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

[WeLoveThePoly]

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?

Yep! Makes perfect sense to me.

Thanks for another great installment!

Debbie

 

[jamal]

Yep! Makes perfect sense to me.

Thanks for another great installment!

Debbie

A Poly veteran! And don't you sometimes feel like the day-parkers are looking at you like you sneaked in somehow? I felt like I had dirty looks...

 

[horsegirl]

How did I miss this?!?! Wow two installments for the price of one! Jamal, love your writing. You are so upbeat and fun!. Your boys are beautiful! Your pictures! For the love of papparazzi! Yowza!!!!!!!!!!! Love the pix all of them, but especially, the night time shots on your stroll back to the Poly. BTW, I do love the Poly, just so you know. I really do....

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[sheridac]

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.

Right on, Sister!!

Who can curse with Cinderella Castle behind your head?

Uh, who would want to???

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?

Absolutely!!!!!!!

As we approached Norway I broached the Maelstrom Is A Fastpass subject.

It is???!!!!

 

[musicmama]

LOVED the pix of the Electric Water Pageant!! We discovered this gem last December and because we used the boats to/from Ft. Wilderness regularly, got to experience it several times. It never got old - especially the way the floats "move".

Must have been great to see Wishes from your room (is there a smiley for envy?)

 

[debster812]

Oh, I am SO getting fired. Yep, not a single shred of work to be done in my little world this afternoon. Shhhhh--don't tell.

Jamal--this is a WONDERFUL report. We also love the Electrical Water Pageant. My love affair started when I was 10.

My Nana took us to WDW every other year, and we would either stay at the Poly or at the Contemporary. Every evening, after dinner, we would ride the monorail (most often in the front) and then head to the beach to watch the Water Pageant. I don't think it was possible for my brother to fall asleep until we had done this. In January of 2004 DH, DS and I were at the World, and on the beach at Ft Wilderness watching the Water Parade. We called my brother (DS's godfather) so he could listen to the music over my cellphone.

I'll anxiously be awaiting your next installment.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Jami, as promised, my response.
Loved, loved those Norway pics. Great story telling, a joy to read.

See you around, somewhere...

 

[Grammyof2]

I thought you had a new installment up.

That's ok it is your birthday

 

[AshClan]

Happy Birthday, Jami.

You are allowed to take the day off. But, TOMORROW, back to work on this trippie!!!

 

[jamal]

Well, I've taken my birthday through Independence Day off, and today I am writing again. Thank you for waiting for me; I had to find myself on page...3!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Catch up and look for me here later.

There. I've committed to it.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Excellent resolve, Jami, looking forward to it.

 

[jamal]

Chapter 19, Day 9

Oooohhh it’s coming to a close. I cannot look forward to this last-full-day-at-Disney. I want to stay there forever! Capturing each day with magic in my family’s eyes is surely Heaven on Earth. I realized at we dressed that ninth day of the trip that our memories could bring us good doses of pixie dust when we were back home. To paraphrase Glinda as she tells Dorothy, “You've always had the power to go back to Kansas,” I believe our memories and stories can take us to Disney any time we need to be there! This, again, is why we go to Disney. My family has no better memories than those we have created on Walt’s 47 square miles.

This day we are headed back to the Studios for a round of repeats and new attractions. As usual, we do an excellent job of arriving at Park entrance by 20 minutes before Park opening. These eight mornings of patient waiting have yielded some interesting people-watching. DH and I discuss our fellow vacationers with our eyes, looking, head-tilting, nodding, smiling, and eye-shifting as we observe and eavesdrop. We note the first-timers and are eager (well, I am) to share any Disney wisdom with them. We are always surprised by how many guests arrive with no knowledge or plan for the day. I suppose that would be a different way to enjoy the parks, but I am chair-and-president of the planning-is-half-the-fun gang. Our boys strike up conversations with other children, discussing pins, characters, and the best seats on Tower of Terror.

Our routine is for me to go through bag check while DH takes the boys through to the turnstiles. I love to catch a gander at the great bag dump. We have a new breed to eye today. He is Mr. Get-Your-Gear-On. As I approach the security table, I always remove my backpack and unzip each section for faster visibility. Many of you do this, too, and I appreciate it. Mr. GYGO has another idea. He is not to be bothered with carrying anything this day, so he has his every need strapped to his person. This man was the inspiration for Velcro strapping. He and his wife approach the table next to me. This fit fella has a water bottle strapped to one bicep, his cell phone strapped to the other. His fanny pack is in front, and his camera is attached to the pack. It’s a neat, efficient package (if not look). As the security CM asked him to remove the items for inspection, the poor guy fell apart. He did NOT want to unstrap, unhook, or unzip anything! I ask you: why would you want a CM security guard inspecting an attached frontal fanny pack?? Mr. GYGO was a wreck! His whole operation was coming to a screeching halt as the seconds ticked. I guess he did finally take everything off, but not before he summoned his wife to hold the water bottle.

After three previous trips and eight days in the world, E decided it was time to try Rock N Roller Coaster. I told him to wait. I reminded him he’s only six and it’s reaaaaalllly fast. And dark. I said he did not have to copy his brother. I argued that being tall did not mean he must ride! He insisted he was ready. We knew we had to ride together; no way was I not going to clutch my baby at 0-60 in 2.8. He never wavered in his decision and we climbed in a limo together. My knees were weak with the idea that he might be afraid and I couldn’t even hold him. I told him to keep his head back and hold those little metal bars. Oh! I could cry at the memory of our liftoff. I barely remember the ride! I spent the 45 seconds praying my baby, my 60 lbs of lean sinew, would not be afraid.

He loved it, of course. He did not care to ride again, but we did purchase the picture: me-white face, eyes closed, tight grip; E- cheeks streeetched and jaw clenched, DS12 arms up, wildly laughing; evil DH—enormous mouth, screaming and laughing. We took the obligatory rocker pic outside:

Next up? Great Movie Ride. I had never done this!! It really impressed me. I am a movie buff and appreciate the animatronics, so I was sucked right into John Wayne, The Wizard of Oz, and the other old flicks. E closed his eyes during the shooting scene and Alien. Don’t take your preschooler on this attraction.

We had two FPs for ToT and two for RnRC. DS12 and I did the tower—again. I just love it! The themeing! The drops!! The story! The Show! Good show, imagineers. While DH and DS12 did RnRC again, I took E to the HISTA playground. Poor little guy. He is so big and tough and generally agreeable that we find ourselves skipping attractions HE would enjoy! We had a great time playing and could have stayed longer. My previous memory of this place was DH and I fearing we had lost A in there when we took him at age 5. The crowd was small this day, so I stuck with my E the whole time.

Our goal in that part of the park was the Lights, Motors, Action show. E could not wait! He remembered loving it the year before, and saved his disposable camera specifically for the show. Here is my memory of L,M,A 2005: a 25 minute nap. I told you I can sleep anywhere, anytime, and a car show in the heat of the day presents prime conditions for a Jamal nap.

We did not have FPs for LMA, but we really didn’t need them. The stadium is huge! Nevertheless, E and I were getting concerned about our other boys by 5 minutes to show time. I have a question for you. It’s OK to be honest. When you take your cellphones into the park for the specific purpose of communicating with your spouse when the group splits, do you turn said phone on and answer the fool thing when it rings???????? I thought so. My smart witty DH had his phone with him every day. He was so faithful. Remembered to keep it charged and kept it with the room key. Never answered it. Rarely turned it on. It is more than a little frustrating to make a plan or split up only to realize you have no hope of speaking to the other person until they show up, clueless, late, and unaffected by your ire.

ANYWAY!! Those to RnRC addicts strolled up to the LMA entrance laughing and joking till E warned them they were late, Mommy was calling, and they better hurry. DH’s medicine for altering my mood is usually humor. Lucky for him, he DID look funny running (white shirt, sandals) to greet us:

DS6 adored every second of LMA and had remembered so much from last year! I stayed awake and watched him snap an entire roll in the first 5 minutes. Then he asked me to take pictures of the car-going-through-fire. He said he would tell me ‘when.’ And so he did. Perfect:

His face and commentary on that show is one of my terrific memories from this trip. I wonder about that child’s future. His statement of what he wants to be when he grows up at PreK graduation was an unequivocal---Boat Racer. I better strap on myself. This boy’s gonna give us a fast ride…

Next up: more Studios, including a Disboard sighting, Fantasmic, and the wonderful Poly…

 

[Grammyof2]

Jamal - Another wonderful glimpse into your trip.

I come from the camp that never turns off my phone. It can be on vibrate or silent, I cannot answer it, but never turn it off. Please, do not carry a cell phone if it is off. It drives me to the crazy house, and that is such a short drive for me. But, the picture of Shrek in the hurry up mode is priceless.

I cannot believe the photo op of all trips is about to come to a close. I will patiently wait

 

[nicolemarie]

Our routine is for me to go through bag check while DH takes the boys through to the turnstiles. I love to catch a gander at the great bag dump. We have a new breed to eye today. He is Mr. Get-Your-Gear-On. As I approach the security table, I always remove my backpack and unzip each section for faster visibility. Many of you do this, too, and I appreciate it. Mr. GYGO has another idea. He is not to be bothered with carrying anything this day, so he has his every need strapped to his person. This man was the inspiration for Velcro strapping. He and his wife approach the table next to me. This fit fella has a water bottle strapped to one bicep, his cell phone strapped to the other. His fanny pack is in front, and his camera is attached to the pack. It’s a neat, efficient package (if not look). As the security CM asked him to remove the items for inspection, the poor guy fell apart. He did NOT want to unstrap, unhook, or unzip anything! I ask you: why would you want a CM security guard inspecting an attached frontal fanny pack?? Mr. GYGO was a wreck! His whole operation was coming to a screeching halt as the seconds ticked. I guess he did finally take everything off, but not before he summoned his wife to hold the water bottle.

That is really funny. I can totally picture this guy.


Great installment Jamal! I keep looking for my family in your pics since we were there at the same time, but haven't seen us yet. Oh well...

Can't wait to hear the end!! Thanks for keeping us entertained!

 

[MyGoofy26]

Fanstastic report! I feel like I'm right there with you!! Found it last night and couldn't stop.

I had to backtrack and reference this part though. . .

What do I take from this? Take any chance you get to thank Disney cast members. It’s the people, people, that make us want to vacation in Disney World. The show is fabulous; every cast member has a crucial role. I have read complaints and gripes on these boards but I tell you, I rarely find cast members slacking on the job.

I was only a CM for a semester during my college program, but I can't even begin to explain just how much pixie dust guests can spread to CMs. It really does go both ways. Sure there are people that work at Disney just because it's a job, but in my time there the large majority worked there because it was a job they LOVE. It really can be an uplifting place to work, and the guests are a big part of that.

One of my best memories from my time working was something that guests did for me, and it still brings tears to my eyes. It was New Year's Eve and I was working at MGM that night. Most of the night I was floating, running from shop to shop in the area to make sure everyone had everything they needed. We had a minor working a cart so he couldn't work through midnight, so I had to take over at around 10PM. As the evening wore on, and the area started to get quiet as people made their way to the front of the park for fireworks things just got lonely. I had been away from home since mid-August, my mom and aunt had flown down Christmas day but had left on the 30th, and for the first time I was getting a little homesick. At midnight they did Sorcery in the Sky and amazingly this was the FIRST time I've ever seen it (after more than 20 years of vacationing there - I always got outvoted) so I was getting all emotional about that (I'm SO with you on Wishes - I get teary eyed listening to the soundtrack!) on top of this overwhelming feeling of loneliness standing there in the middle of the path with NO ONE around me, bummed that I NEVER got scheduled for carts and for some reason THIS is the night they choose for me to work solo, and like I said, my family gone. As soon as the fireworks were over, I started to walk back to the cart trying not to cry and hear footsteps running up behind me. Before I can turn around, I hear "Happy New Year!!" It was a mother and her son and daughter who were just down the path aways on a bench watching the fireworks. I wished them a happy new year, huge grin on my face now, and they were off. Had to discretely wipe away a couple tears when I got back to the cart. That family COMPLETELY turned things around for me - loneliness was gone, the magic totally back! And I bet they don't even know it. . . and that more than 5 years later I can still picture them and hear them and they still make me weepy. LOL!

 

[jamal]

As soon as the fireworks were over, I started to walk back to the cart trying not to cry and hear footsteps running up behind me. Before I can turn around, I hear "Happy New Year!!" It was a mother and her son and daughter who were just down the path aways on a bench watching the fireworks. I wished them a happy new year, huge grin on my face now, and they were off. Had to discretely wipe away a couple tears when I got back to the cart. That family COMPLETELY turned things around for me - loneliness was gone, the magic totally back! And I bet they don't even know it. . . and that more than 5 years later I can still picture them and hear them and they still make me weepy. LOL!

Carrie! Your story gave me the shivers! I love it. I read it three times. See? You never know when a kindness will make a huge difference in someone's day. I thank you so much for sharing your story. Yes, I do believe there are many CMs who work there because they love it! I have a friend here who plans to semi-retire in WDW so she and her DH can work for Disney. I so appreciate you reading and taking time to reply.

Great installment Jamal! I keep looking for my family in your pics since we were there at the same time, but haven't seen us yet. Oh well...

Nicole Marie, vacation sister. What? You haven't seen yourself yet? I guess I can rest assured your DH was NOT Mr. GYGO, huh ?

Please, do not carry a cell phone if it is off. It drives me to the crazy house, and that is such a short drive for me. But, the picture of Shrek in the hurry up mode is priceless

.

Grammy Pssstt. Shrek hasn't seen the installment yet so he may edit this out

 

[ZZUB]

I can sleep anywhere, anytime. Could close my eyes while typing this and catch a nap.

Perhaps that explains what happened to Chapter 7?

This fit fella has a water bottle strapped to one bicep, his cell phone strapped to the other.

The real mystery here is, why would anyone purposefully strap a water bottle to his bicep? That can't feel good.

Your trip sounds like it was The Perfect Trip. The Dream Trip. The Trip when everything can and does go right. It's the trip we plan for and hope will happen. We've had some come close but you were so immersed in pixie dust you were like George in velvet. You were ensconced in it.

Like many others, I'm enjoying the read. I'm sad it's coming to an end.

 

[skent10]

I have a question for you. It’s OK to be honest. When you take your cellphones into the park for the specific purpose of communicating with your spouse when the group splits, do you turn said phone on and answer the fool thing when it rings???????? I thought so. My smart witty DH had his phone with him every day. He was so faithful. Remembered to keep it charged and kept it with the room key. Never answered it. Rarely turned it on. It is more than a little frustrating to make a plan or split up only to realize you have no hope of speaking to the other person until they show up, clueless, late, and unaffected by your ire.

That happened to us on our trip two weeks ago! I sent DH off with the kids to Dinoland at AK while I slipped over to grab some FPs for the Safari. When I got to Dinoland, I tried to call him 5 times!!! His response, when I finally found him? "If I turn it on, it'll drain the battery and then I won't be able to use it."

AAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Wonderful post as always, Jami. I too am sad it's coming to an end. Thanks for keeping up the posting.

 

[Beana9802]

That happened to us on our trip two weeks ago! I sent DH off with the kids to Dinoland at AK while I slipped over to grab some FPs for the Safari. When I got to Dinoland, I tried to call him 5 times!!! His response, when I finally found him? "If I turn it on, it'll drain the battery and then I won't be able to use it."

AAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Mom says the EXACT same thing. It is so frustrating. BTW, your children are beautiful...They all look soo happy. Twins are SO fun...especially B/G twins... :0)
My cousins, sam and pete are just shy of 16 mos in this pic. I can't wait for them to be the same age as your cuties!