Trip Report *Completed* You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home - September 2020

Hello friends, and welcome to another K and J trip report!

We will be returning to Walt Disney World together after basically a year away…more on that later. This is my fourth trip report so I’m sure many of you know us by this point, so I’ll keep the introductions brief…well, brief for me anyway.

Who: Me, Katie

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And my husband, Jason

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We both visited Walt Disney World as kids, but our love for the Disney parks truly blossomed when we went to Walt Disney World together for the first time, for our first wedding anniversary back in 2014. We had the best time and made so many cherished memories, and we loved it so much that we ended up booking our next WDW trip before we even checked out!

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In total, we have been to Walt Disney World together 11 times, and Disneyland twice in the span of 6 years.

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In December 2017, we finally took the plunge and became annual passholders at WDW, and that’s when our trips started becoming more frequent – we average 3-4 Disney trips a year…with the exception of this year. As you may remember, I went on a Disney cruise with my mom, sister, and SIL back in February, and we spent one night at WDW, where I flew solo in Epcot for a couple hours. J and I had plans to do a WDW trip in April, and then COVID-19 happened. April became May, May became June, and then when our June trip was cancelled by Disney, we decided to cancel that trip altogether, and go to the beach in Palm Coast, FL instead. While in Palm Coast, we made a quick trip over to Disney Springs for a few hours. Aside from that time in Disney Springs, Jason and I have not been to Walt Disney World together in nearly a year. In fact, it will have been almost exactly a year when we return. I know we are so fortunate to be APs and be able to visit as often as we do, so I hate to feel like I’m complaining about my champagne problems, but I know many of you have felt the same way we have over the last few months. Being unable to be in our happy place, our home away from home, has been so hard for us, emotionally. We are so beyond ready to be back in Walt Disney World. Speaking of being back…

When: September 8th-13th

We had originally booked our trip for September 9th-13th, but then an Annual Passholder room discount came out in July, and we were able to add another night to our trip and still be paying less than what we were originally going to pay! Since we were going to be going down the Wednesday after Labor Day (the 9th), we were already planning to take the 8th off, since we didn’t see the point in being off work the 7th, working the 8th, and then being off the rest of the week. We’re excited to have a nice long weekend to get packed and prepared for the trip, rather than working all day the day prior, coming home and finishing last minute packing and preparation, and going to bed way too late the night before our trip.

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Where: Pop Century!

We have not stayed at Pop since March 2017, prior to the room renovations, so we are excited to be back. We have stayed in a renovated room at All Star Movies and loved it. I know a lot of people view the new theming as sterile, but we don’t mind it. I view it as a clean, modern look, and we absolutely love all of the added storage and USB portals/outlets. I know many folks don’t dig the “hardwood” floors and prefer carpet, but our entire house is hardwood and tile, so we’re used to it.

Our last (and only, up to this point) experience at Pop was defined by what felt like hundreds of school groups and sports teams staying at the resort at the same time as us, so we don’t exactly look back on our time at Pop with the fondest of memories. It’s not that there was anything wrong with the resort, it can just get frustrating to be surrounded by tons and tons of teenagers any time you go to ride a bus to the parks or eat in the resort food court. None of them were poorly behaved, as far as I can remember (at least not as poorly behaved as the cheerleaders when we stayed at CBR during a cheer competition, but that’s another story for another day)…there were just so many of them, everywhere, all the time…We are excited to make new, hopefully fonder memories at Pop. Jason is very excited about the Skyliner. I….am anxious. If you read my Disneyland trip report from this past December, you may remember that I have a pretty intense fear of heights. I told J that I would try the Skyliner at least once, since it’s important to him. If I absolutely can’t stand it, we’ll have our car with us, so we can drive to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

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Why: We love visiting Walt Disney World in the Fall (and the Spring, and the Holidays, and…). Typically, September/October trips mean Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. While we are totally bummed that MNSSHP is cancelled, we understand why. There will always be other years. As far as Food and Wine…we are actually looking forward to the new, scaled-down version of the festival. I have always felt the usual 30+ booths to be overwhelming, especially if you’re only at Epcot for one day. We’ve already made a big list of things we want to enjoy at Food and Wine, and I know we won’t be disappointed!

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So there’s my “brief” summary of the trip…look forward to more detailed plans coming soon!

Up next: Daily plans
 
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k8einwdw

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Single Digit Dance!


Nine days from now, we’ll be in the Disney bubble! We spent all day today deep-cleaning the house so that we can come home to a clean house after the trip. I hate coming back from vacation to extra chores. Next weekend will be spent catching up on laundry, packing, and shopping for any last-minute items.
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Single Digit Dance!


Nine days from now, we’ll be in the Disney bubble! We spent all day today deep-cleaning the house so that we can come home to a clean house after the trip. I hate coming back from vacation to extra chores. Next weekend will be spent catching up on laundry, packing, and shopping for any last-minute items.


I always do a super clean to the house before we leave too, it is nice to come home to a clean house.
 

PacNWTigger

Well-Known Member
Single Digit Dance!


Nine days from now, we’ll be in the Disney bubble! We spent all day today deep-cleaning the house so that we can come home to a clean house after the trip. I hate coming back from vacation to extra chores. Next weekend will be spent catching up on laundry, packing, and shopping for any last-minute items.

I always clean the house before we leave, but we generally have T stay with the dogs while we are away. That means double the cleaning when we get back...LOL!
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Small price to pay for him to watch the dogs though...even though he does always get a few presents from us as well. Hmmm...T has quite the racket going on now that I'm thinking about it...LOL!! :facepalm:
 

k8einwdw

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I always do a super clean to the house before we leave too, it is nice to come home to a clean house.
I always clean the house before we leave, but we generally have T stay with the dogs while we are away. That means double the cleaning when we get back...LOL!
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Small price to pay for him to watch the dogs though...even though he does always get a few presents from us as well. Hmmm...T has quite the racket going on now that I'm thinking about it...LOL!! :facepalm:
Great minds think alike!
 

k8einwdw

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
One week to go!


I’m doing something fun this week to count down to our trip. Every day, I am wearing something Disney-themed to work!

Yesterday, it was this cute necklace that Jason got me for my birthday:
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Today, it’s this vintage Disney vest that my sister got me for Christmas a couple years ago:
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The plan is go get progressively more Disney as the week goes on! Jason is counting down the days by asking me every hour if we can leave yet! 😂
 

The4mousekeeters

Well-Known Member
Disney just announced that the fall offerings at Magic Kingdom (decorations, seasonal treats, Halloween-themed cavalcades, etc) will only be offered September 15th - October 31st, so if you need me, I've lost my will to live.


Right?!?! We were so hoping it would all be there when we go this weekend. Fingers crossed for some early decorations! Enjoying your pre-trip report!
 

k8einwdw

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Right?!?! We were so hoping it would all be there when we go this weekend. Fingers crossed for some early decorations! Enjoying your pre-trip report!
I'm still hoping that they'll put out *something* by Labor Day. September 15th just seems so late to put out decorations, when they're usually up in August.
 

k8einwdw

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Wednesday’s Disney outfit - my Sensational Six Cakeworthy dress!
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And today‘s (Thursday) - this Minnie Lularoe dress that my aunt gave me for my bday a few years ago.
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Also carrying a Disney purse this week! I like to carry one of my Disney Dooney purses the weeks before and after a trip. Jason got this one for me for Christmas, either 2017 or 2018.
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Last night, I made Max’s (our dog, named after Max Goof) food for while we’re out of town. Yes...I am that crazy dog mom that makes my dog’s food. He stopped eating dry food 2-3 years ago because he’s a diva. Since then, he’s been getting homemade food (chicken, sweet potato, rice, red bell pepper, oats, and pumpkin purée for anyone who may be curious). He stays with my parents when we’re out of town, so I always make sure to make a huge batch of food before we leave, so that he doesn’t run out while we’re gone. Here’s a recent pic of Max (on the right) with my parents’ dog, Trixie. They are bffs, so he enjoys staying over at their house. He’s also spoiled by my mom, so we like to think that he thinks he’s on vacation while he’s there.
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Today is Jason’s last day of work before this trip. He works four ten-hour shifts Monday-Thursday, so he’s off every Friday.
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Meanwhile I have the better part of two days of work left. I am counting down the minutes. As Stanley Hudson would say...
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k8einwdw

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Since I’m sure you’ve all been waiting on pins and needles...here is today’s Disney outfit for work. It’s hard to tell, but my hat has Mickey on it too!

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We’ll be spending this weekend purchasing last minute items for the trip, catching up on laundry, and getting packed between Labor Day family commitments. Speaking of family, my sister A is home from college for two weeks, because one of her roommates tested positive for COVID. 🙃 Thankfully, my sister tested negative.

Speaking of COVID, I’ll also be spending this weekend making our masks for the trip. I’ve been so busy fulfilling mask orders that I haven’t had time to make ours! We’re each bringing six fabric masks, and we have a bunch of disposable masks as well.

Four more sleeps till Disney!
 

Zipadeelady

Well-Known Member
Since I’m sure you’ve all been waiting on pins and needles...here is today’s Disney outfit for work. It’s hard to tell, but my hat has Mickey on it too!

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We’ll be spending this weekend purchasing last minute items for the trip, catching up on laundry, and getting packed between Labor Day family commitments. Speaking of family, my sister A is home from college for two weeks, because one of her roommates tested positive for COVID. 🙃 Thankfully, my sister tested negative.

Speaking of COVID, I’ll also be spending this weekend making our masks for the trip. I’ve been so busy fulfilling mask orders that I haven’t had time to make ours! We’re each bringing six fabric masks, and we have a bunch of disposable masks as well.

Four more sleeps till Disney!
Not that I'm a stalker or crazy person but on Friday i do recall thinking, Um... where's our work outfit pic. So, now you know someone was paying attention to your Disney work wear. :happy:
 

k8einwdw

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
It’s Disney Trip Eve!

We’re (mostly) packed...
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Max has been dropped off with my parents...
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And it’s almost time to settle in for not nearly enough sleep, as per usual. Will my petunias survive 6 days on their own? Only time shall tell...
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I’ve somehow managed to keep them alive since May, which is a feat for me. This will be the longest we’ve been away since then, and I have some of those self-watering globes that I’ll be sticking in there in the morning, but I have a feeling they won’t be this pretty when we get home.😕

Next time you see me, I’ll be on my way to WDW! 🎉
 

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