Trip Report THE ONE WITH THE CREW AT CHRISTMAS; December 21-28, 2018 **COMPLETE**

When I returned from our vacation I had the “Disney bug”. You know, when you feel tired and blah and listless? Then you vomit. Oh wait...
Turned out it was more of a flu bug....
I was off wdw magic for a couple weeks then I started up again at a feverish pace (see what i did there?). There are so many great trip reports to read! So here is another (trip report, not sure if it will be great. It is my first)

For those of you who did not read my pre trip, don’t bother. You will catch on/up.

Who went:
Myself
Husband Ant
Sons: X 19, AJ 15, Dre 13
FIL or Gpa
BIL J
SIL K
Their children, my nephews A 22, JJ 15, and niece Ash 20

Let’s do this!

We had a group reservation flying Southwest from our local airport to Tampa on Friday, December 21st. Why Tampa? $$$$
It was a 7:30 flight so the kids all went to school and I cleaned the house. I always clean before a trip because I hate coming home to a dirty house but this time I really cleaned. My son has a team mate who lives in Maryland and he and his family were going to NYC for a few days and their place to stay fell through. The mom and I get along really well so she asked if her party of six could stay with us. Perfect timing as we will not be home so they could have the place to themselves.
Did I mention I have 3 boys? I spent the day CLEANING!!!

Then we dropped off this guy

Ate some pizza with my Father in law

Loaded these:

Into here:

And we were on our way.

Not the best pix but you get the idea.

The airport is about 13 minutes from our house so we made it there in about 10. My husband is the WORST driver!!!

My FIL was in a wheelchair because his knees are garbage. My son was on a knee scooter with a broken foot. SIL just got cleared from her broken hip. And when it was time to pick up the pizza my husband was on the phone. I was giving him “the look” to get off so we could keep to our schedule. Turns out it was his doctor. Ant had tripped on one of the dog’s bones

And tore tendons in his ankle. I had ordered a scooter for my FIL and gave everyone else a last chance for me to add on to the order. All declined and we headed for security and our gate.

FIL and AJ got pre boarding and they could each take one person with them. My husband and his brother went with strict orders to save us seats. The lady who issued the pre boarding passes messed up however and Ant had two boarding passes while AJ had none.
This would be a common theme as we had 3 Alexanders, 2 Anthonys, 2 Johns and a partridge in a pear tree.

We managed to get it sorted out and got on and left without incident.

 

[Darstarr]

Day 2/Dec22 cont

We unloaded the minivan

Then set out the feast

Then came the champagne (prosecco) toast

We drank to family. To celebrating and enjoying the holiday together. And we drank to the loved ones who were no longer with us.

 

[Darstarr]

Day 2/ Dec 22nd Cont

Our room must have been delayed a bit because Santa had to get in. Everyone got a surprise!

If you read my pre trip report you saw I had my friend make these. I had everyones initials (or nickname since there are 7 AC’s) embroidered on one shoulder and my MIL’s initials on the other. This way she could be with us, although she no longer was.

They became know as “the grandma sweatshirt”.

 

[Darstarr]

Day 2/Dec 22 cont

My crew had some business to take care of. We got in the minivan, drove to Congress Park and walked the bridge to Disney Springs. The Christmas tree trail was there as we exited and it was crowded. They had some wierd barricades up that didnt make sense to me. Nobody does crowd control better than Disney but this was awkward.

I saw a sanitation engineer on her phone but knew from the report Matt, of @mattandkelly fame, that she was not snapchatting, she was checking garbage levels. I asked her to snap our photo:

It is awful and sadly, only one of two pictures of just the five of us from the whole trip.

We stopped into goody’s so my kids could get their sugar fix then made our way to guest services.

We HAD to stop and get a picture with Buzz lightyear. We do it everytime. This was from that night:

And these are from previous years:

My youngest hadn't been born yet!

 

[Darstarr]

Day 2/Dec 22 the end and I mean it!

I had to really use the ladies room (all that prosecco) and the line at the one near Once upon a Toy was huge. A women told me there was one in Ghiradellis right inside the rear exit. I went there and lo and behold, I found it!!! The dirtiest, most disgusting restroom on disney property.

We continued on to guest services. We needed to upgrade our park tickets for Annual Passes. We waited about 45 minutes and then we got Laura. She was like a Christmas angel. She took care of us and even gave me a Chef Mickey AP magnet she had from F and W. Yay!

We headed back. We were all so tired. I had told X to sleep on the pullout with one of his brothers-it was rightfully his room anyway. X is 6 ft. My nephew A is over 6 ft and my FIL paid. So FIL gets a bed. The other two could not share. I had purchased a twin air mattress and sheets before we left, which I brought with us for X and A to alternate (place your bets on that) sleeping on. I did not want to open it this first night because we were going to be out the door at 6:00am for MK 7:00am opening. X and Dre shared the pullout. AJ took the cushions from the couch and made himself a bed under the dining room table. I wish I had a picture of that! Priceless!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

I know the people on these forums like facts. And pictures, sooooo.....

This is when you sold me on this TR. . I’m in.

 

[MickeyCB]

Day 2/ Dec 22nd Cont

Our room must have been delayed a bit because Santa had to get in. Everyone got a surprise!
View attachment 341985View attachment 341986View attachment 341987View attachment 341988View attachment 341989
If you read my pre trip report you saw I had my friend make these. I had everyones initials (or nickname since there are 7 AC’s) embroidered on one shoulder and my MIL’s initials on the other. This way she could be with us, although she no longer was.
View attachment 341998
They became know as “the grandma sweatshirt”.

Love, love the hoodies! And enjoying your report very much!

 

[MinnieM123]

We drank to family. To celebrating and enjoying the holiday together. And we drank to the loved ones who were no longer with us.

It's wonderful that so many people get along so well together! Looks like you have a fun family!

Our room must have been delayed a bit because Santa had to get in. Everyone got a surprise!

That's a cute idea to "outfit" the entire family in the same sweatshirt.

And these are from previous years:

I love old pictures of people in the parks. It's always interesting to see kids growing up in more recent photos.

I had to really use the ladies room (all that prosecco) and the line at the one near Once upon a Toy was huge. A women told me there was one in Ghiradellis right inside the rear exit. I went there and lo and behold, I found it!!! The dirtiest, most disgusting restroom on disney property.

Don't know why, but I laughed when I read this. I'll be sure not to use that restroom if I'm in that area of DS.

 

[Darstarr]

Love, love the hoodies! And enjoying your report very much!

Thank you. There is some juicy stuff coming up! Just sayin

 

[Darstarr]

It's wonderful that so many people get along so well together! Looks like you have a fun family!



That's a cute idea to "outfit" the entire family in the same sweatshirt.



I love old pictures of people in the parks. It's always interesting to see kids growing up in more recent photos.



Don't know why, but I laughed when I read this. I'll be sure not to use that restroom if I'm in that area of DS.

Ha ha. I will be telling you about another “bathroom” to avoid very soon. Stay tuned

 

[Darstarr]

Day 3/Dec 23

I woke about 5:15 to get in the shower. The night before we told everyone to have all breakfast orders to Ant by 5:30 so he got up to start microwaving breakfast burritos, egg sandwiches and oatmeal. Usually we do bacon and eggs and make the sandwiches to go but since this was our only morning with a full kitchen we did microwave items.

Since we were leaving so early to go to MK and not coming back to these rooms, we decided to hold on to one of our vans and transport the luggage ourselves rather than wait for bell services-on either end.

We were all at the van by 6:00 am. Ant loaded it and we went to the bus stop. The van was packed. There was even a suitcase riding shot gun so he drove solo to MK.

My FIL and I (and AJ). Note my breakfast in my hand:

The bus came at 6:35 and we arrived at MK about 7:00.

I was a little nervous about our AP’s working. I breezed over it earlier but they had been a hassel leading up to the trip.
Purple than green. Welcome home! I wish!!!

Ant making his way solo from TTC:

Security was long but moved quickly. By 7:10 we were in. Not rope drop but close enough.

 

[Darstarr]

Day3/Dec 23-MK cont

I feel like this just about sums it up!

We headed toward 7 Dwarfs. I couldn't get a FP so I knew our only hope was to ride during extra magic. It was about a 30 minute wait which is fine. The thing about this ride is it does not like the cold. She is often slow to get going on cold mornings but she was a runnin’! After about 10 minutes we were pretty close and all of a sudden I noticed it was quiet. She was down. They made the announcement that the ride was down. We waited. I sent X to Gastons to get some cinnamon rolls. We waited. The thing is, if we did not get on now we were not going to get on. I love this ride! In our “pre game” family meeting I had everyone tell me their two must do’s per park to make sure everyone got something. This and a cinnamon roll from Gastons were my two must do’s. Just then there was another announcement and this time they told us to basically get off the line. I had been in this situation many times but never heard the announcement so strongly worded.
We cut our losses and got off line

I called X and told him to get off Gadton’s line and head to Buzz.

For those keeping track I was now 0 for 2 with my wish list

We went to buzz

I always say Ant looks like Buzz

This is the back hallway for scooter users. My FIL parked it and walked the small hallway. I think AJ rode his knee scooter all the way to the last possible moment but I am not sure. Both of their scooters were there when we got off.
For those who are curious, there was only a small line because it was still early, however, we did bypass most of it using the handicap entrance. This is not the case for every ride.

 

[myhappyplace]

Oh boy... I have a feeling I'm going to be just as confused as the airlines! LOL

Like Max, I've had to refer back to the first post several times, but this report is so, so fun! I love it! I think my favorite line was something like:

"and this is why I needed to drink beer in the grocery story parking lot"

 

[amjt660]

You were on Buzz on Dec 22 and the buzz animatronic is visible
We went on Dec 23 in the evening and Buzz was not working and behind a curtain

Max

 

[Darstarr]

Like Max, I've had to refer back to the first post several times, but this report is so, so fun! I love it! I think my favorite line was something like:

"and this is why I needed to drink beer in the grocery story parking lot"

Ha ha!
There is more!

You were on Buzz on Dec 22 and the buzz animatronic is visible
We went on Dec 23 in the evening and Buzz was not working and behind a curtain

Max

They could have had Ant come stand in for him.

 

[Darstarr]

Day 3/Dec 23

Next:

And, #orangecone

 

[Darstarr]

Day 3/Dec 23 cont

We were here so we did this:

This makes me so sad. “Fixing” it would be as easy as updating the last scene.

We had some time before our Space FP and my BIL saw the Joffreys cart and wanted coffee. I was suprised by how coffee can drive ones behavior. Neither I nor Ant drink coffee so we dont give it a thought, but procuring coffee for the other half of the fam became quite a time suck I did not budget for.
However, they had cinnamon rolls!!! Score!!! My BIL got the coffees and I was going to get the cinnamon rolls/muffins etc and use snack credits. The CM helping us said she did not see any credits when she rung up the coffees. I had her check my magic band and there was nothing! No TS. No CS. No snack credits. “Ok, do you take dvc? “ “Yes.” I ordered 9 items and handed them off in bulk to some waiting hands. The CM then advised me to hang onto the receipt and once things were fixed the front desk at our resort could credit my card and remove the snack credits. I thanked her and walked over to the bench where the crew was congrigated.
No cinnamon rolls left.
So I ate these:

Darstarr Donuts!
(Not as much as cinnamon rolls though)

 

[Darstarr]

Day 3/Dec23 cont

Our FP window for space mountain was open so off we went. We (mostly AJ and I) had learned that the scooters needed to lead the group when approaching and navigating a que. This is because sometimes there is a completely different scooter entrance and sometimes, like in Buzz, it starts the same but breaks off somewhere along the que. If the scooter is at the end or in the middle the CM doesnt know to send us on the handicap route. I put my 15 YO son AJ as the leader because 1) he was on the knee scooter due to his broken foot 2) he knows the parks almost as well as I do so he could lead us where we needed to go 3) he was acting like a great big giant PIA!!! Putting him in front kept him from interacting with the rest of the fam.
He went in and I followed as did the rest of the crew. What I did not see going on behind me was my FIL parked his scooter and decided to walk. What! Why? The walk is not exactly short.

He looks tired

After we finished riding Space Mountain we had to have a family pow wow. I explained to everyone that I had to go to guest services and get our dining plan figured out before our lunch ADR. I directed everyone to go on the Tomorrowland Speedway. I can live without it but I know the kids love it so it was a good plan. Then I put my SIL in charge to get everyone to Small World when they were done with the cars.
It was about 10:20 and I was a salmon, heading down mainstreet as thousands of people headed up. (Reverse salmon) There was a long line but it moved suprisingly quick. I had checked us in online but it did not go through. The CM fixed it quickly and i was on my way. I called my SIL and told her I was on my way to Small World. They were too. Oh good this will work out perfectly.

I get there. My SIL admits she is so happy I am back bc it was too stressful being in charge. The rest of the crew starts trickling up. We start heading down the handicap entrance with the scooters in the lead. One, two, three....Wait! Where are Ant(hubby) and Dre(13YO son)? I call Ant. He says, “I see you, keep going we are right behind you.” The scooters, at that point had reached the bottom. The CM was ready to load us. We see Ant and Dre and start waving them and yelling encouragement for them to hurry. Then the CM says, “there is no room in the boat.”
But we said 11...
So we do what any good natured family would do sitting in a Small World boat looking at two of their own stuck on dry land...yes, we booed the CM. We sang “its a small boat after all”. Our fellow cruise members joined in. Fun was had by all, except, maybe that CM. Dont feel bad for him. Ant and Dre were right where we left them. The CM didnt let them on.

Love these guys!

What took them so long?
Andreas had to use the restroom. I will remind you back on day one in the Tampa airport we waited a long while on that kid while he used the restroom.

 

[MickeyCB]

Day 3/Dec 23

I woke about 5:15 to get in the shower. The night before we told everyone to have all breakfast orders to Ant by 5:30 so he got up to start microwaving breakfast burritos, egg sandwiches and oatmeal. Usually we do bacon and eggs and make the sandwiches to go but since this was our only morning with a full kitchen we did microwave items.

Since we were leaving so early to go to MK and not coming back to these rooms, we decided to hold on to one of our vans and transport the luggage ourselves rather than wait for bell services-on either end.

We were all at the van by 6:00 am. Ant loaded it and we went to the bus stop. The van was packed. There was even a suitcase riding shot gun so he drove solo to MK.

My FIL and I (and AJ). Note my breakfast in my hand:
View attachment 342182View attachment 342183
The bus came at 6:35 and we arrived at MK about 7:00.
View attachment 342185
I was a little nervous about our AP’s working. I breezed over it earlier but they had been a hassel leading up to the trip.
Purple than green. Welcome home! I wish!!!
View attachment 342186View attachment 342187

Ant making his way solo from TTC:
View attachment 342184

Security was long but moved quickly. By 7:10 we were in. Not rope drop but close enough.
View attachment 342190

Very pretty pic with the sun coming up on the castle!

 

[Darstarr]

Day 3/Dec 23 cont

We made our way over to BTM for our FP with AJ leading the way on his scooter. It was warming up a bit. An enourmously huge man was walking our way, then he walked right in front of AJ and AJ swerved to miss him. I was a few yards back and saw the whole thing. Not AJ’s fault (I rarely say that). The mountain of a man is just about to pass me and he says to his friends “if he comes at me again I am going to take him out.” I looked him in the beard and said, “you will have to go through me first.” His eyes got wide, more with suprise than fear, darn it. I didnt think he was expecting mama bear to be so close. And to be such a b****.

BTM had a “back” hallway for scooter people.

The last time my 15 yo nephew went on this ride he was scared and in tears. He was also 6 or 7. This time I said you are going with me!!

Hat hair

Fun was had by all!!

I hadnt made a FP for Splash Mountain because the weather can be iffy. It was on a few of the kids “must do” list, it was warm(er), we were there, had the time and the line wasnt too long. My FIL, SIL and BIL were a hard pass. I assured everyone that they had the water (cannons) turned off.

We waited in some of the regular line but at the stairs they directed us to go through the exit ramp. Then we ended up here on the unloading side.

This is my youngest two, Dre and AJ sharing one poncho even though I assured them the water was off and they wouldn't get wet

Great news! Dre and AJ did not get wet.
I, however, got the full force of the water cannon that was “off”

A word about our “pose”. No it is not a gang sign! The kids, ok all of us, were playing a game on lines. If you make that ok sign and get someone to look at it (had to be below your waist) you get to slap the back of their neck (gently). However, if the looker can stick a finger through your ok sign then he or she gets to slap your neck. It kept us occupied...

See my nephew in the back row? See his Florida Gator hat? That is the last any of us has seen that hat.

When we got off the ride a CM told us if the hat is in the water it is gone. A couple days later we were told the hat would have been at guest services thst night/next morning. We were also told to go to lost and found at DS which we did but too much time had passed. They have thousands of items there. If that first CM had given us correct info we might have had a chance.

 

[Spash007]

All caught up - and I have to say your family sounds fun!