Trip Report Our (slightly) Unexpected Disney World Trip

You can never start a trip report too soon, so I’m starting this one as I’m waiting to check out of our hotel, sadly going home today.

The reason this trip is slightly unexpected is that six months ago we had no intention of going to Walt Disney World any time soon. Personally, I wanted to wait until things got a little more normal. But then my daughter threw a wrench in the works and got accepted to the Disney College Program. Since she’ll be working here for 6 months, we realized we HAD to come and visit her at her job launching boats in Mexico.

It was basically what I’d call a small trip (although my wife thinks we jammed so, so, so much into our five full days here.

Cast of characters: Myself (Steven), my wife (Jennifer), and youngest daughter, (Mik). Our cast member daughter (Samantha) was able to get a couple of days off so we were able to spend some time together.

One thing I have to say is my family has an aversion to having their pictures taken too much, so they’re missing from a lot of photos, but trust me, they were there.

Due to budgetary reasons, we stayed at the cheapest on-property room available: The All-Star Sports. I have to say I was not excited. I generally find the over-the-top theming obnoxious. No decent restaurant. The bus stops don’t have covering. I don’t even like sports. That said, we had a phenomenal time here. The grounds were immaculate. EVERY cast member seemed to go out of their way to be helpful. I had to speak to the manager a couple of times just to tell him how awesome everything was. I made several cast member compliments on the app. While I still have resorts I’d rather stay at, I’d stay here again without regrets.

I took a few thousand photos so I need time to download and sort, so there will be more to follow!

See you real soon!
 
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rshell68

Well-Known Member
While I have to admit that I don't like all of the changes, I gladly admit that Walt Disney World is STILL Walt Disney World. The feelings are the same. The escape, the fantasy, it's all still there.

The cast members were almost universally magnificent! They nearly all seemed to be going the extra mile. Disney service is alive and well.

This turned out to be one of the best Walt Disney World trips I've ever taken.
And Mik is now talking about applying for the Disney College Program after high school, so there may be another trip for us sooner than expected.
So glad to hear this!!!
 

Sbk1234

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Final Tally:
Attractions:
Epcot (two full days):
Ratatouille
Frozen Ever After
Living With the Land (2)
Journey into Your Imagination (2)
Soaring
Awesome Planet
The Seas With Nemo
Sea base
Spaceship Earth (2)
Mission Space
Test Track
Gran Fiesta Tour
Canada Far and Wide
American Adventure
Friendship
Reflections of China

Animal Kingdom:
Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King
Affection Section
Bird Show
Gorilla Trail
Avatar Flight of Passage
Dinosaur
It's Tough to be a Bug
Kilimanjaro Safari (2)
Navi River (2)
Wildlife Express Train

Studio:
Tower of Terror
Runaway Railway (2)
Indiana Jones Stunt Show
Star Tours
Toy Story Mania
Walt Disney exhibit

Magic Kingdom (With Genie Plus):
Peter Pan
Small World
Little Mermaid
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion (2)
Tiki Room
Country Bears
Splash Mountain
Swiss Family Treehouse
Hall of Presidents
Riverboat
Mickey's Philharmagic
People Mover
Laugh Floor
Carousel of Progress
Seven Dwarves Mine Train
Winnie the Pooh

Total attractions ridden/watched: 57

Total miles walked on theme park days: 42.7
Miles walked on travel days including non-theme park Disney stuff: 5.5
Total miles walked the entire trip: 48.2

Money spent: I'm terrified to figure this out.
 

cgersic

Well-Known Member
What a great time!!! Thank you so much for sharing it and you take some great selfies!!
Nick Wilde Selfie GIF
 

Sbk1234

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
3F2CEE76-F1C9-4854-B61A-388281E76032.jpeg

Because I just found this map, here’s where we stayed. Our room was right under the circled 3. It was very secluded, looking out to lots of greenery. The walk from the bus to the room was nice for helping me cool down and unwind after a long day in the parks.
E406CB07-E98C-4ADF-B7DD-538A501A48F1.jpeg

The view looked like this.
 

MickeyCB

Well-Known Member
Thanks for following along! I enjoyed making it. Once the trip is over all we really have left are the memories, so it means a lot to me to be able to share it.
I totally agree! It's fun to relook at all of the photos and remember what all you did. I actually got a little teared up when I was writing up our Oct. trip over something little with our first time traveling granddaughter!
 

Sbk1234

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I totally agree! It's fun to relook at all of the photos and remember what all you did. I actually got a little teared up when I was writing up our Oct. trip over something little with our first time traveling granddaughter!
Making memories…

I’m planning to scan in my photos from old trips from the 80s and 90s, and do ancient trip reports.
 

jasminethecat

Well-Known Member
@Sbk1234 Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us! You have a beautiful family and I am happy that your daughter is working at one of our favorite rides. The Mexico pavilion is a true gem at EPCOT, where people can escape the weather, crowds, noise and smells (especially for people with sensory issues). Also happy to hear some love for the All Star resorts, people like to poop on them but my first trip in 1996 was to All Star Movies and it set the stage for my unhealthy continuing obsession with WDW. I hate taking photos of my food like you, but it is nice to see what people order and hear their reviews. Great report!
 

Sbk1234

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Sounds like he needs to do a Disney trip with you to get some steps in!
But seriously, I am hoping he is ok.

tastes bad star trek GIF

😂

A) love the humor
2)
brewsters millions money GIF
If I had been drinking Earl Gray when I read this I would have spit it out all over my screen! Very funny!
I'm headed to Sports tomorrow!!! I haven't been in a value for awhile and I'm really looking forward to it. Some would disagree, but since I started at values, they hold a special place.
As I said, Sports was an unexpected pleasure. The cast members were so good and worked so hard to make our stay enjoyable. I look forward to your trip report.
 

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