best. day. ever.

Day 4 was my birthday.

My birthday wish came true.

The Pea woke up, sat up, looked at me with wide eyes, put her hand on her belly, and exclaimed "Mama, I feel bettah!"

Whoo! Hoo! We are off to Epcot!!!

From day one of planning I knew I wanted to spend my birthday in Epcot.  We hadn't spent much time there on our first trip and I felt like there was so much more I wanted to see and do, and that would be the perfect day to do it.  I wanted to see the Candlelight Processional and ride Soarin' and watch the fireworks...and that is exactly what we did.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge gets a bad rap when it comes to their busses, but we never had a problem.  Leaving the resort we never waited more than 15 minutes, and most of the time it was around 5.  On that morning we walked up to the bus stop as the bus pulled up to the stop.  I knew we were off to a good start at that point.  After arriving at the park and getting our rental stroller we headed to The Land for our "tickets" to Soarin. 

We rode Living with the Land one time, just for good measure, and then headed over to The Seas.  We rode Nemo, Talked with Crush again, and then happened upon the dolphin show.  After spending what seemed like an ETERNITY in the gift shop "Mom, can we buy this?" "No."  "How about this?" "No."  "I like this."  "No."  "You never let me get ANYTHING...you are mean."  "I know." "How about this?"  I was able to drag her outside for a snack. 

I wanted to get a free picture and have some character interaction so I took advantage of the Disney Visa Character Spot.  We got there at 12:30 and were the 4th family in line.  I was excited because it gave us an opportunity to sit for a bit and rest, with a guarantee of seeing a few characters at 1pm.  Well at 1pm the line was damn near a mile long and still no CMs, no characters, nothing going on.  I wondered aloud why they hadn't started yet and was told by the family in front of me that it started at 1:30.  Oh.  Dear.  God.  If I had known that I wouldn't have done it, but since we were already there and wouldn't have another chance to come back, we stayed.  It was the longest wait of the entire trip.  I'm not a fan of lines, or waiting in them, and when our time came it was worth it, but never again.  I got a birthday hug from Mickey, and we got some cute pictures out of the deal.

Our reservation for the Candlelight Processional lunch package was at Coral Reef in the Seas Pavilion, at 1:45, so as soon as we were done we headed over and checked in.  Despite getting a lot of bad reviews, I rather liked it.  My steak was good (I know, I know, you don't order steak at a seafood restaurant, but I'm not big on fish and eating them while watching them swim around just seemed weird to me) and while I am sure there are some better values in Epcot that was our only option for the lunch CP so I took it (because again, not a fan of lines, and heard to do the CP without the lunch/dinner package you must stand in one hellava line).  The Pea LOVED it, and made sure everyone in the place knew when the shark was swimming by with her "MOM, MOM, MOM, there's the shark!"  My server was fantastic and the food came out quickly and was hot, so no complaints there, but getting seated was a bit of a cluster f*%k and the bathrooms are WAAAY too small for a restaurant that size.  I had the fried shrimp appetizer, which when I peeled off half the breading was perfect, and the steak.  The Pea had the kids pizza, but only ate her fruit, and half my mashed potatoes.  We took our dessert to go (and it ended up falling off the top of the stroller and exploding all over the sidewalk somewhere near France) because we still had to ride Soarin and get to the American Pavilion for the show.

Very cool atmosphere

A little dark, no flash, but good food.

Shrimp Appetizer.

Candlelight Processional was nice.  I was a little worried the Pea would get antsy and bored, but it was something I really wanted to do and luckily, she seemed to enjoy it.  For me, it would not have been worth waiting in an hour long line (or worse) but the music was amazing and I enjoyed listening to Trace Adkins tell the story.  Trying to navigate the stroller towards Morocco afterwards however, almost made me lose all the happiness and spirit of Christmas I had just filled my heart with.

I didn't take pics during the show, just wanted to relax and enjoy, this is at the end.

Mo'Rockin was on stage as we strolled up and we stopped to enjoy the show.  The musicians are pretty phenomenal, but are upstaged by the belly dancer, so probably don't get the props they deserve.  The Pea and I were mesmerized, and I tried not to gawk like all the guys, but caught myself doing it more than once.  When they were done we wandered through the shops, I got a henna tattoo, and then we went back for another show.  I had wanted to eat at the restaurant in Morocco so we could see the belly dancer (and because I love that kind of food) but we couldn't fit it in.  It was nice to stumble across this show because I hadn't realized they had a dancer, and the music was better than I anticipated.

I have a video but blogger wouldn't let me upload it...I will try again another time.

After Morocco we had some time to kill so we wandered through France and the UK.  Again, we stumbled on a show.  British Revolution was just starting to do their thing and we parked ourselves right in front and enjoyed.  At the end of the set they sang the Beatles Birthday song to me (and the other 3 people celebrating their birthday that day, which I chose to pretend weren't there) and I let the Pea use my camera to take a picture of me with the band.  It came out great, but then she wanted to take pictures of everything and after watching her drop her camera on the pavement 3 times, I wasn't about to hand over mine; and every time I wouldn't let her, she reminded me that she took a picture of me with the band, and didn't drop it then.  Oy.

About this time I started feeling bad...I knew I was coming down with something (the hacking, sneezing, funk nasty that 60% of the park visitors had, and shared with me) and we headed for a gift shop so I could get some cold medicine.  I brought some with me, but of course it was back in the room, and it was still my birthday and I was going to enjoy the rest of it, so there would be no going back to room until we had to.  After our quick pit stop we headed to Mexico to ride Gran Fiesta (twice) and then to the VIP fireworks viewing area. 

Hidden Mickey in Gran Fiesta

It was nice having a place to sit and not have people all up on us, but as far as viewing, I think I had a better spot on our first night.  There was a light pole and some bushes that obstructed our view a bit, but overall, it was lovely.  When it was time to mush with the masses I tried my hardest to just go with the flow and squash my urge to ram people with the stroller.  When we finally were spit out at the exit I had two choices: bus or cab...flashback of our first night: watching two full busses pull away while hearing "but mommmmmy, I wanna gooooooooo nooooooww," the Pea falling asleep in my lap, struggling to carry her off the bus and walk up the hill to the lobby before remembering my backpack (with our room keys, ID, credit cards, cash, APs, camera, etc) was still under my seat on the bus, dropping the Pea and yelling "RUN BABY RUN!" while she stands there half asleep and bewildered, me in a full sprint back to the bus stop, banging on the door of the bus while running along side of it as it pulls out of the bus stop until it finally stops, reaching down between the legs of the man, now sitting in the seat I had been, to grab my bag while he and his wife look at me bewildered, walking the eighteen thousand miles back to my room, still winded from the run...yeah, we took a cab. Pretty sure we were back at the lodge before the first bus, and prett y sure we would have, once again, been on the third.

Upon arriving back at the hotel I had a package waiting for me; Smash had mailed me a birthday present. 

Best. Day. Ever.

arrrrghh and pity me lass

Day 2! (and 3)

After getting back to the lodge at midnight, and then unpacking and settling in, the last thing I imagined we would be doing was getting up at 7am to hit the Magic Kingdom at opening, but that is exactly what we did.  I knew from reading on Touring Plans (http://touringplans.com) and the Dis Boards (http://www.disboards.com/) that getting there early was the way to go, but neither the Pea nor I are early birds, so I wasn't betting on us.  We ended up missing "Rope Drop" by a few minutes, but were still one of the first to arrive and the park was nearly empty.  We managed a quick meet with Daisy and then strolled down Main Street.

Good Morning Daisy!

Thank you Photopass for taking pictures of the Pea AND me.

He made that out of water in the street, with a broom!

We caught a CM (cast member aka Disney Employee) getting creative and managed a shot of the castle without any other people in it.  It was also the only time (while we were there) that the Castle was open to walk through...I wish we had spent more time inside and taken some pictures, but I just assumed we would have another opportunity.

Our plan was to hit Space Mountain for a quick ride and a fast pass, but about halfway there we aborted the mission and decided instead to hit the Regal Carousel and just ride. 

I think we were able to ride four times without getting off (because there were so few people in line) and when she finally had her fill we grabbed a fastpass for Peter Pan and rode It's a Small World twice. 

The Pea's favorite ride is It's a Small World...followed closely by Living with the Land, then the Gran Fiesta Tour.  If you aren't familiar, these are all rides that you sit in a flat bottom boat and float through changing scenery.

We were able to use our fastpasses for Peter Pan right after IASW and then we headed over to Tomorrowland.

No Standby line for us...no way.

spinning, spinning, round, and round

 On our way we stopped for a quick ride on the Teacups and then walked on Buzz Lightyear.  After Buzz the Pea was acting cranky and saying she wanted to go back to the room so I figured it was time to rest...I decided we should do the Laugh Floor, thinking the sitting down and laughing would do us some good. 

It didn't seem to help so we headed to Cosmic Ray's for a snack.  She ate a few grapes, but said she wasn't really hungry. 

Again, didn't seem to help.  At that point I called the Pirates League to see if we could change her reservation (she was scheduled for a Pirate Make-over/experience after lunch and had been really looking forward to it).  We had no luck changing and the Pea was adamant that she was done for the day.  I honestly didn't know what to do because I knew how badly she wanted that Pirate make-over, but here she was saying she just wanted to leave.  At that point I was convinced the combination of an early flight, long day, not much food, and even less sleep was to blame and she just needed to rest.  The walk to the bus stop, the ride back to the hotel, and the walk to the room would be silly and would only give us about 30 minutes before we would have to turn around and do the reverse to get back to the park so we just found a bench and she curled up on my lap and fell asleep.

She woke up to the sounds of the Block Party Bash and wanted to go see it. 

We headed for the Hub, grabbed a prime spot, and watched it go by.  When she wanted no part of getting up and dancing I knew it wasn't going to be as easy as just waiting for her second wind.  She spotted another little girl in a stroller and told me if she had a stroller she would be fine.  I didn't think she would need a stroller on this trip and so didn't bring the $25 umbrella stroller that I bought for the last trip (big mistake, HUGE) BUT, we walked a TON the first day and I got to thinking maybe she just hit a wall.  We headed for the front of the park to rent a stroller.  $40 lighter, with me pissed off as hell and her happy, we headed to Adventureland and the start of our Pirate Adventure.  First, Magic Carpet ride, then the Pirate Experience and the Pirate Tutorial, maybe a dole whip or dole whip float, then ride Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise, and then who knows...maybe it would be time for the parade...maybe we could use one of our fastpasses (we had grabbed Space Mountain while in Tomorowland and both Mickey and Princesses while at the front of the park getting the stroller)...whatever we did, we were gonna have fun and make the most of a nearly empty park and then we were going to take the boat to the Grand Floridian for our dinner with Cinderella and the Step Sisters!

She got her pirate name...

...and took the pirate oath.

bwaahahahahahaaaaaa...best laid plans.

The Pea puked at the Pirates League...

Her sash and her sword were hastily thrown in a bag...she didn't do her photo session, cuz let's face it, no one wants to see, be in, or take pictures of a puking kid, no matter how cute she is...and I ran for the bus, throwing my fastpasses at a lady who looked like she was struggling with a baby, a hyper kid, and a half asleep husband.

Without thinking about the fact that I could be stuck there for DAYS, I headed straight for the room to get the Pea to bed, thinking that after a few hours of sleep she would be ok, and we would be having dinner with the Step Sisters.  She has talked about how funny the step sisters were and how she couldn't wait to see them again, all year long.  When it became clear that she was sick, not just tired, and I had to cancel our dinner (and there were no openings the rest of our stay)  we cried.  I know it sounds silly, but I knew how badly she wanted to go and I wanted her to be able to go.  She has NEVER been as sick as she was that night (which I consider lucky, but still...)
 

I spent the next 24 hours: pacing, sitting on the balcony, sitting on the couch, sitting in the bed, feeling her forehead, holding her hair, wiping tears (hers and mine), cleaning vomit, pacing more, checking facebook and lines (http://m.touringplans.com/wdw/chats) on my phone, and drinking wine.  The only thing I had in my room to eat or drink was wine, coffee, and a half of a bottle of Gatorade.  This wasn't a problem initially, but proved to be, when 30 hours later, we were still in the room.

I couldn't leave her because she was either sleeping or barfing and I didn't have anyone I could send for food or drinks.  At first it was just a bummer, then I got a little panicked.  I finally called the front desk and explained my plight and they were kind enough to send up bottled water (after much hemming and hawing, and a call back an hour later, and a $14 room service charge) but given what it took to get that, I wasn't about to order food for myself.  I blew our budget renting the stroller as it was and I didn't want to worry about money the whole rest of the week.

On the evening of day 3, after cancelling another dinner, it became obvious I was gonna have to do something.  I was stir crazy and starving, and even though the Pea wasn't up for doing anything, she was at least coherent enough that I was comfortable leaving her for a few minutes.  I bit the bullet, called XDH, and asked him to talk to her while I ran downstairs...literally ran.  It wasn't until after I got back to the room and happened to walk by a mirror that I realized I was in PJs and looked like death.  The CMs must have thought I was out of my mind, or hopped up on drugs, the way I came tearing into the restaurant.  I think I shouted my order for a flat bread pizza and a kids macaroni and grabbed a few drinks and a coffee cake while it was cooking.  Everyone else in the place was standing there patiently waiting for their food and milling over their choices at the coolers and I was a whirling dervish grabbing whatever was in reach.  I threw it all in a bag and ran back upstairs.  Those of you familiar with Animal Kingdom Lodge can appreciate that I probably logged a good mile on that little jaunt...those that are not, take my word, the place is huge, and our room was on the opposite end of the resort from the restaurant.

When I got back to the room and saw that the Pea was still there, in one piece, and still on the phone, I breathed a sigh of relief and plopped myself down on the couch.  The Pea was able to eat some of her mac and cheese, jello, and applesauce (and more importantly, keep it down) and I was able to scarf my flatbread.  Sorry I don't have a picture, but I wasn't thinking pictures in that moment, I was thinking "oh my God this is so good and I'm so hungry can't stop must eat num num num num num num nummmmy."  I had the chicken, it was good, spicy, and crunchy, and definitely a recommend if you happen to be at Mara.

We watched the Disney Channel and cuddled that night, and went to bed hoping that the next day would be better.  It was.



 

welcome home

We're back!  We got home Christmas Eve and had a wonderful Christmas morning, and now the Pea is with her dad and I am back to the grind.  There were a few bumps in the road and things didn't go according to plan (do they ever?) but overall it was a fabulous trip.  I am still recovering from the cold I picked up from one of the thousand kids that sneezed and/or coughed on me, but I'm on the mend and ready to share our first day.

Our flight was great, we arrived early, and there was no one in line for the Magic Express when we got downstairs.  I figured they would wait until a few more people showed up before they let us on the bus, but to my surprise they ushered us right on, and off we went.

Are we there yet? 

Yes!



Jambo!

The lobby tree at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Our room.

The carpet...can you spot the hidden Mickey?

After checking in we headed for our first park...EPCOT!

EPCOT

First stop: The Land Pavilion.

We were too late for Soarin' fastpasses and both starving, so we grabbed some grub.  I dug right in before remembering my plan to feed my food porn addiction, and was practically done by the time I took this shot...oopsie.  There WERE four pieces of Tuna.  The Pea told me I was weird every time I took a shot of our food.  Every.  Single.  Time.

Ahi Tuna with noodles, kids chicken and taters, strawberry shortcake.

This ended up being one of Pea's favorite rides.

Next stop: The Seas Pavilion, for Turtle Talk with Crush.

And then...off to World Showcase!

EPCOT's tree...it had big balls.



Storyteller in China



Storyteller in Norway

School Bread-yum!



After some aimless wandering it was time for our dinner at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and our first of 3 planned dinners with Princesses.

Princess Belle greeted us at the door, and then we were escorted to our table.

There was a cold buffet with meats, cheeses, salads, etc.

I don't know if it was because it was before either of us got sick and lost our appetite, or it really was the best meal, but it surpassed all our others.  

Pea had the kid's Meatballs, I had the Mushroom Ravioli.

Cindy, Aurora, Snow White, and Ariel all came to the table to chat and sign the Pea's book. 

 After dinner we staked out a nice spot to relax while we waited for Illuminations to start.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.



After the fireworks we headed for the exit...along with every one else, and two hours later we were finally back in our room.  We decided that the next time we left a park at closing we would take a cab.  Watching as two full buses pulled away, and then cramming ourselves onto the third, was just no fun and we got back to the room far later than I wanted to.  We had resting up to do for our day 2...Pirate Day!

almost

Well...I think we are ready.  Bags are all packed, house is clean enough, Pea is asleep.  In 12 hours we should be landing in Orlando...12...we are almost there!

I am not taking my computer so you won't hear from me for at least a week, but when I come back there should be pictures galore, a few rants, hopefully more raves, and a couple of reviews.

:)

32

I did it!!  I'm packed!  Well, not completely, but enough that I no longer feel a huge weight on my shoulder and an impending sense of dread.  I can get excited again!  AND I have 32 hours to remember all that I forgot and cram it in my bag.  Tomorrow I clean the house, write one more blog post before I go (and if I get really ambitious try to figure out the mobile blogging thing) and THAT'S IT...double woot!

Now I just have to figure out how to get down off this 5 Hour Energy/red velvet cupcake high I am on, so I can go to sleep.

59

Less than 3 days...

59 hours until take off.

I'm a little stressed, and as much as I want Saturday morning to be here, I am simply not ready.  There is still MUCH to do and my energy level is waning.  Tonight was supposed to be the gathering of everything we will need for the trip, the sorting into piles, and the cleaning of the house.  Thus far none of that has been done.  Instead I had to help the Pea with an hour of homework (seriously?!  ITS KINDERGARTEN...) and then the bedtime routine...I'm exhausted and I haven't even started. 

I'm thinking I will just bag the plan and go to bed...start fresh tomorrow and power through with Monster and chocolate.

58 hours...50 minutes...

whoo hoo

4

Four

I have four days to get a whole lot done.  There are parties at school and work that have to be prepared for.  There are Christmas cards that have to be addressed and mailed.  There is laundry to be finished and folded.  I have to dye my hair and paint my toes, pack my suitcases and carryon bag, and figure out once and for all how to work my damn camera so I can post pictures and make you wish you were there.

:)

4

yay!

T-5

5 days...five...cinco

5

Today was a typical Monday in that is was busy, I got home late, and I am tired.  As much as I would love to pour over my Disney stuff, it's not gonna happen.  I am doing laundry, so that I don't have to worry about it again before we leave, and snuggling with the Pea.  I am accomplishing enough to feel like I am doing something, but since the washing machine and dryer do most of the work, and force a 45 minute break while they do their thing, it's not too taxing.

Did I tell you I have 5 more days?!

fiverooni

:)

day 6



An explosion of Princess and Mouse.

Let the packing begin...

I started planning this trip over a year ago, and have been gathering stuff ever since.  If it is Disney and on clearance I am probably gonna buy it and stash it in my guest bedroom closet.  Some of this stuff I forgot I had and it was like Christmas for me as I opened each bag to reveal the contents inside.  I am on a fixed and pretty tight budget so shopping in the parks is out of the question.  We don't even go into the stores.  One of the things I like best about Disney World is with very few exceptions, everything is included.  Every show, every ride, every parade, is paid for with admission.  You can spend all day in the park and not spend a dime.  I pay for my airfare, room, park tickets, and dining ahead of time, so there are no surprises.  I don't like surprises that cost me money.  We are splurging a bit on some fun experiences and I'm sure I will get myself an adult beverage or six  but I'm lucky enough to have a gift card for that and it's all been planned to within a dollar (on a handy dandy spreadsheet). 

I don't know if it comes from growing up poor, or is just my personality type, but not being in control of everything of my money stresses me out.  Like "WHERE THE HELL IS THE PAPER BAG I'M HYPERVENTILATING HERE!!" stressed out.  I also have to feel like I am getting a crazy good deal on anything I buy.  I research EVERYTHING, and always read the fine print.  Because I don't want to embarrass myself, or my kid, in Disney World, I plan it all out ahead of time.  That way, I can relax, and not have a panic attack, while on vacation...not in the park anyway, if it happens in my room I will just have a glass of wine and try to remember to breathe.

Note to self: must make room in the suitcase space plan for the box of wine...

7 days

Wow, wow, wow...it has been forever!  As of late, I have been having computer issues.  There was a virus, a near crash, lots of cussing...finally a miracle, lots of backing up, more cussing, and finally it appears all is well.  I am still going to start researching new laptops, because I fear my little ol' cow is not gonna make it much longer.  But, for now, she is plodding along, so I will catch you up.

BENIGN...never thought I would be so damn glad to hear that word, but the tears at the radiologists office indicated otherwise.  I tried really hard to just assume it was nothing, and not be worried, but when you are a single mommy (and probably when you are not as well) worst case scenario has a way of sneaking into your thoughts.  For me, worst case wasn't dying and leaving her (although technically that would be) it was having to have surgery and then chemo.  I felt like no matter how much I tried to NOT think about it, thoughts of, who will drive me to/from the hospital, who will pick up Pea if I can't, I'm tired all the damn time now, how in the world will I be able to take care of her if I am really tired, chemo tired, just kept popping into my head.  I won't go into all the details, but the quick and the dirty is: the lump (which is on the left side) is nothing...the spots (on right side) are calcifications, and again, nothing.  I feel very lucky, and grateful.

Also grateful for Baby Bean, who, as you know is finally here!!  She weighed in at a whopping 9lbs 2ozs and has more hair than her Aunti K.  I was able to fly up to meet her (and see the rest of her family) over Thanksgiving.  What a doll.  I am so excited for Smash to finally get to experience a little girl, and new babies in general just make the world feel like a better place.  We had a whirlwind visit and I was back home Saturday night.  I was lucky not to have run into any flight delays and I hate to admit this (as a former hater, since I worked for the competition) but I love love love Southwest Airlines.  I used to not like the whole cattle call arrangement, but it really does speed up boarding and since my Pea likes to pick her own seat, there has never been a "BUT MOMMY I WANT TO SIT HERE!" "Pea, no, we can't, this is our seat, over here, get over here now..." crying, screaming, dragging down the aisle...nope, not once.  SWA is also very good at being on time, which I hope is still the case next weekend, when we fly down to Orlando to have our Christmas in the World.

7 days...seven...one week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To say I am getting excited would be a gross understatement...it is pretty much all I can think about.  I have had to venture out into cyberspace to find folks who understand and support this craziness because all of the people I have real human interaction with, think I am whackadoo.  I have learned that talking incessantly about all things Disney to normal people just pisses them off and makes them roll their eyes, so I choose instead, to find like minded people, who I wouldn't know if they slapped me in the face, to share with. Both http://m.touringplans.com/wdw/chats  and  http://www.disboards.com/index.com have become my go to resources when I have had a question or have just wanted to share. 

This is where if you are tired of hearing me talk about Disney, you should stop reading...I would venture to say, you might wanna not read again until after the new year, because I am pretty sure that is all I am going to write about for the next few weeks...don't say I didn't warn you.

My plan for today, since the Pea is with her dad, is to pack all of the little surprises that I am taking.  I don't have time to do ALL the packing, and I want to wait until I have a better idea of how the weather will be to pack the clothes, but I don't want her seeing the Cinderella dress, the fancy shoes, the new Fairy dress (from her Aunti Smash) the little ornaments, or the stockings, so I will get those hidden in the suitcase. 

The first few days of our stay will be in Birthday mode.  We are staying in a standard view room at Animal Kingdom Lodge and will be racing around the parks trying to do and see everything we can before it gets crazy busy.  We will celebrate my birthday in Epcot (and it will be the one day, out of 8, that I will be in charge...maybe) top it off with VIP viewing of the fireworks (yes, I paid for it, no I'm not a VIP, other than in my own mind) and then we will chill for a day (again, maybe).  Then, for our last 3 days we move into a Savannah view room (where you can see the animals!) and go into Christmas mode.  The parks will be crazy at that point so we will spend more time at the resort and doing special experiences (more on that later).  Thanks to a very clever, and less selfish person than I, on the Disboards, there will be a tree at bell services that I will pick up and decorate the room with.  I got in on the tree exchange and sent down a tree last week, and it has been great fun getting updates from the other families, all sharing trees.  I would have never thought to ship mine down early so other families could enjoy it, but I'm glad I did, because it is really nice feeling like a part of a bigger community.

Now that I think about it, it's probably the feeling of community, overall, that kept me coming back to the Disney chats and forums.  It started with a search for information, and answers to my questions, but now that I feel like I am pretty versed in most things Mouse, the draw is more the people.  I feel like that girl in the Blind Melon video...I'm the bee ( http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7763324546201298850 ) ...and I found my people.