MagicBands + Margaritas + Muggles + Minions = TRP. New TR link is up! 10/31

[eandesmom]

And I'll be...here at work. Jealous!

Ah well, it will be a long dry summer of zippo vacations as a result around here.

Sorry to hear that. I think this is proof that running is really bad for people. Anyway, I hope it feels better soon.

Unfortunately I can't blame this on the running and no, it doesn't make it worse.

Bad sofabeds and planes do though

During New Year's week? Amateurs.

No, not amateurs just obstinate and confident they knew best and I was wrong.

Have not tried this, but it sounds good!

deep fried flaky deliciousness. What's not to love?

 

[elphie101]

I like the grey goose one, the orange one is a bit too sweet for me. Generally I am not a frozen drink gal, I like my tropical concoctions on the rocks. LOL! I don't think a slushie, or two, before a 5K hurts anyone!

Aw thanks! As much as anything it should help keep me on track. The 8 and 10K are in my normal run mileage so those shouldn't be a big deal but the 15K is definitely intended to keep me on track with training. I do wish it was a little more spread out but the 15K's don't seem to happen all that often and it's a great training distance.

Your 5K was a challenge race in addition to the 5K so imagine it's a bit harder than a true 5K. I've never done an official 5K, I did one that was a fund raiser with a work related group I belong to, but it wasn't timed or certified or anything like that. I did get donuts though!

Ah. I do admittedly gravitate towards the fruity, traditionally "girly" kind of drink, so if that doesn't sound like you then this might not be your cup of tea!

I've heard before that the Everest Challenge ends up being 5 miles when all is said and done (and man, it did feel like it!), so maybe that means I'm in better shape after all! Those obstacles definitely added more time, partly in recovery afterwords, and partly in just getting them done - crawling on wet astro turf is a slow and painful process

 

[eandesmom]

Ah. I do admittedly gravitate towards the fruity, traditionally "girly" kind of drink, so if that doesn't sound like you then this might not be your cup of tea!

I do like a good umbrella drink but not if it's too sweet. I suspect this one might be, or not, it's on the edge.

I've heard before that the Everest Challenge ends up being 5 miles when all is said and done (and man, it did feel like it!), so maybe that means I'm in better shape after all! Those obstacles definitely added more time, partly in recovery afterwords, and partly in just getting them done - crawling on wet astro turf is a slow and painful process

UGH I've seen many a turf burn and not fun! I do believe it's closer to 5 with all the challenges/obstacles.

 

[MEK]

See, I am not crazy after all. Running shoes and clothes DO take up more than they should.

I am packing tomorrow. Yup - that's right - dragging the broken suitcase out of the closet and loading it up.

I have been dreaming of margaritas all day today!

Oh my on the AP's. I'm just not sure what to say about that. I wish I had gotten my AP in 2014 because then I would have a new MB. Now I just have the plain ones. I will be so NOT cool. Don't care.

Fun that you went to AI. I have not gone to it in forever.

Cronuts? Hmmmm - what is this food item you speak of? I must add it to my bucket list!

Cute pictures of you! I like that green jacket. Sorry it no longer works properly. Boo!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I'm way behind!

Great pics of Osborne Lights! I can't wait to see them again! That's the main reason we'll go to DHS this next trip. Your RnR pics are fun!
Jeff's jacket is very nice!

AI - never done it. Probably never will. Just not interested.

Dinner in WS is always a great option if you ask me!
Cronuts! Must try one soon.
I hope to enjoy a croque monsieur at the French bakery on our trip.
Your meal looked great too!

Too bad Kerri and Eric missed out on a decent dinner. But if they weren't feeling well, maybe they would not have enjoyed it anyway. You were nice to keep the "I told you so" to yourself.

That whole CC deal is such a pain. I can't believe they'd try to make you do that when you didn't in the first place. Disney can't get a decent website going, but apparently they always know how to find your CC info!!

Way to go with all the races! Good luck! I hope your ailments/injuries improve or at least don't get worse!! My latest ailment is hip joint pain. No idea why? The chiro said I sit too much. Going to get a massage and maybe see a Dr.

Those boys really have grown!! My DDs still haven't quite gotten as tall as me, but I know it's coming! That will be weird. Their friends are as tall or taller than me, many of them.

I like the idea of a yellow jacket! I think it will look good on you - bright colors are awesome!

Okay, I think that was all! I'll try to keep up better. Of course, then you'll go on your trip and won't update! HA!
I hope you and Mary Ellen have an AWESOME trip! I wish I could go too!!!

 

[Leshaface]

I was behind but all caught up now.

I love this picture!

Your boys are getting so big. Also, they are going to be some lady killers when they're older. Better watch out!

The Osborne Lights... So incredible. Pictures just don't do it justice. But actually, your Photopass pictures turned out really good!

Is AI still busy?! I rarely even hear of that attraction anymore.

The sandwiches look delicious but that cronut though!?!

Can't wait to hear about your Disneyland trip eventually

 

[eandesmom]

See, I am not crazy after all. Running shoes and clothes DO take up more than they should.

Yeah, the clothes not so much but the shoes. UGH. It's always the reason we give for not working out on vacation, we couldn't fit the shoes. It's a funny evolution though, we never used to bring them and even try and that's really changed for us, I think both of us have that feeling we just can't afford to take the entire time "off" but it does make packing a pain.

I am packing tomorrow. Yup - that's right - dragging the broken suitcase out of the closet and loading it up.

I am so sad about your broken suitcase! I snagged Evan's out of the bomb zone that is his room and swapped my stuff into that one yesterday. It all fits without doing a larger carryon!!!!!!! I've become spoiled, I usually get 2 free bags these days and will on they way home but outbound it's only one. Since I have a layover I don't want anything too big to lug around so was trying to keep it at my tink tote and laptop bag.

Except that might be a problem if I buy him what he wants as a souvie...

I have been dreaming of margaritas all day today!

Well, we can blame that on Melissa and Christine! It looked good! I wonder if they offer that flight in the lounge or if we have to be in the main dining room?

Oh my on the AP's. I'm just not sure what to say about that. I wish I had gotten my AP in 2014 because then I would have a new MB. Now I just have the plain ones. I will be so NOT cool. Don't care.

Well you have a pretty pink one, that's not plain! All you are missing is the slider. AND there are now DVC sliders. Our bands went out too early to get them I guess but I hear they may have them at check in if we ask. Speaking off, if they tell you we have a package, it's my 4th band. LOL!

Fun that you went to AI. I have not gone to it in forever.

I hadn't either, I loved it that Jeff wanted to and we really enjoyed it.

Cronuts? Hmmmm - what is this food item you speak of? I must add it to my bucket list!

Deep fried flaky deliciousness! You MUST try

Cute pictures of you! I like that green jacket. Sorry it no longer works properly. Boo!

I got a lot of miles out of that green jacket. I actually just love that color. I really just assumed it was only supposed to be water resistant and was shocked to find it covered. I will say, the yellow one, which arrived yesterday is SOOOO cool! And they have a customer for life that is for sure. it's funny, I have a lighter weight insulated jacket from them, my "spring" warm coat for soccer etc that is that same green. This whole experience makes me want to wear it a lot more than I do as I tend to default to my boring black face slightly warmer one. Seriously, when the boys need new coats that brand just went to the top of my list.

I'm way behind!

welcome to my life!

Great pics of Osborne Lights! I can't wait to see them again! That's the main reason we'll go to DHS this next trip. Your RnR pics are fun!

They were amazing, I am so grateful I got to see them at least once

Jeff's jacket is very nice!

It definitely came in handy, it's been a good purchase

AI - never done it. Probably never will. Just not interested.

It's not for everyone that is for sure!

Dinner in WS is always a great option if you ask me!

Yes, thank goodness we were able to still get food!

Cronuts! Must try one soon.
I hope to enjoy a croque monsieur at the French bakery on our trip.
Your meal looked great too!

Eric had the croque monsier but that chicken sounded yummy and oh was it! LOVE the cronut. Brilliant.

Too bad Kerri and Eric missed out on a decent dinner. But if they weren't feeling well, maybe they would not have enjoyed it anyway. You were nice to keep the "I told you so" to yourself.

They struggled with not feeling well most of the trip, such a bummer

That whole CC deal is such a pain. I can't believe they'd try to make you do that when you didn't in the first place. Disney can't get a decent website going, but apparently they always know how to find your CC info!!

Seriously

Way to go with all the races! Good luck! I hope your ailments/injuries improve or at least don't get worse!! My latest ailment is hip joint pain. No idea why? The chiro said I sit too much. Going to get a massage and maybe see a Dr.

Well getting up and moving around in theory helps everyone a lot. I am sure some of my things are posture and sitting related though I do try to be super aware of all of that while I am at my desk.

The reality is I've always been tight and inflexible (physically lol) and add a neck injury and age and well, I think it's probably pretty normal crud. PT is always amazed at how shockingly inflexible and tight I am...and how little it really bothers me but I guess when it's all that you know, you don't realize you are limited (if that makes sense). It is what it is I guess, I just try to keep it manageable and bearable. I've kind of given up hope at true long term improvement of any magnitude. I'm quite sure my running would be a lot better if I could really get all the way better but...oh well.

Those boys really have grown!! My DDs still haven't quite gotten as tall as me, but I know it's coming! That will be weird. Their friends are as tall or taller than me, many of them.

It is weird! I'm going to measure them against Q and my sister on Sunday as I am curious. They are definitely not done that's for sure. My prediction has always been about 5'10 for Evan and 6' for Eric and they seem to be trending that way. Evan is just happy not to be short any more!

I like the idea of a yellow jacket! I think it will look good on you - bright colors are awesome!

It came yesterday, "acid yellow". I love it! And I love bright colors.

Okay, I think that was all! I'll try to keep up better. Of course, then you'll go on your trip and won't update! HA!
I hope you and Mary Ellen have an AWESOME trip! I wish I could go too!!!

I wish you could go too!!

I was behind but all caught up now.

I love this picture!

Thanks!

Your boys are getting so big. Also, they are going to be some lady killers when they're older. Better watch out!

UGH!

We've dodged that bullet with all 4 kids so far...Evan is the one we have to watch out for, it's just a matter of time. I am glad it hasn't happened yet though. He's too busy. Which is a good thing!

The Osborne Lights... So incredible. Pictures just don't do it justice. But actually, your Photopass pictures turned out really good!

Pictures don't do it justice. Well, Wendy's pictures do but most don't.

Is AI still busy?! I rarely even hear of that attraction anymore.

I don't know that it was full but it had a decent crowd

The sandwiches look delicious but that cronut though!?!

That sandwich was pretty amazing but the cronut is on a whole new level.

Can't wait to hear about your Disneyland trip eventually

I will get there! There is just so much to say if I stuck in in the middle of this one, I'd never get this one done either!

 

[Chilly]

I saw this and thought of you:




https://fabrily.com/RunNowWineLater

 

[eandesmom]

I saw this and thought of you:




https://fabrily.com/RunNowWineLater

that was me last night!

5.41 miles and then a lovely glass of red with my fajitas. After a giant glass of water of course

 

[eandesmom]

I was debating whether or not to try and get another update (or more) out before our trip and decided...to go for it.

A few small updates regarding the trip. We made a couple of changes this week and well, I'd like to thank you all for inspiring at least one of them! I thought about it and realized that with landing at 9:40 am and Olivia’s stopping breakfast at 10:30, the chances of making it were pretty much a pipe dream. I'd always known that but really didn't have a better idea and was kind of married to the thought of a sit down breakfast immediately. Coffee and the thought of food is powerful motivator for surviving a red eye.

I'll have coffee. You know I'll stop at the Starbucks before getting on DME so that takes care of the coffee part. Of course that stop also increases the chance of not making it to OKW by 10:25 as well. It is a required stop, non negotiable.

So that leaves food. Posting the update that features the ultimate in flaky fried deliciousness got me thinking. It really IS a valid breakfast option! But maybe not enough on its own. I don’t handle sugar well as it is (more of a salt girl) and sugar plus coffee with nothing else could mean a serious crash. So I started looking at the F&G "outdoor kitchen" menus and realized I could cobble together a pretty nice meal. I made a short list, check it out!

Japan: Frushi (Fresh Strawberries, Pineapple and Cantaloupe, rolled with Coconut Rice, atop a Raspberry Sauce sprinkled with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream)

Mexico: Quesadilla de hongos con queso – Flour tortilla filled with mushrooms and cheese (maybe not, lots of carbs with the cronut)

UK: Potato, Chive and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare and Sour Cream (might be overkill with the cronut but it sure sounds good!)

UK: Freshly baked lemon scones with berry preserves and crème fraÎche (same issue as above)

Pineapple Plantation: Sweet potato cinnamon waffle with pineapple soft serve. (Ok, it might be a bit early for ice cream but that sounds good too..and carb overkill...clearly there is a theme here)

France: Confit de canard, pommes de terre Sarladaise – Pulled duck confit with garlic and parsley potatoes (not truly breakfasty but it could work and I do love duck)

Florida Fresh: Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes and Cilantro. (Hey look a protein!)

No eggs but...we are having breakfast at Cindy's the next day, and at Kona, so I will live. Want to know something funny? I just now looked at the menu for Cindy's for the first time. YUM!!!! It sounds really good. I'd just assumed it was a buffet. I love being wrong.

And maybe, just maybe, with the "brunch"...

Italy: Strawberry rossini – Prosecco and marinated strawberries
Japan: Orange Mango Slushie – Frozen blend of Nigori sake, mango and orange juice (not sure about sake in the morning though)

A bit early in the day for me to hit the Ditch but it will be 11-11:30 by the time we get there so I suppose you never know. Prosecco and a cronut. Sounds like a great way to kick off the trip!

My replacement rain jacket arrived. I am unsure if I am bringing it though in reality it doesn't take up any more space than the bigger nice Disney ponchos. I do have my lighter running one which weighs nothing and may be all I take. The weather reports are all over the board, as usual, with sometimes it showing a few really really rainy days, to it then dropping to 10-30%. It’s that 80% day (that’s now disappeared for the moment) that makes me consider bringing it. I hope it stays disappeared!

My new flip flops arrived too. I can't recall if I mentioned it but I love them both so….as usual am packing too many shoes and need to go back and whittle it down. Still, I am about 90% packed, the rest will happen Sat/Sun. Hair was cut on Tuesday and toes are painted as good as they are going to get as I don't have the time or energy for a pedicure much as I might love them.

We made a tweak to our FP's for Friday, with the change in FP+ to allow you to pull more once you use yours up, we slid ours to the am versus PM where we had them. Or slid most of them anyway, once I couldn't move more than an hour earlier. Still, I think it will work out ok. They've added FP+ for some of the special Star Wars events but the ones on our day didn't grab either of us so we left it alone.

As is the norm, my workload is exploding with stuff I may well have to work on a little bit from Florida. It is what it is and the good part about it is hours I do work, I don’t take as vacation and well, I need all the hours I can keep! Good news is I no longer stress about it really, it’s become a bit of a norm and well, what gets done before, and during is what will get done. I will know more today. I have a big project I was hoping to launch on Friday. If I can, that will be amazing. If not, it may show its head next week as I really don’t want to delay the launch a full week if it can be avoided.

On that note though (as the project is sending out an RFP for a new company website) I took a mine train quiz that Pat had mentioned on her TR and got my dwarf name.



REALLY????????????



Jeff about died laughing. It is SO spot on. He had decided that is my Disney nickname from now on. Great. Just Great!

I did tweak my short list of "must do's" for next weeks trip.

Epcot: Figment, SE, Sum of all Thrills, Cronut (the Ditch goes without saying)

MK: Mine train soft opening if the stars align!

DHS: Backlot Tour

And that's it. Lots of other things I plan to do but these are the preferred "musts". I also plan /hope to spend more time in the art stores. I know there is the one at DHS, and a cool gallery at the Poly, where else are they? I have a little project going on at home, one that got started on the DL trip and I'll be looking to maybe add to it while in Florida if I find the right thing, or things.

Last, but not least, Jeff and I looked at a couple of things for the September trip and for now, have decided to opt out of both the MNSSHP and the new DVC Sunrise Safari options. We are keeping that trip on the down low. LOL! Plus it does save money and allows for just a more relaxed and flexible schedule. DCL still hasn’t released excursions so I don’t know on that front yet. I can't book excursions until 6/22 or PIF whichever comes first. PIF isn't until 7/7 and well, I’ll be somewhere in the middle of those 2 dates.

Whew!

Back to our regularly scheduled report!

Today was January 2nd. This was a BIG day for everyone, especially for my dad and all the boys. We were going

















To the Dark Side


Yep. It was Harry Potter Day! After much debate we had elected to have car service pick all of us up at BWV. While we could have done the Mears ticket + transfer package we feared that would take us longer to get to the parks, and back and we knew that the crowds were supposed to be bad so didn't want to risk it.

I am going to preface this update by saying it will be shockingly lacking in pictures, for reasons that will become clear.

I'd received calls the day before from both our drivers (with 11 we needed 2 town cars and thanks to our lovely TA we had them!). They were right on time, as were we! Traffic was rather lousy and our drivers took back roads which saved us quite a bit of both stress, and time.

Upon arrival we all had to hit the will call kiosks, enter voucher numbers and print up our tickets. These were pretty slick little machines! Worked like a charm and as hoped, the gates seemed to open a little early. We did the mad dash straight back to Hogwarts.

These are pictures from my previous TR but you get the idea!





As it was Q&K's first time it was VERY hard to keep everyone on track and focused. I had thought we had a plan, hit the Forbidden Journey first, before the line and wait got too long. Jeff and I stuck with my parents, who moved at a different pace. As we entered the line we realized something.
We had lost everyone else

They were just gone

And no one was answering their phone or texts

I

was

MAD

Like really really REALLY mad

The whole point of this trip was to experience this specific park, this specific section of the park, this specific RIDE, with my Dad!

TOGETHER

As a family

You know, SHARE the experience

At least I thought it was

I know it was for me.

I thought it was for my sisters (though granted, Kerri couldn’t ride)

Whatever.

We made a call, the 4 of us, that we wouldn’t wait for them (wherever they were)

At 8:12, we were here



Can't tell what that is?



Not much better huh. And because we were there relatively quickly, the line did not exactly stop and offer photo taking opportunites

The Ministry is not messing around on this one



The gallery





Some instructions





And yeah, that's all I have for you. Lame. Sorry!

As you go through, if they think you might have issues fitting onto the ride, you are pulled out and they make you "test" fit onto a sample seat.

They pulled my mom out.

It wouldn't latch

They told her she couldn't ride

She wasn't having it.

She made them try again, insisting she hadn't scooted far enough back and sat up straight enough

Though reluctant, they agreed

And she was right!

THANK GOODNESS!



Talk about stressful for all of us and my poor mom! No fun.

With that, in short order we were flying with Harry, Ron and Hermione. I absolutely adore this ride and the sheer joy of it wiped out much of my annoyance with my sisters and the kids.

Exiting we headed into the dump shop. As my parents shopped away I finally heard from the others.

Who were now in line for FJ. A much longer line.

They'd all ridden on the Tri Wizard challenge. I don't know if it was the E's idea or if it just organically happened and the adults went with the flow or what. It really annoyed the heck out of me. "But there was NO wait mom!" There was strategy here people, strategy to get on the most popular ride with the longest line, first. TOGETHER. By ditching us it basically meant no Tri Wizard for us. I wasn't about to ditch my parents and the crowds now pouring in, were insane. So we shopped and texted to meet once they got off.

Somehow afterwards, instead of meeting us, they decided to head to Honeydukes. To say we were all frustrated at this point, would be an understatement. Wasting a solid hour figuring out where they were, waiting around to have them keep doing whatever they wanted knowing we were waiting, honesty didn't sit well...especially as I watched the herd move in. Part of the issue was not their fault. The cell service absolutely sucked. texting and calls would go through only on a VERY sporadic basis (but you'd have to wait to get the notification it didn't go though before you could resend) and wi fi seemed nowhere to be found or kept losing connection. All of which was not helping the battery situation on anyone’s phone. Of course that didn't make me any less cranky.

So I went in and ordered breakfast from the Three Broomsticks. Jeff and I both wanted coffee as well. At that point Jeff and I really didn't care if they came in or not. If memory serves we, and my parents ordered food. At some point the rest showed up. Mel didn't want to buy her kids food for cost reasons, Kerri was starving and my kids were begging. I think I may have made my kids share something, I honestly don't recall. Bad moods zap memory cells I think.

Sadly...the food pretty much sucked. Which was a bummer as I recalled enjoying it on our previous trip. Then again, it may have been my mood which was not terribly charitable at the moment and I knew I needed to get over it. whether I was in the right or not was irrelevant. My sisters didn't see anything wrong with what they'd all done and it simply wasn't worth the battle. As breakfast ended my folks announced that they were done with this part of the park for now, it was too crowded. Kerri couldn't go on anything and had found a show that would work. The adults all decided to hit the show and cut the kids loose. Frankly I wasn't thrilled about giving the E’s what felt like a reward but at the same time, the idea of reigning them in while in the wonderland of thrill rides that my folks and Kerri couldn't go on, just wasn't worth the hassle or drama.

It was now 10:30.

I'd been on ONE ride (though a DANG good one) and had a bad breakfast.

Sigh.

It's Five O'Clock. And Soggy!

 

[elphie101]

I must say, I thought the Shrimp & Grits were excellent, two thumbs up! They have a very satisfying kick to them. Sadly can't comment on the rest of your F&G selections - there's only so much you can eat in one day at Epcot!

Now to the dark side......stinks that your day at the dark side started especially dark. Especially with the crowds at that time of the year, only scooting on Forbidden Journey is a bit of a bummer. And a strike against the food too! Hope the rest of the day improves!

 

[Leshaface]

DH and I were just talking last night about the possibility of renting a car to visit HP because I didn't know what other options there were. Where can I look up the Mears package you talked about? You did car service because of the amount of people, but what do you think for 3 adults and 1 toddler? Any help would be great!

Oh. Dear. I'd be pretty upset too, especially when you wanted EVERYONE to ride together for this specific ride and i'm sure you told everyone the plan beforehand. And now a not-so-good breakfast doesn't help matters! Hopefully the day goes a little better.

 

[saintstickets]

After our Dancing Spectacle we headed over to AI. Pretty soon we were enjoying fake Ryan

And seeing the contestants

Wait...hold the phone...you nor Jeff competed?!?!?
I'm sooooooo disappointed!!

Refreshment Port: The Cronut! An amazing combination of a croissant (France) and a doughnut (I’ll give the US credit but really have no idea).

I have GOT to try one of those!!!



So sorry your morning started off bad in the OTHER park! We were there for only one day a while back. I guess we'll have to go again now that Diagon Alley is opening soon!

Great TR...hope to read more before your upcoming trip.

 

[princess_momma]

UGH what is about WWoHP that makes people plans just go awry? I am a HUGE HP nut and G loves the movies and the person who joined us at WWoHP hasn't seen or read them at all! And because we had the same strategy as you (hitting up Forbidden Journey first) and G wanted to be nice to be nice to our friend (one of us had to sit out as L wasn't tall enough to ride), somehow our friend with NO interest in HP got to ride FJ TWICE and G and I didn't get to ride it together AT ALL...still upset, that was the main thing I wanted us to enjoy TOGETHER. :roll eyes:

I must say I am glad you are keeping it together well. I am so torn between wanting to go on large family trips (would love for L to experience it with his cousins) and also dreading trying to coordinate different touring styles and putting up with people who don't get it as much or trust your strategies. I may have to keep this TR on file for proof it can be done!

I hope your "dark side" day picks up. It's no good when you finally travel over and it's a bust!

 

[Chilly]

Urgh I feel your pain and also very pissed off on your behalf, why can't people follow the plan!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope the day improves.

 

[PrincessInOz]

OMG! Your family.....scattered......like a Death Eater had appeared in the middle of the pack.....and.......and.....didn't phone home to stick with the plan of getting on the FJ ride FIRST?

That's like grounds for performing one of the 3 Unforgivable Curses on them!!!


I so sympathize.


And yes, breakfast is just barely acceptable at the Three Broomsticks. One can only hope that there are better food options in Diagon Alley.


At least your mom got on the ride.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Yay for your trip being so close! I am an overpacker of the shoes too so I can sympathize with you on that front.

What a great idea to use a car service to get your group to the Dark Side. I hadn't even thought of that. Must make a note of it for our May, 2015 trip.

Ugh, I can't stand it when there's a plan in place and others totally screw it up. Seriously? Good for you going ahead and riding though. No need to just stand there and wait on them when you can enjoy yourselves.

 

[afwdwfan]

Customized yet another magic band. Ah, it will be very interesting to see what band works, if any, for DME, park entry and room key. I will have 4 for this stay.

1. Room key band for first 3 nights
2. Room key band for last 3 nights
3. Annual Pass band
4. Premium Annual Pass Band.

Well... good luck.

Obtained key items for the trip

Priorities!!!

On that note, racing and general DL ½ prep a few things have happened. We registered for 2 additional races. Right now we have

Wow... a busy month. When you started out running, did you ever think you'd have 3 races scheduled in just over 1 month's time???

Other than all that, we had K's LAST EVER club soccer game!

Definitely a bittersweet moment for her, and you.

Upon arriving and finding the gang in Mexico…I found that my lovely sister had purchased me a beverage!

That was nice of her!

From France: Poulet Au Pistou - Chicken Breast with Cheese, Tomato, Red Onion and Pesto - $9.00

Refreshment Port: The Cronut! An amazing combination of a croissant (France) and a doughnut (I’ll give the US credit but really have no idea).

From the Ditch: (aka La Cava Del Tequila) Mexico: The Classic Margarita. El Mayor premium silver Tequila, orange liqueur and lime mix, served on the rocks with salt on the rim.

I have to say, that this is the beauty of World Showcase.

I'll have coffee. You know I'll stop at the Starbucks before getting on DME so that takes care of the coffee part. Of course that stop also increases the chance of not making it to OKW by 10:25 as well. It is a required stop, non negotiable.

As long as you know what your priorities are.

A bit early in the day for me to hit the Ditch but it will be 11-11:30 by the time we get there so I suppose you never know. Prosecco and a cronut. Sounds like a great way to kick off the trip!

You've definitely done well in finding a suitable replacement for Olivia's breakfast.

Jeff about died laughing. It is SO spot on. He had decided that is my Disney nickname from now on. Great. Just Great!

Internet quizzes never lie!

And that's it. Lots of other things I plan to do but these are the preferred "musts". I also plan /hope to spend more time in the art stores. I know there is the one at DHS, and a cool gallery at the Poly, where else are they? I have a little project going on at home, one that got started on the DL trip and I'll be looking to maybe add to it while in Florida if I find the right thing, or things.

Looks like fun! Have a great time!

As it was Q&K's first time it was VERY hard to keep everyone on track and focused. I had thought we had a plan, hit the Forbidden Journey first, before the line and wait got too long. Jeff and I stuck with my parents, who moved at a different pace. As we entered the line we realized something.
We had lost everyone else

They were just gone

And no one was answering their phone or texts

Uh oh... I sense some upcoming limitations to their "freedom."

Talk about stressful for all of us and my poor mom! No fun.

Yeah, not fun at all. I'm glad that she was able to ride!

To say we were all frustrated at this point, would be an understatement. Wasting a solid hour figuring out where they were, waiting around to have them keep doing whatever they wanted knowing we were waiting, honesty didn't sit well...especially as I watched the herd move in.

Brutal... I guess I didn't realize there was adult supervision with the boys at first. That makes it even more frustrating...

It was now 10:30.

I'd been on ONE ride (though a DANG good one) and had a bad breakfast.

It has to get better. Right???

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Oh man, I hate it when there's a good plan and people don't follow it!!! I would have been ticked too.
This is why I'm not inviting any family to join us for our trip at NYE this year! HA! No, not really. If anyone else comes though, they can make their own plans.

So when you say the ministry means business, how intense is that ride? I'd love to go see WWoHP, not the next trip but someday, but if I can't handle it, what other rides are more tame, if any? I'd hate to spend all that $ to look around.

I hope the dark day brightens.

Good luck with the packing! I always have more shoes than anyone else!

 

[eandesmom]

I must say, I thought the Shrimp & Grits were excellent, two thumbs up! They have a very satisfying kick to them. Sadly can't comment on the rest of your F&G selections - there's only so much you can eat in one day at Epcot!

There is only so much, it's a tough job but someone has to do it! Thanks for the endorsement of the grits

Now to the dark side......stinks that your day at the dark side started especially dark. Especially with the crowds at that time of the year, only scooting on Forbidden Journey is a bit of a bummer. And a strike against the food too! Hope the rest of the day improves!

I expected crowds, I really did. But.

WOW.

It did make me appreciate just what we did have at WDW between staying onsite, MB's, FP+....

I'd expected that too as our last visit we did have the express passes since we were on property. While it wouldn't have mattered for HP, it would have elsewhere.

DH and I were just talking last night about the possibility of renting a car to visit HP because I didn't know what other options there were. Where can I look up the Mears package you talked about? You did car service because of the amount of people, but what do you think for 3 adults and 1 toddler? Any help would be great!

Ok I think they will allow this link, since DU is a sponsor.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/Universal/index.htm

You can also book the transfers separately but it's more $$. This is a good deal. Only challenge is it's kind of like DME...picking up multiple parties from multiple resorts and you won't know how many, etc, until that day. With hte crowds we expected at IoA we didn't want to risk it.

We did rent cars for our 2nd day over there (which I won't get to before my trip next week) and I can tell you that the towncars were a MUCH better option for a few reasons. Again though, time of year was a huge factor and we needed the cars for other reasons but overall, the towncar was much easier and less stressful for sure.

Oh. Dear. I'd be pretty upset too, especially when you wanted EVERYONE to ride together for this specific ride and i'm sure you told everyone the plan beforehand. And now a not-so-good breakfast doesn't help matters! Hopefully the day goes a little better.

Well my telling everyone and apparently them agreeing or thinking it was as critical/time sensitive as Jeff and I did...was not the same thing. I love my sister. However, she is easily swayed by her kids and I am quite sure the E's played a large roll in that. my other sister, well she wanted her DH to actually get on something I am sure! And the kids wanted him along. So much as they both wanted it to be about my dad too, it was also very much about her kids and big Eric's first visit, which I get. And you know what, at the end of the day I had the experience I wanted with my dad. I've had it with my kids more than once there so ultimately I did get what I wanted too. Even if I was too annoyed at the time to appreciate it as I should have.

Wait...hold the phone...you nor Jeff competed?!?!?
I'm sooooooo disappointed!!

Trust me, you would not want Jeff to compete. As for me, not without a lot of voice lessons or practice before hand. Though I sang plenty back in the day, solo was not my gig. Much more comfortable in an a capella jazz choir or a duo or trio. And that was then. Now I'd scare people.

I have GOT to try one of those!!!

Everyone should try one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So sorry your morning started off bad in the OTHER park! We were there for only one day a while back. I guess we'll have to go again now that Diagon Alley is opening soon!

Yes, I foresee a decision coming down the pike. As I forecast it all out, we will get one more Disney park trip before Evan graduates from HS. At most. We hope to do Aulani next year with the E's so aren't counting that. Then the E's have their band trip to Ireland. So that leaves spring break Evan's Sr Year. He will have to choose between WDW/Universal or a cruise, I don't think we'll be able to do a trip that has both. I suspect Diagon Alley will be a determining factor. That and Gringotts!

Great TR...hope to read more before your upcoming trip.

Thanks! I hope to get one more update up at least.

UGH what is about WWoHP that makes people plans just go awry? I am a HUGE HP nut and G loves the movies and the person who joined us at WWoHP hasn't seen or read them at all! And because we had the same strategy as you (hitting up Forbidden Journey first) and G wanted to be nice to be nice to our friend (one of us had to sit out as L wasn't tall enough to ride), somehow our friend with NO interest in HP got to ride FJ TWICE and G and I didn't get to ride it together AT ALL...still upset, that was the main thing I wanted us to enjoy TOGETHER. :roll eyes:

Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd have been upset about that too. If I step back from the redness of the moment, it's ok. At the end of the day I rode with my dad and that's what I wanted (and it's all about me, right?). My kids wanted to ride with their cousins. They got what they wanted. While I thought it was what my siblings wanted, at the end of the day they are big people and I should have just moved on faster than I did. The technology issues REALLY added to everyone's stress level over the whole thing. Had communication been easier it would have helped a ton.

I must say I am glad you are keeping it together well. I am so torn between wanting to go on large family trips (would love for L to experience it with his cousins) and also dreading trying to coordinate different touring styles and putting up with people who don't get it as much or trust your strategies. I may have to keep this TR on file for proof it can be done!

It can be done. I can honestly say that really on my end, I had 2 major blow ups. The Test Track line fiasco and then this. In the big picture of an 11 day trip with 11 family members...that's not so bad. I tried very hard to let people do their own thing and let the chips fall however they did. It was interesting to see what those choices were at times but for the most part people really liked what they chose and we all agree it was a fabulous and memorable trip.

I hope your "dark side" day picks up. It's no good when you finally travel over and it's a bust!

No, especially when so many of the group had never been and were SO excited for it.

Urgh I feel your pain and also very pissed off on your behalf, why can't people follow the plan!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope the day improves.

That's right! I mean my plan is ALWAYS the best plan, right?

It was an interesting day to say the least.