Our 2006 Disney Adventures ~ NEW, 1/20 pg 13!

[dreamalittledream]

I just had to post, I LOVE that collection, serious Gymbo addict here. I have the same skirts for my girls and have the same problem with them falling down! at least the diaper holds it up for now but what to do when she is potty trained? I'll be adding elastic or something. anyway I am really enjoying your reports.

 

[lillygator]

I also forgot to mention something about Sci-Fi ~parents take note~ Samantha had on Princess sandals that day and before we left we were missing one. Well when you are seated in a "car" the actual seat that butts up to the padded back you lean against comes apart. Her shoe had fallen in between there. In looking for it I simply stood up, moved the seat we sat on forward and WOW there was an arsenal of space and stuff under there. Men with wallets beware. Actually if you have fat cash no need to worry but average size things - I mean a shoe fit - could go down there! Just wanted to let you guys know!

 

[lillygator]

Still Wednesday – yes, I know, I’m taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r (did I mention I was the 6th grade spelling bee champion – that’s back when it wasn’t cool to spell well, you know, cool enough to be on ESPN – but I was on ESPN, just not for spelling….. ~ I’ll let you ponder before giving it all away!)



Heading to the parking lot at a Disney park can be rather traumatic, well for us anyway. But Ahoy mates!! We find our vehicle!! Yippee….ok – we are the ones you all ogle in the Disney parking lots – that’s if you are fortuitous enough to NOT be using the forsaken Disney transportation. There is a reason the Royal Family spends a mint on gas, save time driving ourselves and stays alive while in the World. You see, our first trip with Samantha….this was a special trip you see, not only was it Samantha’s first trip but Charming’s as well – ok first in the sense of “our” family. (I drugged him – no, no drug him to the World before we got married….I’m not that dumb – I made sure he was Mouseworthy before going in for the long haul – could you imagine a marriage without Disney?) So we decide to leave Pop for Animal Kingdom using the bus. The magnificent Disney bus.





WHAT….





Were…..we thinking???





Bus trip over was uneventful but good golly – the bus driver may have well dropped us at the pay your parking admission booth or Siberia; they both are as far from the entrance as you can possibly be. We had the mistake of having English Super Mom and Great Grandma meeting us there….which led to an early departure on our part – you couldn’t get us out of there fast enough. We probably looked as though we were reenacting the running of the bulls as we headed back to the bus depot. Don’t get me wrong, we love them both dearly but have you been around two English women, especially mother and daughter although I have found two sisters to be much worse, for any length of time? It’s not pretty. The whole ordering a Coke with no ice still gets me every time. Great Grandma feels the United States should conform to how she is used to things in the UK…I’ve tried to work on her but she is 75 and not going to budge.



On the way back our bus driver got LOST~~~!~~!! Ok, I am not even from Orlando, don’t live there and don’t work there but you can pay me and I will get you anywhere on Disney property without getting lost, in great time and have a mini party on the way.





Of course you provide the spirits…





not the haunted kind either.



So we are on this bus, desperate to get to Pop – two English women going at it still raging in our heads thus needing said cocktail to help ease the pain. The bus was pretty empty and as the drivers frustration mounted he would take corners very rapidly and we actually slid across the seats…well ok, Samantha and I did, once Charming plants himself down, well that’s as good as a million year old oak tree that’s weathered several category 5 hurricanes….basically he ain’t going nowhere. So we slid, I offered directions and prayed we would be at our “Disney home” soon. We finally made it back to Pop, 48 minutes after leaving Animal Kingdom WITHOUT stopping elsewhere. You read that correctly folks. THAT LONG!!



As we stepped to freedom Charming pulls me close, I smile thinking he’s romantically nudging my ear but instead I hear a very determined “we are NEVER using Disney busses again”, there were a few carefully selected words which cannot be spoken on the DIS….(but after what’s gone on lately who knows what’s acceptable ‘round these parts!)



So that was it. My PI dreams dashed…I thought of all the fun times we could have boozing it up together (while someone responsible watched the girls) and then riding the bus back to the resort….Charming had a good point though, if we were both smashed would we remember where we were going, which bus to get on? So it was at that moment we became self drivers while in Orlando.



And the reason you stare at us. In the park parking lots. Is because we are the ones who don’t do it. We don’t write our section down. We don’t write our row down. Hell, since we don’t ride the trams we don’t even have a lovely CM shouting into their mic “WE ARE DEPARTING MINNIE 63 PEOPLE, MINNIE 63, HAVE SOMEONE IN YOUR PARTY WRITE THAT DOWN – THIS MEANS YOU PARKED HERE!” We are simply lucky to remember if we are on the right or left. And since we don’t do trams (after losing an entire “ticket” booklet one day on the way to MK and fully realizing that they mean it when they say they won’t stop for lost hats, etc. and being chastised all day for it I developed TRAM TRUAMA (at age 7) as well as TRAM ANXIETY from Samantha’s first trip when the expensive Eddie Bauer stroller would not fold properly and we had to miss the tram we ran 783 yards to catch and everyone on the tram pointing and laughing at the first time parents who couldn’t even figure out how to fold the stroller, didn’t you practice the tram run before arrival? That is in the WDW parenting handbook you know– Charming had a few more choice words that day as well), we are usually within walking distance, but what’s that? Walking distance could be from here to Detroit if you’re my father, triathlete extraordinaire. He’d live for that. Me – if I can see it and walk there then its walking distance. Even better when there is a beer stand on the way – just kidding! It can’t be Food and Wine Fest ALLLLLL YEAR – but that would be a kick wouldn’t it?



So yes – we hit our “button”, the alarm button which directs us to our car. We don’t need to write down that we are in the Stage section row 47, but secretly I knew that. I memorized it when we left. Its part of my try not to act as anal as I really am facade. Totally over Charming’s head. Do I know this man or what?



We’re hot, cranky and headed to the room – which we make it back to by 1pm. Wonderful valet is right there to take our car, keys and deplete us of more cash…the girls of course slept on the 5 minute journey. I guess we should have pretended we were the Pop bus driver and given them an hours sleep! We make it to the room to find it already made up! Yeah, sometimes you never know, the schedule differs for floors I think. But we were greeted with a couple nice towel creations.

Now its nap time….the two most awful words to Samantha and Haley yet such a welcome phrase to Charming. Me, I can’t even imagine napping at the World but I do it. Why? For one reason, Charming is up most days well before the sun and really deserves his rest which he fails to get most days. Sunday nights he should be in bed early to start his way before the sunrise workday but is he? No, because he is staying up for me to watch DH and GA….simply because I like someone on the couch with me. What a guy. He really is Charming. The day I met him I went home, called my Grandmother and told her I had “met my Charming – he’s the one, the one I am going to marry”. My exact words. She loves telling that story and it just goes to show a Bad Girl gets what she wants. So I give in and let Charming nap daily – I find it works better all the way around if he is a well rested, contented Charming.



Samantha is adamant she napped in the car. Well truthfully she did right? So in order to give Charming some much needed peace and quiet I made myself a drink, scooped up the girls and we walked a few feet to the savannah overlook on our floor. It was pretty darn sunny so in my wisdom I tried to one handedly move one of the rockers to the shade….wowsa…those suckers are heavy! Really heavy. I had to put baby and drink down to move them. I put two in the shade and we rocked out and watched the animals. I was secretly fantasizing that Haley would peacefully fall asleep in my arms and I could go put her in the room. No luck.

Us girls are wound up. The animals are great and its peaceful sitting here for five minutes but Samantha wants to do something. She is three remember? What is the sitting still span for a three year old? Not long enough that’s for sure. I decide we’ll go back to the room, don our suits and hit the ole watering hole. I share my plans with Samantha and she is overjoyed declaring that I am “the bestest mom ever!” Flattery will get you everywhere my dear.



In the process of changing Charming learns of our plans and is right on it. Other than his girls, sports (especially Gator sports or any track and field) and beer – there is NOTHING he loves more than sand, sun and surf. I am that way as well, but I could live without it for Disney, Charming could not. So he is blissfully happy with my idea and declares I am the “bestest wife ever”. Now I know where Samantha gets it from.



I spray down the girls – that new Coppertone spray stuff is the best. I am really really familiar with sunscreen…we use it everyday here but from now on that is all I am going to buy. It works fantastic, doesn’t get your hands greasy and even smells good. That’s my plug for Coppertone and no I don’t work for them either. Got the stroller loaded and we were off.

Had to stop at the overlook for Charming though since he missed it napping!

Now our room to the pool was a very short distance and so convenient. I loved it. The pool was pretty crowded and no way were we finding a great spot. We split up to ***** the situation and see who could get a great spot. Charming snagged two loungers under an umbrella!!

Charming had brought his own beer....so he finished that up...

and he and Samantha took off and Haley and I were left to have some fun ourselves.


Haley was content with some small toys and some goldfish while I sat reading my Cosmo. I really couldn’t concentrate on reading, I was trying to watch Samantha as well as people watch.



That’s when I saw him…the celebrity, although I didn’t know he was a celebrity at this point in time. I do know he had six pack abs, liked large bottles of Evian water, drank wine from a plastic cup (my kind of man!), had a daughter Samantha’s age, had a wife (drat, wait – I’m sort of hitched too) and was a HOTTIE. Well, in a short man hottie way. (Sorry – I have a thing for tall, dark and handsome) That’s a lot to know about someone you’ve never met isn’t it? Thank goodness I remembered sunglasses. Samantha and Charming came back and I pointed Celebrity out and yes, he is insanely familiar but who is he? And where is the crazy paparazzi? Or bodyguards for that matter.



We find our way to Uzima Springs pool bar and get in line. Yes, they have ONE bartender for a huge pool full of people wanting drinks. She is feverishly working but there are people bellied up in chairs as well as two lines with about 6 people in. She needs help. Or maybe one of those ticket systems they have at the Publix deli. Finally our turn I order the Victoria Falls Mist and Charming has a rum and coke – virgin daiquiri for Samantha. We take our drinks on over to the kiddie pool so Haley can have some fun. She loved it!

For the most part it was empty, two little boys were playing and thought it was funny to let their boats keep going in the skimmer/drain thing. I noticed off to the side they were doing the afternoon arts and crafts activity – only two children were in attendance so they were finished quickly. Several people came looking for the activity after they were gone. So its best to get there early or on time at least.


We sat and splashed around and Charming took off to hit the slide. Again and again and again. He was having a blast. He finally made his way back to us and he decided he better test out the hot tub on his knee while us girls could hit the playground area. Hmmm....nice try, but I'll go for it this time.

The playground was a nice small area...quite a few kids and quite a few parents all conversing on benches. I had to be right there as Haley thinks she can do anything her big sister can do. Kind of like the daschund/rottweiler mentality. I should know I had them both, at the same time....the daschund always thought he was the same as the rottie.

So the girls slide, run and slide some more until I think its time we head back to the room to freshen up and relax before our dinner. We had 1900 Park Fare planned for tonight and the princesses needed to be crown worthy.

 

[MommyPoppins]

1st - We took a day trip to MK and I wrote a TR about it. I wrote about witnessing just what your described with your stroller! LOL! It was a family with 2 kids though. It was so funny, because we had 4 and had no problems and they had 2 and 4 times more stuff than us and he couldn't close that stroller. I don't know if they ever made it on a tram and into the MK that day.

2nd - Who was it and why didn't you take a picture????????

Great installment!

 

[lillygator]

oh I took pics - but not until two days later - we ended up having that eye candy at the pool everyday!!

 

[luciloo]

Lillygator, don't be a tease let us see pictures of the eye candy.

 

[kimwim8]

Wow, V. What an awesome report so far. With you guys going to WDW so much, this will be the never-ending trip report (which is ok with me!)

Your WDW memories with your grandparents made me cry. That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard, and I totally understand why you have a love for Disney.

Poor Samantha...I'm so glad whatever bug she had went away super-fast. Nothing worse than being sick at WDW (been there-done that, on my honeymoon ).

Your daughters are the CUTEST things ever. I love to see their headbands and hair ties. So darn cute.

I can't believe you left us hanging with that celebrity. Who the H was it??

Keep 'em comin...

 

[MommyPoppins]

Was it Kelly Rippa's husband? Don't they have a daughter about that age?

WHO WAS IT!?!?!?!?

Come on, stay home from work, ignore the kids and write another installment!

Okay, that's it...I'm not going to write my next installment,until you write yours.

 

[lillygator]

That's just it, I didn't know he was a celebrity at this point, and you all are reliving the story with me right?

I did nickname him once I found out - McMiracle.....that may help you guys out....

 

[MommyPoppins]

That's just it, I didn't know he was a celebrity at this point, and you all are reliving the story with me right?

I did nickname him once I found out - McMiracle.....that may help you guys out....

No. That doesn't help me in the least. Did you see his wife that day? Did she look familar? I'm seriously getting an ulcer waiting for the reveal. It better be soon....

I'm only 1 1/2 hours from you...I'll stalk your publix waiting for you.


If you see a crazy woman dragging 4 boys through the publix screaming out, "Lillygator! Who was it??"

Well....I'm just saying.



BTW - You never answered my PM about siesta key and how crowded it is and how much further it is from Casperson Beach(where we go - going on Sunday. Yahoo!)

 

[ShellyBelly]

I am loving your report!! I bookmarked it as soon as I saw it and I just caught myself up! Only to realize that you haven't posted who the hottie is yet!!

BTW, my Gma lives in Bradenton, not too far from you!

 

[lillygator]

ok, I can tell you it isn't Brad Pitt and he was in a Disney movie.

 

[KTSMOM]

Can you say what Disney movie he was in?

 

[schmoopypoo]

Just wanted to say that I am LOVING this trip report so far. I just love your style...and me, like everyone else, am dying to know who the heck that hottie is!!! i was gonna say Johnny Depp, but i dont know if you would consider him hot, although i most certainly do LOL

 

[schmoopypoo]

i just hope if it is him i get to see a good pic LOL anyways, keep it comin

 

[cynderella]

Clearly, Bad Girls know how to keep people in horrible suspense! I am dying, too! Can't wait for the next installment (or the next, or the next, and whenEVER you're going to tell us who IT IS)!!!

 

[Moonbeams]

That's just it, I didn't know he was a celebrity at this point, and you all are reliving the story with me right?

I did nickname him once I found out - McMiracle.....that may help you guys out....

McMiracle made me think of Dr. McDreamy on Grey's Anatomy. But you're such a fan of that show you'd recognize him immediately.

The other thing I thought of was Kurt Russell from Miracle. But he doesn't have a young child to play in the pool. His youngest son is a teen.

Who can it be?!?

Jennifer

 

[Moonbeams]

Cynderella -- Your image reminds me of the Sweet Potato Queens. All you need are some majorette boots and you're set! (I mean that in a nice way!!)

Jennifer

 

[lillygator]

By golly Moonbeams you're on to something!!


but yes, I would recognize KR in a heartbeat....I've always had a thing for him, those blue eyes...that crinkley smile.

I will try and put up my next installment this weekend....

 

[GrumpeyMom]

Loving the reports! Your girls are adorable. Now as for this McMiracle guy - is it Patrick O'Brien Demsey? I came up with him because he was in Miracle and he almost has the same name as McDreamy??? Looking forward to more installments....