True Confessions . . . The Full Story

[NDM#1]

Of course, our tradition is that Tinkerbell watches over us at the park and if the kids are good all day -- Tink visits our room while we are at the park and leaves goodies for that night for the kids. The kids can't wait to get back to the room to find a pile of pixie dust, a miniature note (to be read with their special Tink magnifying glass) and treat on their bed. Crafty NDM's unite!

Can't wait to read the rest of your report --

Lauren

Lauren, this is so fantastic! Seriously, that is a great special touch. I have to steal your tradition. Don't be surprised if it ends up as a part of my next trip report.

 

[NDM#1]

Hey everyone! I have a new feature up on the website called the confessional. THE CONFESSIONAL is now open for use of the NDP community. It is a place for those in our circle to purge their souls of the deepest, darkest secrets concerning the Neurotic Disney things that they have done in times of Disney desperation. There is no need to carry the burden of Disney neurosis on your own anymore. Share the crazy things you’ve done for a Disney “fix” in the confessional. You never know . . . some of us may decide to join in on your neurotic activities.

http://thedisneydrivenlife.com/the-confessional

 

[NDM#1]

“SO THE DRAMA”​

With Snow White’s mention of dinner, I realize that it is time for us to rejoin our precious family and journey to Liberty Square for supper. We have reservations at the Liberty Tree Tavern.

DD8 and I meet the other half of our crew at the train station on Main Street, U.S.A.®. All is well except that DD3 has resumed her withdrawn state of irritation.

We arrive at the tavern a little early. The hostess tells us to have a seat in the waiting area until our table becomes available. I sit on a colonial bench, cuddling DD3 who is in desperate need of unconditional love right now. “We get to see Goofy, won’t that be fun,” I suggest gently. She shakes her head in disagreement. “Well, what about Minnie or Chip and Dale? They are here too, and they are going to visit our table when we eat. Do you want to see any of them,” I ask in a soothing voice. She sadly says, “No. I don’t want to see them.” But after some consideration she partially retracts her statement. “Well, I want to see Chip, the chinkmonk.” I agree that Chip is a pleasant “chinkmonk”, and I look forward to seeing him as well.

We are summoned to our table that is tucked back in the corner with a booth-type bench and a couple chairs. It isn’t long before the Disney characters, dressed in colonial garb come into view. “Oh boy,” I say, “I can see them coming.” DD8 and DS6 contort their bodies in order to catch a glimpse while remaining in their chairs. I can see the excitement beginning to build for them. DD3, however, displays no enthusiasm whatsoever. She remains in her booster seat that rests on the stuffed leather bench and has once again become statuesque while fervently sucking her thumb. “Here we go again,” I think.

The first one to visit our table is Minnie. I am hopeful that DD3 will change her attitude because she responded so well to Minnie earlier in the day. I am sure that DD3 remembers how loving Minnie was at that time, and it seems unlikely that DD3 would completely shun such a great friend.

Minnie is received warmly by DD8 and DS6. They envelope her in affectionate hugs and kisses. But Minnie lays eyes on DD3, who is firmly planted in her booster seat and sucking her thumb. She extends her arms to DD3, suggesting that she would like a hug, but DD3 fails to even acknowledge Minnie’s existence. Minnie is crushed by this overt rejection, and shamefully buries her perky face within her enormous, mouse hands. DD3 is still unmoved. I suggest that maybe Minnie could kiss DD3 on the cheek since this was so effective in lifting her spirits previously. Minnie nods to express her cooperation. She leans in close to DD3 for the gentle, friendly expression. But while DD3 may have been tricked out of her crankiness this way before, she is no fool to be tricked this way again.

As Minnie plants her plastic, black nose squarely on DD3’s cheek, DD3’s eyes roll into the back of her head. In a performance worthy of an Oscar nomination for “Best Actress in a Dramatic Role”, DD3 falls out of her booster seat and onto the bench like a grand tree falls to the ground as the lumberjack yells, “Timber!” She then tumbles off of the bench and lands with a great thud underneath our table.

Minnie is horrified to find that she has delivered the kiss of death to my unfortunate child and covers her blushing cheeks with her huge, white-gloved hands. I assure her that she is not responsible for any trauma DD3 has suffered, and release her to greet children who are more deserving of her cheerful presence.

Once DD3 is recovered from the table underworld, she is sternly seated next to me on the bench. I am determined that we will have no more dramatic performances throughout the rest of our meal.

Goofy is now making his way towards our table. “DD3,” I enthusiastically remark, “Goofy is coming next. Look at how silly he is. This will be the only time that we get to meet him. Don’t you think you want to hug him and let Mommy take your picture?” She huffs in annoyance at my suggestion. “No,” she says firmly, “I only want Chip.”

With her position firmly established, DD3 passes up her chance to be silly with the funniest Disney character. Goofy seems slightly disappointed by DD3’s stubborn rejection of him, but he quickly recovers as he moves to the next table.

Dale is not far behind Goofy. He is very animated and friendly. DD8 and DS6 happily receive him while DH films and I snap photos. DD3 is obstinate though. She will not even glance at Dale. He tries to approach her, but she growls a little bit as a warning to him. I inform Dale that he doesn’t need to bother with DD3 because she is anti-social at the moment. He wisely takes my counsel and backs away.

Finally Chip arrives. DD3 immediately snaps out of the doom and gloom that she has been plagued by since our arrival in the tavern. We are all stunned by the instantaneous transformation that Chip has brought upon our cranky girl, but the change is a welcome one. DD3 leaps out of the booth so that she can bury her face in Chip’s soft fur. He welcomes her with open arms and nuzzles the top of her head. Her smile is so grand; she looks as if she has just entered paradise.

After a few more high-fives and games of pat-a-cake, Chip gestures that DD3 should return to her meal that has now arrived. She obediently climbs back into her seat and announces to us, “That was great. Now I am ready to see the others.”

 

[Marshay]

wow, Chip was sure a big winner!! Glad DD3 got to see him!

 

[mla1977]

Ok, so I am going to post this on the blog, but I thought everyone here might appreciate it. My Disney obsession has even led my to pick up running. Last June I signed up for the Princess Half Marathon with is coming up soon. I will probably be joining Team in Training for the full Marathon next year. I will probably also be doing either Race for the Taste or the ToT 13k in October. Yes, I have found new excuses to travel to WDW, I just need to keep entering more races.

A link to my not-so-frequently updated running blog is below.

 

[NDM#1]

Ok, so I am going to post this on the blog, but I thought everyone here might appreciate it. My Disney obsession has even led my to pick up running. Last June I signed up for the Princess Half Marathon with is coming up soon. I will probably be joining Team in Training for the full Marathon next year. I will probably also be doing either Race for the Taste or the ToT 13k in October. Yes, I have found new excuses to travel to WDW, I just need to keep entering more races.

A link to my not-so-frequently updated running blog is below.

Megan, I think this is so funny. I can agree that Disney would be the ONLY reason that I would ever enter one of these races. Good luck with that, cutie! I'm cheering you on!

 

[joshua4]

NDM #1

Glad to see that you are back to the trip report. So, feel free to steal the Tink trick, but for full effect you need to "summon" tink each day by the icon of the park you are in. Say for example, you are in the MK, you need to stand in front of the castle and say magic summoning words. All children, even the 12 year old with an attitude, must say the magic words clearly and loudly, or Tink will not hear you. Of course, you can go with whatever Tink words you think will work. For us it is:

Zippity Zappity Zee

Zippity Zappity Zoom

Tinkerbell, Tinkerbell, come to our room!

This also serves the purpose of having all of the kids gathered in front of the castle for a quick picture AND reminding them that Tink is watching all that they do. I know, we are an odd family. But hey, it works.

Also, as to your DS3, we have another way to deal with bouts of attitude. We all gather around the person in a circle and do the "crazy dance" -- it changes every time, but typically involves a bunch of jumps, spins and gyrations calculated to make the kid in the middle laugh. It also makes the kid with the attitude the center of attention for a couple of minutes. The silliness combined with the extra attention ends the bad mood 9 out of 10 times. Of course, sometimes we actually attract a crowd of people when we do this -- who think we are an attraction or something. Once a woman actually pushed her kid into the circle and we had to do the crazy dance around him (and it worked!). The mom was much appreciative.

In any event -- more trip report!!!

NDM 80

 

[NDM#1]

I will absolutely do the full Tinkerbell ceremony. I'm so excited about it, it makes my four months of waiting that much more unbearable.

Your bad attitude circle dance made me almost spit out the water I was drinking. That is hysterical! I'm definitely instituting this on our next trip. Don't be surprised if you find it in this year's trip report. I love it so much, I may even make us do it here at home.

 

[joshua4]

Harder to do at home because we don't usually travel in a big enough group to do it. At disney, it is usually my sister and I and four kids so there are enough of us to make it work. Try it and let me know how it works out for you. You have to make a really big deal when you do it so that the cranky child really feels the full attention of everyone. Like "OH NO, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, DD3 is being taken over by the crankies. WE NEED TO HELP HER NOW!!!!" Then everyone makes the circle and one person calls out the dancy directions ("Everyone jump to the right, everyone jump to the left, tushies in, tushies out, etc, etc.). Once the kid in the middle starts to crack a smile, you know you are almost there. After a successful dance, everyone cheers and jumps around. (as onlookers stare at you with very puzzled looks)

You should have seen the look on my daughters face when I thought of doing this the first time at the MK. She was about 4 and we were standing in Adventureland. The other kids had no idea what I was doing, but they followed along. When it worked, a tradition was born. Now that the kids are a bit older, we usually only have to do it once a trip.

NDM 80

 

[NDM#1]

Harder to do at home because we don't usually travel in a big enough group to do it. At disney, it is usually my sister and I and four kids so there are enough of us to make it work. Try it and let me know how it works out for you. You have to make a really big deal when you do it so that the cranky child really feels the full attention of everyone. Like "OH NO, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, DD3 is being taken over by the crankies. WE NEED TO HELP HER NOW!!!!" Then everyone makes the circle and one person calls out the dancy directions ("Everyone jump to the right, everyone jump to the left, tushies in, tushies out, etc, etc.). Once the kid in the middle starts to crack a smile, you know you are almost there. After a successful dance, everyone cheers and jumps around. (as onlookers stare at you with very puzzled looks)

You should have seen the look on my daughters face when I thought of doing this the first time at the MK. She was about 4 and we were standing in Adventureland. The other kids had no idea what I was doing, but they followed along. When it worked, a tradition was born. Now that the kids are a bit older, we usually only have to do it once a trip.

NDM 80

I just can't help but laugh everytime I picture this. What an inspirational idea! I think this needs to be included somehow in the diciplines of a Disney Driven Life.

 

[NDM#1]

HAUNTING THE MANSION​

​

While leaving the tavern, DD8 states that she wants to go to The Haunted Mansion one more time, and she wants to ride in a doom buggy by herself just to prove how fearless she is. I am doubtful about this plan. DD8 may have shown some courage during our last trip through the spooky home, but she was accompanied by her protective father. I am not certain that she can handle the morbid edifice on her own.

As I express my disapproval, DD8 insists that she is up to the task. I reconsider her request since it seems of utmost importance to her. I definitely want DD8 to move in the direction of fearlessness and empowerment. Being my most timid child, she frequently misses out on challenging but fun activities and dampens the exciting mood when she is forced to participate. Giving her opportunities to know the pride of bravery may help her to overcome her cowardly tendencies, making this questionable challenge worthwhile.

However, as I ponder DD8’s request, I envision going through the mansion and my fearless child discovering that she has misjudged herself. It is feasible to assume that about the time we hit the creepy hallway where people plead for help and doorknobs turn frantically as if someone is trying to escape the locked rooms, she will second-guess her self-estimation. I imagine her jumping from her doom buggy in an attempt to either find her parents or a way out of the cultish building. I see the whole ride being stopped as operators search for my traumatized ghostbuster amongst the wedding artifacts in the attic, which is where she attempts to find a hiding place from the murderous bride who has happily decapitated all five of her grooms. Do I really want to risk living this scenario?

Or--I continue to hypothesize--what if the ride is stopped in the graveyard due to technical difficulties? Could she truly withstand being held captive in the burial grounds of countless spirits, some of who spontaneously jump out from behind gravestones? She might emerge from such a horrific experience with all types of neurotic ticks and twitches, betraying the fact that she has been irreversibly, emotionally damaged as a result of her NDM’s poor judgment. At the very least, the trauma could squelch all hope of DD8 ever attempting any show of bravery ever again. I can’t help but feel that maybe this proposed situation is not a good starting block for DD8 to test her fear factors.

DS6 is already shaking in his Lightening McQueen sneakers at the thought of having to endure the mansion one more time. He shows no interest in taking another step in its direction, except for the fact that his big sister (who he usually seeks approval from) is desperate to have another look at it. So if my one child, who usually does not shrink from the chance to showcase his strong and daring nature, is intimidated by this attraction, how could my fearful other possibly come through this emotionally intact?

Suddenly, I am inspired with an idea that may please all parties invested in this controversy. “DD8,” I suggest, “Why don’t you and DS6 go together in a doom buggy? You wouldn’t have Mommy or Daddy. And you could help protect DS6, who is a little frightened. That is very brave!” In my mind, this proposition could work. On most days, DS6 adores DD8 and has been known to seek her company. This companionship helps him feel a like a “very big kid”, so I predict he will be less reluctant to ride if he has the chance to be with DD8 exclusively. Also, it is reasonable to expect DD8 to get caught up in her protective duties; therefore, not focusing so much on the actual, ethereal surroundings.

“No,” she cries, “I want to go by myself. I don’t want anyone else to ride with me.” “Hmmm,” I say as I mentally design some type of middle ground. Then, after a brief consultation with DH, I say, “DS6, do you think you can be brave enough to ride with DD8 in a doom buggy?” DS6 positively responds to my proposition. “Yes,” he says confidently. I emphasize, “She will be the only one in the cart with you. Will it be too scary for you?” “No,” he remarks with a little less certainty. “DD8,” I say firmly, “We will go in The Haunted Mansion again, but you must ride with DS6. If you get through the ride one time with him and you are not afraid by the end of it, then we will go another time and let you ride by yourself.”

DD8 finds this to be an acceptable transition into a courageous, conquering girl. DS6 shudders at the thought of having to go through the mansion two more times, but he holds his tongue in order to share the “big kid” privilege of riding alone with DD8. I attempt to prepare them both by giving reminders that the rest of us will be in the doom buggy right next to theirs and that they can close their eyes at any time to block out scary images as well as lie down on the seat to hide. DD8 does not seem intimidated by the challenge she currently faces, so I hand her some responsibility by instructing her to hug DS6 and allow him to hide his eyes and put his head in her lap if he becomes frightened. She agrees to these motherly duties and takes DS6 by the hand as we approach the daunting gates of the mansion.

I hardly enjoy or appreciate the ride this time through. My mind cannot rest as I mentally prepare myself to respond at a moment’s notice to any crisis that arises. The thoughts absolutely terrify me because while I am able to remain relatively calm within my doom buggy, I am certain I will lose control over important bodily functions if I have to leave it. Nevertheless, I tell myself to be ready to jump from my moving vehicle to retrieve any frightened children that escape or be ready to make a flying leap between the two vehicles if I hear uncontrollable hysterics taking place.

I sit on pins and needles, straining my ears for the slightest sound of unhappiness from the buggy in front of ours. But I hear nothing. Good! They must be Ok. Then it occurs to me that their silence may be an indication of just the opposite. What if they are paralyzed with fear and hunkering down on the floor of their cart while they whimper like little puppies? I start to panic. It seems like an eternity before we make it to the ballroom scene where our carts turn to position us alongside our darlings rather than in back of them. I illegally lean my body outside of my cart to provide an angle for viewing the inside of my children’s vehicle. It is not enough. I cannot see anything.

What if they have already escaped and are in danger? I recall a report from many years back of one teen dying in The Haunted Mansion when he left his vehicle and caused an accident. I voice my concern to DH who assures me that our beautiful children are still within their earthly bodies and buggy of doom. He is certain they have not passed on to the spirit realm, but I am not convinced. There is only one thing left to do. In the middle of the ride I yell out at a volume that would wake any dead that were not already up, “DD8! DS6!” There is no answer. My panic is heightened. With more intensity I yell, “DD8!! DS6!!” “Yes,” they say and poke their little heads from the confinement of the doom buggy. “Is everything alright? Are you scared,” I desperately implore. They cheerfully respond, “We’re fine.” I sheepishly respond, “Ok. I just wanted to check.” With that the two little heads disappear within the blackness of their doom buggy, and I lean back a little embarrassed by my overreaction.

I manage to keep my imagination from getting the best of me throughout the rest of the ride, and we emerge from the dark rooms no worse off than when we entered. Once we are outside DD8 delivers her report of the exhibit without the slightest sign of fearfulness. I am stunned by not only her lack of fright but also her pure enthusiasm for this ride. She has certainly earned the privilege of occupying her own doom buggy.

We exit the mansion just to enter the queque area again. DS6 is consoled by the knowledge that DH will solely guard him throughout the entire attraction. Also, he will have the company of the rest of the family in his doom buggy. This seems to be enough to make him feel that one more time through the dreadful mansion is endurable.

As we repeat the attraction, I find myself replaying all the imaginary, horrific scenarios in my mind. It is very hard to relax, but I somehow contain my impulses to call out to DD8 for a safety check-up. As I fight my irrational compulsions, I realize that this experiment has turned out to be more of a test of my own courage than DD8’s. And I am failing!

At the end of the mansion’s tour, DD8 leaves smiling from ear to ear. Her newfound pride is evident. I congratulate her as I try to recover from the nerve-wracking experience. I feel exhausted by the pent-up anxiety I have harbored through two trips of this spooky place. In my mind, I consider that there must be easier ways to help a little one transition from childhood into a brave, new world. If there isn’t—if all events that promote the inevitable state of independence are as anxiety-ridden as this one--it is probable that I should begin a search for a good therapist who can prescribe strong drugs.

 

[kathymc]

Wow - what a hoot - I spent several hours this weekend reading about your trip. You have a great writing style and you are bringing back several emotions and memories from past trips.

I look forward to reading more. Thank you for sharing

 

[NDM#1]

Wow - what a hoot - I spent several hours this weekend reading about your trip. You have a great writing style and you are bringing back several emotions and memories from past trips.

I look forward to reading more. Thank you for sharing

You are very welcome!

 

[NDM#1]

A HAPPY ENDING​

​

Feeling the need to avert having nightmares, I suggest that we all pick a more cheerful ride in Fantasyland® to follow my harrowing time in The Haunted Mansion. DH proposes that whatever it is, it should be the last ride of the day. He is really feeling drained by all of our activities and sees a need for adequate rest to prepare for our trip back home tomorrow. The children don’t protest since they seem very tired as well.

As a NDM, I am not accustomed to leaving the park before it closes. However, I remember the epiphany I nearly had earlier in the day. Perhaps the time has finally come to acknowledge that staying in the park solely for the sake of neurosis is not in the best interest of the family. Am I able to do this? I hesitate for a brief moment as I try to conjure a reason to delay our exit, but I am unable to do so. We have covered every square inch of the Magic Kingdom® and even repeated some of it. Everything we could have wished for in a trip has come to pass. To insist that there is more to desire would be beyond neurotic—it would be crazy.

The simple truth is that it is time to retract (or at least amend) the final tenet of The Sacred Seven that states: Thou shalt not exit the park until forced. As impossible as it previously seemed, I now understand that there are instances when an early departure may be preferred. And now that I have the comfort of knowing my family will return every year, I feel I can relinquish some of my rituals and trust that my family’s Disney heritage will still be passed on effectively.

Without reluctance, I agree to DH’s suggested plan and prepare for our last ride of the trip. The entire family agrees that Cinderella’s Golden Carousel is the ideal attraction to end our wonderful day. There is little wait for it. It is possibly the most romantic and cheerful exhibit in all of the Magic Kingdom®, and everyone can ride it. So when we are admitted, we hurriedly select our steeds and begin our fanciful rotations around the musical core. As the wind blows my sweat-plastered and knotted hair, I hear the fantastic giggles of my small equestrians. I relish every second and remember that it is unforgettable moments like these that make Walt Disney World® a beautiful place.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Thank you for your wonderful stories. You are a great writer.

 

[NDM#1]

Thank you for your wonderful stories. You are a great writer.

Don't be fooled, there is still more!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

At the end of the mansion’s tour, DD8 leaves smiling from ear to ear. Her newfound pride is evident. I congratulate her as I try to recover from the nerve-wracking experience. I feel exhausted by the pent-up anxiety I have harbored through two trips of this spooky place. In my mind, I consider that there must be easier ways to help a little one transition from childhood into a brave, new world. If there isn’t—if all events that promote the inevitable state of independence are as anxiety-ridden as this one--it is probable that I should begin a search for a good therapist who can prescribe strong drugs.

Just look for the therapist...just saying

 

[NDM#1]

Just look for the therapist...just saying

Noted!

 

[chrisw127]

Hi. Love your TR.

Sign me up as a NDM. I'm definitely there.

 

[NDM#1]

Hi. Love your TR.

Sign me up as a NDM. I'm definitely there.

Hey, Chris! I would love to sign you up as a NDM. Just shoot me an e-mail at ndm1@ thedisneydrivenlife.com . Send me your first name, last initial and home state as well as a reminder of the title you want (NDM in your case). I'll officially "christen" you in my reply and you can find your name on the roster (Stand Up and Be Counted) here: http://thedisneydrivenlife.com/ I'll be looking for your e-mail!