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]

I do. Crushed ice , then in processor, with one of these, til smooth then add grand marnier. I add a healthy shot on top. And a shot of vanilla
It is heaven!

Do it.. you won't be sorry!

Hmm... I am adding the Grand Mariner Slush to my next trip goals list.

Now we have @DisneyGigi ’s recipe. Lets give it a try and report back!!

 

[Darstarr]

Are there no buttons they won't push?!

Nope. They push them all!!!

 

[Darstarr]

You got a bad Chocolate Crinkle cookie. Ours was fresh and delish!!

Oh man!

I the Gingerbread Man cookie (for looks only, though).

Tastewise, the most appealing cookie from the Holiday Cookie Stroll for me, is the Linzer. Was it as good as it looks?

I will have to ask Ant. I abandoned it and never tried it. I am particular when it comes to Linzer cookies. I took a class with an Austrian pastry Chef who made a killer Linzer!

 

[Darstarr]

That's hysterical--your comment, not X.

Thanks.

 

[Darstarr]

Your food dishes that you didn't get to eat most of looked delicious! Sorry the CM at Canada was so unmagical. That always makes me a bit sad when you come across a CM that has a bad attitude. I keep saying that I want to try one of those Grand Marnier slushies from France but never actually buy one for myself! Glad you got to enjoy the CP even if it was standing room only. We don't ever get a seat for it but always have to stand in the back and take in the pageantry of it all for a bit!

The food did look good but I was so full I doubt I would have appreciated it. The Grand Marnier slushy I fully appreciated, however
I dont remember the narrators name of the CP. She was a last minute fill in. They said she was from the Mandalorian but I did not recognize her. The singing was as beautiful as ever, even from the pavement in the back.

 

[Darstarr]

With respect to the non friendly person at the Canadian pavilion ...

on behalf of the entire country....

I am sorry.

Max

Thank you Max. That feels very sincere and I appreciate it immensely.
If your gig at Toyota doesn't work out you could write greeting cards
(True Value could be your editor)

 

[Loco_driver]

I dont remember the narrators name of the CP. She was a last minute fill in. They said she was from the Mandalorian but I did not recognize her.

I think it was Ming-Na Wen. She’s in the mandalorian. More importantly she’s a Disney legend, and the voice of Mulan! She narrated from 11/29-12/1.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Now we have @DisneyGigi ’s recipe. Lets give it a try and report back!!

I should add that by shot of vanilla, I mean a 1/2 teaspoon or so of vanilla extract. I never measure anything. I like mine stout too so I add the extra shot of Grand Marnier on top. I probably use like a 1/4 cup when it is being blended. (Again, I eyeball everything) This isn’t exact but it is very, very close. I played around with different things for years and the Luigis is the closest to what they use I have found.

 

[Darstarr]

I think it was Ming-Na Wen. She’s in the mandalorian. More importantly she’s a Disney legend, and the voice of Mulan! She narrated from 11/29-12/1.

The Mulan part I knew. Maybe I should have led with that but with the Mandalorian craze that is where my brain went. Which episode(s) was she in because I am coming up blank.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

The Mulan part I knew. Maybe I should have led with that but with the Mandalorian craze that is where my brain went. Which episode(s) was she in because I am coming up blank.

It was episode 5.

Spoiler

This was the episode when baby Yoda hung out with Amy Sedaris. Ming-Na Wen was an assassin.

 

[Darstarr]

It was episode 5.

Spoiler

This was the episode when baby Yoda hung out with Amy Sedaris. Ming-Na Wen was an assassin.

Seems I might benefit from a rewatch.

 

[Darstarr]

November 30 cont

After watching the Candlelight Processional for awhile Ant and I decided to go see The American Adventure.
We had some time before the show so I poked around in the Native American museum area.

I do not recall what this dress was about but a couple came in and after a few minutes the woman exclaimed, “I found it!”

They must have been on a search for hidden Mickeys.

Ummmm, Christian Louboutin is French not Native American. Did he not get the memo???

Even Disneys little trees are so well done.

While I exposed myself to some culture, looks like others were catching up on their sleep.

 

[Darstarr]

November 30 cont

AJ loves flags (especially American flags) so I took photos to send to him.

We had not had fish and chips yet. And it had been at least an hour since we last ate so off to England we went.

We got an order of fish to split and a beer.

I was not that hungry so I took the smaller piece. But...well, I will just show you the picture.

On the left is Ant’s normal piece. On the right is mine. There was no fish in there! The fish was about 1/4 inch thick. So unacceptable. Ant, bless his heart, returned it and got me a fresh plump, delicious piece of fish.

 

[Darstarr]

November 30 cont

We had not gotten our AP magnets yet so I texted the boys to come back. On our way to meet up with them we got some tree selfies.

After we got our magnets I mobile ordered the boys some chicken nuggets and we went our separate ways again.

(I took this photo later but they are so cute I had to post)

 

[Darstarr]

November 30 cont

Ant and I went to ride Nemo, then, because we could, we lingered in the aquarium.

It was just after 8:00pm and quiet inside the building but not inside the tank! There were scuba divers. I thought it was an odd hour. The manatees had already been put to bed so it seemed pretty late to be taking exorbitant amounts of cash from tourists. Oh, wait....

This fish was swimming nose down. We thought any moment he would go belly up and watched him for a long time. All the other fish were following him around. Then I had a thought. Maybe HE was a SHE. Fish spawn at night. Perhaps? We saw no evidence of this but it was fun to play junior marine biologist.

It was not past the dolphins’ bedtime. They were very active.

 

[Darstarr]

November 30 cont

Ant and I headed to the buses after our visit to the Seas. I was searching for a deserving family to give Bucky, the poocorn bucket to, but did not see anyone worthy.
On our bus we met a nice couple with a five or six year old son. Bingo! But they were departing the next day. Rats.
We talked the entire ride back to the resort and he told us an interesting story about their experience at Test Track. It seems he and his brother own 6 Corvettes between them. He had been talking to a CM in the car showroom post show area and this came up. She invited them into a special Chevrolet VIP lounge. I didnt even know that existed but I have since seen it mentioned once or twice on the boards.

We went to sleep. The next morning we were checking out.

 

[Tuvalu]

She invited them into a special Chevrolet VIP lounge. I didnt even know that existed but I have since seen it mentioned once or twice on the boards.

I’ve been there and just spent the last 10 minutes searching for pictures to post. You’ll have to trust me. It’s on the upper level and a wall of windows looks out over the outside entrance. A smaller window looks directly into the ride (brake test part.) There are conference rooms and a complimentary soft drink dispenser.

I’ve been fortunate over the years to experience several VIP lounges ~ SSE, Mission Space, The Land, Imagination (pre-DVC), American Adventure.

 

[Darstarr]

December 1st

@Nunu was driving up as we were heading out. Call us crazy but we coordinated to meet at a rest stop.
On our way just after 9:00am

It looked like we were going to time it perfectly. This is the rest stop.

We did! There was Nunu when I walked in. I was so happy!! I had warned the boys but they were a little like “huh?”
It was amazing seeing my new old friend and meeting Frank, her husband. We chatted, the boys got food (big surprise) and we did a photo shoot.

Seriously, Ant took a ton of pictures.

I handed Bucky off (who hadn't been officially named yet. @Nunu named it later) and we said our see ya real soons.

We piled back in the rental and drove onward to my Dad’s. He had moved the previous day so we spent all day unpacking and organizing.

His new place is beautiful and there were peacocks wandering around on the property.

I wish they were strutting their stuff. Peacocks are so beautiful when they have their plumage on display.

The next day we flew back home to a dismal and dreary, rainy day. Boo
Proof

Thank you all for reading and commenting and following along. I love the interactions we have and the connections we make here.

Lacrosse season for X begins today with their first scrimmage. I like to see as many of his games as possible and usually tack on a day or two at WDW. Most of these will be solo but I have made some plans to meet up with a Magician. Very excited about that. Stay tuned. I may do some live trip reporting. I wont seem so alone if I have all of you with me.

@DisneyGigi look what Ant just came home with!

Once again, thank you for reading!
(And I will update you on my Grand Marnier slushee progress)

 

[Darstarr]

I’ve been there and just spent the last 10 minutes searching for pictures to post. You’ll have to trust me. It’s on the upper level and a wall of windows looks out over the outside entrance. A smaller window looks directly into the ride (brake test part.) There are conference rooms and a complimentary soft drink dispenser.

I’ve been fortunate over the years to experience several VIP lounges ~ SSE, Mission Space, The Land, Imagination (pre-DVC), American Adventure.

Well, we own a Tahoe. I wonder if that will get us in
Post pix if you find them, please.

 

[Tink86]

Thank you for sharing your trip @Darstarr!