Bippity Boppity Brr! My Very Meticulously Crafted Plans don't quite pan out.

[Katie & Glen]

I am laughing too that the dole whip CM was clueless. wow! how frustrating!

I love the girls red shirts at MVMCP- those are so cute. they looked like they were really having a ball with all of the princesses, they have HUGE smiles on their faces.

Okay, your pic of Ariel at CRT-does she have an odd look on her face, or is that just me? lol

on the paint brushes- sorry you guys didn't find one, DH and i tried this on a trip one august when it was just the two of us. we were on the first boat over too and determined to win! we looked all over that stupid island and didn't find a thing. We finally gave up and headed back, but the CM felt bad for us and gave us a free FP we could use at Splash or Thunder anyways! score! I need to take Will over to the island in October, we skipped it this trip. your pics reminded me how much fun it is!

Sorry the MVMCp was so crowded, ours ended up being sold out too. I had read that the dwarves are really popular, it is the only place and time of year you can get them all together apparently? So they say to line up before the party starts even for them!

You are not the only one who noticed Ariel looked strange. I thought she was downright scary looking!

DoP - loving the report so far!!

 

[exwdwcm]

That would work for me too. Of course every party would sell out, or they would increase the number of tickets which would make it more crowded.

I wasn't a happy camper dealing with the CM, but looking back it does make a funny story.

I think part of the problem with MVMCP's is most people haven't been there, and get overwhelmed by everything. If I went to another one I would probably enjoy it more knowing what I can accomplish and what I can't and plan accordingly instead of trying to see it all, then missing stuff.



Glad you can laugh at my misfortune.

I loved those shirts too. Those were the shirts that they only had in 1 size at World of Disney, but I found different sizes at the Christmas shop. Go figure.

Once I realized that everyone, ok well probably not everyone, but most of the people on the first boat went with the intention of finding paint brushes, I chalked our chances up to nil, and concentrated on enjoying the island.

My only complaint about the Dwarves is they aren't shown on the Map as a character greeting spot. The only two on the map are at the entrance of Toon Town and in Toon Town itself. So naturally I went there first. I know better for next time, but that won't be for quite some time.

yeah, i have heard that the map is terrible for the characters----there are obviously tons more around that are not marked on the map and unless you are on a board like this or educate yourself you simply won't know they are there unless you just run into them!

You are not the only one who noticed Ariel looked strange. I thought she was downright scary looking!

DoP - loving the report so far!!

good- she just looked, well 'off'.

 

[annmarieda]

You are not the only one who noticed Ariel looked strange. I thought she was downright scary looking!

DoP - loving the report so far!!

I agree.. and.... I think it is often a problem with Ariel. If I can track it down I will share a pic I have of Ariel with my dd. She too looks "off" Kinda in a scary way. Girls love Ariel too....so it is a shame when the Ariel they see is not...quite...right.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I agree, the Ariel we saw didn't look right.

 

[jenseib]

I agree, the Ariel we saw didn't look right.

I noticed that too. She was freaky looking.

 

[exwdwcm]

she just had a freaky look on her face, weird smile or eyes or something. i don't know.

i've heard how tough they are on the face characters though, so who knows, maybe they just couldn't find anyone better? My old roomie who has worked entertainment at WDW for at least 10 years auditioned for face (she had done regular characters already, parade, hunchback show etc.) and she said they were brutal. they totally tear you apart- if you nose is slightly big, teeth aren't perfect, weight, height, hair, acne, scars, eyes too far apart, bad eyebrows etc. She said it is really tough. even if you pass that, you have to get through the voice training or whatever too and have the right voice. what a beatdown. I would expect better face characters after hearing that.

i've also been very disappointed with most of the Pocahontas' i have seen. The one we saw at Rafiki's planet watch was awful!

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

You had the same Sleeping Beauty as us that night. Did you think her skin was bad? DH kept saying her skin looked really bad and the make up made it worse. He wondered the same thing about the face characters. I do feel bad but I guess you would have to think of it like a modeling job and in order to get the job, you have to look a certain way.

I'm so DARN CUTE in our dismeet pic, LOL.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

You had the same Sleeping Beauty as us that night. Did you think her skin was bad? DH kept saying her skin looked really bad and the make up made it worse. He wondered the same thing about the face characters. I do feel bad but I guess you would have to think of it like a modeling job and in order to get the job, you have to look a certain way.

I'm so DARN CUTE in our dismeet pic, LOL.

She looked kind of strange to me too. I thought the makeup was a bit much.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Friday, December 17th
Resort – Polynesian
Park(s) – EPCOT
Weather: high of 75 degrees, low of 44 degrees

Plans for the day, pretty short and simple.

Breakfast with the Princesses at Akershus 8:00
Spend day touring countries.
Diner at 1900 Park Fare 5:15
Head back to EPCOT EMH hourst til Midnight

So who is the idiot who planned an 8 am breakfast at EPCOT the morning after we would be at the MVMCP and not get in until after midnight? I didn’t wake up before the alarm this time.
So we get up at 6, get showered, and head out to the TTC around 7:15. We get right on the Monorail, and off we go towards EPCOT. We are the only ones on the whole train. Amazing, our own private monorail, don’t we feel special. It stops inside EPCOT for a few minutes. We finally get off and head down to get an early entry into the park. Once again they don’t have a list of names, I’m seriously considering pretending to have ADR’s next time I go so I can wonder around the parks for an hour before they open, although EPCOT wouldn’t be my first choice.

So in we go, get some standard pics of spaceship earth, the fountains, the Christmas Tree before we get to Akershus for breakfast.

We get the standard picture with Belle, then go to our seats.

The breakfast has changed since we were here four years ago. They have a buffet with fruits, cheeses, Danishes, etc… but they bring out a platter of eggs, bacon, sausage, and a cheesy potato casserole. I really liked the potatoes.

Then come the princesses. We get Sleeping Beauty (again), Cinderalla (4th time meeting her), Snow White (2nd time meeting her), and Arial (little better than the one at CRT, not by much though).

Breakfast is over, and the park is just opening, I send Diane and the kids to Test Track, while I run over to the land to get FP’s for Soarin. Everybody wants to ride that again. While I am heading over I see a family with the daughter pointing into the character connection saying she wants to see them. I think the dad isn’t happy with the detour, but sees there isn’t a line and relents. I point out how to get in, and keep heading into the Land for the FPs.

I get back, and Diane is a bit leery of the ride so I go on with the kids. No wait, heck we even skipped the little video they show in the queue and get right into a car. The kids love the ride, so we convince mom that she would like it. This time we watch the video, which scares my wife a bit, but I tell her it isn’t as bad as the video makes it sound.

As you can see in the picture though, I don’t think she liked the ride too much.

After two turns on Test Track we head over to the land to ride Soarin. Last time we were in the third row in the far left set, this time we are in row 2 in the middle. Would love to get the first row sometime, but this is fine with me.

After Soarin we head towards Canada. We are a little early for the countries, so we have a seat to relax a bit since everyone is tired.

We watch O’Canada, and get the first autograph in the passports my cousins husband made for us. Speaking of the passports, here are some pics of them.

Pics of Canada

We head towards the United Kingdom, watch a little bit of the Christmas Carol live show. We sneak through a store to head back to the KidCot area to get the next autograph and stamp in our passports. Grab a quick pic of the kids in front of this wall.

Next we head down into France and we see Marie. This is one of Ally’s favorite characters, she still has her stuffed Marie from our 2007 trip. We luck out, she was about to take a break to get a bowl of milk, but stayed for us.

We then sit and listen to Pere Noel.

Next up Morocco. The kids pose in front of this painting in Morocco. Amazingly Ally spots a Mickey Head.

We get pictures with Jasmine and Alladin.

Next we head into Japan, and catch the storyteller discuss Japanese traditions which are more about New Years.

We head into the store so we can find the place to pick pearls. We need three, one for each of my ladies. I get very annoyed with a lady because I am waiting to let the lady at the cashier know we are getting pearls. When she finishes with the person at the register, a women walks right in front of me and says she wants to pick a pearl. I say, quite loudly, That’s ok, I wasn’t waiting here for anything. This gets no response. The rudeness of people amazes me at times.

OK vent over, I video tape the entire process, and get some pics.

Next up. Off to America.

 

[Tinkermom76]

I really wanna try pick a pearl... my list for next trip is getting long

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

After we finished with Japan, we kept on going, and came to the American pavilion.
WE got some pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

We skip the storyteller who is going to talk about Kwanzaa. I thought this was an odd choice, but I guess there are many holiday traditions in America. We get a quick snack at the Gingerbread shop, chocolate chip cookies..

We watch some of the band playing. Once again, I learn how clueless people can be as I watch a few people walk right though the performers. Seriously, do they look like tourists nitwits?

Ally of course spotted the Mickey Head on the drum.

So we head into Italy next. My wife is half Italian, so she is looking forward to hearing the StoryTeller Old Belfana. The kids sit down to listen to the tale, and Belfana asks if anyone knows her name. Ally proudly raises her hand, and when asked says Belfana. The character says yes, but some people call her Old Belfana, but only her enemies.

We head off towards Germany next. We do a little shopping, got a nice Snow White canister thing for my Mom for Christmas. It’s around 3:30 and we are right near the shuttle boat. Since we need to be at 1900 Park Fare by 5:15 according to my plan book, we decide to take the boat across, and head back to the resort to get rid of our purchases and head onto the Grand Floridian.

While waiting for the monorail we get spotted by, PRmamiDEdos. I think she is following me. They have ADR’s at Park Fare too, but not until 6:45 I think. We get onto the monorail, and apparently they were having some issues. I thought we had plenty of time, but we get delayed a few times on the monorail. I am getting a bit concerned about the time by now. We finally get to TTC, and head straight to the room to get rid of our purchases. Of course, we get another surprise from MouseKeeping.

Then we head to the Great Ceremonial house, and get back on the Monorail. Dianes sees some amatuer ginger bread creations, I promise we will stop by later tonight to get pics, for now we have dinner reservations we need to get to. We get to the GF with about 10 minutes to spare before our ADR’s. Or so I think.

We go to check in, and the lady says our reservation is for 6:25. WHAT? That can’t be. I pull out my planner, and it says 5:15. Hmm, I go to the page that lists all of our ADR’s essentially a screen shot, and yup, 6:25 is the correct time. What the heck was I thinking when I wrote 5:15. We could have spent more time at EPCOT. Oh well, we head to the lobby to relax for a while.

When the time comes I head back in to check in. And we are ready to go see the characters at Park Fare.

First a family photo.

Ally is in her glory because she gets to meet Cinderella for the 5th time. Prince Charming again, and we get to meet Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and Anastasia. They are much better than the two mice we met last time Suzy and Perla. I have seen Cinderella hundreds of times, thanks Ally , but I never knew these two female mice even had names. They are never mentioned in the movie.

Lady Tremaine said we would probably want to have this framed.

As we are eating I keep looking at families coming in because I expect to see PRmamiDEdos at anytime now since our reservation times weren’t when I thought they were. We didn’t see her though, until we left. Apparently today was the day for messing up ADR times as they had the wrong time too. We saw them as we were leaving.

The tile work on the floors at the Grand Floridian are pretty amazing.

So we head back to EPCOT to finish up the countries. We get some pictures with the Photopass people.

We stop in the store to do some more shopping. Big mistake, we spent close to an hour walking around the store. I really wanted to get a shirt that had 2010 on it, and hadn’t been able to find one, but surely MouseWorks would have one right! Wrong, nothing but 2011 merchandise. This really sucks, it isn’t 2011 so I don’t want that stuff.

We finally get out of the store, and head towards Mexico. The World Showcase is packed since Illuminations is going to start soon. We quickly head into Mexico to get the Stamp and Autograph. By this time Donald is around, and the ride is closed for the night. Bummer.

We head into Norway next, and find a spot to watch Illuminations. We saw most of it, then went in to get the stamp and Autograph, only Norway and China left.

We take some shots in front of this guy. Not sure who he is.

Our last stop is China. Now this is where we had a little scare. WWe have a Sit and Stand stroller. Olivia is in the standing part while Ally rides in the front. At china they have a Kiosk that sells puppets, and Olivia wanted to see them. We said not right now. Before we can turn into China there is a bunch of people coming at us so we wait. Once they pass we head into China. We park the stroller to head into get our final stamp and autograph, but where is Olivia? I look around real quick, but she isn’t there. Diane and Ally get quite upset, I say I will be right back and head to the kiosk with the puppets. She isn’t there, I walk around a little, and see her with another family. We had told the kids if we get separated they should go to one of the CM’s and tell them they are lost. She didn’t go to a CM, but she did go to a Mom and tell her she was lost. The whole situation only lasted maybe 3 minutes, but did give me quite a scare. Mom and Ally were quite relieved when I returned with Olivia.

Waiting to cross into China

Scare over, we head in and get the final Autograph, I have no idea what they say though. I can’t remember, and each one is different.

Tonight is EMH night, but it’s 10:00 now, and we are all pretty tired since we didn’t get much sleep last night. Tomorrow is our last day, and we have reservations at Chef Mickey’s at 7:45 am. Once again, who is the idiot who is scheduling these early breakfasts?

On the way out we get some more pics with the PhotoPass People.

We head back to the Poly, and go through the Great Ceremonial House and get some pictures of amateur ginger bread creations. Some are pretty cool.

a pirate ship.

the Great Ceremonial House at the Polynesian.

a snow globe.

 

[annmarieda]

I love the passports. Very cool

Your wife doesn't look too happy about the ride. Will she ride again?

The pearls are beautiful. I like how they are presented in a mickey head.

I am amazed at how people can act at times. I think the lines in WS are just haphazard and more problematic than any other place in WDW. When we were there in September...I was about to lose my mind when waiting at a kidcot in China. The line was formed one way...I got to the front...then people came up and formed a line to the side. Angry...I finally moved to the "new" line. As I got up to the front of that one, it happened again. I again had to move. When it happened a third time...I was so hot!!! Luckily, a nice person formed the line behind me...so although a person started a line to the side again, I WAS the front with the line trailing behind me. Grrrrr

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I really wanna try pick a pearl... my list for next trip is getting long

I definitely recommend it. It's only like $17 after taxes for a pearl. Then $3 for the carriage pearl cage on ebay.

 

[Tinkermom76]

I definitely recommend it. It's only like $17 after taxes for a pearl. Then $3 for the carriage pearl cage on ebay.

did all your pearls fit in the cage? I heard some people got some that were too big

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I love the passports. Very cool

Your wife doesn't look too happy about the ride. Will she ride again?

The pearls are beautiful. I like how they are presented in a mickey head.

I am amazed at how people can act at times. I think the lines in WS are just haphazard and more problematic than any other place in WDW. When we were there in September...I was about to lose my mind when waiting at a kidcot in China. The line was formed one way...I got to the front...then people came up and formed a line to the side. Angry...I finally moved to the "new" line. As I got up to the front of that one, it happened again. I again had to move. When it happened a third time...I was so hot!!! Luckily, a nice person formed the line behind me...so although a person started a line to the side again, I WAS the front with the line trailing behind me. Grrrrr

Thanks, we love the passports. Much thanks to my cousins husband.

I don't think she would go on it again. She complained her neck hurt after the ride.

Yes, I was amazed a few times at how unbelievable rude people could be. Of course being tired I was much less inclined to hold my tongue.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

did all your pearls fit in the cage? I heard some people got some that were too big

Yes, they fit just fine. Two were 7, and one was 7 1/4. If you get one too big, well, you are only out $3, and you have a big pearl.

 

[annmarieda]

What great pics you got!

I bet the mix up on ADR time was frustrating. I always worry I am gonna do that.

As for the losing Olivia...that is scary. Glad it was short lived and that all was fine. We have lost each of the kids at one point or another. It is terrifying.

 

[Tinkermom76]

Yes, they fit just fine. Two were 7, and one was 7 1/4. If you get one too big, well, you are only out $3, and you have a big pearl.

lol true

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

What great pics you got!

I bet the mix up on ADR time was frustrating. I always worry I am gonna do that.

As for the losing Olivia...that is scary. Glad it was short lived and that all was fine. We have lost each of the kids at one point or another. It is terrifying.

Nobody to blame but myself. If I hadn't screwed up we could have met Mulan in China. She wasn't there when we got back. Olivia likes Mulan, so it's a bummer we missed her.

It was quite scary, but Disney is pretty good with lost kids, so I wasn't totally freaked out.

 

[jenseib]

Busy day. We like 1900 PF dinner too. Though we have been thre twice, we have never even been offered to take a picture, not have I ever seen them do it. They must not do it all the time