Family Trip to WDW

[Angelrose]

FAMILY TRIP TO WDW

PART 2


It’s almost time for our second of three trips to WDW this year. Our first trip was in February and was for two weeks. This trip in October will only be for 5 days.

I guess I’d better introduce myself and the family. I’m Mary, a 71 year old Grandmom. Then there is my son Chuck, my beautiful daughter in law Karen, my grandson Jesse, 8 and my granddaughter Zoey, 6.

Jesse, Zoey and I have never been to the Food and Wine festival, or seen the Halloween party and parade. We’re all very excited. This will be Jesse and Zoey’s first plane ride and I know they will be very excited to fly.

Karen does all the planning and buying of tickets and Chuck does the fast passes. I sit back and go where they tell me. LOL

The last couple of times I’ve been to Disney I haven’t needed a scooter. This time, sadly, I will. I have bursitis in both hips, and can’t walk as much as I used to. The cortisone shots I get every three months, help a lot.

 

[Angelrose]

July 12, 2016 – Karen has gotten our seats on Spirit for both the October trip and the December trip. We also have our tickets for the Halloween party. l Our vacation home is rented and is the same one we used in February. It’s such a lovely place and much cheaper than staying on site with 5 people. It has a spa and pool in the backyard, a king sized bed and bath and a queen bed and bath with a room each for the grandkids and their own bath. It’s a gated community and has a playground on site. It’s just perfect for us.


Summer is half over and I’m starting to want to pack. I believe I will hold off for just a few more weeks.


October 3, 2016 - We left around 3:30am, stopped for breakfast and coffee and Wawa and parked at the airport. We got through security without a problem and waited for our plane to arrive.

We boarded and I sat with Jesse and Karen, Chuck sat with Zoey behind us. I promptly fell asleep as soon as we hit travelling speed. I slept for


most of the flight. I woke up on our approach to Orlando. We arrived right on time.

Chuck and Jesse and I went to get our luggage while Karen and Zoey went to get our rental van. We all got back together and went directly to Blizzard Beach. We were starving so we had lunch right there and it was really good. Karen and I had a grilled chicken breast sandwich and Chuck and Jesse got cheeseburgers. Zoey got chicken fingers. After that it was off to the wave pool. It’s my favorite thing to do. After the first set of waves stopped, we went to the lazy river which is always a lot of fun. After that, the rest of the family went on the slides and I went back to the wave pool. I must have stayed there for at least 2 more hours. After the last set of waves I finally gave up. I couldn’t move anymore. Chuck had taken the kids back to the family slide and now he was back too. Since it was 4:30, we didn’t feel bad about leaving.



We came home and showered and waited for my scooter to arrive and then we went out to dinner at Earl of Sandwich and then went shopping at world of Disney. Zoey got the Ana outfit she had been wanting. She had a lot of Disney gift cards for her birthday and that is what she wanted. I couldn’t find a thing that I wanted to buy!

It was getting late and had started to rain, so we headed back to the car for some much needed sleep.


October 4, 2016 – I didn’t think I had gotten much sunburn yesterday. Sure, after 3 hours in the bright sun, I wouldn’t have sunburn. What was I thinking?? I found out how much this morning. WOW My neck

on the left side was bright red. Right under my eyes was the same shade of red. I put on sunblock before we left the house this morning. Today is Magic Kingdom day and we’re going to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tonight.

We started the day with breakfast sandwiches at Starbucks. Karen had taken the kids to the Pirate League to get pirate makeup. Zoey got mermaid makeup. All three looked amazing. Grandmom and Chuck watched the whole thing. Next we went on the Pirates of the ‘Caribbean ride. I’m so glad I had the scooter. We did Fantasmic. I’m 71 and I STILL reach for those gems. We went to the Dumbo playground to let the kids jump around for a while and then they all rode Dumbo. It’s getting too hard to get in and out of that ride for Grandmom. Our next stop was the Jungle Cruise. I still love those corny jokes. On the ride the skies opened up and the rains came. We just went out and started over to Tomorrow Land. I parked my scooter and we rode the People Mover. That is so relaxing. My scooter came with a “shower cap” to put over the controls, so it doesn’t short out. We needed that on this trip.

 

[Angelrose]

 

[Angelrose]

 

[Angelrose]

 

[Angelrose]

It was getting time for our dinner reservations at Tony’s. I had the chicken parmesan and it was delicious. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Karen and I shared the pumpkin cheesecake with me eating most of it.

We went into a few stores and I bought two pins and a Halloween party t shirt and Karen got the same one. Jesse got a different style, but Zoey didn’t like it. Well, of course, it wasn’t pink! Karen took the kids Trick or Treating. They give you a bag with treats already in it and then you go to different places to get more.


We went around to Adventure Land to hear the Dapper Dans in their spooky costumes with corny jokes and funny songs. While I was listening to the Dapper Dans, Karen took the kids for more Trick or Treating and Chuck ran to ride Space Mountain and get his last ride on Ellen’s Adventure. When he came back we went back on the People Mover. Then it was time for Hallowishes . We were right in front of the castle and it was AMAZING! We also saw the Hocus Pocus show and that was wonderful. Next came the parade. I have ALWAYS wanted to see the Headless Horseman ride. I got my wish and it was exactly what I hoped it would be. I’m so happy that I finally saw it. The rest of the parade was really cute. Jesse had fallen asleep right there on the ground with his shoes for a pillow while we were waiting for the parade. Karen woke him up just in time for the parade. Both kids were thrilled at the parade.


It was time to head home. I panic in crowds and Chuck had to drive my scooter while I clutched my cane and sat still as a board in my seat. It was after 1am and around 2 before we got home. I got a quick bubble bath to relax and was asleep by 2:30. I only woke up once and slept soundly until 7:30. What a wonderful day!

 

[Angelrose]

 

[Angelrose]

October 5, 2016 – Today is Epcot and the Food and Wine Festival. This is my first time at the festival but Chuck and Karen had been a couple of years ago on their 10th Anniversary.

We started the day riding Space Ship Earth. We all love that ride. By the way it was pouring rain. Now when I say pouring rain, I mean POURING. Did that stop us from tasting around the world?? Not on your ninny! We tried New Zealand venison. Heaven in my mouth. We

got flan in Mexico and then had to do the ride. Most of these snacks we shared. South Korean Barbeque was next and that was so tasty too. Poland had kielbasa and some pierogis and we each had our own. If we had enough room we would have gone back and had seconds.

We rode Nemo and then back to the food. We had Scottish stew and then Greece for Chicken Gyros. We had warm chocolate pudding in Ireland and then butter cake in England. We had to try the cheddar cheese soup from Canada which is served with pretzel bread. That was so scrumptious! To say we were soaked through is an understatement. We stopped in Mousegears to look around, but the only thing we bought was a poncho for Zoey who wore it for 10 minutes and then took it off.


Karen and Jesse and the Zoey decided to just have fun and started jumping in puddles. It was really funny to watch.

The last food I got was escargot in France which was served in a croissant. This was the first time I had ever had escargot and I loved it.

The kids hadn’t eaten anything so we stopped at the American Adventure and got them a burger and chicken nuggets. I asked for a hot chocolate because after being soaked through, the air conditioning felt freezing. Karen ordered a hot chocolate, paid for a hot chocolate, then when she got the food, they said, “We don’t have any hot chocolate”. LOL Just my luck. It was time to leave.

Karen’s friend who lives an hour away was told to evacuate because of the hurricane. On our way home we saw the long line of cars driving north. We stopped at Publix and got water, not much left of that, and some snacks and a couple of subs to last us through Friday.


We got home and dried off and then went for a swim in the pool to relax. It had stopped raining by then and the moon was out.

My shorts were wringing wet as was my top. Everyone’s shoes went into the dryer and I hung my “rain jacket” which collected rain water, in the closet to dry. I had a puddle of water in my sleeves, that poured out. It was very funny.

Although we could have wished for dryer weather it was again another fun day.

 

[Angelrose]

Somehow Karen always seems to find the MOST flattering pictures of me. I said, "you're going to post that on Facebook, aren't you?" "Of course mom". And here I am in all my soaked glory.


October 6, 2016 – This morning Chuck and Karen had a walking tour at the Magic Kingdom. I stayed home with the kids and watched the weather channel tracking the hurricane. It looks like we will be getting wet tonight for our dinner reservations at the Liberty Tree Tavern. But that never stops us.

Disney cancelled tonight’s Halloween party and I would imagine it will be closed tomorrow. We will see.

As of 11:15 it looks like Orlando will get hurricane force winds starting tonight through tomorrow afternoon. They want everyone off the roads by 6pm. I’m not sure when our dinner reservations are, but I’m sure we will be home by 6 or shortly thereafter.

We visited the Haunted Mansion, and then Peter Pan. I still love that ride. Then Chuck and Jesse rode the barnstormer while Karen and I went into the big top and I bought my Halloween mug. Then we had to ride the People Mover again. It was raining pretty hard now, so we headed for our dinner reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern, only to be

told they were closing. They had texted us of the change, but we left our phones at home so they didn’t get wet. That was disappointing.

We headed out and joined the throng of people leaving. The roads were stop and go for miles. We had dinner at Texas Roadhouse and by the time we left, the roads were pretty clear.

It’s only 8:30, but I feel like I want to go to sleep. Time for a hot bubble bath and read and watch the weather channel until I fall asleep.

I don’t like wind. Someone please turn it off.

 

[Angelrose]

October 7, 2016 – We were very lucky and the hurricane veered off to the east. We had a couple of downpours during the night but practically no wind. The pool was filled up to an inch below the top.

In the morning we all slept in and just relaxed all day. I read my Kindle and played with the grandkids. A little after noon we spent some time in the pool and it was very relaxing. It drizzled a little while we were in but that’s all. I guess we spent a little over an hour in the pool and then jumped out in a hurry to get inside. That breeze was cool. I showered and got most of my packing done. Isn’t that the saddest thing? We leave the park at 5 tomorrow and go to the airport to head home.

We didn’t get the chance to take many pictures because we left our cameras at home so they didn’t get wet. We so wanted to get a Halloween pictures taken but that was not to be.


We have one more day at Epcot to do some more food tasting and some rides and maybe a few more souvenirs. Something small and light that I can shove into my suitcase or my carryon.


October 8, 2016 – Here it is. Our last day at the parks. Today it’s bright and sunny but with a nice breeze.

Our first stop was to run to the Frozen ride in Norway. There was still a 30 minute wait but that was better than the 80 minute wait the other day. It was really cute. The kids both loved it and so did the big kids.

We had fast passes to the new Soarin’. WOW That was so exciting. It’s places all around the world and you end up at Disney World, of course. I hope we get to see it again in December.

We stood in line for The Land ride. The kids weren’t impressed but the adults still love it.


Then it was time to eat around the World. We each had our favorites again. New Zealand venison stew and lamb meatball. South Korean barbeque, and that wonderful cheddar cheese soup, Australian lamington ( a small square of coconut cake). That was really good. I wanted another chicken gyro at Greece, but just couldn’t find room. We all really enjoyed the Food and Wine festival.

Next we rode Test Track. Now in February Miss Zoey was scared and crying. Now she couldn’t wait to ride it and even had her arms up. She loved it.

We made a quick stop at the Food and Wine Pavilion and I got a souvenir pin. It was time for our last ride.

It has always been Space Ship Earth for our last ride. Sort of our way of saying goodbye to Disney World and our vacation.


We got to the airport and got through security with no problems and not much of a wait. On our flight home we did hit a bit of turbulence thanks to Matthew but all in all not bad at all. It was raining when we got to Atlantic City airport, again thanks to Matthew. We had to wait and wait for our luggage, almost an hour. We got our car and headed home.

Chuck helped me in with my luggage and brought it upstairs for me, went down in the basement to turn on my water and hooked up my laptop for me before he went home. Do I have a great son or what? I took a nice hot bubble bath and hopped in my own bed. It was a little after midnight and I slept like a log.


I big thank you to Chuck and Karen for all the planning and fastpasses and everything they do to make our vacation perfect. That is including both of them torturing me the whole trip. My face hurt from so much laughing.

The first thing I did the next day was to start the count-down clock for our December 5th trip.

Hope you enjoyed reading.

 

[Angelrose]

A few extra pictures.

These last pictures were taken at the Texas Roadhouse. The kids were beyond tired and Jesse was wrapped in cloth napkins because he was cold and fell asleep on Grandmom. Zoey wasn't far behind.

Our next trip is coming up in December. Hope to see you all there.

 

[rndmr2]

Great report! Sorry you had the mess from Matthew to contend with but it sounds like you still had a great time.

Love this pose, too cute! The Pirate Makeovers turned out good and how fun for the Halloween Party!

I always loved the Mickey Pumpkins!! They look cool lit up.

Spooky Castle!

We had to try the cheddar cheese soup from Canada which is served with pretzel bread. That was so scrumptious!

I love that soup! I have been to Le Cellier once and had it and it was soo good with the pretzel bread and they also had sourdough bread that was good dipped in it. We went to Food and Wine in 2014 with my dad (TR below if you are interested and haven't already read it) and we were the same, we had to have the soup. I am glad to hear they are serving it with the pretzel bread now because that was the one thing we all said was missing from it last time- some bread or crackers to eat with it.

By the way it was pouring rain. Now when I say pouring rain, I mean POURING. Did that stop us from tasting around the world?? Not on your ninny!

Sounds like you guys made the best of it though! Both of our Epcot days were washouts last time too, but at least it wasn't a hurricane. We were drenched though. It felt like I was walking in puddles inside my shoes even after the rain stopped. I found out later that I had a huge crack across the bottom of my sneaker, oops!

Cute picture, I love this Anna dress! I wish she would wear it for the meets, I like it so much better than the blue one.

Glad you had a great trip! Bet you are chomping at the bit to get back for your December trip! Looking forward to reading all about it.

 

[piglet50]

Great report. Love reading about your family fun.

 

[minniecarousel]

Great trip & trip report! Sometimes a quick trip is so worth it. How exciting that you're going back in Dec. I can't believe how big your Grands are getting.

Gotta love F&W! Love the different foods.

Dec will be here before you know it!

 

[Ladyfish77]

Looks like you had a great trip around Matthew. Luckily you had your MNSSHP before they closed the parks!

I love Food and Wine also, but never seem to be able to eat all the things I want to try--I get too full even when sharing!

 

[Angelrose]

Thank you for reading rndmr2, piglet50, minniecarousel and Ladyfish77. We had so much fun despite the wet weather. I'm so looking forward to our December trip and the Christmas parade and party.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Absolutely LOVE the Priate makeover photos! Jesse and Zoe look fabulous...Karen too! Love that she joined in the fun.

When my kids were young we did two trips every year from Boston - one 3 ngt in the winter to get away from the brutal cold and 6 ngts the very end of August. It was wonderful! We never wanted to go for longer than 6 or 7 ngts and we were always ready to go home after 7 ngts. Of course, these days there is so much more to do and see...but I still enjoy a 4 ngt WDW Getaway. (We've even done three ngts to Disneyland from Boston! But now that I'm almost 69 would not go for three ngts all the way to Disneyland. Wisdom comes with age....I hope!)

Another great TR - thanks for sharing your fun with us...always nice to be an armchair traveler to Disney!

 

[Angelrose]

Thank you Minnie&Nana. It's such great fun to watch how they do the makeup. I did once and was glad I did it, but I'll leave that to the younger generation now.

I guess I'm spoiled, because I love our two week vacation at Disney every two years. But going for just 5 days in October and December also is amazing because I've never seen the park for Halloween. I'd love to do it again sometime. Now'I'm counting down the days until our December trip. 36 days and counting.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

By the way, I loved the photo of you in the rain! If I knew how to upload photos here (since the change) I would share the one of me in the tropical storm we experienced just after getting off the Ferry...we waited it out until the worst past, then as others left the park or back on the ferry to leave, we just put on our ponchos and headed in to an empty park....what's a little tropical storm? lol (found the tropical storm pic - the rain was blowing so strong that even being under cover we were still drenched. Used the stroller top to try to keep my hair dry. Not so much. lol Sorry it's so big!)

I did not realize that you had not experienced WDW in October or all dressed up for the Christmas holidays...be still my heart. Oh, you will LOVE it in December! Where will you stay that trip? I guess nothing I say better than Disney dressed up for Christmas...if possible, do take time to visit some resorts...at least the monorail resorts since those would be easy. The Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian is wonderful ...and each resort decorated in theme is wonderful. Of course, I am sure you have heard about the grand tree in the Wilderness Lodge Lobby? Beautiful and worth a nice little boat ride from MK to the WL to see. I am so excited for you all!

We are considering either next October or early December (to celebrate my 70th!) but have concerns about the parks being so busy and driving in from offsite - the condo is VERY close...we can see EPCOT forworks ...but with the pups we need to return to the condo midday for a few hours and we imagine the parking lots to be crazy full when we go back...any experience with going back after a midday break?

Please let me know when you start the Dec TR...or PTR. Looking forward to reading about the December adventures!

 

[BellaBaby]

Glad to have found the new TR! Very much enjoyed it like the last one! Have fun in Dec. !!