dandaman

$6.80 a gallon as of last night, but it dropped down to a "more sensible" $6.25 overnight.

Done! Anyone else who wants desktops (which I'm flattered, by the way, for the requests): Photobucket's only allowing 1024x768 resolution, and IIRC, TPR itself only allows 800x600 (understandably), so I hope you guys have that screen resolution or else the pictures won't look so good. Thanks again to all y'all.

Check's in the mail.

Kemah Boardwalk just got one this week...

^If you have a higher-resolution monitor than 800x600, I can send you a better version if you'd like. (As well as anyone else, for the record!) To the people who are reading without posting anything, I'd love any questions/comments/complaints/cease-and-desist orders.

^Coming from you, that's pretty damn significant. And now, to find the time to post this TR with minor changes in captions on my "other" theme park site... (And no, it's not the DISboards!)

Mmmm, that's good reference. Did they have the 100,000 target on the red Rock 'Em Sock 'Em's arm?

According to what I posted in one of the first installments, the stats on my makeshift photography kit are: -Canon Powershot A550 -4x optical zoom -16x digital zoom -1 GB memory card (neither here nor there, really) -$5 Optex mini-tripod

Only 5 or 6? I should've guessed.

Thanks again to all of you who took the time to read, or at least post to the effect that you feigned interest in what I had to say. Unless you skipped to here and read nothing, in which case I direct your attention to the button for Page 1. Click and enjoy. Until next time, folks... *WARNING: Excess exposure to this report may induce side effects such as Epcot fanboyism, being struck by lightning, overuse of ellipses... (and parentheses), and eyestrain. In rare cases, users may experience death. Talk to your doctor if your page loads for longer than four hours. This report is a Registered Copyright Trademark Ownership LLC c/o Dan Smith and subsequent subsidiaries and may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the National Football League.

Last Day: Back (Again) to the Future, Part III ...OK, actually this is, only because I want to prove that there are still plenty of Hidden Mickeys off-property when you're 30,000 feet above. So, we've shared a few laughs, a few tears at my lame captions, banged out a couple of quick ones with Epcot, and I got to bring you all with me. In other words, this TR was the best armchair vacation I've ever experienced. That night, I rejoined the family for some good Soren-approved cuisine. Unfortunately this is where my Walt Disney World trip report comes to a close. Not only are they Canadian... it's bagpipe rock, biznitches. Off Kilter > 99% of all current rock bands I love macro zoom. (Or whatever it is.) Not until you bring back ol' Redbeard, dammit! Eh, I like playing from home better. "Wes... I want you... I want your lips..." Lt. Dan instructs the crew on safe rocket insertion into deep-space exits. Every mission control needs a sponsor, right? Time for the portion of the show dedicated to Wes! A fine technician by any man's standards. The realization then dawns why the cars break down so often. EPCOT Center: 1982-1999 "The world awaits, celebrates... in 80's pantsuits..." Horizons fans rejoice! Layin' down some tunes I'm all for Dreamfinder, but first order of business: Bring back World of Motion! I missed the EPCOT 25 exhibit last October, so I really wanted to hit it up before I left. They give a big "screw you" to the collective audience by doing it better. Typical Disney street performers... once you think they can't do any more... Vive la foodstuffs! Confession time: I've never done anything in Morocco besides walk right past it. I have no idea why. I only have two pictures that turned out -- the sun glare was particularly awful -- but all the shops were kinda cool. If you don't make a habit of sleeping in the Hall of Presidents, you may recognize this painting. You know those celebrities/historical figures you might share a birthday with? Honest Abe FTW. (Fun Fact: Lincoln and Darwin were both born on February 12, 1809.) After the show, I went back in to take a few pictures of the interior. Now I have a picture to post every 4th of July! These guys. These are the true Voices of Liberty. If you can, try to catch them inside the pavillion next time you visit; simply amazing. Know what's even better than the American Adventure show? "Help us! For 5000 years we've been forced to get cups of coffee for Brendan Fraser!" ...But China's pagoda offered a lot more detail. Sorry, SSE, but my current desktop background goes to this one. This is fine and all for a wallpaper... A total lucky shot; Monorail Purple was racing by at a combined speed of what seemed like 60 miles per hour on the Epcot beam. Kinda hard to photograph between that and not being able to see more than 5 feet forward of your tiny window. The following pictures have been deemed pornographic by M&S standards. Pro: They now offer Dole Whip in the Polynesian as well. Con: They still don't offer caramel pineapple bread in Adventureland. Pano-random shot. Ain't I artsy? In the past few days since I'd been in the park, they'd already put up the Halloween decorations on the station and near the entrance. ...All complaints about this segment's title may be addressed to the Monsanto Corporation. So the family was dropping off my sister at college today, so I basically had free reign over scheduling and wherever the heck I chose to go. I figured I'd head up near the Magic Kingdom and take some pictures from the ferry, then head over via monorail to Epcot for the day.

There was a kiddie coaster in (I believe) the UK that 20 or so TPR people singlehandedly broke on the 2006 tour. The name escapes me, though.

Yeah, sorry 'bout that, guys... boss called and asked if I could work a couple of extra shifts (last night and tonight). Hopefully I can get the grand finale up by tomorrow afternoon before my shift at 5:00.

I couldn't believe it made it to page 2 with nothing in that vein posted.

I'd rather just buy it a couple of drinks and see where it takes us.

I say we throw a few billion Hot Pockets in there while it's firing up and end world hunger. ...Oh, and then we can screw the world over. Yeah.

I got glasses in Grade 3 and contacts in Grade 7. I can honestly say I love the contacts a lot more (though I still have glasses for when my lenses bother me or at night and I've already taken them out).

Yep... totally did that at CP last year. Awesome TR. Shame I didn't chat with you at Wonderland, even though we all spent like 14 or 15 hours there.

Day 5: Epcot II Arrivederci, Epcot! 'Till tomorrow! Note to SLR owners: you can probably get a lot better picture of this than my $150 point-and-shoot. Watch the show from the Italy courtyard next time and it should afford you some fantastic pyro/statue shots! Light 'em up! I stayed right outside the restaurant in that rather large plaza you may have seen before, courtesy of Sergio a few pages back. There was maybe 10 people in the entire courtyard when Illuminations started, and it still afforded a great view. (This was taken at full zoom [16x] across the lagoon.) The sacchetti was pretty awesome. The pasta was filled with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, which tasted surprisingly light. While I normally prefer a lot of sauce on my pasta dishes, the amount shown was absolutely perfect for each individual bite, and again was very light. Overall in terms of filling up, it wasn't excessive nor did it fall short. I'd go so far as to say it was my favourite meal of the trip! (Aside from New York strip, of course.) LOVE the shadowing on this. Viva Italia! "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie... your doctor still won't be convinced that's what caused your optic problems." Luckily, this held off for Illuminations. Unluckily, it produced no photographable lighting later on. Best part of World Showcase! (Getting to it tomorrow. Saving the best for the last update and all.) Hidden bumblebee! La vie… Jamais on ne me dira Que la course aux étoiles; ça n’est pas pour moi Laissez moi vous émerveiller et prendre mon en vol Nous allons en fin nous régaler Fun Fact: This painting is of the exact scene viewed from the artist's stool. Les rêves des amoureux sont comme le bon vin; Ils donnent de la joie ou bien du chagrin. Affaibli par la faim je suis malheureux Volant en chemin; tout ce que je peux, Car rien n’est gratuit dans la vie. ($5 in Dan Smith Fun Bucks for getting this reference.) I seriously only realized passing it the second time that this is a waterslide. Disney hotel pools rock! I photographed this just in case it turned out to be a major Floridian weather event later that week as an "ironic placeholder". Hidden rainbow! (We parked at the Yacht Club because it provided for faster access after our dinner reservation. Sorry, Disney, our morals went the way of the Dreamfinder on this one.) We leave the park for the afternoon as Monorail Purple glides solemnly past the Epcot War Memorial. (Matt/Scott, when you die you should totally hire a Mark VI to transport you to your grave Gettysburg-style.) Once this baby hits 64.7 miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious sh*t. "Please note that in the event of an emergency, you may jump out of your vehicle and locate the nearest convenient call box." I still say Siemens should have sponsored The Making of Me. Wallpaper interests: Inquire within. Hope your desktop likes 1600x1200 and under. I see the airlines are making the budget cuts less subtle now that everyone is fully aware they're screwed. "If you choose to bypass this experience, ask a uniformed Brazilian for directions. (Before they ask you. All 300 of 'em.)" "Anal colic"... y'know, for all the flack we give Beverly, it's at least nice to know there's still such a thing as truth in advertising. (Smart Watermelon FTW.) HM # 11-y billion I had Canadian Tire work on the waterfall into the pool. It's the basic idea of Canadian climate... dark for exactly half the year. "And now, with some pretty flowers and colourful trees... and some attractive porcelain moose... our country appears warm and inviting!" [/reference] My pool's always heated to 33 F! Little known fact: Imagineers used my backyard as a model for the pavillion. "I hear that visiting Canada is better than getting hit in the head with a 2x4!" "I won't believe that 'till I see it! Let's go!" And speaking of segues, here's how fast food views my beloved home country of Canaba! I believe this piece is entitled, "Mountie And Personal Sage Bear Guide Search For Pot of Greased Gold" Segway tour invasion! Go Jammitors! Heaven: Est. 1982

"Erie-Huron", maybe? Great TR.

So did I... it occurred to me about 4 hours after the fact and I think I asked either Dave or Robb for the answer. Dan "Alabama: The Double-Standard State!" Smith

I swear, my ideal cross-country tour would consist of amusement parks, trains, and golf. I get a glimpse of at least two on here, and for that I'm grateful! Thanks, Matt.

I just figured if I got approval from you two, the Epcot portion would have been a complete success. Sorry 'bout the delay... like I said before, schoolwork and all. Sending off my university applications as soon as I get some letters of recommendation. Really, really hoping to get some more Epcot photos up by tonight or tomorrow!

Weird that I'd actually heard of CERN and the LHC before all these articles started popping up about it. (Also before I read Angels and Demons.) Cracked posted an article with the LHC in it three times, titled (not surprisingly) "The 5 Scientific Experiments Most Likely to End the World". http://www.cracked.com/article_16583_5-scientific-experiments-most-likely-end-world.html Parts of it may be NSFW as always.

Sweet Jebus, man! Those are amazing!