May Vacay - Let's celebrate the end of the school year. But why is it surface of the sun hot? (Updated 10/28)

[missjackiemcg]

Oh, dear. It definitely doesn't sound like you're in for a fun evening. I am always the planner for our bigger family trips to WDW, and I despise when people tell me to plan whatever, and they'll go with the flow....then they definitely DO NOT go with the flow. Time apart is a blessing sometimes, LOL!

I hope this doesn't set the tone for the rest of your trip!!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Oh, dear. It definitely doesn't sound like you're in for a fun evening. I am always the planner for our bigger family trips to WDW, and I despise when people tell me to plan whatever, and they'll go with the flow....then they definitely DO NOT go with the flow. Time apart is a blessing sometimes, LOL!

I hope this doesn't set the tone for the rest of your trip!!

The evening was...an adventure. And yeah, much more to come. But time apart is a good thing - especially when it has already been agreed to. I'll just foreshadow this - I will be taking the Thanksgiving trip ALONE!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I love the baguette, sorry you weren’t having such a good time jiving with your aunt! She makes me laugh some, she is a bit prickly we shall say, lol
I’m interested in your evening plans!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I love the baguette, sorry you weren’t having such a good time jiving with your aunt! She makes me laugh some, she is a bit prickly we shall say, lol
I’m interested in your evening plans!

Prickly is a good way of putting it. I say "She thinks she is the matriarch of the family and forgets that I am 54 years old and even my own mother doesn't try to tell me what I have to do."

 

[amazingact21]

Oh, and next week is auditions for the 2nd show so I am here 14 hour days for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. No rest for the wicked, I guess.

Hope you've been making it through this fall semester! And catching up on sleep when you can!

Once off and through the gift shop, I went right back around to ride again. And, once again, left library. So interesting!!

Glad you were able to go from Fantasmic! to back to back rides on ToT to RNRC to Mickey to Rise! That sounds like a great use of After Hours.

Yep, I took it all. I mean, I'm going to get my money's worth of the "free" stuff y'all.

Heck yes! If you don't grab enough water and sodas to get you through for day's afterwards, did you even attend After Hours?

What's the plan, Phil? (Modern Family anyone???)

I got it! When the kids are upstairs and we need them to come to us, Alex and I will usually scream, "Lily!!!" in our best Cam voice.

During that time, the waiter came by to check on us and showed up with a plate of French toast. He said the kitchen had accidentally made an extra one and he thought we would like it. We said thank you so much!!

That's awesome! What a fantastic waiter. I feel like service like that really adds to why so many people love Topolino's. And now you know the French Toast is the way to go!

It was cute but honestly, I don't fully get the hype. Maybe it was just too hot to enjoy.

I don't either. We didn't try hard to take the kids to it in July, because we knew it would be miserably hot.

I could feel Eli and Stephen getting bored and I was getting more and more frustrated. I went over to her and tried to push her along but she was still deciding. Finally, I told her to take her time and the rest of us were going to head up to France and get grand mariner slushies.

Ahh, the joy of touring with multiple adults. It can get tricky! Sorry she got huffy and took it out on you while in front of your other friends. It can be so stressful, trying to match everyone's goals while also recognizing your own limits.

If you've read any of my other trip reports, you know there is nothing that tipsy me likes better than some bread and butter.

This made me laugh out loud.



I hope the nap helped on this afternoon!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Thanksgiving Trip Update!!!
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This morning was my 60 day dining reservation day. Of course, it had to fall during tech week. Nothing like putting in a 14 hour day, not getting to bed until midnight, then having to get up at 5:55am to make reservations before another 14 hour day and midnight bed time. Oh well, for the mouse, I will persevere.

All I really wanted for dining for this trip was: Beak and Barrel at ANY time (although I would prefer Sunday), Hollywood and Vine late breakfast for Fantasmic dining, and Crystal Palace for Thanksgiving dinner.

What I got: Hollywood and Vine at 9:25am (not as late as I wanted after the Christmas Party on Tuesday night but I can make it work); Beak and Barrel Thanksgiving Day around 11 and Crystal Palace Thanksgiving Day around 1. I'm going to keep trying to modify H&V to a little later and see if anything opens for Beak and Barrel on Sunday but if nothing changes, I'm still happy.

In addition, I was able to renew my annual pass this morning and finally get all of my park reservations for the week. Only thing left to do is FP$$ but that's not for 53 more days.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Well, posting my thoughts here to put them out into the universe helped. As soon as I posted, I went in to just TRY to modify. And guess what?? A Beak and Barrel for 1 popped up for Sunday!!!! And then - an H&V popped up for 9:50!!! SCORE!!! I am now very happy and all finished with dining. Woo hoo!!!!!

 

[ckmiles]

I have not had a baguette - but I really want one. I forgot about it on my last trip so I guess I have to go back!

Your thanksgiving trip inspired me to just go for it and book. So Im going back the week before thanksgiving- and Im going to have a baguette!

Congrats on getting the ressie for Beak and Barrel! So lucky!!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I have not had a baguette - but I really want one. I forgot about it on my last trip so I guess I have to go back!

Your thanksgiving trip inspired me to just go for it and book. So Im going back the week before thanksgiving- and Im going to have a baguette!

Congrats on getting the ressie for Beak and Barrel! So lucky!!

The baguette is SO worth it. The French guys working there always look at me a little weird when all I order is the half baguette and butter but hey - that's what I want. Although, those macrons look amazing so maybe...

Congrats on booking your trip!!! You are going to get low crowds!!! Have the best time!!!

 

[missjackiemcg]

This morning was my 60 day dining reservation day. Of course, it had to fall during tech week

I feel like that ALWAYS happens to me, too!! I live in Chicago though, so my wake up is an hour earlier to log in. Makes for a LONG day in Kindergarten with a sleep deprived Miss Jackie, but as you said, anything for the mouse--ha!

I'm so glad you were able to get the time you wanted after all! It pays to keep checking and modifying! My ADR day is exactly a month from today! I've been working on my list and trying to figure out our game plan. We will be there for 10 glorious days over Xmas and NYE and on the dining plan, so I'm trying to get us the most bang for our buck. I know the park hours will change between now and then, too, so I'm working around that, as well. Sounds insane, but this is actually one of the parts of the planning that I enjoy most!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I feel like that ALWAYS happens to me, too!! I live in Chicago though, so my wake up is an hour earlier to log in. Makes for a LONG day in Kindergarten with a sleep deprived Miss Jackie, but as you said, anything for the mouse--ha!

Right? I don't miss being in the central time zone when it comes time for ADRs and lightning lanes. And at least I'm dealing with college kids. Kindergarteners are too much for me ANY time but especially tired.

I'm so glad you were able to get the time you wanted after all! It pays to keep checking and modifying! My ADR day is exactly a month from today! I've been working on my list and trying to figure out our game plan. We will be there for 10 glorious days over Xmas and NYE and on the dining plan, so I'm trying to get us the most bang for our buck. I know the park hours will change between now and then, too, so I'm working around that, as well. Sounds insane, but this is actually one of the parts of the planning that I enjoy most!

Where are you thinking about dining?? Every once in a while, I still toy with getting the Quick service dining plan but I just don't eat enough to do that. But I see something on social media and it makes me rethink everything.

 

[missjackiemcg]

We got the QS dining plan free during our trip dates because we're at Pop, but we like to do character meals, so upgraded to the DDP. It cost us a little less than $100 a day total for the 3 of us, which is definitely worth it for us. There is no way we could feed all of us for under $100 a day out of pocket, so I felt like this was a good deal.

Jimmy is 16, but his favorite is still Cinderella, so we'll try for CRT for sure. I've always been able to get it for us, just not always the date/time that's ideal.

50's PrimeTime is another one we almost always do. There are lots of other favorites on our list, including Tusker House, Akershus, Rodeo Roundup BBQ, and Sci Fi Drive-in. We've also got some maybes including 'Ohana, Toppolino's, Cape May Cafe, and Garden Grill.

With 10 days, we have plenty of time to hit so many! I just need to map out our days, so I can figure out what park we will be in. Ha!

 

[amazingact21]

Beak and Barrel Thanksgiving Day around 11 and Crystal Palace Thanksgiving Day around 1. I'm going to keep trying to modify H&V to a little later and see if anything opens for Beak and Barrel on Sunday but if nothing changes, I'm still happy.

Glad you were able to get the 3 reservations you wanted and then were able to modify them for better times! I can't wait to hear what you think of Beak and Barrel.

 

[vamassey1]

Congrats on getting your ADRS. Looking forward to hearing about Beak & Barrell.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Day Four, Part Three
The not-so-great evening
​

Hi everyone!! Sorry I have been MIA for almost a month. This semester is kicking my behind in a HUGE way. I may have taken on too many committees and projects in my bid to get my dossier ready for going up for promotion. But, I really want to get this report finished before I leave for Thanksgiving so here we go!

I believe we left off with me napping back at the room. Around 5pm, I was starting to wake up and Barb came back from her afternoon. She was not in a good mood. I asked if she had gone to Animal Kingdom to draw (which had been the plan any time we discussed this day). But she didn't go. No answer really as to why. Ok then. She clearly didn't really want to talk so I asked if she needed the bathroom because I was going to take a shower before heading out to get some food. Well, NOW she wanted to talk - about dinner plans. I explained that I was still pretty beat and I really just wanted to grab something from the food court or maybe jump on the skyliner and head to the Riviera and then go to bed early to prepare for Magic Kingdom day. She...didn't love those plans. She wanted to go to Disney Springs and eat at House of Blues and go shopping. SO many issues with this - 1) I really, really don't like Disney Springs (even when I am completely rested), 2) I had no desire to spend more time shopping with her. I simply don't have the patience. 3) House of Blues doesn't have a huge appeal for me. 4) I had no desire to get on a bus, walk all over the place, and then have the LONG trek back to the buses, especially since Pop has the bus stop that is the furthest away from anything. I explained most of this to Barb (clearly not the part about not wanting to shop with her) and she wasn't happy. I said "Hey - we agreed to do some stuff together but to be ok splitting up if our wants didn't align." Yeah, that didn't go over well. But I stuck to my decision because I didn't want to leave this vacation feeling the way I did after last Thanksgiving - that I had given up portions of my trip to make others happy and I wasn't happy.

Anyway, after some back and forth with many suggestions on both sides, Barb decided to join me at Pop food court for dinner. Then came the "let's go right now." Actually, I want to shower first. I feel a bit gross and

 

[missjackiemcg]

Oh, dear. That really stinks. Stick to the plan, people...er, Barb!

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

Wait was that a cliffhanger?! Your aunt sounds like a challenging lady. I admire your patience!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Oh my gosh! I didn't realize that my entire post didn't show up. WHAT THE HECK??!!! I have to run to an MFA costume presentation since I am on their graduate committee but I'll try to rebuild the rest of that post later today.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Continuing the Cut off post
​

Alright, let's see if I can rebuild the rest of the previous post. I still can't figure out how only part of it got posted, but welcome to an example of my semester. We left off with me wanting to shower and Barb not wanting to wait.

Barb was hungry and wanted to go get dinner RIGHT NOW. I said that I needed to shower before. She made some comment and I just stated "Look, it will take me 30 minutes or less from the second I close that bathroom door to be ready to walk out the hotel door. The longer we debate whether I am taking a shower, the longer it is before we leave." And also "I'm not going without taking a shower. You are free to go get food right now by yourself." And thus ended the shower debate and Barb waited. In approximately 27 minutes, we were walking out the door and over to Everything Pop.

We both quickly found food (I think I had pizza again. This trip was VERY pizza centric. And Barb had a burger). We found a booth and settled in. We started talking and it was like everything that had happened that day was gone. We chatted about anything under the sun for close to 2 hours. And it was lovely. THIS is what going to Disney together should be. Things were looking up!!! Until...........

As we were finally getting ready to leave, Barb said she wanted dessert. Excellent! I'm always up for a sweet treat. What are you thinking? Cheesecake...Barb wanted cheesecake. I explained that Pop had the tie dye cheesecake. "No, that's disgusting." "Oh, have you had it??" "No, I just know it's disgusting." Ok, well I think the tie dye cheesecake is all they have here. Do you want to look at something else or maybe we jump on the skyliner and see if the Riviera has cheesecake. "No, I want cheesecake." Yeah, I get that but we can't get that here. Do you want to go to the Riviera and see? No. Ok, then do you want to go up and see what else they have here? "NO, I want cheesecake." Honestly, it was like arguing with a 4 year old. This probably went on for another 5-6 minutes before I just said (really firmly) "They don't have what you want here. We have 3 options: go up and look for something else, try the Riviera, or not get anything at all. PICK." So, we went up to the new coffee station to check out their baked goods. Nope. We went over to the grab and go section - nope. Ok, do you want to go to the Riviera to see what they have? No, I want cheesecake. ARRGGGGG!!!! But then she suddenly said "or a candy bar." Cool - the gift shop has candy. Let's go look.

We wandered into the gift shop and found packs of M&M's and bags of Disney candy. And....not what she wanted. "I want a candy bar like a Snickers." SIGH - "They don't have that." "I want a Snickers or cheesecake." Ok - we can jump on the skyliner, we can get in the car and drive to the nearest Hess and get a candy bar. WHAT DO YOU WANT? "No, I don't want to do that." Ok, so no dessert. "NO. I want cheesecake or a Snickers." I had to start reminding myself that there were too many witnesses and I couldn't strangle her. Then, I had a flash - there are vending machines on the 2nd floor of our building by the ice machines. I dragged her out of the lobby and over to our building. Sure enough, vending machine WITH a Snickers!! We have been saved. Until..."But the machine isn't cold. The Snickers will be melted. I don't want that." Well, we could buy it, take it back to the room and put it in the fridge for 20 minutes and it will be fine. "No. I don't want that." Of for the love of...."What do you want to do then and don't say that you want cheesecake or a Snickers because WE HAVE EXHAUSTED THAT CONVERSATION!!!" Fine, she didn't want anything. So back to the room we went.

Once back in the room, I changed into my pjs and settled in to watch TV, read my book, and doom scroll social media. I also pulled my leftover chocolate cake out of the fridge. I offered Barb some but she just turned up her nose. Great, more for me. We sat in the room, each doing our own thing and pointedly ignoring the other person until she noticed my beaded phone charger. Suddenly she was climbing on my bed, wanting to know where I got it and then looking at all the kinds of chargers available when I pulled up the website. Are you getting whiplash for the extreme changes in mood?? Because I was but I decided to just go with it. We looked at phone chargers for probably 20 minutes and then chatted for a little bit. And soon, it was time for bed because I wanted to get up and get to MK the next day. I mentioned early entry to Barb and said I wanted to leave the room by 7:30. Eye roll - no that's too early. Ok, 7:45. She wasn't happy but she agreed. Whew. No more fighting tonight. Tomorrow is another day. Let's sleep!!!

Up next: Magic Kingdom, fudge, and a storm.

 

[missjackiemcg]

I had to start reminding myself that there were too many witnesses and I couldn't strangle her.

While I was reading this update, I found myself thinking the same thing! Bless you and your patience for not doing that. LOL What a night!!!! At least you had some nice conversation over dinner anyway. I hope tomorrow was a less stressful affair!