Four Families, One World: A Mome Rath Meets Beverly! May 29-June 5, 2011

[jenseib]

Shame on you for not taking pictures!!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Shame on you for not taking pictures!!!

I know... I should be put in time out!

I'll do it in December. We were in a rush, I swear!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I can't believe that my TR is almost done!

I've got a whopper for you coming up!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Debbie told us that she had never looked into the pavilions, just passed through, so we made sure to walk through each building and get her feet wet. We moved into Der Teddy Bear and let the kids stop briefly at the Kidcot stop.

DD fell asleep on the walk in so we let her nap. The kids finished their Duffys and we headed for the door. DD woke up just in time. She saw a baby Rapunzel doll and would not move from that spot. I caved – I’ll admit it. Things were already tense in the group, the last thing we needed to deal with was another meltdown and me being accused [again] of holding up the group. I rationalized the purchase because I did buy DS a $40 Lego set in DTD on our first day. This was only the 2nd time that she asked for something the entire time, so I didn’t feel as bad about it.

By this time, we all needed a little, well a LOT of

We made a stop at the pin cart at the American pavilion and there were meltdowns all around after the kids traded with every CM in sight.

DS acted up a bit because he wanted a toy, a pin, a hat, a new lanyard (can you see where this was going?)… DD was still a bit fussy from waking up, and the other two were on the verge of full on meltdown mode. We pressed on to Japan – the one place Debbie requested an extended stop. Her family (kids, in-laws) are crazy anime fans and this was where she chose to get their gifts. The kids (all of them) and Leia waited outside. The way our morning was going, I had no intention of taking my kids inside. DS was asking for everything under the sun, but he settled for a picture.

Leia’s frustration continued to grow because we never had a conversation of what we intended to do that day. She doesn’t handle curveballs very well and you would think we just threw one the size of SE at her.

My kids were getting hungry – no one else was because besides Debbie and myself, everyone else ate about an hour before.

I told everyone that I was going over to Yorkshire Fish and Chips and for the rest of the group to take their time getting over there.

Evidently everyone else had the same idea! We got our fish and chips – but there were no tables available by the shop. I headed to the little garden back by the toy shop were I found an empty bench and a quiet place to chill out. I sent a text to the rest of the group letting them know where we were (they had NO idea that little garden was back there).

Leia finally found us [was NOT happy] and we gathered our things and went back to the main path. Bathroom stops, snacks, fits coming out of the bathroom… While we waited, the kids got a listen of their favorite Celtic rock group.

Grandma Norma asked me if the mommies needed a time out. I was fine but I knew Leia needed a break. The plan came to be that Grandma would take everyone over to Nemo and to see Figment and we would meet back up at Soarin’ in 1 hour.

I agreed and there was only ONE place I knew we needed to go…

I’ll give you a clue.

Starts with “booze”. Ends with “in France.”

Two Grand Marnier orange slushies and two Lemon Grey Goose slushies later, several tears, and a couple accusations (everyone was on their “own” agenda), the ‘tude went hasta la BYE-BYE and off we set for Future World again to meet up with the kids.

I don’t care if everyone has this shot, I cannot take a trip to EP without SE and the monorail in it!

Once everyone was assembled and strollers parked, I took DD into get her measured. I think Soarin’s bar is a little high…

Anyway – DS was getting antsy – this is his second favorite ride in EP. He wanted to go, and NOW! In true afternoon fashion, Soarin’s line was pretty long. We powered through the FP line and still had a 15 minute wait.

Once we queued up down Concourse A, my favorite part of the ride began…

I love Patrick Warburton!

They had us set to go on one side, but since Norma rode the ECV all the way in, they moved us to the furthest group (and closest spot to park the scooter). DS got so excited that he hopped into his chair and buckled his belt without passing the belt through the safety loop. I had to notify the CM to dislodge the latch to get him buckled properly! Then we were off on my favorite adventure!

After Soarin’, the boys wanted to ride LWTL. Norma drove out of the Land pavilion and asked if anyone else wanted to go. We got the call that we were flying solo and off we went. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always insisted on riding this ride. It’s got all the things that I appreciate about the many environmental aspects of Disney!

A hidden Mickey (tucked on the right hand side in the shrimp tank):

Several of my favorite adult beverages start here:

The famous tree:

E, mom, and I are scheduled for the Behind the Seeds tour in December. I’m so excited!!! It’s going to combine all the intellectual things I love about the parks with my favorite ride – how can this NOT be awesome???

It was getting late in our day and everyone was worse for wear. We were also tip-toeing towards a food riot! We made a stop at Club Cool – the kids love taste testing, and we had someone that Linzie needed to meet.

My kids filled up on Ginger Ale and we’d been in there long enough that I started to get all the kids into strollers to press on when I heard Norma call out, “Get over here! She’s about to meet Beverly!”

A crowd formed, complete with a young gentleman heckler. She sipped it right away and thought she made it out without any trouble, then we saw this:

.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

We stopped outside Mouse Gears for family photos in front of SE, then made a stop inside the store to pick up a scrapbook set from the parks for 3 of us to share. After that, Norma needed to return her EVC. The boys were asking and asking to do SE before we left so I agreed to take the kids while everyone else headed for the front.

This was an insane idea. DD, DS, and Philip piled into my beastly stroller (weighing in at about 115 lbs total). The kids had a blast, and Rome was still no longer burning… , but I’m glad we made that one last stop. It was a great way to end our trip!

We all went home and cooked whatever was left in the fridge that we couldn’t take home with us! The beginning of packing, straightening up the condo, and lots and lots of laundry were in the works!

 

[Caretames1]

The Meltdown, what a wonderful thing! Oh well, usually with my DD all it takes is some food.

Love the beverly photo! I let both DD's taste it with no prior knowledge and it was AWESOME!

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... WHY DO TR's ALWAYS have to END!?? I don't get it, why can't someone live there full time and document it for us 24-7 huh

Yeah I would not have done well on this trip, I don't do meltdowns

I wish Adam had made a beverly face, no such luck, he jyst was like... eeeewwe

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... WHY DO TR's ALWAYS have to END!?? I don't get it, why can't someone live there full time and document it for us 24-7 huh

Yeah I would not have done well on this trip, I don't do meltdowns

I wish Adam had made a beverly face, no such luck, he jyst was like... eeeewwe

There is actually something in the resort guest agreement that you agree NOT to live on property (extended-extended stays)!

I can see Adam not reacting to it like Linzie did! She thought she beat it for a minute then the face came!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Remember that if a character is in a parade, they cannot be available for a M&G! (This goes for EVERY park). Also, no more character M&G for PM EMH.

AK – you have Camp Minnie-Mickey. It’s normally Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald, but during the parade Thumper and Miss Bunny are no stranger to filling their spots (to my most recent knowledge). Baloo and Louie meet on the back path on your way to Asia from Africa. It’s on the safari side of the path. Terk pops up here and there. This time we caught her leaving her spot from that back pathway. Rafiki, Pocohontas, and Jiminy Cricket meet in the building at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

DHS – The Fab 6 in their Hollywood Glamour best and Chip and Dale meet near the Sorcerer Hat. Woody and Buzz meet in Pixar Place across from TSM. We happened across the Green Army Men roaming Pixar Place. Phineas and Ferb meet at the exit of Muppets (for the summer as of right now). Other Pixar characters are tucked in a little alcove at the end of Pixar Place. I’d have to look at a map, but we saw Mike Wazowski there. I’m sure there’s more. This is the park I am least familiar with (my least favorite park).

EP –
Future World:

• Stitch and Daisy meet at the entrance of the park, just past the turnstiles to the right
• Character Spot near Innoventions. Generally the Fab 5.
• If you are there first thing in the morning, be on the look out for pop up characters near the fountain, across from Mouse Gears – you never know!

World Showcase:

• Mexico – Donald meets in the little alcove, just past the pyramid – where the mariachi band plays.
• China – Mulan meets either right on the path or near the theater.
• Germany – Snow White meets near her wishing well as you enter Germany from the Mexico side. The line starts near the back wall, not the shops.
• Morocco – Alladin and Jasmine. We saw them in Morocco by the water on the path (we passed them there on our last day)
• France:
  • Belle and Beast meet near the lagoon, by the crepe station – Beast is usually out around 1p, not the early morning.
  • Marie meets by the big post that is covered in advertisements
  • Aurora meets up the path from Marie, close to the “English Channel” AKA the waterway that takes you to the I-Gateway
• International Gateway – purely a pop up spot, just check as you pass through.
• England:
  • Mary Poppins and Alice meet on the main path across from Yorkshire Fish and Chips
  • Pooh and Friends meet in the toy shop here, in the back of the shop.
• Millenium Village gates – again, purely a pop up spot. It’s the big brown gate between England and Canada

MK – Okay… this one is tricky and I have absolute faith that it will NOT be the same in December.
Main Street:

• Mickey and usually Minnie and Aurora, Belle, and Cindy (rotate with others) are FP-able at the newly refurbed Town Square Exhibition Hall Theater thing… The FP machine will have a picture of who you are getting a FP for. Initial reports are that they are NOT accepting late FPs here, but I have heard reputable rumors that they have.

• Snow White occasionally pops out in front of Expo Hall just after RD – but from what we saw, she doesn’t stay long.

• Pluto and Daisy hang out near the flag pole in the morning as well.
• I have seen Pinocchio up there too, but in two different spots over two trips.
• Meet the Mayor of Main Street (he’s only out in the early morning though)

Adventureland:

• Tink and Friends have been announced to return to MK around the end of July. They will be meeting at the Adventureland Veranda (which is where Ariel was meeting – no word on where she’s going).
• Alladin and Jasmine meet in Agrabah (next to the Carpets and gift shop).
• Angelica (POTC 4) at the entrance of POTC
• Peter Pan roams around Adventureland. I’ve only found him once and that was three trips ago. We met him by the restrooms just past POTC (heading towards FL). I have not seen him there since.
• **Hook is on my list to find. I’ve never met him**
• Evidently, according to this week’s allears newsletter, there are several character changes being instituted with the addition of extra parades. I don’t think it will hold through December, but double check everything!

Liberty Square:

• Tiana and Naveen meet at the Gazebo behind the Christmas shop in Liberty Square – it’s definitely off the beaten path.

Castle:

• Rapunzel play and greet is in the Fairytale Garden near the castle – Flynn Ryder has been pulled from the whole set up, so it’s just Rapunzel.
• Fairy Godmother is out near Cindy’s Wishing Well on the back side of the castle.

Frontierland:

• Woody and Jessie usually meet near BTMR, but we saw them next to the Diamond Horseshoe in Frontierland.
• From what I remember, Goofy took their spot by BTMR when they added Angelica (from POTC 4) at the entrance of POTC.
• I’m going to list the hoedown here. You can’t get autographs, just photos. It’s a great place to see Brer Bear, Brer Rabbit, Clarabelle Cow, and Horace Horsecollar.

Tomorrowland:

• Buzz meets at the exit of his ride.
• Stitch pops up near CoP pretty regularly.
• Chip and Dale can be found near the Peoplemover in their futuristic vests.

Fantasyland:

• Pooh and Friends are meeting by the ride again
• Mary Poppins can be found at Prince Charming’s carousel in the morning

 

[annmarieda]

That list is awesome. I am going to print it out. Who knows how many trips I have before dd no longer wants to get pictures with the characters... Thanks for putting that together!!!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

No problem at all!

My kids enjoy the hunt so much, it has become engrained in my brain!

In a desperate attempt to lengthen this TR (if Janet ever shows back up... or shocky for that matter!) I have put together a loose tutorial on how I made the autograph books for all of the kids.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

what happened to the photopass pics we were promised????????

 

[jenseib]

Thats the one bad thing about taking a lot of kids...more meltdown! But I think you all did OK. It was still fun...right?

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

what happened to the photopass pics we were promised????????

I haven't gotten them from Norma yet...

Thats the one bad thing about taking a lot of kids...more meltdown! But I think you all did OK. It was still fun...right?

I wouldn't have traded it for the world, even though it was an intense last park day!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

How I make the autograph books

First, decide how much work you actually want to do and what supplies you have! You will need:

• an artist sketch book, approximately 4” x 6”

• scrapbook quality paper (archival/non-acidic); you will need enough for the front cover at minimum. You can cover the back cover, but if it’s black, I don’t bother

• sticky strip (extremely sticky double sided tape – comes in two widths, I prefer the wider)

• paper cutter – anything that will get you a super straight cut
• scissors
• stickers for decoration

The steps
1. CAREFULLY remove the book binding. Squeeze binding is the easiest to open and close back up when you are done. If you cannot take the binding off easily, DON’T worry about it, just leave the book in one piece and work around it.
2. Measure the cover of the artist sketch book, and cut the background paper about ½” wider on the length, and about 1/3” on the width. Apprx.: 4 1/3” x 6 ½”. If you are worried about being able to handle it, cut it a bit bigger, but not much!

3. Lay sticky strip on the outside (front of the front cover) around all of the edges and at least one strip down the middle. This includes laying tape by the binding in order to get the most secure cover.

4. Lay the scrapbook paper on the table. Lay the cover on the paper, centering the cover as best as possible.
5. Flip the cover over.
6. Lay another round of tape on the top and bottom of the inside cover and fold those ends over like you are wrapping a present.
7. Lay a piece of tape over the remaining edge. Use a pair of scissors to tuck in the paper on the corner.

8. Fold the whole piece over and secure it on the tape. Add extra tape on the corners if you feel it needs extra security.

9. Cut a piece of paper that is slightly smaller than the size of the cover. Apprx.: 3 ¾” x 5 ¾”.
10. Lay tape down on the paper this time – right on the edge of the paper.
11. Put the paper on the inside cover, centering it to cover your folded edges.

12. Decorate as you see fit!

• I recommend buying 1 sticker set to keep it simple. The stickers that I used for this example came on a clear piece of acetate. I cut the acetate between the stickers and played around with the composition before I applied the sticker to the cover of the book.
• I also used an additional piece of paper (the gold) to give some separation between the busy back sheet and the text. You don’t have to do it, it’s just what I thought would work for this book.

Here are some others I have done:
The blue one was the first one I ever made.

.

 

[Grace and Mickey]

Hi

Thank you for the Great list of Characters, I going to print it out for my planning book

The instructions for the autograph book are wonderful, I going to use it to cover my planning binder ( i have things in it but have not decorted the cover yeT)


How are you trip plans Coming???
We have decide to book CBR I promise to listen to all you rtips
We have 139 days until our trips

Take care
Grace

 

[shocky5]

I'm so sad your TR is done! I loved it! Everthing from the 'booze in France' comment, to the time outs, the pictures are awesome! Linzie's (sp?) pic after tasting Beverly, wearing the hat... is priceless. And after seeing the hat - I get why Alice called her out from the parade! LOVE IT!

And thank you thank you thank you for the M&G information and the autograph book 101 instructions!

Can you believe our December trips are really as close as they are? I'm so excited to be so close to double digit countdown.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Hi

Thank you for the Great list of Characters, I going to print it out for my planning book

The instructions for the autograph book are wonderful, I going to use it to cover my planning binder ( i have things in it but have not decorted the cover yeT)


How are you trip plans Coming???
We have decide to book CBR I promise to listen to all you rtips
We have 139 days until our trips

Take care
Grace

No problem on the lists and instructions... I've gotten so used to doing that stuff that it is becoming second nature!

Our trip plans are coming along just fine! We haven't changes much around since we made our ADRs.

E booked our tours and we bought our MVMCP tickets. Now we wait...

I'm so sad your TR is done! I loved it! Everthing from the 'booze in France' comment, to the time outs, the pictures are awesome! Linzie's (sp?) pic after tasting Beverly, wearing the hat... is priceless. And after seeing the hat - I get why Alice called her out from the parade! LOVE IT!

And thank you thank you thank you for the M&G information and the autograph book 101 instructions!

Can you believe our December trips are really as close as they are? I'm so excited to be so close to double digit countdown.

I technically have one more installment... I'm trying to stall!!!

I think I blinked and our tickers got under 5 months!

 

[mom2rtk]

No problem at all!

My kids enjoy the hunt so much, it has become engrained in my brain!

In a desperate attempt to lengthen this TR (if Janet ever shows back up... or shocky for that matter!) I have put together a loose tutorial on how I made the autograph books for all of the kids.

Hey........ I resemble that statement! So it's no surprise to you that I've been woefully behind on all my trip reports......... not the least of which is my own! I'm not sure I can even show my face there!

So I spend the night catching up on everyone's trip reports........ only to find yours OVER! I'm so sad!

You're gonna sneak me into the GM lounge in December, right????????

Your autograph books look amazing. You do great work. One of the reasons I've been MIA is because I've been doing some scrapbooking. It's been really good for the soul.

I'm so sorry about your DD's ears. I think we've all been there. We lost a special lovey of my son's on a trip once and I wasn't sure if he'd get over it. And we lost Katie's special baby blanket on a trip too. You'd think we'd learn! And it just kills me that those things NEVER show up. I mean, does someone actually TAKE that sort of stuff home with them or something? And no one would throw away something like that, right????????

Are you getting closer to having an answer about your job for fall? I have my fingers crossed for you!

 

[shocky5]

No problem on the lists and instructions... I've gotten so used to doing that stuff that it is becoming second nature!

Our trip plans are coming along just fine! We haven't changes much around since we made our ADRs.

E booked our tours and we bought our MVMCP tickets. Now we wait...


I technically have one more installment... I'm trying to stall!!!

I think I blinked and our tickers got under 5 months!

I know right??? And not too far off from hitting under 4 months... where is this summer going???

Anxiously awaiting the final installment. I love the humor in your writing!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I know right??? And not too far off from hitting under 4 months... where is this summer going???

Anxiously awaiting the final installment. I love the humor in your writing!

Phineas and Ferb may have 104 days of summer vacation, but mine officially ends in 10 days!

I'm geared up for the last installment, and I'm pleased to announce that I got my hands on our Photopass CD so I can add one more installment - that will be heavy on the photographs!