Trip Report I still have a family (just) but what a totally different experience we had. ** completed

Hi my Disney friends

I’m back and to be honest it all feels like a total blur.

As the title suggests I do still have a family but there were some bumps in the road. I’ll share some details and thoughts as we go. Be warned though this won’t be like any of my other TR’s the magic whilst there was not as strong as previous trips and the whole pace was much slower. You might ask yourself where has Tracey gone? I asked myself the same thing - don’t get me wrong it was still fun and my nephews had the best time which was the main aim but some things that happened just took the gloss off.

I always used to look at big groups and imagine what fun it would be, but in truth it restricts a lot of things you do, everything happens much slower and not everything gets done - although I think I was probably the only one who noticed that.

Anyhow let’s start this......

So the background

This holiday as I mentioned in the PTR was the first for my sister in 14 years (a messy divorce left her to bring up my 2 nephews) my younger nephew had never been on a plane and my older nephew had only flown once when he was 2 (he doesn’t remember that)
We had booked it a year and a half beforehand for the whole family. Myself, Chris, sister her partner, 2 nephews, my brother and sister in law and my mum - 9 of us we’re going to Disney (they said Florida) but I knew different.

We were going from 19th Aug to 1st September 13 nights in a villa (you know I love POR) - we were trying to keep the cost down for my sister!

The WhatsApp group was in full use before we went - how much luggage can I take? Can I pack x in my hand luggage? Whose getting on TOT - we involve everyone in the pre holiday excitement.

Next up getting there - and some photos! (Sorry for the text heavy start)

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

It wasn’t a bad day - still tension but certainly better than the previous few days and your right nothing beats Disney.

Fab that you have got something booked that’s so exciting..... we need to sort our our Disney trip(s) for next year at some point!

Any chance of going around our time next year? I know you like November but we really like this time of year. It's less crowded, usually in the 70's, and if you are a little earlier in Feb you hit the Epcot Art Festival, which is really nice. If you are a little later in March, there is flower and garden. I think it started on our last day, not sure, but we are trying to get another day added on to the end.
Have I convinced you yet??? LOL

 

[DryerLintFan]

Hi DL: We fly in about 1pm, then have to check in, and hope to get to our traditional ADR at Liberty Tree on time. Then we have a few rides we always fp. So, our tradition is the MK for the afternoon, some of the evening until we tire out, then rest at POFQ.
We have to get up at 3am!!! to catch our connector plane for 4:55 flight to the twin cities. Then catch another flight to MCO, which arrives around 1ish if we are lucky So, we get pretty tired by 5 or 6 pm.
All this just to say we will probably not see you on our travel day! You wouldn't want to be around a couple of over tired people anywayLOL.
Maybe we will see you later?????? let me know!

I totally understand! We're up that early on our travel day too! It's not in the cards this trip though. We're flying in the 26th, and the evening if the 27th were driving out to Kennedy Space Center. Just a quick trip for my daughter's fifth birthday.

Have a great trip!! Can't wait to hear about it!!

 

[lindawdw]

You certainly did a lot this day even with the heat being so bad! I've been to US and IOA a few times and with the exception of Harry Potter Land, I'm just not a fan. Glad you got back to see Star Wars Land lit up at night!

 

[Longers]

Any chance of going around our time next year? I know you like November but we really like this time of year. It's less crowded, usually in the 70's, and if you are a little earlier in Feb you hit the Epcot Art Festival, which is really nice. If you are a little later in March, there is flower and garden. I think it started on our last day, not sure, but we are trying to get another day added on to the end.
Have I convinced you yet??? LOL

I don’t need convincing - I just need more time off work!
It would be lovely to meet again - I will certainly bear these dates in mind.

 

[Longers]

You certainly did a lot this day even with the heat being so bad! I've been to US and IOA a few times and with the exception of Harry Potter Land, I'm just not a fan. Glad you got back to see Star Wars Land lit up at night!

I know we certainly did fit a lot in. Maybe my family were fed up with me keep saying “we’ve still not done xxx and we’re running out of days”

 

[Longers]

We interrupt this trip report for a proud auntie moment!

Last night my nephew referred to something using splash mountain!

It went something like
“You know that on splash mountain you go round the ride and then you go into your happy place - well right now I’m in my happy place!”

So proud..............

 

[DryerLintFan]

We interrupt this trip report for a proud auntie moment!

Last night my nephew referred to something using splash mountain!

It went something like
“You know that on splash mountain you go round the ride and then you go into your happy place - well right now I’m in my happy place!”

So proud..............

My daughter has referenced the laughing place a few times since our trip. She so funny with how much she loves that ride.

 

[LadyBelle]

I don’t need convincing - I just need more time off work!

I'm trying to convince some that we should get two 6-month vacations each year....

My boss doesn't seem to like that idea.....

 

[MickeyCB]

We bought that at Walmart in November last year - hope you can find one

Thanks, I went on line and looked, they have pretty much everything except Grumpy
But, I did find it somewhere else. Good old reliable EBAY!

 

[Longers]

My daughter has referenced the laughing place a few times since our trip. She so funny with how much she loves that ride.

It just makes my day a little more special with the odd Disney reference here and there.

I'm trying to convince some that we should get two 6-month vacations each year....

My boss doesn't seem to like that idea.....

I love that idea - but I don’t think my boss will go for it either

Thanks, I went on line and looked, they have pretty much everything except Grumpy
But, I did find it somewhere else. Good old reliable EBAY!

Shame they didn’t have it but glad you managed to get one on eBay.

 

[Longers]

Friday 30th Aug - day 11

We all woke up without alarms today - I thought everyone needed to recharge as best they could. We had the TV on Watching the storm while everyone was getting ready and trying not to alarm the boys.

Orlando airport had confirmed that flights would stop at 2am Sunday morning - we were leaving Saturday night so it looked like all was good for us. I was just praying it wouldn’t hit anywhere so no one would have to deal with any damage.

We were ready by 10am and headed to HS in line with original plan to ride TOT even though it had already been done.

Due to our AP we hadn’t managed to match FP on this day and they were a bit scattered around. That made it hard to remember whose ticket had what ride on it.

We had 3 on TOT - so Chris, my brother and younger nephew went to ride.

We had 6 overlapping TSMM FP so all went except mum, my brother and SIL . I’m not sure what my nephew was doing when I took this photo. It cracks me up.

 

[Longers]

We then headed to Indy Mum was in the wheelchair today and we got a wheelchair spot which actually worked in our favour. It was nice to have a bit of space and it allowed me to take pictures of everyone’s faces while they watched the show.

It’s funny when you visit often - they missed the frying pan bit as that scene was cut short but obviously only we noticed. They may have cut short due to impending rain but thankfully they did get right through to the end of the show and I think at that’s point the rain clouds had passed.

 

[Longers]

We headed to SWGE so mum could have a look and so that everyone else could see it in the daylight

We heard claps of thunder so we agreed to head out at 1pm to try not to get soaked. There were some pretty dark clouds and lightening going on in the distance.

We made it to the car with mum in the wheelchair just as it started to rain. We ate in golden corral (again to avoid any dinner issues) and were back in the villa by 3pm
My sister and her partner went to target to change A pair of gloves that my nephew had bought that had a hole in them! - they were given a gift card to spend. They arrived back with my sister complaining of a sore ankle - it was causing her a lot of pain and she literally couldn’t move it and ended up on the bed for at least an hour. Her partner drove to the local CVS for some advise and bought back some spray. It turned out she had come out of the car awkwardly and twisted her ankle.


The rain forecast didn’t arrive so I started to try to formalise an evening plan. I didn’t want to stay in! We were going to head to AK - my brother, SIL and younger nephew joined us. I think my sister wanted to come but she was literally unable to put any pressure on her foot. We did offer her the wheelchair but she declined.

My nephew wanted to do a night safari so we headed there first - we walked straight on via the FP queue - I guess they knew it was quiet too!

Our safari took 20 mins - yes 20 mins - while that would have been good normally there were few animals out and we just wanted to get off and on other rides. Our driver kept stopping and saying “behind those bushes” but it was dark and we couldn’t see anything!

Anyhow we finally got off the ride and headed to Everest.

The only trouble was ROL had just finished and we were going against everyone trying to get out of the park.

We finally made it and had the best ride in the dark! We all agreed it was the fastest of all the rides on Everest we had done. (I didn’t take my camera out this night so here is a phone selfie)

We then walked to Dinosaur and then to pick up my pass holder magnet.

I’d failed on my 4 visits to Epcot as I’d missed a night but I really wanted this one!

My nephew kept mentioning ice cream so on the way out Chris bought him one - he was really shocked and said “it’s late” to which we obviously replied “you can eat ice cream anytime you want - and you’re on holiday,”

Sorry another phone photo!

We had a great night in AK - we all loved it - and we were home by 10pm.

 

[Tuvalu]

Bummed our paths didn’t cross on Friday. We also left DHS when that dark sky appeared.

 

[Longers]

Bummed our paths didn’t cross on Friday. We also left DHS when that dark sky appeared.

I was looking out for you too!
I was sad when we got in the car and hadn’t seen you. I was sure we would as it’s not a huge park!
Hopefully when it’s just Chris and I our paths will cross again.

 

[coachwnh]

Wednesday 28th Aug - day 9

Today was the day my plans were changing for no one!

Come what may (even if that was alone) I was going to MK - I had an Important meet up to get to.

My SIL had to work so she was staying at the villa. I think she hoped to stay alone as she had calls to make. I also wanted to be alone (or at least minus my sisters partner) as nothing was spoiling today.

In the end Chris, my brother and younger nephew decided to join me which left my mum, older nephew, sister and her partner back at the villa.

My sister and her partner were going to take my older nephew shopping for some bits he wanted and my mum would just rest while my SIL worked.

We headed out together to MK - it was so refreshing to be going out with people who wanted to be there. (I think you know who I’m referring to!) although I know the others wanted to come but some couldn’t. Today or at least this morning was going to be great. I was obviously so excited I didn’t take many photos!

My younger nephew really wanted to ride Space. Mountain so Chris headed there with him and my brother and I headed to buzz.

When we got off we had a message from them saying space mountain was closed so they had gone onto buzz too.

We decided to wait for them.

As we were waiting I got a message from @Tuvalu saying she was at BTMRR and were we around?

We had originally planned to ride at 1pm together but I had the chance to ride again - yes of course I was in!

I messaged her right back saying we were on our way as thankfully Chris and my nephew had just exited the ride.

We took a fast walk over - (it was hot! And I was glowing) as I was walking over the splash bridge I spotted her and woody waiting. I started walking faster as if going to meet a long lost friend. - well I was almost skipping...

We hugged as if we were family. It was so nice to finally meet each other. She has ridden this ride so many times for me (as many of you will know as I’m normally tagged!). And one year we just counted the number of time we rode. I was excited that we would finally get to ride together.

We started walking and chatting all the way. We kind of just left woody and everyone else behind (sorry)
We chatted so much with excited voices (if that makes any sense) about so much, our trips so far etc.

And within no time at all we got to the cast member at the boarding area and obviously asked for the back row!

Thankfully he obliged - well we weren’t sitting anywhere else after years of waiting.

Here we go.......

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We had THE best time.

Love this!!!!!!!!!

 

[Longers]

Saturday 31st Aug - day 12

We decided not to rush again today - all the parks were quiet, probably the quietest we had experienced so I knew we would get things done without everyone thinking we had rushed them.

Everyone was still ready to leave at 8.05am anyway. We were headed to Mk for our last full day in the park. I always go to MK on my last day but we had an earlier flight than normal home tomorrow and I just didn’t think we’d have the time so this would be my last visit to MK

My older nephew was desperate for a family picture so we had to stop.
I still can’t look at this picture with happy thoughts though - at one point I made a copy cutting my sister partner out but Chris said that was unfair. At least my nephew got the picture he wanted.

We headed to jungle cruise first as we’d missed the FP I had made and we just said they had to do it as it’s a classic. My older nephew absolutely loved it. He was really laughing at all the jokes and even took some video for snap chat. I hadn’t thought he would like it - how wrong was I?

Next stop pirates - the boys wanted to do something for the photo! - map reading

when we exited there was a bit of rain so we waited until it slowed down and headed towards he tea cups - then onto HM - I think this was the first time this trip myself and Chris had sat together ( but then I think this was only our 3rd time this trip - what! We’d normally have ridden loads but actually I suppose we hadn’t been to MK that much this trip.

We headed towards space mountain for my nephew to finally get to ride. There was more rain on the way. We agreed to meet in the shops - I was heading to the photopass photo booths to wait for them - but........ no photo booths ..... they were gone! When did that happen?

 

[Longers]

Next stop for some of us BTMRR while the others went to carousel of progress.

I had a FP for 2 for the Tomorrowland speedway after that (that was all I could get from mine and Chris AP). My younger nephew wanted to go so my sister joined him. He got off and said the person in front was too slow!

Myself and Chris we’re heading to Splash next with the boys - the others didn’t want to go back over the park in the heat so they waited there for us.

The walkway next to the castle was open!
We also noticed that the pathway next to the castle was open - my sister thought it was strange I was taking a picture of a walkway - clearly she didn’t get it.

The boys loved their ride again and so did I - in November Chris doesn’t like getting too wet so I might get on Splash mountain just once - this trip had been special to get on it more often with my nephews.

We headed back to the speedway to meet - everyone had agreed they were ready to go back. It was only 1pm, the park was quiet - I wasn’t ready to go - were they really my family?...........

 

[Tuvalu]

Love the Pirates and HM photos.

It would be very easy to eliminate sister’s partner from YOUR copy of the photo.....

 

[Longers]

I indicated I wasn’t ready to go to Chris and I wanted to stay - he also wanted to stay. My sister wanted to stay but she checked with her partner and I know he made a comment like “it’s your holiday stay if you want” we told her not to worry about the boys as they would amuse themselves and that would be no reason to go home and thankfully she turned round and said I’m staying too! Hoorah 3 of us wanted to stay which meant the rest could take the other car back and we would see them later.

We said our goodbyes and instant relief was there again. We could just chill out and do what we wanted.

We headed straight to buzz and decided on separate cars to see who could get the highest score - it was me! Yay.

We then decided on sitting in the hub with an ice cream - finally normal service was being resumed.

A duck joined us and we’d all sat and chatted without any rushing or tension. Boy that ice cream tasted good. I was in my favourite place in the whole wide world looking at the castle in the sunshine.

The only issue we couldn’t eat it all!

We had a wander round just enjoying everything and taking it all in.

I hadn’t been in the haunted shop all holiday! Now again this is a shock as normally I’m in there every visit.
I was like a child in a sweet shop in there - obviously I was making purchases especially with an AP discount!

There was no hesitation for my first purchase
Sorry I took this picture in the villa when we got back hence the reason for some of the packing but hopefully you can appreciate it.

We looked through the Main Street shops and enjoyed the end of the parade before leaving the park around 2 hours after the others had left.

We headed back to the villa to pack.

When we got back they were all worried about us getting wet as it had really rained there - we hadn’t seen any rain! See they should have stayed with us.

We headed out for food around 7pm and then returned so the boys could go in the pool.

I really don’t know why it was nearly 10.45pm by the time we got in bed as we hadn’t gone out!

We’d had a pretty good last full day - tomorrow we were going home