Driving Karen nuts in 10 rides or less **Updated 2/18** COMPLETE - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Thanks for the update on the bagpiper. I didn't hear him in November but it was probably hard over the snoring of Chuck. Great start! Can't wait for more.
Glad to hear you didn't melt in the rain. So far it's been an easygoing day. I'm curious about Mousefest 101! Sounds interesting....
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Tanya
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I really didn't get to stay for Mousefest 101, but it seemed to be a primer for how best to take advantage of all the events without overdoing it. (I'd been to Mousefest twice before, so really didn't feel the need to pay much attention. Sorry!)
Eileen
There was a bit of a wait for a monorail (why I have such poor luck with these things, I’ll never know.) We got to see at least one come past us on the other rail:
We weren’t sure where Sara and Terri were off to, but we boarded the monorail together….
… and were delighted to find that they decided to hang with us at the Poly while we waited for Jill.
We stopped by Kona Café to find that they’d just closed their kitchen until dinner. That left us with Captain Cooks as our only option and it was a good one. I liked the touch screens, but felt they kept pushing me to order extra stuff, even though they eventually let me also remove stuff – like the tomato on my grilled cheese. Ick! The Polynesian chips were divine! I got me a GI-normous Coke and sucked down its caffeinated goodness before getting a refill.
As an added bonus, the rain had totally stopped and the skies cleared – and stayed that way for the rest of the trip! We even got to eat out on the patio after Terri got towels from the pool and we all set to drying off the table and chairs.
After a bit of laughing an noshing, someone yelped “She’s here!” I leapt out of my chair without being sure which direction Jill was coming from, but quickly located her and gave her a big ol’ hug. Yay!! The CLQ-3 was at least a duo for the day.
We sent Jill inside to order her meal and no one was surprised to see her come out with a bottle of chardonnay (least of all her hubby Thom, who commented immediately on the purchase of “happy juice” on the blog.)
Jill sat next to Larry and it was a Mutual Adoration Society meeting happening right before our eyes.
Despite the scowling in the pic, they were absolutely smitten with each other and enjoying themselves immensely.
We were also joined by a very inquisitive family of ducks – with about 5 ducklings in tow. They were very people-friendly and the ducklings kept clambering over my shoes as they searched for hand-outs. (I *never* feed them as I think this is bad for the ducks AND Disney.)
We talked and laughed and told and re-told stories until our sides ached from the laughing. At one point, Terri decided that it was the better part of valor to decline making a comment on some outrageous statement I’d made and she bit down on her keys to keep from speaking – it was a fun photo op all on its own!
The funny thing about blogging this all was that my cell phone would have occasional problems with reception. Well, when this happens in my home in PA, I often find that holding it in the air improves things – although… why that extra 20 inches of height would make a lick of difference, I have no idea. Especially as I was sitting down at the time. To make matters worse, I apparently stick my tongue out in concentration whenever I do this, making for much mock-worthy moments as I’d sit there “hand up, tongue out” trying to upload something to the blog.
It became rather a “theme” over the next few days, as you’ll see.
Not to be outdone, Larry had to show us all his new iPhone, including some of the fun apps he’d downloaded – like this “zippo lighter” that he'd play with by flipping open the cap and then rolling the rolly-thingy to make the flame leap up. It was totally cool and very geekified. My DH would’ve been very impressed.
As we were now at about Hour Two (!!) of our time at Captain Cook’s, the texts from Karen were getting rather insistent that I get my butt in gear and race to the MK before the Christmas Party forced us out for the evening.
Buuuuuut… to egg her on, we stopped for a biological break. The number of fingers I'm holding up in the pic is to denote that it's actually biological break #2 (as we'd stopped on our way down to Captain Cooks) rather than the type of biological break I'd... well... you know.
For whatever reason, my luck with monorail problems is limited to the MK, Contemporary and TTC. If I’m at the Poly or the GF, I can catch a monorail within moments and it takes me to my destination quickly.
On the way, I saw that the sky had a nice pinkish tinge to it – “red sky at night, Disney’s delight!”
We entered the MK just as the sun was setting and the place looked magical.
<-- I loved seeing the full moon in the background!
We decided that a Jungle Cruise might work out well, timing-wise, to be able to catch the castle lighting ceremony. We headed over there and found that the line was daunting, but moving fast.
We were joined in line by Sara (Belle*) and we got to spend some quality time with her. (Christine told her about a slight hiccup with our travel arrangements through MEI and Sara was a star in my book when she later made sure everything was taken care of for us and we got to do a special event for guests on the Mousefest booking at the Beach Club. I got a happy text from her later that night that we were all confirmed. Yay, Sara! )
Unfortunately, our Jungle Cruise skipper was a definite odd-ball. He seemed as if he’d rather be a Kilimanjaro Safari driver (telling animal facts to the guests) rather than a JC skipper (telling corny jokes to the guests.) He totally flubbed the “backside of water” joke and we all looked around each other with tight smiles – whiskey-tango-foxtrot! Who messes up the backside of water joke?
Just as we climbed the stairs from the Jungle Cruise, we heard the big inhalation from the crowd and saw the very tip of the castle (over the buildings of Adventureland) illuminated with the castle lights. Sigh… we’d just missed them.
It was 7 o’clock now and time to leave the park. We headed out, enjoying the decorations, lights and general Christmas-y vibe of Main Street.
We all split our various ways and Jill and I hopped aboard a bus to Saratoga Springs with Lesley. News of the political scandal with the governor of Illinois had just broken, so Lesley was relaying that info to us as we swayed our standing-room-only way from the MK to SS. A very animated guest next to us interjected into the conversation and he had very definite opinions on the political climate of America. He didn’t step over any bounds or make any enemies, but it was odd how “hot” he got, even though I suspect he had similar political leanings to my own. (Although I’m not sure… I changed the subject as quickly as possible.)
We hopped off at the Grandstands and waved Lesley off to her location at the Springs. Finding our room was a snap and we were lucky to have a terrific location near the buses (not that we’d need them – we were only here for one night and we’d be taking a cab to the Beach Club the next morning.)
Jill and I got settled and re-hydrated with that delicious Florida tap water. (Man!! I was sooooo thirsty!) Which forces me to ask the question: why are there never any ice cubes in the freezers of the 1-bedroom villas? It’s weird.
This bounceback offer was on the table:
Anyway, Jill and I caught up a bit and then I texted Lesley to come join us. She offered to stop to snag some food and we both opted for chocolate and wine – the dinner of champions!
Soon thereafter, the 2-person chatfest became a 3-person chatfest and we talked for hours. Even though I was exhausted and had been up for about 20 hours, we didn’t crawl into our respective beds until almost midnight.
I fell asleep immediately, but was too excited to stay firmly asleep – I woke up around 4 AM and had a hard time getting back to sleep.
Up next: Thing... thing a thong....
Last edited by Caldercup; 12-19-2008 at 01:55 PM..
Its great to read your TR and Jill's in tandem . . . I can hear you both telling the stories! Plus its fun to hear about what I missed while driving in!
Eileen I am so happy you decided to write a TR....there is nothing like hearing you tell the tale (and I am sure that even with poor Karen stuck at home she definitely will have some points of correction to throw our way )
Your blog was so much fun...I was so sad that I missed Mousefest by like a few days (I must schedule my trips better).
we eventually ran into Lesley, who was off to find some hot tea.
It was so good to see you!
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Lesley and I have no trouble filling time with a good long chat.
You can say that again.
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where we first saw Bob and Larry in person! There was much hugging and greeting and excited talking.
It was the beginning of a trip of hugging and excited talking. I don't think there was a lull in the conversation all weekend. :
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The Polynesian chips were divine!
I'll definitely be making a return visit on a future trip.
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Jill sat next to Larry and it was a Mutual Adoration Society meeting happening right before our eyes.
I think we all felt that way about our friend from South Carolina.
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Terri decided that it was the better part of valor to decline making a comment on some outrageous statement I’d made and she bit down on her keys to keep from speaking – it was a fun photo op all on its own!
Actually I think this was when I was about to tell a story Terri'd already heard and she was trying to keep from making an inappropriate comment.
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Larry had to show us all his new iPhone, including some of the fun apps he’d downloaded – like this “zippo lighter” that he'd play with by flipping open the cap and then rolling the rolly-thingy to make the flame leap up. It was totally cool and very geekified. My DH would’ve been very impressed.
I have to admit I learned more about thinkgeek.com on this trip than I ever wanted to know although I will admit I've already visited the site - haven't ordered anything yet, but there are a couple of interesting items there
Here are a couple of pictures I took on the Jungle Cruise:
Bob and Sara
This was taken at the beginning of the cruise before we realized the skipper was not up to JC standards. I agree with you Eileen - how can you mess up the "Backside of water" joke?!?!?! actually before the trip was over we all decided Larry would be a terriffic JC skipper - his jokes were right up there with theirs.
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Soon thereafter, the 2-person chatfest became a 3-person chatfest and we talked for hours.
Karen wasn’t along on this trip – not that that’s a GOOD THING!! Just that it means I won’t be so concerned with accuracy so much as I’ll be with “telling the tale.” Makes for much quicker writing!
Ummm... wasn't I already telling you about what days you did things and in what order last night? You see, I had the benefit of texts and blog updates without the memory distorting properties of copious amounts of alcohol. If anything I'll be even more of a bugger about the corrections.
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
Bonus – the seat belts fit on me now without needing a belt extender!! I *love* the treadmill now!
And there's so many pictures where you look absolutely beautiful from last weekend. Congratulations you walkin' woman you! When you told me that you were often leading the way and setting the pace this weekend, I was so proud. That's my girl!
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
Aaaaahhhhh… the Espresso Truffle. It’s to die for!
Wasn't it only a year ago that I was giving you instructions on how to order at a Starbucks? Now you're giving recommendations? See above. So. So. Proud.
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
I took out a poncho and ducked under cover while I pulled it on. I didn’t have a hat to secure the hood, so I took my sunglasses out and popped them on top to help a tad.
And why, oh why isn't there a picture of THAT? Never mind, the mental picture I've got is probably better than reality.
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
It was about this time that Karen started texting me – and Verizon has great reception because I was able to receive (and unable to ignore) the multitude of texts telling me I was behind schedule and asking how blasted long it took to eat a tuna sandwich. She’s not even here and she’s making me stick to a schedule!
I just wanted to make sure the blog stayed interesting. It's a Small World and a tuna sandwich don't drive the web traffic.
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
When the reception began, the Mousefesters poured out of the ballroom and filled the hall, pushing Lesley and me over to the wall – where we first saw Bob and Larry in person! There was much hugging and greeting and excited talking. Eventually, more and more PassPorters came over to us – Terri and Sarah joined us, followed by Christine and Amy (iamgrumpy) as well as a lot of other people who's names have fallen through my sieve of a brain. (Sorry!)
That sounds like heaven to me!
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
Up next: ducklings, cell phones and looooong meals that drive Karen crazy!
You forgot the "Oh My!"
__________________
Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
The funny thing about blogging this all was that my cell phone would have occasional problems with reception. Well, when this happens in my home in PA, I often find that holding it in the air improves things – although… why that extra 20 inches of height would make a lick of difference, I have no idea. Especially as I was sitting down at the time. To make matters worse, I apparently stick my tongue out in concentration whenever I do this, making for much mock-worthy moments as I’d sit there “hand up, tongue out” trying to upload something to the blog.
Again! Pictures! Where are the pictures?
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
As we were now at about Hour Two (!!) of our time at Captain Cook’s, the texts from Karen were getting rather insistent that I get my butt in gear and race to the MK before the Christmas Party forced us out for the evening.
I know you're not the math-y sort, Eileen. But considering you were traveling with some honest to goodness rocket scientists, let's not get all "liberal arts major" on the math. Mmmm-kay? 2:30 until sometime after 5:00 does not count as being "at about hour two." More like, times a-wasting, and the MK is about to close for the night.
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
He totally flubbed the “backside of water” joke and we all looked around each other with tight smiles – whiskey-tango-foxtrot! Who messes up the backside of water joke?
Maybe someone who actually tried to see the backside of water in the bathtub as a kid, and knocked themseleves one to many times in the noggin'?
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
Thing... thing a thong....
Hey! Is that a crack at the party tooth?
What a great day! Thanks for bringing me along via text during the day, and filling in all the deets now. Can't wait for more!
__________________
Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
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Great start! Can't wait for more.
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
<-- I loved seeing the full moon in the background!
)
(I must schedule my trips better).
:
I'll definitely be making a return visit on a future trip.
although I will admit I've already visited the site - haven't ordered anything yet, but there are a couple of interesting items there 
Oh. My. GAWD! 
I *love* the treadmill now! 
Congratulations you walkin' woman you! When you told me that you were often leading the way and setting the pace this weekend, I was so proud. 
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