A Princess, Pirates and Pixie Dust!

[dismom9761]

Great update!
The heat can really change things.

 

[pkondz]

With our snacks finished, and feeling refreshed, we realized we were late for a very important date!

The teacups are in MK.

We had FP for TT and they were due in 5 4 3 2 1 minute!!!! Well, 10 but we were way over in Mexico! I think Ryan and Dana had run ahead expecting us to catch up, but it took a long time for the ticket to get processed, and then a really long time to gather Marks stroller, etc. Ryan realized we wouldnt make it, so he gave our FP away to someone who was walking that direction. Another missed opportunity for fun that we didnt get back.

Too bad you had to miss it. But good on ya for using the opportunity to spread some pixie dust.

The kids were amazed by the big ball!

And the adults weren't?

Now we were ready to try to find Dufenschmertz! We signed up over on the bridge and decided to do the mission in Norway.

Loved the KP missions when they were around. I'd love to try the countriies that I haven't done yet.

I was running back and forth trying to keep up with both teams and see how they were enjoying the experience, and passing out bottles of water.

And eventually passing out yourself?

Our little princess was sitting on her Daddy's shoulders, her little face was beet red and her crown was dripping wet. Mav was wiggling around in the stroller and whining, and Lindsay was just done.

Aw, poor little tykes.

We made a good try, we really did. Having seen Norway, we stopped in Germany and got some delicious caramel to share, and made it over to China and checked out the little clay tomb soldiers and the gift shop next to it.

I still haven't set foot in China, can you believe that?

I can't!!

We looked up and saw the black clouds gathering above, and all of the life went out of our party. Poof! Just like that we were all done. Not in a bad way, just in an I give up kind of way.

Yeah, but it's a good think that you recognize it and accept it.

Too many parents out there who force their kids to go on and on, no matter what. Because, do you have any idea how much they paid for this vacation? So you're gonna have fun or else!

We had just missed one, so I decided I was not leaving Epcot without my Gran Marnier slushy from France!

atta girl

Jim wants everyone to know that he is not that sweaty - he was wearing one of those cooling towels that you get wet all week, so his shirts were always wet.

Uh, huh. And yet... I don't see a towel.

Do you see a towel?

I don't see a towel...


Sure. Not sweating.
No, really. I believe you.


really.



jk

I want everyone to know that I don't hop in front of Dana on purpose!

Uh, huh. And yet... There you are in front.

Do you see Dana?

I don't see Dana...


Sure. Not hopping in front.
No, really. I believe you.


really.



jk (really!)

I see in all the pics she is peeking out from behind me. I stand next to her, and then we are told to crowd together, and somehow it ends up like that. I wish I had known, or the PP people would notice and get her in the pic better.

Ah, well. At least you know for future reference.
Too bad, though.

Once back, we ordered a pizza from Giordano's just down the road, and Ryan and Jim went and picked it up. We took it out to the pool and we all enjoyed a swim and some pizza. Ryan had me come back to the room with him and he filled up my sippie cup with a strawberry daquairi concoction Dana had in the fridge. It was very nice after the crazy day we had.

Drinks, pizza, pool, family.

It doesn't get much better then that, does it?

Again, the snack bar closed early it had only rained for a few minutes and it wasnt raining now. I believe it was 8:00 and they came around with Last call for filling mugs and ordering. It was just irritating, because they are supposed to be open until 9. People expect to be able to come back and have a burger or a drink at the pool and fill up their mugs. As the week went on it closed earlier and earlier each night. One night they were giving last call at 7:30 pm.

That's very un-Disneylike. I can see that where kids are left in charge at a burger joint... but at Disney?

NEXT: BEACH BUMS!

We get to see Tammie's bum next! Cool!

Thanks for the update!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Great update!
The heat can really change things.

Thanks for being here!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

The teacups are in MK.

In THAT case we were very late!

Too bad you had to miss it. But good on ya for using the opportunity to spread some pixie dust.

It is always fun to give out the PD!

And the adults weren't?



Loved the KP missions when they were around. I'd love to try the countriies that I haven't done yet.

Yes, you must - maybe they have one in China, even?

And eventually passing out yourself?



Aw, poor little tykes.



I still haven't set foot in China, can you believe that?

I can't!!

China has a huge gift shop - pretty interesting - It doesn't take too long to look at their displays, but we haven't seen the movie. Rumor has it that they don't make popcorn.

Yeah, but it's a good think that you recognize it and accept it.

Too many parents out there who force their kids to go on and on, no matter what. Because, do you have any idea how much they paid for this vacation? So you're gonna have fun or else!



I know - I hate to see that. What kind of memories are you making? I have a few like that - not good, and it doesn't make you look forward to family vacations as a child, either.

atta girl



Uh, huh. And yet... I don't see a towel.

Do you see a towel?

I don't see a towel...


Sure. Not sweating.
No, really. I believe you.


really.



jk



Uh, huh. And yet... There you are in front.

Do you see Dana?

I don't see Dana...


Sure. Not hopping in front.
No, really. I believe you.


really.



jk (really!)



Ah, well. At least you know for future reference.
Too bad, though.

some of the children can be seen wearing said neck towel here and there. It is a mystery best left alone....

Drinks, pizza, pool, family.

It doesn't get much better then that, does it?



That's very un-Disneylike. I can see that where kids are left in charge at a burger joint... but at Disney?

Now with the new restrictions on the "unlimited refills" for the mugs, it makes me think they were trying to lessen the said number of refills given out in the evenings. Maybe the lost drink revenue balanced out the burger sales?

We get to see Tammie's bum next! Cool!

Thanks for the update!

No, no! She who holds the camera never ends up with a beach bum!
Thanks for reading and commenting!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I'm finally back and have more photos loaded - thanks for waiting!


Friday July 12th was our water park day! The boys remembered our two visits to Blizzard Beach back in 1907, I mean 1997 and it was a must do for them. We love this park, too! With our military passes we could either get the park hopper option or the water parks and more option. We decided we would get way more for our bucks if we did the one park a day with water parks and more. That way, our 4 park days also included 4 entries to water parks, mini golf and Disney Quest! We usually pick a park a day to visit, anyway – except for some extra time for fireworks so this turned out to be a great option for us!

Ryan and his crew were driving over today and the rest of us were taking the bus. When we headed outside, Mason had made a new little friend!

(a little blurry)

He was invited to come with us, but he had a photo shoot for a Geico commercial, so we parted ways. Mason was a little disappointed, but I don’t think it ruined his morning.

We had a plan to see if we could get into the park pretty close to RD and head quickly to the right to try to get chairs near the kiddie play area. Well for some reason the 9am opening turned into more like 9:15. When we got in, and got toward that area, we saw that Ryan was all the way front row at the gate! That’s my boy! When they finally counted down and let the first victim down Summit Plummit he head quickly in and scored a cabana for us. With 11 of us, we pulled some chairs over into a cluster – I think about 5 loungers and 3 little sit up chairs – remember this number.

We did not rope off the area – we did not have shotguns or anything with us….

So we got settled in, sunscreen on and we were ready to roll! I ran over to the little gift shop nearby and got a pass keeper lanyard – the little plastic box type for my camera and cards. That is the only valuable I had with me, so no need for a locker. I was warned that it was water resistant, not waterproof, but I had no problems with it that day. Back home at Sea World, my stuff actually got soaked and I was happy my camera wasn’t in it, so I guess it only works at WDW?



I’m so happy that we decided to do our first slide of the day together, because it was a must do for us, and the day would get interesting weather-wise. We headed up to Teamboat Springs – all of us. It is the family raft ride. We love this one, because you get a different ride every time depending on how the weight is distributed, and lots of giggles ensue. We took two rafts down – I don’t really remember how we were spread out – I think I rode with Ryan’s family and Jim rode with Mark’s.
When we got off our adventure, the paparazzi was there to capture the moment - that's how we roll!






We had so much fun that we quickly ran up the steps….okay, I don’t think I ran up them ala Rocky Balboa, but I can say anything – it’s my TR, right?

I think I'll leave you wondering what will take place in our non- roped off cabana - I need to head to bed - more fun and games tomorrow - I promise!!!

 

[ladylyons]

Love the pictures after the raft ride. I'm afraid to hear what happened to your little area.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Love the pictures after the raft ride. I'm afraid to hear what happened to your little area.

coming up....

 

[wiigirl]

Great pics!

 

[pkondz]

I'm finally back and have more photos loaded - thanks for waiting!

All right Missy. Just where were you?
Here we all were, just waiting, saying, "Where is she? Where'd she go?"

You coulda called!!!

The boys remembered our two visits to Blizzard Beach back in 1907,

It was much smaller then.

Really just a puddle.

In a swamp.

Mason had made a new little friend!

Heh.

Boys never outgrow that.

He was invited to come with us, but he had a photo shoot for a Geico commercial, so we parted ways.

When they finally counted down and let the first victim down Summit Plummit

"victim"

he head quickly in and scored a cabana for us. With 11 of us, we pulled some chairs over into a cluster – I think about 5 loungers and 3 little sit up chairs – remember this number.

I can't even remember what I had for breakfast this morning, and you want me to remember a number???

We did not rope off the area – we did not have shotguns or anything with us….

Note to self: update packing list

Back home at Sea World, my stuff actually got soaked and I was happy my camera wasn’t in it, so I guess it only works at WDW?

That's Disney magic, right?

When we got off our adventure, the paparazzi was there to capture the moment - that's how we roll!

You famous folk and your paparazzi!


Cute pics, tho!

We had so much fun that we quickly ran up the steps….okay, I don’t think I ran up them ala Rocky Balboa, but I can say anything – it’s my TR, right?

That's always been my position.

I think I'll leave you wondering what will take place in our non- roped off cabana - I need to head to bed - more fun and games tomorrow - I promise!!!

That's today, now!
Thanks for posting!

 

[KatMark]

Nice little friend.

Okay, your post has me a little worried as to what happens with your cabana and chairs.

for a family slide first thing in the a.m. Love the photopass pic opportunity with the raft with the Mickey Ears...that is just so cool.

A little sidenote: I started my PTR even though I'm still working on my TR. It is called: Celebrating Christmas with the Urchins

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

that family ride is a huge hit with our family as well, glad you guys enjoyed it so much.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Hi Magic.

Still around. Took a little DLR vacation and haven't had time to read much on here. Off to catch up and will comment more later.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Great pics!

All right Missy. Just where were you?
Here we all were, just waiting, saying, "Where is she? Where'd she go?"

You coulda called!!!


ummm, I couldn't find my phone - I mean the sun was too bright to see the screen - ahhh, my phone was dead. Yes that's it. My phone was dead so I couldn't call
It was much smaller then.

Really just a puddle.

In a swamp.

Oh, you remember too?

Heh.

Boys never outgrow that.







"victim"




I can't even remember what I had for breakfast this morning, and you want me to remember a number???

I made this up, but it sounds good, right?

Note to self: update packing list
I'm quickly becoming a Texan

That's Disney magic, right?

ixiedust:

You famous folk and your paparazzi!


Cute pics, tho!

Thanks!

That's always been my position.



That's today, now!
Thanks for posting!

Guess I'm getting this done a little late, but I'm keeping my promise!

Nice little friend.

Okay, your post has me a little worried as to what happens with your cabana and chairs.

for a family slide first thing in the a.m. Love the photopass pic opportunity with the raft with the Mickey Ears...that is just so cool.

A little sidenote: I started my PTR even though I'm still working on my TR. It is called: Celebrating Christmas with the Urchins

It was a great way to start the day - the Cabana showdown, not so much but alls well that ends well.

I'm looking forward to your Christmas trip for sure!

that family ride is a huge hit with our family as well, glad you guys enjoyed it so much.

It is good clean family fun! Nice that your littles liked it too!

Hi Magic.

Still around. Took a little DLR vacation and haven't had time to read much on here. Off to catch up and will comment more later.

Another DLR trip? A little bird told me you had an awesome DISmeet - looking forward to reading about it! Welcome back - we've been waiting for you, so we're not too far ahead!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

In our last episode we were enjoying Teamboat Springs for the second time after fighting off the paparazzi:


We giggled and spun again, and then headed back to base camp to be sure everyone knew we really were using our much coveted cabana space. I know at this time, Mark and Lindz and their bigger kids and Dana and Mason went to ride some slides and play for a little bit.

Ryan and Jim and I took the littles over to the kiddie slides for a little bit. They had a great time, although they didn’t really interact with each other. Maverick acted like he had done this before - climbed right up the steps and down the slides with no hesitation at all. I’m glad Jim was there, because we had to have someone at the bottom to make sure he came back up ! At one point I was there with him by myself at the “big” slide, and he just jumped right in and let the CM at the top help him so I could get to the bottom and take a pic and catch up to him. Hard to believe he wasn't even two yet, but he loved it!





Evan ran in the other direction with Ryan in tow, so I didn’t get many pics of Evan.



Then it happened. Suddenly the clouds were very dark, and the wind was blowing and it started raining. They made an announcement that the attractions were closed and we all needed to take shelter. We headed in to the cabana and waited for the rest of the crew to arrive. I pulled all the chairs as close together as I could get them in order to make more room for someone else to join us, cuz I’m nice like that.

No one came into “our” space. I looked around and it seemed that everyone had found a place to sit, so it looked like we were okay. You’ll see why I’m making this point soon. We waited about 20 minutes, and the sun came back out and they announced the all clear so we were on again! We decided to hop into the lazy river, Cross Country Creek. We had a lot of fun floating around and pushing each other into the sprays of water, and just enjoying our time. We got a few FP shots.











We decided to hop out and get some lunch at




It was fun to just float up to the restaurant! I think mostly hot dogs and fries were on the menu for the kids - not sure what the adults got. I got a very disappointing Holiday sandwich, Turkey, stuffing and cranberry on a roll. Remember the theme here? They even play Christmas carols over the speakers –



The Blizzard Beach Story - Next Post:

 

[MAGICFOR2]

The Blizzard Beach Story

You see, once upon a time, there was a freak snow storm in Disney World. Wanting to take advantage of the snow, Disney built the first ski resort in Florida.




Sadly, the temperatures rose and it looked as if their new venture was melting away.


An adventurous alligator decided to slide down the slippery slope into the pool that formed below. Realizing that the ski runs could be put to use, Blizzard Beach was born, or so the story goes.


That is also why the Blizzard Beach character is called Ice Gator.



I’m a sucker for turkey and cranberry sandwiches, but I would not get this again.
Tummies full, we decided to float on back to our chairs so the adults could tackle Summit Plummit!!!! Jim and I took the littles and I’m thinking that Ryan and Dana went off first to do the Plummit and left Mason with Mark and Lindz, and then they were going to switch. Looks like lots of fun was had and some more pics were taken.




LOVE THIS FACE!








They got halfway up the steps, and boom! More lightening way off in the distance…. Not on Ryan and Dana – and the announcement was made – from our end, it started to sprinkle, and we moved the strollers back and cuddled Evan and Mav in the towels. By the time the rest of the crew got back, it was pouring – I mean the sky opened up and buckets of water were coming down.


Here it is: I was looking around, and there wasn’t anyone else in the cabana, but it seemed like we suddenly had 8 or 9 chairs clustered together. I couldn’t even get onto my chair that had my towels on it because there was a chair up against it. I thought one of our people had spread out again, so I pushed a couple of the chairs back – still under the cabana – and moved the stuff that was on it onto an empty chair in our area – again – trying to be nice. We got busy settling littles in, getting snacks and water out, etc. Suddenly I heard someone behind me –

“EXCUSE ME! “ I turned around to see a gal frowning at me, two little boys in tow - “yes?”
“I had my things on this chair – what happened to them?”
“I’m so sorry – I didn’t realize…” The look on her face – “I don’t believe you” Seriously? Why do I want her stuff? I retrieved her backpack and a shirt, that were on the chair just one over from hers –
“I ALSO HAD A PAIR OF BLACK SHORTS OVER HERE – WHERE ARE MY SHORTS?” I found her shorts on the same chair as her other things. So sorry .
“Again, I’m sorry- there are so many of us, I thought it belonged to one of my kids and I was trying to make more room for someone else – like you – to be in here.” She huffed and puffed, then threw her stuff on an empty chair, and then promptly sat her sandy child on the other end of the lounger I was sitting on – right on my towel! She then proceeded to smear sunscreen all

over him and get it on my shirt that was laying next to him. I retrieved my things, then I didn’t say anything. She was probably having a rough misstep type day, and on first glance, she could feel like we were trying to hog everything and she needed to make a point. It was crazy, because there were about 4 empty chairs around her

We proceeded to wait out the rain for about half an hour like that. The kids sat in the sand and played, Evan tried to take a nap.


Several more people made their way over and huddled in with us. We tried to make as much space as we could. Eventually, the shirt lady apologized for being rude, and I accepted and it was all good. Our kids shared their snack with hers, and all was right in the world.


Eventually, the sun came back out but they didn’t open the attractions. We let the kids play out in the sand for a bit





The adults tried to make it back toward the Summit – they were told that it would not be open again for quite a while, so we packed up, thinking we would head over to DQ and see what fun could be had there.

NEXT: A very special photo op!

 

[dizneeat]

Even with the interruptions of rain, it sounds like a lovely day at BB. Well, apart from the rude lady.

I love all the pics, so many happy faces. And I cannot believe that your new addition would slide down the slide all by himself! Brave little guy!

 

[pkondz]

We giggled and spun again,

Wait... You were drinking around the world?

Whoops! Right! Right!

Blizzard Beach.

Got it now.

Maverick acted like he had done this before - climbed right up the steps and down the slides with no hesitation at all. I’m glad Jim was there, because we had to have someone at the bottom to make sure he came back up ! At one point I was there with him by myself at the “big” slide, and he just jumped right in and let the CM at the top help him so I could get to the bottom and take a pic and catch up to him. Hard to believe he wasn't even two yet, but he loved it!

Must've warmed your heart to see him get right into it like that.

We waited about 20 minutes, and the sun came back out and they announced the all clear so we were on again!

That still boggles my mind. No matter how many times I go to Florida, that catches me off guard everytime.

It's beautiful!
It's raining like it's the end of the world!
It's beautiful again!

It was fun to just float up to the restaurant!

That's cool!
I've never been to BB, but that sounds like something I'd like to do.

They even play Christmas carols over the speakers –

That part....
I'm sorry, but it's too early for Donner and Blitzen.

The Blizzard Beach Story

Never knew that. Thanks for story.

I think that's a great pic!

LOVE THIS FACE!

And this one's awesome, too!

but it seemed like we suddenly had 8 or 9 chairs clustered together.

Hmmmm..... you earlier said 5 loungers and 3 chairs... which is 8....
You mean you still had 5 loungers plus now you have 8 or 9 chairs also?

“EXCUSE ME! “ I turned around to see a gal frowning at me, two little boys in tow - “yes?”
“I had my things on this chair – what happened to them?”
“I’m so sorry – I didn’t realize…” The look on her face – “I don’t believe you” Seriously? Why do I want her stuff? I retrieved her backpack and a shirt, that were on the chair just one over from hers –
“I ALSO HAD A PAIR OF BLACK SHORTS OVER HERE – WHERE ARE MY SHORTS?” I found her shorts on the same chair as her other things. So sorry .
“Again, I’m sorry- there are so many of us, I thought it belonged to one of my kids and I was trying to make more room for someone else – like you – to be in here.” She huffed and puffed, then threw her stuff on an empty chair, and then promptly sat her sandy child on the other end of the lounger I was sitting on – right on my towel! She then proceeded to smear sunscreen all
over him and get it on my shirt that was laying next to him.

While I don't condone her getting sunscreen on your stuff, I can symapthize with her original concern.
I'm thinking that she gets back to "her" chair and sees her stuff is missing and immediately thinks, "Oh, no! Someone took our stuff!"

Then again, I wasn't there.

Still doesn't excuse the sunscreen incident.

Eventually, the shirt lady apologized for being rude, and I accepted and it was all good. Our kids shared their snack with hers, and all was right in the world.

Nice ending, though!

NEXT: A very special photo op!

Thanks for posting, Tammie. Loved all the photos!

 

[MEK]

We had so much fun that we quickly ran up the steps….okay, I don’t think I ran up them ala Rocky Balboa, but I can say anything – it’s my TR, right?

Yes - It IS your trip report so you have complete artistic license!

How is the Giordano's pizza? I'm always tempted to try it and didn't know there was one so close to any of the resorts.

I'm heading to BB on my next trip and I hope Denny and I can join another family in the family raft ride. I love that ride.

Great pictures of everyone!

 

[MEK]

Oh My! Well, at least the shirt lady realized she was rude and she apologized. I do think there are moments when the stress, heat, and crowds in Disney can bring out one's bad side. Glad it all worked out.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Even with the interruptions of rain, it sounds like a lovely day at BB. Well, apart from the rude lady.

I love all the pics, so many happy faces. And I cannot believe that your new addition would slide down the slide all by himself! Brave little guy!

We did pack alot of fun into the sunshine hours!

Thanks! Mr Mav is a very precocious and brave boy!

Wait... You were drinking around the world?

Whoops! Right! Right!

Blizzard Beach.

Got it now.



Must've warmed your heart to see him get right into it like that.



That still boggles my mind. No matter how many times I go to Florida, that catches me off guard everytime.

It's beautiful!
It's raining like it's the end of the world!
It's beautiful again!



That's cool!
I've never been to BB, but that sounds like something I'd like to do.



That part....
I'm sorry, but it's too early for Donner and Blitzen.



Never knew that. Thanks for story.



I think that's a great pic!



And this one's awesome, too!



Hmmmm..... you earlier said 5 loungers and 3 chairs... which is 8....
You mean you still had 5 loungers plus now you have 8 or 9 chairs also?



While I don't condone her getting sunscreen on your stuff, I can symapthize with her original concern.
I'm thinking that she gets back to "her" chair and sees her stuff is missing and immediately thinks, "Oh, no! Someone took our stuff!"

Then again, I wasn't there.

Still doesn't excuse the sunscreen incident.



Nice ending, though!



Thanks for posting, Tammie. Loved all the photos!

No, it wasn't time for F&W yet!

It was fun to see little Mav enjoy himself so much - what was hard was to see how independent he was at such a young age. I guess some kids are, but he wasn't even in the habit of asking for help with anything.

Now what warms my heart is that he asks for help, and comes to you for a little kiss and hug when he hurts himself. He holds his hands up and wants to be held instead of pushing us away. So much progress - he was really won all of our hearts, and it is looking very hopeful that his adoption will go through in December.

Thanks for your comments - important photo coming up!