Upgrades, Underwear and Upside Down Fun -5/7 King Louie totally ROCKS!

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Yeah, I'm picturing myself as Keanu Reeves in Speed!

You have no idea how scared I was when I looked down and saw no backpack. And then to find that her DS and mp3 player were in there! Whew! Even though Santa brought a knockoff mp3 player - $14 at Belk! sshhhh!

Yeah, you sorta glazed over the conversation you had with her about the MP3 and DS.

 

[trish.]

I have lurked for over a year, trying to soak up all information that is Disney, learning new tricks, and thoroughly enjoying trip reports. I even made an account...but never have I posted...and here I am...because this is the funniest, most entertaining, full of good times trip report I have read.

Just wanted to say "Thank you" for the smiles and entertainment.

Perhaps I just wanted to post because I have been dying to use that little dancing banana the entire year?

 

[chepic]

Wonderful report!!! I see a kindered heart with you and your family, and if we lived in FLA, I could see similar trips in my future....but alas we are in New England, so 1 trip a year will have to be enough.

Can't wait to read more.

cheryl

 

[karajeboo]

I have lurked for over a year, trying to soak up all information that is Disney, learning new tricks, and thoroughly enjoying trip reports. I even made an account...but never have I posted...and here I am...because this is the funniest, most entertaining, full of good times trip report I have read.

Just wanted to say "Thank you" for the smiles and entertainment.

Perhaps I just wanted to post because I have been dying to use that little dancing banana the entire year?

First of all, CONGRATS on your first post!!! I'm so honored that it was on my TR! Thank you for reading along!!! And you did a great job with the banana! Jeff actually found disboards some time ago and used it for research before we took Ally for the first time 3 years ago. There is more information on this site than in all the Disney brochures ever printed! Of course, maybe that's cause we all make it up as we go along? Little did Jeff know I'd become a disboards junkie!!!!

Now that you're out of lurkdom, post often!!!

Wonderful report!!! I see a kindered heart with you and your family, and if we lived in FLA, I could see similar trips in my future....but alas we are in New England, so 1 trip a year will have to be enough.

Can't wait to read more.

cheryl

Thank you! If it weren't for our proximity to Disney, I don't even think we'd go once a year (and we came from SC, a 7 hr, 45 minute drive). If Jeff is away too long, he's not anxious to get back. Jeff: "Can't we ever go anywhere else???" But as soon as he's there, he starts talking DVC, and gets sad when we leave, etc. So it is medically necessary to get him there at least once every 4 months, even if it's just for a day trip. Otherwise, Disney might be DOA one of these days and I'll need to get out the paddles. CLEAR!!!

Yeah, you sorta glazed over the conversation you had with her about the MP3 and DS.

Actually, it's Disney! I can't yell at my baby in Disney! It's the happiest place on earth! What kind of mother do you think I am? Just because I make her carry around a 325 lb backpack every day, do you really think I'd yell at her, too? Jeez! So she just got the look. You know the look. Chapter 7 of the Mother's Manual. Yeah, THAT look. It works better than a raised voice any day. She knew she'd been busted for bringing that psuedo cheap mp3 player and DS. Don't think that will happen again.

 

[chepic]

Thank you! If it weren't for our proximity to Disney, I don't even think we'd go once a year (and we came from SC, a 7 hr, 45 minute drive). If Jeff is away too long, he's not anxious to get back. Jeff: "Can't we ever go anywhere else???" But as soon as he's there, he starts talking DVC, and gets sad when we leave, etc. So it is medically necessary to get him there at least once every 4 months, even if it's just for a day trip. Otherwise, Disney might be DOA one of these days and I'll need to get out the paddles. CLEAR!!!

Sounds like Dave: "we haven't been in 2 years....I think it's time" Me: "well, last year we did the cruise." Dave: "not the same thing...thank goodness for DVC!" And you are correct....get the paddles out

I am turning my 2 sons into Disney Junkies too. What kind of mother am I?

cheryl

 

[jmskinner]

Hi Kara! We saw the launch also. Luckily the news came on about 30 seconds before lift off. I hope to drive over and see it from the beach also.

Jacob is allowed to have his DS at the parks, but I carry it in my backpack. I bet that really was stressful worrying about that autograph book being gone.

Too funny that you had the tickets. I always carry everyones also.

Well, we don't want another child, keep wondering if I can find one to borrow because Jacob only wants to ride with me, so I have to hear my DH moan and complain about having to ride by himself. Guess we should start the, my turn, your turn.

Did you get some rain last night or today? We got a few drops, didn't even show up on the street, just noticed it on the windows. We need rain so much.

 

[karajeboo]

Sounds like Dave: "we haven't been in 2 years....I think it's time" Me: "well, last year we did the cruise." Dave: "not the same thing...thank goodness for DVC!" And you are correct....get the paddles out

I am turning my 2 sons into Disney Junkies too. What kind of mother am I?

cheryl

I'm working on Jeff and DVC. It's so funny, when we are in the parks or anywhere on property he'll make comments like, "if we did DVC I'd want to buy resale at such and such resort." Then when we're home he'll just flat out say, "we do NOT need to buy into DVC." I'm telling ya, it's the pixie dust!

Although this past weekend he was in one of those let's go shopping and spend money mood. I like those moods.... We ended up with new bedroom furniture, a new TV for the bedroom, and tons of plants and a grapefruit tree for outside, plus a fountain for the porch! He was on a roll! He told me Sunday night that I missed my opportunity to hit him up for DVC!

Hi Kara! We saw the launch also. Luckily the news came on about 30 seconds before lift off. I hope to drive over and see it from the beach also.

Jacob is allowed to have his DS at the parks, but I carry it in my backpack. I bet that really was stressful worrying about that autograph book being gone.

Too funny that you had the tickets. I always carry everyones also.

Well, we don't want another child, keep wondering if I can find one to borrow because Jacob only wants to ride with me, so I have to hear my DH moan and complain about having to ride by himself. Guess we should start the, my turn, your turn.

Did you get some rain last night or today? We got a few drops, didn't even show up on the street, just noticed it on the windows. We need rain so much.

Yeah, Ally only wants to ride with me, too. Maybe we'll do a kid swap! You can take Ally and I'll take Jacob! We've had to start the "but Daddy hasn't ridden this with you yet....." and it seems to work.

I wasn't even mad she had the DS, I was just mad that she took it and we had already told her no. I knew we wouldn't have long waits so there was no point in her having it this time. It's just that she's getting to that "sneaky" age. I'm not looking forward to the teenage years!

No rain yet and we really need it too! Today was supposed to be showers but there's not a cloud in the sky!!! I moved a bunch of bushes over the weekend plus we planted a grapfruit tree (when in Rome....) and I tossed a bunch of wildflower seeds into the woods so I really want some "free" water!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Okay Kara - more pictures.... NOW!

 

[karajeboo]

So we had just left ToT hoping to catch it later, and we wandered through the park. Studios is one of those parks that you just don’t appreciate the first time you visit because you are trying to catch all the attractions, and all the shows, and if you (and the planets!) don’t align just perfectly, it is nearly impossible to do it all in one day.

But each time we are here we try to take it all in, and each time I think we enjoy it more. So we just wandered through the streets really not NEEDING to be anyplace until lunchtime.

Then Jeff the rocket scientist decides he wants to go check out the Sci Fi menu, so he starts walking and ladies, you all know how this conversation goes…..

Jeff: “It’s right up here.”
Kara: “No, that’s 50’s Primetime over here, Sci Fi is over there.”
Jeff: “No, I don’t think so.”
Kara, because she has learned after 12 years of marriage:

And guess where we ended up? Yup! 50’s Primetime.

Now I will agree that the streets just don’t work out at HS. It is very confusing to get around here, but Jeff is such a …. Well, he’s a man!
And it drives him nuts because I have a much better sense of direction. I get it from my Dad, the King of the Shortcuts!

In fact, just this weekend we were heading to the other side of town (and Jacksonville is the largest city in the US in terms of land mass, so it was a long way!) and I was driving. I questioned which way I should go, then I questioned his answer. I was told, “I drive this city for a living, I know what I’m talking about.”

Yeah, you know how that turned out too.

Sure enough I saw a sign and it was the opposite of what Jeff had told me.

Do you know how hard it is to NOT say, “ha ha! I told you so!” in front of Ally? Cause of course if she hadn’t been there I would have done the I Told You So dance, right there behind the steering wheel. But I didn’t. I just looked at him with that smug little grin on my face. And the strangest thing happened.

Get out the smelling salts cause you’re gonna need them when you read on!

He apologized! He ADMITTED HE WAS WRONG!!!! I know!

Anyway, back to reality….

So as we left 50’s Primetime we made our way past Star Tours. It showed a 5 minute wait so you know that with our luck is should be a negative wait time. Did we already ride it?

The Jedi training was set to start in 12 minutes so we were hoping to catch it on the way out.

And we walked straight into our ship, buckled up, and did whatever the good guys did in Star Wars. I never could keep track of who was who. I’m a chick. Chicks just don’t get it.

There were robots, space ships, and fighting. And of course I wanted to be Princess Leia. That didn’t turn out so well. And I wanted to marry Luke Skywalker. In case you were wondering, that didn’t happen either.

Then I realized how old I’ve gotten. Do you know how young Harrison Ford was back then? Have you seen him now??? Was that movie NOT just a few years ago? Surely I haven’t aged too?

This attraction needs to be updated a bit. It’s still fun, and there’s still the sensation of flying, but considering how far we have come in the special effects department, I think this could be so much better!!! Especially since three new movies – prequels - have come out since this attraction opened.

The prequel. What exactly is a prequel? I think George Lucas made this up. I know what a sequel is – I’ve done the Rocky sequel, and the sequel to the sequel to the sequel, etc. And the Raiders sequel and the sequel to the sequel and the geriatric sequel to the sequel to the sequel.

But why would you start with episode 4 and then make episode 1 20 years later? Hmmm? Did George Lucas just "forget" something and wanted to add it in the form of three more movies?

Again, I’m a chick. Chicks don’t get Star Wars.

We left Star Tours and caught bits and pieces of the Jedi Training. Very cute and I love that they take soooo many kids for this! There must have been a dozen children chosen. And of course there’s always that one kid. The one who doesn’t pay attention. So he gets called out, but doesn’t even realize he’s being called out. And if it weren’t for that one kid, it wouldn’t be nearly as cute and funny. So thank you to the family that didn’t teach your child to pay attention! It made my day!

We didn’t have a great view for Jedi training – well, Ally did cause she was sitting on Jeff’s shoulders, but he wouldn’t let me sit there, too. I asked.

Anywho…. We finally found our way to Sci Fi and checked the menu. Eh. Nothing too terribly exciting, but it would suffice. And it looked 100 times better than any of the counter service in HS. Since we’d never eaten here before we thought it would be fun. I checked our ADR time at the counter, because I wrote down 11:05 but I could have sworn it was later. Nope, 11:05 it was. So we still had about an hour to kill.

I haven’t seen the Muppet movie in 11 years so I wanted Ally to see this. It was so much fun! This movie does not get enough credit at Disney! There are, what? Four 3D movies here? Mickey's Philharmagic at MK is awesome! Honey I Shrunk the Audience is okay, and It's Tough To Be A Bug is gross, but it has some great 3D effects..... But I think this might be my second favorite 3D movie!!!

And even though Ally has no clue who the Muppets are, I think she enjoyed it too.

Ally: "Do these glasses make my butt look big?"

My sister was a big Kermit fan when we were kids, and she did the best Miss Piggy impersonation. I, of course never acted so juvenile. I was known for my ostrich imitation. Dead on. Nobody can do an ostrich like me. My parents were so proud!

Well, until the last time my mother wanted to see it – about a year ago. I tried and about threw something out of whack. I guess an ostrich is pretty limber. So I’ve retired my feathers.

Once we left the Muppets and wandered yet again through all the side streets, it was time to head back to Sci Fi for lunch.

Some pics on the way - cause we took the long way back to Sci Fi.

Up next, our lunch at Sci Fi, TSM and ToT......

 

[Stasieki]

I saw that launch in Jax last Nov. We lived in Bartram Springs (Racetrack Rd) until last June, but was back visiting our old neighbors. They threw a big block party in the cul de sac and everyone forgot about the launch. When we saw it, we were in awe. I got teary eyed, but my DD3 was scared . It was a night I will never forget.

Enjoying your report. Love hearing about Jax, too, and even the lizards. YUK. My DD3, put one in her mouth when she was 18 mos. (almost all the way in, but it was close enough to about make me get sick). You know the ones that dry up on the driveway. Don't miss those suckers!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Fun update! I have a question - after your Jedi Training, do you "get" Star Wars? I'm so worried about getting lost on the way to TSM that I'm having nightmares about it! Love your family pics!

 

[karajeboo]

I saw that launch in Jax last Nov. We lived in Bartram Springs (Racetrack Rd) until last June, but was back visiting our old neighbors. They threw a big block party in the cul de sac and everyone forgot about the launch. When we saw it, we were in awe. I got teary eyed, but my DD3 was scared . It was a night I will never forget.

Enjoying your report. Love hearing about Jax, too, and even the lizards. YUK. My DD3, put one in her mouth when she was 18 mos. (almost all the way in, but it was close enough to about make me get sick). You know the ones that dry up on the driveway. Don't miss those suckers!

I don't know whether to laugh or throw up right now!!! I'm picturing an 18 month old trying to chow down on a lizard!!!!

The day after we moved in the shuttle actually landed at Cape Canaveral, which is rare I guess - it almost always lands in Houston. I was standing in the driveway, talking to my dad on the phone. He was watching it on TV and giving me play by play. First he told me it was over Missouri. I swear it wasn't 2 minutes later he told me it was over GA, so I knew it would be any second. We're only about 150 miles from Canaveral so I thought I could see it.

Well, there was a workman standing on the roof of the house under construction across the street. He was watching the sky and pointing to every bird that flew over!

Next thing I know.... BOOM! BOOM! The sonic boom - didn't know there were two of them! It was so cool to know that it literally flew right over my head at that speed!

Oh, and a friend of mine said that the picture I posted - with the big white cloud around it, like an explosion? Somehow I caught it EXACTLY when it hit the sound barrier. Cool, huh? Who'd have known that my little point and shoot could capture that???

 

[karajeboo]

Fun update! I have a question - after your Jedi Training, do you "get" Star Wars? I'm so worried about getting lost on the way to TSM that I'm having nightmares about it! Love your family pics!

I DID get lost in November!!!! When you go under the hat, there is a walkway, down some steps at about 1:00. Go down these steps and hang a left. TSM is on the right - can't miss it!

And no, I still don't get Star Wars!

 

[Stasieki]

I don't know whether to laugh or throw up right now!!! I'm picturing an 18 month old trying to chow down on a lizard!!!!

The day after we moved in the shuttle actually landed at Cape Canaveral, which is rare I guess - it almost always lands in Houston. I was standing in the driveway, talking to my dad on the phone. He was watching it on TV and giving me play by play. First he told me it was over Missouri. I swear it wasn't 2 minutes later he told me it was over GA, so I knew it would be any second. We're only about 150 miles from Canaveral so I thought I could see it.

Well, there was a workman standing on the roof of the house under construction across the street. He was watching the sky and pointing to every bird that flew over!

Next thing I know.... BOOM! BOOM! The sonic boom - didn't know there were two of them! It was so cool to know that it literally flew right over my head at that speed!

Oh, and a friend of mine said that the picture I posted - with the big white cloud around it, like an explosion? Somehow I caught it EXACTLY when it hit the sound barrier. Cool, huh? Who'd have known that my little point and shoot could capture that???

I can't believe you captured those pictures with a point and shoot camera. I thought they were from a bigger, pro camera. The ones I got from last Nov weren't nearly as good. Of course, the empty bottles of wine could have something to do with that

 

[karajeboo]

I was using the new Olympus point and shoot, Jeff was using the better SLR. But the little camera captured that shot! I think it was the photographer, NOT the camera!

And I know how those empty bottles can affect photographs!!!

 

[CRdisMom]

Modern marvel has wdw on it right
Now. Guess I'm not getting anything done this morning.

 

[soontobewed07]

Laura I watched the modern marvels too.

Kara- I can't believe I missed some of your TR I have been reading along just now I am taking the time to comment.

Now as for directions it is the way a man is made Mike does the same thing to me all the time and WILL NOT PULL OVER FOR DIRECTIONS

 

[SunnieRN]

To this day I will swear IT was an alligator. Jeff said it was a squirrel. But we had a large pond right on the other side of the vegetation (bushes) and squirrels don’t live in ponds. Nevermind the trees that were all around the pond. It was a alligator. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

The vegetation again - or "bushes" for those of you who prefer the "he who smelt it dealt it" story!

It just wasn’t a hungry alligator. So he left us alone.

And after we had a lizard in our bathtub at Yacht Club, I figured anything was possible, right? After all, what is an alligator but a lizard upgrade?

Oh my frippen gawd!! I was laughing so hard when I read this!! We've only been to wdw once and we spent all but the last couple of days at shades of green. On the path between shades of green and the polynesian there is a nice sidewalk and it is really quite beautiful! Trees, a small waterway, plants, bushes (or shrubs if you prefer).
Well you can walk along the sidewalk or ride on the little golf cart type trams to the end of the path.
One night we rode the monorail to the polynesian and decided to walk back to shades of green. It was a gorgeous night. No clouds in the sjy, pretty big moon....and a sign. It read "beware of alligators"!!!(insert fainting smily here).
Needless to say I was on hyper-alert the rest of the way to the resort!
Loving your trip report! My daughter wants to move to celebration after her husband gets out of the army. Rnjoy the may meet!!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Kara... Man you are keeping us in suspense - not like you have ANYTHING else to be doing right now...

 

[karajeboo]

Sorry I've been MIA lately - we bought new bedroom furniture and it's being delivered today, exactly two days before the inlaws come to visit, along with Jeff's aunt and uncle...... So we have been rearranging furniture and bedrooms. Ally is getting our existing bedroom furniture, so we moved her into a larger bedroom upstairs. Which meant moving all the stuff in that room OUT. It's a trickle down process.

But I have unloaded soooooo much stuff!!! Two huge garbage bags of junk toys - Happy Meal toys, Barbies that had a bad day at the salon, stuffed animals that fought with the dog.... and lost, etc. AND I've sold a TV cabinet, crib, dresser, and rocking chair on craigs list!!!

But I"m really stressing right now. The furniture should be here any time now. And in addition to getting all the rooms done to the point that they are habitable, Ally's 8th birthday party is Saturday and I have to make her cake!

So hopefully by Sunday I'll be pretty much back to normal. I'm upset I can't get Ally's new room painted to match her new comforter and eveything. But when our guests head to visit other family in Orlando in Sunday, I may just start that project. OR I could be smart and wait until everyone is gone next week!!!!

But I'm working on the next chapter and hope to have it up soon!