Mum and moi take Orlando: the never-ending trip report (aka we are nuts) NEW 5/20 x4!!!

[LifeIsDis]

MEG!!! I love how many times I'm featured in this!!

EMILY! You’re welcome.

That SSE pictures makes me wonder why we're single!

But really! Why are we?!

Ahh, the Chippies!!! I love the selfie too! Have you seen that thing that the foreigners put on their phones/cameras, kind of like a long handle to take selfles?

I haven’t seen that! I need it though

Our car on TT was the best, even though I don't think it fit on the screen. After what happened on OBT, I think I'm going to pick Soarin' for my Cat 1 for a while.

but really!

Lol at the duckfaces with Donald.
Ahh, corn dog nuggets! I want them now!!

CORN DOG NUGGETS FTW

Was I not the best salt shaker you've ever seen?! Today: Enchanted Tales with Belle, tomorrow: Broadway!

You really are gonna be on Broadway wow.

Oh my gosh, those crowds on the 3! I have no idea how I found you! You just said you were in the Hub and then I looked up and saw your backpack.

I don’t even know how you found us!

Luckily, we befriended some safari CMs and the tall guys let us go in front of them and there were no iPads because I don't think I would have been very patriotic if there were. Ahh, those fireworks were insane! I wasn't going to stay that late, but next thing I knew it was 1:30 AM.... Oops!

Well that’s good.
Yeah, we left pretty much right after. Couldn’t stand those crowds.

All of your pictures with the characters on the 4th are adorable! Epcot was the only park I didn't do that day.

I loved Epcot on the 4th!

Your firework shots are perfect! I don't think I would have the patience for 4 hours, but your pics are totally worth it! I saw part of the finale from MGM.

Thank you! Those pics were worth 4 hours of waiting around.

Holy crap, Kristoff!!!
I still haven't been back for the daytime stuff, but I have most of August. I need an Olaf!

Those Olafs are da bomb.

Now that I know who George is, I'm so jealous that you got to meet him! Kimberley got him to come to Rosen this upcoming semester? I will sooo be there.

George >>>
Yes she did! I think he is coming in September or something.

I've been to Sci-Fi twice, never impressed. Never been to 50s though.

Well you need to go to 50s!

Mum is so cute dancing with her umbrella!

Oh, she is cute alright!

Lol at "we didn't want Emily to get raped". I didn't know the Lynx was like that but thanks again for saving my life! Frozen is definitely a horror movie and we all worship Elsa obviously.

No problem!

ELSA 4 PREZ​

 

[LifeIsDis]

July 11th (part 1): Kristoff and chocolate aka all of my conversation topics

We had to go to MK because I had a FP to meet the residents of a far away Norwegian kingdom.

Yes, just me. I could only get it for yours truly so Mum had to wait outside. OH WHALE.

We headed up to PFH and I gave Mum like all of my stuff for her to hold cause duh I ain’t holding that crap.

I went up to the FP side and there was this family yelling at a CM because they “couldn’t get an Anna and Elsa FP.” Are we for real.

The CM was telling them that people are getting these FPs 60 days in advance and there was no way that they were going to get one on this day. They didn’t like that answer though and continued to make a big deal.

Finally they left and I scanned my MB and headed on in. I was the only person in line and I was by myself and the CMs kept giving me weird looks. Um, what the crap. I can’t meet princesses alone?!

I was let in and waited in line. The family in front of me was asking the CM about where to watch Wishes, MSEP, etc from and the suggestions she was giving them were total crap. GOOD JOB.

I was next and I went up to meet Anna. I remember talking about Kristoff and god knows what else.

It was very serious though.

Well I look annoyed.

I don’t even know.

Anna asked me if I wanted to do the same pose and I thought she was crossing her arms but no she wasn’t and I look ridiculous. #derp

LETS HUG

Of course, I met Elsa next and we talked about chocolate and other things.

Now, I wasn’t going to post this picture because of reasons, but let’s just bask in the amazingness that is this picture from Photopass.

I have to say, the character interaction on this day was great. I was pretty impressed that they spent so much time with yours truly especially since there was a long line, per usual.

I met back up with Mum and we went over to Cosmic Rays and got a burger because duh.

*insert picture of our amazing burger here*

I wanted to go on IASW and there was only a 10 minute wait so WHY NOT.

There was a kid in the boat in front of us who had his hands in the water the whole time. Um, first of all, did you not listen to any of the CMs, and second of all, DID YOU NOT SEE WHAT HAPPENED ON PIRATES.

IASW SPAM YOU ARE SO WELCOME

Featuring MR PANDA!

We headed over to my Mansion next and it was pretty much a walk on.

 

[LifeIsDis]

July 11th (part 2): An empty park is da best park

We had a FP for BTM but I wanted to set up for Wishes and I didn’t think we would have enough time so oh whale.

I set my wonderful tripod and Wishes was starting in about 15 minutes. BOO YA.

At the beginning of the show, a Custodial CM came over and asked if I was taking a video or long exposure. I told him I was doing a 20 second exposure and that shocked him for some reason. “20 SECONDS?! WOW.”

Um yeah, dude.

WISHES TIME!

I have another spot in mind in New Fantasyland that I wanted to shoot Wishes from and I think it will be even better.

We went over to Tomorrowland and got an ice cream at Auntie Gravity’s and sat down by the Speedway.

We could hear the announcer on the Speedway and from where we were/how he was saying whatever he was saying, it sounded like he was going “HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHA.”

I told Mum and we sat there and cracked up because it seriously did sound like that.

So we went around Tomorrowland and just said “HAHAHAHHAHAHHA.”

The park was closing at 11 (shocker, I know) and it was 10:55. I asked Mum if she wanted to go on Space since the line wasn’t closed yet so WHY NOT.

We only waited about 15 minutes, which isn’t bad at all.

5evah looking tan on Space.

When we exited Space, there were barely any people around. It was lovely.

They had a showing of MSEP at 11 and we didn’t want to deal with the crowds, so we hung around in Tomorrowland. And I snapchatted ridiculous things to my twin.

Pretty soon, there was no one in Tomorrowland so this happened.

But no Astro Orbiter <<<<

Seriously, it was perfect. No one was around and I had my tripod with me….

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!

Ok maybe you don’t but

WE WERE GONNA CLOSE OUT THE PARK!

I had never done this before but since MK was closing on the earlier side, WHY NOT!

Let the feels begin.

I figured that the Kiss Goodnight would be at about 12 and I was right of course.

There were tears.

A few photographers were out and then just some random people closing down the park with us.

Living the dream.

And then this happened.

Just pretend those people aren’t walking down the street.

This was probably one of my favorite nights in my Kingdom. Getting to experience an empty park like that is kind of the most amazing thing ever. I don’t know why we haven’t closed out a park before (oh wait….) but this was a photographer’s dream come true. I LOVED it. I was trying to hurry though with my pictures because the park was technically closed and security kept coming closer and closer. But I am SO happy with the pictures I got and I can’t wait to get more like these.

We had to take the ferryboat back to the TTC because the monorail was closed. Whatever.

And we got the last tram of the night so no walking! Yay!

We had a hard time though finding our car.

 

[scrpbookr]

The empty park pics are SO perfect! Pure magic!

 

[LifeIsDis]

The empty park pics are SO perfect! Pure magic!

Thank you!​

 

[Credit Man]

Your fireworks pics are truly spectacular!!! You have a real eye for photography and a ton of patience for staking out your spots.

 

[LifeIsDis]

Your fireworks pics are truly spectacular!!! You have a real eye for photography and a ton of patience for staking out your spots.

Thank you so much!​

 

[LifeIsDis]

July 12th (part 1): *dies from food*

We got to the Fort about 15 minutes before our ADR.

And of course our bus had to make ten million stops, load ECVs, and god knows what else so we were late. It was no big deal of course but I hate being late. Hate. It.

PARTAYYYY

We checked in and we were called in under five minutes.

We were seated upstairs, and surprisingly, it wasn’t too crowded.

We went up to the buffet like right away because I was hungry and FRIED CHICKEN AND STUFF.

My first plate. I didn’t even have enough room for meat.

Mum’s first plate.

Mum’s second plate.

And my second plate.

Toppings for my baked potato.

Everything was AMAZING, except the shrimp that I got. You had to peel it and that was not happening. But everything else was awesome, and I LOVED the cornbread croutons in the caeser salad. DA BEST.

Of course, I had to get some dessert even though I was about to explode.

I am not sure what Mum got for dessert, but she got something duh.

I went up to take pictures of the buffet because duh. YOU’RE WELCOME.

*dies from the amazingness*

We paid—thank you Disney Visa for 10% off—and of course, it was raining when we got outside. What else is new.​

 

[LifeIsDis]

July 12th (part 2): PONIES GALORE

We used the bathroom and then waited out the rain until it pretty much stopped.

And of course, we ended up here.

Cue the freak out from Mum because HER PONIES.

After watching the ponies for like 20 minutes, we walked over to Meadows and looked in the gift shop before going to the campfire.

Now, I don’t know if it was because of the rain, but they didn’t sing or whatever and play the banjo, or we just missed it. When we got there, Chip and Dale were meeting under some covered thing and the banjo player was next to them, which was kind of awkward but whatevs.

Chip was looking for food in my backpack.

The baes.

We totally forgot to bring marshmallows. Oh whale. We were already full from dinner anyways.

They were starting the movie and it was the Pirate Fairy. That was so not happening, so we headed back to the car.

We decided to go over to MGM and see the Frozen fireworks again.

I set up my tripod at the end of Hollywood Blvd. and hello tour groups. Seriously, we were surrounded. And then they started chanting and out of nowhere, a SUPAH GREEETAH came over and told them to be quiet.

First of all, that is just sad, but YOU GO SUPAH GREETAH.

Now let’s get to the fireworks. Thank GOD we didn’t have the same problem as last time and we could actually see the fireworks.

After the fireworks got over, I packed up zee tripod and we headed on home.​

 

[scrpbookr]

Trails End looks super yummy! I tried the Backyard BBQ when I visited in June and liked it. I thought about trying the campfire but wasn't sure what to expect. Looks like it was worth a stop.

Your photos of the Hollywood Studios fireworks turned out great. I'm thinking Disney should hire you as a photographer asap!

 

[LifeIsDis]

Trails End looks super yummy! I tried the Backyard BBQ when I visited in June and liked it. I thought about trying the campfire but wasn't sure what to expect. Looks like it was worth a stop.

Your photos of the Hollywood Studios fireworks turned out great. I'm thinking Disney should hire you as a photographer asap!

I want to do the BBQ because my Chippies are there and that is most important.
Thank you so much ​

 

[LifeIsDis]

August 2, 2014: One year

One year ago today we moved to FL. I woke up as a Floridian at the Extended Stay Hotel, only a few miles from the house we would be moving into that day.

I remember doing the normal things you would do on moving day. Unpacking at 9pm and eating pizza from Pizza Hut at about 10pm. Fun times.

Everything happened very quickly once we moved in. We left for Disney two days after, I got registered for school (which took 5eveh; blame the Floridians), we got settled in, and then I started school soon after.

Going to school was a big thing for me. I was starting high school with people I had never met before, and there were over 2,000 of them. Coming from a small town in MA to this was a change, and I didn’t cope with that change very well. Change is hard for me and school was a struggle for a long time. I barely had any friends and I really didn’t like going every day.

The only thing that was keeping me sane was having WDW only 30 minutes away. That made everything worth it.

It wasn’t until around November/December that I started making friends and finally had people to sit with at lunch, which I had dreaded every single day before then.

I loved going to school after that because I finally had people to talk to and hang out with. It took months, but the people I met were amazing and once I open up to people, I find that they really do like me.

Things started changing for me as a person. I was more comfortable talking to people and realized that people wanted to talk to me too. I had more friends in the second semester and that felt really good.

Finally having friends made me a happier person and by the end of the year, I didn’t want school to end. And now I starting my sophomore year in nine days and I am really excited. Not just because I have friends to go back to, but the classes I am taking are very exciting.

I took photography during my second semester last year and my teacher loved my work so I will be taking photography 2.

As for other classes, I will be on the staff of my school newspaper. My journalism teacher from last year is the newspaper teacher and wanted me to come on staff, so I applied, and I got in! She knows I am a photographer so I will probably be taking pictures and writing god knows what.
My photography teacher told me that she told my journalism teacher about my work and would love to see my photos in the paper so yay!

So I have a lot coming up for my sophomore year.

As for me, moving to FL has been one of the best things that could ever happen to me because I have a ton of opportunities that I never had in MA. I have great friends, an awesome school where I can do things I love, and WDW is only 30 minutes away. And when I am feeling down, I can go to Disney and feel so much better.

And when it comes to Disney, we have gotten to experience things that we never have done before. We had always gone in the summer or whatever before and now, we can go to special events, experience holidays, and so much more. Now, people probably wonder if the magic decreases, and I have to say not at all. I do get sick of the crowds and that makes for a fun time, but I don’t get sick of Disney. That is like a crime. I mean, I go every single weekend for crying out loud.
It feels like one really long vacation that never ends. And when we do go on “vacations” here, it is so casual. I think living the (FL) #dislife is just casual. People freak out when they go through the WDW gates and I just sit in the car like “yeah whatever.” Actually no I don’t because I am yelling at the tourists who stop dead in the road to take a picture EVEN THOUGH there are like TEN FLASHING SIGNS that say DO NOT STOP. But we can’t have nice things.

Anyways, where in god’s name was I?

Oh yeah. The casualness of the (FL) #dislife.

I think that if we ever moved somewhere else (which ain’t happening let’s be real now), I would feel so weird not coming to Disney every weekend. I cannot imagine going back to the one vacation per year thing because I am SO used to the way we do this touring thing now, and I do love it.

Sometimes I think to myself how cool my life really is because 99.9% of people don’t get to come to Disney as much as we go, and that is something that I am very thankful for.
I think I realized how amazing being here really is only last month. Yes, last month. It was when we were one of the last people out of MK. I look at that picture of me on Main St with no one else around and I see how happy I look and I never got that “I AM SO HAPPY” feeling in MA.

Even though we have the tradition of going to Disney every weekend (that tradition will last until I die), we also have been trying “new” things. And by that, I mean going to new places and seeing new things.
We went to Celebration last weekend and that town is da bomb, I am just sayin’. I know many people wonder about Celebration and I am thinking of bringing my camera next time we go and writing an update about it. Also, we have been to St Augustine and it is really cool there.

So I just spent almost 1000 words talking about moi, so now, let’s talk about Mum.

I think one sentence really sums up her opinion on Florida in general.

“If Disney wasn’t here, we wouldn’t be here.”

She says that all the time.

A lot has happened since we moved here. She has had two jobs. The first one being total crap and the second one being better, and it pays more. I think she strongly disliked living in FL because of the first job. The pay wasn’t good at all compared to MA and it was a big change. And she just hated the job in general. Customer service, dudes.

Even though she likes her new job better and she is getting paid more, things have still been hard with bills and taxes. If we didn’t have that crap, living in FL would be THE MOST AMAZING THING EVER.

Of course, I see it differently because I am only 15 and I don’t have to worry about that stuff. I LOVE it down here, where as Mum loves it, but doesn’t love it at the same time.

If we stayed in MA, we wouldn’t have all of these bills and taxes and nothing to worry about, for the most part. But, that wouldn’t be any fun.

And ew Massachusetts.

Mum always says how she misses Boston, and I agree. To a point. There really aren’t any cool cities around. Downtown Orlando is the biggest joke ever. Just sayin’. Celebration is the closest thing we have to a cool “city.” And what is up with the Boston inspired restaurant there?!!!

I mean, I do think Boston is an awesome city and all, but we have Disney the end.

There are several things though that we can’t stand about FL.

1. You drive for three hours and you are still in FL. You drive for three hours in MA and you are in a totally different state. Like, we could almost be in NYC or something.
2. Tourists. That’s all I have to say about that topic. And I guess rental cars could go in this one too.
3. How slow people are. Can we not get something done or
4. The drivers. And people say that people in MA drive badly. Yeah not so much.
5. Publix. Like, why can’t we have Wegmans?!
6. THE HEAT. I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO WEAR PANTS AGAIN.
7. Do we have to have a thunderstorm every single day?
8. Rednecks
9. The people who have lived in Orlando their whole lives and have never been to Disney. Yes, that is a thing.
10. God knows what else. FL is a ridiculous state. The end.

All in all, Florida has treated us well. I guess. For the most part.

Here is to another year in this crazy state and thank you for following along! I know most of you are lurkers—COME OUT OF HIDING—and then I have my dedicated readers who have been with us from the start. Thank you to all of you!
*blows kisses*

- Meg ​

 

[momplus3]

Okay-I will come out of hiding. I have really enjoyed reading about your life this past year. Can't wait to read more!

Good luck in your sophomore year! My DS15 will be starting his sophomore year in 3 weeks. He's very into soccer and hoping to make varsity this year.

We will be at WDW in December-it would be cool to run in to you.

 

[LifeIsDis]

Okay-I will come out of hiding. I have really enjoyed reading about your life this past year. Can't wait to read more!

Good luck in your sophomore year! My DS15 will be starting his sophomore year in 3 weeks. He's very into soccer and hoping to make varsity this year.

We will be at WDW in December-it would be cool to run in to you.

Thank you for reading!
Thanks! And good luck to your son
Let me know when you are at the parks. We are there every single weekend and I love to meet my readers!​

 

[wrestlingchick26]

Wow 1 year already, that's amazing. Good luck on the new school year.
All your post give me great ideas for my trip in November.

 

[jstarsho]

Ok I know I've been MIA for a while and that's because life happens! I just finished reading the last 3 months worth of your posts, and hopefully I can keep myself caught up now. I can't believe it's been a year already since you moved! I've enjoyed all your adventures and can't wait to read all the ones that are yet to come!

 

[tinkerbells mum]

What a great update it's so nice to hear how 'real' life is treating you and your mum. I'm so glad you have settled in to school now and made good friends. Good luck with your next school year, working on the newspaper sounds as if it will be amazing especially if some of your brilliant pictures will end up in print.

I'd love to hear about your time in celebration, we haven't made it there yet. My mum and dad went when we went to Aquatica and they said how good it was so I feel like we really missed out, I'd love to see your photos.

I know you've mentioned before about going to Give Kids The World I'd love to hear about your experience there, it's such an amazing place.

I'm so glad that you not only decided to share your experience with us all but that you have kept going and gave us all regular updates. The photos you post are absolutely amazing and totally capture the Disney Magic.

I'm really looking forward to continuing to hear about your life in Florida xx

 

[KelleyK75]

I'll come out of lurking, too. I haven't posted because I found your TR a couple of months ago, and just couldn't get caught up. But I have read and kept up with the most recent posts, and have loved them. Your pictures are gorgeous, and I love seeing unique pictures that you get because you are in the parks so often. Good luck in your sophomore year. I will try to keep up and post more often.

 

[LifeIsDis]

Wow 1 year already, that's amazing. Good luck on the new school year.
All your post give me great ideas for my trip in November.

I know, right?! It went by so fast.
Thank you!
That's awesome! I hope you have an awesome trip.

Ok I know I've been MIA for a while and that's because life happens! I just finished reading the last 3 months worth of your posts, and hopefully I can keep myself caught up now. I can't believe it's been a year already since you moved! I've enjoyed all your adventures and can't wait to read all the ones that are yet to come!

Understandable!
Props to you on catching up. Thanks so much!
Thank you!!!

What a great update it's so nice to hear how 'real' life is treating you and your mum. I'm so glad you have settled in to school now and made good friends. Good luck with your next school year, working on the newspaper sounds as if it will be amazing especially if some of your brilliant pictures will end up in print.

I'd love to hear about your time in celebration, we haven't made it there yet. My mum and dad went when we went to Aquatica and they said how good it was so I feel like we really missed out, I'd love to see your photos.

I know you've mentioned before about going to Give Kids The World I'd love to hear about your experience there, it's such an amazing place.

I'm so glad that you not only decided to share your experience with us all but that you have kept going and gave us all regular updates. The photos you post are absolutely amazing and totally capture the Disney Magic.

I'm really looking forward to continuing to hear about your life in Florida xx

The #nondislife is treating us well, for the most part! And thanks! My teacher wants me to take pictures for it so I am sure some will be in there.
I will have to do an update then! I love Celebration.
We are hoping to volunteer again soon at GKTW (like the whole summer was booked), and I will write something afterwards.
That means a lot, thank you! I love being able to share our time at Disney with all of you guys and I am glad that you enjoy my updates!
There is a lot more to come!

I'll come out of lurking, too. I haven't posted because I found your TR a couple of months ago, and just couldn't get caught up. But I have read and kept up with the most recent posts, and have loved them. Your pictures are gorgeous, and I love seeing unique pictures that you get because you are in the parks so often. Good luck in your sophomore year. I will try to keep up and post more often.

Hi! I know there are like 10000 updates from me, but I am glad that you have enjoyed what you read thus far.
Thank you!
Hope to see you post again soon ​

 

[klitteral2009]

I started my love affair with your TR's and mad photo skills back when you had your trip with The Other Prople (which I still think is one of the most hilarious things ever) and I continue to check in at least weekly to see what new awesomeness awaits. You are so mature for a 15 year old and I love chatting with you on occasion about whatever. I can't wait for our next trip down so I can actually meet you and Mum cause like...#DisCelebs thanks for entertaining us and helping me get my Disney fix!