Trip Report Pop & Hop, Snack & Shop, Graduation Celebration - Sept 2016

We arrived home late last night and as usual, we are all in Disney depression mode. Seriously, the return to reality is so hard!

It was an AWESOME trip. However not without a few hiccups. Let’s just say that the name of my Trip Report could easily have been, “I Almost Killed My Husband In The Happiest Place On Earth” or… “”Did The Ride Just Stop?” or… “Bathrooms Around The World”

Needless to say that Disney Magic outshines small issues – even my husband’s behavior that almost landed him in Cinderella’s moat more than once.

Warning: I have some commitments over the next few weeks, so I’m not sure how much updating I will be able to do. But I wanted to start writing before my memory and notes start to fade away. Besides, I’m so sad – it helps to re-live it! Lol

For those of you who don’t know us – our cast of characters:


Me – Mary

Ross – My hubby who drove me INSANE throughout our trip.

Julia (14)

Hope (7 with Autism & Sensory issues)

What I didn’t mention in my Pre-Trip Report is that we were celebrating the fact that Julia is starting 9th grade this year. As homeschoolers, we have never acknowledged graduations or moving up ceremonies. So since my sweet girl is starting high school, I figured she deserved a Disney Celebration, so I had that put on our reservation.

Since Ross agreed to family shirts, I had my friend make them for us. Julia was surprised and really happy!

So if you are ready to join in the fun & craziness… welcome aboard!!

 

[Figment Forever]

Hope looks adorable with the braids!

Thanks - I love the braids too!

 

[Figment Forever]

Me. Exactly!

Oh, I'm so glad I'm not alone! lol

 

[Figment Forever]

Day 4: September 15th Continued...

We arrived at AK – perhaps the hottest park in WDW? For some reason, the heat seems to beat down upon you in this park. Poor AK, I don’t mean to hate on you. lol Actually, I began to realize that the weather was extremely HOT – much hotter than past Septembers.

Hakuna Matata

We picked up a times schedule and found that Tough To Be A Bug would be a good first choice since we still had a bit for our Safari FastPast.

We got on the disability line and the next thing I know a woman in a scooter started yelling at everyone to let her through. She obviously didn’t realize there was no place to go… we were all waiting. The family next to us started commenting about her and of course, my husband had to join in. (Sarcasm loves company.) He was having such a great conversation with them, they invited him to take a picture with them! Sometimes, I just have to ignore him.

The show was great – Hope laughs hysterically at this one.

 

[Figment Forever]

Then we were off to our safari.

Usually we wait a longer time to board the ride because we choose the disability line, but today we walked right on.

It was an awesome safari – I don’t think we have ever seen so many animals! They were so active today.

 

[Figment Forever]

More safari pics...

 

[Figment Forever]

Our safari was awesome! However, when is our family free of drama? The woman who was sitting in the row in front of us with her family was camera crazy. I think maybe the safari guides need to start giving a few words about camera etiquette. Every time she wanted get a picture she would swing around and extend her arm into our row to get the shot.

Like this:

Now come on guys, you know Ross – he was not a happy camper. I gave him a look begging him not to say anything. Not that it would have mattered because they were speaking Spanish so I don’t know if they would have understood. At first he tried to give her a dirty look, but then went to a different tactic. He decided to smile big and get in her picture every time she swung her camera around.

Needless to say, she got the idea and dialed it down a bit. I was laughing so hard and I wish I understood Spanish more because they had to be talking about us!

 

[blreinsel]

I am DYING! I honestly can't decide what's funnier. (1) Ross wearing the Cinderella ears with absolutely no shame; (2) Ross taking a picture with complete strangers; or (3) Ross smiling for the ill mannered photographer.

 

[Figment Forever]

I am DYING! I honestly can't decide what's funnier. (1) Ross wearing the Cinderella ears with absolutely no shame; (2) Ross taking a picture with complete strangers; or (3) Ross smiling for the ill mannered photographer.

Oh - he loves sporting those ears. I told him I am going to buy him the Rapunzel ears next time.

 

[MinnieM123]

I am DYING! I honestly can't decide what's funnier. (1) Ross wearing the Cinderella ears with absolutely no shame; (2) Ross taking a picture with complete strangers; or (3) Ross smiling for the ill mannered photographer.

I vote for # 3!!

 

[Figment Forever]

I vote for # 3!!

Traveling is never boring with Ross.

 

[Figment Forever]

Day 4: September 15th Continued...

After our safari, we walked over to Tusker House.

It had been a while since we dined here and we were surprised to see that they were no longer taking pictures outside. The last time we ate here we had a picture with Donald.

Ross suggested we do our own photo shoot. I’m sure some people thought we were nuts. (Well, we are a little nuts.)

It didn't take too long for them to call us in.

 

[Figment Forever]

Lunch was good. I thought the chocies were great and everything was fresh.

Hope loved the mac n cheese.

Service was not so great. I have a love/hate relationship with the character meals. I love them because, for obvious reasons, you are able to get photos with the characters and their autograph. However, I hate them because I feel such an anxiousness to get the pictures and autographs. Sometimes I don’t think I can fully enjoy the meal.

The characters were great and a few visited a couple of times.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

So funny about Ross and the picture lady on the safari! What a hoot!

 

[Figment Forever]

More pics from Tusker House...

 

[sheriffwoody]

It's a concert shirt from her favorite band "Three Days Grace". The front says, "Let's Start A Riot" - it is one of their songs - (which isn't as bad a s it sounds.) They played at The NY State Fair and we went to the show.

I used to listen to them in high school!!! So funny to see someone her age wearing their shirt. My music taste has mellowed out since then . Based on your reports though, I think Julia and I would have gotten along well in high school if we were the same age!

Also, you mentioned that you noted your graduation celebration on your reservation. I can't figure how to do stuff like that. We're celebrating a big anniversary in Oct, and I'd love to note it on the reservation, but I don't know how! At least for the meals it would be nice since sometimes they give you a better table.

Ok, I'm catching up now! I missed this when you first started it.

 

[LadyBelle]

I'm with you and @Tuvalu on the less love with AK. While I love being able to actually ride through a safari and some other rides and shows, I sometimes feel like it's just a bigger zoo. And definitely a half-day park for me.

 

[joshsprincess921]

The photoshoot at Tusker House CRACKED ME UP! haha! So happy for your updates!

 

[Figment Forever]

I used to listen to them in high school!!! So funny to see someone her age wearing their shirt. My music taste has mellowed out since then . Based on your reports though, I think Julia and I would have gotten along well in high school if we were the same age!

Also, you mentioned that you noted your graduation celebration on your reservation. I can't figure how to do stuff like that. We're celebrating a big anniversary in Oct, and I'd love to note it on the reservation, but I don't know how! At least for the meals it would be nice since sometimes they give you a better table.

Ok, I'm catching up now! I missed this when you first started it.

lol I'm still adjusting to her change in music styles. For the past several years, she has been crazy about K-POP and J-POP music so it's a change to here music that I actually understand!

When I made my reservation, they asked me if I was celebrating anything so I told them Julia's graduation and Hope's (Disney) Birthday. So I would just call dining and have them make a note. You can attach a celebration to an entire trip or a specific reservation. Some places were better than others - some restaurants we got cards and the CM wished a happy graduation - and sometimes there was nothing. One time when we scanned our magic bands for a Fast Pass, I took a look at their computer screen and under Julia's name it said "celebrating graduating".

Thanks so much for reading!!

I'm going to try to update over the weekend.

 

[Figment Forever]

I'm with you and @Tuvalu on the less love with AK. While I love being able to actually ride through a safari and some other rides and shows, I sometimes feel like it's just a bigger zoo. And definitely a half-day park for me.

So glad I'm not alone. I told Julia we better watch Avatar before we go back or else we may not like that section either! lol

Thanks for reading!!

 

[Figment Forever]

The photoshoot at Tusker House CRACKED ME UP! haha! So happy for your updates!

We got a few strange looks - but I can understand! lol

Thanks for reading - going to try to update over the weekend.