Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - COMPLETE About This Page:

[zacksmom_1993]

Holy carp, batman! Get that crazy lady in the aqua shirt some coffee stat. Man, I'm a walking poster girl for the "don't go commando at WDW" (and I don't mean sans underwear either) faction. LOVELY! I don't think I'll be using any of those shots on my eHarmony profile page, if you know what I mean. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

I don't know how I missed this update, but man does it bring back some great memories. Though Eileen, I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img], [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img], [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] Calder, but if he looks this good in photos after like 5 hours of sleep I'm going to seriously reconsider being in his photographic vicinity first thing in the morning in the future. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Can't wait for more!

[luvnwdwgal]

Thanks for another great update Eileen! Can't wait for another! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Caldercup]

[ QUOTE ]
Holy carp, batman! Get that crazy lady in the aqua shirt some coffee stat. Man, I'm a walking poster girl for the "don't go commando at WDW" (and I don't mean sans underwear either)

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for making me snort coffee on my laptop, Karen! Jeez, I have to USE this thing....

[ QUOTE ]
I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img], [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img], [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] Calder, but if he looks this good in photos after like 5 hours of sleep I'm going to seriously reconsider being in his photographic vicinity first thing in the morning in the future. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, it's pretty disgusting. When, he's tired, the only way you can tell is that he looks a little gray... but a quick spin on the PhotoShop magic highway and I can make him look normal again!! (At least in the pictures!)

I've got a bit of typing to do for my dad, folks... but I swear I'll write more soon!
Eileen

[lindawdw]

Although you were tired, it sounds like a good time was had by all at O'hanas! Can't wait for more [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[BabieeMelly]

Great update, I love the pictures from the character breakfast!!!

[Caldercup]

I should be typing the last bit for my dad, but I got itching to finish this TR up so I could work on my DisneyLAND trip report.

A new update in just a moment.
Eileen

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue"> Karen and Zack have just headed back to their room to make the resort transfer to WLV, so Calder and I headed into Epcot after our breakfast with Stitch!

<u>Day three - Friday, December 2nd - part two </u>

We walked into Epcot feeling slightly more awake, but a little subdued. I knew we’d be taking it easy, which is how Calder loves to see Epcot – the slow and easy way! We checked the tip board and Soarin’ had a huge wait and the fast passes were quite a ways out in the afternoon.

My one goal for the day was to find the Disney Visa character picture spot. I found where it was to be and we only had to spend about three hours in Epcot to “wait” for the time. No problem… as I said, Calder could spend years in Innoventions alone!

Calder played the Toontown tag game as Mickey and… ta daaa…. He won!


Then we wandered around and came across the stupidest series of games. They were all centered on teaching kids the concept of “supply and demand” but were way too subtle about it and Calder completely missed the whole point (and he’s a top notch thinker!!) But what got me, was that they were BAAAAD games. They didn’t operate well, some of them required too much cooperative play (which sets kids up for arguments with perfect strangers) and the big one had the worst CM “manning” the booth. He gave no explanation on what the game was or how to play it and, because the other two kids had already been playing for a few minutes, he just handed Calder the control wand and told him to “click stuff.”


(Basically, the game required one person to figure out what to “sell.” Then the next person had to “deliver” the goods to where people could buy them. Then the final person marketed the goods on billboards, which would bring in the buyers. Yech… it stunk like fish in August. I hope they improve this thing.

We also played a kiosk game where we had to run a dog grooming place and that was equally confusing and didn’t work as a game or a teaching tool. Sometimes “edutainment” is really bad stuff.

Calder gave me a look and rolled his eyes as he headed off to the more permanent stuff he likes. We wandered through Innoventions and eventually found a totally cool exhibit of car-building robots that were set up to play instruments made out of car parts – a radiator tube xylophone, an air-compressor pipe organ, a steel drum made out of a car door. You could select the instrument and the robot would grab the appropriate mallet or stick and give a little “hello” wiggle before it started playing. We spent quite a bit of time playing and watching this cool exhibit.

We got to the other side of Innoventions and saw Mission:Space looming in the distance. We were off! …and ended up waiting in one of the longest lines at M:S that we ever encountered. We met some nice teenage boys that we chatted with for quite a while. They were both very polite and interested in Disney – they had the coolest pin collections and we spent some time discussing M:S. In the end though, we didn’t end up in their capsule. We had a husband/wife team that didn’t speak English and didn’t know what they were to do for their “roles.” We kept hearing “Computer Override” each time they were to send us into hypersleep, or launch the thrusters, etc. But we made it safely to Mars (phew!) and hopped out to the big game. We played around there a bit and then stopped in the shop. I managed to snag and hide a T-shirt for Calder that has Stitch in his alien costume biting a Mars-colored rock. On the back it says, “tastes like chicken.” (It was a big hit at Christmas!) I also saw a shirt that I almost bought for myself. (I ended up going back the next day to take a picture of it – check back later!)

Then, we headed into MouseGears. I was pretty good and held myself in check. I bought an advent calendar for my ‘boyfriend’ (a little charmer named Ryan whose mom is a fellow perennial-junkie and my “supplier”) and some general Christmas gifts. Calder warmed up his Disney gift card by buying himself some sour sugar tubes. I couldn’t send my stuff back to the resort since the advent calendar was technically “food.” It was chocolate, which I don’t consider food – it’s an essential, a necessity, a prescription drug. It’s not food. But, I did as Disney says and I carried out this big bag of stuff.

We stepped out of MouseGears right as the Kristos were performing. We’d only seen them for a moment before, so I was glad to catch most of their show.


Of course, now that we were on the other side of MouseGears, Calder announces a need to "go." Back through MG to the bathrooms on the outside of the building, near the butterfly garden. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Then it was back out through MG so we could try out Club Cool.

Although I missed the igloo and the frozen man, I didn’t have as disappointed a reaction as some other PassPorters. Club Cool was okay… and they had a big display of the special cups you can make and fill with frozen Coke. I knew Calder wanted a Stitch one and I was getting a Minnie one if it killed me! Well, it practically did – the frozen coke tasted like anti-freeze. Yechhh! Calder sucked up his blue raspberry slush like it was going out of style, though. They were out of the Mozambique stuff, which I like, but there was PLENTY of Beverly. Calder tried this again and said it wasn’t horrible, but he wouldn’t want to drink it. (He’s into that stage where everything has to be super-sour and almost inedible for it to be termed “candy.” I dutifully roll my eyes and tell him he’s nuts.)

The Disney Visa thing was still hours away and we were both getting very sleepy. We decided that we wanted energy to head to MGM for our big dinner that night at SciFi Dine-in before the Osborne lights, so we made a plan for one ride on Spaceship Earth before heading back to the room. Just as we loaded on, Bob called my cell phone. I let him listen to the ride a few minutes, but he’s not that into it all and promised to call me back later.

We stopped to take the obligatory “ball” pictures.


On the way out of the park, my plastic bag broke, but I managed to hold it all together. There was a bus there and almost no one on it. I think I may have dozed off as we meandered through Disney property – but it’s a quick trip to POFQ from Epcot, so I barely had time to start snoring!

We got back to our room and Calder wanted me to take his picture opening the door – he loves doing that. Notice the sign I put in our window announcing our Mousefest affiliation!


I dropped our stuff and collapsed on the bed. Calder flipped on the TV and started cracking up at the Amazing Amanda commercials. Zack had a fascination with these and kept inserting hilarious things for Amazing Amanda to say. “Silly, Mommy! Cookies aren’t for breakfast – crack is!” I fell asleep listening to Calder giggle.

&lt;Up next: drinking in cars with friends and one of the best conversations all year!&gt;

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[lauren-roxy]

Great update Eileen!!! Sounds like a really nice time at Epcot!! I have to admit, I love super sour candy too!!!! Can't wait to read more!!!!

[Eeyoresmom]

Looking forward to reading more!

[DawnDenise]

[ QUOTE ]
I couldn’t send my stuff back to the resort since the advent calendar was technically “food.” It was chocolate, which I don’t consider food – it’s an essential, a necessity, a prescription drug. It’s not food.

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

Another great update!!!! Looking forward to more Eileen!!

[ariel14]

More pls!!!!!!!!!!

[lindawdw]

Sounds like you're having a great time together. Can't wait to hear about your great dinner conversations! More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue"> &lt;continued from previous post&gt;

I was sleeping the sleep of the righteously tired when I heard something.

Blerp, blerp, blerp…. ZZZZZ..... Blerp, blerp, blerp…. snnnnnkkk… “What? Whassat sound?”

It was Calder’s PDA alarm. Yuck, another noisemaker in the family. Oh, well, it was time to get up anyway. The phone rang. I told Stitch that I was already awake and he could make all the racket he wanted!

I was a little cranky.

I know what I needed and it would be a first for me at Disney. A cocktail… and someone to share it with!! Yippeee!

We got ourselves ready to go within a few minutes. Calder hadn’t slept at all, but he was more rested now and was ready to get to MGM. He wanted to take me on Star Tours – something I hadn’t done since my honeymoon in 1990! We had to make a quick stop at the front desk to get new keys – yep, I’d demagnetized my key again! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

We got out to the bus and had another slow loading. I’m not sure why, but we had so much trouble this trip with people taking their sweet time getting on the buses. It wasn’t the buses’ fault – they were showing up regularly. It was the people who were taking forever to board, fold up strollers, find seats, switch seats, go back to the original seats, etc. I was getting tired of having to call Karen to say that we were probably going to be a few minutes late.

Eventually we got to MGM and hopped off the bus. We were through the turnstiles to find that the parade was just looping through the back door, so we couldn’t move. Oh well. (Now, I wish we’d been just a few minutes earlier because I later found out that Dawn and her mom were drinking their way through MGM and had run into Karen and Zack again. I so wish I’d been there since we never managed to hook up with anyone except K&amp;Z --and our dinner pals at Teppanyaki the next night-- for the rest of the trip!)

Anyway, we finally managed to walk down towards Star Tours and I was smart enough to ask a CM the quickest way to the Sci-Fi. Turns out we were right by a shortcut and he directed us that way. In seconds, we ran into Karen, who had already put in our names and who pulled us into the Writer’s Stop to wait. Oooh, I love this place. Zack showed us a picture he’d had made with his head superimposed on Luke Skywalker’s body. It was fabu! A few minutes later, we were called in for our seats. I love how the surrounding walls to the restaurant are built like sets – reminded me of my college years!

We were led towards the back in the center of the room and directed into a fun little car. And I mean little. Wow – I had to squeeze in there! Karen and I took the back seat and tucked the boys in front. We looked over the menu and I really wanted a salad (maybe because I wanted to fit into this car the next time I came!) and some soda. Calder wanted one of the drinks with the light up ice cube, but he doesn’t really like the drink and he used to drive me nuts banging the dang things on the counter to make them light up. Karen offered to give her ice cube to Calder, so he ordered a milkshake and a hamburger.

Zack warned me that there was an hysterical moment in the movie clips and that he’d tell me when to look up.

Karen ordered a Marsha’s Mars (ooooh, it had Kahlua) and [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] I remembered that we had planned to have cocktails - Karen had a “dream” of having cocktails in one of these cars with another grown-up… I instantly changed my order. Yum, was this thing good!

Thus began the great conversation.

Now, I knew that Karen and I clicked on-line and we had some really funny, zingy little PMs going back and forth for months. But, I have some pretty strong … well, let’s politely call them “ideas.” Sometimes, it can be hard to find people who have the same opinions and I generally shy away from discussing these things so that I don’t cause cracks in my friendships. I shouldn’t have worried. Our conversation touched on all the hot topics – politics, religion, parenting, basic human rights, etc. – and we were so much in agreement that it was kinda scary. (I mean, even my DH disagrees with me on some topics.) We just talked and talked and talked – and laughed and laughed and laughed. It was wonderful!

Zack told me to look up for the “Incredible Growing Man” clips. If you haven’t seen this, make sure to watch what happens with the hypodermic needle! Totally hysterical! Calder, who’s recently started understanding “blue” jokes really cracked up.

At one point, Karen got the giggles because one of the servers had a light up ice cube in the front pocket of his apron. It was glowing there for all to see. Kinda like a radioactive ‘nad. I think that Marsha’s Mars was a bit strong, ‘cause I started snorting!

Our server was terrific and gave the boys Sci-Fi Driver’s licenses. He also gave the DDE discount to both checks – which was very nice!


After a quick rest room break, we headed over to Star Tours. I solidified myself in Zack’s mind as a cool adult because I knew the difference between an AT-AT and an AT-ST. (Little did he know that I was his age when the original movie came out and I spent most of the summer of 1977 in the movie theatre. I even collected the stickers and read the book.) As I said, I hadn’t been on this ride in 15 years and I was looking forward to it. We got into the back row, where Zack and Karen assured me, you got the best ride! I was all the way over to the far wall and the seat was so high up that my feet didn’t touch the ground (is it like that in all the seats?) I had a blast – what a terrific ride! I laughed and screamed and was thrilled by the “canyon shot” that I love so much from the movie.

Then we were out of our shuttle and headed into the gift shop. Calder wanted to get a light up light saber like Zack had. We walked around and around and after a little while, Karen and Zack said they wanted to wait outside. I tried to hurry Calder up and that’s when I saw it – a Jedi Mickey. I had to have this for Calder. I managed to buy it without him seeing it and I tucked it into my touring bag. He had what he wanted and we walked out of Tatooine Traders. Hmmm, where were Karen and Zack. We waited there for a few minutes, admiring how pretty the sky looked as the sun fully set. A few minutes more and I realized that we had lost them. I called Karen’s cell and left a message that we were heading over to the Osborne lights.

This was a first for us – I’d seen them being set up in November 2004, but I’d never seen them lit. Wow… wow! These lights are just…. Wow! (We have a crazy neighbor who has a huge display that snarls traffic in our neighborhood from Thanksgiving through New Years. We love it and hate it all at the same time. But the O lights… now they were SOME lights!)

We wandered around and I tried to take pictures.



We saw Herbie and grabbed a picture with the snowman.


After a little bit, I realized that we weren’t going to hook up with K&amp;Z again and Calder was looking a little tired. Boy, I wish he’d taken a nap when I did because I really wanted to see Fantasmic! again. &lt;shrug&gt; He wasn’t enthusiastic about seeing the show and barely stifled a yawn when I suggested it. Oh, well…. We headed out to the buses.



As we were leaving the park, I suddenly decided that I wanted him to have the Jedi Mickey then and there. I pulled it out and told him that he had done such a terrific job with his grades that, although I’d said before that the trip was his only ‘reward,’ I was going to give this to him too! He grabbed Mickey and hugged him and then me – we both had tears in our eyes. We’re such SAPS!

The whole ride home on the full bus, Calder and Jedi Mickey had a light saber battle.

We stopped in the food court to pick up a piece of chocolate cake and some milk for the next morning’s breakfast. We snuggled together and watched a Bankin/Rass show I’d never seen called “The 1st Snow of Christmas.”

I knew I was missing the PP meet at the Adventurer’s Club, but I was content to sit with my arm around my boy and relax. Plus I was really sleepy and we had to get up early for EMH at the AK.

The weather was 62 and sunny – another cool, pretty day.
The best thing today was sitting with a friend who grew dearer and dearer throughout the meal!
The worst thing today was having to wake up at the crack of dawn after a late night at MVMCP.
The funniest thing today was just about anything that Zack said or did. He’s a riot!
Today we tried the Sci-Fi Dine In.
And the result was pretty good. Not my favorite, but I think I was concentrating on the conversation and not really paying attention to the ambiance of the place.
The most magical moment today was hugging my boy with pride as we walked out to the bus.

Up Next: We switch it up and miss our friends….
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[zacksmom_1993]

I totally forgot about the glowing, how should I say it, thing! Totally snorted over the memory. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] What an attractive sound for a lady. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Aahh, off to bask in memories of that wonderful, wonderful meal (and I'm not talking about the mediocre food either!)

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Eileen!! Anyone who eats chocolate cake for breakfast is a good friend of mine!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Sounds like you all had such a wonderful time at MGM!! Can't wait to read more!!