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

[Lauralee131]

Whoo Hoo! It's not a party until someone's on the floor!

I volunteer to "take one for the team"!!

 

[aldisneygrl]

No, no - I'm much more fun with 2, really!

Ok, Maybe I need to come and be your designated driver in August?

I know I must be having a blonde moment (and I am a brunette mind you), but what does LY/MI mean? I have been racking my brain. I am sure it is really funny, and I am going to feel like an idiot when you tell me.

I think it is funny that Leo thought he was going to be eaten by the bears. Poor boy. Isn't it amazing what they think in their little minds? Good job on the "potty" run. I've had to do that plenty of times.

That Gingerbread guy must be the "freaky" clown's cousin!

Watch out, you will blink your eyes and Leo will be driving a real car. My DS informed me that in 391 days he will be eligible for his driver's permit. Where did the time go?

I am so glad to know that you and Leo are safe after last night's storms. I had just gotten in from the bus stop, this morning, where a neighbor asked me if I had heard about the storms in FL around Orlando. My first thought was of you and Leo. I hope you don't think I am a stalker. I have just grown quite fond of you two. I am glad that y'all "weathered" the storms.

 

[Lauralee131]

Ok, Maybe I need to come and be your designated driver in August?

You know where to find us!!! Mai Tai suggest you check the Tambu Lounge first?!?!?

I know I must be having a blonde moment (and I am a brunette mind you), but what does LY/MI mean? I have been racking my brain. I am sure it is really funny, and I am going to feel like an idiot when you tell me.

Love You/Mean It!!!

I think it is funny that Leo thought he was going to be eaten by the bears. Poor boy.

Can you imagine the nightmares he may have had if V hadn't explained the parade to him?!? I shudder to think!!

That Gingerbread guy must be the "freaky" clown's cousin!

OMG - That clown scares me TO DEATH!!

My DS informed me that in 391 days he will be eligible for his driver's permit. Where did the time go?

391 days?? Wow - he's not too excited, huh??

I am so glad to know that you and Leo are safe after last night's storms. I had just gotten in from the bus stop, this morning, where a neighbor asked me if I had heard about the storms in FL around Orlando. My first thought was of you and Leo. I hope you don't think I am a stalker. I have just grown quite fond of you two. I am glad that y'all "weathered" the storms.

I just heard about the storms when I got home from work tonight!! Scary...how sad for those affected...

 

[S.Poppins]

I really want to try and read this whole report! There are so many peeps writing right now and so little time!

 

[PrincessV]

God love his little heart!!! Thought the bears were gonna eat him??? Aaawwww! Save that story for his rehearsal dinner.

I swear, if I hadn't been there hearing it myself, I don't know that I'd even believe it! The poor child really thought we were just lining up like some kind of offering

Ok, Maybe I need to come and be your designated driver in August?

YES, come join us! But no designated driver necessary - love that WDW transportation!

Watch out, you will blink your eyes and Leo will be driving a real car.

Bite your tongue, I'm not at all ready for that!

I am so glad to know that you and Leo are safe after last night's storms. I had just gotten in from the bus stop, this morning, where a neighbor asked me if I had heard about the storms in FL around Orlando. My first thought was of you and Leo. I hope you don't think I am a stalker. I have just grown quite fond of you two. I am glad that y'all "weathered" the storms.

Awww, thank you so much for worrying about us. No, I don't think you're a stalker! The crazy thing is the only news I watch/listen to is NPR on the monring drive to work and CNN online thorughout the day. So I didn't know how bad the storms were until the story made it to CNN's home page a day later! Looks like they came in on the West coast, north of us, then barreled across the state. So sad and unfortuante. At the same time, I will never understand why a state that receives its fair share of tornados and/or hurricanes/tropical storms allows new mobile homes to be built. Of course, this is the same state that has ALL of its citizens paying obscene amounts for homeowners' insurance because a few millionaires choose to build mansions on sand bars. Okay, getting off my soap-box now!

I really want to try and read this whole report! There are so many peeps writing right now and so little time!

Hi Stacey! No worries - I expect it'll be a bit before I actualyl get this finished, so feel free to come back and read the whole thing at once! Just glad to have you here

 

[PrincessAlways]

The bears were going to eat him??? That is the funniest thing I have ever heard!!! Kids say the darnest things, don't they?? How did you react? Did you laugh or hold in the laugh until later????? Actually, I think I'd be more afraid of those "clowns" during the Spectro Magic Parade! They're weird!

 

[HMHunters]

It's been a rough couple of weeks - a very close friend lost her husband to cancer at the age of 33. I'm just now catching up on things and hope to get cracking on this TR again soon. Thanks so much for hanging in there!

Wow! So sorry to hear this.

And check out V’s BL scores:

Okay, okay, that second one was due to a ride interruption which conveniently placed me in front of the volcano. But the first is totally legit!

Even if I AM stuck and I KNOW what the big point targets are, I can't score even as high as your first one!

And we also saw Mickey in bed with Minnie. Really. Now, I’m a bleeding-heart Liberal and couldn’t care less about such things, but this struck me as a tad un-Disney. Were the Mice secretly married at some time? Would Walt be turning over in his grave about the suggestions this conveyed? Was mine the only mind thinking about such things as the overly-perky people did their song and dance routines?

Since we just had "the talk" with DS that could have led to an interesting discussion!

Up next: my favorite way to start a vacation day and we find another parade.

 

[CourtneyandRyan]

V-

I have been reading your report for days... days I tell you. Everytime I think I have about 5 pages left, next time I get on, it's more like 10! Well, I am happy to say that I have finally caught up.

I am so happy that you saw some DISers on this trip since your "Where's the Lime?" trip wasn't so successful... with the exception of GMax.

Leo is the cutest thing ever and I love the picture of you two in your siggie! Looks like you two make a great team.

Thanks for sharing--- I have enjoyed your report thus far!!!

 

[KimAshton]

Leo is so adorable.

 

[PrincessV]

The bears were going to eat him??? That is the funniest thing I have ever heard!!! Kids say the darnest things, don't they?? How did you react? Did you laugh or hold in the laugh until later????? Actually, I think I'd be more afraid of those "clowns" during the Spectro Magic Parade! They're weird!

I have to admit, I did start chuckling a little, until I saw his face - just terrified! Of all the possibilities, I still can't believe he thought I'd allow a bear to eat him. makes me wonder a bit about my parenting...

Wow! So sorry to hear this.

Even if I AM stuck and I KNOW what the big point targets are, I can't score even as high as your first one!

Since we just had "the talk" with DS that could have led to an interesting discussion!

Thanks HMH, it hasn't been an easy time, but we're getting through it. My dear friend's holding up very well, all things considered.

Don't think too highly of my mad Buzz skillz - until this trip, I barely scored 3000!

Ugh, I'm dreading "the talk". I'm really open about most subjects, but that one always sends me into a fit of giggles!

V-

I have been reading your report for days... days I tell you. Everytime I think I have about 5 pages left, next time I get on, it's more like 10! Well, I am happy to say that I have finally caught up.

I am so happy that you saw some DISers on this trip since your "Where's the Lime?" trip wasn't so successful... with the exception of GMax.

Leo is the cutest thing ever and I love the picture of you two in your siggie! Looks like you two make a great team.

Thanks for sharing--- I have enjoyed your report thus far!!!

Thanks so much for all that reading! yes, it's quite a chatty bunch I've attracted here. (Like I have nothing to do with encouraging that, right?! )

I was really happy to meet more DISers, too. I can't say enough about arranging some meetings before you go.

Thanks for your comments about Leo! We really do make a good team.... most days, anyway!

Leo is so adorable.

Thank you so much!

 

[Philadisney]

I am catching up on this report after reading your October TR straight through - loved it! Leo is so cute. I had to stop and comment after reading about his love for the glow cube. I have six from various trips to the Sci Fi Dine In at MGM, and use them all the time at home. I always stick them in friends drinks when I have company, and they absolutely love them. They are definitely my most envied souvenier! One of my friends actually became distraught when it occurred to her that the batteries might someday run out.
Anyway, I'll go back to reading your report now, I'm really enjoying it and you haven't even left the hotel yet!

 

[Lauralee131]

You know, in case you were wondering what I'm doing...

Or where I am...

I'm here....with nothing to read....

 

[monymony3471]

The hot cocoa was good wasn't it? We saw the bears too. Mal didn't like them especially when they were playing with her Daddy and brothers.

I think they look scary, like clown scary. Those aren't friendly faces that I see. I can see why Leo was scared.

We must of had a mini heat wave when we were there. We were told the first day that the week prior it was 45 degrees and they even got snow. The week we were there it warmed up quit a bit. Then when we left and you arrived it cooled down again. But I loved it!

I'm from Michigan.......

 

[CourtneyandRyan]

More, More, More V!

 

[PrincessV]

I am catching up on this report after reading your October TR straight through - loved it! Leo is so cute. I had to stop and comment after reading about his love for the glow cube. I have six from various trips to the Sci Fi Dine In at MGM, and use them all the time at home. I always stick them in friends drinks when I have company, and they absolutely love them. They are definitely my most envied souvenier! One of my friends actually became distraught when it occurred to her that the batteries might someday run out.
Anyway, I'll go back to reading your report now, I'm really enjoying it and you haven't even left the hotel yet!

Thanks so much for reading along! Sadly, Leo's glow cube shot its last flicker of blue light a few days ago. He's heartbroken. If only I'd known, I would have grabbed another while were at WDW for a day in Jan.
Know what? WE were having a great time even before we left the hotel, too! I've always said someday I'll go to WDW and jsut hang at a hotel for a few days, but it hasn't happened yet. The call of the parks is too much to ignore, I guess

You know, in case you were wondering what I'm doing...

Or where I am...

I'm here....with nothing to read....

Oh, I can think of something you cna be doing with all this free time... can you??!! Didn't someone make a little trip in January??

The hot cocoa was good wasn't it? We saw the bears too. Mal didn't like them especially when they were playing with her Daddy and brothers.

I think they look scary, like clown scary. Those aren't friendly faces that I see. I can see why Leo was scared.

We must of had a mini heat wave when we were there. We were told the first day that the week prior it was 45 degrees and they even got snow. The week we were there it warmed up quit a bit. Then when we left and you arrived it cooled down again. But I loved it!

I'm from Michigan.......

I've never been a COuntry Bears fan, either. I remember seeing the show for the first time with my Dad in the 1970's and the only things I liked were the talking heads on the wall!
It's been a really weird winter here. 40's one day, 80's the next. My body doesn't know what's going on! I'm originally from Buffalo, so I'm feeling your MI pain right now mony!

More, More, More V!

It's coming, I promise!

 

[mlill]

Just stopping by and sending hugs! Thanks for posting the Jedi pic of Leo in my TR! He's soooooooooo adorable! Sometimes I really miss having a little one around! Enjoy him while he's this age!

I'm waiting patiently for your next installment!

-Michelle

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Just ...

checking ...

in.

Hello?

 

[Glendamax]

Hey V! I know I havent posted much, but I have been lurking quite a bit. Love the photos!

 

[PrincessV]

Day 6, Tuesday, Dec. 5
A little insight into my daily life…

I’m a breakfast person. Can’t start my day without it. Really, me without something nutritious in the morning is NOT a pretty sight.

I’m also not a morning person. Now, I’m not one of those morning grumps who just glowers and hisses in the direction of anyone daring to speak to them before 10am. I’m just not on my game until about 9am, so I use my 8am work start time to catch up on email, review my calendar, and see what Britney and KFed are up to. You know, simple things that don’t require much brain activity.

So you can see that a simple breakfast at home fits the bill nicely. Trying to get to a restaurant, let alone navigating a long menu, just isn’t something I do well early in the morning. But.

This is what I LOVE about vacations: I don’t always have to get up early, even at WDW! And if I can sleep a little more, I can go have a yummy restaurant breakfast later in the morning. And that, dear reader, is one of my favorite things to do on vacation.

And so it was that we had an 8:30am ADR for Spoodles the morning after our premiere MVMCP. Man oh man was I looking forward to that frittata.



Guess what? We missed it.

Yep, we all slept until 8am and there wasn’t a chance of moving slow and slower (that would be Leo and Gramma) through the bathroom, into clothes, out the door, down the stairs and around the corner to Spoodles in 30 minutes.

We were forced to do my almost-very-favorite vacation activity…. ROOM SERVICE!!! Call me crazy, but I just love paying way too much for luke-warm food to arrive on a little cart in my hotel room. Stop laughing, I’m serious. Don’t even get me started on the $60 club sandwich/Cosmopolitan combo on my last business trip.

Anyway, order room service we did. Gramma had some eggs with various meat and grain side dishes, I had a lovely western(ish) omelet and Leo had his first Mickey waffles.

Since we only had 2 chairs, Leo copped a squat on the floor in front of the TV and had a little picnic, reminiscent of our room service meal at the CR last Sept. Let me tell you, luke-warm temps aside, it was gooo-oood! We all felt completely fortified and energized, yet relaxed at the same time.

The plan for the day called for some relaxing and exploring the hotel, followed by an afternoon/evening at MGM. But we were feeling so good, (and we’d frankly had enough of the BWI to last a few lifetimes), we decided to start out earlier and walked over to EP for a bit.

I’d read about the Build-It-Yourself robots in UtahMama’s TR and knew, given Leo’s predisposition toward engineering and robotics, (me – I’m an Art History major. Have fun picturing me helping Leo with his math in a few years…), this would be a winner for sure.

So we made our way past the UK and Canada, and made a bee-line for Innoventions. I located the Plastics area quickly, aided by the LINE of people waiting to build their own robots. No turning back now; I’d already promised Leo a robot and he’d gladly wait for the honor.

Seriously, that was the longest wait we had the entire trip. And I wish I could say it was worth it. Not so much. BUT, lest this dissuade any readers from trying it for themselves, it’s really much better for older kids and adults. See, the deal is you learn a little about plastics, (yawn), then go “build” a cyber-robot, utilizing your newfound plastics expertise. Once all 16 participants have their cyber-robots built and named, you race your creations over a cyber-obstacle course. By running and jumping in place. In full public display. TFI.

We were losing Leo on the plastics infomercial. He had a hard time making decisions when it came to building his cyber-robot. He refused to run and jump on his own, and wound up being carried while Gramma did all the work. Here’s his creation:

Where was I? Battling my room-freshener-induced allergy attack. No way was I about to run in place while I was sneezing every 15 seconds. I was slumped against the nearest pole, sucking on cough drops and pulling out tissues.

In the end, Leo’s creation, Zippy Monster, came in last place.
He didn’t care. He just wanted to build the dang robot already.

Our group moseyed on over to the building center. At last! With so many people pushing and prodding to get their parts, it wasn’t easy, but we did eventually get Leo all he needed to make a real Zippy Monster he could bring home.

Zippy in hand, we headed back out for yet another spin on Spaceship Earth, then back to the boat to MGM. The looooong boat ride. Not to China. To MGM.

We arrived just in time for the afternoon parade, another first for us. After securing a spot along the parade route, Gramma got us all some soft pretzels and milkshakes to enjoy as we waited. Breakfast had been so big, and so late, we just skipped lunch altogether and went with a snack.

As if on cue, the parade started up just as I ate my last bite of pretzel and we were on! Leo wasn’t scared at all this time, though he shrank back into his stroller when the villains came by.

He was very happy to see his pal, (not Pal), Mickey again…

And we all said “Howdy!” to Woody…

Leo’s a big Mary Poppins fan, so this made him happy…

But this was his favorite…

That was fun! I’m so glad we finally saw the MGM parade. We’ve really been missing out all these years.

I knew Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater were scheduled to make an appearance shortly, so we headed over to their destination and waited, along with about 300 other families.

If you haven’t seen this yet, please allow me to illuminate for you. There’s no line. There are no ropes, chains, or straps to create a line. There are no CM’s hanging around to handle crowd control. Like the old WDW days, this is a first-come, first-serve, take your pics while you can and know other people will be in there with you kind of gig.

And Leo was NOT digging it.

We waited with everyone else, but when those vehicles rounded the corner and came to a complete stop, and the crowds descended upon Lightning and Mater, Leo quietly asked to leave the area. So we did. Still, he was happy to have seen them.

After that, we rode Star Tours and visited the Muppets…

…before getting a bite to eat at Backlot Express. There, Leo finally found the elusive chicken nuggets, previously available at most WDW counter service eateries, but recently eliminated from the new children’s menus. My boy was in deep-fried heaven, I tell you.

Pretty soon, it was time to take a trip to the Big City and catch the Osborne Lights. I’ve been seeing the lights every year since they arrived in WDW, and it never, ever gets old. But. There was a time when the lights decorated every surface of the city and the suburbs behind it. Lawnmowers, bicycles, cars, swingsets, lawns, BBQ grills – all were covered in lights. And you could walk through the city and all around the residential streets, experiencing the lights at your own pace.

As anyone who’s seen the Osborne lights in recent years will know, the residential street is history. We’re now sequestered within the city street scenes and, while it’s still cool as all get out, it wasn’t quite as much fun last year.

But this year, we were offered the promise of DANCING lights! I kept referring to the “Dancing Lights” throughout the day. Keep that in mind, okay?

We got ourselves the obligatory hot cocoa, (mine helped along with just a splash of Chivas!), and stood in the center of the street to wait. In no time at all, the “snow” was flying, the music was blaring and the lights…. Oh, the lights were indeed dancing! It was fantabulous. We walked down the street and back up it again, then over to the San Fran side street to sit a spell and just enjoy it all.

Leo, however, became quite upset when Gramma and I sat down on a curb. “Get up!”, he said, “We dance! It’s DANCING lights!” Yes, he took my description literally and we were all expected to get off our hineys and get our groove on.

So we did!

We danced, the lights danced, it was a super terrific way to end our (sniff) last (sniff) night.

And, in case that wasn’t enough, look what was waiting for us upon our return to the hotel:

Three for three, baby – a triumvirate of towel animals!

Thank you Mousekeeping, and Have a Magical Day!

Coming soon: The End. And what happened before The End.

 

[aldisneygrl]

WoooHooo! an update and I am first! Ok, now I got to go read it. See ya' in a bit!