Who Knew Choking Each Other Would Earn Us Fastpasses? We were just kidding!

Hello there and welcome to my trip report.

I guess I'll start out with the introductions of the cast and crew.

My name is Lisa (a/k/aTinkerbell as my boss likes to call me) and I am a 44 year old paralegal, wife to John and mother to Hunter and Lacey (who didn't join us on this trip 'cause she's attending missionary college). My husband, John, also 44, owns and operates a cabinet shop which is good because I can always talk his boss into letting him off work to go to Disney.

John acts all nonchalant about going to Disney but when somebody asks him a question, he immediately starts chattering away.

Since I am still uploading pictures and can't seem to find a picture of John and I from this year's trip, I guess I'll just use a picture from last year's trip.

Hunter is our son and he turned 13 just 3 days before we arrived in Disney. We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate becoming a teenager than by partying hard with Mickey and the gang. Hunter is a multi-talented little dude. He can play the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard and viola. Magical illusions and cup stacking are his newest tricks and he's pretty darn good at both. When he's not playing an instrument or trying to trick you, he's playing football or singing in the honor choir. See....I told you he was multi-talented.

Also along for the ride this year was my Mama, Edna. She's 76 years old and dotes on John and Hunter like they were her little babies. Mama has been to Disney with us once at Thanksgiving, 2000. That was back in the day when we stayed offsite 'cause we didn't know any better.

We were anxious to see how Mama would do with all the walking, heat, humidity, conveyor belts, etc.

Again, I don't have all of my pictures uploaded so I'll just use a picture of Hunter and Mama riding the clamshells into The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Not the best of pictures but a picture nevertheless:

We are a pretty silly fun loving family that always seems to attract.......hum.......let's just say,we always seem to have an "incident" happen during each of our trips. Over the years:

1) We got stuck on Test Track in the cold section and I almost tinkled myself;

2) My tooth (temporary crown) fell out while eating lunch at the Electric Umbrella and I had to super glue it in;

3) John got his toe broken after being run over in a drive-by scooter incident;

4) Hunter boogied with every character we ran into;

5) My wonderful, beautiful, loving family pedaled off on the surrey bike without me when my shoe hit the pedal and flew over my shoulder;

6) Lacey and Hunter jumped for joy in front of the Epcot ball;

7) We laughed so much during the trips that I caught myself saying "stop making me laugh or......" every 30 minutes.

And so forth and so on. We love spending time together and there's no better place than Walt Disney World to act silly and have a good time. Our goofiness paid off during the trip and that same goofiness inspired the title of this report.

This was our 15th trip to Disney in 13 years and our 5th stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort. We spent 9 1/2 glorious days at Walt Disney World and I could have stayed longer had my boss not insisted that I return to "the real world".

I have people ask me all the time why we go to Disney World year after year after year. I've tried to explain it to them but, unless you are a Disney fan like myself, you just can't understand. Remember those old Lay's potato chips commercials? You know, the ones that said something like "Lay's potato chips...so good you can't eat just one!" I liken Disney to a Lay's potato chip....."Walt Disney World is so fun you can't go just once!"

Now that the introductions have been made, I guess I'll get busy working on the next installment.

Oh....I hope that everybody feels free to post replies/comments 'cause I really like chatting.

 

[LizC]

Thanks for the pics. We had planned to stay at the Boardwalk Inn, but switched to Carribean Beach a few days ago to save money. (It was a bigger difference than we expected) I have been worried that we would not be happy. Since you know your Disney, and you loved it I am much less worried! Thanks!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks for the pics. We had planned to stay at the Boardwalk Inn, but switched to Carribean Beach a few days ago to save money. (It was a bigger difference than we expected) I have been worried that we would not be happy. Since you know your Disney, and you loved it I am much less worried! Thanks!

You're welcome. I would love to stay at a deluxe resort but it would mean a jump of $1,000.00! That's a lot of money.

If you have any questions or concerns about the CBR, just let me know and I'll try to help you out.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Let's see, when I left off, we had ridden Soarin' and John was tickled pink that Mama had enjoyed it so much. As we exited the ride, we could see that there were people standing around everywhere! We could hardly make our way through the people. I finally wormed my way through the crowds and turned to see that the rest of my group were following me. I cut through the sitting area of Sunshine Seasons to get to Living With The Land.

The last time we were in Disney, we were disappointed to find Living With The Land was closed. This was one of the other things that we really wanted Mama to see. My daddy's parents and his brother were farmers so these kinds of attractions are interesting to us.

As we approached the line, I could see that it went all the way out to the "wait time" sign. Uh, could this really and truly be only a 10 minute wait? We went ahead and got in line and hoped that the time was accurate. I could tell that the line had totally changed from before. It seemed to extend further out into the pavilion and you now wove your way behind a wall.

I spotted the same hidden Mickey that we found many years ago. I was glad to see that they hadn't painted over it when they made the changes.

Hey! Wait a minute! Why isn't that hidden Mickey picture in photobucket? Gosh darn it! I know it came out because I looked at it.

Well, just for a moment, all of you close your eyes and imagine that you have just gotten in line for Living With The Land. You walk to the end of the first little chained off line. Straight ahead of you there is a mural on a large wall. Look down about waist high at the blue bubbles. No, you're not looking low enough. Now, look a little to your right. SEE! See the Hidden Mickey in the bubbles?

Still don't see it? Well, I guess I'll have to go back and see if I can find the picture again and upload it to photobucket.

Because this was a semi-continuous loading attraction, the lines was almost always moving. It would stop for just a minute or two and then we've move again. We read some of the saying painted on the mural. Soon, it was our turn to board the boat. Stepping down into boats was another thing we were a bit worried about Mama being able to do. I certainly don't mean to make ya'll think she is a total invalid but after having her surgery last year (she had semi-emergency surgery on a main artery in her neck), she has lost a little of her balance.

I got in the boat first so she'd see what the best way to step into the boat was. Mama got in next so I could hold her arm and balance her and John stood on the platform ready to catch her if he needed to. Mama stepped right on to the seat and onto the bottom of the boat like a teenager. No stumbling or nothing! Way to go Mama!

As soon as we were all seated, I snapped a picture of another hidden Mickey which is on the mural beside the boats:

We floated along and listened to the recorded narration. As we got through parts of the rain forest section, we noticed that they had added some new scenes. While we enjoyed the ride before, it's always nice when they add something new for us "repeat" guests. We continued past the farm house with the chickens and dog. John just loves those chickens and the dog for some reason. He pointed them out to Mama.

Then, we were headed outside and into the gardens. This is the part that we like the best. It's simply amazing to us how they grow these plants in very little soil. Here are some pictures:

Continued in next post

 

[mickeystoontown]

Next was the fish/seafood/alligator section. Aren't sturgeon some of the ugliest things ever!

Lookie! There's a hidden Mickey in one of the tanks:

After leaving the redness of the aquarium (is that right?) section, we were back at looking at more crops:

I am a lemon lover to the max so I was excited to see the 9 pound lemons again:

Here's Disney growing different types of lettuce (or is that lettuces or lettucesssssss ) for my favorite food....the salad:

Isn't it neat how they work a Mickey into the lettuce displays!

More pictures:

All too soon, our boat ride was over. Mama had handled getting in the boat but how would she handle getting out of the boat? Like a champ! She gave one little grunt when she stepped up but that was it!

**Up next, let's get something to eat! I'm starving!

 

[LizC]

You're welcome. I would love to stay at a deluxe resort but it would mean a jump of $1,000.00! That's a lot of money.

If you have any questions or concerns about the CBR, just let me know and I'll try to help you out.

Thank you. It looks like you guys had a great time. When we went in May we went with the whole family, parents siblings and 99 year old granfather. It is such a treat to see the different generations enjoying the same place in thier own ways.

About CBR... My main concern is the travel time to and from the resorts. We have always stayed at the swan (walking to Epcot/Studios), or drove. We are just nervous that we will be waiting alot. We are mainly interested in going to Epcot, as our main reason for going is the Food and Wine Festival.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thank you. It looks like you guys had a great time. When we went in May we went with the whole family, parents siblings and 99 year old granfather. It is such a treat to see the different generations enjoying the same place in thier own ways.

About CBR... My main concern is the travel time to and from the resorts. We have always stayed at the swan (walking to Epcot/Studios), or drove. We are just nervous that we will be waiting alot. We are mainly interested in going to Epcot, as our main reason for going is the Food and Wine Festival.

I actually timed our ride to all the parks. From the time we sat down on the bus at Jamaica, made our way around the resort to the other stops and pulled into Hollywood Studios, it took us a grand total of just 11 minutes. Epcot was either 10 minutes or 12 minutes. I remember it was either 1 minute more or one minute less than Hollywood Studios. The rides to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom were a little longer because they were further away but they were short.

Of course, if there were scooters or wheelchairs that had to be loaded, it would take longer but that would be at any resort.

 

[Tiggerish]

I am totally enjoying your trip report! I love the way you write, it sounds like you are talking to us.

Bravo to your mama, she is the same age as mine! I took my mom for her 70th birthday (it was her third trip, just the two of us for a long weekend) and she wants to go back again next year, probably in March.

I love seeing your pictures of the CBR, I've never been there. The lobby looks beautiful, and the buildings are so colorful.

Same as many others, anxiously awaiting the part about the choking...:wave:

 

[mickeystoontown]

I am totally enjoying your trip report! I love the way you write, it sounds like you are talking to us.

Bravo to your mama, she is the same age as mine! I took my mom for her 70th birthday (it was her third trip, just the two of us for a long weekend) and she wants to go back again next year, probably in March.

I love seeing your pictures of the CBR, I've never been there. The lobby looks beautiful, and the buildings are so colorful.

Same as many others, anxiously awaiting the part about the choking...:wave:

Thanks for posting! I am such a detail person that I just can't help but write about everything.

Mama had planned to go back to Disney with us next year but she may not be going now that she found out she has to have $4,000 worth of dental work done! And, my sister's husband passed away two weeks ago and she wants my mother to go on a short vacation with her to get away. So, it's up in the air as to whether or not she'll go with us again.

The CBR is a beautiful resort and we love staying there. I can't wait to get back there next May.

The choking comes on our Star Wars Weekend day.....sure to make ya'll laugh!

 

[disneypearl]

Thanks for your trip report! It feels like I am there too with all of the pictures.

 

[Raven66]

I'm enjoying the trip report. I can't wait to read the rest of it.

 

[Steve-B]

I'm really enjoying the trip report! My family lives in Monroe, so we are well acquainted with your driving route to WDW. We have a tradition of stopping at the first Florida welcome station and having a couple of cups of orange juice. On our last trip, we got there after it closed - almost ruined the trip (but only almost). As for the turnpike, in my opinion it is well worth the extra money to not have to deal with the traffic on I-4. Also on our last trip, we took the Western Beltway down to Western Way, then over to World Drive (we stayed at Wilderness Lodge). It was great - minimal traffic.

 

[TheJonesys]

Really enjoying your trip report, it probably sounds a bit daft but I love the relationship you all have with your Mama and how you all look out for each other, I think its lovely

 

[Fashionista007]

Great TR, thanks for sharing! I love the CBR, it's my favorite moderate level resort. POR is my second favorite for the eatery alone. I really like the rooms at the CBR and I felt like the staff and people in general were really nice. I would LOVE to stay in one of the pirate rooms one day!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks for your trip report! It feels like I am there too with all of the pictures.

I appreciate the kind words. I love to take pictures so you can expect a lot more to come!

I'm enjoying the trip report. I can't wait to read the rest of it.

Thanks!

I'm really enjoying the trip report! My family lives in Monroe, so we are well acquainted with your driving route to WDW. We have a tradition of stopping at the first Florida welcome station and having a couple of cups of orange juice. On our last trip, we got there after it closed - almost ruined the trip (but only almost). As for the turnpike, in my opinion it is well worth the extra money to not have to deal with the traffic on I-4. Also on our last trip, we took the Western Beltway down to Western Way, then over to World Drive (we stayed at Wilderness Lodge). It was great - minimal traffic.

Welcome! It really is a small world! So, the turnpike really does save time? I can't stand all those little "stop-start, stop-start towns"....you know the ones that you get a little speed up and then you have to stop. Takes up so much of your time.

When you take the turnpike do you come into Disney from the backside? We've only gone in from World Drive off 192.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Really enjoying your trip report, it probably sounds a bit daft but I love the relationship you all have with your Mama and how you all look out for each other, I think its lovely

Thank you for coming along for the ride. I don't think you sound daft at all. My mother lives right next door to us and we try to include her in everything we do.

Great TR, thanks for sharing! I love the CBR, it's my favorite moderate level resort. POR is my second favorite for the eatery alone. I really like the rooms at the CBR and I felt like the staff and people in general were really nice. I would LOVE to stay in one of the pirate rooms one day!

Thank you! I love the CBR and have thought about trying another resort just for a change. But, we are afraid that we won't like it as much so we go with what we know we love...the CBR.

 

[mickeystoontown]

So far during our first Epcot day, we had gotten to the park early, taken a sip or two of the tasty and not-so-tasty Coke flavors (remember the one of Mama and the "yuck" face?), soared over California and gotten a look at the crops being grown in Living With The Land. All of this was accomplished by Noon! We were doing pretty doggone good with our park touring plan.

Oh, and for those of you who couldn't use your imagination and picture the hidden Mickey on the Living With The Land mural, here it is:

And I found one that I took of Spaceship Earth when I was walking up to meet everybody after I got the Fastpasses:

Our tummies were starting to tell us that they needed food. Most folks would have just stayed in The Land and eaten at Sunshine Seasons. Notice I said "most folks". Well, we aren't "most folks". We have a superdy duper picky eater in our bunch who shall remain nameless. Okay, so I'll go ahead and tell you...................














it's the one and only Hunter McBride.

You'll remember that I said my Mama dotes on Hunter like he was......like he was......heck, I don't know how to describe how much she dotes on him. Let's just say that whatever Hunter wants, he simply has to blink those long lashes at his Mamaw and he gets it. With his Dad and I, those long lashes don't work so well. Probably why he always asks to go to his Mamaw's house where she waits on him hand and foot.

When Mama asked Hunter what he wanted to eat,, the conversation went something like this:

Mamaw: Hunter, what do you want to eat?

Hunter: Well, we usually eat at Electric Umbrella.

Mamaw: Where's that?

Hunter: Umm somewhere over there. (pointing back the way we came from originally)

Me: Mama, to get to Electric Umbrella, we'd have to backtrack and I hate for you to walk that far. It's a pretty good ways.

Mamaw: Where is it?

Me: Way back over there. (pointing)

Mama looks at Hunter.

Hunter: Bat bat bat (no, he didn't really say bat, bat, bat.....that was the sound of his batting eyelashes

)

Mamaw: It's not that far. I can make it.


And off we walked to the Electric Umbrella. Now, I'm not fussing about eating at the Electric Umbrella as it really is where we usually eat because we know that everybody will eat the burgers there. It's just that I don't remember any time during my childhood that a little eyelash batting did me any darn good!

The best I would have gotten is something like "Do you have something in your eye?"

As we were walking to the restaurant, we had to retell the story of the bird divebombing Lacey to get a french fry. And, then, it came back and landed on John's shoulder hoping to get another fry! Needless to say, we don't dine outside of the Electric Umbrella any more.

We arrived at the doors and when they opened, we were pleased to see that it wasn't that crowded. As a matter of fact, there were only about two or three people standing in each line. Good! John and Hunter told me what they wanted and went to find a table. Mama and I stood in line to order. Mama wanted a kids' meal. I told her that she needed to order more than a kids' meal. Every since the doctor diagnosed her with fatty liver, she keeps to a semi-strict diet and has lost a good bit of weight. She's pretty good at sticking to the diet but she eats like a bird. We're always telling her that she needs to eat more.

Anyway, I talked her out of the kids' meal. I mean, what adult can get full on some little turkey pinwheel thing or a Uncrustables peanut butter sandwich? Everybody decided to go with a cheeseburger with the exception of Hunter who just ordered a burger. If I am remembering correctly, we had a strawberry cheesecake, chocolate chip cookie and a fruit cup for dessert. I can't remember what Mama ordered for a dessert though.

We got our food and I turned to maneuver my way through the people so I could go find John and Hunter. Who did I see but Dana and her family! We laughed about them following us but didn't chat but a second because more and more people were coming into the restaurant. We found John and Hunter and sat down to eat.

Here's a pic of our food:

After looking at the picture, I remember Mama ordered a chocolate chip cookie too which she saved for later since "Hunter may want something later today."

The food at the Electric Umbrella isn't anything spectacular but it's always been good and hot. We took our time over the meal because it was starting to get really hot outside and we weren't in any hurry anyways. We had two days to tour Epcot and the only two places that we really had to be today were: 1) The 2:30 Dis meet; and, 2) Our dinner ADR at Coral Reef.

Of course, as we were eating our meal, we had to relive another one of our more ummmmm "memorable" moments at Disney. Namely, the time my front tooth popped out while eating lunch at the Electric Umbrella. At the time, I was almost hysterical. Now, we laugh our behinds off when we think about it. I went back and found and old trip report that I had written so I could repost that particular installment which includes the "memorable" Electric Umbrella moment. The setting is the Electric Umbrella. It's around Noon and my family and I are enjoying a good burger together. Here's the moment for all of you to laugh over:

We're eating our food and talking about heading over to World Showcase when I feel a pop in my mouth and I hear a "ding, ding, ding". Holy Smokes! My temporary crown had fallen out of my mouth and onto the table! I immediately drop my burger and grab for the tooth which is bouncing it's way across the table. What is this? A grasshopper crown?

I had been to the dentist three times already to get a new crown made and the temporary had already fallen out twice. From what the dentist told me, temporaries are always falling out. I asked him what to do if it fell out while at WDW and he laughed and said hopefully it won't but "I hope you pack some super glue." Thank goodness, I really did and it was in the backpack we brought to the park.

John and Hunter are looking at me all crazy like and ask me what I am doing. I hold out my hand and they see a tooth! "Where did that come from?" they asked. "Where the heck do you think it came from?" I shrieked. Then they started giggling and then they started laughing. I mean almost hysterically laughing. Why would my loving family start laughing at me in my time of need? Because the temporary crown was my front tooth! I now had a gapping hole in my smile with just a wire sticking out of my gums. Right now, I am laughing too but I wasn't laughing when I had a tooth in my hand and I'm sitting in the middle of Epcot.

I pick up the backpack and start digging around for my super glue and the trusty ziplock bags I always pack. After putting the tooth in the ziplock bag, I keep digging for the super glue. Don't tell me I didn't put it in the backpack. Just when I was at the point of pouring the entire contents of the backpack on the floor and scrambling around on my knees in front of everybody, I found it.

While John and Hunter wiped their eyes, I made my way to the bathroom. Who needs a stinking ole dentist anyway? Who needs my family? I can do this myself. After I get to the bathroom, I realize that I didn't bring in my little mirror and I would have to stand in front of the big bathroom mirror if I didn't go back and get the backpack. I made my way out of the bathroom back to the still laughing John and Hunter and went back to the bathroom with my compact. After spending a few minutes sitting on the toilet and balancing the compact on the tissue holder, I got the tooth reattached and it looked quite professional, if I do say so myself. I have to tell you though that it was quite annoying to lean up, look into the little compact mirror and have the automatic toilet flush. This happened several times and my tushy had sprinkles of water on it.

Head held high, I go back to the table and smile really big! No gapping hole any more. John and Hunter attempt to apologize but they kept stiffling a grin. By this time, too, I was getting a bit giggly too and all was fine and dandy once again.

(For those of you who are concerned about my putting super glue in my mouth, I really did ask the dentist if it would be okay. He said it wouldn't be the best of things to do but I could do it and it'd be okay until I got back home.)

I'll give ya'll some time to stop laughing, catch your breath and wipe your eyes. In the meantime, I'll be organizing my photobucket account.

 

[brad9008]

Great Trip Report. The Pictures are great.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

:ROFLOL:

I love how you tell a story. Seriously. Y'all are our kinda folks!

So, yeah, I'm with ya on the doting grandmothers. Hunter totally reminds me of my boys. When the oldest was maybe 5 he asked his Mimi for an ice cream sandwich late one afternoon. Not wanting to get in trouble with me for spoiling his appetite or disappoint a grandkid, my mother-in-law very diplomatically asked my son "Well, did you ask your mom if you can have one?" He looked right up at her and said, "No. I don't wanna ask my momma. I wanna ask you, Mimi." He got the ice cream sandwich. :lol: And don't even get me started on how my mom spoils the kids. She waits on them hand & foot...the total opposite of what we got when we were kids. I suppose that's the joy of having grandkids. :animwink:

Your toofus story... :lol: ...that's just too stinkin' funny!!!! LOL! Reminds me of when the youngest lost his 1st tooth biting into a Mickey's premium in front of BTMRR. He bit the rock-hard bar, jerked back, and his tooth was stuck in Mickey's ear. As soon as he saw the tooth he went to screamin' and hoppin' all around like something was killing him. His mouth was bleeding like crazy like it does when a tooth pops free. Hubby grabbed the kid to hold him still while I stuffed napkins into the gap to stop the blood flow. He was still screaming and wailing. People were looking at us like we were torturing the child. I'm surprised we weren't carted off by security. Within a few minutes he calmed down and everything was okay with the tooth safely stored in the backpack. I handed Brian back his ice cream to finish. He took one look at it and said, "I'm not eating THAT!" I spat right back, "You most certainly are! I just paid $4 for this thing!" Good times, I tell you. Good times. I totally understand your tooth story. In the moment it's not the most fun of situations to be in.....but then in hindsight it's the stuff that makes the best memories.

Love the report. Keep it rollin'!
:wave:

 

[the1nonlysinger]

I'm enjoying your trip report as well! Can't wait for the next installment!! :animwink:

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great Trip Report. The Pictures are great.

Thank you so very much! I take so many pictures that my family just shakes their heads at me and keeps on walking.

:ROFLOL:

I love how you tell a story. Seriously. Y'all are our kinda folks!

So, yeah, I'm with ya on the doting grandmothers. Hunter totally reminds me of my boys. When the oldest was maybe 5 he asked his Mimi for an ice cream sandwich late one afternoon. Not wanting to get in trouble with me for spoiling his appetite or disappoint a grandkid, my mother-in-law very diplomatically asked my son "Well, did you ask your mom if you can have one?" He looked right up at her and said, "No. I don't wanna ask my momma. I wanna ask you, Mimi." He got the ice cream sandwich. :lol: And don't even get me started on how my mom spoils the kids. She waits on them hand & foot...the total opposite of what we got when we were kids. I suppose that's the joy of having grandkids. :animwink:

Your toofus story... :lol: ...that's just too stinkin' funny!!!! LOL! Reminds me of when the youngest lost his 1st tooth biting into a Mickey's premium in front of BTMRR. He bit the rock-hard bar, jerked back, and his tooth was stuck in Mickey's ear. As soon as he saw the tooth he went to screamin' and hoppin' all around like something was killing him. His mouth was bleeding like crazy like it does when a tooth pops free. Hubby grabbed the kid to hold him still while I stuffed napkins into the gap to stop the blood flow. He was still screaming and wailing. People were looking at us like we were torturing the child. I'm surprised we weren't carted off by security. Within a few minutes he calmed down and everything was okay with the tooth safely stored in the backpack. I handed Brian back his ice cream to finish. He took one look at it and said, "I'm not eating THAT!" I spat right back, "You most certainly are! I just paid $4 for this thing!" Good times, I tell you. Good times. I totally understand your tooth story. In the moment it's not the most fun of situations to be in.....but then in hindsight it's the stuff that makes the best memories.

Love the report. Keep it rollin'!
:wave:

I've often thought about writing a blog because we always have something going on in our famiy. Right now, we are planning a wedding in Georgia, a reception in Georgia, a reception in Tennessee, a reception in Louisiana and a honeymoon. Whew! I am tired just thinking about it all. And, my pocketbook is weeping.:lol:

I love the ice cream story. That is soooo something that Hunter would do.

I can't wait until I have grandkids. I am going to spoil them so rotten they will stink to high Heaven!

At the time that my tooth fell out, I was definitely not in a laughing mood. Now, it's a classic Disney memory.

I'm enjoying your trip report as well! Can't wait for the next installment!! :animwink:

Welcome aboard! I hope that I can keep you entertained.