Trip Report Merry Christmas You Filthy Animals! A Live Christmas Trip With The Inlaws.

You all knew this was coming, just a down and dirty live TR with the inlaws this Christmas week. So, strap in and get ready because here we go...

Naturally I told the folks we would be leaving at 05:00 this morning so be ready. You can see one guy didn't want us leaving. We were up at 04:25 and all packed and ready....except the MIL. She seemed to want to play the "let's see how many things we can touch in the house before leaving" game. My crew was ready to roll by 04:50 but we had to wait until about ten after five before her game was over... a quick stop at dunkin donuts and we were well on our way. We hit the half way spot, Tifton, about 09:00 to gas up and hit the restrooms. Over the hump and determined we pulled into the Panara Bread on 192 about 12:30 for lunch. While we ate I got the text our room was ready!!

 

[lostpro9het]

I loved Kidani. I got to stay here in September with some friends. I have been trying to sell it to my husband.

It truly is our #1 choice when it comes to DVC in Orlando. Good luck on the sell!

 

[lostpro9het]

So while on the mine train the ladies thought it would be hilarious to do a group pose...without telling me. Video to follow soon. After the mine train we made for Space Mountain which had a short wait folowed by Buzz which had an even shorter wait. When we exited SM we noticed the puck MB was being sold in the gift shop. I really thought they were waiting until the new years for these. We also noticed, can't really miss them, the $700 cabanas.

 

[LeighM]

One day I will stay at one of the AKL resorts. I'm still bitter that Hurricane Matthew changed my plans

 

[lostpro9het]

After SM and Buzz we made our way over to HM but not before loading up on some churro. We then made a pit stop at Rapunzel's facilities so Laura could get a picture of her favorite animated horse's print...

 

[G8rchamps]

26 days for us - great preview. Hope you don't get rain this afternoon - at 2:44 it raining in Gainesville just north of you.

 

[lostpro9het]

After failing to be selected as the 1000th, we hit up some hilarity on a Jingle Cruise.

 

[lostpro9het]

We made the hop over to Pirates next. It too was a walk on. So far in the span of 30ish minutes we would take in SDMT, SM, Buzz, JC, and POTC. We guilted the kid into a "stock" pic before doing some ornament shopping.

 

[lostpro9het]

Shortly after our purchase we learned about important events in history..but only the American parts...

 

[lostpro9het]

Totally overflowing on freedom we made our way over to Little Mermaid before riding the people mover. It had been about 5 hours since our coffee and donuts so we made for the transportation. We scored a private Kidani bus and were soon sitting at Sanaa's lounge getting some tapas. We decided to go with a pair of margaritas, one nectar and one habanaro. We chose to split a bread service, of course, and a chesse plate. It was AWESOME! With bellies full we made for our room to change and head to the pool but not before some friends visited us! Our poolside sipping included Back in Black by 21st amendment and Winter Cheer by Victory brewing. I strongly recommend them both.

 

[mcstensrud]

Hmmmm what happened to the In Laws?

 

[lostpro9het]

Hmmmm what happened to the In Laws?

I'll let @imahistorygeek handle that one.

 

[lostpro9het]

Our trip on SDMT:


And a couple PhotoPass pics:

 

[MinnieM123]

Our trip on SDMT:


And a couple PhotoPass pics:
View attachment 180539 View attachment 180540

After looking at your video of SDMT, I realized just how tame the drops are in that coaster ride. I've only been on this once before--2 years ago--(lines are usually too long). I thought it was a fun ride with a bit more side to side banking--a tamer, family coaster, so to speak. But I really prefer Everest, Space, or Big Thunder for more big thrills. I'll ride Rock n Roller coaster once each trip, but limit it to that. (I have to be careful with inversion loop coasters as they can trigger vertigo and dizziness in some people.)

 

[imahistorygeek]

I'll let @imahistorygeek handle that one.

Long story short...They've been doing their own thing. It's actually working out better because we have one pace and they have a another. They're pretty much out of commission by noon.

They've done really well getting around WDW and we really just meet up to eat. It's working well.

The only things that have put a wrench in our plans is that we've had to reconfigure dining and fastpasses. They're on their own at MK tomorrow. I've developed a touring plan that reduces walking (which is the main problem ).

Overall, I think they are having a great time and they may have had the best dinner of their lives at Shutters at Carribbean beach resort.

 

[lostpro9het]

After looking at your video of SDMT, I realized just how tame the drops are in that coaster ride. I've only been on this once before--2 years ago--(lines are usually too long). I thought it was a fun ride with a bit more side to side banking--a tamer, family coaster, so to speak. But I really prefer Everest, Space, or Big Thunder for more big thrills. I'll ride Rock n Roller coaster once each trip, but limit it to that. (I have to be careful with inversion loop coasters as they can trigger vertigo and dizziness in some people.)

Said it before and I'll say it again, SDMT is just Barnstormer 1.5 with different, and better, theming. I'd only call it a coaster if I prefaced it with "kiddy". And, yeah, EE, SM, and RR are far more thrilling and, IMO, more enjoyable.

 

[LadyBelle]

Said it before and I'll say it again, SDMT is just Barnstormer 1.5 with different, and better, theming. I'd only call it a coaster if I prefaced it with "kiddy". And, yeah, EE, SM, and RR are far more thrilling and, IMO, more enjoyable.

That's probably why I like 7DMT so much. The others aren't my speed.

 

[lostpro9het]

That's probably why I like 7DMT so much. The others aren't my speed.

Hey, different strokes for different folks! If we all like the same things life would probably be pretty boring. Besides, based on the consistent 100+ minute wait we've seen this trip for the ride, you ain't alone in loving it!

 

[lostpro9het]

So after some pool time and a bit of relaxing in the room it was time for our dinner ADR. We decided to change things up on the drive down yesterday and nixed our LTT ADR and decided to book one at Shutters, the churizo mac & cheese looked promising. Shutters is tucked away inside Caribbean Beach and has, until this evening been unknown to us. Let me tell you, Shutters is FOR REAL! The food here was excellent, portions large, and price on par with what you would expect in the bubble. The inlaws each went with the strip steak while my crew shared the market salad, west indies wings, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Borinquen Island Pasta with Chicken. Again, the food was excellent and we could not finish all the food we got! on our way out we noticed one of the Christmas trees with some very unique ornaments.

 

[lostpro9het]

Happy Tuesday!!! Another rope drop day makes for getting a sunrise picture difficult from the savanna. We're headed to HS for a while and have an ADR at 50's tonight, still deciding what to get though...

 

[lostpro9het]

Standing inthe RnR queue listening to a young son calming his dad down by ensuring him that the ride is "straight with no loops". Oh to hear the post ride conversation...