Grandpa Mohawk Chronicles return (New Year's Eve edition)

[BroganMc]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you know we're back from our quick getaway to Disney for New Year's. There's an updated trip report on the GM blog.

The plan got changed a bit due to the lack of DTD fireworks this year, but we saw a lot of familiar faces. Disney at Christmas is so beautiful. Next year we're going to try the first weekend of December instead.

 

[tomandrobin]

It was nice meeting up with you guys again!

Funny how things didn't work out in the parks......those darn CM's!

Our trip was great, and it seems your trip turned out pretty good too!

Go Ravens!!!!!

 

[ChelleinNC]

Hooray a new report to read! Off to read the blog

 

[marynvince]

How were the crowds? I'm debating taking the fam, 2 adults and 4 kids 16,14,11 and 4 to THV next 12/26-1/01. ANy advice/thoughts.

Thanks so much.

 

[aprince&princess]

Hi, I think that I was on the same bus coming back from MK at night on New Year's Day. My family was sitting at the front of the bus and I think you were talking with Tom and Robin? We heard talk of the disboards and Tom and Robin's names said. We got off at the first stop and afterwards I thought that I should have given all of you a little shout out!

 

[BroganMc]

Busy, busy, and just in case you didn't get it the first time, BUSY! The only time we didn't encounter a substantial wait for rides was for the night time EMHs.

Avoid Magic Kingdom at all costs on NYE. It closed to capacity by midmorning this year. December 30th was busier than we expected as well. The crowd that night defeated many of our well-worn strategies, as the blog notes.

We really just go for the shows and special events anyway, so it just meant we camped out a bit earlier than anticipated.

Weather should probably be perfect next year, assuming we don't go. We always seem to bring the cold with us in the Winter. I know before we arrived, Orlando was pushing the 80's all week before. I believe Tomandrobin's group went swimming. For us, it was like a pleasant early Spring (similar to weather in Maryland early April).

Now SSR made for a very pleasant retreat from the mayhem. The decorations were understated but classic and the background music a gentle reprieve.

If you take your time, stick to EMHs for most of your rides and touring, you should be alright. There are enough special events around to make the time very special.

 

[BroganMc]

It was nice meeting up with you guys again!

Funny how things didn't work out in the parks......those darn CM's!

Our trip was great, and it seems your trip turned out pretty good too!

Go Ravens!!!!!

Except I came home and promptly got a sinus cold. I've been having a good ol' sick day today.

How's Robin's foot faring? Did she manage to get you all home in time to watch the Ravens? GM's rewatching it on DVR right now. Even better to watch a second time around (when you're heart's not pounding over the score).

So other than Feb, when are you guys headed down again?

 

[marynvince]

and we're definitely going to give it a go next year. Thanks for the blogs, I enjoy them very much!
Have a great new year. Vince

 

[BroganMc]

Hi, I think that I was on the same bus coming back from MK at night on New Year's Day. My family was sitting at the front of the bus and I think you were talking with Tom and Robin? We heard talk of the disboards and Tom and Robin's names said. We got off at the first stop and afterwards I thought that I should have given all of you a little shout out!

That's just too funny. We were chatterbugs, weren't we?

Here's a simply test to know if you were on the same bus. Did the driver pull out of the lot and do a little skit about the ride through the window standers would get if they didn't hold on (complete with flicking the lights on and off). That had us cracking up good. I included the tale in my blog.

It was funny. After such a busy NYE, it seemed all the CMs we encountered were in a silly mood. I think they were either slap-happy sleepy or just giddy at getting a much quieter January.

 

[dbprimeaux]

I absolutely LOVE reading your TRs!!! You are a great story (TR) teller. I am so happy you had a good trip!

 

[kikiq]

YEA!!! I kept checking your blog to see if you were at WDW. I love your TRs!!

 

[BroganMc]

Thanks readers. It warms my writer's heart to know I'm reaching someone.

I just wanted to let everyone know I've been adding some video clips to the blog. I put up clips of all the NYE fireworks and some of the Osborne lights. They are on Days 1, 2, 3. Hopefully it gives you a feel for what NYE in Disney is like.

All are also on my Photobucket album as well... http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u311/BroganMc_photos/NYE 08/

 

[tomandrobin]

Except I came home and promptly got a sinus cold. I've been having a good ol' sick day today.

How's Robin's foot faring? Did she manage to get you all home in time to watch the Ravens? GM's rewatching it on DVR right now. Even better to watch a second time around (when you're heart's not pounding over the score).

So other than Feb, when are you guys headed down again?

Robin's foot is feeling good right now. We might put off her procedure to see if her foot keeps getting better.

I picked up a cold too....frustrating....sneezee, sneeze, blow, cough, blow, sneeze.....repeat.

We missed the first couple minutes, but watched most of the game. After our victory, I got online found airfare, two stadium tickets and a room, but Robin said no. Now if go to the super bowl, she may be more willing to head to Tampa. I am hoping some Ravens are going to the ESPN weekend, when we go at the end of February.

 

[tomandrobin]

Hi, I think that I was on the same bus coming back from MK at night on New Year's Day. My family was sitting at the front of the bus and I think you were talking with Tom and Robin? We heard talk of the disboards and Tom and Robin's names said. We got off at the first stop and afterwards I thought that I should have given all of you a little shout out!

We were staying at the Grand Stand too. So if it was the same bus, we were the one's with the "Tom" powered chair! Always chime in if you here Disboards, we are all a chatty bunch and its great putting faces with online names.

 

[aprince&princess]

That's just too funny. We were chatterbugs, weren't we?

Here's a simply test to know if you were on the same bus. Did the driver pull out of the lot and do a little skit about the ride through the window standers would get if they didn't hold on (complete with flicking the lights on and off). That had us cracking up good. I included the tale in my blog.

It was funny. After such a busy NYE, it seemed all the CMs we encountered were in a silly mood. I think they were either slap-happy sleepy or just giddy at getting a much quieter January.

Yes, that is the bus we were on, and we were standing close to the front.

 

[aprince&princess]

Busy, busy, and just in case you didn't get it the first time, BUSY! The only time we didn't encounter a substantial wait for rides was for the night time EMHs.

Avoid Magic Kingdom at all costs on NYE. It closed to capacity by midmorning this year. December 30th was busier than we expected as well. The crowd that night defeated many of our well-worn strategies, as the blog notes.

We were at MK on the 30th from late afternoon and were planning on watching the fireworks. My DH stayed and video taped it, but my DD11 was cold & tired and ready to leave at 9:30. We had gone to the Citrus Bowl parade that morning (our son's high school marching band was in the parade!) and it seemed like a long day. Afterwards I was sorry that we didn't wait it out. We spent NYE at Epcot, I don't think it ever closed, but it was packed.

We did the same thing, watched some special events and the attractions with smaller wait times and skipped the things that had longer waits.

We thought the weather was great, it was a little cooler at night around NYE but we had arrived Christmas Eve, leaving snow & ice and stayed until Jan 5th. Returning again to snow & ice.

That was our longest trip ever, 13 days at Disney. Our DS marching band marched at Magic Kingdom on the 29th, Citrus Bowl on the 30th and Universals Macy's parade on NYE. This was our first trip over Christmas and New Years and we really enjoyed ourselves.

 

[bub]

Thank you so much for sharing your adventures. You have a great writing style - I felt like I was on the trip as I read the description.

I'm amazed at all you were able to do given the crowds. So glad that GM is much better and able to enjoy Disney this trip.

 

[BroganMc]

We were at MK on the 30th from late afternoon and were planning on watching the fireworks. My DH stayed and video taped it, but my DD11 was cold & tired and ready to leave at 9:30. We had gone to the Citrus Bowl parade that morning (our son's high school marching band was in the parade!) and it seemed like a long day. Afterwards I was sorry that we didn't wait it out. We spent NYE at Epcot, I don't think it ever closed, but it was packed.

I'm sorry I didn't meet you on the bus now. It was packed. I always make a joke or two to break the ice for those folks who have to stand up around me. Makes me feel guilty when the bus driver has to fold up 6 bench seats just for my chair and GM's scooter. And with all those tie straps and metal about, I worry someone will lose their balance and have a nasty fall. I figure if I made them (and me) laugh once, we won't mind it so much if they fall into my lap. It is an awkward situation riding in your wheelchair on a packed bus.

Next time, if you go, make December 30 a late day at MK. We don't arrive until evening so we have stamina for the EMH. And this year MK was absolutely jammed on the 30th during the day. I cannot imagine how horrible it was for people on NYE. The bus drivers said they heard ALOT of complaints.

EPCOT seemed pretty packed too. The hunt for bathrooms was the worst I ever saw, outside a crush for port-o-potties at Anteitam July 4th. That probably explained a lot of the rudeness some people have reported on the DIS. When you gotta go and can't, you are miserable.

Only thing that truly got on my nerves were the noisemakers. It got very annoying after a while. I hope they bring the DTD fireworks back next year so I can go to the SSR party instead. That's a lot quieter and more serene.

 

[njfamily]

It was me, "njfamily" that you met on the SSR to MK bus on 1/2. Turns out we did similar stuff that day, we visited the Poly, GF, BCV and BWV. I was very impressed by the Gingerbread House at GF, definately a must see. If that family from Tenn. you were talking to on the bus buys DVC, then their salesguide owes you 50% of his commission, you are very passionate about DVC. It was a pleasure meeting you, Grampa Mohawk, and Experiment 626.

 

[BroganMc]

It was me, "njfamily" that you met on the SSR to MK bus on 1/2. Turns out we did similar stuff that day, we visited the Poly, GF, BCV and BWV. I was very impressed by the Gingerbread House at GF, definately a must see. If that family from Tenn. you were talking to on the bus buys DVC, then their salesguide owes you 50% of his commission, you are very passionate about DVC. It was a pleasure meeting you, Grampa Mohawk, and Experiment 626.

And my siblings wonder about me. GM is just as passionate about Marriott and Disney. We do love our travels.

At some point I'll expand the blog with our TR from London last year. That was an experience of a lifetime.

Thanks for reaching out to say hi. Tickled us to be noticed. Just a shame GM was in his cold weather hair-doo. When he's toting the purple glitter mohawk with those dark shades he looks like a rocker.

I wonder if they'll let people check-in to the GF gingerbread house. Just my size, I think. I loooooved the front porches.