Things that will make you YAK - A Trip Report **TWO NEW 01/25 Pg 11**

[nicolemarie]

Right before China there is a little bridge along the main walkway. We were all cruising along at top racing speed - 5 mph - when the downhill portion of the bridge caused me to go over the speed limit. The Segway computer said, "Hang on YAK, this isn't Test Track" and leaned me back. I was moving forward but the foot platform was at a serious 45 degree back.

(You'll have to try it someday to see what I mean)

I panaked!!

I couldn't stop and my first instinct was to jump off.

The last words our CM told us was under no circumstances do you ever jump off!!!

I was screaming like a little girl - not in a good way.

Then one our our fellow Segwayer's came up beside and and said, "stand up straight"

Mommy, was that you???

Oh, I was at Epcot

On a Segway

So I did what I was told and it stopped.

Crisis over.

No YAK-splat! Segway and YAK all in one piece

Yak!!! This was hilarious!! At first I thought I might enjoy the Segway tour. Now I'm confident I'll never do it. Thanks.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

A very special Maelstrom Meet

After parking and putting away our Segways, K and I finally went over to the land to get our fastpasses for Soarin'

A Disney must.

The fastpass

For Soarin'

But

Not for Maelstrom, in Norway.....because this is where it all started.

No one would have questioned Soarin' or written the infamous phrase, "Soarin'.....is a fastpass?" Because it is and should be.
If this had been written, then we wouldn't be here today, reading this. No one would have given that phrase a second thought. This TR wouldn't have existed. Ah, the forks in the road, grasshoppers!

Segue

Maelstrom....is a fastpass and lucky for us it is!!!!

This simple phrase is what brought us crazy group of DISer's together. A simple little question posted in reply to a trip report. And some of us thought it was funny. Well, most of us thought it was funny. In both ways. And from this came....

The Maelstrom Meet!!!!

We made our way over to Norway and started to gather. K was in for a bit. But she knew we had planned to go over to Mexico for lunch after the meet so she decided to head over there and try to save tables. K is a very good Marine!

There were already a few people there when I arrived. I can't remember who because I didn't take any notes! Dah! I know that GRAM was there - in Sher's belt....eeer skirt. I forgot how GRAM came into possession of said skirt but she was in it to surprise Sher. And I wouldn't have known it was Sher's if she didn't say. It looked great on you GRAM!!!

We talked laughed, introduced ourselves to new friends and took pictures.

This is Jami, Grammyof2 and GeorgiaAristocat with her DS and DD!

(Amy I love DS's Croc's )

We recounted the previous day's events and waited.....for Sher. The bad Marine! Where was she? We couldn't start without her.

Once Sher arrived we assembled for the official photo. Ashclan's hubby got us all organized and we applied our learning from the very HOT (sort of....) HM photo from yesterday, and took only a few to be posted for everyone.

Here are the people I remember from the photo in no particular order and remember I didn't take notes......Kpk89, GAAristocat, Jamal, Javamom, Crashdad, Sheridac, Horsegirl, Grammyof2, Mr.Silly, HaleyB, Ashclan, Frickles, Backstage Gal, The Whirlwind Trippers, SpectroTurbo, Shelly, Skippy and a few young Vikings and Viking Spouses. (sorry if I missed anyone)

Then it was on to the most important part.

The ride.

And I was a Maelstrom newbie! Never been on it. Ever!

What a great way to ride it for the first time. With 30 or so of my new cyber friends!!

Before we got on, I volunteered to get a fastpass for the "memory book" and guess what? I already had a current fastpass. For Soarin', so Maelstrom was definately NOT a fastpass!

Many many laughs were had over this!!

We loaded ourselves on the boats and off we went. I was seated beside Mark and Rhonda. This is my boat.....I'm on the far right....YAKarm!

We survived the trip!

After the ride we skipped.....ooops I mean missed the movie. Can't remember why, and made our way to the dump shop for another photo op.

~ note some of us are holding fastpasses!!

Maelstrom.....is a fastpass!

After saying goodbyes to some, a group of us made our way over to Mexico for lunch. K was still waiting!

During lunch we received a few calls from our Maelstrom friends who were back at home taking care of the ship - Pongo, Sid, Tink and MasterG (I think) and phones were passed around. K & I then said our goodbye's for now....and headed over to Soarin'. Finally!

K was very impressed and we got another FP to ride again.

The rest of the afternoon was spent looking around areas we had already seen by way of our Segway. K wanted to see what was in the "Epcot Ball" so we headed that way. Just as we were entering we ran into Frickles and her family taking their last ride before leaving the park. After the ride, I got to say a proper hello to Mr. Frick and the Little Frick's, and a proper goodbye to Frick! What a wonderful family!

Frick and I had a photo taken to remember the occasion.

I'm just so glad I came!!!

Up next: Dinner en francais, and I can't get enough of these YAKey cyber friends....Illuminations meet!

 

[NAB]

That looked like so much fun I wish I could have went too. But you and all the other Maestromers that did a report really helps us be there too though all the pictures and reports.

I love Soaring and it was one of DD favourite that we had to do a few times. Did you ever get your Maelstrom fasspass?

--

 

[Backstage_Gal]

YAK, thanks, fun to relive parts of that day again!

Did you know that for castmembers to get certified for the seways, they have to have 6 hours of training? I guess it involves more stuff, like navigating obstacles of various forms.

 

[Frickles]

I was screaming like a little girl - not in a good way.

Then one our our fellow Segwayer's came up beside and and said, "stand up straight"

Mommy, was that you???

You seriously crack me up! You are so lucky you got to do this! I tried that little baby out at Innoventions and it was so wild! I am glad you enjoyed the tour! I think the helmet is very cute on you Yak and thankfully there wasn't a Yak splat!

off to read the next installment!

 

[Frickles]

[The rest of the afternoon was spent looking around areas we had already seen by way of our Segway. K wanted to see what was in the "Epcot Ball" so we headed that way. Just as we were entering we ran into Frickles and her family taking their last ride before leaving the park. After the ride, I got to say a proper hello to Mr. Frick and the Little Frick's, and a proper goodbye to Frick! What a wonderful family!

Frick and I had a photo taken to remember the occasion.

Awwww! That was so great that we ran in to you there!!! I would have hopped in a car with you, but given that it was our very last ride of the vacation I had to ride with my boy! I am so super glad that we got to talk to you afterwards for a while! You are such a sweetheart dear Yak! I am so glad that Maelstrom is a Fastpass....because your friendship, among many others, came from that!

Loving your TR and I am so glad you are taking the time to write it! It is bringing back great memories!!!

 

[Grammyof2]

[

!

Why does that woman always have her mouth opened and is signaling a touchdown???????????????




How many of these pictures are in existance?

 

[nicolemarie]

Grammy - I haven't seen this pic before. I'm pretty sure it's my favorite. Look at Grampy!! It makes me laugh so hard that it might become my screensaver by the end of the day.

Either that or the one with Ash partying like it's 1999.

Y'all are SO funny. I love it.

NM

 

[UtahMama]

WOW! You are Smokin' HOT!

I love all the pictures! Isn't Grammy a cutie!
Y'all are just as cute as can be!

I recognize the lady in blue next to Jamal as Eeyore45 (Sandy is her name) she's on the WISH thread I'm on. One of the nicest gals around!

Frickles- You are so beautiful!!!! You look like you're 19!

 

[kpk89]

YAK, I am so glad there was no Yak-splat! That would NOT be a fastpass. The segway tour looks like so much fun!

And, it is so nice to see those meet pictures continue to pop up in TR's. Makes me smile each and every time.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

When we left off K and I were saying our goodbyes to the Frick family.

Happy Trails, Frickles Family!

We decided it was time to ride Soarin' again (this time we got row 2 - better, but we could still see feet) and then on to soar around the F&W festival. We had to pace ourselves today as we had so much more to do.

Before getting to WS, we toured around a bit and I pointed out to K what rides were in this area. Being an apprehensive newbie, K decided to pass on MS and HISTA because she has a HUGE fear of a certain type of reptile. Being the good Marine that I am, I pre-warned her.

BUT

We did get to do Test Track twice in a row by using the single rider line. The SB line was about 40 minues, so we thought we chance the SRL. And it was a walk on! This is the way to go if you have teenagers or adults in your party. The first time K was about 6 cars ahead of me. No problem, she waited at the dump shop. The second time we were in the same car. Bonus!

Next we went into the Chacter area and K got a few shots of her with the Disney favourites.

We then wandered over to WS to check out the F&W and wine and wine.

But first, we had to take a tour of our home country. Actually to see the movie. Actually to critique the movie. Because I heard it is the original from about 100 years ago. Well, not quite 100, but 20 anyway. No updates allowed. (edited by author to remove snotty comment about our government )

Canada - a throwback in time:

The movie was OK. Better than I expected. But if you decide to see it, just remember it is 20 years old. Canada doesn't really look like that anymore. I haven't seen a polyester leisure suit on a Prime Minister in awhile. Wait a minute....maybe I have.

Oh Canada!

We had to make a little pit stop in Japan. Remember, I left the YAKids at home. They weren't happy. So they wanted a present brought back from Disney and they wanted Pokemon!!

Not just the yellow guy, but really weird ones and they gave me a list. Which was back at the room. Thank goodness for the cell. I got them at home and they bombarded me with names I didn't understand, let alone pronounce. Luckily for me a 8 year old was standing by admiring the Pokemon and I enlisted his help. He will make a great Marine someday!

After purchasing Sceptile, Rayquaza, Groudon and Weavile we went to France for our ADR.

To be honest, Chef's du France was never high up on my eating list. Until we went there in July for DD's birthday. The wine, the food, the French waiters. Viva La France!!

After dinner, we stopped to pickup at few more adult beverages, and over to our meeting stop for Illunimations. We (Amy) had arranged to meet to watch from the bridge between France and Britian. As K and I walked up to the bridge I found HaleyB holding an even better spot down closer to the water in a private viewing area. Mad skillz Haley!

It was a magical time

Many pictures were taken

Horsegirl and Sheridac enjoying the show

The Maelstromers

And I know we laughed a lot.....

But I cannot remember the specific's. No notes. Suffice it to say that Illuminations was great as always, and even better with my new friends to share it with.

Up next: A wonderful end to a wonderful day.

 

[Grammyof2]

Yak - great Pics but I thought we were heading somewhere...


Can't wait to get there

 

[blue_river]

But first, we had to take a tour of our home country. Actually to see the movie. Actually to critique the movie. Because I heard it is the original from about 100 years ago. Well, not quite 100, but 20 anyway. No updates allowed. (edited by author to remove snotty comment about our government )

Canada - a throwback in time:

The movie was OK. Better than I expected. But if you decide to see it, just remember it is 20 years old. Canada doesn't really look like that anymore. I haven't seen a polyester leisure suit on a Prime Minister in awhile. Wait a minute....maybe I have.

Oh Canada!

Now I wish that we had taken the time to see the movie!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

After Illuminations we decided to head over to Jellyrolls. We had heard so much about it over here at the DIS and I've never been!

Everyone started walking over to the International gateway - but wait! The YAKmobile was in the lot. Remember the prime parking spot. From early this morning. And it had to be moved, over to Jellyrolls.

So K and I went in one direction, and the others to Jellyrolls.

I heard (from Ash's TR - Dorkapooloza) that some of the Vikings might have got up to no good. Does this bunch look like trouble?

I think not

K and I drove over to the Boardwalk. Once there, we decided that Manny was probably NOT on duty, we happily valet parked the YAKmobile.

We missed a bit of the fun that happened at Jellyrolls.
Some of this:

And some of that:

And we arrived in time to partake in a lot of this:

And a lot of that:

And other stuff that cannot be mentioned. What goes on a Jelly's, stays at Jelly's

Let's just say that Jellyrolls is a whole lotta adult fun. I highly recommend it.

Because some of these particular Vikings like to try to be the last ones to ride right before park closing, a group went off to R&R and TofT.

The smart ones stayed for one more refreshment.

And much more fun......eh, GRAM!!!!!

At the end of an extremely enjoyable day, I offered GRAM and GRAMPS a ride back to POP.

But remember the Viking rule - never get into the car of a fellow Viking (or something like that - Jami )

We walked back with Kimmie and Doug as they were staying at the BW. Excuse me, sorry BWV! Got the scoop on the property, and of course checked out the bathrooms. Those deluxe Loo's are great!

Because of Frickles valet story a few nights previous, I was very concerned about the Disney Valet situation. Remember, one of the CM's went home with her keys and she wasn't able to get her OWN car back until the next day.

So, I inquired about this at the Valet desk.

I asked the CM - let's call him Danny - if this could at all happen at a deluxe resort valet parking? If someone could take a guests key's home? What would happen if that happened? (And a bunch of other questions I cannot remember - no notes!)

Ever so descretly!

Suffice it to say that when K, GRAM, GRAMPS got into the YAK mobile (Danny is no Manny!) we were in such a state of hysterics that we had multiple spleen splatting all over the car. And if you don't believe me - check out my tag!

But I don't remember what was so funny

Maybe it was just the total sum of the fun we had this very fine day.

And, of course I got lost on the way back to POP. I HATE those purple signs!

Once back, we HAD to again sit by the Hippy Dippy to people watch and recount the days events. Until the wee hours of the morning.

However, not a YAKker in sight!

Good times.

Great friends.

Up Next: The last day and Never can say goodbye.

 

[lexmelinda]

Finally got caught up this morning. Great installment(s)! Sounds like lotsa fun at Jellyrolls...sorry about your spleen.

 

[Frickles]

Yak!!! So what did the valet say! Did he think I should have gotten a golden fast pass for my incident with Manny? Tell me the dirt girl!!!

Loved these two installments!!! I wish I could have stayed for that night because it sounds like it was a lot of fun!!! Can't wait to hear the rest!!!

By the way, I love the braids on you.

We speak Pokemon at our house too. It is a world I will never understand!!!

Keep on trucking sweet Yak!!!

 

[DISNEYDUET]

Ok, I have not done any work today-probably will be fired! Good thing Disney is hiring! I can't wait to hear the rest of the high jinks! Checking back later after lunch and worky.

 

[Grammyof2]

Hey - I did not know there was a part 2

So much to say...which I won't. Except viking rules include never riding in a car with your internet friends for a reason or 12teen. No need to list them.

And what a night Imagine the Prom times 40 and a great band and a better date.

 

[Grammyof2]

but, why was Jami napping?

or was that silent prayer never to meet up with us crazies again

but I think it was this

 

[jamal]

It was. Time for meds again. You people+ laryngitis and late nights required regular dosing.