Canadian Buffoon's Exhausted Vacation - Update 09/01 - New TR link!

[pkondz]

So I haven't read the book nor watched the movie yet so you are saying that I need lots of tissues?

Oh, no. Not at all.
Not even a little bit...



Yes.

 

[suse66]

I'm so glad someone asked!
I had planned that photo
when I first saw the table
on someone else's TR,
and was probably the most
involved photo of the entire
trip.

I actually went back in the
queue and told the CM
that I wasn't going to ride.
That gave me plenty of time
to stage the shot.
I set up my camera on
my tripod and waited while
others took their photos.
When there was a window
of opportunity, I put my
camera on a timer (only
three seconds! So I really
had to hurry!), pushed
the shutter button and
quickly sat and posed.
Repeat two more times.
Then combined the resulting
photos in photoshop.

Your Batau update was so creative and fun to read! I loved that photo and was wondering how you created it. Very clever!

So a ride, it is!
There are two major rides in TSL,
SDD and TSMM.
So of course I rode neither.
Both rides were calling my name
but there was one ride which,
every time I've been to TSL,
has had prohibitive waits for it.
But this morning, before the park
was officially open to the non
Disney resort guests (aka: heathen),
it was a walk on.

It's not a bad little ride.....I have a fondness for the aliens though.

As I passed One Man's Dream,
(I really should've popped in, actually)
I saw Kari heading in the opposite
direction.
We stopped and chatted for a bit,
but she had a date with some toys
and I was heading off for some
head-bangin' adventures.
We re-confirmed where and when
we'd be re-meeting and went
our temporary separate ways

I love One Man's Dream!

We had hardly settled in to wait
when we were called to dinner.
Of course we jumped up.
You do not dawdle when Mom
has dinner ready!

I took a shot of Beauty & the Beast,
since we were in Disney.

Haha!

I think we were both pleased
as punch with our respective choices.

After lunch, and a quick hug,
we parted ways.
I always like seeing Kari,
however briefly, she's just
one of those people that are
so likeable.

So nice that you had a lunch date!

I'd always wanted to take more time
to photograph the interior of TOT.
But... you're either rushing through
in the FP line with no time for anything
but quick snaps as you move along...
Or... you wait in line and still can't really
take photos because that line moves
at a steady clip, too!

So what can a guy do?


You can skip the ride. That's what
you can do.

Those photos are spectacular!

Gawd, I love that theming...

And once I was done shooting?
I walked right back out the FP queue,
happy as a clam.


That was kinda the theme for this
whole trip.
I'd been fairly recently and felt
zero need to RIDE ALL THE RIDES!!!!
Indeed, I was quite happy to ride
none of the rides.
Of course I did ride here and there,
but... it wasn't the purpose of the trip.
Taking it all in, and doing new things, was.

I love to have new things planned each trip too.

Anaheim Produce's Frozen Lemonade.
It was... just okay.
I'd had it last trip and loved it.
But... I think my taste buds were
so overwhelmed with white chocolate
and sickeningly sweet apple crisp...
That I really should have just ordered
a water, and even that might've tasted
sweet.

Why do they make eveything so over the top sweet? It's really off putting.

I did think that maybe a nice
relaxing bath might be the
thing to recharge my batteries...
So I did.
And it's probably a reflection
of just how tired I was,
that I passed out not once,
but twice, while in there.

After the second time, I figured
I could either stay there and drown,
or get up and get going.

It wasn't an easy decision.

Drowning is not a preferred choice.....

Okay... what's next?
How about...
Active Eat's Loaded Mac n Cheese.

Yum!

I entered the building at 8:00pm
and was out again by 8:20pm.
Not bad for a trip around the planet.
Except...
Okay... this is a pet peeve.
I'd never done this version before.
And... I was very bothered by the
use of the impossible trajectory.
The craft is supposed to orbit,
but it makes a 90 degree turn....
Sorry. Ballistics says that's not
possible.
Not at that speed.
Not unless you've got an
inertialess drive system... and that's
not even theoretically possible.

I have never noticed that but I am not an engineer/math type person at all.

I got back to the hotel and
scooted over to my room
and grabbed my refillable mug.
I timed the journey from the
moment I exited my door
until the time I was filling
the mug. I did not walk quickly.
At a leisurely pace, from
door to pour...

Sixty-two seconds.

There is value in putting
in a room request.


It was only a little after 9:00pm...
And when I returned to my
room, I just barely made it
to my bed before falling asleep.


It was the end to a verrrry looong day.

You got a lot done today, no wonder you were tired!

 

[Tracy161]

or whatever
acronym you use so you don't
spell "donkey" and offend... no one.

There are other seats
for my butt that are more
exciting in this park.

Now that had to be done on purpose, no?

At least I as2ume I can?

Zero to fifty-seven mph
in eighteen minutes.

I ordered the onion rings,
because 50s' onion rings are among
the best I've ever had.

Yes! I agree. I ordered these upon your recommendation a couple years ago They didn't disappoint.

I (of course!) ordered Aunt Liz's
Fried Chicken, because it's amazing.

And this, too, upon your recommendation

I'm pretty sure if Disney announced
that they were going to introduce
a new experience, like...

"Coming in 2020... stick your hand
into a real Star Wars blast oven!
1st degree burns - $50
2nd degree burns - $100
3rd degree burns - $300
(With new and improved
permanent scarring!!!)
Feel the heat like a real Jedi!"

TAKE MY MONEY!!!!!

Shhhh don't give them any ideas!

I walked out of the Droid Depot poorer,
but dumber. So there's that.

You had me in stitches throughout this whole update. I told you your last update was brilliantly written; this one was brilliantly hilarious

 

[disneyAndi14]

It looks like a nice morning getting some rides in and a photo session. I really enjoyed the Pictures from ToT.

Dis meet and lunch is always a great time. Glad you enjoyed the food since the rest of your treats in HS were not the best.

The burger and seafood dish at F&W look very tasty.
I was just meh for the green MS, I seem to always be the engineer on these rides as well

 

[pkondz]

Your Batau update was so creative and fun to read!

Thank you!

I loved that photo and was wondering how you created it. Very clever!

I had a lot of fun with it.

It's not a bad little ride.....I have a fondness for the aliens though.

Oh?
Now you'll have to explain that!

I love One Man's Dream!

It's been a long time
since I've seen it.
I need to, again.

Haha!

So nice that you had a lunch date!

It really was!
Kari is great and
I was really glad
we could meet up.

Those photos are spectacular!

Thanks again!

I love to have new things planned each trip too.

Keeps it fresh.

Why do they make eveything so over the top sweet? It's really off putting.

It was just... too much.

Drowning is not a preferred choice.....

I dunno… I was pretty tired...

I have never noticed that but I am not an engineer/math type person at all.

I'm not an engineer/math type either...
But... I get how an orbit works!

You got a lot done today, no wonder you were tired!

Plus... little to know sleep
might have played a part.

 

[pkondz]

Now that had to be done on purpose, no?

(Of course it was... but so far
you're the only one who's noticed.)

Yes! I agree. I ordered these upon your recommendation a couple years ago They didn't disappoint.

And this, too, upon your recommendation

OMG.
Someone listened to me????

Shhhh don't give them any ideas!

But wouldn't it be fun to
see the people who did it???

You had me in stitches throughout this whole update. I told you your last update was brilliantly written; this one was brilliantly hilarious

Awwww...
Thanks, Tracy!
I'm glad I made you laugh.

 

[pkondz]

It looks like a nice morning getting some rides in and a photo session.

It was a really nice time.
I just... relaxed that day.

I really enjoyed the Pictures from ToT.

Thanks!

Dis meet and lunch is always a great time.

Love meeting fellow DISers.

Glad you enjoyed the food since the rest of your treats in HS were not the best.

They really weren't.
The pie-on-a-stick
and glob-o-apple sauce
are both permanently off
my list!

The burger and seafood dish at F&W look very tasty.

They were definitely
the stars of the night.

I was just meh for the green MS, I seem to always be the engineer on these rides as well

I didn't mind it... but...
I'm certainly not in a rush
to do it again.
But.... fix that orbit!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

What was your favourite toy
when you were a kid?
I think mine was probably G.I. Joe.

If you have Netflix, I highly recommend the show "The Toys That Made Us." It's a great look back at particular popular toys and how they were developed. They even have a G.I. Joe episode!

What can I say about AS2?
I walked onto it without a wait.
So that's a positive.

So, not your favorite?

This attraction was not going to be on my list for May as we'll probably spend so little time in HS and my husband does NOT do spinning rides. Then I realized the height requirement is only 32 inches - and M is practically that height now! She's never been on a spinning ride (or any ride, for that matter), but she LOVES spinning in our office chair again and again and again... so, maybe?

Twenty-minute wait for SDD.
Not bad at all.

That's amazing! What a great use of your early entry!

"What are you doing with that data-pad?"
One Stormtrooper intoned.
The woman looked up in surprise.
The Stormtrooper pointed at her
and said. "You've just gone from
curious to suspicious."
And walked away.

That is hysterical! I was surprised by a Green Army Man in HS once while looking at my phone... it's pretty great when a character can catch someone by surprise!

I guess he assumed we were a couple.
While I was extremely flattered,
I'm sure Kari was mortified.

That happened to me more than once when I used to travel for my job and would go out to eat with co-workers. I'm sure Kari wasn't mortified, but it's a little awkward when you're pegged as a couple when you're with a friend.

It might be the Fried Herb
and Garlic Cheese.
I ordered the onion rings,
because 50s' onion rings are among
the best I've ever had.

Yes, I'm sure that's what it is! I ordered it with a wedge salad on my last trip and it was quite tasty!

The onion rings are definitely delicious! I bypassed them last time as I was dining solo and knew there was no way I could put a good-enough dent in them. My husband doesn't like onion rings (or most fried things), so I'll just have to make sure I get M to like them!

And what did I pick for my one and only FP?

An excellent choice! The Fastpass selections in HS are ridiculous - I hope they change it slightly before our trip!

You may be shaking your collective
heads at me for not riding what is
arguably one of the best rides
in Disney (depending on who's
doing the arguing.)

I must admit... I am.

WHY ON EARTH DID YOU NOT RIDE AFTER YOU FINISHED YOUR PICTURES?!

(They're amazing, by the way, and I understand your lack of need to ride all the rides... but really?! Bypassing the best ride on Disney World property? For shame! )

TAKE MY MONEY!!!!!

Sounds about right.

The first was the Key Lime Pie on a Stick,
available at Neighborhood Bakery.

How strange that they covered it with blue white chocolate! Why not green for Key LIME pie?!

But... I think my taste buds were
so overwhelmed with white chocolate
and sickeningly sweet apple crisp...
That I really should have just ordered
a water, and even that might've tasted
sweet.

That's too bad! I made the mistake of getting a cinnamon roll at the State Fair with an iced tea... and not confirming that the iced tea was unsweetened. I don't like sweet tea anyway, but I could hardly drink it after eating that delicious yet super-sweet cinnamon roll. There is a thing as too much sugar!

Hmm... not the Most Magical
nor the Happiest, either!

Good grief. I'm glad I don't have to travel with that guy!

Spaceship Earth!
Might be my last chance
to thank the Phoenicians.

Such a great attraction! This was a good choice. I'm hopeful the re-do doesn't take away too much of the charm (*cough* Test Track *cough*).

Coastal Eats' Shrimp Scampi.

That looks SO good!

I headed out and paused
only long enough to take a
quick snap of one of my favourite
Epcot nighttime sights...

I adore that walkway. I'm crossing all my fingers that they don't remove it with all their updating plans at Epcot.

 

[mustinjourney]

What was your favourite toy
when you were a kid?

Probably transformers and Mask (it was like GI Joe mixed with transformers). Unless you count a nintendo as a toy...that was probably a bigger favorite.

I actually never owned any GI Joe stuff -- my good friend had a bunch though.

What can I say about AS2?
I walked onto it without a wait.
So that's a positive.
I had fun. Also a positive.
(Not a lot of fun, but I was
smiling, so it counts.)
Will I ride it again?

It's more fun in the dark with the lighting.

It's also more fun if you have a young kid with you (preferably your own kid). My youngest DD LOVES this ride, and since she's not a big thrill seeker, I have a higher affinity for this ride than I otherwise would.

Not my general debauchery
or complete lack of exercise.

walking around the parks all day is actually a decent bit of exercise.

That poor kid's expression!
Her mom seems blissfully unaware
of the therapy bills that are
coming her way.

that kid's expression is priceless.

Gary told us that "Girls' food tastes
better off someone else's plate."

ain't that the truth

I (of course!) ordered Aunt Liz's
Fried Chicken, because it's amazing.
I let Kari have a bite and she agreed
it was good, too.

how did it compare to the fried chicken at hoop de doo? That stuff is amazing.

You can only make one FP now at DHS.
Well... okay. You can make three... but
only one good one.

You don't like star tours?

Gawd, I love that theming...

And once I was done shooting?
I walked right back out the FP queue,
happy as a clam.

sweet shots!

Stupid question, but why not go into the ride after the shots?

And of course, considering the $3,857,621
I spent wasn't enough, I forked over another
$4,649.99 for a chip that lets it beep more.
I'm all about that beep.

don't you mean credits?

I didn't eat it all.
I didn't eat half of it.

yeah -- I don't think I could have gotten over the blue color -- but white chocolate with key lime? Seems like an odd combo.

Disillusioned, I set out to try
the next item on my list:
Hollywood Scoops' Apple Crisp
à la Mode.
(Cinnamon Apple topped with
Old-fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream,
Caramel Sauce and Streusel)

Now THAT sounds amazing.

mmmmmm…. sounds amazing, right?

yes. That's exactly what I just said. Do you even listen to me?

this[/I] mess:

I don't know -- that still looks pretty good. Melted ice cream is almost like a milkshake and those are good.

Side note -- did the ice cream melt b/c the apple was too hot or was there a timing issue? I know it was hot outside -- but still, it shouldn't melt that fast.

After a couple of spoonfuls,
I tossed the lot into a nearby
trash bin.
Gahh. I need something to drink.

that's disappointing.

I headed out to the bus stop and...
there wasn't a bus waiting for me.

What. In. The. Heck.

Two minutes! Can you believe it?
I mean... really!
Disney's starting to slip.
I shouldn't be kept waiting like this!
Inexcusable.

Normally, I'd end the chapter there,
but the rest of the day is quick,
so I'll push through and force you
to come along on what has already
been a disconcertingly long chapter.

you totally missed the opportunity to end on a cliffhanger about whether you drowned or not!

6:30pm and I'm on my way to Epcot
for some Flower & Garden treats.

food & wine, right?

Okay... what's next?
How about...
Active Eat's Loaded Mac n Cheese.

I so almost got this the last day, but it was like a million degrees outside, and in between the rain showers, it turned into an outdoor sauna while I was there end of October. That weather combo zapped me of any desire to eat anything hot.

Except...
Okay... this is a pet peeve.
I'd never done this version before.
And... I was very bothered by the
use of the impossible trajectory.
The craft is supposed to orbit,
but it makes a 90 degree turn....
Sorry. Ballistics says that's not
possible.
Not at that speed.
Not unless you've got an
inertialess drive system... and that's
not even theoretically possible.

never noticed it -- will need to pay attention next time I go on it.

 

[pkondz]

So, not your favorite?

Gee, I was trying to hide that.

This attraction was not going to be on my list for May as we'll probably spend so little time in HS and my husband does NOT do spinning rides. Then I realized the height requirement is only 32 inches - and M is practically that height now! She's never been on a spinning ride (or any ride, for that matter), but she LOVES spinning in our office chair again and again and again... so, maybe?

I think she'd love it!
There's no where near
the spinning as there is
on Tea Cups... Hmmm...
Maybe like 1/2 a spin
every few seconds?
It's very mild... but...
I think she'd really love it.

That's amazing! What a great use of your early entry!

I thought so.

That is hysterical! I was surprised by a Green Army Man in HS once while looking at my phone... it's pretty great when a character can catch someone by surprise!

Did he say anything?

That happened to me more than once when I used to travel for my job and would go out to eat with co-workers. I'm sure Kari wasn't mortified, but it's a little awkward when you're pegged as a couple when you're with a friend.

I didn't mind at all.
In fact, I would've played
it up...
"Why yes. This much younger,
and pretty girl is with me."

Yes, I'm sure that's what it is! I ordered it with a wedge salad on my last trip and it was quite tasty!

Thanks!

The onion rings are definitely delicious! I bypassed them last time as I was dining solo and knew there was no way I could put a good-enough dent in them. My husband doesn't like onion rings (or most fried things), so I'll just have to make sure I get M to like them!

Force feed her if necessary.

An excellent choice! The Fastpass selections in HS are ridiculous - I hope they change it slightly before our trip!

Ridiculous... there's a good word.
I think they really don't want people
in that park while SWGE is so popular.
And believe me... I'm happy to leave
if I can only get one FP.

I must admit... I am.

WHY ON EARTH DID YOU NOT RIDE AFTER YOU FINISHED YOUR PICTURES?!

I know! I know!
But... I was happy to simply
walk out.

(They're amazing, by the way, and I understand your lack of need to ride all the rides... but really?! Bypassing the best ride on Disney World property? For shame! )

Thanks and...
I know!!!

Sounds about right.

At Disney?

How strange that they covered it with blue white chocolate! Why not green for Key LIME pie?!

Why not good chocolate????

That's too bad! I made the mistake of getting a cinnamon roll at the State Fair with an iced tea... and not confirming that the iced tea was unsweetened. I don't like sweet tea anyway, but I could hardly drink it after eating that delicious yet super-sweet cinnamon roll. There is a thing as too much sugar!

Yeah, definitely.
Funny how our tastebuds
get overwhelmed like that.

Good grief. I'm glad I don't have to travel with that guy!

Hopefully it was just an aberration.
A 20 minute one, but...

Such a great attraction! This was a good choice. I'm hopeful the re-do doesn't take away too much of the charm (*cough* Test Track *cough*).

Yeah... won't like... I'm worried...
but cautiously optimistic too.

That looks SO good!

It really was!

I adore that walkway. I'm crossing all my fingers that they don't remove it with all their updating plans at Epcot.

Don't take away the twinkling lights!!!

 

[dolewhipdreams]

and even
get a date with a Barbie!

Ariel Barbie, right?

What was your favourite toy
when you were a kid?

I did not play with toys. I only read books and had philosophical discussions.

She fell just short

Was that intentional? Seems like you're just kind of rubbing it in at this point

I mean... if you can't do this:

What's the point?

So true. Beating the snot out of your opponent is 87% of the fun.

Not my general debauchery
or complete lack of exercise.

All that pixie dust adds up

That poor kid's expression!

She and her mom (I'm assuming) have expressions that perfectly neutralize each other.

Multiple drinks? Maybe. But one?

Well since you're only allowed two they probably just wanted to make the one really effective

Okay, okay.
Kari's not even close to being
a Beast.
She can be Beauty, too.

(I can think of a couple things,
but this is a family board, you know.)

I mean if you can't say as2....

because 50s' onion rings are among
the best I've ever had.

Noted

And what did I pick for my one and only FP?

Great shot!

Once there, I set up my tripod and
for the next half hour or so, moved
back and forth from FP to Standby
line, framing the shots I wanted
while telling guests to go ahead
and pass by me.

I love this philosophy. It kind of guided me on my recent DL trip. Do what makes you happy!

it wasn't the purpose of the trip.
Taking it all in, and doing new things, was.

(Why doesn't Home Depot have
a Droid section, anyways?)

Oh ours does. Right by the saber repairs but before star cruiser parts.
Maybe it's a Canadian thing.

I'm all about that beep.

I sense a Meghan Trainor parady.

All about that beep, bout that beep. No boop bop.

I walked out of the Droid Depot poorer,
but dumber.

Who needs money and intelligence when you have a droid??

I'm not sure why they couldn't just
do a normal orbit.
I'm disappointed, Disney.

Ah yes Disney, known most for their adherence to the real and normal.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

I think she'd love it!
There's no where near
the spinning as there is
on Tea Cups... Hmmm...
Maybe like 1/2 a spin
every few seconds?
It's very mild... but...
I think she'd really love it.

Good to know - thanks! I don't intend to get a Fastpass for it (especially considering the competition at HS!), but if the line is not too bad and M seems interested, we'll go for it!

Did he say anything?

You know, I don't remember! I think he did, but after this many years I have no idea what it was! All I do remember is that I was terribly startled and Anika thought it was HILARIOUS.

 

[docsoliday1]

I found myself instead shrunk
to the size of a toy.

Isn't that TMI?

When you're toy sized, you can
play with toys that are normally
far too small for you and even
get a date with a Barbie!

Again, TMI. What you do with Barbie in Disney should stay in Disney.

Okay, okay... you're never too big
or too old to play with toys.

Obviously not based on your previous comments.

The toys just get more expensive.

I want!

What was your favourite toy
when you were a kid?

One Christmas, I got a vertibird (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VertiBird). I was, as a young boy, fascinated with the fact it actually worked on the power generated by the rotor and not by a linkage raising and lowering the chopper. I remember using a pencil for one of the control levers when the original lever broke. I used it as long as I can remember, but don't know how long that was. I also got my fascination with model trains around the same time, so I guess that could possibly trump as my favorite since it's still a dream of mine to have the space to construct and operate my own layout. Still have a lot of my model train stuff waiting for that dream.

Many of you guessed that I'd eat,
having not eaten yet, but... I don't
often eat breakfast when I'm at Disney.

So, kinda, like the commercial...
I don't often eat breakfast at Disney, but when I do, it is at the Kona cafe for banana french toast.

but there was one ride which,
every time I've been to TSL,
has had prohibitive waits for it.

Yeah, I had that SDD is always such a long wait.

So I took a spin on Alien Swirling Saucers.
(Or AS2, or Alien SS, or LGM, or whatever
acronym you use so you don't
spell "donkey" and offend... no one.)

Wait! What? You rode somebody's butt? Are you talking about Barbie again? You went on Donkey Kong? When did that ride get put in? Okay, now I'm totally confused. I know, normal.

What can I say about AS2?

Not much other than it's there.

I walked onto it without a wait.
So that's a positive.

Okay, granted.

I had fun. Also a positive.
(Not a lot of fun, but I was
smiling, so it counts.)

Smiling is good.

Will I ride it again?


Nope. Probably not.

Ditto.

It might be more
fun if you had Barbie sitting
beside you and she got
squished up against you
on those turns, but...

Your fetish with Barbie is becoming quite concerning.

There are other seats
for my butt that are more
exciting in this park.

They have outhouses?

Okay, close enough.

I received a text from Kari
(@Malia78 ), checking in to
see if we were still on for
our DISmeet today.
I assured her we were.

Kari!

(Why can I write assured
but not AS2's real acronym?
At least I as2ume I can?
Or did y'all just see stars?)

Nope, saw correctly. You can also asstute (although you'd be mis-spelling it).

Twenty-minute wait for SDD.
Not bad at all.

That's actually pretty good.

Okay! What's next???

You're going to tell us where you heading next?

I headed off in the direction
of TSMM.

Wow, I'm good.

I have played/ridden this solo
before and competed with
another Dad, but...

I don't think we had the opportunity, but you stand a much better chance against me on this than on BLY. For whatever reason, I get so focused on the aim, I forget I have to yank on the trigger and kill my hand.

What's the point?

On top of my head?

I exited TSL and somehow...
Grew back to my normal size.

That's not what Barbie said.

Actually, I think Disney added
a few pounds.

Disney does that. Almost as well as taking your money.

Not my general debauchery
or complete lack of exercise.

No! Couldn't be that.

We stopped and chatted for a bit,
but she had a date with some toys

Maybe she was going to shrink too and go find Ken? I imagine Barbie dumped him after your fling.

I got in line at RNRC at 9:27am
and was blasting through LA
by 9:45am. Zero to fifty-seven mph
in eighteen minutes.

That's really good for RNRC.

The last 2.8 seconds of that being
a bit more... intense.
(Yes. 57mph. Google it.)

I think I knew that, but had forgotten the exact speed.

That poor kid's expression!
Her mom seems blissfully unaware
of the therapy bills that are
coming her way.

Hard to read...doesn't look like she's showing any emotion in particular.

We got lucky.
Getting a table is not guaranteed.

Standing is.

But, not necessarily in a space with enough room for said standees. #amiright @Steppesister

We weren't alone at our table,
however, but the people there
seemed friendly enough.

That's good. Not for the introverted.

while Kari tried the Carbon Freeze.
(Powerade® Lemon Lime and Wild Strawberry
with Blueberry and Green Apple Popping Pearls)

I looked at that, but I'm not a big fan of the boba balls. I'd be interested to see what @Malia78 thought.

We both liked our drinks, except the lip-numbing
foam on the Tauntaun was a bit disconcerting!

I considered this also, but didn't know if I wanted numb lips.

But then Kari remarked that she did
a double take.
Safety note... wearing flesh-coloured
tights may result in whiplash... in others.

I think I saw the same girl (or at least a similar outfit). I thought for sure she was just wearing a t-shirt and then when she got closer, I realized.

Soon enough we arrived at our destination.

Pretty lady!

She can be Beauty, too.

To paraphrase Yoda...

There is no can, only is or is not. She is. (personality wise as well). Just sad I didn't get to meet her again.

"Um... no?"
(I can think of a couple things,
but this is a family board, you know.)

I can as well, but again, family board.

I'm sure Kari was mortified.

Can you blame her?

I ordered the onion rings,
because 50s' onion rings are among
the best I've ever had.

Yep. I recall you like onion rings.

I always like seeing Kari,
however briefly, she's just
one of those people that are
so likeable.

Absolutely. See comments above.

Totally opposite from me.

Well... okay. You can make three... but
only one good one.

Yeah, so miffed at the stupid everything is tier 1 at HS.

You can skip the ride. That's what
you can do.

Wow. I thought you really liked this, so wasn't expecting that.

Once there, I set up my tripod and
for the next half hour or so, moved
back and forth from FP to Standby
line, framing the shots I wanted
while telling guests to go ahead
and pass by me.

Did you get asked if you were an "official" photographer or doing a story? That would be my thought.

Whether you want to or not!
(Unless you scroll... I can't stop that...)

Taking it all in, and doing new things, was.

I did scroll.

From one picture to the next.

Great shots!

It was time to go spend silly amounts
of money on a souvenir that I normally
would have zero interest in.
I was off to build my very own droid.

I think more like spaceballs and you went right to ludicrous cost.

(Why doesn't Home Depot have
a Droid section, anyways?)

They do, but their droids have 4 wheels and motors and blades.

Basically, you decide what kind of
droid you want to build
(BB or R2 unit) and grab the
colours that appeal to you.

Same as Home Depot droids. What color and what width cut do you want.

The legs are fixed, with no knee joints.
(So no large knees and no wee knee.)

So, Barbie kept it? Okay, this is getting wierd.

use a powered screw-driver to attach
the two large legs.

Unless you're mechanically challenged.

So she gave me a new body
and two new legs.

Does Ruby know about your new body and legs? Does she like them better than the old?

Once my Droid was assembled, the CM
placed it in a special activation slot
and I had the pleasure of pushing
a button that "awoke" my droid.
I was very excited. I mean... I'd just
pushed a button that cost me more
than the entire Apollo space program
put together. In today's dollars!
The R2 unit beeped... and that was that.

Pay an insane amount of money for a beep?

I walked out of the Droid Depot poorer,
but dumber. So there's that.

Poorer, yes, but I think you already had a lock on the latter.

Working in the Droid factory is hard
work, though. So now it was time
for some fluid and electrolyte replacement!

And hopefully you scheduled an oil bath for your droid.

Doesn't look too bad, does it?
And the Key Lime part of it
wasn't bad at all.

Not what I was expecting. Blue for key lime? Reminds me a bit of how they used to dye pistachios red.

But the whole thing is wrapped
in a thick glob of blue-tinted
white chocolate.

I like white chocolate, but wouldn't expect (or want) it encasing key lime pie. I would have picked it off or eaten the white (err blue) chocolate separately.

I didn't eat it all.
I didn't eat half of it.

mmmmmm…. sounds amazing, right?

After a couple of spoonfuls,
I tossed the lot into a nearby
trash bin.

(x 2)

And you'd be wrong.

Happens a lot. I'm married.

that I passed out not once,
but twice, while in there.

Ruh roh. Good thing you didn't drown.

It wasn't an easy decision.

But yet, it must have been...you're writing this.

I got dressed and... since I had my
own clothes now, and didn't really
like the shirt I'd gotten at the gift shop,
I made the roughly minute walk and
returned it.

So, did you get a credit or did you find something else you liked?

Wow! A bit on the spicy side,
but not overly so... and very, very good!

That's my problem with a lot of things at F&W. My wife and I are both allergic to peppers and don't care for spicy food. Can you not figure out a way to make things tasty and not ruin it with spicy on everything???

Might be my last chance
to thank the Phoenicians.

Thank you Phonenicians.

Flying solo sometimes reveals
things not before imagined.
Is it just me, or does it look
like I'll be having a space DISmeet
with @MeghanEmily in the future??

If @MeghanEmily were a cartoon (when she had blue hair), it would be a striking resemblance.

I got picked for Engineer... again????
What is it with me and Engineering today??

Maybe it was the look on your face. Engineers are frequently constipated or uptight looking, maybe?

The craft is supposed to orbit,
but it makes a 90 degree turn....

I've never noticed that.

Not unless you've got an
inertialess drive system... and that's
not even theoretically possible.

Theoretically, it is. Actuality, maybe not so much.

It may not look like much,
but this dip was packed with
flavour and nice chunks of
shrimp and scallops.
Deeelish!

I think this was another that had peppers in it or my wife would have loved to have tried it.

At a leisurely pace, from
door to pour...

Sixty-two seconds.

Nice

It was the end to a verrrry looong day.

 

[pkondz]

Probably transformers and Mask (it was like GI Joe mixed with transformers). Unless you count a nintendo as a toy...that was probably a bigger favorite.

I can see that.
Later in life, video games
far surpassed anything else.

I actually never owned any GI Joe stuff -- my good friend had a bunch though.

Probably on the wane by then.

It's more fun in the dark with the lighting.

Oh? Maybe I'll have to
give it a second chance.

It's also more fun if you have a young kid with you (preferably your own kid). My youngest DD LOVES this ride, and since she's not a big thrill seeker, I have a higher affinity for this ride than I otherwise would.

Totally get that.
I just recommended it
to Jenny just for that
reason.

walking around the parks all day is actually a decent bit of exercise.

Hmmm...
So I should sue Disney to let
me in their parks more often
because otherwise it's
detrimental to my health...

that kid's expression is priceless.

ain't that the truth

Yep.

how did it compare to the fried chicken at hoop de doo? That stuff is amazing.

Hmmm...
Better.
But that may be because
of the legs/vs breasts/thighs.

You don't like star tours?

I like it enough... but not
enough to waste a FP on it
when it's usually a walk on.

sweet shots!

Thanks!

Stupid question, but why not go into the ride after the shots?

Because I didn't feel the need...
and I think I was starting to need
rest more than excitement.

don't you mean credits?

Nope.
I converted it for you.
Because that's the kind
of crack TR writing you get
around these parts.

yeah -- I don't think I could have gotten over the blue color -- but white chocolate with key lime? Seems like an odd combo.

Milk chocolate or (if
you like) dark chocolate
would've been better.
No chocolate would be
even better than that.

Now THAT sounds amazing.

yes. That's exactly what I just said. Do you even listen to me?

What? Did you say something?

I don't know -- that still looks pretty good. Melted ice cream is almost like a milkshake and those are good.

Side note -- did the ice cream melt b/c the apple was too hot or was there a timing issue? I know it was hot outside -- but still, it shouldn't melt that fast.

I think there was a delay in handing it to me.
It shouldn't have melted as much as it
was that fast.
And while I love a good milkshake...
this one wasn't good.
Too much of a good thing isn't good.

Yep. That was it alright.

you totally missed the opportunity to end on a cliffhanger about whether you drowned or not!

Actually, I really debated ending
it at that point...
But I didn't want to have a long
chapter (which it already was)
and then the next update would
have been just a couple paragraphs.

food & wine, right?

Of course. That's what I said.
Go back and look.


Dang it! Stop making me correct
my updates!

I so almost got this the last day, but it was like a million degrees outside, and in between the rain showers, it turned into an outdoor sauna while I was there end of October. That weather combo zapped me of any desire to eat anything hot.

Ugh. Yeah... I get that.
My appetite flags quite a bit
when it's really hot out.
And the last thing I want,
is more hot food.

never noticed it -- will need to pay attention next time I go on it.

It's pretty obvious if you
look for it.

 

[pkondz]

Ariel Barbie, right?

Do you really need to ask?

I did not play with toys. I only read books and had philosophical discussions.

Of course.
That question was directed
at the other, silly, kids-at-heart.

Was that intentional? Seems like you're just kind of rubbing it in at this point

It was and it wasn't.
I wrote it without thinking,
but when I re-read it,
I realized what I'd said...

And then decided I liked it
enough and wanted to see
if anyone would twig on it.

You did!

So true. Beating the snot out of your opponent is 87% of the fun.

The rest is gloating.

All that pixie dust adds up

Nobody told me that
pixie dust was fattening!

She and her mom (I'm assuming) have expressions that perfectly neutralize each other.

Pretty sure it was her mom.
They were together in the queue.
And... yes.

Well since you're only allowed two they probably just wanted to make the one really effective

Except we also know that
Disney adds as little alcohol
to their drinks as possible.

I mean if you can't say as2....

Right. Or **** or ******
or even ******************!

Noted

Truuuuust me.

Great shot!

Thanks!

I love this philosophy. It kind of guided me on my recent DL trip. Do what makes you happy!

Oh ours does. Right by the saber repairs but before star cruiser parts.
Maybe it's a Canadian thing.

Dang...
You probably don't have
the hockey stick section
or the overly-politeness seminars?

I sense a Meghan Trainor parady.

All about that beep, bout that beep. No boop bop.

I was wondering if anyone
would catch that one.
You're two for two.

Who needs money and intelligence when you have a droid??

Exactly.
Just like having a smart-phone.
(Question... when will they stop
calling them "smart" phones and
just start calling them "phones"?)

Ah yes Disney, known most for their adherence to the real and normal.

Exactly!!!

 

[pkondz]

Good to know - thanks! I don't intend to get a Fastpass for it (especially considering the competition at HS!), but if the line is not too bad and M seems interested, we'll go for it!

Let me know if she liked it!

You know, I don't remember! I think he did, but after this many years I have no idea what it was! All I do remember is that I was terribly startled and Anika thought it was HILARIOUS.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

Nobody told me that
pixie dust was fattening!

It's all carb, dude.

Right. Or **** or ******
or even ******************!

Hey careful now this is a family board

You probably don't have
the hockey stick section
or the overly-politeness seminars?

No we threw those out when we decided everyone should pay for health care.

I was wondering if anyone
would catch that one.
You're two for two.

I'm garbage at guessing the answers to your questions but at least I can pick up on subtlety!

 

[pkondz]

Isn't that TMI?

Again, TMI. What you do with Barbie in Disney should stay in Disney.

No. I took her to Vegas.
I will not tell you what
happened there.

I want!

I'll send you one!
You pay for shipping...

One Christmas, I got a vertibird (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VertiBird). I was, as a young boy, fascinated with the fact it actually worked on the power generated by the rotor and not by a linkage raising and lowering the chopper. I remember using a pencil for one of the control levers when the original lever broke. I used it as long as I can remember, but don't know how long that was.

Oh... My...

Do you have any idea...

I had a friend or cousin who
had one of those... and...
I wanted one soooo badly.
I never got one.
Then, finally, as an adult
(and a father, too!) I finally did...
Except it wasn't as good as the
original. Flimsy construction and
it didn't work.
So disappointed. Still am.
Still want one.

I also got my fascination with model trains around the same time, so I guess that could possibly trump as my favorite since it's still a dream of mine to have the space to construct and operate my own layout. Still have a lot of my model train stuff waiting for that dream.

I get that.
I had a set up (on a couple sheets
of plywood), but... I had the track
laid out and the switches all
working, but... I never had the time
to do much more than that.
So... it got packed up... and eventually
given away.
(This is 30 years ago, roughly.)

So, kinda, like the commercial...
I don't often eat breakfast at Disney, but when I do, it is at the Kona cafe for banana french toast.

Wait! What? You rode somebody's butt? Are you talking about Barbie again? You went on Donkey Kong? When did that ride get put in? Okay, now I'm totally confused. I know, normal.

Sorry... family board.
Can't say.

Not much other than it's there.

So... not quite a major fan?

Your fetish with Barbie is becoming quite concerning.

Drat. Secret's out!

They have outhouses?

Okay, close enough.

See???

Nope, saw correctly. You can also asstute (although you'd be mis-spelling it).

Huh.
I thought they might have a list
of approved words.
Or... how about AS2 followed by "H"?
As in... a misspelled Asshton Kutcher.

Huh. Guess that's okay.

You're going to tell us where you heading next?

Wow, I'm good.

Impressive skilz!

I don't think we had the opportunity, but you stand a much better chance against me on this than on BLY. For whatever reason, I get so focused on the aim, I forget I have to yank on the trigger and kill my hand.

Good. I now have a reason
to ride this with you.

On top of my head?

Put a tuque on it!

That's not what Barbie said.

Disney does that. Almost as well as taking your money.

Maybe she was going to shrink too and go find Ken? I imagine Barbie dumped him after your fling.

Wouldn't be surprised.
I'm hard to replace, you know.

That's really good for RNRC.

Love EMH...

I think I knew that, but had forgotten the exact speed.

That's why I said to Google.
I had to!

Hard to read...doesn't look like she's showing any emotion in particular.

It's very subtle.

But, not necessarily in a space with enough room for said standees. #amiright @Steppesister

In addition to the VIP bus pass,
I also have the VIP Oga pass.

That's good. Not for the introverted.

Meh. We ignored them
for the most part.

I looked at that, but I'm not a big fan of the boba balls. I'd be interested to see what @Malia78 thought.

She said she liked them
and the fact that they come
in a glass with a little built in
shelf to keep them separated
from the bottom bubbly area.

I considered this also, but didn't know if I wanted numb lips.

It wore off after 2-3 days...

I think I saw the same girl (or at least a similar outfit). I thought for sure she was just wearing a t-shirt and then when she got closer, I realized.

Bit of a "Whaaa????" moment, no?

I can as well, but again, family board.

Can you blame her?

Nope!

Yep. I recall you like onion rings.

Actually... only some.
Some I don't care for at all.

Yeah, so miffed at the stupid everything is tier 1 at HS.

So stupid.

Wow. I thought you really liked this, so wasn't expecting that.

I do, but...
I think I was hitting the wall.

Did you get asked if you were an "official" photographer or doing a story? That would be my thought.

No, but that has happened to me.

I did scroll.

From one picture to the next.

Great shots!

Thanks!

I think more like spaceballs and you went right to ludicrous cost.

They do, but their droids have 4 wheels and motors and blades.

Oh! Okay!
So we do have those up here.
Right behind the snowblowers.

So, Barbie kept it? Okay, this is getting wierd.

Her last name was Bobbitt,
if that means anything...

Does Ruby know about your new body and legs? Does she like them better than the old?

She approves.
Now I can put groceries
away without swearing.

Pay an insane amount of money for a beep?

Um... yeah...

Poorer, yes, but I think you already had a lock on the latter.

True!

And hopefully you scheduled an oil bath for your droid.

Nope. For that amount of money,
he can schedule his own baths!

Not what I was expecting. Blue for key lime? Reminds me a bit of how they used to dye pistachios red.

Not bad.
Yeah, something like that.
But more disgusting.

I like white chocolate, but wouldn't expect (or want) it encasing key lime pie. I would have picked it off or eaten the white (err blue) chocolate separately.

Hmmm... if you're a fan, then
yes, peel and eat.
I'd probably do that if it was
milk chocolate.

Happens a lot. I'm married.

Ruh roh. Good thing you didn't drown.

Nah. The not breathing part
would've woken me up.


Maybe.
I was pretty tired.

So, did you get a credit or did you find something else you liked?

You know... I'm not even really sure
if I got the credit at all.
I never did look for it.
But, no. I just returned it.

That's my problem with a lot of things at F&W. My wife and I are both allergic to peppers and don't care for spicy food. Can you not figure out a way to make things tasty and not ruin it with spicy on everything???

I can see how that would make
it kinda hard, there.



<that's what she said>

If @MeghanEmily were a cartoon (when she had blue hair), it would be a striking resemblance.

Right???

Maybe it was the look on your face. Engineers are frequently constipated or uptight looking, maybe?

That's it!

I've never noticed that.

Look for it next time.

Theoretically, it is. Actuality, maybe not so much.

It is? Hmmm...
Didn't think it was.
Conservation of momentum and all.

I think this was another that had peppers in it or my wife would have loved to have tried it.

Ah. Shame.

 

[pkondz]

It's all carb, dude.

Ah. I sit corrected.

Hey careful now this is a family board

Whoops! Sorry!

No we threw those out when we decided everyone should pay for health care.

So that's what those
are for!

I'm garbage at guessing the answers to your questions but at least I can pick up on subtlety!

Do you want that maple syrup or not????

 

[KathyM2]

I'm late to the TR party around here as usual! Can't believe your WJ story..and the sad fact is they ARE usually the more pleasant of the options available to us Canadians...sigh....Also can't believe the response to your complaint...clearly didn't even read it the first time...that would actually be a funny comedy sketch...but I digress...

Always fun to read your TR's!