Trip Report Oh the pressure...of a name

Hello WDWMagic-ers! I have debated with myself at length if I wanted to do a trip report or not. I am certainly no @Tuvalu, @fractal, @blgauger or @prfctlyximprct ... but I may have some useful information and insights! So I have decided to mostly report on what we did that was new and perhaps interesting to y'all! Here goes:
This is us: myself, pineappleprincess 49; DH MSUJafar 47; and DD19
We are DVC members through resale since 2011. Also AP Gold members, upgraded to Platinum Plus for no additional cost for this trip.
We stayed 5 nights at BLT Lake view studio, and 6 nights at BWV Boardwalk view.
I used to use a Nikkon 3100, but absolutely HATED carrying it around with me. DH bought me a Sony Alpha 5000 for Christmas and it was sooo much easier and more convenient! I am not a photographer by any means, but I was very happy with this camera. It allows you to send photos to your phone and I posted many shots on Instagram on this trip!
We arrived on July 30th to a room that was supposed to be Lake view, but was actually a view of the Contemporary and the marina. I am not one to complain BUT it was not what we were expecting, so we moved the next day which left us a little unsettled that first night, but it was our choice. This was the view we ended up with on day 2:

 

[MerMom1981]

I'm in! And I love the title of the report!!

OMG. I just got it!

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Day 2: MK
I just love being able to walk to MK from BLT...it makes the morning so much less stressful!
So since I'm mainly focusing on what we did that was new to us, you will be spared most of the "boring" details of the day.
We are really good at dinner (and sometimes breakfast) ADRs, which leaves us stumped with what to do for lunch. Then we get hangry and gripe at each other because no one can make a decision.
The night before MK I told DH and DD that we needed a plan for lunch. Since we didn't really have breakfast to speak of, we decided that an early lunch would be in order. After reading all reports by @Tuvalu I mentioned the chicken nachos at Pecos Bill's. That sounded good to DH, so that's what we got. Let me tell you...they were so good and with additions from the toppings bar there was more than enough for DH and I to share!
View attachment 222532

Thanks @TrolleyFollower91 for the idea!
After lunch we caught the Muppets doing their version of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.
View attachment 222533

The park was crowded, but it didn't seem as bad as in past years. There was actually a line for the People Mover!
We ended up getting stuck on Splash Mountain which was new for us. I was so grateful that it was in the shade! It stopped long enough that I decided to get the camera out and take a selfie:
View attachment 222534
I'm not really a selfie taker with my phone, but another thing I love about my camera is that you can flip the screen up and take selfies with it!
I failed to mention that on arrival night we watched HEA from the Top of the World Lounge. I really loved it, and that was without being able to see the projections. Tonight we were doing the HEA dessert party, so we would be watching them from the Plaza Gardens! This was kind of a last minute reservation. I thought we would be happy with just viewing from the TOTWL, but then I kept reading how much the castle projections are part of it. I checked on a whim and there was availability on our MK day, so I grabbed it. We didn't want to fight Main Street crowds, so it was worth the price just this once.
View attachment 222528
Mine and DH's plates. After we ate, we were escorted to the Plaza Gardens to hang out before the fireworks started. We leaned up against the fence and had a great view!
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We were glad to do this once, but agreed that viewing elsewhere from now on would make us just as happy. It was priceless not to have to fight the bus or monorail crowds as we walked back to BLT!

When you do HEA fireworks party with plaza viewing, are the tables assigned and is there seating?

 

[PineapplePrincess]

When you do HEA fireworks party with plaza viewing, are the tables assigned and is there seating?

Yes, there is seating and the table was assigned. If I'm remembering correctly the people who were viewing from the plaza were assigned tables in the higher up portion of the terrace. You can also view the fireworks from the terrace, but it costs a little bit more and I didn't think we'd be able to see as well.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Day 3: Disney Springs
We had a breakfast reservation for Kona Cafe and DD decided to sleep in. DH and I shared the Macadamia-Pineapple pancakes with bacon + an extra side of bacon and a press pot of coffee. We used to get ham, but it seems that they've changed to spam which is a no go for us.

After breakfast, we monorailed back to BLT and when DD was ready we headed to DS for the day.
Nothing really exciting to report...today's pics will all be food and drinks! After shopping a little, we were ready for a snack so we "landed" at Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar. We had a drink along with a flatbread and some pretzels. Everything was delicious and we'd definitely snack there again!

We shopped some more and then it started to rain, so we ducked into Raglan Road for a pint to wait out the rain. More shopping, and then it was nearly time for our Homecomin' reservation. We asked if we could check in early and they were able to get us in.
This was one of our most anticipated ADRs of the trip. I really had high hopes for it, but unfortunately I was pretty disappointed. We had the hush puppies which were just okay. DH had a chicken sandwich that he liked (but not as much as the one from ESPN club).

DD and I split the Fried Chicken dinner and also got a side of mac and cheese. This is just my opinion and it's not worth a hill of beans, so by all means if you've been dying to eat there, don't let it stop you! I thought the chicken was a little dry and bland and the mashed potatoes were not as creamy as I had hoped. Not really remembering the mac and cheese one way or the other.

Prior to our meal, I had really had my heart set on the Hummingbird cake. However, after being disappointed in my dinner I decided to save myself for a cake that I know is fantastic. We finished our night at Top of the World Lounge with some drinks, cake and Happily Ever After!

The five floor walk down the stairs after the fireworks was a breeze...I can't think of a better way to end the night!

 

[susan lees]

Enjoying your report

 

[12in12]

That cake looks delicious and pairing it with drinks and HEA is a winning combination!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Enjoying your report

Thanks! I'm glad you're following along!

That cake looks delicious and pairing it with drinks and HEA is a winning combination!

Oh yes...this cake might be the reason to join DVC if you're not already a member! Or at least make friends with a member who can take you up there.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Day 4: MK (again)
We planned our park days based on where we were staying. Today was the second to last day at BLT and our last MK day. The second half of our trip was at the Boardwalk, so it made sense to do our MK days whilst we were in the area. Of course we knew that if we wanted to go back to MK later in the trip we could, but it wasn't planned.
MK is my favorite park in some ways and my least favorite in others. Does that even make sense?! This day really turned out to be one of the best MK days I've ever had. We had a FP+ for Buzz starting at 9:20. Since we had until 10:20 to use it, we decided to rope drop HM. We had not ridden it yet this trip and were really feeling like we were missing out. I have a love/hate relationship with HM (or at least part of the queue). It is and will always be one of my favorite rides...however, the part after the stretching room gives me anxiety! Once I got into an argument with a woman who I accidentally bumped because I was trying to stay with my family. She apparently didn't hear me say "excuse me" and decided to confront me about it. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it really left a bad taste in my mouth about the ride!
Luckily this early in the day, they were only using one stretching room. So we were able to hang back and be the last ones out of the room and go right into the hallway queue with no issues. There was no line to speak of after our first ride, so we rode it again. This time since there was no one behind us, we each had a "Doom Buggy" to ourselves!

After our second ride, we meandered over towards Tomorrowland stopping at the wishing well to make a wish.

After Buzz, our FPs were for SDMT and Splash. I'm sure I snagged some other ones after that, but I can't remember what they were for! I do remember that Under the Sea didn't have a line, so we rode that. We had never seen Enchanted Tales with Belle and there wasn't much of a wait, so I was able to talk DH and DD into it. It was all worth it to DH when he got this:

I don't know what his towel says, but looking at this picture you would think it's very un-Disney-like!
It was a cute experience, but not one I will feel the need to do again until a have a child with me.
Mirror selfie:

Here is what I remember about the rest of the day: more chicken nachos and catching FoF Parade on our way out which was not planned.

We had dinner at Cali Grill again and I had the California Combination Roll. I have only eaten sushi once before and I wasn't in love with it, but this was fantastic! For all of you sushi experts out there...is it even "real" sushi? No matter, I look forward to having it again on my next visit to Cali Grill!

 

[DryerLintFan]

Day 4: MK (again)
We planned our park days based on where we were staying. Today was the second to last day at BLT and our last MK day. The second half of our trip was at the Boardwalk, so it made sense to do our MK days whilst we were in the area. Of course we knew that if we wanted to go back to MK later in the trip we could, but it wasn't planned.
MK is my favorite park in some ways and my least favorite in others. Does that even make sense?! This day really turned out to be one of the best MK days I've ever had. We had a FP+ for Buzz starting at 9:20. Since we had until 10:20 to use it, we decided to rope drop HM. We had not ridden it yet this trip and were really feeling like we were missing out. I have a love/hate relationship with HM (or at least part of the queue). It is and will always be one of my favorite rides...however, the part after the stretching room gives me anxiety! Once I got into an argument with a woman who I accidentally bumped because I was trying to stay with my family. She apparently didn't hear me say "excuse me" and decided to confront me about it. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it really left a bad taste in my mouth about the ride!
Luckily this early in the day, they were only using one stretching room. So we were able to hang back and be the last ones out of the room and go right into the hallway queue with no issues. There was no line to speak of after our first ride, so we rode it again. This time since there was no one behind us, we each had a "Doom Buggy" to ourselves!
View attachment 223061
After our second ride, we meandered over towards Tomorrowland stopping at the wishing well to make a wish.
View attachment 223063
After Buzz, our FPs were for SDMT and Splash. I'm sure I snagged some other ones after that, but I can't remember what they were for! I do remember that Under the Sea didn't have a line, so we rode that. We had never seen Enchanted Tales with Belle and there wasn't much of a wait, so I was able to talk DH and DD into it. It was all worth it to DH when he got this:
View attachment 223071
I don't know what his towel says, but looking at this picture you would think it's very un-Disney-like!
It was a cute experience, but not one I will feel the need to do again until a have a child with me.
Mirror selfie:
View attachment 223072
Here is what I remember about the rest of the day: more chicken nachos and catching FoF Parade on our way out which was not planned.
View attachment 223073
We had dinner at Cali Grill again and I had the California Combination Roll. I have only eaten sushi once before and I wasn't in love with it, but this was fantastic! For all of you sushi experts out there...is it even "real" sushi? No matter, I look forward to having it again on my next visit to Cali Grill!

Where is the wishing well?

 

[Zipadeelady]

Love the towel. I would've kept everyone guessing.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Where is the wishing well?

I believe it is just to the right of the castle if your looking at it from the front. There is a little walk way. @Tuvalu am I correct?

 

[DisneyJeff]

I believe it is just to the right of the castle if your looking at it from the front. There is a little walk way. @Tuvalu am I correct?

Correct:

 

[Zipadeelady]

Correct:
View attachment 223090

OMG! I never knew that's where Merida met! I didn't even know there was a meet n greet back there

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Day 5, Friday August 4th: Moving Day/Pool Day

A couple of years ago we started putting pool days into our trip to give us some time to recharge. The timing didn't work out so hot this year so our BLT pool day ended up being on the day we were moving out. If you didn't already know this you are allowed to use the pool at your resort until midnight of your checkout day.
DH and I had breakfast at Kona Cafe again this morning with a repeat of our previous order. Our server gave me this cute muffin to go:

After breakfast, we had our bags picked up and tagged for transfer to Boardwalk. We spent a relaxing day by the pool where I may have enjoyed a Pina Colava and a couple cans of Orange Blossom Pilsner brought down from the room.
Right about when we had had just about enough of the pool, I received an email (not a text) that our room was ready. Let me tell you....walking to the MK bus stop while wearing your bathing suit and cover-up and lugging a cooler and your beach bag is NOT as fun as it sounds!
We went straight to our room, called for our bags and got ready to head to Epcot.

We had a 5:45 FP+ for Frozen Ever After. This would be our first time experiencing it since we have to forgo a Soarin' FP for it. AND it will probably be our last time....we were not impressed.

I must include the ride photograph for comic relief. The guy in front of us couldn't have blocked DD and I any better if he had tried!

Head in front of DD's face...arm in front of mine!
Dinner was at LeCelier which isn't new for us, but we hadn't been there in a few years. We didn't love it. My mom has her heart set on it when we go in March for our girls trip, so we will be going back, but I can't say I'm looking forward to it.
After dinner, it was back to the Boardwalk for Ample Hills and to rest up for our first HS day of this trip!

 

[rshell68]

This ride photo placement is just about as bad as Pirates LOL

 

[12in12]

I do like how happy the guy looks and how unhappy the little girl next to him. I have been to Le Cellier as well and like you I didn't care for it.

 

[fractal]

Day 5, Friday August 4th: Moving Day/Pool Day

A couple of years ago we started putting pool days into our trip to give us some time to recharge. The timing didn't work out so hot this year so our BLT pool day ended up being on the day we were moving out. If you didn't already know this you are allowed to use the pool at your resort until midnight of your checkout day.
DH and I had breakfast at Kona Cafe again this morning with a repeat of our previous order. Our server gave me this cute muffin to go:
View attachment 223451
After breakfast, we had our bags picked up and tagged for transfer to Boardwalk. We spent a relaxing day by the pool where I may have enjoyed a Pina Colava and a couple cans of Orange Blossom Pilsner brought down from the room.
Right about when we had had just about enough of the pool, I received an email (not a text) that our room was ready. Let me tell you....walking to the MK bus stop while wearing your bathing suit and cover-up and lugging a cooler and your beach bag is NOT as fun as it sounds!
We went straight to our room, called for our bags and got ready to head to Epcot.
View attachment 223452 We had a 5:45 FP+ for Frozen Ever After. This would be our first time experiencing it since we have to forgo a Soarin' FP for it. AND it will probably be our last time....we were not impressed.
View attachment 223455
View attachment 223456
I must include the ride photograph for comic relief. The guy in front of us couldn't have blocked DD and I any better if he had tried!
View attachment 223453
Head in front of DD's face...arm in front of mine!
Dinner was at LeCelier which isn't new for us, but we hadn't been there in a few years. We didn't love it. My mom has her heart set on it when we go in March for our girls trip, so we will be going back, but I can't say I'm looking forward to it.
After dinner, it was back to the Boardwalk for Ample Hills and to rest up for our first HS day of this trip!

If I were friends with the guy in the front holding that cat, I would work on this photo in photoshop giving me ammunition to torture him for the rest of his life!

Enjoying the report!

 

[Jedi Stitch]

Correct:
View attachment 223090

We were going to do the meet n greet, but the doors were closed with 10 min to go the pre line was already across the bridge in the picture.

 

[DryerLintFan]

I do like how happy the guy looks and how unhappy the little girl next to him. I have been to Le Cellier as well and like you I didn't care for it.

My daughter is around the same age, and when she's scared of something like this I act over the top excited in a vain attempt to get her excited instead of scared. I'd bet that's what he's doing but the results do look hilarious!!

 

[blreinsel]

Mmmmm a Pina Colava You know how to relax!