"This is Not the Trip You're Looking For" TR May/June 2011 - COMPLETE - Page 9 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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The Segway tour looks awesome! I def. need to check into that!
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Originally Posted by ESL teacher
I enjoyed reading today's installment. The tour your husband did sounds very cool! I'm glad he enjoyed it. Looking forward to more!
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pictures from DHS! And a great start (other than the rude man) to your day at Epcot! So glad Kevin had a great time on the Segway tour!
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Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG
Sounds like everyone is havin a great time! So glad at Kelley got her fanny pack back! Glad your DH had a great time on the Segway tour.
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Originally Posted by llgmommy2
All caught up again, cant wait to read about the rest of your trip. The Segway Tour seems pretty cool. May look into that for DBF. Love the TT Pics.
Kevin just can't stop talking about his Segway tour. He's already looking into what other Segway tours WDW offers AND checking to see if we have any tours in our city! He said it's not only a fun activity but gives you a whole new perspective on World Showcase.
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Originally Posted by B.M.
Oh, not a cliff hanger!!
Sounds like a great morning at Epcot (aside from the rude man at Soarin)....
Hurry back with more!
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Originally Posted by lauriep
Aside from that incredibly rude man at rope-drop, sounds like a very nice morning for everyone! Don't like the sound of your teaser, though...
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Originally Posted by chezp
What a great start to the day for everyone, except for the rude guy!
Luckily it didn't seem to bother the girls much except at the moment. Part of me kept wanting to go back, find the guy and take him down with a good side kick. The other part wanted to find him and give him a hug.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Thank you- we really did! And writing it up helps me remember that there were tons of good things about this trip.
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Originally Posted by mcc0313
So glad that Kevin had such an amazing tour and it sounds like you and the girl had a productive morning as well. Love the Test Track pictures, glad that even in the single rider line Kelley ended up in the car with Cory.
I'm glad it worked out that way, too. It gave Kelley the confidence to try the single-rider line again...although it didn't exactly work out as planned the second time...
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Originally Posted by emandrysmom
I'm enjoying reading your report. I loved hearing about the sisterly love between your girls when Kelly left her fanny pack on TT. If only my daughter and son would show that kind of love!
Great report!
I like it when they're like that, too. But they're not always so sweet to each other - sometimes there are knock-down, drag out fights between them. It's that best-friends or worst-enemies thing that happens when you're close to one another.
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Originally Posted by Sunshine Family
ugh another cliff hanger!!?!? What is it with you people? When I posted, it was a whole day, no cliff hanging
Ok, and I'm camping the rest of this week, so I'll get your updates when I can through email
I'm sorry - isn't it awful? I should have more today...
I am really enjoying this trip report! Just because it isn't all magic, doesn't mean it isn't worth reading. I am taking a lot of mental notes for my own trip coming up soon. You are helping me to prepare for heat and rain and, something we didn't really experience much our last trip.
Thank you! It really does help to see all of this in writing and believe it or not, I'm taking mental notes on my OWN trip so I can learn for the next time - .
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We went to SWW in 09 and I am reminiscing with all your great pics. There was NO WAY my DH was going to wait for meet and greets and Hyperspace Hoopla, so I get to see them in your TR.
I had to sit down with the family and explain about getting into position and waiting for things like parades, fireworks, etc. They still don't like to wait (who does?) but they have learned that sometimes it's worth it in order to be able to see and not fight the crowd.
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DH left my camera bag on Expedition Everest so I know that panic. Just like you guys tho', we got it back without a problem.
I think this is the first item we have 'lost' at Disney - but there was no worry about someone taking something, etc. Even though it was missing for a few moments, we just felt sure it would be intact and safe. Can't say I would feel that way if it was anywhere else and I know it's no guarantee because it's WDW - it just felt that way.
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As for that (...) guy, what goes around, comes around. You are awesome for keeping a level head instead of causing an incident like I might have
This is exactly the TR I was looking for!
(I had to look up I. AM. AWESOME. I thought it was a movie quote from Nick Cage "I am the greatest!" lol)
Now I had to look that up too and make sure it wasn't a quote from somewhere!!
Ok, all caught up again. Glad Kevin enjoyed his "two hour tour" and it wasn't the Gilligan's Island type tour!!! Sorry, my age is showing and that was the first thing I thought of when I read that.
Sounds like you guys had a great start to the day....not sure if I am ready to hear about the rest of it. Although...sounds like my typical household. A great day and then one little, tiny comment...and BOOM! WWIII. Darn that 19yo menstrating teenage boy of mine!!! (yes...he has his "man" periods just like the rest of us girls in the house, except his last all month, 12 months a year!)
We stopped to take a few photos of the Cars topiaries at the entrance to World Showcase. This really made me wish we could come for the F&GF some time…
On to lunch! Now, I know I said I was ready to try somewhere new for lunch at Epcot this trip, since we had eaten at Tangierine Café every time before (what can I say? I love this type of food!) But this year, Corinne was old enough for the adult menu and reallllly wanted to try it since we had raved about the food in the past. Kelley and Kevin were okay with it, so off to Morocco we walked.
My Lamb Wrap with Couscous and Lentil Salad. There was Baklava for dessert.
Kelley was disappointed they had removed the Meatballs with Jasmine Rice from the menu, so she bravely decided on a new item – a type of Middle Eastern hamburger (I cannot find the name on any site right now.)
I’m not sure if they are under new management or they just decided to make a change, but our food was a lot different than last time. Not bad….just different. To be honest, I liked it all much better before. Still, it was a good and filling lunch.
We explored around Morocco. Did I mention it’s my favorite country at World Showcase?
After that, it was off to Japan …and our traditional shopping spree at Mitsukoshi Department Store!! Okay – we tend to spend A LOT of time in here, as the girls love everything about the Japanese culture.
I was specifically looking for Totoro items – and this time, I found them!!! There were so many more items that I did not photograph ( I went back and asked permission to take these photos – just to be polite.)
And even more Hayao Miyazaki movie items, from hand towels to pencil bags, plush and china plates. We were in heaven! However, most of these were outrageously expensive – but they are hard to find in the states so I can understand the price.
Kelley was on a mission to find a tote bag; she had been waiting since last September to go here. She finally decided on this cute Hello Kitty tote.
I bought my DD Alexa a Totoro towel (I forgot to take a photo!)and my DdiL some Ponyo stationery.
Cory decided she wanted a pearl (since she had read about Angel’s pearl story in Meg’s (mcc0313) TR.
Kevin had already decided to exit the store and wait for ‘us women’ to finish our shopping. I had Kelley go outside and find him so he could see the pearl ceremony. The following are captures from the video.
Patiently awaiting her turn...
Bowing before we begin...
Is this your pearl?
"A blue one! How did you pick this?"
Drum ceremony...
And if you want to see the entire experience, you can see the video here…
Outside, Kevin wanted to show us some of the pathways he had ridden on this morning on the Segway – and we stopped to look at this.
This is the dried leaves of the bunya bunya tree in the Japanese pavillion. Unbelievably, we just learned about them from the book The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World! They were very sharp and would actually cling lightly to your clothes. We found lots of them on the garden paths.
Now I know I said in my PTR that we wanted to do some of the movies from each country this time…but it just didn’t happen. I think we all just love to explore and shop through each pavillion that we don’t want to take the time to do it. But next trip we will… I promise!
We continued to wander World Showcase while Kevin told us some of the things he had learned during his tour.
But all the while, there was something else going on that was becoming more and more evident…
Now remember, we’re now looking back on this trip with the wisdom of hindsight. And maybe some of you are smart enough to have put two and two together by some of the things I mentioned earlier on…but for the girls and I who were in the middle of it, it just wasn’t clicking.
As the day wore on, Kevin became more and more irritable and grouchy. If anyone needed to be wearing a Grumpy t-shirt in the parks that day, it was him. Nothing was right; the food was bad, the CMs were terrible, the other guests were a pain, too hot, too sunny, I was walking too slow or I was walking too fast – and the girls could seem to do nothing right. Cory seemed to be getting the brunt of his anger.
We were puzzled; he had been so happy during the morning, we couldn’t understand what was going on. You know how sometimes you may not be feeling well but something exciting is happening and you’re just running on adrenaline? And then it’s over and you just crash? That’s what was happening with Kevin.
I can tell things aren't quite right as we have a serious lack of photos as the day wore on...
It was almost time to catch the bus to AKL and meet up with Judi and the other PPers…and I was wondering if we should even attempt it! But Kevin said he wanted to go…
Kevin was hungry for a snack as well as the girls. I grabbed a Mango Green Tea at one of the stands outside of China and then we made a stop at Fountain View Ice-Cream. While the rest of the family enjoyed their frozen treats, I called Judi to see what was going on. Since she didn’t answer, I called another Pper friend who told me to just call again when we got to AKL and he’d come down and meet me and show us where we were meeting.
With all arranged, we caught the next bus to AKL and our PPer Memorial Meet.
(UP NEXT: A PassPorter Meet, 'Grumpy' Takes Five and the Girls Take on Future World)
Ok, all caught up again. Glad Kevin enjoyed his "two hour tour" and it wasn't the Gilligan's Island type tour!!! Sorry, my age is showing and that was the first thing I thought of when I read that.
I immediately thought of Gilligan's Island (three hour tour) when I read the post also; so your not alone.
Sounds like such a great start to the day at Epcot! I hate that Kevin not feeling well (I'm assuming that is the culprit) was causing stress.
And I can totally relate to the wisdom of hindsight. When we went in 2008, my youngest was 3 and had multiple melt downs each day. They were always short lived and we still had a great trip. But after I came home and wrote up the TR, looking at all my notes I realized that almost every single one of his melt downs were because he either needed a drink or food! At 3 he knew how to say he was hungry/thirsty, but I think it's kind of like you said with having adrenaline pumping from the fun and then crashing.... I think he was having such fun he ignored being hungry or thirsty until he crashed; and then his meltdowns would prevent him from saying what he needed.... In hindsight; it was so obvious- at 3 he still needed a snack and/or drink every 3 hours or so- but in the moment I didn't know what his problem was; lol.... live and learn!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Finally all caught up. Glad you loved the tea but I'm sorry to hear there were so many bumps in the road this trip. The girls are getting so big and more beautiful each and every TR!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
I'm glad your Epcot day started out so well, but sorry that Kevin got to feeling bad. You certainly can't tell that he was grumpy by the pictures. Did Corey do anything special with her pearl?
enjoying your photos and reporting. sorry i missed the akl meet...don't you just love that work gets in the way? i also want to do more of the segway tours as i so enjoyed the same one kevin did as a bday present to myself....keep the stories coming!
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And a great start (other than the rude man) to your day at Epcot! So glad Kevin had a great time on the Segway tour! 
He said it's not only a fun activity but gives you a whole new perspective on World Showcase.
and it sounds like you and the girl had a productive morning as well. Love the Test Track pictures, glad that even in the single rider line Kelley ended up in the car with Cory.
When I posted, it was a whole day, no cliff hanging 
My normal everyday computer routine!
he had been so happy during the morning, we couldn’t understand what was going on. You know how sometimes you may not be feeling well but something exciting is happening and you’re just running on adrenaline? And then it’s over and you just crash? That’s what was happening with Kevin.
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