Tia, Squirt Face, and Grumpy-June 2017 PT Report

[Tia1977]

Hello fellow DISer's! I'm days away from making our FP's for our last consecutive trip and feeling rather emotional I'm drowning myself in the therapy of reliving our whirlwind over the past 2 yrs

We're a blended family. I'm a 39yr old stepmom who works in boring life insurance. DH is a 39yr old "strong silent" (aka grumpy) detective for our local PD. DD is a bubbly 14yr old freshman in HS. We're a new family of 7yrs.

(Our very 1st Disney picture & I cried when I saw it! My own family looking like a Disney commercial )


While I've always loved Disney, I never had much of a desire to go before DD. The only time I ever went was as a teenager in our HS band. That was the only trip for DH as well (We were band nerds together. Proof it was meant to be-just years later lol!).

Even before we got married, prioritizing family vacations became super important to us. For Disney, it was going to be a blow it out once in a lifetime thing. Fast forward to June 2015, and we were off for our two week "one and done". And down the rabbit hole we fell...hard and fast!

 

[Tia1977]

Since we were going to be there that long and wanted multiple lazy days, we decided early on to get a 2 bedroom condo off property. Besides, at that time we thought we weren't "that" family who wanted 24/7 Disney in our face (Laughing as I think about this now, bc a lot can change in two years ha!). We chose Windsor Hills largely in part of great DIS reviews and the close proximity.

With driving down, the great deal we got on the condo, and no dining splurges, we booked the African Safari Trek and a one night stay at AoA Little Mermaid room as a surprise for DD. As luck would have it (wasn't even thinking about manipulating FP capability), that one AoA night opened our FP window a lil after 60 days for the remainder of our stay (score!). We were able to get all the E Ticket rides we wanted multiple days. Including the newl opened Mine Train.

We drove down and got settled in the condo. The next day was a lazy pool day to gear up. Our very first park day was the following, AK. I was so excited that night and couldn't sleep (like a kid before Christmas). We woke up bright and early, got there an hour before opening, and was the 1st in our line! (The ease of it all fooled us into thinking we were RD people. Laughing hard, bc the next day at MK SO proved us wrong lol)



After we got into the park, we fell super in love! I can say it was our favorite before Pandora lol! Riding EE was our very first ride experience, not too shabby of an intro! Remains in our top favorites. Rafiki was DD's very first M&G. My eyes were tearing up waiting in line. "Mom" feelings washing over me watching my "daughter" being so thankful I was there with my family




After that, we got so swept into the moment-we got matching ears. My first indication Disney was quickly becoming our "thing" together!

 

[Tia1977]

We later watched both shows (Lion King was our fave!), had yummy lunch in the newly opened Harambee Market, rode more rides (getting two add'l EE FP's from the kiosks. Glad we can do that on our phones now!)...All in all, we had an amazing first day! One that none of us will forget. I couldn't think of a more perfect intro to Disney for us! I even teared up again driving back to the condo, "our first Disney family vacation" and caught myself already getting a feeling this was the start of something .

 

[Tia1977]

We weren't planning on RD MK the next day. I had uber planned enough a year in advance to understand the craziness and not for us (we're at heart lazy night owls, and DH doesn't do well in chaotic masses). But hey, AK went so well without any craziness, how bad could MK actually be? We found out, quickly! Guess it's good to say we did it once, but...

We made great time again, we were way up front close to the tunnel. Only about 20 or so people already there when we arrived. Over the next 45 mins the concrete leading down to the water totally disappeared, along with body space and breathing room. Add that to us already being tired, ha. We were so cranky that by the time they did the welcome show, all 3 of us were scowl faced not even paying attention. Then the gates opened and the mad dash down Main Street began. I treasure this picture below, bc it's the only deserted castle picture I'll ever have from the day time. I have tons of night owl ones already. But this is the only one Mr. Sun makes an appearance lol!

 

[Tia1977]

So, we're tired and irritable; all 3 of us. Splash, then Big Thunder were our first two MK rides ever. Again, not too shabby there either! While we loved the rides, the day just started out too much like a deflated balloon to quickly recover. We bickered back and forth all through Fantasy Land. See this awkward picture below ha! We stopped bickering to "fake it", didn't work

So, there we were. Sitting outside Gastons sharing a cinnamon roll in silence. DD showing bratty 12yr old attitude, me showing grown woman feeling unappreciated attitude, and DH looking dazed/confused like "how'd it go sideways" when out of nowhere he says "Well, I'm glad I got to meet the two new dwarfs this morning-b*tchy and p*ssy. All 3 of us erupted in the biggest laughter, DD and I had laughing tears That's when we decided to hop a train to the front, go back to the condo for sleep, and have a redo later that night. Which turned out...AWESOME! Once we got back, we had the first MK day we were all expecting, loving every minute!

This is DD when we had our come to Jesus moment on the train. I apologized for being a "wicked stepmother" and she apologized for being a "brat". From then on out we agreed we'd totally scrap early mornings and do Disney "our" way

 

[Tia1977]

From there, we had Epcot fun:


Water park fun:

And HS SW's weekend fun (Turns out we weren't just there the 2nd to last weekend that year, but ever-since it was the last year for it and no one knew at the time). This is when DH truly fell in love with Disney bc like many men our age, he's SW's obsessed. I crack up at this picture of my big "kid" anxiously sitting curb side for the SW's parade with all the other kids lol!

I have perfect pictures of all the characters bc of such a great view. DH even ran into Ray Park by chance after the parade! He was texting all his buddy's back home showing off his picture! Ha!

We also fell in love with the rock coaster this trip. DD was for some reason still scared of ToT, so we didn't start doing that til the next trip and beyond (it's one of her faves now, like we knew it would be lol)

 

[Tia1977]

So, we've almost been there a week now, and we're on the verge of this turning into trip #2 within the same stay (although we didn't know it at the time). Our Safari Trek /Lil Mermaid Room was upon us. As expected, DD went nuts! She LOVES animals! For months after we got home, she talked non stop about wanting to be a Disney animal guide like the two we had. It was a wonderful tour, well worth the money. I'd consider doing it again:






After the tour was over, we rode 2 FP's, then heade to AoA for a relaxing pool night:

(The 1st thing I had to do was hop inside the shower and sing Part of Your World)


(I sent this picture to DH's sergeant. I joked about ordering his business cards with it too lol!)


Five minutes after this picture is when I should've gotten stitches in my chin ha! DD told me I shouldn't climb up there and "break the rules". Well, jumping down in wet flip flops...my feet slipped and I fell chin 1st on the concrete. DH checked me out and felt sure I had a concussion too. It def hurt and I was super woozy, not to mention bloody. But, I was determined not to ruin the night at an ER for a couple of small stitches. He cleaned it and patched me up. The rest of the trip I used liquid band aid (which rocks btw!) I still have my "war wound" scar ha

 

[Tia1977]

So the next morning we said goodbye to Ariel and drove back to the condo. When we got there, it felt awfully warm (que creepy horror story music when something bad' about to happen). We turned the air down and decided to take a lazy long nap to prep for MK EMH later that night.

When we woke from our naps, we were sweating it was so hot! That's when we called property management. They were having someone come out and fix it while we played the night away. And played we did! EMH was til 1a and we closed Main Street down! Like literally, the last Goodnight kiss/raised lights/CM's smiling but silently hoping you'll go home/kind of closing it down lol! When we finally got to the parking lot, we counted no more than about 15 other cars...in all the lots we could see combined! We were sweaty, happy, and worn out!

We got back to the condo a lil before 3a. As we were unlocking the door, I had this panicle of dread hit. But brushed it aside, surely all was good with the air right?!?! Bc no one called us like we asked in case it couldn't be fixed... Well, it wasn't fixed! And the storms that night meant it felt like a human size oven in there

We don't get mad often, but we were both DD took a shower and tried to fall sleep. We were both too hot and mad to sleep. We fired off a long email to the condo owner directly complaining about the property management and begging his help. We knew no sane person was up at 4a, but made us feel better. Still hot and dirty, we tried to doze on the couch together under the ceiling fan. After tossing/turning for about 2hrs, we decided life (and our awesome vacation time) was too short for this! My next email to the owner was how we needed to leave and find another place to stay for the remaining 6 days. I then emailed my sweet TA friend begging her help bc to salvage our vacation we thought if we were leaving anyway, hey-lets make lemonade and go to a resort on property. Ummm, 5 nights in the middle of a busy June, how hard could it be to find an available room (lol!)

#1st the owner called us about an hour later. He was super sweet, and having a new AC put in the following day. But, we were so over it we just wanted out of there that morning. He totally understood and we later got a refund for the remainder of our stay. #2nd our TA friend called us back about an hour after that. We had two choices. Over $500 per night deluxe (so not really a choice for us after all the $ we already spent ha!) or All Star Sports. It's Disney, we'll take it! And who she spoke to there felt so bad for us (he asked her if we'd be celebrating anything and she said "yes, air!!!! Lol) they gave us 30% off and a Pref Pool room for Standard price (Thus our love affair with Disney customer service began! Not to expect "getting things" but the way they empower their staff to make your day when they can!). We packed up ALL our stuff (man we drug a bunch of crap down there! ha) threw it in the car and sped over ha

 

[Tia1977]

We arrived to the resort looking rode hard and hung up wet (picture National Lampoons vacation lol!). While we threw clean clothes on and brushed our teeth, still no showers to wash MK off the night before (hot shower/hot condo). After we checked in and went to our room, we heard the angels singing as we opened the door to a blastin AC lol! We literally laid on the bed cooling off about an hour before bringing our stuff in.

Afterwards we headed to the food court, then the pool for a relaxing night of liquid therapy. We hardly ever do that, but after the drama and NO sleep; we indulged!

I lost count of the rum/cokes (DH), and Banana Cabanas (me). We chatted with the bartender about our ordeal, and she was so sweet, she even gave us two on the house (again, not to expect "free" but such awesome Disney service to turn bad days around!) In think its evident rum/coke fueled this goofy picture below

We closed the pool down and headed back to our tiny room/beds (but hey, again Disney!) for some MUCH needed sleep

 

[Tia1977]

So we never even went home in between, and this is where it really felt like trip #2 within the same stay. It was awesome to wake up the next day feeling like we were "already" at Disney! We were surprised to find how much we loved the "Disney Bubble". It felt like a whole new mind set! What really sold us...the bus!!!

Yes, I know it can be quicker to drive, and they're not all that efficient, etc. But, DH HATES to drive (and by "drive" I really mean other people in his way lol!). He hates traffic with such a passion, and has such an aggressive mind set behind the wheel (we joke we thinks every car has blue lights ha!), it was SOOO relaxing (for the both of us bc when he drives, I'm on edge too) to sit back on our phones with no care in the world while we we're taxied around! Our car stayed parked until we left property to drive home!

We instantly knew we'd never want to stay off property "again". And "next" time we'd check out other resorts and get bigger beds. (see how the convo's went from one & done to thinking ahead!)

We took it easy that day and went to hang out at downtown Disney (then). We got there late afternoon and closed it down-last bus back to the resort! It was fun having the place "to ourselves" that late at night lol!

 

[Tia1977]

From the start of "trip #2" everything just stayed awesome! So relaxed, carefree...just PERFECT! When I started seeing my "grumpy cop" actually be able to stay relaxed/loosen up/have fun for days at a time (which usually never happens), I knew what a "magical" place Disney truly was






Sappy maybe, but the whole trip I just kept "falling in love" with my family over and over! It was such an amazing bonding experience for all of us!

Our last night as we huddled together watching Wishes, it turned into a group hug. DD tearing up saying she had always wanted to come, DH tearing up saying he always wanted to bring her, and now it was complete bc I was with them, me balling like a baby bc after he said that, DD said "I'm so glad it's complete and you're with us" I thanked God right then and there for the family he gave me.

We had another group hug in the middle of Main Street watching the last Goodnight Kiss. We all walked out saying goodbye to Disney hand in hand.

On the drive home we kept listening to the Wishes soundtrack, and I was silently planning our next trip.

 

[Tia1977]

After we got home, it's like we became "that" family overnight. DD's room morphed from boy band mania to a Disney shrine (I'll take it!), Disney anything became our "thing" together, and SW's became a daddy/daughter "thing". We also had a rapidly growing Disney bucket list. At the top was MNSSHP & F&W. What DD " knew" was that we weren't going back til June 2017 (yay! approaching!). What we "knew" was a 10 day October 2016 trip (as a surprise Christmas 2015 present) What none of us knew (at the time) was a shorter 5 day surprise bday trip for August 2016

So we looked into the resorts to decide. Deluxe was too pricey, Value too small, Mod was just "right" for us. We (meaning "I" lol!) fell in love with CBR's vibe. And now that we were familiar enough with the parks, we wanted dining this time (I know some are split on this. After crunching numbers, we'd come out close to even, so why not pre-pay and be done with it). We booked it in October of 2015, and "revealed" on Christmas night (after we went through the charade all day of what she opened in the am was it). I have a video of course. Makes me almost tear up to watch

Shortly after Christmas with the cat out of the bag, we were all feeling it was so far away, and so long since we had been there. Plus, I was scratching my head on her 14th bday. We gave her a surprise trip closer to home for her 13th bday, a Disney trip for Christmas-how the heck do we top that? Then my sweet TA friend (aka my crack dealer) told me about a fall promo. One thing led to another, an idea for AP was born...and bam! We'd top it with a total MIA Disney bday (like we didn't tell her til the night before). We'd also get dining for that one too. I'll tell you right now for our typical tighter budget, 2016 will forever be the year we sold our souls to Disney. Total slavery lol!

 

[Tia1977]

While I was looking forward to our October MNSSHP/F&W trip, it was SO stinking fun planning DD's surprise bday one! Like a lil too fun lol! There for awhile, Etsy packages were arriving left and right. What started out as only "she'll get a bday card a night with gift cards for spending" turned into "omg she NEEDS a custom tutu bday outfit" "she needs an outfit for ALL the days" It even led to "omg WE need matching family shirts one day" "oh and she needs hair bows, shoes..." Yep, I had a growing problem. One that landed me in the spouse "you need to slow your roll" dog house bahaha..."Sorry, love you mean it!"

And while we decided on booking Pop for this trip to save $$ since we'd have to pay for our AP upgrades, I was quickly defeating that purpose with "but she needs Pirate & Pals" "she really needs it, please?!?!" Hilarious thing is I didn't have to plead at all for the SW's Dessert Party "there's this SW's thing that costs..." "yes do it!!!" Before he even knew what or how much!

I CAN'T wait til SW's Land opens, it'll be my golden mecca of WDW opportunities "Hey, we really need AP's again-you know, for SW's" "Hey, we really need a deluxe Epcot resort-you know, to be close to SW's"

The late Spring/early Summer dragged on FOREVER waiting to finally tell her on 8/1 (her bday is 8/5, so we were driving early on 8/2 and coming home on late 8/6). Where we normally make a fuss and prod her about her bday all summer, this time we were super tight lipped (we didn't want to slip up) and avoided the subject completely. When it got to the point that we knew even doing that would give it away, we mock planned a zoo bday. I was bouncing from keeping it in for 6 months! And finally, 8/1 arrived...

 

[Tia1977]

The premise was DH and I were off work that day bc both our offices managed to be closed (no raised eyebrows from an almost 14yr old with no job yet lol). We went out to an early dinner where we faked telling her we also got off work the next couple of days to do a local "countdown" to her birthday since her birthday plans were smaller this year than the year before (gotta love messing with kids heads!). Instead of being excited about this, she in typical teenage drama was sad bc that meant no end of summer sleepover at her friend's house the next day. So after dinner, sulking ensued all the way back home (man we were pumped now, can't wait to mess with her head even more-terrible parents I know-evil laugh).

After we got home and we're sitting around the living room, DH comes up with a possible list of things to do that included almost anything he could think of that she doesn't like to do ha! Then I start secretly recording on my phone. DD "none of that stuff sounds fun daaadd!" (teen girl drama voice) "ok, so tell us what you want to do instead" (more teen girl drama voice with a bonus big sigh) " I don't knnoowww" DH "well, what about Disney?" In which she immediately snaps her head up looking at me all wide eyed like this isn't really happening right? (knowing she can count on me to never yank her chain when it comes to our sacred Disney). Me all casual "sure, but we'll have to leave soon, like in a couple of hours soon". At this point she's dead silent, with a hopeful gleam in her eye, but still confused like/waiting for the other shoe to fall, and dad proceeds to tell her we're all packed and her birthday this year is not in fact the zoo, but yes a real Disney trip.

She then busts out crying hysterically, like head on ugly crying "omg y'all are for real, we're really going!" She sits there just crying for ever then finally jumps up to come hug us, squeezing, jumping up and down. Even our dog got into the action by barking and "jumping" with us-priceless We go show her our spare bedroom with bags already packed, give her the first "present" and tell her she has a couple hours to nap before we leave.

This is a teenager super duper happy about her surprise trip:

This is a teenager not so super duper happy we were leaving at 2:30a to go on said trip

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Following along...Isn't it great fun to mess with our kids when it comes to Disney...

 

[Tia1977]

Following along...Isn't it great fun to mess with our kids when it comes to Disney...

Right!?!? Like it's part of the built in fun!

 

[Tia1977]

We were Disney bound woot woot! (in the middle of the night lol!). Premise was she would have NO idea what we were going to do from day to day. Each night she'd get a present containing her outfit, spending $, and the park we were going to the next day. She would get her 1st when we checked in to know about arrival day plans (well that one didn't last long in our drive). After about the 15th time she asked, she got her bag for that day in route: a new AK outfit! She was super excited and got sentimental bc "AK was our 1st park 1st trip too". And when the kids get sentimental, you do too!

We made great time, got our early check in @ Pop, an awesome Pref location room! (60's building facing away from the pool, 2nd floor right next to the elevator. Just perfect!), quickly threw our stuff in the room, changed, and we were on our way to AK for a night they closed @ 11p

The 1st thing we did when we got there was get her Bday pin (she'd collect one from each park, writing the date/park on the back-they're in her Disney keepsake box).

Then FT for an early dinner (they were closed when we were there last time, we were excited!). Best CS seating area ever!


Afterwards we FP Safari, took in all the new nighttime entertainment, the breathtaking Tree of Life, FP EE (my personal fave!), then FP "RoL Light' lol (aka the temporary JB show). I know it was scorched in reviews, but I was in awe! The beautiful new theatre and exotic theming was amazing. Makes me so excited for our RoL dining package this June!

After that, we kept repeating EE tons of times with NO wait! No joke we counted 13 times! We'd try different seats each time. Then we took in the last Tree of Life regular awakening and AK's version of the Kiss Goodnight. For night owls who love AK, it was all simply perfect! And a great start to the birthday trip.

 

[Tia1977]

We got back to the room that night tired but way happy! 1st thing DD wanted to do before her shower was open her next present to find out where we were going the next day...MK with a 1900 Park Fare dinner. (what we didn't tell her was Pirate & Pals for an after dinner surprise ).

When we walked into MK she had a "fan girl" moment, squealing/jumping up & down "my castle!" I guess she just shares it with the rest of the world lol!

We headed straight to our 1st FP (and her personal fave)-Splash! We FP the other two "mountains" then started playing FP roulette on what else we could get (getting those extras on our phones now rocks!!!). We CS CHH lunch (our fave MK CS due to their peaceful seating upstairs), and she started bday shopping. She started a pin collection, so cool it was started during a special trip. Then we hopped the monorail to go have dinner with Cindy and her sisters.

We liked the food, Cindy, Prince Charming, and stepmother were neat. But the real stars of the show...the sisters!!! I read enough to know how awesome they'd be, and they sure didn't disappoint! DD ADORED them!


After dinner, we hoped a monorail to the Contemporary (under the guise of pin shopping bf heading back into MK). After the gift shop I wanted "to look around more" that "looking" led us straight to the Pirate & Pals check in area (imagine that! lol!). We kept it up by sitting on a close bench to "rest for a minute". While sitting there she asked what the "pirate" thing was. DH "it's a neat boat thing we'll do next time". I had to "go to the bathroom". I came back with our name tags and pirate bandannas-surprise! She squealed and "scolded" us for having no idea "our deal was to tell her the night before" (score another one for us!).

The mini dessert party was fun, and we all loved Captain Hook & Mr. Smeed.

The guides were hilarious. We all "marched" out to our boats for the cruise. Our guide stayed hilarious the entire boat ride, jokes, singing, picking on people, DD got super embarrassed when they announced her bday. It was cool to see the electric water parade that close, and seeing Wishes from the water was truly a neat experience.

During Wishes DD snuggled in between us, thanking us for what we were doing for her and how much she loved us! I teared up major, even caught DH looking away and wiping his eyes. Disney family heaven

We docked, met Peter Pan (who was great w/DD btw, making a big deal about her bday), then headed back into MK and closed EMH down! Like another empty Main Street, last bus to resort kind of closing lol.

 

[Tia1977]

Our next day was the one that DH and I were anticipating the most! Daddy/Daughter SW's day. When she opened her bag, she loved her shirt. "but there's more than just one...oh!!!" Where else other than Disney would a teenager be excited about family shirts!

She knows I'm a dork like that, but her dad?!?! The "grumpy cop"?!?! You guys just don't know. Obviously he has a tremendous huge heart under his gruff exterior. But, that exterior is pretty darn thick! If you told us 3 years ago he'd be a "Disney Dad" we would've laughed at you...if you told us he'd be a "Family Shirt Disney Dad" we'd have thought you lost your mind! Lol

She hugged me too of course, but she hugged her dad extra long and I heard her whisper "thank you for doing this daddy" I had to go to the bathroom bc I had something in my eye

 

[Tia1977]

Here it was, our daddy/daughter SW's day. HS SW's fun, dinner with Minnie & her friends at H&V, and a SW's Dessert Party. This time we did tell her about the party to come (which btw, when we get to it I have such a cool DIS story about the people we met up with!). We were on our way

This is why I LOVE the buses! Instead of feeling tense and fighting traffic, DH was cuddled up with his baby

When we got there, we FP Rock Coaster (DH's fave), ToT (As we thought she would, DD loved it! We all did!), Star Tours, then on to more SW's fun! We caught the new stage show, March of the First Order, then everything about Lsunch Bay. Both my babies were having so much SW's fun together, and I felt like a sappy mush watching; again so thankful for the family God gave me!


Look at this big guy's grin! SW's with his two girls.

We had a light snack, caught an extra Rock Coaster FP (score!), then headed over to see Minnie and her friends.


DH and I weren't crazy about the food (but that's not why you go there), we all loved the characters though! And our awesome waiter. Everyone kept making over DD's bday, it was so sweet! Our waiter even surprised DD with a cupcake and sang with us. She was so embarrassed, but I could tell it made her feel special. Disney's so good about their little touches of magic!

Afterwards, we had some time to kill so we headed back to Launch Bay to be there early for the party. This is where it gets really cool!

On the HS/SW's thread, a handful of us were stalking for the same party night before the tickets were released. Due to them taking so dagcome long (lol), it created kind of a "therapy bond" if you will. In fact, I was @ work the day they finally dropped & a precious DISer messaged me. I credit her in being able to get them so easily! From there on out we stayed in touch, and all messaged about meeting up that night.

She was there to check in for the party early too, and all 3 of us instantly really liked her! Her sweet son too! We met up with another DISer inside, and later another DIS family. Our own mini DIS party inside the SW's party! It was amazing!

The party itself was truly wonderful, we'd do it again and again. But, it was our DIS friends who blew the night out of the water for us! We all went out to the viewing spot before the troopers march, and got a big spot along the front rope I buddied up with that precious woman and her son, DH buddied up w/the family husband, and DD giggled the night away w/the pre-teen daughter, son, and mom of the family. Disney people in general are great. DIS people are the best!! If any of you ever come across this, thank you from the bottom of my heart! You gave us such a special night and we won't ever forget you!!!

After the amazing fireworks, we hung around with our new friends till the crowd cleared out, took one last daddy/daughter picture, and headed back to the resort for some much needed sleep.