Mission Accomplished~Now A Trip Report~Day 10~A BRIEF CONCLUSION~

[jaycns]

Still enjoying your report! In fact, it's one of my favorites. Keep up the great work! Your kids are just adorable! Thanks for sharing with us!

 

[mousebit]

Hi, Mony!
Great trippie so far! Keep it comin'. Ya know I only survive by reading everyone else's TRs and chanting "next year, next year..." over and over again to myself!
I'm glad you've included pics. Helps a fog head like me keep up with the story! And we get to see how cute your kids are! DTD looks beautiful for the holiday season but sounds like a madhouse. Glad you managed to redirect before major meltdown.

 

[monymony3471]

Ok! YOU ROCK! You are Amped! Whatever that means!

I think it was NOT nice of your dd to behave on the flight so nicely! That makes "some" of our dd's look bad! (tantrums are our birth control). She and Norah would be buddies I'm sure!

I think our boys would get along swimingly too...keep that in mind for our skinny-minnie meet!

Yup, that darn Lego store gets my kids hopped up too! I swear they could be there for hours! And spend a truckload of my pin money there too!

You are soooo sweet to let them play in the fountains! I probably would if mine had on their CROCS but the time we spent there, they had on athletic shoes and they take forever to dry.

We'll have to ride that money train next time! How cute your kids are!!!!!!

I packed two pairs, I knew their shoes would get wet somehow on this trip.

At first I wanted to say NO! But, I remembered where we were and that, "we are on vacation" voice totally pushed my motherly thinking right out of the way. It got back up with a few scraps and bruises, but nothing serious.

 

[monymony3471]

Still enjoying your report! In fact, it's one of my favorites. Keep up the great work! Your kids are just adorable! Thanks for sharing with us!

Wow, thanks. That's a big nice compliment. Keep posting, I love looking at those penguins up to no good. Reminds me of my younger days.....

 

[monymony3471]

Lexy and mousebit: my dedicated readers! Thanks.

There are posts in another thread about WDW not looking festive this year. I thought everything was just beautiful. I have nothing else to compare to, but you did definitely feel the holiday spirit.

 

[PrincessV]

Seriously? The DTD train ride is up to $2 now?? But worth every cent, in the kids' eyes!
Don't you just love DTD during the holiday season? I rarely buy anything there, but I always enjoy strolling around, taking in the decorations and entertainment. Glad you guys enjoyed it!

Oh boy, RIDES tomorrow!!!

 

[jaycns]

Wow, thanks. That's a big nice compliment. Keep posting, I love looking at those penguins up to no good. Reminds me of my younger days.....

Duu Beee Dooo Beee Doooo...that's what I hear the "naughty" penguin humming under his breath as he waps the other one who then takes the plunge.

Oh and I LOVE that you let them get wet long pants and all! You really are a rocking mom! Surprise trip to WDW AND you can get wet in your street clothes!!

 

[spongemommie05]

Wow! you are the coolest Mama ever i love your tr so far and i am so excited for ya as well Me never been to wdw and only disneyland for a couple of rides (went with my family when i was 12 and got burnt to a crisp, let's just say disneyland was not the happiest place to be for me .) so, i can't wait for more i love the pictures! very cute family .

 

[monymony3471]

spongemommie05 & jaycns: If you ask my kids what kind of mom I am they say, "embarrassing but good, and not cool".

Thanks for thinking differently of me.

 

[monymony3471]

The alarm went off and I was in park mode. No wait for the shower, jump right in and out, no wait at the vanity. I fast passed the potty, cause the whole gang was about to wake up and I knew I’d have to do that 1 more time! I had 30 minutes to get ready and then the wake up call would come. I look over and Mal was already lying in her daddy's arms. So precious.

She says, “Castle mumma?” you have to imagine her saying that with her ninny in her mouth.

“Soon baby, real soon”. I say.

Our wake up call comes and I put it on the speaker phone. We hear some music and a distorted scream. We deciphered stitch said, something about a dream and wake up. We all looked at each other and the moment was just dead. We like Stitch, but we love Mickey. For the love of Disney, please bring back Mickey Mouse on the wake up calls!

Ok, maybe when we are a little bit more alert and I’ve had my coffee we would understand what just happened.

Everyone’s up and ready and we had what would be breakfast for the most part of the week. (Pop tarts, cereal, taco chips, muffins, or kelloggs granola snacks) We head to the front desk. Our package started today and I had to pick up our new room key/park tickets.

I park in the front of doors cause this should only take a few minutes, it’s before 8am.

Wrong. Took forever! My family got so tired of waiting for me they left.

They left the car to come and see what was taking me so long. I told Tim to get the boys a Pop century mug so they can get slurpees. That’s what we call them anyways. (Frozen coke)

After that major detour we are at MGM Studios. Our first park.

Any other trip our first park would have been the Magic Kingdom. But not this time. Tomorrow is Matt’s birthday and the family’s favorite park is MK, so that’s where we will be celebrating his 10th birthday.

First Park. MGM. Firsts for mom at this park. A lot of firsts gonna happen this trip.

As we get in a CM is handing out FPes for Lights! Cars! Action! to anyone who wants one. Cool! 6 please and they are mine.

I need coffee. Nanee and I need our coffee, so we make an immediate stop on our right next to the stroller rentals.

2 please and put it towards my snack credits. Love it. The coffee was hot and strong and full of zing. Just the thing I needed. Hey honey, the dining plan just started and Tim and Zach get mickey ice cream bars. Who cares, we are on vacation. Matt the little smarty was saving his.

I look at Tim and he says where are we going and I say, Rock N Roller Coaster. Fast Pass! On the double.

Then I spot her. The photo pass lady.

At RNRRC There’s a wait so we fastpass. I give Tim my card and he says, “YOU are going on this?

Yes.

“Are you sure?”

Yes. (I was ignoring my motion sickness issues, my hands are over my ears and I'm not listening to that inner voice, la la la la la la)

Then I spot the photo pass person again.

Ok, from here we tease the boys and say we are going on Tower of Terror! They still are not ready for this ride.

I never will be.

We are walking and we see Stitch.

I wasn’t sure if Mal really knew who stitch was. But she wanted to see him, the line was kinda short, so we got in line. I brought the boys autograph books and Nanee ran to get Mal’s her first. She bought Matt and Zach’s in 2003 and it had to be the same for all three kids.

She even bought Mal a cute Mickey Mouse pen to go with it. Remember that because it caused us great trouble with another character later in the trip.

Needless to say. She loved Stitch. And I think Stitch really liked Mal cause he took all kinds of pics with her.

She is cute isn’t she? Not that I’m biased or anything……

I tell Tim to take the Boys to Star Tours and the girls will take Malorie to Play House Disney or Voyage of the Little Mermaid. My favorite attraction here. I just love this show and it brings back so many memories from my childhood. I love puppets and puppetry and loved seeing these shows growing up.

Little Mermaid was already a 40 minutes wait, and Play House Disney was letting everyone in, so it’s a no brainer. We are gonna dance with a bear.

Mal just loved this show. I knew she would. Last year when she was here it was an excuse to let her crawl around and stretch and get some exercise. We hung out on the benches so she wouldn’t bother anyone.

This time we were near the front. We sang, danced, caught confetti and bubbles. Tears fell when I watched Mal become mesmerized with the show. Yep, she’s getting it. She can really feel the magic!

I realized after this trip that FPes really don’t expire. But I must have fallen asleep in FP 101 a few times, so we didn’t get to see LCAESS. But it was time to hit RNRRC. And I had to do this before our 12:30 lunch reservation.

Zach is not participating. This year. Willingly.

Last year Tim took the boys on the ride and said it was no big deal. It just went really fast right away.

Matt fell in love with it, Zach, well let’s just say he does not like being lead on.

Mom, Dad, and Matt went to get on and Grandma, Mal and Zach found some shade and jammed to the tunes.

We get in the FP line and there is this announcement apologizing for the long delay. About 10 minutes into the wait the problems are solved and we are moving fast in our line.

I am looking forward to this ride for 2 reasons.

1) I have to be able to say I rode RNRRC this year.
2) I have a radio background. The set up in the line really interested me as I knew it would and Tim and I really like Aerosmith.

Side note: I loved my job in radio. I got to work in practically all aspects of the field. Being on air was fun and I liked working in promotions best. They gave me an on air name and it was: mony mony. Only because my real nick name was monie. (a short O sound). They made it sound more relatable. Later it was just Mony.
End side note. See, not much to do with Billy Idol.

We are sitting in the limo and I know it’s coming. Matt is next to me. He is trying to rub my arm to help me stay calm. Isn’t that sweet. I check his harness like 10 times. Say a quick prayer. Will I survive or will we come back and delay the ride more for a shampooing? I see the lights. And here the countdown. I hear 1 and the music is screaming in my ears and my stomach stayed back at the loading area. I have this crazy sensation and my belly catches up to me. We are flying! Super fast! Hey it goes upside down????

At first my eyes are closed and I realized how dumb that was cause, its dark in here already. Plus I did want to remember something to right about.

There was neon.

 

[monymony3471]

Sorry, but this was a huge thrill ride for me and it just happened way too fast to be able to write about after the first and only try.

Maybe I’ll ride it again honey. If you take me back there.

I did feel the burn in my stomach and throat and knew if the ride didn’t stop soon, we were going to have to make a stop for a shampoo.

Thank goodness for short rides.

Time for our Ressie at Sing and Dine at Hollywood and Vine!

We arrived 10 minutes or so early and we had to wait. A good 20 minutes or more. Having a party of 6 does make it a little harder to get a table promptly even with a reservation.

Here.

I was not liking people walking up without a ressie and getting seated before me. But I understand how the system works.

There’s a difference between understanding and liking the system.

We finally feel the buzz and get our table. I also don’t like waiting so long when the restaurant is not so full.

I ask to speak with a Chef to go over Matt’s allergies. That took a while. Too long. My family already got to go to the buffet and eat after getting their drink orders before he came.

He was really nice and went over the things Matt could have.

“I really appreciate all this, but what do you have that’s kid fare that he can eat? Mac N cheese has egg, chicken strips had egg, PB&J was totally out of the question. He likes hamburgers?”

He told me he had some hamburger in the back he could make into a patty. Matt was pulling on my arm cause he didn’t see French fries. I told him he couldn’t have that every time he ate. I thanked the chef and made Matt a plate of salad and corn while he waited for his burger. The chef brought him a cheese burger and French fries.

I was very happy that Matt was happy. Now I can eat and not worry, or feel guilty.

It’s time to sing!

Mal loved this place.

M-I-C-K-E-Y…………M-O-U-S-E

She’s so cute to watch. I am so surprised at the amount of words she already knows to all these Disney songs.

No I’m not.

Plus she just adores any and all characters. Just runs right up to them and gives them a hug. Whether they expect it or not. Surprise! There’s a little girl down here!

This is a great place to eat with little ones. Matt and Zach had fun too. But not like the little ones.

Everyone in our group thought the food was good. I thought it was very good.

After lunch we headed went to Voyage of the little mermaid. We got in line and they had to cancel the show due to technical difficulties. GRRRRRRRRR.

So we did Great Movie Ride, Narnia, and Muppets 3-D, and Beauty and The Beast. A first. I loved it. My sweet darling little daughter fell asleep and missed all but the last minutes of the show. She was not happy that it ended right when she woke up.

Along the way we saw this and man was this the loudest character greet I ever experienced!

We caught the last showing of Indian Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Boys and their testosterone. Enough said.

Its getting dark, they do Star Tours again and now it’s time to walk down New York Street and see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. And everyone else in the park had the exact same idea at the same time. We were all brilliant. It was a very dazzeling display of lights. Now they dance to the music. Very cool.

Over 5 million lights eh? No wonder Disney raised their rates. Can you imagine what that electric bill is?

Matt wants to do Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure. Which is right down the street. Just have to get through all these people Matt, no problem.

20 minutes later, and only 2 blocks we are there and it’s closed. Duh! No sun, no fun. Closes at dusk! We were going to eat at Toy Story Pizza Planet but according to the times guide it was closed. GRRRRRR. But later we found out it wasn’t. Shesh!

We are just standing at Studios Catering, so why not eat here? We take a break before Fantasmic. We are doing the 2nd show at 8:30pm.

This is the one spot I take a picture of the boys each trip.

We grab a table. I see a man walking from the counter with a beer. I ask Tim to grab us all a beer.

The adults, not the kids. Really now! He comes back mmmmmm beer.

I go up to order for the kids and my mom. Tim and I were still pretty full from lunch. There’s no line. Liking that a lot.

I explain my son’s situation to the cashier. She points out Dave.

Dave is wonderful. He takes me to the side and listens to me. He gets out ingredient booklets and bun packages and we read things over. I tell him I only want plain hotdogs for the kids but we are on the dinning plan and that’s not on the kids menu. No problem he says. How many kids do you have. I say 3, but wait she’s only 2 so she doesn’t count. No problem he says. He has the girl ring up our order special. I get all my kids something to each. No sharing or splitting up food.

Then he helps me carry the trays over to my family. Greets them all and asks how our day was. He came back later on to check on us. How often does that happen at a counter service restaurant?

He was just wonderful and so helpful. The food was good. I forgot to get the Sangria like I had last time, but I know I will go back there one day. Right honey?

My kids were happy. Matt didn’t have to wait for a special order. He ate right along with his family.

We went to Fanstasmic. My family likes it. After the first time, I could live without it. Mal thought it was way too loud. I held her through most of it and covered her ears. So, maybe next year, hint hint honey, she’ll enjoy it more.

It’s after 9 and we head home. There were 2 attractions we didn’t do that we wanted. Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Lights Cars Action. Oh, and Matt wanted to play in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure. If we get a chance to come back I left Friday open.

Once we got back to the rooms, the kids were beat and fell into bed and asleep. I took out the POTC birthday banner I brought and the Mylar Balloons. I hung the banner.

I went to the front counter and asked if they could blow them up for me. They did and added 6 more black ones with pirate décor on them. They took down Matt’s b-day info for a surprise. I already had that in the ressie, but it never hurts. While I was there they gave me a birthday button for Matt to wear tomorrow. One less stop we’d have to make at Magic Kingdom.

I then went to the gift shop to pick up the present I sent there for Matt.

I got back to the room after Midnight and Tim was already asleep, but, its worth it. For Matt, it’s worth it.

I laid out his presents. Yes, family gave me cards to give to Matt so he could still experience some of the traditions he is used to. Then I finally called it a night.

 

[lexmelinda]

Sorry, but this was a huge thrill ride for me and it just happened way too fast to be able to write about after the first and only try.

I felt the same way!!! My heart was pounding...I said a prayer for me and for James...that unknown heart ailment! Then I kept my eyes closed through about half the ride and it was over in the nick of time...before I barfed. I loved it though and I loved ToT just as much...maybe more. You MUST try it next time.

Having a party of 6 does make it a little harder to get a table promptly even with a reservation.

Add party of five to that list. Anything beyond 4 and there just aren't that many tables with that seating capacity in the place.

Its getting dark, they do Star Tours again and now it’s time to walk down New York Street and see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

I would love to see this. It looks so beautiful. Gotta Youtube it so I can see the lights dance!

This is the one spot I take a picture of the boys each trip.

So weird to see your boys standing right there where we were. I love the Cars tshirt...James has one just like it that he wore on MGM day.

We went to Fanstasmic. My family likes it. After the first time, I could live without it.

Here, here. I hope I never have to endure Fantasmic again. Did you do the post Fantasmic run like nebo?

I laid out his presents. Yes, family gave me cards to give to Matt so he could still experience some of the traditions he is used to.

You're a good mom, Monica!

Great installment, sister and the kids are adorable....especially that Mallory. I miss having little girls (hair bow, outfits, cute shoes, aaahhh) but big girls are fun, too!

 

[monymony3471]

You have to adjust your internal alarm. You are up early today missy!

I felt the same way!!! My heart was pounding...I said a prayer for me and for James...that unknown heart ailment! Then I kept my eyes closed through about half the ride and it was over in the nick of time...before I barfed. I loved it though and I loved ToT just as much...maybe more. You MUST try it next time.

I will always be one of those people standing outside of ToT with their head titled back, hand above the brow to block the sun and eyes squinted to just observe. I was seconds away from barfing on Space Mt. Last year.

Add party of five to that list. Anything beyond 4 and there just aren't that many tables with that seating capacity in the place.

I would love to see this. It looks so beautiful. Gotta Youtube it so I can see the lights dance!

My computer isn't set up to watch video so I don't think I can. It was cool when Trans Siberrian Orchestra was playing and the lights were literally jammin.

So weird to see your boys standing right there where we were. I love the Cars tshirt...James has one just like it that he wore on MGM day.

Here, here. I hope I never have to endure Fantasmic again. Did you do the post Fantasmic run like nebo? Carrying a 2 year old up til the stroller place and then dragging your heels into the concrete so the stroller doesn't take off is a feet in itself. Maybe next time I'll just hop right on it and yell at everyone to move out of our way!

You're a good mom, Monica! Will someone please tell my boys this!

Great installment, sister and the kids are adorable....especially that Mallory. I miss having little girls (hair bow, outfits, cute shoes, aaahhh) but big girls are fun, too!

Thanks Lexy you made my day!

 

[Disneyfreak92]

Oh my! I am loving it Monica! You're doing a great job! I can't wait for more! I am soooooo far behind though! (Actually only a day behind, but it takes me forever to write one day.) I promise I will catch up with you soon. I have it about halfway done. I can't believe we didn't run into each other all day at MGM!

 

[DisneyObsession]

I found your TR by going through your siggie off of the Peeps Board!
(A round about way, but I'm here!)

I am very impressed you kept it a secret so long. I think I would have burst!!!

Anyway, I was a little surprised your first park was MGM, after Mal wanting to see "Her Castle" so badly. But, you explained and I completely understood. Good strategy!

I am looking forward to more!

 

[monymony3471]

I found your TR by going through your siggie off of the Peeps Board!
(A round about way, but I'm here!)

I am very impressed you kept it a secret so long. I think I would have burst!!!

Anyway, I was a little surprised your first park was MGM, after Mal wanting to see "Her Castle" so badly. But, you explained and I completely understood. Good strategy!

I am looking forward to more!

Hi!

Glad you came over and thanks for reading. It was so hard to plan the parks that way. We could have done MK 2 days in a row, but I didn't want to take anything special away from Matt's birthday. Plus we like to do MK later in the week.

 

[Poohbear77]

OK Mony-

I stayed up till after midnight to read from pages 1-11, and I have to say...

Great Report You had me at secret agent

Keep on tripin and slimin, And i'll be right here with you

 

[monymony3471]

OK Mony-

I stayed up till after midnight to read from pages 1-11, and I have to say...

Great Report You had me at secret agent

Keep on tripin and slimin, And i'll be right here with you

Oh, wow. Thanks! Hope it was worth missing some sleep over. With that in mind, I'll try harder to make this more entertaining. It does get better.

 

[jaycns]

Just awaiting another chapter!

 

[spongemommie05]

Great Great Great!!!! can't wait for more!