I Can't Believe I Invited My MIL -I'm BAAACK! And determiend to finish this thing!

[MAGICFOR2]

 

[desiab]

Popping in Heather to offer help on the laundry so you can start on your trip report. I promise I won't look at your undies.

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

I subscribed a while back and I'm just now able to start reading you report. I'm only on the first page though. Anyway...you mentioned typing a packing list. Are you a list maker? I mean...do you really enjoy making lists?

I love making lists and things. Writing them out or typing them in excel. I love it. My husband thinks I'm insane. Our WDW trip isn't until January but I think it's almost time for me to start some lists.

Lists?? DId you say lists? I ADORE lists!! Particularly lists that are color coded and itemized..... That's just how I roll.

Now get reading - you have lots to catch up on!

Welcome Home Heather!

Sorry I am late with the balloons and party. Was spending time with the DHubby.

I tried to keep them all in line on your thread, but no one listens to me! And no matter what Jordan says--it wasn't me that destroyed the bathroom.

I have missed you my friend and I can't wait to hear about your trip.

I believe the moderators will just move zee whole thread for you, so everything is in a nice neat package.

Missed you too!!! I am going to begin the TR soon, I promise!! It just feels overwhelming right now for some reason.... But the laundry is all done!!

Welcome Home, Heather!!! Glad you had a good time!
Ummm.... Sorry about the green and red sticky stuff on the ceiling and above the cupboards...Jordan said he would clean it up for me....

Mrs. Bee, sounds like you need to be on our super planner's, "worry wort and control freak" thread - come and vent to us!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1244337

No worries- magic eraser took all that stuff right off....

blame it on the guy

UM, yeah... who else would we blame???

 

[k_reile]

subbing...can't wait to hear how it turned out. DH and I hope to bring either his parents or mine along with us when we go back to WDW when we have kids...built in babysitters. But my mom said that his parents would have to come along too if my parents come....because my parents would want to go out too...hahahaha

 

[tammy]

Welcome Heather.

 

[mymainmouse]

Glad you are home. I am anxious to hear about a MIL trip.

 

[jordanyosh]

 

[Hedy]

Welcome home!

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

OK, I am finally beginning my OFFICIAL TRIP REPORT (big, booming echo voice inserted here). I know I already mentioned some of the first impressions of the trip, but I would like to add something here before jumping into the day-to-day minutae of the trip itself...

My kids ROCKED IT. We had not ONE SECOND of whining, crying, fit-throwing, etc. They were up each day at 6:30 and wanted to get straight to the parks. They stayed happily until after fireworks/nightime show and didn't even want to leave then. They were both skipping back to the bus each night, still full of energy. All the rest time I had planned for was not used - no one wanted it. They asked for a few souvies, and mainly got what they wanted, but when we told them no, they didn't get upset. They really were "magical." I was so proud of them!!!

For those of you just joining us, Buzz is 5, and THE PRINCESS is 3.

Here are a few things that helped the kids be so well-behaved and so commando...

1. They don't nap at home anymore.
2. They sleep well at night, all night.
3. The weather was gorgeous - 70s and sunny... Since we were weren't sweating like pigs, no one got grumpy
4. They like to eat, so longish lunch breaks and dinner breaks gave everyone a rest
5. We had a stroller for THE PRINCESS
6. We have a pool, so the allure of the resort pools was not very strong
7. They are just darn good kids!!

OK...so buckle your seat belts, secure all loose belongings, and please hang onto the handrail thorughout the ride.... Because here we go!!

Day One
I woke up at 5:30 am (you may remember my excitement in discovering that DST occured the morning we left, which was Sunday. This gave us all an "extra hour" to sleep. But let me back track... I actually got up at 4:30. I heard MIL's alarm going off at 4:30 am.. I had told her to be ready to roll about 6am. Now this woman takes A LONG TIME at her morning toilette. An hour is nothing to her. SO I just assumed she wanted lots of time to get ready. But who gets their prettiest for a 6 hour car ride??? Then I started thinking, what if she just forgot about the clocks going back when she set her alarm???? SO I shuffled out of bed and down to the guest bathroom... I knocked politely and reminded her of the time change. She went back to bed until 5:30. I could not fall back to sleep - TOO EXCITED TO SLEEP (who doesn't love that commerical - so precious!)!

We were all in the car and ready to go at 6am as planned - yay us!! I was proud of us all for meeting this goal!! Around Bismark, GA (about halfway), we stopped for gas. Then we stopped at Mickey D's for lunch in Jax... By 1:30, we pulled into the All Star Music parking lot!!! Woo hoo!!

The kids were chomping at the bit!! I think they thought this was a park!!! Donald (DH) took the kids through the gift shop and out to see the pool while MIL and I went to check in.

I walked up to the desk with a huge smile, and a "Good afternoon!" Helen Hatesherjob just stared. I told her I was here to check in. She stared some more. Finally, she looked down at her computer and asked for our IDs and hotel vouchers. I was determiend to kiss up because I really wanted connecting rooms (these turned out to be useless, but more on that later). So even though Helen (not her real name), was not very receptive to my booty-kissing , I kept up... Turns out my fax requesting connecting rooms had been lost, tossed in the garbage, or received by someone who could not read. Also turns out that the original notation about connecting rooms made by the nice CM who took my reservation was also never recevied. Helen didn't seem too overly concerned and gave us rooms in Country Fair that were two doors apart.

I was determined, people. I began a sob story about how difficult it would be for one of my children to sleep that far from Mommy and Daddy, blah blah blah. Helen Hatesherjob did some more pounding on her keyboard. She then wordlessly crumpled our original resort maps and wrote out new ones. Ta da! Connecting rooms on the 3rd floor in Rock Inn. At this point she asked me if I had ever stayed at ASMu before. I told her I had stayed there about 5-6 times with the pom squad I coach. Her eyes narrowed. She hated me even more than before. I am glad I already had the connecting rooms before this ugly truth came out.

Now, you may recall that I was part of a fridge swap, and the swapper two before me either lost the fridge, broke the fridge, took the fridge home, or decided to live in Disney World forever. Because she and the fridge have vanished from the face of the earth. Well, my MIL takes some medication that needs to be refrigerated, and I was looking forward to keeping milk in there for cereal and whatnot in the mornings for the kiddos. SO I requested one. Ask me later if it ever came......

OK, so force the kids back in the car and drive around to Rock Inn building 4. Look at this special treat we found!

Presents from Mickey and Minnie!! Wow!! The kids tore into these and we read them the letter Mickey and Minnie had written to each of them welcoming to Disney World. I was tearing up and I am pretty sure MIL thought I was insane. The kids were just so happy!!! They were exploring those connecting rooms like they were a palace. I will say that the rooms had been redone since last time I stayed here and they look great.

Just a note: We had great mousekeeping. The rooms were so clean, and we had a towel Mickey on the bed when we arrived. Each night they did something new to the kids' Mickey and Miniie stuffed animals... One time they were sitting on the ned watching cartoons when we came in. Then kids loved this, though I was just a touch concerned about the waste of energy.. I am guessing the mousekeeping figured since we had little kids we'd be back for an afternoon nap - ha! Not us!!

So, we got unpacked, freshened up, then got walked to the main building to catch the bus to DTD. Buzz was skipping and singing and so happy he could hardly stand himself. I told the kids we could go to Goofy's Candy Co. first....

Here he is skipping to the buses...

We had some great bus-luck all week...the DTD bus was literally waiting for us when got outside. MIL and Donald wanted to know if it was always like this. I laughed at them until I nearly peed my pants. How cute they were in their innocence! Though, seriously, the bus gawds were on our side all week. We had one nasty 30 minute wait, but that wasn't even at our resort. I'll save that for another day, because I can't wait to tell you all about it in context.

Ok, a few more pics from around the resort....

Buzz loved the big musical instruments icons... THE PRINCESS couldn't beleive Mickey was on the trash cans and on the soap.. She is so easily impressed!

We had to donate some money to the Disney cause... Seriously, does anyone know how much Disney collects from all the various fountains and water pools??? And what on earth do they do with it all? They could support a developing country, for sure.

Buzz made me promise that ONLY Flounder would be in this picture...He claims that all princesses are "disgusting," and Ariel in particular. Consider this foreshadowing...

Next up: The Joy of Emptying Your Pockets at DTD.....

 

[mrsksomeday]

Hi Heather, so glad you are home safe and sound. Can't wait to read your trip report .

 

[MRYPPNS]

Turns out my fax requesting connecting rooms had been lost, tossed in the garbage, or received by someone who could not read. Also turns out that the original notation about connecting rooms made by the nice CM who took my reservation was also neevr recevied. Helen didn't seem too overly concerned and gave us rooms in Country Fair that were two doors apart.

Why is it that requests never come up at the front desk computer at check-in but you dang tootin' know that they were there before you left your house? And then when you push the room(s) you wanted are magically available.

Great start to the TR!

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

Hi Heather, so glad you are home safe and sound. Can't wait to read your trip report .

HI Girl!!! Can't wait to read yours, either - so get crackin'!!

Did you guys have a fabulous time?? We sure did!! It was so nice to meet you... I wish I had realized you all were there a bit sooner so we could've chatted for a few minutes!!!

Why is it that requests never come up at the front desk computer at check-in but you dang tootin' know that they were there before you left your house? And then when you push the room(s) you wanted are magically available.

Great start to the TR!

Exactly!!! I don't think honoring requests in high on their priority list.... Oh well!! Turns out I pushed for nuthin' - we didn't even use the extra bed in MIL's room!!!

 

[mymainmouse]

Yay!!!!! I loved the pictures! I am so glad you started your trip report. Although it does make me homesick. I think I need to work at ASMu.
I could replace Helen Hatesherjob. The girl that checked us in was about the same. As enthusiastic as a snail. Maybe she and Helen Hatesherjob were one in the same. She wasn't rude. Just not as friendly as you hope for at Disney.
I am glad you had such a great trip. Your kids are awesome!

 

[desiab]

My kids ROCKED IT. We had not ONE SECOND of whining, crying, fit-throwing, etc. They were up each day at 6:30 and wanted to get straight to the parks. They stayed happily until after fireworks/nightime show and didn't even want to leave then. They were both skipping back to the bus each night, still full of energy. All the rest time I had planned for was not used - no one wanted it. They asked for a few souvies, and mainly got what they wanted, but when we told them no, they didn't get upset. They really were "magical." I was so proud of them!!!

For those of you just joining us, Buzz is 5, and THE PRINCESS is 3.

So can your kiddos come on over here and school my children in the art of behaving at Disney? DS6 is sure to have a ride melt down daily.

I walked up to the desk with a huge smile, and a "Good afternoon!" Helen Hatesherjob just stared. I told I was here to check in. She stared some more. Finally, she looked down at her computer and asked for our IDs and hotel vouchers. I was determiend to kiss up because I really wanted connecting rooms (these turned out to be useless, but more on that later). So even though Helen (not her real name), was not very booty-kissing receptive, I kept up... Turns out my fax requesting connecting rooms had been lost, tossed in the garbage, or received by someone who could not read. Also turns out that the original notation about connecting rooms made by the nice CM who took my reservation was also neevr recevied. Helen didn't seem too overly concerned and gave us rooms in Country Fair that were two doors apart.

Sounds like Helen Hatesherjob needed a sprinkling of .

I am so excited that you started your report. I am going to whittle away the days until we leave reading your trip report.

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

Yay!!!!! I loved the pictures! I am so glad you started your trip report. Although it does make me homesick. I think I need to work at ASMu.
I could replace Helen Hatesherjob. The girl that checked us in was about the same. As enthusiastic as a snail. Maybe she and Helen Hatesherjob were one in the same. She wasn't rude. Just not as friendly as you hope for at Disney.
I am glad you had such a great trip. Your kids are awesome!

You may have met my friend Helen Hatesherjob as well. Because you are right, she wasn't rude. She just wasn't helpful, ceerful or polite. Not what you would expect from your Disney hotel clerk. In fact, I owuld expect more from the Travelodge hotel clerk.

And thanks - my kids ARE awesome!!!

So can your kiddos come on over here and school my children in the art of behaving at Disney? DS6 is sure to have a ride melt down daily.



Sounds like Helen Hatesherjob needed a sprinkling of .

I am so excited that you started your report. I am going to whittle away the days until we leave reading your trip report.

We did have a tiny ride episode on Snow White -that is coming up soon.. But as soon as we exited that mine car, all was forgotten and we moved on! However, this ride episode did prompt me to fib to Buzz about the height requirement for Tower of Terror!!!

And this TR will probably end up being so long that you'll be able to whittle away the time for ALL of your trips while reading it!!!!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Nice start to your report.

But you haven't had any booze yet...

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Great start, Heather! Your kiddos are SO cute! What great kids you have! It is hard for little ones at that age to be happy all of the time!
Can't wait for more!

P.S. Maybe I brought Helen Hatesherjob back in my suitcase from the Bahamas! That is the usual conduct there!

 

[vermontgirl]

Heather,

I am all signed up and ready to read....so have a few adult libations at happy hour and get typing (that's not coffee in that mug, it's a cosmo)

We went to Disney two years ago and our dd's were 6 at the time, we too had a magical time with them, no breakdowns, we talked with and said that once the whining or behavior issues started....we would leave and go back to POP to chill out for awhile. Didn't have to do that once. Guess I need to pull that one out of my hat when we go in oh my gosh 29 days! There 8 now.

Anyway, love the report!

Jeanette

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

Heather,

I am all signed up and ready to read....so have a few adult libations at happy hour and get typing (that's not coffee in that mug, it's a cosmo)

We went to Disney two years ago and our dd's were 6 at the time, we too had a magical time with them, no breakdowns, we talked with and said that once the whining or behavior issues started....we would leave and go back to POP to chill out for awhile. Didn't have to do that once. Guess I need to pull that one out of my hat when we go in oh my gosh 29 days! There 8 now.

Anyway, love the report!

Jeanette

Welcome, Jeanette!!! I am so jealous of guys with upcoming trips now that mine is over.... I think it is time to book the next one!!!

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

So, last I left you, Faithful Reader, we were checked into ASMu by Helen Hatesherjob, we were happy with the rooms, and ready to head to DTD.

As I said, the bus to DTD was sitting at the curb waiting for us when we got to the bus stop. There was no one on it!! We hopped right on and Donald began giving me trouble...

"And you said we'd have to wait for buses! Ha! Look at this - they are right there waiting for you when you need them!"

I let him enjoy the moment. I just smiled serenely. Remember, the dude hasn't been to Disney since the 80s... It was the year before Epcot opened.

OK, so the kids were loving the bus ride. They were completely enthralled by that huge Mickey D's you pass on the way to the parks. We got off at the DTD shop and headed straight to Goofy's Candy Shop, as promised. I had told the kids they could pick absolutely anything they wanted. I had been talking up the rice krispy Mickey head dipped in chocolate and rolled in 5 kinds of candy for 3 months.

Turns out all they wanted was a slushy in one of those build-a-cups. I told them they could have that AND some candy, but they didn't want any.



I really wasn't sure these were my children at this point. I began checking them for birthmarks and other tell-tale signs that I was indeed speaking with my offspring. You see, I am bit of a health nut and I don't let the kids have much junk. So they usually jump all over an opportunity to indulge their sweet tooth. So anyway, they picked out their slushy cups (which are huge, by the way), and off we went....

So, off we go to shop till we drop. I wanted to get a few big souvies out of the way so we weren't schlepping crapola all over the parks. The kids each got a talking plush -THE PRINCESS chose Minnie and Buzz chose Goofy, because he already has a big plush Mickey, which we brought along with us. We also spent some serious time shoving body parts for a potato into a small, flimsy cardboard box for the low low price of $19 a kid. (Minnie and Mickey had given the kids Mr. Potato Heads in their goody bags,which those of you who pay attention will recall). Donald and MIL are actually known for their ability to pack lots of big things into small spaces. Wow. That came out all wrong, didn't it?? Well, we were prepared to put their gift to the test.

Ok, so THE PRINCESS wanted a big Ariel hair, a big Cindy hair and a few pairs of potato shoes, plus other small items. I was pretty sure we were not going to be able to fit them all in. Then, a very nice CM came over and explained that she was well-skilled in the art of shoving body parts in a box. Well, she worked at it. And worked at it. And the whole time, THE PRINCESS is bringing her more body parts to fit in. She literally spent 20 minutes working on this, and I swear, sweat was pouring down her face - she was really exerting hersefl. She finally got all but Ariel's hair in the box. At this point, I didn't want Ariel's fins without the hair, but it seemed rude to say so. She said she could fit in one more small thing, like eyes.

The nice CM with the self-proclaimed body-part-shoving prowess stepped away to get a pair of eyes and I KID YOU NOT, Donald walked right over and dumped out the entire box.

"I can get the by golly be darned Mermaid hair in." he muttered. (it was something like that, anyway....)

Well, lo and behold he did. In about 30 seconds. And he added a few more things to fill in the empty spaces. But I spent the rest of our time in Once Upon a Toy avoiding eye contact with the nice CM who gave us 20 minutes of her time for nothing. How embarassing!

Ok, so one car payment later, we left OUAT. And look who assaulted me on the way out...

That Buzz Lightyear is one naughty boy!! He just couldn't keep away from my cash and prizes!

Ok, so next Buzz (not Lightyear, but DS), wanted to ride the little train you pay $2 for. I explained to him there would be much better rides to come and that big boys like him might find it boring, but he insisted. And he was bored. But he still smileld for Momma'a camera like a good boy!

Ok, so next we head for World of Disney, where an unfortunate (or maybe not so unfortunate) event took place.... Wait for it... wait for it....