CKCK 6.0-June 11-17 at the Fort...BAM!

[CKCK 45]

Here is your Independence Day update that has nothing to do with Independence Day.

 

But HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

 

 

 

 

Day 6: Sunday, June 16-Father’s Day

 

I don’t have too many pics from today, so we’re going to knock Sunday out in one post.

 

It’s okay though, because we still have tomorrow morning at the MK.

 

 

We were headed to DHS for 9:00 rope drop.  The girls hadn’t been here yet, and there were a couple of things we wanted them to get to do.

 

So off we went to the bus stop.

 

 

And we waited.

 

And waited.

 

Finally two buses came.  

 

They were both AK.

 

And not one person got on them.

 

Why in the world would they send two AK buses in a row?  That’s crazy.

 

And it wasn’t like they came from the Lodge and were full.  

 

NOBODY WAS ON THEM.

 

In fact, their marquees changed over when they pulled into the Fort bus stop.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but to me that means they had not been at the Lodge first.

 

So then two more buses came.

 

Both DTD/TL.

 

Seriously?

 

You know how many people got on those two?

 

Zero.

 

I don’t understand.

 

Finally we got to DHS and found our place in line.

 

  

 

I like that pic.

 

 

We had decided that we needed to ride TSM.  

 

That meant fighting the crowd back there.  

 

I do not run for rides.

 

So we made it our goal to block the road for as many runners as possible.

 

That sounds mean when I type it, but at the time it sounded like a great idea.

 

We got our FP’s and jumped in line.

 

 

Notice that it was 8:38 with a 9:00 rope drop.  Bonus.

 

None of our scores were tremendous, and none of us were highest in the vehicle.  

 

Fail.

 

It had been awhile since I had ridden TSM, but I remember that you used to be able to hold the string and rapid fire.  It didn’t do that this time.  What’s up with that?

 

 

Redhead #1 wanted to ride Star Tours (winning) so DW and Redhead #2 headed to the shrunk kids playground.

 

 

After that we went to meet at shrunk kids.

 

 

 

 

 

After this it was time for Disney Junior.

 

As much as I did not want to sit through it, we knew the girls would love it.

 

At least we could sit down and be comfortable and cool for awhile, right?

 

 

There were no seats.

 

Only carpet.

 

Fail.

 

We used our TSM FP’s (I had the high in vehicle, but it still sucked) and then it was almost time for our 11:00 ADRs that we had snagged for 50’s Prime Time Diner.

 

Bam.

 

Turns out we could have just walked in, but whatever.  We thought it might have been crowded for Father’s Day, but not so much.  At least not early.

 

 

Hey look!  That lady came with the house!

 

I had never been here before, and I totally was digging the decor.

 

 

 

 

 

We got the fried cheese with raspberry sauce.

 

 

Raspberry Sauce, you say?

 

It was awesome.  

 

DW got the meatloaf:

 

 

 

And I had to settle something.

 

Awhile back DaveinTN’s TR he had talked about the fried chicken here.  

 

He said he liked it better than GAG.

 

Shut your mouth, Dave.

 

I told him I would have to try it here sometime, and he agreed to try the Oatmeal Apple Caramel cookie thing in Epcot Germany.  

 

He probably forgot all of that, but I did not.  I would remind him of all that right now, but he seems to have gone missing since this TR started.

 

So I got the fried chicken.

 

 

First, I don’t like greens, but you’ll notice they are on my plate.  I ordered them because I knew I would have to eat them all because I didn’t want our waitress to yell at me and motorboat them into my mouth.

 

So I ate them first to get them out of the way.

 

Then on to the chicken.

 

It was good.  And fresh.  Super hot, right out of the fryer.  

 

I could not complain one bit.

 

My final verdict?

 

I still have to go with GAG.

 

Maybe it’s just that everything tastes better at the Fort.  Maybe it’s that with GAG you get cold fried chicken leftovers the next day for lunch.  

 

Either way, I still prefer GAG.

 

But Dave was right, it was good.

 

 

 

 

We left and went back to the Fort for resting.  

 

It was at this point that we realized that our Monday morning plan was not going to work.

 

You see, last year we parked the truck and camper in overflow then headed to a park for the morning.  At lunch time we left and headed towards the beach where MaMa and PaPa were.

 

That was our plan this time also.

 

But then we remembered something that put a wrench in that plan.

 

Dogs.

 

We totally forgot that we couldn’t execute that plan because of the dogs.

 

We were in a predicament.  

 

So I headed to the Outpost to see about a late checkout.

 

 

Look at their flowers outside.  I’m all about the Fort being kind of wild, but that it just out of control.

 

I asked about late checkout and was told that yes, it is possible, and free until 1:30.  Except that it had to be approved, and that I needed to call back in the morning to find out if it was approved or not because the people that did that were already gone.

 

So now we had to wait.  Bummer.

 

 

I started breaking down some of our camp to make the morning easier.  Of course it started raining.  

 

Luckily it was light so I could still grill our early dinner:

 

 

That’s marinated chicken skewers and brussels sprouts.

 

Killing it.

 

 

 

Off to Epcot.

 

This was a bagless evening, so the pics are all iphone pics.

 

We ran in to meet some characters because the wait was nothing.

 

 

And Redhead #2 proved that she still isn’t ready for costumed characters.

 

She would have nothing to do with any of them.

 

 

Minnie tried, but Redhead #2 is stubborn.

 

 

Check this guy out:

 

 

He really deserves a close up:

 

 

 

We were headed to Germany for some dessert.

 

 

Something about their caramel is amazing.  And this apple was amazing.

 

And I’m a huge fan of the Apple Oatmeal Caramel cookie thing:

 

 

 

After this we needed some dessert after our dessert.

 

So we went to the new ice cream place in France.

 

 

 

We got mint chocolate and strawberry sorbet.

 

They were awesome.  The mint was real mint, not fake mint like you get in the grocery store.  I’ve made ice cream using real mint before and this reminded me of that.  Except better.  The strawberry had real strawberries in it.  It was awesome too.  And it wasn’t too icy like sorbet can be.  It was still creamy.

 

 

 

On the way out the girls wanted to ride the big ball, aka Spaceship Earth, aka Damn Judy Dench.

 

Whatever.  I did not want to ride it, so I protested in my picture.

 

 

 

 

And that was day 6.  Went by kind of quickly, didn’t it?

 

Luckily the next morning would turn out to be really great.  We’ll have a close encounter with royalty wannabes and I become a true hero.

 

Seriously.

 

[alexwyattmommy 181]

A hero?  Shouldn't you do that update today then?  Please?

 

Love the pouting face.  You're lucky it didn't freeze that way.

 

Ramalamadingdong

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Yes, we are also under water.

 

And it looks like more rain this weekend. I miss my boat. But I don't want to have to use it to go to the store. I want to sun and relax on the lake!

 

Your girls get cuter with every update!

[CoachClough 12]

X

 

I gracefully bow out.  These women are too strong!!!

 

I will continue to follow the TR of course, I'm taking notes.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Sorry I was a little late to the party but count me among the Fiends who bought the wishes soundtrack. I have the Spectro one as well and they are both on a playlist on my IPhone that is very regularly played.

Looks like a great time being had by all.

[Beckers 1,136]

The Caramel apple rocks. So good in fact, my parents will bring me one home every time they go to Disney. Which means they have to arrange their park days or hop to Epcot on the last day to bring me one. And it still tastes awesome after a commute of FL to NJ.

[Onkel Hans 25]

I suggest we start a group. 

 

We can call ourselves...

Fiends Of Genius Having Excellent Adventures During Every Day 

 

This will be our official dance

:bf-birddancingsmiley:

 

I see what you did there!  FOGHEADED? :laugh:

[RestlessNative 6]

I have REALLY enjoyed reading your TR! Your redheads are adorable! Thanks for all the food description - now I'm hungry!

[DaveInTN 3,247]

I got way behind on this report, but just finished reading the last 2 weeks of updates. I have a few comments, and some of them are regarding things you posted back in June. Deal with it.

First...I would agree that Damn Judi Dench is no substitute for a poor kid not tall enough to ride a real ride. But Soarin is not a real ride, so I would think DJD would have sufficed if it weren't all the way back at the front of the park. I'm not really sure whether DJD or Soarin sucks more. They both are bordering on SMB. However, the caveat I would offer is that DJD is really awesome at the end of the day after you have been drinking around the world.

Second...you guys are proving my case regarding the Ariel ride more and more all the time. You're telling me that cold air conditioning is one of the great things about that ride? Seriously? I can get cold air conditioning at Walmart. Or in my office. If Under the Sea is now being categorized as a nice place to relax in the A/C, similar to Hall of Presidents, COP or upstairs at Columbia Harbor House, then I think my case has been proven.

Third...I LOVE getting good seats for the MSEP. Only in my case, good seats are on SM, BTMRR, or even the Peoplemover, while the parade is going on. Or on the boat back to the Fort.

Finally...glad you liked the fried chicken at 50's. I do agree with your arguments regarding the GAG being better. Leftover GAG is one of life's great pleasures.

Oh...one more thing. No pic of your encounter with Ms. White? Thank you.

[CKCK 45]

A hero?  Shouldn't you do that update today then?  Please?

 

Love the pouting face.  You're lucky it didn't freeze that way.

 

Ramalamadingdong

 

Update coming.

 

That pouty face actually IS my face.

 

Good word, but not sure it qualifies as an onomatopoeia.

 

I'll give it to you, just because I like saying it.

 

 

Yes, we are also under water.

 

And it looks like more rain this weekend. I miss my boat. But I don't want to have to use it to go to the store. I want to sun and relax on the lake!

 

Your girls get cuter with every update!

 

Sick of the rain for sure.

 

Luckily the girls aren't taking after me, right?!?

 

X

 

I gracefully bow out.  These women are too strong!!!

 

I will continue to follow the TR of course, I'm taking notes.

 

You put up a gallant fight.  

 

Sorry I was a little late to the party but count me among the Fiends who bought the wishes soundtrack. I have the Spectro one as well and they are both on a playlist on my IPhone that is very regularly played.

Looks like a great time being had by all.

 

Better late than never!  

 

The Caramel apple rocks. So good in fact, my parents will bring me one home every time they go to Disney. Which means they have to arrange their park days or hop to Epcot on the last day to bring me one. And it still tastes awesome after a commute of FL to NJ.

 

Now that is dedication.  I should have brought all kinds of stuff home from that trip.

 

I see what you did there!  FOGHEADED? :laugh:

 

I can dig it.  We are all FOGHEADED.

 

I have REALLY enjoyed reading your TR! Your redheads are adorable! Thanks for all the food description - now I'm hungry!

 

Thanks!  

[CKCK 45]

I got way behind on this report, but just finished reading the last 2 weeks of updates. I have a few comments, and some of them are regarding things you posted back in June. Deal with it.

First...I would agree that Damn Judi Dench is no substitute for a poor kid not tall enough to ride a real ride. But Soarin is not a real ride, so I would think DJD would have sufficed if it weren't all the way back at the front of the park. I'm not really sure whether DJD or Soarin sucks more. They both are bordering on SMB. However, the caveat I would offer is that DJD is really awesome at the end of the day after you have been drinking around the world.

Second...you guys are proving my case regarding the Ariel ride more and more all the time. You're telling me that cold air conditioning is one of the great things about that ride? Seriously? I can get cold air conditioning at Walmart. Or in my office. If Under the Sea is now being categorized as a nice place to relax in the A/C, similar to Hall of Presidents, COP or upstairs at Columbia Harbor House, then I think my case has been proven.

Third...I LOVE getting good seats for the MSEP. Only in my case, good seats are on SM, BTMRR, or even the Peoplemover, while the parade is going on. Or on the boat back to the Fort.

Finally...glad you liked the fried chicken at 50's. I do agree with your arguments regarding the GAG being better. Leftover GAG is one of life's great pleasures.

Oh...one more thing. No pic of your encounter with Ms. White? Thank you.

 

Welcome back!  

 

Okay, I will try Drunk Judy Dench next time.

 

I will admit, I would not ride Ariel without the girls.  It isn't that cooling.  But when the girls want to, that's what we do.  Are you saying you would put your foot down and disappoint all of your girls?

 

I would gladly join you for the "good" seats in lieu of the parade.  Totally agree.

 

Believe it or not, the only time we saw Ms. White on this trip was when she was all lit up in the parade.  Guess she was busy tending to her boys.

[CKCK 45]

Day 7: Monday, June 17

 

Last morning at the Fort.

 

Booo.

 

I hate last mornings.  I don’t get to enjoy them because I’m busy packing everything up, loading, and sweating.  Not fun.

 

However, I made an early phone call and found out that our late checkout was approved.  

 

Bam.

 

So we packed up as much as we could, then headed to the boat for MK rope drop.

 

The boat was as crowded as I’ve seen it in the morning.

 

 

 

Redhead #1 had decided she wanted to try BTMR again.  She rode it last year wasn’t that impressed, but really wanted to again.

 

So that’s where she and I went while DW and Red #2 did something else.

 

I honestly have no idea what they did.  

 

 

This is after the ride.

 

She totally dug it this time.  

 

Bam.

 

In fact, she wanted to do it again.  

 

But there wasn’t time for that.  We needed to be out of the park by 11:00 today so we could finish packing and get out of the Fort.

 

So we went to meet Mommy and sis near the carousel.

 

It was here that we had probably the coolest experience on this trip.

 

We went to get in line and saw that the Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and Anastasia had gotten in line ahead of us.  

 

 

 

They were a riot.

 

Totally in character, and funny as all get out.

 

Drizella had trouble getting on her horse.

 

 

You don’t know how tempted I was to help her out.

 

I have to admit, I felt a little weird taking a picture of someone’s rear end in the middle of the carousel, but there was no way I was missing that pic.

 

 

The three of them did a really good job of spreading themselves out around the carousel. 

 

Drizella was up in front of Red #2 and me.

 

Lady Tremaine sat herself down next to Red #1.  There was a horse in between them, but it was empty. 

 

 

Redhead #1 wasn’t sure how to handle the situation.  At one point Lady Tremaine complained about the song that was playing and asked Red #1 if she knew any other songs to sing.

 

She shook her head no.

 

She was not going to be a part of any shenanigans on this ride.

 

Meanwhile, Drizella did some trick riding:

 

 

And as a typical kid, she yelled back at her mom to watch her first.

 

Lady Tremaine then made everyone back there applaud for her.

 

 

A little girl was trying to get her attention during the ride, yelling “step sister, step sister...”

 

She turned around and yelled, “My name’s Drizella!”

 

Not so funny when it’s typed, but it was pretty funny at the time.

 

 

When we got off the ride the step-family headed off to their photo place.

 

And we immediately ran into Lady whatsherface and the squire dude.

 

 

 

They stopped and had a pretty long conversation with us.

 

They were funny too, especially the squire dude.

 

 

From here we went to Dumbo/Barnstormer.

 

Red #1 wanted Barnstormer, Red #2 wanted Dumbo.

 

I didn’t get any pics on Barnstormer but got some of mom and sis on Dumbo.

 

 

 

Then the girls wanted to pose, but Redhead #2 refused to get in with her sister.

 

 

 

 

We had some FP’s for Buzz, and needed to kill some time.  So we decided to go in Monster’s Inc.

 

I forgot how that attraction can actually be funny.  The girls liked it too.

 

Then it was Buzz time.

 

Remember how I said something about being a hero?

 

It’s time.

 

I officially became a true Galactic Hero.

 

No joke.

 

I have two pictures to share.

 

The first was before the ride was over.  I was so excited I couldn’t help but take a pic in the black tunnel.

 

Then the score got higher by the end, so I took another.

 

 

 

That’s 999,999.

 

All 9’s.  

 

B. A. M.

 

BAM BAM BAMMITTY BAM.

 

As you can imagine, I was pretty excited.  

 

I thought about signing autographs, but didn’t.  

 

I actually thought I might get some kind of a celebration or big check or something.

 

There was nothing.

 

At least I got a good picture.

 

 

If you would like an autograph, please send a stamped envelope to: 

 

CKCK

Galactic Hero Headquarters

U.S.A.

 

Don’t worry, it will get to me.

 

 

 

 

After that it was time to head out.

 

Booo.

 

But I still have a few good pics left before we hit the road.

 

 

 

 

Ever wonder how many people it takes to hang a tetherball?

 

 

Two.

 

One to hang it, the other to just stand there.

 

Now you know.

 

 

 

And that’s it.

 

We packed up and headed out.

 

Except this TR is not finished.

 

We left the Fort and headed down I-4 to the beach where MaMa and PaPa were.

 

We would be camping at Holiday Cove in Cortez, which is just across the bridge from Anna Maria Island. 

 

I’ll squeeze out just a couple of bonus updates with those pictures.

 

They’ll have food.

 

And redheads.  

 

And doughnuts (which are technically food, but I thought I would list them separately just because).

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

10 points to OnkelHans for paying attention.

999,999 points to CKCK for.... Well, getting 999,999 points on Buzz!

And infinity points to the Reds... just because. :)

[CoachClough 12]

You're my hero...

[dvccamper 32]

Great report! Your girls are just too darn cute.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

 

I will admit, I would not ride Ariel without the girls.  It isn't that cooling.  But when the girls want to, that's what we do.  Are you saying you would put your foot down and disappoint all of your girls?

 

 

I ride IASW several times each trip.  Does that answer your question?

[Big Kahuna aka John 71]

CKCK thanks for the Disney Trip Report, looking forward to the Boom Diggity Boom added beach report !   

[Beckers 1,136]

Welcome back!

Are you saying you would put your foot down and disappoint all of your girls?

Lets recap. Dave wears a granny wig and does the Harlem Shake. So not only does he not let his girls down, he doesn't let us down either!

[mommy rainbo.....Bo 41]

Wow. I am loving this trip report. As a Big Red myself, no not that big...just older...I mean....older than the Reds...I love the pictures.

[okgirlie...Brandy 6]

I loved this trip report.  I loved seeing pictures of your two beautiful daughters. Love their gorgeous hair.  My 10 month old son has light red hair and I hope it stays. My mom is red headed and my husband's side also has red hair so we'll see. 

 

Lady Tremaine and her daughters look like they were a lot of fun.  :)

[CKCK 45]

10 points to OnkelHans for paying attention.

999,999 points to CKCK for.... Well, getting 999,999 points on Buzz!

And infinity points to the Reds... just because. :)

 

So paying attention only gets 10 points?  That's why I never pay attention.

 

You're my hero...

 

I'm glad you're impressed.

 

Great report! Your girls are just too darn cute.

 

Thanks!  I definitely am lucky!

 

I ride IASW several times each trip.  Does that answer your question?

 

Yes.  And I will add that somehow we totally avoided IASW this year.  Not sure how I did it, but I did.

 

CKCK thanks for the Disney Trip Report, looking forward to the Boom Diggity Boom added beach report !   

 

My pleasure!  Glad you've been along for the ride!

 

Lets recap. Dave wears a granny wig and does the Harlem Shake. So not only does he not let his girls down, he doesn't let us down either!

 

That's right!  I totally forgot about that video.  Definitely a classic. 

 

Wow. I am loving this trip report. As a Big Red myself, no not that big...just older...I mean....older than the Reds...I love the pictures.

 

I will not comment on the size of your redness, but thanks for reading!

 

I loved this trip report.  I loved seeing pictures of your two beautiful daughters. Love their gorgeous hair.  My 10 month old son has light red hair and I hope it stays. My mom is red headed and my husband's side also has red hair so we'll see. 

 

Lady Tremaine and her daughters look like they were a lot of fun.  :)

 

Thanks for reading!  We have always been a little curious to see if Redhead #1 will lose her redness as she gets older.  Her's is a little more strawberry than #2's.  So far it's holding on.  I'm pretty sure #2 is in it for the long haul.  Her's is more red, and she definitely has the attitude to accompany it!  It's odd that neither my wife or I know of anyone in our families that had red hair.  That gene was definitely buried deep!

[CKCK 45]

Still Day 7 (but not at WDW anymore):

 

So we had to drive through some torrential rain as soon as we hit I-4.  Awesome.

 

It soon stopped and we were clear for our drive to Anna Maria/Bradenton/Cortez, or wherever the heck we were going.  It’s all the same to me.

 

We were camping at Holiday Cove.  We stayed here last year and really like it.  Most of the sites are owned...I assume mostly snowbirds.  They rent them out the rest of the year.  All the sites are fully bricked, and many sites have custom outdoor kitchens and so forth.  They don’t rent those.

 

Regardless, we were only here for two nights so this worked great.  The owners and staff here are super nice.  The guy even shows you to your site and helps you back in.  The site they gave us was pretty difficult to get in, so I appreciated having someone helping.  

 

What you ask?  Why didn’t DW help?

 

I won’t answer that to avoid getting in trouble.

 

 

 

 

 

Belle has a broom problem.

 

 

 

Redhead #2 was still rocking the tricycle. 

 

So she got to try out her big sis’s bike.

 

 

 

We headed over to the condo, had some pre dinner bullfrogs, then headed down the beach for dinner.

 

Bullfrogs?

 

Basically just limeade and vodka.  Frozen limeade concentrate.  Make it per the instructions on the can, but substitute one of the cans of water with vodka.  Bam.

 

PaPa used to make them when I was little and I always wondered what they were.  Well, some 30 years later I finally found out.  

 

When we got home I put my own twist on them...strawberry vodka.  

 

Even better in my opinion.

 

 

 

 

 

We went to the Beach House, which is right on...well...the beach.  It wasn’t bad, but MaMa was mad that her daiquiri came in a plastic cup.

 

She’s persnickety like that.

 

 

 

Some sort of mango salad.

 

 

 

 

You don’t know how many times I’ve gotten that look in my life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner we headed back to the condo for some swimming.

 

The girls had gotten pretty jazzed about swimming after we went at the Fort, so they were super excited to get back at it.

 

And that was the day.

 

I only have enough pics left for one more update, so we’ll end this one here.

 

Tomorrow: more pool, a little beach (I hate sand), more dinner, then finally doughnuts!

 

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

You imitating your mom's "look" was awesome.

 

Galactic Hero status!

 

The tetherball picture was priceless.

 

Ooh-Eee-Ohh-Ahh-Ahh-Ting-Tang-Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang!!!!

[Beckers 1,136]

Ooga Chaka!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Ahhhh... border collies with broom issues.  I know it well.

 

Love "the look"

 

 

 

SHAZAM!!