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

[cajunfan]

Beautiful Azaleas! They are in full bloom here in Nashville right now. It makes me a little homesick as my mom always had a bunch in her yard. I cant wait to go home to New Orleans in December this year (missed last year of course)...I NEED to see my Momma (she will be turning 84, but still going strong and better then me, lol)...and it will be nice to see my siblings, nieces and nephews of course.

We got our second dose of Pfizer two weeks ago (this Tuesday will be two weeks). We are so excited! Still not real comfortable going to a lot of crowed places here since we still have a lot of people not vaccinated and so many tourist flooding in here. I am also thinking about planning a trip to WDW for my 60th next April. We will see how that goes.

Danielle graduating from LSU, right? Tell her CONGRATULATIONS! And wow, I can not get over how grown up JP and Gia look!

 

[vamassey1]

Theaters are still closed here. I will wait until they de-premium it on Disney+.

Originally I was going to wait until it was de-premiumed but I really wanted to see it before our trip.

Love this shot.

It is cute. Right after this he dropped it, but he was brave just long enough to take the picture. When I was a kid we always played with the crawfish before they were cooked, we even tried to race them.

I'm envious... but more, I'm very happy for you guys.

thank you!

Good for you!
The age group finally came down to me and I get my first shot on Thursday.

I got my first shot when they opened up for certain medical conditions. Danielle got her first shot when they opened it up for front line workers. Right after that they opened it up for everyone 16 and older.

That long! That's the longest I've heard of anyone not feeling good after a shot.

She may be a little bit of a drama queen too.

That's really great

It really is. The graduated in December were hosted in Tiger Stadium. They could only have 3 other people and were only allowed to stand up when their name was called and showed on the big screen. The graduates from Spring 2020 didn't even have that. They are working on setting up the option for all those graduates to walk the stage sometime this summer.

 

[vamassey1]

Wow your photos are gorgeous! Those azalea bushes are stunning!

Thank you! It still amazes me how great they bloomed this year.

Congrats on all being vaccinated

Thanks again! I feel so much better. It's amazing how much stress it has taken off of me. I know I can get COVID but I also know it won't be near as bad and won't cause me to end up in the hospital.

I get my 2nd jab next Saturday and then my husband and eldest son get their's the 1st week of May.

You're getting so close! I hope you don't feel bad like I did.

Ten days later and we get to have my daughter, son-in-law and grandson in the house
CAN NOT WAIT!!! Seriously counting down the days lol

I'm so happy for you!

Your trip is coming up fast. Getting excited for you all.

It really is and I have lots of little things to take care of. Michelle is my co-planner and she isn't going on this trip so I don't have a wing-man. Danielle can only handle one thing at a time. Right now she's trying to finish up her classes. Dennis keeps saying he doesn't want to discuss the details and just plan it myself but I know when it comes down to it he will buck me and question me as to why.

Delighted Danielle gets to graduate even if it is a little different. Hoping she gets to work at WDW sometime soon too.

We're all excited for graduation. My oldest Brent is coming in from Texas for it. She still has hopes of getting back to the DCP.

Gia is so grown up now- it doesn't seem so long ago she was a wee tot in Michelle's wedding TR.

The time has really flown. Michelle and the kids were over for dinner last night. I've been bugging her to do the cover sheet for my planning binder. She sketched it out and Gia colored in part of it. They work very well together.

Looking forward to hearing all about your trip

Hopefully it won't be too long out. We need to finish this trip and start the October trip. Lots of good memories from that trip to share too. Thank you for sticking with us.

 

[vamassey1]

You may want to try something - I have no idea why it worked, or if it will ever work again, but I had a similar problem and here's what I did. A little background - my youngest and I had a trip planned for May because we had some flight miles we needed to use up and I still have an AP. My middle son has had a rough year (haven't we all!) - sophomore year of college and has been totally remote, living at home, and just not having the experience a 20-year old should be having. In any case, I convinced him to join us for the trip because I think he needs something to look forward to. The only issue was that I couldn't get him into DHS - tried calling to switch my reservation there to him, but they said they can't do that. I tried several things, then just thought I'd cancel mine and see if I could grab it for him (since I'm an AP holder, there was still room for me and I knew I could get my reservation back). That didn't work, BUT when I went to put myself back in, I thought what the heck, I'll try to add him in too, AND IT WORKED!

So, it's worth a shot. If you can cancel your reservation, then try to re-add both yourself and either Danielle or Dennis or both. Again, I have no idea why this worked, or if it will work again, but worth a shot. Fingers crossed for you!

This is very temping but I think I would have to cancel a reservation they already have and I'm not willing to risk them not have any kind of reservation. The calendar now is fully booked except for Wednesday our last day with just Epcot available for resort guests. I got excited when I saw they opened up some availability a few days ago but they only did it starting Memorial Weekend.

Whey are y'all going in May?

 

[vamassey1]

Beautiful Azaleas! They are in full bloom here in Nashville right now. It makes me a little homesick as my mom always had a bunch in her yard. I cant wait to go home to New Orleans in December this year (missed last year of course)...I NEED to see my Momma (she will be turning 84, but still going strong and better then me, lol)...and it will be nice to see my siblings, nieces and nephews of course.

Nashville must be a few weeks behind us is blooming. I hope you make it to New Orleans soon and get to visit with your family and get lots of good food.

We got our second dose of Pfizer two weeks ago (this Tuesday will be two weeks). We are so excited! Still not real comfortable going to a lot of crowed places here since we still have a lot of people not vaccinated and so many tourist flooding in here. I am also thinking about planning a trip to WDW for my 60th next April. We will see how that goes.

Congrats on getting your sticks! Mine has made my stress level go down. I hope you make it to WDW to celebrate your 60th. When is your birthday? Did we miss it?

Danielle graduating from LSU, right? Tell her CONGRATULATIONS! And wow, I can not get over how grown up JP and Gia look!

Thank you! It's amazing how everyone has aged. Time marches on.

 

[vamassey1]

Magic Kingdom- January 26, 2020

I'm going to confuse everyone and go back to Danielle's DCP drop off. I left off with us enjoying some Mother-Daughter time in our favorite park. We were taking our time just enjoying the park and trying to do some favorites, some things we had not done for a long time and some things we had never done. I left off with us heading to Tomorrowland so Danielle could ride Space Mountain. I try to avoid riding this, it too jerky for me and the last time I rode gave me a bad headache. No one rode it on our December 2019 trip and Danielle wanted a go. The stand-by line wasn't too bad so Danielle hopped in line. I walked around and did some shopping, visited the ladies room by Space and then had some quiet time in what use to be the smoking area. I used this time to call Michelle and catch up with her. Danielle did just fine riding alone.



After we met back up it was time for some treats. We headed back to Fantasyland to try something new for both of us. We went to Storybook Treats and I got the Peter Pan Float. Danielle opted for the Arendelle Agua. I didn't get a good picture of Danielle's treat so I had to grab a picture from her Instagram.


While they were both very pretty and Instagram worthy I think we liked the Peter Pan Float better.

Once we were finished we headed for a bio brake at my favorite MK bathrooms, the Tangled toilets. I took a few photos of the area. I really love this area. I'm excited to see it in 2 weeks. I've seen some pictures of some of the sprucing up of the paint they have done to get ready for the 50th.






Did you see Paschal?

We stayed in Fantasyland but went back to the other side to ride Pooh. This was another ride we missed in December.



We slowly made or way back to Adventure land and waited in line to ride Pirates. We got to sit up front. I didn't do such a good job with the camera but Danielle did.


It was now dark and we were trying to get as much done as we could before Happily Ever After. Believe it or not but one of Danielle's favorite attractions is COP so of course we crossed the park again so we could see it.


Continued . . . .

 

[vamassey1]

After COP we headed to Liberty Square and a ride on Haunted Mansion. In tribute to Pkondz I had a little fun.





This was our last ride of the night. We headed to castle to join the crowds to see HEA. We were also hungry. Once we had a spot I mobile ordered some delicious corn dog nuggies and cheese fries for us to share. I left Danielle to hold our spot. It ended up taking a lot longer than I thought it would and poor Danielle was trying to hold me a spot. She ended up meeting the people around her and they actually helped her. When it came time to head back I was really worried I would never find her. Luckily one of the ladies she met was really tall, (as you can see we're both really short) and she helped me find them. She was waving and calling my name. We were all standing really close in the crowds, so hard to imagine now. We had a pretty good spot near the Partner's statue. It amazing how much easier it is to make your way through a crowd when you're only 2 people as opposed to 4 or more. After we ate our Casey we enjoyed HEA. This has become a favorite for both of us and something Danielle would see and hear over and over again during her short DCP.









After HEA we said good bye to our new found friends and slowly made our way out of the park and back to Sports. We had a really big day to prepare for. We had to meet Danielle's roommate at Movies than both girls had to check in, go to Casting and move in.

 

[pkondz]

Originally I was going to wait until it was de-premiumed but I really wanted to see it before our trip.

I totally get that.

It is cute. Right after this he dropped it, but he was brave just long enough to take the picture. When I was a kid we always played with the crawfish before they were cooked, we even tried to race them.

When I was a kid, my cousin and I spent a day catching a large bucketful. Then we dumped them all back!
Never thought about racing them. Opportunity lost!

She may be a little bit of a drama queen too.

It really is. The graduated in December were hosted in Tiger Stadium. They could only have 3 other people and were only allowed to stand up when their name was called and showed on the big screen. The graduates from Spring 2020 didn't even have that. They are working on setting up the option for all those graduates to walk the stage sometime this summer.

Slow but steady improvements.

 

[pkondz]

I'm going to confuse everyone and go back to Danielle's DCP drop off.

What??? What's going on? Where am I? Who are you????

I try to avoid riding this, it too jerky for me and the last time I rode gave me a bad headache.

I hear you. I rode it on one side and thought "This isn't so bad." Then rode the other side. Whoo boy. Not so great.

Danielle did just fine riding alone.

All thumbs up.

I got the Peter Pan Float. Danielle opted for the Arendelle Agua.

I've had the Pan, but never heard of the Arendelle!

the Tangled toilets. I took a few photos of the area. I really love this area.

It really is a pretty spot.

Did you see Paschal?

Lady, I've seen all 10 of them.

(Although I had to have one pointed out to me. )

We got to sit up front. I didn't do such a good job with the camera but Danielle did.

Way to go, Danielle. But you? Shame on you.

Believe it or not but one of Danielle's favorite attractions is COP

I believe it! It's a great attraction! I love it.

After COP we headed to Liberty Square and a ride on Haunted Mansion

Yussss. In the dark, no less. Perfect.

In tribute to Pkondz I had a little fun.

Looks familiar!
Thanks for the shout out.

We headed to castle to join the crowds to see HEA. We were also hungry.

Hungry Ever After?

I mobile ordered some delicious corn dog nuggies

Those things are like crack!

poor Danielle was trying to hold me a spot. She ended up meeting the people around her and they actually helped her.

Nice of them.

Luckily one of the ladies she met was really tall, (as you can see we're both really short) and she helped me find them. She was waving and calling my name.

I can just see it!

We were all standing really close in the crowds, so hard to imagine now.

Yeah...

 

[alpal22]

Looks like you had a great day at MK. Great pictures of HEA!

 

[vamassey1]

I totally get that.

And now I need to sit down and watch all of "Soul". I've only seen bits and pieces.

When I was a kid, my cousin and I spent a day catching a large bucketful. Then we dumped them all back!
Never thought about racing them. Opportunity lost!

When I was a kid we went crawfishing with my Dad, but we kept them and cooked them. We might even have stopped on the way home to get some more to add to the catch.

What??? What's going on? Where am I? Who are you????

Hey, variety is the spice of life!

Lady, I've seen all 10 of them.

(Although I had to have one pointed out to me. )

Danielle and her roomies spent some time finding all of them while she was there for the DCP.

Way to go, Danielle. But you? Shame on you.

I know, perfect seat for a great picture and I failed.

Yussss. In the dark, no less. Perfect.

Yes!

Looks familiar!
Thanks for the shout out.

You inspire me.

Those things are like crack!

Yes they are. I'm so sad Casey's is still closed and it's hit or miss to get the nuggies and Frontierland.

 

[vamassey1]

Looks like you had a great day at MK. Great pictures of HEA!

We really did have a great day! I'm so glad we did this.

 

[jdd]

This is very temping but I think I would have to cancel a reservation they already have and I'm not willing to risk them not have any kind of reservation. The calendar now is fully booked except for Wednesday our last day with just Epcot available for resort guests. I got excited when I saw they opened up some availability a few days ago but they only did it starting Memorial Weekend.

Oh, wow, I didn't realize all the parks were fully booked! I haven't checked for a while, but for our dates it was just DHS that was "sold out". I completely agree, don't risk it - it would not be good to have no reservation at all.

Whey are y'all going in May?

We're there 5/8-5/12 (I don't think we'll overlap??), staying at Pop - Chris (my youngest) loves it there and we all love the Skyliner. I really want to try out the Riviera, but it's booked up for our dates, and I'm a big fan of CBR, but we just stayed there in November so thought we'd head back to Pop. My AP expires on 5/15 and I've been fortunate to get a ton of trips out of it (especially since it was extended due to the closure). I'm going to be in Disney withdrawal in a few months.

 

[mFont23]

I'm envious... but more, I'm very happy for you guys.

... me too

Nothing wrong with that. In fact... may even make it better.

I agree! we've done the parks so many times now, that taking the time to just ENJOY is totally my favorite.

That long! That's the longest I've heard of anyone not feeling good after a shot.

She's a big baby!!!

Ten days later and we get to have my daughter, son-in-law and grandson in the house

AMAZING!!

Beautiful Azaleas! They are in full bloom here in Nashville right now. It makes me a little homesick as my mom always had a bunch in her yard. I cant wait to go home to New Orleans in December this year (missed last year of course)...I NEED to see my Momma (she will be turning 84, but still going strong and better then me, lol)...and it will be nice to see my siblings, nieces and nephews of course.

Hope you make it down soon to see your mom! How you remember that about your mom... whenever my time on Earth is up, I want my ashes to be burried with a crepe myrtle tree! They always bloom around my birthday. That's how I want my family and friends to remember me! Totally morbid thought But I love that you remember the azaleas at your mom's. We used to live in a neighborhood called Azalea Lakes... so my husband thinks any flowers he finds familiar should be called azaleas.

 

[vamassey1]

Oh, wow, I didn't realize all the parks were fully booked! I haven't checked for a while, but for our dates it was just DHS that was "sold out". I completely agree, don't risk it - it would not be good to have no reservation at all.

I can't believe how crowded it's starting to look.

We're there 5/8-5/12 (I don't think we'll overlap??), staying at Pop

We're going to just miss you. We're there May 1-May 6. We love staying at Pop.

My AP expires on 5/15 and I've been fortunate to get a ton of trips out of it (especially since it was extended due to the closure). I'm going to be in Disney withdrawal in a few months.

My AP expires right before you on the 10th. After this trip I have no idea when we will be back.

 

[pkondz]

And now I need to sit down and watch all of "Soul". I've only seen bits and pieces.

I've seen it. Enjoyed it.

Hey, variety is the spice of life!

And here I thought it was paprika.

You inspire me.

Well, at least once.

Yes they are. I'm so sad Casey's is still closed and it's hit or miss to get the nuggies and Frontierland.

I hadn't heard they were still closed.
Well... that's not okay.

I agree! we've done the parks so many times now, that taking the time to just ENJOY is totally my favorite.

She's a big baby!!!

So I've heard!

 

[vamassey1]

I've seen it. Enjoyed it.

I want to watch Soul so I can fully appreciate the Jazz exhibit in Epcot.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Two weeks from today we will be in Disney!

YEAH!!!!

Looks like there will be no ROTR for us.

Bummer. There will always be another trip! But I will say the park reservations right now, does stress me out a bit! It's one thing to not be able to get on one ride.. but a whole park. I am not sure how I feel about that. But at least you know ahead of time.

It will be Friday @ 6 pm. She is only allowed 4 guests, but at least she will get to walk across the stage.

That will be really nice to be able to do! And 4 guests isn't too shabby!

While they were both very pretty and Instagram worthy I think we liked the Peter Pan Float better.

I really like the Peter Pan float but I like lime flavor...

nce we were finished we headed for a bio brake at my favorite MK bathrooms, the Tangled toilets. I took a few photos of the area. I really love this area. I'm excited to see it in 2 weeks. I've seen some pictures of some of the sprucing up of the paint they have done to get ready for the 50th.

I can't wait to go back and see it all spruced up! It is our favorite bathrooms as well! I also can't wait to see how big the girls are the next time. It will be 2 years! Our biggest gap to date!

I left Danielle to hold our spot. It ended up taking a lot longer than I thought it would and poor Danielle was trying to hold me a spot. She ended up meeting the people around her and they actually helped her. When it came time to head back I was really worried I would never find her. Luckily one of the ladies she met was really tall,

This whole story is why I am willing to pay for the dessert parties. I can't handle the crowds before fireworks. And being short, I always end up being blocked. Of course, it will be intresting to see how it is handled when they finally come back.

 

[vamassey1]

Bummer. There will always be another trip! But I will say the park reservations right now, does stress me out a bit! It's one thing to not be able to get on one ride.. but a whole park. I am not sure how I feel about that. But at least you know ahead of time.

I'm not happy about the reservation system at all. I understand it's a way to limit capacity but doesn't mean I have to like it.

That will be really nice to be able to do! And 4 guests isn't too shabby!

I'm happy with the 4. It works out for Dennis, Michelle, Brent and I.

I really like the Peter Pan float but I like lime flavor...

Me too!

I can't wait to go back and see it all spruced up! It is our favorite bathrooms as well! I also can't wait to see how big the girls are the next time. It will be 2 years! Our biggest gap to date!

I'm looking forward to your pictures of the girls next time too

This whole story is why I am willing to pay for the dessert parties. I can't handle the crowds before fireworks. And being short, I always end up being blocked. Of course, it will be intresting to see how it is handled when they finally come back.

I like the parties too. I tried to reserve for this trip but it was sold out that day. Disney doesn't put out information for the DCP check in dates very far in advance.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Thanks again! I feel so much better. It's amazing how much stress it has taken off of me. I know I can get COVID but I also know it won't be near as bad and won't cause me to end up in the hospital.

This is exactly how I feel about it too. Roll on Saturday!

You're getting so close! I hope you don't feel bad like I did.

Fingers crossed

I'm so happy for you!

Thank you

Michelle is my co-planner and she isn't going on this trip so I don't have a wing-man.

My eldest daughter used to be my only help planning but the youngest son is starting to get more involved now which I love. So much better when you have a wing-man

Danielle can only handle one thing at a time

My eldest son is exactly the same! God forbid you ask him to do anything else when he's studying for a test. I can just about get him to take food breaks

Dennis keeps saying he doesn't want to discuss the details and just plan it myself but I know when it comes down to it he will buck me and question me as to why.

I think our families are kinda cloned I get this all the time on our trips from my husband. Sometimes (not often) it makes me cross even though I should be used to it

We're all excited for graduation. My oldest Brent is coming in from Texas for it.

Ach that's so nice you'll all be able to celebrate Danielle together

She still has hopes of getting back to the DCP.

I really hope she gets to as well.

Michelle and the kids were over for dinner last night. I've been bugging her to do the cover sheet for my planning binder. She sketched it out and Gia colored in part of it. They work very well together.

Michelle really is an amazing mom. The love she and Gia share shines through in the photos of them together. It's just lovely

Hopefully it won't be too long out.

Really hoping for 2022 but not booking just yet. I want things to be more normal than they are now both at home and at WDW. Plus the idea of a 9 hour flight with a mask on isn't appealing just now lol

Thank you for sticking with us.

I wouldn't miss it for the world! I'm loving your updates. They really do provide some much needed escapism from covid-19 so thank you for keeping me entertained

AMAZING!!

Thanks Michelle. I'm more than a wee bit excited! Last hug was Christmas Day and before that it was March 2020 so yeah -I really can not wait!!