Smokin’ Hot Fun with the CLQ and the Louisiana Crew Updated 10/5 COMPLETE! About This Page:

[Jillybean]

Well . . . it’s June, so you know what that means! Yes, the Koenigs family is returning to Disney for our annual “Mary Devall just got out of school” big blowout trip and this year it’s even bigger and better. Unlike last year, no extended family will be traveling with us. Instead, we will be spending time with friends who have become like family. To be able to spend time with everyone, we stretched out this trip to 11 nights and 12 whole days!

We haven’t been to Disney in over FOUR months , so you might have forgotten who we are:

Jill (43) – Wife, mother and instigator of all Disney trips. Since our last trip, I’ve occupied myself by reading my book club books (best so far this year “Water for Elephants” ), watching tv (“The Tudors” on Showtime is THE best although I will not miss an episode of “The Real Housewives” series either - - despite the fact that Mary Devall tells me that I shouldn’t be spying on people ) and doing a bit of East coast traveling (NYC in March and PA/NJ/NY with the CLQ in April). The last couple of weeks have been dedicated to getting my patio in shape for my brother’s wedding. I had two weeks notice (yes, you did read that correctly ), but we actually pulled off a very pretty little wedding on Saturday. The thought of that first sip of my Italian margarita is what has kept me going these past few weeks.

With my new SIL, two brothers and Thom (notice that Thom is holding hands with my brother - not sure why ).



Thom (40) – Husband, father and champion door salesman. Thom is now national sales director for his company, so he is on the road a ton. He is so looking forward to being with his family for more than a few days in a row although I’m sure that he won’t be entirely “work free.” He’s still the same old sports loving, goofy guy (see above hand holding shot for further proof ), but I do love him because he’ll do things like watch “The Real Housewives” reunion show or “Househunters” without complaining (well, as long as I’ll let him freely comment ). He is praying that Mary Devall will be tall enough to ride RnRC so that he will finally have a riding partner.

Mary Devall (7) – Newly retired 2nd grader, budding 3rd grader and never ending source of energy. She has grown up so much this year - - she’s a Brownie, has play dates and has a crush on a boy named Johnny. She still has her drama queen tendencies, but they tend to be fewer and fewer these days (although I do understand that all bets are off come pre-teen time ). She is seriously considering riding ToT and RnRC (if she’s tall enough), so we’ll see what happens!

The girls at the wedding (note that I let them dress themselves since it was a casual affair ).



Maddie (3) – Potty trained preschooler and total love bug. There is nothing like the sound of Maddie giggling which causes me to “ziburt” her belly constantly. She is such a happy little girl, but she’s definitely not a pushover. Last week, she began telling me “I don’t want to be a mommy” every time I would ask her not to do something. Well, okay. Although not a fan of the Pooh or Snow White ride, she is thinking that she might be ready to ride one of them again (she keeps waffling about which one though).

Our little family is only part of the equation . . . . so without further ado I now present to you . . .

The CLQ and the Louisiana Crew (in order of appearance):

First up in our Passporter family will be two of the first PP’s that I ever met – Monica (Montimouse) and her daughter, Macy. Mary Devall and I met them on our first surprise mommy/daughter trip and we’ve loved them ever since (actually Maddie met them too since I was pregnant with her at the time ). Several of our trips have overlapped since then, so we’ve been lucky enough to almost see them on a yearly basis. This year I goofed though when I assumed that they would be staying through the weekend (and you know what happens when you assume ), so we only have a day and a half together. You can be assured that we’ll make the most of it though because in that short period of time we’re packing in a ton of fun, food and FABs!

This is our first meeting 4 years ago.



We also plan on spending time with the terrific trio of Molly, Travis and Joey (wvgrrrl, Doctorhead and ThatGuy). I originally met them at Mousefest 08 and then my entire family was able to meet Molly and Travis when they visited our hometown of Columbia. They are so much fun and my entire family is looking forward to seeing them as much as possible!

You'll just have to pretend that Joey is in this picture because unfortunately I do not have a picture of ThatGuy!



Continued in next post . . .

[lauren-roxy]

I wondered where the Koenig's had been hiding!! I can't wait to read all about your trip they are always so much fun and your girls are just too cute!!

[Jillybean]

A couple of days into our trip, the first of my CLQ buddies, Karen, arrives with the teen of honor, Zack. We saw them less than 2 months ago, but we have all missed them so much (I guess you could say that they’re our little crack addiction ). I really hope that Zack has been resting up because there are two little blonde girls who are ready to do the World with him. Actually I hope that Karen has rested up too because those girls love to crawl all over Ms. Karen. I can still hear Maddie’s words from Spring Break “I love my Ms. Karen” as she was held upside down by her play pretty.

In NYC with Zack, Karen and Sharon.



At the halfway point of our trip, Eileen finally gets there . . . and believe me, her arrival will be something to behold! Some members of royalty don’t have this type of reception! My girls actually had to pull out their “puppy dog” faces during Spring Break to make sure that their beloved Ms. Eileen came on this trip - - between Karen telling her that she WAS coming and those girls, she didn’t stand a chance. I cannot wait to see her!!!

The final toast of Springbreak '09.



And the final member of the CLQ managed to squeeze in one more trip in between her other numerous trips just for US! Seeing Sharon just for a couple of hours over Spring Break was definitely not enough (dang stomach bug! ), so my family is needing a little Sharon fix (there’s that crack addiction again ).

Last, but definitely least, is my little buddy, Heather and her friend, Brandon. I met Heather for the first time at Mousefest 08, but felt like I had always known her. I can’t wait for her to meet my family and I can’t wait to meet her Brandon. We also have a killer dining experience planned together that has had me daydreaming more than once over the past few months.

Heather experiencing her first Osborne Family Lights!




After our one night stay at BCV in November, we realized how much we had missed staying there and decided to book a few nights there at the beginning of our June trip (plus I knew that Monica and Macy would be staying there ). After a few nights there in a studio, we planned to move to VWL where Karen and Zack would be staying. Well . . . enter the 4/3 promotion and Karen was soon informing us the she and Zack were staying club level at WL. Now there was no way they were doing that without us, so one quick phone call and the Koenigs family was booked there too! Since we wouldn’t be using points for that portion of our stay, I called DVC member services and upgraded us from a studio to a 1-bedroom villa for our 4 nights at BCV.

With our accommodations set, next up was our travel. Horror of horrors , I actually had us drive our last two trips to the World so I knew I had to keep an eye out for Amtrak rates this time around. A couple of months ago, I finally gave Train Boy (a.k.a. Thom) the go ahead to call and book a sleeper car for us. Done!

Between the club level Itinerary Planning Office and Karen, the spreadsheet goddess, the only other thing I had to book myself was a town car to pick us up at the Amtrak station. One quick visit to the Happy Limo website and that too was complete!

For once, I will not bore you with the details of our park plans and ADR’s since we’re talking 12 days here! Instead, I’ll share the new experiences for our family:

Grand Floridian Café with Monica and Macy
Flying Fish (finally!!!)
Spoodles breakfast
Hoop Dee Doo with Karen and Zack
Citricos Chef’s Domain with Heather, Brandon, Karen and Eileen
Family Photopass Session at the Beach Club

We also are sharing some wonderful old favorites with friends, so I’m looking forward to many meals filled with talking and laughter (for as long as Karen will let us sit ).

Finally, I’ll explain the title of my trip report. “Smokin’ hot” is probably a bit evident since we’ll be in Florida during June, but it is also a reference to a question that Mary Devall asked Karen during Spring Break.

Mary Devall: “Is California hot?”

Karen: “Well, yes.”

Mary Devall: “Is it smokin’ hot?”

Karen and I both looked at each other and busted out laughing. Where this little girl gets these things I have no idea!

As to the latter half of my trip report title, the “CLQ” portion needs little explanation. I officially met these ladies last June and my life hasn’t been the same since. Their hearts are as big as their smiles and they are all intelligent, witty and extremely talented. Really . . . what’s not to love? I love their families and my family definitely loves them, so it’s pretty much a match made in heaven.

It's time to get this group back together!



And last but not least, how about this “Louisiana Crew?” When I was thinking about the PP’s with whom we would be spending time on this trip, it suddenly came to me that they were all from Louisiana! What’s up with that? Apparently I have a very strong attraction to people from that state . . . but then again, these just aren’t any regular people . . . they’re Passporters!

So . . . with three days left (and I know that for sure because there are 3 links left on our Disney chain ), the clothes are all laid out on the guest room bed waiting to be packed . . . well, except for Thom’s clothes since he’s in Canada right now and he never does anything until the last minute anyway. Mary Devall is finished with school and my brother is married, so all we have to do now is make it through 2 and ½ more days of work without killing anyone.

The girls and I watched “Toy Story 2” last night again to see if we couldn’t whip ourselves up into an even bigger frenzy before our trip. At the end, I announced that I was buying myself a Jessie doll at Disney. Mary Devall immediately hopped on the band wagon and said that she was getting a Bullseye. Before Maddie could add in her selection, Mary Devall continued with “And Maddie’s getting Stinky Pete!”

We all had a good laugh about that and then teased each other for the next few minutes about who was really getting Stinky Pete. We were on such a “Toy Story 2” high that we then found a Pixar movies soundtrack on iTunes and proceeded to sing and dance to some of their favorites. You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen both girls jammin’ to “Life is a Highway” on their Hannah Montana guitars. We hadn’t even stepped into a park yet, but Disney had us already.

See ya later!

Jill

[skateycat]

Sounds like the fun is about to begin! hope you all have a marvelous time.

[Grammy Grumpy]

And so the adventures begin! Can't wait to hear all about them. Safe travels to you all and may the weather gods be merciful.

[DoraDoug]

I "Water for Elephants" and Real Housewives are one of my guilty pleasures (and Gossip Girl, don't get me started). I have just started watching the NJ wives and they are a hoot! I was just thinking this morning that it has been a few months since I spotted a trip report from you so I thought you were probably due. I really don't think I would want to know why Thom is holding your brother's hand. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss and this may be one of those times. I am so looking forward to hearing about this trip!

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by Jillybean

(notice that Thom is holding hands with my brother - not sure why ).


He’s still the same old sports loving, goofy guy (see above hand holding shot for further proof)

That Thom -- what a goofydoof.

Oh my lands!! I'm so happy that you started this TR -- and not only because I knew you'd be deliciously complementary about me -- -- but because my excitement has been ramping up to such a terrific level that I'm about ready to bust today.

Plus... I have no misconceptions that Karen, despite all her protestations, will NOT be writing (or at least, completing!!) a TR... and I don't have the energy to do one myself. I'll be doing "love" updates from my ever-present cell phone, but I won't be writing a full-fledged TR.

I plan -- like all other elements of this upcoming trip -- to "mooch" off of everyone else. Free room, free ticket, free dining plan, free everything. And that includes your TR, Jill. I'm hoping to add my zingers and pics to this TR, if that's okay with you.

But most of all, I'm looking forward to all the love and sweet hugs. (And Thom won't be the only Koenigs family member I go after for 'em. )

Sweet Jebus, I'm excited.
Eileen

[zacksmom_1993]

I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for this one! It was getting so desperate, I thought I might have to write a pre-trip report myself. But, now that yours is officially posted, I'm taking it as permission that I don't have to do any more actual work and instead can cruise the boards on the company dime for the next four days. Zack and I can't wait to see you all on Saturday!

[zacksmom_1993]

Originally Posted by Caldercup

I plan -- like all other elements of this upcoming trip -- to "mooch" off of everyone else. Free room, free ticket, free dining plan, free everything. And that includes your TR, Jill. I'm hoping to add my zingers and pics to this TR, if that's okay with you.

So Jill provides the free trip report and someone else provides a good portion of the free everything else. And yet Jill gets the flattery, and someone else gets slammed. Hmmmm.... I think I need some help with my deal making skills!

[greentie]

It sounds like you've got some fantastic plans full of family, friends, fun, food, FABs and probably several other f's that I can't think of!

I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful time.

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by zacksmom_1993

So Jill provides the free trip report and someone else provides a good portion of the free everything else. And yet Jill gets the flattery, and someone else gets slammed. Hmmmm.... I think I need some help with my deal making skills!

Ohhhh, Pretty Karen, Bestest Karen... I lurv you so much that I feel I can dig at you from time to time. (But, if ya think about it... doesn't this always happen when you give free trips to the undeserving. )

Not to mention, I owe you for all the B.O. texts you pestered me with this morning.
Eileen

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by greentie

...and probably several other f's that I can't think of!.

It sounds like Karen can think of a few f's...
Eileen

[mcc0313]

It has been awhile since your crew has entered those wonderful gates...I am sure you are all on such a high right now with only 2 1/2 days to go. Your plans sound amazing....great fun and great friends - don't think it can get much better.

I am anxious to see if Mary Devall decides to take the plunge - and what she thinks of it as Tinkerbell has stated she is ready for ToT as well....she is stating 10 times (guess I better be ready). She also made a list of what she plans to eat (since I made ADR's) and she had already said she is eating Bangers and Mash becuase Maddie likes them (guess her thumbs up means a lot )

Sounds like it is going to be a fantastic trip...

[goofysdtr]

Yay! I'm so excited about this TR. I was hoping SOMEBODY would do one! Can't wait to hear all about it!

And, hello--Zack! How did he go & become a man already?!? What's that all about? Scares me about my DS15!

[eff051102]

Yeah another Koenigs adventure with friends! You will love the GF Cafe and
I can't wait to hear how all your new experiences go.