"But Mom, I want to come back to WDW!"

[blue_river]

Day 2 – Part 4

I thought we should split up for some shopping time because somewhere along the way I came across Ye Olde Christmas Store and I just knew I was going to need at least a half an hour to browse in that shop alone.

To enhance the Christmas spirit, one of my favourite family traditions is buying ornaments for our tree while on vacation.

The entire tree process is the centerpiece of our celebration.

Each year since JoJo was born we travel to the tree farm two weeks before the holiday season and spend half the day finding the perfect tree, sipping hot chocolate by the huge bonfires, eating hotdogs and taking a magical hayride through the forest.

There is sledding, skating, pony rides and a petting area where a few of Santa’s reindeer are kept.

Santa is on site, visiting the children, happily posing for pictures.

When we get the tree home the magical day continues as we each go through our own boxes of cherished ornaments that we’ve purchased over the years, others that have been given to us by family members and of course those from our yearly vacations.

I realize I’m off topic but an explanation was necessary as to why the Christmas Store was so important to me.

Our ornaments reflect who we are, periods of our life and create heartwarming memories for us to savour.

While looking through the store at all of the wonderful Disney ornaments and trying to decide what to add to our collection, it provided me with a special time of reflection, a sense of well-being and great love and appreciation for my family.

This was a difficult decision for me because there were so many choices.

I finally decided on a box set of four glass ball Mickey heads. One for each of us.

When the time comes, I’ll write our name and date on each ball with my golden marker and purchase separate gift boxes so my girls can add them to their own collection of treasured ornaments.

This was my first opportunity to experience the no hassle shopping that Disney offers. All I had to do was give my name and resort and my parcel was to be shipped to the store at ASMo for a later pickup. Bonus! No need to carry around my breakable gift.

You have to love that.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Oh my Gosh! Blue, I didn't even know you had a trip report going. I've been in my own little world for the past two weeks and haven't had time to even notice. Sorry

Since mine is almost done, I'm going to comment on yours. It looks like you need a little "guy" perspective in here anyway

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

DH wasn’t all that impressed with his new bag and the girls laughed and teased him a few times and said he was carrying a purse. He ended up using a small sized Mary Kate & Ashley knapsack about 2 days into the trip because he said that the other one was too heavy on his shoulder and was digging in. He looked so cute with his purple bag. *smiling at the memory

That's great! I've had the same Fanny Pack for every single trip to WDW. I'm not sure if it was visible in any pictures, but I borrowed it from a friend and he told me I could keep it upon my return. He said it was little too "fem" for him. SCORE for Buzz!! Anyway, the only time I ever use it at WDW. No, really, I'm serious!

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

That's great! I've had the same Fanny Pack for every single trip to WDW. I'm not sure if it was visible in any pictures, but I borrowed it from a friend and he told me I could keep it upon my return. He said it was little too "fem" for him. SCORE for Buzz!! Anyway, the only time I ever use it at WDW. No, really, I'm serious!

Don't believe him! He wears it ALL the time. (He's my DH-I've seen him wear it outside of WDW!!) I had a fanny pack from Walmart that I was using last summer during a garage sale to hold all my money and the pocket with my quarters ripped and they all went flying everywhere all over the ground. This year, I bought one in WDW. Much better. DD4 wanted my old one so she wore it in some of the pictures. She's so skinny -she put it over her head to get it on and proceeded to tell me how big my butt was. Can never hear that enough....

I didn't know you had a TR going either, but that was because I was on that lap top while on vacation and couldn't navigate around on it with my big man hands.

I'm sorry to hear about your illness. What a double whammy with that and your mom. I'm so sorry. I hope everything works out. We were hit hard this year too. Kind of takes the joy out of life. Besides my dad & grandma dying, we had a friend whose wife was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. She had a dream of going to Hawaii and while she was undergoing chemo, her DH booked the trip and she found out she couldn't travel. She died a few weeks later. My grandma-same thing. Always wanted to go on a cruise, but died before she ever did. I was just talking about that to my mom today. Live your dreams now before it's too late.

I understand the non-excitement of going to WDW. On my first trip, I was so unenthused. I just didn't get it. I thought we were going to a big county fair. I had no idea.

blue__river, we have a lot of similarities I noticed after reading your TR: We both don't talk in the mornings. Our families understand this. I can barely grunt when I first wake up. I love ice cream bars, but my lactose intolerance prohibits me from eating them. but those Mickey bars almost made me do it!! See Montana Disney Fan's TR for more than you'll ever need to know regarding my digestive system. I can't sleep the night before a big event. I'm way to excited. I pack before the trip too. You said you pack 3 days out, I pack 3 weeks out. Close enough. I live close to Canada and we have a HUGE amount of lady bugs lately. What is with that?? They're everywhere!!

You have a beautiful family. The pictures are professional looking!! I'll be tuning in to read more. Can't wait!!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I just wanted to let you know that I am really enjoying your trip report, keep up the good work!! I am taking my sister and cousin (both 15) to WDW in December and some of your comments about your daughters are just cracking me up. I can see them fighting over the same things and just acting like teenagers! I am hoping that they will see the magic in Disney and not act "too cool" for it. It sounds like your daughters were certainly able to do that, it sounds like a wonderful trip.

 

[blue_river]

Oh my Gosh! Blue, I didn't even know you had a trip report going. I've been in my own little world for the past two weeks and haven't had time to even notice. Sorry

Since mine is almost done, I'm going to comment on yours. It looks like you need a little "guy" perspective in here anyway

Oh don't say sorry.

I can't imagine how you were even able to post installments during your entire trip and I was sure you two would give up at some point and just continue it when you came home.

But you didn't!!!

Ya...I do need a little "guy" perspective in here

Thanks for joining.

 

[blue_river]

That's great! I've had the same Fanny Pack for every single trip to WDW. I'm not sure if it was visible in any pictures, but I borrowed it from a friend and he told me I could keep it upon my return. He said it was little too "fem" for him. SCORE for Buzz!! Anyway, the only time I ever use it at WDW. No, really, I'm serious!

Hmmmm...I hadn't noticed...now I'm going to have to go back and check so I can see the "fem" side of you.

 

[blue_river]

Don't believe him! He wears it ALL the time. (He's my DH-I've seen him wear it outside of WDW!!)

ROTFLOL - Just wait till Buzz reads that comment - a little payback eh?
I had a fanny pack from Walmart that I was using last summer during a garage sale to hold all my money and the pocket with my quarters ripped and they all went flying everywhere all over the ground. This year, I bought one in WDW. Much better. DD4 wanted my old one so she wore it in some of the pictures. She's so skinny -she put it over her head to get it on and proceeded to tell me how big my butt was. Can never hear that enough....

*giggling* - you are a hoot Linnie

I didn't know you had a TR going either, but that was because I was on that lap top while on vacation and couldn't navigate around on it with my big man hands.

I'm pleased that you decided to stop by and read it
I'm sorry to say that it won't be half as entertaining as yours

I'm sorry to hear about your illness. What a double whammy with that and your mom. I'm so sorry. I hope everything works out.

The death of a parent is an undescribable pain and when I read that you had lost your father and grandmother this year my heart went out to you. As for my PBC illness, although I haven't had a biopsy yet, the doctors feel that I am in the early stages (stage 1 or 2) and it will likely be many years before I'll need a transplant - and I may never need one if the destruction of my bile ducts remain slow. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude - it's really the only thing you can do. Enjoy life...live and laugh - which is why I enjoyed your TR so much - lots of laughs - thanks for that

We were hit hard this year too. Kind of takes the joy out of life. Besides my dad & grandma dying, we had a friend whose wife was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. She had a dream of going to Hawaii and while she was undergoing chemo, her DH booked the trip and she found out she couldn't travel. She died a few weeks later. My grandma-same thing. Always wanted to go on a cruise, but died before she ever did. I was just talking about that to my mom today. Live your dreams now before it's too late.

Oh dear...you didn't mention the part about your friend in your TR. I'm very sorry. Such a bad year for you Linnie. Hugs. Many Hugs.

I understand the non-excitement of going to WDW. On my first trip, I was so unenthused. I just didn't get it. I thought we were going to a big county fair. I had no idea.

Neither did my girls - but they DO NOW and are asking all the time if we are going back next year! Woohoo!

blue__river, we have a lot of similarities I noticed after reading your TR: We both don't talk in the mornings. Our families understand this. I can barely grunt when I first wake up. I love ice cream bars, but my lactose intolerance prohibits me from eating them. but those Mickey bars almost made me do it!! See Montana Disney Fan's TR for more than you'll ever need to know regarding my digestive system. I can't sleep the night before a big event. I'm way to excited. I pack before the trip too. You said you pack 3 days out, I pack 3 weeks out. Close enough. I live close to Canada and we have a HUGE amount of lady bugs lately. What is with that?? They're everywhere!!

I noticed it too

You have a beautiful family. The pictures are professional looking!! I'll be tuning in to read more. Can't wait!!

Thank you very much. You seem like such a nice person.

I still have to finish commenting on your latest installment...probably this evening. I'm going to miss it when ur done.

 

[blue_river]

I just wanted to let you know that I am really enjoying your trip report, keep up the good work!! I am taking my sister and cousin (both 15) to WDW in December and some of your comments about your daughters are just cracking me up. I can see them fighting over the same things and just acting like teenagers! I am hoping that they will see the magic in Disney and not act "too cool" for it. It sounds like your daughters were certainly able to do that, it sounds like a wonderful trip.

Sweet! You are going to have soooo much fun!! I hope you plan on writing a TR when you get back! I'd love to hear all about it.

 

[blue_river]

Day 2 – Part 5

To my surprise, Goofy showed up in the Christmas store with a huge grin on her face pointing at her head. As if I wouldn’t have noticed her new Goofy pirate hat! As my patience was running thin, I had previously left her in the pirate shop where she was trying to make a decision between three character ears. I favoured the new one to the brown and white Planet Hollywood ball cap she had bought the day before. She also showed me some of her new pressed pennies – she now had a total of about ten. It’s such an inexpensive way for children to collect souvenirs.

Goofy's new hat!

JoJo gets a pat on the head

I left Goofy in the shop because she told me she wanted to have a look around. A little while later, after repeated calls on our radios we all met up to make our way to the Haunted Mansion. This was the first time going through for all of us so we had no idea how scary it would be. Unlike myself, my DH is not a thrill seeker and definitely doesn’t like being spooked so I wasn’t sure if he would join us.

It reminded me of a trip to Niagara Falls that we had taken with his parents when we young teenagers. I proceeded to tell my DD’s the story of the haunted house we went through in Maple Leaf Village. There was a long line of people waiting to enter and I can recall one of the workers speaking with a microphone, giving tidbits of information as to what you could expect. He told everyone to watch for “Tony The Tongue” while going through and at the end you were given one of 4 colour-coded cards which referred to your level of fear. The level of fear was measured by the sounds of your screams as it was piped out to the audience waiting to go inside. Pink meant “extremely frightened”. As my DH (boyfriend at the time) and I watched the exit to the house, we saw this huge man come running out, with his eyeballs practically popping out of his head looking back behind him. I knew it was going to be a big thrill but DH was shaking his head and told me he didn’t want to go in. I begged him to go and although he was reluctant, he finally agreed. We had to find our way in the darkness by pushing the walls to open doors to the next room. Sometimes if you chose the wrong door, you were greeted with a monster jumping out at you or trying to pull you in with him! Anyhow, DH refused to go first and PUSHED me through the entire way. All the while I kept wondering where Tony The Tongue was hiding out. When we finished, I was the one given the famous “pink” card even though it should have gone to my DH!

CM from Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion was nothing like our previous quest and I was a little disappointed. However, the phenomenal complexity that went into the making of the mansion made it unique and exciting in its own way. Our CM was right in character and played his part well. My DD’s and Prince Grumpy liked it and that’s what mattered in the end.

Since our reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table was for 1:10, we had thirty minutes to kill. DH insisted we go early thinking we would be seated. Sheesh. Sometimes he can be so stubborn. The CM politely told him to come back at 1:00.

We'll wait here

I told him I wanted to wait quietly on a bench around the corner and to call me on my radio when it was time to go in. No more than 10 minutes had passed and the three of them are yelling at me to hurry up to get in line. Feeling a bit perturbed I joined them at the entrance and hoped the CM would let us in early. We were tired, cranky and in need of food. Several families were trying to get a reservation for that day but alas, were turned away. A few of them were clearly angry and my appreciation for the disboards came to mind.

Score! They ushered us to the waiting area where we would have our picture taken with Cinderella. We met another couple from Toronto in line behind us with two beautiful little girls, both of whom were in costume. All the children in the room were thrilled when the princess finally graced us with her presence.

As soon as we had our picture taken we headed up the spiral staircase only to be turned away when we reached the top. In all the commotion, we missed the part about waiting for our name to be called and then given another special ticket to be seated. I kept wondering if I’d ever get something to eat that day.

It was well worth the wait. We took up seats at a decorated table where there were two gifts waiting for the girls, a princess wand and a small flashing Disney star pin. I thought I had read somewhere that in order to receive the free wand you had to be under 12 years old. Some pixie dust for my little angels!

Our meal consisted of a small plate of delectable appetizers and then I ordered the meat pie, while Goofy chose the sandwich and my prince and JoJo had the pasta. DH commented later that he wasn’t that fond of his lunch but he sure seemed to be enjoying it at the time.

As we dined, the princesses came to our table one by one and signed autographs for my girls. We saw Belle, Mary Poppins, the Fairy Godmother, and Snow White. JoJo already had Snow White’s and Belle’s and asked them to sign writing notes she brought along especially for that purpose to give to a few of her younger friends back home. We admired the beauty of the restaurant, the huge ceiling and glass stained windows.

taken by JoJo


One important thing I forgot to do and read on the boards somewhere was to find the mice on the ledge. Next time.

Included with our meal was a photo keepsake mounted in a cardstock frame, which contained (4) 4x6 pics with Cinderella, (1) 5x7 of the same and a 5 x7 pic of the castle. On the back of the card frame it reads:

Once upon a time,
Cinderella invited some special friends to join her
for a royal banquet in a fairy tale castle.
The princess and her friends shared some magical moments together,
telling stories and making memories.
They will remember that special moment
For the rest of their lives.


As I’m typing this I am smiling but have tears in my eyes and I look forward to the next time when I will be able to tap into that feeling again. Without a doubt, this was one of the highlights of my trip.

The final cost of the meal came to $160.00. Again – FREE for us!

This brings us to the point where Prince Edward Island became a distant memory for JoJo with Walt Disney World at the top of her list for future vacations. As soon as we left the restaurant this is what she asked:

JoJo: Mom, can we come back here next year?

Me: WHAT?? (huge big grin – the words I had been waiting for)

JoJo: I love it here, and I want to come back next year. Can we?

Me: I knew you’d change your mind once you saw what it was all about. You just didn’t have any idea did you?

JoJo: No, I thought it was for little kids.

Me: (Now lost in my own thoughts, trying not to see her as a “little kid” as she said - remembering back to the year I turned 15. The greatest year of my life because it was the year I met my DH – high school sweethearts. Has it really been that long? Am I that old?)

JoJo: MOM! Can we?

Goofy: Pleeeeassssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeee? (well I had no doubts about her loyalty - heh)

Prince Grumpy: Maybe – (and then he smiles)

Seeing the smile on his face told me that the odds were in my favour! We’re coming back! My mind was racing…I was already starting to plan.

I shall now change the title of my trip report to “But Mom, I want to come back to WDW!!!”


Coming Up….Part 6 – Three Surprises back at our resort!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

This brings us to the point where Prince Edward Island became a distant memory for JoJo with Walt Disney World at the top of her list for future vacations. As soon as we left the restaurant this is what she asked:

JoJo: Mom, can we come back here next year?

Me: WHAT?? (huge big grin – the words I had been waiting for)

JoJo: I love it here, and I want to come back next year. Can we?

Me: I knew you’d change your mind once you saw what it was all about. You just didn’t have any idea did you?

JoJo: No, I thought it was for little kids.

Me: (Now lost in my own thoughts, trying not to see her as a “little kid” as she said - remembering back to the year I turned 15. The greatest year of my life because it was the year I met my DH – high school sweethearts. Has it really been that long? Am I that old?)

JoJo: MOM! Can we?

Goofy: Pleeeeassssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeee? (well I had no doubts about her loyalty - heh)

Prince Grumpy: Maybe – (and then he smiles)

Seeing the smile on his face told me that the odds were in my favour! We’re coming back! My mind was racing…I was already starting to plan.

I shall now change the title of my trip report to “But Mom, I want to come back to WDW!!!”

It just doesn't get any better than that. When I first told my wife we were going to WDW for the first time in 1997 we also had a cruise booked a couple months afterwards. Alll she thought about was the Carnival Cruise and never ever thought about WDW. Well, guess what? Cruise? what cruise? We have no desire to go on a cruise again but as you know, our family is addicted to DISNEY. Even Buzz! The biggest naysayer of them all

It's so fun to read about "converts". To me, that's the most exciting thing to read since you get to find out first hand how other people became addicted to the whole "Disney Thing".

Love it, keep 'em coming!!

PS: JoJo, your mom is pretty darn smart, eh? (that's my Canadian eh? )

PSS: That Cast member from the Haunted Mansion needs to visit a dentists office

 

[solgent]

JoJo: Mom, can we come back here next year?

Me: WHAT?? (huge big grin – the words I had been waiting for)

JoJo: I love it here, and I want to come back next year. Can we?

YAY!!! I think that those of us moms who are also the family vacation planners put so much effort and energy and thought and time into it-- of course I enjoy the planning and I wouldn't have it any other way-- still it is SOOO rewarding when the kids appreciate it and let you know that your choices have pleased them. Especially when you hear about kids who don't want to go places with their parents.

Your royal lunch sounds nice. I would kind of like to do that but my girls aren't very interested in the characters. Well, one of them isn't, and I think the others take their cue from her. Maybe if I announce, "We'll go without you since I know you won't enjoy it," she'll change her attitude!

I can't wait to hear about the surprises at your resort. Please post again soon.

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

Day 2 – Part 5

To my surprise, Goofy showed up in the Christmas store with a huge grin on her face pointing at her head. As if I wouldn’t have noticed her new Goofy pirate hat!

So funny!!

Where is the Christmas store? I missed that!

[She also showed me some of her new pressed pennies – she now had a total of about ten. It’s such an inexpensive way for children to collect souvenirs.

Those are great!!

The Haunted Mansion was nothing like our previous quest and I was a little disappointed. However, the phenomenal complexity that went into the making of the mansion made it unique and exciting in its own way. Our CM was right in character and played his part well. My DD’s and Prince Grumpy liked it and that’s what mattered in the end.

I loved your story about the haunted house! It reminds of my first WDW experience. Buzz took me on Alien Encounter first thing on our very first day all those years ago and I was scared out of my mind. I grabbed his hand so hard my wedding ring had turned sideways and punched a hole in his finger. I still hear about that... For the next few days, I expected every WDW attraction to be scary. I was even nervous the first time I rode Pirates! So glad AE is gone!

I used to love the HM, but this year, I was totally fine if we didn't get to go on it. I have a book and record set (but the record is long gone) that is from the 70's and it is the Haunted Mansion story. It is just like the ride-exactly. When I first went on it, I fell in love with it b/c it was that book from my childhood. I'm kind of passed that now though and have ridden it enough. I do like the CM's and the parts they play though and I hear that at Christmas they dress it up and it looks really pretty.

It was well worth the wait. We took up seats at a decorated table where there were two gifts waiting for the girls, a princess wand and a small flashing Disney star pin. I thought I had read somewhere that in order to receive the free wand you had to be under 12 years old. Some pixie dust for my little angels!

Buzz always tells me it's too hard to get ADR's for this meal. "You have to get up early and call, call, call and call again..." Is it really hard or is he just trying to get out of a Cinderella meal??

Included with our meal was a photo keepsake mounted in a cardstock frame, which contained (4) 4x6 pics with Cinderella, (1) 5x7 of the same and a 5 x7 pic of the castle. On the back of the card frame it reads:

Once upon a time,
Cinderella invited some special friends to join her
for a royal banquet in a fairy tale castle.
The princess and her friends shared some magical moments together,
telling stories and making memories.
They will remember that special moment
For the rest of their lives.


As I’m typing this I am smiling but have tears in my eyes and I look forward to the next time when I will be able to tap into that feeling again. Without a doubt, this was one of the highlights of my trip.

That poem got to me-another Disney tear jerker.

This brings us to the point where Prince Edward Island became a distant memory for JoJo with Walt Disney World at the top of her list for future vacations. As soon as we left the restaurant this is what she asked:

JoJo: Mom, can we come back here next year?

Me: WHAT?? (huge big grin – the words I had been waiting for)

JoJo: I love it here, and I want to come back next year. Can we?

Me: I knew you’d change your mind once you saw what it was all about. You just didn’t have any idea did you?

JoJo: No, I thought it was for little kids.

Me: (Now lost in my own thoughts, trying not to see her as a “little kid” as she said - remembering back to the year I turned 15. The greatest year of my life because it was the year I met my DH – high school sweethearts. Has it really been that long? Am I that old?)

JoJo: MOM! Can we?

Goofy: Pleeeeassssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeee? (well I had no doubts about her loyalty - heh)

Prince Grumpy: Maybe – (and then he smiles)

Seeing the smile on his face told me that the odds were in my favour! We’re coming back! My mind was racing…I was already starting to plan.

I shall now change the title of my trip report to “But Mom, I want to come back to WDW!!!”

That is AWESOME!!! Btw, JoJo looks very cute in her sweatshirts and skirts and there is something about Goofy that just makes me smile every time I see her picture. They are both beautiful girls. Your pictures are incredible.

Looking forward to your next post!

 

[averill94]

How did I miss this TR? Awesome! Just read it all.

Your family is beautiful- so happy that they want to return already- very magical indeed

Your pics are some of the best - especially the one from the trains station of the castle- what a great perspective. Why didnt I think of that? It really is great. What type of camera if you dont mind my asking?

And it seems that you are enjoying ASMo? We were booked for there but changed due to pool refurb (POP was awesome) but I would really like to go there on our "next" trip!

I am very sorry to hear o your loss.

Thank you again

 

[swankybeth]

Great installment! I'm so happy that your family felt the magic. Looking forward to finding out what the surprises are.

 

[Cass]

Who travels all the way to the U.S. from Canada, stays in Florida and only spends half of a day in the World? Being a kid, I had no choice and accepted my wonderful, short-lived experience and dreamed about returning for years.

My family

I was 11 years old and my parents told me we were driving to disney, I was so excited. Turns out we borrowed some sleeper/van thing and stayed in KOA campgrounds.

I thought we were staying the contemporary

Then we went to MK for a half day. My parents didn't want to ride any of the big rides and we only did jungle cruise/small world/country bears. I was sooooo disappointed

I asked for an ice cream and they bought me some frozen banana thing that I refused to eat and they yelled at me for not appreciating the trip

No wonder I stay concierge now when I travel I should have had therapy after that trip

 

[Mouse511]

Great trip report!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

No wonder I stay concierge now when I travel I should have had therapy after that trip

Same here. Our vacations were horrible so now I OVER compensate by going absolutely hog wild on vacations. I keep asking my wife: "Now, you're sure it's ok to have the kids out of school for 9 days right?" She assures me, at their age, it's ok. Good, because I'd hate to send them all home early while I stayed an extra week.

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

Same here. Our vacations were horrible so now I OVER compensate by going absolutely hog wild on vacations. I keep asking my wife: "Now, you're sure it's ok to have the kids out of school for 9 days right?" She assures me, at their age, it's ok. Good, because I'd hate to send them all home early while I stayed an extra week.

He can laugh, but it's really true! He left me at home not once, but twice while he went to WDW without me!! And once was when I was 8 mos. pregnant with DD. I'm still doing "get even shopping" for that one.....

 

[Cass]

LOL

When I see those frozen banana abomnations in the park I have panic attacks and need a margarita.