Grandpa Mohawk Chronicles return (New Year's Eve edition)

[podsnel]

Happy New Year! I just finished your blog- I always enjoy your TRs so much! Almost as good as being there. Thank-you for all the fireworks, as i don't know if I'd ever see them in person- DH & I are not much for crowds. Speaking of which, we DID go to Times Square one NYE, and there were fireworks- After the ball dropped, you turned around and they were going off over Central Park. But I enjoyed yours more.

I love your comment about Walt's vision for Disneyland, and how that is what it has become for you and your dad- a fun day together you can both enjoy. GM reminds me so much of my FIL- he never lost his spark, and always remembered how to play and what it was to be a kid.

God bless-
Ellen

 

[aprince&princess]

I think the worst part of Epcot on NYE was the bathroom line. From the first use until midnight, the lines seemed to get worse and worse. We were also in the parks the 1st - 4th, and it seemed much calmer on those days.

 

[dgaston]

Thanks for posting the link to your blog. I've been looking for your NYE trip report. Glad you and GM were better able to enjoy Disney this trip.

 

[Chellymouse]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! Glad to hear GM is pretty well healed! We just missed you at SSR. We had to come home for Christmas!
btw...the Ravens may have walloped Miami, but do you honestly think they stand a chance against the Titans?? Sorry...I am huge football fan! I'm a girl who lives near the "mistake by the lake" and roots for the "team across the river"

 

[BroganMc]

btw...the Ravens may have walloped Miami, but do you honestly think they stand a chance against the Titans?? Sorry...I am huge football fan! I'm a girl who lives near the "mistake by the lake" and roots for the "team across the river"

Do I discern correctly that you are a Squealers fan?

GM and I have one of those in the family too. Lucky for him he's only 10 and his fandom is viewed as a youthful indiscretion. I blame poor parenting. His father is too tolerant. We love him anyway and will taken him to Ravens/Steelers games. Mostly because he tends to be a good luck charm for the Ravens. Not this year though. Might have to rethink that policy next year.

Honestly, I have no clue what the Ravens will do in the Playoffs. I'm trying hard not to get my hopes up. So much like the 2000/01 season though. So I'm firing up my nice new HDTV with 5.1 surround sound, inviting over friends, family and neighbors, and enjoying the ride as long as it lasts.

Sure makes the usual cold and dreary January a lot more exciting.

I'm just regretting asking that Tennessee family of football fans to "make sure they beat the Steelers for us". I didn't realize at the time we'd have to lose to the Titans for that to happen. I'd much rather we went on to take down the Steelers ourselves. Or have the Chargers do it for us.

Enjoy the games!

 

[BroganMc]

I think the worst part of Epcot on NYE was the bathroom line. From the first use until midnight, the lines seemed to get worse and worse. We were also in the parks the 1st - 4th, and it seemed much calmer on those days.

Tell me about it. Cousin 626.1 was smart. WHile I waited in line for that funnel cake and GM ate his hamburger, cousin hit the bathrooms before the really long line started. GM and I were "holding it" throughout the 7:30pm fireworks. Everyone around us in the wheelchair spot joked about needing FastPasses for the bathroom.

I do not remember it being half that bad last year. Of course it was raining then. I wonder how bad it will get over the next three years when NYE starts falling on weekends.

 

[kaffinito]

You are a VERY bad person! That quick video of the fireworks actually had me wishing I was there too watching them - and vaguely plotting how to get to WDW next year for NYE.

(Love the blog BTW )

 

[twinklebug]

I think we saw you and g'pa mo getting off the bus at the Grandstand one day as we waited to go on. The bus driver let you out and was folding up the ramp reading to take off with g'pa Mo ... as he kept waving and telling him he was getting out too

We never got a chance to meet, but I had to point out to my kids that you two were a pair of Disboard celebs and they should feel privileged just to get the chance to see ya

BTW - what's with the long hair on g'pa? I wasn't sure it was him without the purple Mohawk

 

[toocherie]

I really want to be at WDW sometime when you and Gr. Mohawk are there! But I don't think I am brave enough for NYE~!

BTW--not only are you a great advocate for DVC, but when I started looking at a second timeshare system to buy one of the reasons I went with Marriott was because of your great description of Cypress Harbour. Although I am in the process of buying a California timeshare since I live out here (just passed ROFR today!) I hope to trade into Cypress Harbour sometime too.

 

[BroganMc]

I think we saw you and g'pa mo getting off the bus at the Grandstand one day as we waited to go on. The bus driver let you out and was folding up the ramp reading to take off with g'pa Mo ... as he kept waving and telling him he was getting out too

I remember that! We were flying home that day and had a bus to catch at 6pm. IIRC correctly we had also just come from our High tea at the GF so there was a bathroom dash in play. I almost left GM there. Hey, he coulda gotten off at the next stop and ridden over. I'm not too cruel.

Poor bus driver just didn't know what to make of us. They never do.

We never got a chance to meet, but I had to point out to my kids that you two were a pair of Disboard celebs and they should feel privileged just to get the chance to see ya

BTW - what's with the long hair on g'pa? I wasn't sure it was him without the purple Mohawk

I love it. DISboards celebs, eh? Maybe we need nametags.

Yeah cousin 626.1 tried to get him to stop at MK the first day. See when winter comes up here in Maryland, the warm Ravens snowcap goes on his head. Hard to keep a spikey hairdoo under a tight cap. So he lets it grow out from November to March. Everyone misses it. Coworkers, doctors, friends, etc. But then Spring comes, we return to Disney and head straight to the Magic Kingdom barber shop. He asks for either Mickey or Penny (his favorite barbers who coined the nickname Grandpa Mohawk) and we see the return of the doo.

This year the date is scheduled for Monday, April 27, around 2-3pm (in time for the afternoon parade). If you find yourself in town that day and time, I believe he'll be available for pictures and autographs. Just be warned. You may be tempted to don a doo of your own. These folks were "lucky" enough to catch him there last April:

A return appearance comes the first Monday of our Fall trip. Dates still TBA.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I enjoyed reading your latest trip report! The bad thing is that you now have me thinking about visiting WDW over NYE and I would have sworn I would never ever do such a thing!!!!

 

[tomandrobin]

I enjoyed reading your latest trip report! The bad thing is that you now have me thinking about visiting WDW over NYE and I would have sworn I would never ever do such a thing!!!!

Visiting WDW at NYE is an experience that you won't forget. The first time we went at NYE time, we were in awe of the whole trip. Between all of the decorations, special shows and such, and culminating with New Years Eve fireworks at Magic Kingdom....Wow! Its all so exciting and has to be better then Time Square!

 

[tomandrobin]

I really want to be at WDW sometime when you and Gr. Mohawk are there! But I don't think I am brave enough for NYE~!

If GM and BroganMc can do NYE at WDW in their chairs, anyone can brave the crowds!

Just remember, you are there to celebrate NYE, not comando the parks. Also, EMH in the morning and naps are your friends!

 

[dvc at last !]

Wow ! I really enjoyed reading your TR and watching the video clips ! Thanks !

 

[BroganMc]

If GM and BroganMc can do NYE at WDW in their chairs, anyone can brave the crowds!

How about Robin braving it out in the "Tom-powered chair"? That is one brave lady you have there.

Seriously, the crowds are manageable if you have a well-prepared plan and can improvise quickly when things go awry. (Like Powerpoint-driven, tape-and-rope-happy CMs start redesigning the pathways on us.)

I have to thank you again for showing me the ropes last year. I would not have even considered NYE if you hadn't shared your methods for coping. We most definitely DO NOT go for the rides unless they are during EMH. If we could just manage to wake up early enough for morning EMH after doing late night EMH, we'd probably be able to do everything.

 

[dallastxcpa]

Really enjoyed the trip report. Thank you for taking the time to post. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip.

 

[Chellymouse]

Do I discern correctly that you are a Squealers fan?

GM and I have one of those in the family too. Lucky for him he's only 10 and his fandom is viewed as a youthful indiscretion. I blame poor parenting. His father is too tolerant. We love him anyway and will taken him to Ravens/Steelers games. Mostly because he tends to be a good luck charm for the Ravens. Not this year though. Might have to rethink that policy next year.

Honestly, I have no clue what the Ravens will do in the Playoffs. I'm trying hard not to get my hopes up. So much like the 2000/01 season though. So I'm firing up my nice new HDTV with 5.1 surround sound, inviting over friends, family and neighbors, and enjoying the ride as long as it lasts.

Sure makes the usual cold and dreary January a lot more exciting.

I'm just regretting asking that Tennessee family of football fans to "make sure they beat the Steelers for us". I didn't realize at the time we'd have to lose to the Titans for that to happen. I'd much rather we went on to take down the Steelers ourselves. Or have the Chargers do it for us.

Enjoy the games!

Thanks! I am a Squealer fan! I am the black sheep of my family! I don't know...the Chargers look tough! Here's to a great end of the football season and our countdowns to returning to our other "homes"

 

[BroganMc]

Thanks! I am a Squealer fan! I am the black sheep of my family! I don't know...the Chargers look tough! Here's to a great end of the football season and our countdowns to returning to our other "homes"

Looks like our game might be on after all. What a nailbiter for the Ravens.

Good luck tomorrow against the Chargers. GM and I will be watching. (With me hoping we don't have to face the Steelers.)

Hmm, I wonder if GM and I can take a road trip to Tampa for Feb?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Thanks! I am a Squealer fan! I am the black sheep of my family! I don't know...the Chargers look tough! Here's to a great end of the football season and our countdowns to returning to our other "homes"

As a Ravens fan (what a game!), BRING ON THE STEELERS!!!!!!!!