Vacation! Day 2

Alberto.

Anticipation: Defcon 5
Kids hyper level: Defcon 11


In a typical Griswold-esque situation, we excitedly entered the Magic Kingdom as early as we could. The kids were absolutely giddy, and I think even the adults were glad to finally get there as well.


Wow! Look how fresh and excited we are!

My Mom and Dad, probably glad to have their new van parked (safe from my driving and kids spills).

Once you park, you head toward the center and a people-mover picks you up. I belive we were actually quite close (the ride was very short).

This is where they get down to business. How much fun can you afford? Everything costs, simple as that. Unfortunately there was a mixup with my business debit visa which delayed us a few minutes.


From there you board the monorail which takes you to your destination.

Here we are having just gotten off the monorail. Still fresh!

Next, security checks your bags.

Then you go through a turnstile and attach your fingerprint ID to your ticket. I asked my Uncle Chuck about that, and he said it's a security feature they can use to totally lock down the whole park, then check everybody's ID (fingerprint) against their ticket until they find the mis-match (or no ticket, etc). Maximum security.

The very tourist-y "picture in front of location's-logo-in-flowers" picture. I was glad no one walked into frame. That walkway looks great wet, we usually pay extra to have that done before we shoot a commercial.

We ended up renting a 'hovaround' style electric wheelchair for my Dad. It ended up being much more entertaining than most of the rides! It has a wee little horn that my Dad kept laying on when people would walk in front of him. Plus, Andrew said he kept accidently doing do-nuts on the slippery surface.

Once inside, you go down Main Street USA (mostly souviner and food shops) which leads to the actual Cinderella's Castle. Here, we are still fresh and excited and not sure if this is too early to take a picture with the castle in the background.

Along Main StreetUSA are various enterainters, like this sax quartet, that play on and off throughout the day. Good stuff, worth the wait to stop and listen.

Ahh, here we go. Amber, Ian, Donovan, Amanda, and Chandler.

Janet and Emily.

Andrew and Chandler.

Me and Keighly (the 1-Up Crew!) and Ian.

I had asked my cousin Steve about advice on maximizing our Magic Kingdom experience. We took his advice and headed toward the back of the kingdom first to Fantasy Land. Between the rain and time of day (and just the fact that Steve knows what he's doing by living down here and frequenting Disney), the lines were not very long at all.

In fact, we did It's A Small World first. There was no line at all! A great first ride.

None of the kids have been to Disney World before, so they had no idea what to expect. Look at Ian and Emily! Total wonder!
Who can blame them? Seeing this for the first time must be quite the sensory overload. A million cam-driven animatronics all synchronized to a looping childs choir song. People pay therapists big money to erase those kinds of memories.

Quickly they realized this was a fun, happy, and easy ride.

Observational note: the Scotland portion of "It's A Small World". Interesting use of a tartan pattern for the castle. You can't see it, but even the coo has tartan legs!

Andrew approves.

More sensory overload. Of all the rides we did, this one was actually a very good time value. It was quick to get on/off. Plus, the ride itself was easy going, air conditioned, and floated along on water. On hot days, I can see why this ride is still a favorite.

Hmm, an arctic piper?

Andrew got a little emotional from our own memories of the ride.

Next we went to Peter Pan's Flight. Although this ride did have a line, the line moved very fast and we were flying in a ship in no time! Basically a slow-moving roller-coaster, the ride consists of a ship you ride in as you "fly" along following the Peter Pan movie timeline.

The effect of flying is actually quite good, and is accented by miniature models and force-perspective of certain views through blacking out part of the scenery. Good kid stuff! I rode with Ian and he really liked it.

Andrew modeling a potential hat.

After that went to Snow White's Scary Adventures. Another sit-down ride, it very quickly portrayed the movie through sets you ride past, miniatures, animatronics, and paintings. I got the feeling that it ended rather suddenly, but I haven't watched the movie in awhile.

Next we got in line for Dumbo the Flying Elephant. It seemed like a good idea, but the line ended up being just too long so we cut out and went somewhere else.

The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm was our next stop. Andrew and Chandler are behind these strangers.

There is Amanda and Donovan. For a small, kid-friendly roller coaster, it was very fun!

Next was the greatly anticipated The Haunted Mansion. Since my Dad was on a scooter, we got to go into the side entrance.

We filed in with a group and went through the first two rooms that set the mood (I was quickly chastised for taking this picture, but I missed the "don't photograph" speach since I came in the side). One has a painting that changes over time from a young man to a corpse-like skeleton. The next has a room that "grows" taller (or are you getting shorter?) and ends with a frightening site high above. Next it's on to your individual cars where you are wisked into a dark, cam and cable filled animatronic slight of hand. All of the younger crew really liked it, especially the finale where a "ghost" sits with you in your car! I videod the whole thing in night-vision.

From there we went to the Columbia Harbour House where we got fish sticks and chicken strips.

We really lucked up because there was no line at all when we got there, but by the time we sat down it was packed. While we were eating, the rain really started coming down outside. Although already soaked, we were glad to be eating and not getting rained on.

It was still raining when we were finished, so we went right next door to The Hall Of Presidents. When you walk in, you immediately see a carpeted emblem of the Seal of the United State. E Pluribus Unum, baby!

There are a couple of display cases where you also see President Bill Clinton's Saxophone, President George Bush's inaguration boots, President Ronald Regan's cowboy hat, and other stuff. On one of the display cases and alarm was going off. Andrew said he saw a fellow in plain clothes speaking into his wrist, he must have been security. They take the Hall seriously, and expect everyone to respect the Presidents' presence (even if it was animatronics). I tried to get the kids excited by saying we were going to see the Presidents! We come in to a very wide theater with blue shimery curtains. We sit on the back row in hopes of getting out easier. The show starts with a movie based on portraits of Presdients set to a moving voice over. At one point, Keighly leaned over to me and said "Their mouths aren't moving." The movie ends with the two screens on either side opening to enhance the gravity of the Civil War. Eventually the movie screens are raised and all of the US Presidents are right there! They introduce each one, and then a few get to speak. George Washington starts, plus George W. Bush, as well as Abraham Lincoln. I took video of the whole thing. In the end, a rousing version of Battle Hymn of the Republic was piped in over the speakers. Everyone applauded, though it didn't seem as jubulant as I would have hoped. For the younger kids they found it a great time to nap and/or relax. For the older generation, we left misty eyed and were feeling very jingoistically patriotic.

Unfortunately, since I videod the whole time (and couldn't use flash photography), I only managed to get a picure of the Presidents as the curtain was falling. I'll try to get a better picture tomorrow.

Bealls at the Liberty Bell (and Christians, and a Carrier)!

There was a very touristy "stocks" set up for pictures.
Andrew and Chandler.

Keighly and Donovan.

Keighly and Ian (Ian defying gravity with help from Amber).

Amber and Amanda.

The rain finally came down hard enough for my father to put on his poncho. This was almost as entertaining as any ride we did that day!

After taking the Walt Disney World® Railroad around the entire Magic Kingdom, we headed for the big rides. First up: SPLASH MOUNTAIN! Amanda is excited as we finally get to some bigger rides.

Based on the (now considered "politically incorrect") Brer theme of folk tales, you enter your plastic-and-foam multipassenger log as it floats along through scene after scene from the storyline. A quick 10 foot drop gets you going, and you quickly forget what lies ahead as several Brer folk sing and dance and try to get at Brer Rabbit. Eventually we reach the end and fall 50ft for a massive splashdown! By this time the rain was REALLY coming down, and we got more wet from that than the water we hit with the log.

After clearing up a log jam at the end, we finally exited and went to see what our photo looked like. Unfortunately, the rain obscured the lens and it was just smudges of color, definitely not worth $30.

But, everyone loved it and we snapped this pic in front of the mountain. We were soaked! Everyone wanted to ride it again, and I assured them we would after we finished the rest of the Kingdom.

After that we went to Tom Sawyer Island. Unfortunately, I don't think most people have read Tom Sawyer, or even remember or know who Tom Sawyer was. Even so, we explored the island while getting rained on. Here is a bad pic of some jewels in the cave.

Amber and Amanda using the rope swing at Fort Sam Clemens.


The Mill, where corn and wheat are ground up.

After taking the raft back to the mainland we had time for one last ride: BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN! I was soaked and decided to sit this one out while me and Ian fed the ducks that are all over the place.

Everyone enjoyed Big Thunder Mountain! That was a definite ride-again-ride.

While heading back to the entrance, we passed this McDonalds wagon that only sells fries.

One last picture on our way out. We are soaking wet, tired, and ready to go.

Mr. Tourist himself, me and Janet.

Hi HOOO! Well, I thought we were tired. I know I am.

Synchronized jumping? Where do they get this energy?

One last picture on the monorail and our day is over. Whew!

Vacation! Day 1

We are off to Disney World for a few days!

Our day started very early: 3:30am! Everyone seems ready enough, lets go!




Unfortunately, Emily fell and got a good sized knot on her head over her black eye under Nanny and Papa's carport. What a way to start a vacation.



We prepared well for the trip, and packed enough snacks and food to stop and have a pic-nick just before Chattanooga.





Woah! Gas is right at $3 a gallon down here.



After many more hours in the vehicles, we decided to stop and eat at a Hardees. We pretty much took up this whole corner.




Using fine artistic brush strokes, Andrew gives the kids some whip-topping moustaches.



Inspector Clouseau and Sgt. Deux Deux if I ever saw them!




The whole crew with whip-topping moustaches!


(we left quickly after this)


We arrived at my Uncle Chuck and Aunt Jane's house about 10pm local time. What a journey, I'm sure we look like quite a motley crew. From left: Me, my younger brother Andrew (he and I did most of the driving), Andrew's son Chandler, my Mom, my nephew Donovan, Janet with Emily, Amber with Keighly, Amanda with Ian, and my Dad. We got lost on the way, but did manage to take a quick peek of some of the NASA visitors center (we saw TWO space shuttles!). Once we arrived, we greeted everyone, unpacked, some of us showered/bathed, and then we got ready for bed.


Even though we were basically riding in vehicles all day, no one had any problems falling asleep. We hope to get up at 6am and leave by 7am and get our tickes so we can be at the gates when they open at 9am.

Reward: Laser Mania!

I have my nieces and nephew with us for the summer. We agreed that if they did some help around the compound, I would reward them with various trips and stuff (the ultimate being a trip to Walt Disney World).


After enough work was done, we went to Laser Mania to play a couple games of laser tag. We invited some friends and had a great time! Here we are with Sully at the entrance. From the left: Emily and Janet, Ann and Chris(behind Emily and Janet), Michael, Ian, Donovan, Amber, Amanda, Keighly.


While waiting for our turn, we enjoyed a few arcade games. Chris is playing the Last Action Hero pinball game, a favorite of the crew when we worked there.


Ready for action! From the left: Amber, Amanda, Jennifer, Michael, Ann, Keighly, Donovan, Chris, and Ian.



We all had a blast! In one of our games, I came in first place! Not bad after not using my laser tag skills for many years.

Ouch!

Here are a few pics of some recent bruises.

Emily took a fall and hit the corner of her eye.


For a day or two, her eye was a little closed up and very sore.



After the swelling went down, she was left with a textbook-perfect black eye!



Here she is looking very bruised wearing Ian's Build-A-Bear bear's Batman mask.



What a shiner!



Ian also took a fall and hit under his chin, which is now very bruised.



And now, some "Fun Bath" pictures!



Keighly looks like a character from Dr. Seuss!



Emily (still bruised) with an interesting "throw".



Ultra Spike!

WATCH MY HOT, DIRTY WIFE STRIP

Thats right, click the picture for a movie showing my wife STRIPPING! Man, is she HOT and DIRTY!

CLICK TO SEE A MOVIE!

(You will need Windows Media Player)

Not what you thought? Some of you younger viewers may not realize what is happening. We call it "work". She is stripping the floor of old linoleum in preparation for our new flooring.

Today my beautiful wife turned 35! Happy Birthday Janet!

FORD=POOP

Let me digress into a rant (yet keep it family-friendly). We purchased a 1999 Ford Windstar less than a year ago. Our family is growing and we needed more room and a newer, more reliable vehicle. Before we had a Mazda MPV that we liked very much (named Molly). Before that we had a Nissan Stanza wagon (named Stanley) that we also liked, and despite it's milage and use, it was very reliable.

We purchased the Windstar (named Windy) from a fairly reputable dealer here locally. He said he had purchased it new, then sold it to a friend, and now has it back on the lot. It had low miles (86K) and was within our price range. Very clean and a nice green color with silver trim.

Just a few months after purchasing the van, we had to put it in the shop. They informed us it needed new rack-and-pinion and front end work.$2000. A couple months after that, we had to put it in the shop for the overdrive light going on and off, and it ended up with us having to put in a whole new transmission and alternator. $5000. We have now put more money into repairs than we actually paid for the van itself.


Since getting it back from getting the new transmission, we have had a constant problem with the engine keeping the RPM high enough to keep the motor going. You would have to brake with your left foot and gas a little with your right so it wouldn't die. Plus there was a chirping noise coming from the belt. We didn't immediately pursue fixing or worrying about these issues since it took them almost a month to fix the transmission and we needed the van back.

We are preparing to go on vacation, and Janet decided we should get the chirping/dying looked at (plus get an oil change). After checking it out, the local dealer calls back and says it will take $2200 to fix it! Ridiculous, there is no way I'm paying that. He rattled off a list of things it needed that I quickly scratched down on an index card.

I went and got the van and paid their inspection fee. While coming home it was driving worse than it ever has, sputtering and threatening to die. I promptly took it to our own mechanic. After finding several obvious and simple fixes (wires not hooked up), he hooked it to his computer and made one simple adjustment and everything was running great.

After talking with him, he felt like the dealer didn't actually check our van specifically. He felt like they checked a list of what these vans normally need replacing and just marked all that up.

After checking this page, it looks like there are major problems with the 1999 Ford Windstar. Buyer beware. I had hear rumors that Ford was getting out of the minivan line, but wasn't sure if that was true. According to this site it is.

My mechanic also alluded to the fact that our local Ford dealer isn't making any money by selling new vehicles, so they have to make it up in repairs.

In the end, we bought a lemon. Buying used is always a gamble, but we lost big time on this one. We will get it repaired enough and trade it in on a nice Jap minivan, perhaps a Nissan Quest (made in Mississippi!), Toyota Sienna, or Kia Sedona.