Trip Report THE ONE FOR THE SALTY 16 (and Thanksgiving🍕)*COMPLETE*

Hello again.
It’s me, Darstarr
This latest episode stars the family!
My husband-Ant
Oldest son-X
Middle son and bday boy-AJ
And the youngest son-Dre

November 26-December 1
At.....wait for it...
All Star Sports!

Collective gasp
“But Darstarr, you’re DVC.”
Yes I am DVC and we (I) have made good use out of it this year. However, when I went to book this trip there was nothing available. Nothing!!! OK, nothing in my point range. My boys are big and they hate sharing beds and someone always ends up on the floor. One time my youngest slept on the dining table banquet rather than share the pullout with his brother. It’s vacation, no one should have to sleep on the floor. We didn’t have enough points left for a two bedroom so I began looking around for a room. I found a room at Riverside that slept 5 for about $250/night. We have done the 5 in a room thing there when the kids were smaller and it was cramped. I was not looking forward to that. Then passholder discounts came out and I got two rooms (TWO) at the original A.S.S. for less than the one room at Riverside. 4 beds and 2 bathrooms!!! SOLD!!!


Lets get to it!

Day one- November 26th
The day started like every other school day except it was AJ’s 16th birthday so he opened presents before leaving for school.

“Mom will you pack my new shirt?”

I was suppose to work this day but I had worked the previous Friday, which is usually my day off, so my boss told me to take the day off. Yay! More time to clean the house.

The five of us were flying down on jet blue from JFK. Four of us were returning to ISP on Southwest. Ant took the dog to his father’s then took his car to ISP so it would be there when we landed on the 2nd. (we have a free resident parking sticker).

We debated taking the train to JFK but it was way cheaper to hire a car. The kids got gome from school about 2:15, “the car is here!”
What???
The car wasn't suppose to come until 3:00. Ant was like “lets go”. I was like “dont rush me because if you rush me and I forget something you will be sorry besides he is 45 minutes early so he can wait”. And yes, I said it just like that, as one long run on sentence.
We left at 2:30. I didnt forget a thing.

 

[Darstarr]

Abstract is art.

Not the way I do it

 

[Darstarr]

November 29 cont


We tried for Philharmagic but the lady closed the door right on our faces. So rude! Instead we decided to watch the parade. We got a great spot on the stockades in Liberty Square.

 

[Darstarr]

November 29 cont

Took this one for @JIMINYCR

 

[Darstarr]

November 29 cont

Lastly,

We were hot from watching the parade in the sun so we headed to Splash to use our second bonus FP. AJ refused to ride. He didn't want to get wet. Whatever! BTW, the water cannons were off. No unnecessary dousing today.

After Splash I hit the ladies room. When I came out the menfolk were gathered around a trash can stuffing leftover mickey waffles in their mouths.
Then we FP’d Big Thunder. It was crowded near big thunder/splash mountain.

We were going to go on Pirates and started to make our way over but it was down.
We saw these guys...

They talked us into it. Besides, the boys needed a nap

For you @Loco_driver

 

[Darstarr]

November 29 cont

We also did Tiki room for more nap time

I saw on MDE that the speedway was 25 min. When we got there it was 45

So we got on line (again) for the People Mover.
There were 3 or 4 groups in front of us just before the escalator and it broke down...again.
We did finally make it on, however.

 

[Darstarr]

November 29 cont

It was more crowded today than the previous two, which was to be expected. We grabbed some popcorn, hit up the restrooms and made our way out.

Finally! No Callan here

We were heading to the Poly and headed for the dock to take the boat over.
So pretty!

 

[Darstarr]

November 29 cont

We had an O’hana reservation but we were early so went to the Tiki Terrace for a drink.

Ant got something fancy. Not sure what but it probably had malibu rum in it.

Longboard for me.

AJ studying the menu. He joined us late as he wanted to check out the TP quality of the poly (the poly potty)

Everyone was on their phone. Normally that would annoy me but we all need a little space. We will take what we can get, even if it is 5 minutes of screen time.

AJ’s drink selection. I think it was a cherry coke, extra cherries. Or a coke with extra cherries thus making it a cherry coke?

So relaxing...

 

[Darstarr]

November 29 cont

Pretty soon the Ukulele player set up to play. He is always so fantastic. When we were in Aulani the boys all got Ukuleles at costco and the CM’s in the rec room taught them to play a little.
He encouraged the audience to make requests and much to my suprise AJ asked for Over the Rainbow. He performed it beautifully and then we had to go inside and check in for dinner.

Speaking of beautiful!

There was a huge choir down there singing.

I did not write down our servers name. He was really good and seemed to be working in partnership with the server in the adjacent section. Brilliant!

Double

They kept trying to take the salad but I wouldnt let them. I like it so much I kept going back to it.

Lets be honest, this platter is the real star of the show.

We had plenty of seconds, and thirds!

Speaking of shows!
“Is anyone celebrating a birthday?”

And dessert! But who had room???

We all decided that we would remember this as our Thanksgiving feast instead of the disappointment at Pizzafari the night before.

 

[Swissmiss]

Hmm. Why is the universe against our beloved @Darstarr? Now that you have broken the rain curse, it sounds like a new restaurant curse has been placed upon you

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

LOL, I had to laugh at the middle son! He was standing on his toes again for the picture. So Funny
The food at Ohana looks amazing!

 

[JIMINYCR]

November 29 cont

View attachment 437943View attachment 437944View attachment 437945View attachment 437946View attachment 437947
Took this one for @JIMINYCR
View attachment 437957

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Much appreciated. And I enjoy the fire breathing Maleficent too!!!

 

[krisri18]

November 29 cont

We had an O’hana reservation but we were early so went to the Tiki Terrace for a drink.

View attachment 437999

Ant got something fancy. Not sure what but it probably had malibu rum in it.
View attachment 438000

Longboard for me.
View attachment 438001

AJ studying the menu. He joined us late as he wanted to check out the TP quality of the poly (the poly potty)
View attachment 438002

Everyone was on their phone. Normally that would annoy me but we all need a little space. We will take what we can get, even if it is 5 minutes of screen time.
View attachment 438003
View attachment 438004

AJ’s drink selection. I think it was a cherry coke, extra cherries. Or a coke with extra cherries thus making it a cherry coke?
View attachment 438005

So relaxing...
View attachment 438007

Looks like Ant had a spikey pineapple! One of my favorites!

 

[Darstarr]

Hmm. Why is the universe against our beloved @Darstarr? Now that you have broken the rain curse, it sounds like a new restaurant curse has been placed upon you

The funny thing is, yes, it is always me if we go out to a restaurant. It happened the other day in the city too. My food is always wrong or late or late and wrong. I have kinda made my peace with it
But hey! No rain right

 

[Darstarr]

LOL, I had to laugh at the middle son! He was standing on his toes again for the picture. So Funny
The food at Ohana looks amazing!

They are always trying to be bigger than the next.
The food at O’hana was ah maze ing!!!
No problems here @Swissmiss

 

[Darstarr]

Much appreciated. And I enjoy the fire breathing Maleficent too!!!

I was trying to get a good photo you could use in your countdown. Is that funny or odd that I thought of you the moment I saw him???

 

[Darstarr]

Looks like Ant had a spikey pineapple! One of my favorites!

Ant is so funny. His favorite is Malibu and pineapple. But he doesn't like coconut. And he swears malibu isn't coconut even though it says right on the bottle coconut rum.
Can you say denial???

 

[Loco_driver]

Lets be honest, this platter is the real star of the show.

Couldn’t agree more. The potstickers and the noodles I could eat until I’m sick. Now I’m wanting to go again my next trip(you’re costing me money here!).

For you @Loco_driver

Thanks for thinking of me!

Also happy new year to you! I hope you didn’t party too hard last night!

 

[Darstarr]

November 29 cont

AJ and Dre wanted to go back to The Sports. Ant really wanted to go see the GF gingerbread house. I was on board with that.
X was waivering but decided to stay with his P’s.

We all headed for the monorail. BTW, this might crack some of you up but AJ decided he was going to take the skyliner home.
“But AJ, the skyliner doesn't run from the MK. Or to the all-stars. How are you going to do that?”
“Well, I take the monorail to Epcot, then the skyway to Hollywood and a bus to Sports.”

The previous night when he needed a rest and we went to MK without him...? He was just riding the skyliner. Back and forth back and forth.
I made some last minute plans to go to WDW for my birthday, Ant and I decided we won’t even get them park passes or renew their AP’s. They can take the skyliner and swim and rent the sea racyers.

Feeling patriotic.

Once at the GF I thought I would shop and have a good look around. It was about 8:45 which is early in Disney time. X had other plans. Why why why did he come with us?
The first store I went in he pulled me out of with his constant whining. We always say he should have been an only child.
“Mom, this is not the gingerbread house. Why are you in here? Lets go. Come on. What are you doing? I thought we were going to the gingerbread house?”
On a constant loop until you can not think and you wonder why you thought it was a good idea to see the gingerbread house...or have kids!!!

I managed a couple photos of the beautiful GF decked out for Christmas.

This was in the store I was badgered into leaving. I love the windows that go to the floor. My dog would really love them!

X can be quite charming and lovable which makes me look past how annoying he can be.

“I’ll take the selfie.”

“Can we go now?”
Me: “You can go. You know the way back to the hotel.”
Nope.
We all headed to the MK and the buses. We just made a bus. A man offered me his seat. Am I old??? Usually I am the first to get up and offer my seat

It was still early when we got back so I went to the gift shop and picked up some packages then went to the front desk and paid down one of the rooms charges with some gift cards I had.

We were all in bed by 10:30.
Another great day!!!

 

[Darstarr]

Couldn’t agree more. The potstickers and the noodles I could eat until I’m sick. Now I’m wanting to go again my next trip(you’re costing me money here!).



Thanks for thinking of me!

Also happy new year to you! I hope you didn’t party too hard last night!

Potstickers, noodles and I am going to throw a wild card in here but I love the broccoli.
(If you skip breakfast and eat only $2 popcorn then have an early dinner you should make out ok$)

Happy New Year to you too!!
I didnt party too hard but boy did I eat. We had a feast of epic proportions and if I told you what we had it would make you sick because nothing went together. It was very “international”. I dubbed it an Epcot world showcase new year!
(But we couldnt find the moosehead beer)
And you???

 

[BuckyMom]

First, Happy New Year to all. Next, LOVE your TR's. Your kids remind me of my 23 year old son. I only do Disney with the girl. He has no patience for a slow stroll through the shops. Last, Go Badgers!