2 weeks with the family... are we crazy?! Day 7

6 Oct

This morning Rob and I were up at 7.30, with all the usual stuff including packing up to leave as we were moving off site to a villa at Solterra.

We headed to the laundry to do washing before we left, all the machines take credit cards now which is a bit odd. I had my cake and Rob got himself a muffin and filled up our mugs. 

I stayed with the laundry and Rob did a bit more sorting of stuff, we were done at about 1030 so we put the last few bits in our bags and took the bags to bell services. 

We headed over to the Magic Kingdom, we took the car as we had to pick up another vehicle later in the day. 

We all had lunch at The Plaza (Rob and I had our usual choices: club sandwich, philly cheesesteak, sundae, brownie sundae) and then Rob, Kev and dad left to go to the car care centre to collect the car. Rob’s parents had 2 spare credits from the dinner they missed earlier in the week so they treated us to lunch – as we were planning to pay for this meal due to using our credits at the Yachtsman.

The plan was for the rest of us to ride Buzz Lightyear but 2 of the magicbands left with the boys by mistake so only 4 of us went on! 

We then headed to the bus stop to meet up at the resort and waited what felt like forever for a bus 

When we got back the boys had already collected all the bags and loaded them into the cars, but the rest of the group had loads of dining credits to use up (Rob and I had a few spares but were planning a trip to Disney Springs), it took a while but they eventually used them up. 

We then drove across to the villa which thankfully lived up to our expectations after last year! We had quite the family disagreement on arrival (over the most ridiculous thing) which cast a shadow for a few days. 

I don’t remember if we had anything to eat but Rob and I eventually went to Disney Springs to use up our remaining credits. We had 7 snacks and 2 QS meals to use up and we got quite a nice collection of Ghiradelli chocolate  

The others had gone to Publix to do some shopping.

2 weeks with the family... are we crazy?! Day 6

5th Oct

This morning we had another late breakfast at around 9.30, Rob and I both had muffins (blueberry and chocolate) and I had a cappuccino this was 1 QS credit and the food court was much busier at this time of day. 

We headed to Epcot and arrived at around 11.15 experiencing a very busy bag check line We had travelled separately from the family but found them just inside the park. 

Our first ride was Test Track which Charlie really enjoyed again, next we were due to be riding Mission Space but agreed that most of the group wouldn’t enjoy it so changed to Figment. We walked over and discovered that it was down 

The rest were getting hungry so we headed to Seasons, Rob and I shared a cheese pizza meal whilst they got a variety of different choices. 

Next, we took Mum, Dad and Blake to Mexico as they wanted to get a couple of the rings carved while the rest of the group rode Nemo using the Figment FP.

Rob and I wanted to try a few things from the Food and Wine festival so we headed to 2 of the booths we were interested in. The first was ‘Taste of Greece’ which actually wasn’t bad (we have a Greek friend and wanted to compare) followed by the Filet Mignon from Canada, both were quite good and we used 3 snack credits because I’m sure we also picked up a water. 

We rounded up the family and then rode Spaceship Earth with them before they left the park just after 2. 

Rob and I went back to World Showcase to try some more food, we did 2 trips around in the end although we only got more food at India - madras curry, naan breads and a mango drink – this was 1 QS credit. We also picked up one of the kidcot suitcases each for Charlie and Leona. 

We left the park around 5 and headed back to shower and change before our dinner at Yachtsman. The others went to T-Rex and we are told they really enjoyed it.

For our meal Rob had the NY strip and I had the filet mignon but with truffle fries. Both were cooked just as requested and were really nice. We both had the massive chocolate cake for dessert and neither of us could finish them – but I took the remainder of mine in a box and had it for breakfast the next morning!

We used our last 4 TS credits on this meal which were totally worth it!

2 weeks with the family... are we crazy?! Day 5

4th Oct

This morning we had another breakfast at the hotel - beignets, muffin and cappuccino, which probably means we used 1 quick serve credit.

Rob and I took the car to the TTC and then monorail to MK, whilst the others went on the bus, Blake was tired and so stayed at the room for the day. 

Once in the park we took the train to Frontierland (to save the others some steps) to ride Splash Mountain with FP. 

Once we were off the ride it was time for Leona to go to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique as we had arrived a few minutes early we took a quick spin on the Carousel before our slot. 

Leona seemed to enjoy the makeover although she was a little shy when having her photo taken afterwards. (I've covered her face because I'm not sure she wants her pic on the internet but I wanted to show her dress.)

While we were gone the boys went on Big Thunder Mountain and then got some food at Pecos Bills. 

We headed over to meet them and found that Charlie didn’t want to be a pirate but Sharna convinced him to go ahead. He chose the ghost pirate which was so funny, he looked thoroughly grumpy all the way through.

After he was done we rode Pirates and then took Leona to meet Cinderella and Elena while Charlie went on the Tomorrowland Speedway with our final FPs.

Rob and I went back to collect Blake while the rest stayed in the park, we met them at the Contemporary for dinner at Chef Mickey’s. We checked in and had our photo taken and were seated quite quickly.

I had a quiet word with our server as we had booked a special cake for Rob’s mum with a Splash Mountain theme. The cake was brought out at the end and she loved it! 

Neither Rob or I particularly like the food at Chef Mickey’s – I can never find a proper meal and we don’t really like buffets. The others seemed to enjoy it but it is really expensive if you don’t have the dining plan. I don’t think we will be back anytime soon. We took everyone except mum and dad back in the car while they took the bus and then we had a quiet night in the room watching Flip or Flop!

2 weeks with the family... are we crazy?! Day 4

3rd Oct

This morning we had a slightly later start, we offered to drop Kev, Sharna and the kids at Typhoon Lagoon so that they didn’t have to take the buses. We headed across to Disney Springs to have get an Earl of Sandwich, after we had eaten mum and dad called us so we said we would pop back and get them.

We took them to the Earl as well and then had a little walk around with them before they headed back via the boat service. 

We popped in to Guest Relations to see what price we would be quoted for upgrading to annual passes (DVC gold pass). This time we got the magic number of $63.90 which was much more like it! As we were off site for our second week that would save us some parking fees and allow us the option of a return trip so we took it! So, we are now passholders again 

Once we were finished we headed back to the resort and paid $200 off our bill using our gift card and then popped back to Typhoon Lagoon to collect the others at about 1515 before chilling in the room for a little while.

This evening we had dinner booked at Teppan Edo at 6pm, unfortunately mum and dad weren’t feeling too good so they stayed home and Charlie was tired so he stayed with them. We shared a table with an American family as we were now a party of 6. Rob and I enjoyed our steak and chicken as always, not sure about the others. 

We took a quick ride on Soarin’ before we left the park and then went to Disney Springs to find Leona a dress for her makeover the next day. We offered her a choice between a traditional princess dress and one from The Dress Shop at the Co-op and as expected she chose one from The Dress Shop. 

2 weeks with the family... are we crazy?! Day 3

2nd Oct

This morning we were up at around 7.30 and got breakfast again at hotel. I had pancakes and Rob had a muffin - used one quick serve credit.

This morning we decided to take the car to Animal Kingdom while the others took the bus. We popped into Guest Relations to check on the price to upgrade our tickets to annual passes and were quoted $177 each! 

The others arrived and our first ride was the Safari which was pretty good – we actually saw the lion for once. 

Next up was Everest and then we decided to split up for a little while. I’m pretty sure that Rob and I went to Pandora first to look at lunch options but they didn’t appeal but I did get a drink with a snack credit – I think it was the Night Blossom which I enjoyed. 

Rob ended up getting a pizza for lunch at pizzafari where we stayed for a little while as it started raining. So, I used another snack credit on an orange drink I think?! Both drinks would have cost over $5 so not bad use of a credit!

We went across to the shop as the rain had slowed down, we found the family in here so then all headed to Pandora for our final FP – Flight of Passage.

Everyone (except Charlie and Leona) loved this ride and it was brilliant to see the whole ride without someone screaming this year. 

Rob’s parents headed back to the resort for a rest while I managed to book a FP for Kev, Sharna, Charlie and Leona to do Kali River Rapids. Blake wanted to go back on Flight of Passage and somehow, I picked up a second FP for the two of us. 

Rob was going to ride as well but he went back to collect his parents as we were having dinner at Sanaa. We agreed to meet at AKL, which was fine except it took Blake and I ages to find the others and then we waited an age for a bus! We arrived just in time for our reservation. 

Rob and I both had the bread service to start (5 naans) and then chicken, beef and paneer with rice. Neither of us particularly like any of the non-meat options so I think in future we might ask them not to bring them out. 

We both had the chocolate mousse for our desserts which were great as always. Rob’s mum had not been feeling well (for most of the trip but especially tonight), so I told Rob to take everyone else back to the hotel (we only had 8 seats) and I caught the bus to Disney Springs where he met me and after a short wander we headed home ourselves. 

2 weeks with the family... are we crazy?! Day 2

1st Oct

This morning we woke up at 7, and today we were having breakfast the hotel. Rob had an omelette and I had beignets so we used 1 QS credit and 1 SC.

Our park of choice today was Hollywood Studios where everyone except Charlie did Rock and Rollercoaster, Leona actually took a 2nd ride using Charlie’s FP as Paul stayed with Charlie while the rest of us went on. 

After everyone except Tracey did Tower of Terror, I don’t think Charlie enjoyed it really but at least we didn’t have a scream fest like last year with Hayden. 

We did a little bit of wandering and then some of the group got some food at ABC we did have a family disagreement about where to get food! 

I had only managed to get 7 FP for Slinky Dog at this point in the day so Rob and I stayed and watched whilst the rest took a spin. The plan was for us to ride later in the day after dinner. 

We then headed back to the hotel for a rest; Rob and I decided to go and get our gift card from the World of Disney and then popped to Walmart to get a stroller for Charlie (cost $26.88). 

We headed back to the park for dinner at Sci Fi; we had another little family disagreement here as Kev and Sharna wanted to have a cigarette after we had checked in for our reservation. I explained that we wouldn’t be seated if the whole party wasn’t there but they didn’t believe me so went anyway and when they called our group we were missing 2 and so they wouldn’t seat us until the others returned! 

I’m not sure what everyone else had (we had 5 rows in 2 cars side by side) but I had the turkey sandwich and Rob had one of the burgers. For dessert we both had sundaes, Rob wasn’t as impressed with his burger and the sundaes seemed to have sat for a while as the hot fudge sauce was cold. This is generally one of my favourites but it could have been better this time.

Unfortunately, due to the time taken we missed our FP window for Slinky Dog so Rob and I went to Disney Springs for a bit before bed leaving the others to relax for the rest of the evening.