A Mother-Daughter Trip! Now with BONUS BIRTHDAY Trip! (Final Thoughts Coming Soon!)

[shan23877]

The Mean Girl stuff is tough, isn't it? I'm sure that DD doles out plenty herself, but she also has so much absolute love for her friends. I am dreading the full onset of all this stuff - it is bad enough now! The "perfect demure friend" of DD's says some wild stuff (at least according to DD) - DD and I were chatting softly at bedtime the other night and she told me that this friend says, "I hate my Daddy." Ugh! We try not to use the word "hate." And now this friend has taught her to call things "big fat X" and "big fat Y." I explained to DD that "fat" is not really a nice word, and she isn't using it anymore, but I catch her about to say "big fat" all the time. She has no idea what she is saying, but honestly, I would rather she be swearing than using words like "hate" and derogatory words about others like "fat."

And BTW, we call "Tangled" "Rapunzel" too!!! So there, Mean Girl!!!!

I am so glad you will be doing a TR - I will be stalking it all the time! And I must get over and check out your PTR plans!

The mean girl stuff is hard, and I sure didn't think we'd be dealing with it quite yet! We also try not to use those types of words. In fact Maddie often tells other people that "hate is not a nice word to say". I totally agree. I'd much rather Maddie pick up some old fashioned swear words than start with the judgy mean words. It drives me crazy when adult use them too. I just don't get how grown adults think that it's ok to use words like gay and retard as adjectives. I know that it'll be an uphill battle once Maddie really starts school, but I'm glad that for now she doesn't say things like that.

So glad that you guys call it that too. I'll have to tell Mads she's not alone!

Stalk away! We're going at the end of April, so I hope to have the TR at least started by the middle of May before life gets really crazy. It should be a really fun trip!

I just put a new documentary into my instant queue on Netflix. Have you or Amanda seen 'Hey Boo' it's about Harper Lee and looks really interesting.

 

[shan23877]

P.S. My little brother makes fun of me all the time because I totally let Maddie listen to what ever music I'm listening to.

He often says "So, we're not allowed to say hate, but she can sing about having the moves like Jagger or buttons on your Levi's coming loose?"

He's got a point, but she does love her music

 

[amandaw]

Love all of the pictures with the different characters in the new updates! And I love that you took a picture of Willow with the CM's at ToT!

That Monsters Inc ride looks adorable!!! I love that movie & wish they would do something with it in WDW.

Hmm, that is an interesting theory! I bet it has had an effect. I love reality TV (it is an embarrassing guilty pleasure), but I like the competition ones (Amazing Race, Survivor, etc.). I have never watched these weird shows like Kardashians (sp?), that New Jersey one, etc., so I can't really judge. But from the things I have read and heard, I would bet they have made people much more voyeuristic and into other people's lives.

We love the Amazing Race! I don't know why, but this season I'm really having a hard time picking out a team I really love & want to root for. Now, I don't watch the Kardashians or Jersey Shore but I do admit that I love some of the Real Housewives on Bravo.

I have noticed the Judgment Moms too. I am never sure if they are really judging or if I just perceive it that way because I feel inadequate. But Willow's new school has brought out a lot of those feelings for me - it is on a college campus, and many of the other parents are professors with professor schedules. So their kids are only there part of the day, they all have time to hang around and be super-interested in whatever the kids are doing when they arrive, etc. I feel very judged/inadequate because my kid is there ALL day, and I am like a crazy rushed fiend when I pick her up knowing that I have to cram in bath, cooking dinner, laundry, time to read stories, etc. before bedtime.

I think it's probably a combination - we worry about what kind of job we're doing as mothers but there are some mothers who really do judge. I'm the room mother for Reid's day school class. So, I'm always involved in everything going on at school. Some moms I see there a lot, some I don't. I would never judge the mothers who can't be there for all the activities. And if it makes you feel better, I stay at home with Reid but I pay for him to stay longer at school 2 days a week because he loves it. I think it sounds like you do a fantastic job with Willow & don't give those other parents another thought!

I am going to bet money that they do not!!!!

I hope you're right!

We're going to WDW in 35 days!! From what I read, the train station and the "new" goofy coaster should be up and running, and at least one side of Dumbo is supposed to be operating. I'm dying to see the princess stuff though. I may have to convince DH that we need to go back as soon as it opens

How exciting that y'alls trip is fast approaching! The pictures from the soft opening of Storybook Circus this week look so cute! I'm like you - I'm so anxious for the Belle area & the Little Mermaid. Please let me know if you do a TR when you get back, I'd love to follow along.

Time out in Target is my specialty. People always stare as though they've never seen a kid disciplined before. What I really hate is when they give you that 'look', you know the one that says "my kid never misbehaves, especially in public, and you're letting your child sit on that filthy floor?" Gotta love the judgemental moms

It amazes me when people stare like they can't believe someone is disciplining their child in a store. You know what else gets me? When people are shocked that my son says "Thank you, please, yes ma'am, yes sir...etc". It's like they can't believe little kids can have manners. We were at the park today & some woman offered my son something (can't even remember what it was). Before I could say anything, he told her "Oh no thank you." She couldn't believe he had manners at 4 years old.

As for the judgmental moms....grrrr! I'd love to put up secret video cameras in their cars & homes just to show how "perfect" them & their kids are!

I have a great story about a judgmental mom. We took Reid to Disney for the 1st time when he was 2. He was still in diapers. It was December & the day we were flying home all sorts of snow storms had gone through the US so flights were all messed up. We were flying from Orlando to Memphis to Baton Rouge. After much ado, we land in Memphis. We are gridlocked on the plane & we know we are about to miss our connecting flight. The dad in the family in front of us knew this so he told us to go ahead of them. Well, while we're trying to get off the plane, my poor son goes #2 (in his diaper mind you). Well, I'm not going to lie, it was bad....just horrible smelling. The mother of that family kept giving me dirty looks like I could change him in the middle of the crowded airplane. Then, she would give Reid dirty looks. I almost looked at her and asked, "Does your children's poop smell like rainbows & sunshine?" I mean what did she think I could do?

 

[amandaw]

P.S. My little brother makes fun of me all the time because I totally let Maddie listen to what ever music I'm listening to.

He often says "So, we're not allowed to say hate, but she can sing about having the moves like Jagger or buttons on your Levi's coming loose?"

He's got a point, but she does love her music

You know, if we look hard enough, we could find something wrong with everything our kids watch & listen to. We know our kids best & know what influences them in good or bad ways.

This reminds me of my sister. She has 2 boys, the youngest is 6 months older than my son. She thinks it's horrible that my son plays with superhero & Star Wars toys (that are geared toward preschoolers mind you). But, she's ok with pirates as long as they have swords and not guns. I guess she thinks swords can't injure or kill. It's ridiculous. The funny thing is her son is the one who taught Reid about playing guns. Although, I'm sure she would swear up & down that's not the case. She is one of those judgmental mothers. My son is the crazy one & hers are perfect. Oh I could start up a whole thread on this!

 

[shan23877]

How exciting that y'alls trip is fast approaching! The pictures from the soft opening of Storybook Circus this week look so cute! I'm like you - I'm so anxious for the Belle area & the Little Mermaid. Please let me know if you do a TR when you get back, I'd love to follow along.



It amazes me when people stare like they can't believe someone is disciplining their child in a store. You know what else gets me? When people are shocked that my son says "Thank you, please, yes ma'am, yes sir...etc". It's like they can't believe little kids can have manners. We were at the park today & some woman offered my son something (can't even remember what it was). Before I could say anything, he told her "Oh no thank you." She couldn't believe he had manners at 4 years old.

As for the judgmental moms....grrrr! I'd love to put up secret video cameras in their cars & homes just to show how "perfect" them & their kids are!

I have a great story about a judgmental mom. We took Reid to Disney for the 1st time when he was 2. He was still in diapers. It was December & the day we were flying home all sorts of snow storms had gone through the US so flights were all messed up. We were flying from Orlando to Memphis to Baton Rouge. After much ado, we land in Memphis. We are gridlocked on the plane & we know we are about to miss our connecting flight. The dad in the family in front of us knew this so he told us to go ahead of them. Well, while we're trying to get off the plane, my poor son goes #2 (in his diaper mind you). Well, I'm not going to lie, it was bad....just horrible smelling. The mother of that family kept giving me dirty looks like I could change him in the middle of the crowded airplane. Then, she would give Reid dirty looks. I almost looked at her and asked, "Does your children's poop smell like rainbows & sunshine?" I mean what did she think I could do?

I will certainly let you know when I start the TR!

Oh the darn Judgementals! I wish that you would have said something to her! Not only are those people judgemental, they lack compassion. I always try to put myself into the other parents' shoes when I see a child acting up. Though most of the time I'm thinking "Thank God it's not me this time"

 

[shan23877]

You know, if we look hard enough, we could find something wrong with everything our kids watch & listen to. We know our kids best & know what influences them in good or bad ways.

This reminds me of my sister. She has 2 boys, the youngest is 6 months older than my son. She thinks it's horrible that my son plays with superhero & Star Wars toys (that are geared toward preschoolers mind you). But, she's ok with pirates as long as they have swords and not guns. I guess she thinks swords can't injure or kill. It's ridiculous. The funny thing is her son is the one who taught Reid about playing guns. Although, I'm sure she would swear up & down that's not the case. She is one of those judgmental mothers. My son is the crazy one & hers are perfect. Oh I could start up a whole thread on this!

We certainly could. Sometimes I cringe at the sassy things they say on the Disney Channel shows!

I have a sister in law just like your sister. She's a kindergarten teacher, so she's certain that she knows how to raise the perfect child. I think the thing that bugs me the most though is that she won't admit when she makes a mistake. For instance, I try really hard not to raise my voice at Maddie, but not a day goes by that I don't do it at least once. (Seriously, how many times can you say "put away the glitter glue, it's bedtime" before you loose it?) However, my SiL claims to never ever yell at her kids-she even chastised my DH for shouting at our niece when she got too close to the street once. But, then my niece asks me to do her hair (she thinks that I'm much better at it than her mommy ) and tells me that her mom always yells at her when she won't sit still to get her hair done. Just admit that you and your child are not without fault!!!

We should totally start a thread. How do you think we could give it a Disney spin to sneak it past the moderators?

 

[hstrickland]

Hi there!

I'm all caught up once again....so loved looking at your pictures!! Faith has been sitting here with me taking in every detail. She now wants to go to DL THIS summer! Of course that's not an option. I'm still in shock with the crowds! Is this normal for DL?? Surely not....maybe it's just the time of year.

One thing that I did have to explain to Faith is the 'mix-up' of all the rides. She couldn't understand why Stormtroopers were not in DHS, etc. ...then why there were so many characters just roaming around. Did you ever find out why Mary Popins couldn't perform that day? Just curious.

I didn't realize either how many different rides were at DL. For some reason, I just assumed DL and WDW were pretty much the same. Thanks for all the knowledge So....would you go back and stay in the same resort? Or try a different resort?

Heather

 

[RGirl]

The mean girl stuff is hard, and I sure didn't think we'd be dealing with it quite yet! We also try not to use those types of words. In fact Maddie often tells other people that "hate is not a nice word to say". I totally agree. I'd much rather Maddie pick up some old fashioned swear words than start with the judgy mean words. It drives me crazy when adult use them too. I just don't get how grown adults think that it's ok to use words like gay and retard as adjectives. I know that it'll be an uphill battle once Maddie really starts school, but I'm glad that for now she doesn't say things like that.

So glad that you guys call it that too. I'll have to tell Mads she's not alone!

Stalk away! We're going at the end of April, so I hope to have the TR at least started by the middle of May before life gets really crazy. It should be a really fun trip!

I just put a new documentary into my instant queue on Netflix. Have you or Amanda seen 'Hey Boo' it's about Harper Lee and looks really interesting.

I haven't seen that one! Let me know how it is. Man, I haven't really watched a movie in AGES......

P.S. My little brother makes fun of me all the time because I totally let Maddie listen to what ever music I'm listening to.

He often says "So, we're not allowed to say hate, but she can sing about having the moves like Jagger or buttons on your Levi's coming loose?"

He's got a point, but she does love her music

OMG - I know!!! I am quite certain the Judgy Moms are hating on me for the fact that my kid is teaching their kids Michael Jackson dance moves at school. And I couldn't care less!

 

[RGirl]

Love all of the pictures with the different characters in the new updates! And I love that you took a picture of Willow with the CM's at ToT!

Loved those CMs!!! They were so sweet. We certainly spent enough time with them!!!

That Monsters Inc ride looks adorable!!! I love that movie & wish they would do something with it in WDW.

I've never heard of any plans to bring Monsters Inc. to WDW. I wonder why! I think there is a Monsters Inc. ride at Tokyo Disney too.

We love the Amazing Race! I don't know why, but this season I'm really having a hard time picking out a team I really love & want to root for. Now, I don't watch the Kardashians or Jersey Shore but I do admit that I love some of the Real Housewives on Bravo.

I'm having a hard time rooting for any particular team this season too. I almost find myself rooting for the horrible Big Brother couple because I think that dreadful woman on the other team is soooooo unnecessarily mean to them. Come on - we get it, you think she's a skunk, do you really have to make nasty comments about her every time you see her???

I have never seen any of the housewives shows. Why are there so many of them?? There's one of them (from New Jersey?) on the Celebrity Apprentice right now. I think there was one last season too.

I think it's probably a combination - we worry about what kind of job we're doing as mothers but there are some mothers who really do judge. I'm the room mother for Reid's day school class. So, I'm always involved in everything going on at school. Some moms I see there a lot, some I don't. I would never judge the mothers who can't be there for all the activities. And if it makes you feel better, I stay at home with Reid but I pay for him to stay longer at school 2 days a week because he loves it. I think it sounds like you do a fantastic job with Willow & don't give those other parents another thought!

I have often said that, even if I could stay home, I would have Willow in preschool. We would drive each other insane all day. And she is VERY social. Not to mention that she actually learns stuff there.

It must be so awesome to be able to be the room mother. I feel very blessed that I have the kind of job that allows me to take time off and go to every school event. I would not be able to stand it if I had to miss all those little things they do.

How exciting that y'alls trip is fast approaching! The pictures from the soft opening of Storybook Circus this week look so cute! I'm like you - I'm so anxious for the Belle area & the Little Mermaid. Please let me know if you do a TR when you get back, I'd love to follow along.

Just saw some of the pics this morning. It's looking great!!!!

It amazes me when people stare like they can't believe someone is disciplining their child in a store. You know what else gets me? When people are shocked that my son says "Thank you, please, yes ma'am, yes sir...etc". It's like they can't believe little kids can have manners. We were at the park today & some woman offered my son something (can't even remember what it was). Before I could say anything, he told her "Oh no thank you." She couldn't believe he had manners at 4 years old.

I used to get that with Willow all the time. She has known to say "please" and "thank you" since she learned to talk. Why wouldn't she????? Amazing that people think that's something special.

I have a great story about a judgmental mom. We took Reid to Disney for the 1st time when he was 2. He was still in diapers. It was December & the day we were flying home all sorts of snow storms had gone through the US so flights were all messed up. We were flying from Orlando to Memphis to Baton Rouge. After much ado, we land in Memphis. We are gridlocked on the plane & we know we are about to miss our connecting flight. The dad in the family in front of us knew this so he told us to go ahead of them. Well, while we're trying to get off the plane, my poor son goes #2 (in his diaper mind you). Well, I'm not going to lie, it was bad....just horrible smelling. The mother of that family kept giving me dirty looks like I could change him in the middle of the crowded airplane. Then, she would give Reid dirty looks. I almost looked at her and asked, "Does your children's poop smell like rainbows & sunshine?" I mean what did she think I could do?

What a, well, not-nice-word! I think people are extra-nasty when they are traveling.

You know, if we look hard enough, we could find something wrong with everything our kids watch & listen to. We know our kids best & know what influences them in good or bad ways.

This reminds me of my sister. She has 2 boys, the youngest is 6 months older than my son. She thinks it's horrible that my son plays with superhero & Star Wars toys (that are geared toward preschoolers mind you). But, she's ok with pirates as long as they have swords and not guns. I guess she thinks swords can't injure or kill. It's ridiculous. The funny thing is her son is the one who taught Reid about playing guns. Although, I'm sure she would swear up & down that's not the case. She is one of those judgmental mothers. My son is the crazy one & hers are perfect. Oh I could start up a whole thread on this!

Oh, the gun thing!!! Ridiculous. A friend of mine has a son (now 18, I think) and was telling me that when he was really little, she thought she would not buy any gun toys. That changed when she found him constantly pretending that sticks and various other things were guns. She knew it was a lost cause.

 

[amandaw]

I will certainly let you know when I start the TR!

Oh the darn Judgementals! I wish that you would have said something to her! Not only are those people judgemental, they lack compassion. I always try to put myself into the other parents' shoes when I see a child acting up. Though most of the time I'm thinking "Thank God it's not me this time"

Yay! I can't wait to hear about y'alls trip!

If I wasn't in such a rush & worried about missing my flight, I probably would've said something to her. Those people do lack compassion! I think the exact same thing when I see another parent going through a not-so-fun moment with their child!

We certainly could. Sometimes I cringe at the sassy things they say on the Disney Channel shows!

I have a sister in law just like your sister. She's a kindergarten teacher, so she's certain that she knows how to raise the perfect child. I think the thing that bugs me the most though is that she won't admit when she makes a mistake. For instance, I try really hard not to raise my voice at Maddie, but not a day goes by that I don't do it at least once. (Seriously, how many times can you say "put away the glitter glue, it's bedtime" before you loose it?) However, my SiL claims to never ever yell at her kids-she even chastised my DH for shouting at our niece when she got too close to the street once. But, then my niece asks me to do her hair (she thinks that I'm much better at it than her mommy ) and tells me that her mom always yells at her when she won't sit still to get her hair done. Just admit that you and your child are not without fault!!!

We should totally start a thread. How do you think we could give it a Disney spin to sneak it past the moderators?

I don't know that I've had a day where I didn't raise my voice to Reid at least once. Like you said, there's only so much you can take. That's funny that your niece says her mom yells at her. Your SIL does indeed sound like my sister. Over Christmas, we were at my uncle's & my son was running through the kitchen. My sister stated that her kids never run in her house. Almost everyone looked at her & said, "We've seen your kids run through your house." Of course she refused to concede & insisted they don't. Whatever!

We should totally start a judgmental moms/family members thread. It would be completely legal if we put it on the community board!

I haven't seen that one! Let me know how it is. Man, I haven't really watched a movie in AGES......

I haven't seen that one either. Will have to check it out.

OMG - I know!!! I am quite certain the Judgy Moms are hating on me for the fact that my kid is teaching their kids Michael Jackson dance moves at school. And I couldn't care less!

Michael Jackson moves are probably still better than some of the dance moves these girls can come up with.

Loved those CMs!!! They were so sweet. We certainly spent enough time with them!!!

I love finding sweet CMs like that. I have a picture of Reid with a CM at TSMM last May. She talked to us forever then she walked us through the FP line so we could ride again.

I've never heard of any plans to bring Monsters Inc. to WDW. I wonder why! I think there is a Monsters Inc. ride at Tokyo Disney too.

I don't understand why they don't add it at WDW. It would go perfectly at DHS!

I'm having a hard time rooting for any particular team this season too. I almost find myself rooting for the horrible Big Brother couple because I think that dreadful woman on the other team is soooooo unnecessarily mean to them. Come on - we get it, you think she's a skunk, do you really have to make nasty comments about her every time you see her???

I can't stand that mean girl but I really don't like the Big Brother couple either. I don't know who I want to win.

I have never seen any of the housewives shows. Why are there so many of them?? There's one of them (from New Jersey?) on the Celebrity Apprentice right now. I think there was one last season too.

Yes, there's a Real Housewives of New Jersey. Teresa is the one on the Apprentice. I can't stand her!

I have often said that, even if I could stay home, I would have Willow in preschool. We would drive each other insane all day. And she is VERY social. Not to mention that she actually learns stuff there.

Reid is the same way - very social & he loves learning things at school. My sister doesn't understand why I'm putting him in 5 days/week next year since I don't work. It's not full day classes (9-12) but he'll stay until 230 on 2 days a week. She doesn't understand having a social child - hers are the complete opposite. Oh - and another judgmental moment - she doesn't see how I can say he learns anything because it's not a private school. Evidently, you only learn in private school!

It must be so awesome to be able to be the room mother. I feel very blessed that I have the kind of job that allows me to take time off and go to every school event. I would not be able to stand it if I had to miss all those little things they do.

It is a lot of fun. It can also be somewhat of a headache. But, I enjoy it. It is fun getting to take part in all of their activities.

Just saw some of the pics this morning. It's looking great!!!!

Don't they? I love the colors & everything in that area!

I used to get that with Willow all the time. She has known to say "please" and "thank you" since she learned to talk. Why wouldn't she????? Amazing that people think that's something special.

I know....I just don't get it....but I guess that's a lot of what's wrong with kids today.

What a, well, not-nice-word! I think people are extra-nasty when they are traveling.

I know, right?!? I was so ready to be off that plane & away from her!

Oh, the gun thing!!! Ridiculous. A friend of mine has a son (now 18, I think) and was telling me that when he was really little, she thought she would not buy any gun toys. That changed when she found him constantly pretending that sticks and various other things were guns. She knew it was a lost cause.

Like a friend of mine said....As long as it's not real & doesn't have bullets, it's ok. Little boys are just like that....they are going to want to play guns, war, superheroes.....it doesn't make it bad.

 

[RGirl]

Hi there!

I'm all caught up once again....so loved looking at your pictures!! Faith has been sitting here with me taking in every detail. She now wants to go to DL THIS summer! Of course that's not an option. I'm still in shock with the crowds! Is this normal for DL?? Surely not....maybe it's just the time of year.

One thing that I did have to explain to Faith is the 'mix-up' of all the rides. She couldn't understand why Stormtroopers were not in DHS, etc. ...then why there were so many characters just roaming around. Did you ever find out why Mary Popins couldn't perform that day? Just curious.

I didn't realize either how many different rides were at DL. For some reason, I just assumed DL and WDW were pretty much the same. Thanks for all the knowledge So....would you go back and stay in the same resort? Or try a different resort?

Heather

Hi Heather!

I'm glad that Faith is looking forward to DL! The low crowds, I'm sure, was a result of the time of year. That said - it is a GREAT time of year to go!!!

There was a guest band playing in a little pavilion near the castle. Apparently, Mary and Bert's band couldn't play because of that - didn't want to drown out their music or something.

We really enjoyed the DLH. But I would love to stay at the Grand Californian! I love that you can walk out a door of the hotel directly into CA! That place is $$$$$$$$ though.

I don't know that I've had a day where I didn't raise my voice to Reid at least once. Like you said, there's only so much you can take. That's funny that your niece says her mom yells at her. Your SIL does indeed sound like my sister. Over Christmas, we were at my uncle's & my son was running through the kitchen. My sister stated that her kids never run in her house. Almost everyone looked at her & said, "We've seen your kids run through your house." Of course she refused to concede & insisted they don't. Whatever!

We should totally start a judgmental moms/family members thread. It would be completely legal if we put it on the community board!

I don't know how anyone can spend 24 hours a day with a 3- to 5-year-old child and not end up raising her voice occasionally!

Can you imagine how bad that thread could get???????

Michael Jackson moves are probably still better than some of the dance moves these girls can come up with.

You have a good point! I will remember that if (when?) I receive a call from the school...... They don't even allow children to wear t-shirts with characters on them at this school.

I love finding sweet CMs like that. I have a picture of Reid with a CM at TSMM last May. She talked to us forever then she walked us through the FP line so we could ride again.

That is so sweet!

I don't understand why they don't add it at WDW. It would go perfectly at DHS!

Totally agree - and DHS NEEDS something like that! Love that park now, but it really is lacking in "ride" attractions for smaller kids and non-thrill-seekers.

I can't stand that mean girl but I really don't like the Big Brother couple either. I don't know who I want to win.

I'm right there with you. The BB couple is unbelievably annoying. Only that horrible mean girl could have pushed me over the edge to actually wanting them to stay in the Race!

Yes, there's a Real Housewives of New Jersey. Teresa is the one on the Apprentice. I can't stand her!

She has actually been very quiet and unassuming on the Apprentice. I am pretty sure that is not how she is on her show......

Reid is the same way - very social & he loves learning things at school. My sister doesn't understand why I'm putting him in 5 days/week next year since I don't work. It's not full day classes (9-12) but he'll stay until 230 on 2 days a week. She doesn't understand having a social child - hers are the complete opposite. Oh - and another judgmental moment - she doesn't see how I can say he learns anything because it's not a private school. Evidently, you only learn in private school!

WHAT????? Your sister sounds deranged. I love having a social child - but I can't relate because I was so quiet and shy as a child myself.

It is a lot of fun. It can also be somewhat of a headache. But, I enjoy it. It is fun getting to take part in all of their activities.

I do think it would be really fun, but I can also see how it would be a headache as well.

Like a friend of mine said....As long as it's not real & doesn't have bullets, it's ok. Little boys are just like that....they are going to want to play guns, war, superheroes.....it doesn't make it bad.

Totally agree. I remember when I was a kid, my friend Susie and I would get our little brothers to play "cruise ship" with us. Inevitably, they would end up in their "cabin" planning a gun-wielding hijacking of the ship!

 

[RGirl]

32. A Quick Trip to DL and Some Last-Night Magic (First Installment)
After our many character meet-and-greets, we decided to go back into DL one more time to use our resort-guest special FPs to ride Space Mountain one last time; after that, we would take the monorail to DTD.

When we started down Main Street at DL, we spotted the Dapper Dans. And they spotted DD! They proceeded to sing Happy Birthday to DD. It was so special!!!

When we got over to Space Mountain, it was down. So what would we do??? Head to BTMRR, of course! We used our special FPs to ride quickly and avoid the 20-minute line.

We then had to walk all the way back to the monorail in Tomorrowland, getting caught in the parade on the way. But we made it.

Once back at the hotel, I packed our bags and DD took a bath. DD wanted to wear her Jolly Holiday dress for her last big birthday celebration at Goofy’s Kitchen! So she got dressed, and we headed over. This restaurant was located right in our hotel - so convenient.

I’m just going to tell you now, this was the Best. Character. Meal. Ever. And you all know that we LOVE character meals! We did not know in advance who would be there, and it was so fun to be surprised. I thought I would prefer the more designed character meals of WDW where the characters at any meal “make sense,” but I actually loved that we had this amazing mix of totally different characters here.

When we arrived, the CMs made a big deal about DD’s dress and her birthday. And then we were called to meet Goofy. I think they have this designed so that a regular person’s camera will take super-awful pictures of this area; it totally worked because I spent a fortune to buy the picture of DD with Goofy. My horrid pics.

Once we were seated, the wait staff made a big deal about DD’s dress and her birthday. And then Pluto came by. Well, as you know, we love us some Pluto! DD told him not to lick her book this time, so he kissed it. He signed it “happy birthday” and drew a heart.

Next up was Minnie. Minnie loved DD’s dress. Minnie spun so that her dress poofed out and then had DD do the same. So cute.

I did not take pictures of the food here, but it was a really nice selection and very tasty. Both DD and I were really pleased. But the character interaction would have made up for thoroughly terrible food!

Our next visitor was Cinderella! DD had been sure that she would be here - I don’t know how she knew! And Cinderella was so funny - she looked at DD, gasped, and said, “Why Mary!!! Did you shrink????”

While Cinderella was visiting with the table across from us, Pluto came running up with an autograph book and got Cinderella’s autograph. DD loved that - she was sure that Pluto was collecting everyone’s autograph just like she was.

(Next Installment Coming Up Soon.)​

 

[RGirl]

33. A Quick Trip to DL and Some Last-Night Magic (Second Installment)

A little later, Cinderella walked by again at the exact moment that an announcement came over the loudspeaker saying something about celebrating at Goofy’s Kitchen. DD looked up at Cinderella on her way by and said, “Will you celebrate with me?” And Cinderella did! They danced together for several minutes.

Then Alice came to visit! She was lovely. She wrote “happy birthday Mary Poppins” in DD’s autograph book, and then, at DD’s request, she drew a heart and wrote “Alice + Willow.” It was so sweet.

Next our waiter arrived with a birthday cupcake and friends to sing to DD. He lit a candle, and he and the other wait staff sang; Alice and Dale, who were making their way through our area, stopped to join in!

Next, Dale hung out with us for a bit.

DD enjoyed numerous desserts.

And Minnie stopped by again!

We both were sure that we had seen Chip earlier, so we decided to wait even though we hadn’t seen him in a long time. We eventually asked our waiter who assured us that he was there. Finally, Chip came by, and he was so adorable.

And then we turned in for the night. I had to get a picture of this Mickey hand holding the light in our bathroom.

And the next day we made our way home!

We had so much fun, and I hope you have enjoyed reliving this wonderful surprise trip with me. I will try to remember to do one more TR post to set out some of the differences between DLR and WDW that we noticed just in case you are interested!​

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I think your daughter had a wonderful birthday trip. How many times did she get to ride Tower of Terror? I love that ride too.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about WDW and DL. I've been to Disney World over 20 times but never made it to Disney Land. Maybe one day.

 

[JLCJMC]

You are a lovely and lucky family . I have enjoyed reading all about your two wonderful trips. I hope that you enjoy your cruise just as much.

Best of luck to you on the job search and move -- I hope you find exactly what you are looking for

 

[RGirl]

I think your daughter had a wonderful birthday trip. How many times did she get to ride Tower of Terror? I love that ride too.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about WDW and DL. I've been to Disney World over 20 times but never made it to Disney Land. Maybe one day.

You know, I lost count of our ToT rides at CA!!!! It was a lot - although not quite as many as I had expected we would have to do based on our DHS experience.

I will try to gather my thoughts and share with you all sometime this week. It is fun to bring DLR to all my WDW friends!

You are a lovely and lucky family . I have enjoyed reading all about your two wonderful trips. I hope that you enjoy your cruise just as much.

Best of luck to you on the job search and move -- I hope you find exactly what you are looking for

Thank you so much! I'm so glad that you read along.

 

[acurry417]

Thank you for taking the time to share your trip with all of us. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Your daughter is just darling! You two look like you have so much fun together!

 

[shan23877]

What a wonderful meal at Goofy's Kitchen!! Great characters again! You guys really hit the jackpot this trip!

Sorry to see the trip end, I've really enjoyed your TRs. Please do a comparison post. DL still confuses me.

 

[amandaw]

I love your last 2 updates....except that it's the end!

How sweet that the Dapper Dans sang Happy Birthday to Willow! And I'm glad y'all got to go on 1 of the mountains at least one last time.

Ok, I have to admit that Goofy's Kitchen sounds incredible! What an experience! The pictures are all adorable! My favorite is Cinderella dancing & celebrating with Willow!

I can't wait for a WDW/DLR comparison update! And please tell me you are going to do a TR for the cruise! How about a PTR, too?

I don't know how anyone can spend 24 hours a day with a 3- to 5-year-old child and not end up raising her voice occasionally!

I know, right?!? I think you'd have to have the patience of a saint!

Can you imagine how bad that thread could get???????

I could fill up that thread.....FAST!

You have a good point! I will remember that if (when?) I receive a call from the school...... They don't even allow children to wear t-shirts with characters on them at this school.

OMG! Reid would have a fit if he couldn't wear any of his character shirts! Wow!

Totally agree - and DHS NEEDS something like that! Love that park now, but it really is lacking in "ride" attractions for smaller kids and non-thrill-seekers.

It really does seem like the ride they need and I would think they'd have room to add something like that.

I'm right there with you. The BB couple is unbelievably annoying. Only that horrible mean girl could have pushed me over the edge to actually wanting them to stay in the Race!

The voice of the BB girl grates on my every last nerve. And have you ever noticed how much she fake cries?

She has actually been very quiet and unassuming on the Apprentice. I am pretty sure that is not how she is on her show......

Yeah, that is no way how she is on the Housewives show. Her publicist must have told her to take it down a few notches!

WHAT????? Your sister sounds deranged. I love having a social child - but I can't relate because I was so quiet and shy as a child myself.

Oh yes....she is! She lives in her own little world. I could tell you so many stories!

Ed & I were both shy kids too so we don't know where Reid gets his outgoing personality from!

I do think it would be really fun, but I can also see how it would be a headache as well.

It can be a headache when trying to organize things....like we're having a trike-a-thon Tuesday to raise money for St. Jude's. And then figuring out games & crafts for the parties always stumps me.

Totally agree. I remember when I was a kid, my friend Susie and I would get our little brothers to play "cruise ship" with us. Inevitably, they would end up in their "cabin" planning a gun-wielding hijacking of the ship!

That is hilarious! Gotta love little boys!

 

[cocofifi]

Complete?! What? No!! I'm so sad it's finished. I love, love, love the pictures of the Cuteness with Bert and Mary - absolutely magical. My husband has a conference in the area this summer, so we're going to make a trip to Disneyland for the first time. Your birthday trip installments have me even more excited about this our visit to the original Thanks so much for the wonderful trip reports!!