"Mom, Dad, 3 Kids & a Gingerbread Boy" Matty's Wish Trip December 10-18, 2009

[pacrosby]

"It's a MAGICAL kingdom" - cont'd





As expected the parade does not disappoint......................well, at least it hasn't disappointed some of us. As the crowd is breaking up I look down only to find that most of my children are.........................ASLEEP Now how anyone can sleep through a Spectromagic parade is an absolute mystery to me Oh well................it seems as if we have finally managed to wear them out!! All except Matty of course. He, as is usual, remains bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. He's ready for MORE!! Sorry bud, with 3 out of 6 over and out it is time to call it a night and head on home. We wake the sleeping beauties. The walk back through the park, to the monorail, through the TTC, and down to the parking lot is a lonnnnnnng and difficult one with Brennan asleep on dh's shoulder like a sack of potatos, Livy in tears from sheer exhaustion and Nicholas draaaaaaaaging behind. Thank goodness for Matty who keeps our spirits up with his silly antics and infectious giggles. It's 12:30 am, he's been up since 8 this morning, and here he is hopping all over the place, giggling and laughing, having a good ol' time! That Matty.....................my little energizer bunny!! When we got back to the villa we are met with 4 little surprises:

How appropro




Pamela

 

[pacrosby]

Ohh! Love the castle all lit up. Do they do that every night?? I think I am going to be a lover of It's A small world dont know about the rest of the fam though. Im thinking maybe not. How was the Snow White ride, was it scary at all?

No the lighting of the castle is only at the holidays. Guess you'll have to go back at the end of the year huh? Although not 'scary' per se I can see where a small child might be less than thrilled. It's dark and some of the images might be alittle spooky. You should be ok though

Glad you got to enjoy EE! My DD, age 6, was just tall enough on our most recent trip and loved it! She made me ride it three times the little daredevil! Love the characters in their holiday gear!

So glad you made it to the castle lighting! You are right - it is so amazing in person that photos and video really don't do it justice. Jen - they only light it like that for the holidays. You got a lot done in the MK! In all of our trips, we have not eaten at Pinocchio's - we will have to try it. SM was not open so I haven't ridden the new version yet and DD has never ridden it - we can't wait!

Looking forward to the next update!

I wasn't aware there was a 'new' and 'old' version of Space Mountain. Since I haven't ridden it in almost 20 yrs I'm guessing I must've ridden the 'old' version. Guess it was so long ago I couldn't tell the difference Matty was just a hair under 42 inches which was a bummer for him. I know he would've loved alot of the coasters he just missed being tall enough for (tough to be extra short for your age). The food at Pinocchio's was basic. I just really enjoyed the theme.

I'm glad you made it in time for the castle lighting! I think the day we go is the day of Teen Idol at the village, so we're planning on making it a rope drop to closing affair, with at least one break at the wish lounge planned! I love IASW, as does Gram, and Piper is very excited about it as well! (She loves learning about different cultures!)

Too funny that the kids were all about the Pooh playground! We'll have to make a quick stop there if it catches Piper's eye. I can't wait to ride Space Mountain, and as of now Piper is in the same mindset, but we'll see. I haven't gone into that on my report yet but I will soon. Looking forward to the next update!

I must be having a brain cramp Amanda. What does IASW stand for?????? Re: pooh's playground, I just got a kick out of the fact that, here we are, in the MK, with tons of rides/attractions we have yet to check out and my kids (especially the 9,8 and 7 yr old) want to stay and run around in Pooh's Playground????? That's why I said 'note to self'. Sometimes I forget how easily entertained they are. They don't need to run around like nuts going from attraction to attraction to have a great time. If they don't see it all, they won't care..................they just want to have fun (I on the other hand want to see and do it all.......TWICE!!)

Ok getting caught up again

ET I love that movie! Cry everytime! My parents bought it for me lol. I cannot wait to ride that ride. I remember when dh and myself rode it just like it was yesterday

The castle is B E A U T I F U L!! Ok I am seriously not sure about EE. I really want to ride it. But WOW Im not a huge roller coaster rider since my younger days lol .I know Ty will want to ride it but not sure about Sierra. But it does look like alot of fun. So not that much jerking around? ooh I might I dont know lol.

The parade looks like alot of fun. I hope we catch it. I loved Donald on top of the jeep!That was too cute.

Nope, no jerking around on EE. I wouldn't have ridden it if there was and dh would never stretch the truth in an effort to get me to go on. It's way too serious if my back goes out.

I guess I fell behind again. I loved the kids with the Pooh characters. They all are so happy. I think it is fantastic that you made it to the castle lighting. We watched it from the Ferry boat. The night that we tried to make it the monorail line at the Ticket and Transportation Center was down the ramp and around the corner so we took the Ferry. You got to do a lot of rides in a short period of time. I am happy that Space Mountain was up and running for you! Great updates as always!

Too bad you didn't get front of the line access at the TTC too huh?

YAY!! I'm so glad you made it to MK just in time for the castle lighting!!! This is something I cannot WAIT to see in December!! The lights are amazing!!! I can't believe how many rides you got done in such little time!! Can't wait to read more!

Hey, when are you going in December??? We are planning to go back too. Are you booked yet? I don't know when I should seriously start planning that one. This one was pulled together at the last minute. I can't imagine having a whole year to plan


Pamela

 

[jenb1023]

I love Spectro too! I guess when kids are tired they are tired. DD fell asleep before the MVMCP parade last year and slept through the whole thing.

Sounds like there might be several of us there in December - we are hoping to fit a trip in.

 

[maroo]

I am sooooo coming in December.

And if it KILLS me I am going to see that Castle Lighting! I missed it!

Great update! Love that you guys made it to Space Mountain. That button is amazing for getting some folks through the parks!!

 

[ladybugmom]

Hey, when are you going in December??? We are planning to go back too. Are you booked yet? I don't know when I should seriously start planning that one. This one was pulled together at the last minute. I can't imagine having a whole year to plan

We are looking at the week after Thanksgiving!! We haven't booked yet. I'm thinking we may take advantage of a Bounceback offer when we are there in May!!

 

[pacrosby]

I love Spectro too! I guess when kids are tired they are tired. DD fell asleep before the MVMCP parade last year and slept through the whole thing.

Sounds like there might be several of us there in December - we are hoping to fit a trip in.

I do think that is my favorite parade. Tough to get good px though

I am sooooo coming in December.

And if it KILLS me I am going to see that Castle Lighting! I missed it!

Great update! Love that you guys made it to Space Mountain. That button is amazing for getting some folks through the parks!!

Are you going in December too?????? Holy cow girl!!! Maybe we'll be there at the same time......hint hint............I'll meet you by the gingerbread men

We are looking at the week after Thanksgiving!! We haven't booked yet. I'm thinking we may take advantage of a Bounceback offer when we are there in May!!

I've poked around but of course at this point nobody shows anything but the rack rates. I need myself a DEAL!!!!





You guys are so loyal!!!!! Thanks I may not be able to update for a couple of days but I think I've come up with a title for the next installment. How 'bout "A Grinch with a Who, a Boop-Boop-Bee-Doo, and Thing One and Thing Two"

So, ok.....................maybe it needs a little work




Pamela

 

[pipersmom]

I think that's a great title!: Now get cracking girlie! Just kidding..will be looking forward to your next update though! : Ohh..IASW=It's A Small World!

 

[yinyanggirls]

I'm so excited for Spectromagic!!!

 

[jenb1023]

I love the title for the next chapter!

We are going to have to start a December trip thread!

 

[pacrosby]

I think that's a great title!: Now get cracking girlie! Just kidding..will be looking forward to your next update though! : Ohh..IASW=It's A Small World!

You like it? It's between that and this version "A Grinch and a Who, Betty Boop, Duddly Doo, Then back to Seussville for Thing One and Thing Two"!!! Maybe I should let you all vote

I'm so excited for Spectromagic!!!

Hope you get better px than we did!!!!!

I love the title for the next chapter!

We are going to have to start a December trip thread!

Do you mean "you" need to start a December trip thread or we all need a "community" trip thread!!!!!






Sadly doesn't look like I will be able to do another installment for a couple of days. We had my parents here all day yesterday and today because of a little birthday party for Matty (better late than never) yesterday. I'll have to take a px of the cake.................I made one that looked like his Gingerbread man costume Now tonight dh is going to NY for a couple of days for business and taking his laptop to his secretary. What nerve huh? Oh well, don't go too far away. I'll be back. I'm itchin' to keep movin' on here.

On a positive note we went to do our gad/gad service this morning. It was 3 hours at a community service day program in honor of MLK day in an adjacent town. We made 4 blankets, wrote out some valentines day cards for seniors in a local nursing home, made birthday bags for homeless children and put together some dog and cat toys for a local animal shelter. It was a nice thing to do as a family AND we will get 5 tickets to Disney as a bonus


Pamela

 

[maroo]

Are you going in December too?????? Holy cow girl!!! Maybe we'll be there at the same time......hint hint............I'll meet you by the gingerbread men

I am going back in December. Theoretically.



I am not sure of the dates...I THOUGHT it would be the 2nd weekend of Dec. But one of my favorite podcasts announced different dates for their meets...so now I don't know when I am going?

 

[jenb1023]

Do you mean "you" need to start a December trip thread or we all need a "community" trip thread!!!!!

I meant we need a community trip thread. I would love to start a PTR once I feel more confident that we are definitely going and the dates.

I am going back in December. Theoretically.



I am not sure of the dates...I THOUGHT it would be the 2nd weekend of Dec. But one of my favorite podcasts announced different dates for their meets...so now I don't know when I am going?

Maroo - remember how you said you would be my TA. This is your first assignment - figure out when in December to go. It seems like everything is later in December this year which leaves less time before the Christmas rush. I need you to pin down when the parade taping is, when Pop Warner is and when your people will be there and factor in the beginning of the Christmas rush so we can all determine the best time to go.

 

[maroo]

I meant we need a community trip thread. I would love to start a PTR once I feel more confident that we are definitely going and the dates.



Maroo - remember how you said you would be my TA. This is your first assignment - figure out when in December to go. It seems like everything is later in December this year which leaves less time before the Christmas rush. I need you to pin down when the parade taping is, when Pop Warner is and when your people will be there and factor in the beginning of the Christmas rush so we can all determine the best time to go.

Hmmmmmm.....

Pop Warner - Typically the first or 2nd week of December. Normally 8 days. But you won't see much in the parks with it...just DON'T stay at All Stars or Port Orleans that week if you decide to go! And book POP EARLY if you think you MIGHT want to go at some point that week.

Christmas Taping...we won't know that until right before...but it can be easily avoided by avoiding the MK on that date (unless you want to be a part of it). It is usually that first weekend.

So far WDW Today has announced their meets for the end of that first week and into that first weekend (1st to 6th?? maybe?).

The DIS Podcast folks are going on a cruise December 12-16th...so I would imagine they will have some activities going on around that weekend.

But that is just personal meets for me...

Crowd-wise...I would think the 2nd weekend and going into the 3rd week (but get OUT of there by the 17th) would be best. But I think I am probably going that first weekend. And don't know how long I will be there? Probably not much past Monday...so Thursday to Monday.

My plans *may* change if some of the other groups of my online friends end up saying they will all be there the 2nd weekend. Then I will have to choose.

But I am all for having a big "meet" and hang out that first weekend (after the Thanksgiving rush has ended).... MVMCP...Watching the Parades...Hunting down Gingerbread Men.

 

[praisehisname]

Love this picture!

I love Pooh's Christmas outfit!

As the crowd is breaking up I look down only to find that most of my children are.........................ASLEEP

Awww, that was a really long day, though! They were troopers!

 

[maroo]

Hi guys! Just wanted to pop in and say hello!


Hello!

 

[pacrosby]

"A Cat and a Who, Betty Boop, Dudley Doo, a BIG Dinosaur, and Thing 1 and Thing 2"

Part I: A Cat and a Who





Day 4????? How could that be? Can it be true that we are in fact 1/2 of the way through our adventure? Don't you just hate when that 'awareness' suddenly sets in? Oh well, there's a lot of fun yet to be had so I push that thought aside and get ready for yet another exciting day. The crew is up and atom early this Sunday morning. We have a 9:00 breakfast reservation at Confisco's Grille at the Islands of Adventure. We pull ourselves together rather quickly and head out the door. Brennan poses for a picture on the front porch while waiting for his siblings:

It's little bit of a ride from GKTW to US/IOA. And we're running late!!! Per usual the Crosby's are running late. And Mrs. Crosby (yeah, that's me) is starting to stress. I am just convinced that they are going to throw us out on our ears when we get there. Dh, of course, tells me I'm being silly. We arrive at the outer gates at 9:15. Already 15 minutes late. We make our way to our spot in the lot, make the looooong trek to the park entrance, get through the ticket turnstiles, secure our stroller rental and finally make it to Confisco's at.................................9:40!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG....it's 9:40!!!! I send dh up to the hostess to plea our case but, of course, no plea necessary. She barely bats and eye and leads us to our seats. Don't they say that 90% of the things we worry about never come to be??? Dh was right. I'm so silly

Breakfast is buffet style at the Confisco Grille and boy does it look yummy. Now how exactly I have gone from the "I don't eat breakfast girl" to the "oh boy, I just gotta have a huge pile of that, and that, and THAT........for breakfast girl"? is beyond me. And unfortunately I can tell that I'm going to pay for my new hobby as my pants have been getting a wee bit tighter over the last couple of days Anyhoo, there's no time to waste. We pile our plates high with the goodies and sit down. Within minutes we have company. Oh Joy!!!!






It's the Cat in the Hat:

a Who (how exactly do they create that nose???):

and the 'ol Grinch himself:

Now that Grinch is quite a hoot!!!!! And he's in full character. He's snarky, and sarcastic; almost downright mean. Fortunately the kids are very familiar with Mr. Grinch and roll with it all, giggling their little heads off. At one point Grinchie pulls me up for a picture and promptly declares "You expect me to take a picture with HIM?" referring to the Mickey Mouse on my shirt. He then comes up with a great idea

Grinchie spends a fair amount of time at our table before heading off. After stuffing ourselves silly, dh and I discuss the plans for the day ahead and the children get alittle goofy with some adorable cardboard characters:

(note that Olivia is pretending to 'sing') and Matty finds a favorite of his own:

Once out the door we head stage left, in the direction of the Marvel Super Hero Island. Now my boys, oddly enough, have precisely Z-E-R-O interest in Super Heros (yup, you read that right) so there is no need to seek out any characters. And Doctor Doom's Fearfall? Well that's out of the question for obvious reasons. The Incredible Hulk Coaster has me intrigued but I have no takers. Plus there's no way I can go on that thing unless someone goes before me and deems it safe for my back.........and dh? Well, he'll have none of that. That leaves Storm Force Accelatron and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. All 6 of us ride Spidey, a 3-D ride simulator, and give it the The Accelatron? Well, maybe not. The Acceltron is really nothing more than a fancy tea cup ride and while we love a good tea cup ride, this one did not deliver. Of course perhaps the fact that we were joined by another family, in OUR cup, may have had something to do with it. A tea cup ride is only fun if you can turn that wheel so fast that it makes your head spin and, well, that certainly is not an option when a strange woman and her two little kids suddenly jump in your cup with you.................UNINVITED We disembark shaking our heads and make our way to..................................Toon Lagoon!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned for Part II: Betty Boop and Dudley Doo








Pamela

 

[praisehisname]

Is it just me, or are they a little creepy looking?

 

[maroo]

You are quite the night owl!

I love that the Grinch would not take a pick with Mickey Mouse!

And the tea cups?!?!? What was up with that?!

You know...did you go in the VIP entrance? Maybe they thought you were famous!

 

[kdzbear]

Another great update. The breakfast with the characters looks great. I loved the pictures of the Whos and the Grinch. The kids are all smiles and seem to really be having a blast!

 

[jenb1023]

Love the title!

Great pic with you and the Grinch and no Mickey! I did notice Olivia was singing with the whos - too cute!

Can't wait for Part II!