That is in the lobby of the Shades of Green hotel. He was donated to the hotel by Disney as a thank you to all the military. Well, Mickey was donated, not DH. He is our annual welcoming committee.
Why is it always over so fast? Vacation people, vacation!
- Thread starter jusero
- Start date
That is in the lobby of the Shades of Green hotel. He was donated to the hotel by Disney as a thank you to all the military. Well, Mickey was donated, not DH. He is our annual welcoming committee.
Angel16
<b><font color=f95602>Member of the 'Jambo! WildBu
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2004
- Messages
- 2,206
Really enjoying your trip report and pictures. Love you sence of humor. Had to share with my DH your story about the wedding and you question about a word you wondered about. 
Thank you
I would like your opinon on the Lion King show, some posters have mentioned they noticed it is a smaller (proformers) show and shorter. Your pictures are wonderful and the show looks the same to me from the pics. What is your thoughts? We plan on going not matter, I love the show. Just found it interesting that people think it has been changed due to the downturn in those that travel.
Angel16
Thank youI would like your opinon on the Lion King show, some posters have mentioned they noticed it is a smaller (proformers) show and shorter. Your pictures are wonderful and the show looks the same to me from the pics. What is your thoughts? We plan on going not matter, I love the show. Just found it interesting that people think it has been changed due to the downturn in those that travel.
Angel16
Really enjoying your trip report and pictures. Love you sence of humor. Had to share with my DH your story about the wedding and you question about a word you wondered about.
I would like your opinon on the Lion King show, some posters have mentioned they noticed it is a smaller (proformers) show and shorter. Your pictures are wonderful and the show looks the same to me from the pics. What is your thoughts? We plan on going not matter, I love the show. Just found it interesting that people think it has been changed due to the downturn in those that travel.
Angel16
Hi Angel. Thanks for sharing in my fun. We never miss the Lion King Show, ever since the very beginning of the show's run. And in all the times we have seen it, I have never noticed a difference in the show or the length. This year was no different. As a matter of fact, the only thing throughout the parks that I saw a change in was the Maelstrom ride in Norway at Epcot. That has been cut by a LOT. It use to have three or four drops and now has just one or posibly two. I was a bit disappointed.
Great report so far!
Love all the photos, especially the one at AK of Leo and the fish--it looks like Mickey is about to lose his nose!And the one in the SOG lobby with the guy zonked out on the sofa
Never noticed Mickey in the fish photo! It does look like he's protecting Leo, doesn't it?
mdsouth
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2005
- Messages
- 3,119
I am having lots of fun reading your TR and I am only on page 2.
You really made me chuckle out loud over these two things. I just happened to start reading your report from your title alone. Then I discovered your military background and SofG and I wanted to read it even more. My father served in the Armed Forces (Air Force, Army and Army Reserve) for over a forty year period before he died. My brother was in the Air Force along with lots of aunts and uncles. I think my dad would have loved to stay at Shades of Green. He would have found lots of "extended family members" to visit with and just enjoy being around. My one and only trip to WDW as a kid was when I was 13 in 1977. I don't think Shades of Green was open then.
I need to finish catching up with your TR.
rcsilverspring
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2008
- Messages
- 426
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Glad you're back safe & sound.
I'll be looking forward to the next installment.Chapter Five: Soarin’ Around the World
Our first day at Epcot started early with the EMH. We were up and out of Shades by 7:15 a.m. and headed down the walk to the Poly to catch the monorail. The morning dew covered the grounds and gave our surroundings a fresh sparkle in the rising sun. This time of morning is my favorite time of the day. I took a few photos along the path (which I posted previously in the out and about chapter).
We got there just a few minutes before the 8 a.m. opening so we didn’t have long to wait. I took a few photos of the park on the monorail ride through on the way in.
Off the monorail, through security and into the park. By the way, why is it so many people wait until they get right up to the security guard before they start pulling bags out from under strollers or taking them off their backs or unzipping all the pockets and compartments? I know this is not their first time going through security. If you have your bags out and ready by the time you get up there, the entire line moves a lot faster. I have even seen people get upset with the security people because they ask them to unzip their bags. What, do they think the security people have x-ray vision?
Anyway, I digress.
After the obligatory photo of Leo in front of the golf ball, we head on through towards Soarin’.
Now, I know we promised not to run this trip, but you kinda have to make exceptions now and again. And Soarin’ is one of those exceptions. Off we go on a sort of trot … well, as close to one as I could get my Pooh-sized posterior to move.
Once we got there, we headed straight for the fast pass machines, grabbed our fast passes and headed for the regular entrance to ride. Now, this is about 8:15 a.m. or so, so we are among the very first and the standby line was just 20 minutes. However, our fast passes were for already for 10 a.m. Sheesh.
So we ride Soarin’ and lucked out with the middle row. I don’t like the very top because you can see the top of the screen and the very bottom you can see the bottom. Leo doesn’t like it when he can see the floating feet above us, but that’s hard to avoid unless you get the very top. But then, who really cares about screen edges and floating feet?
I tried taking some photos while on the ride by placing the camera in my lap and just snapping a few shots. Most didn’t turn out, but a few came out so-so.
After the ride, we still had about an hour or so before out fast passes to ride a second time. So we took off to see Honey I Shrunk the Audience. No such luck. Honey is now closed for total renovations in preparation of becoming Capt. Eos. Thought the area was pretty quiet, even for this hour. And, yes, that is Leo in the white shirt. It’s almost like Where’s Waldo with him sometimes.
Anyway, back over to the Land area to ride Nemo. After stopping to say hi to the “mine, mine, mine, mine” seagulls, we headed into the ride. With absolutely no line, we just walked up and hopped on. Well, after winding around and around and around … and around … the twisting, winding, dark queue. Dizzy by the time we got to the front, we staggered onto the moving walkway and stumbled into the clam mobiles.
We were in and out so fast, we still had a while before out 10 a.m. fast passes for Soarin’. We decided to ride Living with the Land to kill some time. After the standard ooos and aaahhhs about the tomato tree and the Mickey shaped pumpkins, we were off to Soarin’ again. This time, Leo asked me to video tape the ride. I really can’t say how it turned out, we have yet to look.
I still don’t know why he insists on taking that darned video camera every single year. He never tapes a full length anything and, what he does tape always turns out so jiggly he won’t watch it because it makes him sea sick. And, to me, what sense does it make to video tape the first 30 seconds of a ride – or the last 30 seconds – and nothing more? We have yet to watch anything he has taped.
Anyway…
On to the “other side.” I wanted to ride Test Track. Wasn’t happening. The wait was too long so we grabbed our fast passes and headed out to Innoventions. We wanted to do the free test rides on the Segways. After doing that the last time we went, we wanted to try again. I just think Leo wanted to redeem himself after his last “ride.” I really wish I had gotten THAT on video. I don’t even think I can describe it in words. When he stepped onto the thing, he just kept jiggling back and forth really fast until he got his balance. Then his trip down the track was very jerky. It was pretty comical.
The booth was closed. Darn. And here I was, ready and waiting with video camera in hand to get proof.
We then saw a new addition: Sum of all Thrills. It is this high tech thingy with ride seats at the end of a long mechanical arm. You get to go in to the lab portion and design your own roller coaster or bob sled ride. Then you hop in the seats (two to a machine) and ride your ride. Well, I would have taken a photo of it when we got off, but I was not really up for it at the moment.
Now, I love all kinds of roller coasters – the wilder the better. But I never knew I had a problem with claustrophobia. I do!!! When I sat in the seat and they pulled that cover down over my head and shut me in, I nearly freaked. It’s like a box that comes down and covers you from the waist up and boxes your head in with the “walls” less than a foot from your face. I came very close to hitting the panic button within seconds. I couldn’t breathe and felt too confined and was sweating and shaking all over. Good thing when I turned my head I found a hole over my shoulder that I could see outside and get the air I just knew I didn’t have inside.
I will never pick on people with phobias again. My goodness! I knew wearing my gas mask (I know, I know fellow soldiers…it’s protective mask or NBC mask) when I was in the Army made me uncomfortable, but I never knew it has gotten this bad. I didn’t even get to enjoy our “creation.” And Leo was feeling kinda good about himself. FINALLY, a ride he can do that I can’t.
I took a few minutes to gather my wits and stop shaking and just wanted to get out of the building into some fresh air.
Now, the hubby likes to pretend he isn’t hovering and worried about me, but he was sticking so close to me once we left Innoventions that he nearly walked into the ladies room with me. He nearly got around the corner into the ladies room before I noticed he was still at my heels. That broke the mood and we both started laughing.
Back to norm and on to the next ride … and one of my faves … Spaceship Earth. I love the new-ish addition to the ride where you can find out your life in the future. And, if you catch it, your photos will be on the jumbo screens in the play area when you get off the ride.
In my secrets book it says that if you take a flash photo of the wall right across from the cave painters, you will see a surprise. Well, my nice, fancy camera wouldn’t take a simple flash photo of the wall. It kept fighting to find something to focus on. So much for high tech. Never did find out what is there.
Oh well, on to the World Showcase. We promised ourselves that we were going to take our time and wander around each and every country this year. I even had a printout of the times for all the street entertainment in each of the countries so we wouldn’t miss any of them. And since we had a few hours before our lunch ressies in Germany, we were not on the run.
One stop we made was to the butterfly gardens on our way. It was so pretty and quiet. It’s just one of those things we have never taken the time to stop and see.
Here are some of the photos along the way through the countries. They were both before and after our lunch, but I will cover the lunch later.
Found a hidden Mickey.
Our first day at Epcot started early with the EMH. We were up and out of Shades by 7:15 a.m. and headed down the walk to the Poly to catch the monorail. The morning dew covered the grounds and gave our surroundings a fresh sparkle in the rising sun. This time of morning is my favorite time of the day. I took a few photos along the path (which I posted previously in the out and about chapter).
We got there just a few minutes before the 8 a.m. opening so we didn’t have long to wait. I took a few photos of the park on the monorail ride through on the way in.
Off the monorail, through security and into the park. By the way, why is it so many people wait until they get right up to the security guard before they start pulling bags out from under strollers or taking them off their backs or unzipping all the pockets and compartments? I know this is not their first time going through security. If you have your bags out and ready by the time you get up there, the entire line moves a lot faster. I have even seen people get upset with the security people because they ask them to unzip their bags. What, do they think the security people have x-ray vision?
Anyway, I digress.
After the obligatory photo of Leo in front of the golf ball, we head on through towards Soarin’.
Now, I know we promised not to run this trip, but you kinda have to make exceptions now and again. And Soarin’ is one of those exceptions. Off we go on a sort of trot … well, as close to one as I could get my Pooh-sized posterior to move.
Once we got there, we headed straight for the fast pass machines, grabbed our fast passes and headed for the regular entrance to ride. Now, this is about 8:15 a.m. or so, so we are among the very first and the standby line was just 20 minutes. However, our fast passes were for already for 10 a.m. Sheesh.
So we ride Soarin’ and lucked out with the middle row. I don’t like the very top because you can see the top of the screen and the very bottom you can see the bottom. Leo doesn’t like it when he can see the floating feet above us, but that’s hard to avoid unless you get the very top. But then, who really cares about screen edges and floating feet?
I tried taking some photos while on the ride by placing the camera in my lap and just snapping a few shots. Most didn’t turn out, but a few came out so-so.
After the ride, we still had about an hour or so before out fast passes to ride a second time. So we took off to see Honey I Shrunk the Audience. No such luck. Honey is now closed for total renovations in preparation of becoming Capt. Eos. Thought the area was pretty quiet, even for this hour. And, yes, that is Leo in the white shirt. It’s almost like Where’s Waldo with him sometimes.
Anyway, back over to the Land area to ride Nemo. After stopping to say hi to the “mine, mine, mine, mine” seagulls, we headed into the ride. With absolutely no line, we just walked up and hopped on. Well, after winding around and around and around … and around … the twisting, winding, dark queue. Dizzy by the time we got to the front, we staggered onto the moving walkway and stumbled into the clam mobiles.
We were in and out so fast, we still had a while before out 10 a.m. fast passes for Soarin’. We decided to ride Living with the Land to kill some time. After the standard ooos and aaahhhs about the tomato tree and the Mickey shaped pumpkins, we were off to Soarin’ again. This time, Leo asked me to video tape the ride. I really can’t say how it turned out, we have yet to look.
I still don’t know why he insists on taking that darned video camera every single year. He never tapes a full length anything and, what he does tape always turns out so jiggly he won’t watch it because it makes him sea sick. And, to me, what sense does it make to video tape the first 30 seconds of a ride – or the last 30 seconds – and nothing more? We have yet to watch anything he has taped.
Anyway…
On to the “other side.” I wanted to ride Test Track. Wasn’t happening. The wait was too long so we grabbed our fast passes and headed out to Innoventions. We wanted to do the free test rides on the Segways. After doing that the last time we went, we wanted to try again. I just think Leo wanted to redeem himself after his last “ride.” I really wish I had gotten THAT on video. I don’t even think I can describe it in words. When he stepped onto the thing, he just kept jiggling back and forth really fast until he got his balance. Then his trip down the track was very jerky. It was pretty comical.
The booth was closed. Darn. And here I was, ready and waiting with video camera in hand to get proof.
We then saw a new addition: Sum of all Thrills. It is this high tech thingy with ride seats at the end of a long mechanical arm. You get to go in to the lab portion and design your own roller coaster or bob sled ride. Then you hop in the seats (two to a machine) and ride your ride. Well, I would have taken a photo of it when we got off, but I was not really up for it at the moment.
Now, I love all kinds of roller coasters – the wilder the better. But I never knew I had a problem with claustrophobia. I do!!! When I sat in the seat and they pulled that cover down over my head and shut me in, I nearly freaked. It’s like a box that comes down and covers you from the waist up and boxes your head in with the “walls” less than a foot from your face. I came very close to hitting the panic button within seconds. I couldn’t breathe and felt too confined and was sweating and shaking all over. Good thing when I turned my head I found a hole over my shoulder that I could see outside and get the air I just knew I didn’t have inside.
I will never pick on people with phobias again. My goodness! I knew wearing my gas mask (I know, I know fellow soldiers…it’s protective mask or NBC mask) when I was in the Army made me uncomfortable, but I never knew it has gotten this bad. I didn’t even get to enjoy our “creation.” And Leo was feeling kinda good about himself. FINALLY, a ride he can do that I can’t.
I took a few minutes to gather my wits and stop shaking and just wanted to get out of the building into some fresh air.
Now, the hubby likes to pretend he isn’t hovering and worried about me, but he was sticking so close to me once we left Innoventions that he nearly walked into the ladies room with me. He nearly got around the corner into the ladies room before I noticed he was still at my heels. That broke the mood and we both started laughing.
Back to norm and on to the next ride … and one of my faves … Spaceship Earth. I love the new-ish addition to the ride where you can find out your life in the future. And, if you catch it, your photos will be on the jumbo screens in the play area when you get off the ride.
In my secrets book it says that if you take a flash photo of the wall right across from the cave painters, you will see a surprise. Well, my nice, fancy camera wouldn’t take a simple flash photo of the wall. It kept fighting to find something to focus on. So much for high tech. Never did find out what is there.
Oh well, on to the World Showcase. We promised ourselves that we were going to take our time and wander around each and every country this year. I even had a printout of the times for all the street entertainment in each of the countries so we wouldn’t miss any of them. And since we had a few hours before our lunch ressies in Germany, we were not on the run.
One stop we made was to the butterfly gardens on our way. It was so pretty and quiet. It’s just one of those things we have never taken the time to stop and see.
Here are some of the photos along the way through the countries. They were both before and after our lunch, but I will cover the lunch later.
Found a hidden Mickey.
Mexico
China
I know, I know. I should check my composition better. Sorry kid!
Japan
US
Italy
England
Canada
We headed to our ressies about a half hour before our time. I am annoyingly on time for everything. To me, on time is 15-30 minutes early. And this drives Leo crazy since he is always on PT (Philippino Time). When he first came to the US, he couldnt understand why, if I was having a party that is set to start at 8 p.m., why I had to have everything ready by 7:30. Evidently, in the Philippines, if you say 8, no one will show up until 9 at the earliest. That kinda doesnt work in the military.
Anyway, showing up early paid off because we got seats in the very front. I had to work hard to suppress my nanner, nanner, boo, boo.
Once we were seated and ordered our drinks, our table mates were seated. Of course, of all the happy people at Disney, we were seated with the only two couples in the park who were convinced their faces would crack if they smiled. They didnt talk to us at all and kind of looked at us like we came from the nearest trailer park. Their looks of disdain were why I didnt take any food porn shots of our meal. I was kind of embarrassed. Yah, me, becoming timid under their gaze. Who knew?
BUT, the food was extraordinary! It really did taste like authentic German food. Yummmmmm. And the entertainment was fun too. There were even a few audience members who got out on the dance floor and had a blast. And, before you ask, no, Leo would rather be hung by his toe nails than to get out on the dance floor any dance floor. He can play the music for others to dance to, but not him. Bummer.
After a very satisfying meal and show, we went back out to continue our stroll around World Showcase. In the US pavilion, I started smelling my funnel cake. Now, even though I am diabetic, I always allow myself my funnel cake once per visit to Disney. However, when we got to the pavilion, I was still too full from lunch to even enjoy it. So I passed at the moment. Ill come back later.
Well, later when I was finally ready for my funnel cake, we were clear around to the other side of the lake. The laziness over ruled the desire. Ill just get it at Magic Kingdom on Thursday.
By this time it was starting to head into dusk. We decided to go back to Test Track and ride Spaceship Earth again before heading back to the room. Since it was still several hours away from Illuminations (and we planned to come back later in the week) and we were old fart pooped we decided not to stay for the show. Plus, I am not a big fan of Illuminations.
Back to Shades and an early turn-in. Boy its h-e-double hockey sticks getting old. Here are some night shots on our way out.
Leo holding up the golf ball.
I waited for quite some time for the monorail to come through, but got tired of waiting. So just use your imagination and pretend its there.
Now Goofy is standing on Leos head.
China
I know, I know. I should check my composition better. Sorry kid!
Japan
US
Italy
England
Canada
We headed to our ressies about a half hour before our time. I am annoyingly on time for everything. To me, on time is 15-30 minutes early. And this drives Leo crazy since he is always on PT (Philippino Time). When he first came to the US, he couldnt understand why, if I was having a party that is set to start at 8 p.m., why I had to have everything ready by 7:30. Evidently, in the Philippines, if you say 8, no one will show up until 9 at the earliest. That kinda doesnt work in the military.
Anyway, showing up early paid off because we got seats in the very front. I had to work hard to suppress my nanner, nanner, boo, boo.
Once we were seated and ordered our drinks, our table mates were seated. Of course, of all the happy people at Disney, we were seated with the only two couples in the park who were convinced their faces would crack if they smiled. They didnt talk to us at all and kind of looked at us like we came from the nearest trailer park. Their looks of disdain were why I didnt take any food porn shots of our meal. I was kind of embarrassed. Yah, me, becoming timid under their gaze. Who knew?
BUT, the food was extraordinary! It really did taste like authentic German food. Yummmmmm. And the entertainment was fun too. There were even a few audience members who got out on the dance floor and had a blast. And, before you ask, no, Leo would rather be hung by his toe nails than to get out on the dance floor any dance floor. He can play the music for others to dance to, but not him. Bummer.
After a very satisfying meal and show, we went back out to continue our stroll around World Showcase. In the US pavilion, I started smelling my funnel cake. Now, even though I am diabetic, I always allow myself my funnel cake once per visit to Disney. However, when we got to the pavilion, I was still too full from lunch to even enjoy it. So I passed at the moment. Ill come back later.
Well, later when I was finally ready for my funnel cake, we were clear around to the other side of the lake. The laziness over ruled the desire. Ill just get it at Magic Kingdom on Thursday.
By this time it was starting to head into dusk. We decided to go back to Test Track and ride Spaceship Earth again before heading back to the room. Since it was still several hours away from Illuminations (and we planned to come back later in the week) and we were old fart pooped we decided not to stay for the show. Plus, I am not a big fan of Illuminations.
Back to Shades and an early turn-in. Boy its h-e-double hockey sticks getting old. Here are some night shots on our way out.
Leo holding up the golf ball.
I waited for quite some time for the monorail to come through, but got tired of waiting. So just use your imagination and pretend its there.
Now Goofy is standing on Leos head.
kaileighbug
Disney Dreaming! How soon can I get us back?
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2009
- Messages
- 529
Great update! I really like the night time pictures at Epcot. I am really looking forward to being able to spend time in Epcot this trip. My last trip we didn't get to see anything except where we ate. The rest of the party did not want to go. I really like the pictures of the World Showcase.
Wow Mommy it only took me two weeks to get re-registar for the boards, its been so long since I have been on here LOL. I love your reports and I am jealous!!!!! I wanna go again!!!! The babies would love that butterfly garden. I can tell you one dance floor Daddy will be getting on....MY WEDDING dance floor!!!
You got the nets? Not for the butterflies ... for Daddy!
heaven2dc
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 26, 2003
- Messages
- 4,126
I wasn't going to comment on the pic of the acrobat but couldn't help myself Otherwise it was a great photo (as well as all of your pics) 
I always seem to stumble upon these activities just as they are ending. Is there a certain time posted somewhere that shows when and where to locate them?
Otherwise it was a great photo (as well as all of your pics) I always seem to stumble upon these activities just as they are ending. Is there a certain time posted somewhere that shows when and where to locate them?-
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