Touring the Tower of Terror and other Ghoulish Delights! Sept 13 TR | FINALx2 4/17!!!

[IheartDDuck]

Candy is absolutely the breakfast of champions!

I'm so glad that Simba fits right in with the family.

Hahaha, Matt does look like he fell asleep. The side effects of a Disney trip, right?

That combo sounds perfect! Frozen coke is one of my favorites.

Okay, I'm totally with you that Honey I Shrunk the Audience was a traumatizing experience. The first time I saw it, I thought it was horrifying.

It's Tough to Be a Bug is definitely much easier once you know what to expect.

Okay....your PP analysis of Dinosaur is awesome. Just hysterical. You hit the jackpot with the other riders too.

I refer to Primeval Whirl as Primeval Hurl. Nothing else describes it appropriately.

Well I'm certainly going to have to stop at the Boardwalk Bakery on my upcoming trip. That food looks great!

 

[stinkerbell007]

Okay, I have to agree about ITTBAB. I have managed to do it twice now. The second time, knowing what to expect, was not any better than the first time. You always have crying kids in there, cuz it's gross and scary. My least favorite thing though is not the stinkbomb, the dripping spiders, or the ankle rats, but at the end, when they jab you in the kidney before you leave. Yeah, thanks for the kidney puncture. I'll be going now.

However, the Discovery Island trails around the Tree of Life are awesome. I didn't even know they existed the first few times we went to AK, but once we discovered them, we got some amazing pictures. Many people overlook the trail though, since the entrance is in a different place than the entrance to Bug.

Linda

 

[oscarsmummy]

Laughed out loud at Andy Cohen comment, brilliant ! Then said oh my god out loud at that bug. I would have caused a huge security scare if I had seen that I would have been screaming and freaking out. It fits in dinoland as it looks practically prehistoric in size my goodness !!! Love your updates

 

[DanniDeer]

Okay, so I don't know if you are aware of my premium hatred for the Astro Orbiter, and it is my number 1 most loathed ride in all of Disney World...well, Primeval Whirl is a very close second. And by "close second", I mean "first part b". I hate it.

DID YOU HAVE TO RIDE IT WITH STRANGERS?
BECAUSE IVE NEVER BEEN THAT CLOSE TO PEOPLE I DIDNT KNOW IN MY LIFE.

Also because of you, I really want a slurpee. Maybe Johnny will go with me to get some tonight... Thanks.

That being said, reading your posts made me really miss you guys. Which is convenient because we'll be PNW-ing in 24 days.

 

[emilyindisney]

Your face on Dinosaur is great! You totally have that 'not-amused' sort of look, haha!

 

[Malroy]

OMG - I have not been keeping up with this TR because life has been way too busy but I got a sudden surge of disney excitement yesterday and ended up reading the entire thing last night and this morning - and it has totally gotten me fired up to plan for our honeymoon!! I LOVE YOUR TRs!!!!

and I would just like to add that I haven't yet watched your video for this trip, and I want to right now REALLY BAD but I am at work and I know I will get all teary! I should just wait and make fiance watch it with me tonight.

 

[danimaroo]

I HATE It's Tough to Be A Bug. I wait in line with people and then walk through and wait for them. I can't do it. I scream like a 5-year old girl.

I'm not a huge fan of rain all day, but I get what you mean about the Florida downpours. We had a few yesterday and I had a glorious fairly lazy day. It felt wonderful!

Simba looks like he has reached his honey badger limit.

And where do you get your bows? I love them.

Hahaha, yeah I can totally see why people don't like it much! I mean, I think I can deal with it better now that I know what to expect, but I'm sure I'll still scream.

I like rainy days if I'm inside. But like, when we were at Disneyland for our first trip and it rained every. single. day... that got old really quickly. Especially because CA has a TON of outdoor queues because they don't get much rain... and outdoor rides in general. At least WDW has lots of indoor areas to get out of those lovely downpours.

Hahaha, I think he has reached his honey badger limit.

I get my bows from abowtiqueshop on etsy! I love them so much, I buy the mini ones from her. They're always wonderfully made. I'm definitely planning on getting more from her soon so I can have a different one for every day of our trips. I just wish I could get away with wearing them more often in normal life, haha.

Dani, I know I've read a lot of your reports when instead of seeing "some random poop one" about Vinylmation I read " some random poop on me."

Loving the report! I follow you on twitter and Instagram but I'm @cathsummers and mcsummers there.

HAHAHAH I laughed out loud at your comment! Oh my gosh, I do NOT need another episode of being pooped on while in Disney World! Been there, done that!

I will make sure to follow you back on both if I haven't already!!

Hey Dani!
Had to post! I have been reading your trip reports and LOVING them!!!
I simply HAD to post on this part, OMG!!! You had me laughing from the start!
First, the addition of Simba to your family, Bahaha! Then, the part on Dinosaur,, Andy Cohen and niece, he does look like like Andy! And you walking in the rain, that's what I do and take pics of my drowned rat self! I wish upon a star that one day our trips (hopefully at Beach Club, my fav) coincide and we meet! Would love to run in to you and Matt (you 2 are so flipping adorable)and
(we share Boston roots). You tell a tale like no other!!!!p.s. Reading this part at an upscale Italian restaurant, literally laughing like a fool at the bar, like an insane asylum escapee, so funny, people looking at me like I'm crazy, funny!!! Love it, keep up the great trip report!!!

AWW YAY! I'm so glad you are loving them so much and that this one made you laugh so hard, hahaha. I'm so glad you understand the Andy Cohen reference! I mean, it so looks like him.

Hopefully one day our trips will coincide! We're on a September kick right now, though I would like to make it back again in January because of how nice the weather is! AND YAY FOR BOSTON! I'm heading back there again in April to visit my family for a few days before heading to NYC for work.

HAHAHA I laughed so hard at the thought of you being in an Italian restaurant laughing over this update.

O hai, lobster roll!

I decided today that I'm going to do the Princess Half in 2016 (so we have time to save up for DH & DD to also come), so I am taking special note of all the food/locations now. You should put out a WDW dining ebook of all your faves!

It's very tasty, nomnom.

That sounds amazing! I want to do the Expedition Everest 5k at some point in my life. I just need to get myself into shape, which is so much easier than it sounds. DARN IT. But I do love your idea of a WDW Dining eBook... then again, you'd probably be the only person buying it, hahaha. Wompwomp.

Great updates! Oh, and you're not crazy, by the way, the Canatourus (??) whatever, scary dino did or does sometimes pop out on the right side! It did for us! Even in my ride photo were all leaning the opposite direction and looking off, frightened, to the right of us!!! So maybe they changed it, or it broke or something??

Thank you for verifying that I'm not crazy! Hahaha. It was SO weird that it came out on the left side for us, seriously. I do think something was wrong with the animatronic though because it was just not scary. And I KNOW how much I hate that stupid thing and how much it scares me. Yet I'll still go on the stupid thing, mainly for the hilarious photos we always seem to get, haha.

Lol, yeah, Jen and I were talking on facebook about costumes/mnsshp and what to do with a group of 5 and we were just throwing ideas around and I suggested little mermaid, especially since eric is super easy to do, and Ursula can be too! Lol,

Uggggfffhhh the mnsshp colors on the castle are just too perfect and amazing, I kinda wish it was Halloween the entire time!!

I’m not entirely sure but I just totally got a wind of emotion and teared up at the thought of hallowishes…and then proceeded to put the soundtrack on on my ipod….OH MY GOD THE PERIMETER FIREWORKS. Seriously, while you were getting chills I was a little further up in the hub jumping up and down squealing to my mom because I was loving it so much Glad you guys all loved them so much too!

Yay!! Man, that was such a chance dismeet too!! I remember walking down Main St just being like “man, I really just wanted to see dani & matt tonight” and BAM there you guys were!

…I really should have tried that waffle….

Ahahahaha the Creepa Crew….they’re fun, somedays im into it and somedays I’m just all “no. I want BOO TO YOU”

I am so excited for this right now, my hands down favorite and best parade of life is about to explode all over your trip report

I’m so glad you enjoyed it, WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS how much I love all things mnsshp, but Boo To You is THE dream for me to be in, especially as the ballroom dancers, like, I would legit die of happiness if I got to do that. The parade is just perfect. I don’t get the robotic ghosts though, and clara cluck is pretty random but I’m a girl who likes a good lookin cowboy, so I’m not complaing at all about that section bahaha!

Ugh…the pirates…again… #swoon bahaha, one of my friends was in that section this year, super awesome, although I somehow missed him until the fourth time I watched the parade, bahaha.

Glad you guys enjoyed the party, obviously I’ll go to as many as I can every year, but I’m A HUGE parade/show/character person, so it’s my kinda jam, plus, I love the ability to dress up and the more I can do that at Disney, the better! I definitely get not knowing whether you go again next year or not! Also do you know your dates?? Maybe we’ll cross paths again!

uHM…that girl in the back of your second photopass photo at ak…

Ugh, those Everest photos KILL me, I absolutely love the view from up there, great pics!

I have never and will never do ITTBAB…..Aahahaha awesome dinosaur photo, again! Lol. THAT BUG IS TERRIFYINGLY HUGE.

Lunch looks super tasty! We somehow missed most of the rain that day, but we were doing KTTK and I’m pretty sure we were in the utilidoors the entire time lol

Ohhh I really loved their costumes, they just looked so fantastic!!!

Yeah, we were big fans of those fireworks. They were truly amazing!

I know, it worked out so well since we were just hanging out on Main Street, haha! YAY!

I bet it's pretty amazing to be part of Boo to You. I mean, it's only one of the coolest parades out there. Especially any part that has to do with the Haunted Mansion. That was obviously our favorite part of the parade!

I just like not having a set schedule I guess. It's just nice that our next trip is going to be way more laid back and go with the flow. We just had so many plans ahead of time this last one, and while it was fun, it was pretty exhausting. We'll be there from the 10th-21st it looks like, similar to last year!

I totally didn't notice that girl, but it's hilarious, hahaha. ITTBAB isn't TERRIBLE, but I wouldn't say it's my favorite thing ever, either. That's nice that you guys missed the rain! I was enjoying some quiet time in the room, because I was just so exhausted!

Bravo to you for trying out It's Tough to be a bug

I did it waaaay back in 2001 (I think) the first time I saw Animal Kingdom (also the last time I saw it).. and I will NEVER do it again. EVER.

I loathe bugs....

also crazy big bug on that pole.... since living abroad I have seen a few crazy big Cockroaches. Beetles and other unknown species.... bugs terrify me.

Haha, thank you! I'm glad I did it, and now that I know what to expect, it'll be a lot easier to deal with I think! But yeah, bus are gross. That is still the hugest one I've ever seen and ever care to see. It was gross yet somewhat fascinating at the same time!

Yeah, the dogs get along with Simba NOW... but wait til he gets bigger! Wait, maybe he'll be on our side! Yeah hahah that was lame. Random Lion King quote of the day.

Hahaha I'm the same way in that I HATE bugs and things jumping out at me but I absolutely love ITTBAB. I'm weird.

Primeval Whirl is the WORST. Ugh. More ugh.

Glad yall had a nice meal from Boardwalk Bakery! I don't even like lobster/seafood and it looks delicious!

Hahahaha, I personally enjoyed your quote, so it's not lame. Hopefully Simba can remain civil with the puppies as he gets older.

No, I know what you mean! I am actually open to doing it again, I just don't think I'd do it every time.

AGREED, that ride was just too much for me. But at least I can say I went on it!

BW Bakery is fabulous. They had SO many other good-looking lunches, it's just nice to see how much it's expanded since we'd been there in 2012.

another great update, levels returning to normal...
I have to say yours and Matt's love for AK has made me reconsider the park. on our last trip we explored it a little bit more and with fresh eyes I was able to appreciate all the details everyone gushes over. Before we have always rope dropped it, hit the big rides and left by noon. On this trip we have an evening scheduled there, which will be new for us. I'm excited to try EE at night and the safari too. any tips?

I have been slowly working on convincing Jayne to try primeval whirl, thanks for dashing any hope now. She hates the herky jerky ride (which I can't really fault her on) so much so, she will no longer go on SM. I have never ridden PW so I guess I will have to wait till we go on a trip with others (woe is me!!! WDWproblems)

so one thing we like to do is make a list of some new food we want to try when we go. the peanut butter banana bacon kitchen sink melt my brain with loads of goodness ha moved to just about the top of my list

now whenever you talk about screaming on a ride I just hear Sawyer's voice(though I've never heard his voice) quoting "Dani I heard you SCREAM!"

Hahaha, glad to hear that I've helped!

AK isn't one of my absolute favorites, but I've grown to really appreciate it throughout the trips we've taken. It's never going to be a full-day park for us, but I do want to make an effort to explore even more of it during our next trip, instead of being focused on riding EE 8 times in a day. You guys are going to LOVE being there at night. Hands down my favorite experience on EE was riding it in the dark, seriously. It was just amazing. The lines were long, but we were gifted those 9 FPs from a very generous random family, so we loved every second of it. Definitely spend time in Asia, because EE is beautiful when lit up, as is that area of the park in general!

I'm sorry, but she is NOOOOT going to like it! Hahhaa, it's worst than Space Mountain, easily... and you know my feelings about Space Mountain and possible death. You'll have to be patient I guess!

Definitely try that peanut butter dessert, it was fantastic!!

HAHAHA, I wish you could hear him say it. It's the cutest little voice, "Dani, I heard you SCREEEEEAAAAAM."

 

[emmysmommy]

Getting caught up with the last few updates here....

Ha ha! Candy for breakfast. Love it! I've no shame, I've done that and smart person that I am, washed it down with a Diet Coke. Yeah, gotta balance the sugar with fake sugar!

I have to say, it looks as if you love baby Simba as your very own. I wouldn't have been able to tell that he was only adopted. Such love!

Yay for tucked away places to much on your snacks at AK. Good thing for texting now-days. How did we find each other before we could type in a phone?

I hear ya with the flip flops in the rain. I do the granny walk myself when I'm in that predicament. However, I wouldn't want to fall and have a new hip so it's for the best.

My GOSH! That lobster roll looks delish. I'm a friend of the Boardwalk Bakery but mostly because the cupcakes rock.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

LOVED the last 2 updates!!!

Animal Kingdom is a great park in the morning! Your photos are wonderful! and the Photopass pix all turned out great.

You really brought back some fun memories with this update. I see you conquered Primevil Hurl. Yes, that is it's true name!! Back in 2007, we had gone out to Disneyland. They had Mulholland Madness (AKA Goofy's Sky School now). Looked very similar to PW. We rode it out there as a family. It does not have the same height restriction. Our kids had wanted to ride PW when we were there in 2004 and 2006 but they were not tall enough. Anyway, to make a long story short, MM was not bad at all....bringing us to 2008 and a return to PW! We were there with my niece and her husband (who gets dizzy sick-if you know what I mean). I told them I didn't think it was too bad since we'd done something similar the previous year. After getting off, I don't think my niece's husband would believe a word I said about any ride after that! I wasn't feeling the best either. The kids, however, loved it and went right back and spun again while us adults recovered while lying on a bench!!

And good for you for conquering the Bugs!!! I think that is a cute movie. We tortured DS with that in 2004. So funny. It was the first park we'd been to, the first attraction we went to, and DS was never the same!! He was a little afraid of the dark..... He started out sitting next to me. Then the movie started and he was in my lap. Then the spiders came down from the ceiling!!!!!!!!!!! If he could have crawled inside my shirt, he would have done it! From that moment on, every time we said we were going to see a show, he lost his mind. I bet we were halfway through our vacation before he decided WDW wasn't so bad.

Rain in the warmth of FL isn't so bad. And as long as you are heading back to your room and can change into dry goods, it's OK.

Your lobster roll looks soooooooooo good! I love Food and Wine's one you can get in America at Hops and Barley. I wasn't a huge fan of the one at Harbor House, but it wasn't awful.

I have to say that I don't think a chocolate, banana, BACON piece of cake would have peeked my interest. But it doesn't look all that bad. But I still think I probably would've picked something else.

Looking forward to more!

 

[jordansmama]

I just have to start off saying that, hands down, your Halloween costume was the BEST I have ever seen (and this is coming from someone who dressed up as one part of a pair of dice one year- just sayin' )

I love your pics and your and Matt's love and enthusiasm for Disney is infectious. I found myself smiling while reading your posts! Great pics too!

 

[middlesista]

Dani - As I mentioned to you, your trip report(s) are incredible and inspiring. I never would have thought to even try writing a trip report if I had not read and enjoyed yours so much!

Thank you for taking the time to share.

Also - thank you for your help and advice - the link worked, first try!!!!

 

[danimaroo]

Hey, I totally had candy for breakfast after MNSSHP. Gotta get some of that ticket money back.

Bahahahaha, in the second Tree of Life photo, is that kid photo bombing while walking away???? Genius!!

Awww, what sweet Simba photos. So much love. Congratulations!!!

I honestly can't remember the last time I actually stood in the Everest queue. I kinda miss waiting to find out who's gonna ring the bell.

OK random question. Did you adjust the orientation of the Everest photo overlooking the Tree of Life, or did you actually manage to take it not crooked?

Holy WOW, this was your first time at Bugs??? I'm actually shocked. BUT OMG I would have loved to be there for it. I just so enjoy watching and listening to all the trauma! Honestly though, I don't know how kids make it through.

This is something I've been seeing a lot with the ride photo looking left. I don't think I've EVER seen that until recently, and I didn't even get to ride in December. So strange. So there was no big Dino???

Hahaha, Matt's Dino photo kind of looks like he may have been enjoying some form of "recreational" substance.

I'm glad you understand the candy for breakfast while in Disney thing. It just makes sense!

HAHA I THINK SO! I didn't notice it until Katt said something but went back and looked. Hilarious.

Oh hey thanks, Simba is doing well at home, haha.

Lucky you! We usually end up standing around in it at some point during our trip, but again, I don't mind! Except for when people ring the bell... ARGLEBARGLE.

I had to go back and figure out what photo you were talking about, but I actually did not edit that photo at all! I'm now fully impressed with myself for catching that completely straight!

YUP, for a long time I just had no interest due to my hatred for bugs. That attraction is just in a whole different category of its own... yet I'll totally do it again, haha. I'm weird.

Yes! It was just weird. The dinosaur on the left, I SWEAR, is smaller than the one on the right. It was just tiny and not scary.

And it totally does, hahaha. WHOA DUDE.

So good to hear that Baby Simba is adjusting well in Seattle! I was worried about how a lion would do out there, but with adoptive parents like you, no wonder he's fine! Brandon and I laughed so hard at your "parents of a newborn" pose. You've got it down, guys.
(Side note, after being read this update aloud last night, I had a stressful dream that we were adopting a baby---not that babies are bad, but just because we already have a house full of kids/insanity now and I cannot imagine adding to it! Maybe for a Simba, though.)

JALAPENO CHEESE PRETZELS!!!!! That's just perfection in starch form.

I'm fairly certain we'll never go on ITTBAB. Never ever ever ever. But yay for you, and better you than me !

Brandon showed me the photos from this update last night when we were in bed, and I'm still laughing now. I cannot process all the awesomeness that is your ride photo. I just have no idea what's going on with parts of it and am highly amused with others. Your face is priceless. Whhaaaaaaatt?? Still, even with no huge scary dinos, I'm never going on Dinosaur again. I stand firm in that.

Primeval Whirl is kind of evil, but it's one of Julia's favorites. And because Brandon can't do spinning at all, guess who's stuck on it? Yours truly. I swear it gets worse every time, but maybe that's because I'm a little bit older every time.

You think we liked the ornament? More like WE LOVE IT!!! It's always going to be very special to us and has a prominent place in our office year-round now so we see it as soon as we walk in the front door. Seriously, thank you. I hate that we had to rush into lunch so quickly that day.

Oh, that rain! It hit when we were cozy inside Tusker House, but it was such a massive rain! We were like, "sucks to be someone stuck out in that...oh, wait...our friends..."

Luckily, it had slowed to a constant drizzle by the time we were done with lunch, but I totally know what you mean about rain feeling cozy at Disney. I especially love when you're in the hotel room getting nice and dry and it's still coming down outside while you watch Stacey (or bad Disney Channel movies could work, too, I guess).

Yay for Epcot!!!! Can't wait to hear about your evening!

Hahaha, you know how we do... baby Simba and all. That's kind of hilarious you had a stress dream, I mean, not a FUN one but kind of funny it popped up after this update, hahaha.

I love those pretzels so much.

Haha, you're not missing a TON, it's really okay.

Hahahaha, that photo cracks me up so much. Every photo is hilarious on that ride, I swear. BUT I hope that you will go on Indiana Jones in Disneyland. The ride mechanics are identical, but it's such an awesome ride.

Primeval Whirl, nopenopenope. It just felt like one of those fair rides, honestly. Janky and super jerky, ugh.

YAY! I'm glad you love it! That makes me really happy. And it was okay, I mean, by rushing quickly we missed out on most of the rain, so it all worked out!

Yeah, that afternoon was just so cozy and perfect... it's nice to nap when it's raining outside.

Great update. That pic of everyone on Dinosaur was hysterical. Too funny.

Thank you! And yeah, that photo just cracked me up so much, hahaha.

I really need to try this famous pretzel, once and for all!

The best part about It's Tough To Be A Bug is the walk around the Tree of Life! I love those views. The first time I saw that show I did NOT appreciate the black widows coming down from the ceiling. Good lord. Honey I Shrunk the Audience really scared me the first time I saw it when I was 8, but then I grew to love it and I'm sad it's gone! I love A Bug's Life though and I want them to build an MK-style dark ride in AK themed to it because there are just so many cool possible scenes they could create!

HOLY CRAP @ the bug. That looks smaller than some small birds so...

WOW I really hope that's true about Vinyl trading getting better! LETS HAVE MORE LOCATIONS, DISNEY. What are you doing with the blind boxes that you used to use? Can't we just use them again?! What is the point of having less trading locations...?

"Boardwalk Bakery has got it going on, I have to say." LOL! Very good and accurate review.

YES YOU DO! It's a wonderful snack.

I so agree, the walk is the best part! I think that would be awesome to have an attraction like that. I wish Disney would do more Pixar-themed rides. Think about all of the possibilities like with Up or Wall-E. Sigh, a girl can wish.

Yeah, that bug was so freakin' huge. I don't like them but had to take a photo of it!

I really think it is getting better. More and more people on the Facebook groups are pulling some good stuff. It helps that Disney doesn't have crappy non-Disney stuff as much anymore, too!

Hahaha, it's so true though! Now that it has expanded, they offer SO much stuff!

I've never done Primeval Whirl and was going to give it a whirl (sorry, couldn't help it) on my next trip. But your review has convinced me that I'll be better off leaving it alone!

I also won't be watching It's Tough to Be a Bug. Last time I watched that, it was intense but enjoyable until the little kid next to me freaked out, and the mother decided to get him out of the theater right that second, despite the fact that it was during (SPOILER ALERT) a part when the theater is pitch-black. My friend and I paid dearly for that, the mom and her kid pretty much fell all over us as they tried to get out of our row and to the exit door.

Oh my gosh, well... okay, it basically feels like a fair ride. I mean, I'm sure it's way safer but it was just kind of jerky and there's a lot of spinning around, haha. I just didn't really love it, and I don't think Matt did, either.

ITTBAB IS intense! But that doesn't sound like fun, haha. At all! I feel like someone booked it out of ours, too. Kind of Stitch's Great Escape, you'll never get through that one without some kid panicking, haha.

Candy is absolutely the breakfast of champions!

I'm so glad that Simba fits right in with the family.

Hahaha, Matt does look like he fell asleep. The side effects of a Disney trip, right?

That combo sounds perfect! Frozen coke is one of my favorites.

Okay, I'm totally with you that Honey I Shrunk the Audience was a traumatizing experience. The first time I saw it, I thought it was horrifying.

It's Tough to Be a Bug is definitely much easier once you know what to expect.

Okay....your PP analysis of Dinosaur is awesome. Just hysterical. You hit the jackpot with the other riders too.

I refer to Primeval Whirl as Primeval Hurl. Nothing else describes it appropriately.

Well I'm certainly going to have to stop at the Boardwalk Bakery on my upcoming trip. That food looks great!

AGREED! It really is the healthiest thing ever.

Simba is so happy right now, it's been a wonderful time with him here.

Hahaha, pretty much, he just conked out on Dinosaur I guess!

It was the perfect combo for that morning, I swear. I LOVE Frozen Cokes when you're just jonesing for one. It was fabulous.

I'm glad you feel the same way! I was 6 years old and it just freaked me OUT. I know ITTBAB would have traumatized me, too, haha. I can't do things that jump out at me, it just scares me, haha.

That's the best name for that ride, seriously.

BW Bakery is so good! That had SO many choices that looked fantastic there. We'll definitely go back!

Okay, I have to agree about ITTBAB. I have managed to do it twice now. The second time, knowing what to expect, was not any better than the first time. You always have crying kids in there, cuz it's gross and scary. My least favorite thing though is not the stinkbomb, the dripping spiders, or the ankle rats, but at the end, when they jab you in the kidney before you leave. Yeah, thanks for the kidney puncture. I'll be going now.

However, the Discovery Island trails around the Tree of Life are awesome. I didn't even know they existed the first few times we went to AK, but once we discovered them, we got some amazing pictures. Many people overlook the trail though, since the entrance is in a different place than the entrance to Bug.

Linda

Hahaha, welp, note taken on the second time! I so agree about the stupid kidney puncture. I definitely let out a scream at that, too, hahaha.

I don't know that we've done that trail yet! I never know where the heck the entrance is. Next trip we will have to make sure to do it!

Laughed out loud at Andy Cohen comment, brilliant ! Then said oh my god out loud at that bug. I would have caused a huge security scare if I had seen that I would have been screaming and freaking out. It fits in dinoland as it looks practically prehistoric in size my goodness !!! Love your updates

Hahaha, I'm glad you got it! And yeah, that bug was HUGE. I still can't get over it. Thank you so much!!

Okay, so I don't know if you are aware of my premium hatred for the Astro Orbiter, and it is my number 1 most loathed ride in all of Disney World...well, Primeval Whirl is a very close second. And by "close second", I mean "first part b". I hate it.

DID YOU HAVE TO RIDE IT WITH STRANGERS?
BECAUSE IVE NEVER BEEN THAT CLOSE TO PEOPLE I DIDNT KNOW IN MY LIFE.

Also because of you, I really want a slurpee. Maybe Johnny will go with me to get some tonight... Thanks.

That being said, reading your posts made me really miss you guys. Which is convenient because we'll be PNW-ing in 24 days.

Haha, I think I did know about Astro Orbiter. But I now understand the dislike of Primeval Whirl. It's just too much.

Oh God, no! That would have been SO awkward. It wasn't busy at all, so just Matt and I were in our own vehicle. It still wasn't fun, haha.

You're welcome!

SO CRAZY that we'll be seeing you soon, seriously!!

Your face on Dinosaur is great! You totally have that 'not-amused' sort of look, haha!

Hahaha, thanks. I was just so focused on trying to anticipate the stupid dinosaur, and that is a mix of concern and confusion.

OMG - I have not been keeping up with this TR because life has been way too busy but I got a sudden surge of disney excitement yesterday and ended up reading the entire thing last night and this morning - and it has totally gotten me fired up to plan for our honeymoon!! I LOVE YOUR TRs!!!!

and I would just like to add that I haven't yet watched your video for this trip, and I want to right now REALLY BAD but I am at work and I know I will get all teary! I should just wait and make fiance watch it with me tonight.

Ohhh it's okay! I'm so glad you caught up though and that it has gotten you excited about planning your TR. Also, Matt and I always comment on how cute your kitties are, haha.

OOOOH let me know when you watch it! I want to know what you think!!

Getting caught up with the last few updates here....

Ha ha! Candy for breakfast. Love it! I've no shame, I've done that and smart person that I am, washed it down with a Diet Coke. Yeah, gotta balance the sugar with fake sugar!

I have to say, it looks as if you love baby Simba as your very own. I wouldn't have been able to tell that he was only adopted. Such love!

Yay for tucked away places to much on your snacks at AK. Good thing for texting now-days. How did we find each other before we could type in a phone?

I hear ya with the flip flops in the rain. I do the granny walk myself when I'm in that predicament. However, I wouldn't want to fall and have a new hip so it's for the best.

My GOSH! That lobster roll looks delish. I'm a friend of the Boardwalk Bakery but mostly because the cupcakes rock.

HOORAY! I like your thinking on the mix of diet Coke with candy. It makes total sense!

I'm so glad you think that about Simba. He has really adjusted to our house so well.

I don't know, I don't think Matt would have found me though! He was so confused at first, hahaha. He thought I'd disappeared with our frozen Cokes.

Granny walk!! That is the most accurate description of me walking back in the rain, haha. And I came close to falling on the BoardWalk, it's pretty slippery when wet!

I love their cupcakes, too, but with the expansion there's just so much to choose from! It's dangerous.

LOVED the last 2 updates!!!

Animal Kingdom is a great park in the morning! Your photos are wonderful! and the Photopass pix all turned out great.

You really brought back some fun memories with this update. I see you conquered Primevil Hurl. Yes, that is it's true name!! Back in 2007, we had gone out to Disneyland. They had Mulholland Madness (AKA Goofy's Sky School now). Looked very similar to PW. We rode it out there as a family. It does not have the same height restriction. Our kids had wanted to ride PW when we were there in 2004 and 2006 but they were not tall enough. Anyway, to make a long story short, MM was not bad at all....bringing us to 2008 and a return to PW! We were there with my niece and her husband (who gets dizzy sick-if you know what I mean). I told them I didn't think it was too bad since we'd done something similar the previous year. After getting off, I don't think my niece's husband would believe a word I said about any ride after that! I wasn't feeling the best either. The kids, however, loved it and went right back and spun again while us adults recovered while lying on a bench!!

And good for you for conquering the Bugs!!! I think that is a cute movie. We tortured DS with that in 2004. So funny. It was the first park we'd been to, the first attraction we went to, and DS was never the same!! He was a little afraid of the dark..... He started out sitting next to me. Then the movie started and he was in my lap. Then the spiders came down from the ceiling!!!!!!!!!!! If he could have crawled inside my shirt, he would have done it! From that moment on, every time we said we were going to see a show, he lost his mind. I bet we were halfway through our vacation before he decided WDW wasn't so bad.

Rain in the warmth of FL isn't so bad. And as long as you are heading back to your room and can change into dry goods, it's OK.

Your lobster roll looks soooooooooo good! I love Food and Wine's one you can get in America at Hops and Barley. I wasn't a huge fan of the one at Harbor House, but it wasn't awful.

I have to say that I don't think a chocolate, banana, BACON piece of cake would have peeked my interest. But it doesn't look all that bad. But I still think I probably would've picked something else.

Looking forward to more!

Aww, yay! I'm glad you enjoyed them!

That ride is TERRIBLE. Nope, never again. I'm just sorry you got stuck thinking that Primeval Hurl would be a fun time.. NOPE. Oh my gosh, it was just not for me! But of course, kids would love it, hahaha.

I have admittedly never seen It's a Bug's Life! I know, crazy. But that was pretty terrifying, seriously. As a kid I would have freeeeaaaked out. Poor kid, I felt the same way after Honey I Shrunk the Kids and Captain EO! They both scared the heck out of me.

Yup, I didn't mind the rain that day, but if we were going elsewhere, noooot so much!

The lobster roll was really, really tasty! Now that Food and Wine is happening during the last few days of our trip, I think we will be trying to go at least one day. Otherwise avoiding Epcot like the plague, haha.

I know, it sounds like a weird combination, but it's good! We've been to a lot of places in Seattle that offer that sweet and savory dessert, so I've gotten kind of used to the bacon in a dessert. It was delicious!

I just have to start off saying that, hands down, your Halloween costume was the BEST I have ever seen (and this is coming from someone who dressed up as one part of a pair of dice one year- just sayin' )

I love your pics and your and Matt's love and enthusiasm for Disney is infectious. I found myself smiling while reading your posts! Great pics too!

Oh my gosh, that's such a huge compliment, seriously! Thank you!!

And thank you again! We just have so much fun in Disney and it brings out the best in us, it really does. It truly is our happy place.

Dani - As I mentioned to you, your trip report(s) are incredible and inspiring. I never would have thought to even try writing a trip report if I had not read and enjoyed yours so much!

Thank you for taking the time to share.

Also - thank you for your help and advice - the link worked, first try!!!!

Thank you SO much! I'm so glad you decided to try writing a TR! They're a lot of work but SO worth it. It's like writing a little book yourself! I sometimes think about taking all of my TRs and making a little book out of them to keep at home.

And not a problem! If you ever have any other questions, just let me know and I'm happy to try and help out.

 

[hakunamomtata]

I feel like your TRs are my crack. Lol! I read the last two before bed the other night and had the craziest Disney dream ever. Which was totally Awesome because it was like a free mini vacation to WDW. WOOOOOO!

I am so excited to write a TR after our adventure in September. The last time we went, I overlooked the Haunted Mansion (*shame*) because it was my first time and I was really under prepared for the absolutely ginormous size of the world. This time I have done mucho research and feel like I'm ready for a disney battle...Haha! Totally gonna try Raglan Road also. Cannot wait!

Wooooo for your next update....just saying

 

[danimaroo]

Chapter 44: Okay, Lance Armstrong's gotta go.
Day Eight: September 18th, 2013

As I left off, we were venturing into the rain to head over to Epcot... and I'm glad I ended up napping because it was raining really hard anyway outside, so obviously we had to poncho it up!

We got to Epcot at around 4ish, and decided to go walk through Morocco and explore it even more than we had before.

That little museum is awesome, seriously! I'd never been inside, so I was glad we explored that area. Morocoo is one of the most underrated (if not THE most underrated) countries in Epcot. There is so much to explore in there, and I think most people just pass by it. I find something new and cool every time we go.

After we left Morocco, we made a quick loop through Japan and Mitsukoshi, since Matt loves that store... but he didn't buy anything. That's a shocker since he usually finds something fun that he likes.

After Japan, it was time for The American Adventure! We'd never seen this before, so this was on our definite to-do list for our trip. When we walked inside, the Voices of Liberty were just ending their show. I was kind of bummed out we'd just missed them, but on the good side, the next showing of The American Adventure was starting, so it worked out well for us.

I only took a couple of photos because the people sitting in front of us gave me a nasty look at the click of my camera... It wasn't like I had my flash on, nor was I taking non-stop photos, but I also didn't feel like dealing with them, so I put my camera away.

This show was... well... it was a show, haha. It was good, but some of the songs were beyond cheesy.

The one thing that killed us was during the "Ameerrrrrriiiiccaaaaa, spread your gooooolden wiiiiings" song, they're playing all of these big moments in American history with American heroes... and then we see Lance Armstrong riding in the Tour de France.

...

NOPE, Disney might want to update that one. Like... soon.

Hahaha, but no, we DID enjoy it and it's a great way to escape the heat for a bit, especially in World Showcase. I just think it's a little over the top about how amazing America is... and that song is just cheesy. Matt and I found ourselves singing that REPEATEDLY to one another just randomly for the rest of our trip... kind of like the darn Christmas Parade song from Disneyland that we heard no less than 30 times while there... but that's another story for another (future) trip report.

ANYWAY!

We left the theater and both decided we wanted a funnel cake. I had heard about the newly added double chocolate funnel cake, and Matt wanted a normal one, so we got separate funnel cakes.

THIS WAS A TERRIBLE IDEA.

Why? Those funnel cakes a HUGE. Huger than huge. And I got ice cream on mine. And it was literally a SLAB of ice cream, no joke.

I think mine weighed no less than 3 pounds. BUT HOW AMAZING DOES THAT THING LOOK?

I will tell you.. it was to die for. I think without the ice cream, it'd probably be too much chocolate for me with the syrup on top, but otherwise, it was fantastic. The chocolate in the funnel cake itself was not overly sweet. There was obviously no way I was going to finish it, but it was super tasty.

So, we sat down to eat our funnel cakes on a nearby bench, and these ducks of course were bumming for food.

They made their way over to us, and were SO close to Matt, like, stepping on his feet. We were laughing when one of them literally tried to grab Matt's entire funnel cake/plate out of his hands and powdered sugar went every where! Hahaha, these ducks were BOLD. I'll give him credit for trying.. little nugget.

Neither of us finished our cakes, so we ate what we could and threw them away. Next time, we're splitting one.

We decided to stop and take a little selfie of us together with SSE behind us..

World Showcase was starting to get a little busy, so we kept walking right on through and headed over to Starbucks because Matt wanted some coffee.. WHAT?! I know.

The weird thing was that when we went to pay, our room charge got oddly declined, so we thought we'd hit the max amount, which would have been INSANE since we hadn't been at Beach Club for THAT long...

We paid and left Starbucks, and I saw a PP photographer in front of the Fountain of Nations/SSE, so we decided to stop and get some photos. She was taking the weirdest photos and making people do crazy things, and in the end, I really didn't like the photos she took on her camera. In fact, the best one she got was on my own personal phone, haha, go figure.

Also, have I mentioned my absolute love for the Fountain? Yeah? OH WELL, I'll mention it again, I love it.

We headed into MouseGear and shopped around a little bit, but ended up just buying more of those blind box pins. I traded a Vinylmation and got a crappy Zooper Hero.

We left MouseGear and opened our pins and sat for a bit, chatting about how we hoped we hadn't spent THAT much, haha. I just figured there was no way. It wouldn't have been the end of the world, it just would have been surprising to have hit the limit already.

It was getting a little later in the evening, so we decided to stroll over to Sunshine Seasons and grab a bite to eat.

Side note, I just realized it looks like we were eating basically non-stop, hahaha.. I swear more time passed by than it probably seems like!

Matt and I both got some Chinese food and of course, had to split a strawberry shortcake. It still remains one of my favorite desserts in Disney. So light and delicious.

We sat in a darker area and just chatted about random stuff, like we do... then left and headed over towards the Art of Disney.

Continued in next post​

 

[danimaroo]

Chapter 45: Eating School Bread in bed, is there anything better?
Day Eight: September 18th, 2013

Spaceship Earth was looking so beautiful this evening!

While in the Art of Disney, we spotted an AWESOME Haunted Mansion Jim Shore statue that we both really liked, but of course, wanted to sit and think about it. I mean, there was also the Oswald statue, too, so we left and didn't buy anything... yet.

Spaceship Earth was just calling our name, so of course we hopped on. I have it noted that we made ridiculous faces, yet no photographic evidence... which tells me that this must be the faces we made that show up in our trip video with us skiing. So there you go.

It was around 8:30 at this point so we went to go find a good spot to watch Illuminations from, and where I could preferably set up my camera/mini-tripod to get some good shots. However, it was way too busy with people waiting for front spots, so unfortunately I wasn't going to be able to set up my little tripod. We still had a good view though!

Illuminations is always so wonderful and I have a special place in my heart for it. It was the first Disney fireworks show I EVER saw, and I remember being blown away by it, so I always just really love it every time we watch it.

We were over by Mexico, so clearly the most sensible thing to do at this point was to go to Norway and buy SCHOOL BREAD TO GOOOOO. Every trip we always say we're going to eat a lot of School Bread and only get it once, but not this time! We got our goodies, and put them in a bag, then continued on through World Showcase.

Matt wanted an ice cream and I wanted The American Dream (without bird poop on my arm this time), so we stopped in The American Adventure area to grab both!

I LOVE THIS DRINK SO MUCH. It's always just the perfect treat when you're feeling hot... I love slushies, and the vanilla soft serve in the middle adds a little creaminess.. so this is the best.

We strolled back towards Beach Club and I was SO HAPPY to be doing that again. There is something beyond special about walking around World Showcase at night, knowing that you can end your night by just walking right back to the resort. This is why I love Beach Club so much; the location really can't be beat.

We walked along, stopping to look at all the lights around the Boardwalk... This area is so beautiful at night!

When we got back to the Beach Club, we went to the front desk to try to figure out why our room charge had been declined/possibly pay it off so the hold would be taken off. Lo and behold, we hadn't even come close to hitting the max, and she had no idea why it got denied earlier. I'm guessing it might have been from when we switched the credit card that was on file earlier in the day, maybe it was still processing? I'm not sure, but we were both just happy that we hadn't spent some absurd amount of money over the period of 4 days.

We headed back upstairs to our room, and I took care of our laundry. I told Matt I would 100% take care of it this trip, because as some of you will remember from our last trip, we were supposed to do laundry together and I completely fell asleep in the bed, leaving Matt stuck with dealing with it.

I love having free laundry access at DVC members, it's fabulous, BUT doing laundry seriously takes hours upon HOURS. It's ridiculous how slow it is. And it's even worse when other members think it's totally okay to use up both washers/dryers for their loads. UM NOPE, how about you do two separate loads and not be a turd?

But luckily, both machines weren't being used, so I popped our stuff into one of the washers, then went back to the room to change for some NIGHTSWIMMING!

Nightswimming in Disney is one of my FAVORITE things to do. I think it goes back to being a little kid and loving swimming at night, especially on vacations, so doing it in Disney is always the best.

The water was actually cooler than the water at Wilderness Lodge, which we were both happy about. There is nothing worse than being super hot and getting in the pool and having the water be too warm. It's gross. But this wasn't, so we swam around the pool for a while.

We went back upstairs and I checked on our laundry, and sat around to switch it over to the dryer. If you think the washer is slow, oh my word, put something in the dryer there. THEY TAKE FOREVER. I can't even remember what time we were up to that night doing our stupid laundry, but it was definitely late.

So what do you do when you're sitting around and waiting for your laundry to be done?

YOU EAT SCHOOL BREAD IN BED.

I handed Matt his and I just watched him look at it, smile, then nicely say, "Hello, beautiful."

HAHAHAHAHA, the stuff that sometimes comes out of his mouth kills me!

We were both sitting around eating our school bread, slightly delirious from being overly exhausted at this point, and Matt would NOT stop singing that "America" song from The American Adventure. "Amerrrrrriiicccaaaaaaa... spread your gooolden wiiiiings..." over... and over again. Of course we were both dying laughing because that's how we annoy each other and then laugh forever about it.

Then he very seriously asks, "Dani... What... would you do... if you woke up in the middle of the night and heard me singing 'Amerrrrriccaaaaa' in my sleep?' "

HAHAHAHA. Sorry, we're huge goobers, and we both found this hysterical. Probably because it was like 1am at this point, haha. But this is a game we play all the time, "What would you do if I....?" We keep ourselves highly amused.

I finally went to take the laundry out and it felt pretty dry. It was SO late, I just grabbed it and brought it back... I told Matt it might be SLIGHTLY damp, and when we pulled it out of the laundry bag, Matt was like, "UHHH DANI, NO, THESE ARE WET!"

....

I seriously hate those dryers! But there was no way I was going back down there and waiting for any longer, so we laid out all of the clothes that were still kind of damp to let them dry out overnight. Let's just picture clothes all over the room, because that's basically what we had to do, hahaha.

Finally, we went to bed, exhausted but happy after a really fun day.

Next update, you finally get to find out exactly what the title of my Trip Report involved.. as I get to TOUR THE TOWER OF TERROR!

And trust me, you do NOT want to miss it.

Continued in next post​

 

[emilyindisney]

So much delicious EPCOT food!

Cannot wait to see your ToT tour!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

"Morocoo is one of the most underrated (if not THE most underrated) countries in Epcot" Sing it sister!!!! I started to really appreciate it back in April on my solo trip.

I hear ya. Sometimes I feel so self conscious taking pictures in some places.

Haha, that's one thing about Disney birds... they have NO FEAR!

on the "Non Stop Eating". That made me laugh because it's so true. Trip Reports tend to hit the highlights and there's potential hours between some sentences, but it looks like it's all one thing after the other. We ate, we rode "X", We ate. I see that all the time and when you pointed that out, it just really struck me funny.

Yeah, it looks like you had a fabulous spot for Illuminations!

You're the second one recently commenting on the slowness of the Dryers (And not even the same resort) so clearly there's an issue. I hate waiting around like that.

And also... I WANNA TOUR THE TOWER NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!

 

[cstorm65]

Great update. I have enjoyed reading your report. It sounds like a great day in Epcot and that funnel cake with chocolate and ice cream. I would pay a lot for one of those right now after reading your report. It sounds awesome.

I feel your pain on the slow washers and dryers at the DVC resorts. We waited hours at the Boardwalk on our last trip to get dry clothes. They also need to post some signs or something about laundry room etiquette. It didn't happen to me but someone else had their wet clothes taken out of a dryer that was still running and laid on the rack so someone else could put their stuff in the dryer. I mean the things some people will do! I am complaining about free laundry though. I will take it!

 

[katt789]

Yay!! Our dates will cross over again! Hopefully we’ll run into each other!! Lol.

I didn’t even know that museum was THERE! Proves that I’ve got some exploring to do over there, I hope next trip we get more WS time!! Ahahaha…I’ve totally been on hold with Disney on the phone and that Ammmmeerrriiiiccaaaaa song has been playing…also the song they play at the end of the Canada movie is not much better…

….I for some reason thought that that slab of ice cream was a slab of butter….

Ewww

However, chocolate funnel cakes sound like a great time!! I think that might need to be eaten sometime soon! I was gonna say without the ice cream, but now that you said about too much chocolate otherwise I feel ya and think I’ll just have to eat it like it is bahaha!

Love that fountain!

GORGEOUS Illuminations photos!

Reasons a million why I love the yacht/beach clubs for resorts, I cannot wait for food and wine this year when all I do is eat and walk back to yacht club baha! Ahahaha “hello beautiful” yes, that sounds appropriate!

Okay, I’m laughing quite intensely at these moments of school bread & America song! This is priceless. I feel like so many of these moments happen on my trips but I never think they’ll translate well into a trip report lol

This laundry stuff sounds total boourns!

Super excitd to read about the tour!!

 

[hakunamomtata]

OMG school bread looks amaaaaaazing! Hngggg! Totally listing that as something we must try this September. Maybe our dates overlap?! Were going 9/16-9/25. If I see you in WDW I'll probably fangirl all over you and take tons of pictures with you because you're basically famous on here..Lol!

I'm learning so much from your TR. Totally making a point of appreciating Morocco more. Did you know when DISNEY asked their King if they could add it to the showcase, he was so honored that he paid for the entire thing to be built by Moroccans so its totally authentic to their culture. OMG...so many disnerd (Yes disnerd is a term) facts I could spew.

Okay anyway. Love love love this TR!