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)

 

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We then took the bus over to Saturn rocket passing the assembly building etc.

I had spotted through the front window a tortoise in the road. The bus driver slowed right down to let him cross the road - too cute.

 

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

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

The windows were really shaking!

We wandered the Saturn rocket area

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

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.

 

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I could see this was going to be another night staying in and I wanted to watch illuminations before they go. At approx 7.30 I asked Chris if he would drive me to Epcot. We had been so lucky with the weather we would be stupid not to go while it was nice out - the nights were disappearing and we were in danger of seeing nothing. We did the right thing and asked if anyone wanted to go with us probably hoping we could go alone.

My sister, her partner, and my youngest nephew wanted to join us so at 8pm we left.

We headed straight to world showcase for a walk and got half way round before it started.

I sang and tapped away to the music - I loved it. It was so nice to be out as well rather than sitting in again and Derek was in my thoughts as those fireworks popped in the sky.

My nephew thought it was awesome.

We strolled slowly out and got back to the villa at 10.25pm (how at that point I missed POR too. We would have been back at least 45 mins ago if we had been staying there!)

By the time we’d had showers I think we were in bed at 11pm. The day still had tension but after a change in mindset it was certainly better.

 

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Glad to hear things started getting better!!

You & your sister could be twins--you look so much alike!!

Also sorry we didn’t get to meet in MK the night of our family argument - I didn’t message you as I wasn’t in the right frame of mind but I really do hope our paths cross at some point - hopefully in Riverside!

 

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Monday 26th Aug - day 7

I had originally kept this whole morning free for an airboat ride, water park, basically anything anyone wanted to do - and also for everyone to recharge the batteries, have a lie in etc.

Everyone was however up and ready by 8.30am wanting to do something - my older nephew was disappointed that everyone wanted to go out as he was hoping for a chilled day. We said he could stay there was no pressure to go to he stayed with my mum who at this point needed a rest anyway.

There was a ring fenced snake in the pool that had to be rescued first! It was only a small one and I didn’t get a picture but my SIL was happy to rescue it as she has snakes at home!

We decided on HS as my younger nephew really wanted to go on TOT and I had only managed a FP near the end of the holiday and we’d already cancelled a few.

Chris went with him and my brother and the rest of us headed to the little
Mermaid

We got off and there was no sign of them so we went to TOT to see my nephews reaction as he got off - he loved it! (Excuse the blurry photos)

Next stop star tours.

 

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And then finally Ice cream - we had got to day 7 and I think I’d had 1 ice cream! What had happened? Normally it was 1 a day! My mojo had gone.

Let me tell you this went down really well. We sat and enjoyed our ice creams in the sun. It was bliss.

We had had a lovely morning but knew my mum and nephew would probably have had enough at the villa so we headed back about 2pm

 

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It had been raining shortly after we left and we were watching the weather but we all wanted to attempt Epcot so at 4pm we grabbed the ponchos and headed back out.

We saw this car on the way which made me chuckle

I’m used to seeing this sign only a few times each trip as when you live in the bubble it’s not so frequent. I had the privilege of seeing it every day but somehow as it wasn’t the sign I usually go under it wasn’t as special! Strange comment I know

We arrived and headed straight to TT - my other FP I had we had missed so it looked like we would need to queue if we wanted to ride.

My nephew took this photo to show me what he sees as his so much taller than me!

I love this picture of the 3 of us together - and even love the squashed up face of that nephew as he is normally so serious - Disney was certainly helping him chill out.

We had been there around 15 mins when the announcement came about inclement weather so we left the queue and headed to mission space as it started spitting with rain.

I took my nephew on the non spinning version - he really wanted to go spinning but he has a hole I. His ear and needs an operation so he isn’t allowed.

l
Chris went on the spinning version with my older nephew and SIL - and everyone else waited outside - I think everyone agreed it was a good ride. My sister was panicking outside the whole time in case anyone came off feeling sick.

Then onto LWTL - this was the one rode my younger nephew didn’t like - he said he never wants to ride again (mainly down to the fish tanks!). I hadn’t thought about it when we got on but while we were approaching I did say to Chris we could have made a mistake but at that point there was nothing further we could do. Funny how he loved AK but this ride he did not!

We Heard the rain outside in greenhouses so we knew we would be exiting and joining rain outside. The rain stopped so we decided to walk to the countries.
We agreed to split up for food and agreed to meet at China - Chris and my sister partner were heading to Morocco everyone else towards China.

I decided to stick with Chris to keep him company and to stop any gossiping

 

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Half way round you could see the rain was coming so we had to speed up before getting wet. As they were eating the rain literally came down - complete with thunder and an amazing lightning show.

I know they say it’s the lightning capital of he world but this was unreal. In November we see very little rain - this was almost a highlight in itself - it didn’t bother me in the slightest - if it would have been spoiling getting on rides etc it would have bothered me. I don’t like rain it just gets too wet and it’s horrible but this was kind of cool and I was loving it.

We had waited quite a while and it wasn’t slowing down and even though we had told the others to wait for us we were worried they would start walking to us. I tried to get some pictures of the lightning but was unsuccessful.

A decision was made - we were heading to China.

Ponchos on - we walked out onto the rain.

It was warm and almost made me feel alive - it was a special moment - I was dancing in The puddles singing - others walking were doing the same thing - it was an amazing atmosphere.

I was wet as my poncho was broke but I didn’t care.

We found the others in the shelter of China and decided that it didn’t look like it was clearing so everyone agreed to walk back to the car.

Funny enough this night will be remembered by me - I loved it! I had missed drinks with Tuvalu and some other WDW magic friends which was a shame and we hadn’t seen the fireworks but I had a good night all the same.

All the ponchos were throw in the back of the car and we all got home for showers and bed.

 

[riverside]

Also sorry we didn’t get to meet in MK the night of our family argument - I didn’t message you as I wasn’t in the right frame of mind but I really do hope our paths cross at some point - hopefully in Riverside!

I kept checking for a message from you & I figured something came up. When you got to that particular day in this TR I totally got it. This may have happened for a reason--I think we were meant to meet at Riverside--it seems only fitting!!

 

[lindawdw]

I'm glad you all enjoyed Kennedy Space Center and had the chance to get to Epcot at night. It's too bad that it rained so you didn't get to see Illuminations but it sounds like you still had a wonderful evening. So glad the day felt a little lighter for you.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Glad that you got to "let loose" and sing and dance in the rain at Epcot Sounds like fun. It seems your nephews are having a great time. WE are going to try to go to Kennedy Space Center one day. It looks awesome! I love space stuff! We went to the Smithsonian in D.C. but It is pretty small compared to KSC. How is your Mom's back holding up, during the trip?

 

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I'm glad you all enjoyed Kennedy Space Center and had the chance to get to Epcot at night. It's too bad that it rained so you didn't get to see Illuminations but it sounds like you still had a wonderful evening. So glad the day felt a little lighter for you.

We did have a nice night - it was good to be outside for a change and not in the villa at night

Glad that you got to "let loose" and sing and dance in the rain at Epcot Sounds like fun. It seems your nephews are having a great time. WE are going to try to go to Kennedy Space Center one day. It looks awesome! I love space stuff! We went to the Smithsonian in D.C. but It is pretty small compared to KSC. How is your Mom's back holding up, during the trip?

It was fun despite the rain as it was warm and the rain was warm too so it did didn’t feel too bad.
You should go to Kennedy if you can lots of cool things to do. I’m not that much into it buts it’s not over expensive and Chris likes all of it so it’s fun to do something for him.
And mum had good and bad days. The wheelchair came with us most days and she used it when she had to. She has an apt on 22nd Nov to see if anything can be done. She’s in so much pain at the moment she is literally living on pain killers. Fingers crossed she can get some help.

 

[MinnieM123]

Well I think things had been building as he had been behind us most of the day and to be honest I don’t really think Disney was for him. He had made the comments to me in MK on day 1 and ad mentioned rooms when we got to the villa so I was already getting fed up with him anyway.

Now I am such a happy person normally, life is too short and you just have to get on with people or stay away from anyone you can’t get on with - but this had my blood boiling.

Just got caught up here on your TR. Glad most of the vacation went well so far, despite this guy. My hunch is that it wasn't just the trip that was bothering him; but whatever his issues were, he should have put on a happier face for the sake of the boys, and the others.

Even on vacation, there are some people who "bring" their issues with them. (Many years ago, a CM told me that; she saw some unpleasant scenes unfold while she was waitressing.)

Anyway, looking forward to more updates on the trip, as you had planned such a fun itinerary for everyone.

 

[Gurt]

I have only just got your report, we have been away with no phone signal or WiFi I had been looking forward to this TR and had hoped you had the best time but your sisters partner needs a kick up the whatsit you did so well to not react to him if that had been me there would have been more than just finger wagging I would have been putting him right in his place, I am so glad the boys didn't notice it looks like you gave them a really magical trip and memories.

 

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Just got caught up here on your TR. Glad most of the vacation went well so far, despite this guy. My hunch is that it wasn't just the trip that was bothering him; but whatever his issues were, he should have put on a happier face for the sake of the boys, and the others.

Even on vacation, there are some people who "bring" their issues with them. (Many years ago, a CM told me that; she saw some unpleasant scenes unfold while she was waitressing.)

Anyway, looking forward to more updates on the trip, as you had planned such a fun itinerary for everyone.

Thank you and I agree - I think my disappointment came from him either not addressing offline quietly or just letting it all go to make sure there was no friction!
Very disappointed with him.

I have only just got your report, we have been away with no phone signal or WiFi I had been looking forward to this TR and had hoped you had the best time but your sisters partner needs a kick up the whatsit you did so well to not react to him if that had been me there would have been more than just finger wagging I would have been putting him right in his place, I am so glad the boys didn't notice it looks like you gave them a really magical trip and memories.

I know tell me about it! I had wanted a fab trip but like you say the boys seemed to not notice so that’s the main thing.
I really wanted to react and just tell him to pull it together and sometimes I wish I had as manybe the air would have been cleared rather than the tension every day but it’s done now.
I haven’t seen him since we’ve returned (he did phone and apologise to Chris and told him to tell me) but there’s still friction so I am driving down this weekend to speak to him! - should be interesting as apparentl6 my sister says he thinks he did nothing wrong.

 

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Tuesday 27th Aug - day 8

The boys had decided they wanted to do FOP again and they were happy to get up early to do so - hoorah as I love that ride too.

We all got ready and left by 8am - again we followed the crowds to FOP with mum in the wheelchair to save her getting crushed and pushed along.

Despite all the crowds we were again on and off the ride by 9.10am
It was at this point I remembered night blossom! It’s funny how with a big group you kind of get whisked along and don’t remember or take in some of the detail or forget what you normally do - maybe that because after we got off every ride my younger nephew would say “where are we going next”. I started to reply “we’re just wandering - take it all in”

My older nephew indulged and agreed it was very refreshing in the Florida heat.

We wandered and took in the scenery - I know you’ve seen the same pictures hundreds of times but it’s so beautiful.

 

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We took a slow walk to Everest

 

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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!

 

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To get out of the heat for a while we decided on FOTLK - Mum was in the wheelchair - we offered to leave outside and queue and they just told us to join the wheelchair queue. This was definitely the right decision as it meant my mum could sit in the wheelchair for the show rather than on those benches! And we got front seats!

After the show my older nephew decided he wanted to have a job as a tumble monkey something Brittany @blreinsel will be very happy about.

 

[lindawdw]

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!