Royal Me This, Royal Me That ~ Disney in December, How About That? *Update 6-1* P26

[MegansMom]

TK---I'm sending you a very long distance hug....not that you need it now, well maybe you do, but for what you experienced on that very stressful day. So sorry!!!! I truly do hope your lemonade turned out much sweeter than your day was turning into.

 

[TarzansKat]

TK---I'm sending you a very long distance hug....not that you need it now, well maybe you do, but for what you experienced on that very stressful day. So sorry!!!! I truly do hope your lemonade turned out much sweeter than your day was turning into.

Aw, shucks.

You make me feel so loved! And I mean that in a very non-sappy kind of way, you really, really do.

 

[If U Had Wings]

TK, I'm so sorry about the stressful MK day. I hate when crowds get to me like that and all I want to do is either break down and cry or hit someone.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it gets better!

 

[TarzansKat]

TK, I'm so sorry about the stressful MK day. I hate when crowds get to me like that and all I want to do is either break down and cry or hit someone.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it gets better!

Aw, thanks, hon. I promise, it does get better.

It gets a little worse before it gets better, but it does get better.

 

[maroo]

It gets a little worse before it gets better, but it does get better.

 

[TarzansKat]

Oh, the parade.

Smack in my face, taunting me.

You can't leave.

You can't get anywhere. You have to stop, right here, in this little hub in front of the train station with wall to wall people, and suck it up, TK. Because right now you're not going anywhere. And it doesn't matter if HRH is demanding Goofy Candy (which he somehow managed to see somewhere and thank god at least he's asking for something specific like goofy candy instead of something new something different and I don't have to rip my hair out over hearing that same phrase over and over again which really just means mama I want every kind of junk food imaginable what can I sucker you into giving me) because you are stuck, TK.

Hello?

Lemonade?

Yeah.

And in all seriousness, I had a moment. It wasn't perfect clarity, certainly not, but it was a moment. Where I realized that I was not going anywhere just yet. And that I was going to have to do the best with what I had.

So I parked my son in his stroller, pointed him at the street, and said, "Look, HRH! The parade!!!"

I said it in my best excited voice. And you know what? He may have wanted Goofy Candy, and I may have told him, I can't get it right now, but we will get it soon, and do you know, that boy and I watched the end of that parade. Maybe he asked a few more times for some candy, but we were stuck and that was that.

That's it. You're stuck, you make the best of it. Because as much as you want it too, you cannot make that parade go any faster, or get out of your way. And all the other people around you happen to be enjoying it. So maybe, just maybe, you can have a teensy bit of lemonade and enjoy it too.

And then it ends, and I try to call Mom and Nana.

The moment has so passed. I'm frustrated. I need to get out of there. There are too many people.

But leaving after a parade is one of the worst times to leave, because everyone is leaving! But I'm stuck. I can't get ahold of them, and I need to move with the kid before all heck breaks loose.

So we head toward the monorail, in the hopes of going to the Grand Flo. Dinner is at Citrico's, and I'd like to just while away the hours enjoying the lobby, the beautiful tree, the gingerbread house.

And for the love of Mickey, get the boy some Goofy Candy before he drives me insane.

We get to the monorail, and it's just a sea of people. I'm drowning in people, and running out of lemonade. And the CM wants us to move all the way down, and there's not a lot of room. And the people in front of me won't move, how am I supposed to move? I appreciate they're doing their job, but I can't make the people move, as evidenced by my earlier plight in trying to get HRH a nap while fake power walking through the Magic Kingdom with my patented ZZUB invisibility cloaking on the stroller.

I have to tell you, we were so crammed in with other people that when the monorail pulled up, I didn't think HRH and I would get on. At all.

I kept walking down and down, looking for room.

There was no room.

Does anyone want to talk about how close to tears I am at this point? I have had it.

God Bless Britannia!

This lovely group of Brits (whole big family) is in one section of a car, and they make room for me. THEY MAKE ROOM FOR ME!!!! And they're polite. And nice. And try to help me with the stroller. God Bless BRITANNIA!!!!

Thank you, whoever you were. You all seemed lovely, and like you were having a wonderful vacation, and for that, I'm glad. Your good mood put me in a good mood.

For the most part.

Sorry, Maroo, I told you gets worse before it gets better.

By the grace of God, we are on the monorail and we are on our way to the Grand Floridian.

Or, in TK speak...the mothership.

Seriously, to my mind, there is no finer place to stay. I know it's older. I know the rooms are smaller than others. But I know it's beautiful, and lovely, and everything I love in a deluxe hotel. It's just "it" for me. It's the hotel I stayed in when I was 9-10 years old, and I told my parents that when I got married I would honeymoon there.

I did. I've stayed there on my honeymoon, I've stayed there other times, and now that I'm married, and have a beautiful little family, I can't afford it anymore. But I love it all the same.

My Grand Floridian.

I love it so.

And because I love it so, I took LOTS of pictures.

Now, obviously, I had a mission. Besides torturing the boy before I bought him the elusive Goofy Candy by making him pose in front of that cute little Christmas tree. You can just see his stroller peeking out in one of those photos.

I was dying to see the Gingerbread House. I have actually seen it before, but not in working order. I've been during the beginning of January a few times, and they're usually in the process of a disassmebling it. I do have to say, though, although this was gorgeous, it wasn't my favorite gingerbread creation on this trip. You'll just have to wait and see what that was.

Now, I also had a hankering to try a piece of gingerbread, so I got HRH and I in line, and he had a little sample. I thought maybe he'd want the cookie instead of the Goofy Candy but no dice. When that boy has a mind to something, he's determined.

No idea where he gets that from.

At. All.

So I got my gingerbread shingle, and we ducked into the shop in the Grand Flo that sells Goofy Candy, and thus begin HRH's love affair with what he fondly calls Goofy Gummies. Those would be the Mickey mouse head gummies and he just LOVES them. The next time we go, we are sooooo stocking up on these for gifts for him for the holidays, etc. He loves these as he loves no other.

Seriously?

They're his Dole Whip.

So now that HRH is settled with his bag of gummies, I'm free to take some pictures.

Some? Okay, lots. (You're welcome. )

My DIS obligations satisfied, I strolled HRH around a little, looked around the lobby, and then settled on the perfect spot for us to sit.

In front of the cartoons they have set up for kids while their parents check in.

Could there have been any better place for him to enjoy his gummies and for me to get that first taste of the elusive gingerbread shingle?

Methinks not.

Up Next - :::SIGH::: FINALLY!!!!

 

[MRYPPNS]

We had the same problem one night on the monorail where people wouldn't move down....not fun to get stuck in that mess.

I can't wait to see if you actually meet up with mom and nana for dinner.

 

[maroo]

Urgh. The crowd at the monorail. People won't move. Grrr. What a mess.

Sweet Brits!

I am so glad they made room for my friend TK! Afterall...they are Royal, people!!!

ZZUB invisibility cloak!

Christmas. Grand Floridian. Horses. Gingerbread house. Pictures. Ah.

In the word style of TK...

I. Can't. Wait.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Whew! What a time of it you had trying to get out of the MK! I am so glad you finally made it through the masses of humanity into the calm, quiet, elegant, peaceful Grand Floridian lobby!

I just may have to give those Goofy Gummies a try in June -- they sound quite tempting.

I can almost smell the gingerbread...mmmm...

 

[jenjolt]

TK!! OY did you have a day at MK!! I'm so sorry you had to deal with all of that.

But I'm so happy you did find some goodness in your day!! From the kind Brits to the gingerbread..to your happy place at the Grand Floridian!!

Although I'm intriqued by what you did find to be the best piece of Gingerbread art on this trip????

Love the pictures!

 

[trixiequilts]

Ooohh...the sour Mickey head gummies???

I those. Wish I had some right now as a matter of fact.

My plain frozen waffle just isn't the same.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I'm so glad to hear you finally got a moment of peace!

The christmas pics of the GF look wonderful. I can't wait to visit next December.

 

[MegansMom]

I love the GF at Christmastime---can't wait to hear what your favorite Gingerbread house was though!!!!!

I still feel so bad that it was such a stressful day for you though---it has been a rough little trippie for you!!!! I hope there is some redemption coming soon!

 

[TarzansKat]

We had the same problem one night on the monorail where people wouldn't move down....not fun to get stuck in that mess.

I can't wait to see if you actually meet up with mom and nana for dinner.

It's just frustrating when you can't make humanity behave.

In the word style of TK...

I. Can't. Wait.

I totally have to admit, I stole that word style from my great friend, Tinkerbellarella. I know she hasn't been on the DIS in a while, but once she rejoins us here, I highly recommend her pre and trip report. She's a dang riot.

I just may have to give those Goofy Gummies a try in June -- they sound quite tempting.

I really like them, honestly. They're a great candy snack.

Although I'm intriqued by what you did find to be the best piece of Gingerbread art on this trip????

Mwa ha ha....

Ooohh...the sour Mickey head gummies???

I those. Wish I had some right now as a matter of fact.

My plain frozen waffle just isn't the same.

Actually, not the sour ones. For some reason, HRH doesn't like those.

But I do.

I'm so glad to hear you finally got a moment of peace!

The christmas pics of the GF look wonderful. I can't wait to visit next December.

It is so beautifully decorated, you'll just love it. But you know, each resort is in its own way.

I love the GF at Christmastime---can't wait to hear what your favorite Gingerbread house was though!!!!!

I still feel so bad that it was such a stressful day for you though---it has been a rough little trippie for you!!!! I hope there is some redemption coming soon!

You know, I feel badly. It was a really rough trip. And the lags between chapters have been because it is so difficult to write about. And much as I'm trying to maintain the new positive attitude I employ in every day life, it is hard to write about a time when I was so unhappy.

But there were good points, and I'm trying very, very hard to focus on those.

 

[TarzansKat]

If only for a short time, I got a royal break.

HRH and I were sitting and noshing, watching classic Disney cartoons in the Grand Floridian lobby. I was literally sitting on the kiddie sofa. It was fun. HRH was in his stroller. I kept him contained. But seriously, he'd happy sitting in there, and was happy with his toons and his Goofy gummies, and I sure as heck wasn't moving him.

I have to admit, the gingerbread shingle was not as great as I thought it was going to be. I'm afraid I had built it up so much in my mind (and was having such a carp-tacular day at that point) that it just wasn't what I was looking for.

Truthfully, it seemed a bit dry, and without sounding conceited, I prefer my own gingerbread we make at home. And that's not to say I haven't made a dry batch or two in my lifetime, that's for sure. But I have the memories of the other good batches lingering on my tongue, and this just didn't match up.

But it was food. And I was hungry. So I ate the whole dang thing.

Now, I finally met up with Mom and Nana and it was decided (FINALLY) that yours truly needed a break from parenting.

:::ahem::::

And so Nana decided she would sit with HRH while he noshed and watched his toons and Mom and I would head over to the spa.

I'd had plans to do this anyway, as the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has the best signature lotion ever. It's a grapefruit scent, and normally I'm not a big fan of citrus, but it smells absolutely divine. No joke, I brought this scent lotion with me in my overnight bag for the hospital when I had HRH. I wanted something that smelled like Disney to me.

And it's some darn expensive lotion, but for me, it's worth it. I'm not a really fancy gal. I mean do I like to look nice. I wear makeup every day, but it's a five minute face. Simple and to the point. And I'm like that with my moisturizer. So that lotion basically gets used when I shave my legs, and they're dry as dust screaming, MOISTURE!!!!! Suffice it to say, the lotion gets used more during the warmer months.

Anyhoo, I was out. And really wanted some, and didn't very much care what it cost, just that it's my favorite scent, and oh so enjoyable. I swear, if I could create a scratch and sniff for the computer screen, I would.

Because it's just that good.

So Mom and I took our time walking to the spa, and I enjoyed it. The sights of the Grand Flo, the smell of Florida air (it's distinct), and the Magic Kingdom and other monorail hotels off in the distance.

And even though I didn't have an appointment, walking into the spa for that brief amount of time to find that lotion was just like a little slice of heaven.

Mom decided she was going to get some too, and I was a little surprised. I really didn't think she used it. And she doesn't. Ask me what one of my Christmas presents was last year. I love useful gifts.

So feeling refreshed, I walked outside, sat in a chair and stopped for a moment. And sat.

And sitting was good. I was waiting for Mom to wrap up her purchase, and while I did, I called my girl, Tink.

Bless her. Can you believe she actually picked up at that moment when I need her most? But that's Tink. She's always, always there when I need her most. I can't even begin to describe to you in how many ways the DIS has blessed me, and if there were a list, I swear, she'd be at the tippity top.

We're friends.

For life.

And it's just that simple. Even though friends sounds like something too basic for what she and I have. It's deeper than that. It's really like your girlfriend soul mate. You're alike enough to get each other and different enough to amuse each other.

So we had a nice little chat and I told her all my angst and my woes. Which was seeming to be a theme on this trip. When Mom was done, we sort of chatted three way, exchanging pleasantries and whatnot.

After we hung up, I did feel better.

But I won't lie. I was still tired. Less cranky now that I'd gotten 15 minutes of freedom, but still tired of this day. Wondering what to do next.




Up Next - Much Ado About Dinner

 

[maroo]

Gosh...when you said break...I thought you meant a real break! And when you said SPA! I thought you were going to get a massage. Now THAT would be a great break!

Don't you just love a Christmas present that you really like!

Aw...Tink! As in Tinkerbella? So, do you guys know each other in real life?

 

[MRYPPNS]

No joke, I brought this scent lotion with me in my overnight bag for the hospital when I had HRH.

I did something like that when i had Liam. Ice Tea lotion from Bath and Body. The nurses loved my room the bestest!!! I'm already planning a new scent for Baby Girl's arrival.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeay, you got a brief respite from being Mom and got to spend some time with your mother! Loveliness!

Okay, 'fess up -- how much is the grapefruit lotion -- because I am a sucker for a good scent, and I caught myself thinking, "I could buy a bottle to remember my grapefruit cake from the Brown Derby this summer."

 

[TarzansKat]

Gosh...when you said break...I thought you meant a real break! And when you said SPA! I thought you were going to get a massage. Now THAT would be a great break!

I wish. I'm seriously considering this for my 30th birthday trip. I think that type of birthday deserves some pampering. I just had spending the time away from my boys.

Aw...Tink! As in Tinkerbella? So, do you guys know each other in real life?

Well, the short story is we met on the DIS, then met officially for the first time for dinner at Citrico's on our September 08 trips, which overlapped by that one day. And the rest, as they say, is history.

In all seriousness, she's become my best girlfriend. I've had her and her boyfriend over for dinner, and we got along (for some reason I have Forrest Gump in my head) like peas and carrots.

I did something like that when i had Liam. Ice Tea lotion from Bath and Body. The nurses loved my room the bestest!!! I'm already planning a new scent for Baby Girl's arrival.

I had read somewhere that it was helpful to have a soothing scent. I can't wait to hear what baby girl's is.

Yeay, you got a brief respite from being Mom and got to spend some time with your mother! Loveliness!

Okay, 'fess up -- how much is the grapefruit lotion -- because I am a sucker for a good scent, and I caught myself thinking, "I could buy a bottle to remember my grapefruit cake from the Brown Derby this summer."

:::rummage, scramble, rummage, rummage::::

$20 for 8.4 Fl OZ. Let's not even discuss how much you could get at Bath and Body Works for $20. Seriously, this scent is so worth it.

Love the grapefruit lotion, love the grapefruit cake.

Love, love, love it. Treat yourself, you won't regret it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

:::rummage, scramble, rummage, rummage::::

$20 for 8.4 Fl OZ. Let's not even discuss how much you could get at Bath and Body Works for $20. Seriously, this scent is so worth it.

Love the grapefruit lotion, love the grapefruit cake.

Love, love, love it. Treat yourself, you won't regret it.

It's going on the souvenir list!!!

Where is the spa located at the Grand Floridian? Is it in the main building or somewhere else on the grounds?