Canadian Buffoon's Solo Disney Vacation - Update 07/08! pp99 - Here today gone tomorrow

[KatMark]

Who's in charge now???

Lord help this TR when he's gone.

 

[orangecats2]

I think it should be either me or you. Except you talk about farts!

 

[afwdwfan]

Lord help this TR when he's gone.

It will be like the old days in one of @FreezinRafiki 's long abandoned TR's.

I think it should be either me or you. Except you talk about farts!

I didn't start that line of discussion, thank you very much.

 

[KatMark]

It will be like the old days in one of @FreezinRafiki 's long abandoned TR's.

I think we should start doing that on Tim's LONG ABANDONED TR!

 

[afwdwfan]

Yeah I was going to tag him too but I'm on my phone and his user name wouldn't pop up. I figure Mark called Barry out earlier today anyway so maybe if we blow up his alerts with Mentone we can get him to come back to the TR boards.

There's almost no point in even trying to hijack Tim's TR's, especially this time of year.

 

[irene_dsc]

Ok, ok, I guess I need to make my guess before you post! I'm so behind! One 8th grade graduation is only an excuse for one night, lol. It's been so long since I read the actual update, I can't remember my comments! Just assume that they are much more witty than my actual comments, and we'll be fine...

For my guesses, I'm going with AK, EE, and Tusker House...like a bunch of other people!

 

[shan23877]

Love the fireworks pics Ponzi! We haven't seen Illuminations in 4 years!

of course you let the kids in front of you-you're such a nice guy!

I noticed that you're in with the DisDads now, do they know that your man card was revoked many years ago? Should we keep that just between us?

I'll be at dance recital all of next weekend. Currently I'm killing 2 hours at dance and gymnastics class...Thank god for free wi-fi.

I'm guessing that they pic is of the inside of the nightstand. And if memory serves (which it probably doesn't) you've been to every park now, so you're repeating. If that is true then I think you'll go to MK. First ride will be Big Thunder (not space because it probably hurts your back) and you'll eat at CHH. And look! I commented within 2 weeks of an update! Yay me!

 

[shan23877]

And also- I use photoshop to edit my pics as well. What settings do you use? I tried using the "resize for the internet" feature. It works for some pictures, but not all of them.

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

OMG!!!! I was going over posts, allocating points, etc...

I didn't even see that little post at the bottom!

And here I'd gone and forgiven you after looking at the sad wittle puppy!


My God! Is there no end to @BibbitybobityLu and her evil ways?????

 

[Tracy161]

Who's in charge now???

 

[pkondz]

So... 2 posts to tell us that you've basically written the next update and may get around to posting it some time soonish if the mood strikes you?

Just click post, man, just click post.

I know right!

Settle down you two!
Do you want quick? Or do you want good?

Well, you're in the wrong TR if you want either!


I can, however, promise mediocre and slow.

So you're leaving on Monday...how long will you be gone?

Back Friday night.

Who will be in charge until you get back?

Who's in charge now???

You wanna know who's in charge?
YOU WANt TO KNOW WHO IS IN CHARGE?!?!?!?

Well I'll tell you who's in charge!

ME!!

That's who!

And if any.....

Oh, poop. Even with the big font and all-caps, I'm not even fooling myself,
let alone any of you.


Sorry.

I think it should be either me or you. Except you talk about farts!

I didn't start that line of discussion, thank you very much.

Me thinks he doth protest too much.

Lord help this TR when he's gone.

Like it's any better when I'm here.

It will be like the old days in one of @FreezinRafiki 's long abandoned TR's.

Never read any of his. Sounds interesting.

 

[pkondz]

Love the fireworks pics Ponzi! We haven't seen Illuminations in 4 years!

Thanks, Shan!
I hadn't seen it in five.

of course you let the kids in front of you-you're such a nice guy!

Nah. I thought the rotten little brats would throw things at me if I didn't let 'em up front.
Really, I'm a big jerk.
Ask anyone! Ask Ruby.

I noticed that you're in with the DisDads now, do they know that your man card was revoked many years ago? Should we keep that just between us?

Is that a threat??? Hmmm????

Jokes on you. They already know.

I'll be at dance recital all of next weekend. Currently I'm killing 2 hours at dance and gymnastics class...Thank god for free wi-fi.

Ah dance recital. How many hours are you captive?
I just spent... ummm.... let's see.
Four hours on Wednesday, five on Thursday and only three and a half last night.
Got the last of the littles organized and took off.

I'm guessing that they pic is of the inside of the nightstand.

Noted.

I think you'll go to MK. First ride will be Big Thunder (not space because it probably hurts your back) and you'll eat at CHH.

Check!

And look! I commented within 2 weeks of an update! Yay me!

I know! I noticed!

And also- I use photoshop to edit my pics as well. What settings do you use? I tried using the "resize for the internet" feature.

I resize to 5 inches x 7 inches with resolution set at 200.

Yep. That's what I thought.

Who's side are you on????


DON'T ANSWER THAT!!!!!!!

 

[KathyM2]

I feel your pain...I have dance recital rehearsals for I don't know how many hours this week...followed by the actual recitals next weekend....

 

[pkondz]

I feel your pain...I have dance recital rehearsals for I don't know how many hours this week...followed by the actual recitals next weekend....

Good luck!

 

[pkondz]

Second bridge to the right and straight on the coaster


deedle deedle deedle deedle deedle...

I open one eye.

deedle deedle deedle deedle deedle...


I roll the open eye towards my iPod from where the ruckus is emanating.
It comes to a stop up against the screen.

6:30am.

I groan.
Not because it's early.
Not because I just lost an eye.

No.
It's worse than that.

It's...



The Last Day.


Yuck.


I suppose it could be worse. It could be tomorrow.
Travel day.



I fall out of bed, turn off the alarm and stumble into the shower.


Oh my God I GOT WATER ALL OVER THE FLOOR!!!


Oh, for the love of... Am I never going to get used to that?!?!?
I'll have one more chance to find out.
My money is on "No", though.


By 7:00am I'm all ready to go, but before I walk out the door,
I want to check in for my WestJet flights.
I can check in 24 hours in advance and I want to book the Plus seat again, if I can.

I start the process and remember that I don't have to stay in my room to do this.
You can either be on the "in-room" internet or "resort-grounds" internet.

I open the door and...

There it is.

Swinging from the doorknob like a condemned criminal at the end of his noose.

The "get out" notice.
A chill as if someone is walking over my grave goes down my spine.

I hate that thing. I loathe it with a passion.
I already know my trip is coming to an end.
Do they have to rub it in?!?!?


Undaunted, well... maybe a little daunted,
I start down the hall, while concentrating on the check-in process.
I manage to seamlessly switch from one internet Wi-Fi to the next.
Everything is going smoothly this morning.
I just hope that a bus isn't waiting there when I get to the bus stop.
Gotta finish checking in first.
Actually, I hope there is a bus... as long as I'm already done with the check in.
I get to the bus stop at 7:13am.
Ha! No bus yet (not done checking in) and only three people waiting in line! Perfect!

Just about finished checking in and.......
Uh...
I need a credit card to pay for my seat upgrade.

I guess you could say that this was the one time
when I wish I didn't have a MagicBand.
Because if I didn't, then I'd have my credit card with me!

I prevaricated for a couple of seconds.
Should I stay? Or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble... making rope drop.
Geez, geez, geez.

My thoughts and emotions clash...


(had enough?)

<sigh> I go.


I dejectedly turn back to the Jazz building.
No time for moping. Gotta hurry.
I pick up the pace.

As I climb the stairs, two at a time, I dig out my safe key.
I charge down the hall to my room.
I see the "go away" papers swinging in the breeze.
Didn't I bring them inside? Thought I had. Whatever.
I'm in a rush, I'll get 'em later.
I swipe my MagicBand at the door.

Nothing.

Arrrrrghhh....

I swipe it again.
Still nothing.

I s l o w l y place my band against the door.
Again. Nothing.
Why? Why now??? I'm in a rush! I don't have time for this!!!

I turn. I trot down the hall and climb one more flight of stairs.
I go to the room above the one I was trying to enter.
Swipe! <click> I'm in!

There's a lesson for you kids.
When trying to enter a hotel room.
Always, always try to do it at your own room.


Run inside room.
Open safe, grab credit card. Sit on bed to input number.
Can't read the 'frican card! Stupid glasses... gotta get new ones.
These ones are obviously defective now.
And they've been getting more defectiver over the past few years.
Take off glasses, input credit card and... success!
I'm all checked in.
Toss card back in safe, lock it, stuff key back in bag.
I burst out of the room and dash down the hall.
Halfway to the stairs, I slam on the brakes and do a 180.
Run back to the room <swipe><click!>, grab my glasses
and bolt out of the room again.
Hey, at least I figured out why Florida is so blurry that time of day!


On the way back to the bus, as I approach Melody Hall,
I see two people in front of me and three approaching from the left.
I double my pace and pass the first two and get to the intersection before the other three.
Eat my road grit, Liver Lips!

With all that, I'm back at the bus stop at 7:28am.
There's good news and bad news.
The good news: There's a bus already there.
The bad news: It's looking mighty full.

I stroll up to the end of the line and count.
(I have to stroll now. I can't breathe. Being first has its price.)
There are seven people waiting to get on the bus still.
I dunno. That bus is looking pretty full.
Come on people! There's plenty of room at the back! Squeeze in!
Sure you won't be able to breathe, but that's what Disney is all about!
It takes your breath away, right?

Nope. Only three more people get on and the driver shuts the door.


But.


Before the overly-stuffed bus has even left,
another one pulls up!

The four people ahead of me, the five behind me and I board.
In short order, our practically empty bus sets out for the park...
At the same time as the other sardine-like bus.

Andy mentioned that I had some amazing luck with the busses.
It was no more evident than today!
I was on the bus at 7:29am. One minute after arriving at the bus stop.
And we were at the Magic Kingdom by 7:49am.

(I can see you now. Some of you are fist pumping for guessing right.
Others are hanging their heads in dismay.)


In no time I was through bag check and waiting to get in the park.
It was 7:53am. Seven minutes until EMH opening time.
It was my last day, so I was going to take advantage of every second!


This was going to be a very different MK morning from last time.
The previous MK morning I had a FP for 7DMT so there was no need to rush.
I could relax. Take my time. Let the other fools jostle and tussle and moo.

Well, this time, I didn't have a FP. At least not for that.
But I decided I wanted to ride it again, so...

Moo.

You have to understand how crowds work a little bit.
I'm no mob theorist or anything, but I figured that most of the people there would congregate in a pack.
And I was right.
There were plenty of people clustered near the entrance... but not all the way to the walls.
There was lots of room to walk around the crowd.

This is how close I got:

Not bad for arriving just seven minutes before rope drop.
I could hear the Welcome show and I did have a brief moment of regret.
But there was no time and no room for sentimentality.
I was on a mission!

A cry went up and we all surged forward under the arches.
By employing the same crowd edge tactic, I was able to get reasonably close to the front.

We were led down Main Street and as we approached the hub,
the CMs started to cry out "2nd bridge to the right for 7DMT!"

For some reason, I forgot about the first bridge, which leads to Tomorrowland.
A good 95% of the crowd followed the CMs straight to the castle,
but I turned right and went to what was actually the 2nd bridge.
But I thought it was the 1st.
Either way, this was the way I was gonna go.
There was a very small crowd of about a dozen or so people waiting there.
A mother and her son asked me if this was the way to 7DMT.
I told her it was one way.
We exited the bridge and I stuck to the left edge of the walkway and passed a bunch of sashayers.


Now was not the time for sashaying.
Trust me. I know.


As I approached 7DMT, I could see...
Remember that 95% that went straight?
They were all coming to 7DMT.
And they were all going to get there...

Behind me.


I walked right into the queue, through the queue
and without pausing for more than a couple of seconds
was back on the ride.

My intention was to provide you, dear reader,
with a photo montage of 7DMT.

And that so didn't happen.

I got one... ONE blurry picture of Dopey.

And that was it!

I just am not familiar enough with the ride yet to be able to adequately prepare for a shot!
Oh, well.
Go ride it.

I did get a couple of exterior shots.

First, this crappy one:

And then this one, which I kinda like.
It would be awesome if I'd known who that boy was, but... ah well.
("And this is a shot of my nephew, Kyle.
Which is weird because I don't even have a nephew.
And don't know anyone named Kyle.")

I still like it.

And I managed a quick couple of snaps just at the end of the ride.

After exiting 7DMT, I glanced at the time. 8:15am.
Still plenty of time before they let the riff raff in.
And I knew just what I wanted to do next.


I headed straight for Peter Pan.
I zipped through the empty queue.
No photos this time, been there, shot that.
In very little time I was soaring over London again.

I really wish that just once, the ride would stall while I was over London.
Yes, I suppose it would kill the "flying" illusion...
But I'd love to spend more time in there!
It always goes by so quickly!
Too soon, I was being kicked out by a mean CM.
Why can't I just ride it again? And stall over London?
It doesn't seem like such a big thing, does it?

I exited PP and made sure not to look up or straight ahead.
I was not going to let a certain ride ruin my day.
I kept my head down and turned left.


I hoped today I would have more luck with Splash.
Maybe if I tried to ride it during EMH, I'd actually get to do it!
But the plan was BTMRR first, Splash second.
Simply because BTMRR seems to have the longer waits.

At least that was the plan.
I had just passed the Tangled Tinkle Spot when...
I came upon a rope, blocking my progress.

So apparently Liberty Square isn't open for EMH.
Nor is Frontierland.

Crap.
(Well, I was near a rest room.)

Now what?

I took a few pictures of the Tangle Tinkle Spot as I weighed my options.

What to do. What to do...
I didn't want to head all the way over to Tomorrowland.
By the time I got there, the rest of the park would be open.

I didn't feel like watching Mickey's Philharmagic again.
I don't really do character meets. (Tink notwithstanding)
You can only have so much Pooh on one vacation.

Hmmm....

I've still never been to Storybook Circus...
and I didn't feel like breaking my streak.

Umm...

I could ride the carrousel...
but there's just no way a grown man can ride that by himself
and still maintain a shred of dignity.

Oh, I don't have any left. It was just a general comment.
Sort of a "buyer beware" for any real men who might contemplate it.
I guess that's redundant.
If he's a real man, he's not contemplating riding the carrousel solo.

As I was pondering all this, I had kept wandering in the general direction of PP.
Ride it again?
I've already gone three times this trip.
That's more than any other ride, including some that I like more!
(Although it is in the top five or six.)

I glanced up and.... gahhh!!!!

Geez! Don't do that to a guy!

I quickly looked away.
Gawd I hate that ride.... and that song!
<shudder>

As I kept my eyes averted, a thought began to percolate.
Yes.
I know.
It was all by itself and it was surprised to be found in my head.
However...

There was a ride that I could do... if...

I rummaged around in my camera bag.
If this was going to work, I needed to find something.
I had to find something, or it just wasn't going to happen.


Would you like to know what ride I'm thinking of?
The one that I actually did go on next?
Wouldja?

Well, you know which park I'm in.
You tell me!

Bonus question: What's the next ride?

And speaking of bonus questions...

The Contest

Bonus questions were: Which park? First ride? ADR?
So park is MK.
Ride was 7DMT
ADR is for... well we haven't gotten there yet, have we?
So lucky you, if you guessed anything outside of MK,
you get a chance to revise your guess.

Plus, there's that pesky little "Never before seen Disney picture".

2 points each for MK and 7DMT.
And the picture?

Well, so far no one has guessed it.
But the closest guesses so far were:
(please take careful note of the points awarded)
@Glittercat - 2 points

Is it a small mirror in plastic bag within another plastic bag?

@Tracy161 - 1 point

I'm going to say it's a cell phone in a plastic grocery bag in your camera bag.

@Mac Brew - 2 points

Great bamboozle of a photo looks like the back of a water damaged mobile phone in a grey plastic bag double wrapped to stop further water damage during transportation in a heavy rain storm in a Disney park.

@BibbitybobityLu - 8 points (look up UK definition of bin)

I'm going to say that it is the inside of a bin....

Now if only someone could tell me where the photo was taken.
And just so I'm sure you've got it, tell me again what it is.


Your answers and points awarded this round:

cinderkelly - MK - Space - BOG - 2 points
TGM - AK - EE - Y&Y - 0 points
KathyM2 - MK - BTMRR - The Plaza - 2 points
Susan R - AK - EE - Y&Y - 0 points
Glittercat - DHS - RNR - SciFi - 0 points
jandlinz - AK - KS - Rainforest Cafe - 0 points
afwdwfan - MK - Splash - LTT - 2 points
Gracefulskinny - Epcot - TT - Coral Reef - 0 points
DonnaBeeGood - Epcot - Soarin' - Garden Grill - 0 points
Captain_Oblivious - DHS - RNR - SciFi - 0 points
Tracy161 - AK - EE - Tusker House - 0 points
Mac Brew - DHS - ST - Hollywood Brown Derby - 0 points
lilpixiebabe101 - Epcot - MS - Coral Reef - 0 points
TheLittleKatie - AK - EE - Rainforest Cafe - 0 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - Epcot - TT - Garden Grill - 0 points
orangecats2 - DHS - RNR - Mama Melrose - 0 points
RGirl - MK - PP - BOG - 2 points
Sandy Mouse - Epcot - Soarin' - Garden Grill - 0 points
ursalita - AK - EE - Tusker House - 0 points
BibbitybobityLu - AK - KS - Y&Y - 0 points
KatMark - AK - EE - Y&Y - 0 points
ddstratton - MK - 7DMT - CRT - 4 points
courtneybelle - AK - EE - Tusker House - 0 points
MAGICFOR2 - AK - KS - Y&Y - 0 points
irene_dsc - AK - EE - Tusker House - 0 points (sometimes following the herd isn't a good idea)
shan23877 - MK - BTMRR - CHH - 2 points


Bonus points!

cinderkelly - 1 point for floating and stinging.
KathyM2 - 2 pity points.
jandlinz - 3 points for paying attention to details.
afwdwfan - 1 point for the dodgeball lesson.
DonnaBeeGood - 1 point for predictions. 2 points for this one time...
Captain_Oblivious - 1 point for Ovaltine.
Tracy161 - 2 points for tackling. 2 points for the hugs.
Steppesister - 1 point for being up front. Not behind. 1 point for nosing around.
lilpixiebabe101 - 3 points for Grandfathers, 1 point for good taste.
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 1 point for the harvest, 2 points for asking for points, 1 point for bigger tanks.
TheLittleKatie - 2 points to help her go for a dive.
orangecats2 - 2 points for saying her a** is cuter.
RGirl - 1 point because her love for candy is only exceeded by her love for my Tr. 2 points for story time.
Sandy Mouse - 1 point for Slidell dolphins.
Heluvsme - 2 points because I get her excited.
ursalita - 1 point for begging.... Oliver.
BibbitybobityLu - 2 points for killer porpoises. 4 points for being awesome where it counts.
courtneybelle - 2 points for the story.
shan23877 - 1 point for promptness



Contest points so far

afwdwfan 41 points
orangecats2 39 points
Rgirl 34 points
Sandy Mouse 31 points
Tracy161 29 points
BibbitybobityLu - 28 points
Captain_Oblivious 27 points
Scoobymoons 25 points
shan23877 25 points
Susan R 25 points
MAGICFOR2 24 points
courtneybelle 22 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes 23 points
DonnaBeeGood 19 points
@Steppesister 18 points
Laura74 17 points
bankr63 16 points
dawnbu40 15 points
KatMark 14 points
Cinderkelly 14 points
Glittercat 11 points
ddstratton 10 points
dgthree 10 points
ForeverDance 9 points
Mac Brew 9 points
RockinDisney 9 points
ursalita 9 points
Jandlinz 8 points
KathyM2 8 points
Thumper_Man 8 points
lilpixiebabe101 7 points
lisaviolet 7 points
TheLittleKatie 7 points
Gracefulskinny 6 points
Ladyfish77 6 points
mmeb144 6 points
Backstage_Gal 5 points
Heluvsme 5 points
cheekypoppins 4 points
Self_resqing_princz 3 points
Thumper_Man's Wife 3 points
Irene_dsc 2 points
LookinUp 2 points
Ravens girl 2 points
RMColosimo 2 points
goofymimi 1 point
quandrea 1 point


(And the usual disclaimer, if you notice an error, tell me!)

"Hey!" You cry. "What gives with the ADR? You didn't give out any points!"
Why, that's very astute of you! How clever!
You are correct. I didn't give out any points for the ADR.
Not because I haven't gotten there yet...
But because no one picked the right one yet.



ETA:
Okay, just for those of you who may not know,
DonnaBeeGood has guessed the picture location.
It's the inside of a garbage at ASMU.
I blurred out the papers in there in case it was something private.

1. What's the next ride? Anyone guessing any part of the park that's still closed,
since I just told you, gets points deducted!
(Hint: Not one you'd expect.)

2. And still ongoing... where is that ADR.
(Hint: In MK... and again, not what you'd expect.)
Those unlucky to have picked the wrong park, get a second chance.
Am I not benevolent?
Anyone guessing a previously guessed restaurant.... deductions for you!

(Maybe not that benevolent.)

3. First attraction visited when the rest of the park opens.
(Hint: It's in the part that opens... Hello!)

4. I do have FP+s. Three of them. In MK.
Two are for things I've already done at MK this trip.
One is for something new.
Name any or all. It's up to you.


There. That should keep you busy while I'm gone.
Behave yourselves and play nice.

Well, except for those of you who play dirty.
(You know who you are.)

Link to next post - Now that's a spicy meatball!​

 

[irene_dsc]

It's times like this I'm grateful my dd only takes one dance class. Tech rehearsal was this afternoon, and recital tomorrow...

 

[pkondz]

It's times like this I'm grateful my dd only takes one dance class. Tech rehearsal was this afternoon, and recital tomorrow...

Elle is down to two classes now.
Next year it'll be just one.

 

[irene_dsc]

And since I'm so far behind on points...

The photo - digging a plastic bag out of a garbage bin???

I'm guessing your next ride will be HM, and you were looking in your bag to see if the last of the HM themed Magic Bandits were in there, so you could take a photo with them on the attraction.

Your ADR is for the Wishes dessert party (no one has guessed it yet, I'm pretty sure!)

First attraction when the rest of the park opens: BTMRR

FP+ guesses...HM, Jungle Cruise, BTMRR?

Can I get bonus points for being pitifully behind?

 

[Susan R]

Lord love a duck! I find myself with pen, paper, highlighter and coffee, sitting here trying to figure out a few simple and fun questions....must concentrate... Oh wait, I think I found the answer to # 3 in the Farmer's Almanac....

 

[afwdwfan]

Knew I should have guessed Tonys town square. Be back later for the rest. Typing is just too hard with the phone.