! I haven't been on here much because of our Dec trip etc, but glad to see you're still posting! (and your computer got fixed)!

I have to ask, WHERE did you (or DW) get DD's mickey Halloween hair bow?!? I NEED to get one for my DD! I'll have to tape it in, but I want it!

Love all the magic shots you all took (even with DS1 sticking out his tongue at Tink).

My kids both loved IASW so we rode it 5 times in a row before I called a time out and we went to PP and the speedway. I'm trying to talk DH into going in Oct. of this year, but I'm not sure it's going to happen.

Have a GREAT time in 4 days on your trip!

Glad you are back!
Is a TR of your own in your future?
Definitely let us know so we can follow along!

As for the magic shots, we love 'em.
I think I have Photopass Photographer Radar.
And Mom had the great idea for sticking the tongue out and sending our eldest flying with those balloons.
He had no idea why we were telling him to stand like that but the photo came out great!

Small World is okay with us - I love looking at all the details.
And it's a nice relaxing trip if the song doesn't drive you batty.

As for the hair bow, that's me Maiden's speciality but she promises to post the whereabouts.

And we are BUSTING to go back!
We leave Saturday!!
I plan to post a couple of more times before that so I can least show off the costumes before the hiatus.
Then again, I could end right beforehand and leave everyone in suspense...
Hmmmmm....

 

[thecapells]

Our last weekend before our next Disney trip was MLK weekend.
So with 3 days, we opted for a trilogy.
And what better Disney trilogy to get you in the mood for a Disney trip than...

PIRATES OF THE CARRIBBEAN

Curse of the Black Pearl was fun as we got to watch Jack, Will, and Elizabeth get introduced.
And the whole undead skeleton effect is always fun to watch.
For the rest of the weekend, we found ourselves randomly screaming "Undead Monkey" from time to time and giggling uncontrollably afterwards.

Dead Man's Chest was not a good movie from what I recall.
But watching it again with the kids I had a different perspective.
They loved the insanity at the end with the island, the wheel, and everybody going in every direction trying to get the heart, the chest, and each other.
And of course, the insanity when Jack was chief of the tribe and both he and the crew tried to escape their predicaments.
And if you take the seriousness out of it, it is very slapstick and funny.
However, what we hadn't expected was the worried look on X's face when he realized Jack was dead.
We had to quickly explain that Jack was simply hiding and tomorrow's movie was all about trying to find him again.
Can you believe the little one rooting for the pirate?
How great is that?
Our eldest DS, however, was rooting for the dog with the key.

At World's End was a fun finale bringing everyone back into the fold.
DD loved the shotgun wedding and the fact that Elizabeth ends up kissing everyone at least once in the trilogy.
And you gotta love the insanity of Jack while he's in Davy Jones' locker.
Definitely reminiscent of the Mad Hatter from Tim Burton's new release.
I think we liked the swarm of rock crabs the best though.
The kids actually laughed out loud when they realized what was happening.

And we love the little touch when the ship goes over the waterfall a la the attraction.
If you listen closely, you can hear direct audio from the attraction and the kids picked up on it and were like "hey!"

In addition, the elder DS recalled many of the scenes from not only the ride but the online game as well.
So we had lots of inside jokes about that throughout the trilogy.

All in all, a great warmup for our trip this weekend.
The plotlines get a bit complicated here and there and we had to stop and explain a bit to the little ones.
But, we all had fun and looked forward to the next installment each night.
Mom supplied chocolate Mickey dubloons for treats to go with the popcorn and we had a grand time!

And what a great lead-in to the next segment of my trip report.
At long last, we shall reveal ourselves to the Mouse.
Stay tuned...

 

[MEK]

More great pictures. I love pinocchio! What a cool pic. I didn't even realize that he was one of the Disney characters, meaning I don't think I've seen him in pictures before. Where have I been? Sheesh!

I bet the gang is getting so excited about your trip. I can't wait to see pics from this years trip to see how much your kids have grown.

 

[thecapells]

More great pictures. I love pinocchio! What a cool pic. I didn't even realize that he was one of the Disney characters, meaning I don't think I've seen him in pictures before. Where have I been? Sheesh!

I bet the gang is getting so excited about your trip. I can't wait to see pics from this years trip to see how much your kids have grown.

We are ecstatic!!
As for Pinocchio, I've never seen him in the parks before either which is why we ran right over when we saw him!
We're hoping for some other new characters this time around as well.