A Relaxing Trp? Episode 13 - w/ pics!!!

[MagicalMom]

The cast
Me – MagicalMom – 33yo – Disney Lover, Commando girl
DH – MagicalDad – 34yo – Likes Disney, just wants to relax
DD – The Teen – 13yo – Loves Disney, I taught her well
DS – The Youth – 9yo – Loves Mickey Mouse – thinks Chef Mickey’s is the greatest place ever!
DS – The Pre-schooler –4yo – Can’t wait to get to Disney to see Mickey, Spongebob & Crash Bandicoot! (think I combined too many Disney & Universal trips?)

Back to Epcot!

Yes, I am aware that I had rewritten my casting, but I prefer to live in my fantasy world. You know, the one where my whole family is soooo happy to be in Disney & enjoying every second of it.

I have to admit, we are wearing down. I crawled out of bed at 10:00 am this morning. No one really felt up to going anywhere, so we did the one thing that I knew would make everyone happy, we headed to the pool.

Mmmm, I think next year I will save a lot of money & just find a hotel in our good ole hometown of Dover, De. It will be great. They can spend all day in the pool. At lunch time we can drive home to Momma’s Food Court, I can make the nuggets & fries myself. When MagicalDad gets restless he can head off to his favorite place, work. Everyon will be happy.

The pool wasn’t too packed this morning, but already there was a group of parents standing around the slide. Why must they stand there? Ughhhh. Today is my last chance to go down that slide! MagicalDad takes the Pre-Schooler to the kiddie pool to relax. The Youth wants me to watch him doggy paddle, he’s so proud that he has overcome his fears of the water. The Teen wants me to swim around the little island with her while she informs me that the Youth is faking the doggy paddle because she is sure she saw his feet touch the bottom. I just can’t help it, they all love me & want to spend time with me.

I try to divide my free time up between them, allowing myself more time to watch the slide. Bouncing over that way (because for some reason I don’t walk in a pool, I bounce) I finally see what I have been waiting for. An adult comes down the slide! Mid Thirties, a little chunky, just like me! She’s laughing as she comes down! Looks like she is having so much fun! I can’t help but laugh with her, relieved that now I can finally go down myself. It only took a week of watching the slide to finally see an adult come down. She hits the water & makes a big splash. Still laughing I glance at the other Mommas around me, hoping to share in this wonderful moment with them. Opppppppps, good thing I glanced around. Oh My! What if I didn’t take a moment to make eye contact with the other mothers??? I was met with eye rolling looks of disgust. It was written all over the looks of every momma there. “How dare my child wait one more second in line to come down the slide so that this ludicrous adult can come down! Doesn’t she know Disney is for children to have fun??? Not Mommas!!!!” Whoa! That could have been me getting those nasty looks. Forget about the refillable mug police, I never saw those, but I saw plenty of pool slide police. And it ain’t pretty!

Still Thankful that I didn’t make a fool out of myself I rounded up the troops & headed for a quick lunch at the Food Court (their favorite Disney resturant) before making our way to Epcot.

As soon as we exited the bus, they started. Why do we have to go to Epcot? We don’t like Epcot! What are we going to do here? After quickly threatening them, err ummm I mean informing them that we were not going to use Epcot as a water park today we headed for Universe of Energy. I have always enjoyed this. The line isn’t very long either. Oh yes, but the line doesn’t have to be long for my children to lose their patience. We couldn’t have been standing there for more than 2 minutes before IT happened. As the Teen & Youth were kicking each other in the ankles over “something” (I can’t even remember what) It happened. I was kicked. Now this was the end of it. I have had enough. I told MagicalDad that he can go ahead & ride it with the kids, after all it was cool, dark & air conditioned & he hadn’t had a nap yet today. I stepped out of line, with tears in my eyes & sat on a nearby bench. Far enough away so that I wouldn’t be confused for their parent if they started acting up again but close enough to see them exit the ride. There I sat, fighting back the tears. Contemplating where I went wrong. For a child who had just turned 4 two weeks prior to be taking his 3rd trip to WDW (4th if you include my pregnancy) I guess we have been going too often. I shouldn’t have taken them so many times. Oh who am I kidding, they’d act like this at home too. This has nothing to do with Disney.

Now let me add, if you children are having one of those moments, you know the kind. The ones where it is clearly the last straw. Where you are not going to tolerate another moment of their behavior. There is one trick that will always make them stop immediately in shock. Let them see tears in your eyes. Works every time. Men, honeslty, I don’t think it will work as well for you guys.

When they finally came out of the ride, happy, rested & ready to tackle Epcot, we made our way over to the Living Seas. On the way they must stop at Innovations West, for a quick PlayStation fix. I’ve been meaning to write to Epcot about this. I believe that if they would take everything out of Innovations west, except the PlayStation games & maybe put up some sort of gate with guards. We could drop our children off there so that adults could enjoy the World Showcase in peace & quiet. I don’t think the kids would even know the adults had left. The get too wrapped up in Kingdom of Hearts to know anything that’s going on around them anyways. It would be a win – win situation.

Next we finally make our to the Living Seas. I happily snap pictures. The Pre-Schooler with Nemo. The Teen with the Pre-Schooler. The Youth with a coral sample. Snap, snap, snap. These pictures of this happy family will look so good in my new Disney Photo Album. Ohhhh look there a scuba man cleaning the tank! Snap!

Uh Oh, Mr. Scuba man holds up one finger signaling me stop. Oh no. I should have known things were going too well. I guess we are not supposed to take pictures of the scuba man. I knew I should have stayed for the debriefing before entering the hydrolator things. Gosh, I haven’t listened to that debriefing in years. What if they tell you something real important I missed it!

Oh No, Now he’s curling his finger at the Teen to come closer to the tank. Oh boy, she was in a good mood too. She takes a few step closer to him. A crowd is starting to gather. I really should make a run for it now, but the Teen will never forgive me. When she gets a bit closer to the tank, he puts his “arm around her” & gives me the thumbs up. Geez, he was just going to pose for a picture with her. Golly, what a moment. I thought for sure I was in trouble.

We leave the Living Seas a happy family & just in time for the character bus to arrive. The Pre-Schooler is in character heaven. He’s running from line to line, getting as many pictures as possible. The rabbit, Pluto, everyone is there! Then they announce that time is up. Now my adorable Pre-Schooler isn’t too much of a crier. He is really the quietest one in our home. He’s still pretty “new” to the family being only 4 & all & he hasn’t really picked up on all of our bad habits yet. But, when the characters start getting back on the bus, he loses it. Noises come out of him that we have never heard before. He drops to the ground, one could almost feel his heart breaking. A CM comes running. What is it honey??? What’s wrong?? I ask my poor baby. “I wanna see 2 guys. Chipdale.” Then the tears come again. The CM reaches us to find out what’s wrong. I’m in shock. The pre-Schooler is a big lover of that super-pretty Minnie Mouse. Really loves Lilo. Can’t get enough of Pluto. But, Chip & Dale? We’ve seen them so many times, when did they become his favorite? Just as the CM was assisting us in comforting this poor child he once again drops to the ground in disbelief. The characters are walking right past us as they board the bus. Kids & their families are all around us, happily waving good bye to their favorites. At just that moment Chip comes by picks the Pre-Schooler off of the ground. Standing him upright, giving him a hug & allowing me to snap a quick picture. He got his wish to spend one last moment with his favorite.

Now it’s time to make our way around the World Showcase. I say a quick prayer “Lord let us just make it around in one piece.”

 

[B.Mary]

I sure have enjoyed reading your reports. I hope you make it down that slide before you leave.....

 

[DW4US]

I'm enjoying your reports --- some of it sounds as if it's coming from my own family! I too have been reduced to tears while at The Happiest Place on Earth and my family won't or can't cooperate! They should be thanking us for providing the best vacation in the world and be happy to be part of our obsession! We could go without them couldn't we? But we won't because we know that soon enough they will be grown and we'll have plenty of time then (if they're smart they'll hang around for vacation!)

GO DOWN THE SLIDE!!! I do and I love it --- I'm on vacation, never going to see these people again and I'm having FUN!!!!

 

[MagicalMom]

The cast
Me – MagicalMom – 33yo – Disney Lover, Commando girl
DH – MagicalDad – 34yo – Likes Disney, just wants to relax
DD – The Teen – 13yo – Loves Disney, I taught her well
DS – The Youth – 9yo – Loves Mickey Mouse – thinks Chef Mickey’s is the greatest place ever!
DS – The Pre-schooler –4yo – Can’t wait to get to Disney to see Mickey, Spongebob & Crash Bandicoot! (think I combined too many Disney & Universal trips?)

I gotta tell ya, one of the things that I am most excited about on this trip is my plan to actually spend time in the World Showcase. We usually just quickly walk through it, never actually entering a country, except Mexico & Norway. Of course we only go to those 2 countries so that we can go on the rides.

Now, so far today as I’m sure you all have read, there have been some rocky moments. Luckily my tears were able to nip them pretty quick. So, I round up the troops again. “Guys, we’re heading into the showcase. There are many wonderful & exciting things to do there! See my little index card listing so many things we’ve missed in the past?” The responses I received were what I expected. Why? We don’t like the World Showcase! There’s nothing to do there! Whine, Whine, whine!

So, off we go. Our first stop is Mexico. We head straight for the ride. No wait. While on the ride the Teen & I decided to take pictures of each other. Everyone was happy for the moment. Getting off of the ride I realized my camera wasn’t working. Oh No! I hope it’s just the battery. I need to get new batteries!!! ASAP! Lord knows you can’t enter the World Showcase without batteries. Oh MY! MagicalDad runs to the first CM he sees to ask for the nearest place to purchase batteries. At the front of the park, he was told. Uh no, I informed him. I’m sure there is a place in Norway. I’m positive I bought film at a camera stand in Norway a couple of years ago. No the CM insisted we must go to the front of the park. “We’re wasting time discussing this” MagicalDad stated “I’ll just run up front & get the batteries.” Fine. Go ahead. I don’t know who he thinks he is getting all commando on me. Wonder if he just wants to get the World Showcase done & over with, just like the kids????? Go ahead, meet you in Norway.

The kids & I headed over to Norway where I purchased a 2 pack of camera batteries for 20.00. After buying them I politely called DH to inform him that I had new batteries & he should now return to Norway to meet me. I’ll try not to gloat, too much.

I sent the kids over to play in the big boat in Norway while I put in the new batteries. Hmmmmmm, odd the camera still doesn’t work. Hmmmm, oh……….I see. Gosh, looks like I was just out of film. Hmmmmmm, didn’t realize that. Yep, replaced the film & it worked fine. I guess I just didn’t hear my camera rewind on the ride. Golly, guess I’ll just have to tell DH how lucky we are to have these back up camera batteries just in case we ever need them. Just then the kids come back to tell me that the boat in Norway was shut down. That’s ashame. I was hoping they could play while I Magicaldad was able to rest. Not my fault he insisted on running all the way to the front of the park.

With the family back together I began walking towards the Norway ride. I don’t wanna go. It’s scarey! Why do we have to go? Whine, whine, whine! We skipped the ride.

Onto China. Good, there is a show. DH can get his rest time here. Nope, we walked right past. No one was interested in China either. Look like I’m the only one who cares about resting & relaxing today. I snapped a few pictures as we strolled by. At least I can pretend I spent time there.

Right there Germany & Italy. No one would stop.

Next up America. Of course they all want to stop there. It’s the only place in the World Showcase where they will eat. Chicken Tenders & Fries for everyone! The pre-Schooler was asleep in the stroller by this time. MagicalDad was having another attack of Slow Eating Disorder , so I headed to the shops. Doesn’t it figure that the only shops I would get to go into would be in America?

While browsing the shop my sister calls. “I’m coming to meet you at your hotel in a little bit!” she informs me. Oh my really? I’m only ½ way through the world showcase. Then I have to catch a bus back to the hotel. We’ll be there as soon as we can.

We run right through japan, morocco, France, UK & Canada. I snapped pics all the way through. At least people looking at our photo album will think we had a wonderful time in the world showcase. Oh well, I’ll catch Illuminations when I come back with the Grandkids.

My sister was in Orlando with My cousin. They are celebrating her 30 birthday by doing the Astronaut training for a day at the Space Center & then spending a few days at Universal. They thought they’d come visit for a bit. Great because I have some things they can drive home for me! Like that lithograph & picture frame.

They didn’t stay long. Yep, hanging out with us is not the kind of vacation they were planning. They had all the could take in 20 minutes. “I’m just going to walk them out to the car” I told DH. Opps forgot my cell phone. Opps no one can reach me if they need me. Hmmm no I can’t leave & go with my sister on her quiet, adventurous, adult vacation. We got a little lost on our way to the car & found ourselves sitting at tables in the River Roost. Not sure how we got there. Didn’t really matter that I forgot my cell phone. With in no time there were calling my cousin’s phone, pleading with me to come back. They love me. Can’t live without me. Not even for 20 minutes.

Returning to the room MagicalDad informs met that he must go to laundry. Right now.
Uh huh. He ain’t fooling me again. I know laundry is code word for nap. I send him off to do his laundry with the kids. They can all hand out in the pool while the clothes are washing.

Really, I’d love to go with them but I can’t. I must stay in the cool, quiet room all by myself & fold & pack clothes. Organize carry-ons. Find room for all of these toys. I know, it’s a shame I can’t be out in the hot sun attending to the family. A wife’s job is never done.

Up next, I WILL cram it all in on our last day!

 

[MagicalMom]

Ugh! don't klnow how that post just ended up there. I try to put it in it's own post. The computer is not liking me today.

 

[nem75]

Okay, I am a 33 year old mom of 5, and not skinny either. However, I LOVE going down the slides and do not let any uptight mother's dirty looks dampen my fun. Those people with the sneers need a ride down the slide themselves, it will loosen them up. Next time just do it!!

Christy

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[fizz13]

Great to have your reports back. Oh man, my WS experience was a lot like yours. Which is why I'm going back next year, just me and DD so we can look properly together . Maybe you should ask magicaldad what he thinks about the idea (a solo trip).

Really enjoyed the reports so far,
Claire xx

 

[Iluvthemouse]

Holy Cow!!! I havent read your reports but was skimming through and I live right here in Dover, DE as well...
Just thought I would mention that and now back to reading your reports..

 

[Claroquesi]

I`m 26. DH is 32 I think we both (childless as of yet) enjoy the slides much more than the kids ever could. I wouldn`t worry about the mommies. I would slide, scamper and yes, even frolic if you feel like it. If not at Disney, then where? If those mommies give you looks and eye rolls then they truly don`t get what Disney is about, being childlike (full of wonder and mirth, not tantrums). For them Disney is something you do for the kids, and thats a thats fine way to be. But I don`t think the members on this board are just puting up with Disney "for the kids", so long story short, just slide.

 

[MagicalMom]

Holy Cow!!! I havent read your reports but was skimming through and I live right here in Dover, DE as well...
Just thought I would mention that and now back to reading your reports..

Thank God I didn't mention my crazy neighbor.............is it you?

Just kidding, I may or may not have a crazy neighbor. Now no one will ever know.

 

[bizeemom4]

I have sooo been there done that! My older two chose to have their "kick each other until Mom loses it" moment at our CRT Breakfast. I just sat there with tears in my eyes thinking about how hard I worked to get this reservation and they won't even stop kicking and behave BECAUSE I SAID SO. I threatened them right then and there that next time, I was going without them and their response was "Fine."

I hope you got brave and did the slide.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

You are truly a magical mom and one with a sense of humor. Your kids have a much better chance of living to be adults because of those traits. You may even retain some of your sanity to boot.

I love your idea about EPCOT. I have so many friends who cannot wait for their kids to grow up so that they can go to EPCOT in peace and quiet.

You know those looks of 'distain' at the pool slide just might have been, and probably were, undisquised envy.

Slide down the slide and laugh out loud while you are doing so. Add to the magic of DW where EVERYONE is a kid!!

Slightly Goofy

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi just wanted to say I am enjoying your report soo much -- we also were there over the 4th (our 5th trip in 5 years) and I think my kids are Disneyed out as well - so i have planned a trip with my sister for a long weekend at the beginning of Oct !! but I also wanted to say as a 5 foot 190 lb mom of 2 -- I LOVE SLIDING.. I only go once or twice but its soo much fun and if i see anyone giving me the look I make sure to see if i can splash them the next time !!!!! (i really am evil!!! )