This is either madness... or brilliance; declansdad, pooksma and declan...update10/16

[DreaGirl]

Wow! Looks like you got to see a lot of VIP stuff! Can't wait to hear about DeclansDad's magical moment!

 

[declansdad]

Wow! Looks like you got to see a lot of VIP stuff! Can't wait to hear about DeclansDad's magical moment!

We did get to participate in many of the shows. Last time it was just Declan that got picked.

I think all of our readers should feel lucky. Pooksma has not only posted pictures throughout this report but she even posted pictures of herself. Personall, I think we need to see more of here throughout this thread.

 

[Wingedheart]

The pictures with Lightning McQueen and Mater are awesome! You are a wonderful looking family and such nice Disney smiles

 

[declansdad]

OK, it's time to let you all in on my international acting debut!

Actually, other than standing in front of a class every day, it is pretty much my only stage experience; although, I feel it was an Oscar worthy performance.

So we were near the end of the queue on the far left and we hear a CM walk up to the people behind us and ask if anyone would like to volunteer to be in the show. She said that the only requirement was that they had to be 16 or more. Two of the three were under 16 so they couldn't do it. Immediately pooksma steps forward and says, "You can take him, we don't mind." She tell us to follow here backstage. She grabs another large group of 3 or 4 familes to get her 3 more volunteers.

As we are given our wet weather gear, another CM takes all the families to the viewing area as the 4 of us are given our roles and instructions. The instructions were basically yell, scream, run around - the basic act foolish instructions. I was one of the deck crew so we had to act more foolish than the others.

Here are some stills that I have added to my acting portfolio.

I have to say that this was a lot of fun. It was a hot day and all the water that covered us felt nice and cool. The rainsuits were very stinky though. Apparently Declan was a bit upset though. He wanted to be in the show as well.

After we were changed and started out through to the trams for the tour, we were met by a couple of Dream Team members. They gave everyone (families included) one of the Dream Team lanyards with the collector edition pins.

By the time we got to the tram loading area, it was just pulling away. The other group wanted to see the LMA show so a CM was taking them right over so they could get in. They asked if we wanted to join them but we had decided not to see the show. We did, however, want to see the parade so another CM gave us his name and told us to return through the Villains Museum after the parade and he would let us back in for the tour.

We found a seat for the parade just past the starting point and enjoyed all the characters going by. This was the first time we stayed for this parade and we all liked it. It is a great chance to see many of your favourite characters in a short period of time. You've got to like seeing this guy.

After the parade we decided to head back to POP and cool off a bit. We had a 7:30 ADT at the Rose 'n' Crown so we didn't have much time.

Time to walk around the class so that will be it for this installment. Later.

 

[declansdad]

The pictures with Lightning McQueen and Mater are awesome! You are a wonderful looking family and such nice Disney smiles

Why thank you very much.

It was pretty cool to see the Cars. You can hear the reving of Lighting's engine before they come around the corner.

 

[Wingedheart]

That's awesome that you were in the show AND got the Dream lanyards!

When we went to the Nickelodeon Hotel last April DH got picked to be IN the nighttime show that they do - I'm afraid tho that he made a MUCH bigger fool of himself!! He had to dress up like Wanda from the Fairly Oddparents! I was laughing SO loud, the host actually stopped the show to find out who I was and why I was so loud - OOPS!! LOL

Anyway, another fun day for you guys!!

 

[DreaGirl]

I see an Oscar in your future!

That is awesome that you got Dream Lanyards and pins. I hope we find the dream team while we are there!

Also glad to see that Pooksma got overy her shyness! I like see family shots!

 

[declansdad]

That's awesome that you were in the show AND got the Dream lanyards!

When we went to the Nickelodeon Hotel last April DH got picked to be IN the nighttime show that they do - I'm afraid tho that he made a MUCH bigger fool of himself!! He had to dress up like Wanda from the Fairly Oddparents! I was laughing SO loud, the host actually stopped the show to find out who I was and why I was so loud - OOPS!! LOL

Anyway, another fun day for you guys!!

That would be funny. I think being an extra in the Indy show would be a lot of fun.

I see an Oscar in your future!

That is awesome that you got Dream Lanyards and pins. I hope we find the dream team while we are there!

Also glad to see that Pooksma got overy her shyness! I like see family shots!

I figure if I don't get a nomination for Best Supporting Actor, heads will roll.

eta: Cool this was post 3000

 

[Wingedheart]

On our July trip, because we only have 5 days, we decided to skip one park entirely. We chose MGM/Disney Studios. But, after reading your TR and remembering all the fun there, we definitely will have to hit that park on the next trip!

 

[bluedolph1n]

I love reading your report!

Kind regards, Sandra

 

[declansdad]

I love reading your report!

Kind regards, Sandra

Thanks for joining us, we'll try to keep you informed and entertained at the same time.

 

[pooksma]

Following declansdad's Oscar-winning performance...

We headed back to POP for a quick swim and clean up. It was back to Epcot for our ADR at Rose n Crown. When we were choosing restaurants wayyyyy back in February it was on both our must-do lists. My dad was born in England and my grandma made THE BEST fish and chips so some authenticity was required.

I don't need to tell anyone who has been there I wasn't disappointed. The food was fantastic!(insert non-existant belly-rubbing emoticon here)

Declan decided to add another member to our ever-growing family (geez I THOUGHT I only gave birth once! ) and our server Dominic was "crowned" Brother. He was great. I think I mentioned before that Declan is very conscious of how he is being treated when we go out to eat. If the server doesn't speak to him directly, he is not pleased.

So kudos to you Dom!

Since our ressie was lter in the evening, Dom offered to take us to the RnC's special vieweing area to watch Illuminations. This was our first time seeing the show and we were blown away. Declansdad took lots of pics.

After we finished our dessert we decided to take the long way around to walk back to the bus. (I highly recommend doing this) There were few people around and we had a chance to get some cool pics.

Have a great day all!

 

[declansdad]

If you haven't seen Illumination yet, schedule it for your next trip. I did videotape. If it is any good, I think I may posted it at youtube.

 

[DreaGirl]

I love the pictures of an empty Epcot. It was like you three had it all to yourselves.

I can't wait to watch Illuminations! Only 18 more days for us!!

 

[declansdad]

I love the pictures of an empty Epcot. It was like you three had it all to yourselves.

I can't wait to watch Illuminations! Only 18 more days for us!!

World Showcase was pretty cool at night and with very few people there. I would definitely recommend the counter-clockwise walk around at closing time.

 

[declansdad]

Time for another installment....

Saturday August 18th, we're just over half way through.

We had a 9:30 ADR at O' Hanas for breakfast with Lilo and Stich. Stitch is probably Declan's favourite character so he was looking forward to this one.

We bussed to Epcot because it was the first bus at POP. We didn't realize that you still had to go through bag cheque to get on the monorail. Next we took the monorail to TTC and then walked to the Poly from there. We wanted to see how long the walk would be for later in the trip. We were a bit late checking in and this caused me to be a bit POed. Sorry it is a character trait that I have to deal with; I hate being late.

No worries though, we were seated rather quickly and our server was very friendly. She told us about the guava juice that only the Poly serves and that it was Stitch's favourite. It quickly became Declans fav even though I make guava juice all the time.

This was an excelent character meal. The food was fantastic, service was very good. and the characters took their time at your table. Stitch even waited while I changed batteries in the camera.

After breakfast we decided to head to EPCOT instead of MK. It was Saturday and the last weekend before school for Florida students so we thought EPCOT would be less crowded. Our plan was to tour the World Showcase for the day and head back to POP. SO we jumped on the monorail again, made the switch at TTC, went though bag check at EPCOT (again) and made our way into the park. This was the first time we took the monorail to EPCOT so we got to do the loop inside the park. Very nice view from in that loop.

While pooksma and Declan arranged for his carriage, I went to check to see if there were any FPs left. Test Track was the best option for late in the afternoon so I grabbed 3 and went to find the family waiting on the bridge to WS.

We skipped Mexico which we had to fix later and headed directly to Norway. (Before anyone from Mexico gets upset, let me explain. Mexico is the only country in the WS that we spent any amountof time in on our last trip so we decided to by-pass it this time in order to get to all the other countries in one day.)

First up in Norway was Maelstrom with a 30 second wait. Declan thought it was some what of a thrill ride so we went a second time with again a 30 second wait. The second trip was a bit funny. When the woman sitting behind us watched as we backed towards this,

she got a little worried. The look on her face was priceless.

After skipping the movie (again), Declan decided to make a mask at the Kidcot station. He did a couple on our last visit but we lost them walking through the park. Pooksma suggested we get him the Epcot Passsport and let him do that as well. I like all over the giftshop for one only to find them next to the Kidstop station.

Kidcot became the theme for the rest of the day. It allowed us to get to see the countries without too much whinning from ds. In China, we visited to Tomb Warriors display before Kidcot. Declan found out he was born in the Year of the Snake (we think this explains a few things ). The CM also wrote his name on the mask in Chinese characters. I found it interesting that the only other country to do this was Japan. A little rivalry there maybe.

The department store has a fabulous display of jade. You should check it out. This picture doesn't do it justice.

After a brief interlude (I need to do some work), we will continue with our tour around the world. Later all.

 

[DreaGirl]

After a brief interlude (I need to do some work), we will continue with our tour around the world. Later all.

WHAT?! Putting work *before* your TR? Shame on you!

 

[Hedy]

I love Stitch waiting.

 

[declansdad]

WHAT?! Putting work *before* your TR? Shame on you!

I can only make my students practice on their own for so long.

I love Stitch waiting.

He was great. I think that picture may have been just before the batteries died. When he was about to get in the picture with Declan, they went on me. I said sorry but the batteries died and he sat back down and signalled for me to change them.

 

[MeMom]

We didn't get around to seeing the Tomb Warriors display, so I'm hoping we can do that this time. Even with as long as we had, we missed so much.

The food pictures look really good. We'll have to try there someday, too. Do you have any pictures of the food at 'Ohana? We're doing that next summer.

It looks to me like you've got some ghosts walking around in your night shot of Italy. It is cool to walk around World Showcase with not many people around later at night. We did the same thing, but our pictures didn't come out very well, unfortunately.