A Very GAY Christmas Trip Report: NOW ALL WRAPPED UP AND WITH ALL NEW PHOTOS!

[Viki]

Hey! Love your report! I have yet to experience the adult version of WDW so I'm hanging on your every word! So far, so good! Btw...We're not at all like the gals on Big Love-maybe a smidge like "Barb" (LOVE that HBO series!) here in Utah. Can't wait till your day Eight!
What shows did you see in New York? You are SOOO sophisticated...I'm as envious as an ugly step-sister with size 11 feet!

LOL! Sophisticated, moi? More like "over the (BIG) top!"

Here's what we saw over the weekend: Oliver Platt (the "over the top" addict from Showtime's "Huff") in "Shining City," "The Drousy Chaperone," "The Harlem Gospet Choir," performing at BB King's club, and "Spamalot."

And here's a minireview:

Oliver Platt is simply brilliant in everyway. For one, I'd like to take the play and translate it into a suspense/horror film.

"The Drousy Chaperone" is simply the best musical I've ever seen on Broadway - yes, much better than "The Producers."

Skip the brunch. Lay about.

"Spamalot" is terrific, but it really left me hungering for the orginal cast, which included, David Hyde Pierce (Niles from "Frasier), Tim Curry and Hank Azaria (the lead character in Huff).

 

[joanjett1976]

well looky-loo, the end of the trip report!

fantastic as always- great family pics!

as soon as i finish weeding through our pics from our may trip (14 days, trillions of pictures), i'll have mine up and a runnin'...

 

[Viki]

well looky-loo, the end of the trip report!

fantastic as always- great family pics!

as soon as i finish weeding through our pics from our may trip (14 days, trillions of pictures), i'll have mine up and a runnin'...

Oooh, I can't wait; you always have the best photos and the funniest commentary. Just back from the gym my goal for the day is to wrap up days eight and nine and put this baby to bed!

 

[Viki]

DAY 8
OHANA MEANS FAMILY

There wasn’t just ONE moment. No explicit “Aha!” No sudden transformation of the spirit which transported him to seventh heaven. Rather, Danny’s conversion to all things Disney was evolutionary, a slow, steady accumulation of Disney-favorable mutations of the soul, which eventually resulted in a whole new life form, named Danny-the-Disney-freak, who since December has already returned to the World (Yes, without us!) and has already ridden the new Yeti ride (Yes, without us!) MULTIPLE times. In fact, on the day after this day, as they were on their way to the airport, both Danny and his better half (who was always up for the World and that’s why he’s the BETTER half) were heard to be making plans to bring their OTHER friends back to the World (Yes, without us!). As if one 9-day trip, to which Danny was dragged kicking and screaming, has turned him into a WDW tour guide!

Along those very lines, I love this photo:

That says it all!

Still, by Day 8, I have to confess that I am relieved and truly happy, which might be why I keep accidentally relaxing, right to the edge of not being able to do much but make sporadic visits to Mexico (Ole!), steeling myself as I pass right by France – with all of its tres sinful temptations – and righteously alighting myself in Mexico for a brief respite and quick libation, rewarding myself for exhibiting such superhuman restraint!

Danny, on the other hand, his secret passion for water rides revealed at midnight in the midst of a 40 degree rip down Splash Mountain (I hear that CM have been spied sweeping ice-produced SLUSH at its base that time of year), has stolen away our teens and decided to spend his last large bank of free time (Yes, there was a schedule and there were banks of time marked “free”) split between Soarin (a new passion) and the flume ride that is Splash Mountain (an old passion).

Still, to whatever country we had been variously dispatched and dispersed we were all under strict orders to clean up and show up at OHANA by 5 PM, because that was when we were rendezvousing with my sister, BIL and my lovely niece,

who are blessed to live and work in Orlando, but who rely on our annual visits for their Disney fix (Go figure!). It’s the first visit for all of us to the experience that is OHANA, which, btw, in case you didn’t know, means FAMILY.

Arrive we did and there must have been something in the air – or perhaps it was the sight of six of us all wearing our fully decorated and brilliantly flashing holiday-themed Disney Hats (What? We were dressing for a nice evening out!) - because no sooner had we been seated than the hostess for the evening named Danny and I her official assistants for the night.

Yes, indeed, very embarrassing, but probably no more so than the six flashing hats.

 

[Viki]

Danny and I were, in fact, kept so busy, leading the parade, holding the limbo poll for all of the young limbo-ers and anything else our dear hostess could dream up,

that I can barely recall the food, competing reports about which I had been reading for months in the midst of the BIG MENU CHANGES. I believe there were large hunks of grilled meat and some really good potatoes, beyond that I’m a fog.

Honestly, a great grand time was had by all. The evening could not have been more magical.

But, you know, more is never enough, especially at the World, and as this was our first trip to the World during the holidays (aside from a quick one-day trip when I presided at my sister’s wedding a few years back), right after dinner we packed our bags, hopped the monorail and made our way to the holiday-themed Grand Floridian so we that we could all oooh and ahhh at the Gingerbread house

and bask in the harmonies of the carolers who graced its gates just as we arrived. More pixie dust.

At the end of such a joyous evening we bid adieu to our Orlando-based family (which, btw, means OHANA), made our way back to the Beach Club Villas,

after a meaningful session of lobster-tossing, and took to our beds while visions of sugar plums danced in our heads!

 

[Viki]

I'm sorry friends I was hoping to get Day 9 wrapped up two days ago, but life intervened. Still, with any luck I should get to it tomorrow. Thanks for hanging in there for 7 long months.

BTW, I just changed the header from "Mickey" to "Gay," because now that this report is on the verge of done I realize that there is lots of gay and very little specifically of Mickey!

 

[Viki]

DAY NINE
A SURPRISE ENCOUNTER!

Seriously, one of the great joys of writing a trip report this far out is the invitation to remember the days which otherwise fly away too fast. Day Nine, though our last, was one of our speediest, designed that way with the reasoning that we could rest up on the way home the next day, so let’s go out with a bang. Gwen and I also thought it would be very cool to end this trip in the place where we would be spending our next. In fact, in less than five weeks from today she and I will be checking into AKL so that we can celebrate our 20th anniversary.

So Day Nine was all about Animal Kingdom. Having retired at a decent hour, following our family feast, the night before, we were all up at the crack of dawn and in line at the front of AK for the drop of the rope. We were immediately surrounded by a host of characters and herded like sheep to the safari which, fortunately enough, is where we wanted to go anyway, all other advice to the contrary. In fact, I think we rode it twice in quick succession; it’s our favorite and we knew the boys (the adult variety) would like it too.

We then scooted clear across the park, rode my favorite ride, Dinosaur, and meandered here and there, but not for long because although we had barely landed we had to scoot off and catch the bus to AKL, where we had ADRs for the breakfast buffet at Boma. In addition to setting the stage for our August return, we also very much wanted to show off the lodge to our friends.

Breakfast was yummy and I distinctly remember one, or perhaps two, apple martinis!

I missed my traditional olives, but I think it’s important to keep those martinis fruit-based before noon!

Following the feast I knew I needed to rest if I was going to be up for the rest of the day’s festivities (oh and OK those martinis packed a punch, fruited or not), so leaving the rest to head back to AK, where I hear there were multiple rides of the rapids,

I made my way back to BCV for a brief respite.

 

[Viki]

Soon enough the gang regathered, cleaned up and made its way to the Contemporary where we planned to the spend the entire evening at California Grill.

The food and company were both as wonderful as always, the boys were impressed (although, believe it or not, we all still voted Flying Fish the best meal of the vacation) and we enjoyed Wishes from the balcony.

Right in the middle of the meal it was David who asked if the man dining a few tables away was someone “important.” Woo-Hoo, sure enough, there was a major Pol who was only too happy to shake hands with our son.

As it turned out there were lots of big time dems in the state that week. Anyone recognize our guy?

When all was said and done it was a wonderful day, the perfect cap to a spectacular vacation. If I remember correctly there might even have been a few more rounds of lobster tossing!

Still, all good things … and all that rot … so here are the last couple of photos of us spending our last few minutes at Cape May Café enjoying breakfast the next morning before we all made our various ways back home (with a little “h”), MISSION ACCOMLISHED! It has seldom felt sooooo good to be sooooo right!

One last item: I have not made enough of the fact that John is a professional with a camera, so while I’ve been posting our photos, as soon as I put the finishing touches on this report I’ll go back and add some really good shots that John took.

Thanks for letting me share this trip of a lifetime with you all; it has been a great pleasure!

 

[PennyW]

Thanks Viki! I've spent the last several minutes of my workday being entertained by your report. Descriptive and enjoyable as always!!

 

[UtahMama]

Just wanted to thank you for writing such a wonderful trip report! Cant wait till you write one of your Aug. trip...you ARE writing that one too, aren't you? So, did you convert your man-friend into a disney fan? Love your Piglet pins!

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Wow, Viki, am I lucky or what? I just happened to wander over here today and I found your trip report and I (unlike the others) was able to read it from beginning to end. How cool is that?

Thanks for sharing your trip. That is so cool that you've made a convert out of Danny!! I had to laugh when I see that he's already been back! That is too funny. Way to go. Mission Accomplished indeed!

 

[SparklePower]

Thanks for the great a read today! Your pics are great and what a beautiful family! Looking forward to your next TR!
Best Wishes!

 

[Kelley Family]

Thank you Vicki! Please let us all know how your August trip goes. Have a fantastic time!

Tamara

 

[glass slipper girl]

Sounds like you had a fabulous vacation! I thoroughly enjoyed your report.

An early Happy Anniversary to you and Gwen!!! In this day and age 20 years together is a definite reason to celebrate!

 

[LindaBabe]

Thank you SO much for taking the time to write your report. I only discovered it last night and read until I couldn't hold the eyes open any longer - you got me with the zebra and the acid reflux (But I'da done the same thing, given the opportunity to slather Boma's tamarind mustard on a slice of roast beast at whatever hour of the night or day).

Trip reports are lots of work, it's true, but I can't help but hope to see another one from you after your anniversary trip. Thank you for writing, Viki!

 

[averill94]

I am so happy to have enjoyed your report! Great job. Everything about it was beautiful- the family the food. You actually swam in December?

Whats going on with the Brown Derby? I was hoping to try it for the 1st time on our next time- bringing my mom along - I thought this place was a good choice to show her WDW had great food?

Thank you for sharing your memories
I wish you and Gwen a happy wonderful 20th at the AKL!!!

 

[Holly]

Great report! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Viki]

Wow! It's so great to get so much feedback; I have to confess that I have at times wondered if I was just not getting the done job done or if the lesbian/gay subtheme was just a bit too much for this audience. It's nice to know folk are enjoying it.

PENNY: Hey, girl, where have you been? Or, have I been MIA???

UtahMama: Friend, Danny is soooooo converted; he's already been back to WDW without us! And, you're right, Piglet rules; his motto is my motto, "Be small, but BRAVE!"

FORTHELOVEOFDISNEY: April! Thank YOU!

SPARKLEPOWER: Be on the lookout; I've got awesome photos by John, the professional with a camera, coming!

TAMARA: You have been soooo patient and soooo supportive; thank you!

GLASSSLIPPERGIRL: Twenty years is an accomplishment for a couple of any flavor, isn't it?

AVERIL94: We swam! And please don't give up on the Brown Derby; I've found over many years that every restaurant at WDW goes through cycles and even just off days. My only long term concern is that "free dining" might have a long term negative impact on our dining experiences.

HOLLY: Thank you for finding us!

FINALLY: Is it just so obvious or has no one yet guessed who the surprise POL was! One more clue: He might have been President in 2012?

 

[Viki]

LINDABABE: OK, you've convinced me; I'm just that easy - I commit to writing up our 20th Anniversary Trip to AKL! Let's just hope it doesn't take me 7 months!!!

 

[pumba]

Viki ......without a doubt this is the best time in Disney I have had since I got back.......thanks so much for such a great trip report and photos....WE went to Disney a few times at Christmas and you brought back so many great memories....
This is the ultimate trip that everyone wishes to have.......Thanks again to you and your friends and family