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 I was recovering, trying to realize the embarrassment of losing my shoe, we decided to visit Ariel since we were right there. Of course, we managed to get stuck on her ride, but I was happy to rest for a few minutes..

After that, it was around 3 PM so we were just in time to settle on over to Liberty Square to watch the 3 PM FoF parade- I do love this parade

 

[Figment Forever]

We took a spin on Haunted Mansion…

and went on over to the wildest ride in the wilderness.

And then we got called to enter the grid over Tron!

 

[Figment Forever]

 

[Figment Forever]

 

[Figment Forever]

Then it was time for us to do something new that we had never done before! And that was to go on a Jingle Cruise. Hope and I were very excited. It was fun. I love how they got to change things up and decorate. But I have to admit, I have lost my love for Jungle Cruise or Jingle Cruise. Isn’t that horrifying? I can’t believe I’m saying that because I really did love the ride. But I don’t know, it just doesn’t do it for me these days. Not even with the pretty decorations.

One thing that did not disappoint was I finally got to try those cheeseburger spring rolls! Oh my goodness… Yum! Ross was not completely impressed. He enjoyed the cream cheese pretzel more. But I was completely hooked.

And I may have gotten my trip reports a little mixed up. I may have said that I tried these on our past September trip, but I didn’t. This was something new to me today.

After our Jingle Cruise, we went to see the Tiki Birds and had some ice cream. I mean… How can you not have a Dole Whip when you’re in Adventure Land? Then we settled into see the Bears and then it was time for HEA.

It was too cold to take any pictures. I was freezing! We huddled together to stay warm. Which isn’t too much of a stretch when you’re watching HEA or fireworks at Disney World in general.

When the show ended, we still had a couple of hours of park time, but it was honestly too chilly to hang around. Hope did manage to convince us to watch the monsters one more time, so we did, but then headed back to ASMovies.

And I realize that I had to think and put together a better plan for warm clothes at night at Disney World.

 

[TheMouseFan]

At least you had put socks on and not decided to go barefoot in your sandals!! Brian had the same thing happen to him with his flip flop falling off, but his was on Jungle Cruise and he reflexively reached into the water and grabbed his shoe before the CMs could stop him. They were not happy with him!! And I agree with you that those crocs are pretty hideous! I hate that they've started adding on all of the extra crap and making them so bright and gaudy. I have the plain white Mickey ones that I wear occasionally for short periods of time, but I don't think I could wear them all day long in the park!

 

[Adventure]

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.

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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.

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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…

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we were off to Magic Kingdom!

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Same thing happened to my sneakers last week at Universal. Sneakers were completely soaked and they do not dry overnight in the Caribbean Beach rooms. I learned a trick on these boards a few years ago. If you bring newspaper with you and stuff it in your shoes overnight it pulls the moisture out by morning. I used it and my friend used it and we were able to wear our favorite sneakers all week. She did say who gets a newspaper anymore these days!

 

[Swissmiss]

I’m glad you only lost your sandal (but I am not glad you lost your sandal ) because the way you described what was happening gave me flashbacks to an accident I had nearly 3 months ago when I broke 3 toes! I found myself holding my breath as I read because I was afraid you were going to say you lost your balance and face planted . (I quite liked your sandals so I hope the missing one was eventually fished out of the water).

 

[Bullseye1967]

I am happy to say that they all got new homes. I was pretty impressed that people came and only took one, not hogging them all. A couple of moms even sent pictures of their daughters wearing the dresses. It was pretty cool. And it was a good feeling to spread a little pixie dust around.

What a great idea! Kudos to you!!

 

[cgersic]

Oh my, those Crocs definitely stand out in your photos! And sorry to others, but I completely agree with you on Jungle Cruise. Just hits different these days for me, which is fine since the wait time is always so long!

 

[riverside]

I’m so sorry that happened to you but I have to admit I was laughing pretty good at your story!! Especially about the Crocs!!

 

[luvinthemajik]

I’m so sorry that happened to you but I have to admit I was laughing pretty good at your story!! Especially about the Crocs!!

You just have that Oh well, it is what it is attitude, taking it all in stride, the Crocs story was hysterical, and I thought your Crocs were festive and unique !!

 

[erstwo]

It’s the moment you had to watch the shoe float away in the current for me. . I can just imagine the sense of ‘nooooo’ I would be feeling!

 

[dizfan917]

I thought maybe Ross would have tried to concoct some contraption out of an old popcorn box and a merchandise bag, some STAPLES and maybe some old balloon string as a substitute for your missing shoe. ha!

Glad you got some replacements... ugly as they may be... hee hee.

 

[Figment Forever]

At least you had put socks on and not decided to go barefoot in your sandals!! Brian had the same thing happen to him with his flip flop falling off, but his was on Jungle Cruise and he reflexively reached into the water and grabbed his shoe before the CMs could stop him. They were not happy with him!! And I agree with you that those crocs are pretty hideous! I hate that they've started adding on all of the extra crap and making them so bright and gaudy. I have the plain white Mickey ones that I wear occasionally for short periods of time, but I don't think I could wear them all day long in the park!

Yes, I was very glad I had my cozy socks on. I honestly don't know how Hope can wear her Crocs ALL the time and with NO socks. She would wear them in the ice and snow if let her.

I sort of wish I had tried to grab my flip-flop, but it was nowhere in sight. It must have sunk immediately. I'm glad Brian was able to get his sandal back, even if he was scolded! lol

Same thing happened to my sneakers last week at Universal. Sneakers were completely soaked and they do not dry overnight in the Caribbean Beach rooms. I learned a trick on these boards a few years ago. If you bring newspaper with you and stuff it in your shoes overnight it pulls the moisture out by morning. I used it and my friend used it and we were able to wear our favorite sneakers all week. She did say who gets a newspaper anymore these days!

Thanks!!! I will have to remember that for next time! I HATE the feeling of my feet being wet in soaking wet sneakers!

I’m glad you only lost your sandal (but I am not glad you lost your sandal ) because the way you described what was happening gave me flashbacks to an accident I had nearly 3 months ago when I broke 3 toes! I found myself holding my breath as I read because I was afraid you were going to say you lost your balance and face planted . (I quite liked your sandals so I hope the missing one was eventually fished out of the water).

Oh my! So sorry to hear that!!! That sounds so painful!! No - they made it very clear I would not be getting my shoe back.

What a great idea! Kudos to you!!

Thank you! It was fun. I sort of wish Hope had more dresses so I could do it again! lol

Oh my, those Crocs definitely stand out in your photos! And sorry to others, but I completely agree with you on Jungle Cruise. Just hits different these days for me, which is fine since the wait time is always so long!

Glad to have someone side with me about JC.. I feel like I'm such a traitor! lol My Crocs got a new home when I returned home... Julia adopted them and wore them to an "Ugly" Christmas Sweater Party.

I’m so sorry that happened to you but I have to admit I was laughing pretty good at your story!! Especially about the Crocs!!

I have now decided that our family has a foot calamity issue when we go away. lol

You just have that Oh well, it is what it is attitude, taking it all in stride, the Crocs story was hysterical, and I thought your Crocs were festive and unique !!

Thank you!! I try to live by, "It is was it is". I just believe that when things go wrong, you have to find something to lighten it up.

It’s the moment you had to watch the shoe float away in the current for me. . I can just imagine the sense of ‘nooooo’ I would be feeling!

That was exactly it... lol

I thought maybe Ross would have tried to concoct some contraption out of an old popcorn box and a merchandise bag, some STAPLES and maybe some old balloon string as a substitute for your missing shoe. ha!

Glad you got some replacements... ugly as they may be... hee hee.

HaHa - You're right! Good thing Disney gave me a replacement or Ross would have had to come up with something like that!!!

 

[Figment Forever]

Day 4 – December 12th

I woke up extremely excited for today. Today was our Epcot day. And I was super excited to check out festival of the holidays and the cookie stroll and the glimmering greenhouses and all the storytellers from around the world. Hope was equally excited and she was looking forward to over California and finally being able to check out the new Moana attraction. Ross was just happy to be there and going to Epcot. He was excited for the festival food, not necessarily cookies. But we were all looking forward to the day.

I had hoped that Rob from Ear Scouts would have already posted his YouTube video on the festival, but alas, it came out that morning. So I was trying to listen to his suggestions and commentaries as I was getting ready for the day.

I was so excited for the candlelight procession. We had two days planned in Epcot… today and in two days. I had a candlelight procession package booked for our next day in Epcot, but I thought I’d give it a shot to see if we could just get in standby. Spoiler alert…. It was a fail.

Tonight Brendan Fraser would be the speaker, and I was so excited that we got him. Out of all the storytellers, he was at the top of my list, and I was so excited that our trip coincided with his presentation. Unfortunately, the day that packages went on sale I completely forgot! And I didn’t realize until the next day when obviously every one of his performances were sold out. So I made it a point to stalk out the reservation system and soon enough I was able to book an early lunch at the Garden Grill for the 8 PM performance. It actually took me a few different times. Originally I booked a different restaurant for the earliest performance, but I managed to get the time and restaurant I wanted. Not that I said the restaurant I wanted. Ross wanted Germany, but I did not. However, I honestly would have booked Germany, if it came up, but it never did.

I was also done with wearing my festive holiday Crocs. My feet would not make it another day. So, still not wanting to be that person who puts her sneaker in the dryer at the laundromat, I figured out the next best thing.

Yup. My hair dryer became a shoe dryer. And it took a little bit of time, but I managed to dry my sneakers. Good enough to wear without having my feet wet.

We headed out to the movies and hopped the bus to Epcot.

Still not finished... But I had high hopes for what it would be when finally done.

It was about 10:30 AM by the time we entered Epcot. And Hope made it very clear. The first thing you needed to do was to go check out the journey of water with Moana. Hope was so excited!!!

 

[Figment Forever]

Moana was OK. I think it would’ve fit better in Animal Kingdom, but that’s just my humble opinion. Hope enjoyed it. Maybe I would enjoy it more in the hot summer months?

We walked over to find Nemo and then went to the turtle show. Depending upon the audience, crush can be hilarious!

Then we went to visit My favorite dragon who was decked out for the season!

 

[Figment Forever]

By now, we are all pretty hungry so we decided to head over to world showcase and check out all the holiday kitchens. I think I was most excited for world showcase, and all the different countries with the storytellers.

Since we had a returned time for frozen, we wrote that, and then Ross got picked up a few treats in the bakery. I have to say, I ingested way too many cookies this trip, but the gingerbread caramel cookies that he got from here was simply outrageous! Actually, I can’t remember if he picked it up in Norway or Germany. I’m thinking it was the bakery in Germany, where they have the caramel popcorn. Someone help me…

 

[Figment Forever]

We stopped in Italy to hear their storyteller. She was absolutely amazing! And being Italian, I was perplexed that I had never heard this story before.

Oh, Hope was on the hunt for Olaf! We had purchased that scavenger hunt. I think I mentioned in my last trip report, that Ross has no patience for these things. I think mostly because once Hope starts something, she has to finish it. So we wanted to move on, and check out other things, especially if we couldn’t find Olaf, she dug her heels in and would not leave the country until she found him.

I did not mind. I thought it was fun enjoyed along with her.

We stopped in America to get the turkey dinner and the gingerbread cookies.

Now Julia was very sad that she could not join us on this trip. She had always wanted to see Disney and Christmas time. But Work and studies kept her from it. I promised her that I would bring her home an assortment of cookies. So I purchased at least two everywhere I went. And yes... I had brought ziplocks and plastic containers from home to transport them home in.

The Turkey dinner here was very yummy although it didn’t look so great, the gingerbread cookie looked awesome but was very dry and tasteless. I have to add, at home I bake a lot of cookies. So I have become quite the cookie snob. I want my cookies to taste homemade and not store-bought. This one tasted like a store-bought cookie.

 

[pkkurz]

It’s from Germany. Delicious.