No Work and All Play – Disney on the Company’s Dime! (8/1 There and Back Again)

[figment41]

OK finally checking in here. The budget board has been keeping me busy but now I am off to work on photopass. Can't wait to hear more.

[thecapells]

Originally Posted by WrightFamily06

We stayed off property several times in a rental home which worked out well w/ our car or a rental car . I remember though when I was in middle school staying at a hotel near WDW with my family and we had the same problem as u the shuttles to the parks we few and far between . I myself though have to say we prefer staying on property also , mostly for the dinning , we always take our own car though due to the fact that WDW buses & my stomach don't get along ! LOL Beautiful pictures , POC is our Fav WDW ride . I'm saying your on your way to the HM , can't wait to see the pictures !

I was always a fan of staying on-site.
This experience definitely solidified that view.
And I'm not big on rental cars, parking fees, and trams - I actually prefer the Disney bus system believe it or not.

Originally Posted by HilJoy14

We have stayed off-property several times and enjoy it. We almost always stay at the Hilton across the street from Downtown Disney. (Another option that we'll probably try, because it is cheaper, is the newly remodeled Regal Sun, also a block or so from Downtown Disney.) If you stay there, you're right by the Disney bus stop.

But if I was staying off-site, I would rent a car. It's something like $12 per day, and we like to come and go as we please.

(Just trying to let you know that staying off-site isn't always bad...)

Glad you perked up once you got to WDW. I know that would put me in a better mood right away!

The hotel experience was a disaster but I wasn't going to let it ruin my fun!

Originally Posted by kbheap

Your TR is off to a good start. Can't wait to read more.

Then grab some popcorn!

[thecapells]

Originally Posted by figment41

OK finally checking in here. The budget board has been keeping me busy but now I am off to work on photopass. Can't wait to hear more.

Glad you could join us!
Hopefully some fun stories will give you a nice distraction from the budget board!

[thecapells]

I bypassed the Frontierland food and headed for Liberty Square.
I thought I might have time for a trip through the dark and spooky Haunted Mansion!
Strike Two!
(one being the hotel and shuttle experience)

The Mansion was having technical difficulties and was currently down.
So, I re-routed through Liberty Square, back to Frontierland, and through the secret passage to Adventureland.
It was time for some cheering up – and that means Dole Whip!
But the line was reallllly long.
Strike Three!

So now I needed some cheering up.
It was time for old reliable – The Tiki Room!
I looooove the Tiki Room – the old show, mind you was my favorite.
I remember when I was little falling in love with Michael – my namesake Tiki Bird.
Ever since then, I’ve take a picture with him whenever I go back with the kids.
I’m not too fond of the new show – not a big fan of Iago or Zazu but it’s still nostalgic.
I can’t wait to go to Disneyland one day so I can show the original show to the kids.
But I digress.

The show was about to start so I headed into the almost empty theatre bypassing the pre-show.
And away we go!
Somebody better go wake up the glee club!


The show was nice and put a smile back on my face.
I took lots of video this time around as well so the following are snapshots from that.
I think I managed a couple of decent ones of the Tiki goddess herself.




I liked her red eyes glowing as she departed


Lastly the girls joined the party for the Conga


The show ended and it was about 8:45 so I booked back over to Aloha Isle where the line had thinned.
Dole Whip Float please!!!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
That makes everything better.
With my Dole Whip in hand (and in my tummy), I headed towards the hub.
Stay tuned for the night’s entertainment!

[WrightFamily06]

Originally Posted by thecapells

I was always a fan of staying on-site.
This experience definitely solidified that view.
And I'm not big on rental cars, parking fees, and trams - I actually prefer the Disney bus system believe it or not.

I'm not big on flying so we usually don't do rental cars either and I totally agree the parking fee of I think 12 or 14 dollars a day is crazy ! Glad to hear that you do well with the bus system , my family would be fine using it too but due to the fact that I would probably have to take dramamine to ride them everyday , I would just rather drive our car and since we stay on property the parking is free .

Great update ! Sorry all your plans didn't work out at 1st We love the Tiki Room also but I totally agree w/ u the original was much better ! Yummy , a Dole Whip Float that would make anyone forget about the events of the day that weren't so good !

[pipersmom]

All this dole whip talk..must get a dole whip! I don't remember seeing the Tiki Room show as a kid, but definitely a must do when we go as Piper loooooves Aladdin and will be all over Iago being in it!

[All7OfUs]

It's a travesty what they've done to the Tiki. I wish Disney would stop pimping itself out at every turn and just let the classics be classics.

Ah well, at least a Dole Whip got you to snap out of the bad luck funk yum!

[meeko_33785]

A Dole Whip sounds really good right about now. I've never tried the Dole Whip float, but I'm sure I'd love it. Maybe I'll make it a priority to try one next time I'm at MK- or do they do the floats at the Poly too?

I actually kind of like the new Tiki Room. It's not great and I wouldn't say it's one of my favorites, but it's cute to see every now and then.

[thecapells]

Originally Posted by WrightFamily06

I'm not big on flying so we usually don't do rental cars either and I totally agree the parking fee of I think 12 or 14 dollars a day is crazy ! Glad to hear that you do well with the bus system , my family would be fine using it too but due to the fact that I would probably have to take dramamine to ride them everyday , I would just rather drive our car and since we stay on property the parking is free .

Great update ! Sorry all your plans didn't work out at 1st We love the Tiki Room also but I totally agree w/ u the original was much better ! Yummy , a Dole Whip Float that would make anyone forget about the events of the day that weren't so good !

Dole Whip Float definitely makes things so smoother.

Originally Posted by pipersmom

All this dole whip talk..must get a dole whip! I don't remember seeing the Tiki Room show as a kid, but definitely a must do when we go as Piper loooooves Aladdin and will be all over Iago being in it!

Ah, then you definitely a trip to Disneyland to see the original.
I can't wait to take the kids so they can see it!

Originally Posted by All7OfUs

It's a travesty what they've done to the Tiki. I wish Disney would stop pimping itself out at every turn and just let the classics be classics.

Ah well, at least a Dole Whip got you to snap out of the bad luck funk yum!

Dole Whips can cure almost anything!

Originally Posted by meeko_33785

A Dole Whip sounds really good right about now. I've never tried the Dole Whip float, but I'm sure I'd love it. Maybe I'll make it a priority to try one next time I'm at MK- or do they do the floats at the Poly too?

I actually kind of like the new Tiki Room. It's not great and I wouldn't say it's one of my favorites, but it's cute to see every now and then.

The floats are only available at Aloha Isle in Adventureland.
The Poly has the Dole Whips without the pineapple juice.

As for the Tiki Room, we just saw Princess and the Frog tonite.
Both kids loved it and a family favorite scene was towards the end with Dr. Facilier.
Without giving anything away, we thought that scene looked like the Tiki Room gone nuts!
So of course Mom and I are thinking afterwards, now that would be a good retheming of the Tiki Room!
Get rid of Zazu and Iago and do Voodoo Tikis instead!!

Anyway, sorry I've been AWOL for a couple of days - it's been real hectic around the house and at work.
I hope to have a new installment tomorrow though.
So bear with me...

[All7OfUs]

We're bearing...

[3girls4me05]

Originally Posted by thecapells

Dole Whip Float definitely makes things so smoother.



Ah, then you definitely a trip to Disneyland to see the original.
I can't wait to take the kids so they can see it!



Dole Whips can cure almost anything!



The floats are only available at Aloha Isle in Adventureland.
The Poly has the Dole Whips without the pineapple juice.

As for the Tiki Room, we just saw Princess and the Frog tonite.
Both kids loved it and a family favorite scene was towards the end with Dr. Facilier.
Without giving anything away, we thought that scene looked like the Tiki Room gone nuts!
So of course Mom and I are thinking afterwards, now that would be a good retheming of the Tiki Room!
Get rid of Zazu and Iago and do Voodoo Tikis instead!!

Anyway, sorry I've been AWOL for a couple of days - it's been real hectic around the house and at work.
I hope to have a new installment tomorrow though.
So bear with me...

At this time of year I can understand why things are hectic. I can be patient...well for a little while
Can't wait to hear more!

[pipersmom]

Waiting (somewhat) patiently!

[thecapells]

Originally Posted by All7OfUs

We're bearing...

Originally Posted by pipersmom

Waiting (somewhat) patiently!

Originally Posted by 3girls4me05

At this time of year I can understand why things are hectic. I can be patient...well for a little while
Can't wait to hear more!

It's been a very hectic week with Chanukah, Princess and the Frog, work, and moving a grandparent - sorry I delayed the report.
But things are starting to settle so let's back to it!

[thecapells]

I found a really cool spot overlooking the bridge to Liberty Square.
There was a family there that invited me to join them and we chatted a bit.
Then the music sounded and it was Spectromagic time!!
I had a nice clear view as each of the floats crossed the bridge.
Very neat angle.

Now Mom’s favorite thing in the world was the Main Street Electrical Parade and she’s only seen Spectro once so I videotaped a lot for her.
From those, I cut out a bunch of snapshots.

The first is of the Spectromen.
I know the pic is too dark but I did kinda like how all you can see are the instruments with the electric Mickeys.


After the grand piano with the chipmunks come the fairies from Sleeping Beauty.


And then the pinnacle of the parade (at least in DD’s eyes) – Ariel herself singing…


With King Triton keeping a close eye on his daughter


From Under the Seas to the Classics, Cinderella arrives in her carriage


And then Alice and the Mad Hatter.
This shot is interesting because I have the color version as well but the best shot of the chars is after the lights turn white.
It makes for a neat effect and really accentuates the White Rabbit and Alice’s dress


The carousel is amazing as the figures actually circle the carousel.
I had to snap Dumbo making his way around…


Then it was time for the villains to make their marks!
The best part of this picture is to the left.
I never noticed it before but if you look closely, along with Captain Hook and Maleficient is an animated Tink flying in the window.
It’s very similar to the animation used in the new Fairy Treasures shop where you can call Tink (more on that later).
Tink here is actually flying in and out of the windows.
I clipped this from the video so you can get a good glimpse of her


The villains were followed by Pinocchio and Gepetto


And the last float was Minnie and Donald


Snow White and the Dwarves (along with Pluto and the Song of the South characters) walked behind the parade.
It was a fun stop and something I hadn’t done in some time.
The kids might like this one and we may have to try it next time around.
I just enjoyed my view, my Dole Whip, and the company of the family next to me.
All in all, a nice time.
By now it was 9:30 and I wanted to watch Wishes at 10.
But first I had to trek through the Jungle!
Come along – there’s still plenty to do before the park closes!!

[pipersmom]

I admit it, I am a parade junkie, and still remember the electrical light parades from when I was a kid. Even when Piper isn't here at Thanksgiving I'll watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Thank you for sharing all the cool parade pics!