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

Feel free to go numb now. We’ll wait.
Not so much numb as stale.

the kids shake their heads and try to ignore us.
I get the feeling they have a lot of experience doing this.

I thought your Mama raised you better than that.
Evidently not. Have you read my last chapter? Who describes that much detail about something so personal?!

If I see those Tigger ears again, I’m gonna lose it!
DED. Nothing more. Nothing less.

If I learned nothing else from The County Fair Incident of 1986, I learned that I should never do spinning rides.
Funny. I learned something entirely different. Which explains why I'm still head shy.

Standing right there in the middle of the crowd was ZZUB.
I didn't realize how often I went to Disney World last year. Between you and Mel and the Maelstrom crowd, I apparently went a lot. Did I have fun?

History can repeat itself.
So can the food at Teppanyaki. Or so I've heard.

We told them to enjoy it. And to avoid stepping in the puke.
That's as cute as a sand pail.

Ironically, the mirage of ZZUB you saw in Animal Kingdom foreshadowed the experience I had reading this chapter. Your writing brings us along with you and, for a little while, it felt like I was in Disney World with you. It made my lunchtime more enjoyable.

:3dglasses
 
LaLa said:
We turned the corner and squealed into the Animal Kingdom parking lot burnin’ rubber and bobbin’ our heads to the beat of The Gap Band. DH took the curve on two wheels while he laid on the horn. He honked once to say “We’ve only got two hours to see this park so step aside and watch me work.” He honked twice to say “I can’t believe we’re doing this. Did we learn nothing from The Infamous Epicot Marathon?” He honked three times to say “If this goes badly, I’m blaming it on the woman.”

As much as it makes me see red to say this, ZZUB's right. You do take us there with you.

But are you serious? I'm just curious. Why you wanna hurt me, girl?

In other words, I don't really believed this happened. But I was still laffing hard and singing along myself.

In true NM borg style, we mouth the Spanish spiel.

Our borg style scares me a little sometimes.

As we look at each other with stone cold straight faces (the game has evolved: you have to keep a straight face now) and silently move our lips in a random fashion, the kids shake their heads and try to ignore us.

That's a great addition to the game!! I'm not sure I could do it, though. I'm just so doggone happy when I hear that speil.

The guy in front of us slammed his head so hard into the upper section of the tram on the way out that I thought for sure he would pass out right then and there. Instead, he just grimaced and grabbed his forehead. Stumbled a bit. Then began laughing at himself so hard I was sure he would pass out.

Now that's full on funny, right there. Again, I can perfectly picture it. Poor guy.

How is it that this guy can have no hair on his head but still have a mind boggling amount of pit hair going on? I bet that’s frustrating. For him. To have it all in the wrong place. You know? Sorry. Moving on.

Why would you wear a shirt that shows your pit hair?

Upon entering a park, you have to take multiple pictures of the monstrous structure (castle, ball, hat, tree: depending on where you happen to be) that defines the park.

You know you do it too. Even though you have tons of pictures at home of the exact same scene, you still take them. There's no sense in fighting it. You're driven to take them. From multiple angles. At multiple distances.

Because you're a Disney geek. And an unwritten rule follower. Probably a few other things as well, but that's neither here nor there.

This is so scary borg that it's...scary. Just today, I was thinking that I might try and enjoy our upcoming trip a little more by not CONSTANTLY taking pictures. After all, like you said, I have tons of pictures of the same thing. But it made me itchy to even think about it. So I'm sure I'll watch Wishes, Spectro, Illuminations, etc., again - all through the lens of my camera.

But he explained that as much as he wanted to ride it, he just didn’t want to ride it alone, without either me or the boy. The first time you experience a ride is a big deal. Especially for something as cool as EE. And he wanted to wait until we could share the experience together. I tried to convince him to go and told him that he might regret not riding it once we were back home. But he wasn’t budging. He was going to wait for me. Or the boy. Or me and the boy. Because he’s very cool like that.

That IS very cool. And unselfish, too. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I could have done it. Good for Mr. LaLa. I'll bet he's somethin'.

With or without lemon.

WITHOUT LEMON!!!

He clearly had places to go and things to do so we bid goodbye to our buddy ZZUB. Told him to take care of himself. And that it had been nice talking with him. Even though he clearly lies. Like a dog. Slipped him a couple of Imodium ADs and an extra roll of toilet paper from the backpack, just in case he decided to eat at Teppanyaki. And then we turned and continued on our journey.

You did all that and he STILL didn't admit who he was? Well, at least he knew he had some friends that cared. :moped:

You know, no one approached us and handed us a certificate that day. We didn’t need a piece of paper or a character greeting or a well meaning, albeit empty declaration from a CM to know that we were experiencing a magical moment. All we needed was each other. Some time. A few free snacks. And a bench.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

I love it, La. I just love it. Again, thanks for taking us right to AK with you. I really could picture every single thing you wrote about. Good stuff, friend.

Keep it comin'...

NM :flower3:
 
ZZUB said:
I didn't realize how often I went to Disney World last year. Between you and Mel and the Maelstrom crowd, I apparently went a lot. Did I have fun?

Well, you were having fun. Until we took you to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. And had them dress you up as Ariel. Told them to go really heavy on the makeup and to add extensions. You didn't appear to be in your happy place afterwards. Looking back, maybe that wasn't the best decision. We probably should've gone with Cinderella instead. You seem more like a Cindy type of guy than an Ariel type of guy. Plus that blue dress would've really brought out your chin stubble.

Your writing brings us along with you and, for a little while, it felt like I was in Disney World with you. It made my lunchtime more enjoyable.

Bringing you along for the ride was my pleasure, my friend. Truly. But next time could you throw some cologne on first? Cause you've still got that rank ginger(ish) smell going on. And lose the VFP shirt. I can't be seen with someone wearing a shirt that stale.

Who describes that much detail about something so personal?!

The possibilities are endless with this one, but I'm just gonna go with an idiot and leave it at that.

NM said:
Why would you wear a shirt that shows your pit hair?

I wouldn't. But that's just me.

NM said:
That IS very cool. And unselfish, too. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I could have done it. Good for Mr. LaLa. I'll bet he's somethin'.

Yeah, he's somethin' allright. Especially when my little friends call him Mr. LaLa. In all seriousness, he is very cool. He has to be to put up with me. Plus he keeps me laughing and he can grill a mean steak. And that's very important in my book. I knew I could depend on you to catch the Gap Band thing. The beginning of that song? Every time it comes on, DH says that's me leaving for work in the morning. Peelin' out of the driveway like a mad woman. Told ya he was funny. And hey. Don't look now but you misspelled a word. Somewhere back there. In that big ole post. And no, I'm not telling you where.

Lexmelinda said:
MGM is the green skittle....by a long shot....to me.

Don't be hatin' on the green Skittle!

It was the swings wasn't it? Or the Tilt-a-Whirl.

Good guesses, but you're wrong on both counts. It was actually The Hurricane. Round and round and up and down it goes. Mama no like.

So sweet. You guys are such a cute family.

Thanks. And right back atcha, Lexmelinda.

kpk said:
Lala, I agree with Chap. That bit with the photopass search was flippin' hysterical!!!!

Thanks sista. But you missed a smilie. And like NM, I'm not telling you which one.

SoccerDog said:
You think Animal Kingdom is the worst park?!?!?! Okay, now you're on my ignore list. Or are you?? Seriously though, AK has to be my favorite park.

MouseDogMom said:
As SoccerDog has already said, AK is our favorite park. I don't even mind that I can't have straws with my drink there.

AK IS YOUR FAVORITE PARK?! You're on my Ignore list. Of course I'm kidding. Yall are too sweet to put on Ignore. Unlike Chappie. And even though AK comes in at number four (NOZ) for us, we still like it. We do. We just like the other ones better. It could have been worse though. At least I didn't compare it to a middle school.

eternaldisneyfan said:
Another great chapter! I love reading about your sweet little family. You seamlessly blend heartwarming and humor...Can't wait to hear the good experience (foreshadowing -A in AP English, 5 out of 5 on test for college credit)...

Thanks so much for the props. And the grade. Or is that your grade?

Chappie said:
If this is the criteria you utilize in ranking your theme parks, one shudders to think what criteria you used to select your husband.

Silly Chapster. You forget who you're dealing with. I didn't "select" my husband. I won him in a tobacco spittin' contest. He was the first place prize. I was a little bummed at first because I was really hoping for a Wal Mart gift card instead. So I could stock up on deli meat. And Swiss Cake rolls. But then he smiled at me and the angels sang. Because I realized he still had all of his God given teeth. And like they say, the rest is history.

Trust me -- the moment never began.

This made me laugh out loud. And then I got it. And now I don't think I like you so much no more.

What I said about your last installment? Goes double here. You truly are a gifted writer. Photographer -- not so much, but writer -- definitely.

Okay, I like you again. Thanks Chapster.

Mel and ZZUB in one day and no picture of either one .

La, I'm disappointed.

You need some bananas :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

I know! I can't believe I didn't get a picture of either one of them. I'm disappointed too. Hey. You know what will make us feel better? If you go post an insane amount of those dancing bananas on Mel's TR. I hear she really likes them.

fizz13 said:
I too have been soaked on kali, and unfortunately I was wearing white! There was not a hand dryer big enough in the park to dry me out that day, btw the ice cream on the nose thing made me giggle bad, I can't wait to do it to my kids

Yikes! You have to be careful wearing white at DW. Cause you wanna help the park keep that G rating, you know? Although with some of the outfits I've seen there, the white shirt might be the least of our worries.

samc said:
did you tell them their men-folk were on the monorail to MK with happyhaunt?

DED. You have no idea how scary that thought is. Shudder.

ukwildcat said:
The County Fair Incident? Sounds familiar. Maybe because of The Gasoline Incident. Now I have two incidents with no stories. I don't know how I'll make it through the weekend.

Well it's a good thing I didn't mention the Knife Throwing Clown Incident now, isn't it? Or else you would really have a hard time this weekend.
 
you are a better lady than me...I can't do wet...I hate being wet in clothes not meant for wetness...with a passion...it's my number three worst thing EVER...numbers 1 and 2 are BAD I assure you...or I have massive issues...probably both...anyhow staying on track...not about me not about me...

I love how much you love your crew...it's good to know y'all are out there!

Do you know that i actually bought a "quick dry" skirt and shirt JUST for Kali River Rapids...so that I wouldn't be stick in the mud and/or whiney about being wet...6 months in advance of our trip...just for that ride. Yep Issues...oops are we on me again? Sorry...:confused3 ;)

Can't wait for the next chapter!!! YAYpopcorn::

(My step daughter just said "Are you reading that story again from that lady who doesn't live here who sends you pictures of her trip and you laugh?" Why yes stepgirl, I am :laughing: )
 

LaLa! My lovely little LaLa! I have enjoyed catching up on the last two chapters! What a sweet family and what a sweet day you had together. You are seriously making me want to get my family back there...to share an ice-cream on a bench....and to ask my oldest if my ice-cream smells funny. :)
I'll say this. I know we were there at the same time and I am really sad we did not get to cross paths. You are such a sweet soul and a funny girl. I'm glad you are taking time out of your busy life to share your story with us. Thanks for the warm fuzzies. :goodvibes
 
I have just found your TR and I'm loving it. I live in AL and when we go to DW there is no place that has sweet tea. We usually drink coke/water the entire time. It's nice to know that some place has sweet tea.:cool1: Was the food really that good?
 
CampbellScot: Like I said, it would have normally bothered me too. Getting that wet. I don't know why I didn't care that day, but I didn't. I just didn't give a flip. But here's a tip. Because you've been so loyal with the reading and responding. Instead of buying all the waterproof duds, just wear a poncho, chick. It's much cheaper. It's already in the backpack. It's there. You're there. You can't go wrong with the poncho.

Frick: Borg, my sweet friend. Borg. And you should get your family back there, sit on a bench and shove ice cream up each other's noses. Cause it just doesn't get much better than that. Love ya mean it sista.

disneymoon0307: So we got another Alabama girl in the house? Well come on in and roll some Tide! As far as Trail's End's food goes: it was good. It didn't blow us away like Le Cellier or Kona Cafe did. But it was good, down home cooking. The sweet tea, however, was worth the trip over. It really was good. They also serve sweet tea at Garden Grill in Epicot. Just for future reference. And it's just as good there. Thanks for hopping on board!

:moped:
 
Here I am!!! :banana: :banana: Finally I have gotten a break from baseball. . .the online classes that I am taking and all the other stuff that has been running RABID in my life. I am TRYING to get caught up on this trippie!!! BUT I have a 3 year old IN my lap with HER COPY of Walt Disney World FOR Kids 2007. . .asking me IF I know any of the characters. . . . . . .:rotfl: Let me see if I can get caught up!!
 
Last edited by LaLa : Today at 06:45 PM. Reason: When are you due, Frick? I'll make sure to bring a casserole. You do like possom, right?

Well, I'm not due to do anything. But I will take a casserole. No possom this time. I'll take the Hamburger Helper without the hamburger. That's good eatin.


:santa: Just because he is still here.
 
LaLa- As usual I loved your installment. It's amazing how some of the best memories are just the time with your family. Every trip we take our favorite memories are usually the ones where it's just the two of us, taking a stroll, or sitting on a balcony :hug:
 
Garden Grill has sweet tea too?? Mom, you're reading this right? I've been trying to go there for AGES (the whole revolving thing really entertains me) yet my parents have never wanted to. But FINALLY this trip I managed to convince them. Score one for the teenager! (I told you I was always right Mom)
 
I am a lurker on these trip report boards, but just had to come out to say how much I am loving your trip report! love your writing style! You are so funny and witty and makes for great reading. Loved your latest chapter too!
Can't wait to see what's coming next.
 
You've been parading around in anonymity for far too long. We now KNOW who you really are and what LaLa stands for.

It stands for LaKisha!

I saw you on American Idol last night talking about giving Simon a little sumpm sumpm. And since you're the only one I've ever heard use that expression, it confirmed that LaLa is short for LaKisha. Fo shizzle.

And word.

To your mutha. Evidently.

:3dglasses
 
Here's the thing about Ponchos...I am TOTALLY gonna have one on, but they aren't totally foolproof and since being wet in-not-meant-for-getting-wet clothes is my number 3 worst thing ever...I gotta get the meant for wet duds on underneath...y'know b/c of the of the issues...and also, the skirt was only $6 from lands end on clearance in the children's section...which means I'm either really small or land's end is sensitive to the childhood obesity problem in America!:laughing:

so hey are you going to be going on another trip soon b/c this trip you are writing about seems to be winding down:scared1: and I need some me some funny to get through the day...perhaps you could write about trips to the grocery store...or shoe shopping...The Lala's take on Stride Rite...y'know fun stuff like that...to tide us all over until your next trip...THANKS!:thumbsup2
 
perhaps you could write about trips to the grocery store...or shoe shopping...The Lala's take on Stride Rite...y'know fun stuff like that...to tide us all over until your next trip...THANKS!:thumbsup2

Well, see, that would be a work of fiction, because everyone knows that hicks like La don't wear shoes, and they don't need no "grocery store" when the possum is so plentiful down there (just go outside and scrape it off the road).
 
Z said:
You've been parading around in anonymity for far too long. We now KNOW who you really are and what LaLa stands for.

It stands for LaKisha!

I saw you on American Idol last night talking about giving Simon a little sumpm sumpm. And since you're the only one I've ever heard use that expression, it confirmed that LaLa is short for LaKisha. Fo shizzle.

And word.

To your mutha. Evidently.

I can't believe it. I've been outed. All because I couldn't resist throwing out a lil sumpm sumpm! Something tells me you probably melted onto the floor and slid underneath the coffeetable when you realized my true identity. And then calmed yourself with a pudding cup afterwards. Seriously though. That's funny. But you know what's even funnier? I saw YOU on TV last night too. Freaky TV borg. You were sitting in your little office. Watching the clock. And staring at the Penske file. Of course....

Chappie said:
Well, see, that would be a work of fiction, because everyone knows that hicks like La don't wear shoes, and they don't need no "grocery store" when the possum is so plentiful down there (just go outside and scrape it off the road).

Forget the plentiful possum. Who needs grocery stores when you've got gas stations?! Seven Eleven. It's the new WalMart. By the way, shouldn't you be getting your secretary to show you how to work the smilies right about now? Or making your location on vacation?

CampbellScot said:
so hey are you going to be going on another trip soon b/c this trip you are writing about seems to be winding down and I need some me some funny to get through the day...perhaps you could write about trips to the grocery store...or shoe shopping...The Lala's take on Stride Rite...y'know fun stuff like that...to tide us all over until your next trip...THANKS!

Thanks, CS. Yes, saidly, the trip is winding down. There's only one night and one day left to share. Of course, at the rate I'm going, that could mean I'll be here telling our story for another six months. Or at least until Mel starts three more trip reports. In rapid succession. But you know, oddly enough, I have been toying with the idea of putting out a book. It's a coffeetable book. About coffeetables.

Frick said:
Well, I'm not due to do anything. But I will take a casserole. No possom this time. I'll take the Hamburger Helper without the hamburger. That's good eatin.

How 'bout a ham without the ham?

Tinkershell,serendipity and disneyfreak74: Thanks for the sweet props! And Tinkershell, thanks for coming out of lurkdom to post. I really do appreciate each and every comment. Well, unless they're from Chappie or ZZUB. You should ignore them, by the way.

Everyone else does.

:moped:
 
After a nice, long rest in our cold dark hotel room, we were ready to hit it and hit it hard.

Which was a good thing because we had a busy night ahead of us. It was the big night. The one we had been looking forward to since we’d arrived. Not only were we attending MNSSHP later on but we also had an ADR at Chef Mickey’s beforehand.

And we were pumped. To say the least.

We, as a family, love Chef Mickey’s. Love it. The place just screams Disney to us. We’ve always found the food to be pretty good there (big nasty bowls of Sno Caps aside) and the character interaction has always been impressive. Well, except for that one time. And again I say: don’t touch the duck’s bill. Don’t squeeze it. Don’t massage it. Don’t thump it. Don’t poke it. Don’t chew on it. Don’t even look at it. Cause you might draw back a nub. Grumpy overgrown ducks aside, the place is very cool and it’s where we prefer to have dinner on our first night. That is, unless we wait too late to book it and all the ADRs are gone. Ahem. I think the fact that the restaurant is located in the Contemporary gives it a very unique feel. Every time that monorail whizzes by overhead, you’re reminded of the fun that’s just waiting to be had next door at the Magic Kingdom.

It’s enough to make you downright giddy.

Or at least a little bit yellow.

With our mind on the mouse and the mouse on our mind, we hop up and get moving quick as a flash. If you’ll remember, the girl was going through a Minnie phase on this trip. She was all about Mickey’s main squeeze and she had been waiting all week to show off her new Minnie costume, complete with white gloves and sparkling red sequined bodice.

I pull it out of the closet, take it off the hanger and tell the girl “It is time.”

The squeal that followed was so shrill it was inaudible to human ears. Pluto next door at Camp Minnie Mickey, however, wasn’t a fan. Apparently. She was so excited she jumped down from the bunk bed and landed straight in the outfit. Gloves, tights, shoes and all. Then she went to stand by the door and wait patiently.

One down, one to go.

Before we left, I let the boy look at some costumes online and pick the one he wanted. I resisted giving my input and left the decision completely up to him. As long as his choice came from the pool of pre-approved Disney themed costumes I had managed to previously bookmark. Duh. Who do you think you’re dealing with?

The boy had done the Star Wars thing for two years in a row. Been there, done that. So he decided to mix things up a lil bit. His first choice this time around was Jack Sparrow. Cap'm Jack. The clothes themselves looked identical to the duds Johnny Depp sported in the movie. They were very cool. But the kicker was the hat. It was the piece de resistance. In other words, the hat rocked. In fact, it sealed the deal in the selection process and was just the push Jack Sparrow needed to win out over the Clone Trooper. It was that cool. Attached to the hat was a red do rag and attached to the do rag was the hair. The long, black, partially beaded Jack Sparrow hair. Without the hat, the boy was merely a nameless pirate. One of many. But with the hat, the boy became Jack Sparrow. Cap’m Jack Sparrow. It pulled the entire look together.

And yes, there’s a reason I just wrote all of that. Hang with me. Because unlike this season of Lost, it’ll make sense eventually.

Or will it?

Before we started getting dressed, I asked the boy, nay, I strongly encouraged the boy to bring his costume with him and to get dressed after our meal, like we had done last year. Because I know my son. And I knew he would be more comfortable wearing his civilian clothes during the hootenanny with Mickey and crew. But he was feeling rather bold that night. And the boy was adamant. He wanted to wear his costume to Chef Mickey’s. He didn’t give a flip about waiting until later to change. Puh-leeze woman, he told me with his eyes. He was in Disneyworld. He was wearing the costume to dinner and he was wearing it loud and proud, dangit!

You just know that’s gonna come back to bite him in the butt, don’t you?

But, whatever. He was insistent. And he was growing up, after all. I figured if anyone knew the boy’s comfort level, it would be the boy.

So I say “Ooooo-kay. But only if you’re sure. It’s your call. Completely. Now come here like a good little boy and let Mama put some makeup on you.”

You're waiting for me to say I'm kidding.

Only I'm not.

Okay, so maybe I didn't say it like that. But at some point, I decided it might be a good idea to kick the whole Jack Sparrow vibe up a notch. To plus it. As Walt would say. I dig around in my makeup bag, retrieve my eyeliner and get ready to give the boy the Jack Sparrow Smoky Eye Special.

Oh yes I did.

And calm down. Yes, I did apply a touch of eyeliner. Just a touch. A dab. A speck. A smidgen, really. Just to complete the look. Cause it's all about the look. And no, he didn’t look like Nicole Richie when I was done. Or Katherine McPhee. Or Paula Deen. In other words: he didn't look like a female. Much. He did, however, look like Ozzy Osborne. Without the bat. With some sense and a funny hat.

Or did he?

Actually, it was hardly noticeable. And he had willingly agreed to it under the stipulation that he would also get an Insta-beard to go with it. A goatee, if you will. I agree but only because I kind of like the scruffy look. Well, the real kind, that is. Not the drawn on kind so much. And especially not if it looks like a cluttered collection of capital Vs, which is exactly what the boy’s goatee ended up looking like.

Because he insisted on doing it himself.

By the time he was done, he had shot past puberty and was well on his way to being a really short, hairy middle aged man in ten minutes flat, from the looks of it. A really short, (slightly) girlish hairy middle aged man with a goatee and a noticeably crooked mustache.

Without the hat.

With the hat, however, he was something totally different. With the hat, the boy was Jack Sparrow. Captain Jack Sparrow. Through and through. No lie. He looked awesome, if I do say so myself.

He checks his look in the mirror (from several angles), smiles his approval, then bares his teeth and growls at himself. He was the pirate and he was pumping himself up for a lil pillaging, plundering and pilfering. At the buffet line.

Once we’re all ready, we head downstairs, jump in the car and speed over to the Contemporary. We pull up, valet the ride (that’s right), and take off into the lobby to catch an elevator up to the fourth floor. As we arrive at the podium, I look around and notice that although we’re definitely not the first to arrive, it seems as though we’ve beaten the crowd. There is no line to speak of and we’re able to check in fairly quickly.

That’s what I’m talkin’ about.

Before we’re shown to our table, we take a detour over to the side to have our picture taken with a cardboard Mickey holding an insanely large fork and spoon. They’re nearly twice as tall as he is. Now I ask you. Why would anybody need a spoon that big? Am I missing something?

After we smile for the camera, we take a few steps and run smack dab into Mr. Grumpy himself. And no, it wasn’t Alec Baldwin. It was the duck. Our waitress happily volunteers to take a picture of us with him. Remembering the hand smack from last year, the boy informs her that he is disinclined to acquiesce to her request. Then we tell him to get a grip and get over it. Or something like that. Actually, it was a sweet picture. The kids were happy to see Donald and there were huge smiles all around. And the duck was cool this time. Because we’d learned our lesson. We didn’t grope the bill.

We wave goodbye to Donald and then follow the server to our table where we unload the camera gear and make ourselves comfortable.

The thing about Chef Mickey’s is that once you sit down, you can’t immediately run off to fix your plate. Well, not that you couldn't. But you shouldn’t. And any true Disney geek wouldn’t. You have to sit for a minute or two and just take in the scene. Get a bead on the characters and determine if you have enough time to make it to the buffet line and back before they come around. Cause you don’t wanna be missing the Mickey.

So we sit at our little table and look around us. For a minute or two. We notice once again how bright the color scheme is in there and we point out the huge red Mickey head graphics to the kids. The noise level is momentarily kicked up a notch as the monorail whizzes by overhead, carrying smiling families to their happy place just next door.

Once our server has our drink order, we decide that we should have enough time to pillage and plunder the buffet and be back before the mayhem that is the Parade of Characters makes its way around to our table. So we take off, load our plates down with prime rib and the fixins for us and chicken strips and the fixins for the kids, and then find our spot again. Before the girl could get the first bite of chicken down her throat, Mickey materializes and teases her with his presence at the surrounding tables.

She breaks out into an irrepressible grin as she notices The Mouse dancing with a little girl about her age a few tables over. This was the moment she had been waiting for. She had been missing the Mouse and there he stood in all his overgrown rodent glory. With her eyes trained on the prize, she clutches her Minnie doll a little too tightly, lets out a nervous giggle and whispers, “I bet he’ll kiss me.”

Which killed me. Because it was such a moment. I was struck by the innocence. Nothing else in that room existed to the child in that moment. Just an overgrown mouse with a two syllable laugh. You could see the butterflies in her stomach as he inched his way toward her.

Pan over to the boy.

He's kicked back in his seat. He's lost the hat and downright refuses to put it back on. Says it’s stupid. And that he looks like a girl. He deadpans “I’m an eight year old boy. What do you think, I’m s’posed to be wearing makeup?!”

My, how quickly they turn.

As the crowd had picked up and he'd noticed there weren't any other kids dressed in costume in the vicinity, we’d noticed his body language had changed. The eyes had become shifty. He began to slouch in his seat. And then it had happened. He had slowly pulled the hat that had previously ROCKED off his head and passed it to his father, leaving him looking like a nameless (abeit short and cute) pirate with Smoky Eyes.

With a drawn on goatee and crooked mustache for good measure.

The boy continued the running commentary on how raged up and humiliated he was that he was the only kid (besides his little sister, who obviously didn’t count) dressed up in costume and bemoaning the fact that he was wearing eyeliner in public while my husband and I laughed. Hard. Yeah, step off Alec and Britney. We’ll be taking the Parent of the Year award now. We couldn’t help it though. The boy can be pretty funny when he wants to be. And he was definitely on that night. In between convulsions, my husband put his arm around our son's neck, pulled him close, and began egging it on. Calling him girly names. Telling him he needed to switch razors. And making him laugh. Hard. Right back. Because that’s how we make our kids feel better. I reminded him that once we finished dinner and got to the MK, everyone there would be in costume. Not just him and his sister. And that I was sure we'd run into plenty of other extremely masculine pirates wearing eyeliner.

If that made him feel any better, the thing that happened next probably made him feel much worse. Once he was able to catch his breath, that is.

Chip appeared from out of nowhere, took one look at the boy, grabbed his belly, pointed, and began laughing at him. For a minute or two. Then he pretended to spit on his hands, rub them together, and wipe off the boy’s face. He was hugely animated and it was hilarious. The boy loves him some Chip and Dale. Absolutely loves them. Of all the characters, they’re the ones he talks about the most. And that overgrown chipmunk’s antics had him laughing so hard that night I thought he was going to projectile vomit his Mickeyroni across the table at any second. Once we snapped a picture and got the autograph, Chip patted the boy on the back, waved goodbye and moved on to another table.

One rodent down, three to go.

While the girl was distracted with Chip, The Mouse came up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around and her eyes lit up. And they shared a little moment. He complimented the costume (we know because we’re very familiar with rodent sign language) and stretched out his arms for a hug. She happily complied. And then he kissed her. Smack dab on the forehead. Yep. She had called it. The girl knew she was lookin’ cute in the Minnie getup and that there was no way The Mouse would be able to resist her charms. They shared a deep discussion without words, then he held her hand and guided her into a pose for the camera. He gave her a quick goodbye kiss before moving on.

And just like that, he was out of her life.

Well, actually he was about three steps away. Visiting with a nameless, hatless pirate.

Like Chip, Mickey was hilarious with the boy. He patted him on the head and began doing what we call the Row, Row, Row Your Black Pearl. Which was followed by the Walk the Plank. And the Man Overboard. Which led to the Swim For Shore. Backstroke style. He then showed off his 2L2Quit hand motions and did a killer Chicken Noodle Soup. With a soda on the side.

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Again, the boy threw his head back and laughed.

Minnie made her way around shortly. She flirted with the boy and then she and the girl had a great visit. They bonded like only girls can. There were hugs all around and they compared dresses and shoes while the boy child and Goofy engaged in a very competitive swordfight beside the table.

You know, maybe the boy hadn’t been too happy about being one of just a handful of kids in costume at Chef Mickey’s that night. After all, unlike his sister (who loved being dressed up), he was eight years old and practically grown. He had a reputation to protect. But one thing’s for sure. He got a ton of special attention from all of the characters. Much more so than in years past. And he ate it up. Completely ate it up. Looking back, I don’t know if Mickey and crew were just really on their game that night or if all the extra attention was because of the costume. And the Smoky Eyes. And the faux facial hair. But whatever the reason, I do know that night turned out to be one of our most memorable visits to Chef Mickey’s. Hands down. And not just because the prime rib and parmesan mashed potatoes rocked. Although they did. But moreso because the characters completely cracked us up.

As the napkin twirling music began and the place deteriorated into utter chaos, we twirled our napkins high above our heads and smiled. And counted the kids attempting to slap their siblings really hard in the face with a green napkin. I don't know why that cracks us up, but it does. Well, as long as it’s not our kids doing it. Cause they best not even think about it. But when it's a kid across the room, we point them out to each other and laugh. And play a lil sumpm sumpm we like to call 'How Many Itzakadoozies Has THAT Kid Had Today?'

Ahh. Good times.

Once we’d said goodbye to all of the characters and finished our meal, we made our way to the dessert bar to partake of the cutest little desserts around. How can you NOT put the little Mickey head dessert on your plate? To be truthful, I had no clue what it actually was at the time. It could’ve been mud on a cracker for all I knew. But it had a cute little Mickey head on it. And that baby was coming with me.

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After we had completely stuffed ourselves, we signed the slip and gathered our gear. We had places to go and things to do.

Well, one place to go. And lots of things to do.

We made our usual stop at the familiar bathroom downstairs before leaving the restaurant and heading out into the Contemporary. As we made our way toward the sun soaked monorail platform, the girl began to skip and hum. As opposed to rattle and hum. She was in a great mood. Heck, we were all in a great mood.

We didn’t have to wait too long before the monorail whizzed into the hotel and came to a stop in front of us.

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The doors slide open and we move into the nearly empty car to claim a seat. And with that, we finally take our spot as one of the happy families headed next door for a little bit of yellow and a whole lot of fun. We hear the familiar voice and begin to mouth the spiel as the monorail glides out of the Contemporary and into the fading sunlight, setting a course over the Lagoon and straight for the Grand Floridian.

We look out the window as the sun sets over the Magic Kingdom and take in the beauty of the place. For what will be the last time on this trip.

And I feel downright giddy.



Up Next: MNSSHP. It's really not so scary.
 
Your TR has got me laughing hysterically! I can just imagine capn Jack Sparrow with his "smokey eyes!" Maybe I will have to talk my star wars freak into capn jack and maybe Mickey will pay more attention next time!
 
:woohoo: i got here nearly first, it sort of tied up with the uk school run time but I digress.....another top notch installment for sure, and i was really feeling for the boy back there, do you have an account for his therapy later? of course you do....or do you?

I teared up just a little at the great interaction your kids got, and i'm so glad that Mickey and Minnie made enough fuss of DD, she deserved it:cloud9: Now lets hear about that party, that wasn't so scary apparently:thumbsup2

LaLa Rules:dance3:
 
Thank goodness you posted this installment! I'm having a veerrrrryyyyy slow, very long week at work. Great installment...I can so relate to all of the Cap'm Jack parts.
She was so excited she jumped down from the bunk bed and landed straight in the outfit. Gloves, tights, shoes and all.
I'm fairly certain she didn't really do that but it's so cute that she's so excited!
So I say “Ooooo-kay. But only if you’re sure. It’s your call. Completely. Now come here like a good little boy and let Mama put some makeup on you.”
This is where it all went to pieces for me. My Cap'm Jack was not likin' the faux facial hair and eyeliner which when wiped off does create a pirate patina of sorts...just a nameless pirate.
Remembering the hand smack from last year, the boy informs her that he is disinclined to acquiesce to her request.
One of my favorite lines! I use it with the kids now and then.
“I bet he’ll kiss me.”
Adorable!
He's lost the hat and downright refuses to put it back on. Says it’s stupid.
I had to carry the hat of hair all night long. We forced him to put it back on for the "official" picture. Cause we're mean like that. At least you got him to laugh!
And with that, we finally take our spot as one of the happy families headed next door for a little bit of yellow and a whole lot of fun.
I always thought the yellow comments referred to Coldplay's "Yellow"? Was there some mention of James Taylor or am I having a senior moment?
Up Next: MNSSHP. It's really not so scary.
I'm anxious to hear what you thought.

OK...can you post another installment this afternoon? I'm here til 2. ;)
 








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