Trip Report It Is What It Is... Our Journey To The Dark Side...Sept 2023 (Completed)

Hey there everyone!

We are back! I have to say, it was a Disney trip that was VERY different from those in the past. I am happy and excited to share it all with you all, as long as you are patient with me. Lol. You know – me -the one that takes 4 plus years to finish up a report!

That being said, I need to take care of some unfinished business before I start this epic tale. If you don’t know what I mean…. Here is the link to September 2019 trip which I am desperately trying to wrap up.

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/from-droids-to-toys…-texting-the-boy-and-can-we-just-blame-it-on-captain-hook-our-september-2019-disney-journey-including-another-ross’-return.960569/

Thanks to all of you who helped get me excited for this trip and gave me such good advice and tips for our journey!

Here we go…

 

[Figment Forever]

Julia and Hope were in their glory! Actually, so was I. The last time I was in this space was when it was the “Image Works”.

And as much as I was excited “where” I was… it was more exciting because who we were with. Mark and Keven are such delights. It was great to relax and just hang out together! Their kind gesture made my girls (and me) so happy!!

 

[Figment Forever]

Soon, Julia and Nick were back off on their own…

Not soon after we said our goodbyes, but not before Hope got a few last hugs in!

Since we were in the Pavilion, how could we not visit Figment?

Joy was there, so we said hi to her too.

 

[Figment Forever]

We were then out and about. The construction around EPCOT was annoying. There were walls everywhere.

We stopped for our magnets and did some shopping. Julia and Nick met up with us because they wanted to purchase a few things and I said to let me buy them to get the pass holder discounts.

When we were done shopping, it was time for our GoG VQ.

 

[Figment Forever]

We got a few pics on the way out.

Nick and Julia asked if we could get a group shot in front of Spaceship Earth. I loved that they wanted to pose for a few pictures!! I didn’t love that we picked a photographer with one of those funky cameras. But it is what it is…

 

[Figment Forever]

After our group photo, Nick said he wanted one with just him and Julia. I thought it was so sweet! Maybe he’s starting to like it here!

As we stepped to the side, Ross asked if I was going to film it. I looked at him confused, film what??? I glanced over at Nick and Julia and was floored to see this…

I could not believe it! I did not expect it. But yes, my baby girl is all grown up and engaged to be married!

They instructed me NOT to post anything on Facebook until they told their friends and Nick’s family. I told them I would behave and wait for their ok.

Nick and Julia went off, but not before I made them get a button!

As we parted ways, I realized Hope was crying. She was not happy. These were not happy tears. They were on the level of “Fantasmic! Is canceled” tears. We asked her what was wrong and she responded that she felt that she was losing her sister. It broke my heart and at the same time, I was happy that Hope was able to show this emotion.

I promised her that she did not lose her sister but gained a brother! She wasn’t buying it. But she calmed down and we were able to continue our day. Although I have to say, I was in a brain fog for most of the rest of the day.

 

[Figment Forever]

We rode Mission Space and then we rode Soarin and LWTL.

It was looking like a storm was coming so we decided to go to the Sea Pavilion. We rode Nemo and watched Crush, and then the storm hit. It was torrential downpours!

We settled in and hung out in the aquarium for a long while.

Julia and Nick had plans to go to DS for dinner, but they got caught over in WS and didn’t think they would make it. I told them to cancel and find a place to eat in Epcot. Since they were in Japan, they got a table at the newly opened Shiki-Sai Sushi and they were very happy with their dinner. They got a sushi boat!!

Ross, Hope and I were able to make it over to Spaceship Earth, and then we headed out of the park. We got a bus to DS and had our favorite – Blaze.

It was back to our room. I got most of our stuff packed up. I was still in shock from the events of the day.

Up next… The Journey Home…

 

[k8einwdw]

I could not believe it! I did not expect it. But yes, my baby girl is all grown up and engaged to be married!

Congratulations to Julia!

 

[Tuvalu]

Phew! It’s finally public here!

So happy I got to see the !

 

[Swissmiss]

Congrats to Julia! Maybe some of the issues “the Boy” was having was related to nerves?

And I couldn’t figure out how to copy just the pictures - but there are 2 of Hope with Daisy and Joy (with the arms out) which are just fantastic!

 

[fractal]

To be honest... she would like to work for Disney or Lego in one of the parks... I think she would be excellent as an Imagineer and I think she would be fantastic if she could just work through some of her Autistic hindrances. We all pray she can have a job she loves one day....

That being said, our play is to move to Florida in three years. We are waiting for Hope to turn 18. And we would love to be within 30 min from the parks so if she is able to get a job at one of the theme parks, it will be doable.

So if anyone out there wants to suggest areas for Ross and I to look into, let me hear them!! (I was hoping to move to The Villages, but alas, it's too far.)

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

After our group photo, Nick said he wanted one with just him and Julia. I thought it was so sweet! Maybe he’s starting to like it here!

As we stepped to the side, Ross asked if I was going to film it. I looked at him confused, film what??? I glanced over at Nick and Julia and was floored to see this…

View attachment 811388View attachment 811387View attachment 811389View attachment 811390

I could not believe it! I did not expect it. But yes, my baby girl is all grown up and engaged to be married!

They instructed me NOT to post anything on Facebook until they told their friends and Nick’s family. I told them I would behave and wait for their ok.

Nick and Julia went off, but not before I made them get a button!

As we parted ways, I realized Hope was crying. She was not happy. These were not happy tears. They were on the level of “Fantasmic! Is canceled” tears. We asked her what was wrong and she responded that she felt that she was losing her sister. It broke my heart and at the same time, I was happy that Hope was able to show this emotion.

I promised her that she did not lose her sister but gained a brother! She wasn’t buying it. But she calmed down and we were able to continue our day. Although I have to say, I was in a brain fog for most of the rest of the day.

Wow, what a great moment! Congrats to them and I'm hoping the Hope is happy with her new brother.

 

[fractal]

Congratulations to Julia and Nick!

 

[luvinthemajik]

We rode Mission Space and then we rode Soarin and LWTL.

View attachment 811391View attachment 811393View attachment 811394

It was looking like a storm was coming so we decided to go to the Sea Pavilion. We rode Nemo and watched Crush, and then the storm hit. It was torrential downpours!

View attachment 811392

We settled in and hung out in the aquarium for a long while.

View attachment 811395View attachment 811396View attachment 811397

Julia and Nick had plans to go to DS for dinner, but they got caught over in WS and didn’t think they would make it. I told them to cancel and find a place to eat in Epcot. Since they were in Japan, they got a table at the newly opened Shiki-Sai Sushi and they were very happy with their dinner. They got a sushi boat!!

Ross, Hope and I were able to make it over to Spaceship Earth, and then we headed out of the park. We got a bus to DS and had our favorite – Blaze.

It was back to our room. I got most of our stuff packed up. I was still in shock from the events of the day.

Up next… The Journey Home…

What a journey for you and your beautiful family, so many wonderful emotions, firsts and memories.
Thank you very much for sharing it all.
Congratulations!!

 

[dizfan917]

That was a BIG day for Julia! Glad we could make one (pretty insignificant in hindsight) of her dreams come true!! I remember when you sent the pic of the proposal. We're SO excited for them!! We've been hanging out together for 13 years (on October 1st - we chose WDW's opening day as our 'official' anniversary of starting our journey together). We just completed visit number 17 to the World together. I don't think Nick is up for quite that many visits...

Thanks again for all the great meetups! We're looking forward to even more (especially if you move to FL)!!

 

[Figment Forever]

Congratulations to Julia!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

Phew! It’s finally public here!

So happy I got to see the !

Haha - yes! It only took me a year!

Congrats to Julia! Maybe some of the issues “the Boy” was having was related to nerves?

And I couldn’t figure out how to copy just the pictures - but there are 2 of Hope with Daisy and Joy (with the arms out) which are just fantastic!

Thank you! I LOVE those pictures and Hope. Daisy actually made a comment that they both had pink shoes!!

I'm not sure if it was his nerves or not... He told me that there was not a plan to propose on this trip - but "they" made the decision the day before and bought the ring down at DS. So yes, while I was blindsided, Julia knew it was coming!

Sounds like a good plan.

Fingers crossed!

Wow, what a great moment! Congrats to them and I'm hoping the Hope is happy with her new brother.

THANK YOU! Hope is warming up to him. And he really is a good guy.

Congratulations to Julia and Nick!

THANK YOU!!!

What a journey for you and your beautiful family, so many wonderful emotions, firsts and memories.
Thank you very much for sharing it all.
Congratulations!!

It was a crazy and wonderful journey! Thanks so much for following along!!

 

[Figment Forever]

That was a BIG day for Julia! Glad we could make one (pretty insignificant in hindsight) of her dreams come true!! I remember when you sent the pic of the proposal. We're SO excited for them!! We've been hanging out together for 13 years (on October 1st - we chose WDW's opening day as our 'official' anniversary of starting our journey together). We just completed visit number 17 to the World together. I don't think Nick is up for quite that many visits...

Thanks again for all the great meetups! We're looking forward to even more (especially if you move to FL)!!

I'm so glad you guys got to be a part of it!!! BTW, I did sneak you that photo before I was officially "cleared!". lol

Yeah... I'm not sure Nick will ever hit 17 trips. lol but you never know! Julia wants to honeymoon in Japan - so there's always Tokyo Disney! Hmmmmm... maybe the rest of us will hijack their honeymoon! That has the making of a good TR!!!

Looking forward to many more meetups with you guys!!

 

[Swissmiss]

Hmmmmm... maybe the rest of us will hijack their honeymoon! That has the making of a good TR!!!

 

[RememberWhen]

View attachment 811476

Seconded. The trip my sisters and I took to surprise our youngest sister on her honeymoon was AMAZING. Her husband was in on it, but she was shocked. In a good way. Nothing so surprising as taking pictures in front of the castle only to turn around and find your family there.

 

[TheMouseFan]

Congrats to Julia! Love the pics of Hope with Daisy! That is so awesome that she asked to stop and meet her!

 

[Figment Forever]

Seconded. The trip my sisters and I took to surprise our youngest sister on her honeymoon was AMAZING. Her husband was in on it, but she was shocked. In a good way. Nothing so surprising as taking pictures in front of the castle only to turn around and find your family there.

That would be awesome!!