First, a little background...but not too much because although we like to think we're interesting...we're probably just wierd.
My family (Me, DH, DD (4), and my mother) just got back at the end of March from a week in Disney for Spring Break. We had a lot of fun...it was a pretty peaceful and uneventful family vacation.
But...for some reason, Disney World just isn't the same when it's not just DD and me. You see...we are annual pass holders who live less than an hour from Disney. DH likes to go on rides...but just doesn't "feel the magic".
I think my mom gets it, but she spends more time in the smoking areas than on rides. Neither of them goes very often. On the other hand, DD and I not only "get it" but are addicted to it.
It is our place.
I'm talking specifically about MK...DD and I almost always go there...and when we don't, we end up leaving whatever park we decided on and going over to MK. According to others...we go way too often. We have internal touring plans for every situation and every mood burned right into our brains. But according to DD...we always need to get a map. Anyway...we have tons of fun...we laugh...we ride...we talk...we perform
we act silly. There are no meltdowns here...ever, although I don't know why. It is our special place, and hopefully it will continue to be, even when she gets older.
Yesterday (4/12) I woke up just like any other work day. Got in the shower and started thinking...DD and I need to get back to the MK...just us. It actually felt like we hadn't been in a loooong time, even though we just got back. It just didn't feel the same. So by the time I got out of the shower it was decided. Today I am taking a personal day. We will make a wrong turn on the way to DD's school. And since we're already headed west instead of North...we're just going to keep driving until we hit the MK. We never do this...we almost always go on a weekend day. Let me jump online and check the park hours...just so I know what we're heading into. Uh-oh. MK opens at 8am. I guess they are still busy from Spring Break. Wait a minute...big uh-oh...it looks like there is also a morning extra magic hour as well.
Not to worry...remember...we have those internal touring plans. Like me jump on ***************** and see what they rate the day...ohhhh...it's a 10...and MK is listed as the park to avoid. Ha! This sounds like a challenge.
DD woke up and we got her ready for school. She was dragging a bit so like I sometimes do...I bribed her. "If you hurry up and get ready I will drive through McDonalds and get you a biscuit for breakfast" Ahh the power of a McDonalds biscuit. She was up and ready in no time. We jump in the car just like any other day (along with an empty lunchbox just for effect). No need to pack anything or get anything together. Our "Disney kit" is in the trunk...where it always is. It consists of "Stroller", not a stroller or the stroller..."Stroller" is it's proper name. Some people name their dogs or cats...we name our stroller (although not very creatively). Don't worry, we named our dogs too (although not very creatively either, the youngest is named Puppy...cause that's what he was when we got him. Back on topic...we have "Stroller", our tickets, and some sunscreen. I drive through McDonalds, then turn the wrong way.
DD - "Mommy, this isn't the way to Montessori."
Me - "Oh! You're right...I went the wrong way...darn. Well...we can do 1 of 2 things. We can turn around (if I can find a place) or we can keep going this way and go to Disney"
DD - "Di s n eeey Wooooorld...Di s n eeey Wooooorld! I can't believe it! This is sooo crazy!"
Me - "Ok...but...it's supposed to be REALLY crowded today so we might have to just pick our favorites...unless you want to go to Epcot instead?"
DD - "I don't want to go to Epcot, we will go on Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan and Buzz."
We will call that "DD's touring plan for a crowded day at MK when the alternative is a day at Epcot" (we accept Paypal FYI).
We got to the parking lot at around 8:20, row 16 (not crowded at all!) Tram to monorail to front gate well before 9. We decided on a walk over to Frontier Land for the mountains. As we walk along, me pushing Stroller and DD walking next to me (you see I think DD thinks Stroller enjoys MK as much as we do because she rarely rides in him/her, but we cant go with out him/her). DD says, I love it here sigh. At this point I was wondering where the people were...they must all be in Fantasy Land cause we couldn't find them! We used to do Fantasy Land first, but since DD hit 40"...she is apparently not only taller...but somehow braver. She was afraid (blood curdling scream terrified)
of Goofy's rollercoaster in Toontown until just recently. For those of you with a similar kid, she sure outgrew that. Now she's the smallest kid on Big Thunder with her hands raised above her head, yelling "woooo" the whole ride.
We got a FP for Big Thunder. Walked on Splash. Shopped for a bit (needed a dry t-shirt for DD, we got soaked and we were cold). Bathroom break and changed shirts. Walked on Big Thunder, then used our FP to go on again. Did the hokey pokey with Woody & friends. Got a FP for Peter Pan. Walked on Haunted Mansion, twice. Walked on Pirates. Had a super early quick lunch in our "secret room" (it's located in Columbia Harbor House...that's all I can tell you or I'd have to kill you) at about 10:15. The interesting thing about McDonalds biscuits is that I can get DD to do whatever I want by bribing her with one...AND...she doesn't really even eat it...feel free to discuss amongst yourselves.
Got a FP for Pooh, rode Snow White, the Carousel, then Peter Pan. Got a FP for Buzz. Tried to buy a Mickey bar at 4 different ice cream carts. Apparently their computers were down and they could only accept cash...which I didn't have. After cart #3, I was annoyed.
I know I should have cash with me...but sheesh...all I wanted was 1 stinking Mickey bar...I stood in 3 lines to get it and not one of them bothered to put up a sign saying cash only...I wasn't the only one that was annoyed! Well...FYI...there is an ATM in the store connected to Space Mountain. With Mickey bar in hand, we sat down for a few while it melted everywhere. Went and played in the Pooh playground (which is at least 115 degrees hotter than any other place on earth). Rode Pooh.
Headed back over to Tomorrow Land to ride Buzz, and one of our favorites, the "wedway". I know it's called something else now but we don't care! We did the Beauty & the Beast show, and watched the Castle show. Then we checked out the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor thing. The sign said there was a 20 minute wait, but the CM said it was more like 10 minutes but we needed to come in right away. Note to everyone - you have to walk back to the stroller parking area across from Buzz to park your stroller. If you don't, it will roll itself somewhere and you will spend the next 20-something minutes trying to find it and getting a little panicky because it has your car keys and cell phone in it. How would I know that? Well...let's just say I heard it somewhere or it happened to us...you pick.
The Laugh Floor was cute. Not worth waiting in line for though. Unless it's really hot outside...cause the AC cranks! DD was a little disappointed that she wasn't chosen to participate. But she forgot all about that in seconds when she realized we (I) lost "Stroller". We found him/her. Apparently they have created a new stroller parking area out of the way...around a corner...out of plain sight just for those people who don't follow the rules and just leave their strollers, wheelchairs, or grandparents in unauthorized zones.::cop:
We decided we wanted to see the parade. DD is a parade person...I am not. But what the heck I can sit and sweat on a curb for a few...after all DD didn't even blame me for losing "Stroller". It was only 2:00 so we still had time to kill. BTW it was getting pretty crowded now...I guess it just took awhile. We went to get a FP for Jungle Cruise, but got sidetracked and ended up on Tom Sawyers Island instead. We spent over an hour messing around here. We played checkers, shot at the people on Big Thunder and the Riverboat, jumped & rocked on the barrel bridge, looked for paintbrushes that weren't possibly there anymore, rocked on the porch at Aunt Pollys, explored the caves (and annoyed teenagers that were trying to scare the 4 year old, the 4 year old doesn't scare that easy!) and picked flowers. I don't think you're supposed to do this...but DD does it anyway...and I let her.
After all she doesn't drink or bring home boys (many) and hardly ever curses.
It was time to go get our spot for the parade, so we headed towards the entrance (this is where we like to watch it from). We picked up some snacks and drinks on the way. We sat down in a shady spot on the curb just to the left of the train station. We ate our snacks and waited...CM's came out and had some toys and were playing with the kids...that really passes the time. The parade came, DD waved at EVERYbody in it (even the CM's that walk along side to keep people out of the way?!). Her arm was tired so it was time to go home.
We caught a ride back to the parking lot upfront in the monorail...which was icing on the cake.
All in all a great day and by going back just the 2 of us...all feels right with the world (well at least the cartoon-world we tend to live in).
My family (Me, DH, DD (4), and my mother) just got back at the end of March from a week in Disney for Spring Break. We had a lot of fun...it was a pretty peaceful and uneventful family vacation. But...for some reason, Disney World just isn't the same when it's not just DD and me. You see...we are annual pass holders who live less than an hour from Disney. DH likes to go on rides...but just doesn't "feel the magic".
I think my mom gets it, but she spends more time in the smoking areas than on rides. Neither of them goes very often. On the other hand, DD and I not only "get it" but are addicted to it. It is our place.
I'm talking specifically about MK...DD and I almost always go there...and when we don't, we end up leaving whatever park we decided on and going over to MK. According to others...we go way too often. We have internal touring plans for every situation and every mood burned right into our brains. But according to DD...we always need to get a map. Anyway...we have tons of fun...we laugh...we ride...we talk...we perform
we act silly. There are no meltdowns here...ever, although I don't know why. It is our special place, and hopefully it will continue to be, even when she gets older. Yesterday (4/12) I woke up just like any other work day. Got in the shower and started thinking...DD and I need to get back to the MK...just us. It actually felt like we hadn't been in a loooong time, even though we just got back. It just didn't feel the same. So by the time I got out of the shower it was decided. Today I am taking a personal day. We will make a wrong turn on the way to DD's school. And since we're already headed west instead of North...we're just going to keep driving until we hit the MK. We never do this...we almost always go on a weekend day. Let me jump online and check the park hours...just so I know what we're heading into. Uh-oh. MK opens at 8am. I guess they are still busy from Spring Break. Wait a minute...big uh-oh...it looks like there is also a morning extra magic hour as well.
Not to worry...remember...we have those internal touring plans. Like me jump on ***************** and see what they rate the day...ohhhh...it's a 10...and MK is listed as the park to avoid. Ha! This sounds like a challenge.DD woke up and we got her ready for school. She was dragging a bit so like I sometimes do...I bribed her. "If you hurry up and get ready I will drive through McDonalds and get you a biscuit for breakfast" Ahh the power of a McDonalds biscuit. She was up and ready in no time. We jump in the car just like any other day (along with an empty lunchbox just for effect). No need to pack anything or get anything together. Our "Disney kit" is in the trunk...where it always is. It consists of "Stroller", not a stroller or the stroller..."Stroller" is it's proper name. Some people name their dogs or cats...we name our stroller (although not very creatively). Don't worry, we named our dogs too (although not very creatively either, the youngest is named Puppy...cause that's what he was when we got him. Back on topic...we have "Stroller", our tickets, and some sunscreen. I drive through McDonalds, then turn the wrong way.
DD - "Mommy, this isn't the way to Montessori."
Me - "Oh! You're right...I went the wrong way...darn. Well...we can do 1 of 2 things. We can turn around (if I can find a place) or we can keep going this way and go to Disney"
DD - "Di s n eeey Wooooorld...Di s n eeey Wooooorld! I can't believe it! This is sooo crazy!"
Me - "Ok...but...it's supposed to be REALLY crowded today so we might have to just pick our favorites...unless you want to go to Epcot instead?"
DD - "I don't want to go to Epcot, we will go on Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan and Buzz."
We will call that "DD's touring plan for a crowded day at MK when the alternative is a day at Epcot" (we accept Paypal FYI).
We got to the parking lot at around 8:20, row 16 (not crowded at all!) Tram to monorail to front gate well before 9. We decided on a walk over to Frontier Land for the mountains. As we walk along, me pushing Stroller and DD walking next to me (you see I think DD thinks Stroller enjoys MK as much as we do because she rarely rides in him/her, but we cant go with out him/her). DD says, I love it here sigh. At this point I was wondering where the people were...they must all be in Fantasy Land cause we couldn't find them! We used to do Fantasy Land first, but since DD hit 40"...she is apparently not only taller...but somehow braver. She was afraid (blood curdling scream terrified)
of Goofy's rollercoaster in Toontown until just recently. For those of you with a similar kid, she sure outgrew that. Now she's the smallest kid on Big Thunder with her hands raised above her head, yelling "woooo" the whole ride. We got a FP for Big Thunder. Walked on Splash. Shopped for a bit (needed a dry t-shirt for DD, we got soaked and we were cold). Bathroom break and changed shirts. Walked on Big Thunder, then used our FP to go on again. Did the hokey pokey with Woody & friends. Got a FP for Peter Pan. Walked on Haunted Mansion, twice. Walked on Pirates. Had a super early quick lunch in our "secret room" (it's located in Columbia Harbor House...that's all I can tell you or I'd have to kill you) at about 10:15. The interesting thing about McDonalds biscuits is that I can get DD to do whatever I want by bribing her with one...AND...she doesn't really even eat it...feel free to discuss amongst yourselves.
Got a FP for Pooh, rode Snow White, the Carousel, then Peter Pan. Got a FP for Buzz. Tried to buy a Mickey bar at 4 different ice cream carts. Apparently their computers were down and they could only accept cash...which I didn't have. After cart #3, I was annoyed.
I know I should have cash with me...but sheesh...all I wanted was 1 stinking Mickey bar...I stood in 3 lines to get it and not one of them bothered to put up a sign saying cash only...I wasn't the only one that was annoyed! Well...FYI...there is an ATM in the store connected to Space Mountain. With Mickey bar in hand, we sat down for a few while it melted everywhere. Went and played in the Pooh playground (which is at least 115 degrees hotter than any other place on earth). Rode Pooh. Headed back over to Tomorrow Land to ride Buzz, and one of our favorites, the "wedway". I know it's called something else now but we don't care! We did the Beauty & the Beast show, and watched the Castle show. Then we checked out the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor thing. The sign said there was a 20 minute wait, but the CM said it was more like 10 minutes but we needed to come in right away. Note to everyone - you have to walk back to the stroller parking area across from Buzz to park your stroller. If you don't, it will roll itself somewhere and you will spend the next 20-something minutes trying to find it and getting a little panicky because it has your car keys and cell phone in it. How would I know that? Well...let's just say I heard it somewhere or it happened to us...you pick.
The Laugh Floor was cute. Not worth waiting in line for though. Unless it's really hot outside...cause the AC cranks! DD was a little disappointed that she wasn't chosen to participate. But she forgot all about that in seconds when she realized we (I) lost "Stroller". We found him/her. Apparently they have created a new stroller parking area out of the way...around a corner...out of plain sight just for those people who don't follow the rules and just leave their strollers, wheelchairs, or grandparents in unauthorized zones.::cop:
We decided we wanted to see the parade. DD is a parade person...I am not. But what the heck I can sit and sweat on a curb for a few...after all DD didn't even blame me for losing "Stroller". It was only 2:00 so we still had time to kill. BTW it was getting pretty crowded now...I guess it just took awhile. We went to get a FP for Jungle Cruise, but got sidetracked and ended up on Tom Sawyers Island instead. We spent over an hour messing around here. We played checkers, shot at the people on Big Thunder and the Riverboat, jumped & rocked on the barrel bridge, looked for paintbrushes that weren't possibly there anymore, rocked on the porch at Aunt Pollys, explored the caves (and annoyed teenagers that were trying to scare the 4 year old, the 4 year old doesn't scare that easy!) and picked flowers. I don't think you're supposed to do this...but DD does it anyway...and I let her.
After all she doesn't drink or bring home boys (many) and hardly ever curses. It was time to go get our spot for the parade, so we headed towards the entrance (this is where we like to watch it from). We picked up some snacks and drinks on the way. We sat down in a shady spot on the curb just to the left of the train station. We ate our snacks and waited...CM's came out and had some toys and were playing with the kids...that really passes the time. The parade came, DD waved at EVERYbody in it (even the CM's that walk along side to keep people out of the way?!). Her arm was tired so it was time to go home.
We caught a ride back to the parking lot upfront in the monorail...which was icing on the cake.
All in all a great day and by going back just the 2 of us...all feels right with the world (well at least the cartoon-world we tend to live in).
I'm hoping its just a "teenage thing".
.
