Overdue and Overpacked II: The LaLas Take on the World: EPILOGUE ON PAGE 58

[LaLa]

Thanks to everybody who's responded so far.

I love reading all of your comments. Truly. It's a weird thing to be in trip report mode again, carving out time to write it and checking the DIS to read the responses. It's very cool and I appreciate yall taking the time out of your lives to read our drivel. And to respond. That's one of the best parts of writing a trip report, I think. Reading yall's responses. So thanks. I know I won't be able to respond to everything, but I just want to take a minute to respond to a few here and there.

Melly: Thanks for jumpin' on board. You know you rock and I love ya Girlie!

DJR: Nice to "see" you back around here! I love the pic in your siggie. It's nice to put a face with the name.

Chappie: Yes, we went Deluxe. Can you believe it? I'm really scared for us now.

Lexmelinda: I'm still wary of potential pukers on the bus. Everytime we got on one, I'd scan the crowd for green faces and make sure DH had his fanny pack handy in case there was an emergency. Okay, not really, but I did think about it a lot. Thanks for posting.

mouseketeermom: So glad you're going to DW! Those little girls can really tug on their daddy's heartstrings, can't they?

And to my girls, you know who you are. Thanks! Thanks for the banana men and the dancing tres amigos. I love yall.

Alright, let's set the record straight on this you loon. One: who invented Waterslide Olympics? That would be the ZZUBs not the LaLas. Secondly, and this is the most obvious point to prove you are out your Vulcan mind, you are a woman! Men and women don't compete against each other in the Olympics. Not since the Soviet bloc fell. So your allegation that it was you and not me who took Olympic Gold is belied by the reality of our disparate gender. I took Men's Gold and my sister took Women's. So to the extent you think you took Gold, your battle is actually with my sister. And I'm here to tell you, she's got game.

And before you and your little imaginary friends start repeating the allegations of a doping scandal, illegal refill of a mug or (shudder!) improper wearing of a Speedo, I will pre-emptively address each of these smears:

1. I don't dope. I may be a dope (as evidenced by this lengthy defense to a farsical argument about a fictitious prize), but I don't dope. The strongest substance to enter my body is Mexican food. And Yoo Hoo. Although never together.

2. My mug is refillable until 2042. I just consulted my calendar and it is still 2006.

3. Speedo? I'm from the south. Where I come from men go swimming in either swimming britches or cut offs. In either case, everything is covered and much is left to the imagination. As it should be.

Where to begin?

First of all, I'm not a loon. Mel is. Secondly, although you make a good argument (what are you, like a legal assistant or something?), before you expend any more precious brain power on this farsical (yeah, I Googled it) defense, I want you to ask yourself one question....

At what point did reality become a factor in this little scenario?

If you can make up something called the Olympic Waterslide Event (go ahead, say it out loud, I dare ya), the way I figure it, all bets are off and I can declare gold in it. Cause once you start making up olympic events and dumb words like vomitation, I'm here to tell ya reality ain't your friend anymore, buddy. And the way I see it, dignity's pullin' away as well. Yeah, from both of us.

But thanks for posting and getting all emotional and incontinent. And catching the ND reference. I knew you would.

And thanks again to everyone who's posted. I really appreciate you reading along and taking the time to comment. I promise to not include as many ZZUBage stories as last time.

Or do I?

Guess you'll just have to wait and find out.

Heh Heh.

Buckle up. It's gonna be a bumpy ride.

 

[samc]

so glad I found this..........I loved your last TR and know this one will be just as much fun.....and yellow!!!!

 

[nicolemarie]

Girl, I am so excited!!! You finally started your trip report. And I'm in. Can't wait for the rest.

But first...

Or Fort Payne, Alabama.

Now you know I have family from Ft. Payne, right? And I've been there. And I don't care how much fun the LaLa's can generate, I question your ability to do so in Ft. Payne. I'm just sayin'.

Long story short: She unleashed the thunda, he caved and we booked.

You gotta have some thunda. And you gotta know when to let it strike. Good goin, girl.

But we have had a deep seeded fear for some time now that if we ever crossed that threshold, if we ever went deluxe, we’d never want to go back to a moderate or even (gasp) a Value resort.

Now you've done it. You'll have to buy AP's so you can get the discounts to support your deluxe habit. And while they'll save you BIG TIME on the resort, you'll end up taking more trips to the World to "get your money's worth" on the tickets. So it's a vicious cycle. And a brilliant one, at that.


Love, love, love your first installment, my friend. Please don't keep us hangin' too long.

NM

 

[Scot-n-Michelle]

So I just came acroos your tr. Loved your first post but was so disappointed when I got to the end of page 2 and not another chapter yet. Hurry please post another one - I love your style of writing.

 

[MainStMandy]

Lol thank god there is another trip report....I keep finishing others...

I am so bored at work today...WRITE ANOTHER INSTALLMENT!!!

 

[RunningthruDisney]

Hi LaLa
Lurked through your 1st report cant wait to read more.

 

[mom2boystx]

LaLa!

We checked in on the same day..let's see what your week's schedule looked like and if we crossed paths somewhere. I did not notice anyone zzubbing around me at anytime so maybe I missed ya.

this trip was our first for the family.....I am going to have to work that magic for going back every year. I have boys though and don't know if their eyelashes, although long, will have the same effect. Ha! Maybe the free dining will magically appear again...not gonna pass that up!

Looking forward to main great stories...Olympic golds and all!

 

[TyRy]

We are absolutely, positively not going back to Disneyworld again next year.

Arrghhhhh - I just heard these same words on our trip home from DH....however, I also got to see the chink....now I'm being forced to go to Disneyland next year.

Fully knowing the extent of my husband’s love for Epicot, I began the campaign by dropping the word into our normal, everyday conversations.

OK - I think our DH are long lost twins - that is also how it is pronounced and spelled in our house - and it's DH favorite park.

Can't wait for the rest...

Ty

 

[LaLa]

Last edited by nicolemarie : 10-31-2006 at 02:15 PM. Reason: Does anyone actually THROW AWAY their keys to the World? Shudder.

See? Now that's what I like to hear. Stuff like that lets me know I'm not the only one with issues. LY/MI NM, my girl. Glad you found your way here.

OK - I think our DH are long lost twins - that is also how it is pronounced and spelled in our house - and it's DH favorite park.

That's really cool that yall call it Epicot too. But about this long lost twins thing: does your husband also snore really loud, appreciate the musical stylings of the Backstreet Boys, and think The Outlaw Josie Whales is one of the greatest movies ever made? Cause if so, that's just way too freaky. Congrats on Disneyland, by the way!

Runningthrudisney: Glad to see you coming out of lurkdom!

mom2boystx, Mainstmandy and ScotnMichelle: Good to see yall and thanks for your comments.

Now, onto Part 2...

 

[scrap4u]

I really enjoyed your first chapter LaLa. I can't wait to read more!

I guess I'll have to go back and read your other TRs until you post again.

Great job!

 

[LaLa]

Pretty soon you’ll find out that we were a bit overdue for a few things on our vacation to the World this year. And yes, our ride was definitely way overpacked again.

Was there ever any doubt?

It’s genetic.

On both counts.

I promise.

Stop judging me.

But the truth is that there were also times on this trip when we were completely overjoyed. We may have been a tad overeager and a couple of times, we were even (yes) over it. It happens. But you roll with it and try to take in each moment the best you can and just enjoy the heck out of it.

Because that’s what family vacation is all about.

And as we found out, sometimes the unscripted, unplanned moments are the ones that turn out to be some of the most memorable of the entire trip.

Before we hit the road, let me introduce the crew…

DH: aka DH.

He's the old ball and chain. We just celebrated our eleventh anniversary and there are still times that I literally cannot take my eyes off him. He’s my rock, my man. But don’t let him fool you. He loves Disney just as much as I do and is the one responsible for introducing us, The Mouse and I. More on that later. According to some weird unspoken rule, he’s the only one in the house who is allowed to place suitcases anywhere near the minivan on departure day. If I so much as breathe in the general direction of the the back of the van while he’s loading it, the rule states that he must, MUST take the last three suitcases out that he just packed and repack them in a more orderly (to him) manner. And then the rule states that he must ban me from loitering in the garage and that he must tell me to “Git back in the house and do some women’s work!” I’m just kidding. Or am I?

Me: aka LaLa.

I have more aliases that I could list, but really, who has the time? I’m the ultimate overplanner and a picture taking rebel without a clue. In the past, I have been known to throw caution to the wind and use flash photography on the rides. Okay, once. It was once. I was promptly busted and publicly humiliated and am still in therapy over the incident, by the way. Or am I? I won’t tell you how many pictures I took on this trip because I have a personal policy on revealing too much information. And after only five minutes, I’m just not ready to cross that bridge with you yet. But I will tell you that by the end of the trip, my children were running away from me screaming “For the love of all that is good in the world, somebody please make that lady stop taking our pictures! We don’t even know who she is!” Definitely not kidding about that one.

DS: aka The Boy.

Our firstborn. “We got a boy the first try”. That was my husband’s reaction shortly after he was born. And he’s definitely all boy. He has a huge heart, a sweet spirit and he’ll do anything for a laugh. He can recite almost every line from Napoleon Dynamite complete with spot on mannerisms. It’s hilarious to watch. He is our beloved comedian and our man in training. At eight years old, he still occasionally claims that he wants to marry his Mom when he grows up. I say occasionally because it all depends on how much trouble he is in at the time and whether or not I’ve just baked chocolate chip cookies, poured him a big ole glass of milk and kissed his forehead. Half of his parents are deeply concerned about his claims and the other half just thinks it’s really sweet. But don’t call him a Mama’s boy. He’s tough as nails on the football field and thinks nothing of mowing down any poor sapsucker that comes between him and the all important ‘after the game’ snack of Cheetos and Koolaid.

DD: aka The Girl.

Sugar and spice and everything nice personified, she’s a complete girly girl. She’s sensitive and just a little bit shy. But don’t underestimate her. She can throw down hard when there’s only one juice box left and her older brother is eyeballing it. She is our resident Informer and has been known to squeal on the boy in a blink of an eye. The girl has a really funny random sense of humor that is starting to shine through and she constantly cracks us up. She has blue eyes and a flash of light blond hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. She is our sweet baby girl and she is growing up way too fast for our tastes. Our daughter is amazing to us in every way and it’s not surprising that she has her Daddy wrapped so tightly around her little finger. Which is the way it should be, after all. All little girls must have their daddies sufficiently wrapped. That should be in a rule book somewhere. And if there’s not enough room, we can take out the stupid one about the suitcases.


I’m sure if you asked most families, they would tell you that there are certain things that they do to get ready for a trip to the World.

Well, besides opening up their wallets and telling the Mouse to just go ahead and help himself.

Cause that’s just a given.

I’m talking about pre vacation traditions. You know, the little things you do to help get your family in the mood for a trip to Disney. Like pulling out the old photo albums or vacation DVDs and reliving happy memories made on previous trips.

Or making matching Disney Tshirts for the whole gang.

Listening to non stop Disney CDs for months on end.

Watching every video and DVD that Disney ever made in search of a commercial that may or may not exist outside your imagination.

You know, those kind of things.

Anywho, in our house, we have something called the Mickey Jar.

Basically, we take an 897 oz. jar, poke a hole in the lid with a Ginsu, dress it up in a pair of construction paper mouse ears and turn it into a rather awkward looking monstrosity of a bank.

Yeah, we’re Rednecks. You shouldn’t be surprised.

We then make the kids sell Tupperware with Uncle Rico to fill it up.

Just kidding.

It’s child labor. We make them do child labor to fill up the Mickey Jar.

Kidding again.

The truth is that they actually do little to no work at all and earn a disgustingly exorbitant amount of money for even the simplest of tasks. Like Vanna White. Once it’s time to leave, the Mickey Jar is cleaned out, the stash is split down the middle, converted into gift cards upon arrival, and the kids are in business.

They each have their own card and the only rule we have is that there really are no rules. They earned the money so they are free to buy whatever their little hearts desire.

Within reason, of course.

I mean, if the boy tried to buy fifteen pirate hats at one time, we’d step in. And put a stop to the stupidity. But that hasn’t happened yet. They put a lot of thought into their purchases and they think they’re big time because they each have earned their own sweet moolah without ever having to unload the first 32 piece set down in Adams Park.

Another little pre Disney tradition we have is the Countdown Chain.

We (I) get crafty with the construction paper (again) and it hangs on the refrigerator. Each night the kids take turns tearing off a chain. The only rule we have with that is that you have to giggle when you rip it off and then do the chicken dance afterwards. Not the polka chicken dance. The Joe Horn chicken dance. Yep, that’s the one. If you're not a Saints fan, feel free to Google. Anyway, you have to giggle and dance when you rip off a link or else you lose your turn the next night. Those are the rules.

It’s funny how long it looks when we first hang it up. At first glance, it always seems like we’ll never get there. Like it’s just so far away we can’t stand it.

It goes up without fail at the 180 day mark.

That’s right.

It goes up right about the time I start making our first round of preliminary ADRs which will one day eventually morph into our actual and final rock solid ADRs. It actually takes some effort to walk into the kitchen and not trip over the chain or get all those little red and black links caught up in your heels. Or so DH tells me.

Okay, I really am kidding about that. None of the other stuff, but that, yes. It’s more like eighteen days out. Fourteen. Or twelve. Whatever.

What I’m saying is this: It goes up whenever I can get around to making all those little loops out of construction paper. That’s when I hang it up. No sooner and no later.

And that is roughly when the madness begins.

The nitty gritty planning, the changing of the ADRs, the packing, the unpacking, the repacking, and the overestimating how many pair of socks the kids have. Then there’s the buying of the ponchos and the itinerary finalizing and there’s the dragging down of more suitcases from the attic.

And more packing.

And more ADR changing.

Anyway, between both of us working full time, the kids’ homework and after school activities, things hit a fever pitch around our house right about the time the Countdown Chain goes up. And they don’t slow down until the chains disappear.

And then finally one day it creeps up on us.

One Link Left Day. Vacation Eve.

Finally the very last link stares us in the face.

We rip that sucker off faster than the Whirlwinders can plan their next trip and then we break dance across the living room floor.

Well, the kids and I break dance.

DH just stares at us and shakes his head.

And then breaks out into a big, goofy smile.

It is time.



Up Next: The Redneck Version of GPS


Click here for Chapter 3

 

[lexmelinda]

Fabulous installment...hilarious as usual...now googling the chicken dance.....

 

[kimwim8]

Hilarious! After reading your first installment, I had to go read your last trip report. One of the best, I must say! Kept me wanting more, and peeing my pants at the same time!

Hopefully I'll have some more to read from you before we leave for the World in 5 days....

 

[pongoperdigirl]

LAAAAAALAAAAAAAAA

Great installment.
I did the Lala.
At my desk.
While eating lunch.
My co worker thinks I am nuts.


"Breakin tha law
Breakin tha law"

 

[megandbrandon]

LALA,
I love your TR so far. I found your other trip report last week and finally finished reading it. It was amazing! I do have to tell you my absolute favorite part was this...

One little girl comes up to my Belle and proceeds to stare a hole through her face from six inches away. DD meets her gaze for a little bit, and then becomes uncomfortable when the girl won’t stop staring.

“I’m going to eat with Belle right now” the little girl mockingly informs DD with a head bob that just screams attitude. My daughter pipes up and cheerfully tells the girl that she is too. She then smiles at the girl sweetly, and I know that in DD's mind, she thinks she has just made a friend. Oh, to be forever innocent. The sweaty little girl then proceeds to look my child up and down with disgust. Literally up and down. She scrutinizes the glitter shoes. She memorizes every detail on the dress. And then again with the boring a hole through the face from six inches away. I've never seen a child that young act that way. Teens, yes. But a five year old?

DD then looks to me for help. Her eyes say to me “Hey, can ya help a sistah out?” Before I even have time to react, DS steps up to the plate.

You see, he has been watching from the sidelines. He and his sister may fight like cats and dogs but they love each other dearly. They share something together that is unbreakable. I know because that is how my brother and sister and I are. We fought constantly growing up but would fight Goliath in a heartbeat for each other. DS steps up and puts his arm around his little sister’s shoulders. He towers over the little girl with flaming green eyes and then proceeds to stare her down. “That’s my sister you know” he informs her. “And she is going to eat with Belle tonight too. And she ate with Mickey and Minnie the other night. And guess what else? She even ate with Cinderella too. Just so ya know.”

Then he adds “BOOYA” at the end to drive the point home.

I literally lost it at that point. I can't wait to read all about your families trip, I know this is going to be great after loving the last one.

Thanks for sharing this with us!

 

[monymony3471]

You mean there is another great, fantastic, wonderful trip report out there and I haven't read it?

ARRRGGGhhh.

I hate being behind.

Write s-l-o-w-l-y so I can go and catch up on your 1st TR.

This is soooooooo goood. Thanks for your time writing this and sharing it with us.

I am in LALA Land!

 

[monymony3471]

No idea why it double posted. Sorry.

 

[ZZUB]

I was thinking to myself, "180 days?! How do they not trip over that mile long chain? And who has the time to cut 180 slips of paper? And don't their kids go insane looking at that never ending chain?"

So I'm glad you cleared that up.

Or did you?

What I appreciated most about this chapter was the kind of subtle humor you are renowned for:

DH: aka DH.

and:

Watching every video and DVD that Disney ever made in search of a commercial that may or may not exist outside your imagination.

Although last time I checked the Disboard guidelines, personal attacks on other posters was not tolerated.

In other words: it Does Exist and YOU DID NOT WIN GOLD!

Sorry. I have a hard time letting things go.

Great installment as usual, La2.

 

[TyRy]

That's really cool that yall call it Epicot too. But about this long lost twins thing: does your husband also snore really loud, appreciate the musical stylings of the Backstreet Boys, and think The Outlaw Josie Whales is one of the greatest movies ever made? Cause if so, that's just way too freaky. Congrats on Disneyland, by the way!

I guess they're not exact twins - the snoring yes! Every try lifting his arm a little and letting it fall on his head so he wakes up while you pretend to be asleep -OH - me neither

The music is different - on our drive down it was either Elvis or extremely heavy metal (not the hair metal of the 80's-that would be me-but the kind where you have no idea what they are saying...or maybe they are just grunting!)

Loving the TR so far.

Ty

 

[nicolemarie]

LaLa -

I could have quoted the whole thing. Really. As usual it's great. And I can't wait for the next installment.

But here are some faves - in no particular order.

Once it’s time to leave, the Mickey Jar is cleaned out, the stash is split down the middle, converted into gift cards upon arrival, and the kids are in business.

Now that's just a flat out good idea. Too bad I only have 20 DAYS to execute it!! Oh yeah, baybee!!! <--- I've never used him, but that's how I feel.

And then the rule states that he must ban me from loitering in the garage and that he must tell me to “Git back in the house and do some women’s work!” I’m just kidding. Or am I?

Are you sure you aren't me?

He’s tough as nails on the football field and thinks nothing of mowing down any poor sapsucker that comes between him and the all important ‘after the game’ snack of Cheetos and Koolaid.

Y'all do this too? Best part of the game is the juice box and treat. And seeing what color star you get.

Our daughter is amazing to us in every way.

That's just sweet. Very sweet.


Loved it. Looking forward to the rest!!!

NM