The Twelve Days of Swinter: From Castaway 'Key' to a Partridge in a Palm Tree!

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Ok, we were at 1900 Park Fare in the middle of the afternoon for…

… the Wonderland Tea Party!!

DD picked out that costume months before the trip and was very excited about going to the tea party. She called it her ‘funky’ Alice costume because of the stripped leggings. It had a stripped headband to match also, but she already had enough going on with her hair, so we left that off.

I had wanted to book the tea party for DD ever since our first trip in’08, but the mother hen in me had a hard time letting her go alone at such a young age (parents are not allowed to stay). She was only 4 years old then and I just couldn’t do it. The next time we went to Disney she was only 5 and I still couldn’t bring myself to leave her there without me. I’m sure she would’ve been fine, but I tend to be overprotective since she is the one and only child I’ll ever have. Now that she was 7 though, she assured me that she could ‘handle it’ and begged me to let her go. I knew that if she didn’t go now, she would probably have no interest in it by the next trip since it is geared towards younger kids, so I agreed.

By this point in the trip, DD was getting tired of all my pictures.

(Can’t say as I really blame her)

We were a little early for the party so a CM put a sheet on the floor and gave DD something to color. I thought that was really nice.

DH stayed with her and I walked around and took some pictures of the area.

Before we knew it, it was time to head in.

This was waiting for the kids when they came in…

Once all the kids were situated, the CM told them to wave goodbye to their moms and dads. We exchanged kisses and hugs and were on our way out. DH may have had to pull me by the arm… just a bit.

Since I wasn’t able to stay for the party, I was totally dependent on the PP photographers to record all the action, and they did a great job!

Alice and the Mad Hatter making their entrance…

Autograph books were signed…

Then the ‘tea’ party began! DD said it was actually apple juice in her cup which disappointed her because she LOVES sweet tea!

DD said the Hatter was a hoot! She just went on and on about all the silly stuff he did and the jokes he told them.

Continued in next post

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

They decorated their own cupcakes…

…played games…

… and listened to a story.

I love this picture!

And then it was time for Alice and the Hatter to go back to Wonderland…

They made little teapot picture frames for us and DD was so excited to give it to me.

She also gave me that pretty bunch of flowers. Awww, so sweet!

DD had a very good time at this tea party! She talked about it a lot throughout the rest of the trip. She said that Alice asked her to be her helper and kept calling her ‘mini me’. She loved that! I can say in hindsight that I am very glad I cut the apron strings for an hour and let her go!

So what did us old folks do while the kiddies were partying it up? Well, I hadn’t had a thing to eat all day, so food was a priority for me. I asked a CM at the check-in desk where we could find a counter service place nearby to grab some lunch. He gave us directions to…

He also highly recommended the Lobster Mac N’ Cheese.

Unfortunately, this was just ok at best. It was basically pasta shells with alfredo sauce and lobster topped with shredded cheddar cheese. It sounded like a good idea, but the alfredo was thin and watery and that’s just not how a cream sauce should be. It was also very bland and needed a lot of salt. It ended my hunger but that’s about all I can say about it.

DH didn’t order anything since he had a burger and fries ‘brunch’ at Cosmic Ray’s.

I think the most enjoyable part of my lunch was the view.

Zooming in…

Continued in next post

 

[Bridora]

I just wanted to say hi! I came over here from Mickeystoontown's Pre-trip. I am loving your TR! We are going on our first cruise at the end of May and I am getting so excited reading about yours. I've just finished up reading your cruise portion, so I've still go a lot of reading to do, but I learned so much and actually decided that we should try snorkeling! As it turns out, my husband was thinking about doing it, too, but who knows if he'd have mentioned it to me or not! Can't wait to read more!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I really enjoyed the walk on the way back to pick DD up. The grounds of the Grand Floridian are gorgeous!

I love the fresh flowers all throughout the GF lobby.

After we picked DD up from the tea party, we stopped for a while and listened to the piano player. It was beautiful! I could’ve sat there and listened all afternoon. There was also a woman singing songs from the Little Mermaid and she sounded exactly like Ariel!

Some pretty good looking neighboring resorts…

We monorailed it back to MK…

I had planned for us to finish out the day at the Magic Kingdom, however, DH and DD wanted to go back to CBR and swim. That sounded great to me, but this was supposed to be our last day at MK and I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye. The harsh reality though was that my feet and legs were killing me. We had been going strong for 8 long days, and our bodies were exhausted. I had blisters on my heels and the muscles in my legs felt like they had gone through a meat grinder! I had been popping Tylenol pretty regularly for the last couple of days just to keep going. I pretty much looked like this... So after some arm twisting from DH, I gave in and we went back to the resort. I was pretty disappointed at the time, but it turned out to be a WONDERFUL decision!

Yes, you heard me correctly. I was wrong. DH was right.

I can’t believe I just put that in writing!

Up next: A wonderful, relaxing and FUN afternoon at CBR!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I didn't even know there was a Wonderland Tea Party! What a fun thing for little girls! I bet she had the best time!! And you are right -- the PP photographer got some great pics. I would have been worried about that too.

We spent about an hour or two at the GF last summer. We were just dropping by to explore a bit and ended up hanging out for awhile. It's so beautiful & peaceful there.


I'm so glad you decided to ditch the parks and head back to the resort for some down time. As you know, we end up doing that often and those are usually our best times!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I just wanted to say hi! I came over here from Mickeystoontown's Pre-trip. I am loving your TR! We are going on our first cruise at the end of May and I am getting so excited reading about yours. I've just finished up reading your cruise portion, so I've still go a lot of reading to do, but I learned so much and actually decided that we should try snorkeling! As it turns out, my husband was thinking about doing it, too, but who knows if he'd have mentioned it to me or not! Can't wait to read more!

Hello and WELCOME! I'm so glad you decided to join in!

I sure hope you can learn something from the cruise part of my TR. Maybe it will save you from some of the mistakes we made. I know if we cruise again it will be so much better than the first time just because of all I learned on the last trip. I think you are going to LOVE the cruise though. Everything didn't go 100% perfectly for us, but we still loved it and are considering another one this fall! I think you will love the snorkeling too! There are some great Youtube videos that show some of the stuff that you can see down there!

I didn't even know there was a Wonderland Tea Party! What a fun thing for little girls! I bet she had the best time!! And you are right -- the PP photographer got some great pics. I would have been worried about that too.

We spent about an hour or two at the GF last summer. We were just dropping by to explore a bit and ended up hanging out for awhile. It's so beautiful & peaceful there.


I'm so glad you decided to ditch the parks and head back to the resort for some down time. As you know, we end up doing that often and those are usually our best times!

Isn't that tea party neat! I really wanted to go to it myself. And yes, if there had been no PP people there, I would not have been happy.

I always enjoy going to the GF. One day I am going to walk around the whole place and take my time. I've only spent about an hour there 3 different times and that's not enough to really enjoy the place and see it all.

I know. When will it ever sink in with me that you can have fun AWAY from the parks. I am a very slow learner. Every time I read one of your TRs, I always say that I am going to enjoy the resort like Shelly, and then I don't do it. What is wrong with me?

 

[sjs314]

The tea party looks like such fun! One of these days I am so staying at GF but for now Ihave to contend with DH only wanting to stay at the BWI.

 

[katt789]

Nice work done on that throw rug! I’ve definitely spent so much money at Disney shops and debated getting the throw, but never ended up getting it haha. Also nicely done on getting on PPF twice in one day!! Oh my goodness that baby is just the absolute CUTEST

WOW, the GF is just gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous, and your pictures are brilliant!

BAHA! That pic of hatter shoving the cupcake into his mouth in the cup, hilarious! I also love that you used the word “hoot” to describe him, I used that word after last trip too! The Tea Party looks amazing, seriously I would love to be able to do something like that haha! UGH! I seriously cannot get over how lovely the GF is, and how badly I want to stay there!! Great updates!

 

[sharonW]

so happy you shared the tea party adventure, really never knew much about it only of it!! I will make that a must do with chloe if we ever get back to the world! I am really gona hate when this TR ends, it gives me something to look forward to not to mention the feel that i am right there experiencing the joy of that magical destination right with you!!! See ya real soon!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I just wanted to say hi! I came over here from Mickeystoontown's Pre-trip. I am loving your TR! We are going on our first cruise at the end of May and I am getting so excited reading about yours. I've just finished up reading your cruise portion, so I've still go a lot of reading to do, but I learned so much and actually decided that we should try snorkeling! As it turns out, my husband was thinking about doing it, too, but who knows if he'd have mentioned it to me or not! Can't wait to read more!

I didn't have time yesterday to find this link for you, but this is one of the best snorkeling videos I've seen on youtube. It shows you lots of the hidden treasures that you can find on the trail at CC. Show this to your husband and maybe it will convince him to give it a try!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLqN4r-IZ0I

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

The tea party looks like such fun! One of these days I am so staying at GF but for now Ihave to contend with DH only wanting to stay at the BWI.

Hey BWI is not a bad deal. I'd take that one! GF is gorgeous though. I'm just not sure if we would fit in there.

Nice work done on that throw rug! I’ve definitely spent so much money at Disney shops and debated getting the throw, but never ended up getting it haha. Also nicely done on getting on PPF twice in one day!! Oh my goodness that baby is just the absolute CUTEST

WOW, the GF is just gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous, and your pictures are brilliant!

BAHA! That pic of hatter shoving the cupcake into his mouth in the cup, hilarious! I also love that you used the word “hoot” to describe him, I used that word after last trip too! The Tea Party looks amazing, seriously I would love to be able to do something like that haha! UGH! I seriously cannot get over how lovely the GF is, and how badly I want to stay there!! Great updates!

We were pretty excited about getting that throw... even if it was slightly devious.

I don't normally take pictures of other people's babies, but she was just too cute not to! I love that little 7 dwarfs stroller toy! So cute!

I know! I wanted to stay at the tea party too! They really should have it open for everyone. Why do the kids get to have all the fun!

so happy you shared the tea party adventure, really never knew much about it only of it!! I will make that a must do with chloe if we ever get back to the world! I am really gona hate when this TR ends, it gives me something to look forward to not to mention the feel that i am right there experiencing the joy of that magical destination right with you!!! See ya real soon!

I think your granddaughter would love the tea party. It is something unique to do and DD thought it was lots of fun! Where else do they get the characters to themselves for an hour? Good deal!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Your daughter looks simply adorable in her Alice in Wonderland dress and tights. I agree that the tights make the outfit look different and a little funky. The Photopass photographer did a fantastic job capturing the pure delight on your daugther's face. You could tell that she was having a great time.

What I want to know is why don't they have a tea party like that for adults? The tea for the adults looks like it's all stuffy and hoity toity.

I know that feeling when you really really want to go back to the park but you know that's not what is best for everybody. It's so hard to leave but, at least, you have a beautiful resort like the CBR to go back to.

 

[Bridora]

I didn't have time yesterday to find this link for you, but this is one of the best snorkeling videos I've seen on youtube. It shows you lots of the hidden treasures that you can find on the trail at CC. Show this to your husband and maybe it will convince him to give it a try!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLqN4r-IZ0I

Thanks! I'm going to watch it right now!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I have a ton to catch up on Rinky! I just read the last couple updates and your DD is gorgeous! The tea party looks like such fun. I'm glad that you felt okay with letting her go. I understand your feelings though my friend. It's tough stuff letting these kiddos grow up.

Ok, off to catch up!

 

[petals]

catching up. That tea-party looks great. Was Ariels mic on her head that looks kinda weird.

 

[Moodyzblu]

My dd, Jill is totally jealous !! She loves Alice and says it's not fair that you have to be a little girl to go !!

Love the pics .. You dd looks awesome!!

 

[MeMom]

The tea party looks cute!

The flowers in Grand Floridian are so, so beautiful. I have never been able to capture how pretty they are in pictures, but they are always amazing.

I'd like to get a schedule and find out when that lady is singing. That something Brooklynn and I could do on our resort-hopping days at the end of this coming trip.

 

[Mommy2BnB]

LOVE the Alice costume! The Tea Party looks like fun.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Your daughter looks simply adorable in her Alice in Wonderland dress and tights. I agree that the tights make the outfit look different and a little funky. The Photopass photographer did a fantastic job capturing the pure delight on your daugther's face. You could tell that she was having a great time.

What I want to know is why don't they have a tea party like that for adults? The tea for the adults looks like it's all stuffy and hoity toity.

I know that feeling when you really really want to go back to the park but you know that's not what is best for everybody. It's so hard to leave but, at least, you have a beautiful resort like the CBR to go back to.

Thanks Lisa! She did have a great time and I was very thankful for the PP people. It would've been a real shame not to have any pictures of that. I know they just added the PP people fairly recently. And I agree, they need to open it up to any age. I would LOVE to have a tea party with the Hatter!

I have issue with the parks. For some reason, I feel like I am missing out on something if I'm not there. I have tried so hard to change my thinking on that and be more like Shelly and her family, but it has taken a while to click with me. Maybe I'll do better next time.

Thanks! I'm going to watch it right now!

You are welcome!

I have a ton to catch up on Rinky! I just read the last couple updates and your DD is gorgeous! The tea party looks like such fun. I'm glad that you felt okay with letting her go. I understand your feelings though my friend. It's tough stuff letting these kiddos grow up.

Ok, off to catch up!

Thanks Kelli! It is so hard to let those babies grow up. I'm glad someone can relate. Most of my friends tell me I need to get a life! They all have multiple children though and I think that makes a difference for most people. They tell me that if I had 3 or 4, I'd be glad to get rid of them whenever I could. But see, you are proof that's not always true!

catching up. That tea-party looks great. Was Ariels mic on her head that looks kinda weird.

Yes, it's a microphone. That's one of the things I love about that show. The singing is real. It's a good show!

My dd, Jill is totally jealous !! She loves Alice and says it's not fair that you have to be a little girl to go !!

Love the pics .. You dd looks awesome!!

Thank you!

Well I think we have enough big girls here that want to go to that party to start a petition! I agree, it looked like great fun for all ages!

The tea party looks cute!

The flowers in Grand Floridian are so, so beautiful. I have never been able to capture how pretty they are in pictures, but they are always amazing.

I'd like to get a schedule and find out when that lady is singing. That something Brooklynn and I could do on our resort-hopping days at the end of this coming trip.

The fresh flowers are a really nice touch. They just make you happy.

Well she was singing that day around 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon. I'm sure it is different each day, but maybe that will help. She was really talented. Before we saw her, we all said it sounded like Ariel was sitting down in the lobby! She was an exact match!

LOVE the Alice costume! The Tea Party looks like fun.

Thanks! I like that costume too. It was just a little bit different. It had a Cheshire Cat on the apron so it was sort of an Alice/CC combo thing.

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

Your daughter is beautiful! I wish I would have done something like that with my one and only daughter too but she's 20 now... so I'm guessing it's probably too late. Looks like fun though. Just some more of those special touches that makes Disney so special!