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Saturday, October 27, 2007
Jiggety jog. Another one in the bag. Trip home was awful, but now it's over.
Disney World at Halloween is very special. A refreshing change from all of the little girls dressed as Cinderella was the man pictured here, who was dressed as Snow White. Steph said she saw him smoking a cigarette. What a glorious image.
Oh, and I bought that tapestry.
Why are you in Tavie's head? 12:28 AM | shower me with attention
Disney World at Halloween is very special. A refreshing change from all of the little girls dressed as Cinderella was the man pictured here, who was dressed as Snow White. Steph said she saw him smoking a cigarette. What a glorious image.
Oh, and I bought that tapestry.
Labels: some day his prince will come
Why are you in Tavie's head? 12:28 AM | shower me with attention
Jiggety jog, jiggety jog, jiggety jog.
Almost. Jiggety Staten Island.
Why are you in Tavie's head? 12:24 AM | shower me with attention
Almost. Jiggety Staten Island.
Labels: i miss my roomies and my kitties and my turkle
Why are you in Tavie's head? 12:24 AM | shower me with attention
Friday, October 26, 2007
Dryblog for Thursday 10/25 & Friday 10/26
My blog is never quite so verbose as when I'm at, or just returning from, a trip to Disney World. This is the stuff I need records of.
We got back to the hotel too late last night after Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party; the internet addict didn't even have energy to upload and blog.
By happy accident, we mixed up the date of the "party"; consequently, we found ourselves coming to the Magic Kingdom an extra day later than planned. This was extremely fortunate, for my favorite coaster in the Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, had been closed for renovation from October 1 through October 24. It was ready and waiting for us on Thursday night. That ride is my favorite natural high. I can't not laugh while I'm riding it. That ride is my Laughing Place.
But, backtracking: we spent the entire day Thursday at Epcot, travelling mostly around the World Showcase at our leisure, wining dining way too much. I saw the new "O Canada" film at the Canadian pavilion. I was relieved; the cheesy song was still there, only sung by Canadian Idol winner (I have no idea what her name is.) Most of the old footage was intact, with any obviously 80's-tastic haircuts and fashions edited out. My nemesis, Martin Short, provided the new intro film and narration, damn his eyes. And the film reads a bit more blatantly as a "Come Visit Canada, Pleasepleaseplease" pitch from the Canadian Tourist Board from before. But I was very pleased with the changes.
After dinner at the Rose and Crown (if I have any more rich food ever in my life I think I'll drop dead) we made our way to the monorail for the Halloween Spooktacular. I was way more into this than I ever thought possible. They gave everyone trick-or-treat bags at the entrance and had special trick-or-treat locations set up throughout the park. (Stephanie stole my Twix.) The best rides were all open, and we rode as many as we could. Our first and most important stop was the Haunted Mansion, and, child, speaking of being pleased with the changes: the new-and-improved Haunted Mansion is absolutely fantastic. It was mostly things added, special effects improved and storyline made more coherent (especially concerning the ghost bride.) Almost nothing was taken away - most notably, those stupid, giant spiders which I never though fit in very well. (Gina ought to be pleased about that.) The crowd control was a little lacking in the Mansion, but other than that, I enjoyed it thoroughly. The line-up featured a live actress playing someone called Madame Carlotta (?), who cracked jokes and flirted with the cattle as we shuffled in. There's nothing quite like riding the Haunted Mansion so close to Halloween. If I'd known that before, I'd've tried it years ago.
The historic moment of the trip was my keeping my eyes open during the drop for Splash Mountain, both times we rode. I've finally discovered the secret, and it only took me 15 years: I have to stand up, partially, during the drop - then my stomach doesn't go out of control and it's thrilling, rather than frightening, to keep my eyes open the whole time.
I haven't spoken of Saratoga Springs. It's huge. It's larger than any other resort I've stayed at (except maybe the Caribbean? Not sure.) Our suite was glorious. I don't know how I'll be able to stay in a "studio" after remembering the luxury of the one-bedroom villas. I'm sorry, I just need the giant, bubble-jet tub, or it's not worth it.
Anyway. Today's been rushed. Our plane takes off at 6:30.
--
6:35 pm
OK, our plane takes off at 8 now. Why the delay? I don't know.
We had a miserable, rushed meal at Wolfgang Puck's. They sat us outside, by the flies, and took so long to serve us that we had to take a cab back to Saratoga Springs in order to catch our bus in time. I'm tired.
Why are you in Tavie's head? 6:37 PM | shower me with attention
My blog is never quite so verbose as when I'm at, or just returning from, a trip to Disney World. This is the stuff I need records of.
We got back to the hotel too late last night after Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party; the internet addict didn't even have energy to upload and blog.
By happy accident, we mixed up the date of the "party"; consequently, we found ourselves coming to the Magic Kingdom an extra day later than planned. This was extremely fortunate, for my favorite coaster in the Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, had been closed for renovation from October 1 through October 24. It was ready and waiting for us on Thursday night. That ride is my favorite natural high. I can't not laugh while I'm riding it. That ride is my Laughing Place.
But, backtracking: we spent the entire day Thursday at Epcot, travelling mostly around the World Showcase at our leisure, wining dining way too much. I saw the new "O Canada" film at the Canadian pavilion. I was relieved; the cheesy song was still there, only sung by Canadian Idol winner (I have no idea what her name is.) Most of the old footage was intact, with any obviously 80's-tastic haircuts and fashions edited out. My nemesis, Martin Short, provided the new intro film and narration, damn his eyes. And the film reads a bit more blatantly as a "Come Visit Canada, Pleasepleaseplease" pitch from the Canadian Tourist Board from before. But I was very pleased with the changes.
After dinner at the Rose and Crown (if I have any more rich food ever in my life I think I'll drop dead) we made our way to the monorail for the Halloween Spooktacular. I was way more into this than I ever thought possible. They gave everyone trick-or-treat bags at the entrance and had special trick-or-treat locations set up throughout the park. (Stephanie stole my Twix.) The best rides were all open, and we rode as many as we could. Our first and most important stop was the Haunted Mansion, and, child, speaking of being pleased with the changes: the new-and-improved Haunted Mansion is absolutely fantastic. It was mostly things added, special effects improved and storyline made more coherent (especially concerning the ghost bride.) Almost nothing was taken away - most notably, those stupid, giant spiders which I never though fit in very well. (Gina ought to be pleased about that.) The crowd control was a little lacking in the Mansion, but other than that, I enjoyed it thoroughly. The line-up featured a live actress playing someone called Madame Carlotta (?), who cracked jokes and flirted with the cattle as we shuffled in. There's nothing quite like riding the Haunted Mansion so close to Halloween. If I'd known that before, I'd've tried it years ago.
The historic moment of the trip was my keeping my eyes open during the drop for Splash Mountain, both times we rode. I've finally discovered the secret, and it only took me 15 years: I have to stand up, partially, during the drop - then my stomach doesn't go out of control and it's thrilling, rather than frightening, to keep my eyes open the whole time.
I haven't spoken of Saratoga Springs. It's huge. It's larger than any other resort I've stayed at (except maybe the Caribbean? Not sure.) Our suite was glorious. I don't know how I'll be able to stay in a "studio" after remembering the luxury of the one-bedroom villas. I'm sorry, I just need the giant, bubble-jet tub, or it's not worth it.
Anyway. Today's been rushed. Our plane takes off at 6:30.
--
6:35 pm
OK, our plane takes off at 8 now. Why the delay? I don't know.
We had a miserable, rushed meal at Wolfgang Puck's. They sat us outside, by the flies, and took so long to serve us that we had to take a cab back to Saratoga Springs in order to catch our bus in time. I'm tired.
Labels: and my tummy hurts
Why are you in Tavie's head? 6:37 PM | shower me with attention
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Magic Kingdom all day today. Tomorrow is the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party. We saw the park decorated for the season today, though. Me like.
I et like a bleedin' pig today.
Thunder Mountain has been closed since October 1st, for refurbishment. It opens tomorrow. How lucky am I?
I got drunk at Ohana's tonight and we got the closest all trip to a Magical Moment™ when the man who brought the barbecued meats also went and got us flower leis, after he heard me pouting drunkenly that I wanted one.
Towards the end of the day, I get so tired that all I can think when I see a cast member is, "Are you coming to give me a Magical Moment™? No? Don't talk to me."
Why are you in Tavie's head? 12:20 AM | shower me with attention
I et like a bleedin' pig today.
Thunder Mountain has been closed since October 1st, for refurbishment. It opens tomorrow. How lucky am I?
I got drunk at Ohana's tonight and we got the closest all trip to a Magical Moment™ when the man who brought the barbecued meats also went and got us flower leis, after he heard me pouting drunkenly that I wanted one.
Towards the end of the day, I get so tired that all I can think when I see a cast member is, "Are you coming to give me a Magical Moment™? No? Don't talk to me."
Why are you in Tavie's head? 12:20 AM | shower me with attention
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Today we went to Steph's favorite park, Animal Kingdom. It's not a favorite of mine, but I did have some fun. Because I'm letting the Apells "lead", I did some things I normally wouldn't have done - like ride the Kali Rapids and get soaked through. It was so hot today that it felt good to sop around for the remainder of the morning.
I appear to have a weird fascination with taking pictures of bat genitalia, by the way.
We actually got out early enough that we finished the Animal Kingdom bit in the first half of the day, and spent the rest of the day at MGM (which I will never call "The Studios".) The highlight of the experience was when the tour guide leading the Great Movie Ride tripped and fell as she left the car during the hand-off to the Gangster. (She was fine.) The Gangster was visibily taken aback, although professionally did his best to mask that, asking, "You okay?" in character as he waved his gun, and continuing in the same breath, "Move yer keester!"
My feet are killing me. We barely stopped moving from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Why are you in Tavie's head? 8:33 PM | shower me with attention
I appear to have a weird fascination with taking pictures of bat genitalia, by the way.
We actually got out early enough that we finished the Animal Kingdom bit in the first half of the day, and spent the rest of the day at MGM (which I will never call "The Studios".) The highlight of the experience was when the tour guide leading the Great Movie Ride tripped and fell as she left the car during the hand-off to the Gangster. (She was fine.) The Gangster was visibily taken aback, although professionally did his best to mask that, asking, "You okay?" in character as he waved his gun, and continuing in the same breath, "Move yer keester!"
My feet are killing me. We barely stopped moving from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Why are you in Tavie's head? 8:33 PM | shower me with attention
Monday, October 22, 2007
Today was Epcot. My favorite place. We spent the entire day here. The Food and Wine festival, I never knew. I must try to avoid this place in subsequent Octobers if I don't want to gain back all my weight and then some...
Painful denial came immediately in the form of Spaceship Earth being closed. (For the new "Project Tomorrow" and updated ending, one imagines.) I've never, in 25 years of going to Disney World, not ridden Spaceship Earth. Sniff.
But I did enjoy the new Three Caballeros overlay on the tired old El Rio Del Tiempo ride. (Now minus uncomfortable, semi-racist finale, hurrah!)
One lazy castmember left out their "Magical Moments Greeter quotia" clipboard and I couldn't resist sneaking a peek, hence the picture. I am a naughty monkey, okay?
As for the rest - new ending to American Adventure is very moving. Yes, I cried. I always kind of well up, but I knew when they repeated the first verse of "Golden Dreams" that we were in for the new ending, cum-9/11 images. The old emotional climax of the song (the crying man at the Vietname memorial) is still there, but happens earlier; the new emotional climax coincides with the firemen raising the flag at Ground Zero. Yes, that got me.
Why are you in Tavie's head? 11:06 PM | shower me with attention
Painful denial came immediately in the form of Spaceship Earth being closed. (For the new "Project Tomorrow" and updated ending, one imagines.) I've never, in 25 years of going to Disney World, not ridden Spaceship Earth. Sniff.
But I did enjoy the new Three Caballeros overlay on the tired old El Rio Del Tiempo ride. (Now minus uncomfortable, semi-racist finale, hurrah!)
One lazy castmember left out their "Magical Moments Greeter quotia" clipboard and I couldn't resist sneaking a peek, hence the picture. I am a naughty monkey, okay?
As for the rest - new ending to American Adventure is very moving. Yes, I cried. I always kind of well up, but I knew when they repeated the first verse of "Golden Dreams" that we were in for the new ending, cum-9/11 images. The old emotional climax of the song (the crying man at the Vietname memorial) is still there, but happens earlier; the new emotional climax coincides with the firemen raising the flag at Ground Zero. Yes, that got me.
Why are you in Tavie's head? 11:06 PM | shower me with attention
We had our dinner at the California Grill tonight. It is, in my opinion, the best restaurant in The World™.
Yeah, I ate it. No, it's not Allowed. No, I don't care. The entire meal, from start to finish, was the most sumptuous, eyes-rolling-back-in-the-head feast of evildoing imaginable. I am in a state of bliss.
Also, the internet lied to us in a most excellent way: there were fireworks tonight, and our dinner reservations coincided with the start of them exactly. Best meal, best view. Thank you.
I've been awake for almost 21 hours now, so, um, good night.
Why are you in Tavie's head? 12:51 AM | shower me with attention
Yeah, I ate it. No, it's not Allowed. No, I don't care. The entire meal, from start to finish, was the most sumptuous, eyes-rolling-back-in-the-head feast of evildoing imaginable. I am in a state of bliss.
Also, the internet lied to us in a most excellent way: there were fireworks tonight, and our dinner reservations coincided with the start of them exactly. Best meal, best view. Thank you.
I've been awake for almost 21 hours now, so, um, good night.
Why are you in Tavie's head? 12:51 AM | shower me with attention
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Stephanie showed me this when we were in the Disney Marketplace today. I almost cried, I was so in love with it. I want it, I want it, I want it. It's a tapestry. I love tapestries. I have a tapestry hanging in my room. I want this tapestry hanging in my room.
It's the slipper, don't you see? As in touch the slipper? The thing I make everyone do, my special tradition, started 15 years ago with people I haven't spoken to in ages?
This is the only souvenier I have eyes for. Sadly, I can't quite justify the price. It's not terribly expensive, I just have to be very careful this trip.
I will have to be strong.
Why are you in Tavie's head? 7:26 PM | shower me with attention
It's the slipper, don't you see? As in touch the slipper? The thing I make everyone do, my special tradition, started 15 years ago with people I haven't spoken to in ages?
This is the only souvenier I have eyes for. Sadly, I can't quite justify the price. It's not terribly expensive, I just have to be very careful this trip.
I will have to be strong.
Labels: crass consumer worship
Why are you in Tavie's head? 7:26 PM | shower me with attention
Saratoga Springs! It's new to me. I haven't stayed in a "new" resort in over a decade. This is trés exciting. Even more exciting, it's been almost that long since we've gotten the huge suite with the hottub.
Hot-tub...
I'm happy. I even got my Sunday crossword today!
I've been up since 4:30 in the morning!
Why are you in Tavie's head? 1:02 PM | shower me with attention
Hot-tub...
I'm happy. I even got my Sunday crossword today!
I've been up since 4:30 in the morning!
Labels: tonight: california grill
Why are you in Tavie's head? 1:02 PM | shower me with attention
