They Don't Eat Hash Browns in Princessland - May 14 COMPLETE! 2/8 pg. 73

[IheartDDuck]

Your name is Danielle, you have fabulous hair, crazy parents and your favorite ride is Haunted Mansion.

Yup, clearly we were meant to be related. Or perhaps were cosmically split at birth. Whatever, I'm in.

Hey hey, maybe we are meant to be related or something!

Yay for another TR!!!! We are at POR in October so I was way excited to see your pics!

So sorry for the rough start...and that woman on the plane. She needed a good throat punch. Then the family in the hallway...right there with you...seriously???

Can't wait for the rest!

I'm glad you're here!

I totally cracked up at your throat punch comment, because I say that all of the time! That someone needs to be throat punched.

Being claustrophobic, I am so very ready to get off the plane. Inside, I am jumping up and down and wanting to tell everyone to sit still while I get off, but I manage to control myself and wait my turn. I breathe a huge sigh of relief, though, when I finally disembark.

Yum! Too much and too rich, but great for sharing....and yum.

Our girls would love that Royal Room!

I don't have any claustrophobia issues myself, but I can totally understand the desire to just get off the plane. I do the same thing. I cannot for the life of me figure out why people can't get off the plane quickly.

Totally agree! The cookie bar is way too much for one person, but sharing it is perfect.

They would absolutely adore that Royal Room! It's such a girly girl place.

 

[Teetah]

I'm glad you're here!

I totally cracked up at your throat punch comment, because I say that all of the time! That someone needs to be throat punched.

Most people do need to be throat punched.

 

[IheartDDuck]

"How Do You Know I Didn't Loogie in Those Potatoes?"

Day 2 - Friday May 16, 2014

Okay, this is really like real day one. But, we'll call it day two.

Also! I just downloaded the pictures from my Mom's camera, so I figured I would share two from the night before.

This is me...a lot. I get yelled at all of the time for looking at my phone too much. What did we do before we had these phones!?



And Pop was super excited to be in the room and ready to eat some peanuts. That man and peanuts. Made for each other I tell you.



So I had set the alarm for 7am that morning. Mom had plans to treat the two of us to a spa appointment at the Senses Spa at Saratoga Springs. She booked it right before we left. The treatment plan?

Relax Pedicure - 50 minutes
Close your eyes, calm the mind, and reduce anxiety on this "Relax" journey featuring organic geranium essential oils known for easing tension and stress and fostering a sense of peace and well-being.

That's the description right off the website, don't ya know? LOL. I was looking forward to it. Plus, DVC members get a 20% discount at the Sense Spa. Holler!

The appointment wasn't until 10:30am, but I needed to shower and just wash the travel day away. You know, plane grime and all.

So I start to get ready to head into the bathroom, and I realize something important. I forgot my dark hand towel. I made a fatal mistake.

See, I have nice, red hair. And nice red hair....it comes with a price. Here's the price that it comes with.

Red fades like crazy. Every time I wash my hair (which is pretty rarely, due to the color), I have to boost the color. Otherwise, red red red down the drain. So, I have a temporary hair dye from Manic Panic that I mix with conditioner every time I wash my hair. Still though, this adds to the fact that every time I get in the shower, you still see red down the drain when I get my hair wet.

Soooooo, I have no dark towel. And all I have are pristine white towels from the resort in the bathroom. And I have to wash my hair.

Dangit!

I was super careful. I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and rinsed my hair. Sorry Riverside. I stained your towel. I'm ashamed.

It's kind of hard to see, but I took photographic evidence because I felt so bad! Believe me it was much worse in person.



I'm a loony and also bring my own dark pillowcase so I don't stain the white pillowcase. I know. I need help.

So, mission number one from this trip was established. Get to a CVS, Target, anything and get a towel.

We took our time getting ready and then headed out to have breakfast at Riverside Mill. We had to say goodbye to our pretty pretty royal room that we only had for one night. But that was okay, because we were going to one of my favorite resorts ever later on.

Before we left though, I had to get a few pictures of the exterior.





Look at me getting all creative and stuff!







My makeup look for the day was based on Elsa's makeup in Frozen. Note to everyone. I didn't do looks every day, because when the weather got insanely hot at the end of the week, it just melted off my face. LOL.

This is what I posted on Instagram.



We drove to Riverside Mill at 9am and headed in for breakfast. I'm telling you, I am not used to eating at that time of day. We are normally earlier than that, and the place was PACKED. Prime breakfast time. I had wanted the breakfast flatbread, but the line didn't move for like 10 minutes. So I ended up bailing and getting kids french toast instead. Call me impatient.

Both Mom and I got this.



Pop got his normal bounty platter, which I thought I got a picture of, but apparently not. Okay, I mean, you guys know what a bounty platter looks like.

So we're sitting there eating, and Mom looks at Pop's plate:

Mom: Ooooooo, you have potatoes! (takes a bite).

Pop: How do YOU know I didn't loogie in those potatoes?



Hahahaha. That face is my Mom's reaction the second he said that. My Pop. Gotta love him. I was cracking up uncontrollably at that point, because ladies and gentlemen....our vacation had truly begun. Once my Pop starts acting ridiculously, it's on.

After breakfast, we headed into the store in Riverside, mainly just so I could get this picture.



I love him! So so much.

At that point, it was time for us to head to Saratoga Springs so Mom and I could check in at the Spa. We headed into Artist Palette once we got there so Pop could pick up a book to read by the pool. He said he would relax by the pool while we were in the spa. We headed in, grabbed him a book and a cup o'joe, and headed in to the Spa.

First and foremost, I have to say that the spa is absolutely beautiful. Apparently, they recently re-did it, because Disney took over management of the spa from the 3rd party that was running it before. They check you in and tell you about the location. You are free to use the spa amenities all day long, even after your treatment is done, which is really nice. We were brought first to the elixir station, where we were given a relaxation elixir, since our pedicures were part of the relax package.

Then we were lead inside to go down to the women's lounge to change into our robes and slippers and head to the relaxation lounge.



Those robes are SUPER plushy!



We were welcome to relax in the lounge until our technicians showed up. It was beautiful in there.



AND they had zero gravity chairs, which I've totally never sat in before!





Yup...this was indeed the life.



Soon, our technicians came to pick us up and begin our pedicures. I have to say, it was really nice. I normally don't pay for spa pedicures, just your standard $35 mani / pedi at my local place, but this was great. Our technicians were awesome, and we spent the whole time just chatting with them about our trip, since it had just started, Star Wars Weekends, and the 24 hour party. It was a great way to start the trip. I'm seriously thinking that I need to book one of those for the day after the Princess Half Marathon......



Momma was definitely enjoying herself.



My lovely color. The photo doesn't do it justice, it was pretty bright and neon on the sunlight. The color is included in the package and you get to take it with you.



After our services were over, we stayed in the relaxation lounge for a while after that, just to take advantage.

Except it wasn't the relaxation lounge at that point. There was a man in there waiting for his service to start, and he was texting or emailing on his phone. Which is fine. If he would have turned the keyboard sounds off!

Here I am, laying in my zero gravity chair.

Clack clack clack clack clack.

Zen....breathe....relax......zzzzzzzz

CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK!

Mom and I just eyeballed each other at that point and said that we were going to head out. Because that was not relaxing to me. How obnoxious is obnoxious?



That guy. He was obnoxious. It took everything in my power to stay zen and not tell him that I'M TRYING TO RELAX HERE!

So, relaxation over, it was time to pick Pop up by the pool. He made it through quite a few chapters in his book, which was great. However.....apparently he didn't think to cover himself up at all or find shade, because his legs......were super sunburned!



Now, my Pop never gets sunburned. He is so not prone to sunburn, so this was actually somewhat humorous. He's just not used to it. Me, who's pale as pale can be, sunburn and I. We're mortal enemies, and we are very familiar with each other. So it was funny hearing him talk about it throughout the trip.

"Oh man, my skin feels tight!"
"Man, I look ridiculous!"
"The heat makes it burn!"

Poor Popadon. Burned by the sun, and it was only our first day.

Up next: My room's ready?!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Most people do need to be throat punched.

Could not agree more!

 

[PopArtGal]

I'm with you. I hate people who don't turn off the sound from their phone.

 

[amberg93]

Hey, you're just considerate about the towels It's very thoughtful.

Riverside looks so beautiful. I need to get over to look at it in September.

Ooh the pedi sounds so relaxing. Someday I need to go to a spa and do something. Anything, really.

And your poor Pop, that is unfortunate.

 

[KatMark]

I could see the slightest tinge of red in the towels. I can understand why you bring your own towel and pillowcases. I think you are very sweet.

I love your "Frozen" look...well done.

Since I don't have a falling out of my chair smilie, I'm using the The look on your mom's face when your Pop said "how do you know I didn't loogie in there" literally had ne fall out of my chair. That was hysterical and so the family vacation begins.

I love the color from your pedicure...very pretty.

I would have walked up to the man and taken his phone and told him to get a grip. I'm sure there was a sign on the door too that said no phones in the relaxing lounge!

Pop got sunburned? Oh dear...hope it didn't cause him too much trouble later on.

 

[kimchey12]

I absolutely love the makeup wish you were closer so we could meet and u could give me lessons. I love that purple with your eyes gorgeous.

 

[kimchey12]

Sorry had to reply on the loogie in the potatoes my 17yr old son has been saying he licks his toast and bacon to keep me from stealing his. When I heard your dad said that Pepsi came out of my nose. He is just to cute and funny. Gotta luv him.

 

[annie170]

The photo of your Pop and his peanuts is too funny! I hope his sunburn wasn't too uncomfortable.

How nice that you and your mom were able to spend some time together at the spa. Pretty color on your toes!

You are very thoughtful to bring your own towels.

 

[PrincePluto]

I didn't even realize you started a new trip report! Subbing.... I see I'm far behind after only a week!

 

[PrincePluto]

"How Do You Know I Didn't Loogie in Those Potatoes?"

Day 2 - Friday May 16, 2014

Okay, this is really like real day one. But, we'll call it day two.

Also! I just downloaded the pictures from my Mom's camera, so I figured I would share two from the night before.

This is me...a lot. I get yelled at all of the time for looking at my phone too much. What did we do before we had these phones!?

Actually, I read that as a result of people looking down at their smart phones so much, they end up with some new syndrome called "phone droop" where from bending down so much, it causes the facial skin to stretch, and results in people getting facelifts (or just botox) much earlier in life...

 

[white306]

That's nice of you to bring towels and pillowcases and I'm sure housekeeping sees a lot worse with so many kids around. (Kids can be gross)

Again, your pictures of Riverside are really making me jealous.

Oh man your moms reaction....that's hilarious.

Oh wow, a relaxation pedicure before the start of your trip was probably wonderful. I think everyone should do that.

I will NEVER EVER understand keyboard sounds. Seriously what's the point of that?!? And then somewhere that is suppose to be quiet and peaceful. But this is also from someone that only keeps their phone on vibrate or silent.

Oh your poor Pop. Sunburn is the worse and can make you feel so miserable. My DBF never gets burnt and he is always picking on me for reapplying sunscreen every 30 minutes and constantly moving from the sun, but when you are pasty white you do what you have to. I've had a couple of burnt moments and it's miserable especially when there isn't even a tan at the end just more pasty white! Hope it doesn't bother him too much on the trip.

 

[Neeny17]

I am very familiar with the white towel/pillowcase versus hair dye problem! I used to dye my hair purple a lot and whenever I did it would stain anything pale. A pain? Yes. Worth it? Yes lol. Its very considerate of you to bring your own dark towel and pillowcase though. I'm guessing Mousekeeping appreciate it. That spa looks lovely and relaxing (until the phone guy anyway lol). Your poor dad! It must suck being sunburnt in Florida. Looking forward to the next update!

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

Hi! I'm Jess and I am so excited to join in! Your makeup is beautiful and I am so jealous that you stayed in the Royal Room. I love the princess portraits on the wall!

I am looking into spa reservations for my December trip now. I'm thinking that my husband reallllyyyy needs a boys only day with our kids!

 

[dawnbu40]

The Spa Day looks wonderful! What a great way to start your vacation. I also think its a great idea to pamper yourself after the Princess race

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

The Royal Rooms are so pretty! My girls would be in awe staying there.

Sounds like you & your mom had a fun morning at the spa! Love the color on your toes! What's the color called if you don't mind me asking?

Aw, your poor dad and his sunburn! That can hurt SO bad!

 

[RachelNinja]

For whatever reason, I just don't think spa treatments or manis/pedis are enticing when I think about going somewhere local. Maybe I just don't like where I live or want to bump into anyone I know, which affects how relaxed I can be. I guess as a teacher, I don't really like going anywhere because chances are I will bump into someone I know and/or someone I went to school with! But seeing your pictures of relaxing at Disney makes it look SOOOO FUNNNN! I could totally enjoy it there! I mean, unless there was a phone guy there at the same time. How obnoxious is that to have the clicking sound on in the first place even if not in a spa?!

 

[missangelalexis]

I wonder what we did before phones too..I know I certainly can't live without mine now!

Aw I think it's considerate of you to bring your own towel/pillowcase!

Love the makeup of the day!

The spa pedicure sounds AWESOME. What a nice touch that you get to keep your color too!

Aww poor Pop Sunburn certainly is the pits!

 

[FloridaNative8]

I'm with everyone else about the towels/pillowcase - that's super considerate of you. I used to be very adventurous with my hair (waaay back in my bartending days!), but now that I'm in a "corporate" job, I don't get to do that anymore - BOO!!!!

I adore pedicures, but like you, I don't usually get the "spa" pedi. I just like my toes to look good, since here in Florida it's never out of season to wear flip flops! I definitely think you should book one for after the Princess, your feet will thank you!!!