Part 10 Chicos trip - Day 5 Relive, regroup, relax
The cast:
Me: 34, 2nd trip to WDW (last time was 2001 but we only did MK 1 day does that count?)
DW: 36 also her 2nd / 1st real trip
DS: 5, ditto for him;
DWs best friend: 36, 1st trip, hereafter known as Auntie K
Wednesday December 10, 2003
It had been a long day yesterday. (MVMCP) We were tired when we got home (after 1:00) but very satisfied! We really enjoyed the Christmas Party wed do it again in a heartbeat we love Christmas AND Disney! but we could do without the heart-stopping finale!
For everyone who has been following our saga, here's where I found Puppy. My apologies to the woman in the background. Sorry!
This mornings plan is to sleep in and relax, then spend some quality time shopping at DTD.
We woke at 8:45!! Woo Hoo! It was only 7 hours of sleep, but it FELT like sleeping in by looking at the clock! We lounged and let DS watch the Disney channels while he played and coloured. Hes been upset that Lilo and Stitch (the series) has not been on the Disney Channel so far during our stay. So hes half keeping an eye on the tv, just in case! He loves that show and knows all the cousins and their numbers by heart. Actually its given him a jump start on counting and numbers trying to figure out if 501 (Yin ) comes before 626 (Stitch) etc. So maybe its not all mindless entertainment
All morning we talked about last nights events, and how lucky we were. As many of you have shared, and can relate, its not something you'd wish on any family. I still can't believe how lucky I was to find him as soon as I did, and where I did. I think DS realizes he was lucky too.
We drove over to DTD for noon (just us, no furry friends or other toys) parking at the West Side, since Auntie K desperately wanted to check out the gift shops of House of Blues and Cirque du Soleil. We meandered through the shops, took pictures of Bongos (DS like the 'big pineapple') and decided that it was all starting to look alike. We stopped and checked at the AMC theatre to see what was playing that afternoon thinking wed like to see Brother Bear while at Disney World. And we were in luck!
Showtime was 3:30, so we walked over to the Marketplace to see what treasures it held. Mom and Auntie are looking for Christmas ornaments, magnets, trickety-kinda-stuff, and the like. Me, Im just enjoying the décor and the details. As a cabinetmaker and construction project manager I have a unique interest in such things. My brain is always searching for new ideas or inspirations so I LOVE Disney World! Its an architectural bonanza!
I tried my best to steer DS away from that big McDoanlds, and instead kept his gaze fixed on the Lego sculptures! He loves to build things (not sure where he gets that from
and wants to know if he can build a big Dinosaur like that when we return home.
Sure son, well just need a bazillion legos, and a few free hours on Saturday
I was content to let DW and Auntie K loose on the worlds largest Disney Store, and really didnt want to get into losing one or both of them, or at least it being my fault, so I took DS and we headed to Once Upon a Toy! We took the obligatory pictures of Ds and Buzz, and DS and Mr, Potato Head before entering. This is heaven! This must be what Santas workshop looks like! Theres every toy imaginable in there or at least thats what it seemed like!
* * * Im sure I felt a strange force acting on my room/charge card while in that store something strange, like it wanted to magically appear and start sending toys back to our resort gift shop HA! Im too powerful for such a puny card! Be gone! You evil force! Cast your spell on others more susceptible! (but please not my wife ) * * *
DS found another Power Ranger that he had never seen before, and playing the role of the responsible parent, I deferred any decisions until DW could be consulted. Hey I already bought him one, remember? Cant be seen getting soft with the boy!
Yeah, or just let mom deal with the decisions tough guy
Okay, so I secretly wanted him to have it it was really COOL!
Before too long and before DS had all the boxes off the shelf and picked through DW and Auntie K arrive. Mom and I decide to spoil the boy, so she helps him purchase it at the till, while Auntie and I goof off with the Zurg voice changing megaphone things. You know the ones, you speak into them and they alter your voice - synthesized like. Shes scaring little children and having a ball!!
Lunch time! Off to Rainforest Café we go! Weve never been, so we werent sure what to expect. We didnt expect the live parrots and trainer out front (and Auntie sure didnt expect the gator! Tee hee!) not much of a line so we were seated quickly. We liked the rainforest décor and DS really liked the rainstorm! He realy liked his new Power Ranger He also liked the aquariums, and kept pointing out the fish that looked like Gill and Dorie (Finding Nemo) Great Food and an AP / DC discount as well! I keep forgetting about that
After lunch it was over to Disney at Home and the Xmas store. DS was fueled and a bit too spirited for fragile glass ornaments, so we went outside to play in the fountains. It was a little cool to get wet, and I dared DS to run through but in the end he decided not too. I took pictures of our little sorceror with the Broomsticks with Pails , and various other photo op set-ups, while we waited. It was beginning to creep towards 3:00 and weve got a movie to see at 3:30! DW finally emerged, emptyhanded, but then I remembered that sneaky ship it back to the resort technique shes mastered. Im on to her!
Auntie has fallen victim to the slowest teller in the store! Im sure its not her fault, indiviually wrapped ornaments cant be a speedy persons job, but really, do you have to be that methodical? Were standing outside the store, behind the checkout, looking in the window Aunties face is priceless! Shes careful not to let the sales clerk catch her feigning sleep, boredom, and the rolling of eyes Shes not a mean spirited person or anything Im sure it was just because she had an audience. But it was funny
Time to hike it back to the AMC theatre.
We make it to the show with a few minutes to spare why is it that your theatre is always as far from the entrance as it could possible be when youre pressed for time? No matter, were seated before the previews begin. Comfy seats! And evil too. A full tummy, comfy seats and a dark theatre nap time!
Alas, no nap. But a great movie! We really enjoyed Brother Bear. DW and Auntie cried. I loved the Canadian comedic relief. Ya gotta luv SCTV!
At first it seemed weird to catch a movie at Disney World what with all the things you could possible see and do here that you cant do back home but then this is how Disney World came to be. And IMHO its the only way a Disney animated feature should be experienced! In the end the choice made perfect sense. It was a treat, it was relaxing, and it was a good memory.
The skies had gotten very grey and stromy while we were in the theatre. You could feel the rain off in the distance; the swirling masses of grey overhead were quickly advancing, and the sense of imminent downpour was very real. We walked to the car. Then we ran. We didnt make it.
Wet like you wouldnt believe! And its hard to find a white rental car in a parking lot full of white rental cars! Especially in the pouring rain. Thank God for that North Carolina license plate!
We tested the wipers on the Chevy Malibu all the way back to ASSp and practiced the 100 yard dash to the hotel from the parking lot. Supper from the food court tonight turkey wrap and a taco salad were delicious! Better than I expected!
We refilled the mugs, partook of some snacks and bevvies and called it an early night, as tomorrow is planned to be a busy, whirlwind kind of day -EMH at MK, PS at Cindys, AK parade, CP and Illuminations at Epcot.
Nobody got lost. Nobody threatened to disown another family member. No one got arrested, stole our stroller, or had a camera malfunction. This definately wasnt a typical Disney day for us.
Oh well, theres always tomorrow
Link to Part 11
The cast:
Me: 34, 2nd trip to WDW (last time was 2001 but we only did MK 1 day does that count?)
DW: 36 also her 2nd / 1st real trip
DS: 5, ditto for him;
DWs best friend: 36, 1st trip, hereafter known as Auntie K
Wednesday December 10, 2003
It had been a long day yesterday. (MVMCP) We were tired when we got home (after 1:00) but very satisfied! We really enjoyed the Christmas Party wed do it again in a heartbeat we love Christmas AND Disney! but we could do without the heart-stopping finale!
For everyone who has been following our saga, here's where I found Puppy. My apologies to the woman in the background. Sorry!
This mornings plan is to sleep in and relax, then spend some quality time shopping at DTD.
We woke at 8:45!! Woo Hoo! It was only 7 hours of sleep, but it FELT like sleeping in by looking at the clock! We lounged and let DS watch the Disney channels while he played and coloured. Hes been upset that Lilo and Stitch (the series) has not been on the Disney Channel so far during our stay. So hes half keeping an eye on the tv, just in case! He loves that show and knows all the cousins and their numbers by heart. Actually its given him a jump start on counting and numbers trying to figure out if 501 (Yin ) comes before 626 (Stitch) etc. So maybe its not all mindless entertainment
All morning we talked about last nights events, and how lucky we were. As many of you have shared, and can relate, its not something you'd wish on any family. I still can't believe how lucky I was to find him as soon as I did, and where I did. I think DS realizes he was lucky too.
We drove over to DTD for noon (just us, no furry friends or other toys) parking at the West Side, since Auntie K desperately wanted to check out the gift shops of House of Blues and Cirque du Soleil. We meandered through the shops, took pictures of Bongos (DS like the 'big pineapple') and decided that it was all starting to look alike. We stopped and checked at the AMC theatre to see what was playing that afternoon thinking wed like to see Brother Bear while at Disney World. And we were in luck!
Showtime was 3:30, so we walked over to the Marketplace to see what treasures it held. Mom and Auntie are looking for Christmas ornaments, magnets, trickety-kinda-stuff, and the like. Me, Im just enjoying the décor and the details. As a cabinetmaker and construction project manager I have a unique interest in such things. My brain is always searching for new ideas or inspirations so I LOVE Disney World! Its an architectural bonanza!
I tried my best to steer DS away from that big McDoanlds, and instead kept his gaze fixed on the Lego sculptures! He loves to build things (not sure where he gets that from
and wants to know if he can build a big Dinosaur like that when we return home.Sure son, well just need a bazillion legos, and a few free hours on Saturday
I was content to let DW and Auntie K loose on the worlds largest Disney Store, and really didnt want to get into losing one or both of them, or at least it being my fault, so I took DS and we headed to Once Upon a Toy! We took the obligatory pictures of Ds and Buzz, and DS and Mr, Potato Head before entering. This is heaven! This must be what Santas workshop looks like! Theres every toy imaginable in there or at least thats what it seemed like!
* * * Im sure I felt a strange force acting on my room/charge card while in that store something strange, like it wanted to magically appear and start sending toys back to our resort gift shop HA! Im too powerful for such a puny card! Be gone! You evil force! Cast your spell on others more susceptible! (but please not my wife ) * * *
DS found another Power Ranger that he had never seen before, and playing the role of the responsible parent, I deferred any decisions until DW could be consulted. Hey I already bought him one, remember? Cant be seen getting soft with the boy!
Yeah, or just let mom deal with the decisions tough guy
Okay, so I secretly wanted him to have it it was really COOL!
Before too long and before DS had all the boxes off the shelf and picked through DW and Auntie K arrive. Mom and I decide to spoil the boy, so she helps him purchase it at the till, while Auntie and I goof off with the Zurg voice changing megaphone things. You know the ones, you speak into them and they alter your voice - synthesized like. Shes scaring little children and having a ball!!
Lunch time! Off to Rainforest Café we go! Weve never been, so we werent sure what to expect. We didnt expect the live parrots and trainer out front (and Auntie sure didnt expect the gator! Tee hee!) not much of a line so we were seated quickly. We liked the rainforest décor and DS really liked the rainstorm! He realy liked his new Power Ranger He also liked the aquariums, and kept pointing out the fish that looked like Gill and Dorie (Finding Nemo) Great Food and an AP / DC discount as well! I keep forgetting about that
After lunch it was over to Disney at Home and the Xmas store. DS was fueled and a bit too spirited for fragile glass ornaments, so we went outside to play in the fountains. It was a little cool to get wet, and I dared DS to run through but in the end he decided not too. I took pictures of our little sorceror with the Broomsticks with Pails , and various other photo op set-ups, while we waited. It was beginning to creep towards 3:00 and weve got a movie to see at 3:30! DW finally emerged, emptyhanded, but then I remembered that sneaky ship it back to the resort technique shes mastered. Im on to her!
Auntie has fallen victim to the slowest teller in the store! Im sure its not her fault, indiviually wrapped ornaments cant be a speedy persons job, but really, do you have to be that methodical? Were standing outside the store, behind the checkout, looking in the window Aunties face is priceless! Shes careful not to let the sales clerk catch her feigning sleep, boredom, and the rolling of eyes Shes not a mean spirited person or anything Im sure it was just because she had an audience. But it was funny
Time to hike it back to the AMC theatre.
We make it to the show with a few minutes to spare why is it that your theatre is always as far from the entrance as it could possible be when youre pressed for time? No matter, were seated before the previews begin. Comfy seats! And evil too. A full tummy, comfy seats and a dark theatre nap time!
Alas, no nap. But a great movie! We really enjoyed Brother Bear. DW and Auntie cried. I loved the Canadian comedic relief. Ya gotta luv SCTV!
At first it seemed weird to catch a movie at Disney World what with all the things you could possible see and do here that you cant do back home but then this is how Disney World came to be. And IMHO its the only way a Disney animated feature should be experienced! In the end the choice made perfect sense. It was a treat, it was relaxing, and it was a good memory.
The skies had gotten very grey and stromy while we were in the theatre. You could feel the rain off in the distance; the swirling masses of grey overhead were quickly advancing, and the sense of imminent downpour was very real. We walked to the car. Then we ran. We didnt make it.
Wet like you wouldnt believe! And its hard to find a white rental car in a parking lot full of white rental cars! Especially in the pouring rain. Thank God for that North Carolina license plate!
We tested the wipers on the Chevy Malibu all the way back to ASSp and practiced the 100 yard dash to the hotel from the parking lot. Supper from the food court tonight turkey wrap and a taco salad were delicious! Better than I expected!
We refilled the mugs, partook of some snacks and bevvies and called it an early night, as tomorrow is planned to be a busy, whirlwind kind of day -EMH at MK, PS at Cindys, AK parade, CP and Illuminations at Epcot.
Nobody got lost. Nobody threatened to disown another family member. No one got arrested, stole our stroller, or had a camera malfunction. This definately wasnt a typical Disney day for us.
Oh well, theres always tomorrow
Link to Part 11
