Who Invited My Mother In Law? A Moderately Deluxe TR All New X 3 & PTR Link 2/3 !!

[KatMark]

Great update. I can't believe the tip your MIL gave you toward the dinner? Trust me, I won't be taking any MIL's on my trips.

We've never done 1900 Park Fare. My best friend and adopted sis here from the DIS, has kept me away from there as she hated it when she went (and she is often referred to as the Queen of Food Porn on the DIS. But you make it sound like it's not too bad.

Can't wait to hear if you finally get on some rides.

 

[shan23877]

That moment is the precise reason that everyone should try 1900 PF for dinner in their lifetime. The Tremaines are so freaking funny, I am laughing just thinking about them. Lady T is just so no-nonsense and says the funniest one liners but keeps her straight face, and Anastasia & Drizella are so over the top with their cattiness toward Cinderella and their flirtation with the boys/men in the room. I LOVE 1900 PF and I would eat there again and again.

The one thing that I noticed this year that has changed is the dessert - last year we were served a big sundae to share and it was really great, this year we had just the standard buffet desserts (and btw I totally agree w/ you on the chocolate crusted key lime pie..ick).

I say, also - yes to detailed dining reports! I love the extra detail, I find it really helpful to read others' thoughts on the different TS restaurants (especially since we have similarly aged daughters). It gives me ideas for next time!

Aren't they great?!? Even Maddie thought it was funny.

The desserts are just not good. However, I think that the only buffet with good desserts is Cape May. I am an Oreo BonBon obsessive. I love key lime pie,and that was just bad--in Florida.

Thanks for the feedback! I'll definitely keep doing them.

I gave dd the Merida doll today too! She keeps calling her "Brave" instead of Merida!! LOL

Sounds like we could write a book on our MIL's!! Mine does the same thing...this year when they took DH's brother, his wife and 2 sons to Disney. They went Easter Break week. They paid for 2 hotel rooms for 2 nights, full price bc of course they didn't book ahead of time and get an AP or discounted room. Meals for 3 days and all of their park tickets!!

Of course the night before they go into the parks, they have no plans or reservations and call me for advice and tips!!

Maddie is calling her "Brave" too! She keeps asking "What's her name again Mommy?"

GRRRRR. I would love to go on a trip that's been completely planned for me (well, not really, I'm too much of a control freak-but you know what I mean), and my MiL acted like a toddler. Yet, she's more than happy to go along with them with nothing planned? Nothing planned for my 3 year old niece. The woman has been going to Disney for almost 30 years!!! She knows better!

My fave person in DH's family advised me to say I'm too busy to help. They are most likely not going to have a good trip even if I step in (no time! they want to go in June! wouldn't you have at least made a hotel reservation? even if you were going somewhere less popular? they're nuts!). She's exactly right, and my SiL is a lot like my MiL so guess who would get blamed if when they have a terrible time despite my best efforts. She's so right, I just can't help them.

Great update. I can't believe the tip your MIL gave you toward the dinner? Trust me, I won't be taking any MIL's on my trips.

We've never done 1900 Park Fare. My best friend and adopted sis here from the DIS, has kept me away from there as she hated it when she went (and she is often referred to as the Queen of Food Porn on the DIS. But you make it sound like it's not too bad.

Can't wait to hear if you finally get on some rides.

Thanks! That tip still confuses me. Even though we used DDP, the price is still on the bill. Not sure what message she was hoping to send. It sure didn't say "Thanks for letting me enjoy WDW with my oldest grandchild"

You know, we really, really hated the food at Park Fare last trip. DH described it as "sucky" The only reason we gave it another try is the Tremaines. They are that entertaining. Plus, we were trying to do one character meal each day, and 1900 worked out for this day.

The food was much better than last time, but still not WOW. It was better than most buffet food though. It really is way more about the entertainment there, and for us that's good enough (for one meal at least!)

 

[amandaw]

I had some problems commenting last night too, it's irritating when that happens.

Seems like if I'm on here late at night, I always start having problems after midnight.

The meal was lots of fun! Those ladies are hilarious. Reed might not love it, but the stepsisters make a HUGE fuss over "single men" so maybe when he's older and you want to embarrass him?

That would embarrass him now. May be worth it.

Seriously! MiL travels sooo much, she understood. I still don't get why she did that, she's usually really generous. I am still annoyed by it. I would not suggest that you invite my MiL along on your next trip. It was a relief when her portion of the trip was over. It's just easier with the 3 of us, you know?

Oh, I know exactly what you mean. Back in 2004 (a few years before we had Reid), we went to Disney with my family. It was Ed & myself, my sister, her DH & their 1st born son (he was 3 then), my mom & stepdad and my uncle & aunt. NEVER AGAIN! My mom doesn't like Disney. My sister likes Disney but doesn't like the way I do Disney. In other words, she doesn't like that I plan, make ADRs, etc. Fine - since it was her only child's 1st trip, I let her control it. We had a grand total of 2 ADRs for the entire week we were there. I was so sick of counter service meals. By the end of trip, her & I were at each other's throats. Ed & I decided we would never do another family vacation with any family members again. It will ALWAYS be just the 3 of us in Disney. And that is fine with me.

 

[kmedina]

I hope you had no problems going from 3 to 4 people anywhere. Hopefully, your MIL does not get in all of your pictures either. You are making me want to try 1900 Park Fare for dinner. Now, I just need to convince Crap. Lady Tremaine’s comments had me laughing so hard. It seems fun. Thank goodness the food was better than on your last trip. Tipping four dollars on a $40 bill would have embarrassed me too. Sorry she did that to you. Some of my family members do that, so I do not like sharing a bill with them. I either end up over tipping to make up the difference (which is so not fair) or demand completely separate checks, so the server knows we are not to blame for the lousy tip.

 

[tralin]

My fave person in DH's family advised me to say I'm too busy to help. They are most likely not going to have a good trip even if I step in (no time! they want to go in June! wouldn't you have at least made a hotel reservation? even if you were going somewhere less popular? they're nuts!). She's exactly right, and my SiL is a lot like my MiL so guess who would get blamed if when they have a terrible time despite my best efforts. She's so right, I just can't help them.



You absolutely cannot help them. You will get all the blame and have an even tougher time being a family. Of course, by not helping you'll probably get blamed to. Stay strong! No help for the lazy!

 

[tralin]

Well, I asked Maddie and she said that it's important to go to the BBB and meet princesses, and get autographs. Not sure how helpful that is!

Very cute! Tell Maddie thanks for the tips. Not helpful to me but I'm sure Kaitlin will think so.

And mom to mom, thanks for your tips. We have an ADR at Akershus as I didn't know how rushed you are during the m&g's. You have to eat anyway right? It will be very interesting to see how she responds once we get there. We have a low key evening planned at MK first, no plans except Wishes, just and let's see what we find kind of night. The next day is the full MK day with a bit more planning involved but lremembering to let our "preschooler be our guide" and then one last day if she want's ending with MNSSHP. (She is a Halloween fanatic. Should be fun.

 

[shan23877]

I hope you had no problems going from 3 to 4 people anywhere. Hopefully, your MIL does not get in all of your pictures either. You are making me want to try 1900 Park Fare for dinner. Now, I just need to convince Crap. Lady Tremaine’s comments had me laughing so hard. It seems fun. Thank goodness the food was better than on your last trip. Tipping four dollars on a $40 bill would have embarrassed me too. Sorry she did that to you. Some of my family members do that, so I do not like sharing a bill with them. I either end up over tipping to make up the difference (which is so not fair) or demand completely separate checks, so the server knows we are not to blame for the lousy tip.

We really didn't have any problems changing to 4. At 'Ohana the CM kinda blinked at me for a minute before saying it was fin, but she was a little grouchy anyway I don't blame her, there was a line of people trying to get in without reservations.

1900 Park Fare is FUN! The Tremaines are hilarious, and it really is sort of grown up humor, the kids don't catch half of it. Maybe Crap would appreciate that?

Oh the tip. I can't for the life of me figure out why she did that. She really is a good tipper in real life! I have no excuses for her. It was embarrassing. I try not to split a bill with people like that either. Going out to eat with my SiL takes the cake though. She is SO RUDE to servers that I usually want to crawl under the table. I always tip extra to make up for her attitude. And that's the SiL that we'll be going to WDW with in 3 years and who hasn't even made a hotel ressie (much less anything else) for her family's June 2012 trip to WDW.

They're all crazy.

My fave person in DH's family advised me to say I'm too busy to help. They are most likely not going to have a good trip even if I step in (no time! they want to go in June! wouldn't you have at least made a hotel reservation? even if you were going somewhere less popular? they're nuts!). She's exactly right, and my SiL is a lot like my MiL so guess who would get blamed if when they have a terrible time despite my best efforts. She's so right, I just can't help them.



You absolutely cannot help them. You will get all the blame and have an even tougher time being a family. Of course, by not helping you'll probably get blamed to. Stay strong! No help for the lazy!

Thanks for the support! It hurts me to know that my little niece's first trip will be so very unmagical, but there's nothing I can do. I know that for months after the trip I'd hear nothing but snarky comments about what went wrong and how it's my fault. At least I know that my niece's next trip (the whole family! ) will be great, because I'll start planning that one a year out.

Very cute! Tell Maddie thanks for the tips. Not helpful to me but I'm sure Kaitlin will think so.

And mom to mom, thanks for your tips. We have an ADR at Akershus as I didn't know how rushed you are during the m&g's. You have to eat anyway right? It will be very interesting to see how she responds once we get there. We have a low key evening planned at MK first, no plans except Wishes, just and let's see what we find kind of night. The next day is the full MK day with a bit more planning involved but lremembering to let our "preschooler be our guide" and then one last day if she want's ending with MNSSHP. (She is a Halloween fanatic. Should be fun.

I'll pass it along to Mads. We've done Akershus for breakfast and dinner. It's a nice place to meet the ladies. In my experience, the characters all take their cues from the kids. If the kids are chatty and into the M&G, they give them as much time as the need. If the kid seems nervous or isn't really talking much, they move pretty quickly.

It think that your plan sounds great. Are you taking any princess dresses with you? Maddie loved wearing hers to the parks since they're usually for dress up only. It is pretty special to watch your little girl be treated like royalty.

 

[tralin]

It think that your plan sounds great. Are you taking any princess dresses with you? Maddie loved wearing hers to the parks since they're usually for dress up only. It is pretty special to watch your little girl be treated like royalty.

Yes, I am bringing one for the ADR at Akershus, we are going in September though I think it will be just too hot. We'll see. We are doing BBB right before the MNSSHP and I am splurging on a new dress for that. (It will also be her Halloween Costume when we get home.) She's just at the stage where she is starting to outgrow them so, we'll see. I may have find something for our full day at MK. I am SUCH a tomboy that sometimes I forget to let the "princess" out for DD. I buy jeans, she wants dresses. Dresses for me are just so impractical. I have to thank you again too as because of your last TR I upgraded to park hoppers. I don't usually believe in them for WDW but with the hours shortened it helps us take better advantage of the EMH and be more flexible.

 

[shan23877]

Yes, I am bringing one for the ADR at Akershus, we are going in September though I think it will be just too hot. We'll see. We are doing BBB right before the MNSSHP and I am splurging on a new dress for that. (It will also be her Halloween Costume when we get home.) She's just at the stage where she is starting to outgrow them so, we'll see. I may have find something for our full day at MK. I am SUCH a tomboy that sometimes I forget to let the "princess" out for DD. I buy jeans, she wants dresses. Dresses for me are just so impractical. I have to thank you again too as because of your last TR I upgraded to park hoppers. I don't usually believe in them for WDW but with the hours shortened it helps us take better advantage of the EMH and be more flexible.

Too funny, I have to force Maddie to wear jeans. I'm not a dress girl myself, but she loves them. I only brought one dress for Maddie on our first trip, and I should have let her bring more. If you have them and have room in your luggage, I'd bring another one. Though, Maddie would have been fine wearing the same dress every day.

I love park hoppers. To me, the flexibility can't be beat. That way, if you need to get to Epcot to find Mulan, or need to get to DHS to find Buzz--you can!

 

[shan23877]

We left 1900 Park Fare and stopped for a minute to admire my favorite Mary Poppins topiary. We were on our way upstairs to the monorail platform when MiL stopped us. She was adamant that the boat was going to be faster than the monorail and insisted that we go back to MK that way. WHAT? I know that the monorail is faster, but again didn’t want to fight. I was already annoyed at the tip debacle and didn’t want to blow the monorail discussion out of proportion. DH didn’t either, so we begrudgingly headed to the boat dock. We waited for 20 minutes or so for the boat, and it had gotten cold. I pulled out my hoodie/stroller rain cover which was still damp from our trek to Aruba 51. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than being cold.

Finally we boarded the boat and made the slow sail toward the Magic Kingdom. Once inside, we encouraged Maddie to choose some rides to go on. She announced that our first ride of the trip would be…

It’s A Small World. Bryan’s least favorite ride- but better than no rides at all! Once on our boat, Maddie became my Director of Photography, and as a result, I am now the proud owner of 50 or so photographs of the various rooms of IASW. I'm sure that you'd love to see them all, but I'll only share a few

Bryan enjoying the ride

Seven is a few right?


After IASW, Maddie was very happy and wanted to ride some more rides. DH and I saw our opportunity and pounced. We were going in the Haunted Mansion. Maddie and I had several long talks leading up to the trip about various “scary rides” such as HM, PoTC, Splash, and Snow White. I’d explained that everything is pretend and that on HM the ghosts are really pretty funny. She didn’t buy it.

As we approached the queue she started to panic a little, so we started making deals. If she rode HM we’d buy her the Perry the Platypus stuffed animal she’d been eyeing (we were going to buy it anyway, we’d gotten her an animal each day of the last trip and assumed we’d be stuck doing the same this time around) and we sweetened the deal with the promise of a balloon as well. And just like that the deal was done, it was time to ride!

We went through the interactive side of the queue which was a first for all of us and Maddie absolutely loved it. She would have happily played there all night and skipped the ride altogether, but we’re urged her along.

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Bryan really liked the interactive stuff too!

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Finally, it couldn’t be put it off any longer. There was no wait once we were done playing so we entered the stretching room right away. She did okay for the first few minutes, but once our fellow ride goers began to scream, she needed to be held.


And the last picture I took of Haunted Mansion. I had a 5 year old in my arms for the rest of the ride.

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We boarded our Doombuggies. Maddie was with me and DH rode with MiL. For 99% of the ride, DD’s head was buried in my chest, but she didn’t say much. At the end, we didn’t get a head switch, just a hitchhiker atop our buggy, but DH’s buggy did get the switch so at least I got to see it!

Safely outside, Maddie had this to say “I liked it a little. Can I have my balloon now?”

At least she hadn’t vowed never to ride again!


We had to stop for a picture in the gallows!

We knew that we owed her one, so we led Maddie into the newly opened Storybook Circus area to get our Barnstormer on. It was love at first sight for her. She danced and giggled her way through the 20 minute line, and soon enough it was our turn.

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DH and MiL rode together again, and found it somewhat difficult for 2 adults to comfortably fit into the ride vehicle, but Maddie and I were fine. Maddie loved all 30 seconds of the ride. She immediately wanted to do it again, but it was almost time for the parade.

 

[shan23877]

After we’d braved the Barnstormer, MiL once again tried to foist her MK knowledge upon us and insisted that we take the train back to Main Street and then find a place to watch the parade, Wishes, and the Magic, Memories, and You. But we’d finally had enough. DH put his foot down and told her that she was welcome to take the train but we’d be walking and finding a spot on the hub. (I mean really, fight our way up Main Street? At 8:45? With a stroller? No thanks!) She agreed to join us. Since it was so late, we knew that we weren’t going to get a prime spot for MSEP. We settled for a spot off the hub, just a little ways up from Casey’s. The very nice family that was in front of us generously offered to let Maddie join their children in the front row. It was very sweet of them, and Maddie had a great view of the parade. While we waited for the parade to start, I ran to the Emporium to make good on our end of the deal. I quickly paid for Perry, and made my way to Town Square and got Maddie’s princess balloon. I tend to move through crowds pretty easily being so short, so it wasn’t long before I rejoined my people. The parade started shortly thereafter, and since DH is 16 inches taller than me, he was in charge of photos.

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For some reason, the picture of the caterpillar with the hooka always seems to come out clear.

Once the parade was over we moved up a little to find a better spot for M,M,Y and Wishes. We were fortunate enough to find a trash can right in front of a light pole for Maddie to sit on, and there was enough open space around it for the 3 of us as well. While we were waiting, Mads and I decided that we needed a snack, so I got her a popsicle and got an ice cream sandwich for myself. Should have gotten the Mickey Bar.


I have no idea how I got this picture, but I like it.

Soon enough the Magic, the Memories, and You began. MiL had never seen the show and was as impressed as I’d hoped she be. I cried.


The whole time we’d been standing there I had an unobstructed view of the castle, but wouldn’t you know it, right before Wishes began a very tall gentleman joined the group in front of us. I was really hoping to see what photos I’d be able to get during Wishes with the fancy new camera. I took a few pictures from behind them, and then I made my move. I STEPPED INTO THE WALKWAY. I made eye contact with the CM tasked with keeping the sidewalk clear, so that she’d have the chance to tell me to get behind the line. I hopped back and forth for a while so that she didn’t get upset. But, she never seemed to mind, so eventually I just stayed put. I got to watch and photograph Wishes with an unobstructed view. (I stepped off to the side so as not to advertise that I was being allowed to break the rules.) Love that CM.


I played around with the camera settings a lot, but in the end I felt like I got some good shots.

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And the balloon? Huge pain in the butt. It was really hard to keep it at waist level so that it wasn’t hitting people in the back of the head or blocking anyone’s view. Mostly, people ended up bouncing off of it when they backed into us.

It had been a very long day so when Wishes ended we prepared to leave the park. MiL wanted to stay for EMH to do some shopping. We were too tired to join her so we parted ways with a plan for MiL to stop by our room to retrieve her luggage when she was done. Maddie was asleep before we made it down Main Street.

We got on the bus that was waiting at the CBR stop and were able to get a seat. Unfortunately, a second bus pulled up along side us and started loading. We had to wait for them to load that bus and for it to pull away before we could take off. So, we would have gotten to CBR sooner if we’d been later to the bus stop. The bus rides to and from CBR actually quite short, but that night the ride home from MK seemed to take forever.

We’d planned to get our mugs that evening, but we didn’t get back to CBR until 11:10 and Port Royale closes at 11. We decided to send Bryan to get them in the morning when they open at 6:30.

Back in the room, we put Maddie to bed and began to unpack. I pulled the travel bottle that held Maddie’s ear piercing cleaning stuff out of the bag only to discover it empty. I dug through the top pocket trying to figure out what had soaked up the solution. Everything seemed dry until I got to my socks. They were soaked. Luckily, I packed about 15 pairs, and only half took the hit. I laid the wet pairs over the air conditioning unit assuming that once they dried, they’d be sterile too!

After we unpacked I jotted down notes on the day in my little TR notebook and Bryan turned on ESPN. It was already midnight, so I set the alarm for 6:00 am and fell asleep. Bryan was waiting up for MiL.

I woke up at 2:30 am to someone knocking on the door. MiL had finally returned from shopping.

 

[amandaw]

What a fun night in MK!

I have also been talking to Reid about Haunted Mansion. I tell him it's just "spooky fun" and that Mickey would never let anything bad happen to us in his park. We also got the Disneyland for the XBOX Kinect & it has a game centered around the Haunted Mansion. I'm hoping all of these things will finally make him okay with giving this ride a try.

I'm glad y'all put your foot down with MIL & went the way you wanted to go for the parade. That's just silly that she chose the boat over the monorail. And she didn't get to your room for her luggage until 230am?!?

You got some really nice firework pictures!

 

[katt789]

Aw man, dinner at 1900 is so incredible! It's something I will definitely do again, I love love loved it!!

I also love the rapuznel dress, maddie looks so incredibly adorable. You guys certainly had a great night at MK, oh man, barnstormer, so awesome, but so TINY. Definitely made for small children.

I'm excited to read more!

 

[hardingk]

Great update!!!

Your MIL returned at 2:30 from shopping!!!??? I hope she didn't think you were waiting up for her??!! Did she buy the whole store??

 

[RachVH]

I woke up at 2:30 am to someone knocking on the door. MiL had finally returned from shopping.

Wow, she really is considerate, isn't she? Awesome update though, those pictures of Wishes are amazing!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Wow your MIL sure did a lot of shopping. I hope she bought Maddie some cute stuff.

 

[merbobear]

The HM queue is so much fun, isn't it! We played there for quite a while, but our dd had already gone back to the room w/ my Mom & MIL that night (she rode another time during the day). I hope Maddie wasn't too scared on any of the other dark rides! Last year when we went, we had a bonafide thrill seeker on our hands (she was 40.5 inches and rode everything she was tall enough for, aside from ToT). This year she was afraid of anything in the dark - she screamed and cried (real tears!) during the dark portion of the People Mover!

 

[merbobear]

2:30 AM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ack...that's so late, or early, depending on your perspective! She should have waited until the next morning to get her things and just slept in her park clothes for the sake of being considerate!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I am really enjoying reading your TR You are so much like me (Type A ,) so it's "fun" to read along and see that I'm not the only one who gets frustrated when someone else tries to be "in control" of decisions that I know aren't the best option. I also had to about being excited to find a trash can to sit on. Where else in the world would people come back from vacation and say "we were excited we found a nice trash can for our daughter to sit on!" Only in Disney!

Oh, and P.S., I was 32 the first time I rode Haunted Mansion (I just hate haunted house type things, but we did the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and that was one of the rides, and I didn't want to embarrass myself by not riding, so I finally had to. I had no idea it was funny, not scary.) So tell Maddie she's braver than me! ha!

 

[Lynn57]

2:30AM??? Can't wait to see what time she wakes up in the morning!