Disney trip with the Grahams - Day #2

Day #2 - Epcot

(first full day at Disney World)

leaving for the bus

So we arrive at Epcot.  It is just the men plus Susan.  All the women are going to meet us there closer to 10am.  We wanted to get there as soon as the park opens so we don't have to wait in line.  Sure enough, first ride that the boys want to do is The Giant Golf Ball (Spaceship Earth).  By no means is this a great ride, but to go on when there is no line is critical.  Glad we knocked this out of the way first.



boys and the giant golf ball



Spaceship Earth

Next up was "Energy".  This is about a 40 minute show and ride.  Nothing special about it.  In fact, I would recommend skipping it.



Energy

Now on both sides of the park are buildings labeled "Innoventions."  These are interactive activities for kids. (and a nice air-conditioned break for adults.  Its kinda like being at the Franklin Institute).



Innoventions



Fountains



Inside Innovations

So now, the women meet up with us, and we are ready for "Mission: Space."



Mission: Space

Through my work, I was able to get us into the VIP Room sponsored by HP.  It was awesome.  Free beverages.  A nice little lounge to get off our feet for about 20 minutes.  There were some activities for the kids.  More importantly, we get to the front of the line for this ride.



VIP room



VIP room



VIP room

So the ride itself is like a simulator.  All I can say is "Wow."  At one point, I did feel like I was going to throw up.  It was awesome, but good god.

Oh yeah, and they had a nice playground that the grandmoms took the kids to, while the rest of us went on the ride.



Mission Space:  Playground

Now we headed over the "World of Nations."  We just went to Norway so we could go on the Maelstorm  (Viking ship)


Maelstorm



Maelstorm



Norway



Norway

After Norway, we started heading back to the exit so we could get over to the Magic Kingdom for our lunch with Cinderella.

me and Nathan

Group shot

So we hop on the monorail, and make our way over to the Magic Kingdom.  I am super excited, cause I have not been here in about 23 years.


Magic Kingdom

Main Street

Walt and Mickey

Now, we didn't have time to go on any rides before lunch.  The first thing that happens is you get your picture taken with Cinderella when you first enter the castle. 

Cinderella

Then you go upstairs for lunch, and get to have pics taken with four other princesses.

Snow White

Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Belle (Beauty & The Beast)

So now it is about 3pm, and we have 3 very tired kids.  We take them back to Fort Wilderness (via boat) and get them back to the cabins for a nap.  We had an easy dinner, and then went swimming afterwards (they have a pool with water slides.  It was fantastic).

A great first full day at Disney.  Next up:  Typhoon Lagoon

Disney trip with the Grahams - Day #1

So, today we start our Bugey/Graham vacation trip to Walt Disney World.  Three generations of Bugeys and Grahams. 

3 kids - Nathan, Chris, and Susan
4 adults - myself, Tommy, Krissy, and Jennifer
3 FOPS - Mighty Mary, Tom, and Pat

--FOP stands for F**king Old People

So, we are up and at'em at 5am.  Jennifer is flying with us to Orlando.  3 adults and 2 kids on an airplane.  Of course we can't get a direct flight to Orlando.  We have to fly to Chicago first, and then Orlando (cause that is convenient).





Philly airport at 6:45 in the morning


So, after 6 hours of being on a plane, we finally make it to Orlando.  Of course, it takes us 40 minutes to get onto a bus, and Fort Wilderness is stop #4 on the bus trip.  I was just so happy to get to the resort, I didn't even care that it was raining out.




checking into Fort Wilderness


Our cabins are right next to the Grahams.  Pat and Tom are already there with Susan.  Tommy and Krissy are still about 2 hours away.  Since we don't want to go to a park without them, Tom and I decide to take the kids out for some pony rides, while everyone else unpacks.


Chris and Susan getting ready for pony rides




Nathan on his first pony ride




Chris on his first pony ride




playground in front of Pioneer Hall





The thrill of vicotry (Nathan)

 



The agony of defeat

 



waiting for us when we arrived

 



playing with hose

 

So, finally Tommy and Krissy arrive, and we are off to Disney Hollywood Studios.  Pat is getting ready to have knee surgery, so she has a wheelchair for the week.  We were also smart enough to get a double stroller (which was a god send)






Tommy and Pat

 



Grammy and the boys

 


Chris and Pat




Disney Hollywood Studios





big hat

 
So it is about 7:15pm, and we have until 10pm to get as much done as we can.  We do need to have dinner first, so we find a place right next to Star Tours.  Sure enough, it started to rain (which was good, cause it helped clear out the park a bit).  Well, we got the kids fed first, and then the adults and FOPS got their stuff.  Since the kids finished first, I grabbed the 3 of them and took them on Star Tours since there was no line, and time was a factor.  That way, the rest of the adults could eat and the kids were entertained.  I didn't think it through though, cause going on Star Tours is a bad idea after I just ate.  It is an awesome ride (which involves 3D glasses) but very, very bumpy. 

2 good things came out of this
1.)  The kids loved it
2.)  I did not throw up



AT-AT

 



Chris with 3D glasses for Star Tours

 
Next up, the Muppets 3D.  Another 3D adventure (but this was just a show).  It was probably about 10-15 minutes long, but really fun.  I wish my boys liked the muppets more.




Muppets 3D

 

So, while I was standing in line for Star Tours, a couple was in line that was kind enough to give us 4 free Fast Passes for the Toy Story Mania ride (which I hear is the best ride for kids at Disney Hollywood Studios).  Since there were 3 kids, only one adult can go on.  Tommy volunteered and said the ride was really fun.  I wish I could have gone on it, but I was just happy that Chris and Nathan got on it.




Toy Story Mania

 
So it is about 9:20pm.  We convince the FOPS to take the kids into see a "Little Mermaid' show or ride (not sure what it was, but it took 20 minutes).  This allowed for the adults to hit up 2 big rides.  First up, the Aerosmith Rock N' Roll Rollercoaster.  An indoor rollercoaster that shoots you right out of the start (no slow uphill climb).  I think it was one of the best roller coasters I have ever been on.  Loved it.  Even if Jen Graham was screaming in my ear the whole time, it was still fun.




Aerosmith Rock N'Roll Rollercoaster

 
I tried to get a good clear pic of the Tower of Terror, but it just didn't come out that way.  The ride itself was ok, but the pre-ride decorations and set up were just fantastic.  So glad that we went on this at night.



Twilight Tower of Terror



After that, we met up with the FOPs and called it an evening.



3 tired kids



A fantastic start to the week.  Despite only 2 and a half hours, we covered all the major rides at Disney Hollywood Studios.  Next up tomorrow:  Epcot



one last shot at the hat lit up at night



Bouncing Buns 7k Trail Run

Bouncing Buns 7k Trail Run
Palmerton, PA


It is that time a year again for a nice naked run in the summertime.  I did the run with John Gwiazdowsi (his first time) and Jared again.  It was really hot this year, but luckily most of the race is run in the shade.

T-shirt

I also ran into Nate Robinson (a buddy from high school).  I knew Nate was going to be doing the race ahead of time.  After the race though, he had to get going to the shore.  He was unable to stay for the award ceremony.  Sure enough, he won 5th place for Males ages 18-39.  Since he was not there to pick up his trophy, I gladly went up and accepted it for him (which is my way of saying that I said "Why yes, I am Nate Robinson, and I will gladly accept my trophy."  I then continued to parade it around as if I had won it.

5th place trophy that I came away with (note:  I did not say I won the trophy)

So, it was "Meat Day" at Brendan and Amy McNamee's house.  The McNamee's cook, roats, or whatever all kinds of different meats and have a lightning bug catch for the kids at night.  Months ago, we had a boys night out.  Everyone had goin home except me and Brendan.  We were talking about the Penn State scandal, and I really wanted Brendan's opinion on it.  Anyways, Amy was looking for him, and Brendan had said he was on his way home (and he wasn't yet).  So, Brendan lied, and got caught, and got in trouble.

So months later, I turn this all around on Amy.  I tell her that Brendan had to lie to her, because he felt it was better than telling her the truth...and the truth being that Brendan was all hanging out with just me.  Obviously, Amy would have a problem with Brendan hanging out with just me.  I told Amy I was hurt and crushed to know that she felt this way about me.  I wanted to make amends and offer a peace offering to rebuild our friendship.  I gave Amy the shirt from the race, and told her she had to wear it the rest of the night (and everybody got a big laugh out of it).

me and Amy McNamee

Dub-C 4 miler

Dub-C 4 miler

West Chester, PA

Last night, for the 3rd year in a row, I ran the Dub-C 4 miler in West Chester.  The race is always on a Friday evening at 7am.  For whatever reason, I always struggle a little bit with this race.  I never seem to be able to break the 10 minute mile average.  I always end up around 41 or 42 minutes for the race.  This year, I pushed a little harder and was able to finish in under 39 minutes.  I was a little upset though because for whatever reason, they did not give out soft pretzels at the end of the race.  Because of this, I might not do the run next year.  We will have to wait and see.

start

T-shirt (Run DMC logo)

Rustin Run - 5k