Before the Shenanigans: A Christmas 2012 PTR (TR Link Posted 1/12/13!)

[SoNotAPrincess]

NOTE: This PTR was started in October 2011 for a trip that was planned for October 2012. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the trip has been changed to Christmas week, December 24-January 3. If you're interested in reading everything that led up to this point, YAY! If you want to jump to where the date change happened, click here.


Magical Memories….
I believe in the magic of Disney World. I believe in a talking mouse, a plethora of princesses and pirates, a feisty fairy, and happily ever after. I believe that if I can imagine it, it can happen…and I know it’s true because I’ve seen magic happen at Disney World time and time again.

When we drive under the arches, my troubles start to melt like ice cubes in a glass of sweet tea on a summer day, and I feel them sliding away, like the strings on a bunch of helium balloons slipping through my fingers one by one until the whole bunch is floating far above the clouds…out of sight, out of reach, out of mind.

The magic is what keeps us coming back again and again…and again. No matter how often things are added, removed, or re-themed, the magic remains. My first visit was in 1971, and I’m always planning the next one. Because I live less than 60 miles from the House of Mouse and I have an AP, sometimes the next trip is for a day; other times it’s a weekend…and a couple of times a year, it’s for a week.

Life happens, and things change. Children grow into teenagers; adults change jobs and relocate to far away, exotic locales like Indiana and Virginia. Babies are born, and beloved grandparents pass away. Parents age and become fragile; and adult children become caretakers and worriers. Yes, life happens; and in the last few years, our week-long trips were difficult to come by. Individually and as a group we’ve missed WDW'S particular brand of magic, so in the first week of October, 2012 we’re reinstating the tradition!

Can I get an Amen?

The “we” I keep referring to is my family, and whenever we’re together, it’s guaranteed that shenanigans, mayhem, tomfoolery, and all manner of monkeyshines won’t be far behind.

Let me introduce you….

My sister, her husband, and two teenagers– Lisa, Troy, Erica (19—birthday at WDW), Jackson (18)
My brother, his wife, their daughter – Earl, Lynnie, Brianna (6)
My sister, her husband, their adult son, and two grandsons – Lynn (birthday at WDW), Alan, Will, Kris (6), JJ (5)
My Mom –Trudy and/or Nanny
Me and my fella (because he says he’s too old to be a “boyfriend” and hates being called my “manfriend”, which I do anyway just to make him scowl and come up with new threats to make me stop) – Laura (birthday at WDW) and Gabriel

Whew! (I’ll add photos as this PTR goes along).

I’m the planner, which is fine with me. I’m the go-to girl for planning and, thus, I plan lotsnlots of stuff…weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, dinner parties, business trips, etc., but planning a family reunion-three birthday celebrations-Disney trip is my favorite. Cuz I love a challenge!

Since everyone has their favorite resort, we’re spread out among the Poly, AKL, WL, and CR, but we’re in total agreement that free dining would be magical in every way!

A year is a long time to plan and wait for something, so I’m hoping this PTR will make it go faster. I did something similar back in ’06 and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, thanks to a broken wrist and other life changes, the actual trip report never got finished. Ugh. I hereby solemnly swear that I won’t let it happen again. (If anyone is interested, there are picture links to those reports in my signature.)

Understandably, updates will be a bit sporadic in the beginning; but I’ll try to post something at least once a week…more often as things happen.

ETA: I'll keep a running index of links to my posts on this page and include a link at the bottom of each post to take you to the next one. So far, this is not an issue since I'm getting very few comments. As much as I'd love to hear from readers, as long as the counter keeps moving, I'll keep posting!

Click here for "Proper Introductions...with Photos" (post #5)

INDEX

Proper Introductions...with Pictures!
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Happy Birthday, Dear Erica!
Obsessive Overplanning Already!
Things, they are a'changin'...
Into each life, some rain must fall...
"Distory"
"Baby, I was thinking..."
My Newest Obesession...
The Dreaded Holding Pattern
A Twofer!
Songbirds on the Loose, Part 1
Songbirds on the Loose, Part 2
Songbirds on the Loose, Part 3
Songbirds on the Loose, Part 4--The Finale
Numero Uno--Hail to the Princess A'Laura!
Actual Trip Stuff...Who Knew!?!
You're Just a Sugar Muffin of Love and Joy (Or How I Spent a Day at MK)
You Want to Change the Resort Now?!?!
Final December Plans
Every Diva needs fancy shoes...and lots of presents!
"Changes" in the Minor Key
Brought to you by the Number Nine
It's not a problem; it's an opportunity to excel.
Playing the "This Time Next Week" game
Another World Excursion!
Princess Jaden's Party Crew
A Divalicious World Excursion! (this is the link to the TR)
The Ever-changing, Never Stable Trip
[URL="http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43570774&postcount=66"]Not a Trip Planning Update but a Great WDW Photo![/URL]
The Final Answer
Real Life Update #1
Photo Alert!
ADRs - Take 1
Minor ADR Revisions (so far!)
Princess Party Rescheduled & a Surprise!
April Resort & ADRs
Jaden's Practically Perfect Princess Palooza! (link to trip report)
April Solo Trip Update
180-day Window Open!
Why Can't Things Just Stay the Same?
Christmas ADRs--SUCCESS!
Day-by-Day Breakdown: Day 1--Christmas Eve
Since When Does Time FLY When You're Waiting For Disney?
Day-by-Day Breakdown: Day 2--Christmas Day
Visions of a Monorail Meltdown
My Very Disney Birthday Plans!
October Birthday Bash Plans
MNSSHP Plans!
Sunset Over Port Canaveral, FL (photos)
The Lost Epcot Files
A Kinda Disney, Sorta Random Update
MNSSHP Single Digit Boogie
Birthday Soiree: T minus ONE DAY and Counting!
My Very Cheery Not So Scary Birthday Soiree (link to trip report)
Real Life Updatehttp://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=46601270&postcount=189

 

[Joyciemc]

Yup, I'd say we're well on our way to a party

Cannot wait to read along, and REALLY can't wait for next October!

 

[HeatherLassell]

I'm subbing. Glad I was inspirational for ya! lol

 

[newmommy_2010]

YAY for October 2012! I can't wait to read more!

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Yesterday, I made some preliminary introductions; but, since a picture is worth a thousand words, proper introductions follow.

Meet my mom, Trudy. Also known as Mommy Greatest, Mamacita, Mother-oh-Brother, and Nanny. She’s awesome…funny, sincere, honest, and the most gullible person I know. She’s also brave, strong, and independent and raised us kids pretty much on her own, putting herself through college while she did it. She makes the world’s best macaroni and cheese and calls us her wretched children as a term of endearment. She makes me laugh, and I’m proud that she’s my mother…and my friend.

My brother and sister-in-law (Earl and Lynnie) would prefer not to have their pictures on the ‘net but approved one picture of Princess Brianna. Earl is a natural born leader and the one we turn to for advice and guidance. He used to be president of the Brother’s Savings and Loan (with emphasis on the loan part), but now that we’re all grown up and gainfully employed, that institution has been renamed Brianna’s Barbie Fund. He likes Dolphins football, Nascar, and restoring old cars. He can fix anything that’s broken…we call him the machine whisperer. He’s president of the PTA, and uber practical, but he’s also a big ol’ silly. Lynnie is a SAHM who is responsible for keeping them all on time and on track. She laughs when people say she’s so lucky she doesn’t work. She’s the family errand queen, Bri’s room mother, organizer extraordinaire, AND she makes kick-butt cupcakes. They live in Indiana, which is the equivalent of Shrek’s Far-Far-Away. Brianna has never been to Disney, so I’m planning to go completely overboard on princess-themed activities…breakfast in Norway, lunch at the castle, dinner at 1900 PF, and as many meet and greets as possible! Naturally, she’s over the moon with excitement!

My sister, Lisa, also known as Lisa D, Plunkydoodle, and Boo, lives in Virginia, which is only Far Away, but is still too far away. She’s married to Troy, or T-Roy if you’re feelin’ brave; and their kids are the most amazing teenagers on the planet, my niece and nephew, Erica and Jackson.

Lisa is the baby of our family. She’s smart and funny, has a short fuse and a huge heart and is a gifted hairstylist. Troy is a full on Redskins footballin’, southern rock lovin’ country boy. He plays hard but works harder, and his favorite thing is being with his wife and kids. He used to come to Disney with us because that’s where Lisa and the kids were, but now he genuinely enjoys it, too. Another one for our team!

Erica is…well…she’s amazing. She’s funny, bright, tenderhearted, smart-mouthed, knows who she is and likes it. We call her Ricky Tick, E.D.R., Snugglebunny, and Angel. She’s turning 18 in a few days, but it seems like yesterday that we were looking at her through the glass of the hospital nursery. I’m not able to be with her for her birthday, but she’s coming for a visit in December, and we’re going to celebrate at WDW together, Disney Diva style. She’s never been to the World at Christmas time and is as excited as I am. I can’t wait to experience the EPCOT storytellers with her! For our 2012 trip, we’ll celebrate her 19th birthday, and she’s already considering the options for her extra special birthday dinner. When we celebrated her 13th, she chose Wolfgang Puck’s because they have the best sushi on property, and she still talks about it. In December, we’ll be at Cali Grill, so we’ll see who wins the Superior Sushi award .

Jackson, also known as Jack, Jax, and Jackaroo, is our blue-eyed boy. He’s the entertainer, writes music, plays guitar and piano, and sings lead in a group. He speaks two languages and wants to travel the world. He’s charming, funny, and talks a mile a minute. Ever since he was a wee tot, he was our deep thinker with a million questions. He’s almost 17 but has no problem unleashing his inner child at WDW, and I love his self confidence and willingness to take chances. His favorite park is all of them! Jackson and Erica are best friends and mortal enemies, which is pretty much par for the course.

Lynn is my sister from another Mister. She’s been a part of the family for so long that sometimes we forget! Isn’t it great that blood doesn’t make a family…love does? Lynn and her husband, Alan, don’t want their photos online (ol’ stick-in-the-muds), and I don’t have anything recent of Will (I’m a bad aunt), but here are my boys, Kris and JJ. I love these silly boys so much! I don’t get to see them very often, and I love the way they launch themselves at me for hugs and kisses, and it’s like no time has passed since our last visit. I talk to them at least once a week, and they regale me all their adventures. This will be their first visit to WDW, and they already have a million things they want to do. Kris is getting the 4-1-1 from his friends, and he’s trying to grow a lot this year so he can ride RnR. JJ wants to meet Cap’n Jack Sparrow, so I’ll have to check into that. I wish there was a pirate or Toy Story themed character meal. Brianna will be on princess overload, but the boys are kinda getting the shaft. Of course, they don’t know that, but I do! They don’t know about the bunk beds in their room at AKL or that they’ll be able to see animals from the balcony either…I’m saving that as a surprise!

And finally, here’s me…Laura, Lauri, Mean Girl, Trouble, Aunt Lauri, and in dire circumstances LAURA LEEEEEEEEE. As already proven, I’m a proud Disney-aholic. Tink is my favorite character because we’re both feisty and flirty and so not a princess (SNAP!) My favorite park is Magic Kingdom, but my favorite ride is Soarin’. To be able to mix my favorite place with my favorite people is magical all by itself!

My fella doesn’t want his picture floating around cyberspace (geez, what is it with these people?), so you’ll just have to imagine a combination of George Clooney, Hugh Jackman, and Ben Afleck…looks, charm, brains, and a goofball to boot. How lucky am I? I may be a wee bit biased, but I don’t think so! Give me some time, and he'll think putting his photo in this PTR was all his idea! He mainly goes to Disney because he loves me…and because he gets to ride Star Tours and see Darth Vader. I swear if they had a Star Wars character meal, he’d be first in line…and I’d be right behind him with the videocamera!

So, now you know the gang…and that I’m addicted to adding glitter to my pictures. It’s a sickness, and I’m looking for a 12-step group. I’m planning a jaunt to DTD this weekend to check out the Disney version of a dollar store. I’ve found some steals and deals there, and I’m itching to start the kids’ swag bags!

Click here for "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique"

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Yup, I'd say we're well on our way to a party

Cannot wait to read along, and REALLY can't wait for next October!

Welcome...glad you're here!

I'm subbing. Glad I was inspirational for ya! lol

Now I just have to live up to your inspiration, and that sets the bar pretty high!

YAY for October 2012! I can't wait to read more!

Thanks for joining...I'm on Cloud 9!

You guys made my day!

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

I was checking out the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for Bri and found out they have a mini "[FONT=4"Book Antiqua"]Knight Package[/FONT]" for $14.95 that includes a cool dude 'do and sword/shield combo for little knights. I'm absurdly happy to find this out because I know Kris and JJ will go for it...one more thing for my scalliwags! Although I'm sure they'd much rather be and make each other walk the plank!

Bri is trying to decide which princess she wants to be. So far she's changed her mind about 20 times, so she'll be in the kajillions by the time we actually get there. And I predict at least two last-minute changes once she's in the chair!


Up next: "Happy Birthday, Dear Erica!"

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Today is my niece, Erica’s, birthday. The big one-eight…how the heck did THAT happen? It seems like yesterday that we were standing at the hospital with our noses pressed against the nursery glass so we could see her better. One of her first words was “giggle”, and just saying it would make her laugh. When she was a wee tot, she had trouble with the “L” sound, so I was “Waddy”. Eventually, she got the “L” down pat but wanted it in the middle of my name, so I was “Wally.” I loved being Wally, and then one day she got it right; and I’ve been Aunt Lauri ever since. Being an aunt is one of the great joys of my life. Since I wasn’t able to have my own children, God gave me extra special nieces and nephews! In honor of my special girl, here’s a mini-collage I put together.

How beautiful is she??

I can’t be there to celebrate with her today (sigh), but we’re having a Disney Diva weekend celebration in December. When I told her that I’d started a PTR for our October trip, her reaction was, “What, our divalicious Disney weekend isn’t important enough to get a trip report?” I did some serious back pedaling and did a long distance pinky swear that I’d give Divas Do Disney in December equal time, which is why I changed the title of PTR. Did anyone notice? I didn’t think so! LOL

We’re staying at the YC using the AP room+dine deal…woo hoo! We chose an EPCOT resort because our plan is EPCOT on day one to see the storytellers and DHS on day two because we always seem to give it the bum’s rush and decided to show it some love this time around. Erica chose Cali Grill for her birthday dinner…yum!

I can’t wait to see her and be silly and sassy and just experience a deliciously divalicious dream with my best girl!

Click here for Obsessive Overplanning Already! (post 11)

 

[HeatherLassell]

Now I just have to live up to your inspiration, and that sets the bar pretty high!

Hey atleast it means I'm doing a good job on my PTR! I only just started with the dis a month ago and had no idea what a PTR was!!! So thanks for the compliment!

ETA: Can't see the collage of Erica

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Can't see the collage of Erica

Thanks...I think I fixed it. (Doncha just love Photobucket?)

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

This trip is far too far away for me to be obsessing about it!

For sure we are doing CRT. Even though it's pricey, and the food is not-so-good, it's a must for first timers.

BBB is a no brainer.

I think it would be cool to do the pirate makeovers at POTC, and I need to check out the pirate cruise/treasure hunt I heard about that leaves from POR or GF.

Jax, Erica, Troy and Lisa want to do the Segway Tour at EPCOT. Do they still have it? Are the kids old enough?

My head is spinning! No one else in our group is inclined to make decisions for meals and activities that we won't enjoy for almost a year, so I keep making lists and checking them twice...now I know how Santa feels!

So, my plan for today is not to plan anything. No visiting Disney.com. No trolling the Disboards. No new lists or adding to existing lists. No reading menus on allears. Don't even consider changing resorts or adding days to the reservation.



Yeah, like any of that's gonna happen!

Later, y'all!

Up next: Things, they are a'changin'....(click here)

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

So, just when I think things are all set for the Divalicious weekend...NOT. Erica called and told me she got her vacation days wrong, and she's actually off the weekend of December 10, not December 2. She was this guy: , but I assured her that it would be OK, even though on the inside, I was this guy: After all, isn't that smack dab in the middle of December free dining? We only have two ADRs, but still....

So, I fire up the 'net, cross my fingers, and make a wish! And whaddaya know...it all worked out just fine with not even a teeny tiny little bit of trouble! Dates changed at the resort: Cali Grill dinner rescheduled: CP breakfast rescheduled: Vacation ticker changed:

We're scheduled for dinner at CG at 9:30 p.m., with Wishes at 10 p.m. A couple of hours after I made the reservation, I thought an earlier ressie might be better and found out that the night is now completely booked.











I realize it seems like a small thing, but this weekend is so special to Erica and me...we talk, text, and email, and facebook about it incessantly!

I sure do love me some Disney magic! ​

Up Next: Click here for "Into each life, some rain must fall...."

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Today is not a good day to be me.

OK, so that’s not precisely true. Every day is a good day to be me; after all, I’m pretty darn lucky to have family and friends, a good job that I love and excel at, a smart, goofy man in my life, and not one but TWO trips to Disney coming up!

But I did get some not-so-good news.

Background: I had a total knee replacement in 2008 and have being experiencing pain (!), range of motion, and stability issues. Most recently, the knee collapsed on me, as in one second I’m standing; and the next I’m on the ground wondering how the heck I got there!

Current: The doc says as a complication from the surgery, I now have a short patellar tendon, which is pulling the knee cap (way) off center and up (way) higher than it should be. It looks as though if it were any further off center, it would be BEHIND my leg! The repair consists of grafting one of my hip tendons or replacing the existing tendon with a cadaver tendon. Unfortunately, results show that full rehab is long (up to a year), very painful…and…wait for it…has a high probability of failing.

Joy.

At this point, the surgeon doesn’t recommend surgery, and I wouldn’t consider it right now anyway. I’m on anti-inflammatories, ice packs, and pain meds.

How does this relate to Disney?

Well, for one thing, I’ll definitely have to ECV it around the world. This isn’t my first rodeo with an ECV (cancer survivor!), but it is a blow to my (I admit it) substantial pride. I thought those days were behind me!

The other thing, which is more of an issue, is that I’m afraid it could greatly inhibit my ability to ride rides. For sure there will be no Space, Astro Orbiter, or RnR for me. I hope I’ll be able to ride POTC and even Small World (my Mom’ favorite , and the kidlets have never ridden it), but if the seats are too low, thus requiring a deep, painful knee bend to sit and lotsnlots of pain to get up, I just don’t know. Leg room on rides like the safari at AK might be an issue because my range of motion is greatly restricted. I can bend it at 90 degrees, but sustaining the bend for more than a few minutes causes pain and swelling.

Ever the optimist, I am telling myself that I can ride Soarin’ (my absolute favorite) with no problem. I can even do HM and a number of other rides where the walkway can be slowed and I’m pretty confident that leg room isn’t an issue.

Also in the glass-half-full column is that I don’t think it will greatly impact the Divas weekend in December. Other than TT at Epcot and RnR at DHS, I think I’ll be OK. Our main objective is to enjoy as many holiday storytellers as possible and do a lot (a lot, a lot) of shopping at Epcot. At DHS, I think I can do pretty much everything except RnR., even ToT, which is another favorite.

So, yay!!

I haven’t told my family anything yet…just letting it sink in a bit, I guess. So, where do I turn? Why, to my PTR, of course!



This morning I put the Disney playlist on my iPod and just let the music fill me up and wash away the blues. Seriously, is there any way to NOT smile and sing along with “Bear Necessities”?

Gabriel and I are having a movie afternoon. He’s my own personal comic book/Star Wars geek , which is OK since I’m his Disney freak . We’re watching Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man (I and II thankyouverymuch). I love giving him a hard time about his comic book obsession, but I really like them, too (especially Iron Man…Robert Downey, Jr. makes me swoon), so it’s win-win!

Anyway, this ends my not-so-magical Disney PTR update. Super heroes await, and as Scarlett says, “Tomorrow is another day.”

Up Next: Click here for "Distory"

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Remember the comic book movie extravaganza from my previous post? Well, thanks to a pain pill, I slept through most of Iron Man, and now that we’re about 30 minutes into Captain America on pay per view, Gabriel is asleep on the couch. I, of course, am now awake and would rather watch Thor. Yum-my! Good thing I’m a great multi-tasker; so I can Dis and watch Cap at the same time.

Go, me!

Planning a Disney trip has had me thinking about my Disney history, or “Distory” as I like to call it (cuz I’m clever like that). Having grown up in central Florida, Distory runs deep throughout my family. My stepfather and two uncles worked construction on MK 40 years ago. My grandfather was one of the engineers on Space and rode it on the first test run. We had tickets to opening day but didn’t go. Bummer. How great would it be to be able to say “I was at MK the day it opened!” We did eventually go, of course, and often. I’ve seen attractions come and go; and following, in no particular order, are the top five MK rides I miss the most.

Swan Boats—even though they seemed to be broken down more than they were up and running, I was so sad when they were permanently shut down.

Sad face.

20,000 Leagues under the Sea—OK, truth be told, I didn’t love this ride, but it makes the list because I had one of my BEST Disney experiences on it when my sister (about six years old at the time) completely freaked out about being underwater. Everyone on the ride was trying to calm her down to no avail. When we finally got off, she accused my mom of trying to kill her. You should’ve seen the looks we got!

Good times!

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride—seriously, why did this one have to go? What’s not to like about hidden doorways, a train crash, and a visit to hell? I still miss it.

Yes, I’m lame.

Skyway—I thought this ride was SO cool. And when a CM could be persuaded to let us stay on for the round trip, it was SUPER cool. Best memory of this ride: pelting my unsuspecting brother with ice as I passed over him.

Ah, sibling love.

If You Had Wings—sponsored by Eastern Airlines, this ride was so spectacularly lame that throughout my teens, my friends and I rode it over and over (and over and over…). The theme song (“If you had wings, had wings, had wings….”) was guaranteed to be so stuck in your head that not even It’s a Small World could get it out. The speed simulator at the end was totally awesome…and probably the real reason we kept riding it.

Memories light the corners of my mind…misty water-colored memories of the way MK was….

Musical interlude over.

Anybody out there wanna share a piece of your Distory?

Up Next: Click here for "Baby, I was thinking..."

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

So, Gabriel’s cooking dinner (he’s a most excellent cook), and I’m reading him WDW menus because he’s a foodie, and that’s the one Disney thing I can get him revved up about. He wants to go to Kouzzina’s; and, in fact, we have an ADR to go try it out in a couple of weeks.

I LOVE that we can just zip-a-dee-doo-da over to WDW for dinner!

He’s decided that Jiko, Narcoosee’s, and Via Napoli are also on his list. Well, hey, big spender!

I’m trying to explain to him that Le Cellier is not what it once was, but he has no frame of reference; so he interrupts me and says, “Baby, I was thinking….”

Which makes my antenna go up.

Because this could go either way.

He could say, “Baby, I was thinking that a long weekend out of town would be fun.” Because we’ve been talking about going to New York to see a Broadway show (I want to see Wicked or The Lion King SO bad!).

Or

He could say, “Baby, I was thinking that I’m going to go ahead and buy that vintage (insert random super hero) comic book.”

So, when he said, “Baby, I’ve been thinking…”, I said, “Did it hurt?”

And he gave me “the look.”

I gave him my most innocent and sincere smile and urged him to share his thoughts. “What were you thinking, my love?”

“I was thinking that it would be fun to add a few days to the Disney extravaganza. Just us.”

I was stunned. First of all, he was thinking about Disney when I wasn’t talking about it. And secondly, it was his idea to spend more time at the happiest place on earth!

I’m pretty sure I squealed like a little girl, which made him laugh.

So, we’re adding three more days at YC to the end of the trip, which means that we’ll be there on my actual birthday!!

He also said he wants to take Jack and Erica to IOA one day while they’re here because he loves thrill rides, and so do they. His reasoning is that since Disney bought Marvel, IOA is “practically a Disney park now, too.”

Yeah, right.

He's such a funny manfriend. He makes me laugh. A lot.

I’m sure some of the others will want to go, too, but not me. I am a thrill ride wienie. Plus, I’ve never loved Universal/IOA. And I know that he secretly wants to check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, too. And Erica will be his cover.

I have no interest whatsoever in Harry Potter…not the books, not the movies (although I’ve seen all except the last one), and especially not the theme park. And when they build the Twilight section of the park, I won’t be interested in that either. Erica is completely disappointed in me, but I figure she’ll get over it.

Besides I can use a day to myself at WDW…sleep late, sun by the pool, maybe get a spa treatment.

Heaven, I’m in Heaven…

On the Diva front, Erica and I decided to cancel our breakfast ADR at Crystal Palace. It just didn’t make sense to go into MK just for breakfast. The problem is that it left us with NO meal plans for that day, and ADRs are scarce as hen’s teeth! I snagged a lunch ADR at Brown Derby. I’ve never eaten there, and the reviews on the Dis are mixed. I’ll keep my eyes peeled (I love the online reservation system), and maybe something better will come up.

Oh yes, one more thing…Erica is now a BLONDE!

Up Next: Click here for "My Newest Obsession..."

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

I am in SO much trouble! I've discovered DISigns, and I CAN"T STOP!

I've decided that everyone on our October trip shall have their own logo (for lack of a better word). I'm thinking they'll make good laminated luggage tags, gift tags, stroller/ECV tags, autograph book covers...the list just never ends!

I finished two for the Divas trip. Of course, I have over a month, so they could still change. Many times. I'm going to make Tshirt transfers, even though I don't know if we'll actually wear them...they'll make cute suvies. I'm also going to make pins, and I have an idea to use it as the base for a scrapbook

Anyway, here they are. (Erica is Jessica Rabbit, and I'm Tink.) If there's anyone out there , I'd love some feedback.

Up Next: Click here for "The Dreaded Holding Pattern"

 

[Joyciemc]

I was so far behind!! But I am now subscribing, so it shouldn't happen again!

I like the Diva logos! We have an idea for our trip, and I just may have to check out the DISigns forum...

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

I was so far behind!! But I am now subscribing, so it shouldn't happen again!

I like the Diva logos! We have an idea for our trip, and I just may have to check out the DISigns forum...

Thanks! There are lots of clever people on the DISign forum...very helpful, too!

Good luck with your idea, but be warned...it's addictive...but then again, all things Disney are addictive!

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Well, I’ve reached the point that all long-term planners reach.

The dreaded holding pattern.

That place where you know you’re going, who’s going with you, when you’re going, and where you’re staying. The place where you know you need park hoppers (duh) and to stay the heck out of MK on Saturday. You have a list of restaurants but don’t know what meals or days you want to be there. Your list of extras (BBB, Pirates League, Segway Tour) is getting out of control, but you keep adding to it anyway. And if the kids’ swag bags contain every item on your always growing list, they’ll weigh 500 pounds each, and you’ll have to rent a storage unit to house everything.

But you can’t really “DO” anything else because you’re far, far, FAR away from the 180-day mark, and people are starting to roll their eyes because you talk about the “D” word way too much.

I hate the holding pattern and firmly believe that a day without Disney is like a day without sunshine. And who can live without sunshine?



So I decided to write about random Disney stuff…starting with my Disney Top Five.

Number 5—Disney Movies and Music Memories (a countdown within a countdown)
I’m putting these two together because, let’s face it, you can’t have a Disney movie without Disney music. And they’re in chronological rather than preferential order, just cuz.

My first big-screen Disney movie was Cinderella. I had a big storybook with Disney illustrations and loved it, so when the movie was re-released, Mom took me to see it. I was five years old, and the thing I remember most is the “Sing Sweet Nightingale” scene with the iridescent bubbles and Cinderella scrubbing the floor. According to Mom, the next day she caught me singing and scrubbing the bathroom floor. That might be where my longstanding love for singing stems from…but the whole scrubbing thing turned out to be just a flash in the pan!

After seeing Jungle Book, my brother and I had way too much fun hanging upside down from the tree in our backyard acting out the vultures “What you wan’a do ‘aday?” “I don’t know; what you wan’a do ‘aday?” scene. For some reason, we were also inordinately fond of singing “Oh oobee doo, I wanna be like you; I wanna walk like you, talk like you too.”

Sleeping Beauty was released on VHS in the late 80s, and I snapped it right up. I love me some Sleeping Beauty. My godson, Justin, loved it, too, mainly because of Prince Philip and the whole killing the dragon thing he had going on. He was very impressed by all the things Philip went through to get to his princess. So when Cinderella was re-released (again!), I took him to see it. Justin was not impressed with singing mice and evil stepsisters. And he was completely disgusted by Prince Charming’s inability to run down a flight of stairs. When he stops on the steps to get the shoe, letting Cinderella get away, Justin said quite loudly, “Aw, man…Prince Philip woulda HAD her!”

Pocahontas was Erica’s first movie. She was two or three, and she was completely enthralled. No problem keeping her attention! We were leaving, and she looked at me over her daddy’s shoulder and said, “Waddy (that’s me), I wike a’dat moobie!”

My list is incomplete without The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, and Aladdin. I love them primarily because of the music, which brings us to….

My Top Ten Disney Songs
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Cinderella)
Once Upon a Dream (Sleeping Beauty)
Part of Your World (The Little Mermaid)
Something There (Beauty and the Beast)
I Won’t Say I’m in Love (Hercules)
Colors of the Wind (Pocahontas)
Reflection (Mulan)
Baby Mine (Dumbo)
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Mary Poppins)
Candle on the Water (Pete’s Dragon)

What are your favorite Disney movie and/or music memories?

Up Next: Click Here for "A Twofer! Numbers 4 and 3 on my Disney Top Five"

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Good morning, campers!

Today, a twofer. I know, exciting, right? Numbers 4 and 3 in my Diseny Top Five follow because they're relatively short, and number 2 is long and will take multiple posts.

I know you're all sitting on the edge of your seats, so without further ado...


4) Grad Nite
Growing up in central Florida, Grad Nite at WDW was a rite of passage; so when my turn rolled around, I was beyond excited. I remember a sea of stuffed cap and gown Winnie the Poohs (I still have mine) and grad nite buttons and how badly my feet hurt because “proper attire” was required. My school provided buses for us, but I rode over in a car full of friends. We danced to Rose Royce and Peaches & Herb (gosh, I’m OLD!) and rode Haunted Mansion no less than 12 times. It’s always been the best make-out ride. (I’m not sayin’…I’m just sayin’.) We stayed until they kicked us out at 5 a.m. and floated home on a wave of euphoric exhaustion and laughter.

3) Beauty and the Beast on Ice

Once upon a time, a long time ago (1996), in a galaxy far, far away (Virginia), it was decided that Jackson and Erica really needed to go see Beauty and the Beast on ice. The day of the show dawned ominously with snow in the forecast. We started telling Erica (3 years old) right away that we might not get to go because it was an hour away, and if the roads got bad, we'd be stuck at home.

All day long we watched the sky and the weather channel. It looked like it was gonna get ugly...there were flurries and periods of light snow...but nothing major. Then right about the time we start getting ready to go, the snow starts. My BIL (Troy) was shaking his head doing the “I don't think this is a good idea” thing, but Lisa and I were DETERMINED. These children (and us, too) were going to see Beauty and the Beast!

We loaded the car (my little red sports model) with games, books, toys, two car seats, a cooler full of snacks and juice boxes, some extra clothes and a whole bag full of Huggies. Troy said we were nuts...we were going 45 miles, not on a cross country trek, and by the way, had he said that this is a bad idea?

It was snowing when we set off, but not that bad; and we were sure it would be OK. The kids both fell asleep; and we had the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack blaring in the CD player, singing at the top of our lungs. These kids are used to it. In fact, my brother says that growing up with me was like living in a Disney movie cuz you never knew when somebody (namely me) was gonna burst into song.

Anyway, we were making good time, and things were looking good.

Then all the sudden, traffic slows.

Then crawls.

Then stops.

We're on a four lane divided highway, and the two lanes going the opposite direction are moving fine. We sit, thanking God that the kids are asleep. After about 20 minutes, my sister gets out and walks up a ways and finds out that a 16 wheeler was going up a hill ahead and got stuck on a patch of ice. His trailer jack knifed and is now blocking both lanes of traffic. They (whoever "they" are) are trying to move the truck, but not having much luck.

So we sit.

And the kids wake up.

And they're antsy because, after all, they've had naps and are now confined to car seats. We read books and play games. We sing songs and make up silly stories. They're being really good, but now they're hungry.

Good thing we packed for a cross-country trek!

Lisa pops open the trunk and starts pulling out goodies. Juice boxes. Gummi bears. Graham crackers. PBJs. Nectar! She's making her way back to get into the car when the window rolls down on the car next to us. A rather frazzled looking woman says desperately, "Is that a...JUICE BOX??"

"Uh huh."

"I'll pay you $10 for it."

Cha ching!

Nah...we didn't charge her for it...and we even gave her a bonus Huggies.

"They" finally got the truck moved, and we arrived at the civic center with about 10 minutes left of the show.

Don't despair.

The civic center folks were great. They gave us vouchers to come back to see the matinee performance the following afternoon. The snow melted, the roads cleared, and we drove over again the next day.

Because our original tickets were for front row seats, they put a row of folding chairs in FRONT of the front row seats for us. SWEET. We were so close to the ice that when they skaters went whooshing by us, we could feel the breeze they created.

When it came to the part of the show where Belle is gone and the Beast is so very sad and dejected, he skated right in front of us and fell to his beastly knees, his huge beastly shoulders shaking with grief, obviously bereft over the loss of his one true love. Erica leapt out of her chair, and she would've made it to the ice if I hadn't caught her. I held her on my lap, she wiggled like crazy to get loose until, finally, she twisted around and said indignantly, "But, Aunt Wally, he needs a'be PETTED!!"

I love that.

We bought about two gazillion dollars worth of Beauty and the Beast souvenirs, and a good time was had by all!

Up Next: Click Here for "Number 2: Songbirds on the Loose (Part 1)"