Trip Report *COMPLETED* Life is a Highway - Road Trip 2019

Greetings All!

Now that a portion of our trip is booked, I feel more comfortable setting up a trip report. Not sure about the title - I couldn’t think of anything catchy.

So, here are the particulars:

When: November 2 - 8
Where: Pop Century Preferred Rooms
Who: just about everyone in my family

Mom & Dad - celebrating 57 years of wedded bliss (we will refer to them as Mema & Grandaddy)​

Sister C & her boyfriend M​

Sister’s granddaughters - R (10) & MJ (6)​

Me​

The trip came about as my sister wanted a big family trip that included my parents. Since they don’t fly, it’ll be a road trip - my first since we rode a tour bus in the 80s. In order to help keep the costs down for my sister, we went with Pop Century. My sister was trying to get a moderate, because she said that I don’t do “kiddie hotels.” I told her Pop Century is a great resort and the rooms have been refurbished. Grandaddy said he didn’t care because he wasn’t going to be in the room that long (Mema clarified that he wouldn’t hear the noise anyway )

The FPs & ADRs have fallen on me to select. It’ll be a bit rough on the FPs since my parents don’t do any coasters. We have the DDP, so planning table services will be interesting. ADRs start May 6th. My dad is a diabetic, and usually has a big breakfast, light lunch, & light dinner. So maybe out table services will be more breakfasts. Hoping to get Be our Guest for breakfast.

So far the only hiccup is trying to add my sister’s reservation to my MDE. The site says that she’s already linked. When I tried another way, it did not show the girls on the reservation. Any assistance from you guys and gals will be appreciated.

Only 189 days to go!

 

[LadyBelle]

November 5 Continued

Welcome to the Crossroads of the World

We came across some Citizens of Hollywood

I love Betty Shambles

Our next stop was Star Tours. Mom and Dad sat this one out, so the rest of us went ahead. R was the rebel spy that we had to get to safety. I think we wound up on the Wookie Planet, but I can’t remember anywhere else.

After we arrived safely back, We met up with my parents and headed towards Muppets 3D. I really love this because it’s the last thing that has Jim Henson as Kermit. If you’re a fan of the Muppets, I suggest his biography.

We then hunted for a Mickey Pretzel and found a cart next to the Chinese Theatre. A lovely CM provided some pixie dust and gave my mom her pretzel “on Mickey” in honor of their 57th wedding anniversary.

Unexpectedly, SJ and her coworker sat down next to us but didn’t see us. My sister pointed her out and to get her attention, I threw a mustard packet at her. We chatted for a bit and then we went to The Voyage of the Little Mermaid. My dad’s back was still bothering him, so they decided to head towards our lunch reservation spot and people watch.

SJ and her coworker left us to go to Indiana Jones while we had lunch. We had plans to meet up later in Batuu.

We still had a few minutes before I could check us in, so I had a wander around Keystone Clothiers. I had a chuckle over this shirt and sent it to SJ

I then picked up this pin

Up Next - Lunch with some characters.

 

[LadyBelle]

November 5 Continued

Our reservation was ready. Time for Hollywood & Vine! They were still in their Halloween outfits.
First up, Vampire Mickey

Then Ms. Daisy Duck

Followed closely by Mad Scientist Donald (with fabulous hair)

And, finally, Cowboy Goofy

The girls got there picture with Minnie on the way out. Our server offered us tickets to Fantasmic later that night as part of our lunch, but we had already booked the dessert package for my parents’ anniversary. My dad like this particular buffet, especially the ribs.

Once we finished lunch, everyone else went back to the resort, while I met SJ & her coworker in Batuu.

 

[Longers]

So sorry this trip wasn’t what you hoped - I feel your pain. I really hope whatever happened didn't spoil it too much.

 

[LadyBelle]

Okay, let’s wrap this trip up.

We strolled into Batuu

We headed towards the Millennium Falcon and as we were moving forward through the long line, a lady came out and said “Y’all are going to have to get out of line. The fire alarm went off.” We were all scratching our heads and wondering what she was talking about. Then a CM came out to let us know that the ride was down.

We were all kind of bummed, because we weren’t sure if we’d ever get around to riding this because this was our only timeframe to do so. I had a feeling that we would, so we just wandered around Batuu.

This was quite delicious.

We went back towards the Falcon and I spotted that the wait time sign was back on, so we went back and were able to get in line.

Our wait time was only about 30 minutes before we met Hando

I hung out at the chess table for a bit.

SJ and I were the pilots. She was the Chewie to my Han. While we had a bit of an issue with our flying (came out with a 25% Success rate) it was So. Much. Fun!! Easily the best part of the trip. I wish Rise of the Resistance had been open too.

After we left Batuu, we went to the Frozen sing along since EquityBen was the storyteller. This was when I left SJ and her coworker to meet up with my family for Toy Story Land.

 

[LadyBelle]

We had a little bit of time before our SD FP window opened, so we watched it pass by. My dad decided that he didn’t want to ride it, so I canceled his. My mom got worried, but she promised MJ that she would be her ride buddy.

Just as we were getting ready to board, this conversation happened:

MJ: Mema, they rate roller coasters 1-5. One is Zoom! And Five is ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!
Mema: And what is this one?
MJ: It‘s a five! :Big Grin:

And then we board.

So picture the on ride photo of my 76 year old mother with her head tucked down as far as she can. I actually found the camera and was having a blast. Alas, my sister still hasn’t shared any photo pass pictures with me.

MJ wanted to go on the ride again. My mother said she was one and done. We told MJ that we couldn’t because the line was too long, but went over to TSM instead.

Since there was an odd number of us, MJ rode with my parents. My mom was supposed to aim the gun at the targets, but MJ took over and said “No, Mema, it’s like this. PEW PEW PEW (yes, with sound effects)”

She wound up beating my dad, who said his gun was broken. Uh huh. I beat R (because I don’t lose to a 10-year old) and don’t know who won between my sister and M.

As we were getting ready to leave, the skies opened op and a pretty bad thunderstorm rolled through. So we waited in the hallway for about 15-20 minutes. The poor CMs had to keep reminding people to stay against the wall and out of the walkway.

We then grabbed some pizza and headed towards Fantasmic. We were a bit worried that it may be canceled and we had purchased the dessert package for my parent’s anniversary. Magic was made, the skies cleared and we had the show. No pics of the show as I always take horrible pics. But, I have pics of the dessert

My parents absolutely love it. I think it was their favorite part of the trip as a couple.

We then took the Skyliner back to resort and turned in for the evening.

 

[LadyBelle]

November 6 - EPCOT

Once again we boarded the Skyliner towards EPCOT. This became my dad’s preferred method of transportation because he thought the bus drivers drove too fast around corners.

Mickey’s head turned blue for my parents (a recurring theme after my dad lost his MB). So they had to smile for Mickey and were then let through. We headed over to the Frozen ride. I booked this FP because I thought that R and MJ would like it, but my sister said that they had already rode it and thought it was okay. Ugh! I could’ve booked Soarin instead.

So, picture in your mind the ride photo. My head was down because I didn’t want any water splashing anywhere near my eyes (per Doctor’s orders). Everyone else had surprised looks on their faces. My dad didn’t like it because the boat was too jerky and hurt his back. Oh well. At least I got this photo (photobomb by my sister):

I tried to get us into a standby line for Soarin because I saw the relatively short wait time. Aaaaaaaand so did everyone else.

Before we could get to The Land, there was a bathroom break. Sorry, no photos other than my artistic photo of MJ’s Forky

So no Soarin, No LWTL. We took a snack break at Sunshine Seasons.

My mom went with Veggie Chips. So cute!
I went with something better

After our snack break, we went into Mouse Gears. This was as close to Spaceship Earth as I got that trip.

After leaving Mouse Gears with a little less gift card money, we headed towards World Showcase again. My mom needed to sit and rest for a bit (her cancer medication makes her more tired these days), and I went ahead to get some popcorn from Karamell Kuche. I saw this “service dog” and wanted to ask @wdisney9000 ‘s opinion on its validity

When trying to come back, I was stopped by the bridge. First time I’ve seen it. Moving the fireworks for EPCOT Forever (I think that was the fireworks then)

Up next, lunch and afternoon “fireworks”

 

[LadyBelle]

November 6 Continued

After some world showcase wandering, it was time for lunch. I have always wanted to eat here and thought everyone could find something to eat

Hey, I unintentionally found a Remi!

We had a gorgeous view of the lake. There was a beautiful breeze. Great time, right?

Anyway, Fish and Chips were my choice. My dad had corned beef, my mom had some gluten free meal. M had Shepher’s Pie and the girls had mac & cheese.

Then came my sister.

She complained the entire time that she couldn’t find anything on the menu. She doesn’t eat seafood. No to the Shepherd’s Pie and Bangers & Mash. Didn’t want the burger. No chicken marsala. Nothing. Complain. Complain. Complain. Almost to the point where M had to tell her to let it go.

Sigh

Once lunch was, thankfully, over my sister took the girls back to the resort so they could make some slime. The rest of us hung out and finished our desserts and took care of the checks. Our server was so wonderful - Natalie maybe?

Apparently there was another storm brewing on the horizon. My sister was stopped at Caribbean Beach as they closed the Skyliner. We had to walk from the International Gateway to the front of the park to get a bus, either not knowing or me remembering that we could’ve just headed to the Boardwalk and go a bus there.

Needless to say, the girls missed their slime making. My sister wanted to go to the other Disney outlet. After the lunch fiasco I decided to stay at the resort to nap. Once she was back from that excursion, we went to Disney Springs for some shopping. I picked up the Christmas Minnie to go with the Christmas Mickey that my dad bought me earlier, along with the Advent Calender.

Up Next - a fanciful final afternoon.

 

[LadyBelle]

November 7

Our final day was back at MK

Christmas arrived!

We ran into some Citizens of Main Street

Then some very Christmasy Dapper Dans

After watching them for a few minutes, we went towards 7DMT

Not sure if I was trying to get a lights picture for @Doc Disney because I don’t know any of these people.

As usual, insert image of on ride video and photos.

We kind of window shopped a bit, people watched a bit, then headed towards lunch

After our Colony was called, we took our seat and placed our orders. Totally forgot what room we were seated in. We were at a round table by a window. Bad trip reporter I am.

MJ and R had the Patriot Slushie

I had Fish & Chips again.

I did not have the Oooey Gooey Toffee Cake for dessert. I had the lovely raspberry sorbet. M had the toffee cake and agreed it was delicious.

I think we maybe went Under the Sea and then my sister wanted to go after more popcorn buckets. During the hunt for two more, she had found out that the Christmas Tree popcorn bucket and Jingle Bell sipper were at Animal Kingdom. I actually like that Jingle Bell sipper so I agreed to go with her and the girls after our next reservation.

 

[LadyBelle]

November 7

Goodbye Magic Kingdom

Goodbye Space Mountain and Tron Construction.

Hello (and goodbye) Contemporary!

Our final destination wasThe Grand Floridian. I made reservations for the Garden View Tea Room. We had a few minutes to wait, so we watched the gingerbread house being constructed.The guys hung out here while we had tea.

We were seated and my mom, sister, and myself went with the Bedfordshire Tea package and the girls has the Mrs. Potts tea. My mom had a floral tea which she thoroughly enjoyed. I had some sort of chocolate tea, which didn’t really have any sort of chocolate taste. My sister went with the chocolate milk like the girls.

I wasn’t a fan of the curry sandwich or the pear sandwich, but the others were delicious.

Chef José came out to discuss the gluten free options. He was so nice and charming. He later brought out a couple of Tinkerbell glow clips for the girls.

My mother had a wonderful time. She had always wanted to go to high tea and this was as close as I could get.

After out tea, my sister, the girls and I headed towards the AK bus, while everyone else took the monorail back to MK to take the bus back to POP.

 

[LadyBelle]

November 7 Continued

My sister accomplished her popcorn bucket quest and obtained the Christmas Tree popcorn bucket. We both picked up the Jingle Bell Sipper. Because R had received good grades that reporting period, my sister asked if I could take her to ride some of the rides without her sister. So they grabbed the POP bus and we grabbed the Poly/GF bus to pick up the monorail, as their bag check wouldn’t be as long as just taking the MK bus from AK.

Our first ride was, of course, the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness

Then to TTA Peoplemover

We decided to try and defeat Zurg. Buzz Was having back problems

And we wrapped up the night with a little Laugh Floor

We then grabbed the buss back to POP to turn in for the night before our long ride home.

 

[LadyBelle]

November 8

It was an early rise

Some early morning shots after loading the car

We missed MVMCP, as it opened that day

We then ate breakfast, cleaned out our remaining snack credits, and settled our parking fees (they had charged both my parents and me for parking, when I rode with them).

And I bid goodbye to my happy place, unsure of when I’ll see it again.

 

[LadyBelle]

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was a great trip. I got to share this with my parents, who hadn‘t been in about 35 years. I got to see my best friend, who I hadn’t seen in about seven.

I put too much pressure on myself, making sure that everyone was happy and had experiences. My sister always adds to my frustration, and I let her get to me at times.

Since my niece has married (and now has a child), that travel buddy has gone and SJ isn’t quite fond of going to Disney every year. So I can say I’m not sure when I will be back. My parents have talked about an adults only trip, but my sister won’t go without her grandchildren. And if we were to go back together, we’d have to find a way to get to Disney from the train station. The drive was too long for my dad overall and they do not fly.

Enjoy some random pictures, as they got out of order when I transferred the, from my iPhone to my iPad

I should have purchased this. I had quite the laugh

Some Storm Troopers were questioning SJ over the use of her “Data Pad.” After taking this picture

Me: CALL ME!
Stormtrooper: NO

My big purchase this trip

Thank you all for sticking with me through the work delays and general Disney blues that I still have.

Everyone have a Magical Evening!

 

[Swissmiss]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us

 

[Darstarr]

Just finished. It’s not you, it was me.
Loved it!
Thank you for sharing.
BTW...sisters, am I right???