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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fractal

Well-Known Member
Didn't know LWTL did Christmas! awesome.
5 minute wait on Soarin'? That's like finding a unicorn. :D
Christmas Story rules.
Hard Shakes at Beaches & Cream? Another new nugget of information.
Nice catch by your daughter on ST; RE: Vader - Finn
Love Saana.

Great report, looking forward to more.

PS - also love the beer selections!
 

imahistorygeek

Well-Known Member
Earlier on in this trip report I promised to review Disney Fine Photography. Since Sean has posted photos and the obligatory video to wrap up this TR, I must not renege on my promise. Therefore, let us begin.

When I first pitched this idea to Sean, I’m sure you can imagine the response. Not good. First, he doesn’t like having his picture taken and second, $$. If we know anything about Disney, it’s $$. I decided to do some research. Disney offers two packages (at least that’s what it says on the website). Me being me, I wanted the Enhanced Portrait Session (EPS). What is the EPS you ask?

- 1 hour in a place of your choosing (from their list). The only place I remember that is not on the list is Magic Kingdom. I’ve seen wedding sessions at MK, but I believe that may cost a gazillion dollars.

- A professional photographer and an assistant. These are not photopass photographers. They came with a fancy umbrella with a light so you know they were for real.

- Retouching and enhancements of all photos.

- An archival cd with all of our pictures (there were over 100)

- A personal website with all of our pictures. You could share the link and people could order or you could order pictures for yourself.

- A photo release

I know what you’re asking, how much will this fanciness set you back. Well, a pretty penny. The regular joe will have to pay $399 (this does not include taxes). If you are DVC, you get a 20% discount and 2 – 6x9 prints for free.

Moving on to the actual day. The weather had been kind of iffy up until the day. The day of the photo shoot, it was very nice outside. My one request was Cinderella’s Castle in the background. I was given the choice of the Grand Floridian or the Poly. I chose the Grand. We made our way to meet Dean (the photographer) and Earl (his assistant) at the base of the grand staircase. And we’re off!

Dean suggested we get the castle picture out of the way. Done.

Next me moved on to other locations with shots of us separately and together. Done.

Finally, we move back inside to get our Christmas card moment. We are all three standing on the upper level, close to the railing with the Christmas tree at our backs. The photos taken were color and one was enhanced with black and white. Sean had this great idea. He suggested asking Disney if they could edit these photos, basically combining them. Everything but the tree would be black and white. It turned out beautifully.

We finished up right at an hour with tons of pictures under our belts. Dean said that it would take him 4 to 6 weeks to finish editing (he said give him the 6 weeks). Sure enough, almost right on the 6-week mark the link to the photos arrived.

We were very pleased how they turned out. If you are on the fence about this service, I would do it. I plan to have my daughter’s senior pictures done at Disney.

A few weeks later our cd arrived and our two free pictures arrived soon after that.

To wrap up: I highly recommend Disney Fine Photography.
 
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RebeccaMcK

Member
Great report! The photographer's pics of you turned out great. Your review of San Angel Inn is pretty much on par with what I've read about it from others (and I've never been there to dine, probably won't ever). I want a Custodian sticker, lol (it shows Mickey sort of doing what I wish I could do, if I could get a job at WDW.....the custodian who does the "water art" cartoons on the pavement. I say it looks like that on the sticker because the broom looks paintbrush-like. I need to practice my sketching more, before ever trying for that job). The "Holidays around the World" in Epcot....do you know if the countries' holiday "shows" (storytellers, etc.) continue past the 25th? I assume they go into early January like the other holiday things/decor? And were there any food specialty booths around like during F&GF and F&WF, or on a smaller scale just for Christmas/Hanukkah? Just wondered. Thank you for sharing your trip report. Have a great cruise coming up!
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
The "Holidays around the World" in Epcot....do you know if the countries' holiday "shows" (storytellers, etc.) continue past the 25th?
I cant speak to this as we typically leave by the 26th/27th.
And were there any food specialty booths around like during F&GF and F&WF, or on a smaller scale just for Christmas/Hanukkah?
Kinda, they had things like the peppermint hot chocolate and holiday snacks at the American pavilion.
 

RebeccaMcK

Member
I cant speak to this as we typically leave by the 26th/27th.

Thanks. I just Googled it and wdwmagic had an article that said for last year the Holidays Around the World ran through December 30th, so I'll figure the same for this December. I thought it a little odd that the HATW sign in one of your pictures (next to a Stitch/holiday shrubbery, I think) didn't have the dates listed. Just making sure it went on for a little after Christmas.
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
The pictures your wife selected from the professional photographer were beautiful. I know you felt like a dork, but believe me, years down the road, you will absolutely treasure these gorgeous pictures of you and your family at the "Happiest Place on Earth".
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So proud of you for finishing this before your April trip :D!

Look for us Wandas that week...we've been known to tear up at Wishes too :joyfull:.
Seriously!?!? Our paths may cross again? We're there 3/31-4/1 then 4/4-4/7.

The pictures your wife selected from the professional photographer were beautiful. I know you felt like a dork, but believe me, years down the road, you will absolutely treasure these gorgeous pictures of you and your family at the "Happiest Place on Earth".
I have NO regrets and would do it again. I agree with you that in the future the rewards will be great which is why I do these TRs I think. I like being able to go back and see what was and how much fun we had.
 

gwhb75

Well-Known Member
Great report. Looks like you had a great time. We've had the same strategy for San Angel Inn that you had (book it and then cancel. I think we've booked it every year for the past 4 and still haven't eaten there). The photo shoot looks great. We did one a few years ago at EPCOT and had a lot of fun. So when's the next trip?
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Great report. Looks like you had a great time. We've had the same strategy for San Angel Inn that you had (book it and then cancel. I think we've booked it every year for the past 4 and still haven't eaten there). The photo shoot looks great. We did one a few years ago at EPCOT and had a lot of fun. So when's the next trip?
Thanks! We had a great time and I really wanted to like SAI but the food was so 'meh'.

We head back in 33 days! We're doing a bookend stay with 3 days on the Dream in between. We'll be trying the Poly for the first time before the boat then a 1-bdrm at AKL when we return. Super excited since it will be the DDs first cruise.
 

gwhb75

Well-Known Member
Thanks! We had a great time and I really wanted to like SAI but the food was so 'meh'.

We head back in 33 days! We're doing a bookend stay with 3 days on the Dream in between. We'll be trying the Poly for the first time before the boat then a 1-bdrm at AKL when we return. Super excited since it will be the DDs first cruise.
Poly is really nice. We stayed there last August and loved it. The rooms are so much bigger than the standard studio at other resorts and the two bathrooms are a nice addition. Looking forward to the next trip report.
 

WDWDarling

Well-Known Member
We head back in 33 days! We're doing a bookend stay with 3 days on the Dream in between. We'll be trying the Poly for the first time before the boat then a 1-bdrm at AKL when we return. Super excited since it will be the DDs first cruise.

I hope you and @imahistorygeek are planning on doing another trip report! My DH and I are planning a land a sea trip for our 5 year wedding anniversary next May and I'm not going to lie it may have been influenced by the reports from you guys, @prfctlyximprct, and @belledream! I hope your DD has an amazing time on her first cruise :)!
 

imahistorygeek

Well-Known Member
I hope you and @imahistorygeek are planning on doing another trip report! My DH and I are planning a land a sea trip for our 5 year wedding anniversary next May and I'm not going to lie it may have been influenced by the reports from you guys, @prfctlyximprct, and @belledream! I hope your DD has an amazing time on her first cruise :)!

I'm pretty sure there will be another trip report. I'm not sure Sean would know what to do with his phone if he didn't take pictures or make notes. :) Before there's a trip report, there must be a pre-trip report... :) 30 days, Sean.
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I hope you and @imahistorygeek are planning on doing another trip report!!
I'll probably do another TR for April.

I'm pretty sure there will be another trip report. I'm not sure Sean would know what to do with his phone if he didn't take pictures or make notes. :) Before there's a trip report, there must be a pre-trip report... :) 30 days, Sean.

Correction: I will do another TR for April but first it appears I need to conjure up a PTR!
 

RebeccaMcK

Member
A pre-trip report could always just turn into the full trip report, right? Or do these forums prefer that they be separate? (Just asking. All my trip reports were on the TGM and easywdw sites, and I don't really plan to do any more. Just huge online photo albums and food pics that I text to my sister, lol). Hope your daughter enjoys the cruise. The only Disney cruise we did [so far] was back in November 2009 and it is our daughter's only cruise thus far (at age 4, so she barely remembers it now at 10-1/2). Lots of fun! And if we see you in December at WDW we'll say hi. We'll be two dark-haired, short-haired people in their mid 40s with a thin, bouncy dark-haired 11 year old girl. :happy:
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
A pre-trip report could always just turn into the full trip report, right?
I've seen it happen adn i dont think anyone minded.

And if we see you in December at WDW we'll say hi. We'll be two dark-haired, short-haired people in their mid 40s with a thin, bouncy dark-haired 11 year old girl. :happy:
Absolutely! We've got no hard plans yet but if history holds true we'll be all over the place!
 
I really enjoyed your trip report! The Launch Bay looks interesting...I can't wait to see all of the Launch Bay when I go there in April. I also wanna do Sum of All Thrills...it sounds interesting!
 

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