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

[vamassey1]

to be clear, i was super excited for Jimmy when he would see this and that John Paul went up to him, himself!!! It was early, and he loves the characters, but shys up when he gets close. That was a fangirl-momma moment.

I do remember you saying how excited Jimmy will be to see this.

Just love the way you and Dad are both looking at this moment.

Me too

And you did SO GOOD!!!

Thank you! I'm trying to up my game. It's hard to try and keep up with you and Danielle.

 

[pkondz]

Everything is getting harder and harder as I get older.

Valid point.

and Yikes again!

Oh, it gets worse!

 

[vamassey1]

(proof... that time I had to peel him off of Winnie the Pooh....)

One of my favorite memories! Such a precious video!

John Paul, Halloween 2018

Such a cutie! I remember this night well.

A little video... JP spots Mickey across the room

Another cute video! I love his excitement.

Getting Donald's autograph

Such a big boy!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

John Paul was not impressed with Daisy.

No he is not! Ha.

I feel like Daisy always asks for just girls pics! I love it.

Especially John Paul!

I love the face.

But he gets shy at his age and wanted Mom's hand. One of the lask characters we saw was Launchpad. And he actually grabbed JP's hand and walked him over to the photo area. (Thus my mommy-fangirl moment).

I always love when the characters take the kids hands...

Imagine, me, alone with my toddler, in the middle of the buffet at Tusker House. Toddler sprawled on the floor (ew), kicking and screaming. Me, holding two plates of food, so no photos, and not even a free hand to BEAT HIS BEHIND. I ended up leaving him there, dropping the food at the table, then collecting him, possibly beating his behind, hugging on him, and then we shared milk coffee. I

Oh the toddler life! I don't miss it! But sounds about right.

because this was him as soon as we met up with my parents after brunch.

Down for the count!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

There is a back story. Dennis had a resemblance to Mark Hamill as Skywalker when he was much younger. My oldest Brent saw some pictures of him and was sure that his Dad was Luke Skywalker but just in hiding. It's a big family joke. Wait until you see the shirt he work on our DHS day.

Love this story and can't wait to see the shirt!

Don't we all need something to look forward to right now.

Absolutely!

I look forward to seeing the promised Mickey picture with your son and grandson.

Me too! Hopefully one day soon (ish).

I hope you're able to all get together to celebrate soon.

I'm planning on a big bbq in July complete with Christmas tree and birthday balloons. My husband thinks I'm crazy but I am totally serious. I've even jotted down some wee secret Santa gifts and saved some Christmas crackers and napkins. Can you tell I missed our usual celebrations

to be clear, i was super excited for Jimmy when he would see this and that John Paul went up to him, himself!!! It was early, and he loves the characters, but shys up when he gets close. That was a fangirl-momma moment.

Awwww

He calls them "sucker balls" HAHAHHA.

No better name

And you did SO GOOD!!!

I love your disney bounding Vanessa. Super stylish and you totally rocked that look

I love this idea. Fingers crossed we're getting to a better place, as a world, and celebrations will have a whole new meaning!

Fingers crossed

as we walked around, it's like opportunities just kinda came up.

I love it when the planets align and the magic happens

I went ahead and ordered his milk in a coffee cup, and we cheers'ed our "milk coffees"

Brilliant! Look at the concentration on that wee face

Imagine, me, alone with my toddler, in the middle of the buffet at Tusker House. Toddler sprawled on the floor (ew), kicking and screaming. Me, holding two plates of food, so no photos, and not even a free hand to BEAT HIS BEHIND. I ended up leaving him there, dropping the food at the table, then collecting him, possibly beating his behind, hugging on him, and then we shared milk coffee. It's all about balance, right?! HAHA.

I'm sorry I'm laughing but boy have we all been there! My middle child was the most affectionate, loving wee boy but when he lost it he did so loudly and dramatically for all to see and for me to be totally affronted. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I walked away a few steps to let him thrash it out before scooping him up and simultaneously hugging and scolding in equal measure. You are so right-it's all about the balance but why do they always choose that moment when your hands are full and you're on your own!

NOW THAT IS A HAPPY BOY!

Such a wee man pose. Love it!

ETA the Pooh video is hilarious!!!!

 

[mFont23]

I feel like Daisy always asks for just girls pics! I love it.

I think you're right! I just dug this up from our Tusker House breakfast in 2018

I always love when the characters take the kids hands...

IT MAKES ME SWOON!!!

Oh the toddler life! I don't miss it! But sounds about right.

HAHAHHAHA right?!

I'm planning on a big bbq in July complete with Christmas tree and birthday balloons. My husband thinks I'm crazy but I am totally serious. I've even jotted down some wee secret Santa gifts and saved some Christmas crackers and napkins. Can you tell I missed our usual celebrations

I don't think I've ever loved an idea more!

I love it when the planets align and the magic happens

So, super sweet. Each morning in carpool, we roll down the window and JP sticks his head out to get his temperature taken. I let him unstrap and it's his favorite part of the morning. But he had gloves on today, so I rolled it down from the buttons on my door. He's like MOM YOU CAN CONTROL IT?!?! I said yes baby. He asked me how I do it, I said it's Mommy Magic, you'll learn when you're older. So he got all contemplative. Like when you can see the wheels turning in his head and he says, "Mom, what is magic?" And I had to think for a minute. I said it's when you don't think something is possible, and it still happens!

So yes, we love when the magic happens.

I'm sorry I'm laughing but boy have we all been there! My middle child was the most affectionate, loving wee boy but when he lost it he did so loudly and dramatically for all to see and for me to be totally affronted. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I walked away a few steps to let him thrash it out before scooping him up and simultaneously hugging and scolding in equal measure. You are so right-it's all about the balance but why do they always choose that moment when your hands are full and you're on your own!

Yep. Balance! HAHAHAH

ETA the Pooh video is hilarious!!!!

That's one of two times he did that... just to Pooh. Several other characters, too. But he didn't care for face characters, much.

 

[vamassey1]

Love this story and can't wait to see the shirt!

I hope we got a picture of the back of the shirt.

I'm planning on a big bbq in July complete with Christmas tree and birthday balloons. My husband thinks I'm crazy but I am totally serious. I've even jotted down some wee secret Santa gifts and saved some Christmas crackers and napkins. Can you tell I missed our usual celebrations

Love this idea! I want to see pictures.

 

[vamassey1]

Wednesday, December 18th-Animal Kingdom - Feel the Beat

I'm going to fill in a little of what we did while we waited for Michelle and John Paul to finish at Tusker House. When we first arrived in Africa they weren't quite finished yet. I took some time to get some pictures of the area. There is just soooo much detail in this area and then Christmas Decorations on top of it.









We also went inside Mombasa Marketplace/Ziwani Traders to look around. I got some pictures of the trees inside, purchased another frat strap for my sunglasses and we got Danielle a thick, fluffy Disney fleece to help keep her warm. I of course used my AP discount to help with the price.






All these nice pictures of the trees and I did not get one picture of the big tree at the entrance. I'm still kicking myself about that.

Danielle and I next went looking for the "Beautiful Wall". I'm happy to say we found it and took pictures but she didn't like any of her pictures so she deleted them.







More Africa pictures in next post. . . .

 

[vamassey1]

More Africa photos. . .






Dennis was taking this last set of pictures and by now Michelle and John Paul had joined us. I love this next picture that Michelle got of Dennis setting up for more pictures and John Paul trying to get in on the actions.








It's not a trip to Animal Kingdom if we don't get pictures playing the drums. We have been doing this for as long as I can remember.









Within minutes of this John Paul was sound asleep and we were headed back to Pandora so Michelle and I could use our FP for FOP. I was really excited for Michelle to get her 1st ride and this would be only my second ride. My first ride was on opening day of FOP in 2017. I'm hoping Michelle will do the ride update to give her reactions to her first ride.

 

[pkondz]

I'm going to fill in a little of what we did while we waited for Michelle and John Paul to finish at Tusker House.

Tapped your foot impatiently, glanced repeatedly at your watch, frequently sighed audibly...

There is just soooo much detail in this area

The whole park meets that criteria, I think.

Funny... I never really grasped the amount of stone-work here. Wow!

purchased another frat strap for my sunglasses

What is that?

All these nice pictures of the trees and I did not get one picture of the big tree at the entrance. I'm still kicking myself about that.

Sorry!

Danielle and I next went looking for the "Beautiful Wall". I'm happy to say we found it and took pictures but she didn't like any of her pictures so she deleted them.

Shame, but...

Yes, you certainly are.

I love this next picture that Michelle got of Dennis setting up for more pictures and John Paul trying to get in on the actions.

Nice little slice of life there. Good capture.

It's not a trip to Animal Kingdom if we don't get pictures playing the drums.

Definitely!

This is such a great shot. My fave.

Although this one was a close second!

Within minutes of this John Paul was sound asleep

Good info to have. Hang him upside down long enough and he'll "go to sleep".

I'm hoping Michelle will do the ride update to give her reactions to her first ride.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

You most certainly are beautiful!!!

Love this picture. Great moment in time.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I don't think I've ever loved an idea more!

Love this idea! I want to see pictures.

Thanks ladies. I will definitely take photos and share them with you. Can’t happen soon enough

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I really need to spend more time in AK on our next trip. We’ve been quite a few times but your photos are showing me just how much I don’t know! Love the photos of Denis and JP. They clearly have an awesome bond

 

[buzzrelly]

I've been off the TRs for a bit but I'm back and all caught up!

Love your AK pictures…they're really making me miss being there so much! Tusker House has been one of our favorites for years, I hope they reopen soon!

 

[mFont23]

What is that?

When I was in college there were two big things I learned outside of the classroom that has kind of become a part of our everyday family language. That's grat-strap and sororrity squat. The frat strap is the strap the holds your glasses around your neck. They had become big with fishermen (which is big down here) and become sort of part of the frat guy everyday outfit. So we've just always called them frat straps. And the sorrority squat is when you're trying to fit a bunch of people in a picture and some have to squat in front, but in a pretty way, duh. It's a straight back, knees slightly bent, big smile kind of pose.

This is such a great shot. My fave.

I took these. I'm really big on the close-up portraits of moments like this. They really are some of my favorite pictures.

 

[pkondz]

When I was in college there were two big things I learned outside of the classroom that has kind of become a part of our everyday family language. That's grat-strap and sororrity squat. The frat strap is the strap the holds your glasses around your neck. They had become big with fishermen (which is big down here) and become sort of part of the frat guy everyday outfit. So we've just always called them frat straps. And the sorrority squat is when you're trying to fit a bunch of people in a picture and some have to squat in front, but in a pretty way, duh. It's a straight back, knees slightly bent, big smile kind of pose.

Ask and ye shall receive. Now I know.
Where I come from, (the DIS... duh!) the sorority squat is known as the chunkydump.

I took these. I'm really big on the close-up portraits of moments like this. They really are some of my favorite pictures.

Very nice shots, Michelle.

noooooo

 

[mFont23]

MY FIRST FLIGHT OF PASSAGE!
So like mom said, she had ridden this on OPENING DAY (you know, when I was home with a newborn and mastitis, and I had Gia that week, too, but Jimmy was back at work and my mom WAS IN DISNEYWORLD…. #stillbitter). But I’ll admit, that’s so dang cool! We did NOT ride it in 2018. We didn’t prioritize it because I didn’t know how 7 year old Gia would like it, Jimmy doesn’t ride rides (spoiler alert: he rode is September 2020... TWICE), and I had a 9 month old, I didn’t care about my own happiness, I just wanted to be stuck to my baby at every moment.
But we’re here. He’s almost 3 at this point, he’s asleep, and we have a fastpass **remember those things, fastpasses?**. Just me and Mom. I’m still so glad we worked that out to split it up so someone was always with JP. Him napping at that time was just the icing on the cake. I’m pretty sure this is nearly exactly how it went the following day at DHS too (but more on that later). So bye, Dad, Danielle, and sleeping JP. We gonna go ride!
If you haven’t noticed, I’m one of those daughters that like to hang out with my mom as an adult. So it was fun to have some us time, too! Had to commemorate the moment with a selfie, DUH.

So how was it?!
IT WAS INCREDIBLE. I remember the first time Dad rode it, and he was just in awe of how it really felt like you were riding the banshee. How you could feel it breathing. Which, for sure, is so cool. But for me, the experience was in the visual. I love how the different holding rooms make it feel like you’re slowly moving into the experience. The same way I love how it’s a slow transition from one part of the park to another. There’s never a clear cutoff from reality to fantasy. But the visual of the actual ride. Wow. It’s like a dream. The wind in your face, the feeling of falling. I’m actually terrified of heights, so I was worried the simulation would get to me. But no. I felt so safe on my banshee! I also worried about motion sickness. But no. I tried to commit to not looking AROUND, just forward. But I couldn’t help it. The screen is so big that it’s like every angle your eyes can see is immersed into the fantasy. I never looked over and saw mom, just Pandora. AND IT IS SO GORGEOUS!!!! Once we got off, it was like this giant smile had been slapped across my face. I looked like a kid that had just done something thrilling and amazing, like swinging across a creek on a rope or something. When you’re not even like, “LET’S DO IT AGAIN” but more-so in awe, like, “WOW”.

 

[mFont23]

Ask and ye shall receive. Now I know.
Where I come from, (the DIS... duh!) the sorority squat is known as the chunkydump.

Oh I love that. That's hilarious!

Very nice shots, Michelle.

Thank you! I take a lot of pride in those!

noooooo

Okay, you win. I posted. Only because it was on my mind (and short)

 

[pkondz]

So like mom said, she had ridden this on OPENING DAY (you know, when I was home with a newborn and mastitis, and I had Gia that week, too, but Jimmy was back at work and my mom WAS IN DISNEYWORLD…. #stillbitter).

Jimmy doesn’t ride rides (spoiler alert: he rode is September 2020... TWICE),

So you're saying... Jimmy does ride rides... well... ride.

**remember those things, fastpasses?**

Nope. No idea what you're talking about.

I’m still so glad we worked that out to split it up so someone was always with JP

Me too. The authorities frown upon child abandonment.

Two lovely ladies.

So how was it?!
IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

So glad you loved it!!

The same way I love how it’s a slow transition from one part of the park to another. There’s never a clear cutoff from reality to fantasy.

I mean... you step on a bridge. Sure the lights are a bit odd, but not overly so... then gradually, you're like "Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore."

I’m actually terrified of heights, so I was worried the simulation would get to me. But no. I felt so safe on my banshee!

Phew! Glad that wasn't a problem.

AND IT IS SO GORGEOUS!!!!

Once we got off, it was like this giant smile had been slapped across my face.

When you’re not even like, “LET’S DO IT AGAIN” but more-so in awe, like, “WOW”.

Perfect!

Go again!!!

Okay, you win. I posted. Only because it was on my mind (and short)

No, no. It was all my doing.

 

[vamassey1]

Tapped your foot impatiently, glanced repeatedly at your watch, frequently sighed audibly...

Being a Mom I have spent lots of time doing just this while waiting for one or more of my kids, luckily AK gives me lots of distractions while I wait.

The whole park meets that criteria, I think.

Yes it does. I see something new every trip.

Funny... I never really grasped the amount of stone-work here. Wow!

So much to see everywhere.

What is that?

Michelle covered that for me. I bought one of these in 2009 and replace every other trip since the elastic holder gets stretched out pretty quickly. This is the only place I wear them. I got tired of taking my sunglasses on and off and hunting for them in my bag.

Yes, you certainly are.

Awwww, Thank you!

Nice little slice of life there. Good capture.

Michelle is a much better photographer than I. She really does a great job of capturing the moment. Ask her about her Grinch pictures.

This is such a great shot. My fave.

It really is! Kudos to Michelle.

Although this one was a close second!

I know, it's so fun.

Good info to have. Hang him upside down long enough and he'll "go to sleep".

I wish that still worked. He's much heavier now.