The Power of Matching T-shirts: TR is over!~ 9/20

[girlbomb]

What an awesome, droll, and well-worded TR! When you're done with it, will you please write a novel?

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I think I managed to block out the vast majority of that ride, aside from when we passed the diners and I wondered if any of them had read your PTR and were considering pelting us with chips. But no one did, so I guess they have not yet been enlightened.

Pity. They obviously don't know what they're missing. Beware to anyone who is riding "El Rio de Tiempo de Donaldo y Tres Caballeros y Es el Mundo Pequeno Tambien" on 9/21/08 around suppertime - keep your eyes peeled for airborne nachos.

And TK and Tink: Oh yes. I am giving both of you a run for that longest-sentence award.

Ooo, snap! Tink, I think I feel a challenge coming on.

Bring. It.

 

[willwriteforears]

What an awesome, droll, and well-worded TR! When you're done with it, will you please write a novel?

Welcome, girlbomb! Thank you for the compliment! As it happens, I am working on a novel. And I'm takin' names of people who have said they would read it.

Ooo, snap! Tink, I think I feel a challenge coming on.

Bring. It.

It will be brung.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

And I'm takin' names of people who have said they would read it.

Add my name to that list as well!

 

[willwriteforears]

When we left off, Nevi, Melneth, and I had endured the annoying (but delightful, should he or his family or friends be reading) red-headed boy at Kali River Rapids. Nevi had gotten pretty soaked despite her use of a poncho, and Melneth and I also had wet tushies. So none of us were incredibly thrilled about sitting in a shaded area, but Flights of Wonder was next on the Touring Plan, and when we got there the next show was about to start. So we went and watched birds.

Keep in mind that this was pre-DBAG. And if you have forgotten what DBAG is, or, heaven forfend, never learned, read my first post. I have one note about Flights of Wonder in my journal: "Nice bird show." Had I written that post-DBAG, assuming I could have overcome my new twitchiness whenever a bird comes within five feet of me, it probably would've been amended thusly: " 'Nice' bird show because the birds did not come within five feet of me. I don't know how the trainers lost their minds so far as to let the creatures perch on their arms."

But again, this was pre-DBAG, and so I even took pictures.

Blissfully unaware of the horror of bird carcasses, we continued to the Maharajah Jungle Trek, where I took more pictures. (If you are sensing a theme with the "I took pictures" rather than "Nevi or Melneth took pictures," that is because I became the unofficial photographer and videographer of the trip. I suppose I am just more dedicated to the preservation of our memories.)

Select Maharajah pictures:

See, flying mammals are actually much less terrifying than birds. Of course, I haven't experience a bat-version of DBAG.

A CM was kind enough to take our picture. I must have been pondering whether our T-shirts had any power, or the marvelousness of the UG's touring plan.

What TR would be complete without naked mole rats?

Quick, someone get Treebeard! We've found the Ent-wives!

And now it was at last time to use our Expedition Everest FastPasses. This photo is out-of-context, because we weren't on our way to EE when I took it. But I like it and this is my TR, so neener-neener.

The Unofficial Guide's Touring Plan served us so well that we were actually within our return time when we got to EE. Props to the UG! Melneth isn't the hugest roller coaster fan, but she had psyched herself up to go on them. Having a party of three can make rides difficult; frequently one of us would have to sit alone. Melneth refused to sit alone on any roller coaster. So she and I shared a row, and Nevi sat behind us.

Nevi, from what I remember, stayed silent for the duration of the ride. I started out screaming, and true to form, got to the point where I made no more sound, and so fell back on laughing.

Melneth screamed. So much so that when we actually saw the yeti, it seemed sort of anticlimatic. The yeti, not Melneth's screaming. I mean, when a ride has such a massive lead-up--and don't get me wrong; like the majority of Disney attractions, the theming is excellent--I feel sort of like you should pay it back or reward it somehow with your reaction. Even if it's inanimate. Or not inanimate, since it is an animatronic and therefore moves. But it doesn't have a brain. Unless the Imagineers are that detailed, and frankly it wouldn't surprise me if it does. So okay, the yeti moves and may have a brain, but it can't comprehend people's reactions.

Unless the Imagineers are way better than anyone has ever suspected. Or Disney actually traveled to Everest, found the yeti, tamed it, made it look semi-fake, and gave it employment scaring people at a theme park instead of scaring people at Everest and ensuring its legend continues.

What was I talking about?

Oh yes. The yeti and how it can't actually witness people's reactions, with the exception of all my caveats. So even though the yeti can't experience people's cries of shock and delight, I still feel guilty that it doesn't warrant any greater screams than what had already come from my and Melneth's throats. Instead I was probably still giggling at this point, and honestly, one shouldn't giggle at a yeti. And Melneth was about screamed-out by this point, so it might have warranted an "eek." but nothing more.

Belated apologies, dear yeti. You were frightening, truly.

Once we'd offended the yeti by not screaming properly, it was about time to leave Asia. But not before we made a stop at the Royal Anandapur Tea Company. I'd read about Chai Freezes you see, and thought to myself, "I like chai tea! I like cold stuff! The two together, in slushy form, should be awesome!"

And it was. Alas, I have no pictures of it. And I suppose now is as good a time as any to admit that I have no food porn whatsoever. I'd had the intention of taking pictures of meals to include in the TR (which I hadn't told Nevi and Melneth, figuring they could deal with this new facet of weirdness as well as they have all my others), but I have a problem: I like food. When I get hungry, my first inclination isn't to take a picture for posterity's, or DISers', sake. My first inclination is to open my mouth and chew. Or sip, as was the case with the Chai Freeze. So I started sipping, with nary a thought of picture-taking.

It was about lunchtime by now, but we'd decided we would just snack on our granola bars (LaraBars for me) for lunch, then have a larger dinner after leaving the park. So we found a little theater-type area where it looked like they have children's story time on occasion. Only considering it was the Animal Kingdom, it might have been something about helping our animal friends. Whatever, there was no story/kiddie lecture going on. There were just people sitting on benches, resting. We took the last bench, on which sat a little girl who couldn't have been more than a year and a half, eating a popsicle. She had red stains all over her dress, and her face had also taken on a vermilion hue. This was a 123 moment, but short-lived, because then I looked at the red sticky mess on the bench and had a vision of this toddler toddling over to me and dripping on my matching T-shirt.

Oh yeah. I was actually supposed to get into the power of the T-shirts at some point. How's this: The girl never toddled over to me to drip her popsicle on my T-shirt. She must have sensed its power, and that kept her at bay.

Since I have once again taken much longer than I anticipated, I will leave you with our complaints about AK's paper straws. As I told Nevi, the vet (she must have left her vet-brain at home; it was vacation, after all), I'm sure the purpose of the straws is to prevent stupid guests who are unable to properly dispose of their trash from unintentionally killing the animals. Plastic straw + bird throat = choking to death. And you all know how I feel about bird carcasses. But the paper straws have a taste. And they absorb liquid. After fifteen minutes of sipping our delicious chai freezes, the paper straws lost their straw-quality, meaning it became more and more difficult to suck up the chai freeze. I'm all for not killing the animals, but Disney, all-powerful entity that it is, should be able to come up with a paper straw that doesn't taste like anything and that has a nontoxic coating so it's not so porous.

Next up: I show how the T-shirts are powerful, and I don't cop out. I promise.

 

[stagemomx3]

Great update. I'm totally with you on the paper straw thing. It was annoying!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Yeti story made me laugh. I was discussing Everest with my mom and she had no clue there was even a Yeti as part of the ride. She was so scared on the ride she never looked up.

I've yet to sit and watch the whole bird show. I always have an Aflred Hitchcock moment and think of the birds. EEK!

 

[willwriteforears]

Add my name to that list as well!

Great update. I'm totally with you on the paper straw thing. It was annoying!

Melneth was the smart one who finally got herself a second straw. Only she must have figured Nevi and I were intelligent enough to do the same on our own, because we only found out she had a new straw when we were all like, "Hey, your straw still works like a straw!" and she was like "Yeah, I got a second one." *headsmack*

I've yet to sit and watch the whole bird show. I always have an Aflred Hitchcock moment and think of the birds. EEK!

I'm not sure that I'll ever watch it again. I'm serious; I think I have a bird-phobia in the making. Every time I see one land on my balcony, I tense up. And I've started about five times when I'm on my walks at work and birds fly out of the bushes I pass. Note to self: Give bushes a wide berth.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I must confess that when I saw this picture, a few un-DIS-like words came out of my mouth that were coupled with, "What is that thing???"

Sadly, the Maharajah eludes us everytime!

Belated apologies, dear yeti. You were frightening, truly.

I have never seen the Yeti -- just his shadow -- that is the point where I think to myself, "I'll just bury my head for a few seconds" and then suddenly the ride is over and I have miraculously lived through it yet again.

I am sure he is very frightening.

And it was. Alas, I have no pictures of it. And I suppose now is as good a time as any to admit that I have no food porn whatsoever. I'd had the intention of taking pictures of meals to include in the TR (which I hadn't told Nevi and Melneth, figuring they could deal with this new facet of weirdness as well as they have all my others), but I have a problem: I like food. When I get hungry, my first inclination isn't to take a picture for posterity's, or DISers', sake. My first inclination is to open my mouth and chew. Or sip, as was the case with the Chai Freeze. So I started sipping, with nary a thought of picture-taking.

I understand.

This was a 123 moment, but short-lived, because then I looked at the red sticky mess on the bench and had a vision of this toddler toddling over to me and dripping on my matching T-shirt.

And to further dispel that moment, just think -- someone had to clean her up!

I'm all for not killing the animals, but Disney, all-powerful entity that it is, should be able to come up with a paper straw that doesn't taste like anything and that has a nontoxic coating so it's not so porous.

Those paper straws were the worst! I would rather have no straw than those straws.

 

[ForeverDance]

Great update!

I have never experienced the straws at AK as we always get the lemon slush things that come with spoons. I will definately be taking a page out of Melneth's book though if we do encounter them. I have also never seen the Flights of Wonder show but I'm looking forward to seeing it this next trip (as I have not experienced any DBAG I do not have an aversion to our feathered friends).

I must confess that when I saw this picture, a few un-DIS-like words came out of my mouth that were coupled with, "What is that thing???"

Oh I can answer this one... pick me... [jumping up and down with hand raised]. That adorable thing is a komodo dragon Yes I said adorable. I would love to take one home with me but alas they are rather large and I just do not have adequate space

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Flights of Wonder was next on the Touring Plan, and when we got there the next show was about to start. So we went and watched birds.

Hands down, one of my favorite shows! Really. I have even been the person that the raven retrieves from/returns to the dollar bill.

Having a party of three can make rides difficult; frequently one of us would have to sit alone. Melneth refused to sit alone on any roller coaster. So she and I shared a row, and Nevi sat behind us.

Being a party of one can be difficult in a similar way. I have sat next to countless children who were part of an odd-numbered group who've cried, scream-laughed, hand-held but thankfully never vomited on me whislt in the World solo.

I'm all for not killing the animals, but Disney, all-powerful entity that it is, should be able to come up with a paper straw that doesn't taste like anything and that has a nontoxic coating so it's not so porous.

They're too busy designing the animatronic brains and figuring out the Yeti's health care benefits.

 

[TarzansKat]

Great update!

Is it okay that I am in awe of the touring plans and how much you got done in a short amount of time?

:::fighting the OCD planner back into submission:::

Ar, mateys!

 

[willwriteforears]

And to further dispel that moment, just think -- someone had to clean her up!

Too true. And I have no idea how much bleach would've been required to get that red out of her clothes.

I have never experienced the straws at AK as we always get the lemon slush things that come with spoons. I will definately be taking a page out of Melneth's book though if we do encounter them. I have also never seen the Flights of Wonder show but I'm looking forward to seeing it this next trip (as I have not experienced any DBAG I do not have an aversion to our feathered friends).

Ooh, I like lemon, too. I may have to get one of those during the next trip.

And during my walk yesterday, there was no startling when birds flew out of the bushes. And really, I still like the predator birds. 'Course, it's unlikely that I'd ever find the carcass of an eagle in my apartment. Maybe it's just sparrows and the like that I have issues with.

Oh I can answer this one... pick me... [jumping up and down with hand raised]. That adorable thing is a komodo dragon Yes I said adorable. I would love to take one home with me but alas they are rather large and I just do not have adequate space

You know, I honestly couldn't remember off the top of my head what the lizard was, but it's certainly large enough to be a komodo dragon. I just picked pix that turned out reasonably well.

Hands down, one of my favorite shows! Really. I have even been the person that the raven retrieves from/returns to the dollar bill.

Better you than me, says I.

Being a party of one can be difficult in a similar way. I have sat next to countless children who were part of an odd-numbered group who've cried, scream-laughed, hand-held but thankfully never vomited on me whislt in the World solo.

Careful, now, don't jinx yourself.

Actually, none of us ever had any issues with the random kiddos/other people we were seated next to. Not that I remember, anyway.

They're too busy designing the animatronic brains and figuring out the Yeti's health care benefits.

*headsmack* How could I have forgotten about the health care benefits? And next they'll set up a yeti matching service in order to preserve the species.

Great update!

Is it okay that I am in awe of the touring plans and how much you got done in a short amount of time?

:::fighting the OCD planner back into submission:::

Ar, mateys!

Yanno, there are touring plans for parents with small children...

But seriously, if I manage to make trips to the world a regular thing, I anticipate that the touring plans will become looser and looser because there'd be a lot of "Oh, I did that last time" or "Eh, I can do that next time." Leaving mucho opportunities to just be there. Which I like, and didn't get much of this time out.

On another note: Readers, you may or may not know that I'm currently house sitting for my parents. You definitely don't know that their ISP seemingly cut access as of sometime yesterday. According to my dad, they weren't supposed to cut access "until late July," but he thinks this may be "their way of forcing me to tell them if we're going to continue with them or not."

Yes, my father has not yet decided what ISP they'd like to go with when their contract runs out. Were it I, I would've figured this out three months ago. I loves me my Internet. Anyway, dear ol' poppy is supposed to call the ISP today, and hopefully access will be restored. But if it is not, there won't be a TR update. Worse comes to worse, I'll try to get my update written out so that all I'd have to do on Thursday, when I'm back home, would be to upload my edited pix (and this post will need them, believe you me), paste my entry into the post window, and get the photo links included.

Sorry for the delay, but please pray for me/send up pixie dust as I go through withdrawal. Thank God for work Internet access.

 

[PrincessV]

Hey there fellow writer! I am officially caught-up and ready to roll. Read. Whatever.

Oh, and LOL about finding the Entwives!

 

[TarzansKat]

Yanno, there are touring plans for parents with small children...

True, my friend, very true.

However defeating of the whole pirate concept.

And throwing the itinerary out the window.

Which was very freeing, I might add. Add to that the fact that since potty training is seeming somewhat succesful (I'll post more on the Lapuette thread later) I have a feeling our "touring plans" would be hindered by constantly having to find the nearest bathroom.

But seriously, if I manage to make trips to the world a regular thing, I anticipate that the touring plans will become looser and looser because there'd be a lot of "Oh, I did that last time" or "Eh, I can do that next time." Leaving mucho opportunities to just be there. Which I like, and didn't get much of this time out.

That's my favorite way to vacation there. But there has to be an initial time when you feel like you go things done. With us going once per year, we get to do our favorites, and have very few must do rides/attractions. Like, must get on Toy Story Mania, hopefully scoring fastpasses so we don't have to endure a ridiculous wait time.

 

[willwriteforears]

First off, yes, Tuesday has come and gone with no update. That is because the Internet is still down at my parents'. I don't think work would like me using the 1.5-2 hours I normally spend on composing updates (including photo editing and upload time) on non-work, so I can't post here. But I'll be back at my apartment Thurs evening, so hopefully I'll get one up then. Sorry, all.

And now, replies!

Hey there fellow writer! I am officially caught-up and ready to roll. Read. Whatever.

Oh, and LOL about finding the Entwives!

Welcome! I must admit I'm still catching up on your TR. Lack of Internet in the evenings has put a decided crimp in that. But I'm keeping up with the current stuff, and with the long weekend I should be all caught up by Monday.

True, my friend, very true.

However defeating of the whole pirate concept.

And throwing the itinerary out the window.

Which was very freeing, I might add. Add to that the fact that since potty training is seeming somewhat succesful (I'll post more on the Lapuette thread later) I have a feeling our "touring plans" would be hindered by constantly having to find the nearest bathroom. /QUOTE]

True, true. You don't see pirates following touring plans or otherwise behaving in an OCD manner.

ALTHOUGH methinks I may have my inspiration for this year's NaNoWriMo novel. OCD pirates could = mucho funniness.

That's my favorite way to vacation there. But there has to be an initial time when you feel like you go things done. With us going once per year, we get to do our favorites, and have very few must do rides/attractions. Like, must get on Toy Story Mania, hopefully scoring fastpasses so we don't have to endure a ridiculous wait time.

That's what I'm sayin'. When you feel like trips are limited, you (well, I, anyway) feel like you ought to get more done. But if I can work in regular trips, I'd be totally down with picking a few must-do's and winging the rest, yo.

And yes, FPs for TSM are a definite must. You and DH might want to pick a "runner" to grab 'em as soon as you get to the park.

 

[If U Had Wings]

First off, yes, Tuesday has come and gone with no update. That is because the Internet is still down at my parents'. I don't think work would like me using the 1.5-2 hours I normally spend on composing updates (including photo editing and upload time) on non-work, so I can't post here. But I'll be back at my apartment Thurs evening, so hopefully I'll get one up then. Sorry, all.

Isn't it just wrong they don't allow those things! Seriously work would much more livable if it included "playing on the internet" time.

 

[willwriteforears]

Isn't it just wrong they don't allow those things! Seriously work would much more livable if it included "playing on the internet" time.

I know! And aren't there studies that happy workers are more productive? "Playing on the Internet time" would certainly make me happy!

 

[Sarilas]

ALTHOUGH methinks I may have my inspiration for this year's NaNoWriMo novel. OCD pirates could = mucho funniness.

Ah, I have an author friend who does the NaNoWriMo thing!

 

[willwriteforears]

Ah, I have an author friend who does the NaNoWriMo thing!

Always love to hear about a fellow Wrimo.

Also, I finally got around to uploading a picture with Melneth's and Nevi's faces properly blacked out for my last update. Only a week late, but who's counting days?

And yes, I missed Tuesday's update entirely. But give me a couple of hours and I should have one today.