Trip Report We are venturing outside our comfort zones and hoping the reward is worth it!! April 11 -23, 2021

Hello! I am, again, going to attempt to do a semi livish trip report and then fill in the details when I return. Like Rapunzel, when we made these plans, I definitely was taking a leap a faith! I, like all of us, have had a long year. We are DVC members and it was time to use the points. It is that simple. I can't tell you how thrilled I am now!

The cast remains the same! Den (my husband), Deighton(me), Hunter (16), Camden (9), and Brinley (5 and starts kindergarten in the fall). Some of us are a lot taller and some of us wider...

We fly Southwest out of Pittsburgh early Sunday morning and land in Orlando around 10:15am.( I feel like I struck gold with 2 nonstop flights!) Then we head to the home where animals belong, a one bedroom villa at Animal Kingdom Lodge until April 19th. Then we move to Cabana Bay Beach Resort until the 23rd. Universal is a whole new world for us. Any advice for the entire length of stay is welcome!

I will be posting our plans soon! Thanks for reading! Another big thank you to those of you who posted, happy, positive thoughts and reports during these crazy times. It definitely kept time moving forward and hope alive. It keeps me smiling and tearing up to see your children growing up on this platform! Happy Thursday everyone!!

 

[littleroo]

Looked like a great last day at Epcot. Enjoy Universal.

Thanks so much! We are certainly sad to go but this is a new adventure for us!

 

[littleroo]

I'm all caught up now it looks like you have had a great time in Disney. All of your food pictures are making me hungry! Enjoy Universal.

Thanks so much for following! This was definitely a food vacation...but I wanted as much time off, as possible, to have masks off safely! Happy Monday!

 

[littleroo]

I always liked the architectural design at the Morocco pavilion. I love the attractive tile work throughout as well (your last photo in that group really highlighted the intricacy of design at the fountain).

You are so sweet! Thanks so much! I appreciate everyone following along with the double whammy of an older cell phone and moving too quickly through the parks.

 

[littleroo]

I did not notice any bites, but I did actually feel some tiny little bugs on me a few times. Maybe this is what it was. Very odd.

I agree! I woke up this morning and have about 15 more bites. No one else in my family has nearly as many. Maybe one or two.. First time ever even when camping in Pa. Hopefully they don't follow me to Universal!

How are you adapting to being home? Did you two go back to work today?

 

[littleroo]

So sad that your Disney trip is over! But I will definitely continue to follow along. I am curious how things have changed at Universal since we were there last June right after they opened back up. They are vigilant with the hand sanitizer in lines, but I've heard that they have been crazy packed with people lately! Hope you have a great time!!

Thank you so much! I am not trying to jinx myself but I have a hard time believing it will be any busier than Epcot yesterday in Mexico and Norway. But again what do I know? Maybe I should be grateful for the rain!

I am sure you are busy with an upcoming graduation! Where does time go??

 

[Loco_driver]

I agree! I woke up this morning and have about 15 more bites. No one else in my family has nearly as many. Maybe one or two.. First time ever even when camping in Pa. Hopefully they don't follow me to Universal!

How are you adapting to being home? Did you two go back to work today?

Sadly we are both at work today. We are ready to go back!

 

[littleroo]

Packing, drinking coffee, packing, etc...we are taking an Uber to Cabana at 11. We are waiting for Hunter to get out of chemistry. We are going to have to buy another bag. I don't think I told that Hunter left his backpack on Star Tours!

 

[littleroo]

Sadly we are both at work today. We are ready to go back!

I have often wondered if I ever could get sick of it here! It just never seems to be enough! I hope today goes fast for you!

 

[amjt660]

either way you slice it - I am a dog!!

Max

 

[littleroo]

either way you slice it - I am a dog!!

View attachment 550327

Max

Max is a great dog!!! Thanks for following and letting me play!! Happy Monday!!

 

[littleroo]

Goodbye AKL!!

 

[93boomer]

Goodbye AKL!! View attachment 550334View attachment 550335View attachment 550336

Have fun at Uni!!

 

[littleroo]

Camden wants this lamp!!

 

[Disstevefan1]

Thank you everyone for following. I hope not to disappoint!

We did not purchase Hopper passes. We found with 2 of the kids being young, we really don't get our moneys worth. We also hit the parks at open, take a break in the afternoon, and head back out. DS is not high on our lists of priorities. The kids love it but with everything I am reading, they are lucky enough, that there will be other times.

April 11 -high tail it to Animal Kingdom Lodge to drop off her luggage and hope for a room ready. Thunderstorms are expected right now but that is not stopping us from bussing to Epcot. We have an, early for us, dinner reservation at 5pm for all of 5 of us at La Hacienda.

Let me pause here to explain why I say the 5 of us. Hunter will be absent during the day in the parks Monday through Friday because the poor, highly intelligent, soul chose not do homework online since September...I could go on but you can probably feel my anger. Of course I told him everyday, you will regret this long term and short term but what do I know...You live with the consequences son!

Camden chose an online program that runs through the school so I teach him everyday since September. To all those teachers out there, THANK YOU!! You are angels!! I can not wait for Memorial weekend Having said that, it has been time that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Cam has done exceedingly well and is ahead of the game so we just have some odds and ends to keep up with.

Look on the bright side Hunter, when else will you ever to be able to do school work while sitting in the majestic, beautiful, Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[littleroo]

 

[littleroo]

Have fun at Uni!!

Thanks it should be interesting. Again hoping for a room ready soon! Hunter has to be in Math at 1! Lol

 

[littleroo]

Look on the bright side Hunter, when else will you ever to be able to do school work while sitting in the majestic, beautiful, Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I couldn't agree more! He actually really enjoyed it! I mean as much as one could. A change of scenery is a big help!! Thanks for following!

 

[93boomer]

Thanks it should be interesting. Again hoping for a room ready soon! Hunter has to be in Math at 1! Lol

 

[littleroo]

When we leave Universal , we are home for 3 weeks until another big adventure which I committed to in January. My parents, who are in their early 70s, are both vaccinated and ready for a great escape! They are heading down to Hilton Head on their RV for a month. Camden, Brinley and I are headed up to the 1,000 Islands for a month to watch their dogs, cat and house. Hunter will come for the last 2 weeks when school is out and Den will come up for a couple of long weekends. It is a half hour from the area where I grew up. I am super excited to show the kids where I grew up in more detail instead of just in a rush.

 

[ShookieJones]

Next up lunch and the gang was hungry for good reason. A story for the end! Where are we now? Liberty Tree Tavern but eating in the Diamond Horshoe?? Inspired by the pirates, I was in search of rum! Instead I found a Blue Moon!View attachment 549099Den started digging in fast! Sorry about the half eaten pictures!View attachment 549100

Looks delicious (even half eaten). I am looking forward to this meal. It's our first time back there in a LOOOOONG time.