Like a Bad Meal (V Keeps Coming Back) - THE END! 1/12/09

[Hedy]

Great update! Driving was probably a smart move.

 

[PrincessV]

Hey, I recognize those clouds!

Did they look the same coming form teh east?!

Oh, you mean the AWESOME shirt with the tree that goes right into Mickey's head??? THAT really fantastically cool shirt???? The very one that is THIRTY TWO DOLLARS????

You got the really fantastic tee, didn't you?

Can't wait to see how y'all do in the rain!!

It's gonna be good stuff!

THIS is still alive?

Yes ma'am... where've you been?!?!

I think I'm all caught up based on the handy Table of Contents
(so user friendly and accommodating you are!)

Yay, it worked!

The turkey does look delicious but I want the ham! SMOOCH!

We have really got to schedule a meeting one of these days. Any Big Fat trips coming up?

Someday I hope to be a certified Focker too...I have never even had a Lapu Lapu! (For shame!!)

I thought you were there with us in the beginning, no? And sssshhh... I don't really like Lapu Lapus all that much.

The pics of Leo at the food court are so adorable. I've got a DD4 that would be so cute with him! When can we set them up?

We've been working on future Focker weddings at WDW!

O.K... That brought back a bad memory... Joshua's melt down in June... I was afraid cops and social workers would be at my door.

I'm sorry!

I remember your harrowing story, but did you park in back of the Mansion? We stayed at the same Mansion and the food court was across the bridge.

Yeah, our room was 15ish feet from the car. Remember me? Parking lot views all the way baybee!

Great update! Driving was probably a smart move.

It served as insurance - since I had the car, ponchos, rain jackets and umbrellas, it merely sprinkled!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

We've been working on future Focker weddings at WDW!

And I quote Mr. Michael "My mom says I have to fall in love with you."

 

[DisneyJo]

It was probably Jo's lonely man friend. JK, Jo.

Hey, I only caught that in V's reply

And I quote Mr. Michael "My mom says I have to fall in love with you."

Awwww, don't forget we're all invited

 

[PrincessV]

And I quote Mr. Michael "My mom says I have to fall in love with you."

Awwww, don't forget we're all invited

Invited? According to Leo, you may be the mother of the bride - we were looking at pics the other night and I was asking him who people were to see if he remembered...

"That's your friend, Mommy." (meaning Jo)
"That's Ellie."
"That's their dad." (meaning David)
"That's Jessica. She loves me."

Me: "She does?"
Leo: "Yeah, she told me. And I love her too."

 

[cmp1111]

And I quote Mr. Michael "My mom says I have to fall in love with you."

Invited? According to Leo, you may be the mother of the bride - we were looking at pics the other night and I was asking him who people were to see if he remembered...

"That's your friend, Mommy." (meaning Jo)
"That's Ellie."
"That's their dad." (meaning David)
"That's Jessica. She loves me."

Me: "She does?"
Leo: "Yeah, she told me. And I love her too."

Awww... My heart's all melty. They are so sweet.

 

[PrincessV]

Part 2 – Cometh, It Did!

Well, sort of.

Let’s back up a bit in this story…

The week prior to our departure was incredibly stressful. Sure, there was the usual and expected pre-trip stress of planning, packing and preparing. And, absolutely, it was increased by the added tension involved with finishing up the summer session of school for me. But on top of all that, I was dealing with Fuzzy Hurricane Stress.

Fuzzy Hurricane Stress involves the semi-rational wringing of one’s brain cells as he or she attempts to guess (A) where said hurricane might come ashore, (2) at what strength said hurricane might hit and () how much damage one’s dwelling might withstand form said hurricane without collapsing.

As Fay came barreling across (okay, maybe limping a bit) the Atlantic, it turned into the Gulf of Mexico. Here, in my Gulf-coast Florida home, we watched… and waited… as Fay seemed to be making a beeline for us…

…and then she turned!


Not that I wish a storm on anyone, but let’s be honest – if you live in Florida, you’re ALWAYS happy to see a storm go somewhere other than your city. Right?

(As I write this, Ike is nailing TX - my heart goes out to everyone there. I lived through Hugo - I know. )


Problem was, Fay crossed over FL right where I needed to go. And then she sat there on the east coast, waiting, biding her time… getting ready to COME BACK!!!


So, in addition to trying to figure out what top looked best with which shorts, and how many swimsuits we might want for multiple days spent poolside (HA!), I was dealing with Fuzzy Hurricane Stress as our vacation began and for several days into it. I went from fearing for my home, to fearing for the drive to WDW, to fearing for Lauralee and Kate, who were also driving through it, to fearing for the sanctity of The Plan.



The Plan.

Which had us sweating it out in cool, summer-weight clothes in the blistering sun.



The Plan.

Which asked that we wrap up any park-touring by 11am so as to enjoy WDW’s water facilities to their fullest.




The Plan.

Which was staring me in the face. And laughing its little semi-colons off. As I watched the weather report upon waking on Day 1, Aug. 21.


Curse Fay and her womanly ways!



Ahem.

I had no idea what the day might hold for Leo and I, beyond a lot of rain, but we talked about it and decided we’d try the morning EMH at MK and if it was miserable, we’d just stop. But first, I had to get us and our stuff to SSR.

It was sprinkling when we left POR, and raining when we pulled into the porte corchere at SSR. I handed over a few bags and the cooler to Bell Services and we scampered through the rain drops – wearing our rain jackets – to check in. I’d requested a room in the Springs section of SSR… and my wish was granted! I’d requested a top floor… and my wish was granted! Things were looking up. Room wasn’t ready for us yet, but I wasn’t ready to move in either, so it was all good.



Leo and I had a talk about transportation.

I planned on avoiding the buses this trip. I’ve been experimenting all year, and taking my car is almost always faster. But Leo, for some reason, was insistent on bussing it over to the MK. I figured what the heck – we’d get just as rained-upon riding the parking lot ram as walking from the bus stop, right? Fair enough. I parked the car right next to the Springs stop and we waited a few minutes for the MK bus to arrive.


Here’s something kind of interesting: we walked right into the MK. With our annual passes. No one, NO ONE ever asked to see that we were resort guests and thereby entitled to participate in EMHs. Interesting.


Okay. I still had The Plan, and The Plan called for a first ride on the Speedway.

Nope. Not in the rain.

Rain 1, Plan 0.

Instead, we rode BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! as our first ride of the trip, where I picked up this nice little score:

It’s all about the volcanoes baby. Trust V.

Next on the list: Pooh.

Only we spotted the teacups and thought we should ride before it got any rainier.

Rain 2, Plan 0.

The teacups are fairly new to us. I suffered a couple concussions playing soccer in high school and spinning leaves me really, really dizzy. But I love the spinney rides anyway, and I’ve been waiting for Leo to get interested. Clearly he was! For that moment anyway.



After that, we got back on track with Pooh and Peter Pan.

Rain 2, Plan 2.

There was no rushing at that point – no one was there! A few brave souls were out for the extra hour, but not many.

Funny thing was, it wasn’t bad out at all. The rain was pretty thin, not that horrid torrential stuff, and was descending vertically. A combination of jackets and umbrellas was keeping us plenty dry. The ponchos remained in their folded state inside my bag.



Which was something of a mistake.


Because next up was one of Leo’s favorites, Jungle Cruise. It wasn’t really raining at that point, but guess where we were seated? On the little section with no awning overhead. The seat wasn’t just wet, it contained an actual puddle.

Allow me to point out that we were not the last party to board. And we were the only people not wearing ponchos. So I believe there was a conscious decision made by the lodaing CM to place our dry fannies into the wettest part of the boat. Not. Nice.

With nowhere else to go, I sat as little of me as possible onto the very edge of the seat, hovering as if the Jungle Cruise were actually a toilet in the City Hall ladies’ room. shudder I managed to perch there for a while, but my thighs began to cramp and the man sitting next to me (in his poncho – curses!) was giving me the stink-eye.

So I sat.

Aaaaallll the way back.

Eeeeewwww. It wasn’t just wet. It was warm and wet. Like… well you know.

Great, not only would it look like I’d wet my pants, it would also feel like I’d wet my pants.

Thanks Jungle Cruise! Not.


At any rate, Leo enjoyed his cruise, as usual, and I suppose his joy is worth wearing a wet pair of shorts for a while. We headed over to the Pirates next, which was its usual level of goodness, and we once again avoided the Pirate Tutorial. sigh


The Plan next assigned us to the Barnstormer.

Only neither of us wanted to storm the barn in the rain. Yes, it was coming down again.

Rain 3, Plan 4.

The Plan also dictated a ride on the train… uh-uh… and a visit to Tom Sawyer’s Island… nope.

Rain 5, Plan 4.


It was 10am and we were DONE! Not that we weren’t having a good time… we were having a great time! Really. One of my most enjoyable days was that rainy, icky, un-crowded 2ish hours at the MK. With my favorite boy. And his foaming sandals.






Say what?!

Yes, Leo had him some foaming sandals. About a week before the trip, I realized my plan of having him mostly wear sneakers wasn’t going to work with all the expected precipitation. (I’m tired of typing “rain”) And he doesn’t walk well in his Croc clogs. I bought him some new Lands’ End Sandals, but they gave him blisters the first time he wore them. I quickly placed an online order for Tevas and they arrived the day before we went to WDW.



It was the Tevas Leo wore that first touring morning, and as we left Adventureland, he giggled, grabbed my arm and pointed at his toes, saying “Look Mommy – bubbles!”

Sure, and strangely, enough, his sandals were foaming up! Why? I still have no idea. I had him splash around in some puddles to rinse them off… they just got sudsier. It was actually pretty amusing. I mean, how many people get to squish around with foamy toes whilst at the MK?!

Sadly, the Tevas were also giving him a blister, despite their foamy novelty. Good thing we were almost ready to leave.



We had one last stop. Leo was hungry for a snack and I’d forgotten to pack one. We’d had breakfast in the room, but it was wearing off and all Leo wanted was a bagel. So we waited in the longest line of the entire trip – at the Main St. Bakery – for a bagel. And a therapeutic, warm cinnamon roll to treat my Fuzzy Hurricane Stress.

Of course, given the line and raininess, there was nary a seat to be found in the bakery by the time we’d paid for our carb-fix. I steered us out and down the sidewalk, around the corner, thinking we’d find a seat up at Noodleland. Oodles of Noodles. Noodle World. Whatever it is.

BUT…




Before we even got past the first patio table outside the Plaza restaurant, the heavens shone down upon us. Literally! The clouds parted, the rain ceased and the sun shone. I grabbed my wad of napkins and wiped off a chair for us each and we enjoyed our treats without aid of umbrella, poncho or roof. It was perfect!



Until Leo dropped half his bagel on the ground. Cream cheese side down.



Oh well. We shared the rest of my cinnamon roll and got a very nice CM to snap a pic of us:

And, with that, we made our way back to the busses and whatever might await us at SSR.




Next up: Reunions!

 

[Hedy]

I love the foamy sandals.

 

[cmp1111]

The Plan.

Which was staring me in the face. And laughing its little semi-colons off. As I watched the weather report upon waking on Day 1, Aug. 21.

Because we rarely deviate from the plan.

I’d requested a room in the Springs section of SSR… and my wish was granted! I’d requested a top floor… and my wish was granted! Things were looking up.

V, is your luck turning? Well, with the scary folks the other day, maybe not.

Allow me to point out that we were not the last party to board. And we were the only people not wearing ponchos. So I believe there was a conscious decision made by the lodaing CM to place our dry fannies into the wettest part of the boat. Not. Nice.

Well, now, that stinks.

It was the Tevas Leo wore that first touring morning, and as we left Adventureland, he giggled, grabbed my arm and pointed at his toes, saying “Look Mommy – bubbles!”

Sure, and strangely, enough, his sandals were foaming up! Why? I still have no idea. I had him splash around in some puddles to rinse them off… they just got sudsier. It was actually pretty amusing. I mean, how many people get to squish around with foamy toes whilst at the MK?!

Yeah! How come MY Tevas didn't do this???

Next up: Reunions!

Woohoo!

 

[KatGarcia]

This is the morning I gave up I think, and slept in! Sounds like a decent morning tho! Those sudsy shoes are WEIRD!

 

[Goofyluver]

(As I write this, Ike is nailing TX - my heart goes out to everyone there. I lived through Hugo - I know. )

Curse Fay and her womanly ways!



Ahem.

Here’s something kind of interesting: we walked right into the MK. With our annual passes. No one, NO ONE ever asked to see that we were resort guests and thereby entitled to participate in EMHs. Interesting.

Hmmmmm.

Rain 1, Plan 0.

Uh-oh.

Instead, we rode BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! as our first ride of the trip, where I picked up this nice little score:

What in tarnation girl???

Eeeeewwww. It wasn’t just wet. It was warm and wet. Like… well you know.

Great, not only would it look like I’d wet my pants, it would also feel like I’d wet my pants.

Thanks Jungle Cruise! Not.

*gulp*

I would have been discrete when I pointed at you and said:

"Look Jon. That lady peed in her pants."

I would have said it real quiet like.

It was the Tevas Leo wore that first touring morning, and as we left Adventureland, he giggled, grabbed my arm and pointed at his toes, saying “Look Mommy – bubbles!”

It's the little things in life. Like foamy footwear.

Next up: Reunions!

 

[Philadisney]

A deserted rainy morning at MK sounds so fun....especially when foamy sandals are involved! Hilarious! I am so curious about what could have caused that.

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Those are some mighty cutie foamy toes!

You know, the morning we did EMH at AK, all had with me were the APs...I had left the keys to the world in the room with DH and #3 (who desperately needed some sleep) and they let me in with the older two boys no questions asked. What's up with that?

I'm so glad you and Leo had a good morning. All I could think on our way westbound on 4 was that everyone there must have been miserable.

And thanks for worrying about me

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Curse Fay and her womanly ways!

Dude? Fay rocked! I loved Fay and her cooler temps. I loved Fay and the fact that she kept the wimps in their hotel rooms. (NOwimps ) I

Okay. I still had The Plan, and The Plan called for a first ride on the Speedway.

Nope. Not in the rain.

Really? Mo did it in the rain.

Instead, we rode BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! as our first ride of the trip, where I picked up this nice little score:

Ok, we need to talk about this. I NEVER, I mean NEVER get over 150K at DLR or WDW. We need to ride together next time.

Hey! I have that picture. Only its of Maddie. But I do have 1 with Leo, too. Those are fun pics, aren't they?

Eeeeewwww. It wasn’t just wet. It was warm and wet. Like… well you know.

Ewwwww, is right!

It was the Tevas Leo wore that first touring morning, and as we left Adventureland, he giggled, grabbed my arm and pointed at his toes, saying “Look Mommy – bubbles!”

Until Leo dropped half his bagel on the ground. Cream cheese side down.

Does the 5 second rule not apply in WDW?

Next up: Reunions!

 

[micandminforever]

It sounds like you had a morning full of fun. I like Disney in the rain as long as it is not the sideways come up the poncho kind. The low crowds in the rain are great.

 

[jcc0621]

What a great MK day. Of course the cream cheese side fell down. Isn't that always the way

This is the day we were at AK

 

[HappyDisneyMemories]

An update from Princess V is just what I needed today. We got very bad news today and lost a dear friend in an automobile accident. We're all so sad so thanks for taking me away from that for a few minutes so I could enjoy a rainy MK day with V & Leo!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

great score on Buzz.

ok the suds are strange. I have never seen that before.

 

[askelton]

"That's your friend, Mommy." (meaning Jo)
"That's Ellie."
"That's their dad." (meaning David)
"That's Jessica. She loves me."

Me: "She does?"
Leo: "Yeah, she told me. And I love her too."

OMG!

It was sprinkling when we left POR, and raining when we pulled into the porte corchere at SSR.

Only you would use porte corchere.

Here’s something kind of interesting: we walked right into the MK. With our annual passes. No one, NO ONE ever asked to see that we were resort guests and thereby entitled to participate in EMHs. Interesting.

Good to note.

It’s all about the volcanoes baby. Trust V.

I wish I would have known that yesterday!

The teacups are fairly new to us. I suffered a couple concussions playing soccer in high school and spinning leaves me really, really dizzy. But I love the spinney rides anyway, and I’ve been waiting for Leo to get interested. Clearly he was! For that moment anyway.

Teacups, oh no!

That's great!

Sure, and strangely, enough, his sandals were foaming up! Why? I still have no idea. I had him splash around in some puddles to rinse them off… they just got sudsier.

You know I'm going to have to try with mine now.

Next up: Reunions!

Reunited and it feels so good...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Sudsy shoes?!? I want some!

I love your updates V!!