In a sleep deprived stupor in the middle of the night, I ordered a BIG OLE’ dog crate from Chewy.com for Merida. What a prime example of impulse buying! I need sleep and although she could care less about me, I don’t want to stick her in such a small space all night. Except when she makes me really, really mad. 😉
A few days ago, I mentioned living with the risk of contracting COVID-19 feels like we’re navigating the Oregon Trail. If not typhoid fever, diphtheria, cholera, measles or the dreaded dysentery — that other virus wants to make you sick.
Funny how photos can be manipulated, right? Not like those of my youth for sure. Back then, sometimes eyes even got scratched off of printed portraits. Seriously!
We have a couple people that tested positive from Jackson County — one from Seymour and another from Brownstown. But my family so far is all healthy… and still smiling! Here goes CwD day #19 — ready or not!
I’m going to make some Quarantine Peanut Butter cookies today. I’ll let you know if they turn out ok — or if they give us dysentery.
Hollywood Studios has always been my LEAST favorite park. It still is. Although Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is extremely well-done and includes every single minute detail you can imagine — from the ability to choose your side (First Order or the Resistance) and the Black Spire Outpost shops to the unique food and drink offerings — it’s still lacking.
Hollywood Studios was so very busy that for us, the “Disney experience” was non-existent. Even Olga’s Cantina, a watering hole with exotic concoctions, was booked solid 3 months in advance with no reservation to be had.
Rise of Resistance ride…
On our first day, we were IN THE PARK by 6:30 AM in an attempt to get a boarding pass to ride ‘Rise of the Resistance,’ a combined trackless dark ride, walk-through, motion simulator, and drop ride system. By 7:00 AM, 10 bajillion people all began refreshing the Disney app to hopefully get a required boarding pass. We secured boarding group 40 which was AMAZING! One couple we met were in group 176 and didn’t even get to do the ride.
The ride is 3 acts long. After waiting in line about an hour (even with the boarding pass), and getting through parts 1 & 2, the ride broke down. (We noticed this happened SEVERAL times throughout the week.) We were provided a fast pass and the opportunity to come back once it was operational again.
It’s a great ride and a great ride experience. But it was NOT a Disney-like experience from start to finish.
So let’s build a robot!
After standing in line for a photo, we all made a droid. 3 of us made R2’s and Coco built a BB8. We picked out parts and used a power screwdriver in a rushed process (it was a cluster *!%*) packed with cross-selling of additional personality chips, backpacks and more. No photos because cows being rushed along can’t use cameras — but cows can shell out around $600 bucks to do it.
Next… light sabers…
The process to make a light saber was much better (at $200 per, it should be). The guys made them — the girls watched. The experience could not have been better and both Ben and Perry were happy with their new toy.
The shopping outposts were overflowing with people. We never even got in the door of the majority of them. We ate a bronto roaster and drank that nasty blue milk, went back a different day for a short time to ride the Tower of Terror and we were done with that park. DONE!
Now that we’re home, word has it that Perry is securing a resistance base in southern Indiana…
If you’re at Disney and average 25,000 steps per day — over 11 miles — one would think you could eat anything you want and not gain weight. Right? Not the case for me! I gained SIX pounds!
Most everything we consumed was packed with glorious calories:
Star War’s green and blue milk is nasty (blue is slightly better than green) but I sucked down some of both.
Although the filet from Le Cellier would’ve been ok, I also ate every single bite of the mushroom risotto and truffle-butter sauce. Ooops!
We all know how fattening pasta and cheese sauce are, but I gobbled down about a pound of it like it was my job while at Disney Springs.
And, even though desserts are bad for weight loss, I consumed Disney’s well-known ‘grey stuff’ at ‘Be Our Guest.’ I spooned it in even though I felt it was pretty darned bland.
Best and worst according to Shelley…
BEST – filet from Le Cellier WORST — paintbrush churros at a random stand in Epcot
But besides walking, I exercised!
One would think since when you’re not walking you’re tensing every muscle in your body on some ride, you’d come home wearing your jeans a little bit looser. That’s what I expected. I was wrong!
I blame Disney and my very own kid for my weight gain. Disney, because they offer so many tasty selections — and a bajillion not so tasty things that you simply MUST try… and Ben, because he’s addicted to the Disney Food Blog and had a spreadsheet list of everything deemed worthy.
My diet starts back in full-force tomorrow! How about that for a jolt to reality reminder that I’m no longer at the happiest place on earth?!
After a FABULOUS week at Disney, I’m home with a bajillion photos and even more memories.
For now, I’ll simply share this…
BAD — I miss my puppies and can’t pick them up until Monday since our vet isn’t open on weekends.
GOOD — If you go to Disney, don’t miss the after-hours ticketed events. Worth the $$ for sure.
GOOD — Avatar Flight of Passage is the best ride ever.
BAD — if you get a broken seat you’re squashed to the point of not breathing for about 5 loooong minutes.
GOOD — Le Cellier Steakhouse is amazing.
BAD — Be Our Guest is overrated.
GOOD — Galaxy’s Edge is very well done, was a much needed boost to Hollywood Studios, and Rise of the Resistance is a great ride.
BAD — To ride Rise of the Resistance, be ready to be at the park by 6:30 AM to MAYBE get a boarding pass. Also, you’ll learn what it feels like to be herded like cattle.
GOOD — Tower of Terror is still a great ride.
BAD — It’s the ONLY ride that Colette hated… and she rode them all. (You may see her hiding her face at the far left in the short video clip below.)
Epcot still ranks first for me insofar as parks, but Animal Kingdom is a close second. I can’t wait to go back!
More soon on some of the specific experiences, but for now… SLEEP! 🙂
My cousin, Sonny McKain, died yesterday at 5:45 PM. Not an old guy by my standards (under 70 isn’t old when you’re my age now), complications from a kidney stone — combined with being too stubborn to go to the doctor — became too great for him to overcome.
It’s especially difficult when a death in the family happens near a holiday that typically revolves around family time. His smile will be missed greatly and remembered fondly.
I know this is crazy, but every time a family member of mine dies, my friend Sherry is there. When I got word about Sonny, without fail, there she was at my kitchen table. Nothing planned beforehand, the timing of her visit was coincidental. (Starting to worry that I need to ban her from the premises.)
Sherry was there to deliver a bouquet of flowers. An old and dear friend sends them to me every year. Sherry always delivers and also brings bags of homemade cookies and candies she’s prepared. Then, we always take a selfie. Not sure I’ve ever looked worse in a photo, but I’m sharing it anyway… it’s tradition.
