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.

 

[donaldtoo]

Beer helps

Truer words have never been spoke...!!!
I’m no beer snob, but, if I was told I could drink only water and one other beverage for the rest of my life, without a nanoseconds hesitation I would choose beer...!!!!!!!
Although, I have delved many times into the world of beerdom...the best beer/ale I’ve tried, so far, is Chimay Grande Reserve...those Trappist Monks do a darn good job on that stuff...!!!!!!!

 

[Darstarr]

Wednesday November 27 cont

We arrived at Epcot without any stops or stutters on the Skyliner. We headed straight to Soarin’.
9:03

Then LWtL holiday style.

She looks very happy with her job

I like to see everyone’s pictures of this as the season progresses. It’s like watching a time lapse

I didnt get back to this but would have love to have seen twinkling lights!

 

[Darstarr]

Truer words have never been spoke...!!!
I’m no beer snob, but, if I was told I could drink only water and one other beverage for the rest of my life, without a nanoseconds hesitation I would choose beer...!!!!!!!
Although, I have delved many times into the world of beerdom...the best beer/ale I’ve tried, so far, is Chimay Grande Reserve...those Trappist Monks do a darn good job on that stuff...!!!!!!!

View attachment 433928

Then you may want to skip this next post. No Monks involved here.

 

[donaldtoo]

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

And, there’s that Disney Magic, again...
Awesome...!!!!!!!

 

[Darstarr]

Wednesday November 27 cont.

After LWtL the boys were HUNGRY. It was 10:00am after all. It had been almost 3.5 hours since their last proper meal.

Dre’s second breakfast.

AJ’s second breakfast. That is two sides of bacon on a bagel. They only charged us for one sideThe only reason I noticed is because the (crappy) bagel cost more than the bacon. That is so wrong!

X had a cinnamon roll.

And, well, that’s me bottom left. Hops, barely, malt. You get it.

 

[donaldtoo]

Wednesday November 27 cont.

After LWtL the boys were HUNGRY. It was 10:00am after all. It had been almost 3.5 hours since their last proper meal.

Dre’s second breakfast.
View attachment 433940

AJ’s second breakfast. That is two sides of bacon on a bagel. They only charged us for one sideThe only reason I noticed is because the (crappy) bagel cost more than the bacon. That is so wrong!
View attachment 433941

X had a cinnamon roll.
View attachment 433942
And, well, that’s me bottom left. Hops, barely, malt. You get it.

The “love” is for the hops, barely, and malt...!!!!!

 

[Darstarr]

Wedneday November 27 cont

We headed to Nemo.
I have in my notes that MDE was down and wouldn't let me modify a FP. No other details about that, sorry.
We headed to Mouse Gear to shop and get our magnets. The magnets were being handed out across the breezeway and by the time we were done shopping we did not have time to wait in the huge line. We had a FP!
I will say, we did some damage in Mouse Gear. I had that big suitcase so why not. We had everything sent back to Sports but they could not send the chocolate I purchased for the girl taking in our mail. I didn't ask why—I don't think I want to know. I hope it is a climate control thing and not a vermin thing

Test track here we come. X wanted me to go with him. OK.
It is so nice to be wanted.
No, he was looking up how to win and wanted to beat his Father. He knew I wouldn't try to take over like one of his brothers would.

The finished product.

We entered the waiting gate and tapped in to link our car with us then something happened. I have no idea what but the CM told us they had to do a reset and we needed to tap again. Uh oh. I warned X that we may get a random car assigned to us and all his hard work (cheating) could have been for nothing.
It ended up working and I know it was only 11:00ish but our car ended up being the second best performer that day.

Then we went to the Electric Umbrella to split a few orders of chicken nuggets because it had been an hour since they last ate.

Then the restrooms by SSE which smelled of cigarettes. Hmmmm

Then spaceship earth.

Then we split up. Dre and AJ went to ride Mission Space with a FP. Ant, X and I detest that ride so we had a FP for Figment. Then we waited in the DVC lounge for AJ and Dre to finish.

I am just realizing I forgot to mention someone. We had purchased Bucky* earlier at HWS. By now you see my boys are hungry a lot of the time. Having the refillable popcorn bucket totally makes sense. I just whip it out anytime someone starts to get whiny. I had my big 2019 backpack that I had to bring because it was my last trip of 2019. (I usually avoid things with dates for that reason but I knew I would get lots if use out if it. Plus I really like it—more on that later). Any hoooo, Bucky fit comfortably in my backpack. But much like @riverside ’s popcorn bucket the lid kept flying off for no reason. Stay tuned.

*the name Bucky was assigned later by @Nunu
Not familiar with Bucky? Keep reading and/or read @Nunu and @Loco_driver latest TR’s

 

[Darstarr]

The “love” is for the hops, barely, and malt...!!!!!

Right back at ya!!!

 

[Darstarr]

Wednesday November 27 cont

Next up...
Canada for Moosehead and Poutine!!!
Ant ,X and I headed out of the DVC lounge when AJ texted to say they were done with MS. I told them to meet us in Canada. Dre had been craving poutine.

I got in line for a Moosehead while Ant and X waited for the boys and secured a table.

Ant went to get in line for poutine while I waited for the Moosehead. We all got to the table about the same time but the boys hadn't ordered drinks and they were thirsty. Back in line I went. When I returned to the table there were three fries left. Out of 3 poutines!!! Well 2. AJ had one strapped onto his face like a feedbag so I have no idea what was in there.
Ant-“I tried to save you some”.
So no poutine pix but we purchased three types including a holiday edition which I heard was delicious.

Earlier I said today was an Epcot day. That was half true. FP’s were at Epcot but we had planned to do HWS that night. The morning at HWS was a little bonus.

“Walk or boat?”
“Skyliner!”

We’re back....

For @DisneyGigi

But what did we have planned????

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

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

I’m gonna try really hard not to think of this when we check into Caribbean Beach on Tuesday

 

[Tuvalu]

No food item of any sort is allowed to be sent back to your resort ~ it’s a blanket rule.

 

[riverside]

But much like @riverside ’s popcorn bucket the lid kept flying off for no reason.

And here I thought it was payback for E since she was making it feel unwanted!!

 

[amjt660]

“The evolution of the selfie “

it was first discussed here ..

but I extrapolated the theory over the past few years

Max

 

[Lily5170]

Truer words have never been spoke...!!!
I’m no beer snob, but, if I was told I could drink only water and one other beverage for the rest of my life, without a nanoseconds hesitation I would choose beer...!!!!!!!
Although, I have delved many times into the world of beerdom...the best beer/ale I’ve tried, so far, is Chimay Grande Reserve...those Trappist Monks do a darn good job on that stuff...!!!!!!!

View attachment 433928

I prefer the Chimay Blanche but then I prefer "blonde" beers.

 

[fractal]

Great tip on the pop-corn bucket!

 

[Billy6]

Lucky number 7

Like it like it. Sports reference. Nice.


Number 9 not special? Not special?!? Might I remind you:
View attachment 432084


Rounding out the top 10 in a completely different time zone!!! How does she do it???

Hey, look ma...the guy that plays lacrosse at Lynn...Remember him?

Ma.....ma???

 

[Nunu]

I am just realizing I forgot to mention someone. We had purchased Bucky* earlier at HWS. By now you see my boys are hungry a lot of the time. Having the refillable popcorn bucket totally makes sense. I just whip it out anytime someone starts to get whiny.

^^^ This is a great idea!
I'm thinking of getting one, if I convince JC to to take a Disney trip with me next June. He gets grumpy and whiny when hungry. (He's always HUNGRY, btw!).

And, I have bad news for you, JC is already 33 (!) and the "hangry" phase, is still there!

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I laugh every time you give the eating times for the boys (ie, 2 hours ago)! One of my younger grandsons, age 13, is getting to that stage and he eats constantly! It is amazing the amount of food they consume!
I love all the retro decorations at HS, especially the silver tinsel. I remember it from when I was little. Great trip report!

 

[MickeyCB]

Well 2. AJ had one strapped onto his face like a feedbag so I have no idea what was in there.

 

[donaldtoo]

I prefer the Chimay Blanche but then I prefer "blonde" beers.

I’ve tried them all, and they’re all great, but, I tend to gravitate taste-wise towards darker beers and ales, so the Grande Reserve is more my “cup o’ tea”...!!!