Travels With Teens: Take Two “I Can Organize This Trip in My Sleep!”BC Dee in DC Roti & Fini p. 40

[natebenma]

Crossroads: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

It was after 10 pm and we had some decisions to make.

Stay at the Magic Kingdom longer or go back to the resort?

We were split.

6 of the kids wanted to go back, and 5 wanted to stay.

Wait? Aren’t there 12 boys in your group?

Why yes. One student couldn’t decide.

The thrill chaperone said she would take the kids back to the resort since her son wanted to leave. Ben decided to go with them. The other 3 chaperones and their kids wanted to stay. 3 other boys were sticking around. I elected to stick with the MK group.

The boy who was waffling?

Should I stay or should I go?

He said he would stay.


Until the other group started walking away…

Then he decided to leave.

So I had to quickly find his park ticket, his student id and catch up to the departing crew.

Just as Wishes had ended and everyone was streaming towards the exit.

No problem



I caught up to them, handed off the student and his accessories and went back and rejoined our group.


The night was ours!!!


First stop- Big Thunder Mountain

The standby line was around 25 minutes. We had done this ride with Fast Passes earlier in the week, so this gave the boys (and chaperones) a chance to play with some of the interactive features in the queue.

I may be in the minority, but I actually prefer this ride in the daytime.


Next up was Splash. Again, I think we had about a 25 minute wait.


L and I were riding in front of a couple of people giving a running commentary of the ride in a very strong Southern drawl. And they were laughing and screaming and having so much fun, it was infectious and made us enjoy the ride even more.

Probably my best picture ever of the vultures

And my worst of the drop!

Our next stop was Space Mountain.


I took some pictures along the way while we were walking. We didn’t really stop, so the photos are blurry or crooked.

L chose to sit this ride out.

Alas, it was time to make our way back to the resort…

How did we do?

Not bad!


Until next time…

Next up: Departing is Such Sweet Sorrow

 

[rteetz]

I would've chose to stay. I can't pass up late night time in the MK!

BTMRR is my favorite ride at MK and I couldn't tell you the last time I rode at night.

Splash is also a great time. Your face in the photo is priceless.

Looks like overall a fun night!

 

[afwdwfan]

It was after 10 pm and we had some decisions to make.

Stay at the Magic Kingdom longer or go back to the resort?

I'm confused. What decision is there to make?

6 of the kids wanted to go back, and 5 wanted to stay.

The boy who was waffling?

Should I stay or should I go?

He said he would stay.


Until the other group started walking away…

Then he decided to leave.

So I had to quickly find his park ticket, his student id and catch up to the departing crew.

Just as Wishes had ended and everyone was streaming towards the exit.

No problem

You're far more kind than I am. My response would have been you made your decision, you're stuck with us.

First stop- Big Thunder Mountain

And the thrill ride chaperone missed it!

I may be in the minority, but I actually prefer this ride in the daytime.

I don't know that one is better than the other. I kind of like the night time experience, but they're both unique and worth doing.

How did we do?

You've still got a half hour left! You could do a couple more rides!

 

[hill6]

Wow! That is funny about your neighbor! Must have been fun to know him in high school.

She teases her husband saying she could have been Mrs. Bon Jovi but she settled for him. Unfortunately I missed him by a year in school so I never met him.

He did a lot to help raise money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. We had 300 homes bought out by FEMA due to flooding. I think that was a great thing to do. He never forgot his roots.


Oh we also have a lesser known celebrity from here also. Greg Evigan from BJ and the Bear.

 

[amazingact21]

Glad you were able to stay in the MK and get some rides in. How great that you were able to hit all the mountains in one night.
And front row Splash...brave!

 

[SarahDisney]

6 of the kids wanted to go back, and 5 wanted to stay.

Really? 6 teenage boys didn't want to stay at MK past 10 PM?
I don't get it.

The boy who was waffling?

Should I stay or should I go?

He said he would stay.


Until the other group started walking away…

Then he decided to leave.

Well, sure. He changes his mind late.
At least you were able to make it through the masses and get him to the group that was leaving.

First stop- Big Thunder Mountain

Excellent first stop!
I actually don't know if I like it better at night or during the day. I love it both ways.

L and I were riding in front of a couple of people giving a running commentary of the ride in a very strong Southern drawl. And they were laughing and screaming and having so much fun, it was infectious and made us enjoy the ride even more.

Well that sounds like a fun new approach to the ride

That's pretty much how I looked after my trip on Splash Mountain. So I feel your pain.

How did we do?

Not bad!

Not bad at all! Almost the whole night ... not so easy after a full day!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Aw I loved this latest update. MK looks so um magical ( brain dead Monday - can't think of another adjective lol) at night So glad you stayed and seriously, can't believe any teenager worth their salt would leave ( well except Ben - he gets a pass as he' s been to WDW in many forms)
I've yet to do space mountain but I'm hoping to change that one of these days soon!

Great night. Can't believe your trip is almost over

 

[Wood Nymph]

I have to laugh at the embarrassing wet spot on your shorts. I hope that dried quickly.

 

[natebenma]

I would've chose to stay. I can't pass up late night time in the MK!

BTMRR is my favorite ride at MK and I couldn't tell you the last time I rode at night.

Splash is also a great time. Your face in the photo is priceless.

Looks like overall a fun night!

I have no regrets about staying. Hitting the 3 mountains was a fantastic way to spend our evening. It is too bad that Ben decided not to stay, but it was a blast riding a couple of rides with my friend. It was her first time on Big Thunder!

 

[natebenma]

I'm confused. What decision is there to make?

Fortunately, it was not an all or nothing choice. Some stayed, some goed.

You're far more kind than I am. My response would have been you made your decision, you're stuck with us.

It was worth going through what I did to catch up with the group that was leaving. This kid was one of the non-riders.

So the boys who left were Ben (who has been there, done that and was done), one of Ben's good friends, the thrill chaperone's son (who is also a thrill junkie and I'm not sure the Disney rides cut it. Maybe Space). And the 3 boys who didn't ride anything "intense".

I was surprised with the dad and two boys who had been on the go since 9 am at AK, HS, MK but managed to stick it out.

And the thrill ride chaperone missed it!

I think she would be more disappointed missing Space than BTM.

I don't know that one is better than the other. I kind of like the night time experience, but they're both unique and worth doing.

You've still got a half hour left! You could do a couple more rides!

I know, and this is going to sound like sacrilege, but there was really nothing left to do with this group.



Maybe Mine Train.

But we had done the 3 mountains, Buzz, Peoplemover twice, Haunted. Pirates was closed for refurbishment. We hadn't done Jungle Cruise, but it was across the park, and I wasn't impressed with the one time we rode at night.

The teen boys had no interest in rides like Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, Country Bears, Tiki Room, etc.

We had already subjected the kids (and ourselves) to Small World earlier in the week.

We were done.

 

[natebenma]

She teases her husband saying she could have been Mrs. Bon Jovi but she settled for him. Unfortunately I missed him by a year in school so I never met him.

He did a lot to help raise money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. We had 300 homes bought out by FEMA due to flooding. I think that was a great thing to do. He never forgot his roots.


Oh we also have a lesser known celebrity from here also. Greg Evigan from BJ and the Bear.

I love hearing when celebrities give back to their hometowns. We have an actor who graduate from my son's high school and has done well- he funds a theatre scholarship for a graduating senior from our school.

My brushes with fame come from growing up in NH and graduating during the election season. Walter Mondale spoke at our high school graduation and George Bush, Sr. was the commencement speaker when we graduated from UNH.

Being a Jersey girl, I keep forgetting to ask if you like Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. We try to catch them in concert every year or so when they play locally.

Glad you were able to stay in the MK and get some rides in. How great that you were able to hit all the mountains in one night.
And front row Splash...brave!

On our first day, we did all the mountains with FP. It was awesome to be able to end our night (and trip) with the mountains, too.

Front row is fine. I'm just bummed that my picture at the drop was so bad

 

[natebenma]

Really? 6 teenage boys didn't want to stay at MK past 10 PM? I don't get it.

1 kid who wanted more thrills, 3 kids who wanted fewer thrills, and my son (and his friend).

Well, sure. He changes his mind late.
At least you were able to make it through the masses and get him to the group that was leaving.

I was glad that we were able to catch up and send him back with the others.

Excellent first stop!
I actually don't know if I like it better at night or during the day. I love it both ways.

BTM is awesome!!!

Well that sounds like a fun new approach to the ride

It was really fun listening to those two having so much fun!

That's pretty much how I looked after my trip on Splash Mountain. So I feel your pain.

Not bad at all! Almost the whole night ... not so easy after a full day!

I was pretty happy with our night.

 

[natebenma]

Aw I loved this latest update. MK looks so um magical ( brain dead Monday - can't think of another adjective lol) at night So glad you stayed and seriously, can't believe any teenager worth their salt would leave ( well except Ben - he gets a pass as he' s been to WDW in many forms)
I've yet to do space mountain but I'm hoping to change that one of these days soon!

Great night. Can't believe your trip is almost over

Thanks!

I love MK at night.

Going with a group is definitely a lot different than a family trip. I can understand Ben wanting to leave. He had a headache and knew it wouldn't improve by staying at the park.

I hope you get onto Space Mountain soon too!

Alas, one more update.

 

[natebenma]

I have to laugh at the embarrassing wet spot on your shorts. I hope that dried quickly.

At least the spot was not on the front!



Fortunately, it was hot and at the end of the night, so it wasn't too bad. It's what you risk with Splash. The thing that gets me is that Pirates is a gamble now too.

 

[annie170]

I'm shocked by how many kids left the park. You were leaving the next day. Sleep on the bus, plane or whatever. Make the most of it, kids!

You guys accomplished quite a bit in a couple hours. I love when that happens!

 

[hill6]

I love hearing when celebrities give back to their hometowns. We have an actor who graduate from my son's high school and has done well- he funds a theatre scholarship for a graduating senior from our school.

My brushes with fame come from growing up in NH and graduating during the election season. Walter Mondale spoke at our high school graduation and George Bush, Sr. was the commencement speaker when we graduated from UNH.

Being a Jersey girl, I keep forgetting to ask if you like Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. We try to catch them in concert every year or so when they play locally.

Those are some pretty big folks who came to your garduations. Chrissy had a supreme court justice, Sonia Sotomoyor speak at her graduation from Ramapo College. Her Godson was graduating and we had a State Senator.

Southside Johnny is great. I have never seen them perform live. Have never even been to the Stone Pony. Bad Jersey Girl

 

[chunkymonkey]

Oh no, is your trip over already? Last days are always bittersweet.
Look like you managed a couple of big ticket rides though! Was it EMH till 1am?
The seafood mac n cheese looks delicious! I'd have to try that the next time.
Sorry you didn't get to try it either, but there is always the next trip!

Oh BTW I found Dee's Corner! I do have a picture of it. I didn't get to it till it was dark though. I'll put it in my TR whenever I start it!
You are brave to be writing multiple TRs at a time. I am worried if I do that I won't finish either!

 

[natebenma]

I'm shocked by how many kids left the park. You were leaving the next day. Sleep on the bus, plane or whatever. Make the most of it, kids!

You guys accomplished quite a bit in a couple hours. I love when that happens!

I guess it just wasn't their thing. Or they had done everything they wanted to do. Ben has been fortunate that he has visited Disney often, and honestly, I think he enjoys his trips with family more than with the big group we were with.

We had a lot of fun in those couple of hours! The temperature was starting to get comfortable and we went on some classic favorites.

Those are some pretty big folks who came to your garduations. Chrissy had a supreme court justice, Sonia Sotomoyor speak at her graduation from Ramapo College. Her Godson was graduating and we had a State Senator.

Southside Johnny is great. I have never seen them perform live. Have never even been to the Stone Pony. Bad Jersey Girl

Yes, it was pretty cool when our commencement speaker arrived in a helicopter.

SSJ & the Jukes are AWESOME live. They are in my top 5 bands. We have probably seen them 30 or so times. I haven't made the pilgrimage to the Stone Pony, yet, though.

Oh no, is your trip over already? Last days are always bittersweet.
!

Yes, almost over It was a short trip, 3 days in the parks. But I'll never forget something I heard one of the girls on Nate's class trip said "It is good the trip was only 3 days. Any longer than that and friendships would be broken."

Look like you managed a couple of big ticket rides though! Was it EMH till 1am?

No, I think it was regular closing. I looked back at the spreadsheet I made for the class with the park hours and it says open from 8 am (EMH) to midnight for MK. But I'm pretty sure the park was closing at 1 am. I think after consultation with the administration and teachers, we gave everyone the earlier closing time.

The seafood mac n cheese looks delicious! I'd have to try that the next time.
Sorry you didn't get to try it either, but there is always the next trip!

*Spoiler Alert*
The Seafood Mac & Cheese IS awesome! I had a chance to try it when I was in Florida and visited MK with Teena. I will probably be doing an abbreviated Trip Report for that- I did make it to MK, HS and EP in a day and a half!

Oh BTW I found Dee's Corner! I do have a picture of it. I didn't get to it till it was dark though. I'll put it in my TR whenever I start it!
You are brave to be writing multiple TRs at a time. I am worried if I do that I won't finish either!

That is hilarious!!!

It has been tough keeping up with 2 trip reports, the Beach Club FAQ and everyone else's trip reports (as you have seen). I have had two going at the same time for awhile. Hawaii/DL and Beach Club DIS Meet 2014, then I added in Universal Feb 2015 when I finished Hawaii. Which I was writing at the same time with this class trip report. Finished Universal, added the Beach Club DIS Meet 2015. I have the Florida trip lined up. I never did get around to writing about Yellowstone (a trip which ended in a hospital stay for me) or writing about the Universal start to the BC 2015 trip.

I love writing them though! And when I complained to Mark about how hard it was to keep up with the reports he gave me a look (since 3 of the trips did not involve him...)

 

[hill6]

I guess it just wasn't their thing. Or they had done everything they wanted to do. Ben has been fortunate that he has visited Disney often, and honestly, I think he enjoys his trips with family more than with the big group we were with.

We had a lot of fun in those couple of hours! The temperature was starting to get comfortable and we went on some classic favorites.






Yes, it was pretty cool when our commencement speaker arrived in a helicopter.

SSJ & the Jukes are AWESOME live. They are in my top 5 bands. We have probably seen them 30 or so times. I haven't made the pilgrimage to the Stone Pony, yet, though.

If you ever make it to Jersey we will definitely have to meet up. You will pass our house on the way to Asbury Park. We will live about 40 minutes north of there. Let ne look on my phone, I am sure I have a picture from last summer when we were in Asbury Park.

 

[hill6]