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

[cheryllarsen]

Great read. Thanks for posting!

 

[pkondz]

I was able to grab a 4th FP for Living with the Land later that night so we could see it lit up.

Oh! Right. Have to remember that for future trips.

Which way did we go? Canada or Mexico?

Mexico won.

Of course. Always save the best for last.

Do you see Dennis, Danielle & John Paul? I'm once again lagging behind them.

The curse of the photographer.

The first time I saw the movie I was surprised with how much I really enjoyed it.

me too!

We haven't eaten here since 2004, but Dennis keeps asking to go back.

Then you should do that... when it's possible.

I thought the grass roof looked really green for December.

Spray paint works great!



I'm kidding. I have no idea.

We stopped for frozen drinks at the African Outpost and John Paul had fun making some music.

Didn't know they had that there.

There was a German band playing which was very festive.

Yuss...
Nothing says Christmas like Germany.

I got the Fondue Cheese, Pork Schnitzel and Potato Dumpling for us to share.

Whoa... that sounds... I'm drooling!

When we made it to Italy I finally caught a Christmas Storyteller -La Befana. She was very entertaining but I was pretty far back and it was really hot with the sun blazing down on us. I did not make it through the whole story.

Shame, but... heat stroke is not a good thing.

I can never get enough of listening to VOL.

I'd love to hear them sing Carols.

I wanted some of the gingerbread houses.

Those are really something!

 

[vamassey1]

The VOL look so Dickenson to me in their beautiful outfits and always sound great.

That is the perfect description for VOL at Christmas. I really enjoyed the songs they have done while the parks have been closed. I liked looking for the singers I'm familiar with and seeing them in their everyday look.

I’m betting things look even more festive after dark

Lights really do dress things up.

ETA I like the sound of your plans for your trip with Daniella and I'm glad you managed to get your park days reserved. Think a lot of people had a nightmare of a time sorting those out so well done to you!

After ready about everyone else's experiences I'm feeling pretty good about my wait time.

Nope!
It's too new. Not many people have been yet. When I went that last time to try the spicy chicken, there was a fairly steady stream, but due to the virus and due to it's relative newness, the place was far from "busy".

Please pass the word around about how good they are.

I know how those are. Hope you're getting some rest now.

After my 3 day weekend I'm feeling like I'm getting caught up finally.

2 hours... that's good, actually. I've been reading so many horror stories.

I'm feeling much better about my wait now. It was very frustrating at the time. I had Disney up on one screen and the Dis forums on another trying to see if anyone had figured out how to make it work. The forums did help me get in. I made my reservations with about 2 minutes to spare before I had to walk out the door to go to work.

Ugh. I hate it when anything takes me out of the bubble.

Me too, but it's better than no bubble.

 

[vamassey1]

Great read. Thanks for posting!

and thank you for reading along. I'm hoping to get some posted.

 

[vamassey1]

Oh! Right. Have to remember that for future trips.

I think it was @Lesley Wake that clued me in on this and I'm glad she did.

Of course. Always save the best for last.

That's exactly what we were thinking! (not). Actually Dennis really likes the band that plays there so we did want to make sure to hear them.

Then you should do that... when it's possible.

I'm thinking we should. There are just so many more places we haven't tried.

Spray paint works great!



I'm kidding. I have no idea.

Didn't know they had that there.

Slow down and take a look next time. . . . whenever that may be.

Whoa... that sounds... I'm drooling!

It was! Danielle and I still talk about he cheese.

Shame, but... heat stroke is not a good thing.

Especially in December.

I'd love to hear them sing Carols.

I would love to hear them sing Carols again.

Those are really something!

Yes they were.

 

[pkondz]

Please pass the word around about how good they are.

I have been!

After my 3 day weekend I'm feeling like I'm getting caught up finally.

Good.

Me too, but it's better than no bubble.

Ah. Yes, very true.

I think it was @Lesley Wake that clued me in on this and I'm glad she did.

Well, then thanks, Lesley!

I'm thinking we should. There are just so many more places we haven't tried.

Always the dilemna.

Slow down and take a look next time. . . . whenever that may be.

<sigh> yeah...

 

[Lesley Wake]

If the MK does close @ 7 we were thinking of going to Beaches & Cream or going somewhere for a late breakfast/early lunch on Sunday.

Can I suggest Topolino Terrace? I really liked their brunch and the characters are cute (even if you can't take photos with them, its worth seeing them parade around). Plus great views on the terrace, and if you do end up at a skyliner resort, super easy to get there! Otherwise I would recommend Boma at AKL - so yummy and then you can always have animal viewing chill time afterwards!

I think it was @Lesley Wake that clued me in on this and I'm glad she did.

I didn't get to see it this year! By the time I could do LwtL at night, it was Jan 1st, and they had taken down half the lights
Another trip!

 

[vamassey1]

I have been!

Thank you!

Always the dilemna.

And it never ends.

Can I suggest Topolino Terrace? I really liked their brunch and the characters are cute (even if you can't take photos with them, its worth seeing them parade around). Plus great views on the terrace, and if you do end up at a skyliner resort, super easy to get there! Otherwise I would recommend Boma at AKL - so yummy and then you can always have animal viewing chill time afterwards!

This is actually one of the places we're thinking about. We thought it would be a great choice on the day we're leaving. I'm waiting to see where we end up. I don't think Boma is going to be open.

I didn't get to see it this year! By the time I could do LwtL at night, it was Jan 1st, and they had taken down half the lights
Another trip!

I'm so sorry you missed it. I'm sure you'll make there again.

 

[pkondz]

And it never ends.

Well, it might.... but you'd have to go an awful lot!

 

[vamassey1]

Well, it might.... but you'd have to go an awful lot!

But they do keep changing and updating the parks.

 

[pkondz]

But they do keep changing and updating the parks.

Then you better get busy!

 

[mFont23]

Mom left the party telling up to me. Which is awesome, but as she said I’ve been very busy. If you’ve read anything of mine, you’ll know this is a constant theme. I’m starting to think that maybe I enjoy a little bit of chaos? Whoops. But I’m in my LAST WEEK of my teaching certification classes and I take my combined elementary education praxis next weekend. I had an interview at Gia’s school last week and it didn't work out, but that's okay. I haven't given up yet, but was actually offered something at my old job. So we will see where it all goes. With logistics of me being the only parent home and now with COVID changes to our school year, I’m kind of freaking out. But I know everything will work out however it should. So keep me in your thoughts and good vibes, please.

In the midst of all this super fun, over the top, chaos as usual… we also ABSOLUTELY had to celebrate my 30th and Danielle’s 21st birthday. We have literally been talking about this since she turned 10 and I turned 19. Our birthdays are 2 days apart, so we’ve spent most of Danielle’s life celebrating together. As young kids it kinda sucks, but as adults it’s actually a lot of fun! I love sharing that with my sister.

As most of you know, we had planned to go to Disney and I had promised my sister we would drink around the world. She was supposed to be there and working. But… you know, 2020 has been a terrible joke, so none of that came to fruition. But something Jimmy and I did a lot of during our quarantine time was trying to make the best of situations by getting creative. Instead of “hey, the church is literally closed, we can’t even renew our vows this year” we painted a castle on the fence, and had Gia officiate a vow renewal in the sandbox.

This was all symbolic of how we got married at Disney on the beach outside of the Poly. But OMG we had the best time doing that! So that got me thinking about our birthday… let’s bring Drinking around the world HERE.

Thus “Michelle and Danielle’s World Showcase” was born.

We made a Facebook event and invited family and friends. We also asked anyone interested to “sponsor a country”. I told everyone to kind of go with the idea of Food and Wine Festival. And if you didn't know what that was… Google it, because it’s awesome.

Here’s the Invite, my friend Christine made for us.

We asked that all countries have a food or treat and a drink, and of course DECOR!

Before we knew it, all World Showcase countries had been taken! I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! And everyone was, like, really excited. It wasn’t just the Massey Family being Extra kinda party. Eh, sometimes that happens. What can I say, we bring the fun! We had planned to do it in my back yard, but it was supposed to rain that day. Spoiler alert, it did NOT. But it WAS hot as Hades! My bestie brought som industrial fans for us and that made it much more bearable. But in the end we had an ABSOLUTE BLAST. I kept forgetting it was my birthday because it just felt like an awesome party!

Mom and I made these for each country’s table.

I also made a “trivia ticket” for each country. We had the idea of a passport/trivia situation. That didn’t come to fruition, but to be fair we weren’t sure of the logistics of it all, anyway.

Danielle and I have always joked about being Elsa and Anna. So I got us shirts from Etsy. Mine said, “The wine never bothered me, anyway.” And Danielle’s said, “Do you wanna have a cocktail?” THEY WERE SO CUTE. But when Danielle’s arrived it was the wrong shirt. It said, “My favorite water polo player calls me grandpa.” I told the seller and they shipped me the correct one asap and told me to keep that one. So that’s what I gave my dad for father’s day! As luck would have it, Danielle’s showed up the monday AFTER the party. So we will have to have a photoshoot another time.

I’ll just post some pictures now… The fun part!

We will start with Mexico. Some 7 layer did and MARGARITAS. These are my friends that we do a monthly margarita night. They were the first ones on board to pick a country.

Then Norway. This was my friend, Lindsey. She’s a nurse at the local Woman’s hospital and has two kids. So she came alone with the kids and just did a Frozen table to keep it easy on herself, and the kids enjoyed helping. Blue punch and some oreo ball “snowballs”.

Now China. This was Danielle’s friend’s table. We weren’t sure if they were coming after the recent surge in covid cases. But they did come, and the carport was full, so they were able to come and enjoy but still socially distance and their table was right outside the carport, along my fence.

I couldn’t tell you what they had to drink. By the time they were all setup, I had been around most of the world and can’t recall. But they had some amazing fried rice!

Now, Germany. Gia wanted her own country, but another one of Danielle’s friends had wanted to bring a german chocolate cake. That didn’t happen, and Princess Gia was too hot to do anything else to her booth LOL. But we had some violet lemonade and chocolate covered pretzels.

Next is Italy. This one Jimmy and I took on. He’s got strong Italian roots, and we’ve been making a lot of ravioli from scratch with his grandmother’s pasta maker. So we served Gramma’s ravioli with a meaty red sauce. I also had lots of Italian cookies that we got at World Market. And I had gotten a few bottles of Italian wine… of which my husband broke into before the party. And when I fussed at him, he had already had enough to laugh about it. I wasn’t laughing. BUT he did karaoke Montel Jordan’s “This is How We Do It” for me. So he’s been forgiven.

Next is the American Adventure. So when Danielle and I went to Austin in May, we stopped at my Uncle Dean’s on the way back home in Lake Charles. We mentioned the party and he’s like I’M THERE! USA! USA! USA! He’s a big entertainer, himself. Throws lots of parties and what not. So I knew they’d bring their A game. They have about a 2.5 hours drive to us, so I wasn’t sure what he had planned, but I knew he was excited. He brought mcdonalds burgers, apple pies, twinkies, american beer. It was HILARIOUS!

This is Uncle Dean (he’s in a hat from France).

Next is Japan. Danielle and her boyfriend did this one. They didn’t put any thought into it until the few days before, and then he skipped out because he said he wanted to socially distance. In Danielle’s word, “Yeah, Mom and Michelle got this. I’m just going to show up and party.”
She did get some stuff form the local Asian market. We had plum saki shots, mochi ice cream, and some candies.

Next was Morocco. You may remember my cousin Chelsea. She’s a hoot! SHE WAS SO EXCITED about this that she got a babysitter and just went all out. She was even texting me, “What are you going to wear?” She was pumped. Now, Morocco is actually DRY and the national drink is mint tea. So she made a version of a margarita that she called a mo-rocking-rita. But she also had some homemade hummus and snacks.

Next is France. Mom and Dad had this one. MOM BROUGHT IT! Homegirl went all out!!!! She wanted to get croissants and Dad’s only contribution was to make them sandwiches so we had more “food”. But it was a great idea!

This is the beginning of her Grand Marnier slushy… funny story here.
Back in 2012 was the first “adultish” trip we took and we had tried drinks around the world this trip. Mom’s dad was a cajun-french man that had to learn English in school. But you would not know it by talking to mom. So we’re in France and she really wanted to try the Grand Marnier slushy. I worked in a restaurant for years and we practiced and practiced how to say it. We finally go to order it in France and she’s like, “I’d like one grand mar- grand marn- grand mar-ner… I WANT THE ORANGE SLUSHY!” Major face palm moment, and boy do we still laugh about this. One of Mom’s quicks is her inability to pronounce things correctly. But coming from a french background was just the icing on the cake in that moment.
So that’s what mom made. And it was a big deal LOL

Next up UK. This was Jimmy’s best friend, Cage and his wife. They drove in from New Orleans and brought bacon wrapped dates and Pimm’s cups. BOTH WERE AMAZING. They’re foodies and I knew whatever they brought would be amazing. But we ran out of space, so they shared a table with Norway.

Saved the best for last….
OH! CANADA! @pkondz

They also drove in and brought ginger beer, poutine, and homemade maple popcorn. THAT POPCORN OMG was so amazing.

The kids had a lot of fun.

My cousin, Austin, came as a “tourist”.

I made this photo op, and I don’t think it actually got used much. We were going for a food and wine vibe.

Brent came, too. But remained socially distanced.

And as every good Massey party goes… we ended the night with karaoke. ALWAYS. But you know who always kicks it off? John Paul. He and Ben (son of the UK table) serenaded the Happy Birthday song for us.

This is just a screenshot from the cutest video ever. I may or may not watch it ALL THE TIME.

 

[mFont23]

I will willingly post this extremely unflattering picture because it shows just how serious we take our parties.

This was the cake we got. It’s missing a piece because Chelsea’s husband got hungry. I guess that’s what drinking around the world will do to you.

I wish I had a picture of all the trivia tickets. I still have them, so maybe I’ll post one later for fun for everyone! It’s a mix of Disney and country related trivia.

OMG we had so much fun. Everyone told me what a great idea it was and we just had so much fun doing it.

 

[vamassey1]

Then you better get busy!

I'm trying!

 

[pkondz]

I’m starting to think that maybe I enjoy a little bit of chaos? Whoops.

But I’m in my LAST WEEK of my teaching certification classes and I take my combined elementary education praxis next weekend.

You got this!!!

I had an interview at Gia’s school last week and it didn't work out, but that's okay. I haven't given up yet, but was actually offered something at my old job. So we will see where it all goes.

Geez, right now who really knows what's going to happen with schools this fall. I won't get into the politics part, but it sure is... interesting times right now.

So keep me in your thoughts and good vibes, please.

You bet.

we also ABSOLUTELY had to celebrate my 30th and Danielle’s 21st birthday. We have literally been talking about this since she turned 10 and I turned 19.

Wow! Long time planning!

Our birthdays are 2 days apart, so we’ve spent most of Danielle’s life celebrating together. As young kids it kinda sucks, but as adults it’s actually a lot of fun!

That's really interesting. I neve thought of it from that perspective.

She was supposed to be there and working. But… you know, 2020 has been a terrible joke, so none of that came to fruition.

Yeah...

we painted a castle on the fence, and had Gia officiate a vow renewal in the sandbox.

Love those photos! Especially you being carried and Gia recreating the shoe. Nice job to whoever painted the castle!

Here’s the Invite, my friend Christine made for us.

Wow! That's really creative!

I kept forgetting it was my birthday because it just felt like an awesome party!

That's a good thing, yes?

Mom and I made these for each country’s table.

Like those.

Mine said, “The wine never bothered me, anyway.” And Danielle’s said, “Do you wanna have a cocktail?”

Perfect!!

But when Danielle’s arrived it was the wrong shirt. It said, “My favorite water polo player calls me grandpa.”

What????

But they had some amazing fried rice!

Ah! I was wondering what was in the chafing dish!

we’ve been making a lot of ravioli from scratch with his grandmother’s pasta maker.

I do have a pasta maker and... it's gathering dust. Care to share your grandmother's recipe?

So we served Gramma’s ravioli with a meaty red sauce.

I'm sitting here drooling right now!

And when I fussed at him, he had already had enough to laugh about it. I wasn’t laughing. BUT he did karaoke Montel Jordan’s “This is How We Do It” for me. So he’s been forgiven.

I'm thinking if he wears that shirt, you're likely to forgive him for quite a bit.

Clever! I really like that!

He brought mcdonalds burgers, apple pies, twinkies, american beer. It was HILARIOUS!

Now, Morocco is actually DRY and the national drink is mint tea. So she made a version of a margarita that she called a mo-rocking-rita.

Oh! What a great idea!

We finally go to order it in France and she’s like, “I’d like one grand mar- grand marn- grand mar-ner… I WANT THE ORANGE SLUSHY!”

bacon wrapped dates

That sounds really interesting. I would've loved to have tried one.

Saved the best for last….
OH! CANADA! @pkondz

Yay!

They also drove in and brought ginger beer, poutine, and homemade maple popcorn.

I approve!

He and Ben (son of the UK table) serenaded the Happy Birthday song for us.

Awwww.

I will willingly post this extremely unflattering picture

Um... Michelle? I have never seen an unflattering picture of you.

Still haven't.

He reminds me of Michael Palin!

This was the cake we got. It’s missing a piece because Chelsea’s husband got hungry. I guess that’s what drinking around the world will do to you.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Such a fun birthday party!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Brilliant birthday party and I’m with @pkondz I’ve never seen a bad photo of you Michelle! Love your enthusiasm for life! Crossing my fingers for you on the teaching front. My son just graduated (except, well, there was no graduation) and is excited for the future. Who knows what teaching will look like in the near future but there will always be kids needing taught so something good will turn up eventually. Very cute vow renewal with Gia officiating. I’m sure she was chuffed to bits
What a fabulous family you are!

 

[buzzrelly]

Oh my gosh, the faux EPCOT party looks so fun! What a great idea!

I guess the worst news is they cancelled MNSSHP and we had tickets to go.

I was really bummed about that. I think we had tickets the same night as you

I called him and he went straight there and there it was. Thank God!

Yay, thank God. That could have turned out much, much worse!

He really wanted this cupcake.

It looks yummy!

I spent 2 hours on the computer the day the Park Reservations opened but finally got what we wanted.

I've thought about calling but I really want to be surprised. Where ever we end up will be a step up for Movies.

There was no way I was going to miss seeing Voices of Liberty.

They are amazing

 

[vamassey1]

Like those.

Thank you!

He reminds me of Michael Palin!

He sure does.

Such a fun birthday party!

Thank you! I think it went really well.

What a fabulous family you are!

Thank you!

 

[vamassey1]

Oh my gosh, the faux EPCOT party looks so fun! What a great idea!

Thank you! It was really fun. I was really surprised at how much effort everyone put into it.

I was really bummed about that. I think we had tickets the same night as you

I think we did. It was going to be our first Halloween party ever.

Yay, thank God. That could have turned out much, much worse!

I was very lucky!

It looks yummy!

It was ok, you know how they work so hard on the presentation but the actual cupcake is just ok.