Let the (Soaken Wet) Memories Begin TR- Update 12/8

[ronnmel]

I want to eat a "kitchen sink" with my family when we go down in June!! And I had to let you know that you have as many days left til your baby comes as we have til vacation!! We are counting down together!

Well then we'll be wishing the winter and spring away together.

 

[BridgetR3]

Well then we'll be wishing the winter and spring away together.

Yep yep!! Is this your first? If so, you will now have someone to share your Disney magic with!!! I love sharing it with my boys!

 

[ronnmel]

Yep yep!! Is this your first? If so, you will now have someone to share your Disney magic with!!! I love sharing it with my boys!

Yes it will be my first, though DH already has a 12 year old daughter. I'm very happy we got to experience the World just the two of us on our Honeymoon, and now am very much looking forward to seeing the magic through my child's eyes! We're hoping to be able to go back once our "Peanut" is about 15 months old.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Ahhh, that kitchen sink looks so yummy! I so want to try one, but I have a feeling I wouldn't do too well with it - I have to have a pretty full stomach to eat a lot of sweets or else I get really sick, and it seems like a kitchen sink and an already full stomach don't really go together.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I don't know how I missed your update with all the pictures! Your hair was super pretty that day, I love how it was done. I'm glad you were still able to have your photo session even though stupid Hurricane Irene tried to ruin it for you.

Oh boy, that kitchen sink looks so delicious. I know I couldn't even come close to finishing it. I think the dude from Man Vs. Food should try it out!

 

[Jennifer48]

I spy Melanie in your Beaches 'n Cream photos!

I still can't believe you guys even attempted the Kitchen Sink. We had 4 adults and didn't make it!

 

[xJenna]

Joining in! Got all caught up and I'm loving the trip report so far. Aisling's outfits are adorable! Other than the rain it seems like a lovely trip.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I am glad you are feeling better!! Great FOTLK pics!! I also love ur family pics. they did a great jpb!! Hurray for a Kitchen Sink for lunch-awesome!!!

Thank you!!! Our day of bad eating continues below

The Kitchen Sink is a totally suitable lunch when on vacation.

It gets worse in terms of caloric intake that day

I want to eat a "kitchen sink" with my family when we go down in June!! And I had to let you know that you have as many days left til your baby comes as we have til vacation!! We are counting down together!

Well then we'll be wishing the winter and spring away together.

Yep yep!! Is this your first? If so, you will now have someone to share your Disney magic with!!! I love sharing it with my boys!

Yes it will be my first, though DH already has a 12 year old daughter. I'm very happy we got to experience the World just the two of us on our Honeymoon, and now am very much looking forward to seeing the magic through my child's eyes! We're hoping to be able to go back once our "Peanut" is about 15 months old.

CONGRATS ON A NEW DISNEY FAN!!!!!! Hope you are feeling ok!

Ahhh, that kitchen sink looks so yummy! I so want to try one, but I have a feeling I wouldn't do too well with it - I have to have a pretty full stomach to eat a lot of sweets or else I get really sick, and it seems like a kitchen sink and an already full stomach don't really go together.

ya, I'm not a sweet/ice cream kinda gal so it wasn't thrilling to me but Randy and Aisling thoroughly enjoyed it

I don't know how I missed your update with all the pictures! Your hair was super pretty that day, I love how it was done. I'm glad you were still able to have your photo session even though stupid Hurricane Irene tried to ruin it for you.

Oh boy, that kitchen sink looks so delicious. I know I couldn't even come close to finishing it. I think the dude from Man Vs. Food should try it out!

Ya, I wish we had gotten it when we went with Jen's family. I bet the 6 of us could have finished it!

I spy Melanie in your Beaches 'n Cream photos!

I still can't believe you guys even attempted the Kitchen Sink. We had 4 adults and didn't make it!

yup Melanie was there. That was the day she asked where you guys were

Joining in! Got all caught up and I'm loving the trip report so far. Aisling's outfits are adorable! Other than the rain it seems like a lovely trip.

neighbor. Thanks for reading along

 

[ronnmel]

CONGRATS ON A NEW DISNEY FAN!!!!!! Hope you are feeling ok!

Thanks! I've been nauseous a lot, but this week has been better.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

When I left you we were swimming off some calories. Well, Aisling and Randy were. I jumped back in a few times but the pool was so insanely crowded that I preferred to lounge with my Kindle. Aisling also entered the sand castle building contest but i don't have any pics of that because the ugly clouds came out and and (stop me if you heard this before) it started to POUR. They closed to pool so back up to our room we went. I figured this was a good time to do laundry with the afternoon free so I did that while Randy and Aisling watched some TV and napped

Oh this was our towel animal today...ironically, it was also on this day that a new baby elephant was born at AK but more on that later

After lots of being lazy, we decided to head out to DTD. Now since we don't buy souvies on our trips, DTD isn't a big draw for us but on a lazy day, it was a great night to walk around. We also had big plans to continue our day of gluttony

Shocking...after all that resting, Aisling still konked out on the bus

We got there and was interupted with a sight of the "real world" news so I had to stop for a pic

Aisling and I had decided to grab our dinner at Earl of Sandwich. Randy didn't know what he wanted to eat so he wandered around. He ended up finding out that you can get a turkey (*cough* emu) leg with chips and a drink as a CS meal which thrilled him.

YUCK!!!!


Now, when I was planning this trip, I had decided to cash in all my MyPoints for Landry's gift cards (which I always do before a Disney trip). I had made an ADR at TRex but then was hearing not-so-great things about it so we decided since we were eating pure junk today, we would instead use our ADR for drinks and desserts

Aisling's drink

My drink

Randy's drink

Now as I mentioned, I'm not a sweet girl so I insisted on a salty dessert too

And for the sweet tooth folks

Now it was during this meal that one of the funniest moments of the trip happened. It was also when Kristine made BIG MISTAKE NUMBER 2!

As we were eating, a man and his family were sitting at the table behind us. The man kept staring at Randy and then checking his phone. Then he would stare at Randy and check his phone ago. It was really weird. After awhile, the guy clearly knew we could see him and got up and walked over. He apologized for staring but admitted that he had been convinced that Randy was Kevin Youkilis from the Red Sox. Now Randy gets this A LOT but this guy were super excited about it. He said he was checking his phone to see if the Sox were playing in Florida (because rich baseball players eat at crap chain restaurants ) The guy turned out to be from NY but somehow had managed to stay alive being a Sox fan. Well he was so excited about Randy's resemblence that he ends up sitting at the 4th chair at our table and just started rambling about his lifelong love of the Sox. Literally a good 20 minutes later his wife and daughter came over and told him he had to leave NOW and let us eat in peace.

Well we finish our "dessert" and went to pay the bill. When i pulled out the gift cards, I realized my room key was gone. I tore my bag apart but nothing. Now, I had used the card at Earl of Sandwich so I knew it had to be at DTD so that shouldn't be so hard to find right????

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Luckily, Randy/Youk came to my rescue and offered to run back to Earl of Sandwich to look for my card. I paid the bill and Aisling and I hung around looking at the new Lego structures PRAYING that Randy would text me with the good news

Randy finally texted saying that my card WAS at EOS!!!!! Turns out, the guy at the register never gave it back to me after I paid so they locked it in the safe until I got back. Randy had a hard time convincing them he was a Kristine but when he said to the guy "My wife will kill me if I don't come back with this card" they forked it over

At this point, the dance party was starting. Now the previous year, the party was over by the toy store but they moved it to the stage which made it a much bigger event.

It was an absolutely GORGEOUS night so Aisling literally danced for HOURS

I ran to WoD to pick up a couple of Christmas gifts (and utilized the resort delivery for the first time ever) and when i came out, Aisling was on the sidelines and THIS was going on (click on the pic)



Aisling continued to dance to the point of exhaustion

Since she was having a blast, we just let her do what she wanted to do and quit when she was ready. After awhile, she came over and asked to go to Lego for the races

After Lego, we decided to call it a night but Randy and Aisling had a few more moves left in them walking back to the buses

We got back to the hotel after a VERY long wait (seemed to be some major bus issues this night because all the lines were nuts) and headed to bed because Lazy Day was over and we had to be up bright and early for more crazy park touring!

 

[Jennifer48]

DTD is a wonderful way to spend a down day at Disney!

Ok what exactly is Randy's drink?

Is it a margarita with a Corona?

And what is this dessert?!

I think its so funny how much Randy gets mistaken for Youk. I hope one day they meet.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Why yes Jen, that IS a margarita with a Corona in it!

And the dessert is called Chocolate Extinction. Here is the description

"gigantic portion of chocolate fudge cake served with ice cream, fresh whipped cream drizzled with fudge and caramel sauces and sprinkled with Butterfinger crumbs. Enough for two or more!" Aisling called it "chocolate cake with chemicals" I didn't try it so I can't comment on the yumminess factor

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I'm back The worst TR writer in the history of TRs on the DIS My apologies to the faithful who have hung around. Unfortunately, with all the normal holiday insanity, my Grammy passed away Thanksgiving morning. So DIS has been the last thing on my mind. But now I'm ready for a little flashback to some happier days so I'm back. Thursday is my exploratory surgery to hopefully get some answers what the heck is wrong with me. Needless to say, I could use some distraction from that too

Well Day 7 of our trip was what I affectionately called "Princess Day." Aisling is sadly growing out of the Princesses when at home but at Disney, she still eats it up so we decided to have an all Princess Day. Now you may think that Randy would be totally bored by this day...but let's face it, a lot of the Princesses are easy on the eyes so he didn't care a bit

So, first up was a breakfast ADR that we could walk to!!! And something occured that you will never see in a Smith family TR ever again. We were the first people at rope drop!

Empty Epcot

Our favorite Norwegian's got us quickly checked in and in line to meet Belle

Since we had an 8am ADR, we had most of our breakfast eaten before the Princesses started coming around. We really need to learn to eat slower

First up was Aurora

Next up was surprise...Cindy was there!

I should warn you that I had major camera issues during this meal. I don't know what was wrong with me or the camera but basically I was focusing on the wrong area somehow. My apologies but you can get the general idea.

After Cindy came around, they did a little parade. I don't remember this from our previous meal there. Is it new??? Anyway, Snow White spotted Aisling's outfit and came to get her right away

Last up today was the Princess we were most excited to see...Ariel on legs. This was the first time in all our trips we have seen her.

Bellies full we were ready for the Soarin' dash right as the park was opening!

Unfortunately, Aisling and I entered the line as Randy went to gets FPs and he never was able to catch up with us. We had a pretty long wait (30 mins or so) and as everyone knows...there is NO cell reception in this ride. So Aisling and I rode and waited at the exit for Randy. Shockingly, we was shortly behind us. One of the benefits of single rider!

Of course while we were in the building, we had to ride the Land

Oh and we did that Circle of Life movie that we have never seen before. Pretty good place to cool off in August. In the theme of doing new things, we headed over to see Captain EO. Obviously this was only new to Aisling but you know what I mean. This underwhelmed me as much now as it did orignally Won't be repeating that one. When we walked out...we had a text from friends. And it was RAINING. I know YOU know!!!!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

So we threw on our trusty ponchos and headed out. This rain was really bad. Everywhere in Epcot was flooded. Aisling decided she wanted to do the Sum of all Thrills so we headed over to Innovations and her and Randy hopped in the really long line (everyone in Future World had run in there to escape the storm). I got another text from our friends that they were in Mousegears so I offered to run over and show them how to get to Innovations.

This family consists of a set of twins (M & A) who take Dance with Aisling. We discovered pretty early in the dance year that we were going to be in Disney at the same time so Mom (J) and I conspired all year to meet up (the trip was a surprise to her kiddos). I found them and we all went over to Innovations. The twins decided they wanted to do that Sum of all Thrills with Randy and Aisling. As it was still another 30 min wait, J and I took everyone's tickets and ventured back out in the rain to get FPs for Test Track. We got back to Innovations and the girls and Randy still were in line. We watched them go up and ride. Oddly, A decided to ride with Randy instead of her twin

When everyone got done, we checked out the rest of Innovations until it was time for our TT FPs (it had stopped raining so it was back open)

Before TT, I couldnt' help but victimize Aisling's little buddies in Club Cool Actually, Aisling has never had Beverly either but she knew that there was something in there that tasted bad...she just didn't know which one!

Trying the good drinks (God that Watermelon one is refreshing)

And then the Beverly

Aisling trying to convince me it wasn't that bad

After everyone re-gained control of their taste buds, We headed over to Soarin. We had realized that we still had those 3 FPs for Soarin and 3 little girls who were DYING to be grown up and ride by themselves. So we sent them...while J and I nervously waited at the exit. But they did fine. After Soarin' we all realized that we were starving so we bought lunch at Seasons again. I got my sandwich and potato salad again because it was THAT good. Randy, being a nut and not believing me...decided that he would rather have a beer and pretzel from Germany and had no issue "jogging over there quick to get one." I kept pointing out that Germany was really far from the Land but someone wouldn't listen to me.

When Randy returned out of breath and sweaty , we all headed over to TT. Since our friends are a family of 5, Aisling asked to ride with them in a full car so Randy and I were alone after them. They loaded up their car and boom...the ride broke down. For a really long time. They were sitting in their car but our gate hadn't even opened.

It was during this wait that I decided to check my email and discovered that our flight was on a voluntary re-book. (This was Thursday...we were do to go home on Sat). It also said that flights Sat, Sun, and Monday were being rebooked. Um....we had a decision to make and we had to make it quick. Either add 2 days to our vacation or lose 2





















Ok it was really no choice. There was no way I was missing 2 days. Adding 2 days it is! (Plus we hadn't gone to any parks on Wed, we had one day of tix covered!) As we had been watching the news closely (and getting harrassing calls from Randy's stepdad) we knew that Irene was due to hit New England on Sunday so I had already made a call to my TA and had her check the availability for a Value. (2 more days rack rate at BCV would really blow the budget). Luckily she could get us All Star Movies for $89 a night. So I quickly shot her an email asking her to book it. TT started running again so we did a quick ride and while the rest of the crew played with the display cars, I ran outside to call Southwest.

When I got SW on the phone, they told me that I had called early enough that I had my choice of flights. I informed that this was exactly why I had called so fast. Once upon a time, Randy and I had a trip to Vegas planned and we never got there because we had decided to "wait and see" after a voluntary rebook and when our flight was cancelled and we tried to rebook...they couldn't get us out to Vegas for another 4 days (our trip was only supposed to be 5). Aisling was starting school on Wed. I was NOT getting stuck in Florida and missing the first day of school by waiting and seeing. So I re-booked us on the 9am flight on Tuesday morning.

And that is how our 10 day WDW trip turned into a 12 day WDW trip. I can't tell you how thrilling it was to go from 3 more sleeps to 5 more sleeps just like that!

Apparently the girls were not thrilled rided out so while I made a bunch of follow up calls (to my mom who was picking us up at the airport and to the boarders to ask them to keep Bailey a few more nights), they rode Mission Space TWICE. Many thanks for my friends for taking them on because even Randy couldn't handle the second trip around

At this point it was about 4-4:30 and we had a 7pm ADR to get to so we said our goodbyes to our friends. Aisling had an awesome day playing with them and it was really nice for her to have some kids around again.

On the way out, she drooled over some Duffy merchandise and we headed back to the hotel

Today's surprise was a bunny!

A quick snooze and a change and it was time to head back our for our Princess Evening!

 

[kirrrby]

I'm still here. Love the BIG update.

I'm sorry your grandma passed away. Prayers to you and your family.
And I hope your surgery goes well.




We head down to the world in 12 days. I'm so excited.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Aisling's dress should be a dead give away where we were heading

(and don't worry...Drizella isn't the only one on there, Aisling just decided to wear her in front)

We took a cab to GF because we had spent so much time at Epcot. We got there about 20 mins before our ADR but decided to try and check in early. Bad idea. They were having MAJOR computer issues. They couldn't find anyone's ADRs. Luckily they trusted us that we had one and gave us a buzzer.

Aisling unfortunately had developed a bit of headache and wanted to go relax in the lobby

She did perk up when the band started playing at they opened with The Muppet Show

After that, she fell asleep. You might think that was odd since we only had a 20 minute wait for our ADR. NOPE! We had an HOUR and 20 min wait. Because of all the computer mess, we didn't get seated until 8pm. It was a nightmare. People screaming, kids crying. I don't know what happended but I'm guessing that some people lied about having ADRs and that made up for the extra numbers because the CMs are really good about turning over the tables.

By the time we got seated, we were starving. Unfortunately for Aisling, she would stay staving because once the characters so that dress...she was getting NO rest

First up was Prince Charming. He was charming although not the handsomest prince we've ever gotten. But he did play the character well.

Next up was Cindy

She was HILARIOUS. She immediately said to Aisling "oh you are wearing a MAD dress" Aisling informed her that she normally wore a dress to this meal featuring HER but that the Tremaines always complained so she decided to wear them this year. She further informed Cindy that she knew that SHE would never complain because she was too nice Cindy agreed and said that Aisling looked beautiful but that she simply couldn't wait any longer for the Tremaines to see her.

And Cindy took off with her. It took me a minute to realize what was going on but I came to my senses and jumped up with the camera. In retrospect, I really wish I had taken video instead because what occurred after this can not be put into words

If you have been to this meal and you know how loud and obnoxious the Tremaines can be...this was 100 fold. Truly, I've never seen anything like this interaction. I can't believe I was able to get any pictures because tears were streaming down my face from laughing so hard. Needless to say, she was a hit.

But it hilarity was no over yet....

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Aisling attempted to grab a plate of food and sit down to eat it but before she could take 3 bites, Lady T was back...demanding to know who the GENIUS was that created a dress with both of her daughters on it (That would be Miss Stacy (SoHappy) for the record)

And the next thing we knew...she was taking her again so show off her dress to other people

She brought her back and CINDY comes back for her to do a little dancing

She came back and Anastasia and Drizella came over for one final pic. Anastasia only complained minimally that she was on the back. And she found a creative way to pose so she could be seen

Last up was Drizella....who gave Aisling a lesson on how to throw things on the floor so that Cinderella would have to clean it up. Aisling was HORRIFIED! She kept saying "just do it, I do it all the time at home" and started throwing silverware and napkins on the floor and screaming CINDER-ELLLLLLAAAAA. Proud parent moment, Aisling refused to throw things

After all that insanity, poor Aisling had barely gotten a meal, we were hours behind schedule and I got a text from another friend from home that the monorail was back up and running (we had no clue it was down again...thank goodness we had taken a cab to GF). We had originally planned to go to the Illuminations this night but after all the silliness, Aisling proclaimed her headache was back so we headed out to the monorail to catch a bus back to BCV. And guess who else was on the monorail...Aisling's little buddy from day care and his baby brother. They were staying at YC (and oddly this was the first time we had run into them) so they rode back with us and Aisling and her friend gabbed away.

All and all an excellent Princess Day. And we still had 5 more sleeps!!!!!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I'm still here. Love the BIG update.

I'm sorry your grandma passed away. Prayers to you and your family.
And I hope your surgery goes well.




We head down to the world in 12 days. I'm so excited.

Thanks for still reading!!! So excited for you! Some day I'll get there at the holidays. It's going to be an amazing trip...all the decorations, and the Santas, oh it's sooooo exciting!!!

 

[BridgetR3]

I'm still here as well!!

Two princess meals in one day is a little girls' dream!!

I'm very sorry to hear about your grandmother's passing and on Thanksgiving Day at that.