Back to Wonderland with a side of French Fries-New 3/15Mix up culture w/fun

[wigdoutdismom]

David made a great George Washington, I adore his costume!
All of your thinking today is giving me a headache tonight!
This 180 day ADR mark is getting the best of me too. I have to start thinking about our June trip in like a week..... and you have already given me a sympathy headache!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I shall start thinking of les livres de Francaise tout de suite! (My French is so rusty there is no telling if I wrote that correctly. )

I love the idea of the French Fridays -- are you just limiting yourself to Disney movies? Some that aren't Disney that Emily and you might enjoy (David probably not so much) that come to mind are, Funny Face with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn, French Kiss with Kevin Kline and Meg Ryan, and To Catch a Thief with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly set in Monte Carlo (in fact, it was while filming this movie that Grace Kelly met Prince Rainier).

Okay, I am super impressed with Emily's Greek costume and David's George Washington.

Another vote for mixing up the theme a bit for the 16th birthday celebration!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I love the idea for french Fridays. What a great way to get in a vacation mood now. I have to agree with everyone else for mixing it up a bit on the theme. I'd go with a basic plan, but mix in a few non-themed surpises.

 

[Flossbolna]

I think mixing the Alice theme up with something more modern teen is a great idea. After all it is Emily's birthday and she should get to do things she will love without being forced into a strict theme (not that I think you would ever do that, just trying to make a point). Will it be a surprise trip or will she get to help you plan it? It sounded like she really enjoyed getting involved in planning your last trip, so perhaps that would be fun for her as well to be part of the planning team?

Would she be interested in the Keys to the Kingdom Tour? This has a age limit, you have to be at least 16 to go on it.

I am trying to think of French films to see. I think it is a wonderful idea! The first that came into mind was "An American in Paris", but then I started to think more along the line of real French films. "Chocolat" is still American, but feels very French. But "Amelie from Montmartre" is French and has wonderful pictures. I also really liked "Monsieur Ibrahim". I think they all might be a bit over the top for David. I will try to come up with a few more films... You could always get an Asterix film, they are truly very French!

I think your idea of making use of the kitchen is great! It is actually nice to have a relaxing evening at home after a long day in my experience and you will also be battling the jet lag anyway. And you are right, there are so many interesting food things to buy!

I also meant to write for ages about your dates: If I see it correctly you will arrive about 1.5 weeks before Easter. The week before and after Easter are traditional spring break in most parts of Europe and this will be really crowded at DLP. So going to DLP on a weekday in the first half of your time there might be adviseable! Unless they start having much longer park hours the week after and you are up for a long day there.

 

[eandesmom]

I can see why your head hurts!

Paris.

Movies. Definitely add in Beauty! While some of the others may be french fairy tales, they don't feel french. Belle does.

I love that you will have an apartment, absolutely the way to go, it makes for a deeper, richer experience. So fun!

For David...I'll muddle on that one!

Emily's birthday

I vote for some kind of mad hatter cake, they are SO cool! Dinner wise I would probably mix it up and let her have input, I know my kids love to read the menu's and help pick the ADR's.

 

[Flossbolna]

I just came up with the idea of French children books. I will ask my father about it, he grew up in the French occupied zone in Germany and only had French in school as a foreign language. He spent his youth cycling through France and I know that there are some great classic French children books. One of our family activities was reading books together, i.e. having them read aloud to the whole family. It was mainly my father reading since he really has a great talent for that.

 

[Lady Lallie]

The Little Prince!

We had to read that in French Class, I think there is some sort of cartoon.

 

[jordanyosh]

I would make it very much like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Theme it, but turn it on it's head like the Mad Hatter would do!

 

[tarak]

Subscribing! Sounds like you have a lot of great travel plans for next year! This reminds me that I've been really neglecting my TR from last month as well as my PTR for next year.

 

[mousescrapper]

As far as a theme for the WDW trip... I guess it depends what you guys like. Our theme is usually "Where can we find chicken nuggets?"

there you go again Amy w/ your great one-liners...you need to be writing this down...it could be a whole new thread
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Triple P....

double planning does sound crazy....but fun That sounds so amazing to be imersed in the French culture and renting an apartment and going to the markets and cooking....YUM FUN!

I love your ideas of French Fridays too

Has anyone mentioned yet Beauty and the Beast? that is set in France...there are several fun quirky nuances to iconic French culture....

this isn't Disney...or for Rabbit that matter..but what about Sabrina...the orginal w/ the wonderful Audrey Hepburn or the updated one w/ Harrison Ford...ooh I love those movies!

For your sporty French Friday you could watch clips from the Tour de France...

OK my mind is all over w/ french movies....I think there's a crazy Effiel Tower scene in the Bond film Octopusy? French Conection? War films... Saving Private Ryan...the Longest day

Ooh how could I forget...."we'll always have Paris" Casablanca!

my DH and I could go on and on...we love movies!

Back AiW....I think it would be great to have some great English feel for your trip...but still capture all the fun and love of your sweet 16-ner....

I love everything you have mentioned so far!

Are those the kids dressed up for Halloween?

I remembering dressing up as Cleopatra one yr in HS.

Can't wait for more Disney French Fries

J~

 

[manntra]

Hi there! Your Paris plans sound wonderful, love the idea of an apartment.
I may have seen the HM cake you were referring to on the cake board. Very cool!

Tracy

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hello......I'm planning on doing an update this weekend...but as I'm sitting here is bed snuggling with my favorite little guy-Rabbit, watching "James and the Giant Peach" -I thought I'd do some responding right now. Dahl and Dising...not a bad combo...

...also I'm beginning a 12 session Special Education Advocacy Training Program tomorrow...so I'm home on Friday night...no late night partying for me... (hmmm...actually I'm home on a lot of Friday nights... s'ok...It's all good...

Alice is out at a friends birthday-dinner at Cal Pizza Kitchen and seeing New Moon (she has another b-day dinner tomorrow...she has a tough life...)

Rabbit got his green belt (white belt with green stripe...this is his 6th belt) this afternoon......he just began karate last September and I'm super proud of him...

YIKES! I'm not suprised that your head hurts!

Your trip to Paris sounds so lovely!! Can I stow away in your bag?

What are DD's opinions on the trip in the fall? Let her pick a few of the meals and then throw a few suprises in there for her. I think WDW is a theme in and of itself really. Throwing another theme in on top of that may become a little overwhelming!

You are welcome to stow away in my bags...the more the merrier...

hmmm....If I make Alice walk around DWD like some kind of live Alice doll...she probably isn't going to be happy...I do think we're going to mix it up...use the Alice theme loosely incorporating her other favorite stuff too...

I love the idea of French Fridays!! How cute!! That sounds like a really fun way to build up excitement for the trip.

As far as a theme for the WDW trip... I guess it depends what you guys like. Our theme is usually "Where can we find chicken nuggets?"

Thanks-I thought some kind of French Friday would get everyone pumped up...I've ordered some really basic kid French CDs for Rabbit-Alice has it in school...but having some kind of food that's French and a film or book might be fun too...

We've had days at Disney where the theme was "Where can Mommy get a cup of coffee so she can function"

Oh my goodness! I love the Young George Washington. He's so adorable!

You must eat at Rose & Crown...it's so yummy and I think you'd really like it. Have you been there before?

I kinda like the idea of mixing up the theme a bit. You can still do a lot of Alice focused thing but throw in some more "funky" things in there.

I'm trying to think of French themed movies....but I can't. All I can think of is Beauty & The Beast.

Thanks...I think George was pretty cute myself...

Yes---the menu at R & C looks simple but everyone's review who has eaten there recently seems to have really liked it...

Yep...I think mixing it up a bit is the way to go...

I forgot about B&B......That whole song and dance number with Lumiere and the dishes is perfect...

You have to add Beauty and the Beast LOL definitely a French film LOL!!! They also put Aurora in France so that might be another film, Sleeping Beauty, you add to the list. BTW if I'm not mistaken Cinderella is also a French fairy tale so it might be safe to assume that it also takes place in France.

I'm all for a Haunted Mansion cake but my vote is totally bias LOL!!!!!

Love the photos and your plans so far sound amazing...ooh a bday dinner at Cali Grill...you will have such a great time with that!!!!!

Well...you don't have to pull my arm to watch Sleeping Beauty...she and Snow White are my favorites...

I know-I was wondering if you've seen the Haunted Mansion cakes...they are fabulous...and Alice is also a big HM fan......they make them at the Contemporary- so dinner at Cali Grill with a HM cake is a definite possibility...

 

[TxMickeyLover]

I'm in! I can't wait to hear about DLP!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

David made a great George Washington, I adore his costume!
All of your thinking today is giving me a headache tonight!
This 180 day ADR mark is getting the best of me too. I have to start thinking about our June trip in like a week..... and you have already given me a sympathy headache!

I think his costume was cute myself...they were supposed to dress as either a character from a book or a historic figure and as he told me-he was both since GW is historic and there are books about him... I give myself headaches all the time...sorry if I passed it along......welcome to my world...

I shall start thinking of les livres de Francaise tout de suite! (My French is so rusty there is no telling if I wrote that correctly. )

I love the idea of the French Fridays -- are you just limiting yourself to Disney movies? Some that aren't Disney that Emily and you might enjoy (David probably not so much) that come to mind are, Funny Face with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn, French Kiss with Kevin Kline and Meg Ryan, and To Catch a Thief with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly set in Monte Carlo (in fact, it was while filming this movie that Grace Kelly met Prince Rainier).

Okay, I am super impressed with Emily's Greek costume and David's George Washington.

Another vote for mixing up the theme a bit for the 16th birthday celebration!

I think your French looks perfect...I know enough to be able to order in a restaurant and find out where the rest rooms are...so that's a good thing I guess...

Definitely not limiting the movies just to Disney...just trying to bring it all around...

LOVE...Funny Face...French Kiss makes me laugh and to Catch a Thief...ahhh...weren't they just so ...I don't know...elegant? Cary Grant and Grace Kelly were just ...lovely...sigh...movies were more refined I think...

Hmmm...that was one of Emily's two Halloween costumes...she also had an Alice costume...think about Alice channelling a French maid...but she actually decided to go with the Greek costume so she and her friend could match...

I love the idea for french Fridays. What a great way to get in a vacation mood now. I have to agree with everyone else for mixing it up a bit on the theme. I'd go with a basic plan, but mix in a few non-themed surpises.

French Fridays will officially begin next Friday... and I agree the mixing up the theme is the way to go...

I think mixing the Alice theme up with something more modern teen is a great idea. After all it is Emily's birthday and she should get to do things she will love without being forced into a strict theme (not that I think you would ever do that, just trying to make a point). Will it be a surprise trip or will she get to help you plan it? It sounded like she really enjoyed getting involved in planning your last trip, so perhaps that would be fun for her as well to be part of the planning team?

Would she be interested in the Keys to the Kingdom Tour? This has a age limit, you have to be at least 16 to go on it.

I am trying to think of French films to see. I think it is a wonderful idea! The first that came into mind was "An American in Paris", but then I started to think more along the line of real French films. "Chocolat" is still American, but feels very French. But "Amelie from Montmartre" is French and has wonderful pictures. I also really liked "Monsieur Ibrahim". I think they all might be a bit over the top for David. I will try to come up with a few more films... You could always get an Asterix film, they are truly very French!

I think your idea of making use of the kitchen is great! It is actually nice to have a relaxing evening at home after a long day in my experience and you will also be battling the jet lag anyway. And you are right, there are so many interesting food things to buy!

I also meant to write for ages about your dates: If I see it correctly you will arrive about 1.5 weeks before Easter. The week before and after Easter are traditional spring break in most parts of Europe and this will be really crowded at DLP. So going to DLP on a weekday in the first half of your time there might be adviseable! Unless they start having much longer park hours the week after and you are up for a long day there.

Yes I think for about 5 minutes I thought about doing a total Alice theme...but I think that might actually get a little frightening, controlling and a bit Psychotic on my part...Hmmm...I think I saw a horror movie like that...

I'm definitely going to get her input and mix it up with some surprises too...

Amelie is lovely-I think that Alice would love it...She has seen Chocolat and is actually reading the book that they drew it from right now...I will have to check out "Monsieur Ibrahim"...Thanks...

Hmm...I know Asterix...David would probably like them...I'll have to see if we have any here (in the States...)...but I might also be able to get some of the comics...

I know its really cliche but I am looking forward to going out to buy wine and bread and cheese (and other things too of course...)

Funny you should mention Easter week...I noticed that when we planned it...it coincides with Alice's Spring break and we're going to take Rabbit out 3 days before his starts (Educational trip...) so after you mentioned the Easter crowds I had wondered if we should do DP early in our trip...and I think we will...maybe our second full day...I don't want to pull it too close to Easter...

I can see why your head hurts!

Paris.

Movies. Definitely add in Beauty! While some of the others may be french fairy tales, they don't feel french. Belle does.

I love that you will have an apartment, absolutely the way to go, it makes for a deeper, richer experience. So fun!

For David...I'll muddle on that one!

Emily's birthday

I vote for some kind of mad hatter cake, they are SO cool! Dinner wise I would probably mix it up and let her have input, I know my kids love to read the menu's and help pick the ADR's.

I agree that Beauty definitely feels the "Frenchest" what with Lumiere's accent and everything...

Yep...I'm muddling on David too...I know he'll have a good time and it is Em's bday but I still want him to feel special too...hmmm...still thinking about it...

aaaghhhhh...one of my big dilemmas is The Hatter Cake which you can get at the GF in any of their restaurants...(and I absolutely love the look of that cake myself... so we could do her actual b-day dinner at either Narcooses or Citricos and get the Hatter Cake...)

or

have the chefs at the Contemporary do something (based on what I've seen on the Cake thread...they have a Chef Brian...some people call him Chef Bri or Cake Guy Bri...and he's been making some awesome stuff including this amazing Haunted Mansion Cake and then we could do dinner at the Cali Grill...

Hmmm.....

 

[eandesmom]

agree that Beauty definitely feels the "Frenchest" what with Lumiere's accent and everything...

Yep...I'm muddling on David too...I know he'll have a good time and it is Em's bday but I still want him to feel special too...hmmm...still thinking about it...

aaaghhhhh...one of my big dilemmas is The Hatter Cake which you can get at the GF in any of their restaurants...(and I absolutely love the look of that cake myself... so we could do her actual b-day dinner at either Narcooses or Citricos and get the Hatter Cake...)

or

have the chefs at the Contemporary do something (based on what I've seen on the Cake thread...they have a Chef Brian...some people call him Chef Bri or Cake Guy Bri...and he's been making some awesome stuff including this amazing Haunted Mansion Cake and then we could do dinner at the Cali Grill...

Hmmm.....

CakeGuyBri is actually a DISer! And I think you can get a mad hatter cake there too....I've seen the HM cake, it's something else! I figure when the time comes I'm just chatting with him directly, right now my plan for our cake night is at the Wave BUT that could change based on kid ADR input so we will see.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I just came up with the idea of French children books. I will ask my father about it, he grew up in the French occupied zone in Germany and only had French in school as a foreign language. He spent his youth cycling through France and I know that there are some great classic French children books. One of our family activities was reading books together, i.e. having them read aloud to the whole family. It was mainly my father reading since he really has a great talent for that.

Hmmm....when you remember Floss that would be great...I know you are really busy right now...I have to check your TR and see how Nodnol and her DH are...

I know that the borders in Europe went back in forth depending on who was in power...like Alscace is in France but has a lot of German customs... the food is different..., the languages blend, etc.

I like reading as a family too......I'm the reader when we go on road trips...

The Little Prince!

We had to read that in French Class, I think there is some sort of cartoon.

Ah...Le Petit Prince...very sweet we read it in French class too...it has a lot of very sweet morals in it...and very interesting illustrations...I still remember that snake...

I would make it very much like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Theme it, but turn it on it's head like the Mad Hatter would do!

Kind of like what Tim Burton will probably be doing in his version of Alice...i can't wait to see that...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Subscribing! Sounds like you have a lot of great travel plans for next year! This reminds me that I've been really neglecting my TR from last month as well as my PTR for next year.

over...glad that you're here...

it is hard sometimes to keep up...sometimes I feel when I've been off the boards a couple of days...so much has happened...

but we'll try to have some fun...

there you go again Amy w/ your great one-liners...you need to be writing this down...it could be a whole new thread
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Triple P....

double planning does sound crazy....but fun That sounds so amazing to be imersed in the French culture and renting an apartment and going to the markets and cooking....YUM FUN!

I love your ideas of French Fridays too

Has anyone mentioned yet Beauty and the Beast? that is set in France...there are several fun quirky nuances to iconic French culture....

Yes ...half the fun is planning...you might as well enjoy it right...

I am really really looking forward to DLP and Paris too...


this isn't Disney...or for Rabbit that matter..but what about Sabrina...the orginal w/ the wonderful Audrey Hepburn or the updated one w/ Harrison Ford...ooh I love those movies!

Oh I love Sabrina...Audrey Hepburn...was amazing...(I think they could have matched her up better than Bogart...I don't think he was right for the role...but still...the new Sabrina is charming -I had forgotten about it and I much prefer Harrision Ford...


For your sporty French Friday you could watch clips from the Tour de France...

Oooo...that's good idea...have you ever seen or heard of the Triplets of Belleville (sp?) it's animated about a boy whose parents have dies and his grandmother raises him and realizes he has an interest in bicycling and encourgages it......

OK my mind is all over w/ french movies....I think there's a crazy Effiel Tower scene in the Bond film Octopusy? French Conection? War films... Saving Private Ryan...the Longest day

Ooo have to see the longest day....

Ooh how could I forget...."we'll always have Paris" Casablanca!

my DH and I could go on and on...we love movies!

Me too...


Back AiW....I think it would be great to have some great English feel for your trip...but still capture all the fun and love of your sweet 16-ner....


I think that sounds about right...


I love everything you have mentioned so far!

Are those the kids dressed up for Halloween?
Yep...


I remembering dressing up as Cleopatra one yr in HS.
Oooo...that's fun...any photos...


Can't wait for more Disney French Fries

I'm going to update this weekend...


J~

Hi there! Your Paris plans sound wonderful, love the idea of an apartment.
I may have seen the HM cake you were referring to on the cake board. Very cool!

Tracy

...Thanks for coming over...

Sigh...I have to admit that the Paris apartment is so appealing......I hope the reality turns out to be appealing too...

The Haunted Mansion Cake is so cool......I want one...(I feel like a kid myself...

I'm in! I can't wait to hear about DLP!

...on over...hope your feeling better...

I can't wait to write about DLP...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

CakeGuyBri is actually a DISer! And I think you can get a mad hatter cake there too....I've seen the HM cake, it's something else! I figure when the time comes I'm just chatting with him directly, right now my plan for our cake night is at the Wave BUT that could change based on kid ADR input so we will see.

Oooo no- is he really?

Wow...now that is a really interesting piece of info...hmmm...and as a fellow Diser I'm sure he'd talk to us right...?.... You are extremely personable and I don't think I'm so terrible...who wouldn't want to talk to us...right?...

 

[Happydog]

Oh! Well so four pages later I finally get it! So not that I got it, I am glad that I am here!

Great trip planning! I have been to Paris but never DLParis, my DBIL has been several times, said it is amazing... The castle is very pretty!
Sounds exciting! Looking forward to hearing more about that!

Love the cake ideas! Sound great!

Did I read somewhere you were going to Disney in January??!!

OOPS! Forgot to add that we have the "Triplets" movie and CD... it is a really neat film! I have not seen it in a while so thanks for reminding me!

 

[tiggrbaby]

When we went to London in '02 we stayed in a 3 BR flat (8 of us). It was wonderful! We were close to a tube station, and there was plenty of room to spread out. If you are staying put for a bit, I think having kitchen facilities is important, too.