Trip Report COMPLETED: The “Let’s see if this dumb thing works” Treat Yo Self Christmas trip report!

All the PTR funtivities can be had here, including who we are,:
The Treat Yo Self Christmas pre-trip report

Friday the 18th 11ish o’clock
The DW and I decide to ditch work a little early and check the DD out of school early today to make sure we have plenty of time for our Star Wars showing in McDonough at 3:40. So we check the DD out and make our way for some to-go lunch. A relatively short pit at Zaxsby’s and we’re finally on the road and soon cruising down GA400 towards McDonough. Our last few trips through the ATL on the way to The Bubble have been nightmares which is why we left a little early today. Well, surprisingly, today was the exception! We cruised right through town and my worries of being late for the movie became concerns of “what are we going to do when we arrive two hours early?!” Thankfully, I guess, Henry county helped me out by having the worst traffic of the trip…FOR NO REASON AT ALL! Anyway, The delays we faced there offset the great time we made but we still had an hour to kill. This worked to our advantage as the DW forgot her sunglasses at home and we needed a few toiletries for the trip so we popped into Super Target for a bit, made our purchases and enjoyed a SB coffee before making our way to the theater.
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Finally, it was time!
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We happened to be in a theater full of some fanatics so there was much cheering and applause throughout the movie. I personally really enjoyed it despite the many similarities it had to New Hope. The movie even brought the DW and DD to tears! I won’t spoil it for anyone as to why. So with The Force Awakens under our belt we made for Tifton, about another two hours. Henry County did its best to squeeze the last bit of traffic tolerance out of us as we left town. Soon we were in Tifton checking in to the Hilton Garden Inn, great place BTW! I was immediately sent on a dinner run to try out Marcos Pizza for some subs. What was supposed to be a 10 minute drive turned into a hobbits tail of which I thought I may never return. Long story short about an hour later I’m back at the hotel with dinner for the ladies tired and ready to eat. After some discussion as to when the ladies want to arrive at the Bubble, as that will dictate when we should leave, we hit the hay with visions of Siths and BB-8s dancing through our heads…ok, my head.

Saturday the 19th 05:30
Up and at’em! Time to get our Disney on!!! We make quick work of getting to the car, hitting Starbucks again for breakfast and make for The Mouse House! A few hours later and we’re crossing the state line most uneventfully and before you know it where on the turnpike! Have I mentioned how much I love the SunPass? Seriously, if you go at least once a year it is worth not having to stop and deal with your coin tossing skills. Soon we had arrived!!
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The enjoyment was short lived, though, as it was realized the DW only packed one pair of jeans for the trip and she was worried she would need more since the temp outside was high 50’s. We look probably the longest route EVER to Walmart to pick up some emergency jeans for the trip. It was not so refreshing to see that the Walmarts of Orlando are much like the Walmarts of Dahlonega….Anyway, after that detour we were back in The Bubble ready to get our BCV on!
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It was here where we met Guard Shack Joe from New York! As we approach I’m ready with my MB and ID for him to scan and review. Joe blesses us with what might be the quote of the trip, and on the first day too!

[ThickNewYawkAccent]
Oh, you’ve got your band ready. Stupidest idea Disney ever had. Let’s see if this dumb thing works…
[/ThickNewYawkAccent]

I think Joe is awesome BTW. Wouldn’t ya know that stupid little thing did work! The light went green and we were on our way to self-parking! We grabbed our overnight bags and made for bell services as our room was not quite ready yet.
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Cape May had not yet ruined the smell of the lobby as it was still early. The beautiful gingerbread display helped too!
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So with our bags checked we were off to Epcot by foot to test out the waters for lunch!
 
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catmom46

Well-Known Member
Both Dean and his assistant were super nice and worked perfectly in sync. I was beyond pleased at how smoothly the session ran. I basically left it up to Dean to work his magic.

The weather was beautiful and we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day. Even the kid was on her best behavior, which brings me to a related side story.

She has been hem hawing about staying in band. She plays percussion. Personally, I just think she’s nervous about going into marching band next year. I was in band and marching band. I loved it. I tried (along with Sean, her grandparents, etc) to tell her all the neat things she would be doing in the next few years (including a trip to WDW!). She was all “I know, I know!” She didn’t want to hear anything more about it. I backed off. Well, somehow Dean coaxed out of her that she was in band. He went on and on about how great it was.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks after the trip. I was eating lunch with her and out of the blue she says she’s been thinking about what do to about band and that she really thought about what Dean had said about staying in band.

You remember Dean, right? He’s the photographer that we met and interacted with for only 1 hour. Yes, that guy.

She’s now more inclined to stay in band. If Dean ever comes across this post, I would like to say thanks. I’m all for whatever makes her stay in band.

End of related side story.

I can’t give me full review of the pictures yet because we haven’t received them. Dean said we will have them in 4 – 6 weeks (give him 6 more than 4) and we’ve just hit the 4-week mark. I can’t wait to see them!

I'm so glad to hear your daughter decided to stay in band! I was also a band geek and it was the best 4 years of my life. Maybe you could send Dean a thank-you note through the photography website?
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Continuing our Launch Bay experience we look in a few more artifacts before we hopped in the Chewie M&G line.
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Th3e M&G Queue had a nice display of sabers to look at.
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Some face time with the walking carpet…
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This jawa was just making its rounds in the bay and was kind enough to stop for a picture.
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Still to come: MORE LB pics, bus roulette and The Wave.
 
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lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So, to finally wrap LB up
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Here is a cute little art series. I kinda liked it!
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After that we got in the queue for the Disney Visa M&G. This was an interesting experience as Vader actually interacts with you. I don’t believe the DW was quiet ready for the interaction and by the last pic you can see she might have had her fill of the dark side that day…
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After that fun filled LB visit we made for the exit to get some rest. We passed ome entertainment along the way.
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Upon returning to SSR we chilled out on the balcony for a bit, frosty beverage in hand.
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I gave this one a slid 3 out of 5. My notes state “Fun little holiday brew. You can taste the peaches too” I’d get this beer again. After a short rest we decided to play a little Disney Transportation Roulette again. As chance would have it, AK won again!
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Still to come: The Wave and MK after dark!
 

Mrhappyplace

Well-Known Member
I have been mentioning to Mrhappyplace about getting some kind of formal pictures taken of the two of us, as we never have had them-not even for our wedding. Looks like I found where and how I want them!!!

Now all you have to do is convince someone who doesn't like spending money and doesn't like having his picture taken to spend money to have his picture taken.

Love all the launch bay pics!
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Now all you have to do is convince someone who doesn't like spending money and doesn't like having his picture taken to spend money to have his picture taken.
You sound just like me about a year ago, heck, you sound like me yesterday. Somehow the DW worked her magic, just like she did with DVC and cruising and I'm happier for it.

Holy cow...that pic of the hanging laundry at the GF if going to stick with me for a while! WOW!
It was both very surprising and hilarious, something I'm sure to never forget.
 

imahistorygeek

Well-Known Member
Just out of curiosity, why is she nervous?

Honestly, no idea. It's my feeling she's nervous. It could be she wants to try other things. She's very tight-lipped about things like this. I told her she can choose, but she has to be involved in some type of activity. She can't just do nothing.
 

imahistorygeek

Well-Known Member
The lite crowds meant a 20 minute wait for Pirates which was more like 10. The ride is still very enjoyable, Im not really sure I noticed any refurbishment other than the mermaids were not swimming in the water and the fog effect was working well.

I noticed two things with the refurb.

The ship and cannons scene - there was a different scent. Almost like ocean.
Capt. jack's hair is now the same dark blond as in the last movie. I don't like it, but oh well.
 

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
So the DD really wanted to try mini golf while we were down there this go. We figured today was as good a day as any since we didn’t have any plans until later in the evening. The DD also began talking big game about how she would best us easily….oh little did she know, but more on that later.

This was our first time here and I’ve got to say the theming was fun!
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This was great right here; there was a sensor in the hole so when you would go to retrieve your ball the snowman would spray you with water! DD tried unsuccessfully getting it out unscathed.
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This was a fun one too, I couldn’t believe my garbage phone actually got the ball as it shot out of the pole.
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A few more holes and our final scores coming up!
HOY! the "snow" statues are awesome. Also some of these "shots" looks hella complex! :O
 

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
Continuing on
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As you can see the DD got a lesson in challenging her folks! Awesome Parents 1:Moody Teens 0.
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Having just competed in a hefty round of athletic competition we were all ready for lunch. We decided before we left that we wanted pizza and we wanted that pizza to be off property. The DW did some investigative work and found a highly rated pizza joint just outside DTD. We left Winter Summerland for Flippers and were there in just a few minutes despite the roundabout way we got there… The menu here looked good and the pricing was what you would expect from a tourist town. We opted for the cheese bread and a large pepperoni pizza to share
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IMO, the food was GREAT, BUT the sizes run SMALL! One thing I really liked about Flippers is they will give you fresh garlic, basil and oregano as sides for your food at no extra charge, I’ve never experienced this at another restaurant before and it was really nice! With bellies full we made for the grocery store next door for some drinks and breakfast items before making our way back home.
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After returning, the DD decided she wanted to hang out and relax for a bit. The DW and I decided to head out as it was still early enough to take in a park and come back for a rest before dinner and MK.

Up next: Disney Transportation roulette, Paradiso, and MK

that pizza looked really good! how do you rate it compared to other on-property pizzas?
Really worth it?
 

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
Unfortunately we were, originally, there during the soft opening so we had to find out the hard way. I remember exiting the ride and a CM was there polling opinions about the ride and I was pretty blunt with her about my expectations vs. what had just happened.
I actually agree with you, the ride feels too short. and lacked another scene. I mean the difference between Splash Mountain and SDMT is night and day. The animatronics still.. are top notch.

Continuing our Launch Bay experience we look in a few more artifacts before we hopped in the Chewie M&G line.
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Th3e M&G Queue had a nice display of sabers to look at.
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Some face time with the walking carpet…
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This jawa was just making its rounds in the bay and was kind enough to stop for a picture.
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Still to come: MORE LB pics, bus roulette and The Wave.

ohh man.. cant believe I missed visiting the launch bay. I tough it was just "yet another themed store with nothing interesting".
 
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lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
that pizza looked really good! how do you rate it compared to other on-property pizzas?
Really worth it?
To be fair, my on property pizza experience is limited to VN and POP's food court. I actually enjoy VN's pizza when they put the effort into making it rather than blinding dumping the toppings like a Jackson Pollock piece but at least Pollock would cover his canvas. That said, I'd say Flippers was better than POP and equal/better than VN. The service was great, something lacking at VN for us lately, and the price was ok. We'd go back for sure which is not something I can say about VN anymore.
ohh man.. cant believe I missed visiting the launch bay. I tough it was just "yet another themed store with nothing interesting".
That is unfortunate! I went in with low expectations, though, and came out very happy. I did feel they could have utilized some of the space better but I was still excited to have something new.
 

gwhb75

Well-Known Member
Here it was that I would make an embarrassing Disney newb move. As you approach the LB entrance there is a standby path to the left and a FP path to the right. My oblivious self thought the lines started inside the building and just waked straight down the FP side without scanning. No one said anything or spoke up so I had NO IDEA was just cutting in front of a 45 minute line!!! I mean I just kept walking straight and all of a sudden we were inside looking around! It wasn’t until we got out that the DD asked me if I realized what we did. I felt bad for a bout 5 minutes then got over it. Im just surprised no one said anything to me!!
.

I have a newby mistake story that will make you feel a bit better. It was the first day of our first trip to Disney (about 10 years ago). We had just arrived, dropped our bags at the room and were ready to head to the parks. We get to the bus stop and notice a bus waiting with it's back door open, so we just walk in and grab seats....having no clue that there was this big line waiting at the front of the bus (I blame excitement and inexperience). You can imagine the dirty looks we got when they opened the front door and the line of people started coming in...
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I have a newby mistake story that will make you feel a bit better. It was the first day of our first trip to Disney (about 10 years ago). We had just arrived, dropped our bags at the room and were ready to head to the parks. We get to the bus stop and notice a bus waiting with it's back door open, so we just walk in and grab seats....having no clue that there was this big line waiting at the front of the bus (I blame excitement and inexperience). You can imagine the dirty looks we got when they opened the front door and the line of people started coming in...
Awesome! I had a good chuckle at that one!
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Monday 21st cont.
So after a short visit with AK we made for the Contemporary bus. Fortune was in our favor as the bus had just pulled up and we walked right on! Soon we were basking in the amazing fragrance that the Contemporary lobby pushes out. I mean this lobby smell is still just amazing! We checked in with The Wave and had a short wait so we decided to head upstairs to check out their gingerbread house. Of course….Frozen…
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While snapping these pictures our pager went off and The Wave was ready for us! We opted for the beer flight to see if anything was worth buying outright:
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Sadly, all three beers were ”meh” for me and I rated them a generous 2 out of 5. No worries as they had one of my favorite brews in bottle and the DW opted for the mojito.
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With the drinks came the bread service with the Red Hawaiian sea salt butter (soooogoood)
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DW and DD shared the arctic chard and the sword fish, they said it was good.
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Being a sucker for things I know I’ll like, I went with the braised beef gnocchi.
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Overall dinner was very good and I’d absolutely come back again. I’m thankful the DDP has not corrupted this restaurant, the portions and prices here are very good, for Disney of course. The atmosphere is nice, I like the low light but it can get crowded in here and a little noisy. Tonight’s experience was neither but there is potential for that.

Still to come: MK at night and things that will scare Disney Security and get you a special visit.
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So after a filling dinner we made our way to MK to use up some FPs. This would be our first experience getting scanned this trip, and not our last. Once we got past our “random” screening we were in.
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We made a quick trip with Buzz before heading over to the teacups. DW wanted to spin fast, DW…not so much.
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Next was a quick trip with dumbo.
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Made our way to Pirates then BTM but not before making a stable stop.
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Then IASM before a snack at Gaston’s which included pop corn, chocolate croissant and hot cocoa, sorry no pics.
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We wrapped up the night with a flight with Peter Pan, my best attempt at a city view shot.
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Still to come: Freaking out Disney Security, TONS of animal pics, and the DVC Merry Mixer.
 

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