November 21, 2019 – Dayspring Disciples

And just like that …. It’s the end of the trip!

We spent the morning packing up and sorting out whose suitcase would carry what for the way home.

We had the private party at Animal Kingdom to look forward to at 8PM. While I wasn’t completely sure what to expect, I did know we were having chicken tenders, a build-your-own-tater-tot bar, mini cheesecake bites, and pop. We were also told there would be games and music and that Triceratops Spin and Expedition Everest would be open for us to ride.

In the mean time Nan still had about $80 on her Disney gift cards and offered us lunch at Disney Springs. I asked for suggestions on the message board I visit and decided Wolfgang Puck Express was the way to go.

We headed over around 11:00 AM. Just as I was crossing the pedestrian bridge I got a text from my clinical leader asking if I could come in 3P-7:30P. I took great delight in sending her this shot!

And NOW the sun comes out!

We had fun letting the girls browse. Marie found a smorgasbord of Nightmare Before Christmas items in the Christmas store; it took her a while to find just the perfect mug.

We narrowly beat the lunch crowd.

I had the BBQ chicken salad.

Nan went for the chicken Caesar.

Hmmmm – look who got mac and cheese.

As I am documenting this, Johanna is standing over my shoulder commenting on how Wolfgang Puck’s was the best meal of her vacation.

Marie had the BBQ chicken pizza.

And Tab had the Spinach and Mushroom.

We headed back to the house to relax; the girls swam for a little while.

And at 7:02PM Johanna reported to me that Katriel had fallen asleep.

Oops.

We were supposed to check in for our party at 7:45PM.

It was only a 15 minute drive to AK, so I let her sleep til 7:25PM. It was HARD to wake her.

When we arrived, there were no CMs monitoring the parking lot, so parking was free. It was easy to find our group leader and as we waited for her to hand out our wrist bands I noticed this sign. I wondered why they closed the area before our party arrived.

Our group was probably around 500 or so… (I could be total off). We went quickly through security and were then led through the tapstiles just being asked to show our bands.

CMs led us past the Tree of Life over to Dinoland USA.

I wish I had taken better photos. It blew my minds. Somewhere around 70 tables were set up along the edges of the whole land. Table after table, with black tablecloths and candles.

The nugget and tater tot bar was actually very cool.

While I didn’t try the gravy, the chili was spicy and beanless, and the cheese tasted volumes better than I expected.

The D.J. in the “Jambo Jeep” was cheerful and had guests on their feet dancing.

Marie and Tab headed off to Everest.

We took a spin on Triceratops Spin

Then Nan, Johanna, Katriel and I tried our hands at a few games.

All the CMs were so great. They interacted with the kids and were so friendly and chatty.

The whole experience was incredible.

I won this game. Just sayin’. It doesn’t really matter that everyone else playing was 10 or younger, does it?

We headed over to where the big girls were. I wanted to walk around AK while it was almost empty.

Walk-on doesn’t begin to describe it. Marie and Tab’s first ride through it was just them and one other passenger. They didn’t have their Magic Bands with them, so they didn’t get to keep that image.

I decided to go for it myself, even though it was so rough yesterday. Johanna had a surge of bravado as well, and we went for it.

We immediately boarded. There was no waiting to see how full they could make the cars. They just sent them out and then loaded another partial train with the folks still walking up.