What a long,strange,mostly enjoyable trip(Report)!! Reed Family Trip May 2012 UPDATED 10/25/18 - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Old 10-25-2018, 06:02 PM   #16
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CAn't wait to hear it! Not to worry, everyone's trip has its ups and its downs.
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Old 10-25-2018, 10:01 PM   #17
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We've had our ups and downs while at WDW, too. I think a lot of us have.
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Old 10-26-2018, 02:51 PM   #18
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Welcome back!
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Old 10-26-2018, 04:06 PM   #19
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How fun that you are back after 6 years to finish the TR.
And wonderful that you are looking forward to another trip!
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Old 10-26-2018, 04:50 PM   #20
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OK, the 6 years gap thing caught my attention - signing on for the rest!
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Old 10-27-2018, 09:57 AM   #21
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Arrival Day!!

May 19th 2012

The memory is a little hazy on exactly what time we arrived, but I do know that after getting settled in the group head down to The Boardwalk. Visited some shops, got to see some of the fireworks from EPCOT and watched a few of the street performers.


My then 2-year old daughter with her Grandfather.


One of the street performers we got to watch.


Fireworks!!!


Dinner for the night!!


We originally had an ADR for The Flying Fish but the prices where a little steep for some in the party. We ended up eating at the Big River Grille and Brew Works.

The wife had Hazelnut Chicken and Sangria Margarita, I ordered a cup of the Beer Cheese Soup and for entree had Flame-Grilled Meatloaf with mushrooms and onions. I know I enjoyed the soup and I think for the most part everyone enjoyed the food here. Wish I could remember what some of the other guys had.


I mentioned in the previous post we stayed off-property at the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa. Some pictures I took of Room 1514. The AC broke in this room so we where relocated to another comparable room.











Very enjoyable first night in the books.


Post Disney 2012-2013

After the trip I started to get sick quite often, I was dealing with work stress, being a first time parent, I was putting on a lot of extra weight. Seemed like every other month I was at the doctors office. Then in 2013 my Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. The great news is, she beat it. They found it early and she has been cancer free for the last 4 years, the short term effects on me where very difficult. The stress just seemed to keep mounting and I feel into a depression. The things that I use to love, like Disney World, no longer brought me any joy. ( I know this part seems so . Worry not my friends this story does have a happy ending!!!


Up Next: Day 2 May 20th, 2012 Fun times at Seaworld also....2014 was the hardest year of my life.

P.S. I want thank everyone for all the kind comments. I have really enjoyed going back and reliving all these great memories. Its also been very cathartic to write down and remember some of the harder times of the past years as well. Thanks again!!!
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Old 10-27-2018, 01:47 PM   #22
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Beautiful room with lots of space!
Sounds like a fun night on the Boardwalk. We love watching the street performers as well.

I’m so glad your post-Disney story has a happy ending. Life is about the ups as well as the downs, as many of us can attest to. And yes it is very cathartic to share both the ups and downs!
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Old 10-27-2018, 09:20 PM   #23
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Very nice room! Too bad about the air conditioning, but seems they handled it well. I don't know anyone whose life hasn't had lots of ups and downs. Thank goodness there is a happy ending for you!
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Old 10-27-2018, 09:32 PM   #24
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Great update!!
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Old 10-29-2018, 01:23 PM   #25
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Seaworld is a blast!!

Day 2 May 20th 2012 Seaworld

Part of the Discovery Cove package we ordered included tickets for a day to Seaworld.

A quick note about Seaworld:
I love animals and nature and have always enjoyed my trips to Seaworld. Leading up to the trip I know that there was tons of backlash against Seaworld, while no organization is perfect, I found that many people where ignoring the many great contributions that Seaworld provide.

So righting this report 6 years later is proving to be a little harder then I thought. I have some pictures and a few notes and bits of paper/memorabilia. I do remember that this was easily the least busiest of the parks. I also remember having a very good time. I know we ate lunch on property but can't really remember where. Some of the group wanted to eat dinner on property as well but others wanted a more affordable option. We ended up eating a Pizza Hut not to far from the room. Not a huge Pizza Hut fan and remember not enjoying this at all.





I believe this show was called One Ocean. Really enjoyed seeing this.


My brother-in-law and his son! Taming the bear!!!






Daughters first attraction ride, might be hard to tell from this picture but she did not enjoy it. She has never been much for park rides kid!!




Some more pictures of Robin(DW) and Skylar(DD)!!

Wish I could remember more about this day, but just looking at all of the photo's brings back happy memories!!!


Post-Disney 2014


In early 2014, I had my own cancer scare. I had colonoscopy performed and pre-cancerous polyps where removed. This was mostly happy as, everything was found early but there was some complications afterwords that left me hospitalized from extreme blood loss.

I recovered from that but in mid-2104 would need knee surgery that would have me out of work for 3-6 months. The long and short of it, by the end of 2014 I was out of a job. Seemed like things could not get worse. On Dec. 28th 2014 my Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer.( My Dad lost his battle with cancer in April of this year. I am super proud of how hard he fought over the last 4 years. His fierce determination to beat cancer was a huge inspiration in fighting back from my own personal struggles.)

Next: Day 3 Universal Studios and 2015 Fighting depression and winning!!!

P.S. Cant say thank you enough....I know this is a very different TR and certainly not what I expected when I started back in 2012. Super good news we have narrowed the trip down and where heading back to Disney World in February of 2020. Going to be so much fun planing and sharing this trip with you guys.
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Old 10-29-2018, 05:12 PM   #26
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Sounds like a great day at Sea World, especially with low crowd levels. 2014 was definitely a low year for you all. So sorry!
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Old 10-29-2018, 06:12 PM   #27
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Great pictures from Sea World! Sorry for your loss and all the medical issues!
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Old 10-29-2018, 06:42 PM   #28
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I’m so glad that you’re finishing this TR! Great trip so far! I’m glad to hear that your life since that trip has a happy ending!


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Old 11-05-2018, 09:48 AM   #29
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Just signed on to your TR. So very sorry that you lost your dad to cancer. Sounds like you've had a rough few years but things are looking up. Glad to hear you have a WDW trip planned for 2020.
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Old 11-06-2018, 03:05 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw View Post
Just signed on to your TR. So very sorry that you lost your dad to cancer. Sounds like you've had a rough few years but things are looking up. Glad to hear you have a WDW trip planned for 2020.
Thanks for the kid words.




Just wanted to do a quick message to let you know that I have been super busy with work and will hopefully be able to make an update tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the great comments and for following along!!
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