A Jolly Holiday with Masseys: THE TRIP REPORT - WDW Dec2019

[cajunfan]

My family lives in the New Orleans area and said they hardly even got any rain from Marco. Now Laura may be a different story. Althought it looks lke here in Nashville may get more rain than New Orleans from Kaura!

Thanks for the update. I will be interested in seeing your report for your upcoming trip!

Lynn

 

[vamassey1]

My family lives in the New Orleans area and said they hardly even got any rain from Marco. Now Laura may be a different story. Althought it looks lke here in Nashville may get more rain than New Orleans from Kaura!

We just started getting raid from what is left of Marco today. Not sure how much of Laura we will get since it's so far west of of. Hopefully your family in New Orleans does okay. It much lower there then here and I think they have to really worry about the storm surge.

Thanks for the update. I will be interested in seeing your report for your upcoming trip!

The next trip should be totally different than this one. I can't wait to live it.

 

[pkondz]

I'm feeling your pain as I'm reading this. It's really great that you stuck it out.

Thanks! Elle (DD23) really helped by being there. I mean... we'd push each other. She was already running a bit so it was an easier start for her, but...

Now, I run faster and farther than she can.
Young whipper snapper!

I can't even imagine running for that long!

I'm VERY IMPRESSED.

tbh, I am too, a bit. I mean... I don't want to brag, but I really can hardly believe I went from not being able to run 60 seconds to running over 60 minutes.

Next time ask for another room.

I want the butterfly table.

And next time you go back ask for another room.

Okay! Okay!

Will he or won't he make it?

Well, I sure hope so!

 

[kclark9830]

I'm enjoying your TR! Someday I'd love to get there for the Christmas decorations and activities...not this year, obviously .

I hope you are safe during the storms!

 

[vamassey1]

Thanks! Elle (DD23) really helped by being there. I mean... we'd push each other. She was already running a bit so it was an easier start for her, but...

I does help to have some one to motivate you.

Now, I run faster and farther than she can.
Young whipper snapper!

So the phase "Faster and Farther" made me think of Lee Majors, the Six Million Dollar Man.

tbh, I am too, a bit. I mean... I don't want to brag, but I really can hardly believe I went from not being able to run 60 seconds to running over 60 minutes.

You have every right to brag!!

I want the butterfly table.

Good choice.

Well, I sure hope so!

We shall see.

I'm enjoying your TR! Someday I'd love to get there for the Christmas decorations and activities...not this year, obviously .

and thanks for reading along. I really want to go back for Christmas again. We didn't see or do all I would have liked to. I think several people are thinking about 2021.

I hope you are safe during the storms!

So far so good but we just had our third Tornado Warning in the last 2 hours. Feeder bans are coming in.

 

[pkondz]

I does help to have some one to motivate you.

So the phase "Faster and Farther" made me think of Lee Majors, the Six Million Dollar Man.

That's me! Well, at least I could sure use some new body parts, the ones I have are old and clunky.

You have every right to brag!!

 

[vamassey1]

That's me! Well, at least I could sure use some new body parts, the ones I have are old and clunky.

I have a few parts I would like to replace too.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Stay safe Vanessa. Thinking of you and all the family

 

[vamassey1]

Stay safe Vanessa. Thinking of you and all the family

Thanks Moira! So far so good for us. We're getting the last "tail band" so we're under a tornado watch. Winds aren't bad here. I'm actually at work. My sister who lives in Lake Charles evacuated to Texas well past Houston. Most of our family got out. I did have one cousin who stayed but I checked on him and they made it okay so far. They do have damage but didn't flood yet and the house is still standing. Still waiting to hear back from the part of the family in the middle of the state between Lafayette and Alexandria.

 

[vamassey1]

More Covid trip planning changes . . .

In the mist of watching Laura yesterday we made more flight changes. Danielle has diligently been checking Southwest every day to see if our flights get changed again or if a better flight opens up. Guess what? She found a better return flight. It's a direct flight that departs Orlando at 6:15 and arrives in New Orleans @ 7:00, and no it's not a 45 minute flight, that's just the time change. It's pretty close to our original flight. I was all for it. Any extra time in Disney is always good with me. Danielle wanted to go for it too. She felt the extra hour would be worth going to AK and paying for an extra park day. We changed our flight but Michelle didn't. She isn't as gung ho at extra park time as we are since she'll be there a week from today. (yes I am jealous) She is keeping the earlier flight and just going to hang out at the resort. There was no charge to change the flight. Of course then we had to check to see if there was a better arrival flight time. We found one that although not better since it's not direct it does get us there a little earlier. We all 3 agreed this was better so now we're flying out at 6:40 am, changing planes in Atlanta and arriving in Orlando at 11:30 am (our bodies will still think it's 10:30 due to the time change). This flight also didn't have a price change. I wonder if Southwest is doing the same thing as Disney and not charging more to change as long as you still go?

So far we're leaving our park days the way they are. Everything I have read say entering DHS later in the day is better.

This trip planning has had so many twists and turns. I'm sure they will change our flight again.

 

[jdd]

We thought about driving but for now it's a not. Don'e forget Michelle will be there that weekend too. I hope you have a great trip.

I will be sure to say hi if we see her! My niece has now decided to join us as well She was supposed to be at her DCP now, but is instead back at school in North Carolina. We're in PA, so we'll just pick her up along the way! The other fun thing is that she'll turn 21 on the 7th, so we'll get to celebrate in Disney !! She hasn't decided what all she wants to do yet, but I've booked Chef Mickey's for breakfast (we're staying at the Contemporary) so we can maybe start our day with mimosas.

Stay safe through Laura - doesn't look like any new storms on the horizon yet.

 

[pkondz]

My sister who lives in Lake Charles evacuated to Texas well past Houston. Most of our family got out. I did have one cousin who stayed but I checked on him and they made it okay so far. They do have damage but didn't flood yet and the house is still standing.

Glad to hear that everyone's okay so far.

It's a direct flight that departs Orlando at 6:15 and arrives in New Orleans @ 7:00, and no it's not a 45 minute flight, that's just the time change. It's pretty close to our original flight. I was all for it. Any extra time in Disney is always good with me.

She felt the extra hour would be worth going to AK and paying for an extra park day.

Nice!

Michelle didn't. She isn't as gung ho at extra park time as we are since she'll be there a week from today. (yes I am jealous)

As you should be!

 

[vamassey1]

I will be sure to say hi if we see her!

I don't know how hard it will be to recognize people with the masks.

My niece has now decided to join us as well She was supposed to be at her DCP now, but is instead back at school in North Carolina.

This is good news. Our trip in October is to perk Danielle up because of her DCP being cut short.

The other fun thing is that she'll turn 21 on the 7th, so we'll get to celebrate in Disney

That's Fabulous! Early Happy Birthday for her.

Stay safe through Laura - doesn't look like any new storms on the horizon yet

Laura has come and gone and we're okay. I hope everyone else come out of it okay too. I'm sure there are other Disers who were affected too.

Glad to hear that everyone's okay so far.

Thank you!

As you should be!

Thanks for understanding.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Laura has come and gone and we're okay.

I’m delighted to hear you are all fine

 

[Terra Nova guy]

Yes I did. I started back in early April. I downloaded an app called C25K, which stands for Couch to (2) 5K.
It starts with you running 3 times a week. Each "run" is 5 minutes of walking, then 15 minutes of running for 1 minute and walking for 1.5 minutes. That was tough. I would count the minute in my head and end each minute gasping for breath and thinking I'd die. Every time the 1.5 minutes of walking would end and I'd have to run again, I always dreaded it. But I kept at it. The running lengths increased each week. Week two was 1.5 minutes running, 2 minutes walking. I didn't think I could do it. But just managed it. Week three was 1.5 run, 1.5 walk, repeat, then two times of run 3 minutes and walk 3 minutes. I figured that was the most I would be able to manage and almost gave it up then. I mean... 3 minutes straight of running? That's forever!
Kept at it and after 9 weeks, I ran my first 5K.

Fast forward to day before yesterday... I ran for just under 75 minutes straight.

That's awesome, I didn't even think about an app. It doesn't seem quite as daunting when there's a plan to follow and it eases you into it gradually.
I don't know if I'll ever do it, but maybe some day. I really should do it.

 

[pkondz]

That's awesome, I didn't even think about an app. It doesn't seem quite as daunting when there's a plan to follow and it eases you into it gradually.
I don't know if I'll ever do it, but maybe some day. I really should do it.

It really helped. You wear ear buds (or whatever) and run with your phone. (I have a runner's fanny pack thing now, but just had it in a pocket at first.) When you start, it says "Begin walking" and after 5 minutes tells you "Start running now" and then after the allotted time, tells you when to run and when to walk. Very helpful and takes all the timing out of it.

 

[vamassey1]

Park Day 3- Magic Kingdom 1st Day- Monday, December 16th - Fantasyland and more
It was now time for the big test. Is John Paul tall enough to ride SDMT? This was a very big step for him. We had a FP so we hopped in line and got prepared for him to get measured. Here are the final results.


He just made it! But if you look close it looks like he was using the slope of the concrete to his advantage and maybe a little bit of tippy toe help. We were really excited he could ride. We were soon through the line and on the ride. I feel this is a smoother ride and not as thrilling as Slinky Dog.

He looks a little scared in the first picture, but Grumpy was holding on tight.


He looks a little better here.


He didn't seen traumatized once we got off and really liked seeing the dwarfs. It was time for something a little more tame. He loves The Little Mermaid so we headed there next. He really enjoyed the line. Little kids love the touch everything.





This was the first time I looked up and saw some really neat pictures.


He once again insisted on riding with Danielle.





This was a really big hit with JP. Afterwards we made a pit stop at Gaston's potties and I took a few pictures of the decorations.



Continued in next post. . .

 

[vamassey1]

By this time we were all feeling a little tired and were ready for a rest. We said goodbye and headed out of Fantasyland and towards Tomorrowland.


We wanted to ride the People Mover but the line was really long so we opted for a family favorite COP. It's also a great place to rest your feet and your eyes. Please don't think we just do this attraction to get some sleep. We really do love it. I think it might be one of Danielle's favorites. She can sing "It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" at the drop of a hat.


I think everyone rested their eyes except John Paul. He watched every minute of the show. I didn't get another sleeping picture of Dennis and Danielle since it was too dark but they did get some shut eye.

I forgot to mention I had grabbed a FP for Buzz for later that night while we were in the SDMT line. We wanted to save Monster's Inc for during the Christmas Party and the line for the People Mover was still backed up so we headed back across the park. When we got to the Hub we caught part of Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire, which I have never taken the time to see. John Paul was very interested in seeing Elsa and Olaf.





While they finished up the show I went to Casey to pick up some food for JP. It worked really well to bring in something he liked when we went to Skippers so we decided to pick him up some delicious nuggets for our Be Our Guest meal.


We could hear the Move it Shake it Street Party coming so we took a seat to wait for it. I've never actually watch it, just always caught bits and pieces of it in passing but we thought JP would like it.


I'm going to end here and pick back up with some dancing pictures.

 

[vamassey1]

Michelle, Jimmy, Gia & John Paul are enjoying their Labor Day Weekend in Disney World. She's been sending me pictures and sharing some of their fun. I'm going to share a few pictures with y'all.

At the airport before leaving.



On Magical Express with Jimmy.


Yesterday at the Magic Kingdom.



Today at DHS.


They're having a blast but it's soooo hot. Tomorrow they'll be in Animal Kingdom.

 

[pkondz]

He just made it!

Yay!!

But if you look close it looks like he was using the slope of the concrete to his advantage and maybe a little bit of tippy toe help.

I'm totally okay with that. I mean... if 38" is safe... I'm pretty sure 37.5" is gonna be safe too. There must be some wiggle room there.

I feel this is a smoother ride and not as thrilling as Slinky Dog.

I'd agree with that. I also love "Hi Ho!" And sing it every time.

He looks a little scared in the first picture, but Grumpy was holding on tight.

Bet he was glad of that!

He loves The Little Mermaid

Well... sure. Who doesn't.

He really enjoyed the line. Little kids love the touch everything.

Which might be a bit problematic this trip.

This was the first time I looked up and saw some really neat pictures.

Cool shot, Vanessa. I've never seen that before.

We wanted to ride the People Mover but the line was really long

I've noticed that, lately. It used to always be a walk on. It's like word got out suddenly that it's a nice ride.

COP. It's also a great place to rest your feet and your eyes.

She can sing "It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" at the drop of a hat.

I like her already.

we caught part of Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire, which I have never taken the time to see.

Never really had the urge to see it.

we decided to pick him up some delicious nuggets

mmmm… those little suckers are good!

We could hear the Move it Shake it Street Party coming

Michelle, Jimmy, Gia & John Paul are enjoying their Labor Day Weekend in Disney World.

Good! Glad to hear that.

At the airport before leaving.

They look pretty stoked!

Yesterday at the Magic Kingdom.

Is that Dole? Or Citrus Swirl?

Today at DHS.

Love this shot! Well done!!