Trip Report **COMPLETED** The "Hey what's your name" and "I want to ride Home Depot" Trip Report

Hey all
We have been back for just about a day now so I figured why not start the Trip Report!
Also, I'm on call this week so its probably going to be a pretty sparse week sorry!

Who?
Also I am feeling lazy so I'm making abbreviations for mostly everyone
Left to right: My Dad (Jeff) - D, my nephew Max - no abbreviation, my sister Betta (her real name is Elizabeth) - B, my Mom (Mary) - M, Me! (Megan) - no abbreviation, my sister Jill - J and my brother-in law Nick - N

When?
April 27, 2018 - May 5, 2018 (B and Max from April 29-May 5)

Where?
Port Orleans French Quarter Our favorite moderate

Why?
Celebrating my Mom's 5 year cancer free anniversary! (oh, and it was J and N's honeymoon - aka familymoon )

Day 1 April 27, 2018
2 am...2 am came very quickly this morning...especially since the NFL draft started the night before and I couldn't sleep until we made our first pick
Nonetheless, up I got and got ready to leave for the airport.
We got fancy with our dates sign this time

We shoved all 5 *yes 5* suitcases into our car and soon enough we were at the airport after a short 15 minute drive (bonus...no traffic at 3 am).
We got to the Southwest counter just after it opened and the one worker was OBSESSED with our luggage. She literally told us if our luggage doesn't show up in Orlando it was because she stole it Our luggage is Minnie Mouse...J actually has the same luggage and the worker was trying to steal hers too and then realized we were all related!
TSA precheck wasn't even open so we went through regular security which was only a bummer because it meant I have to take out my computer and iPad which is annoying
I was wearing my Wishes shirt that N got me for Christmas!

May you rest in peace Wishes

There actually weren't any food places open yet so we sat around a bit waiting for J and N to arrive. J actually lost her kindle because she didnt take it out for security (so TSA did) and had to go grab it after an overhead page alerted her of such
After she grabbed it we all went to Tim Hortons but that wasn't open yet either..
Finally 4 am hit us and our usual bagel place opened so we headed there

I didn't take any pictures apparently but we shared a few bagels and got some water.
Soon enough it was time to board our flight. We got in line and we were like A20-24 I think. There were quite a few people ahead of us but I didn't say anything even though I knew they were probably after us. Eventually a woman in front of me did ask what their numbers were and the woman responds "Group A..." as if the rest of us weren't A . She then said what does it matter if we are all A anyway. The only reason I bring this up is because when we got up to gate to scan our tickets the Southwest worker kicked them out of line and made them wait until it was their turn (they were numbers like 40-41 or something). My Mom turned to me and said "burnnnnn."

Next up: arriving in Florida

 

[riverside]

Your dad's shirt is too funny!!

 

[Doc Disney]

Your dad's shirt Love it

Thanks!

The CM in the pink looks like the same gal that was in Hoop Dee Doo when I was there!

I wonder if she is? I feel like CMs may hope around a bit!

 

[Doc Disney]

Shout out to Zapp's chips!! They are the best and are made in my hometown!!

OMG! I would die if I lived around where Zapps chips are made - I am lucky we don't have them here (except occasionally I can find them) otherwise I would eat them all the time! haha

Your dad's shirt is too funny!!

I wish I could remember who even bought it for him but I have no idea!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 8 continued
So...I talked about this in a previous TR but when we do big family trips we draw names and buy gifts for each other (like secret Santa)
So, while Max napped we headed to the gardens to exchange gifts. Nick was up first and Betta had him
She got him a yoyo from DS. This was a joke but I don't know what about because it went down during dinner at Morimoto the night before.
Number one sign happening a lot on these photos Nick made us.

She also got him a Haunted Mansion shirt (his favorite ride) and a POTC mug!

My Dad had Betta and he got her this cute Mickey art piece

Jill had my Mom and got her a Millenial Pink Spirit Jersey (jealous!!!) and this cute Christmas plate

My Mom had me and got me this adorable Mickey/Walt art piece! I was so excited! I was eyeing that up a few days prior Its a Norman Rockwell take but with Mickey painting Walt instead!

I had Jill and I got her a retro Epcot shirt

Its so funny she said she wanted an Epcot retro thing all week and I kept steering her away from the merchandise and made her think they didn't have anymore merchandise
I also got her a Happily Ever After Alex and Ani - since it was her honeymoon

Next up: more gifts

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 8 continued
Finally, Nick had my Dad and he got him .... the same Haunted Mansion shirt

And a hat - he used to have this one and lost it so Nick got him a new one!

After another successful gift exchange we all went to the pool (except for Betta who went to her room to watch Max obviously).
Continuing along the trend of weird things CMs were giving out at the pool - today we got wet naps to clean our sunglasses with
Enjoy these underwater camera pictures

Oh hey Mom - I see you

Next up: Epcot !

 

[Rista1313]

Thanks!



I wonder if she is? I feel like CMs may hope around a bit!

I know for sure Equity Ben does... right now he's doing the frozen show, hoop dee doo revue, and the Mickey's backyard BBQ

 

[krause]

I know for sure Equity Ben does... right now he's doing the frozen show, hoop dee doo revue, and the Mickey's backyard BBQ

And he does the pirate cruise!

 

[Swissmiss]

I bought the same art piece for my brother-in-law that your mom gave you. It was in my hotel gift shop at Disneyland Paris and as soon as I saw it I knew he'd love it (and he did). I remember it being heavy though so I was glad that my sister was coming over to visit before Christmas so that I didn't have to worry about paying shipping costs from here!

 

[Doc Disney]

I bought the same art piece for my brother-in-law that your mom gave you. It was in my hotel gift shop at Disneyland Paris and as soon as I saw it I knew he'd love it (and he did). I remember it being heavy though so I was glad that my sister was coming over to visit before Christmas so that I didn't have to worry about paying shipping costs from here!

It was super heavy! It posed an issue when trying to fit it in a suitcase to bring home

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 8 continued
After pool time we got ready to head out for the evening. My Mom, Dad and I were headed to Epcot and HS, Betta and Max to AK and Jill and Nick to DS.
We decided to take a Minnie Van over to the Boardwalk so that we could just walk through International Gateway to Epcot. The app could not find one but I kept just hitting the button to look for one and after about 10 minutes it located one. We could actually see Betta and Max at the bus stop waiting for an AK bus (it took them over an hour to get there!). When we rode by them in the Minnie Van Max cried when he saw us saying he wanted to come with us
Anyway, our Minnie Van driver was super weird and arrogant. It was the first time we had a driver that wasn't very pleasant
Oh well, eventually we made it to the Boardwalk.
P.S. we kept taking Minnie Vans because there was a big Lyft discount this entire week which applied to Minnie Vans!

I spy construction ...

Our eventual destination was America so we swiftly walked over there - but stopped for some PP pictures along the way

The reason for Epcot was because my Mom was super excited to see that Peter Noone/Herman's Hermits would be playing at the Garden Rocks concert series. We got there a bit later than we probably should have and there were no seats left inside the theatre so we sat on a bench in America to listen.

Eventually when it got closer to show time we were able to stand at the back of the theatre and watch. This worked out well because we had to leave about halfway through anyway! Well, my Dad was actually sitting in the shade somewhere - I promise he was there!

I felt super bad leaving early because my Mom was really enjoying it and I offered to skip our dinner reservation but my Mom said it was OK to leave. Maybe we can catch him again sometime! My Dad and I really enjoyed it as well. Peter was super funny too! He kept making jokes about with all the fame his highest aspiration was definitely to play in Epcot so many times

Next up: heading to HS!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 8 continued
We decided to take the Friendship Boat over the HS. Turns out it was a good week to take it because starting the following week the boat to HS wasn't running.
This was actually our first time ever taking the friendship boat (to HS) - check!

The guy who does all the announcements was doing Disney Trivia which was fun! I answered a question about Art of Animation having music under water and the guy was super excited I knew the answer I feel like thats common knowledge ?
Anyway, even with all the stops we still got to HS quicker than if we walked (and less sweaty).

Our destination for dinner was....

Mama Melrose's!
Pasta in the windows...

We spent almost the entire time while waiting for our table watching a woman argue with the CMs about wanting a table without a reservation. After about 10 minutes they eventually gave up and gave her one.
A light for you...

Eventually we were seated but it was a weirdly long wait!

Bread to start

Next up: more dinner

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 8 continued
Despite our long wait to be seated our food came exceptionally fast!
My Mom ordered spaghetti and meatballs

My Dad ordered chicken parm

And unsurprisingly I ordered the steak

It was all super delicious - as usual!!!!
After dinner we headed towards the Launch Bay as we were doing the Star Wars Dessert Party! Is there a better way to celebrate May the 4th?
Pictures alone the way of course

We checked in quickly and headed inside. Considering we got there before the party already started it was already packed!
I feel like the one super awkward thing was the Launch Bay was not closed so everyone else in there is kind of staring at you...

I definitely thought they had a good mix of sweet and savory stuff. We weren't super hungry (obviously) so we just tried a few things. It was all decent but I didn't think anything was particularly spectacular.

Next up: more dessert party

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 8 continued
We did consider getting in line to meet BB8 but it was the only character line that they weren't letting party people skip and we didn't want to waste the entire party in line.
We did try some cocktails which were delicious!
Galactic Punch (Rum, mango and POG juice)

Cosmic Citrus Twist (citrus vodka, watermelon lemonade)

As you already know we meet up with @sheriffwoody and R!

It was super fun to see them again and hang out a bit!!! And they definitely were NOT invading our family time - as this was day 8 and we definitely had enough family time by this point
Just about 15 minutes before show time we headed out of the Launch Bay (got our Captain Phasma mugs) and we were escorted to the Chinese theater by Storm Troopers which was cool!
We were able to watch Disney Movie Magic and the Star Wars Fireworks from the reserved spot. It was super nice to not have to worry about the crowds and there were a TON of people there (I'm assuming because of the day?).

Next up: finishing off the night!

 

[sheriffwoody]

So glad we got to see you guys! I felt the same way about the food...it was just fine. Nothing memorable (except that there was a lot of mousse items ) . I wish they'd bring back the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party, it's been the best one I've done! They're all worth it for the experience though.

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 8 continued
I really did not take many pictures and the ones I do have aren't great. If you are looking for good pictures of the show hop on over to @sheriffwoody 's TR!
Oh, one more Movie Magic one

Star Wars

It was definitely very nice, as I said, to be in a low crowd area - especially for my Dad who really hates being squished in around people. In my mind that made the dessert party worth it! However, we all decided we probably wouldn't do it again. The cost is pretty high and the food was just so-so.
Anyway, we headed out of the park with @sheriffwoody and R and said our goodbyes to them at the POFQ bus stop. We JUST missed getting on a bus which turned out to be a blessing in disguise because there was a major traffic jam. Like I'm talking buses did not move for over 45 minutes and if we were on that bus we would have been standing. We eventually bailed out of line and thought we would try our luck at a Minnie Van (along with a million other people). We got one and it said it was coming in 15 minutes but that was far from the truth! I think maybe about 40 minutes or more we waited.
Cute Minnie Van cone though!

Here is my Dad looking for the Minnie Van

Finally a bunch of Minnie Vans piled in and we were on our way. The CM driving our Minnie Vans could not understand why the traffic was so bad and felt awful it took her so long to get to us ! She said there was a small accident but in the opposite direction - I think it was just because of all the construction in general!
We counted and there were 7 Minnie Vans ahead of us in line!

Eventually we made it home at 11:20 pm So, the fireworks were at like 9:30 so go ahead and do that math!

Next up: last day ((((((((

 

[Doc Disney]

So glad we got to see you guys! I felt the same way about the food...it was just fine. Nothing memorable (except that there was a lot of mousse items ) . I wish they'd bring back the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party, it's been the best one I've done! They're all worth it for the experience though.

We never got to do the Illuminations one but I have heard the most positive reviews of all the parties about that one for sure! Lots and lot of mousse

 

[joshsprincess921]

Shout out to Zapp's chips!! They are the best and are made in my hometown!!

Zapp's is my neighbor too!

 

[joshsprincess921]

Max is so cute! I love the gift giving. It's so fun to see what you all exchange!
I love Zapp's too and of course, being in Louisiana they are readily available.
They have a Voodoo Heat flavor that is like the ones you like with a little more heat, so good!
My favs are the Crawtators and the Cajun Dill Gator-Tators!
Love your report!

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Enjoying your trip very much, even though I am the last one to read it!
We stayed at POFQ this past March and really enjoyed it. Max is adorable. We have 6 grandchildren, the youngest being 9 y/o.
One night as we rode the bus back to POFQ, we sat by a little boy who talked nonstop to us about the roadster racers
He was so cute and articulate. We learned that you only get the blue ones, not the red ones. He talked the whole way back to FQ, and we had a blast with him. His mother made him speak articulately with correct diction, which was amazing. He was only about 4 y/o, I think. We smiled and laughed with him the whole way back from MK. Just wanted to throw that in there about the amazing roadster racers. Your nephew reminded me of it.
Thanks again for an entertaining trip report. Love it
Oh, on a side note: I always had the Mickey waffles each am at POFQ, too, they were so good!

 

[bee]

Great report as always, @Doc Disney!

I wish they'd bring back the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party, it's been the best one I've done!

UGH, me too! I was so upset when they replaced it with the Frozen party...for $30 more!!