The Surprise-We’re-Going-To-Disney Actual Trip Report – FIRSTS

So by now you’ve probably read about how we surprised the kids on the first night of Hanukah by telling them we were leaving for Disney and Universal in 4 days. The next 4 days were a flurry of packing and anticipation! Rather than give you a blow-by-blow of the trip, I thought I would make it interesting by limiting my Trip Report to FIRSTS (and only a handful of the over 200 pictures we took) - in other words, all the things we did or saw for the first time on this, our first holiday season trip to Disney. We actually stayed at Universal our first night and spent our first day there, but I will leave out the parts about Universal and post those in the Universal forum separately.
Without further ado, here are my Disney Firsts:
1 - We arrived at the Caribbean Beach Resort on Thursday night (12/13) around 6pm. I had done online check-in for the first time, and we were happy to quickly get our materials and a room in the building I’d requested – Aruba. I would do online check-in again.

2 – We had dinner that first night at the California Grill for the first time. The ambience was fabulous, the service spectacular, and our meal was timed to include a viewing of Holiday Wishes during MVMCP – another first. (I’ll do a separate food report as well, so I’ll leave those pictures out of this report.) What a way to see the fireworks!

3 – On Friday (12/14) we were at EPCOT by rope drop. The park was already crowded for that time of day, but we still ran straight to Soarin’ which is the ride that makes me truly feel like I’ve arrived at WDW. As usual, I teared up a bit! Anyway, we rode Soarin’ once, got a FP for later in the morning, and headed over to try the new Test Track for the first time. It was really great! The queue was so modern, and we really got a kick out of designing our own vehicles in the new intro area (see pics). Although the track was the same, it really felt like a modernized version of the ride. We all loved it.

 

[dopeylover]

I looked back at the photo, and I'm trying to figure out which person is his "friend" too. I understand what the person who mentioned his "friend" is saying, but who is itin the photo?



We don't get to Disney often enough, and our trips are usually no more than 4-5 days, so we have to pack in the kitchen sink! Hey, maybe next time we'll try to eat the Kitchen Sink! LOL. Beaches N Cream is definitely on my must-try list for an upcoming trip. We go from 6:30am-11:30pm every day - kids too - so we all need a vacation by the time we arrive home from a Disney trip! LOL

I couldn't see it either! I see a guy with his hand by his mouth, but it just looks like he's stuffing his face!

 

[joel_maxwell]

First (pun intended).... Love the TR. After all these years, i finally put a face to the name and the miles we run. Looks like yall had a great time and your family is lovely.

Second, #14... dead on. The only attraction my 2.5 daughter was scared of 2 years ago was the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Last, I think the guy with his hand over the mouth is his friend. I have seen others a few times in pictures, and this fits the profile. Hat to conceal the headset, glasses etc. Looks like he is holding a small earmicrophone trying to conceal it a little.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

We don't get to Disney often enough, and our trips are usually no more than 4-5 days, so we have to pack in the kitchen sink! Hey, maybe next time we'll try to eat the Kitchen Sink! LOL. Beaches N Cream is definitely on my must-try list for an upcoming trip. We go from 6:30am-11:30pm every day - kids too - so we all need a vacation by the time we arrive home from a Disney trip! LOL

Same here!!! We go go go the whole time and we never regret going at such a high speed pace. That's the kind of people we are. Now that we go 2-3 times a year, we slow down a little. And Beaches N Cream is SO good! Ate there in May for the first time and next May there will be 6 of us so we are going to conquor the Kitchen Sink.. or try to anyways!!

 

[JillC LI]

First (pun intended).... Love the TR. After all these years, i finally put a face to the name and the miles we run. Looks like yall had a great time and your family is lovely.

Second, #14... dead on. The only attraction my 2.5 daughter was scared of 2 years ago was the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Last, I think the guy with his hand over the mouth is his friend. I have seen others a few times in pictures, and this fits the profile. Hat to conceal the headset, glasses etc. Looks like he is holding a small earmicrophone trying to conceal it a little.

Love the pun! I guess that the only photo of myself that I had on the board was of my family dressed like hitchhiking ghosts at MNSSHP, and we all had tons of white and black makeup on! LOL.

I see who you mean now about the "friend." That would make sense.

Same here!!! We go go go the whole time and we never regret going at such a high speed pace. That's the kind of people we are. Now that we go 2-3 times a year, we slow down a little. And Beaches N Cream is SO good! Ate there in May for the first time and next May there will be 6 of us so we are going to conquor the Kitchen Sink.. or try to anyways!!

Good luck to all of you! Even if you fail, you'll enjoy the attempt!

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Haha that is indeed Push's "friend"!