Girls Trip Take 2 - Labor Day Weekend 2021, Christmas 2021 and July 2024 Trips

[suse66]

I'm also very thankful Danielle made it through with no damage. She also still has power. She did have a big scare with rising water. The pool that is right next to her building overflowed and reservoir behind her building almost topped the banks. There was water flowing down the hallway outside her apartment, but she did sandbag and did not get water in her apartment. I have seen where others in Florida were not as lucky when it came to rising water.

So glad to hear Danielle made it through the hurricane safely. Pretty scary times!

 

[vamassey1]

I'm so glad you decided to go!!! I was coming to say GO!!!!!

More support to go!! I knew my Disney friends would give me the best support.

My Mom and I are doing a Disney cruise in May, and already somehow managed to add an MK day beforehand. When we booked our flights, we got a really early one, so I'm thinking I may add a day at Epcot to surprise her!! Mother-Daughter time is so special. I'm really glad you are going!

I like you planning! The more Mother-Daughter time the better.

I was checking in with Danielle on IG! I would've been SO terrified living through that away from home. Talk about an experience to grow from!!! Glad she did OK!

Thanks for checking on her. She has accomplished one more adult milestone for someone living on the Gulf Coast.

 

[vamassey1]

I saw her post on IG. Was glad she did.

Thank you!!

I saw her sandbags and had wondered where the water was coming from (other than rain.)

Anyone can flood when there's a hurricane.

She's one up on me, then.

Unless you're visiting the Gulf or East Coast, I don't think you'll ever have the experience.

But we don't have snowstorms here.

 

[vamassey1]

Glad to see all is well with Danielle. I was watching for her on IG and saw her post about the sandbags. Now she’s survived a hurricane without her family I reckon she’d can do anything!

Thank you! Now she knows she can do it!

So sad watching the news and seeing the destruction Milton caused. Thinking of all those affected.

It's really terrible. Some people were just getting started repairing from Helena.

 

[vamassey1]

Theme Parks- Part 4- July 2024

It's time to try and finish this last park day.

When I left off we had finally ridden TSMM and were ready for some lunch and AC.

We had a dinner ADR for Mama Melrose's so it was time for a CS meal. Today was no different from any other day, because the boys love pizza we went for more pizza, so off to PizzeRizzo.

We were hoping to eat upstairs in the Wedding Reception room. Danielle had showed me the elevator on my trip in April so I knew it would be great for getting the 2 strollers upstairs and all the food. We did a mobile order and sent Danielle to secure us a table. Well, we were out of luck and the elevator was closed so we had to scramble to find a space that was big enough for all of us and 2 strollers. I forget who was napping by this time so we had to keep the strollers with us. We found 2 tables together near the bathrooms. I don't remember what Michelle got but I'm pretty sure it was some kid's cheese pizzas for the boys. She also got JP an order of mini babybel snack cheese, which he devoured with his pizza. He said this was his favorite pizza meal of the trip.

Dennis had the meatball sub and Danielle and I both had the Antipoasto Salad which we both love. She introduced me to this in April and I still crave it. Antipasto Salad-ham, salami, pepperoncini peppers and red onion all tossed to order with chopped romaine and house vinaigrette.



I don't care for the garlic bread but the salad is so good. Danielle also got a non-alcoholic frozen peach Bellini that was very refreshing. I didn't get any more pictures of food because we cramped into a small space and of course there was the normal craziness we had at every meal with 3 kids. Eventually everyone was feed, changed or went to the bathroom and it was time to head towards our next multi-pass at TOT.

We ran into Danielle's friend Sara on Hollywood Blvd. She was working as a PhotoPass Photographer so we stopped for some pictures. Poor Gabriel was so tired and ready for his nap.



This was going to be JP's first ever ride on Tower. Dennis has never cared for TOT so he volunteered to sit with the littles first. Danielle opted to wait with Dennis so Michelle and I took JP first. We stopped and got a rider swap so he could ride twice if her liked it.


He looks a little worried here but I was excited enough for him.



He did great and wanted to ride again.




Dennis and Danielle were waiting with the littles at the exit. Dominic was asleep and Gabriel wasn't far behind him. Dennis gave his band to Michelle. Danielle, Michelle and JP headed back up for another ride.



We had to get this picture on the way out.


After our rides we did something we had not done yet this trip, we left for a break. It really helped being in a Skyliner resort The kids didn't nap or swim, we just had some down time in the room. Some of us freshened up and changed our outfits.

We were headed back by 5:30 pm so we could make our 6:50 ADR at Mama's.



As we were entering the park I heard my name called out. A friend from high school was entering the park at the same time. We're friends on Facebook so she knew I was there. She said she didn't actually see me first but Michelle. She had contacted me awhile back to ask about the CP program. He son ended up doing it and she was there visiting him. He is currently a CP at POR.

We did some shopping before heading to dinner. Michelle wanted a picture of JP in the Indy gear since he was wearing his satchel.



And one of these too. JP likes hats a lot.



I've already done the update on our dinner.

After dinner Dennis and Michelle took JP to ride MF. Danielle and I pushed the littles back to TOT to get a shirt Dennis had seen earlier that he wanted from the dump shop. We then made the rounds to visit her work locations and show off her nephews. I was pixie dusted and given a funnel cake from Epic Eats. They were closing up for the day and it was an extra one made. It was good and I wish I could say I ate it all but I was still too full from dinner.

Dennis, Michelle and JP had some fun in GE taking phots and drinking Blue Milk.

Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

JP was living his best life in GE.









Time was running short and it was past time to head to Fantasmic. We rushed to get into the theater. Danielle and I got separated from the others while we parked the strollers. They were directing everyone to the far left but Danielle knows the trick to getting into the far right area. It looks like you can't go that way because of the block off for the dinner packages but if you look at just the right space you can. We ended up in the Witch section.


We were all seated in enough time for bathroom breaks and diaper changes. Danielle and Dennis had JP between them, I had Gabriel and Michelle had Dominic.




The littles were tired but did so good during the show. This was JP's second time seeing Fantasmic so he paid more attention and asked questions non stop. Gabriel was glued to the show and didn't want to miss anything. When it got too scary he would turn into me but then turn right back around, so he could see more. Dominic was totally enthralled too. He would hide his eyes at some of the scary parts but would also go right back to watching.

They all loved it!!



Gabriel was waving so hard when he saw all the characters on the boat.

After the show we slowly made our way back out of the park. We had to head back home the next day so we needed to get some rest and get packed back up.


Danielle went back to the resort with us where we said our goodbyes. She had to work the next day so she wanted to go back to her apartment for the night. We were all sad to say goodbye, but thankful for the time we got to all spend together.

I'll another small post of our saying goodbye to AOA and maybe post some photos of the trip.

 

[pkondz]

Unless you're visiting the Gulf or East Coast, I don't think you'll ever have the experience.

That's okay. I don't mind missing out on that one.

But we don't have snowstorms here.

Nope.

because the boys love pizza we went for more pizza, so off to PizzeRizzo.

Because I love pizza, I don't go to PizzeRizzo.

I'm pretty sure it was some kid's cheese pizzas for the boys.

Ah yes. The classic kid's pizza.

Antipasto Salad-ham, salami, pepperoncini peppers and red onion all tossed to order with chopped romaine and house vinaigrette.

That sounds really good... but I think I see a black olive in there, so that would be a deal breaker.

Danielle also got a non-alcoholic frozen peach Bellini that was very refreshing.

mmmm... One of my favourite drinks.

I didn't get any more pictures of food because we cramped into a small space and of course there was the normal craziness we had at every meal with 3 kids.

No idea how Michelle does it when she doesn't have help.

Poor Gabriel was so tired and ready for his nap.

Quite the contrast in energy, there!

This was going to be JP's first ever ride on Tower.

Oh! Great!!

Being led off to his doom...

He looks a little worried here but I was excited enough for him.

He did great and wanted to ride again.

Great!

We had to get this picture on the way out.

He looks pretty pleased for just having done TOT for the first time.

After our rides we did something we had not done yet this trip, we left for a break.

First time!?!? I just assumed you were doing it every day!

As we were entering the park I heard my name called out. A friend from high school was entering the park at the same time.

That's nice.

And he apparently chose wisely.

I was pixie dusted and given a funnel cake from Epic Eats.

Nice.

JP was living his best life in GE.

Star Wars fan?

This is excellent!! Great shot!

This was JP's second time seeing Fantasmic so he paid more attention and asked questions non stop.

Of which I'm betting you were more than happy to answer.

When it got too scary he would turn into me but then turn right back around

awwww

I don't know if they've always done this, but this is the first time I've noticed that Mickey is in black and white.

Gabriel was waving so hard when he saw all the characters on the boat.

Danielle went back to the resort with us where we said our goodbyes.

 

[missjackiemcg]

Such great pictures in Galaxy's Edge! Love the one of JP and Mom, but especially the one with his Grandpa. What an awesome memory for both of them, and it looks like they have the place to themselves!!

I haven't seen Fantasmic in so long!! I miss when they did the VIP seating and dessert boxes. We always used to do that and get a blue margarita in my flashing mug. Sigh--those were the days!

 

[vamassey1]

Because I love pizza, I don't go to PizzeRizzo.

I agree with this.

That sounds really good... but I think I see a black olive in there, so that would be a deal breaker.

You could always pick them off.

No idea how Michelle does it when she doesn't have help.

And that is why we all went together.

Being led off to his doom...

Not true!

He looks pretty pleased for just having done TOT for the first time.

He really was.

First time!?!? I just assumed you were doing it every day!

I wanted to do it more, but it just didn't work out.

Star Wars fan?

Not really. He had been asking to get some Blue Milk since we said we were going. He really enjoyed having some time with Michelle and Dennis. He doesn't get that a whole lot with the littles needing so much.

This is excellent!! Great shot!

It really is. She has the same shot with Jimmy and Gia.

Of which I'm betting you were more than happy to answer.

That was left to Danielle and Dennis since her was between them.

I don't know if they've always done this, but this is the first time I've noticed that Mickey is in black and white.

As far back as I can remember they have had Steamboat Mickey.

 

[vamassey1]

Such great pictures in Galaxy's Edge! Love the one of JP and Mom, but especially the one with his Grandpa. What an awesome memory for both of them, and it looks like they have the place to themselves!!

They really had fun playing.

I haven't seen Fantasmic in so long!! I miss when they did the VIP seating and dessert boxes. We always used to do that and get a blue margarita in my flashing mug. Sigh--those were the days!

And now I'm jealous cause I never did this.

 

[pkondz]

I agree with this.

The things we do for our kids...

You could always pick them off.

No.
Once they're on something, you can't pick them off. That tinny canned black olive juice gets on everything and even after picking them off, you can still taste them. Blech.

And that is why we all went together.

I wanted to do it more, but it just didn't work out.

As long as the kids were happy.

It really is. She has the same shot with Jimmy and Gia.

I thought I'd seen that before!

As far back as I can remember they have had Steamboat Mickey.

I guess I just never noticed that he was black and white.

 

[vamassey1]

No.
Once they're on something, you can't pick them off. That tinny canned black olive juice gets on everything and even after picking them off, you can still taste them. Blech.

Ok, didn't realize how deeply your hate for black olives run.

I didn't care for the onions, but it wasn't so bad as to stop me from eating the salad.

I thought I'd seen that before!

You have a good memory.

I guess I just never noticed that he was black and white.

Something else to add to your list when you make another trip.

 

[pkondz]

Ok, didn't realize how deeply your hate for black olives run.

Oh yes.

Yuck

Something else to add to your list when you make another trip.

Been a while, but even longer since I've seen that.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

What a fabulous last park day together. Loving all the photos. JP is a brave boy doing ToT and right to be looking pleased with himself.
I adore Fantasmic. So glad you ended your night there

 

[vamassey1]

Been a while, but even longer since I've seen that.

Sounds like someone needs to book a trip.

 

[vamassey1]

What a fabulous last park day together. Loving all the photos. JP is a brave boy doing ToT and work right to be looking pleased with himself.
I adore Fantasmic. So glad you ended your night there

Thank you!

Fantasmic is a great way to end a big family trip!

 

[vamassey1]

Good News!

Danielle's Thanksgiving Vacation has been approved!!! She hasn't booked flights yet so we don't know her actual days here yet. This is the first Holiday she will be here since 2020. So Excited!!!

We'll be doing a big family Thanksgiving but will throw some Christmas in too. I'm going to try to have most of our Christmas decorations up before she gets here. She did say she wants to help put a few ornaments on the tree.

She wants to catch an LSU game or at least tailgate for the Oklahoma game. She wants to visit the Louisiana Renaissance Festival and of course get some charbroiled oysters from City Café. We might even try to decorate some Christmas Cookies.

Don't know how much we can do while she's here but we'll just be happy to have her with us.

 

[pkondz]

Sounds like someone needs to book a trip.

<sigh>
Not for the foreseeable future.

Danielle's Thanksgiving Vacation has been approved!!!

Great news!

We'll be doing a big family Thanksgiving but will throw some Christmas in too. I'm going to try to have most of our Christmas decorations up before she gets here. She did say she wants to help put a few ornaments on the tree.

That sounds wonderful.

She wants to catch an LSU game or at least tailgate for the Oklahoma game. She wants to visit the Louisiana Renaissance Festival and of course get some charbroiled oysters from City Café.

This explains some of her recent posts on IG.

 

[missjackiemcg]

How exciting to have Danielle home! Since 2020?!! Oh, my gosh, that must be so hard!! I hope you're able to squeeze in as much holiday fun as possible while she's there.

 

[Paulaparm]

Enjoy every minute that you have her home!!