The Pursuit of Disney Magic (June 7-14, 2008) ~ UPDATED 9/30 pg. 191

[Planning fanatic mom]

Teacher here too,

We don't start back until Aug. 27th.

However, we decided to take our vacation the 2nd week of Aug. this year which gives me one week to get the room ready. SO, your dreams, may be my reality.

OK so my OCD won't let me not be ready, so I am going to try to get my room done before I leave.

Have a great Sunday!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I've contemplated changing careers. The one I have chosen is to be wealthy and not have to work. Where do I apply for that job?

OMG I have those dreams too! I nearly passed out in Barnes and Noble the other day. I went to the children's section to get T some books and passed by a display of teacher plan books School just ended here. Are they trying to put me away in a padded room for the rest of the summer?

Have the back to school sales started in Georgia?

Oh, when you find out where to apply for the wealthy and not have to work job, let me know!

The sales haven't started, but Walmart is putting out all their school supplies!

OK, I'm jumping right in on this topic.....
We have our first day inservice on August 6th and entry level conferences on the 7th. Talk about dreaming that your room isn't ready! No days are built in to prepare for that one. We end the year here before Memorial Day as well and were down at WDW the end of May/first of June and it still seemed crowded. Crowds or no crowds it's still the best place to be!

Oh and I was at Wal Mart today and saw the school supply lists, wished I could have sat down and changed some of the items on my list.....

Holy cow! I can't believe that you don't get more time!!! Of course, I am sure our five days before school starts will be filled with meetings!

Crowds or no crowds, you are right, WDW is the best place to be! I wish I could get there the day after school gets out and stay until it is time to go back to work!

I felt the same way about the school supply lists I looked at today in Walmart!

Teacher here too,

We don't start back until Aug. 27th.

However, we decided to take our vacation the 2nd week of Aug. this year which gives me one week to get the room ready. SO, your dreams, may be my reality.

OK so my OCD won't let me not be ready, so I am going to try to get my room done before I leave.

Have a great Sunday!

I like the plan of having your room ready before you leave -- especially because if you are like me, you will not spare a thought for the real world while you are down there at Disney!

 

[Charleston Princess]

When we last left you, we were FINALLY on our way to the Magic Kingdom!

What time did we arrive? Well, I couldn't have told you, but the train station can.

That's right -- it was almost 7:00!!! Never again!

Luckily at the time I had no idea it was that late, so I walked happily down Main Street gazing at my castle -- I mean...gazing at Cinderella's Castle.

We headed right towards Tomorrowland. Chelsea wanted to ride Space Mountain so we needed to assess that situation.

Well, I could have told everyone what the situation was if they had listened to me. No more Fast Passes and an hour wait. With time being of the essence, we told Chelsea we would come back later. I could see the pout starting around her eyes!!! No!!! NO POUTING AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM!

Sometimes the distracting technique that worked with the 10-month-old who is determined to put her finger in the light socket, also works well with the 10-year-old who wants to ride Space Mountain. We headed for Buzz Lightyear with the 10 minute wait. Chelsea and I rode together, and the boys rode together. Needless to say, the boys had the higher scores.

OH NO! My children were behind bars with Emperor Zurg! (This may be my favorite photo of Connor from the entire trip -- my favorite of Chelsea comes later).

Then, we headed for Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor -- we missed it last year, so it was all new to us! It is so hysterically funny -- Connor talked about it for days afterwards! He does a really good imitation of Roz which never fails to make me laugh.

Then, a quick walk through Fantasyland towards the Haunted Mansion. Yeay! The Haunted Mansion!!! My favorite ride at the Magic Kingdom!!!

According to tradition, Charles and Chelsea rode together (the poor girl hates the ride), and Connor and I rode together. During the ballroom scene our Doom Buggies stopped and our charming host came on and said, "Playful spirits have interrupted our journey." No!!! Not Spaceship Earth all over again!!! It was better this time though since Connor and I just leaned over our safety bar and pointed out all the details that we had never noticed before. Meanwhile, my poor daughter was being terrorized by her father, and I could periodically hear her muffled squealing as Charles scared her.

After the ride, it was 8:30 so we staked out our parade spot near Liberty Tree Tavern. Chelsea and I then headed over to Aloha Isle for Dole Whip floats for all of us. Ahhh, Adventureland, my favorite land at the Magic Kingdom -- sadly, Pirates was down for a refurb. Sniff. Sniff.

Anyway, back to the Dole Whip Floats. The ice cream was like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and despite our valiant efforts at licking and walking quickly, it was melting fast. By the time we made it back to Charles and Connor, we had quite a bit of melted ice cream all over our hands.

Chelsea then felt the need to complain and complain and complain and complain and complain about how sticky she was. Having already lost out on this year's Mother of the Year award, I refused to take her to the restroom to wash it off -- the parade was due to start at any minute and I was determined to watch every second of it. I ignored her, except for occassional sotto voce bits about how no one around her wanted to hear her complaining.

Finally, a woman near us gave Chelsea some waterless soap to get the stickiness off of her. She was a blessing (and probably was sick of hearing Chelsea's endless lamenting).

As parade time drew ever closer, several little kids squeezed up by us. One obviously had no personal space issues because he was practically sitting on both mine and Connor's laps. Connor was beside himself and kept asking me to switch places with him. I kept telling him it was no better on my side.

Spectro was awesome -- of course! I just loved it!

Afterwards, we slowly made our way towards the Castle to watch the fireworks. We stood near Tomorrowland and Tink's safety line -- Chelsea and Connor were looking forward to Tink's flight. When the first few little fireworks went off, Connor looked at me and said, "Tink flies while the fireworks go off??? That's not very safe!!!" He was so cute and concerned about Tink.

I found myself crying during the fireworks -- I just couldn't help it! I love fireworks at the Magic Kingdom on a summer night with my family!

As the fireworks neared the end, Charles and Chelsea made a beeline for Space Mountain -- Connor had decided he didn't really want to ride it. He and I strolled slowly over towards it, stopping to get some water and to play with the phone near Lunar Landings. It is another piece of brilliant Disney theming -- when you push the buttons it makes all sorts of amusing intergalatic phone calls. It was a hoot and Connor and I had fun playing with it.

After Charles and Chelsea finished riding Space Mountain (it was only a 30-minute wait since they had booked it over there at the end of the fireworks), we decided to call it a night -- it was pretty close to 11:00.

I guess it has been awhile since I left the Magic Kingdom at closing! Holy Cow there were a lot of people waiting for the monorail and the ferries!!! I was so glad to be headed towards the buses!

On the ride back to POFQ, Charles and I decided that we would sleep in and cancel our Boma breakfast reservation. But would we? Or would we still find ourselves headed over to AKL first thing in the morning? Would we stick with our original plan of heading to Animal Kingdom or did we have unfinished business at another park?

UP NEXT: In Which One of Our Intrepid Adventurers Pitches a Full Scale Fit!

 

[stagemomx3]

Great update Jackie. Sorry you lost out on Mother of the Year again. I probably would have been complaining along with Chelsea about sticky hands.

 

[TarzansKat]

OOooooooooo, an update!

I thought we were due for one today, but didn't want to be rude.

Oh, I love you seeing the castle! It's that moment, right? It's just wonderful.

Sounds like you had a fun night at the MK. I can't wait to hear what happens next.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great update Jackie. Sorry you lost out on Mother of the Year again. I probably would have been complaining along with Chelsea about sticky hands.

Thanks! I have about given up on ever capturing the coveted MOTY award -- I have my sights set on Grandmother of the Year in about three decades! 'Cause I'm going to take my grandkids to WDW A LOT!

OOooooooooo, an update!

I thought we were due for one today, but didn't want to be rude.

Oh, I love you seeing the castle! It's that moment, right? It's just wonderful.

Sounds like you had a fun night at the MK. I can't wait to hear what happens next.

Yep, today was update day but also grocery shopping and cleaning day (I have this new thing -- I am helping conserve energy by only cleaning every two weeks ) -- I didn't want to feel rushed writing, so I saved the update for last.

Seeing the Castle -- my favorite moment and it never grows old.

We did have a fun night at MK and I got my fireworks and parade so all was right in my world.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Great update, CP.

I was a little misty reading about the castle. I just can't wait to get that glimpse with DH and I together for the first time...of many to come!

Love, Love, Love that picture of Conner. How cute. I can't wait to see which is your favorite of Chelsea.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great update, CP.

I was a little misty reading about the castle. I just can't wait to get that glimpse with DH and I together for the first time...of many to come!

Love, Love, Love that picture of Conner. How cute. I can't wait to see which is your favorite of Chelsea.

Thanks!

Are you planning on Mk being your first park together? That would be a perfect start!

Everytime I look at that pic of Connor I laugh!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Thanks!

Are you planning on Mk being your first park together? That would be a perfect start!

Everytime I look at that pic of Connor I laugh!

Right now the plan is EPCOT, it kills me that MK won't be first but the second day will be MK for early breakfast ressies at Crystal Palace.

 

[punkin413]

OH NO! My children were behind bars with Emperor Zurg! (This may be my favorite photo of Connor from the entire trip -- my favorite of Chelsea comes later).

this is a GREAT picture!

I found myself crying during the fireworks -- I just couldn't help it!

i'm guilty of this too! EVERY SINGLE TIME i see wishes i cry!

 

[KatGarcia]

Thanks! Are you eating breakfast or dinner there?

We are doing dinner there. I did breakfast last october and of course got the Tonga Toast!

Great update as well!

So where exactly did you stand for the fireworks? I have always seen it from the other side of the castle and I have never seen Tink fly in WDW (once in DL) and I am determined to see it this time!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Right now the plan is EPCOT, it kills me that MK won't be first but the second day will be MK for early breakfast ressies at Crystal Palace.

Second day is good though -- besides that first day isn't a full day anyway, right?

this is a GREAT picture!

Thanks!

i'm guilty of this too! EVERY SINGLE TIME i see wishes i cry!

Me too! It cracks the rest of my family up!

Lots of things at Disney always make me tear up -- I am such a sap (in a good way) when it comes to certain things.

We are doing dinner there. I did breakfast last october and of course got the Tonga Toast!

Great update as well!

So where exactly did you stand for the fireworks? I have always seen it from the other side of the castle and I have never seen Tink fly in WDW (once in DL) and I am determined to see it this time!

Thanks!

We did breakfast there in April and I got the Tonga Toast! I wish I could have it for breakfast every morning!

We stood smack dab right in front of the castle over by the Tomorrowland side -- we could actually see the wire beforehand and kind of positioned ourselves near it. The kids got such a huge kick out of watching Tink fly (and I did, too)!

 

[natale1980]

Wishes makes me cry too. Before I had any babies I was at Disney and made a wish during the fireworks (corny, I know) Well it must have worked cause a few months later I was pregnant with Dexter.
Poor little Dexter wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Mickey's wonderful fireworks!

-nat

 

[thewesterberg]

Chelsea and I then headed over to Aloha Isle for Dole Whip floats for all of us.

I found myself crying during the fireworks -- I just couldn't help it! I love fireworks at the Magic Kingdom on a summer night with my family!

yummmm.... I'm drooling just thinking about them!

Add me to the list of teary eyes when it comes to Wishes! In fact, listening to the music in the car yesterday also prompted the same response

It's the Disney Pavlonian Response! Dole Whips = drool, Wishes = tears!

UP NEXT: In Which One of Our Intrepid Adventurers Pitches a Full Scale Fit!

This ought to be good!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Picture of Connor is adorable and love how concerned he was for Tink's safety during the fireworks! Looking forward to seeing your fav picture of Chelsea.

Why is it people lose all sense of personal space when it comes to parades/fireworks?? Drives me nuts. And what are the parents thinking letting their kids practically climb on you?!

I get teary at Wishes too. So nice to know there are other Disney saps out there!

I just heard about the Lunar Landings phone the other day... I am going to have to check that out!

Can't believe you're heading back to work August 1st! I'd love being out by Memorial Day but hate going back in August! I am convinced that I was meant to be independently wealthy and something has just gone horribly wrong!

Uh-oh... full scale fit... wonder who it is...

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

 

[MRYPPNS]

http://i270.Then, we headed for Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor -- we missed it last year, so it was all new to us! It is so hysterically funny -- Connor talked about it for days afterwards! He does a really good imitation of Roz which never fails to make me laugh.
[/quote]
We got to see it when they were still testing it....I'm happy to hear that it's improved!
[QUOTE]According to tradition, Charles and Chelsea rode together (the poor girl hates the ride), and Connor and I rode together. During the ballroom scene our Doom Buggies stopped and our charming host came on and said, "Playful spirits have interrupted our journey." No!!! Not Spaceship Earth all over again!!![/QUOTE]
Just tell yourself that they are loading a guest that was in a wheelchair and has to be transfered out into the ride vehicle....that's why it takes so long on those rides.

[QUOTE]
Anyway, back to the Dole Whip Floats. The ice cream was like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and despite our valiant efforts at licking and walking quickly, it was melting fast. By the time we made it back to Charles and Connor, we had quite a bit of melted ice cream all over our hands. [/QUOTE]
I've learned no matter the weather....Dole Whips must be eaten immdiately or you wear it.

[QUOTE]
As parade time drew ever closer, several little kids squeezed up by us. One obviously had no personal space issues because he was practically sitting on both mine and Connor's laps. [/QUOTE]
One word: Wrath!


[QUOTE]
As the fireworks neared the end, Charles and Chelsea made a beeline for Space Mountain -- Connor had decided he didn't really want to ride it. He and I strolled slowly over towards it, stopping to get some water and to play with the phone near Lunar Landings. It is another piece of brilliant Disney theming -- when you push the buttons it makes all sorts of amusing intergalatic phone calls. It was a hoot and Connor and I had fun playing with it.[/QUOTE]
I had no idea about this phone! I have written it down in my notebook (disney dork, I know). What is and where is Lunar Landings?


[QUOTE]UP NEXT: In Which One of Our Intrepid Adventurers Pitches a Full Scale Fit[/QUOTE]
My guess is you Jackie!

 

[Native NYer]

Great update Jackie!!!

A night of the Haunted Mansion, Spectro, fireworks, and Space Mountain sounds perfect. Not to mention Dole Whip Floats!!!

Don't you just hate it when people try to squeeze in during the parade? Do they really think people stake out a spot early to have someone else practically sit on them? These are the moments I wish the Magic Kingdom wasn't dry.

Cancel your breakfast ADRs at BOMA????? Hmmm something is telling me you didn't. I'm guessing you went to breakfast and then headed back to the MK.

As far as the full scale fit, I'm guessing pre-teen Chelsea. Everything is drama when you're that age.

I hope another update comes tonight

On a different note, I'm surprised no back to school sales by you.
NYC public schools (thankfully I no longer work for them and ended earlier) just ended on June 27th. It's July 13th and the sales have started. As I flipped through the Times this morning, sale flyers from Target and Staples fell out. I immediately threw those in the garbage. No need to be depressed on a sunny Sunday morning!

Is Chelsea excited about starting middle school? It's such a big transition.

 

[Sarilas]

Waterless soap?! Is that like the antibacterial hand gel? MUST HAVE!

 

[willwriteforears]

Great update! Count me amongst the hordes who have said they love the pic of Connor and Chelsea trapped with Zurg, and who is also looking forward to your favorite of Chelsea!

I was never a fan of sticky hands either. My mom tells me I was always a very clean child and never liked to make mud pies or anything because of that. And during freshman year of college, my college has a "Mud day" during orientation week. I opted out of that, too--though it probably would've been great for my skin! All that exfoliation,

And ooh, a fit! Drama! Looking forward to the next installment!