Trip Report Hurricanes, Foot Pains and “What The Crocs Just Happened?” Anniversary Tale – A Sept/Irma 2017 TR (COMPLETED)

So here we are again… Another amazing trip is over.

My original title for the is report was:

The Best-Laid Plans Of The Mouse & Men… because so many of our carefully thought out schedules & plans were completely turned upside down by Irma and other “forces” along the way.

However, Ross and Julia who do not share my love for Robert Burns or John Steinbeck vetoed that and came up with their own title.

Before I begin our tale, I want to express and offer our thoughts and prayers to all who suffered in Hurricane Irma as well as Harvey & Maria. There are times when I joke about the fact that we were in Florida during the hurricane, but in no way do I not realize the devastation that was caused to so many.

That being said... Let the Trip Report begin! Who’s in?

 

[Figment Forever]

Oh my gosh....

I have to make a correction. Ross & Julia just scolded me for confusing the scooter incident on the bus ride. That episode did happen, but not until later in our trip when Ross was with us. I don't know how I confused my notes or memory. What did happen on our bus ride was that when the buss arrived at the south depot, the bus driver allowed far too many people on the bus. IT WAS BEYOND PACKED! People were complaining loudly at the situation and at the bus driver and it was a very uncomfortable ride.

 

[Matt and Kelly]

Love all the pictures at the breakfast! Seeing the kids with the princesses definitely makes the bill easier to handle.

 

[Courtney6682]

I don't know how I confused my notes or memory. What did happen on our bus ride was that when the buss arrived at the south depot, the bus driver allowed far too many people on the bus. IT WAS BEYOND PACKED! People were complaining loudly at the situation and at the bus driver and it was a very uncomfortable ride.

Ughh...that's the worst when the buses are waaaaayyy over crowded! In August Brook had to sit on my lap one night...17 yrs old and on my lap...im sure we were quite the sight! She gave up her seat to a mother carrying a sleeping baby.

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

Ughh...that's the worst when the buses are waaaaayyy over crowded! In August Brook had to sit on my lap one night...17 yrs old and on my lap...im sure we were quite the sight! She gave up her seat to a mother carrying a sleeping baby.

That was very nice of her. I had a bus ride or two last trip where I was standing holding a sleeping baby and by baby I mean large 21 month old.

 

[Courtney6682]

That was very nice of her. I had a bus ride or two last trip where I was standing holding a sleeping baby and by baby I mean large 21 month old.

Thank you...I like to think I raised her right

 

[LisaBelle]

I am super late to the party, but got all caught up in one sitting. I am so glad that leaving early worked out for you. I love the pictures of the girls enjoying the Royal Room and eating breakfast in the castle. Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip.

 

[Figment Forever]

Love all the pictures at the breakfast! Seeing the kids with the princesses definitely makes the bill easier to handle.

So true!

 

[Figment Forever]

Ughh...that's the worst when the buses are waaaaayyy over crowded! In August Brook had to sit on my lap one night...17 yrs old and on my lap...im sure we were quite the sight! She gave up her seat to a mother carrying a sleeping baby.

Good for Brook! Way to go mom!

 

[Figment Forever]

I am super late to the party, but got all caught up in one sitting. I am so glad that leaving early worked out for you. I love the pictures of the girls enjoying the Royal Room and eating breakfast in the castle. Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip.

Welcome aboard! Thanks for following along!

 

[Figment Forever]

Day 5: Tuesday, September 12th Continued....

After breakfast, we headed out into the park. As we walked down the staircase, the castle was still empty. There was no one even waiting for Cinderella.

Once outside, I suggested we go on PP before the stand by got too long, but Hope wanted to see Philharmagic first. Julia liked that idea since PP is not her favorite. So that’s where we walked.

On the way, the girls attempted to release the sword.

I parked the stroller which is weird because I usually have it with us at all times, but I didn’t want to walk back to Main Street yet to get her DAS card, Plus, I really wanted to see how Hope did waiting in the standbys. We practice a lot at our local 6 Flags and she has gotten so much better with waiting – I felt this was a perfect time to push her a little further along.

However, there would be no waiting for Philharmagic; we just walked right on in to the lobby area and in a couple of minutes we were in our seats with our Oprea glasses on. The theatre was less than half full!

 

[blreinsel]

I can only imagine Ross's reaction had he been there during the autograph book debacle. What a special experience eating in the castle with so few others! I'm sure that made a special experience even more special.

Fun side note... I follow the Cinderella you had on Instagram. She just recently got engaged to her own Prince Charming.

 

[Figment Forever]

After that, Hope said she wanted to go on Small World. She reminded us it was closed for refurbishment on our first day of last year’s trip. So we sailed on the happiest cruise.

The sun was spinning for us! (It's the little things that make me happy.)

But the interactive endings were not working.

As we disembarked, we made a quick stop at Rapunzel’s bathrooms...

and then walked over to...

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I'm in , late as usual, but love your report and working furiously to catch up!

 

[Figment Forever]

I'm in , late as usual, but love your report and working furiously to catch up!

Welcome aboard! Thanks for reading!

 

[Figment Forever]

... Princess Fairy Tale Hall because we had our first FP to meet Elena.

Hope was so excited! She loves Elena – as you could probably tell from her dress. Last year, we saw Elena in the stage show, but she did not have a meet and greet yet. We didn’t even need the FP because there were only a few families there.

Of corse, we also got to see Cinderella again.

 

[Figment Forever]

I can only imagine Ross's reaction had he been there during the autograph book debacle. What a special experience eating in the castle with so few others! I'm sure that made a special experience even more special.

Fun side note... I follow the Cinderella you had on Instagram. She just recently got engaged to her own Prince Charming.

Eating in the empty castle was definitely memorable. I know I will never forget it. That's so funny how you follow Cinderella... I'm not on Instagram so I'm not too familiar with it. I only allow myself Facebook. lol

Oh... Ross said he would have gone back to the resort for it!

 

[Figment Forever]

After our visit with royalty, we made way for our next FP 7DMT. I have no idea why I don’t have a picture from it.

Then I asked if we should head to PP which had a 20 minute wait time posted, but once again Hope had other ideas. She said she wanted to go to Maurice’s cottage. Maurice’s cottage? What was she talking about? At first I thought she meant 7DMT – because it has the little cottage at the end – but she said, “No thank you.”

I should mention that Hope has been on a kick that when she wants to say “no” to something her go-to phrases are ”No thank you.” or “Sorry guys.”

Julia suggested she meant Enchanted Tales with Belle. I looked at Hope who was beaming – “Yes!” she answered. So we headed over that way.

I was a little hesitant. This was a tough attraction for me a couple of years back and on our last trip I managed to avoid it. It was hard to see all the kids take part in the story of Belle with Hope just watching and not having the ability to participate. I remember making that a goal for her and we have worked hard on it. She has taken part of our 4-H club’s International Night skits where she has portrayed a South Korean bird and the bridge from Billy Goat’s Gruff. But she has always had a “supporting cast” and an adult close by who knew her issues – so they were ready for anything. That would not be the case here at WDW.

I hoped the wait would be too long. Nope - it was a walk on. Then I told myself it would be fine because she would probably not even want to participate – she just wanted to watch the story. But that was short lived. As we entered the line she announced, “Hope’s going to do it.” My stomach turned. I didn’t respond right away, but then I suggested to her that we all just watch this time.

Julia scolded me. “Let her do it!” she said quite emphatically. What’s the worst that could happen? It’s Disney!”

I conceded that Julia was right and when they asked who wanted a part, I held my breath as Hope raised her hand high and jumped up & down. The main characters were picked without her being chosen, but then they said for anyone that wanted a part to come up. I watched my Hope walk over without me by her side, holding her hand, guiding her movement. I was a nervous wreck. I held my breath as they presented her with a picture frame. I imagined her knocking into Belle or the other children, or even worse, what if she started to shout out her own version of the story?!

But she didn’t. She held her picture frame with the biggest smile on her face and got into the line with everyone else. I started to cry. Julia laughed at me.

They paraded everybody into the next room and the show began. Belle made her entrance and she and Lumiere told their tale. I continued to have bursts of tears mixed with heart palpations and a panic attack all the way through. I waited for something to go wrong... but nothing did.

At the end, when they announced everyone to Belle, I considered running over to tell them Hope’s name – because she doesn’t always answer when asked. But I remained seated assuring myself that it was more important for her to do this by herself than for everyone hear her name. When it was her turn, they introduced princess Hope. She told them her name!

At the end she came running over to us and exclaimed, “Hope was a picture frame!” I hugged her so tight and told her, “and you were the BEST picture frame in the entire world!”

It took me a bit to regain my composure and I’m sure that several people around us must have thought I was completely insane. As soon as we exited, I had to paused to text pictures to two of her therapists that have been with us since she was 2 years old! They no longer "officially" work with us - aka they don't get paid to work with Hope. They are considered part of our family and they continue to keep in touch with us so they can be a part of Hope's life. I am very blessed. So I just had to let them know about our picture frame!

Every time we go to Disney, Hope seems to show a huge “growth moment” and this was definitely one of them.

 

[krause]

After our visit with royalty, we made way for our next FP 7DMT. I have no idea why I don’t have a picture from it.

Then I asked if we should head to PP which had a 20 minute wait time posted, but once again Hope had other ideas. She said she wanted to go to Maurice’s cottage. Maurice’s cottage? What was she talking about? At first I thought she meant 7DMT – because it has the little cottage at the end – but she said, “No thank you.”

I should mention that Hope has been on a kick that when she wants to say “no” to something her go-to phrases are ”No thank you.” or “Sorry guys.”

Julia suggested she meant Enchanted Tales with Belle. I looked at Hope who was beaming – “Yes!” she answered. So we headed over that way.

View attachment 240589

I was a little hesitant. This was a tough attraction for me a couple of years back and on our last trip I managed to avoid it. It was hard to see all the kids take part in the story of Belle with Hope just watching and not having the ability to participate. I remember making that a goal for her and we have worked hard on it. She has taken part of our 4-H club’s International Night skits where she has portrayed a South Korean bird and the bridge from Billy Goat’s Gruff. But she has always had a “supporting cast” and an adult close by who knew her issues – so they were ready for anything. That would not be the case here at WDW.

I hoped the wait would be too long. Nope - it was a walk on. Then I told myself it would be fine because she would probably not even want to participate – she just wanted to watch the story. But that was short lived. As we entered the line she announced, “Hope’s going to do it.” My stomach turned. I didn’t respond right away, but then I suggested to her that we all just watch this time.

Julia scolded me. “Let her do it!” she said quite emphatically. What’s the worst that could happen? It’s Disney!”

I conceded that Julia was right and when they asked who wanted a part, I held my breath as Hope raised her hand high and jumped up & down. The main characters were picked without her being chosen, but then they said for anyone that wanted a part to come up. I watched my Hope walk over without me by her side, holding her hand, guiding her movement. I was a nervous wreck. I held my breath as they presented her with a picture frame. I imagined her knocking into Belle or the other children, or even worse, what if she started to shout out her own version of the story?!

But she didn’t. She held her picture frame with the biggest smile on her face and got into the line with everyone else. I started to cry. Julia laughed at me.

View attachment 240590 View attachment 240591 View attachment 240592

They paraded everybody into the next room and the show began. Belle made her entrance and she and Lumiere told their tale. I continued to have bursts of tears mixed with heart palpations and a panic attack all the way through. I waited for something to go wrong... but nothing did.

View attachment 240593 View attachment 240594 View attachment 240595

At the end, when they announced everyone to Belle, I considered running over to tell them Hope’s name – because she doesn’t always answer when asked. But I remained seated assuring myself that it was more important for her to do this by herself than for everyone hear her name. When it was her turn, they introduced princess Hope. She told them her name!

View attachment 240596 View attachment 240597 View attachment 240598

At the end she came running over to us and exclaimed, “Hope was a picture frame!” I hugged her so tight and told her, “and you were the BEST picture frame in the entire world!”

It took me a bit to regain my composure and I’m sure that several people around us must have thought I was completely insane. As soon as we exited, I had to paused to text pictures to two of her therapists that have been with us since she was 2 years old! They no longer "officially" work with us - aka they don't get paid to work with Hope. They are considered part of our family and they continue to keep in touch with us so they can be a part of Hope's life. I am very blessed. So I just had to let them know about our picture frame!

Every time we go to Disney, Hope seems to show a huge “growth moment” and this was definitely one of them.

WOW!! Way to go, Hope! Even as an adult I’m always terrified they’re going to pick me It’s amazing to see how she is growing through your trip reports!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

After our visit with royalty, we made way for our next FP 7DMT. I have no idea why I don’t have a picture from it.

Then I asked if we should head to PP which had a 20 minute wait time posted, but once again Hope had other ideas. She said she wanted to go to Maurice’s cottage. Maurice’s cottage? What was she talking about? At first I thought she meant 7DMT – because it has the little cottage at the end – but she said, “No thank you.”

I should mention that Hope has been on a kick that when she wants to say “no” to something her go-to phrases are ”No thank you.” or “Sorry guys.”

Julia suggested she meant Enchanted Tales with Belle. I looked at Hope who was beaming – “Yes!” she answered. So we headed over that way.

View attachment 240589

I was a little hesitant. This was a tough attraction for me a couple of years back and on our last trip I managed to avoid it. It was hard to see all the kids take part in the story of Belle with Hope just watching and not having the ability to participate. I remember making that a goal for her and we have worked hard on it. She has taken part of our 4-H club’s International Night skits where she has portrayed a South Korean bird and the bridge from Billy Goat’s Gruff. But she has always had a “supporting cast” and an adult close by who knew her issues – so they were ready for anything. That would not be the case here at WDW.

I hoped the wait would be too long. Nope - it was a walk on. Then I told myself it would be fine because she would probably not even want to participate – she just wanted to watch the story. But that was short lived. As we entered the line she announced, “Hope’s going to do it.” My stomach turned. I didn’t respond right away, but then I suggested to her that we all just watch this time.

Julia scolded me. “Let her do it!” she said quite emphatically. What’s the worst that could happen? It’s Disney!”

I conceded that Julia was right and when they asked who wanted a part, I held my breath as Hope raised her hand high and jumped up & down. The main characters were picked without her being chosen, but then they said for anyone that wanted a part to come up. I watched my Hope walk over without me by her side, holding her hand, guiding her movement. I was a nervous wreck. I held my breath as they presented her with a picture frame. I imagined her knocking into Belle or the other children, or even worse, what if she started to shout out her own version of the story?!

But she didn’t. She held her picture frame with the biggest smile on her face and got into the line with everyone else. I started to cry. Julia laughed at me.

View attachment 240590 View attachment 240591 View attachment 240592

They paraded everybody into the next room and the show began. Belle made her entrance and she and Lumiere told their tale. I continued to have bursts of tears mixed with heart palpations and a panic attack all the way through. I waited for something to go wrong... but nothing did.

View attachment 240593 View attachment 240594 View attachment 240595

At the end, when they announced everyone to Belle, I considered running over to tell them Hope’s name – because she doesn’t always answer when asked. But I remained seated assuring myself that it was more important for her to do this by herself than for everyone hear her name. When it was her turn, they introduced princess Hope. She told them her name!

View attachment 240596 View attachment 240597 View attachment 240598

At the end she came running over to us and exclaimed, “Hope was a picture frame!” I hugged her so tight and told her, “and you were the BEST picture frame in the entire world!”

It took me a bit to regain my composure and I’m sure that several people around us must have thought I was completely insane. As soon as we exited, I had to paused to text pictures to two of her therapists that have been with us since she was 2 years old! They no longer "officially" work with us - aka they don't get paid to work with Hope. They are considered part of our family and they continue to keep in touch with us so they can be a part of Hope's life. I am very blessed. So I just had to let them know about our picture frame!

Every time we go to Disney, Hope seems to show a huge “growth moment” and this was definitely one of them.

Wow! I just can't "like" this post enough! Sounds like a wonderful opportunity for Hope and for you too! Julia was right for scolding you. So happy for you all that Enchanted Tales was so great for all!

 

[Missy_May]

That Elena legit looks like she could be Hope, all grown up. So cute!