Trip Report **COMPLETED** The Tail of Slinky Dog

Hey everyone!
We have been back for a week now so I suppose it is time to start our TR!

Who
Just my Mom and I (Mary and Megan)
This is a picture from our last trip!

When?
July 9-July 16 2018

Why?
To celebrate my 30th Birthday

Where?
The Grand Floridian - thanks to a pretty good bounce back or AP deal (I can't actually remember which one )

The title?
We are obsessed with Slinky Dog Dash - plain and simple

Day 1 July 9, 2018
I had to work most of my usual day before we headed to the airport. Why is this day of work always the LONGEST day of work?
My Dad was actually out of town for work so he couldn't drive us to the airport, but my brother in law Nick kindly offered to drive us (thankfully)
I was super stressed about leaving on time (I thought our flight was earlier than it was ) hence my flushed cheeks

Oh hey Nick

Of course we made it to the airport, checked our bags and made it through security in little to no time
We decided to eat dinner at our usual airport dinner place - Anchor Bar

We shared the appetizer sampler and some fries. Wings, boneless wings, mozzarella sticks I realize now this isn't the best of pictures to actually show the food

After our delicious dinner we headed to the gate to wait to leave.
Petey was ready to go

Soon enough we were on the plane!

Next up: finishing Day 1 (quick day!)

 

[eliza61nyc]

Where was the incrediables background? Great pictures.

 

[LadyBelle]

- I looked back at some of my photos and I could not find any good Auroras!

I find the same with some Ariels. At least those at the character meals.

 

[FlaggNL]

So I tune in late..... better late than never I still need a lot of tme to catch up in all the TR's and PTR's!

Off course congrats on your 30th and the house! TR is marvelous as always! Thanks for sharing!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

Sounds like a perfect trip! Getting to ride SDD twice is amazing! Waiting 30 minutes only for TSMM is pretty amazing!! I wish I could be an early bird like you and your mom ....maybe it's worth it for the short lines!!!1

Those young girls on the ToT look so scared! I hope they weren't traumatized for life!

 

[Songbird76]

Sounds like a perfect trip! Getting to ride SDD twice is amazing! Waiting 30 minutes only for TSMM is pretty amazing!! I wish I could be an early bird like you and your mom ....maybe it's worth it for the short lines!!!1

Those young girls on the ToT look so scared! I hope they weren't traumatized for life!

Well, the one girl's face looks about like my son's face did and he gets upset if we even mention Tower or Terror, and he now HATES elevators...so....

 

[blreinsel]

I’m so glad you enjoyed your 30th!! It looked like the perfect day!!
My niece was a Galactic Hero in June & the CM looked at me like I was crazy for asking for the sticker for her. I feel your pain!!
@blgauger I’m bummed that we didn’t meet up in June. Are you free next week??

Well it's the end of "next week" and I just saw this...

 

[riverside]

Well it's the end of "next week" and I just saw this...

I got back to PA a few hours ago—barely. Let’s just say that Disney transportation really let me down...

 

[Doc Disney]

That little girl's face next to you on ToT (I know I'm horrible)

 

[Doc Disney]

Where was the incrediables background? Great pictures.

In Tomorrowland

I find the same with some Ariels. At least those at the character meals.

Agreed!!

 

[Doc Disney]

So I tune in late..... better late than never I still need a lot of tme to catch up in all the TR's and PTR's!

Off course congrats on your 30th and the house! TR is marvelous as always! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for reading !

Sounds like a perfect trip! Getting to ride SDD twice is amazing! Waiting 30 minutes only for TSMM is pretty amazing!! I wish I could be an early bird like you and your mom ....maybe it's worth it for the short lines!!!1

Those young girls on the ToT look so scared! I hope they weren't traumatized for life!

It really is worth getting up early for even if it meant us going to bed at like 8 pm

 

[Doc Disney]

Well, the one girl's face looks about like my son's face did and he gets upset if we even mention Tower or Terror, and he now HATES elevators...so....

Oh no!!!

 

[Doc Disney]

sorry..I still dont have internet even though I do - it just doesn't work
Day 6 continued
Random storm troopers...

We actually ended up picking up a reservation for Sci Fi Dine In for lunch

Usually we split appetizers but for some reason I decided to order an entree so I got the Beef and Blue burger and my Mom got chicken fingers and onion rings.
I did not take any pictures because it is too dark in there But, our food was delicious as usual. The burger was especially good even if I could only eat a little of it! The service was actually weirdly slow this time around but we didn't mind

We just love Sci Fi

Next up: a random afternoon

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 6 continued
We left HS and headed back to the GF
Another towel animal was waiting for us

We headed down to the pool but we could not find a single place to put our stuff...even the edges were full. So, we tried out the other pool which was also full. Somehow this turned into us being annoyed enough to go to Blizzard Beach instead Really we just didn't want to waste our water park portion of the AP
We took a Minnie Van to avoid a transfer and ended up with the same driver who took us to H20 Glow
When we got to BB we ran smack into 100s of tour group kids. I'm not kidding.
They were all (thankfully) leaving. I tried to take a picture but pictures just could not do it justice just how many people there were!

We ended up running right into Goofy with no line

Despite all the crowds that already left it was actually very crowded still so we had a hard time finding a decent seat. Eventually we found one and headed to the lazy man.

We then rode the ski lift and did the family raft ride (Team Boat Springs) with a Dad and 2 little boys. Then, for good measure we stood in the wave pool for a few minutes

Our trip was fairly short lived as we decided to head on out of there and back to the GF!
Blizzard Beach just isn't the water park for us...we are definitely Typhoon Lagoon people
Our Minnie Van driver on the way home was awesome (and hey thanks 50% off Lyft coupon!) and was an ex-bus driver who told us all sorts of trivia about Disney buses! He also told us we could go through the McDonald's drive thru in a Minnie Van

Next up: an evening in the dark

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 6 continued
We relaxed a bit in the room and then outside

Then, we headed to the MK!
We were heading to a special event....

Woohoo! I was SO excited for this! We moved H20 Glow so that we could attend this event
We were able to check in when we got there (obviously...since I already have the tag) which was just before 7 pm.
Tangled Restrooms!

Somehow we were hungry so we headed to our dinner spot...
Liberty Tree Tavern!

Usually at LTT we get a nice big table but this time we got stuck at a table for 2 right up against a pole in what felt like the middle of the restaurant which was awkward

Salad to start...

Next up: more LTT

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 6 continued
Rolls...

Turkey, pot roast (hidden in the back), and pork shank (we did not eat that)

green beans, Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes

My Mom and I were already tired so we were asking for trouble for the event We at one point got into absolute hysterics over a Christmas cookie thing that happened at home
Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake

After our delicious dinner we headed to the Tea Cups (probably the worst idea after a big meal )

Then, we headed to Space Mountain to use my "golden ticket" FP

I actually jokingly said to my Mom before our ride "don't lose your lanyard" and it turns out she almost did! The whole thing tore off and she luckily caught it!
Also, coming out of the ride my Mom got hit with fireworks pieces We also saw a bunch of other people get hit - it was weird!
Anyway, we sat and watched the rest of HEE from a bench in Tomorrowland.

Next up: After Hours!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 6 continued
There was an After Hours check-in in Liberty Square but no one was there yet so we had to walk all the back to the entrance (along with everyone else) to grab a lanyard. Apparently we were also at the Tangled restrooms again - I think before we headed down Main Street

We got a PP pictures as we headed back into the park!

Then we headed to the HM (I did not take any pictures...)
The park officially closed at 10 pm so we headed over to BTMR right at that time
We actually got to ride twice! I don't actually have a ton of pictures from this night because it was so dark!

After BTMR we headed to the Jungle Cruise...again no pictures because it was so dark but it was really fun at night. The boat before us actually just had one family on it because the guest was an old Jungle Cruise skipper and they let him do the talking
We were super full (why do we always eat so much before events?!) but we still felt the need to get free stuff so we got some waters and popcorn
Apparently I only took a picture of the water

Then we headed to Main Street. It was borderline creepy just how empty it was everywhere! It was actually surprising when you did run into a bunch of people!

Next up: More castle pictures

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 6 continued
Oh guys I forgot to attach our super awkward ride photo from Space Mountain

More castle pictures...

We headed to 7DMT next! We waited like 15 minutes which was by far the longest wait of the night. It actually came down to it being broken though...not so much crowds. It stopped several times while we were on it.

We still had a blast despite how slow it was!
I was determined to try at least one more snack and I really wanted to try the frozen banana since I wasn't sure I would like it so I never wanted to actually pay money for it.
My phone was having a real hard time taking photos

I did not care for it...I'm glad I didn't pay for it. Oh! I forgot. The girl in front of me in line did not have a lanyard but also did not speak English so the CM had a super hard time trying to explain to her that she had to leave...
Next up was Astro Orbitor...my Mom is a huge trooper for doing this with me she really did not want to!

Next up: more After Hours

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 6 continued
The CM told us we could all have our own rocket but my Mom refused to go one one alone

I tried so hard to take pictures on the ride but they all turned out like this

We were exhausted at this point so we decided to start heading out.

The one last thing we really wanted to do was meet Mickey. We hopped into his line and we were immediately escorted to the main waiting area (with the safe). The CM told us to wait for the next CM so we did....but....who opened the door? MICKEY!!!! It was so surprising and so cute!!!! He came to get us and then escorted us to the picture room. It was pure Disney magic...it felt so special!! I love when they do little things like that because they really make your day!

Next up: A few more pictures to finish out After Hours

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 6 continued

We tried to take the monorail home but it was down so we ended up taking a bus home.
All in all we had an absolute blast. I literally did not believe it when people told me it would be empty because everyone always says that about the holiday parties which are not. However, it really was!!!! Every single ride except Mine Train was a walk on. There were plenty of snack carts open and they had long lines but they went quickly. We actually made it to just after midnight which was longer than I thought we would considering we are not night owls. I guess that is the nice thing about the winter hours since they start earlier Having the MK essentially to yourself is a dream! Have I convinced you yet to go?! Hands down worth any penny and the ending with Mickey was a cherry on top !

Next up: day 7 "off day"

 

[riverside]

Turkey, pot roast (hidden in the back), and pork shank (we did not eat that)

We can never bring ourselves to eat the pork either!!

Next up was Astro Orbitor...my Mom is a huge trooper for doing this with me she really did not want to!

This is one of those rides I could never set foot on again. I seriously feel like I'm going to fall out of it. It's so scary to me!!