Trip Report When can we do this again? A Fractal family Odyssey. *COMPLETED*

Definition of odyssey:

• : a long journey full of adventures
  
  
• : a series of experiences that give knowledge or understanding to someone

Not too long ago I had a lot of doubt this trip would ever happen. The financial cost of higher education, the fact my wife Val wanted to go anywhere BUT Disney, the crazy and conflicting schedules of the kids, made the odds of keeping our 2-year WDW trip tradition a large long-shot. But maybe things do happen for a reason...

A great deal came our way and before we knew it we were on our way back to the World. Not without a major sacrifice however as my eldest daughter Alexandra had to miss the trip due to her schooling ( she graduates this Friday as an Registered Nurse!). She is a bit of a kindred spirit to me with a personality closer to mine than the other two, so I knew I would miss her dearly on the trip.

Here she is at Christmas with my Mom (Yia-Yia).

Speaking of Yia-yia; she will join us again at WDW! We had a great time with her on our 2013 trip at the Poly. We would meet up with her, my Sister Marina (here with me)...

and my two nieces; Courtney...

and Mia...

at the Yacht Club on the second leg of our journey. The first part of our trip took us to my in-law's (Al & Sue) who moved to Florida (Tampa - St. Pete area) last year. They would also join us at WDW!

Here they are from a 50th anniversary party we had for them last Winter...

It was early evening Thursday July 20th when we began our Odyssey. My good friend Wally picked us up to take us to the Baltimore (BWI) airport.

Excitement was building for our trip but the real Disney excitement would come later.

Sterg and Toni occupied the back seat. They were almost late for the pickup as they decided a last second Starbucks run was in order. Sterg ended up paying for that about an hour later as his bladder protested strongly.

Val was next to me and could barely contain her enthusiasm.

Not only was she not fully in favor of another Disney trip, she was (rightfully) concerned with the potential problems, complications, and stress of merging these 3 parts of the family together in the already chaotic environment of managing reservations, room assignments, getting to the parks, fastpasses and dinner plans. I had much of the same worries, which were also amplified by the fact Yia-Yia and Al would be using electric scooters during our time at the World. But hey, it's Disney, what could go wrong?

 

[DznyRktekt]

“Mom, look at the crazy guy who wears TWO watches!”

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[fractal]

Toni led me right to Club Cool where I have notoriously fooled them many times with the "Beverly" trick.

She knew one of the sodas was "ickey" but couldn't remember which one.

Finally found it.

She said it wasn't as bad as she remembered.

We never got a photo @Tuvalu purple wall - but I found another one (when it's purple).

With Club Cool out of the way, we started making our way to Test track.

Test track had been down several times that day so our fast passes where only marginally better than stand-by.

In line waiting for Test Track to open.

Before too long the line started to move and we made our way into the design studio.

Interesting looking car Mia - would we be able to test it today?

We were pretty close to boarding when the ride shut down once again.

Coming up...Did we go 64mph? final moments. Tragical Express.

 

[Bob]

As we rode our bus back from Disney Springs, Toni and I decided to get off at Beach Club instead of Yacht Club. We had stayed at BC twice before and she wanted to see the lobby again.

I had the idea of recreating a shot I remembered from our 2011 trip.

2011

2017

Fantastic! You will have to do this again in 2023.

 

[fractal]

No high speed banks for us on our last day. With the clock quickly approaching our Tragical Express pick up time we had to abandon our place in line.

some last, last minute shopping.

It was not the best day weather wise as a light rain started as we made our way out of Epcot.

I did manage to take one more photo of the girls.

Before we knew it we were in front of the Yacht Club with our suitcases waiting for our bus. Marina, Yia-Yia, Courtney and Mia were not leaving until the next morning but were sad to see us go.

DME is never as much fun going to the airport.

The weather outside reflected how we felt.

 

[fractal]

Our ride photos from this trip...

.

 

[fractal]

a few more...

What's with the towel Mister?

 

[fractal]

Last ones, lol!

possibly my favorite...

UP NEXT - I'm not done just yet!

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

UP NEXT - I'm not done just yet!

Woohoo!

 

[fractal]

Here's a picture of my daughters in the fancy Mork from Ork chairs at the Beach Club last month. They were grumpy, sweaty (made them walk alllllll the way from Hollywood Studios to the Beach Club in the hot, humid weather) and sad that it was our last day. Also, yes, I told my youngest to remove her feet from the chair (grrrrr, kids sometimes). We did have a great breakfast at Cape May Cafe at least!
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"mork for ork" - love it! heaven forbid you make them walk!

I'm loving your trip report! Your kids have grown so much since the last one I read (can't remember when it was but your kids were all way smaller than they are now). Your photography is amazing!!! I'm still only on your first day at Disney so I have a ways to go and I'm looking forward to it!

Thanks @Cetta! Yes they grow fast!

Love the photo recreation of you and Toni

Thanks! I'm happy I remember it.

I hope I take pictures even half as awesome as yours I'm looking forward to using it

You'll have fun with it!

Your recreation shot was amazing! Even a few years on a kid can produce big changes, and the 2017 photo of Toni is delightful, seeing how much she's grown into a young woman.

thanks and yes she is. She got her driver's permit so I've been spending some time in the car with her behind the wheel. It's not always stress-free.

Finally up to page 24 and I seriously feel like I've spent the day with your family at Disney World! My husband asked me what I did at work today and I said "read an amazing Disney trip report, so I have a lot of work to do tomorrow." I love how you mentioned riding roller coasters at wildwood with your cousin when you were younger. We vacationed there every year growing up until my father passed away. I can't wait to take my son to Tom Sawyer island so I can watch his imagination explode! I have to say...not only are your photos amazing but the way you write is transporting me there with you!

Lol! Don't want to get you in trouble! My parents had a restaurant and motel in Wildwood where I spent most of my youth summers working (and some playing). I could go for a Mack's pizza right now! Thanks for the nice words, your son will love Tom Sawyer island.

:'(

So glad you had time to yourself to reflect. I have LOVED reading your TR!!!! Your family is beautiful <3 CHERISH every moment & memory!!! There will be more ... GRANDKIDS My first one is on his way (overdue and anxiously awaiting his arrival). i can't wait to show him my happy place <3 Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos and family with all of us !!!

Thanks @lbrad! Congrats on the upcoming arrival. Wish all the best.

I honestly don't want your trip report to end!! I think you need to just go back every year instead of every other

Thanks @MeeskaMooska0714 ! Not sure I could handle an annual trip!

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1.21 gigawatts!

Fantastic! You will have to do this again in 2023.

Or sooner!

 

[newhorizons1]

Toni and Sterg had some great poses for their on-ride photos! Sad to see this one coming to an end.

 

[fractal]

I got the title of this trip report from one of my (and Toni's) favorite songs from Wreck-it-Ralph; When can I see you again? by Owl City.

Since last Spring every time I played the song I envisioned different potential video clips from our upcoming trip through out the song . At one point I almost committed to focusing solely on video at WDW instead of photos, but that changed especially when Sterg took on the "cinematographer" role. In the end I had plenty of stills and video to work with and spent a fair amount of time putting this together. It's a quick recap of our trip that I'm sure I'll look back on plenty of times and hopefully so will everyone else on the trip! I'm happy to say that @Tuvalu and @TrolleyFollower91 make an appearance.

Now on the Fractal Channel;

When Can We Do This Again?

 

[Tuvalu]

Em and I are touched to be included in your lovely vacation recap video.

 

[DznyRktekt]

I got the title of this trip report from one of my (and Toni's) favorite songs from Wreck-it-Ralph; When can I see you again? by Owl City.

Since last Spring every time I played the song I envisioned different potential video clips from our upcoming trip through out the song . At one point I almost committed to focusing solely on video at WDW instead of photos, but that changed especially when Sterg took on the "cinematographer" role. In the end I had plenty of stills and video to work with and spent a fair amount of time putting this together. It's a quick recap of our trip that I'm sure I'll look back on plenty of times and hopefully so will everyone else on the trip! I'm happy to say that @Tuvalu and @TrolleyFollower91 make an appearance.

Now on the Fractal Channel;

When Can We Do This Again?

Makes me want to book a trip now! You are a talented gent.

 

[wardpr68]

I almost never post here.... but I have to take the time to tell you your trip reports are bar none, the best I have ever read. You have an unbelievable talent at storytelling and photography. I also loved your video, I am a fan of that song as well. Please go back soon, these trip reports are just unreal!

 

[littleroo]

I can't like that video enough Thanks for including us in this fabulous, family, adventure loaded with pixie dust!!!

 

[12in12]

Thank you for a truly wonderful TR. I had so much fun reading it and looking at your fabulous photos!

 

[Gurt]

Toni's face on the Dinosaur ride photo's - brilliant! So sad this trip report has to end it has truly been amazing I can't wait for your next trip.

 

[MinnieM123]

@fractal , that video was AMAZING!!! You and Sterg (aka, Fractal, Jr.) really outdid yourselves this time--wonderful photos, filming, composition, editing, background music, etc. Cannot give this enough superlatives!!

Thank you for brightening up my day here on Friday morning, prior to my going out to work.

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

LOVE the video!! Thank you again for inviting us into your family trip! It truly was so much fun to read (and see/watch)! Can't wait for the next one!

 

[Mamaof5]

I got the title of this trip report from one of my (and Toni's) favorite songs from Wreck-it-Ralph; When can I see you again? by Owl City.

Since last Spring every time I played the song I envisioned different potential video clips from our upcoming trip through out the song . At one point I almost committed to focusing solely on video at WDW instead of photos, but that changed especially when Sterg took on the "cinematographer" role. In the end I had plenty of stills and video to work with and spent a fair amount of time putting this together. It's a quick recap of our trip that I'm sure I'll look back on plenty of times and hopefully so will everyone else on the trip! I'm happy to say that @Tuvalu and @TrolleyFollower91 make an appearance.

Now on the Fractal Channel;

When Can We Do This Again?

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the trip report, and the video was just outstanding. I haven't commented this whole time, but have been following to the end. I love pictures and take 2 cameras with me wherever we go. In my family of 7 (my husband and I, and 5 kids) there is no shortage of opportunities to capture memories in photographs. We head to Disney this December and your pictures have just made me even more excited to capture more of those memories for us to look back on (and to capture some pictures of things we've done in the past, now that the kids are 2 years older so that we can compare them). Thanks for sharing your trip, and your photographs, and your memories. I will look back on your trip report many times between now and when we leave, I'm sure!