Trip Report When can we do this again? A Fractal family Odyssey. *COMPLETED*

Definition of odyssey:

• : a long journey full of adventures
  
  
• : a series of experiences that give knowledge or understanding to someone

Not too long ago I had a lot of doubt this trip would ever happen. The financial cost of higher education, the fact my wife Val wanted to go anywhere BUT Disney, the crazy and conflicting schedules of the kids, made the odds of keeping our 2-year WDW trip tradition a large long-shot. But maybe things do happen for a reason...

A great deal came our way and before we knew it we were on our way back to the World. Not without a major sacrifice however as my eldest daughter Alexandra had to miss the trip due to her schooling ( she graduates this Friday as an Registered Nurse!). She is a bit of a kindred spirit to me with a personality closer to mine than the other two, so I knew I would miss her dearly on the trip.

Here she is at Christmas with my Mom (Yia-Yia).

Speaking of Yia-yia; she will join us again at WDW! We had a great time with her on our 2013 trip at the Poly. We would meet up with her, my Sister Marina (here with me)...

and my two nieces; Courtney...

and Mia...

at the Yacht Club on the second leg of our journey. The first part of our trip took us to my in-law's (Al & Sue) who moved to Florida (Tampa - St. Pete area) last year. They would also join us at WDW!

Here they are from a 50th anniversary party we had for them last Winter...

It was early evening Thursday July 20th when we began our Odyssey. My good friend Wally picked us up to take us to the Baltimore (BWI) airport.

Excitement was building for our trip but the real Disney excitement would come later.

Sterg and Toni occupied the back seat. They were almost late for the pickup as they decided a last second Starbucks run was in order. Sterg ended up paying for that about an hour later as his bladder protested strongly.

Val was next to me and could barely contain her enthusiasm.

Not only was she not fully in favor of another Disney trip, she was (rightfully) concerned with the potential problems, complications, and stress of merging these 3 parts of the family together in the already chaotic environment of managing reservations, room assignments, getting to the parks, fastpasses and dinner plans. I had much of the same worries, which were also amplified by the fact Yia-Yia and Al would be using electric scooters during our time at the World. But hey, it's Disney, what could go wrong?

 

[senor_jorge]

Yia-Yia is deserving of her own channel. Just sayin...

 

[gdisneyfans]

The picture of Val and Toni with their arms around each other taking a selfie is so sweet!

I could have shot the ride with a faster prime - either the 55mm 1.8 or 85mm 1.8 but I wanted to try wider shots. The slower aperture of f/2.8 made things a bit more difficult.

When you speak your camera lingo I feel like I'm listening to someone talk in a foreign language but also sounds intriguing as well! My daughter signed up for photography this coming year, so I'm excited to hear about everything she learns in her class and hopes she enjoys it and sticks with it!

Looking forward to more!

 

[DznyRktekt]

The picture of Val and Toni with their arms around each other taking a selfie is so sweet!

I thought they were imitating the "Partners" statue.

 

[fractal]

Hmm...I'd call that more of a pained look than a smile. She's still not sold on Disney (and some of her expressions earlier in the TR are priceless!)



So very true, and a very important observation. I will make sure to remember this next time I'm there.



Now, that's a smile! Obviously, she just needed to be whipped around on a runaway mine train.

Lol! There is hope.

That photo of the Riverboat and Harper's Mill is absolutely stunning! I am and always have been so jealous of your photography skills. I get lucky every now and then but not anything like that! I am obsessed with taking photos of that area. Catching the birds posing near the mill, but mine stink! Lol

I know exactly what you mean about changing your opinions on things when the shoe is on the other foot. I have always hated strollers at the parks for a child over 3-4. My kids were troopers and we only used one, one trip with our daughter when she was 2 1/2. My son refused one his first trip at age 3, walked every step. It is a whole different story when you enter into the world of a sensory disorder- ADHD child. There is literally, no way, that we could not use a stroller with our oldest Grandson. It has really made me step back and not be so quick to judge. A necessity is a necessity. There is a big difference in a need and the few people that just try to take an advantage. Clearly, you guys did not.

Thanks @DisneyShe !

Your pictures are absolutely beautiful! Especially the ones in MK!! Can't wait to see more.

thanks @mousefreak !

Hahahah!!!! That is hysterical!! Totally made me LOL. BTW, your pictures are AMAZING!!

Thanks!

I agree with what you said about feeling self conscious going through the handicap entrance on rides. We use DAS (disability access service) for our son. On the rides with fast pass entrances we are just slipped in with no one noticing, but on other rides we have to go in the wheel chair access point and I feel like everyone is staring at us and wondering why we're getting "special" treatment. I remind myself that they don't know what we go through on a daily basis and hey, we'll never see those people again!

That's a great attitude (and true). Ultimately you can't control what other people think but I wanted to share my perspective as someone who never used the DAS before.

Love your pics! They're so clear I feel like I could step right into the picture and be at WDW.

Thank you @Texas2Florida2017 !

Drama is fun when it is not your family.
It is also making me look forward to my solo trip even more as last time I was at WDW I was the all knowing park person for my group. I know it can be exhausting trying to keep everyone happy and on schedule.

Drama - keeps things interesting for sure. I did have some alone time later in this trip...

I always request the back of the train when riding Big Thunder, it's the only way to ride in my opinion

Yes!

Everyone loves Yia-Yia!!

This post made me laugh. @RedNoseMickey is right, drama is fun when it's not your family.

Without drama I would have little to write about.

This trip report is giving me flashbacks to the time we had a large group of family, friends and coworkers touring around MK. It was one of those "we are never doing this again" moments, which is why our next trip is just myself and my wife.

sounds divine!

I went on a trip with my entire Dad's side of the family..... there were like 15 of us... never, ever, ever, again. It was just too hard to do everything that everyone wanted to do.

The new FP preplanning does help with that - but I guess everyone has to agree on that as well...

The witch is in 7DMT......she's just in disguise.

View attachment 221500

Oh I knew she was there, just forgot to look.

Christmas in July has been extended, because we have a Fractal Trip Report!!!!!!!!!!! I really appreciate the photography "tidbits" that you sprinkle throughout your posts. I just recently purchased my first real camera so I'm trying to learn all that I can!! As always AMAZING photos, you give so much life to something as simple as a restaurant menu board

Thank you so much @gobstoper27 ! Good luck with the camera. Let me know if you have any questions!

OMG I thought the same thing!!!! LOL

Sure why not? The more the merrier! I'm trying to visualize this conversation..."Val, I'm thinking of adopting a few people from the WDWMagic board...

Love the pic of Sterg in the tunnel on SM.

Thanks - after many failed attempts...

Yia-Yia is deserving of her own channel. Just sayin...

so true!

The picture of Val and Toni with their arms around each other taking a selfie is so sweet!


When you speak your camera lingo I feel like I'm listening to someone talk in a foreign language but also sounds intriguing as well! My daughter signed up for photography this coming year, so I'm excited to hear about everything she learns in her class and hopes she enjoys it and sticks with it!

Looking forward to more!

thanks @gdisneyfans ! Photography has been a wonderful hobby for me and has made my WDW trips much more enjoyable. Hope she catches the bug!

I thought they were imitating the "Partners" statue.

Possibly...nah. Not sure Val would even know about the Partners statue.

 

[gdisneyfans]

I thought they were imitating the "Partners" statue.

Actually at first I thought Toni was pointing to the train station until I realized she had her phone raised up

 

[fractal]

"Oh Christo, are you back already? I had a very nice massage." Those were Yia-Yia first words to me as we met up with her in the SM Gift Shop.

"What?" I asked thinking she may have lost her mind.

"Well, I actually had three massages." She continued. Then noticing my look of bewilderment she pointed across the room to a row of massage chairs. I'm sure I passed by them several times but never noticed them. "Three dollars each time and it was so nice!"

"Oh - that's great Mom..." I replied while contemplating the genius of installing massage chairs in a gift shop exactly for someone like my Mom; someone left behind to wait while everyone else went on the thrill ride.

We then went outside to wait for Sue and Al. I found a mirror to take a selfie with Toni and Courtney.

Then had Toni take this photo...

We completed the MK Mountain Trio is short order and even rode the 7DMT "mini-mountain" for good measure.

Remember the rash on Sterg's arms? Well we were monitoring that during the day and it started to flare up even more. Val decided to take Sterg to First Aid to have them take a look while we waited.

My Mom is not a big fan of getting her photo taken. I have to remind her to look at the camera. She always complains that I take millions of photos but she never sees any. This is not entirely true as I show her them on her IPad, but she says that doesn't count. She likes her photos in physical form. I promised her I would make a photo book of this trip so she can show her friends (which is what she's really getting at.)

A few more shots while waiting...One of my favorites!

But no time for WED PeopleMover. Our reservations for Ohanas was fast approaching as I planned an early dinner assuming the long day would fuel appetites (Not to mention that the only availability at Ohana's was either early or late). I was starting to worry about Sue & Al, then they appeared. Time to head for the exit.

It must be the future - the rocks are metallic blue!

One of the most appealing things in the world - Mickey balloons on Main Street!

I really wish I would have noticed the shadows the balloons made - a full shot of that would have made a great photo! Next time.

 

[mousefreak]

I'm sorry, but the drama is so stinking funny. The massage chair...so funny.

 

[Tiggerish]

Yia-Yia and the Magic Band. So funny, I LOL'd for real.

Adorable photo of Mia looking back at you on SM.

Massage chairs--who knew?!

 

[MinnieM123]

@fractal , I think you should have a special t-shirt made up for Yia Yia. The message on the front would be:

TAKE IT BACK!!

(Yes, I do have to, once again, bring up the famous slice of chocolate cake incident in DHS, when she told you that the piece of chocolate cake you wanted (at $4.50 or so, at the time), was too expensive, and to "Take it back!") I thought that older TR was my favorite TR of all time -- but I have a hunch that this newer one might rival it!!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I love the Mickey balloons too but I never noticed any shadows on the ground from them. Thanks for pointing that out, it does look cool in your picture. I'll have to be on the look out for Mickey balloon shadows now.

 

[Notes from Neverland]

I know I've mentioned it before, but your photos are just too awesome. They're so incredibly realistic. They almost pop off of the page.

 

[fractal]

As we are approaching the end ( or is it the beginning?) of Main Street I hear and see the Main Street Philharmonics! Now I love myself a good marching band, and one dedicated to Magic Kingdom is always worth a stop.

The rest of the gang didn't seem to agree as they kept moving. I yelled to them my order to "keep moving and I'll catch up" which is exactly what they did. I continued to take a few more photos and enjoy the show.

Right after I took this photo the band stopped, turned towards me and stared marching my way.

I instinctively started to back peddle until...I was stuck! My left foot was cemented in my brand new Crocs sandals (which I love!) with the Band bearing down on me. I turned around to see Al on his scooter that was now parked on my left sandal and he didn't seem inclined to move. I yanked my foot hard which ripped the top band off my sandal and set me free. Hobbling around Main Street half barefoot I made it clear of the Band's path. I then came back to my sandal and yanked it out from underneath the ECV. No words were spoken but I was pretty upset. I put the now worthless sandal on my foot and shuffled towards the Emporium as Sue came up wondering what happened.

"My Crocs broke." I said and disappeared into the store before I said more.

There is no doubt this was all a dumb accident. Perhaps I was too close to the Band to begin with, perhaps Al saw me come towards him and went forward instead of back. I didn't even know he was behind me. It was a dumb accident but the air was never cleared. I stomped around the Emporium looking for replacement sandals - the only Crocs they had were the original style which are not my flavor. I ended up buying a $15 pair of Animal Kingdom flip-flops. Before I could check out Val and Sterg found me in the store and asked what happened. Sterg found the entire thing amusing as did his Mother to some degree.

Nevertheless, I was not going to let this bother me and ruin the night. I put on a stiff upper lip and carried on. By the way, the nurse told Val that Sterg should be monitored closely and to call 911 if he feels he has trouble breathing. They gave us the name of a Doctor's service that make room calls as well as in clinic appointments if the rash got worse.

After all that, we really needed to hustle to Ohana's. Marina, Yia-Yia, Toni, Courtney and Mia moved on to the monorail, planning to meet up at the Poly. I continued to take photos on the way out...

Marina called me and told me they were still waiting for the Monorail. As I reached the platform I looked around and they were nowhere to be found.

I called her "Did you get on?"

"Not yet, about to." she said.

"Where are you..." at that point I spotted them across the Station about to get into the wrong monorail.

"You are on the wrong side!" I yelled into the phone as our monorail pulled.

They ended up going in the monorail, then out on the other side and took the middle ramp down to reenter on the correct side.

"We'll meet at the Poly" I said.

Sitting down in air-conditioned monorail with my camera heading to Ohana's. Why was I so stressed?

It felt good being back at the Poly!

Even if I wasn't in favor of the new lobby "centerpiece".

Still love the Island atmosphere.

Up next - can dinner at Ohana's cure all?

 

[Bob]

Made it to Splash. The water looked so refreshing...

We were waiting for Courtney to catch up so we smartly decided to visit the air-conditioned gift shop.

I'm so glad to be mostly past the stage of getting bombarded by the kids when you enter a gift shop to buy everything they see. Then again, a $15 dollar Mickey pen is a bit easier to swallow then cars and college tuitions.

Courtney made it and with ears!

I was so happy I decided to take a selfie with Sterg.

We entered the FP line and right before you entered the Mountain we were escorted to a different line by a CM. There was a bit of a delay in this process and we actually got to the steps in SM wondering what to do next as the scooter didn't have the "step climbing" option. "Now what?" I thought. "Not a good start." The group leader pressure was being turned on as I could sense frustration from Al. The arrival of the CM in charge of the handicapped line saved the day.

We were taken to the exit area and told to wait. There were 2 "scooter" groups in front of us. Finally we were escorted in and entered the ride log from the opposite side (normal exit side).

Our first attraction had begun.

Smile!

Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink.

I love Splash Mountain, as do my children. Again, I was hoping Sue and Al were enjoying it as this was their first time riding (it was down last time they were in WDW).

My camera and lens are "weather resistant" but it was a bit risky using it on a water ride. I had a large ziploc bag on the ready for when things started to get rougher.

Up next. More Splash photos - Sterg wants to film the big drop with my Nex-7 - WDW'er meet up!

Some of the most amazing photos of Splash Mountain....ever.

Going down...

@fractal jr looking a bit green in the gills.

She likes her photos in physical form. I promised her I would make a photo book of this trip so she can show her friends (which is what she's really getting at.)

Please put up said photo book for sale. I'd like to reserve my copy now.

 

[becca_]

"My Crocs broke." I said and disappeared into the store before I said more.

This made me so sad for you!! I've had expensive shoes break at Disney too, shoes I loved to wear, and just regular old flip flops. It's always so disappointing!!

 

[docdebbi]

I'm sorry, but I just don't get you photo folks. My son in law is one too and you're all just nuts!
"Proof?" you say.

I enter into evidence your honor, the following quotes- just lines apart in his report:

"After all that, we really needed to hustle to Ohana's."
"I continued to take photos on the way out..."

My definition of hustling does not include stopping for photos.

all nuts................just sayin'!

 

[fractal]

I'm sorry, but I just don't get you photo folks. My son in law is one too and you're all just nuts!
"Proof?" you say.

I enter into evidence your honor, the following quotes- just lines apart in his report:

"After all that, we really needed to hustle to Ohana's."
"I continued to take photos on the way out..."

My definition of hustling does not include stopping for photos.

all nuts................just sayin'!

We quickly learn to shoot on the fly!

 

[Tiggerish]

the only Crocs they had were the original style which are not my flavor. I ended up buying a $15 pair of Animal Kingdom flip-flops. Before I could check out Val and Sterg found me in the store and asked what happened. Sterg found the entire thing amusing as did his Mother to some degree

Erm...Not Amusing. Just sayin'

Nevertheless, I was not going to let this bother me and ruin the night. I put on a stiff upper lip and carried on. By the way, the nurse told Val that Sterg should be monitored closely and to call 911 if he feels he has trouble breathing. They gave us the name of a Doctor's service that make room calls as well as in clinic appointments if the rash got worse

Oh, I'm just waiting for the "more drama" on this one...

Marina called me and told me they were still waiting for the Monorail. As I reached the platform I looked around and they were nowhere to be found.

I called her "Did you get on?"

"Not yet, about to." she said.

"Where are you..." at that point I spotted them across the Station about to get into the wrong monorail.

"You are on the wrong side!" I yelled into the phone as our monorail pulled.

They ended up going in the monorail, then out on the other side and took the middle ramp down to reenter on the correct side.

"We'll meet at the Poly" I said.

Sitting down in air-conditioned monorail with my camera heading to Ohana's. Why was I so stressed?

Brilliant. Just effing Brilliant. (that's a British thing)

Even if I wasn't in favor of the new lobby "centerpiece".

Come on, it's not THAT BAD...(really, it's not that bad)

I'm sorry, but I just don't get you photo folks. My son in law is one too and you're all just nuts!
"Proof?" you say.

I enter into evidence your honor, the following quotes- just lines apart in his report:

"After all that, we really needed to hustle to Ohana's."
"I continued to take photos on the way out..."

My definition of hustling does not include stopping for photos.

all nuts................just sayin'!

Amen, sister!!

 

[imthewalrus79]

A bit late to the party, but I've started following. I'm really enjoying reading about your trip so far. No doubt, even though it might be drama at the time, it's obvious your family is making memories that you will look back on with smiles and laughter. I also have to say that your photos are some of the best I've ever seen of Walt Disney World.

I also have to say that it's nice to find some other Disney fans from the area. I'm from the Muhlenberg Township area and love getting down to Florida or out to Anaheim when I can. In fact, I think I can recall seeing Sterg's name in the Sports section when he was in high school.

Anyway, I love what I've read of your report so far and can't wait to read what happens next.

 

[fractal]

With everyone finally back together we started our dinner at Ohana. Having stayed at the Polynesian on our last (big) trip and having eaten at Ohana's several times, this really was like visiting family. Amazingly, Marina and her family have never been. She's been to Disney more than I and is as big of a fan. First time for Sue and Al as well.

Mia became a helper.

Val smiling...again?

Sterg content (despite his rash).

grilling up our meat!

I needed this!

Our server was very good. She was attentive and friendly. Here she is lighting a Birthday cupcake for Mia.

But this was the real star dessert!

Jose was also a star. Clearing our plates, filling our waters, and getting us all leis!

Mia did the coconut race...

and I took a few more pics, because that's what "photo folk" do. @docdebbi @Tiggerish

and Jose took a very good photo of our group.

Ohana's really hit the spot! Not a complaint to be found (even from Yia-Yia). The combination of good filling food, a few drinks, great atmosphere and air conditioning help us all forget the earlier drama.

Up next...we (finally) get into our rooms.

 

[King Racoon 77]

Thanks for the excellent pics of Ohana (and all the others) . We are eating here for our first time in October and it really has me looking forward to it even more.