Trip Report The “Jasmine kissed me” Suprise Christmas Trip!

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Who: Me, Hubs, Jet (7), Bear(4), Nene(4), Handsome (2), Grandma & Grandpa

What: Suprise Whirlwind Christmas trip

Where: AOA & Contemporary

When: Dec 15-19th

Why: I started planning this trip 382 days ago. We were in the middle of an addition on our 100 year old farmhouse. My family of 6 had been transplanted into a 2 bedroom rental house with 1 bathroom. After weeks of dragging our 4 rowdy kids to granite stores, paint stores and window companies I felt like a failure as a parent. Our lives and theirs had been consumed by this beast and money pit we call our home. The 6 month project had turned into a year and was 35% over budget. I needed to make up for this nightmare of a year to my beloved babes. I decided that night that we were going to take them to Disney at the wrap of our construction. Thus planning began.
 
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Sillysidewalker

Sillysidewalker

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thursday the day before our trip. I drop Jet off at school then meet up with some preschool friends to get the wiggles out of my youngest 3. After that we hit up gap and the Disney Store for some last minute purchases. I had it in my head all year that we needed warm clothes but when the 7 day forecast showed clear skies 80/60 degrees wardrobe changes were needed. All I wanted were some Disney zip up hoodies. I couldn’t find 1 let alone 4. So we would just have to make due with what we had. After that we headed home and I popped in 101 Dalmatians as a distraction. I lugged in 3 large suitcases from our detached garage without my kiddos even noticing. Brain rot at its finest. I was able to pack everyone within that 101 minute run time so thank you Pongo and Purdita. I safely stowed the luggage and then walked to my daughters school to let them know she would not be at school the next day. The rest of the evening drug. I had the hardest time not spilling the beans. I never went to Disney as a child. My parents were wonderful and we were very outdoorsy however they just didn’t understand the Disney love. However I grew up adoring Ariel and Belle. The music, the clothes, the princes and strong willed women. So I want to make sure my children are immersed in the Disney magic while it lives in their hearts. Finally it was bedtime and I went to bed too since our flight was at 5:50am. I surprisingly fell fast asleep since 2:00am would come quick. Which it did. I quickly showered and woke up the hubby. He is the muscles in our group so he lugged all the bags to the car and it was time for the big reveal. I expected screams and squeals. Their faces were enough.
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They got dressed without complaint. Which is no small feat for our kiddos. We all have very strong willed personalities and have no problem airing our grievances.
 
Sillysidewalker

Sillysidewalker

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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We loaded up like the Beverly Hillbillies. I was sitting on my carryon with my knees in my chest due to a suitcase in the passenger seat. Hubby dropped us off at the door and he went to park the car. My amazing in laws were waiting inside (surprise #2) for the kiddos. Here were the expected squeals. They love their grandma & grandpa. Security was light so we were quickly at the gate with liquid gold (Starbucks) and bagels in hand. Hubby and I have Starbucks in our veins so we live on the stuff.
We flew Southwest and boarded ,flew and landed without incident. We all put on our magic bands ( red and green for the season) and headed to DME. DME was dead. We waited about 5 minutes then boarded and were in our way.
 
Sillysidewalker

Sillysidewalker

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Our driver was a real talker. He kept giving us a spiel and interrupting the movie! “Be on the look out for alligators in all these ponds as we pass them.” Or “ Make sure to take advantage of magic morning hours.” He was very informative. Soon enough we were in the bubble!!!! My seat made it hard to get a good picture so this was the best I could do.
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The first stop was the AOA which was fantastic since we had brunch ADR I was nervous about getting to. We walk inside to drop off our bags to discover luggage services was outside so back out we go. My husband grew up in downtown Chicago (meanwhile I grew up in the sticks) so he is very careful about securing valuables. He was paranoid about his laptop so he rearranged all the bags. Well he jammed way too much into our oldest daughter Jet’s carry on and broke the darn zipper. So this meant another rework of the bags. I am very type A about being on time. My hubby jokes I have ticking clock in my head. Well that clock was ticking. We needed to get to the GF for our 1900 Park fare ADR by 11:45 and it was 10:00. We still had plenty of time but sometimes logistics with 4 kids and my in-laws (my mother in-law had her knee replaced) can get dicey. We finally get the bags and strollers (mistake) checked and head over to the bus stop.

There was quite a line but a bus pulled up in 2 minutes or less. They loaded a scooter then let everyone on, we were lucky and made the cut. The drive felt long I have no idea how long it truly is but it felt as long as the DME. As soon as we got off the bus I realized checking the stroller was a mistake. I didn’t realize how far it would be to get to the monorail. Handsome would have to be carried and that little, stubborn, independent man wanted to walk! He was tired, hot and ticked at me because I kept picking him up. By the time we got to the monorail I was sweating from wrestling this toddler with super human strength. No worries shake it off. We made it to the Floridian by 11:00.
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Sillysidewalker

Sillysidewalker

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
And now it was 11:15am. We stil had 30 minutes and I was on borrowed time. Kids were tired, hungry and hot. We looked at the fountains, the pool and back to the gingerbread house. Finally Nene & handsome were done. Whining and crying was all that they had left. So even though we were 10 minutes away from our ADR we pulled up a table outside and had a picnic of goldfish, Southwest peanuts & pretzels.
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Crisis averted. It was now time for our reservation.
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Sillysidewalker

Sillysidewalker

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Before I continue I want to tell you a little about my Bear. She is quiet, prim, proper and stubborn as a mule! Since she was two she has loved Alice in Wonderland.
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She was Alice two years running for trick or treat. Gap had Alice leggings that I wanted her to have so badly for this breakfast I called gap and every store. I wasted so much time on leggings with no luck! That Thursday before we left as we were getting ready to walk out of the store an associate was folding internet returns. Low and behold Alice leggings in her size. She was meant to have them! I secretly bought them. More on them later.

So we seated and a rushed waitress ask for our drink orders. My husband and I order coffee, my kids milk, my mother-in-law Coke, Father in-law water. Coffee and milks arrive. Coke and water never do. Even after a 2nd and 3rd request. All the characters rushed through pretty much as soon as we were seated.

Winnie
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The mad hatter
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Tigger
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It happened so quick we weren’t able to get a picture of all the kids with any on them.
 
Sillysidewalker

Sillysidewalker

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Things slowed down then. We were finally able to get some food. We all ate standard breakfast buffet. Omlett station, waffles and bacon. Food was good but I wasn’t blown away. We all finished eating and then I got a text that I needed to see the front desk for my room assignment. I was thrilled by this news because we were all so tired from being up at 2am! Anyways we sit for 30 minutes and no Mary Poppins or Alice. We asked if they would be coming the waitress assured us yes. It was going on 1:00pm at this point. Finally 1:15 Mary Poppins arrived. She was kind, Handsome and Nene loved her dress.
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At this point we were the last ones in the dining room as they were clearly switching over to lunch. Finally Alice arrived. The exchange was brief and rushed. The only personal exchange was when Alice told Bear “ I like your knickers!” Bear beamed score one for Mama!
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I know they say allow 2 hours for these meals. I am completely ok with that for the price you pay. The only part I was disappointed in is the rushed feel with characters. If we had 5 minutes of total interaction that was a lot. We won’t repeat this one but that’s ok. I’m glad our kiddos had the experience.
 
amjt660

amjt660

Well-Known Member
I find character meals have always been hit and miss on interaction
Some meals rushed like yours - others where the same character came back 3 times in one meal.

All in all it usually is better than waiting in lines inside the park though....

Max
 
Sillysidewalker

Sillysidewalker

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
amjt660 said:
I find character meals have always been hit and miss on interaction
Some meals rushed like yours - others where the same character came back 3 times in one meal.

All in all it usually is better than waiting in lines inside the park though....

Max
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There is a definite time value to these meals. Our average wait time was 30 minutes to meet characters this trip. However the quality of our character interactions were :depressed: at all of our meals but one.
 

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