Day 2, Part 5 - Flat Brody takes a Pick-A-Number DISUnplugged Podcast Trip!!!

Day 2, Part 5 - Is That Music I Hear?

After feeling vindicated that the highly undesirable table by the swinging doors was still vacant, it was time to leave the Magic Kingdom and venture on to Epcot. But not before we shopped our way down Main Street. There is a reason that the Emporium is the length of Main Street and we intended to take full advantage of it. Besides, we still needed one more postcard.

Other than the postcard, we didn’t need anything. But shopping at Disney World isn’t usually about need, is it? One disadvantage to having an Annual Pass is that after a few visits you don’t really buy anything . . . and I like to buy stuff. I consider it a hobby - sort of like Dad’s stamp collecting.

As we moved through the store sections, I heard happy music starting. Always one to take advantage of an opportunity, I put the Cinderella snow globe I had been looking at back on the shelf and went to see what was going on. Sure enough, it was the Magic Kingdom Philharmonic entertaining the crowds.

Have a listen

I just love when we happen upon fun things like that at Disney World. It just seems so spontaneous - like a musical when everyone just breaks out in song and dance in the middle of the street for no reason. It’s just magical.

After the band moved on, we returned to our shopping adventure but reminding ourselves that we really only needed a postcard. And we eventually found the postcards and found a wider selection than the World of Disney. Thankfully, postcard sending isn’t a totally dead gesture.

A benefit of shopping in the middle of the day is that it is easier to find someone to ring up your purchase - unlike shopping at park closing time. So our shopping adventure was over and uneventful - my wallet thanked me but my desire to shop was yearning to be quenched. (Being practical is no fun at all.)

I have learned a few things in my slightly older age and that is to always tinkle before you go on a journey because you never know when you will get another chance. And this is exactly what we did - took a trip to the ladies room next to Town Hall before we ventured to Epcot. It is a busy bathroom but luckily a large one so there is never a wait.

But we also took the time to finish the last postcard to my youngest nephew. Or should I say that Mom finished the last postcard. Originally the postcards were going to be from both of us. But Mom wrote the other two postcards and even signed my name. Fine. I am a big girl. But this last postcard she said "do you want to sign your name?" I promptly told her" no . . . too little, too late." I was joking of course but next time I am sending my own postcards, darn it!!! If I wanted someone to sign my name I would just get married.

With postcardgate over, we hopped on the Monorail to the TTC (Transportation & Ticket Center) so we could transfer to the Monorail to Epcot. And you know, since they took out the carpet the Monorails almost smell pleasant - much better than the barnyard sweat smell of trips gone by.

Flat Brody was very excited for his first Monorail ride.

After our short Monorail trip to the TTC, we made our way to the line for the Epcot Monorail. But there was no line. The Monorail must have just left and we were the first people to arrive at the platform. The gears in my mind snapped to attention and before I even knew what was happening I did the only thing a devoted DISer could do - I asked if we could ride in the front of the Monorail.

~~~Hallelujah~~~

Of course the Cast Member said yes and pointed us to the first holding pen. (Don’t you sort of feel like a cow being led to market when they put you in the waiting corrals for the Monorail? Hmmmm, maybe it is just me?)

We only waited a few minutes for the next Monorail to arrive. Mom had never ridden in the front car of the Monorail and the trip to Epcot is a great way to check that off the list. It is longer than most Monorail trips and you get a great view of Future World as you enter the Epcot station.

Flat Brody was delighted with his duties as Monorail Pilot.

Mom enjoying the view.

We even played chicken with another Monorail

The best part of the trip.

And we even got our special Co-Pilot License.

Next installment - Are you sure this isn’t Little Italy?

Day 2, Part 4 - Flat Brody takes a Pick-A-Number DISUnplugged Podcast Trip!!!

Day 2, Part 4 - May We Have Another Table, Please?

After taking pictures of Flat Brody with Bronze Pluto we made it to the Haunted Mansion. The posted wait time was 20 minutes which seemed reasonable.

Did I mention that it was still Spring Break for many schools - mainly New York? And that the Parks were crowded. With Easter so early this year, Spring Breaks were spread throughout all of April and it was hard to plan around the crowds.

The line was moving quickly but Flat Brody had time to take a picture of the Haunted Mansion.

We waited in line behind four flamboyant men. I don’t remember what they were talking about exactly but there were lots of big arm gestures, hands on hips, and it kept me entertained during the wait in line. I love to eavesdrop on queue conversations. (I like to eavesdrop in restaurants also. It is a guilty pleasure of mine.)

I love the new and improved Haunted Mansion. The dustyness got dusted and spruced up without any of the charm being removed. The ride even stopped at my favorite part - the ballroom scene. Although it is a bunch of ghost waltzing around it is still a happy event in a spooky kind of way. And I love the ghost who is passed our under the table - I’ve been to a few formal events where that would have been an improvement to the evening.

After having a ghost host join us in our doom buggy I had planned on popping over the it’s a small world since we had missed it earlier in the morning but it was getting close to 11 a.m. and we wanted to try to be at the Plaza Restaurant right when it opened.

In the 36 years since the Magic Kingdom has been open, neither of us has ever been to the Plaza Restaurant. And since this was a trip of firsts, Mom and I thought it was time to check it out. Of course, we didn’t make a reservation which is why I wanted to be there right at the start of lunch time.

We made it to the check-in stand and were that they could seat us in about 10 minutes. Mom found us an outside table with shade to wait while we perused the menu. We were getting rather hungry since we ate really early - and yogurt only lasts so long. Of course from these tables you can smell the piped in smells from the bakery which only made me want a great big cinnamon roll more than I did this morning.

Flat Brody got a picture of Tomorrowland from the tables outside the Plaza Restaurant.

In about 5 minutes a turn-of-the-century costumed hostess called our name. We hopped up and walked past all of the waiting minions into the quaint restaurant.

When you enter, you walk in and see lots of cute marble top tables and these charming swinging doors to the kitchen. It is like an old fashioned ice cream parlor without the ice cream.

But wouldn’t you know that our Disney bubble was quickly burst when the hostess tried to sit us at the little table right next to those charming swinging doors leading to the kitchen. This is the table you see in a sitcom where the person gets a head injury from the swinging doors and has soup spilled on them and then they get a head rush from eating ice cream for dessert.

I quickly spoke up and asked if we could have a different table. The hostess looked like a deer in headlights. She was totally perplexed - like no one had ever asked for a different table. She told us to wait just a minute and she walked back outside to the check-in stand in her confused state.

So, Mom and I are waiting by the highly undesirable table when in a matter of a minute not one, not two, but three Cast Members told us not to stand where we were - in a rather condescending way I might add. It wasn’t obviously condescending but I am from the South so I know how to do subtle condescension pretty good and these CM’s were definitely condescending. You know, like you are really irritated but you say it politely through clenched teeth all the while smiling.

And of course they never once suggested where we should stand as an alternative. I think they thought we had just walked in to the restaurant without a reservation and were looking for a table to sit at - as if we would be so stupid to just stand next to such an undesirable table when there were about 20 open tables.

I do have to admit that my inner Princesszilla emerge a little when the third Cast Member told us to move. I replied in a slightly snotty tone that we were waiting for the hostess to find another table for us since I did not want to sit there - as I pointed to the highly undesirable table. Everyone acted like the restaurant was really busy and no one had ever refused to sit at the world’s worst table.

We finally got seated in the glass conservatory section and I do have to say it was much quieter in there since we weren't near the kitchen or the entrance. We had already looked at the menu so we already knew what we wanted. But it took about 10 minutes for our server to finally come take our order. He kept telling us he was on his way but never really got around to stopping. (And the restaurant wasn’t full - it was still really early and only about 1/4th of the tables had been seated.) We weren’t in a big hurry so it wasn’t that big of a deal. When our server did attend to us, he was very pleasant and efficient.

I ordered the Angus Chuck Burger with fries and Mom ordered the Plaza Club with German potato salad.

Flat Brody seems to be enjoying the cheeseburger.

If truth be told, the cheeseburger was disappointing. It was a machine pressed patty that was very dry. It looked pretty though.

A cheeseburger is just about my favorite food in the world and I am not all that picky. So it takes quite a bit for me to say a cheeseburger isn’t very good. But the fries were fantabulous!!!! And the club sandwich was very good. Mom loved the bread and the German potato salad.

We had to wait what seemed forever to get our check and then we did have to wait for forever to have our server pick it up. Very frustrating for someone who wants to get back in to the Parks.

Am I the only person who has noticed that Disney restaurants don’t have any idea how to turn tables? I’m not suggesting they rush people through their meals but to have to wait almost a half an hour to pay the check is a little ridiculous in my book.

Wouldn’t you know that when we walked out of the restaurant the infamous undesirable table by the swinging kitchen doors was the only empty table in the restaurant. Hmmmm, a coincidence? I think not!!

All in all, our Plaza Restaurant experience wasn’t all that great. Next time I think we will just stick to Columbia Harbour House or Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe - not a swinging door to be found.

Next installment - Shopping with the Main Street Philharmonic.

Day 2, Part 3 - Flat Brody takes a Pick-A-Number DISUnplugged Podcast Trip!!!

Day 2, Part 3 – To Infinity and Beyond!!!

When I left you last we were on our way to Tomorrowland – actually to be exact we were on our way to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

Mom and I discovered our love for Buzz on our first Mom and Me Trip several years ago so it is a must do on every trip. We just love shooting the laser guns and twirling around – although we totally stink at it. I think my highest score is around 240,000 and that was after the ride had stopped several times for unseen reasons. Mom is even worse than I am.

It was still early when we arrived at Buzz so the wait time was minimal – basically a walk on. This was ride # 4 at the Magic Kingdom and it is just after 9 o’clock - it is this type of thing I need to remember the next time I want to sleep late while at WDW.

Flat Brody was very excited for his first attempt at catching the evil Emperor Zurg.We got in our ride vehicle in no time flat.

As is our habit, I get in the soon to be twirling vehicle first. (This is only important in that all of the pictures Mom and I have from this ride we are always in the same positions – me on the right side of the picture and Mom on the left. And we always have the same expression on our faces – after all of the times we have ridden Buzz, we never remember to pose for the picture. We know it is coming but we get so involved with shooting the Z targets we just forget to smile. )

Have I mentioned that I love to be in control of the joy stick that twirls the Buzz cars? Well, I do. And I am sure it irritates my Mom but she has never said anything - unlike my best friend who fussed at me for twirling when she didn’t want to twirl. Tsk, tsk, tsk - bad best friend.

Now, I’ve read all of the tips on how to score big on Buzz . . . shoot the moving targets, shoot the targets furthest away, remember the targets as you leave the rooms. We never seem to do very well.

But today the planets must have been aligned and the moons must have been in retrograde because as we left the first room I looked over and Mom had a score of 999,999. She hadn’t noticed yet so as I twirled the car I said "LOOK AT YOUR SCORE!!!! What did you hit.?!?!!?!".

She had no idea what targets she had hit but it was very exciting. It was like winning the Buzz Lightyear lottery. And we saved the world is from the dastardly Zurg.

The winning score – although with the camera flash on you can’t see any score but trust me that it was 999,999.

Here is our latest Buzz picture – although this is the poor man’s version . . . a picture of the picture. We have enough of the "same" picture at home already so we didn’t feel the need to buy it again.

Next up was Astro Orbiter. Mom had never done the ride and it had been almost 20 years since I had ridden it, which makes it the perfect time to give it a whirl. I think I often avoid this ride because it is such a slow loading ride and the whole elevator thing just makes it slower. And having to sit back to front against someone has its disadvantages when it is a family member or someone you don’t want to be that intimate with. But it does provide a great view of the MK and flying around in a space rocket 4 stories above the MK is sort of thrill seekerish.

***Disclaimer*** Although now known as the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, for purposes of this Trip Report that attraction will be referred to as the People Mover. When it comes to the WEDway People Mover I am a purist and will never force myself to change the name of this ride in my head. Some things are sacred and shouldn’t be messed with and the People Mover’s name is one of those things. Just humor me.

The People Mover is one of my favorite rides and a must do on every trip. It is 10 minutes of relaxation that is well deserved when you are touring WDW. It is the solution for sensory overload. You get to sit down and put up your feet. There is a gentle breeze as you move around Tomorrowland that cools you off. And there is almost never a line. It is perfect. And I love seeing the future city model and imagine what EPCOT would have looked like had Walt Disney lived longer.

Relaxation over, we moved on to Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. This wasn’t a must see for us so we played the Fates Game. (The Fates Game is when you say if the wait for this is ___ minutes of less then we will go to it but if it is more than ___ minutes we’ll skip it. Basically you let the fates decide what attraction you see next.)

And as the fates would have it, the next Laugh Floor show start in about 5 minutes so we went on in.

Here is dilemma for you. When we entered the pre-show area the designated queue lines were full but the far right line was for wheelchairs but almost empty so Mom and I just sort of hung out by the wall on the right side of the bull pen area behind the designated lines. We could tell people wanted us to move into the wheelchair line because the Cast Member kept saying move forward into all the available areas but we didn’t because we knew there may be another wheelchair show up just before the show and the wheelchair door opens first for them to get to their designated seating areas. But as soon as the wheelchair door opened we got in the far right line thereby bypassing all of the people who were already in the designated lines and who got in line before us. In my head it didn’t’ really matter since it is theater seating for the show and there is no way to get ahead of someone to see the show since we all see the show at once. And although no one in the designated lines got upset that we, and the hundreds behind us who followed us, did this maneuver, I could see how it might get someone riled up. Hmmmm. Hard to know what to do? Just another dilemma about line etiquette that only an obsessed DISer would even think about.

I like the Laugh Floor show. I don’t love it but it is cute and a good way to get out of the heat and sun, especially if you were going to WDW in say July. I do like the whole comedy club seating theme with the little ledge on the bench before you like you will be served a cocktail. There were a few cute texted jokes from our audience group and the people the monsters picked on played along so everyone enjoyed the show.

What to do next? I suggested the Haunted Mansion. Mom said she didn’t care so I spoke up and said "let’s do the Haunted Mansion then" and off to Liberty Square we went.

But look who we saw when we were leaving Tomorrowland . . . Push (the talking trash can.)

I wonder what that little boy was saying to Push? It makes me laugh to see his arm around Push like he is a person.

And on the way to Liberty Square, Flat Brody wanted to pose with my favorite Disney canine . . . Pluto.

Next installment – You want us to sit where?!?!

Day 2, Part 2 - Flat Brody takes a Pick-A-Number DISUnplugged Podcast Trip!!!

Day 2, Part 2 – Adventures with Coffee

As we entered the walkway under the train station there was a buzz in the air. There was music playing and the trolley with the entertainers was passing by. It was just like you would imagine the Magic Kingdom in the morning should be.

And there isn’t much better in this world than walking down Main Street U.S.A when everyone is walking in the same direction.

Flat Brody stopped to get a picture of the Castle.

Usually we stop and get a Disney Photopass picture taken but there wasn’t a Photopass photographer to be seen. Hmmmmmm.

Come to think of it our last few Photopass pictures have been so awful it wasn’t that upsetting to me. Who are they hiring for these jobs because they certainly aren’t photographers anymore? Most of them are just Cast Members with a camera. We had one picture that was so off center you totally missed me except for part of my hair.

As we walked down Main Street I could tell that Mom was still a bit groggy so I suggested we stop at the Main Street Bakery so she could get some coffee. The cinnamon smell they pipe into the street should be illegal – it makes you want to knock down small children to get to the bakery.

When we entered the bakery there was a small line but I have seen worse. Since we were almost up to the counter and we were only getting coffee I suggested that we just go directly to the coffee guy. (I guess technically he was a barrista but I don’t think pouring Nescafe qualifies as such in my book.)

Mom is a rules girl so she questioned whether skipping to the coffee guy was okay to do. I told her I thought so since there was a hold up in the line at the fruit and no one was actually waiting for coffee so it should be okay.

I don’t know what is worse – a hold up in the line at the Main Street Bakery for fruit or that we didn’t stop to get a gigantic utterly tempting cinnamon roll – and these were the biggest cinnamon rolls I have ever seen at the Main Street Bakery so it was very tempting. Next trip we are having breakfast in the MK – weight watchers or not.!!!

Coffee in hand, Mom and I walked directly to the Castle on our way to Fantasyland. We didn’t even stop to enjoy the mosaics in the Castle – which are beautiful if you have never noticed them. We were on a mission – get to Fantasyland!!! (My inner Disney Commando was still tying to make an appearance but I held fast and mostly repressed it.)

We skipped most of Fantasyland on our last trip so it was high time to enjoy some dark rides. My plan was to start on the far side of Fantasyland and work our way over to Tomorrowland. Peter Pan’s Flight here we come.

The line to board our flying ship over London and Neverland was less than 10 minutes. I guess a few other people had the same idea that I had so it wasn’t a walk on like I had hoped. Not a bad wait though. But it was too fast for Mom to drink her coffee – I guess it was very hot and she had to sip slowly. And the boarding area was approaching quickly.

What to do?!?!? There weren’t any signs saying no food and beverages allowed but I just couldn’t imagine that the CM would allow a cup of coffee on the attraction.

[Insert dramatic Indian Jones music – I am listening to DIS Radio and that is what is playing as I type.]

Quick Tonya!! Think!!! My mind was racing.

I leapt in to action and unzipped my backpack and grabbed the cup of coffee. Mom looked at me funny but I said to just go with it.

I cradled my bag in front of me with one arm while holding the coffee cup inside the bag with my other hand. The CM didn’t seem to notice so I got on the ride. And as soon as our ship lifted off to fly I handed Mom her coffee so she could sip and enjoy her Nescafe while looking at London from a flying ship on Peter Pan’s Flight.

When we got off the ride, Mom was emboldened at this point and didn’t even try to hide the cup. She just waltzed right past the Cast Member like she hadn’t a care or concern in the world. (It must have been all the caffeine in her system.)

Here is Mom with her infamous coffee cup of Nescafe.


We were on a roll so our next stop was Snow White’s Scary Adventures.

Flat Brody didn’t seem very scared but I think he might have been trembling on the inside since Snow White’s Scary Adventures is the most frightening ride in the MK.


The line to Snow White’s Scary Adventures didn’t take any time at all but it was just enough time for Mom to finish her coffee so I didn’t have to sneak it in this time. We had Happy’s mine car, which suited us perfectly. And I’m not afraid to admit, there are some very scary parts to the attraction. We heard a little boy crying in the car behind us - but come to think of it he was swinging on the railings in line so he might have deserved it. (Just kidding.)

By the time we made it to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh it was about a 15 minute wait but considering it was not even 9 o’clock we were okay with that. Pooh is a cute ride but I would hate to wait in line for forever to see it - I always feel so awful for those parents who have to wait in line over an hour on an August afternoon to see certain rides. See it is a good thing I don’t have children.

Mom isn’t fond of twirling rides so we skipped the Mad Tea Party – although I love it. I can get her on it sometimes but I didn’t want to ruin our day by giving her vertigo this early in the trip.

One of the best parts of having an Annual Pass is how relaxed you can be when it comes to riding attractions. You know you will be back in a few months so you don’t feel any pressure to have to ride everything on one trip. It has definitely helped keep my inner Disney commando in check – which is a good thing.

Having finished our Fantasyland adventures, we make our way to Tomorrowland for a “futuristic” shootout.

Next installment – What Did You Hit?!?!

Day 2, Part 1 - Flat Brody takes a Pick-A-Number DISUnplugged Podcast Trip!!!

Day 2, Part 1 - Look Out Rope, Here We Come!!!

Is it 6:15 already??? And what is that obnoxious mumbling noise?!?!?

Yes my friends, we had scheduled a wake up call with Stitch and Mickey.

And as all good DISers know, the person sleeping closest to the phone is responsible for pushing the speaker button when the call comes. I have Mom well trained.

Although you know the wake up call is coming and what to expect ..... it is still just a garbled bunch of noise no matter how much I hear it. What exactly does Stitch say anyway?

Since I had taken my shower before I went to sleep, I had a few extra minutes. So, I got up and fixed my morning diet coke. Mom is more traditional and prefers coffee in the morning but she decided to forgo bringing her coffee maker since we were moving to the Swan soon and she thought she could survive 2 mornings without her coffee. Me on the other hand had to have my diet coke and thankfully it is easier to pack a few cans than coffee.

While Mom was in the shower I got breakfast ready. Neither of us are eat breakfast out kinda people, so we brought yogurt, granola and fruit with us to make yogurt parfaits. It is a hearty no cook breakfast and just enough to keep up your strength until lunch time. And it is pretty healthy to boot so you don’t feel so bad eating a Mickey Bar later in the day.

Although I didn’t get much sleep - thanks for letting me down Rosa Regale - I still had a little bit of adrenaline left over to propel me forward. So I got to it getting ready with the whole teeth brushing, face washing, putting on makeup and deodorant and sunblock, and doing your hair thing. Luckily, I don’t really care what I look like too much at Disney World since I usually have on sunglasses and hats most of the time so this didn’t take all that long.

And wouldn’t you know that I was ready and we were walking out of the door at 7:30 a.m. Woooohooooo!!!!! I think Mom was a little surprised.

Mom and I are usually not bus people but I knew that if we were going to make it to the rope drop we were going to need to eliminate the whole parking-tram-monorail thing and get dropped off right next to the gates of the MK. So we avoided the walk by the pool bar and through the lobby and instead took a little short cut from the Touchdown building through the tiny parking lot and around some bushes directly to the waiting bus. A bunch of Mousekeepers on a golf cart even waved to us and told us to have a good day.

The bus gods were with us because the MK bus was just finishing loading as we approached and the bus driver saw us fast walking towards him. We were the last people loaded on the bus and there were even seats available.

Flat Brody truly enjoyed his first bus ride.

As we approached the MK, I did the "we’re almost there!!!" seat dance of joy. I love all of the WDW Parks but the MK reminds me of my childhood the most since it was the only park around until I was in high school.

Let me just take this time to give all of you stroller toting families out there an admonition - when you get off the bus, move away from the bus door before you start the put the stroller back together process. I won’t go into details since I think you can guess what happened. But this may just be one of my new pet peeves.

It is time to start the trek to our first day of fun. It isn’t all that far from the bus drop off area to the security line but it does seem to take longer than it should. What can I say, I am impatient and when I want to be some place I want to be there NOW!!

When we made it to the entrance area it was 7:54 a.m. and the lines for the bag checks were about 30 people deep. The rope drop show was going on and people were walking in the right direction but there attention was diverted up towards the train station watching the singing and dancing. I think this caused people to slow things down a little bit.

But what to do?!?! I still needed to go to Guest Relations to turn in my AP Voucher to get my AP and the line just wasn't moving fast enough for me.It wasn’t like we were in a great big hurry but my inner Disney commando started to go crazy and in my head I was strategically planning on how to get through security, get my AP, and get through the turnstiles in the quickest amount of time.

It was like an internal struggle about whether I should give in to my commando demons or not. Back and forth I went about whether to go with the feeling or stay calm and rational. My brain was working overtime - which is saying a lot since it still wasn’t 8 o’clock in the morning yet.

I just have to say it is a good thing I am not schizophrenic or we would have been in serious trouble.

I took a deep breath and turned to Mom and handed her my bag saying "I’m going to go ahead through the no bag entrance and go to Guest Relations so I can get my AP. You take both bags and go through the bag check and we’ll meet in the middle." And I was off. I do think she muttered "okay" as I walked off.

It was hard to control my inner Disney Commando but I think I handle it quite well given my adrenaline levels. And as luck would have it there was an open window at Guest Relations. I got my AP with no problems and as I walked back to the middle Mom was just walking up trying to figure out where exactly the middle was.

Whew!!! I can put my inner Disney Commando back into the ugly depths of my brain from whence it came. (I don’t think it comes out again on this trip. But we’ll have to see as I work my way through my notes and memories to make sure.)

Mom and I both made it through the turnstiles without incident. They did have the finger scanners on and I thought I had heard from several different sources that they weren’t using them at the MK anymore. That rumor had either not occurred yet or was totally false. You know that Disney rumor mill - very unreliable.

We didn’t see a lot of the rope drop festivities but we felt like we achieved our goal. And we were both excited to get to Fantasyland. But not so excited that we missed Flat Brody’s first MK moment.

Flat Brody sees the MK for the first time.

Next installment: Mom needs coffee STAT!!

Day 1, Part 7 - Flat Brody takes a Pick-A-Number DISUnplugged Podcast Trip!!!

Day 1, Part 7 - Follow the Rules or Be a Rebel?

After a successful drive back to ASSp - and by successful I mean I didn’t miss any vague directional signs - we parked the car in the small parking lot that is not really close to our building. And we even had to park in the back of the parking lot. What can I say, the ASSp parking gods had no love for me.

Back in the clean and cheerful and thankfully quiet room we settled down to decide which park to go to tomorrow. This is a big decision that could make or break the entire first day of our trip - so I decided to break out the bottle of Rosa Regale I brought for just an occasion like this. (Like I said - I like to be prepared.)

Our last Mom and Me Trip was during Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival where Mom and I discovered the joys of a nice glass of Rosa Regale while we waited for a wine tasting. (By the way, it goes great with Mickey pretzels.) It is now "our" drink. But oddly enough my sister discovered the joys of Rosa Regale on her own. So maybe if we ever have a Mom and Me and Sis Trip we will make it "all of our" drink.

Drinks in hand, Mom and I reviewed my parks chart of times and recommendations. My research showed that it was best to go to Epcot or Hollywood Studios on the 24th and avoid MK. But the MK had Extra Magic Hours in the morning and I told Mom that I wanted to make it to a few rope drops this trip and what better time to go than when it is EMH.

Decisions, decisions!!!

We had plans for our Epcot tour on Friday morning and that was all we had planned for this trip. But the MK was closing at 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights for Grad Nights. But the Powers That Be say avoid a park with EMH. It was a hard call but we chose MK. Call us rebels if you must. I think we just needed a little Fantasyland at dawn.

My Mom was a little doubtful of my abilities to be ready for an EMH rope drop because I am NOT a morning person. I have chronic insomnia and since I have become self-employed my sleep patterns are not that of a normal person. But I assured her that I had been training for this and not to worry because come hell or high water I would be ready at 7:30 a.m.But just to be ready, I took my shower before I went to bed.

But just to be ready, I took my shower before I went to bed.

The odd thing is that I kept filling up our glasses with Rosa Regale and neither of us were feeling anything. I don’t drink that often but can usually hold my alcohol. However, I definitely should have felt it if I had had as much Rosa Regale as I had had. And Mom!!! She is a total light weight when it comes to drinking - at this point she should have been drunker than a skunk and about ready to pass out. But nothing!! We drank the entire bottle in a relatively short period of time and felt nothing at all. I even checked the alcohol content on the bottle’s label to make sure it had alcohol - it did. Oh well, I guess we got weird bottle.

If truth be told, I was kind of hoping the wine would make me sleepy. This isn’t something I ever do but I NEVER sleep the first night in a hotel room and I was already sleep deprived. Not sure what it is but I just can’t relax enough to snooze in hotel beds. I suppose I should add this to the list of things to talk over with my Sleep Specialist at my next appointment.

Anyways, before I can get in a hotel bed I have to remake the bed. My Mom thinks I am nuts but if a hotel doesn’t have fitted bottom sheets then the bed is essentially short sheeted. If you have never noticed before, check it out the next time you are at a hotel. It happens at cheap motels to really expensive hotels. The sheets just don’t reach the bottom of the mattress. Since I sleep in the lower 2/3rds of a bed this is a problem. If I don’t remake the bed then my feet will touch the mattress and mattress pad and that is just GROSS!!!!

So, I remake the bed to my specifications and it is time to get in to bed for the endless hours of the insomnia hell I live in.

Of course, Mom is already asleep. (Actually she always makes me laugh when she sleeps - she barely moves at all. And in order to roll over she basically sits up and then dramatically turns her body but never wakes up. Ohhhh and she does this little moan noise thing - like she is a distant fog horn with a cold. It makes me laugh out loud. It is surprising she has never woken up since I laugh so much. Come to think of it, I don’t think she knows I laugh at her so much. Oh well, maybe she will miss this part of the TR.)

But Flat Brody decides to make sure the bed is comfy first.

Can you tell I like a ton of pillows?So I have issues with beds. Don’t judge me.

Next installment: Finally, Day 2!!!!!

Day 1, Part 6 - Flat Brody takes a Pick-A-Number DISUnplugged Podcast Trip!!!

Day 1, Part 6 - Are these the only postcards they have?

Having been fed and watered, we had a renewed energy. World of Disney here we come!!!!

WoD is the mecca of Disney shopping AND you get a discount with your AP and/or Disney Visa!!! Doesn’t get much better than that.

But wait!!! Dad had made a request for pins to complete his collection. Neither of us really understood how a few pins would complete his collection but we said we would get him pins. But he only wanted limited edition pins.

My Dad has is a hobby collector similar to the hobbies themselves. He has had lots of them over the years - stamp collecting, coin collecting, beer can collecting, building electronics in the 70's, Civil War reenactments (thankfully this one never really lasted), collecting Department 56, growing orchids which required that he build a greenhouse half the size of my house, and the list goes on and on and on. It doesn’t take much to get him interested in a hobby. It just requires a tiny bit of interest and he is off and running. The Disney pin collecting - he doesn’t trade, only collects - started on our Disney Cruise last year.

So Mom and I stopped by Disney’s Pin Traders on our way to WoD to see what was available. We weren’t going to buy any pins there since we knew that we got a discount at WoD and that we would have several opportunities to buy pins the rest of the trip. We did find lots of pins we were interested in for Dad’s collection and for a few for ourselves.

Even Flat Brody got into pin trading. Although I wouldn’t actually buy him the Official Pin Trading Badge since it was sort of expensive - and I don’t wear a lanyard so what would actually be the point.

After doing our recognizance work at Disney’s Pin Traders, we felt free to do our own shopping at WoD. My little heart was all aflutter at just the thought at being in the Superstore of Disney where I even get a discount. It’s the little things in life that make life worth living.

But before we made it to WoD, we had to make a brief detour to the Ghiradelli shop to get our free sample. It was a peanut butter filled sample. Yummmmm!!!! The ice cream parlor was closed for renovations - which ruined my plans for some ice cream for dessert. Don’t worry, it was just God’s way of saying I didn’t need any ice cream and he was right.

Flat Brody about to enter mecca. (Isn't it pretty and twinkly.)


After taking 5 trips to WDW in 2007, there really were no souvenirs that I needed and I was trying to not spend too much money this trip. But I did need a new pair of Crocs. I had tried to get a new pair before I left on the trip but the Hallmark store on the Island didn’t have any good colors in my size. So I decided that it was time to get my first pair of Mickey Crocs.

Can I just say the WoD has a really crappy selection of Mickey Crocs - and Jibbitz for that matter. I’m sure they sell out of things quickly but you can find better selections at most other stores on property. It’s always been this way - not sure why. Guess it just one of those things that is a mystery.

After trying on several pairs I finally decided on the black Mickey Crocs with the red strap and put them in a hand basket. I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter since it was either the black ones or the white ones which remind me of nurse shoes - not the look I was going for.

We went over to look for a latte mug that Mom had chipped and wanted to replace. But alas it is no longer available. And we only bought it this past October. That Disney Merchandise Department - they are always changing things up.

We did find the rice krispy treats though. There weren’t any of the ones in fun shapes for the holidays since it was sort of in between holidays so we decided on the big bricks of rice krispy treats. Mom takes them back to the office for the staff. We decided several Mom and Me trips ago that people really don’t need knickknacks from a trip that they didn’t actually take - even if it was from Disney World - but that food was a very nice trip souvenir. It shows that you thought of them but you aren’t requiring them to use a pen with a crown and marabou cap on it.

I do wonder what ingredient they put in those big bricks of rice krispy treats to make them so soft and chewy and wonderful. I wish the ones I make at home were as good. Just another one of those mysteries of life.

Then on to the small selection of pins on display at WoD.

Have I mentioned that the store is especially busy tonight? People were just milling around and blocking the aisles with strollers. And worse yet they were blocking the pin display area. Very frustrating, indeed.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity of jostling for position, there was a parting of the crowd and we took the opportunity to be on the front row of the pin display. We even found a few of the pins we were looking for from our recognizance mission and Mom found a pin for each of the grandchildren’s pin collection. So, we are off to a good start.

Now, off to find postcards for the grandchildren. I had remembered to bring stamps and the addresses were stored on my mobile phone. (We can never remember my sister’s zip code.) This should have been the easy part of our shopping excursion. But it wasn’t. There were probably only about 6 individual postcard and 3 postcard books to chose from. Hmmmmmmph.

Don’t people send postcards anymore? I have to assume with the selection available at WoD (and all over property) that people don’t . This is a shame because it was always very exciting as a child to get a postcard from my parents or grandparents. I even like to get them now. It is nice to know that people on trips take time out of their journey to remember you.

Back in the day when I was a CM we had about 50 different postcards to choose from. And I should know. It was my job to keep the rack in order and restocked. It was an enormous responsibility, I assure you.

Oh well, maybe it has something to do with the fact that postcards always show up after the trip taker has returned from the trip.

We picked out two postcards and decided to find another one tomorrow morning for my youngest nephew. Most of the postcards were of princesses and we didn’t think my 6 year old nephew would appreciate it if we sent him a postcard of Cinderella. The original plan was that Mom and I would both write on the postcards and drop them in the mail tomorrow. More on that later.

Since there were people and strollers everywhere it was difficult to tell who was in line to check out and who was just hanging out. But we finally found a cashier that didn’t have a line a mile long and paid for our loot. I think we saved about $20 with our WoD discount.

We took the long walk - about 1 minute - back to our car and easily found our way back to ASSp for our first night in the World. Don't be too impressed there really aren't any signs to follow from DTD to ASSp.

Next installment - Follow the Rules or Be a Rebel