These Kids Make Me Wish You Could Curse on the DISBoards (May '11 Trip) - DONE 9/14

[PirateKate]

In that picture of the kids in the teacup, you'd never guess that they were the same kids bickering at 7:15.

Great job, Kristin, on getting into the first Rapunzel group!

 

[vleeth]

This just keeps getting better and better!

 

[nilla]

I've never gotten a fast pass before. When we used to go they didn't have them & the last three times it wasn't crowed enough to need them.

I can't imagine this is possible. Really, it blows my mind.

I would probably still get a Fast Pass even if it meant waiting 5 minutes instead of 6

In that picture of the kids in the teacup, you'd never guess that they were the same kids bickering at 7:15.

Very true! Some times they get along so well together. It's those times that it's tough to tell them to stop goofing off when it's getting out of hand, because at least they're not fighting!

This just keeps getting better and better!

Thanks! More updates coming once I get past the required time between posts...

 

[nilla]

...before we begin, however, it turns out the "Disney Tattoo Guy", who went to community college with Kristin and who we ran into at Cosmic Rays a few years back, was just arrested for something heinous:

http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-disney-tattoo-arrest-20110708,0,5444210.story

Shame, because he seemed like an ok guy from the 30 seconds we talked to him.

Now on to the updates...

 

[nilla]

After lunch, we walked past the Tomorrowland Motor Speedway, then doubled back to ride it. Why not? We're not in a hurry to get anywhere.

Emily is riding with me this time, so this should be fun! I grab the "number of the day" photo, and then we're off.

Now, normally this is where I would channel Bill Cosby and start singing the theme from the Roughriders, but the new song that's stuck in my head is "Little Mermaid...gliiiiiides in the se-ea..." And I have to sing, because if I don't, I will realize the horrible reality that is Emily trying to steer this thing.

BOOM BOOM BOOM

Steer too hard left! Then overcompensate right! Don't worry; we're on a rail! Daddy's ribs may never be the same, but at least we can't run off the road!

As we approach the final turn, we're right up next to a guy in another car, and I want Emily to overtake him SOOO bad. We get closer...closer...

BOOM

Ok, that rail tends to slow you down when you slam into it, Em! Just keep the wheel straight. Oh well, we didn't get him...but it was close.

Afterwards, we head over to the restrooms, where we spot this guy:

Push's biggest fan (the guy in the hat who is ALWAYS watching him) is in the area, too! I did not take a picture of him because THAT IS NOT HOW IT WORKS. That secret is LOCKED DOWN.

Not that it's not completely obvious, but still

After Push, we cashed in our Space Mountain FPs. But not until after Emily gets to go on her favorite ride in the park:

She ALWAYS wants to be up there, but I rarely let her. Makes it more of a treat when she can

So there it is - we flew her 1000 miles and spent thousands of dollars, and the highlight of the trip so far is sitting on my shoulders

 

[nilla]

Well, we talked Emily into riding SM again, but this time, she's in front of me, in the back of the first car. Which means, unless I am the Grither (10 points for a "Tales from the Darkside" reference. Ch-ching!), there is NO WAY I can perform my expected duty of holding her shoulders during the ride. Which basically means that I have no clue whatsoever how she's doing during the ride, since it IS almost completely dark in there, y'know. But hold on - first I have to get in this thing. I'm carrying the 50 lb. backpack, and there is NO WAY I can get this lap bar down with it on the floor next to my foot. Everyone else is buckled in, and we're about to go, so I have to think fast. I pull the lap bar down with the intention of putting the backpack into the vehicle afterwards, but it's just no fitting. I'm holding it out over the side of the car now, repeatedly trying to stuff the bag in, but it's no use. And here we go!

Panic strikes as we start to move, since I STILL don't have this stupid thing in here, and time has just about run out. Right before we reach the last seated CM, I make a final effort to stuff it in between the lap bar and the frame of the ride. Failure is not an option now. I give it all that I've got...



...and it's in. Thank god! Not just because I got the bag in, but because I managed to do it without giving myself a hernia, which I felt VERY close to doing. Either that or seriously pulling something. But I was ok, and it's off to space!

Dylan screams most of the ride even though he loves it, and I'm getting banged around like you wouldn't believe. I really don't fit in here, which makes me wonder how anyone more than 6' or 190 lbs does it. Ouch.

Don't get me wrong; I still loved it

We reach the end, and Emily tells us she actually enjoyed it this time. Awesome! We spot the ride pictures and notice that her head was almost beneath the seat the entire time. Oh well, whatever it takes!

Apparently, Rapunzel has Kristin catching character (Princess, to be exact) fever today, so it's over to Adventureland to try to locate Ariel and Tiana. Dylan has, in his mind, a better idea:

"Can we ride Splash now?"

Kristin informs him of the plan, and he's not happy. What 9 year old boy would be? I constantly tell him that in 5 years he's going to LOVE the Princesses, so he might as well just accept it now. Nope, not good enough for him. He continues to argue, at which point I remind him that the only thing that ever gets him in trouble is his arguing, but he just hasn't learned. So we threaten skipping Splash. He replies with his trademarked, "No!!!!", showing that he has also not learned anything from the "we're not going swimming if you act up at Le Chefs de France" episode. Fortunately, he lets up just before we have to actually implement the plan. Or pretend like we're going to implement the plan. Yes, I know - we're awful parents in Disney World!

 

[nilla]

On the way to Adventureland, we stop to give the kids another go at this:

But no dice. Good thing they didn't get it up, actually, since there was no Cast Member around to see it

We reach Adevntureland, and if we're going to hit Adventureland, we OBVIOUSLY have to get soaked by the Tikis. Well, at least the kids do.

I step in for a moment on account of it being so stinkin' hot today, but then it's over for a quick ride on Pirates before we get in line to meet Aladdin (I can never remember how many "l"s and "d"s are in that name) and Jasmine. While Kristin and the kids wait in line, I step over to the snack hut next door and grab Emily a raspberry lemonade slushie. It was delicious! A sort of weak replacement for the Dole Whips we did not feel like waiting in an enormous line for, but still good.

While we wait, the nearbly CM asks Dylan for his water sprayer, and he complies. She lifts up the bottom of his shorts legs and sprays him in the backs of the knees. She then does the same to Emily and Kristin. Not to be left out, I ask to be next, and let me tell you, that's now our favorite water sprayer technique. It's amazing how much that helps. I don't understand the biology (or is it chemistry? Anatomy? Fortuosity?) of it, but it works.

Kristin suggests that I check out the wait for Ariel and Prince Eric, and stake out a spot if it's not too far off. I head over and find that they'll be out in 20 minutes, so I take my place at what was probaly the 3rd or 4th place in line. Nice! On my way, I made a point to get squirted by this:

I LOVE this thing, especially when people get nailed unsuspectingly, then look around wondering what just happened. Didn't you think there might be a reason there's a huge puddle in the middle of the walk?

After about 15 minutes, I start to wonder where Kristin and the kids are, and if they'll make it over in time. As I'm wondering this, the film switches over to our other protagonists, who are doing this:

Star wipe back to me, where I soon spot the three coming around the corner. They join me in line (is this line jumping? I don't really know. I could see how it could be. Should I expect to get flamed for saying that I did this?), as does a rather effeminate guy looking to be in his early twenties. He joins us in line and starts talking to Kristin immediately, and she's more than happy to jaw with him. In fact, the way they're carrying on, I', guessing they were in line together at Jasmine, and an instant friendship was born.

He tells us that he LOVES the Princesses, especially Ariel, and that he's having each of them sign his large, blank Vinylmation doll. Soon enough, the power couple arrives, and it's through the line we go.

It's now Kristin's friend's turn to go.



Wait - how is it HIS turn to go? Why is he in front of us? He just completely used us to line jump, didn't he? Oh well, hat's off to you, young man. Well played. Now just get up there, get your picture taken, and move on.



But he doesn't. First, he wants his Vinylmation signed by Ariel. Now by Prince Eric. Now he wants a picture with the two using his camera. Now just Eric. Now, just Ariel. But wait - he needs another one with Ariel, but with his phone. And now one of both with his phone. Now one from Photopass.

The women behind me are now discussing how incredibly rude it was for this guy to be taking all of this time with so many waiting, especially since he basically jumped in from to 30 other families to get this spot.

Hold on - is he asking Prince Eric to sign his Vinylmation again? Huh? Another camera phone pic now, just the two guys!

The only word I could find to sum this all up is "ree-diculous". No, not "ridiculous", because that does not correctly express the magnitude of how ree-diculous this situation is. Fortunately, Ariel is a pro and jumps on the opportunity to come over and talk to us. It all starts like this:

..and this:

...and finally moves on to this:

Trust me, Dylan, in five years...

Kristin's friend has been pushed along, finally, so our kids can get a chance for the group photo:

We move on, and here's the kicker: In this line was the first time Kristin ever met this guy. BRILLIANT line jumping skills. I hate him, but brilliant nonetheless! Even scarier is his response when Kristin told him how long the wait was for Rapunzel: "I can find a way to get in." Yep, I bet you can!

Afterwards, Dylan asks if we can ride Splash Mountain, which seems fair, doesn't it? He just waited in line for Jasmine and Ariel, and earlier today waited for Rapunzel, Alice, and the Fairy Godmother. But nope; Kristin wants to check out how long it will be until Tiana comes out again. He's not happy, and it's hard to blame him...but fortunately for him, she won't be out for another 45 minutes, so it's off to...



...




...





...meet Cinderella!


Naw, just kidding. We're off to ride Splash Mountain


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[2xcited2sleep]

Another terrifically entertaining update!! . I was worried for you and the backpack there on SM. sounds like Dylan feels really strongly about his touring plan...or just likes to argue. .

Good cooling tip with the back of the knee spray. I will keep that in mind. I think it may have something to do with pulse points (wrists are supposed to be good too) but don't quote me since I barely passed Science.

Precious pictures of the Eric and Jasmine hugs. . That guy sounds like quite a piece of work. Like you I am a little torn between kudos for a pretty slick strategy and having the you know what to execute but am mostly outraged. Reeediculous, indeed!

 

[SnowWhite607]

Great updates! I love your daughter's hair - I have a red head too! Cant wait to read more!

 

[feyrerm]

I can only imagine this line jumping master from your description and I would have paid to see your face when this all went down!!

Funny stuff!

 

[4forWDW]

I agree with Moira222 - Dylan's expression while wearing the French beret is priceless. I can just hear him saying - You stinking Americans!!
Emily looks tres chic in hers.
My DS is 10 1/2yrs and I heard him doing the baby voice this past weekend. Now I'm wondering, has he been doing this for a while and I hadn't really noticed or is it getting on my nerves because I had read about the baby voice here - lol.
My DD is 13 and it is funny how they can be fighting and then an hour later getting along just fine and kidding around with each other.
Great updates - can't wait to read more.

 

[MapleGirl]

Wait, that's it!?!? I've been lurking and reading. Happily living vicariously through you and your family. You can't leave me like this. I demand more posts!

 

[bookmama]

Oh boy. Props to the line jumper. That was done with sheer super sneakiness.

I'm glad Kristin got to meet Ariel and those are some great pics. You're making me want to do Photopass on our trip

 

[nilla]

sounds like Dylan feels really strongly about his touring plan...or just likes to argue. .

"Stubborn" does not even begin to describe this kid. He's got this attitude where no matter how good things are, there's always something that's NOT happening that would make them better. Certainly doesn't get that from me!

Great updates! I love your daughter's hair - I have a red head too! Cant wait to read more!

Thanks! It seems to be getting more blond as the years go on, so we'll see if she keeps it. Kristin had red hair when she was really little...then again when she was in her mid-20s

I can only imagine this line jumping master from your description and I would have paid to see your face when this all went down!!

I really wanted to head over to the Rapunzel line to see if I could find him and call him out in front of the people he undoubtedly jumped in front of there, but I had better things to do that day. Didn't run into him again, unfortunately!

I agree with Moira222 - Dylan's expression while wearing the French beret is priceless. I can just hear him saying - You stinking Americans!!
Emily looks tres chic in hers.
My DS is 10 1/2yrs and I heard him doing the baby voice this past weekend. Now I'm wondering, has he been doing this for a while and I hadn't really noticed or is it getting on my nerves because I had read about the baby voice here - lol.
My DD is 13 and it is funny how they can be fighting and then an hour later getting along just fine and kidding around with each other.
Great updates - can't wait to read more.

I LOVE this kind of comment because it shows Kristin that we don't have the only trying kids in the world!

Wait, that's it!?!? I've been lurking and reading. Happily living vicariously through you and your family. You can't leave me like this. I demand more posts!

Whoa, slow down! I can only type so fast!! Possibly more tonight.

I'm glad Kristin got to meet Ariel and those are some great pics. You're making me want to do Photopass on our trip

PP is great, though I wish we could've gotten more randoms in World Showcase. It seemed like the abundance of characters took care of that. Of course, the frequent PP stops were just another thing we did that annoyed Dylan. Too bad, kid - I need pics for my Trip Report!

 

[loritemp]

I agree with Bookmomma, great pics! Our last trip I think we got a grand total of 12 PP pics. I was bummed. I really want to get more on this up coming trip.

Glad SM part 2 was a success for your DD!!!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Great updates! I'm surprsed the line jumper could walk with such large.... (insert proper, or is that improper, word here!)

Love the 2 PP pix of your DD getting hugged by Ariel and then Eric. The looks on their faces are just..... perfect. The Tink border works really well with the Ariel shot. Too bad it has now been replaced by one with Tink on the bottom of the picture.

 

[nilla]

I agree with Bookmomma, great pics! Our last trip I think we got a grand total of 12 PP pics. I was bummed. I really want to get more on this up coming trip.

You almost have to jump on them whenever you have the opportunity. We've walked down Main Street and hit up more than one photographer before. You can never have too many PP pics!

Love the 2 PP pix of your DD getting hugged by Ariel and then Eric. The looks on their faces are just..... perfect. The Tink border works really well with the Ariel shot. Too bad it has now been replaced by one with Tink on the bottom of the picture.

Kristin does all of the "plussing", but I like that border, too. She tells me I can enhance the pics, too, but I trust her judgement

In current news, Emily is at some creative activity "camp" thing this week, and they have a different "Disney Princess" show up every day. Here's the rundown, from Emily:

Monday: Cinderella - "It was a (whispering) fake! She didn't have the same hair."
Tuesday: Jasmine - "You know what happened? It was one of the teachers! " Yes, she really shrugged.
Wednesday: Ariel - "It was the real Ariel."

Can't wait to hear about tomorrow and Friday!

Speaking of hearing about stuff, why not hear (or read, smart-****) about our trip some more? And what better way to do that than with....wait for it....actual updates??? Give me a few seconds...

 

[nilla]

Much to Dylan's delight, it's back to Splash Mountain! Emily is now longer apprehensive about this ride, though she's still not crazy about the big drop. Some picks along the way:

In spite of Haunted Mansion taking over the top spot as my favorite WDW ride, this is still the most complete ride in any of the parks. Themed to the hilt, a thrilling drop, getting wet, and catchy music. And it's LONNNG. There's no "taking a quick spin on Splash Mountain".

Up next was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I remember wanting to go on this in the worst way when I was a kid, then backing out just before entering the queue. No, it wasn't until about 11 or 12 that I became a thrill ride junkie. I feel that I was a bit of a late bloomer in that regard. Especially when I see pictures like this:

Emily LOVES this, and loved it at age 4 as well. The downside to this is that whoever rides with her also has to wrap his arm around her to keep her from bouncing around, so it's almost a guaranteed brushburn on my elbow. The things we do for our kids...

Got a shot of the two of them in front of the mountain:

Long distance shot of my final resting place:

And one of the Liberty Belle:

Kristin wanted to ride this again this year, since we skipped it last year. I'm sort of "meh" when it comes to that boat, so the fact that we missed it again doesn't sting too bad.

With the sun beating down on us and Splash doing little to remedy it, we decide to take a rest in the Hall of Presidents. Dylan and I sit inside the lobby, while Kristin and Emily catch what they can catch of the mid-day parade. We usually miss that, though we did have fun when we watched it last year. I think Dylan's hand was sore from all of the high fives!

Did I mention that Dylan now has a Duffy? Kristin tried to talk him out of it, since he IS a 9 year old boy and Duffy IS a cuddly teddy bear, but my take on it is that if he wants it and doesn't care about the socially-accepted maximum age for use of this product, there's no way I'm going to stop him.

Anyway, Emily returns, and she and Dylan quickly find an inconsistency that allows them to tell their Duffys apart. Something about the line from the nose to the mouth, though I can't really tell them apart. Em's a little less than excited about this attraction right now, but I think she's just tired. I tell her that Duffy LOVES the Hall of Presidents, but she apparently knows more about what he likes and dislikes than I do. It IS her bear, after all. Or is it Dylan's? Quick, check the nose!

She sits through it, and isn't too bad, either. This attraction is SO MUCH MORE enjoyable when no one forgets that these are not the actual, living presidents and throws out a comment or applause. Fortunately, none of those people are in attendance today.

Personally, I think once Captain EO ends it's re-run at Epcot, the animatronic presidents should all conclude this show with a dance to "Another Part of Me". <close curtain>, thanks for visiting, and enjoy your day in the Magic Kingdom!

 

[nilla]

It's not quite time for our ADRs at Chef Mickey's, but it's not too far off, so Kristin suggests we head over to Main Street to do some shopping. Ok, no problem. I like shopping here, and become frightfully apathetic toward a budget when I do.

On the way, we stop for some PP shots:

Dueling Duffys:

And the requisite "magic shot":

We stop into (what I believe is) the Emporium next, which is a bit bigger than it is in Epic Mickey. Come to think of it, that IS a lot of Duffys:

And that's not a small amount of Mickeys, either:

And since the theme of the day is "excess", here are some balloons. A lot of balloons:

I would imagine that there's some sort of minimum weight limit for balloon salespeople at WDW. You can't fight chemistry, even if you are Disney Corp.

Since we're hooked on FPs, and Princesses apparently, Kristin grabs the former for a meet and greet with the latter. It all happens here:

Check our watches, or rather my phone and Kristin's watch/bead on her bracelet, since neither of us ever wear watches. Still some time...why not meet the Big Cheese?

Sounds great to me!

Short line for this, but would be worth the wait regardless. Hey, Minnie's here, too!

Ok, the latter picture does not do the actual events justice. Mickey's got a magician gimmick going here, right? Well, couple that with Emily's head of amazingly staticky hair, and we have some great moments as Mickey "levitates" her hair, and it rises like magic. Hilarious!

 

[nilla]

Ok, we've fooled around long enough. Over to the Contemporary, for dinner at Chef Mickey's. Kristin is SOOOOO sick of this place, but the kids love it, so we keep coming back year after year. I'm not crazy about the ambience (with the exception of the giant animal/human hybrids walking around), but the food is good enough. The great thing about buffets is that even if you only find one thing you like, you can just overload on that and enjoy yourself.

We ride the Mono over. We actually walked over from MK once, but not today.

We arrive and head right to Chef Mickey's. There's a line, so Kristin queues up while I grab us each a drink. I get a draft Blue Moon, while Kristin feel remembers what brought her this far and gets a Very Berry Punch. Can't argue with the classics!

We're seated, and we're the first ones up in our section, a few stairs up from the buffet. Outside, a lone, kid's sneaker sits on the roof. I can imagine that scene.

No, I really can. Emily dropped a Croc into the lake, in front of the Polynesian, when she was either 1 or 2. I don't recall, but do remember that a very nice man braved the amoebas and alligators and went out into the water to get it for her.

The waitress arrives, and Kristin's going to continue the Very Berry theme. I switch to Dogfish Head IPA (the non-Epcot go-to. Remember?). We eat, and I enjoy the food. A lot. Not upper tier dining, but definitely tasty. Here's my meal:

Not sure from the picture what that all is, but at least I'm posting food pics this year, right? Isn't that enough? Ok, ok...I'll do better next year. But for now, suffice it to say that I like eating this stuff. Great desserts, too. Of course, the real reason we come here is this:

Wow, that's A LOT of character interaction in such a short period of time. Mickey and Minnie must be tired from running over from their magician gig at MK, where we saw them just an hour prior. I always make it a point to tell Mickey that the food is delicious, because I seem to think that I'm funny at times. That's open for debate; I'll admit it.

Got a few more shots...

...then walked over to whatever they call the store inside this resort. I eye up a gorilla Vinylmation, but somehow pass it up. "Downtown Disney", I tell myself. We do splurge for a sailor suit for Duffy, which will do more than a string under the nose to help us tell the two apart.

AWESOME theming in this store, as far as I'm concerned!

There will be a tattoo of these guys in a future trip report. Maybe next year, maybe not. But it WILL happen.

Dylan eyes up the pins, but he's already got so many. We tell him to save his money for DTD. I rememeber that this was where he wanted the rainbow Mickey ears pin a few years back, and I had to explain to him how he was too young to know that much about himself just yet. He still doesn't quite get it - he just likes the way it looks

We stil have an hour or two of daylight, and we have no reason we need to get up that early tomorrow, so it's back to MK. More to come!


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