We Shared a SWW...and more! Done...At Home! (10/17)

[SimmerBaggins]

Well, after our foray into the shop (I don't recall that anything was bought), we moseyed on over to the Hall of Presidents. The girls were hot, and I wanted Natalie to see this, so these were 2 good reasons to go for a show while ... yes, we were waiting on our FPs.

But we had just missed the next show. Which is a good thing, if you're looking for a cool spot to sit down. The girls' moods, however, were not so perky.

I was trying to enliven them, but you see from this shot, that my DD was not truly in the spirit.

I was getting the cold shoulder.

I said, "We are at the happiest place on EARTH!" (you moms...haven't you had to say that??) Then I told them to get behind the column and peek around for a shot. For some reason, that got them in a good mood.

My DH was happy to be cool and sitting.

Then, this deep, disembodied voice began speaking. Where IS this guy, I'm thinking? I finally found him. He didn't look like his voice.

He started giving us instructions for our entrance into the show (which, I have no pics of). Right before we went in, though, the girls started fooling around, acting like they were slapping each other. I caught it on video -- Natalie claps her hands for sound-effect, and it looks pretty realistic!!

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The show was great, of course. I love hearing the "voices" of the other presidents...it's like a step into the past.

Then, BTMRR!!! We practically ran (or, at least I did) -- I was so ready for this coaster!!

Some CM guy got really aggravated with a dude who had his own idea where he wanted to stand in line. That was nearly a thrill buster, but we carried on.

I don't really have any pics of the ride, but it was a good one -- seemed to last a long time!

Next up...?

 

[jmskinner]

Love the slapping video, too funny. Did they get any funny looks? By the way, not everyone may be able to see that, I had to log in to FB to see it, so you may have the setting for just friends. The other pics posted though.

HoP is nice in the Summer.

Funny about the CM getting nasty with the guy trying to ride in the wrong spot. They take that very seriously on BTMRR and I have seen it at EE. They told this guy to go to say #5 and he went to #1, the CM walked over and using her finger to point said "I told you to go to that one, not this one." I think she actually tugged on his shirt too. And it wasn't a youngster.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

What a great post! I love that store...I need to find it because it seems to have different things....like that soap! I want that just for the novelty!! We hardly got wet on Splash at all but if I had experienced being wet before....it probably would have influenced riding. For instance on Kali River in AK, we rode it when we knew we were leaving....there is no way not to get soaked!!

On CHH: there are iron picnic tables outside and I am really unsure if it is an actual part of CHH. It was the only place we could find to sit. There is a walkway between the tables and CHH. I normally eat at off times to beat the crowds....this night it was after 8pm and still that busy!!

Tink, those same soaps were in the merchandise store at Epcot in Canada!

That is crazy that it was that busy at 8pm!! Frankly, though, unless it's for a snack, I cannot imagine waiting that long for supper!!

I must get some Beaver butt soap next trip! I know just the person to bring that home for!!!

Great update! Can't believe the girls didn't want to ride splash! I love splash but I am not see keen on having wet knickers! I always seem to get soaking on it too.

Love the pics of you herding your troops!!! Its hard not to isn't it? There is so much to squeeze in!

I don't wanna know who you'd buy Beaver Butt soap for!!

I wish I had pushed on Splash Mountain just a LITTLE bit more... (sigh)

And, yeah -- you need about 3 days per park before you can just RELAX...and take it easy around the park. I didn't WANT to herd them...but I was the woman with the plan!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Love the slapping video, too funny. Did they get any funny looks? By the way, not everyone may be able to see that, I had to log in to FB to see it, so you may have the setting for just friends. The other pics posted though.

HoP is nice in the Summer.

Funny about the CM getting nasty with the guy trying to ride in the wrong spot. They take that very seriously on BTMRR and I have seen it at EE. They told this guy to go to say #5 and he went to #1, the CM walked over and using her finger to point said "I told you to go to that one, not this one." I think she actually tugged on his shirt too. And it wasn't a youngster.

I think the girls were looking for a little outside attention...the slap sounds got a few looks!

I wondered about Facebook ... I might look at adding videos to another site.

That guy at BTMRR was so angry, I could not believe it! Whew -- I didn't want to be the guy he was angry at, but I would probably get angry after a while, too. Our assessment was that CM needed a break...!

 

[TinksThree]

I have not been to the Hall of Presidents since 1984! I think it has probably changed a lot since then!! The looks the girls gave you.....I can totally relate! I got one last night as Madison and I were shoppign for school clothes!!

I love BTMRR!! I think the night time rides are the coolest but I will ride it over and over!!!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I have not been to the Hall of Presidents since 1984! I think it has probably changed a lot since then!! The looks the girls gave you.....I can totally relate! I got one last night as Madison and I were shoppign for school clothes!!

I love BTMRR!! I think the night time rides are the coolest but I will ride it over and over!!!!

We were lucky to have seen it during George Bush's presidency, and then see Obama's entrance. I wish I could record them...I like the fact that they really did say the speech!

Oy, the girls could be rollercoasters, themselves, but in general, Natalie was more perky than Jordan. Jordan suffered from "been here, seen that" syndrome, not necessarily the good kind where she could have been excited to show Natalie. I hope the selfishness is a phase.

What's funny is the my DD read this last post, and then said, "I really liked BTMRR at night, the best!!"

 

[SimmerBaggins]

After BTMRR, we decided it was time for our mid-afternoon break. This routine, as I said before, seemed to work well for us. Instead of just walking to the front of the park, we elected to take the train!

There was a small wait, and but a lot of people. Some people seemed more irritable than normal, but I think it was the heat. I snapped a couple of obscure shots while we were waiting at the station.

This appears to be the cargo holding area. I was looking for hidden Mickeys, and thought I would check the pictures when I got home. I still don't see any.

There was a saddle, which of course, drew my attention. But what's in the box marked, "The Egyptian"? Strange.

Next, I noticed, to my astonishment, some silent chickens in a crate.

I say I was astonished because on Tom Sawyer's Island, there is ONE INFERNAL CHICKEN which makes MORE NOISE than any chicken I have ever heard make. This is it, from last year (we didn't visit the island this year):

Maybe those were brown chickens, and the other one was a white chicken, and that is why.

The train arrives, I find us an entirely empty row, and we occupy it, gladly.

This was our view:

That is one tall tree.

As we arrive at our station at the front of the park, I note that our baggage preceded us:

We made it back to our room at Kadani, and I believe that is when I bought my little Mickey coconut heads...and took a nap. (there's no sleeping smiley)

....snooooooozzzzzzzeeeee.............

When we boarded back on the bus, you can see the difference a nap can make!!

As a matter of fact, the bus that arrived to pick us up had a "new shift" bus driver, and he was ready for the day! I think I have a video of the girls taking advantage of a new, empty bus back to the World!

 

[jmskinner]

I love how you write, you make the story as you go unlike me that gives the details, just the details.

Yes, naps do change attitudes. And I tell you, it is the heat. I see more irate people in the Summer standing in a 20 min line, than in line in the Winter with a 120 minute wait. So why don't I ever go for a weekend in the Winter?

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I love how you write, you make the story as you go unlike me that gives the details, just the details.

Yes, naps do change attitudes. And I tell you, it is the heat. I see more irate people in the Summer standing in a 20 min line, than in line in the Winter with a 120 minute wait. So why don't I ever go for a weekend in the Winter?

I think I prefer how you blog, frankly -- I like the details! I just don't have a great memory of everything.

And so, are you saying you'd like to get a girl's weekend sometime in the winter?

 

[SimmerBaggins]

We were ready for the rest of our day at Magic Kingdom! The girls did a little line dancing on the bus:

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When we got to the castle, I wanted to get some personal pictures, for Natalie and both girls together:

Then, we were HUNGRY! We decided to go over and grab some grub at Cosmic Ray's. For some reason, I decided to forgo the burger and get something more nutritious (it might have been all the fried food I'd recently eaten) -- I got the wrap.

It was a little drier than I would prefer, and I got tired of the tortilla and ate the insides, toward the end.

It's kind of hard to see our standard entertainer in this pic. I like to hear what he has to say, but for the most part, you just can't hear him over the roar of the eaters.

By the time we got out, night was falling.

The girls decided they wanted to do the Laugh Floor again, so we went in again. This time, we sat close to the middle aisle, with Natalie on the end. And SURPRISE!! The hypnotist called on her! Asked her where she was from, and then made fun of her -- and it was great fun!

Afterward, we headed over to our MUST DO ride, POTC!

Mr. Jones was looking rather scattered that night. I asked him to speak up, but he merely muttered at us as we went by.

I swear he opened his mouth so wide, I got a little freaked...

I was flash-less, so my pics weren't very bueno.

Why is there a BIRD in this cave? And on this skeleton's head?

The girls opted to join the crew. We managed to talk them out of it.

Then, as we walked out, we noted the parade off in the distance. We swore we weren't interested. Naw, we'd catch it later. We tried to think of what else we wanted to do over here (no, the girls were not going for Splash); when suddenly, I saw Pete's Dragon.

Pete's DRAGON??? One of my FAVORITE stories!!!

Not good pictures...we were drawn closer...and closer...

I climbed up on a wall and watched, and some members of the crew...er, family, did too.

We did walk around and entered into a store that had heraldry stuff -- but when I asked for some more information, the CMs that were there said it was run independently of the rest of the store, and the fellow that ran it was gone.

We were tired, and went home after that -- it had been a long day!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

On our 4th day, we started off a little slower than before...no rope drop for us. (sigh) But we did have a significant event happening this morning.

You might have thought, by looking at this picture, that the girls were being forced to attend some kind of event that they weren't interested in! (get that caffeine, girls!!)

But in fact, we were moving!! We had packed up all our bags and gave them to the bellhop. It was always wonderful, waking up to that savanna, and I didn't know how much I would miss it.

Here's my DH, getting instructions as to how we were to get to our new resort.

Or...wait! Was it a new resort?

NO!! It's Concierge-level, AKV!! We were so excited about this. But we had to wait until after the park to get our room. So...which park were we heading for?

That's right -- Epcot! Another woo-hoo -- I love this park!

Now, our plan was -- okay. MY plan was, not to go into the World Showcase until the next Epcot day. There is SO much to do in the Future World, and I wanted to make sure the girls got to see most of it!

The first place we headed (after seeing the line at Spaceship Earth) was to get FPs for Soarin'. It was a definite must do, and must do not stand in that crazy line. I don't remember how long it was for the FP time, but it wasn't in the next hour. Then we did a U-Turn (after seeing the crazy crazy line for Living with the Land), and went back to Innoventions West.

The girls made video games of themselves -- pretty cool how it captured their moves and stances!!

Robert and I found seats. I don't know why it just feels good to sit in there and let the kids have fun...why is that a good thing? I'm such an old adult.

Anyway, the girls found the Great Piggy Bank Adventure.

Look! You can see der lil' piggy in der!!

Well, they took der piggy and he magically became a game. Dunno how.

See der piggy????

Dey put him in da machine...dey had to figgur out how much he was wurth.

I thot dey wud get to keep der piggy...but no.

Sad.

Anyway, we went on, looked at things. Things for hearing better.

Things for cooling better. (hasn't this been here a long time?? Why don't we use it, yet?)

And things for moving better. In case you don't know about this Segway, there are only 2 of these in the world. This one, at Epcot, doesn't work.

Then, the girls went into the Hook and Loop. This little place isn't on the Innoventions map, so I think it's pretty new. They stayed in there. And stayed in there. And I thought, just disappeared. So I sent DH to look for them.

Ah...this is why!

And now, I was itching to go. But, where would we go??

 

[mermaid764]

Awesome updates!

How exciting that you guys were moving to concierge level.

Can't wait for more

 

[jmskinner]

Great update! Everything you did at Innoventions,we haven't done. We were thinking about going to Epcot tomorrow, so maybe we will do them. I still need to see the parade, guess I have time now that they have extended it.

And so, are you saying you'd like to get a girl's weekend sometime in the winter?

Anytime is good for me girl! Winter, Summer, Fall. Jelly Rolls is inside so we don't have to worry about heat.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Great update! I also loved that little Hook and Loop place. We made several little froggy guys and the girls still play with them now. Good fun!

 

[TinksThree]

Ahhhh... I LOVE Epcot!!! I wish I could "go for the day"!! We did nnot make it to innovations this trip due to time restraints and last year we went in Innovation East and we were bored! But this one looks like it is fun!!

Crazy lines!! When we went on Living with the Land it was only 10 minutes and when we got off the wait was 45 minutes!!

Yay for concierge!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Awesome updates!

How exciting that you guys were moving to concierge level.

Can't wait for more

You know who was probably the most excited about Concierge? My DD!! Well, she and my DH were probably neck & neck...!

Great update! Everything you did at Innoventions,we haven't done. We were thinking about going to Epcot tomorrow, so maybe we will do them. I still need to see the parade, guess I have time now that they have extended it.

Anytime is good for me girl! Winter, Summer, Fall. Jelly Rolls is inside so we don't have to worry about heat.

It's so easy to miss stuff at Epcot -- and those things were new from last year! Hope you at least get Jacob to do his very own video game!!

We've dropped the price on the house again...I'm hoping it sells soon (well, I've been hoping for a while, now)...and then we can talk in earnest about a trip.

Great update! I also loved that little Hook and Loop place. We made several little froggy guys and the girls still play with them now. Good fun!

It took them FOREVER to make those things!! Then, they stuck them in my backpack and I don't know that Jordan has ever looked for it since!

Ahhhh... I LOVE Epcot!!! I wish I could "go for the day"!! We did nnot make it to innovations this trip due to time restraints and last year we went in Innovation East and we were bored! But this one looks like it is fun!!

Crazy lines!! When we went on Living with the Land it was only 10 minutes and when we got off the wait was 45 minutes!!

Yay for concierge!!

When it's hot, Epcot is almost unbearable...but I love how much there is to do. i've always said it's at least a 2 day park, but it's more than that. There has to be a way you can get a trip -- unhindered! That's what Melissa and I are hoping to do. At least for my sake!

I couldn't believe how long people would wait to ride the Living with the Land ride...when in the afternoon, it's a walk-on!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

We walked out, and the beautiful sky greeted us --

Omgosh -- it's the Tron Monorail!

Can any picture get better than this? Okay, i missed a little nose:

Well, it was lunchtime, and we headed for Sunshine Seasons! I was ready for some good, wholesome food. We went a little early, and there were plenty of seats available. But unnervingly, the Land of the Lost line went right by the table we sat at. And the Lost liners all felt it was their obligation to stare at our food. And us.

DH got the baked chicken, mashed potatoes and carrots. Yum. You can see my DH's Key Lime pie. I don't really like that stuff. My DD's strawberry shortcake is beyond.

Here's my DD's beef & broccoli with noodles...she wasn't really enthralled with it.

Natalie got chinese, too, but got cashew chicken, I think.

I got the same think DH got, but added a pineapple upside down cake.

The girls...you can see the line right behind them.

With full tummies, we headed for -- NEMO!!

My DH was entranced by the flowers...and fell behind.

I like the distraction of the fishies.

My DH likes the interaction between the animation and real background. The ride was good...there seems to be something missing about it, though.

This picture is dark, but you can see the scuba diver in the background.

We went into the "side-bar" aquarium:

They were feeding the eels, which had to swim up into the tubes to get their food.

Anyone guess who is next?

 

[jmskinner]

CRUSH!!!! Am I right, huh, huh?

Sunshine Season has become one of my favorite places to eat, but nothing there for Jacob. I love the Salmon!

Hmmm, so Robert got distracted by the flowers. You must make a trip during the Flower and Garden Festival. It's amazing how the park is transformed.

And I don't think I have ever seen the line for Living with the Land that long.

And too cool about the eel feedings. Jacob would love to see that, do you remember what time of day this was? He also wants to ride the Tron monorail, I keep telling him it is just the monotrail painted.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

CRUSH!!!! Am I right, huh, huh?

Sunshine Season has become one of my favorite places to eat, but nothing there for Jacob. I love the Salmon!

Hmmm, so Robert got distracted by the flowers. You must make a trip during the Flower and Garden Festival. It's amazing how the park is transformed.

And I don't think I have ever seen the line for Living with the Land that long.

And too cool about the eel feedings. Jacob would love to see that, do you remember what time of day this was? He also wants to ride the Tron monorail, I keep telling him it is just the monotrail painted.

Of course you're right! I make my questions easy.

I hope one of these days Jacob finds something else he really likes. It's sad for all of you.

We do want to make the Flower & Garden Festival! Robert would love it.

I ... was stunned about the "crazy crazy line" for LwtL -- why would anyone do that? Okay...even the line for Star Tours felt crazy, too, but it was understandable, given the SWW event.

It was around lunchtime when they were feeding the eels! What time would you think it was!!! Sorry, it was really around noon. The guy said they had to feed them like that, or the eels would fight over the food.

And, hey -- you mean we've ridden the Tron monorail, and you haven't?

Oh, wait...we aren't to that part, yet...

 

[dancer4life22]

delted