Canadian Buffoon's Sweet 16 Celebration - Update 01/28 - The End

See and this proves that you are far more of a skilled TR writer than myself. I just tell it matter of factly and rather dry, so no writers block there....

Hardly!

It just proves that I have
few brain cells left
for writing.


I did try to tell you, but I suppose I should have mentioned the thing about if it's 5PM you might as well just stop and chill where you are. The traffic will dissipate in a couple hours. Besides I thought for some reason you would be leaving Universal more like 8-10PM.

I thought so too, actually.
But by the time we left,
probably because of being
efficient, we were just... done.


Yeah, in a perfect world, the drive should take about an hour, but the only time that would be happening is in the middle of the night. You could make it in two hours during work hours (10AM-3PM), but the four hours on either side of the work hours time frame are nightmare traffic hours. A 40 minute drive on Tuesday night's takes us two hours.

I need to invest in
a personal helicopter.

I should have one.
Don't you think?


Do you remember the route that you took?

Absolutely!
It was the one where
Betty would say "Take the next exit."
"Exit now."

That one.


Oh yeah I see half a dozen every day! :lmao:

See!!!


::yes::

Actually, it wasn't a CM who gave you those buttons... :rolleyes1 A little fairy godmother picked them up the Sunday before at the Chamber of Commerce in DCA.

Wha!!?!?!?

I had no idea!!
I thought it was just....

I owe my fairy godmother
a big thank you.
The birthday one especially
made a young girl's day.


Shut up. All you WDW folks ridicule Walt's little masterpiece.

And we shouldn't.
Because without that small start...
That little spark...

We wouldn't have WDW, at all.


That doesn't surprise me! She can be pushy like that!

Absolutely!
She's just terrible!


Perfect. Let her be whale bait first.

::yes::

Better her than me!

Had I been there I would have been on your side!

I needed you!!

How many women are you married to?

At times....
It feels like all of them.


It's everywhere.

::yes::

Of course I see the magic. And the pretty pink blooming trees aren't bad either.

They were really pretty! :)


Such a wonderful, yet simple,
little tribute.


I was more than happy to oblige.

I really appreciated it.
So did my back.


I'll have to finish the rest after I get back home and have a chance to quote some more.

Don't take too long.
Starting to write.
All the photos
(except any "did you see it")
are done and uploaded.

And I have very little to write about.
 
I love the realism of this ride.
If you were to actually go to Africa
(Liesa, back me up here.)
you would see baby elephants
spraying water into crocodiles' mouths.

It's very common.

And now I'll never know because after reading Liesa's update about her accomodations, I am sure that Africa is not on my bucket list.

And we had a really good one.
Or maybe I'm biased
because he kept picking on me
throughout the ride.
It was hilarious!

I remember laughing hilariously for just about the entire ride.

And of course, the ride ended with:
"If you had a great time, my name is John,
if you didn't my name is pkondz."

Awesome.

That was the best! :thumbsup2

POTC,
where both Alison and Liesa
got wet bums

:sad2: And they stayed wet for quite a while since it wasn't a really hot day.

I wouldn't stand in line for another beignet.
They were fine, but... Not overly special or unique.
At least, I didn't find them to be.

Blasphemy!

HM of course!
I mean... what else could it be?
(Bonus points. What's your favourite ride?)

Now that's a tough question. It's always changing. HM is definitely high up there. RSR was on top for a while, but I have to say now that GotG has opened that is my favorite for the time being. It's really a fun ride!

And I finally got to see
the Hatbox Ghost.
While the effect is a bit tame
by today's standards,
it's still fun to watch. :)

I still am enthralled with it every time that I ride it!

Yup. That's right.
Alison pinched Cinderella's royal bottom.

I DID NO. SUCH. THING! If you look at the picture you can clearly see that my had is safely on her waist and not her bum! Besides she's not my type. I'd be more inclined to pull a move like that with Gamora. :rolleyes1 I prefer bada$$es and not femmes who lose their slippers.

Cinderella obviously has a good sense of humour
and they were both able to laugh about it after.

At WHAT????? Laugh at WHAT?????? There was inappropriate behavior going on there!!!!!!!!!!

I quickly dropped to one knee,
and presented her with...

A Dinglehopper!

Neither Liesa or I expected this and the handler and PP Photographer were cracking up as well.

But fear not! We'll set a date,
and you're all invited!

I can't wait! Can I be the Maid of Honor? Certainly she remembers me!

I didn't take any photos,
but I do know that Alison and I
split the fried chicken.
Dang! That was some good chicken!

Yes we did have the chicken, and it was very good! I would post my photo, but since I've boycotted PB I don't go back there anymore and I don't want to deal with formatting it to post here since it's kind of a PITA the way I now post.

Do you know how they say "fried chicken"
in France?
(No. Not Royale with poulet.)
(Get the reference(ish)? Bonus points, yes or no.)

Nope. No clue.

(And thanks to Alison and Liesa
for letting me indulge myself.

:eek: Indulge yourself with WHAT?

With riding the submarine, people!!!)

Oh. OK. I was happy to ride it too.

I really can't express how... foreign
that was to me.
I mean... going from park to park
should involve a bus or monorail ride
shouldn't it?

Being able to just pop over
to the next park was... surreal.

See that's why we think WDW is so fun and exotic. You have to "transport" when you are there. At DL once you are there, you're there and you just walk (or motor) back and forth.

For some reason, I had always thought of
Paradise Pier as being somehow outside
the park itself.

Perhaps you're thinking of the Paradise Pier Hotel. THAT is outside the park.

Nor did we ride California Screamin'

So how come later you say you and Kay rode it "again". BTW It will become the Icredicoaster soon.

And I'm happy to say
that out of the four of us,
I kicked some serious heinie!

Huh. I've always been a Beaver, but after this time riding, I learned things that later allowed Jill and I to become kitties on our next trip.

And... wow.
They really went all out with the
scenery here!
I was pretty gobsmacked
by it all!

I'm glad you appreciated my entrance choice.

I think, (help me out here Alison/Liesa)
the line for the ride was about two hours?

Probably. I rarely saw it under 90 minutes, but now that GotG has opened that one has the long line prize. But as I remember it had been down most of the day and once they got it back online they put the FP line through the regular queue and used the FP line for the regular q

As it was, the fastpass line
took us... I think about 30 minutes
at least.

Because the ride was down, they actually switched fhe queues and put us through the regular queue, and put the standby riders in the FP queue. I can tell that from your pictures.

On the way, Kay tallied up her score.
She had been keeping track
of every time she heard a kid having
a meltdown.

Today's tally stood at eleven.

I strongly suspect she missed... a lot.

Huh. She was pretty secretive about this.

I ordered another round of hot dogs
so that others might try them.

I think she ate all of those too.

I did get one or two. I didn't realize she didn't eat anything else.

We were just sitting,
chatting, when...
All of a sudden,
Liesa throws her drink at me!!

:laughing:

The evening wasn't a complete loss however.
At least, not for Kay.
I suppose the waiter noticed her birthday button
and brought out a little dish of ice cream
with a candle.

That was really nice of him! :goodvibes

We then headed out of the park
and back over to Disneyland.

We got in a not very long line
for HM and rode.
What the heck...
the line's short...
We rode again!

By now it was getting dark
and we headed back
to California Adventure.
We were going to take in
World of Colour.

You guys did a ton in that little time frame!

franandaj - 4, room service, wheel, HM, shirt, saw it, big bang, cooks - 130 points.

:banana: :banana: :banana:

Steppesister - 660
franandaj - 605

I'm liking these odds better!

No questions.
I'm not even all that sure
what we did yet!
And what I do remember
is the same that at least in part,
at least 3 others know.

You did go off on your own for a bit, but the I as who know what happened are already in the lead. :rolleyes1

Bonus: Did you see it?
Of course you saw it.
I mean, you saw it right?
How could you not see it?

PM your guess.
Posting will result in deductions.

Will get to the PM...

Okay, confession time. I really wanted the chicken. But I didn't know that sharing was an option, and knew I couldn't even begin to eat even half of the chicken dinner. Everyone sort of disappeared at the Plaza, so fended for myself, and

went with what I knew I could eat. Next time... would someone please share the chicken with me.

Please?

I promise not to spill drinks, cut in line, or take up scooter bag space.

:guilty:

I'm always up for sharing! In fact we could have gotten the chicken and a Cobb salad, for me that's the perfect combo. Little salad, little chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, the only thing there isn't much to split is the biscuit, but I suppose we could ask for another one. I've heard they will accommodate special requests like all white meat, or all dark...double potatoes, no beans...next time for sure!
 
Late to the Party but here I am with my contest answers.
Witchin' Betty, (although her name's
not really "Witchin'") our trusty GPS,
guided us faithfully onto
what at first glance
appeared to be a highway,
but in reality was a shuffle board.
We have 2 GPS units - one is named Vala Maldaran from Stargate SG-1 and the other is James - you know take me home James?
We love to get them confused and continually state - recalculating.

And if you look around enough,
you can see the magic.
You just have to know it
when you see it.

Do you see the magic?
(Why yes. Tell me. For bonus points.)
Yes there is always magic when you are at a Disney Park.

HM of course!
I mean... what else could it be?
(Bonus points. What's your favourite ride?)
Favourite ride was Radiator Springs - we rode twice on single riders and only waited about 15 minutes each time.

Do you know how they say "fried chicken"
in France?
(No. Not Royale with poulet.)
(Get the reference(ish)? Bonus points, yes or no.)
Nope don't get it

Once we were sated, it was time
to throw caution to the wind
and get in the water.
Underwater, that is.
Specifically the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
Can't do that ride - claustraphobia kicks in and that is it.

And that's Dole Whip "Float"
If you haven't done the float,
you're not doing it right.
Just had the Dole whips and that was good enough for us - of course we had 6 over the course of 6 days but who is counting?


Then Kay decided that she wanted
to ride Mickey's Not So Fun Wheel of Death.

I declined.
I'd heard far too many horror stories
to wish to risk my stomach on it.
There is a none moving part of the wheel and that is the part that we rode - no issues at all.

PM sent with contest answers.
 


And now I'll never know because after reading Liesa's update about her accomodations, I am sure that Africa is not on my bucket list.

Interestingly enough...
Africa was never on my list.
"Places I never want to go... Africa..."

And yet... now..... I do.
I think because she helped
to take some of the mystery out of it.


I remember laughing hilariously for just about the entire ride.

He was sooooo good!

That was the best! :thumbsup2

:laughing:

:sad2: And they stayed wet for quite a while since it wasn't a really hot day.

I guess I should pick
a warmer day to
come, next time.


Blasphemy!

Sorry! I guess coming from
a French area, things like that
are fairly common?


Now that's a tough question. It's always changing. HM is definitely high up there. RSR was on top for a while, but I have to say now that GotG has opened that is my favorite for the time being. It's really a fun ride!

I'm really looking forward
to trying that ride out!

I should re-watch GotG
while I'm at it, too.


I still am enthralled with it every time that I ride it!

I liked it!
I'd never seen it
and wasn't even
all that sure
what it was!


I DID NO. SUCH. THING! If you look at the picture you can clearly see that my had is safely on her waist and not her bum!

I photoshopped your hand there
to protect the children.


Besides she's not my type. I'd be more inclined to pull a move like that with Gamora. :rolleyes1 I prefer bada$$es and not femmes who lose their slippers.

Not into the podiatrily challenged.

At WHAT????? Laugh at WHAT?????? There was inappropriate behavior going on there!!!!!!!!!!

So there WAS inappropriate behaviour!
You just said it!!!


Alison!!!


Neither Liesa or I expected this and the handler and PP Photographer were cracking up as well.

Really!?
I had no idea! :laughing:


I can't wait! Can I be the Maid of Honor? Certainly she remembers me!

Not my call.
You'd have to ask her.
But I'm sure she'd say yes.


Yes we did have the chicken, and it was very good! I would post my photo, but since I've boycotted PB I don't go back there anymore and I don't want to deal with formatting it to post here since it's kind of a PITA the way I now post.

No worries.
If people wanna see,
they can just go to your TR. :)


Nope. No clue.

All will be revealed.

:eek: Indulge yourself with WHAT?

Wow. I'm that unmemorable.

I'm hurt.

Crushed.


Oh. OK. I was happy to ride it too.

What do you mean.... "too"???

:eek:



:lmao::rotfl:

See that's why we think WDW is so fun and exotic. You have to "transport" when you are there. At DL once you are there, you're there and you just walk (or motor) back and forth.

That's really interesting!
I hadn't thought it would
be the opposite for you. :)


Perhaps you're thinking of the Paradise Pier Hotel. THAT is outside the park.

Nope.

I don't know why.
But I just thought that WOC
and Mickey's Fun Wheel
were outside the boundaries
of the park somehow.

Sort of like how Space Mountain is
kind of outside the confines of MK.


So how come later you say you and Kay rode it "again". BTW It will become the Icredicoaster soon.

I meant we didn't ride it first.
First ride in that area was TSMM.


Huh. I've always been a Beaver, but after this time riding, I learned things that later allowed Jill and I to become kitties on our next trip.

Uh, oh!
Looks like I have
to up my game!


I'm glad you appreciated my entrance choice.

::yes::

Probably. I rarely saw it under 90 minutes, but now that GotG has opened that one has the long line prize. But as I remember it had been down most of the day and once they got it back online they put the FP line through the regular queue and used the FP line for the regular q

Because the ride was down, they actually switched fhe queues and put us through the regular queue, and put the standby riders in the FP queue. I can tell that from your pictures.

Oh! I didn't know that.
Huh!


Huh. She was pretty secretive about this.

It was an inside joke.
She'd lean over to me and say:
"That's eight."


I did get one or two. I didn't realize she didn't eat anything else.

Pretty much.
Fussy teenager.


That was really nice of him! :goodvibes

::yes::

You guys did a ton in that little time frame!

To be honest...
I may have mixed up some of the next day's rides.



Like that, huh? :)

I'm liking these odds better!

:laughing:

You did go off on your own for a bit, but the I as who know what happened are already in the lead. :rolleyes1

Yup.

Will get to the PM...

Got it!
 
Late to the Party but here I am with my contest answers.

Not late. Right on time! :)

We have 2 GPS units - one is named Vala Maldaran from Stargate SG-1 and the other is James - you know take me home James?

:laughing:
Love the James one, especially.

We love to get them confused and continually state - recalculating.

::yes::

And they seem to get angrier
the more you do it.


Yes there is always magic when you are at a Disney Park.

::yes::

Favourite ride was Radiator Springs - we rode twice on single riders and only waited about 15 minutes each time.

Whoa!
That's way better than
two hours.


Nope don't get it

All will be revealed.

Can't do that ride - claustraphobia kicks in and that is it.

Yeah.
I can totally see that
with that ride.


Just had the Dole whips and that was good enough for us - of course we had 6 over the course of 6 days but who is counting?

:laughing: Apparently, you!

There is a none moving part of the wheel and that is the part that we rode - no issues at all.

I did know that.
But... no way I could convince
my kid of that.


PM sent with contest answers.

Got it!
 
Disney Take Two

The morning dawned
bright and beautiful.

It was going to be another
wonderful day.

And to set the mood,
enjoy this seasonal video.

(hint... there's a reason
his name is "Chili")




I met up with Liesa
(recall we were both staying
at the same hotel)
and we walked arm in arm...

Well... we were within arm's length...


Well, she kept me at arm's reach...


Smart girl. Except...
Wait. I'm getting ahead of myself.

We were meeting @queenbetsey
for breakfast.

Kay, being a teenager
and not being all that keen on
meeting strangers,
elected to sleep in instead.

We arrived at the restaurant
and if memory serves
(it seldom does....
wait.... didn't I say this before?)
Liesa and I arrived before Betsey.

Do not ask me what we ate.
I have no idea!
(There's that pesky memory again.)
I will go out on a limb and say
that one of us had a Cola product.

(Since it's in the photo.
I'm gonna say it happened.)

P1030707_zpsaw58tyrk.jpg


Thanks, Liesa,
for taking the photo.
Only problem was....
We didn't get one
of the three of us.

Ah well.

We chatted and visited
for about an hour
I believe.

It was a really nice visit
and I was super glad
we finally got to meet. :)


After breakfast,
we said our goodbyes
and parted ways.
I would be meeting Liesa
again a little later as we were
meeting Alison and Fran
who were picking us up
to take us back to Disney.

I also had something that I wanted
to give to Alison.

Well.... the best laid plans...



I had mentioned a cocktail
on a previous TR.
It's very well known in Canada.
Not so much in the US.

The cocktail is a Caesar.
It's pretty much the same as
a Bloody Mary, except you
substitute Clamato juice
for the tomato juice.

I had brought a couple of
small cans of Clamato
and (help me out Alison)
I think brought some
spices and rimming mix?

I also brought two small
bottles of vodka.
You know, like you get
on an airplane?


Wait! Oh, crap!
A sudden sinking feeling
gripped me.
"Do they allow alcohol
in the parks?"

A quick Google search...
(extremely quick; we were meeting
in just a few moments.)
Nope. No booze allowed.
I whipped the bottles out
of the bag.
Close one!

Kay and I headed out
to meet Fran and Alison.



Since it was becoming a trend,
I fully expected to bump into
Liesa on the way.

We arrived at the parking lot
and while I don't recall if
Fran and Alison were there
already or not,
I do recall that Liesa wasn't.

Turns out, she had left her camera
in her rental car.


That she had returned.


Two days ago.




Her expensive camera.

You can read all about that
on her TR, but suffice to say,
she was a bit.... upset.




Kay and I said our hellos
and hello-agains to
Fran and Alison
and piled into their van.

I gave Alison her gift.



Have you noticed?
Just how stupid I was?


Sorry. Let me correct that.
More stupid I was?
Bonus points if you tell me
whether or not you noticed.

Yeah.... I gave her the
Caesar cocktail mixings....
in the van.
Before we went to the park.

So whether there was alcohol
or not was a moot point.

So glad I brought them all the way
to California!


We drove off to Disneyland
and by the time we got through
security (sans alcohol)
Liesa had happily recovered her
camera and rejoined us.


IMG_6902_zpsdmosdgnj.jpg


Today was a much more relaxing day
than the previous.
We weren't running like school kids
from one ride to another.
We'd done most, if not all
the rides we wanted to the day before,
so today's agenda was to start
with a nice lunch
and just visit and get to know
one another a bit more.

We sashayed into the park.
Well we sashayed, strolled and rolled
into the park. :)

IMG_6903_zpsk8bwdxqa.jpg


IMG_6906_zpsa9fwkz1k.jpg


IMG_6907_zpsmivdgpt6.jpg


Just to give you an idea of
how packed the parks were
while we were down there;
check out the stroller parking
in this area:

IMG_6908_zpsnuczsfmf.jpg


We continued to wend
our way into the park.

IMG_6909_zpsomq8lgud.jpg


Eventually we stopped and
had something to drink and eat.
We sat and chatted for quite a while
just enjoying each other's company.

I didn't take notes,
so I don't recall what was eaten
or what was said....

And I prefer it that way.
Some times it's just nice
to sit and get to know people
and not write down every spoken word.



After our meal, we split up
to see to our own devices.
I'm not at all sure what
the ladies did, but Kay and I
went on more rides.

The first being:

P1030719_zpsamykfg8a.jpg


Yeah, yeah... I know.
I'm obsessed with that ride.


Wait.... or is that possessed???

P1030723_zpsqzhl7t8i.jpg


P1030724_zpst3uxs9ef.jpg


After riding one of the best rides ever,
(I say "one of", because there's another
on the other coast, ya know.)
we checked out the pet cemetery
and then moved on.

IMG_6934_zpsh0sigqbw.jpg


P1030720_zpsg1uhjjud.jpg


P1030721b_zpsyzkobflt.jpg


Odd how I have three photos of the pet cemetery...
And so few of the rest of the park!

Wanna know why????


I don't know!


I do know that I only had
one item on my agenda
that was a "must do".
And it was to get myself
(and Kay too, if she wanted,
and she did)
a corn dog from the corn dog wagon.

It had been on my radar
pretty much for years.
I've read at least one TR
where the writer claimed
that these were the best
corn dogs he'd ever had.

But it was still too early.
I mean, I'd had breakfast
with Betsey
and lunch with the ladies...

IMG_6939_zpsdyzbawrn.jpg


But then again, it's never
a bad time for ice cream! :goodvibes



We wandered over to California Adventure
and took in the sights.

IMG_6948b_zpsbosnfeh4.jpg


IMG_6942_zpsyas37cnd.jpg


P1030730_zpscyavqs9e.jpg


We may even have ridden a few rides here and there.
Pretty sure TSMM was repeated.
Mickey's Not So Fun Wheel of Death... was not.

We headed back to Disneyland
to ride some rides,
and of course, the one you simply
can't miss...

P1030726_zpsgqfcslpy.jpg


Yes. Winnie the Pooh.
I mean....
Am I right???

No?



Okay... we rode Splash, too.
I, er.... borrowed this photo.

P1030727_zpsnlmhwp59.jpg


By then, it was getting late.
I still hadn't gotten my corn dog!
But MSEP doesn't wait....
Except Kay was insisting
that we ride Screamin' one last time.
Which is in the other park.



I checked the time.
We could just do it.
If we really hurried.



So we did.
No time for sashaying
or strolling this time.
We moved, people.
We cut in and out of gaps,
weaving through knots
of slow moving groups.
We got to Screamin' and
got in line.
I kept checking the time.
This was going to be close!

Eventually we got to the front
and rode.

And you thought we moved before?
That was nothing compared
to the speed at which we
zipped back to Main St. USA.

IMG_6956_zps1hpfp7zi.jpg


Oh, crap. The place was jammed.
Luckily, we knew that
Fran, Alison and Liesa
were holding a spot for us.
See way at the far end of the
above photo?

Right about there.


We squeezed and ducked and leapt
our way towards the hub.



That's when Kay...

"Dad? I'm hungry."

Never underestimate
a teenager's stomach.



But wait! I know!


Corn dog time!!!!!!

We sprinted over to the wagon and...


The line stretched out of sight.
And the parade was starting
in just a couple minutes.

"Sorry, kid. Looks like we're outta..."
"But Dad! I'm hungry!"


Crap.


There was a slightly shorter line
for other fare, nearby.

IMG_6957_zpsvdclc6xw.jpg


I wasn't that disappointed.
A cream cheese pretzel
was also on my list.
Lower down than the corn dog...
But on the list.

I took a couple of bites.

I can honestly say...
I prefer it without.

I would still try the
Jalapeno pretzel if it
makes a return,
but this was a once and done
kind of thing.


Pretzel in hand,
we set out to find
the ladies,
which we did fairly quickly.

Thanks again, guys
for saving a spot for us.

And only a few short minutes later...

IMG_6959_zpszqrdh0l3.jpg


MSEP started up.
I must admit, that while
I enjoy MSEP,
I don't have the same
long time memories associated
with it as I do other things
(Like HM or PP.)

But I do know that @Steppesister
has fond memories of it.
I glanced over at her a few times
as the parade wove by.

She sat very quietly and very still
while the parade brought her
back in time.

And that, my friends
is what brings us back to Disney
again, and again.

IMG_6960_zpsnndajkbj.jpg


IMG_6963_zpst7ineicl.jpg


IMG_6967_zps5wgmidez.jpg


Once the parade was over...

the announcements began.
"Ladies and gentlemen and pkondz.
Due to high winds, you may be screwed.
We may have to cancel the fireworks.
Sorry. Sucks to be you."


Disney announcers can be petty.


They kept repeating the announcement.
Yet we held fast.
"They say "may" be canceled."
We'd say to one another.

Hope springs eternal.
Still not sure why they
just didn't put the dome up.
Maybe it was being refurbed.

I wandered a little bit and
took a few shots as we waited.

P1030734_zpsbgguv8cu.jpg


P1030735_zpsxemf9c3f.jpg


P1030733_zps4fx1p6cf.jpg


"Ladies and gentlemen and pkondz"
The announcer suddenly pronounced.
"Unfortunately, we have to waste more
money on you people and put on the fireworks."


And they did.


I didn't take a single photo.
One, I didn't think my crappy little
point and shoot was up to the task.
Two.... I wanted to just enjoy the show,
not shoot it.

And it was amazing!
One of the best combinations of light show
and fireworks show.
Not only did they project a show
on the castle, but on the Matterhorn as well.
Cool!

And then it stopped.
"Ha, ha, ha!" Intoned the announcer.
"Bet you were liking that! Well too bad!
Show's canceled folks. Go home!
(Don't forget to stop by the gift shop
on the way out.)"


I wasn't overly surprised.
The fireworks had obviously been
off to the side.
Not centered directly over the castle.

And yet... I wasn't overly disappointed.
I don't know how much we missed,
but it had been an excellent
(and not particularly short)
show up to that point.

Was there a lot left? A little?
I have no idea.


And with that, Fran and Alison
graciously offered to drive us home.

Wonderful!
My feet and legs were tired
and I was looking forward
to not having to make the long
trek back to the hotel.

"Dad? I want to do more rides."

Oh.... crap.


I explained to Kay that
if we stayed, we'd have to walk
back to the hotel.
A thirty minute,
one and a half mile walk.

Kay said she wanted to stay.

<sigh>
Okay.


Liesa, being much smarter
or less encumbered than I,
gratefully accepted the ride offer.

Kay and I were left to our selves.

I think we rode... one ride.

Mind you... we were fortunate.
It stopped.... riiiiight at the right spot:

IMG_6971_zpsfs0xnu7m.jpg


IMG_6973_zpskn3dzeot.jpg


Perfect!

And right after that ride,
Kay announced that she wanted
to find a particular item.
Something Gaston related.

Um... no idea where we're going
to find that...
And why did she not mention
that earlier?
Like.... yesterday???

We checked a couple of shops
and asked a couple of CMs.
No one seemed to know.
I reasoned
(and I think a CM agreed)
that World of Disney
in Downtown Disney,
might be our best bet.

We decided to head over there.


On the way, our noses were
suddenly pulled in the
direction of a popcorn cart.

Holy cow that smelled good!

"Dad?" Kay asked.
"Way ahead of you." I replied.



We got some popcorn and....

Holy crap.
Best. Popcorn. Ever.

What do they put in that stuff???
I'd heard of people raving
about Disney popcorn,
but had always chalked it up
to location vs substance.

Nope. This stuff was goooooood.



We headed out of the park
and into Downtown Disney.

We searched and searched,
but eventually, unfortunately
came up empty handed.

We left, cutting through
the Grand Californian.



And it was at this point
that Kay's feet gave out.
Just like I knew they would.

I was annoyed.
I was tired and just wanted
to get back to our hotel.
But... well... nothing I could
do about it.

Whelp. Nothing for it but
to sit and relax
and hope her feet
start feeling better soon.

As we sat, we both
took advantage of the free wifi
and passed the time
on our devices.

I was only peripherally aware
as a large group walked by,
in the direction of the parks.

"Dad!" Hissed Kay, excitedly.
"That was Ariana Grande!"
(If you don't know who that is,
I'll leave it to you to Google her.
But... for bonus points...
tell me if you know who she is... before Googling.)



Eventually, maybe after twenty minutes
of sitting, Kay was ready to go.
We made our slow way back
to the hotel.

I think Kay was out before her head
hit the pillow.

My work here is done.

done_zpswi4xjahn.jpg




Contest

I had asked, in the last chapter,
if anyone understood
what I was talking about
when I asked how to say
"Fried chicken" in France.
It was an off the cuff
reference to the movie
Pulp Fiction:
[VINCENT] ...you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris?
[JULES] They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?
[VINCENT] No, they got the metric system there, they wouldn't know what the <bleep> a Quarter Pounder is.
[JULES] What'd they call it?
[VINCENT] They call it Royale with Cheese.
[JULES] Royale with Cheese. What'd they call a Big Mac?
[VINCENT] Big Mac's a Big Mac, but they call it Le Big Mac.
[JULES] Le big Mac! Ahhaha, what do they call a Whopper?
[VINCENT] I dunno, I didn't go into a Burger King.

For those of you who
had trouble "seeing it":

P1030609b_zpsj7ywxysl.jpg

Sailing away...

P1030625b_zpsxicvqewq.jpg

No one got this one.
"No Dancing"?
Really? No one???

P1030685b_zps0r2jkqz8.jpg

Slightly obvious.
But should be awarded
to exceptionally high scores.

P1030694b_zpsoinsibdy.jpg

Got gas?

Saw 1 - 20 points.
Saw 2 - 40 points.
Saw 3 - 75 points.
Saw 4 - 100 points.



Canadian Harmony – Magic, Indy, Pulp Fiction, saw one - 80 points.
mustinjourney - Magic, FoP, Pulp Fiction, saw two - 100 points.
rndmr2 - Magic, HM or PP, Pulp Fiction, saw two - 100 points.
natebenma - egg (10), cute (10), Bo (10), Pretty Woman (10), Bueller (10), Magic, BTMRR, Pulp Fiction, Fork (40), saw two - 190 points.
Captain_Oblivious - Magic, ride, Pulp Fiction, saw 3 - 135 points.
Mrs T 2009 - Magic, ride, saw 2 - 80 points.
MeghanEmily - Magic, Splash, Pulp Fiction, saw 3 - 135 points.
Steppesister - Magic, HM, Pulp Fiction, saw 3 - 135
Terra Nova guy - saw 2 - 40 points.
franandaj - Magic, GotG, Pulp Fiction, saw 2 - 100 points.
juniorbugman - Magic, RSR, Pulp Fiction, saw 3 - 135


Bonus points:
Do you see the magic? - 20 points.

What's your favourite ride? - 20 points.

Do you know how they say "fried chicken"
in France?
(No. Not Royale with poulet.)
Get the reference(ish)? Bonus points, yes or no. - 20 points.


As usual, if I've made any mistakes,
either above or below, let me know.

Score

Steppesister - 795
franandaj - 705
MeghanEmily - 705
Captain_Oblivious - 700
juniorbugman - 635
rndmr2 - 630
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 600
mustinjourney - 580
Terra Nova guy - 580
CyndiLouWho - 555
vamassey1 - 555
Mrs T 2009 - 545
Princess Leia - 540
Mac Brew - 510
QueenJen - 505
Chrystmasangel - 495
DonnaBeeGood - 480
Canadian Harmony - 460
afwdwfan - 410
Kiotzu - 370
natebenma - 325
lisaviolet - 295
Curiouser&curiouser! - 245
chunkymonkey - 125
SoccerDogWithEars - 125
Crashbeckycoot - 105
orangecats2 - 80
cindianne320 - 60
queenbetsey - 60
Jaina - 55
cinderkelly - 10
irene_dsc - 10
MAGICFOR2 - 10


Questions next round:
1. We see an attraction.
What time do we arrive?
a. 9:00
b. 10:00
c. 11:00
d. 12:00

2. How long are we there?
a. 60 minutes.
b. 90 minutes.
c. 120 minutes.
d. 150 minutes.

3. We go to a second attraction.
How long do we stay?
a. one hour
b. two hours
c. three hours
d. four hours


Bonus: Did you see it?
Did you see the other one?

PM your guess.
Posting will result in deductions.

Coming up: Setting sail



 
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Seeing as "Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!" I didn't really do any quoting...like a bad Diser...and now I already forgot most of what I had to say! Oh well. I know I enjoyed the update!

I do, however, remembering being frustrated for you about the Caesar situation! Also, I don't think I knew the difference between a Caesar and a Bloody Mary, except that a Caesar was Canadian. So thanks!

But... for bonus points...
tell me if you know who she is... before Googling.)

I do know who she is! But I don't bother to listen to her music anymore, and now I have one less problem [sic] without her.


This reminds me very much of our Stacey J. Aswad, and makes me very grateful that we took our tree down before we left her and her pet sitter to fend for themselves...

1. We see an attraction.
What time do we arrive?
a. 9:00
b. 10:00
c. 11:00
d. 12:00

2. How long are we there?
a. 60 minutes.
b. 90 minutes.
c. 120 minutes.
d. 150 minutes.

3. We go to a second attraction.
How long do we stay?
a. one hour
b. two hours
c. three hours
d. four hours

1. B
2. C
3. B
 
Have a Merry Christmas !!

Wanted to sending Holiday Greetings to you and your family. In my 26 years at work this season was the most hours ever. The only good thing it came with the biggest pay check ever too!
Hope to get caught up on TRs now that things will be slower. Take care and have a wonderful day!
 
Seeing as "Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!" I didn't really do any quoting...

And that's okay!

like a bad Diser...

Nawww...
Christmas is a good excuse
not to multi-quote.

So is.... anything.


and now I already forgot most of what I had to say! Oh well. I know I enjoyed the update!

:laughing:
Well, glad you enjoyed it!

I do, however, remembering being frustrated for you about the Caesar situation! Also, I don't think I knew the difference between a Caesar and a Bloody Mary, except that a Caesar was Canadian. So thanks!

Educational.
That's what my TRs are.

:)

I do know who she is! But I don't bother to listen to her music anymore, and now I have one less problem [sic] without her.

And I had to Google
to see if you were
quoting a song. :)


This reminds me very much of our Stacey J. Aswad, and makes me very grateful that we took our tree down before we left her and her pet sitter to fend for themselves...

Trees and cats....
The result is inevitable.


1. B
2. C
3. B

Noted!
Got your PM too.
 
Have a Merry Christmas !!

Merry Christmas to you too!!

Wanted to sending Holiday Greetings to you and your family. In my 26 years at work this season was the most hours ever. The only good thing it came with the biggest pay check ever too!

Whoa.
Busy!
But... now you can take
a breath, yes?


Hope to get caught up on TRs now that things will be slower. Take care and have a wonderful day!

Okay! You have a great day, too!
 
Hahahahaha! Eating those chili's! I got sweaty just watching!! I am not a fan of spicy stuff.

Yes, I know who Ariana Grande is.

1.b. 10:00

2. b. 90 minutes.

3. a. one hour

Bonus: Saw it.
Saw the other one, too *(two? ;) )

PM'd my guess!
 
Hahahahaha! Eating those chili's! I got sweaty just watching!! I am not a fan of spicy stuff.

I won't eat hot pepper,
just for the sake of eating one.
But I don't mind spicy food,
as long as it's not stupid spicy.


Yes, I know who Ariana Grande is.

I wouldn't have recognized her.

1.b. 10:00

2. b. 90 minutes.

3. a. one hour

Noted!

Bonus: Saw it.
Saw the other one, too *(two? ;) )

PM'd my guess!

Got it!
 
And to set the mood,
enjoy this seasonal video.

(hint... there's a reason
his name is "Chili")

Did those kids pop Scotch Bonnet peppers in that performance? I bet they only do that once!

We were meeting @queenbetsey
for breakfast.

I wished I could have joined you, but we barely made it out there for the afternoon I was so tired from running around the day before!

We chatted and visited
for about an hour
I believe.

It was a really nice visit
and I was super glad
we finally got to meet. :)

Sounds like a nice meet!

I also had something that I wanted
to give to Alison.

Well.... the best laid plans...

I still have everything you gave me, well about half the Worcestershire is gone. My bottle ran out and I decided why buy more when I had a perfectly good bottle in the pantry. But it's a standard ingredient for me. The vodka is the problem. I don't buy it because I drink it! :drinking:

Turns out, she had left her camera
in her rental car.


That she had returned.


Two days ago.




Her expensive camera.

You can read all about that
on her TR, but suffice to say,
she was a bit.... upset.

And then don't forget, she proceeded to leave the camera in our car that night! :lmao:

Yeah.... I gave her the
Caesar cocktail mixings....
in the van.
Before we went to the park.

So whether there was alcohol
or not was a moot point.

So glad I brought them all the way
to California!

I might have actually made the cocktail for myself if I'd had all the ingredients, but now that you're coming back I like the idea of you fixing one for me. I'll even let you come in our disaster of a house, if you can stand the smell of the cats! Then again there is always the backyard Tiki bar. It should be nice by then that we could sit by the pool and have a drink before we head out to dinner, I still vote for the Crab Pot. Even if @Steppesister comes along, I bet she'd enjoy pounding the #$!%& out of her food, wearing a bib, and eating with her fingers!

We sashayed into the park.
Well we sashayed, strolled and rolled
into the park. :)

It never ceases to amaze me how long my hair has become! Rarely do I see shots of myself from behind!

Just to give you an idea of
how packed the parks were
while we were down there;
check out the stroller parking
in this area:

Now the pictures you have posted here....I posted an update a while back about how they remodeled this area. The building that said "Market" on the side now reads, "Pram, Stroller and Conveyance parking". All those strollers that were parked in the middle of the walkway are gone and it is much less congested. The Market moved across the walkway and they took out a few chachki shops and made a place to sit for people who buy stuff at the Market and the Bengal Barbeque.

After our meal, we split up
to see to our own devices.
I'm not at all sure what
the ladies did, but Kay and I
went on more rides.

Liesa and I got a redo on the butt soaking Pirates ride, while I think Fran went shopping and then to stake out our parade and fireworks spots.

Okay... we rode Splash, too.
I, er.... borrowed this photo.

Had you told me, I could have gotten it with my AP and PP account. All I need is the number across the top and I can claim a real copy of the photo! I would have been happy to get it for you. Besides you already told us that night that you rode Splash.

"Ladies and gentlemen and pkondz.
Due to high winds, you may be screwed.
We may have to cancel the fireworks.
Sorry. Sucks to be you."

:lmao: The way that you hear announcements is funny! :laughing:

And with that, Fran and Alison
graciously offered to drive us home.

Wonderful!
My feet and legs were tired
and I was looking forward
to not having to make the long
trek back to the hotel.

"Dad? I want to do more rides."

Oh.... crap.


I explained to Kay that
if we stayed, we'd have to walk
back to the hotel.
A thirty minute,
one and a half mile walk.

Kay said she wanted to stay.

Silly youth, think they are invincible...

And it was at this point
that Kay's feet gave out.
Just like I knew they would.

I was annoyed.
I was tired and just wanted
to get back to our hotel.
But... well... nothing I could
do about it.

Whelp. Nothing for it but
to sit and relax
and hope her feet
start feeling better soon.

Too bad you don't carry a small pharmacy like I do....want some percocett, Norco, Ibuprofen?

"Dad!" Hissed Kay, excitedly.
"That was Ariana Grande!"
(If you don't know who that is,
I'll leave it to you to Google her.
But... for bonus points...
tell me if you know who she is... before Googling.)

Isn't she she one whose concert in Manchester was bombed? Don't know what she looks like, but I heard her name on the news.

No one got this one.
"No Dancing"?
Really? No one???

I've started to up my game on looking at these photos.....

1. We see an attraction.
What time do we arrive?
a. 9:00
b. 10:00
c. 11:00
d. 12:00

11:00

2. How long are we there?
a. 60 minutes.
b. 90 minutes.
c. 120 minutes.
d. 150 minutes.

90 minutes

3. We go to a second attraction.
How long do we stay?
a. one hour
b. two hours
c. three hours
d. four hours

two hours
 
Did those kids pop Scotch Bonnet peppers in that performance? I bet they only do that once!

I'm not sure what it was...
Just that it was hot.


I wished I could have joined you, but we barely made it out there for the afternoon I was so tired from running around the day before!

I knew to a fairly high degree
of certainty that you wouldn't
be able to make it. :)


Sounds like a nice meet!

It was!

I still have everything you gave me, well about half the Worcestershire is gone. My bottle ran out and I decided why buy more when I had a perfectly good bottle in the pantry.

Well, sure! Silly to buy another
when you have one right there.
And you only need a few drops
for a Caesar, anyways.


But it's a standard ingredient for me. The vodka is the problem. I don't buy it because I drink it! :drinking:

:rolleyes1

And then don't forget, she proceeded to leave the camera in our car that night! :lmao:

Yes, I recall.
But I didn't want to
draw attention
to just how bad
her camera shenanigans
really were!


I might have actually made the cocktail for myself if I'd had all the ingredients, but now that you're coming back I like the idea of you fixing one for me. I'll even let you come in our disaster of a house, if you can stand the smell of the cats!

No problem there!
Love cats. :)
Had them all my life
until I got married.

(Ruby's a dog person.)


Then again there is always the backyard Tiki bar. It should be nice by then that we could sit by the pool and have a drink before we head out to dinner

That does sound nice! :goodvibes

I still vote for the Crab Pot. Even if @Steppesister comes along, I bet she'd enjoy pounding the #$!%& out of her food, wearing a bib, and eating with her fingers!

:rotfl:
A slight departure from our last
meal together. :)


It never ceases to amaze me how long my hair has become! Rarely do I see shots of myself from behind!

I frequently take photos
of women's behinds.

er.... uh... um...... :blush:

I mean...



So... you have cats, you say?


Now the pictures you have posted here....I posted an update a while back about how they remodeled this area. The building that said "Market" on the side now reads, "Pram, Stroller and Conveyance parking". All those strollers that were parked in the middle of the walkway are gone and it is much less congested. The Market moved across the walkway and they took out a few chachki shops and made a place to sit for people who buy stuff at the Market and the Bengal Barbeque.

I remember you had mentioned
the changes, but...
I don't even really know
where that was!
I was just following along
like a happy puppy.


Liesa and I got a redo on the butt soaking Pirates ride,

:laughing:
Did you get soaked, again???

while I think Fran went shopping and then to stake out our parade and fireworks spots.

Nice of her.
Thanks, Fran! :)


Had you told me, I could have gotten it with my AP and PP account. All I need is the number across the top and I can claim a real copy of the photo! I would have been happy to get it for you. Besides you already told us that night that you rode Splash.

Oh, poop.
I had no idea
that was even possible!


:lmao: The way that you hear announcements is funny! :laughing:

Is that not accurate?


Silly youth, think they are invincible...

Yup.
Which is why
they get hurt
doing stupid things.


Too bad you don't carry a small pharmacy like I do....want some percocett, Norco, Ibuprofen?

I could use some right now, actually.

Isn't she she one whose concert in Manchester was bombed? Don't know what she looks like, but I heard her name on the news.

Yes. That's her.

I've started to up my game on looking at these photos.....

Don't forget to PM me!


11:00

90 minutes

two hours

Noted!
 
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