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)

 

[Longers]

And then back to the safari - nothing like loads of walking in the heat

Can’t remner how much we saw as there doesn’t appear to be anything in the pictures!

Dinosaur was our next stop (Mum obviously sat that one out) myself and Chris thought it would be funny to kiss and fir this photo to just appear in the photopass pictures.

By this point everyone was getting tired and the clouds were getting darker.

We decided to head out to get some lunch.

Not before a couple of pictures on the way.

I had wanted this picture in March but it didn’t don’t happen and as there was no one waiting I grabbed my chance

Then we got company but I’m happy how this turned out.

After the drama of our last meal out myself and Chris suggested a buffet.

All payment is obviously made before sitting down so hopefully there would be no further dramas.

I think we arrived some time around 2.30 and the rain was due by 3pm - it rained while we were having lunch so we all took our time and had a couple of plates. Chris asked them to make a cheese pizza for the boys which they kindly did for them.

Obviously ice cream had been lacking this holiday so I made sure I got some!

There were a gift shop next door so we looked in there before heading back to the villa.

We arrived back around 4pm and chilled until 6pm before getting ready to go out again.

 

[LadyBelle]

The mountain was waiting for us. Some of us went round twice with the additional FP - there were some advantages to travelling with more people!

That's exactly what I told my mom - that we'll use hers and my Dad's fast passes for rides they don't go on.

 

[Longers]

Glad you all got to ride FOP again! Your drink looked delicious especially on a hot Florida day. We love the FOTLK which is definitely a nice break from the heat!

That drink sure helped cool me down

That's exactly what I told my mom - that we'll use hers and my Dad's fast passes for rides they don't go on.

It worked out well sometimes but sometimes people just wanted to move on so I was cancelling them. We probably cancelled more than we used in the end but at least the boys could ride twice where they wanted to. They got so used to not queuing at towards the end of the holiday if there was a 30 min queue they thought that was too long!

 

[Longers]

We headed out again and decided to go to AK as it was nearer and everyone wanted to see pandora at night.

We took a stroll around and headed to the river rapids.
My sister doesn’t like drops yet she thought this would be ok so we let her, Chris and my younger nephew go.

We watched as she boarded and then saw the steep hill. We all chuckled to ourselves - it was too late for her to back out now.

Obviously we tried to soak them from the bridge!

They came off and she and my nephew really enjoyed it.

Then back towards Everest - did I already say the boys loved this ride

 

[Longers]

Then we headed to pandora

I had wanted them to see ROL - in fact I had a FP but w head cancelled as we couldn’t make it so I tried to let them see some of it from the bridge to decide if they wanted to come to see it properly one night. I don’t think anyone was bothered.

We walked to watch the tree of life awakening and then headed out.

We were back at the villa by 9.30pm

The boys went in the pool the rest of us went to bed.

 

[lindawdw]

Looks like you had a fun evening in AK!

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I can't believe how beautiful your FOLK and night time Pandora pictures came out! You didn't use your phone for those, did you?
The Lion King ones especially turned out good. Mine are always blurry.
It was great to see your sister's big smile after riding the raft ride

 

[Longers]

Looks like you had a fun evening in AK!

There was still tension and a few comments made but at this point I had started to ignore it all!
I enjoyed my rides on EE with the boys

I can't believe how beautiful your FOLK and night time Pandora pictures came out! You didn't use your phone for those, did you?
The Lion King ones especially turned out good. Mine are always blurry.
It was great to see your sister's big smile after riding the raft ride

I always use my camera - old school nowadays with everyone with their phones out but I prefer it. I actually took far fewer pictures than I ever have and I honestly thought I would take more with everyone there.
And yes she really enjoyed that ride she was beaming.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Sorry to bombard you with likes but you're managing to do a lovely TR even with all the friction that was going on at the time. So glad to see icecream made it. Your nephews will certainly have good memories of this trip. Looking forward to more.

 

[DisneyGigi]

There is nothing wrong with jumping or dancing in puddles. (I loved this post!) It is one of the best things to do. I have been known to skip, jump, and dance in both Disney rain and regular, at home rain.

Two of my favorite sayings are “Life is way too short- to not run through the mud puddle” (my saying to my kids) and “Life isn’t about weathering the storm- it’s learning to dance in the rain”

Again, I loved this post. As a Grandmother of a toddler, I can also say Peppa Pig would also!

 

[Longers]

Sorry to bombard you with likes but you're managing to do a lovely TR even with all the friction that was going on at the time. So glad to see icecream made it. Your nephews will certainly have good memories of this trip. Looking forward to more.

Ah thank you - this has kind of been like therapy!
I couldn’t believe that ice cream had been missed so many days - I never did make up for it

 

[Longers]

There is nothing wrong with jumping or dancing in puddles. (I loved this post!) It is one of the best things to do. I have been known to skip, jump, and dance in both Disney rain and regular, at home rain.

Two of my favorite sayings are “Life is way too short- to not run through the mud puddle” (my saying to my kids) and “Life isn’t about weathering the storm- it’s learning to dance in the rain”

Again, I loved this post. As a Grandmother of a toddler, I can also say Peppa Pig would also!

It was honestly such fun - normally I hate rain so much but it was a classic tropical storm (as you will know). But you were all in the dry drinking!

Love those sayings - my sister had the 2nd one on the wall in her old house.

 

[Longers]

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.......

We had THE best time.

 

[Longers]

I obviously had to get a Tuvalu card to keep and out in my scrap book and decided to get an appropriate picture with BTMRR in the background.

My nephew was given a card too but his intellectual brain couldn’t get round or see the funny side of it or what it was all meant for - clearly he has a lot to learn about the value of that card!

Chris was trying to get the train in the background! I think he missed it - although maybe I’ve just included the wrong one - there are about 20 of the same picture on my SD card

We exited the ride still chatting and I asked if they had time to do HM with us. Yes they did - hoorah another ride with Tuvalu.

So off we went to HM still chatting all the way.

Tuvalu had another FP to get to and we were just trying to ride as many as possible so we hugged and said our goodbyes for now hoping we could meet for our later FP.

@Tuvalu - just remember if Em or Woody aren’t available at any time I will happily stand in.......


My nephew decided on IASW next - was he really sure?
Yes he wanted to do it. After a while I think he wished he didn’t.


The tea cups were next, my brother sat out as he doesn’t like the spinning - after our ride he made the right decision.
We spun that tea cup so fast it was ridiculous - I think I came out of the tea cup like a drunk person as I was a bit wobbly on my feet.

We started to queue for the speedway but after about 5 mins we changed our minds and headed for the TTA - Space mountain was still down as the lights were on.

Good jobs the boys hadn’t waited for it to start working earlier.

it was heating up so we headed on Carousel of progress next and then headed to the hub for..........

No not what your thinking....


It was ice cream time. A cookie sandwich was on the cards. Yum

By this point it was 12.30pm and we’d had a message to say everyone was done at the villa.

I looked at Chris and said but there’s only half hour until our BTMRR FP and then I pulled a really sad face. He looked at me and said “I know but the others are done and some have been working and want some fun today too - if we stay until that FP then it will be 1.30 before we leave and maybe 3.30 before we get back depending on ferry/monorail/ traffic lights”

I know he was right and he knew I wanted to stay and he probably did too but in a group of 9 you can’t always do what you want and we had been out and had a great morning.

It was time to admit defeat and send Tuvalu a message - I felt so bad as she moved her FP to match mine when we’d been communicating months before we left - but thankfully we had both ridden that morning so I had to be grateful for that. Thank goodness we had messaged last night to say we would both be there first thing and we would message to try to meet up.

We left the park and headed back to the villa.

On the way out my nephew started telling me what he was going to tell his mum about his morning in the park - it went something like this

“We went to MK, we met a total stranger from the internet who Tracey hugged like a family member without ever meeting her. We then rode 2 rides together - mum didn’t you say we should never talk to strangers and especially not meet people from the internet?”

He had me literally cracking up with laughter. All he had said was true and when put like that sounded really wrong but Disney family is different - right?!

We had such a fun morning in Mk it was such a happy morning I felt free and while the gloss had been taken off the other bits of this holiday this had been a very magical morning.

I had found some Disney pixie dust at last.....

 

[Tuvalu]

Just call my name and I’ll be there!

 

[DryerLintFan]

Hi there



It was literally breaking my heart - I wish I didn’t care as then it wouldn’t have affected me so much.
I saw my older nephew this week for McDonald’s and he was still talking about it all so that’s what I have to remember they had the best time even if the rest of us didn’t as much.


That’s the thing Ruth he is normally not like that - I just don’t think this holiday was for him - too much walking etc. I’m not sure he fully appreciated the impact his actions were having on everyone else.

You said the holiday wasn't for him, and I think that's totally valid. Disney isn't for everyone. Disney isn't my thing either. I go for my daughter. Maybe it wasn't framed properly for him at the beginning. Maybe he didn't realize this trip was supposed to be about his partner and her kids and not necessarily "about" him. Like.... I would not enjoy Disney at all if I went thinking it was meant to be for my enjoyment. But because my trips are framed around enjoying how much she enjoys Disney, I still have a great time. Just some thoughts. Sorry this happened.

 

[Longers]

We got back to the villa where my nephew told his story about our morning. We couldn’t really argue with his comment but I told him this was different but who was I kidding? On all levels it does sound really wrong

Everyone talked about their mornings and our plans for later.

They wanted to get to TT so I decided to try to book us a TT FP - obviously 9 weren’t available so not one to give up I tried 2 at a time! I got 2 together and then tried again - nothing. So I started booking 1 at a time - half an hour later I had 9 FP - my younger nephew was writing down the times and there was a 25 min slot where they all joined up - so that’s what we were aiming for!

The lengths I will go to to make sure these boys have a good time! My nephews were impressed with my work. I told them to never give up - I think that was a good life lesson right there!

We headed back out to Epcot - we had time before our TT FP so a few of us went on mission space.

As we were walking to our TT FP we got that dreaded text - TT was down due to inclement weather and we had an any time FP



Nooooooooooooooooo



Do they know how much effort I had gone to in order to get everyone on that ride?

We had no other choice but to do something else so we headed to world showcase as everyone wanted shopping in different countries. Th awfully all pretty near to each other.

We split up and agreed where to meet ready for illuminations.

We met back at Norway where I nearly missed out on something else that was on my list to try - and I would have missed it if my older nephew hadn’t gone investigating in food shops.

A lemon cheesecake - it looks so pretty.

we were literally the last ones in the shop as they were ready to close as illuminations was just going to start. Sorry about the picture but it was the best I could do - looks on the internet for prettier versions.....

We walked outside where I’d only taken one bite (it was delicious) - it was 9.01pm and the heavens literally opened.

I tried to eat the cheesecake whilst walking in the rain towards the exit (as no one wanted to stay now)

Each mouthful had a whole load of rain mixed with it. At one point I gathered under my mums poncho but that didn’t seem to help so I threw caution to the wind and just got absolutely soaked.


By the time we reached the car a few of us were completely soaked - (the sensible ones had rain macks). I am obviously not sensible!

We headed back to the villa for showers and then bed.

I was sad not to see Illuminations again but hoped I might get another chance before we left.

 

[Longers]

Just call my name and I’ll be there!

♥

I’m always calling - maybe that big ocean in the middle is meaning you can’t hear me!

You said the holiday wasn't for him, and I think that's totally valid. Disney isn't for everyone. Disney isn't my thing either. I go for my daughter. Maybe it wasn't framed properly for him at the beginning. Maybe he didn't realize this trip was supposed to be about his partner and her kids and not necessarily "about" him. Like.... I would not enjoy Disney at all if I went thinking it was meant to be for my enjoyment. But because my trips are framed around enjoying how much she enjoys Disney, I still have a great time. Just some thoughts. Sorry this happened.

Apparently he has said he had a good holiday. I honestly don’t think it was for him - he knew it was for my sister and the boys which is why I was so disappointed in his actions.
What’s done is done now though so we have to move on - I just need to get another trip booked!

 

[Rista1313]

The guy laying on the ground!

 

[DryerLintFan]

I think this was the new launch pad area - but I am not sure now....

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We watched the space shuttle launch presentation (as if you were in the control centre)

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The windows were really shaking!

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We wandered the Saturn rocket area

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and then got the bus back to explore the visitor complex.

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All the boys went to the imax movie while the ladies waited outside. I think after all the investigating etc we headed back to the villa around 5pm

My sisters partner found his money - I think he had obviously not been happy and had probably put it somewhere else and forgotten.

I might try to add this in to A's birthday trip.... About how many hours did you guys spend there?

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.

I'm not crying... YOU'RE crying!! No but for real, this post is everything. Gave me goosebumps. Been watching you two an BTMRR for years now and it's so great seeing you get to go on it together at last!!