Giving Thanksgiving a Whirl (and a Hurl) in WDW *COMPLETE! 5/20*

[ariane37]

The storytellers (and their apprentice) look perfect. It looks like Chris really enjoyed himself in that wonderful way that only a kid in Disney can.

That's a great way to put it I love all these moments that you don't plan for.

 

[ariane37]

Buon Giorno! Our next stop was Italy to see La Befana, the kindly witch. We'd seen her back in 2012 but being Italian we decided to listen to her story again. We were a few minutes early so I stopped to take a picture of another Christmas topiary we passed
Nothing spectacular but I think it was kinda cute.

Being early we once again got a great spot for her, right on the steps of the "stage" in the center of the Italy pavilion. Before long she came out to a few people besides ourselves; as she began her story the crowd grew.
I love her strong Italian accent; reminds me of all my old Italian aunts who've passed away. They were a little scarier though.....

Her story isn't quite as lighthearted as Norways, but it's still touching and all about family and easy to relate to. I SO wanted the boys to have their picture taken with her when she was finished - not sure if I mentioned this already, but all the storytellers give you the opportunity to have your picture taken with them after they finish their performance - but they wouldn't do it this time. Three years ago they were all for it! In fact, here's a picture of Ricky and Chris with La Befana back in 2012. Our friends were with us; that's their son Daniel in the hat
And yes it's a crappy picture because I took a picture of the picture in my Disney photobook. I wasn't putting my pictures online all the way back in 2012 I swear that's the same CM though!

Just a little real-life story before I go: my Ricky turned 14 last Friday the 8th! Exciting yes, but made me feel old Anyway he had a basketball tournament all weekend and Saturday after his games we ended up in Express Pediatrics getting the skin above his eye glued together (an alternative to stitches) because he got elbowed HARD by another 14 year old 3x his size during his 2nd game. When they cleaned up the gash it was as wide as my eyebrow! I almost puked. He wasn't supposed to play Sunday b/c if the glue got wet from sweat it would split open again, so just Steve took him to the game to sit with the team. Of course he ends up playing.....and comes home with a huge egg on the OTHER side of his head! When he decided years ago that basketball was his sport I though we were safe injury-wise lol!
We ended the day Sunday with his family birthday party and this cute cake. At least he's not too old for cake!


UP NEXT: HEY! WE KNOW HIM!

 

[ALEXandFAB]

reminds me of all my old Italian aunts who've passed away. They were a little scarier though.....

I'm not Italian, but I've got a couple of those too

my Ricky turned 14 last Friday the 8th!

to him!

When they cleaned up the gash it was as wide as my eyebrow!

Of course he ends up playing.....and comes home with a huge egg on the OTHER side of his head!

Of course!

At least he's not too old for cake!

Awww

 

[Elevationist]

Being early we once again got a great spot for her, right on the steps of the "stage" in the center of the Italy pavilion. Before long she came out to a few people besides ourselves; as she began her story the crowd grew.

I love her! She's my favorite!

We ended the day Sunday with his family birthday party and this cute cake. At least he's not too old for cake!

Mmmm... Look at all those delicious carbs...

 

[ariane37]

I'm not Italian, but I've got a couple of those too

I think everyone does lol, regardless of nationality!

I love her! She's my favorite!

I could watch her again and again!

Mmmm... Look at all those delicious carbs...

I truly love the person who invented carbs

 

[ariane37]

After saying "Ciao" to Italy and their holiday customs, we checked the storyteller schedule and wanted France to be our next stop. That was another one we missed in 2012. However we had some time and since we were passing by, we stopped in here

We really never spend any time here except for our infrequent visits to The American Experience (and at this point in time I had yet to see Voices of Liberty; Steve and I fixed that in Jan. ). We noticed the Kwanzaa CM was getting ready to begin and decided what the heck, we'll listen. While waiting I explored the cart out front and found something I REALLY wanted

Cool, isn't it? I haD quite a few of from this line already but not this one. Sadly, I still don't. Maybe next trip.........right about then the Kwanzaa performance was about to start, and so did the drizzle. Nothing major and the CM putting on the performance was actually under cover, but she/they decided to cancel it. Oh, well.

Before moving on some of us needed a bathroom break so we began walking towards the back of the U.S. pavilion, when WHAT to my WONDERING EYES should appear-

SANTA??
WE KNOW HIM!!!​

I love the set-up for him and Mrs. Claus here! I would have loved for my boys to meet them again, I have the BEST picture from our last trip, but I knew it was a pipe dream. Not to mention the line was at 45 minutes and since Ricky no longer believes.....I did get Mrs. Claus to smile for me and the Big Guy to wave though, did you notice?

There really wasn't much else going on in this great country of ours and no show for awhile, so we moved on. I did snap this picture of my trio on our trek to our next destination


UP NEXT: SOME HIGH-IN-THE-SKY FUN IN FRANCE BEFORE OUR NEXT STORYTELLER

 

[Elevationist]

While waiting I explored the cart out front and found something I REALLY wanted

Cool, isn't it? I haD quite a few of from this line already but not this one. Sadly, I still don't. Maybe next trip.........

I love this! WHY OH WHY didn't you get it?!

 

[Timon]

Finally caught up again

I am so sorry you ended up getting sick I have been sick a few times in Disney and it is not fun!!! Just like I think kids should not get sick EVER, I also think no one should be allowed to get sick in Disney!!!!

I am glad you were feeling better the next day just in time for your Castle breakfast

Love that Haunted Mansion print you have I am a sucker for almost anything HM so I am biased


Looking forward to reading more

 

[Princess Leia]

Thanks for sharing your storyteller sessions. I've enjoyed finding out about them.

Happy belated birthday to Ricky! Hannah has just turned 15. I understand what you mean about feeling old although Hannah has realised I will never grow up.

I can relate to sports related injuries - Peter was snowboarding on Monday and managed to get a big gash in his knee that required 4 stitches at the hospital. He has had to have a break from his swim training and rugby until he gets them out later this week.

 

[xlsm]

I'm really looking forward to the Storytellers in December!!

And a huge, ginormous HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your boy!! 14, wow! I remember being 14...

X turns 13 in August, and you'll probably find me sobbing uncontrollably somewhere, maybe drinking. LOL!

 

[Whit64130]

I'd been wanting to do a M & G we've never done in the past - Lady Tremaine and her daughters

We hadn't planned on meeting characters this past trip but we ended up meeting the ones we came across. Lady T and the sisters were some of them. They were a hoot! My favorite M&G of the trip!

When he decided years ago that basketball was his sport I though we were safe injury-wise lol!

As a former basketball player for 11 years I can vouch it was not really a "safe" sport. Bruises, black eyes and broken bones were not uncommon.

Do you know what time of year they start the "storytelling"? This is something I never knew existed. I am very interested!

 

[ariane37]

I love this! WHY OH WHY didn't you get it?!

I DON'T KNOW!!!!
You know when you see something you want, and you go back and forth about it, and in the end you're just like, "I WANT it, but I've bought a lot for myself recently and I really SHOULDN'T"? That's how it was with this lovely statue But now you've made me decide I'm definitely getting it THIS November! And it ain't cheap....I may have to forfeit a new D&B for it. Maybe.........

I am so sorry you ended up getting sick I have been sick a few times in Disney and it is not fun!!! Just like I think kids should not get sick EVER, I also think no one should be allowed to get sick in Disney!!!!

I am glad you were feeling better the next day just in time for your Castle breakfast

Thanks, I'm so glad I made our castle breakfast too I would've been heartbroken if I missed it.
Being sick in general is no fun but being sick in Disney SUCKS, as you know! The whole time Steve and I were in Disney this past Jan. I was paranoid it would hit me again I don't wish that on anyone!

Love that Haunted Mansion print you have I am a sucker for almost anything HM so I am biased

Did you see the statue I passed up? That Elevationist yelled at me about??!!!

Thanks for sharing your storyteller sessions. I've enjoyed finding out about them.

You're welcome They are truly one of my favorite things about going to Disney at that time of year and one of my favorite things there in general. Unfortunately I missed the UK storyteller as you'll see, but Steve and Ricky were able to catch him.

Happy belated birthday to Ricky! Hannah has just turned 15. I understand what you mean about feeling old although Hannah has realised I will never grow up.

Thank you! Ha ha same with me about never growing up. Ricky just shakes his head whenever I discuss Disney, especially with people he knows, or watch/wear anything Disney related And neither boy is fond of when I (attempt to) dance the way they do............

I can relate to sports related injuries - Peter was snowboarding on Monday and managed to get a big gash in his knee that required 4 stitches at the hospital. He has had to have a break from his swim training and rugby until he gets them out later this week.

Ouch! How is Peter doing now?

 

[ariane37]

I'm really looking forward to the Storytellers in December!!

Oh, I know you're going to love them!

And a huge, ginormous HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your boy!! 14, wow! I remember being 14...

X turns 13 in August, and you'll probably find me sobbing uncontrollably somewhere, maybe drinking. LOL!

Thank you Yes, your oldest hitting the teens is hard. I may have had a couple (few) drinks on his 13th (and 14th)

As a former basketball player for 11 years I can vouch it was not really a "safe" sport. Bruises, black eyes and broken bones were not uncommon.

I'm definitely finding that out lol! Luckily the glue is peeling off nicely now so that's all set. He had a tournament this weekend, 2 games Saturday then woke up Sunday with a swollen ankle He still played his games that day though!

Do you know what time of year they start the "storytelling"? This is something I never knew existed. I am very interested!

Unfortunately the storytellers, as well as the Candlelight Processional in Epcot don't start until the day after Thanksgiving. So I guess you're going to have to plan another trip

 

[Princess Leia]

Unfortunately I missed the UK storyteller as you'll see, but Steve and Ricky were able to catch him.

That should be interesting. It's funny I think it's probably much the same as in the US - we have become so amercanised in recent years. For instance at our local shopping mall we now have a Krispy Kreme and Five Guys. The children even talk of going trick or treating. I insisted on taking my two 'guising' trying desperately to hold on to some Scottish tradition.

Ouch! How is Peter doing now?

He is doing fine - stitches are coming out on Friday. In typical boy fashion he asked if I thought it might leave a scar. For some reason he thinks a scar is quite cool. It was funny he didn't realise how bad it was until he took off his base layer and saw the blood streaming down his leg. He is so used to getting back up after hard hits in rugby that he just did the same with snowboarding.

As it was his first night of his snowboarding lessons they have offered for him to go for a week in the summer. I have said it will need to be after our summer holiday in case he has further injury. He would hate to miss the water parks.

This evening he started golf lessons at a local golf range. He'll get back to swimming at the weekend.

 

[ariane37]

This evening he started golf lessons at a local golf range

Well at least golf is a safe enough sport......right??

 

[ariane37]

We left the good ol' US of A and continued making our way to France. Upon arrival I was excited about 2 things:
1. getting a(nother) Grey Goose Slush, and
2. that while we were still early for our storyteller, we were completely
on time for one of our favorite WS performers:

Serveur Amusant!
If you've never stopped to watch this performance you really should make some time on your next trip; he's great and the act is lots of fun to watch. Because I love watching him so much, get ready for picture overload!


Eh, this is nuthin'. Wait till he starts doing this.......

And then THIS!

I know it's sideways. I never said I was a professional photographer..........
And finally,

TA-DA! Yeah, sideways. Again, NOT a professional photographer
We all seriously enjoy watching this particular performance and try to catch it every trip. They do involve the audience in the beginning, also. The best part is that both Ricky and Chris like him and never complain about stopping to watch - big plus for Steve and I!
Once they cleaned up their act we sidled over to the storyteller stage to check out the scroll and get a heads up on what we'd be learning about

And before long Pere Noel joined us


Pere Noel, or Father Christmas, had a small satchel with him that he pulled a couple items from, including a note written by a little girl and a doll. I want to say the girls name was Babette?

Again, another cute performance. They do get me wondering how much these customs are still followed today in each country and how many have been long forgotten..........

It was now just about time for our 5:00 dinner reservation. I had been looking forward to this all week, as we were eating somewhere we hadn't been since 2012. However right before I started drinking my GG Slush my stomach had started feeling not-so-great. Probably wasn't the best idea to drink that, but it was our last day and we weren't going to be back for like.......6 weeks lol. We turned back to walk towards Italy and I crossed my fingers I'd start feeling better.

UP NEXT: THE STOMACH BUG COMES CRAWLING BACK

 

[Elevationist]

1. getting a(nother) Grey Goose Slush, and

That is ALWAYS something to get excited about!

Serveur Amusant!

We caught these guys in December for the first time! But when I went to try to take pics, that's when my battery died! I was so bummed! So I'm thrilled you took so many!

 

[ALEXandFAB]

UP NEXT: THE STOMACH BUG COMES CRAWLING BACK

Oh....NOOOOOO.

 

[ariane37]

That is ALWAYS something to get excited about!

Yeah, baby

We caught these guys in December for the first time! But when I went to try to take pics, that's when my battery died! I was so bummed!

Make sure you see them again in Oct.! And check the battery first lol! Seriously, I hate when that happens

Oh....NOOOOOO.

unfortunately.......yes
But at least I got that last drink in lol!

 

[ArielSRL]

I'm on pg 2 and decided to reply! One - I think the photos are fine! I think mine are that big on my PTR and I'm uploading directly onto my thread. Besides like a pp mentioned, bigger pictures are easier to see!

Two - I think it's quite funny that some studios and moderate rooms actually sleep more than some 1 bedrooms do. Our 1 bedroom at SSR sleeps 4 and a child under 3 (in a pack n play). That's it!

Three - I'm really leaning towards BWV for June 2017. I guess I'll get to see BCV this June bc we have Cape May ressies and see what I think, but so far, I really have liked everything I've heard about BWV.

Four - I admire your flexibility! I need to be really flexible on our trip, with 2 under 5 and 2 over 65...lol. But I'm worried I'm gonna be upset when they all poo poo my plan!

Ok, I think that's it for now. Grocery store time. I'll read more later tonight!