Trip Report Never tell me the odds! ***Completed***

Extreme temperatures, toddler tantrums and family tension- what could go wrong?

Pre-trip is here. I think I’ve reached that sweet spot where it’s been enough time where I’ve recovered from the trip it not too much time where I’ve forgotten it.

Let’s get this rolling.

When: August 4th-10th 2023
Where: Pop Century
Cast:

• Me (BES)
• My 2yo daughter (Lil BES)
• My parents
• My 24yo brother
• My 12yo nephew (son of another brother who is passed away ~7 years ago)

Supporting Cast:

• My husband (DH)
• My brother’s dog (Elly)
• My brother’s rabbit (Bambi - don’t even get me started on the name…)
• Our dog (Maeby)

Spoiler: Track #1:

I really enjoyed the accompanying soundtrack last TR so I plan on doing it again.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

As everyone has already said, you are an amazing mum and it has been a joy reading this trip report.

 

[k8einwdw]

You all will be shocked to learn my parents took off and let the rest of us try to get lil BES into her stroller and then when that failed, walk with her.

So, any more family trips planned soon?

In all seriousness, props to you for being a Bad-AlienSwirlingSaucers mom and making sure everyone and everything was taken care of on the trip.

 

[Tiki Traveler]

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

For being an amazing mom, daughter, sister and aunt.

And for a great TR!

@Tuvalu said it all; I can only add: ditto!

You are an amazing Mom, daughter, sister, aunt AND Trip Reporter!!! Thank you for taking us with you!!

As everyone has already said, you are an amazing mum and it has been a joy reading this trip report.

Thank you all so much.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

This I laughed out loud at this comment. Please do another trip report soon, you are really really good at it!

Aww thanks. And soon? Ok. Because you asked so nicely.

And music curator! (Just had to google Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros)

Thanks! And I’m the least knowledgeable person in my house on music. DH is a huge music nerd so I get exposed to a lot of stuff.

So, any more family trips planned soon?

In all seriousness, props to you for being a Bad-AlienSwirlingSaucers mom and making sure everyone and everything was taken care of on the trip.

Aww thanks. I glad I was able to do it. Just wish it wasn’t so exhausting.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Epilogue:

My nephew and lil BES had a wonderful trip and that’s the most important thing. I think the rest of my family had a good time too. And DH enjoyed his week off (although he said it was terribly lonely).

As for me? I’m not going to say I didn’t have fun because I did but this trip combined with my crazy summer at work was a bit of a stress sandwich.

Very quickly into the trip I decided that this was the last trip I would take in August.

I also decided that this was the last trip I would coordinate with family. If people want to have overlapping trips that’s cool but it brings me no joy to be the coordinator anymore.

During my trip debriefing with DH he sensed that this trip wasn’t quite as therapeutic for me as usual. I also lamented that this last minute trip then messed up my plan for the trip I wanted to take in winter 2024.

To make a long story short, I then ended up booking a bounceback-just to have it. We all know how that usually goes- we leave in 10 days.

If the craziness of life permits, I might do a combined pre-TR/TR. Time is short but I need some WDW wisdom and input.

Much thanks to everyone for following along. I hope you enjoyed it.

Spoiler

 

[Swissmiss]

LOL - never say never about a trip in August - I said that after the first time we went in August, and then 11 years later we had a second trip in August . My DD was 6 the first time and 17 the second so I think it was more tolerable because I really only needed to take care of myself in the heat (and with a 17 yo I did a lot of solo activities because I don’t sleep my days away ).

Glad you are able to go back soon without extra baggage family members.

 

[sheriffwoody]

I'm only on page 2 but had to go ahead and comment! I hate that we missed you by just a day or two! I think LP and lil BES would get along swimmingly, they could listen to classic rock together Joan Jett was probably LP's number one last year, but I need to get her on some Jimi Hendrix too.

Looking forward to the rest! Ages 2 and 3 have been my favorite so far with LP. It's just such a fun age! 4 was a doozy and 5 just started, so we'll see...haha

 

[sheriffwoody]

Just got to the end and you got there one day after us AGAIN! We just got home the 18th Hope you're having a wonderful trip!! I love reading about your adventures and your commentary is great

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

I'm only on page 2 but had to go ahead and comment! I hate that we missed you by just a day or two! I think LP and lil BES would get along swimmingly, they could listen to classic rock together Joan Jett was probably LP's number one last year, but I need to get her on some Jimi Hendrix too.

I suspect our girls would get along well too.

DH’s attitude with music is that any music can be children’s music if children like it. She was really into Black Sabbath for a while too but Jimi still remains #1.

Looking forward to the rest! Ages 2 and 3 have been my favorite so far with LP. It's just such a fun age! 4 was a doozy and 5 just started, so we'll see...haha

This stage is definitely fun. Just somehow even more exhausting than the newborn stage. Hopefully 5 and on are smooth sailing for you.

Just got to the end and you got there one day after us AGAIN! We just got home the 18th Hope you're having a wonderful trip!! I love reading about your adventures and your commentary is great

Oh dang that we keep missing each other. One of these times.

And thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.

 

[fractal]

Wednesday August 9th (Day 6) Continued :

The options for a toddler are limited at DHS. MMRR had too long of a wait so we ended up at the Mickey Shorts Theater.

Lil BES loved the cartoon. So much in fact that she wanted to watch it again.

The CMs said we could stay for another viewing but just as it was starting up again lil BES decided she wanted to leave.

We explored the exit lobby area for a while.

View attachment 760858

The boys had text my mom that they were now at DHS and were hungry. It was decided we would all have lunch at PizzeRizzo.

Lil BES decided she was not going. Anywhere.

My mom quickly went to find the boys. My dad stayed with me for a bit and tried his best to convince lil BES get back in the stroller.

Soon I recommend he go on too. It would just take time for her to fully cycle through the tantrum and at least one of us should start enjoying lunch.

Here she is flopping around on the ground. Much thanks to all of the people who politely walked around her every time a show let out.

View attachment 760857

As I was waiting the tantrum out I put in a mobile order for PizzeRizzo. As I went to check out, the app suggested an Italian margarita. Easiest up-sell ever.

Eventually the tantrum passed and I convinced lil BES to head to lunch. This was my first time ever at PizzeRizzo and the whole family enjoyed it.

View attachment 760860

The pizza cookie was a bit hit.

View attachment 760859

After lunch lil BES and I started back to POP for a nap. Lil BES asked to see Chewie again on way out. I said no because he was “taking a nap”.

No, lil BES said he was eating lunch.

I asked her what he was eating. “A Chewie sandwich.”

Lil BES and I Skylined back the room and she took a snooze.

Spoiler: Track #20:

I want a Chewie sandwich!