Shelby5514
<font color=87005b>John Taylor is my guilty pleasu
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Amy~ Wow! Disney Magic at it's finest. Isn't that the reason we all go back?
Kids, Disney, Action! Extreme Trip (Report). Three-Peat and Done 7/11
- Thread starter GeorgiaAristocat
- Start date
horsegirl
<font color=red>I feel blonder than a cocker spani
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Amy. Your story is fantastic. Your kids are just beautiful. But you must know i think that as I have seen their adorable faces many times. I can't wait to keep reading. I am hooked.GeorgiaAristocat said:
This last passage was just beautifully written, and your ability to convey your thoughts and feelings of this very important trip is excellent. Glad to hear this potential pitfall has a magical ending....You must be most persuasive!
Thanks for taking the time to share.
AshClan
DIS Veteran
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GeorgiaAristocat said:
What a great story, Amy. I tell ya, all those wonderful CMs and things like this are what make so many of us come back year after year. It is the magic we all experience that makes this such a special place! Can't wait to hear how the cruise went. (We did it in 2005 and had a ball!)
nicolemarie
DIS Veteran
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Amy - I won't quote that last little bit, too. Since that would be redundant. But I want to. So you know how beautifully that conveyed the experience. Maybe it's because I've met you. Or maybe it's because I've stayed at the YC and I can picture where you were. But my mental picture is as vivid as if I were there.
You are a great writer. Keep 'em comin!
AND GO DAWGS!!
NM
You are a great writer. Keep 'em comin!
AND GO DAWGS!!
NM
GeorgiaAristocat
<font color=purple> Côôl DIS Veteran <img src=htt
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I just wanted to thank everyone who has read my little saga. And also thanks to those have responded. I read EVERYTHING that anyone posts here!
I'm sorry the next chapter is not up yet. It is finished, but on my computer at work, and I forgot to send it to myself on Thursday, so, there it sits until tomorrow. But I shall post the next chapter bright and early tomorrow.
Ash ~ you are right. It is instances like the last one I described that keep all of us coming back. I don't know of any other company, especially one as successful as Disney that takes such pains to make sure that no one leaves dissatisfied.
(Except for the Baskin-Robins. My Girl licked her ice cream scoop off the cone and onto the floor today. The owner, when he saw the tears welling in her eyes went into full-on panic, and said very loudly, almost a yell in fact, "DON'T CRY! I'LL GET YOU ANOTHER ONE!!!!" It was almost funny. Until he glared at the poor little teenager who had scooped it, and apparently not smushed it down into the cone enough. And nastily told her that it was the second time that had happened today. I bet that $2 comes out of her pay . . .Unlike Disney . . .)
Anywho ~ I appreciate everyone reading this - ALL OF YOU!!! Especially since there are so many reports out there right now. I know I can't keep up with everyone else's, so I know it is tough on you readers, too!
I'm sorry the next chapter is not up yet. It is finished, but on my computer at work, and I forgot to send it to myself on Thursday, so, there it sits until tomorrow. But I shall post the next chapter bright and early tomorrow.
Ash ~ you are right. It is instances like the last one I described that keep all of us coming back. I don't know of any other company, especially one as successful as Disney that takes such pains to make sure that no one leaves dissatisfied.
(Except for the Baskin-Robins. My Girl licked her ice cream scoop off the cone and onto the floor today. The owner, when he saw the tears welling in her eyes went into full-on panic, and said very loudly, almost a yell in fact, "DON'T CRY! I'LL GET YOU ANOTHER ONE!!!!" It was almost funny. Until he glared at the poor little teenager who had scooped it, and apparently not smushed it down into the cone enough. And nastily told her that it was the second time that had happened today. I bet that $2 comes out of her pay . . .Unlike Disney . . .)
Anywho ~ I appreciate everyone reading this - ALL OF YOU!!! Especially since there are so many reports out there right now. I know I can't keep up with everyone else's, so I know it is tough on you readers, too!
GeorgiaAristocat
<font color=purple> Côôl DIS Veteran <img src=htt
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I confess, when Captain Jason said that he was going to take us for the fireworks, I think tears welled up in my eyes. I know I said something about how he didn't have to do that. His response: "Well, I want to do it!"
He told us to hang loose until around 8:30. So we did, and took some pictures of the kids in the mouseboat on the dock.
After all the *paying* boats left, Captain Jason came out and talked to us, asking where we were from. When we mentioned our hometown, he not only had heard of it, but had wanted to live here while he was in the military, but was stationed someplace else. Just the beginning of the "small world" coincidences that evening.
The other family, upon whom we were waiting, arrived just when they were supposed to around 8:25. The good captain introduced us and we all looked strangely at each other for a second or two.
Me, because I was uncertain about whether we were imposing on "their" cruise. Them, probably for the same reason. I quickly assured myself (silently) that Disney wouldn't put us on a boat that someone else paid for. And. That they, too, must have had some pixie dust sprinkled on their heads. With that settled in my mind . . . I began to enjoy the magic of the unexpected.
Cap'n Jason checked the ages of the two Howell children (yes, Vikings, we really DID go on a cruise with a family with the last name of Howell. And I really did make some crack about it being okay, as long as it wasn't a THREE HOUR TOUR.) It was determined that they were both above whatever magical age it was that required life jackets. He didn't debate at all whether my kids needed them. After finding on of the tiny and teensy tiny lifejackets and properly adorning my children, we loaded up and were off.
I had never done an Illuminations Cruise before, and was quite looking forward to it. Because last year, I only saw half of Illuminations. You know, the top half, that I could see over the heads of the TALL people in front of me.
To be fair, almost everyone is tall compared to me. And it's my own fault for not securing a good viewing location in time. Last year.
Anyone who has been on one of these cruises knows that before heading to Epcot, you sort of cruise around the waterways, looking at MGM (although I don't think we made it all the way over there), the Boardwalk Inn and Boardwalk entertainment area, the Swan and Dolphin, and so forth (not necessarily in that order). We discussed some Disney trivia and eventually moved on to Football.
Because, in the South on a Friday night, that is what you discuss. And we were all from the South. The Howells were from Florida. We are from Georgia. Cap'n Jason was from somewhere. Nearby.
Well, the presence of both Florida and Georgia residents on a boat naturally prompted a Gator-Bulldog debate. And a little bit of friendly smack talk. I'm just glad that the Dawgs had not yet suffered their humiliating defeat to Vandy. And dropped out of the top 25 for the first time since 2001.
Oh the shame.
But, the whole discussion also led to the discovery that Mr. Howell had gone to high school with the current head coach at Georgia. I was shocked and amazed as I work with someone who ALSO went to high school with Mr. Richt, and mentioned that fact. Which then led to the discovery that I don't know my co-worker as well as I should, since I couldn't say whether he had a younger sister (turns out he does.)
Are you singing that song yet? It really is a small world! (And they both vaguely remembered the other. Hi Howells!)
All in all, it was a pleasant half hour cruise before the fireworks.
We then settled in behind the "Breathless" to watch the fireworks. It is a beautiful boat by the way. And valued at something like a quarter of a million dollars. Unfortunately, we were also told it was about to go into rehab because it has dry rot. Someday someone needs to explain to me how a boat on water can get dry rot. It's one of those freaky things that don't make sense, but somehow are. Like soaking your feet in salt water when they are swollen and you are retaining water.
Anywho. Back to the show.
In the boat, that is! Like I said, we had settled in behind the Breathless. Which technically made us second row. But it certainly didn't feel like it. The Captain then offered to pirate and pillage one of the OTHER boats (all tied up next to us) for a drink or two. None of us accepted. Were we all feeling a titch of guilt or just gratitude for the magic that had come our way? For me, I didn't want to do anything to burst the bubble. Like get greedy for a drink from someone else's boat.
Cap'n Jason, who obviously does this a LOT, gathered the kids at the front of the boat, and told them that he needed help blowing out the torches so that the fireworks could start. He was good, he knew the music well enough to get a couple of attempts in before they managed to blow really hard and blow them out. So adorable.
And then the fireworks began . . . and the kids were ENCHANTED. ENGROSSED. ENTHRALLED.
In short, they liked them a lot. And might not have blinked the whole time.
Well, that might be a slight exaggeration. I'm sure they blinked. Once or twice. I know they both gasped, oohed, aahed, giggled, laughed, pointed, and told everyone around us "Look at the fireworks!" And the Shrimp spent most of the time at the bar (at the front of the boat, we, unfortunately, had no floating bar with us), but also visited a couple of laps.
We all enjoyed the shows, in the sky, on the water, and in the boat.
It really was wonderful.
After the fireworks ended, NoFear was a little hyper, and apparently hungry, because she ended up biting her glow necklace. Which is bad.
Her mouth was glowing a little. Which is also bad.
So we told Cap'n Jason that we would take him up on his offer of a drink, please, a bottle of water. And we told him why.
Which caused him to panic and he started running around yelling for water and a towel, and hovered over my little girl until he was certain she was alright.
Inevitably, the evening was over and we had to head back to the Marina. But, again, because of the nature of our cruise (free!) we were last in line. And Cap'n Jason took some extra time on the way back. Once we reached the relatively "open" water between the Yacht Club and the Boardwalk he let each of the kids (my kids) "drive" the boat.
How cute is this?
They were DELIGHTED. It was a great cap on the voyage.
After we tied up we asked Cap'n Jason for a picture - he tried to take a picture of US.
NO! We assured him, we wanted a picture with HIM!
After profuse thanks, hugs, and goodbyes we headed off, back to our villa and some rest.
Because we had an early morning appointment with some princesses.
I reflected that I hoped that all bad things could turn to good as they had on this day. It was a day of turning the frown upside down!
A Princess Among Princesses (Page 13, Post 184)
He told us to hang loose until around 8:30. So we did, and took some pictures of the kids in the mouseboat on the dock.
After all the *paying* boats left, Captain Jason came out and talked to us, asking where we were from. When we mentioned our hometown, he not only had heard of it, but had wanted to live here while he was in the military, but was stationed someplace else. Just the beginning of the "small world" coincidences that evening.
The other family, upon whom we were waiting, arrived just when they were supposed to around 8:25. The good captain introduced us and we all looked strangely at each other for a second or two.
Me, because I was uncertain about whether we were imposing on "their" cruise. Them, probably for the same reason. I quickly assured myself (silently) that Disney wouldn't put us on a boat that someone else paid for. And. That they, too, must have had some pixie dust sprinkled on their heads. With that settled in my mind . . . I began to enjoy the magic of the unexpected.
Cap'n Jason checked the ages of the two Howell children (yes, Vikings, we really DID go on a cruise with a family with the last name of Howell. And I really did make some crack about it being okay, as long as it wasn't a THREE HOUR TOUR.) It was determined that they were both above whatever magical age it was that required life jackets. He didn't debate at all whether my kids needed them. After finding on of the tiny and teensy tiny lifejackets and properly adorning my children, we loaded up and were off.
I had never done an Illuminations Cruise before, and was quite looking forward to it. Because last year, I only saw half of Illuminations. You know, the top half, that I could see over the heads of the TALL people in front of me.
To be fair, almost everyone is tall compared to me. And it's my own fault for not securing a good viewing location in time. Last year.
Anyone who has been on one of these cruises knows that before heading to Epcot, you sort of cruise around the waterways, looking at MGM (although I don't think we made it all the way over there), the Boardwalk Inn and Boardwalk entertainment area, the Swan and Dolphin, and so forth (not necessarily in that order). We discussed some Disney trivia and eventually moved on to Football.
Because, in the South on a Friday night, that is what you discuss. And we were all from the South. The Howells were from Florida. We are from Georgia. Cap'n Jason was from somewhere. Nearby.
Well, the presence of both Florida and Georgia residents on a boat naturally prompted a Gator-Bulldog debate. And a little bit of friendly smack talk. I'm just glad that the Dawgs had not yet suffered their humiliating defeat to Vandy. And dropped out of the top 25 for the first time since 2001.
Oh the shame.
But, the whole discussion also led to the discovery that Mr. Howell had gone to high school with the current head coach at Georgia. I was shocked and amazed as I work with someone who ALSO went to high school with Mr. Richt, and mentioned that fact. Which then led to the discovery that I don't know my co-worker as well as I should, since I couldn't say whether he had a younger sister (turns out he does.)
Are you singing that song yet? It really is a small world! (And they both vaguely remembered the other. Hi Howells!)
All in all, it was a pleasant half hour cruise before the fireworks.
We then settled in behind the "Breathless" to watch the fireworks. It is a beautiful boat by the way. And valued at something like a quarter of a million dollars. Unfortunately, we were also told it was about to go into rehab because it has dry rot. Someday someone needs to explain to me how a boat on water can get dry rot. It's one of those freaky things that don't make sense, but somehow are. Like soaking your feet in salt water when they are swollen and you are retaining water.
Anywho. Back to the show.
In the boat, that is! Like I said, we had settled in behind the Breathless. Which technically made us second row. But it certainly didn't feel like it. The Captain then offered to pirate and pillage one of the OTHER boats (all tied up next to us) for a drink or two. None of us accepted. Were we all feeling a titch of guilt or just gratitude for the magic that had come our way? For me, I didn't want to do anything to burst the bubble. Like get greedy for a drink from someone else's boat.
Cap'n Jason, who obviously does this a LOT, gathered the kids at the front of the boat, and told them that he needed help blowing out the torches so that the fireworks could start. He was good, he knew the music well enough to get a couple of attempts in before they managed to blow really hard and blow them out. So adorable.
And then the fireworks began . . . and the kids were ENCHANTED. ENGROSSED. ENTHRALLED.
In short, they liked them a lot. And might not have blinked the whole time.
Well, that might be a slight exaggeration. I'm sure they blinked. Once or twice. I know they both gasped, oohed, aahed, giggled, laughed, pointed, and told everyone around us "Look at the fireworks!" And the Shrimp spent most of the time at the bar (at the front of the boat, we, unfortunately, had no floating bar with us), but also visited a couple of laps.
We all enjoyed the shows, in the sky, on the water, and in the boat.
It really was wonderful.
After the fireworks ended, NoFear was a little hyper, and apparently hungry, because she ended up biting her glow necklace. Which is bad.
Her mouth was glowing a little. Which is also bad.
So we told Cap'n Jason that we would take him up on his offer of a drink, please, a bottle of water. And we told him why.
Which caused him to panic and he started running around yelling for water and a towel, and hovered over my little girl until he was certain she was alright.
Inevitably, the evening was over and we had to head back to the Marina. But, again, because of the nature of our cruise (free!) we were last in line. And Cap'n Jason took some extra time on the way back. Once we reached the relatively "open" water between the Yacht Club and the Boardwalk he let each of the kids (my kids) "drive" the boat.
How cute is this?
They were DELIGHTED. It was a great cap on the voyage.
After we tied up we asked Cap'n Jason for a picture - he tried to take a picture of US.
NO! We assured him, we wanted a picture with HIM!
After profuse thanks, hugs, and goodbyes we headed off, back to our villa and some rest.
Because we had an early morning appointment with some princesses.
I reflected that I hoped that all bad things could turn to good as they had on this day. It was a day of turning the frown upside down!
A Princess Among Princesses (Page 13, Post 184)
Grammyof2
<font color=deeppink>Best Woo Hootier that ever wo
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What a wonderful, fabulous night. The Aristcat's are beautiful and deserved every bit of this!!!
I was
when we bit our glow necklace!!! Slight panic when she was glowing in the dark. I am quite sure she will survive this, cause I personally know several other children who have survived a very similar fate, maybe even 2 or 3 times 
I was
when we bit our glow necklace!!! Slight panic when she was glowing in the dark. I am quite sure she will survive this, cause I personally know several other children who have survived a very similar fate, maybe even 2 or 3 times 
blue_river
<font color=coral>I do believe in fairies!<br><fon
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GeorgiaAristocat said:
you have to feel sorry for someone like that...especially when only making min. wage
GeorgiaAristocat said:
It is very hard to keep up with all the TR's and there are sooo many interesting, well written stories. A shame. We need more time in the day.
Great pics of your cruise. Did you happen to take any of the fireworks?
celerystalker
<font color=green>Look! I'm yankeepenny!<br><font
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Oops. Umm. Great report!
horsegirl
<font color=red>I feel blonder than a cocker spani
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Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww! 
What a great little tale. I am so impressed with your skills and Capn Jason's heart. I want to write a letter to Disney myself about him over this. That is what sets Disney apart doesn't it? So many wonderful CMs who really do try to make the vacation extra special for the guests.
Folks, Amy is a wisp of a girl. She is a big tough attorney, and I bet a lethal weapon in the courtroom as her sweet little voice and small stature bear no clue to her quick and stron mind!
My biggest regret, Amy, is not having more than a few moments meeting you....I hope we have another chance to spend more time.
And btw, where is the pic of lil princess AFTER tasting the glow stick? I want to see tgat too!
What a great little tale. I am so impressed with your skills and Capn Jason's heart. I want to write a letter to Disney myself about him over this. That is what sets Disney apart doesn't it? So many wonderful CMs who really do try to make the vacation extra special for the guests.Folks, Amy is a wisp of a girl. She is a big tough attorney, and I bet a lethal weapon in the courtroom as her sweet little voice and small stature bear no clue to her quick and stron mind!
My biggest regret, Amy, is not having more than a few moments meeting you....I hope we have another chance to spend more time.
And btw, where is the pic of lil princess AFTER tasting the glow stick? I want to see tgat too!
GeorgiaAristocat
<font color=purple> Côôl DIS Veteran <img src=htt
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Grammy ~ the good captain was FAR more worried about her becoming luminescent than we were. Does that make us bad parents? She spit the glow stuff out pretty quickly. And didn't know what all the fuss was about. Her pants were glowing, tho!
Sher ~ Carp. I fixed that. Thanks. I OBVIOUSLY have not been paying enough attention to pop culture. Or your trip report. Busted. Dang.
Blue River ~ true dat. I have subscribed to yours. Have I read it? I can't remember. Which means probably not. Perhaps this week.
Green Garnish ~ did you post the answer to the riddle or something? Thanks for stopping by!
Horsey ~ you know that I want us to have more than 30 stress filled seconds to talk. Soon. And I need to write Disney a letter about Cap'n Jason. I was waiting til I had a pho-toe to send with the letter. Which I do. Now.
Sher ~ Carp. I fixed that. Thanks. I OBVIOUSLY have not been paying enough attention to pop culture. Or your trip report. Busted. Dang.
Blue River ~ true dat. I have subscribed to yours. Have I read it? I can't remember. Which means probably not. Perhaps this week.
Green Garnish ~ did you post the answer to the riddle or something? Thanks for stopping by!
Horsey ~ you know that I want us to have more than 30 stress filled seconds to talk. Soon. And I need to write Disney a letter about Cap'n Jason. I was waiting til I had a pho-toe to send with the letter. Which I do. Now.
jamal
<font color=blue>Nutwing #4<br><font color=deeppin
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AMY!! This is an unbelievable story!! I am SOOO happy for your family; no one deserves it more! Every bit of it is wonderful but this?
Yep, Horseybaby is right: that is Disney-only magic. Love Jason! Love the GA Aristocrats!!!
Yzma and Kronk
<font color=darkcoral>I survived the Pie-fest<br><
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Amy - fabulous story!
I'm so happy for you. When I heard of the fireworks mixup I was so disappointed for you and had this vision of what it would have been like if I rushed my family to the docks, and then the sad walk back.
One of the best examples of Disney Magic I heard in a long time.
You might want to mention in your letter that you've told the story to your Disney lovin' friends and we want to give special "thanks" to Captain Jason too!
Isn't Illuminations great on the boat! The best I've seen. Now I know why we didn't see you on the bridge! You had already experienced it the best way possible!
Yup, been there! Glow Kids!
Thanks again for another great chapter!
I'm so happy for you. When I heard of the fireworks mixup I was so disappointed for you and had this vision of what it would have been like if I rushed my family to the docks, and then the sad walk back.
One of the best examples of Disney Magic I heard in a long time.
You might want to mention in your letter that you've told the story to your Disney lovin' friends and we want to give special "thanks" to Captain Jason too!
Isn't Illuminations great on the boat! The best I've seen. Now I know why we didn't see you on the bridge! You had already experienced it the best way possible!
Yup, been there! Glow Kids!
Thanks again for another great chapter!
eeyore45
<font color=darkorchid>Do-it-yourself pixie dust =
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Thank you Amy for sharing such a beautiful story - I was right there with you!!
oh, and I'm sure I here and there, but I agree... where's the picture? I'm sure since Cap'n had it covered getting towels and water... what else is there to do but record it for posterity - and the Senior Graduation Wall of embarrassement!! 
I've never understood those Illuminations cruises, now I know!! Thanks for sharing... I think... because now I'm going to want to try one!!
oh, and I'm sure I
here and there, but I agree... where's the picture? I'm sure since Cap'n had it covered getting towels and water... what else is there to do but record it for posterity - and the Senior Graduation Wall of embarrassement!! I've never understood those Illuminations cruises, now I know!!
Thanks for sharing... I think... because now I'm going to want to try one!! 
GADISNEYGIRL
<font color=red>Maelstromer!<br><font color=purple
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Magic, magic, everywhere! I love it!!!
GeorgiaAristocat
<font color=purple> Côôl DIS Veteran <img src=htt
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Can you believe that I am still on the arrival night? They arrive in the evening of the next day. And, unfortunately, their first evening was NOT so magical.jamal said:
LaLa
Hangs with the Mensas
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Okay, Georgia. This is some good stuff, Girl.
We love, love, love Illuminations and the part where all the torches are blown out in unison is my favorite part. I think. I got a big smile on my face as I read about your babies trying to blow them out with the help of the Skipper.
How cool was that Captain Jason? I'm glad it all worked out for yall. Sounds like yall had a great time, and I'm glad to know the Glow Stick didn't do any permanent damage. I can't wait to read more about your adventures with your sweet babies and Mr. Big Horns.
We love, love, love Illuminations and the part where all the torches are blown out in unison is my favorite part. I think. I got a big smile on my face as I read about your babies trying to blow them out with the help of the Skipper.
How cool was that Captain Jason? I'm glad it all worked out for yall. Sounds like yall had a great time, and I'm glad to know the Glow Stick didn't do any permanent damage. I can't wait to read more about your adventures with your sweet babies and Mr. Big Horns.
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