Trip Report The mistakes that I learned from..Trip back in time..

Friends, I've been thinking,

I need a major distraction, and also, I received too many compliments for my laid back style..
I'm going to continue on the trip report binge and do a comparison of our 2015 trip here. It won't be as long.. I promise. If you want to follow along with my madness, you are welcome. I've had a rough past few days and need something to keep me busy.

So here it goes.. first I should change the title though..
ETA- actually its easier to do in a separate thread.

So here I am....

 

[21stamps]

At the time I am sure you were freaking out because the poor kid was sleeping on a ride that does bounce you out of your seat a bit. Bet you had a death grip on him.
But I get how you wanted him to experience it all. I think we as parents are all like that when it comes to something as big as a visit to Disney World and then we don't get it when all they want to do is play in the hotel pool. It really is hard to stop and smell the roses when you are there. I always say I will try and slow down, but it can be hard when you have 5 other people with differing opinions chiming in all the time on what they would like to do. How dare they!

Ha ha! I was holding him so tightly!!
I thought I would get stopped and reprimanded or taken to jail after the ride.lol. Who takes their kid on a roller coaster while sleeping?! Apparently I do. I really thought that he would wake up the second we sat down.
I can't wait to read your report!! Do you guys all stick together all day?

P.S. I loooove that picture of you and T on SDMT. He looks absolutely thrilled to pieces! So DARNED cute!!

He was! Thanks!!

Okay, is my family the only one to have never encountered these snakes at Winter/Summerland, or anywhere else on property? Not that I am complaining, mind you.

I can't comment on this..more on snakes later..lol. I wouldn't be complaining about now seeing them either!! You're lucky!

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

I can't wait to read your report!! Do you guys all stick together all day?

Yes, together all day. My oldest is 15 now but a tiny 15, so unless I am there to vouch for her age, I am not sure they would let her go on a ride unaccompanied or as a companion for my DS13 who is 3 inches taller than her now.

 

[21stamps]

Oh I forgot to add this photo that I took before dinner.

T requested it. Stitch is his Favorite Disney Character. Something a little creepy happened...another woman took a photo of him as well. She said, "That's so cute, I need a pic too" "ummm, ok" A little odd.lol

 

[21stamps]

Yes, together all day. My oldest is 15 now but a tiny 15, so unless I am there to vouch for her age, I am not sure they would let her go on a ride unaccompanied or as a companion for my DS13 who is 3 inches taller than her now.

My sister is almost 8 years younger than me, my parents used to split up sometimes so my brother and I could still do all of the "bigger" rides. My grandmother went with us probably 8-9 times, so sometimes she would watch my sister while we all went on Space Mountain or something. Once she was tall enough then we stayed together all of the time...or most of it... at that point though me and my brother wanted to separate from the group and go play hide and seek on Tom Sawyer's Island.lol

That's crazy that your 13 years old is taller than your 15 year old. Funny how different siblings can be. I'm 5'7, my sister is barely 5'1.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

My sister is almost 8 years younger than me, my parents used to split up sometimes so my brother and I could still do all of the "bigger" rides. My grandmother went with us probably 8-9 times, so sometimes she would watch my sister while we all went on Space Mountain or something. Once she was tall enough then we stayed together all of the time...or most of it... at that point though me and my brother wanted to separate from the group and go play hide and seek on Tom Sawyer's Island.lol

That's crazy that your 13 years old is taller than your 15 year old. Funny how different siblings can be. I'm 5'7, my sister is barely 5'1.

I know. My son has started his growth spurt. He will surpass my height of 5'2" probably by the summer which leaves me with mixed emotions. I am hoping my DD makes it to at least 5'. She has 3 inches to go.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Something a little creepy happened...another woman took a photo of him as well. She said, "That's so cute, I need a pic too" "ummm, ok" A little odd.

Yes, that is most definitely weird. Maybe she had never seen a cuter little boy than T?

 

[Courtney6682]

I know you guys are probably thinking "Why does this woman go to Disney and spend time watching Ohio State football?!"

Seems normal to me, then again my daughter and I stalked/chased/hunted down a 60 yr old stranger!! LOL...Did I mention that Brook wanted to invite Elsie to her bday dinner? I was mortified!! But you'll have to wait and see how that played out...



Sweet Dreams, buddy. Sleep well, we have an 8:05am reservation in the morning.

This made me LOL once again!! You're like a Disney drill sergeant!!

 

[21stamps]

I know. My son has started his growth spurt. He will surpass my height of 5'2" probably by the summer which leaves me with mixed emotions. I am hoping my DD makes it to at least 5'. She has 3 inches to go.

Oh I dread that day
Your daughter will get there!lol

Yes, that is most definitely weird. Maybe she had never seen a cuter little boy than T?

Ha ha, I'm thinking it was because he was just so excited..although that doesn't make it any less strange.lol
He literally jumped up and down and said "Mommy take my picture!" This was the second one, he did the same upon arrival, sans Mickey Ears.. and seriously asked for a photo every single time we passed that surfboard.lol. He wanted one this past trip as well. He loves that surfboard for some reason.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

He loves that surfboard for some reason.

Oh, he is not the only one. How many times have I imagined just walking out with it.

 

[21stamps]

@Courtney6682
Omg. That's too funny!! I can't wait to read about it!!


I should have said the times in these photos. We left MK at midnight that first night.. had been up some 6am.. the next day I allowed us to sleep in until 6:45am. T&C went to sleep around 10:30-11 respectively. The following morning (up next) I set our alarm for 6:15am, and made everyone get up at that time. That part may be a little drill sargeantish.. I wonder if C lied about getting sick in December, maybe she didn't want to come visit us at WDW again...

 

[21stamps]

BOG PPO!!!

I picked up this gem of a reservation maybe 5 days before our trip.

Ok so maybe we didn't need to wake up at 6:15am for it. Oops. We were all ready in plenty of time. As is in showered and dressed within just over a half an hour of waking up.. oh well, I'll drink more coffee and obsess over our reservations some more.

We left the room at 7:45 and walked to the launch. Hurried to the restaurant. Did not stop on Main Street for photos, I didn't want to "waste time" with that. We had to be in and out of breakfast quickly. Lots to do today!

We check out the different rooms, C has been before..this is a first for both me and T.
He chooses Beast's room to eat in.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

the next day I allowed us to sleep in until 6:45am.

 

[21stamps]

I don't know if you can tell by his face above, but kiddo was not in a "Magical" mood. He wasn't too happy that I rushed him along all morning, did not allow him to stop and look at anything on Main Street, and kept telling him to eat instead of talk. It wasn't all bad though..we did chat after we finished our meals. But, Most of the time was spent with me checking MDE.

We exit the restaurant. T, in a display of adorableness, asks C to dance with him.

I ask him to dance with me as well.
His reply "No."
Me- "What?"
T- "You aren't being very nice today. I don't want to dance with you."

Wow. Ok. Well, you're at least taking a photo with me. He wasn't thrilled.

Yay! A half smile, because I pretty much forced him. I still have the weird freaked out look. And, I'm a little bit sad that my son is annoyed with me before 9:00 in the morning. I look miserable in these photos. I was stressed about fitting "everything" in today. We had a lot on our list. I shake off my son's attitude with me and move on. He'll get over it once we get moving!

 

[21stamps]

Time to rush to 7DMT!!!

We all were able to go on this time!!
My ears are still ringing from C's screams.

Exit the ride and head to the teacups. T is already complaining about the heat.
We pass a cart with fans..and I agree to buy him one.
Best $20 of my life.
It stopped him from complaining several different times. How my kid is so intolerant of heat is beyond me. He's from South Florida!!

 

[21stamps]

Next up- Winnie the Pooh!

Then we head over for our next FP-

Splash Mountain!
Again.. C makes my ears hurt.

We want to go to Tom Sawyer's Island, but the line is super long, and T complains about it. We take a checkers break before heading back over there. T and C take a break, I check MDE wait times and restaurant availability again. Still have a few that I'm trying to tweak.

 

[21stamps]

I just have to say-- Tom Sawyer's Island is one of my favorite things at WDW! Instant nostalgia.
Prior to this trip I hadn't been there since a teenager!!! I was so excited for T to explore it for the first time.

Now back to Fantasyland for Barnstormer! Wait time says 20 minutes.
We decide to take the train..

 

[21stamps]

This kid and that spray bottle...

So we get back to Fantasyland and to Barnstormer. My first time on it.
We wait about 15 minutes.

Get on.. T says "This is awesome!!"
Then the ride stops.
T says "Wait, it doesn't go again?"
"Nope"
T- "Well that's not fun!!"

We exit and he spot Casey Jr's Splash area again. The weather channel says that heat index is 104.
Yes, T. Go ahead.
C joins after a minute or so.
I join in as well.

We're all soaked. T's lovin' it.
Looking back, this is probably one of the highlights of our trip, for me. A splash area.
For 5 minutes I didn't check my phone..I just played in the water with my kiddo.

This "off the schedule" moment was one of the best. Or maybe because I was actually fully in that moment..

 

[21stamps]

C has to go back to Palm Beach soon. We had secured another FP for Space Mountain earlier, so hit that up first...


Remember the kid who wouldn't move? So yeah, that didn't just start in 2016. That's been a theme for a few years now. Airports, and now Disney World.

This cracks me up...he was trying so hard to get on the screen..lol

Then the Tea Cups again, and afterwards stop for a few Photo Pass pics together, and sadly say our goodbyes on Main Street USA..

T was sad to see C go. I think he liked having someone to distract him from my madness...and the constant phone in my hand. I'm sad to see her go as well, I miss my Florida peeps.

We took a few more photo pass pics...

Spotted Snow White...and then stopped to get T a balloon. We stand in line for 10 minutes. Then he picks out a blue one.. Wait..I need cash???? I don't have cash at the park!!! T looks like his heart is broken. I get him a Mickey Ice Cream and tell him we'll go back to Poly, I'll get cash, and come back and get the balloon. Clouds are really gathering as well, I didn't bring our ponchos with us to MK today. We'll grab them too.

Where is this bench now????? I did not see it in 2016.

Time to go get ponchos and cash...T was so excited to see the train while we were out front!

Thanks for waving Mr. Conductor!!!!

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

This kid and that spray bottle...
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So we get back to Fantasyland and to Barnstormer. My first time on it.
We wait about 15 minutes.

Get on.. T says "This is awesome!!"
Then the ride stops.
T says "Wait, it doesn't go again?"
"Nope"
T- "Well that's not fun!!"

We exit and he spot Casey Jr's Splash area again. The weather channel says that heat index is 104.
Yes, T. Go ahead.
C joins after a minute or so.
I join in as well.
View attachment 193035 View attachment 193036 View attachment 193038

We're all soaked. T's lovin' it.
Looking back, this is probably one of the highlights of our trip, for me. A splash area.
For 5 minutes I didn't check my phone..I just played in the water with my kiddo.

This "off the schedule" moment was one of the best. Or maybe because I was actually fully in that moment..
View attachment 193037

You know, maybe one of the worst things of MDE is how many of us get so obsessive about the planning even while in the parks. It used to be that you could just go to guest services the day you were in a park and get an ADR, or you could just grab a paper fast pass, or heck just wait on line. We were probably more able to take it slower a few years back because we didn't have as much control over every aspect of "vacation". We could just "go with the flow" as you did in 2016. It is a great lesson to have learned and shared with us.

 

[21stamps]

This view will never get old.

Tuvalu. My favorite longhouse. Also, my favorite spot in the entire Walt Disney World Resort.