Trip Report **COMPLETED** A (Love) Bug's Life

Hi everyone!
Happy Mother's Day!!!
We just got back from Disney yesterday and it is cold and raining here so seems like a good time to start our TR!

Who?
My Mom (Mary), my Dad (Jeff) and myself (Megan)
This photo is from our trip last year

Where?
Grand Floridian - aside from a very brief stay at the Poly during a race weekend my Dad has never stayed at a Deluxe. So, with a nice AP discount we let him pick any place he wanted and he decided on the Grand

When?
May 3 - 11, 2019

Why?
No big reason - we usually go around this time every year to help with the depression of the never ending winter here at home (and its still cold BTW...)

The title?
We have seen love bugs before but we have NEVER seen this many. I know they don't bite or anything but they were everywhere and at times the amount of them was just disgusting. We could not even sit on our balcony and if we were by the pool the only place they did not bother us was in the water. Ew This is the very reason I do not live in Florida...bugs.

Day 1 May 3, 2019
Our flight was pretty early so I got up at like 2:20 am
My parents picked me up just before 3 and we were on our way! I ALWAYS email Southwest to ask what time their counters open and this time I forgot. So, we got there at 3:20 and it was not open...whoops

Everyone was lined up in the full service line but we waited by the self tag kiosks and we ended up being the first ones done with our luggage. Since it was so early the TSA pre-check line was not open yet so we had to go through regular security which is only annoying when you have have a computer and an iPad to drag out

Be prepared for my Dad not cooperating for photos

Around 4 am the food places open so we grabbed a bagel

I spy our plane

The time flew by at the airport and very quickly we were boarding the plane! Our flight was on time for once!
Gang is all here..

Next up: more travel

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 5 continued

Whoops we must have gotten PP pictures on the way in and I forgot about them

My Mom and I decided to go on Dumbo next
Mistake. Only one side was open so we waited over 20 minutes...oops

Next up: more MK

 

[Loco_driver]

I’ve been marathon reading your report on my 3 hour road trip, finally caught up. Excellent TR! Also, I’ve made the same mistake and tried to get on dumbo when only one side was running, but I bailed before we ever got on! Lol

 

[LeighM]

I bought that Jessica shirt because I love all things retro and it wasn't the typical Disney shirt. But the medium was too large and the small was too small. I suspected the medium would shrink in the wash, which could've made it too small depending on how it shrunk. The large probably wouldn't have shrunk enough LOL. So I returned the shirt

 

[PopPopBear]

View attachment 375226
Love this tasty dessert!!
Enjoying your trip report.

 

[Doc Disney]

I’ve been marathon reading your report on my 3 hour road trip, finally caught up. Excellent TR! Also, I’ve made the same mistake and tried to get on dumbo when only one side was running, but I bailed before we ever got on! Lol

We should have left but I feel like that line is awkward to back track out of and we realized it too late Thanks for reading!

I bought that Jessica shirt because I love all things retro and it wasn't the typical Disney shirt. But the medium was too large and the small was too small. I suspected the medium would shrink in the wash, which could've made it too small depending on how it shrunk. The large probably wouldn't have shrunk enough LOL. So I returned the shirt

That sounds like typical Disney sizing though

 

[Doc Disney]

View attachment 375226
Love this tasty dessert!!
Enjoying your trip report.

Thank you! We really liked that dessert too!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 5 continued
Dumbo continued

Our first FP was for 7DMT which was down the whole morning so we headed to Ariel to kill some time before our next FP

Lots of light photos for you....

Next up: more MK

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 5 continued

Well our next FP was for Space Mountain and that was closed too so we decided to just head out and skip the last FP for Splash Mountain.
Solo PP pic on the way out at my Mom's request

We took the boat back to the GF
All these black dots are love bugs

Back to the GF we quickly got changed into swimming stuff and headed down to the bus stop for...Typhoon Lagoon!
You no longer have to transfer buses which is nice - one took us right there!
Along the way I saw this...

Yep...Slash Mountain shut down too I am glad we did not end up staying!
When we got my Dad's AP we elected for the version with the Water Parks so we determined to get some use out of it

We were hungry so we stopped to drop our stuff off at some open chairs then headed to Leaning Palms
My Mom and I shared chicken nuggets

And my Dad had the Jerk Chicken Cobb salad

It was all very good!

Next up: more TL

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 5 continued
Our first attraction was Miss Adventure Falls
We only waited about 10 minutes which I thought was good for it being midday
Had no idea the (wrong) time stamp was on my new waterproof camera for a bit

I got yelled at on this for not holding on...I was clearly holding on with one hand which is the only requirement. I got called out on the overhead speaker and I was like what - and kept pointing with my camera hand to the hand that I am holding onto the raft with There is a CM at the top and I showed her too and she laughed and said I was fine but I was so embarrassed
Anyway, after our ride we headed to the lazy man to get us over to some more slides

Next up: more TL

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 5 continued

Our first slide up was Keelhaul Falls

After this we did May Day falls.
Here's another Dad's don't listen moment. I said to my Dad before the slides "are you sure you want to bring your sunglasses with you? (they are prescriptIon)" He said they will be fine. Well I am going down May Day falls which is a bit chaotic and freaking out a bit thinking about my Dad's glasses. Sure enough I watch him come down and I see his glasses case fall out of his pocket and I scream to him about it but he doesn't hear me until its too late and also can not see without glasses to look for it
So we asked the lifeguard about it and he called someone but he said it could take hours so my Dad should just file a report. My Dad did that while my Mom and I took a break (AKA stressed out about it). He came back and said they will call him. My parents spent some time in the Wave Pool after this. I joined them after doing some work but was having a hard time enjoying myself because I was super stressed about a patient of mine and my Dad's sunglasses so eventually we ended up leaving (well also I totally missed the waves and they were on a very long hiatus). I have been much better handling stress these days (or consciously trying too) but the combo of those 2 things put me in over drive. On the way out my Dad gave them his number once more and we took a bus back to the GF (which is long because there are 3 stops instead of 2).

Next up: MK

 

[Gurt]

I love your MK outfit you look great.

 

[Loco_driver]

We should have left but I feel like that line is awkward to back track out of and we realized it too late

Just get the largest person in you group to make a crazy face and plow through all those children! That’s what we did! This also works well during the post fireworks rush if the person can look menacing enough!!

 

[Doc Disney]

I love your MK outfit you look great.

Thank you!

Just get the largest person in you group to make a crazy face and plow through all those children! That’s what we did! This also works well during the post fireworks rush if the person can look menacing enough!!

Well...its usually my Mom and I and I'm 5"1 and she's 5"4 so not sure it would work for us

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 5 continued
Back at the Grand Floridian we took a small break and headed back the MK so we could do all the FPs we missed in the AM

The first thing we did was mail my nephew a post card "from Mickey"

Our first attraction was 7DMT

Apparently I am the only one who rode it

Then we headed over to Space Mountain

My Dad elected to stay off - he said he does not really enjoy Space Mountain anymore ( )
This CM was legit sleeping until the phone rang and woke him up

Next up: more MK

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 5 continued

After our ride we headed over towards our dinner spot
But first...a machine in a moat

And a castle photo from afar

Anyway, we actually planned on eating at The Plaza for dinner later in the week but I moved it to this day just in case we wanted to do something else later.

This was my Dad's first time eating at The Plaza and a dinner first for my Mom and I (We only have had breakfast there).

We were seated in the sun room which was nice

I forget our waiter's name but he was not very friendly and we were afraid to ask for anything In the end he turned out fine, though, maybe he was just stressed.
We started off with the Plaza Loaded Fries (French Fries topped with Melted Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Ranch Dressing)

While we were waiting for our entrees my Dad's phone rang. I don't think I have ever heard my Dad's phone ring in my entire life It was Typhoon Lagoon - they found his sunglasses! Woohoo! He told them he would pick them up since we were planning on going back in 2 days anyway
For entrees: My Mom and I shared the Baked Honey-Barbecued Brisket Macaroni & Cheese
We got the brisket on the side (which we were afraid to ask for ) because my Mom is not a big meat eater so we figured this would work out better for her

And my Dad got the Vegetarian Bangers and Mash (Two Plant-based Bratwurst Sausages served over Garlic-Mashed Potatoes, topped with Caramelized Onions, Creamy Mushroom Gravy, and served with a side of tender Broccolini)

Everything was delicious!! The picture of the Mac and cheese looks a bit gross but it was SO good and creamy. The brisket was really tasty too - even my Mom tried some and liked it although my Dad and I ate most of it. My Dad's was good too...except the Broccolini which tasted weird

Next up: finishing up dinner

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 5 continued
I was super on the fence about ordering ice cream but my Dad said he saw some sundaes and they did not look that big so just order one.
He lied...they were big (for me)
My Mom and I both got the Plaza Sundae - mine was mint chocolate chip and hers was vanilla and chocolate.

I barely made a dent but it was good!
Oh wait I just remembered our waiters name it was Mike - I remembered because we referred to him as mean Mike
After dinner we headed towards Tomorrowland
Purple Rock photo

We elected to use our final FP for Buzz instead of Splash Mountain. What can I say...my entire family is obsessed with Buzz
So I rode with my Dad and something amazing happened

GALACTIC HERO!
This was the first time I ever got it without the ride stopping. I was so proud of myself. My Dad had no clue what was happening I think

I was in solidarity with my Dad for not having sunglasses (well secretly I did not tell him I was doing that haha) so super squint in this photo

Next up: more MK

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 5 continued
Peoplemover was up next

I picked up a FP for the Teacups so we headed there next
My Dad skipped this one too since he does not do well with spin rides

My Dad took this photo which is just so typical of my poor Mom and I Always doin' it for the 'gram.

After our ride we headed out of the park. We did want to watch fireworks so we grabbed a small snack from the lounge (this is why my Mom and I said we can never stay club level again we eat too much !!) and out to watch fireworks.
These cream puffs and mini cheesecakes were SO good

There was a special event at the resort (a conference) so they blocked off some spots for fireworks but waited until the last minute to do it so it was awkward. Some woman refused to move which was funny to watch. Anyway...we stayed to the side and enjoyed the fireworks before bed!

Next up: Day 6

 

[Yelloweaver]

Day 2 continued
View attachment 373151
My Dad loved it!! (As did we obviously)
We decided to wait for TSM next. The wait was listed as an hour but Touring Plans said it was less than that and my Dad said let's do it so we did! We go way more than my Dad so my Mom and I were very much so go with the flow
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Anyway...we ended up actually waiting almost an hour (I can't tell you the last time I waited an hour for anything ) and then this happened....
View attachment 373157
The ride shut down
Thankfully it was only for about 5 minutes and we were on!
View attachment 373158
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We missed our Aerosmith FP while we were in line but we were OK with it because we had fun and Aerosmith is not our favorite anymore *due to headache potential

Next up: more HS

According to cast members, row 5 is the row you want to avoid getting banged around too much.

 

[susan lees]

Day 5 continued
View attachment 378057
After our ride we headed over towards our dinner spot
But first...a machine in a moat
View attachment 378056
And a castle photo from afar
View attachment 378061
Anyway, we actually planned on eating at The Plaza for dinner later in the week but I moved it to this day just in case we wanted to do something else later.
View attachment 378058
This was my Dad's first time eating at The Plaza and a dinner first for my Mom and I (We only have had breakfast there).
View attachment 378059
We were seated in the sun room which was nice
View attachment 378060
I forget our waiter's name but he was not very friendly and we were afraid to ask for anything In the end he turned out fine, though, maybe he was just stressed.
We started off with the Plaza Loaded Fries (French Fries topped with Melted Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Ranch Dressing)
View attachment 378064
While we were waiting for our entrees my Dad's phone rang. I don't think I have ever heard my Dad's phone ring in my entire life It was Typhoon Lagoon - they found his sunglasses! Woohoo! He told them he would pick them up since we were planning on going back in 2 days anyway
For entrees: My Mom and I shared the Baked Honey-Barbecued Brisket Macaroni & Cheese
We got the brisket on the side (which we were afraid to ask for ) because my Mom is not a big meat eater so we figured this would work out better for her
View attachment 378065
And my Dad got the Vegetarian Bangers and Mash (Two Plant-based Bratwurst Sausages served over Garlic-Mashed Potatoes, topped with Caramelized Onions, Creamy Mushroom Gravy, and served with a side of tender Broccolini)
View attachment 378066
Everything was delicious!! The picture of the Mac and cheese looks a bit gross but it was SO good and creamy. The brisket was really tasty too - even my Mom tried some and liked it although my Dad and I ate most of it. My Dad's was good too...except the Broccolini which tasted weird

Next up: finishing up dinner

I hate broccolini or tender stem as it's known in UK . The Mac and cheese looks good to me. Hungry now lol.

 

[Doc Disney]

According to cast members, row 5 is the row you want to avoid getting banged around too much.

Ohhh...good to know! I wonder if it would annoying to request that row !

I hate broccolini or tender stem as it's known in UK . The Mac and cheese looks good to me. Hungry now lol.

Looking at again it does not look that bad But I am also hungry