'OHANA means CHUNKY! An Aug 2017 Family TR THE END 4/26 - The Last Day and Trip Epilogue!

[chunkymonkey]

Kiya and I will be taking a mom and me trip June 28-July 3. Just so happens Toy Story Land opens on my birthday! Would love to get an AP preview on the 29th. If you decide to come down for the opening please let me know, I’d love to see you!

ooohhh it sounds soooo tempting!! I have like zero vacation days though since I've planned all my trips this year so far...san francisco in May, Disney in Sept, and Australia in November! But if I ever take a quick weekend trip...

I get that. Big show... (usually) not so great pearls.

Yeah it's all about the show!

I like it!!

Thanks me too!

You don't think I should play hard to get?

Hmm, you don't strike me as the type but you never know, it might actually work!

Solo Disney time is so great! It's nice to have a little time when you can do EXACTLY what you want!

EXACTLY!! It was a nice change of pace!

I love that your shirt and necklace are perfectly matched and themed.

Thank you! I had to get with the Princess theme too!

Yay for booking some fantastic Fast Passes, even if you were the only one who used a couple of them.

Haha, I know, right? But I really enjoyed my solo FP time!

Excellent character pictures with you, and with your family and friends and even the guys got into it! That's really nice! And of course the picture of the Mulans is perfection.

YAY for a Frozen appetizer to your Norway meal.

I was really surprised about the guys taking the PP pictures! I'm kinda proud of Steve since I know he's the only one who knew there was a PP photographer there and he probably steered them that way. I think that was such a cute thing they did with little Bryan.

Just finished reading your trip report. I have been a bad DIS friend. I realized that I hadn't even posted after our November trip. Work and life got busy. I also quit getting notices about my watched threads. So glad to hear that your dad is doing well. I'll go post on the other trip report.

There's no such thing as a bad DIS friend!!
It's good to hear from you! I thought we had bored you guys to pieces at dinner and you quite the boards.
My dad is doing much better now, all his test results have been very positive so we are hopeful. Thank you for the kind words.

Oh my gosh, that Mulan meet and greet is perfection!!! So gorgeous!! I love how you got to do some solo stuff on this trip, eventhough you went with ALL the family!!!

Haha, the bro-bonding pics are pretty cute, too

I love it when little kids meet with their princess dressed alike! It's so adorable and I was very excited to see Sophie actually meet Mulan in her ourfit! SCORE!
Solo time is the best! Especially after a week of constant FAMILY.

I love the Bro pics! I'm gonna have to blow one up and frame it!

 

[pkondz]

Yeah it's all about the show!

But then again... isn't that what Disney is all about?

Hmm, you don't strike me as the type but you never know, it might actually work!

Not so far!

 

[cinderkelly]

ooohhh it sounds soooo tempting!! I have like zero vacation days though since I've planned all my trips this year so far...san francisco in May, Disney in Sept, and Australia in November! But if I ever take a quick weekend trip...

When in May will you be in San Fran? We leave May 16 for our cruise and have a stop in San Fran! That would be funny if they coincided. Wow, I’ve always wanted to go to Australia, that sounds like an amazing travel schedule!!

 

[HeyGirlHey]

I’ve been a lurker for a while, but finally signed up! ...the first thing I wanted to do was say how much I love your TRs!!! ...and Yay for your Poly DVC!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 7 Part 5: A Royal Last Supper

We met up right outside Akershus after we rode Frozen Ever After. I think they all liked the ride. I don't think my sisters remember the Maelstrom. I don't know if we ever went on it together or not during our sister's trip but I know Chunkysis has been on it before it became FEA but she probably couldn't remember much about the small drop LOL.

We went to check in at Akershus, and they said it would be a few minutes. So we got some pictures of the kids while waiting:

Someone was all pumped up for tonight:

I love this picture below, too bad Caylee refused to be in any picture!

Soon we were called inside and had our picture taken with Belle.

Sienna finds all of this madly entertaining it seems.

And some pictures with the birthday girls and Belle. I love how Eva is holding up the little fringe on her shirt like it's a skirt!

We were brought to a very large table in probably the darkest corner of the restaurant. I guess they needed to stick all 15 of us somewhere! They really need to amp up the lighting in this restaurant. Actually I feel the whole place needs a bit of a refresher.

So the way Akershus works is that the appetizer for the meal is a cold buffet, and then you order your entree off of a menu and then they bring you a dessert trio to share. Here's some pictures of the appetizer buffet:

They call it a "Taste of Norway" There was lots of smoked fish, cured meats, cheeses, pickled vegetables, salads, and other cold dishes. I thought most of it was ok to good. They had chilled shrimp too but I didn't think it was the best quality we've had at Disney.

For entree, Steve got the:

Seafood Stew: Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels, and Clams baked in a Creamy Chowder Sauce with Root Vegetables, Spiced Sausage, and Garlic-Butter Crostini

This sounded better than it looked or tasted. I thought the sauce wasn't creamy at all and was watery. The seafood inside was nice and plump though, I think this could have been really good if the sauce was creamy and buttery and served sizzling and brown out of the oven, but sadly it was not.

I got the:

Braised Pork Shank: Slow-braised Pork Shank, Smoked Gouda Polenta, Roasted Corn Succotash, and a Beer and Berry Demi-glace

This was ok. Pork shank is not something that I'd normally order but I was in the mood for something different. The last time I dined here I got the meatballs and I thought that was just ok so I got this instead to mix things up. It wasn't bad it is just not something I'd order again.

I managed to get a picture of Chunkysis's meal:

Stuffed Pasta: Four-Cheese Stuffed Pasta with White Wine-Cream Sauce, Roasted Garden Vegetables, Chive Oil, and Balsamic Glaze

This looks like the best dish of all although I can't quite remember if she liked this or not.

The food at Akershus is just ok, but that is not why you come to Akershus!

You come for this:

(Poor Bryan, I don't know why he's bawling in this picture)

The girls had a lot of fun meeting the Princesses (again).

After our entrees, we were given our dessert trio. I think there was one for every 3 people, and it was more than enough to share, the portions were large enough.

An assortment of Norwegian-inspired Desserts

My favorite was probably the cake in the middle and the rice pudding!

As an extra treat, especially because Mimi missed out on her birthday dessert at Cinderella's Royal Table, my sisters got together and ordered special Mickey cakes for Mimi and Eva!

We sang happy birthday and they were so excited! They also got birthday cards signed by all the Princesses there that evening. And Chunkysis brought her glow sticks which she brings on every trip...because she is 12.

On this trip Eva has stepped up her posing game!

Sienna needs some work though!

She does however have a second career as a glow stick bracelet juggler.

Since I was stuck in the corner I just took pictures of everyone else and didn't get any pictures of myself since it was just such a pain to get out and I was also just so tired at that point! I did however adorn myself with glow stick jewelry because I am also 12.

Illuminations was going on outside and we could hear a bit of it. I told anyone if they wanted to run outside to watch they could go ahead, but I think everyone just wanted to sit down. Haha. We were all so drained after the week.

We enjoyed our desserts and the massive cakes. They were very good cakes and we had to try and finish as much as possible as no one wanted to lug it back home with them. Finally after what seemed like a while, we were almost done with the cakes, paid our bill and were ready to go.

The park was closed at that time so we had a very leisurely stroll back to the front of the park. It was so nice to be in an uncrowded park. The kids were having fun running around together. Sophie was really sad it was her last day. Kelly told me that Sophie cried that night too because she didn't want to leave. Awww.

As for me...well, I felt great relief! I was having a moment...because...

My job was done!!

I planned the most challenging trip of my life. 15 of us came and survived Disney in the worst summer heat. We had great meals, the best rides, watched fun shows, took a ton of pictures, and most importantly we all got to spend quality time together (as well as apart doing our own thing). It was a wonderful vacation that we will be talking about for years to come. Or at least until the next one!

One last "I did it" shot in front of Spaceship Earth:

YAAAAAASSSSSS!!!

Whew, after a long week, we could finally get some rest. Oh but the monorail wasn't working. We had to take a bus back to the TTC then walk from the TTC back to the Poly. Its a good thing our longhouse was so close to the TTC. So we had to walk to the the buses they had there, which weren't Disney buses but like the nice ME airport buses.

Finally we were all back at the Poly and in our rooms. While everyone had to pack up and basically leave the next day...Steve and I had to get ready for tomorrow. It was PHOTOPASS Day and we were going to ALL FOUR PARKS!! Plus a special Dismeet. Stay tuned for more adventures with just myself and Chubbyhubby!
​

 

[buzzrelly]

EPIC trip! And you pulled it off without a hitch! Congrats!

It looks like y'all had so much fun together and you're right, you will be talking about this for years and years. I bet you have even made a future Chunky Disney-fanatic in at least one of those kids!

I love that the guys all went and did a photo shoot, those pictures are adorable.

Someone was all pumped up for tonight:

I love sleeping baby face

I love this picture below, too bad Caylee refused to be in any picture!

Adorable!

I did however adorn myself with glow stick jewelry because I am also 12.

My job was done!!

One last "I did it" shot in front of Spaceship Earth:

You just can't take a bad selfie

 

[Tracy161]

I love how Eva is holding up her little fringe on her shirt like it's a skirt!

That's amazing - how cute!!!

So the way Akershus works is that the appetizer for the meal is a buffet, and then you order your entree off of a menu and then they bring you a dessert trio to share.

Thanks for this intel, I had no idea!

And Chunkysis brought her glow sticks which she brings on every trip...because she is 12.

I did however adorn myself with glow stick jewelry because I am also 12.

Kelly told me that she cried that nigh too because she didn't want to leave.

Awww, I can relate to that last night feeling...

As for me...well, I felt great! I was having a moment...because...

My job was done!!

YAY!!! And a job WELL done, I might add!

We had great meals, the best rides, took a ton of pictures, and we all got to spend quality time together (as well as apart doing our own thing).

It really sounds like you all had a wonderful family trip that you will remember forever

it was PHOTOPASS day

I totally forgot about PhotoPass day!!! That's right! I'm excited to see all your pictures

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Congratulations!!! The trip was truly magical and I'm sure everyone went home with just the best memories. I know that feeling of not wanting to leave all too well. Have they asked about a return trip yet? You did a really great job planning it all. How nice that you and Steve had some time to yourselves at the end... that was more good planning on your part!!

 

[NJlauren]

Great trip! Can’t wait to hear about the last day but what a success planning this trip for so many people!

We have an August trip with little ones in the works so was nice to hear/see this report as a touch point!

 

[ONUAtrain]

Looks like a great way to end the trip with everyone!

 

[rdkeim]

What a magical trip! You created a lot of happy memories for your family. I'm usually the planner in our group and I know it can be exhausting and at times stressful. Nice you could have a little time to yourselves after the group left for home. 4 parks - fun!

 

[chunkymonkey]

But then again... isn't that what Disney is all about?

Yes, you are right, it's all about the show!

Not so far!

Haha you need to change your woo-ing techniques.

When in May will you be in San Fran? We leave May 16 for our cruise and have a stop in San Fran! That would be funny if they coincided. Wow, I’ve always wanted to go to Australia, that sounds like an amazing travel schedule!!

We will be in SF from May 5-12, mostly in San Jose with my brother in law and his family, but we also want to visit the Walt Disney Family museum and go to Napa/Sonoma Valley for a few days.
Your cruise sounds like so much fun!! I want to see pictures!
Yeah Australia is pretty cool I've been before when I was younger but Steve's never been. It's also our 10th Anniversary that month so we made it just one big trip to celebrate.

I’ve been a lurker for a while, but finally signed up! ...the first thing I wanted to do was say how much I love your TRs!!! ...and Yay for your Poly DVC!!

Hi! Thank you for reading! Love your username!
Thank you so much! I really enjoy writing them. It's nice to relive the memories especially when I don't have a trip until September. And we're very excited for DVC! Yeah!

EPIC trip! And you pulled it off without a hitch! Congrats!

Thank you! I can't believe the trip went as well as it did. There were a few meltdowns, a few delays, and a few annoyed parents but overall, it could have been a disaster and I'm so happy it wasn't!

It looks like y'all had so much fun together and you're right, you will be talking about this for years and years. I bet you have even made a future Chunky Disney-fanatic in at least one of those kids!

I'm pretty sure! For the first 2 months after the trip Eva wanted to go back. I think she's forgotten about it now, but maybe if we bring it up again. The adults on the other hand...well they said maybe in a few years. They need to regain their energy again!

I love that the guys all went and did a photo shoot, those pictures are adorable.

They are!! They are so funny!

I love sleeping baby face

Me too!

You just can't take a bad selfie

Aww that's sweet, but you haven't seen the triple-chin warped face selfies which I don't show.

That's amazing - how cute!!!

Eva has really taken posing very seriously!

Thanks for this intel, I had no idea!

I would say it's just ok overall. There are much better places to eat in Epcot.

Awww, I can relate to that last night feeling...

YAY!!! And a job WELL done, I might add!

Thank you!! It was a relief I didn't lose anyone...

It really sounds like you all had a wonderful family trip that you will remember forever

We sure did!! It was definitely a memorable trip.

I totally forgot about PhotoPass day!!! That's right! I'm excited to see all your pictures

Yes! It was!! And duh I meant to say I had a special "Dismeet" instead of "Meet n Greet" LOL

Congratulations!!! The trip was truly magical and I'm sure everyone went home with just the best memories. I know that feeling of not wanting to leave all too well. Have they asked about a return trip yet? You did a really great job planning it all. How nice that you and Steve had some time to yourselves at the end... that was more good planning on your part!!

Thanks!! I didn't lose anyone so that was a success!
We all have some great memories. Probably everyone but Caylee but at least she got her Minnie Racer Car and more fidget spinners.
After the trip Eva kept asking if we could go back again. And Sophie and Mimi loved it and they would go back in a heartbeat!
Yeah, the prospect of a dismeet allowed us to extend our stay another night which was absolutely worth it!

Great trip! Can’t wait to hear about the last day but what a success planning this trip for so many people!

We have an August trip with little ones in the works so was nice to hear/see this report as a touch point!

Thank you! Can't believe I pulled this trip off. It was definitely a challenge but once we had all the plans down it was ok. Dealing with crowds, heat, and transport (broken monorail, no buses) was probably the worse thing during the trip, but the many magical moments certainly outweighed the bad. Good luck in August! The heat is bad but you'll get through it if you are prepared.

Looks like a great way to end the trip with everyone!

Thank you! It was a great night!

What a magical trip! You created a lot of happy memories for your family. I'm usually the planner in our group and I know it can be exhausting and at times stressful. Nice you could have a little time to yourselves after the group left for home. 4 parks - fun!

Thank you!! It was certainly a very special trip. Being the planner is so stressful at times, and you do want to get other people's opinion, except that no one really had an opinion and left it all to me anyways. But it's a nice feeling being able to put a plan together in the end.
We only did 4 parks because we had the Express Bus Transport! I don't even think that qualifies as a 4 parks 1 day challenge as it was so easy to park hop!

 

[pkondz]

Someone was all pumped up for tonight:

Someone was prepping for tonight.

I love this picture below, too bad Caylee refused to be in any picture!

Cute shot!

I love how Eva is holding up her little fringe on her shirt like it's a skirt!

Awww!

So the way Akershus works is that the appetizer for the meal is a buffet, and then you order your entree off of a menu and then they bring you a dessert trio to share.

Huh. Interesting. Didn't know that.

They call it a "Taste of Norway" There was lots of smoked fish, cured meats, cheeses, picked vegetables, salads and other cold dishes. I thought most of it was ok to good.

I suspect the buffet is off-putting to some people.

They had chilled shrimp too but I didn't think it was the best.

Shoot. I'd be all over that.

Seafood Stew: Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels, and Clams baked in a Creamy Chowder Sauce with Root Vegetables, Spiced Sausage, and Garlic-Butter Crostini

This sounded better than it looked or tasted. I thought the sauce wasn't creamy at all and was a bit watery.

Too bad. Yes, it sounds good.

This was ok. Pork shank is not something that I'd normally order but I was in the mood for something different. The last time I dined here I got the meatballs and I thought that was just ok so I got this instead to mix things up. It wasn't bad it is just not something I'd ever crave again.

You're not exactly painting an inviting picture here.

The food at Akershus is just ok, but that is not why you come to Akershus!

It's the plush chairs, right???


No?

(Poor Bryan, I don't know why he's bawling in this picture)

"Pay attention to me!"

Awww....

After our entrees, we were given our dessert trio. I think there was one for every 3 people.

Really? Maybe they were bigger than they looked?

As an extra treat, especially because Mimi missed out on her birthday dessert at Cinderella's Royal Table, my sisters got together and ordered Mickey cakes for Mimi and Eva!

Nice!

She does however have a second career as a glow stick bracelet juggler.

It's a very rare talent. She'll do well later in life.

I did however adorn myself with glow stick jewelry because I am also 12.

Kelly told me that she cried that nigh too because she didn't want to leave.

I know that feeling.

As for me...well, I felt great! I was having a moment...because...

My job was done!!

Woot!

Finally we were all home and back in bed. While everyone has to pack up and basically leave the next day...Steve and I had to get ready for tomorrow. it was PHOTOPASS day and we were going to ALL FOUR PARKS!! Plus a special Dismeet. Stay tuned for more adventures with just myself and Chubbyhubby!

Looking forward to it!

 

[annie170]

I've been to Akershus a couple of times. I remember having the beef tips once and can't remember what I had the other two times. My husband loves their appetizer buffet, but it doesn't do much for me. Akershus is definitely for the princesses over the food, but I find that with a lot of character buffets.

Really sweet pictures of the kids and princesses! Those kids are adorable!

I'm with Kelly. I cry at the end of every Disney trip, too.

Congratulations! You did a great job planning an amazing vacation for your family! Looking forward to reading about the rest of the trip with Steve.

 

[Stasieki]

What a great trip!!! So... when are you all doing it again????

 

[jane2073]

I loved this trip report! I am sad it is over!

 

[FancyNancy]

I have to chime in because I am kind of (definitely) lurky but I have been keeping up with this report. The kids are all so adorable and you definitely did an amazing job planning this trip for everyone

 

[Tracy161]

Thank you!! It was a relief I didn't lose anyone...

And duh I meant to say I had a special "Dismeet" instead of "Meet n Greet" LOL

I hadn't even noticed!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Someone was prepping for tonight.

It was to be another long night. She needed her beauty rest.

Cute shot!

It's one of my favorites from the trip!

Huh. Interesting. Didn't know that.

Yeah the buffet is just cold items like salads and cold cuts, cheese, and stuff like that.

I suspect the buffet is off-putting to some people.

It could be, especially if you don't like smoked salmon and pickled vegetables.

Shoot. I'd be all over that.

It was ok but I felt like there was better shrimp cocktail on property.

You're not exactly painting an inviting picture here.

Haha but you don't come here for the food, right?

It's the plush chairs, right???


No?

You're exactly right! Plush chairs with a side of Snow White.

"Pay attention to me!"

Awww....

poor Bryan, surrounded by girls for most of the trip. He can name almost every princess now though which I think is a very good skill to have.

Really? Maybe they were bigger than they looked?

Yes they were pretty big portions.

It's a very rare talent. She'll do well later in life.

I can see her selling glow sticks and bubble makers during the nighttime shows. #lifegoals

I know that feeling.

Do you throw a tantrum too on your last night?
I might possibly have...

Really sweet pictures of the kids and princesses! Those kids are adorable!

Thanks! They are so cute! And they were really enjoying their last night!

I'm with Kelly. I cry at the end of every Disney trip, too.

Haha, for the record it was Sophie that cried. She really really loved disney. I think now that she's older she can really appreciate all the things that go into a Disney Trip and that it's just more than rides and characters, it's about being surrounded and enveloped by a World and she really embraced that. Kelly I think, couldn't wait to leave and finally have some R & R hahaha.

Congratulations! You did a great job planning an amazing vacation for your family! Looking forward to reading about the rest of the trip with Steve.

Thank you so much! I can't believe it went off as well as it did. We did have our share of meltdowns and annoyances but overall I think it really was as good as we all had hoped for

What a great trip!!! So... when are you all doing it again????

Thank you!!
Haha, the kids of course want to go back right away. I am not sure when everyone else (the adults) will be onboard. I heard not until another 4 years which leaves me about 3 years to plan the next one...

I loved this trip report! I am sad it is over!

Thank you so much for reading. Still have a few more posts to write about our final day and a half at Disney, although my family will have left by then!

I have to chime in because I am kind of (definitely) lurky but I have been keeping up with this report. The kids are all so adorable and you definitely did an amazing job planning this trip for everyone

Hi FancyNancy! Thank you so much for reading!!
Thank you! I really had a great time on this trip - and wanted to show everyone how we do Disney!

 

[Woth2982]

This trip looks like it was so much fun. It is so fun to see Disney through the eyes of little kids. It is all so real to them.