We Ditched The Kids! - UPDATE (7/22 - NYC trip)

[franandaj]

That’s more like it. We needed to finish the MK at Big Thunder Mountain. As far as Julie and I were concerned, it was an easy call. I don’t know if I like it better during the day or at night. I think future trips will just have to include at least one ride at each time in a never-ending study of the effects.

Sounds like a plan!

Time was running short now. It was just after 1:00 p.m. and we had to be back at the Polynesian by 3:30 to catch the DUD. We started heading for the exit.

You guys really cut things close, don't you?

Also, we still weren’t sure if Disney was going to finish in the red for the year and wanted to make sure they stayed open for all of you to be able to visit later on. You’re welcome.

I thought that was Fran's job.

No, not a Dole Whip Float. The other Holy of Holies.


Neither one of us had ever had a cronut before. So we remedied that.

Do they really not sell these in other places in the US? In my little town of Long Beach I can think of at least two places that serve them. For my money though, I would choose the croissant with ham and cheese baked inside.

We trudged back to the entrance, stalling once more when we spotted a Photopass worker.

Nice shot!

The Fantastical Adults-Only Weekend Getaway was finally over. It was time to re-enter the Real World.

Dang. That was way too quick!

This is, of course, why we love Disney World and keep coming back. Yes, it’s expensive, and yes, they can irritate us from time to time when they put the almighty dollar ahead of the average family. But when you’re there, inside the gates, you get to leave all of those responsibilities behind. It’s a true escape.

I have so many friends who don't get this and wonder why we go back. It's clean, magical and such an escape from the outside world. You don't have to hail taxicabs, see rats in sewers, and rarely do you freeze your patooty off! It's one place where you can totally feel like you're transported to a magical world.

We got through the ID check fairly easily. Then we were shuttled into a line that wrapped around a wall and sent us down to the right. The line appeared to keep going…and going…and going…


…all the way down to the B side of the terminal.

That's insane!

So, not only did we spend all of that time walking down here to the complete opposite end of the airport from where our flight was supposed to be, but we had to combine our security line with everyone flying out on the B side, and wait with all of them as we proceeded to the X-Ray scanners.

How the heck did they weed out who was going to which terminal?

Here at the BWI baggage claim, I couldn’t resist having Julie pose for one more magical Last Sight Of the Evening post.

I remember seeing that one! Priceless!

 

[pkondz]

Like my loafers? They're pure gopher!

Had to Google.
Obviously haven't watched Simpsons in a loooong while.

Splash over BTMRR? That would be like choosing grilled cheese over bacon.

Perfect!

"Grilled cheese? Yes! Yes! Wait..... there's bacon? mmmmmmm bacon.... screw the grilled cheese."

Eh, whatever. Someday they'll travel without me, too.

I'm waiting for it.
And then I'm going to show up unannounced.
"What? You always tagged along on our vacations!"

I can't even comprehend the amount of spending it would take for Disney to make an announcement like that.

Can't comprehend??? I thought you did it!

Not that I would ever actually point my finger at them and laugh. At least, not again.

They bite.

I tried hard to make Winnipeg fit into the itinerary somehow. After all, I could get the kids to see Canada! But given the loop we're driving, and that I feel like we're already on the edge of the time we can handle in the car, it just felt like trying to cram too much in. I wish I could have found a way. I checked out the drive time between Winnipeg and Voyageurs NP for the day before, but it looks like that drive is longer from Winnipeg than the one to Fargo. Too many back roads!

Yeah, Fargo's a straight shot on the highway.
Still... would've been nice.

I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

I stared and stared at that quote.... "I know this... I know this!!!"

Nope. Had to Google.
Ah.... Been a looong time for that one too.

Sure! It was posed, and already posted on FB anyway. And I've been on the couch for about 16 years now.

 

[wasnotafan]

Been a while since I saw what you were up to so a hot Saturday afternoon was a good time to catch up rather than accomplish anything of useful

Looks like an enjoyable trip for you and your better half. Glad you got to treat her right. Maybe she will keep you around for a few more years if you keep it up.

 

[WDW2012]

Well I was incredibly late to this trip report but have caught up and enjoyed it immensely. After trips as kids/young adults, we did our first family trip in 2009 with a 3 and 6 year old, grandma and cousin. We were like pack mules with all the crap, er stuff, we lugged to the park. The next year hubby and I took a just the two of us long weekend back for our 10th anniversary and upgraded to the Yacht Club (and club level to boot!). One of our best vacations!! We also did the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Although unlike you, we flat out lied to the kids and didn't tell them where we went until months after we returned. They thought their gifts came from a quick stop at Downtown Disney .

Great trip report and great message on taking time to enjoy life together before getting back to the real world and what better replace to do so then at Disney. I may have missed it somewhere in the comments, where is this summers adventures taking your family?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Your last ride was a perfect way to to say so long. The TSA line at the airport.....

Suddenly I am NOT looking forward to airline travel in Oct. I swear that is a TSA plan to get people to buy Precheck since it is apparently behind it estimated revenue.

I'm scared to death about the lines for my upcoming trip. Definitely planning for some long waits.

I've wondered if it's a Precheck scam, myself. I've also thought about breaking down and paying for it!

Julie's face is priceless in Baltimore!!!! Such the Disney depression poster child.

I hate coming back to the real world.

Looking forward to the Bonus feature.

If I can get it done! We leave in a few days!

I hate leaving Disney ... such a bummer ... Julie's face really says it all in your last photo. But, hey, thanks for doing your part to keep Disney open by shopping at the Emporium!

You're welcome! I'm pretty sure they were on the edge of going under.

Looking forward to reading about your trip to NYC!

I just hope I can get it posted before we have to leave for the next trip!

Thanks for the encouragement. Hmm, I just might do it... It would be pretty easy, because I took notes on my iPad & already made a scrapbook of it (shockingly fast for me, only because it was a present for my DH ). I know I wished I had more information before taking the DLP trip. It was kind of tough for a crazy OCD planner like me. (Now, just if I could finish my Hawaii TR. What a slacker I am! Loved the trip, but so slow at reporting it.)

That would be cool! I know how it feels not to have time to update these things, though.

Yeah. To be really honest, I am not the hugest fan of that ride; I think it is cute and I like the song, the unusual ride vehicles and breezy feel, but don't find it amazing. I think it has a lot of cache due to the long lines that make it more popular in a strange way. It must be good to stand in line that long, right?

I think it's a nice ride. Just not worth waiting more than 20 minutes or so.

I will openly admit I am not a fan of another attraction people love: the Enchanted Tiki Room. Just did it for the first time in probably 30 years and stared at the exit sign the whole time wondering if I could gracefully make an escape. I think I'm in the minority, but that one I don't understand. I also got a Dole Whip, because I know I am supposed to love them as a Disney fan, but found myself not liking that either. I never really was a fan when we took trips when I was a kid, but other people in my family were. Anyway, I thought they must be amazing and I was just a dumb kid, but when I had one at the Tiki Room, I did not like that either.

Well, I have never been a fan of the Tiki Room, either. I understand why it may have wowed people in 1955. But if it were up to me, and I had to keep a classic ride around, I would have kept 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (with updates, of course) and let the Tiki Room fade away.

Dole Whips? Sorry, you're complete wrong there. They ARE amazing!!!

Because of the Disney characters in it that are unique to Disneyland. I did really enjoy the ride and looking for the characters like Alice and Jasmine, etc. I did experience lines at most attractions at DL, even though it was - for most of my trip - not too crowded.

I would do it if my kids forced me to. Or if I really needed to sit in air conditioning. That's about it.

By the way, I did crazily begin another trip report for the DL trip (it's in my signature; only have one day posted so far).

I will have to go find it! My DIS time has been limited lately but I will do my best.

Loved the review, was wondering what type of camera you were using?

Thanks! We have a Canon Rebel T3i. We use a Sigma 18mm - 250mm zoom lens, mostly to keep from having to change lenses all the time. It works fairly well.

That sounds like a great adventure. Thank you for sharing and making me laugh along the way. You da man!

No, you da man! For actually reading this drivel.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I am now really scared about my flight home from MCO on my next trip!!! This sounds even worse than the customs and immigration lines when coming into the USA!

Oh man, that line was just insane. I have no idea what would possess them to set it up that way.

I really enjoyed your trip report and only have one complaint: that it was over far too soon! But I guess that is what you thought as well at the end of the trip.

Yes! That was our main complaint too!

I totally understand your appreciation of being away from everything at WDW. I think for me that is why I love cruises, because there I get it even more than at WDW.

It's really great when everything has already been taken care of for you. No responsibilities whatsoever. I could get used to that.

Sounds like a plan!

Now I just need the funding to pull it off!

You guys really cut things close, don't you?

I wasn't worried. I could either spend the last couple of hours going to Epcot to get a cronut, or sitting in the lobby waiting for a bus. Didn't seem like much of a choice to me.

I thought that was Fran's job.

You mean I could have saved all that money?

Do they really not sell these in other places in the US? In my little town of Long Beach I can think of at least two places that serve them. For my money though, I would choose the croissant with ham and cheese baked inside.

I think our Dunkin' Donuts has had them, but typically only seasonally, and they put other filling in it or something. Also, I had heard mixed reviews about other versions. I'd only heard praise about the Epcot version, though, so that was the one I wanted to try.

Nice shot!

Thanks!

Dang. That was way too quick!

I totally agree!

I have so many friends who don't get this and wonder why we go back. It's clean, magical and such an escape from the outside world. You don't have to hail taxicabs, see rats in sewers, and rarely do you freeze your patooty off! It's one place where you can totally feel like you're transported to a magical world.

Exactly. No responsibilities, everything works, and your imagination is engaged--first as a child in wonder, then as an adult in a "how did they pull that off?" type way.

That's insane!

Just horrible.

How the heck did they weed out who was going to which terminal?

I don't think they bothered. Everyone went to the same machines, and then you headed for the appropriate Not-A-Monorail depending on where your gate was.

I remember seeing that one! Priceless!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Had to Google.
Obviously haven't watched Simpsons in a loooong while.

I haven't watched it in a long time, either. But I still remember so many quotes and scenes from their golden years.

Perfect!

"Grilled cheese? Yes! Yes! Wait..... there's bacon? mmmmmmm bacon.... screw the grilled cheese."

Exactly! Grilled cheese is fine. It works. You're satisfied. But when compared to bacon...

I'm waiting for it.
And then I'm going to show up unannounced.
"What? You always tagged along on our vacations!"

That would be EPIC.

Can't comprehend??? I thought you did it!

Well, I don't recall them actually making any announcement. They just took my money.

They bite.

Yeah, Fargo's a straight shot on the highway.
Still... would've been nice.

Agreed. Would have loved to shake your hand.

Well, next time I'm in Fargo...

I stared and stared at that quote.... "I know this... I know this!!!"

Nope. Had to Google.
Ah.... Been a looong time for that one too.

Honestly, most of the rest of the movie is kinda meh for me. Not a big Adam Sandler fan. But that quote is a classic.

Been a while since I saw what you were up to so a hot Saturday afternoon was a good time to catch up rather than accomplish anything of useful

No problem! I'm here to prevent anything useful from taking place.

Looks like an enjoyable trip for you and your better half. Glad you got to treat her right. Maybe she will keep you around for a few more years if you keep it up.

That's the idea! I need to keep her around.

Well I was incredibly late to this trip report but have caught up and enjoyed it immensely. After trips as kids/young adults, we did our first family trip in 2009 with a 3 and 6 year old, grandma and cousin. We were like pack mules with all the crap, er stuff, we lugged to the park. The next year hubby and I took a just the two of us long weekend back for our 10th anniversary and upgraded to the Yacht Club (and club level to boot!). One of our best vacations!! We also did the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Although unlike you, we flat out lied to the kids and didn't tell them where we went until months after we returned. They thought their gifts came from a quick stop at Downtown Disney .

First of all...

Lying to the kids! Wow, that's pretty hardcore. I guess our talk was more of the "life is disappointing, get over it." type deal.

Great trip report and great message on taking time to enjoy life together before getting back to the real world and what better replace to do so then at Disney. I may have missed it somewhere in the comments, where is this summers adventures taking your family?

Rather than try and re-type everything, let me send you to my Poor Man's PTR at the end of this chapter of my previous TR:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ro...t-complete-2-17.3429882/page-35#post-55191279

 

[Leshaface]

That’s more like it. We needed to finish the MK at Big Thunder Mountain

Great ending to the MK, IMO!

Neither one of us had ever had a cronut before. So we remedied that.

It tastes about twenty times as good as it looks. Sugary deep-fried heaven on a paper plate. As I’m fond of saying, I’m sure it took 3 years off my life, but that probably would have been 3 years in a nursing home anyway, so that makes it ok.

Wasn't that AMAZING!? We recently made a quick trip to Knottsberry Farm and in the bakery there, they had a Boysenberry Glazed Cronut I'll be honest, it was better than WDW's Cinnamon Sugar cronut.

Or rather, there is plenty of fun to be had, and other people will now be having it instead of you.

I hate those people.

The symptoms of DDP* were now in full bloom.

I feel like I need to write a list of Non-Official DIS abbreviations, between DDP and DUD, i'm getting so confused

We trudged out of the park and up the monorail ramp. We trudged onto the monorail. Then we sat and enjoyed one last ride on the Highway In The Sky before trudging out into the TTC and trudging over to the Poly. We collected our bags from the Bell Services desk (in a trudging fashion, I’m sure) and then trudged over to the bench to wait for the DUD.

There's a name for you guys, it's called Trudgers

But when you’re there, inside the gates, you get to leave all of those responsibilities behind. I

Doesn't Disney do a great job of making you forget how much money you've spent when you're actually there?!

Oh my gosh. What an awful experience. Yours is definitely worse than anything i've ever experienced. And funnily enough, MCO is the one airport we've never had security line problems with

I REALLY hope Julie approved of this! I would have body slammed you onto the carousel

 

[Terra Nova guy]

That’s more like it. We needed to finish the MK at Big Thunder Mountain. As far as Julie and I were concerned, it was an easy call. I don’t know if I like it better during the day or at night. I think future trips will just have to include at least one ride at each time in a never-ending study of the effects.

Fantastic way to end off the MK. It's much better than the way I ended my last MK day, which was the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Grrr..kids...
BTMRR is my favourite ride and I think I prefer it at night. The saloon seems more vibrant when lit up and the lighting and mist near the end give it a Haunted Mansion feel. Even if I didn't like it at night, I would still say so just to rub it in for @pkondz, who I believe has yet to ride at night

Neither one of us had ever had a cronut before. So we remedied that.

Sadly I have not had the pleasure of a cronut before. I have read many glowing reviews. I need to try it next time.

An hour and a half of driving time later, and we were home. The kids were in bed. But they greeted us warmly the next morning, or at least they did once we broke out the gifts. I don’t think they hate us anymore. Or, at least, they’re content to fake affection for us while biding their time, waiting for revenge. Either way, Julie and I have no regrets. We love each other. And we want to stay that way. This was a great way to make sure we do.

Bribery usually works wonders. Sounds like you had a great trip. I enjoyed reading about it. It's given me some food for thought if I want to try getting away with my wife sometime. It can be done!

 

[Steppesister]

Hey Mark, MIGHT be able to re-engage here. Maybe. I know you're all having a great time here; will have to time travel a bit and see if I can catch up a bit. May take a while though. Meantime, hey howdy ho!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Great ending to the MK, IMO!

Thanks! We thought that was the best way to do it.

Wasn't that AMAZING!? We recently made a quick trip to Knottsberry Farm and in the bakery there, they had a Boysenberry Glazed Cronut I'll be honest, it was better than WDW's Cinnamon Sugar cronut.

Better??? Is that even possible??

I hate those people.

Me too. Buncha jerks.

I feel like I need to write a list of Non-Official DIS abbreviations, between DDP and DUD, i'm getting so confused

Just make sure you get your ADR's if you're on the DDP, then get your FP+ for ToT, RnRC, BTMRR, TSMM and the like, and have as much fun as you can before DDP sets in (not to be confused with the other DDP) and you have to take the DUD.

There's a name for you guys, it's called Trudgers

That's us. On departure day, anyway.

Doesn't Disney do a great job of making you forget how much money you've spent when you're actually there?!

Amazing! The responsibility to stick to a budget is also one that seems to go by the wayside, along with the rest of your cares.

Oh my gosh. What an awful experience. Yours is definitely worse than anything i've ever experienced. And funnily enough, MCO is the one airport we've never had security line problems with

You need to tell me your secret, because my experience is that the security line there is usually terrible. This was a new level of awful, though.

I REALLY hope Julie approved of this! I would have body slammed you onto the carousel

Well, it was already on Facebook. And it was totally posed. But this reflects what we were feeling at the moment. Keepin' it real.

Fantastic way to end off the MK. It's much better than the way I ended my last MK day, which was the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Grrr..kids...
BTMRR is my favourite ride and I think I prefer it at night. The saloon seems more vibrant when lit up and the lighting and mist near the end give it a Haunted Mansion feel. Even if I didn't like it at night, I would still say so just to rub it in for @pkondz, who I believe has yet to ride at night

Rubbing it in just for the sake of it is 100% approved.

Sadly I have not had the pleasure of a cronut before. I have read many glowing reviews. I need to try it next time.

Sounds like reason enough to plan a new trip!

Bribery usually works wonders. Sounds like you had a great trip. I enjoyed reading about it. It's given me some food for thought if I want to try getting away with my wife sometime. It can be done!

It can be done! Somehow we pulled it off. And we have no regrets. I'd do it again if I could.

Hey Mark, MIGHT be able to re-engage here. Maybe. I know you're all having a great time here; will have to time travel a bit and see if I can catch up a bit. May take a while though. Meantime, hey howdy ho!

Hi diddley-ho, neighborino!

I haven't been super engaged on the boards myself--it's all I can do to keep up! And I leave for vacation in a week, so I'll fall even further behind!

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Suddenly I am NOT looking forward to airline travel in Oct. I swear that is a TSA plan to get people to buy Precheck since it is apparently behind it estimated revenue.

I am now really scared about my flight home from MCO on my next trip!!! This sounds even worse than the customs and immigration lines when coming into the USA!

I'm scared to death about the lines for my upcoming trip. Definitely planning for some long waits.

I've wondered if it's a Precheck scam, myself. I've also thought about breaking down and paying for it!

Airport lines are not something we normally have to deal with, but our next trip will include flights in and out of MCO and after your pictures I'm going too!

In case I don't get back around in time for the big sendoff.....I hope you guys have another great family adventure and smooth travels!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

How nice you were able to get to MK and EPCOT on your last day!

Too bad about security. I am getting nervous about MCO going home now since what happened in Orlando this past weekend..we are going to have to give ourselves a lot of time.

I really enjoyed reading this TR! Looking forward to the next mini TR update when you came my way (I'm a New Yorker and live about 20 mins away from NYC)

 

[pkondz]

Well, I don't recall them actually making any announcement. They just took my money.

They do that, do they?

Agreed. Would have loved to shake your hand.

Well, next time I'm in Fargo...

Because everyone goes to Fargo... like all the time. It's more popular than Disney.

 

[PinkyBean]

That was hugely funny and inspiring and a wee bit depressing.....the last chapter anyway....how did you manage that? I'm looking forward to reading your previous trip reports now and whiling away my evening. You rock and thanks for taking the time to write this report.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Airport lines are not something we normally have to deal with, but our next trip will include flights in and out of MCO and after your pictures I'm going too!

That was the worst! I'm planning to be at the airport early this summer since the stories around the country have been bad.

In case I don't get back around in time for the big sendoff.....I hope you guys have another great family adventure and smooth travels!

Thanks, Marv! We're almost there!

How nice you were able to get to MK and EPCOT on your last day!

We squeezed as much Disney time as we could out of the trip!

Too bad about security. I am getting nervous about MCO going home now since what happened in Orlando this past weekend..we are going to have to give ourselves a lot of time.

Definitely. It still might be a scam to sell TSA Pre-check. Who knows?

I really enjoyed reading this TR! Looking forward to the next mini TR update when you came my way (I'm a New Yorker and live about 20 mins away from NYC)

We had a nice time! Unfortunately I don't think I'm going to be able to write about that until I get back from my summer trip. I ran out of time to get that update done!

They do that, do they?

They are the masters.

Because everyone goes to Fargo... like all the time. It's more popular than Disney.

Oh yah, you betcha. It's the best-kept vacation paradise secret in the world.

That was hugely funny and inspiring and a wee bit depressing.....the last chapter anyway....how did you manage that? I'm looking forward to reading your previous trip reports now and whiling away my evening. You rock and thanks for taking the time to write this report.

Maybe it needed more fart jokes. In any case, please read responsibly. My TR's might drive you to insanity...or mere depression. But thanks for taking the time to read it!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Well, folks, I had good intentions about getting that NYC chapter up, but it looks like I've run out of time. We are about to leave for our next trip touring the Midwest. At the end of this trip, the kids will have visited 40 out of 50 states!

I do have the NYC photos uploaded, so when I'm back in a couple of weeks I will try and get that written so you can read it at last and finally ask the question, "Now, wait...who is this guy and why did I care about his trip to New York again?"

In the meantime, please behave while I'm gone. Or at least don't trash the place. If you're friends with me on Facebook, look for some photos there while we travel. And then hopefully I'll have the time to start a new TR when I get back. If/when that happens, look for it under the DIS Dads sub-thread under DIS For Families.

In the meantime, have a great summer and remember, Adventure Is Out There!

 

[justafigment27]

Looks like summer vacation 2016 has arrived! How exciting! Safe travels, Oblivious Family!

 

[pkondz]

Oh yah, you betcha.

Perfection.

At the end of this trip, the kids will have visited 40 out of 50 states!

So what's wrong with those 10 states?

"Now, wait...who is this guy and why did I care about his trip to New York again?"

It's like you can read our minds.

In the meantime, please behave while I'm gone.

Aw.... shucks.

If you're friends with me on Facebook, look for some photos there while we travel

Will do!

And then hopefully I'll have the time to start a new TR when I get back. If/when that happens, look for it under the DIS Dads sub-thread under DIS For Families.

And post a link here, please?

 

[Dugette]

Not sure if you're checking this while you're gone, but I remember you asking about July 4th fireworks recommendations in the Twin Cities. I just heard on the radio that the downtown Minneapolis/riverfront fireworks (red, white, and boom) will be choreographed to Prince music this year, so rather unique. Probably crowded too, but likely a good show. Hope your trip is off to a great start!