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]

November 30 cont

Tower of Terror was a walk on.

And Rock n roller coaster was also a walk on

Ok. What are we doing. There is a thing, not sure if its from tic toc or snapchat or what but someone throws the pretend ball and the second person catches it with a little flourish of the hand. If anyone has a video of what it is suppose to look like will you please post? Thanks.
Then the boys walked on RnR again. I am not sure who won the game of roshambo.

At this point I assumed everyone was in line for Millenium Falcon. Had we not ridden (rode?) it the other day we would have been there too. But we did and we weren't so onto Star Tours for a .... wait for it....walk on!!! Ant does not do Star Tours.

Then the restroom, of course.

 

[Darstarr]

November 30 cont

After walking off Star Tours I was hoping Baseline would be a walk on, er, in, to start my #snackgoals. Not happening at 8:47 am.
At this point we canceled all our HW FP’s as we had done everything we had wanted to do.
Standing near Baseline scratching our heads and wondering why there aren't any shows that early, I suggested Mickey and Minnie in Red Carpet Dreams. I must be thick because I had no idea it was a meet and greet.
There was one family ahead of us and boy did they smell. Not like roses either!

Animals and little kids love AJ. She didn't hug either of the other boys.

Animals and little kids love AJ. Deja vu moment.

The boys were not happy with me. Again, I had no idea it was a meet and greet. Come on! Look at my hair!!!

 

[Darstarr]

November 30 cont

AJ and Dre left. Ant , X and I thought about our options. It was only 9:00. We could go to Epcot. I checked MDE to see wait times and they were already climbing so instead I worked on getting Soarin FP’s for later while X got a pretzel. I was able to get 2 ppl for 1:30-2:30 and the other 3 for 2:30-3:30.

We decided we would also head out and walked to the buses. It was a ghost town at the bus depot. The three of us waited about 15 minutes. X decided to sit on the railing. Just as he jumped up we were approached by a transportation CM. X jumped off the railing thinking he was getting in trouble

The CM told us there was no bus on the way and they do not want guests to wait more than 20 minutes so he had called us a van.
Wow! That is some amazing customer service!

Our driver was so nice. She was originally from the Bronx but had lived in Florida since she got married 17 years earlier. She also drove buses and we talked and talked but nothing life changing as I don't remember and didn't note anything.

Picture of Mickey at the Sports.

The plan was to nap/rest and the boys wanted to play some football. After about 20 minutes I thought, “what the heck am I doing? I don't nap in Disney!” My motto: I can sleep on the plane (which I never do)

The boys went to play FB

Why are they playing FB on the tennis court?
No idea!

I headed to the buses. This is the cute bar area near the main building and pool.

This was my seat on the bus. This is the control pad for the bus up and down action that allows scooters on/off.

I may have mentioned before but I really like my 2019 Disneyworld backpack. I rarely buy anything with a date on it because it dates it (duh). But I really liked this backpack. Well, sitting on the bus, by myself, I noticed some things in the pattern I never noticed before.

Like an elephant with its trunk up

Or an X Wing...

Did someone say palm tree

So...an unofficial poll.
Do I/can I use my 2019 backpack in 2020???

 

[Loco_driver]

So...an unofficial poll.
Do I/can I use my 2019 backpack in 2020???

Absolutely! Although I also have no sort of fashion sense, so what do I know. Maybe wait for other, more valuable, opinions!

 

[LisaBelle]

So...an unofficial poll.
Do I/can I use my 2019 backpack in 2020???

I say yes!

 

[Laura Loves Tigger]

I vote yes! It's super cute!

 

[k8einwdw]

So...an unofficial poll.
Do I/can I use my 2019 backpack in 2020???

I vote YES! It’s cute!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Yes for the 2019 in 2020, it shows your WDW street cred.

 

[Doc Disney]

They have something called Batuu bits, another group at our table had them. It looked like that Asian trailmix stuff with hummus. But not as delicious. Pass.

I'm super late to the party as usual with this TR
But --- those Batuu bites were actually pretty good!

SERIOUSLY??!!

This is my go-to ladies room. Pun intended.

SAME!

 

[Rista1313]

November 30 cont

AJ and Dre left. Ant , X and I thought about our options. It was only 9:00. We could go to Epcot. I checked MDE to see wait times and they were already climbing so instead I worked on getting Soarin FP’s for later while X got a pretzel. I was able to get 2 ppl for 1:30-2:30 and the other 3 for 2:30-3:30.

We decided we would also head out and walked to the buses. It was a ghost town at the bus depot. The three of us waited about 15 minutes. X decided to sit on the railing. Just as he jumped up we were approached by a transportation CM. X jumped off the railing thinking he was getting in trouble

The CM told us there was no bus on the way and they do not want guests to wait more than 20 minutes so he had called us a van.
Wow! That is some amazing customer service!
View attachment 439344
Our driver was so nice. She was originally from the Bronx but had lived in Florida since she got married 17 years earlier. She also drove buses and we talked and talked but nothing life changing as I don't remember and didn't note anything.

Picture of Mickey at the Sports.
View attachment 439345

The plan was to nap/rest and the boys wanted to play some football. After about 20 minutes I thought, “what the heck am I doing? I don't nap in Disney!” My motto: I can sleep on the plane (which I never do)

The boys went to play FB
View attachment 439346
View attachment 439347
Why are they playing FB on the tennis court?
No idea!

I headed to the buses. This is the cute bar area near the main building and pool.
View attachment 439348

This was my seat on the bus. This is the control pad for the bus up and down action that allows scooters on/off.
View attachment 439349

I may have mentioned before but I really like my 2019 Disneyworld backpack. I rarely buy anything with a date on it because it dates it (duh). But I really liked this backpack. Well, sitting on the bus, by myself, I noticed some things in the pattern I never noticed before.
View attachment 439350
Like an elephant with its trunk up❤❤❤


View attachment 439351
Or an X Wing...

View attachment 439352
Did someone say palm tree

So...an unofficial poll.
Do I/can I use my 2019 backpack in 2020???

Yup! I do agree with you though.. I rarely buy anything with a date on it either.

 

[MegRuss626]

I rarely buy anything with a date on it because it dates it (duh).

I feel it’s ok to use for a little bit? My husband made a “no items with dates” rule when I wouldn’t wear a 2014 hoodie when we went in 2016

 

[Nunu]

2019 Backpack is not only cute, but also has many details that mean something to you.
I vote, YES!

 

[Swissmiss]

I’m team Yes as well.

Forgot to mention when I was waiting in line for the Peoplemover the other day the woman directly in front of me “sort of” looked like you (not really, but enough to make me think of you) .... and would you believe she had a trunk up elephant on her t-shirt?!

 

[Oh bother!]

November 30 cont

AJ and Dre left. Ant , X and I thought about our options. It was only 9:00. We could go to Epcot. I checked MDE to see wait times and they were already climbing so instead I worked on getting Soarin FP’s for later while X got a pretzel. I was able to get 2 ppl for 1:30-2:30 and the other 3 for 2:30-3:30.

We decided we would also head out and walked to the buses. It was a ghost town at the bus depot. The three of us waited about 15 minutes. X decided to sit on the railing. Just as he jumped up we were approached by a transportation CM. X jumped off the railing thinking he was getting in trouble

The CM told us there was no bus on the way and they do not want guests to wait more than 20 minutes so he had called us a van.
Wow! That is some amazing customer service!
View attachment 439344
Our driver was so nice. She was originally from the Bronx but had lived in Florida since she got married 17 years earlier. She also drove buses and we talked and talked but nothing life changing as I don't remember and didn't note anything.

Picture of Mickey at the Sports.
View attachment 439345

The plan was to nap/rest and the boys wanted to play some football. After about 20 minutes I thought, “what the heck am I doing? I don't nap in Disney!” My motto: I can sleep on the plane (which I never do)

The boys went to play FB
View attachment 439346
View attachment 439347
Why are they playing FB on the tennis court?
No idea!

I headed to the buses. This is the cute bar area near the main building and pool.
View attachment 439348

This was my seat on the bus. This is the control pad for the bus up and down action that allows scooters on/off.
View attachment 439349

I may have mentioned before but I really like my 2019 Disneyworld backpack. I rarely buy anything with a date on it because it dates it (duh). But I really liked this backpack. Well, sitting on the bus, by myself, I noticed some things in the pattern I never noticed before.
View attachment 439350
Like an elephant with its trunk up❤❤❤


View attachment 439351
Or an X Wing...

View attachment 439352
Did someone say palm tree

So...an unofficial poll.
Do I/can I use my 2019 backpack in 2020???

Yes for this year at least, to nice not to use!

 

[lindawdw]

You definitely can use your 2019 backpack in 2020! I've been using my 2008 sling bag almost every trip since I originally bought it! It's what is now considered "vintage"!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Another vote for using the bag!

I’m not a good judge of coolness or fashion so take that vote with a grain of salt.

 

[PacNWTigger]

I definitely say use the bag. It's too cute, and who knows what other goodies you might find on it that you love.

 

[KellBelle]

November 30 cont

AJ and Dre left. Ant , X and I thought about our options. It was only 9:00. We could go to Epcot. I checked MDE to see wait times and they were already climbing so instead I worked on getting Soarin FP’s for later while X got a pretzel. I was able to get 2 ppl for 1:30-2:30 and the other 3 for 2:30-3:30.

We decided we would also head out and walked to the buses. It was a ghost town at the bus depot. The three of us waited about 15 minutes. X decided to sit on the railing. Just as he jumped up we were approached by a transportation CM. X jumped off the railing thinking he was getting in trouble

The CM told us there was no bus on the way and they do not want guests to wait more than 20 minutes so he had called us a van.
Wow! That is some amazing customer service!
View attachment 439344
Our driver was so nice. She was originally from the Bronx but had lived in Florida since she got married 17 years earlier. She also drove buses and we talked and talked but nothing life changing as I don't remember and didn't note anything.

Picture of Mickey at the Sports.
View attachment 439345

The plan was to nap/rest and the boys wanted to play some football. After about 20 minutes I thought, “what the heck am I doing? I don't nap in Disney!” My motto: I can sleep on the plane (which I never do)

The boys went to play FB
View attachment 439346
View attachment 439347
Why are they playing FB on the tennis court?
No idea!

I headed to the buses. This is the cute bar area near the main building and pool.
View attachment 439348

This was my seat on the bus. This is the control pad for the bus up and down action that allows scooters on/off.
View attachment 439349

I may have mentioned before but I really like my 2019 Disneyworld backpack. I rarely buy anything with a date on it because it dates it (duh). But I really liked this backpack. Well, sitting on the bus, by myself, I noticed some things in the pattern I never noticed before.
View attachment 439350
Like an elephant with its trunk up❤❤❤


View attachment 439351
Or an X Wing...

View attachment 439352
Did someone say palm tree

So...an unofficial poll.
Do I/can I use my 2019 backpack in 2020???

 

[Darstarr]

Absolutely! Although I also have no sort of fashion sense, so what do I know. Maybe wait for other, more valuable, opinions!

I say yes!

I vote yes! It's super cute!

I vote YES! It’s cute!

Yes for the 2019 in 2020, it shows your WDW street cred.

2019 Backpack is not only cute, but also has many details that mean something to you.
I vote, YES!

I’m team Yes as well.

Yes for this year at least, to nice not to use!

You definitely can use your 2019 backpack in 2020! I've been using my 2008 sling bag almost every trip since I originally bought it! It's what is now considered "vintage"!

I love that. Maybe I should put it in the vault for 10 years.

Another vote for using the bag!

I’m not a good judge of coolness or fashion so take that vote with a grain of salt.

I definitely say use the bag. It's too cute, and who knows what other goodies you might find on it that you love.

I think the yeses (@Tuvalu is that correct?) have it!!! Thank you. I will be bringing it on my upcoming trip, where I may look for a new one

 

[Darstarr]

I'm super late to the party as usual with this TR
But --- those Batuu bites were actually pretty good!



SAME!

Welcome. Not late just....previously occupied which made it difficult or impossible to be here before now