"When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do? Just keep swimming" 10 year anniversary trip 8/24-8/30 at CSR

[disneylove16]

"When life gets you down do you wanna know what you’ve gotta do? Just keep swimming"


An August 24-30 Trip Report
Coronado Springs


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Hi everyone! Welcome to my 3rd trip report. Honestly, I didn't want to write this trip report, and wasn't going to, but I think I would regret not documenting the trip eventually. WDW is my absolute happy place. I live for our trips there, but something was so off this trip. It might have been me, it might've been bad luck, it was probably a combination of things. I didn't want to write this TR because I felt like I didn't have anything positive to say in it. I had crippling anxiety most of the trip, we were very out of shape, and we even ended up going home 2 days early, skipping out on (and losing money spent on) pre-booked events. I didn't want to be a "Debbie-downer" to everyone reading along getting excited for their trips. But now that I've been home a week, and had time to reflect, I realize that I'm being ridiculous. I have plenty of positive things to say about our time, and your experience is what you make of it. So before you read along, please know my experience was marred by my anxiety disorder,and even though I didn't feel like this was our best trip, I am already looking forward to our next trip in January 2021. That said, I hope you do read along, and I hope I can maybe help those with anxiety learn from some of our mistakes!

Who: DH (37) and me (36)
What: Our 10 year together/ 3 year marriage anniversary trip
Where: Coronado Springs Resort
When: August 24-30 2019

I'll include an intro in case you didn't read my last TR, and if you have, feel free to skip ahead! ​

Me:

Disney freak, goofball (although not so much on this trip), and super planner. I have suffered from severe anxiety since I was a kid, and was doing a pretty good job of managing it previously by eating clean, exercising, and lots of meditation/mindfulness. This past year though, DH and I completely de-railed. We gained all of our weight back, got very out of shape, and my mental health took the back burner. I'm happy to say that for the past week we've been home we have hopped back on the wagon, and I'm making my health a priority again.
I'm from NY, currently living in CA. My grandparents lived in FL, and my brother and I would go visit them for the summers growing up, with annual passes, so we visited WDW countless times. I've stayed at GF (as a young child), Poly, Contemporary (as a young child), Coronado Springs, All Star Sports, and offsite. WDW is such a sentimental place for me. It's my happy place, and my favorite place on earth.
Age: 36
Favorite ride: Pirates of the Caribbean, and now Flight of Passage
Favorite park: Epcot AK
Favorite characters: Stitch, Pua, Harris, Hubert & Hamish (I count them as 1), and Figment
Favorite Restaurant: Raglan Road Toledo
DH:

He is car-obsessed, laid back, pretty much has me make all the plans, and he goes with the flow. This is a blessing and a curse. Our 1st trip together 9 years ago was DH's first trip ever to WDW. He fell in love with it. I swear every trip he becomes more and more Disney-obsessed (which I am ever grateful for). He is also my happy place, my home.
Age: 37
Favorite rides: Space Mountain, Expedition Everest
Favorite park: Epcot AK
Favorite characters: Goofy, Gerald (finding Dory) and Hei-Hei
Favorite Restaurant: Coral Reef Toledo
Last up are our fur-babies. Our oldest is 10, and has had health problems in the past, but has thankfully remained healthy. I've gotten used to being able to leave her with our in laws. But our younger pup, who just turned 2 has major separation anxiety. He had quite a few issues when we adopted him, and we've worked with multiple different trainers and behavioral vets to get him where he's at today. We've never left him more than a night, and he is super needy. So that's one of the things that triggered my anxiety this trip. In fact, our second night there, DH called my mother in law, and she said he was refusing to eat. All I could think was I'm across the country, and there was absolutely nothing I could do. I had a full blown melt down in our room, and just wanted to go home. I'm pretty sure that set the tone of the trip for me, which I now realize was completely ridiculous! DH was so supportive and reassuring, which is the only reason I think we made as far as we did on our trip.

Well, I do hope you will read along. I promise there were good times had, lots of food tasted, and as usual I took lots of photos!

 

[disneylove16]

I didn't realize what a hard time I'd have uploading photos for this TR, so sorry if I'm a bit slower than the other TR's with updates!

DH and I booked our trip in January, and looked forward to this trip every day. Planning/looking forward to our trips is big for us. We talk about our trip literally every single day, watch vlogs on the weekends, and go over and change plans over and over. We were a little over-zealous on planning this trip, and seemed to have forgotten how out of shape we had gotten. We had planned for a park each day, except for 1 "rest day" that we would do DS. I also had booked DAH events for AK and MK, as well as the rhino tour at AK for what was meant to be our last day. Unfortunately, we bailed out on the MK DAH event, and left WDW before the rhino tour. More on that later.

I have to say, I feel like every year the end of August gets more and more crowds. This year was almost undoable for me. I did expect higher crowds because of the opening of GE at HS, and didn't even have HS in our plans because of that. But every park seemed packed to me (this may have been due to my anxiety). The only other difference we encountered from previous years was that we got a lot more rain this trip. We've been so lucky in the past, we've barely gotten any rain. I believe it rained almost every day on this trip.

This is irrelevant to the TR, but I also was able to have 1 of my sleeves completed (the other started) before our trip, and got so many sweet compliments! Here at home I get remarks on my tattoos, but many people don't know who the characters are. (Especially Oliver & Co). It was so fun being around other Disney fans who knew the characters, and understood the theming of the "tropical" arm!

 

[disneylove16]

Travel Day​

We flew out of Fresno on 8/24 at 6 am. We woke up at 2, got ready pretty uneventfully, and tried to leave as unceremoniously as possible so as not to stress out our younger dog. Our airport is about 45 minutes away, and we got there about an hour and a half before our flight.

We flew American Airlines, and left right on time. We were beyond excited, and as always I felt a little in shock.


We had an hour layover at DFW, and our 2nd flight left right on time too. We were originally supposed to arrive at MCO at 4:38, and I believe we landed right around 4 pm. I watched "Bug's Life" and played some of the games offered on the seatback screen on our 2nd flight.

 

[VAtink]

Following along! Your fur-babies are so cute! And oh my goodness, I love the tattoos, they are stunning, especially love the Oliver and Dodger ones!

 

[disneylove16]

Following along! Your fur-babies are so cute! And oh my goodness, I love the tattoos, they are stunning, especially love the Oliver and Dodger ones!

Thank you so much, and welcome!

 

[disneylove16]

When we arrived at MCO we headed straight for DME.







There was only about a 5 minute wait before getting on our bus.





I couldn't wait to see all the changes made to CSR. We weren't staying at the new tower, but eager to see it. The resort is absolutely beautiful. Everything about it is so stunning. The lobby (and even the bathrooms) smell amazing, and there is just so much detail to take in. We were excited to try the new restaurants and lounges as well.

 

[disneylove16]

Both times we've stayed at CSR in the past, there was never a wait in the lobby, and the resort was very quiet and calm. This time, we waited about 30 minutes to "check-in". I check in online, but our only request was to stay in Cabanas or Casitas, as we're not fond of the Ranchos theming. When we got our text that our room was ready around 4:15, it said it was in the Ranchos area. So I wanted to check with the front desk if they were able to move us, which they did without a problem. We ended up staying in Cabanas.

 

[disneyAndi14]

We were there from 8/17-8/26 and the crowds were much more than any other August.

I actually compared it to our spring break trips a few times, it was way more crowded then I like!!

 

[disneylove16]

We were there from 8/17-8/26 and the crowds were much more than any other August.

I actually compared it to our spring break trips a few times, it was way more crowded then I like!!

This makes me feel better! I thought it was in my head! I hope you had an amzing trip despite the crowds.

 

[disneylove16]

We stopped by our room to put our carryons in, and to freshen up.









The resort is absolutely stunning.

 

[disneylove16]

We loved the room renovations as well

 

[disneylove16]

We headed to Villa Del Lago for dinner. We asked to be seated next to the water, as it was pretty empty. I ended up regretting it because the sun was setting and positioned right on me for the entire meal

The food was excellent. We got the warm manchego and Oaxaca cheese dip to share, and asked for the chorizo on the side as I don't eat beef or pork. I got the shrimp corn dogs as an entrée, and DH got the burger. I got the mango fresco to drink, and DH got a beer. We thought everything was delicious, and my drink was nice and strong. The sauce that came with the fries was sooo good!










Yes, I'm a double dipper. Only with DH though.

 

[jwoodbury]

Following along! We were there the week before you. We experienced a lot of rain this trip. We didn't mind too much since it cooled us down at times...briefly

 

[disneylove16]

We walked around a bit after dinner, I took more photos, and DH got a bloody Mary from Siestas Cantina. Side note: The menus on WDW website for both Siestas and Laguna Pool bar are not accurate. I was so excited to try the caipirinha, and they do not serve that any longer. The bartender at Laguna said they changed their menus when Villa Del Lago opened, and the WDW website hasn't updated.






DH trying to be a model

 

[disneylove16]

Following along! We were there the week before you. We experienced a lot of rain this trip. We didn't mind too much since it cooled us down at times...briefly

Thank you for following! And I know what you mean!

 

[disneylove16]

DH had been looking forward to getting nachos from "El Mercado De Coronado"... or as we still call it, Pepper Market. So we stopped there to get our refillable mugs, and to get some food to bring back to the room.

 

[disneylove16]

We headed back to the room, and watched some TV while eating, then called it a night.

Next up: Magic Kingdom, CHH, Toledo

 

[disneylove16]

Magic Kingdom

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We woke up at 5 to get ready and rope drop MK. We didn't do the EMM this year as we normally do, since we had some after hours events planned for the trip. I didn't remember setting a wake up call in the room, since I was a bit delirious the night before from no sleep and being tired from traveling. So I was super confused when the phone rang at 5 am and I didn't know where I was, and Winnie the Pooh was on the phone. Only at Disney.


We watched this channel while getting ready, which I absolutely love. Did you know there's youtube videos of this channel to get the Disney feel while at home?

These are the coffees I brought for the trip. They're powdered instant coffee milk and sugar. I love them and they're so convenient.

I snapped a few photos while walking to the bus stop. Can you tell how much I love this resort?

 

[disneylove16]

The bus arrived completely full, yet the driver let our group that was waiting on. We learned quickly to walk to bus stop 2.. so while showing DH my completed TR, he corrected this and said we used stop 3. I swore it was 2, but he is adamant that it was 3. So since that was the first stop the bus made to pickup. I really can't believe how many people cram into the buses. Also, I was continuously frustrated at how many people would use seats to put their shopping bags, purses, sweaters, etc. while there were so many people standing.


MK was decorated in all it's Halloween glory.

 

[disneylove16]

I learned something this trip. We've always done rope drop, but my personality type always had us there an hour before rope drop to open the parks. This trip I learned that we can get to the park at rope drop and still be ahead of the crowds. I believe we got to MK 15 minutes before rope drop, and got right in, had some time to take some castle photos, and head right. After waiting at the rope for official park opening, we headed where we always do first thing in the morning:






This is one of my favorite attraction queues.

There's a part of the exit area that IMO competes for best IG wall



We did Buzz Lightyear and Carousel of Progress



And DH was in shock that I finally beat him on Buzz Lightyear!



So determined!




Then we headed over to Fantasyland