The Real Housewives of WDW - 11/15: In Closing

[PrincessAlways]

Mr Snippy Bellman Doesn't he know that there's no "snippy" in Disney World???

Leo.....such a sweet boy!!!

 

[Lauralee131]

I need an update.

Hey - I came here thinking the SAME thing!!

Yeah, who cares if I was there, I love the rehashing of it all.

Me too! Me TOOOOO!!! But....but....I've read all there is to read....what shall I do while waiting??

Lauralee....you were just making your ENTRANCE....

You betcha!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Great first day report! Take that Mr. Snippy Bellman! Didn't you just want to go out there afteryou checked and and show him your KTTW?

Your Leo sounds wonderful! Kid's do say the darndest things.

Can't wait for more.....

BTW just watched the latest HoNJ and once again I can't believe Danielle! She is so twisted!

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

I need an update.


Yeah, who cares if I was there, I love the rehashing of it all.

I wasn't there yet....I need to know what happened in my absence.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

You could always start your own....just sayin

You're right... I could. BUT, we all know I won't finish it and really, 2 unfinished trip reports is all my rep could handle.

 

[PrincessV]

I saw a welcome mat one time that said "Friends Welcome, Relatives By Appointment."

LOVE that!

That stinks! Who made this rule? The valet people?

Now that you mention it... I bet it was! I've heard anecdotally that since they started charging DVC members for valet, loads fewer people are valet-ing their cars. To which I say "D'UH!" I'm betting they're pulling out all the stops to get people to valet park. This particular method is hugely ineffective; I self-parked the rest of the trip in retaliation.

Don't forget Mel Gibson.

True. I'll add, "Gone. Like Mel Gibson's integrity."

That kid sure knows how to write a great chapter ending!

That he does!

Any new updates, V ??

Not yet; it's a busy week!

:Yeah, who cares if I was there, I love the rehashing of it all.

You could always start your own....just sayin

Exactly!

Doesn't he know that there's no "snippy" in Disney World???

Nope. He could use some further learning.

But....but....I've read all there is to read....what shall I do while waiting??

Write a TR from your perspective? We haven't had a LL TR in ages!

Didn't you just want to go out there afteryou checked and and show him your KTTW?

I so did! But the rain made it easy to resist.

I wasn't there yet....I need to know what happened in my absence.

Hmm, good point...

You're right... I could. BUT, we all know I won't finish it and really, 2 unfinished trip reports is all my rep could handle.

 

[jcc0621]

You're right... I could. BUT, we all know I won't finish it and really, 2 unfinished trip reports is all my rep could handle.

 

[jcc0621]

Write a TR from your perspective? We haven't had a LL TR in ages!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Write a TR from your perspective? We haven't had a LL TR in ages!

GREAT idea! You've only got 1 unfinished TR - your rep could handle 1 more.

 

[scrap4u]

Hi V! Great start to what sounds like a great trip! Sorry I'm late to the party though. I haven't been on the Dis too much lately.

Not a Housewives fan at all but I would never miss a V and Leo trip. You've taught that little man the true meaning of family.

 

[Stasieki]

I always love your TR's. And, I think it was you who gave me the best advice (Where to watch Wishes), which ended up capping a beautiful trip with my family and my DD who is terrified of fireworks actually watched them. All of you look like a fun bunch. Signing on!

 

[PrincessV]

GREAT idea! You've only got 1 unfinished TR - your rep could handle 1 more.

Hi V! Great start to what sounds like a great trip! Sorry I'm late to the party though.

Hi again! Your'e not late at all - I'm just getting started!

I always love your TR's. And, I think it was you who gave me the best advice (Where to watch Wishes), which ended up capping a beautiful trip with my family and my DD who is terrified of fireworks actually watched them. All of you look like a fun bunch. Signing on!

Oh my - you just gave me tingles! I'm sooo glad it worked for you guys!

 

[PrincessV]

Our second day of Disney adventure began very early. Ridiculously early. Pre-park opening early.

Yes indeedy, we were hitting an Extra Magic Hour morning, in which the absurdly overpriced on-site accommodations pay off in an entire hour devoted to Disney resort guests before the parks officially open to the public.

Or so The Mouse would have you believe.

I’ll get back to that. But first, allow me to handle the general freak-out I can feel rising amongst the readers. Because any Disney addict worth her Mickey ears knows that we avoid EMH’s like the plague. And not just a passing, rhinovirus-like plague, but the BIG plague. We’re talking Bubonic here.

But my good friend Tracy (T) pointed out the wisdom of using some EMH mornings to beat the high-season crowds, as well as the heat of mid-summer. I trust T. T convinced us to drag our Lapu Lapu-ravaged selves out to Little Ones Extra Magic Hour four summers ago and it was fantastic; we practically had Fantasyland to ourselves!

So when T suggested some EMH mornings this summer, I listened. I listened so intently, I switched from the off-site Hilton Bonnet Creek to the on-site Yacht Club, just to partake of a little early morning romp through the Magic Kingdom (MK).

And then…

I listened. The week or so before our trip. To T. Saying they’d decided not to hit any EMH’s this time.






It’s okay, though – I still love her! Because even though her family opted to sleep some more and skip Day 2’s EMH morning at the MK, she was right; it was a great idea.


And so it was that Leo and I lined up before the MK turnstiles, ran our annual passes through the reader, and walked on in.

That’s right, our annual passes. And walked on in.

No checking of room keys, no wristbands, nothing at all to see if we were actually eligible for this Magical privilege allotted only to a select few of Mickey’s friends. Now we were eligible, of course, but a little part of me was kicking myself silly that I’d gone and paid more to stay on-site for that privilege, when, in fact, I could have driven over that day and not incurred a hotel cost at all! Then I consoled myself with the fact that had I tried that maneuver, they’d surely have been checking every guest’s key for eligibility. That’s just my Fuzzy Murphy’s Disney Law at play.

That and the fact that we really, really loved the Yacht Club. Have I mentioned that?!



Anyway, they did the whole opening show and we made our way in, easily and without any pushing or shoving since there were so few people there. EMH was looking good!

We had a Plan for the morning and we stuck to it. Like glue. Or perhaps more like paste. Which is to say, we slid off the plan a lot like the Popsicle stick from a kindergartner’s hand-made Christmas ornament. You know what I’m talking about.

We were rolling right along…

Peter Pan!
Winnie the Pooh!
Haunted Mansion!

Wait – no. No Haunted Mansion. Because the Haunted Mansion isn’t open for EMH.

Know what else isn’t? Lots of stuff. I knew that part, but many guests that morning did not. And they were not happy about it. As I heard over and over, all around us.

Leo and I, though, we chose not to complain about our (okay, my) lack of preparation and instead made a quick change to the Plan and rode It’s a Small World all by ourselves. If that’s not Magic, I don’t know what is. We did get back to the Haunted Mansion at some point, though I can’t remember when exactly.

With a few minutes still to go before the rest of the place opened up, we took a little break for water and facilities. And this:

Um, wow. Yeah, that’s the Fantasyland construction. Right there, for all to see and hear. Remember when guests never saw such things? When all cleaning/building/repairing was done at night, so new attractions and refurbishments would just “magically” appear when completed? Me too.


Okay. 9:00 a.m. The rope to Frontierland dropped and we high-tailed it to Splash Mountain for Fast Passes and then jumped on the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness! Before backtracking for our first Splash of the day.

After that, it was the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and a second run on Splash.

DONE! EMH worked like a charm. We never waited more than five minutes. How did we feel about that?

Pretty darned good, thank you!

Though, honestly, it was still like that when we were done at 11am; 5-15 minute waits for everything. Where was everyone?!

They weren’t at Columbia Harbor House, that much I know. Leo and I enjoyed a leisurely lunch, during which I learned that Housewife #3 had arrived in Central Florida. Yippee!!!


continued in next post...

 

[PrincessV]

That’s right – Lauralee (LL) and family had arrived at their destination, the Beach Club Resort… conveniently located just down the beach from the Yacht Club! I text messaged between bites of yummy Magical Tuna Sandwich and we formulated a plan to convene at the Storm Along Bay pool complex.

So Leo and I finished up, made our way back to the YC, quickly changed into swimwear and set out to find our long-lost friends. Wooo hooo!!! There they were, Lauralee, Tony and Leo’s partner in crime Michael!

It’s funny; every time we get together it feels equally as though we’d only just been together the day before and like it’s been 1,000 years since we last visited. It feels a lot like coming home to be with our Friends Family once more.

But we had a huge amount of pool to explore, so we cut the chit-chat and got down to business. Where to sit? Which is really an oxymoron, because we had no intentions of sitting right away. It was more like where to park our stuff? I suppose. I am pleased, though, to say that we had little problem finding a shady spot available. I’ve heard horror stories of Storm Along Bay (SAB) being overcrowded all summer long, but we really didn’t find that to be the case. Some areas were more full than others, but there were still chairs to be had.

We all took a loop around the lazy river, which, by the way, isn’t all that lazy… I kept getting stuck in one place and had to actually KICK to keep moving. There’s nothing lazy about kicking, FYI.

And the boys delighted in the sandy area, building castles, tearing them down, tossing sand on each other (don’t worry – it wasn’t flying all over or disrupting anyone else) and wading around in the shallows.

I think I can speak for us all when I say, we loved SAB! I found it to be simultaneously exciting and relaxing, which is pretty neat.


But.

We needed to head back to rooms to get cleaned up and out to Epcot to find Tracy and family. So, again, we did the “See you later!” wave and went our separate ways.

I still needed to figure out what to do about dinner. I’d made no prior plans, not knowing how much time we’d spend at the pool, when LL might arrive, or what we’d feel like. At SAB, LL and I ha tossed some ideas around, but nothing really stuck. At some point, as Leo and I got showered and dressed, Beaches & Cream started sounding good.

LL’s guys were napping hard and not ready to eat, so Leo and I walked over to Beaches & Cream for a Mommy and son dinner.


Beaches & Cream (B&C) is always such a fun little place! It had been a long time since we’d last eaten there, though, and I wondered how quality had held up over time. I’ll give it a 75% on that.

The food was as terrifically greasy and yummy as ever! And B&C must be the last remaining Disney eatery not infiltrated by the crappy wheat-ish buns that fall apart as soon as you touch them. I ended a six or seven month-long abstinence from red meat with a cheeseburger. And onion rings. And a fruit cup, to make it all “healthy.” Leo had a hot dog and fries. All were fresh, tasty and perfect!

Our service, however, was not. Our server was scowl-y, rarely spoke and seemed completely annoyed by the world. Strangely enough, it didn’t bother me all that much, but Leo actually commented on it. He’s becoming quite the discerning connoisseur.

Still dinner was good overall, and I’ll still recommend B&C for anyone looking for fast service, tasty eats and a fun atmosphere.


As we started out toward the boat dock, the rain hit. With thunder and lightning. Know what that means? No boat to Epcot. Gypped of a boat ride again.

Fine. Leo and I donned our foul-weather gear and hoofed it to Epcot. In the rain. Again.

Found T and family. And rode Maelstrom. Minus a Fast Pass. Again.

It’s beginning to feel a little like Groundhog Day, no?!


Okay, get ready for a string of funny photos…

First, Evan, Leo and Maddie wanted to pose like the three-headed troll in the ride:

Next, remember how Leo spied something in the dump shop the previous night? Something he wanted so much, he was ready to spend most of his money on it? Something I insisted he take a day to think upon before purchasing? Well, he still wanted it, so here it is:

He loves that thing and wears it constantly!


Next, we all did a Kim Possible mission. In the rain.

All during this time, T and I were in communication with LL, trying to get us all in one place. We finally did it… at the new Tequila Bar!




For the record, we were far from the only adults bringing kids in there. There were kids all over the place! I wouldn’t necessarily call it “kid-friendly”, but kids were clearly welcome. And if you’ve got a few of them together, they can make their own fun.

You can’t get three of our four housewives together and not celebrate with a drink, right?!

Sure, my eyes are closed, but T and LL look great in this, so I’ll take one for the team.

I have NO recollection of exactly which margaritas we ordered, but I can tell you this:

A. That red stuff on my glass’ rim stains. Trust V.
B. T’s hated her margarita flavor.
C. We all loved LL’s drink.

I can also tell you that Tony and Andy had beer and man-talk at a separate table, and the kids all got juices and sodas, certain to wind them up. But who cared?! We were on vacation!

And then… it happened.

Housewife drama.

First, let me explain that I am not a multitasker. I can have many things going on at once, but I can only focus on one of them at a time. So lots of commotion around me makes me feel rather agitated and confused.

There we were, sipping our drinks and chatting. The Tequila Cave is a small place and gets a little noisy when full, which it was. The kids, sitting next to me weren’t especially loud, but they were a distraction while I was trying to pay attention to T and LL. Leo was particularly screech-y and I’d told him several times to please bring it down a little.

I’d also asked him more than once to please move his glass of apple juice away from the edge of the table.

You know where this is going, right?

Of COURSE Leo spilled his drink.

All over the table. And the floor. And… Maddie.

But that’s not the dramatic part. Or so I’m told.

The dramatic part is the sudden silence that fell over the Tequila Cave.

When Leo received The Look.

I have no idea what the receiving end of The Look resembles, but apparently it’s pretty scary. Because when I shot him The Look, I apparently scared not only Leo, but also the rest of our group, several other patrons, two servers and some poor guy looking for his wife.




Ugh. Leo got busy apologizing and trying to clean up with the limited number of napkins on our table. I passed Maddie some tissues to dry her legs off. And I made the executive decision: it was time for Leo and I GO.

I really wasn’t mad at him about the spill. But I knew he was beyond tired at that point – remember, we’d been going since EMH at the MK that morning, and it was past 10pm – and when Leo gets overtired, his behavior takes a nose dive. And I was completely overstimulated and in need of some quiet surroundings.

Knowing it would be best for all of us to call it a night, Leo and I headed back to the Yacht Club… in the rain… again.

Next: FINALLY, we’re all together!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Yeah.... umm... sorry about that EMH. I made a pact with the devil coughcoughAndycoughcough - No AM EMH's. But I'm glad you and Leo had fun! It is great, isn't it?


Oh, and THE LOOK. It IS scary! Very scary! Like curdle the milk, scary. And you're not joking, THE LOOK scared us all.

I love this one! You still look great without eyes, V!

 

[Stasieki]

V, great update!

Please, please, please teach me the LOOK. The LOOK I get back from my 4 year old scares me

 

[Dug-says-HI-THERE!]

Really, EMH's have never been your thing.....I find them ok to tolerate, in small doses. We'll probably do a couple, but not at MK.....I think my dear husband would CURSE me if I make him do Fantasyland FIRST THING in the morning....LOL

You're making QUITE the fashion statement there V.....cover Girl!!!

First, let me explain that I am not a multitasker.....

Who would expect you to multitask...especially when consuming alcohol

Knowing it would be best for all of us to call it a night, Leo and I headed back to the Yacht Club… in the rain… again.

What is it with you and the rain.....is this going to be a recurrent theme?

Can wait to hear what happenes when the WHOLE group is together at the parks!!

 

[DisneyJo]

OMG too funny about the look

And remember those am EMH's won you ears last time

 

[jcc0621]

I listened. The week or so before our trip. To T. Saying they’d decided not to hit any EMH’s this time.

That’s just my Fuzzy Murphy’s Disney Law at play.

That would be my luck too. ALthough I think it all depends who is working the turnstiles. Not last year rolleyes but one of the times we tried EMH they checked room keys, tickets and I think they tool a DNA sample

Have I mentioned that?!

No, i reaaly can't get a feel for how you liked YC

Um, wow. Yeah, that’s the Fantasyland construction. Right there, for all to see and hear. Remember when guests never saw such things? When all cleaning/building/repairing was done at night, so new attractions and refurbishments would just “magically” appear when completed? Me too.

I do too This is one of the reasons have put our next rip off until after that is planned to completed.

I think I can speak for us all when I say, we loved SAB! I found it to be simultaneously exciting and relaxing, which is pretty neat.

It looks so cool too. Did they do the slide?

All were fresh, tasty and perfect!

But did anyone orde the kitchen sink while you were there!

They are just too cute!

OMG, we have to get him and Jimmy together Jimmy is constantly wearing the one I brought him back from Stockholm

When Leo received The Look.

Were you a teacher in a former life? Jim is very good at the look

Because when I shot him The Look, I apparently scared not only Leo, but also the rest of our group, several other patrons, two servers and some poor guy looking for his wife.

Next: FINALLY, we’re all together!
[/SIZE]

Can't wait

 

[Parla]

Great update. Even with the look. I was scared just reading about it!

Love my Droid but still don't understand how bluetooth works. I actually went to a workshop at Verizon the other morning. Every Wednesday morning you can go in an hour before they open and get all your questions answered. The guy was really nice and helped me figure out a couple of things. I'm thinking of going back for a bluetooth tutorial.

B&C sounds great. Love that kind of greasy food. I'm always concerned about the carbs and DD's diabetes but I'm getting more comfortable with figuring out the numbers. Especially since I found the calorie counter app.

I was thinking of you the other day. DH suddenly got upset that the droid didn't have a stopwatch on it. I immediately said, "There's an app for that!"