A Surprise Christmas, 15th Anniversary, We're taking your MOTHER??? Trip- 3-8Finished

[DisneyMom14]

This is the beginning of our trip report continuing from the MVMCV - Melanie's Very Merry Christmas Vacation PTR. See link below if you want some background.

If anyone is just joining us, here is the cast:

Me (34) - the disney freak - I could go once a month if I lived close enough. I love to read about, watch, look at pictures, etc anything that has to do with Disney. I commonly refer to Disney as my happy pill. Hey - you have yours, I have mine.

DH (35) - the reluctant Disney vacationer. Sure he likes disney but not to my extent. He goes to make me happy and enjoys having fun with the kids. He thinks my "research" verges on obsession.

DD8 - She like Disney but doesn't like to admit it unless it has to do with Hannah Montana or Jonas Brothers. She doesn't show her enthusiasm as much as she shows her attitude. I believe she is a closet Disney fan and just won't admit it.

DS4 - My little disney freak in training. Unlike his older sister, he wears his excitement on his sleeve and boy, does he love Disney World!!! He is finally tall enough to go on a lot of the big rides especially the "fast cars" which translates into Test Track!

DM-in-law - DH's mom (73) - has decided to join us on our SURPRISE/Merry Christmas/Happy 15th Anniversary Trip thanks to my husband. When her coming with us was a HYPOTHETICAL idea, I was game. When she decided THIS trip would be the one only a couple of months before we left, I had a slight breakdown. She didn't give me a whole lot of time to get used to the idea and the last vacation we took with her ended with a 2 week silent treatment from her and a big blow out over a stupid comment that I didn't even know had offended her????? God help me.... I won't even start on the fact that I plan my trips a year ahead of time and make all my ADR's the minute you possibly can on the first morning you can....

So anyway, I have lots of Christmas pics to share and I hope you come along for the ride!

 

[raider97]

I'm in! Can't wait to hear how your trip went!

Stephanie

 

[DisneyMom14]

When we left our PTR, I was at work anxiously awaiting the moment I would leave and get this show on the road. It's soooo hard to concentrate when you are about to leave for Disney World!!!! Finally, my DH got to my school and loaded up my small fridge that I always take with us. We then split up - he had to take the dog to the vet for boarding, and I had to get the balloons, gas up, and prepare for the big "SURPRISE!" Once he got back, we loaded up the van and took the truck to check the kids out of school. The teachers knew we were coming but the kids had no clue. They were a little perplexed about the early check out - DD especially. We told them that there was a BIG surprise for them at home that needed to be opened NOW. They really had no clue! I had done it!!!! All of my scheming had paid off. So many times had we almost slipped!

We get home and have a fairly large present on the coffee table - one of which I forgot to take a picture of. Grrrr... Mother-in-law is also there for the big surprise.

We had the kids unwrap the present. First balloons came out and they freaked because they were afraid that they would go all the way up to 12 foot ceilings. I taped them to the box so no problemo. Then they saw all the Disney goodies and I asked DD to read the sign taped to the front top side. She reads "Surprise! We are going to Disney World RIGHT NOW!!!" Imagine this in the most monotone voice ever. They continue to dig in the box... I ask her to read it again and she reads one of the envelopes (invitations) that are in the box. I asked her once again to read the sign...She reads it again and...They DO NOT BELIEVE US!!! Why in the world would I have signed them out of school for a bunch of $1 Disney stuff in a box??????
Basically we had to bring them out to the van and show them that the van is packed and ready to go. DS starts to realize we are really leaving - after he says "uh-uuuhhh!" a couple of times. They finally show some enthusiasm! Yay!
Here's a pic of them with all their Disney loot:

Here's the Youtube video.

 

[KatMark]

Joining in. Love the video tape...guess it took the kids a little bit to get the "surprise."

Waiting for the next installment.

 

[jordanyosh]

okay....here...but I'll be back to read a bit later...

 

[mumto2]

Looking forward to this one - our families sound SO much alike! We surprised DD with a trip for her eighth birthday (sent her on a scavenger hunt for clues that spelled out "You're going to Disney World in three weeks.") - and she got mad at us - she thought we were playing a joke on her. I had to get the paperwork out from Disney and show her the reservations before she'd believe me - then she freaked out! So now I'm wondering if it is just the age?

 

[DisneyMom14]

I'm in! Can't wait to hear how your trip went!

Stephanie

Thanks for coming!!!! I'm keeping up with you too!

Joining in. Love the video tape...guess it took the kids a little bit to get the "surprise."

Waiting for the next installment.

Yeah - it took a little while Thanks for joining in!

okay....here...but I'll be back to read a bit later...

Hey Jordan!!!!! Thanks for following me here!

Looking forward to this one - our families sound SO much alike! We surprised DD with a trip for her eighth birthday (sent her on a scavenger hunt for clues that spelled out "You're going to Disney World in three weeks.") - and she got mad at us - she thought we were playing a joke on her. I had to get the paperwork out from Disney and show her the reservations before she'd believe me - then she freaked out! So now I'm wondering if it is just the age?

Welcome!!! Hmmm - may be the age but definitely the personality. My DD is like that for anything. She saw me put the video on youtube and fussed me! "Why do you have to put that on youtube???" pout, pout, sulk, sulk, etc.
I tried to tell her it was cute and Granny and Nanny want to see it... I think the age is now amplifying the personality. Should be some great years coming up... Thanks for coming along!

 

[praisehisname]

Joining in!

 

[4hunters]

I'm in! Can't wait to hear more!!

 

[raider97]

Loved the surprise!! Ashley, dd 7.5, also kinda sulked a bit after a while. When I asked her why she said she wanted me to surprise her the day of not the night before -- picky, picky. Oh Well, it worked out great! And I am super proud of myself for keeping that secret so long!

And that is a great picture!

Stephanie

 

[DisneyMom14]

Loved the surprise!! Ashley, dd 7.5, also kinda sulked a bit after a while. When I asked her why she said she wanted me to surprise her the day off not the night before -- picky, picky. Oh Well, it worked out great! And I am super proud of myself for keeping that secret so long!

And that is a great picture!

Stephanie

Sooo funny! I'm proud of us for being able to pull this off!!! I'm glad it is over though - so hard to not be excited in front of the kids!

 

[DisneyMom14]

I wanted to post an update tonight but it was my first day back at work since we left for Disney and I am brain-dead!!!! I can get soooo spoiled for the holidays when we get so much time off. I'm totally off schedule. Once we got home from Disney we pretty much went on our "summer vacation schedule" which is basically stay up late and wake up even later. So 6am was waaaaaaay too early this morning. I'm so sad to have to wake up at 5:30am tomorrow. It'll be the kids first day back at school and it is going to be rough!!!! On top of wanting to stay in bed, it's the coldest temperatures yet this winter. 35 degrees in South Louisiana we're expecting 20's and a "wintry mix" later this week. All I want to do is wrap up in a blanket, drink hot cocoa, and watch movies! Oh well, if I don't go to work, I can't save up for the next Disney vacation, right?

So my goal for tomorrow is to give you guys a substantial update. Good night and stay warm!

 

[DisneyMom14]

I'm in! Can't wait to hear more!!

Joining in!

Thanks for visiting! Update coming soon!

 

[DisneyMom14]

So after having to convince the kids we are really leaving for Disney, we load up our final items and my mother-in-law and...dead battery! Ok so we're going to back up a little. The week before we left, we were cleaning out the van and from having the doors open so long, the battery died. Then, a couple days later, I was trying to leave for work and...the battery died. We figured maybe we had left a door ajar or a light on. We thought about changing the battery but with the hectic days before the trip and with no other incidences, we never got around to changing it. So now we're trying to leave and actually ahead of schedule and dead battery. We used DH's truck to jump us and decide to hit a Walmart somewhere en route to Tallahassee which is where we were going to spend the night. We started driving around 3pm which should put us in Tallahasee at 10pm (central time).

We had packed an ice chest and loads of snacks where we could reach them. DS has a severe peanut allergy and I just didn't want to stress having to stop at a restaurant for supper. We drove to Biloxi without stopping for a battery and it was getting dark. Being somewhat familiar with Biloxi, I knew there was a Walmart down a major road connecting I-10 with Hwy. 90. A few of us really had to use the restroom as well and low and behold we exited at the exact right exit! We stopped at Wendy's for a pitstop and I asked a worker where the closest Walmart was. She says "Turn around and look up." yay! Walmart in the distance! So after everyone had decided to go inside to use the facilities, we crossed the hwy to Walmart. We were also getting hungry and I forgot to pack the bread for the chicken salad so DH and I ran into Walmart for a battery and bread. DD and DS stayed in the van with M-in-law. M-I-L was sitting in the very back nearest the food. When we got back to the van, DH put in the battery as I tried to facilitate supper. When we are at home (and home is next door to M-I-L), we often share dinners. I'll cook, she'll come eat. She cooks, we'll go eat. Every time we eat together, M-I-L always makes sure that everyone else is served before she gets her food. Now that she is the only adult capable of helping divvy the food as she was sitting right next to it. She decides she is going to fix her sandwich. So when I'm trying to get the kids and DH fed she has no place to put her sandwich, she can't find stuff, ugh! I know it sounds petty but I swear sometimes she makes no sense. She knew we were trying to get supper to everyone. Thank goodness we have a van and not an SUV so I was able to walk to the back and help. My DH tried to butter me up about her coming to begin with by telling me she would be a big help with the kids, maybe she could even watch them one evening while we have dinner, etc. Negative as it sounds, with that little bitty incident, I had a feeling that was NOT how it was going to go.

We did move pass supper and drove to Tallahassee where we did make it by 10pm (11pm Florida time). We had connecting rooms and when we checked in, we were anxious to get to bed. We had packed overnight bags so as not to have to unload the WHOLE VAN. I did spend some time cleaning up the mess in the back of the van from the kids' stuff and the disorganized food from the search for supper. Grrrr. I like my stuff organized in order of need people.

So we're getting the kids ready for bed and we get a knock. M-I-L can't find her medicine bag. I ask her if she is absolutely sure she checked EVERYTHING in the room - Yes. Ok, I go outside, open the van and let her look where she was sitting, nope. So we then open the back of the van and UNLOAD EVERYTHING. The very thing I was trying to avoid but no way was I going to have her miss her meds. Plus she was still trying to get over Bronchitis so...after about 20 minutes of not finding it outside in the chilly air...I go inside her hotel room and right there on the sofa was......her bag of medicine. Strike two. Me - "Hey, are you sure your medicine isn't in this bag? Her - "Well I looked in there already." Me - "you might want to double check cuz I see some prescription bottles." Her - "Oh yeah, I put some pills with these others..." Me - "Well, glad we found them. Good night."
Sigh. Again - sounds petty but do you see the road this trip is taking???

I have to say we had a pretty good night except that in the middle of the night I hear croup coughing from the kids' bed. If you read my PTR, you might remember that both kids(and DH and M-I-L) were VERY sick right before the trip with bronchitis almost to the point that DD's doctor considered putting her in the hospital, but we managed to get everyone well. So when I heard that, oh man. M-I-L was still taking breathing treatments and had her nebulizer. I usually bring ours just in case but to save space, I just brought our meds and masks with tubing and figured if we needed we could use her machine. Well, at 3 am DH knocked on her door and got her machine to give DS a breathing treatment. I REALLY wasn't expecting it to be DS who rarely gets this. We started him on treatments and mucinex.

We loaded up the next morning, ate breakfast in the hotel and got out around 8:15am headed to Disney!!!!

At a pitstop for gas and bathrooms, we attempted an eat in the van lunch and again. M-I-L just gave me that helpless look when she had one thing in one hand and looked around like "where do I put all of this?" Since we hadn't started rolling yet, I made her get out so that I could go to the back of the van and get everyone's sandwiches together. I know I am impatient but I just don't get how she could have raised a child and be so ineffecient and clueless. Of course I probably looked like a whirlwind to her in the back of the van because we are going to Disney and we need to get rolling people!

Around 1:00pm, I saw the best sign in the world:

Notice the clouds???? Since we hadn't gotten enough rain in South Louisiana (sarcasm - we'd been flooding!), we thought we'd bring the rain with us! It wasn't raining yet but rain was expected tonight. Tonight would be our MVMCP. The second to last MVMCP with the last one being sold out. Sigh. Maybe the rain will hold out???

Then we arrived at POP!!!

We checked in and was pleased that we had a pretty good location and connected rooms. We unloaded and quickly showed M-I-L around the important areas. This was our 2nd stay at Pop and I really enjoyed the familiarity of it. Our room was close to the same area we stayed last time. We then said goodbye to M-I-L as we left to go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. We didn't get her a ticket as we planned to stay until the very end and knew she wouldn't want to. We had one stop to make before we arrived at the Magic Kingdom. My best friend from childhood and her fiance were finishing up their trip (her first time) and would be catching the Magical express at 4pm from the Polynesian. We decided to drive in case the rain got too bad. We figured we'd rather drive back then wait in the rain for busses. We drove to the ticket and transportation center and took the monorail to the Polynesian....or so we thought. OOPS! We got on the Magic Kingdom Express Monorail. So we got off and got on the other monorail that took us to the Polynesian. We didn't realize we could have walked to the Polynesian! We then got to meet up with the happy couple for a few pics.

Right before 4pm, we said our goodbyes and headed to the Magic Kingdom to do some partying!!! Will we get rained out??? Will we get to see anything due to the weather??? You'll have to come back to see!

 

[jordanyosh]

MILs.......oy! at least you made it!

cliffhanger!

 

[DisneyMom14]

We arrived at Magic Kingdom for the Christmas party at 4:05 (not bad ). I give a thumbs up for that because at home we are consistently late no matter how hard I try to get us places on time. Nobody in my family can estimate just how long it takes to do anything!

Since we were so early, we took in the sights of Main Street. This is something we normally don't do because we are usually rushing to a ride. We went upstairs at the Railroad station to get a few pics and then took a few pics of the windows down Main Street. The window pics didn't come out well as we didn't have the polarizing lens with us. Here are a few anyway.

We decide to hit the mountains first to see how the lines are. On the way over there, we smell.....TURKEY LEGS! My husband dreams of these when we aren't at Disney so since he was nice enough to bring us there, I figured we could indulge him and let that be the first thing do at Disney. He was soon to regret that action.

DS was tall enough to finally ride some of the "big kid" rides so we walked by Splash Mountain and can you believe - a WALK ON???? I KNOW! So I'm like ok - everyone finish chomping on that turkey leg - we gotta' go on Splash RIGHT NOW!!!! DH and DS have NEVER ridden it and my memory gets foggy between trips. I didn't remember about the two small drops before the big one so I didn't warn them. I rode with DS and DH rode with DD. This way each of the 1st timers got to ride with a veteran. So we're running right along through the queue and my husband says "You sure we should ride this after eating a turkey leg?" I say, " BUT ITS A WALK ON!!! Besides, 4 of us shared a turkey leg - not like we pigged out." So we get on the ride and we're enjoying it and then the first drop. I don't hear anything behind me except DD giggling and I'm more concerned about encouraging my 4 year old next to me. 2nd drop and we see THE CLIMB right before the big drop. Then I hear "Melanie, I need to get off the ride now. I feel sick." WHAT!!!???? I turned around in my seat and said to my DH "YOU CANNOT GET OFF THIS RIDE! It's almost over. You can do it." Then next to me my DS then starts wimpering like he is scared! So I try to encourage him....it's going to be sooo fun. It's almost over. Then I thought....distraction. "Hey, you wanna hide from the water? Lets put our hoods on and duck!" DS and I are in the very front so this is what the picture looks like: DS and I ducking (no faces), DD pleasant, DH eyes squeezed closed, shoulders up to his ears, and he looks like he is pushing his knees?? straight armed. We didn't buy the pic (so expensive) because DS and I were hiding....and we didn't want to embarass DH over and over again as I showed each of my family members... The image will live in my memory for years to come. I don't know if I'll ever get him back on Splash, but when we did get off, he said "That last drop wasn't so bad. I think I work myself up too much." DUH! DH really isn't a roller coaster person as he never had anyone to take him on any when he was growing up. He is a naturally nervous person also. I'm always trying to make him push himself and he doesn't want the kids to grow up the same way he did (worrying about everything). So he does go on some rides for the kids. We hadn't been in MK an hour and we were makin' memories!

Then we pass Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the wait was 20 min. DD really wanted to ride. Even though DH had ridden this one before, I wasn't stupid enough to ask him to ride it right now after Splash and I was unsure if DS would like it as it is a loud ride. He doesn't like loud. So I suggested to DH that he could take DS on Pirates if the line wasn't bad while DD and I ride BTMR. The line couldn't have taken 10 min and we were riding. It was great and when we got off and I called my DH, he was just getting off Pirates and it was a WALK ON!!!! So when we met up, I asked the guys if they wouldn't mind riding Pirates again with us. Of course, they were up for it so we walked right on. By the way, take the left side if its open, soooo much shorter!

It was dark by this point and we always heard to go on the Jungle Cruise at night as its such a different experience. So we walked by the Jungle Cruise and lo and behold.....WALK ON!!!!! So..... we hopped on the boat and we were off! It was really cool to ride Jungle Cruise in the dark.

Really satisfied with what we had accomplished before the party officially started, we decided to eat supper right there at Pecos Bills.

After supper, we made our way over to Tomorrowland. When we reached Cosmic Rays, we saw that a Dance Party was in progress. Through the doors and windows we could see Goofy and the chipmunks dancing with the kids. I got all excited and told the kids "Let's go dance!" They looked at me like I had 3 heads. Neither kid wanted to go in the building!??? I don't know how I managed to raise such sticks in the mud. We talked to them about how this is the place to let loose and have fun and if they weren't going to join in the party, why did we bring them here? Kind of aggravated, we left the area and went to check out the new Christmas show in Tomorrowland. Even though we were 15 minutes early, we could not see. It had drizzled and the ground was wet. No one in the front was willing to sit and I knew the kids wouldn't see anything. After waiting about 5 minutes and asking a few people if they were planning to sit when the show started, we decided to try again for the next show. It wasn't worth waiting to not see well. We went on Buzz (little wait) and then the Tomorowland Transit Authority. We really enjoyed both. When we got off of the TTA, it was exactly 30 minutes before the next Tomorrowland Christmas show. The first show was just leaving so we waited for them to exit and just sat right down on the carpet in the center right in front of the stage. This was a good time to break out a few snacks and take a break. We also figured out our motto for this trip: Hurry! and wait. It was so worth getting there early. One thing is a cast member came to ask our kids to help conduct the sing-a-long preshow entertainment. Amazingly they agreed and actually participated. I was so proud! The other thing was is was great to sit and be able to see well. The show was REALLY CUTE! We loved Buzz, Mike W., and Stitch. The dancers were AMAZING. Disney does such a good job when selecting their performers. I'm jealous that I didn't know about the college program. I would have SO loved to work there. I don't have pictures because we didn't bring the camcorder (cuz of the rain) so I used the camera to video instead.

The first parade was going on so we went to Fantasyland and caught Peter Pan and Small World. I don't remember if they were walk ons but the lines were very short if any.

We wanted to go to the front to see Holiday Wishes from Main Street with the snow and stake out a good spot for the 2nd parade. We were early enough so we admired the decorations around Town square and took pictures with Santa.

We found a pretty good spot on Main Street after they taped off a side street. This is when it started to rain. I really couldn't complain after all we had done this night, but I was concerned that we had waited for the 2nd parade and it might be cancelled. The rain couldn't make up its mind. It would rain for a while and stop. We would open the umbrella and close it. We all had our raincoats and we even shared one of our umbrellas with a young couple sitting beside us. We had some wonderful entertainment before the parade by the Barber Shop Quartet. Notice the guy 2nd from the right. My husband really thinks he was in the Voices of Liberty which we love to listen to at Epcot's American Pavillion.

As time for the parade neared, it seemed like the rain had quit. The parade rolled. "Magically, the party was a total success!"

On the way out, we were able to get some of the free hot cocoa, cookies, and apple juice. Yum! And then it started to rain...again.

By this point, we were done so we walked to the ferry with all the other dead-on-their-feet people and made it back to the Ticket and Transportation center and eventually back to our parking spot. I'm not so sure that was the best idea. I think next time I will just take the bus. Oh well. We had a wonderful evening. I would do it again if we ever go back during Christmas.

Next update: Back to the Magic Kingdom but this time with M-I-L. Will she keep up or hold us back? What about the weather forcasted to be stormy???

I'll leave you with some Main Street decorations and castle pics:

 

[jennJK]

Great title! And yay on your MIL going....

 

[4hunters]

We've never been at Christmas, but your pictures make me want to start planning for December 2010! It is beautiful there!! Great TR.... keep it coming!

 

[DisneyMom14]

Great title! And yay on your MIL going....

Thanks! and yay...can you sense my enthusiasm?

We've never been at Christmas, but your pictures make me want to start planning for December 2010! It is beautiful there!! Great TR.... keep it coming!

You should definitely plan for at least one Christmas trip! We spent our honeymoon at Disney in December and I knew that I wanted to take my family back one day. Its such a beautiful place and of course so magical especially at that time of the year. I hope to add more pics soon!

 

[jordanyosh]

Great mojo!

And the weather mostly cooperated!

I am not a parade person, but I'd actually like to see the this parade