Back from Wonderland:wAlice,Madhatter,ChesCat&White Rabbit 11/11Thank You

[PracPerfPatricia]

This should be lots of fun!!

Welcome along...

Welcome back!!! A great start!

Thanks...

That's a lovely introdution of your cast and I love the pictures of everyone with the Alice statue!!

I saw your post on my PTR! It was very sweet! Sometimes life just gets in the way of DISing...

Sometimes life does just get in the way of Dising...so sad and yet so true...

Ahh, I was trying to figure out where that statue that I'd never seen was. In NYC. Explains why I've never seen it.

Sounds like you had a great (and interesting) time. Can't wait to hear all about it.

And honestly, haven't a clue why Hemingway didn't use adjectives. I'm not sure Hemingway is meant to be understood.

The Statue and its setting is really lovely...

I don't think Hemingway cared if he was understood-by women at least...

What a great start!! Love the introductions and I'm greatly awaiting to hear more about your trip starting with NY!!! I have always wanted to visit the Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park...love the photos!

Thank you-I think New York is a wonderful place to visit and being fortunate to be able to do it as a day trip from home takes some of the pressure of feeling the need to "do it all." It's a lot like Disney in that it can be such different experience for different people depending on their interests and likes.

Wow - I can't believe you are back already. I'm looking forward to seeing all the pictures and hearing the stories!

Hey thanks TyRy ..I can't believe I'm back either-yet here I am...

 

[reyasmommy]

I'm excited to hear all about your adventure!! I dream of visiting NYC one day, so I can't wait to see pictures and read all about it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hey- missed you too-thought about you several times while I was drinking my coffee and reading my book looking out on the savannah...-btw-aren't you at school?

Yes, I was on planning at the time -- I just couldn't take another minute of analyzing test data so I snuck onto the DIS.

Love the intro. and the pictures! Too cute to take your photos with the characters at the Alice statue!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

DAY 1-DEPARTURE AND MERRIMENT AND MELTING IN NYC

If you've either read or watched Alice In Wonderland, do you know that scene at the end when the Whole of Wonderland is in chaos chasing down Alice/or when the deck of cards comes flying up at her? Well that gives a idea of our the night before NYC/ WDW. Last minute packing & ironing along with struggles to zip our suitcases, and a whole lot of complaining-primarily by me-very unCheshire Cat of me-I'll admit it-no matter how many times we travel and I promise everything will flow as smooth as silk.....


Finally all tuckered out we all fell asleep dreaming sweet Disney dreams and ready for our adventures to begin the next morning.

That morning Eric was up at the crack of dawn doing who knows what (but in an extremely busy seeming sort of way. Secondly following Eric's industriousness was suprisingly- Emily -she as most teenagers is not an early bird- but Eric told me she had hopped out of bed at 5:30. I am sure that she was excited but Em was the one who woke me up that morning...it took several tries and was just a tad frightening as when my eyes fluttered open to her smiling face postioned inches away from my own saying "time to rise and shine mommy..." David thankfully was still sleepy...


Our goal departure time was 7:00 (we usually leave at least an hour after our planned time)..so leaving at 7:23 (by Emily's calculation) was quite good for us. Packed in the car we settled in for the two hour drive to NYC. As told by the kids -I was extremely cranky that morning, David's words being, "Someone rolled out of the wrong side of the bed and she is being really cranky. Do you guys know who that person is.....her name is Mommy.....MOM stop being cranky!" I really don't remember it this way but...

It was now time to stop at Starbucks for a quick breakfast-now I'm starting to smell the coffee and feel the love...

Happily settled with a bite and a cup of joe-I happily settled in for the drive to New York-going to New York always makes me feel a natural high-like I'm going to the epicenter of everything-all those people, all those stories...

Guess who wasn't feeling quite so perky any more?

We made pretty good time until we actually hit the city when things slowed down a bit...DH had decided that parking near our dinner spot was probably a good idea since we would then be able to walk to the car after dinner before we drove to the hotel near Newark Airport that evening. We were eating at a BBQ restaurant, Daisy May's on the intersection of 11th & 46th St. This restaurant has amaaaazzzzzinnnnnn BBQ & also has the dubious distinction of being located in Hell's Kitchen-which is no longer as bad as it sounds-with the price of NY real estate being as valuable as it is...(it's also a block from the Hudson and the Intrepid-which is a WWII aircraft carrier that's been turned into a museum. (With our Franklin Institute Membership-we get free admission to the Intrepid and Mad Hatter wants to go this fall.)

So after parking-we grabbed a cab over to the World of Disney NY Store at 5th Ave and 55th St. -to kind of get everyone in the Disney mood. (Sadly this store is closing at the end of the year...). Picture the World of Disney store at DTD-with about 1/2 the floor space spread over three floors. They do character greetings at times on the third floor, they also sometimes have cast members of the Disney Broadway shows doing special events and they carry a nice selection of Disney merchandise with a New York theme.

The Mad Hatter and I had a little conference discussing the prepurchasing of tickets to do the tour of Radio City Music Hall. I hadn't been able to get them online the day before-so while I began to take Alice and the White Rabbit through the store, Hatter walked the 5 blocks to see if he could get them. Rabbit was a little overstimulated and wanted all the candy he saw-in addition to a huge Bruce the Shark plush. I tried to explain we really wanted NY Disney stuff but we finally compromised on a Vinylmation Mickey...I got a I love NY tee-with the love/heart done with Mickey ears and a couple of Disney NY key chains and small things. Hatter meanwhile was back and had proccurred tickets for a 3 pm tour of Radio City. Hurray!

We then marched down 5th Ave. towards Central Park stopping in front of FAO Schwartz where Hatter and Rabbit took a run into the toy store to see their Lego department while Alice and I had a water break in front of the store (since we had just been in there last Christmas season) looking out towards Central Park and the Plaza Hotel-where Eloise lived.... Normally, the Cheshire Cat (yours truly) enjoys a good bit of people watching but today was HOT...really, really HOT...flesh melting HOT...in fact New York was in the middle of a heat wave. I was somewhat anxious to get to the comfortable coolness of Alice's Tea Cup where we would be having an early lunch.

We slowwwlllly walked up 5th Ave. on the east side of Central Park and turned on 64th. After several blocks we arrived (gratefully) at Alice's Tea Cup. Alice's is a sort of quirky New York interpretation of an English tea room-the theme appropriately being Alice in Wonderland.

Alice and I decided that we were going to have the Madhatter tea for 2. Our Madhatter decided he was going to have the tea smoked chicken salad and the White Rabbit decided he'd go for the cheeseburger without any of the fancy mushrooms or anything else for that matter-just plain...

The food- particularly the tea service was yummy and bountiful-there were three large scones-pumpkin, buttermilk and ginger berry with clotted cream and jam. There were curried chicken and smoked salmon sandwiches and a lemon tart and cookies. We had two pots of tea-one of which we tried hot, the other iced. The boys were quite good sports considering that the Hatter would have been happy with hot dogs-he has a thing for Grey's Papaya...(which is a kind of New York institution-2 hot dogs and a papaya choice for about $2-and everyone eats there)

Alice being her mother's daughter took the camera to the quirkly restroom and took a few photos.

Afterwords, we made our way towards Central Park-the zoo, the Alice Statue and Strawberry Fields. Hatter ever conscious of having to keep us all together, on time and organized was uncertain we would be able to do all of these things and be in a cab back to Radio City by 2:30. Cheshire Cat, ever the diplomat suggested that Hatter take Rabbit to the zoo for a short visit while she and Alice made way to the Alice Statue up towards 74th St.

So Chessie and Alice made their way through the park...did I mention that it was hot? hotter than hot...and off we trotted...even Alice who is a spry little thing...was commenting on the heat...when we reached a charming boating pond-actually featured in the Stuart Little Movie-and all the way at the end of it was the Alice in Wonderland Statue. It was partially enclosed in a semi circle of shrubs and seating. It was much larger and more charming than I had pictured. We set and enjoyed the statue and the setting of the boat pond a little further off.

Finally Madhatter and Rabbit showed up and after a very quick look at the statue decided they wanted to see Strawberry Fields.

It was a very hot trudge to the other side of the park to Strawberry Fields. Fortified by several bottles of water we made it with a bit of bickering due to our discomfort in the heat. SF was a fairly quiet modest place with a simple stone memorial IMAGINE in the center of a circle. There were a variety of different people there all fairly quiet -I guess paying tribute to John Lennon, former Beatle and social activist. I am personally a huge Beatles fan and regardless of an individual's feeling about Lennon himself-his contribution to music and the inspiration he provided so many people in undeniable. It was quietly moving.

COMING UP: RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, CUPCAKES AND BBQ

 

[jenjolt]

Another amazing update!! What fun to be able to stroll around NYC!! I have never been but I would love to visit someday!! Right now I will just have to live vicariously through you!! I'm a huge fan of tea rooms and I'm so glad you guys had an enjoyable time having tea!!! I'm looking forward to trying the tea at the GF in the fall!!!

I didn't know the Disney Store in NYC was closing down, that's too bad!!!!

Well great job, I'm loving this report!! Can't wait to read more!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am sure that she was excited but Em was the one who woke me up that morning...it took several tries and was just a tad frightening as when my eyes fluttered open to her smiling face postioned inches away from my own saying "time to rise and shine mommy..."

That would be a bit disconcerting before one's morning coffee.

As told by the kids -I was extremely cranky that morning, David's words being, "Someone rolled out of the wrong side of the bed and she is being really cranky. Do you guys know who that person is.....her name is Mommy.....MOM stop being cranky!" I really don't remember it this way but...

That's too funny that David was saying all of that!

Guess who wasn't feeling quite so perky any more?

So much for all that morning energy!

(Sadly this store is closing at the end of the year...).

This is heartbreaking! I will never get my New York Mickey shirt.

Hatter meanwhile was back and had proccurred tickets for a 3 pm tour of Radio City. Hurray!

Woo hoo!!!

The food- particularly the tea service was yummy and bountiful-there were three large scones-pumpkin, buttermilk and ginger berry with clotted cream and jam.

Clotted cream and a pumpkin scone??? Mmmmm -- that sounds heavenly!

Great update!!! I am already dying for the next installment!

 

[cjackearl]

Great introductions of your gorgeous clan, and NYC? Jealous!! Your tea sounds devine! Smoked salmon and curried chicken sandwiches may have to show up on my lunch table soon.

I'd love to take my girls inside the Plaza. We read a LOT of Eloise when they were younger.

The Alice statue would be worth a hot stroll in my book. So cool!

I'm a Beatles fan also, especially the White Album. Their musical influence is impossible to deny regardless of how um, different some of Lennon's actions became toward the end of his life. He and his band mates had a way of speaking to the imagination, the SOUL, of his listeners in a way unlike many others before or since.

Oh, and the cab driver Mr. Potato Head is the BOMB!

 

[Flossbolna]

What a wonderful start to the trip!! I was in NYC last September for 5 days and fell in love with the city. I have been to a lot of the places you wrote about and it is so fun to be able to picture you walking around NYC...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I'm excited to hear all about your adventure!! I dream of visiting NYC one day, so I can't wait to see pictures and read all about it.

Welcome along...NY is awesome-this day was one of our "quirkier" New York outings...

Yes, I was on planning at the time -- I just couldn't take another minute of analyzing test data so I snuck onto the DIS.

Love the intro. and the pictures! Too cute to take your photos with the characters at the Alice statue!

I had a feeling you were taking a break from less than pleasant at school...

Thanks about the pictures...its hard to keep the cute from creeping in to a Dis report...

Another amazing update!! What fun to be able to stroll around NYC!! I have never been but I would love to visit someday!! Right now I will just have to live vicariously through you!! I'm a huge fan of tea rooms and I'm so glad you guys had an enjoyable time having tea!!! I'm looking forward to trying the tea at the GF in the fall!!!

I didn't know the Disney Store in NYC was closing down, that's too bad!!!!

Well great job, I'm loving this report!! Can't wait to read more!!!!

You should try to get to NYC someday-it really is a fabulous place bursting with stuff to see and do-you just have to pick and plan carefully kind of like DWD-but in a much more urban kind of way...

Lucky you-tea at the GF-I did that once with DH and it was fabulous... I love tea rooms, and tea and especially scones with clotted cream and jam...

It is sad that the NYC Dis Store is closing... there were plenty of people shopping so not sure why...

 

[Snowhitelover]

Hey dis people...

While I love you to death mommy and I would do anything for you...I'll do anything for you dear anything......you missed some pictures and you always say that the dis people love pictures so so much....so I'm simply trying to help your thread....

So I will add some Alice's photos

Daddy's Salad

Mom and My Tea Platter for Two:

Interior of Bathroom Photos:

...along with a were painting the roses red sign....

...the magnifying glass is for studying the minute images painted on the wall (if you are curious)

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

That would be a bit disconcerting before one's morning coffee.



That's too funny that David was saying all of that!



So much for all that morning energy!



This is heartbreaking! I will never get my New York Mickey shirt.



Woo hoo!!!



Clotted cream and a pumpkin scone??? Mmmmm -- that sounds heavenly!

Great update!!! I am already dying for the next installment!

Oh pretty much anything before my morning coffee is disconcerting......& David is quite the character...to be fair Emily was egging him on..., Scones are way up there especially with clotted cream-they may even beat out cupcakes...

What a wonderful start to the trip!! I was in NYC last September for 5 days and fell in love with the city. I have been to a lot of the places you wrote about and it is so fun to be able to picture you walking around NYC...

It is a fabulous city-but it can overwhelm some people if you don't plan and have no idea what you're getting in to...I love it in pieces and have learned my lesson and try to stick in certain locations and not try to run up and down the entire length of Manhattan in one day...now I'm a little jealous of people who live in Germany and can take a relatively short flight to places like Copanhagen...

 

[dismagiclover]

Fun times in NYC! We were just up there a few weeks ago too. We visited the World of Disney Store, FAO Schwartz (those Legos were amazing! My DD loved the Harry Potter ones at the top of the escalator) and took a gander thru Central Park as well. I didn't know about the Alice in Wonderland statue. We will have to hunt that down next time. When we visited Strawberry Fields I was suprised how reverent it seemed. It really is a place that is meant to be contemplative and show respect. Quite different from the rest of Central Park. Anyway, can't wait to hear more!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Joining in!! I have to go back and read more but you and your family are adorable!!! My nephew, whose 16 and going with us in Jan, has aspergers as well. I'm interested to see his take on the whole WDW experience!

Can't wait to read more!!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Great introductions of your gorgeous clan, and NYC? Jealous!! Your tea sounds devine! Smoked salmon and curried chicken sandwiches may have to show up on my lunch table soon.

I'd love to take my girls inside the Plaza. We read a LOT of Eloise when they were younger.

The Alice statue would be worth a hot stroll in my book. So cool!

I'm a Beatles fan also, especially the White Album. Their musical influence is impossible to deny regardless of how um, different some of Lennon's actions became toward the end of his life. He and his band mates had a way of speaking to the imagination, the SOUL, of his listeners in a way unlike many others before or since.

Oh, and the cab driver Mr. Potato Head is the BOMB!

The tea was awesome! The curried chicken sandwiches were especially good-I might have to try to make them...

We've been closer to the Plaza-but for some reason haven't actually been inside...hmm...next time but you can do tea in there as well and there is supposed to be a mural of Eloise...

The Alice statue was lovely-It was really much larger and charming than I had realized -there were kids playing on it but most stopped because the metal was so hot......it's definately worth looking for-the stroll itself was quite pretty...

The Beatles did and always will rock...As you said their music really did touch the soul...and I'm waiting till 9/9 to get the White Album on CD when they release all the remastered versions...-I like Revolver too...

Fun times in NYC! We were just up there a few weeks ago too. We visited the World of Disney Store, FAO Schwartz (those Legos were amazing! My DD loved the Harry Potter ones at the top of the escalator) and took a gander thru Central Park as well. I didn't know about the Alice in Wonderland statue. We will have to hunt that down next time. When we visited Strawberry Fields I was suprised how reverent it seemed. It really is a place that is meant to be contemplative and show respect. Quite different from the rest of Central Park. Anyway, can't wait to hear more!

That's right you live in the MidAtlantic too-we have some good daytrip/overnight locations don't we? FAO Schwartz is awesome but I was still recovering from our Christmas visit to go in...SF is somehow reverant-that's a good word for it...

Joining in!! I have to go back and read more but you and your family are adorable!!! My nephew, whose 16 and going with us in Jan, has aspergers as well. I'm interested to see his take on the whole WDW experience!

Can't wait to read more!!

Thanks and welcome... I wrote a bit about Asperger's in my pre trip report if you're interested and will adress when and how it impacted David during our trip...

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi Chessie

welcome back...I can't wait to read all about your trip....

so far I love the 1st day in NYC...I have never been there and someday hope too....I had my chance to go my Junior Yr in HS w/ our theatre goup, but my parents decided I couldn't go....bummer...that is one of my "regrets"

my BFF at the time (we are still friends) brought me home a little piggy bank that says "I heart NY" it's on a shelf in my scrap room (I had a thing for pigs back then....)

and my only other NY memory (besides the backdrop photos at DHS) is when my DDad and DBro once drove all night to NYC to see a taping of the David Letterman show, stayed over night and came back home the next day....

so I love the pictures and your story so far...the tea for 2 tray reminds of the tea we've had at the American Girl store in Chicago. very girly!

looking forward to more and your arrival at WDW too

J-

 

[MrsSpratt]

Yep. You really are Practically Perfect. What an amazing day!

I can't wait for more!

Mrs. Spratt

 

[aprilisis]

I love your photos & I am really enjoying your report.

 

[lisalonglash]

I'm soooo in! Be back later to read and comment

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Radio City Music Hall, Yes-You Can So Find Good BBQ in NYC and the Sad Saga of the Magnolia Cupcakes...



Fortunately we picked up a cab pretty quickly when we exited the park on the West Side at 72nd....(the Dakota-former home of John Lennon-right there...). Mad Hatter hopped in the front while I sat in the back with the kids...White Rabbit was thrilled to find out the the taxi cabs were outfitted with little touchscreen TVs. So while we drove over to Radio City we where able to find out that NY was in fact experiencing a severe heat warning and opening centers for those at risk-while sad for people while at risk I felt better knowing that it really was hot and I wasn't just being wimpy which would not have boded well for Florida in August-actually it was a good practice run...

While watching the tv with one ear-the other was directed towards Mad Hatter who I realized was giving our cab driver directions to Radio City Music Hall. I was simultaneously horrified at his lack of knowledge while being impressed he was willing to admit it. (Better get that address nailed before the Christmas Spectacular buddy...) He was polite and we did arrive in one piece so all's well...

Anyway-I'd been really interested about doing the tour ever since we had gone to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular the previous December. (Btw-NY in December is all decked out for Christmas and looks fabulous but conversely is incredibly crowded-we had a great weekend-we went to Macy's to see the Santa, we did a holiday lights tour, we went to FAO Schwartz & the MOMA and the Christmas Spectacular) I had really been on the fence about seeing the show. It was pricey and I wasn't sure-I thought it would be corny and maybe tasteless...but I also thought it was one of those things that if you had a chance to do it you should...Well I was really glad that we did see it because it was Absolutely FABULOUS! It was corny and maybe a little kitschy-not tasteless at all. In fact the production value was amazing. The Rockettes were really very good-something out of one of those old Hollywood films featuring big chorus girl numbers. Actually while very lovely and glamorous they are pretty darn wholesome in comparison to a lot of what's out there---the dancing was fabulous, the costumes lovely and the sets-amazing...)

So anyhow it was pretty crowded that day due to the show crowds-I thought the theatre was pretty amazing with its art deco interior and its architecture and thought it would be fun to come back and take a tour of it...(I know it sounds romanticized but when you are in there you can feel the glamour of what it must of been to see a show back in those days-the way you can imagine how Hollywood must of been a different place-the way its presented at Hollywood Studios but the way you don't really find when you go to Hollywood in LA today...)

So we got in line with our group-about 19 in all including another family who had obviously had quite the time at the American Girl Store down the street if the bags the dad was carrying was any indication...

Our tour guide was extremely enthusiastic about the place and his job...it turned out he had been there for about 13 years which made him a relative newbie...(they have a doctor and nurse that have been there since the 1940s!!!-apparently the original archivist died a couple of years ago at age 99...something about the place seems to inspire longevity in its employees...( of which there are 2000-2000 people work there and they have several cafeterias, an infirmary, dorms and an indoor skating rink...)

It was commissioned by the Rockefeller family for 17 million back in the 30s -an unheard of sum at the time. The lobby is lovely, large and glamourous...

The theatre itself is large with supposedly no bad seats since it was made out of concrete and had no supporting columns to block views...

The stage was state of the art when it was built, has never broken down-still fairly state of the art, can hold an awful lot of weight including things like an ice rink-which I saw in the show back in December. Apparently during WWII-the FBI was stationed there because they didn't want the stage technology secrets stolen-although I'm not clear how it could have been utilized?

There were really glamourous men's and women's lounges on the lower level along with a bar-you could just picture a Cary Grant like character waiting at the bar waiting for his date to return from the lady's lounge before the show began again...

(God bless Mad Hatter he actually took some photos of the Men's Lounge-I couldn't believe it...)

We went up a few floors to see some of the costumes the Rockettes have worn-apparently due to the expense of creating costumes they do wear them over, rotating through-they few we saw were lovely-I'm not a seamstress but Alice sews a bit (and I appreciate it) and the workmanship was lovely...again these costumes were glamourous and sexy but in no way sleazy-a refreshing change from...well...you know...

We then briefly met a Rockette which was a little campy but cute-fun fact-they all have to be between 5'6'' and 5' 8 1/2".

The last stop on our tour was a lovely 6 bedroom apartment in the Hall that while no one ever lived in hosted a variety of celebs through the years including Gregory Peck, Marilyn Monroe and our very own Walt Disney to name a few....the living room looked like a set from a 1930s film.

All in all it was a worthwhile tour but most especially if you love architecture and that whole 1930s era of Hollywood/NY theatre/entertainment, etc. (Its that same vibe I pick up at Hollywood studios-I'm not sure how much it truly reflects the rigors of the entertainment industry but more the lovely fantasy glamourous era of the earlier years...)

Upon leaving, Mad Hatter and I had a little pow wow and I agreed to walking over to dinner providing we could stroll and not run due to the heat-MH can have a run like stride and wasn't in the mood...

so off we went and about a block away we came upon Magnolia Bakery-one of the motherships of cupcake baking/bakeries...(those of you who read my trip report have already been exposed to my cupcake fetish) This is at least the second location-its first location is down in the Village and due in part to the exposure it got on Sex and the City I suppose, its opened another (actually 2 other locations I think)

Anyhow this was a cute little bakery-there is something that I find personally appealing about cupcakes-they are small and cute with a usually perfect icing to cake ratio and they are comfort food but can be simultaneously appealing. Alice bought a cute little tshirt while I choose 4 perfect little cakes to have as breakfast in the morning before the flight. (Sadly this wasn't to be-but I didn't know it at the time...) I chose a plain vanilla/vanilla for the White Rabbit, a red velvet for Alice, a banana with carmel icing for myself and a carmel/carmel for Mad Hatter. Carrying our purchases we made our way towards dinner at Daisy May's Barbeque.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hi Chessie

welcome back...I can't wait to read all about your trip....

so far I love the 1st day in NYC...I have never been there and someday hope too....I had my chance to go my Junior Yr in HS w/ our theatre goup, but my parents decided I couldn't go....bummer...that is one of my "regrets"

my BFF at the time (we are still friends) brought me home a little piggy bank that says "I heart NY" it's on a shelf in my scrap room (I had a thing for pigs back then....)

and my only other NY memory (besides the backdrop photos at DHS) is when my DDad and DBro once drove all night to NYC to see a taping of the David Letterman show, stayed over night and came back home the next day....

so I love the pictures and your story so far...the tea for 2 tray reminds of the tea we've had at the American Girl store in Chicago. very girly!

looking forward to more and your arrival at WDW too

J-

Hey Scrappie welcome to the TR-...we did have fun in NY...maybe you could have your own road trip to NYC sometime...I'd go with you...

Yep. You really are Practically Perfect. What an amazing day!

I can't wait for more!

Mrs. Spratt

Welcome...I'm hardly practically perfect but thanks for the sentiment (I just happened to be listening to the Soundrack to Mary Poppins when I had to select my Disname...) Glad to have you along...

I love your photos & I am really enjoying your report.

Thanks but I wish I'd had you along as my photographer-You are a fabulous photographer...