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).

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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)...

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and my two nieces; Courtney...

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and Mia...
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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...

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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.

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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.

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

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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?
 
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youngdeb

Active Member
Really enjoyed reading your trip report! We are planning our first trip to WDW and your report has made me even more excited than I already was to experience all that the parks and resorts have to offer! Your photos are amazing and have reminded me to take in all the little details along the way!
 

DisneyJeff

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Great job with that recap video!!! And thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. I almost feel like I was there with you through all the many highs and the few lows!!

I need a countdown for your next trip!!
 

PacNWTigger

Well-Known Member
Sorry for the "like" overload I got a little behind. Your recap video honestly gave me goosebumps! Such wonderful pictures (sorry about your lens though) and a beautiful family. So when is your next trip?
 

senor_jorge

Barbara Eden+? Bring it!!
Premium Member
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?



Very impressive! If Sterg did it I'd have suggested he look into an advertising major. It was beyond good! Love the family, and the interaction you share. Special thanks to your wife! If Momma a'int happy... Reading one of your trip reports in the middle of a long week is almost like being there, and a relief I need more than I'd like..

Swim fast @fractal
 

Gurt

Well-Known Member
Hi Chris @fractal and hi @fractal jr iv just caught up on all the videos (and subscribed to your YouTube channel) I just wanted to say your family is amazing, there was a moment on boys day video when Sterg catches your face briefly just after you walk in magic kingdom that really reminded me of my pop, he passed away 9 years ago this New Years, not that you look anything like each other it was just a glimmer of a fathers happy face. I wish I could still share Disney with my pop but at least I still have the memories and no one can take those away! Your family are precious keep making those memories! Sorry for the somber post but your tr is so full of love it really reminds me of my times in Disney with my family when my pop was still with us. Much love fractal family xxx
 

disneypearl

Well-Known Member
I loved the video. Thank you for sharing your trip! It looked like a great time with lots of new memories with your wonderful family. It was so fun to watch for updates to your report.
 

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