disneygurlz2s

^^ I actually miss that ride. It was fun and sooooo innovative when it debuted! Shari "I have no clue how many rides I had on that" Shoufler

Awesome news.... I have never been to New Orleans, and this is one of the things I have heard about over and over again. I really do hope and pray the city can get itself back on it's feet. Shari "Going to Mardi Gras has always been on my 'to-do' list" Shoufler

I think folks are taking this just a bit tooooo seriously! Shari "If the commercial has a Disney Castle in it, it reduces me to tears and makes me want to call my travel agent, so they are doing their job" Shoufler

^^ I KNEW you were a smart girl!!

My daughter and I went to see an new local children's theater group peform "The Wizard of Oz". It was a cast of 70 kids, ranging from a 5 year old Munchkin to the Scarecrow who was 17 and I've got to say, I think he's Broadway bound. He was amazing. I think he was channeling the late Ray Bolger, because he had it down pat. In fact, the costuming, staging and everything was completely a stage version of the movie, and really well done. It was the best $16 I had spent in a long time. Shari "Now my daughter wants to audition for their next show" Shoufler

I love the HoliBlog. Paula rocks!! Is there another park that has such a fun blog and keeps guests as up to date as she does? I just marvel at that twisty-track that will race through the trees. I think that's a unique element, and probably will get more attention than the size of the drop or anything else. I cannot wait to go back, in fact I am already thinking of heading there the first couple weekdays after Sammi gets out of school in June, to try to beat the crowd a bit. Shari

I am a pretty big fan of the buffets and the places that aren't buffets but serve family style, bringing you bowls and platters to your table. There is always an excellent selection. I also agree that lunch is always cheaper than dinner, so that's a great path to take, especially at someplace like Alfredo's at EPCOT. My favorite three restaurants at WDW are Liberty Tree Tavern (last time I was there it was family style and almost like Thanksgiving dinner!!), 50"s PrimeTime Cafe (so much fun and great food) and Chef Mickey's (awesome breakfast buffet) One thing I did on the last couple trips is to eat a light breakfast snack (ie. granola bar, banana, etc) first thing in the am, and then eat at a later breakfast seating or early lunch seating. Then grab something fast and cheap (like McDonalds, the official restaurant of Elissa Alvey) for dinner. I usually drop 10 pounds at WDW because I eat one big meal a day and walk a ton, plus I am usually too busy riding rides, seeing shows and hugging rodents to eat! Shari

I don't do haunted houses, trails, or any other spooky Halloween things because, well, I am just a big, scaredy cat baby. HOWEVER, if the opportunity ever presented itself to go with this bunch, I would go, because I know I would be too busy laughing to be scared! Shari "Looked like a fun night, except for Robb eating all the beans...poor Elissa" Shoufler

^^ Awesome. I will mark it on my calendar!! Shari "I might finally get to meet a TPR regular" Shoufler

You are probably referring to "Tower Johnny". Back in the mid-80's, when the park hosted much rowdier (and more tolerant or drunken behavior) Grad Nights in May, a kid fell to his death on the Eiffel Tower. The story is that he was high or suicidal or something, and back in those days you could actually take the stairs all the way up to the top of the tower. Well, up near the top "Johnny" climbed out into the elevator's path (actually the counter weight) and got whacked in the head, falling and landing on top of the elevator coming up the shaft. The PKI legend is that he still roams the park, particularly out by the graveyard (north parking lot) and in the woods near the Beast. When I used to work there, stories about TJ would always kick into high gear around Halloween, but I don't think there's ever been an official "sighting" of Johnny! LOL Shari

^^ Ha Ha... I was thinking the same thing... but I wasn't going to say it for fear it might offend G&K..... which brings me to my burning ??? What was the inappropriate picture that had to be edited out?? LOL Shari "This just made me hungry 'cause it's 7:00 am here now" Shoufler

That would be great! Did you also know we have the only Hoffbrau House in the US??? It's just across the river in Newport, KY, where they've built a new entertainment district. Bring Gavin.... Sammi and I would be happy to entertain him in "Nick Universe" while you and Karen hit the big rides! Shari

Since I am the "unofficial PKI girl" here, and a mom, I can tell you that if you are looking for big thrills, this ain't it. That said, they are very accurate in calling it a family coaster. If you have been to PKI before, I can sum it up for you this way: Faster and more thrilling than the kiddie coasters Smoother and more enjoyable than Adventure Express Would, in my opinion, leave a "coaster enthusiast" feeling disappointed It's a fun little ride... but definitely NOT worth a wait of, say, longer than 10-15 minutes. Great coaster for kids just hitting that 48" mark. The launch is slower than any other launched coaster I have ridden, but still a big thrill for a little kid who's been denied riding one (are there any launched "kiddie coasters" out there?). My biggest issue is it is an incredibly short ride. Kiddie coaster short. The tunnel at the end is the best, as it is very dark and twisty, and then you come flying out through the "billboard" at the crowd in line. Nice effect, better than the "cop cars and fire" that you brake for right before the tunnel. Shari

OH MY GOD!!! You guys are so creative it just kills me... and Wally is the BEST subject material! It's like 7:00 am here and I am just sitting here LMAO.... what a way to start the day! You all ROCK! Shari "Wishing I knew how to do this kind of crap...but I am computer illiterate" Shoufler

Great pix, as always! Shari

It all seems so familiar.................... Hmmm.............. Shari

Oh my gosh!! Wally loves Graeters! Not only my favorite, but was my first job as well. They sell it at PKI now, you know, and they are building a Mega-Graeters one mile south (right by Carrabas) of PKI, for which I am MOST excited! When did they change MF to a 48" height requirement??? It was 52 or more when we were last there ('02). That's awesome because that would mean that Sammi could ride next summer if we got up there. Those DAMN SWANS..... they almost caused me to R.I.P. back in 2002. I decided to take Samantha on them (she was only 4, so of no use to me to pedal) alone. I thought I was never going to get around that damn lake. It was awful! Looks like a lot of fun (although Karen looks really cold in that one picture). We've always talked about going up for HalloWeekends, but never have. Shari "And PiB looks like fun too!" Shoufler

I wondered why I hadn't heard from you!! I thought it was pretty cool! Wait till I post my pics from this past weekend.... we met Ray and Deena, Susan and Patrick, Kelly and Bianca from series 7, along with some of the Survivor 10 cast. I CANNOT stand the Nascar Jesus Widow and family (although Sammi thinks the boy is cute-must be the blond hair like hers). I think it is freaking hillarious that they make them go to Taladega in next week's show! Even Sam cracked up at that! Shari "sad the Aiello's got eliminated" Shoufler

You wouldn't see that at a Disney Park!! (or at least I pray you wouldn't!!) Outstanding picture!!! Shari

Thought this would be of interest to many of you........ http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20051010/bs_nm/leisure_sixflags_dc_1 Shari

I spotted this article online... it addresses some of the things we've been discussing regarding the family edition- http://tempo.typepad.com/entertainment_tv/2005/10/an_interview_wi.html Shari

^No, it's not a simulator. And, if you don't believe me, ask the poor Asian man whose arm I grabbed as we dropped the first time I rode. The look on his face was priceless. Shari "I love that ride" Shoufler

Isn't it a Federal offense to treat mail that way???? Shari "Makes me want to wash my hands after handling the mail" Shoufler

Here's Sammi and the Philiminator!!! "Samantha.... you are the last to arrive........"

OK.... so you know that I am a Reality TV star whore (kinda like a credit whore, only our goal is to see how many wannabe celebs we can meet), and have turned my poor child into the same, right? Well, this weekend is the semi-annual "Reality4Diabetes" fundraiser, and last night Sam and I went to a "Survivor" viewing party with some of the stars of past shows. Not too many in town yet-more will be at tonight's event-but Susan Vaughn and Ray and Deena from AR7 were there. I talked with Susan a while and she said that from what she has heard about the current edition... They are primarily staying in North America, but are supposedly going to Costa Rica at some point in the race. What I found MORE interesting (especially since the issue of what CBS spends has come up here) is this..... You know how the pit stops always end up being in this nice locations like a castle or fancy resort? Turns out...they don't stay the night there at all. They bus them as far away as an hour from the pit stop, and then bring them back the next morning. They basically stay in traveler's hostels, just like any common travelers. Susan said that they don't get but a few hours rest since after arriving at the pit stop they get fed, interviewed and then taken to their destination for the night! Thought that was interesting! I will have lots of photos and more to share after the weekend.... Shari "I want my 15 minutes!!" Shoufler