Who Invited My Mother In Law? A Moderately Deluxe TR All New X 3 & PTR Link 2/3 !!

[shan23877]

You always hear how great Ohana is for dinner, that I have never even considered it for breakfast! Looks like you had a wonderful time!

Hope being sick doesn't ruin the last day!

I hadn't heard much at all about 'Ohana breakfast, I chose it for the location. We couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised! I love the vibe of the Poly any way. It was a great way to start the day.

Thanks. I wasn't feeling great at all.

Uggh! Sick on your last day at Disney? At least you felt well enjoy to keep trudging along. And, thank goodness that you did because breakfast at Ohana looks like a complete success! Maddie's face when the characters came around is lit up like a Christmas tree. So sweet!

It was the pits, but I'm so glad that we didn't skip that breakfast. It turned out to be one of the best times we had on the trip. She had such a great time.

Yayyyy!! I have to say, my experience with Ohana wasn't the greatest, but I probably would go back! I really do want to try it for dinner! Also, definitely teared up a bit at the awesome character times with Maddie, that's so amazingly adorable!!

I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy it. I've heard since our trip that people had very hit or miss experiences there. I think that we only loved it so much because Maddie did. For us that's what it's all about.

Once again, Maddie cracks me up with her giving her dad two choices for the next Disney vacation. She's already picking up on the fact that parents like to give options to kids to pretend that the kids really have a choice, when in the end they will do what the parent wanted anyway.

She's no dummy. We should know pretty soon if we'll be able to go this year or not, so keep your fingers crossed!

Had a few updates to catch on after being gone!

And now I've been MIA for 3 weeks!

Hahaha, I love Maddie's stuffed animals, but I have to say, Perry always cracks me up. He looks like such a doofus, I love it!

Doesn't he? He's a total double agent though. Gotta love him.

Ooohhhh, California Grill. That's some fancy stuff!

No poor Bryan being stuck looking at you! That means he had a beautiful sight to behold during dinner!

Oh you...

I'm glad that you enjoyed your meal. California Grill is on my list all the time, yet I still haven't made it there.

You MUST try it out. We loved every minute of that meal. I know we'll go back next trip.

Oh no, not being able to taste your breakfast at Ohana?! That stinks!!!

I'm glad that Maddie had a good time at Ohana! I like it more than Chef Mickey's. It's fun but not over the top, which I love.

Yeah, it's likely that my food reviews for the last day won't mean squat. I couldn't taste a thing all day.

We LOVED our experience at 'Ohana. It was so much less chaotic that Chef Mickey. And, I loved the Hawaiian gear on the characters. Maddie loves the free leis too.

Oh no! I'm so sorry you were feeling sick on your last day. I completely know how you must've felt. Spoiler alert: I got sick the last couple of days on our trip. It just stinks, right?!?

Oh no! It does stink! Luckily for the vacation, the worst of it hit once we got back.

Too funny that you were posting about breakfast at 'Ohana. If I ever get around to posting my next update, that's what it is. Let's just say I felt the same way about Lilo.

Maddie is just so precious! She really seems to have such a great spirit and is so much fun.

I assume that Lilo is a really hard character to act out, but it really is disappointing. She's such a vibrant spirit in the movies-it would almost be better if they left her out.

Thanks so much Amanda.

Lol I love that. We are going on a trip next year w/ my neice & nephew and my trip report will be titled something like because if we don't take her soon she's going with out us.


My neice is 4 she will be 5 when we go and she is going with or without us.

If Maddie could find a way she'd be there without us in a flash. She just loves it so much!

So glad I finally got back on track with your TR. DIS on my iPhone is a lifesaver. LOL

California Grill sounded great- ill need to consider that one when DH and I go solo.

Isn't it? I love being able to catch up from my phone!

It was amazing-you should definitely put it on your list.

She's has his number! My DGD has already picked out the new Duffy outfit and the new Disney Girl dress (Rapunzel) for next year. For her, it's a given that we'll go next year (is there any better way to celebrate one's birthday). I'm just hoping that her Daddy comes around. My DGD has his number too!

And, BTW, am I the only one who thinks the little girl in the Tyson Chicken commerical looks just like Maddie? I think of her whenever I see the commerical!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories with all of us! Karen

LOL! That's great! For Maddie an annual WDW vacation is a given-it's her dad we have to convince. He's so practical!

I haven't seen that commercial! I'll have to look it up on youtube!

Thanks for being a part of it Karen. It means so much to have all of you sharing the memories with me.

Sorry you were not feeling well on your last day. I hope it didn't overshadow your day.

Thanks Carey. I was pretty determined to carry on.

Ohana's is Kadence favorite meal and for all the reasons you just posted. She loves Stitch, she loves the interaction which I think is some of the best of all character meals, and we like the food.
He licked her head the first time we were there and she fell in love.

It's why we go to WDW too. Why wait until they are jaded teens.

Exactly! It's the moments you won't be able to get when they're older that make it so amazing.

I'm glad that you guys have had great experiences there too. We loved it!

oh no! I hate feeling ill on vacation.. I hope you got better soon. ohanas breakfast meal looked great!

Thanks Smidgy. I know that you guys have been through so much more than a simple cold, I feel silly having you read that. You're very sweet though.

Ohana was great fun for breakfast.

Oh no, getting sick on vacation is the pits! I hope it didn't negatively effect your last day!

I love the pics of Maddie with the characters! I think she has wonderful taste because pluto is my favorite too! I also love the way he signs autographs, and he is always so personable. I haven't run across a bad pluto yet!

It was the pits Marissa. I was determined to enjoy it though.

LOL! She loves Pluto so much! You're right-he's always great. The way he signs is what won her heart from the beginning.

I'm sorry that you weren't feeling very well that day. Hopefully you were able to power through...

It looks like another successful character interaction for Maddie, and another great meal for all of you.

Thanks...

It was! I would recommend it to any one with character loving kids!

oh no! I just read all 101 pages of this TR only to realize that now I have to wait for an update

Welcome!!!! I am so sorry to have made you wait this long! I sure hope you're still with me!

You win for my favorite post of the day!

Maddie is adorable and it sounds like she and I would get along fabulously! I'm 22 and still want to be a princess when I grow up. Also, I totally met all the princesses more than once on my trip in January.

Thanks so much! I hope that she'll still want to be a princess when she grows up too, sounds like you two would be the best of friends!

Rest assured. The princess phase may disappear during the awful middle school/high school phase when nothing is simply cool anymore but it will likely return when she's older (without the cute dresses though )

I'm dreading that phase, and I so hope that you're right.

I would start saving for that MK wedding now I'm slowly convincing (blackmailing? torturing?) those around me that they will help me pay for mine when the time comes! Bf: check Bf's parents: check My parents: continuously remind me of the student loans ...

Damn practical parents! You'll wear 'em down. I think you're right-we might want to sock away extra in the wedding fund. I think a WDW wedding would be lovely for her though.

I can't believe I have reached the end/caught up!!!!! Maddie is the CUTEST-- I am only just engaged....but after we get married....find a house....and have a little Maddie of our own (yes I realize this is in 7 to 8 years from now IF we're lucky : ) I can't wait to take her to Disney and experience the joys of princess stalking and the BBB! How fun!!!!!

Anyway- I can't wait to hear how the end of the trip turned out and also you MUST go on another trip soon so you can do another trip report!

Thanks for the great entertainment and sharing your sweet family.

Welcome and thanks for joining in! You are tied for my favorite post of the day.

You are too, too sweet. It is a great joy taking a little princess to WDW. I can't imagine anything better. BBB is especially great!

I promise to finish this up in a timely manner, and hopefull we'll have a summer trip to report on too.

Thanks so much, it's the lovely people like you that make these TRs so much fun to write.

 

[shan23877]

Hello Shannon

I'm back on the boards and hoping to catch up with your TR over the next few days. Therefore, I'm grateful for an update being postponed!

Tanz

I'm so glad that you're back Tanz! How is everything with you?

Take your time, I'm slow even when it's not Christmas time.

I'm sorry you were sick on your last day! The Ohana pics are great! I love the one of Maddie so excited & the parade pics with Pluto. Ohana is our family favorite, we went back on our most recent trip.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

My grandpa grew up by where the Cubs use to have spring training so he always pulled for them. My dad grew up in Rhode Island though so we are all Red Sox fans. Theo helped the Sox, I hope he can help the Cubs too!

And I've always had a soft spot for the Red Sox! Theo was my dream choice when the GM job was up for grabs. I adore him (he's my screen saver and my FB profile pic. ). Bryan and I visited Mesa for Spring Training for our first anniversary. We LOVED IT.

Hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. Will you do a TR for the most recent trip? I'd love to hear about it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Can't wait to hear more on your TR

Thanks! I hope that you had a great Christmas as well.

Sheesh! I can't believe I had to go back to November 20th! that is about when everything went crazy for me though!! California Grill looked so amazing and now I wish I had gone that route for October. I was so indecisive on that trip!!

We love Ohana for breakfast and supper. It is definitely opne of our favorite character breakfasts! Sorry you were sick! Madison ran into that in July on our final day.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas!

No worries! I am so far behind on all of the TRs I follow it's terrible.

Cali Grill and Ohana were both amazing. You have to try Cali Grill one of these days though. It's awesome.

Stay behind!! I'm so behind it isn't even funny.


I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Sorry Carey, but don't worry. You know I don't move very quickly.

Thanks! You too!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Ugh. What a shame about that Disney Magic Non-Believer. I sincerely hope that the adult(s) in her party told her to not say those kinds of things to other children that really do believe in the magic.

HOWEVER, it sounds like the characters that you guys met that day were awesome!!! Yay for them resorting Maddie's faith in the magic!

 

[merbobear]

The lovely CM suggested this photo with the castle in the background. It's too bad that Mads wouldn't look at the camera

[/CENTER]

Oh wow, I love this picture! That is such a nice backdrop & a little off the beaten photopass path

I can't believe the RoI said such horrible things to Maddy. Just people in suits..unbelievable. My dd has been saying that to me lately, and I keep saying "That's not true..where did you hear that?" because I want to get to the bottom of it. I am thinking that it was said in reference to something else..like a spooky costume on halloween maybe, and she is applying it to all characters/costumes now. Hopefully when we are in WDW again the magic will take over, because this past May she truly believed that she was meeting the REAL Mickey/Cindy/Etc.

Hmm...I always have a billion things to comment on and then blank as I am actually replying. Oh, I know, I love that Rapunzel has moved inside as well, because her outdoors line has always been so dang long that we haven't met her yet! I haven't looked at the timeline of when the official princess meet & greet will be opened, but assuming it's not yet for our next trip, we will be FPing our way in to meet her!

 

[catherines_mama]

Great updates! We are out of the character phase, but my DD (now 11) believed up until she was 9! I loved it but she's still very magical about it. Way to handle ROI, I am glad the characters all helped to reinforce it throughout the morning.. It's like they all knew she needed that.

To your title... I officially invited my MIL (and FIL) on our Jul/Aug vacation. I said "just the first 2 days..". We moved a good 12 hr drive away and they miss the kids... We'll see!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Great update! I don't understand why this father would just stand there and let RoI talk to your DD like that. If your child doesn't believe, that is fine, but teach them not to ruin it for other children. I'm glad that you had so many wonderful character experiences that restored Maddie's faith. The pictures are all so cute and really caption how she must have been feeling.

 

[afwdwfan]

It was nearly time for our lunch reservation, so we decided to slowly make our way toward the front of the park. For those keeping score that's 2 rides between rope drop and lunchtime, but I guess that’s how we roll .

It is funny that you made this comment, because the whole time I was reading this update I was thinking about how glad I am that DS is more interested in riding than meeting characters most of the time (althought I'm sure that will change in time). I know if our kids enjoy the characters as much as Maddie, our park touring plan will become very similar to yours! Oh well, even with only 2 rides, you got to see a lot of characters and see the welcome show. That's not a bad morning at all!

It really is a shame that someone had to try to ruin the magic for Maddie, but that was a good save on your part and a lucky meeting with a very good Ariel and Eric. Thank goodness it wasn't one of those subpar character interactions right after she heard those comments.

 

[ronnmel]

I got so upset reading about Ruiner of Innocence. Then I cried at Maddie's encounter with Ariel & Eric. Finally, I smiled at all the other great character (and CM) interactions she got. Yay! The magic prevailed!

That shot with the castle in the background is so interesting!

 

[My sister's princess]

I read your whole TR yesterday, and as a result made a reservation at 'Ohana

I love your writing style and your photos! Now I have to go find you finished one from before!

 

[mickeystoontown]

You guys were on a roll with the character meet and greets! Why oh why did Ruiner of Innocence feel the need to tell Maddie that the characters were just people in costumes? Thank goodness there were magical moments quickly after that that restored Maddie's faith that the characters were real.

 

[Caretames1]

BOO on ROI! I hate when that happens. I'm glad Maddie got some great attention from Eric!

All great character attention that day! And to ride pirates! Kadence still has hesitation about it.

Love the Castle picture, and why is it whenever a great picture is taken our kids look away!? Kadence is great for that.

 

[KatMark]

Well, all I have to say to Ms. ROI and her father is:

Seriously, if they were only people in a mask or costume, why are you standing in line 10 year old? God, I hate when kids/parents do that.

I just loved all the updates. The picture of you and Maddie is probably my favorite by far, but I do love the ones where she is meeting with Eric and Ariel and Goody just warm my heart. Good for Eric for making Maddie "believe" again.

Good to have you back, Shannon.

 

[petals]

the character meets look like alot of fun. I really want to meet the White Rabbit and I love the pic of you all with the Castle in the background even if Maddie isn't looking at the camera

 

[katt789]

Aw man, I can't believe the little ruin-ers that are around at Disney. I've gotten to the point that anyone I'm at Disney with says "friends with Ariel" or whoever, I mean, you never know who's little ears are listening around DW! I'm glad that some awesome character meets made up for it!

That's an awesome shot infront of the castle in LS, I've never seen that one before, love the backdrop!!

Yay for 2 rides! Bahaha! Hey, I was in the park for like, 2.5 days and I think I went on 1 or 2 rides in MK!

Hope the holidays are going great for you!!

 

[cindianne320]

So sad the RoI said that to your DD

I'm nervous about my DS doing something like that, but he's only 3. Someone told him on Halloween that they were "Just Costumes" so he wouldn't be scared. I keep trying to tell him that Disney World is the home to the REAL characters, but he says- "they're just costumes, right!?" Breaks my heart! I don't want him to be scared, but I want him to believe in the magic!!!

 

[pkondz]

Many, many moons ago I left off with our heroes boarding the monorail and heading for the Magic Kingdom.

That is one looooong monorail ride!

Unfortunately Maddie had declined to wear her Rapunzel wedding dress on our last morning, so we wouldn’t be getting any Rapunzel/Rapuzel pictures.

You should have yelled and screamed at her and told her she ruined the vacation that you spent a lot of money on.

At least that seems to be the response I typically see.

The princess didn’t begin greeting the public until 9:20, but we had a pretty good spot in line. We were done meeting her by 9:30.

That was quick. You must've been one of the first in line?

I can’t wait until the official Princess M&G area is open.

It's odd isn't it that on the one hand, I'm glad my DDs have outgrown any desire to do Princess M&Gs... and on the other hand, I'm sad that my DDs have outgrown any desire to do Princess M&Gs.

Up next on the little princess’s agenda was a visit with Ariel and Eric. We buzzed on over there as quickly as possible because they began greeting at 9:35.

Buzz is in the other direction...

Along the way--One of my favorite photos of the two of us

Very nice shot of the two of you.

The line wasn’t too long, but there was a very chatty young lady of about 10 years old lined up in front of us I believe that her name was Ruiner of Innocence. ... The Ruiner replied that it was kind of fun but she didn’t really care since “they are just people in suits anyway”

<sigh> I don't blame the 10yr old for this one... at and around that age, they start to question things and are pretty conflicted with trying to make sense of what they hear from different sources and what they see. She may have thought she was 'helping' Maddie, or perhaps assumed that Maddie was as 'knowledgeable' as she was. It's up to the parents though to tell them not to ruin it for the other kids who still believe.

I remember when my youngest came home upset because someone at school had told her that Santa Claus was really her parents. "That's crazy!" I replied. "How could I possibly deliver all those presents to all the kids in the World???"

She accepted that.

Well folks, you can imagine how my daughter reacted. Her face fell and her eyes filled with tears. She turned to her dad and I with question written all over her face.

Awwww... poor Maddie.

I immediately went into damage control mode and said everything a bit more loudly than necessary hoping that the Ruiner of Innocence and her father would overhear and get the hint that the Ruiner of Innocence should keep her mouth shut henceforth.

Atta girl.

She really needed to know where Max the dog was if A & E were out in the park all day.

Good question.

“Yes, I love your musical there. It’s my second favorite musical in all of Walt Disney World”.

After hugs, as Maddie was moving away (and still talking) Eric was doing his best to get Maddie’s attention. He was holding one of her hands and just before she left them, he leaned down and kissed her hand. Maddie stopped mid-sentence, stared at him, and then began to grin. She floated back to us.

Right there is why I love Disney.

Along the way Mads declared that she was starving and had to have popcorn. None of the carts were open yet, and she was not pleased about having to wait.

Well... yeah. When I want popcorn, I want it now. I completely understand.

The day was getting warm, and I was starting to feel even worse. Maddie was getting grumpy, and Bryan was getting sick of both of us. He left us to wait and went off in search of popcorn.

I feel his pain, I truly do.

We headed back toward Main Street where the popcorn is a given, but along the way Maddie spied a Mickey shaped pretzel and changed her mind. She declared it the ‘best pretzel ever’.

It's a child's prerogative to change her mind when it comes to snack food. Especially where pretzels and popcorn are involved. When she's older and wiser, she will of course learn that the correct answer for this dilemma is "both".

She loves hugging Donald since he’s so soft, and she made sure to remind him that she’d be seeing him that night at dinner.

You had DUCK FOR DINNER?!?!?!?

Maddie giggled during most of the ride and told us often that none of the pirates were real.

Not real? What? What do you mean? They're real aren't they?

Aren't they?

Once the ride was over she was thrilled with herself, and spent the next hour or so saying “Arrr me hearties, I’ll make ya walk the plank”

Love that shot.

That there is one happy kidlet!

Mads was on a roll, and declared it to be teacups time.

Words I dreaded hearing. Ponzis and teacups do not go well together.

Must.
Stop.

t h e

s P i N n
i N
g...

On our way to Fantasyland, we popped into the Christmas Store to buy another ornament that I'd decided I couldn't live without.

There are some things in life that can't be done without.


Wait... did that sentence make sense?

Sure, it did... maybe.

Then she suggested that she take Maddie outside to see Santa's 'real sleigh' and told her all about how he stores it there during the off season.

Ah... I always wondered how he kept it so nice in such a harsh climate.

Maddie loved it, and the magic had been officially restored.

Yay!

Waiting in line for the teacups-self decorating with stickers

Well... of course.

White Rabbit thoroughly entertained her by putting her book on top of her head to sign it. She giggled the whole time and still talks about that meeting today.

You just never know what will an impression.

It was nearly time for our lunch reservation, so we decided to slowly make our way toward the front of the park. For those keeping score that's 2 rides between rope drop and lunchtime, but I guess that’s how we roll .

Who says you have to go on rides to have fun at MK? There's plenty to see and do... the rides are a perk.

Thanks for the chapter(s) Shanapop

 

[smidgy]

I remember when my youngest came home upset because someone at school had told her that Santa Claus was really her parents. "That's crazy!" I replied. "How could I possibly deliver all those presents to all the kids in the World???"

She accepted that.

holy cow!!! what a GREAT comeback!! you obviously think well on your feet, young man! (wish I had thought of that during the tooth fairy incident)

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Definitely still here!!

Aw I can't believe someone said that to poor Maddie! What is wrong with parents these days?

So glad Ariel and Eric could fix it! They were pretty awesome when I met them last year too! I had a zebra print pen and apparently they were playing a game where they both yelled zebra when they saw zebra print and were in contest to find the most

I wonder if Ariel still meets with Eric now that her grotto is back? I'll be sad not to see him when we go next week

How clever of Maddie to decide that Donald and Goofy were in cahoots to find out about her dining plans! She's too cute

 

[LaniesMom]

Hi Shannon, I am a lurker who just sent you a PM to introduce myself. Have been following since the beginning and I am coming out of lurk-dom to comment on the RoI. In my best Stephanie Tanner voice: "How rude!"

Thank you for posting your experience & quick-on-your-feet response. I'm taking my 4 y/o in May for a "big girls" trip. (Leaving Daddy and baby sister at home). My M is skeptical because a 10 year old neighbor told my sweetie that WDW "sucks" & "lame" b/c it's just "people dressed up in costumes". My response has been--if it was lame, I wouldn't be going for all of these years now. I figure (hope?) if she sees how much I am still into the magic, she will be too.
In this case, I think our RoI was repeating what she heard from her less-than-enthusiastic parents about their WDW trip this past summer when they went in the heat of July & ran into some Brazilian tour groups and didn't follow my touring advice....

 

[CandleontheWater]

You may have only done two rides, but I think you may have hit just about every character! I'm in awe of your character finding prowess!

So glad that the older girl didn't ruin the magic for Maddie. She may just have been clueless, I'd like to think that an older child wouldn't purposely ruin the fun for younger kids, but I guess you never know!