Fun Crazy: I made it - I can't believe it's really here!

[Alysa]

I have been a member of the DIS for ages but have never been brave enough to write a trip report. This one promises to be something funny and magical though so I thought I would share. I hope you enjoy.

Background: I was raised on Disney. My first trip was when I was 5 and the only park was the Magic Kingdom. I have memories of nearly knocking Mickey down when he used to roam the park. I remember the joy of going on the Pirates of the Caribbean with my Grandmother who was my kindred spirit. I remember the sinking thrill of walking down into the belly of the 20,000 leagues submarine and the creepy chill of going into the Haunted Mansion at night. I remember all I wanted on that trip was one of those fabulous huge rainbow suckers the size of your head – and it was as sweet as I had dreamed. I also remember diving for pennies at the pool (off-site!!). The smell of cheap plastic pool toys still to this day reminds me of that trip – good times!

To introduce the cast:

Me – wife and mum of DD5 and DS2. I am a freelance art director so I get to stay at home and take care of the chitlets, which is such a gift (most days!). If I were any princess I would be Belle: “I want adventure in the great wide somewhere. I want it more than I can say!” Ahem, I shouldn’t sing but I do, all the time. I can bake with the best of them but can’t cook to save my life. The stove has two levels for me - off and burn. I love going camping in Algonquin Park so I can paint there but after sleeping in a tent and fishing bits of dirt that shall remain nameless out of my hot chocolate, I have to recover by booking myself a stay at a deluxe hotel.

DH – brilliant scientist, dead sexy. HE wants NOTHING to do with trip planning. He just shows up and has a good time. His best day is when experiments go well at work and he comes home to a happy family. He doesn’t care about mess but he learned early on that if he wanted nice meals and not soup from a can for dinner that he had better learn to cook, despite his wonderful Korean mum teaching him that boys stay out of the kitchen. Thank goodness we got that brain washing out of the way quickly. He loves camping and fly fishing but he goes to Disney because of the joy it gives the kids and me. He rocks, really – can you tell I am crazy about him?

DD5 – my sugar and spice girl. Gosh I love her. She is sweet and funny and smart and so pretty. She is the best big sister and she loves ballet, gymnastics, skating, riding her horse Joe and doing art. She has quite a fairy craze going on right now and we are reading everything about them that she can get her hands on. She’s a lot like me but happily seems to have missed out on my Irish temper.

DS2 – my boy. He’s a car maniac really. If it has wheels he adores it. He is going to Disney World for the “Cars. Speedway Racer.” He’s the one who got my temper but hopefully that is a bit of a terrible two thing. If I am annoyed with him he comes up to me and says “Mummy, you happy?” It gets a smile every time. It’s a good thing he is so cute. He is a lot like his Dad. When the ultrasound cardiologist (long story) told us it was a boy, I said “A boy?! I can’t have a boy! I don’t know boys. I don’t even have any books for a boy!”. I immediately went out and bought “Peter Pan” and “Treasure Island” but despite those excellent preparations, I am still miles out of my depth with him. I do my best though and he’ll get by if love has anything to do with it.

Oh! I remembered how to add photos! Excellent!

I’ll introduce others as they come up in the story and they will because we are all going to Disney! My DH and our kids, my parents, my sister and her family and my brother and his wife. It’s going to be “fun crazy” as my DS2 says. All lucky 13 of us will be there this October for a Canadian Thanksgiving/ Halloween/Birthday extravaganza! See ya real soon!

 

[Alysa]

I dragged my DH to Disney for the millennium and he surprised himself with having a blast. Great hotel, gourmet food, drinking your way around the world in Epcot, relaxing by the pool, nightclubs and a wicked New Year’s party – what’s not to love? All part of my evil plan: before we left we took a tour of DVC and he was hooked! We still think it was one of the best purchases we ever made.

We took three trips before our daughter came along but that first one with her at 14 months was wonderful. We spent a week at Vero beach and then had three heavenly days at the Animal Kingdom. I had just decided to leave my job and become a freelancer and I was so worried about it but the time we had together really reaffirmed my decision to give myself more time to spend with my family The kids have both grown so fast. I feel like just brought my DD home from the hospital yesterday and yet here she is going into senior kindergarten soon. And I know that it’s going to seem like tomorrow that she is going to be off to university. I just want to savour every fleeting moment – it’s one of the reasons we are so glad we bought into DVC.

My DH would not be thrilled to know I posted a picture of us but here is a little video of my daughter on her first trip.

DD meets prince charming. Our Favourite Disney Memomory YouTube Entry that ALMOST won

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Yeah, I get to be the first poster. Hello fellow canuck. 13 of you on one vacation plan. Wow that's alot to plan. Are you all DVC members?

I so remember those round rainbow lollypops. I tried having one from goofy's candy factory last year but it just wasn't the same. I remember going into the candy store on main street and watching them make the lollypops there. My brother's favorite shop on main street was the magic shop. I of course hated it when he bought something from them because he always used to torment me with it. I think my parents still have the peanut brittle with the snaky things that jumped out of it somewhere.

Looking forward to reading the rest. It will give me something to read about when I have returned home from this years trip. Happy planning.

 

[Alysa]

My husband and I are the only DVC members. This is our third big family trip. We did one with 18 in 01 and one with 13 in 06 when my son was 6 weeks old so we are getting to be old hats at this...
I remember those peanut brittle snakes!

I just went and saw your report so far - cute! Your DH sounds just like mine.
Can I ask what is this CAA character greet you mentioned?
Congrats to you and your son on the National Ballet – how amazing!
Have a great trip!

 

[Alysa]

It’s all about the matriarch in our family. My Mum is the rock that holds us all together. I learned the importance of family from her, and I learned to celebrate the special occasions. She taught me that baked goods are a necessity at any party. She taught by example how to be a great mother, with unconditional love, and the rattle of the wooden spoon drawer. (Not that I can use that particular trick – we employ the naughty step and toy loss at our house). She introduced me to “Narnia” and “Magic by the Lake”, the Beatles and Disney. She is a planner too and she is the one who organized that first magical trip. Thanks Mum!

My Dad gave me my love of camping and Tom Thompson, “All Creatures Great and Small”, “Jeeves and Wooster”, “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” and Scrabble games with Sunday morning breakfast at the dining table listening to the Blackbirds in the fields behind our house. What does he love most about Disney? Not sure, but it might be the hats. He just likes it when everyone is one big happy family. We are going to be there during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and I am looking forward to seeing him in costume. I know he is having trouble deciding between his favourite (Goofy) and the Genie. I vote for Goofy (he’s just like that – a loveable, funny, goofy Dad).

My sister is my best friend. She has three beautiful kids and she graciously had her youngest two at the same time as my kids so I could always turn to her for advice. She is one of those capable people and always seems to know what she is doing and if she has a lot going on, she always does it with style. She is like Carrie from “Sex in the City” and she even married “Big”. We recently completed a Minnie Marathon together this past May on a girls trip with my Mum and daughter. But we missed our guys. Next time we’ll take them with us. I’m going to try for the full marathon, or maybe the Run For the Cure Triathalon next year, but only if I can get over my fear of alligators coming up out of the dark water and taking my legs off. Okay…must remember to breathe…slower than that…I’m okay.

Here’s a video of the trip:

Girls Minnie Marathon trip! Woo hoo!


My sister’s husband is sarcastic, smart and funny. He’s my favourite brother-in-law. He’s an architect and “Star Wars”/Guitar Hero fiend. He’s a great Dad to my three adorable nephews and niece and he makes my sister very happy – so I guess he’ll do.

Nephew #1: He and his Dad came with us on our first big family DVC trip (18 people that time) in 2001. He loves Disney and the time he gets with his Dad to ride the roller coasters. We have planned a guys day for him with his Dad, brother, Grandad and two uncles to Universal. I have never been before but I understand that it is what pre-teen boys want heaven to be like. Who knows what they will do there. The only places I plan are Vero and Disney. I’m afraid Roller Coasters make me sick. I can only do the water rides at Disney and the one time I did the Tower of Terror it was one of those “We don’t know how many times you will plummet nearly to your death” things and I was holding on for dear life, wondering how I would ever apologise to the man in front of me for throwing up all over him. Happily, it never happened and they eventually stopped and let me off. Anyway, Universal? Not me, not until they get Hogwarts set up over there.

Nephew #2: Same age as my girl and twice the cheeky. But I’m crazy about him. He’s cute and smart and he’s the reason his Mum will be grey long before me. (At least three years anyway, until my son hits his age!) He is all excited about going to Universal too. He tells me that there is this fabulous ride where a shark jumps up out of the water and tries to eat you. Remember me and the fear of icky things in water I can’t see down into? I’ll pass. He is at that age where he hates hugs ‘cause he is all manly and 5 and everything. So what do I love to do? You bet! Hugs and Kisses!! But it’s okay because I am the Auntie with Disney!

Niece: My sweetie-pie. This girl is so adorable. She can talk better than most 4 year olds and let her tell you a thing or two! She is JUST like her Mom. She tells me we are sleeping in the palace and I tell her that oh no, we are not, we are staying at Saratoga Springs which is way better and that Cinderella needs her room, ‘cause otherwise, where would she sleep? Then she tells me that Alice in Wonderland lives there too. Did I mention she is two? Then I tell her that Auntie booked her breakfast with Cinderella and all the princesses and then she hugs me because I am her favourite Auntie ever! We went when she was 6 weeks old and I sewed her the most adorable little Cinderella onsie but I am so excited to show her Disney this time. We are also going to dinner with the step-sisters at the Grand Floridian, and dinner with Mickey at the Contemporary. Se is going to be turning three this trip and I am trying to organize something extra special. I found an old VHS copy of a very cheesy, very 80’s Disney Sing Along at Disneyland for her to get her ready. Her mum has called me to say thank you so much because my niece enjoys it so much she asks to watch it about once every hour or so. It’s amazing how long “Right Down the Middle of Main Street U.S.A.” will stay your head, isn’t it? I’m so glad to have found something the whole family will enjoy so much. He he he.

My grandmother was enthusiasm personified and gave me my love of Christmas, Earl Grey Tea, painting, classical music, and travel and adventure. She gave me Jane Eyre to read and I tore through it in her hammock in two sweet summer days. I think I am most like her of anyone in my family. She passed away on Christmas day, her favourite day of the year three years ago and I miss her terribly. To get a sense of her, picture a smart career woman (kind of like Auntie Mame) grabbing me and my brother by the hand and tearing down the exit ramp to the Pirates of the Caribbean dragging us behind her, calling over her shoulder to my parents: “The kids want to go again!!”. She won’t be there in person but every time we see a fireworks display, or ride on Mission: Space or the Pirates, she’ll be with us.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Very sweet youtube. I'm having a hard time writing as my eyes have blurred up a bit. What is that song from? I'm not technologically that advanced yet so my hats off to you.

We have that VHS disney sing-a-long with "Main street USA" on it too. My kids all loved it when they were 2-4 years of age. It lives at my parents house. It is indeed a catchy tune and was their favorite song on it.

I hear you about the roller coaster ride thing. I too will only ride at Disney (although I can be persuaded to ride mindbuster at wonderland for nostalgic reasons only). For our family we skip the trill rides but adore all the shows. My youngest wants to be one of the monkeys in the lion king but the older two would be happy with any dancing role.

The CAA character interaction is called "Disney's Story time". I only know about it from the boards because my CAA agent never has any idea what I am talking about. For instance the day before free dinning this year I called her to get her to look into it for me and she didn't believe me. When I went to pay in full (luckily I opted to stay at her desk while she phone disney) the Disney CM wanted to varify my ADR's and tours I had booked. My CAA agent said she doesn't have any ADR's. I could have lost them all if I hadn't spoke up. But I digress... I don't know how to book the story time yet. I'm assuming once I get my package with my magic express luggage tags there will be information in there with it. CAA lists it on it's propeganda along with the mini golf voucher, the planet hollywood deal and the sea raycer. So I assumed it would arrive with my magic express tickets.

 

[Alysa]

We have late additions to the party

My brother and his wife: On our first big family trip in 2001 we reserved a BWV grand villa and two studios. Unfortunately, my brother got the shaft and ended up on the couch in the Villa. He was so uncomfortable on this pull-out couch from hell that he eventually dragged the mattress into the laundry room and slept in there. He hates Disney (which makes me wonder if he really is related to me) and needless to say he does not have the fondest memories ever of this trip. His wife shares his distain for everything related to the mouse, but she is really making an effort and so last minute she has talked him into going for 5 days so that they can be there with us for Thanksgiving. I remember the first time we meet, she asked me why I would choose to go there when I could spend a month backpacking in hostels in China for the same price. (She also told me she hated Jane Austen, but I am forced to overlook these character flaws in the face of the face that she makes my brother deliriously happy.) I have booked them a stay at Vero in an ocean-view Inn room and I am wait-listed for one day in a one-bedroom at AKL (Our SIL expressed interest in staying at “the place with the animals”). The big problem they seem to have with Disney World is the number of kids running around. I know they think that perhaps it might be bearable for them apart from that. I am nervous about whether they will like Vero (our favourite place to stay) because of it and really hope they don’t talk about how much they hate it – at least to my face. They are arriving on the Sunday, checking in at Vero, then driving over in the evening to join us for Thanksgiving dinner at Artist’s Point at the WL. They are also going to come by so my brother can go to Universal with the guys and so SIL can go outlet shopping with my Mum and sister on the Tuesday. It is the morning we are off to a girls breakfast at Cinderella’s Castle and my SIL said maybe she would come, but my sister, knowing how much she would loath it, said she didn’t think she would 1) enjoy herself, 2) be able to change the reservation at this point, and 3) make it for 8am. Whew! I do appreciate the effort she is making though and I am thrilled she is a part of our family because I know how happy she makes my brother. I am hoping they relax and enjoy several days, just the two of them, by the ocean, and maybe see a smidge of why we love it.

 

[Alysa]

What is that song from?

Hercules! Love that movie!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Hercules! Of course. I didn't mind the movie but none of my kids really enjoyed it so it hasn't been played over and over and over and over (I could go on but I think you get the point) like the others.

How can your DSIL not like Jane Austen? Not only is it one of my favorite novels of all time but I can watch A&E's version of it over and over and over and over (opps got carried away again. Sorry).

Just drove past Oakville. Well, I tried to drive past it but the construction on the QEW had me stuck there for a while. I picked up friends from the buffalo airport today. Also threw in a quick trip to the niagara outlet mall for good measure.

 

[Alysa]

Well, we finially completed all our dining reservations. Is it me or does this take anyone else an insane amount of time to organize? Check them out and let me know what you think!

Dining plans:
Thursday October the 9th: We arrive nooninsh; we have dinner at Chef Mickey's that night (a family tradition now).

Friday the 10th at MK: We have breakfast at crystal palace. That night the kids have a pyjama party with Grandma while my sister eats at Jiko’s with her husband and my DH and I eat at Chef du France (where my DH proposed).

Saturday the 11th at Epcot: My kids, DH and I have breakfast at Ohanas (our little ones love Stitch). My sister and her family are having breakfast at 1900 Park Faire with Alice and Mary. Dinner is at the Rose and Crown (where I once ate the most amazing cheese plate! Pimms cup, patio, water lapping, mmmmm, heaven!)

Sunday the 12th at MGM: We have lunch at 50’s prime time café and then a big family Thanksgiving Dinner at Artist's Point for a party of 13!

Monday the 13th at AK: My sister and her family and my parents are having dinner for at the Turf Bar while my kids, DH and I are off to Le Cellier for our official Thanksgiving dinner, eh!

Tuesday the 14th at MK: The boys are off to Universal, while the girls (and my son) have breakfast at Cinderella's. We have booked diner for the guys at the Turf Bar while we are having dinner at 1900 Park Faire with the Stepsisters!

Wednesday the 15th at blizzard beach: My sister and her family and my parents are having dinner at the Luau while my kids, DH and I are having dinner at the Plaza. I've only been there once as a child and remember the most amazing ice cream. I hope they also have good real food!

Thursday the 16th at MK: Dinner at Whispering Canyon. We plan to dress at the WL pool after a swim and then head to Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party!!

Friday the 17th: Home.

 

[Alysa]

How can your DSIL not like Jane Austen? Not only is it one of my favorite novels of all time but I can watch A&E's version of it over and over and over and over (opps got carried away again. Sorry).

We must be kindered spirits. I read the complete volumes about once a year and my dog's name is Bingley (because he very refined and gentlemanly and just an all around nice dog).
Colin Firth - sigh!

 

[Alysa]

Ooo! Our MNSSHP tickets came in the mail!!!!!
They are so cute! Now all I have to do is find our annual passes...

Plus I added a photo of us to the first entry...

 

[irky416]

I'm in. Your plan sounds great so far. I think I would go crazy trying to organize that many people!

Very cute you tube videos!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Nice touch adding the photo.

Plan sounds good. You've got a nice balance of time apart and together.

It's always thrilling to get mail from Disney. I haven't been to the MNSSHP but I'm assuming the tickets are credit card sized and shaped with disney images on them like the P&PP were. My DD kept swiping hers and dancing around the house with it. I was so scared she would lose it. Now that it's over she plays dress up with them like they are credit cards and "won't leave home without it". I just need to teach her the phrase "charge it" and she will be all set.

 

[Alysa]

Is P&PP Pride and Prejudice Party? "Cause I am there!!!!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Saw the film Momma Mia this weekend. Great fun but it was difficult to watch Colin Firth sing (and Pierce Bronson).

 

[Mom2Kate-Anna]

Loving your report so far. We are taking our first Grand Gathering trip October 09' but with only 9 people (which of course I will be planning but I wouldn't have it any other way). It sounds like you have a wonderful plan in place with something for everyone. Can't wait to hear about your trip.

 

[Alysa]

Saw the film Momma Mia this weekend. Great fun but it was difficult to watch Colin Firth sing (and Pierce Bronson).

I heard it was adorable! I too have trouble imagining Colin Firth singing. In fact it makes me a little embarrassed!


Hi Mom2Kate-Anna
Fellow compulsive planner - excellent! Do they really know how difficult all the dining is to plan? I think not, we suffer in silence (kind of) and wouldn't let someone else do it for anything!
I love how in your trip report you admit to meeting your DH on spring break. My tale is worse. I was rescued at UWO from two frat boys at a Kegger! Shhhhhh!! Our best man at our wedding tells of how he spent the night of that party searching for me because he thought I was off with the other guys (as if!) and really I was off with DH. But we just talked in the moonlight. It was so romantic! Okay, one little kiss.
We were at the Boardwalk over Christmas. Disney is so lovely that time of year. We even shipped a tree from home. You'll love it! I really like you're dining choices - you've picked all my favourites! We did a package from Disney florists waiting at check in too but they didn't deliver it until late evening because I had champagne for DH in it. You'll love AKL - it's amazing. So beautiful! It's my sisters new favourite after we stayed there in May. What is Character connection at Epcot? Can't wait to hear more details about your trip! Cheers!

 

[Alysa]

DH is at the lab tonight so I updated my daughters autograph album so that the new characters are all in it (Remy and Emile, Captn Jack, the Step sisters and Lady Tremaine, Lightning and Mater) . I found colouring pages of all the characters, and placed them on a photo sized card, two to a page. You just print them on card stock, trim and hole punch to put in a small sized album with rings. The kids love them because they can colour the characters and they get a HUGE response from the characters. DD is hoping to get everyone's but we have 136 characters pages and about 41 autographs and photos so far. I have high hopes for the Halloween Party for her though. If anybody wants a copy, let me know and I can email you a pdf.

So far we have met: Aladdin, Alice, Anastasia, Ariel, Aurora, Belle (she enchanted my daughter to speechlessness on her first trip - so wonderful, we were the last people at the story time grove and they had a lovely cuddle together)
Buzz, Chip, Cinderella, Dale, Donald, Drizella, Eeyore, the Fairy Godmother, Friar Tuck, Genie, Goofy, Jack Sparrow (Gosh he was funny! DD was standing waiting for him to pick her during the pirate tutorial and he didn't but when all the other kids had melted away she was still there. He asked her if she would be joining them and she just shook her head in terror and scampered. He smiled and after the show was over he gave her a certificate anyway.)
Jasmine, Jessie, Jiminie, Lady Tremaine, the Mad Hatter (hysterical at 1900 Park Faire).
Mary Poppins and the Penguin, Mickey and Minnie, Mulan and Mushu (so sweet to my girl, I almost cry thinking about it: she wore the medal she won at the Minnie Marathon in the 200m and they told her it was a medal of honour. Okay, there I go!)
Piglet, Pluto, Prince Charming (we meet a very wooden character the first time we ate at 1900 Park Faire so we were not expecting much but the Prince Charming in May was him to a "T". DD fell in love, he was so sweet to her and asked her what kingdom she was from and when she said "Canada" he said "And you flew? Do you know Peter Pan? You must have been thinking very happy thoughts". She raced up to watch him dance when they do that and he picked a rather unlovely little girl who just floated off the floor to be chosen. He saw DD at the end and asked her if they could have a little dance just the two of them with no music. And her face when they danced. Sniff!
Queen of Hearts, Rafiki, Snow White, Perla and Suzy, Tigger (just watch the video - sniff sniff!), Timone, Winnie the Pooh, and Woody. Okay here I go...


That is why we go to Disney. The wonderful characters and the laughter and the fireworks, the unforgettable sweet moments with your kids that you can carry around in your heart that make you cry tears of joy. Isn't Disney the BEST?!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Okay here I go...

I guess you'd better make sure you add kleenex to your packing list.