Yo Ho Yo Ho A Pirate's Life for We Halloween *2012* PTR has begun!

[kaoden39]

Yikes those things used to scare me when we lived in AZ they touched down occasionally but have you ever noticed in the western states they generally take out sheds, mobile homes and above ground wiring? I wouldn't live in a mobile home park where there are tornadoes if you paid me.

When I heard that it was a metal shed I pictured one like the one I have in my backyard. This one was the size of a good sized barn. The showed video on the news I watched this morning. Pieces of the roof were in trees in the area, and they were just finding those pieces.

We do not get them in this area, Sonoma county where this happened is a coastal county. Normally if there are funnel clouds or tornadoes they are in the valley. I think was why that shocked me so much.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

When I heard that it was a metal shed I pictured one like the one I have in my backyard. This one was the size of a good sized barn. The showed video on the news I watched this morning. Pieces of the roof were in trees in the area, and they were just finding those pieces.

We do not get them in this area, Sonoma county where this happened is a coastal county. Normally if there are funnel clouds or tornadoes they are in the valley. I think was why that shocked me so much.

I tell you I don't and never have believed in global warming...but Global weirding that is def happening...weather has been strange for the last few years...but I don't think we as humans are the cause...If you look at the grand history of earth long before we arrived on the scene every so often big changes in everything happens, glaciers grow and shrink, continents drift (Tokyo is closer now did you hear?) animals species appear & disappear (some of these are our fault but hey we will fall like the dinosaurs someday too) It is nature and therefore natural even when it seems weird to us.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

After the Jungle Cruise we stopped by Bengal BBQ and got yet another snack (we snacked like crazy this day not sure why LOL maybe to stock up lots of Disney Food before we left and I had to start cooking again)

I had one of the chicken skewers and an asparagus one too, Brant got a beef one and Colton ordered the Mickey Pretzel with cheese. The skewers were wonderful! However parents beware...the "Pretzel with cheese sauce" (that is how it is listed on the menu) Is Jalepeno cheese the menu does not state this a big oversight on DL's part no excuse for my kid to be crying that his mouth was burning. A kid shouldn't have this happen at DL, pretzels w/ cheese appeal to kids...either change to plain cheese sauce or change the menu so parents of wee ones won't order it. We returned the rest of the pretzel and cheese for a refund...(After burning his mouth Colton didn't even want the pretzel anymore) the CM & the manager of this establishment did not think my suggestion of a correction on the menu board so parents wouldn't order this for little kids was a valid complaint (they were actually a bit rude) but did return our money and we used the refund to get Colton a Mickey ice cream bar to cool off his mouth.

It was almost time for fireworks so we headed for the hub. Where you guessed it we got yet another snack to eat while we were waiting...I finally got my coveted Mickey Christmas Popcorn Bucket. The bucket handle ended up getting broken on our flight home...but when I called to see if I could order a new one the lovely people at Disney sent me a new one free! (he is now home & full of cookies LOL Christmas or not I just can't bear to store him away in a box) and the broken one now resides in Colton's room full of confetti leaves from playhouse disney, dried leaves he collected from DL trees, and other little boy collected memories of our trip.

We found a spot on the hub near where a CM was busy keeping the sidewalks clear and she and Colton had a 45 minute conversation about how when he gets a little bigger he is going to be the star of his own show on the Disney Channel and then whenever we go to the park we will get to stay in a really cool room at the top of the DLH tower and he will sign autographs for his fans while he waits in lines for rides!

BTW his show will be about a kid with an active imagination who has adventures where he becomes someone else using his imagination and he says on the Disney Channel he could be Handy Manny or Mickey Mouse or Goofy or a Jedi (at this point he showed her the moves he learned at the Jedi Academy along with a few he improvised on his own) even Spiderman (showed her his Spidey moves) since they sell his stuff at the Disney Store online.

This went on for a long time I so wish now we had whipped out the video camera and taped this (sadly due to the rain it was back in the hotel safe) or that my memory was better so I could remember more of this conversation, It was very funny my sides hurt from laughing. After several delays they ended up cancelling the fireworks due to high winds but I do not consider this wasted time as this wait is now a treasured memory.

Next up our whole family sees Fantasmic for the first time.....

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Just thought I would share a little Montana with you all as well...and some pics for all you Colton fans out there too...

Yesterday and today we went out to Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs for a little R&R. (think "The Road to Wellville" only rustic) Today I took the camera. Colton knows when I have it of course so he wanted me to take some pics of him making faces on the 17 mile drive to "The Buffalo" So Enjoy!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Finally have the pics of the baby chinchillas...here you go!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Absolutely gorgeous shots of Colton!

I hope you are all safe in the midwest and that no tornados are wrecking havoc.

Anyway, I hope that Colton hasn't had any lingering effects from the burning sensation. It's a very hard thing for a child to experience.
I had no idea that the pretzel and cheese sauce was Jalepeno cheese! I'm going to have to ask my DS about that....he scoffed one down at WDW....maybe the cheese is different there.



ps. Your chincilla grandchildren are so cute! I love the shot with the sunglasses.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Absolutely gorgeous shots of Colton!

I hope you are all safe in the midwest and that no tornados are wrecking havoc.

Anyway, I hope that Colton hasn't had any lingering effects from the burning sensation. It's a very hard thing for a child to experience.
I had no idea that the pretzel and cheese sauce was Jalepeno cheese! I'm going to have to ask my DS about that....he scoffed one down at WDW....maybe the cheese is different there.



ps. Your chincilla grandchildren are so cute! I love the shot with the sunglasses.

We haven't been hit by all that weather...California is drenched & windy though and several Disers in Northern CA have had tornados touch down in their areas which is really weird. Here's what it looked like here in Montana today when we went out to the Hot Springs again for the 2nd day in a row.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Look at that SNOW! Do you measure it in feet and does it get slushy/muddy when it thaws or does it all thaw at once?

I've driven through Montana...once....did a camping trip from LA to NYC and we hit all the national parks along the way. We came in via Waterton NP. We loved the Going to the Sun Road and Yellowstone. Did I come anywhere near you?

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Absolutely gorgeous shots of Colton!

I hope you are all safe in the midwest and that no tornados are wrecking havoc.

Anyway, I hope that Colton hasn't had any lingering effects from the burning sensation. It's a very hard thing for a child to experience.
I had no idea that the pretzel and cheese sauce was Jalepeno cheese! I'm going to have to ask my DS about that....he scoffed one down at WDW....maybe the cheese is different there.



ps. Your chincilla grandchildren are so cute! I love the shot with the sunglasses.

Look at that SNOW! Do you measure it in feet and does it get slushy/muddy when it thaws or does it all thaw at once?

I've driven through Montana...once....did a camping trip from LA to NYC and we hit all the national parks along the way. We came in via Waterton NP. We loved the Going to the Sun Road and Yellowstone. Did I come anywhere near you?

Yellowstone is about 4 1/2 hours south of us. If you ever do that kind of trip again you will have to come our way & meet up..We will take you to see "Leonardo" the best preserved dinosaur ever found (he was mummified) the reservations buffalo herd and the hot springs and campgrounds at the lake that aren't nearly as crowded as Yellowstone LOL There is alot to do in Montana a bit off the beaten path that is Yellowstone Park.

Oh BTW did you know Chinchillas are related to Kangaroos? They also jump on their hind feet and have pouches for thier babies.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yellowstone is about 4 1/2 hours south of us. If you ever do that kind of trip again you will have to come our way & meet up..We will take you to see "Leonardo" the best preserved dinosaur ever found (he was mummified) the reservations buffalo herd and the hot springs and campgrounds at the lake that aren't nearly as crowded as Yellowstone LOL There is alot to do in Montana a bit off the beaten path that is Yellowstone Park.

Oh BTW did you know Chinchillas are related to Kangaroos? They also jump on their hind feet and have pouches for thier babies.

Sherri - I may well take you up on that. I have always wanted to head back to Yellowstone, the Tetons and go back to that Sun road again.

No, I didn't know Chinchillas were related to Kangaroos. I've learnt something new. And who said that the Dis was just for Disney?

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Look at that SNOW! Do you measure it in feet and does it get slushy/muddy when it thaws or does it all thaw at once?

Right now I have 3 feet in my yard. We are starting to thaw as you can see in the pics. My yard is turning slushy and is slowly melting which is the best thing as if it melted all at once the river would likely flood.

 

[skiingfast]

I probably missed it but was that the last installment of the TR? Now just fun pics?

Are those chichillas active at night and day?

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I probably missed it but was that the last installment of the TR? Now just fun pics?

Are those chinchillas active at night and day?

TR isn't done...almost but not quite...as soon as this play is over (last performance is tonight...I will get back on it...

They are nocturnal so they wake up aroung 5pm and are up all night. They hit the sack about 9-10 am.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Once it was announced that the fireworks were cancelled we made our way over to the ROA to catch Fantasmic. I know this show has been around for quite a while but we had never seen it. Our last trip had been totally teenager driven and so was a trip full of thrill rides and LOTS & LOTS of trip through the HMH we let our daughter Kari pick our path the whole trip so other than fireworks we did not see any shows.

Also this was our first trip that had ever been more than a day and a half long so most of our trips had been commando type trips and this one despite the crowds was more leisurely than any I had ever taken before. We just were not as rushed to get to everything done as we were before, although Day 5 had been much more like our regular commando trip to DL due to low crowds. After running around the park all day Colton was much more awake than at this time of night any other night of our trip. I think all the dashing from ride to ride had his adrenaline punched to the max.

We reached the ROA at 10 pm for the 1015 show. It was already crowded but we had decided to try the light tower trick and not even try to sit on the wet ground. All the railings were crowded including the bridge over POTC. However as advertised on the DIS no one was standing at the railing behind the center light tower. We positioned ourselves on the railing behind the tower and it rose about 2-3 minutes after we got there.

The light tower trick positions you just to the right (facing the stage) of the preferred seating section for those that bought the dessert package and directly behind the control booth.

When the tower rose Colton became fascinated with watching the CMs in the control booth getting ready for the show...it was for him almost a mini show in and of itself.

The show was amazing...the dragon was working great everything was oohs and ahhs Colton esp loved the dragon but by far his favorite moment was Peter Pan & Capt hook dueling atop the rigging of the sailing ship Columbia.

When the show ended I was standing there with happy tears in my eyes and my wonderful boy turned to me and said "Mommy thank you so much!" I said for what he replied "For showing me Disneyland and for that awesome show! I love you this much!" and then I was crushed in a hug I was now crying full on. What a beautiful moment...we are now truly rabid fans of Fantasmic.

I was already feeling the "It's almost over" sadness coming on there wasn't much time left our last day was coming to a close. As we headed back to do his 2 favorites BTMRR & Splash one last time he talked about the dragon and Mickey fighting him off , and the duel between Capt Hook & Peter Pan, the enormous crocigator (a hangover from when he was really little and mashed crocodile and alligator together into one word) snapping it's jaws and Ursulas "bad fish" He still talks about this show to everyone like he saw it yesterday. He can go through it from first moment to last and make you feel his excitement when he tells the tale.

Once BTMRR & Splash were finished we had about 45 minutes left until closing and decided to go see what it was like in Fantasyland tonight...we still had not gotten the chance to ride Alice or some of the dark rides yet so off to FL we went.

 

[smile4stamps]

What a wonderful F! Experience and last night of your trip! It sounds magical!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Finally got back over here........SCORE on the Fantasmic show!! It really is a neat show!! We've found when not doing the Dessert Seating, we go past the show area (towards Splash Mtn) & wait for the first show to end. 99% of the people will head back towards Frontierland, so you can walk on down & find a spot without fighting the crowds!! Last summer, my son & I sat down in the smoking area....just to take a small break & we ended up staying there & watching the show.....while sitting on the benches. It was great!!! There was a water screen right in front of us. (and no one was smoking during the show.....so bonus!)

Just love seeing the pics of Colton!! He's such a little ham!!

 

[BellaBaby]

What an awesome way to end your trip!! I too have had those teary eyed moments with the kids--I guess it's the magic you can't find anywhere else that keeps us coming back!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Sry to hear about the fireworks were canceled that night due to weather issues. But it did made up when you went to the second show of F!. It was also good that you did the Light Tower trick and didn't have to wait on the wet ground. That was nice to hear that you son Colton loved F! so much.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

What a wonderful F! Experience and last night of your trip! It sounds magical!!

It was so magical for us but esp for Colton!

Finally got back over here........SCORE on the Fantasmic show!! It really is a neat show!! We've found when not doing the Dessert Seating, we go past the show area (towards Splash Mtn) & wait for the first show to end. 99% of the people will head back towards Frontierland, so you can walk on down & find a spot without fighting the crowds!! Last summer, my son & I sat down in the smoking area....just to take a small break & we ended up staying there & watching the show.....while sitting on the benches. It was great!!! There was a water screen right in front of us. (and no one was smoking during the show.....so bonus!)

Just love seeing the pics of Colton!! He's such a little ham!!

The light tower trick really was an amazing spot and with everything wet was perfect but next trip we will likely make a point of scooting in for the 2nd show a little earlier.

What an awesome way to end your trip!! I too have had those teary eyed moments with the kids--I guess it's the magic you can't find anywhere else that keeps us coming back!!

I knew a trip with Colton was going to be even better than any I had ever taken but this moment made every aggravation in the planning stages totally worth it!

Sry to hear about the fireworks were canceled that night due to weather issues. But it did made up when you went to the second show of F!. It was also good that you did the Light Tower trick and didn't have to wait on the wet ground. That was nice to hear that you son Colton loved F! so much.

Like I said he can still tell all about it...was actually thinking about trying to get him to do his description on video to post on youtube it is pretty funny to watch him get all excited about it!


I nhave had a bit of the "spring is never coming blues" this last week, just have not been able to get in the "writing mood" I will finish up soon I promise!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Like I said he can still tell all about it...was actually thinking about trying to get him to do his description on video to post on youtube it is pretty funny to watch him get all excited about it!


I nhave had a bit of the "spring is never coming blues" this last week, just have not been able to get in the "writing mood" I will finish up soon I promise!

That must be enjoyable to see. You should get him to do his description on the youtube.

Can't wait to read the rest of it.