Once Upon A Celebration Dream: Revenge of the Ewok 8-1

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, Disney fans of all ages, the time has finally arrived for my trip report. I would be honored if you would join me as I attempt to entertain you with my observations and experiences on our recent family vacation to one of the happiest places on earth. This trip will be extra special as we're going during the Happiest Celebration on Earth. My parents began taking family vacations to Disney when I was but two years old. And all these years later, they're still taking family vacations to Disney.

For us, this vacation will be extra special as most of us were able to visit Disneyland during the Happiest Homecoming on Earth to celebrate fifty years of Disney theme parks. We've been to the place where Walt's dream of a family place where parents and children could have together started, and now we're going to visit the continued realization of Walt's dream.

To become familiar with our cast and why we love Disney so much, please visit my Disneyland trip report. I'll still be here when you get back.

All done now? Great, now you can sit back, relax, as I introduce to you the cast for this trip.

My father. An accountant by profession, the character he reminds me most of is Scrooge McDuck. Since most of the trip planning will take place during tax season, his major focus will be paying for the trip.

My mother. She shares a birth year with Disneyland, so it shouldn't surprise me that she loves Disney. She had a difficult upbringing and has done for her children what her own mother would not do for her. Disney is the source of her happiest moments as a little girl. She is most like Ariel on account of her red hair and spirit.

Me. Since Mickey Mouse graced my nursery even before I was born, I grew up thinking that he was a part of the family. The movies I watched the most as a little boy were Star Wars and Disney movies. My favorite Disney movie is Sleeping Beauty and I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a crush on Princess Aurora.

My little brother 3 years younger than me. Donald was his favorite Disney character as a kid, and I think he's like Donald in a few ways. For this report, he'll be known as Donald.

My brother's wife. A wonderful girl who has been a tremendous blessing in my brother's life. Don't know who her favorite character is, but I know she likes Pooh and Tigger.

My 7 month old nephew. Adorable baby. I don't get to see him much since I live out of state, so I'm excited to see him and spend some time with him on this trip.

My little sister. A senior in college she's never met a baby she didn't think was cute. Adores the family dog and fears that he will jump over the very tall fence in the backyard some day. This has caused me to tease her that dog is taking flying lessons from Tinker Bell. Also likes Disney Princesses, so we'll call her Princess.

My youngest brother. Loves RVs. Would have driven the motor home to WDW if we had let him. Known for his off the wall sense of humor. His biggest regret in life is not letting Cinderella kiss him during our first trip to WDW when he was all of 8 years old. We'll call him Goofy as the kid is definitely a goofball.

My baby sister. Even though she's 18 years old, she'll always be my baby sister. Her love of ewoks is entirely my fault as I gave her a stuffed ewok when she was a toddler. Thinks that Disney should have ewoks running around the parks all the time. Also loves that crazy Stitch, but I'll refer to her by her first love, Ewok.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

It is Christmas Day 2005. After Christmas dinner, we're gathered around the TV to watch the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade. Now, I loved WDW when we went in 1994, but since it's in Florida, it's a special trip indeed to go there. In fact, I love it so much that I try not to think about it on account of getting depressed because I had no idea when the next trip would be. But, desiring to immerse myself back in the Disney magic after our wonderful trip to Disneyland and before I had to return to my frustrating job and real life, I decided to record he WDW Christmas Day Parade. As we watched the parade, everyone talked about how much we wanted to go back to Disneyland. Little did I know what was coming. Three days later, I was back at home when my mom called. What she said next would shock me. It turns out that a bug had been planted. The talk of missing Disneyland had changed. We were now looking at visiting Walt Disney World in May. As I looked at prices on the Disney World website, it became more and more clear that we could afford this trip. I began to believe, although I wanted to stay cautious as I didn't want to get my hopes up only to have them dashed. As we talked over the next few days, I began to realize though that this trip was happening. Mom began to say when more than if, and my dad mentioned one day, that it was very likely.

On January 2, I went to see Chronicles of Narnia in the theater. Before the movie, I went to Borders and began looking at Disney World books. I called mom and talked about what books to get for the trip. Then, two nights later, while I watched the USC vs. Texas game, my mom called to tell me we had booked airfare on Southwest to Orlando. The best part was that we found a flight that originated in Oakland and had a stop in Salt Lake, where Princess and I could join the family and then fly to Walt Disney World together. Now, it was official. I can still remember the commercials from every major sporting event in the country. When You Wish Upon A Star is playing in the background.

Announcer: You've just gotten back from the Happiest Homecoming on Earth Celebration at Disneyland. What are you going to do now?

Us: We're going to Disney World!!!!!

Coming Soon: A Method to My Madness or Weeks of Waiting & Days of Planning

 

[luciloo]

You've got me hooked already can't wait to hear more.

I loved your report on Disneyland

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Can't wait to read the rest & see all the pictures!

 

[OhMari]

So you have 2 brothers and 2 sisters. I always tell my kids, (I have 2 boys and 2 girls) how lucky they are that they each have a sister and they each have a brother, versus the girls have 2 brothers and the boys have 2 sisters.

Okay, enough with me. I bet you have a blast with your family. Nice beginning, thanks for sharing your Trip with us.

 

[TLinden16]

That is quite the group you have going! I can't wait to hear about it all!

Thanks for posting.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Disney with 9 people can be quite an adventure as everyone inevitably has a different agenda and those agendas don't quite match all the time. It is, however, also a lot of fun. There are always fun and special moments that happen and it's wonderful to share them with a large group, especially when that group is your family.

Once the euphoria of realizing that we're going to Disney World has worn off, it's time to confront the massive task of trip planning. As seasoned Disneyland veterans we know all about the little tricks to reduce your wait in line and all that good stuff. We also know that Disney World trip planning cannot be approached lightly. Failure to plan means lost time and missed opportunities at Disney World that may not come back for a long, long time. After ordering the guidebooks, mom and I decide that she'll take the UG and I'll take Birnbaum's since I can supplement that with the internet. The last time we went to WDW, all we used was Birnbaum's and the UG. Since that 1994 visit the internet has come into play and planning your Disney vacation is easier than ever.

I start with All Ears Net. If you plan on eating on Disney property, this site is a must see. The menus helped us know what restaurants would work with our tastes and what restaurants wouldn't work. With 8 adults and an 8 night stay, each adult will choose 1 TS meal for the trip. Early on, we realize that multiple people are looking heavily at Le Cellier, so we pencil it in. On our last trip, we ate in Cinderella's Castle and watched the fireworks from there the last night, so we want another special farewell dinner. With the Magic Kingdom closed for Grad Night, we go for the Rose & Crown because of the special seating for Illuminations, which I learned about either here or at All Ears Net. We also decide to schedule a character meal that Mickey Mouse will be at since he's the big cheese. And then the nuttiness begins. Near the end of February, we realize that we need to finish making the ADRs. So, I sit down one night armed with the UG's best days to visit calendar and everybody's choice. It is insane as I map out which days to visit which parks and try to place everybody's choice in those days between the 3 TS meals we've already scheduled. I even give my mom backup plans just in case. I felt like my head was going to explode after it was all done. Just let me say that backup plans are a very good idea. We ended up having to reschedule 2 of our TS meals because they weren't available on the night of our first choice, but we did get every single one that we wanted. And two weeks before our trip, the UG's recommendation of what days to visit what parks changed, so all my careful planning jumped out the window. Thank goodness for park hoppers.

With the meals scheduled, I don't want to think about the DDP for a couple of weeks, so I shift my focus to park strategies. I cannot wait to experience Mission: Space. One of my buddies has told me all about it many times, and it sounds awesome. I decide to send my family an e-card of a dog spacewalking and inform Princess that the dog's flying lessons from Tinker Bell had finally paid off, especially as Disney's e-card dog sort of looks like my family's dog, who is spending this trip in Kennelland back home. I also can't wait for Expedition Everest, but since I still remember Splash Mountain being closed for retooling at Disneyland after it was supposed to be open in it's first summer, I try not to get too excited since it's not like I'm going to Disney World next year. To the park strategy end, I find the WDW Today podcast invaluable. We're already big fans of the UG as it helped us doing everything we wanted to back in '94 and we only had 5 days for that trip, so it's fun for me to listen to a Disney World podcast with a sense of humor. Plus, it really helps the end of the day fly by at work as I get more and more excited for the trip.

And of course, how could I forget the DIS Boards, loaded with information and debates about every single possible Disney topic that you could think of. Refillable mugs at the resorts, detailed descriptions and pictures of food at every Disney restaurant you can imagine, opinions on the best time to visit which attraction, and where to find which character. DIS has it all, and that's before we get to the Trip Reports or the Disney Picture of the Day thread. Believe you me, the picture of the day thread was wonderful. In the weeks leading up to my trip, I had to run a bunch of reports for work that take 3-5 minutes each to run, and I can do nothing else in the system while they're running. So, the picture of the day thread kept me sane and happy while I ran those reports. It also, incidentally, taught me about some great places to get a picture of and unique angles at which to take a picture of park icons.

And so, I began to learn what I really wanted to accomplish on the trip, aside from seeing almost everything, and trying to learn about the little things that many people skip over as they try to visit Disney as quickly as they can. Even though I'm 30 years old, I decide there are two characters that I really want to meet and get my picture taken with. Princess Aurora and Mickey Mouse. It's been years since I've had my picture taken with Mickey, and I've recently developed a crush on Princess Aurora. I guess all those sleepless nights where I entertained myself by watching Sleeping Beauty have affected me. Plus, given my occasional battles with insomnia, I envy the girl's abillity to sleep right through a dragon terrorizing the kingdom when I can't even sleep through the night. Well, thanks to the DIS Boards, I know right where to find the Disney Princess of my dreams. I even know that she can be found in more than one place and which times she can be found there. I've also learned that it's fun to kiss the hands of female fur characters and that you'll have a lot of fun if you can get Chip & Dale going.

The other thing the DIS taught me is the importance of having a trip binder. A week before the trip I make one, complete with the dining menus of all the park counter service meals, a map of every park, Downtown Disney, and the Scopa Towers otherwise known as POP Century, where we will be sleeping. I think the only time I could justify staying in a deluxe or moderate would be for a special occasion since about all I do in my hotel room is sleep. Shortly before the trip, I break down after WDW Today offers a 50% discount on the touring plans found at the UG's website and buy those so I can print them out and put them in the binder. I will carry the binder with me on this trip, so I know just what to do next and where to go to lunch in the parks. Yes, I'm a Disney geek, and I'm proud of it. My binder also contains tips on where to watch the parades and shows and the best places to meet certain characters, with almost every page given it's own sheet protector and each park having it's own section. My siblings make fun of me, but I don't care. They don't know the power of the trip binder. As Yoda might say, Once you start down the Disney side of the Force, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you, it will. Well, I joined the Disney side of the Force many years ago, and it's somehow fitting that my first picture on this thread will be of the cover I made for the trip binder. As the binder cover shows, I am a Star Wars and Disney geek, right down to Princess Aurora wielding a lightsaber. My family gets quite a kick out of this picture.

And now, we've come to the end of the planning section of the trip. This can only mean one thing. The trip section of the report is coming soon, and then the pictures will really start to flow.

 

[mikesdisneymom]

Looks very interesting already, can't wait for more.

 

[bjakmom]

I can only assume you spent some time at SWW . . . signing on to share the fun, get details . . . and see PICS!!! Is the Chronicles of Narnia preview still there?? DNeph just wants to walk through the wardrobe doors!

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I can only assume you spent some time at SWW . . . signing on to share the fun, get details . . . and see PICS!!! Is the Chronicles of Narnia preview still there?? DNeph just wants to walk through the wardrobe doors!

Oh, how I wish we could have been there for the SWW, but my sisters had to start school the second week of May, so we could only go the first week of May. However, I plan to go to SWW next year or 2008.

And the Narnia preview was still there the first week of May. It may be there quite a while given the popularity of the film and the plans to make Prince Caspian. They also had the kids costumes on display in the queue for the Great Movie Ride. I'm also thinking that I saw some of the swords and props from the film somewhere in MGM.

 

[calstitcher]

I'm hooked. Keep it coming!

 

[pooksma]

more please!!!

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Our story begins on a beautiful morning in late April. In fact, it can't get much later because it's April 29, and there are only 30 days in April. The NFL Draft takes place today and I'm going to miss it for the first time in years. Why did the NFL have to schedule the draft for this day? A week earlier would have been real nice. Stupid NFL. Don't they understand that going to Disney World takes precedence over watching the draft. A week earlier and I would have happily watched all day long and into the night. But Mickey is more important. The NFL will have to live with one less viewer on draft day. I've got a mouse to see and a certain Princess to visit.

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. My apartment and room are clean. My roommates are telling me to have fun and remind me again to get them a Princess postcard. My buddy Steve arrives to pick me up and take me to the airport. This may be the last time I really get to talk with Steve. He's getting married in August and has already moved out of the apartment complex. We both served missions for our church in Russia for two years, so we enjoy swapping shared experiences of life in Russia. And soon the 45 minute trip to the airport is over and it's time to play the waiting game. As much as the airport waiting game sucks, especially when compared to playing hungry, hungry hippos, it's okay. I'm going to Disney World. The airport is busy today since the college semester ended two days ago and a lot of people are traveling, but the wait isn't too bad. After check-in I meet up with my little sister and it's on to security check-in. Once again things go smoothly here and we head to the gate. We place a quick call to the rest of the family who will soon be departing from Oakland to let them know we're through security and on our way to the gate. It's about 10:45am and our flight doesn't leave for two more hours. Our boarding passes were printed off yesterday, and we're the first ones with A boarding passes at the gate. We sit down in the front of the line and prepare to wait. I figure it's a good idea to sit down right now. I'll be standing and walking for most of the upcoming week, so it's best to rest my feet as much as I can. I spend time catching up on life with my sister, but that's one way in which this trip has been a blessing to our family. We're a close family, but with me living out of state and very busy with life, I usually don't talk much with my siblings except when I'm home. Because of the trip to Disney World, I've talked with them far more often than I usually do and it's been good. Disney is bringing us closer. Somewhere, Walt is smiling. This is what he wanted out of his parks.
God is smiling too. I'm convinced that Walt was such a successful man because he sought to create entertainment that families could enjoy together, and God blessed him with success because of how important families are to our happiness here on earth.

Time seems to fly and before I know it, the plane has arrived and passengers are departing. When our turn comes to board the aircraft, our family is right up front. My parents have staked out a seat for me on the front row right behind the bulkhead. They now how much I dislike cramming all 6'4 of my body into coach class seats, so I'll have plenty of leg room all the way to Orlando. This is a good start. I'm sitting next to a nice elderly couple. I chat with my brother who's on the other side of the aisle and learn that my nephew really likes grabbing onto hands and fingers. Eventually my little sister decides that she can let me see my nephew for a minute or so before she starts holding him again. What can I say? She's never met a baby she didn't think was cute, and now there's one that's related to her so it's even better. Then, the plane begins to taxi and we're in the air. I settle down to read a Star Wars book. My mind is on total Disney overload right now, so it's important to relax. My plan is settled. The touring plans are in the binder, and the binder is stowed in the overhead bin. The flight is uneventful. Normally when I fly, I feel slightly queasy. Perhaps, I should quit flying in the winter for this flight is fairly smooth. I'm really flying through my book. The sodas come and I manage to spill some on my shorts. We quickly decide to blame my nephew as that sounds better than me spilling soda. Mom pulls out the lunches she packed and we all enjoy a meal. The food court at Scopa Towers aka POP Century is still a long time away.

Before I continue, I need to help you understand our family. Simply put, we're crazy. My parents would often hold public displays of attention in southern California grocery stores on those family vacations to Disneyland when we were little, much to the embarrassment of their children(this probably only further encouraged them). In recent years, they've taken their attention grabbing displays in public to Disneyland(don't worry, if you ever saw them doing what they do, you would probably chuckle as they didn't scar us). My youngest brother once turned on all the singing toys in a Toronto toy store and led a choir rendition of whatever the toys were singing. My youngest sister likes to ride by herself on rides that take pictures and pretend to kiss some invisible boy. I've been known to show off my not quite Napoleonesque dance skills with Disney plush toys in the World of Disney store. On account of the need to change my nephew's diaper, my brother asks a flight attendant for a garbage bag and she gives him one. Soon, our family starts passing all the garbage we've accumulated from our sack lunches to my brother. This being Southwest, my brother starts cracking jokes about helping the flight attendants. They inform him he's welcome to join them, except his pay won't be very good. So, my brother takes over collecting garbage from everyone in our family for the duration of the flight, including the Orlando leg of the flight. While turbulence would mean that my brother was unable to actually get up and follow the flight attendants, they did pay him with those wings they give to little kids. Then, the flight begins to descend into St. Louis. Only one more leg left to Orlando. The elderly couple deplanes, so I save the seats for my parents. The entire flight, my little nephew has been an angel. No crying or screaming. He's been a little fussy, but calms down as soon as he's passed to another set of arms willing to hold him. As we wait for the passengers to board, my turn comes to hold him. And now, it's time to practice.

What are practicing for? My mom says that my nephew loves to be swung like a clock. From the DIS I've learned that a certain pirate captain will run away in fear from the sound of a clock. And so, I start practicing. I swing my nephew like a pendulum, but instead of humming the song that my mom always hums to him, I hum one he's never heard before: "Never smile at a crocodile. Mom, knowing what I'm preparing for, chuckles. I just hope we see Captain Hook during the trip. My nephew loves it though. I like how he recognizes me even though he hasn't seen me very much.

When the plane is full, it's time to depart. The flight is also smooth and I finish my book. Thankfully, I've come prepared. I pull out another Star Wars book and continue to read. My dad offers me the sports page, but he doesn't know that I already checked all the sports information out before I left as well as did some last minute DISing, and watched a preview video for Expedition Everest from the official Disney World podcast, which has also kept me company in the late afternoons at work. Mom and dad's turn comes to entertain my nephew, although he entertains us more, just sitting up on a pillow and being cute. There are some who say you shouldn't take an infant to Disney. I disagree. Although he won't remember this trip, we'll remember it for him, and as we will see from this trip report, he enjoyed himself immensely. We even have the pictures to prove it. Here's Exhibit A.

Now, our flight begins to descend. Soon, we're on the ground and it's time to deplane. We're in Orlando. We're really here.

Next: A Blast from the Past

 

[Beana9802]

The food court at Scopa Towers aka POP Century is still a long time away.

Nothing says "Family Gathering" like Disney's Pop Century Resort....

Love that podcast!!


Your nephew is a doll!

 

[gracer9977]

Can't wait for the next chapter. Great TR. Your nephew is adorable!!

 

[BlueBayou]

Sounds like a great start to your trip. Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Note to all aspiring trip report writers. Check your trip report notes before you start writing your chapters. I forgot to do this, so I had to go back and add a funny story to Chapter 1. In case you want to read, please click here to learn about my brother's attempt at changing professions in mid-air.

 

[fizz13]

Great reporting to and absolutely fabulous photo, can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip,
Claire xx

 

[wilma-bride]

What a great start to your trip. I am loving reading all about you and your family. Keep those trippies coming

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

I completely agree with your take on bringing infants to Disney. Our daughter was only 6 months old her first trip and is on her way to her 4th trip this summer, and she is only 3 (in July). She speaks of Disney with such familiarity I swear she recalls moments from her very first trip!! And yes, I will never ever forget those precious memories for her.

.... and by the way, your nephew is ADORABLE!!!

cant wait for more!! I'll be readin 'em!!