The Whirlwind Trippers Tell It Together -A Magical Goodbye! *NEW* PG 4! w/pics pg 4

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Alright Folks, here's the deal. Yes, we did go again. Yes, we're reporting the story. But this time, we're going to do it together - you know a "He said, she said" thing. Sound interesting? We'll see...

He said...

Walt Disney World is at least one of my favorite places to be on this earth. The mountains are awesome. Being at home with my wife and son is awesome. Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field watching the Noles beat the brains out of someone is really neat too. But there’s something about Disney that is just special. I’ve been there a slough of times. They need to just add us to the staff. We know more about it than some of the folks who work there, for crying out loud. Can you imagine that? Getting paid to go to Disney World and experience the magic? (Not actually working!)

But I digress. Let me introduce the cast of characters for those who are not keeping up with the Whirlwinders.

Me: MarkyMark, aka: DaRev, Wesley’s Dad and various other things that I can’t remember. Loves Disney.

DW: Rhonda. Hottie. Likes the princes. Wesley’s Mom. Loves Disney.

DS: Wesley. Magic Magnet. Knows more about Disney at the age of 4 ½ than most adults.

A tiny bit or pretrip info. This all came about when we got some information that the Cinderellabration show was going to end. I know that many people didn’t like it. But they are just nuts. This was a great show. Was it cheesy? Sure. But, where else do you get to see so many of these main character folks all together in the same place? The dancing was well done. The costuming was nice. We just liked this show and have seen it several times. Plus, we have had some great interaction from the characters each time. During our 12 day trip in January, we were blessed with a trip backstage and a special meet and greet with the cast performing that day. It turned out that most of the folks we met were the regulars and we got to see many of them often. They remembered Wesley, cause he’s so darn cute. (I really don’t know if that’s the reason – but he is pretty darn cute.) For whatever reason, the princesses especially would always make a point to wave at Wesley, blow him a kiss, etc. He developed a crush on Belle and would shake like a puppy dog wagging his tail when she noticed him. That in turn made us a HUGE fan of Belle and Jasmine (who also made a fuss over him). And we like hearing Wesley go all googly about that stuff.

SO when it was cancelled for the new promo, we decided we wanted to go – to be there for the end. We booked a room at the Caribbean Beach, and made a couple of meal reservations and we were all set.


Blessings!
MarkyMark

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

She said:

The Whirlwind Trippers~The One with the Sad Goodbye

Cast:

Mark, MarkyMark, Da Rev, Daddy, 34, crazy for all things Disney. Especially fond of the hotties. Like the Belly Dancer in Morocco.

Rhonda, Mommy, 33, also crazy for all things Disney. Especially fond of The Beast Prince.

Wesley, Magic Magnet, 4.5, definitely crazy for all things Disney. Likes most all rides/characters equally. As in, Wesley, what’s your favorite ride? All of them! Wesley, who’s your favorite character? All of them, but I like Aurora and Prince Phillip the best. And Belle. And Peter Pan. And Wendy. And Chip and Dale. Would you rather ride rides or see characters? Both!

Pre-Trip

Our last trip to the World, in July, was very magical (not that they aren’t ALL magical!). Wesley had, if you recall, a broken arm. He scored lots of sympathy from the princesses. And waitresses. And, well, everyone. So we come back, on cloud nine… and eager to continue planning our 12 day late Sept-early Oct trip. Until we find out (on Sunday, I believe, after returning home on Saturday) that Cinderellabration is ending. Forever. Well. This was a shock. And this would change things a bit. Because we HAD to see it again.

Now I know that many people have been very critical of this show. I know that many people are glad to see it end. We are not among those people. To those people, I say: YOU must not have experienced the magic. First, the costumes were gorgeous. They made for some lovely pictures against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. Second, where else can you find so many princesses WITH their princes, all in one place? In particular, where else can you find The Beast, in his human, princely, (oh so very attractive!!!), form? Okay, so the show was kind of cheesy. Guess what. So is the movie, Cinderella. But who cares? It’s still considered a Disney classic, and Cinderella is held in such high esteem that she got her own castle at the Magic Kingdom. And her own show, to celebrate her becoming the Princess of the Kingdom. In my opinion, Cinderellabration was MUCH less cheesy than the guy in the Soarin’ pre-show. Just sayin’. If you don’t like cheese, maybe WDW isn’t the place for you.

We were very fortunate, in January, to get a surprise Meet and Greet with the cast. Magical doesn’t even begin to describe it. I am very much at ease with the characters. We’ve certainly seen our share of them in the last 3 years. But it was overwhelming to ME, to round the corner and see all that royalty gathered in one place, waiting to meet us. They were all so gracious, so sweet to Wesley. Aurora and Prince Phillip were especially attentive, even more so when they found out that they are Wesley’s favorite Royal Couple. Now please understand something. We did not know anyone in the cast. This was the first time we had ever laid eyes on any of them. And a week later, when we saw the show again, some of the cast called Wesley by name. It wasn’t just in the show. When those same princesses and princes saw Wesley from the parade, they noticed him. They called him by name. They waved. They blew kisses. We were impressed. And we were hooked.

From then on, we saw the show at every opportunity. Some of the faces changed, but many remained the same. We made trips twice in February, twice in May, once in July. I would guess that we saw the show around a dozen times, total. Every single time, someone (or several someones) in the cast remembered Wesley. We were beyond impressed. Especially impressive was Belle. She quickly became a favorite for us all. (And you notice that Wesley now names her in his “favorites” list.)

We joked that the cast probably thought we were stalkers, we were there so often! But every viewing of the show was more magical than the last. In some ways, we felt like we “knew” some of the cast.

We couldn’t let the show end without: one, us being there to see it, and two, us doing SOMETHING to show the cast our appreciation for all the magic they’d created for us. And so the date of the final show was announced, and we began making plans for a Farewell to Cinderellabration Trip. A room was secured at Caribbean Beach (we’d never stayed there before), and a couple of dining ressies were made. Plans were made to meet a friend of ours for lunch. And plans were made to meet up with some of our crazy Viking friends, who would be arriving the day we left.

And so, the trip begins.

 

[HMHunters]

Just sayin’. If you don’t like cheese, maybe WDW isn’t the place for you.

Love you guys; excited to see another TR from you! Keep it coming! (When does Wesley get to contribute? We need he said/she said/he said.)

 

[NAB]

This should be good. Two different views. Rhonda you better have pics of the princes too if not Wesley's sweet face will do.. I know Mark will have the hotties in his.

Can't wait for more....

 

[tammyandtommy]

I gotta subscribe I love he said, she said

 

[NewOrleansLady]

The he said/she said idea is great and I can't wait to read more!

 

[jamal]

Awesome start, M and R! If cheese is Disney's middle name, bring it by the pound. We totally 'get' and embrace the character magic too and, as you know, had some pretty cool interaction with cast on our March trip.

I absolutely love the image(s) of the princes and princesses looking at Wesley. I get goosebumps just typing it! Hurry hurry with the pictures, please!
Jam

 

[Sleeping Beauty415]

I love a good Whirlwind Trip Report-especially in the he said/she said way. Thanks so much for sharing another magical trip to the world!

PS: Gotta love watching the Nittany Lions play the Noles in the Orange bowl, Bowden is an awesome coach, just like Paterno!

 

[luvmyboys]

Oooh boy! A two-fer! (two trippies for the price of one!)

Can't wait to read the rest!

 

[tarheel]

I always enjoy both your trip reports. What a great idea to do one together! I am looking foreward to reading more.

 

[Lan]

I can't wait to hear more. You guys didn't speed through Cordele and Abbyville, did ya? The police are usually in that area (I am from Fort Valley)

 

[aGoofyMom]

Yay! What a way to start my day - a new Whirlwind report. And he said/she said - this is going to be fabulous. We loved Cinderellabration too - Cinderella is my favourite princess & DD's "first" favourite princess.

 

[solgent]

Q: What is the best thing about the Whirlwind trip reports?

A: You never have to wait very long for the next one! Just like Disney, Rhonda and Mark tend to overestimate the expected wait time, which means that guests or readers enjoy a pleasant surprise. We always hear that it'll be so many months before they're back, but we know perfectly well they can't stay away.

 

[brandt79]

Can't wait to hear the rest! And I agree with the above poster, Wesley should get his turn!

 

[TwinkieMama]

I too love the format! Both point of view in one thread.


Waiting for more!

 

[latoberg]

I see marriage counseling in the future.

Looking forward to the show.

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

I can't wait to hear more. You guys didn't speed through Cordele and Abbyville, did ya? The police are usually in that area (I am from Fort Valley)

Lan, I see you live in Atlanta now and that means your memory of how to pronounce things might be low. Its Core-deal. and A Dale. LOL. Ft. Valley huh?! That's just down the road! Was in Byron just now!

Blessings!
MarkyMark

By the way, thanks for all the responses. If Rhonda works on hers more we might post more later today. We'll see...

 

[Minnie]

By the way, thanks for all the responses. If Rhonda works on hers more we might post more later today. We'll see...

Rhonda - get a typing girl

 

[Lan]

My spelling is a little off, but I do go to Fort Valley at least twice a month because my parents are still there. Plus my mother makes me feel gulity if I don't visit.

 

[AshClan]

Two WW Trippers in one report! Great idea. But you just have to keep up with each other (right, RHONDA?!!), so we don't have to wait too long between installments. Neat new style trick, tho.

I am CERTAIN that you guys and your Magic Magnet have all kinds of exciting, magical experiences to share. Can't wait to hear the rest. Time is short, so Git R Done!!!!!