Weird and Ninja’s Pre-Disneymoon [Completed!]

[therussells08]

Great update! I did not know that about the Fountain of Nations! That is so cool! I've learned something new again from your TR!

The feet pictures are very cool! It looks like a really artistic collage!

DH and I have never done the single rider lines before because we always really want to ride together, but we might have to try it in December to avoid some of the long lines!

Oh my, I got chills reading about your car accident. I'm so glad you came out of it okay! Thankfully I have never been in a serious accident. (Knock on wood!) I am a little scared of cars anyway, just because the thought of being in an accident is terrifying.

Just a side note...I drive a CR-V!! I love it!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

DVC is very flexible. You pay for x number of points a year, and you can use them any time, at any of the DVC resorts or $100 for a choice of like 400 resorts world wide. Very flexible - it was perfect for us.

I like the collage of your feet. Almost like you meant to do it!

eek that dummy is super creepy! I totally picture a horror movie.

 

[LilAnn]

You're totally on a roll with these updates! Love the photo collage of your feet. Funny you should mention the KK series because I have actually been thinking of ordering it this weekend with my B&N discount coupon. Is it going to freak me out?

Since you can't handle much more intense rides than TT, looks like you wouldn't be able to take part in Lorelai and Rory's tour of the major amusement parks and roller coasters!

 

[klacey1]

Haha, we spent a ridiculous time in the car showroom our last trip even though neither of us like cars. At all. DBF and I require that they run. Pretty much it.
I was also in a car accident in college-- I was driving from NY to RI (where I went to school) after a weekend at home. I was in the middle lane on I-95 behind someone going 45 mph on a 65 road. So, I decided to pass them. I had ample room and began to go into the left lane, but the car already in the left lane I would have been in front of decided they didn't want me in front of them. So they spend up and attempted to go in the breakdown lane and pass me. They hit my car, I cried like a baby. What a mess. No one was hurt at all, thankfully. Still very scary. It took me awhile to feel totally comfortable driving again, so I give you BIG PROPS for going for your road test after your accident. I know how scary it is!!
I have to start reading Kingdom Keepers--never heard a bad review for them!! Don't know if I want to start fearing the TT dummies though, haha.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Just checking in before we leave tomorrow morning...don't do too many updates while I'm gone!

Anyways...great updates. You know I am kind of obsessed with vinylmations but I do agree that some of them are kind of scary. That is why I stick to only the park ones that have some Disney meaning. Some of the urban ones are just weird.

Reading KK sure gives you a whole new look at the Disney rides. That whole thing with Test Track was very interesting. I now have my dad into reading them too.

 

[floridascgirl]

Thanks for another awesome update!

 

[dellasgirl]

y

 

[RachelNinja]

Great update! I did not know that about the Fountain of Nations! That is so cool! I've learned something new again from your TR!

The feet pictures are very cool! It looks like a really artistic collage!

DH and I have never done the single rider lines before because we always really want to ride together, but we might have to try it in December to avoid some of the long lines!

Oh my, I got chills reading about your car accident. I'm so glad you came out of it okay! Thankfully I have never been in a serious accident. (Knock on wood!) I am a little scared of cars anyway, just because the thought of being in an accident is terrifying.

Just a side note...I drive a CR-V!! I love it!

I was hoping to add a lot of those extra fun facts and secret things to this TR since I read a lot before the trip. But it's hard to keep track of it when actually writing the TR! I think that could be the "theme" of a future TR! Hehe. Already thinking about the future ones because you know that's going to be our vacation spot!

Weird added those pics to Google Picasa or something and it automatically made it into a collage. So cool! Haha, I was like, "Do I have to pick a few pics to show what I did?" Of course, it wouldn't be the same to say that I had 40+ pics of my feet, so he knew to collage it!

I think Weird and I would always have to ride the ride together at least once, and we can do that with waiting early in the morning or getting FP. However, there's such repeatability with a ride like TT, that we'd have to do single riders to get 5+ rides in! Haha.

Yeah, accidents really freak me out even more now. Whenever we sit in traffic, I always say, "I don't care. I'd rather be sitting in traffic than be the one in the accident." It really puts things in perspective, and it makes you really focus your attention on those people who may be hurt and who need prayer!

Haha, CR-V's are awesome! I agree that the acceleration isn't as great as other cars, but um, I don't really need to accelerate quickly!

DVC is very flexible. You pay for x number of points a year, and you can use them any time, at any of the DVC resorts or $100 for a choice of like 400 resorts world wide. Very flexible - it was perfect for us.

I like the collage of your feet. Almost like you meant to do it!

eek that dummy is super creepy! I totally picture a horror movie.

DVC will probably be something that Weird and I will never be able to afford. It just wouldn't be realistic. Maybe many years down the road when we have a family! Now it's just not going to work since we're struggling to even go to WDW once! Plus, if DVC members are renting points out ... hehe, I'll get to experience it all without worrying about the committment!

I should purposefully get a pic of our feet in each Disney park from now on!

It's terrible; I look at a lot of things and think horror movie! Haha, I get scared way too easily.

You're totally on a roll with these updates! Love the photo collage of your feet. Funny you should mention the KK series because I have actually been thinking of ordering it this weekend with my B&N discount coupon. Is it going to freak me out?

Since you can't handle much more intense rides than TT, looks like you wouldn't be able to take part in Lorelai and Rory's tour of the major amusement parks and roller coasters!

I'm so excited about updating this TR because there's a slight chance that a Disneymoon could be possible. So I'm thinking more and more about Disney, and knowing I can write about a past trip helps tide me over instead of thinking TOO much about whether or not a Disneymoon is possible. Speaking of wedding planning, I should probably update my blog some time soon, haha.

The KK series isn't that creepy. I know I can still go to the parks; it's just fun "knowing" more about it! I read an article or something somewhere about how Ridley Pearson had to make the kids into holograms and how most of the action had to happen at night because Disney didn't want real kids to be potentially hurt during park hours. Haha, so if anything, that's comforting because the Overtakers mainly do their thing at night! In all seriousness though, it's not that creepy because if it were, I wouldn't read it over and over again! I just finished rereading KK3 just now. I read it in April when it came out, and then I waited a bit to read it again! I need to get KK2 back from Weird who borrowed it from me to reread it!

No WAY would I be able to deal with Lorelai and Rory's rollercoaster tour! Haha, although technically they didn't get to do it because she had to follow Obama!

Haha, we spent a ridiculous time in the car showroom our last trip even though neither of us like cars. At all. DBF and I require that they run. Pretty much it.
I was also in a car accident in college-- I was driving from NY to RI (where I went to school) after a weekend at home. I was in the middle lane on I-95 behind someone going 45 mph on a 65 road. So, I decided to pass them. I had ample room and began to go into the left lane, but the car already in the left lane I would have been in front of decided they didn't want me in front of them. So they spend up and attempted to go in the breakdown lane and pass me. They hit my car, I cried like a baby. What a mess. No one was hurt at all, thankfully. Still very scary. It took me awhile to feel totally comfortable driving again, so I give you BIG PROPS for going for your road test after your accident. I know how scary it is!!

I have to start reading Kingdom Keepers--never heard a bad review for them!! Don't know if I want to start fearing the TT dummies though, haha.

Ooo, what a terrible car accident! I'm glad you're okay! A lot of people didn't understand my fear. They kept saying that I just had to get behind the wheel and drive. Some people at church were pressuring me to drive as if it was no big deal. The more people would say I should drive, the more I didn't want to drive. Thankfully, my mom and Weird NEVER pressured me into driving. Mom suggested it a few times, but never did she force me. Eventually, I came around on my own, and I thanked both of them for never pushing me to drive! If they had, I'd probably still need a ride to and from work now!

I do have to say that I wish the story flowed a bit more seamlessly in the KK series. It's not fantastic literature, haha. I mean, I wouldn't ever choose to teach a book like that in my classes (unless it was a Disney class ... haha!) because it just isn't a good example of great literature. Of course, when I'm reading KK, I don't really care about great literature! I just want the excitement and the fun and the adventure!

I was, however, very disappointed in one scene in KK3. Other than the main boy Finn, there are a bunch of other kids who are also Kingdom Keepers. Ridley Pearson accidentally used the wrong name (switched Philby and Maybeck) in one of the scenes. It didn't make sense because Philby is the tech guy and wasn't with Finn. Maybeck was with Finn! But the scene was written that Philby was with Finn (even though in the previous 2 pages, he was working on the cameras). Poor editing.

Just checking in before we leave tomorrow morning...don't do too many updates while I'm gone!

Anyways...great updates. You know I am kind of obsessed with vinylmations but I do agree that some of them are kind of scary. That is why I stick to only the park ones that have some Disney meaning. Some of the urban ones are just weird.

Reading KK sure gives you a whole new look at the Disney rides. That whole thing with Test Track was very interesting. I now have my dad into reading them too.

Haha, the plan is to keep updating, but this may just be a phase! Who knows if I lapse back into my once a week! Ahh, can't believe you get to go again! I hope you have a TON of fun with your sisters! And thanks for trying to get the pin for me!

Your excitement over Vinylmations is what makes me interested in them! I think you're right though, the park ones are the only ones worth getting! I realize that the ones I think are crazy creepy are the Urban ones. They're just ... designed for no reason, I feel. The park ones are all about Disney!

I can't help getting obsessed over KK because I feel as if it's completely real! You know the parts in KK2 that mention how someone wrote a book about the kids so they got some fame? Haha, I chuckle inwardly about that!

Thanks for another awesome update!

You're welcome! Thanks for still following!

Hope the entertainment is going well with the popcorn!

 

[RachelNinja]

Monday, April 5: Real Umbrellas at the Electric Umbrella!

Taking a spin on Test Track definitely gave us an appetite! My dad knew exactly what he wanted: a turkey leg! In his opinion, that's probably the redeeming factor of the stress of being in a Disney park. Thankfully, there was a cart nearby that sold those huge legs of gobble gobble.

We headed to Electric Umbrella so the rest of us could find something else to eat. I was kind of excited to go because last time we were there in 2008, I had this really yummy salad (well, after I took out the gross golden raisins). Unfortunately, they didn't have the salad any longer.

I had to look at the menu to figure out what I wanted to eat. Funny thing is that it was only until I saw Weird's picture that I realized there were "electric umbrellas" above the menus! Wow, I can't believe that I've never noticed it before! I can be so oblivious sometimes.

The terrible thing was the line! It took such a long time. But I was waiting with Weird, so I had good company!

Look, more electric umbrella-ness!

After we ordered, we waited a bit for the food. It was interesting to see how their system worked. It was kind of strange that they had so many trays of food just waiting there and no one taking them and giving them to the people. It just seemed a bit too disorganized. I mean, there are only so many different items on the menu, so shouldn't it be a little bit easier? I think they also ran out of something for the kid meals too because there was someone in the other line that was having an issue.

Finally! Our food! We headed on upstairs to find my family who had been eating the turkey leg for a while! I think it was pretty much all gone at that point, haha. I did have to take a picture of the cup. Even though a lot of people have posted these cups many times on DIS, I was thrilled that I finally had it so that I could drink from it!

I munched on my chicken tenders and fries until I was full. That didn't take that long. Weird had the turkey sandwich that he really enjoyed. Unfortunately, we didn't realize that it probably would've been better if Matt and I split a chicken lunch. Mom actually had a baggie (what a mom, right?) that we put the chicken in, and she had a little cooler with ice in her backpack, so we were able to take the leftovers with us on the go.

We didn't take the fries though, so my mom actually started munching on them! I HAD to take a picture of it because it was such a momentous occasion! My mom rarely has fries just because she doesn't care for them that much. If she does have fries, she lets Matt and me eat them because we're crazy about fries! This really was vacation!

We finally finished om nom nom-ing on our food, and Weird collected the trash to throw it away. Hehe, what a cutie helping the family out.

Walking down the stairs was a bit difficult. I thought this was just the weirdest placement for a planter! I actually had to turn sideways to get through the railing and the plant! I mean, it looks like enough space, and it's not like we were squished, but it just got us laughing! It just made us move closer to the guy sitting on the other side of the railing! It really would've been okay had there been no decoration there! Maybe a guest moved it there.

And just an extra story before ending this update: During lunch, I was watching this family in a bigger table by the wall. The girl was flipping out and wailing so much! I felt so bad for her, and I said to Weird, "That girl needs a nap!" I know DISers who stay on property often bring their kiddies back to the resort for a nap and then a swim. That's what was in the back of my mind as I saw that girl. Then from that point on, Weird and I would say, "That girl needs a nap." Hehe, Weird said that about me a few times during the trip ... haha. I thought about that being my trip report title too!

 

[therussells08]

I have never had a turkey leg but they always look delicious to me when I see others eating them. Do you like them? I am not a big fan of that turkey flavor, like when you eat a turkey sandwich, but for some reason I wouldn't imagine the turkey legs to taste like that. Maybe I just think they look yummy because you always see people in cartoons eating them!

Ugh that line looks like no fun! The worse line we have ever had for CS at WDW was at the Flame Tree Barbecue place in AK. That was when I went for Spring Break with DH and my sister in 2009. We thought it would be a good idea if I grabbed us a table and they waited in line for the food. Well, I sat at that table waiting for them for over an hour! By the time they brought the food I was so hot I couldn't even eat.

Electric umbrella is always sooo crowded when we go there. I think you're right, they don't have a really good system for distributing food.

I love it when people do things on vacation that they wouldn't normally do, like when your mom ate french fries! I just love the feeling of everyone stepping outside the "norm" and having a great time!

 

[klacey1]

I've actually heard that from several people about KK-- that the writing is pretty stilted. I'm actually a book editor, so little things like mixing up character names/placement would kill me. Still think I'll give at least the first one a trip-- maybe on my super long flight to Vegas in a couple of weeks!
That poor little girl-- I feel like so many parents just push their kids at Disney even when they're giving them plain signs that they're tired. Not cool.
Haha love that your mom had the baggie and ice in her bag-- such a mom thing to do!

 

[LilAnn]

I ordered the first book in the KK series so I'll have to tell you what I think after I'm all done. I'm in the middle of another book, though so it may be a little while.

Those turkey legs are huge! My husband got one on a previous trip and could barely make it through half of it. It makes me full just looking at it!

I love that your parents enjoy Disney. I keep trying to convince my parents to do a bigger family trip, but still no luck. although they come a lot closer when my daughter asks them to go.

 

[Cat0727]

Test Track is such a great ride

I'm trying to place Electric Umbrella. I know I've passed it before but I just can't remember. It looked so busy when you were there

Aww wow did your mom really finish off that box of fries all by herself? Hehe my mom always carries baggies too. I'd like to start doing that when I go out without her, because they come in handy!

 

[HowWeird]

Haha the next time we go (Disneymoon? ) we have to take pictures with the lights above the tables at the Electric Umbrella!

Even though I said you needed a nap at some points, I'm really glad you didn't take one! It would've been weird for me to sit around while you napped. What would I do without you??

 

[SoonerGirl]

I've been off the DIS for a few days and had 3 updates to read - you've been busy, girl!

Loved the video of Weird trying Beverly - I can't believe he actually drank the whole thing!

On TT, I've never noticed Mickey in the office during the ride - I'm going to have to watch for that next time - thanks!

 

[Believeinfairytales]

Wow! Two updates to catch up on! I enjoyed your TT update the most. I like that ride, but boy the lines! Maybe I should try single rider next time.

I feel ya on the not liking to drive. I don't mind driving locallly, but I won't drive in a lot of traffic or on the freeways. It makes me too nervous! My co-workers make fun of me all the time, but I don't care. I go where I need to. LOL!

I have eaten at the Electric Umbrella before. Loooonnng time ago! It was good. I think I had the cheeseburger. I'm so glad that you are even enjoying the smallest moments with Weird. It makes me smile when you talk about long lines, but how nice it is that Weird is with you making it better.

 

[Bridora]

Wow! Look at you with all those updates!

I'll never remember what all I wanted to comment on, and for some reason I didn't take notes!

Figment is something we always ride, just because it's cute and there's rarely a line...we normally go on during Evening Extra Magic Hours. We've never taken the time, though to really explore the line area like you got to do...And I've never seen Flubber, either! But Honey I Shrunk the Kids was one of my most favorite movies growing up & I've since shown it to the kids who like it, too! Now they'll be able to appreciate that playground at Hollywood Studios more! On with Figment, the kids used to cry when they were smaller when we got to the skunk room. And I always forget about that blast of air--gets me every time!

Aw, your Dreamfinder experience was bad...and then to have lost the picture on top of it all.

And Weird is brave for drinking that whole cup of Beverly...Wow!


Cute collage of feet pictures! That actually a good idea, to do on purpose. You could take pictures of your feet from all over the parks and then put them all together in a collage like that! I may have to do that...

And yay for Test Track! I've always wanted to just go on the Single Rider line, but don't want to ride by myself. I am almost almost finished with Kingdom Keepers II, so I can only imagine what is in store in KKIII!


Cute umbrellas! Those plants may have been at the bottom of the stairs earlier in the day to block off the upstairs part of the seating area from guests. I think I've seen them there before when they don't want people going up there for whatever reason (not crowded enough?!)

I enjoy your VMK pictures, too! I never played, but it's neat to see all your rooms and things you did...especially since it was part of Kingdom Keepers...

I'll have to try to keep up better in the future!

 

[stacikristine]

Two updates?! You've been busy!

I had no clue about the fountain and people from all of those different countries pouring water into it. HOW NEAT! I love all of the little touches that Disney does--things like this make it so special.

Your shoe pics are hilarious. I bet you were really surprised when you found out that you'd been taking pictures the whole time! And your car comments cracked me up! You look so small in that huge car.

Wow, I can see why you're not fond of cars though. I've been in one really bad wreck when I was little (my mom flew out and broke her collar bone), and then I was rear-ended in college, and I freak out sometimes. I can't imagine being in a wreck as big as yours. That's awesome that you're able to drive and not be so scared now though! Oh--and I love CRVs! Michael and I either want that or a Rav4 for our next car. My parents just bought a Rav4 and they love it.

I've never even been inside the Electric Umbrella...those umbrellas on the walls look neat, though! Was the food good? And that was a weird placement of the plant. Maybe it was an accident.

Great updates!

 

[irky416]

Monday, April 5: Not Quite My Friends!

After we finished with The Land, we headed on over to The Seas. Looking back, we probably should have headed over to get FP for something like Test Track, but I thought that we'd be able to use the GAC to prevent criss-crossing. More on that later.

The next stop was the scariest pavilion, in my opinion. The SEAS! I know it's a little less frightening with the addition of "Nemo and Friends," but I just don't like sea animals. Haha, again, another irrational fear because it's not like I've ever been stuck in a position where I could be attacked by sea animals!

I'm so behind! I'm going to try to catch up before I have to go back to school. Between wedding stuff, vacation, and my broken laptop, I have been neglecting your TR, but I am going to remedy that by trying to comment on each post instead of a, "Hey! I'm caught up!!" post.

I love that you have a story for each animal that you hate! Do you hate sea creatures more than buffalo? I love sea creatures. They make me so excited whenever we go snorkeling...except for this one time I saw a huge red eel about 5 inches from my face! I started freaking out and because the water was so shallow and we were surrounded by reef I couldn't go anywhere.

I can't believe there was a line for Nemo either! I never noticed all the stuff you took pictures of because we moved through there so fast. Now I will know to look for it.

 

[irky416]

Commenting on your Proposal Parts I&II:

I loved reading the whole story again! I'm so happy for both of you! Your ring is really pretty. The fact that you have meaning behind your wedding colors is awesome.

My DH (wow, first time I typed that!) didn't get down on one knee either. And I kind of had the same reaction as you, so I was glad to know I wasn't alone. It's weird how we had been together for so long, but I got nervous all of a sudden!

I bet you're glad he waited to do it at the retreat than at WDW!

I loved both those parts of The Office you mentioned. I had forgotten about when Jim faked her out by tying his shoe. (We're going to watch the one where they get married tonight...I will think of you since you just mentioned it the other day!)