Joy to the World: an offsite Christmas extravaganza at Disney, Universal & SeaWorld – Dec. 2016 TR

[dancin Disney style]

Man, I was left in charge and missed my chance to cause trouble.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Man, I was left in charge and missed my chance to cause trouble.

Some people are so unreliable Gina!!

Just watching the Manchester Love benefit concert with Ariana Grande which Disney networks were also showing

 

[dancin Disney style]

Some people are so unreliable Gina!!

Just watching the Manchester Love benefit concert with Ariana Grande which Disney networks were also showing

Have no worries I was causing trouble elsewhere this week.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I have caught up now, really enjoying the Seaworld Day and evening. The tour looks fantastic and your dinner with the Claus's as hosts wonderful.

It looks like Steve has a best buddy, nice to see the fun they were having! I know from your other reports how much Steve like to win a minion or two for you, lol.

 

[Ruthie5671]

I'll leave @Ruthie5671 and @dancin Disney style to entertain ya'll for this sunshiny Thursday.

Man, I was left in charge and missed my chance to cause trouble.

I've been so busy this week - I didn't even see my opportunity to cause more mischief. Between job #1, job #2, a yard sale and, well, napping, there's been little time for nothing else. I'm back on track now. Just tag me in!!!

 

[Callie]

AH reading about the Santa meal made me smile. Nothing like Christmas is warm Florida. We celebrated in Disney one year (a couple weeks early) and have visited my dad a few times as well.

 

[bankr63]

Wait, Santa Clause is married to Mrs. Doubtfire?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Oh my word......I am so far behind!!

Glad that you enjoyed your Feast. The pictures of David's visit with Santa were absolutely precious! Maybe one day we can take our grandson to Orlando at Christmas, and this will be on our to do list.

What a wonderful trip that would be for you and your grandson! Definitely make SeaWorld Christmas part of that holiday trip wish list . You won't be disappointed.

A great update Gina. I chose the all day dining and preferred seating for the Christmas shows over the Fireside Feast, but it looks really good. Perhaps adults and people with older children don't book it, thinking it is geared towards the younger ones?

We had to make that tough choice too: the timing of the Fireside Feast meant that if we also did the reserved seating, we'd miss Oh Wondrous Night.....and that, quite honestly, would be "the" show that we'd have wanted the reserved seating for. So, since we did the shows and reserved seating last year, we opted for the Feast and time in Rudolph's Christmastown instead. It was fun to have the two new experiences this time around. We really did need two full nights if we had wanted to see and do it all.

What a precious memory for David and his mom ♥

I thought so too! Special times, for sure.

I love Fireside Feast!! I've gone twice (once in 2015, and once in 2016), and I can not praise it enough. I feel it is VERY underrated

Gina- I just want to say that Santa is a good friend of mine ( ), and is the reason I started going in the first place

You know Santa personally?!?!? I am soooo jealous!

I hope you will pass along how impressed we were with him last Christmas. Please tell him a huge thank you for his part in a very, very special night.

We ate holiday meals at both SW and BG Tampa. Both were priced about the same. All agreed the meal at SW was much better in quality. Would not do BG's again.

We also had a great time at SW with our Blue Friday buys. The Wild Artic tour was awesome. We had a magic moment there. When with the whales, the three other families with us refused to get their picture taken with the gray whale. We did not care, so we agreed to be with the gray one. Well, the trainer explained gray was shy, and may not let us interact with it. No matter, we knelt down and waited. It came by, looked at us, and swam away. Just when the trainer started to apologize, it came back, and stayed so long with us, the trainer let all 3 of us feed it. I thought the trainer would cry, as she kept saying, she has never seen the gray stay so long.

We really got good use of our Grover passes too. Oh, and little one did the catch a number game, and won a medium stuffed animal. Purple Pegasus. Exactly the stuffie she wanted.

Great pictures.

I can't believe the female beluga came up and say hello to you all!! That is so fabulous! Did the Photokey staff get pictures for you?

I am sorry to hear that the Busch Gardens meal wasn't up to par. I guess I always figured they were pretty much the same . What was off? The food or the 'experience'?

Man, I was left in charge and missed my chance to cause trouble.

Well, someone's going to have to work extra hard this week to make up time .

Some people are so unreliable Gina!!

Just watching the Manchester Love benefit concert with Ariana Grande which Disney networks were also showing

I know!! From now on, I'm leaving YOU in charge .

Have no worries I was causing trouble elsewhere this week.

Is there any photo evidence you'd care to share?

I have caught up now, really enjoying the Seaworld Day and evening. The tour looks fantastic and your dinner with the Claus's as hosts wonderful.

It looks like Steve has a best buddy, nice to see the fun they were having! I know from your other reports how much Steve like to win a minion or two for you, lol.

Yes, Steve misses accumulating a big ol' haul of prizes to bring home. We just have nowhere to put such big stuffies here in our new home!

I've been so busy this week - I didn't even see my opportunity to cause more mischief. Between job #1, job #2, a yard sale and, well, napping, there's been little time for nothing else. I'm back on track now. Just tag me in!!!

We're gonna need your DJ skills again until I get back to trip reporting on Wednesday. I, too, have been woefully absent.....my apologies for that! I seem to be lacking time management skills these days .... but hopefully that's going to get better sooner rather than later.

AH reading about the Santa meal made me smile. Nothing like Christmas is warm Florida. We celebrated in Disney one year (a couple weeks early) and have visited my dad a few times as well.

Yep, its going to make celebrating Christmas in either Canada or Ontario this year feel VERY cold indeed . Unless, of course, our Powerball win comes through.....if that's the case, we're flying you all down to celebrate Christmas with us at the Vistana . (Hey, a girl can dream, right?)

Wait, Santa Clause is married to Mrs. Doubtfire?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

So I seem to be doing this a lot lately (too much, for sure!!) but I have to apologize for the lack of updates. Life's been a bit crazy here, and well......with summer activities (our community pool is now open) and the draw of the nice weather added on to the well-organized chaos of our two schedules, I'm not being very productive when it comes to trip reporting. I work tomorrow so an update Tuesday is doubtful, but hopefully I will have something posted by Wednesday night at the latest. That's my goal.

 

[Lynne G]

BG Tampa's meal was not as good food. The entertainment was fine.

And yes, we got a ton of pictures from the tour. Seems the other families were not very nice to the staff, and well, I think we got twice as many shots and more time with the animals.

Don't worry, it is so nice to be settling in and got a job. That deserves a wahoo, and no issue with waiting.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Is there any photo evidence you'd care to share?

There is only one I can share.....

GC's final recital. The night we took the pics I actually sat through the show and impressively only soaked one tissue. The rest of the week I kept busy working backstage.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I know!! From now on, I'm leaving YOU in charge .

Hey now!!! I was busy wrangling a few hundred kids last week. Just the fact that I wrangle GC is enough on its own really. That alone deserves some slack.

 

[Callie]

After my horrible scare tonight, next time I go on vacation little munch is coming with too. So if you win the power ball it'll be me plus 1

 

[JaxDad]

Hi Gina! I saw a post from you on the Sea World forum and realized I had not checked your TR in a while! (It seems hidden over here in the Disney area!) I'm all caught up now, and thanks for reminding me how awesome Sea World is at Christmas!

We're taking our postponed trip to Universal this weekend. I upgraded to RPR for the EPs, and I'm really looking forward to it! (I went from a Family Suite with a pool view to a Standard Room, so the price difference was not too bad.) We're going to try to get there early Friday to take advantage of an extra evening in the parks.

I'll send an e-mail soon. Maybe we can try for another DISMeet in October...

 

[chicagoshannon]

 

[dsmom]

Hi Gina! Sorry I'm late to this report. We've had some health issues but I'm back! It's so nice to relive the trip through your eyes. Especially the Seaworld day, that was incredible. David still asks for Steve, he made a best buddy for life, that's for sure. And for anyone who has never met Steve and Gina in person, they are even nicer that I ever imagined they would be, two of the most incredible persons I've ever met. Can't wait to read more!

 

[sk8jdgca]

There is only one I can share.....
View attachment 242246
GC's final recital. The night we took the pics I actually sat through the show and impressively only soaked one tissue. The rest of the week I kept busy working backstage.

I did that too late year for my daughters last recital. I cried at my sons last Nutcracker (as a child) with the National Ballet (although I am happy to get my Christmas back for awhile)
Is she going to a school with a dance team? At least then you can watch again. Me, even though she is at the National Ballet school, I never get to see her dance...it is sad

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

BG Tampa's meal was not as good food. The entertainment was fine.

And yes, we got a ton of pictures from the tour. Seems the other families were not very nice to the staff, and well, I think we got twice as many shots and more time with the animals.

Don't worry, it is so nice to be settling in and got a job. That deserves a wahoo, and no issue with waiting.

Ugh, that just makes me so sad. Why on earth do some guests choose to be so unpleasant??? I am glad karma caught up with them (and YOU!) and you had such a cool experience with some great photos!

Ah yes....the job. Some news on that coming up. This "starting over" stuff is tougher than we all thought it would be.

There is only one I can share.....
View attachment 242246
GC's final recital. The night we took the pics I actually sat through the show and impressively only soaked one tissue. The rest of the week I kept busy working backstage.

What a GORGEOUS photo. You must be so proud of that beautiful girl. Make no apologies for those tears, momma. Sometimes your heart gets so full of joy it just fills up your entire body, and if it doesn't leak out of our eyes, our heads would surely burst. Of course, I'm a crier by nature so I probably take the term "emotional" to a whole new level anyway.

Hey now!!! I was busy wrangling a few hundred kids last week. Just the fact that I wrangle GC is enough on its own really. That alone deserves some slack.

After my horrible scare tonight, next time I go on vacation little munch is coming with too. So if you win the power ball it'll be me plus 1

We'll have to smuggle in Skittles.....the Vistana is not pet-friendly. But we'll work it out . C'mon, Powerball!

Hi Gina! I saw a post from you on the Sea World forum and realized I had not checked your TR in a while! (It seems hidden over here in the Disney area!) I'm all caught up now, and thanks for reminding me how awesome Sea World is at Christmas!

We're taking our postponed trip to Universal this weekend. I upgraded to RPR for the EPs, and I'm really looking forward to it! (I went from a Family Suite with a pool view to a Standard Room, so the price difference was not too bad.) We're going to try to get there early Friday to take advantage of an extra evening in the parks.

I'll send an e-mail soon. Maybe we can try for another DISMeet in October...

We would LOVE to meet up with you guys in October! Our dates are the 14th to 21st. If you're feelin' brave, maybe you would like to do HHN with us?

I am so thrilled that you were able to reschedule your vacation! The EPs at this time of year will be well worth the resort upgrade . I hope the weather turns out to be spectacular and you all have an amazing time!

Cats and laundry.......how did you know what my life has become?

Hi Gina! Sorry I'm late to this report. We've had some health issues but I'm back! It's so nice to relive the trip through your eyes. Especially the Seaworld day, that was incredible. David still asks for Steve, he made a best buddy for life, that's for sure. And for anyone who has never met Steve and Gina in person, they are even nicer that I ever imagined they would be, two of the most incredible persons I've ever met. Can't wait to read more!

Aw, bless your heart. You are far too generous with your compliments . But you know we feel the same way about you guys . Your family has been such a huge blessing to us both, and we love ya'll .

I did that too late year for my daughters last rectal. I cried at my sons last Nutcracker (as a child) with the National Ballet (although I am happy to get my Christmas back for awhile)
Is she going to a school with a dance team? At least then you can watch again. Me, even though she is at the National Ballet school, I never get to see her dance...it is sad

They don't have any performances for parents? Boo .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Alrighty guys, a quick check in before I dash out to appointments for the morning. It's been an exciting, chaotic week or so here.

My foray into the world of retail turned out to be much more challenging than I had expected it to be. While the job itself wasn't too bad (though I was feeling painfully out of place.....if the fact that I was more than twice as old as more than half of the employees didn't make me feel awkward enough, all the customers exclaiming "OMG, that accent! You're from Canada, aren't you? Why on earth are you working in Michigan?" was woefully tiring. So much for quietly and seamlessly fitting in ) I despised the retail hours. After more than two decades of 8:30 to 4, working weekends to 11 pm was beyond awful.

Like pretty much every other challenge we have faced in our relocation, though, things seemed to work out for me in the end. Just as Steve and I had agreed that it was time to put in my notice at the store, I was offered a part time position at one of the local banks here......which is MUCH more suited for me in SO many ways. After working for 18.5 years in the financial industry in Canada, a position in the bank is very much more in line with my interest and experience. Plus, the schedule is superb: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, with rotational Saturdays (but the bank is only open until 1 pm on Saturdays, and only the drive thru portion: so on the odd Saturdays that I will have to work, its only for half a day and its the EARLY part ). The pay is virtually on par with what I was receiving per hour at my job in Canada, AND I will receive a full benefit package (even as a part timer). It was a long, detailed application process (which included everything from video interviews to in person interviews) so I was shocked when I finally got the call offering me the position. So, as I transition out of the retail job.....they have asked me to stay for the next two weeks, and I agreed as I don't start my training for the bank until June 26th....I move on to a new and exciting (and financially favourable) challenge.

This morning I am off to a neighbouring town (I hope I don't get lost....thank goodness for Google Maps ) to get fingerprinted and drug tested as part of the final application stages for the bank job, then I'm hoping, planning, expecting to draft up a very-much-overdue entry for this report later this evening. Thank you all for your unbelievable patience as I navigate this crazy new life of mine.

 

[llcoolj]

Alrighty guys, a quick check in before I dash out to appointments for the morning. It's been an exciting, chaotic week or so here.

My foray into the world of retail turned out to be much more challenging than I had expected it to be. While the job itself wasn't too bad (though I was feeling painfully out of place.....if the fact that I was more than twice as old as more than half of the employees didn't make me feel awkward enough, all the customers exclaiming "OMG, that accent! You're from Canada, aren't you? Why on earth are you working in Michigan?" was woefully tiring. So much for quietly and seamlessly fitting in ) I despised the retail hours. After more than two decades of 8:30 to 4, working weekends to 11 pm was beyond awful.

Like pretty much every other challenge we have faced in our relocation, though, things seemed to work out for me in the end. Just as Steve and I had agreed that it was time to put in my notice at the store, I was offered a part time position at one of the local banks here......which is MUCH more suited for me in SO many ways. After working for 18.5 years in the financial industry in Canada, a position in the bank is very much more in line with my interest and experience. Plus, the schedule is superb: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, with rotational Saturdays (but the bank is only open until 1 pm on Saturdays, and only the drive thru portion: so on the odd Saturdays that I will have to work, its only for half a day and its the EARLY part ). The pay is virtually on par with what I was receiving per hour at my job in Canada, AND I will receive a full benefit package (even as a part timer). It was a long, detailed application process (which included everything from video interviews to in person interviews) so I was shocked when I finally got the call offering me the position. So, as I transition out of the retail job.....they have asked me to stay for the next two weeks, and I agreed as I don't start my training for the bank until June 26th....I move on to a new and exciting (and financially favourable) challenge.

This morning I am off to a neighbouring town (I hope I don't get lost....thank goodness for Google Maps ) to get fingerprinted and drug tested as part of the final application stages for the bank job, then I'm hoping, planning, expecting to draft up a very-much-overdue entry for this report later this evening. Thank you all for your unbelievable patience as I navigate this crazy new life of mine.

I'm really glad that the right job has come along before the wrong job took up any more of your time. Best of luck with the new position!