"The 12 days of Disney Christmas" or "With 6 you get towel oragami!" New 2/9 pic

[Becky521]

Hi fellow Disers. Just a quick explanation on this report. My Dw is the true Becky521 but we have both been using her name, and since this is how we are known here I decided to log this in under Becky521. Now with that said on to the report.

Cast of characters:
Me - Harry, Age 43, since so many of our past trips were with family and they were always "commando" style I tend to always be in a hurry to "get there" and several yards in front of the group. Due to this I will be known as "Closet Commando" or "CC":santa:

My Wife - Becky, Age 42, Didn't discovered Disney until our Honeymoon and has been bitten by the bug ever since, lucky for me, I knew I married her for a reason. She can find the magic in just about everything Disney big or small. I will call her "Magic Beckdom" or "MB":bride:

My oldest Daughter - Kalyn, Age 19, Has been going to Disney every 2 years since she was three. She truely "gets" Disney. She is enjoing it now as an adult but each trip brings back the memories of those earlier trips. Since she now can see the world through the eyes of a child and an adult and she is CRAZY about Ariel I will call her "Middle Mermaid" or "MM":princess:

My youngest Daughter - Jourdan, Age 13, Also been going since she was a toddler, 18 mos for her first visit. She is still young enough to loose the "teenage thing" when she is in the World and just let the magic in. Because of this and her love of a certain Pixie I will call her "Tinker Jo" or "TJ" :wizard:

Our Friend - Karen, Age 60's, Never been to Disney before and really saw it as a big amusement park. Really only went because we told her how great it was. Had a tendancy to stop on a whim to; take a pic, grab a smoke, or just wander off. I'll call her "Where's K?" or "WK?":rolleyes1

Karen's Grandson - Nick, Age 14, Also never been to Disney, He was a late entry to our little band of merry vacationers. Couldn't wait to do "all the great rides". Spends most of his time in front of a computer and very little out doing something physical. He had many different personalities during the trip depending on the day, hour or activity in which we were involved. Due to the constantly changing attitude it was like being on vacation with several prople instead of just one so i will call him "The Dwarves" or just refer to him by the appropriate name as the need arrises.:grouphug:


Our trip report actually starts back on July fourth when we spent the day with "WK?" at a picnic and the subject of Disney came up. Being that our family are all Disney Nuts we didn't need any prompting to sing it's praises. After several hours of once again boring a Disney Virgin with our many tales of the Magic, I said those memorable words, "Next time we go you should go with us!". This was a safe statement to make, after all we had no plans of an upcoming trip, we hadn't even thought about one. She didn't really seem all that excited about the prospect. Her daughter had been to WDW on her honeymoon and hated it. "WK?" had never had any desire to go.

As you all know all it takes to get a trip off the ground is to say those three magical words, "...our next trip..." Once these words were spoken aloud it was a done deal. We were going to Disney! But when to go? We had been there over the Christmas Holiday two years ago and loved it, and this also fit into "Middle Mermaid's" college schedule so it made the most sence. We checked the dates with Disney and WOO HOO! there was a room that slept 5 available at PORS for the dates we could go. From there it just seemed to get better! "What's that? Do I want a Dinning Plan?", "How does that work?", "All that food for only $30 some dollars a day?", "Sign me up!", "What's that? Do I want pick up at the airprot and you transport my lugage to the room?". "That's a no brainer.", "Sure, for that price lets go for the nine day park hoppers.", "Water parks and more?", "Last time we were there in December it never got over 60 degrees but why not?", "Of course I want a dinner package for the CP!", "I can now make my ADR's 180 days in advance? Put me through to dinning."

I couldn't believe it, here it was July and we had everything set! All the reservations were made, the deposit was in, time off from work was all approved. All we had to do was sit back and wait.

Then in the end of July "Where's K?" came to us with a "problem". She had told her grandson she was going to Disney and he wanted to go too. His Parents said they would pay for the difference. Our response: "Sure". After all we know Nick, he is a good kid, why not. Oh, wait, our room only sleeps 5. A quick call to Disney and we find we can reserve a family suite at ASMu that sleeps 6. "Sounds Good!", "What about all those ADR's for 5?". Back to Disney Dinning. "Yes we can change all of our ADR's to 6 people and not loose any? Great, lets do it." Crisis over! We our now 6 and we are going to Disney!!

Since we had been there several times and our friends had not, we felt it was our place to "bring them up to speed". We printed out copies of descriptions of each rest we would visit as well as each menu. We gave them guide books to read. Hooked them up with the Dis Board to check out. We made up count down calanders to use before the trip and t-shirts with everyones favorite character on them to wear when we were there, we even made LGMH tags for everyone's bags so we could be identified by other Disers.

We settled into the all too familliar "__" days to go, over the fall months and looked longingly at that Dec 16th date on the Calander. There were a few little hints that our fellow vacationers were not utilizing all the info we had supplied but I guess our own excitment about being in WDW for the Holidays tended to blind us a bit.

Finally by Dec 15th the dogs had been securely placed at the kennel, or Pluto World as we told them. I had traveled out to Rochester NY from our home near Saratoge Springs to pick up "Middle Mermaid" from school and then the two of us traveled back to Syracuse to meet up with the rest of the group. "Magic Beckdom " and "Where's K?" were to pick up the "Dwarves" in the morning and then pick up "Tinker Jo" right from school and we would all meet in Syracuse in the early afternoon. We had a direct flight on JetBlue in the am.

This is where the first minor snag in our plans occured.

Next time: "Did you know you would stop that long for lunch?"

[lynn71092]

OK, you've got me hooked!!:banana:

[Becky521]

Hy Lynn71092,

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my TR. I hope to have the next installment on here by tom. It's encouraging to know somw one took the time. I plan on adding some info on my need to call the FAA before our trip about transporting "Pipe Bombs" and "Coke" in the next installment too.:rolleyes1

[momocay]

SOunds like this is going to be interesting, to say the least. Cant wait to read more!

[disneyloveNY]

Me too:goodvibes

[MomofCKJ]

Excited to read more, we were there the same time period. We were at Pop Dec 15-22.

Allyson :)

[beachwarmer]

I can't wait to read more.

We are flying out of Syracuse on Jet Blue for the first time in Feb so I am looking forward to your next installment.

[Davidsmommy]

Great start! We are neighbors - I live in Queensbury.

I keep finding people who live near me on the Dis - it is so funny!

[Backstage_Gal]

Subbing, sounds like it will be an entertaining report.

[Becky521]

Hi Folks. Back with another installment. I want to thank momofCKJ, beachwarmer, davidsmommy, momocay and disneyloveNY for jumping on board. davidsmommy great to meet a fellow NY'er, Great weather we are having huh? Hope this chapter dosen't let you down.

I should probably give a little more pre-Disney info here. As I said last time this was to be our second Holiday trip to The World. We had gone back in 2004, just "Magic Beckdom", "Middle Mermaid", "Tinker Jo" and myself. It had been our first Disney trip with just us and no family and we had rediscovered the magic all over again. This trip should be a repeat right?:joker: That last trip had been planned very quickly and we really didn't know what to expect for the Holidays. This year we were ready. We had the small artificial tree, the garland made of red and LGMH, the lights for the hotel windows, you name it. We also had all the Christmas presents packed with the various Disney wrapping papers to wrap when we got there, Airport security you know.:( It was one of these presents that prompted my call to the FAA. You see "Magic Beckdom" loves wind chimes. Being the wonderful husband I am:rolleyes1 I decided to buy her a new one for Christmas. I had gone to the local Halmark and picked out a great windchime with stained glass irises on it. The actual chimes were copper pipes about 1 in in diameter and about 8 inches long. Great "Magic Beckdom" should love it. THEN, as I am checking out I happen to mention packing it well as it was going on a flight. The sales clerk gives me a strange look and says "Oh, good luck with that. Hope you plan on geting to the airport early in case they want to put you through extra security when they see these chimes." :laughing: I laugh, thinking it is a joke and I'm on my way. Why would she say such a silly thing? Why would windchimes cause a security risk? I get to work and keep thinking about it and then it hits me. The airport x-ray machine will read this as several 8 inch pipes all stacked side by side. Great they will think I am transporting Dynomite or even a several pipe bombs! What should I do leave it here, take it and take my chances? Pack it in "Tinker Jo's" suit case and pretend I don't know her if she is stopped at security. I decide to call the airport. I eventually get through to a gentleman with security for the FAA.

Him: Hello. Security
Me: Hi... I have a strange question about items that can be taken on an air
Plane.
Him: There is a list of restricted items on our web site sir.
Me: Yes I found this on line but the item in question is not listed. Nervous
Laugh.
Him: (His turn to pause)...What item do you want to bring with you sir?
Me: (Realizing how stupid this is going to sound) A wind chime.
Him: (After a long pause when i swear I heard him laughing with his hand
over the receiver) A wind chime?
Me: Yes you see it has these chimes made out of copper, about 8 inches
long...
Him: What airport are you flying out of sir?
Me: Syracuse, NY
Him: What date are you flying?
Me: (Trying to be the good American and helping improve homeland security)
Dec. 16th at 9am with Jet Blue.
Him: And where are you flying to?
Me: (For the first time a hear that touch of suspition in his voice.) Orlando...
(Then I realized just how stange this must have sounded to him and my
Nerves kick in. I am suddenly struck with the worst case of verbal
diahrea in history.) You see I am going to Disney World for Christmas
and i bought my wife this windchime and I didn't know how to get it
there on the plane because if I carry it on she might see it but if I
check it with my lugage the x-ray might think it was...(and then I said
probably the worst thing you could say to a security office from the
Faa.)...dynomite or...a...pipe...bomb.
Him: Sir, what's your name?
Me: My name? (Just call me "the idiot that should not have listened to some
stupid clerk in Halmark Binladden". I give him my name. what do I have
to loose at this point.)
Him: Well sir, I world suggest putting it in your checked bags on top. That
way if airport security has any questions they can open the bag and
check it further.
Me: Ok great! (BY now I know I am not spending Christmas in Disney, I am
going to spend it in Singsing. Do they have fast pass for Full Body
Cavity Search?)
Him: Is there anything I can help you with today?

Ok so that was over. By the time I get home I have finally calmed down. That night as I sit watching TV "Magic Beckdom" comes in with several small zip lock bags filled with a white powder and places them in a suit case. "What's that?" I ask. It seems she has come up with a great idea from reading the Dis Board. Some one on here has said to pack individual loads of laundry detergent in zip lock bags. "Don't you think this will take up less room this way and be better for traveling?" she asks. Now it is true that she can find the Disney magic just about any where but this ability has a side effect. She sometimes can be just a light niaeve. "It's probably ok. It's just that it looks like little bags of cocaine." I say. She responds with "Oh, I never thought of that. What if I just write laundry detergent on the bags.?" (Why didn't I think of that, I could just have written "Not a pipe bomb" on my killer wind chimes. "That's a good idea I bet a real terrorist would never think of that."
"Well they could always smell it." Problem with this thought: Oxyclean has absolutely no smell. At least I will have company while I'm waiting for that cavity search fast past time to roll around.

This little episode should give you an idea of how we go through life. Just a laugh a minute.

Now back to our regularly scheduled show, the TR.

When last we saw our little band of travelers myself and "Middle Mermaid" had arrived to meet up with the rest of our group at the hotel in Syracuse. I put a call into "Magic Beckdom" to get a ETA and found out they hadn't even left our area yet because "Where's K?" decided they needed to stop for lunch first. Now we had planned that they would get something but we thought it would be a quick run through the drive thru and on the road. This meant "Middle Mermaid and I had about two hours to kill before they would arrive. "NO PROBLEM!" oh wait. "Where's K?" had booked our rooms at the Marriot because she worked at the Marriot back home and since they were in her name we couldn't check in with out her.:( Never knew just how little there was near the airport in Syracuse. We spent the after noon hitting every dollar store in the area. Then I remembered that "Middle Mermaid" had mentioned at Thanksgiving the need for new sneekers for the trip. I asked her if this had been done and got the standard college student answer, "No, I didn't have time." Read "No, you weren't there to pay for them." So off to Walmart we go. Quick flash back here. As we enter the store there is a shop lifter being escorted out by the police. For just a quick second my talk with FAA guy crosses my mind and I cringe, just a little bit. Ok, now shoes are bought we have scoped out the airport and the long term parking and now we settle in to wait.

Finally the others arrive and we can register. But wait, an other new rinkle. "Where's K?" seems a little anxious. When I ask her what's wrong she tells me she is worried because the hotel only has one main entrance and that is through the lobby. "So?" Well seems that "Where's K?" tries to be frugal where ever she can and when registering us with the hotel she neglected to mention "The Dwarves", "Tinker Jo" and "Middle Mermaid". So we only "officially" have rooms for three adults. No problem since we are paying for the hotel we will just register them now. "No, we can't do that because the Hotel will think she is trying to lie and she could get in trouble at work." She says we will have to sneek them in. I decide I will be wearing an orange jump suit for New Years for sure. I suggest we go get something to eat now and go up to our rooms after so we can calm her down and talk some sence into her. (You see where this is going, don't you?) We decide on a chain rest. that is close. We order our meals and start to get in vacation mode. Long story short. (Too late!) food is slow, cold and not everything shows up. Complaints are made:rolleyes1 and we end up getting comp meals. "Magic Beckdom" and I are surprised at this "Where's K?" says it is just the begining of our "YEAR OF MANY DREAMS" vacation. her words not mine. So back to the hotel we go and the situation has not changed so now we need to figure out how to get six people into the building when they only expect three. "Magic Beckdom" and I are starting to see how this is going to work. So we split into three groups of 2 and up we go. "Is that a siren I hear?" All goes well and we are in our rooms then "Where's K?" decided that "The Dwarves" and "Tinker Jo" should go down to the pool. "Is she for real? She just insisted we comit fraud and now they should go down through the lobby to the pool?" Then we "Where's K?" and I go out to the front of the hotel to have a cig and we meet up with the desk clerk, while we are talking with him she mentions "the kids" he just looks at her and smiles.
That evening we play Disney trivia persuit in the hotel. Obviously "Where's K?" and "The Dwarves" did not use any of our pre-trip info. Along these lines too "Middle Mermaid" had actually made up flash cards for "The Dwarves" on Disney characters because at Thanksgiving he had made the mistake of telling her that Ariel was not a princess!:confused: On the car trip out to Syracuse "Tinker Jo" quizzed him on these, they both were having fun, and he had said that Mushu was "Sparky" and referred to Chip and Dale as "The Squirrels".Don't worry you don't have to know ALL the character's name to enjoy Disney. Then, with the the sweet knowledge that, yes tom we will be laying our heads down on sheets owned by the mouse, we settle into bed in the hotel...right at the end of the runway.:confused3

Next instalment: Disney at last!! DTD and MBYB-B-Q or That's Mickey, don't ignore him he owns the place!

[Davidsmommy]

You are so funny! GREAT installment - I can't wait for dh to get back from the grocery store so I can read it to him.

It is so warm today - I am loving it!

[tink's girls]

This is a great trip report! I can't wait to read the next installment!!:goodvibes

[Becky521]

Hi all. Back with the next chapter. What? Two chapters in two days? Is he insane you ask.

Before I get started I would like to welcome tink's girls to the adventure and say welcome back to Davidsmommy. Looks like our Florida weather might be coming to an end.:mad:

Ok, where were we? Oh yes, the beautiful Run Way Inn. We decided to leave a wake up call for 5:30 as we had to get to the airport by 7. Should be fine as it is directly across the street after all. Turns out you really don't have to leave a wake up call here because they have this really neat alarm system that sounds like a jet taking off that goes off every 5 or ten mins. round the clock. What a great idea!! We finally get to sleep but I am up buy 4:45. "I'm too excited to sleep!" I get up to visit the bathroom and "Magic Beckdom" is staring me in the face. Looks like we really didn't need that wake up call for real. Everyone starts getting ready and then I realize, in hind sight, we have had our first official Dwarf visit. It seems "Sleepy" decided to join us today. Several calls finally encourage him to rejoin the inner group so we can get "The Dwarves" up and dressed. We grab some coffee and tea in the lobby, well I do. I had to keep going down and getting 1 or two cups at a time as I am one of the only real people in my room. The morning desk clerk mind you knows nothing of the situation last night, so to her I'm just that strange guest who has eaten twevle mini muffins and drank two coffees, two teas and a hot choclate in the span of 15 min. If anyone asks I'll just say I am packing them to take with me as I hear one can get very dehydrated durring Homeland Security's questioning.

We arrive at the airport in pleanty of time. We hit the check in counter and only cause a slight delay here. Mostly because of being a large group of 6 and not due to any un-American acts we may have been planning, YET. One little thing here that made us laugh. They didn't open my sitcase with the "bomb" but they did open one of "Tinker Jo's". This particular one held nothing more than two stuffed animals she had brought along, more to give the mousekeeper some art supplies and the bra she had worn the day before. Guess it's not as funny when you are thirteen and have your bra displayed to an airport full of people as it is when you are in your forties and you see it happen to a thirteen year old.

Our next little adventure happens at the security desk. You see I have decided to give my wife more than the killer wind chimes for Christmas. I have also brought along a VERY SPECIAL gift for her, (Won't tell you what now. It was a surprise for her and if I can keep it a surprise through all of this I can surely keep it a surprise here. Hint it will be worth the wait.) Anyway, I have decided to carry this gift on the plane with me because I was affraid it would get lost if my luggage was opened. I have made a plan with "Little Mermaid", "Tinker Jo" and "Where's K?" that I will send "Magic Beckdom" through security first followd by the three of them, We kept "The Dwarves " in the dark. We were affraid "Dopey" would let the surprise slip. After everyone made it through security they would try to keep "Magic Beckdom" busy so I could go through. That way if anything did happen she would be less likely to see it. Probably not a good idea to appear to be secretly bringing something on an airplane, especially since my contact with FAA had provided them with my name and flight info already remember? I just REALLY wanted this to be a surprise. (It's killing you to know isn't it?) MY plan worked like a charm!!:thumbsup2 However, I never realized that "The Dwarves" would actually be the reason. Just as we approach the security check point the other dwarves decided to let "Dopey" handle this one. Seems the poor little guy just couldn't handle "Take off all shoes. Coats and outer ware should be placed in the bins. All cameras and electronic equipment should be out of the case." He was a disaster. One shoe ended up on the floor. The camcorder went through the ex-ray in the bag and had to repete the ride on it's own, exposed for all to see. The coat tried to go through whith one arm hanging off the belt and got stuck. "Where's K?" is trying to help him and only managing to upset the security guy and make "Dopey" more confued. "People, this in not the way to act while going through security with someone who is known , and being watched by Home land Security." The secuity officer looks at me and I smile slightly and say "They don't get out much." Eventually we all get through and head down the corrider to our gate. But wait. where is it? We walk all the way to the end and it is not there. We turn around and retrace our steps. (now this part may be helpful for beachwarmer and anyone else flying out of Syracuse on Jet Blue.) Turns out Jet Blue dosen't get to board at the regular gates with those who fly the bigger airlines. Immediatly after you clear security you have to take a SHARP right turn and travel down a SMALL hallway, looks like it was once access to a prisoner holding room, to get to your gate. We find the right gate, settle into some chairs by the wall and wait. We were about 30 mins early so it really wasn't bad. "Magic Beckdom" and "Middle Mermaid" headed out to find a ladies room and a few mins later "Tinker Jo" asks if she can go with "Dopey" to get a drink at the vending machine. I tell her sure, It's right over there. They all get back safely. "Tinker Jo" and now "Happy" are playing with a little dog that will be on our flight and everyone else is content to relax. I decide to get a drink also but discover the machine only takes $! bills so I go back and ask "Magic Beckdom" for some, she dosen't have any cash. I get "Tinker Jo" to cash a $20 for me and I am set. All is right with the world. We are here on time, the security "concern" is behind me and in just a few hours I will be in the World. This will be the trip of a life time>:grouphug:

Our flight was very uneventful. Made good time. Syracuse to Orlando in just over two hours.

We exit the plane into the terminal, ride the imposter monorail to the main terminal and look for the Magical Express. Very easy. I check in, they send us to the "staging" area, we board the second bus and off we go. OH the joy!! The sun and palm trees. the endless rows off new condos being built. We truely are in Florida. The bus driver announces that he is sorry but he dosen't have a copy of the film to show on the bus. "That's OK, most of us have been there and we know. For those of us who haven't been here before, they probably wouldn't pay attention anyway. Don't worry about it dear man just drive."

We arrive at the ASMu and check in. Our room's not ready yet. We check our carry on luggage and winter coats with the luggage room:cheer2:and decide to head on over to DTD. We hope to pick up some autograph books and maybe get some lunch.

The bus trip seems a little long put thats just because we have been up since 4:45. We arrive at DTD. A quick stop at TEOS for something to eat. Our first use of the dinning plan. A little confusing the first time, especially at this crowded shop, but it seems like it should work great after we get the hang of it. Next we do a little shopping. I pick up something to go with the GIFT for "Magic Beckdom" (No I'm not going to tell you) I ask if I can have it personalized and am told it wont be ready until 12/26.:eek: The lovely Disney CM sees my disappointment and asks when I needed it. I tell her I really needed it by 12/19 for a special evening I had planned for a belated 20th anniversary celebration, Opps! let that slip.:rolleyes1 she says she can get it done by the 18th. I offer to carry her to her car at the end of her shift. THE MAGIC BEGINS! "Tinker Jo" picks up a small Tinker Bell tablet she decides to use for autographs. Mini adventure here. "Tinker Jo" finds me wandering in the Disney store and says she likes this book but is affraid it won't fit in her fanny pack. We head off to find a CM and explain that we would like to try it in her fanny pack but didn't want someone to see us and think we were shop lifting. Got the FAA don't want Disney police too. It dosen't fit in hers but will fit in "Magic Beckdom's" so they switch. :cloud9: Thank God she still gets the Disney thing and has not lost it to her developing teenage mind. "Where's K?" picks up an autograph book with room for 14 pics also. She plans on getting the autographs and pics of some of the Princesses as a Christmas gift for her grand daughter back home. Soon this simple purchase will take on a life of it's own and could almost be seen as a 7th member of our group. A member who can be VERY problematic.

After a while of just more strolling and window shopping and soaking in the Disney magic we head out to the bus stop and jump a bus for FW. We have ressies for the MBYB-B-Q. A meal we have never done before and are looking forward to it. Heard it has great food, entertainment, characters AND
LINE DANCING:banana:

We arrive at FW and locate the direction we need to take to get to the
B-B-Q. "Magic Beckdom", "Tinker Jo" and I are all very excited. "Middle Mermaid" is a little more reserved but I think this is because she is worried we will make her dance. "Happy" had now become "Grumpy". As I have said he is not usually real active and the early rising and all the activity is beginning to take it's toll. Where's K?" stops to take some pics of some Holiday decorations and we walk off with out her. I very quickly realize we are missing someone. My hearding instincts really kicked in over the ten days, infact I hope to take "Best in Class" at the Madison Square Garden dog show in March for my ability to keep the heard together. We do a short back track and find "Where's K?" on the far side of a large Christmas tree. Reunited, we forge forward to the B-B-Q. When they open the gate we surge onward with the other happy dinners at the gentle urging of the friendly over-all clad CM's, as we round the slight bend in the path we see before us a large covered pavillion. There are CM's with cowboy hats and bandanas offering us a cold drink as we enter. We are in Disney heaven. At least for a short while longer.

No sooner had we sat down at the long picnic table when we had our first character sighting. Goofy came strolling out from behind the pavillion. I felt that familliar tingle that meant I was home. I had my paper cup of ice cold iced tea, my children were smiling and happy and there was a 7 ft dog? in chaps wandering in our midst. Goofy was soon followed by Minnie in her little cowgirl outfit and then Chip and Dale in matching red and white checked B-B-Q aprons and chef hats. Then it happened. I looked across the table and saw "Grumpy" he was obviously not feeling the magic. His teenage mind was saying "Why have I been drug to this place, and when am I going to eat?" I glanced over at "Where's K?" and saw that her face was showing nothing really at all, to hard to read that one. That was the first time MY alter ego came out. I suddenly became "Jules, your cruise director". I tried to explain in 50 words or less why this should be exciting. They weren't buying it. "Grumpy" just stared at me and "Where's K?" acted as if she couldn't hear me over the music and "roar" of the crowd. I suggested trying to get some autographs for for grand daughter but she said "No, I only want the princesses." "But there wont be enough princess to fill the book so you could round it out with some of the other characters." "No, I'll wait. I'm sure I will find enough princesses to fill it." Then "Middle Mermaid" took a stab at it. "But there are only like 6 or 7 princesses so you should have room for some others.". "No that's OK."

At this point they opened the food lines and the Autographs were forgotten. If anyone has ever eaten at the B-B-Q you know they have tons of food. All familliar pincic fare. "Grumpy" quickly became a little known dwarf named "Picky". He wrinkled his nose at most of it and ended up choosing Some corn bread, that he didn't eat; some salad, that he rearranged into a beautiful pattern on his plate serveral times until the composition was just right, I'm sure the dish washer had it framed; Corn on the cob, that he found just fit perfectly in his empty cup; and a LARGE pile of ribs, these he did eat.
"Where's K?" ate her meal and seemed to enjy it. The best part of the meal for both I'm sure was that it gave them something to do while they completely ignored the characters and the hords of smilling children that surrounded them. At one point Mickey walked right up behind "Picky" and waved to us, and even though we were all waving back dear "Picky" never even turned around. (It's OK, he is 14, he is tired and he dosen't understand yet. It will change as the week goes on.) When the meal was over the show got started. We watched the performes sing and tell jokes and some great rope tricks. However it was quickly becoming obvious that some members of our happy group were not enjoying it as much as other. "Where's K?" and now "Grumpy" again couldn't see the cowboy doing the rope tricks because there was a pole supporting the roof in their way. "Magic Beckdom" suggested they move over to an empty spot at the next table where they could see but they never responded. She took "Tinker Jo" over there and left me with "Where's K?" and "Grumpy". I guess I learned one of her Disney secrets that day. "On the rare occassion when there is no magic around you just move to a spot where there is some." It was at this point I also noticed "Middle Mermaid" had on a puss too. I asked her what was up and she plastered a smile on and said "nothing". For the rest of the night she would pull out that same smile whenever she knew I was looking at her. It wasn't until later that night that we would discover her problem. it seems the new sneakers, the ones we had told her to get at Thanksgiving and break in. The ones she finally let me buy moments before we boarded plan, were hurting her feet. I guess "sensible footware" is not a course she is taking this semester at school. Just what does she get for all that tuition?
"Jules, your cruise director" tried to keep the spirits up but he just wasn't able, so I suggested maybe we should head back to the hotel. "Let me just run to the restroom and we can go." Well, that was a fortuitous move on my part because on the way to the restrooms there is this fantastic view of the CR. This seemed to rejeuvenate most of us some what. Then just as we were preparing to leave they started to do the bunny hop. "That's right, line dancing. We couldn't possibly leave yet. " "Grumpy", "Where's K?" have a seat, we're going to dance." That's when I used "Magic Beckdom.s" trick. I went with "Tinker Jo" to dance and left "Middle Mermaid" to "Grumpy" sit.
Eventually "Magic Beckdom" joined us and we stayed for about an hour. "What was that noice?" Could it have been the proverbial fart in church?

Finally we decided to head for the hotel. It wasn't that we were really ready to go as much as it was I realized those two people with the icey glares knew where I was sleeping and I didn't want to wake up with a pillow over my face.

I had called the hotel from and DTD and gotten our room number so we headed back to ASMu and then right up to our room. Must say the family suites are very nice. The seperate bedroom was a big plus for "Magic Beckdom" and I and we came to really appretiate the two bathrooms. When we entered the room "Grumpy" discovered one of the few things he seemed to look forward to all week, probably because he knew he had to go back to the room to enjoy it. There on the bed in our room the mousekeeper had used a bath towel, two face towels and a washcloth and made a big Mickey head with a bow tie. The magic showed itself again. Everyone seemed to relax a bit. One last little drama for our first day happened at this point. Seems "Where's K?" had promised "Grumpy's" mother she would call when we got down, to give her the room # and phone# etc. However since we hadn't gotten the phone # yet she didn't call. "Magic Beckdom" had offered her cell phone several times during the day and each time "Where's K?" refused, insisting she would call when we got to the room. Now she calls and get's his mom on the phone. Mom pulls an "Wicked Queen" on her. She has been calling the airport all day and has had family and friends checking MSNBC for word on any airplane crashes. Now I have a minor with me who's parents don't know where he is. Might as well add kidnapping to the wrap sheet.

We say our good nights and close the door to our own room, notice I have to keep bring this up. It did begin to feel like a haven by the end of the week. "Magic Beckdom" and I finally craw into bed. "Did you have a good day?" I ask. "OH yes. Do you think "Where's K?" and "The Dwarves" had a good day?" she replies. "I think so. I think it's all just so over whelming and they have been up for so long. I think tom after a good night's sleep they will be fine." "Did you call for a wake up call?" she wants to know. "Yes, I bet that will be great. The phone is right next to "The Dwarves" side of the bed. That should be fun in the morning." She gives me a questioning look. "Do you think he will enjoy being woken up like that?". "OH, him? I meant fun for me. No I think he is going to hate it."

I drift off to sleep, in the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH hearing a strange demonic laugh in my head. I can't decide if it reminds me more of Scar after he sends Mufasa into the ravine or Ursula when she steals Ariel's voice.

Next Installment: Magic Kingdom or "Is this a ride and can I take pictures inside?"

[tink's girls]

Hillarious! I can just see the "Dwarves" and "where's k". I hope they are good Disney fans like the rest of us by the end of the week! Can't wait to read the next installment!:rotfl:

[disneyloveNY]

Great!! Waiting patiently...:goodvibes

[cathy0124]

Great so far..can't wait to read the rest :thumbsup2

[Vivsmom]

This is great! Keep it up! I now must keep reading to see what WheresK and the Dwarves are going to do. :thumbsup2

[Becky521]

Hello everyone. I would like to thank you all for your support and encouragement. I was so affraid this would be a thread that no one would read. Welcome to cathy0124 and vivsmom. To disneyloveNY and tink's girls welcome back and thanks for hanging in there.

And now back to our regularly scheduled program.

The next morning, Sunday 12/17 I was up before the wake up call. Could have been the excitement or the desire to be in the outer room when "The Dwarves" got the call. When the phone rang it took a couple of prompts to get "Sleepy" to answer the phone. "Get it. It's right there next to you." When he did he listened for a few mins and then hung up with a confussed look on his face.
"Who was it?"
"Some lady was talking to me and then some foreign guy took the phone and started yelling.":rotfl2:
He didn't realize it was the magic of Disney starting off his day. He thought it was some irrate Brazilian tourist making prank calls! We all got ready in record time and headed for the bus stop right on schedule. We had dinner ADR's at the CP that night so today we would visit MK.

I should probably give you a little bit of back up info here. Two years ago when we visited WDW for the Holidays "Tinker Jo" saw a Santa hat with Minnie ears and really wanted one. However she was affraid to buy one because I think she was affraid her sister would think it was stupid. Sooo, I bought her the hat and a Mickey one for myself and we wore them the entire trip. When we were planning this trip she wanted to take them with us again. Therefore from this point on, as you read this trip report you need to realize that I am now wearing a plush red Santa hat with Mickey ears that droop slightly backward. :santa: Also "Magic Beckdom" had made a decision that we would try to do at least one new thing evry day. Today's aggenda included the opening of the MK.

We arrived at the MK early enough that we were able to get right down front by the Flowered Mickey head to watch the rope drop. While we were waiting a CM came up to "Magic Beckdom" and "Tinker Jo" and gave them each a handful of confetti shaped like Cindy's castle to throw at the appropriate time.
They passed it around to all of us so we could all join in the celebration. Soon a friendly voice announced that the MK would be opening in just mins and you could just feel the excitement in the air. I looked around and realized that while we stood there, our faces turned skyward shining in the morning sun, the small gold pieces of mylar in our hands beginning to clump together from the sweat, "Where's K?" was missing. "The Dwarves" were not going to be of any help in finding her. "Sleepy" had reinserted himself and he was now sqauting down on his haunches because all this standing was getting to be to much, his confetti lost because it was getting all sticky. Unless "Where's K?" had decided to lay on the ground and tack a nap herself he was useless. I asked "Magic Beckdom" if she knew where she was and she replied, "Yes, She is right over...she was right over there." A quick scan of the crowd revealed "Where's K?" about 10ft of to our left. She was staring at the back of the man infront of her and happily talking to herself. Actually she was talking to us, she just didn't realize we were not there. With our group reunited we stood there waiting for something to happen, anything. Eventually a "Citizen of Main Street USA" appeared up on the train station platform and announced that Mickey and his pals were on their way from Toon Town to help welcome us to the MK and they would be there very soon. Then she and some of her friends put on a little show for us. The excitment was contageous I guess. "Where's K?" was all smiles and even "The dwarves" was standing up. Then The train appeared and we all counted down and trew our confetti in the air, "The Dwarves" had gotten some more from "Where's K?" and we joined the mass of humanity crossing under the train station. There it all was, the huge Christmas tree, the beautiful buildings, the Christmas music, just as I remembered. "Tinker Jo", "Middle Mermaid" and I jumped in line to see Pinocchio and Gepetto, "Magic Beckdom" ran into the camera center to get a couple of park maps and some time schedules and "Where's K?" started snapping pics of everything. Looks like we got her hooked, at least for the moment. "The Dwarves", I wasn't sure about. He followed me but he seemed to have a weird blank look on his face. (Guess he might be a little overwelmed. This kid changes moods faster than any one I ever met. I was to learn that the look meant there was an internal struggle for dominance going on in there and a new Dwarf would soon appear.) When "Magic Beckdom" came back she went with "Tinker Jo" and "Middle Mermaid to see Gideon and Foulfellow. "Where'sK?" came over and announced, "I'm going to go buy myself a hat." She headed for the little hat cart there in front of Tony's. Moments later she was back wearing a slightly different version of "Tinker Jo's" hat. A point that was not wasted on "Tinker Jo". "Why did she buy that hat? She want's to be like us." Guess she didn't notice the thousands of others wearing the same hats. Now properly chapeaued "Where's K?" needed a cig. Now I also smoke but I am always very careful about smoking only in designated smoking areas so I consulted the map and found a convienent area just over behind Tony's. Walking over there I allowed myself to think that maybe everything was going to be great. My family was happy and even "Where's K?" was letting the magic in. "They charged me $16 for this hat." I couldn't read the tone. "Oh? Need a light?". "For that price this hat is not coming of my head all week." I got that one. I started searching Town Square for "Magic Beckdom" and the girls. There they are in line to see Daisy Duck by the big tree. I turn and ask "Where's K?" if she would like to go get some autographs. "There arn't any princess here." she huffs. She's got me there, just a little wooden puppet, his toy maker and one lone duck. Not a lousy princess in sight. I find myself envying them. I then turn to see that "The Dwarves" internal conflict of a few moments ago is over and there is a new member of our group. This is a little know dwarf, well at least up until that point. This little guy would become all to familliar to us all as the week went on. Enter "Antsy". "Antsy" always wants to be some where else. He never wants to do what we are doing right now and he HATES to wait in lines. At this time he is sittin on a little half wall and picking blooms off of pansies and throwing them in the air. (OK, not bad, a little destructive but I think I can deal with this one.) "Why don't we go meet up with the others and go get something to eat at the bakery?" I suggest. (Now Where's K?" never really got the whole dinning plan thing.) "Is that expensive?". "No, it's all part of the plan.". "OK" she responds suspiciously.

We meet "Magic Beckdom" and the girls at the corner and head down Main Street. We enter the bakery and get in line. Now if any of you have ever grabed something at the bakery just after park opening you know it can be a zoo. Today was no exception. A nice CM explained that if we just wanted pastries and a drink we didn't have to wait in the line we could just go around the other way. Great! As we all made our selections I told everyone to just meet out side when they were done and we could stake out a spot on the curb. Everyone soon appears except...That's right, "Where's K?". "Middle Mermaid" runs back in to find her and returns to report she has scored a table in the back. We all head back in and find that her table is about 12 inches in diameter and she only has 3 chairs. As I stand there with my tray trying to decide what to do this "lovely" lady at the next table thinks I am trying to steal her table and begins to give me a piece of her mind. I am trying to appologize and extract myself from the situation when "Where's K?" hears her and starts giving it right back to her. Welcome to The Happiest Place On Earth!!. I eat my breakfast with the lady boring a hole in my back with her eyes and "Where's K?" mumbling under her breath. "Magic Kingdom" is at the other table pretendeing she doesn't know us and making her own magic.

After we eat we decide to head over to Adventureland.

First things first. We will climb the SFRTH. Basicly because it was the first thing we came to. "Wher's K?" seems impressed but i think she thought it was actually made by some homeless swiss family. Probably back before Disney offered any value resorts they set up camp here because they couldn't afford a night at the CR. "Antsy", who has returned to the fold is looking board and laging behind, I think he is trying to figure out a way to jump the rail and climb down the tree. We then head straight for TETRUNM. This has always been one of my favorites. I loved the old version and I love the new version. As we are waiting for the little pre-show "Antsy" asks, "What is this all about?". "It's a show where all the birds and flowers sing and tell jokes.". "Can I take pictures?" . "I don't think so.". "Oh." The Birds don't fail to deliver, at least for me. Next we go to check out FP for JC. The wait is only like 10 mins so we get in standby. Our captain seems a little board with his job so "Where's K?" and "Antsy" follow his lead. When we are leaving the JC "Tinker Jo' says she would like to do AMC. "Magic Beckdom" and "Middle Mermaid" say they will go too so the four of us get in line. "Where's K?" says she will sit this one out because of the spinning. "Antsy" doesn't want to do it either. I talk him into going with us by telling him about the spitting camels. While we are waiting I make a discovery. "Oh, only 4 people can ride at a time." I jump out of line quickly before "Antsy" has a chance to react. I now head off to find "Where's K?", the same demonic laughter from last night ring in my ears. I think "Magic Beckdom" suspects that I am on to her trick of making your own magic and she is P*^^$d that I am learning how to do it myself. I can't find "Where's K?" but I do find a secluded smoking area right as you come into Adventureland from the Hub so I sit down and enjoy a quiet moment alone. I then go off to find "Where's K?" again. Eventually I catch up with her wandering in front of TETRUNM, seems she has found her own smoking area on the other side of Adventureland. When we get back to AMC I see a character meet with Alladin, Jasmin and the Genie. "Let's get in line to get their autographs and the others can join us when they get off the ride." I figure that's OK as I am not really cutting as I will take the picture of them and it will not delay anyone in line behind us. "I don't need them. I am only goin to get the Princesses." she responds. "But Jasmin is a princess.". "Are you sure? I don't know if my grand daughter would know who she is." I want to say, "Maybe she has a copy of her royal lineage with her or perhaps she can show us the royal birth mark." what I do say is "Oh, come on." She agrees to get in line to meet this supposed princess. The others finish their ride and join us in line. When we are finished with this imposter "Where's K?" is almost in tears. "What's the matter?" I ask her. She says, "Look what she did. I told her about Emily at home and she personalized it to her. How sweet. She was really good.":rolleyes1

This is going to be a long week. The magic is right there in front of them. They both keep having moments when it breaks in but then that quick they shut it out again. I just don't know how to help them see it or if I want to spend that much effort trying and spoil my own trip.

Then a voice is heard from "The Dwarves". "Antsy" is now gone and "Grumpy" has made his first appearance. "Can we please get something to eat? Im hungry". "We just ate." I reply. "That was like an hour and a half ago.". "I could eat something too." says "Where's K?". "Alright, lets find something to eat." Thank God for the dinning plan.

Sorry folks I have to stop for now. I will try to finish up this installment tom.
same time same place.

[Davidsmommy]

"Did you call for a wake up call?" she wants to know. "Yes, I bet that will be great. The phone is right next to "The Dwarves" side of the bed. That should be fun in the morning." She gives me a questioning look. "Do you think he will enjoy being woken up like that?". "OH, him? I meant fun for me. No I think he is going to hate it."

:rotfl: That was priceless.

[tink's girls]

Still totally enjoying this TR. :yay: It is so funny! Thanks for sharing!

[LizAgna]

Great TR!! It is too funny!! Can't wait for the next installment...

[Hismissie]

:lmao: Thanks for a very entertaining evening. I haven't laughed so much in a long time!! Can't wait to hear the rest of your trip report.

[HesATramp]

Hey Harry!

I've been reading your reports, and they are great! LOL! Too funny! My interest is definitely piqued to find out what happens next with Karen and GS! LOL! Oh! And by the way, I didn't realize that you could ask the ladies for to look at their lineage.....I'd like to have a look at a certain red-head's to make sure that when we hook up I'll be a full fledged prince! LOL!


Until next time,
John

[Becky521]

Hello, to all of you. I am so glad you are all enjoying this report. I guess my feelings were summed up by that steller performer Sally Fields, "You like me, you really like me!";)
I'd like to give a big wave to LizAgna and Hismissie, Welcome Aboard. There will be cocktails on the Lido Deck at 4pm. Thanks again to one of my biggest supporters tink's girls. A special Hello to davidsmommy with lots of pixie dust.:wizard: I hope you have a great trip. And to HesATramp. What are you doing on here!? So everyone knows. I actually know HesATramp in the world outside the Dis Boards. Maybe we can go to Disney together in the future and take our table mate from the wedding. Now that is a trip repot worth reading.;)

Before I get back to the report I would like to appologize for any difficulties in reading the last installment. I typed it out and then lost it before a saved and had to do it all over again. This took a while and I never got a chance to proof read. When I type my mind goes faster than my fingers and sometimes it's not preaty. I will try to go back and proof it today.

And now back to our story.

Let's see. We were going to find something to stop "Grumpy's" grumbellies. We stop at the little stand right at the exit to TETRUNM. We decide to grab ice cream and floats. Not exactly what "Where's K?" had in mind I fear but she didn't say anything and I pretended not to notice. With our bellies seen to we next decide to head over to POC.

Now I must tell you that I am probably one of the four people in the world who has not seen any of the POC movies. There is a 73 year old librarian from Terra Haute who hasn't cared for Johnny Depp "since that 21 Jump Street program". She preferred That other young man because his father was Dom Delouise. There is a Tibetin monk who's DVD player is on the fritz. A Russian Cosmonaut who has been living in the International Space Station since 2003, and me. No real reason why I haven't seen them, I just haven't. Nothing against the Deppster so please don't flame me for that. Because I haven't seen the movies I was a little affraid that the changes might have ruined one of my all time favorite rides.

On our way over to POC we do see they are doing the live show there in the court yard but it is almost over so we don't really stop. I do slow down but "Antsy", who has once again joined us and is on a dead run to POC because I've told him this was a ride and nothing is going to stop him. When we get to the entrance there is really no line and we are able to board the boat within like 10 min.:santa: While we are in line I again get the third degree from "Antsy". "What kind of ride is this?'. "It's a boat ride where you ride through a village that is been plundered by pirates.". "Can I take pictures?". "No, I don't think so.". "Oh.". I have to say I didn't notice many changes. I like the smoke effect at the begining a lot. The canon hits during the fort scene were not as many and the song isn't featured as much as it was. Both of these changes were too bad. Jack Sparrow does show up a few times but they were very subtle. The final scene, I think was better. Over all I'd give it...pirate: pirate: pirate:

When we come out we see a coupl emore character meets and get pics and autographs from Captain Hook and Mr. Smee; and Peter Pan and Wendy. Well "Tinker Jo" gets all the autographs. Bet you can guess what "Where's K?'s" responce was. Any one? NO!!! Seems she always loved Peter Pan as a child because she always dreamed of flying, so even though the pirates didn't past muster for the book Peter Pan and Wendy did make the grade. They had to sign the last page but they did sign! Apparently Wendy is good friends with Jasmin too because she also personalized it to Emily. Is that a glimmer of magic I see in the corner of her eye? Or maybe it's just a glassy stare because she needs another cig.

Now with Adventureland preatty well covered we next headed over to Frontierland. "Magic Beckdom" offers to run for FP for either SM or BTMRR so "Where's K?" and I can grab a cig. The crafty woman. We are now in a strange dance as to who can come up with a reason to go off on their own quicker. This round she trumped me with the cig card. "Great!" I say. "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" offer to go too. Now I am out numbered. "Why don't you take "Antsy" with you?" I innocently suggest.:rolleyes1 She gives me a look that says "You will pay for this little man" and off they go. I watch them go while I light my cig. This time the laughter in my head sounded more like one of the hienas chasing Symba into the elephant graveyard. Shortly they return to report that the wait for SP is 30 mins and BTMRR is 45 so they got FP for BTMRR and thought we could standby for SM while we wait. Sounds good to me. Now, before we left home "Where's K?" told us she didn't do roller coasters. She like Flumes like SM and rafts like KRR but not coasters. Since SM is a flume she decided to ride. We get in line and start the wait. I got the obligatory, "What is this about?" and "Can I take pictures?". "A fox and a bear chasing a rabit all over the place." and "No, I don't think so.". Which resulted in a resounding, "Oh."
We waited in line for about 25 mins, winding around the little bird houses that sing and talk and all seems to be going well. One thing I did discover at this point was that "Antsy" is not just fascinated with picking pansies. He also likes to torment living creatures. Luckily that little Gecko was fast and was long gone before the stone hit the fence post. Don't they say serial killers torment small animals in their youth? Note to self: check the lock on the private bedroom when we get back to the room. Just as we approach the stairs to go up into the "saw mill" there is a low murmer that sweeps the crowd. One or two people in front of us start to duck under the ropes and leave. Then a CM appears and says that SM is shut down for a while. We get out of line and try to regroup. "Magic Beckdom" suggests we hang around for ten min and then our FP for BTMRR will be good. "OK" sounds like a plan. I find a nice smoking area on the map and we sit there and watch the riverboat go by. "Magic Beckdom" takes "Tinker Jo" to find a rest room. "Middle Mermaid" stays with us but she chooses to sit at the far end of the area with her back to us. I think she was trying to talk a family from India into letting her come live with them. As we sit I turn and notice a duck has wandered up. The little guy comes right up to me where I could have reached out and touched him, I choose not to. "Where's K?" takes his picture, "Antsy" tries to get him to eat a leaf, he's not interest, probably had leaves for breakfast. "Stupid duck!". "Magic Beckdom" returns and we head for the FP line. "Where's K?" opts out of this one. "I'll just sit here with the duck." We sail right through the line and are in and out in about 15 mins. We return to the smoking area and it's empty. No "Where's K?", no other smokers, no duck. We search first together and then we split up. "Magic Beckdom" heads over toward SM, I take "Tinker Jo" and "Happy", thats right someone new appeared while on the ride, and we head over to the entrance of BTMRR, "Middle Mermaid" walks back to the exit area. We finally find her after about 10 mins in a little overlook area for BTMRR. She is there waiting for us to go by on the ride so she can get our picture. (I wonder if Disney offers a GPS chip that can be implanted in the neck?) SM is still down so we head deeper into Frontierland. Next we stop to see the CBJ. There is a show just going in so we don'e have to wait. As we cross the lobby I get. "What is this and can I take pictures?". "A bunch of singing bears and no." Then we get inside and the CM says please refrain from taking flash photography until the finale. "Happy" is gone and I get a smug look from "Gloaty". This is an other of my favorites so I ignore it and enjoy the show. After the show we exit and realize people are starting to line up for the parade. We cross the street and find a spot at the rope by the drink stand. I get a good idea. "I'll go get FP for HM while we wait." Off I go. Now, yes I realize HM does not have FP, but it did at one time and I can never remember that it is now gone, so it has become a tradition of mine that I always run up to HM for FP while we wait for the parade and then come back empty handed. This time I decided to bring a snack back with me since it had been about an hour and 15 mins since the ice cream in Adventureland and I know that "Antsy" will be "Hungry" by the time I get back. I show up with 3 large pretzles, figure we can share. Well "Magic Beckdom" and "Middle Mermaid" take one with confussed looks on their faces. "Didn't we just eat?". "yeah, But that was like hours ago.". They eat most of theirs. "Where's K?" and "Antsy", he's back, take it and nibble it but then it ends up on the ground. "Where's that duck when you need him?". "Tinker Jo" and I share one. We manage to eat the whole thing and the last bit of "Magic Beckdom's" and "Middle Mermaid's". I am determined to prove that it was not too soon to eat and "Where's K?" and "Antsy" should have eaten it. I don't want to hear word one from anyone about being hungry until we get to the CP tonight. Now we watch the parade. It left "Antsy" flat. The rest of us enjoied it. I did hear "Where's K?" yell to Ariel during the parade to look at her so she could take a picture but the snoty little thing looked the other way! This put "fish girl" on "Where's K?" list and everyone within ear shot heard about it. After the parade we went up to HM, by the way they don't do FP here. Waited about 10 mins and got in. This one was a hit and caused "Happy" to return. "Where's K?" liked the hitch hiking ghoasts. Next, we back track to HOP, another favorite since I was a kid. Again a show is just starting so no real wait. During the show I am moved as I always am. "Magic Beckdom", "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" enjoy it but it is not a favorite. "Where's K?" is actually impressed with this one. She can't get over the likeness of Eisenhower and Ford. "Sleepy" took a nap. This is when the next sweeping drama of our trip began. I like to call it "Christmas Tree Decorations, an Epic Tale". "Where's K?" had mentioned wanting to buy something for various members of her family and had suggested that she had thought about tree ornaments. Since there is that Christmas store across from HOP I suggested we check there. She had looked at DTD and they couldn't get the personalizing done in time. Since that store is visited by locals also I thought maybe the stores in the parks would be better. We were in luck. They could get them done before we went home. However this is how it went.
Me: "Where's K?", they have the ornaments here and they can have
them done before we leave.
"Where's K?": But did you see the price on them?
Me: No. (a Lie.)
"Where's K?": I'll wait and see if they are cheaper somewhere else.
Me: (Knowing the prices are set property wide.) OK. (I wasn't
going to push her. I still remembered the statement about
the $16 for the hat and didn't want to see how she would
wear the Cristmas balls.)
We grabbed a quick smoke in the smoking area behind the Christmas store and then we're off for Fantasyland.

First we hit IASW. This was kind of an inside joke with us. Several years ago "Where's K?'s" daughter and son-in-law spent their honeymoon in Disney and hated it. Her daughter said she was tired of hearing the IASW song everywhere. Told her it plays morning, noon and night. So we all had a laugh about this. After IASW we made short work of PP and SW. "Where's K?" liked PP. It was that whole flying thing again. "Antsy" wasn't impressed with any of them. Couldn't take pictures. As we were coming off of SW we saw that MF was just getting ready to start so we ran over and went right in. "Antsy" didn't like the "Opera glasses", they looked stupid, and had no concept of a 3-D show. Once the show started he did enjoy it and "Happy" once again joined us when it was over. This was good news as it was now time to go over to CP for dinner. We got there with time to spare and if felt really good to just sit and relax on the porch until they called us. Once inside we were seated right at the front so we had a great view of the room and were close to the buffet. "Where's K?" was impressed with the food here as we knew she would be as it is one of our favorite menus and we always try to eat here when we are in Disney. Unfortunately, "Happy" didn't hang around. He was replaced by "Picky" as soon as we sat down. This meal is extensive but the recipes are very simple and has always been a hit with our kids even when they were small. "Picky" came back to the table with some ribs, which he ate; a chicken drumstick, which he didn't; the corn bread was left on the plate as was most of the pizza; the two salads weren't even touched and the jello just melted and turned everything a pale pink color. He did eat the ice cream but the cake went to the garbage, missing it's frosting. A strange thing did happen here though. Concerning the characters. This is the Winnie the Pooh gang. "Where's K?" had said that she wanted to get Tigger's autograph for her other grandson back home. When the striped one came to our table, he was first, "Where's K?" explained to him that she wanted his autograph for her grandson back home and that this little boy had a disabilty. Tigger let it be known that he would be happy to and that he thought it was an honour to do it for her. "Tinker Jo" had him sign the last page of her book so "Where's K?" could pull it out for her grandson. Then when we started to get everyone ready to take a picture the clouds seemed to part, a sun ray to rival the brilliance of Heaven fell through the glass ceiling above us, there was the sound of a heavenly host around us and I am sure that... somewhere... over at Typhoon Lagoon... people were... walking on water. "The Dwarves" stood up, on his own, with no prompting, stood next to Tigger and SMILED!!!
:worship: :tigger:
(I momentarily forgot how to use my camera.)
We completed our meal, meeting each of the Pooh guys in turn. Then just as we were getting ready to go Tigger who had made his rounds of the room and was heading back to the kitchen bounded across the room and threw his arms around "Where's K?" and hugged her and then kept snuggling with her and pretending to kiss her. Now I have never known "Where's K?" to be speechless but at that point she truely was. Her eyes filled with tears and she was truely unable to talk for some 15 mins.
:worship: :worship: :tigger:

Say what you may about Tigger in the light of the recent events at WDW;) but I will defend that guy to the end.

The rest of our evening was perfect. :grouphug: After CP we walked over to Tomorowland and rode BLSR and COP. Everyone was happy and smilling. "Happy" loved BLSR and didn't even seem to mind that he couldn't take pictures. "Where's K?" really liked COP. We grabbed our EMH bracelets and then we strolled back to the smoking area just off to the right of the end of Main Street and had a cig and then waited for Wishes. When the show was over "Where's K?" was again teary and kept saying "That's Disney!". This reminded her of the WWofD show when they always showed Tinkerbell fly over the castle and the fireworks would start. I dared to hope that maybe Tigger had somehow helped us turn the corner. (Hind sight would make me wish I had handcuffed myself to him so he could have followed us the rest of the week.) As soon as Wishes was over we walked over to the end of Main Street and staked out a section if curb for Spectromagic. Since this was an EMH night we just sat there and watched those people who were not staying in the parks with us stream up Main Street toward the train station. While we were sitting there I even overhead "Where's K?" talking to the young guy next to her about the park and giving him pointers on what he should and should not see. I bought 3 battery opperated twinkle necklaces for "Tinker Jo", "Middle Mermaid" and "The Dwarves", "middle Mermaid" was not impressed. Guess this was just to far over the line for her. I then took the necklace myself and found that it fit perfectly around the white fur of my Santa Mickey hat so that's where it went. "Tinker Jo" did the same. This would become part of our uniform, each night after dark we would pull them out and put them around our hats.:santa: Spectro was a big hit. "Happy" came back and really enjoied that he could take all the pictures he wanted and the Big Bad Wolf shook "Where's K?'s" hand. This did cause a few mins of bad memories about that "mersnub" this afternoon but we got over it. Ariel has her work cut out for. When Spectromagic was over, with the crowds thinned out considerably, we headed back over to Frontierland and rode BTMRR again. We had heard it was really great after dark and wanted to try it out. It was better! In fact it was so good we jump right back on and rode a second time. When we came off we checked "Where's K?'s" overlook from the afternoon and there she was. Next we checked SM and found it was now up and running and had a wait of only ten mins. All 6 of us jumped in line. "Magic Beckdom", the girls and I did have a little smile at the expence of "Where's K?" and "Happy". You see they put on ponchos to ride SM and we always laugh about people who do this. (Remember that later on.) "Happy" loved SM and "Where's K?" liked it too. We all laughed at the pic there at the end. It was now close to closing time so we liesurly strolled back through Adventureland then took a sharp right after the bridge and passed the CP. What a magical place. We did a little shopping along the right side of Main Street, meeting up just out side of the Emporium. It was now just mins before 1am. We had been at the MK since it opened at 9am. That's 16 hours of fun and we were all a little tired. As we walked out to the bus stop I just knew from tonight that all was going to be fine. "Tinker Jo" wondered out loud what mousekeeping might have done in our room. "Happy" asked why and "Middle Mermaid" explained to him how mousekeeping will often do fun little things in your room when they clean. "What kind of fun thing?" he asked. It was "Where's K?" that answered him, "You know, like things made from towel oragami." We had no way of knowing at that point but a new obsession had been born, or at least a behavior that would come to haunt us all.

When we arrived at our room our mousekeeper had formed a little boat out of a bath towel and two washclothes and "Tinker Jo's" Pooh and Mickey, the ones who flew down in the suitcase with her bra, were happily rowing their way across the room on the ottoman.

That night as I crawled into bed there was no demonic laughter. I even forgot to check the lock on the door. Everything was going to be good. We were now going to have the wonderful vacation we had hoped for.:rolleyes1

Next installment: MGM, the Wall-Mart sneekers come back to haunt "Middle Mermaid" and "Picky" goes head to head with "Cousin Nichole" at Prime Time 50's

In up coming Installments: I take a page from "Magic Beckdom's" book and we get away by ourselves for a little magic. "Where's K?" leaves AK because her feet are beginning to rot. "Middle Mermaid" gets to baby sit at EPCOT. "The Dwarves" buy a $24 gift for a friend but wont buy anything for his mother. "Tinker Jo" goes for the orange on MS. "Magic Beckdom" attempts to swim with the fishes at TL. I become a street performer in WS and we all get surprised by "...being in the right place at the right time."

[Vivsmom]

Once again, a great installment!:thumbsup2 I enjoy your writing style. You made me laugh several times during this last installment! I have only eaten TS at CRT in the MK. I was wondering about CP. You might have just conviced me to try in on my next trip.

[disneyloveNY]

This is great:goodvibes You made me laugh:happytv: .My kids wanted to know what I was reading that was soooo funny!!!!

[MomofCKJ]

Oh I am loving this! You make me laugh!

I think you are a saint for travelling with Where's K and the Dwarves (that kills me, such a great description for the personalities that show up!). I think I would have pitched myself off the old Swiss Treehouse with them. You have incredible patience with them. I do hope by the end of the trip they really get and embrace Disney.

Allyson

[mlill]

Awesome trip report! Sign me up! :thumbsup2

-Michelle

P.S. ...and I'm sending you some PoC DVDs express overnight! pirate: We'll expect a full review once you've finally watched them!

P.P.S. I've got a daughter named Jordan, too, only her name isn't spelled as cool as your Jourdan! :)

[DebIreland]

:lmao: Great report... can't wait for the next chapter. I really love the multi personalitied 'Dwarves' - great job! :thumbsup2

[Becky521]

Hello Disers. Welcome back to Vivsmom, disneyloveNY and momofCKJ. You guys are great for coming back. I should work out some kind of frequent flyer miles for you. To mlill and DebIreland, Welcome. Glad you have found our little adventure. I have to say that I am really enjying this. We are now working on scap books of our trip and I am going to print out the whole report when it is done and keep it. I think it is a great way to remember the trip. Also, if I ever think about travelling with friends again I can take it out and read it and then go for electric shook treatment. Except HesATramp of course.

I am sorry to say that I will not have time to post anything new today as my work schedule won't allow it. I promise to have something new on in the next day or so.

I am also working on some pics. My scanner is broken so I am planning to get a few pics on disc so I can add them to the report. I think you would all enjoy being able to put some faces with the names.

To momofCKJ, I started reading your report and I am really enjoying it.
To mlill, I except your challenge, bring it on.
To DebIreland, Where in Ireland are you? We are trying to plan a trip there in the near future and we would love some home town pointers. Maybe we could leave "Where's K?" and "The Dwarves" with you for a few days!!:rolleyes1

Thanks again to all and I'll be back in the next day or so.

[DebIreland]

Aaaah, well, it just so happens we'll be out of the country just when you'll be flying in and also we'll have the flu and the house is being fumugated and, er, other stuff. :confused: :lmao:

To answer your question, I'm way down South, near the very bottom. It's nice! I'd be glad to help with any info I can give. :thumbsup2

[kisobel]

subscribing. great reports. thanks for the info about jet blue in syracuse, we are flying them in october.


kate

[DISNEYFREAK13]

Subscribing...You are too funny! Can't wait for more!!

[disneypearl]

Great report! Can't wait to read more. popcorn::

[mindystar]

Great tr so far! You are a funny story teller :) I loved the security issues and the different dwarf names, especially those little known ones. You even had to me laugh and spit on my poor computer screen, when I read what was coming up and how "where'sk" has to leave AK, because her feet are beginning to rot--oh what a trip for you! Thanks for posting can't wait for more ;)

[Ron from Michigan]

Great report so far. I am enjoying reading about your families trip, looking forward to reading the next chapter. We were there the week before you. Christmas is just magical when your at WDW.

[Becky521]

Good morning fellow Disers. I thought I would try to do at least a short addition today and add a pic. This is a pic of "Magic Beckdom", "Tinker Jo", "Middle Mermaid" and myself taken on our Holiday trip back in 2004. I remembered that I had posted it on the boards a while back and thought "Hey, it's a start."

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/12146004.JPG

I will attempt to add some more recent pics in the next couple of days. Notice the hats. This year we took them high tec with the addition of the extra magic twinkle effect from the Blinking necklaces. Those were truely carefree times. We all look pretty much the same except "Tinker jo" is now taller then her sisiter. Maybe I should change the name to "Minnie Mermaid"
(God, I will probably get a nasty look for that one.:rolleyes1 )

A great big Welcome to kisobel, DISNEYFREAK13, disneypearl and mindystar. I'm so glad you found us.

To DebIreland, We hope to fly into the east coast and then do a large sweep of the south. Hope to hit Kilearny, Killenny(sp?) Blarney and Galway while we are there. Who knows maybe you will get home from your "trip" to find the fumigation worked on all the little creepy crawlers but "The Dwarves" have now set up shop. That kid is indestructable you know. he is impervious to mear mortal pesticides. Trust me, I tried.:rolleyes1

Now back to the TR.

Monday 12/18. We have ADR's for dinner today at our absolute favorite place in the World, Prime Time 50's. Today we will go to MGM.

I wake up earlier than the wake up call again. This time it's only about 5 mins early. A little more tired today. "Tinker Jo" answers the wake up call today. She tries to act all teenagerly but I know she is excited by this. We are not in as big a hurry today to get to the park at opening so we get dressed and head to the bus a little slower. Today our "Disney first" will be wearing matching vacation shirts. They are really not matching. We have made a shirt for each of us that are similliar. They each are the persons favorite color and have an emblem on the left breast area with a picture of that persons favorite character, they all say "Christmas 2006". Mine is teal with Tigger, "Magic Beckdom" is in purple with Goofy, "Middle Mermaid" wears pink with of course "fish girl", "Tinker Jo" has her Disney alter ego on lime green, "Where's K?" is decked out in burgandy and sports Eeyore and "The Dwarves",who really doesn't have a favorite character, is walking around in royal blue with Flick from A Bugs Life. Ironic that he got the ant isn't it.

We arrive at MGM about 20 mins after the park opens and go directly to SR for another bakery breakfast. "Where's K?" is a little miffed I think that we are not going to have a bigger meal. This from a woman whole regularly proclaims she never eats breakfast. Now, anyone who has every eaten here knows that the set up of the counter is very strange. You have to keep crossing back and forth through the check out area to get your food. The set up would work well if it was a quiet little store but at busytimes it is confussing. "The Dwarves" keep running back and forth picking things up and then changing his mind. He and Where's K?" want bagels but they can find no cream cheese so those go back. next we settle on a pastry but we can't decide on what kind. Then she asks for a tea but can't find and creamers he takes a milk. I am trying to get out of the store before any of the other dinners realize we are together. As I approach the register, just about home free, "Tinker Jo" comes up with a bagel WITH CREAM CHEESE.

"Where's K?": Where did you get that cream cheese?
"Tinker Jo" : (not realizing she is opening herself up for round two of "Wheel
of Breakfast) Over there on the counter.
"Where's K?": Where? Come show me.

"Tinker Jo" gives me the look of a cornered animal as she is drawn back into the belly of the beast. I smile and turn back to the cashiere. This trip is now every vacationer for themself and I dodged that one. Besides "Tinker Jo" is young she likes games and what could be better than a dairy product scavenger hunt first thing in the morning to get a girls heart pumping? We meet up at a table just out side and try to set a plan of attack. "Antsy" makes a come back and announces that he want's to do TOT and RRCwA.
His tone says "I will make life miserable for all till I do.". I dedide that we will of coarse dod these but if we knock them off first we will have to deal with him for the rest of the day. "Maybe we should wait to do these until our breakfast settles." I suggest. "Let's go do TGMR instead." "Tinker Jo" decides she needs to find the little pixie's room so "Magic Beckdom" goes off with her and "Where's K?" and I head over to the large gate near VOTLM to have a cig. This leaves "Middle Mermaid" and "Antsy" alone by the bakery to wait for "Magic Beckdom" and "Tinker Jo' to return. (Where's your Indian family now?). Once we all reunite we head over to TGMR. On the way we see they have started the character greets under the hat so we get in line to see Donald and Daisy. "Where's K?" isn't interested because there are no tiaras in sight so she wonders of on her own. "Antsy" gets in line but his heart is not in it this morning. Guess the magic bestowed on us last night by Tigger has not survived the night. We wait in line for about 10 mins and just as we are about to get our turn the handler announces that D & D are going to go away for a awile but some one else will be right out. We decide to wait. (After all "Where's K?" has alresdy been out there on her own all this time, it's a small park, how much further could she she go?):rolleyes1
Soon the handler is back with Chicken Little and Abby Malard! Are you kidding?! We have waited in line to see two of Disney's classic characters and now the pay off is seeing these 2 Johnny come latelies? We smile for the camera of the photopass photog and have them sign the book. "Antsy" opts to stay out of this one. Afterward we do a quick sweep of the area and find "Where's K?" taking pics of a family cavorting with Stitch on the other side of the hat. I don't know if she realized these folks were not us or not. I'm sure she didn't know who Stitch was. Next we head over to the court yard in front of TGMR. "Where's K?" enjoyed looking at all the foot prints on the ground there. "It's too bad they weren't able to get the real people to put their feet in concrete.". "These are the real foot prints." I explain. She isn't convinced. "Antsy" wanders over to the entrance to the ride by himself, I think it is because he noticed the two big potted plants and thought they looked like they could use a trim. "Where's K?" discovers that she could perfectly fit in the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland, (Mabey if you severed a toe or two.) and "Middle Mermaid" find her hands are exactly the same size as Christie Brinkley's. "Tinker Jo" is depressed that her feet are bigger than both Tom Cruise's and Regis Philbin's. By now the crowds seem to be picking up just a little so we decide to head into TGMR and look at the rest of the foot prints when we come out. I've noticed that both Harry Anderson and Earnest Borgnine had small feet too and I don't think "Tinker Jo" can handle any more preasure right now. "Where's K?" enjoies the identifying the movie clips as we wait to go in. "Antsy" plays a game of hand rail domination with the guests we pass in the que. I think he won every match except the one with the 70 year old oriental woman. She either didn't see him due to cataracts or she learned her technique in Kamikaze school.:rolleyes1
The actual ride was a success with most everyone. "Antsy" was still a little board but the gangsters death at the end was kind of cool. When we come out of the attraction there are a few more character there in the court yard so we stop to see Rafiki and the Penguin from Mary Popins.

While "Magic Beckdom" and the girls were waiting to see Donald and Daisy earlier I had run over to get FP's for VOTLMM and our FP"S wew now good so we next travel oner there. On the way I hear a familliar question. "What is this ride about?" This time it is "Where's K?". I'm a little affraid to tell her due to the feud she seems to be having with Ariel. "It's a show about The Little Mermaid, it's good they use puppets and all kinds of special effects. Ariel is played by a real actress.". "I hope it's not that same little snot from the papade yesterday. She refused to even look at me.". I consider sending a note back stage to warn Ariel that her arch enemy will be in the next audience. "Can we take Pictures?", guess whooo's back. "No they don't let you take pictures in most of the rides. It interferes with the lighting and special effects. They will announce that at the start of each one.". "OH."

We make it through the VOTLMM without "Where's K?" storming the stage for athrow down with the star. Next we head over to do TMoDA. I think this was better when you actually got to see the animators at work but the movie in the begining with Mushu is good. "Antsy"is a little board. "Where's K?" is not impressed either. When we come out we decide to play with some of the electronics they have there. We each take our turn finding out which Disney character we are most like. I am like Lumiere, "Middle Mermaid" is Belle, "Tinker Jo" measures up with Nala. "Where's K?" doesn't look happy when she is done. Seems the computer matched her up with Scar.:rotfl2: I suggest maybe she did something wrong and she should try it again. "Middle Mermaid" I help her this time. I was right she is nothing like Scar. Her true Disney personality is Cruella DeVille.:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Sorry folks got to go for now. I will try to finish our MGM day tom.

Hope all have a great night and pixie dust blesses your dreams!!

(As I sign off, "Cruella Deville" :thumbsup2 :laughing: )

[LizAgna]

Another great installment...I can't wait for more :yay: :yay:

[Disney owl]

Thanks for posting

[Becky521]

Happy Friday to all. I wanted to say a very special Hello to Ron from Michigan. Sorry I missed you the last time but you posted while I was typing and our posts got crossed. To make it up to you I would like to invite you to dine at the captain's table this evening. Of course you will be dining with "Picky" so bring a poncho.
Also a big Hello again to LizAgna welcome back.

Now to start off today I have those pics I promised.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/121460009_9.jpg
This is "The Dwarves", "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" dining with Ms. Mouse at CM's. Notice "The Dwarves" is trying not to nod off, and this was only breakfast!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/121460008_8.jpg
"Where's K?" and the heavy weight champion on that magical night at CP.;)

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/121460010_10.jpg
"Tinker Jo", me, "Middle Mermaid" and "Magic Beckdom" meeting Belle at Akershush(SP?). "Where's K?" was just out of frame with the autograph book ready. This is a true princess, you can tell by the elbow high gloves.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/121460011_11.jpg
The whole gang with Rafiki outside TGMR in MGM. The matching trip shirts.


Now let's see. We had just finished up with TMoDA and "Where's K?" had found out she was an evil fur wearing, puppy killing villian. I told her the computer probably just smelled the cigarette smoke on her and found the one character that also smokes. This doesn't help much and when we get out side she actully refuses to have a cigarette with me! At the time I think it is because of my statement, later I will find that this actually has a much darker reason.:rolleyes:

Next we decide to head toward the back of the park and see TBLT and TMi4D. On the way we stop at WDOMD and spend about 25 mins looking at all the displays. Our shirts are a big hit with the CM at the door. By the time we have made it to the back of the tour and I am looking at the models of all the Disney parks I notice that "Antsy" has returned and that "Where's K?" is looking a little cranky too. I try to find out what is wrong and "Where's K?" just snarls at me. "Is everything OK?". "Can we please go do something else? He is not interested in this stuff.". "Sure, Let's go. We can head over to TBLT, he will like that.". "What's that all about?". (Great, now I have two asking the same question.) "That's were they show you all the special effects from the movies and the different movie sets.". "OK, that should be good."

On the way to TBLT we do a quick detour and decide to see TMi4D first. "Where's K?" is not thrilled but I explain that this is a 3-D show and "Antsy" really liked the one over at MK yesterday. We see the Muppets and "Antsy" is satisfied for the moment. "Where's K?" seems to have lost her attitude also.

Now I need to tell you that that morning I had a few little spots on my heels and toes that were beginning to hurt so I pulled out a trick I learned on the Dis Boards and applied some mole skin. The night before "Middle Mermaid" had been complaining that her new sneakers were really hurting her feet so I suggested that she do the same. That morning when I offered it to her she declined. I guess she didn't want to wear anything on her body that sounded like it came off a little animal. Maybe she was affraid that Chip and Dale would get wind of it and attack. (When good rodents go bad.) As we are walking over to TBLT I notice that "Middle Mermaid" is walking like she just rode the pony express into town. "What's wrong?", I ask. "My feet are really hurting." she replies. "Do you have any of that mole stuff?" "No, I didn't bring it with me because you need to cut it to size and you can't bring scissors into the parks." Visions of additional security problems briefly flash across my mind. "Are you going to be OK?" "Yeah, I will just try to not do too much walking." "Oh, yeah, that will work. Have you noticed where you are?" "I'll be OK."

We arrive at TBLT just a few mins before a tour is about to start so we don't have to wait long. While we are standing in the que "Antsy" asks, "Can I take pictures in here?". "You can take as many pictures as you want on this one." He is overjoyed. I check the time and realize that we should be able to do TBLT and then have plenty of time to find a good spot for the parade. We SHOULD be able to do this. The Disney gods have something else in store for us. We enter the tour and do the whole water tank part. "Antsy" has now been replaced by "Happy" and he is obliviously snapping pics. "Where's K?" is a little concerned about all this water and the water on the tram ride she has caught wind of from "Tinker Jo". "Should we put on our ponchos for this?" (You can if you want the CM in the white coats to come and take you off to the Mad Hatter institute.) "No you really won't need them on this." She gives me a doubting look and then insists that "Magic Beckdom" sits to the left of her when we board the tram. (From Disney enthusiast to human umbrella in just one morning, that girl has all the luck.) Now we get on the tram and Ooh and Ah at all the parking lots and warehouses you see along the way. "Where's K?" does like the costume section but "Happy" can't wait for the big pay off when we get to CC. Finally we make our way into the canyon, Amber, our fearless tour guide up front, tells us that we are in luck. The production crew who has been filming here all morning is on a break and we can take a look. We enter the set and Oh fearless one tells us about the rain machines the crew has been using and the tanker they have brought from the "Grave yard" for the shoot. Then a bell rings and we all can feel the anticipation of a story gone horribly wrong. Will we be horribly disfigured in a fire ball, will we be drowned in a flash flood? Then as we look into the canyon brimming with anticipation...nothing! Amber gives a little nervous laugh. She tries to cover. "Guys you have a tour tram here, don't do anything that could put us in jeopardy. Guys?" We sit there for 20 mins waiting for the accidental disaster to over take us. Finally Amber comes back on the PA. "Sorry folks we are experiencing tech difficulties." We head out of the canyon and Amber proceeds to tell us all the stats of the flood with "If it had worked this is what would have happened.". (Amber, you"re killing me here. This was supposed to keep "Antsy" with us for the afternoon. Now he is sitting glassy eyed. Staring at floor and mumbling.) "Where's K?" is just excited that she is still dry. When we finally get off this tram from H#&& we realize that we now don't have a lot of time to make the parade. This is fine with "Where's K?" and "Antsy" because they really don't want to see the parade anyway. After all we saw a parade yesterday at MK, how many parades are you legally allowed to see in a week. I put on my comando hat and I'm off with the rest of my little group in tow. "Tinker Jo" the only other member that wants to see the parade and is physically fit is keeping up with me. "Middle Mermaid" is limping along about 3 paces behind looking to all the world like she has been beat on the soles of the feet with bamboo stalks. "Where's K?" is behind her. She is beginning to shake because she hasn't had a cigarette in 2 hours. "Antsy" is following his Grandmother. He keeps stopping to pull leaves off of various plants and throwing them in the air. "Magic Beckdom" is bringing up the rear. Her job is to round up any stragglers and prod them along. (I wonder if they sell cattle prods anywhere on property. Maybe they could put a glittery star on the end and market them as "Tinker Bell's Magical Enforcer Wand".) We get to the parade route just mins before the parade starts. There are people everywhere and we don't have a very good view. While we wait "Where's K?" begins to complain that she is hungry. "Wait a min, that's not your job! Only "The Dwarves" get to determine those things. Stay in character." We watch the parade, or at least the heads of the people in the parade. By the time the parade is over I have the makings of a mutiny on my hands. "Where's K?" and "Hungry" want to eat. "Middle Mermaid" has to sit down or she is going to lose all feeling from the ankles down and even "Magic Beckdom" is ready to take a breather. Although I think she is just tired of listening to "Hungry" complain and hopes she can put him at another table while we eat. Since I see that without food and a rest we will be dead in the water I suggest that we head back to PP and get something. When we get there "Magic Beckdom" reminds us that we don't want anything too big because we have ADR's at Prime Time 50's soon. I'm sure the look she gets from "Where's K?" behind her back translates as, "At this point I'm ready to roast that snotty little mermaid with an apple in her mouth.". We head to PP and grab a snack. Again not what "WE" had in mind but "WE" keep it to ourselves. Next we walk over toward ST and "Where's K?" and I grab a cig across from the Sci-Fi. "Magic Beckdom" and "Tinker Jo" run off to find the little pixie room and I try to make small talk with "Where's K?" about Sci-Fi, explaining that we have ADR's here later in the week. "Middle Mermaid" sits off by herself wishing she had a tail at this point so her feet would stop hurting. "Antsy" throws a new request into the mix. "When are we going back to the room?":eek: "What? It's only 4pm." "I want to see what the maid did in our room today." (Guess he can't wait for something he can take a photo of.) The girls return and we decide to do ST. It's right here, "Middle Mermaid" won't have to walk too far and "Antsy" should like this one. "Where'sK?" wants no part of it. "I'll just stay here and wait for you." (now where have I heard that before?) Again there is really no line so we are in and out right away. We return to the smoking area and, surprise, surprise, surprise "Where's K?" is gone. We split up to cover more ground. "Middle Mermaid" volunteers to stay there in case she comes back on her own. 2o mins later "Magic Beckdom" comes back with "Where's K?" in tow. Now to be honest I never really heard where she was. I just figured it was better that I never know. Now we run over to IJSS. This should be good for "Middle Mermaids" feet and hopefully it will keep "Antsy" from pruning anymore plants. Again a show is about to start, I have to say we had great luck with lines all week. If we hadn't I think I would have buried "The Dwarves " in a shallow grave somewhere over in Dinoland at AK. After IJSS everyone seems to be doing a little better, Since we still have a little time until our ADR's "Magic Beckdom" suggests we try the Drew Carey sound show. "Can I take pictures in there?" "Yes, if you have an Infra-red lens." He doesn't get it. I scold myself for saying it out loud and explain that this takes place mostly in the dark. When we get inside it's hard to know how "Where's K?" and "Antsy" are doing with this one. When the show is over we have to wake them both up. Now, finally it is just about time for our ADR's at Prime Time 50's so we grab a quick cig there by the lake and then head over. During this break "Where's K?" tells me that she only has 2 packs of cigs left and she doesn't think they will last her the week. She wants to know where she can buy more. (How do you feel about Talahasee.) I explain that they don't sell cigs on Disney property but I have brought several extra packs with me so we should be fine. (stupid me) When we get to PT50's we check in and then head into the "livingroom" to wait. Now we have eaten here on almost every trip and we have never had to wait really long. Tonight I think they have forgotten us. Maybe "Mom" has been watching us in the park today and has decided we should be sent to bed without any dinner. We wait for 30 mins. By this point I am starting to think about pulling leaves of the plastic ferns. I ask about it and am told I have to wait my turn.:confused: Then we are called to dinner. I am doing my best to be up, I don't want to spoil this meal. We have been looking foward to it for months. Our waitress "Cousin Nicole" asks me how we are on the way to our table and I have an ever so small melt down. I explain that "I am not happy about the long wait and that this is our favorite rest at WDW and we have been looking foward to it and now it's been ruined." Not to mention that "Where's K?" and now "Hungry" have just about fried my last nerve this afternoon. "Cousin Nicole" gives me a big smile and says, "Oh, I'm sooo sorry. Well I'm going to take care of you tonight. Let's see if we can fix you up." I greatfully take off my Cruise directer hat and let her take the helm. We had told "Where's K?" about this rest and she has been looking foward to it almost as much as we have but for a different reason. She has actually come up with a list of reasons why she can't/won't eat her veggies. She plans on giving Nicole a hard time. More so than I personally think is fun. Thankfully Nicole somehow sees this and turns her sights on two other victims in our group. She discovers that "Middle Mermaid" is in college and starts calling her "College girl" this is cute and "Middle Mermaid" goes along with it. But Nicole saves the brunt of the act for "The Dwarves". Since we are at a meal "Picky" again makes an appearence and has trouble finding something he wants to eat. Nicole gets "frustrated" with him and when our order is taken she tells him he has to set the table. "And if it's not done right you will get time out!" My mood starts to lift. She brings us our drinks and tells "Picky", who she is now calling "New Yooork" because we tell her that is where we are from, that he better make that last because she doesn't want him runnig to the bathroom all night.:) When our meals come "New Yooork" has collard greens on his plate. Now I know these are very popular down south but in all honesty they are not a staple of our diet in upstate New York. "New Yooork" decides he isn't going to eat these and tries the old "Let's hide them under the chicken bones trick." He is not dealing with an amature here. Nicole sees them right away and asks him whats up. "I didn't like them." He is going along with this and in all reality he is "Happy" at this point. "did I ask you if you liked them?" she asks. "they are good for you. You need to eat them." he isn't going to give here. (Can't say I blame him.) Next Nicole agrees to let him just take one bite. He tries the "Put the fork to your lips and pretend to chew" routine. That's not good enough for her and she decides she will have to feed him herself. She loads the fork and then makes airplane noises. He does eat a mouthful but turns a nice shade of green. She then goes off to help another table and tells him to finish up. When she returns he hasn't touched his greens and now she pulls out the big guns. She first makes him stand facing the wall and has him hold a sugar packet to the wall with his nose. I just about wet my pants. When "New Yooork" fails at this task she tries to make him sing "I'm a Little Tea Pot" for the whole room. (I can't see through the tears.) When he says he doesn't know the words she finally has had it with him, (Join the club Nicole) and puts him in time out in the next room. She finally gives in and lets him come back to the table when she finds him flirting with a girl in the next room. I have to tell you however that "Where's K?" missed alot of this because she has disappeared. Seems she couldn't wait any longer and went outside for a cigarette. This is our first sign that "Happy" might just be "Happy" more often if "Where's K?" isn't around.:laughing: To his merit "Happy" was great through all of this. He went right along with "Cousin Nicole" and I think he had one of his best times on the trip at the PT50's. By the end of the meal all the pre-meal stress was forgotten and we all left with big smiles. I spoke to the manager and gave "Cousin Nicole" praise. She also got a huge tip. Several days later we also stopped back with a little gift for her. I'll tell you that story later.

Well everyone, I have to go again. Sorry I didn't finish this part. I had to keep putting my attention else where. I will finish real soon. I have to take "Middle Mermaid" back to he Grotto of higher education over the weekend so it might be tough to post but I will try. If not I will post on Mon. Keep looking and have a great weekend.

[mindystar]

Ah more laughs! I feel for middle mermaid's feet, so glad I bought some Teva's last vaca--feet never blistered or really even hurt, but been there done that :( I'd like to go back to PT50's, the time we went I wasn't feeling well--too much sun ?--and we had "mom" so she was very nice to us since I wasn't feeling too awesome. It'd be fun to get a cousin though--and sounds like you had an awesome time with Nicole! Can't wait for more!! And thanks for the faces to put to the names, and in "the dwarfs" case--many names :) Have a safe trip taking middle mermaid back to her dorm grotto!

[DisneyNutMary]

Becky, or ummm, Mr Becky's DH:confused3
Great trip report, I have been following along at work, but I cannot post from there.
You have me in stitches, I think my coworkers think I am nuts laughing out loud :laughing:
I started out hoping that Where's K? and The Dwarves would find the magic, but now I am thinking I prefer to have them as comic fodder for your TR.
You are gifted dude, keep writing, I can't wait to read more.popcorn::

[disneyloveNY]

Love it. Can't wait for more:goodvibes

[Becky521]

Good morning everyone. Thought I'd just jump on here quick before I left. Thanks for following along.

Welcome back to disneyloveNY and mindystar.

Disney owl sorry I "snubbed" you yesterday. Same thing happened with you as with Ron from Michigan. You posted while I was typing and I missed you. Guess that captains table is going to be crowded.

To DisneyNutMary. Welcome to you, glad they finally let you out of that cubicle.

Nothing new today.:sad1: I have to leave for Rochester and it's a three hour drive.

Hope you all have a great weekend and I'd like to send :grouphug: to you all.

[HesATramp]

Hey!

Just me here! How much fun would it be to take "the World" on together (minus a certain table mate....great person, but I'd prolly end the trip with more bruises than I'd care to count! LOL!)! LOL! I have to say, though, if someone tried to make me eat "greens," I'd prolly be like "Picky" myslef! LOL! Or even more accurate...."Pukey!" LOL! I'm a Yankee...we don't eat greens! LOL! But anywho... I've been following along faithfully, and I have to say, I give you guys all the credit in the world for putting up with your two "family extensions!" If it were me, I would have found The Queen of Hearts but fast and given her two more opponents for a game of croquet (and done everything in my power to make them lose!)! I also feel for poor "MM" on your (first) MGM day, I had something similar happen to me when we visited MGM (I'm sure THAT'S just coincidence), me right knee decided it did not need to bend! It does that ocassionaly, just decides that bending isn't in its job description! So I spend the entire day hobbling around, and OMG, don't try to sit down. I had people looking at me like I was purposely trying to trip them while I was in the seated position, and I was like "sorry people, knee no bendy (quoting a Kuzcoism!)" Alright, enough of me yakking....back to our regularly scheduled TR!


Until next time,
John

[tink's girls]

How funny! :rotfl2: This TR just keeps getting better! You are a saint to have put up with Cruella and the Dwarves all week! Can' t wait for the next installment!

[Becky521]

Hello again to all. Sorry for the delay. Got "Middle Mermaid" back to school ok. Today however we are finally having winter weather and lost power all morning, so I wasn't able to get on line earlier. But now I'm back.:thumbsup2
Hope to at least finish our MGM day on this installment.

Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Hello to HesATramp and tink's girls good to hear from both of you.

Let's see last time we had just finished our meal at PT50's and "Cousin Nicole" had been fantastic. By the time we left everyone was in good moods. This was starting to be a trend. We would have very LONG days but everything would calm down by evening. I think this was either due to "Where's K?" and "The Dwarves" forgetting about the magic during the night and they required a huge dose during the day to fill the tanks or more likely she knew she was almost done with the day and he knew he was that much closer to getting back to the room to see what the mousekeeper had done.

After PT50's we ran over to SDwDC and grabbed our EMH wrist bands and then headed over to Fantasmic. When we got there they were still going in but the seats were full. We would have to have stood in the rear overflow area and I knew that wasn't going to fly. We had been looking forward to this and I didn't want glares from "Where's K?" and whining from "Antsy" to ruin the show. Therefore we left the theater and walked over to TOT. We were in luck, there was no line. Everyone had either left at the regular closing time or were in Fant. "Where's K?" was not going to do this ride but she did want to see the interior theming so she went through the line with us. When we got to the elevator we proceeded in and "Where's K?" went off to find the "chicken exit". I figured we would never see her again. I did catch a glimps of her wandering back and forth in the "boiler room" as the doors closed. When we finished the ride we passed through the gift shop and headed out side to see if she did get out or if she too had disappeared for ever to The Twilight Zone. (She would make a great addition to the little ghost tableau as you ascend the elevator shaft. She'd be the one on the end wearing the Minnie Santa hat and smoking.)

We checked the smoking area just outside the RRCWA and no "Where's K?". About 5 mins later we found her sitting over by the restrooms in front of TOT.

Reunited, our little group decided to walk over to see the Osbourne lights. We had seen them two years ago but had seen that they had added dimmers so now the lights "dance" every 15 mins or so. "Happy" was excited as I told him this was something he could take pics of. "Where's K?" was excited because this was going to be "a Christmasy thing". She was beginning to give out the message that the temp and lack of snow might be a problem for her at Christmas. (Has the woman never heard of Florida? Did she not realize that there would be no snow when she agreed to come. I figured there was nothing I could do about that one so I just ignored it, again. This was becoming a very effective stragety for me.) We stayed at the Osboourne Lights long enough to watch two performances of the lights. I bought some Roasted nut, Cashews, "Middle Mermaid" HATES cashews, she didn't when she lived at home. "Happy" was briefly replaced by "Picky" and he hates all nuts. I considered making him sing a verse of "I'm a Little Tea Pot" but then figured this way there would be more for me so I let it go. Only "Tinker Jo" and "Magic Beckdom" tried the nuts.

About this time we decided we had had enough for the day and we would head back to the hotel. On the way we did do a little shopping mostly window but we did add a new chapter to "Christmas Decorations, an Epic Adventure". Like I said earlier "Where's K?" had decided that she wanted to buy personalized tree decorations for some of her family back home but thought they were too expensive. Since this discussion "Middle Mermaid" had mentioned that she was thinking about doing the same for some friends. While shopping I found that the Christmas shop in MGM had the decorations and could have them done before we left so I pointed them out to "Where's K?" and suggested that she split a box with "Middle Mermaid". She thought this would work so I had her stay in the store, I figured she couldn't get lost that way, and went off to find "Middle Mermaid". I found her sitting up by the hat and sent her back to meet up with "Where's K?". This went smoothly, "Where's K?" stayed put and chatted up the CM in the store and "Middle Mermaid" found her with no trouble. They ordered the decorations and all was good, for now. With this little adventure over we headed out to the bus stop to go back to our little home away from home.

As I walked along to the bus, my Santa Mickey hat twinkling brightly, I was happy. The day had it's moments but once again we were ending on an up note. "Happy" got one last picture of the large Christmas Tree at the entrance and didn't try to strip it of it's branches. "Where's K?" had her decorations at a good cost thanks to my idea. "Middle Mermaid" had made it through the day and was not walking on just bloody stumps, and "Magic Beckdom" was already discussing tom's schedule with "Tinker Jo". We had made it through our second day and no one had broken any bones or caused an international incident.

When we got back to our room mouse keeping had gone wild. "Tinker Jo's" Pooh was now riding a swing made from the sheer curtains in our room. Our Christmas lights had been turned on and the table with our Christmas tree had been pulled over into the window. It all looked so festive.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/121460007_7.jpg
Our window after the visit from Santa Mousekeeper.

Once we were all in I spent a little time wrapping more gifts for under the tree, called the irrate Brazillian tourist for a wake up call in the morning and crawled into bed. "Did you have a good day?" I asked "Magic Beckdom". She mumbles something as she falls off to sleep. The out come of the last few hours has caused me to suffer a type of short term memory lose. I am now sure that tom will be the best day yet. It has to be. Tom we have ADR's for the CP so we will be in Epcot and this is my favorite place in the World. Nothing can spoil that!!:rolleyes1

Next Installment: We celebrate "The Dwarves" birthday, I have a little melt down at CP and "Where's K?" makes a scene at TCR over a shrimp cocktail.

[mindystar]

Ah the irate Brazillian :) I love what the mousekeeper did for your window--how fun! Too bad you had to miss out on Fantamic!, but glad you got to enjoy the Osbourne Lights. I'm looking forward to that next year. Thanks for another installment! Waiting for more!

[disneyloveNY]

I am realy enjoying your TR. It is soooooo funny:rotfl2:

[Becky521]

disneyloveNY and mindystar thanks for keeping up with me. Knowing you guys are reading helps keep me motivated to continue. I can't believe this installment is only going to cover the third full day in the World.:rolleyes: Now first things first.

Installment disclaimer: The views related by "Where's K?" in this installment do not reflect those of the trip report writer or his family.:rolleyes1 :confused3

Tuesday, Dec 19th Epcot

This is the perfect time to introduce a new yet minor character to this report.

Maryanne- (pronounced Mari-Inn) this is our mousekeeper. She is a truely lovely person who took care of us through the entire trip. On Tuesday we were a little later leaving the room and I met her on the balcony. I thanked her for all the cute things she had been doing so far. I noticed she wasn't wearing a name tag and asked her what her name was. She gave me a little smile and apologized that she had forgotten her name tag that day and then reached into her pocket and produced one that said "Laura". This resulted in a little confusion through out the week as to what her name really was. We kept leaving her notes hoping she would sign a reply so we could get the proper spelling. This took until Thursday untill she finally did. Maryanne was a big part of our week. Leaving little notes back and forth and then "The Dwarves" wanting to run back to the hotel constantly to see what our "Domestic Artist" had done each day. Hense the reference to "towel oragami" in the title. Note to others: We did find that Maryanne seemed to leave us a little "gift" each day and I think this was because we had started a little correspondence with her each day.

"Magic Beckdom's" new thing for the day list was pretty long today. We would see the new FN ride and TTWC over at The Seas in EPCOT, and we had ADR's with a CP package.

Now onward. As I said we started aff a little later today because our breakfast ADR's were not until 9am at CM at the CR. "Sleepy" answered the call from Stitch, actually he just picked up the phone and then slammed it down. So much for last night's magic. We were all ready and to the bus stop by 8am. As we approached the stop a bus was waiting so we all began to run, just as we reached the roped area the bus took off. This would start off the day a little on the down side. While we waited for the next bus "Where's K?" lamented at length about how rude the driver was for not waiting, "I know he saw us.", "Antsy" made his first appearance of the day and alternated between swinging the rope into the people next to us in line and wandering over to sit on the big "R" in the All-Star Music sign. Finally the bus came and we headed over to MK. We had figured we could ride there and then walk over to the CR. Because the first bus didn't wait we were a little late getting to the MK so we had to really hustle (read: run like the Devil was after us) over to the CR to make our ADR's. We got there with just a few mins to spare and everything was going well. We almost lost "Where's K?" in the lobby when she tried to get on the wrong elevator but we were able to catch her in time. I did notice that today we had a straggler but it wasn't who you would expect. On the way over to the CR "Tinker Jo" kept lagging behind. Turns out today her feet were going to be the problem. I had had a long "discussion" (read: conjoled and threatened) "Middle Mermaid" this morning about wearing mole's skin and when she finally gave in I thought this complaint would not plague us today. Now the other one is starting and she will not suffer in silence like her sister did.

Anyway we made our ADR's and were shown to a nice corner table. We missed the directions about going for a family pic before we were seated so we didn't get that done. (Who needs another pic of "Where's K?" looking off in the wrong direction and "Sleepy" looking half dead on his feet anyway.)
We all ran up to the buffet line to get our food and get back before the characters started to come around. Almost all of us. I did see "Where's K?" and "Picky" at the buffet line contemplating the virtues of Mickey waffles but I just moved on. When I got back to the table and started to eat I realized that niether of them had returned for some time. This was good at first because it gave me time to tell the Waitress that it was "Picky's" birthday. I had heard that CM does a big deal for birthdays so that is really why we picked this one for today. Back at home we thought it would be great and "The Dwarves" would think it was fun. By now I knew he would enjoy it about as much as double root canal without novacain. Remembering the first wake up call that old sound track of demonic laughter was back. "Magic Beckdom" asked why I was smilling and I mumbled something about enjoying my sticky bun.:rolleyes1 I was just about to send out a posse when our MIA's finally returned to the table. "Where's K?" seemed to have found quite a bit to eat, no "I'm starving. That pastry was so long ago." today. "Picky" was a different matter all together. With this huge buffet, filled with anything you could possibly want, he managed to find a microscopic serving of scrambled eggs and fruit, lots of fruit. He had melon in several colors, some peaches, a few slices off apple and some strawberries. This in itself is not really a problem, but the fact that the eggs got cold having never been touched and most of the fruit became art supplies for an edible Picasso I'm sure the kitchen staff had framed was a little frustrating. Then "Picky" went back to the line and returned with a sticky bun that he took a few bites out of and then dropped the rest in his juice glass with juice still in it. "Where's K?" tried to explain that he really doesn't try a lot of new things. At home he usually just eats boxed mac and cheese and instant potatoes. "He's a little finicky." (No kidding? I wish you had told me that before we paid for a meal plan. We could have just stolen some peanuts from the plane. I'm sure they would only have given me an extra year or two tacked on to the explosives charge and with good behavior...) If you have ever eaten at CM you know that during meals they periodically "Celebrate" special occassions with the whole rest getting involved. Every so often they play a certain song and everyone swings their napkin over their head and cheers, These special occassions include birthdays.:thumbsup2 All is good.:rotfl2: The first time the song played "Picky" was mildly amused. He did smile and even raised his napkin but did not swing it. This is because he didn't realize that this was all partly in honor of his big day. It wasn't until our waitress gave the two little boys next to us their special placemats and birthday cupcakes and then came up to him that he caught on. Immediately "Picky" made for a quick retreat and "Bashful" made his world premier. He began to stammer and his ears became very red and I think he was contemplating committing hari kari with his butter knife. Now I have to tell you that I have spent a lot of time around young people. I have taught Sunday School, volunteered for Junior Achievment, directed numerous youth theater productions, was even Cub Master for five years and I do not enjoy nor condone humiliating young people, but I'm loving this!!::banana: After the initial shock wore off "Picky" returned and took a bite out of the bottom of the cupcake then stuck the rest, with the frosting into the juice glass!?:eek: (What self-respecting kid doesn't at least eat the frosting?)

As we leave CM "Where's K?" says that she has been thinking and has now decided that she wants to get another autograph book for her younger grand daughter Lexi. (Great now we will have two books that we have to fill with nothing but princesses and one is already going to be missing the few we have already seen.) We run into the gift shop at the CR and find the new book. "Magic Beckdom" buys a souvineer for a friend at work and asks to have it sent back to our room and the CM cops a real attitude with her. "We don't do that here at the CR." she says as she looks down her nose. I take a little offense with the attitude not the message and ask for the manager. (Could all this stress be getting to me?) When the manager comes out she already knows who I am talking about before I even mention the CM's name. (Another ex-Disney CM/future Wal-Mart greeter in the making!) We are next planning on hopping the monorail over to the GF to check out the gingerbread house so we ride the elevator up to the monorail stop and get in line. There is noone else there so I decide to try and make a little magic to get rid of the Negative vibes left from our run in with the gift shop nazi. I pull the CM working the monrail stop aside and arrange it. When the next train came in "Middle Mermaid", "Tinker Jo", "where's K?" and "Antsy" are ushered to the front of the train. "Magic Beckdom" and I get on the second car. This is another little trick I learned here on the Dis Boards. They get to ride up front with the driver and then as they exit they each get a monorail driving license! "Tinker Jo" and "Middle Mermaid" are both excited, niether "Where's K?" nor "Antsy" seemed that impressed. Guess since they got to do it on their first ride on the monorail they thought it was an initiation ride that everyone gets to do. We exit at the GF and go in to see all the decorations. This is a hit with everyone. "Flashy" gets to take all the pics he wants and "Where's K?" is excited because this is the same one she saw "on that show with Samantha Brown on the travel channel". Next we jump back on the monorail and ride over to the PR to see their decorations. this time "Where's K?" and "Antsy" have to schlep in the rear with the rest of the riff raff. There is no gingerbread great hall this year so "Where's K?" begins to lose trust with Samantha Brown and Raven because they both said there would be one. This resort is beautiful but the decorations this year are really not that impressive. "Middle Mermaid" has an amusing little exchange with "Where's K?" here. All week so far "Where's K?" has been trying to find hidden Mickey's and has not found one. "Middle Mermaid" points out the huge hidden Mickey on the lobby floor as you enter the main entrance. "Where's K?" informs her that that is NOT a hidden Mickey as it is just the outline and he has no facial features!? (no wonder she hasn't found any yet!) After the PR we again take the monorail, this time over to the TTC. We are now headed for EPCOT. We have 3:45 ADR's at the CR with a CP package. Since we have arrived later and the park is pretty full already we decide to take it easy and try to find some attractions that maybe aren't as crowded. I remember reading on the Boards that WoL is scheduled to be open so we head there first. We always enjoyed this pavillion and were excited that it was going to be open. There is NOONE there! You could have shot off a shotgun in the place and not hit anyone. I suggest we try BW first. "Magic Beckdom" didn't like this when we were here for our honeymoon in the eighties so she decides to sit this one out. "Where's K?" says she will wait with her, I'll pay for this later. "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" don't really remember this since it has been shut down for so long so they both agree to go. "Antsy" isn't totally sold until I tell him it is a motion simulator. "Can I take pictures?" I grit my teeth and say "Not on this one." In hind sight this was probably not the best pavillion to do first with "Where's K?". Since it has been shut down for sooo long it does look really rough around the edges. This is her first impression of Epcot and it isn't a good one. Jules the cruise director is going to have his work cut out for him today. While I am on the ride with the kids "Where's K?" is busy making her judgements on Epcot. She tells "Magic Beckdom" that she can see why Epcot isn't real crowded, "Who want's to be lectured to on vacation." (Welcome to Epcot Center cir. 1986.):sad2: When we find "Where's K?" and "Magic Beckdom" after the ride "Magic Beckdom" has a look on her face that reminds me of steerage passenger on the Titanic who just a seat on the life boat. :sail: Next we all do CC and then spend some time with the different things in the court yard there. I watch "Where's K?" very closely, remembering the episode with Cruella over at TMoDA yesterday. Nothing here insults her and she is doing OK. "Antsy" on the other hand spends some time inspecting a small frayed area in the carpet and dicovering which of the stations are no longer working.

After WoL we take a walk over to Energy. We are in luck the tip board said that this was temp down but it is now working. We enter in the middle of the pre show and don't have to wait long. "No they don't allow pictures in here either." We have also always liked this attraction, both the old and the new. "Magic Beckdom", "Middle Mermaid", "Tinker Jo" and I all enjoy the humor of the show and the sights of the ride portion. "Where's K?" is hard to read. I think she is turned off by the "lecturing". "The Dwarves" flip flop here, "Antsy" attends the Jeopardy section in the beginning, he is momentarily replaced by "Happy" during the ride section but then he returns for the finale.

By this time it is mid afternoon and we have to start thinking about our ADR's so we decide to wander over to that side of the park. "Antsy" is at an all time high because we are so close to MS and TT he can smell the exhaust. I do have a plan here, I realized that if he does all the "thrill" rides in the beginning we are going to all be miserable for the rest of the day so I am trying to pace ourselves and space these big pay offs out. On our way into the hub we run across the Jamitors performing. We stop to see the show and most of us enjoy it. "Antsy" teams up with "Lazy" and they find a nice comfortable section of curb to share. After the show we stop off at CS to try some soda. We can't wait to see the faces on "Where's K?" and especially "Picky" here. "Where's K?" prefers the one that tastes like watermelon, "Picky" likes the sample from ITALY! This is the one that noone ever likes unless they grew up in the shadow of the leaning tower! I now decide that the reason he is so "finicky" is because he was born with no taste buds and all food tastes like kibble to him.

We arrive on the other side of the park a few mins early so we take a few mins to watch the seagulls. "Tinker Jo" discovers a new talent here. Seems she is the Rich Little of sea fowl. Her impression is dead on. "Where's K?" and I grab a quick cigarette in the smoking area outside CR and we go into dinner. We only have to wait a few mins, which is good because "Antsy" is being really antsy. (Guess he can't wait to play with all that food.) We are shown to a table all the way to the left of the rest in the front row. Great view of the tank. Here we got a huge surprise. "Picky" actually ordered a prime rib and ate it!! However our regularly scheduled program of "Culinary Mine Field" was switched to another channel. This time it was starring "Where's K?". When the waiter gave us our menus she started to coment on just about all the choices. She couldn't eat this one because... , She couldn't eat that one because... . Finally she settled on a shrimp dish. When the waiter came back to take our order he mentioned the shrimp was cooked with Teriyaki sauce and she had a small melt down. "I can't eat THAT! Just bring me a shrimp cocktail." He ventured with, "That is prepared with teriyaki also.". At this point "Where's K?" went postal. She threw the menu across the table and announced, "There is nothing here I can eat!" The rest of us, even "The Dwarves" just stared at our menus. The waiter then offered that maybe he could bring her a shrimp cocktail with plain shrimp. I jumped in at this point and asked if he could maybe bring her two cocktails with plain shrimp. I figured if we were already going to throw the kitchen into an uproar we could at least try and get our moneys worth. I Usually don't worry about the price I'm paying for a meal, especialy with the dining plan, But I had paid $45 a pop for this meal to get the CP package and that seemed really expensive for four shrimp. Besides I had seen what happens to "Where's K?" an hour after she has a meal that doesn't fill her up. Remember those bakery breakfasts? The waiter agrees that he should be able to do this and everything is settled. "Happy" makes his first appearance at a meal and he enjoys his prime rib. "Where's K?" eats her $5.60 each shrimp and then fills up on rolls. Because it was "The Dwarves" birthday I had called ahead before we left home and ordered a cake from the CR to celebrate. After we finished our meals the cake appeared on cue. "Happy" did well this time, guess he was on a prime rib after glow. No appearance from "Bashful" this time. However as soon as the cake was served "Picky" returned and he just played with it until it looked like something Pumba had rutted through. At this point "Where's K?" disappeared from the table. I figured she was visiting the rest room but she was gone for almost 20 mins. Just as we were about to send "Tinker Jo" to look for her, hey people there was cake in front of us, she strolled back in. She had gone out to have a cigarette! Again I smoke but I would never leave a rest to smoke while people were still eating. We all enjoyed the cake, "Where's K?" had two pieces.

With dinner over we walked over to the next pavillion and rode JITI. I have to say This is OK but we did like the original version better. "Antsy" returned when he discovered the no pics rule. "Where's K?" thought it was cute. It was about this time that I started to get a little miffed. Like I said in the introduction of the trip report, Because of the previous trips with extended family, I tend to always be a few paces ahead of the group in any of the parks. This time, every time I turned around sensing someone at my elbow, it was "The Dwarves". That in of itself is not a problem but I was beginning to feal like I was on a completely different trip from my own family. "Magic Beckdom", "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" always seemed to be at the rear without me!

After coming out of JITI we spent a few mins watching the jumping fountains and "Happy" enjoyed trying to get wet without his poncho on. Then we decided to start back to WS for the CP. We figured we could take our time and not have to hurry. All the way over there I kept trying to walk with "Magic Beckdom" and the girls but "Happy" kept getting in the way. As we passed people listening to Off Kilter he was there, as we strolled by the Eiffel Tower he was pasted to my elbow, as the smell of German pretzels wafted around us he was walking on my heels. By the time we found the end of the line just outside the American pavillion, It was the "end of the line". It was at that point that "Tinker Jo" decided she had to find the little pixie room again, I swear that girl has a pixie sized bladder. "Magic Beckdom" went off with her to find the facilities, "Middle Mermaid" wandered over and sat on a bench looking out over the lagoon and there I stood in line with "Where's K?" and "Antsy", steam starting to come out of my ears and my Santa Mickey hat twinkling gayly in the approaching dusk. I was at an all time low. I swear if that mouse had come skipping along right now I would have tripped him and looked the other way. Then the line started to move into the theater and "Magic Beckdom" and "Tinker Jo" weren't back yet. I had visions of sitting there between "Where's K?" and "Antsy" during this show that we had all been looking forward to and I started to hyperventilate. For one brief moment a thought crossed my mind. "Not only have we not converted them into Disney people but even worse they have converted me into not being one." (This as I'm sure you all understand caused my head to start spinning and my eyes glassed over.) What was I going to do? Then just as we were about to enter the theater "Magic Beckdom" and "Tinker Jo" materialized out of nowhere. They had seen that hat of mine twinkling and followed it right to me. I was now feeling a little calmer. We all went into the theater to find our seats and IT happened. When I moved into a row to sit I turned to see "Where's K?" and "Magic Beckdom" doing the old "You first, no you first" routine at the end of the row. Before I could say anything "Magic Beckdom" won and "Where's K?" headed for the seat next to me. I tried to get "Magic Beckdom" to move down next to me but I was being totally ineffective. I'm not sure why. It was either "Magic Beckdom's" good upbringing, she knows you should always cater to a guest even over your own needs, or I was so far gone I was speaking in tongues. Anyway, I had what I would classify as a "Magic Meltdown Moment". I stood up and marched to the far end of our little row of happy vacationers told "Tinker Jo" to slide over and plopped myself down next to "Magic Beckdom". Her look to me was not, I must say, very magical. I'm sure the look on my face, being haloed by the twinkling Santa Mickey hat, was not much better. I then proceeded to argue with "Magic Beckdom" over the fact that I was tired of her refusing to stay near me and forcing me to spend all my time with "THEM". Now, I can see the error of my ways. Then, not so much. I know I was being totally unreasonable, maybe it was radiation from those lights on my head, I was just tired of feeling like it was my responsibility to make sure every one was having a good time.:crazy2: "Magic Beckdom" made a few attempts to calm me down but then I think she saw it was useless and she just ignored me and let me mumble occasionaly under my breath. In my defense, I really don't think anyone but perhaps the couple directly behind me knew I was upset. In fact I'm not even sure if "Clueless" knew. Anyway, I did it, I'm not proud of it, but I did it. I did realize that I was about to ruin the whole show if I didn't stop so I made a real effort to let it go. I hope I didn't ruin it for "anyone" :rolleyes: and if that "anyone" is reading this, because she reads it every other day, I'm sorry.:guilty:

"Magic Beckdom", "Middle Mermaid" and I all enjoyed the CP. Neil Patrick Harris was the speaker that night. (remember the disclaimer at the front of this installment here) "Where's K?" was glad Disney had decided not to cancel him when he came out several weeks before our trip.:eek: :confused3 "Tinker Jo" really enjoyed the the horns since she plays the trumpet in school. "Sleepy" took another nap.

After the CP we really had no plans so we decided to walk out toward the front of WS and find a good seat for Illuminations. We made our way to the area between Canada and the bridge to FW across from the restrooms. (that way "Tinker Jo" wouldn't have to travel too far, and there was a designated smoking area right there also. Everyone's vices would be seen too.) We sat there on the ground for about an hour, longer than we normally would have waited but it had been a long day and we were contented to just sit. "Magic Beckdom" played several rounds of "Disney Alphabet Game" with "Tinker Jo" and "Antsy" each trying to come up with a Disney character for the next letter. "Middle Mermaid" went off to do a little shopping and then joined in when she returned. I sat mentally wrestling with the lady next to me over the 6 inches of curb we were both trying to lay claim to, Sorry not my fault you had to take your little princess to the restroom.:rolleyes1 "Where's K?" sat at the other end ignoring all of us. I think the shrimp cocktail episode and then my moving down at CP had her in a bad mood. She said it was because the CP had really gotten to her. I decided to go with that. When Illuminations started we all really had a good time. "Happy" watched the whole thing through his viewfinder so he saw the whole thing in black and white but besides that all was going well. Tonight didn't have the same magic of the last two nights but looking back now it wasn't a bad night, there would be others that wouldn't measure up to even this level of serenity.

After Illuminations we tried to manuver our way to the front gate with the thousands of other tired guests. We waited at the bus stop for about 40 mins. (Did you ever notice that every bus stop seems to get buses in more frequently than the one you are waiting at.):hourglass

As we approached the hotel "Tinker Jo" asked if we could go in the pool since it was still kind of early. I told her sure I'd go in with her. "Where's K?" then proclaimed it too cold to swim tonight. Back at the room "Tinker Jo" and I changed for the pool while "Magic Beckdom" got some laundry together. It wasn't until the three of us all headed out together that "Middle Mermaid" realized she was being left in the room alone with "Where's K?" and "Sleepy". Funny how a person can suddenly get a hankerin' for doing some laundry. At the pool we found out that "Where's K?" was probably right tonight. The air was quite cool and the heater in the pool didn't seem to be working. "Tinker Jo" and I spent quite awhile trying to get up the courage to go in further than out waists. Finally we both took a quick plunge to get our hair wet and then, wrapped in our towels we beelined it back to the room. "How was the pool?" "Where's K?" asked. "Oh, it was really nice." I responded as I grabbed my fleece lounge pants and beat "Tinker Jo" into the bathroom to take a hot shower.

Next Installment: I become a knight on WS and "Magic Beckdom" slaps the c&*p out of "Antsy":rolleyes1

[mindystar]

Ugh, what a day--I'm guessing this will be the last trip that you take with the dwarfs and Cruella :) I would have been sooo appreciative of the special birthday efforts you went to!
I too am the oldest daughter--I'd be the one silently suffering with my feet blister, and I would be that one who would notice she's going to be left alone with others and then want nothing more than to do laundry with mom :)
I hope that you have some more magical moments on this trip!

[mlill]

WoW! You guys are nuts! And I mean that in a very loving way! :goodvibes You're definitely a family we can relate to! LOL! I'm exhausted just catching up with the last few installments! I think you need to take Magic Beckdom on a little get-away to recover from your vacation!

-Michelle

[HesATramp]

I can't wait to read the next installment! LOL! Becky is usually such a calm, unassuming person (at least whenever I've seen her), I can't wait to see what pushed her over the edge! I do hope you were serious when you said that she roughs him up, I've been waiting for that for a LOOONNNNGGGG time! Personally, I would have slapped him into next year after the first "food art" session (or kept a tab....you know me.....LOL!) Here's to anxiously waiting for the next installment!


Until next time,
John

[Becky521]

Good morning to all.

mindystar- Would you believe that "Where's K?" actually called me up the other day and mentioned the new Disney commercial for a week for $1600!!:eek: (Can you say "Have a good time.".)

mlill- Hang in there that time alone did happen on this trip, and I think "Magic Beckdom" would agree that it helped.

HesATramp- She did get her point across, no bruises, she knows how and where to hit so it doesn't leave a mark>;)

Wednesday, Dec. 20th

Today's agenda includes ADR's at the GG so we plan on spending the entire day at Epcot. "Magic Beckdom" has planned being at the park for opening as today's "first".

We got up today with the wake up call, or rather the ringing of the phone. It rings quite a few times and "Sleepy" doesn't even stir. "Where's K?" answers it this time. Most of us drag ourselves out of bed and start getting ready for the day. Numerous calls to "Sleepy" from "Where'sK?" are non-productive so finally "Magic Beckdom" steps in. In her best mom voice she informs him that he is going to make us late for the opening and if he doesn't get up now she is going to leave him alone in the room. (Don't mess with a woman with a plan. Are you all seeing that the thin vail of "We're all happy vacationers" is beginning to disolve?) "Sleepy" does fly out of bed on this. I think that even though he is excited to see what mousekeeping has done every day he is just a little afraid of being in the room when Maryanne arrives. He's affraid he will be forced to sit in a terrycloth diaper in the window holding a sign that says "Lazy Guests Beware!"

We make the bus with no time to spare and head out for the day. When we arrive at Epcot I notice that "Tinker Jo" is again lagging behind and she is now walking a little funny. I give up trying to convince either of them that the mole skin really works. We get to enter the park before the opening time and join the other guests waiting just pass SE. When the rope is dropped we RUN with everyone else through the opening to the left and head for MS and TT. Now on the way "Middle Mermaid" and I are trying to set an on the go game plan. Since she doesn't want to do MS, she hated it 2 years ago. She will take our tickets and get FP for TT. "The Dwarves", "Magic Beckdom" and I will head over and get in standby for MS. "Tinker Jo" also wants no part of MS so she will be in charge of the "Where's K?" round up. That's what she gets for being the youngest. As we approach the spot where everyone must decide if it is going to be MS or TT most of the crowd turn right and head for TT. This leaves "Magic Beckdom", Myself and "Happy" in the very front of the crowd headed for MS. I give one last yell of encouragement to "Middle Mermaid" as she is swallowed up by the TT crowd. I do one last turn behind to see if I can find "Tinker Jo" and "Where's K?" and I think I spot "Tinker Jo's" Santa Minnie hat in the crowd but I can't be sure. I have a fleeting thought that she might get lost but then smile to myself, "Don't worry she is with a responsible person, she won't get lost. "Tinker Jo" will get her to the designated meeting place." We arrive at the entrance to MS and we are the first ones there! "Orange or Green?" we are asked by the CM. "Which is which?" I ask. "The orange spins.". I look to "Magic Beckdom" and "Happy" for some input. "Happy" is in his own little form of nirvana, he is doing a "Thrill" ride first thing. No help from him. "Magic Beckdom" has a kind of nervous look on her face but says, "Whatever". I open my mouth to say green, I wasn't too sure about this last time either and am really only doing it for "Happy". "ORANGE!" Am I crazy?! Two years ago I was light headed for an hour after this ride and my ears felt like they were on fire! The CM hands us the orange boarding tickets and we are off. We get to the boarding area before the am system checks are done. "Do you think you might want to check them just one more time? Do all the seats have their little white "pastry bags" in place? I might need one of those." Standing in the inner room where they explain what it is you are about to subject your body to I keep fighting the urge to chicken out. "Magic Beckdom" has become very quiet. Probably wondering if "Middle Mermaid" knows where the strong box with the life insurance policies is back home. "Happy" is talking non-stop, not really saying anything just babbling. We get ushered into the centrifuge area and stand on our little triangles. I do like the way they spot each rider seperately. Reminds me of scene from CSI where the police are trying to crack the suspects story. "Are you sure you are telling the truth about last tuesday? If not we have our ways of making you talk. We have this little trip to Mars thing that gets the truth everytime." When we enter ouor capsule there is a guy sitting next to "Magic Beckdom" who is ON HIS PHONE, he is telling someone on the other end that he is just getting ready to ride SPACESHIP EARTH!! If they come to the exit he will meet them there when he is done. Now the fact that he was on his phone until well after the ride had started and talked until he was unable to properly pronounce words told me he had no idea of what was about to happen. The fact that he called it SE makes me wonder if his friend on the other end of the phone ever found him at the exit; on his knees, face a lovely shade of green, his phone clutched in one hand and the "Pastry bag" from the ride in the other. I guess every group has their own version of "Where's K?' and he had probably been told by someone to "sit here and wait for us while we go on TT.".:scared: It was at this point that my favorite statement from the entire trip was uttered. I noted that "Happy" was now walking a little like "Woozy". I asked him how he liked the ride and he said it was good. I'm sure he was trying to concentrate on not bouncing off the walls and couldn't give any more brain capacity to trivial things like talking or breathing. I have to say I thought it was much less intense than I remembered and didn't know why I had been so unsure. It was "Magic Beckdom" who said the words that will go down in our family's vacation history. I asked her what she thought and she responded with, "It wasn't as bad as I remember. My cheeks hurt and I cried the whole time, but it really wasn't that bad."!!:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: This is a quote I used on everything from TT to TETRUNM for the rest of the week.:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

After exiting through the gift shop we found "Middle Mermaid" and her charges sitting out on a bench in front of MS. The FP she had gotten for TT were for the first time slot so we went right over and got in line. "Where's K?" was going to sit this one out and have her first shot at getting lost for the day! TT was a hit with all of us, even "Woozy" who had left to make room for "Happy" enjoyed it. There was one aspect of this ride that "Middle Mermaid" really enjoyed. She was seated behind her sister and got great enjoyment out of the fact that TT played havoc with "Tinker Jo's" hair. She laughed harder over that than anything else all week. She enjoyed it so much in fact that we had to ride TT later in the week so she could take a picture. "Tinker Jo" thought it was funny until she had to get a comb through the rat's nest it left her with.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/121460012_12.jpg
"Tinker Jo" gets her Bibbity Bobbity Boutique done on Bibbity Bobbity Test Track.

After having our insides scrambled and churned on MS and TT we now decide to find something to eat. (Good planning huh?) We cross the park to the bakery next to the Cool Station and grab something there. "Where's K?" is thrilled with the thought of yet another bakery breakfast. I tell her to get a breakfast sandwich and just use a counter service instead of a snack but she refuses. I do this just to make a point. She glares at me for the next hour. When we are done eating "Magic Beckdom" suggests heading back to WS as this is an EMH morning and the countries should be open early too. (Yes, we know they don't. NOW!!). We do a quick detour into the character meet area right there to see if we can find anyone we haven't seen yet. No new friends to meet here. I suggest to "Where's K?" she might want to get these characters, the fab five, to sign the new book for her younger grand daughter. "I am only looking for princesses for that book too." "Middle Mermaid" reminds her of the whole 14 pages 6 princess thing and tries to get her to have these characters sign in the back. "No I'll wait. I think she would really like to have the princesses. I'm sure we will find enough."

"I heard it from Maryanne who heard it from another mousekeeper who heard it from Jimminy Cricket that there is a psychic staying over at Pop Century who has been in touch with Princess Grace, Maybe we should head over there!" No I didn't say it out loud but I thought it!

Have to sign off for now I will finish up this installment real soon.

Next time: Jules your cruise director goes postal and takes no prisoners and "Where's K?" finds out what happens when good Chipmunks go bad at the GG.

[sandys]

Love it, love it:rotfl:
You are a hoot-can't wait for more:rotfl2:

[mindystar]

Ah, I loved the "hair-do" almost as much as your new catch phrase!
More, more!

[Becky521]

Hi gang. I am going to try and finish up our day at Epcot today.

sandys I am so glad you are enjoyng this TR. I am actually really enjoyng writing it. It is becoming a good form of therapy.

mindystar, I love that name by the way, thanks so much for continuing to read and comment on my report. I promise there are big surprises yet to come.

And now let's see the last time we had tried to find some of those d*$n elusive princesses with no sucess. After bombing out at the character meet we headed over to WS so we could be in Canada as soon as it opened. Seems "Magic Beckdom" had her info wrong about this. The WS pavillions do not open early on EMH days. Therefore we waited in front of the pavillion for about 20 mins until it did open. We hit the stores there, sad to see that the store on the upper level was not open just the one there in the front. I started my own little odessy here in Canada. I decided to buy Christmas tree decorations in each of the countries of WS, this turned into new tree decorations from all over the World. This did irk "Where's K?" a little I think because while she was trying to economically buy decorations for folks back home and travel all over the place to find them I just kept buying 7 or 8 at a pop. Buy the end of the week she would just walk away everytime I would stop to look at new decorations.:santa:

In Canada we hung around a while after we shopped because the Canadian story teller was due to come out, this was another thing we did in each of the pavillions. It also became a new way to bore the living day lights out of "Antsy":rolleyes1 "Where's K?" was not impressed with Canada. She thought "they" could have done a much better job of representing the country. (Those darn unimaginative Canadians. The concept of Disney imagineers was lost on her. I think she thought Gary Trudeau had brought a couple of his buddies down to Florida back in the eighties and they banged this "unimaginative hodge-podge together in a couple of weeks.)

Next we were on to The United Kingdom. This pavillion was much more to "Where's K?'s" liking. (I guess we were lucky this was done while Princess Di was around, imagine what Camilla would have done with it?!;) There's that "P" word again.) After spending quite awhile roaming around here I stopped and picked up three orders of fish and chips to share. We had tried these last time we were here and couldn't wait to get some again. "Where's K?" saw me in line and jumped in herself. I told her I had gotten some for everyone but she said that she thought we would need more so "Picky" would have enough because he LOVES fish. I think this was just a cover for herself because that bakery breakfast just didn't do it for her. Well, I'm really glad she did that because "Picky" just played with the piece of fish he got and then it went in "Ye olde rubbish bin". He did eat a couple of the chips but then announced that these were really french fries and then he ate no more. "Where's K?" did enjoy the rest. She ate them with Mault vinegar and then proceeded to loudly tell everyone within earshot, for the next three hours, that "that fish with mault liquor" was really good!:rotfl2: I went along and told everyone she came in contact with that she couldn't be held responsible for her actions because those darn Brits got her drunk. As we were finishing up our fish and chips we realized it was time for an appearence of the WS players to begin so we wandered over to watch. Now we were just about the first ones there so I kind of joked back and forth with the players while they were waiting to get a bigger crowd. They kept kidding me about my Santa Mickey hat. Saying that anyone who had the guts to wear that should be given a discount at the gate. When they did get a crowd large enough to start they announced that they would be doing their version of the story of King Arthur. They picked this very "Amusing" guy out of the crowd to play Arthur, I think he had been into the mault liquor even more than "Where's K?" had, seriously this guy was three sheets to the wind and it was only like 11:30 in the morning.:confused: As they proceeded to tell the story they introduced Sir Galahad. It was obvious that this part was going to be played by an unsuspecting member of the crowd and that unsuspecting member turned out to be the guy with enough nerve to wear a hat that should be out-lawed. You guessed it. Me

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/502/121460005_5.jpg
My debut with the World Show Case Players. I would recognize my co-star the next day when she appeared as La Befena, the Italian "Santa", in Italy. Not sure if the fact that she also recognized me was good or bad.

This was a lot of fun. It also gave me a chance to not have to worry about "Where's K?" and "Antsy" for a bit. During this time "Antsy" was still contemplating why we were feeding him french fries and trying to pass them off as chips. After my big performance I got a pin that they said would give me immunity from having to perform with the players again. I quickly put that baby on, believe me. Next we headed over the bridge into France. Here we said we would split up and do a little shopping and then meet up for pastries in about 30 mins. It should be safe, the pavillion is small, "Where's K?" shouldn't be able to get too far. ;) We ALL did arrive back at the meeting place on time but "Where's K?" did manage to throw a small wrench into the works. She had wanted to get a creme brullie (sp?) at the bakery when we had our breakfast but I had told her she should wait and get one when we got to France. Well when we all showed up to go get pastries "Where's K?" appeared with a creme brullie. Seems she just couldn't wait. She thought we had said that "If you want a pastry you had better get it now or you won't get it." It could happen, it sounds a lot like "We will meet back here in 30 mins and go get some Pastries." Anyway since she had found the pastry shop on her own she was now an expert on not only the shop but on French pastries in general. She had to follow us into the shop, again not the biggest area in the parks, and guide us through our selections. She also offered in a loud stage whisper that we should stay away from the creme brullie as it really wasn't that good. I'm sure this was a dig toward me because I wouldn't let her get one back in the "good old US of A" this morning. Next "Antsy" turned into "Dippy" and couldn't seem to understand anything the CM was saying, granted the girl behind the counter did have a very thick French accent but, everything was written out and he can read. "Where's K?" stepped in to help and attempted to teach him that if you are confronted with someone who doesn't speek perfect King's English all you have to do is yell at them, that will help them understand. Darn foreign countries only sending the hard of hearing over here.:confused3 We found a place to sit at the rear of the pavillion to eat our pastries but "Where's K?", since she had already choked down that paste that they tried to pass off as creme brullie was now in a hurry to get going. "Magic Beckdom", "Middle Mermaid", "Tinker Jo" and I practically inhaled our treats. "Picky" tried his chocolate mousse then decided to just sit and stir it until it resembled a thick lumpy Yo Hoo. After our visit to gastric paradise we walked out to watch Pere Noel and hear about his little friend Babette. This is the French Santa. We did manage to see all of the WS storytellers. During this show "Antsy" sat on the edge of the fountain and proceeded to splash a huge puddle onto the pavement.

On to Japan. Here I think "Antsy" just about hit his limit. As most of you know there are not many "Thrill" rides in WS and those that are there are over in Norway and maybe Mexico:rolleyes1 When you enter through Canada it's a long way to get to anything that even resembles a ride. This is OK with us because we enjoy the sights of the different pavillions. "Antsy" was not feelin' the love here. He did stumble through the stores and we listened to the drum performers but that just wasn't cutting it. When "Where's K?" and I found a smoking area off to the right of the pavillion he sat on the curb and stared glassy eyed at the bonzei trees. I waited for him to go at them like Edward Scissorhands but I don't think he was even coherrant enough to enjoy a good old fashion plant defacing. He even actually whined that he wanted to go back to the hotel and see what Maryanne had done. I suggested we go down to the lagoon and watch the storyteller and he listlessly followed behind us,kicking his toe along the pavement and mumbling about TT. After listening to the Daruma Vender I knew we had to get out of there quick. If we didn't I was afraid "where's K?" was just going to start crying and "Glassy Eyes" was going to have to receive a transfusion. For them Japan was a total bust. The rest of us did our best to enjoy it and I think we would all say that it was about this time that we stopped worrying about their good time and started worrying about our own. Well, "Magic Beckdom" and the girls would say this, it would take me two more pavillions until I started to think this way.

We next went to Morocco. Again a little shopping and then we stopped to listen to the Taarji tell about their holiday traditions. This is where "Magic Beckdom" lost it. I had sat on the bench around the main fountain with "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo". "Where's K?" found a spot just to our right in the crowd. "Magic Beckdom" and "Antsy" were to her right near a raised flower bed. "Antsy" sat on the edge of the bed. During the Taarji's story I looked over to see "Magic Beckdom" slap "Antsy's" hand and say something to him with her best "mom" face. After the show she explained that she had looked over to see him doing the old pruning routine on a bed of pansies. Picking the blooms and then tossing them in the air. She had been watching this kind of stuff from him, as we all had, for three days and she just hit the point of no return. She said she felt awful about it and seemed to be guilt ridden. This is not her nature at all. I told her not to worry about it everything was ok and it wasn't like she opened his lip or anything. I think what made her the most guilty is that down deep she probably wanted to "open his lip". I had to smile to myself that it was her and not me that finally let go. I would not be smiling several days later when I had my own run in with "Antsy" in AK.

Trying to keep spirits up I lead the group next to the United States pavillion. This is one of my favorite attractions in all of WDW. I can't watch TAA without getting a lump in my throat. We got to the pavillion just as TVOL were finishing up with a performance and got to see only about 4 mins of their show. I figured we would stop back in to see them after the show. We all followed the rest of the crowd up the escalators to the theater and were able to get really good seats in about the 6th row. I again had to choke back tears when the show ended. It's something about that music and the montage of images they show that just gets to me. Anyway when the lights came up I turned to "Where's K?" to see her reaction and she looked at me stone faced and said , "That was good." I was crestfallen, this was one of the attractions I was sure she would see and then have that Disney awakening. Nothing! What's worse, we had to wake "Sleepy" up so we could exit the theater!! I had just about given up.:sad1: I tried to go back and see TVOL but the last show had been their last for the day. We agreed to do a little shopping and then meet back at the front. When we had all reunited again I asked what was next and got no real response. "Magic Beckdom" was still upset about handing out corporal punishment in Morocco. "Middle Mermaid" was too busy trying to be the peace maker to care. "Tinker Jo" who again had refused Mole skin was too pre-occupied with her feet. And "Where's K?" and "Antsy" both seemed to be in a stupor. This finally pushed me to my limit. I walked away while the rest were watching the fife and drum corp and hid in the back of the pavillion in a smoking area and felt sorry for myself.

I am so sorry. I have to quit for now. I promise that all will get better in the next post. It couldn't get worse! We will rise above this seeming defete and the trip will go on.:thumbsup2 See you all real soon.

[Becky521]

Sorry for the interruption. I had to cover for someone at work and I actually had to do something!

Ok back to the report. When we left our little group of travelers they were in the depths of despair. The ship had hit the iceberg, the Yankees had burned Tara, the wizard's balloon had left without us. But not to fear friends. Things will get better. We will live to ride a horse in the surf, for tom IS another day, We will be able to tap our heels three times and recite; "There's no place like WDW, there's no place like WDW, there's no place like WDW." Well you get the idea.

While I hide from the fife and drum corp I wallow in self pitty and decide that I am tired of playing Jules your cruise director. I want to be part of this trip not just the coordinator. With this in mind I return to the group and attempt to start again. "What does everyone want to do?" "Magic Beckdom" responds with, "Whatever." I have the melt down. "I am tired of being the one that has to always decide what we are doing next. There are six people on this trip and nobody ever wants to make a decision!". "Where's K?" tries to squeeze out of it by saying, "Well I don't know what there is to do." (If you had cared enough to even attempt to look at all the info we gave you before we left home you might have an idea now!!) I shoot her an icy stare and she decides this is a family affair and she shuts up. "Magic Beckdom" tries again. "What do you want to do?" "It's not always what I want to do. I feel like I'm not even on this trip." "Tinker Jo" looks like a deer in the headlights, "Antsy" just continues to snap the heads off petunias, "Middle Mermaid" comes to the rescue. She pulls out a guide map. "What time is dinner? "Magic Beckdom" volunteers that we have about an hour till our ADR's at GG. Then she ventures, "We could either continue on with WS or we could head back the way we came and head over toward GG. There is also the tree lighting that I would like to see." "Do you want to go do that then?" I ask. "If that's what you want to do." I thought I had seen a glimmer of hope there for a min but now it's gone. "That's the point. I don't want to decide what we are doing next!". "Let's head back then." We all turn around and head back toward Canada. On the way I ask, "So where are we going then?" "Magic Beckdom replies with, "I'm not sure." In fairness to her I have just turned the routine we had set up for the trip on it's ear and she is scrambling to figure out what is going on and what it is that is going to make it better. I see that my melt down is threatening to derail the whole trip so I try to get it under control. As we pass by Morocco I make a real attempt to make things beter. I see that Aladin and Genie are out doing a character meet and ask "Where's K?" if she wants to stop and get their autographs for her second autograph book. Up to this point she has been very quietly walking behind us with a look that could kill on her face. She responds with an answer that immediately throws me into a tailspin. It is this response that makes me finally realize that I have been spending too much time worrying about her and "Antsy" and not enough time enjoyng the fact that I am at WDW. She says, "NO I'M NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT THEM IF I DON'T FILL THE BOOK I WILL JUST SIGN THEIR NAMES, IT'S NOT LIKE SHE WILL KNOW ANYHOW!!!" I look at her like she is the hunter that killed Bambi's mother!! Is she kidding me? Why did she even come? She could have gone to the local Disney store and bought the book and then signed them in the comfort of her livingroom!! My melt down is now complete. I stagger to a nearby bench and sit, shaking my head in despair. "Magic Beckdom" sits beside me. "What did she just say?" I ask. "She said she will just sign them herself. Her grand daughter will never know." She has a look on her face that I'm sure is mirrored on my own. My recent despair over having to be "the leader" is gone. As "Magic Beckdom" and I sit there staring at each other the reality of "Where's K?" statement sinks in and we both start to giggle under our breath. This has brought us back to the same team. We are now allies again. "Ok, lets head for the tree lighting." We don't bring up the autographs from Aladin and Genie again. Every time "Where's K?" brings up the need for other autographs during the week, and she will, we all just smile and ignore it.

As we pass through the United Kingdom we realize that Father Christmas is due to come out very soon so we head back to the court yard in the rear and wait for him. "Middle Mermaid" seems to act like a weight has been lifted. "Tinker Jo", other than the fact that her feet are starting to scream, also seems to be in a better mood. "Antsy" is now been replaced by "Pokey" and he is plodding along behind us. "Where's K?" is still miffed about the whole recent situation and she is not talking. When we are watching Father Christmas "Magic Beckdom" and I get a little bit of Disney magic sprinkled on us unexpectedly. When the Storyteller begins to explain all of the Christmas traditions we have gotten from the United Kingdom he picks "Magic Beckdom" and I to demonstrate the one surrounding mistle toe. I guess Walt, looking down from someplace up there, realized we needed that.

After we watch Father Christmas and get the obligatory pics with him we continue on toward the tree lighting. We make a stop between The UK and Canada so "Tinker Jo" can visit that little room again. (Everything is truely back to normal.) I stop to buy some warm drinks from a little stand buy the stage for Off Kilter and the fact that they don't accept the dining plan doesn't even faze me. While "Where's K?" grabs a cigarette in a non-smoking area, not my problem anymore, I buy a Mickey Christmas pin and add it to my Santa Mickey hat. This is to commemorate the new birth of our trip. "Tinker Jo" sees my pin and buys herself a matching Minnie and we add that to her hat. As we approach the tree "Where's K?" says that "Antsy" would like to see illuminations again because last night he saw the whole thing in black and white through his viewfinder. "OK, well we have a few more days to do this." I bring it up to "Magic Beckdom" and she says she really doesn't want to do this again tonight after just seeing it yesterday. (She has taken my, "What does everyone else want to do speech to heart.) I tell "Where's K?" that we probably won't do this today but I'm sure we will get it in sometime this week. As we approach the tree people are already starting to line up. "Where's K?" says she want's to run over to the stores there at the end of the bridge and look for some more tree decorations for other family members, now she has decided that the ones she bought for her daughters over at MGM should have mates for their husbands and the other grand children, (The return of the Great Tree decoration epic was somehow comforting.) "Middle Mermaid" says she would like to stop in there also so the two of them, followed by "Tinker Jo" and "Antsy", who is beginning to wrestle with "Hungry" for domination, walk over while "Magic Beckdom" and I stake out a spot to watch the tree lighting. I turn my twinkle lights on, the earlier discord is now completely gone, so they can find us easier in the crowd. "Tinker Jo' does the same so we can follow them better. This is when "Middle Mermaid" gets her first true taste of the Jules your cruise director role. Which is good because she will have to do this tom night as "Magic Beckdom" and I plan on spending some time alone tom night. I have a big night planned that she has no idea as to what we are doing. When they are finished in the store, "Where's K?" hasn't found the decorations she wants, "Middle Mermaid sees my hat and realizes that if they circle around to the lagoon side of the crowd they should be able to come right over to where we are. "Where's K?" decides they should head directly into the crowd and then cross over to us. They do this and then realize that the area has been roped off and they must now walk all the way back to the end of the bridge and then back down our side. (Now "Where's K?" is going to start getting everyone lost right along with her.) They get to us about half way through the tree lighting and now "Middle Mermaid" looks stressed. It's nice to "share the wealth" so to speak.

After we watch them light the tree we head over to the Land for dinner. We arrive a few mins early and have to wait. We also enjoy this rest and try to eat here on each trip. We are seated on the lower level after a brief mis-start on the upper. I ask to be moved and they do it right away. The waitress, who I have to admit wasn't the best server, brings us our drinks and appetizers, since this is a family style meal I am a little worried about "Picky" but the "problem" doesn't come from him this time. "Where's K?" finishes her appetizer and then the next time the waitress comes by she hands the girl her plate. The waitress takes it and is gone. When our food comes "Where's K?" has no plate. Usually you use the same plate for everything here. The rest of us dig in, "Where's K?" mumbles under her breath that she has no plate. I catch the waitress and ask her to bring a new plate, she says "OK" but then never does. The longer it goes and the more food the rest of us eat the madder "Where's K?" gets. Finally after asking for a second time the waitress does bring the plate but now "Where's K?" determines that all the food is cold. I ask the waitress to bring more and off she goes again. It took a long time to finally get the second helping and then "Where's K?" pulls a "Picky" trick and hardly touches it. "Magic Beckdom" and I both feel guilty about wasting this food so we both end up eating way more than we should have and both end up very uncomfortable. While we are waiting for the second helping to arrive Mickey shows up on the upper level and reaches over and starts playing with "Middle Mermaid's" hair. This scares the s^*t out of her. We soon realize that the mouse is only a decoy, he and his buddies have apparently heard "Where's K's?" remark about the autographs and have decided to teach her a lesson. As we are all laughing about "Middle Mermaid's" run in with Mickey, Chip sneaks up to just behind "Where's K?" and taps her on the shoulder. She turns to be confronted with a rogue rodent in her face. She lets out a scream that I'm sure they heard over at MS and ends up literally in my lap! I guess they wanted to make sure she understood that forgery is a crime. I just about wet myself laughing.

After dinner we are all in fairly good moods. The various melt downs from the day forgotten. We decide to head back to the hotel a little early so we head for the front of the park. By this time most of the other guests are lined up to see illuminations so the front of the park is almost empty. We stop in the big store across from the fountain and do some shopping. "Where's K?", true to form doesn't show up out side like we agreed. "Middle Mermaid" stays outside the door we designated with "Tinker Jo" since she can barely walk by this point due to the blisters she has gotten. "Magic Beckdom" and I head off in opposite directions to see if we can find her. We are all hoping that "Sleepy" who has now joined us is traveling with his grand mother. After 25 mins the two of them come wandering up to "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo", seems they exited the store though a different door and then waited there for the rest of us. This is of course our fault. I just smile, Not my problem. On the way out of the park we see that SE has no wait so we decide to do this while we can. We all enjoy it. "Where's K?" is impressed with the fact that she was, "UP inside that big dome." she doesn't however like the smell of Rome burning and can't get the smell out of her nose for three days. I don't even think "Sleepy" knew he was on a ride.

We catch a bus relatively quickly as most guests are still back inside the park watching the fireworks.

When we get back to the hotel "Tinker Jo" wants to go in the pool. "Sleepy" rallies and says he wants to go to. Now the pool is something he has been looking forward to since July. He has not stopped talking about how he will be able to swim on Christmas. The three of us go down to the pool and "Tinker Jo" and I go in. "Magic Beckdom" and "Middle Mermaid" walk down to the gift shop then stop at the pool and both put their feet in. "Freezy", a new dwarf, won't even go near it. He sits at a table and watches us and looks completely bored. I smile, Not my problem.

When we get back to the room and "Magic Beckdom" and I climb into bed I am still smiling. Not because the evening ended so well but because I have discovered that the phone in our room hasn't worked because it isn't plugged in so the wake up call will not ring in here. The only place it will ring is next to "Sleepy's" head and since we have ADR's at Akershus for breakfast it is going to be an early call. (Cue the demonic laughter, The fun has returned to our trip!!)

Next installment: A big day! We all take our first ride on Soarin'. "Magic Beckdom" and I finally take that night away for just us, big surprises in store for her. And we are all "in the right place at the right time". Don't miss this one folks!!

[mlill]

I am actually really enjoing writing it. It is becoming a good form of therapy.

I couldn't agree more! Writing my TR (and reading everyone else's) is the only thing saving me from massive post-Disney depression! :upsidedow

We hit the stores there, sad to see that the store on the upper level was not open just the one there in the front. I started my own little odessy here in Canada. I decided to buy Christmas tree decorations in each of the countries of WS, this turned into new tree decorations from all over the World.

We were upset about that too. I miss those shops in Canada! What a great idea about buying decorations from each pavillion! :thumbsup2


http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/502/121460005_5.jpg


Might I say, that you look very stylish with your LGMH! :magnify:

This finally pushed me to my limit. I walked away while the rest were watching the fife and drum corp and hid in the back of the pavillion in a smoking area and felt sorry for myself.

Don't worry, everyone needs a 'time out' at WDW. :hippie: Epcot has a way of stressing people out, I think. I really love Epcot, but it's pretty hard to make it all the way around WS without someone grumbling, or in Magic Beckdom's case - physically abusing! :thumbsup2

Take care,
Michelle

[Becky521]

Hey everyone, this is the "real" Becky. Harry is off on a much needed day off and will not be able to post until tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who is reading, it is fun every morning to see who has responded during the evening.

I have to say, Harry loves writing this TR - he is a natural storyteller and actor. He tried to be modest, but he loved being Sir Galahad. :laughing:

Thanks again for tuning in and look for a new installment tomorrow.

[Davidsmommy]

Great installments Harry! You seriously have me cracking up. It is like we are all right there with you. As I mentioned in my trip report, my meltdown occurred in Epcot as well - I'm glad I am in good company!

[mindystar]

I think buying ornaments from each of the countries is a great idea!
And yelling at people who come from different countries--yeah, I've seen them do it on tv and movies--and that always turns out good ;)
Ugh--not eating any of the food that was bought for him--Picky would drive me up the wall!
Ha, ha, Edward Scissorhands--you make me laugh!
And you got to love that demonic laughter
Can't wait for you and MagicBeckdom to get some time away from everyone else!!!!

[hickchick]

I am laughing out loud at my computer screen! This is a great report!!

I had trip leader meltdown at Epcot too in 2004 - is it Epcot or just the "middle of the vacation" syndrome?? Not only was I sick of trying to herd everyone through WDW (that Tinker Bell enforcing wand you mentioned would have come in handy!) - but I was also sick of extended family members that did NO RESEARCH about going to WDW...hello people - we need to maximize our time here and fit it all in!!!!

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

[DisneyNutMary]

I am loving this TR.
My DH was picked to be Sir Galahad by the WS players on our last trip...as long as you are someone with a good attitude about these things (and I bet you are) it's a lot of fun to be a part of, and even more fun to watch:rotfl:

I am betting Antsy just wants to be your friend- and I am dying to know if Where's K? and Antsy ever find the magic.

[Becky521]

GOOD MORNING DISERS!!:goodvibes It's good to be back at the computer. As that "other" Becky said I was on a greatly needed day off. Now I'm back and charged to continue with this report!

DisneyNutMary and mindystar it's pleasure to hear from you as always.
hickchick, great name, welcome to our little group. I'm so glad you are enjoing the TR. I see you understand the whole trip leader thing, Maybe we should all unite and form a support group.
Me- "Hi, I'm Harry and I am a Disney trip leader."
now everyone else- "Hi Harry!";)

Davidsmommy- Welcome home! Hope you had a great trip. Thanks for finding us again. Maybe Disney could add a pavillion over on WS run by fellow members of the Trip Leaders Anonymous support group. You know, nice big couches in a dark room where we could all lie with a damp washcloth on our head and maybe a paper cup of kool-aid and a cookie when you feel calm enough to return to the World. What a great idea for a new character meet! Each hour the cookies could be handed out by a different set of characters!:idea:

Before I start this installment I have a few more "house keeping" things to do.

Again: The views related by "Where's K?" in this installment do not reflect those of the trip report writer or his family.

Also, I am going to write this installment in three seperate parts. This is because this was the day "Magic Beckdom" and I got away by ourselves. Therefore this report will be written as "before the split of the group", "Our evening alone" and then "The rest of the group's evening", this info I got from "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" so whenever possible I will be using their terms and phrases to explain the "fun" they had that night.

Today's firsts will be breakfast at Akershus, Soarin' plus a few things I have up my sleeve that "Magic Beckdom" knew nothing about.

Since our ADR's for Akershus were for 8:30 we were up early again, today the "angry Brazillian" yelled at "Where's K?" because the ringing phone got no response from "Sleepy". We made to the bus stop just as a bus was pulling out so we had to wait. This actually turned out OK because we spent some time listening to two wandering cowboys play Christmas music at the bus stop. What a great idea. Disney should have more of these bus stop entertainers. When we arrived at Epcot the park wasn't officially open yet so we were directed to go directly to Norway. "Where's K?" was excited about this breakfast because it promised to have plenty of food and there were to be PRINCESSES! When we entered we were told to get in line to see our first victim. We rounded the corner and, (Insert the sound of a Heavenly Host here.) there was Belle in all her yellow dressed princess glory!! "Where's K?" actually started to hyperventilate and her body began shaking. This was going to be a score! "Middle Mermaid" who was hoping to see fish girl, "Tinker Jo", "Magic Beckdom" and I had our photo taken with Belle. "Where's K?" passed on this but she did get the autograph. However Belle, poor thing, didn't measure up to the standards of Jasmine or Wendy in MK because she didn't personalize the books. Perhaps she just got up on the wrong side of the castle this morning or maybe she had had an argument with the Beast over his staying out late playing poker with the other princes last night.:confused3 "Hungry" couldn't have been less interested in the royal madamoiselle. At breakfast "Tinker Jo" and I decided to try smoked salmon for the first time, lets just say it's a good thing niether of us are Norweigen. "Magic Beckdom" thought the goat cheese was good but she said the cracker she had it on reminded her of the animal feed she had eaten at a local wildlife park when she was four.:rotfl:
During our meal we were visited by Jasmine, "what a nice young girl" and Snow White. Snow made the grade of a true princess also. Then we had audiences with two "princess wanna be's". Mary Poppins and Mulan, niether of these ladies measured up. Fish girl was nowhere to be seen and now not only was she on "Where's K?'s" list but "Middle Mermaid" wasn't too happy with her either. That girl just can't win. During breakfast "Picky" gorged himself on fruit again, that boy has the diet of a fruit bat. When breakfast was over WS was still not open so we decided to head back over to FW.

"Where's K?" and I stopped to have a cigarette in the smoking area just below The Land pavillion while "Magic Beckdom" and "Middle Mermaid" ran in to get FP for Soarin'. We met up with them by the pavillion entrance and decided to jump on LWTL as there was no line. Next we ran over to COL and went right in as the next show was about to start.

This next period is crucial so I am going to be very thorough with the breakdown of just what happened. Our FP were split. Two of them were for 11:03 and the other four were for 11:06. We all waited just off to the right of the FP line until we could all go on together. "Tinker Jo" and I who had the early passes kept kidding that we would leave the rest and go ourselves, good thing it was only a joke. When it came time to enter we got behind a group of folks that were moving very slowly and it was easy to become very frustrated, again good thing we did get held up by them. When we finally got through the line and were right up at the pre show area the CM told us we could ride the next one but we would have to split up in two different lines. (Now this would have been OK but I had read on the Dis Boards that the first row was the best and figured that if we said we didn't want to split up we would then be put in row one for the next ride.;) This worked as planned and the CM asked us to move to one side and we would be put in line next. As we were waiting for the people who moved in front of us to enter three CM each wearing tan slacks and blue shirts with a black shoulder bag entered from a door right next to us and walked up past the que line. I realized that each had stopped at a different boarding area and I could feel a little stir of excitement in my gut. Could this be...? I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud. When we moved into the staging area I kept an eye on the CM that was standing just beyond the fence they have there. Then just as the pre-show movie was about to start this CM walks through a gate and asks for everyone's attention. He goes on to tell us that this is Disney's Year of a Million Dreams and that they are granting dreams through out the property each day. Then he tells us that we happen to be "in the right place at the right time" and we are all getting a dream FP for all the FP rides in Epcot for that day!!:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: The entire que went nuts! We were all feeling the magic, even "Where's K?" and "The Dwarves" couldn't ignore this one. Each of us were given a special lanyard to wear around our neck with our little plastic "golden tickets" suspended from them. These we wore with honor the rest of the day. This whole surprise just helped to heighten the Soarin' experience for us. This attraction is UNBELIEVABLE! I have to say I was speechless after this one and even "Where's K?" tagged this as her favorite ride. When we left Soarin' we decided to take a walk over to HISTA and use our new Badges of Honor. Wouldn't you know there was no line at all so we didn't need the FP.:mad: These tabs, we never used and brought them home with us. After HISTA we decided to run over and use our FP at MS and TT. We knew we would be able to use them there and once you get these you HAVE to use them, they put you on a quest for FP lines. On the way over to MS "Magic Beckdom" and I kept trying to convince "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" that this ride did not seem as bad yesterday as we remembered it from two years ago. By the time we got over to the area "Middle Mermaid" had agreed to try the green version of MS but "Tinker Jo" was still on the fence. Then just as we were about to leave her and "Where's K?" to go use our FP she decided to throw caution to the wind and go for ORANGE!! I think this might have been due in part to her not wanting to follow "Where's K?" off into the sunset while we were riding the ride. Anyhow, she did do the orange and really liked it. I guess those two years made a big difference for her. She says she will do it again in the future. "Middle Mermaid" says she will be happy keeping her feet firmly planted in the green version. Next we ran over to TT and used our DFP to get right in line. These little plastic shields really make you feel like you are 10 ft tall. We rode TT, "Middle Mermaid" dictated the seating arrangements so she could watch "Tinker Jo" get the Bibbity Bobbity treatment again. (It was actually on this trip that the pic from the other installment was taken.) I truely think this was the highlight of "Middle Mermaid's" day. As you will see the rest of her day was not going to be very hard to top.:rolleyes1

Next we traveled out to WS and stopped at Mexico. "Antsy" was not impressed with the ride here. I knew we shouldn't have let him do MS and TT back to back. It set him up for a huge fall when there was nothing like them for the afternoon. "Where's K?" was very animated and tried her best to get him excited about this one because "He is part Incan!" Well, he might be Montezuma's second cousin three times removed but this pavillion just didn't cut it. When we met up to leave the indoor plaza there was no sign of "Where's K?":confused: I really did think this one was safe. It's just really one big room WHERE COULD SHE GO!? It took us about 10 mins to find her sitting back behind the ramps there by the entrance where they sell flowers. She was just about to light a cigarette. I guess the Mexican team did better than the Canadians. She thought she was outside! (Did she not realize it was only about 12:30 in the afternoon and even in Dec it is not that dark by then? To make matters worse when we came out of the pavillion it was time for the Mexican storyteller and we stopped to listen so now she had to hang around even longer with nothing for "Antsy" to do. While we listened he sat on the ground and managed to act as a human speed bump for anyone trying to enter or exit the pavillion.

We then headed on. We skipped Norway as their storyteller was not scheduled to arrive until late in the day and I also realized that if we let "Antsy" ride Malstrum now he would be lost for the rest of the day. We stopped at China and did a little shopping. While buying some more tree decorations I ran into "Where's K?" and "Antsy". She felt there was nothing here that you couldn't find in any dollar store back home! (remember my disclaimer) When we were finished shopping we hurried down to the lagoon to listen to their storyteller. This CM told us all about the "Monkey King" and the fable surrounding him. "Where's K?" strolled off to find a smoking area and "Antsy" found a bench and gave the Bonzei's a trim! After this story was over I tried to explain to "Where's K?" that I was purposely trying to stretch the rides out so "Antsy" didn't shut down completely. she told me,"That's OK. I just don't think he really understood the whole Monkey Man thing." (I don't think he was the only one. It's Monkey King, King. Not Man. Oh well Not my problem.:rolleyes1 ) Next Germany didn't do much better by them. By now "Where's K?" was actively searching for personalized decorations for her sons-in-law and two grandsons and I had suggested that perhaps she might find them in Germany. You think by now I would have learned to keep my mouth shut. The German storyteller, "Wasn't as good because she was just some woman telling about their Christmas the rest were actually portraying their Santa." (and we know how well THEY held your attention.) It was about this time that I began to seperate myself from the group in prep for a night alone. I was counting the mins.

In Italy we saw LaBofama. This was played by my "co-star" from the show in the United Kingdom yesterday and she remembered me also, that was kind of neat. We then hung around and watched a great street juggler perform. By the time he was done "Antsy" was again talking about going back to check up on Maryanne's handywork. I think this was because he had bought a Chip and Dale for a friend yesterday, "He spent $24 on those! I can't believe it. He better get something really good for his mom!", another saga begins. Anyway the WS performers were scheduled to appear soon so we stayed around to watch. When they did appear they were going to do a performance of Romeo and Edna, They couldn't afford the rights to that other show. As the performers began to cast the show from the audience they came over to where we were standing and began to circle "Antsy". (This is going to be too good. He is going to selfdestruct!:rotfl2: :rotfl2: ) Well just as the CM was looking like she was ready to swoop down on him she pulled a fast one and grabbed me. AGAIN. This time I was to be Romeo. I had forgotten to wear my immunity pin from yesterday. I figured what are the chances of being picked for one of these shows not to mention two!! It turns out the CM had again singled me out because of the Santa Mickey hat! So if making a fool out of yourself on WS in front of hundreds of strangers is what will make your day just be sure to wear something unusual that says I just escaped from the assylum and they will be here to escort me back any min. After the show, of which we performed to thunderous applause.:thumbsup2 we headed back to pick up the sights of Norway. Me appropriately armed with my second WS players immunity pin. We were just in time to hear their storyteller tell of Christmas in Norway. When this was over we all did Malestrum. I have to admit I have no idea how this went over with "Where's K?" or "Antsy". I knew that this was the last thing we would all do as a group today. "Magic Beckdom" and I were to leave as soon as this was over and my mind was already far from Epcot and this reality show reject of a vacation!!:cloud9:

When we came off the ride we flew through the shops with just enough time for me to grab a troll for next years tree. We stopped at the smoking area just next to the pavillion and did a last min regroup as to where we would meet, at the room, and when that would be, sometime before our flight out on Tuesday, and "Magic Beckdom" and I made our escape. Honestly, we never looked back. We figured that "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo' knew their way around the World and could use the bus system as well as we could. As for "Where's K?" and "Antsy".......:rolleyes1

Next installment: "Magic Beckdom" and I feel like we have won an immunity challenge on some bizarre episode of Survivor, and "Middle Mermaid" joins Trip Leaders Anonymous. "Hi, I'm Kalyn and I'm a Disney Trip Leader."

Everyone- "Hi Kalyn!!!":rotfl2:

[Davidsmommy]

THIS is how much I love your reports. It is now 4:47 and I just noticed you posted. We have to go to my dad's for dinner (we were supposed to be there at 4:30, but everyone always assumes we are late because of the 2 year old so we are never accused of being rude. I just go along with that), and I decided that I would wait until I got home to read it so I could really enjoy it and not have to rush through it. :) Be back later!!!

[DisneyNutMary]

Wait, you can't stop now! Do Tinker Jo and Middle Mermaid ditch Ansty and Where's K?
I need more.... please

[LizAgna]

Your trip report is great...I find myself running to the computer every night to see what happened next!!

[DISNEYFREAK13]

I'm loving your trip report!!:love: Can't wait for more!!:thumbsup2

[Becky521]

Hello again to all of you. I hope to finish the section of the report that covers the night the others had when "Magic Beckdom" and I went out alone today. We'll see.

DISNEYFREAK13, LizAgne and DisneyNutMary, I love you guys for being so faithful in reading my report.

Davidsmommy - with a name like Kristen you better be careful being late all the time you just might become someone's "Where's K?":thumbsup2

Once again I want to remind everyone that the views related by "where's K?" do not reflect those of the trip writer or his family.

I want to start off today with a little incident that happened earlier in the day. I actually debated if I should even include it here but it is such classic "Where's K?", and I know that you all understand her pretty well by now I decided I couldn't hold it back. This happened on our trip around WS. Now "Where's K?" tries very hard to come across as being very liberal but she is truely a child of the fifties. When we stopped at the out post area there was a CM making carvings of various animals in both soap stone and wood. These, as I'm sure you all know are very beautiful. Well, as we are admiring the different figures "Where's K?" makes this loud announcement to "The Dwarves" that he MUST buy something here for his step dad. "Middle Mermaid" took the bait and asked why was this so important. "Where's K?" then announces that "The Dwarves'" step dad, being African American, is the only person they know that would appreciate one of these carvings and this would be a much better place to buy him something than the other places we had been. I couldn't believe what I was hearing and I thought that I must have misunderstood what she had just said. One look at "Middle Mermaid's" face however told me that I had understood exactly what she had said. It was yet another moment that I wanted the pavement to open up and swallow me. The poor cast member also looked like he wanted to be anyplace else but there. I thought "Middle Mermaid" might actually cry she was so mortified. This plan was quickly dropped however when "Where's K?" got a look at the prices, She would spend no more than $10 to $12 on any one gift. I walked away thanking God that the price scared her away and we didn't have to endure her striking up a more lengthy conversation with this poor man. I do hope I have not offended anyone here. If I have please forgive me.:confused3 I only add it as yet another example of the various ways we were remided that maybe this was a trip we should have thought about longer before we planned.

Now back to the TR. At this point "Magic Beckdom" and I have gone off on our own for the night and left the others to fend for themselves. We had discussed this with "Middle Mermaid" before and told her that she would have to kind of steer the group through the evening. She was comfortable with this and felt that everything would be fine.:thumbsup2 (From this point on I will add "Middle Mermaid's" and "Tinker Jo's" comments made to me while explaining this evening in Caps. These are things they said only to me and not to "Where's K?" or "The Dwarves" at the time.) She made her first mistake right out of the gate. "Tinker Jo" had been collecting the pressed pennies in each of the country pavillions and wanted to run over to International Gateway to get one for China as they don't have a machine at the pavillion. "Where's K?" wanted to stay and do some more shopping in Norway so "Middle Mermaid" took "Tinker Jo" and "Pokey" with her to get the penny and left "Where's K?" unsupervised in Norway. This was so early on that they actually passed "Magic Beckdom" and I on our way out of WS. Once they got the penny for China "Tinker Jo" mentioned that she still needed one for the United Kingdom so the made a quick trip over there. Now they had told "Where's K?" they would meet her back at the smoking area by the viking ship in Norway. When they returned there was no sign of her. "Middle Mermaid" was afraid to go looking for her because they might miss each other but after about 30 mins she thought it best that maybe they should look around. They found "Where's K?" sitting on a stone wall on the other side of the wooden church there with a very sour look on her face. When they approached "Where's K?" wanted to know where they had been. "Middle Mermaid" said they had been waiting over by the boat and didn't know where else to look for her. "Where's K?" then asked, "Well, why would you sit over there?" TJ- "UH, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE WERE WHEN WE SPLIT AND THAT"S WHAT WE AGREED TO DO." At this point "Pokey" decided to let "Hungry" take over and he started to complain that he was hungry. "Where's K?" said that she was also and having to wait so long for them to show up, MM- "AT THE SPOT WE HAD NEVER AGREED TO MEET AT." had made her even hungrier. "Middle Mermaid" suggested that maybe they should try the food court over at The Land as they wanted to try Soarin' again anyway. They made their way over there and all found something to eat with little difficulty. MM- " "PICKY" ATE THE LETTUCE OUT OF A WRAP AND THEN JUST CHOPPED THE CHICKEN UP INTO LITTLE PIECES WITH HIS FORK."

Sorry this is going to have to wait till tom. I'm at work today and it has been really busy. I will definately finish tom. Don't give up on my slow pace lately.:thumbsup2

[dopeyfanatic]

Ahhhh! I've just found this and read the whole thing, and now I have to wait and we're at the big surprises! Man, I gotta give you guys credit. I don't care who they are, I would NOT have put up with the crap you were getting out of your two friends!

[mindystar]

I thought "Middle Mermaid" might actually cry she was so mortified.

:eek: I'm right there with her--and wanting to be swallowed by the ground!

"Middle Mermaid" was affraid to go looking for her because they might miss each other but after about 30 mins she thought it best that maybe they should look around.

Well that is what I was taught to do if you are ever separated, but then again she was dealing with "Where's K?":headache: so I guess that means logic and upbringing would have to go out the door.

This is so what would have happened had my sisters been in your daughters' places! I can only imagine the rest of these poor girls' night:sad2:
You and Magic Beckdom better have had an awesome night ;)

Can't wait for more, more, more!!!

[DISNEYFREAK13]

OMG!!:scared1: ..You guys deserve some kind of award (Keeping you sanity award) for what you've been putting up with!! How are you doing it?:confused:
It makes for GREAT storytelling!!:rotfl2:.....more please!!:goodvibes

[hickchick]

Me too! This is great entertainment in the middle of January (there's never anything on TV anyway...). :)

[Becky521]

Hello everyone! Hopefully today will be better and I will be able to finish this installment.

Hickchick - the best thing about this entertainment is that I can assure you there will never be any reruns!!:laughing:

DISNEYFREAK13 - The only problem I see with the "keeping your sanity award" is I obviously had a very thin grasp of it in the first place to even consider this trip!

mindystar - SOOO glad to see you back. Not seeing you in a few days had me worried that this TR had "Cured" you of being a Disneyaholic and you had stopped coming by.;)

dopeyfanatic - Welcome!! There is always room for one more here in the assylum that is my TR. Hope the "big surprises" are as exciting to you as they were to us at the time.;)

Now let's see. Last time "Antsy" Picasso was going through his letuce face at the food court. When this gastric adventure was over the group decided to use their DFP and redo Soarin'. This was again a big hit and "Middle Mermaid" thought she had them in the palm of her hand for the evening. (She's young.) When they came out of the attraction "Where's K?" was in need of a ciggie and "Tinker Jo" had to exercise her Fairy bladder so "Middle Mermaid" went off with her sister, "Pokey" who was back, was in tow, and they said they would just meet up with "Where's K?" when they were done.;) :rotfl2: "Where's K?" decided they would meet at the smoking area outside MS! Because she knew where that one was. "Middle Mermaid" explained that that area was clear on the other side of FW but "Where's K?" insisted that that was the best place to meet. After "Tinker Jo" saw that fairy about a horse the three of them headed over to MS and I know I really don't have to tell all of you, no sign of "Where's K?". Next "Middle Mermaid" led her charges back to the area near The Land, thinking that perhaps "Where's K?" had spotted that one and there was no sign of her there either. Getting a bit concerned that they really may have lost her this time "Middle Mermaid" walked back to the center of FW and did a grand sweep there. MM - "STILL NO SIGN OF HER." At this point, MM - " "OPTIMISTIC","Opti" for short, BEGAN TO WHINE AND SAID THAT 'WE WILL NEVER FIND HER NOW. LET'S JUST GO DO SOMETHING ELSE.'!" The kid obviously has a lot of family loyalty. Then, MM - "JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO AGREE WITH HIM. THERE WAS HER LITTLE SANTA HAT!" TJ - "IN THE SMOKING AREA OVER BEHIND THE SEA!! WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?" :confused3
:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:
MM - "WHEN WE WALKED UP TO HER SHE SAYS, 'WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN NOW?'. I SAY, 'WE WENT OVER TO THE AREA BY MS LIKE WE SAID.' SHE SAYS, 'OH, I FOUND THIS ONE FIRST SO I JUST DECIDED TO STOP HERE AND WAIT FOR YOU.'!" All I can Say is I'm glad we taught "Middle Mermaid" self control. Now whith "Middle Mermaid" practically biting through her tongue they head over to Inoventions, This and a second go at Illuminations were put on their agenda to keep "Antsy" happy. When they get to Inoventions, MM - "IT'S CLOSED FOR THE DAY! NOW WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? IT'S TOO EARLY TO FIND A SPOT FOR ILLUMINATIONS. MAYBE WE COULD DO SOME SHOPPING!", obvious solution for a 19 year old girl. MM - "I BRING IT UP AND 'WHERE'S K?' SAYS SHE IS TIRED OF SHOPPING. THEN I BRING UP THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS SHE STILL NEEDS FOR HER FAMILY AND SHE CHANGED HER MIND" She hasn't learned that this is the last thing that will make this trip run smoother at this point. They do not find the decorations at MG but the CM suggests they go to guest relations, perhaps they can help. (Do they give out electric shock treatment there?) At GR "Where's K?" explains the Christmas decorations epic to the CM and they suggest she try at DTD. (Now we had asked at DTD and they said they couldn't get them personalized until the 27th and we fly out on the 26th. Besides this, after our last trip to DTD "Where's K?" had proudly announced that since we had done this "park" we had "one down and there is no need to come back here." Getting her back there at this point would have been like negotiating peace in the mid east, and Condolisa was a little busy. This suggestion got under "Where's K?'s" skin and she proceeded to get into a discussion(read fight) with the CM. MM - "WHILE THIS WAS ALL GOING ON 'TINKER JO' WENT OFF TO A NEARBY BENCH AND PRETENDED SHE DIDN'T KNOW US." Sounds like the Indian family all over again, don't it?;) MM - " 'ANTSY' SAT DOWN ON THE GROUND RIPING UP GUIDE MAPS IN ALL THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND THROWING THEM IN THE GARDEN! FINALLY 'WHERE'S K?' GAVE UP AND WE WENT BACK TO MG AND SHE BOUGHT DIFFERENT DECORATIONS THAT DIDN'T HAVE ANY NAMES ON THEM!! WHEN THIS WAS OVER 'ANTSY' SAID HE WANTED TO GO FIND A SPOT FOR ILLUMINATIONS." TJ - " 'WHERE'S K?' WANTED TO 'DO SOMETHING' SO THEN THEY GOT IN A FIGHT." MM - " THEN 'WHERE'S K?' STARTED YELLING AT 'ANTSY' THAT HE WAS NEVER HAPPY AND HE SHOULD BE GREATFUL FOR THIS WHOLE TRIP. HE STARTED ARGUING BACK THAT THIS WAS BORING SINCE EVERYTHING IN FW WAS CLOSED. THIS MADE 'WHERE'S K?' REALLY MAD AND SHE STARTED YELLING AT HIM THAT HE HAD BETTER BUY HIS MOTHER SOMETHING REAL NICE SINCE HE 'BOUGHT THOSE TWO $24 SQUIRELS FOR SOME FRIEND.' " TJ - "THEN SHE JUST THOWS UP HER HANDS AND MARCHED OFF." MM - "SHE CAME BACK A FEW MINS LATER WITH A COKE THAT SHE BOUGHT AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PRICE. I TOLD HER SHE SHOULD HAVE USED THE DINING PLAN AND SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE COULDN'T, 'ONLY YOUR FATHER CAN USE THAT.' " TJ - "OBVIOUSLY SHE FORGOT THAT WE HAD JUST USED IT TO GET DINNER AT THE FOOD COURT." At this point "Middle Mermaid" decided that they would probably do better if they weren't traveling around so she said it was now probably a good time to find a spot for Illuminations. MM - "I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE EASIER TO KEEP AN EYE ON EVERYONE." TJ - 'WHERE'S K?' INSISTED WE SIT RIGHT DOWN IN THE FRONT BY SHOWCASE PAZA SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO FIGHT THE CROWDS ON THE WAY OUT." MM - "OF COARSE EVERYONE ELSE HAD THE SAME IDEA AND WE COULDN'T FIND A GOOD SPOT ANYWHERE. FINALLY WE DID FIND A SPOT ON THE CURB AND WE ALL SAT DOWN. 'WHERE'S K?' STARTED TO TALK TO THESE PEOPLE NEXT TO HER ABOUT LIFE AND HOW SHE WAS HERE WITH FRIENDS AND SHE WAS COLLECTING PRINCESS' AUTOGRAPHS FOR HER GRAND DAUGHTERS BACK HOME. 'ANTSY' OCCUPIED HIMSELF BY TRYING TO GET THE DUCKS TO EAT GRASS. THEN THESE PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS CAME UP AND GOT IN FRONT OF US. EVERYBODY ELSE AROUND US STARTED TO STAND UP SO THEY COULD SEE OVER THEM, BUT THEN THEY WERE IN THE WAY OF THESE LITTLE KIDS THAT WERE RIGHT BEHIND US. 'WHERE'S K?' THEN STARTED TO CIRCULATE THROUGH THE CROWD DEMANDING THAT EVERYONE SIT DOWN." TJ - "WHICH THEY REFUSSED TO DO." MM - " THEN 'WHERE'S K?' COMPLAINED THROUGH THE WHOLE SHOW ABOUT HOW RUDE EVERYONE WAS. AT LEAST SHE COULD SEE. I SPENT THE WHOLE TIME LOOKING AT A SPOT WHERE I THOUGHT THE CENTER GLOBE WAS, ONLY TO DISCOVER, WHEN IT SHOT OFF SOME FIREWORKS, THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY WAY OFF TO THE RIGHT." After the show they were now free to go back to the hotel but "Where's K?" was not through with them yet. HER next show took place at the bus stop. MM - "WHEN WE GOT TO THE BUS STOP THERE WAS A HUGE CROWD AND WE HAD TO WAIT FOR LIKE TWO BUSES BEFORE WE COULD GET ON. WHEN WE FINALLY GOT TO THE BUS 'WHERE'S K?' REALIZED THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE LIKE LAST TO GET ON SO SHE REFUSED BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T WANT TO STAND ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE HOTEL.". TJ - "SO WE HAD TO STAND THERE IN LINE FOR ANOTHER 20 MINS FOR THE NEXT BUS. WE COULD HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE HOTEL FASTER THAN THAT!". MM - "WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE HOTEL 'TINKER JO' HAD TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AGAIN SO WE RAN BACK TO THE ROOM AND LEFT 'WHERE'S K?' AND 'POKEY' AT THE GIFT SHOP.

Now back at the sanctuary of the room "Middle Mermaid" was finally relieved of her duty. She had gotten everyone back safely and there had been no blood shed. When we got back to the hotel a little while later we found her and "Tinker Jo" sequestered in the private room with the door closed "Where's K?" was on the phone, "Magic Beckdom's" cell phone:rolleyes1 talking to her daughter and "Sleepy" had taken controll of "The Dwarves" and he was out cold on the floor in front of the TV.:laughing:

Now to describe our night alone.

When we left the tribe in Norway we decided to run over to The Land and use our DFP to ride Soarin' again before we left Epcot. We went right through the line and enjoied talking with two other couples we were standing with in the staging area. It was nice to talk to someone who had not spent the last 6 days on a forced march. After Soarin' we left the park and headed for the bus stops. "Magic Beckdom" knew that we were going to be alone tonight but she had no idea where we were going or what we were doing. I had a lot of fun playing with this fact as we headed by the various stops.

I should probably tell you that the idea for this trip actually came, in part, from "Magic Beckdom's" desire to go to WDW last summer to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We had honeymooned in WDW in 1986 and she had hoped to go back, just the two of us in June. When we had brought this up to "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo' it was not really recieved well. (Watch for low flying lead balloons along here.) So when the idea came up that we would go in December I had decided to plan a night where we could get away by ourselves for just a little while to celebrate.

Eventually she was able to determin that we would be headed to either Fort Wilderness or The Wilderness Lodge by the bus stop. When we boarded the bus she kept trying to squeeze it out of me but I was not about to give it up now since I had kept the secret all this time. I had her special gift with me, It had been in the room safe all week, and all was a go. When we arrived at the WL I held back a bit and pretended to try and decide where we should go. Then just as the bus driver was starting to close the door I suggested that we get off here. We took a slow walk up to the lobby and then just took some time enjoying the huge tree and all the other Holiday decorations. There was also a bell choir playing in the lobby, this was an unexpected plus. Eventually I suggested we take the elevator up to the upper levels and look down at the lobby. When we got to the fourth floor I "found" a nice little lounge area with it's own private fireplace and suggested we sit down and enjoy being alone for awhile. She really didn't need any convincing. I do think it took about 15 or 20 mins here before she stopped looking over her shoulder expecting to see "Sleepy" curled up by the hearth. We had sat and looked out over the lobby and listened to the bell choir for about 20 mins when I mentioned being a little hungry and wanted to know if she wanted to get something to eat. "Sure, What did you have in mind?" Then right on cue a CM in a white coat appeared from around the fireplace, I have to admit I could see him coming along the balcony from my vantage spot, with a room srevice cart. "Mr. Lummis?", "Yes", "I have something for you." He then placed a large pot of hot chocolate and a plate of gormet Christmas cookies on the table next to us, poured each of us a cup and then left. I was making big points here.:thumbsup2 The wonderful lady from WL roomservice I had arranged this with had even made out a nice card congratulating us on our 20th anniversary. We sat and talked and drank our hot chocolate and ate our cookies for probably another 25 mins before we decided that the fire was making it a bit warm so I suggested we take a walk. We spent a little time on the balcony over looking the front of the resort then we went down in the elevator and strolled out front. We took a little walk around that area and then crossed back through the lobby to the pool area to see the geyser. We sat out on the wooded walkway there for about 40 mins just talking and laughing about what "Middle Mermaid" might be doing right now. We then talked to a very nice couple from Maryland, it was so nice to feel human again. Then I suggested we take another walk. (The geyser never did go off while we were there but that was OK we had bigger and better things to come. We walked back through the lobby and out the front again and started down the steps toward the parking lot then I suddenly turned around and walked over to the CM standing off to out left. We had seen him there the first time we had come out this way, I had actually taken that first walk around the front to make sure I knew where we were going, This was Steve, he was to be a big part of our evening, he was standing there with his friend Luke, Luke is his horse. "Magic Beckdom" was shocked when she realized we were going to go on a sliegh ride around the WL grounds. This was just great. Steve had some big blankets there for us to use and the sliegh and Luke were all decorated in little Christmas lights. We headed down through the parking area and then hit a trail that headed over toward FW. This was the perfect place to surprise "Magic Beckdom" with her gift. As I said we honeymooned at WDW in 1986 and we had gotten engaged at Christmas so this was a perfect time. About a year ago "Magic Beckdom" had realized one day that she had lost the diamond in her solitaire and had no idea where or when. Before this trip I had recruted "Tinker Jo" as my accomplice and she had "lifted" the ring from "Magic Beckdom's" jewelry box. So out here on the path between WL and FW under our big blanket, Luke twinkling away in the woods I handed her a little black box.:thumbsup2 The best thing about this is that about a week before we left home she had forwarded an email to several of her friends that contained a little questionaire about Christmas. On one of the questions that asked what was your most memorable Christmas gift she had said her engagement ring and then she went on to say that she had lost the stone, never to be seen again. I had several people, including "Where's K?", who knew about the ring calling me to tell me.:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 "Magic Beckdom" has said now she can say that her engagement ring is still the most memorable Christmas gift she ever recieved, twice. Everyone say AHHHH!

After the sleigh ride was over we eventually made it back to the bus stop and rode over to DTD. We just kind of strolled around, stopped in to TEOS and had something to eat and then did a little last min Christmas shopping for "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo". It might not sound like a big finish to the evening but we just really enjoyed spending time together and rediscovering some of the magic for two that we had found on our honeymoon.

We made it back to the hotel about a half hour after the rest and nothing was going to get us down tonight. It did feel like we had won an immunity challenge on Survivor. We got to go off by ourselves and mingle with the locals for a while. Then when it was time to return we brought them back some little left overs and they pretended like this made up for the envy they were feeling about our reward. We spent a little while talking to "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" in the bedroom, kind of a recharge for them for the rest of the trip, and then said good night. This had turned out to be a great day, for some of us. "Magic Beckdom" was VERY happy with her Christmas gift!!:santa: :thumbsup2

Next installment: "Magic Beckdom", still on a high from last night, decides to swim with the fishes and "Where's K?" and I rescue a lost little girl.

Upcoming installments: Ariel redeems herself just in time for Sleeping beauty to take her place, "Magic Beckdom" puts her underwear on public display, "Happy" adopts a lovely Asian lady and her umbrella, "Where's K?" continues her quest for the perfect/cheap gifts, "Middle Mermaid" gets a new barette from an overhead bird, "Tinker Jo" offers up her sister to the world famous WDW forgery ring and I mentally draw and quarter "Where's K?", twice! :grouphug:

[mindystar]

Awww, getting her favorite Christmas present twice is very sweet!!! And the gorgeous sleigh ride, what a wonderful 20th Anniversary present :)
Good thing your girls were brought up right, it certainly helped them brave their night alone. They are awesome girls--you're very lucky.
Sorry it took a while to write back last time, I was at my sister's this weekend--if anything you've only made the addiction stronger ;)
And Sleeping Beauty if my favorite princess--so this won't be helping "Where's K" likeable status :)

[tink's girls]

Still enjoying this trip report and so glad that you and Becky finally got some time alone. Congratulations on your anniversary!

[DISNEYFREAK13]

This was the BEST installment yet!:goodvibes
Your family is wonderful and VERY Patient with "special K" and "cybal Dwarves".
I'm so happy you and your wife had a much needed and well deserved night out alone!:woohoo:
Can't wait for more!!:cheer2:

[MomofCKJ]

Phew! I am FINALLY caught up on your report! I love it, I don't know how you make it through a week with those two! I couldn't do it, I really don't think I could. My favorite line so far:

(You can if you want the CM in the white coats to come and take you off to the Mad Hatter institute)

Rolling, just rolling with that one! :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Can't wait for more and so glad you got a nice romantic night ALONE!

Allyson

[HesATramp]

Just checkin' in!

I think that you should consider changing names from "Where' K?" to "Special K" I thought that was hilarious! LOL! Let's just say if I were the girls, I would have found some unsuspecting non-english speaking family, and dumped the "baggage" with them, and then had a great night! LOL! Oh, and your anniversary night sounded absolutely fantastic!

PS - Ma told me to tell you that the next time you want to bring someone with you, give her a call! LOL! She's like us, and a Disney freak, so you'd have a fun time! LOL! But there'd be baggage with her too.....ME!


Until next time,
John

[DisneyNutMary]

"special K" and "cybal Dwarves".



:lmao:
Great installment, I'm looking forward to morepopcorn::

[disneyloveNY]

This is great:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: Can't wait

[Becky521]

Hale, hale the gang's all here! It was really great to sign on today and see just about all of my friends here!:grouphug:

mindystar - We are very proud of both of our girls. They have been through a lot in their short lives, they lost their brother back in 2001, and they have been able to rise above it.

tink's girls - Thanks for the congrats! We really did have a great time. I reccomend the sliegh/carriage rides to everyone!

DISNEYFREAK13 - "Special K" and "Cybal Dwarves":rotfl2:

momofCKJ - The only thing that kept us going was trying to keep a sense of humor. Of course that is easier to do now than it was at the time. Glad you got up to date, many surprises yet to come.

HesATramp - The only thing different about going with you is I would slap you up side the head if you tried half of what they did!!;)

Disney Nut Mary - maybe you should pop more of that corn, we still have 5 days to go before I sleep in my own bed.

disneyloveNY - Thanks for keeping up with me. I promise you won't be sorry.

And now onward and upward.

Friday, 12/22

Today we actually don't have "ADR's" anywhere. We do have ressies for dinner at TRF over outside AK, so today we kind of have free. Since the weather is good we decide to go through with our plan "A" and do TL. This is something we have never done before. When we traveled with extended family they never planned a day at the water parks and two years ago it was unseasonably cold and very wet the whole week so we never made it. This will be our "Disney First" today.

We actually sleep a little later today and "Magic Beckdom" is already up when the phone rings. We take it easy getting ready since we plan on getting to TL "around 10". While we are waiting for "Lazy" to get his act in gear "Where's K?" and I grab a quick cigarette out on the hotel balcony. She is remarking that with everything done now in Epcot we now have two parks out of the way!! Usually we have a moment of silence at the end of each day that we "complete" a park. Suddenly we hear massive sobbing coming from the path just off to our left. Then we spot a little blonde girl wander past our room crying as if her little heart will break. As we stare at each other and wait for the inevitable annoyed parent to follow her no one else appears. The little thing's cries just keep getting louder and more panic sounding. We decide we should check it out. "Where's K?" approaches her, thought she might appear a little less theatening and all she can understand is that her mommy is lost. "Where's K?" volunteers to take her over to the front desk to see if they can help find her mommy. As they enter the main building a frantic woman comes running toward them from the food court area. Appears mom went down to the food court and left the little one in the room while dad jumped in the shower. The little girl got lonely and tried to follow mom and went out the door. Dad got out of the shower and couldn't find her and made a frantic call to mom's cell. The hotel was just about to go into lockdown until she was found. Seems today starts out with "Where's K?" being the hero. (which is a good thing, this thought probably saved her from sure death several times later in the day.)

With the excitement of the morning over we finally manage to get "Lazy" out of bed and dressed for the day and head down to the hotel food court for breakfast. "Where's K?", despite the after glow of her morning heroics, is not looking too happy about another "quick" breakfast. By this point in the trip "Tinker Jo" is really starting to have some foot issues and I have finally insisted that she use some of the mole skin. "Middle Mermaid" has been wearing it for a couple of days and even though it hasn't cured her blisters it has made walking easier and they have gotten no worse. (either that or she has just gotten better at hiding the mind numbing pain)

We all split up at the food court and agree to meet up at a table. The last ones to appear of course are "Where's K?" and "Picky". At the register "Where's K?" is right behind me and hears my conversation with the CM about the fact that my breakfast sandwich and coffee is considered a counter service. The banana is a snack. I tell her I will just pay for the Banana, to keep all the snacks equal on the dinning plan. I try to explain to "Where's K?" that the same is true for her sandwich and tea and then her orange. She becomes totally flustered and says she will just put everything back!:rolleyes1 I then say that she doesn't have to do that I just wanted her to know. Her face starts to turn red and I have a flash back to TCR/shrimp cocktail episode so I tell her to just charge the orange as an extra snack to the plan. This doesn't help so then I tell her to give me the orange and I will just pay for it myself. She has a complete melt down and says she will just put the GD orange back. (breakfast should not be this stressful. It's only a $2 orange for God's sake!!) I turn back to the CM at the register shrug my shoulders, smile and say, "It's not my problem." I find "Magic Beckdom" and "Tinker Bell" at the condiment bar and they say that "Middle Mermaid" has found a table out side. I relay the info back to "Where's Kay" and "Picky" and sit down to have my coffee. About 10 mins later "Where's K?" shows up with "Picky/Whiney" in tow. (Great now they are appearing in groups. This is going to make identification much harder if it continues.) "Where have you been?" she asks. (I have been running from table to table everytime I see you coming.) What I actually say is, "Right here." She comes back with, "Well, we have been looking all over for you!" (Well, oviously you haven't looked 'all over' because I've been sitting right here.) Actual response, "Oh, What did you get to eat?" The rest of breakfast went off OK. "Where's K?" did not have the offending citrus product and I never brought it up. "Picky" ate half of the egg out of his Egg McMickey and left the cheese and ham on the role. His juice became a sits bath for his napkin and his silverware.

After breakfast we headed right out to the bus stop to catch a bus to TL. Now we had dicussed at length that we could either wear our suits under our clothes or we could take a bag and change there. "Magic Beckdom", "Tinker Jo" and "Antsy" decided to do the layered thing "Where's K?", "Middle Mermaid" and I opted to change. When we came out of the changing rooms and were putting our things in a locker "Magic Beckdom" became flustered because it seemed she had forgotten to bring her underwear for afterward.:rolleyes1 Not a big problem but a little unnerving, for her. Then as we turn to hit the park something flies past "Tinker Jo's" face and lands on the pavement. Turns out "Magic Beckdom" hadn't forgotten her bloomers after all. There they were out in the middle of the walkway where people were stepping over them or manuvering around them.:rotfl2: Seems they had gotten rolled up in her beach towel. What a relief!:rotfl2: First we found a spot for our "stuff" and our old lady and hit TLSP. I grew up on the Jersey shore so I am all about surf. We spent about a half hour in the waves. "Happy" was really great and I noticed that even "Where's K?" went in to mid shins. Next we decided to try CC. This was the one thing "Where's K?" had said she would try. True to her word she joined us on this one. However she also decided to wear her beach cover up in the water so now that was wet and she had nothing dry to wear. We listened to complaints about this for the rest of the day. I have to say here that this CC was a bit of a disapointment. I thought it was really dirty. There were leaves and sticks everywhere! Kind of gross. When we finished floating around CC everyone but "Where's K?" did CnG. Since there were no lines to speak of we got to just keep going on three times in a row. "Magic Beckdom" and I were able to do all three slides. The young folk repeated one because there were three of them on the raft. I rediscovered that "Magic Beckdom" does not have a tremendous amount of balance here. Each time we got to the bottom of a slide she would do something, I'm still not sure what, that resulted in me being flipped through the air over the raft and ending up on my head! Kind of sounds like how we do everything. Her managing to keep me always just off balance.:rolleyes1 Our next adventure of the day was to be the high point. We all headed over to SR to do a little snorkling. When we were all fitted out with our snorkles and were listening to the prep talk "Magic Beckdom" unbenounced to me turned to "Tinker Jo" and told her that she wasn't sure she was going to be able to do this. now this should have come as no surprise because "Magic Beckdom" doesn't like having water over her head! She has often said that if reincarnation is real she honestly thinks she might have gone down on the Titanic!! "Why would she then agree to snorkle?", you ask. Hey! She's a team player! She will try just about anything once! The CM explain about the little island they have just as you enter. They tell us not to kick our feet at anytime and they explain that if we get in trouble we should raise our hand and a lifeguard will come to save our lily-livered-land-loving butts. When it comes time to actually get in the water we all step in just to be surprised that the pebbles on the bottom there are not just Disney faux pebbles but real pebbles. This surprise and the sensation of having them under foot only help to raise "Magic Beckdom's" anxiety level about the whole experience. Then we all are told to lay face down in the water to acclamate ourselves and the CM will tap us on the shoulder when we are ready to go. I put my face in the water and instantly discover that it is next to impossible to get a good seal from a snorkle if you have a mustache. The water starts to come in around my nose and I start to snort it up my nose which results in me having to raise my head and try to reset my mask. (I refuse to make a fool of myself by being one of those losers who raise their hand for the David Hasselholf want-to-be to come save me.) I try again and pretend that the salt water that is pouring around my mustache and up my nose feels good. Then "Pam Anderson" taps me on the shoulder and I am off. I make it as far as the island and have to stop. I have so much water in my mask that I can't breathe at all. I sit on the island, because I have been told that at no time am I to stand up here, and again readjust my mask. I notice that "Middle Mermaid" is about ten feet off to the left of me and about 15 feet in front of me, she seems to be doing OK. "Tinker Jo" is about 8 feet in front of me and just off to the right. She is doing some stange bob in and out of the water with her face. There is "Mr. Nightrider" following behind her but at this point she seems like she is also going to make it. I then become aware of a splashing comotion to my left and turn to see "Panicy". He also has a life gaurd with him who is trying to give him a refresher course on what he should be doing. "Magic Beckdom" is nowhere to be seen. I put on the mask and take the plunge for the far end of the tank, she's on her own now. (Even Rose realized that when it comes to drowning there is a point that you DO let go and try to save your own butt.) As soon as I put my face in the water I spot a huge fish, I'm thinking Monstro from Pinnochio. this thing is about 5 inches from my face mask and the surprise of seeing it causes me to catch my breath, not something you should do when you are snorkling. At this point I start to tread water. I see "Middle Mermaid" climbing out onto the wall at the far end and "Tinker Jo" and her escort have also made it to within arms length of safety. "Panicy" has passed me, with the help of DH and, though he still looks like the special effects crew for The Perfect Storm, He also looks like a winner. I decide this is something I MUST do and taking a deep breath I put my face back in the water. I complete the swim by staying under water until my air runs out and then raising my head to take another breath. When I finally reach the end; the "DUM DUM, DUM DUM" from JAWS in my head I crawl out onto the firmament and look around me. (The trees all seems greener, the air sweeter and the ground a blessed stability beneath my soggy butt) I see "middle Mermaid", Tinker Jo" and "Panicy" they all look a little worse for wear but they are all safe. I don't see any signs of "Magic Beckdom" anywhere, maybe her diamond pulled her to the bottom.:thumbsup2 A quick scan of the death trap they call fun reveals no sign of her either. Then I see her coming around the far edge of the pool. Turns out she should have stuck with her gut feelings on this one. As soon as she stepped down into the water she started to hyperventilate. She did get her face in the water and float but as soon as the CM tapped her on the shoulder she went into her best impersonation of Mary Jo Kopeckney. (sorry to those not old enough to get this reference) She instantly panicked and started taking on water. She completely forgot everything we were told by the CM at the beginning and never even got her hand in the air. One of the Lifeguards spotted her slowly sinking and came to her rescue. He helped her back to the start and she practically ran from the pool. I think the worst part of the whole experience for her was that her rescuer asked her, "Do you need some help MAM?":rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: While we were all fighting for our lives "Where's K?" went down to the sunken boat and watched through the portholes. She still insists she saw a hammerhead shark swim by.:confused3 Then with our "Happiest Brush with Death on Earth" behind us we continued around the park. The five of us did SS. "Middle Mermaid", Happy" and I tried HK. Seems "Magic BecKdom" and "Tinker Jo" weren't in to having to have their bathing suits surgically removed from a place no bathing suit was ever meant to be. "Where's K?" refused to come up to the viewing areas they have at the end of each slide, so for the next hour she stood in various spots along the paths mumbling because she had no cigarettes left, this will come to crisis level soon, and shivering in her wet "coat".:rotfl2: Then the five daredevils in the group made quick work of GF, MF and KF. By this time we all agreed we should try and get some lunch. Consulting our map we decided to walk over to Leaning Palms and grab a burger or something. Once we got our food we found a table near by and had a seat. At this point "Picky" returned and started to play with his burger. Pulling all the fixings out and just generally being "Picky". Then we had another episode of '2, 2, 2 Dwarves in one". "Ansty" noticed that there were hundreds of birds all around us and he just couldn't pass up the opportunity. So while "Picky" pulled the various parts of his sandwich out of the roll "Antsy" atempted to get the birds to eat them. This resulted in the number of our feathered friends to increase to Hitchcock proportions. Then the unthinkable happened, one of the dear little creatures dropped a bomb right on "Middle Mermaid's" head. :scared1: Now of course this is a very serious matter.:rolleyes1 and no supportive family would ever find this amusing at someone else's expence.:rolleyes1 This had happened to "Tinker Jo" several years ago on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City and noone laughed.:rolleyes1 Except HER SISTER!:rotfl2: :rotfl2: I thought we were going to have to get "Tinker Jo" mouth to mouth. She just kept saying over and over, "You're right it is funny, when it happens to someone else!!":rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: "MIddle Mermaid" however was about to do the whole Sinead O'Conner thing. "Magic Beckdom" had to lead her off to the nearest bathroom and get her cleaned up. Trust me, nothing causes a 19 year old girl to become incoherrant faster than a head full of birdie doo. After lunch we hung around TL a bit longer and spent a little more time at TLSP playing in the waves. Eventually we decided to get dressed and head back to the hotel. "Where's K?" was just about blue from wearing the wet "Coat" all day and "Sleepy" had returned and he was having trouble keeping his eyes open. When we got to the changing rooms we realized that not only had "Einstien" or "Einey" worn his only shirt in the water but he had not brought any underwear with him so now he was going to have to go comando in a wet t-shirt. Then "Where's K?" decided he would wear her t-shirt and she would just wear her sweatshirt. (we listened to all the complaints about you being sooo cold and you had a sweatshirt!!?) If you can't tell from the Pics, "Where's K?" weighs about 85 lbs soaking wet, with the wet coat. "The Dwarves, though not fat, is a healthy 14 year old. The sight of him cramed into her shirt, the fabric quickly fusing to his wet skin, because of course like most 14 year olds he never thought to dry himself before he changed, is a memory I won't soon forget.

When we got back to the hotel we all took turns jumping into a hot shower and then we did something else we have never done at WDW. We all took a nap in the afternoon. I know many people do this daily but it is something we have never done. In fact this is the first time we have ever come back to the hotel in the middle of the day.

When I woke up I had an awful thought. We had ressies for TRF for 7pm and AK closed at & that night. With the buses only running an hour after the park closes it was very likely that we would be stranded at AK when we finished dinner. We called over and cancelled our ressies and then jumped a bus for DTD instead. (so much for "Where's K?'s" "One down no need to go back there." remark) As soon as we get there I register at TRF there and we are told that we have about an hour till our table is ready. We spend some time just kind of wandering. I mention to "Where's K?" that perhaps she can get her personalized decorations at the shop in MGM and she tells me she bought plain ones last night. I think this is finally over but again I am wrong. "Where's K?" starts to ride "Cheapy" about getting something for his mother and he blows her off. When we come out of the Christmas store it has begun to pour. The short walk back to TRF leaves all of us soaked. "Where's K?" is the only one who has a poncho and reminds us of this several times. When we get seated "Picky" and "Where's K?" are debating what they will eat tonight, since this meal is not covered by the Disney Dining Plan they will each be paying for their own meal tonight. "Middle Mermaid" has become very quiet, can't imagine why, and "Tinker Jo" is miserable because when the rain got her feet wet the mole skin I, "made her wear" rolled up and is now forming a huge soggy lump under the ball of her foot. When the waiter comes to take our order "Magic Beckdom" and I who still have bottles of wine we recieved for Christmas gifts back in the 80's both order a drink. This is not going to be a good night and neither one of us want to face it stone cold sober. I honestly don't remember what we ate, not because of the drink just because I don't;) I am glad to report however that "Antsy" ATE HIS ENTIRE DINNER AND PRACTICALLY LICKED THE PLATE!!! Figures, he was footing the bill for this one.
Before we left the hotel tonight "Tinker Jo" had told "Magic Beckdom" and I that she would really like to have some family time with just the four of us, so after we eat we suggest splitting up and doing a little shopping before we head back to the hotel. Everyone thinks this is a good idea. Then "Where's K?" "SPLITS UP" and goes off alone leaving "Antsy" with us. "Middle Mermaid" figures two can play that game and she heads out alone too. That leaves "Magic Beckdom" and I in charge of "Tinker Jo" and "Antsy". Not exactly the four we had in mind but WHATCHAGONNADO?" At the DISNEY Store "Antsy" gets a lesson in what it's like to shop with a 13 year old girl from "Tinker Jo". Her continually changing her mind has him close to tears. At one point she handed him a little trinket that she liked then moved on, mins later when she left the store he followed her still holding on to it. "Magic Beckdom" had to send him back in to replace it before the Disney Fuzz caught him. During this time we did get to catch a bit of some carolers on the street, this was something "Where's K?" had been waiting for but missed it. (That will teach her to run off and leave "Cybal Dwarves" with us.) Eventually we met up with "Middle Mermaid" and we stopped for ice cream from the Giardelli store. "Picky" didn't want any so at least he didn't attempt to finger paint with a $3.50 ice cream cone. When we returned to the meeting spot "where's K?" was of course not there. This time she wasn't lost just late. We waited about 15 mins before she came strolling up. On the up side this gave us time to finish our ice cream before she arrived and unless "Antsy" spilled his guts later I don't think she ever even knew we had them.:thumbsup2

The ride back to the hotel was fairly uneventful. However by the time we exited the bus "Tinker Jo" could literally hardly walk. "Magic Beckdom" and I had to stand on either side of her and help support her. I had her take her shoes off and put her feet in the pool for a few mins and this helped somewhat. Soon she was able to walk on her own, barefoot, back to the room.

With everyone dead tired, probably from the water at TL, it didn't take long for most of us to fall in to bed. I did wrap up the last of the Christmas gifts and then I too hit the hay. I was so tired tonight there was no glee from the thought of "Sleepy" dealing with "the Brazillian", no demonic laughter and hardly no notice of Maryanne's handi work. When ever I go away I always take a book to read as I fall asleep. This trip I had a true life crime novel about two young teenage boys that are arrested for killing their father. When we came in this evening "Sleepy's" Chip and Dale were seated on our bed with my book opened on their laps between them. Guess they were looking for pointers. If I hadn't been so tired tonight I think that this little tableau would have had me sleeping with one eye open.

Next installment - "Magic Beckdom" takes "Lazy" on a bike ride and comes to regret it and "Where's K?" accuses Raven of being a bold face liar!

[MomofCKJ]

I should be making dinnner right now, instead I am laughing out loud at your water park escapades! Thanks for the laughs! Keep em coming!

Allyson

[Davidsmommy]

Great writing Harry! Love the romantic sleigh ride and surprise, and love you making the girls corral Where's K and the Dwarves for awhile! I love "hearing" their voices as well! Funny stuff!

[hickchick]

Thanks for the daily dose of laughs.

:lmao:

When is your next trip to WDW? I need to know what to do when this report is over and withdrawal starts to set in...

:rotfl:

PS - :thumbsup2 great surprise for your anniversary!!

[DISNEYFREAK13]

Harry, I must say I am TRULY enjoying your report:rotfl2:
You never fail to entertain!popcorn::
I find myself anxiously awaiting the next installment:goodvibes :yay:

[mindystar]

mindystar - We are very proud of both of our girls. They have been through a lot in their short lives, they lost their brother back in 2001, and they have been able to rise above it.
So sorry for your loss:sad1: I'm glad that you are a strong loving family!

The water escapade, reminds me of an eppy of King of Queens where they try that class, and Doug takes down that eight year old boy--that'd totally be me. I'd be the freaked out one who thinks I'm drowning--I actually tried snorkeling and saw some huge crustacean, freaked out and swam (horribly) away--I'd be no good if something actually was after me in the ocean!
And then getting icecream, you must have felt like such rebels!
I hope the girls' feet get well soon:rolleyes:
If only Mariann knew what book she was using for those expensive "squirrels!"
I hope that one of the dwarfs gets their act together and gets mom a great gift ;)
And as always. . . .more, more, more!

[Becky521]

Good morning to all. I have been trying all morning to get something written for you because I am tech on a day off but had to come into the office for a few appointments. I thought, great I can write an installment while I wait.:rotfl2: Seems noone realizes I am not really here today and I have been busier than when I am working. I will try to write later today. If I have no luck I promise to at least get something on here by tom.:thumbsup2 Maybe "IF" Becky signs on at some point today she can write a little hello to everyone. Give her take on the trip so far. AHINTAHINTA;)

[Becky521]

Hi it's Becky
Wow what pressure. My own disclaimer: I am niether the storyteller nor the entertainer that Harry is. But I will put in a couple comments. I have to tell you all tho - "IF" Becky signs on at some point today maybe she can give a little hello to everyone. I get this phone call today saying "I just added a little something to the boards. You should check it out" He kills me. :lmao: You think he is funny here - you should live with him. Never a dull moment at our house ;)

Harry has been quite accurate with our trip - he was reminded (or you might read threatened) that if he made me look like a fool I could always edit incriminating evidence out. We really did have a fun trip. It really made us remember why our last trip with just the 4 of us was so enjoyable. Taking uneducated, non-Disney loving Dwarves and their MIA grandmother is a Disney first (and last :laughing: ) for us.

We all contributed to the events that would make this TR so I don't have anything to add. I do think that adding alone time to upcoming trips is a must. I probably don't need a new ring every time :)

Thanks for all your comments and keep them coming. He is an actor - he loves an audience. Thanks for joining our trip - maybe next time we can take all of you with us.:cool1:

Becky

[tigger536]

Just caught up with this report! Wow! You are a great storyteller! And congrats to you for keeping it together with all the drama you had to deal with from Where's K and the Dwarves. More please!


:lmao: popcorn::

[mlill]

So when the idea came up that we would go in December I had decided to plan a night where we could get away by ourselves for just a little while to celebrate.

Sorry, I fell behind, and am trying to catch up! I LOVE what you planned for Becky! How romantic! I bet she was thrilled to get her ring back! (Did you get her a BIGGER diamond? Hmmmm?) I am officially hiring you to teach my DH how to plan a romantic evening. He's wonderful, but so not the planner. Everything we did on our trip was planned by me. We'll be going back to WDW for our 20th anniversary in 2008 - I'm hoping he'll come up with something good for us to do between now and then! LOL! :lmao:

Did I mention that you have an awesome TR? :thumbsup2

-Michelle

[Becky521]

Good morning DIS Boards. Lets see if I have any better luck today.

momofCKJ - I hope "Grumpy" got his dinner the other night. I wouldn't want someone known as "Grumpy" getting mad at me.;) Also I have to tell you that pic of your little guy with the suitcase is priceless!!

Davidsmommy - Thanks. The girls "voices" was funny stuff because they are both funny girls. "Tinker Jo" has always been the life of the party. When she was a toddler I used to say I thought she was Gilda Radner reincarnated. "Middle Mermaid" on the other hand had to grow into her sense of humor. When we would ask her what she wanted for her next birthday she would answer a sense of humor.

hickchick - I'm glad you are enjoying my TR. Believe it or not "Magic Beckdom" has been doing some research on Disney Cruiseline, I never wanted to take a cruise, I saw Titanic and The Posieden Adventure. A couple weeks ago I mentioned the cruise line and she went into planning mode. Nothing definate yet but looks like Jules your Cruise Director may live again!!

DISNEYFREAK13 - From what Becky posted yesterday It seems she might agree with you.

mindystar - Thank You. We all have strength within us that we don't know is there until we need it. (Our vacation proved that.)
To answer your questions:
Yes we did
We had "Tinker Jo's" amputated when we got home.;)
In all honesty I think she did know.
What do you think?

mlill - What do you mean you fell behind!!:scared1: That will be 20 "Hail Mickeys", young lady! Yes the diamond was HUGE!!;) I'd be glad to consult with your husband on your 20th. Of course I would have to be paid expenses for my trip down to "oversee" the affair. I didn't mean for that to sound all as "He's in the house with you!" as it seemed:rolleyes1

tigger536 - Better late than never. Hope you become a regular. Anyone who wears their love for the striped one on their sleeve like I do is OK in my book.

Enough of my babble. You all come here for the dirt on our vacation so let's proceed.

Saturday, Dec. 23

We had ADR's for lunch at SF, so today we would end up at MGM. First however we planned on running over to the BW and check out their Holiday decorations.

Today's first would be SF and "Tinker Jo" had wanted to do the bikes at BW since our last trip so today we would do this also.

We were up a little later today too since we didn't have any immediate plans. By this time "Sleepy" had made an art form out of having the pillow over his head when the wake up call came through. We all dressed and made it down to the bus by 8:30. As we approached the stop there was a bus there, we thought we were in luck. Then as we and a couple in front of us ran to catch it it just took off. This set "Where's K?" to sputtering because she was sure the bus driver had left us on purpose. (He had probably been warned by the mug shot of her hanging in the bus garage.) This was again really not a problem because our friends the singing cowboys were back today so we spent some time listening and singing along. While we waited "Where's K?" suddenly comes out with, "Oh shoot!". "what's the matter?", "Magic Beckdom" asks. "Nothing, I just forgot my medication." "We can go back so you can get it.", I offer. "No that's ok. I have went before without it." "Are you sure? It's not a problem." "No, I'm OK. It's just MY HEART MEDS!!" "It's really no problem. Let's just run back and get them." "No, I'll be OK. If I should collapse just take me to a first aid station and tell them I didn't take my meds.":scared1: (What if you collapse when you are off on one of your little solo adventures? That could ruin our whole morning!:rolleyes1 )

We catch the next bus minus "Where's K?'s" meds. We get to MGM and then spent a little bit of time waiting for the boat to take us to BW. While we are waiting I spot a little gecko on the base of a tree. I am just about to point it out to "Tinker Jo" when I notice "Antsy" is busy pulling little piles of mulch out from around another tree and tossing them into the wind. I decide the Gecko looks happy with his tail attached so I keep his presence to myself. We board the next boat and arrive at the BW in no time. We head directly to the to the bakery to get some breakfast. Again "Where's K?" is confused by the dining plan and ends up with a pastry and tea. She just either doesn't understand that you can use more that just one thing at a time, you can choose to pay cash for an extra item or she is just to "frugal" to splurge. I get a pastry, coffee and an orange and thoroughly enjoy sitting with the group to "savour" my piece of Florida sunshine.:rolleyes1 Last time we ate breakfast at the BW there were a lot of seagulls around. This year they didn't seem as bad. This made "Middle Mermaid" a little nervous after her run in yesterday. I think "Tinker Jo" was secretly enjoying "Antsy's" attempts to lure them to us today in hopes that we might have a sequel to her sister's adventure yesterday. "Middle Mermaid" came very close to losing it with "Antsy" over this, and she is not a person who ever gets mad. She finally wandered down the boardwalk a bit and found a bench off by itself. I guess she figured this would be a safer place to sit. The funny thing is several birds perched on the railing in front of her and just watched her. It was like they were just daring her to make eye contact and they would go all Tippy Hedron on her. (again sorry for the ancient movie reference, think Hitchcock's THE BIRDS.) With our bellies full we head into the lobby to see the decorations. Now, before we left home the Travel Channel had aired a program about Christmas in WDW with Raven. On this program they showed a gingerbread boardwalk complete with merry-go-round and ferris wheel. (This, "Where's K?" actually saw!!) She has been talking about this amusement park in gingerbread since November. When we get to the lobby. No Merry-go-round, no ferris wheel! Instead there is a gingerbread display of a Christmas cottage with Mickey and Minnie. It was just as detailed as the amusement park, which we had seen back in 2004. "Where's K?" took one look at it and announced, "Where's the merry-go-round? Raven showed this whole carnival. What's this? They shouldn't let her get on TV and mislead people like that. If she is going to do a show on WDW decorations she should make sure she has her information straight. (Can you say rerun?) While "magic Beckdom", the girls and I admired the display and took time to find all the hidden Mickeys "Where's K?" grumbled about that liar Raven and "Antsy" spent some time trying to figure out how to get past the ropes to get closer to the gingerbread to get a better pic. Eventually "Where's K?" tried to find the hidden Mickeys with us but since she insisted a hidden Mickey was a full Mickey face with all the details she could only find the one on the 2 ft chocolate sculpted figure, two if we let her include the one on the matching 2 ft Minnie. After about 30 mins of trying to show her the actual Mickeys we gave up and decided to head back to the boardwalk to take our bike ride. On the way out to the bike rental place "Magic Beckdom" asked who was going to go. I thought they only had bikes for four so I told her to go ahead and take the three kids. When we got there I saw they actually had bikes for four and six so I told her to rent a six person bike. I guess she didn't hear me because soon she rode by with the bike and left me with "Where's K?". This treated me to about 40 additional mins of, "I don't believe Disney would allow that Raven to produce a show with false information.":confused: However, I was not the only one to pay a price for this little miscommunication. On the bike "middle Meramaid" took the "driver's" seat and "Tinker Jo' got in behind her. "Magic Beckdom" took the "passenger" seat and had "Lazy" sitting in the rear. It seems that as they traveled around the lagoon there they came to several good size "hills", at least they called them hills. I personally couldn't see any hills on their path. Anyway everytime these bikes are designed to operate like two bicycles built for two attached side by side. This meant that "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" were peddling one bike and "Magic Beckdom" had the honor of working with "Lazy". So everytime they came to a "hill" "Magic Beckdom"
realized that the peddling became much more difficult and each time they would crest the hill she would have a hard time keeping up. She figured this was due to the normal peddle tension. It wasn't until they got off the bike that she found out from "Tinker Jo" that it was actually because "Lazy" would stop peddling when they came to the hills and just sit there and then he would peddle like mad on the way down.:rotfl: I'm not sure which one of us had the biggest challenge on this one. We decided to call it a draw. After the bike ride we decided that we had done everything we had set out to do here so we jumped back on the boat for MGM.

It was only about 11:30 in the morning but already "Magic Beckdom" was exhausted, "Lazy" had given way to "Antsy" again because he wanted to go on some "big rides", "Middle Mermaid" was spending alot of time watching the sky for any sign of featers, "Where's K?" was mumbling about that little liar and "Tinker Jo" couldn't stop talking about the fact that the mole skin wasn't curing the two big "balloons" on her feet but at least they didn't hurt like they did yesterday. This was going to be a GREAT day.

Next installment: We "finally finish up" a third park, "Where's K?" tries to bribe a Disney bus driver to take her to a convenience store and I almost commit murder with the twinkle necklace off my Santa Mickey hat.:santa: :furious:

[tigger536]

More please! I am officially hooked! :happytv:

Too funny about Raven and the reruun Christmas special. I mean, hello, do you decorate exactly the same each year? Same thing for Disney...besides if the displays were always the same there would be nothing new for the Disney regulars.

I can sympathize with Tinker Jo about the feet issues. I suffered similar pain on my first (and last - haha!) hiking trip (I was sort of conned into it, long story) due to bad boots purchased from Wal-Mart. I love Walmart, but they do not do a good hiking boot. All the mole skin in north america would not have helped.

Anyway, great installment! Can't wait to hear about Where's K and the bus...what happened, did she run out of cigarettes?

[DISNEYFREAK13]

(He had probably been warned by the mug shot of her hanging in the bus garage.):lmao: That's awesome!!:rotfl2:
more please!!:goodvibes

[mindystar]

Now, before we left home the Travel Channel had aired a program about Christmas in WDW with Raven. On this program they showed a gingerbread boardwalk complete with merry-go-round and ferris wheel. (This, "Where's K?" actually saw!!) She has been talking about this amusement park in gingerbread since November. When we get to the lobby. No Merry-go-round, no ferris wheel! Instead there is a gingerbread display of a Christmas cottage with Mickey and Minnie. It was just as detailed as the amusement park, which we had seen back in 2004. "Where's K?" took one look at it and announced, "Where's the merry-go-round? Raven showed this whole carnival. What's this? They shouldn't let her get on TV and mislead people like that. If she is going to do a show on WDW decorations she should make sure she has her information straight. (Can you say rerun?) :
My sis and her dh went down right after Christmas, and she was kind of sad that there was no Merry-Go-Round, but was aware that Raven's show was from last year--and heck she was just excited to be there for Christmas time:santa:
Good thing to know about the surrey bikes--but that does crack me up where he'd pedal like crazy down the hill:rotfl:
Thanks for another installment--i got off of work an hour ago, but have to wait for CSI to finish taping so I can watch it--so I thought I'd jump on and see if another installment was ready to go and whoo hoo:woohoo: it was!!!

[Becky521]

Hello everyone! Looks good for getting this installment done today.:thumbsup2

tigger536 - Glad you're hooked. The more the merrier. Thanks for your sympathy for "Tinker Jo's" feet. Unfortunately you won't catch her on any "hiking trip" her idea of exercise is walking to the bus stop.

DISNEYFREAK13 - I truely think that Disney had mug shots hanging in all of their CM dressing areas by the time she had her melt down over the shrimp cocktail over at the CR in Epcot. I know for a fact that they had beefed up security around Ariel by Tuesday afternoon.;)

mindystar - funny you should mention CSI. The fact that I knew the CSI Disney crew; comprised of the squirrels, fish girl and Mulan's friend Sparky, would be able to catch me was the only thing that prevented me from stashing two more bodies in the cemetary at the HM.

As we disembarked from the boat over at MGM "Where's K?" produced her two autograph books, not a huge trick as she had been walking around for the last three days with them tucked in the front of her jeans waisteband, and asked which princesses she would see today. I know that you may see some of these Royals at MGM on occassion but I also know that this is not a frequent spot for them. I was going to tell her this and then remembered that she was flying sans meds today and thought it was probably not a good idea to upset her so I just smiled and said, "You never know who you might meet." My voice had that same patronizing tone you use with a cranky 2 year old when you promise them they MIGHT get a puppy if they eat all their carrots. "Magic Beckdom" ventured in with, "Which of the princesses do you still need?". "We haven't seen Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty yet and we only saw the Mermaid in that parade and she turned away from me.". (She did? How strange. Why don't we report her to the Disney character police, a girl as snotty as that should never be given her own private meeting area. :snooty: She should be demoted to a more menial job to make sure she knows her place. Maybe a few weeks of peddling dole whips over here at MGM will knock her down to size. Thank's "Magic Beckdom" she had forgotten about it.) Then "Where's K?" reveals her plan B. "If we don't see them I will just write their names in. It's not like the girls will know." She turns to "Magic Beckdom" and continues, "You have nice hand writing you could sign Cinderella's". "Magic Beckdom" turns white. It is one thing to know a "crime" is being comitted but quite different when you are asked to participate in it. "I'm not going to sign anyone's name to anything." Like it would really be forgery.:rotfl2: I try to help here. "I'm sure if we don't see them here today we will see them over at MK. Ariel has her grotto there and there is usually a princess room back in TT. "Where's K?" then says, "I know but WE should just sign them and then I won't have to carry these books around with me. (Maybe if you didn't shove them down your pants...) At this point "Tinker Jo" who has been quiet since we left the boat chimes in. "Middle Mermaid" could sign Ariel's name." (Thank's for helping. This was the first time during the trip that I honestly feel one of us was in physical danger.) "Middle Mermaid" shot her a look that only an older sister can do. "I'm not going to do anything of the kind. Somebody else (read "Where's K?") can just sign it themselves if that's what they want to do." Mercifully by this time we had reached the park gate and the subject was dropped.

Once inside we headed right over to the Christmas store so "Where's K?" could look for the personalized decorations to replace the plain ones she had gotten at DTD. "Magic Beckdom" volunteered to run over and get FP for RRCwA while we shopped. "Antsy" heard "thrill ride and volunteered to go with her. "Where's K?" explained to the CM at the shop that she had bought decorations here the other day and she now needed more to match and if she didn't get them her whole trip would be ruined and that when she was a kid she had to walk both ways to school, uphill, in the snow with no shoes and...:rolleyes1 she threw in a couple of tears and the CM said they could get the decorations done. (probably had something to do with all those strategically placed mug shots. "If you see this woman give her anything she wants. She is believed to be uninformed and dangerous.) How many did she need? "Just four." "That is fine mam they will be done by Monday." "Then never mind." "Where's K?" responds. (I now think about doing bodily harm myself for the first time.) "What's the matter?" I ask. She comes back with, "Well, we are going to be at Disney World on Monday aren't we so I won't get back here to get them." :confused3 "We will be in MK on Monday but just have them sent to the room at the hotel." (The rest of us have been doing this with every purchase we have made this week.) "Can I do that?" "Sure, that's what I have been doing." She looks at the CM. "Can I do that?" "Certainly mam." "You won't loose them?" I step in to try and save the CM. "No they will get them there for you. Besides that way you won't have to carry them with you all day." (The few purchases she has made this week have been carried, usually in the front of the jeans with the autograph books.) "Ok" she agrees."

When we get outside "Magic Beckdom" and "Happy" are there, this personality change is due to the fact that he has been within spitting distance of a thrill ride. Our FP are for later in the day, after lunch so we decide to walk over to TBLT and try it again since Catastrophe Canyon was not working the last time we were here. On the way we stop for awhile at the courtyard of TGMR and get some autographs. We met Jafar, "Where's K?" insists he is flirting with "Middle Mermaid", Brother Bear, "where's K?" didn't know who 'that dog' was and Rafiki. Next we decided to try TGMR again since there was no line. "Where's K?" asked, Now what is this about, is it something I can do?". (Well, unless they 'plussed' it since we were here on Monday you should be fine.) "This is the ride we did the other day when we were here. The one with all the scenes from the different movies." "No, I don't remember that." "Don't you remember the ride when the guide was scared away and then the gangster got in our car, and then we saw the Wizard of Oz?" "No, I don't think we did that one yet." (Either she has not "gotten it" at all or we had better start looking for that first aid station we discused this morning.) When we come out of TGMR "Antsy" is getting more and more anxious to use our FP's and nothing else is going to satisfy him. "Where's K?" says she liked that ride. She'd like to do that one again if we have time later. Since she doesn't seem to remember what we have done it, I'll just tell her sometime tom that we did this one 8 times and she loved it. What's the difference? "She'll never know."!:rotfl2: Next we continue back toward TBLT. We spot Mike and Sully from Monster's Inc having a character greet off to one side of the walkway and "Tinker Jo" wants to get their autographs but she once again needs to visit the pixie room so "Middle Mermaid" and I get in line to hold a place for her while "Magic Beckdom" goes with her. "Where's K?" and "Antsy" see who we are waiting for and decide not to wait. "Where's K?" bums a cigarette from me, she is now officially out, and they head up toward the smoking area across from SF rest. "Middle Mermaid" and I move through the line quickly and even when we let the entire line go in front of us the monsters have to go before "Tinker Jo" gets back. I convince "Middle Mermaid" to at least get her pic with them since we waited in line. They don't sign so "Tinker Jo" wouldn't have gotten their autographs anyway. "Middle Mermaid" suggests we get "Antsy" to sign their names to her sister's book. "She'll never know.":rotfl: When "Magic Beckdom" and "Tinker Jo" get back we are just leaving the greeting area but the characters are gone. We now consult our watches and realize that we only have about 15 until it's time for our ADR's at SF so we decide to just relax in the area and maybe check in a little early. After we do this we only have to wait for about 5 mins before we are seated. "Tinker Jo" and "Picky" take the front seat in our convertable. "Where's K?" and "Middle Mermaid" sit behind them, they have gotten really close since they formed their own forgery ring. "Magic Beckdom" and I sit in the rear. This was kind of nice because it was almost like a mini replay of our night alone. I don't know what "Picky" did or didn't eat, I couldn't see his plate. He and "Tinker Jo" did get "Drivers licenses" for sitting in the front. He would later lose his somewhere between TOT and Fant. "Where's K?" seemed to enjoy watching all the old movie clips she watched as a teenager. We agreed that this was a nice rest but we kind of felt like "been there done that" it was not our favorite. When we came out of lunch "Antsy" wanted to know when we were going to go do RRCwA. I explained that we still had a little while before our FP were good so we were going to go over now and do TBLT since it was broken down the other day. He is not excited. When we get there there is a line, one of the few we had to deal with all week. We have to wait about 30mins. The entire time "Antsy" keeps asking "Why are we doing this again?". "Because it was broken down last time and you didn't get to see the canyon work. "What's the canyon do?" "It has a lot of fire and water effects." "Where's K?", who has been listening asks, "Do you get real wet do we need our ponchos?" "No, I don't think you will really get that wet." Back to "Antsy" "Are we going to get out of here in time to do RRCwA?" "I'm sure we will have plenty of time.":rolleyes1 "Can I take pics on this ride?" (That's an oldy but a goody.:love: ) "Yes you can take them on here." Finally he no longer has any questions so he turns to other things. He starts to swing the chains into the other guests in line; and my leg, He spends some time looking at everything through the view finder of his camera and then he pipes up with. "I wonder what Maryanne has done back at the room. What time do you think we will leave here today?" We are losing him fast. I have to think quick. "We probably won't leave real early because we haven't done RRCwA yet and we want to try and see Fant. and I thought we could do TOT again." This satisfies him for now. By the time we get through the line and finish TBLT we are seriously close to missing our FP time on RRCwA. I realize that if we are going to make it we are going to have to hustle (read RUN). We head off with me in the lead doing my best bob and weave/commando attack. We make it across the park in record time and get to the FP line for RRCwA just as the FP time is up. I'm afraid that we are late but the guests in line in front of us start an argument with the CM about their need to have a FP to use this line and when we get to the front he doesn't check our times, he would have seen that we were 2 mins late, in fairness we did wait for the folks infront of us to move on for a couple of mins before we could get in line. We leave "Where's K?" at the entrance because she has decided that she will sit this one out. Good idea since we don't have her meds. Everyone enjoyes this one. Even "Happy" is smiling from ear to ear when we finish. When we come out of the ride I am shocked to see "Where's K?" sitting right where we told her we would meet her. I didn't find out for a couple of hours, from "Tinker Jo", that this was due to the fact that "Where's K?" was pi^^ed because we had run to get here in time. She had told "Tinker Jo" on the way over, "If your father doesn't slow down I am going to just leave and go back to the hotel. There is no way I am going to keep going at this pace." :guilty: I swear this is the only time we had traveled at more than a liesurely pace all week. After RRCwA I stop to have a cigarette by the entrence. "Where's K?" gets upset because she is completely out. I offer her one, as I have been doing for at least two days since I have known she is running low, at first she refuses and then after I practically light it for her she takes one. She takes her cigarette and moves off down the way from us because she is still mad about my running. While I smoke "Magic Beckdom" and "Middle Mermaid" volunteer to go get FP for TOT. When they come back we walk over to the B&TB show. It is just getting ready to start so we don't have to wait long. I actually got to sit next to "Magic Beckdom" here because "Where's K?" is still trying to catch her breath from the 5k I forced her on and she is not talking to me.:rolleyes: This show is something we haven't seen in years. We conclude that it was much better when the kids were small. For adults it is way abbreviated. Most of us, well four I'll let you guess which four, enjoyed the "Impromptu" pre-show by the "sound guys". "Where's K?" was still so upset with me Jesus could have decended from heaven and sung a concert with Elton John AND Phil Collins and she would have hated it. When we came out of the show it was my turn to visit the little pixie room so "Magic Beckdom" was going to round up the group and meet me back at the smoking area by RRCwA. "Antsy" said he had to go too. Now this is the first and only time either "Magic Beckdom" or I can remember this kid going to the bathroom all week. We actually discussed this at the time. While I am in the stall minding my own business, tending to my own business, I suddenly hear someone singing. I listen closer and realize it's him! He is in the stall next to me singing IT"S A SMALL WORLD! :rotfl2: It's a good thing I am in the restroom because if I had been anywhere else I would have been travelling back to see what Maryanne had done and to change my pants!

When I come out of the restroom, not sure what is going on with "Chirpy" I find "Magic Beckdom" and the girls in the smoking area but ...(everyone)...no "Where's K?". IT takes us 15 mins to find her over on the other side of the B&TB theater. Seems she followed someone who she thought was "Magic Beckdom" out of the theater, talking to them the whole time. It wasn't until she got a bit down the street that the woman turned around and she realized it wasn't "Magic Beckdom" She was on her way back to find out "Where you had all gone now." when SHE found US. It was now time to go use our FP for TOT before we went to wait for Fant. However we had a problem. Last time we did TOT "Where's K?" had gone through the line with us and then opted for the chicken exit. She wanted to do this again. Unfortunately, when "Magic Becdom" got our FP earlier "Where's K?' had taken her cigarette and went off alone and "Magic Beckdom" didn't have it when she went to the FP machine. This meant that she was not going to be able to enter the FP line and she wouold have to wait for us out front. My attempts to make her perform like Wilma Rudolp were forgoten. Now she was upset with "Magic Beckdom", In all truth this was part of "Magic Beckdom's" evil plan to ruin "Where's K?" whole vacation. (She throws back her head and the air is pierced with the sound of her own demonic laughter!!) When we exit TOT "Where's K?" actually meets us in the gift shop. She tries to get "Cheapo" to buy himself a shirt. He refuses when he sees the prices. This only reminds her that he still has not bought anything for his mother and she proceeds to do 15 mins on this subject. When we leave the TOT shop we go directly to get a seat for Fant. We don't want to not be able to get a seat again. We luck out and get a spot in Pocahantes about 12 rows up. Not bad seats. "Where's K?" and "Cheapo" move in first. This is because she doesn't want to run the risk of sitting by either me or "Magic Beckdom", me for the run "Magic Beckdom" for her evil FP plans. This works out well because it allows her to finish her "talk" with "cheapo" about the gift for mom. The rest of us stand in the aisle doing the old "after you, no after you, I insist, no I insist." Finally "Middle Mermaid" blinks and she gets shoved into the next seat. I then push "Tinker Jo" in front of me, I'm bigger, and "Magic Beckdom" sits on the aisle. I realize I am a little hungry so "Magic Beckdom" and I go up to the snack stand and get hot dogs and drinks for everyone and two orders of nachos for everyone to share. "Magic Beckdom", "Tinker Jo" and I all eat ours. The other end of the row, not so much. "Where's K?" eats the hot dog, after she pulls the ends off the roll because 'these rolls are just too d^*n big' and she drinks the soda. "Picky" drinks the soda but he only takes about two bites of the dog and then just breaks it up in little pieces and shoves it into the soda bottle. They take the nachos intended for them and "Middle Mermaid" down to the end of the row. Neither of them touch the nachos but they put them down on the ground so "Middle Mermaid can't reach them. These get cold and are thrown out when we leave. "Middle Mermaid" eats her dog and drinks the soda but she only picks at the nachos we offer her from our end. I know this is because she has lost her appetite, between having to serve as the human Mason Dixon Line and having a front row seat to "Picky's" interpretive hot dog art exhibit. I thought this show was a sure thing. "Where's K?" and "Antsy" are both nuts over firework displays and this is one of the best in WDW. During the show "Wheres" K?" complained that there was a pole in her way and she couldn't see. "Antsy" spent most of the time reviewing the pics he had already taken with his digital camera. When it was over they agreed that this show was OK but it wasn't anything close to Illuminations.:confused3

By the time Fantasmic was over we had had enough for one day. It was time to go back to the hotel and lock myself in my room. As we started out of the park I offered "Where's K?" a cigarette. She declined it and then told me she was going to offer the bus driver $5 to stop at a convenient store so she could buy some. I told her I was sure they weren't allowed to do that. She then suggested that maybe she could get one that would be willing to take her over after he got out of work. (GREAT! A sixtyish woman wearing a Santa Minnie Hat and a wet terry cloth beach cover up with an autograph book in her pants walks up to a bus driver and offers him a five spot...

We made our way out to the bus stop and got in line with probably the population of Desmoines. I just wanted to get back to the hotel as soon as I could.

Sorry Folks, I have to go. I'll try to finish up tomorrow.

[LizAgna]

All of your installments are great but this one had me laughing so hard that I cried!! I loved the visual of "Where's K" at the end.

[mindystar]

"You have nice hand writing you could sign Cinderella's". "Magic Beckdom" turns white. It is one thing to know a "crime" is being comitted but quite different when you are asked to participate in it. .
That would so be me--I don't want to do anything wrong, cause I'll be the one who gets caught! At least she wasn't asked to sign the fish girl's name--that would make you feel real good coming from the one person who doesn't like fish girl ;)
(Maybe if you didn't shove them down your pants...) At this point "Tinker Jo" who has been quiet since we left the boat chimes in. "Middle Mermaid" could sign Ariel's name." (Thank's for helping. This was the first time during the trip that I honestly feel one of us was in physical danger.) "Middle Mermaid" shot her a look that only an older sister can do.
Eww gross to the pant thing. And us older sisters have to have something to use, although mine has lost it's touch with time ;)
"No, I don't remember that."
Well it's a good thing that you hadn't already "done that park."
"Where's K?" and "Cheapo" move in first. This is because she doesn't want to run the risk of sitting by either me or "Magic Beckdom", me for the run "Magic Beckdom" for her evil FP plans.
You guys are just so horrible ;)
By the time Fantasmic was over we had had enough for one day. It was time to go back to the hotel and lock myself in my room.
I was thinking the same thing.
As we started out of the park I offered "Where's K?" a cigarette. She declined it and then told me she was going to offer the bus driver $5 to stop at a convenient store so she could buy some. I told her I was sure they weren't allowed to do that. She then suggested that maybe she could get one that would be willing to take her over after he got out of work. (GREAT! A sixtyish woman wearing a Santa Minnie Hat and a wet terry cloth beach cover up with an autograph book in her pants walks up to a bus driver and offers him a five spot...
After being at work for what seemed like a LONG day and having a cruddy cold, this made me lol:rotfl2: --thanks for that!!!
I can only imagine what happens tomorrow--well the dwarves could always surprise us and not pick apart and at his food, pick at poor plant life, or ask he can take pictures---and ewww maybe "Where's K?" could not use the front of her pants as a carryall ;)
Can't wait for morepopcorn::

[Becky521]

Good morning all. Sorry I jumped off so abruptly yesterday, I had forgot to watch the time and realized I was very late. Just want to try and finish it up quick today.

When it was finally time to get on the bus I climbed the stairs and then heard a commotion behind me. I turned and there was "Where's K?" standing at the base of the stairs. She had realized that the bus was quite full and if we got on now we would have to stand. Because of this she was refussing to get on. "Magic Beckdom" and "Middle Mermaid" were behind her trying to convince her to get on. I then returned to the stairs and tried also tried to just get her on so we could go. Here I am, a forty year old man in a twinkling Santa Mickey hat trying to convince an 85 lb two year old with a stash in the front of her pants to get on the bus. All the guests both on the bus and in line are starting to get very upset that this bunch of idiots are holding them up from getting back to their beds. There was no convincing "Where's K?" to stand on the bus so I had to climb off and let others go. Now we had to wait for the next bus there at the front of the line of people that knew we were idiots, "Tinker Jo's" and my hats drawing even more attention to ourselves. We looked like we had just escaped from the Happiest assylum on Earth. It was all I could do to keep myself from ripping the necklace off my hat and thrashing her with it. I figured this was not the time, too mant witnesses. When we did get on the next bus the seats on either side of us were the last ones to fill up. I wonder why?:confused3

When we got back to the hotel "Middle Mermaid" had a very tramatic experience. I was sitting on the couch waiting for "Magic Beckdom" to come out of the bathroom when "Middle Mermaid" started to pull out her bed, she was sleeping on the pull out loveseat. She makes this statement that she is so tired she doesn't have the strength to pull it all the way out. "I wonder what would happen if I got in with it only half way out?", she asks. I reply, "It would probably suck you in." She then climbs on the partially opened bed and sure enough the thing eats her!!:rotfl2: She starts to yell for help and I am so tired and it is so funny that I can't do anything to help and just sit there and laugh. We all made it to bed with out any more problems and I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

Next istallment: "Where's K?" leaves us at Ak and takes "The Dwarves" poncho with her on the one night when he actually needed it and we take our first trip to Everest.

[DisneyNutMary]

:rotfl2: :rotfl2:
You're killing me.
I am surprised Where's K? and Ansty have made it this far into the trip without you strangling them with the light up mecklace.
Did she actually get around to asking a bus driver for a ride to the convenience store, or a date, or whatever it would take to get her smokes?

At this point I am guessing they never 'get it' and find the magic.

[MomofCKJ]

She declined it and then told me she was going to offer the bus driver $5 to stop at a convenient store so she could buy some. I told her I was sure they weren't allowed to do that. She then suggested that maybe she could get one that would be willing to take her over after he got out of work. (GREAT! A sixtyish woman wearing a Santa Minnie Hat and a wet terry cloth beach cover up with an autograph book in her pants walks up to a bus driver and offers him a five spot...

Seriously, you guys could make a movie version of your trip and it would put the Vacation ones to shame. This description? Priceless!:rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Is Where's K aware that you are writing this report? Just wondering what she would think about that! :lmao:

Allyson

[mindystar]

Here I am trying to multi-task and eat my oatmeal while reading your tr, so that I can go get ready for work and then I read this:
Here I am, a forty year old man in a twinkling Santa Mickey hat trying to convince an 85 lb two year old with a stash in the front of her pants to get on the bus.
And I while laughing manage to get some oatmeal on my computer screen:rotfl:
Poor Middle Mermaid and the couch swallowing incident.
Thanks for this tr--it's well needed comic relief during the work week:thumbsup2

[DISNEYFREAK13]

"Seriously, you guys could make a movie version of your trip and it would put the Vacation ones to shame. This description? Priceless!"
I agree with MomofCKJ, and would pay any amount of $$ to see that! :rotfl2:
Could I be an extra in the movie?:rotfl:
Why did'nt you guys ditch "Special K" & "Cybal dwarves" or split up ?:confused3
Another great installment, you've outdone yourself this time!:rotfl2:
Can't wait for more!!:woohoo:

[sandys]

You are killing me here:rotfl2: too funny!
Side note: I always thought that they did sell cigatettes at Disney-not on display but under the counter in the shops. I , too, am a smoker and I make sure I bring plenty of my own. No way I'd pay Fla. prices! My mama didn't raise a dummy;) ;)

[HesATramp]

Oh, oh, oh!


If you make the movie....could I play "The Dwarves?" I know that I'm a TAD bit older than him, but you know how well I can play the brat of the group! (Dodges smack upside the head!) LOL!


Until next time,
John

[mindystar]

Yikes, you had went to page 2--it's much easier for lazy me not to have to go to the next page;)
So. . .bump. . .

[Becky521]

Hello everyone! Sorry for my absence the last two days, I have been REALLY busy at work. In addition we had guests for dinner on Sat night. Can anyone guess who?;) It was the first time other than NYE that we have seen them and I had to have a debriefing time.

DisneyNut Mary - "Where's K?" never did ask for the ride she just threatened to offer the bribe. I kept her from doing it by giving her cigarettes the rest of the trip. I had one left when I got to the airport. Thankfully they do sell them at Orlando International.

momofCKJ - Where's K?" has no idea I am writing this TR. She doesn't even remember this web site exists.

mindystar - Sorry about the oatmeal thing. Maybe you could let it dry and then you and "Picky" could have a joint "Food as Art" show.

DISNEYFREAK13 - The idea of splitting up did come to mind often, trust me. However since they knew nothing of the World we didn't think it was fair to just leave them high and dry. Besides if she was left to her own devises "Where's K?" would have either disappeared never to be seen again or she would have created an international crisis.

HesATramp - so good to hear from you again. I actually was thinking of you for the "Where's K?" part!:rolleyes1

sandys - Welcome to our rookie. They do sell lighters now in WDW but not cigs as far as I know. I went all week sharing matches with "Where's K?", both lighting off the same match only to discover lighters at the hotel gift shop the day before we left. Then I had to throw it away before I got to security at the airport.

Back to the TR.

Sunday, 12/24, Christmas Eve

Today we have ADR's for breakfast at Restarauntasaurus so today we will spend the entire day at AK. Today's First will be EE and the FN show.

Today "Magic Beckdom" answers the wake up call, I had cracked and plugged our phone back in. We all got up with the call except you know who. Again "Magic Beckdom" had to use her best "mom" voice to get him up and moving. Both "Magic Beckdom" and I made sure "Where's K?" had her meds today BEFORE we left the room. We got to the bus stop and got a bus to AK with no difficulty. When we got to the gate there was a good size line waiting to get in. To pass the time we watched Wes Palm visit with the crowd. I tried to point out his handler but neither "Where's K?" nor "Sleepy" really seemed to care. She was more interested in getting to the breakfast and all he wanted to do was doze on the curb. When we got into breakfast "Where's K?" was pretty quiet. When we first sat down Goofy and Donald were coming through the room and would be with us very soon. Most of us decided to wait and visit with them before we got our food. "Where's K?" couldn't wait. She wandered off to the buffet and was gone for about 15 mins but eventually found her way back. Anytime she had to go to another room for the food we knew she was good for at least ten mins before she figured out the lay of the land. "Picky" was present with bells on. He came up to the buffet with "Magic Beckdom" and I, he scoped out the choices and ended up with a plate of fruit for breakfast. Again the menu here is very varied and they have all the standard breakfast fare, danish, omlettes etc. He is the pickiest eater I have ever seen. He did have hot choclate with this meal and he drank that but again most of his fruit was left on the plate. Our waiter at breakfast was great. He was obviously a Disney lover and gave us many great tips about how to attack the park with the two new big attractions open. "Where's K?" couldn't stop talking about, remember my disclaimer about the views of "Where's K?" here, his sexual orientation. At least she is an equal oportunity discriminator. After breakfast we decided to go get FP for EE. We walked by FN on the way and it was still closed. This would be a trend for the day. We grabbed FP for the five of us, "Where's K?" was going to skip this one. We then decided to go over to try the Safari, at worst we thought we could maybe hang out there and grab FP for later when the machine would give them to us. On the way we stopped just in the front of Africa to see Baloo. "Tinker Jo" and "Middle Mermaid" got the obligatory picture and "Tinker Jo" got his autograph. "Where's K?" didn't think her granddaughters would know this bear because she didn't think they had seen The Lion King.:confused3 (Why fight it. If they hadn't seen Lion King I'm sure they haven't seen Jungle Book.) When we got to KS there was no line at all and we walked right on. "Where's K?" was excited about this one because of the animals and "Happy" was up because he could snap away until his heart was content. We saw quite a few animals, perhaps because it was still early. We did get waylayed for a while by an ostrich that decided to lead us through at an ostrich's pace. At one point we came upon the elephants and "Middle Mermaid" was excited. Last time we were here she had loaded her camera wrong and it didn't advance so she got no pics of KS. Just as she raised her camera to snap the paciderm "Where's K?" gives a shout, "Oh Look elephants!" She than jumped up and took her own pic. When "Middle Mermaid" got her film back she has a great pic of the back of "Where's K?'s" head. This would be a sore spot with "Middle Mermaid" for the rest of the day. When we finished with the KS we still had a lot of time before our FP were good for EE so we walked back that way and decided to do the KRR. "Where's K?" decided to do this one too. So we grabbed FP for KRR and then went over and tried the MJT. "Antsy" didn't find anything here to keep his interest so we moved through here pretty fast. I knew by his track record that with him being bored around all these animals and foliage we could be in real trouble. We did spend a little time with the bats, he thought these were cool, I was trying to figure out a way to shove him through the bars. With his diet I figured he would fit right in. When we came out of the MJT it was time for our FP for KRR so we all went over and got in line. "Where's K?" was a little upset that the people in the stand by line were getting on with and before us but there really was again no line so both lines were moving together. I guess she felt that the FP entitled her to carte blanche and those second class standbyers should have parted like the red sea for her. She was also upset at this point because the fact that we were moving through line quickly didn't give her adequate time to get her poncho on. (Maybe we could have let a few more standby rif raf go in front of us.)

When we were on the KRR "Happy" was along for the ride however as soon as we got off "Antsy" returned and accompanied us as we headed over to use our FP on EE. We had just a few mins to kill so "Where's K?" and I stopped to have a cigarette at a smoking area just by the water across from the FoW theater. "Tinker Jo" had to do what "Tinker Jo" always has to do and "Magic Beckdom" said she would run with her and then they would grab a FP for ITTBAB on the way back. Somehow "Magic Beckdom" managed to sneak off without "Antsy". While "Where's K?" and I were having our cigarette I noticed that "Antsy" was very interested in something just off the path further down toward the water than we were standing. I casually walked down toward him to see what he was into and got within full sight of him just in time to see him pull back his leg and tried to KICK a duck. I had just about had it with his behaviors and I could not ignore that he was trying to hurt this poor bird. This is when I had my turn to use my best parental voice. I think the sound of my raised voice just about scared the crap out of him. "Don't do that!" "Do what?" "You were going to kick that duck!" "No, I wasn't." "I saw you do it!" "There's no duck there." (I wasn't raised on a farm or anything but I was always told that if it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, it's a duck.) This creature, that was apparently not there except in my delusional head, fit the criteria for a duck. This little interaction resulted in his not talking to me for about 30 mins.:sad1: "Where's K?" acted like she hadn't heard. (I think she was just determined to not let anything interfere with her enjoyment of my cigarette.)

When "Magic Beckdom" got back with the FP we walked over to EE and got into the FP line. "Where's K?" asked to hold my cigarettes while we went on the ride, this way she would be OK if I was thrown from the car and eaten by the yeti.:thumbsup2 When we got to the loading area "Happy" was everywhere. He tried to climb in next to me but I got "selfish" and pulled "Middle Mermaid" in with me, he ended up behind us with "Tinker Jo". Poor "Magic Beckdom" was forced to feel the magic alone in the next seat. "Middle Mermaid" and I happened to luck out and got the front seat! This was intense. When you get to the destroyed track it really does look like you are going to pitch over the side of the mountain. As we were hurtling backwards down the mountain there was this inhuman scream that I truely thought was all part of the ride. It wasn't until I looked behind me just about at the end that I realized that this noise was coming from "Tinker Jo". She had her eyes closed and her mouth open and cries that I'm sure would have attracted the real yeti were just pouring out of her. (Our little daredevil, we are sooo proud of her.) When we got off the ride we were all talking a mile a min about how great this ride was. "Middle Mermaid" mentioned the Yeti taking a swing at us toward the end and "Tinker Jo" responded with "Yeti, what Yeti?":rotfl2: :confused3 We walked out to the spot we were to meet "Where's K?" and again she was MIA. Then I had a flash of brilliance. I remembered that she had wandered off with my cigarettes, so I checked the guide map and found the closest smoking area and sure enough there she was chatting merrily to her fellow smokers, the blue smoke wafting gayly around the fuzzy black ears of her Santa Minnie knock off.

Next we headed for ITTBAB as it was time to use our FP. when we got there there was no line so we did use the FP line but they never collected our FP tickets. During this ride both "Where's K?" and "Sleepy" dozed. It was kind of fun to see them both jump when the seats "stung" us in the back. (You think someone would have warned them about that.:rolleyes1 ) The stink bug also made "Wretchy" gag. (It was probably from him having a full stomach and all.) After we turned in our bugs eyes, I had to send "Clepto" back to put his in the bin, we walked over to Dinoland. "Middle Mermaid" ran to get FP for Dino while we found a quiet spot just behind restarauntasaurus to rest for a min. I had to "Borrow" one of my cigarettes from "Where's K?" while we sat. When "Middle Mermaid" got back she and "Tinker Jo" took our room keys to the little snack stand there to get some drinks. They were gone about 15 mins, I had begun to wonder what had happened to them when "Where's K?" announces that she couldn't begin to guess where they were! She hoped they hadn't GOTTEN LOST! (I figured they had actually realized they had everyones room keys and without them we couldn't get back in the room so they had ditched us and headed over to DTD!) When they did get back "Where's K?" kept "kidding" them that she thought they had gotten lost and I was very proud of both of them that they didn't point out that they were not the ones that needed a GPS inserted in their necks. After our sodas most of us went to do Dino. I have to tell you I am not a huge fan of this ride. When we rode this for the first time back in 2002 they kept telling us how important it was that we remain seatbelted at all times. They let us know in no uncertain terms that if we were to remove our seat belts at any time we would be crushed by the incoming meteor and then the remaining paste that had been our body would be lapped up by one of the Dinos. As we headed out to rescue the iguanadon we hit the first bump in the road and I felt my seat belt give!!:scared1: I was sure I was Dino chow. No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't seem to find the belt. Everytime I would think I had it the car would lurch and it was gone or some big lizzard would jump out and threaten to swallow me whole. I was sure I was about to be one of those headlines you see every once in awhile. "Man thrown from ride vehicle and then crushed by falling rock." When we finally got to the end of the ride I still hadn't been able to secure myself into the ride and attempted to jump from the car of death as soon as it came to something that passed as a full stop. I was confused when I couldn't get out of the seat, I figured I had been paralized by fear and would be forced to ride again and again until the attraction finally succeeded in my demise. It was then that I realized that my seat belt was still in place.:confused3 Seems it had been my fanny pack that let go and not the seat belt. Due to this traumatic experience I always say I am not going to go on this attraction until the last min and then I end up going anyway. I usually end up riding the whole time with my eyes closed trying to tell myself that this fear is irrational but I have yet to see the whole ride. This time was no different. When we got out of Dino I again used the cigarette angle and we found "Where's K?" with no problem. I eventually had to get the pack back from her or I too would have soon been out and been trying to sell my body for a lift to 7-11.

Next we traveled back to get FP for another go at EE. With these in hand we decided to grab a bit of curb for the 3:45parade, that starts by the way at 3:45. I am certain of this because I told "Antsy" this atleast 6 times over the next 40 min while we waited. Now we discovered that "Where's K?" and "The Dwarves" really enjoy fireworks but they have no interest in parades. While we waited "Sleepy" returned and he caught a few winks. "Where's K?" sat there on the ground with her Santa Minnie hat reminding me of the dogs you sometimes see sitting in a car next to you in a parking lot. You know the ones, they insist on looking straight ahead out the windshield never blinking or turning to the right or left. It's as if they think they can will the driver to come back and take them for another ride because this sitting still doing or seeing nothing new is below them. This is the look "Where's K?" had the entire time. I also recognized a new sign of her displeasure at this point. Whenever she is bored and wants to be someplace else she places one index finger on the center of her lips, kind of like she is telling someone to shush. With "Magic Beckdom" and the girls sitting on the other side of these two I decided to strike up a conversation with the CM manning the rope there in the street and ignore the unhappy bassett hound in the red velour hat and the narcoleptic to my left.

I've got to finish up for today but I will post again tom. Hope everyone enjoys.

Tom's post: "Where's K?" leaves us and takes "The Dwarves" poncho and all his money with her and "Drippy" meets up with that lovely Asian lady.

[tigger536]

Great installments, as always! :rotfl: as always. Love the Where's K/ basset hound image. And who exactly did she think she was trying to shush? Too funny.

Sorry about middle mermaid's pic, that would have ticked me off too! But at least she got to ride in front on EE! Good going there, dad.

Again I'm amazed at your ability to hold it together with all the frustrations...especially with it being such a special day like Christmas Eve...

More please! :thumbsup2

[disneyloveNY]

Hi. I look forward to your tr every day. It's great!!:happytv:

[mindystar]

Ha, ha! I love doing dino with my younger sister--cause the picture at the end always shows us holding on to one another for dear life, cause we think at the moment the dino is for real going to eat us. Then there's our youngest sister who is like our Dad--smiling for the camera :)
"TinkerJo"s strange screaming on the Yeti reminds me of our youngest sister on SM at MK--she screams like she's an opera singer--and I laugh so hard that I can't catch my breath and tears are flying out my eyes!
Oh how I love the WDW ;)
Okay, well it's "tomorrow" and I need to find out about why "Where'sK?" would leave you, and how disappointed all of you especially "Middle Mermaid" (since she did ruin her shot) was ;)

[Becky521]

Happy Tuesday all.

tigger536 - you must have been sitting on the computer yesterday to read and respond so quickly. With the "frustration" we just decided we had to make our own fun and we just tried to look at them as a form of entertainment. Granted sometimes it was as entertaining as a finger in the eye but we weren't going to let it ruin our trip.

disneyloveNY - thanks again for following along and being such a loyal reader.

Today I hope to finish up Christmas Eve. Keep your fingers crossed.

Last time we were waiting for the MJJP at AK. As I said "Where's K?" and "Antsy" are not huge fans of parades, a fact we learned once we got to WDW. The parade went by and neither of them showed any type of emotion at all. It was like watching a parade at Mount Rushmore. By the time it was over "Antsy" was wondering out loud about what Maryanne was up to back at our room! "Where's K?" asked for my cigarettes and wandered off to find a smoking area. "Magic Beckdom" reminded us that our FP for EE were now good and we could go over there. This caused "Happy" to come back and all was looking up. Then we realized that we were going to have to wait for "Where's K?" to come back. (Good thing this was an EMH day!) We didn't see her any where nearby so we decided to head for EE and look for her on the way. About halfway there we spotted her in the area back over across from the FoW theater. While we waited for her to finish "Antsy" joined us again and started to "innocently" search the bushes. Luckily the Duck must have seen him coming this time and was nowhere to be seen.

We made our way over to EE and deposited "Where's K?" in the nearby smoking area with two of my cigarettes and the book of matches and got into the FP line. This time we tried to get "Tinker Jo" to keep her peepers open but this must be a fear response or some kind of weird birth defect because as soon as we hit the top the eyes closed and the mouth opened again. it took two more tries that day before she was finally able to see the Yeti. When we exited the ride we walked back over to the smoking area and found "Where's K?" discussing room rates and park tickets with some guests from Kentucky. These poor people had also heard all about her two grand daughters and her "Handicapped" grandson back home, this really irks "Magic Beckdom as she works with the disabled and can't stand it when "Where's K?" refers to him as "handicapped", "Welcome to the new millenium, we say disabled now!":thumbsup2 We next headed over to see about FN the musical. When we got there we were told that the show had shut down for the day due to "Technical difficulties". After this disappointment we decided to walk back over and do the Pangani jungle walk. On the way I noticed that "Where's K?" was very quiet. I had seen this happen before but usually I could trace it back to something that had recently upset her. This time I really couldn't think of what could be wrong. When I asked her what was up she just placed her finger on her lips, got a very far off look on her face and said, "Nothing at all." (something's brewing there but what it is I have no idea.)
When we got over to Pangani we found it was also closed for the day.:sad2: Checking our guides we saw that FoW was about to start a show so we decided to go back that way. I know it seems we are doing a lot of criss crossing of the park but thats because we did. This was largely due to the spacing of FP's. It seems that we just couldn't get a good game plan down as how to utilize the FP and minimize the walking at AK. When we started over to FoW "Magic Beckdom" was excited because she decided she wanted to do the whole dollar in the air thing. (This from a woman who is not crazy about wild creepy crawlers.) We got to the theater just as a show was entering so we didn't have to wait. We moved into the theater and found a spot in the center section. "Sleepy" was not impressed here at all, probably because the seats are benches with no backs so it was next to impossible for him to catch a few winks. "Where's K?" continued to be ominously quiet. When it came time for a volunteer "Magic Beckdom" jumped to her feet already waving her dollar in the air. I think she had seen this show before.;) The bird trainer chose her and told her to hold her dollar out at arms length. Well talk about a look of concentration. She had a puss on that looked like someone was holding a gun to her head. Both "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" got a good laugh out of her "serious face". It was the same face she gets when she is driving at night or in bad weather. All of her energy goes right to her jaw and her left eye twitches just a little bit, the corners of her mouth turn slightly downward and the tendons in her neck tighten. It is also the same look she had each time she was in labor and had reached ten centimeters. This is definately a woman on a mission.:rotfl2: Then the bird flew out and landed on her arm. She never flinched, smiled or even blinked. When her turn at being Stephanie Irwin was over she sat down and it took about 5 mins before her facial muscles relaxed. Afterward when we asked why she had volunteered for this if she was obviously so nervous she said, "I decided it was just something I wanted to do." (Guess it was her answer to the WS players, her way to find just a little more Disney magic.)

After the bird show we went back to the train that takes you out to RPW. It was starting to get kind of dark and we didn't have much time when we got out there. The whole reason we went is that we had read on the Boards that Jimminy Cricket had been showing up out there and we really wanted to see if we could find him. As you can guess this held little interest for "Antsy", this was a bug that was big enough to squash him back, or "Where's K?", no princess pedigree. When we got out to RPW we had just enough time for "Tinker Jo" to run to that little room again and miss JC, "Middle Mermaid" got her pic with the green one. Then "Middle Mermaid" and I jumped in line to see Pocahontas. We tried to get "Where's K?" to get this autograph but she wasn't falling for it. "Middle Mermaid" tried to convince her that Pocahontas was an indian princess but she might as well have been trying to get "Picky" to eat spinach quiche. We all did the petting zoo there, pretty much on a dead run and then made our way back out to the train stop. During the ride back out on the train "Where's K?" was still being very quiet and I actually began to worry that something was really wrong. When we reached the main part of the park we made a happy discovery. It seems that this was an EMH day, we had somehow missed this or forgotten this during all our planning. Now I really have to say that considering everything today had been going OK. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, "Where's K?" was quiet but that is not an entirely bad thing;), and there had been no complaints about tired feet or the occassional headache. Since this was the case and since this was our one and only day for AK "Magic Beckdom" and I thought it was probably a good idea that we stay. When we brought up grabbing our EMH bracelets all He** broke lose. "Where's K?'s" eyes glassed over and the veins on her forhead popped out about 1/2 inch, her face turned purple and I swear I thought, just for a second< that her head was going to spin completly around on her neck. "OH NO! I AM NOT STAYING HERE ONE MORE MINUTE. I CAN NOT TAKE ANOTHER STEP. MY FEET ARE BLEEDING AND I AM ABOUT TO COLLAPSE. I AM GOING BACK TO THE ROOM!!!:"scared1: I would like to tell you that I looked on my dear friend with warmth and understanding. That I came to her rescue and gently put my arm around her and then supported her entire weight out of the park and all the way back to the hotel room where "Magic Beckdom" drew her a warm bath and then "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" took turns alternately rubbing lotion on her poor cracked feet and making her cups of herbal tea. I would like to tell you that but I can't. Instead I felt my blood pressure explode through the top of my head and every muscle in my body began to vibrate. I looked her in the eyes and said, "THAT'S FINE...(Keep your cool.)...just take your room key and go." "I AM!! "Can you find your way out of the park?" "I'LL BE FINE!!!" At that she gathered up all her strength and off she went. I turned to the rest of the group and "Magic Beckdom's" face was blank, "Tinker Jo" looked like Bambi in the head lights, "Middle Mermaid" had a slight smirk on her face and "Clueless" was busy studying a nearby shrub. His indifference would soon change.:grouphug:

"Ok let's see what's next?", I asked the group. "Middle Mermaid" offered, "I could eat something." "So could I." said "Magic Beckdom" "Ok, then lets grab our EMH bands and find something to eat." Then with our magic wrist bands in place we grabbed burgers and chicken at a spot just as you head into CMM and then sat at an umbrella in the courtyard to eat. While we ate it started to rain! Just a little at first then harder and harder. It started to run down the sides of the umbrella and drip down "Middle Mermaids" back. Then it started to drip down my right arm. Next "Magic Beckdom" started to feel it on the back of her head. We all moved in closer under the umbrella and continued to eat. Then it started to rain even harder. Now "Tinker Jo's" feet were getting wet and "Drippy" was starting to get splattered from rain falling off the overhead tree. We moved in even closer. I started to feel a little guilty at this point. We had sent "Where's K?" off into the cold cruel world on her own, we would probably never see her again and now to top it off wherever she was she was also getting wet. I felt guilty but at this stage in the game there was nothing I could do, she was gone by now and any attempt to find her would be fruitless. I just kept thinking that I wish it had been any other park but here because AK is probably the most confusing layout of them all, especially after dark. The rain continued to increase and we decided that we really needed our ponchos now. As we all pulled them out and started to put them on "Happy" popped up, yes this was a meal that he actually ate and seemed to enjoy it! (Ironic, She leaves, he perks up.) "I don't have my poncho, my grandmother took it with her." This kid was forced to wear this plastic bag everytime he came within forty feet of any kind of water all week and now when for the first time he really needs it it's gone!! The next problem was that since this was an EMH night all of the stores and most of the rests were closed. There wasn't a poncho for sale anywhere. (It figures, usually as soon as it starts to cloud up in Miami Disney pulls out the ponchos, tonight we can't buy one for all the tea in China.) We decide that we have committed ourselves now so we will just brave it out, or rather "Drippy" will brave it out, I have my poncho.:rolleyes1 We headed over to catch FOTLK in CMM. This is "Magic Beckdom's" all time hands down favorite show and nothing was going to stop her from seeing it. When we got to the theater the show was due to start in about 25 mins so of course now in the rain we have to wait for an attraction again. All week we have pretty much walked on everything but this time we can't. While we are standing in line the heavens open and I begin to think we are going to have to round up the animals out on the safari and line them up two by two. We try to share our four ponchos with "Drippy" as best we can. Then this lovely lady in front of us offers to share her umbrella with "Drippy". We gratefully accept and he moves in under her. Turns out she is visiting WDW with her family from Japan and her husband and her sons have decided to go back to the room but she wanted to stay for a little bit, so she is flying solo. We strike up a conversation with her and explain EMH. She becomes very excited that she can stay an additional 3 hours tonight and we tell her where to get her wristband. I hope her family didn't panic too much when mom didn't show up at the hotel when they expected her. (Now we are beginning to corrupt people from around the world.:thumbsup2) Due to the fact that English is a second language to her and the rain is making all kinds of noise it is very hard to understand her at times and it is obvious that "Drippy" doesn't have a clue what his benefactress is trying to say. Eventually the push of the crowd behind us gets larger and "Drippy" and friend are moved slightly further in front of us so that we can no longer converse. It's fun to watch him nodding his head and smiling to everything she is saying while he tries to stay as close to her as possible so as to stay out of the deluge going on around them. I'm sure he learned what it means to be alone in a crowd that night.:thumbsup2 The interesting thing about this whole situation is that he is handling himself very appropriately. He is showing a maturity and a graciousness under pressure that we had not seen all week!:idea: When we enter the theater he is reunited with us and as he excuses himself he makes sure to thank his umbrella mate for her kindness. After the show, which he actually stayed awake for, he seems genuinely impressed and just keeps saying, "I wish Gram had stayed, she would have just loved that!" This change in character was almost enough to cause you to forgive the other difficulties all week, ALMOST. (I decided to just go with it and enjoy this personality while I could. Who knows it might not last or it could well be one of those personalities that causes neighbors to stare wild eyed into the news cameras and proclaim, "He just always seemed so quiet and mild mannered. I can't believe he just killed his entire family with a melon baller!":rolleyes1 )

Sorry folks, took longer than I had hoped today due to many interruptions. I will definately complete this installment tom.

Next installment: the obstinate 2 year old returns during our last day at MK, "Magic Beckdom" tries to thank the entire cast of WDW for working on Christmas, the new dwarf from last night disappears never to be seen again, "Tinker Jo" gets her wish to spend some family time on Christmas sort of, "Where's K?" visits a FIFTH new park (she can't remember doing anything in MK before.), "Middle Mermaid" meets fish girl and is slightly disapointed and I learn why fruit and Space Mountain don't mix.

[Davidsmommy]

LOL! I am not done reading yet, but:

The bird trainer chose her and told her to hold her dollar out at arms length. Well talk about a look of concentration. She had a puss on that looked like someone was holding a gun to her head. Both "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" got a good laugh out of her "serious face". It was the same face she gets when she is driving at night or in bad weather. All of her energy goes right to her jaw and her left eye twitches just a little bit, the corners of her mouth turn slightly downward and the tendons in her neck tighten. It is also the same look she had each time she was in labor and had reached ten centimeters. This is deffinately a woman on a mission.

I can so relate to "Magic Beckdom". That would have been me. Wonderfully descriptive!!!!

[MomofCKJ]

Another great one! I am glad that you all stayed for EMH when Where's K wanted to leave. Good for you for sticking to what you wanted to do! :thumbsup2 And nice to see a sweet side of The Dwarves show up, even if it is fleeting!

Fruit and Space Mountain? Hmmmmmm...

Allyson

[DisneyNutMary]

Seems to me that Where's K? may be a little too much for the Dwarves.
I bet he'd be a different kid entirely if he was on this vacation without her.:eek:
More, more, more pleasepopcorn::

[HesATramp]

And how exactly did you plan on getting some of those cats onto the boat...you know, like lions and tigers? What were you going to do, wave a steak at them and say "Here p*ssy, p*ssy?"

Sorry, but I couldn't resist, you had to know when you put in the Noah's Ark reference, somebody was going to rear his ugly, middle child head! LOL!

Until next time,
John

[Becky521]

Good Morning everyone. Just a quick post today to finish up yesterdays installment.

A quick hello to Davidsmommy, MomofCKJ, DisneyNutMary and HesATramp. It is good to hear from all of you.

mindystar - Sorry I missed you yesterday. When I saved the post I saw that you had posted while I typed, So A great big Disney Board Hello to you.:thumbsup2

When last we met, our little group, minus "Where's K?" had just enjoyed TFotLK. When we left the theater the rain had completly stopped and "Happy" no longer needed to search for foreigners with umbrellas. After this we wandered over to the opposite side of the park to check out EE again. When we got there we discovered that since it was EMH there was NO line even here. We jumped in line and got on the ride within 3 mins. This was awesome at night. We could see the entire park lit up below us. Well most of us could, "Tinker Jo" was still fighting that fear reflex. When we came off EE we decided that since this was our last shot at AK this trip we would jump right back on. When we got to the line the guy who had just let us on not ten mins before now told us we couldn't get on because we had the wrong wrist bands!:scared1: "But you just let us on with these and these are the ones we got over by the train station back from RPW! It looked like we were about to be escorted from the park when he said he would let us on this time but we would need the correct wristbands to do it again. So we talked our way through that one but knew that we would have to find new bands if we were going to stay any longer. "Where can we go for the new wrist bands?" I asked. He replied, "This late the only place that is still giving them would be up by the main gate."!:confused3 We jumped on EE and "Tinker Jo" finally made it through the ride with her eyes open. I think she had nightmares for a week about that Yeti.:rotfl2: One interesting thing I noticed on our two night time rides. The shadow of the yeti you see on the wall wasn't there. We could still hear the roar but no shadow. I wondered if maybe they utilize sunlight somehow for this? When we got off EE we had to regroup. We asked another CM about our wrist band dilema and she said that we would nead to go to the front gate as well. When she saw our disappointment she suggested we turn the orange bands we had been given around to the back side as then they would appear white and that was the official color of the night. We did this but then we kept looking over our shoulders for the wrist band police to come swooping down on us. (I figured this was typical, I was again starting to break the law in preparation for might involvement with airport security in just two days. Something about the promise of having to walk through a metal detector does something to me I just start getting ruthless.:thumbsup2 ) We all walked with our illegal wrist bands back toward dinoland to see if maybe just maybe FN would be open. No such luck. When we entered Dinoland we spotted a wrist band site over by PW! We wouldn't have to go to the front gate after all! We all ran up and started to explain our dilema to the CM. They did get a little suspicious when they saw our mysteriousy blank white bands, we had forgotten to turn them back to the orange side before we started to talk to them. Now we really are going to be kicked out. We have committed Disney fraud by staying in AK after closing with the wrong bands!:eek: They agreed to give us the magic white bands only after I offered to give them the name and room # of the head of the famous Disney forgery ring!:thumbsup2 With our new bracelettes in place we jumped on PW, also better at night. We also did this one two times. By the time we were done with scrambling our insides we decided to head for the hotel. (Glad we exposed ourselves to potential expultion for that!) It being Christmas Eve we wanted to get back to the room earlier so we could open gifts. We had decided that this would be a better time than Christmas morning since we wanted to get to the MK as early as possible. On our way to the gate we saw Lilo and Stitch greeting in their red and green outfits so "Tinker Jo" stopped and got their autographs and the pics. Right up, almost at the gate, we came across Mickey and Minnie in their ski outfits and "Magic Beckdom", "Tinker Jo" and "Happy" waited to get their pic as "Middle Mermaid" and I found a spot to sit. There was no line to speak of at the bus stop when we got there so we made it back to the hotel pretty quickly. As we climbed off of the bus I was really concerned that we would get to the room and "Where's K?" would be MIA. When I swiped the card and opened the door I found we had been blessed with a Christmas miracle. "Where's K?" was curled up on the couch in her jammies talking on "Magic Beckdom's" cell phone. (Ok it wasn't exactly a cheap miracle.) She had gotten back to the room with no problems. (Why is it she can manuver herself across property, in the dark, at park closing time but she can't seem to find her way back from the ladies room?) We all took turns jumping in for quick hot showers and "Magic Beckdom" put the water on for some tea or hot chocolate then we all met back in the main room to open gifts. I will say we managed to do OK for ourselves in this respect. I kept wondering how we were going to get all this stuff home on the plane. Most of it was brought with us but there was also quite a bit that was bought here. We took turns opening things and "Happy" just kept saying over and over, "This is sooo much fun!" (Made us wonder what Christmas is usually like for him.) Everyone got new fleece jammies, "Where's K?" went right in and changed into hers, and new scarves. There was homemade candy from "Happy", lots of Disney themed items, hand made tree ornaments from "Middle Mermaid" with each persons favorite character inside a kind of shadow box design and "Tinker Jo" had made personalized memory books with the same characters for all. Last we opened our stockings, these were hung on the coat rack they have in the room when we came in, "Santa Mickey" had done this that morning when he had to go back to the room to "grab some more film":santa: We all really did have a good night. All the frustrations and stress of the last week was forgotten and we just enjoyed the company and the moment.:grouphug: :grouphug:

AFTER ALL TOM. IS ANOTHER DAY. WE CAN CREATE A WHOLE NEW BUNCH OF EACH THEN!;)

Next installment: CHRISTMAS DAY!!:santa: :cloud9: :rolleyes1

[tink's girls]

Harry, I am so glad that you were able to have a nice Christmas Eve. I hope Christmas Day went just as well! The four of you are saints for dealing with K and the "many" Dwarves all week! (I would insert a smilie with a halo here if there was one!!1)

[mindystar]

Glad you're Christmas Eve went well :)
Thank goodness for the Mickey Santa!

[Ron from Michigan]

I Just finished catching up with the story so far. I think you all deserve some kind of medels for the trip. Maybe a night in the castle on your next trip !!!!!!!

[tigger536]

Great installment again! Too funny about where's K feeing the need to model the new PJs! Glad Christmas Eve went well...hope Christmas day was just as good!

[stitchlover]

subscribing...after reading this i now I will NEVER take a vacation with family or friends! My DH and DD are enough!

[Becky521]

Hi folks. Nothing new today, I have been extremly busy today, MY DAY OFF! But I will post tom. Hope all are well and warm today.:grouphug:

[mlill]

WoW! What a day! Now that's a Christmas Eve to remember! :thumbsup2 I bet you guys were happy to get at least a little time away from Where's K! So what did you think about EMH at AK? We thought it was neat being in AK after dark, but we missed seeing the animals. I'm glad you ended the night all warm & fuzzy - no pun intended about the fleece! :rolleyes1

Can't wait to read about Christmas Day!

-Michelle

[Becky521]

Hello! Happy Friday to all. Let's see how much I can get done here today.

tink's girls, mindystar, tigger531 and mlill it did turn out to be a nice Christmas Eve by the end. When it is Christmas Eve and you are in WDW it's easy to "forget" all the little trials of the day.

Ron form Michigan - Where have you been? A couple of installments ago I handed out punishments for not keeping up so I think it is only fair that I say you are now expected to say 10 Hail Mickeys for redemption.;) Glad you're back.

stitchlover - Welcome. I should tell you that on this thread you will now be known as "irrateBrazilliantouristlover":laughing: :laughing:

Ok folks this is our last full day at WDW lets make it a good one!!

Monday, 12/25 Christmas.

Todays firsts will include Christmas dinner at LTT and "Magic Beckdom" will thank the cast of WDW for working to make our Christmas special. You see when we were in the WORLD two years ago for Christmas "Magic Beckdom" couldn't stop talking about how much she appreciated the CM coming in on the Holiday to make our vacation a good one. This year she was prepared. We had purchased several boxes of Holiday cards with various Disney Characters on them back home. She had written a little thank you on each one and then I had picked up several $5 gift cards from McD's, DD, PH and Wendy's and we put them in the cards. So on Christmas we went to the MK armed with 19 little expressions of grattitude for various CM we would meet. We had brought 20 from home but we had already taken one to "Cousin Nicole" over at MGM on our second day at that park to thank her for being so helpful in making that day a memorable one. I don't remember who we gave all the cards to but I will try to include the ones I remember as I go along. We actually made a game out of this with "Tinker Jo" and "Middle Mermaid". Since we couldn't give them to all the cast members we met we took turns picking a number from 1 to 20 and then that CM got a card. We also reserved the right to spontaneously hand out a card to any cast member that stood out for their attitude or committment.

So with that explained, on with the report.

This was to be a very early morning as we wanted to get into the park as early as possible since they were expecting huge crowds and we knew they might close any park due to crowds today. "The Brazillian" called at 6:15 today and "Sleepy" never even flinched. Finally on the fourth ring "Tinker Jo" managed to knock the phone off the hook, I don't think anyone even told Stitch Merry Christmas. It took the efforts of "Where's K?", "Magic Beckdom" and myself to get "Sleepy" going today. (Guess all that appropriate behavior last night took a lot out of him.) "Magic Beckdom", always the concerned mom, asked "Where's K?" how her feet were doing today and when she was told that they were raw and cracked she tried to offer both mole skin and some "Gold Bond" we had brought along but "Where's K?" told her, "No way, I have to keep them dry all day!" (Good thing she didn't pay atention to the weather report for today or she would have never left the room.;) ) Before we left this morning I was treated with a visual inspection of the offending areas between and under her toes, while I tried to have my first cigarette of the day.:confused3

While "Magic Beckdom" and I were trying to get ready to leave we heard a huge commotion out in the main room. "Where's K?" was yelling for us to get out there right away. Half expecting to find severed limbs and pools of blood we ran out to discover "Where's K?" bodily dragging a young woman into our room! Turns out Maryanne had shown up early today and had walked past the room as "Where's K?" was smoking on the balcony. She was yelling, "Look it's our favorite person. It's NADIA!":rotfl2: Poor Maryanne looked like she was afraid she was being kidnapped and was going to be sold into the infamous Disney mousekeeper slavery ring. (You see they warn these poor people about this in their training. Seems this poor unsuspecting mousekeeper disapeared during her shift one day and was never seen again. They say that when guest checked out of one of her rooms that day they were dragging a large suit case behind them and that every so often a small washcloth butterfly would drop out of a hole in the bottom of the case. In addition it is said that when the guests returned home neighbors reported seeing napkin swans on their dining table each night and once a week their cat would be posed in their front window holding the TV remote and wearing a hand towel sombrero. It's a true story, it happened to a friend's cousin's boss' sister-in-law.) :thumbsup2

Anyway, poor Maryanne, or Nadia? had no idea what was going on. Seems "Where's K?" wanted to thank her for all of her little touches throughout the week. I rescued the scared mousekeeper from "Where's K?" and walked her back to the balcony. She was obviously more that greatful. I gave her our first "Christmas Thank You". We did leave her a tip at the end of our stay. This was just an extra thank you for the holiday. (When this was all over, later in the morning, "Middle Mermaid" thought to ask "Where's K?" where she came up with Nadia for Maryanne or as it was pronounced Marie-Inn and she said, "Oh, I can't remember what it is. I said Nadia because I keep hearing that all over down here."? Later still "Middle Mermaid" realized she was referring to Narnia!) We made the bus stop with some time to spare and again listened to the singing cowboys while we waited for the bus. We arrived at the gate to MK around 7:45. Not bad, discussed bleeding stumps and robbed a woman of her freedom all before breakfast.

Once inside the park we headed directly for the bakery on Main Street again. We grabbed breakfast here so we wouldn't waste a lot of time. I grabbed a pastry and coffee and then just for fun I grabbed a banana. By this time "Where's K?" thought I was some kind of Houdini. I couldn't get it through to her that I was just paying an extra like $1 for this fruit. "Picky" had to settle for a bagel here because his Grandmother had him convinced they couldn't order fruit at these "quick breakfasts" because they didn't know the secret password that allowed you to score a kiwi. We decided to take our food with us and eat it on the way over to TL since the crowds were already pretty big. We decided to grab a FP for SM and then see what we could get in while we waited. When we got over to SM there was no wait so we decided to skip the FP and just jump in standby. We quickly set "Where's K?" up in the smoking area behind CoP I gave her the lighter I had found at the hotel gift shop last night and two cigarettes and then we all quickly finished off our drinks as we ran over to get in line. "Happy" joined us and enjoyed the first ride of the day. I dared to hope that the new dwarf from last night might be back. When we finished on SM we walked over to the smoking area where we had left "Where's K?" and we found her happily smoking away and chatting with some folks she had offered a light to. It was here in the day that I learned a very valuable lesson. When we got to the Smoking area I decide to partake and reached into my pocket to get my ciggies. What I found was what felt like a pocket of, I appologize to my more sensitive readers here, mucous! See when we decided to go standby right away for SM we were all in a hurry to get "Where's K?" settled and get in line. As I entered the standby line I realized I was still carrying my banana from the bakery so at the last min I stuck it in my pocket.:eek: :rotfl2: Now I had a pocketful of puree Beechnut would be proud of and I smelled like fresh banana bread. (That will teach me to use innocent fruit in my evil schemes in the future.) Next we thought we should try to find something that "Where's K?" could join us on so we walked over and climbed the stairs to TTA. It was here that "Tinker Jo" kind of got her Christmas wish granted. She had been saying for a couple of days that she wanted to have some family time alone on Christmas. Problem was we weren't sure how to accomplish this without hurting "Where's K?'s" and "The Dwarves'" feelings. When we got right up to the turn table loading area, at the last min, I told "Where's K?" and "Antsy", who was trying hard to come out, that we could only fit four in a car so they would have to ride alone. Then when we got out on the track the line of cars split just behind ours so that we sped onward leaving them in our dust. We all laughed about seing them sitting in their little car of tom. "Where's K?" shushing all of TL and "Antsy" ripping up his guide map. The most fun we had here is seeing the look on "Where's K?'s" face when "Antsy" announced they were headed right back into SM. I thought she was going to climb from the car and throw herself over the edge of the track. After our lightning spin around TL;) we decided to do a little shopping. It was here that "Where's K?" showed her second personality. (I'll call this one "It's-the-last-day-and-I-still-have-money-left-so-I-will-spend-it-like-a-drunken-sailor K" :thumbsup2) She informed me that she had seen an ornament with Cinderalla on it and she was going to buy that for herself. She had also decided earlier that she would not return the plain decorations she had bought back on their solo night in Epcot since she had found the personalized ones at MGM. She was going to keep the plain ones for herself also. While we were in the store she couldn't find the ornament she wanted but she did see and buy the wire stand to eventually hang it from. After shopping we headed back to TT to see if we could catch any of the wayward royals for "Where's K?'s" autograph books. She still needed to find Cindy, Sleepy and Fishy. We had been assuring her all week that we would see Ariel today at her grotto and the other two usually show up back in the princess room in TT. First thing we did in TT was check out Minnie's country house. "Where's K?" seemed to enjoy all the little inside jokes here. "Antsy" was disappointed that he couldn't really have a cookie, it probably would just have ended up crumpled in Ms. Mouse's sofa cushions anyway. And he was very interested in the contents of her greenhouse. (Good thing Minnie had anticipated this potential situation and had all of her plants polyeurathaned.) After visiting Minnie we took a peek in Mickey's house. Again nothing here for "Antsy" so he sailed through like he had wings. Next we wandered over and got in line to see the ladies with the crowns. "Where's K?' was like a little kid. She had been waiting all week to fill her book and two more conquests were just around the corner. "Antsy" just stared blankly at the ceiling and amused himself by swinging the rope between lines. When it was finally our turn to go in "Where's K?" practically ran ahead. Then when we entered the inner sanctum she stopped dead. There was the elusive Cindy but she was keeping company with Snow and that nice young Jasmine today. No Sleeping Beauty in sight!! :scared1: This resulted in "Where's K?" starting her litany of royal curses again. However, this time they were aimed at a poor little girl who was probably blissfully sleeping away her day and couldn't defend herself. We did stop and see Cindy and "Where's K?" inquired about her drousy friend but the poor girl was of no help, which didn't do much to lift her standing in "Where's K?" eyes either. When we came out of the character greet "Magic Beckdom", "Middle Mermaid"' Tinker Jo" and "Antsy" decided to do GBS leaving me to listen to "Where's K?" grumble about the bad manners of these Disney royals. While we sat on the curb waiting for them to return "Where's K?" insisted she felt rain drops so she immediately pulled out her rain poncho and put it on. No one else in sight seemed to feel this approaching typhoon, for she was the only one who "suited up". I noticed several people staring at her and had to fight the urge to tell them that she was the famous "Bubble Granny" who had been sent to WDW by the Make A Senior's Wish Come True Society. When the rest of our group returned from the ride "Where's K?" announced that she had told "The Dwarves" mother, "The Wicked Queen" that they would call today to say Hello for Christmas and it was now time to make that call. This was fine with us, the annoying part of it was that after she had been using "Magic Beckdom's" cell phone all week today she decided that she had to use a pay phone. So instead of being able to travel to our next destination while they talked we were forced to cool our heels just outside of TT by the ISW track for about 25 mins. By the time they were done "Tinker Jo" and "Middle Mermaid" were both doing their best interpretations of "Antsy", I was doing a spot on "Grumpy" and even "Magic Beckdom" had temporarily lost the magic.

Ok folks I'm going to wind it up for today. Not because I am out of time but because this being the last full day in WDW I don't want to throw it all into one post and be done with it,;) I will add some more tom. Have a great night!!:grouphug:

[disneyloveNY]

I'm actually sad that this is your last day. Streeetch it out please.:goodvibes

[tigger536]

Nadia...Narnia...:lmao:

yes please...stretch it out...what will we all do when its over? We may have to actually go out and get a life...

nah ;)

[hickchick]

It's like Christmas in February - not only did I get to catch up on 2 pages of posts (yes, I've been slipping), but your description of Christmas in WDW makes me want to sing Christmas carols and decorate another tree! :smickey:

[DisneyNutMary]

No one else in sight seemed to feel this approaching typhoon, for she was the only one who "suited up". I noticed several people staring at her and had to fight the urge to tell them that she was the famous "Bubble Granny" who had been sent to WDW by the Make A Senior's Wish Come True Society.


:lmao: Ok, this almost made me PMP :lmao:

after she had been using "Magic Beckdom's" cell phone all week today she decided that she had to use a pay phone.

Maybe she thought she had you all fooled, and you all didn't know she was running up a hefty bill on Becky's phone all week. And why, in today's world, did neither Where's K? nor ANY of the dwarves not have their own cell phone?:faint:

[MomofCKJ]

Another great installment! I have heard it rained/poured/deluged on Christmas Day. Wondering how that went over with Where's K and the Dwarf, can't wait to find out!

Allyson :)

[bunnysmum]

Your descriptions of WK and "the Dwarves" have made me :rotfl2: all week as I've read! I've been wanting to post and tell you how much I've enjoyed the ride, but you've kept me too busy reading!! (thanks!)

Some of my favorite recent lines:
I noticed several people staring at her and had to fight the urge to tell them that she was the famous "Bubble Granny" who had been sent to WDW by the Make A Senior's Wish Come True Society.:lmao:

The stink bug also made "Wretchy" gag. (It was probably from him having a full stomach and all.)
Right, cause he's such a big eater! Did that boy EVER eat? Sheesh! And the way he kept shoving his food into his beverage glass. Blech! I'm afraid I'd a' jerked a knot in that young 'uns tail! Truly, you and your family are candidates for sainthood!

I'm gonna be sad to see it end, so I hope you are planning another trip back to the World soon!:woohoo:

[mindystar]

I can't believe it's your last full day :( I'm going to miss all your anecdotes--sniff, sniff.
But for today and tomorrow you are still on vacation in the most magical place in the world and it's Christmas Day! I truly hope that with the Christmas spirit and pixie dust from MK you have a wonderful day, and "Where's K?" and the dwarves get a least a glimpse of the "meaning of Disney."
Just so glad that those poor non-personalized ornaments will not be shunned, like some of Disney Royalty ;)

[Becky521]

HAPPY WEEKEND!! Hope everyone is staying warm on this Saturday. Winter finally hit here in upstate NY.

disneyloveNY and tigger536 - I hate to see this end also. It has been so much fun reliving the trip with all of you.

hickchick - You know the drill for falling behind. Genuflex toward Orlando and say 10 Hail MIckey's.

DisneyNut Mary - Almost? Did your mental picture include the cigarette hanging from her mouth the velour Minnie hat tucked inside the hood of the poncho and the ever present autograph book induced pot belly that made her look 7 months pregnant? How's the bloomers now?

momofCKJ - it did. And it didn't!

bunnysmum - Welcome to our little group! Everyone say hi to bunnysmum. Glad you found us and jumped into the mix.

mindystar - "Meaning of Disney"? What do you think? By the way we have not heard the last from the Christmas ornaments yet.

And now back to our story.

Last time we saw our intrepid little group we had just waited 25 mins for the call home. When "Where's K?" and "Antsy" joined us we headed out of TT and into FL. We stopped at the tea cups so "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" could ride. At the last min "Antsy" decided to join them. I noticed a little gleem in his eye as he headed off after the girls but thought nothing of it. While "Magic Beckdom", "Where's K?" and I waited for them to return we tried to get a game plan for the rest of the day. "Where's K?" could only seem to focus on her princess hunt. She still had to track those two snotty chicks to get them to sign. I knew we would be able to find Ariel, the Sleeping Beauty trail was starting to go cold. When the youngins came off the tea cups neither "Middle Mermaid" nor "Tinker Jo" looked very good. Seems that "little gleem" translated into, "I'm going to spin this sucker until I change the natural rotation of the Earth!" Neither of the girls were very happy with the little dickens.;) Next we walked over toward Fish Girls lair. "Middle Mermaid" and "Magic Beckdom" took a little side trip and grabbed FP for tMAoWP while "Tinker Jo" and I got in line at a snack stand to get some pretzels. "Where's K?" wandered back into the new WTP play area and "Antsy" plopped himself down on a bench and amused himself by running his camera bag strap back and fourth across his bottom lip. When we reunited a few mins later with FP in hand and refortified with our belly's being seen to we FINALLY headed out on a little fishing trip. We had to stand in line here longer than we did anyplace else that week. At one point "Antsy" started making noises about not wanting to wait any longer. For a moment it looked like "Where's K?" was about to jump on that band wagon. Just one glance at the look on my face convinced them to stay. ;) (I was not going to get out of this line for anything. Walt himself could have walked through FL and I was staying put.) Once we made our way up to the star herself we were all in for a surprise. It definately seemed like Ariel had been hitting the fish juice if you know whwt I mean. This chick was OUT THERE. She had a shnoz like Jimmy Durrante and a New Yooork accent that would have made Barbara Striesand proud! In addition she literally talked nonstop and made no sense what so ever. "Middle Mermaid" did get the pic she wanted but the look on her face is priceless. Fish girl noticed "Middle Mermaid" had an Ariel watch and this sent her off on a new tangent. "Tinker Jo" was next and she to had a look that said, "Please help me!". "Antsy" steared clear of this one. "Where's K?" never said a word the whole time she stood with her. When she was done and we were walking back out to FL "Where's K?" announced, "What the He** was she smoking?" (Probably some of the left over salmon from over at Akershus.) By this time our FP for tMAoWP were good so we went over and did this ride. The line here, as usual wrapped it's way all the way over to Splash mountain;) , so we waited for quite some time. This wait proved to not be worth it for "Antsy" by the time we boarded our honey pots he looked like a CM from Dawn of the Living Dead. His eyes were glassy and he now had a red "indian burn" mark across his lip from his camera bag. After WP we stopped into the Tinker Bell shop, there was no way we were going to get by this and keep "Tinker Jo" out. "Where's K?" searched here for the Cindy ornament she wanted, apparently these certain ornaments were "everywhere all week, but now they have put them all away." (It's probably a plot between Fish Girl and the the elusive Miss Beauty to ruin "Where's K's?" whole Holiday.) By the time we were done in the Tink store it was time for the afternoon Christmas parade. When we exited the store it had started to rain. Not real hard but enough to make you feel damp if you were out walking in it. We cut through the castle in an attempt to get to the hub in time to see the parade. By the time we came out the other side the rain had picked up considerably. Then in the short time it took us to walk down the ramp and join the crowds already watching the passing parade the heavens opened and it was a deluge! We managed to get our ponchos out and on just in time to achieve that cold damp green house effect where the inside of the poncho steams up like a window in December and then the cheap plastic starts to stick to any exposed skin underneath. With this and the hundreds of umbrellas opening all around us, blocking our view, the Christmas parade was not exactly like the one you see from your cozy warm living room at home. No Regis and Kelly, no stars of stage and screen, just thousands of wet fools wrapped in plastic with a cold rain running down the backs of their necks. Merry Christmas!:santa: We made the best of it and held out till the end. Once it was over we had just enough time to grab a cigarette and make our way over to LTT for our ADR's. While "Magic Beckdom" and the kids ran off to find the Pixie room "Where's K?" and I found an overhang on a small building in the smoking area behind the Christmas shop and sqeezed in with about thirty other people. All dripping wet, cold and wrapped up in plastic like the furniture in Grandma's living room. We stood jowl to jowl puffing away and pretending that we didn't notice a little precipitation. (Well most of us pretended. "Where's K?" kept wipping the rain drops off her glasses and grumbling about the fact that this rain was not going to help with her feet. Remember the ones she couldn't use the Gold Bond on and couldn't get wet under any circumstance. So much for that plan.) When our soggy little adventure was over we rejoined the reat of our group and headed over to get lunch. When we got to LTT we noticed Br'er Fox on the porch next store so even though he is not a princess we made a quick side trip to get his autograph. While "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" got their pic with the character I noticed a member of the Dream Team standing near by. We tried to hang out as long as we could to see if he was going to grant a dream, Maybe we would be lucky again, but eventually we just started to look like we were stalking the fox so we decided to move on. Then I had the brite idea that "Where's K?" should go get the autograph and that would give us a reason to stay in the area just a little bit longer. This was like pulling teeth to get her to understand why we wanted to stay here a little longer. Finally it sunk in and she grudgingly went on up. While she was in line she had to stand right next to the Dream Team CM and she did everything to get his attention short of offering to show him HER ornaments.;) (Even if the guy was there to grant a dream this old woman in the fogged up poncho and the soggy Santa Minnie hat flirting with him probably made him lose his concentration. Finally we decided it was not to be and we wander back out into the rain and made our way over to LTT.

Got to go for now I will post more tom. Don't want to give away the farm all in ;) one day.

[bunnysmum]

Oh good! I'm glad you're stretching it out. The last day is so bittersweet, isn't it?

I'm thinking maybe it would not be such a bad idea to take a killjoy or two with us on our next trip...then at least we wouldn't be so sad about the trip coming to an end!:rotfl:

[TiggerandTink]

I just had to let you know that I finally got caught up, I know I'm late, but now I'm bummed because I don't wan't this story to be over. I have been laughing so hard and really enjoying your trip!!!

[DisneyNutMary]

Wait, don't stop there- I need to know what Picky didn't eat at LTT, and who Where's K? complained about next!

You need to plan another trip with them, this one is almost over, and I am going to have serious withdrawal afterward.

[Becky521]

Hello everyone. Hope you are all enjoing this Super Bowl Sunday. I thought I'd give those of you not interested in the game a little something today.;)

bunnysmum - Even with these two Anti-Mickeys along for the ride we still had that familliar bittersweet day on our last day so I would seriously re-think your plans if that was the only reason to take someone along.;)

DisneyNutMary - Are you crazy?! We aren't planning a trip to MickeyD's with them any time soon not to mention Mickey Mouse's.

TiggerandTink - Welcome. I'm so honored to see that you are new to the Dis Boards and you chose my TR to follow.

Let's see. The last time our little group was on our way to LTT for Christmas lunch. When we got there we were soaked! Luckily we didn't have to wait long to be seated. It felt really good to be able to get out of our cold wet ponchos and start to dry off. Unfortunately by this time we were seriously in danger of loosing our two co-travelers. "Where's K?" was grumbling about her feet, that were not to get wet under any circumstances, were now drenched and "Pickey" was less than interested in sitting down for a meal, go figure. The menu at the LTT for Christmas included all the trimmings. Turkey, potatoes, salad, stuffing, rolls, mac and cheese the works. We thought it was all very good. "Where's K?", not a fan of turkey was less that impressed. She complained that the meat was not hot and the rolls were hard.:confused3 "Pickey" really didn't complain much, he did eat some mac and cheese and the rest of the food proved to be great art supplies. When we were almost finished with our meal "Where's K?" disappeared again. This time she was gone for about 20 mins. We figured she had went out side for a cigarette but then I realized she hadn't asked me for one. It turns out she went to the bathroom and for some reason she was in there all that time. We didn't ask why. When we finished our meal and headed out side it was still pouring. They were getting ready for the parade with the streets all roped off. We were lucky to find a spot just in front of the LTT right by the ropes where we could get a good view so we decided to stay there and watch. During this time "Where's K?" was really trying to act like she was having a great time but it was very obvious to all of us she would rather be having root canal that stand here in the rain. The best part of this was her repeted announcements, "A LITTLE RAIN IS NOT GOING TO STOP US FROM HAVING A GREAT CHRISTMAS!" (I'm not sure who she was trying to convince. Since the entire time she kept rubbing her finger on her lip again and the corners of her mouth were located somewhere around the binding of the autograph book she had shoved in her waistband.) By the time the parade past it was hard for even "Magic Beckdom" to pretend she was having a great time. The rain was unrelenting. In an attempt to get into a dryer spot we decided to try the paddle boat. Two years ago we had done this on Christmas for the same reason so it was becoming a sort of family Christmas tradition. We got in line and were lucky enough to get in under the landing roof before the crowds got too long. eventually the folks in the back of the line were standing out in the down pour. After standing there for about 15 mins a CM came up and announced that due to the weather the boat was temporarily shut down.:headache: We now had to come up with a plan "B". We quickle surveied the situation and decided to make a run for CBJ. That would also allow us to get inside out of the weather. We all made a break for it but didn't realize that the "puddles" we saw along the way actually resembled the black hole of Calcutta, each one must have been at least 18 inches deep. By the time we made it to see the bears our feet were water logged and "Where's K?" was not able to even form intelligent words any longer. "Happy" was actually smilling here. When we got into the lobby of the CBJ theater "Where's K?" again wanted to know what this was all about. "Magic Beckdom" and "Middle Mermaid" tried to explain it to her and then to convince her that we had done this show on our first day in WDW. She had absolutly no memory of it. "Antsy", how ever did and told us he didn't really like it then.:confused3 At this point it was truely every man for himself. There was no way we were going to win today so we just gave up trying. From this point on we did whatever we wanted to do and if they were behind us when we were done great, if not... "Not my problem". After the CBJ we headed over toward FL and stopped at the HM. We stopped here mostly because the line is under cover. "Magic Beckdom", "Middle Mermaid"
, "Tinker Jo" and I all realized, without it being said, that the success of this day was going to be up to us to make it whatevere we wanted it to be. The other two would just have to trudge along behind us or buckle and return to the hotel on their own. With this fact in mind we all went into, "Rain what rain!" mode. A little rain was not going to ruin our last day. After HM we continued into FL and jumped in line for ISW. The crowds had thined out considerably due to the weater so from this point on we decided to get in any line that didn't look too long and forget FP all together. After ISW we again got in line for MP. "Where's K?" again had no recolection of ever seeing this before.:confused3 "Whine", who had returned, just folowed along behind the group splashing in puddles. Next we noticed from our guide map that the HM show was scheduled over in TL so we headed over there to see if maybe it hadn't been rained out. By the time we arrived at the area where the show was to be performed the rain had started to let up a bit so we had hopes that the wildcats would come out and play. Both "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" are big fans of this movie so they were both very excited. While we waited with hundreds of other dripping guests to see if the show would go on "Where's K?" did something totally out of character. She wandered off. We hardly noticed or cared.;) The only thing that kept "Whiny" from following suit was the fact that he had planted his butt on a curb nearby and it was going to take a tsunami to get him up again. While we waited I spotted BL doing a meet and greet over by CoP and took "Tinker Jo" over to see him. When we got over there we saw the cast of the HM show waiting behind a fence for the show to start so I deposited "Tinker Jo" in the line to meet Buzz and I stayed just beside the fence to try and get a pic. Good thing I did. After a few mins of obvious confussion with the cast they all started to cheer and came running out into TL waving their banners and doing cartwheels. I got one good clear pic as they ran by me. I then joined "Tinker Jo" just in time to take her pic with space dude. When we got back to where we had left "Magic Beckdom" and "Middle Mermaid" they had both sat down on a bench and were looking in the wrong direction. Seems the show had just got started and suddenly an announcement was made that the pep rally had been cancelled and the entire cast took off. My pic of them as they ran by turned out to be the only memory of them we had when we got home. Then as we stood trying to decide what to do next a high school band came marching out and played several holiday songs. When the concert was over we realized that someone was missing and we had no idea how long she had been gone. She could be anywhere by now. We search for about 10 mins and then "magic Beckdom" spotted her on the far side of TL just wandering aimlessly along with the crowd. Once we got our stray rounded up we told her we were going to take her on a new ride we were sure she would like, CoP. Now anyone that has been following along might remember that we had done this back on Sunday but then again you are not "Where's K?".;) This worked like a charm, she didn't remember it and thought it was cute and "Antsy" had slept through it then and he slept through it now. When we finished with this brand new Disney attraction we walked over to the hub and joined the crowd that was forming infront of the castle to watch Holiday Wishes. We had managed to get a spot in the crowd right up by the castle, last Sunday we had watched Wishes from the end of main street, tonight this was a whole new experience. The fireworks were great and the illuminations on the castle were also. "Where's K?" and "Happy" who are both fireworks people, were also great and we didn't hear a peep out of either of them. When the fireworks were over we decided to stay in the area to watch the shao in the castle forground and then Spectro again. While the others stayed to keep our spot "Middle Mermaid" and I took a walk to see if we could find somewhere to grab a little snacl for everyone. While we were looking I found a new area that looked like it might offer a better view for the show and decided to stay there and stake it out while "Middle Mermaid" ran back to guide them over. When she tried to explain this to the group "Where's K?" suddenly became the cranky two year old again and stated,"You can do whatever you want. You're all tall. I'm not so I am staying right here!" She then turned her back and made it clear she meant what she said. Soon, "Middle Mermaid" returned and told me that they would not be joining us. We then continued to walk around the hub and found nowhere to get anything to eat so we then headed back to find the rest. On our way I again found a perfect spot. This one was just on the curb so we would be able to see the show and then turn and sit down and have front row seats for Spectro that was to start just 10 mins after the show ended. Again "Middle Mermaid" headed out to bring them to my find. This time she soon came through the crowd leading our little band of merri holiday travelers behind her. "Where's K?" was in the rear and she was NOT happy. When they got to where I stood waiting she refused to even look at me. (Guess she was mad that she was going to miss this little part of the magic and it would ruin her trip.) The spot was perfect, we had a great view of the castle stage so I figured she would cheer up once the show started. Then just as the music began every person located just between her and the stage decided to place a small child on their shoulders at the same time. My "perfect" spot proved to be just that for the rest of us but tiny little "Where's K?" had no hope of seeing the show. She did try to complain loud enough to guilt these guests into taking their children down but that had no effect at all. In the end she was forced to keep pacing back and forth in the crowd grabbing little peeks between shoulders and heads.:thumbsup2 When the show was over we all sat down on the curb on our ponchos to wait for Spectro to start. She managed to sit at the complete opposite end of our group and give "Magic Beckdom" and I the cold shoulder. (We were crushed as I'm sure you would expect and our entire Disney trip was ruined.:rolleyes1 ) After Spectro we again had a pow wow to decide what we would do next. "Pickey" was "hungry" and "Where's K?" agreed so we all took a walk back into TL and stopped at Cosmic Rays. When we got inside it seemed that everyone wanted something different so we split up and agreed to meet back at a table once we had gotten our meals. While "Magic Beckdom", "Tinker Jo" and I waited for our burgers "Middle Mermaid" walked by with her tray and called to us that she was going to go grab a table out in the lounge section. Then she turned and managed to dump her entire soda all over the floor. Now "Middle Mermaid" does not do well as the center of attention so she was mortified that CM came running and other guests were all staring at her. She looked like she was hoping for the ground to open up and swallow her. "Where's K?" of course noticed and felt the need to yell over to us that she had just had an accident. This helped "Middle Mermaid" get over her embarrassment right away.:rolleyes1 When we finally met up at the table, with a new drink for "Middle Mermaid", "Pickey" soon joined us but he had no idea where "Where's K?" had went. We had finished about half of our meals when she wandered up with her tray. She had a look that would melt glass and she was grumbling a litany of complaints about us moving seats several time because she had "been over this place several times" and we had been no where to be found. (this is actually exactly what happened. We all repetedly hid under the table when we would see her coming and as soon as she passed we would all jump up and run in the oppisite direction.) We got her settled with her tray and tried to ignore her seething. "Pickey" played with his burger, pulled all the toppings, which he had specifically ordered, off then decided it had too much ketchup on it and proceeded to wipe this off on the side of his plate. Eventually he did eat about three bites of the meal he was dieing for and then just blew bubbles in his drink. "Where's K?" soon forgot her anger with us when she found a new victim to complain about. The audioanimatronic lounge singer. She thought he was a lousy singer and his jokes were awful. "I don't understand why Disney doesn't hire a better performer to entertain here, this guy is the worst!":confused3 :rotfl2: While we ate we discussed what we should do afterward. Our bodies were starting to tell us to throw in the towel and head to the room, our minds were saying, "THIS IS YOUR LAST NIGHT IN DISNEY. YOU HAVE TO STAY AS LONG AS POSSIBLE AND MAKE THE BEST OF IT, FOOLS!"

Got to run for now. I promise to finish up this marathon installment tom. Tune in to see what we decide to do.;)

[disneypearl]

"Where's K" probably expected you to be moving seats to get away form her because she might have this happen to her often in life. Wow - they couldn't find the Christmas spirt or Disney magic. Sad isn't it. I am glad that you and your family still enjoyed you time. I also hope you found the strength to stay a little longer and didn't go to the hotel early. Thanks for writing about your trip! It sure is a fun read!

[mindystar]

Well, as long as you didn't let a little rain ruin your day. Though I have a suspicion that the rain wouldn't be what (or actually who) would be capable of ruining your day ;)
Ah the last day inspiration --- "it's our last day/night so we have to make the most of it." Suddenly you make the energy to stay!
So does "Where's K?" take her autograph books out of her make shift kangaroo pouch and sign some royalty names herself?
And how do you live with out artwork at each meal nowadays? (he,he!)

[Becky521]

Good Morning. Well today is the day. I will finish my Christmas day installment come He** or high water. Don't fret though there is still the trip home. You will all get one more dose of "Where's K?" and "The Dwarves" before we finally part ways back in Syracuse.

disneypearl - As a family we can pretty much have fun anywhere as long as we are together. Remember we ARE Disney People and we DO GET IT so what do you think our decision was? Read on.;)

mindystar - I have started to finger paint with tomato sauce or mold my mashed potatoes into a copy of the Venus D'Millo at least once a week just for old times sake.

As I said yesterday we were sitting at Cosmic Ray's discussing what we should do. We all kind of felt that we hated to go back to our room now especially since this was an EMH night and MK was open to us until 3am. Well most of us felt that way. Some of us would have been happy to get back to the room and dry out our feet and get this d*^b book out of our pants. (I'll let you figure out who was who.;) ) Eventually our Disney dedication won out and we agreed to get our magical wrist bands and keep plowing ahead. I realized I had to get to the front gate before the official closing time because I had sent some new tree ornaments there earlier in the day so we agreed I would run up there while the others finished up their meals and "Tinker Jo" and "Where's K?" visited the little pixie room. We would all meet infront of PoC over in AL.

I ran over to Town Square and picked up the items then made a quick detour to Town Hall and picked up my wrist band and then made my way to AL. When I got over the bridge I decided to make a stop at the smoking area just inside AL and then I would continue on to PoC.

While I was off on my own the rest of the group had their own mini-adventure with "Middle Mermaid" right in the thick of it with "Where's K?".

"Magic Beckdom" and "Middle Mermaid" agreed that "where's K?" would be taken to the restroom over by SM and CoP because she was done eating and couldn't wait any longer, the others would finish up at Cosmic Ray's and then meet them over in that area because that's where they would get their wrist bands. Then they would all walk over and meet me in AL. When "Middle Mermaid" got her charge outside "Where's K?" decided she couldn't walk that far and she was going to use the restroom by the speedway. When they got there she went in and had "Middle Mermaid" hold her tea and the ever present autograph book. In the mean time the other three finished and "Tinker Jo" used the facilities there at the rest. Then they headed for the meeting spot. When they got there "Magic Beckdom" and "Tinker Jo" got their wristbands but "Antsy" waited because "Where's K?" had his ticket with her. They then waited for about ten mins, checked out the rest rooms and couldn't find "Middle Mermaid" and "Where's K?". Worried that they were lost again "Magic Beckdom" made her own "illegal" choice. She sent "Antsy" up to get a wrist band using "Tinker Jo's" ticket. "I thought he looked more like a Jourdan than a Becky!":thumbsup2 they then started off to find the mia's. In the mean time "Where's K?" finished up and then she and "Middle Mermaid" started off. As they passed the rest "Where's K?" suddenly insisted that she could see all of us still sitting in at the table. "Middle Mermaid" tried to convince her that that was impossible because I had left some time before. There was no getting through to "Where's K?" and she insisted they go back in and meet us at the table. "Middle Mermaid", who has been taught to respect her elders no matter how insane they are followed her back in. "Where's K?" plopped herself down at the table and started to complain about the rain. It took about 3 mins for her to realize she was talking to complete strangers. (Somewhere in the world there is a Hasidick Jewish family that is probably still talking about the crazy lady that accosted them at MK.) "Middle Mermaid" just quietly stood off to the side and giggled to herself. They finally arrived at the correct rest room just as "Magic Beckdom" and the kids were heading off in search of them. "MIddle Mermaid" could hardly keep from crying, due to amusement, as she told "Magic Beckdom" about their little adventure. Then with the last two wrist bands secured the whole group headed toward Al to find me.

I was still happily smoking my second cigarette when they all came trudging up to my sanctuary. (It was nice to be able to do this without "Where's K?" complaining about how she should have brought more with her. Besides in the grand scheme of things what's 5 more mins alone with "Where's K?" and "Antsy", the girls could handle it.:thumbsup2 ) By this point "Where's K?" wasn't even trying to be up. She was ready to go back and she didn't care who knew it. "Whiney" who had appeared on the trip over from TL was complaining about beeing tired and he wanted to just sit down. We made a quick trip over to PoC and jumped in line. This calmed "Whiney" down somewhat and "Where's K?'s" interest was also peeked at the promise of doing something new. (Yes, we had done this before.) After visiting with Jack Sparrow we walked over into FT and decided to ride BTMRR again. The lines were not long at all so after we were done we jumped back in line again. "Where's K?", happily ensconced with my cigarettes and a place to sit stayed put this time and was there waiting for us when we were done. By this time the rain had stopped completely but the temp had dropped somewhat so now we were all getting a bit cool. At this point we decided that we would jump back on SM one last time and then head for the gate. It was already after 1am and we did have to fly out the next day. The line for SM was almost nill so we were able to pretty much walk right on. Most of us decided to do something we had never done before here. We put on our ponchos. With being damp already and the cooler air we just couldn't take being any wetter than we already were. The funny thing here was that we all discussed wearing the ponchos and we all put them on as we walked through the line when we got to the actual boarding area and began to enter the log guess who still didn't have their poncho on. You guessed it! "Where's K?", who had donned her poncho practically everytime anyone flushed a toilet all week was standing at the edge of the boarding area with her poncho over her head and her fanny pack up around her chest when the automatic turnstile shut on her and forced her head long into the boat.:rotfl2: She found this very amusing and laughed through the entire vist with Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear.:thumbsup2 ( And I sprouted wings and flew off the top of SM all the way back to ATMu.;) ) So our last attraction in WDW on this Christmas trip was a soggy ride on SM at 1:15 in the morning all wrapped in our personal ziplock bags trying to keep from getting any wetter, as if we could. (It was actually one of our high points of the week, honestly)

Once we got off SM, the ponchos worked to protect us from the splashing but did little to keep us from sitting in the puddles already in the seats, our bottoms dripping from the new water effect they added to SM we decided to head for the exit.

We stopped to do some last min shopping at the Emporium and again "Where's K?" couldn't find the Cindy ornament that had been "everywhere" earlier in the week. "Cheapo" did buy his mom some packets of hot chocolate, but this was mainly to get "Where's K?" off his back. We actually walked through the gate of MK that night on our way back to the hotel at 1:45am. Since we had arrived at 7:45 the previous morning we felt as if we had made the best of it. As we headed under the train station and turned to take that last pic of the castle for this trip "Magic Beckdom" and I agreed that it had been a good trip in spite of everything we had been through. (Two Disney lunatics walking hand in hand with big contented smiles on their faces as "Where's K?" grumbled about that d*^b Sleeping Beauty and having to forge her John Hancock and "Antsy" picked blooms off the plants forming Mickey's face.)

Luckily our leaving about an hour before EMH were done we were able to miss the crowds on the bus, I probably would have thrown someone under the rear wheels if I had had to deal with the two year old at this point.

We arrived back at the room around 2am and just about fell into bed. I can honestly say that I didn't think about anything but closing my eyes and becoming comotose.

Don't fret all we still technically have one more day and it DID NOT FAIL TO DELIVER where our traveling companions were concerned.

next installment: "Where's K?'s" trip is again ruined by Disney's Magical Express and I fear the FAA has finally tracked me down.

[mindystar]

So glad that you got to enjoy the EMH! (ha, ha right now the commercial for going to WDW for $1600.00 is on right now--and everytime I see it now I think of "Where's K?" hinting to go again.)
Ugh and Yuck to poor "Middle Mermaid" having to hold the autograph books from "Where's K?"'s pouch!
The poncho story--that seems about right for "Where's K?" When no one else wears one she's all decked out in her's (for no real reason), so when everyone is covered (for good reason) she takes her sweet time getting her own on.
Can't wait for the trip home!!! (Although I'm not ready for your tr to be over :( )

[mlill]

You guys are very brave for going out in that monsoon on Christmas Day!!! AND you stayed for EMH!!! I'm impressed! Glad you had a good time, even with the rain. It was a crazy Christmas Day in WDW, that's for sure! :thumbsup2 But, it kinda fits in with your whole trip, I think!

Can't wait to read the rest of the story!
-Michelle

[tigger536]

Love the updates!

Middle Mermaid is very good...a lesser woman would have just left Where's K with the other family...especially after the safari photo incident (j/k) ;)

And what WAS where's K doing in the bathroom that long? :confused3

Too funny about the poncho too! Can't wait to see what trouble they caused on the way home...

[Becky521]

Hello once again everyone.

mindystar - I have the same reaction whenever I see that commercial too. But it's nothing a few hours in a dark room with a damp cloth on my head won't cure. I bet you will always remember her on your future trips whenever you pass a smoking area also.:thumbsup2

Tuesday, Dec 26th, We leave for home.:sad2:

Today we actually got the irrate Brazillian to call us one more time for old times sake. Today I answered it since we had replugged in our phone. This morning will be filled with trying to get all the stuff we have bought over the last 11 days into suitcases that will still pass through airport security. As most of you know this is not always an easy trick. We spent two hours playing the old pack and repack game. eventually we were able to get everything in and all the suitcases actually zipped!:woohoo: Of course the two empty "extra" bags we had brought with us were now busting at the seams and the feather bed pillow I always travel with because I get a headache from foam had become my second carry on but we managed. "Lazy" who did nothing to get ready himself and let his Grandmother pack him while he laid in bed, also looked like he was going to be ok. "Where's K?", who had brought along an ancient hard sided suitcase that could serve as a floatation device for the entire plane should we go down in the everglades, was fretting about the weight. (I have to admit I was also because I just knew that if it was over your's truely would end up footing the bill.) Just as we were zipping up the last of our bags "Where's K?" appeared in the door to our room with a Disney bag. "You might as well take this to use with one of the ornaments you bought since They put away all the Cinderella ornaments." It was the stand she had bought a couple of days ago to go with the ornament. First Disney dig of the day. It wasn't exactly anything we would have bought ourselves, obviously since we didn't, and it was a devil to find extra space in one of our suitcases but we got it home. Guess we will have to put it out somewhere next year when she visits at Christmas. Maybe the Cinderella ornament we bought.:thumbsup2 About the time we were finishing up but waiting for our traveling buddies to get themselves together I realized that we still hadn't recieved anything from Magical Express about our return trip or pick up. I called down to the front desk and was told that they wouldn't be able to tell me anything because I hadn't registered a credit card with them!? I was able to eventually find out that we would be picked up by the bus at 11:30 but beyond that nothing. (This whole thing was kind of a mess. Apparently the Magical Express is not run by Disney but Meers. The credit card had nothing to do with it. It seems Meers just simply messed up and missed us with the door hanger. A word to the wise, when this happens there is absolutely noone on Disney property who can help you or even tell you where to go to get help.) We decided that since we had a pick up for 11:30 we would just take our bags down to the luggage room and check them and then grab something to eat at the food court. When we started down to the front lugging our bags "Where's K?" announced that there was no way she would be able to get her bag down there by herself. So we drug everything back into the room and I called to see if I could get a luggage cart. The CM on the other end said that they could do better than that they would send a CM up to get our luggage for us. Great! I set that up and then we piled the bags in the room and headed down to the lobby. I decided to go ahead and check out now to save time later so I went up to the desk and settled our bill and so on. I then stopped at the luggage room and confirmed that they would be getting our bags and then got in line for the airline check in. Figured lets get it all done in one grand swoop. When I got up to the front of the line I spoke to a woman, also not a Disney CM, she asked me about our bags and I told her that the hotel was going to retrieve them from the room. She hardly acknowledged me and walked away. I waited there for about 10 mins and then asked a second woman about our check in. This person then asked about the bags and when I told her they were being brought down she became very disgusted that I was there and told me I couldn't check in with out them, "Please step aside for other guests." like I had cooties. Now I was in a dilema. I couldn't check in with out luggage, My bags were in the room, I had checked out of the room so I no longer had access to my bags and the CM at the luggage room couldn't tell me when they would get to my bags. In addition I had the rest of the group in tow and they were all making noise about being hungry. "Magic Beckdom" and I returned to the hotel desk and explained our problem to a very nice CM. Unfortunately since Magical Express is not run by Disney he couldn't help me with the lack of info about this service. He did spend about a half hour with us trying to get our luggage brought down. This was beginning to be a big concern as it was already 10:45 and we only had 45 mins until the bus picked us up. During this whole time the girls, "Sleepy" and "Where's K?" had been sitting on a bench just inside the lobby door. The girls were both looking a little worried, "Sleepy" was oblivious and "Where's K?" kept up a steady litany of how this was a scam by Disney to get you to stay in their hotels. Second Disney dig. I'm getting more and more anxious about the luggage situation but even more so at the barely audible statements from my good friend. Finally I have "Magic Beckdom" send them all to the food court with "Middle Mermaid" in charge of the room cards to get something with the remaining counter services and snacks left. It was about this time that I was standing in the center of the lobby at ASMu, looking hopeless I presume, when a gentleman walked up to me in a suit and no name tag, not a CM?, and asks if I need help. I proceed to unlaod the entire story on him and after listening to my nightmare he says he will be right back and runs off. At this point "Middle Mermaid" returns with her charges in tow. "Where's K?" has a cup of tea and a danish and is now grumbling about the "confusing meal plan". "Picky" and "Antsy" have returned and they are taking turns "Picky" is breaking pieces off a bagel and then "Antsy" is dropping them in a potted plant in the lobby. By this time I am starting to feel light headed, "Magic Beckdom" is doing her best to help sort this out but neither of us seem to be getting anywhere. Then "Middle Mermaid" comes over and volunteers to stay with me so that "Magic Beckdom" can now run to the food court and get something for both of us. We take her up on this. (I think this was a ploy to get as far away from "Where's K?" as she can.) As soon as "Magic Beckdom" turns the corner at the far end of the lobby the guy in the suit returns. (At the time I believe he is a guardian angel. Only later do I begin to believe he actually works for the FAA and has been tracking my movements since I left Syracuse 11 days ago. I am now sure they know all about the pipe bombs and the coke. They are aware of the kidnapping of a minor. They have tracked the attempts to forge Disney signatures. Taken notes on the various attempts to harm local flora and fawna. They even have pics of the attempt to hijack a mouse keeper and sell her into domestic slavery. In other words they have my number and they are willing to do anything to get me out of the state of Florida and back to New York were I belong.) This man tells me that our bags will be down momentarily. Sure enough, in the time it takes "Middle Mermaid" and I to walk out to the covered carport area a CM is coming down the path with our luggage. (New problem, we now have our luggage and can check in for the airline but "Magic Beckdom" is nowhere to be seen.) "Where's K?" walks up complaining about, "It's about time they got them here. What are we supposed to do if they don't show up? Leave them here?". "Will you just let it go, they are here and we still have time. This whole thing would not have been so stressfull if you would have just sat there and kept your big Santa Minnie hat wearing, autographbook stuffing, feet bleeding, cigarette stealing, signature forging, poncho wearing, maid kidnapping, wandering off every 3 seconds mouth shut!!" NO, I DIDN'T. BUT IT SURE WOULD HAVE FELT GOOD IF I HAD. AND THERE IS NOT ONE OF YOU OUT THERE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BLAME ME. In actuality, I mustered a smile and said, "Now we just have to find "Magic Beckdom" and we can register." She responds with, "Do you want me to go get her?" (Is she kidding? Is she trying to provoke me into committing the Happiest Murder on Earth? Does she know how close she is to being jammed in her suitcase and being forced to ride in the belly of the plane?) "No, I'm sure she will be here soon." I get the group together just off to one side of the lobby check in area so as soon as "Magic Beckdom" returns we will be able to get our luggage checked in and get our boarding passes. "Where's K?" complains the entire time we wait that she could have gotten her and been back by now. "Antsy" dozes on his duffle bag, which is the size of many European cars. "Middle Mermaid" is back to the old "pretend I am part of this other family" routine and "Tinker Jo" seems to be trying to find the little pixie room again. Finally "Magic Beckdom" returns with a coffee and pastry for me. She makes the mistake of telling me, too loudly, that the cashiere said we had no counter service or snacks left on the card so she just paid for it. "Where's K?" overhears and starts to sputter that they just said we had 8 snacks left when they got their food. "This is a scam!! They are trying to steel the balance of the money left on that card. It's probably the CM's!! They have figured out a way to skim the balance off each of these cards people get. They are probably raking in a fortune!!" (Looks like the ruining of her trip is now complete.) We get our bags checked in with the airline, luckily the "friendly, helpful" woman doesn't work for JetBlue. We now have just enough time to get ourselves over to the bus stop and get in line with the other poor souls who are headed for colder parts when the bus pulls up. I haven't had time to have a cigarette, that I desperately need by now or drink my coffee. (The cigarette is actually good because I only have one left and I know I would have to share it with you know who if I lit it now.) I sneak the coffee onto the bus with me. When we get to the airport "Magic Beckdom" runs off with "Tinker Jo" to...well you know that routine by now and I am left to listen to "Where's K?" complain about the Great Disney Dining Plan Scam. When we get to security "Dopey" again pulls the same routine. His camera bag is sent through with the camera still in it and gets to jump back in the FP line for a second ride. One shoe gets wrapped up in his coat and they too get sent around again. I just walked through and pretend I have never seen these two potential security risks before. Just before we get on the imposter monorail I run into the restroom and come out to find "Where's K?" looking very smug. Seems she was able to find a news stand that sells cigarettes and she bought us both a pack. (You think after smoking my cigarettes for the last 7 days she would realize I smoke Salems and not Winstons!:confused3 ) Then as we exit the tram out in the gate area we discover that our plane is delayed by an hour. (I'm sure Fish girl and the Sleeping one are behind this.) Since we now have time to spare we all settle in to wait. I take out my book about the two teenage murders that seemed to fasinate the squirrels so much and try to ignore everything around me. Eventually we are told the delay is going to be more like an hour and 45 mins so we decide to try and get something to eat. "Where's K?" and "Picky" go off first and after about 25 mins they return. "Where's K?" has found a Mickey D's, "Picky" has nothing, guess the airport staff had heard about his huge appetite and refused to sell out their stock. "Middle Mermaid" and I then take a walk and find a Sparros. I get a very resentful look from "Where's K?" when I return with my ziti dinner. (I have the secret password that scores food here in the airport too.:thumbsup2 ) Then about 10 mins before we are to board an announcement tells us that we will now be boarding at a different booth. (Looks like "Nadia" and the irrate Brazillian have joined the plot.) Finally we are told it is time to board. When we enter the plane and get to our seats "Middle Mermaid" grabs the window seat on the left. I jump in next to her and "Magic Beckdom" takes the aisle seat next to me. This leaves "Tinker Jo" stuck between "Where's K?" at the window and "Sleepy" on the aisle on the right side. (serves her right for being the youngest.) We made really good time on the flight home. The two and a half hour flight only took two hours. I spent the entire time with my earphones on watching old episodes of "Match Game" on the game show network. "Middle Mermaid" watched the in flight channel that tells you the air speed and altitude. (I think she was quietly dreaming about what would happen to someone who was to be sucked out of the plane at that height.;) ) When we arrived back in good old Syracuse I became excited. I knew that it was almost over! Just a quick trip to baggage claim and we were free. Then while we waited to claim our bags "Where's K?" decided she couldn't possibly carry her steamer trunk to the car so she went off in search of one of those little carts you can rent. This gave "Magic Beckdom", the girls and I a chance to steal glances at each other that said, "I can see the light at the end of the tunnel." We soon were able to collect our bags and head for the parking garage. One unfortunate turn, "Magic Beckdom" had a suitcase that didn't quite make it to Syracuse in the same shape it left Orlando. It was last to come around the turn stile and it was wrapped in red crime tape that said, "Damaged in flight" It looked like she was transporting medical waste! We made a quick run for the garage and the elevator that would take us to our car and away from it all. Unfortunately we had forgotten to write down the level of the spots we had parked our cars in so we were forced to ride up and down in the elevator several times, all looking like the cast of Dawn of the Living Dead, "Magic Beckdom" dragging her city mission suitcase behind her, before we located the correct level. I can tell you we wasted no time getting those babies in the car. We did say we were going to stop and get something to eat and asked "Where's K?" and "Picky" if they wanted to come with us but unfortunately "Where's K?" just wanted to get home so they declined.:sad2: :rolleyes1 We last saw them at the parking garage toll booth. (We had set aside the money for parking and "Where's K?" had done the same. It wasn't until we were back in Syracuse that "Magic Beckdom" realized she had miss calculated and had figured the price of 10 days and it was actually eleven.:rolleyes1 (Hope you didn't spend everything down in Disney!:rolleyes1 ) We decided to stop back at the IHOP near the airport where we had eaten dinner the night before we flew out and had had such bad service, It only seemed proper that we come full circle and return to the place where it all started. This time we had great service and spent quite a while just sitting there enjoying our meal with no complaints about the confusing dining plan or having to watch Picasso make a new masterpiece out of his veggies.

Well folks thats the trip. It's my story and I'm sticking to it. Hope everyone has enjoyed following along. I will have one more post to this trip report with some final thoughts and one last surprise in the next few days. Don't go away, you will miss one of the best parts. I still have one more surprise up my sleeve. :grouphug:

[Davidsmommy]

Great report Harry, you Dis identity stealer!

Looking forward to the final surprise (please tell us you are all going back together - so we get to hear about a second trip!) lol (Just kidding - I wouldn't ask that of you for my entertainment...)

[tink's girls]

Well, Harry, all I can say is, Wow! What a great trip report. Hats off to you and your family!! The fact that you four managed to have fun and not totally lose it with your two traveling companions really says a lot about your family! I am so glad that you managed to have a good time, despite all of the many moods of the Dwarves, cigarette stealing, complaining "K", etc. I guess it's the Disney magic that makes such a thing possible! Thanks for sharing your trip with us! Do the four of you have another trip planned? Well, thanks again and I'll make sure and check back in to read your final thoughts!

[TiggerandTink]

What a great trip report. I swear you all must be a family of angels to put up with so much negativity on your trip. I think I probably would have "lost it" at least once and let them have it, or maybe just lost them! :rotfl:

"Will you just let it go, they are here and we still have time. This whole thing would not have been so stressfull if you would have just sat there and kept your big Santa Minnie hat wearing, autographbook stuffing, feet bleeding, cigarette stealing, signature forging, poncho wearing, maid kidnapping, wandering off every 3 seconds mouth shut!!" NO, I DIDN'T. BUT IT SURE WOULD HAVE FELT GOOD IF I HAD. AND THERE IS NOT ONE OF YOU OUT THERE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BLAME ME.

:rotfl: :rotfl: This is exactly it!!! Hilarious.

Can't wait to read the final installment.

[sandys]

I think all your "fans" should pitch in and send you back real soon so we can have another report :rotfl: :rotfl: Love it!!

[tigger536]

I think all your "fans" should pitch in and send you back real soon so we can have another report :rotfl: :rotfl: Love it!!

Great idea! Lets start up the collection right now! ;) :rotfl:

Great TR! Thanks for entertaining us so much!

[Becky521]

:confused3 Hi gang! Just wanted to jump in today with one little episode that I had left out.

With all the drama surounding the Magical Express the day we left it was really great when we finaly got on the plane and knew we were headed home. Then about 5 mins after we took our seats and were waiting for the other passengers to board we hear a mans voice calling out in the aisle. He is calling out our names. Well at least the names of "Magic Beckdom", "Middle Mermaid", "Tinker Jo" and I. We look up to see the pilot standing in the aisle with a sheet of paper in his hand. I tell him that that is us and he responds with, "Oh, OK." and then turns to leave. I stop him and ask if something is wrong and he tells me, "No, I was just checking that you were all here." (He probably wanted to alert the flight attendants that a world class smuggling/forgery ring was on this flight and they should keep an eye on us.) Either that or the State of Florida wanted to make sure we were indeed on our way home. Funny thing is he never mentioned "Where's K?" and "The Dwarves". I felt like jumping up and pointing to them and shouting, "It's really them you want! They are the true master minds! We are just innocent pawns in their evil scheme to overthrow The Mouse!" No idea what that little drama was all about and I think I'm probably glad I don't.:confused3

I will post my last installment tom. I Promise. Don't miss it, there is one last surprise for all my faithful fans. I have come up with the PERFECT way to truely end this trip report and it involves all of you!:thumbsup2

Till tom.

[Kay7979]

Hello from a fellow New Yorker. I started your report but got side tracked awhile ago. I caught up today. There are so many funny parts, and your description of the events and the people really drew me into your story. I shared your joys and frustrations. It's a good thing you have a sense of humor and the ability to have a good time no matter what life throws at you. I'm sorry you had so many annoyances during your trip, but it certainly made for entertaining reading! :lmao: Your "characters" could easily star in a TV Sit-Com that would probably run for years and get great ratings.

I could especially relate to "The Dwarves." My step-son is a picky eater. He doesn't like his foods touching. He doesn't like dairy products, so eats his cereal dry out of his bowl. He doesn't like salad dressing, either, so he eats salad dry, too. With his hands. Until we complain. He's getting better about using a fork, which is fortunate, since he's 19 now!

Thanks for the entertaining and laugh-filled trip report. :thumbsup2

[hickchick]

Thanks for spending so much time posting all the nitty gritty details of this "so horrible it's funny" family trip. You obviously have a marvelous sense of humor because I'm sure "Where's K" and the "Dwarves" would have gotten on even Mother Theresa's last nerve...

:surfweb:

[bunnysmum]

I'm exhausted! That was some trip. I truly do have my hat off to you and your family for putting up with all that your two "guests" put you through.

I guess there's a lesson in there for all of us, one I have taken to heart: be careful who you ask to travel with you! Or at the very least, be sure that they are willing to split up if they feel they can't play nice.:rotfl:

I've enjoyed your TR immensely. Thanks for all the laughs, and I'll be standing by anxiously awaiting this one last trick up your sleeve.:thumbsup2

[mindystar]

Awww, boo, it's all over :(
I'll have to remember to keep a close eye on my food credits to make sure that those sneaky CMs don't "steal" any of my snack credits ;)
Glad once you were on the plane it was uneventful and you all weren't pulled off for the forgery ring!
I hope that nothing was ruined or damaged (esp if it was from WDW) in "Magic Beckdom"'s damaged suitcase.
It was funny how you were all so glad to be done with the plane ride and going home. Most people are sad when their trip to WDW is over, but then again most people don't get the oppurtunity ;) to take a family vacation with "Where's K?" and the dwarfs, so I can't fault you there :)
Can't wait for the last post!
One last time to say "more, more, more!"

[Becky521]

Hello friends and fellow Disers. Well it has been a few days since I ended the Trip Report proper. Thought it was time to get in here and wrap this thing up, with your help.;)

I wanted to say that this has been a really fun experience. It gave us to relive the trip all over again, the good and the bad.

I did want to say that inspite all the difficulties on this vacation "Where's K?" is a truely lovely woman that would give you the shirt of her back. (Even the wet one from TL.) She has been a true friend to all of us for several years now and we do value her friendship. She is just not a "Disney" person, at least in the way we all discribe that term. In her own way she did enjoy the trip. I asked her the other night that now that she has had a month to think about it would she ever want to go back. (Remember this was a woman who started out saying she had no interest in WDW what so ever.) She thought for a min and then said, "I wouldn't want to go back right away but maybe in a few years.". So in that respect she was "converted" I guess.

"The Dwarves" is also basically a good kid. He is one of six and right in the middle so he does tend to kind of get lost in the shuffle. The eating thing is due largely in part to the fact that he is left to his own devises alot of the time so he eats "from the can" so to speak.

Both "Middle Mermaid" and "Tinker Jo" are great kids. They made it through this trip and only complained a tiny bit. It's interesting to visit WDW with them now that they are older because they see the World so much differently now then they used to. We are at a point in our lives that they are quickly growing up and becoming our friends in addition to our daughters.

"Magic Beckdom" is already looking at prices for the coming year or so but it looks like our next trip will be the first we will experience Disney "on the high seas".

Will we be traveling with "Where's K?" and "The Dwarves" again? Well, "Where's K?" keeps bringing up a trip to Gettysburg, Pa. (Watch out all you folks in the Keystone State.) This might come about some time in the future. (I figure there are reportedly a lot of ghosts in Gettysburg. Do you think the locals will notice one who haunts the local McDonalds, hanging out near the garbage cans and occasionaly trims the bushes out front. Or a lonely spirit wandering the battlefield looking like she has a cannon ball in her drawers and tryies to bum smokes off of reinactors?) ;)

Since we have been home we have seen "Where's K?" and "The Dwarves" exactly twice. Once on NYE and then a couple of weeks ago we had them over for dinner. We are scheduled to go to dinner with them tommorow night. It's been long enough that the "wounds" have started to heal.;)

Now for my last "Trick".

As I put in the report "Where's K?'s" stranglely placed autograph book became a huge part of our trip. (She never did see Sleeping Beauty, so I don't know what happened with her autograph.)

I have been thinking for some time about the best way to bring this TR to an end and decided it would be a great tribute to the "forgery ring" if everyone who has followed our escapades would jump on and sign their name and then "Forge" an autograph of a Disney character so we could at least have as many of them as possible represented here.;) Even those of you who have been reading along but been affraid to post to date, this is your chance.

So in the spirit of the forge I will start. (que the theme song from the old Carol Burnette show.)
"I'm so glad we had this time together...
just to share a laugh or sing a song...
seems we just get started...
and before you know it...
comes the time we have to say ...
so long."

(with a tug of the ear.)"GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY!"


Harry - Tigger
Becky - Goofy
Kalyn - Ariel
Jourdan - Tinker Bell
Karen - Cruella DeVille
Nick - Sleepy

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :santa: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[Davidsmommy]

Cool idea!

Kristen - Captain Hook!

[Bee]

Belinda- Eeyore

[soldiersmom]

Jana--Snow White

(Fantastic report!:yay: )

[tigger536]

Jacquelyn - Stitch

(you signed for tigger already ;) )

Great report! Thanks for sharing your adventures (and misadventures)! :yay:

[evildiva]

Great trip report. I have never laughed so hard in my entire life!

Katie - Maleficent

[DisneyNutMary]

Mary- Sleeping Beauty

Please don't let Cruella hurt me

[Nicole786]

hahahaha! your TR was hilarious!!!

im from NY myself, Westchester, so im not too far from where your daughter goes to school! although pretty far from syracuse.

[hickchick]

My favorite is Maleficent - but already taken - so...

--Jessica - Brer Rabbit

[LizAgna]

This was a great trip report. Thanks for all the laughs!!

Sonya - Cinderella

[HesATramp]

Ready when you are to take on the World with you (on land, that is! I ALSO saw all the boat movies that didn't end all that well! LOL!)

John - Tramp

[disneypearl]

Thanks for the laughs!

Kim - Minnie Mouse

[mindystar]

Ah, you just want us all to have "wanted" at the airport or in WDW ;)
Thanks for the great time, I'll truly miss coming home to read your tr! I was looking forward to the ending at work today :)
Danaile-Lilo

[Becky521]

Bump for more autographs.

[mlill]

Harry - You Da Man! :thumbsup2 Thanks for an awesome TR!!!

Michelle - Belle :flower3:

[disneyloveNY]

Lynda-Princess Jasmine princess:

I'm going to miss reading your TR. It gave me many LOL moments:happytv:

[tink's girls]

Enjoyed the trip report Harry! Have fun on the high seas!!

"Piglet"

[katieroo]

Great report!
Katie--Roo

[BrerMom]

Now I have to tell you that I have spent a lot of time around young people. I have taught Sunday School, volunteered for Junior Achievment, directed numerous youth theater productions, was even Cub Master for five years and I do not enjoy nor condone humiliating young people, but I'm loving this!!::banana: :lmao: I love your sense of humor! And naming "the dwarves" was a stroke of genius! :jumping1:

:thanks:

[Becky521]

Bumping for more autographs. How about some of you silent readers?

[TiggerandTink]

Thanks for the great report!

Tammy - Baloo

[JanieJ]

You are a truly talented writer. I have enjoyed this report very much. I only discovered it last weekend and have read every change I had (all day on Sunday) We are going to WDW this coming Christmas with 22 Family members and I know we will have some trying moments. I hope we are able to handle them as well as your family did.
Janie - Dumbo

[Becky521]

:jumping3: Bumping because page 2 makes me sad :worried:

[mlill]

Come on, everyone! Sign your name to this awesome TR!!! :thumbsup2

Michelle - Belle :flower3:

[DISNEYFREAK13]

Harry, I'm finally catching up with you tr!!:rotfl2: as I've been too sick to read, :sick: It gave me something to look forward too! It was really killing :sad2: me not to have my dose of your trippie on a daily basis. Although I'm still catching up, it just keeps getting better and better!:thumbsup2
Can't wait to read the rest!:goodvibes Although, I must admit, I really don't want it to end!:sad2:

Tanya-Bullseye

[Becky521]

Michelle - thanks for the bump back to page 1 and the encouragement.

Tanya - sorry you were sick. Glad you're up to traveling with us again.

[MomofCKJ]

I came back and finished, finally! Great report, loved it! You guys really did Christmas Day huh? Man what a long day but great to make your last day really worthwhile!

Who can I sign as, all my favorites are taken????

Allyson ---- Alice in Wonderland

[Disneyolic]

Hi! I wanted to come on over to your trip report as you were kind enough to be reading mine! I've only read the first installment so far but wanted to make sure it was in my subscription list so I don't miss any of it. I am looking forward to reading the rest of it, especially that you went during Christmas season!

[Disneyolic]

Okay...I've gotten through 2 more installments. Since I am from the Syracuse area, I have a couple questions/comments...

First, if you are ever in the Syracuse area again and have a couple of hours to spare, you can give me a call!!!!

What restaurant did you go to that night by the airport that the food was not so good? I am just curious on that one...

Also, the JetBlue gate is a laugh. It used to be just a waiting area a while back for, who know what?? It is too small of an area for JetBlue, at least when we went. We had 2 different groups of people waiting for 2 different JetBlue flights to come in and people were sitting on the floor and in the hallways. It was a complete mess. It was a light a race was on whose plane would come in first. Thank goodness our flight from Orlando arrived before the JFK one and we were onboard and heading out while the JFK flight had to wait on the tarmac for us to leave!

[Becky521]

We haven't checked this in so long. Thought it was dead ;) but glad to have a new reader. We probably won't be in Syracuse now until August. Last year we stopped for the State Fair on our way to take our daughter to college. I may just take you up on that offer to call.

I believe it was Denny's. It seems so long ago! If there is a Denny's close to the airport that is where we ate.

Thanks for coming along for the ride. Any Christmas questions, we'd be happy to answer. I'll start checking this again.

[Sorsha]

Hi guys!
Just finished reading your trippie, all 13 pages in one day! I don't know when I have ever laughed so hard! Just wanted to say thanks for a most entertaining read, and for taking the time to set it all down.
Tanya (Eeyore)

[Becky521]

Hi Tanya
So glad you enjoyed our vacation. So did we. thanks for reading.

[mlill]

:banana: Just bumpin' :banana:

If you haven't read this yet, you are really missing out on a great TR!

:banana: Just bumpin' :banana:

[Becky521]

Aw... thanks Michelle. Glad you came back. :hug:

[BrerMom]

Awesome, awesome report. And why did it take "where's K?" so long to use the restroom in LTT? Because it's (I think) a three-seater ALWAYS with a very long line!

BrerMom - Brer Bear

[Becky521]

BrerMom thanks for reading. I just want to go back.....Christmas 2008 is a long time away :sad2:

[mlill]

BrerMom thanks for reading. I just want to go back.....Christmas 2008 is a long time away :sad2:


Hey! We'll see you there! :thumbsup2 It's never too early to start planning! :rotfl: You're not going to bring anyone with you next year, are you?! ;) Just the family?

[Becky521]

No, next trip is definitely just the 4 of us.

We saw Where's K and the dwarves on Saturday and as usual with us the conversation turned to Disney. She said "the next time I go..." I think I bore holes in Harry's face with my "don't even think it" eyes :rotfl2:

[Becky521]

Hi folks! This is Harry. As you can see it is July 4th and it was exactly a year ago today that we decided to take this trip. We spent the day with "Where's K?" AND "The Dwarves" today. We had a great picnic and mamaged to get through the day with out planning a new trip with them. They hinted but I managed to keep my mouth shut. Thanks to all that followed our little adventure. Only 17 months till Dec 2008! Could a new pre-trip report be too far off?:thumbsup2

[MomofCKJ]

Time will fly! We started our next countdown right when we returned from our last Christmas trip and now we are down to 250 days! Just like that!

Never too early to start planning!

Allyson :)

[Chloe'sMom]

Just finished your trip report - fabulous job! I haven't read a full report in a long time, so let that be a credit to your great writing. You were very detailed to make the reader feel like you were right there with you - plus you were funny. Of course your friends gave you GREAT material.

Loved reading the report. I too have travelled with good friends and have thought to myself, "WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?" once into the trip. In fact they are hinting right now that they want to go to Disney with us. Thank God they will be in Europe during are planned trip ;)


Great Job!

~Amanda and Chloe
aka: Kanga and Roo

[Becky521]

Chloe'sMom thanks for reading - glad you enjoyed it. We just started rereading it and just laughed all over again about some of the silly things. :lmao: It really does bring back memories. Can't wait til next Christmas!!

[katylady]

Just found your TR and was interested since we will be traveling the same days this year. We were down last year 12/30-1/7 with my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, her boyfriend and my parents. It was an interesting time, but I don't think we had to deal with behavior near as 'interesting' as you did. I'm looking forward to traveling with just my husband this year!

Thanks for your story. It was a great read! :santa:

[DaisynDonald]

I just finished your trip report, it was great!!:cheer2:

You had me laughing through it all!!:rotfl:

Now I know why I go with my daghter only to WDW. I don't want my special place to be ruined.;)

[Becky521]

katylady and DaisynDonald:
Glad you enjoyed our trip. It really was fun, but our reservations are made for next year and it is just for the 4 of us :cool1: