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.

 

[fractal]

We headed over to Dinoland USA. The girls were finally tall enough for Dinosaur so we headed there first. It was a first time for all of us.
View attachment 253835

I laughed the whole time because the girls were in all our laps!
My father in-law has a heart condition which doesn’t allow him to ride fast rides. So while we took the girls on rides him and handsome had their own adventures. For example meeting Donald.
View attachment 253836View attachment 253837

Handsome and Grandpa were in line to meet Pluto and Goofy when we got off the ride. So I took my twins on triceratops spin while hubby and Jet rode primeval whirl. View attachment 253839
We all finished up as Grandpa and Walker were at the front of the line so the girls line jumped. View attachment 253841

We were starving at this point. We decided to try out mobile ordering at Flame Tree. I had the Baked Mac n cheese with pulled pork. I had every intention of taking a picture but I was starving and it was.

OMG! That Dinosaur picture!

Catchin' up.

 

[fractal]

Great report, loving it! Although I would have not expected so much blood spill! So glad Nene was ok!

I wish my wife would call me "dreamy". Then again I'm not 6'4''

You got some great family photos!

 

[Sillysidewalker]

So Sorry for the huge delay here. My mom had a stroke (doing well) so between work, hospital visits, squeezing in time with the kiddos I am beat.

So we left off finishing up Tales with Belle. We decided to make our way to Tomorrowland. We wanted to use one of our Wildcard fast passes on Space Moutain. When we got there we realized Nene was too short. She had been asleep the night before so we hadn’t even thought of it. Oh well dinner it was. Our food was they typical burger and fries affair. I have to say the place was filthy. I am not blaming this on Disney. MK was packed with people there was no way to keep up. It’s disturbing people can’t clean up after themselves. After we used some of the 26!! Snack credits we had remaining. Auntie Gravities Sundaes for everyone. We walked slowly eating our treat. It was an hour before HEA and there was not a spot to be found anywhere on Main Street for a group of our size. We separated.

I was stuck behind a light pole and a lot of kids on shoulders. I felt bad for my own kids because they couldn’t see anything but I refused to compound the problem. This was pretty much my view.

HEA combined all my children’s favorite movies in a beautiful visual display. It just doesn’t have the heart and soul that wishes had in my opinion. My girls still sing wishes from their trip when they were 3. We don’t own the soundtrack and I have never played it for them. That song just really stuck with you. I couldn’t even hum the tune for HEA. Disney evolves and changes and at some point everyone is going to have a favorite ride or show that goes extinct. I just hope they find ways to keep the sentiment and soul alive. That is what makes Disney unique from other parks in my opinion.

After HEA we head to Buzz Lightyear to use a fastpass.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

We asked the kids what next and they said BTMR.

Next up POTC. After pirates a made a brief pit stop for some Dole Whip. I had to use those snack credits!!

We hadn’t rode the teacups yet so this was our next stop. I think this is our last trip in the same cup!

 

[Sillysidewalker]

After being spun to giggles by the hubs we decided to use our final wildcard fastpass on a classic. Peter Pan.

We were going to head out but no trip to MK is complete without a trip around the world. Jet’s name was on the screen which had her all smiles.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

We were walking towards the exit and all the emotions were settling in. I was smiling through tears as all my babies were fighting sleep. I mention to the hubs I was sad we never got that full family shot in front of the lit up castle. He pulls us in a PP line and says it’s not too late. This was the result.

We make the walk to the Comtemporary and crash into our beds hearts full, memories made and exhausted.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

Tuesday Dec 19th- Departure Day

We slept until 8:30. We did a mad dash packing and dressing because we had one last suprise for the kids. 9:30 ADR at Chef Mickeys. We had to check our bags so we were 15 minutes late to our ADR. The castmember didn’t bat an eye so I was relieved. The internal clock I have was going crazy being this late. We were immediately taken to our table. Our waitress quickly arrived, brought drinks and instructed us on the buffet. I just loved these salt and pepper shakers.

I was so impressed with all the offerings and freshness. By far the best buffet we have had at Disney. We all ate our fill and then some.
Pluto was first to visit our table. He so sweet the kids loved snuggling up to him.

Next was chef Donald who looked adorable in his outfit.

 

[Longers]

Just read all of this report in bed on a Sunday morning - what a fab trip and a great surprise (one day I’ll get my nephews to WDW) price gets in the way at the moment.
Your family is adorable and so nice to have grandparents with you too.
You’ve started my Sunday with a smile on my face

 

[amjt660]

That was an extremely full last full day at MK

The last picture though?

Priceless, just priceless!!

Max

 

[Rista1313]

We were walking towards the exit and all the emotions were settling in. I was smiling through tears as all my babies were fighting sleep. I mention to the hubs I was sad we never got that full family shot in front of the lit up castle. He pulls us in a PP line and says it’s not too late. This was the result. View attachment 261473
We make the walk to the Comtemporary and crash into our beds hearts full, memories made and exhausted.

I like this family picture better than picture perfect pictures... it's real life!

 

[Sillysidewalker]

The price is such a limiting factor. That was part of the reason we did a 2017 trip instead of waiting until 2018.Handsome was free and we could all still stay in the same room. Next trip we will need2 rooms. I am so glad we could keep you company on a Sunday morning. I love reading trip reports (like yours) they always brighten my day.

@Longers I hit reply but for some reason it didn’t reply to you.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

It was time to make our way to Tales with Belle our next fastpass. Throughout this trip our party was a bit to large to walk together. We would pair off and walk in two groups and meet up at our next destination.Hubby is tall and walks incredibly fast so him and I would lead. Hubby, handsome, Jet and I make our way to Tales with Belle. About 3 minutes after we arrive my whole world ends..... Grandma and Grandpa arrive with only Bear. They thought Nene was with us. I lose it. It’s decided Grandma will stay put Hubby who is the fastest was going back to where we came from Grandpa and I are searching the way. I take the right side he takes the left. I am crying and pretty much hyperventilating. I see a cast member and describe her clothes and ramble as much info as I can spew. I make it all the way back to the splash pad and there she is curled up in a ball tiny and scared with a cast member by her side. They said she did everything right. She stayed put, flagged down a cast member and gave them my name and phone number. They had been calling me when I walked up. I sat and held my precious babe and rocked and cried with her. This was the scariest moment of my life and I felt like an absolute failure as a parent.

What an intelligent child! You are NOT a failure as a parent! She did everything right! I cannot imagine that feeling, and tears are falling from my eyes for you! I am so sorry this happened on your trip. But the fact that you taught her the right thing to do, can help others reading your report to remind their own children what to do in case of a situation like this. Hope you realize you are an amazing mama.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

That was an extremely full last full day at MK

The last picture though?

Priceless, just priceless!!

Max

We had so much fun that day!! Exhausting but amazing and that picture sums it up!

I like this family picture better than picture perfect pictures... it's real life!

It really is! Thanks for following along!

 

[Sillysidewalker]

What an intelligent child! You are NOT a failure as a parent! She did everything right! I cannot imagine that feeling, and tears are falling from my eyes for you! I am so sorry this happened on your trip. But the fact that you taught her the right thing to do, can help others reading your report to remind their own children what to do in case of a situation like this. Hope you realize you are an amazing mama.

Thank you for saying this. Being a parent is the most difficult and rewarding experience. You will have some “failures” and it is so hard not to beat yourself up.

 

[Longers]

Thank you for saying this. Being a parent is the most difficult and rewarding experience. You will have some “failures” and it is so hard not to beat yourself up.

We lost my nephew once and I remember that sinking feeling in my stomach - no one should beat themselves up - children know no boundaries and don’t understand the dangers - you are a great parent as they knew what to do

 

[Sillysidewalker]

Minnie sashayed to our table.

Oops there you are handsome!

 

[Sillysidewalker]

The Goofster was mighty playful this morning.

At last the big cheese, the head honcho M-I-C-K-E-Y.

We had a heart warming and tasty breakfast. I was on the fence if an ADR was a good way to end our trip. When you don’t have time to visit a park this is a great way to extend the magic.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

We still had an hour before our tragical pick up. We did a little retail therapy. Visited the gingerbread display.

We walked outside to see the pool we never visited. And decided to do a photo shoot ala @DocDisney.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

Then the moment of regret. The tragical arrived and whisked us off to MCO.

We had a long wait at MCO since security was light. We were one of the lucky ones with a 4 hour pick up window. We had a Jersey Mikes lunch and then Southwest whisked us back to Ohio.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

Final thoughts...this trip is exactly what we needed after a stressful year. Only regret not taking two more days. We just can’t slow down, it’s not in our DNA. 4 Park days just isn’t enough for us. Maybe when our kids are old enough that strollers are not necessary but until then a week or nothing.

The holiday spirit and decorations are amazing. I have told everyone in my family/friend circle that they must experience a Disney Christmas once. I have now added Halloween to our family bucket list.

The sappy part. When I think about the memories with my kiddos my heart aches to hold on to these moments forever. Jet’s sqeals and blush as Prince Eric greeted her, Claire’s absolute joy in thrill rides, Elena’s roar as the beast and Handsomes absolute delight with Jasmines kisses. My sweet and dreamy Hubby making sure that all my Disney wishes came true. Lastly my amazing in laws for helping with the kids and being kids themselves enjoying the magic.

Ok now my Disney depression sets in. Our trip and trip report are done. No more resorts to select, ADRs to research, fastpasses to plan or outfits to coordinate. Looking forward to living vicariously through all of yours.

Enjoy your Disney days. They are some of the best.