Monday, January 04, 2016

Winnie Poopie and Taco Bell


I'll start with the cookies. Every year JB and I make and decorate these sugar cookies and every year my health-conscious daughter and son-in-law beg for more and only minimally share them with their kids.  They were quite gone on Christmas Day when fifteen of us headed for Disneyworld in Florida.

How to describe being there from Christmas Day through New Year's Eve? Crowded, Hot, Expensive, Chaotic, and Heartwarming. My grand kids are 8, 6, 4, and 2. We had adventures.


I can't answer why 100,000 people at a time would stand in line for up to 90 minutes for one ride or one experience. But I'll say that Disney has class. This is a quick still shot of a very animated almost five minute ride that called "it's a small world" and it was a feast for the eyes and ears. Color, music, animation, splendored imagination.


Here's the crew of us. Disney has photographers at key locations everywhere and for a prepaid price, they snap away and then in all of five seconds they transfer the shots from their camera into your Disney rubber wristband. Just like that. (Looking for me? Lime green and white blouse, orange red hair).


Every night the castle at the Magic Kingdom turns to ice with fireworks in the background (aka their hit movie "Frozen'.)


There are several different parks at Disney, each with its own theme. This is from a safari ride at the Animal Kingdom. I'm not sure if I approve since I'm opposed to animals in captivity and I don't (yet) know if this qualifies as a bona fide sanctuary. But I was there and here are termite hills. They are here and there along the 20 minutes or so jeep-like ride, in all heights and shapes.


Plenty of flamingos…


My god, lions are majestic…



And the kids played games and won giant stuffed colorful dragons. The carnival section was classy, much like I remember carnivals years ago.


This is 4 year old Logan being hugged by Winnie the Pooh, otherwise called Winnie Poopie by Logan's sister, 2 year old Reese.


The Muppets did their own thing...


and two of the boys underwent Jedi Training, including a light saber face-to-face, one-on-one with Darth Vader, all in front of an audience who clapped them on. I don't know if they'll remember this as they grow up, but I have to say the experience seemed pretty special for two 4 and 8 year old little boys.


My just about favorite experience was an interactive theatre presentation by and about bugs. With the audience wearing 3-D glasses, all kinds of bugs just about sat on your nose, nipped at your feet, buzzed around your head, and stung your back. It was awesome. Later in the day, this bug found us strolling outside and made Logan's day.

I also shot through space at 300 miles an hour in a star wars spaceship, or so it seemed, watched the musical of Nemo finding his father and the extravaganza of the Lion King, rode a wild roller coaster through Thunder Mountain, took target practice in neon black tunnels with Buzz Lightyear, ate at a bona fide 50's diner, sang along with Elsa (Let It Go!) while snow fell on my head, and marveled when one of the kids talked about meeting Taco Belle (aka Tinker Bell).

What else can I tell you? This: we were out the door by 6:30 or so every morning and I walked about six miles a day. Holy Moly. That's what I said already: Crowded, Hot, Chaotic, and Heartwarming.

Happy New Year!
love
kj


15 comments:

  1. People make fun of them, I know, but the Disney parks are just magical, I love them!
    That Winnie the POOPIE photo is just too dang sweet!! :-)
    And if you think it was hot, you should go the 4th of July!!

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    1. Kay, it was 86-87 degrees all week. We left the parks by 1 or 2 and let the kids swim and splash until dinner :-)

      Love
      kj

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  2. Gorgeous photos. Love the family experieces you all had. Winnie Poopie will be part of your memories forever, how could it get any better! Donna

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    1. Donna,
      Winnie Poopie for president!

      I always think that life is filled with chores and uncertainties but also with moments of memories that shine like diamonds...

      Love
      kj

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  4. I'm so happy that you had a good time!!! I totally get it all, and miss having small children to take to Disney. We did the extra Safari tour at AK and it was great, the animals seem to have lot's of freedom but who knows. (Termite mounds are fake by the way) Merry Merry New year!!! Love, xoxo Mim

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    1. Hi Mim xo
      That the safari tour we did too. The guide did not say the termite hills were phony balcony, so now I know better! I know what you mean about the natural setting but I think most of those animals would travel miles more in their wild habitat. I'm googling the Disney AK!
      Love
      kj

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  5. So much to love about this post, but first I want to compliment you on the extremely efficient spatial arrangement of cookies. Great job! : )

    We have been to Disney so many times we have mastered the art of the fast pass and have never waited more than 20 minutes for an attraction.

    My mother's favorite ride was "It's A Small World" and we ride it every time in her honor. The picture made me a little teary. . . in a good way.

    In terms of memories - my daughter was 3 when she met Minnie Mouse for the first time. She still remembers it as one of her most special moments. I suspect it will be the same for your grandsons.

    Every time we have been to Disney something amazing and magical has happened from Goofy and Pluto sharing a roller coaster seat with my daughters to being invited on a private boat excursion to watch the fireworks from the lagoon. Crowed and expensive, yes. But worth every penny in my opinion. Magical memories will last a lifetime. So glad you got to go!

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    1. Why thank you 8; I made an effort for those cookies to look good :-)

      The fast passes worked great and like you my Jess was masterful at juggling earlier times and rides. I felt bad for the folks in standby. I was actually surprised how many families there managed to afford the experience at all.

      I loved 'it's a small world and that is so neat it's woven into the memory of your Mother's joy
      Love
      kj

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  6. It looks like you all had a lovely time. I'm looking forward to taking my granddaughter one day.

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  7. Eleven grown--or mostly grown--people to keep up with four kids. That sounds about right.

    So, is that JB standing beside you?

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    1. Hi snow, JB didn't come, but she's improving every day (thankfully)

      It was a challenge to keep track of the adults as well as the kids! Next time, maybe a cruise will be easier :-)

      Hope you are well. Happiest wishes for the new year.
      Love
      kj

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  8. My ship went into dry dock when Disney world was in its first or second year of operation--there was no million parks in Orlando at the time, just the one--seriously there were no babes there--why the hell they sent a bunch of US Sailors there still mystifies me.

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  9. That seems really great! My Mom has a dream of visiting this place all together. Well I hope one day, I'll have and opportunity to take my whole family on this fairy trip>

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