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

[karajeboo]

O'Hana for breakfast is good, but we have never been there for dinner. The menu just didn't appeal to us. And there is something strange about the service in that restaurant. We've been twice, different servers each time, and had the same experience as you...disappearing acts.

We really liked the dinner at Kona though. Food was very good (DH's teriyaki steak was outrageously good) and our server was incredibly sweet and attentive.

Maybe Coochi Coochi was in charge of a magic show!!!! yeah, that must be it! And if so, then it was a SUCCESSFUL dinner!

The last two times we have been toOhanna is has been ehh. Did you do a minnsoder impression for the cannuck? Ya know their my neighbor...LOL.

Did we ever figure out if we were there at the same time in '98? I was in October 24-30 I think. Love your families and how many hours until sailing???

Nope, we got married Oct 18, 1997 but we honeymooned in May of 2008. We couldn't get off work long enough because we had an out of town wedding so we had to travel for that.....

Most entertaining trip report I have read in a looooooooooooooong time (and I do my share of trip report reading).

Can't wait for the next installment!!

Thank you! HOWEVER.... you are going to have a bit of a wait....

Cause my CRUISE LEAVES IN EXACTLY 50 HOURS!!!!! We are leaving in 23 hours for the drive to Port Canaveral and this time on Friday I will be sipping a drink of the day as I hang in the Promenade Lounge meeting the rest of the folks from DISboards!!!!

So I shall see (sort of) everyone in a couple of weeks and I'll have a NEW TR at that time! So we'll be cruising on the Magic and cruising with the gimps all at the same time!!!!

 

[MEK]

O. M. G. You haven't updated for awhile because you must have been saving it up for this doozie! That update was totally LOL funny! Several times, in fact.

The banjo from Deliverance.

Little Guy! I bet he was so cute.

So glad you weren't stuck on EE, But I do know a DISer who DID get stuck in that exact spot and had to evacuate.

Despite the fact that you were not all matchy-matchy and did not get a seat in the Lion section, you managed to bring home some awesome group shots. Love Ally's shirt.

I have to say that the last time I ate at Ohana (two years ago) I kind of felt the same way about that meal. My favorite part is actually the noddles and the wings. That meat on a stick is just not great when its dry. Plus that meal is long and the service is marginal.

Good thing for the Poly Charro. I'm sure she kept you all entertained.

Fell better soon!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Double Post

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Poly Coochie Coochie must have heard the word about your dad!

I love Dinosaur noise, jerky ride & all!

Too bad aboutyour not feeling well. We were sick almost the whole first week of our recnt Florida trip. It was ghastly as it was one of those nasty stomach viruses! I did lose 6 pounds from it which was a good thing!

I hate to hear that about Ohana, I just made a new ressie for there & cancelled Boatwrights.

Enjoy your cruise, I will be envying you all week!

 

[karajeboo]

O. M. G. You haven't updated for awhile because you must have been saving it up for this doozie! That update was totally LOL funny! Several times, in fact.

The banjo from Deliverance.

Little Guy! I bet he was so cute.

So glad you weren't stuck on EE, But I do know a DISer who DID get stuck in that exact spot and had to evacuate.

Despite the fact that you were not all matchy-matchy and did not get a seat in the Lion section, you managed to bring home some awesome group shots. Love Ally's shirt.

I have to say that the last time I ate at Ohana (two years ago) I kind of felt the same way about that meal. My favorite part is actually the noddles and the wings. That meat on a stick is just not great when its dry. Plus that meal is long and the service is marginal.

Good thing for the Poly Charro. I'm sure she kept you all entertained.

Fell better soon!

Ally's shirt? I bought it on my HONEYMOON in 1998!!!! Yes, I was teeny tiny back then! Ally thinks its hysterical that she wore it this time.... So I grounded her for laughing.

I have heard of people being stuck in that spot and having to walk down. No way! No how! I would just ask them to run to Yak and Yeti, pick me up a nice calming bevvie, run it back up to me, and I'd be staying RIGHT THERE until they could get me down in the car.......

But I did text Ellen and Cammie and told them that I was in that car!!!

Double Post

Poly Coochie Coochie must have heard the word about your dad!

I love Dinosaur noise, jerky ride & all!

Too bad aboutyour not feeling well. We were sick almost the whole first week of our recnt Florida trip. It was ghastly as it was one of those nasty stomach viruses! I did lose 6 pounds from it which was a good thing!

I hate to hear that about Ohana, I just made a new ressie for there & cancelled Boatwrights.

Enjoy your cruise, I will be envying you all week!

Oh Mother of Wicket..... did you call O'hana and tell them about my dad??? Cause he loved Coochi coochi (wait, that sounds dirty, doesn't it!), ukelele and all.

And for those of us from the south? Ukelele, banjo, same thing... Queue Deliverance music here.....

Packed and almost loaded now. Waiting on Jeff to come switch cars with me so I can load up! Be back in 9 days!!!!!

 

[stinksmom]

I'm so glad you posted an update before your cruise! I have to say that I have been stuck on EE in that spot in your picture. My BFF and our two DD's (8 at the time) were stuck there for about 1/2 an hour. In the meantime, we called our DH's, took pictures, I got out bubbles that I had in my bag....They had to come unload us.... we walked to the top of the mountain, then went inside and down an internal staircase. Interesting adventure but I hate heights and DD was so worried about me the whole time and how I was going to do walking up the steps to the top!! She can be so sweet sometimes.

Sorry to hear about Ohana. We've had some great experiences there but our last one was bad. Come to think of it, it was the same trip as when we got stuck on EE. Must have had some bad mojo that trip!

Have a great time on the cruise! I had PM'ed you about the kids clubs. I'm happy to report that the counselors at both the lab/club (Dream) and the Edge talked through all our questions with us. We had an 11 year old, almost 11 year old and my DD who JUST turned 10. Needless to say the older 2 were sold on the Edge and my DD was the one that the counselors weren't sure about. But the counselors at the lab/club knew she wouldn't be happy there if the other two didn't stick around and encouraged us to talk to the counselors in the Edge. They were a little hesitant but we talked about some rules we were imposing and they allowed her to hang out up there. She had a great time and our girls did a great job following our rules and not taking advantage of their independence! Thanks goodness because she wouldn't have left us alone and it's really hard to enjoy the drink of the day in the adult pool when your 10 yo won't leave your side

Can't wait to hear more when you return!

 

[anewmac]

annnd all caught up! I love your dad, 1st the tshirt on the 1st day he has his sleeves rolled up perfect for pics with the princess's LOL What a stud! Poor grandma having to be pushed into people.. but thats got to make for some fun laughs LOL. and Poor Jeff for having to leave, maybe after you licked your crust for Todd, you should have licked something for Jeff.. just saying maybe he wouldnt have left then .. LMAO

So now you are going to have 2 trip reports going how will you keep up.. err how will I keep up? Cant wait to hear more about both, we are already tallying how many times you cry!

 

[karajeboo]

I'm so glad you posted an update before your cruise! I have to say that I have been stuck on EE in that spot in your picture. My BFF and our two DD's (8 at the time) were stuck there for about 1/2 an hour. In the meantime, we called our DH's, took pictures, I got out bubbles that I had in my bag....They had to come unload us.... we walked to the top of the mountain, then went inside and down an internal staircase. Interesting adventure but I hate heights and DD was so worried about me the whole time and how I was going to do walking up the steps to the top!! She can be so sweet sometimes.

Sorry to hear about Ohana. We've had some great experiences there but our last one was bad. Come to think of it, it was the same trip as when we got stuck on EE. Must have had some bad mojo that trip!

Have a great time on the cruise! I had PM'ed you about the kids clubs. I'm happy to report that the counselors at both the lab/club (Dream) and the Edge talked through all our questions with us. We had an 11 year old, almost 11 year old and my DD who JUST turned 10. Needless to say the older 2 were sold on the Edge and my DD was the one that the counselors weren't sure about. But the counselors at the lab/club knew she wouldn't be happy there if the other two didn't stick around and encouraged us to talk to the counselors in the Edge. They were a little hesitant but we talked about some rules we were imposing and they allowed her to hang out up there. She had a great time and our girls did a great job following our rules and not taking advantage of their independence! Thanks goodness because she wouldn't have left us alone and it's really hard to enjoy the drink of the day in the adult pool when your 10 yo won't leave your side

Can't wait to hear more when you return!

NO WAY could I make that trek on foot!!! Like I said, either some hunky fireman better carry me down, or bring me a fruity bevvie with a little umbrella in it, and I'll wait......

We went ahead and signed Ally up for Oceaneers Lab this time, and she spent 10 minutes there. The rest of the time was just out with her new friends.....

annnd all caught up! I love your dad, 1st the tshirt on the 1st day he has his sleeves rolled up perfect for pics with the princess's LOL What a stud! Poor grandma having to be pushed into people.. but thats got to make for some fun laughs LOL. and Poor Jeff for having to leave, maybe after you licked your crust for Todd, you should have licked something for Jeff.. just saying maybe he wouldnt have left then .. LMAO

So now you are going to have 2 trip reports going how will you keep up.. err how will I keep up? Cant wait to hear more about both, we are already tallying how many times you cry!

All I can say is OMG Drea!!!!

And the sleeves rolled up? My dad has ALWAYS worn his tshirt sleeves rolled up - we rag on him all the time for that!!!!

 

[Cindy-rella]

I am jumping in here late, but am so excited I found your trip report. We have decided to rent DVC points for our Disney trip next year. And we are really leaning towards the Boardwalk. We also spent our honeymoon there in 1999!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh sure! You updated while I was in Phoenix with crappy internet signals. Well, I guess it's okay since you left us!

So nice to see you had a wonderful cruise!
Love the family pic at AK - too bad Jeff wasn't there.

Funny conversation with the little Canuck!

Too bad you were disappointed with Ohana. We loved it the first time, but last time not so much. I think for the price we will skip it from now on. The bread pudding makes it almost worth it, though.

Looks like your dad had a good time, so he might not be disappointed.
And your mom getting kissed looks like , "Yah, Yah, get it over with and move to another table."

Ally can wear your honeymoon shirt? Wow! She is really growing up.

 

[karajeboo]

I am jumping in here late, but am so excited I found your trip report. We have decided to rent DVC points for our Disney trip next year. And we are really leaning towards the Boardwalk. We also spent our honeymoon there in 1999!

Sounds like you are really.... ME! It was a very easy process, although I'm not gonna kid you, I was nervous until my sister called to say they were in their room. Whew!!!!

Oh sure! You updated while I was in Phoenix with crappy internet signals. Well, I guess it's okay since you left us!

So nice to see you had a wonderful cruise!

And I'll be starting a TR soon!!!! I may have 3 TRs going at one time if I don't finish this one before the DISmoms cruise in less than 4 weeks!!!

Love the family pic at AK - too bad Jeff wasn't there.

Funny conversation with the little Canuck!

He was absolutely adorable!!! After spending 4 days so far with my family, it was nice to have some "mature" conversation!

Too bad you were disappointed with Ohana. We loved it the first time, but last time not so much. I think for the price we will skip it from now on. The bread pudding makes it almost worth it, though.

Looks like your dad had a good time, so he might not be disappointed.
And your mom getting kissed looks like , "Yah, Yah, get it over with and move to another table."

I think you may have quoted my mother exactly!

Ally can wear your honeymoon shirt? Wow! She is really growing up.

She is getting waaaaay too big! We compared pics from this year's cruise to last year's cruise, and even with my platform heels, she's still gone from my chest up to my chin!!!!!

 

[karajeboo]

Sorry for the delay, I was a bit indisposed.... on the DIsney Magic!!!! Yes, just back from 7 glorious days at sea! And I'll be starting a new TR for that trip soon!!! And the DISmoms are heading out to sea in 27 days so of course we'll have that TR also! I'm gonna be busy!!!

So... where was I?

Ah yes, I was sick. Or was I?

After getting coochi coochi'd over dinner, we all bathed in Purell and headed back to the Boardwalk. Gpa and the kids headed down to the pool, while Kami went to do a load of laundry, and I worked a little bit from the room (remember my deal with my boss?).

As soon as I got some things done, I went to bed. Loaded up with Zicam and Vitamin C......

Woke up the next day and felt...... about 70%! Not too bad! I was so afraid of waking up SICK and it just didn't happen. So glad I caught it early and drugged up quickly. It made a HUGE difference. I never really got too sick, just a little puny feeling.

So we shall not discuss it any more!

Turn the page!

Woke up to a beautiful sunny morning and ready for Hollywood Studios!!! Gpa and Gma stopped by the room to pick up Ally and I (Jeff was long gone, heading back to work), because they knew which daughter and grandchild would be up and ready.....

We were waiting outside by the water taxi, when Kami called to say they were running late.

Shocker.....

So we got in line and decided to enjoy the morning.

My, sure is quiet without Kami.... Todd..... Emma..... Spencer..... Jeff......

Just sayin.....

See what happens when you miss the boat?

Kami and Emma decided to walk and Spencer and Todd were catching the next boat over......

Time for a couple of pics since we had to wait a bit....

It didn't take long for the rest to show up and we were off and running!

Todd and I decided to play martyrs for the morning and headed off to grab fast passes for Toy Story Mania..... We bonded. Just me and my brother-in-law. We bonded.

Bonding over. That was lovely. But we'll always have pizza crusts.....

We texted Kami that there was no wait for TSM so they needed to head over quickly, but she was otherwise indisposed.....

So..... Todd and I stood in line to get fast passes. I swear the fast pass line was way slower than standby for the stinkin attraction itself!!!

So we bonded. Again.

Crust?

We met the rest of the gang in front of The Great Movie Ride.....

And off we went.

After all these years, she's still hangin in there!

Toto, I don't think we're in Orlando anymore!!!!

After all that excitement, we made our way to the Studio Backlot Tour. When we did the similar attraction a couple of years ago at Universal Studios, Gma was chosen for that show..... How fun was that??????

I will always love Herbie.....

Although, as a child I had some Herbie issues. For some reason, he scared me. Yes. I really and truly felt he would drive THROUGH the movie screen and run over me.

So you can only imagine the fun my dad had when he chose Disney on Ice for a fun Father/Daughter date night..... and Herbie made a surprise appearance!!!! No screen to hold him back! He was making a beeline for me in the audience!!!

Calm down, Kara..... it's all in the past, it's all over. Herbie has been retired to the backlot..... or has he????

After such a traumatic experience, there was no way I was going to sit through the Lights, Motors, Action stunt show. I saw it several years ago and guess who made another "surprise appearance?"" I'm out!

So I took Grandma, Emma and Ally and we went off to draw.... yup, the Art of Animation is one of my new favorite attractions at WDW after doing it with my DISmoms last May. And Ally and Emma were hooked too!!!

Imagineering degrees, here we come!!!!! It's amazing how 4 people with zero artistic ability can actually draw Pooh!!!! It does look like Pooh, right? What? No, it's definitely Pooh..... I'm sure of it!



Up next, Osborne Lights and Gma and Gpa's first dance.....

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I can't believe it's almost time for the DISmoms to set sail! How exciting!

Yes, looks like Kami missed the boat, but walked over almost as fast as you sailed!

Yes, I can see Pooh - definitely Pooh.

 

[karajeboo]

As we made our way out of Animation, look who we found!

Ally will stop for every character she sees.... she's always been that way. When she was younger, she'd stop whether she knew them or not!

But not Emma. She's 13. So she's waaaaay too cool!

But now that I see it, not sure I'd let ole One Eye hug ME either.... at least not if I were Emma's height.... just sayin.....

But Aunt KJ guilted her into posing anyway....

And Gma wouldn't be left out either.....

Once we left, it was time for an early lunch. Jeff would be arriving later today, hopefully in time for dinner, so he told us to go ahead and book Sci Fi without him - he liked it the first time, but he's too cool, too.... He's "over it."

I think Sci Fi is a great experience if you are NOT on the dining plan. I would never waste a table service credit on this, because it's so inexpensive, so we try to do lunch, which is even less, and just use our TIW card, which gets us an additional 20% off.....

No food porn here - too hard to take pic in the dark on those little counters....

But imagine, if you will, sandwiches. Just. Sandwiches.

Delicious, huh?

Alrighty then.... moving on.

What would Hollywood Studios be without a little Aerosmith and Hitchcock? We sent Gma and Gpa off on their own, while the rest of us went to get our rock on!

Now in this next one, I'm not sure, but Kami may have REALLY been shaking like that! She does NOT enjoy Tower of Terror - it's my absolute favorite of all in WDW! RnR is not my favorite, although I seem to be conquering my fear of that takeoff.....

And I'll have you all know, we SURVIVED both of them!!!!

I took the girls back to draw Pooh again later in the day - they loved it so much!!! Funny how we keep getting Pooh!

So while I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Jeff, I decided to get my other rock on.... Disney Channel Rocks!

Ally avoids me like the plague when I see these shows - I don't think she likes my Mom moves as I dance along. I could be a Disney Channel Rocks star. I know I could. I could also be president. Well, aside from those skeletons hanging in there.......

Up next.... Jeff is back! Osborn Lights! WCC!

 

[JKSWonder]

Sorry for the delay, I was a bit indisposed.... on the DIsney Magic!!!! Yes, just back from 7 glorious days at sea! And I'll be starting a new TR for that trip soon!!! And the DISmoms are heading out to sea in 27 days so of course we'll have that TR also! I'm gonna be busy!!!

Yay!!!

 

[kid-at-heart]

YAY, Kara is back and soon will be entertaining us with not one but two additional trip reports! So Kara, where are you going this summer besides Disney?

 

[KristiMc]

I'm loving this trip report - but I can't wait for the cruise one. I need my Magic fix. I still have 53 more days till I get to see her.

 

[Simba22]

I was a couple updates behind but I'm so glad I got to read so much of your TR at one time!

I kind of agree with you about Ohana! The bread pudding is to die for and I really liked the wings and the dumplings/wontons...but the grilled chicken/steak... Not really my thing, I guess! We did have AWESOME service though so I can't complain about that!

Glad you didn't sick! There is nothing worse than being sick in WDW!

Your morning safari at AK looks awesome! We saw both cheetahs ONCE (the first time we had seen either of them, ever!) but they were laying down in the shade! And we actually got to hear/see the male lion roaring! It was amazing! But that was also a butt-crack of dawn (aka rope drop) safari so I agree that is the best time to go on it!

Your pic of Emma and Mike Wazowski made me laugh so hard! It's like one of those "When You See It...." pictures you see on Facebook all the time!

And um, your Animation Academy drawings are TOO good! Awesome job!!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I don't see Pooh in your drawings at all! You sure it wasn't Roo?

Can't wait to read the new TR about your cruise. One of these days you will have to read my TR. It was my first TR.

I do have a new ticker, didn't think it would happen this year!

Looks like Gmp was putting the moves on Daisy. He had better watch our or Donald will give him a big case of "whup ***"!

 

[karajeboo]

Yay!!!

I'm getting pretty antsy to start it.... just uploaded all my pics to photobucket!

YAY, Kara is back and soon will be entertaining us with not one but two additional trip reports! So Kara, where are you going this summer besides Disney?

Actually not going to Disney this summer, but I am going to San Fran/Yosemite/Pebble Beach in July with Jeff.... It's actually a business trip and I'm just reaping the benefits!

I'm loving this trip report - but I can't wait for the cruise one. I need my Magic fix. I still have 53 more days till I get to see her.

Oh, Kristi, I'm sooooo sad right now! I miss her SOOOOO much!

I was a couple updates behind but I'm so glad I got to read so much of your TR at one time!

I kind of agree with you about Ohana! The bread pudding is to die for and I really liked the wings and the dumplings/wontons...but the grilled chicken/steak... Not really my thing, I guess! We did have AWESOME service though so I can't complain about that!

Glad you didn't sick! There is nothing worse than being sick in WDW!

Your morning safari at AK looks awesome! We saw both cheetahs ONCE (the first time we had seen either of them, ever!) but they were laying down in the shade! And we actually got to hear/see the male lion roaring! It was amazing! But that was also a butt-crack of dawn (aka rope drop) safari so I agree that is the best time to go on it!

Your pic of Emma and Mike Wazowski made me laugh so hard! It's like one of those "When You See It...." pictures you see on Facebook all the time!

And um, your Animation Academy drawings are TOO good! Awesome job!!

I'm thinking of quitting my day job.... NOT! We actually did the animation on the cruise, too.... and they are not nearly as good. In fact, I'm really not sure what Jeff drew!

That would be so cool to actually hear the lion roar! I thought they only did that in the movies?

I don't see Pooh in your drawings at all! You sure it wasn't Roo?

Can't wait to read the new TR about your cruise. One of these days you will have to read my TR. It was my first TR.

I do have a new ticker, didn't think it would happen this year!

Looks like Gmp was putting the moves on Daisy. He had better watch our or Donald will give him a big case of "whup ***"!

Oh, Mother of Wicket.... are you mocking my mad drawing skeels?

I did read some of your TR... why did I stop? I don't know. Do you know? I will go back and check it out..... Promise!