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

[mFont23]

Love the Disneybound!! Perfect!

THANK YOU! It's one of my favorites I've done. And had it been hot, I had a khaki tank top packed, too. HAHA. But I'm SO GLAD it wasn't because that shaw/scarf thing would have been pretty miserable. The things we do for the pictures, right?!

 

[vamassey1]

I'm just going to comment and add to what Michelle has already posted.

Plus, we got to see the winter animals again and we had SO MUCH FUN WITH THEM.

We really enjoyed the Winter Animal puppets and the decorations in this area that reflected them. If you get a chance to see them in the future do it.

We still needed a group photo!

Yes we did need one. When we entered the park we were rushing to Pandora. We finally got a chance to get some good group pictures while we were in the front of the park.

So we hit up Starbucks. More coffee for me, and a “sucker ball” for JP.

I just have to add, Michelle wasn't the only one who needed a Starbucks pick me up. John Paul was getting pretty tired and cranky.

Before Starbucks.


After Starbucks.

I only note that because my parents go back and forth on the focus and it cracks me up when one has it after the other and they argue over the focus being out.

We have different eye issues. I have astigmatism and I'm near sighted, Dennis is far sighted due to age. The doppler is always wrong when we trade off on the camera. Instead of just fixing the doppler he fusses that everything is blurry.

So I’m getting MAD! Like night-before-my-wedding-when-he-snored-so-loud-i-couldn’t-sleep-then-woke-up-in-a-mood-and-made-mom-go-to-breakfast-with-him-leaving-me-alone-on-my-wedding-morning kinda mad.

She will never let us live this down. LET IT GO!

For as “grumpy” as he is… he’s got a heart of gold.

Yes he does and he loves a good surprise.

The sun was setting and it was getting COLD… and I did not have a real jacket this day.

This is the jacket we HAD to buy Danielle due to the cold. Both girls walked out with new Disney cold weather wear.

We just couldn’t leave. Early morning or not. WE WERE HAVING WAY TOO MUCH FUN!

This really was the best day!

PROPS TO DAD for this one! Definitely unforgetable. I don't think we've even seen Pochahontas since I was a kid! I'm sure Mom will correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes that is my job to be the memory bank of the family. We did have a wonderful meet with Pocahontas on our Mardi Gras trip in 2012. We found her in Camp Mickey/Minnie while waiting in line for FOTLK. She was sooooo great. She asked us how we got there then too and praised Dennis for being such a big strong warrior to bring us females so far. It was really funny at the time because he was fuming that we had stopped for "another character". This was my niece Chelsea's first trip and we had a blast with her. Everyone thought she and Michelle were sisters. If you followed the wedding trip report she was in it too.


We're now ready for the next chapter. Dinoland or Bust.

 

[vamassey1]

How's everyone doing?

I'm excited because we hit our 60 day mark yesterday! So of course I was up before 5 am so I could make a few ADRs for our May trip. I got what I wanted so I'm happy. We're not planning on table service meals every day but most days. Our arrival day will be TREX for Dennis. I didn't make an ADR but called TREX directly last week and the text I got says it's through Open Table. I learned years ago that when you call directly there are more reservations open. They are also still taking them 6 months out instead of just 60 days, I asked. We don't have a TS for Sunday the 2nd. Plans for now put us in AK and the park is showing closing at 5. I'm going to leave this open since it may be open longer or we may go to another park or DS. We're hoping for Epcot on Monday and have the last seating for Chef de France. This will be our only new restaurant for all of us and was Danielle's choice. We're hoping to go to DHS for May the 4th and have an ADR for lunch at Mama's. This is a repeat but my roomies need to have Italian at least once. I tried to get Olga's but they were all gone. Our last park day has us in MK and lunch at Skippers Canteen. We really enjoyed our meal there on the Christmas trip. Since we have such a late departure flight we have a lunch ADR for Beaches and Cream. Danielle and I went here for our first time back in October and knew Dennis would love it.

We did have some shake ups to our flights last week. Southwest has changed out flight to Orlando from 10:10 am to 10:40 so we are now arriving 30 minutes later which isn't too bad. We could have changed to the 6 am non stop flight but it was a no for Dennis. I'm all about more time in Disney. Our return flight was changed too. We were flying out at 6:05 pm and now it's 8:15 pm. Two more hours of Disney time! I was excited and Dennis was actually ok with this. Looks like we'll have more time for resort hopping on our departure day.

The girls and I also attended a Disney trip planning meeting on Wednesday night at a local restaurant. We were invited by an old Diser that lives here and owns the restaurant. She isn't on the board much anymore but we also know her because our kids went to school together. Her friend that is a travel agent was hosting. We meet some new people, had some good food and talked lots of Disney.

We attended a very small wedding for my nephew Trey, Chelsea's brother on Saturday. It was held at a friends lake house/camp on Lake Verrett and the weather could not have been better. It was just family due to Covid restrictions and just perfect.




Love the cypress trees and moss.




Photo credits to Danielle's new phone an Michelle's editing.

Our covid numbers are improving and I'm really hoping the open up the vaccine to us soon. I really like us to have it before we go to Disney.

 

[PittypatBR]

Is that Shell Beach? We have a camp on Bayou Tranquille. Thank goodness the weather was so nice.
I know you are getting excited. I really hope the vaccination pace picks up a lot. I have had mine but I am hoping my kids can get it soon. As forty something adults they are sort of at the end of the line.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

The wedding photos are gorgeous. Both girls look beautiful. Mama Melroses and Chefs de France are 2 of our favourite restaurants. We do them at least once each trip and my youngest had actually requested Chefs for our first and last nights on the 2020 trip that never was . So excited that you are going back again so soon. The planning meeting sounds fun and I’d definitely be framing that AK group photo

 

[mFont23]

ON TO DINOLAND!

John Paul spent the entire day asking when he could ride the dino ride again. So that’s what he was going to get! And another one of our favorite pastimes is competition… dino edition. You know, where you spend entirely too much money just to win a bunch of crap you don’t need and probably can’t fit in the suitcase to bring home, anyway. We enjoy playing against each other. I think I’ve said this before, but we used to win a bunch of stuffed animals (just to see who could get more), then we would put them on top of parked strollers outside of Nemo because we didn’t need to actually bring them home. Anywhere else, this might be creepy. But in disney it’s spreading magic, right? And now it’s another mom’s problem! HA!
But now, very exciting stuff, they actually brand the animals you win! I don’t know why, but i just love that! Back to our story…
We were on our way to dinoland.It was starting to get dark. The Christmas lights were really starting to shine.

(before)

(with flash)

No flash! I just love it!

Now.. to triceratops spin.

HIS FAVORITE RIDE (so far). And he was SO EXCITED Nanny (Danielle) was going to ride it with us. “Oh, thank you, Nanny, thank you for riding with us. Can we ride it five times?”

This is his favorite kind of game to play with his sister at Chuck E. Cheese.

So it was REALLY hard to get him to leave it.

Danielle coming in last, but pretending it doesn’t matter.

Okay, we’ve got enough stuff. I think we can go now.

We were getting hungry (thus Danielle’s churro) and we wanted to eat in Pandora for dinner. I’m not too keen on the delicacies they serve there, but what the heck. Let’s do it. Continued...

 

[mFont23]

Continued...

Along the way we found this beautiful mural with the winter animals on it. Danielle wouldn’t get in the pic with us. It’s her own dang fault she refused to wear makeup this day and then hated having her picture taken. HELLOOOO we’re on vacation in Disney. We’re going to be snapping pictures like our lives depend on it.

Pandora at night is just SO COOL.

Mom will correct me, but I think we all ended up with a different kind of bowl. I know I had shrimp and noodles and it WAS AMAZING! Highly recommend. John Paul was getting pretty tired and cranky. Can’t blame him, big day, late night. So mom and I got drinks. REAL drinks.

I put mine in my skyliner cup, just because it had a top and I was kind of addicted to my cup at this point.

We made our way back to the front, JP was falling asleep in the stroller.

I was dying for a picture of the lights on the trees. This was the best I got. But MY GOODNESS it was gorgeous.

Little man was ready for his bedtime snuggles while we waited for the bus.
He was so tired that we were able to dress him, all get ready for bed and the stuff ready for the next day (early, early morning)... all with the lights on. Because he was OUT. And so darn cute.

 

[vamassey1]

Is that Shell Beach?

I don't know. This was my first time there and I was more worried about just getting there. I know we drove though Pierre Part to get there.

We have a camp on Bayou Tranquille.

That sound fabulous. Have you been there recently?

I really hope the vaccination pace picks up a lot. I have had mine but I am hoping my kids can get it soon. As forty something adults they are sort of at the end of the line.

Congrats on getting yours! I'm really hoping now that there are so many more vaccines available it hits my 50+ range soon.

The wedding photos are gorgeous.

Thank you! The location was perfect.

Both girls look beautiful.

Yes they do!

Mama Melroses and Chefs de France are 2 of our favourite restaurants. We do them at least once each trip and my youngest had actually requested Chefs for our first and last nights on the 2020 trip that never was .

Mama's is becoming a favorite for us and I'm excited to try Chefs. I'm sure this will be on your list for your next trip.

The planning meeting sounds fun and I’d definitely be framing that AK group photo

It really was fun. Talking about nothing but Disney and no one looking at you like you're crazy.

 

[pkondz]

Nice shot of the group.

Love this!

I just have to add, Michelle wasn't the only one who needed a Starbucks pick me up. John Paul was getting pretty tired and cranky.

Before Starbucks.

After Starbucks.

She will never let us live this down. LET IT GO!

This was my niece Chelsea's first trip and we had a blast with her. Everyone thought she and Michelle were sisters.

I can see why!

I was up before 5 am so I could make a few ADRs for our May trip. I got what I wanted so I'm happy.

Good!

Our arrival day will be TREX for Dennis.

We're hoping to go to DHS for May the 4th

Oh! I wonder how crowded that will be this year??

The girls and I also attended a Disney trip planning meeting on Wednesday night at a local restaurant. We were invited by an old Diser that lives here and owns the restaurant. She isn't on the board much anymore but we also know her because our kids went to school together. Her friend that is a travel agent was hosting. We meet some new people, had some good food and talked lots of Disney.

Sounds like a really nice time.

Cute shot of the ladies.

Our covid numbers are improving and I'm really hoping the open up the vaccine to us soon. I really like us to have it before we go to Disney.

Good luck!

 

[pkondz]

John Paul spent the entire day asking when he could ride the dino ride again.

Boy knows what he likes!

You know, where you spend entirely too much money just to win a bunch of crap you don’t need and probably can’t fit in the suitcase to bring home, anyway.

I think I’ve said this before, but we used to win a bunch of stuffed animals (just to see who could get more), then we would put them on top of parked strollers outside of Nemo because we didn’t need to actually bring them home.

No! I don't think you've said that before. Great idea!

Anywhere else, this might be creepy. But in disney it’s spreading magic, right?

And now it’s another mom’s problem! HA!

But now, very exciting stuff, they actually brand the animals you win!

What do you mean??
I looked at the photos with the animals and didn't see anything?

HIS FAVORITE RIDE (so far). And he was SO EXCITED Nanny (Danielle) was going to ride it with us. “Oh, thank you, Nanny, thank you for riding with us. Can we ride it five times?”

Hard to say no to that!

So it was REALLY hard to get him to leave it.

Okay, we’ve got enough stuff. I think we can go now.

No! Keep going!

Danielle wouldn’t get in the pic with us. It’s her own dang fault she refused to wear makeup this day and then hated having her picture taken. HELLOOOO we’re on vacation in Disney. We’re going to be snapping pictures like our lives depend on it.

Pandora at night is just SO COOL.

Definitely! Disney did such a great job there.

I know I had shrimp and noodles and it WAS AMAZING! Highly recommend.

Got it. Thanks for the tip. I've eaten there before and was underwhelmed. But don't think I had that.

Great shot of you guys.

I was dying for a picture of the lights on the trees. This was the best I got. But MY GOODNESS it was gorgeous.

It's such a show stopper. I mean... you just stop dead in your tracks, it's so captivating.

Awwww...
<sigh> To sleep like that again.

 

[mFont23]

nope. nope. nope. not happening.

Boy knows what he likes!

ain't that the truth. Today is "silly sock day" at school. for S week. I asked him what he wanted to wear a few days ago and without hesitation he's like "I want socks with googly eyes on them. I think my friends will think that's funny." Well alright, then. So of course I made him socks with googly eyes all over them.

What do you mean??
I looked at the photos with the animals and didn't see anything?

I'll have to find one of danielles's pictures. It's like the dino insitutue logo. Super cute.

Got it. Thanks for the tip. I've eaten there before and was underwhelmed. But don't think I had that.

I'm not adventurous, really, when it comes to food. But man, that was GOOD!

It's such a show stopper. I mean... you just stop dead in your tracks, it's so captivating.

Pictures cannot do it justice. Pure beauty!

 

[vamassey1]

Nice shot of the group.

Thank you! I think it's a keeper.

Love this!

Me too!

Oh! I wonder how crowded that will be this year??

I'm wondering too. Danielle is using tickets she earned from her DCP for her & Dennis so she is subject to their block out calendar. If CMs are blocked out then they are too. She can't request tickets until they update the block out calendar to our trip dates so right now what parks we will do on a particular day is still up in the air. If we can't do DHS on the 4th then we will switch it up with Epcot on the 3rd. I don't think the first week of May is a crowded time normally. It's after Spring Break and before most kids are out of school.

Sounds like a really nice time.

It really was.

Cute shot of the ladies.

Thank you! We call this the "Senior Picture Poise".

 

[pkondz]

nope. nope. nope. not happening.

ain't that the truth. Today is "silly sock day" at school. for S week. I asked him what he wanted to wear a few days ago and without hesitation he's like "I want socks with googly eyes on them. I think my friends will think that's funny." Well alright, then. So of course I made him socks with googly eyes all over them.

Who doesn't need socks with googly eyes? I mean... really?

Pictures cannot do it justice. Pure beauty!

 

[pkondz]

I'm wondering too. Danielle is using tickets she earned from her DCP for her & Dennis so she is subject to their block out calendar. If CMs are blocked out then they are too. She can't request tickets until they update the block out calendar to our trip dates so right now what parks we will do on a particular day is still up in the air. If we can't do DHS on the 4th then we will switch it up with Epcot on the 3rd. I don't think the first week of May is a crowded time normally. It's after Spring Break and before most kids are out of school.

Ah. When will the calendar be released? Is there a set date?

Thank you! We call this the "Senior Picture Poise".

Poise? Or pose?

Both work.

 

[vamassey1]

Once again I'm just going to add a little to Michelle's wonderful update.

Mom will correct me, but I think we all ended up with a different kind of bowl.

I don't remember what everyone else got but I had the Shrimp w/noodles. And here is a little Food Porn for those that like it.

This is what I had.


John Paul and his hotdog.



The Holiday Dessert we shared.


It's been so long I don't remember if we liked it or not.

This was a shot of Danielle with her dish, I think she had beef.

I know I had shrimp and noodles and it WAS AMAZING!

I was surprised by how much we all enjoyed our food.

So mom and I got drinks. REAL drinks.

This was Michelle's drink before she put it in her cup


I though we did not have any pictures of the AK tree but it looks like we got a blurry night time picture. Blurry @ night is better than none.

I LOVE this picture of JP, it's just sooo sweet.

We really id have the best day. Looking over the list of things we wanted to do we pretty much did the highlighters. Originally we were going to leave early and had reservations for the HEA Dessert Party but cancelled so we could be up and the crack of dawn for DHS and hopefully a boarding pass for ROTR. My steps this day were 23,464, just a little off the day before.

Up Next ROTR or Bust!

 

[vamassey1]

I'll have to find one of danielles's pictures. It's like the dino insitutue logo. Super cute.

I don't have a picture of the logo but here are the animals they had in October.



They have Dino Rama on them and a Dino Institute stamp.

 

[vamassey1]

h. When will the calendar be released? Is there a set date?

I don't know. I keep bugging her to check. The last update only showed until the end of March.

Poise? Or pose?

Both work.

I suppose it's pose.

 

[pkondz]

The Holiday Dessert we shared.

Pretty presentation.

His hot dog has been de-bunned!

I don't know. I keep bugging her to check. The last update only showed until the end of March.

Soon...

I suppose it's pose.

I see what you did there.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I'm excited to try Chefs.

Ask for a seat by the windows and you might get lucky and see some fireworks or at the very least you'll get to people watch while waiting for your food.

I'm sure this will be on your list for your next trip.

Definitely! We've spent so many hours over lockdown dreaming and planning imaginary (for now) future trips

It really was fun. Talking about nothing but Disney and no one looking at you like you're crazy.

Sounds like a perfect way to spend an evening

nope. nope. nope. not happening.

he's like "I want socks with googly eyes on them. I think my friends will think that's funny." Well alright, then. So of course I made him socks with googly eyes all over them.

Of course you did and I'm betting JP's friends absolutely loved them

I LOVE this picture of JP, it's just sooo sweet.

You really do have one very cute grandson

 

[Steppesister]

I'm excited because we hit our 60 day mark yesterday! So of course I was up before 5 am so I could make a few ADRs for our May trip. I got what I wanted so I'm happy.

I got NOTHING being far too close to the trip. I"m super sad. It'll be mostly CS for us unfortunately.

The girls and I also attended a Disney trip planning meeting on Wednesday night at a local restaurant.

How fun!!! Love those kinds of meetings!

Our covid numbers are improving and I'm really hoping the open up the vaccine to us soon. I really like us to have it before we go to Disney.

I see the tide turning and it's such a great feeling!

ut we used to win a bunch of stuffed animals (just to see who could get more), then we would put them on top of parked strollers outside of Nemo because we didn’t need to actually bring them home.

That's a great idea!!

And now it’s another mom’s problem! HA!

Along the way we found this beautiful mural with the winter animals on it. Danielle wouldn’t get in the pic with us.

WHERE IS THAT?! I want the one!

I know I had shrimp and noodles and it WAS AMAZING!

I have ordered the Kids Bowl with salad the last couple times I was there; I think I'll mix it up and get this next time. Looks great!