The Meanest Mother in the World--A L-B TR, 5/05 *DONE. p.65, with one last pic*

[flipflop]

The perfect thing to find on a slow "I need to pass time" at work Friday. Still great!!!! Looking forward to the next installment.

 

[MEK]

Subscribing. I am finally caught up. I am really enjoying this trip report. Don't let too much time pass before you write an update. Remember summer goes fast!

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Max is my favorite cat!

 

[kpk89]

thanks to all of you still reading. as well as the folks who just started!

I'm coming to you live via my phone~~~ how cool is that?

Anyway. there WILL be another chapter this weekend. A standing ovation goes to KarenP99, who voluntarily took my kids. For the WEEKEND . That is love.

 

[Shelby5514]

Kimmie~ Just got all caught up! Great Trippie! Sher is right...front row (row 1) is the BEST for Soarin...no danglin' or smelly, sweatty feet in your way!

 

[magicmama]

KarenP99 must be trying to encourage you to continue your quest to finsh this TR!!!! Thanks KarenP99 for helping out!

And thanks for continuing Kim!!!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Lovin this report keep it coming.

 

[stitchluva22]

Your report is really good. i look forward to reading more.

 

[TwinkieMama]

I love ya Mean Mama. Why did I even go to Disney World? I could have saved thousands by staying home and just reading your trip report. It was that much fun....
oh yeah-waiting for each installment is murder.... is there a fastpass available for this?????

 

[coachyo]

Finally catching up and still enjoying your TR.

"Here in the east we provide safety bars for our chairlift riders. Apparently Coloradans are more adventurous or less hospitable. "

We don't need no stinkin safety bars
they are for pansies.

I'm hospitable until you get in the way of my beverage. Just like getting in between a momma bear and her cub, not a pretty picture.

Keep it up.

Thanks, YO

 

[Clare D]

Great trip report, it was your report title that caught my attention.
Can't wait for the next episode

 

[kpk89]

Finally catching up and still enjoying your TR.

"Here in the east we provide safety bars for our chairlift riders. Apparently Coloradans are more adventurous or less hospitable. "

We don't need no stinkin safety bars
they are for pansies.

I'm hospitable until you get in the way of my beverage. Just like getting in between a momma bear and her cub, not a pretty picture.

Keep it up.

Thanks, YO

I dunno, Coach. We were chatting with a local who told us he thought the conditions were "too icy." It was frozen granular, for the love of Pete! It's not ICE unless you can see your reflection in it. And I would think, with all the beverages, that a safety bar might be in order. Just sayin'.

Hi nicolemarie, hi Shelby! Hi TwinkieMama -- glad you made it over here. Now get back to work on your blast to the past report! Welcome back Claire, and Welcome, to you, Clare D! And disneymomej, and flipflop, MEK, tashasKraz, and the rest of you fine people --- welcome! Thanks for reading.

Turns out that with the kiddos gone for the weekend, I didn't spend nearly as much time writing as I'd thought I would! I do have the Park Fare chapter NEARLY done, though.

 

[monsterkitty]

Safety bars on chair lifts? Never heard of such a thing.

One has never truly lived until he or she has been stranded on a chair lift for an hour, in -40 degree temps above a snow cornice/avalanche area. It's a pity Berthoud Pass closed, as I'm sure no other ski are would allow the skiers to live such a life.

Looking forward to your hot date with Cinderella!

 

[kpk89]

Chapter 15: Dinner with Ralla and Chommin’,

Onward we plod to our next and last “Epcot” ride. The one Sydneyralla calls the “mamarail.” To be sure, there are some striking similarities between myself and this mode of transport. We are both obligated to be taking somebody, somewhere, at all times. We both think we’re super cool and futuristic, but are really stuck in the 1970’s. (ok, 80’s for me.) And, we’re both always telling people to get out of the doorway. (I give the monorail polite points for its semantics and bilingualism on this one.)

I am cast backward a few decades to my first family trip to Disney, in 1978. Me, my sister and brother, mom and dad, and my Nana and Verne. We stayed at the Dutch Inn – yep, off property, and we liked it. Because we didn’t know any better. No, really. Back then the only “on” property option if you were on a budget was Fort Wilderness. I can remember being on the monorail, and hearing that guy (Welcome! To the Walt Disney World Resort …) talking about all the great things to do here. I remember wondering why anyone who came here would waste time riding bikes or playing golf. When they could be riding the monorail. I don’t remember a ton of things about that trip; in fact, the highlight seems to be riding the monorail. But it is the first family trip I remember, and Disney was also the last trip my family took, as a family. I was in 8th grade, I think. There were other visits there after the divorce too: the Grad Night trip with a dozen kids from my senior class, with my mom as a chaperone (Samantha Fox, New Kids on the Block, and Information Society, yeah!!); the spring break trip with my dad and his new family when I was in college (3 days on a cruise plus 4 at the parks, traveling in a pack of 10); and the Christmas Eve road trip to retrieve my sister from the college program (me, Doug, and my brother in my Toyota 4-Runner, driving straight through from Boston. We were way, WAY too tired to face the Christmas crowds. What were we thinking?) I guess part of what I love about going to Disney is that no matter how our family changes, splits, grows and changes some more, and no matter how much Disney changes, adds, subtracts, and grows as well, there is the comforting constant that family is still family, and Disney is still Disney. No matter how much either changes.

((shimmering stuff indicative of flashback fades from frame, revealing the KpKrew back in 2005, on the mamarail))

It seems like only moments later, we arrive at the Grand Floridian. I believe there was a stop at the Ticket & Transportation Center and a transfer to a different train, but honestly I was so beat I didn’t notice.

Oh. MY.

This place is absolutely beautiful. I don’t know that it feels like “home” to me so much that I’d want to plunk down the bucks to stay here, but it is very nice to look at. Everything is so clean, and white. I feel as though we are going to sully the whole place just by being here in our Epcot clothes. Our hot, sticky, crowded Mother’s Day at Epcot clothes.

In a matter of moments, we’re checked in and there seems to be some sort of opening ceremony going on at the door to the dining room. The fairy godmother leads us in a quick little chant of magic words, and flings a whole bunch of pixie dust in the air. I am not sure exactly how this substance, little metallic confetti shaped like Mickey’s head, qualifies as “dust.” But no matter, it’s just as magical. Conor and Piper become human speedbumps for the folks attempting to enter the dining room behind us, as they scrounge around on their hands and knees, collecting handfuls of the stuff.

Sydney, on the other hand, is soundly sleeping.

I have a couple of options here. I can wake her, and risk the “bad” wakeup. The one where she whines without ceasing for at least 45 minutes. There’s a chance I’d get the “good” wakeup, the one where she smiles and snuggles and asks for a snack. But it’s a slim chance at best, especially since she’s in an entirely unfamiliar environment. The bad wakeup would essentially trash the entire meal. For us, and everyone within 100 yards of us. My other option is to just let her sleep. The hostess assures me it’s no problem to bring the stroller on in, to facilitate the continued sleep. This seems to be the obvious choice.

Soon we’re seated, and Piper quickly assesses the situation.

“Mummy!” she stage-whispers across the table to me. “There’s no chair for Cinderella! Where’s she going to sit?”

Oh dear. A misinterpretation of my announcement that “we’re going to have dinner with Cinderella.” I can see where I went wrong. My words really did imply that we’d be breaking bread with Mr. and Mrs. Cinderella. (and wouldn’t that be a great thing? Shouldn’t Disney offer this? Just THINK what they could charge for it!) Anyway, I am usually much more cognizant of how literal children’s thinking is. Ooops.

I barely have time to set the child straight before Prince Charming arrives at our table. The kids chatter away at him, he makes polite conversation, they pose for photos.

I'm pretty sure Conor is asking the Prince what kind of car he has.

Chommin' is kind enough to pose with our little Sleeping Beauty.

So she’ll know that she did get to “meet” him. It’s probably for the best anyway, judging by her reaction to Mickey yesterday.

Doug and I take turns darting to the buffet to load plates for ourselves and the kids. The food is remarkably good for a buffet; we give it two thumbs up. No further information available on that front. This report is about the trip (mostly) and not the food.

Suzy and Perla make their way to visit us as well. I had no idea that these mice even had names! I have seen the Cinderella movie dozens and dozens of times. The only mice I ever heard called by name were GusGus and Jacques.

We realize that we don’t know which one is Suzy and which one is Perla. With much guessing on our parts and hand gesturing on their parts, we determine that Perla is wearing the purple dress.

That’s a tip for you, people. Write it down. PERla, PURple. It’s a mnemonic device. Use it, love it.

Cinderella herself pays us a royal visit, as well. I must admit, part of me feels a little blue that Sydney is missing it. I am tempted, again, to wake her. But the fallout would just not be worth it. Ralla also poses next to the double ride, so Syd can see the photo later. Ralla also graciously offers to come back if our little princess awakes before we leave. Overall, though, the characters seem less than enthusiastic about their meet and greet duties. Perhaps it’s our “fresh from a long hot day at Epcot” fashion sense that left them a little cold. Or maybe it’s my imagination. The kids (the ones who are awake, anyway) enjoy their visits immensely.

And that’s all that counts.

The food here is delicious, considering it’s a buffet. (Have I mentioned that already?) I am enthralled with the fact that there’s a separate kiddie buffet. Sydney does indeed wake while we are having dessert. She wants nothing to do with any characters, though. Just a snuggle, and some ice cream. And that is fine. Better to have the photo memories of Ralla and Chommin’ visiting her in her sleep, than a big vivid Technicolor memory of being foisted into a photo when barely awake.

As we depart, the Fairy Godmother is in the waiting area. I had no idea that my children would be so taken with her! Sydney is still playing the role of Cling-on, but Conor and Piper sit on either side of Mudder and bubble away. You would think she’s their beloved granny.

((Fairy Godmother, can you bibbidi bobbidi that black eye right into yesterday? Please?))

Conor informs her that his favorite part of the movie was when she “found” her wand by pulling it out of the air.

She gamely attempts to perform this little stunt for us, but as it turns out, she remembers her wand is in for repair.


Piper reminds Conor to show her the “pin of her” – at some point he has added a Fairy Godmother pin to his collection.

She seems genuinely pleased. And Piper also must show her the Pixie Dust that she collected at the beginning of the evening.

This Fairy Godmother is so warm, and friendly, not just to my children but to all of the kids with whom she is visiting. She’s a true princess, I don’t care who you are.

Bellies and hearts full, we stroll a bit on the grounds of the Grand Floridian before catching a launch (that’s what the fancy Grand Floridian people call boats, right?) over to the Magic Kingdom, for a bus back to OKW. It is not easy to walk right to the bus depot and bypass the gates of the Magic Kingdom. But it’s been a long, full day, and an early tuck-in is in order.

 

[deedeew80]

This TR just keeps getting better and better with each chapter. I wish I was there right now!

 

[snyderla]

I'm really enjoying your trip report. 1975, Ft. Wilderness campground & Magic Kingdom was the last family trip we took before my parents divorced. I was in 5th grade. It was a wonderful trip. 20 yrs later I took my kids for their first trip and we've been back 13 times since then in various combinations of family members, including both of my parents for 2 special family reunions. There is nothing like Disney magic and family reunions!

The photos with Fairy Godmother are so precious! Thank you for sharing your trip report with us and those wonderful photos.

 

[Clare D]

Shhhh don't tell anybody but I am at work reading the next episode of your very funny trip report.
For a few moments with all the detail and pictures I too felt like I was at the GF with Cindy et al
Thanks again for your highly entertaining reports I'm lovin' 'em
Clare D

 

[lexmelinda]

Well, I've been with you since the beginning but just like to chime in once in a while to let you know what a fabulous report I think this is. Love the flashback sequence. Our first trip to WDW was in 1972 right AFTER the divorce then not again til my honeymoon in 1989. We, too, are dining at Park Fare with the Mary Poppins crew so glad to hear the food is good. Also dining with Suzy, Perla, & FG at CRT this trip. PERla, PURple...I'll try to remember that.

 

[ead79]

Another wonderful installment!

I just love the looks of sheer joy and adoration on your children's faces! They are clearly beyond thrilled, especially with Mudder. Too cute!

 

[flipflop]

Another great installment. The flashback reminded me of my first visit to disney with my mom and dad (who later split-up).
You are doing a great job!

 

[vamassey1]

Wonderful installment. I'm feeling all warm and fuzy and my belief in Magic has been returned. Your pictures of your children with the characters are darling. Please keep up the wonderful writing.