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

[jamal]

aaaawwwwwwwwwwwww that was just a little teaser!!!

OK! OK! I'll write more tonight. Thanks #1 fan

 

[jamal]

Part 10, Day 5

Too much food + too much lemon drop= food coma hangover for Jamal on Day 5. Monday mornings are supposed to be rough, but I didn’t even want to wake for Mickey and Stitch! Even after too much rich food, I had managed to analyze our MGM touring plan until my eyes crossed. So imagine my surprise when DH, Shrek, the ogre with a deeeep down heart, announces he has a better idea for the day. He is all about riding RnRC as many times as HE possibly can and that is how he has orchestrated the day: ride it, FP it, FP it again, maybe stand in line again. Oh, did you travel here with seven other individuals? Just wondering. Because you sound like you need some pixie dust and your brain screwed back into your skull. Are you the trip planner? Did you say make the plan and I will follow it? Have you thanked me over and over for making the plan? He must be possessed which does not work well with my food coma hangover.

We meet the Gatelatches and bus to MGM. While we are in line to enter, I whine about my food coma hangover. When I have a moment, I confess something to the CookMaster: I am full of hate and sin today. I am so angry at Shrek. She finds this all hysterical, which is one of the reasons I love her. She makes makes laugh at myself.

I felt too puny to ride RnRC so I took charge of E. He’s such a good sport. He and I made a plan to do StarTours--“Star Wars” to him—as soon as the others rode RnRC once and FPed ToT…WHICH WAS THE PLAN in case I haven’t mentioned it. We returned to our designated meet spot to find they had ridden twice and were NOW ready to ride ToT. E doesn’t ride that either. Neither does GS9. When the Gatelatches were at Disney 2 years ago, GS9 rode it. In the dump shop he announced: I do never want to ride Tower of Terror again!! And he hasn’t. And he won’t. Ever, I bet.

Not me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the Tower! Love it!!! Love it!! DH, A and I rode it on his first trip when he was five and have loved it ever since. So, thanks to Shrek, we had a pleasant 41-minute wait for our doomed elevator ride. I have never waited that long at a Disney attraction. I plan otherwise. I plan. So hate and sin continued to fester in my heart for awhile that day. Then DH truly apologized for his RnRC selfishness and returned me to my rightful place as the trip planner. Then I could love him again, and like him, too.

We made our way to Star Tours (long wait! FPed! Should have done it earlier BUT were occupied in 41-minute Tower line!!) and decided to kill our 30 mins with a FP rather than in a 30 minute line. We noticed the signs for the Jedi Training Academy but didn’t intend to plan the day around it. Suddenly, a Jedi trainer and his posse appeared on stage by Star Tours! They picked my little Golden Sunshine, my Buff Star Wars fan, to participate with 15 other children. Kind Cledus filmed the whole thing for us! The ‘students’ were given brown Jedi robes and light sabers (known as light savers around this house).

A sexy-voiced British trainer spent about ten minutes teaching the kids a series of moves……then…Darth Vader appeared!!!!!!!!! Each child was given a chance to take the HUGE Darth down through a series of instructions from SBJT (Sexy British Jedi Trainer). He might say: left leg! right shoulder! around to the head! The child always listened. Except my E. He went straight for Darth’s family jewels and defeated him in one light saber swish!

Ouch. The crowd loved it. It was a huge surprise and yet another example of the magic and pixie dust that permeated our adventure. All eight of us agreed it was a highlight of the trip to see E defeat Darth with us as the audience. He’ll never forget it. In fact, that sweet boy’s first comment was: I wish M (best friend next door) could have done that. He would have loved it. He meant it, too. The CookMaster and I just liked the SBJT, who was better looking than this:

It was time for our ADR at PrimeTime. Good thing, too, as we were STARVING! You know, that DDP just doesn’t feed you enough. So with vows of not-overeating and pledges to refuse dessert, we entered PrimeTime. We had a great experience there last year with Auntie Claire as our server. She made it a hoot for everyone. This year, the kids were at a separate table. Aunt Patty doted on them, giving them nicknames: Skippy, Sparky, Scooter, and Junior. She took them to the living room to show them a hidden Mickey. She called my E her precious little muffin and kept saying he could have all the chocolate milkshake he wanted. She fed him fries from a fork. Our table had Uncle I-Can’t-Remember-His-Name. Nice enough fella, but pretty bland. We were glad the kids had the fun server. Oh, I ate too much again. Dessert and all…

We went to the other side of the park for awhile to catch Muppets 3D. That attraction is such a classic. The jokes are corny, but sooo clever. Jim Henson created a timeless comedy schtick. We always enjoy it.

OK. I admit it. I fell asleep. Don’t put me in a cool dark place after a big meal and expect me to stay awake. Can’t do it. Remember Spaceship Earth? I told you; I can sleep anywhere! I loved the part I saw, though, and did enjoy the nap.

Ring!!!!!!!! The CookMaster’s cell phone summons us again! It’s time for the Beauty and the Beast show! A cast member will meet us at the entrance (NOT exit) and escort us to our front row seats. Oh, it’s almost embarrassing. Almost, but it’s also too much fun!!!!!!!

We were, indeed, on the second row, center stage for the Beauty and the Beast show. I wanted to sing along! Again, the costumes are simply amazing. Even more amazing, though, is the passion and energy you detect in every character’s performance. It was absolutely lovely. After the show, we waited for a cast member who was going to take us for a meet-and-greet...yes, again. A man was cleaning up the theater and he asked how we liked the show. We said Bravo! Wonderful! He said, “Yes, I know. Our performers do a remarkable job. I’ve been here for eight years and I still choke up during almost every performance!” He loves what he does and feels privileged to be in the audience making every guest comfortable. Isn’t that a great story?

When we went backstage the cast was there to meet (and, well, greet) us. Cledus had said he would not participate this time as he did not have one more gleep in him. The CookMaster told him he had no choice, so of course he joined us. Here's a closeup of Prince Vincent:

The cast (including the CookMaster’s friend, who’s in the show) were wonderful!! They said how much they LOVE their jobs and how it was a pleasure to do these things for us. We took many more photos and video and ogled their costumes.

Then they surprised the boys with their one true wish: Hades’ autograph!! Hades doesn’t come out for autographs, but the cast member was able to secure four autographs for our boys . They are still talking about it!

Before we left the magical scene, the friend gave the CookMaster 12 fastpasses for RnRC AND ToT . They didn’t expire until the end of the week! To say we were bouncing out of that theater 30 minutes later is an understatement!

Much more tomorrow! Thank you for reading our little tale!
Jamal

 

[Chapter 11]

So let's see, you've had backstage meet and greets at MK, AK and MGM. So at Epcot, I'm assuming you went backstage at Mission Space and met Gary Sinise, right? BTW, do you happen to have the name and phone number of the friendly CM who keeps getting you into all these meet and greets? And you know, maybe his bank account number, so we can make a little contribution to his favorite, umm, charity?

 

[horsegirl]

Okay, can I come and sip lemon drops with you next time? I love lemon drops! Jamal, you are too much fun! You have given us a perfect reason to spend the bucks at the Grill, even without free dining! Your photos are great, your families are fantastic, and your enthusiastic writing is DA BOMB! Now I want to go back. NOW. NOW. NOW! Thanks for the great installment!

to you!

 

[sheridac]

Jamal - "known as light savers around this house."

At my house they were known as light destroyers.

Another great installment!

 

[Grammyof2]

Jamal - I have short hair. Can I PLEASE go with you next time. You must have pixie dust in baby powder containers.

"Then I could love him again, and like him, too" Who among us cannot relate to this statment.

Thanks for another peek into your wonderful trip!

 

[J and R's mom]

Now I'm just plain JEALOUS! The first meet-n-greet was cool...but THREE...wow... how can you ever top that? Who is this CM? Are his initials M.E.? Or is it Walt himself?

Great report and wonderful pictures. What an unforgettable trip.

 

[jamal]

Ooohhh..and I thought you all would pay attention to the Lemon Drop(s), the fight, Wishes, Jedi training and, most of all, the fastpasses !!

I'm jealous myself. And sometimes embarrassed , but I do appreciate you all giving me a forum to share my story and pics. I want to take you all with me as I relive it!

No Michael Eisner, and the meet-and-greets are coming to a close, but there's more magic, at least to me!

Thanks for reading...
Jamal

 

[MomofCKJ]

What a great report, just keeps getting better!

I have not seen Wishes but am really looking forward to it this December! It sounds wonderful!

And I'm a lot of fun and low maintenance, how 'bout letting me tag along your next trip?

Allyson

 

[HaleyB]

Love. love , love your report. Lemon drops are yummy. I haven't had one in quite awhile...

Now I am wondering if I should rearrange my plans to fit in California Grill. Choices...

I had a CM friend at Disneyland years ago. Pre-kids. But I got to hang with the cast a few times and what a fun bunch. I even met 'the' Tinkerbell. The one that worked at Dl for years. Man did she have some funny stories. And love the special Fast Passes. We once got a mother load of them for spying a "could have been a" bomb (otherwise known as a pbackpack in the bushes) and reporting it. Never saw undercover security come out of the wood work so quickly in my life.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Jamal - "known as light savers around this house."

At my house they were known as light destroyers.

Another great installment!

My mom would agree with that assessment as her young padawan(me) once took out a family room light fixture while practicing his Jedi moves as a little boy. To jamal, I enjoy seeing how much joy your family gets out of Disney. Disney isn't special because of the rides or even the characters, but because of the feeling we have of being with our families and not having to do work or school or any of those other things that we have to do in life. In many ways, Disney is like a little piece of heaven.

 

[Katy Belle]

Awesome report Jamal!!! I'm only to page 3. I must stop reading, must stop reading...I have an Easter Egg Hunt to host in 2 hours!!!! I will continue this evening!

Love that you are tallying meltdowns and fights. On our last vacation we tallied unibrows...you know, one eye brow going all the way across. Its always good to have a focus!

Thanks for posting. I can't wait to finish it!
Katy

 

[grumpygirl06]

Great, great report! But I need some more..... I wake up and check the Dis, I check it in the middle of the day, and I check it before I go to bed... I know it's Easter and everything, but I am dying here...It's like a good book that you can't put down!!!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[jamal]

In many ways, Disney is like a little piece of heaven.

It is to us! I even feel closer to God there, too, as we try to practice random acts of kindness and remember how fortunate to have each other and enjoy good health.

Love that you are tallying meltdowns and fights. On our last vacation we tallied unibrows...you know, one eye brow going all the way across. Its always good to have a focus!

Thanks Katy Belle. How many unibrows did you see? The kids loved asking me about authentic meltdowns and fights vs. tears and bickers. I've got a doozy to tell you all about in an upcoming installment. People are amazing!
Egg hunt in Qatar: bet that's rare!! Hope it was fun.

 

[jamal]

Great, great report! But I need some more..... I wake up and check the Dis, I check it in the middle of the day, and I check it before I go to bed... I know it's Easter and everything, but I am dying here...It's like a good book that you can't put down!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Oh my! You have made my weekend! I will try to post more this afternoon when I get some Easter chores done.

I'm sorry to report that the Dis is...................addictive. Shhhh! Don't tell!

 

[grumpygirl06]

Great! I can't wait. Oh, even though I am new to the boards, I have already discovered how addicting this is... whoops, I have to go, my DS just came to me and said, "Mom are we EVER going to dye eggs???"

I'll be waiting...

 

[paslea_pooh]

JAMAL...Mmmm.. Soaking in lemon drops... I love lemon drops...yummy, yummy, lemon drops !

Wow, another Meet n' Greet...What a magical trip you had, and I am so glad you are taking us all along for the ride.

I can't believe your husband tried to deter from the touring plan! RnRC, twice in a row, what was he thinking? Honestly, why do you put up with this!

I love the California Grill, we did it last Dec. with our oldest 2 DD's and it was beyooooooond magical. This Oct, DH and I will do CG by ourselves, and I will have a lemon drop in your honor.

(k, it looks more like a margarita, but I tried)

I love, love, love your report.
BTW, I love Wishes the best too, I really like Illuminations but Wishes is my little piece of Heaven. Thank you for bringing me there, even though I am so far away from Wishes right now

 

[kpk89]

Yummmmmmmmmmm, lemon drop! Doesn't that seem like a sure way to purge the hate and sin from your heart? (either that or allow it to come spilling out in ugly ways ... depends. )

I had to laugh at that (the hate and sin) because I think that's a universal sentiment for everyone with a spouse. From time to time.

 

[grumpygirl06]

where o' where has jamal gone, where o' where can she be?? It's almost time for bed (yes, I know, I have no life...) I understand the Easter thing and am anxiously awaiting your next report....

Happy Easter to all!!!!

 

[frankenpooh]

It is too funny -- I am working on part of my trip report where I say I'm glad we canceled our California Grill ressies. Every family is different, which is what makes the TRs fun to read.

Of course, now I am rethinking it because y'all had so much fun. Plus the lemon drop sounds really good. I'm a fan of yummy martini variations that aren't strictly martinis. Put it on the list for the next trip!