Trip Report Who needs sleep? We're going to Disney World!! PTR/TR

Hello! And welcome to my 3rd trip report for my 7th trip the fabulous Walt Disney World!!

Here is my Dad, Mom and me on a cruise in January 2012, they are coming too!

Well, this is actually the pre-trip portion, I am now 29 days away and can't wait any longer! This trip will be different than any other trip I have ever taken.
1. I will be there for a whole week! The other trips have been 4 or 5 days, which I enjoyed but I have never had so much time and it excites me!
2. I am going to run my first EVER 5k! My Dad and I will be running in Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5k while there. I am NERVOUS since I was not a runner till about... 6 months ago .
3. LOTS of new restaurants!
4. The real big one is I will be traveling with 9, yes, NINE family members. That's a lot of people. And 7 of them are people I really don't know very well.

Those are the big things, I will explain more as we go on. I am hoping this PTR will help ease my nerves... more on that too.

Thanks for reading! (Well I hope you are )

Katie

 

[KappleB2]

I don't even know what day this is anymore but it was the day before the last. SO...my Mom, Dad and I left EPCOT (for the last time ) and headed over to Magic Kingdom.

We took the ferry in. Its my favorite!

You can see how cloudy and gloomy it was.

We went over to New Fantasyland to check out The Little Mermaid, but the wait was long so we got fastpasses instead.

Then we headed on over to Tomorrowland. We rode the Peoplemover and Buzz Lightyear then hopped in line for Carousel of Progress, which went down while in line. And it was BUSY tonight!

Instead we went over to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. It was a pretty good show! Always better when people participate.

From there it was back over to Under the Sea for our fastpasses. I couldn't wait to get on this ride with my new camera!

Not fantastic pics but I think I got some pretty good ones.

I do really like these Ursula ones though...

Too many pictures...

 

[KappleB2]

We finished our journey under the sea and started to head over to meet the rest of the fam for dinner at Pecos Bills when... it was time for the #1 thing on my list.

TIME TO MEET GASTON!!!!
This guy was good too! I had my bday button on and when he noticed he told me to close my eyes because he had a surprise. When I opened them he was flexing his muscles for me! Haaahaaahaaa He said every other girl in the village must be jealous of me because he had his arm around me! It was fun! I'm so glad I pushed so hard for that to happen all week!

It was time for dinner! Pecos Bills was crazy but the parade and all that nightime stuff was about to happen and this was our best bet. We found a good table all the way in the back and met up with some more of the family there. After a burger, my Mom and Dad went to the Hall of Presidents while the rest of us went to Big Thunder Mountain. Night time rides there are always fun!
Time to find my parents but we got caught in the parade, so we stopped to watch even though the plan was to find a real spot and watch later...
Supposed to meet my parents around Casey's to find a spot for the fireworks but my Dad decided he didn't like all the people. We ended up in a spot where you could not hear the soundtrack and just didn't see the show as it was intended. Lets be honest people....I cried. Now, I usually cry during Wishes, but this was not that kind of cry. I was so MAD at my Dad!! I told him where to go! Told him Main Street was where we needed to be! This was the last chance to see it too!! We had reservations at Ohana the next night (which I was really looking forward to) so this was it. And I missed it.

We had spent about a week together now and had no pictures of everyone so that was the next mission. That is on my aunt's photopass, still haven't seen it. Maybe it wasn't any good?

Despite my very really crying before this picture, it turned out pretty good.

Mom and Dad decided to go home, Ruth and I stayed right up front to watch Celebrate the Magic and everyone else hit up Space Mountain. I cried through that show too! Its amazing how they can make the castle look like anything they want! And the holiday tag is cute!
After a long night, we headed home. Another long-and final- day tomorrow.

 

[KappleB2]

LAST DAY OF MAGIC But a GREAT day!
This morning started with breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe.
1. This was my first time at the Grand Floridian.
2. Of course, it was my first time here!
3. HOLY COW!!

It is beautiful!! And the Gingerbread House was up! I was not expecting to see that yet!
First up, FOOD!
I had the Vanilla laced French Toast. Delicious!

I loved the characters in the floor.

We went back to the car and headed to Hollywood Studios! Which had its Christmas decorations up now! These were not here the other day!

Our first stop was Rockin' Rollercoaster!

I was a little worried about my camera on this ride! When I rode before I had someone to hold it for me, but not this time. It was a little awkward, but it was fine. ( I know you were all very worried)

Then it was on to Tower of Terror- for the last time . But it was a great ride! We all sat across the front row and were just cracking up! It was great!

 

[KappleB2]

Did I mention it was COLD this day?! I think it said the high was 62 but the wind was super COLD!! It felt in the upper 50s all day!

Next up, we all went on Toy Story! Loser buys everyone a drink! Ruth and I were determined not to lose!

We did NOT lose!

Ruth got the higher one, she blew me away in the ring toss! Amazing!
Alicia did lose!

Alex won!

Drinks in hand, we got in line for the Pirates of the Caribbean thing. A family connected by technology, obviously.

And then Ruth got pooped on! It was really funny because basically the whole area is covered, and the bird still found her!

I liked the Pirates thing. Pretty cool to do once. It did look like they were standing right there in the room.
Everyone had a different plan after this. Pat, Eric, my Mom and Dad found a go kart track and did that. Alicia, Earl, Alex and Tori went back to Animal Kingdom while Ruth and I headed to Magic Kingdom. I had to see Mickey today!

 

[KappleB2]

First stop was for fastpasses to see Mickey later, then we ran into the Dapper Dans. They sounded wonderful (as always) and were playing these bell things. Anybody know exactly what they are called?

It was lunch time, so we headed to Columbia Harbor House and sat on the bridge area overlooking Liberty Square. It was nice to visit with just one person by this point .

Then we thought we'd try for dessert at Be Our Guest. With Ruth, its go big or go home. And we did. I think there are 7 desserts on the menu...we got 5. FIVE!! And we just ate! Although we probably laughed many of those calories off

Sat in the ballroom and enjoyed the Christmas tree

For the first time I noticed how realistic the faces are in these cherubs. Kind of creepy!

Cracking up! We got some looks from people.
AFTER

We did the best we could!
Triple Chocolate Cupcake was the best followed by the strawberry cupcake, the grey stuff cupcake, the chocolate creme puff and the lemon cupcake.

SO MUCH FUN!!
Did you ever notice the cute bathroom signs in here?!

We met up with my uncle Pat and cousin Eric next. They were hungry so we went to Casey's with them then shopped a little. Tried to see Merida but the line was waaayyy too long. Keep that on the list for next time. Then it was time for Mickey. Talking Mickey. I gotta say, I prefer silent Mickey. This one kinda creeped me out!

He wanted us to be like the hitchhiking ghosts and say "creeepy". He was right about that! CREEPY!

We saw the special tribute to Veterans flag retreat with the Voices of Liberty who were FANTASTIC in the freezing wind! I really wanted to do the peoplemover again but it was down. We headed into the Laugh Floor instead. HILARIOUS show!! Great participation! Totally the funniest one I had ever seen.

And then that was it. No more parks

I said a tearful goodbye to the castle and headed out. We went back to the hotel for a little before dinner at O'Hana. Somehow, I took ZERO pictures there but wow!! Everything you have heard is true! The noodles and the steak were my favorite but the bread and the salad a close second!

As the Wishes music was pumped in, I cried. I couldn't see the fireworks but I cried. But this time the right tears. The tears I would have cried the night before. I was in my happy place, it was real. It was almost over, but real. Real life was starting to flood back into my head. Memorizing lines for the play and going back to the toy store (where I work) in its busiest season. Vacation was over- and it sucked! I was just hitting my stride! I could have stayed a few more days for sure.

My cousin Alex, Eric and I went to Jelly Rolls that night and had a blast. First, we were dropped off at the Boardwalk resort. My DREAM hotel!! Someday I will stay there! I loved the lobby.

Seriously. If you have never been to Jelly Rolls- GO!! Dueling piano bar and all request? What can go wrong? I had such a great time! We agreed we would leave at midnight but really I didn't want to go come time. It meant vacation was really over and I was having so much fun!

 

[KappleB2]

That's it! If you made it here that means you might have actually read all that I wrote! Thank you!

This trip was full of firsts for me- staying at a deluxe resort, eating LOTS of new food, meeting new characters, visiting the Boardwalk area, Christmas decorations...

Those new experiences were great but I mostly enjoyed getting to know my cousins some more. I think if I were in California with them, we would be friends. Hopefully I will get out there again soon, a trip to Disneyland included!

I wish I had a plan for my return but nothing yet. In the meantime, I will live vicariously through all of your vacations .

Until next time!
See ya real soon!
Katie

 

[Tidbit]

You had me at LSU!!! Gueax LSU!.......I have a "Bama" fan AND a "Gator" fan in the house. Ohhhh the horror when they play each other!!!

Day 4: Continued

 

[pumpkin7]

Fab trip report! Thank you for sharing

 

[Laurenciaa]

Those last set of pictures.. are so lovely ! Thank you for sharing this TR !

 

[Susan Savia]

Loved your report and pictures!!

 

[ginadee]

Wow, that looked like the best time with your family. My trip this time was all about firsts as well. I cant believe Ive never noticed the characters in the GF floor. 50's Prime Time is one of my favorite and I Loved the Tonga toast! My boyfriend actually got a little role in Tales With Belle. So cute. I definately love reliving my trip through others TR. Thanks for sharing.

 

[KappleB2]

You had me at LSU!!! Gueax LSU!.......I have a "Bama" fan AND a "Gator" fan in the house. Ohhhh the horror when they play each other!!!

How do you live with them?!
Thanks for reading!

 

[FlaggNL]

Thanks for sharing! Love your TR!!