A Jolly Holiday with Masseys: THE TRIP REPORT - WDW Dec2019

[vamassey1]

December 21, 2019- The Tragical Express

It's time to wrap this never-ending trip report up.

We stored our carry-ons under the bus then loaded our tired but sad bodies onto the bus. Somehow the cartoons on the bus are just not as fun on the way to the airport as they are on the way to the resort.

Our pick up time was set for 2:35 for our 5:45 flight. We were set to go by 2:45.


Michelle and John Paul had some fun taking selfies on the way back. The rest of us just zoned out.




All too soon we were back at the airport and saying goodbye to the Tragical Express.


It was still very early so we found a comfortable place to sit for a bit before going through security.






We went through security around 4 p.m. and then staked out our seats to wait until it was time to load. We pulled out the DVD player to help keep John Paul occupied.


Once we loaded, Michelle, John Paul and I shared a row while Dennis and Danielle sat across from us. We set John Paul up with the DVD player again and soon he was napping.





When we landed he was up and ready to go.


Continued. . .

 

[vamassey1]

We were getting closer to being home. We made our way through the New Orleans airport was our embarrassing amount of luggage and even used one of the rental carts to help.



At this point we said goodbye to Michelle. She was staying at the airport to wait for Jimmy. He was on a flight home for Christmas that was a bit behind our flight. Jimmy had been working out of town at this time. We took John Paul with us and all their luggage. After going around in circles for a bit we found our pick up spot for the bus to parking.


I think we ended up going through a Wendy's drive thru to get a bite to eat on the way home. There really isn't much for quick food once you leave the airport. We never stop to eat at the airport once we land.

We of course came home to rain, which matched our moods. I think it was even worse for Michelle. She sent us this.



And that ends our last "normal" trip to Disney. I'm so glad we had this great trip together before everything changed. We made great memories and experienced so much.

Thanks everyone for sticking with us.

I'm not sure if we'll start up another report. We still have out October 2020 girls trip and September 2021 girls trip.

 

[vamassey1]

I also wanted to give a quick update on Danielle. She had a very big day today. She passed her written leader assessment test today! She still has a location test next week. She is almost finished with training and will soon be running shifts. Please send good thoughts her way that she passes the next test. She spoke with her program champion and should enter the leader pull as soon as her program is over to see if she is offered a full time position.

She went through lots of changes and does not do well with change. She is finally getting back into her grove. The CMs have been blocked out of the parks a lot with all the crowds so she had been going to Universal more and enjoying Typhoon Lagoon. I'm so jelly, I've never been to Typhoon Lagoon or Universal. She is hanging out with friends she made while working Festivals at Epcot and is learning to balance work and fun. She is learning to adult. Her schedule is changed to having Wednesday and Thursdays off by the end of the month. This is good and bad news for my visit. The CMs are pretty much blocked out of all parks except for Epcot for the week I'll be there. I made some adjustments to my park reservations so we can spend Wednesday and Thursday together. I have the Space lounge reservation on Wednesday that she told me not to get, but is now so trilled I have it. I have the Brown Derby ADR for Thursday but if they don't lift the block out on DHS she won't be able to go with me. I still have a late ADR for Brown Derby on the Saturday I arrive that we could do if she gets off early enough. They aren't blocked out of DHS on that Saturday yet.

She sent us this picture yesterday. Let me present Profession Internship Danielle.



She looks so grown up! Where did my baby go?

 

[pkondz]

Somehow the cartoons on the bus are just not as fun on the way to the airport as they are on the way to the resort.

No. No they're not.

And yet... what I wouldn't give to be able to experience that again.

Michelle and John Paul had some fun taking selfies on the way back.

No idea how Michelle is managing smiles leaving Disney!!

Boy, if I lay like that, my neck wouldn't feel right for a month.

We set John Paul up with the DVD player again and soon he was napping.

Envious. I wish I could sleep on a plane!

Super hero action shot!!

We made our way through the New Orleans airport was our embarrassing amount of luggage and even used one of the rental carts to help.

At this point we said goodbye to Michelle. She was staying at the airport to wait for Jimmy. He was on a flight home for Christmas that was a bit behind our flight.

That worked out well.

We never stop to eat at the airport once we land.

Interesting comment. I'm betting most don't. You arrive and you just want to get home and stop and rest.

I think it was even worse for Michelle. She sent us this.

I'm not sure if we'll start up another report.

Start one! Start one! Start one!

She passed her written leader assessment test today!

Congrats to Danielle!

Please send good thoughts her way that she passes the next test.

she had been going to Universal more and enjoying Typhoon Lagoon. I'm so jelly, I've never been to Typhoon Lagoon or Universal.

I've been to Typhoon Lagoon... but it was decades ago. Planning on going with eldest DD in August, though.

She is learning to adult.

Awww... Good for her.

I have the Space lounge reservation on Wednesday

HOW DID YOU GET THAT?!?!?

Great shot.

She looks so grown up! Where did my baby go?

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Thank you for sharing your trip and life updates with us. I’ve loved reading along. I laughed at the amount of luggage you had- makes me feel like I travel light
Delighted for Danielle and wishing her luck for the next part of her training certification. Fairly certain that counts for double today as it’s St Patrick’s Day ☘ ☘ Your baby girl does indeed look all grown up in that gorgeous photo of her. So happy for her that sure is doing something she loves and learning to be a grown up at her happy place. Universal and TL sound like a fun way to spend time away from work for sure.
I’d love to read along on another of your trip reports so if you do decide to do one make sure to let us all know.
Have a ton of fun on your upcoming visit with Danielle. Hopefully you get to spend lots of time together. Have a blast at Space 220 you lucky lady

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Great trip report as always!!!

If you don't do another trip report, at least come back here and give us updates on the family! Maybe your solo trip coming up?

 

[jdd]

I'm so sad to see this trip report end! Brought back so many great memories of our trip for Christmas 2019, and how we had no idea what we were in for in 2020!! I really enjoyed reading about the trip and so excited that Danielle has gotten this fantastic experience. Would love to hear more from your upcoming trips. Thanks again!!

 

[vamassey1]

And yet... what I wouldn't give to be able to experience that again.

Me too!!!

No idea how Michelle is managing smiles leaving Disney!!

I know! How dare she. She went from leaving pout to bus smile too fast.

Envious. I wish I could sleep on a plane!

Poor Pkondz. I too can sleep on the plane.

Super hero action shot!!

Interesting comment. I'm betting most don't. You arrive and you just want to get home and stop and rest.

So true. Can't wait to get there and than can't wait to see it in the review mirror.

Start one! Start one! Start one!

We'll see.

Congrats to Danielle!

Thank you!

I've been to Typhoon Lagoon... but it was decades ago. Planning on going with eldest DD in August, though.

I'm so glad you're going back.

HOW DID YOU GET THAT?!?!?

Lucky I guess. It's only for the lounge, but I think we'll enjoy it more than the big meal.

Great shot.

I think so too.

 

[vamassey1]

Thank you for sharing your trip and life updates with us. I’ve loved reading along.

I have truly loved having you here. Thank you for sticking with us.

. I laughed at the amount of luggage you had- makes me feel like I travel light

Are you implying we pack too much?

Delighted for Danielle and wishing her luck for the next part of her training certification. Fairly certain that counts for double today as it’s St Patrick’s Day ☘ ☘

Thank you! I think that does count for double blessings.

Your baby girl does indeed look all grown up in that gorgeous photo of her. So happy for her that sure is doing something she loves and learning to be a grown up at her happy place.

Thank you!

Universal and TL sound like a fun way to spend time away from work for sure.

I wish my days off were spent in this way.

I’d love to read along on another of your trip reports so if you do decide to do one make sure to let us all know.

We're discussing it. It's so hard for Michelle to find any free time now.

Have a ton of fun on your upcoming visit with Danielle. Hopefully you get to spend lots of time together. Have a blast at Space 220 you lucky lady

I'm getting really excited now for my trip.

 

[vamassey1]

Great trip report as always!!!

Thanks for sticking with us!

If you don't do another trip report, at least come back here and give us updates on the family! Maybe your solo trip coming up?

We're debating doing the October 2020 trip that was a girls trip in the middle of Covid protocols.

 

[vamassey1]

I'm so sad to see this trip report end! Brought back so many great memories of our trip for Christmas 2019, and how we had no idea what we were in for in 2020!!

I have enjoyed reliving this report, back when a trip to Disney was "normal" and before the World changed so much.

I really enjoyed reading about the trip and so excited that Danielle has gotten this fantastic experience. Would love to hear more from your upcoming trips. Thanks again!!

I'm really glad she is living her best Disney life even when it's not so great.

 

[vamassey1]

It's getting closer to my solo trip, only 18 more sleeps.

I got our Magic Bands yesterday. We went with just plain colored bands. Danielle got the lavender band. She had one from a trip a few years back and loves the colors. She ruined it by leaving it in the cup holder and it got some drink on it. She is thrilled to have another one and loved the fact I put "Ellie" on it. I went with the vibrant purple. It should go really well with an outfit I have planed.

I'm not going all out on outfits everyday since it's just me most of the time, but I do have a few cute ones put together.

Danielle Facetimed me yesterday to let me know she has her schedule that ends on April 9th, the day I arrive. Guess what? She's off that day! She has even offered to pick me up from the airport. I did already have Mears booked so I'm going to see if I can change it to just a ride back to the airport. We will now be able to visit her new home park, DHS and have a late dinner at The Brown Derby. DHS is not blocked out for that day. Her workweek ends on Saturday so she might have 2 more days off while I'm there. Fingers crossed she will have the Wednesday off like her proprietor told her she would. I would hate for her to miss Space 220 Lounge.

 

[pkondz]

I know! How dare she. She went from leaving pout to bus smile too fast.

Poor Pkondz. I too can sleep on the plane.

This is patently unfair

So true. Can't wait to get there and than can't wait to see it in the review mirror.

We'll see.

Start one! Start one! Start one!

I'm so glad you're going back.

Me too! Just hope it actually happens.
(Go away Covid)

It's getting closer to my solo trip, only 18 more sleeps.

Not that you're counting.

But getting close!

She had one from a trip a few years back and loves the colors. She ruined it by leaving it in the cup holder and it got some drink on it.

Oh dear...

I went with the vibrant purple. It should go really well with an outfit I have planed.

I can totally see you in that colour.

Danielle Facetimed me yesterday to let me know she has her schedule that ends on April 9th, the day I arrive. Guess what? She's off that day! She has even offered to pick me up from the airport.

Hey! Great!

We will now be able to visit her new home park, DHS and have a late dinner at The Brown Derby. DHS is not blocked out for that day.

Good news indeed.

Fingers crossed she will have the Wednesday off like her proprietor told her she would. I would hate for her to miss Space 220 Lounge.

Hope it works out!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

It is getting close!!!! Slowly but surely.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

You’ll be there in no time! So exciting that Danielle is off your first day and can pick up you from the airport. Such a great start to your trip

 

[vamassey1]

Start one! Start one! Start one!

I have a title picked out just need to find the time to put it together.

Me too! Just hope it actually happens.
(Go away Covid)

I'm sending lots of positive vibes your way.

I'm past ready for a Pkonz Disney report.

Not that you're counting.

But getting close!

Only 12 more sleeps.

I can totally see you in that colour.

Totally! We bleed purple and gold in this household.

Hope it works out!

Me too! Still waiting to find out.

 

[vamassey1]

It is getting close!!!! Slowly but surely.

Just a little bit more.

It seems like it takes forever to get here and then when you it the 2 week mark it's coming too soon. So much to do and not enough time.

 

[vamassey1]

You’ll be there in no time! So exciting that Danielle is off your first day and can pick up you from the airport. Such a great start to your trip

I'm so happy I get to hug her so soon!

 

[jdd]

Heading back to the World this weekend to run the Spring Surprise races with my nieces and a friend. I'll keep an eye out again for Danielle. I always think that it will be easy to spot someone, then when I get there I realize just how many people there are in the parks all the time But hey, you never know!!

 

[Steppesister]

How exciting for Danielle and that the timing worked out a bit more like you'd hoped! YAY!! Space place looks like so much fun!