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

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.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

After the parade we did a little photo shoot in front of the castle. I was sad we never got our family picture but I learned a lesson. Sometimes waiting in the lines is worth it.

We asked Jet and Bear if they were ready to head back to the room. NO!!! Ok so Tomorrowland here we come. First up “Shoot the Meanos” that’s what my kids call Buzz.

Next up Space Mountain. This was another first for all of us but Grandma. It was such a thrill ride.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

We were all pretty exhausted and decided it was time to head back to the room. We soaked up Main Street on our way out. It was a magical day.

We walked back to the Contemporary. This was the best part of staying there. I got the kids in bed and decided to take a shower. I used my husbands shampoo. Sure enough my eyes stopped watering!!! If you are sensitive to smell I would avoid the Disney shampoo. It smells delightful but not worth a day of tears.

 

[PacNWTigger]

I wish there was a way to "LOVE" your posts. You have a beautiful family!

 

[Sillysidewalker]

I wish there was a way to "LOVE" your posts. You have a beautiful family!

Thank you! My husband and I both have pretty demanding careers so we use these trips as a time to reconnect and enjoy our family.

 

[21stamps]

Thank you! My husband and I both have pretty demanding careers so we use these trips as a time to reconnect and enjoy our family.

It looks like such a wonderful trip. The photo of the inlaws is adorable.,all of the photos are adorable! I think the grandfather/grandson bonding is so great too.
My grandfather passed away last Spring, I was very close with him, as was my son.. he’s actually one of the main reasons we moved here. I’m so glad that T has great memories and photos with him, as I do as a child as well.
Your son will cherish those photos someday.

(Hopefully this didn’t sound too morbid)

 

[Sillysidewalker]

It looks like such a wonderful trip. The photo of the inlaws is adorable.,all of the photos are adorable! I think the grandfather/grandson bonding is so great too.
My grandfather passed away last Spring, I was very close with him, as was my son.. he’s actually one of the main reasons we moved here. I’m so glad that T has great memories and photos with him, as I do as a child as well.
Your son will cherish those photos someday.

(Hopefully this didn’t sound too morbid)

Not at all. My Grandma passed away last December and I miss her every day. Her and I took a trip to London 8 years ago and I cherish our pictures and memories. There is something about exploring someplace new with someone that creates a special bond. I will travel as much as I can with my parents and in laws to have these memories and experiences. There is still one more park day of memories.

I am glad T had the chance to get know your grandfather.

 

[21stamps]

Not at all. My Grandma passed away last December and I miss her every day. Her and I took a trip to London 8 years ago and I cherish our pictures and memories. There is something about exploring someplace new with someone that creates a special bond. I will travel as much as I can with my parents and in laws to have these memories and experiences. There is still one more park day of memories.

I am glad T had the chance to get know your grandfather.

Oh that’s so neat that you went to London together!
Thanks, I’m glad too.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

Monday December 18-Magic Kingdom

We like to end our trips at Magic Kingdom. This short trip it worked against us since the kids asked us everyday when we were going to MK. In hindsight we should have done a party the first night.

After our late night I was surprised how easy it was to wake up. I said this before but I loved the ease of walking to MK. The Poly is my favorite resort but I sure do love the Contemporary’s location. We arrived a little before 9:00am and I was determined to get our castle picture. There was a bit of a line but we had some entertainment.

It was our turn. The cast member was fantastic and let us take so many pictures here are a few of our favorites.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

I'm so glad you figured out what was bothering your eyes...that must have been miserable. You have a beautiful family....I especially love the photo of Grandpa and Grandma!

 

[Sillysidewalker]

After our photo shoot we made our way with the crowds towards fantasyland. MK was incredibly busy already. I was happy that we still had the 3 wildcard fastpasses to use. By the time we reached fantasyland it was 9:30. We had a 9:45 ADR at BOG so there wasn’t time to ride anything. We people watched for 10 minutes then checked in. We pre-ordered so they sent us right in. Our kids always want to eat in the west wing. I tried to talk them into someplace else but it wasn’t happening. There was a large table empty and waiting so the west wing it was.

I ordered the Feast a la Gaston and it was my favorite breakfast of the trip. We all shared a masters cupcake since we had a lunch ADR at 1:00pm at CRT.

We checked the app and all the wait times were pretty long. The kids wanted to head under the sea.

Wait time was posted at 60 minutes. We try to avoid long wait times but this one is a MUST do for us. So we lined up. The queue is entertaining for this ride so we really don’t mind the wait. It ended up being 45 minutes.

Next up the world’s only flying elephant. The kids like the play area queue. I was skeptical about it but it seemed to work.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

I'm so glad you figured out what was bothering your eyes...that must have been miserable. You have a beautiful family....I especially love the photo of Grandpa and Grandma!

It was so weird! I always love all the Disney soaps and lotions. I never bring my own shampoo to Disney so I can use theirs. I’m not sure why it bothered me so much. I love that picture of my in laws too!

 

[Sillysidewalker]

It was time for our first fastpass. I will let this picture show you how much Bear loves this ride.

I think we all love it.

Grandma needed something to drink so we separated for a few minutes. Jet and I used this time to take a picture she had really wanted to do.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

The day was flying by. It was time for our lunch ADR. I had cancelled a reservation for the BBB before our trip but I still wanted the girls to get a little magic so we stopped in for a sprinkling.

We were taken right in to meet Cinderella.
We didn’t wait more than 5 minutes until we were taken to our table. We had great interactions with all the princesses. Handsome even got another kiss from Jasmine but this one didn’t leave a mark.

 

[amjt660]

Great smiles on the mine train!!

Max

 

[Sillysidewalker]

I ordered the charcuterie, beef and of course rounded out my meal with this beauty.

Handsome and I shared the meal which meant I had about three bites of potatoes, a bite of steak and a bite of chocolate. That boy can eat! I sadly left CRT. We aren’t doing a Disney trip in 2018 and 2019 will most likely be DLR. So it will be at least 3-4 years before I am back. Will my girls still love the princesses, this castle and the magic? This is a phase I know passes quickly but I’m just not ready to let go.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

The parade was just finishing up and I remember reading on touring plans that this would be a good time to visit Mickey. We head down Main Street. Tinkerbell’s line said 20 minutes so we hop in that line and Grandma & Grandpa hop in the Mickey line. We have a nice chat with a family from SC and the girls really enjoyed our time in line. We get to the front and Jet asks her dad for her tooth. It’s finally our turn. I can tell that Juliet is very nervous. She says “Excuse me Miss Tinkerbell. I lost my tooth at Disney World and my dentist told me you know the tooth fairy. See?” I can only describe the look on the Tinkerbell’s face as disgust. I felt terrible in that moment for both Juliet and this Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell did not recover well either. She said “I do not know this fairy. Please give that to your mom.” I could see in Juliet’s face she was crushed.

We quickly took the picture and got out of there. I felt like such a failure as a parent, I should have vetted this out with the cast members before we got in the room. This is one of the few times I was happy to be dumped into a gift shop. We had told the kids no souvenirs at the start of the trip because of Christmas but we needed a little retail therapy after that. In the end the only thing the girls wanted were character hand sanitizers for their lunch boxes so they chose well.

 

[amjt660]

Tink did not handle that well at all
The characters are usually quicker on their feet
Max

 

[Sillysidewalker]

Tink did not handle that well at all
The characters are usually quicker on their feet
Max

In her defense she was looking at a tooth. We cleaned it but it was still a tooth!! I blame our dentist.

 

[Tuvalu]

Poor show, Tink.

 

[amjt660]

Poor show, Tink.

Agreed

Max