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

[CatNipRules]

You have much more strength than I do. I can put up with a lot from my MIL, but mocking my son would be the last straw.

My MIL can be very, very overbearing, but over the years we've learned to stay clear of each other at times. LOL!!

Can't wait to read more.

 

[RGirl]

Dang! Your MIL needs to check her attitude!

Yay! I'll bet you're used to all the stuff we do!

She was having a blast! She's been planning our next trip since we got back.

Oh yes, we meet them over and over and over. On this trip I think we met Belle, Cindy, Aurora, and Jasmine 5 times. Mickey and Minnie? 4 times. I totally feel your pain!

I am so glad to hear that Maddie has to meet everyone several times as well. I was wondering if it was just my kid! I don't really mind it at all - it is so funny!

 

[shan23877]

Funny pictures.

Thanks!

Poor Maddie.




I guess sometimes adults forget how intuitive little kids can be.


Yeah, I guess they do. The little ones hang on every word-they don't miss a thing.


Great update Shannon!

Thanks!

Ok... I kind of went back and forth about how I felt during that update.

MiL buys crocs for the other grandkids...

MiL finally buys something for Maddie...

MiL does her best Evil Queen impersonation at Nemo...

It would have been hard, but I'm glad that you did the right thing and just tried to calm Maddie down. That's the best thing you could have done for her in that situation. I'd like to think I'd do the same, but I don't know.

It was an up and down day. It was more important to me that Maddie feel loved and comforted than it was to have it out with MiL. I appreciate you saying you'd try to do the same.

I'm very impressed with how you handled the mother-in-law situation and her putting Maddie down. As a daughter-in-law of one weirdo mother-in-law, I know how hard it can be to keep our mouths shut during times like that. I have found that it's easier to ignore them than it is to make a scene. You get a big from me.

Thank you very much. I'm much more likely to ignore, I guess it seems easier for everyone. Thanks Lisa!

I also am coming out of lurkdom.... I've been reading many trip reports to pass the time until we return in one year. Yikes. Your trip report is great! Your DD is beautiful and even with your MIL's mishaps, it seems like a great time for your family. Loving it!

Thanks for coming out of lurkdom to say hello! I enjoy comments, keep 'em coming!

Thanks for the kind words : It was a fantastic trip, the last update and the next one should be the only dark patches I have to report!

Hi There!!! I just found your TR and I'm joining in.

I was just about dying at the Character Spot pics, I think a few characters have been molested by my kids too

I took my mom a few years ago and I won't be taking her back any time soon

Thanks for joining in!

Aren't character pics like that funny? It's not the first time that Maddie's done it either.

I think if it was my mom I'd have been a little more confrontational, and that probably would have made things worse!

Subscribing!

DS will be 4 when we return to the World, and my mother will also be accompanying us. I hope she behaves better than your MIL did

I bet you were just itching for her to leave!!!

Thanks for joining in!!

I hope so to! Seems like most grandparents would just be really happy to experience Disney with the grandkids-I bet you'll be fine.

I wasn't unhappy that she was leaving the next day.

You sound a lot like me. On the inside, I get all burned up and fired up, but on the outside, I don't actually do anything. I think your logic was spot on though. Better to spare Maddie anything by getting upset with MIL.

I'm an inside seether myself. My DH seems to hear all the great comebacks I have for rude people Maddie didn't need to hear anything else bad. It was for the best.

What frosted my cookies (yes, I'm like 80 years old apparently),



is the whole sweatshirt incident. Maddie says she's cold. Okay, then you give her something to warm up. I don't understand MIL's logic there. What would not giving her something accomplished.....I'm so confused.....

That was our thought process too. Cold? Here's a sweatshirt! Not cold anymore? Take it off! Easy!

Not sure what her deal was...

Shannon, I feel for you! Our MIL's are very similar she makes stupid comments too....I'm always like where did that come from and why? Doesn't she think before she speaks??? I don't say anything either, but my DH eaglets an earful later!!!!

Our poor DHs. Mine gets it from me too. I will never understand why people say such hurtful things.

 

[shan23877]

You have much more strength than I do. I can put up with a lot from my MIL, but mocking my son would be the last straw.

My MIL can be very, very overbearing, but over the years we've learned to stay clear of each other at times. LOL!!

Can't wait to read more.

At the time, making Maddie feel better (and distracting her) was the only thing on my mind. I appreciate your kind words, but honestly, I just didn't have time to go after her!

We keep our distance at times too!

Hopefully tomorrow!

Dang! Your MIL needs to check her attitude!





I am so glad to hear that Maddie has to meet everyone several times as well. I was wondering if it was just my kid! I don't really mind it at all - it is so funny!

Willow is definitely not the only one! Maddie could see the same princess 10 times in one day if we'd let her! She's never noticed that they're different either!

I don't mind it much either. I know that it won't be long before she could care less, so I'm happy to indulge her while she wants to.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

I'm super late, but caught up. Really enjoying your TR.
Oddly enough, my MIL and I were best friends...until I had my first baby then it was her way or the highway. I took the highway. LOL

 

[Lisa29]

Great few updates again. I want to try Yak and Yeti.

Well done with handling the MIL - your daughter is heaps more important and you are right thinking that she would have been uncomfortable if you had said something to MIL. I don't see my IL's often so don't know how I would be.

Hope the rest of the day was ok, can't wait to read more.

 

[MickeyReeds]

I've been enjoying reading along--sorry that you've had a few bumps in the road. You seem to be able to keep things in perspective and not let it spoil your fun. We went with my family last year and I found that I had to overlook a lot of things they were doing that were really annoying so it didn't spoil our fun! I've gone back and am reading your first trip report--I'm about 1/2 way finished. It's fun to see how thrilled you and your daughter look in the pictures! May I ask, what part of Illinois are you from? I grew up in the Quad City area.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

Joining in! I saw your first trip report and read the whole thing, then got caught up on this one. Great report(s) so far! I want to try Yak and Yeti now. Looks yum! :

We have been twice just DH, DD, and myself. Going again in October with the addition of DS who will be 1 next month. FIL has mentioned "someday" wanting to take all his kids and grandkids to WDW. I think it would be fun, but I definitely couldn't tolerate spending all my time with everyone. You seem to have handled your MIL very well!

 

[shan23877]

I'm super late, but caught up. Really enjoying your TR.
Oddly enough, my MIL and I were best friends...until I had my first baby then it was her way or the highway. I took the highway. LOL

Thanks for joining in! I appreciate that!

MiL and I did way worse before Maddie was born I don't blame you at all!

Great few updates again. I want to try Yak and Yeti.

Well done with handling the MIL - your daughter is heaps more important and you are right thinking that she would have been uncomfortable if you had said something to MIL. I don't see my IL's often so don't know how I would be.

Hope the rest of the day was ok, can't wait to read more.

Yak and Yeti was great! I can't wait to have those wontons again!

Thanks, appreciate the kind words.

The rest of the day was rough, but she left the day after that!

I've been enjoying reading along--sorry that you've had a few bumps in the road. You seem to be able to keep things in perspective and not let it spoil your fun. We went with my family last year and I found that I had to overlook a lot of things they were doing that were really annoying so it didn't spoil our fun! I've gone back and am reading your first trip report--I'm about 1/2 way finished. It's fun to see how thrilled you and your daughter look in the pictures! May I ask, what part of Illinois are you from? I grew up in the Quad City area.

Thanks for joining in!

You know, we were excited for this vacation that nothing could have spoiled it. We were determined to enjoy every minute of it.

I'll bet that you know exactly what I was going through!

Thanks for reading the first TR too! We had a fantastic time last year!

We just moved to the Chicago suburbs. Before that we were in Bloomington-Normal.

Joining in! I saw your first trip report and read the whole thing, then got caught up on this one. Great report(s) so far! I want to try Yak and Yeti now. Looks yum! :

We have been twice just DH, DD, and myself. Going again in October with the addition of DS who will be 1 next month. FIL has mentioned "someday" wanting to take all his kids and grandkids to WDW. I think it would be fun, but I definitely couldn't tolerate spending all my time with everyone. You seem to have handled your MIL very well!

Thanks for joining in! and Thanks for reading the first one as well! Yak and Yeti was delicious! I can't wait to go back.

I think that you have the right plan! MiL wants all of us (BiL and SiL and niece and nephew included) to go in a few years for her birthday. Since I'll probably plan it, I already decided that we'd eat breakfast and maybe dinner together and that's it. I think it's the only way for everyone to come back alive!

 

[shan23877]

This update and the one before it were the two that I’d been dreading writing. I put each of them off for several days because I didn’t want this TR to be a bummer. I know that I could have lied and said that everything was great, but that didn’t feel right either. I promise that after this update, the TR will take a much more positive tone. (MiL left just after lunch the next day)



I once again took NO pictures during this meal. So, and big thank you to the various internet sights that I borrowed these from. And, a big thanks to allears.net for providing all of the menu and pricing info.



We were on our way to the Polynesian for dinner. Having never stayed at one of the monorail resorts, I didn’t realize that the monorail is the only transportation option. We hustled up the ramp where we waited for about 10 minutes for the next monorail to the TTC.

The monorail stalled a few times on the way, and by the time we switched trains and got to the Poly we were a few minutes late for our ADR.

​

We checked in at the podium and waited for about 15 minutes for our name to be called. Finally it was ‘Ohana time!!

I was really looking forward to this meal, and so was DH. He knew how hard the reservation was to get, so he figured it must be good! (I may have mentioned meat on a stick too)


'Ohana ...a place of family, laughter and sharing ...Hawaiian style.
All-you-care-to-enjoy family style feast served right to your table.


Note that the price of this meal varies based on the time of year (peak seasons vs regular season), and even on the day of the week (weekday vs weekend). The general price ranges for this meal are as follows:

Adult price range: $35.14-$39.40; Child (ages 3-9) price range: $17.03-$19.16

Tax is included; gratuity is not included. A standard, non-alcoholic beverage is included in this price.

NOTE: ALTERNATIVE CHILDREN'S SELECTIONS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Starters
'Ohana Welcome Bread
Mixed greens with a honey-lime dressing
Appetizers/Accompaniments
Pineapple-Coconut Bread
Mixed Greens with Mango-Poppy Seed Dressing
Honey Coriander Chicken Wings
Pork fried dumplings
Sweet Golden Pineapple
Skewers
Prepared over an oak fire
Oak Grilled Chicken
Asian Barbecued Pork Loin
Marinated Sirloin Steak
Spicy Grilled Peel - n - Eat Shrimp
Accompaniments
Egg Noodles tossed in a peanut sauce with pineapple
Stir fried vegetables
Dipping Sauces
House Made Peanut Sauce
Chimichurri Sauce
Pineapple Sweet and Sour Sauce
Dessert
'Ohana bread pudding served a la mode with Bananas and Caramel Sauce




We were welcomed and given our leis right away. Maddie was beyond excited to be dining somewhere at which a free accessory is included in the price of the meal. The hostess took us past the kitchen and picked up our bread as she explained the restaurant to us.

As soon as we sat down, MiL insisted that “someone” have a drink with her. I don’t drink and Maddie is 5, so that pretty much left Bryan. He told her that he was tired and would really rather have a Diet Coke, but she insisted and offered to pay for his drinks so he relented.

The waiter arrived right away. He took our drink orders and said that our salad would be around shortly. We all started on the bread right away. It had been a while since lunch and we were starving! The bread was good, sweet but not dessert like.

The salad arrived shortly thereafter. The salad was fantastic as well, the dressing was delicious and there was just enough of it on the greens.

The food began to come quickly after that. Next was the chicken wings, fried dumplings, and fresh pineapple. I don’t like wings so I didn’t try any of them, but the dumplings were great and the pineapple was excellent. Bryan and MiL enjoyed the wings, and Maddie just ate pineapple.

By this point in the meal, Maddie was getting tired and more than a little cranky. I had already taken her to the ladies’ room once to have a “talk”, and Bryan and I were both loosing our patience rapidly. MiL ordered another glass of wine.


The broccoli and noodles came at the same time as the wings and such. I may be the only one who tried either of these things. I love, love, loved the noodles, but the broccoli was a little al dente for my taste. (I know that’s how broccoli should be served, I just like my kinda mushy.)

And then was the moment that we’d been waiting for….

The parade of meat began.

MiL opted to try everything but the pork.

Bryan and I just ¬steak, chicken, and pork. we got Maddie steak and pork.

The meat was outstanding. Everything was moist, tender, and well seasoned.

We finished our plates and discussed what we’d like more of. Bryan was already pretty full because the waiter had loaded up his plate on the first pass, but I wanted some more steak and MiL wanted chicken and some shrimp. The service had been excellent all night. The waiter was friendly and a bit of a jokester.

Our waiter came by our table to see how we were doing and MiL said “Can we get some more chicken and steak please?”

The waiter replied “No” with a huge grin on his face. He was very clearly joking, and Bryan and I chuckled appreciatively.

MiL replied in a stern, cold voice “That’s not a word I’m used to hearing at Disney”

As a server myself I was easily able to read the looks that passed over our server’s face.

The first expression said “Oh crap I just made a guest mad” It was immediately followed by a look that said “Are you serious lady? I was joking! Everyone else laughed!” That was seriously the last straw for me and for Bryan. We’d been looking forward to this meal for quite a while, and simply couldn’t understand why she acted that way. So much for the spirit of family and togetherness.


We got our meats quickly, but our server quite obviously didn’t know what to make of MiL and treated us very formally for the remainder of the meal.

Our bread pudding arrived shortly after that, but by then Bryan and I were very uncomfortable, irritated, and angry. Maddie was even crankier than before. All of the fun had been sucked out of the meal, and we couldn’t wait to get out of there.

I really enjoyed the bread pudding-which was good since I’m really the only one who ate it. I’ve heard many wonderful things about it on the Dis, but to be perfectly honest I liked the wontons from Y&Y better.

What did we think of ‘Ohana? We loved it. Bryan commented several times about the sweetness of all of the dishes, but MiL said that’s very common in Hawaii. Basically, any restaurant that offers unlimited amounts of meats on sticks served table side is a place we want to be. ‘Ohana has become one of Bry’s must-dos. And, even though Maddie was fussy and kind of bratty during the whole meal, she later proclaimed “That dinner was off the hook!!” I have no idea where she gets this crap, but I think that meant she liked it.



We finally paid our bills, but had to wait for MiL to finish her wine before we could leave. By then the tension at the table was so thick that you could cut it with the proverbial knife.

Once she was done I practically ran in the direction of the monorail. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. While I was sprinting away I heard someone yell my name. I turned to see Katt789 near the restrooms. I was so upset that I just blurted out “Hi! I’ve really gotta go” and sort of waved my arms at DD and MiL.

I felt terrible immediately. As soon as we got back to CBR I began to inundate her with FB and Dis messages apologizing and trying to set up another time to meet. I found out later that Katt789 and her group had been enjoying the sangria at the Hoop De Doo all evening and very little could have offended them.

Once outside we all hopped on a monorail back to MK. DH, Maddie, and I had origionally planned to hop back to Epcot for Illuminations, but with Maddie’s attitude at dinner and MiL’s attitude all day, we decided to go back to CBR as quickly as the bus could carry us. MiL wanted to go back to Epcot. Turns out she’d bought the wrong size shoe for our niece and she wanted to exchange them. I think she planned to switch monorails at MK.

I have no idea what was going on with the monorail service on this particular evening, but it took almost an hour for us to get from point A to point C. The train wasn’t able to stop at MK (instead we watched the buses at MK come and go for 15 minutes) so we got off at the CR and walked back to the bus stop. I had convinced MiL that she wouldn’t have time to go to Epcot (it was 8:45 and Epcot closed at 9:00) so she got on the CBR bus with us. (Should have let her go ahead)

Once we got back to CBR we parted ways with MiL for the evening.

Mousekeeping had put Maddie's friends to bed

We gave Maddie a bath and cuddled up in bed watching Stacey and then Pawn Stars and American Pickers. Bryan and I turned in at 11.




The next day was Maddie’s day and I was determined to enjoy it.

 

[merbobear]

I can't believe your MIL...I hope it was just a bad day and that she's not really that mean to her grandkids all the time!

But, on a brighter (sorta) note, LOL at the molestation of Mickey! I must have pictures of my dd copping a feel on every character in WDW...that 'area' is just the right (wrong) height when little kids go in for a hug.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Oh no, how frustrating! At least the food was good?

Hopefully things got better the next day!!!

 

[TinksThree]

I've subbed...actually a few weeks ago but I am trying to catch up--I am slow on everything right now! I decided to let you know I have been reading along since trying to catch up is taking a while!! Great pictures so far!!

 

[kimbo0569]

I have been reading your TR, sounds like a great one. I can't believe your mil acted like that. But my mil does too at times. I bite my tongue alot of times as well but my dh is starting to finally notice things as well.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Don't worry about posting the good, the bad and the ugly on your TRs! We all know that not every moment at Disney is camera-worthy, and we've all been there. I'm so sorry that your MIL ruined your much anticipated meal at 'Ohana, but I am glad you at least got to enjoy the food (if not the company and atmosphere!). I'm really glad you get to enjoy the rest of the vacation solo!

 

[afwdwfan]

Fun dinner. At least at Ohana you have the opportunity to eat yourself into a meat coma to try to make the memories less vivid, even if you don't drink. Maybe you should have indulged in some more shrimp and steak?

The monorail troubles don't sound like much fun either. I love riding the monorails, but I definitely don't want to be stuck on one.

I'm looking forward to seeing how much fun you get to start having after lunch on the next day.

 

[RachVH]

And, even though Maddie was fussy and kind of bratty during the whole meal, she later proclaimed “That dinner was off the hook!!” I have no idea where she gets this crap, but I think that meant she liked it.

And this, in a nutshell, is why I love kids. They pick up on everything and then bring it out at the most hysterical moments! I mean, not only did she obviously here that phrase somewhere, she remembered it and used in in the proper context. Awesome!

So excited to hear about Maddie's day, hope it went as well as you were hoping!

 

[Caretames1]

You know, I can't even say anything else about your MIL. I'm am just so angry for you.



I think you have convinced me to beg John to try Ohana for Dinner. He's not into food like that, but let him eat steak. I'll attack the rest!


Maddie's day will be awesome...after lunch for sure!

 

[laura74]

I once again took NO pictures during this meal. So, and big thank you to the various internet sights that I borrowed these from.

Picture poaching! I'm telling!

We were on our way to the Polynesian for dinner. Having never stayed at one of the monorail resorts, I didn’t realize that the monorail is the only transportation option.

Yeah, the transportation at the deluxes is either really great or really awful.

'Ohana ...a place of family, laughter and sharing ...Hawaiian style.

Foreshadowing?

As soon as we sat down, MiL insisted that “someone” have a drink with her. I don’t drink and Maddie is 5, so that pretty much left Bryan. He told her that he was tired and would really rather have a Diet Coke, but she insisted and offered to pay for his drinks so he relented.

Why does she care if anyone else has a drink? Just get your wine and shut up.

The bread was good, sweet but not dessert like.

Love that bread.

The salad arrived shortly thereafter. The salad was fantastic as well, the dressing was delicious and there was just enough of it on the greens.

Love that too.

The food began to come quickly after that. Next was the chicken wings, fried dumplings, and fresh pineapple. I don’t like wings so I didn’t try any of them, but the dumplings were great and the pineapple was excellent. Bryan and MiL enjoyed the wings, and Maddie just ate pineapple.

I think we may need to go back there.

The service had been excellent all night. The waiter was friendly and a bit of a jokester.

Our waiter came by our table to see how we were doing and MiL said “Can we get some more chicken and steak please?”

The waiter replied “No” with a huge grin on his face. He was very clearly joking, and Bryan and I chuckled appreciatively.

MiL replied in a stern, cold voice “That’s not a word I’m used to hearing at Disney”

Does she always lack a sense of humor?

So much for the spirit of family and togetherness.

Yup. That was foreshadowing way up there.

we couldn’t wait to get out of there.

Too bad she had to ruin a great time.

I really enjoyed the bread pudding-which was good since I’m really the only one who ate it. I’ve heard many wonderful things about it on the Dis, but to be perfectly honest I liked the wontons from Y&Y better.

Agreed. I think my expectations were set too high but I didn't think it was as amazing as everyone was saying.

And, even though Maddie was fussy and kind of bratty during the whole meal, she later proclaimed “That dinner was off the hook!!” I have no idea where she gets this crap, but I think that meant she liked it.

Does she watch the kids' sitcoms on Nick and Disney? My daughter comes out with some funny things watching those shows.

I found out later that Katt789 and her group had been enjoying the sangria at the Hoop De Doo all evening and very little could have offended them.

Mousekeeping had put Maddie's friends to bed

I love when they do that.

Great update Shannon!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Hmmm...MIL leaves the next day, and then things are positive...I think there might be a correlation there! That lady is getting on my last nerve and I wasn't even there!! It is so easy for me to imagine my own lovely MIL saying and doing these exact things.

Other than the negativity, I'm glad y'all liked 'Ohana. We have an ADR there on our next trip and we've never been. Also on our next trip? No MIL!