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)

 

[Rista1313]

I'm just back from the world, and finally caught up. I'm so sorry about the drama this man came with. My husband and his family can be like that some times and it just makes everyone miserable. I have made it quite clear to DH that we will NEVER go on a family trip. We are always much happier with just the 2 of us.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Whew! I'm so glad you finally had a morning that was a lot of fun! and meeting Tuvalu was fantastic! from these trip reports, I would know her anywhere.
It's funny about the hugging like a relative,LOL. I think we did that too, but I am a hugger, so never thought anything about it. That was so much fun and wish we could do the meet up again one day. If you are ever in N. Mn. you must come see us I know it is a hot spot for vacationeers, haha!
Traveling with a lot of people takes a lot of manipulating, and I think you and Chris have done a great job.

Don't tell Chris, but I think he is a great negotiator

 

[MinnieM123]

We had THE best time.

Shirley and Longers take over WDW!!! (Glad you two had so much fun!)

 

[Longers]

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



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!!

I think we were there for about 6 or maybe 7 hours - it’s more info/facts etc. The boys like space so they were interested to visit.

And I know it was a fab morning after all the tension of the holiday.
Disneyfriends are the best!

I'm just back from the world, and finally caught up. I'm so sorry about the drama this man came with. My husband and his family can be like that some times and it just makes everyone miserable. I have made it quite clear to DH that we will NEVER go on a family trip. We are always much happier with just the 2 of us.

I hope you had a great time. I’ve just started reading your TR.
I think it might be just the 2 of us moving forwards too.

Whew! I'm so glad you finally had a morning that was a lot of fun! and meeting Tuvalu was fantastic! from these trip reports, I would know her anywhere.
It's funny about the hugging like a relative,LOL. I think we did that too, but I am a hugger, so never thought anything about it. That was so much fun and wish we could do the meet up again one day. If you are ever in N. Mn. you must come see us I know it is a hot spot for vacationeers, haha!
Traveling with a lot of people takes a lot of manipulating, and I think you and Chris have done a great job.

Don't tell Chris, but I think he is a great negotiator

I know we really needed that morning after the holiday we had.
And yes we did hug too. I still remember our meet up fondly - to think that was 4 years ago now! It glad we still keep in touch via email etc

And I still laugh at this selfie I tried to take on Splash mountain.

Shirley and Longers take over WDW!!! (Glad you two had so much fun!)

If only WDW magic friends could take over WDW for a day - we’d have a blast!

 

[lindawdw]

It sounds like an absolutely wonderful morning at MK which got only better with meeting up with Tuvalu and Woody! So glad that you were able to have a stress free morning with family members that just enjoyed being together in your happy place. It's too bad that TT went down after all that work getting the nine fastpasses. Your cheesecake looked delicious although the rain probably made it taste a bit soggy! I hope you were able to see Illuminations before the end of your trip!!!

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Oh No, those pictures are hilarious
Thank heavens I have lost 30 lbs since then!!!!
I think the hugging thing is cultural. I believe (could be wrong believe me) that most people from England are more conservative than we are and would think that hugging a stranger was weird. I get that, but so many people greet each other with a hug here. Thanks for the funny pictures and I also enjoy keeping up on email.

 

[MickeyCB]

Where did you guys get this rain poncho?! We buy my husband Grumpy everything!

 

[Longers]

It sounds like an absolutely wonderful morning at MK which got only better with meeting up with Tuvalu and Woody! So glad that you were able to have a stress free morning with family members that just enjoyed being together in your happy place. It's too bad that TT went down after all that work getting the nine fastpasses. Your cheesecake looked delicious although the rain probably made it taste a bit soggy! I hope you were able to see Illuminations before the end of your trip!!!

We had a lovely morning thank you - we never did get back to illuminations

Oh No, those pictures are hilarious
Thank heavens I have lost 30 lbs since then!!!!
I think the hugging thing is cultural. I believe (could be wrong believe me) that most people from England are more conservative than we are and would think that hugging a stranger was weird. I get that, but so many people greet each other with a hug here. Thanks for the funny pictures and I also enjoy keeping up on email.

Wow well done you!
Your right I think UK people are more conservative but I am a hugger too.

Where did you guys get this rain poncho?! We buy my husband Grumpy everything!

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

 

[Longers]

Thursday 29th Aug - day 10

By just after 8am everyone was ready and we were on our way to Universal.

My sister had made a few suggestions about what to do so I suggested she took the lead today (I was having a day off!)

I just don’t think you realise how tall this arch is until you’re standing under it - look little people......

First stop fast and furious as obviously our last attempt was aborted.

We got on!

Straight from there to Gringotts - I love that ride! (I know I’ve said it before!) sorry

 

[Longers]

From here (as it was working and it wasn’t last time) we jumped on the hogwarts express to hogsmeade.

As there was 9 of us we had to split up in separate carriages

We passed hagrids motorbike adventure - the queue was long and we were hot so we didn’t ride - it did look like fun though. Maybe next time!

We did forbidden journey then walked round to the river journey. I think the boys, mum and myself rode - we actually didn’t end up too wet. It was a refreshing splash.

My SIL had a work call to take so we left her at a table in the shade and we carried on walking round. We stopped by the water rides but the general consensus was that while it was very hot out no one wanted to get soaked.

We therefore Headed to Kong - My SIL call still wasn’t finished and the queue was showing 40 mins so my mum, sister and both boys took one of the anytime FP from our failed attempt on our last trip to see fast and furious and they headed into the FP line. The rest of us waited outside.

As they got off the ride my SIL joined us and we carried on walking to the front of the park.

This photo opportunity was on point for my nephew

And we’ll this one was pretty appropriate too!

 

[Longers]

We were headed to the hulk. Those who have read my previous TR will know that Chris loves this ride. After the failed attempt last time we were here he was desperate to get at least 1 ride in this trip. So off he went with my SIL to ride. My younger nephew was considering it but he decided not to go.

The rest of us headed for ice creams, Cinnabon and for me lemon ice!

After we all met again we headed out of the park and back to Universal studios.

On the way in my older nephew spotted Popeye - he got excited and wanted a picture - I’m still quite surprised but as his photographer I obviously went with him.

The boys were hungry so we stopped at Mels diner for snacks and a milk shake before heading to ET - both boys are too young to remember this film when it came out but thankfully they know who ET is!

Next it was challenge time so we headed to men-in black. We were just allowed through the queue - no great cast member this time.

I think he was remembering the last time on this ride!

 

[Longers]

The heat was intense on this day and my mum hadn’t brought her wheelchair and I could see she was struggling. I was happy to leave so I just needed a driver! Thankfully my brother and SIL were happy to leave too. We agreed with the others that we were leaving and would be stopping on the way back for food so they should do the same and we would meet them at the villa. My older nephew asked if he could come with us so the 5 of us left - although that meant I left Chris behind.

We headed out of the park and stopped in McDonald’s on the way back and chilled in the villa for an hour before they returned.

A friend seemed to want to join us around the pool. I hate frogs they freak me out so I had my eye on him the whole time I was outside!

The others returned to the villa and had managed to do transformers and revenge of the mummy before they left the park.

It was a quiet day in Universal - most rides were a walk on (with the exception of Hagrids motorbike adventure) so we’d achieved everything we wanted.

 

[Longers]

Once back at the villa together we checked the app and all Disney parks looked quiet. Even HS where it was opening day for SWGE had minimal waits.

A decision was made to go to Epcot to ride TT - and then we would check the app and then if HS was still quiet we would head over there so my brother could see SWGE. My mum was exhausted from the day so she decided to stay in the villa and have an early night.

First stop Epcot and test track - tick - we sent everyone else in 1 car and we rode together. The ride did stop midway through - but thankfully it continued pretty quickly so everyone got to ride. Result!

A quick check of the app - HS was still quiet and SWGE was still allowing people in so off we went in the car to HS.

 

[Longers]

Oops forgot the customary TT pictures of our cars!

 

[Longers]

We headed straight to SWGE- and got to look around at night - we got an opening day map and a photo to commemorate our visit. Shame we look so hot! It had been a long day.

 

[Longers]

We decided to try to see the night out and take advantage of the low crowds.

TSMM was posted 15 min wait but we walked straight on.

SDD was posted 35 mins so we decided to queue with the exception of my older nephew and my sister who decided to go on TSMM again.

I think the queue was more like 45 mins although we did get chatting to some people in the queue.

We got put right at the front! - oh no...... but do you know what? The front on this ride at night is actually pretty good. We loved it!

We found my sister and nephew who had been twice round on TSMM (they had sore hands by now,).

The fireworks started going off from the buildings around us - it was surreal - we all walked fast to the Chinese theatre and saw the night out watching the Star Wars fireworks.

It was 11.30pm by the time we were home, showered and in bed - a very long day but we’d got so much done.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

It looks like everyone liked Universal! I think it's a fun day or two and a break from Disney for a while. It's fun to ride and reride anything you want at Universal. Just a different atmosphere. But nothing beats Disney
Your brother looks like a happy person, like you! As this progresses,, it seems like everyone (mostly) is having a good time now.

And...............…Yeah! We are booked for Feb 27 thru March 6th next year! Yes! No disney this year was not fun!

 

[DryerLintFan]

It looks like everyone liked Universal! I think it's a fun day or two and a break from Disney for a while. It's fun to ride and reride anything you want at Universal. Just a different atmosphere. But nothing beats Disney
Your brother looks like a happy person, like you! As this progresses,, it seems like everyone (mostly) is having a good time now.

And...............…Yeah! We are booked for Feb 27 thru March 6th next year! Yes! No disney this year was not fun!

We'll be in Hollywood Studios on Feb 27 so holler if you see us!!

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

We'll be in Hollywood Studios on Feb 27 so holler if you see us!!

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!

 

[Longers]

It looks like everyone liked Universal! I think it's a fun day or two and a break from Disney for a while. It's fun to ride and reride anything you want at Universal. Just a different atmosphere. But nothing beats Disney
Your brother looks like a happy person, like you! As this progresses,, it seems like everyone (mostly) is having a good time now.

And...............…Yeah! We are booked for Feb 27 thru March 6th next year! Yes! No disney this year was not fun!

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!