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

[Charleston Princess]

Brain candy I love it!!!!

I love trash tv. And I read trash on airplanes too. You know, OK!, People, InTouch

Gossip magazines are always a great way to pass time -- I like to read them by the pool!

 

[Native NYer]

I love trash blogs...TMZ and Perez Hilton ....I read daily

Love TMZ and Perez Hilton!!!

Gossip magazines are always a great way to pass time -- I like to read them by the pool!

Me too! I love gossip magazines.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I love trash blogs...TMZ and Perez Hilton ....I read daily

Love TMZ and Perez Hilton!!!

Me too! I love gossip magazines.

I will have to go check those out!

 

[MouseEarsForLife]

I will have to go check those out!

Ok you may not believe me but my Dad is obsessed with the TMZ show on Fox ( I think )

 

[nts4wdw]

Okay, I've got to know. What books did you get? (I work in a bookstore, you know)
I'm on a young adult kick right now. I finished the Twilight books lovestruc ), The Christopher Killer (Like Patricia Cornwell for teens) and now I'm almost finished with a Great and Terrible Beauty. I read everything!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Ok you may not believe me but my Dad is obsessed with the TMZ show on Fox ( I think )

I know nothing about this show or website -- I am so out of the loop!

Okay, I've got to know. What books did you get? (I work in a bookstore, you know)
I'm on a young adult kick right now. I finished the Twilight books lovestruc ), The Christopher Killer (Like Patricia Cornwell for teens) and now I'm almost finished with a Great and Terrible Beauty. I read everything!

I didn't know you worked in a bookstore! How cool is that?!?!

I read everything, too! At the library yesterday, it was slim pickings for the ones I was looking for (I have the new Mary Kay Andrews, the new Dorothea Benton Frank, and the fourth in the Secret History of the Pink Carnation series all on hold -- none of them were in ). So, here is what I ended up with:
1. Two Jerrilyn Farmer books in her Madeline Bean series -- Madeline is a caterer in Los Angeles who is always gettting involved with solving murders. Light, easy reading.
2. Bishop's Reach by Kathryn R. Wall -- part of series set in Hilton Head, SC -- again murder mystery -- a bit more suspenseful.
3. Jinx by Meg Cabot (a young adult novel) Meg Cabot is one of my FAVORITE young adult novelists.

That's it for this bout. I guess I am on a mystery kick this week.

As for what you have recently read, you know I will have to comment:
1. The Twilight Books -- LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them -- could not put the first one down -- Bella and Edward are such wonderful characters. I borrowed them from students -- they are huge in the middle school right now. Working in a bookstore, I guess you know the fourth one is coming out in August.
2. Haven't read Christopher Killer.
3. Thoroughly enjoyed A Great and Terrible Beauty -- I haven't read the sequel, Rebel Angels, though.

To add to your young adult kick, have you read the Uglies series? Those were very suspenseful and hard to put down -- I don't normally like science fiction, but these drew me right in. Also, Meg Cabot has a series called The Mediator which was wonderful (I think there are 7 books in that series) about a girl who can see and communicate with ghosts and a stand-alone called Avalon High. Avalon High is a modern retelling of the King Arthur legends set in a high school -- it is soooo phenomenal that my last unit I do with my 8th grade is centered around it. The kids love it as much as I do. Another big series right now (these with middle school boys) is The Lightening Thief (Greek myths in modern times kind of thing). That is going to be my last unit of the year with the 7th graders.

So, I guess I rambled a bit -- you found my other weakness -- books.

 

[Native NYer]

I will have to go check those out!

You'll love them! So addictive.

 

[DWGal210]

I'll have to check some of those out...I love to read but haven't found any other authors for a while, so I'll try some of those!

 

[Native NYer]

Good morning!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I'll have to check some of those out...I love to read but haven't found any other authors for a while, so I'll try some of those!

You won't be disappointed!

Good morning!!!

Morning! What are your plans for the weekend?

 

[Native NYer]

Morning! What are your plans for the weekend?

Some shopping today and I'm suppose to go to Westchester for dinner. But may blow that off

What are your plans for the weekend?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Some shopping today and I'm suppose to go to Westchester for dinner. But may blow that off

What are your plans for the weekend?

Shuttling Connor to various social engagements. It's sad when my 8-year-old has more plans than me.

I am trying to get motivated to go to the grocery store, but it doesn't seem to be happening.

 

[Native NYer]

Shuttling Connor to various social engagements. It's sad when my 8-year-old has more plans than me.

I am trying to get motivated to go to the grocery store, but it doesn't seem to be happening.

Connor is going to need a blackberry too

The grocery store is never motivating. Right now, buying yogurt and granola bars just isn't as interesting as heading to Micheal's and getting Disney craft stuff.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Connor is going to need a blackberry too

The grocery store is never motivating. Right now, buying yogurt and granola bars just isn't as interesting as heading to Micheal's and getting Disney craft stuff.

He's so excited about his busy weekend, because it is usually his sister that has all the plans.

No, the grocery store is never motivating -- I was just sitting here thinking of the Disney-related things I could do, instead: DISing, working on the Disney fun bag, changing my Le Cellier reservation -- all much more fun than navigating the cereal aisle on a Saturday.

 

[Native NYer]

He's so excited about his busy weekend, because it is usually his sister that has all the plans.

No, the grocery store is never motivating -- I was just sitting here thinking of the Disney-related things I could do, instead: DISing, working on the Disney fun bag, changing my Le Cellier reservation -- all much more fun than navigating the cereal aisle on a Saturday.

Connor's weekend looks more interesting than mine!

I need to change a few ADRs myself.

Why not keep Le Cellier and add another one just in case? Is that even possible?

I checked the original menu at Le Cellier and knew it would not fit our tastes. I wonder why it's so popular. Maybe the steak is excellent.

 

[MomofCKJ]

Maybe the steak is excellent.

Interrupting here the steak IS excellent! At least both times we have eaten there. Wonderful filet and I love me a good filet!

I am off grocery-ing too but kind of looking forward to it. DH is taking all 3 kidlets out to Walmart and for pizza so I get to cruise the aisles alone. Sad but that excites me.

Company for dinner tonight and making Ohana wings, next best thing to being there!

Allyson

 

[Native NYer]

Interrupting here the steak IS excellent! At least both times we have eaten there. Wonderful filet and I love me a good filet!

I am off grocery-ing too but kind of looking forward to it. DH is taking all 3 kidlets out to Walmart and for pizza so I get to cruise the aisles alone. Sad but that excites me.

Company for dinner tonight and making Ohana wings, next best thing to being there!

Allyson

I have to look at the menu again

I guess we'll all be in the grocery store. I'm just hoping it's not crowded

 

[Charleston Princess]

Connor's weekend looks more interesting than mine!

Mine too!

I need to change a few ADRs myself.

Why not keep Le Cellier and add another one just in case? Is that even possible?

I changed it and went ahead and canceled Le Cellier -- that will be a whole PTR post right there.

Interrupting here the steak IS excellent! At least both times we have eaten there. Wonderful filet and I love me a good filet!

I feel kind of strange having cancelled it but relieved that I don't have to worry about anybody being unhappy with the selections.

I let DH pick our replacement -- no one will ever guess in a million years what it is.

I am off grocery-ing too but kind of looking forward to it. DH is taking all 3 kidlets out to Walmart and for pizza so I get to cruise the aisles alone. Sad but that excites me.

Company for dinner tonight and making Ohana wings, next best thing to being there!

Allyson

Can I come to your house for dinner?

Grocery shopping is always more relaxing without the kids!

I guess we'll all be in the grocery store. I'm just hoping it's not crowded

Ours wasn't too bad. Getting there was another story. I forgot that the Atlanta Steeplechase was today (somehow I forget every year). Well, I guess anybody who is anybody in Atlanta comes to it. In order to get to it, everyone has to drive through our town. On the one hand, it is neat to see all the expensive cars and limos, and everyone all dressed up. On the other hand, it is a huge headache getting anywhere.

 

[Native NYer]

I went to Fairway for groceries and it was crowded. Definitely not a pleasant experience.

Can't wait to read all about your ADR change

 

[Charleston Princess]

Before I launch into Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party completely, here is a photo that I forgot to post last time. It was taken on the bridge in Frontierland on the way to Splash and BTMRR. I like to call it, "Chelsea and Connor make a new friend."

Dinner at Pecos Bill's was...well, dinner at Pecos Bill's. It's our old stand-by -- hamburgers and chili fries. Unfortunately, I thought I would be different and ordered the taco salad. Next time, I will know better. Sadly, I have no more food porn. Kona was the only place I thought to take pictures. I promise to do better in June.

After dinner, it was pretty close to the start time of the Party! Hooray! We wandered towards Adventureland (from Frontierland). We browsed through the POTC gift shop, and by the time we came out, it was PARTYTIME! There was a treasure spot right across the way. We all got necklaces.

The treasure spots have changed a little. Gone are the little bags and jewels, and the spots marked on the map. Now you have to actually find the great big X balloons which was kind of neat. I was as bad as the kids getting all excited to spot the balloons. Also, they only give out necklaces which actually made it easier to keep track of everything.

There were two spots in Adventureland with treasure -- the second one handed out candy necklaces and hats (one side was printed with a pirate hat and one side was printed with a crown). We all opted to be pirates!

Since it was the Pirate and Princess Party, we HAD to ride Pirates of the Caribbean! Not to mention, it is going to be closed during our June trip. There was NO line! NO people! We had the boat completely to ourselves and the boats in front of us and behind us were empty. It really added to the atmosphere! In fact, it was almost downright creepy.

Next on my list was Captain Jack Sparrow. We got in line (a long line), and my family overheard that it was a 60-minute wait from a CM. We decided to come back later when the line might be a little bit shorter.

Next, Fantasyland! On my list for Fantasyland was a picture with Cinderella's Coach. Again, ultra-long line and my family didn't want to wait.

Here is my confession: after we got out of the line (the SECOND line we had gotten out of), I pitched a mini-fit sotto voice to DH (I didn't want the children to hear their mother acting like a 5-year-old). I am certainly not proud of it, and I felt bad about it. I immediately apologized (after I was done venting), and we reassessed our plans on a bench near the castle. Here's a picture of my two pirates:

We decided more treasure, the Teacups, Dole Whips, and a good parade/fireworks spot would make everyone happy.

Here's the picture I like to call, "Connor is beside himself with the anticipation of spinning his guts out." This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip!

We spun, and for some reason DH and I spun so fast (getting out tension, maybe ) that I could barely exit when it was finished.

After getting our Dole Whips, Charles wanted to head to our usual spot in Liberty Square to watch the parade. We got a GREAT spot and waited about 15 minutes for the parade to start. Off in the distance we could see lots of lightning.

The parade was awesome! We loved every minute! My pirate float pictures are a little dark, but here are some of the better ones of the princesses. Captain Jack and Barbosa were there and waved at us.

When Chelsea saw this float, she was beside herself. We had never seen Tinkerbell before! It made me all teary-eyed because she was so excited. She waved and waved and giggled when pixie dust was thrown all over by Tinkerbell! It was my favorite moment of the trip.

Soon after the parade passed us, and we were making our way back up to Main Street, the heavens just opened up! A huge deluge of rain that made my family beg to leave . I was out numbered. I should have stayed to see the fireworks, but I was somehow talked into leaving .

We ducked into the Emporium, bought a pin (for me) and Mickey Pirate (for Connor). As we exited near the Train Station, the last few floats were rounding the corner. I felt so sorry for the CMs because lots of people were trying to leave and darting across the street (the floats take awhile to round those last corners and there was a lot of space in between them). Those poor CMs were having the hardest time keeping people back .

As the scruffy pirates from the Peter Pan section were walking by, they stopped and were playing with Chelsea and Connor -- all about how they were going to steal their necklaces. It was very funny!

So, although I missed out on my two photo ops and the fireworks, I have decided to focus on the postives of which there are many. Besides, now I have a reason to go back again!

NEXT: A Day at Typhoon Lagoon!