I had a goal, a noble goal. A goal any Disney mom would understand. A goal which would allow my family to be welcomed with open arms, dine in high style, sleep in a blissful state, and be treated in a way in which we would like to become accustomed.
The pursuit of this goal was not an easy one. It required skill, cunning, money, and time. In addition, it required and the ability to talk my family into wearing attire in a similar likeness of white, red and black. It mandated compulsory cooperation and good deal of persuasion.
I wanted to be
.no NEEDED to be chosen as The Family of the Week!
I planned endlessly for the moment when the cast member would see my adorable family all dressed in black shorts, while shirts with Minnie Mouse on them and carrying matching
Castaway Club bags. As I walked up to the counter to check in, one cast member would make eye contact with me and with a huge smile, waive me to her counter. Upon arrival at the counter, I too would be smiling. The clouds outside the terminal would suddenly go away and a large ray of sun would illuminate my family. The cast member would then say, in a perfect English accent
Good morning, you have been chosen as
Disney Cruise Lines Family of the week. We would then be whisked away to the front of the line and all the cast members would smile at us, knowing we were the chosen ones. We would smile and waive (our fingers would be held tight together like Barbies) to all the other families hoping to be treated like royalty. I would be able to look around and see the eyes of my family misting in sheer joy. We would enter the large ears and cross the gangplank. Photographers would take our pictures. And just as we placed our tender glass slippered feet onto the ship, we would hear those inspiring words, Welcome the Young family with Nanny Rees.
I was to be a glorious moment. One, which would be followed by a huge buffet in our honor. Then a show with dancing followed by those wonderful, incredible, and distinctive seven notes. We would then find our rooms to be spectacular and then discover free room service. On top of that, we would have Spa products like shampoo and conditioner, soap and lotion. Our beds would be turned down with chocolates and love. We would walk about the grand ocean liner as if we owned the place. We would watch as dancers and singers worked to entertain us. When we sat down for a meal, an entertaining and thoughtful waiter would put my napkin directly upon my very reduced lap (remember this is a dream plan). We would dine on lobster and steak, cream and chocolate. We would walk the deck, all four of us hand in hand smiling as we watched the perfect sunset. My daughter would smile and tell me she loved me. My husband would admire my ability to create the perfect family week. My mothers smile would be filled with pride and joy. Life would be wonderful.
In order to do this, I had implemented my 3-part plan. First, a little manipulation. I had to exaggerate the benefits of being picked first family to my husband, so he would cooperate with my scheme. Second, I brought everyone to Downtown Disney to find the perfect outfits. My mother, my daughter and I picked matching Minnie Mouse shirts; my husband picked a Disney shirt with the same colors. Oh we were a handsome family. After looking at all the Disney merchandise I worried we may not be Disneyed enough. I then opted for hats, pins, necklaces, and earrings and to top if off a brand new Mickey Mouse watch (I told you it costs money). I felt such anticipation as I put down my credit card for our matching wardrobes.
The third part of my plan did not go as well as it could have. While I awoke early and gently stirred my family with a rousing chorus of the theme to the original Mouseketeers show, they were not that easily awoken. I then proceeded to begging and finally threats. My plan was still working though because I woke them up an hour before they really had to be up! (Insert evil laugh here) I quickly took a shower, styled my hair and made up my face. All the while I was checking on the status of my very tired family. Sometime during the morning, we lost the hour I had gained by getting everyone up early, but I was still on target and things were going my way. Before I know it all the luggage was loading in the car, we had on our matching outfits, big smiles and glorious dreams of what lay ahead. No one could stop us now!
We hit the road and just as we neared the port & could smell the sweet sea cologne and bask in the beautiful shoreline sun, my husband announced that he forget to pack his shaver and no way was he using a plastic handled one!!! He pulled across two lanes of traffic, exited the highway and stopped at the closest Wal-Mart. He parked the car and took the keys with him. He ran into the store and left us in the hot car for almost 20 minutes. I thought to myself: You Wicked Brat. Look what you have done. Im melting, Im melting. Oh what a world
who would have thought a good husband like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness (taken from and then slightly altered: The Wizard of Oz just before the witch melts.) He returned to the car and gave me the Clint Eastwood look, you know the one it says, Go ahead, make my day. It was then when I was deciding how I should make my husband pay for his atrocious behavior that I looked at the cars clock. I froze, unable to believe my eyes. I stared at the clock, torn between disbelief and utter panic. It was 11:00 A.M. Not 10 A.M.
My mind was spinning. I shouted to anyone within hearing distance tell me it is not so! I slowly looked at my husband and asked him what his watch said. For a moment, h looked deep into my eyes and when he broke eye contact long enough to look down at his watch. I could see beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He studied his watch, looked back up at me and said, 11 AM. I turned and for a moment the car grew very long and wide it was as if I was turning in slow motion and the car was growing and I would never be able to look into the back seat and see my daughter and my mother looking up at me. I asked them, What time is it? My daughter, sensing this was a very dramatic moment showed me her watch and said 11 AM and my mother confirmed the wicket truth. I then looked down at my brand new Mickey Mouse watch. I could see the castle over his right shoulder. He was facing to the left but looking directly at me. He had a big smile. He wore red pants and large yellow shoes. His arms were crossed almost as if he were teasing me. I looked at the slightly silver hands. The large one was where it should be straight up at the top, pointing to a not so hidden Mickey. The little one was evil - it was pointing at 10. I reached into my purse and pulled out my overpriced 8GB I-phone. It confirmed the time at 11 AM.
My heart sank and I cried out oh know, how could it be! Then in my head I heard the strangest little voice. It was happy and gleeful. It was full of fun and laughed in such a familiar way. It was Mickey Mouse in my head and he was laughing. It made me giggle. Soon my very relieved family was also giggling. Before long it was laughter and then before I knew it were at the port, ready to embark on a glorious seven nights grand cruise!
We walked up to the counter with our matching outfits, hats, Disney pins and earrings and I proudly wore my Mickey Mouse watch, leaving the time the same. But guess what? Somehow we were the family of the week! Not the official one but, as we walked up to the counter to check in, the cast member made eye contact with me and with a huge smile and waived me to his counter. Upon arrival at the counter, I too was smiling. The cast member then said in a perfect Orlando accent, Good morning, welcome home. I looked around and saw the eyes of my family, misting with joy. After walking around and getting my pager for the kids club, we entered the large ears and crossed the gangplank. Photographers took our pictures. And just as we placed our sandaled feet onto the ship, we heard those inspiring words, Welcome for the fourth time, the Young family with Nanny Rees.
It was a glorious moment and was soon followed by a huge buffet. When we went to our rooms, we found Spa products and the best room steward ever. During the week we walked about the grand ocean liner as if we owned the place. We watched dancers and singers as they entertained us. When we sat down for a meal, our entertaining and thoughtful waiter placed my napkin directly upon my very amplified lap (now in reality). We dined on lobster and steak, cream and chocolate. And on the last night, my daughter and I walked the deck while we watched the sunset. She took my hand and looked up at me with those big beautiful brown/green/blue/gold eyes and said Mom, can I go back to the Lab now?
OK, perhaps not the ending you were expecting
but the truth is the truth.
Here is the picture from that moment in the sunset.
Stay Tuned for the next episode: Snickers bars and fish extenders!
WAiting
. Can't wait to red more.
I liked the looks of Lumiere's also. The food at all of them were good, and Palo's food the best. I LOVED that portabello appetizer at Palo. My least favorite was Animator's Palate, but that may have been because of were our table was located. Our waiters were really super too. I enjoyed your "Family of the Day" post and find myself looking forward to the next one. Have a great week 
Hope you are feeling better after relaxing after a rough time 
