A Mickey's Very Merry "Holy Crap It's Cold" Trip Report 12/9-12/16

[Katie & Glen]

What a great pic of the lights, makes me excited to back this year I am praying it is not as cold

I had a good laugh one day waiting for the bus. There was a couple from Denver and they told me that back home was having record highs in the 60's & 70's while they were freezing their bums off in Orlando.

Make sure you bring some thermals (long johns) with you. The forecast for Orlando for the time we were there was supposed to be in the upper 60's the whole time, but a really really cold front moved through the one day with the rain and we were not prepared at all.

 

[Katie & Glen]

Thanks to all who have been patiently following along and to anyone new that has just started reading. We hope to have our final day posted this weekend!

Our next TR will have some food porn since hubby & I are doing an adults only trip in May.

 

[Katie & Glen]

So this is our final day here at Disney World. We get up extra early today so we can finish packing, check out, check our luggage and get to our breakfast reservation at ‘Ohana. We hopped on a bus that was going to Epcot & TTC to catch the monofail over to the Poly. No issues and it was a quick trip.

We checked in for our reservation and took our picture with the leis on. Our cousin came and got us to take us to our table. I forget his name, it’s such a big family ya know? Anyway, our cousin showed us to our table and introduced us to another cousin. This cousin would be our waiter. He brings us our bread assortment and juices and coffee. The juice here is sooooo good. I wish they would bottle it. Ethan and I must have had 4 glasses each. So the food comes out and its not too bad. Finally the characters start coming around. Here are some pictures:

Ethan and Lilo:

The best hug in the world:

The Big Cheese:

Ethan scratching Pluto’s snout:

We finish up at ‘Ohana and make our way back over to Kona to grab some coffee for our ride to Epcot. From here we went over to the monorail platform and less than 5 minutes later it pulled up to take us to Epcot. It was a very nice ride this time around and also kind of bittersweet. The weather had finally warmed back up today and we were scheming ways to be able to stay, but we couldn’t come up with anything good enough.

We finally pulled into Epcot and made our way through the bag check and into the park. We sent Glen to go grab FP’s for Soarin’ while Ethan, John & I made our way over to Test Track to wait for Glen. Once Glen got there we got in line and waited maybe 20 minutes. The ride kept having difficulties so it seemed like forever until it was over. When we finally got off I was feeling a bit queasy so I sent the boys off to go ride Mission Space.

When the guys finally came back and got me, we went to go do some shopping in Mouse Gears. Once shopping was done we went to go use our FP’s for Soarin’. We were able to get B1 for our flight and it was awesome as always. Here’s a picture of Ethan in front of Soarin’

From here we started to make our way over to the World Showcase. We slowly started making our way down to Germany for our lunch reservation at Biergarten. We were 20 minutes early so we had a bit of a wait. No biggie, we enjoyed the warm sunshine.

After a nice not so relaxing lunch (Glen’s dad was getting on my last nerve that day) we decided to grab some snacks to bring home from Karmel Kitchen. We still had 18 snack credits to use from our dining plan. We go in and start ordering goodies. When it was time to check out, our KTTW cards were not working. Mind you they just work 20 minutes ago when we had lunch. The cashier tried all sorts of ways to get it to go through and even called a help desk who verified the cards were active and still had 18 snack credits. Finally after 20 minutes of it not working, a non-costumed manager Julie came out and tried. Still did not work for her. Finally she just wrote down our card numbers and what we got ordered and said don’t worry about it and she would get it fixed later. We were so happy that Julie came out to help. She was super nice and an awesome CM. I did send an email to Disney after we got home about the problem and how Julie came to our rescue and got us on our way. Hopefully they did something nice for her.

After the fiasco, we started to wander around WS more. We finally made it to the China pavilion. Ethan wanted to see some of the stuff Glen and I saw when we went to Beijing in 2008. He really enjoyed it and posed with a terracotta soldier:

It was almost time to have to start heading back to the front of the park, but first we had to get Ethan an ice cream. I had promised him one before we left home and it had been too cold most of the days. Glen and I got a margarita and wooboy was it strong! Ethan decided against a Mickey bar but went with a rainbow thing instead. We all enjoyed our treats.

We stopped to take some pictures on our way out of the park:

We finally got back on a bus heading for AKL to be able to catch our Depression Express bus back to the airport. On the ride back to the airport we started discussing our trip and what we liked most. Ethan of course liked meeting Eryka the most.

When we got to the airport, we found out our flight home was delayed by 1 hour due storms back home. It was snowing, oh joy. So we decide to stop and grab some dinner and kill some time. We ate at the Chili’s in the airport before security. When we were done we went to check on our flight and now it was delayed 2 hours. Oh happy day.

Finally the time comes to go through security to catch our flight. The flight home was uneventful. We arrive back in Philly to a dusting of snow. REALLY!? That is what delayed us 2 hours?? Ok fine. Once we got our luggage we called the off-site parking people to send a bus to come pick us up. On our way out of the airport and back to the site, the bus breaks down. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! We were about ½ mile from the parking area, so the driver after unsuccessfully trying to get another bus to come pick us up decides to make a run for it to the lot and grab another bus. About 20 minutes later he shows up. Let me set the scene for you: Its 20 degrees, 1:30am, were tired and cranky, on a major road and in a not so great part of Philly. So not happy!! Anyways, after some complaining by the other bus riders, we get all of the luggage transferred to the new bus and get back to the parking area. Thank goodness there is a WaWa across the street from the parking place because we all needed to get something to warm us up and keep us awake for the ride home. It didn’t take us long to get home and when we got there we just fell into our beds. The End

 

[Katie & Glen]

Ok so now here are some final thoughts on our trip.

We had a great time even though we froze our butts off most of the trip.

I wish I could have slowed us down more to just try and take in more of everything around us. I was so focused on getting Glen & Ethan on the cool rides and rushing to make sure we got our next FP's or got to the next show.

We really enjoyed the DxDP. Ethan got tired of the kids food options, but figured that might happen. He is a foodie. He is looking forward to being on the adult plan next time we go. It was nice to be able to have reals meals 90% of time. We will do deluxe next time.

I planned too many late nights with early mornings. I can handle them, but the guys couldn't. Maybe if we had gone back to the resort midday that would have made a difference, but I'm not so sure.

We took advantage of EMH's and they worked out just fine for us.

We used the buses and had no problems. Sure we had to stand some nights leaving the parks, but to me it's still better than trying to navigate Disney property when your exhausted.

Glen and I are going back next month for an adults only trip for my birthday and our wedding anniversary. We are going deluxe dining and are going to get to enjoy the last weekend of F&G festival. We know that it just being the two of us, we won't be rushing from ride to ride and we can slow down more than when we had Ethan. We plan on doing a trip report again, but this time with food pics and reviews.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Tinkermom76]

What did you think of Biergarten? We are eating there in September and it will be our first time

Speaking of the next time you go (with Ethan) Where are you guys thinking of staying? If I get the job I had the interview with on Friday the girls and I will be staying at the Grand Floridian!

So sweet that his favorite part wasn't even Disney!!!

what do you mean the food was not too bad at Ohana... it's now our must do breakfast for every trip!!!!

 

[Katie & Glen]

I am sad I just found your report now so I wasnt able to follow along with each update, but I have really enjoyed it while speed reading Your pictures are great!! I have never seen that magic shot with Stitch coming out of the present before, too cute!!

btw - Welcome shannon!!

 

[Katie & Glen]

What did you think of Biergarten? We are eating there in September and it will be our first time

Speaking of the next time you go (with Ethan) Where are you guys thinking of staying? If I get the job I had the interview with on Friday the girls and I will be staying at the Grand Floridian!

So sweet that his favorite part wasn't even Disney!!!

what do you mean the food was not too bad at Ohana... it's now our must do breakfast for every trip!!!!

I would classify the food at O'hana as average disney buffet breakfast food. The atmosphere is definately better.. oh, and the juice.. katie likes the juice.. We would certianly do it again, if only for the juice and a certain character.. you know the one with 6 arms that Katie kinda likes...

Have nto thought about where would stay the next time... Alot will depend on the budget.. especially as they are now transferring Katie's entire department to the Phillipines... and I mean the work.. not the people... people get laid off...

Glen

 

[Tinkermom76]

I would classify the food at O'hana as average disney buffet breakfast food. The atmosphere is definately better.. oh, and the juice.. katie likes the juice.. We would certianly do it again, if only for the juice and a certain character.. you know the one with 6 arms that Katie kinda likes...

Have nto thought about where would stay the next time... Alot will depend on the budget.. especially as they are now transferring Katie's entire department to the Phillipines... and I mean the work.. not the people... people get laid off...

Glen

Really? I thought the eggs were to die for!!!

That sucks

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Glad to see you got your trip report done before going on your next trip. I made the same mistake of late nights, and early breakfasts. I guess that is why we weren't too depressed to go home, we were all pretty tired, and exhausted. Live and learn. Too bad the trip home was so messed up for you guys.

 

[nocomment711]

Your family is so adorable and I love reading about your trip.

It's giving me ideas for my own trip this upcoming Christmas.

Thank you for sharing!

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

Thank you so much for sharing! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your trip. can't wait to go back this Christmas and your TR helped get me excited for mine THANKS!!!

 

[Katie & Glen]

Tinkermom - I think the eggs at 'Ohana were good, my only problem is our tray was not that hot when it came out. I think that had a lot to do with our server. The eggs were far better there than I've had at most places.

As far as where we might stay next trip, I am think Coronado Springs. Mostly because Glen & I do not sleep well together in a double bed. This past trip he landed on the floor at least once. So we need a resort that gives the option of a king with a roll away or at least 2 queens.

(we will have to see on CSR.. I have stayed their twice and was not overly impressed by it... course, it could have been all the dang bugs = it was that time of year for the love bugs ) - Glen​

 

[Katie & Glen]

Your family is so adorable and I love reading about your trip.

It's giving me ideas for my own trip this upcoming Christmas.

Thank you for sharing!

Glad you enjoyed it..

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.. Oh, and pack long underwear. Weather changes fast on us... and it was COLD!!

Thank you so much for sharing! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your trip. can't wait to go back this Christmas and your TR helped get me excited for mine THANKS!!!

I hope it was of some use... I don't think there is a bad Disney hotel at x-mas... We learned a lot on this trip... Next trip up in a short while and will have more food porn... In some areas we are applying what we learned from the last trip and in some we are not making changes, because it is just the two of us (no Ethan on this trip). So there will be more food porn on the next TR.

Glen

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

When you start your next TR you should post here that way we all will know when you start Don't want to miss it

 

[CtinaDitty]

I just saw your post and I was there the exact time you were! You're right! It was FREEZING! I live in Missouri and it was colder here than back home. It was totally unfair! We were there December 10th through the 17th, stayed at POP. We were at MVMCP the 14th! Perfect day besides the freezing cold!

 

[Katie & Glen]

I just saw your post and I was there the exact time you were! You're right! It was FREEZING! I live in Missouri and it was colder here than back home. It was totally unfair! We were there December 10th through the 17th, stayed at POP. We were at MVMCP the 14th! Perfect day besides the freezing cold!

We had a great time... except for the cold.. but that just made it more memorable...

I saw in another thread where someone posted a pic of their car with I on it from that week.

Glen

 

[Roccosmom]

Hi- thanks for the trip report- just found it and read through it in one sitting. I really enjoyed it! And your son is just adorable!! Do you mind sharing what kind of camera you had? You took some great pics

 

[Katie & Glen]

Hi RoccosMom- We just have a Cannon point and shoot digital. We are talking about getting a DSLR in the next year or two.

Edit by Glen (DH) -
Camera is a Cannon PowerShotSD870 S. It's an 8 MegaPixel camera.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSh...0S3G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1304700129&sr=8-5

It is a couple of years old, by now and has been superceded by other cameras that are 12MP capable.

I love the camera. My only beef is the low zoom level (only 3.8x Optical zoom). Thus, if you are somewhat far away and trying to zoom in on an object, it is useless (for example, animals on the safari). However, for close up or normal pics, it has been awesome.

I used a variety of resources in selecting the camera. One being Cnet (CNET.com), digital photography online, and several others...

 

[Katie & Glen]

Just a heads up... we are back from the adult trip and will start preparing a trip report for it.. which will include some food porn...

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

can't wait to hear all about it. Be sure and post a link here when you get started