Two moms get away to act like teenagers...or do they? The End! (Feb 18-21, 2011)

[SimmerBaggins]

About my title here: Our next three rides (according to my pictures and storyline) are water rides, ironically. And thinking of "drop to drink": obviously, you're not going to drink the water that surrounds you, and then, of course, MK has no alcohol.

There is one dramatic exception, as I'm prone to point out.

Space Mountain teases you with a robot waiter, who tries unsuccessfully to deliver an adult beverage (sorry about the blurry shot):

Why do this to us??

In any event, I show us going to Splash Mountain, first. I'm a bit nervous about this ride.

It's not about the drop, although the drop is kind of intimidating -- it's about the SPLASH from the neighboring ride that comes down while you're going up!! I had only rode this one time before -- last June -- and that thing coming down doused my daughter and I so much, we were wet the entire day! So...I was not enthused about being wet all day on a February day...

But, Melissa assured me that the splash coming across was subdued...fortunately, she was right about that. I'm not in good humor when wet and cold! We had a good time on the ride.

We wandered into the shop, afterward. I'm fascinated by this shop, because the story of Brer Rabbit isn't much told to youngsters these days, so how do they explain the story and the merch? I'm always curious to what is going on in this shop.

There was even less of the Brer characters than normal. This would mean that Disney isn't too interested in resurrecting this story any time soon.

You probably have your own opinions of the reasons for this...my DD and I once looked up the story on Youtube and watched it.

Speaking of my DD, she has the Mickey ears that looks like an ice cream. I saw this one and cringed...eek.

"Hey, wanna come on over and scratch and sniff my ear?"

These were cute.

Since we are playing Epic Mickey at home, had to take this pic:

My camera was refusing to cooperate to take Brer Rabbit's house pics:

Next, we had some time on our hands, waiting on lunch, etc. Decided to run on over and catch a pirate or two...

Now, I have NEVER seen that view in the queue of the two pirates playing a game. Here, I had the best unofficial tour guide in WDW at my side, and did I ask her where those pirates were?? No.

I did get a couple of dark pics of my unofficial tour guide. But my camera rejected taking any decent pictures of the ride, itself.

Our ride awaits. Too bad there's nothing more exciting from me on this.

Afterward, we tried unsuccessfully to attract the attention of the star of the show. Must have been our unattractive outfits.

Going for three boat rides in a row!!

Fortunately, we didn't get lost, either.

Everything tastes like chicken, here...:

Melissa, didn't something happen while we were in this line? I know you described something getting loose, or something -- the spider was only sporadically active.

Beauty shot (African Queen).

I have a LOT of pictures of this ride, but none of them very exciting. I believe, at this point, we are sufficiently hungry!!

 

[jmskinner]

I am enjoying yall's trip report! Sounds like it was an amazing trip and I can't wait to read more!

Welcome and thanks for following along.

Love this TR. Went back and read the PTR too, sounds just like the way we travel!!! You've inspired me to think about a girls-only WDW vacation. Only problem is I have no friends who have been there as much as me, certainly none who love WDW as much as I do... Oh well, I'll plan it and then find someone who wants to go...ha ha ha. Can't wait for the next installment!

Plan it and they will come! You might just turn another into a Disney freak.

Your chosen path this day sounds much as I would do it!! I loved the new Pooh queue but since we were all "grown-ups" we chose to not play along as we went...plus there was no line!!

I love pictures of empty parks too!! And I CHH!!! It is almost a must for me too!!!

I hope the two of you are having a Happy 4th!!!

You'd think we would have made a plan, but we really just winged it.

I forgot to mention, in the Pooh queue there is a "honey" wall, that looked like we were suppose to draw in it, but we couldn't figure out if it really did anything. Did you?

Had a nice 4th. Just stayed home and worked on the moving process.

I'm in!

I look like I'm singing into that carrot.

You do look like you are singing.

 

[jmskinner]

Uh Oh, maybe this should be titled the chapter where the BFF's disagree.

My pics tell a different story. I think we went in the Briar Patch while we waited for another FP window to open up, because I took pics on Splash and they aren't until later.

I did get Brer Rabbit's house pic:


And I was also taking pics of merchandise I found this pin


It had a surprise


I didn't take any on PoTC though.

But after Pirates I remembered a pic we needed to take


Now, later on we make an even greater accomplishment than that one.

Crowd pic (random pic)


I found these and thought my DH would like to have one for his car, also going for one of those great pics, just wasn't smart enough to move my shot over a little so no one could walk in it.


My pic of Captain Jack


While we waited in line for our Jungle Cruise I noticed something I hadn't noticed before


Mickey, Donald, and Goofy


Now I know of one funny thing that involved something getting loose on the JC, but I do remember that happened after our trip when I was with another friend, so I don't remember what I told Vickie. Or maybe it was, now I am questioning what little memory I have.

Anyhoo (oops that would be the wrong parck slang), anyhow, what happened that time was while waiting in line they made an announcement that we could help with something very important. We were told to stop both feet, jump up and down and do the mashed potato. After doing all of that the announcement was made "Thank you, a crate of cockroaches had broken and the roaches had escaped, but we had taken care of them."

And Vickie you were right, FOOD was our next stop.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Wow, my memory is BAD!!

I knew you had that picture of the mountain FPs, and was hoping you would show it!

I should have bought that Jack pen for my DD -- she would have loved it!

 

[lbuzz52]

I had seriously never noticed that building by the FL stroller parking. But now that I saw your pictures I sort of remember the Skyway. I remember my dad hating it. I think you went across the park one way and then exited the ride and got back in line to go back? I can't remember where the other side was. I wonder if I'm even thinking of the right ride. I guess I need to google.

I have a huge curiosity of the CM doors. They are always unlocked when I see them. I'm just so tempted to sneak in and see what it's about. In my head there's a big locker room full of people have costumed telling stories of that days crazy park guests.

 

[jmskinner]

Wow, my memory is BAD!!

I knew you had that picture of the mountain FPs, and was hoping you would show it!

I should have bought that Jack pen for my DD -- she would have loved it!

I'll keep an eye out for that pin!

Vickie, if I didn't have pics I wouldn't remember either.

I had seriously never noticed that building by the FL stroller parking. But now that I saw your pictures I sort of remember the Skyway. I remember my dad hating it. I think you went across the park one way and then exited the ride and got back in line to go back? I can't remember where the other side was. I wonder if I'm even thinking of the right ride. I guess I need to google.

I have a huge curiosity of the CM doors. They are always unlocked when I see them. I'm just so tempted to sneak in and see what it's about. In my head there's a big locker room full of people have costumed telling stories of that days crazy park guests.

The skyway ended by Space Mountain, they finally tore it down when they refurb Space Mountain.

Maybe one day you can take some of the tours and see behind those doors. I will say, they all have a mirror for CM's to make sure they look their best.

 

[mtgirl29]

Sorry I have been MIA. Summer is very busy with trying to keep the kiddos entertained, so they don't get bored....lol!

Wonderful additions to your TR. A lot of reading and now I am all caught up! It looks like you all had so much fun at really looking at all the sights in the EE line and I think it is wonderful that Melissa jumped to action so quickly when the little boy went missing! It looks like you guys had sooo much fun in Epcot. I think both the rose wine and the lemon slushy sounds delish and I am glad you guys decide to put those noisy balloons on the balcony.
I all your pics of the empty park. We didn't have that luxury when we were there in end of May beginning of June. It was shoulder to shoulder the whole week....uuuuggggh!
I totally know what you mean about getting soaked on Splash Mtn. We had rode numerous times and just got slightly wet... then one particular time the boats were aligned in such a way that the one coming down the hill splashed us with so much water we were DRENCHED! You could literally wring water out of your clothes.... So now whenever we ride it, I get nervous, too!
Wonderful pics!!! Cannot wait to read more!

 

[okw19]

Joining in on your report!
Sounds like you two had so much fun! Your BLT room is so pretty!

 

[burly]

I LOVE THAT JACK PEN? PIN?

I LOVE JACK.....


kim

 

[jmskinner]

Sorry I have been MIA. Summer is very busy with trying to keep the kiddos entertained, so they don't get bored....lol!

Wonderful additions to your TR. A lot of reading and now I am all caught up! It looks like you all had so much fun at really looking at all the sights in the EE line and I think it is wonderful that Melissa jumped to action so quickly when the little boy went missing! It looks like you guys had sooo much fun in Epcot. I think both the rose wine and the lemon slushy sounds delish and I am glad you guys decide to put those noisy balloons on the balcony.
I all your pics of the empty park. We didn't have that luxury when we were there in end of May beginning of June. It was shoulder to shoulder the whole week....uuuuggggh!
I totally know what you mean about getting soaked on Splash Mtn. We had rode numerous times and just got slightly wet... then one particular time the boats were aligned in such a way that the one coming down the hill splashed us with so much water we were DRENCHED! You could literally wring water out of your clothes.... So now whenever we ride it, I get nervous, too!
Wonderful pics!!! Cannot wait to read more!

I think we have all been splashed by those boats coming down the mountain. This day we stopped and watched the water and the splash stopped just short of the boats heading up. I knew Vickie would not ride otherwise.

My poor son is so bored, but with trying to get everything ready for our move. At least when we are stuck in a hotel for two weeks we will have a pool and lots of exploring in a new area.

Joining in on your report!
Sounds like you two had so much fun! Your BLT room is so pretty!

We had a blast! Thanks for joining!

I LOVE THAT JACK PEN? PIN?

I LOVE JACK.....


kim

I've really started to like Jack myself. And after reading this I had an arguement with myself...pen? pin? It is a writing pen, so did I use the correct word?

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Continuing with our story, sometime before our lunch, Melissa made some kind of question/comment about eating at CHH, and it made me laugh -- -- and we were on our way to eat at CHH.

I don't know if there's something that Melissa eats every time, or if she trades out, but I always go for the shrimp. Always have. Don't see me ever changing that...unless they change their recipe for it. I love it.

We went in and ordered, and the place was already filling up. No, I don't remember what time it was...but both of us apparently liked going up on the 2nd floor. It tends to fill up later. And, apparently, we both liked the same area where the windows are. No, I don't think we've ever eaten there together before!

We got a great table right in the area where the restaurant stretches over the walkway, and settled down to eat. Gosh, I'd love to be there right now! Here's my fare:

Melissa likes tartar sauce, too. I think she got the fish, although she can clarify this later.

At some point, both of us begin engaging in one of our other favorite pastimes, looking at the peeps. Or, should we say in this instance, peeping out of the window at the peeps.

While we're we're stuffing our faces and looking out the window, I began to be aware of one fellow who is, believe it or not, watching us. No doubt we are fairly as obvious as people-watchers to someone who is bored and standing around, looking for something to look at. Or, waiting on someone.... In any case, I pointed him out to Melissa. He was standing by the white fence, facing us.

What's funny is, eventually, we all started to realize that we all knew we were being watched by each other!! Melissa and I would look pointedly at him, and he'd look away, then we'd look back out at him, and he'd be looking back up at us!! Meanwhile, we started trying to figure out why in the world he was just standing there for so long, looking up at us...it was cracking us up. I finally got up the nerve to take a picture of him:

He's just beyond the trashcan in the burgundy, no-sleeve shirt. He finally got fed up and left (he really did act more and more irritated), but he provided endless luncheon entertainment for us.

Melissa would probably never do this without me with her...I'm such a bad influence!!

Yep, we went afterward to ride Splash. I'm guessing my early pics were dePICting the fact that we went for FPs.

Believe it or not, we went all the way around the park to ride the next mountain again -- Space Mountain! This was the one where I could actually see more of the ride than before. It also seemed more jerky than before. Here's the pics I got, afterward:

I know. I'm a goof-ball, and I think I drag along Melissa with me.

We were making our way out of the park for our next destination, and I took some pics of Main Street. Don't these windows look like they have eyes?

I thought I remembered that sometimes you could hear tap-dancing down this little street, so Melissa and I, trying to not be too much in commando-mode, ventured down the side-street to listen.

We didn't hear anything.

We are now headed out of the park...any idea where we might be headed?

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Sorry I have been MIA. Summer is very busy with trying to keep the kiddos entertained, so they don't get bored....lol!

Wonderful additions to your TR. A lot of reading and now I am all caught up! It looks like you all had so much fun at really looking at all the sights in the EE line and I think it is wonderful that Melissa jumped to action so quickly when the little boy went missing! It looks like you guys had sooo much fun in Epcot. I think both the rose wine and the lemon slushy sounds delish and I am glad you guys decide to put those noisy balloons on the balcony.
I all your pics of the empty park. We didn't have that luxury when we were there in end of May beginning of June. It was shoulder to shoulder the whole week....uuuuggggh!
I totally know what you mean about getting soaked on Splash Mtn. We had rode numerous times and just got slightly wet... then one particular time the boats were aligned in such a way that the one coming down the hill splashed us with so much water we were DRENCHED! You could literally wring water out of your clothes.... So now whenever we ride it, I get nervous, too!
Wonderful pics!!! Cannot wait to read more!

I wonder if they purposely change the amount of that "splash" from the one coming down -- next time you go to ride it, stand there and watch how far it goes!

We went last year during the same May/June timeframe, and it was packed, too. But I still missed going during that time.

Joining in on your report!
Sounds like you two had so much fun! Your BLT room is so pretty!

I would say it was the BEST, but there's always the thought of "oh, my family would have loved this!" Still, we didn't let that stop us or make us feel guilty!!

I LOVE THAT JACK PEN? PIN?

I LOVE JACK.....
kim

So does my DD -- I think I remember that I had planned to get that writing pen later, but forgot about it. His little body popping out was so cutesy!!

 

[TinksThree]

I love CHH too! I love the shrimp too!! And I love sitting upstairs watching the peeps below!!

Why didn't I think of taking pictures of myself at the exit of Space! I like being a goof-ball so I think you were cool!!

 

[jmskinner]

I love CHH too! I love the shrimp too!! And I love sitting upstairs watching the peeps below!!

Why didn't I think of taking pictures of myself at the exit of Space! I like being a goof-ball so I think you were cool!!

CHH has turned into one of our favorite places also. Jacob loves it. People watching is an extra benefit.

We are goofballs, but when we get together we really let go!

 

[jmskinner]

Yes, I was ready for food. Vickie and I are alike in that when we are hungry, for the safety of others, we better find food.

I did take this pic coming off of the JC


It amazes me that after all of these trips, there are still things I haven't noticed before.

We made it to CHH. And I always get the fish, I may have to try the shrimp on this last weekend coming up. Do they have a basket with both?

Now one thing Vickie left out was before going into CHH, we made one more stop, another FP window had opened up and we had scored a complete set of the ultimate ride FP's at MK


Yup, we had Peter Pan FP's, along with all 3 mountains.

Here is a pic of the guy looking up at us


He did look as though he was waiting for someone, but it was too funny that we kept looking at each other. I'm surprised he could even see us.

Grabbed this shot on the way to Splash


I love all the birds hanging out at MK. Wonder if they go solo or bring the family?

Of course I take shots while on the ride








And this is after the big drop


And my redneck photo


Now, I ended up taking two pics and notice how the line in the photo has moved


I wonder if they are trying to stop us from taking redneck photos.

Hmmm, I have more pics of BTMRR


So looks like we rode it again.

And then Space


And my goofy photo


I had heard there was a dance studio door you could hear tap dancing at, but we didn't see a door.




We caught the end of a performance of the Dapper Dan's


I have caught them performing in the Barbershop many times, but I had never seen those instruments before.

Let's see if Vickie and I went to the same place?

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I love this, Melissa. Can you just go with us to all our trips so that we can get pictures in all the right places?? I could have really used your pictures to "flesh out" the picture book I made!

I remember that picture of us right after Splash -- love it!!

 

[TinksThree]

Awesome on the 4 FPs!!!

I noticed the same thing when trying to take my redneck photos! It isn't like I will purchase the photo if I can't get a redneck pic...I just will do without unless it is awesome! We even had a CM at Space give us our number to purchase when I tried taking a picture there!

Great pictures on Splash! They make mine look so blah!!

 

[dilligaf212]

you guys look like you are having alot of fun.i would love to do a trip without kids i just don't see it happening soon.. my kids are 3 1/2 and 11 and they wouldn't go for it. what is CHH? i am so bad with the abbreviations and i couldn't find this one on the cheat sheet

 

[jmskinner]

I love this, Melissa. Can you just go with us to all our trips so that we can get pictures in all the right places?? I could have really used your pictures to "flesh out" the picture book I made!

I remember that picture of us right after Splash -- love it!!

You know I would love to be a photographer that just wanders around with families and takes their pics!

I like that photo too!

Awesome on the 4 FPs!!!

I noticed the same thing when trying to take my redneck photos! It isn't like I will purchase the photo if I can't get a redneck pic...I just will do without unless it is awesome! We even had a CM at Space give us our number to purchase when I tried taking a picture there!

Great pictures on Splash! They make mine look so blah!!

I wish they would just include all the ride photos in photopass. I would probably be more willing to buy the CD's. Or offer one 5x7 for $5. I think they would sell more. I'm sure cellphones are cutting into their money.

you guys look like you are having alot of fun.i would love to do a trip without kids i just don't see it happening soon.. my kids are 3 1/2 and 11 and they wouldn't go for it. what is CHH? i am so bad with the abbreviations and i couldn't find this one on the cheat sheet

CHH is Columbia Harbour House, across from Haunted Mansion.

Vickie and I were both worried about that. My DH and DS are perfectly fine with it though...it means they don't have to go.

 

[jmskinner]

Just wanted to leave a quick note. As of next Monday, I probably will not have internet until the following Monday with this move. I know I will have a lot of catching up to do.

Vickie, take your time.