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

[karajeboo]

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!

Witty? Well, he's something! I really thought AKV is where my P's would have chosen to stay - still shocked they chose BWV, but we loved it there!

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.

I know, right???? People just don't know quality entertainment anymore.....

 

[jmskinner]

Too funny about the "pole" pic. And I love the "Right Stuff" comment.

It's not easy when you realize your parents, the ones who got you so addicted to amusement parks, just can't handle it like they use to. My Mom moves a lot slower, my Stepdad's feet hurt and my Dad's knee won't bend, so Splash is probably out with him again. My Stepmom is just fine though...oh yea, she is only 10 years older than me.

 

[emser]

My FAVORITE video of what I have seen so far!!!

Walking through the Castle - VIDEO - click to play!




Soon it was time to get our attractions on!!!!

We knew that Anklebiterland would be getting busy quickly so we opted to knock it out as quickly as we could this morning. I think this was a good plan, but in hindsight (who can really look at their own hind? ), it may have contributed somewhat to Gma and Gpa not really caring much for MK. We really did race through 3/4 of this park on the first day.....

So....

On your mark....

Get set....

GO!!!!!

First up was Snow White - no problem tossing Gma into one of those little mine cars.....

Then it was time for that which I have NEVER done....


It was funny the way everyone mixed up their partners on all the rides. It was like one big family swingers convention!!!!

We switched up a lot this trip. Made it fun. Ally learned how REALLY cool her Aunt Kami is!!!

Judging by the look on Kami's face, I'm thinking THAT is why I don't ride things that go round... and round.... and round......

I asked Ally NOT to move Dumbo up and down real fast, cause I don't like that feeling. I think she moved that Pachyderm as fast as she could. Little sweetheart!!!



After Dumbo, we made our way to Pooh. This is sooooo NOT even close to my favorite ride. But again, it was easy for Gma to transfer from the wheelchair, so we did it. And since the last time I rode (I think I've maybe been on this twice at the most!) they have added some fun and creative games in the queue. And this queue gets LOOOOONG during peak times!

Besides, it was always a good thing to have something to keep Grandpa occupied while standing in line....

Grandpa, Spencer and I rode in our own car for this one, and afterwards, we had our own double super secret "call" for the rest of the day.

Every time we saw Tigger, we had to "Woo hoo hoo HOO!" Yeah, it was tough getting out of the dump shop after the ride..... I think we were on the verge of laryngtis from all the woo hoo hoo hooing......

That's what all the noise was about!


Only 5 minutes until the next showing of Mickey's Philharmagic - we're IN!

My dad, bein the stylin kinda dude he is, might have snagged these fancy shades for use later, if not for all of us making sure he dumped them in the bins on the way out......

Gee - we had to post THAT picture, did we?!?

Up next.... making a BIG splash before the big drop, in fact, before leaving the station!!!!

I would add more now but I"m having problems getting my videos uploaded to my computer....... And I'm just SURE you want to see more video!!!!

More video?!?!?!
Please...a little help. Why won't my text stay colored inside KJ's text? Each one is set to green. But it only kept the first one!!!

 

[Simba22]

I'm a bit late to this shindig but just your intro page has me so excited to keep reading! ("The crack of 2pm Saturday" literally made me laugh out loud! )

Going back to catch up now!

 

[emser]

Got the videos uploading even as we speak, so by the time I get there, they should be ready!

Continuing on through Anklebiterland, it was time for that be all, end all of Fantasyland.....

Sing it sista!!!!

"It's a world of laughter a world of tears
I can't believe Walt won't let me buy a beer here
There's so much I could say
But this family forum says "no way"
It's a dry world after all...."

See? I really AM my father's daughter!!!!

Good news! Emma got the gift also!!! She has some poetry assignments in language arts...yep. She's got the gift! Will share those at a later time!

On to Splash Mtn! We didn't even use the fast passes we had because we got a HUGE wheelchair advantage on Splash Mtn. I mean, HUGE!!!!!

We did go straight to the front of the line, on the opposite side of where you get in. So that would be where you get out. Make sense?

Once our big ole log pulled up, (I think Steven Tyler's manager ordered us a Super Stretch!), we worked to help Grandma in first.

And that's when we thought it was over. Pearly Gates. Doom Buggy. You name it. We really did think it would the The Long Way Home (you're singing again, aren't you????).

When she stepped in, she sat down hard and her knee bent too far. She has two new knees from about 4 years ago, and they don't bend like they used to!

So she let out a scream. Yep!!!! Game over!!


But luckily, once grandma got in, she was in. We didn't realize until later that it was just that her knee temporarily bent a bit too far. Whew!!!


The whole ride I think we were all worried about Gma and how we were going to get her OUT of the log! Talk about a bump on a log!!!!!

It was after she got out, and we all spent the next hour asking, "Are you okay, Grandma?" that we realized she was fine.

She may have faked the whole thing just for the attention. In fact, that's my story and I"m sticking to it.......

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.....

Totally!! I spend my time in church with the children and the elderly!!

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!

I was not real excited about Boardwalk, but I loved it!!!! The walking was so nice!!! Would love to try staying across the lake sometime!!!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Ally's pole posing is getting quite good. Has Jeff bought a shotgun yet!?

My family did a couple of those all family trips to WDW in the Dark Ages. It was a wonder that we didn't kill each other before the trip was over!

 

[MEK]

I'm a green girl myself when it comes to mission space. So glad everyone enjoyed it.

Love the group shot entering Epcot. That's perfect!

So far a great morning.

I love me some San Angel Inn. So pretty in there.

 

[Simba22]

OK, all caught up and I have to say I LOVE your TR! You have me cracking up over here!

Can't wait to read more!!

 

[karajeboo]

I'm a bit late to this shindig but just your intro page has me so excited to keep reading! ("The crack of 2pm Saturday" literally made me laugh out loud! )

Going back to catch up now!

Hurry back now!

Ally's pole posing is getting quite good. Has Jeff bought a shotgun yet!?

My family did a couple of those all family trips to WDW in the Dark Ages. It was a wonder that we didn't kill each other before the trip was over!

Oh, Mother of Wicket, dontcha know he bought that shotgun the day she was born????

And this TR is not over yet so you have no idea what may happen.....

I was not real excited about Boardwalk, but I loved it!!!! The walking was so nice!!! Would love to try staying across the lake sometime!!!

Yacht and Beach are gorgeous - honestly Yacht Club is my favorite of all of them. BUT BW is closer to DHS (now that I know what an easy walk it is!!!) so it wins for location for me!

I'm a green girl myself when it comes to mission space. So glad everyone enjoyed it.

Love the group shot entering Epcot. That's perfect!

So far a great morning.

I love me some San Angel Inn. So pretty in there.

Gorgeous! And we hadn't eaten there since 1998! I tried the orange version once. Only once. And I can honestly say I will never be able to say I did it twice.....

OK, all caught up and I have to say I LOVE your TR! You have me cracking up over here!

Can't wait to read more!!

Well that was fast!!!! Stick around young grasshopper, I hope to have some more laughs with you....

 

[rndmr2]

Loving your TR! I was pretty far behind but I am all caught up now. Love the pic of your parents smooching on Main Street!

Glad you got to ride Snow White before it closes for good soon, we did make it a point to ride it this year. I love Pooh! I was sad that we missed that one this year. And Dumbo! Love it but rarely ride it. I went on it in 2004 but before that it was maybe 1989, the line was always too long for that short a ride. Maybe when the double one opens it will be a little easier.

Your Dad's poem was too cute! Can't wait to read more.

Looking forward to your San Angel Inn report/pics!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

On Mission Space I've tried to do the Orange side, but keep getting talked out of it! I always ride the Green side, guess I'm getting too old for that Orange ride!

 

[Beth D]

So you must get your song changing talent from your pop! Writing poems and new endings to songs are very similar!

The orange side of Mission Space requires a CAST IRON stomach (or that of a 6 year old!). When we rode it my dear mother, who has done many a coaster and ride here at CP was convinced she could handle it, along with DH. One nauseous lady, and one hubby head in a barf bag later, our day at Epcot was much subdued!

 

[karajeboo]

Loving your TR! I was pretty far behind but I am all caught up now. Love the pic of your parents smooching on Main Street!

Glad you got to ride Snow White before it closes for good soon, we did make it a point to ride it this year. I love Pooh! I was sad that we missed that one this year. And Dumbo! Love it but rarely ride it. I went on it in 2004 but before that it was maybe 1989, the line was always too long for that short a ride. Maybe when the double one opens it will be a little easier.

Your Dad's poem was too cute! Can't wait to read more.

Looking forward to your San Angel Inn report/pics!

Ya know, I didn't even think about SW closing! So glad we did it now!!!!

On Mission Space I've tried to do the Orange side, but keep getting talked out of it! I always ride the Green side, guess I'm getting too old for that Orange ride!

Oh Mother of Wicket, avoid it like the Martian Plague!!!!

So you must get your song changing talent from your pop! Writing poems and new endings to songs are very similar!

The orange side of Mission Space requires a CAST IRON stomach (or that of a 6 year old!). When we rode it my dear mother, who has done many a coaster and ride here at CP was convinced she could handle it, along with DH. One nauseous lady, and one hubby head in a barf bag later, our day at Epcot was much subdued!

And THAT my friend, is why I won't do it again. I didn't get sick, but I was so worried that I WOULD get sick, that I just couldn't enjoy my trip to Mars..... well, that and fear that I wouldn't get my button pushed!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Aaw what a lovely poem!

Great photos at Epcot - I have to say I love me some Epcot as well!

That is cool that you rode the Orange side of Mission Space though I have to say once was enough for me as well!

Looking forward to the food porn though I'll have to make sure my stomach is full beforehand!

 

[emser]

Reading all the comments about green vs orange. This was my first time on orange. I really didn't notice too much of a difference, except my face was being pulled backwards!! But I rode with the two screaming girls. Still recovering!
Ready to move onto day 2...but I don't want to get ahead of KJ and her TR from our evening in Mexico with whatever that amazing chicken dish I had was!

 

[karajeboo]

We began the trek along the left side of Future World to get to our 6pm ADR in Mexico.

We weaved, we bobbed (when the puddles were deep!), and we may have even had Gma's chair hydroplaning a few times, before we shot out into the International Showcase, right by Mexico.

Ole!

And let me just say, rain and air conditioning in Mexico do NOT mix. Brrrrr! It was cold once we got into that pavilion!

I'm not entirely clear about what happened next. But I do think that when I saw the beautiful sign, "La Cava del Tequila" I may have let go of Grandma and just hurdled the wall to get there.

And get one of these.....

Cause I do love me an avocado 'rita.....

Grandma? You okay???

We were a few minutes early so we decided, what the heck, there's another BOAT ride!

C'mon Grandma, you'll love it!

We got in and made the Gran Fiesta Tour!!!! Back on land, Kami and the kids saw our old friend Donald, and felt the need to shake some tail feathers....

I think they are saying "Ole" here, but it looks like something not so friendly....

Now I do love me some Mexico Pavillion. Jeff and I ate here on our honeymoon in 1998. It was just "okay" at that time. But that could be because I was expecting burritos and fajitas. You know, American Mexican food.....

So I warned everyone before agreeing to this ADR, that this would not be the Mexican they were used to.....

The kids look thrilled with the selection.....

Kami and I both ordered the Pollo a las Rajas - Grilled chicken breast served over red peppers, onions, chile poblano, chorizo (Mexican sausage) and melted cheese. - $24.00

Jeff got the Mole Poblano - Grilled chicken breast served over a bed of chicken morsels, carrots, chayote chiles, with the classic sauce of spices and hint of chocolate - $24.00

I was wanting to try some REAL mole, so we shared our two dinners.

Dad got Mahi-Mahi a la Veracruzana - Grilled filet of mahi-mahi prepared with capers, olives, Spanish onions and tomatoes, seasoned with white wine and spices, served with white rice. - $23.00

And Mom and Todd both got a traditional meal:
Traditional Mexican Dinner

(Flat fee)

Tostadas de Tinga
Pulled chicken seasoned with roasted tomato and chipotle, served on tostadas with black refried beans, green tomatillo sauce, queso fresco and sour cream

Tacos de Pescado
Mahi-Mahi fish served with chipotle-lime aioli, cabbage, lime and green tomatillo sauce, all served over flour tortillas

Crema Bavaria
Creamy bavarian mousse served with mixed berries, cinnamon and orange liqueur

Includes soft drink or iced tea. No substite on the Mexican dinner.

I could not believe how good that looked too!

I could only get the pic of the fish tacos because they scarfed down the rest too fast for me!!!!

All in all everyone really enjoyed this meal. And even though we were "hidden" behind a wall, we couldn't see the water, it was kind of nice because it was actually quiet enough that we could hear each other.

San Angel Inn - VIDEO - click to play!

We soon left San Angel Inn and the Mexico Pavillion (with rita roadies!!!!) and walked around the International Showcase just a bit. Looking at the radar we were afraid that we would not be too comfortable watching Illuminations in the rain, so we soon headed back toward the boardwalk.

Along the way, we stopped to watch a bit of the Candlelight Processional with Doogie!!! I mean, Barney!!!! He is the one I would have loved to have heard, but we just never even thought to get tickets for this night. And it's a good thing, because those poor people sat in pouring rain for most of it.....

As we stood there watching it started to pour again, so we ducked under the American Pavillion where there was NO LINE to see these two friendly folks!

I think we did a pretty good job on our first full day in the parks..... I for one was wiped out, so we wanted back in the drizzle. As soon as we got to the resort, we hit the bar fridge in our room and then Jeff and Dad decided to go have a nightcap in the Belleview Room.

Dad had more energy than all of us! He just did not want to quit!!!

Up next, Epcot and MK for the Electrical Parade!

I'm having a partial thyroidectomy on Wednesday so I may not be on for a few days.....

 

[MEK]

You are really stacking up the cruises there GF! Freedom of the Seas sounds like a wonderful boat. I wanted to do a cruise for Nick's HS graduation, but he wants to rent a beach house. um...ok then!

I loved the avocado rita. So good. I'm also a big fan of the San Angel Inn so I'm glad everyone enjoyed it.

Good luck with your surgery on Wednesday. I hope you are feeling well again in no time!

 

[Beth D]

Even for a die hard coaster and spinny ride fan, once on Orange was enough for me too!

Love Grandpa's energy! I have a feeling he had to be on his toes with you girls around as kids!

Good luck with the surgery Wed! Happy and quick healing, and of course hopefully lots of DIS board surfing during recovery!

 

[jedijill]

Good luck with the surgery! I love the report.

Jill in CO

 

[KristiMc]

We have never eaten in Mexico. I also need to try the Avocado Rita! I hope your surgery goes well.