Trip Report We're going to Disney and this old lady is gonna party!

Hi all, I have the unexpected joy of being able to write (my second ever), (pre)trip report because I'm getting old!

I wrote my first report from our August trip when we got to preview GE as AP before it opened to the public. I thought it would be the only report I got to write till November of 2020 when my husband wants to go back and have a big family trip with all in attendance.

Well I woke up this morning and realized I will be 60 in 2 weeks and had no plans for the big day!
So after only about 5 minutes of badgering, my husband agreed a quick, down and dirty trip to celebrate my birthday was in order!

Who will be going?
Just the 3 of us from August-(yes it was Halloween in August).
Youngest kid Seth, myself Cindy and husband Gary.

Not attending my birthday blowout is my daughter Aleisha and new son-in-law Julio, as they just got back from honeymooning in France 3 days ago!
Sorry blurry pic of them in their wedding finery, and what I call my (grandthing) Queen Hera!

When-we will be there Nov 20-Nov 22 (quick blitz for sure)! But, still very excited!

What I have so far is our room, we will be staying at the Boulder Ridge Villas, as that was the only thing available at late notice for us to use our DVC points. But, I was super excited today when initially I looked, I could only find a room for each night at 2 different resorts, and then an hour later, 2 consecutive nights opened up. We love Wilderness Lodge so that worked out great!

More details to come, hopefully, with some dining and FP bookings, wish me luck!

 

[MickeyCB]

Loving the TR so far.

That first animal in your safari pics is an okapi. Despite the stripe-y legs they are more closely related to giraffes than zebras.

Thanks, and ty very much for that info!

 

[MickeyCB]

Or the person who waits for the cashier to scan all their items before they rummage around for their wallet! Come on people ... you are in line to buy something. Get the wallet out while you’re waiting!

Honestly! Or heaven forbid have to write a check, OMG and they don't even pull out their check book till after all of the stuff is rung up!

 

[MickeyCB]

Nothing drives me more crazy than that!! One of the biggest offenders of that is R

Or not get your car keys out of your pocket as you are walking to your car on a 28 degree Pittsburgh night!! Let's wait to dig them out while we shiver our you know whats off in the parking lot!

 

[Swissmiss]

Or not get your car keys out of your pocket as you are walking to your car on a 28 degree Pittsburgh night!! Let's wait to dig them out while we shiver our you know whats off in the parking lot!

So glad I don’t ever need to dig my car keys out to get in my car. As long as they are in my bag, the button on the car door will unlock

 

[riverside]

(My was directed at R, not you)

I figured that!!

Or not get your car keys out of your pocket as you are walking to your car on a 28 degree Pittsburgh night!! Let's wait to dig them out while we shiver our you know whats off in the parking lot!

And when someone(R) finally gets the keys out and only hits the remote once to unlock his door & still leaves someone else standing out in the Pittsburgh cold!!

 

[Swissmiss]

I figured that!!

And when someone(R) finally gets the keys out and only hits the remote once to unlock his door & still leaves someone else standing out in the Pittsburgh cold!!

Double for R!

 

[MickeyCB]

So glad I don’t ever need to dig my car keys out to get in my car. As long as they are in my bag, the button on the car door will unlock

I was actually referring to ever ready boy scout (not) Gary.
This is a consistent pattern, we leave the store, headed to the truck in his case, and have we dug those keys out and opened it even 2 seconds ahead of our arrival? Nope, we stand there while he digs them out of a tight pocket that has 2 other key rings, no idea of the purpose of those keys, and only then opens the doors. Every. Time.

 

[MickeyCB]

I figured that!!

And when someone(R) finally gets the keys out and only hits the remote once to unlock his door & still leaves someone else standing out in the Pittsburgh cold!!

And this too!

 

[MickeyCB]

We got in line for the Mine Train and had 2 separate interesting conversations with other guests. We met a family in line in front of us, and there were 2 boys who had on very long vests, thigh length. And they were completely covered front, back and sides, with Disney pins! The dad had a backpack covered as well. The mom said they have all been collecting since the oldest was 4 years of age.
I can't believe I didn't ask them if I could take a photo! I have never seen anything like it. What was really neat was the oldest was 19 and still lovin the whole Disney, collecting thing. I love to see late teen, early 20's kids who aren't jaded.

The other person was a gentleman from the UK traveling by himself. Apparently he was to meet his children at Disney and had been using the Thomas Cook travel group and his trip was completely dismantled in September. He still had a nonrefundable stay at Disney (that they let him rebook but not cancel as I understood his story), so he decided to make the trip himself. He also told me the reason he was alone was that his wife had passed 10 years ago from breast cancer. Needless to say a very sad conversation. But, since he clearly wanted to chat we took him under our wing and he even ended up riding with us and he seemed to really enjoy himself.

While we were waiting in line I started playing with the jewels in the queue, but I quit when my son basically told me I was an idiot. He said, "mom, do you know how many hands have been on those jewels?! And I'm the one who teaches this stuff on a daily basis! Anyway, after I got scolded by my 19 year old I quit playing with them and took some pictures because I just love pretty sparkles!

Before I show you our ride photo I have to explain why I am a sick pup. I mentioned at the beginning of this trip report how my husband's chemo has really played havoc with his joints. Well, I'm not nice at all. On a previous trip, he got on this ride and actually had to get off, because he couldn't bend his knees properly (with his hips tucked into the narrow seats), and had to exit the ride.
Well I got pictures off of the internet of people sitting on this ride and I made him take these pics and go get some physical therapy. I told them, he needs to be able to bend his knees like this. They thought it was funny, I was serious.

He got on the ride and bent, but then was VERY uncomfortable. But we had taken off by then! The entire ride I was paying attention to him, with the 'this is really uncomfortable" comments. The rest of us including our new UK acquaintance had a great ride. (I did feel a little guilty when it was over), a little. And, I recognize I am not eligible for the wife of the year award.

I didn't know you can hold your breath for 3 minutes.

Anyway, Gary hobbled off of the ride. I asked if we could ride the The Little Mermaid, and they both gave me a dirty look. I took that as a no, and we headed off to our next FP. I was excited to see the Christmas overlay for the Jingle Cruise!

In the queue. There was almost no wait so I had to snap fast.

Love the hats. Jason said it was ok to take his picture.

Chris, the skipper, does it with a little more cool.

And we're off!

 

[MinnieM123]

Sorry to hear about your husband's discomfort in his knees in the seat, of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Ever since they introduced that ride, there have been complaints from a number of people who were uncomfortable in those seats. Some can't ride it at all. I've been on it once and didn't have any problem (I'm 5'5", so not tall). But it did seem like taller people or those with certain mobility issues, would have difficulty in those seats. I really think they should have sized them better for the general public.

 

[MickeyCB]

More Jingle Cruise.

That candy is part of the little girls ears, not part of the scene! It took me a minute to realize that!
And remember this lady on the right, a little story later.

Trader Sam all decked out!

So we are pulling back into the dock and our skipper, that was very good, started scolding someone good-naturedly, for being on their phone the entire trip. (We realized later it was 2 women in the front of the boat who had been txting each other the entire ride).
For a second I thought he meant me (I was taking photos for this report) and I got a guilty look on my face. The woman I pointed out earlier was looking at me, nodded her head and gave a smirk that said uh huh, you spent the whole time on your phone! Seriously?!
During the entire ride this woman, never smiled, never talked to her family, and looked like she was having the same kind of fun you have in the dentists chair! At one point my husband had pointed her out to me saying she looked pretty miserable. And if he notices, it is pretty bad.
But that's ok, because now she's in my TR!

And on that vengeful note, let's move on!
After we exited the ride I talked Seth into riding Pirates with me and Gary was going to start heading towards the entrance as we would have to be leaving soon.
My absolute favorite scene in the ride!

We're 2nd row from the back. He was actually being cooperative and we were trying some kind of pose, but the lady in front of us pulled her unicorn hoodie up over her head, right before the photo, and Seth leaned the wrong direction. 3 days I wait for a team photo....

We made our way towards Main Street. And took a few last day photos.
Another beautiful castle pic.

I liked this one Seth took of us. Little orange skin tone, but like the blurred out castle in the background.

And this, they were talking to me again by now!

 

[SharonD]

Don’t write yourself off as “wife of the year,” lol. I’m sure you do many other things that your husband appreciates. I’ve not ridden the 7D Mine Train yet ... my husband is 6’5” and 280 lbs ... I think he might have some off colored remarks about the 7 dwarfs As he tried to squish into the seat.

 

[MickeyCB]

We strolled through the Emporium and bought a few last items. Seth got the hoodie version of the t-shirt he is wearing in these last day photos. The retro Walt Disney look. He got some socks too.
Gary bought me a pin that matches the Mickey Christmas pickup I bought. I also got a jersey with a similar design on it.

I had been debating since the first day and went ahead and bought this hoodie too. I love it! It is so comfortable!

On the way out I found a couple and told them since we already rode and were leaving, that I was cancelling 3, 11:10 am 7DMT passes and would they like to see if they could snag them? (I have absolutely no idea if it works like that or not), but they were willing to give it a try. They went into MDE and I cancelled them. They refreshed and they were not there. They said they would try again immediately though. I hope they got them.

One last look at the beautiful train station as we headed out to catch one last boat ride.

And we just missed our boat. But that was ok, because we left earlier than planned, we weren't on a forced march.

Our last boat ride for this trip.
I lost count of the many boat rides, but it is a favorite to do when we stay at WL.
So relaxing!

We made our way back to WL and headed to bell services to grab our travel gear.

 

[MickeyCB]

Sorry to hear about your husband's discomfort in his knees in the seat, of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Ever since they introduced that ride, there have been complaints from a number of people who were uncomfortable in those seats. Some can't ride it at all. I've been on it once and didn't have any problem (I'm 5'5", so not tall). But it did seem like taller people or those with certain mobility issues, would have difficulty in those seats. I really think they should have sized them better for the general public.

I absolutely agree. It doesn't really make any sense. And it's odd, because they have said larger people sometimes have a problem, but he can actually bend his knees in a regular chair at home. I don't know. But I do know he's probably not going to let me badger him to get on it again!

 

[MickeyCB]

Don’t write yourself off as “wife of the year,” lol. I’m sure you do many other things that your husband appreciates. I’ve not ridden the 7D Mine Train yet ... my husband is 6’5” and 280 lbs ... I think he might have some off colored remarks about the 7 dwarfs As he tried to squish into the seat.

Thank you.
And it's interesting when you read who all can, and can't, fit into those seats. Some larger people can, others say, no way. The seats are definitely tight through the hip/thigh area for some people.
The problem my husband experiences is, he can now actually bend his knees (2 artificial ones), but the tight thigh area of the seat and no ability to change feet placement, makes your hips internally rotate, and that is where he has problems.

 

[Darstarr]

Well I got pictures off of the internet of people sitting on this ride and I made him take these pics and go get some physical therapy. I told them, he needs to be able to bend his knees like this. They thought it was funny, I was serious.

I love your priorities!!!
And your methods

 

[krisri18]

More Jingle Cruise.
View attachment 431340
That candy is part of the little girls ears, not part of the scene! It took me a minute to realize that!
And remember this lady on the right, a little story later.

View attachment 431349

View attachment 431346

Trader Sam all decked out!
View attachment 431350

So we are pulling back into the dock and our skipper, that was very good, started scolding someone good-naturedly, for being on their phone the entire trip. (We realized later it was 2 women in the front of the boat who had been txting each other the entire ride).
For a second I thought he meant me (I was taking photos for this report) and I got a guilty look on my face. The woman I pointed out earlier was looking at me, nodded her head and gave a smirk that said uh huh, you spent the whole time on your phone! Seriously?!
During the entire ride this woman, never smiled, never talked to her family, and looked like she was having the same kind of fun you have in the dentists chair! At one point my husband had pointed her out to me saying she looked pretty miserable. And if he notices, it is pretty bad.
But that's ok, because now she's in my TR!

And on that vengeful note, let's move on!
After we exited the ride I talked Seth into riding Pirates with me and Gary was going to start heading towards the entrance as we would have to be leaving soon.
My absolute favorite scene in the ride!
View attachment 431362

We're 2nd row from the back. He was actually being cooperative and we were trying some kind of pose, but the lady in front of us pulled her unicorn hoodie up over her head, right before the photo, and Seth leaned the wrong direction. 3 days I wait for a team photo....
View attachment 431361

We made our way towards Main Street. And took a few last day photos.
Another beautiful castle pic.
View attachment 431363

I liked this one Seth took of us. Little orange skin tone, but like the blurred out castle in the background.
View attachment 431373

And this, they were talking to me again by now!
View attachment 431365

I looked quick at the "smirking" lady and thought it was @Longers !

 

[MickeyCB]

I love your priorities!!!
And your methods

I knew I could count on you to back me up!

 

[MickeyCB]

I looked quick at the "smirking" lady and thought it was @Longers !

I can't imagine that! She seems very sweet!

 

[krisri18]

I can't imagine that! She seems very sweet!

Smirking lady and @Longers seem to have similar hair color/back of head shape. Lol