Disney Is in our DNA About This Page:

[honeybee723]

I would have asked, "does anyone really watch any of those shows"? But apparently there are a few crazies out there that do. Okay, so the squirrel was such a cute story, and I would probably be the one okay with him sitting there staring at me. I have a thing for squirrels. Great way to finish a not-so-great day. Hoping the next day gets better for you guys.

[mom2twingirlies]

I wonder if it was a "chipmunk" you would have felt differently?

[goofyboysmama]

"Disaster was far from were we were..."

Originally Posted by lauriep

This just struck me funny, especially in the context of this report! Between the salesmen and the lockers I'd never have lasted as long as you did. Your pain is our gain, though.... You're a great storyteller!

I was thinking the same thing! I was like, oh boy what's next

[Dlandmom2]

Ugh, pushy salesmen and annoying lockers...it's really hard to imagine anything that can overcome that!

[PrincessSharon]

Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0

Bahaha I am TOTALLY stealing your line about being from St. Cloud when I go in December. I can tell you did not have a good time there, and I'm sorry, Sharon!

I figured St. Cloud wasn't as obvious as saying I'm from Orlando, so they wouldn't be suspicious.

Originally Posted by lauriep

This just struck me funny, especially in the context of this report! Between the salesmen and the lockers I'd never have lasted as long as you did. Your pain is our gain, though.... You're a great storyteller!

Glad you feel that way! I didn't want it to seem like it was a great day, because it wasn't, but it is more entertaining for all of us when I try to make a joke out of it (and when I look back, I laugh instead of getting angry).

Originally Posted by mcneal

What is it with the Hillybilly Handfishin!?!? What kinda crazy person wants to put their hand down in gross nasty water and stick it into something's (that you can not see!) mouth!?!? I'm starting to think there are just too many channels plus no one can come up with GOOD original ideas.

Not a very good experience with US....sorry. I really enjoyed several of the rides - Mummy, MIB but was not overly impressed when we visited back in 2007. Only 1 more day then back to Disney - right?

You must not have seen the show. You don't stick your hand in gross nasty water. You STAND in the gross nasty water, up to your neck. And from what I gather, you stick your foot in the fish's little hole he lives in, and then the fish gets all mad at you and bites you. I think when the fish has a good enough grip on you, you grab him. I'm not 100% sure that's how it works, but I'm 100% sure it's BIZARRE!

Originally Posted by MayraLR

Well Universal had to have some kind of stalking animal, Disney has ducks. They had to catch up that's where the stalking squirrel comes into play.
Great end to your day, walking the lobby of RPR in your pajamas!

The difference is the Disney ducks have the manners to stay outside.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Can't believe the health dept would think a squirrel inside was OK....
I would have been totally annoyed with the salespeople, and may have decided that was a good time to say I don't speak English!

Yeah, I'm thinking wild animals in the restaurant would knock their grade down a letter or two.

Originally Posted by goofysdtr

Sorry about the less-than-stellar day. The locker dance sounds very frustrating! Were they hideously expensive? I might've just left my stuff parked there for awhile.

I am, however, looking forward to hearing about whatever it is that "makes it worth it"! I've got a guess.

The lockers were free for a certain period - usually 30 minutes, but if the wait time was very long, it would be 60 minutes. If you go over your alloted time, you'd have to pay. I didn't ever go over the time, so I'm not sure what it cost. But I think if I lugged something to the park, I'd want to have it with me, so I doubt I'd stick it in a locker and leave it there.

Originally Posted by MontiMouse

The locker dance and salespeople would be a complete turn off for me. Sorry for a less than magical day. Now I am glad we have never ventured over to the dark side. The pool time sounds relaxing and Sonic for dinner is always a treat (although we have bunches of them here and I rarely eat there ). And Spongebob would DEFINATELY have been a better choice! Charlie was watching Hillbilly Handfishing the other night and the two minutes I saw of it completely grossed me out. I asked why he was watching such nonsense and he replied "well there is nothing else on". And if you keep watching it they won't ever take it off!!

That show is so bizarre. Like it almost seems like a fake show you see on SNL or something! But we couldn't look away! So I can kind of understand Charlie watching it!

Originally Posted by lexiemom

Oh my....from the sales people, to the squirrels, to the locker dance I am totally turned off to US, and I wasn't even there!

It sounds like a nice ending to your day though. I love Sonic and going in your pj's makes it even better.

In the past, I would encourage people to go to US if they had to and it wouldn't be so bad, but not anymore.

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

Too funny! My friend from High School was on the first episode of Hillbilly Handfishing. She was one of the blonde girls from D.C. that worked in politics. She went on and on all over facebook, every time the show was airing. I'm guessing it's now a series? I didn't get it myself. It wasn't an even remotely interesting concept. Once you've seen them do it once...why would you need to see a bunch of different people try it?

This was my favorite part of the TR...because it was longer.

I guess the thing is catching the biggest fish. The episode we saw, a few people didn't even catch a fish.

Originally Posted by dsteiny23

I think they ran the "salesman gauntlet" on American Gladiator! (You know...the female gladiator)

I know about the wind in your face video. I have a video of me skydiving. My face looked like melted wax, but the worst part wat the old lady arm waving thing going on that I didn't realize I had!!

The interviewed the guys from Whisker Wars and Hillbilly Handfishing on PLJ in the morning a few weeks ago. I think they've officially run out of ideas for TV shows.

I don't know how well those videos sell. Nobody looks good that way! I'll stick with a snapshot, thankyouverymuch. And they absolutely ran out of ideas for TV shows (movies too).

Originally Posted by Grammy Grumpy

Ok Missy - I know you warned us about how annoyed you were at US, but that update has got to be one of the funniest EVER!! I could see the steam coming from your ears doing the locker dance, running the gaunlet, and THEN - - the vision in my head of you guys going out to Sonic in your jammies!!! I am so glad I wasn't eating or drinking while reading. DH might have had to call 911 or do a heimlick manuver or something!

I have not ever been interested in US or IoA (except maybe for HP) but now I'm so glad I've saved my money, or at least spent it at WDW instead.

Can't wait to hear more of your family's adventures.

Well, I'm normally a very positive person, so I really didn't want to post an update complaining how awful everything was, but I also didn't want to gloss over it, so this was the best way to accomplish both!

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Oh locker dance, Angry Salesman, and super crazy payment line for two .79 refills. Ouch!
If you have a small cross body bag do you have to take it off for the rides?

I'm not sure about cross body bags. They were saying you could put stuff in your pocket (like a hat), so maybe if it fits in your pocket (even bulging), you could go that route.

Originally Posted by Ciavobella

If there's a suggestion box at work please tell them to restart the AAA 50% off deal, I miss that.

Those deals depend on occupancy, so as long as the rooms are somewhat full, you won't be seeing deals like that.

Originally Posted by LLaffinPlace

After having to hire someone to remove the squirrels nesting in my attic over my kitchen table, I certainly share your opinion of the yard rats.

I have never watched Hillbilly Handfishing, but I have watched Rocket City Rednecks, mainly because it was filmed here and involves some real rocket scientists, no matter how they good ol' boy things.

I have never watched Rocket City Rednecks, but it sounds 10 times better than Hillbilly Handfishing. If you happen to catch it for a few minutes, I'm sure you'd agree.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Good grief with all the salesmen! Is that all they do in that park? Ugh! Glad you ended on a high note at Sonic! And with some Hillbilly Handfishin! Saw a preview for another winner this morning on AP but forget the same. Looks like a redneck jumping into creeks and doing crazy stuff!

The thing about the salesmen is that they all stand in the main corridor, so whenever you need to walk through it, they bug you. And wow, that show sounds pretty bad.

Originally Posted by coffeechef

I have been reading all along ,but have not posted. Enjoying this TR with the family. I can't blame your Mom for giving into Isaiah. He just melts the heart. and the conversation cloud over his head about that Spiderman toy. Though Daniel looks like he might be thinking , hehe someones going to buy it. I got a laugh from you US/IOA not being like Disney and having to deal with the sales pitches. My Nephew got hooked into it when we went there for his HS graduation trip. But he was paid $15 to answer questions about some type of dorito product. while I waited for him in thier Lobby because I was too old for the survey. I agree about the lockers and lets not forget having to remember what your locker number was. I spent more time having to hunt down a team member to help me find my locker
I wish Isaiah had been tall enough for the Mummy. He would love it. I have never been to a Sonic , the nearest one to me is in the eastern part of Mass. But everytime I hear about them , it makes me think its time for a roadtrip

Hearing that story makes me mad! Why have age limits when you know most of the people are family groups of varying ages. What do you expect the "unqualified" ones to do while they aren't taking the survey (and aren't even getting the few bucks).

Originally Posted by honeybee723

I would have asked, "does anyone really watch any of those shows"? But apparently there are a few crazies out there that do. Okay, so the squirrel was such a cute story, and I would probably be the one okay with him sitting there staring at me. I have a thing for squirrels. Great way to finish a not-so-great day. Hoping the next day gets better for you guys.

The squirrel wasn't staring, he was stalking. Not a cute little Snow White friend. But next time I see one, I'll send him to your table!

Originally Posted by mom2twingirlies

I wonder if it was a "chipmunk" you would have felt differently?

Only if his name was Chip or Dale.

[PrincessSharon]

Day Seven – Friday, September 2
Okay, this? Makes it worth it

I was hoping to be up early, but I slept until the alarm went off at 7. I got the boys up and moving quickly, and we packed up our stuff. After checking out and putting our stuff in the car, we walked to the park. The front desk agent told me it would be faster than waiting for the water taxi, and it really was! Also, when I got back to work, I saw that I’d gotten an email checkout, but since I don’t check my work email while I’m on vacation, it didn’t help me any.

We arrived at the park at a few minutes after 8:00, so we weren’t too far behind the curve. I managed to snap a few photos on the walk there.






Dragon Challenge







It was still a hike to get to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so by the time we arrived at Forbidden Journey, it was like 8:10. But still, not a long wait.




It’s hard to read, but that’s a posted 5 minute wait!

Before we were able to ride, we had to do the locker dance. Grr!

I think this ride wins the award for longest queue. We walked and walked and walked and walked.



Then we got to a kind of greenhouse/conservatory.





And then, finally, we got inside the castle (but not even close to the end). I’ve never read/seen any of the Harry Potter stories, so much of it was lost on me, but I was awed by the amazing detail. I loved it. Noah had read a couple of the books, so he filled me in on some stuff. Sorry for the blurry pics, I couldn’t really stop to take good photos.






This was my favorite part – all these portraits moved and talked. Very, very cool!







We finally got to a portion of the queue with people in it, so I was able to get some better photos.




Another “living” portrait







It took about 15 minutes, but only really 5 minutes of it was waiting in the line. The rest was walking through the queue!

I’d heard from a lot of people that this ride was very cool, but it wasn’t at all what I expected it to be. And I had no idea it was as scary as it was! Some of it was pretty intense and a bit in-your-face. The part with the dragon was the most thrilling for me! I think the boys may have been a little scared, but I suspect that’s because I hadn’t ridden it myself and wasn’t able to prepare them for what was coming. All three of us loved Forbidden Journey! I felt like a trip to IOA would be worth it just for that ride.

I thought about riding again, but we needed to get to a lot of stuff, so we made one ride be enough. Besides, I had to do the locker dance again.

After I collected our stuff from the locker, we walked over to Dragon Challenge. It was time to check the rest of my family in for their return flight the following day. They were able to get pretty decent numbers in the low Bs.

Dragon Challenge is an old ride, newly themed for Harry Potter. It’s a big, loopy roller coaster with two tracks that go along and inside one another. It’s pretty cool. First, I had to do the locker dance. Then we did the blue side. I figured it was pretty quick (there was no wait for it – we literally walked right on) so I decided we could ride the red side within our 30 minute locker window. Luckily, I was right.

After getting our stuff out of the locker, it was time for a little break from rides for Noah’s sake. I went to the Owl Post to mail my postcards.





I was able to get a photo of the stamp before I mailed the cards.



Then I got a few more photos of the area.





The frozen butterbeer stand was there, but I felt like it was too early in the morning for it, so that’s something for the “next time” list in like 2014, when I’m ready to go back. I stopped to get the boys a snack. Noah got chips and Daniel wanted an Icee, but the Icees weren’t ready. We should’ve gone back and gotten butterbeer!

I’d planned to ride Jurassic Park, but I turned the wrong way and we ended up in Seuss Landing. The boys weren’t really interested in anything there, and I wasn’t interested in convincing them otherwise. We walked to the Hulk and I had to do the locker dance again. I normally travel without carrying stuff, but in the summer, I need my little fan (plus a couple for the boys), a bottle of water, and I always carry a poncho with me.


Notice the locker dancers in the background

As we approached the ride, Noah confessed that he didn’t think he could handle the Hulk right then. I’m glad he said something, because sometimes he pushes himself too far and ends up sick for a while. We sat on a curb for a bit and I finally figured out we could ride Spider-Man and he should be fine on that.

Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

Spider-Man is one of my favorite rides at IOA. It’s a lot of fun, but now that it’s getting older, it’s outshined by rides like the Forbidden Journey. But it’s still fun, and the boys liked it too.

After Spider-Man, Noah announced that he was ready for the Hulk. I was afraid that we’d run over our allotted 30 minute locker time, so I took the stuff out of one locker and put it in another one. Then, we walked right on to the Hulk. The only thing we noticed a line for that morning was Forbidden Journey. We used our Express Pass, but didn’t really need it, especially during early entry (when you don’t use Express Pass anyway).

After another locker dance, I figured it was time for us to leave the park. We’d done all the big attractions, and Noah would get sick if we tried repeating them. The boys had absolutely no complaints about leaving (though they did say they loved the rides). I gave them the option of taking the water taxi or walking and they both wanted to walk (it was probably just as much walking either way, because the path to RPR is right by IOA, and the water taxi dock is on the other side of City Walk).





On the drive back to the timeshare, Daniel played Angry Birds and beat all the levels. I only have the free version, so there aren’t many levels. Anyway, he asked me why I didn’t buy the full game. I was all, “I don’t know, it costs like $2.” and acting like I didn’t want to spend that much! This got both boys giggling and saying I sounded like their dad. DB Ed is notorious for not wanting to spend money. Truth be told, I just don’t like playing Angry Birds, so I didn’t bother spending the money to get the full version. And I’ve since learned that it’s only $1. I guess I’ll buy it for the boys to play, though. When I have an extra $1 sitting around.

I had Noah call his mom and find out what their plans were. After, “what do you want to do?” “I don’t know, what are you going to do?” we finally settled on Animal Kingdom. We got back to the timeshare and the boys had some breakfast while we waited for the others to get ready. It was about 11:15 when we left for AK (we did everything in that short time at IOA!).

We saw Brer Bear before entering the park.









Again, we took our time getting to EE.

















Isaiah got an ice cream sandwich. I thought it would make a mess in the heat, but he ate it so fast, it wasn’t a problem!



We were sidetracked again by one of the reasons I won’t ever move to Florida.


Big, ugly bugs!



And then, a few spins on the Yeti ride.




Can I just say how awesome it is that there are individual lap bars? Makes it so much more comfortable for everyone (and less worrying for parents!)

Isaiah would say “it’s gonna tickle my tummy!” when we’d get to the big drop. He got DSIL to buy him the last little toy he didn’t already have, and then he was happy. I don’t think he even particularly liked that little toy, but he needed it.

Next we headed over to ride Dinosaur. Noah is suddenly obsessed with riding this without covering his ears (which he never manages to do ). We spent the entire time in the queue with him telling us he wouldn’t cover his ears because he’s not six anymore. Then I’m all “you can cover your ears if you want” and then he’s like, “maybe I will. No, I won’t.”





We rode it twice and the second time he managed to not cover his ears (at least when the photo was taken ). Then the boys had passed through this gift shop too many times without a purchase, because Daniel and Isaiah both decided they wanted a dinosaur. The exact same dinos they already have at home. DB ED was having none of that! Isaiah cried for a bit, but he knows he doesn’t get away with much from Dad, so he got over it quickly.


We decided on the Flame Tree for lunch, so we walked that way. DB Ed spotted a turkey leg cart and had to get one. I think turkey legs are his favorite thing about WDW! When we were ordering, Daniel had a little fit because he wanted the ribs. I was getting ribs but wasn’t hungry enough to eat them all myself, so I offered to share mine with him. Then Isaiah decided he wanted ribs too. He started to whine about it a little, but some awesome CM came over with little cupcakes for him and Daniel, so that ended the whining right away! More CM magic! And Daniel didn’t want his cupcake, so Noah happily took it off his hands. I’m sure she would’ve given Noah one too, if he’d been standing there at the time.

I got my food and found a table. They give out a little card on every tray to discourage people from feeding the wildlife. I still saw it happen, but I’m sure this helps!



During lunch, Noah knocked over his soda. I quickly grabbed my camera, because I’d left it sitting on the table after taking pictures. While I was checking to see if it got wet (it didn’t), the river of soda continued to flow, and I soon had a lap full of Sprite. That gave me an idea for what ride to do next – Kali!

Up Next: Who gets soaked?

[MayraLR]

Wow, you got a lot done in IOA in such a short time. Loved your photos of WWOHP!
Isaiah looks so cute in the EE photo. That's the same face my 6 year old had on every ride.

[goofysdtr]

Perfect plan, Sharon! I feel so much better now that you're in the bubble!

[mcc0313]

Wow, could not believe what time you got to AK - talk about an express morning, like 7 rides at IOA, check-out, drive to the timeshare, time to eat some breakfast, drive to AK and only around 11 am. You could make money on your touring skills Sharon...think you might need to start your own business.

Great times at AK - love the picture of Isaiah and Ed on EE - the excitement on his face is just too cute. I definitely agree with his snacking idea....I so love the mickey sandiwches (even in the heat, just got to eat it fast).

Sorry about the lap full of Sprite but glad the camera was saved....can't wait to hear who got the worst of it on KRR.

[disney_duke]

So far behind.... I loved the breakfast with Donald! Hilarious. He is so easy to play with. Love that Duck!
I'm glad you were able to enjoy Forbidden Journey and your other faves, if the rest of US/IOA was annoying. Can't believe the squirrel! Yikes! I loved your comments about "some greenhouse", and "another living painting!" It's just too funny to me since I'm a total Harry Potter nerd. My DH would be the same way.... I'm so easily amused though.....
Anyway, your late morning at AK sounds like it was a good choice so far!

[lexiemom]

Wow you got a lot done that morning! I am a Harry Potter fan (you should read the books now that you have been to WWoHP ), so your photos made me geek out a bit.

[BernadetteJ]

We love Big D as well (especially my daughter!)

[EmilyJ]

I have zero desire to do us. Looks like a fun day at ak.

[mom2twingirlies]

I'd be about the same at the Harry Potter ride.... haven't read any of the books!

I was telling my DH about the locker dance and he was like - "how annoying is that"