Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - COMPLETE About This Page:

[BabieeMelly]

What great updates! I'm so glad you got to see everyone, how awesome is that?!

[luvnwdwgal]

Wonderful updates Eileen!! Can't wait for more!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue">
<u>Day 2 - December 1st, 2005 - part four</u>

While we were waiting for Karen to return from the restroom, we encountered Liver Lips from the Country Bears. I’d never seen him walking the parks before, but I recognized him instantly because Karen had mentioned having a “run in” with him on a previous visit. (Karen, do you want to <u>SHARE</u> that story?) He was gone by the time she rejoined us, but we teased her anyway about her “boyfriend.”

Looking at our watches, we realized that it was time to head over to the Liberty Bell to meet up with our fellow PassPorters!

As soon as we turned the corner, we saw Sarah (DopeyGirl) and her family, and Terri (DrDolphin) and her friend Cheryl. Marie (CRCrazy) and her daughter, Sarah were there, as were Robin (RobinKay6573) and her sister, whose name escapes me at this moment. Bill (LizardCop) and his wife Jan were there. Carol (ripkensnana) was there with some family (I think!) and Ann (disneyknut) was there with her DH and kids. I believe that Sue (rescuesk) and her husband Steve were there, but I KNOW I spent time with them at the fireworks! (More on that later!) There were about a million more people that I’ve completely muddled up in my mind (now that I’m writing this two full months later.) Please forgive me for not mentioning you!.

It was once again very cool to put names to faces and voices to names and all that jazz. I was just flummoxed again by it all and I’m not sure that I was able to keep people straight or manage to speak with everyone. If I seemed like I wasn’t friendly, forgive me. I was swept up in the magic of the whole thing and not running on all cylinders!

We spent about 10 minutes chatting before Sarah led the charge to Splash Mountain. We were headed out that way when Calder announced a need to “go.” ARRRRGHGH! He dashed back to the bathrooms where Karen had gone before and I waited for him, watching my gaggle of friends march off to Splash Mountain. Within seconds, Calder was back with me and took off to catch up with Zack and Marie’s daughter, Sarah (who’s a real beauty!) We all made it to Splash and there was no wait. We ran down to the logs and it looked like I was going to get the front seat. Well…. No way was I going to repeat the drenching of my trip “in front” from my birthday trip in Nov 2004 so I pulled us back and let a young pair of guys (who weren’t PassPorters and had no idea what they were in for) get in the very front.

Calder wanted a poncho right away and was frantic that Pal Mickey would get wet. I barely got one pulled over his head before he sat down and we spent the first few minutes of the ride struggling with it. Carol (ripkensnana) reached over to help and did a fine job getting CJ all situated. I decided to forget putting on a poncho myself and just “gave it up” to the park pixies that I’d stay dry! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

As we got to the first small falls, the guy in front showed his true colors. He was a total whimp. He squealed a little and stood up as we hit the water. At first, I thought he was trying to make the ride seem more X-TREME. Then I realized it was because he was afraid of getting wet. (I coulda told him that his butt was already wet from the seat, but I refrained! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] ) After the third time he stood up, the ride operators came over the PA system to tell him to sit down. By the time we got to the ‘possums that say “L S U,” he had plucked my last nerve with his antics. I muttered “wuss” AND HE HEARD ME! He gave me the dirtiest look and I just pretended that I was admiring the scenery while I sang along with the soundtrack. I think I convinced him that he was hearing things because he looked away again.

But he didn’t dampen my spirits too much – it was so terrific to be on a log with a ton of new friends, all of us singing along and pointing out our favorite things. The entire log behind us was filled with PPers and I think there were even some of us in the log behind that.

The big drop was fantastic – I don’t think I’ve been in a full log for a long time and the extra bodies really seemed to add to the speed of the drop! The spray hit me squarely on my left side, leaving my arm and thigh quite damp – man, I wish I’d gotten that poncho on because the air was a little nippy!

BTW – who was it that Zack protected from the spray? I can’t remember, but he was praised for flinging his body up in front of the water from the big drop to make sure that the rest of the log didn’t get drenched. What a good guy!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

When we got to the end, there was no one in line so Zack and young Sarah hopped on to a log and got the front seat! Calder wasn’t up for it, so we headed out to the gift shop to see our pictures. I think Calder wanted a rest room break so I told him to meet me there after a bit.

I forgot how long this ride is, so it seemed like forever that Marie and Karen and I waited for them. But, finally, Zack and Sarah were back with us and they were even more wet than before! Most of the group had already headed over to BTMRR, so we speeded over that way! We managed quite well because we wound up in the same train with some of them and right behind the others.

Nothing beats BTMRR in the dark – it’s so much more exhilarating. I don’t remember how the seating worked out, but I think Zack and Calder rode together in the very back and Karen sat in front of me. I remember where she sat because she laughed at me the whole time! Rides like BTMRR give me the terrified giggles and I spend the entire ride laughing like an insane person. Karen kept busting up at me, which only made me laugh harder.

When we pulled back into the station, there were some people waiting for the back seat, but the rest of the train would be available. Like seasoned pros, Calder and Zack hopped into empty seats. This time, I sat with my boy and we went flying through the wilderness together, me laughing all the way!

When we got out, we found that some people were going for another trip and we wanted to wait for them. While we stood there, we saw that B’rer Bear was standing by the entrance to BTMRR, being truculent. He wanted to pretend to be a statue and was not willing to give out autographs, despite the pleading of his handler. Calder and Zack wanted to see if they could get the big guy to move, but no dice. He wasn’t going for it.

When the rest of our gang was done with their trip through the mine, we started walking that way. Robin (RobinKay6573) went up to B’rer Bear… thinking that he WAS a statue. She posed next to him as her sister got out the camera. Well, B’rer Bear chose that moment to “unfreeze” and scared the bejeebies out of Robin. In fact, he scared something else out too! Calder came running over to me and said, ”Mom, that lady just dropped the F-bomb!” We had a good go at Robin, and she took our teasing very well!

The general consensus was that we had time to ride Pirates before we had to head to the tip board for the Wishes meet. We strolled through Adventureland, which looked lovely in the darkness. We saw Captain Hook walking away from a meet and greet and we all shouted “TICK TOCK” at him. He gave us a menacing finger wag that had us laughing all the way to the POC entrance.

There was no line whatsoever!. We had to pause to point out the pirate skeletons playing chess to fellow PPers who were asking about them. Next thing you know, we filled up an entire boat.

Emilie was a little nervous about going, but Zack (who was the hero of the night, it seems) handed her his light-up Star Wars lightsaber. She clung to it and turned it on whenever she was scared. It only took a moment before the entire boat started singing along with the soundtrack. What a hoot that was!! Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A Pirates Life For Me!!!

When we got off, we headed straight out to the Tip Board, passing a meet and greet with Genie and Abu (who I’d never seen in the parks before! I would’ve loved to get a picture, but we would just make the PP meet, so we scurried along.

Next up: The meet! </font>

[Colexis Mom]

Great update Eileen [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] What a fun time on Splash and BTMRR! Can't wait to hear about the Wishes Meet [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[ariel14]

Great update!!!

[lauren-roxy]

Fantastic update Eileen!! I had to laugh about the wuss on Splash!!! Can't wait to read more!!

[PrincessSharon]

Great update, Eileen! Your comment to the wuss, err.. fellow, on Splash had me cracking up! Can't wait for more!

[luvnwdwgal]

What a great time you're all having!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[mestitch]

[ QUOTE ]
BTW – who was it that Zack protected from the spray? I can’t remember, but he was praised for flinging his body up in front of the water from the big drop to make sure that the rest of the log didn’t get drenched. What a good guy!!

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] Ummm yeah, that'd be me [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] We struck a deal the day before when we ran into Karen and Zack at MGM [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] I'm glad to know that Zack is growing up to be a "stand up" guy [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]

[BabieeMelly]

Great update!

[Caldercup]

Yikes - somehow I'd forgotten about this. (I think it's because I'm secretly not wanting to report about the Wishes meet that's in the next installment. I was so goofy that I'm embarrassed....) [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

I'll try and work on this tomorrow....
Eileen

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue"><u>December 1st - Day 2 - Part 5</u>
(Jeez, could I milk this day any more?! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

We hussled along from Adventureland over to the tip board, Karen lugging the huge bag of gifts and the boys mildly complaining that they didn’t want to stand around with a bunch of strangers.

I was getting nervous. Even though I’d been having a blast with all the ride meet PassPorters, I was nervous about the expected crowd at the Tip Board Meet. Would I recognize people and remember their names? Would I suddenly turn shy? Would my head ever stop buzzing?

Yikes – I needed to get to the rest room. While Karen zigged over to the tip board, I zagged over to the bath rooms behind Casey’s (which I had discovered during my KTTK tour in May.) As I headed back to the group, I started recognizing all these faces – WillCAD, Cheryl (chezp) and her DH Mark, Maggie (Maggieworkman), Sue (rescuek), Donna (GoofyMom) and… golly… about a million people that I recognized but couldn’t attach names to.

I panicked.

Cheryl and Mark introduced themselves and I totally fell in love with their voices and accents (I’ve had tons of British friends and I felt right at home hearing them speak!) Cheryl was wielding her massive camera and snapping away at people – all the while, smiling like crazy!

As I turned to Karen, who had enlisted the boys to find the giftees for her gift bags, I had one of THOSE moments. You know, a moment when you hear -- aaaaaaa-aaaaah - - an angel chorus blaring in your head as you’re blinded by the heavenly klieg lights outlining someone you’ve admired for years. It was them…. The Marxes. And, good golly, I was totally flummoxed by seeing them. (And you’ve got to know that I worked in a large performing arts center for years - where famous actors, opera singers, musicians, dancers, etc. would come into the costume shop all the time. For heaven’s sake, I had Mandy Patinkin show up without his pants on, looking for someone to fix his zipper – and I didn’t flip out then!)

Well, I flipped out this time. I didn’t know where to look, I didn’t know where to turn. My only refuge in this storm of nerves was Karen, a woman whom I adore, but who, in all actuality, I’ve only “known” for two days. I suddenly walked straight up to her –- she must’ve seen the weird look in my eyes and thought I’d gone bonkers -– and I announced “that bathroom was really, really clean!” She blinked a few times and then said quietly, “That’s nice.” She barely controlled her desire to roll her eyes – and I knew it. I started blushing really, really hard! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

About a second later, Donna came up to me and her face was so familiar and welcoming that I sort of let my embarrassment slide away. We chatted a minute before I saw Maggie and we introduced ourselves. Next thing I know, I’m chatting comfortably with lots of people as I’m slowly drawn near the Marxes.

Well, this was getting silly. I really wanted to thank them for what they’ve put together and I wasn’t going to let a little shyness get in my way. I turned around and approached them. (Looking back on this with 20/20 hindsight, they seemed a little overwhelmed too, but in that moment in front of the tip board, they seemed to have a special glow about them… &lt;signal the angel chorus for another round!&gt; [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/angel.gif[/img] )

Well, that’s when I started babbling. I walked up to Dave and basically gushed about how much I love their book and the community they’ve created. I told them that it was terrific that there was a place in the world where my obsession with WDW was “normal” and it was all thanks to them. They nodded and smiled and were very gracious, but seemed a little freaked out by my ardor! Dave handed me a Mousefest pin and a pocket guide to Mousefest events. A woman standing next to them laughed and said she had said the exact same thing. (I think it was Linda (lindawdw), but my memory is so foggy here that I’m not sure. Linda, was that you? I know we talked a bit later, but I’m not sure if it started here…)

Anyway, there was a great deal of picture taking, hugging and greeting and it all ran into a big blur, but was such a warm and unique experience that I still get a big grin whenever I think about it.

A pretty blonde with a Mr. Incredible fixation ran up at that moment and was basically pounced on by the whole group. It was Dawn, (DawnDenise) and her mom – who had on a terrific blinking Christmas tree hat and lots of sparkles on her shirt. (Now that I’ve read your TR, Dawn, I smile even more at that memory!) I think Dawn was overwhelmed by her welcome, but she was grinning ear-to-ear.



Just then, the fireworks were about to start. The area of between Main Street and the Hub was completely open… for about a nanosecond! All the PassPorters took strategic positions and cameras, monopods, tripods, videocameras, etc suddenly hopped into position. Calder leaned up against me as Tinker Bell zipped down from the castle. A collective OOOOH rose from our crowd and a million shutters clicked, while the sound of camera batteries hummed around me.

I realized pretty quickly that this was a special Wishes and not the one that I know so well. I was enthralled. At the first plume of the perimeter fireworks, I hear a deep voice to my left making lots of appreciative sounds. I peeked over and it was Sue’s husband, Steve. I smiled at him and he smiled back. Then more fireworks went off and more cameras clicked. Booom, click, click. Ooooh. Booom, Boooom, clickity click. Ahhhh.

There were special images projected on the castle – and I loved the snowflakes when the castle was all blue. The music was very Christmas-y and familiar.

More perimeters went off and I started spinning around to see them all. Steve OOHed and AAHed some more. Then the finale started and it was soooo terrific. I hadn’t been crying up to that point (which is unusual for me and fireworks), but the finale got me going. As did Steve’s reactions. I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] loved [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] hearing him appreciate the fireworks.

After the fireworks finished in a blaze of lights and sound, the PPers hung out for a few more minutes – I chatted with Sue and Steve and thought they were just terrific people! – before starting to break up and heading for different directions of the park.

Calder was starting to sag – we’d been up since 7:20AM with only a half hour in the room and it was now about 9:30PM. He spotted an abandoned double stroller and wanted me to snag it. I wasn’t convinced that it was abandoned, so we walked around a bit before finding one that was definitely no longer being used. He climbed in as I found Karen and Zack. (Poor Karen, she had managed to find about ½ the people on her list for the gift bags and still had tons to carry.) Zack was itching for some rides and wanted to head out to Tomorrowland for a spin on Space Mountain. Marie and Sarah wanted to join us, so off we all went.

It was a little cold at this point and I didn’t want to risk a stiff neck from the rough ride of Space Mountain, so I sent Calder in with the gang. I grabbed a bench and called my hubby. While I was sitting there, I spotted this woman wearing Mickey “hand” earmuffs. I asked her where she got them, but she couldn’t remember – it was so many years ago! &lt;sigh – I really liked them!&gt;

Suddenly, I see Calder come running for me. They’d gotten all the way up to the boarding area when Space Mountain went down. Still wanting some futuristic fun, we all agreed to a spin on Buzz. Even though we stopped in one of the big rooms and I was firing away, I still couldn’t beat Zack’s score. He totally rocked on this go ‘round! On the way out, he showed the hidden Stitch to Sarah. We had the kids pose for a traditional shot with Zurg!


[The Revenge of Zurg}

Checking our watches, we knew it was time for the parade. Karen and Zack wanted to do more rides, so they headed out for parts unknown while Calder and I rolled over to the spot where PassPorters had set up camp (right by where the popcorn stands sit at the Hub.) There was an open area that was perfect for the double stroller and Calder curled up for a rest while we waited for the parade to start.

Up next: the pooper scoopers get a big cheer! </font>

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue"> As I stood there, a woman came up from behind us and wiggled her way into our group. I caught her eye and thought I’d introduce myself. I said, “Are you a PassPorter.” She gave me a funny look. “No.” Then she looked around at all of us with our funny hats on, our name badges, our expensive camera equipment and our parade-commando faces and asked, “What’s a PassPorter?” I explained that we’d all met on an internet board and had gathered for the evening. She gave me a weird look and inched away from us. (During the parade, I caught her looking at us all with a mingled expression of wonder and confusion – it was kinda funny!)

Anyway, the parade started and I really enjoyed watching the PPers reactions – especially when a favorite character walked by.




That's Sarah in the middle staring at her fellow!

When the Princesses started arriving in their horse-drawn carriages, everyone was riveted. First up was Ariel and Eric, pulled by a dappled grey horse. We all waved and cheered. Immediately behind them was guy with a small bin and “scooper”… We waved and cheered at him too and he cracked up at us.



Then it was time for Sleeping Beauty and her prince riding two beautiful dark horses. Following them was a guy pushing a slightly larger bin and scooper. We cheered again and he looked totally bewildered.



Up next was Belle and the Beast pulled by a massive horse. This time the bin was gigantic – we all cheered and screamed and the pooper scooper guy gave us a sheepish grin and shook his head!



When Cinderella’s glass carriage came into view, I got the giggles. This time, there was a team of tiny horses pulling her carriage and I couldn’t wait to see HER clean-up team. I wondered aloud if it would be the 7 dwarves, each pushing a bin, but Disney didn’t have that kind of humor!



&lt;continued on the next post&gt;
</font>

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue"> &lt;continued from the previous post&gt;

After that, it was just terrific to see all the floats and characters.


That's Angie and Cheryl with their obsessions!



This guy came up and blasted his tuba right into little Emilie's face -- it was very cute!



I was a little disappointed that Chip and Dale weren’t on the baking float – it was Goofy! But I still wanted to drift away on the aroma the float was pumping out!


I totally cracked up when I saw the reindeer because of what happened to Karen the last time she'd seen them. (During the parade K&amp;Z watched, one of the reindeer made a fast spin to the right and his tongue fell out of his head and sat there on the pavement. He shrugged and picked it up and went right on walking and dancing!! It's one of my favorite stories I've ever heard!)

Then it was time for Santa - Calder perked up to see the big guy and I saw his hand reach out from under the canopy of the stroller to wave.


When the parade was over, Calder was almost asleep, tucked up in his Stitch hoodie – I knew we’d be heading out and not getting on any more rides. I was cool with that because I was now pretty cold and I hadn’t brought my big scarf and I’d forgotten to pack gloves.

As we headed down Main Street, I ran into Dawn and her mom again. I asked where they were planning to be the next day and our plans didn’t sync up until Fantasmic! I told her we’d keep an eye out for them and her mom said “You won’t be able to miss us!” Not with that hat, sister!

We got to the bus area and got onto a very full bus. We waited for a long time before the bus actually moved and Calder had basically fallen asleep standing up. I held onto him as we finally wove our way around Disney property, back to the POFQ. He stumbled back to the room and didn’t even have the energy to unlock the door. As I turned to take off my pullover, he flopped face first on the bed. Awwww. Poor mite! I helped him out of his clothes and tucked him in. I followed him a few minutes later – after I arranged for a 6:50 wake-up call. (What, am I nuts?!)

About 2AM, I woke up with my little guy standing next to my bed – practically asleep. “Mom, what’s that flickering light?” I looked over to the bathroom area and realized that our little night light was gasping its last breath. I hopped up and pulled it out. When I turned around, Calder was back in his bed, snoring.

Ugh… I fell back to sleep and slept until the next morning.

The weather was 62 and sunny – getting chilly as the sun went down.
The best thing today was the ride meet and singing the pirate song with tons of my “internet friends”
The worst thing today was my embarrassment and shyness.
The funniest thing today was seeing the characters act up at the LTT dinner.
Today we tried the Holiday Wishes fireworks.
And the result was pretty good – although I missed the regular Wishes (and I never got back to see them this trip!)
The most magical moment today was hearing Steve’s reaction to the fireworks. I love when people can give themselves over to what makes them happy!

Up Next: a monorail ride to Calder’s favorite character!</font>

[disneymom9092]

Wonderful update [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Sounds like a terrific time! Love your pics [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]