The SMURF'S Enchanted Voyage - Updated 3/5 - Chip & Dales and the Great Meltdown

[nextidiot]

Day 2 - "Pets Ahoy! and Grumpy's Ejection"


Pets Ahoy! is the funniest show at Sea World. Anyone who has a pet, whether it is a cat, dog, mouse, bird, or a buffalo, can relate to the antics of this show.

One of my good friend's sister is one of the cast members (a person... not a pet). So I was really stoked to see this show (although, I had already seen a good video taped version). Contrarily, Grumpy had other plans.

Sea World is very different from most theme parks. Aside from the obvious, the major difference is that at most theme parks, you spend most of the “wait time” for the attraction in a line or queue. However, at Sea World, you spend most of the “wait time” sitting in a huge stadium with a lot of other equally anxious guests, waiting for a show to begin. Unlike Clyde and Seamore, Pets Ahoy has no “pre-show” to keep guests (i.e. the children) entertained.

Since we had missed an earlier showing of Pets Ahoy (this would become a theme for Sea World day), we were quick to the queue when the next show was slated and we were among the first into the theater. In our infinite wisdom, we decided to sit on the isle just in case Grumpy got... well, grumpy. After a 15 minute wait for the show to start, Grumpy was out of his seat, playing and sitting on the theater stairs. I didn't have a problem with it. At least he wasn't screaming (yet). However, Sew World apparently has a “no kids in the isle” policy; so here comes Miss IhaveaflashlighsoIaminchargehere.. “Sir.... Sir!” I am ignoring her. “SIR!” I turned my head and met her eyes. “Sir, you will have to hold him in your lap.”

Ok... but it isn't going to be pretty.

It wasn't.

I picked up Grumpy and he pitched a fit. Kicking, screaming, yelling “stairs!” and the like. The other park guests were now fuming and who could blame them.

Since I had already seen a video taped version of the show (which is NOT the same as watching it live), I volunteered to exit with Grumpy while Smurfette and Brainy stayed behind.

So, Grumpy was unofficially ejected from Pets Ahoy! Lovely.


I was disgruntled but it wasn't worth ruining the rest of the day... or vacation for that matter.

Grumpy and I strolled around in the stroller (because that's what you do with strollers). We met up with Brainy and Smurfette after the show.

We made our way over to the Dolphin Nursery. I was amazed by the close encounters with these hysterical animals. I made a mental note to start saving my pennies for Discovery Cove next trip.

After a brief stop for lunch, Brainy wanted to “ride” the bungee trampoline thingy, which is apparently an E ride because they were handing out makeshift fast passes. You literally had to get an appointment time to return to the queue because the wait for this monstrosity was a hour long. If I recall correctly, we “checked in” at about 2, were given a time of about 2:35, but it was 3 PM before Brainy made it onto the bungee trampoline thingy.

WTH?

Who knew?

Our (second) longest wait the whole week would be for this silly contraption. More on our longest wait later.

After Tigger bounced and played, we headed over to see the Clydesdales. Wow! I have seen these horses many times on television but I failed to realize how incredibly big they are. They are truly a sight to behold. As we strolled through the stable (because that's what you do while pushing a stroller), we came upon the house photographer and a monstrosity that we will call Bud, which may or may not be his real name.

The Smurfs were astounded by the size of this amazing horse. We were also all a little intimidated if you wanna know the truth. The picture packages seemed too expensive so we now had our excuse not to get any closer to Bud than we already were.

It was time for Believe, so we made the short walk down to Believe Stadium. I remember being in absolute disbelief at how uncrowded it was for a holiday weekend. I don't know if it was that the park was uncrowded or that Sea World can absorb such large crowds so it doesn't seem that crowded. The shows all seemed full but the walkway and midway crowds were light.

On the way... guess who we ran into?

Up Next: Believe and Another Miscue

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I can't wait to hear your take on Believe.

It was the only show we actually watched on our Seaworld day.

 

[nextidiot]

I can't wait to hear your take on Believe.

It was the only show we actually watched on our Seaworld day.

All the shows at Seaworld are really good (except the artsy show with the dolphins and the people dressed as birds). You must return!

 

[nextidiot]

Day 2 - "Believe" and Another Miscue"

This officially marks the first time I have ever seen a “killer” whale. The nearest I have seen is some "killer" manatees at the zoo.

The whales were full of personality and were remarkable in every way. They also seemed to have the disposition of a teddy bear. Brainy and Grumpy were in awe and the whole stadium would gasp for air every time those amazing whales left the water.

Having said all of that, I didn't get the stupid story. Why can't they just show the animals and skip the story. I digress.

Blue Horizons was next on my hit list but we had some time to kill. Brainy has been wanting to ride Journey to Atlantis since we watched the Sea World special on the Travel Channel. We Smurfs love the Travel Channel.

The wait time for JtA, according to Sea World's crappy wait time estimations, was 30 minutes. Blue Horizons was in about 50. This should allow ample time to ride, head over the Blue Horizons and secure seats, even if they are in the back. I failed to consider that the ride itself is about 10 minutes long. I also failed to consider that the wait time could be CONSIDERABLY longer than the “guesstimated time,” which is apparently guessed by Gus, the playful dolphin.

We cue for the ride, wait about 45 minutes, ride the 10 minute ride, get soaked, and exit the ride.

That's Brainy and I in row 2.

I knew we were too late to get to Blue Horizons “early,” but I figured we could just mosey in and miss only the first 5 minutes. No biggie, right?

When Brainy and I found Smurfette and Grumpy waiting for us... each with a look of disgust, I knew I was in for it.

Apparently, Sea World, in their infinite wisdom, rope off the entrances just before the show starts and they disallow anyone else to enter. This is, no doubt, for the safety and enjoyment of their guests.

Sorry. I ain't buyin'.

I am on to Shamu's ploy.

Shamu wants us to come back tomorrow. That's why Gus, the playful dolphin, arranges the show schedule in such a way to make it all but impossible to see all of Sea World in one day. You can't get mad a Gus. You just can't.

Fortunately, there was one more showing of BH later in the day. So... with still some time before Blue Horizons (AGAIN!), We headed over to Dolphin Cove so Brainy and Grumpy could meet and play with the dolphins.

At some point, we ran into this guy.

Notice Brainy's battle with the sun? This would be another recurring theme for this trip.

Here's Brainy and Smurfette at Dolphin Cove.

Grumpy couldn't Smurf less but Brainy had a blast playing volley ball with a dolphin, who's name may or may not have been Gus. Grumpy sat on a curb and grumped.

Not wishing to repeat our miscue from earlier, we decided to head back to the stadium early for the final show of the day for Blue Horizons. We had planned to also see the special holiday Shamu show, but because we missed Blue Horizons, we decided to scratch it. Blue Horizons is another must-see show (or so I was told).

The Blue Horizons Stadium is remarkable in and of itself, with all the overhead rigging and stage elements. I knew we were in for a great show but I was concerned that it was beginning to get dark.

The show did not disappoint. The dolphins were incredible. However, it was disappointingly dark and I really didn't “get” the story. No worries, though, because the real stars, the dolphins, leaped and dove so many times that our eyes were constantly darting from one part of the stadium to the other.

Because it was dark, we had very few pictures.

Idiot UNdorsement: Seeing Blue Horizons or any of the other stadium shows after dark, unless it is your only opportunity.

By the time Blue Horizons ended, it was dark and Sea World was preparing to close. We made our way to the front, stopping for a few photos along the way.

We all loved Sea World. We all long to return and perhaps next time, we can do Discover Cove as well.

After a long day with the fishes, we hit Bennigans for dinner. We have one Bennigans near home but it is in a city that we rarely visit and in an inconvenient shopping mall. It is too bad, though, because we love Bennigans---especially the southwest egg rolls.

After Bennigans, we retired the Smufs and decided to make a late, rather than early, run for Kennedy Space Center tomorrow.

Up Next: Get Slimed!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Love the family shot in front of the tree!

You are right. We will have to give Seaworld another chance on our next visit. (but I will skip believe)

 

[nextidiot]

Day 3 – Get Slimed!

After a long day yesterday, we hoped to “sleep in.” However, in my infinite wisdom, I had forgotten that we have two wirey kids... at a Nickelodeon themed hotel.... right outside Disney World.... the perfect storm.

We were up and at 'em by 8.

Brainy's sole purpose in life on this day is to get slimed. I don't know where this started. Was it Ghostbusters or Double-Dare, with Mark Summers, the OCD game show host? Since when is being covered from head to toe in a nonTOXIC goo a good thing? No matter, Brainy was determined.

Smurfette had read in the Official Nickelodeon Family Suites Handbook er uh Survival Guide that you could purchase a private sliming, which sounds dirty in more ways than one. We also wanted to get tickets to Nick Live, the free double-dare style game show that pits two families against each other. The winner of which, I kid you not, gets to choose a family member to get slimed. How is this a prize?

As we prepared to leave the room, I discovered my wallet missing. A quick search of the premise and we found it in the kitchenette area but many of its contents were missing.

Gumpy.

Yep. Grumpy somehow got hold of my wallet and has relocated its contents to God only knows where...

We searched the room but came up with nothing. Smurfette and I were furious and freightend at the same time... you know... “Did he leave the room with the AMEX card? Did he flush it down to toilet?” etc.

We were just about to call Mickey and let him know it was off when Smurfette opened the tiny freezer built in to the minifridge... low and behold! Cash, credit cards, my Kroger Plus card (my family would starve without my Kroger Plus card)....

Grumpy.

This put us behind but it could have been worse. Much worse.

Back to getting slimed...

We load up in the Smurf Van, drive the six blocks around the resort to the mall, and park in annex lot-b. We then board the shuttle bus which takes us to the entrance to the mall.

Just (partially) kidding.

Parking at the Nick Mall is very limited.

We run inside and I make a break for the donuts, which were $1 each. Since I had to pay the mortgage this month, I decided to buy only a half-dozen. Meanwhile, Smurfette heads over to guest disservices desk to inquire about the sliming and to get tickets. I don't recall that I was ever told the price for the private sliming. All I heard Smurfette say is “WHAT! YOU'RE KIDDING ME! THAT'S RIDICULOUS!”

No private sliming for this Smurffing family.... I have to pay the car insurance. The good news is they do a public sliming every day at the awesome water park. The bad news is we would have to make sure we were back by 4:30 PM.

We hop back aboard the shuttle tram, head to annex lot-b, load the kids back into the Smuffing van, and head for the Cape.

First, we drove around the resort to take some pics.

Some of these were obviously shot from the balcony.

Up Next: Kennedy Space Center

 

[TrixieM]

Brings back great memories of our 2000 trip to Disney. Our oldest was 3, we stayed at the then Holiday Inn Family Suites and purchased our DVC membership...

Thanks for sharing...

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Thanks for the Nick Jr Suites Pics. We've been pondering a night or two there after our Disney Stay this summer.

 

[nextidiot]

Brings back great memories of our 2000 trip to Disney. Our oldest was 3, we stayed at the then Holiday Inn Family Suites and purchased our DVC membership...

Thanks for sharing...

Thanks for reading! It has come a long way with all the Nick theming. If only the Disney buses stopped there.

Thanks for the Nick Jr Suites Pics. We've been pondering a night or two there after our Disney Stay this summer.

I absolutely say go for it! My kids loved it and I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. As you can imagine, the kids want to go back.

Soon, I will post about our experience with the water park, which is an attraction in itself!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Okay I have a bone to pick with you. My kids saw those Nick pictures while I was reading your trip report and guess where they want to go now? They spent 30 minutes on the Nick Hotel site watching the videos over and over. Yikes!

 

[nextidiot]

Okay I have a bone to pick with you. My kids saw those Nick pictures while I was reading your trip report and guess where they want to go now? They spent 30 minutes on the Nick Hotel site watching the videos over and over. Yikes!

Uh oh... You're cooked, now.

The place is kind of irresistible to kids. If you took Blizzard Beach and plopped it down in the middle of Pop Century, double the room size and add bunk beds, you would just about have a similar hotel. There just isn't anything like it!

Thanks for reading, by the way. I am slowly catching up on your TR.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Uh oh... You're cooked, now.

The place is kind of irresistible to kids. If you took Blizzard Beach and plopped it down in the middle of Pop Century, double the room size and add bunk beds, you would just about have a similar hotel. There just isn't anything like it!

Thanks for reading, by the way. I am slowly catching up on your TR.

That's okay because I am slowly writing it.

They asked about the Nick Hotel again at dinner. I really am cooked.

 

[nextidiot]

Day 3 - Kennedy Space Center

We head up I4 to the Beach Line/Bee Line, and blast off toward Kennedy Space Center. I believe I mentioned before that we had driven right past the KSC exit on two past trips. We always threatened to stop, but we never did. This time, we were determined to visit. Fortunately, I had the foresight to purchase admission in advance, including a tour, so there was no way we were missing it this time. I am too cheap to allow tickets to go to waste.

We barrel rolled through several toll plazas having already paid my tolls at the Dollar desk, I kicked in the afterburners and we arrived at KSC shortly before 11 AM.

WHAT IS UP WITH THE SUN IN FLORIDA? HOLY CRAP!

This place is amazing whether you are into space rangers or not.

You had to be a mile away from these things just to fit it into the picture frame.

The size of the shuttle is mind boggling. I believe this shuttle needs some body work. It hasn't weathered well.

Again, I would like to direct your attention to Grumpy's complete noncooperation in the next picture...

We explored the complex, looked at the exhibits, and took some pictures.

Before we new it, it was time for our guided tour of the launch complexes. The kids were looking forward to the tour.. not because they cared what a launch complex was or what space aliens looked like, but because they got to ride a bus. The Smurfs love them some bus.

Here is where they house the aliens :

Yes... Goofy is an alien. No question about it.

The picture does this facility absolutely no justice. You really must see it in person to even come close to grasping the size of this structure.

When we took our cruise in 2004, I recall seeing the launch complexes and this incredible structure from the cruise ship. It is really a sight to behold.

The Atlantis, readying for its launch, which was slated for December but pushed back due to a error found in the sprocket attenuator barrings or something. All joking aside, it was quite a treat being there as the orbiter and all its components are being readied to launch some very brave Americans into space, hopefully to bring us closer to a new understanding, a new discovery, or perhaps someday, a new cure.

This is pretty much as close as we were allowed to get to Atlantis. If you look closely to the right of the shuttle, you can make out the zip line, which is the last possible means of self rescue for the Astronauts should there be a threat to their safety in the final minutes before launch. It looks like it would be a blast to ride. That was a really bad pun. I apologize.

We stopped at the bleachers, which are used by the media and the spectators on hand to watch the launch. These bleachers are right by the beach.

It gives you some perspective. If ever there was an unspoiled, natural beach, this is it.

The bus tour then stopped at the facility housing the Saturn rocket. Unfortunately, we had a Smurf blue van to catch so we had to skip this tour and head directly back to the complex. After all, Brainy needed his slime.

We board our earthly transportation apparatus, aka, the Smurf van, and hyper speed back to the Nick Suites. Brainy is having some out of body experience. He simply can not believe he is finally about to be slimed. He can not wait any longer!

Up Next: Brainy Gets Slimed.. FINALLY!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I am too cheap to allow tickets to go to waste.

Aren't we all?

Yes... Goofy is an alien. No question about it.

as the orbiter and all its components are being readied to launch some very brave Americans into space, hopefully to bring us closer to a new understanding, a new discovery, or perhaps someday, a new cure.

I thought that last statement needed some music in the background.

 

[nextidiot]

I thought that last statement needed some music in the background.

 

[nextidiot]

Day 4 - Brainy Gets Slimed!

We pulled into the Nick Suites and unloaded the time machine. I headed back to the room with Grumpy to get the HandyCam, while Smurfette took Brainy straight to the awesome water park. A crowd had gathered.

Brainy is in that gauntlet somewhere. Who knew a slimming would be the social event of the day?

There's Brainy... poor kid. He was too excited and didn't want to miss the sliming so he didn't even have time to change.

Here it comes... 10, 9, 8, 7...

Notice the giant Nickelodeon bucket? It's filling with slime.

6, 5, 4, 3, 2...

1

Done.

Slimed.

Poor kid. I hope he got that out of his system.

I just realized, we didn't get a picture of the aftermath.

I know I HandyCamed the whole thing. I know I have video of it. Smurfette, however, had the dual task of taking pictures and watching Grumpy.


Slimed and hungry, we head to the room so Slimey, er uh Brainy, could unslime, then off to the “mall” again for some Subway.

This time we would walk the 12 miles.

I packed a survival kit including a compass, multitool, first aid kit, and several bottles of water, just in case.

Surprisingly, Subway's prices inside the Nick Mall were not all that bad---if you don't mind paying 12” prices for a 6” sub. Still, compared to $50 Pizza Hut Pizza, Subway was a bargain.

The grub was consumed in true Smurf fashion and we headed to the Nickelodeon Theater for the Nick Live show, which was a hoot. The theater is set up with an elevated stage where the two competing families participate in several Double-Dare style activities, such as pie throwing, water balloon tossing, etc. Brainy and Grumpy both loved the show. I wonder how the families are chosen to participate? I wonder how much they had to bribe the dads of those poor families?

A family who sat in front of us had the foresight to bring some popcorn . They were the envy of the theater. They were very kind and shared some with Grumpy, who's favorite food in all of WDW, is pop corn. In fact, we used most of our snack credits for pop corn. Later in the trip, Brainy asked, “Daddy..,” that's me, “can we get a snack that isn't popcorn?” Poor kid. Doesn't he know? If Grumpy isn't happy, no one is happy! I relented and handed the poor kid a bag of cotton candy or something.

Idiot Tip: When heading to Nick Live, pop a bag of pop corn in your room before you go to the show.

After Nick Live, we went back to the Smurf Nest to change and head for the local swimmin' hole...

By this point, it was late. There was a cool breeze and the water was chili, but we were swimming in November! Outside! This was a first for these mountaineers.

Back to the nest to pack, load the bus, and get ready for our move across I4 to Coronado Springs!

Up Next: Magic Kingdom and Grumpy Grumps Again!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Did the kids cry when you had to check out?

Was it hard to get the slime out of Brainy?

 

[nextidiot]

Did the kids cry when you had to check out?

Was it hard to get the slime out of Brainy?

Had we been heading home, they would have. However, the anticipation that is Walt Disney World keep the tears at bay.

The slime was some kind of innert concoction of green water/slime. It was obviously non-toxic and non-staining. At least we assume it was non-toxic.

 

[nextidiot]

Day 4 – Magic Kingdom


Today's the day. Grumpy gets to meet his idols. Or at least some of them---though we would strive for all that we could get.

We wake early, scarf some donuts, bag up our last remaining items, and we're in the Smurf Van and off to CSR by 8 AM.

The road into the World is a little confusing. I must have studied Google Earth a thousand times or more but I still wasn't sure exactly how to get to CSR from Epcot Center Drive. Anyway, I stayed on Epcot Center Drive all the way until it ended on World Dr. Then, I missed my exit off of World Dr. I turned around near MGM (DHS, whatever) and eventually found the entrance to Coronado Springs Resort. Smurfette hands me my dunce cap.

Now, I'm exhausted.

Anyway..We didn't take a picture. You know, the picture everyone takes as they pass under the Welcome to Disney arch.

It's almost like a prerequisite. Isn't it?

By this point, Smurfette and I were yelling things at each other that shouldn't be said in front of children.. this is what we do when I get us lost. I am expected to ALWAYS know the route. Poor Smurfette can't even read a map.

On our last visit in 2004, we drove. I checked into the hotel, parked with the luggage in the car, and we headed straight for a theme park. I ended up packing all that luggage up to the room myself.

This time, I pulled right into the luggage loading zone and dumped the luggage on the ground. I was handed a tag and a toll free evangelical hot line so I can phone in my prayer form the Magic Kingdom. I guess they do this because this is the only way you are seeing you luggage today.

I run inside, haggle with the cast member over room assignment (he tried Casitas 5), I requested Cabannas. I said “Sir, are you telling me there are NO rooms in Cabannas?” He said, “sure senior, but des get you more close to si pool.” WTH?

I kindly RErequested Cabannas and he obliged. I could swear I noted this on the ressie....

Oh well. The mouse can do no wrong, right?

Keys to the World in hand, I head back to the Smurf Van, drive it around to the Cabannas 8B. We go upstairs, dump the laptop and other “carry on” that wasn't checked with the valet, and head for the bus stop.

We were on the bus and headed to the Magic Kingdom within 3 minutes of getting to the Bus Stop. The Bus service at CSR is second to none. This would be the case all week.

Did I mention that we Smurfs love us some bus?

We get to the Magic Kingdom just in time to see the opening ceremony. This was Grumpy's first glimpse of Mickey and his pals. He was beside himself.

Once again... we only got video of this. We didn't catch a single snap shot of the opening ceremonies or of the kids' reactions.

Oh well.

Grumpy was clapping, smiling, cheering... his reaction was all that I hoped it would be and then some.

Brainy was just as excited but more subdued on account of his age and all...

We head inside and drop $100 and some change on a double for the week. Smurfette and I argued a little on the idea of shelling out that kind of coin just for the privileged of using a stroller. However, I am a certifi(able)ed DIS lurker and I know good and well what the week will entail without a double.

Idiot VERY OBVIOUS tip: If they are young enough to NOT be embarrassed to be seen with Mom and Dad, they need a stroller.

I paid the man. Got my 7 coupons (which we would later lose, of course), and off we went.

UP NEXT: More from the Magic Kingdom and Grumpy Gets Grumpy


Here, he refuses cooperation.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Somehow I missed this last update.

Love the castle shot and the back of grumpy's head!

Totally endorse your idiot stroller claim. Especially in the heat, with the long hours and the crowds my kids were melting down left, right and centre. The stroller saved us (and them because I was getting pretty frustrated with them as well).