My thoughts
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This was the longest trip I have ever taken, and even with all the extra time, I still felt I didnt do as much as I wanted to, but thats just me. It was one of the best vacations we have ever been on. We did so many new things, tried so many new places to eat and resorts to stay at. We also did some old favorites. It was a very Magical trip being there with so many family members. Something I hope Claire remembers for a long time. I had worried how it would be with so many strong willed family members on one trip, but it worked out fine and we did things together and apart with no issues at all.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of our new favorite resorts and we hope to stay there again. Sadly, my cousin Katie stayed there as well and did not like it. She had a few issues and she got less than stellar service when she inquired about them. Actually one CM was quite rude and she wrote a letter and was given a partial refund.
The cruise was fabulous. It was even better than I could have hoped. I really hope in a few years time we can do it again, because it was just that much fun with so many people we knew on the ship.
The Parties were so much fun. I am so lucky and happy to have been able to enjoy both the Halloween party and the Christmas party all in one trip. It was totally an amazing experience.
The décor for both seasons was just amazing, but I have to admit, the Christmas stuff totally blew me away and I MUST get back for a holiday trip again in the future. NOTHING compares to seeing the castle lit up at night.
The Beach Club Villas were nice, but not a place I would rush back to. I did not like the room décor. The pool was fabulous, however, but we just didnt have enough time to use it much.
Art of Animation was fabulous. The theming is just so amazing. I did not like the walk to the Little Mermaid rooms however and I do not see us staying there in the future without a fantastic deal, and then I would still have to think about it. If I could get a deal on a suite, I would be more likely to stay, since its closer to the main buildings. That walk could be a killer at times.
We tried many new places to eat this trip. Some were very successful. We have 2 new favorites, T-Rex and Via Napoli. And now we have some places that I dont think well ever go back to, but I am glad to have tried them.
We also got to try out the New Fantasyland TWICE!!! I had been bummed that it wasnt going to be officially open for our trip, but now knowing what I do, we actually were fortunate it wasnt. Crowds and wait times were insane when it did open and I was lucky enough to basically have no wait for them
AND I got to try out BOG when I didnt think it would be in the cards for us this trip.
Gail said that a few days after being home, she asked Alexis what she wanted for dinner and Alexis replied she would like crab legs. Gail told her no, that was vacation food and not something she makes at home. So Alexis thought about it and said she would like Shrimp then. LOL. She loved eating like a queen on the ship and the parks!
Gail says that Abby will still randomly ask if they can go visit the princesses today. She is just such a stinker and so darn cute.
I am one who believes that no trip is ever going to be 100% perfect, but how you go about it and your frame of mind can make or break the trip as well. This one had its ups and downs, just like any other trip, but it was still super fabulous and I would love to relive every moment of it. Ok
.maybe not the part where my Dad took the wrong suitcase at the airport and we had a very tense morning till we got Moms suitcase back
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For the most part, everyone had a great time. Even Aunt Mary and Geoff said they would love to cruise again, and they werent sure about the cruise part from the start. They like to lounge around and were able to just hang out in the room and do nothing if they chose to.
We also wondered how my Dad would like it
as he can be a bit whacky when things are completely planned and going the way he thought they were supposed to go. And though I had told him before the trip that with cruising, there is a lot of go with the flow he said he wasnt going to go with any flow. LOL
When asked when he got home by his friends if he liked it, he said he wouldnt trade it for anything. It was one of the best vacations he had been on as well.
The only downer we had was with Dollar rentals. Some of the family members were charged for the insurance. They had accidently checked yes to it because the counter people tell you to check yes to everything. Luckily I read everything as I checked and checked the no box and I didnt have that issue. My Aunt has written several letters/emails and as far as I know it still has not been resolved. I now warn everyone I know who rents with Dollar to really check everything and double check that they are NOT charging you for something you dont agree to. They are slick!
The only thing that might have made it even more special is if Skip had come along, for even part of the trip, but he was being stubborn. He told me that the next trip would include him, but that was not the case, because my next trip was with my other sister and parents to Williamsburg.
We are now at over 1 ½ years since Skip has traveled with us and I keep trying to bat my blue eyes and convince him to do a holiday trip. Its not working as of yet, but I never give up hope.
The next trip most likely will be with my parents again in March of next year and we will be staying offsite at their timeshare. It will be a different experience, but lots of fun too.
Thanks so much for reading along and sharing in all the fun we had this trip!
I think because it's been a year, plus no Disney at all this year, and now finishing up the report, I am really feeling the itch even more than usual now.
