NEVER AGAIN! A holiday family vacation report...

[michellem1118]

YAY for the NYE update! You WERE at DHS----

I loved the fireworks--thought the band playing as the fireworks went off was pretty cool. I watched your video, but couldn't always hear the music. Could you hear it where you were? We had grabbed a table at Min and Bill's Dockside Diner around 9 p.m. and didn't move until almost 1.

Crazy stuff about trying to leave the park with the bus situation. After experiencing Disney during this busy, crazy time, I am convinced that some people just get exhausted/stressed and behave in a rude way. We didn't experience any problems when we left the park. We wound up staying until about 2:30, then caught the boat back to Yacht Club.

Sounds like ya'll had a fun dinner at WCC earlier that night. Your MIL seems to be having fun in the pics.

BTW---love the shirts you and DH have on in your pic at the WL. Did you make those?

We could hear the music where we were, sort of. It was really loud before the fireworks started, but we were very close to where some of the fireworks were being set off from, and that sound drowned out the music during parts of the show.

WCC was a lot of fun, we all enjoyed it. I just wish my dad had gone with us, I think he would have had a great time. And he was still awake when we got back to SSR, so I'm not sure why he chose to stay in.

I did make the shirts we were wearing. We actually made similar shirts for the whole group - I wanted everyone to wear them that night, but... you know how that goes. Everyone except my dad wore their shirt at some point during the week, though, so at least they got worn! I got the design from someone on the DISign board, and had it customized with favorite characters. We got a lot of compliments on that shirt, and several people wanted to know where to get one.

 

[KathyRN137]

What a fun time at dinner! You got to participate in a whole lot of their famous schtick.

And speaking of schtick, the "boys" on their stick ponies were a riot!

Glad you got some good "real estate" for the NYE fireworks... we're going to be at WDW for NYE 2011 and I'm leaning toward DHS as opposed to MK. The Studios looked crowded enough, but I understand the MK gets really crazy!


Kathy

 

[dd50]

Great update! Seems like you all had fun at WCC. Never been to any of the parks for NYE. Would like to try it one day.

Rude people are every where, but do know what you mean. We had that many times in the summer. Every one is waiting and then they come from nowhere as soon as the bus comes and they don't even know how to ride the things so it takes forever for them to get on the bus even tho we were the ones waiting.

 

[michellem1118]

What a fun time at dinner! You got to participate in a whole lot of their famous schtick.

And speaking of schtick, the "boys" on their stick ponies were a riot!

Glad you got some good "real estate" for the NYE fireworks... we're going to be at WDW for NYE 2011 and I'm leaning toward DHS as opposed to MK. The Studios looked crowded enough, but I understand the MK gets really crazy!


Kathy

We had a great time at dinner! WCC is a blast!

If we're ever back at NYE again, I think I'll just plan to watch the MK show from the beach at the Poly. The layout of DHS isn't conducive to a lot of good viewing spots, and we saw a surprising number of drunk people.

Great update! Seems like you all had fun at WCC. Never been to any of the parks for NYE. Would like to try it one day.

Rude people are every where, but do know what you mean. We had that many times in the summer. Every one is waiting and then they come from nowhere as soon as the bus comes and they don't even know how to ride the things so it takes forever for them to get on the bus even tho we were the ones waiting.

We tried to be as polite as possible with the ECV, and tried not to bypass the line when it was long.

We really enjoyed WCC, and NYE at Disney is great. Next time, we'll be watching the MK show from somewhere!

 

[RockinDisney]

WOW so you would fight the crowds again? You are either very BRAVE or very crazy?????
And since it takes one to no one I am going with Crazy

 

[michellem1118]

WOW so you would fight the crowds again? You are either very BRAVE or very crazy?????
And since it takes one to no one I am going with Crazy

I teach high school... and for 5 years, I did so in public schools in the South Bronx... so yeah, definitely crazy.

Honestly, the only time we really felt the crowd was NYE night at DHS... so next time, I'd either avoid a park that evening & watch fireworks from the Poly, or, I'd plan to stay in the park for a while after the fireworks (assuming EMH, of course) so the crowds leaving the park & at the bus wouldn't be so bad.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I love your Osborne Lights and fireworks pictures.

 

[michellem1118]

I love your Osborne Lights and fireworks pictures.

Thanks!

 

[GaRain]

Finally caught up - love the report so far. Can't wait until we find out how everything turns out. I love your teasers at the end of each day!
What I would really like to know is if your BIL went to see a doctor when y'all got home? He seems to be not feeling well A LOT on this trip...
Great pictures to go along with everything else....

Lara

 

[michellem1118]

Finally caught up - love the report so far. Can't wait until we find out how everything turns out. I love your teasers at the end of each day!
What I would really like to know is if your BIL went to see a doctor when y'all got home? He seems to be not feeling well A LOT on this trip...
Great pictures to go along with everything else....

Lara

I'll probably be finishing this up this weekend, just one or two updates left. BIL didn't go to a doctor... I tend to think his "not feeling well" was more about doing things on his own time schedule/getting some free time of his own than it was about actually not feeling well. Thanks for the compliments on the pictures.

 

[klacey1]

What a nice NYE!! We REALLY want to go to WCC on our next trip-- glad you guys had a great time!

 

[michellem1118]

What a nice NYE!! We REALLY want to go to WCC on our next trip-- glad you guys had a great time!

Oh, you have to go to WCC! It was so much fun, and the food was really good, too!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Hi Michelle!
Looks like a great NYE. You had a fun and tasty meal. We need to give WCC another try!
So glad your mom got on that bus before the line cutters.....

 

[michellem1118]

Hi Michelle!
Looks like a great NYE. You had a fun and tasty meal. We need to give WCC another try!
So glad your mom got on that bus before the line cutters.....

You should try WCC next time you take Harper! I bet she'd have a great time, it's so interactive.

Now, get back over to your own TR and start updating! You've only got 2 weeks to get it finished up before your next trip!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

You should try WCC next time you take Harper! I bet she'd have a great time, it's so interactive.

Now, get back over to your own TR and start updating! You've only got 2 weeks to get it finished up before your next trip!

There is no way I'm going to get it finished. I have a technology workshop tomorrow and basketball tournament for Baylor on Sunday....

Basketball next weekend too.

One trip report will flow into the next.....

 

[michellem1118]

I interrupt this trip report (mostly because I'm not ready for it to end, LOL) to bring you this pre-trip update for our upcoming do-over trip... in 13 days!

Before just about every WDW trip, I, like many of you, begin the search for the "perfect" park touring bag. I've bought several over the years, in many different styles, but they're never quite right for park touring.

Yesterday, however, I just may have found the perfect bag! DH & I were out at a local outlet mall, and were wandering through the Columbia Sports store, when we found this:

Here's another photo to show relative size:

When the front flap is unhooked and lifted, the outside pocket is a zipper pocket, which opens like this:

On the far left, there's an interior zipper pocket, and then on both sides, there are numerous pockets for various cards, IDs, etc. All zipped in safely.

Then, the main interior pocket:

Right now, I have a small notebook, a hairbrush, extra memory for the camera, & two rain ponchos in there. There's plenty of room for other small items as well, plus another pocket in there that zips.

The two sides look like this:

We'll probably attach the camera to the plastic loop here, using a carabiner clip.

There are 3 pen-sized pockets on this side - the pen in the photo is in the middle pocket.

The entire bag seems to be lined with waterproof material, so it should be perfect for those mid-afternoon Florida showers.

Up next in pre-trip planning will be pulling out all the spring clothes to make sure they fit!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Love it! Also love the fact that I'm going to get to see it and you in person!

 

[dd50]

I like your new bag. I need to get something like that. I don't bring much stuff and most are either to big or way to small. I usually just bring my money, cards, camera and a few other little things that I can't think of now.

 

[RockinDisney]

Really love it!!!

 

[GaRain]

that is an awesome bag!
how long is the strap?