Trip Report It’s All About the Baby! A Gigi & Papaw Take the Trip Repor 11/25-11/30 *Complete*

It’s All About the Baby! A Gigi & Papaw take the Grandbaby Trip Report- 11-25-11-30

We just got back last night, but I am so excited to start this trip report.

At the last minute, his mom decided to let him go with us so we basically changed everything.

And it was Amazing!

I was born a Disney lover, I think- but it was taking my son the first time (my first trip too) that solidified the almost insane degree of love I have for it. The baby has been, last year, but he was so much smaller, this was just at that perfect age. He loved everything! Just like his daddy did 20 years ago. Getting to experience it again and see it through his eyes- priceless and only comes in second to taking my first, best Disney buddy. (His daddy) Actually it might be a tie.

We started with a day at the beach, so we would not have such a long ride- (we left a very cold ice storm here)

It was too cold to play in the water of course, but the toes. He still had an awesome time.

Few pics-

We got up at 3:00 am to beat traffic. Cool pics of the trees at Jekyll when we left.

We arrived at Coronado Springs at a little after 7:00 am. Was hoping room would be ready, but should have known better it being the time of year it was. A quick freshen up in the bathrooms and we headed straight to MK!




We chose the Ferry so he could watch the castle get closer. Then off to Buzz!

 

[DisneyGigi]

We did some shopping, and I had to get pics of the treats.

I wish they made more Pete stuff, the baby loves him. I have a pic of his daddy in the car at Pete’s Garage. He loved him too. He did love this though.

Then it was time for Dumbo! I had not been on this since 2000! Terrible selfie- I have to learn taking them from down low is not very flattering

We walked around the path to Tomorrowland,

We then decided since the wait was so low, to do the Speedway. He wanted to ride with Gigi. He loved it and giggled like crazy, until it stopped, because a car was broken down. He was legit ready to get out. I had to hang onto him for dear life! He realized that Gigi’s leg made it go and mashed down like crazy. Thankful that Papaw was in front of us, because we slammed him lol. Priceless memories. Had not been in this since 2007.

I had to get a pic of the Tomorrowland stage, where I got one of my fave pics of my boy and me in 2009.

What I would give, to go back to that day and him still be a teen, at home! If I could keep Stinker, of course.
Papaw and Lil’ Eli, hit up Buzz a couple of times, while I called my Momma. Had not talked to her but by text the past couple of days and I needed to hear her voice! (We talk many times, every single day)

While I was on the phone, Papaw text and told me they were in line for Buzz! I ran over and joined them, for what would be the longest, sweetest interaction yet with a character. He adores Toy Story and this was just the sweetest, last meet n greet. Kudos not only to Buzz, but the Photopass photographer.

 

[DisneyGigi]

I don’t know if we get lucky, or what- but Buzz, has always been one of the best meet and greets, going all the way back to 98, when he and Woody were near the coke bottles. It was our first trip, so I am not sure then where it was, near Backlot Tour, Streets, and close to where Al’s Toy Barn eventually went. I still have the hat, we bought that Buzz held up for pics, we bought for my boy. Eli wears it every now and then. Anyway-
I could go on forever, but pics say, so much more. Photopass, amazing! They captured every single moment.

Let me go Gigi- I got this!

This is my Dog- Photopass says just like Buster.

That is your spaceship, Buzz! Look!

 

[DisneyGigi]

Continuing with the report, after ! I hope they are wrong, but preparing in case. Apparently this guy, is my neck of the woods- not good, so I hear!
Thanks for following and dance an anti snow dance, for us!

 

[DisneyGigi]

Well, it has started. The good news, guess who is here for the storm to entice me to build a ?!
He is napping now, and I am bundled up under my Chip N’ Dale blanket, so might as well trip report it whilst watching the Doomsday weather reports. I have always said, it is not,in any way, okay, that I live in a state that begins with the word North.

Back to Buzz!

The last two were Spanish mode, and he knew it! He said Spanish lol, Buzz loved it.

 

[DisneyGigi]

After an amazing Buzz meet, it was time to go to Tony’s. Back in the day in ‘98 when we did not know any better, we had no ADRs. After a week of Pizza, fries, and burgers. It sounded amazing and they had a table. It wasn’t. We went back in 2007, still not good. I swore never again, kinda like Hollywood & Vine. Things change, when it comes to a little one, and no waiting for a good spot for the parade.

The food... if possible, was worse. Maybe I just forgot how bad it was. The calamari was decent, but cold, not even Ragu quality sauce.

Service was great though and I knew what I was going into when I booked it. Plus, hey, there was wine this time!

The “Risotto” I make risotto. I love risotto, this was not risotto. I don’t know what it was.
The trio, that B got. Olive Garden is a cheesy Italian restaurant. I don’t mean the Parmesan on top either. This was disgusting. Cold, watered down tomato paste, and not even jarred Alfredo quality, again cold. Olive Garden is top quality cuisine , compared.

My thoughts on food-

My at least there is wine-face the Pinot was good.

The baby, they got fries from the Plaza or somewhere, I guess. Very nice for them to do that for him because he is so picky. It was the best thing we got. That and the popcorn we wisely brought in for him.

With that said, I did not book it for the food, knew what I was getting myself into. There was wine, and good service.
It was worth it for walking straight across for a prime spot for parade.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Over a foot but not the 2 feet they were calling for. Still coming down and no power. Thank God for our generator. My hat and gloves definitely came in handy! It is very pretty. I just hope it leaves soon.

 

[DisneyGigi]

While the baby is napping and I am gearing up for round two of snow play. Too dry and powdery for a snowman though. The things Gigi’s will do for the grandbaby tho.

Anyway our parade spot-

He made a friend.
This little boy was so stinking sweet. They played and talked the whole time waiting for it to start.

I was really impressed with how they make sure that you have the tickets, once it starts and they move the rope. Nobody was able to sneak in. Other than the quality of food at Tony’s. I think this was an awesome deal. We purchase the dining plan because it always works out cheaper and this was just 1 credit. Around 50 out of pocket per person.

Gigi was pretty excited! I had not stopped and watched the parade since we did backstage magic in 2015. You end at the parade.

 

[DisneyGigi]

More-

 

[DisneyGigi]

And more...

 

[DisneyGigi]

And a few more...

 

[DisneyGigi]

And a few, few more-

We had fastpasses for Magic Carpets but by the time we made it there, he was asleep. So we headed to Pecos Bills so I could go to the bathroom. Took a quick picture of my little Disney Trooper.

We found a spot out of traffic, and let him sleep for awhile. I took a few pictures, my Disney Ducks. Then headed to the Emporium to shop. He was still asleep, even on the monorail. I had wanted to go to see the gingerbread house at GF, but ya know what? I let him sleep. He had been so amazing and went so hard, and I had so much fun with him- I didn’t need to see it. So other than exploring Coronado the rest of the evening, we said goodbye to the MK and parks.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Coronado decorations-

 

[DisneyGigi]

We did some laundry, because I hate bringing dirty clothes home, went to Pepper Market, well whatever it is now. Stinker, while we were waiting for Papaw to go through the line with the food, of course, with his winning smile and precious personality scored a free kit kat.
We had some snacks, turned in and stopped the next morning to say goodbye to Gail. If you ever stay at Coronado, she is completely amazing. She is part of the reason Coronado is our favorite resort. It just feels like home. The only negative thing I could ever say about our stays was the shampoo bottle. I just mostly think it is gross that any of the resorts use those bottles. It is a Petri dish. Period. A tiny bump, in all reality though.

Final thoughts and plans already in place for May coming up!

 

[DisneyGigi]

The year my son graduated, I turned 40, 4 days later. It was a bad year for me. A good year, because I was proud. A bad year because I felt like I was destined to lose him. A countdown, almost, is how I looked at it. Turning 40 was just another smack in the face, at the time.

Sure enough, the next year, the Love Bug bit him. I was devastated when he left home and married.

Being a mother, was and will always be the single greatest thing that ever happened to me. I was blessed to always be a stay at home mom, and all of my time was dedicated to my kids. It made it, all the more harder for me though, in reality, when they grew up. I had no clue, what to do with myself.

I was terrified of being a grandmother. I did not feel old enough to be one and at the time, they told me, it just freaked me out.

It was one of the best and biggest, unexpected blessings of my life. He makes me feel younger than I am. Who knew? Lol

My son did grow up, but I didn’t lose him. He is still my very best friend. He gave me a little mini me version of himself, that also has his own spunk and personality. I still miss my boy and would give my eye teeth to have him with me all the time again- but with this little fella, I have realized life goes on, and it changes, but some things always stay the same. (Kinda)

This trip, let me remember that you don’t have to ride all the big rides, or do everything you are used to doing. It reminded me why I fell in love with Walt Disney World in the first place.
Seeing it just us 3, a repeat of trip 1 almost- An adult, (stretch to call me that) can have magic and pixie dust in their veins, but there is not a single thing that compares to seeing it through, a child-that so believes, little innocent eyes.

November 15, 1998 after eating at Tony’s. Don’t judge the pack or mustache lol. And yes, he was only 3 1/2. 6’5 as an adult!

So, I have a brand new Disney Nerd, that makes me watch the Figment ride at least 17 times a day and we have a F & G Festival trip planned May 5-10. Coronado, of course. Just us, unless something changes.
Adrs made-
BoG
Cape May
‘Ohana
Storybook Dining (Dopey? I am in)
Tusker House

Thanks for reading!! And we have Power! I repeat, we have power.
One photo of Chewy, I realized I did no post.

 

[Darstarr]

Wow! Just wow!!!
Thank you for sharing. All of it!

 

[DisneyGigi]

Wow! Just wow!!!
Thank you for sharing. All of it!

Thank you so much for reading. I have been sharing reports here since 2007. It always is a blessing to get to tell it and relish in the details and memories from not just the current, but all trips.

 

[Swissmiss]

What a great trip (and TR ). Glad you didn’t loose power and despite Not wanting it to snow, it looks like your snow buddy changed your mind for a while

 

[Duckberg]

GOOD times & smiles for ALL

 

[amjt660]

Great TR
I loves your wrap up post

Walt wanted to create place that could be enjoyed together by the young and young at heart.

Mission accomplished

Max

 

[riverside]

Great trip report!! I'm glad you had such a wonderful time with your grandson!!
I hope the snow melts quickly for you!!