Trip Report Merry Birthday To All... And To One, A New Pair Of Crocs??? Dec 23

Day 1… December 9,2023

We were all beyond excited to visit Disney World during Christmas time. We had decided to make it a triple birthday celebration. Hope‘s birthday being December 22, mine December 28 and Ross is January 3. It was the perfect celebration. Although it was strange not to be accompanied by Julia. My sweet gorl had too much school work to do and could not get away to come with us.

I’ll be honest, I took zero notes on this trip. I don’t know what I was thinking… so I’m going directly from memory.

I helped out with Ross the morning we were leaving. We had a late flight out. I was hoping we could make it on an earlier one. We managed to get to the airport and switch to the earlier flight. I was happy because that meant we could head to downtown Disney and have some Blaze Pizza. Oops sorry… Disney Springs.

At the airport, we ended up having a couple of hours before our flight and we were starving, so (after a quick stop at the Lego Store) we stopped and got something to eat at Flavortown - Guy Fieri‘s kitchen and bar. I’ll be honest, the food was really good, but it was so expensive!

 

[Figment Forever]

As soon as we walked in the park, the Merry Menagerie greeted us. Again, Ross did not quite get the fascination. I have to admit, it was very cute. Hope met with each one.

 

[Figment Forever]

Aside from that, Animal Kingdom just felt like Animal Kingdom… with one exception- the Safari!

Maybe it’s because we have only ever visited in the hot summer months. And today was cool. As we went through the Safari, I have never seen so many animals and so much activity! It was quite exciting.

I’m not sure how Ross managed a nap on the Safari ride, but hey… if you need a power nap…go for it!

 

[Figment Forever]

After our Safari, we went over to Pandora and rode flight of passage and then got our Pandora drinks.

We picked up our passholder magnets. I was so excited to get figment!

 

[Figment Forever]

We rode dinosaur and took a whirl on triceratops spin

Then we went to go see festival of the lion King.

 

[Figment Forever]

The only other thing that I really wanted to do was ride Expedition Everest. It is my second favorite ride and all of Disney World. it was my number one until Cosmic Rewind took its place. Hope and I managed to ride it twice while Ross settled at one time.

Hope really wanted to go on the Navy River journey. Both Ross and I don’t like this one. IMO, it is like a boat ride through Woodstock with those black velvet paintings all over with the dark all around you. But since we didn’t get to ride in September, I knew I had to keep my promise and take her on.

I was hopeful that after our journey, we would be able to stick around and see Pandora at night time. I had always heard how beautiful it was, and we are never there that late and at the right time of year for that to happen because it’s always too light out. Tonight would be different. Or so I thought.

 

[Figment Forever]

Unfortunately, when we exited the ride into Pandora, it had started to rain. The rain continued, not just a drizzle, and not just a steady rain, but a brutal downpour that pelted us as Hope and I donned our ponchos. It was so bad, that my husband asked me to purchase him not only a hat, but a Disney poncho! And I had no problem with that.

As we left the gift shop, I knew there were no chance to see glow-in-the-dark Pandora. We started to make our way out of the parks, walking in ankle deep puddles and puddles of water. With the rain not stopping a single second as we swam our way to the buses.

We didn’t have to go far though. Our next stop was Animal Kingdom Lodge. Why? More gingerbread of course!

The ginger- affe and the ginger zebra were absolutely exquisite!

And of course, I had to buy an actual gingerbread giraffe for me and I purchased one for Julia to bring home to her.

 

[meggo819]

I had an idea to pack them with us and offer them up to other little princesses in Disney World, so that’s what I did. I posted on my Pop century Facebook group and hung them outside our door along with an outgrown pair of Crocs.

What a wonderful idea!

Always enjoy your reports, but especially excited to see this one with holiday decorations because we’re going mid-November this year.

 

[Figment Forever]

And although I’ll admit, I snacked on quite a bit of gingerbread, I was hungry for real food. We all were. So from animal Kingdom Lodge, we took a bus to Disney Springs and went to the polite pig.

Hope wanted to do more of the Christmas tree trail at Disney Springs, but the rain had not let up much. So we called it an early night and went back to our hotel to relax and dry off.

 

[Figment Forever]

What a wonderful idea!

Always enjoy your reports, but especially excited to see this one with holiday decorations because we’re going mid-November this year.

Thank you! It was so much fun spreading some pixie dust!! It was a great time to visit. I'm glad I went with somewhat of a plan because I feel as though we didn't still get to see everything we wanted to.

 

[Figment Forever]

What a wonderful idea!

Always enjoy your reports, but especially excited to see this one with holiday decorations because we’re going mid-November this year.

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[erstwo]

The only other thing that I really wanted to do was ride Expedition Everest. It is my second favorite ride and all of Disney World. it was my number one until Cosmic Rewind took its place. Hope and I managed to ride it twice while Ross settled at one time.

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Hope really wanted to go on the Navy River journey. Both Ross and I don’t like this one. IMO, it is like a boat ride through Woodstock with those black velvet paintings all over with the dark all around you. But since we didn’t get to ride in September, I knew I had to keep my promise and take her on.

View attachment 815547View attachment 815548View attachment 815549View attachment 815550View attachment 815551

I was hopeful that after our journey, we would be able to stick around and see Pandora at night time. I had always heard how beautiful it was, and we are never there that late and at the right time of year for that to happen because it’s always too light out. Tonight would be different. Or so I thought.

Omg! Black velvet paintings! I am dying. That’s so accurate

 

[RememberWhen]

Love the gifted dresses! What a sweet idea.
Did you make it over to beach club? I love their gingerbread display.

 

[cgersic]

Yay Christmas!!! You're getting me excited for my trip Dec 20-23rd this year! That was a superb idea about the donated dresses!!

 

[joshsprincess921]

Aww love what you did with the dresses! That's such a good idea. Also, love that you started another report!

 

[fractal]

Finally made it. Great start!

 

[Figment Forever]

Omg! Black velvet paintings! I am dying. That’s so accurate

Love the gifted dresses! What a sweet idea.
Did you make it over to beach club? I love their gingerbread display.

We did!! I will post pics from that day!

Yay Christmas!!! You're getting me excited for my trip Dec 20-23rd this year! That was a superb idea about the donated dresses!!

Thank you!! Have a wonderful trip!!

Aww love what you did with the dresses! That's such a good idea. Also, love that you started another report!

Thank you!!!

Finally made it. Great start!

Thanks !! Wouldn't be a TR without you!

 

[Figment Forever]

Day 3 – December 11, 2023

As soon as I opened my eyes in the morning, I managed to snag a boarding group for Tron - Group 86. Not too shabby I thought!

We woke up today happy to see the sun shining and the rain had gone. However, my sneakers were a sad casualty of the torrential downpours the night before. They were absolutely saturated.

I hadn’t brought a spare pair of sneakers, and I didn’t want to be “that” person who put her sneakers in the dryer in the laundromat, so I had to make a decision… Either I wear Hope’s sneakers that she had brought which were a half a size too small for my feet, or I wear my flip-flops that I had brought, which given the cooler temperatures, I didn’t really want cold feet. Ross made the suggestion that I go with the flip-flops because he said my feet would not feel so good after a couple of hours walking in shoes that were a half a size too small. I had to agree with him, so my resolution was to put on a nice pair of my cozy socks along with my flip-flops. And although I had hated the fashion statement I was making, my feet were comfortable and semi-warm.

As soon as we managed to get ready and grab some coffee from the food court – and snapped a few pics from the box picture taker…

we were off to Magic Kingdom!

 

[Figment Forever]

I was very excited to see the kingdom, all decked out for Christmas - not that I don’t like pumpkins, however, I have only seen the Magic Kingdom in her fall attire, so I was very excited for this new experience! And so was Hope!

Main Street did not disappoint. It was absolutely beautiful in all her Christmas glory. We all took it in and Hope was excited to take photos of the windows just as much as I was excited to take photos of the trees.

After we had our fill, (much to Ross’ relief), we headed to our monster friends. Hope was hoping that they would do a Christmas layover, but I told her that I thought it was only for the party, which we were not going to be attending this year.

 

[Figment Forever]

After we helped out with Monstopolis, I wanted to try a new treat that I had read about online for quite some time, but never gotten. A warm stuffed cream cheese pretzel! Ross was a little unsure until he took a bite and then all three of us were hooked! Even Hope found a new snack that she enjoyed! She had never eaten a pretzel before!

Buzz was up next and thanks to a minor breakdown and a pause in the middle of the ride, Hope managed to max out her score for the first time! We did not request stickers at the end, however since we were not true Galactic warriors!

 

[Figment Forever]

We headed to SM and then to Philharmagic next.

When we were done listening to the Orchestra, we walked across the way to take a voyage on the happiest cruise that ever sailed.

When we got on, I FaceTimed my mom and dad. I motioned to them to be quiet and then I held up my phone and took them on our voyage. I caught peaks of them as we went through, and teared up because I saw that they were smiling and watching in wonder. I think they were more amazed at the technology that allowed us to do this, rather than the ride itself. Lol. But by the end, I blew them kiss and said I would talk to them.

I was happy and emotional. Maybe that’s what aided to what happened next…

As the boat came to a stop I was the first one to get out of our boat with Hope behind me and then Ross. As I placed my foot out on the landing and lifted myself up out of the boat, I felt the unthinkable start to happen. I held my breath because I knew what was going to happen, and I knew there was no way to stop it. It was the most horrifying feeling I had and even though it happened in a second, it felt like it was happening in slow motion. As I lifted my right foot out of the boat to join my left foot, which was firmly planted on the ground, I felt my flip flop begin to slide off. It was horrifying – I felt my flip flop start to separate from my cozy sock, but alas, it was too late for me to do anything, as I felt it slip away right off my foot and kerplunk right into the waters of It’s a Small World.

I stopped for a moment, but then continued placing my (shoeless) foot on the landing with the other, and froze. Ross had no idea what was going on and all I could get out of my mouth was “My shoe!” and pointed to the water. Hope dropped to the ground to Ross’ horror as I was still in shock. We immediately called for her to get up. I motioned for the CM to come over. And yes, on December 11 at around 1 PM, if you were waiting or stuck on small world, it was because of me and my now shoeless foot.

I stood there, paralyzed and embarrassed. The operator halted the ride and spoke to another CM and I think they spoke to the one CM way up on top too. She came back to me after a few moments got all the information about happened and then she told me that they are not able to do anything at that time because of how the ride works. They would not be searching for my shoe at any time. It was gone. She then wrote me out a coupon for a free pair of shoes up to $50.

I thanked her very much. And with my head hung low, I walked away with my family (who were quite amused) without my one flip-flop. Once I got out into the park, it was odd, but I couldn’t walk with one shoe on and one shoe off. It was completely throwing off my balance, so I had to remove my one remaining shoe.

I was now walking through MK in only my cozy socks trying to get to a store that sells shoes. The IASW cast member suggested I either try the Emporium or the circus souvenir store across from Dumbo. Since we were closest to Storybook Circus, we went there.

When we entered the store, I started to search for shoes. But to my horror, they only had one type and that would be Crocs. And they had two models. The one was leftovers from the 50th celebration and the other was the Christmas themed. They were both pretty ugly looking to me, Hope opted for the Christmas themed ones, and she won by default because they didn’t have my size in the other style. I brought them up to the cashier which now presented my second dilemma. The Crocs were over $50 and my coupon was for only up to $50. I was so embarrassed, I really did not have a problem paying the extra, but I asked the girl if she could just take my passholder discount first because that would bring it down and I obviously didn’t want any change back.

The cashier looked a bit puzzled, which led my husband to have me tell the story of what just happened to my poor shoe. She looked at me a little in disbelief, and assured me that she’s heard some crazier things that have happened. Somehow that didn’t make me feel much better, but she was very kind. She told me to hold on and she went to speak to a manager, who said it was perfectly fine for me to swap my coupon for a pair of Crocs without any worry of a price difference.

I was now the proud owner of the ugliest shoes known to mankind.

And I have to agree with my husband from several years back, they hurt my feet.