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.

 

[Rista1313]

That's a crazy line for LWTL!

 

[Darstarr]

That's a crazy line for LWTL!

Yes. And it wasn’t even 10:00!

 

[Darstarr]

Day 4/Dec 24 cont

After a pit stop

(Notice there are 9 of us, plus the picture taker equals 10-Dre was in the bathroom still/again!)

We continued to mission space.
Some of us did green

And some did orange

And others did neither.

Then we had a FP for test track.

During our planning meeting 4 people expressed interest in drinking around the world. Since I aim to please we headed to Norway.

They can say it is pronounced “ouse” but come on. No one really says that! Do they?
My Aass beer was delicious!

 

[Darstarr]

Day 4/Dec24 cont

After our beer break we headed to SSE for our fastpass.
“Mom, we doing that ball thing?”
“Love, today I am Cinderella and nothing is keeping me from the ball. “

“Ummmm, except all these people!”
This was the FP line. Yikes! I sent Ant to do some recon on the ECV/knee scooter situation. Turns out, there was a side entrance for the scooters. Oh good! But only two additional guests per scooter. Oh good! Er...I mean....darn! (I dont mean darn!) So I decided, those of us who wanted another beer would go do that while the youngens, and Ant, would do SSE. At the last second my FIL tried to come with us drinkers and I firmly told him “no”. The riders needed him and his scooter to use the secret entrance.
So while they did that a splinter crew headed to world showcase by way of club cool.

They had never heard of THE Beverly. (Cue evil laugh)

So happy now, just you wait!

This says it all!

We headed to Canada ay for some Molson Goldens.

 

[DisSplash]

You had me thinking that your ears were lost for good! So glad you found them ... I hope Cinderella finally got a chance to get on that "Ball Thing!"

 

[Disstevefan1]

Day one/travel day/Dec 21 con’t

Once we landed Ant, BIL and AJ went to get the mininvans while the rest of us gathered the luggage and used the restroom. 5 flights were on one conveyer belt. There were several empty belts but all the flights were on one. Madhouse! Worse than MK Christmas week!
We got all the luggage and I started counting noses. Dre was STILL in the men’s room. I sent X in to hurry him along. 5 minutes later and still no Dre. I sent his oldest cousin A in to get him. That did it. Two minutes later Dre came out to meet us. Boys!

We loaded up in the vans and put my FIL in our front passenger seat. Dre climbed to the third row. X jumped in the second row seat behind his GPA. I was not going to make AJ climb into the third row with the boot on his foot so I went back there and he took the seat behind the driver.
Why am Intelling you this? Well, earlier I might have hinted at the fact that my husband is not such a great driver. I know the people on these forums like facts. And pictures, sooooo.....

The problem with the seating arrangement was there was no copilot. My FIL wasnt going to do it and X, my oldest has no clue he would need to help. Ant had waze on but did not turn the sound on. I have no idea why. The hotel was .5 miles away. About a 5 minute drive, according to waze. Ant missed the first turn. X pointed it out just when it was too late. As Ant is arguing with X that it was not his fault he misses the turn that will put us back on track. Estimated arrival time is now up to 12 minutes. Driving. Driving. Making a left under the freeway overpass to get back on the freeway to drive back to where we came from. Then police lights in our rearview!
View attachment 341618
Yep, we got pulled over. Seems Ant forgot to turn on the headlights. The officer ran Ant’s license and let us go.

I have a feeling this is going to be a very entertaining trip report

 

[Dave B]

Day 4/Dec 24 cont

After a pit stop
View attachment 344335

We continued to mission space.
Some of us did green
View attachment 344337And some did orange
View attachment 344338
And others did neither.

Then we had a FP for test track.
View attachment 344341View attachment 344342

During our planning meeting 4 people expressed interest in drinking around the world. Since I aim to please we headed to Norway.
View attachment 344343
They can say it is pronounced “ouse” but come on. No one really says that! Do they?
My Aass beer was delicious!
View attachment 344344

I love the green Mickey Xmas shirts, where did you find them?

 

[Darstarr]

You had me thinking that your ears were lost for good! So glad you found them ... I hope Cinderella finally got a chance to get on that "Ball Thing!"

Sadly, no ball for me.
Life is full of choices and I chose beer.

 

[Darstarr]

I love the green Mickey Xmas shirts, where did you find them?

I am torn here because I dont want to give them free advertising or publicly bash them but....I am going to. Bash them.
If you look at the green shirts they are three different color greens although they all had the same name (vintage green). I emailed to complain and they told me all sales final etc... Fine I said but these are all suppose to be vintage green and they arent. Emails went back and forth for 5 weeks then one day I get an email saying they are refunding ALL my money. I bought 3 sets of shirts for my half of the fam plus a couple extra and they gave me every dime back. My SIL did not email, did not get her money back so we wore the shirts.
I would do that spoiler thing but I dont know how to. If you really want to know who it was......
Looks around cautiously.../whispers/
Tee public

 

[amjt660]

Way to stick with it!!

Max

 

[Darstarr]

Way to stick with it!!

Max

Never surrender
Never give up

 

[Dave B]

I am torn here because I dont want to give them free advertising or publicly bash them but....I am going to. Bash them.
If you look at the green shirts they are three different color greens although they all had the same name (vintage green). I emailed to complain and they told me all sales final etc... Fine I said but these are all suppose to be vintage green and they arent. Emails went back and forth for 5 weeks then one day I get an email saying they are refunding ALL my money. I bought 3 sets of shirts for my half of the fam plus a couple extra and they gave me every dime back. My SIL did not email, did not get her money back so we wore the shirts.
I would do that spoiler thing but I dont know how to. If you really want to know who it was......
Looks around cautiously.../whispers/
Tee public

Thank you

 

[Darstarr]

Day 4/Dec 24 cont

One thing my SIL really really really wanted to do was the Candlelight Processional. It is something we can all do together and something we have never done before. I booked the dining package because, well, why not. Free meal plan remember! I did not love the choices but we went with:

Keep in mind, this is our experience. Yours may differ.

We were seated and ordered drinks. Corona for me. Although my new year resolution was to try new drinks I can not handle to-kill-ya. And I know what you are thinking “new year resolution? It’s Christmas eve!” That was my 2018 NY resolution. I did a darn good job at keeping it too! Cheers!!!

My nephew got The Wild one. Oh boy. It tasted like chewing tobacco spit. Not that I know what it tastes like but I have a good imagination. He had to send it back and got a safe Corona instead.

My SIL asked our waiter, Jorge, if they had fajitas. Obviously they dont but it is not that big of a deal to ask right? Jorge said no and went about delivering drinks. He came back and was behind her and was muttering. I could see him so maybe that helped me hear him because my SIL was in a conversation with my BIL and did not hear Jorge. Jorge said, “this is an authentic mexican restaraunt.” That was completely unneccessary. He came back again and muttered, “fajitas are tex mex.” SIL heard him that time and gave him a look.

We got our appetizers. My soup could have been gazpacho it was that cold. I sent it back. Round two was mildly warm.

These were the tostadas. My BIL loved them and proclaimed them his favorite thing he ate the entire trip.

So dark!!!

My youngest two had trouble finding something to order. They are not picky but were probably having a hard time deciphering the menu, even though they both take spanish!! They wanted chicken fingers. OK. Free meal plan remember.

Have you ever gone to fry something but the oil is not hot enough so instead of crisping up it sits and absorbs the oil? Like a sponge. We got two orders of that. Enough!

The manager, Carlo, came around and I told him about the chicken fingers. He said he would take it off the bill. I mentioned the terrible drink my nephew got and Carlo said they get a lot of complaints about that. (Thanks for the heads up Jorge!)

 

[Darstarr]

Day 4/Dec 24 cont

We ordered a few desserts but this lunch was dragging. We had a nemo FP!

We had to settle up and get our tickets for the candlelight processional but Jorge was MIA. I told everyone to stand and make for the exit. That should get his attention. Then I saw mgr Carlo on the side with someone who looked to be his manager. I went over and told them everything about the rude comments from Jorge, the cold food, awful chicken tenders and how we were waiting so long for our CP tickets we missed our nemo FP. Carlo pointed our he refunded the boys meals, a $120 value. His boss just stood there looking, listening and nodding. I got our tickets and left. We did not even want to ride the three Alejandros I mean amigos.

We missed Nemo but took this:

We had a little time before CP but not too much so we went to the DVC lounge.

It was great to be in the light after spending so much time in the dark Mexico pavilion. We all got a snack and gave them to AJ and Dre since they didnt eat lunch.

 

[Darstarr]

Spoiler

i figured it out!!!

 

[Darstarr]

Day 4/Dec 24 cont

We were a little too comfortable in the DVC lounge. All of a sudden I realize it is 12! Minutes to show time. We bolted out of there. As much as an ECV, bad knees, new titanium hip and torn ankle tendons can bolt. I was run walking but had to use the ladies room so badly. Have you ever tried walking, really fast with your knees squeezed together? If I had passed a kiosk selling red and white polka dot depends I would have stopped and bought me some!

We made it just in time

See the guy in green sitting down near the center of the photo?
A) glad he got the green day memo
B) he was in line for the dining package NEXT show
Dude, why get the dining package if you are going to line up so early? We made it with about 2 minutes to spare and we had a ton of space to stretch out

And our seats weren't too bad

I loved how the background kept changing. Our narrator was Joey Fatone. I can never remember if he was a back street boy or if he was in NSYNC. It was his first show, ever! He started a little stiff but finished strong. A choir member on the opposite side of the stage fainted. It was like no big deal. A suit came and caught her in the nick of time and carried her off. The singers she stood next to never missed a note or batted an eyelash.

To me, the real star of the show was the signer (not a typo)

She was so animated. I was mesmerized and couldn't take my eyes off of her.

As soon as it was over I made a knee squeezing dash to the “America” bathrooms. Yuck. Close second to the DS ghiradelli bathrooms for dirtiest.

How about some America Adventure?

The upstairs was the ecv/scooter entrance. We all met up before going into the theatre.

 

[myhappyplace]

NSync. Joey Fatone was NSync. Way back in 2008 I saw him in Animal Kingdom. Thankfully that was past my NSync obsession...

Also, not Candlelight Processional, but I saw a pair of ASL interpreters doing the Festival of the Lion King show once, and I was MESMERIZED throughout, especially for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" section

 

[Darstarr]

NSync. Joey Fatone was NSync. Way back in 2008 I saw him in Animal Kingdom. Thankfully that was past my NSync obsession...

Also, not Candlelight Processional, but I saw a pair of ASL interpreters doing the Festival of the Lion King show once, and I was MESMERIZED throughout, especially for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" section

Ha Ha. I never was into “boy bands” unless A Flock of Seagulls counts
My oldest son was going back to school on Jan 2nd to take a “j term” class. Yep! Sign language! I recorded Joy to the World for him in case his final was signing a song (like mine was when I took a sign language class).

 

[amjt660]

@Darstarr !!
Come back to your TR!!!

Don’t run
Don’t run so far away
Don’t run all night and day
You know you will never get away

Max

 

[Darstarr]

Day 4/Dec 24 cont

Remember how I told you the “of age crew” (and the one with the good id) wanted to drink around the world??? It was time!!!! My two youngest went off to do some rides. Their 15 yo cousin, JJ, passed and stayed with us.

We started in America because that’s where we were. Love that Ball at night!

AJ and Dre sending us proof of life:

Then the drinking crew was done. Done? We didn't even start!
I wanted to stay and see Illuminations. Ant and my oldest, X, stayed with me. It was really awesome because X is away at school 1800 miles away most if the time. Ant and I enjoyed our alone time with him. Plus, X is fun!!!

We looked everywhere for these. My FIL really wanted them for his scooter. They were the hottest ticket in Epcot!

First we went to Canada and watched the show. I had not seen it in eons! At one point they show the Canadian lacrosse team and X couldn’t help pointing out that the USA beat them.

I was hoping this was Max’s house

Waiting for O’Canada and O did it smell like urine in that waiting room. I felt like I was in Penn station waiting for the LIRR.

Next was England for fish n chips and beer. I love fish and chips and these are my favorite! Always must do. Every one was in “their spot” for Illuminations so we were walking around a ghost town. The CM ringing up my fish and chips was really friendly and super chatty. At first I thought she was just bored because there was no one around and then it dawned on me. X. The girls love him. I managed to work “his girlfriend” into the coversation and with that I was finally given my change.

Then France for a PP pix:

Next was a funnel cake in America. Ant’s fave. No photo but it was cookies n cream with chocolate sauce. Yum!
Then beers and a potty break in Germany. I had a grapefruit something or other. Pretty good I guess. Full disclosure: I don't recall.

Then it was egg rolls in China.

Yuck! Cold AND greasy.