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

[vamassey1]

Great Character photos! The meal actually sounded really good.

Thank you! It was much better than we expected. I don't remember if there was any cabbage.

 

[vamassey1]

So I got ... 1-some frozen drink that had a Mrs. Incredible and Jack Jack straw 2- a giant num num cookie 3- a pretzel to balance all the sweets 3- some coke float with a cookie AND cotton candy on top....i'm not even sure what else, but I know I got all but one of the things offered.

I remember when we met back up and seeing all the snacks. I think we had to help you eat them.

Oh! I also wanted to point out how nervous JP was to meet Darth Vadar. I had gotten tired of his meltdowns this day that I was like if you can't stop, mommy is going to let you stay with Darth Vadar. I wanna say it started because I was texting Jimmy and he's like "Mommy are you texting Darth Vadar" and let me tell you, I just WENT WITH IT! Yep. I'm telling him he's going to have to watch you if you can't be good for mommy. JUDGE ME!

I had no idea you had told him this, but it sounds like something I would do too.

 

[vamassey1]

I have some upcoming Trip updates and some updates on Danielle's current DCP.

Last week I hit the 60 days out so I could make some ADRs for my Labor Day Weekend trip. I'm not planning on doing a lot of TS meals since I'll be on my own but I made a few ADRs, mostly at places I've never been and would like to try. I made all my ADRs for 2 in hopes that Danielle can go with me. She's been getting her schedule about a week and half out so I'll know in plenty of time to cancel if I don't want to eat alone. I think I'm more comfortable eating alone in a CS than a TS. No meal plans for my arrival day on the 4th. I'm be heading to Epcot as soon as I can to eat my way around. If Danielle is working I'll get to see her and if she's not she can go with me. I've never eaten at The Plaza so I have an ADR for lunch on the 5th. No meal plans for the 6th but I have 2 ADRs on the 7th. Tuesday the 7th is going to be a really busy day. I have a breakfast ADR for Topolino's for early, and an after 3 ADR for Oga's (yes, I'm going to give it another try) and then Boo Bash that night. Danielle and I have both been wanting to do the breakfast at Topolino's for awhile. I wanted the ADR for Wednesday my travel day but there was nothing available so I settled for Tuesday. Since Danielle works at Epcot the earliest she has to be at work is usually 10 am so this should not be an issue for her. The CPs are still pretty much blocked out of HS but it has been opening up by 3 pm so if she is off she can meet me for Oga's. I also made a breakfast ADR for Wednesday morning at Ale & Compass another new TS for us. It's for later in morning so I won't need to be up too early. I don't fly out until 6 that night. I'm getting really excited for this trip. I can't wait to see my baby in person and hug her.

I had been checking the Disney site several times a day trying to find a reasonable reservation for Thanksgiving week and having no luck so on 6/27 I booked our stay at the Hilton @ Disney Springs. The price was much better than anything I could find at a Disney Resort, it's right next to Disney Springs and has a lot of the same benefits the Resorts have. I stayed there with Brent and Michelle the very first time I took them to Disney in 1999 so I was really ok with staying again. I used a Mousesavers code and saved a little on he room and got free parking. I was really getting comfortable with my booking and then Disney announced that 4 more resorts would be opening by the end of the year, with 3 opening before our trip. I caved and booked Allstar Music for Thanksgiving and cancelled the Hilton. I did go back and forth . The Hilton room would be bigger and I would not be paying for parking and it's close to Disney Springs. On the side for Music is that Dennis prefers to stay on grounds, it's a little cheaper than the Hilton even with paying for parking and it's closer to where Danielle is staying. I also have a very small hope for a discount. Still working out what meals we may do and parks. I promised Dennis one day of no parks. I do know I want MK on my birthday and if they offer the HEA dessert party I want it. I do think I'm going to pass on the Holiday after hours party if it's offered that week. There is no festival at Epcot so I have no idea what Danielle will be working or where. I am excited about the Holiday stuff announced this week.

Danielle and her friends have been working and not having as much time for fun. They did make it to their first park day on 6/28 in the MK and finished up with Epcot.


She has had several rainy days.


They also hit AK on July 2nd.



I'm trying to send her a care package every other week. I made this and sent it with some other flamingo stuff.


After Flower & Garden ended she spent her deployment working the Sunshine Season's area. She worked the pretzel and popcorn stands, some inside Sunshine Season's and ran pretzels back an forth. She ended up getting a nasty burn from unloading pretzels. She did get to wear a different costume while working in this area.





Her last day working deployment was Sunday. After she got off she and her roommate MO hit HS for the first time.


Monday she worked the Germany Booth, standing outside letting people know even though the lights were on and food was being cooked it was not open. This was a tester type day for the Executives. She did get to try all the food from the Germany Booth and enjoyed being paid to wave at people. They also got to do a backstage F&W photo.




Monday night they started celebrating Mikaela's birthday by going to the MK after work and seeing HEA together for the first time. They also went to the Enchanted Rose at the GF for drinks to celebrate. The celebration continued on Tuesday at Epcot and ended back at DHS. She's off today before F& W starts tomorrow. Her first shift will be at the Donut Box. I'm still enjoying watching Meredith's and Mikael's blogs so I can see my baby. They have even given me some shot outs.

 

[Steppesister]

I would love to have seen that. He is my favorite character to watch during the performance.

I found it so highly amusing!

It's amazing what you will do to make the littles happy. If you bring your grandkids you find yourself at a character meal or two. I think of it as killing 2 stones with one throw. You get to eat and meet the characters without waiting in a long line.

Oh this is so true; I have done it myself.

I have a breakfast ADR for Topolino's for early

I did this a while back and really loved it.

Hilton @ Disney Springs. The price was much better than anything I could find at a Disney Resort, it's right next to Disney Springs and has a lot of the same benefits the Resorts have.

Sounds like a solid option!

I caved and booked Allstar Music for Thanksgiving and cancelled the Hilton. I did go back and forth .

Or not....

She has had several rainy days.

Cute, cute, cute!

She did get to wear a different costume while working in this area.

And beautiful, as always.

She ended up getting a nasty burn from unloading pretzels.

EEK!! Incident report!

She did get to try all the food from the Germany Booth and enjoyed being paid to wave at people.

Nice perks!

They also went to the Enchanted Rose at the GF for drinks to celebrate.

What did she think?!

 

[pkondz]

I made all my ADRs for 2 in hopes that Danielle can go with me.

I really hope they work out for you guys!

I think I'm more comfortable eating alone in a CS than a TS.

Bring a good book. I love eating alone with a good book. And I don't have to cook it? Or even carry it to the table? hello!

I've never eaten at The Plaza so I have an ADR for lunch on the 5th.

I have and liked it.

ADR for Oga's (yes, I'm going to give it another try)

I hope you have a better experience this time around.

and then Boo Bash that night.

Ooooohhhh! Nice! I'd love to go.

I can't wait to see my baby in person and hug her.

Awwww.

I caved and booked Allstar Music for Thanksgiving and cancelled the Hilton. I did go back and forth .

Decisions, decisions.

Then again, I'm an ASMu fan.

She has had several rainy days.

Okay, I need to get that poncho! Ankle length! Durable! Buttons!!!

I made this and sent it with some other flamingo stuff.

Cricut?

She ended up getting a nasty burn from unloading pretzels.

Oh, no.

Holy smokes, that looks nasty! I have done the exact same. From an oven rack, right?

Stylin'...

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I've never eaten at The Plaza so I have an ADR for lunch on the 5th

I feel like the Plaza is a good place to be a solo dinner. It is more low key and small in size... And the food is basic which to me makes sense to do as alone.

She has had several rainy days.

She always looks so happy!!!

What is with the lady drinking water?!?!

Her first shift will be at the Donut Box. I'm still enjoying watching Meredith's and Mikael's blogs so I can see my baby. They have even given me some shot outs.

What was there blog again? I need to go over and follow along.. Need extra pixie dust these days...

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Thank you! It was much better than we expected. I don't remember if there was any cabbage.

Trust me...you'd remember. (And thanks for the morning chuckle. I hadn't thought about that story in ages.)

That burn looked rough. Hope she's doing okay with it. That's awesome that she is working the F&W booths.

 

[vamassey1]

I did this a while back and really loved it.

I'm REALLY looking forward to this.

Cute, cute, cute!

And beautiful, as always.

Thank you twice!

EEK!! Incident report!

Yep and she had to get it bandaged the next day but since then has not complained.

What did she think?!

They all LOVED it! Haven't seen a blog posted yet just the pictures from Instagram.

 

[vamassey1]

I really hope they work out for you guys!

Me too! Fingers crossed.

Bring a good book. I love eating alone with a good book. And I don't have to cook it? Or even carry it to the table? hello!

I do like to read and eat. I have the Kindle app on my phone so this would work.

I have and liked it.

I remember that but the menu is very limited right now. I'm eyeing the crab cakes for now.

I hope you have a better experience this time around.

Me too. I think I would be ok to do this alone just because of all the noise.

Ooooohhhh! Nice! I'd love to go.

Any chance you'll be released to travel?

Decisions, decisions.

Then again, I'm an ASMu fan.

Do you think I made a good one?

Okay, I need to get that poncho! Ankle length! Durable! Buttons!!!

Excellent! You only need to become a CM.

Cricut?

No quite. I do have a Cricut but I used my Silhouette for this one.

Holy smokes, that looks nasty! I have done the exact same. From an oven rack, right?

I didn't really understand how she did it.

 

[vamassey1]

I feel like the Plaza is a good place to be a solo dinner. It is more low key and small in size... And the food is basic which to me makes sense to do as alone.

I'm feeling better about eating here by myself if I have too. Thanks for the info.

She always looks so happy!!!

For pictures she does but I do hear when things are so rosey.

What is with the lady drinking water?!?!

I know, so weird.

What was there blog again? I need to go over and follow along.. Need extra pixie dust these days...

Meredith's Blog on Youtube is Magic with Mer and Mikaela's is Magically Mik.

 

[pkondz]

I do like to read and eat. I have the Kindle app on my phone so this would work.

Even better. Then you don't have to try to hold the book open while trying to eat.

Me too. I think I would be ok to do this alone just because of all the noise.

A good book makes noise disappear.

Any chance you'll be released to travel?

I still don't know. There was talk today about letting fully vaccinated US citizens into the country in mid-August. That would imply an open border, (for vaccinated people) I think?

Do you think I made a good one?

I do! Like Dennis, I like staying on-site.

Excellent! You only need to become a CM.

That would not be something I'd say no to.

No quite. I do have a Cricut but I used my Silhouette for this one.

How does it differ from the Cricut? And which model do you have?

I didn't really understand how she did it.

Reached inside the oven between oven racks and then lifted her arm too high.

 

[vamassey1]

Trust me...you'd remember. (And thanks for the morning chuckle. I hadn't thought about that story in ages.)

I'm glad I could bring a smile to your face.

That burn looked rough. Hope she's doing okay with it. That's awesome that she is working the F&W booths.

She hasn't complained about the burn since the day after so it must be ok. She enjoys moving around but really misses the Castle.

 

[vamassey1]

Even better. Then you don't have to try to hold the book open while trying to eat.

Yes! I go back and forth between books and my Kindle. I have a case on my Kindle that enables it to stay propped up.

A good book makes noise disappear.

Yes it does. I have no trouble losing myself within seconds of reading when the book is really good.

I still don't know. There was talk today about letting fully vaccinated US citizens into the country in mid-August. That would imply an open border, (for vaccinated people) I think?

I don't see why that wouldn't work both ways. What about work what are they saying?

I do! Like Dennis, I like staying on-site.

Another positive vote.

That would not be something I'd say no to.

Dennis keeps talking about moving down there after we retire and working at Disney. I like visiting there but I don't know if I want to live there so far away form most of our families.

How does it differ from the Cricut? And which model do you have?

I have the Circut Explore Air 2 and the Silhouette Cameo 3. Neither one is the newest models but still work. This is my 3rd Cricut, I started with the original one years ago. I'm on my second Silhouette. I like each one for different reasons.

Reached inside the oven between oven racks and then lifted her arm too high.

Ouch, I can picture that.

 

[pkondz]

Yes! I go back and forth between books and my Kindle. I have a case on my Kindle that enables it to stay propped up.

Nice.

I must admit... despite all the tech that I have (desktop, laptop, iPad, iPhone) I still prefer a good ol' paper book.

Yes it does. I have no trouble losing myself within seconds of reading when the book is really good.

I don't see why that wouldn't work both ways. What about work what are they saying?

They're saying they'll go with whatever the government says. Right now, Canadians returning from out of Country must provide a negative covid test or quarantine. That's what my work is saying too. Proof of negative covid if out of Country.

Dennis keeps talking about moving down there after we retire and working at Disney. I like visiting there but I don't know if I want to live there so far away form most of our families.

Heh. I could use a break from my family after being stuck in the same house for a year and a half!

I have the Circut Explore Air 2 and the Silhouette Cameo 3. Neither one is the newest models but still work. This is my 3rd Cricut, I started with the original one years ago. I'm on my second Silhouette. I like each one for different reasons.

Can you explain what the different reasons are? Might get a Silhouette for DD for Xmas or something if it's worth getting. She uses her Cricut a lot.

 

[vamassey1]

I must admit... despite all the tech that I have (desktop, laptop, iPad, iPhone) I still prefer a good ol' paper book.

A lot of people feel that way. I was reluctant to switch to the Kindle but I really like it when borrowing a book from the library.

They're saying they'll go with whatever the government says. Right now, Canadians returning from out of Country must provide a negative covid test or quarantine. That's what my work is saying too. Proof of negative covid if out of Country.

That doesn't sound too bad. It is progress.

Heh. I could use a break from my family after being stuck in the same house for a year and a half!

I bet you could. Being the only male must be hard.

Can you explain what the different reasons are? Might get a Silhouette for DD for Xmas or something if it's worth getting. She uses her Cricut a lot.

I don't know much about the newest Silhouette. I do think my Cricut cuts better or more precise. I do really love the Silhouette site for purchasing images and fonts. I pay $8.99 a month and get $25 or credit every month and they have so much to choose from. I'm more use to the Silhouette program but I think Cricut has more out there to help with the machine and program. When Michelle was trying to decide what to get for her first machine I suggested the Circut because of all the help available. I prefer the Cricut when I'm working with a SVG file. The original reason I got the Silhouette was because the Cricut would only work with Cricut images but that changed when they came out with the Explore model. It now will cut any fonts you have and SVG files. I keep both because there are things I like about both.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Love the latest updates and plans. I would’ve been happy about staying at the Hilton but there’s absolutely something magical about staying in the bubble so while I’ve never stayed at ASM I’m betting it’s going to be great.
Exciting that you’ve made your adrs. My youngest and I were talking about The Plaza just yesterday as he found a photo of their chocolate cake dessert and then heard about their bottomless milkshakes so it’s on his must-do list for our next trip ( whenever that may be).
Danielle looks gorgeous and so happy but boy that was a nasty burn. Hoping it’s healing quickly.
I love your flamingle picture and I’m sure it does Danielle’s heart good to receive the care packages. You really do have artistic talent and judging by Michelle’s parties and Danielle’s room decor you clearly passed it on to them

 

[pkondz]

A lot of people feel that way. I was reluctant to switch to the Kindle but I really like it when borrowing a book from the library.

I have an app on my phone that connects to the library here, but I only use it for audio books. I like listening while I run.

That doesn't sound too bad. It is progress.

Slowly, but... yes. I'm hoping for more and better news in the next few days. The current border restrictions are set to expire (again) on Wednesday. Unfortunately your cases are spiking again. Last week you had a 44% increase in cases from the prior week with 44 States (odd that it's the same number) reporting increases. Florida had the most cases, while Tennessee, California and Alabama all had over 100% increases. With numbers like that, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the border remains closed until those numbers start reversing.

I bet you could. Being the only make must be hard.

Even the two dogs are female. The estrogen levels in the house are through the roof!

I don't know much about the newest Silhouette. I do think my Cricut cuts better or more precise. I do really love the Silhouette site for purchasing images and fonts. I pay $8.99 a month and get $25 or credit every month and they have so much to choose from. I'm more use to the Silhouette program but I think Cricut has more out there to help with the machine and program. When Michelle was trying to decide what to get for her first machine I suggested the Circut because of all the help available. I prefer the Cricut when I'm working with a SVG file. The original reason I got the Silhouette was because the Cricut would only work with Cricut images but that changed when they came out with the Explore model. It now will cut any fonts you have and SVG files. I keep both because there are things I like about both.

Ah, okay. So she probably wouldn't benefit from having both machines if she already has gotten accustomed to the Cricut. I thought there might be some essential features available on the Silhouette that the Cricut doesn't have.

 

[mFont23]

I have an app on my phone that connects to the library here, but I only use it for audio books. I like listening while I run.

I'm not a big reader, but Jimmy is. He and Mom share books from time to time. He did a lot of the audio books while he would drive from store to store, when he was living in Delaware. Lotta driving, lotta audio books.

Ah, okay. So she probably wouldn't benefit from having both machines if she already has gotten accustomed to the Cricut. I thought there might be some essential features available on the Silhouette that the Cricut doesn't have.

I still PREFER the sillhouette. But for long term, there's just more out there with the Cricut. The sillhouette, in my opinion, makes it so much easier to do a lot of different things. Like, if I have an idea in my head, I can easily figure out how to make it come to life in the sillhouette. Cricut is much more basic, therefore much more complicated, when it comes to manipulating images into how you have it designed in your mind. So it's more easily marketable, and more user-friendly to people that might not do this stuff often or buy a lot of images. But I like to create stuff, and I find it easier on the sillhoutte.

....rant over.

 

[pkondz]

I'm not a big reader, but Jimmy is. He and Mom share books from time to time. He did a lot of the audio books while he would drive from store to store, when he was living in Delaware. Lotta driving, lotta audio books.

I always listen to audio books on my solo road trips. Love that and a life saver in some boring (read: North Dakota) parts.

I still PREFER the sillhouette. But for long term, there's just more out there with the Cricut. The sillhouette, in my opinion, makes it so much easier to do a lot of different things. Like, if I have an idea in my head, I can easily figure out how to make it come to life in the sillhouette. Cricut is much more basic, therefore much more complicated, when it comes to manipulating images into how you have it designed in your mind. So it's more easily marketable, and more user-friendly to people that might not do this stuff often or buy a lot of images. But I like to create stuff, and I find it easier on the sillhoutte.

Thanks for that Michelle. I think she prefers to find things as opposed to creating from scratch. It sounds like while she might like it, it might not be worth the cost of getting it for her.

 

[vamassey1]

Love the latest updates and plans. I would’ve been happy about staying at the Hilton but there’s absolutely something magical about staying in the bubble so while I’ve never stayed at ASM I’m betting it’s going to be great.

I hope so. We stayed in a Family Suite there in 2017 so a regular room should be good for the 2 of us. I think they have all been updated like POP.

Exciting that you’ve made your adrs. My youngest and I were talking about The Plaza just yesterday as he found a photo of their chocolate cake dessert and then heard about their bottomless milkshakes so it’s on his must-do list for our next trip ( whenever that may be).

I like they way he thinks.

Danielle looks gorgeous and so happy but boy that was a nasty burn. Hoping it’s healing quickly.

She hasn't been complaining so hopefully it is. If she has a scare it will always remind her of her time in Disney.

I love your flamingle picture and I’m sure it does Danielle’s heart good to receive the care packages.

She really loves getting them.

You really do have artistic talent and judging by Michelle’s parties and Danielle’s room decor you clearly passed it on to them

All 3 of the kids have some talent. I don't have talent just patience.