Time to introduce some folks, I think.
V That’s me. “PrincessV” is something of a misnomer – I’m utterly un-princess-like, actually. But I do enjoy wearing a tiara at work, (it makes people question what they’re seeing – I like that), and was nicknamed PrincessV so I went for it. If I could change my DIS name without losing tags and posts, I’d go with “Tie Fighter”, or “Blasphemous”, or even better - “Eyes of the World.” If you haven’t guessed, Star Wars, questioning authority and the Grateful Dead are a few of my favorite things.
I love WDW mostly for the break from reality it provides. And I’ve been breaking from reality with some regularity for the past 15 years. My first few trips to the MK were with my Dad as a kid and I have few memories – mostly flashes of long-defunct attractions like
Dreamflight,
20,000 Leagues and
Mr. Toad (RIP). I took a birthday trip to EP while in FL for college and, well… let’s just say it was “enhanced” – a good time it was, but the memories are a tad fuzzy.
But, since moving to the Tampa Bay area some 15 years ago, I’ve become a regular visitor to all four parks and have come to consider The World my fall-back vacation destination. When I can’t afford to go anywhere else, (which is 98% of the time), The Mouse is always there for me with cheap FL annual passes, a half-tank of gas travel budget, and, now, a Home away from home.
My favorite park? I think EP. I like the educational components as well as the laid-back vibe. The ability to get a grown-up drink is an added bonus.
Leo That’s my DS. He turned 5 this past May and just started Kindergarten. He’s quite reserved until he feels comfortable in a situation or around new people. Leo likes to carefully consider everything he does and will ponder the merits and safety of his potential actions long and hard before forging ahead. I guess that’s good – I have little concern about peer pressure getting to him – but it does slow things down sometimes.
He adopted his DIS name from his favorite Disney Channel show,
Little Einsteins. Note that the Disney Leo also tends to be practical and analytical.
Leo took his first trip to WDW at 4 months old and has celebrated 3 of his 5 birthdays with The Mouse. He’s constantly addressing and conquering his fears as he tries new rides each visit. I’ve learned to follow his lead and trust that he knows what he can handle. For the most part. I drew the line at his freak-out outside Carrousel of Progress and dragged him in anyway. For the record, he loved it. Sometimes, Mommy knows best.
Leo’s favorite park is MK, by far. He’s VERY into doing rides this year and not so excited about hanging out people-watching. He’s wearing me out.
Gramma My mom. Sometimes my best friend, sometimes the bane of my existence. We have an interesting relationship: she’s warm and fuzzy to everyone BUT me. I’m warm and fuzzy to everyone BUT her. Gramma can’t make a decision to save her life and I make decisions quickly and easily. Gramma knows
everything about everything… and so do I.
She can be passive-aggressive in her dealings, which drives me up the wall. But. She adores Leo and spoils him rotten.
I first introduced Gramma to WDW shortly after we moved down here. I thought EP would be a good starting point for her, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. However, she professes not to like Disney. She’s not into the movies, she’s not into the characters and she’s
definitely not into crowds and noise. But she moved in with Leo and me not long after my divorce and lowered herself to join us as we, as she puts it “traipsed all over” WDW. Secretly, I think she actually likes our visits, but she’ll never admit it.
Gramma’s favorite part of Disney is the resort, assuming its of the Deluxe variety. If she could lounge around the resort all day, she’d be a happy camper.
Char Short for Charlotte, which is her S*x and the City token character, you may already know her as D from my last TR. Char is my dear, sweet friend and she’s been through the wringer the past couple years, having had a baby and lost a husband, father, grandfather, step-grandfather and cat. It’s waay too much for anyone to bear, yet she does it with grace and dignity. Char’s one amazing lady and I tell her so often.
Char’s been going to WDW since she was a little girl, as her Dad lived in FL and took her and her sister every summer. Her dad was the original WDW commando, long before the DIS, UG or TGM existed, and she tends to find unlimited energy for park touring. I first visited WDW with her and her late husband for the EP Food & Wine Fest last November…. We had a BLAST!!!! And, when I made plans for this past May’s trip, she and her DS came with us for his first WDW visit.
Char’s favorite park is EP, which explains a lot about our friendship. Readers of my last TR will remember that she missed out on our EP day in May, thanks to a sick baby, though we did make up for it with a ladies-only day at EP a few weeks later. Will she ever get back to EP again?
Harry That’s Char’s DS16 months, also known as baby B in my last TR. Why Harry? Because he
totally reminds me of the baby Harry Potter in the first movie! Harry LOVES Leo and they share a lot of the same traits. But they differ in one critical arena: where Leo craves and needs lots of daily quiet time, Harry is on the go from the moment he wakes up till the moment he falls asleep. He’s also a climber, which is new territory for me.
I had the privilege of being a party to Harry’s first WDW visit in May, as we celebrated his first birthday in The World. His and Leo’s birthdays are only three days apart, (well, plus 4 years, but whatever), so they're probably doomed to joint WDW celebrations for as long as Char and I can maintain control over such things.
I’m just guessing here, but I think AK might be Harry’s favorite park. Apparently, he really enjoyed the animals in May.
So, those are the players in this TR. As to where and how they all fit in, you’ll just have to stay tuned to see!
Coming next: probably more planning
J/K!
WHAT have I gotten myself into???
You have my deepest sympathy.
Yay! Very nice to meet you all... again! 
Excellent introductions!
...and watch out, V...those eyes are going to have girls lining up outside your door...
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