Magic, Memories and..... MCSPARKELSONS! A Christmas Grand Gathering! Update 5/1

[MEK]

Caught up again.

Great PP of mom and dad. They are really cute.

Your moms such a trooper for riding BTMMR after practically getting stuck in the log on Splash. After Ally's screaming I probably wouldn't want to ride BTMRR again either. I always get an Ally on ToT. Never fails.

The last update was too funny and now I have a montage of IASW, Jack and Diane, and Supertramp running around in my head. Only my Supertramp song morphed to ...."take a look at my girlfriend. SHe's the only one I got. Not much of a girlfriend. I never seem to get a lot".......

Thanks for that!

 

[kid-at-heart]

Hehehehehe, loving the updates. I am off tomorrow to visit my sister in - get this - SOUTH CAR-O-LIN-NA.

 

[WannaBeADisMom]

Ya know I'm a lurker, but this had me laughing so hard that my daughter actually left her iPad for a moment to see what was going on!!!! OMG....I am SOOOOO looking forward to some KaraJean in May! Supertramp, John Couger what'shisface, special IASW theme song, pizza crust sharing, not to mention 70 year old grandmas riding roller coasters.....this TR has it all!!!!

 

[dvc4life]

We haven't been to Worlds of Fun for a few years, but the roller coasters have so improved since we were kids. The Mamba is one of our favorites. Doesn't go upside down but has some massive drops. Love it!

And if you haven't hit up Oceans of Fun it is pretty fun too!

We live about 4 hours north of KC so we have taken our girls there a couple times for quick summer trips.

Enjoy if you are able to make it back here to the midwest this summer!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow! Some update! I love all the excitement Kara so catchy! In the video your dad looks like he's going along otherwise crazy KJ will go off on him!

Love the screams on BTMRR! That video looks like it could be a Disney commercial!

Love the "had to be there" moments. That's what makes it a family trip!

 

[karajeboo]

those screams in the video remind me of going on EE with evie and joan. I'm going to miss you all when you go in May.

But I don't think the AquaDuck will have us screaming like that!

Caught up again.

Great PP of mom and dad. They are really cute.

Your moms such a trooper for riding BTMMR after practically getting stuck in the log on Splash. After Ally's screaming I probably wouldn't want to ride BTMRR again either. I always get an Ally on ToT. Never fails.

The last update was too funny and now I have a montage of IASW, Jack and Diane, and Supertramp running around in my head. Only my Supertramp song morphed to ...."take a look at my girlfriend. SHe's the only one I got. Not much of a girlfriend. I never seem to get a lot".......

Thanks for that!

WEll thanks for the payback, guess what I am singing now?????

Hehehehehe, loving the updates. I am off tomorrow to visit my sister in - get this - SOUTH CAR-O-LIN-NA.

Oh, where in SC? Just be careful not to bump into any GOP Presidential candidates - they are all over the state for the next week and a half....

Ya know I'm a lurker, but this had me laughing so hard that my daughter actually left her iPad for a moment to see what was going on!!!! OMG....I am SOOOOO looking forward to some KaraJean in May! Supertramp, John Couger what'shisface, special IASW theme song, pizza crust sharing, not to mention 70 year old grandmas riding roller coasters.....this TR has it all!!!!

Honey, I'm glad I can bring families closer together. It's what I do. I'm a giver.

And don't worry, I'll be singing to you in 124 DAYS!!!!

We haven't been to Worlds of Fun for a few years, but the roller coasters have so improved since we were kids. The Mamba is one of our favorites. Doesn't go upside down but has some massive drops. Love it!

And if you haven't hit up Oceans of Fun it is pretty fun too!

We live about 4 hours north of KC so we have taken our girls there a couple times for quick summer trips.

Enjoy if you are able to make it back here to the midwest this summer!

I remember the Zambize Zinger? That and Scream Roller...... I'm really looking forward to taking Ally to KC, it's such a pretty city! HOping Jeff will join us (his boss actually lives in Lees Summit) - I want to show them The Plaza! Is it still as spectacular as it was?

Wow! Some update! I love all the excitement Kara so catchy! In the video your dad looks like he's going along otherwise crazy KJ will go off on him!

Love the screams on BTMRR! That video looks like it could be a Disney commercial!

Love the "had to be there" moments. That's what makes it a family trip!

Jeff was sitting right behind Gma nd Gpa and he heard Gma say, "I thought they said this was mild?"

 

[dvc4life]

Just watched the video of Ally on the carousel. How funny. Would that not be her favorite ride?

And yes, from what I hear the Plaza in KC is just as cool.

 

[Beth D]

Great updates!

Kami - sorry, anyone related to Kara, and able to live with her for 18+ years has to be crazy, even if just by osmosis!

Love the WOF shout out! CP is my home, but I will get to the other parks some day...

Well at least I now have a new version to sing the next time we hit MK and DH HAS to go into IASW!

I'm sorry but the Country Bears HAS to be the absolute worst show in the MK! It's awful! I'd need a whole lotta beer to get through that one anymore! Once was enough. The tiki lounge had improved, although I haven't been back since the fire?

 

[karajeboo]

Just watched the video of Ally on the carousel. How funny. Would that not be her favorite ride?

And yes, from what I hear the Plaza in KC is just as cool.

So excited to get back there this summer!

Great updates!

Kami - sorry, anyone related to Kara, and able to live with her for 18+ years has to be crazy, even if just by osmosis!

Love the WOF shout out! CP is my home, but I will get to the other parks some day...

Well at least I now have a new version to sing the next time we hit MK and DH HAS to go into IASW!

I'm sorry but the Country Bears HAS to be the absolute worst show in the MK! It's awful! I'd need a whole lotta beer to get through that one anymore! Once was enough. The tiki lounge had improved, although I haven't been back since the fire?

CP was my home park too but WOF would be my first....... Love Kings Island too, it always seemed themed better than CP although the Point had the best rides, no doubt!!!! I have not been to CP since the Magnum and all the new ones, and Ally is DYING to go - I do not think I would be able to do those super coasters though...... We have Carowinds here, just a little over an hour away in Charlotte. It's nice and clean, but I haven't even been there in years..... darn Disney has kept me from all the other parks!

OK, I need to write you a new ditty for the CBJ.....

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's world of hoping someone will kill those bears.
But without any beer
We can all only jeer
It's a sad show after alllllllllll......

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Now I can't get Jack & Diane out of my head! IASW is not one of my favorite rides unless it's baking outside & I need to cool off! Your version of that tune is marvelous!

I hadn't ridden Dumbo either until this last trip, same with Snow White. It's taken over 30 years for me to accomplish that feat!

We used to go to King's Island a lot, but haven't been in quite some time. After Disney, KI can't even compare.

I love the t-shirts that you made. Was that an iron on?

 

[sl_underwood]

Lovin your tr! Taking extended family in Dec this year. Hoping to learn some tricks to surviving with the sibs! LOL! So far I have been to much to do much else!

 

[karajeboo]

Now I can't get Jack & Diane out of my head! IASW is not one of my favorite rides unless it's baking outside & I need to cool off! Your version of that tune is marvelous!

I hadn't ridden Dumbo either until this last trip, same with Snow White. It's taken over 30 years for me to accomplish that feat!

We used to go to King's Island a lot, but haven't been in quite some time. After Disney, KI can't even compare.

I love the t-shirts that you made. Was that an iron on?

Here's a ditty, bout mother of Wicket
She's a mom, living out in the thicket.....

Lovin your tr! Taking extended family in Dec this year. Hoping to learn some tricks to surviving with the sibs! LOL! So far I have been to much to do much else!

Sometimes all you can do is laugh.... and pray that paternity test comes back showing these people are NOT related!!!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi there! I followed the link over from Mary Ellen's TR who has said this is a TR I have to read!

From the first page it looks like it has been and is going to be fun! I don't have a lot of time at the minute but am just letting you know that I'm subbing and going to catch up over the weekend.

Tanz

 

[karajeboo]

Hi there! I followed the link over from Mary Ellen's TR who has said this is a TR I have to read!

From the first page it looks like it has been and is going to be fun! I don't have a lot of time at the minute but am just letting you know that I'm subbing and going to catch up over the weekend.

Tanz

I tried to meet up with her when we were there and we just couldn't connect. The good thing is that I've met her before, on one of our DISmoms trips, but it would have been nice to hook up for a drink.... Darn family messing up my plans!

 

[TanzUnited99]

I managed to catch up and have to say I can relate to being an obsessive planner! However thumbs up to you for creating a notebook and coordinating everything - don't think I would have the time/patience to do that!

That's cool that you got to see Illuminations from your room every night - what a great way to end the day!

I love the tour of Boardwalk - having been on my 1st ever trip in September last year I regret not exploring the area in detail.

I laughed so hard at making it to the bus stop before your sister! I know how important that would've been to you and am enjoying the banter between the two of you.

Love the matching shirts as well.

 

[karajeboo]

Well I must say, I am terribly ashamed of myself......

All those dittys (or is it ditties?) got me thinking.....

I forgot Grandpa's morning poem!!!!

And you thought the only poem of the trip was Kami and I reading aloud the first night? Well, you would be wrong.

Every and I mean EVERY morning, there was a poem slid under our door. Luckily, we could read at our leisure and not have to stand in front of a crowd getting stage fright. Cause ya know that whole "imagine the audience naked" thing? Did you see my audience? Ewww......

Day 1
Day one has no officially begun
Let's go out and have some fun

So on to the land of the mice
Where we know treatment will be nice

We'll say hello to Goofy, Pluto and Snow White
I'm sure our first day will be ever so bright

So now let's be on our way
For a really really fun filled day

Knowing that the first day will be a winner
Grandma and Grandpa will see you at dinner.


And all the many looooooong hours between now and dinner......

Back soon to finish out Magic Kingdom!

 

[karajeboo]

I managed to catch up and have to say I can relate to being an obsessive planner! However thumbs up to you for creating a notebook and coordinating everything - don't think I would have the time/patience to do that!

That's cool that you got to see Illuminations from your room every night - what a great way to end the day!

I love the tour of Boardwalk - having been on my 1st ever trip in September last year I regret not exploring the area in detail.

I laughed so hard at making it to the bus stop before your sister! I know how important that would've been to you and am enjoying the banter between the two of you.

Love the matching shirts as well.

It's a good think Kami and I are so different, or we may have killed each other when we were younger. We, (read "I") are very competitive, but we were involved in totally different activities from the very beginning.....

Boardwalk is definitely my favorite location in WDW, whether it be Boardwalk resort, or Yacht or Beach club, just having access to BW at night when coming "home" via boat or walking from Epcot or DHS, is so nice. The only bad part is that if there is activity on the BW you don't want to go up to your room! We caught Dad several times just stopping to watch the performers, or just people watching out on the BW late at night (well, late in MY book!). The atmosphere is unique in WDW, as no place else offers this.

But the convenience of walking to Epcot AND Hollywood Studios can't be beat. Love Love LOVE this!!!! There is no waiting for a bus, boat, or monorail, so you can get there on YOUR time!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Your dad's poems are priceless! He's a witty one!

We, too, are doing a December trip with my parents and siblings and staying at AKL Villas. Reading your trip just makes the excitement build up even more!

 

[jmskinner]

Loving your TR. And can't believe no one else clapped during CBJ.

Love Grandpa's poems, would make a great addition for a scrapbook.

 

[karajeboo]

Once we finished our standing ovation for Bill and Ned and Ted and Fred, and that oh so sexy Trixie, not to mention those knee slapping buffalo and elk and moose that were just hanging around in the theater - get it? "Hanging" around????? OH, I crack myself up....

Anywho, once we dried our eyes, it was just so moooooooving - get it? "Moo"ving? Oh, there I go again!!!!!

We finally made it out of the theater - Jeff probably pushing Grandma as I'm sure both of them wanted to get as far from Grandpa and I as they could.....

No comment.

We met up with Kami, Todd and the kids, and started to head over toward Adventureland..... with a pit stop of course.

The line for Pirates was 15 minutes!!!! That is crazy! This is usually a walk on, and there was no break for the gimp mobile, so we got in line.

About 15 minutes later, my mother sees the "boats" - and she is not happy. Like I said before, if it floats, it's not very popular with Grandma......

Of course, we all assure her that there will be no problem, yada yada yada.....

Well, let's just say she got in. She got out. And she swore there would be no more boats this trip! It's just too hard to step onto the seat and put all her weight on the one bad ankle, and then it's a fairly big step down to the floor..... So I can see where it was tough.

So after POTC, we decided to hit the road... Jack.

You're singing again, aren't you?

Well, if it makes you feel any better, we didn't really hit the road. We hit the monorail!!!!

Jeff's always scared of this photo that I take on every trip. He envisions pole dancing in her future.....

When we got to the TTC to change monorails, all of a sudden, the bottom fell out and it just POURED!!!! I mean monsoon!!!

And it lasted all of 30 seconds. Just enough to make it nice and.... sticky.

As we got out of the monorail at the Epcot station, I was so glad that Jeff had control of Grandma. Not that she gets out of control, although I guess she does..... but that ramp is long and steep when you are pushing a wheelchair.

So when Ally and Spencer ended up behind Jeff as he was turning Grandma around, and he was "this" close (I'm holding up my fingers in a 1" motion - see?) to tumbling down the ramp, with Grandma on a collision course for the Von Trapps from St Maarten (remember them????), well, he lost it a little bit with Ally and Spencer.

I think Spencer was a little shocked that Uncle Jeff yelled at him. Ally? Eh, she's used to it..... But Spencer steered clear of Uncle Jeff for awhile.....

Our first stop once we hit Epcot, was to find Kami's pics......

There they are!!!!

And then it was time for all the obligatory photos..... In this. My FAVORITE park of all!!!!

I love me some Epcot.....

We noticed that the wait was non-existent for Spaceship Earth so we hit that. I love this every time I ride it...... And we all make the funniest faces to be displayed for all to see when we get off in the dump station! Yes, I'm so proud......

The wait for Mission Space was also minimal, so we all headed that way, knowing that we could all ride, albeit different intensities.....

I said, no way, no how, am I going on Orange again. Been there, done that, still get the shakes thinking about it. I mean, what if I hadn't pushed that button on time?????

So Grandma, Grandpa, Todd and I all opted for Green, and Jeff, Kami and the kids all went on Orange. Not sure how they split up, I'm thinking girls and boys......

As we stood in line getting ready to board our spaceship to Mars, Todd looked at Grandpa and Grandma, who kept saying, "What did he say" as Gary Sinise was giving us instructions and then turned to me and said, "Well aren't we the right stuff."

I'm thinking he was referring to NKOTB. Because other than that, this team was the WRONG stuff!!!!!

I can report back, however, that we all landed safely on Mars and lived to tell the tale........ and we all pushed our buttons on time.

When we came out into the dump shop, we looked outside and the monsoon was back.

But this is Disney. A little rain can't stop Disney.

So I rallied the troops, hollered, "Ponchos ON!"

And away we went for our ADR at San Angel Inn.....

I'll save that for next post because you KNOW I've got some food porn to share!!!!