When we last left our fearless crew, they were trying desperately to make the most out of the Island, with no phone, no lights, no motorcar...things were as primitive as could be
I would
so go to a Gilligan's Island theme park.
Oops...Wrong story...Sorry...You can see how i could get them two confused, the characters were all there...(Ill leave it up to you to determine who is who).
Actually... that's a tough one.
You'd be Ginger, for sure.
I'm gonna put Mike as the skipper, since he was (supposedly) being the guide.
Nebo... hmmmmm.... that's hard.... either the Professor or Gilligan.
I really can't decide. Both. He can be both. The know-it-all who bumps his head.
Smidgy has to be Mary Anne, since she sure as heckfire ain't old enough to be Mrs. Howell!
As you may remember from the last chapter, (which I know was written so long ago, you may have to go back and re-read the last bit to remember) we were stuck in line for Radiator Springs Racers.
Oh! That's right! Now I remember. That was before winter started, wasn't it?
:
We were so close, we could taste it. Well...thats a bad analogy, seeing as I dont really think we could actually taste the closeness, but you know what I mean
I do. You were licking the attraction.
Gross, but... okay.
They gave everyone the opportunity to leave, or to stick around, it was totally up to them.
No Fastpass?
I wouldnt have been surprised if they up and left, never to speak to us again!
Well, it
is your fault.
You could hardly blame them, right?
Thankfully they did not do that.
Couldn't find their way out of the queue, huh?
We watched as a few groups turned around and left, but the majority stuck it out. I dont blame them. Standing in line for 100 plus minutes just to have to do it again some time later, because you walked out, would not be a smart thing to do.
Just for fun...
You get in the line and wait for "100 plus minutes".
The ride breaks and everyone leaves and are given fastpasses on the way out.
They tell everyone to come back in 30 minutes.
30 minutes later, people start coming back.
The ride is fixed (yay!) but...
They only let people in the fastpass line ride since "they were here earlier and were turned back. You'll have to wait."
Icing on the cake is just as the last fastpass person goes through and you'll finally get to ride...
It breaks down again.
at one point, Nebo sunk to a sitting position so he didnt have to stand the entire wait.
Sinking, fine. Collapsing, not so fine.
All in all it was probably about 30 minutes from the time we entered the fastpass line, to the time the ride was back up and running and we were the next contestants.
That's not too bad.
I wonder how long you would've waited if the ride had been down all day.
I also wonder just what Nebo would've done if it had.
Lady H: Oh look at that, its... *quickly looks back as they go through the canyon to check on Nebo and Smidgy, looks back towards the front only to miss whatever they were passing by*
Talk about possible whiplash too...Oy!
Coming soon to a Disney park near you!
Whiplash! The ride (and lawsuit)
Proof that we got on the ride, and that Nebo and Smidgy were there with us. Look, its the back of their heads!!
I call fakery!
That's not Nebo's head! Where are all the scars????
We get into the vehicle, put our seatbelts on, and
..get stopped by security
Okay, maybe it was Nebo and Smidgy.
They would get pulled over, wouldn't they?
We are asked to check our seatbelts, then let off with a warning, as long as we brought the car back in one piece.
"Here ya go! All in one twisted, mangled, smashed up piece!"
I know both T_Man and I took video with our cameras, however, I dont know what happened to said video.
I know. Just scroll down.
You're welcome.
My guess is it didnt turn out all that great
Guess again.
Youll have to deal with me telling you what actually happened through the ride.
Oh, the humanity!!!
(For those of you who followed along last TR, this may be a good time to go grab a drink, or a snack, or take a pee break
)
aaaahhhhh....
No, I'm not telling you which one I did.
Over hills, and flat lands, the race was a close one, but in the end, our car won, and we brought the car back to the garage in one piece.
I really appreciated the ride breakdown Heather.
Even with the video, there was stuff that I wouldn't have got without the accompanying handbook.
Oh look, picture of a picture of our car
.and us! You can see T_Man and I both have our cameras out, trying to take video of the ride.
There is no try. You did.
Look at those smiles!
Not as fun as actually seeing the real thing in action huh? Well...Ive got some good news for you. We found the video. So now you get to see everything from above in action!
That video was really excellent! It's the next best thing to being there!
Thanks!
Once we were safely back in the town of Radiator Springs, Nebo and Smidgy decided it would be the perfect time to go back to their room for a while, get in some pool time and have some lunch.
What a polite way of saying they ditched you.
We needed to find a belt for T_Man, as he always seems to forget it when we go on a trip, and I did not want to be kicked out of DL or DCA because he was mooning people on accident.
Hold on... HOLD ON!
You say if he didn't have his belt, he would be mooning people.
Then you say he always forgets it when you go on a trip.
So what you are REALLY saying is.
T-Man constantly moons people every trip until you finally get him into a store to buy a belt (and put it on).
You guys must be very popular with the people that you are in front of.
We wanted to make sure we got in a few more rides before we had to stand in line for World of Color. T_Man suggested 6pm. That would still give us plenty of time all around.
Remember when I said that being late would come back to bite me
...well
.
uh, oh.
Or... as T-Man would say
Dun-DUN-DUUUUUN!
As T_Man suggested the time, Nebo looked over at us and repeated the time. T_Man nodded his head and went into an explanation of why 6pm would be good. Nebo then repeated the time once again, and said, Are you sure?
Im not too sure if T_Man caught on to where he was going with this, but I heard it loud and clear. Im pretty sure I turned about 50 shades of red.
OMG!!
Nebo then said something to the effect of
I just want to make sure, I dont want to be waiting around for 45 minutes.
Oh... he should've just left it alone.
Now he's left himself wide open to a counter-attack!
To which I sarcastically, but lovingly, replied back, You waited 15 minutes this morning...but I am more than happy to make you wait 45 if you would like!
I ended with a big smile and then laughed. Which then made everyone else laugh, and we continued on our way.
Made everyone else laugh
like this?
We had discussed possibilities; Johnny Rockets is always a favorite, and how can you go wrong with an old time soda fountain and burger joint?
Easy. Go to the Johnny Rockets in Mall of America.
$15 for a burger? No thanks.
We had a little time to decide. We had no where to be until 6:45
I mean...6:00pm. So we didnt have to decide right this minute.
:
Heard of it.
Never seen one, let alone been in one.
my brother used to love to pop a cherry tomato into his mouth and run from one end of the restaurant to the other, before jumping up and biting down on the tomato.
uh.
okay?
He was only like 7 or 8 at the time
<phew>!!
Since Sizzler was directly across the street from Target, we decided we HAD to stop and eat there.
Really? I thought you would've eaten at the Sizzler, since is was right across the street.
But if you want to eat at Target, there's nothing I can do to stop you.
Air conditioner, plus wet clothes, equals a chattery Lady H.
Awww... p.p.p.poor l.l.l.lady H.H.H.H...
I think T_Man had the same thing. It would account for the fact that we only have the one picture of our meal. No sense in taking two pictures of the same thing right
?
Well apparently there is. You don't know for sure what he had.
If you'd taken two pictures then you'd know.
I have found, through the years of going to buffets in Vegas, and of course the few buffets and Salad Bars we have around here at home, that I dont do small when it comes to salads. I make them a meal fit for like 4 people. No matter how hard I try to minimize, it just doesnt happen. By the time I am done and heading back to the table, I have a mountain of salad that I have to figure out how to get through.
I'm like that too. And I'm pretty sure these places count on that.
"Fill 'em up on salad and they won't care just how small our portions really are!"
I would've sent it back.
Nobody cuts into my steak before I get it!!!
We ate until we couldnt eat anymore, then made sure to grab dessert before leaving
.
Of course!
Our first stop inside the store was the belt section.
'Cause there's nothing you'd rather do on a full, bloated stomach, than put a belt around it.
So of course I grabbed a cute multicolored scarf that I would use later on in the trip as a belt of my own.
Tomorrow we are headed to Universal, and plan on making breakfast burritos for Nebo and Smidgy for the ride.
That's nice of you guys!
I for one was not going to walk around the rest of the day smelling like wet dog.
We have a dog.
I know that smell.
And no, you don't want it to be you.
Although I really did contemplate hiding from them to see if Nebos head would explode thinking we were late again...
Do it! Do it!
but, I didnt want to be the reason for any Nebo accidents
Party pooper.
OMG, did you ever see this video??
Party Pooper
Cracks me up everytime!
After grabbing our stuff from the locker, I made a beeline for the little fruit stand next door. They have the best pickles on the planet,
Oh? <pkondz comes to full attention... pkondz loves pickles>
T_Man made a comment about me only getting one pickle...I gave him a look and may have even stuck out my tongue at him.
Family board!!!
As soon as he turned his back, I grabbed another one and made a mad dash to the register.
As I hid in the shadows, T_Man explained that I was waiting my allotted 45 minutes, and should be around sometime later
Just kidding...You know I had to milk that one for all it was worth!
Shucks. I wanted to know if Nebo's head exploded!
We have never been in the very first row! EVER!!!!
This was definitely an exciting time for T_Man and I.
I can see that. Our first time was in the front row.
I've been spoiled ever since.
On one hand, I hate shoes, so I would be happy to take them off.
Were shoes mean to you when you were little?
Plus I dont want them to fly off my feet and hit someone below me once the ride begins.
Funny. That'd be a reason I'd keep 'em on!
Now, you may remember that I have, from time to time, considered myself a dumb wife on this TR.
No! Really?
I grabbed hold of the little handles on either side of me, and was a little worried that I may start to have a panic attack, but once we got going, I was pretty good.
<phew>!!
I think it would be cool to be in California and be able to fly over Florida, giving those who have never been, a chance to fly over WDW and see all the sites.
Actually, that's a really good idea.
The fun part is, that once you run over everyone, and have hobbled your way to your designated spot, you must then wait another hour for the show to start. Fun times!
That
does sound like fun!
Oh, boy!
not
Since there isnt an actual line for this, we all moved up to the front, where the lady and her family were also waiting. The lady gave us a look. You know the look Im talking about right? The one that could knock down even the Hulk? I was waiting to see if she actually said anything to us, but instead, she went crying to the CM, who told her that there was no line, it was a free for all, and they encouraged people to move forward in order to accommodate everyone.
Really?
I would've looked her square in the eye and said, "I can run pretty fast and I guarantee you that I'm going to get a better spot than you."
Okay, maybe I wouldn't have said it... but it's fun to think it.
She huffed, and then gave us another evil glare before resuming her post at the rope.
Or maybe turn to T-Man and in a loud voice say, "I don't really care where we sit... as long as we get in before that lady."
Its a good thing no one can hear my thoughts as I mentally yell out, Red Rover, Red Rover, Send Lady H on Over, and break through the clasped hands and dash down the ramp.
You didn't! Heather! You're a bad***!!
(Note to T-Man. Don't tick off your wife. Just sayin')
I really hated doing what i did, and felt extremely bad for it, but i had no time to go back and apologize, so I hoped they would find it in their hearts to forgive me at some later time...maybe in 30 years or so...
Priorities.
Ya gotta have priorities.
I screech to a halt, throwing up smoke from my perfect skid on the walk.
I thought about using his line against him and telling him, Youre killing me smalls! ?! or even given him a classic, Hello! McFly! but i held my tongue, pointed to the rope and shook my head.
Really?
Was that really satisfying?
Pretty soon Nebo and Smidgy found us again. Unfortunately, I think Nebo got into a fight with the rope as he was returning to us, luckily he won the fight and all was well.
Of that, I have no doubt.
The rope fight part, that is.
Him winning the fight... I doubt.
I do remember a family sitting near or behind Smidgy who kept trying to get in front of her to be near the railing. She allowed the little kids to get in so they could see, and stood behind them. She is so nice!
That is nice! I sure hope I get to meet her this summer.
However, Im not ok with the parents standing or sitting in a spot, towards the back, for over an hour, and in the last few minutes, making random movements to try to get in front of you all of a sudden. More often than not, using their kids as a way to do so. It does not work that way.
The moment the lights went out and the show was about to start, the rope dropped once again. This time it was the roped off area next to us.
I wonder if they were holding it just in case some VIPs decided to catch the show.
Which begs the question, what's better?
Having the absolute perfect spot... or having the next best, but being beside somebody famous that you like/admire?
Who does this person think she is, just sitting in the middle of the show!
And you thought
you got a good seat!
Ok kids...cover your eyes! Here comes some kissing scenes!
Okay! I'm not looking!
So it's safe to look again? <phew!>
I turned to Nebo and Smidgy. Excited to see what they thought. Smidgy was smiling, and said she liked it. I turned to Nebo to get his thoughts
He didnt seem to enthused. I think his exact words were
I still like Illuminations better.
Cant win them all I guess.
I've already read Smidgy's explanation...
But I would've gushed all about it. Just for you.
So obviously, next time, take me.
T_Man wanted to get a head start on the makings for the burritos, so we arent doing everything in the morning. Otherwise i would have to wake up at 4am...T_Man barely stays alive when he has to wake me at 6am while on vacation...That definitely wouldnt be pretty.
Like I said. That's very nice of you guys to do that.
T_Man got started on preparing the eggs and hashbrowns for the burritos, while I changed into my pjs, grabbed a beer and sat out on the patio and took notes on what we did that day.
Why didnt I help T_Man out you ask? I did...I got him a beer and left him to his own devices.
Nope. I get it.
When I'm cooking, just stay out of the way unless I say otherwise, okay?
Plus I would have just been in his way. I offered my assistance, but he declined, so I skedaddled.
See?
Tomorrow is a day full of promise. Another new place for Nebo and Smidgy. New rides, new shows, and adventures to be had.
Sounds like fun!
As we snuggled up in bed, and said our I love yous, I thought about suggesting to T_Man that we should set the alarm for a little earlier than normal.
Family board!
You crazy kids, you.
Oh well...Maybe we will be on time, or even early tomorrow and my worries will be for naught.
On the other hand
Uh, oh.
Thanks for the terrific chapter, Heather!
Looking forward to more!
but has handled it really well and is now off at college, which makes me both happy and sad! On the plus side I managed it end up at Disney twice this past year for work conferences, not quite the same as going for fun but I didn't look a gift horse in the mouth!! I'm finally feeling settled in my new job and feel like I have free time again. So like a bad penny I turned back up!
