We went belly up at the Dolphin! Fairy quest 12/16

[karajeboo]

Gotta love those fairies!

I used to love those fairies. Until I've spent 4 hrs and 45 minutes waiting in line (over three different times). Actually, who can resist Tinkerbell??? She's adorable!

The only way to stay at a Disney owned properties within walking distance of any of the four theme parks is to stay at a deluxe resort. No way are you going to find a $120 rate at ANY Disney deluxe resort at WDW. To stay at the Swan/Dolphin, you are really paying to stay at the prime location next to the Boardwalk and within walking distance of EPCOT and DHS. As far as the property itself, it's not exactly a dump. The grotto pool area is as good as any Disney owned property and the collection of restaurants (Bluezoo, Kimonos, Fresh, Garden Grill, Shulas, etc.) is as good as any Disney property as well. Also, as you pointed out, the heavenly beds at the Swan/Dolphin blow away the beds at any of the Disney resorts. Sure, the non-view rooms have a horrible view...but if you're are spending alot of time in your room at WDW, you are missing out.

Oh, believe me, I know this. I've stayed all levels of Disney property, but decided to go "off property" while staying on..... I'm a Disney girl. And as much as I love the location, I missed the Disney inside the Mahi Mahi. And I don't mean Mickey on every available wall space, I mean theming. We were just at WL this weekend and it was so beautiful inside. And just about the only Mickey I saw was in the gift shop. But to me the Mahi Mahi is a hotel. Even Pop Century had more character for me.....

LOVE those shirts!!

Thank you!

Loved those T Shirts !!!!!

We got lots of attention with those! It was fun!

 

[englishrose47]

Nutso saying Hi!!!!

 

[karajeboo]

I left off on the front porch of Crystal Palace, waiting for our ADR - it was pouring outside and the natives were getting restless.

The poor CMs were trying to keep a lane open to exit, but people were crowding in and flat out telling the CMs where to stick it. Whatever "it" might be. But it got ugly. I felt so bad for the CMs who were really stuck between that proverbial rock and hard place.

But what made it really entertaining, was the young gal who was calling out names to be seated, couldn't speak English well AT ALL. She butchered every name she called and that created even more chaos.

So finally some man would start peering over her shoulder, and after she called out "Es-m-it" - he would holler "Smith!" Then as parties got called, the whole porch would start to cheer! Because we went a looooong time in between tables being called.

Like I said, the folks all dry inside were lingering, and everyone outside was about 45 minutes to an hour late being sat. But what are you gonna do?

So we were entertained by the guy who helped call names. Cause that's how easily we are entertained in Disney.

Finally, the rains stopped, and our table was called. This was our first visit to CP and I was a bit skeptical - A) Ally no longer likes the Pooh characters, and B) I wasn't thrilled by another buffet.

But it was so pretty inside!

And no sooner had we sat down and ordered drinks, when who should come tap on Ally's shoulder?

Piglet! He took her by the hand, and instructed her (in Pigletese) to bring her napkin with her. Lucky for the rest of the diners in CP that we hadn't eaten yet, or Ally would have been flinging crumbs everywhere!!!

So Ally was Piglets date for the parade around CP!

She was mortified. This kid does not like to be the center of attention, so she was very timid. Yes. My Ally. Timid. But when all was said and done, CP is now one of her favorite places to eat at WDW because she was picked. She was special.

And according to Ally, "They only pick one chld each week." Uh, okay. Whatever you say, dear.

The rest of the crew showed up too an then IT happened when Piglet came by for the second time.

After hugging Piglet again, Ally sat down and looked at me with tears in her eyes.

Me: What's wrong?
Ally: That's not the real Piglet.
Me: What do you mean?
Ally: I felt a zipper in his back. I think it's just someone in a costume.

Oh oh. What do I do now?

So I did what any rational mother would do.

I texted Jeff, who was on some golf course in GA with his buddies.

And his reply? "I don't know what you've done to my daughter but you'd better fix it!"

Well, there goes our "Parents of the Year" award..... again!

So I turned back to Ally and tried to reason with her. After all, there must be a way to reason this out, right?

Me: Well, if that's not the real Piglet.....
Ally: I think the real Piglet is in the character spot back in Fantasyland. Maybe he just couldn't get here in time.
Me: Exactly!

So according to Ally, there IS a real Piglet, just not a CP. So we escaped the realization one more time!!!!

Now let me just say, as far as the food went, I was pleasantly surprised! My favorite buffet so far is Boma, by a landslide! But CP was very good, with some "different" foods available.

When we left CP a short time later, the sun was back out and we were off to Epcot to meet up with my DISbud and fellow DIS mom Ellen! She was with her DH this trip and we all wanted to meet. After all, he might want to meet one of the gals who shared a room with his wife last spring (and again THIS spring!!!).

 

[karajeboo]

What is this? I give y'all an update and you ignore me? Oh, I get it, you're all over at my NEW TR from last weekend. Okay, I forgive you......

After all, it's Christmas! And in case I don't get a chance before Friday....

Merry Christmas!!!!

 

[tttessa]

Love the update Kara - i'm still with you buddie!!! Merry Christmas to you and yours too!!!

Tessa

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I'm still here anxiously awaiting the rest of the story.....! Also, hooking onto the new one. Keep them coming!

 

[englishrose47]

Sorry Kara !!! I am one who was over on the other thread being insulted
Maybe you wont insult me on this one

CP is my favorite supper buffet ! They have the BEST rolls in the world ! The shrimp and the mussels are great as well !! Feb will be the first timeI haven't done CP but it is closed

 

[meeko_33785]

I think I'm all caught up with your report again. Just got back from Disney again and I'm so behind on everyone's trip reports.

LOL about "Dumbo on a rug". I love it.

An hour and 45 minutes for the Fairies? I can't even imagine waiting in that line for that long! The picture of her with Fawn is too great though.

Despite the Piglet realization, sounds like a fun time at Crystal Palace.

 

[MaryAz]

Still here, I am glad she still believes. I was sad when on our trip last May my DD figured out Tink was on a wire and not really flying over the castle. I hope she still believes in the characters this time.

 

[karajeboo]

Love the update Kara - i'm still with you buddie!!! Merry Christmas to you and yours too!!!

Tessa

Thanx Tessa! Hope Santa (or is it Father Christmas!) brings you everything you want!

I'm still here anxiously awaiting the rest of the story.....! Also, hooking onto the new one. Keep them coming!

Sorry Kara !!! I am one who was over on the other thread being insulted
Maybe you wont insult me on this one

CP is my favorite supper buffet ! They have the BEST rolls in the world ! The shrimp and the mussels are great as well !! Feb will be the first timeI haven't done CP but it is closed

I'll try not to insult you .... this time!

I think I'm all caught up with your report again. Just got back from Disney again and I'm so behind on everyone's trip reports.

LOL about "Dumbo on a rug". I love it.

An hour and 45 minutes for the Fairies? I can't even imagine waiting in that line for that long! The picture of her with Fawn is too great though.

Despite the Piglet realization, sounds like a fun time at Crystal Palace.

And imagine THREE times waiting in that fairy line - just to meet Silvermist! But it was all worth it.... for Fawn! She was amazing!

Still here, I am glad she still believes. I was sad when on our trip last May my DD figured out Tink was on a wire and not really flying over the castle. I hope she still believes in the characters this time.

The first time Ally noticed Tink on a wire, I told her that it was because it was windy and they didn't want her to blow away. She bought it. But she wasn't flying this last time because it really was too windy!

 

[karajeboo]

After our nice meal and fun times at CP, it was time to boogie over to Epcot to meet up with my wonderful DISbud Ellen (podsnel). She was in the World with her DH to experience F&W and I was desparately hoping to hook up with her.

I was worried because of the long wait we had at CP but she told me they would be at Epcot and to hurry on over!

As we were leaving MK we caught a bit of the Move It Shake It Celebrate It parade. Ally gets so mad at me when I see this parade. I sing loud and proud!!!!

I was gettin my white girl groove on, as Ally pulled me to the entrance....

"Hey get up, get louuuuuuud! We're pumpin up the party now!"

Oh, almost forgot something! Guess my pics aren't as organized as I like to think.....

Earlier in the day, while in Frontierland, look who we saw! And Ally danced with them!!! Well, if you can call the hokey pokey a dance.....

I was frantically digging through her bag for her autograph book cause we've got separate pages for all the Brer critters, but sadly they were not signing..... just hokey pokeying.....

Back through Adventureland (see? I told you I was disorganized!), we came across Capt Jack's pirate tutorial.

Then, it happened. Ally was asked to participate!!!! And ya know what she said???

"No thank you."

WHAT??????? Is this my child??? "No thank you?????" Who is this child and what happened to Ally?

So I raised my hand and hollered, "PICK ME PICK ME CAPT JACK!!!!"

OK, so I didn't really do that. But in my heart I did.......

Just look at him in all his dingy, dirty glory! Who would say NO to Capt Jack????

I was sad the rest of the day......

OK, now back to leaving MK for Epcot.....

I was texting Ellen as we were on the monorail, so they met us right up front.

It was so awesome to see her and meet Pods. Ellen got Ally a cute little NY Princess shirt, and of course I made her say "New Yawk" for Ally! Love ya Ellen!!!!

Soon Ellen announced she was thirsty and we headed to....... Club Kool..... cause, well, you know, Pods had never tried Ally's "favorite" soda.... the BEVERLY!!!!

As soon as we got in there, Ally announced that Beverly was her favorite, and "here Mr Pods, you have GOT to try this one!"

I need to steal the pic from Ellen cause his face told the story! Next Ally tried to offer him a different one and he looked at her, stone faced and said, "why should I trust YOU?"

It was beautifully orchestrated!!!!

At this point, it was time to say our good-byes, and head out through the IG to grab our car at the Mahi.

I'm sad this TR is over because when will I ever get to tell my tales of the Mahi Mahi again? In fact, when will I ever be able to even mention the Mahi Mahi again?

Great girls weekend, and we'll do it again soon!

Go golf already, Jeff!!!!

 

[katierae81]

I thought I'd share a picture of my DS2 who we erm, uh, sorta got to try Beverly. Hey, the kid eats carpet fuzz...why wouldn't he like it? Might as well try, right?

[/IMG]

 

[CRdisMom]

ally did pull the beverly off wonderfully. Started reading the new TR alreadly. Did you see you had almost 10,000 views of your TR?!?!

 

[karajeboo]

I thought I'd share a picture of my DS2 who we erm, uh, sorta got to try Beverly. Hey, the kid eats carpet fuzz...why wouldn't he like it? Might as well try, right?

[/IMG]

ADORABLE!!!!Was that pic taken AFTER he tasted it? Ya know, the reason we all have kids is to mess with them anyway, right?

ally did pull the beverly off wonderfully. Started reading the new TR alreadly. Did you see you had almost 10,000 views of your TR?!?!

Holy cow! I don't know if that is good, or just downright creepy?

 

[katierae81]

Yes, that was AFTER he tasted it! My mom said he looks a bit scared. We were in Ice Station Cool (I don't care, it will always be this) every night of our vacation, and by the next night he forgave us and trusted that we would put the Costa Rican soda in his cup and not Beverly.

 

[meeko_33785]

Nice update. I really enjoyed your trip report. Seems like you two had a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing some of that fun with all of us.

 

[karajeboo]

Yes, that was AFTER he tasted it! My mom said he looks a bit scared. We were in Ice Station Cool (I don't care, it will always be this) every night of our vacation, and by the next night he forgave us and trusted that we would put the Costa Rican soda in his cup and not Beverly.

Is the Costa Rican the watermelon one? I like that one!

Nice update. I really enjoyed your trip report. Seems like you two had a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing some of that fun with all of us.

My pleasure! I loved reliving it!

 

[Mysteria]

Loved the report! Now off to the new one.

 

[englishrose47]

What is wrong with Beverley I thought it was delish !!!Oh that's right I am NUTS

 

[dvc4life]

Just read through all of your report Kara, and what a bang up job you did.

Sorry about all the worries you have had this past Fall. I know I would be worried beyond compare about my girls, probably why I am getting so gray already. Ally is so adorable and innocent and I hope your community is pulling together for the safety of all of the kids.

You know, I like to have a good time while at Disney, but there is a time and a place for pure crudeness. That bachelorette party was totally wrong. Good for you for biting your tongue. I don't know if I could have not said something.

Thanks for sharing your many adventures at WDW. I am already reading your new TR and enjoying it.