Trip Report SummerPalooza: When 1 resort reservation morphs into 5 resorts

We have had a few trips this year that were odd for us. The trip where my family had to end their vaction but I stayed on for 3.5 more weeks. I didn't even book a return ticket. Never did that before. My April/May Flower Trip Report: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-one-way-ticket.939721/#post-8162457

This report will start out mostly of semi in-the-moment of the day posts at least for the first half of 3 weeks as we all will be arriving at different points. Like the above report I am not overly wordy but enjoy posting photos of WDW and Food along with adult beverages. Sometimes a tad odd to me behaviors in the parks.

This trip kept expanding in days and as a result resorts this time for reasons I will get around to explaining later, for now mostly photo's of the day. Hope you enjoy.

EDIT: Most of these photos will be Apple Live photos for those of you with Apple devices.

 

[LeighM]

When I did a search, there were so many cute ones! I favorited 3 or 4!

I may have a small addiction to Minnie ears found on Etsy I just purchased a pair for pirate night on our DCL cruise next year

 

[Gabe1]

I saved it. The shop is FairytalesnMonorails. I'm sure there are tons more to choose from from other sellers.

When I did a search, there were so many cute ones! I favorited 3 or 4!

I have to love how we facilitate each others addictions. Sisterhood of the Orange Bird and Minnie Ears.

I'll have to take a pic when I get back home of the expanding ear collection

 

[Gabe1]

So backtracking a little here to resort number 2 move in Sunday morning at 8am arrival transfer complete and room ready. Not counted on at all but fortunate that it was as my DD was scheduled to work for a half day for the University she is employed by. For her Grad School she had a scholarship to attend a conference for Analytics for her Masters Program in Computer Science and Engineering with her focus on coding and analytics. *hurts my head* But she has always been a young woman of goals and wanting to achieve everything she can in life. Doesn't mean I can wrap my brain around it all. And for her goals this is where she lands.

While her work laptop traveled with her you can see her monitor and and keyboard also arrived safely so she could work from the resort.

Not bad for a mid 20's young woman huh? I love the Contemporary. It was my first resort as a young child. The rooms are spacious, no squishing in things or awkward furnishings deemed necessary as an after thought. Deluxe at its best.

And this is how the 1 resort reservation went to 5. The family vaction was already planned for months and months. Then came the unforeseen conference. First thought was to leave after she finished working her hours on Sunday evening to head to Orlando as check in was Monday afternoon. Then her manager graciously let her have a half day on Sunday to make sure she'd get out of Ohare. She would have to work several days but she can work anywhere in the world remotely as long as she has internet. Perfect room booked for Sunday through conference and departing Thursday. Further we were talking and I suggested that maybe since she is off Saturday that she leaves then and can enjoy the parks for a full day. That worked for about an hour before I said wait, you also have Friday off...So Friday morning became the benchmark all in a matter of a few hours. Being realistic Music was booked for 2 nights whch would be perfectly fine vs Illinois as a placecard for wondrous things to come.

Ultimately it made zero sense to return back to Ohare on Thursday only to fly out again for the Annual Labor Day Food and Wine LONG trip. So that will be the 3rd resort to unfold later.....of 5 resorts.

Recounting all this actually makes me tired. Up next will be highlights from the conference. My son has attended for his career a couple of Disney Conferences so he was able to hype the excitement.

 

[MinnieM123]

So backtracking a little here to resort number 2 move in Sunday morning at 8am arrival transfer complete and room ready. Not counted on at all but fortunate that it was as my DD was scheduled to work for a half day for the University she is employed by. For her Grad School she had a scholarship to attend a conference for Analytics for her Masters Program in Computer Science and Engineering with her focus on coding and analytics. *hurts my head* But she has always been a young woman of goals and wanting to achieve everything she can in life. Doesn't mean I can wrap my brain around it all. And for her goals this is where she lands.View attachment 308496View attachment 308497View attachment 308498View attachment 308500
While her work laptop traveled with her you can see her monitor and and keyboard also arrived safely so she could work from the resort.
View attachment 308503View attachment 308504
View attachment 308505


Not bad for a mid 20's young woman huh? I love the Contemporary. It was my first resort as a young child. The rooms are spacious, no squishing in things or awkward furnishings deemed necessary as an after thought. Deluxe at its best.

And this is how the 1 resort reservation went to 5. The family vaction was already planned for months and months. Then came the unforeseen conference. First thought was to leave after she finished working her hours on Sunday evening to head to Orlando as check in was Monday afternoon. Then her manager graciously let her have a half day on Sunday to make sure she'd get out of Ohare. She would have to work several days but she can work anywhere in the world remotely as long as she has internet. Perfect room booked for Sunday through conference and departing Thursday. Further we were talking and I suggested that maybe since she is off Saturday that she leaves then and can enjoy the parks for a full day. That worked for about an hour before I said wait, you also have Friday off...So Friday morning became the benchmark all in a matter of a few hours. Being realistic Music was booked for 2 nights whch would be perfectly fine vs Illinois as a placecard for wondrous things to come.

Ultimately it made zero sense to return back to Ohare on Thursday only to fly out again for the Annual Labor Day Food and Wine LONG trip. So that will be the 3rd resort to unfold later.....of 5 resorts.

Recounting all this actually makes me tired. Up next will be highlights from the conference. My son has attended for his career a couple of Disney Conferences so he was able to hype the excitement.

Really like the photos of your room at the Contemporary. It was so long ago that I stayed there (just for a few nights), but I recall there was a purple rug with some sort of wild design in it, at the time. It was definitely fun for the time, but I understand they needed to update the room decor over the years. The bathroom design and amenities are very nice as well.

I loved the balcony, and would sit out there at night watching the monorail--and would watch the first monorail of the morning come out of the TTC, too. So glad I picked the MK view. And I'm glad that you and your DD could enjoy it now, too.

I'd go back there in a heartbeat, if it wasn't for the price point.

 

[Gabe1]

Really like the photos of your room at the Contemporary. It was so long ago that I stayed there (just for a few nights), but I recall there was a purple rug with some sort of wild design in it, at the time. It was definitely fun for the time, but I understand they needed to update the room decor over the years. The bathroom design and amenities are very nice as well.

I loved the balcony, and would sit out there at night watching the monorail--and would watch the first monorail of the morning come out of the TTC, too. So glad I picked the MK view. And I'm glad that you and your DD could enjoy it now, too.

I'd go back there in a heartbeat, if it wasn't for the price point.

Seems all resorts will
Soon be some version of hard wood floors.

And no way would the Contemporary be on the list. The choices were that, Grand Floridian or Wilderness. The Conference was at the Contemporary so she picked that. Came in at a moderate price for attending. We got a real great price last year at the Wilderness. Every once in a while you get lucky.

 

[Gabe1]

This is not Disneyland

 

[Gabe1]

Being released a few dozen per day at resorts. Standard pattern still available.

EDIT. In quick service this morning a group of 12, 3 generations were having shared breakfast foods and brought down coffee in Solo Cups and juice boxes for kids. I had only notice when the father of small children came back to the table and and in a raised voice announced DISNEY IS SMARTER THAN ME which caught my attention. Then proceeds to say he went up to the beverage island to HELP HIMSELF TO SOME SODA and continuted on with THEY PUT SOME CHIP IN THEIR CUPS AND MUGS SO YOU CANNOT HELP YOURSELF WITHOUT BUYING THEIR CUPS. We could all not help but to laugh as he played with his empty solo cup.

 

[Gabe1]

And I’ll need to go back and pick up what I missed later. Meanwhile about an hour of F&W the other night
Future World hamburger with cheese sauce
Very good and enough to fill tummy

Stroganoff

World Show Case empty.

Hawaiian pork on sweet bun

Canadian cheese soup and pretzel bread

Crab cake with an awesome sauce

Loaded Mac and Cheese. It wasn’t spicy but was warm.

 

[Gabe1]

Yak and Yet

Korean Beef fried rice

Chicken Lo Lo Main

Crispy Chicken. Snap peas

So good

 

[Gabe1]

And Dinner this evening Tutto italalia

Lasagna on @Tuvalu hubs Woody’s recommendation. So pleased

 

[Gabe1]

A quick trip through the newly opened
Kringla Bakeri in Norway. The temporary Bakery was closed down this evening

 

[Gabe1]

In about an hour we rode mania twice, slinky dog and the saucers. The attractions were easy to get onto quickly. Meet and greets were beyond packed

Some theming since everyone has seen the attractions

Walkway into Toy

A Connect fence and gate

Love the tops of the shade umbrellas

Cute little measuring shorter little guests

The Tinker Toy lights

Cute flags to start the Slinky race

Ceiling theming

More ceiling theming

Guest loading zone onto Slinky

 

[MinnieM123]

Lovin' the food pictures!!!

 

[Gabe1]

And a little bit more of Toy’s Thingamabobs

Nice lighting

Hidden Mickey

And many interactives germs in The Saucer queue

Surprised the lower fountain most little kids could not reach.

 

[MinnieM123]

And a little bit more of Toy’s Thingamabobs

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Nice lighting
View attachment 310157
Hidden Mickey
View attachment 310158
And many interactives germs in The Saucer queue
View attachment 310159View attachment 310160
Surprised the lower fountain most little kids could not reach.
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My goodness--that's a lotta COLORS in those pictures!

 

[Gabe1]

And the last of bits and pieces of Toy

Saucer. Great little family ride

Both queues are fun. Once the long wait time the other short way with 2 tracks today. They keep mixing it up between standbys and FP+

 

[Gabe1]

My favorite billboard so far this trip

 

[Gabe1]

Actually was open.

 

[Gabe1]

Passholder Early Morning event was excellent this morning So with getting up before the Sun less than 3 minutes to Photopass with each character. We were able to ride Slinky 3 times, it really is a nice little coaster. We rode saucer and Mania 3 times. We also had breakfast at The Lunchbox. As we left the huge masses were let in to our private experience. So onto park two, AK it was about 930am when we arrived at the next park.

Exit from Mania

Hope these are salt and pepper shakers

Lunchbox breakfast bowl. Tots on bottom eggs in middle and biscuit gravy between. Very good but I’d ask for no gravy next time

S’more French bread breakfast sandwich

Chicken and egg sandwich

 

[Gabe1]

And onto Animal Kingdom

After FoP we ate in Pandora and headed out to the resort for a bit. We rode Dino, Safari, Bug and FoP and met Dino Chip and Dino Dale. They were a hoot

Beef and veggies hash

Rest had chicken and hash

We all had the blueberry cheesecake blob that was delicious

Alcohol drink now is part of the dining plan so I plan on trying some things out of my norm.

This was a blueberry cooler. Disgusting is not a harsh enough description. It has that same after taste that some sour mixes have. Similar to soap. I took two sips. That is what I left behind . Blurg.

This was their non-alcohol speciality drink. My DD said delighted with it.

We had an issue with the 2 young boys and their parents next to us. The boy about 6 years old leaned his head over our table put his face over my kids dessert and coughed on it. Mom saw, Dad saw and the only words spoken were let’s go.