Trip Report Cosmos Rewind (now with live sweaty summer solo trip!)

Hello, friends! After hiding in shame for a year after failing to complete my first trip report, I’m back to try again, this time with a nice baby sized trip to ease my way (in hindsight, trying to document a 10-day land/sea/Christmas extravaganza was perhaps a bit ambitious on my part lol).

The details:
Who: My mom and me
Where: All Star Music
When: March 20-23, 2025
Why: My mom and I did a mother/daughter trip for Flower & Garden in 2018 and wanted an encore! We’re both big flower people so springtime is our jam.

Here's a picture of us from our 2018 trip:

Time to pack some snacks and make some tracks!

 

[radiorae]

So spoiler, at the end of this trip I booked a bounce back offer for late July. And then I fell victim to trip creep *cue the Radiohead* and added an extra night so I could take advantage of the free waterpark ticket perk. I was trying to still be sort of responsible so I booked All Star Music, but then there was a really good deal yesterday and long story short…

I am very excited

 

[radiorae]

Back to the report!

We continued our world tour. We scooped up a Troll Kreme in Norway since it was getting a little toasty and a slushy fit the bill. I don’t have a pic but it tasted a bit like those strawberry crème savor candies from awhile back. Tasty!

We took our time walking around and looking at the different plants and stores, until we found ourselves in Germany. I am usually a Karamel Kuche diehard and love their caramel popcorn (though the past few trips I’ve been cheating on Germany with Batuu’s Outpost Mix shhhhhhh) but today I had my sights set on the ham and cheese bread for the festival. I jumped in the massive line while my mom had to take another call…

From Bauernmarkt:
Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with black forest ham and melted cheese

It was… sad The internet planted dreams of melty cheese and soft bread in my brain, and this item tasted like it had been under a heat lamp for half the day. I did not finish it

I rejoined my mom by Snow White’s well. She paused her call to inform me that there was some noise that kept going off. “What is it?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” she responded. “It sounds like someone’s baby is crying.”

I looked left. I looked right. I looked up.

“Those babies, maybe?”

Above us, a snowy egret was feeding a couple of fuzzy headed babies. It was super cute to see We watched for several minutes as the babies peeped for food and the tired mom did her thing.

 

[radiorae]

Garden Rocks was hopping with the festival energy of Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone. We paused to listen to a few songs. You could tell he was really having a blast performing.

The rest of the stroll around the world was pretty uneventful. The wait time for Remy’s was too long in France, so we got a nighttime BatB topiary pic instead and kept rolling.

We then made it to the UK pavilion for the first time that day. I’m pretty sure we hit every other pavilion three times by that point (see previous comment about inefficient steps ), but better late than never!

We debated staying for Luminous, but we agreed it had been a long day and the thought of fighting the crowds to get to the bus afterwards was… not ideal. So instead we made our way out of the park leisurely, enjoying the nighttime lights and sounds of World Celebration.

Our last topiary of the night was Moana & Maui at the front entrance. The lighting in the area was way too bright, but the light-up hook and oar effects were still neat. Naturally, I forgot to take a picture of the effects, so you’re gonna have to take my word for it

With one last look at Spaceship Earth, we turned and trudged out the gates and down the walkway 20 miles through the Disney Desert to get to the buses. Seriously. That walk is brutal at the end of the night. And staying at a Value resort means being at the furthest bus stop on top of that. Not the most fun way to end the night, but hey, it’s still Disney!

(That isn’t the All Star bus stop… the All Star stop is so far down the walkway you can’t even see it in the photo lol)

Back at the room, we had one final snack of leftover treats while we talked about the day. Then it was lights out for the night

 

[MinnieM123]

Garden Rocks was hopping with the festival energy of Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone. We paused to listen to a few songs. You could tell he was really having a blast performing.

Peter Noone is a great performer, and a long-time crowd favorite. I saw him years ago at the Flower Power Concerts (before WDW renamed those to the Garden Rocks Concerts) at Epcot, during the Flower and Garden festivals. Happy to hear that you had a chance to enjoy some of his show.

 

[cassidy]

I love reading your trip report. It keeps me going until my next trip!!!!

 

[radiorae]

Peter Noone is a great performer, and a long-time crowd favorite. I saw him years ago at the Flower Power Concerts (before WDW renamed those to the Garden Rocks Concerts) at Epcot, during the Flower and Garden festivals. Happy to hear that you had a chance to enjoy some of his show.

I’m grateful to have caught it! The whole crowd was having a good time and his music was the perfect amount of energy for Epcot— not too loud or crazy, but not slow and sleepy either.

I love reading your trip report. It keeps me going until my next trip!!!!

Awww, thanks! I hope your trip comes swiftly!

 

[radiorae]

Sunday, Departure Day

And just like that, our vacation was drawing a close. We both had morning flights because I haven’t yet learned to maximize departure day and just take Monday off work lol

My mom’s flight was earlier than mine by an hour and since we both booked the Tragic Express, her bus whisked her away an hour early too. So, packed and with some time to spare, I took a tour around the resort.

Like I mentioned wayyyyyy at the beginning of this report, All Star Music feels different than the other All Star resorts. It feels less cartoony, which makes no sense since there are giant cowboy boots and maracas festooning the buildings and the Three Caballeros hold court at the pool. Maybe it’s because the layout is different? Maybe it’s the trees? Who knows. In any case, here are some pictures from my morning stroll:

If I squint I can convince myself at I’m at Port Orleans…

I liked the Calypso and Broadway sections best.

I even passed @Tony the Tigger ’s reserved suite in Country Hell Fair.

Besides the buildings, I thought the dining hall was really well done with music accents. Sports and Movies have theming too, but I felt it stood out more at Music.

After my walk I found a spot outside and just sat, taking in my last 30 minutes of vacation. It was so peaceful and relaxing. I was grateful for such a good trip with fantastic weather, Disney firsts, and new memories with my mom.

All too soon, it was time to head for the bus and get to MCO, where I witnessed one final “first”….

Is this shoe missing its owner? Or did it purposely go rogue to prolong vacation? We will never know.

Goodbye for now, Disney! See ya real (like, REAL real) soon!!!!

 

[cgersic]

Thank you for taking the time to share with us! I am a big fan of mother/daughter trips, so I hope you do another one!

 

[radiorae]

Final Thoughts

The good:

My first finished trip report! Huge props to all of the trip reporters on these forums; it is a lot of work. It’s a real treat to be able to read about all of the cool experiences everyone has at the parks. I appreciate you all!

The weather! It was so nice be able to enjoy the parks when it wasn’t sweltering hot It was a little chilly that first morning but I’ll take that over the awful summer humidity any day!

A tradition in the making! I had a great time doing a F&G Festival repeat with my mom. We aren’t able to do it every year, but we look forward to doing it again sometime

The bad:

Not a lot to report here. Toppolino’s Terrace was the only real let down, and I chalk that up more to the server having an off day than any fault of the restaurant’s. That being said, it’ll be a long while before I book breakfast there again.

——

Thank you so much to everyone who followed along and encouraged me to keep going when the posts got sparse I had a lot of fun sharing with you all!

As I mentioned a bit earlier, my next trip is nearly here! It’s a solo trip this time, so I’m not sure if I should do a live report or try the slower posts again. I’m not even sure what the etiquette is— new thread? Continue this thread? Ah well, I’ll figure it out. In the meantime…

 

[cgersic]

Great job on finishing, and I think it's entirely up to you how you want to document - just know that I am glad that you all take the time to do it and keep me entertained!

 

[radiorae]

In the interest of saving forum space, this is now officially a live trip add on whoooooooooo!

I’m not going to lie, I really debated if I wanted to do another report. I love sharing things with other Disney people who “get” it, but it can be intimidating to throw your photos out in the void and hope for the best. Also, as we discovered in the past three pages, I’m slow lol

Nevertheless, we’re gonna go for it. So, with that….

WELCOME TO THE SUPER SWEATY SUMMER SOLO TRIP!!!!

 

[radiorae]

THE PLAN
(Technically the Plan in Motion) since I’m typing this from a Mears bus as we speak. Here is the trip breakdown…

Who: Me! Radiorae

What: A Disney trip, of course

When: 7/23 - 7/27

Where: Animal Kingdom Lodge, French Quarter

Why: There was a good bounce back offer after my last trip, and I wanted to see the new Villains and Little Mermaid shows. I then got super lucky when Disney announced both Starlight AND Test Track 3.0 were debuting my vacation week. Perfect timing!

7/23 Arrival Day

• Fly in, Take Mears connect
• Check into Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Explore resort
• Hollywood Studios After Hours

7/24 Pool Day

• Explore resort some more, maybe go to pool?
• Typhoon Lagoon
• Check into French Quarter
• Dinner at Sebastian’s Bistro

7/25 Epcot & MK

Must do’s: Test Track, GotG, Tron, Starlight Parade


7/26 Hollywood Studios

Must do’s: Aiming to do as many shows (read as: A/C) as possible, including new Villains and Little Mermaid show and finishing with Fantasmic

Lunch at Sci-Fi Diner


7/27 Departure Day

• Fly home at ungodly early hour
• Take Nap

Welcome Aboard!

 

[radiorae]

How it’s going so far….

The flight was thankfully uneventful, except when we landed and were told that due to lightning in the area they would be late unloading bags. According to the lady on the intercom the crew isn’t allowed out on the tarmac when lightning is around, which makes total sense but is not something I encountered until today. Look at me, already checking off Firsts!

Bags were delayed by about 30 min, but nothing extreme. The crew was quick and efficient once they got the all clear. It’s almost like this happens often in FL or something

I got lucky and was able to walk onto a Mears bus, which only waited another minute or two before we headed out! I am stop 3 of 4, so I had some time to write this lol

No cruise bus today. Also no cartoons!

 

[radiorae]

Forgive my far away arch picture. I did not think this through lol but I’m officially in the bubble!

We just drove by a cast member leaf blowing the Fantasia Garden greens in the rain. Bring on the weird and whimsy!

 

[radiorae]

Made it!!!

I got lost finding my room

But eventually I made it! I’m right in the lobby. Obligatory room pics for you.

There is a fancy sign on the balcony.

Fear not Disney! My short arms couldn’t lob trash that far if I tried. Not with this wall in the way.

I’m not mad about it; I paid for a resort view and that’s what I got. Honestly, being in the lobby is super cool and there’s something to be said for the shorter walk. Plus if I raise my phone above my short head, I can see the savannah!

 

[radiorae]

Went to The Mara for food. Got lost again in the process. Fun fact, it’s not even located in the main building, you have to go outside past the pool to get to it

Animal Kingdom Lodge: 2, Me: 0

I got the Harissa Beef Bowl: “Braised Beef Stew, Pilau Rice, Kale Slaw, Cucumber-Tomato Salad, and Avocado Tahini Sauce”

It is fantastic! I especially love the kale — it’s got a tangy component that balances out the heavy stew.

And for dessert? Zebra Domes!

 

[radiorae]

Found some Flamingos

 

[cassidy]

I am glad to be reading your live report, Animal Kingdom lodge is beautiful!!

 

[littleroo]

Zebra domes are the best! Enjoying your live TR!

 

[radiorae]

I am glad to be reading your live report, Animal Kingdom lodge is beautiful!!

I’m in love. I already know I’ll be saving for a full trip here in the future ❤