We traveled with my parents
twice to WDW so I know slowwwww. It is an adjustment, for sure, which I'm sure you handled well
We've done WDW and DL before, as well as other trips. WDW mom was a nightmare the first couple of days and then got a
scooter and it was fine. Since then though she's had surgery on both hips and has been doing great. But a nasty bout with shingles that still flares up really wiped her out and she is nowhere back to where she was stamina wise. She got really frustrated with herself so that was a little hard but acclimated after a bit. My dad was great at just telling us to slow down and has the patience of a saint. So while it was slow, it was manageable, it just took some adjusting and often folks heading out in waves.
Your upcoming cruise sounds awesome! We are currently in the process of planning next winter break (11 months from today is the day after Christmas!!) and we're looking for a 4-or 5-day cruise in addition to some days at WDW--I'm SO tired of cold weather in Florida in December. Unfortunately, during the holidays,
DCL is almost 3 times more expensive than other lines. We'll get back to DCL someday, but apparently not during popular times.
You set the kids free right away - cool mom!!
DCL is CRAZY during the holidays. I'd love it but it's never going to happen. I'd love to take the kids on one more cruise before Evan graduates and I don't know that it will happen either as summer rates are almost as bad. UGH.
The crowds were such that our comfort level was there. We'd planned on letting them go to Splash alone already while we did Jungle Cruise...we just extended the window by a bit. Or a lot.
I love hearing about your upcoming trips!
When is the band trip and who is going? Ah, school trips. What great memories (or perhaps I have blocked out the bad ones!)
Band Trip is Easter weekend and it will be myself, the E's and my folks. Jeff needs his vacation days for other things. Unlike you...I will be "tagging along"
meaning not chaperoning but with an overlapping trip. Evan will be staying with us after the band goes back for an extra 2 nights.
Your Flower & Garden girls trip sounds incredible, especially every time I read on your report or Mary Ellen's about the meets you will be planning.
I am going to have to start a spreadsheet unless Mary Ellen already has, TONS of overlap. Which we also had over the holidays but that was much harder to coordinate meets between the crowds and the extended families...
I admire the dedication needed for the DL half marathon trip.
Thanks! I am a bit nervous but at a minimum I am confident I can do it and not die.
I am VERY glad for
DVC. I was able to do the early registration (which sold out, only so many spots for that) and then today when it opened to the public, watched it explode. Right now, 3pm PST the half is 90% sold out, DDD and the 10K sold out in less than an hour and the 5K is at 80%!
Crazy!
And finally, your cruise! I am
super-jealous! That is a GREAT itinerary!!!
St. Lucia is our second favorite island in the Caribbean (after St. John). Mark and I have taken two week-long trips there. Our favorite excursions there were the Brig Unicorn-we did this on both visits. You sail on a reproduction pirate ship along the beautiful coastline with stops at the drive-in volcano and botanical gardens and a swim/snorkel in Rodney bay. Dang- just looked this up and they may have made it into a family pirate-themed excursion. Not as desirable.
The other thing we did was an all day Jeep tour (army style jeep fitting about a dozen people), with a snorkel stop/lunch and a walk into the rainforest where we picked fresh mango to eat under the waterfall at the end of the trail. Magical!
It will be quite some time before DCL releases itineraries but I am super excited about every port. I will definitely keep these in mind and pick your brain when it gets closer.
Poles and Parades
Quite a busy morning, even though you have yet to go on any rides!
Luckily it was only myself and my folks in that boat, the rest had conquered 2 mountains by the time we met back up!
Check-in sounds like a pain and what a bummer that you and your parents had to return to the BW for meds. Especially since it meant losing a ride on BTM!
Yes...there is (will be) a recurring theme with that one.
I'm glad to hear you all enjoyed the Captain's Grille breakfast. We have had two dinners and one lunch there and enjoyed them all. We had one breakfast scheduled back in 2010 with Teena before she started her shift, but our airline changed our flight that morning.
I highly recommend the breakfast! I've done lunch but not dinner yet.
Did you see the moving pictures? Not as impressive as Hogwarts, but it's something.
Moving pictures where???
Great pictures at the Barbershop and pole!
I need to do a series with the E's although I'm not sure the 2nd time if we got the "after" photo or not. Did the first time for sure, both before and after.
I also love all of the adult only photopass pictures you got that morning, sans Starbuck cups!

on an unexpected Christmas parade.
It's nice to have some adult photos and hey, it's the only way I can prove I was on the trip!
I was thrilled about the parade
Such a shame that after all of your planning, you're not getting an opportunity to use any of your FP+ reservations...
Most were able to...and don't worry, all was not lost!
I'm glad that everything worked out and the boys and your dad got their haircuts.
I love the tradition and am glad the boys still do too!
That's nice that they were still doing the Christmas parade while you were there. I have to say though, after seeing it twice at
MVMCP, that it seems very odd seeing it in the daylight.
I bet!
I hope the lower than expected crowds continue... and that the boys don't ruin any future chances of getting to go off on their own.
Both good things to hope for!
Can't wait to take Freya for her 1st haircut at the Main St Babar Shop.
I wish I could have done that. I don't know if there is a similar one at DLR but at 1 and 2 the E's didn't have enough hair to even cut!
The coffee cup in a photo is a bit stupid really as that'll only apply to photopass photos, if you take your own photo you can have the cup on display.
As always so jealous of all your plans.
Makes you want to take a picture WITH the cup, doesn't it!
My wallet is most unhappy with my plans. Beans and rice. We will be eating beans and rice!