Escape From Craziness Part II to Fireworks, Food and A DVC Tour - A June 2018 Trip Report - Completed 3/30

[cstorm65]

Escape From The Craziness to Fireworks, Food and A DVC Tour - A June 2018 Trip Report

Welcome back everyone to another one of our trip reports! This was is titled as “Escape from the Craziness” because our life at home is “Crazy!” I’m sure some of you live like this as well. Between our two busy jobs, coaching, little league games, school, and putting up with our two “crazy” (in a good way!) kids we earn our time on vacation. Our trip last summer was also titled “Escape from Craziness”, but that is just our life that we love, so think of this as “Escape from the Craziness Part II”. This was the third trip in a 12 month period for us as we had purchased an annual pass. You can read about our Summer 2017 trip HERE and our December 2017 trip HERE which were the first two trips on our year of using our annual pass. We were super excited about this trip as it was the first time for one of our long summer trips where we were staying in deluxe resorts the entire time, but it was also the first time we were staying in a non-Disney resort as well. The five nights of our trip was being spent at the WDW Dolphin while the last seven nights was at the Yacht Club. We were excited about both of these, but particularly the Yacht Club as it had always been a dream of ours to go to Stormalong Bay ever since we had been coming to Disney.

As you know if you’ve read our reports before we take long trips in the summer as DW and I are both in education so we have time off in the summer. We love long trips as it allows us to slow down, enjoy our resort, and tour the parks at our own pace while being able to get the kids naps when we need them. It makes our trips so much better when everyone is rested. So, anyways, let’s get the introductions out of the way.

Introductions

I will start by introducing myself, I’m Jon.

I am a high school football coach and athletic director and love the job I get to do every day. I’ve been teaching and coaching at the same school for ten years and just finished my second season as the head football coach. Anyway, I honestly think I have the best job in the world. Being able to make a positive impact on kids every day is something I love doing. It certainly has its challenges, but overall I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.

Favorite Character: Goofy
Favorite Ride: Flight of Passage
Favorite Show: Festival of the Lion King
Favorite Movie: The Lion King
Favorite Restaurant: ‘Ohana

Now for my best friend and wife, April.

April loves our family vacations as well as almost any time we get to spend together. We have developed a love for Disney and vacationing together and it is something she cherishes. She is a school psychologist by day and an incredible mother and wife by night. She works in the same school district I do and so we get to see each other every day, which really is nice. She loves her job working with kids as well and she is awesome at it.

Favorite Character: Ariel
Favorite Ride: Rock 'n Roller Coaster
Favorite Show: Festival of the Lion King
Favorite Movie: Little Mermaid
Favorite Restaurant: Whispering Canyon Cafe

Next up is DS6.

It seems like just yesterday that he was born and came into our family, but I’m sure all of you with kids think it goes fast too! He loves to run, play, hit things, throw balls, and many other things most little boys love to do. In addition to all of these things DS loves monster trucks, watching football on TV and playing outside. He also still enjoys the Disney Junior shows, although he might not tell you that since he thinks he’s a little older than he actually is! Anyway, he is an awesome kid and is now a great big brother.

This will be the 3rd trip for the newest member of our family, DS2.

DS2 is an incredibly sweet little boy who LOVES his mommy, but man is he awnry and opinionated! DS6 was always kind of a daddy’s boy, but DS2 has certainly taken the other side. He just loves to sit and play with his mom. He loves playing with any type of ball and he also loves to sit and watch basketball on TV, go figure! He’s still not much into watching cartoons on TV which is opposite of his older brother, but he does love Mickey Mouse. He has a stuffed animal Mickey Mouse and an Olaf and those two sleep with him in his bed. They both have to be in exactly the correct place on the bed every night or he will not go to sleep! He’s a tad OCD about his bedtime routine! Anyways, we are looking forward to seeing the different things he enjoys on this trip as he’s a little older.

Well, that’s who we are. Stand by for Day 1.

Up Next: Day 1 Part 1​

 

[cstorm65]

Table of Contents

Day 1 - Part 1 - Did He Just Say, "Dodging Storms"?
Day 1 - Part 2 - My Favorite Disney Quick Service Meal
Day 1 - Part 3 - Dolphin Arrival and Room Tour

Day 2 - Part 1 - My Beloved Chocolate Croissant
Day 2 - Part 2 - I've Never Seen All of These Obscure Plants Before
Day 2 - Part 3 - Fish and Chips Denial
Day 2 - Part 4 - We Found the Best Cast Members Ever
Day 2 - Part 5 - The Magic Tray of the Day
Day 2 - Part 6 - The Perfect Finish to a First Disney Day

Day 3 - Part 1 - "Dumbo Is A Baby Ride"
Day 3 - Part 2 - The Joys of Mobile Ordering
Day 3 - Part 3 - The First Gift of the Trip
Day 3 - Part 4 - "Dad, How Did That Card Do That?"
Day 3 - Part 5 - Thank Goodness for Bubble Machines
Day 3 - Part 6 - "I Love This Dessert Party"

Day 4 - Part 1 - "I Need My Own Biscuits & Gravy"
Day 4 - Part 2 - "Dad, Do I Have Anything on My Face?"
Day 4 - Part 3 - Let's Play the Drums!
Day 4 - Part 4 - It's a Tiger!!!
Day 4 - Part 5 - Sorry, He's the Quiet Kid

Day 5 - Part 1 - "Daddy, Me Go Again?"
Day 5 - Part 2 - "A School Bus, A School Bus"
Day 5 - Part 3 - Pizza and Arancini...What Could Be Better?
Day 5 - Part 4 - "So I Can't Just Buy a Hot Dog?"

Day 6 - Part 1 - This is Like Checking Out at Wal-Mart
Day 6 - Part 2 - "More Popcorn Please"
Day 6 - Part 3 - A Tour of the Dolphin
Day 6 - Part 4 - Who Wants Some Seafood?
Day 6 - Part 5 - Exploring the World Showcase
Day 6 - Part 6 - Was This Our Last IllumiNations?

Day 7 - Part 1 - An Interesting Resort Change
Day 7 - Part 2 - "I Want to See Stormtroopers Again"
Day 7 - Part 3 - "Mom, It's Goofy"
Day 7 - Part 4 - Yacht Club Room Tour & Stormalong Bay
Day 7 - Part 5 - This Patio is Going to be Awesome

Day 8 - Part 1 - Only One Track at Toy Story...Is It Worth It?
Day 8 - Part 2 - A Cheese Filled Pretzel...Yes, Please!
Day 8 - Part 3 - "What Are They Waiting In Line For?"
Day 8 - Part 4 - "I Got a Millenium Falcon"
Day 8 - Part 5 - Dinner and Dole Whips
Day 8 - Part 6 - A Rainy Night in the Magic Kingdom

Day 9 - Part 1 - "Where's My Magic Band"
Day 9 - Part 2 - One of the Strangest Meals Ever
Day 9 - Part 3 - Welcome Home...For the Next 50 Years
Day 9 - Part 4 - This Has "Meltdown" Written All Over It

Day 10 - Part 1 - A Whole Day at Stormalong Bay
Day 10 - Part 2 - My Favorite Meal of All Time
Day 10 - Part 3 - We Had to Be Parents Again

Day 11 - Part 1 - Animal Kingdom EMH are the Best
Day 11 - Part 2 - NOOOO...Well Son, That was an Impressive Throw
Day 11 - Part 3 - That is a Good Hot Dog
Day 11 - Part 4 - Best Disney Shirt Ever
Day 11 - Part 5 - More Time at Stormalong Bay
Day 11 - Part 6 - Star War Wars Galactic Spectacular and Ample Hills

Day 12 - Part 1 - "Honey, I Found Another Reservation!"
Day 12 - Part 2 - "Dad, I Just Want to Do the Dragon Ride"
Day 12 - Part 3 - Beaches & Cream...Yes, Again!

Day 13 - Part 1 - "Dad...That Was Scarrrrry!"
Day 13 - Part 2 - More Thrill Rides for Us
Day 13 - Part 3 - A Final Trip to the Magic Kingdom
Day 13 - Part 4 - Our First Time at the Laugh Floor
Day 13 - Part 5 - A Great Final Night

Day 14 - Part 1 - What Happened to World of Disney?
Day 14 - Part 2 - "Oh Wow, That's a Good Burger!"
Day 14 - Part 3 - The Long Journey Home
​

 

[cstorm65]

Reserved for Other Intro Stuff as Needed

 

[cstorm65]

Past Trips and Trip Reports

Current Trip Report
June 2018 - Escape from Craziness to Fireworks, Food, and a DVC Tour
July 2019 - Escape from Home Life to July 4th on the High Seas

Past Trip Reports
December 2017 - Escape from School to Crazy Christmas Crowds
July 2017 - Escape From Craziness to Pandora, Po Boys, and Oppressive Heat
June/July 2014 - Escape from Real Life to Paradise: A New Trip with New Memories
June 2013 - Escape from Tornado Alley to Food, Tropical Storms, Mickey and More Food
June 2011 - "Can Two Thrill Ride Junkies Love Disneyworld?"

Past Pre-Trip Reports
June 2018 - Let's Put These AP's to Use! A June 2018 PTR
July 2017 - Our First Trip As a Family of Four!
June 2015 - We’re Going For the Record...A Record Number of Resort Changes!

Past Trips
June 2018 - WDW Dolphin/Yacht Club Resort (Trip Report)
December 2017 - All Star Sports (Trip Report)
July 2017 - Pop Century/Port Orleans French Quarter (Trip Report)
June 2015 - Pop Century/Coronado Springs Resort
June/July 2014 - Disney Dream Cruise/Wilderness Lodge (Trip Report)
June 2013 - Pop Century/Universal Royal Pacific/Boardwalk Villas (Trip Report)
June 2011 - Caribbean Beach Resort (Trip Report)
July 2008 - Offsite

Upcoming Trips
July 2020 - TBA "First Trip as DVC Owners"

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Hi, Jon! I know I read one of your past trip reports (I think your June/July 2014 trip?) and really enjoyed it, so I'm looking forward to following along with this one!

You have two adorable kids! I hope you had lots of fun times and new experiences! I look forward to hearing about your experience at the two Epcot area resorts, especially your first experience at Stormalong Bay!

 

[Lesley Wake]

Following along! Well...once I read the rest of your December TR!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Joining in, your boys are getting bigger!!

 

[Newsies]

Hi Jon! I'm in! Can't wait to read more!

 

[Bama Mom]

following along for another one of your adventures.

 

[cstorm65]

Hi, Jon! I know I read one of your past trip reports (I think your June/July 2014 trip?) and really enjoyed it, so I'm looking forward to following along with this one!

Thanks for following along!

You have two adorable kids! I hope you had lots of fun times and new experiences! I look forward to hearing about your experience at the two Epcot area resorts, especially your first experience at Stormalong Bay!

It was a great trip, but I'll let the trip report tell the story! Let's just say Epcot resorts don't disappoint.

Following along! Well...once I read the rest of your December TR!

Take your time. It history shows us anything my trip reporting speed will give you plenty of time to catch up!

Joining in, your boys are getting bigger!!

Thanks for following! They are definitely getting bigger.

Hi Jon! I'm in! Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for coming along!

following along for another one of your adventures.

Awesome! Thanks for reading and following!

 

[cstorm65]

Day 1 - Part 1 - DID HE JUST SAY “DODGING STORMS”?

It was finally our Disney Day and we were super excited, although this was going to be a different start to the trip than we were used to. We usually take a flight at the crack of dawn and have to get up at 3:30 AM and things like that, but this time there was actually a nonstop flight from Oklahoma City to Orlando available, which is not very common at all. The only thing was it was a 2:15 PM flight so quite a bit later than we were used to, but we decided it would definitely be worth it to have a nonstop flight. So, we got to let the boys sleep in, which probably means they got up at 6 AM anyways, because that’s what kids always do when Mom and Dad want to sleep in. We were at least able to get up and get everything ready without having to rush around in the dark which was nice.

We headed off to the airport at about 11:30 AM and arrived about 20 minutes later. DS2 and I dropped DW and DS6 off at the terminal with our stuff and then we went to park the car. We were parked a few minutes later and riding the shuttle back to the terminal.

We were back inside to check in by 12:05 and by 12:25 we were through security. Security at our airport was so much better than in the mornings. It is always packed early in the day, so that was a plus of the afternoon flight time! The boys spent a little time looking for planes before we decided to get some lunch.

At about 12:45 we went to grab some lunch in the airport. DS2 was ready!

DW got some nachos from Moe’s Southwest Grill and she did not like them at all. The guacamole was not good, the meal was cold, and there was about 2 tablespoons of queso on the entire order of nachos.

We got DS6 a burrito from Moe’s as well and he seemed to enjoy it. I ended up getting a burger and fries from Tucker’s Onion Burgers. This is a local Oklahoma CIty restaurant that has an airport location and it was fantastic.

The burger was great and everything was prepared fresh. If on the 1 on 1,000,000 chance any of you ever fly through Oklahoma City I’d recommend this place over Moe’s for sure. We got DS2 a grilled cheese from Tucker’s too and it was really good. It cost $4.99 and was pretty big considering. In fact, DW was so mad with her nachos that she wished she had just gotten a grilled cheese!

After lunch It was about 1:15, so we had about 30 minutes until boarding time. I went to get the gate check tag for the stroller bag and the boys just spent some time looking for planes. DS2 found ours!

DS6 also played some with the cars he brought with him.

And of course they had to take a picture with funny faces as they usually do!

They started boarding at 1:45. We were in the B group because I had forgotten to check us in and so we planned on using family boarding between A and B. So at 1:45 they started pre-boarding and we walked over to wait near the family boarding area. Well, we waited and waited and waited. They didn’t even board the A groups until about 2:00. It was the longest pre-boarding ever and the boys of course just wanted to run around!

13 - DW AND DS6 WAITING ON PLANE

We finally got on the plane at 2:05 and we did make it out of the gate by our 2:20 PM departure time. So I guess it all worked out. We did have to split up on the plane. DS2 came and sat with me and DW and DS6 sat a few rows back.

I got DS2 all set up with his seatbelt. That thing has been a great investment for us.

DW and DS6 were ready too!

We were in the air pretty quickly and before long DS2 looked like this. This flight was pretty close to nap time and we were hoping this would happen and it did!

DS2 continued sleeping for about and hour and a half like this:

So it was a pretty relaxing flight for us.

He woke up about 45 minutes out of Orlando and we passed the time with some snacks. Also, about this time the captain came on the intercom and said, “Folk, there is some weather out there so we will be “dodging some storms” on the way down into Orlando. I know this is probably pretty normal stuff, but the way he said it I just envisioned us weaving and winding our way through clouds like we were in a fighter jet! DS2 obviously took this time to review the safety materials of our Boeing 737 aircraft.

It was a pretty bumpy last 45 minutes. Since DW wasn’t near us I couldn’t see her, but I’m sure she was losing it. She’s not one who enjoys turbulence very much! Anyways, we arrived in Orlando right on time at 5:45 PM. It was time for vacation! Where to start!

Up Next: My Favorite Disney Quick Service Meal​

 

[SimplyGoofy]

I'm a big fan of the early morning flights as well - more Disney time! I think you made the right call, though, as everyone will be more rested and a direct flight is always better!

My goodness, that burger looks FANTASTIC! As someone who has also had sub-par Mexican food at an airport, I think the burger option is often the better choice.

We're still a year away from our trip with our (then) almost two-year-old, but I've been debating which kind of restraint to bring along. I'm considering a lighter car seat (I'm not bringing our 26 pound behemoth!) or the restraint system you had for DS2. It seems you were a fan of the restraint system? Is it hard to set up quickly on an airplane?

 

[cstorm65]

I'm a big fan of the early morning flights as well - more Disney time! I think you made the right call, though, as everyone will be more rested and a direct flight is always better!

Yes, it was so nice to not have to change planes. Especially with DS2 wanting to nap this worked well. Typically, he would have napped on the first flight, but there was no way he would have fallen asleep on the second flight. And the way he is he just wants down to play and walk everywhere!

My goodness, that burger looks FANTASTIC! As someone who has also had sub-par Mexican food at an airport, I think the burger option is often the better choice.

Tucker's is great! Of course Oklahoma is kind of known for onion burgers with the delicious caramelized onions smashed into the burger, so I'm a bit partial to this!

We're still a year away from our trip with our (then) almost two-year-old, but I've been debating which kind of restraint to bring along. I'm considering a lighter car seat (I'm not bringing our 26 pound behemoth!) or the restraint system you had for DS2. It seems you were a fan of the restraint system? Is it hard to set up quickly on an airplane?

We loved the harness. It's the only thing we've ever used for both kids. The reason we like it is that it is super easy to set up. On the one we have you just have to quickly slip it behind the tray table on the back of the child's chair. Usually I get it done before anyone even gets in the seat behind us, but I've never had a problem at all. Just make sure you know how to use the straps to tighten/loosen before you get on the plane the first time and it will be super easy. Our kids have always slept well and done well overall in it and we think that is because it feels pretty much like a car seat once you get it on them.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I am here! So, glad I have another trip to read about!!!

. The five nights of our trip was being spent at the WDW Dolphin while the last seven nights was at the Yacht Club.

That must have been amazing! I am curious about the Dolphin... We LOVED Yacht Club when we were there in May. LOVED it!!!

At about 12:45 we went to grab some lunch in the airport. DS2 was ready!

\
That he is! And look at that hair!!!

[/QUOTEYuck!

Def looks like the winner of the food!

What!?! Who is that kid?!?! He looks so old!!!!

So at 1:45 they started pre-boarding and we walked over to wait near the family boarding area. Well, we waited and waited and waited. They didn’t even board the A groups until about 2:00. It was the longest pre-boarding ever and the boys of course just wanted to run around!

That is a long time.

Again, seriously! He looks so old!

She’s not one who enjoys turbulence very much!

My children think it's like a rollercoaster!

 

[cstorm65]

I am here! So, glad I have another trip to read about!!!

Glad you're here!

That must have been amazing! I am curious about the Dolphin... We LOVED Yacht Club when we were there in May. LOVED it!!!

For right now let's just say we enjoyed both stays, one of them a lot. I'll obviously tell a lot about them in updates to come!

That he is! And look at that hair!!!

I know! He definitely had a head full of it!

Def looks like the winner of the food!

For sure. We won't be eating at that Moe's again in the near future! And I'm sure my DW has been turned off to it forever!

What!?! Who is that kid?!?! He looks so old!!!!

I know! The haircut he got before the trip made him look so much older! He actually hated the hair cut because the guy did it way shorted than DW wanted him to and way, way, way shorter than DS6 wanted his hair cut. He was in tears after his appointment thinking everyone was going to laugh at him. Of course it wasn't that bad, just not what he wanted. But, your right, he does look old!

My children think it's like a rollercoaster!

That's a good way to look at it I guess! Now, if I can get DW to feel the same way! haha

 

[Verstehen]

Following! Your kids are so cute.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

e was in tears after his appointment thinking everyone was going to laugh at him. Of course it wasn't that bad, just not what he wanted. But, your right, he does look old!

And here I thought that bad hair cuts were only girl problems!

 

[cstorm65]

Following! Your kids are so cute.

Thanks for following along!!

And here I thought that bad hair cuts were only girl problems!

Oh no, this kid is super obsessed with a few things: hair, shoes, and socks!! haha

 

[DLo]

Hopping over from your last trip report. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures. The Yacht Club is my favorite resort. Hope you loved it .

 

[Cloe Colton]

Joining in!