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.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

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...!!!!!

Yes, sometimes Disney is amazing that way! What a wonderful surprise for your daughter!
In 2018 we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary at Disney. I told them on arrival so I could get us a celebration button. Never thought about it again.
The next day after being at MK all day, we got back to our room, at POFQ, and there was a beautiful bouquet of fresh cut flowers in a gorgeous glass vase. There was also a big gift bag on the dresser which held a velvet lined case holding crystal champagne glases with a stylized MM on them. We checked in every gift shop, glass shop, on property and never saw another set with that specific engraving on them. We also got a card a day for several days!. It was unbelievable and we were blown away. We sent a special letter to the resort manager thanking them for their wonderful gifts. I still can't believe we received all this from WDW. We are not celebrities or famous, that's for sure

 

[KellBelle]

How am I just now seeing this?

 

[SharonD]

“Plus we saved so much money staying at the Sport they all got fed, on the same day! (Just kidding)”

I did laugh out loud when I saw this comment. As I was reading your report, I was trying to imagine vacationing with three teenage boys - we have only girls and grand daughters. Your sons are all so handsome!

 

[Darstarr]

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!

View attachment 432772

I love that!!!!
Love

 

[Darstarr]

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

Sorry...

 

[Darstarr]

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...!!!!!

That is a great story!!!

 

[Darstarr]

Yes, sometimes Disney is amazing that way! What a wonderful surprise for your daughter!
In 2018 we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary at Disney. I told them on arrival so I could get us a celebration button. Never thought about it again.
The next day after being at MK all day, we got back to our room, at POFQ, and there was a beautiful bouquet of fresh cut flowers in a gorgeous glass vase. There was also a big gift bag on the dresser which held a velvet lined case holding crystal champagne glases with a stylized MM on them. We checked in every gift shop, glass shop, on property and never saw another set with that specific engraving on them. We also got a card a day for several days!. It was unbelievable and we were blown away. We sent a special letter to the resort manager thanking them for their wonderful gifts. I still can't believe we received all this from WDW. We are not celebrities or famous, that's for sure

I love hearing these kind of stories. Just magical!!!

 

[Darstarr]

How am I just now seeing this?

Because you are busy and have a life!!!
Welcome!
Glad you are here now

 

[Darstarr]

“Plus we saved so much money staying at the Sport they all got fed, on the same day! (Just kidding)”

I did laugh out loud when I saw this comment. As I was reading your report, I was trying to imagine vacationing with three teenage boys - we have only girls and grand daughters. Your sons are all so handsome!

Thank you very much. They have a lot of energy! And they like to push each others buttons, as well as mine and Ants. Beer helps

 

[Darstarr]

Wednesday November 27


We were up early because we wanted to hit up HWS for extra magic hour at 7:00am. It was an Epcot day but we could rope drop both parks. We aren't the first and we wont be the last to do that.

But first stop was the food court to use the microwave.

There were a lot of people waiting for the bus and we did not make the first one. This caused us to arrive at 7:02. Not a rope drop.

This guy looked so natural in the setting. I felt like I was walking down the street of an old movie.

Hollywood wins hands down for my favorite Christmas decorations!

I was trying to get a picture if the Star Wars window display. Fail but it looks kind of cool.

Where are the people? It was somewhat empty feeling.

Ohhhhhh, there they are! We had planned to head to SDD but that was a big no! (We had a FP another day). Therefore, we took our time and enjoyed the ambiance as we walked toward Toy Story Land. Well, I enjoyed the ambiance, Dre was going on about something to do with Star Wars and AJ was begging for churros.

Boys! Christmas card picture!! (It wasnt)

 

[Loco_driver]

Good looking family right there!

 

[Darstarr]

Wednesday November 27 cont

Crowds were light today. I guess districts had school?
We headed to Toy Story Mania. Ant’s favorite. (That and Buzz-anything competitive).

I always have to send this picture to my friend El.

I have no idea who won.
Then we went to Alien Swirling Saucers. (The other A.S.S.)

AJ is eating, again!

Who is taller? X by a tiny bit although from this angle it looks like AJ has it.

Dre definately has this height match up.

8:07
Snack time.
Dre had Mickey, AJ went to get a churro.

Cute.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I really love the retro design of Hollywood Studios decorations too.

 

[Darstarr]

Wednesday November 27 cont.


We were heading to Epcot.
“Walk or boat?”
“We want to ride the Skyliner!”
Ok, we rode the skyliner. We had about 45 minutes before Epcot opened so if thats what the boys wanted to do lets do it.
“Everyone use the restroom first. Just in case.”

This is the emergency kit.

This is the ventilation system. It is similar to AC in California (Me-Dad, I’m hot! My Dad-Open a window!)

Beautiful views!

 

[Darstarr]

Wednesday November 27 cont

We arrived at Caribbean Beach Resort and had to transfer. We stayed at Caribbean many many moons ago. I was pregnant with Dre and didnt realize it. AJ was 9 months old. Our room had a musty moldy smell. We dealt with it. Then there was a hurricane coming and the front desk called to move us to “higher ground”. No thanks! After that CBR was off our list. But wow! It looks so pretty, from the Skyliner that is. Couldn't smell it from up there in the Skyliner, so I am still iffy

Ants college football number was 43

Then we were in Epcot. This station is beautiful as well.

I believe @amjt660 calls this “the evolution of a selfie”.

 

[ELeigh]

Late to the party but caught up looking forward to reading more

 

[MickeyCB]

“Everyone use the restroom first. Just in case.”

Excellent idea! My guys ignored that advice from me. Their opinion is, it is less of a problem for them if there is a 3 hour stop. Oh heck no!

 

[donaldtoo]

That is a great story!!!

Thanks...!!!
12+ years later and I’m still sharin’ it...!!!!!

 

[Darstarr]

Good looking family right there!

Thank you!!!

I really love the retro design of Hollywood Studios decorations too.

Late to the party but caught up looking forward to reading more

Welcome! Happy you are here!

 

[Darstarr]

Excellent idea! My guys ignored that advice from me. Their opinion is, it is less of a problem for them if there is a 3 hour stop. Oh heck no!

Yeah, that was pretty much their response too