Trip Report No Sounds Like Summer? We'll JOURNEY Anyway! *COMPLETED*

It was this week last summer that @TrolleyFollower91 and I had an epic girls trip to WDW.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...e-july-journey-completed.917246/#post-7369605

On our first day we rocked to the music of DSB ~ the ultimate Journey tribute band ~ at the America Gardens Theater in Epcot. It was an event we'll always remember. DSB was the final band in the annual "Sounds Like Summer" concert series. The lead singer said the band was looking forward to returning next summer.

And here we are.....it's "next summer."

But there has been no "Sounds Like Summer" concert series in 2017.
No DSB.

Don't. Stop. Believin'.

Em and I refuse to go our Separate Ways. We have too much fun together. We have one last chance to do WDW together before school starts and by golly we're gonna do it....even without DSB.

Want to tag along?

Attempting a full-fledged LIVE trip report is daunting and difficult, so I decided to follow @TheMouseFan's lead and be LIVE-ish. Real time pics and updates to be expanded on after my return home.

Oh, and I will finish my currently-in-progress trip report.

Who's ready for Summer #2?

We are!!

 

[Tiggerish]

My fridge magnet says it all ~

View attachment 220222

Amen, sistah. There is nothing about camping that I find enticing.

 

[DisneyGigi]

I never thought of it but Bass Pro Shops do look like WL! Like someone else said though - without all of the dead animals. I hate when my son and hubby drag me in those places, it is like a thousand dead accusing eyes staring at me. Great report, as always! Can't wait to read the full one.

 

[onesandzeros]

Buckle-up .... here we go AGAIN!

Just finished reading last report and ready for another.

 

[Tuvalu]

I never thought of it but Bass Pro Shops do look like WL! Like someone else said though - without all of the dead animals. I hate when my son and hubby drag me in those places, it is like a thousand dead accusing eyes staring at me. Great report, as always! Can't wait to read the full one.

Buckle-up .... here we go AGAIN!

Just finished reading last report and ready for another.

Hope to get started on the full details unabridged report soon!

 

[newhorizons1]

My fridge magnet says it all ~

View attachment 220222

I love Anne Taintor things! I had this as a tote bag that I used in college. I really wish I knew where it was because I know I did not get rid of it!

 

[Tuvalu]

I love Anne Taintor things! I had this as a tote bag that I used in college. I really wish I knew where it was because I know I did not get rid of it!

I was unfamiliar with Anne Taintor until you mentioned her by name. My magnet was a gift from a friend who knows how much I dislike camping.

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

I'm late, but I'm here! Finally finished reading your last report and looking forward to this one (which is obviously no longer live)!

 

[Tuvalu]

Kona got tired waiting for me to start the detailed report.

He may be sleeping for awhile.

 

[fractal]

Kona got tired waiting for me to start the detailed report.

View attachment 223773

He may be sleeping for awhile.

I'm with Kona!

 

[MinnieM123]

Kona got tired waiting for me to start the detailed report.

View attachment 223773

He may be sleeping for awhile.

Kona thinks you've moved out.

 

[Tuvalu]

And Kona's still waiting......

 

[PacNWTigger]

So is Gizmo...

 

[Tuvalu]

View attachment 225957
So is Gizmo...

Well Gizmo and Kona would be friends for sure!!

 

[rshell68]

 

[Tuvalu]

Kona has threatened to attack all the stuffed plush until I fill in the details from this July vacation, so I'd better get started!

From the beginning.......the unabridged version.

Sunday, July 23

In a very real way, this trip is @Doc Disney's fault. It was early June and I was reading one of her (many ) trip reports where she mentioned having upcoming trips in July, August (2!) and November. I texted Em that Doc had four trips planned and this was her reply:

"I only have one more Disney trip to look forward to." (Our June vacation)

Cue the tears. And the tug on Mom's heartstrings.

I immediately logged on to the Passholder site and found an incredible rate for Wilderness Lodge. Doc has great success in scoring deals on resort rooms and I finally got some of her pixie dust! I booked the last week of Em's summer vacation. (Yes we southerners go back to school really early.)

We planned to drive down up until a few days before departure (when Woody decided he couldn't join us.) The weekly email from Southwest had landed in my inbox and on a lark I checked flights. Last minute cheap fares to Orlando? Yes, please!

Woody drove us to the airport at 8:45 am and we picked up wraps and bottled water to take on the plane for lunch. This ended up being a good decision since "due to weather conditions" Southwest did not offer beverage/snack service during our flight. It was sunny in both Atlanta and Orlando and we encountered no turbulence in the air.

Coincidence that last minute cheap fare = no service? You decide.

Since Em loved Pandora so much in June it was only appropriate to snap this shot ~

Too late to receive DME yellow tags so Em had to retrieve her suitcase from the baggage carousel.

Apparently 1 pm on a Sunday is an excellent time to use Magical Express.

I got texted our room number while on the bus so our vacation was already off to a great start!

 

[myhappyplace]

Em does not look to be pleased about getting her own luggage...

 

[Tuvalu]

Em does not look to be pleased about getting her own luggage...

Yeah, especially since I made her take her big bag so I wouldn't have to check a suitcase.

 

[Figaro Family]

Kona has threatened to attack all the stuffed plush until I fill in the details from this July vacation, so I'd better get started!

View attachment 228272

From the beginning.......the unabridged version.

Sunday, July 23

In a very real way, this trip is @Doc Disney's fault. It was early June and I was reading one of her (many ) trip reports where she mentioned having upcoming trips in July, August (2!) and November. I texted Em that Doc had four trips planned and this was her reply:

"I only have one more Disney trip to look forward to." (Our June vacation)

Cue the tears. And the tug on Mom's heartstrings.

I immediately logged on to the Passholder site and found an incredible rate for Wilderness Lodge. Doc has great success in scoring deals on resort rooms and I finally got some of her pixie dust! I booked the last week of Em's summer vacation. (Yes we southerners go back to school really early.)

We planned to drive down up until a few days before departure (when Woody decided he couldn't join us.) The weekly email from Southwest had landed in my inbox and on a lark I checked flights. Last minute cheap fares to Orlando? Yes, please!

Woody drove us to the airport at 8:45 am and we picked up wraps and bottled water to take on the plane for lunch. This ended up being a good decision since "due to weather conditions" Southwest did not offer beverage/snack service during our flight. It was sunny in both Atlanta and Orlando and we encountered no turbulence in the air.

Coincidence that last minute cheap fare = no service? You decide.

Since Em loved Pandora so much in June it was only appropriate to snap this shot ~
View attachment 228273

Too late to receive DME yellow tags so Em had to retrieve her suitcase from the baggage carousel.

View attachment 228274

Apparently 1 pm on a Sunday is an excellent time to use Magical Express.
View attachment 228281

View attachment 228282

I got texted our room number while on the bus so our vacation was already off to a great start!

Way to go Kona!

 

[Big Hair]

I have been patiently waiting. Glad you finally were able to get back to the trip report. I appreciate the time and effort. I barely have the time to follow a few of these great trip reports that are done here let alone do one myself. So many wonderful people sharing the magic we all love. So I make it a point to follow a few that I know occur on a semi regular basis.

 

[LSV]

Great timing, I need a distraction, thanks Kona!