Chunky See, Chunky Do! A Chunky Family TR - June 2025 Day 1 pt 2 - Updated 8/11

[Stasieki]

That meal looked amazing!!!! I have never been to the tower. I need to try to add that in next February. Your poor sister stuck in NJ. What a long day for her. Do you prefer Ubers from the airport? I have done the now paid version of magical express and last time it took quite a bit longer than previous years.

 

[chunkymonkey]

That meal looked amazing!!!! I have never been to the tower. I need to try to add that in next February. Your poor sister stuck in NJ. What a long day for her. Do you prefer Ubers from the airport? I have done the now paid version of magical express and last time it took quite a bit longer than previous years.

I highly recommend Toledo! Even if you don't dine there, Dahlia lounge next door is also really good and Barcelona Lounge in the basement is great for a drink as well. I really do love the Tower and it has more of a deluxe feel than moderate! Only think I don't love are the buses coming back from the parks as we're the last stop.

We are so used to Uber now, we've never taken the paid ME since it switched over but won't be opposed to it in the future. Sometimes though you don't really save that much money, depending on if there is surge pricing on Uber, but yes getting to go directly to your resort and not wait around is worth it to me!

 

[summerlvr]

We are so used to Uber now, we've never taken the paid ME since it switched over but won't be opposed to it in the future. Sometimes though you don't really save that much money, depending on if there is surge pricing on Uber, but yes getting to go directly to your resort and not wait around is worth it to me!

Just a little tip here, if you ever plan on taking Uber/Lyft from MCO and you encounter surge pricing, you can book Mears Connect last minute, right there at the airport. Just go to the MC check in area and there are kiosks right there where you can sign up! I just did that in June when my flight got cancelled and I needed to get back to my resort. I had decided to leave a day early, so luckily my room was still available as I did not check out when I left.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 1 pt 1: Family Traditions

It was the official start of the Disney vacation! Our first park traditionally has been MK, and our first park meal is Crystal Palace, so continuing with tradition that is what we are doing the first half of the day! We have park hoppers so will hop to Epcot later in the day and end with dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse.

We are not rope droppers but we wanted to get a semi-early start so we met in the lobby at 8am. Magic bands? Check. Neck fans? Check. Ponchos? Check. We're ready!!!

I got myself a cold brew from Barcelona Lounge on the lower level and I must say their cold brew is really good! I also like their cafe bonbon which is espresso with sweetened condensed milk much like a vietnamese coffee, and I usually get it over ice with an extra expresso shot. It's so good but I didn't want anything sweet that day so cold brew it is.

They had full length mirrors near the coffee fixin's area which I thought was funny but hey, it's good for outfit of the day pics LOL.

I got this cute dress from Unique Vintage! I really like that it's one piece but looks like a two piece, plus it has pockets!

We met up with everyone in the lobby, and headed out to the bus stop. But of course there was a delay. Sienna was in sandals and she saw everyone else wearing sneakers, so she said she wanted to wear sneakers too. So her dad Marc took her back upstairs to change. #ChunkySeeChunkyDo

Of course while he was upstairs an MK bus comes. Of course we all rode it without them, hahaha. CT2 said she will wait for them and we just took Eva with us. We learned from past experiences to just go when a bus arrives because sometimes when the next bus comes there may not be enough room for all 11 of us! So we split up already and it's not even 9am

CS said she was waiting for a bus at Pop and will meet us at MK. She was tired because she didn't get to bed until after 1am because her flight was so delayed!

When we got to MK we took some pictures, minus one family hahaha.

Luckily CT2, Marc, and Sienna were not too far behind on another bus so they managed to meet up with us and we got some pics from Main St!

Bryan was showing Sienna this Orange Bird bag he saw since he knows she loves the character. I love how he looks out for his younger cousin.

I did get the multipass for the fam today but not any ILLs. So we started with Space Mountain which the kids did not get to ride on their last trip and before that they were too small so it was their first time on Space! I myself have not been on Space Mtn for many years because that ride just gives me whiplash but anything for the kids, right? CS of course balks at the idea that the first ride would be one that would ruin her hair first thing in the morning so she switched her LL to something else. I can't remember what but I told her she was free to do whatever she wanted as long as she was able to switch it in her app and that I didn't' have to do it. And OF COURSE she ended up switching the whole family from Space to Buzz a few days before, but I managed to get it back.

Seriously, I QUIT!!

Please do not let this become a "family tradition"

Here's us on Space. LOL I really dread this ride even though my face says otherwise.

Sienna's ride pics are hilarious. She usually closes her eyes when she first rides a ride she doesn't know, lol, so here she is trying to hide even though the ride is in the dark. LOL.

The kids LOVED Space Mtn though! The adults...yeah we all were a bit achy after.

Looks like CS was busy on her own! Of course she would be getting a character pic.

After that we went on Buzz without much wait!

Then we stood in line for the Speedway since it was only a 15 min wait. Sienna wanted to ride with me!

Sienna loved driving! I had to use the pedal for her though LOL.

CS met up with us outside the Speedway. The kids were excited to see her!

Then we headed to the Peoplemover, as there was no wait! Steve ended up in the same car as the kids hahaha, but that's cos they all wanted to ride with cool funcle Steve!

We also did the Monsters Inc Laugh floor and everyone thought it was really funny! They said it was a nice place to take a break from the heat and laugh. And boy was it hot! We were all feeling the searing sun and humidity and it was only going to get worse!

Our next LL was Dumbo. Caylee wanted to ride with me!

We got a few family pics after Dumbo, now that all of us are together!

And now it was almost time for lunch at Crystal Palace! Wow I think we did quite a bit for an MK morning before 11am! After 27 texts consisting of:

"I have to take the kids to the bathroom, I'll meet you there"
"Where is Crystal Palace?"
"What time is lunch?"
"I'm here already where is everyone?"
"They won't let us check in without everyone here."
"We're on our way!
"Where is everyone?"
"I'm starving!"
"OMG there's Pooh!"
"I have to go to the bathroom, can you hold my bag?"
"Who has Bryan?"
"Did anyone see Eva's water bottle?"

We actually arrived at Crystal Palace on time! (I consider that a huge win). We were seated after a short wait at tables close to the buffet. We were hungry and ready for our meal!

Sienna LOVES Pooh and friends and especially loves Piglet. He was our first character we saw! She even brought her little Piglet plush!

Today's outfit du jour for CS was a dress featuring Eeyore!

As for the food, it is solid, and our service team was really nice. We even managed to catch the very tail end of breakfast! I was able to get some Mickey waffles yay!

That's (one) of my plates above. Steve thought the prime rib was pretty good and this is coming from someone who makes delicious prime rib! I really liked the channa masala - it was really flavorful and not too heavy.

It was a great first day tradition meal! Next up, more rides and we head to Epcot!​

 

[DLo]

OMG Chunky has returned !! Can’t wait to hear more about your family adventure.

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

You have such a photogenic family! Also, love your dress~so cute!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great pictures!! Your texts have me . I cannot even imagine coordinating a group that big!

 

[alohamom]

she saw everyone else wearing sneakers, so she said she wanted to wear sneakers too. So her dad Marc took her back upstairs to change. #ChunkySeeChunkyDo

HAHAHA - LOVE the hashtag!

 

[rdkeim]

For such a large group you're doing great! Wonderful opportunity for family pictures. Love following along!

 

[Stasieki]

What a productive morning. Your group chats had me laughing so hard. It's like this when we go for cheer in February. Lots of cheer friends/families tagging along so coordinating everything is a doozy. I am usually having to charge my phone already at lunch. LOL. Getting all those Space Mtn passes back after your sis changed all to Buzz is impressive. I would have figured they would be gone. Maybe it it was Slinky. I couldn't imagine.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Fun trip report! Great family pics!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I love your dress! Great family pictures. I think you all had a productive morning. I laughed when CS didn’t want to mess her hair on SM. It looks like she still loves her character meets!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 1 Part 2 Family Traditions continued

After our fun brunch at Crystal Palace we were very full so an afternoon of walking is just what we needed!
We headed over to our next LL, which appropriately was Winne the Pooh!

On the way there we found the Chip and Dale bronze statues and twins of course had to get a pic with their other favorite set of siblings! Of course my sisters think they are twins, but I don't think they are confirmed as twins, just brothers haha. Anyone know?

Trudging along to the next ride with the family. We have all invested in sunbrellas, which are those UV light reflecting umbrellas, and they actually make a huge difference when the sun is beating down on you in the heat. So instead of feeling like it's 112 degrees, it's a balmy 103. #whateverittakes We all got them from Amazon.

The kids had a lot of fun on Pooh! It was cool to go from CP to Pooh since they are the same characters. The kids wanted to ride with CS in the same car. They fit nicely in one car!

In the dump shop, the kids thought these Tigger hats were so funny! They looked so cute in them! Especially Brian who was really into his role!

It's also tradition for Marc to take a pic with a Goofy hat somewhere. This time Eva joined the fun with her dad

Somehow the kids convinced Uncle Steve to go on the teacups.

Myself and the twins did not participate, haha, but CS actually likes the teacups Then came time for our last LL in MK, Haunted Mansion! I rode with Bryan and Eva. I told them where the ride pic is and told them to make their best scared/scary face! Only one remembered, haha.

2 our of 3 ain't bad

I find the others' ride pics to be hilarious haha. Although I am missing CT1 and Kevin's ride pic.

After HM, we decided to park hop to Epcot, I managed to get Soarin LL so yay! On the way out we snapped a couple more family pictures.

We walked out of the park to the monorail to Epcot.

Since it was so hot we made a pit stop at Club Cool. The kids had a blast trying the different sodas!

We were getting a little tired at this point. Our bodies were not used to the heat and all the walking just yet. So we look tired in this pic:

We had a bit of time before Soarin' so we went on Steve's favorite ride, LWTL! We practically filled up the entire first section of the boat, haha.

Steve was like a guest lecturer at a college and started pointing out various plant life to the kids

Now it was time for Soarin' and we got row B1! In fact, we managed to fill an entire row perfectly. I always thought each row at Soarin' fit 10, but we are a party of 11 and we all fit! I was even planning on splitting us up evenly or I would volunteer to sit by myself on another row. I guess you learn something new every day!

All 11 of us in row B1! I had to do a double-take because I thought we were missing someone at first

As we headed towards the World Showcase exit, the kids stumbled onto a playground. It's nice how simple things like this can keep the kids so entertained, despite being in a theme park with 100s of different rides.

We exited Epcot and made our way to Yachtsman at the YC. Our family has eaten here twice and always enjoyed it, but the majority of it has to do with our favorite server, David, who is a long time server at Yachtsman. Unfortunately I got a text from David that afternoon that he was wasn't going to be there that evening due to a family emergency. Luckily all ended up being ok with him but without him at dinner, I think our experience at Yachtsman just wasn't the same. I mean, it was good, it was fine, but it wasn't memorable. Our service team had to split us into two tables and they were all just confused half the time. We missed David!

Sadly, because I was so tired, I don't have any pics from dinner, aside from CS sitting at the "kids" table and the cork of our bottle of Skywalker Pinot Noir.

We were so exhausted at this point that we didn't try to attempt to see any fireworks or nighttime shows. We Uber-ed back to Coronado from YC and it was the best decision ever, lol. CS got to take the skyliner back to Pop though!

We did manage to catch Epcot fireworks from our room!

We had an awesome and productive first day! And it didn't rain! Weather all week had thunderstorms with 75% probability, which is the norm for summer in FL. LOL. So we got lucky today! We filled up entire rows and ride vehicles with my family which was awesome haha. Usually when it's just Steve and I we always have other people in our ride pics haha.

We needed to rest up because tomorrow we have a very active day! An entire day of park hopping with some magical pixie dust thrown in for the kids Stay tuned!​

 

[Stasieki]

Wrapped up a great first day! That was awesome you could get 11 soarin fastpasses day of.