The Fixer and The Cookmaster:major pixie dust*IT'S FINISHED*EPILOGUE UP!!#389

[scrap4u]

From a lurker--I'm enjoying your report very much! DH and I did KTTK last year and loved it!

Thanks so much for sharing and keep up the great work!

 

[Katy Belle]

Fabulous once again Jami! Loved the photos of your dudes on the beach. I totoally understand E and his dressing up. My Nathan is 9 and still has very definite ideas about what he should wear. He would have insisted on a whole pirate ensamble for a pirate cruise as well. The funny thing is, with a kid like that, you just do it. How can you not??
Thanks for posting Jami! I leave tonight to fly to the USA. I will try to keep up with your report while there on borrowed computers!
Katy

 

[Jennifer48]

Jami, thank you for not revealing anything on the KTTK tour. I have read many TR that have revealed a little too much about tours like this and also new rides without any warning

Keep it coming! Loving it!

 

[MommyPoppins]

You know, I stopped reading your TR because I just got busy with other people who posted new installments. So, I thought, well it's been months, surely she's done by now....but nope. Now I'm waiting with everyone else! So hop to it, girl!

 

[mdsouth]

Jamal,

Thank you so much for your wonderful report. Your style of writing (a mixture of humor and poignant thoughts) is delightful. I found it this morning and have read it straight through, from the first post the the very last in one sitting.

You are so on the mark with your views of the simple little moments in life. You make a wonderful ambassador for God. You, your family and friends appear to be friendly, fun-loving, delightful people!

PS Keep working on the Cookmaster! I would love to read her insights as well. You are very forunate to have each other for friends.

mdsouth

 

[srdipert]

Oh no I came to the end!! Great trip report...look forward to reading the rest.

Cookmater can't you please share that recipe...I have been craving choc. chip cookies since I started reading!

 

[burly]

Jamal thanks for posting more...keep it coming, love reading it. KIM

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Thanks Jami!
Someday I hope to go on that tour. After I do the Segway tour. On a future trip. Maybe.

Amy

 

[jamal]

Plus, you know how you can sense when you would be instant friends with someone in real life? Well, I think it would be a blast to have a nice lunch at the MK with you and Mrs. Gatelatch. I think we'd hit it off instantly!
__________________
Elisabeth

To Elizabeth and the rest of you kind people, I so appreciate your comments!

We are going to Orlando in July - not a Disney trip - but I am tempted to book the KTTK for DH and I since we will have grandparents around. You have enticed me, sista!

Do it! I always said I was going to wait till ds12 was old enough to go with me. I'm glad I didn't.

Plus, you know how you can sense when you would be instant friends with someone in real life? Well, I think it would be a blast to have a nice lunch at the MK with you and Mrs. Gatelatch. I think we'd hit it off instantly!

Wouldn't that be fun?

More to come!
Jami

 

[keenercam]

Jami -- What a FUN report to read. Thank you so much for the time you take to provide such rich detail and the awesome pix!

 

[Joanna71985]

I just read your TR straight through, and I just loved it! I especially loved all of the pictures (especially the ones of the meet and greets with the show performers). It just so happens that they are 3 of my most favorite shows. Your friend's CM friend is a pretty nice person to arrange all those. Hope to see the rest of it soon.

 

[AshClan]

I can't believe that I have just now had the chance to catch up on your report. Between "real life" and "other" DIS activities, I just have such a hard time keeping up with the TRs.

Anywho, thanks so much for sharing all these wonderful adventures with us. As you may know, I too have 2 boys, and I can so relate to the stories you tell about yours. Isn't it just so great how they each have their own distinct personalities? And don't you just love spending that one on one time with them when you get the chance? You and Shrek sound like an awesome team.

And, PLEASE tell the Cookmaster that (1) she needs to jump in here!! (Does she AT LEAST lurk?), and (2) we REALLY want her to join you in October. I cannot wait to meet you in person, and would love to meet her magical self, too. Finally, I can't wait to hear about the last day and 1/2 (that's what's left, right?) of your family trip!!

LY/MI

 

[monymony3471]

Jamal,

Hi. I just found this thread yesterday. It's the first trip report that I've ever read. You have an incredible way with words and you create, no re-create your experiences and bring us all right there. I've felt your excitement, I've laughed out lound, felt your pride, and just about every emotion I can think of.

Talk about a caputured audience. You have a real big fan base here and I can see why. Just add me to the list of your eagerly waiting, avid readers. I thank you for taking the time to willingly share your TR with us. It has been nothing less than fabulous.


Monica

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I just finished reading all 17 pages and now I'm waiting for more. Please post us something new soon. These reports are so good and the pictures that go along with them are awesome. You have a very special family and friends. My wife is now reading your story.

 

[toony]

Hi everybody! I'm a newbie. I'm looking around at the DIS-boards. I note this trip reports board as my favourite. It's so interesting and entertaining to read all your disney adventures.
Thank you for sharing it.

Thank you so much Jamal for your one. It's so great. I can't wait to read more!

 

[jamal]

First things first:​

I don't know what happened to part 7! I went back in the trip report because I wanted to post a link to it in this chapter because of a reference below. My posts are in order, no skips, no missed comments, etc. I can't believe I skipped a whole chapter! Apparently, though, I did because it is in WORD but nowhere on here. SO...even though it is going to be out of order (so sorry everyone!), here is the previously-not-posted Chapter 7:Part 7, Day 2: It didn’t pay to try to be clever with FastPass

We left the Castle and headed to Space to use our FastPasses. We were late, but felt sure we’d have no problem. Wrooooong. Wrong. Wrong. The CM did not let us in with late FastPasses!! In fact, he looked at us like we had three heads when we asked! So, to all of you who count on that little tricky, your tricky days may be over. Or suspended. Or, just don’t count on it, OK? I was shocked and speechless, which delighted the entire party. DH comforted me (the plan went awry!!!!!!!!!!) on the TTA, which was the closest we got to Space! Yes, we could have lied or begged. We could have waited for another CM or tried later. As it was, I pouted, felt guilty (couldn’t FIX it for the group!!), then moved on. Let’s just do that, shall we?

The majority of the group was up for a chili-dog burp so they headed to Stitch. Rookies. I’m not a fan and had no intention of subjecting my darling six-year-old to that nonsense. He and I headed to the speedway (Go Carts, he calls them) where the line was too long. We shopped instead. He’s a hat man. He bought (he chose, I paid for) a Stitch hat. The group exited Stitch with resounding YUCKs.

By this time of day (early supper in the South—that’s 5:30 for our Northern readers) we had seen a few good meltdowns. I’m talking fall-out, red-faced, full-screaming, hit the pavement, stroller-twisting tantrums. I notice these because I am a mother and I have been there. I notice these because I feel sympathy for all involved, mostly the mother. I notice these because I want to tell the parents to take their children for a rest and it reminds me that I am glad we always take breaks from the parks midday when we can. I also notice--and we tallied--fights. I’m talking venom-spewing, in-your-face, don’t-care-who’s-watching, you’re wrong-and-I’m-right fights. I notice these because I am a wife and I have been there, or close, on occasion. I notice these because I feel sympathy for all involved, mostly the wife, who is surely right. I notice these because I know that although Disney and vacation are magical, it’s not always perfect. I’m happy to report we really didn’t witness that many fights on this trip. Maybe people are good at hiding their venom. DH says I am not. We do have a mini-fight or two…

Yadayadayada…we were cold and hungry so we answered the call of Cosmic Ray’s. we’re still trying to get the hang of maximizing the Dining Plan and feeding everyone what they like to eat. It wasn’t our best evening. A spilled a bucket o’ popcorn on Ray’s clean floor, E had to go to thet bathroom as soon as we sat and I swear he and Mort were gone 25 minutes, and we were trying to make an evening plan given the falling temperature.

So we ate, rode some warm honey pots with Pooh, and headed back to the Poly. As we walked through the Castle we saw hundreds of cold folks waiting for Spectromagic. I felt sorry for them in their chill but mostly, I just didn’t understand. No one looked like they were having fun waiting in the cold! I believe I’d skip it.

We shared a Monorail car with some non-English speaking guests. When we reached the TTC, they were obviously debating an exit. I wish I spoke Spanish! One of the ladies finally grabbed the CookMaster and said, “61? 66? 6166? 6166!!!” We said is that where your car is? “61 66! 61 66??” Over and over…We finally said YES! Si! Si! All cars (hand motions for cars) here. Get off! Adios! Ohhh, we felt so sorry and helpless for them. We so hope they found their car (if that’s what they were looking for); the rest of the week the TTC and parking lot were known as 61 66.

Back at the Poly we savored our warm room, watched cartoons in bed, then opened our curtains just in time to see and hear the Electric Water Pageant float by with Wishes in the background. Life IS, indeed, good.

Fights witnessed: 6
Meltdowns witnessed: 3

Now, back to our story...
Part 18, still Day 8

I was so happy to see my boys when I returned from KTTK. They had not eaten lunch yet, so I offered to retrieve fare from Captain Cook’s. Who knew that the South Seas held fried chicken, rice krispie treats, and cokes? I loaded up the grub trays (20 snack credits left!) and returned to the Poly beach to feed the ducks…and my men.

The lovely Poly beach has about 6 hammocks hanging from small shade trees. Shrek encouraged me to grab one while he and the boys played in the sand and showered. I grabbed my TGM folder (never enough planning) and claimed a hammock near our room. As I read, eavesdropped, and dozed, I was struck by a few smoking, cursing teens sharing our beach space. Call me a prude, but I wanted to tell these young men they were not allowed to speak that way on Walt’s Sacred Property. It just sounded so wrong! Who can curse with Cinderella Castle behind your head? I told Shrek it was like a Twilight Zone experience.

I did manage to fall asleep (I can sleep anywhere, anytime. Could close my eyes while typing this and catch a nap.) for a bit and was awakened by my three handsome, clean boys. They were ready to go to Epcot! It took me about 6.2 seconds to pack the Mickey bag and we were off to the TTC monorail.

I always enjoy the walk to the TTC. When we approach the station and that vast parking lot (61 66!! 61 66! See Part 7, page ), it just feels like adventure travel. The contrast between the lush Poly and the sleek TTC/monorail is quite noticeable. We feel like we are the locals who walk to the train and appear from nowhere via secret path. Does that make sense to anyone who has ever stayed at the Poly?

Our agenda this Epcot evening was the World Showcase. We had done Future World but barely explored the nations. I have to tell you some things about Epcot. It is my family’s least favorite park. Ouch! That hurt! My fingers are shaking typing this, because I know many of you adore Epcot. I am thrilled for you. I like it very much, but my boys usually rank it #4. Well, E ranks Studios #4 because he doesn’t get to do as much there. No matter how we do it, they still see WS as a long walk with little thrill. This trip, I have to tell you, was MUCH better! We enjoyed it much more as a family.

We bypassed the Mexican River Rampage but veered off to get this mom a margarita at the cantina. Yummy yum. It felt strange, disloyal, hot-and-cold, to take my margarita to Norway, but Norwegian beer just doesn’t do it for me. As we approached Norway I broached the Maelstrom Is A Fastpass subject. See, when we were there, this was hot Dis-news straight from Mel’s first trip report, which I was reading from print on this trip. I thought it would be funny to take a picture of us with our fastpasses, even though the wait time (30 minutes) was exactly the same time as the fastpass return time. I do not understand people who get in the line when printing a fastpass will give you freedom to use the restroom, shop, ANYTHING but wait in a line! I suppose some folks had FPs for other attractions, but my guess is most were in the I-don’t-understand-fastpass category. Whatever. We were first, people:

Then we shopped for a bit:

After the thrilling Viking adventure, E wanted to watch fellow Maelstromers through the window by the waterfall. He loved it!

My margarita finished, I felt safe entering beautiful China without alcohol or other contraband. I’m just not sure about Sino-Mexican relations and did NOT want to cause any friction. I was sorry to see that homelessness has no boundaries as apparently Americans have resorted to sleeping on Chinese park benches:

We enjoyed the gardens and waited for the acrobats to begin their amazing show. Between that and Cirque du Soleil, I feel quite unfit, inflexible, and lazy. My boys, however, are inspired and continue their quest to perform small acrobatic feats:

Our mission in Germany involved a transaction in the candy store. My sister and her kids requested one souvenir from The World. Not World Showcase; the entire 47 square mile ten day trip. Its name was: Coke Bottle gummies from Germany. That’s it. So A and I took on that mission while the greedy acquirers hit the other shops. I did succumb to my little flea’s (A) request for chocolate pretzels before supper. I know, I know. Weak.

Coke gummies in hand, we found Shrek and E deep in soccer jerseys across the sidewalk. They were at the register paying for a too-big $30!!!!! jersey (poor dear has no clue about sizes…). I was not at all sure my picky child would wear it, but kept my mouth (sort of) shut. We decided to think about it and knew we could return it later if E changed his mind about wearing/liking it. You just never know. We headed out of Germany and I produced the chocolate covered pretzels. Any guesses how long it took E to smear chocolate on his white shirt? You’re exactly right. Then I saw the sly smile: “Well, I could wear my new jersey……….”
Even Shrek agreed it was too big so we trekked back to Germany to exchange it. Of course, there were no other sizes SO he put it on over the chocolate shirt (to cover the deep V exposing his manly chest) and MOVED ON! Because…it was time for one of Mommy’s two pre-trip attraction requests: The American Adventure.

I was sooo excited. I had two NEW attractions for my family to visit this trip. I convinced Shrek we must do American Adventure. Can you believe we’ve NEVER done it? I checked the times guide and found we were just right to catch the show before our ADR at Le Cellier. Shrek gave the boys a speedy smile-and-do-this-for-your-mom-it-will-be-better-than-you-think speech and they hopped into the pavilion.

Note the jersey.

Guess what? It was broken. I mean down. Something. Not working. Out of order. Dark. Extinct. Unavailable.

That was the end of that. My disappointment was short-lived, because now they OWE me.…big…to keep me happy. They have not clued in that I am simply happy with their company

I forgot Japan. Sorry. We did stop there and saw, for the first time, The Candy Lady. That chick has some impressive finger tricks! I knew with the crowd we would never get a treat, but we did enjoy watching her and hearing her say the word ‘candy’ 100,000 times. The Japanese department store, named 1647, whatever, was NEAT as a pin! We surveyed the tiny Japanese clothes and I teased A when I saw all the Pokemon. He used to love that stuff. He denies it, of course. I have the horrid song stuck in my head to prove it and embarrass him now by singing it and waving odd figurines in his face. Shrek says I still owe him for making him take A to those movies while I ‘stayed home with the baby.’ Worked every time.

We moved on around the Showcase and found the garden maze in Britain. I parked Shrek on a bench to watch the boys play as I suspected the stores would be full of David Beckham jerseys. Be still my heart. I DO hope that charming Brit’s wife is a better wife that one might suspect from an over-indulged kitchen condiment. As much as this Mom would have loved to see that heartthrob’s name on my dear son, buff budding soccer superstar, we had invested enough (coinage AND time) in the international football market for one day.

Anyway, the boys loved the green in the back of Britain. I loved the shops and feeling I was across the pond. It made me feel connected, in fact, to my dear friend who was, that same week, in jolly old England. The Thomas the Tank engine trains remind me of A’s first loves: Clarence, Sir Topham Hat, Skarloey, Percy, and Rusty. Where did the years go?

It was time for the friendly people of Canada and Le Cellier! A has cracked me up this trip by becoming a cheese plate connoisseur. E was just happy with the glow cube drink.

I can’t believe we made it this long without buying him one. I was happy with a Torontopolitan, and Shrek was happy with the big piece of grilled steak on his plate. It was an excellent dinner and reminded me why we continue to keep this restaurant on our ‘always’ ADR list.

Time for a decision: Illuminations or not. You people probably don’t understand The Fixers at all. That makes me feel sad because I appreciate every one of you reading this and I am afraid to tell you we skipped it. We LIKE it. We just don’t LOVE it more than we loved the idea of getting back to the Poly and watching Wishes from our beds!

Look at the pixie dust we had walking back from the TTC (hustle! bustle! sleek!) through the dim Poly paths…the Electric Water Pageant:

One last shot of the peaceful, near-empty volcano pool reminded me of the many guests there earlier now tucked in their beds:

Our beds and an open curtain allowed us to see Wishes while we set a wake-up call for another day of magic ahead…

Day 8 totals: Meltdowns 6
Fights-only one!

I sincerely thank you all for reading about our trip! We still have two more days, and I thank you for every comment and word of encouragement. Maybe it's just me, but writing these chapters takes longer than I thought!

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

heh heh, FIRST. Now back to read!

Excellent as always Jami. I especially love the pics. and the looks of Joy. and the Electric Water Pageant.

I want to stay at the Poly. I really do. But I just can't justify it for the ONE NIGHT that it would be. Not when staying at POFQ is less than half the price.

If only I could win the lottery. *Sigh*

 

[Grammyof2]

Jami - Those shots of the Poly in the evening made my heart do a little flip flop. I had forgotten how beautiful the Volcano pool is in the evening when it was almost empty. Last August, Hayley and I spent late nights taking a dip before bed. It was heaven

 

[figmentfan704]

Jamal-
love, Love, LOVE your trip reports! It makes me feel as if I am there with you!
One day I will be at the Poly.........

Is there more?????

 

[jamal]

Is there more?????

YES! YES! There is more to come! Thank you for sticking with me! I am so ready to share the rest with you.