"We're All Mad Here," A Mad BLTea-Party for Thirteen!

[Corysmom]

So our most recent Disney adventure of the year was a long weekend back in June. We stayed in some random vacation place off site (Vista Cay?) which was perfectly fine, and dirt cheap. However, it was closer to Universal than Disney, which is not really our thing. My mom booked the trip, what can you do?

Our first day we went to Universal to see the new Harry Potter land. It gets a "meah" from us. I mean, the castle was cute, and the ride was fun, but it did give Prof. Bicycle motion sickness. Our one observation was that everything was way too small. I mean, we were there during a preview (which I knew was going on thanks to my friends on the DIS) so Universal was only letting in a certain number of people in the morning.....and it was super croweded. I felt so claustophobic in the stores that I left without buying anything. And the rest of the day at Universal was OK. Every ride we stood in line for broke at least once. Universal gets a C+ in my book. We went to Boma that night for dinner. We LOVE AKL. Like LOVE AKL. We went early and looked at all the animals, and spent a while speaking with a cast member from So. Africa who was there for the college program. THen we had a drink at the bar, and stuffed our faces at Boma. We had never been there before, and it was great. A.

Then, the next day, was the GREATEST. We went to the Studios for a Star Wars Weekend day. We were up and literally the first people at the rope for rope drop. I was the first in line that day to meet mickey!! (Yes, I know it's sad. My mom judges.) Anyway, who wouldn't want to add this picture to their collection???

We saw the parade, and went to a Q&A session with Billie Dee Williams, and Ray Parks. Now, I don't know anything about Star Wars, but I guess they were both in a Star Wars movie. I was sort of hoping for Harrison Ford, but he was busy I guess. Bille Dee was a close second.

There was just a lot to see and do that day, we had a wonderful time. Check out this pic of us with Darth Vader. I think Prof. Bicycle was really scared of him.....notice the six inches of space between him and Darth:

We also met one of the new characters from Toy Story. The new characters have also already been integrated into TSM.

We had late lunch/early dinner at Holly Brown Derby, quite tasty. Overall it was a wonderful day, A+!!!!

The next day we went to AK in the morning, and hung out with Sean and Kelly at night. We went to the first night of Summer Nighttastic to catch the Main Street Electrical Parade and Fireworks. Both were great, but the MK was filled to the brim....it was hard to move. And about 150 degrees. Just standing there at 11:00 PM I was so hot the sweat was going down my pack into my undies. Gross.

 

[kittyprincess]

A big shout out to Scott for organizing our matching t-shirts for the trip! The photos are going to come out great!

I am so excited about this year's trip. Every year it gets better and bigger. Now we're up to 11 people! That's awesome. How cool is it that we can go to disney year after year, and its always a new, exciting experience?

Less than three weeks to go!

 

[kittyprincess]

Our first day we went to Universal to see the new Harry Potter land. It gets a "meah" from us. I mean, the castle was cute, and the ride was fun, but it did give Prof. Bicycle motion sickness. Our one observation was that everything was way too small. I mean, we were there during a preview (which I knew was going on thanks to my friends on the DIS) so Universal was only letting in a certain number of people in the morning.....and it was super croweded. I felt so claustophobic in the stores that I left without buying anything. And the rest of the day at Universal was OK. Every ride we stood in line for broke at least once. Universal gets a C+ in my book.

There was just a lot to see and do that day, we had a wonderful time. Check out this pic of us with Darth Vader. I think Prof. Bicycle was really scared of him.....notice the six inches of space between him and Darth:

We are going to Universal in Jan. hopefully the harry potter ride and attraction will be less crowded then, but doubtful. Hey PC do you know what the crowd level is the week AFTER new years? I'm assuming not too bad since the kiddies are back in school.

Also, love the photo with you guys and Darth Vader. I would be a foot away from him too - I don't blame you! And love the thumbs up you're giving the photographer. Sarcasm perhaps?

 

[NessieBird]

The next day we went to AK in the morning, and hung out with Sean and Kelly at night. We went to the first night of Summer Nighttastic to catch the Main Street Electrical Parade and Fireworks. Both were great, but the MK was filled to the brim....it was hard to move. And about 150 degrees. Just standing there at 11:00 PM I was so hot the sweat was going down my pack into my undies. Gross.

While this is certainly gross, it didn't temper how hard I laughed when I read it. Go color commentary!

A big shout out to Scott for organizing our matching t-shirts for the trip! The photos are going to come out great!

Agreed. Scott is a true team player for handling the shirts. I'm sure the design will be perfection.
As part of my preparation, tonight I'm taking a walk down memory lane to the Wonderful World of Disney to watch Mr. Boogedy. Bride of Boogedy will be watched at a later date. Can't. Wait.

 

[kittyprincess]

Props to NessBird too for the original tshirt design, though sadly we couldn't use it, maybe we can use it elsewhere? On the agenda perhaps?

 

[Scott MC]

A big shout out to Scott for organizing our matching t-shirts for the trip! The photos are going to come out great!

I am so excited about this year's trip. Every year it gets better and bigger. Now we're up to 11 people! That's awesome. How cool is it that we can go to disney year after year, and its always a new, exciting experience?

Less than three weeks to go!

Thanks!, but wow...super awkward for you. We're actually up to 12!

Rejoice, Mary Willowtree will be joining us as well! She'll be sleeping between you and Jimmy.

 

[Scott MC]

Our t-shirts have been shipped!

Hopefully I'll be able to pass them out on Sunday when we hail the eminent arrival Fuquon Malik Ferreira!

 

[NessieBird]

Props to NessBird too for the original tshirt design, though sadly we couldn't use it, maybe we can use it elsewhere? On the agenda perhaps?

Gracias, but no props required. I'm just happy the shirts became a reality!

Our t-shirts have been shipped!

Hopefully I'll be able to pass them out on Sunday when we hail the eminent arrival Fuquon Malik Ferreira!

Woot! That was fast. I was making my packing list earlier and nearly forgot to include it! I quickly amended this grave error. Good work on choosing such a speedy site!

 

[kittyprincess]

Thanks!, but wow...super awkward for you. We're actually up to 12!

Rejoice, Mary Willowtree will be joining us as well! She'll be sleeping between you and Jimmy.

Yay 12 is way better than 11! I got confused with PC's count for our ADR's...
Looking forward to Mary Willowtree joining us and getting to know her better! MUCH better if she's sharing our bed....

 

[NessieBird]

Looking forward to Mary Willowtree joining us and getting to know her better! MUCH better if she's sharing our bed....

I'm imagining she of the legs for miles just plopped in between you and Jimmy. Hilarious. And cozy???

 

[NessieBird]

"His face was all yucky and...like a grilled cheese sandwich or something!"

Boogedy....Boogedy...BOO!

 

[Scott MC]

"His face was all yucky and...like a grilled cheese sandwich or something!"

Boogedy....Boogedy...BOO!

Um...you've just bought Henry about 2 years on the couch. Thanks.


I'm excited for Noelle/Fuquon's shower tomorrow...some of you will be receiving your magical luggage tags (which are impossible to stick to your luggage), and your Magical Express Stickers. Rejoice! We're coming up on the single digit mark, and Miker's favorite, the 100 hour countdown!

 

[NessieBird]

Um...you've just bought Henry about 2 years on the couch. Thanks.

Sorry, Mr. Henry! Big hug instead.

...some of you will be receiving your magical luggage tags (which are impossible to stick to your luggage

Mikey and I have worked these before; perhaps we can help troubleshoot.

Also, we should update the title of this thread...we are no longer 9, but 12!

 

[Scott MC]

...or 13!

 

[kittyprincess]

thanks to Scott for hand-delivering our custom designed tshirts for the trip today!!!

My t shirt fits! Actually perfect fit so after 1 washing will become pj's or a running tee but that's ok!!! just got a text from miker that his fit too. i jogged over to his house to hand deliver them. disney is making me healthier already!

scott - did vbtesla get back to you on lai's for ohana which means family?

also, i ran across this cool craft project for anyone who's into disney themed jewelry out of those pennies you can smoosh into disney designs...hard to explain but here is the link http://www.epbot.com/2010/07/simply-smashing-penny-jewelry.html#more

 

[Scott MC]

Lisa,
Glad to hear the shirt fits! I trust Jimmy's does too?

I did hear back from VBsHustla and I'll quote them:

"We got them the first time we went but not in March or last Sept. I will love it if you bring your own leis!"

---------

I did have quite the day today! The tee shirts we designed came last night, and I was horrified to find that they seemed to run very small. My shirt is unwearable and out of 12, I have 3 so far that need to be reordered. I'm hoping to do that tomorrow. I've only not heard from Jimmy, Jen, Vanessa and Mikey.
In order to get this ball rolling, and since being a teacher I have this week and next off, I decided to take a road trip and hand deliver the shirts. It was a swell deal as I got to see Cory (of Corysmom fame), and have lunch with Lisa at Cotton, one of my favorite restaurants in Manchester, NH.

We're about to do the single digit dance!

 

[monymony3471]

So anyway, they are all signed up. The only problem is that we have most of our ADRs for 9 people, and we're going to be upwards of 11 a lot of the time. We'll just need some cast members to work their magic.

1900 Park Fare just released a boat load of available tables and times for dining from about mid August down. Go check!

 

[kittyprincess]

Yes Jimmy's tshirt fits and he loves it!
Good tip about the dining openings! I think we're all pretty maxed out on sit down credits though.

 

[kittyprincess]

I did hear back from VBsHustla and I'll quote them:

"We got them the first time we went but not in March or last Sept. I will love it if you bring your own leis!"

I will find some lovely leis for us!!!

 

[NessieBird]

So, have we explained how we've grown from 9 to 13? Possibly, but not sure. If this is a dupe, just disregard (as everyone except for us and 3 other readers has done ).
So, the original 9 were:
From the DIS:
ScottMC
JNPants
Corysmom
Professor Bicycle
kittyprincess
NessieBird
Not from the DIS:
Chip and Snickers' Dad
Burger
Uncle Jesse

Then Burger found his lady-love. We shall call her Jen as I don't know her well enough to saddle her with some unfortunate nickname.
And Corysmom and Prof. Bicycle invited Bok, who is Prof. Bicycle's brother. So, we're at 11 if your math is a bit fuzzy.
Mary Willowtree (whom I call "Legs" because girlfriend has them for miles) is also joining us. As Scott mentioned in his first TR (which you can find in his sig!), she enjoys wide-open spaces and prefers to book her own room, but will come along for our (non-early morning!) activities.
And last Saturday, I received a call from Uncle Jesse informing me that 3 of his relatives from Italy were coming to visit...on Friday (yes, tomorrow)! I was incredulous. Luckily, I snapped a pic of my reaction:

What? If he's Uncle Jesse, shouldn't I be Aunt Becky? (Albeit Aunt Becky in a woefully unsuccessful attempt to crop a photo.)

Anyhow, after my initial shock wore off, we realized that leaving his 26 yr old cousin home alone with just two sets of parents probably wasn't going to be fun for him. Luckily, we have a great group of friends who realized that Disney World is a HUGE deal for Europeans and that we'd get to see the World along with a first-timer, which is always fun. So, cousin Andrea will join Mike and me on the ride down to Florida (during which he'll see Mike's sis who hasn't been to Italy in prob 15 years!) and then stay with us until an early morning flight on Wednesday.

So...that's the story. I'll leave you for now with a great, recent shot of Mike and me:

Have mercy.

Ciaociao!