Trip Report The Emmy and Matt’s Birthdays and Audrey’s First Trip Trip Report…!!!!!

Who: myself (Steve), my wife of almost 35 years (Carolyn), our 3 grown children (Megan, Matthew -Matt turned 31 during our trip- and Sarah), our son-in-law (Daniel), and our 2 granddaughters (Emory, “Emmy”, turned 5 during the trip, and Audrey turned 2 in June)…!!!

When: Oct. 3rd to Oct. 8th, 2023.

Where: AKL, and our first deluxe resort stay. My dear DWifey found some crazy deal online and we stayed for about 65% off regular room rates…all the beautiful women in my life do this, they find deals…!!!!!

Anyway, this is us…!!!!!

 

[fractal]

Delightful report so far! Looking forward to the second half of "non-park day".

 

[donaldtoo]

Delightful report so far! Looking forward to the second half of "non-park day".

Thanks, it’s half-day Friday, so comin’ up soon…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Thursday, October 5th, continued

After ‘Ohana, we went to the gift shop…Emmy made a purchase, but, for the life of me, I can’t remember what it was…!!!!!
And then we walked around a bit.

It was about 2:30p by the time we got back to AKL.
Emmy, Audrey, and the rest headed for some pool time, but, I was still so full from our ‘Ohana breakfast, that I passed…!!!
I just hung out in our room, watched some TV, enjoyed some relaxing balcony time, and generally chilled, as our internet friends meetup at POR was comin’ up later.
Also, the giraffe were out for a good while…!!!

So, on our way to our meetup (just Carolyn, Matthew and myself, as we keep up with them), Carolyn was wanting to get beignets from POFQ, so Emmy and Audrey could have them for breakfast the next morning. I finally convinced her to give it up, as there was no way we were gonna’ get to POR on time with the way the transportation worked out.
As it was, we ended up stopping at 3 bus stops (y’all that have stayed at POR before know how this works) before we were finally dropped off by the main lobby, about right on time…!!!!!

Anyway, our meetup was at the River Roost to see Yehaa Bob…!!!!!!!
Our group had the two front tables, and then some…!!!
Needless to say, it was an awesome time, and it was so great to meet all these folks in person for the first time…!!!!!!!
Before it was all said and done, I ended up havin’ five Cigar City Jai Alai IPAs (out of Tampa - 7.5%
ABV), which were sooo good…!!!!!
After the first two, the 6’-6” (I’m 5’-10” - probably 5’-9” now, due to age-related gravitational compression…!!!!! ) dude sittin’ next to me (Mike from New Zealand), bought me the next two rounds. After that, I, of course, offered to return the favor, but, he said I could do that the next time we all meet up…fair enough…!!!
When I ordered my fifth ale, I asked him if he was sure he didn’t want one, and he said he was good…right after mine showed up, he ordered another round too…!!!!!
On our way back to AKL later that night, Carolyn said to me “Mike sure was tryin’ to see how much the Texan could handle, wasn’t he…?!!!”…!!!!!!!
Again, the meetup was amazing, and we’re all now closer as friends than we were before…!!!!!

Pics below, with the last one being of our entire group with Yehaa Bob…!!!!!!!

Up next…
2nd full non-Park day…!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Friday, October 6th…

So, the next mornin’, Carolyn was still bent on gettin’ those beignets for Emmy and Audrey…!!!!!
Her, Matthew, and I were at the bus stop a little after 8a to catch a quick ride to AK, then a bus to POFQ.
We were waitin’ on a bus to POFQ at AK when Carolyn got a call from Megan (Megan found out from Sarah what we were doin’). Megan told Carolyn to forget the darn beignets, and to get her behind back to AKL and enjoy her vacation…!!!!!
So, the only pic of all that I got was of our initial bus to AK…!!!!!

When we got back to AKL, we met up at The Mara for some breakfast.
I had a ham, egg, and cheese croissant, with seasoned tater tots (potato barrels, whatever ). Even though the sandwich looks kinda’ “plasticy”, it was actually all really good…!!!!!

After that, we explored outside behind the main lobby for a bit…such a beautiful resort…!!!

Up next…
More pool time…!!!

 

[littleroo]

I just love the grounds at AKL! Absolutely beautiful! We have stayed there 3 times and bus waits were always long. That is it's biggest downfall.

Yehaa Bob is always the best! (I miss Elliot Dyson, from POFQ!) He is so talented and positive. I am glad you had a great night with your internet friends!

 

[donaldtoo]

Friday, October 6th, continued…

So, around 11:20a, the fish (Emmy and Audrey ) were ready for more pool time…!!!

As we approached the pool, one of the lifeguards was makin’ what I can only describe as “Pool Safety Mickeys”…?!!!!!

The pool area is really beautiful, the pool is plenty big, and the “fishters” were satisfied…!!!

Up next…
A little more exploring around AKL…

 

[donaldtoo]

I just love the grounds at AKL! Absolutely beautiful! We have stayed there 3 times and bus waits were always long. That is it's biggest downfall.

Yehaa Bob is always the best! (I miss Elliot Dyson, from POFQ!) He is so talented and positive. I am glad you had a great night with your internet friends!

I’ve heard about the bus issues many times before, and that was one of my concerns goin’ in, but, we had absolutely no bus issues.

Thanks…!!!
Yehaa Bob is awesome, and, at age 70, seems to have more energy than most 18-year-olds…!!!!!
And yes, it was definitely a great, memorable night…!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Friday, October 6th, continued…

After pool time, we explored some more around AKL.
One of those Disney resorts that you actually enjoy exploring, unlike years past staying in many value resorts, that we basically just used to crash and clean up…!!!!!

Up next…
Another visit to Disney Springs…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Friday, October 6th, continued…

We love the fact that, even if you have no Park day, there’s still so much to do around WDW…!!!
This next post is Emmy and Audrey heavy, as they were havin’ sooo much fun at Disney springs…!!!!!

Up next…
More Disney Springs…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Friday, October 6th, continued…

Then, we visited The Art of Disney, and they had an artist (don’t remember his name) there from the Thomas Kinkade Studios. With every painting of his that folks bought, he did a Disney character sketch on the back of the canvas…!!!

After that, we headed to Earl of Sandwich for some din-din…!!!
I’ve heard so many good things about the Holiday Sandwich over the years from here, so four of us ordered that.
Disappointment for all.
It wasn’t bad, but it just wasn’t good, either.
Everything just seemed under-seasoned…?!
Maybe they had an off day…?!

We then took a bus to CBR, so we could take our first ever Skyliner ride to HS, and then a bus back to AKL.
Matt and I took our own gondola, ‘cause I wanted to try and get some good pics without so many reflections in the glass…
Fail…!!!!!

A view of ToT after unloading from the Skyliner at HS…!!!

After we got back to AKL, we watched the MK MNSSHP fireworks in the distance from our balconies…!!!

The end to another great day of irreplaceable memories, and Emmy and Audrey had sooo much fun…!!!!!

Up next…
Matt’s 31st birthday at Epcot…!!!

 

[Tiki Traveler]

That’s you in the Princess Security t-shirt, right? Very appropriate since you were with all your “princesses”.

 

[donaldtoo]

Saturday, October 7th, and Matt’s 31st birthday…!!!!!!!

So, for Matt’s birthday, we took a Goofy bus to Epcot…!!!!!

Figment Popcorn Bucket was with us…!!!

On a side note…
If y’all remember me mentioning at the beginning of this TR, the whole point of bringing Figment Popcorn Bucket with us was because of an inside joke between us and our internet friends…and, of course, we were in such a hurry, that we forgot to bring Figment Popcorn Bucket with us to the Yehaa Bob meetup…!!!!!

Also, just a little background on Matt…
Matt was born on October 7th, 1992 at a weight of 1lb. 4oz. At the beginning, he dropped to as low as 1lb. 2oz. He spent 4.5 months in the NICU.
Carolyn and I could write a book about life from the time of his birth through his HS graduation, and beyond.
Considering how he came into the world, he has had a relatively normal life.
He has been working full-time (minus 6 months during Covid) since 2016, at a Salvation Army store in a neighboring town, and now at our local neighborhood Goodwill store for a few years.
He is on the Autism Spectrum, and also has Asperger’s, but, many times you would never know it.
Back in May, he fell off a stack of items at work, and completely shattered his ankle, but, has since made a full recovery…the boy is indestructible…!!!!!
He loves history, science, tech, and all of earths creatures…they fascinate him…!!!!!
This is not meant to bring things down here, but, to celebrate the life that he has.

Pics below of our dear son Matt in the NICU (notice the BIC pen at the top left), with his first paycheck from the Salvation Army in 2016, and at the Cayman Turtle Centre in 2018…!!!!!

Anyway, on with Matt’s 31st birthday…!!!

At rope drop, we were informed by the CMs that Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana was having a soft opening that morning, so we headed directly there…!!!

Up next…
More Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

View attachment 751494

That’s you in the Princess Security t-shirt, right? Very appropriate since you were with all your “princesses”.

Funny thing is, I ran into at least 3 other dudes that day that had “Princess Security” t-shirts, but, they were all different styles…!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Saturday, October 7th, and Matthew’s 31st birthday, continued…

More Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana…!!!

This new attraction is actually pretty cute…!!!
Although it seems geared mostly for children, it also has that “edutainment” feel of the original EPCOT Center, and Emmy and Audrey really enjoyed it…!!!

Up next…
Rats…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Saturday, October 7th, and Matt’s 31st birthday, continued…

Matt and Carolyn hand in hand on our way to Ratatouille…!!!!!

This attraction was actually better than I thought it would be, even after watchin’ it on many streams and vlogs. It felt pretty immersive, screens and all, and Emmy and Audrey really enjoyed it, as well…!!!

And, of course, I had to get a shot of the fountain…!!!

Up next…
Some of us use our Imagination…!!!

 

[erstwo]

Really enjoying this trip report! Your granddaughters are just so cute. Happy much belated birthday to Matt. And I love your wife's 'Just one spark cooks my creation' tshirt!

 

[donaldtoo]

Really enjoying this trip report! Your granddaughters are just so cute. Happy much belated birthday to Matt. And I love your wife's 'Just one spark cooks my creation' tshirt!

Thank you so much...!!!
I'll pass the birthday wishes on to Matt...!
Carolyn ordered that shirt before we left on the trip, but, I cant remember from where...
Thank you again, and thanks for following...!!!

 

[kimberlymautz]

So fun! Emmy and my son, Liam share a birthday! He turned 6 this year.
Happy Birthday to Emmy and Matt!

Following along!

 

[donaldtoo]

So fun! Emmy and my son, Liam share a birthday! He turned 6 this year.
Happy Birthday to Emmy and Matt!

Following along!

Thanks so much…!!!
Cool, and a happy belated birthday to Liam…!!!
Between friends and family, we have a lot of October birthdays, including mine on the 20th…!
Anyway, thanks for following…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Saturday, October 7th, and Matt's 31st birthday, continued…

After Ratatouille, the younger adults (Daniel, Megan, Matthew and Sarah) headed for their Guardians BG, while us slightly more seasoned adults headed to Imagination with Emmy, Audrey and Figment Popcorn Bucket…!!!!!!!

After Imagination, we headed over to meet the others at Guardians…!!!

Up next…
We head to Norway for a ride and some treats…!!!!!