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
Morning came bright and early and in the form of Stitch telling us (and Mickey) to "Get Moving!" I thought it was great, but even though I hit speakerphone my kids slept right through it. DH and I began to have a silent arguement over who got the first shower until Baby Girl woke up and tipped the scales in favor of her Daddy since I had to feed her. So DH showered, I fed the baby, then we woke up the sleepyheads. Little Tink got her wits about her fairly quickly when she realized we were eating breakfast with the Princesses, but Sonnyboy needed more motivation. He didn't want to eat with the Princesses and didn't care if we were late. He's like that. DH motivated him-not with violence or bribes, but with the promise of Test Track whoch he had seen on my endless list of Tivo'd WDW specials on the Travel Channel.
I packed up princess dresses for Tink and Baby Girl and called over to MeMe and PaPa's to make sure they did likewise for Bitty Princess and we headed to the bus stop. I was pitifully excited-I hadn't ever used Disney busses before. Since it was Epcot Magic Hour, the bus was crowded. I brought my Baby Bjorn and prepared the kids to stand, but a very nice couple gave one seat to me and baby while another found places for Little Tink and Sonnyboy. DH and I were amazed. We came to WDW determined to make sure we were kind to those around us, we didn't expect the treatment in return. In case I don't remember to say it again, we met some of the kindest people ever on the bus to and from the AKL.
We arrived at the park in time to see it open, a first for my family. Knowing our time was limited, DH ran to get FP's for himself and PaPa to Mission Space while I pushed the stroller towards Test Track. We got our kid switch passes and DH took the bigger kids for their first ride. Baby Girl and I did some car shopping, or more realistically, car dreaming while we waited. By the time they got through, there was no time to switch-we needed to get to Norway. We took the kids to the restrooms and I looked crazily for a family bathroom so we could help them change their clothes more quickly. Finding nothing, we separated and I got the girls dressed as fast as I could. As we exited the bathroom, I spotted the family one. Always in the last place you look!
We got to Norway and MeMe and PaPa arived with Bitty Princess as I checked in at the podium. Bitty Princess hadn't slept well and really hadn't wanted to wake up this morning. Not good. I hoped the princesses would cheer her up. We waited a bit longer for seats, but still not a noticable wait. The girl checking us in thought I was trying to pull a "fast one" and get an extra seat on my PS when I told her Baby Girl would be sitting on my lap. She kept insisting "Everyone at your table counts as a seat." I told her that was fine, but that Baby Girl couldn't sit on her own and therefore couldn't use a high chair. I wasn't mad, I am guessing she had been warned that people would try to sneak in extra guests and was just trying to do her job. I was also pretty sure she didn't have kids of her own and didn't understand babies don't sit in high chairs (at least not those wooden ones) until they can actually sit unassisted. Our server seemed to understand what the problem was and took back the high chair. None of this was a big deal, just frustrating to the poor hostess who was trying to enforce "the rules" as they had been explained to her.
By the time we all sat down, we already had cinnamon rolls. YUM! They were great. It was hard not to ask for seconds, but I am on Weight Watchers and knew more cinnamon rolls on the table weren't in my best interest. (or MeMe's who is on The Zone diet) Our food was out before I knew it and there was a LOT of it. I'm not a big fan of eggs and sausage, but DH and PaPa were happy to pick up my slack. I guess we should have further confused the poor hostess by getting rid of Sonnyboy's chair too because as soon as he saw the princesses, he dove under the table and popped out only long enough for a bite of fruit or egg and a sip of juice. The princesses were all lovely. I was impressed with all of them, but they each get their own props for something special.
Belle talked to Sonnyboy under the table, though she didn't get him out-he did like it. Mulan was wonderful with Bitty Princess who was feeling a bit shy and out of sorts because she was tired. She (Mulan) also spent a few minutes talking to us grown-ups and seemed to me the most in character. Jasmine was the favorite of Baby Girl, and she actually whimpered sadly when she went to the next table. Snow White loved the fact that Baby Girl was in her Snow White dress too and called her "Baby Snow." She even remembered to wave at her when she passed us later on her way to the other table. Aurora reminded the girls they were princesses and taught them how to pose with their dresses. It was all very charming and enjoyable and even though we finished eating a few minutes before Aurora arrived at our table, never once did we feel pressured to leave. I've never had any luck in my previous three trips in getting a PS at any Princess meal so thanks again to Marla at Dreams Unlimited-mission accomplished!
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
Morning came bright and early and in the form of Stitch telling us (and Mickey) to "Get Moving!" I thought it was great, but even though I hit speakerphone my kids slept right through it. DH and I began to have a silent arguement over who got the first shower until Baby Girl woke up and tipped the scales in favor of her Daddy since I had to feed her. So DH showered, I fed the baby, then we woke up the sleepyheads. Little Tink got her wits about her fairly quickly when she realized we were eating breakfast with the Princesses, but Sonnyboy needed more motivation. He didn't want to eat with the Princesses and didn't care if we were late. He's like that. DH motivated him-not with violence or bribes, but with the promise of Test Track whoch he had seen on my endless list of Tivo'd WDW specials on the Travel Channel.
I packed up princess dresses for Tink and Baby Girl and called over to MeMe and PaPa's to make sure they did likewise for Bitty Princess and we headed to the bus stop. I was pitifully excited-I hadn't ever used Disney busses before. Since it was Epcot Magic Hour, the bus was crowded. I brought my Baby Bjorn and prepared the kids to stand, but a very nice couple gave one seat to me and baby while another found places for Little Tink and Sonnyboy. DH and I were amazed. We came to WDW determined to make sure we were kind to those around us, we didn't expect the treatment in return. In case I don't remember to say it again, we met some of the kindest people ever on the bus to and from the AKL.
We arrived at the park in time to see it open, a first for my family. Knowing our time was limited, DH ran to get FP's for himself and PaPa to Mission Space while I pushed the stroller towards Test Track. We got our kid switch passes and DH took the bigger kids for their first ride. Baby Girl and I did some car shopping, or more realistically, car dreaming while we waited. By the time they got through, there was no time to switch-we needed to get to Norway. We took the kids to the restrooms and I looked crazily for a family bathroom so we could help them change their clothes more quickly. Finding nothing, we separated and I got the girls dressed as fast as I could. As we exited the bathroom, I spotted the family one. Always in the last place you look!
We got to Norway and MeMe and PaPa arived with Bitty Princess as I checked in at the podium. Bitty Princess hadn't slept well and really hadn't wanted to wake up this morning. Not good. I hoped the princesses would cheer her up. We waited a bit longer for seats, but still not a noticable wait. The girl checking us in thought I was trying to pull a "fast one" and get an extra seat on my PS when I told her Baby Girl would be sitting on my lap. She kept insisting "Everyone at your table counts as a seat." I told her that was fine, but that Baby Girl couldn't sit on her own and therefore couldn't use a high chair. I wasn't mad, I am guessing she had been warned that people would try to sneak in extra guests and was just trying to do her job. I was also pretty sure she didn't have kids of her own and didn't understand babies don't sit in high chairs (at least not those wooden ones) until they can actually sit unassisted. Our server seemed to understand what the problem was and took back the high chair. None of this was a big deal, just frustrating to the poor hostess who was trying to enforce "the rules" as they had been explained to her.
By the time we all sat down, we already had cinnamon rolls. YUM! They were great. It was hard not to ask for seconds, but I am on Weight Watchers and knew more cinnamon rolls on the table weren't in my best interest. (or MeMe's who is on The Zone diet) Our food was out before I knew it and there was a LOT of it. I'm not a big fan of eggs and sausage, but DH and PaPa were happy to pick up my slack. I guess we should have further confused the poor hostess by getting rid of Sonnyboy's chair too because as soon as he saw the princesses, he dove under the table and popped out only long enough for a bite of fruit or egg and a sip of juice. The princesses were all lovely. I was impressed with all of them, but they each get their own props for something special.
Belle talked to Sonnyboy under the table, though she didn't get him out-he did like it. Mulan was wonderful with Bitty Princess who was feeling a bit shy and out of sorts because she was tired. She (Mulan) also spent a few minutes talking to us grown-ups and seemed to me the most in character. Jasmine was the favorite of Baby Girl, and she actually whimpered sadly when she went to the next table. Snow White loved the fact that Baby Girl was in her Snow White dress too and called her "Baby Snow." She even remembered to wave at her when she passed us later on her way to the other table. Aurora reminded the girls they were princesses and taught them how to pose with their dresses. It was all very charming and enjoyable and even though we finished eating a few minutes before Aurora arrived at our table, never once did we feel pressured to leave. I've never had any luck in my previous three trips in getting a PS at any Princess meal so thanks again to Marla at Dreams Unlimited-mission accomplished!
