1/11/25-1/25/25: 2 weeks, 5 people, a million “it’s cold”s: our freezing but amazing trip: COMPLETED

[Sarahh1027]

Lots of great updates! Im sorry the weather got so cold. Give me the heat on vaca over the cold anytime! But also, I’d rather be cold at Disney than cold at home
You guys are still packing lots in despite taking it slower in the mornings. I love that you’ve taken the time to explore the nooks of World Showcase.

 

[jo-jo]

Yeah there were plenty of times we looked stupid too in our attempts to get warm lol. The poncho was a good idea though, we should’ve tried that!

We kind of did just wing it, but with trying to get as much done as possible. There were only a few things we didn’t do-a few shows and Conservation Station in AK. And most things we did multiple times.
Prior to the trip I made touring plans on the Touring Plans app and meticulously wrote out everything we’d do, but I ended up not using any of it lol. We typically are rope drop to close people and that’s how I had planned this trip but we decided when we got there to take it easier and sleep in more and not rush around so much, so I trashed our plans. My two daughters that stayed home didn’t go because they don’t like the pace at which we usually tour, so I figured I’d slow down this trip and it was really nice! We’re lucky that we always take two week trips, so we can get a lot done even if we go slower. If it were a shorter trip we would not be doing all the sleeping in!

But even just writing a list probably set it in your brain, so even though you didn't have a list, you were still thinking on it.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Lots of great updates! Im sorry the weather got so cold. Give me the heat on vaca over the cold anytime! But also, I’d rather be cold at Disney than cold at home
You guys are still packing lots in despite taking it slower in the mornings. I love that you’ve taken the time to explore the nooks of World Showcase.

I love all the little nooks in World Showvsse and they’re almost always empty. And yes, it was crazy that it was colder in Disney than it was back home around DC, but as you said I’d rather be freezing in Disney than anywhere else!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

But even just writing a list probably set it in your brain, so even though you didn't have a list, you were still thinking on it.

That’s true, I did have a mental list of what all we wanted to get done and that did help

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Tuesday 1/21/25 day 10

Woke up to a very cold and rainy day.



DH did some laundry while we hung out in the room a bit.

At 1:36 we left the girls in the room and headed down to the bus. They were going to meet us in the park later, because our fireworks dessert party was this night! Of course it was freezing and rainy…

We walked up to the bus (didn’t take the boat because of the rain) at 1:39, just as a MK bus was pulling up.


Gabe wore his Groot shoulder sitter for the first time.


As you can see, everyone’s wearing their ponchos. Unfortunately I forgot to pack ours this trip!
We stopped at FW on the way to the park. We arrived at MK at 1:58.
Again, Gabe had issues with his fingerprint.


Its never fun going to the park on a rainy day, but MK is so beautiful in the rain




We were lucky to walk onto Main Street just as the Dapper Dans were starting!

Continue

 

[jo-jo]

Looks so empty.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

1/21 continued

We stood and watched them sing for a bit.


Gabe wasn’t as big of a fan, he got a little bored and wanted to move on



We decided to head into the park




DH and I were talking about how we’ve never seen or looked for Walt’s window, so on the way into the park we decided to look for it.



We found it!



Here’s a wider shot. It’s over the Plaza restaurant. I’m not sure why we’ve never noticed it before, but it was cool to see. Goes to show that no matter how many times you go, you can still notice new things!

The park was fairly empty this day. I’m guessing because of the cold, rainy weather. It was a silver lining I guess.



We headed into Tomorrowland



Gabe wanted to do the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor





DH was chosen to be Sulley. It was so funny and he was a really good sport.




Next up was Carousel of Progress!


Continued

 

[disneydreamer1980]

1/21 continued



Love this show. The scene with the daughter where she’s curling her hair and says “I’m indecent!” Didn’t light up, so we could hear her but not see her.



The final scene is so dated but I really love it anyway.

Next up was Buzz



Gabe always rides this with his father because they like to compete and see who can get the most points.

After Buzz we got some snacks. We got more of those delicious cinnamon pecans and a Mickey ice cream for Gabe



We snacked as we walked into Fantasyland. Then we stopped and got a Cheshire Cat tail and snacked some more lol



These are so good but they’re too small for their price.

At this point the girls texted, saying they were on their way to the park. We headed over to Little Mermaid ride while we waited for them.



Continued

 

[disneydreamer1980]

1/21 continued

We got in line for Little Mermaid.



This is a cute ride.



After going under the sea, we decided it was off to work we go!



Seven Dwarves!



After another awesome 7 dwarves ride, we decided to head into Storybook Circus. On the way we came across this sign:



I was starting to wonder if our fireworks dessert party would be canceled!

Anyway, on to Storybook Circus!



We dropped in the shop and got the smellephants booklet. Gabe had fun matching the right smell sticker to the right elephant. This is a cute activity. People sit in front of the elephants though so sometimes you can’t get close enough to smell them.

Next up was the Barnstormer!



Continued

 

[disneydreamer1980]

1/21 continued



After the Barnstormer, DH and Gabe rode Dumbo. I don’t like spinning rides.



While they were on the ride, the girls texted they were on their way train on the way back to us.

When they got off Dumbo it started to really pour. So we ran into the Bigtop store. We bought some fudge, a butter bar and some over priced ponchos. We stayed in the store a bit, hoping the rain would stop.

The girls met us in the store. We put on our ponchos and headed to Fantasyland.



We rode Small World, mainly to get out of the rain.



After that we went to Neverland!



We noticed the new Indian section



We started to get hungry and since it was nearby, we decided to eat at Pinocchios.



Continued

 

[disneydreamer1980]

1/21 continued

Emma and I both ordered a chicken parm sub



DH got pepperoni flatbread pizza



Gabe, as usual, got kids chicken tender meal



And Isabella got buffalo chicken flatbread.



Food was just ok, but the restaurant is cute, especially since it looks down onto Small World.



After dinner, we headed to Tomorrowland where everyone rode Tron except for me and Isabella.



We checked into the dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace while they rode Tron, then they met us there after the ride.

By now it was freezing cold and pouring rain. I asked the CM if we could cancel and he said “Sure, but you won’t be refunded.” We spent $500 for this dessert party so we decided to tough it out.

Continued

 

[disneydreamer1980]

1/21 continued

We did the after party, so we did the fireworks and then the dessert buffet.

This was the coldest, wettest, most miserable time I’ve ever had. It was so cold and miserable out that there was hardly anyone watching the fireworks show.

We stayed huddled under our ponchos most of the time, and missed a lot of the show because water was blowing into our faces.
It’s a disgrace that Disney didn’t cancel this show.

Anyway, I got a few not so great pics of the fireworks because of the weather.



By the time we got to the dessert party we were all wet and frozen to the bone. The dessert party is covered but it’s open air, and it was FREEZING out. It was so cold and our hands so numb, we couldn’t even eat the desserts. We each took a few bites and then left.



This was absolute hell. It really was. It was in the high 30 degrees and pouring rain. We should’ve just not done it and eaten the $500. I’m so disappointed in Disney for not letting us cancel with a refund. We couldn’t see the show or eat the food.

Anyway, we were on the bus at 9:05 and were first to be dropped off (shared with FW) at 9:12. We dried off and got to bed.

All in all it was a good day up until the dessert party. I’m sad it turned out like that, but we didn’t let it bother us too much.

 

[jo-jo]

I wonder if you would have been allowed to pack up a few goodies to take with you. They had to know, people weren't sitting around stuffing their faces.

I have heard of when it's awful for parties, people have complained at guest services and got refunds. Never been to a party myself, so no first hand knowledge.

Not sure if you mentioned it, did you buy LL passes all week?

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I wonder if you would have been allowed to pack up a few goodies to take with you. They had to know, people weren't sitting around stuffing their faces.

I have heard of when it's awful for parties, people have complained at guest services and got refunds. Never been to a party myself, so no first hand knowledge.

Not sure if you mentioned it, did you buy LL passes all week?

I had planned on complaining at guest services but never did. Wonder if it’s too late now? It really was crazy that they still had the party. We weren’t going to but we ended up buying LL for each day.

 

[VAtink]

I'm sorry about the dessert party, that's really unfortunately Disney wouldn't let you cancel with refund, or at least save the $ for something in the future. That day was the first day of our trip, and while the day was gross, the weather that evening was absolutely miserable with the wind and the rain. We ended up cutting our evening plans short and headed back to the hotel super early to get out of it.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I'm sorry about the dessert party, that's really unfortunately Disney wouldn't let you cancel with refund, or at least save the $ for something in the future. That day was the first day of our trip, and while the day was gross, the weather that evening was absolutely miserable with the wind and the rain. We ended up cutting our evening plans short and headed back to the hotel super early to get out of it.

Yes that was a miserable night. The day was bearable but between the cold wind and pouring rain, that night was terrible. There was hardly any people outside of the ones at the dessert party watching the show. It’s a shame that was your first day and that you had to cut it short. Every minute is precious in Disney.

 

[jo-jo]

Just wanted to thank you again for all the work you've put into the TR. A great balance of story telling and pictures.

 

[Paulaparm]

Such a shame that you had such awful weather and didn’t get to enjoy the party! I know for a fact about the crappy weather that day. That is the day we arrived at Fort Wilderness. Luckily it didn’t start raining until we were don’t setting up, but the rest of the day was awful!

 

[Sarahh1027]

Aww thats really a bummer that Disney didnt offer a refund considering how awful the weather was

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Such a shame that you had such awful weather and didn’t get to enjoy the party! I know for a fact about the crappy weather that day. That is the day we arrived at Fort Wilderness. Luckily it didn’t start raining until we were don’t setting up, but the rest of the day was awful!

What terrible weather to have for your arrival day. It’s good the rain held off until you were done setting up though! I love FW, but we didn’t get a chance to stop there this trip (other than picking up or dropping off people when we shared busses). I’m sad about Trails End changing, we used to eat there every trip. Great food and super cheap by Disney standards.