This life is just a test .... Now pass me a beer.

[stefa70 205]

Great job! I think I'll join you next trip. I doubt you'd notice another little person in your mix. :)

[lklasing 16]

Thursday thru Friday, March 22-23:

The organized portion of this TR is now over. Once I leave WDW, the only one who cares enough to take good notes and too many pictures is gone. But, I’ll do the best I can with the last couple of days, as they did get some fun pictures.

On Thursday morning, Daniel drove us to the front, where we were met by our trusty driver from Sunray (love those guys), and then we were off. Back to the real world. I was sitting at my desk by 10:00. What kind of complete suckage is that?

Here’s the three that returned with us that day, trying to look happy to be on the airport monorail instead of the real thing:

Meanwhile, though, those that were still there were gearing up for another fun day. From the pictures, it is evident that they went to HS. I think they were there for a good long while this day. You’ll just have to add your own commentary for the pics since I wasn’t there.

Finally, Friday arrived and everyone that was left that had been staying at FW pulled out. The only hangers on were Michael and his family, who obviously hit the MK for one last hurrah:

Love this:

So, that was it! 17 people, 6 days, 4 parks over and over again, and one great resort that was perfect for this family trip!

Last installment next!

[DaveInTN 3,247]

No!!!!! It can't be over...

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Very cool trip!

[YENSIDCAMPER 66]

Enjoyed your report and awesome family. Thanks for sharing.

[lklasing 16]

What an awesome trip! I was worried about everything coming together. So many people, so many schedules, so many issues, but it all was so wonderful. I don’t know about y’all, but I grew up with no cousins at all. My dad was an only child and my mom’s only sibling is 11 years younger than she is, so Tiger and I actually had no cousins while we were young. I am so thrilled for my girls to have so many cousins, aunts, uncles, and so much love! And then, for them to get to enjoy all those blessings in such a wonderful place as WDW is just amazing.

Here’s a few random thoughts for your consideration, to whatever extent you care to consider them:

• FW had free WiFi at the cabins on this trip, which was also accessible at least from site 1120. It was enjoyed by all who had any desire to stay in touch with the interworld while we were there.
  

• One GAG plus 3 pizzas from TE is a great way to feed 17 people with no trouble at all.
  
• 17 people is a big group to move through the parks. It’s like trying to push a jelly fish a couple of miles – you can get most of it moving forward but some parts start rolling the wrong way no matter how hard you try to avoid it. But, you can eventually get it where you’re going.
  
• FP changes of not being able to use them after the window – this was not as bad as I feared. It takes more planning, but it’s definitely still workable, especially if the group is willing to do a lot of walking.
  
• More than anything, my overwhelming thoughts are what a wonderful trip this was. It is the first and likely the last time that my whole family on that side – Buddy and Paw Paw, all 4 of their collective children, all the spouses of those children and all 8 of the grandchildren – will all be together in WDW together. We are blessed to all live close together and pretty regularly get together at home, but for us all to travel together like that is really remarkable. Add in the difficulties that struck our family shortly after our return and it becomes even more amazing that we made it through this trip with no real issues at all. I am so grateful and blessed to have each and every one of this group in my family and to have gotten to spend so much fun time with them in such a wonderful place. I just can’t express how I felt about that.
  

Finally, a few words from Tiger’s Facebook as he was leaving Wednesday morning. I think this about sums it all up:

“Leaving Disney having had a perfect (impromptu) trip thanks to Les, Paw Paw and Buddy. Elise, who flies home with Evan tomorrow, started crying hard when we hugged goodbye, which of course made me cry. But I got in the car and Duran Duran's "Hungry Like The Wolf" started, and I was I was all bad-ass again. If you thought the point of this was to sound like a good father, you're wrong. The point is to remind each of us that "Hungry Like The Wolf" overcomes. I wish everyone their own Duran Duran moment this Spring Break.”

Thanks for reading, y’all!

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

I am AMAZED that ya'll moved as well as you did. Especially, the 8:10 am at Crystal Palace. You said something about meeting each other at 7am at the camper, and made it ALL the Way to MK by 8:10. THAT IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!!!

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

I'm amazed too. The largest group we've ever had at WDW was 7, and we had enough problems with that!

[Gots2pitt.. Jeff 64]

We had 8 and I ditto the commments above. Trying to get everyone going in the morning was like pulling teeth. Loved the TR and wish it wasn't over. It looks to me like a lot of great memories were made.

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

I loved reading about your trip. I think one of the reasons I loved it so much was that it reminded me of my second trip to Disney World. It was my grandparents, my dad, my sister, my brother and me, 2 aunts, 2 uncles and 5 cousins. We stayed in the cabins. I can still to this day remember going to the parks with my cousins and enjoying the activities at the fort.

[Hotmamac aka Misty 11]

What a great trip report! I'm sorry it's over. I particularly love the before and after photos! I have several of my sister and I over the years and intend to get some of my kids on our upcoming trip.

:yay: I've enjoyed being along for the ride!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Leslie-

This was an absolutely wonderful trip report!

Great job all the way around!

But, I am puzzled about the last part about Tiger getting into his car and hearing a Duran Duran song. How did that happen? I haven't heard a Duran Duran song in years. Very strange.

TCD

[Lou... 3,118]

Maybe I should read this TR.

[caveat lector 181]

In 10 years is there any hope that we will see some before - before - after pic?

[lklasing 16]

In 10 years is there any hope that we will see some before - before - after pic?

I certainly hope so!

Thanks for reading!

[CKCK 45]

Woo hoo!

Great TR. Great pics. Great everything!

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Just read your TR in one sitting. Great TR and it sounds like you have an awesome family. You are blessed!