Of course we have to end at MK. At this point in the trip, the emotional exhaustion has set in, but we’re all ready to charge through. Emma was already struggling with it being the end. I always am too, but also always feel relief—like we did it all, I pulled it off, and if everyone’s sad to go we def did it right. So we told the girls we were going to do the two rides they don’t do first to avoid big lines later and then the rest of the day we wouldn’t have to swap. So we headed over to do Space and grabbed Joffrey’s for the girls. Then we went over to Tiana’s, which was not crowded in the morning and easy to swap. After, we did a ride on Big Thunder before our Crystal Palace breakfast. It was clear that the park was busier, but we knew we had time. I wasn’t sure about Crystal Palace because I feel like it’s slow service, icky bathroom, but we love Pooh and Emma really wanted it. So we went and it was actually great. It took a long time for our drinks but everything else was quick. I really like the breakfast and churro waffles so we’ll come back here. After, we headed over to do the back of Fantasyland—Dumbo, Barnstormer, and then over to finish up Tomorrowland with a ride on the PeopleMover and Buzz. Then we did some more in Fantasyland—Pooh, Mine Train, Small World. We were shocked that we never got to pull the sword up as there were always crazy lines around. For late afternoon, we grabbed the orange dole whips in Adventureland and cheeseburger egg rolls (which weren’t as good to me this trip) and sat in the quiet market area of Adventureland to have a bit of a break. After a ride on pirates and the girls choosing the cute Pluto with the keys plushies at Pirates, we ponchoed up and went to do some shows while it rained—Tiki, Country Bears, and Jessie. The rain then let up and we headed to Haunted Mansion and for dinner at Harbor House. The restaurant was wildly empty— we saw one other family. I debated whether I get the lobster roll because I thought I remembered it being not that great, but I’m glad I tried it as it was light and delicious. At this point I also had to work on keeping the kids positive as the looming end of the trip was bugging them. We let them pick some repeat rides and were able to do Big Thunder and 7 dwarves before finding a spot in Liberty square for Starlight. Holding down a parade spot is the worst part of an MK day but we managed. I was excited to see Ichabod Crane up in the window as I never seem to catch it. After, we went to sit on Main Street to wait for HEA. J attempted to look for icecream but it seemed impossible to find a cart with Mickey bars etc so he gave up. I cried through the fireworks and leaving the park was very hard—Emma couldn’t stop crying. When we got back to riviera I was able to run to Primo Piatto for Mickey bars for the kids. And then it was time to crash.
Our last day we slept in (our flight was at 5). We woke up, packed, had to console Emma a lot, and had luggage put away our bags. Then we did a few Skyliner rides. After we went to Centertown for lunch and went out the pool. The kids got to enjoy some final pool time before we needed to call an Uber. There were lots of tears from both kids on the ride to the airport. We kept them fueled with Halloween candy and def were at the airport too early, but it all worked out. Our flight was fine and then we were back in good old MA to go home to our pup Penny.
Every trip we take gets better and better and I just want to do everything to create more and more memories with my kiddos. We’ve talked a lot about what’s next and we still haven’t decided. Disney at Xmas is a bucket list item for me, California has come up, Emma wants to do a Disney cruise but we’re not sold, and there’s lots of Europe we want to see. I We’re
considering a 4 night Disney xmas trip early December and then a family visit in Portugal in the summer (kind of flip flopping). I’d love to hear advice, ideas, and thoughts.
The girls went back to school this week and I go back to teaching Monday so it’s time to make some money for our next adventures. The end of summer emotions are hitting but it helps to know we can think about the next adventures. Until next time.. see ya real soon.
No advice for future trips; just wanted to say that this was a joy to read! Thank you for sharing! (Especially appreciate your openness about kids’ struggles and how you handled them, which I found helpful and affirming. ) Best of luck in this new school year!
Exactly the info I needed. I loved Remy but had resigned myself to not riding again. I wear blended trifocals and the combination with 3D just made it hard for me to see.
Thanks so much! It’s been trial and error. At times, she surprises us, but what seems to work best is choosing one ride thst we know is similar to what she’s done and liked before and put a bit of pressure. Sometimes it’s conversation, sometimes it’s hey we’re gonna hang here until we finish this one.. but the work with the therapist makes a big difference because she helps her and us understand where we can help her make it through a freeze situation and where it won’t help. And we def stick to anything geared to ages younger than her. Obviously we face similar things at home and our goal is to help her enough that she doesn’t hold herself back and be left out from her peers (like tackling different playground equipment, etc).
) Best of luck in this new school year!
