Canadian Buffoon's Semi-EPIC Vacation - 10/29 - Link to new TR!

[pkondz]

Finally caught up! Whee!

Well, hello there stranger.

I do think when you had the contests, it made a much bigger difference how often you posted. Now, not so much. Post as often as you want.

This is true.
And I had thought of that.
And yet...

Somehow it keeps surprising me that everyone is raving about steak at Mama Melrose's. I guess the secret is not to order pasta at the Italian restaurant?

Order fish at the steak house
and a burger at the fried chicken place.

 

[franandaj]

Wait.... even the second
photo... and the quote...
wasn't enough????

You never watched Get Smart?

Oh OK, I thought that might have been him, but I couldn't be sure. If your clip had sound, his voice was very distinctive. Also he should have had a shoe phone or agent 99 in the picture. Then I would have got it for sure!

This was not as fun
as your first post.

But that one doesn't get me banned from the boards!

There's a difference between
Empire and the First Order?

Now you made me look it up.

From Wikipedia

The First Order is an autocratic military dictatorship in the Star Wars franchise, introduced in the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Formed following the fall of the Galactic Empire after the events of Return of the Jedi (1983), the organization has amassed its power in secret over three decades.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Hi there!

I’m all caught up again. We were at DHS on May 4th and it was packed!

I can’t believe how cheap the AP conversion at US was, I am kicking myself for not doing it! I’m not sure if we will get there again within the year but that is amazing. We had the buy 2 days park to park and get 5 days so I’m sure the AP would have been very cheap!

I’m excited to hear how your dark side adventure was since we were just there!

 

[pkondz]

Oh OK, I thought that might have been him, but I couldn't be sure. If your clip had sound, his voice was very distinctive. Also he should have had a shoe phone or agent 99 in the picture. Then I would have got it for sure!

Fine. Here:

​

But that one doesn't get me banned from the boards!

Now you made me look it up.

From Wikipedia

The First Order is an autocratic military dictatorship in the Star Wars franchise, introduced in the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Formed following the fall of the Galactic Empire after the events of Return of the Jedi (1983), the organization has amassed its power in secret over three decades.

Huh. Had no idea.

 

[pkondz]

All caught up and looking forward to your Universal Adventures!

Coming up soon!

I went on a DIS vacation while dealing with the news of DD26's high risk pregnancy; all is going well at this point.

Whoa. That must've added some
stress to the trip!

Then I got in a funk as my next Disney trip seemed sooooo far away, so I went through the phases of solo trip booking - excitement, buyer's remorse, intense guilt of being so selfish once DH added all the numbers together (he doesn't understand fuzzy Disney math) and then finally acceptance that I'm worth it, and money is sometimes there to spend!

My goodness, that was a
rollercoaster!
And yes... that's what
money is for.

 

[pkondz]

Hi there!

Hi Caroline!

I’m all caught up again. We were at DHS on May 4th and it was packed!

Wasn't that crazy?
I can't even imagine what
it's gonna be like now.

I can’t believe how cheap the AP conversion at US was, I am kicking myself for not doing it!

It's practically free!

I’m not sure if we will get there again within the year but that is amazing.

I didn't know if I'd be back, but...
It was worth it just in case.

We had the buy 2 days park to park and get 5 days so I’m sure the AP would have been very cheap!

I think we had buy 2 get 2.
But we only used 2 anyways.

I’m excited to hear how your dark side adventure was since we were just there!

Coming up soon!

 

[Steppesister]

Just saying hi as I make the rounds to all the threads I'm super behind on. Hope your 3-day weekend is has been a good one. Er, do Canadians have a Labor Day weekend??

 

[KathyM2]

@Steppesister we have a LaboUr Day weekend indeed! Then the kids go back to school!!

Just trying to catch up around here as usual!!

 

[Steppesister]

LaboUr Day weekend indeed!

Ohh, nicely done!!! And thanks!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Well, during my summer away from the DIS, I managed to get 40 pages behind here!!! Spent today just catching up, and it was so fun to relive all of our DISmeets at MK and our quickie meet up at DHS the following day. I love the pic from Space Mountain. I forgot you had taken that of Ariana and I!

Enjoyed the pics from camping and the car race, as well! I think it's great that you road tripped hours out of your way to amass more Harley poker chips. We actually went to the Harley museum in Milwaukee, WI this summer and I thought of you! Not only did they have their poker chips for the location, but they had a special chip for the limited time exhibit that was there for the summer. Before reading your reports, I had no idea the poker chips even existed. Such a neat thing to collect!!

Glad to be all caught up again ...for now!

 

[thumper*]

Thanks for including me, Su-Lynn!

Brings a smile to my face

Another classic, cute.

Love this

We gave the kids our pirate booty.

We glanced back as they
walked away and noticed
the little boy holding
his dad's hand in his hook.

Worth it.

My eldest ghoul then tried to
drag me onto IASW, but
the wait time was thirty minutes.

We decided to skip it.
My heart leapt with joy.

I can't stand this ride boy did you luck out this time

It must be done.
If you ride it, a foot photo
is an absolute requirement.


That's me on the left.

Geez what type of dad doens't buy his daughter razors.

What is wrong with you allowing her all those green veggies. Haven't you taught her the basic of proper nutrition?

The duck had just laid some eggs!

I had no idea Donald was able to do that.

I was quite content with
Aerosmith and ACDC blaring
in my ears, drowning out the
horrid ear-worm that one
normally hears in IASW.

sometimes your smarts surprise me.

 

[thumper*]

Oh No the Dark Side. I can't look. (humm can't get any of my Gifs to work)

 

[pkondz]

Just saying hi as I make the rounds to all the threads I'm super behind on. Hope your 3-day weekend is has been a good one. Er, do Canadians have a Labor Day weekend??

That's okay. I've been off the
boards for a few days myself.
(And catching up now.)

Yes we have Labour Day weekend.
But I worked through some of it.
(Just one day, Although they wanted
me to work another. Had to decline.)

Was still a rough weekend as I ended
my work week Saturday morning after
a double midnight shift(s) and then
Sunday night was unable to sleep.
I finally gave up trying at 6am.
Not fun.

 

[pkondz]

@Steppesister we have a LaboUr Day weekend indeed! Then the kids go back to school!!

Ah! Didn't see this before I answered Liesa.
Thanks!

Just trying to catch up around here as usual!!

You and me both!

 

[pkondz]

Well, during my summer away from the DIS, I managed to get 40 pages behind here!!!

Welcome back!

Spent today just catching up, and it was so fun to relive all of our DISmeets at MK and our quickie meet up at DHS the following day.

It was so nice meeting you
and then meeting you again...
and again...


and again!

I love the pic from Space Mountain. I forgot you had taken that of Ariana and I!

I'm just sorry it didn't turn out
very well.
iPhone in a dark environment...
What could go wrong?

Enjoyed the pics from camping and the car race, as well!

Thanks!

I think it's great that you road tripped hours out of your way to amass more Harley poker chips.

Oh, you have no idea.
I've gone hundreds,
if not thousands of miles
out of my way for those.

We actually went to the Harley museum in Milwaukee, WI this summer and I thought of you!

You did!
I've been there.

Not only did they have their poker chips for the location, but they had a special chip for the limited time exhibit that was there for the summer. Before reading your reports, I had no idea the poker chips even existed. Such a neat thing to collect!!

Oh, cool.
I got an extra "chip".
(More like a medallion.)
Because I'm an owner and
member of HOG.
(Harley Owners Group)

Glad to be all caught up again ...for now!

I'll see what I can do about
putting you behind again.

 

[pkondz]

Brings a smile to my face

It did to me too. It was very nice
of Su-Lynn to think of me.

Another classic, cute.

Thanks.

Love this

Elle really pulls it off.

I can't stand this ride boy did you luck out this time

Yeah... this time.

Geez what type of dad doens't buy his daughter razors.

The kind who says:
"You're over 18 now. You can get
your own dang stuff!"

What is wrong with you allowing her all those green veggies. Haven't you taught her the basic of proper nutrition?

I did. I taught her about all three.
(Beef, Pork, Chicken/Fish)
Not my fault she rebelled and chose...
that.

I had no idea Donald was able to do that.

Oh, sure.
That's why he doesn't wear pants.

makes it easy.

sometimes your smarts surprise me.

Hmmm...
I will chose to take that
as a complement.

Oh No the Dark Side. I can't look. (humm can't get any of my Gifs to work)

Dun, dun, dunnnnnnn….

To make Gifs work you now have to
save them and either post from
a third party site or upload them
as attachments.

 

[TorchWood]

Loving your TR and all the comments. I work nights(12Hrs) at a busy hospital and when some down time, reading your TR. Enjoyed the Iowa trip. Iowa is one of my favorite states(weird and fabulous). And the Indy Track. I'm a huge AJ Foyt fan. Also the Harley stuff. DH has a "50" Panhead. It's all good. Thanks(that's what she said).

 

[suse66]

Let's finish this day off, all right?
We've got the day more than
half done already and three
out of four DISmeets in the bag.

Well done....love a good Dismeet!

We arrived a short time later
and I spied Doc (@docsoliday1 )
and PR, his daughter, waiting for us.
Or perhaps he spied us, first.
hmmm... no. I spied him first.
Because if it was the other way
around, he would've taken steps
to avoid us.
This way I trapped him into
having to meet us after all.

Maybe he just wanted his springform pan back.......

I was a bit concerned about
PR and Elle.
You just never know if two people
will get along or not.

Within seconds, PR and Elle were
chatting away and completely
ignoring the two old dudes
who were paying for everything.


And that's okay.
That's the way it's always been.

Awesome! Glad everyone had a nice chat!

I've usually had some fun with
the photo on Splash.
I figured we'd recruit Doc and PR
into the fun.
Since we were celebrating Elle's
graduation, we thought Splash
would be a fun way to show it.

This is one of my favourites....almost as good as the one of you in the tux with the wine glass!

We boarded the back of the
boat and pillaged and plundered
and all in all had a fun ride.

Love the props!

When we got off the ride,
we hung around the POTC
exit for a bit until
we saw some young kids
with their parents.
We gave the kids our pirate booty.

We glanced back as they
walked away and noticed
the little boy holding
his dad's hand in his hook.

Worth it.

Nothing better than spreading some magic.

Another close escape, thwarted.

I will say this about the Tiki Birds.
It's definitely air conditioned.

You don't like my beloved Tiki Room???? What?? It's a perfect example of early animantronic work and a Disney classic.

I suggested a spin on the
WEDway People Mover
and Elle enthusiastically agreed.

Nothing better!

Not the worst view in the world
to dine to, don't you think?

Pretty great!

I'd heard good things about
the meatloaf but...
Well, I found it pretty bland
and nondescript.
I make a much better one.

Elle, on the other hand, proclaimed
her veggie sausages to be the
third best meal of the trip!

It doesn't look great and there is a LOT of green on Elle's plate.

Elle and I made our way over
to Ariel's pad so we could
re-connect and she could
swoon over me.
(She does that, you know.)
I asked if she still had her
engagement gift and she
immediately whipped out
her Dinglehopper that I'd
given her in California.

I leaned in for a kiss and...
well... I guess the reality
of the situation was a bit
much for Elle and she
screamed "NO!!!" and pushed
us apart.

Great story.....love your photo set ups!

As we stood in line, we plotted at
which tables we'd like to be sat.
The ones we wanted, of course,
were closest to the castle
with nothing in front of us
but a waist high retaining wall.
As we discussed our plan,
I saw a duck fly up and land
in a planter, that was attached
to the retaining wall.
I mentioned it to Elle and surmised
that perhaps it was settling in
for the night.
And if so, it might have its
slumber rudely interrupted.
(Then again... it was probably
used to the fireworks.)

Nothing like the Disney ducks!

I asked if we could sit at a closer
table and he brought us to one
of the ones we'd picked earlier.
Yusss! Unobstructed view!

Perfect view!

The show was fun to watch,
as always, but I still feel a little
nostalgic for Wishes.
HEA is fine, but it doesn't
get you in the feels like
Wishes used to do.

What about the Hercules section?? Not even that?
I have often dreamed of a far off place,
Where a hero’s welcome would be waiting for me.

MALE SOLOIST
Where the crowds would cheer
When they see my face.

BOTH
And a voice keeps saying,
“This is where I’m meant to be.”

CHORUS
I will beat the odds,
I can go the distance!
I will face the world,
Fearless, proud, and strong.

I will please the gods,
I can go the distance!
‘Til I find my hero’s welcome,
Right where I belong.

This part has me sobbing every single time......

We got back to the hotel and
spent a bit of time packing.
We had a change of venue
on the docket for the next day.

Elle was asleep before I was,
and I eventually, gratefully fell
into bed and was out in seconds
right around midnight.

It had been a very full,
but very good day.

An amazing day for sure!

We were heading over to DHS.
Unlike the last time we went,
there was no anniversary
celebration going on.
So it should be a lot quieter,
right?

I mean, it's not high season
or (worse) Christmas season.
It's May! Nice, sedate, May.
May the fourth, to be precise.

It's just gotta be dead there, right?

Oh definitely.....quiet....on May 4th...at DHS.

We left Toy Story Land
and swam upstream against
the current and met up
with @missjackiemcg and
@Pluto0809 who were
bobbing along towards us.
We stopped briefly and
managed to exchange quick
hellos before they were
swept off to other pursuits.

Nice to have another Dismeet!

Wow those were good!
Highly recommend on
a hot day.

And, dude?
If you hadn't been so
engrossed with your
phone, you could've
totally photo-bombed us.


The show was cute but
definitely a one and done.
Except this was more of
a two and phew for us,
but she didn't remember it
since it had been ten years

Those lemonades looks good!

The show mercifully ended not
overly long after it started and
we zipped over to TOT where
it was a walk on, thanks to
a strategically selected FP.
I did this for Elle of course.
She loves TOT.
I was just along for the ride.

That's because you are a good father.....

The ribs were fall-off-the-bone
delicious and that risotto!
WOW!
It was fantastic.
I have dreams now of that
risotto.
We meet again and are
married.
And we (my tummy and I)
live happily ever after.

<sigh>

Want.

That looks fantastic!

It's a fun little coaster.
Not really thrilling...
but fun to ride all the same.

And then Elle said it.
"You know how it goes up and
down in that one part?
That's like a slinky going
down stairs."

Exactly what it is ....I just never thought of it like that. Thanks Elle!

The Frozen Sing Along was...
Hilarious! We both enjoyed
it a lot!

My favourite!

We split an order of
grilled cheese and
tomato soup.

How can you even eat after Mama Melrose?? Although good to know they will do 1/2 orders.

Hello my beauties.
Oh! And that's what
half orders look like,
if you've never seen
that before.
(Yes, you can order
a half-order!
Thanks @franandaj
for that tip!)

I think we'll leave off
with us being utter
and complete gluttons.

And loving it!

Yum!! Did you make a dent in all that ice cream???

We piled into the car and headed
back to OKW to pick up our bags.

When we arrived, we asked him
to wait and we were told that
because we were making another
stop, we'd have to put in for
another ride and it may or may
not be him who got it.

We agreed that he would drive
us to our destination for a
flat rate of $20.
(Which, based on the title
of this update, I'm sure you've
got a pretty good idea where
that might be.)

The home of Harry Potter!

Tomorrow, we'll begin
our first full day in the
Dark Side.

Will it come close to being
as good as Disney?
Will it fall horribly short?
Will it surpass it???

Stay tuned!

Can't wait to find out...I have never been able to tear myself away from the bubble.

 

[pkondz]

Loving your TR and all the comments.

Thanks! And to the TR!

I work nights(12Hrs)

I work nights... and days...
and evenings... and doubles...
Don't work swings, though.
We don't have those... yet.

at a busy hospital and when some down time, reading your TR

I suspect you're much busier
than I am, however.
What is your position there?

Enjoyed the Iowa trip. Iowa is one of my favorite states(weird and fabulous). And the Indy Track. I'm a huge AJ Foyt fan.

Thanks!
Did you see that TK got a podium
race before last?
Finally!
Also AJ announced that he'd
be fielding a team again next year.

Also the Harley stuff. DH has a "50" Panhead.

oooohh.... niiiiice.
Does he ride it still?

It's all good. Thanks(that's what she said).

Okay!