We're back, broke and totally bummed out to break out the winter coats (flurries expected today--WTF???). The Disney Corporation hosted a fantastic vacation experience for us, complete with these memorable highlights:
* Team Testosterone loves 3-D movies. We didn't go to a single show, even the one we TRIED to see (Fantasmic) was rained out. But they appreciated the 3-D bugs, Muppets & shrinking. They also liked the fireworks and parade.
* Hollywood Studios? Major waste of time. Other than the 2 roller coasters, 3-D Muppets and stunt show, I left unimpressed. My question: WTF were you thinking, Disney People, to design a theme park to hold 200,000 and then try to funnel 500,000 people through it daily? Seriously, no fun at all. I can drive to Chicago for a similar experience at Six Flags for a fraction of the cost.
* Animal Kingdom, on the other hand, was wicked cool despite trying to feed Mr. G to the dinosaur fossils. So much to see--the safari rocked and there were exotic animals at every turn. I'd return to that park in a heartbeat.
* Expedition Everest FREAKED Mr. B RIGHT OUT. He worked out his Yeti phobias regularly on restaurant tables throughout the rest of our vacation.
The red spots are snow, the giant creature with long claws is the Yeti. Below the mountain are 2 dead bodies. I'll get him some counseling later this week.* Housekeeping at the Beach Club resort was beyond fabulous. Every day they'd do something special--like propping up Team Testosterone's entourage after making their beds.
* We all loved the pool and spend many happy hours floating, bobbing, sliding and splashing. Team Testosterone met up with a trio of brothers from Stratford-on-Avon, England and met them nightly for volleyball matches.
* Despite the throes of kids, we rarely saw any bratty ones. I expected to see more melt-downs and tantrums than we actually encountered.
* Also amazing that so many people cram into Disney World without kids. I'm a purist--I don't see why families should go to Las Vegas. Likewise, I don't see why couples & singles should go to Disney World. It strikes me as very odd. Anyone care to comment on that opinion?
* Standing in line we saw many things, including one of Jen on the Edge's children waiting a turn:
* I tried to find Eurolush while passing through Germany. I wanted to have a beer with her, but no luck. She was probably standing in the queue in Ye Olde Pastry Shoppe.
* While a lot of kids enjoy the characters, mine were merely pleasantly surprised when they'd stop by our table at mealtimes. They had no desire to wait in line for further interaction. They'd stand obligingly for photos, slap 'em a high five, and return to their food.
* The Supreme Rip-Off (AKA Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party) did allow us to jump on many rides in Magic Kingdom without a wait. While everyone else stood in long lines to get candy and greet characters, we maxed out on the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Carribbean, and the rest of the rides. The music, decorations, parade and characters rocked.* Every time I turned around I stumbled over a midget dressed like a princess. Was this because of Halloween or do most little girls dress up like this at Disney World? Either way, the Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Boutique made a killing on princess up-dos because every other girl child sported one.
* Because of the princess hype, I wondered what my sons would find in the shops. Silly me, we came home with 3 Buzz Lightyear space ranger blasters, 3 pirate swords and 3 Indiana Jones/Adventureland rifles. I feel safer now with all that firepower stored in our house.
* The fall decorations at Magic Kingdom were inspired.
* The food always tasted good--everyone found something to enjoy at each meal. * The crowds at this place belie all media claims of a recession. Just sayin'.
* The weather cooperated (except for Thursday night). Being from Wisconsin, a little muggy heat this time of year was a blessing (even though my hair got really big and bushy).
* Mr. B's says his favorite things were the Muppets 3-D and the resort pool. Mr. T claims his favorite was the Twilight Tower of Terror & Expedition Everest. Mr. G loved Test Track & Stitch (no surprise, he strongly identifies with that creature). Mr. D's best memory is Mr. B FREAKING OUT on Expedition Everest.
* My favorite parts were watching the boys' eyes light up as we floated through It's a Small World, all the nostalgia & fantasy of Magic Kingdom, Soarin' at Epcot and walking through the world alone with Mr. B & Mr. T. (I made them say "cheese" in different languages while they posed for photos by landmarks. We had sublime strawberry-red bean and caramel-ginger root ice cream in China, saw the most twee train garden in Germany and made fish faces by the Neptune fountain in Italy.)
Bottom line: Team Testosterone had a blast and will remember this the rest of their lives. I guess a gal can't ask for much more.
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