MelessaG
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2004
- Messages
- 1,295
Cast of Characters
Me- WDW nut who just may love planning trips more than taking them
DH-reluctant escort who I think may enjoy WDW more than he lets us know
Little Tink- almost 7 year-old WDW vet and budding park commando like mom
Sonny Boy-4 year-old "Stitch" fan who acts a lot like 626
Bitty Princess-2 year-old Diva
Baby Girl-6 month old along for the ride
MeMe-My mom and doting grandmother
PaPa-my Dad and mentor in vacationing 'commando-style'
DSis-My youngest sis, pregnant on the trip wed last July
DBIL-Sis' new husband, an unknown quantity, and birthday boy this trip
After doing all the big rides, our plan was to see the kid shows and then take the boat to Epcot. We had a little surprise cooked up for MeMe and PaPa, but they had to work for it first.
We jumped in line for The Little Mermaid show. I hadn't seen it since my first trip in 1998, and I forgot how good it was. Definitely more that just the "kiddie" show I thought I remembered. After that, it was time for Playhouse Disney. Am I evil when I say I'm kind of looking forward to the kids outgrowing this one. I am? OK, sorry-but that's still how I feel. My attitude probably has to do with the family of about 100 that stood in front of us and continually let their relatives cut in front of us. Now, no one understands better than me about kids and the potty, but these were grown adults. Still, we didn't wait too long before going in-though we were saddened to be ushered into the same section as this family. We were hoping to ditch them for a different spot. Sure enough, they spread themselves out rather than bunching together as the CM's asked. One of the men was practically sitting in my lap and completely blocking Bitty Princess' view. (she came to the parks with MeMe and PaPa) My Dad took her in his lap instead, and I had a slightly evil trick up my sleeve to get the strange man back into his family's space. I am usually very concerned about my surroundings when I nurse Baby Girl because I don't like to make others uncomfortable. But since 'Strange Family Man' was making me uncomfortable by sitting on the edge of my feet when his own family still had lots of room, I decided to return the favor. I leaned against DH for support, and began feeding Baby Girl. It's amazing how quickly he decided to sit a little closer to his relatives after that. 
(Hey! That was my last trip to WDW with a nursing baby and my last chance to use the 'nursing defense.')
Once the show started, all the kids scrambled up to dance and personal space was no longer an issue. All three of the bigger kids loved it so much that I guess I'm glad we went-but after years of it, I still think I will be glad to leave the pushy parents and comfy floor seating in my WDW visiting past.
After the show, we rewarded ourselves with some Mickey bars. I shared mine with Bitty Princess and after she had taken a few bites, I didn't want it anymore. Then came 'the incident.' Lest there be any misunderstanding, let me make it clear that I am very used to dealing with wheelchairs. My great-uncle, a WWII vet, was wheelchair bound from the time he came home from the Philippines until his death in 1988. Until old age prevented it, there was nothing this man couldn't do on his own except walk. He helped an architect design his wheelchair accessible home in the 1950's, installed bars, light switches, and door handles throughout his home so that no one would have to help him, and built his own electric wheelchair/lawnmower when there was nothing available to the general public to suit his needs. He described two types of wheelchair users-those who use it to get from point A to point B, and those who use it to get things for themselves. He didn't have much use for the latter category and as a result, neither do I.
As we cleaned up from our ice cream, Sonnyboy saw the Army Men from Toy Story marching out in front of the Sorceror's Hat. He started to run for them and almost ran in front of a woman in an ECV. DH stopped him, told him "no," and apologized. The lady proceeded to wheel herself to my feet and roll her eyes at me. I wasn't sure if she was getting ready to gripe me out or have a seizure. I am hypoglycemic, and I have seizures if my sugar drops to low and her facial expressions seemed to mimic mine just before that happens. I began to think I should dig in my diaper bag for my glucose tablets when she finally said "your children are out of control and OU stinks!" (PaPa was wearing his OU hat and jacket) Caught off guard, all I could hear were my uncle's wors about wheelchairs not making you entitled and I shouted to her retreating back "Get over yourself, he's just excited to be here." She was dressed in head to toe Wisconsin team colors and logos, but since I have nothing against Wisconsin, I didn't reciprocate her rude sentiments about her preferred college team. (Besides, this was a month before the Orange Bowl and she didn't have the right to criticize OU...yet.)
My parents looked at me with their jaws dropped-they did not raise me to yell at people in wheelchairs, so I suppose I behaved inappropriately. But, as I told them, Sonnyboy was stopped before he crossed her path, reprimanded, and made to apologize. What more did she want? A public flogging? (and that would have gotten me in trouble with other park patrons, besides, Sonnyboy does not respond to spanking-he prefers mental cruelty ) Either way, I was a little annoyed as we left the park, but slightly amused at myself. It really isn't like me to call out things to strange passersby, and this was my second time to do it on the trip.
We took our first boat ride from Epcot, and made our first visit to a very quiet Boardwalk. Someday, somehow, I will stay at the Yacht Club-four kids or not. That is one gorgeous resort. It was neat to see it up close after all my repeated viewings of it on the Travel Channel. My kids kept asking "Where's Samantha" (Brown) when we were there. Little did we know, she was in Europe filiming a new series. I guess they think she lives at WDW.
We entered Epcot from the back and went straight to France. I knew DH wasn't interested, but Little Tink and I wanted crepes for lunch. Yum! Sonnyboy shared a few bites with us, but was holding out for more American chicken nuggets. There is just no accounting for taste with that boy.
After a visit with Pere Noel, we escorted MeMe and PaPa to their "surprise." We got them a CP Package! Today was their 33rd anniversary, and they had spent the whole week making sure we were happy and having fun. We wanted to give a little back. We lined them up nice and early, and told them to go to Rose & Crown at 7 p.m. for dinner "on us." (where else could my Dad get a Guiness?) They didn't know a lot about the Candlelight Processional, but I knew they were in for a treat. Having given them their gift, we continued on our quest for the "world's best" snack. DH tried something in Morocco as I took the kids to see the Daruma doll vendor in Japan. We passed on both sushi and kaki gori (too cold) and went on to Germany to see the nutcraker. Since we had filled up on treats in Germany yesterday, we went to the Italian pavioion to see La Befana. I once lived in Italy, and have a special place in my heart for their Christmas traditions. I just wish I had thought to make a PS for Alfredo's. I have yet to eat there.
I was saddened in the shops to realize that I may still understand Italian, but my speaking skills are rusty. I wish I had some way to practice.
Oh well, back to the World Showcase, the Santa's, and the snacks. Tonight's fare included rice cream, egg rolls, nachos (for Dad), and some candy from Mexico. Don't worry, it wasn't all at the same time, and the kids actually ate very little of it. They were too excited. Little Tink got to be Mary in the presentation at Mexico and we thought it was time to call it a night. It was getting colder and we hadn't thought to bring jackets after such a mild week. The older kids were sad about missing Illuminations, (so was I), but there was laundry to wash and pack, and the little ones were getting cold. About that time, the cell phone rang. It was MeMe and PaPa thanking us for such a nice anniversary dinner. They said they were going to stay for the fireworks and would meet us later at the AKL to get Bitty Princess. With all the arrangements in place, it seemed like time to go. With a PS at Chef Mickey's in the morning, I didn't really even feel like we were leaving yet and I wasn't sad to be leaving yet...I should have known better...
Me- WDW nut who just may love planning trips more than taking them
DH-reluctant escort who I think may enjoy WDW more than he lets us know
Little Tink- almost 7 year-old WDW vet and budding park commando like mom
Sonny Boy-4 year-old "Stitch" fan who acts a lot like 626
Bitty Princess-2 year-old Diva
Baby Girl-6 month old along for the ride
MeMe-My mom and doting grandmother
PaPa-my Dad and mentor in vacationing 'commando-style'
DSis-My youngest sis, pregnant on the trip wed last July
DBIL-Sis' new husband, an unknown quantity, and birthday boy this trip
After doing all the big rides, our plan was to see the kid shows and then take the boat to Epcot. We had a little surprise cooked up for MeMe and PaPa, but they had to work for it first.
We jumped in line for The Little Mermaid show. I hadn't seen it since my first trip in 1998, and I forgot how good it was. Definitely more that just the "kiddie" show I thought I remembered. After that, it was time for Playhouse Disney. Am I evil when I say I'm kind of looking forward to the kids outgrowing this one. I am? OK, sorry-but that's still how I feel. My attitude probably has to do with the family of about 100 that stood in front of us and continually let their relatives cut in front of us. Now, no one understands better than me about kids and the potty, but these were grown adults. Still, we didn't wait too long before going in-though we were saddened to be ushered into the same section as this family. We were hoping to ditch them for a different spot. Sure enough, they spread themselves out rather than bunching together as the CM's asked. One of the men was practically sitting in my lap and completely blocking Bitty Princess' view. (she came to the parks with MeMe and PaPa) My Dad took her in his lap instead, and I had a slightly evil trick up my sleeve to get the strange man back into his family's space. I am usually very concerned about my surroundings when I nurse Baby Girl because I don't like to make others uncomfortable. But since 'Strange Family Man' was making me uncomfortable by sitting on the edge of my feet when his own family still had lots of room, I decided to return the favor. I leaned against DH for support, and began feeding Baby Girl. It's amazing how quickly he decided to sit a little closer to his relatives after that. (Hey! That was my last trip to WDW with a nursing baby and my last chance to use the 'nursing defense.')Once the show started, all the kids scrambled up to dance and personal space was no longer an issue. All three of the bigger kids loved it so much that I guess I'm glad we went-but after years of it, I still think I will be glad to leave the pushy parents and comfy floor seating in my WDW visiting past.
After the show, we rewarded ourselves with some Mickey bars. I shared mine with Bitty Princess and after she had taken a few bites, I didn't want it anymore. Then came 'the incident.' Lest there be any misunderstanding, let me make it clear that I am very used to dealing with wheelchairs. My great-uncle, a WWII vet, was wheelchair bound from the time he came home from the Philippines until his death in 1988. Until old age prevented it, there was nothing this man couldn't do on his own except walk. He helped an architect design his wheelchair accessible home in the 1950's, installed bars, light switches, and door handles throughout his home so that no one would have to help him, and built his own electric wheelchair/lawnmower when there was nothing available to the general public to suit his needs. He described two types of wheelchair users-those who use it to get from point A to point B, and those who use it to get things for themselves. He didn't have much use for the latter category and as a result, neither do I.
As we cleaned up from our ice cream, Sonnyboy saw the Army Men from Toy Story marching out in front of the Sorceror's Hat. He started to run for them and almost ran in front of a woman in an ECV. DH stopped him, told him "no," and apologized. The lady proceeded to wheel herself to my feet and roll her eyes at me. I wasn't sure if she was getting ready to gripe me out or have a seizure. I am hypoglycemic, and I have seizures if my sugar drops to low and her facial expressions seemed to mimic mine just before that happens. I began to think I should dig in my diaper bag for my glucose tablets when she finally said "your children are out of control and OU stinks!" (PaPa was wearing his OU hat and jacket) Caught off guard, all I could hear were my uncle's wors about wheelchairs not making you entitled and I shouted to her retreating back "Get over yourself, he's just excited to be here." She was dressed in head to toe Wisconsin team colors and logos, but since I have nothing against Wisconsin, I didn't reciprocate her rude sentiments about her preferred college team. (Besides, this was a month before the Orange Bowl and she didn't have the right to criticize OU...yet.)
My parents looked at me with their jaws dropped-they did not raise me to yell at people in wheelchairs, so I suppose I behaved inappropriately. But, as I told them, Sonnyboy was stopped before he crossed her path, reprimanded, and made to apologize. What more did she want? A public flogging? (and that would have gotten me in trouble with other park patrons, besides, Sonnyboy does not respond to spanking-he prefers mental cruelty
) Either way, I was a little annoyed as we left the park, but slightly amused at myself. It really isn't like me to call out things to strange passersby, and this was my second time to do it on the trip.We took our first boat ride from Epcot, and made our first visit to a very quiet Boardwalk. Someday, somehow, I will stay at the Yacht Club-four kids or not. That is one gorgeous resort. It was neat to see it up close after all my repeated viewings of it on the Travel Channel. My kids kept asking "Where's Samantha" (Brown) when we were there. Little did we know, she was in Europe filiming a new series. I guess they think she lives at WDW.
We entered Epcot from the back and went straight to France. I knew DH wasn't interested, but Little Tink and I wanted crepes for lunch. Yum! Sonnyboy shared a few bites with us, but was holding out for more American chicken nuggets. There is just no accounting for taste with that boy.
After a visit with Pere Noel, we escorted MeMe and PaPa to their "surprise." We got them a CP Package! Today was their 33rd anniversary, and they had spent the whole week making sure we were happy and having fun. We wanted to give a little back. We lined them up nice and early, and told them to go to Rose & Crown at 7 p.m. for dinner "on us." (where else could my Dad get a Guiness?) They didn't know a lot about the Candlelight Processional, but I knew they were in for a treat. Having given them their gift, we continued on our quest for the "world's best" snack. DH tried something in Morocco as I took the kids to see the Daruma doll vendor in Japan. We passed on both sushi and kaki gori (too cold) and went on to Germany to see the nutcraker. Since we had filled up on treats in Germany yesterday, we went to the Italian pavioion to see La Befana. I once lived in Italy, and have a special place in my heart for their Christmas traditions. I just wish I had thought to make a PS for Alfredo's. I have yet to eat there.
I was saddened in the shops to realize that I may still understand Italian, but my speaking skills are rusty. I wish I had some way to practice.
Oh well, back to the World Showcase, the Santa's, and the snacks. Tonight's fare included rice cream, egg rolls, nachos (for Dad), and some candy from Mexico. Don't worry, it wasn't all at the same time, and the kids actually ate very little of it. They were too excited. Little Tink got to be Mary in the presentation at Mexico and we thought it was time to call it a night. It was getting colder and we hadn't thought to bring jackets after such a mild week. The older kids were sad about missing Illuminations, (so was I), but there was laundry to wash and pack, and the little ones were getting cold. About that time, the cell phone rang. It was MeMe and PaPa thanking us for such a nice anniversary dinner. They said they were going to stay for the fireworks and would meet us later at the AKL to get Bitty Princess. With all the arrangements in place, it seemed like time to go. With a PS at Chef Mickey's in the morning, I didn't really even feel like we were leaving yet and I wasn't sad to be leaving yet...I should have known better...
