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

[emser]

So we begin - our first full day in WDW!!!

We start our adventures in MK, which actually turned out to be my parents least favorite park.
I think maybe they were rushed. It was the first day, we were all excited and wanted to fit as much in as we could. I say this because I was showing my parents some pics we took and my mom commented, "I don't remember seeing that." Granted, she's old. I'll say it! I am now probably the bad daughter, but I can guarantee you, KJ was thinking it!!! But she remembers nothing in Adventureland. Neither did my dad really. So my guess is we got Grandma's wheelchair locked and loaded and took off!!!!! Probably trying to keep up with the grandkids pushing her!!!
I have to be honest, I kinda felt bad this first day with the wheelchair getting us to the front of the lines, but I understand now. It really does take longer to get through the parks. And people do not move!!! I finally told my daughter that if she hit someone, I would not hold her responsible!!!

Waiting in line for Pooh.

Bad Grandma!!!

My favorite ride at WDW!!!

You can just see the girls. I missed the boys.

After a busy morning, we headed over to Epcot for dinner in Mexico! But we had to make THE stop!!!
Our first trip to WDW, we bought the Prince and Princess Package. It is no longer available, probably because it was SUCH A GREAT DEAL!!!! We paid $150 and got preferred seating to all the shows, meaning as the show was letting out and after it cleared, we went in the exit and got our pick of seats. We were always the first people in!!!! My husband was not a fan of this, since he ended up being a Warthog in The Lion King. But it was great for the kids who were chosen to do everything!!!
The kids each received $50 in Disney dollars (that's $100 right there!) Plus, each got a lanyard with 3 pins. It was WELL worth the money, but it didn't last long. We must have actually been one of the first to purchase it, because cast members kept wanting to look at our tickets because they hadn't actually seen one yet!
But the best thing we received with the package, was a picture of the kids to be put on the Leave a Legacy walls in Epcot. We stop to see them every time we are there and take these two pictures...every time!!!!!!! (Drives my DD crazy!!)

Check them out next time you are there!! East 3-D-10-1-9

Rain-rain-rain. We get to Mexico early to stay out of the rain, and look who we meet!!!

Shaking our tail feathers with Donald!!!!!

Now the kids and I are picky eaters, so I was a little worried about this authentic Mexican food. Here's where followers of KJ's posts will get upset with me...I don't know what I ordered! It was wonderful!!! But no idea what it was. KJ and Jeff ordered two meals and split them, and one of them got the same as me, so I am sure she will have the details...and pictures!!!!!

Since it was raining, we headed back to BW, thinking Illuminations would be cancelled. Once we got settled in our rooms, to our delight, we were able to enjoy the show from our balconies!!!!!

By the way...KJ mentioned that her room was close to the elevators. Very true. But guess who ended up with Grandma and Grandpa right next door??? Not KJ!!! But at least we didn't have joining rooms!!!! (Wait...maybe Grandpa requested this. WHO is the favorite daughter now?!?)

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Kara - I love your "OJ-style sprint" to the bus stop! (I know some youngin's here won't know what I'm talking about ) I hope no grandmas were hurt in the filming of this episode!

I love how Grandpa Larry was so ready to get his Disney on!

So I have given up trying to "mini quote" my sister. I just can't seem to insert my comments into her text, so I will summarize.

While you, the "favorite daughter," were out getting muffins with dad, I was still sleeping. But yet, I had muffins delivered to my door! Who's the "favorite daughter?"

And yes, you may have beat us to the bus stop, but it only happened once. Once I say!!!

She does not kid...there were laminated note cards. LAMINATED NOTE CARDS!!!!!

Hey! What's wrong with laminated note cards That is the sign of a true DISer - that along with the color coded binder!

We tried it at DLR with an 11 mo old and a 3 yr old - after the first day, DDIL was about to scream, and I tossed those notecards right out!

Good job training your kids on the proper use of a wheelchair for crowd control!

That Prince and Princess package sounds like a great deal. Too bad we can't get that one anymore.

Those Epcot LAL pics are so cool! DS and DDIL took on on their honeymoon - I was looking for it through your kids' hands, but it's not in that section.

 

[MEK]

So I have given up trying to "mini quote" my sister. I just can't seem to insert my comments into her text, so I will summarize.

While you, the "favorite daughter," were out getting muffins with dad, I was still sleeping. But yet, I had muffins delivered to my door! Who's the "favorite daughter?"

And yes, you may have beat us to the bus stop, but it only happened once. Once I say!!!

She does not kid...there were laminated note cards. LAMINATED NOTE CARDS!!!!!

Your good natured sibling rivalry is so entertaining! Love it!

I, for one, am a faithful DISer but I doubt I will ever laminate note cards. Of course, I did have a major foopah on my last trip, so maybe I should.

That Prince and Princess package DOES sound amazing. No wonder they got rid of it.

 

[karajeboo]

so how was the egin of your trip? Poor Todd

I cannot believe how grown up Miss Ally is getting

Loving the trip report and laughing out loud which has the badookie asking "WHAT IS SO FUNNY?"

LOVE the Badookie!!! Yes, Ally is growing up so well!!!

Another great update! What happened? Did the add extra hours all week? Who knew?

Can't wait to see what trouble you get into once you actually get in the park. Nice, color coded T-shirts. Is that in case you forget who you live with?

There were several times that the Times Guide differed from the actual times, and different from TGM and different from McSparkleson Time!!!!

So I have given up trying to "mini quote" my sister. I just can't seem to insert my comments into her text, so I will summarize.

Yeah, cause this really IS rocket science!!!

While you, the "favorite daughter," were out getting muffins with dad, I was still sleeping. But yet, I had muffins delivered to my door! Who's the "favorite daughter?"

Not on the first day you didnt.... I was with Grandpa and he bought 3 for our room and 1 for Grandma.... now the next days we got the same treatment, basically he stopped by, picked up our coffee mugs and headed out to get our coffee and came back with muffins - Breakfast in Bed!!!

And yes, you may have beat us to the bus stop, but it only happened once. Once I say!!!

ONCE???? Were you even on the same trip I was? We waited for you EVERY morning in the lobby!!!!

She does not kid...there were laminated note cards. LAMINATED NOTE CARDS!!!!!

Yes, because UNlaminated notecards would get messed up if they got wet....

 

[karajeboo]

So we begin - our first full day in WDW!!!

We start our adventures in MK, which actually turned out to be my parents least favorite park.
I think maybe they were rushed. It was the first day, we were all excited and wanted to fit as much in as we could. I say this because I was showing my parents some pics we took and my mom commented, "I don't remember seeing that." Granted, she's old. I'll say it! I am now probably the bad daughter, but I can guarantee you, KJ was thinking it!!! No wonder I'm the favorite daughter!!! I would NEVER think such things of my mother!!!! She's beautiful inside and out, and such a spring chicken, too! But she remembers nothing in Adventureland. Neither did my dad really. Well, THAT doesn't surprise me.... he was too busy catching flies as he walked. (THIS will also be explained later!) So my guess is we got Grandma's wheelchair locked and loaded and took off!!!!! Probably trying to keep up with the grandkids pushing her!!!
I have to be honest, I kinda felt bad this first day with the wheelchair getting us to the front of the lines, but I understand now. It really does take longer to get through the parks. And people do not move!!! I finally told my daughter that if she hit someone, I would not hold her responsible!!!

I don't remember it getting us THAT much special treatment. Splash Mtn it did, Big Thunder maybe? Jungle Cruise..... but everywhere else I think we still went through the normal queuing, which I'm okay with. I think too many people rent chairs just to get to the front of the lines.... In our case, we'd just now be passing the Emporium on our way INTO MK if we let Grandma walk on her own.... jus sayin.....

Bad Grandma!!!

Did Mom drop you a lot when you were little? You seem to have some issues......

You can just see the girls. I missed the boys.

My little daredevile with her hands in the air!!!!

After a busy morning, we headed over to Epcot for dinner in Mexico! But we had to make THE stop!!!
Our first trip to WDW, we bought the Prince and Princess Package. It is no longer available, probably because it was SUCH A GREAT DEAL!!!! We paid $150 and got preferred seating to all the shows, meaning as the show was letting out and after it cleared, we went in the exit and got our pick of seats. We were always the first people in!!!! My husband was not a fan of this, since he ended up being a Warthog in The Lion King. But it was great for the kids who were chosen to do everything!!!
The kids each received $50 in Disney dollars (that's $100 right there!) Plus, each got a lanyard with 3 pins. It was WELL worth the money, but it didn't last long. We must have actually been one of the first to purchase it, because cast members kept wanting to look at our tickets because they hadn't actually seen one yet!
But the best thing we received with the package, was a picture of the kids to be put on the Leave a Legacy walls in Epcot. We stop to see them every time we are there and take these two pictures...every time!!!!!!! (Drives my DD crazy!!)

Check them out next time you are there!! East 3-D-10-1-9

I check them out EVERY time! Well, almost.....

Rain-rain-rain. We get to Mexico early to stay out of the rain, and look who we meet!!!

Shaking our tail feathers with Donald!!!!!

Now the kids and I are picky eaters, so I was a little worried about this authentic Mexican food. Here's where followers of KJ's posts will get upset with me...I don't know what I ordered! It was wonderful!!! But no idea what it was. KJ and Jeff ordered two meals and split them, and one of them got the same as me, so I am sure she will have the details...and pictures!!!!!

Since it was raining, we headed back to BW, thinking Illuminations would be cancelled. Once we got settled in our rooms, to our delight, we were able to enjoy the show from our balconies!!!!!

By the way...KJ mentioned that her room was close to the elevators. Very true. But guess who ended up with Grandma and Grandpa right next door??? Not KJ!!! But at least we didn't have joining rooms!!!! (Wait...maybe Grandpa requested this. WHO is the favorite daughter now?!?)

Simmer down now sista.... we don't need to jump the gun here, I've got LOTS of pictures, and video too, that will be coming!!!! But I'm at least three posts away from dinner our first night!

Kara - I love your "OJ-style sprint" to the bus stop! (I know some youngin's here won't know what I'm talking about ) I hope no grandmas were hurt in the filming of this episode!

I love how Grandpa Larry was so ready to get his Disney on!



Hey! What's wrong with laminated note cards That is the sign of a true DISer - that along with the color coded binder!

We tried it at DLR with an 11 mo old and a 3 yr old - after the first day, DDIL was about to scream, and I tossed those notecards right out!

Good job training your kids on the proper use of a wheelchair for crowd control!

That Prince and Princess package sounds like a great deal. Too bad we can't get that one anymore.

Those Epcot LAL pics are so cool! DS and DDIL took on on their honeymoon - I was looking for it through your kids' hands, but it's not in that section.

Well, when I was in 6th grade I moved to a new school and instead of me being called Kara Jean (because let me just say, you did NOT want the wrath of my mother if you only called me Kara back then.....) my teacher shortened it to KJ, as in Karat Juice, so the sprinting and hurdling kind of comes naturally to me!

No grandmas were injured, but that poor teddy bear......

Now let's just set the record straight. My laminated cards had park hours (which Disney decided to mess with me!!!), Dining ADRs, as well as "suggestions" for making the most of our days, including which parks we should hit each day. I may have added a couple of "ideas" of my own. But considering Mom and Dad had never seen 3 out of the 4 major parks, and Kami would always come back from her trips saying things like, "Soarin? No, we didn't ride that - is it a good one?" I felt it would be helpful to make sure the "must see" were actually seen......

Your good natured sibling rivalry is so entertaining! Love it!

I, for one, am a faithful DISer but I doubt I will ever laminate note cards. Of course, I did have a major foopah on my last trip, so maybe I should.

That Prince and Princess package DOES sound amazing. No wonder they got rid of it.

Siblings? I'm sure I'm adopted so not so sure about that...... Good natured? Do you see how she treats our mother????

 

[soontobewed07]

Note cards not laminated but maybe will be now and color coded binder WILL be with me when I go in 2 weeks and 4 days I WILL make my in laws get up and out at the crack of dawn and if they are not then they WILL be left behind none of this waiting in the lobby

 

[emser]

Hey! What's wrong with laminated note cards That is the sign of a true DISer - that along with the color coded binder!

We tried it at DLR with an 11 mo old and a 3 yr old - after the first day, DDIL was about to scream, and I tossed those notecards right out!

Good job training your kids on the proper use of a wheelchair for crowd control!

That Prince and Princess package sounds like a great deal. Too bad we can't get that one anymore.

Those Epcot LAL pics are so cool! DS and DDIL took on on their honeymoon - I was looking for it through your kids' hands, but it's not in that section.[/QUOTE]


Please don't encourage the use of color coded laminated note cards. She may begin to think normal people do those kinds of things!!!

My only regret about training the kids with proper crowd control, is that we didn't start at a younger age!!!!

Love the LAL pics!!! I look forward to seeing them every time we go. The cute little kids...not talking back...looking forward to meeting all the character...not talking back...wanting to get lots of pics with mommy and daddy...not talking back

Your good natured sibling rivalry is so entertaining! Love it!

I, for one, am a faithful DISer but I doubt I will ever laminate note cards. Of course, I did have a major foopah on my last trip, so maybe I should.

That Prince and Princess package DOES sound amazing. No wonder they got rid of it.

Ah....a DISer who will not laminate her note cards. Thank you!!! Remember, when you laminate, you open yourself up to problems!! When those park hours were wrong, we would not let her forget it. No correcting once laminated!!!





Yes, because UNlaminated notecards would get messed up if they got wet....
[/QUOTE]


Unlaminated note cards gettigng wet? Oh - THE HORROR!!!!!

 

[Beth D]

Giggle! You two are great together! You could take your show on the comedy road ...

Kami - the burning question of all true followers of Kara's TR's is did you get a "Rita" in Mexico??

Also, at do you have a photo of the laminated cards?

Kara - did you make the shirts?

 

[karajeboo]

Giggle! You two are great together! You could take your show on the comedy road ...

Kami - the burning question of all true followers of Kara's TR's is did you get a "Rita" in Mexico??

Also, at do you have a photo of the laminated cards?

Kara - did you make the shirts?

I think she wussed out on the Rita.... I, however, did not disappoint, and I have the photos to prove it.... I did not have just one rita, I had multiple ritas, and she is a good friend.... especially after spending the day with 8 of your favorite relatives.......

I did make the shirts! And never fear, there will be more shirts in future posts..... Mom and Dad liked theirs so much that even on the "wear your own shirts day" they washed their matching shirts and wore them again!!!! I think they just loved the attention.....

I will look for photos of the laminated cards. I also attached them to rings so they could attach to park bags. One per family, thank you very much. Grandma lost hers at the airport, so she's just lucky we didn't dump her off somewhere or she'd never know where to be!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Note cards not laminated but maybe will be now and color coded binder WILL be with me when I go in 2 weeks and 4 days I WILL make my in laws get up and out at the crack of dawn and if they are not then they WILL be left behind none of this waiting in the lobby

COMMANDO! Love it!



Please don't encourage the use of color coded laminated note cards. She may begin to think normal people do those kinds of things!!!

My only regret about training the kids with proper crowd control, is that we didn't start at a younger age!!!!

Love the LAL pics!!! I look forward to seeing them every time we go. The cute little kids...not talking back...looking forward to meeting all the character...not talking back...wanting to get lots of pics with mommy and daddy...not talking back







Ah....a DISer who will not laminate her note cards. Thank you!!! Remember, when you laminate, you open yourself up to problems!! When those park hours were wrong, we would not let her forget it. No correcting once laminated!!!

Oh that is when you have your handy grease pencil or wipe off marker availabe - for changes to your NOTES!

Yes, because UNlaminated notecards would get messed up if they got wet....
[/QUOTE]

Right? Who doesn't know that


Unlaminated note cards gettigng wet? Oh - THE HORROR!!!!! [/QUOTE]

Now you're getting it!

I think she wussed out on the Rita.... I, however, did not disappoint, and I have the photos to prove it.... I did not have just one rita, I had multiple ritas, and she is a good friend.... especially after spending the day with 8 of your favorite relatives.......

I did make the shirts! And never fear, there will be more shirts in future posts..... Mom and Dad liked theirs so much that even on the "wear your own shirts day" they washed their matching shirts and wore them again!!!! I think they just loved the attention.....

I will look for photos of the laminated cards. I also attached them to rings so they could attach to park bags. One per family, thank you very much. Grandma lost hers at the airport, so she's just lucky we didn't dump her off somewhere or she'd never know where to be!!!

Oh yes, the rings are important, too! I think I learned this from you and attached it to the stroller so they would be within easy reference of any of us as we moved through the parks!

 

[emser]

I think she wussed out on the Rita.... I, however, did not disappoint, and I have the photos to prove it.... I did not have just one rita, I had multiple ritas, and she is a good friend.... especially after spending the day with 8 of your favorite relatives.......
I didn't wuss out...I am not not a rita kind of girl. Now Kaluha..that's another story.

I did make the shirts! And never fear, there will be more shirts in future posts..... Mom and Dad liked theirs so much that even on the "wear your own shirts day" they washed their matching shirts and wore them again!!!! I think they just loved the attention.....
I leave the shirts to KJ. I tried our last trip and they didn't turn out so hot. She does a very nice job!!!

I will look for photos of the laminated cards. I also attached them to rings so they could attach to park bags. One per family, thank you very much. Grandma lost hers at the airport, so she's just lucky we didn't dump her off somewhere or she'd never know where to be!!!

If we can't find photos of the laminated note cards, I may still have them. After all...they WERE laminated. Ready to stand against rain or snow or sleet or hail...almost as good as United States Postal Carriers!! I could snap a quick pic!!

 

[jmskinner]

You guys are making me . I haven't done the laminated note cards, the DH won't go shopping with me if I take coupons, can only imagine what he would say about laminated note cards at WDW.

That Prince and Princess package sounded really cool, too bad that isn't offered anymore.

And love the hurdling to the bus stop. Can't believe there is no video of that.

 

[soontobewed07]

If we can't find photos of the laminated note cards, I may still have them. After all...they WERE laminated. Ready to stand against rain or snow or sleet or hail...almost as good as United States Postal Carriers!! I could snap a quick pic!!

This is why KJ is an official card carrying member of the CFWW club you see we can't just fly by the seat of our pants

 

[karajeboo]

COMMANDO! Love it!

Oh that is when you have your handy grease pencil or wipe off marker availabe - for changes to your NOTES!

Oh yes, the rings are important, too! I think I learned this from you and attached it to the stroller so they would be within easy reference of any of us as we moved through the parks!

If only I would have had the grease pencils!!!! I think Todd would have fallen over laughing!!! Yes, the rings are important. They make them very accessible!

If we can't find photos of the laminated note cards, I may still have them. After all...they WERE laminated. Ready to stand against rain or snow or sleet or hail...almost as good as United States Postal Carriers!! I could snap a quick pic!!

Then put up or shut up! Where's the pic?

You guys are making me . I haven't done the laminated note cards, the DH won't go shopping with me if I take coupons, can only imagine what he would say about laminated note cards at WDW.

That Prince and Princess package sounded really cool, too bad that isn't offered anymore.

And love the hurdling to the bus stop. Can't believe there is no video of that.

Jeff just accepts it...... I mean, does he really have a choice? Every time he tells me I'm nuts, rolls his eyes, etc. But when it's all said and done he thanks me for organizing another amazing trip! We've been fortunate enough to have learned some amazing time saving tips here on the DIS and I've arranged trips for friends and every time they come back telling me how much they appreciate it. I had one friend who laughed and thought I was crazy when I presented her with a 3 ring binder BEFORE we even began booking her trip. It had resort info, dining info, ticket info, etc..... She honestly wanted to pay for me to come with them on their trip!!! This was the second time they had done Disney and she said they did so much more in less time in the parks, so they were able to enjoy their resort more. Awesome!

This is why KJ is an official card carrying member of the CFWW club you see we can't just fly by the seat of our pants

Why yes, yes I am. And proud of it!

 

[karajeboo]

Once we got Todd's big ole head moved, it was time to move ALL of us INTO the park! I was so excited - I just wanted to see Mom and Dad this whole trip. I think I could have sat back and just watched them all week.....

And here we go!!!!

Entering Magic Kingdom! - VIDEO

They were waiting to welcome us the minute we emerged from under the tracks!

Welcome McSparklesons - VIDEO

Still Welcoming McSparklesons - VIDEO

Grandpa could have stood there all day and watched them singing and dancing.... cause Grandpa appreciates a nice pair of legs....

And then, the worst move we made this whole trip was looking over at City Hall and seeing the line for Mickey Mouse was only 5 minutes, and someone saying, Let's go see Mickey!!!!

You NEVER detour when entering Magic Kingdom. You go straight to Main St for that most amazing sight..... Cinderella's Castle. But today would be different. It would be 30 minutes before we ever made it to Main ST....

OK, Gang, into City Hall to see the head honcho!

Did I say the worst move was stopping to see Mickey? Scratch that, the WORST move, was taking another 15 minutes to go back through the line to see the princesses!!!!

I love the princesses, and I'm sure Grandpa loved them, too. But this is their first day in a Disney park in 30 years and they have been just 50 yards inside the park for 30 minutes, without actually SEEING the park! I was starting to get a little anxious at this point.

Kind of like waiting for a table when there were two empty table waiting for US the night before!!!!

Please notice Grandpa's face in all these pics.... he is in LOVE with princesses!

Belle was quite taken with Ally's shirts.....

While Grandpa was quite taken with Belle....

Cindy was also trying to figure out who was who on the shirt......

Sadly, I think we had the "B" team today..... Not just the princesses, but their manners, style, wardrobe, wigs, and apparently voices, because they didn't have much to say at all.

And we were so darn CUTE!!! We were the darn MCSPARKLESONS!!!!

FINALLY we were able to get out of City Hall, I was about to burst!!! Wait, speaking of bursting, didn't we have to make the first of 17,659 potty stops at this point?

Let me tell you, my sister's family can PEE! And they never drink anything?

True McSparklesons, on the other hand, can double fist their water bottles, 'ritas, brewskis, you name it, and STILL HOLD THEIR WATER!!!!

Yeah, it's training. And little McSparkleson has been well trained too....

After the first potty break of the day, it was time.

For this.

Now, I'll be honest. One thing I do NOT like about WDW Christmas decorations is the way the garland blocks the view of castle from this vantage point.

But hey, it is what it is.....

I had just texted Jeff that we were FINALLY out of City Hall - he and Todd and Spencer had run to grab FPs for one of the mountains in Frontierland......

And he saw us coming!

We're Walking Right Down the Middle of Main St USA - VIDEO

Notice Grandpa, just takin it all in....

And before we could even get to the hub.....

Awww.......

Happy Anniverary! - VIDEO

OK, it's now been 45 minutes. We are halfway to the hub, and I'm exhausted....

Back soon with all the details of the day! Can we get the Gimpy Grandma in and out of Splash Mtn?

 

[nrod]

Hi Kara!

I'm not sure if I've ever posted on one of your reports (I'm more of a lurker), but I've been with all the DisMoms since the first trip way back when and I LOVE your reports (and Ellen's too!!). That was a great update! I love the video of you guys walking up Main Street and you can hear Ally say "Yup, she's crying." Also, the picture of your parents on Main Street just about melted my heart . So sweet!! Thanks for sharing your trips!!

 

[Beth D]

Love the pic of your folks and the smooch! 50 years and still together after raising you two crazy girls? give them a medal!

We seem to be the same way at MK. It takes us about an hour to get to the hub too! Gotta pee, meet some characters, talk to the fireman, buy hats now for embroidery to pick up later, get a snack, pee again, and then it's ride time!

 

[CRdisMom]

one time we actually took photos of all of the bathrooms we visited with my family. It was insane.

Love that your dad and mom looked so happy to be there with you all.

 

[KristiMc]

Love the family picture in front of the castle. I have to agree about the decorations blocking the view - not good.

I had to laugh at the video of you walking up Main Street and Ally looks at the camera and said "She's crying already". Didn't she say that a few times on the cruise?? That's ok - I get misty too.

 

[emser]

Love the pic of your folks and the smooch! 50 years and still together after raising you two crazy girls? give them a medal!

We seem to be the same way at MK. It takes us about an hour to get to the hub too! Gotta pee, meet some characters, talk to the fireman, buy hats now for embroidery to pick up later, get a snack, pee again, and then it's ride time!

TWO crazy girls? Shall I remind you, only ONE of us laminated note cards!!!

one time we actually took photos of all of the bathrooms we visited with my family. It was insane.

Love that your dad and mom looked so happy to be there with you all.

We started to take pictures of all teh bathroom stops as well, but by day 2, I was running out of space on my memory card!!!