Our morning at the Magic Kingdom had flown by, with 2 major must-dos under our belts and a lot of smelling the roses along the way. And bathroom breaks. Of course. By now its pretty much time to hop a boat to the Wilderness Lodge if we want to make our ADR.
On the way back toward Main Street, it became apparent that we could catch Cinderellabration. Hurray! Another must-do, especially for my little princesses. We do not, regretfully, share the same proclivity for pixie dust as do our friends the Whirlwind Trippers (who we did not even know at the time!) Nor do we share their willingness to get there EARLY and stake out prime viewing right up front. But we enjoyed the show from somewhat afar, and retreated to the exit immediately after, without any backstage fol-de-rol.
I had made our birthday-boys birthday reservation at the Whispering Canyon Café. On the advice of The Enabler. She said it was good fun, despite the absence of characters. She described some of the hijinks, and I read more about them online (I wonder where?) and I knew it would be a perfect spot to celebrate Conor. Because perhaps the only thing Conor loves more than cars, is to laugh. He has a great sense of humor. Especially for a freshly minted six year old. I attribute it to his amazing vocabulary and verbal skills he gets double entendres, plays on words, and the like in a way I didnt know was possible for a kid his age.
And because of his age, he also finds things like saladhead absolutely hysterical.
He loves to laugh. To the Canyon we go!
And, note to future selves
we MUST stay at Wilderness Lodge. It is phenomenal! Just on the walk from the boat dock to the lodge we were blown away. (Stay tuned for a future trip report on our January 2006 trip, which included a stay at the WL! I should have it up in about 7-9 months, at the rate Im going!) But it felt like home. Similar trees, rocks, and such. I look forward to staying here someday.
Once seated at our table at WCC, we ordered up some beverages. Our server, Rodeo Ricky, talked me into getting the margarita in the talllllllllllll souvenir glass. OK, I admit I already wanted a margarita, he just talked me into the talllllllllllll glass. That I could take home. OK, truth be told, he didnt really have to talk me into it.
Just as I was beginning to wonder what sort of hoopla we could look forward to, Ricky went to the next table, took their drink order, then loudly announced to the entire dining room, This lady is letting her kids drink COKE!!
She laughed, and acted like she could give half of a crap if everyone judged her for letting her kids drink Coke.
I think it might have been Mel Happyhaunt.
When he had completed his failed humiliation of the lady that might have been Mel Happyhaunt, Ricky came over with a couple of napkins. He fiddled around with them for a moment, and then placed them on my head.
He pronounced me The Queen.
Well, duh.
(Dont tell my kids I said that! I dont allow the word duh, especially in its two-syllable form du-uhhh! to be spoken in our house! I think its a bit of a reaction to having taught middle school.)
He put straws in my napkin crown, too. And gave me a lovely drink.
Now. I am a dedicated trippie writer (no matter what Cass says!) so I am going to share the photo with you. Despite it being, possibly, the most unflattering photo of myself ever taken. And that includes the 7th grade photo with the braces and the feathered hair and the layered look triple threat of turtleneck, Izod shirt (collar up, thankyouverymuch) and a wide-wale corduroy blazer.
It's good to be the Queen. With a tall margarita. And yes, I know the picture is tiny. It's unflattering, benember?
Doug made noises about my hat being silly, so Ricky took care of him.
Yep, nothing like a coffee filter baby bonnet to put a man in his place. It's good to be Queen!
I had finished my margarita and my glass of water so I asked for another glass of water.
Ricky must have not wanted to make another trip, because he brought me this.
And he made the birthday boy into a pirate
And the sister into, a cat? I think?
And baby sister was too shy to play, but took over the pirate hat after Ricky had left us to play with somebody else for a bit. She looks pretty tough, dont you think?
I think it's the pirate bib.
We ate, we drank. I finished my water.
And asked for a Pepsi.
Ricky hollered to another server across the way Somebody said the P word!!! Crap. I forgot. No Pepsi for you. At Disney. And apparently asking for Pepsi is worse by far than feeding Coke to your kids. Judging by the reaction of the crowd. Oh, fine. Give me another tall margarita and a shooter of tequila on the side, please.
(just kidding about that part, folks. I had a Coke and tried to enjoy it.)
Conor opened his gifts. No bomb! And even better, he was free to STOP asking for the Incredibles movie every 3 ½ minutes. He also got a Disney catalog gift card from my dad, some Disney dollars from my mom and from Dougs dad, the Lion King cd from his Tante, and lots of cards and HA ha! We knew you were going to Disney and you didnt! messages from our loving family. Plus all the loot from my sister which he had already plowed through, back at the villa.
Then came dessert. Ricky came out with a brownie lava sundae looking thing, which looked yummy! Ricky looked like this.
And he said to Conor, Hey little buddy, I hope you dont mind that I took a little bite, out back there in the kitchen. Its not bad for a free dessert!
We sang happy birthday, accompanied by the entire dining room. The Coke drinkers at the next table were especially enthusiastic, probably owing to the caffeination.
All in all, we had a rocking good time celebrating Conor. The Canyon was great fun.
Do go.
Do play along.
Do have the tall margarita.
Do laugh, a lot.
I figure they will make great graduation gifts for my kids.
If they meet the height requirement - they're goin'
