A Ferry Merry Christmas Trip

[weluvdisney]

Good to see you back again!!! I kept looking for your TR and I thought that I was missing it!!! Can't wait to hear the rest!!!

 

[MazdaUK]

great report! I read your anniversary report and I've been waiting for this one, but its been crazy at work so I've not had time to keep up.....errrrr. not that I look at this at work.......

 

[goodferry]

Thanks for the kind words everyone, I am sorry this took me so long to get back to, it has just been crazy busy here. Plus, I am not supposed to be working on this at work, but here I am anyway...Hopefully Matt decides not to read this installment.

Saturday December 17th continued...
So we left MGM and headed back to the Poly for a rest. I wanted Shelby’s elevated for a while and everybody needed some zone out time. MGM seemed crowded, although we didn’t really wait in any long lines. If my memory serves me right, the kids went swimming (which is totally insane because it is not that cold, but there is no keeping Zack out of that volcano pool)

This evening I had dinner planned at the Crystal Palace. We had never had dinner there, the boys never wanted to go sit with Pooh Bear and Shelby wasn’t that into Pooh, so I could never convince them to try it. This trip I had little Zoe as my weapon, I mean excuse, I mean as my reasoning. They keep the little Zoebug from dinner with her favorite 100 Acre Woods characters, could they? This kid is adorable, have you seen the pictures, there is no turning her down.

OK, now by now you all know that I am a Tour Guide Mike junkie, a groupie, a follower, zealot, whatever word you want to use to mean I am a believer in his touring system, that’s me. Mike gives great advice, some of it obvious, common sense sort of stuff, some not so much. I know there are rules about not repeating any of his advice, but I feel pretty safe in telling you that Mike says to avoid the Magic Kingdom on a Saturday if at all possible. Now, I like Mike’s advice, and I know from experience that he is right pretty much all the time, but I really wanted a dinner at the Crystal Palace on our schedule for Saturday night, so I deviated this one little time from Mike’s advice. I figured we would go, have dinner, see Spectro and then head back to the Poly, no big deal, no rides, we wouldn’t be waiting in any lines, no problem, right?

We head to the Magic Kingdom really excited for our dinner. The boys just COULD NOT WAIT to eat dinner with Pooh, Eeyore and Piglet trolling around. Yes boys and girls, that’s sarcasm. They did not want to go to this dinner. We had already done the Pooh Bear thing in Animal Kingdom they kept telling me. My response? Just ignore the characters and eat your dinner then, Zoe wants to see Pooh Bear, don’t you Zoe. She just looks at me like you are on your own lady, I was perfectly happy hanging out in the room. Kids, they will stab you in the back at every turn

Somehow, I managed to convince everyone that we truly needed to do this dinner, they were hungry, so in the end I won. Our boat from the Poly arrives and we see people STREAMING out of the MK, goody, more room for us I think. Little did I know they were leaving because the place was so dang packed there wasn’t even room to walk.

Luckily we were there early, because it took forever to make our way through the THRONGS of people. We arrived right on time and didn’t have to wait long at all for our table. Zoe stood on the porch while we waited with her little nose presses against the glass watching the fun. While we waited we did see them turn a lot of angry guests away. Apparently there are a lot of people who go to Disney without making any sort of plans, and we saw a lot of anger directed at the Cms over this.

There was one man in particular that stands out in my memory at the Crystal Palace, he was just screaming at the poor woman checking people in. “Do you mean all these people made reservations in advance for dinner tonight” No buddy, it’s a conspiracy against your family. Everyone can go in but you. That’s what I would have said, and that’s why I don’t work at Disney, I have a hard time being nice to rude, stupid people. She politely explained to him that people make reservations months in advance of their trips in order to make sure that they would be able to eat where they wanted to. She then offered him the option of checking back around 8 pm to see if they had room. He stormed off in a huff without another word.

Dinner was very good. Really, we all enjoyed the food, which surprised me. I don’t usually care for buffets, but I thought the prime rib was very good and the kids ate a lot. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and the decorations were tastefully done. We did eventually get to see all the characters, although it took over an hour and some help from our waiter before we did. Zoe, of course, was mesmerized by the characters wandering around her while she ate, and she was thrilled to get to see them all again.

This time everyone but Tigger got hugs and kisses. I don’t know what it is about Tigger, but all he had to do was look at her and it was clap, clap, UPPY!!!! Shelby and the boys even managed to have fun, Chris videotaped the entire event and Zack was really cute, taking pictures and pointing out the characters for Zoe.

Afterwards we wandered back out into the madness to look for a place to sit and watch Spectro, Matt’s favorite parade. It took exactly two minutes of wading through the crowds before Matt and I looked at each other. You know the look, we are outta here. The kids are on board quickly with the plan to go back to the Poly and relax, so the evening is saved.

Tour Guide Mike, if you are reading this, I am sorry. I will never go against your advice again. It was a stupid idea to go to the MK on a Saturday night, even though it was just for dinner. I have never seen so many people in one place in my life. And I have been there over President’s Day, over Gay Days, and in August. As my punishment I will write “I will not go to the Magic Kingdom on a Red Day ever again” one thousand times.

UPDATE:Upon getting back to our room, the little light was flashing on our phone, they had Zack's lanyard and we could pick it up at the lost and found over at the TTC!!! Hurray!

 

[hopesmommy]

great trip report! can't wait for more!

 

[goodferry]

Sunday December 18th
I have been waiting and waiting to write the report for today, it was one of my favorites. Today was the one day that I will admit to being wr....wro....wron...I just can’t say it, I was the opposite of right. Now you don’t think Matt would let go the opportunity to gloat about my being...not right, do you. Oh, no. I had to hear about it all day long, more on that later.

Today my schedule said Epcot and because of the good time we had on our first day, everybody was actually excited about it. Shelby’s favorite ride now was Test Track, and we all wanted to hit Mission Space again. Now, it’s a Sunday in December, and I am a Steelers Fan, a season ticket holder, a person who planned her vacation around the schedule so we would not miss any home games, so where should I be today, that’s right, in front of the television with a glass of wine and a terrible towel. No such luck, though, everyone ELSE wants to go to Epcot, and I decide I had better go along to make sure Matt doesn’t MISPLACE one of my children again.

This is us at a game this year, we are the two on the left.

Up bright and early, I strolled outside and took some pictures from our beach. It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny, not a cloud in the sky.

The kids begged to wear shorts, and it was a beautiful day and we were supposed to be back pretty early, so I went along with them. Everybody but Zack and Matt put on shorts and their Steelers jerseys and we were ready. Now Matt disagreed with my decision to let everyone wear shorts, he put on jeans and grabbed a sweatshirt, but I didn’t feel like lugging a bunch of stuff around, so I grabbed Zoe her cute little poncho, and a sweatshirt for Shelby and Zack. I told Chris to grab his sweatshirt, but apparently he is as stubborn as his mother because neither he not I brought a sweater.

According to the dopey guy at the concierge desk (honestly I can’t believe this guy still works there, you know who I mean if you have stayed in Hawaii, the chubby guy who is positively useless and has made a career out of doing as little as humanly possible. There is no way I am the only one who has ever complained about this guy) the Lost and Found at the TTC opens at 8 am, perfect. We will go there, pick up the lanyard, grab the monorail to Epcot.

We got there about 8:30, and guess what, it doesn’t open until 9. Family meeting time, do we wait until 9 and get Zack’s lanyard or do we head over to Epcot now and pick it up later. Zack and I wanted to wait, everyone else wanted to come back later. So we headed to Epcot (you do the math, 4 to 2, Zack and I lost. Technically I could have protested Zoe’s vote because Matt promised her a Mickey Rice Krispy Treat if she raised her hand. It’s not the first time he has resorted to bribes, I don’t know why I was surprised this time)

Once in Epcot we all did our thing until World Showcase opened and then headed straight over. We have never done a thorough job of touring World Showcase and there is one major reason for that, Matt. There is just not enough there for his thrill ride loving soul. It has taken several trips and my forcing him to walk through SLOWLY (which goes against his speed walking, I can make it around World Showcase and see everything in 15 minutes, way) In each country I would find some reason why we had to go in and walk around. So we start in Mexico, I know that’s backwards, most people start in Canada, but we are a backwards sort of family.

The real reason was that it was Sunday and I wanted a Margarita. What do Sundays and alcohol have to do with each other, nothing, but that was the excuse I gave. Matt apparently thought it was a good enough reason, because he ended up having one too. We had to go into Mexico, of course, I knew Zoe would love the ride. I, of course was right, Zoebug loved the Mexico ride, so much that she wanted to ride it again, and we agreed since there were so few rides she liked. In case you are wondering, Margaritas make me silly, and apparently, when I drink one, my kids get silly too. No need to fret, no underage drinking went on, just general silliness.

Don't they look like some sort of demented Mariachi Band?

Next up was Norway, where we decided to ride Maelstrom, Matt thought for a moment about getting a pastry, but didn’t feel up to braving the line. You may remember if you read my August trip report that Matt had his melt down on the way to Norway, this was on my mind, so it may have been my imagination, but he seemed grumpy in Norway. The line in the bakery really disturbed him for some reason, so next trip I may steer us around Norway, Maelstrom is not worth the negative vibes. I tried to have a good, upbeat attitude (which may make things worse, that high pitch, fake happy, crazy mom voice makes everyone nervous) and my reason for stopping in Norway was a good one, we really should watch some of these movies to make thisat least a little bit of an education trip for the kids. What was I thinking, hello, Zoe, film, I don’t think so. Clap clap OUT. Stroller, now, out, clap clap. Zoe and I walked through the Norway shop where all the sweaters are so beautiful and cost more than my entire outfit. I am not sure how may of those they sell, it’s hard to think wool sweater in Florida, I was hot just looking at them.

We paused for a nice little group picture of the kids once everyone came out of the film. Zoe isn’t looking straight, but anyone with four kids knows that you are more likely to win the lottery than get all four kids looking straight ahead and smiling at the same time. I will save my luck for more important things and content myself with pictures where most of the kids look cute.

Next we stop in China, the boys are all hungry, so they stop and share a counter service meal. Shelby and I aren’t crazy for Chinese food, so we did what any mother and daughter would do with their time alone together, we shopped. We found a cute little purse for her and one for her best friend Dorie, aren’t they cute? This is their Halloween picture.

We got some other little Christmas gifts for people, and some stocking stuffers and admired the umbrellas for a while until the boys were done. The next part was a blur until we got close to the American Adventure. All the sudden the weather took a sudden turn for the worse. The sun was not so much out anymore and the wind was blowing and the rain clouds had moved in. Luckily Matt was not wearing his sweatshirt, so I claimed it as mine. Poor Chris was out of luck, I bought some rain ponchos and promised to get him a sweatshirt at some point.

We all filed in to the American Adventure, this one was an easy sell for Matt, he LOVES the Hall of Presidents and is a big American history buff, so I think he was even looking forward to this. Guess what, Zoe, not so much of a history buff. Nope, she wanted nothing to do with those chairs that looked suspiciously like theater seats. She would not sit in one, would not sit on my lap in one, would not sit on the rug on the edge of the theater, no chance, no way. Clap clap, we are out of here.

Matt and the kids stay behind and Zoe and I go outside to wait, again. Now once we are outside I notice that precious is missing a shoe. Oh goody. We sat in about every seat in the joint while I tried to get her to sit still and enjoy the show, including the floor, and then had to cut across the back behind the wheel chairs, so that shoe could be anywhere. We sneak back in the out door (boy do those cms love it when you do that) and waited for the doors to open up so we could grab Chris and send him back in after the wayward shoe.

I can’t for the life of me remember the order the countries are in, and I am not going to look it up and then lie to you and say that I remembered it all on my own, so here’s where we went and the reasons we gave Matt for slowing down on the speed walking long enough to look around. We shivered our way through Germany (there was an artist there so Zack wanted to stop and talk to him) Italy (I wanted to check out where Alfredo’s was because we had dinner on our itinerary there later in the week), Japan (Zack wants to check out the Pokemon stuff and they all want to get some Japanese candy, Matt’s sister used to go to Japan on business frequently and bring them home all sorts of strange candy and Chris wanted more) and Morocco (Jasmine might be there and Shelby loves her.)

We stopped and took a break in Morocco because Shelby and I still hadn’t eaten and we were hoping that warm food would warm us up a bit. We ended up getting three counter service meals and paying for one children’s meal. Shelby and I both ate the rotisserie chicken, Chris had a wrap he enjoyed and Matt had something, I know, but I can’t remember what, I believe it was lamb, I know he didn’t like it. Zoe shared with Shelby and I and we all tried a little bit of everything.

We didn’t have any luck finding Jasmine, but we did see the Genie as he was going on break, oh well. Next on to France because Shelby takes french in school and I wanted some champagne, maybe that would warm me up.

The guys who balance the chairs and then climb up them were out putting on their act, so we stood and watched for a while before Matt took the kids in for the movie. At this point, I knew better. Zoe and I stayed outside while the rest went in to get educated on France. We went to the bakery and got three different kinds of pastries for everyone to share and then, who do we see? Belle and Beast. Zoe is a reader and loves Belle, she wants to meet her, so we get in line.

I hate to do this to you guys now, because things are about to get fun, but my Zackman needs to be at the dentist soon, so more to come later! I promise to add the pictures tonight.

 

[crazyformickey]

I love reading your reports!!
Keep them coming!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Great report! Can't wait for the rest!

We are going the week before Christmas this year so it is nice to read about what it was like for you in '05. I got a TGM membership too so nice to hear that you found his info to be right on!

Allyson

 

[goodferry]

Sunday December 18th cont.... Zoe gets her groove on.

When you joined us last, Matt had the three older kids in the movie in France and I had just joined the line to meet Belle and the Beast. Now so far all of our character encounters have been luke warm at best. She would look at them, once in a while she would hug, but that was about it. If they paid too much attention to her, she would run and hide. As a matter of fact, pretty much the entire trip had been luke warm for her so far. She just wasn’t feeling Disney World. Everything seemed to spook her, or make her shy. That was all about to change.

After five minutes in line for Belle and Beast, they left. But, we were assured that Belle would be out in a moment without the Beast and that another character would be out to join her. Zoe was on high alert, she was out of the stroller, out of her comfort zone. Everyone tried to talk to her “I love your hair, aren’t you just adorable. Are you having fun?” Her response? Clap clap, UPPPY. Not so adorable with her face planted in my shoulder and her hand and arm stuck out straight like “Talk to the hand”.

This was our first princess encounter for the trip and our first face character and I was a little anxious. Belle was just precious with her. Words can not describe the look on Zoe’s face when Belle sat down on the ground and put her arms out for her, she was mesmerized. Belle asked her if she liked books and if she was having a good trip, all Zoe could do was smile and nod and snuggle in against her. This was the first of several encounters we would have with Belle this trip and every one was the same, absolutely wonderful.

Something about her encounter with Belle turned on a switch for Zoe. It was like a little light clicked on inside her and she got it, she got why we love bringing her to this place, it was fun and magical. She ran to Aurora and flung herself into her arms. She talked to her and stroked her blond hair lovingly, it was precious and something I will never forget, even though she probably will not remember it.

So, Zoe had her groove on and was ready for some fun now. All I had to do was keep her out of movie theaters for the rest of the trip and we were fine. Minutes after we were done with our princess encounter, the rest of the family joined up with us and, of course, Shelby wanted to meet the princesses too. So back in line we head, luckily it was pretty short. Zoe marched right up there with them and met Belle and Aurora again, all smiles and excitement.

We continued our walk around the showcase, at this point, Matt was starting to show signs of having enough culture. We visited the shops in England and sat in the little garden area in the back to eat the treats I got for everyone in France. Everyone agreed that the mousse was incredible, everything else was good, but the mousse especially so. This was pretty much the end of our world showcase touring, we decided to work our way back to Future World because we had some Fast Passes to use.

At this point Chris, Zoe and I were almost frozen. Shelby had a sweatshirt, plus she naturally tends to be warm, Zack and Matt had wisely worn pants, a fact that Matt felt the need to point out about a million times. So we split up, Matt went with the older three to Test Track and Zoe and I went to Mousegears for winter weather apparel. At this point her bright, sunny mood had gone the way of the bright sunny day I started out with, and shopping was not high on the list of things she wanted to do. I found her some sweat pants and sweatshirts for Chris and I. As we were checking out, She Who Must Be Obeyed flung her self head long into a full on fit.

She was screaming, fists clenched, red curls shaking out of control. She was not happy. The CM at the register bent down to her and said “Have you gotten to meet Mickey Mouse yet?” Zoe stopped the screaming and shook her head, eying her up warily. “I know where Mommy can take you to meet him and there is no line to wait in.” She pointed me to the new character encounter across the plaza and Zoe and I were off to meet the big cheese himself. Warmer and, hopefully, happier, in our new duds.

That CM was not kidding, we walked into the room to find Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Chip and Dale, no lines. Mickey was up first, he got hugs, kisses, and snuggled. Zoe was so excited she was jumping up and down, her little fist clenched in joy now.

Just as an aside, how is it that a child can go from such a foul, screaming, kicking, everything is wrong with the world, mood to happy, excited, loving and jovial in two seconds flat? How do they do that. When I am pissed, I am pissed and it takes a while to get rid of the vibe, even once I am over it. Not my kids, once they decide to move on, it’s over.

Anyway, Minnie was up next, and she got a little more attention than she probably wanted. For some reason, Zoe decided to start “kissing” each of the characters, which basically amounted to sucking on their noses. Poor Pluto, she about ripped his tongue out, she was so intrigued by them. She strutted up to Donald and gave him five right off the bat.

Happy as a larks, and finally warm, we left the character encounter and found the rest of the gang, and guess what they wanted to do, meet Mickey, of course. So back we went, still no line and everyone got to meet Mickey and the gang, and Zoe got to accost them all over again. I wouldn’t have let her meet them again if there had been a line, but there wasn’t so I didn’t feel bad about releasing her from her little stroller to play with her new found friends.

Zoe’s new groove lifted everyone’s spirits and Matt and I decided to change our plans for the evening. It was supposed to be a date night, Chris was going to watch the kids while Matt and I went to dinner alone, but we were having so much fun, we decided to head over to the Boardwalk and see if they could take us all at the Flying Fish. The kids were happy with this decision, although not so overjoyed at the thought of walking clear back through World Showcase to the Boardwalk. Luckily the Flying Fish had room for us all and we had a fun dinner.

Matt and Zack at dinner.

The food was just ok. I had a steak, which was great, and crabcakes and a great glass of wine (or two). Chris and Matt had the snapper and Zack had a steak. Everyone else thought their dinner was just alright, but not good enough to justify the price, even though we were on the dining plan. In retrospect, we should have taken the kids someplace a little less gourmet, they were well behaved and enjoyed the atmosphere there, the food just didn’t appeal to them. We caught a bus to the Magic Kingdom from the Boardwalk and a boat home from there.

Still to come: My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party, the Grand Floridian Spa, a Magical Christmas Party, an alarmingly terrible nights sleep, a celebrity, an amazing birthday and more magic with Belle, plus more pictures.

 

[MomofCKJ]

More More! I am really enjoying hearing about your trip! I am so glad your dd warmed up to the characters, she is precious!

And I know what you mean about turning on a dime. My 3y ds is the same way. He can be SO happy and then SO cranky in a matter of seconds and then back to happy again. Makes your head spin!

Allyson

 

[CrazedDisFan]

I am enjoying your trip report very much! I am glad Shelby's leg is doing better and that you found the lanyard!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

I am looking forward to more too! this is a really nice report!

 

[BbearRosenfeld]

I love your reports, I read your other ones before too. I can't wait to see what else happens. Your beloved fans are waiting.

 

[taekwondo mom]