Ringing in the New Year Disney style

[HeatherBelle614]

Ahem, your green light is on.

I am demanding an update.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Ahem, your green light is on.

I am demanding an update.

Hmmmmm.....

The girl insists on the duck poop hotel.

That's all I've got!

 

[javaj]

Checking in with my fellow New Year's Travelers! We are very excited for our January trip, got all the ADRs we wanted. Finally quit switching resorts too so it felt more final.

Funny about your daughter's duck poop hotel - because for my kids, duck poop hotel is Wilderness Lodge. They always seem to have ducks in their pool, and my kids always ask if the ducks poop in the pool. And yes, we still swim in the pool. Hmmm that's kind of gross.

BUT January seemed so far away. I really truly was trying to make it to January. But I couldn't resist. The kids and I are going to go with my sister during Labor Day weekend since DH will be out of town for work. Just a quick 4 night trip! 3 nights at VWL and unfortunately we have to switch to SSR on our last night (hey maybe the waitlist will work). We won't tell the kids, I'm just telling them we're going to see my sister, they'll assume we're doing a day trip to DL and that's why I'll be packing their lanyards and autograph books. They'll probably figure it out at the airport

 

[SnackyStacky]

Checking in with my fellow New Year's Travelers! We are very excited for our January trip, got all the ADRs we wanted. Finally quit switching resorts too so it felt more final.

Funny about your daughter's duck poop hotel - because for my kids, duck poop hotel is Wilderness Lodge. They always seem to have ducks in their pool, and my kids always ask if the ducks poop in the pool. And yes, we still swim in the pool. Hmmm that's kind of gross.

BUT January seemed so far away. I really truly was trying to make it to January. But I couldn't resist. The kids and I are going to go with my sister during Labor Day weekend since DH will be out of town for work. Just a quick 4 night trip! 3 nights at VWL and unfortunately we have to switch to SSR on our last night (hey maybe the waitlist will work). We won't tell the kids, I'm just telling them we're going to see my sister, they'll assume we're doing a day trip to DL and that's why I'll be packing their lanyards and autograph books. They'll probably figure it out at the airport

I haven't said anything because it's not truly a vacation, but we'll be down October 2 - 7 staying at the Swan. It's for work - so I'll be in a conference room. Wife will be taking, essentially, a solo trip. So bully for her! The girl will be at Grammy Camp for 5 nights. And that's okay by her! She has no clue we're going - she just knows she's going after Christmas.

 

[javaj]

That certainly is still worth mentioning! A trip to Disney is a trip to Disney! Hopefully you'll be able to step away and join your wife for some Epcot dinners!!!

I am a victim to disney math yet again. Long story short, arriving Wednesday night before Labor Day instead of Thursday morning.

Okay maybe a little elaboration won't hurt since fellow Disney lovers will understand this -- arriving Thursday morning really didn't give us as many counter service credits as we wanted. So the kids and I will arrive late Wednesday night, get the Quick Service dining plan for that 1 night (staying in a studio then moving into a 2 BR the next day), and that'll give us the counter service credits we need for Thursday for a pretty good price, considering we'll be getting the refillable mugs. Now what to do with those extra snack credits

I haven't said anything because it's not truly a vacation, but we'll be down October 2 - 7 staying at the Swan. It's for work - so I'll be in a conference room. Wife will be taking, essentially, a solo trip. So bully for her! The girl will be at Grammy Camp for 5 nights. And that's okay by her! She has no clue we're going - she just knows she's going after Christmas.

 

[Vijoge]

And another desperate plea for readers. You know you wanna!

Ok, the dream sequence got me! I have dreams like that all the time. . LOL Ava has gotten so big. .she was a most beautiful baby and that sure hasn't changed!

 

[2BoysMom]

I just discovered your PTR today.
I love Dreams Unlimited folks, and always book my trips through them!
I just returned from China this past Sunday after adopting a little girl and had hopes of a pre-Christmas trip for her first visit, but I am hitting some obstacles.... maybe we can talk later.

Either way I can't wait to keep reading....

 

[SnackyStacky]

I just discovered your PTR today.
I love Dreams Unlimited folks, and always book my trips through them!
I just returned from China this past Sunday after adopting a little girl and had hopes of a pre-Christmas trip for her first visit, but I am hitting some obstacles.... maybe we can talk later.

Either way I can't wait to keep reading....

Welcome aboard! Congratulations on your adoption!! Whenever you're ready, just click on the Dreams logo in my signature, and I'd be happy to help you plan a wonderful trip.

Nothing really to update on. All the plans are made - we're just kind of counting down, now.

OH! I do have a very quick update. I'll post it a bit later.

 

[2BoysMom]

OH! I do have a very quick update. I'll post it a bit later.

Well......

 

[SnackyStacky]

Well......

Oh good grief! I'm only 31, so I'm too young to forget! And to young to have my male menopause!!

I KNEW I forgot something!!!!!

 

[SnackyStacky]

So the update that I promised and then forgot to write. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm far too young to lose my mind. As well as to have my men-opause. Get it? Hahahaha.

Moving on.

So the update is that I was FINALLY able to book our Candlelight Processional package. We got our first choice of Restaurant Marrakesh. Dinner at 4:10 pm (ish - don't remember the time and I SHOULD be working so I can't look it up right now....), show at 6:45.

I'm so excited I could just pee. I've never been to the Candlelight Processional. Ever. And I think Marlee Matlin is just amazing - and she'll be our narrator. Or so the schedule lists. The travel agent in me is just screaming: "Please note narrators are subject to change without notice."

WOOT! Teeny update. But with a little help, I finally posted one.

And we have NO movement on the duck poop hotel. The girl is insistent on staying at the duck poop hotel.

 

[SnackyStacky]

So we're back from my work trip. And let me tell you - it was truly an eye-opener.

We were there October 2 through the 7. It was CRA-ZAY-ZY busy!!!!!! Now, mind you, I'm a September/January kind of guy. I loves me some uncrowdedness. Unfortunately, however, such was not the case while we were there. It was SO atrocious, they were adding second shows of Fantasmic!

We were at the Magic Kingdom on October 4th. Backstage along Main Street had to be opened for safety reasons to let guests out of the park.

And this ain't nothin'. And I know that. In relation to Christmas crowds? What I saw and experienced will not even compare. And that scares the hooey out of me!!!

On a more positive note - I did get to do some cool stuff! When you work as a travel agent, going to Walt Disney World is work. But let's face it. Working at Walt Disney World isn't the very worst job in the world.

We got to tour the Pirate rooms at Caribbean Beach, the Club Level lounge and two guest rooms on the club level at the Yacht Club (gorgeous - by the way!!!), and we got to see the Treehouse Villas. All really great properties!

But the coup d'état - I got to take the Backstage Magic tour. For any Disney geek? It's a must do. And TRULY worth the hefty $200 per person price tag!!!! I saw stuff that would make any Disney geek drool. First of all - we NEVER entered the park through the turnstiles. Every time we entered the park, it was done by entering a backstage area and going in through a cast member entrance to the park. I got to see the guts and inner workings of the American Adventure at Epcot. We got to see (albeit from a bus, but still!) the dry dock building where they work on Illuminations barges and the Friendship launches. We got to visit the Utilidors at the Magic Kingdom. We got to see Central Shops. This where ALL the magic TRULY happens. They build and repair ride vehicles. I saw Splash Mountain logs, Winnie the Pooh Hunny Pots, Primeval Whirl vehicles, Space Mountain rockets, Everest Trains - all disassembled and in pieces! We didn't get to go inside, but we saw the Monorail/Steam Train roundhouse. For lunch, we ate at Whispering Canyon Cafe. It was DELICIOUS!

We then headed to the location on property where all the plants for the ENTIRE property are grown. We got to see the topiary shells, and watch topiaries that are currently being built. We got to see the rows, and rows and MORE rows of hanging baskets with Ivy for the Poinsettias that will soon be covering the Walt Disney World landscape. We got to see the offspring of the Liberty Tree in the Magic Kingdom. There are two of them. So if the Liberty Tree ever dies, it has 40 year old offspring that can easily be replanted in the Magic Kingdom.

Next, we went to Animal Kingdom and saw all of the Jammin' Jungle parade floats. Up close. As in we were able to touch them!!!! Amazing stuff. We also found out that Tapestry of Nations/Dreams was dismantled because the puppets were simply too much for the performers. Our guide was in that parade, and he said that after a parade on a slightly windy evening, his back was just done for a couple of days.

Then we moved on to Hollywood Studios. We got to into Central Costuming. If you were on the backlot tour and saw a WHOLE bunch of touristy looking people waving at you? That was my group!

We then got to see what made me just drool all over myself. We went into the maintenance area of the Tower of Terror show building. WE WATCHED THEM CHANGE OUT TOWER OF TERROR VEHICLES! It was very random and is NOT typically part of the tour. We had been running late from lunch, so our itinerary had to be modified. I don't know what would have been done differently, but I know that things were flip flopped. So it truly was happenstance. But it was SO amazingly neat to see.

It is WORTH every penny of the $200 and every MINUTE of the 7.5 hours it takes to complete the tour. Do it. Do it. Do it.

 

[SnackyStacky]

So I've not posted an update in a while, and frankly, that's because most of the planning - if not all of it - is done. We're just sitting back, and waiting for December 30. I tend to watch planning videos, look at ALL matter of photos of the Contemporary, the parks - even though I've been to the parks about a billion times.

But also - this past week has been rough for our family. Wife's grandmother had suffered for 20 years (if not more; I'm not really sure when she was diagnosed, but I know it's been at least 20 years) with Parkinson's disease.

About two weeks ago, her body just locked up. Her muscles tensed and she couldn't open her mouth and was in excruciating pain. Because her mouth wouldn't open, they had to figure out another way to deliver pain medication. So they put it into her shoulder. Well, she didn't eat again. My mother-in-law got some Ensure (that fortified stuff) and some Ginger Ale into her. But the day she passed was the 12th day she hadn't eaten.

And it was on that day - wife and I were in the kitchen. We live within spitting distance of wife's grandmother, so she'd been going over there daily to spend time with her. Well, it was a Wednesday, and wife was just tired. She said she'd stay home. I had a feeling, and so I pushed her to go - to the point of being obnoxious about it. But she said she was comfortable in her decision.

About five minutes after that discussion ended, the phone rang. It was her grandmother's number on the caller ID. We both just stopped in our tracks. It was wife's mother just calling to see if Lisa was planning to come over. Well, wife was so afraid it was the call, she decided to go over.

Wife and her mother went into Ma's (everyone called wife's grandmother "Ma") room. Wife took one of Ma's hands, and my mother-in-law took Ma's other hand. They just chatted with her. And they told her it was really okay to let go. After 12 days of not speaking, she began to vocalise a little bit. Ma took one long breath, and that was it. She let go peacefully.

I had stayed at home with daughter. She was beginning to get sick. She had spent the day at my sister's house and had gone without a nap. So at about 5:00, she zonked out on the couch. I grabbed her, and we went over to Ma's. I was expecting a very sad state of affairs over there. But it was truly the exact opposite.

My mother-in-law hadn't called anyone. She wanted everyone to have a chance to say goodbye. And we all did. We dug out family photos, we had a toast, we had dinner - it was a blessing. Eventually, the funeral home reps came and took Ma, and we all went home.

Reading about it, it sounds almost morbid. But it really taught me something about death. My grandma died about 2 years ago. She was in the ER at the hospital after a stroke. I didn't stay with her, and I'm so regretful that I didn't. Wife said that it was so reassuring to be there with her and it helped her cope. The atmosphere was one of celebration; not just of Ma's life, but of the fact that she wasn't fighting anymore. When I went in to see her, I had never seen her look so peaceful.

So where's the sweet part of the bittersweet? Well, a bit more backstory, if you will!

Back in 2008, we went to Walt Disney World with all of our family. My parents, my sister and her whole family, wife's BFF, and my mother-in-law. Well, 2 days after we arrived home, wife's great aunt passed. She had been living with mother-in-law and Ma. My mother-in-law took that very hard. It was unexpected, and I think she blamed herself for it. So mother-in-law didn't travel unless she ABSOLUTELY had to - for work, usually.

Well now, she is able to join us! I'm so happy! I'm one of the very few who can rejoice in their mother-in-law. She's a SPECTACULAR person, and she's loads of fun! She won't be there the whole time, but she said she's planning on joining us for New Year's Eve.

So the past few days have been about trying to re-work the dining to include an additional guest. For the most part, I've had a lot of luck. I haven't been successful with the biggies - Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, Cinderella's Royal Table - but out of 12 dining reservations, I think I was able to modify 7 or 8 of them. That's pretty damn good! The ones I can't change - we'll show up with an extra guest. If they can accommodate us, that's great! If not, I'd rather spend time with mother-in-law.

The only one that's non-negotiable is Cinderella's Royal Table. That's for the girl - so someone will just go with Mother-In-Law, or she can take my place.

And I haven't made a plea for more readers, so I shall beg some more.



Please join in my little circle of dysfunction. I try my hardest to put the "fun" in it!

 

[pixiedust9]

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother-in-law. It sounds like the famiy was able to come together and say good-bye, I think thats beautiful...not morbid at all. Its very nice your DMIL will be able to come on vacation with you. I am sure the stress of your DGIL's illness and death has been a lot for everyone. Its very nice you will be able to take a vacation together. Have a great time in Disney!

 

[pixiedust9]

Oh good grief! I'm only 31, so I'm too young to forget! And to young to have my male menopause!!

I KNEW I forgot something!!!!!

You have a child...with every child I have had, I have lost some memory..I once spent 2 HOURS looking for my purse. I couldn't leave without is since my keys and bank cards were inside, I even had people helping me...I guess the same is true for men...Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother-in-law. It sounds like the famiy was able to come together and say good-bye, I think thats beautiful...not morbid at all. Its very nice your DMIL will be able to come on vacation with you. I am sure the stress of your DGIL's illness and death has been a lot for everyone. Its very nice you will be able to take a vacation together. Have a great time in Disney!

Thank you!!

You have a child...with every child I have had, I have lost some memory..I once spent 2 HOURS looking for my purse. I couldn't leave without is since my keys and bank cards were inside, I even had people helping me...I guess the same is true for men...Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

I'm sorry. What were we talking about?

Have you ever seen the woman talking on her cell phone in the mall? And then because you can't HELP but over hear (because you're nosey and listening in anyway...at least *I'M* nosey, and probably listening in anyway...) that she can't find her cell phone? She's frantically digging through her purse, getting more upset by the moment. So you lean in and say: "Um....you're talking on your phone..." If I were a woman, I'd be that woman.

I'm also the guy who will search desperately for sunglasses. Only to realize that they're on top of my head.

We'll go with your logic!!!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Well, we've come to realize something about the girl.

She can't see. And I mean, like, really can't see. She often watches movies on our iPhones, but she holds them right up to her face. Thought it was a little kid thing! Didn't know it was a: "WAKE UP MORON PARENTS! I CAN'T SEE!" thing.

Poor girl's eyes are worse than mine. In the opposite direction. I'm about a -6.5. She's a +7!!! With an astigmatism, just for good measure.

So we got the girl some glasses.

I know I'm biased. I fully admit that going into this. But I didn't think it was even remotely possible for this kid to get cuter. But put some glasses on her, and she does.

Before the fitting:

During the fitting:

After the fitting:

And in the car:

Please forgive the pajamas. We REALLY are decent parents! It was Spirit Week at day care this week, and today was Jammies day. We got her from school and went right to the optometrist.

This girlie LOVES her glasses, too. I've heard some horror stories about kids that didn't want to wear their glasses. The girl does NOT have this problem. She doesn't want to take hers off!!!!

We drove by a Denny's on the way home, and she asked to stop for dinner. Against my better judgement (have you LOOKED at the nutritional information for Denny's food?? Holy CRAP!), I stopped. As we got out of the car and were walking in, everything we take for granted was NEW to her!

"Daddy, I see the trees!!! I see the LEAVES!!!!! I SEE THE CARS!"

While I was so happy, at the same time, it made me so sad that for 4 years, she probably hasn't been able to see. It dawned on me even further - she still really hasn't seen anything at Disney World! I mean, she's seen it - but it's been blurry and out of focus! It makes me even more excited to take this trip and see it through the eyes that she can now see through!!!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Have you ever had one of those days that can't come to an end soon enough? The kind of day where even going to Disney seems like too much work. The kind of day where you want nothing more than your bed, a big comfy blanket to pull up over your head, and about 8 hours.

I had one of those days yesterday. We won't get into specifics, but it was truly awful.

Until Mr. Mailman came. Mr. Mailman always comes EXTREMELY late in our neighborhood. Some days, we're lucky to see him before 4pm. And yesterday was no different.

But in my pile of mail, was this lovely sight:

I was still thoroughly exhausted, but I was now thoroughly exhausted with a big smile on my face.

Because we're doing a split stay, I should be receiving another set of Magical Express documents, and two sets of resort documents.

And if you've been following along, dear reader, you're probably wondering: "He's renting a car. What's with the Magical Express?!" Well, I always add Magical Express. It doesn't commit you to having to use it. But if anything happens, I've got it on there. And we're not completely without a way of traveling. Not only that - but wife and I were considering sending wife on Magical Express while I take the girl and get the rental car. That way, we wouldn't have to deal with bags. But we'll see on departure day if we would rather get the bags and stay together, or separate for a bit and let Disney handle luggage.

I must now get back to Thanksgiving cooking! My creamy baked fennel is in the oven. (And if that in any way sounds appealing, you can find the recipe right here. Made it last year for Christmas and it was a HUGE hit. Everyone loved it - including those who don't like fennel! Myself included.)

To anyone still following, and to any lurkers - have a fantasic holiday!

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

Have you ever had one of those days that can't come to an end soon enough? The kind of day where even going to Disney seems like too much work. The kind of day where you want nothing more than your bed, a big comfy blanket to pull up over your head, and about 8 hours.

I had one of those days yesterday. We won't get into specifics, but it was truly awful.

Until Mr. Mailman came. Mr. Mailman always comes EXTREMELY late in our neighborhood. Some days, we're lucky to see him before 4pm. And yesterday was no different.

But in my pile of mail, was this lovely sight:

I was still thoroughly exhausted, but I was now thoroughly exhausted with a big smile on my face.

Because we're doing a split stay, I should be receiving another set of Magical Express documents, and two sets of resort documents.

And if you've been following along, dear reader, you're probably wondering: "He's renting a car. What's with the Magical Express?!" Well, I always add Magical Express. It doesn't commit you to having to use it. But if anything happens, I've got it on there. And we're not completely without a way of traveling. Not only that - but wife and I were considering sending wife on Magical Express while I take the girl and get the rental car. That way, we wouldn't have to deal with bags. But we'll see on departure day if we would rather get the bags and stay together, or separate for a bit and let Disney handle luggage.

I must now get back to Thanksgiving cooking! My creamy baked fennel is in the oven. (And if that in any way sounds appealing, you can find the recipe right here. Made it last year for Christmas and it was a HUGE hit. Everyone loved it - including those who don't like fennel! Myself included.)

To anyone still following, and to any lurkers - have a fantasic holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving and remember its goin to be a great December for alot of us goin to the World soon

 

[SnackyStacky]

Ah yes - the best laid plans!

I had every intention of making sure that I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off before we left.

But such is not to be. I spent the whole day cleaning the house and running errands. Fortunately, my mother-in-law is keeping the girl over night, so it's a lot easier to get stuff done now that it's later in the evening.

I should be cleaning and packing, but I've been cleaning all day! And I'm tired.

I take a great deal of comfort in the fact that 48 hours from now, I'll be in the reserved section for Candlelight Processional guests to watch Illuminations. I really can't wait!

I will try to post some live updates for those of you who are stuck in the frigid temperatures of the northeast. (And quite frankly, the entire east coast! But there's supposed to be a warming trend on Thursday in Orlando! WOO HOO!)

To any of you on the east cost digging out - stay warm, safe and comfy.

This is the most random and incoherent update I've ever written!!!!