The Story So Far - Completed. 11/21-30/08

[mitros]

Love the TR.
Subbing
You're almost making me regret wanting to go with my DBF's parents next march.
Also, here is a semi-close to the LTT Ham & Mustard Recipe.


click,click

Hurry up, you have 85 posts to go!

 

[kirrrby]

Hurry up, you have 85 posts to go!

haha, you're the first to comment on my goal.

 

[DanMedix]

Day Four
11-25-08

Today, we slept in because of the late night we had last night at MK's EMH.

But, no time to waste..we've got RESSIES at one of my favorite places!

SO, after trying to rouse the family (..and an even longer time trying to rouse the inlaws...), we're waiting on the bus to Epcot!

As soon as we get there, it seems like I'm the only one trying to GET to the restaurant. Everyone else wants to dilly-dally....especially the inlaws, who now think it's a good idea to get their son a stroller.....

SO, I try to check us in at TEPPAN EDO, where they tell me that the entire party must be present (...oh just stay tuned...this is the first of MANY times I'm told this during the trip) In the meantime, I'm able to get a few good pix of the Japan pavillion...

Enjoyed lunch at Teppan Edo (this time was even better than before! I love that place) We had wonderful service, and a very entertaining chef (whose name was Kento, I believe). The one complaint I have is that some of the selections on the "kids menu" aren't cooked on the hibachi, but brought out on a bullet-train plate. But, the staff was great with the kiddos, and made sure they all got to enjoy everything.

After lunch, I figured that this would be a perfect opportunity to check out more of WS.....right?

.....then I remembered that my inlaws existed. (in a fit of euphoria from the meal, I'd forgotten they were with me.....bummer...)

One thing leads to another, and next thing ya know, we're hopping a boat....to DHS!.

CROWDED...plus the fact that the park entrance card/ticket reader system went offline.....creating lots of cranky people.

TSM? as they say in the northeast (and maybe some of you can help me with the exact pronounciation)...FUHGEDDABOUTIT!!!!!

RNRC? FUHGEDDABOUTIT!!!!! FastPasses were gone by the time we got there. We did ToT, which was cool....and..

...for the first time EVER........DS DID STAR TOURS!!!!! Of course, he loved it.

(I love this pic, with the sticker on the droid..*DUE FOR MAINTENANCE*)



If you want to do TSM, GET THERE EARLY AND DO IT FIRST THING..or you'll NEVER get to do it!

Anyways,

Off to MuppetVision we go! I always love doing this one with my kids, because it's a favorite of all of us. Plus, it makes people look at us funny when the kids and I recite the pre-show, each of us playing a role.

Did GMR....not bad....had a "gangster" girl that I'd never seen before. Now I firmly believe that it helps when you're held captive at "gunpoint" by a cute girl ; )

After that, it was "get the heck out of the crowd" time. So, back to the bus (and about another four mile hike to the POP bus stop), and back to POP. Tonight's another dinner at Everything POP, which I dont' complain about. I rather like the way Everything POP is laid out. But, each day it gets more and more crowded.

Some recommendations on Everything POP's ever-changing menu include:

- Reuben Flatbread
- Shrimp Lo Mein
- Turkey Panini

...and a cheeseburger, if you absolutely MUST.....

___________________________________________________________

MORE TO COME!

 

[jkahne9]

Dan, love your trip report. I live in NY and we are going to WDW on 12/13. I am taking my kids out of school for a week and was wondering if you did the same or were schhols on vacation that week.?

 

[mitros]

Love your comment yesterday about the buses and lack of deodorant!
But it is SO friggin' true!
How much longer is your trip?

 

[DanMedix]

Dan, love your trip report. I live in NY and we are going to WDW on 12/13. I am taking my kids out of school for a week and was wondering if you did the same or were schhols on vacation that week.?

We took the kids out of school for 3 days (the mon, tues, and wed before thanksgiving), and got them out of school about an hour early on the day of arrival.

 

[DanMedix]

11-25-08


Before I begin tonight, there are many of you who are curious about the crowds. I'll start off like this:

I hate crowds.
I absolutely despise being in the middle of 18million stanky cranky people with no manners and no deodorant. (That's why last year's OCT trip was such a treat...I can surely remember days of NO crowds, and an almost empty Everything POP....)

I'm following TGM's advice. I was hoping it would make a difference.

...as we say in the south... "IT AIN'T".

I'll put it this way. The crowds grew larger and less manageable today as the first hour went on (and today was supposed to be the least busy park!). More on this topic later on in this post...just stay tuned....

Not that I dislike TGM's advice, because I certainly do. It's just that crowds are crowds, no matter how you slice through them.

Anyways,.....

We did a full day at DHS...and went commando, at that. (for those that don't know, this means that we went without a break) We were walking off the bus right when they started to let people in the turnstiles.

We headed directly to TSM. By the time we got there......

...there was a 60 minute standby wait....and an even longer line TO GET FASTPASSES!!! This makes absolutely no sense to me. Yes, we went in the standby line. Now, I liked the ride, don't get me wrong. But, it's seriously not worth the hassle of trying to fight rude crowds for over an hour...JUST TO GET A STINKING FASTPASS!!

But, the ride was fun, nonetheless...

Was able to do Star Tours again, which is now DS's favorite. Had to skip the Jedi Training Academy, due to the rain (which one particular CM seemed quite overjoyed about.. ) But oh well....After DD got her face painted, it was time for lunch at Pizza Planet. Wasn't bad there, and the food wasn't bad either. I've noticed that Pizza Planet is just about one of the best CS places in DHS, where you can get a decent pizza and salad for the price.

During the line for pix with Lightning McQueen and Mater, the photographer.....just.....left. Didn't say anything, didn't close the line.....she just.....left. I grabbed my own pic of DD with Lightning and Mater, and left.

DS did Jedi Training Academy when it ran later. He was picked...and he was SO serious about it, too!

...well, we DO practice with our sabers at home....his dad (ahem...me) has had a little training in Kendo and Iaido.....yes, we have our own lightsaber classes at home.....yep, I know, I'm a geek. But oh well....


Then it was time for his own round of face painting......then more riding.....

....and noticing that the crowds (that started to briefly thin out during the little bit of rain) are starting to come back...

After a few rounds of RnRC and ToT, and chatting for a brief moment with one of the 'Streetmosphere' characters (who did bear a close resemblance so someone we all know (*COUGH*ADVENTURERSCLUB*COUGH*), I decided to do a futile check to see if any TS restaurants could fit us in. 50's couldn't, but Sci-Fi got us in at the tables in the back. Not bad food....and the milkshakes are on the DDP!

One more time to Endor, then it's back to POP for laundry.....and some seriously nice Captain's Mai Tai's at the pool bar! (definitely recommended)

NOW, on to the subject of the crowds.......
Things did indeed grow worse today, admittedly. But, when I was heading back to the room with mugs and mai tai's, my jaw dropped.....

not one, not two...but THREE...yes...THREE MAGICAL EXPRESS BUSES dropping NEW people off at POP.

Looks like the largest of the crowds has just begun...

....Guess Who's Coming to (Thanksgiving) Dinner?.......

____________________________________

but oh well.....what can I do? (except report to you guys and gals)

Tomorrow we have breakfast ressies at Ohana, so I'll keep you posted tomorrow night. In the meantime, it's bedtime for me.

night all!

 

[LittleBugsMama]

Dan, love your trip report. I live in NY and we are going to WDW on 12/13. I am taking my kids out of school for a week and was wondering if you did the same or were schhols on vacation that week.?

I live in Brentwood! We are neighbors and we will be in WDW December 10-17. See you there!

 

[Luv4Disney]

Oooo, which Adventurer's Club character? Hope we see him/her too!

 

[DanMedix]

Wednesday
11-26-08

Thanksgiving Eve...........




Before I begin my "halftime report" for today, I wish to address some of you who are quick to critique my methods for this particular trip.

I've received many messages who keep telling me that I'm "not truly following what TGM planned out", and that I should "not put down TGM", because his plans worked for them.

I'm guessing these people either:

- love going to WDW.....IN JULY OR AT CHRISTMAS
- don't go to WDW during a truly "OFF-PEAK" time
- Haven't experienced the "luxury" of waits UNDER 5 MINUTES!

Call me spoiled. Call me names. Just call me, dammit! LOL

Yes, I have had no choice but to deviate somewhat from TGM's park plans. While we've done our best to stay true to the listed "least crowded parks", I've had to forego TourGuideMike, in favor of the whims of TourGuideIn-Laws and TourGuideWifeAndKids. I don't have to deal with Mikey on a daily basis. The other people, however.....Well, you know.

See, the thing with TGM's plans, is that they don't allow for flexibility. They don't allow for when you're trying to rouse sleepy kids. They don't allow for your bus breaking down. They don't allow for the turnstiles computers' going down. They don't allow for ignorant family members who pretty much do their utmost to hijack your vacation, just because they get "an idea", or see something "bright and shiny".

But, don't think for a moment that I haven't been trying the plans. Sometimes, real life won't allow for strict plans, and we have to go with the flow....especially when it means not having to sleep on the couch for a week when I get home......


But, I digress. Onto today's mayhem.....

___________________________________________________

This morning, we had breakfast at Ohana, with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto. It was very nice. The food was good (especially the potatoes and the pineapple bread), and the characters spent as much time as they could with us, although they were kinda rushed (not their fault, tho). The price was indeed better than CRT from last year, and the kids seemed to enjoy the characters a bit more. Yes, while they were a little rushed, they certainly weren't as rushed as the Princesses were last year. It also seemed like the characters really did want to come and say hello, and have fun with everyone.

Great views from the Poly, and I'd like to explore it a bit more. I totally want to stay there.

On the monorail back, we passed the GF, where my DW said "I definitely want to stay there".

I totally agreed (and kept this in the back of my head for future trips.....teeheehee)

This morning wasn't too bad at MK. After doing POTC (yes, the hologram is still off-line), Jungle Cruise (with a pretty funny skipper whose name eludes me for the moment), driving the boats (..for $2..), Carpets of Aladdin (we already rode this....can you say "Dumbo"??), the Pirate Tutorial, Tiki Room (DS insisted), and having...my FIRST DOLE WHIP......we finally made it back to the room.

Today's crowds....not as bad as I expected. Still heavy, tho.

At this point, being outside of our original plans, I've pretty much abandoned TGM.)

Nighttime was interesting, to say the least.....

....First off, in a move that seemed rather silly to me at first, AK had night time EMH....until 11pm! Of course, the only things that were open were:

-Camp Minnie-Mickey (char. greetings, and FOTLK)
- EE
- Kali (although NO ONE was on it!...too cold!)
- DinoLand's attractions (including Dinosaur)
- ITTBAB

Yes, even though a sign said that Primeval Whirl would be closed, they had it up and running (with a 60 min standby time) tonight.

The park, although lit, is quite DARK at night, as my DS so eloquently pointed out "IT'S DARK OUT HERE!"



Oh, it got worse from there.

We were standing in the beginning of the outside line at Dinosaur, when I realized we were behind a guy who'd had a colostomy (yep...bag and all), and seemed to be having an issue. This "issue" made a smell. DS (who, I remind you, is 5 yrs old), eventually got sick of the smell, and kindly let us all know by saying...

"OKAY, WHO KEEPS POOTIN'?"

.....because of this, I found out that Coca-Cola does indeed burn when it comes out of your nose. I'm just glad we were near the entrance, and the trash can....



Also had a fun run-in with a CM. Near the end of the FP line, a female CM wanted to measure DS...who passed, of course. She said that he was considered "snack size" for the dinosaurs there, and that I would be considered "dinner". She went on to tell us that today the dinosaurs liked GREEN (I was wearing a green shirt). In a fit of not-thinking, I say "....and me, being so tasty....."

...both the CM and I look at each other at this point. She says "OH, there's so many ways I could go with this!"

....this is where DW grabs me by the neck, and drags me inside the building.....

Anyways, we ALMOST did lunch at the CS side of Yak and Yeti...until my family realized that they served chinese food. Needless to say, we headed straight to Restaurantosarus. I always enjoy the ambience in there. I like seeing the Dino Institute stuff on the walls (including the pics of Chester and Hester). If you haven't had a look, I recommend it.



As we left at about 9pm, I reveled in the fact that I had a brief moment on the bridge to Harambe.....and NOBODY ELSE WAS AROUND! I took a moment to lie on my back quickly, and then get up, to run back to my DW, DS, and DD, who had already disavowed all knowledge of who I was, and walking to the bus stop.

We hopped the bus to AKL, and took the DTD bus from there to do some quick shopping, and then head back to the hotel, with 2 sleepy kids.....

(YES, the inlaws didn't come with us on this leg. I don't know what they did......you can imagine my heartache....

...I need a hug....and sleep.....

...........in that order, would be best......)

Tomorrow is turkey day......Here's my plan:

AK in the AM

and, yes, we have a KAMIKAZE run into MK for thanksgiving dinner at CP.
(and yes, me without my machete)

keeping you posted as always.....

nitey nite

 

[OhMari]

Hey,
you are completed. It says in your title, "completed".
Hope you finish.
Mister.