The Fixer,The CookMaster,The Teacher,The President: 2007 sequel-*BACK 10-20-08 * Yep

[Ron from Michigan]

Welcome back jamal.

 

[jamal]

Bibbidi~~ It WAS fun. I wish could take you with me.

Gram~~You outed yourself. It didn't help that you had five passengers interpreting purple signs. I'll tell you all we ended up in the deserted AK parking lot where a security CM greeted us with a flashlight and a chuckle. He tried to tell us how to get back to the Contemporary but took one look at these faces and decided to escort us himself:

PrincessJV: I work on that gratitude attitude every day. It's never a natural instinct in a gimme world. Thanks for stopping by!

Pittypat: Do you love Gone With the Wind (best movie EVER)? I am here. I'm gasping, but here. Never give up!

IkeandMike: Shout back to ya! Have a magical day!

Tanya: We didn't go backstage this year due to the cast's tight show schedule. We were so fortunate (well, half of us) to do it last year but it was still so wonderful! Yes, it was terrific to see both shows from those seats. You have a great memory!

Hey Ron: Welcome back to you, too!

Do give Nemo a chance with this perspective. It is quite unusual!

 

[AshClan]

Oh MY!! I can't believe you posted that picture, Jam. You are so dead. But cute too I just love seeing my two favorite girls first thing in the a.m. before coffee. Can't wait to do the same at BCV VERY SOON!!

Love me some Nemo. FOTLK is cool, too, but Nemo has surpassed it in my book. Of course, I did NOT have VIP access. And BOY was it raining while I spent that 30 or so minutes in line! (The good seats were worth it, though)

Keep 'em comin' Fixer! We want to hear about the rest of the magic!!!

 

[HaleyB]

I love that picture.

I can't wait to see the Nemo show, we love the Animal Kingdom. They really did a great job with that park.

 

[Grammyof2]

I am going to be so very very dead for that pic. Look quick....

Even those that need magnifying glasses have seen it

 

[Backstage_Gal]

WB, Jami, great update!

I sure wish I had connections for VIP seating

You would think I would after 35 years!

Hi Grammy, Ash, Haley, Amy!

 

[askelton]

Thanks for the great TR. I'm glad you all had such a good time together. Maybe another trip next year?

 

[AshClan]

Thanks for the great TR. I'm glad you all had such a good time together. Maybe another trip next year?

.....or sooner?!?! (and can I come?)

Just a lil' bump

 

[jamal]

Hi everyone and thank you so much for reading! I really appreciate the comments!!

I can't believe I posted that picture either. I also can't believe Grammy is still speaking to me.


OK, back to Animal Kingdom. Well, we were just leaving!


I’ve been negligent in updating you on our tallies and observations and the bus ride back to the Beach Club is the perfect opportunity. Usually our bus rides gave the kids a chance to tell me all about the cool CM names (like—no kidding--SupraKorn at Flame Tree) but we were Living Out Loud that trip as mini-Minnie and her throat-choking ears slid into an epic meltdown soon after we boarded. This SCREAMING preschooler was in a full-on fist-pounding, snot-dripping, hair-sticking, neck-jerking the whoooole ride.

Center aisle, she performed, except when she stood on Mom’s lap on the seat to pound on the windows.

Those of us in the back, well past that stage and full of wisdom and backseat parenting, mixed our pity and relief with certainty in how we would have responded. Our children wanted to know if they had ever been those demons. Some of us had to think.

Were they?

Naptime in our cool quiet rooms seemed a welcome respite after mini-screamer’s explosion.

I don’t even think I had a nap that day. I think I was in full Fixer mode for the next couple of hours, but as my phone rang in my pocket I was thrilled to see the caller’s ID.

YAK! Our YzmaandKronk from the Dis was back and available to hook up for a bit before our planned dinner together. She wanted to check out the Beach Club and walk via International Gateway so I told her to bring the kids over.

I warned her there was some confusion going on but she was welcome to join.

I think by then Emeline had my Cinderella and her Queen at the pool, Shrek and Crush E and Lil G at the arcade, and I was running back and forth between the laundry (nearer the quiet pool and BCVillas), our room (to find A I think), and the BC Marketplace to ask about a package (shirt) delivery as I wanted to wear said package contents to dinner. There was also some business with another ADR at the Concierge desk and I wanted to check on Granny (still holding steady) and find out if my nephew was feeling well enough that he and my sister would be able to join us (no, so we made plans to keep Cinderella till after dinner).

I can’t remember where the older boys were but I am guessing the CookMaster was with them at the pool. I REALLY needed to get myself over there with my friend YAK and her kids for a cocktail and conversation but that wasn’t happening. I was having too much fun running around taking care of everyone and everything.

Then it was ALL done. The Marketplace found my shirt! My laundry was done! We found all the children! It was time to gear back up for another fantastic Disney evening. I was really excited about this one because I had never been to this restaurant and it promised a high FUN factor. I was also looking forward to a night with our ENTIRE group (until B got sick and he and my sister had to skip it…) and my Dis friend YAK and her terrific kids.

So, where did we have a reservation for a night like that?



The Biergarten!



We walked over en masse. We were on time even with this enormous blister handicap on E’s foot:

Yes he did want that photographed for the trip report. I wonder if he knew it would take six months. I wonder if there is a scar. A foot scar.


This made me very very happy.

E and Lil G, long time friends and all-around friendly guys, immediately took to Yak’s son, who is CANADIAN!!!!!!!!!! The German guy insisted on being in the pic, too. These three had fun all night long.


In fact, our whole crew quickly bonded over napkin waving, favorite sport of thirteen year old American boys:

Speaking of bonding, Yak’s daughter became fast friends with the ONLY girls in our group:

SOOO scared of this:

We ate and ate (I can’t even type weine sala) but by far the best part was the dessert. Look! Even your imaginary internet friends can love you enough to bring you a tart and share it with you:

We had NO idea whether the kids would get up and dance but after our full meal the band cranked up again.

“ENTERTAIN US,” we shouted. Good grief, we bring you thousands (hundreds) of miles and spend thousands of dollars on your entertainment, children, now get up there and dance so we can laugh at your expense!

Surprisingly, the preteen girls were the first to go.

The young boys followed.

Um, the older boys stayed in their seats. That was fine.

OK, so it wasn’t easy to take pictures of the kids but I love seeing how relaxed and happy they were that night, even though some of them had met less than an hour before. Looking at them now, months later, when we are miles from Disney and deep into homework and responsibilities, I see the exuberance that reminds me why we keep going back to Disney. It transports us to freedom from stress and to our fun and carefree selves faster and better than anywhere else. Now I can’t wait to do it again and I am missing that night and this wonderful trip we had with our friends and family.

When the band took another break and we waited for our checks Cledus took challengers for his Judo Chop Club. It’s a pretty big deal and I was surprised he opened it up in such a big venue. E is a member and went up a rank. I’m pretty sure Little G did the same.

That night Cledus allowed YAK’s son to become the first international member of the Judo Chop club.

You’ll just have to come down here and talk to Cledus about it yourself.

We hated to leave but wanted to walk outside and try to catch Illuminations if we could. We had no idea about the crowds and had made no plans so we stepped outside expecting to find a crush of people at about 8:40.

We were stunned.

NO ONE was there.

I have NEVER seen so few people in Epcot at night. YAK agreed.

We couldn’t stop marveling.

We wondered if a storm was coming. We wondered what, why, and how there could be so few people in Epcot ten minutes before Illuminations.

We split up, as some of us were going to watch and some were going back to the resorts.

My sister brought B over when the picked up Cinderella. He felt better and was excited about the next day’s plan. I was relieved for we had missed them all day and I hated that he was sick on vacation.

Up next: BIG pixie dust surprises at Magic Kingdom, clueless comments, and saying goodbye to the Gatelatches.

 

[Joanna71985]

Man I haven't read in awhile. But that is awsome you got VIP seats for Nemo. I absolutely LOVE that show. However, I always have to sit in the bottom-right corner. I just love being up close to the performers. As I work with puppets myself I would love to be in that show someday (too bad I can't). Can't wait to see more.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

It was good to see an update. I love how the kids get along and accept others. It looks like a really fun family/friend group.

 

[jamal]

Thanks for the replies! We are so fortunate to have so many friends who love to go to Disney and get along so well.

I truly think our children's memories will be laced together with trips of Disney with different casts. That sounds pretty wonderful to me!

I'm working on the next chapter now. We have so many wonderful backstage surprises thanks to The CookMaster's magic and backstage connections!

 

[Tanya90210]

Beirgarten sure sounds fun!!... we ended up skipping that on last week when we were there... last day burnout and all..

 

[jaycns]

Thanks for the replies! We are so fortunate to have so many friends who love to go to Disney and get along so well.

I truly think our children's memories will be laced together with trips of Disney with different casts. That sounds pretty wonderful to me!I'm working on the next chapter now. We have so many wonderful backstage surprises thanks to The CookMaster's magic and backstage connections!

ITA! It's one of the things I am hoping to give my children...great WDW memories of trips surrounded by family and friends.

I hope everything is going well for you and the rest of the family.

And I am hoping for another update!!

 

[UrsulaDave]

Hello.

Yes, I lurk more than I post, but I just wanted to thank you for your trip report. It truly has been a joy to read. It is clear that you've taken a great deal of care in preparing it.

It is also clear just how much you love your family and friends.

Anyway... I just wanted to say thanks for a great read so far!

-- Dave

 

[jamal]

WB, Jami, great update!

I sure wish I had connections for VIP seating

You would think I would after 35 years!

Hi Grammy, Ash, Haley, Amy!

Yes you would, Marita!

There's more! It's coming up next

Tanya--Biergarten was fun but the group made it that way! I barely remember the FOOD except the desserts, of course! Thanks for stopping by!

Jaycns--We are good, thank you! It's been a year of some losses but also many gifts. Thanks for reading; I am almost done with the next full-of-magic-chapter!

Ursula Dave--Thank you. I am glad that shows. I do love me some friends and family!

 

[OhMari]

Giving a bump, up, so Jamal can find this.

 

[jamal]

Where have you been?

There’s a reason the Magic Kingdom is the most-visited park in the world. It’s simply the best. I can’t imagine ever tiring of it. Why, that’s just silly. Wherever you are, just look around! Soak it in! Open your eyes! Give it a whirl! If it isn’t new, nostalgic, thrilling, or comforting, look at the Castle and it will be.

Our crew of sixteen had big Magic Kingdom plans for this day which began, of course, with Park Opening. Part of the planning for this trip required making sure we could ALL experience MK together. We only had about a day and a half of overlap as this was the Gatelatches last day. You do remember that Cledus can’t be gone for more than 6 days, right?

The CookMaster’s friends had great surprises in their secret conversations and kept telling us to call at certain times. We had NO idea what to expect, but remembered last year’s incredible backstage-at-the-Castle visit (see Dis signature pic)! We tried not to set our expectations too high and didn’t say anything to the kids.

I love LOVE Park opening as Mickey and friends invite us into their World. Get there early and celebrate with everyone in the Kingdom! Yeah!!!!!! This day promised to be even more special because it was Crush’s birthday! He even agreed to stop in City Hall for a birthday button and wore it all day. I was so happy!

My nephew B felt better so we all headed straight to Big Thunder Mountain. We only had a couple of hours and had to maximize our time before a late breakfast ADR at Chef Mickey’s but we were just the crew to do it. Since the Fixer, Teacher, and Coattail families were returning to MK that afternoon, we let the Gatelatch kids choose the rides. Much to their mother’s dismay, they DID want to ride Splash before hopping on a plane.

Oh my goodness, the Birthday Boy and Shrek had some great laughs at others’ expense. While most of us rode Splash Mountain, these meanies enjoyed a favorite pastime: laughing at The Unsuspecting. They stood on the Splash bridge for, I know, a full hour ‘waiting’ for us to ride the mountains.

We dragged them away from Frontierland because the Cookmaster’s phone friends had summoned us to the Castle! What in the World is that about?

Well, in 2006, on our spring break trip with the Gatelatches, we enjoyed several meet-and-greets, including my favorite, backstage in the Castle. See my signature picture.

This year, the cast was performing on the forefront stage and we were invited to meet the Cast after the show!

We moms locked arms and began skipping toward Fantasyland.

We arrived in Fantasyland more than a few minutes early for our very important date. We quickly saw that Disney had other temptations to amuse us while we waited.

I know I told you that the Cookmaster directs our school play every year. My niece had just been cast as Cinderella and her red-haired friend was set to play the Queen. Imagine our delight when we stumbled upon the Wannabes, still new to MK at the time.

They went crazy with delight over the Crush, the Birthday Boy. He was seven shades of red.

The Stepmother and Sisters made quite a fuss over our Cinderella and Queen. They positioned themselves to gain the Queen’s favor while mocking our Cinderella. It was fantastic!

Did I mention Cledus had an earache? Still?

I love(d) the shoppe inside the Castle. I mean, I realize it makes a lovely Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, but Shrek and I always enjoyed looking at Disney art in there. I wanted to buy this one for him this trip, but he said I was just lucky to have the real thing. His self-esteem is well intact.

Finally, FINALLY, for you, desperate readers, we were ushered into a holding area. How did we look (post Splash!)? Lipstick OK? Cameras set? The boys couldn’t wait:

They were truly good sports.

Finally, the tiny door opened and there they were! Royalty was everywhere! I squeezed my sister’s hand and we were 10 and 7 again, seeing the Castle for the first time before dining in King Stefan’s Banquet Hall with our parents. It all came flooding back to me as I ushered my own children into the Inner Sanctum.

We were even rewarded with a few new faces, including Peter and Wendy, this year.

I’ll let the pictures tell the story:

Actually, the Fixer, Gatelatch, and Teacher families had a lunch date with The Mouse, so we had to hop to it. The Coattails agreed to hold down the MK until we returned.

Because it was Spring Break week, Chef Mickey’s had extended hours. We were actually there for a very late breakfast seating and almost had the place to ourselves!

Well, except for this family, who we know and love. Hi YAK!!!!!!!!!!!

Mmmm.... Krispy Kremes.

Charles Manson was there, too. Who knew?

It was a wonderful, Disney-magical way to end our time with the Gatelatches. Cledus, you see, HAD to get to the airport. You’ll remember he has an empire to run and took the Gatelatch family away this day.

We were sad.

We said our goodbyes as if we wouldn’t see each other in a few short days.

There was one more thing, though, that made this parting difficult.

You see, the Cookmaster had one more huge trick up her sleeve, but she was going to have to miss it.

Jack.

Yep. Captain Jack. Emeline is having heart palpitations about now, and not just because I am actually writing about our trip again.

Our Em lovessss her some Jack. So when the Cookmaster’s friend hinted we might be able to meet Jack after one of the ’new’ (OK! New in March 2007!) Pirate Tutorials, we panted like that dog with the key. Shameless, we were, in offering ourselves without our conduit. She didn’t care. Well, she did, but she had a plane to catch and wanted us to have fun FOR her.

That’s just the kind of Cookmaster she is.

As soon as they were out of sight and our tears dried, we skipped (again!!) back to the Magic Kingdom. Full from all manner of sinful pastries, we hooked up with the Coattails and prepped our cameras for some pirate ogling.

We were heading to the other side!!

We waited.

And waited.




Then Jack and Mac appeared.

He dressed us down in a very Jack-like way. Fussed at Mac for bringing such scalawags into his presence.

Jack may or may not have kissed a few ladies’ hands.

They were wonderful and we followed them onstage for the Pirate Tutorial, where E was picked to play. He loved it!!

Eventually, that party ended and we grabbed the bus back to the Beach Club. We crashed on the nearest loveseat:

We swam at Stormalong Bay.

We had a late dinner with the Coattails and my sister’s family at Beaches and Cream.

It was the very full ending to a very full day.

And. We weren’t done, but in a sense the high point of our time all together had come to an end so we were on the backside of the vacation. I hate that feeling.

Fortunately, we still had a few more days of thrills, if not incredible pixie dust, before we had to leave.

 

[AshClan]

WELL WELL WELL....look what the cat drug in!!!!!!

It's about frickin' (NOF) time!

I only have one question.

Who the heck are THEY?!?!?!? (Please don't say it's the Fixer and Shrek after a long day of touring....)

What magic your crew always has! A private Capt. Jack meet.....Ahh, the stuff that dreams are made of. WOW!!!

I'm proud of you for starting this back up again. Now hurry up and finish before you leave for your Thanksgiving trip!!!!

 

[jamal]

Well, we never look our best after a day of park touring andthis day certainly added years to both of us.

Actually, we laughed because we never passed those loveseats that someone wasn't catching a few winks there. I feared getting near them; I might still be there today!

Yes, the Jack meet was wonderful. I couldn't take my eyes off his hands! Shhhh...