'Twas the Week Before Christmas... Done & where to find us next!

[NMAmy]

I know – it’s crazy, right?! And not just a little crazy. We’re talking full-on, Charlie Sheen kinda crazy.

Well, there's a reference just ripped from today's headline!

And then she came long; the Fork Nazi. She initially tried to push past me, saying “I just need forks,” in much the same manner as a certain dictator might have said, “I just need this little Baltic nation here.” And, much like Western Europe, I gave her the benefit of the doubt.

I think I met this woman a few years ago. Back when we were still in princess mode, we were patiently waiting in line to check in for CRT one morning. This woman came sashaying up the line, cut in front of the person who was being told that there was no way in heck a walk-in was meeting Cindy today, and said, "Excuse me. I just need to see if there are any openings to eat in the castle right now." I thought the other moms were going to take her out behind the castle and rough her up a bit.

We had dinner at the Café, which was its usual adequateness. The GF Café gets an A from me for consistency; it’s never been stellar, but it’s never been awful, either.

That's quite the glowing review.

That’s because I only said I have no new Disney trip about which to tell! We do, indeed, have a big, BIG trip coming up, and it in no way involves The Mouse. It may, however, involve The Prairie Dog, The Rattlesnake, The Elk, The Big-Horn Sheep, and if we’re very, very lucky – the Jackalope.

Woo hoo! Hey, send me a PM if you have any questions about New Mexico. I haven't lived there in a while but I know some good restaurants, hotels, and tourist spots.

My challenge is how to go about documenting it. It’s not a Disney trip, so it can’t be here among the DIS trip reports. I think I’d be allowed to do it on the Community board… but it's scary over there. I have a blog space already; I could make a new section for this… but would any of you come along? I honestly, truly, really love the comments and conversation kicked up by trip reports here on the DIS and I’d hate to lose that. What if I leave the blog open, so no one need sign up with a username, etc. to read and comment – would you join me?

Absolutely! I can't wait to hear about it. And go for the Community Board if you feel like it. It's not scary at all.

 

[DisneyJo]

V what a great end to a fab vacation, we refused to enter the MK one day during our December trip as it was so crowded, we obviously needed your plan

You know I'll read where ever you write, just nudge me and remind me a lot

 

[PrincessV]

Before I start replying individually - THANK YOU! You guys rock I'm still exploring my options, but I really appreciate the support for a blog/report/whatever on my SW trip. I think my challenge is that I'm always torn between wanting to get my writing out there publicly and wanting to maintain protective anonymity; over the years, I've found that to be a much harder feat than I imagined. Between DIS, Twitter, Facebook, blog sites, etc. and my desire to have some places be know-me-in-real-life-only spots and others be 100% public, BUT be able to share some information across all platforms... well, in Facebook-speak, "It's complicated." But I'm working on it.

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How great it was to read that you had such a fantastic day on what could have been a stressful day of fighting the crowds!

Right?! Who could have imagined? Not I.

Fork nazi excepted, of course. (I'm glad that it seemed like everyone had the same response to her -- followed by )

It was one of the funniest things I've witnessed at WDW!

Of course I would love to read about your westward adventures! Are you kidding? If you close this thread before you decide where you'll be sharing them, please PM me so that I can find you.

Thank you so much! I'll be sure to keep you up-to-date.

So sad to see your report come to end V, but you did an outstanding job as always with this one! I felt like I was right there with you and Leo and your mom!

Best. Compliment. Ever. Thank you!

I would love to follow you and your family to the Grand Canyon on your next adventure. However and wherever you want to chronicle it. Please keep us up to date on where you post about it. I'm sure it will be funny and heart warming with great pictures.

Here's a little preview for ya... I found myself on the couch last night, listening to Gramma and Leo debate something or other they'd seen on some tween show on Nickelodeon and caught myself thinking, "OMG, they're driving me nuts already - HOW will we survive 16 days of forced companionship???"

You know, I think sometimes delving into the masses is necessary. Not only does it give you perspective on those low crowd days/parks, but if you go with the right frame of mind (unlike the fork lady ) it can really be fun. I guess the key is to know it's going to be crowded and mayhem-ish and allow yourself to just go with it and soak it all in.

Yes, yes, and yes! I think we really surprised ourselves that day.

As for your trip...you know I'm in, wherever you happen to post.

Thank you hun!

Oh my goodness of course I would follow you any where you want to write about your trip!! You know you are my favorite TR writer on the DIS.

Thank you so much - I've read so many terrific reports here, so I'm thrilled just to be counted! I promise to post or PM directions once i figure out what I'm doing.

 

[PrincessV]

I actually saw this during the pirate and princess thumbsup2

I've seen them do it a few times, but I'd never really seen it in full action before. Wowsa!

Hello pot, meet kettle

Exactly.

JImmy loves the Liberty Belle!

Me too - it's so relaxing!

Never been

PROMISE me you'll include TSI in your next trip - Jimmy will love it!

Let's hope it's not closed when you get there and no one winds up riding in a rocking chair on the roof og the family truckster

I'm planning to bring a picnic basket with sandwiches, too.

THanks again for sharing your adventures with us V

Thank YOU, my friend!

I would totally follow you to a Blog. But I think you'd be okay doing it in the community board...I attempted to do one last year for my summer vacation and had some readers but I never finished it You may have more readers, and it may be easier for people, to see an update here on the DIS. But I personally would read it anywhere. You are an amazing writer and I love reading about your family's adventures!

Thanks! I think what scares me with the CB is that things can easily and quickly take a turn for the nasty, y'know? But maybe...

I'd read FO SHO! Blog or community board, doesn't matter to me. I love going along on your trips!

Aw, thank you!

That's quite the glowing review.

I worked hard for just the right wording on that one, lol!

Woo hoo! Hey, send me a PM if you have any questions about New Mexico. I haven't lived there in a while but I know some good restaurants, hotels, and tourist spots.

Thank you so much - I definitely will!

Absolutely! I can't wait to hear about it. And go for the Community Board if you feel like it. It's not scary at all.

We'll see.... I can get a little, er... outspoken on topics unrelated to WDW.

V what a great end to a fab vacation, we refused to enter the MK one day during our December trip as it was so crowded, we obviously needed your plan

D-List is where it's at Jo!

You know I'll read where ever you write, just nudge me and remind me a lot

Thank you - I definitely will!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Hey V!

Great wrap up!

I'm glad to hear the final day turned out pretty dang nifty after all.

I'll definitely read along on your summer TR. (Sign me up for a reminder.)

 

[PrincessV]

Hey V!

Great wrap up!

I'm glad to hear the final day turned out pretty dang nifty after all.

Thanks GB! It was pretty nifty to have a great last day... because, as you know, that's not often the case for us.

I'll definitely read along on your summer TR. (Sign me up for a reminder.)

Will do - thank you!

 

[PrincessV]

After much thought on the subject, I've settled on a place and format for the great Southwestern adventure yet to come. Though the DIS is 'home' in a lot of ways, and my writing style is my writing style, regardless of subject matter, I can't shake the feeling that this trip report will be a little different than my traditional Disney reports. And I just keep feeling like the DIS just plain isn't the right spot for it.

I also decided against reinventing the wheel, given my limited time these days. So, I've dusted off the cobwebs, hung some artwork and repurposed my old blog page to handle my latest endeavor. If you want to follow along on what may be our craziest adventure yet, you can find us at http://vsfuzzyworld.blogspot.com/ I'll still be around on the DIS, but I hope to see you over there, too! Look for an initial planning post coming to it soon...

 

[Stasieki]

As I was reading your second to last update, I was thinking to myself "didn't V have a blog at one time... she is such an amazing writer... I wish she had a blog", and then I just read this post. You do have an old blog and I absolutely will follow along this summer. If you can, please PM me or post a message when the blog will start up. Sometimes, I am bad about remembering to go back to it, but once you start to report on the summer adventure, I will check back often.

And, I must say, I did not trust V Actually, I would have trusted you, but I didn't read your last reply to me prior to going on my week trip and kept the Le Cellier ressie. Since we were doing Free Dining I wasn't too upset, but had I paid out of pocket for that steak, I would have been mad. It was good, but my DH makes one just as good for 1/2 the cost. The new Mexican will be a must-do for our next trip.

And, we've never done TSI either. I actuallly mentioned it to DH and he didn't want to. I will have to add that to the must-do. I do trust V

 

[PrincessV]

As I was reading your second to last update, I was thinking to myself "didn't V have a blog at one time...

LOL, indeed she did! It was neglected badly, but still there.

If you can, please PM me or post a message when the blog will start up.

It already has! There's a lot to report pre-trip for his one, so I got started already.

And, I must say, I did not trust V Actually, I would have trusted you, but I didn't read your last reply to me prior to going on my week trip and kept the Le Cellier ressie. Since we were doing Free Dining I wasn't too upset, but had I paid out of pocket for that steak, I would have been mad. It was good, but my DH makes one just as good for 1/2 the cost. The new Mexican will be a must-do for our next trip.

Oh no! I'm glad Le Cellier wasn't a total bust, at least. I'll definitely let you know if La Hacienda lives up to expectations next time we try it, too!

 

[PrincessV]

As long as this is still open, why not use it for a little shameless self-promotion?!

The blog is up and running and my first real trip post is there - enjoy! (Link is in my signature.)

 

[Parla]

Hey V! I was already following you on Twitter so what's a little blog between friends? Just wish I could remember that google password a little easier. I always seem to forget it. I think it's because they make me use letters AND numbers. Quit telling me how to make my own password people! It was secure enough for me.

I love that you turned it back around to WDW having some crowd control when it was needed. It gives me hope. I was getting all worked up over their lack of it for the middle part of your trip.

My long time dream has been to see the Osborne lights so we are trying to save and plan a huge Christmas trip (which DH thinks should include a small cruise) but I also want to take the kids to the Halloween party this year. DD(8) has announced we shouldn't go this year or she's afraid we'll never save for our Christmas trip. So we would fail the piggybank thing at Epcot but come on, these kids are growing up too fast!

I don't think you will have to worry too much about people finding your blog. I can't be the only one that stays off disboards for several months and then searches for PrincessV to check your signature and see where to go.

 

[PrincessV]

Hey V! I was already following you on Twitter so what's a little blog between friends? Just wish I could remember that google password a little easier. I always seem to forget it.

Oh, you make me feel better - for some reason, I made that one different from my usual social media passwords and I have a hard time with it, too!

My long time dream has been to see the Osborne lights so we are trying to save and plan a huge Christmas trip (which DH thinks should include a small cruise) but I also want to take the kids to the Halloween party this year.

Ugh, that's a tough call... BOTH are so worth seeing!

I don't think you will have to worry too much about people finding your blog. I can't be the only one that stays off disboards for several months and then searches for PrincessV to check your signature and see where to go.

First off, THANK you, that's really sweet! And, honestly, that never even occurred to me, checking my signature! I shall make an extra effort to update it, knowing this. That's part of my concern; how do I notify people of updates, because, if they're anything like me, they don't check things like blogs daily to see what's new. I did notice that it has a "sign up for email alerts" function - think I'll test it and see if it's too annoying for words.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I have LOVED this report!!! I am definitely going to follow along on the blog as well.

 

[PrincessV]

I have LOVED this report!!! I am definitely going to follow along on the blog as well.

Yay, thank you! I've got it rolling on my blog - we're 2 months away from the trip and I'm getting nervous, lol!

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Since this is still open for posts... HI! I've been off the DIS for weeks now, working on school stuff, getting our summer trip together, and tackling a personal writing project of epic proportions. I'm a little worn out.

But we're headed back to our Happy Place, WDW, in about a month! Just a weekend this time, since I'm saving for the road trip, but I really, really need a little time with The Mouse.

Hope everything is well with all of you!