No Strings Attached

Posted By Kathleen David on February 15, 2012

I haven’t configured my iPhone to this computer but when I do, there will be a photo entry. Photobucket worked for two more photos and then said Nope not going to do any more. So that’s where that stands. I haven’t had either the time or the energy to deal with hooking up the devices to the computer. Walking around a Disney Park takes a lot of time.

Yesterday we went to Disney Hollywood as they are calling it now. I still have my Disney MGM waterbottle strap which is apparently now a collector’s item.

We did ride Star Tours a couple of times. I have seen almost everything once. We did get the rare Hoth segment which was probably one of the best of the lot. We also got Darth Vader attacking us by using the force which was pretty cool too.

Muppets 3-D has been cleaned a bit since last I saw it. They have redressed Bean Bunny so he is a closer match to what is on screen. I liked that the audience was more active this time. The kids recognized the Muppets again. There was one little girl who shouted out Fozzie name like he was her best friend. The laughter had that timber that you only get when the young’uns join in and I hadn’t really heard that last time. So the movie did what it was suppose to do and reintroduced the Muppets to the next generation of Muppet fans.

When we walked into the park, first thing we did was get fastpasses for Toy Story Mania. That was at 10:45 AM. The fastpasses where for between 5:05 and 6:05 PM. And when we walked by about an hour later, fastpasses were done for the day and the wait time was climbing.

We had lunch at the SciFi Diner. It was fun with all the old movie trailers and other things they have stuffed into the theme. I found it kind of funny that over the years I have seen most of the movies that they were showing trailers for.

We went back and forth on Fantasmic. We decided to go see it and I am glad we did. It was an interesting show with some brilliantly thought out effects and best use of water as a projection screen I had ever seen. It is a bit dated in terms of the characters being used. Frollo appeared at one point and you could tell that most of the audience hadn’t a clue who he was. Overall a very nice production that told a little story. Would I wait the 2+ hours it takes to get a decent seat again? Probably not unless Caroline was set on seeing it.

We got back to the resort and watched half of X-Men First Class before we all agreed that we were falling asleep so we plan to watch part two in the next day or so.

Today it is off to Animal Kingdom and the fun there.

I am grateful to the nice cast members that helped us yesterday.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Eventually I will get photos up but here’s an entry any way
Tags:

Posted By Kathleen David on February 14, 2012

I had some photos I wanted to share but my photobucket AP and the Internet aren’t talking to each other….again.

As you have probably figured out, I made it down here. Travel was pretty much uneventful which is the best kind of travel these days. I met up with my buddies Jeff and Angelo in the lobby of the Disney Vacation Resort we are staying which is Kidani Village. First thing I see when I look out onto the balcony were a couple of zebras wandering along a path. Since then I have seen a number of animals wander by. It is nice just sitting on the balcony and watching the wild life wonder by.

The rooms are, of course, Lion King themed but rather subtly. You recognize shapes and images as you go. Of course the cheetah print carpet has hidden Mickeys in the pattern. It is a very nice set of rooms.

We went to Magic Kingdom yesterday afternoon and evening and got to do pretty much everything we wanted to do. If you are a fan of the Haunted Mansion, I highly recommend taking the cemetery path to the front door. They have an alternative path but it is not as much fun. We played around with the various interactive tombstones including the poetry writing one for a bit before riding the ride itself. I still get a big grin on my face when I go through there.

Pirates of the Caribbean is another must ride for us. They have added some dialogue with Blackbeard but not much else has changed. Davey Jones was on a break so we didn’t see that effect. It smells the same and I, as usual, got wet due to always seeming to sit on the side of the boat that gets the cannonball shot THAT time.

We then went to the Tiki Room which is back to the original soundtrack and show. It was a nice piece of retro-Disney. They have spiffed it up quite a bit too. It was fun seeing a show that I saw 30 years ago.

Next was Philharmagic or as we call it “duck butt”. If you have seen it, you know why it is called “duck butt”. It was fun and still works even with all the improvements to 3-D animation.

From there we wandered to Tomorrowland. We rode on the People Mover which gets this rep as a lame ride but it is quite fun. Also they have spend it up a bit so it moves at a nice clip. Carousel of Tomorrow was next. They put back in the Valentine’s Day piece in the first segment. Nice to see the day before Valentine’s Day.

Buzz Lightyear was our next and final ride for the day because we had just run out of energy. I had been up since 3 AM and we were rapidly heading for 11 PM. We got back to the resort and chatted for a bit and then went to bed.

I woke up this morning to Zebras playing in the courtyard.

Today we plan to go to Disney Hollywood or whatever they are calling it this week.

Maybe I’ll get the photobucket to work and show y’all some photos but I am not holding my breath.

I am grateful for smooth travel.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments Off on RTBTCKI My Photobucket ap and I aren’t talking
Tags:

Posted By Kathleen David on February 13, 2012

I am sitting at JFK airport in the Jet Blue terminal waiting for my 9:10 flight to Orlando. Since getting here can be such a crap shoot, I decided to leave a little early rather than on-time due to the fact I had to be here about 8:10 and rush hour traffic on a Monday can be a real pain. Instead I get here about 2 hours before my flight so I have been able to take a little time to get ready and, since Jet Blue has WiFi, write a web log entry.

I am trying to figure out what I have forgotten. I couldn’t find two things I wanted to bring with me but that’s OK. I am just glad to get everything together.

Caroline is up and getting ready for school. I have talked to Peter this morning. I am going to call my buddies next to see where they are on their trip.

I am slowly shifting my brain to vacation mode. I have a feeling once the flight is over and I am on the bus to the Walt Disney Resorts, I’ll relax a little more.

I did get my first body scan today. Simple and relatively quick. It didn’t feel intrusive or scary. Also I taught a seasoned traveller a trick about computer bags. We have one that is TSA approved to just unzip and lay flat on the belt. No taking computers in and out of bags/briefcases. My iPad sailed through without a problem.

The flight is boarding at 8:40ish so that’s fine. I should get on pretty early.

I think I am going to post this, noodle around on the Internet for about 10 more minutes and then it is off to Orlando.

I am grateful for not having to run for an airplane.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments Off on RTBTCKI The Sitting at the Airport with a WiFi connection edition
Tags:

Posted By Kathleen David on February 12, 2012

I have a little list, I have a little list.

Well really I have about three to four of them going at once.

One list is the must bring to Disney list.
One list is the must bring to Farpoint list.
One list is must get done before leaving list.
And the last list is “Only if I have the time” list.

And that, my friends, is my list of my lists.

Last night we sat down and watched “Oklahoma” with Caroline. She started watching it reluctantly but by the end was really into the film. She liked the singing and dancing. We did have to explain a couple of things in a historical context but over all she followed it. Trying to figure out what to show her next.

Today is all about getting things done so I can go on vacation. It is how funny how much work we put into being able to relax and enjoy ourselves.

I have been checking the wait times on various rides over the past couple of days. Have some patterns in mind and do plan to use the Disney Fastpass to get to a few things. I am keeping fluid which day we are going to do what and when. This is a vacation, not a marathon. I have also been keeping an eye on the weather. I think I know what I am going to back for that.

I have to go through the t-shirt and bowl shirt collections to put together my wardrobe for the next week or so. Peter will be bringing my clothes for Farpoint. I also plan to put the suitcases that he might use out where he can get to them. He is also bringing the puppets and other things that I need for the weekend at Farpoint. I am looking forward to seeing everyone there. The week after that is Caroline’s winter break so I get to ease back into the regular routine.

Depending on how the wifi is setup this time, I should be blogging during vacation. If not, see ya at Farpoint. Take care of yourselves, you know how I worry.

I am grateful for lists that get shorter quickly.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments Off on It is a lot of Work getting ready to Relax
Tags:

Posted By Kathleen David on February 11, 2012

We have stuff so staying at home is an option. The roads are wet but not icy. The sidewalk is wet as well but again not icy. The grass is getting a coating that is pretty much melting on contact since it has been pretty warm the last couple of days. We are talking walking around outside with long sleeved shirt warm.

Today I need to find stuff for Farpoint that I need to bring with me. I do have my schedule which is as follows.

(802)What to Do with a Finished Novel Saturday 10:00 AM
(810)Comics, Films, and Games: Media Tie-Ins of 2011 Saturday 2:00 PM
(683)Costuming and Puppets Sunday 1:00 PM
(681)Travelling with your Costumes Sunday 3:00 PM

I have one more load of laundry to deal with before the end of business today.

Hard to believe that in a week I will be at Farpoint. I am finally wrapping my brain around the idea that I am leaving Monday for Florida.

I am grateful for things to look forward to.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Snow Day but the Good Time of Snow
Tags: