Yes, I AM the Upgrade Queen! 8/1 MK Parade

[emser]

All caught up on your TR.
I have to admit...it is a good thing you waited to post on BSIL, because I was on the other end of your texts and phone calls while all this was happening. And while you stated you are not a violent person, this could have been that time that you would have lost it. The images I had of you sitting in some cell with a dirty mattress and toilet and a cell mate just like your BSIL, which in turn would cause you to go further over the deep end, take her out and end up in maxium security somewhere...what would I tell your neice and nephew?!? (But I know one thing...I'd be comin to FL to take my neice to Disney. Just cause her mommy went crazy doesn't mean she has to suffer. Yea, Jeff could come also, as long as I get to ride Dinosaur with him!!!) Aren't I a good aunt?!?
So, when is your next trip with the whole family?!?

 

[eandesmom]

I just can't believe people sometimes, it is truly mind boggling.

I can however completely picture my EX-BSIL doing something like that. EX thankfully being the operative word. I'm glad you got your pictures back and good for you for calling her out on it.

I called my ExBSIL out twice during the time she was actually my BSIL. She is still mad about it and is still the wronged party. 12 years ago and she is still mad over a perceived wrong. The wrong of course being that I didn't do what SHE wanted me to do which was, as you stated, all about HER.

My ex MIL is so mad she is still stuck with exBSIL and not me, I feel bad for her but oh, happy for me!

I feel for you. Family can be hard enough without that!

on the cruise info.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I'm fuming all over again - can't believe that woman.

 

[sequent]

Interesting narration....and also interseting to hear that dinosaurs in DWD are so fearsome...!

 

[jmskinner]

I can't believe someone would do that. Sounds like she isn't so smart either since she used such stupid lies about the Photopass.

Ok, on to nicer things. Glad you got to have a Dismeet in the middle of all of that. And now I want to try Boma again. We liked it, but didn't love it.

Before reading how your BSIL is jealous about you living so close to WDW, I was thinking you will probably be back to WDW before this is completed. I hope you go back the first chance you can and send her pics throughout your trip.

 

[englishrose47]

Kara your BSIL isdown right ROTTEN to the core !!!

 

[karajeboo]

Oh NO SHE DIDN'T. I would be LIVID over the pictures (regardless of how they turned out), and more so over the lying about it. Good for you for calling her out on it. My bet is her behavior will improve since you did that....people like that pull all the cr@p they can until someone calls them out on their ridiculous behavior. Way to put her in her place! Oh and and nice touch on the cruise email.

Hmmmm, don't know if that behavior will improve or not, but we are speaking again. I email her pics of Ally on swim team when I send to the rest of my family and Jeff's.

Just read your TR so far and I am addicted. Your sense of humor is great.

I can not believe your BSIL did that to you. I have an Aunt like that. SHe only does stuff that is good for her and not for anyone else.

Can not wait to hear more.

We all seem to have someone in our family like that, huh? We had an aunt like that too, but once my uncle died we didn't claim her anymore since she was just an aunt by marriage!

No matter how many times you tell me that story it still bothers me. I just don't understand it. Does FAMILY mean anything to her? ARGH I would tell Jeff you will no longer be anywhere near the world while she is there!

Jillian - the funny (or should I say SAD) thing about this is that BIL lost his brother to cancer at a very young age and they constantly preach about family this and family that. Yet when they went to WDW this time they didn't even tell BIL's family for fear they might want to go with them! I can't imagine making a big trip like that without telling my family!

All caught up on your TR.
I have to admit...it is a good thing you waited to post on BSIL, because I was on the other end of your texts and phone calls while all this was happening. And while you stated you are not a violent person, this could have been that time that you would have lost it. The images I had of you sitting in some cell with a dirty mattress and toilet and a cell mate just like your BSIL, which in turn would cause you to go further over the deep end, take her out and end up in maxium security somewhere...what would I tell your neice and nephew?!? (But I know one thing...I'd be comin to FL to take my neice to Disney. Just cause her mommy went crazy doesn't mean she has to suffer. Yea, Jeff could come also, as long as I get to ride Dinosaur with him!!!) Aren't I a good aunt?!?
So, when is your next trip with the whole family?!?

Speaking of family..... where have you been???? I'm so glad you would be a good aunt and keep Ally's Disney fixation while I was in.... prison? How long have you known me? Prison????? If I didn't take you out when we were younger, I think I'm safe now!

Oh, next family vacay with Jeff's family? Next summer! His mom wants us all to rent a house in Gatlinburg for a week with Jeff's aunt and uncle, both cousins and their wives/girlfriends, plus Jeff's family. We've already said we will only do 3-4 days. At least I'll have Jeff's aunt as a buffer.....

I just can't believe people sometimes, it is truly mind boggling.

I can however completely picture my EX-BSIL doing something like that. EX thankfully being the operative word. I'm glad you got your pictures back and good for you for calling her out on it.

I called my ExBSIL out twice during the time she was actually my BSIL. She is still mad about it and is still the wronged party. 12 years ago and she is still mad over a perceived wrong. The wrong of course being that I didn't do what SHE wanted me to do which was, as you stated, all about HER.

My ex MIL is so mad she is still stuck with exBSIL and not me, I feel bad for her but oh, happy for me!

I feel for you. Family can be hard enough without that!

on the cruise info.

It's funny, because both MIL and FIL know what BSIL is like. In fact, FIL hates going to visit them because BIL is a bit strange too. There always seems to be some sort of drama when they visit.

I'm fuming all over again - can't believe that woman.

I'm pretty much over it now, only because I know that I made my point and she's been called out. We'll see how she behaves next time we see her. But I've already told Jeff, she and her family are NOT welcome at our home. So if we do a holiday here for Jeff's family, it will only be his parents. Sorry, but I warned him. There comes a time when enough is enough and I won't be taken advantage of again.

When they stayed here the night before the whole family went to Disny last year, and then thenight after the trip, she was so mad that they had to get up and leave to drive 9 hours home, that she just threw all their wet towels on the carpet and left them there! When I visit, I not only strip the beds, but I will take all our towels and sheets and start them in the washer! Again, just vindictive.

Interesting narration....and also interseting to hear that dinosaurs in DWD are so fearsome...!

Are the dinosaurs fearsome or is Jeff just a wuss?

I can't believe someone would do that. Sounds like she isn't so smart either since she used such stupid lies about the Photopass.

Ok, on to nicer things. Glad you got to have a Dismeet in the middle of all of that. And now I want to try Boma again. We liked it, but didn't love it.

Before reading how your BSIL is jealous about you living so close to WDW, I was thinking you will probably be back to WDW before this is completed. I hope you go back the first chance you can and send her pics throughout your trip.

I can't go back til mid-August - we have the season passes and we're blacked out right now. But you know I'll email pics to her and my inlaws the next time we go. At this point, yeah, I enjoy rubbing salt in the wounds!!!

Kara your BSIL isdown right ROTTEN to the core !!!

Rosie - I know!!! Jeff called them their last day there and asked if they wanted to come to our house (2 hrs away and on their way home), hang out at the pool, and relax, then get up and leave early the next day. They said no, they wanted to stay at WDW. What ticks me off is that if we wouldn't have met them at WDW, they would have made NO effort to stop and see us. Now for me, I could care less, but I'm sure Ally would like to see her cousins, and it would be nice for BSIL to make an effort to see her brother and niece. But nope. And we are literally 1/2 hr off the path. So selfish...

 

[Lovin Life]

Just finished reading this TR last night. Kara, you really should become a famous author. Your storytelling is fantastic!

BSIL I think almost everyone has one of those, me included. I have never told her off. No one in the family has or will! She's evil. I don't know how Darrin and she could have been raised in the same family. It is comforting to know that they are not blood related, as both are adopted -- so none of those evil genes could have made it into my children! I think that you did the right thing by standing up to her. Like my BSIL, she is probably not used to that, and you may just be able to turn her around if you don't let her get away w/her antics! Go, Kara!

 

[jmskinner]

I can't go back til mid-August - we have the season passes and we're blacked out right now. But you know I'll email pics to her and my inlaws the next time we go. At this point, yeah, I enjoy rubbing salt in the wounds!!!

That's less than a month away!

 

[pooksma]

This is just like that car accident you drive by and just have to look at...can't...seem...to...avert...my...eyes. all at the same time.

While my SIL isn't quite to B level, she does relish the joy of letting everyone know when she's sick or what she bought new, etc. Facebook is a nightmare!

I also have the melodrama BIL~last week it was that no one in the family cares, no one visits (he lives in the same town as MIL and FIL as well as other BIL)and we are two hours away, thank you-know-who!

Upside: Love Boma! and ITA that the soup is awesome. Very cool drink pics!

 

[karajeboo]

So let's move on to happier times in the Happiest Place on Earth, shall we?

After dinner at Boma, it was time for BSIL and her family to head back to their resort and we turned in for the night.

We were up early on Sunday for dinner at Kona Cafe. We packed up and loaded up the car, then drove to Poly. This started our adventure of the day when Jeff kept passing the parking spaces! If you pull into Poly and try to park, don't drive like a man, thinking you will score the ultimate spot close to the entrance, because once you get even with the front of the resort, you can no longer turn into the lot! Instead, you have to continue on out of the resort, back to the main road, and then back in, and do the "drive of shame" back by the security guard to try again.

Not that we did this.....I've just heard about it.....

I went on ahead of Jeff and Ally as they did some pin trading with CM's throughout the resort. As I was heading up the stairs, I saw a CM at the DVC kiosk and looked at his pins. He was wearing a green lanyard which means he can only trade with children. I saw one that Ally needed and told him to be expecting her. He looked at me kind of funny, and recognized me from the day before when we saw him at a different DVC kiosk! Then he gave me the "that's what they all say" about the kids coming soon to trade.

I checked us into Kona but we were very early - in fact, they weren't even open yet - and went back downstairs to look for Jeff and Ally. Sure enough, they were at the DVC kiosk trading pins. The CM started laughing when he saw me, and then ran through his recollection of the last time Ally traded with him. He seriously remembered her from the day before!!!

I told Jeff, if I see that same DVC CM again, we're buying! It's a sign! More on that later......

Now just to remind you, Jeff and I want to try EVERY restaurant at WDW, so we decided on Kona to try the much coveted Tonga Toast for breakfast. The restaurant itself is nothing exciting. Kinda looks like a Perkins or Dennys.....

But while we were waiting, we checked out Ohana and decided that is a must do for our next trip! Whether or not we do a character meal or not, the menu looks great and the reviews are always good too!

Anywho, back to Kona.....

Our server began by asking us if we wanted the Kona coffee French Press Pot or "regular coffee." Well, who wants to be regular????

So instead of a bottomless cup of coffee for $1, we opted for the $8 kona coffee - only two cups in there......... so yeah, we paid $4/cup of coffee. I guess it was good coffee, better than you find throughout WDW, but for $4 I would have preferred a nice skinny cinnamon latte or something. KWIM?

So of course, I took one for the team and ordered the Tonga Toast with a side of bacon. I'm a sucker for bacon.

Tonga Toast - Banana-stuffed sourdough bread, rolled in cinnamon sugar with your choice of ham, bacon or sausage. - $10.99

This came with a side of strawberry compote....

Personally, I liked the tonga toast, but the strawberry compote made it super sweet - so I only ate a few bites like that.

Ally had the mickey pancakes....

And I can't remember what Jeff had!!!! I think he did the tonga toast, too......

All in all, it was good but didn't quite live up to all the raves I've heard on the DIS. I am not disappointed we ate here, but now I can say, been there, done that, and move on.

We left Kona and headed outside to catch the monorail over to MK to meet up with BSIL and her family. And yea!!!! We were in time to catch rope drop!!!

I cried.... AGAIN! This time I don't know if it was rope drop, or the fact that we had already checked out and were heading home when we left MK, but it really doesn't matter. I turn into the Epcot dancing fountain whenever I A) first see the castle at MK; B) rope drop at MK; C) watch Ally's face as the characters greet her during a parade; D) just freakin BEING at WDW!!!!

"Good Morning, Good Morning!!!!"

Train arrives, mouse hops out, and all is good in the world. Seriously. Healthcare debate? WHO CARES!!! Bazillion dollar US debt? WHO CARES!!!!!

I'm at Disney World!!!!!

Get out of my way, Megan!!! Down in front! Mickey is waving to ME!!!!! ME!!!!! Oh, I love that stupid mouse....

Soon it was time for cattle call and we all slowly made our way into Magic Kingdom. Yup. Saw it and cried again. It has become a joke with Jeff and Ally. As soon as we see the castle Ally looks at Jeff, they smile, and then she turns to me and says, "take your sunglasses off, Mommy."

Then she and Jeff laugh when they see the tears in my eyes. One day she'll understand why.....

We slowly made our way down Main St, never hurrying, just taking it all in like it's our first time. Let the crowds bustle on by, racing to get FP's for Splash Mountain, I just want to savor this moment......

Jeff called BSIL as we turned off at Casey's and they had just entered the park. Wow! I was shocked that they would be here so soon - during our trip a year ago, they wanted to sleep in all the time and complained when we dragged them out for park opening.

So Jeff told them where we were and we waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Jeff called back and they were in Adventureland. He gave her the ole, "didn't you listen to me when I told you where to meet us?" But they didn't care. They didn't see us right away so they just continued on. They were nearly to Aloha Isle before we found them.

But Ally was glad to spend time with her cousins so, first things first - Aladdin's Flying Carpets!!!

I hate anything that goes up and spins. But I decided I could handle it and take photos, too. Besides, I needed something to do since I would be sitting alone. Jeff went on to get FP's for BTMRR for everyone, and BSIL grabbed the seats behind the kids, so I was on my own.

See the blur as we zoomed by at light speed a million feet in the air? If I think about it I get sick, so I just snap pictures and I'm fine...

Jeff was waiting for us when we got off, and we all made our way to POTC....

It was already time for our FP's so we then headed over to hit the ride. We stopped on the way to see Goofy, and then found out that BSIL forgot her camera. WTH???

And ya know what? The day I got home I emailed her all the pics I took this day of her kids.

OK, what does that bottom sign say???? Something is crossed out and Haunted is written over it. What was the original name of the Mansion maybe???

We now made our way over to BTMRR where BIL was to sit out with the baby. He wasn't happy about it either. Once we got in line BSIL asked Jeff and I if we would watch the baby so they could ride "just one" ride together. Mmmm hmmmm...... Jeff and I had just had the discussion that we were not going to be babysitters this day, but of course we agreed to "one ride."

When we got off, we saw that there was a 15 minute wait for Splash. We agreed to watch the baby while they all went on and took Ally with them. We figured 15 minute wait, plus 15 minute ride, they would be gone at least 25-30 minutes, so we went off and strolled around Frontierland, pin trading, shopping, etc.

A CM saw us with the baby and said he looked just like us! And the funny thing is that he doesn't even look like BSIL - he's a dead ringer for BIL so no relation to either Jeff or I in the looks department!

After about 20 minutes, we headed back to the bottom of the drop where the flume comes around the bend, thinking we could snag some good pics of them. We had the stroller poised to keep him out of the sun as it was getting HOT already! I had the camera ready and we waited.

And waited.

And waited.

We stood there for nearly 30 minutes before we see the crew coming up to us finally. Jeff asked what happened because they NEVER came by on the ride....

BSIL laughed and said, "We kinda cheated. The wait was only 5 minutes so when we didn't see you we went on BTMRR again." And she giggled like it was the funniest thing in the world.

Jeff went off this time! "You did WHAT??? So we've been staning out here for 45 minutes while you went on another ride?"

BSIL: "Well, we didn't see you so we figured we had time."

Jeff:

OH, it was very uncomfortable for a time there. Jeff, under his breath to me, "Can you believe that? Who does that?"

Then I pulled Ally aside and said, "so you didn't see us?" She told me, "yeah, we saw you but Aunt BSIL said to pretend we didn't." OMG! Seriously?

It took Jeff awhile to settle down after this. He was LIVID!!!! We didn't even mind watching the baby. But the lies and deception were the issue. And to include Ally in that????? Nice.

Making our way back toward Liberty Square now....

Up next..... Jeff becomes "That Guy" and the 3pm parade.....

 

[karajeboo]

Just finished reading this TR last night. Kara, you really should become a famous author. Your storytelling is fantastic!

BSIL I think almost everyone has one of those, me included. I have never told her off. No one in the family has or will! She's evil. I don't know how Darrin and she could have been raised in the same family. It is comforting to know that they are not blood related, as both are adopted -- so none of those evil genes could have made it into my children! I think that you did the right thing by standing up to her. Like my BSIL, she is probably not used to that, and you may just be able to turn her around if you don't let her get away w/her antics! Go, Kara!

Aw, thanks Pam! You're too sweet. Almost like my BSIL! J/K!!!! I just don't think she'll ever change. Luckily they are now 9 hrs away so we don't have to deal with her except maybe once a year. They are only 4 hrs from Jeff's p's, we are 7 hrs, and we see them way more. She only drove to visit her parents once in the last year and a half. It's so pathetic and Jeff gets so mad. But what can you do?

That's less than a month away!

I know!!!!! And I think we're gonna go down for just one night the weekend before school starts - me and Ally, and her BFF and her mom. Should be fun!

This is just like that car accident you drive by and just have to look at...can't...seem...to...avert...my...eyes. all at the same time.

While my SIL isn't quite to B level, she does relish the joy of letting everyone know when she's sick or what she bought new, etc. Facebook is a nightmare!

I also have the melodrama BIL~last week it was that no one in the family cares, no one visits (he lives in the same town as MIL and FIL as well as other BIL)and we are two hours away, thank you-know-who!

Upside: Love Boma! and ITA that the soup is awesome. Very cool drink pics!

I love the drama. Nobody in Jeff's family is happy unless there's drama. Everything gets embellished to the nth degree. They aren't happy unless they are the "est" of whatever is happening, i.e. sickest, poorest, richest, hurtest, yeah, I'm making up words now!

When MIL had surgery to have her bladder tacked up, the same day as my mom's double knee replacement, it was like she was at death's door. Crazy!

Oh, and just so y'all know - it's not my my BSIL is "poor" by any means. BIL is an attorney, and she has a good job too and looking to become a SAHM. So any issues with money are moot.

They complained about this being the first trip they have EVER paid for themselves. I guess it's just priorities. I'd rather spend every dime on memories and vacations. They would rather buy the latest and greatest pair of athletic shoes that come out every year. Sure, I can't flaunt where I spend my money, but that's just me.

Have I mentioned how I want to live at Disney World? No, not in Orlando, IN Disney World!!!!! I think there's a little flat in England in Epcot. It's got my name alllllll over it!

 

[Rosiekins]

I am just now catching this but I got quite the giggle over your Princess troubles. We too had a "homely" princess but ours was at Epcot. We met Belle and Beast in France and Belle was not only not pretty, she had a mustache to boot. Now I am one to try and find beauty in all kinds but this just is not what I anticipated from a Disney princess. We still laugh about it and we are not as kind as you, no homely for us we refer to her as Ugly Belle (not while she could here us though) In fact in PP calender I have a pic of her and my DH labeled Ugly Belle and my beast. At least I didn't have any children to explain anything to.

 

[emser]

Wow! You never told me about the waiting while they went on another ride. How about calling to see where you are? Hehe, at leat she is YOUR BSIL, my SIL is pretty cool. I could actually go to Disney with her and probably have a good time.
I thought I had my DH talked into taking a trip this fall. We just got a Hybrid that is getting 50 mines to the gallon, and I thought we should break her in. We figure we could get to adn from Disney on abotu $100.00! I think that is worth a trip, don't you?!?

 

[karajeboo]

Wow! You never told me about the waiting while they went on another ride. How about calling to see where you are? Hehe, at leat she is YOUR BSIL, my SIL is pretty cool. I could actually go to Disney with her and probably have a good time.
I thought I had my DH talked into taking a trip this fall. We just got a Hybrid that is getting 50 mines to the gallon, and I thought we should break her in. We figure we could get to adn from Disney on abotu $100.00! I think that is worth a trip, don't you?!?

YES!!! And of course you have a place to stay on the way! Plus, if YOU go to Disney, of course WE will have to meet you there!!!

And I know I told you about that episode. I think you're just so used to hearing about her antics that it probably didn't even phase you!

 

[karajeboo]

BTW, if y'all haven't guessed, emser is my younger sister, Kami. We are about as different as two people can be but still the best of friends....most of the time!

 

[karajeboo]

I am just now catching this but I got quite the giggle over your Princess troubles. We too had a "homely" princess but ours was at Epcot. We met Belle and Beast in France and Belle was not only not pretty, she had a mustache to boot. Now I am one to try and find beauty in all kinds but this just is not what I anticipated from a Disney princess. We still laugh about it and we are not as kind as you, no homely for us we refer to her as Ugly Belle (not while she could here us though) In fact in PP calender I have a pic of her and my DH labeled Ugly Belle and my beast. At least I didn't have any children to explain anything to.

Ugly Belle! I love it! Actually, every Belle I've seen in Epcot has been beautiful - the one at MK? Not so much!

 

[mamaboogie]

Hi!

I've spent an enjoyable afternoon catching up with your TR - so much fun to read!

We are very excited to be going back to WDW next year (only 13 months to go!)

Unlike you - we have to get on a big, shiny metal bird and fly across the Atlantic to get our dose of magic! But reading reports like yours keep us going!

BSIL - what a B!!!!

Can't wait to read more!

Sharixx

 

[ckdsnynt]

Have I mentioned how I want to live at Disney World? No, not in Orlando, IN Disney World!!!!! I think there's a little flat in England in Epcot. It's got my name alllllll over it!

I wonder how many of us there are out there? My DD and I talk about this all the time! We used to plot how we could avoid detection and stay in the parks after hours! Just kidding, tho! No one could seriously do that and not get caught but it was fun planning where you could go and what you could do! But honestly, over by Liberty Tree Tavern and Adventureland is kinda spooky because it is so dimly lit at night even when the park is open.

 

[Lovin Life]

Up next..... Jeff becomes "That Guy" and the 3pm parade.....

I first read -- Jeff becomes "That Guy" in the 3pm parade...
I thought that he participated in some way. Hee, hee! Did you see that Disneyland parade proposal?, and if so, do you know if it was real? I don't know if I would want to hear that it wasn't. I loved it, and would be crushed!

That is totally not acceptable about you babysitting while SOMEONE goes on multiple rides! To top it off, getting Ally involved? Totally uncool, IMO.

I have to ask - do you all, who do such wonderful TR's, take notes on your trip? How do you remember all of the details? I love the food and drink pictures.

I am a fellow boo-hooer, especially at WDW, especially at MK, and also believe that all cares and worries disappear in WDW. It's so magical, and only those of us that feel it can understand that. Non-believers just don't get it.