The End of our Chunky Year of Disney! Dec 2017 TR - NEW 3/21 THE END of our YEAR OF DISNEY

[Raeven]

Sorry to hear about your dad, I hope he feels better soon

 

[wdwnut61]

I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad

 

[franandaj]

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad, I know how tough that is when you have a family member in the hospital.

On happier notes, that Galactic Nights looked like such a fun party! I would love to attend one, but I have a feeling that they won't be happening any time when I'm planning on going there.

 

[annie170]

So sorry about your dad. Sending positive healing thoughts your way.

 

[buzzrelly]

Wow, I'm so sorry about your dad. Hope he is feeling better soon

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So sorry to hear about your Dad. Sending virtual hugs and good thoughts.

On a Disney note, I heard they were doing another party. I’m definitely thinking about it, thanks to your report!

Hang in there. Hope the DIS can be a fun escape.

 

[Steppesister]

Thanks everyone for the comments! Just adjusting to life again after our 2 week trip to Singapore...also my dad has been hospitalized with kidney failure due to cancer.
It pretty much happened the day we got back home so I've been in and out of the hospital for the past week, even staying overnight which did not help my jet lag! He is doing better but still has a long road ahead. He's in a rehab facility now which is better than the hospital so hopefully he can recover and continue to get treatment in a nicer environment.

Oh dear. That is awful about your dad! Be here as you can and we'll be here to support you with prayers and encouragement as we can.

 

[Steppesister]

duplicate post.

 

[bcwife76]

Catching up, I'm sorry to hear about your dad; being moved into the rehab facility is definitely a step in the right direction though.

Looks like a great end to the galactic nights, you got some amazing photo ops as per usual!

 

[HumblePie]

Oh no....I'm just catching up on threads... I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's illness. Please take care of yourself.

 

[DLo]

SO sorry to hear about your dad. Hope he continues to recover. Prayers lifted for all of you.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

also my dad has been hospitalized with kidney failure due to cancer.

I am so sorry to hear about your father. Glad to hear that he was moved to better surroundings.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Hi Everyone! Thank you for the well wishes! My dad has just moved back home after a month in hospitals and rehabilitation. He is doing much better, and is glad to be home. We just have to hope for a good prognosis when he visits the doctor again in a few weeks. He will have to undergo a lot of tests again to make sure he is recovering but he does feel better and healthier so fingers are crossed that his treatment is working. Thank you all and replies are coming soon!

In the meantime, here's my latest update!

December 17th - Not so Magic Kingdom

We began today by heading to MK. I had made FP+ for Pirates, 7DMT, and Buzz Lightyear. We didn't get there at rope drop since we were out so late the night before, so when we got there, MK was already packed. I guess the holiday crowds were beginning to trickle in but holy cow I think this was probably the most crowded I've seen MK in the entire year of Disney. I can't imagine how it would be the next weekend when it REALLY was Christmas!​

OK so I forgot to mention that I lost my Magicband at the Star Wars Galactic Nights party. I lost it on RnRC so I didn't have my band all night. It wasn't a big deal since we didn't really need it and so all the photos went on Steve's MB. But today it was a pain because I had to keep fishing out my AP card to enter the park and to use my FPs. The band I lost was the Leia and R2D2 white and blue band which I had purchased earlier last year during our May the Fourth trip, but no worries as I had a back up at home it was just a pain for the remainder of the days I was there, and of course I forgot to pack our backup MBs which I usually bring on every trip and never needed. Murphy's Law! Anyways, I browsed the stores to see if there were any new MBs released that would catch my eye and so far nothing really stood out to me so I decided not to get a new band since I had about 15 others back home.

Because it was so crowded at MK we just did our 3 FP+ and had a lunch at my favorite, Columbia Harbor House. We split a meal that consisted of an adult platter as well as a kids meal - fish n chips and chicken nuggets. It was good and totally hit the spot for lunch. Good tip is to use the mobile ordering through the MDE app as the line was very long to order. It was really only long to order as picking up food didn’t take long at all. ​

After lunch we got to meet Gaston again. He was the only thing we waited on line for. We first met him in May on my “Best Day Ever” and he once again did not disappoint. He’s so funny I crack up so much. Now looking at the pictures I this this might have been the same Gaston we met in May!

MK was so crowded that we just decided to leave since everything had an insane wait, even the Peoplemover! There were lines for everything, photographers, food, characters, etc. Too bad MK was not as magical this time, but we are lazy and won't wait on anything longer than 25 minutes, lol. We headed out and hopped on a bus back to the Dolphin and just chilled and went to the pools and hot tubs for a bit. It was nice to just spend an afternoon chilling in Disney. I usually don’t allot much time for pools or breaks but considering this was our 7th trip that year, I think we were OK to not do power Disney anymore.

That evening we had a lovely dinner at our favorite, Yachtsman Steakhouse. This was Steve’s birthday-eve dinner and it was very special because our favorite server, David was there as well. I had emailed him before our dinner and told him it was Steve’s birthday and we indeed got some special treatment. Thanks David! We were seated in a little alcove room that we had sat in before (in November), it’s a little more quiet than the main dining room but not so separate that it’s cut off. David was there to greet us as usual and we had an awesome time chatting about Star Wars and Disney!

David always knows our order – some red wine, and a porterhouse done medium-rare with some steakhouse sides: caramelized onions, creamed spinach, and mac n cheese. This time we also got a French Onion soup to start which makes the perfect accompaniment to the yummy pull-apart onion rolls and roasted garlic. In between our appetizer and dessert, David gave us some palate cleansers of mango sorbet in champagne, delicious! And for dessert, a beautiful chocolate mousse dome with a birthday greeting for Steve. I highly recommend Yachtman Steakhouse for a great traditional steak dinner – you can’t go wrong here! And please tell David I say hi! ​

After dinner we managed to head to Epcot for EMH, once again crowded as heck but we caught most of the holiday version of Illuminations and walked around the World Showcase a bit. The only ride that didn't have insane waits that was open was Mission Space: Green, so we headed that way while watching the end of Illuminations. I prefer the green side anyways as I cannot stomach the orange! The weather was really nice too – cool but not cold which made being outside very enjoyable. We walked back to the Dolphin and enjoyed the night air.

Coming up – we start of Steve’s birthday with some virtual reality!
​

Pictures from Today:

Crowded MK and some Christmas Decorations:

Lunch at CHH:

Meeting with Gaston:

Back at the Dolphin, here's the new quick service they have in the lobby. I don't think I got anything just took a look around:

​

Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse:

We got there early so waiting outside for our table:

Steve's customized menu:

Rolls and roasted garlic and butter:

French onion soup:

Palate cleanser:

Porterhouse with herb butter:

Sides (minus the spinach which is not pictured):

Dessert:

Our incredible server David:

Catching Illuminations:

Was walking when I took these:

Mission Space:

More posts to come!​

 

[NJlauren]

Happy to hear your dad is feeling better!

Food looks amazing, and even thought most of the day was spent relaxing, looks lovely!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So happy your dad is improving! That’s terrific news! I totally agree with you on not waiting more than 25 min for anything. We are spoiled, LOL. I really enjoyed the Swan and Dolphin pool on a past visit! Oh, Yachtsman. And those onion rolls. Happy birthday to Steve. Looks like a perfect night!

 

[buzzrelly]

He is doing much better, and is glad to be home.

Wonderful news

OK so I forgot to mention that I lost my Magicband at the Star Wars Galactic Nights party. I lost it on RnRC so I didn't have my band all night.

Bummer! I never bring back-ups with me, but I think that's a good idea.

Too bad MK was not as magical this time, but we are lazy and won't wait on anything longer than 25 minutes, lol. We headed out and hopped on a bus back to the Dolphin and just chilled and went to the pools and hot tubs for a bit. It was nice to just spend an afternoon chilling in Disney.

So underrated…I love relaxing at the resort pools

I highly recommend Yachtman Steakhouse for a great traditional steak dinner – you can’t go wrong here!

We went once in 2013 and it remains my favorite meal in WDW, ever. Gonna have to get back there soon!

Meeting with Gaston:

Cute!

Steve's customized menu:

Oh my gosh! So cool! How did you get that done?

 

[annie170]

Glad to hear your dad is doing better. How is your mom holding up through all of this?

That's too bad MK was so crowded. My family has vivid memories of a day in MK in August, 1995. It was about 100 degrees and had record capacity crowds. This was before fast pass and every ride had at least a 90 minute wait by noon. After that trip, we took a five year Disney hiatus.

One of these days I'm going to make it to Yachtsman Steakhouse. Your meal always looks fantastic. I want one of those garlic rolls right now!

I love that selfie with the fireworks in the background. You look stunning in that photo!

 

[wdwnut61]

So happy your Dad is back home
We went between Christmas and New Years one year and the crowds were insane
Your pictures reminded me of wall to wall people
Glad you got some quiet pool time
Love love Yatchmans can’t wait to return
The personalized menu is so nice

 

[MiracleCream]

I must sound so repetitive but I’m sooo happy your dad is doing better! I went through a health scare with my dad where he had to be in hospital for a long time then rehab. So I understand how scary it can be then how much a relief it is that he’s better but a bit cautious just in case. My dad is 100% now! I hope your dad will be soon too.

 

[Raeven]

but we are lazy and won't wait on anything longer than 25 minutes, lol.

Same.

I usually don’t allot much time for pools or breaks but considering this was our 7th trip that year, I think we were OK to not do power Disney anymore