Twirling Through the World: Magic, Memories, & Maladies-Sept. 2011 TR- NEW PTR 6/18!

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I have never seen the original Stacey movie, as our first trip was in 2009. I feel a YouTube visit coming up.

Here's the older Stacey movie - in 3 parts (seemingly filmed starting towards the end of the loop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avLy0kft9s4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGfkT0p8vUg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LFprNjYG2o&feature=related

SERIOUSLY, this version is so much more fun!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Here's the older Stacey movie - in 3 parts (seemingly filmed starting towards the end of the loop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avLy0kft9s4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGfkT0p8vUg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LFprNjYG2o&feature=related

SERIOUSLY, this version is so much more fun!

Oh, Stacey! We love you! You're right, that's so much more high energy and fun. I see they stole some clips from it to use in the new(er) version. If they ever do one that's not with Stacey, my family might just freak out! Thanks for that!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Glad everything is going smoothly so far! I agree with values bathrooms being small! The whole bathroom area is awful! I'd love a king bed ine day! Can't wait to hear what happens next!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Glad everything is going smoothly so far! I agree with values bathrooms being small! The whole bathroom area is awful! I'd love a king bed ine day! Can't wait to hear what happens next!

"So far" are the key words!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

With all luggage stowed in our still-clean hotel rooms, it was finally time to head to the parks! Any guesses to where we were headed?

OF COURSE we were going to Magic Kingdom! That beautiful castle always has to be our first official introduction to WDW.

We showed them our parking pass (gotta love free parking for on-site guests!) and parked. I think we were in Goofy something-or-other. To most people, that might seem kind of far back, but to us there is NEVER a reason to take a tram! We hate loading kids in strollers, taking them out, folding up said strollers, putting kids back in strollers…and no way are we letting them toddle around a parking lot that big, either. Nope. We walk it every time. Normally we get there so early that the walk is super short to the TTC, but since we showed up around lunchtime, no such luck.

Mamie was getting a taste of our way of doing things, and I’m not sure she was happy. And by default, Julia wasn’t happy either because she did NOT like being in the stroller that was sooooo far behind. Already Mamie was fussing a little, and if you ask my kids they will tell you that I refuse to listen to fussing, so we kept on walking under this baby…

…and straight onto the pink monorail. I might have been a little excited.

The girls were getting excited, too.

I was a woman on a mission as we made our way off the monorail, through the bag check, and through the turnstiles.

It was time for the first glimpse of the castle! Brandon ran ahead with our camera as Mamie and I pushed the kids around the corner, and…

Brynn was the only one who looked happy to see it! To be fair, Julia didn’t get a good look at it right then because she was busy taking in all the people around her.

This lady stopped us to say how cute Sawyer and Brynn were, and she told Julia that she loved her spectacles!

Julia just got glasses in July, so anytime someone comments on them she feels really special. We had to get her a better look at the castle, so we pressed on.

Aaaahh…that’s better.

Our plans were to grab Fastpasses from Julia’s favorite ride, but first we had to check and see how many we’d need…would Brynn be tall enough??

At home it was hit-or-miss whether Brynn was forty inches or not. We’d been practicing “standing tall like a giraffe” for a couple of months, and now was her moment to shine.

That cast member was saying, “She’s good! She’s plenty tall enough!” No joke, that was the quote. I remember it because LOOK HOW STOKED BRYNN IS!! After this shot was taken, she did one of her spinning twirly dances and jumped up and down. It was a good moment. We grabbed four FPs and one rider swap. On that thrilling note, we all headed for lunch.

After the big breakfast we’d had at our hotel this morning, none of us had very much appetite, so we just picked the closest thing, and that was Pecos Bill’s.
Dumb, dumb move. It was 1pm by this time, and the lunch rush was in full swing. The game plan was to go inside and grab a table, then I’d go get the food on my own. The only problem was that there were no tables. None. Finally one opened up, but it was tiny. Everyone sat nonetheless, and I went to begin a new adventure: ordering a CS meal with food allergies.
I found the first person I could and asked for the “Black Notebook” I’d heard existed. She asked why I needed it (uhm…isn’t that kind of obvious?) and I told her that Brynn had a dairy allergy. She then proceeded to go to three different cashiers and ask if they had it. None of them did. She talked into her little earpiece communication device thingy and a lady showed up. She wasn’t the manager, but I didn’t care. She had the book and seemed to know about it. We walked to a cashier together and placed our order of two kids burgers on tapioca buns with grapes and carrots, one pulled pork sandwich meal, and one of their deluxe burger meals. Simple.
I got up to the front of the line and started waiting.
And waiting.
And waiting.
Multiple people asked what I was waiting for and I told them. The assured me that allergy meals take a while, which I knew, but so far it had been thirty minutes! Was I supposed to wait this long every time? I asked CM how long it usually takes, and he said the stock answer of “a few minutes,” and I said, “Okay, I was just worried because we have appointments for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at 2:00.” He then walked a couple of feet away from me and loudly said to another CM, “I don’t know what these people think I’m supposed to do for them!” And they shook their heads in agreement of how annoying customers can be. That’s when I started feeling my face get flushed. Brandon came over and was really angry, as if I could do anything at that point. I’d never done this before, and I knew we couldn’t continue dining at CS places if it would be taking this long. I told Brandon we’d just pack up our food (if it ever came) and eat it later. As he stormed off back to the hungrier-by-the-minute children, someone came from the kitchen and said, “You’re STILL here?!”
Well, yes, I still have no food, and nobody seems to think that’s out of the ordinary.
She quickly walked to the back and reappeared with a new lady. This was the manager, Jen. She apologized over and over and said there had been a miscommunication (really? Because I’ve been trying to communicate with whoever will listen) and wrote out a special Fastpass good for any attraction for all six of us. I told her I didn’t really even care about the food at that point, but it had now been an HOUR of me waiting in line and my girls were going to miss their first (surprise) appointment at BBB. And then my tears started.
She assured me she would call them and tell them what had happened, and if they had any questions or gave me any trouble we were to have them call her extension. She also assured me that this was not the norm for allergy meals.

Fine. Thanks.

The food came out almost immediately, and I was too anxious to eat by then. In fact, after all that trouble, hardly anyone ate anything.

We tried to fill our water bottles and give it to Sawyer, whose sippy cup we’d forgotten in the van, and he doused himself completely with the water. It probably felt good. I just wanted out of there and fast.

Our first allergy meal was a failure. We were late for our big surprise for the girls. It was hot, people were whining, and I had no appetite. We needed some magic as soon as possible!

Lucky for us, we got it!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

It was well past two o’clock by the time we made our way to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Brandon made sure the girls were occupied around the Cinderella Fountain while I sneakily went to check in.

There were several people in line at the door when I arrived. None of them spoke English, none of them had appointments, and half were trying to sneak past the Fairy Godmother in Training who was stationed there to inform them that, no, there were no open appointments today and, no, they could not come inside with their huge cameras and take pictures. They didn’t seem to understand either of these things. One mom nudged her daughter to take the camera and slide past the FGIT! She got one photo of the lobby before being escorted out. I don’t know how that FGIT wasn’t losing her temper!

Finally, I worked my way up and told her we did indeed have two appointments. She let me inside to the podium, where I proceeded to hold my breath as they checked for my name and a message from Pecos Bill’s manager, Jen. They had everything in order. Phew! I gave them the two new princess dresses we’d brought from home and a FGIT told me she’d display them in the changing room and to go get the girls.

They had given me two “invitations” labeled for Princess Julia and Princess Brynn. Julia can read, so she immediately knew what it was when I handed it to her. She was ecstatic! Brynn opened it up to see the makeup and hairstyles, and then she understood, too! Both girls were jumping and twirling around the cobblestones, yelling about how they couldn’t believe they were invited to BBB!

While Mamie pushed a now-sleeping Sawyer around in the stroller, we made our way inside and were called back immediately to change.

Before the FGIT would draw back the curtain to the changing room, both girls had to say the magic words…”Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo,” of course! New dresses! WOW! The Fairy Godmother had sent them new dresses! MAGICAL!
They quickly got dressed and admired themselves in the mirror before making their way back up front.

They were positioned across from each other, Brynn with Celine (who I think was new, as she was getting lots of tips from her helper) and Julia with Charis. Brandon and I took turns switching between the girls so each one had a parent with them at all times doing all the proper oooohing and aaahhing.

Please understand that Brynn is a sensitive soul and she also has really curly (wild), really thin hair. I knew she would never keep this style in overnight because she always has to have her hair down when she sleeps, and I also didn’t want them pulling tightly on her delicate hair and scalp. I mentioned to Celine that she didn’t have to make hers very tight or secure it as well, and she winked at me and knew that Brynn wouldn’t like all that. She had talked about BBB for months and wanted so badly to do it, but I didn’t think she was quite ready for that sort of hair torture! She slowly and carefully began fixing Brynn’s hair, first by combing it, then combing through it again with some spray. Later she added a bit of gel, but nowhere near the amount that was used on Julia’s hair.

She felt like she was the most important girl in the world as they let her choose her own makeup and nail polish colors! She tried really hard to let them put that eyeshadow on without peeking!

And she admired her “pixie dust” fingernails.

Over on the other side, Julia was letting Charis pull away at her hair. It doesn’t bother her to have her hair brushed or put into new styles…some might say she’s hard-headed!! HA!

I stood nearby and admired both of my beautiful princesses while looking…well…like I’d been crying at a restaurant counter a few minutes before…STILL, I was now having fun and feeling the magic!

The final looks! Julia:

Brynn, trying hard to keep her eyes closed yet again as they were about to turn her around to see herself.

And her big reveal. Please note how ridiculous Julia and I look in the mirror. We’re doing the, “Wow, Brynn, you look gorgeous!” faces.

We went outside to have a photo shoot of our own.

Please notice how much pixie dust was on their hair! I think it’s still there today. We were also sent home with the makeup, face jewels, and two bottles of nail polish each.

Sure, BBB put a huge dent in my wallet (or my rewards points), it’s crowded and loud, and the hairstyles are flippin’ weird (sorry to those of you who like the huge thing on top of the head), but it was all worth it to know that my girls finally got to fulfill their dream of becoming “REAL” princesses…darn that planning DVD. It was magical to watch them walk proudly all day, showing off their sashes, and to hear other people—kids, even!—call them Princess and tell them how beautiful they looked. They felt so special and so very important.

And of course they are.

Next up: “You’re Gonna Get Wet!!!!” and yet another surprise.

 

[kokotg]

I love the picture of Brynn getting measured! And you got some great ones at BBB, too!

That's crazy about Pecos Bill...how long can it take to put a different bun on a couple of burgers?! At least when we waited a long time it was because they were actually cooking something different for us.

 

[DWGal210]

What a great start!! Your kids are just adorable!!

I'm sorry about your lunch snafu, but it looks like BBB was just what everyone needed to lift their spirits. The girls looked precious!

Can't wait to hear all about your trip!!

- Katie

 

[fromscratchmom]

Sure, BBB put a huge dent in my wallet (or my rewards points), it’s crowded and loud, and the hairstyles are flippin’ weird (sorry to those of you who like the huge thing on top of the head), but it was all worth it to know that my girls finally got to fulfill their dream of becoming “REAL” princesses…darn that planning DVD. It was magical to watch them walk proudly all day, showing off their sashes, and to hear other people—kids, even!—call them Princess and tell them how beautiful they looked. They felt so special and so very important.

I thought I was the only one who thought those hairstyles just do not look good on most kids. too funny. But I totally agree with your assessment. That's why I've been dreaming of getting to schedule that.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I love the picture of Brynn getting measured! And you got some great ones at BBB, too!

That's crazy about Pecos Bill...how long can it take to put a different bun on a couple of burgers?! At least when we waited a long time it was because they were actually cooking something different for us.

Seriously! I don't think the cooking was the problem, though. I think they just never even started cooking it in the first place. After the manager came out, it was delivered to the counter in no time, making me think that it didn't take long to prepare had they just done it in the first place! Oh, well. This fiasco was definitely not our experience the rest of the trip, thank goodness.

What a great start!! Your kids are just adorable!!

I'm sorry about your lunch snafu, but it looks like BBB was just what everyone needed to lift their spirits. The girls looked precious!

Can't wait to hear all about your trip!!

- Katie

BBB made us forget about the lunch debacle for sure. They're always princesses to me, but they started acting like it once they had the hair and makeup!

I thought I was the only one who thought those hairstyles just do not look good on most kids. too funny. But I totally agree with your assessment. That's why I've been dreaming of getting to schedule that.

Yeah...the styles are just strange. I don't get the appeal, but I guess kids think anything out of the norm is special? I don't know. I liked Brynn's better because they did it so loose and had so little to work with that it actually kind of ended up looking like a normal hairstyle...kind of.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Beautiful update! The girls look gorgeous! I remember Kayla's visit there, I loved it as much as she did! Although in her pics she looks like shes being pinched and so serious lol! So glad your girls ( and you ) got to do this!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Ugh, I'm sorry to hear your first allergy-friendly meal was so frustrating! I don't know if I would have been patient for as long as you were! But I'm so happy that things worked out in the end - the girls both look beautiful and thrilled!

 

[Thadine]

Hi Jenn, I just found your report and I am hooked
So sorry you had a bad experience at Pecos Bill, I hope the rest of your dining experience was less stressful.
Very cute pictures of your kids

 

[shan23877]

Joining in! Really enjoying it so far!

And just got caught up. Sorry about lunch, that's terrible! We did BBB with my DD4 this year, and I'm just glad she didn't see the hair extensions. I couldn't have done that one.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Beautiful update! The girls look gorgeous! I remember Kayla's visit there, I loved it as much as she did! Although in her pics she looks like shes being pinched and so serious lol! So glad your girls ( and you ) got to do this!

It's a very serious undertaking to turn into a princess! Haha! I'm glad they did it, too. I loved watching them make all the choices and all the ladies fawning over them.

Ugh, I'm sorry to hear your first allergy-friendly meal was so frustrating! I don't know if I would have been patient for as long as you were! But I'm so happy that things worked out in the end - the girls both look beautiful and thrilled!

Normally I would NOT have been that patient. I did keep asking what was going on and if this was a normal wait for an allergy meal, and they just kept telling me it takes a while and acting annoyed that I would ask. I didn't realize until the next day that allergy meals barely take a fraction of extra time. If I had known that then, I might have been making a bit of a fuss!

Hi Jenn, I just found your report and I am hooked
So sorry you had a bad experience at Pecos Bill, I hope the rest of your dining experience was less stressful.
Very cute pictures of your kids

WELCOME!! I assure you that the rest of our dining experiences were nowhere near that stressful...at least not because of the allergy meals.

Joining in! Really enjoying it so far!

And just got caught up. Sorry about lunch, that's terrible! We did BBB with my DD4 this year, and I'm just glad she didn't see the hair extensions. I couldn't have done that one.

Thanks for joining in! So funny you say that about the hair extensions. All the hairstyles are strange, but that one I just couldn't handle. I hovered around Julia as she was choosing and saw her immediately go for the typical style, and then I made it over to Brynn as they were asking her. She didn't realize she'd be making a decision and didn't know what to choose, so I *might* have pointed to the normal hairstyle on her sheet to coax her into that choice. I'm not sure the hairstyle mattered to her anyway; she just wanted lipstick, pixie dust, and a crown!

 

[vikkii19]

Joining in, loving your TR so far. Can't wait to read more about how it went with the toddler.

 

[ronnmel]

That's a bummer that you had such a long wait at Pecos Bill, but at least it's nice to know that the manager helped things a bit once she was made aware of the situation.

Seems like the girls had a great time at BBB and they looked beautiful!

 

[tlenzendorf]

Joining in from inkedupmommas PTR. Your kids are SO cute!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Joining in, loving your TR so far. Can't wait to read more about how it went with the toddler.

WELCOME!! Looks like you have a cutie of your own! Love taking the little ones to such a magical place!

That's a bummer that you had such a long wait at Pecos Bill, but at least it's nice to know that the manager helped things a bit once she was made aware of the situation.

Seems like the girls had a great time at BBB and they looked beautiful!

She definitely did help things, and she really reassured me that it was a mistake on their part and not something that would keep happening on our trip. Nonetheless, we never got the desire to visit Pecos Bill again on this trip.

Joining in from inkedupmommas PTR. Your kids are SO cute!

Welcome! Are you like me--not-so-patiently awaiting the start of her TR?! HINT, HINT, Jen!

 

[tlenzendorf]

Welcome! Are you like me--not-so-patiently awaiting the start of her TR?! HINT, HINT, Jen!

I am! But she may be waiting thinking I'm some crazy stalker since I didn't post at all on any of her reports until her last PTR AFTER she had already left I went back and read all of her reports, too. It's funny how we all get linked from other's reports. I found hers thru Lurkyloo's.