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

[marhs]

love your trip reports! I read one of your cruise reports last year before we sailed the Dream, and just found this one.... and you went on Magic this month? Well, I guess I'd better go find that TR! Thanks for the photos, and fun!

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a fun meal at 50's! We've eaten there a couple times and had good food, I fell in love with the peanut butter & jelly shake! I hope it hasn't gone downhill since.

And I just caught your Scuba Mickey update too - that is AWESOME! They really did know the McSPARKELSON's were around didn't they?

 

[anewmac]

See thats the great thing about 50's the interaction, even the other people got into it. THATS what makes it fun! (ya the food's eh, except for Timmy and my fav the smore's) but the ambiance is what you pay for.

I love that your mom was putting all her power into that cake smash LOL

 

[jenseib]

I have never seen Fantasmic......and just for the reason you stated...villians...My DD gets scared of them easily..still at the age of 7....so I'll wait a few more years.

 

[Beth D]

Love the pic of Ally sleeping! That is a bummer about having to switch to peak season trips and prices though!

I don't get the opportunity (right now) to take vacation in the summer, so for us there is no choice but to pull DS out of school. He's only first grade, so at least I've got about 5 more years before I really have to worry!

Love the OH thing. you can spot them anywhere. When we were on our cruise, we were on a snorkeling excursion, and they were going around the boat asking where everyone was from. Someone said Toledo in the back, so we hit the OH, and of course they finished it up! I've also had folks at Disney start it when you walk by with an Indians or Browns item on! Funny!

 

[karajeboo]

As usual, up early, Gpa brings me my coffee, yadayadayada......

Today was sad day.... checkout day.... go home day......

So I called Bell Services and had them pick up our things and Gma and Gpa's and take them down. I took Gpa to check in for Magical Express while Jeff pulled the car around to load our bags.

We took our traditional photo that we take EVERY time we are near the boardwalk....

From Ally's first trip in 2006

From our honeymoon in 1998

And then we met up with Kami and headed back to DHS, the park that Gma and Gpa wanted to see again.

It was kinda weird though, we really didn't do anything once we got there! I think they just enjoyed the theming of that park and were perfectly content to wander around and enjoy people watching.

People watching is something that runs in our family. Grandpa and I have always enjoyed it, and I'm passing it down to Ally. She's a quick study, actually. Every time we go to Wal-Mart she informs me, "There some gooooood people watching in there!"

That's my girl!!!!

We wandered over to Rock n Roller coaster and rode that with Kami's family before saying our goodbyes..... Not sure where Kami and clan were heading, I think they did a scavenger hunt the rest of the day, and we spent it with Gma and Gpa before their flight left later.

We passed ToT and said, "Hey, Grandpa, you should ride this - you'll love it!" And he said, "Why not?"

Normally this is my FAVORITE but I didn't want to leave Gma alone.... and I didn't want to witness my favorite father.... DEAD!

So I stayed with Grandma and Jeff, Gpa and Ally went on ToT. We walked with them up to the "chicken" exit because I thought Grandma would enjoy the pre-show and theming......

We saw them in line for their elevator!!!! Good thing Grandpa is wearing dark shorts.... just saying....

Grandma "pretending" to be cool....

Since we saw them getting ready to be loaded on their elevator, I knew it wouldn't be long until we saw... THIS!

PROOF! That Grandpa actually rode Tower of Terror!!!! He loved it! Ally said he just kept laughing and laughing the whole time!!!!

I'm so sad I didn't ride it with them - Jeff said it was so much fun listening to Grandpa!

After that little adventure, it was time to head out and finish the trip at Epcot.

I think everyone was sad that this trip was ending. After 2 years of planning, how can it go by so fast?????

We took the boat to Yacht and Beach and then walked to Epcot from there....

A few pics along the way of our home for the past week....

We made it into Epcot and decided to check out the Biergarten in Germany for lunch...... Kami had no interest in this while we were here, but since we lost her for the rest of the day, we thought everyone might enjoy this for a last meal at WDW

They didn't open until noon (as opposed to 11am like most of the restaurants) so we headed out to do what I had been promising Ally since the day we arrived!

It was time for a mother/daughter makeup lesson....

I had wanted to do this for Emma, too, and the timing just never worked out. But we finally got it done and now I really wish I'd done it sooner! This came out way prettier than I thought!

As always, I love walking around Epcot right before we leave..... It's such an amazing park, especially the World Showcase. I think Grandpa was really appreciating it too....

It's like I try to get as many photos as I can on that last day.... even though I've taken the same photos over and over and over again!!!!

We made our way back to Biergarten and grabbed a Farewell brewski... after all, it was after noon!!!!

We were seated after only a couple of minutes and made several trips to the buffet. This is like the ONLY buffet I like at WDW. I'm not a buffet fan AT ALL! Kind of a snob like that. But I just really enjoy all that Biergarten has to offer..... I was worried that picky Grandma wouldn't like it, but she seemed to enjoy it and even tried some new items that she liked!

I was very happy that everyone seemed to enjoy the restaurants that we chose for this trip - with the exception of O'Hana... the one that I was most excited to try, and by far the most disappointing. I think we had a good mix of ambiance, good food, and unique dining experiences, things you can't get anywhere else....

Up next.... FINAL installment... saying goodbye....

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

Thanks for your most recent update. Leaving Disney World is such an emotionally challenging thing for me. Ugh, it's like I just want to disappear somewhere in the Magic Kingdom and let everyone else leave. Normally, I leave a few tears behind.

 

[jmskinner]

Your last day is about to tear me up, I'm sure it will happen when you say Goodbye to Gma and Gpa.

Your TR's keep me laughing. Love all the crazy pics. Sounds like everyone had a great time.

Biergarden is one of my favorites, so is people watching. Something I got from my Mother.

Taking a deep breath...ready for your next update.

 

[Beth D]

Love the pics over the years of you guys there! What a great comparison to see how times have changed.

Rock on Grandpa! I hope i'm going on rides when i'm his age! TOT was really a wild ride when we rode it! I was not prepared for such a drop without an OTSR, but WOW! My mom still does a few of the coasters, but not all of them anymore...

 

[rndmr2]

Great update, Love that your Dad did ToT!

Ally's face paint was really pretty!

I Love Biergarten! Glad you were able to go there on your last day. I haven't been for Lunch but I have been for dinner my last 3 trips. They had this really good cauliflower soup the last time, yummy (especially with those pretzel rolls dipped in it!! )

 

[KristiMc]

I love the pictures of you at the Boardwalk. What a nice tradition.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Ally's face painting was very pretty! The CMs do a really good job.

We usually spend our last day at WDW in Epcot. It's such a nice place to walk around. I,too am a people watcher, sometimes I just can't believe what I'm seeing!

The pictures of the years past at BW are priceless.

I don't know how old your parents are, but we're over sixty & love to ride ToT, Everest & all those thrill rides, just sayin'!

 

[MEK]

I'm so impressed that your dad went on Tot! What fun for Ally!

Love seeing your old pictures. What a great tradition!

Sounds like you had an awesome trip and you're right - how does it go so fast??????

 

[anewmac]

Love your traditional pics. I like hearing what is something that everyone does everytime at Disney.

How fun for Gpa to ride TOT. Thats a great memory for Ally.

So sad to hear it end.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Go Grandpa!!!! I love that he rode ToT!!!

Mmmm....Biergarten....

 

[jenseib]

What a nice family day. I can't believe the trip is almost over though...boo hoo.

Grandpa looks like a riot!

 

[CRdisMom]

okay what face cream do you use??? cause you keep getting younger!!

 

[OhMari]

I read your whole TR tonite while watching NASCAR, or I should say listening to NASCAR.

Your dad is awesome. Did you look to see if your dad brought along his typewriter?

Your 10 or 15 second video's were funny.

What a great time to go to WDW. I still have not scene the Osbourn liters, but someday.

Looking forward to your tag team TR of DisMoms. make sure you guys post it on the TR board too even though you will be taking a cruise.

 

[karajeboo]

Thanks for your most recent update. Leaving Disney World is such an emotionally challenging thing for me. Ugh, it's like I just want to disappear somewhere in the Magic Kingdom and let everyone else leave. Normally, I leave a few tears behind.

I've tried hiding, but they always seem to find me....

Your last day is about to tear me up, I'm sure it will happen when you say Goodbye to Gma and Gpa.

Your TR's keep me laughing. Love all the crazy pics. Sounds like everyone had a great time.

Biergarden is one of my favorites, so is people watching. Something I got from my Mother.

Taking a deep breath...ready for your next update.

It's gonna be a tough one to write, too......

Love the pics over the years of you guys there! What a great comparison to see how times have changed.

Rock on Grandpa! I hope i'm going on rides when i'm his age! TOT was really a wild ride when we rode it! I was not prepared for such a drop without an OTSR, but WOW! My mom still does a few of the coasters, but not all of them anymore...

The way I see it, since there is no over the shoulder restraint, there is NO WAY it's actually a 13 story drop. I'm guessing 60-70 feet max..... I think it's all that Disney magic that makes us THINK it's a lot bigger than it really is....

Great update, Love that your Dad did ToT!

Ally's face paint was really pretty!

I Love Biergarten! Glad you were able to go there on your last day. I haven't been for Lunch but I have been for dinner my last 3 trips. They had this really good cauliflower soup the last time, yummy (especially with those pretzel rolls dipped in it!! )

LOVE the pretzel rolls!!!! We've never been for dinner, so I've missed the sauerbraten (which I LOVE!), but we really enjoy lunch here....

I love the pictures of you at the Boardwalk. What a nice tradition.

It's cause we are just so darn cute!!!!

Ally's face painting was very pretty! The CMs do a really good job.

We usually spend our last day at WDW in Epcot. It's such a nice place to walk around. I,too am a people watcher, sometimes I just can't believe what I'm seeing!

The pictures of the years past at BW are priceless.

I don't know how old your parents are, but we're over sixty & love to ride ToT, Everest & all those thrill rides, just sayin'!

Oh Mother of Wicket, of COURSE you are daredevils!!! I would expect nothing less of you! The funny thing is that when I was a kid, my mom was the one who rode all the crazy rides with me. She rode Space Mtn with me the first time we all went to WDW - my dad wouldn't even consider it!!! So I have no idea what happened to him....

I'm so impressed that your dad went on Tot! What fun for Ally!

Love seeing your old pictures. What a great tradition!

Sounds like you had an awesome trip and you're right - how does it go so fast??????

It does go way too fast..... I'm hoping to slow the clock down beginning Saturday about noon, and holding slow until Thursday.....

Love your traditional pics. I like hearing what is something that everyone does everytime at Disney.

How fun for Gpa to ride TOT. Thats a great memory for Ally.

So sad to hear it end.

It's so sad, Drea..... I HATE writing the final chapter!

Go Grandpa!!!! I love that he rode ToT!!!

Mmmm....Biergarten....

He totally surprised me with what he rode this trip!!!

What a nice family day. I can't believe the trip is almost over though...boo hoo.

Grandpa looks like a riot!

He is... well, Grandpa IS......

okay what face cream do you use??? cause you keep getting younger!!

Ha! I wish! I've lost about 10-15 lbs since the first trip we took with Ally, but notice how these are not closeups? Cause then you'd know how much I've aged!!!!

I read your whole TR tonite while watching NASCAR, or I should say listening to NASCAR.

Your dad is awesome. Did you look to see if your dad brought along his typewriter?

Your 10 or 15 second video's were funny.

What a great time to go to WDW. I still have not scene the Osbourn liters, but someday.

Looking forward to your tag team TR of DisMoms. make sure you guys post it on the TR board too even though you will be taking a cruise.

We will for sure post it!!!! I can't wait to start writing that one! First I need to finish this one, add one or two updates to my cruise TR from last month, and then head out with my girls!!!

 

[Simba22]

How cool that your dad went on ToT! So glad he actually liked it, too!

I wasn't all that impressed with Ohana (dinner) OR Biergarten! Ohana is my favorite place for breakfast but the dinner....eh. We were really looking forward to dinner at Biergarten but we got there just as the band was finishing so we had no entertainment, the people that sat with us were pretty boring and kinda rude, our server disappeared after he delivered our drinks, and the food on the buffet was actually kind of on the cold side. Over all...not impressed.

So sad to have to say goodbye! I cry every time!