The Twelve Days of Swinter: From Castaway 'Key' to a Partridge in a Palm Tree!

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I have the same problem. Noone understands the addiction better than another Disser.I love when people come for advice on what to do when they are going there, though. It's fun to share the love.

I know, what is it with those non-Disney people? They really don't know what they're missing! A lady from my church actually went to Disney for the first time last year and she came back and told me that she didn't like it! I just stood there like this . Possibly the first time ever that I have been speechless!

Oh gosh, I love it when someone asks me to help them plan a trip! Although I must say that when my motor mouth gets going and I start telling them more than they ever wanted to know about everything, they sort of stand there with that deer in the headlights look! I know they must be thinking, "Why in the world did I just ask this crazy woman about Disney!" I try not to get too carried away, but my enthusiasm definitely comes through!

 

[sharonW]

I actually know people who don't like disney as well, they will say "why do you keep going to the same place"??? Like Anita (wig) says, "they just don't get it" that is sooooo true!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

OK, I just sat here on the sofa laughing out loud as I was looking at your photo pass pictures with "the guy" in them!!!!!
You do have all the luck with those people!

I wish there was a way to send those pictures to him and say " is this the effect you were after"?

 

[partyof2]

Cruises have never been my thing. 1) I'm scared of water, and 2) I thought there'd be nothing to do and I'd be bored stupid. I've actively avoided TRs about cruises but HOW STUPID WAS I?! Loving your TR so far.

I naively thought that the Disney cruise ships were just normal ships with Disney tagged onto the name to entice people, I thought maybe you'd see Mickey once in a while, but other than that didn't understand the fuss! What a fool I was to doubt Disney!

The ship is incredible, the details are amazing. I had no idea about the shows in the evening or that there was so many different places to eat. The staff seem incredibly attentive, that's lovely to see.

The ship is so big that it's actually terrifying to me! It's funny though that something so big can also seem kinda claustrophic; the closeness of DD's bunk to the ceiling made my heart race a little faster and one of the shots of the narrow corridors made me feel a little naucous.

Oh and the Aquaduck!? Never in a million years would I ride that. You guys are brave, brave, brave. I'm frightened just looking at it.

I think my favourite experience of yours was the day at Blue Lagoon, it was just beautiful, so relaxing. Adore your pictures of the Dolphin Encounter, what an amazing experience for DD to cherish.

I've just read the entire report and it's now after 2AM. MUST SLEEP!

P.S. Your DD is adorable, love her freckles. And her bathing suits are all fantastic, I'd totally wear them.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I actually know people who don't like disney as well, they will say "why do you keep going to the same place"??? Like Anita (wig) says, "they just don't get it" that is sooooo true!!!

I get that same question a lot and I just can't really answer it for anyone. Either you feel the magic or you don't, I can't explain it any better than that.

OK, I just sat here on the sofa laughing out loud as I was looking at your photo pass pictures with "the guy" in them!!!!!
You do have all the luck with those people!

I wish there was a way to send those pictures to him and say " is this the effect you were after"?

I'm not sure that HE even knew what look he was going for! Poor guy! I feel bad for picking at him, but good grief, how could I not post those pictures! That's just too funny not to share!

Cruises have never been my thing. 1) I'm scared of water, and 2) I thought there'd be nothing to do and I'd be bored stupid. I've actively avoided TRs about cruises but HOW STUPID WAS I?! Loving your TR so far.

I naively thought that the Disney cruise ships were just normal ships with Disney tagged onto the name to entice people, I thought maybe you'd see Mickey once in a while, but other than that didn't understand the fuss! What a fool I was to doubt Disney!

The ship is incredible, the details are amazing. I had no idea about the shows in the evening or that there was so many different places to eat. The staff seem incredibly attentive, that's lovely to see.

The ship is so big that it's actually terrifying to me! It's funny though that something so big can also seem kinda claustrophic; the closeness of DD's bunk to the ceiling made my heart race a little faster and one of the shots of the narrow corridors made me feel a little naucous.

Oh and the Aquaduck!? Never in a million years would I ride that. You guys are brave, brave, brave. I'm frightened just looking at it.

I think my favourite experience of yours was the day at Blue Lagoon, it was just beautiful, so relaxing. Adore your pictures of the Dolphin Encounter, what an amazing experience for DD to cherish.

I've just read the entire report and it's now after 2AM. MUST SLEEP!

P.S. Your DD is adorable, love her freckles. And her bathing suits are all fantastic, I'd totally wear them.

WOW! I am impressed that you read the whole thing at once! And at 2 a.m.! So cool that you are in Scotland. I'd love to pay that country a visit someday. It looks so beautiful there!

Cruising is not for everyone that's for sure. And if you are claustrophobic, it will be an extra challenge. Believe me on that one! I'd suggest getting a room with a balcony for sure. The halls didn't seem that bad to me, but they were not very long on the 2nd floor. The AD however did freak me out a bit. It is very large inside though and I told myself that I had to do it just once. I did keep having visions of it backing up with water and me drowning inside. The way it is made though, that could not happen... only in my twisted mind!

Blue Lagoon was just awesome! Totally worth doing a cruise just to go there and do the dolphin encounter!

 

[partyof2]

WOW! I am impressed that you read the whole thing at once! And at 2 a.m.! So cool that you are in Scotland. I'd love to pay that country a visit someday. It looks so beautiful there!

We do have some beautiful countryside and some lovely cities. Hopefully you'll make it to the UK one day; I read your fears about new countries and I totally agree. The only place I've been outwith the UK is the US, mostly because of the language thing. I wouldn't feel safe somewhere that I couldn't communicate properly with others, plus I'd also feel kinda rude that I hadn't bothered to attempt to learn their language! My brother went to Paris once and for his whole visit he only ate Big Macs because that was all he could say!

The AD however did freak me out a bit. It is very large inside though and I told myself that I had to do it just once. I did keep having visions of it backing up with water and me drowning inside. The way it is made though, that could not happen... only in my twisted mind!

How funny that's your fear, ever since I was little I've been frightened of the tube slide things because I'm always scared the bottom is going to fall out!

 

[SRUAlmn]

How funny that's your fear, ever since I was little I've been frightened of the tube slide things because I'm always scared the bottom is going to fall out!

Me too!! And with the Aqua Duck you'd fall into the ocean and be swept away or run over by the ship How funny that we have similar, irrational fears

 

[micandminforever]

Me too!! And with the Aqua Duck you'd fall into the ocean and be swept away or run over by the ship How funny that we have similar, irrational fears

They is my fear that as I came around the turn were the tube is over the ocean, it breaks and I fall overbroad.

The nutty photopass man gave me a good laugh. I am glad you were able to crop him out, but I love his facial expressions. Your pictures around MK are wonderful. They make me want to be there with a mickey ice cream bar today, instead of cleaning my house in N. Ga. Thanks for putting a smile on my face.

 

[Woth2982]

:Oh no! I hate to hear that. I hope you get healed up and moving along quickly. I noticed you had not been around as much but I didn't know that was why. I hate healing from sugery... so painful and boring. And you are right, daytime tv stinks! I rarely turn mine on during the day except to watch the news.

15-20 people on a Disney trip! WHOA! That will be a planning challenge for sure!

Thank you. Yesterday was the worst day. I'm incredibly bored lol. I did go to weight watchers today so I feel I accomplished something.

Yeah we have a group that all keeps talking about going and a couple have kids and want to take them so that is how the numbers get so high. I think the biggest challenge will be where/when we stay. I won't stay off property so hopefully they will follow my lead lol.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I actually know people who don't like disney as well, they will say "why do you keep going to the same place"??? Like Anita (wig) says, "they just don't get it" that is sooooo true!!!

This is all the time with us too! People around here have lake cabins and go there all summer, every weekend and for a week vacation. Plus they have to cook, clean, do chores, mow the lawn, do maintenance etc. I ask them, why do you keep going back there? Not my kind of vacation...

Scotland IS beautiful!!! I loved it there and the people are so nice!

We're trying to learn some French phrases so we don't look too stupid when we go. Hopefully we will understand "proper" English in London!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We do have some beautiful countryside and some lovely cities. Hopefully you'll make it to the UK one day; I read your fears about new countries and I totally agree. The only place I've been outwith the UK is the US, mostly because of the language thing. I wouldn't feel safe somewhere that I couldn't communicate properly with others, plus I'd also feel kinda rude that I hadn't bothered to attempt to learn their language! My brother went to Paris once and for his whole visit he only ate Big Macs because that was all he could say!

How funny that's your fear, ever since I was little I've been frightened of the tube slide things because I'm always scared the bottom is going to fall out!

Yeah, I'm pretty hesitant to go anywhere that doesn't speak English too. I think I am more fearful of going somewhere with a non democratic form of government though. I just can't see myself going to China, Russia, Middle East etc. As cool as those places would probably be to see, it's just not happening! I am WAY fond of the 'land of the free' philosophy and have no desire to experience anything other than that.

I have to say that I have never thought about the bottom falling out of the AD! Isn't it silly what things we conjure up in our minds? I think I'd rather fall out of the bottom than get trapped inside and drown though!

Me too!! And with the Aqua Duck you'd fall into the ocean and be swept away or run over by the ship How funny that we have similar, irrational fears

Wow, you guys are giving me a whole new set of thoughts to be paranoid about the next time we cruise!

They is my fear that as I came around the turn were the tube is over the ocean, it breaks and I fall overbroad.

The nutty photopass man gave me a good laugh. I am glad you were able to crop him out, but I love his facial expressions. Your pictures around MK are wonderful. They make me want to be there with a mickey ice cream bar today, instead of cleaning my house in N. Ga. Thanks for putting a smile on my face.

You guys are going to have me too scared to ever ride a water slide again!

You're welcome for the good laugh! That poor PP guy has no idea that he has entertained so many people this weekend!

Thank you. Yesterday was the worst day. I'm incredibly bored lol. I did go to weight watchers today so I feel I accomplished something.

Yeah we have a group that all keeps talking about going and a couple have kids and want to take them so that is how the numbers get so high. I think the biggest challenge will be where/when we stay. I won't stay off property so hopefully they will follow my lead lol.

Well I hope you get better really fast so you won't be so bored. Winter is such a boring time anyway so I know this has only made it worse.

Well, I would tell them that if they didn't want to stay on property, then they were on their own!

This is all the time with us too! People around here have lake cabins and go there all summer, every weekend and for a week vacation. Plus they have to cook, clean, do chores, mow the lawn, do maintenance etc. I ask them, why do you keep going back there? Not my kind of vacation...

Scotland IS beautiful!!! I loved it there and the people are so nice!

We're trying to learn some French phrases so we don't look too stupid when we go. Hopefully we will understand "proper" English in London!

Ok Sheree, is there ANYWHERE you haven't been? I'm officially making you my travel agent. If I want to know about any place in the world, I'm calling on you!

We did the place at the lake thing years ago before we had DD. We just had a camper set up permanently at a really nice campground at a lake near here. It was fun, for a while, but then we got tired of going to the same place over and over again. We would go about two weekends each month and it just got old. They had a pool, and a nice 'beach' on the lake (but I refuse to swim in lake water so that fun was limited), and we had a golf cart that we drove the heck out of. The golf cart was probably the most fun! But you are right, I felt like I had two homes to clean and maintain and after a while it didn't feel like a getaway anymore. Plus we had to pay to be members at the campground and pay annual dues for upkeep of the place, plus a light bill, etc. It didn't take us long to figure out that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Thankfully we were able to sell out and rid ourselves of that mistake. Honestly, that experience is why we won't buy DVC. I know it is a totally different experience with Disney, but I hated paying those annual dues every year and you have to do that with DVC too. I feel like I would love being a DVC member otherwise though, but that experience at the lake turned out so bad that I just don't know if I can go down that road again. I think if I ever rent points though, I'll be very tempted!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Yeah, I'm pretty hesitant to go anywhere that doesn't speak English too. I think I am more fearful of going somewhere with a non democratic form of government though. I just can't see myself going to China, Russia, Middle East etc. As cool as those places would probably be to see, it's just not happening! I am WAY fond of the 'land of the free' philosophy and have no desire to experience anything other than that.

I have to say that I have never thought about the bottom falling out of the AD! Isn't it silly what things we conjure up in our minds? I think I'd rather fall out of the bottom than get trapped inside and drown though!



Wow, you guys are giving me a whole new set of thoughts to be paranoid about the next time we cruise!

Ok Sheree, is there ANYWHERE you haven't been? I'm officially making you my travel agent. If I want to know about any place in the world, I'm calling on you!

Uh, sure! I'm working on getting my kids to set foot in all 50 states, we have about 30 to go! Plus Italy is on my bucket list! Really I went to Scotland/England in 1995 and then just the places we've been on cruises. I've hit Mexico and Canada (we're pretty close to that one!) But I'd be happy to share anything I know!!

We did the place at the lake thing years ago before we had DD. We just had a camper set up permanently at a really nice campground at a lake near here. It was fun, for a while, but then we got tired of going to the same place over and over again. We would go about two weekends each month and it just got old. They had a pool, and a nice 'beach' on the lake (but I refuse to swim in lake water so that fun was limited), and we had a golf cart that we drove the heck out of. The golf cart was probably the most fun! But you are right, I felt like I had two homes to clean and maintain and after a while it didn't feel like a getaway anymore. Plus we had to pay to be members at the campground and pay annual dues for upkeep of the place, plus a light bill, etc. It didn't take us long to figure out that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Thankfully we were able to sell out and rid ourselves of that mistake. Honestly, that experience is why we won't buy DVC. I know it is a totally different experience with Disney, but I hated paying those annual dues every year and you have to do that with DVC too. I feel like I would love being a DVC member otherwise though, but that experience at the lake turned out so bad that I just don't know if I can go down that road again. I think if I ever rent points though, I'll be very tempted!

Yup, annual dues can be a killer. That's what often keeps people away from most timeshares, plus they go up! It's not like you buy it and that's all there is.
Renting points will surely entice you!! But there's always financial reality, isn't there?

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Yup, annual dues can be a killer. That's what often keeps people away from most timeshares, plus they go up! It's not like you buy it and that's all there is.
Renting points will surely entice you!! But there's always financial reality, isn't there?

Yes, reality indeed. DH and I skipped going to Disney in 2010 because we took that year to do the Dave Ramsey financial plan. We got rid of all our debt that year except our mortgage and have agreed not to finance anything else. And since I can't afford to pay cash for a DVC membership, it's not likely to happen. I know I could buy resale for a fraction of the cost that I could buy directly through Disney, but I'd still have to save for a long time. And the dues are so hard to swallow! I wish they could find a way to get ride of that. I think even if they charged more for the membership, people would be happier just knowing that that bill won't be coming every year. Ours were about $500 a year with the lake and we always had to pay them in December. Like I had an extra $500 in December to spare! I just hated those dues! So maybe one day it will happen, when I'm taking my grandkids to Disney , but it won't be anytime soon.

 

[MeMom]

I know, what is it with those non-Disney people? They really don't know what they're missing! A lady from my church actually went to Disney for the first time last year and she came back and told me that she didn't like it! I just stood there like this . Possibly the first time ever that I have been speechless!

I actually know people who don't like disney as well, they will say "why do you keep going to the same place"??? Like Anita (wig) says, "they just don't get it" that is sooooo true!!!

As much as we feel sorry that they don't get it and can't go and have as awesome a time as we all do, we should be grateful I guess. Less people crowding the parks and making those lines longer.

Cruising is not for everyone that's for sure. And if you are claustrophobic, it will be an extra challenge. Believe me on that one! I'd suggest getting a room with a balcony for sure.

I would be satisfied with a one day adventure to Castaway Cay without having to spend a night on the ship. Or if they let me sleep out in the open on a deck lounge chair, I'd be good with that. I want to experience most of the things a Disney cruise offers, but I think the claustrophobia is going to prevent that from happening.

Honestly, that experience is why we won't buy DVC. I know it is a totally different experience with Disney, but I hated paying those annual dues every year and you have to do that with DVC too.

Yup, annual dues can be a killer. That's what often keeps people away from most timeshares, plus they go up! It's not like you buy it and that's all there is.
Renting points will surely entice you!! But there's always financial reality, isn't there?

Yes, reality indeed. DH and I skipped going to Disney in 2010 because we took that year to do the Dave Ramsey financial plan. We got rid of all our debt that year except our mortgage and have agreed not to finance anything else. And since I can't afford to pay cash for a DVC membership, it's not likely to happen.

We've had DVC talks many times, but in the end we all agree we'd rather take value 2-3 trips than just one DVC trip. Right now, it works better for us to do what we are doing, and occasionally we can upgrade to moderate or deluxe for a whole stay or part of a stay. We're not locked into anything, but we can do it when it works for us. I know that when we think of the 30-40 years ahead, DVC is a good thing to consider, so we will continue to discuss it until the timing is right.

Congratulations on being debt-free!

 

[kittylady1972]

I know, what is it with those non-Disney people? They really don't know what they're missing! A lady from my church actually went to Disney for the first time last year and she came back and told me that she didn't like it! I just stood there like this . Possibly the first time ever that I have been speechless!

That kinds of stuff confounds me too...but I guess to each his own! I can't wait to get back to my happy place each and every year and I guess I figure that's one less person in line for my favorite rides!

Oh gosh, I love it when someone asks me to help them plan a trip! Although I must say that when my motor mouth gets going and I start telling them more than they ever wanted to know about everything, they sort of stand there with that deer in the headlights look! I know they must be thinking, "Why in the world did I just ask this crazy woman about Disney!" I try not to get too carried away, but my enthusiasm definitely comes through!

I feel the same way! I LOVE to help others plan trips! I have a neighbor who actually texted me a few weeks ago asking advice about tickets for him and his family for their trip at the end of April...and it just was NOT something I could just TEXT back to him! We'll try to get together with that family next month just to give them some advice...and I'll probably see that same look!

 

[jenseib]

I got so behind again. Great updates!!!! What was the date you arrived at MK? You are tempting me to go a few days early before our cruise...but I don't think that will work out well, so I doubt we will.

I understand about the nap....sometimes you just got to give in. I hate when that happens.
Your pics of CBR are beautiful. I wish we could've walked more around it to see everything.

 

[sjs314]

Hey Rinky, I finally caught up with your TR and it was a welcome break from the horrible week I just had. I was MIA because on Monday morning we found out my eldest DS(42) passed away in his sleep. I know he is with his Brother now and my Mother but It has been one long week.

Unbelievable that they charge you for parking on the morning you left.

You actually made me laugh about the toll $, I could see you now about to be driving under the WDW sign and get pulled over

DD's outfit is adorable, she is starting to look so grown up. Can not wait to read more.

I wanted to cancel our trip, but DH wants to go, thinks it will be good for us, maybe it will who knows. I hope he is prepared to pack his own stuff since I do not even feel like packing mine.....He may get there and find he has to buy a few items or walk around half naked

I have to laugh or I start crying, the thing is I seem to cry everytime I laugh anyway. I told him yesterday I am done. No more Holiday etc, this past Christmas I had finally got into it a bit more it was the 3rd Christmas without my youngest but now with both of them gone and no grandchildren, he needs to understand where I am coming from but we both know he probally was not even listening to me since they never do.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

As much as we feel sorry that they don't get it and can't go and have as awesome a time as we all do, we should be grateful I guess. Less people crowding the parks and making those lines longer.

I would be satisfied with a one day adventure to Castaway Cay without having to spend a night on the ship. Or if they let me sleep out in the open on a deck lounge chair, I'd be good with that. I want to experience most of the things a Disney cruise offers, but I think the claustrophobia is going to prevent that from happening.

We've had DVC talks many times, but in the end we all agree we'd rather take value 2-3 trips than just one DVC trip. Right now, it works better for us to do what we are doing, and occasionally we can upgrade to moderate or deluxe for a whole stay or part of a stay. We're not locked into anything, but we can do it when it works for us. I know that when we think of the 30-40 years ahead, DVC is a good thing to consider, so we will continue to discuss it until the timing is right.

Congratulations on being debt-free!

Thanks Memom! It was very hard to buckle down with the finances, but once we had no car payment and no credit cards, it was an amazing relief. I don't ever want to go back. Nothing that I could buy, would make me feel better than being debt free (other than the house anyway). Now, if I could just train my brain to think the same way about weight loss. I'm afraid that epiphany may never occur to me though.

I think you're right about the DVC thing. You do have to keep reevaluating and see if it makes sense to do it. As time goes by, things change and it might be the right choice for you later on. But I think along the same lines as you... I'd rather go more often and stay at a value than go less and stay deluxe. But I might not always feel that way. I have to say that after our stay at CBR, I can totally understand the draw to the other resort categories. I'm actually kind of afraid to stay at deluxe for fear it will ruin me on staying at a value again! I think you just have to consider what each trip will be like and go from there though. If we are going for a shorter time and I know we will be in the parks every day, then the values make more sense.

Hmmm, I wonder what DCL would charge for 3 nights in a lounge chair on deck 4? Somehow Memom, I just don't think they will go for that.

That kinds of stuff confounds me too...but I guess to each his own! I can't wait to get back to my happy place each and every year and I guess I figure that's one less person in line for my favorite rides!

I feel the same way! I LOVE to help others plan trips! I have a neighbor who actually texted me a few weeks ago asking advice about tickets for him and his family for their trip at the end of April...and it just was NOT something I could just TEXT back to him! We'll try to get together with that family next month just to give them some advice...and I'll probably see that same look!

Yeah, I can't imagine anyone not enjoying Disney either, but I never try to convince them otherwise. I think you either feel the magic or you don't.

That's funny about your neighbor! Poor family, they have no idea what they are in for! I always tell myself that I'm not going to overload them with info, but I always get carried away!

I got so behind again. Great updates!!!! What was the date you arrived at MK? You are tempting me to go a few days early before our cruise...but I don't think that will work out well, so I doubt we will.

I understand about the nap....sometimes you just got to give in. I hate when that happens.
Your pics of CBR are beautiful. I wish we could've walked more around it to see everything.

That day at MK was October 30th. They had a party that night, the 31st and Nov. 1, and I think the decorations came down immediately after that.

I have a ton more CBR pics to come. I went out for some early morning walks a couple of times and had a ball right by myself just snapping away on the camera! I will definitely be doing that on our future trips! It was so much easier to notice things and concentrate without my family in tow. I love them, but they are distracting!

Hey Rinky, I finally caught up with your TR and it was a welcome break from the horrible week I just had. I was MIA because on Monday morning we found out my eldest DS(42) passed away in his sleep. I know he is with his Brother now and my Mother but It has been one long week.

Unbelievable that they charge you for parking on the morning you left.

You actually made me laugh about the toll $, I could see you now about to be driving under the WDW sign and get pulled over

DD's outfit is adorable, she is starting to look so grown up. Can not wait to read more.

I wanted to cancel our trip, but DH wants to go, thinks it will be good for us, maybe it will who knows. I hope he is prepared to pack his own stuff since I do not even feel like packing mine.....He may get there and find he has to buy a few items or walk around half naked

I have to laugh or I start crying, the thing is I seem to cry everytime I laugh anyway. I told him yesterday I am done. No more Holiday etc, this past Christmas I had finally got into it a bit more it was the 3rd Christmas without my youngest but now with both of them gone and no grandchildren, he needs to understand where I am coming from but we both know he probally was not even listening to me since they never do.

Sheila I don't even know what to say. That absolutely breaks my heart for you. I cannot even begin to imagine what you have been through. I noticed you hadn't been around but I had no idea what was going on. I am so very sorry. I don't know what your faith is, but I am going to be praying for youand your husband, and I hope you don't mind. I really wish there was something that I could say or do, but I feel like any words I could say to you would be horribly inadequate.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I left off with us standing at the hub in front of the castle. We took a moment to discuss what we would try to squeeze in before the park closed at 7:00 for MNSSHP. The consensus was that we wanted to do our two favorites, BTMRR and Philharmagic. Anything else would just be a bonus!

We decided we would work our way through…

to get to BTMRR.

DD had picked up a new autograph book at one of the shops along Main St., and I told her to go ahead and write her name in the front just in case she lost it. That really wasn’t why I wanted her name in the cover though. I’ve noticed that the characters will call your child by name if they see it written in the book, and I think that just adds some magic to the character meets. DD has never figured out how they always know her name because the characters are very discreet about taking a peek at the front page!

And the first ride of the trip was…

And it was walk-on! In fact, ALL our Adventureland rides were walk-on!

I love flying over Agrabah!

Too bad DH didn’t lose that hat while flying on his magic carpet.

This girl absolutely loves ‘driving’ these types of rides. She likes to take them way up high and then drop as fast as she can to scare the puddin’ out of her mother!

What a great first ride! Now it’s time for a little exotic shopping!

We spent quite a while looking at all the interesting things at…

DD is always fascinated with rocks and gems.

Continued in next post

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

DH and DD had a good time playing with the primitive style instruments.

Wooden masks…

I love this mug!

Getting into the Arabian spirit…

I’ve learned to always look up when in a Disney gift shop.

This was near the register. I was hoping if you knew the answer, you would get a discount or something, but no such luck!

DD found her newest stuffed Disney friend here though. She always comes home with at least one new stuffy on each trip. She has quite the collection going.

DD wanted to go up into the treehouse next, but it was closed for a refurb.

So we moved along to take a cruise through the jungles of Asia, Africa, and South America!

I had seen the tarantula before but never noticed that it moves!

Not a good day for the zebra…

Continued in next post