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.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

I am also a fan of the new shampoo/conditioner dispensers.

Me previously:

 

[donaldtoo]

Tuesday November 26 cont

We loaded in the car and had to take the driving to the airport selfies. I think that is a rule around here.
View attachment 432165
(@Zipitidoda AJ is smiling again!)

As we arrived guess what song was on the radio.
View attachment 432166
Ha ha

We ate some horrible food in the JFK Jet Blue terminal then boarded. On airplane selfies as mandated in the Magicians handbook.
View attachment 432167

View attachment 432168

View attachment 432169

Landed in MCO to these guys
View attachment 432170

And this. Yay!
View attachment 432171

Is this new? Does it look like SSE? Is it suppose to?
View attachment 432172

They were installing these droids. There was this one guy working and three suits supervising. I asked one of the suits if the droids were going to be interactive. She said they will make sounds and move but not be interactive.
“Will you be back soon?” she asked me. “Ummmm, to Florida?”
“No to the airport. When are you leaving?”
“Ohhhh. We are leaving from West Palm. Next time.”

View attachment 432174

Then we went to baggage claim. I had paid for a bag and brought a big, mostly, but not really empty suitcase because I knew there would be purchases made. I usually don't buy very much because it won’t fit in my carry on. Not this time!!!
These three guys were working on the belt and then it started up. Yikes! Good thing no one lost a finger. OSHA where are you?
View attachment 432173

I love the Jet”Blue” cabin lights...!!!!!
We flew them for the first time on our “Worldwind” trip, and I really loved them on the flight back that night...!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

I am also a fan of the new shampoo/conditioner dispensers.

Me previously:

View attachment 432469

An ol’ boomer here, but, loves me some “Zoolander”...!!!!!!!

 

[Rista1313]

I think Sports is the last one that still has cots, once they do the renovation, those go away because there is not enough room for a cot.

 

[Darstarr]

For our upcoming trip in April, I “for fun” priced out the difference between All Star Movies (where we’re planning on staying) and the Poly (only monorail resort I haven’t stayed at yet)........a difference of $3,000!!!!

Crazy!

 

[Darstarr]

I am also a fan of the new shampoo/conditioner dispensers.

Me previously:

View attachment 432469

 

[Darstarr]

I love the Jet”Blue” cabin lights...!!!!!
We flew them for the first time on our “Worldwind” trip, and I really loved them on the flight back that night...!!!!!

I must say, the cabin lights are better than any filter I have on my phone. The best lights were the virgin America ones. I always felt like I was in some hip night club.
Also, Zoolander is one if my favorites.
“So hot right now”

 

[Darstarr]

I think Sports is the last one that still has cots, once they do the renovation, those go away because there is not enough room for a cot.

Rista, there was barely enough room for a cot this time. But, I rearranged the furniture and made it happen. I may have an after picture I will post later.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Also, Zoolander is one if my favorites.
“So hot right now”

Mine too. DH judged me pretty hard when I said it was in my top ten. Then he watched it and understood.

 

[fractal]

Tuesday November 26 cont

We headed to the magical express.
Social media I ❤ You....should be printed on my boy’s foreheads!
View attachment 432311

We were the first stop. Yay! Palm trees and obscure lighting.
View attachment 432312

The tree looked really cool shining through the window. But no, mom can not take a picture without it becoming a game (good thing we are at Sports!) I will say, @fractal , tell me if you disagree but, I think I nailed it! Check out that vertical!
View attachment 432313

I got in line. It was very quiet, but it was a Tuesday. My kids were off Wednesday but I am sure many districts were not. Any worry I had about staying at All Star Sports disappeared 1.5 minutes after entering the lobby. While I checked in the boys did this...
View attachment 432315
View attachment 432316
View attachment 432317
I say “boys” which includes my husband. AJ was with me. Lighten up and go have fun!

It was noted on our reservation that we were celebrating a birthday. The CM checking us in was so nice (forgot to jot down her name but she was from Moscow) she blew up some balloons for AJ and gave him a bunch of chocolate. Chocolate is not his favorite...come to mama!!!
View attachment 432318

View attachment 432319

I inquired about getting a microwave and an extra blanket. I had done some research and read about people requesting microwaves for their rooms at Sports. This is a false trail!!!
For the record, I was told there aren't any microwaves on all star resort property to lend or rent.
That was only a minor bummer as we had an instacart order that included breakfast bowls and egg sandwiches that needed to be microwaved. I also had oatmeal but assumed I could get hot water from the coffee maker. What happens when we assume???
There is no coffee maker. Again, not a big deal, there is plenty of free hot water and a microwave in the food court. We made it work.

Also, that extra blanket I requested? I told her the boys hate sharing beds so at least they can have their own blankets. She asked if I wanted a cot? ABSOLUTELY!!! Who offers cots these days? And for no additional charge??? In my big ole Minnie suitcase I had brought a twin air bed but a cot is way better. Thanks CM whose name I forgot!!!

View attachment 432314
BTW: 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms, everyone in their own bed, 5 nights was just a hair more money than ONE night at the Poly.

Regarding the photo - very nice job with framing the subject!

Regarding All-Sports vs. Poly - Almost hard to believe the cost difference. Truly amazing actually - and if you stand between the palm trees in your second photo you can almost imagine being at the Poly!

 

[donaldtoo]

I must say, the cabin lights are better than any filter I have on my phone. The best lights were the virgin America ones. I always felt like I was in some hip night club.
Also, Zoolander is one if my favorites.
“So hot right now”

Never been on a Virgin America flight, however I did Google some images and they look really cool...!!!

Yep, "Zoolander" is one of those flicks that I happened upon several years ago while channel surfin', and I couldn't stop laughin' through the whole darn silly-fun thing...!!!!!

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Hiiiiii, here I am, the mmmmmphth number, but I am Here!!!!! Love following you and the teen boys. You are my idol, LOL. How do you afford to feed them? We took my teenage grandson to disney once and he would have a full breakfast and be hungry 30 minutes later? Oh well, I'm here, but I will claim last place since it seems like that is always where I am.

 

[Darstarr]

Mine too. DH judged me pretty hard when I said it was in my top ten. Then he watched it and understood.

My friend and I at work quote silly movies a lot. Another fave is My Blue Heaven! I turned my husband on to that one and in return he turned the ice cream guy in Boca onto it. True story. We were visiting X then went to get lunch and then ice cream at a little shop near the beach we have never been to. Well, I have never been to! The owner, originally from Staten Island greeted my husband like a long lost cousin. Then told him he watched the movie and loved it!
Me-“What the heck is going on here?”
Ant-“Ummm, I might have been here before and told him he needed to watch My Blue Heaven.”
Only my husband....

 

[Darstarr]

Regarding the photo - very nice job with framing the subject!

Regarding All-Sports vs. Poly - Almost hard to believe the cost difference. Truly amazing actually - and if you stand between the palm trees in your second photo you can almost imagine being at the Poly!

You are a true Prince

 

[Darstarr]

Never been on a Virgin America flight, however I did Google some images and they look really cool...!!!

Yep, "Zoolander" is one of those flicks that I happened upon several years ago while channel surfin', and I couldn't stop laughin' through the whole darn silly-fun thing...!!!!!

Ha ha! Channel surfin’! I get ityour avatarsurfin’

 

[Darstarr]

Hiiiiii, here I am, the mmmmmphth number, but I am Here!!!!! Love following you and the teen boys. You are my idol, LOL. How do you afford to feed them? We took my teenage grandson to disney once and he would have a full breakfast and be hungry 30 minutes later? Oh well, I'm here, but I will claim last place since it seems like that is always where I am.

They Are Always Hungry!!!
That is why we “pre breakfast” in the room. Breakfast bowls, burritos etc....anything microwaveable. Plus milk, yogurt and fruit. Gets them through the bus ride and rope drop.
Plus we saved so much money staying at the Sport they all got fed, on the same day! (Just kidding)

Plus welcome and thanks for joining!!!

 

[MegRuss626]

I figured this was the perfect trip report to post the shirt I saw on Facebook today. I think there’s quite a few magicians who this would be perfect for!

 

[MickeyCB]

So you stay in Sports for a birthday and get balloons and chocolates. I stay in WL and get nuthin!
(Except a Bday pin).

 

[donaldtoo]

Hiiiiii, here I am, the mmmmmphth number, but I am Here!!!!! Love following you and the teen boys. You are my idol, LOL. How do you afford to feed them? We took my teenage grandson to disney once and he would have a full breakfast and be hungry 30 minutes later? Oh well, I'm here, but I will claim last place since it seems like that is always where I am.

How myself and my 2 younger brothers (I also have a younger sis) didn’t eat our mom and pop (they’re both in their 80’s, well-retired, and still very active ) into the poor house I’ll never know...!!!!!
Even his financial planner included our family in his speech at his 30 year anniversary celebration at his company...he told everyone how the whole time he was at our house meetin’ with my pop at the dining room table for a coupla’ hours many times that he didn’t recall the refrigerator door ever bein’ closed...!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

So you stay in Sports for a birthday and get balloons and chocolates. I stay in WL and get nuthin!
(Except a Bday pin).

Oh my. I’ve posted about this on this site more than a few times over the years.
In July of ‘07 we celebrated oldest DDs Sweet 16 at WDW, and stayed at ASMusic. After we got to our room, I snuck off to the concierge desk. I spoke with Ashley. I related to her the situation and asked if there was a little somethin’ they could leave in the room for her when we returned from the MK for an afternoon break on her actual birthday 2 days later.
She said of course, and I asked how much I owed her. She said to not worry about that right now. OK, cool, just let me know.
When we returned to our family suite that afternoon, we were all blown away...
A card from Cinderella, balloons, a few keychains, a t-shirt, a Minnie plush, a half dozen red roses...and I may be forgettin’ somethin’... ...it was insane...!!!!!!!
I tried to pay for it all ASAP, but, I was told not to worry about it, as it was their pleasure...needless to say we were blown away...sometimes, I still can’t believe it, but it really happened...!!!!!