It’s Not Christmas Till We Visit The Mouse! Dec. 2006

[Disneyland_Mama]

I do have a good start on the next installment, though, so hang in there with me and I'll try to get something new up here in the next day or so!

Ok, but hurry up. I need a fix.

 

[Lauralee131]

Hey there! I was just about to jump in and say...

I'm waiting....

And bloating...

DH has kindly requesting that certain individuals, whom I won't name (V) get moving on their installments...I'm paying WAYYY too much attention to him these days and it's starting to really bug him!!

DH - Can't you go chat with your imaginary friends or something!!?!?!?!?!

 

[PrincessV]

Day 2 cont’d….
We’d left the MK in the late afternoon and headed back to our awesome POR room for a few minutes to re-gear and contemplate our dinner choices. It had been a long day, and we’d already had a table service meal, so I was all for hitting the food court.

At Pt. Orleans French Quarter, that is, because they take the Disney Dining Experience. I’m making full use of this little gem, to make up for the gazillion years I’ve been going to Disney without it. 20% off, baby.

But. Leo really wanted a boat ride.

Apparently someone in our party (Gramma) promised him a boat ride that day. What I love most about this is that Gramma had not the foggiest idea where the POR boats might take us. She just knew there was, in fact, a boat on site and took a 4 year old’s word that it would set sail for a desirable location. What if it was a direct ferry to the Bermuda Triangle? Or Antarctica? Or the All Star resorts?

ASIDE: Not to offend anyone who loves the All Stars, of course! But my experiences there have been anything but pleasant. And that's putting it mildly.

Alas, the POR boats do journey to a nice place, (always trust the 4 year old – they usually DO know what they’re talking about), and that’s where we headed. Downtown Disney or bust.

We once again made the pretty, s l o w walk from AB to the marina by way of Ol’ Man Island and a fresh boat was just docking. More pixie dust for us!

As we walked out onto the dock, one of the skippers (captains? first mates?) noticed Leo’s new pin lanyard and asked if he’d like to trade. Now, back track with me a bit….

Leo got his lanyard the previous night, right? But he was baffled by its purpose in life. Before we left the room for the boat, I explained, as best one can to a 4 year old, how pin trading works. I showed him my lanyard and asked if he saw any pins on it he’d like to have. (I had strategically put some gross ones on his lanyard and spiked mine with the likes of Stitch and Mickey. Heh heh.) Mmm hmmm, he wanted that Stitch pin I had. So I explained that he could have it, but he would have to pick one of his pins to give me in exchange. Cool!

Okay, back to the dock. I reminded Leo that he could have one of this nice CM’s pins and he’d have to give one of his in return. Leo looked and looked at the five pins the CM had to offer.

The other folks on the boat looked and looked at their watches, wondering if they’d ever make their ADR’s on time.

Finally, Leo made up his mind and selected a worn-out looking Tinkerbell topiary pin. He had no hesitation in selecting a pin from his lanyard to give the CM: Stitch was a goner. DOH!

And voila! Leo’s first pin trade was a success. He was one happy boy. AND, he even said "Thank you" without any prompting. Have a magical day!

We finally got on board and enjoyed the leisurely ride to POFQ and then on to DTD.

We still hadn’t decided on a place to eat. I kind of wanted to try Wolfgang Puck Express, but Earl of Sandwich sounded good, too. Leo didn’t want to eat at all. I knew. So did our fellow passengers. Because he told us. Many times.

But something amazing happened as we docked. Leo spied the Rainforest Café. Trumpets heralded. Angels sang. Leo made a bee-line for that volcano. Looked like we’d found dinner.

I must say, it was a beeeuuuutiful evening and the outdoor seating area looked most appealing. It turned out to be a good choice. Like I said, the 4 year old is usually right.

They had a table for us right away, and our server was great. When Leo ordered the mac&cheese, our server asked “Are you sure? It’s not very good – just microwaved frozen Stouffer’s.” Aww, that was very sweet. But, clearly he’d not been exposed to kids’ taste yet. Knowing it was Stouffer’s frozen mac&cheese guaranteed Leo would eat it up! I ordered a margarita (I’m a POV, remember?) sans souvenir glass and Leo played with his glow cube while we waited for our food. Yep, he was still carting that thing around. It had not lost any appeal in the previous 24 hours.

But the lanyard did. And was, for the first of many times, relegated to Gramma’s neck. She was quickly becoming the keeper of Pal and the lanyard.

The food was good, though not great. But the view…. was spectacular:

After dinner, we perused the Marketplace for a bit. I headed into the World of Disney for a couple of gifts to bring back to neighbors and bosses. Leo took his turn getting squirted by Stitch. And we listened to a truly awful, but absolutely adorable, kids church choir.

We found our way back to the boat dock and headed back to our temporary home at POR. We were all pretty sleepy and fell asleep quickly that night. Just as well; we had a big day with the animals coming up next! But, before everyone nodded off, we talked about each of our favorite moments of the day, a little recap that would become a ritual for us.

Leo’s favorite was riding Buzz Lightyear.
Gramma’s favorite was making Dumbo bounce as she rode with her favorite boy.
My favotire moment was watching Leo make his first pin trade. My baby’s getting so grown-up!

Coming soon: Wild times at Animal Kingdom, and I’m not talking about the animals... dum, dum, duuuuuummmmm

 

[aldisneygrl]

I'm First, I'm First! WooHoo!

Isn't it amazing the intelligence of a four year old. We did the boat ride with our DS when he was 4, and I loved it as well. We stayed at OKW and rode to DD. It was one of the most memorable things about our trip.

V, I'm still waiting to hear from the Tag Genie. I haven't forgotten about you.

 

[monymony3471]

Next year I am so tempted to stay here. I want to ride a boat somewhere too!

4 year olds are brilliant I say! Just smashing brilliant!

 

[lexmelinda]

V.....great installment!!! Don't you love that boat ride to DTD?

But the view…. was spectacular:

What a beautiful night. Sweet Leo hangin on to the glow cube and ditchin the lanyard. Ya just never know with kids.

Coming soon: Wild times at Animal Kingdom, and I’m not talking about the animals... dum, dum, duuuuuummmmm

Uh-oh.....I don't like the sound of that.....can't wait to hear more....

 

[Lauralee131]

At Pt. Orleans French Quarter, that is, because they take the Disney Dining Experience. I’m making full use of this little gem, to make up for the gazillion years I’ve been going to Disney without it. 20% off, baby.

Were you like me and forgetting to use it half the time? We could have used it at the Tambu Lounge!! A little bit of useless trivia. Or DID we use them...I can't remember?

What if it was a direct ferry to the Bermuda Triangle? Or Antarctica? Or the All Star resorts?

ASIDE: Not to offend anyone who loves the All Stars, of course! But my experiences there have been anything but pleasant. And that's putting it mildly.

I wish there was a high-five smiley - I agree with you there!! And I also do not wish to offend anyone...Our experience was not so hot either! Guess it could have been worse...anywhooo...back to your story...

Alas, the POR boats do journey to a nice place, (always trust the 4 year old – they usually DO know what they’re talking about), and that’s where we headed. Downtown Disney or bust.

COOL...maybe we should stay there next trip...I loooove leisurely boat rides!!! I love them even more when they end up at a place that has food and alcohol!!!

And voila! Leo’s first pin trade was a success. He was one happy boy. AND, he even said "Thank you" without any prompting. Have a magical day!

YAY!!! I was wondering how he'd do at pin trading!! And to say thank you on his own?!?! That IS a magical day!! DS was kind of rough on his lanyard and kept losing his pins so we never did get to try it this trip. Good for Leo!!

The food was good, though not great. But the view…. was spectacular:

Once again I must say - you take GREAT pictures...I think the bottom one is my favorite...great job V!!

My favotire moment was watching Leo make his first pin trade. My baby’s getting so grown-up!

Awwww...sniff, sniff...I'm so proud...of both of you!!

Coming soon: Wild times at Animal Kingdom, and I’m not talking about the animals... dum, dum, duuuuuummmmm

Ok, um....is the next one done yet??? I'm back from the store and bought the family size box of popcorn!!

I'm ready baby!!! I can't find the big toothy smiliy?!?!?

The suspense is killing me!!

Will there be some of this?



Or perhaps this?



Or maybe some of this?






I'll be here...

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Ooooohhh.... Ahhhhhh!
I'm all warm and toasty just thinking of our lovely future visit to POFQ!

A boat ride???? There's a boat ride to DTD??? Right on! How long is said boat ride from FQ to DTD?

I love that Leo had his first taste of pin trading. Isn't it amazing how they catch on so quickly and yet lose interest even quicker? Don't get me started on DD and her pin trading abilities.

 

[PrincessV]

I'm First, I'm First! WooHoo!

Isn't it amazing the intelligence of a four year old. We did the boat ride with our DS when he was 4, and I loved it as well. We stayed at OKW and rode to DD. It was one of the most memorable things about our trip.

V, I'm still waiting to hear from the Tag Genie. I haven't forgotten about you.

They're so funny, aren't they? Really, Leo wanted to ride boats the entire trip! Good thing we stayed at two resorts with boat traffic

Next year I am so tempted to stay here. I want to ride a boat somewhere too!

4 year olds are brilliant I say! Just smashing brilliant!

I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating: I LOVE POR!!! I can't say enough about our stay. The only downside I can see is that a visit there in summer might feel a bit too authentic. The air barely stirs between the buildings in AB and lots of standing water, just waiting to breed encephalitis-carrying mosquitos. ((shudder))

 

[PrincessV]

V.....great installment!!! Don't you love that boat ride to DTD?

What a beautiful night. Sweet Leo hangin on to the glow cube and ditchin the lanyard. Ya just never know with kids.
Uh-oh.....I don't like the sound of that.....can't wait to hear more....

It IS such a nice ride, so relaxing!
Yeah, what's coming up isn't pretty, I'm afraid...

Ooooohhh.... Ahhhhhh!
I'm all warm and toasty just thinking of our lovely future visit to POFQ!

A boat ride???? There's a boat ride to DTD??? Right on! How long is said boat ride from FQ to DTD?

I love that Leo had his first taste of pin trading. Isn't it amazing how they catch on so quickly and yet lose interest even quicker? Don't get me started on DD and her pin trading abilities.

Yes ma'am, from FQ, you can take a boat direct to POR or to DTD! To DTD was about 15-20 minutes, I'd say. The boats can be a bit noisy (loud motor), but are otherwise super calm and relaxing. I love being able to look at the old treehouse villas and SSR; especially pretty at night!

 

[PrincessV]

Were you like me and forgetting to use it half the time? We could have used it at the Tambu Lounge!! A little bit of useless trivia. Or DID we use them...I can't remember?

Nope, I used mine religiously! One nice thing about not using my room key to pay for stuff was that I kept the DDE card in front ofmy Disney Visa. I couldnt' pay for anything without going through the DDE! And yep, we absolutely used those baby's at Tambu!

COOL...maybe we should stay there next trip...I loooove leisurely boat rides!!! I love them even more when they end up at a place that has food and alcohol!!!

WHAT?? No way - you're at SSR next, aren't you? I wonder if they'll have boat service, too, though? That would be a nice loop!

Once again I must say - you take GREAT pictures...I think the bottom one is my favorite...great job V!!

Thank you! I forgot the tripod, but the rail next to our table at Rainforest worked pretty well!

Ok, um....is the next one done yet???

In my head. Does that count?!

Will there be some of this?

Yep.

Or perhaps this?

Yep.

Or maybe some of this?

Nope. Well, after the previous two, there may be some!

 

[Lauralee131]

WHAT?? No way - you're at SSR next, aren't you? I wonder if they'll have boat service, too, though? That would be a nice loop!!

Well, I was thinking of adding on day....or so....

Yep.


Yep.


Nope. Well, after the previous two, there may be some!

Oooooohhhh....I can't wait to read more!!!

 

[Lauralee131]

It's just me....

 

[Lauralee131]

I'm still here....

 

[Lauralee131]

You know, in case you were wondering where I was...



Happy New Year!!

 

[mlill]

Hey! I'm back and all caught up! It's so weird trying to get used to normal life again after being at WDW. I'm sure the waves of depression will be hitting me soon, but so far, I've been too busy to notice. Once the kids and DH go back to school/work tomorrow - I know I'm toast! I hope you had a wonderful New Year's Eve/Day and are off to great 2007!!!

Take care,
-Michelle

 

[dance2874]

I am waiting too

I had to check out this report since I loved the last one so much. You really inspired me to brave the world alone this coming fall with my DD. She will only be 4 when we go.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

No pressure or anything....

 

[PrincessV]

Day 3, Saturday, December 2
We awoke from our post-Magic Kingdom-induced slumber and, again, enjoyed an in-room breakfast of cereal, coffee and milk.

That’s it – no more food court breakfasts for us EVER AGAIN! I can’t believe it took me this long to figure it out. I think we easily saved a total of 7 precious hours of touring time with this little method, not to mention the cost savings. And, the best part…

No starting the day off with Disney Food Bloat!

Okay, on with the program. I’d received some last minute advice from lexmelinda regarding bus transport from POR to the Animal Kingdom. DON’T DO IT. And we didn’t! Hopped into our little car, waved that awesomely fantastic parking space good-bye, and sped over to AK for the opening ceremonies.

Remember how quiet the MK was the previous day? Well, this was a new day, I tell you. And there was nothing quiet about the throng of people packed onto the bridge leading into Discovery Island that morning. We arrived a solid 15 minutes early, but couldn’t see a darned thing, though we could hear the characters’ voices babbling about being soooooo excited to see us all. Blah blah blah blah. From the confines of his stroller, Leo enjoyed an interesting view of someone’s backside while Gramma and I finalized our plan of attack. She and Leo would head straight to Kilimanjaro Safari for FP’s, while I set out on my very own adventure.

ASIDE: I’ll admit to being borderline obsessed with Mt. Everest. The one in the Himalayas, not the one at WDW, that is. I’m not exactly sure how or when this obsession started, but I’ve fantasized about making the climb for years. I’ve read “Into Thin Air” and “Left For Dead”. I’ve studied numerous picture books chronicling the history of the great Everest climbs and the mighty Sherpas who made them possible. When Discovery Channel started airing its series “Everest: Beyond the Limit”, I was right there, climbing along with Tim, Mark and Mogens. “Hi, I’m PrincessV and I have Summit Fever.” Except…I don’t really want to reach the summit. That’s a little too much work. And I’m not willing to sacrifice any fingers or toes to frostbite in my quest. My real goal is to reach Base Camp and just hang there for a season. There is a point to this endless drivel…

And it’s this: Expedition Everest may be the ONLY chance I’ll have of reaching Everest’s summit in this lifetime. I was soooo there. Yeti, shmeti. I had but one mission – reach that summit before EE experienced its first technical problem of the day.

As I rounded the corner, I saw the “line” threading its way through Asia. That can’t really all be for EE, can it?? Yep. But, a passing CM reassured us all that it wasn’t a real line – they just hadn’t opened any of the actual waiting areas yet, so we were looking at a 10 minute wait at most. Phew! For the record, to reach the real Everest takes weeks of travel by foot and yak. TFI.

It was kind of invigorating and exciting to wait all by my lonesome. I was going for a solo ascent, and I took my time mentally preparing for the challenge ahead of me, as I looked at the artifacts along the way. (I may or may not have tried to swipe some crampons off the ceiling.) In no time at all, I was seated next to a mom whose son and DH were in front of us. It was their first time, too, and I could tell mom was a little worried about her boy. He was 6 and thought he was ready for the big rides. She wasn’t so sure.

I was a little worried, too. Because everyone around me lacked the proper equipment for this expedition. No oxygen. No parkas. No ice picks. No protein bars. But the rule of Everest is take care of yourself and leave the weak behind, and it was too late, ‘cause we were on our way, baby!

AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

That was me and the 6 year old in front of me. Laugh-screaming our way through the Himalayas.

Was there a Yeti in that mountain?? I don’t recall. I was too busy congratulating myself on my first successful summit bid and taking in the breathtaking view from the top. It feels just like the real thing up there.

If you squint real hard and hyperventilate to the point of oxygen deprivation, that is.

Anyway, after conquering Everest, I made the natural (?) progression to Dinoland to meet up with Gramma and Leo, they having just survived the wilds of the African savannah.

I found them twirling around in their Dumbosaurus, having a prehistorically wonderful time spinning, spinning, spinning around. And, with no line, I got a turn, too. Joy.

Leo spent some time wandering around the Boneyard, but wasn’t interested in any of the slides. He kept telling me he was “scared of spiders”. I guess that’s understandable, given the size of the T Rex he’d already encountered.

Our FP’s were ripe and ready for use, so off we went for our authentic(ish) African safari. You all know the spiel by now; I won’t bore you with yet another rendition of Little’s Red’s Fight for Survival. But there was lots to see and I did manage to snap a few shots on our little adventure…

We did also see the lions, but, as I explained to Leo, they were napping and we couldn’t see very much of them. I further explained that lions sleep a LOT, like most of the day.
Leo: “Just like Gramma!”



After a quick walk through the Asian jungle, where the tigers, too, were napping “just like Gramma”, we headed over to Tusker House for lunch.

I won’t spend a lot of time on this, but let me just say: it was gooooo oooood! We just love the salmon plate there. The fish is always cooked just right and the green beans are crisp without being squeaky. I have a major problem with any vegetable that squeaks when I chew it. Meat, too, actually, but that’s never happened. Yet.

Anyway, the only bad part of lunch was Leo’s attitude. He was clearly tired and hungry, but insisted he didn’t “waaana eat”. I got him some mac&cheese anyway and we found a nice quiet table outside. Turned out he was hungry and his mood improved appreciably after a few bites. Sometimes, the 4 year old doesn’t know best.

Good thing, too, because we had one more item to check off before leaving the AK.

In all of our many, many WDW trips, not one of us has ever seen Festival of the Lion King. In fact, I’d never even set foot in that part of the park before. I’d heard how good it was, but somehow, we just never got around to it. Well, this was the day, my friends!

We had just enough time for a potty break and entered the theater about 10 minutes before show time. It was kind of hard to see at first, coming into the theater from the sunny outdoors, and we just headed toward the first CM we saw, who was waving people over toward the seating on our left. I didn’t see any open seats in the risers there, but there were a bunch of empty spaces next to those reserved for those traveling with wheelchair-bound guests and we sat down. After we’d gotten somewhat settled, a man behind me leaned forward and said we were in the seats reserved for handicapped parties, then leaned back and went about his own business. I looked again, just to be sure we were NOT, in fact, in any spaces marked as such, and said, quietly, to Gramma that the spaces next to us were reserved, but not where we were. The wheelchairs are seated next the ends of the benches, and about 4 spaces are reserved at the end for members of those parties. We were well past those.

Then, all heck broke loose.

The woman accompanying the man behind us stood up and LOUDLY began a tirade about how those seats are “reserved for people in wheelchairs to sit” and we would be kicked out anyway, and THEY were just trying to be helpful, but “oh no, do whatever you want, you’ll see!” By the end, she was shouting and the entire area behind us was looking on in amazement. I’d like to say her kids and DH were appropriately moritifed, but I don’t think they were; they were scowling at us like we were pond-scum.

Leo, meanwhile, was freaked out and begging me with those big eyes to fix it. So, I stood up and said, “Let’s just move.”

Meanloud woman couldn’t let it go, though, and continued with “No, no stay! Wait for a CM to tell you to move!” I just looked her in the eye and said something to the effect of “You can stop with the shouting now. We don’t even want to sit here,” and we made our way over to another CM, who led us to some seats with a waaaaay better view. While another CM proceeded to direct a few late guests….. into the seats we vacated. And none of them were in wheelchairs.

Karma, baby. heh heh.


Oh, and our group made a fine bunch of warthogs, whereas mean woman’s group made a lousy bunch of giraffes. More karma.

Once I got past the blinding rage this idiot had brought about in my psyche, I really, really enjoyed the show. Leo LOVED it.
LOVED.
IT.

Afterward, he announced that he’d like to be an acrobatic monkey when he grows up.

Seriously, this is Disney at its best. The costuming is beautiful, the choreography top-notch and the vocalists superb. I’m so glad we finally made it, despite the “opening act” in the bleachers.

We had one more stop to make before heading out – a visit with Mickey!

Leo had been looking for Mickey since we arrived at WDW and I knew we could find him there. Shoot, he’s even got his own trail!

As we got into line, I reminded Leo that we’d have to wait our turn to see Mickey and it might be a while. Did he want to wait?

Leo: “Uh huh.”
V: “Okay. Are you going to give Mickey a hug when it’s your turn?”
Leo: “Yes.”
V: “And what are you going to say to Mickey? Maybe you can ask him if he likes to eat cheese?”
Leo: “MOOMMMY – Mickey. Does. Not. Talk.”

Alrighty then.

But he does love his non-speaking-rodent-friend, and went right up to him for some cuddling and loving.

Now we were ready to head out, just before the parade got started. That’s something we’ve never done before, either, but we’d had enough with fighting the crowds and were in need of some quiet time before dinner.

As we were walking down the main drag, someone tapped my shoulder, and when I turned around, she flashed her LGMH – it was non other than pbnjrockette!!! She and I “met” on the “When you see other Dissers in the parks…” thread, (AKA the Fockers), and had PM’d a few times about trying to meet up during our Dec. trips. How funny that she should find me randomly, after all! We only chatted a few minutes, as she and her DH were lined up to see the parade, and I mentioned that were heading over to Boma for dinner. Guess what? The pbnjrockette’s had ADR’s for Boma that night, too, only 10 minutes later than ours! So we promised to look out for each other at the restaurant and went our separate ways.

Up next: Mmmmmm…. Zebra domes

 

[PrincessV]

Hey! I'm back and all caught up! It's so weird trying to get used to normal life again after being at WDW. I'm sure the waves of depression will be hitting me soon, but so far, I've been too busy to notice. Once the kids and DH go back to school/work tomorrow - I know I'm toast! I hope you had a wonderful New Year's Eve/Day and are off to great 2007!!!

Take care,
-Michelle

Good to have you back, Michelle! I know, I know - I'm still struggling to feel "normal" again! Hang in there - there's alwasy the enxt trip to plan!

I am waiting too

I had to check out this report since I loved the last one so much. You really inspired me to brave the world alone this coming fall with my DD. She will only be 4 when we go.

Thank you so much - I'm glad you're here! You and DD will have so much fun. Honestly, I found it more difficult to navigate WDW with Gramma than with jsut Leo and I!

No pressure or anything....

But I made up for the wait with an extra-long post!