Trip Report Lounge Lizards Love Luxuriating

I'm back from a recent 9 day trip with DH @MSUJafar and DD @StupidJudy98. First though I'd like to go back in time to May for a trip I like to call "A farewell to all the things that are leaving, but mostly the Muppets."
The May trip was just E and I. We stayed at Saratoga Springs.

E with his favorite horse. I'm going to be honest...I was a really lazy picture taker on this trip which is why I chose not to do a full trip report for it. Actually I was a pretty lazy picture taker on the August trip as well compared to the amount I used to take.
Anywho, let's get the May portion started!
We had really good luck with transportation and we ended up being the very first guests at Magic Kingdom on our first morning there. They even made a big deal about the guy in the red shirt being the first one there.
Unfortunately E got pulled over and searched.

In hindsight, I should not have been polite and waited for him. If I had left him, I could have been the first one at the tapstiles. As it happened, we were only the third group of people in.
We were the first ones at the tapstiles on our HS day.

And we rope dropped ToT and were on the first elevator.

I'm getting off track here. This TR is just supposed to be about the things we'll miss.
Our last visit to see the Muppets. They had a PP photographer out by Miss Piggy's fountain. Finally showing her the respect she deserves!

They tried to hire us on the spot due to our obviously superior acting skills. We turned them down though. We had some Muppets to see!

 

[Tuvalu]

Awesome alliteration!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

I tried to take in as much as I could before the show started.

The movie posters have always amused me!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

It was time to enter the theater.

I wish this wasn't blurry.

"Sorry lady!"
We enjoyed the show as always. I don't think I've ever made a trip to HS and NOT seen this show. It was one that absolutely everyone in our family loved. Yes, I cried on the way out.

I snapped some goodbye photos on our way out. I can't believe I forgot Pizza Rizzo and Gonzo's Royal Flush!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

On our MK day, we prioritized one last ride on the Liberty Square Riverboat.

We opted to not make one last trip to Tom Sawyer Island. E is still kind of salty that they don't hide the paintbrushes anymore! For those who don't know, paintbrushes used to be hidden on the island at the beginning of the day. If you found one, you would trade it for Fast Passes for your group to either Big Thunder or Splash Mountain.

I can't remember the exact year, but it was probably 2009? My "silver fox" was not silver yet!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

More from the Liberty Belle.

We were not as sad about this one. It was not a must do attraction for us every trip. I really just can't visualize what MK is going to look like with no Rivers of America.

 

[Zipadeelady]

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Um.... I'm starting to question some of Kermit's poses....

 

[BigDis]

Count me in.

 

[Swissmiss]

I’m very happy for you that you could say goodbye to the muppets

 

[cgersic]

I got super excited for another trip report from you, but I've got to say, you've made me a little weepy with all of the things that are going away. MK without RoA and TSI is just wrong Love the throwback with the paint brush!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

So it's time to get the August trip report started. It will probably be slow going because what teacher decides to start a report mere days before school starts?!

We did a split stay with the first 4 nights at BLT and the last 5 at Boardwalk. It really does make it feel like two trips. The vibes are so different at each resort.
When we arrived, our room wasn't ready and I had gotten notice that our Kroger delivery was going to be an hour behind. So we waited it out at the bar at Steakhouse 71.
The title of this report is because on our 9 day trip, we had only made 3 ADRs. One for breakfast, one for Celebration at the Top and one for Geo 82. There was a LOT of lounge sitting and drinking for us.

A & I had the French 71. I didn't love it as it was quite sweet. E had an Old Fashioned.
Shortly after ordering, I received the room ready message. Drinks were finished and we headed up to our room on the 7th floor (room 7723 if anyone is interested). Some room and view photos.

The refurb is great! BLT has been one of my favorites, but the refurb was really needed. The only issue we had was that only one set of elevators was open, so it made for a bit of a wait at times.
After getting our groceries, the original plan was to go to Disney Springs. It had started to rain though, so we opted to monorail over to the Tambu Lounge. A & I waited in line for a table while E hovered around the bar. We ended up getting seats at the bar. Noodles and dumplings were enjoyed along with some drinks. I didn't take any photos of this evening. We made one last stop at Enchanted Rose where we sat at a table that brought back Mizner Lounge memories. After that, we called it a night and Monorailed back to BLT to rest up to rope drop AK the next morning.

 

[MinnieM123]

Shortly after ordering, I received the room ready message. Drinks were finished and we headed up to our room on the 7th floor (room 7723 if anyone is interested). Some room and view photos.

I like the Mary Blair art prints on the guestroom walls. They add some charm and warmth to the room.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

My alarm went off at some ungodly hour so we could rope drop AK. I am a fan of early entry, but with AK's starting at 7:30 during the summer, it's like getting up for work!
Of course we followed the masses to FoP.

After our Banshee flight, we made our way to Africa for a safari. The wait was not very long at this point. It was a lovely safari although the lions weren't out yet. The giraffes were just coming out and they were walking very close to the vehicle.

We looked at the gorillas for a few on the way out.

The most beautiful tree.

Dinoland was next on the agenda.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Now that I'm thinking more about it (I didn't take notes) we went back to Pandora to use a Single Pass for FoP. I didn't purchase Multi Pass for either AK day, but we knew we would want to ride FoP again. We also ate at Satuli Canteen, but I did not take any photos.
After lunch, Dinosaur was only a 10 minute wait, so we headed over there to see Dr. Seeker.

After Dinosaur, we put our name on the walk up list for Nomad Lounge. I received the table ready text almost immediately. Sitting at the bar is preferable to us, but those are on a first come basis. They tried to seat us in the overflow area which I believe is technically part of Tiffin's. I politely asked to be seated elsewhere since part of the reason we go there is for the vibe and it's just not the same back there. We were sat at one end of the very long table which was fine.

I don't always love the cocktails here. I decided to try Jenn's Tattoo and I really enjoyed it. We sipped our drinks and had some churros before heading out for the day.

Celebration at the Top was on tap for tonight, so we went back to BLT for a nap and a quick swim before getting ready. E and I went early to get in line whilst A finished up. We snagged a lovely table by the window. I didn't take many photos as I really just wanted to enjoy the experience. Here is our first round of drinks and my first plate of food.

This is an experience that we book any time it is offered during our stay. Fireworks weren't until 10:00, so the experience was scheduled from 9:00-11:00. Typically the savory items are available for the first hour and then they bring out the desserts for the second hour. They will leave out whatever savory items are left though. The service is top notch and the gentlemen who work the event go above and beyond to make it extra special. Fireworks are enjoyed from an area used just for those who booked the event.

Tonight was made even more enjoyable because we didn't have far to go to get back to our room. Tomorrow would be our first MK day.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

E and I are morning people, A not so much. So we left A to finish getting ready and we made the walk to MK where we rope dropped Mine Train. I'm loving the new protocol where instead of holding the masses, they allow people to get in line before officially opening. E and I enjoyed Mine Train with minimal wait, though I can't seem to find the photo.
I did purchase Multi-pass for today and also Single-pass for Tron for just A and E. Since I used our Tier 1 for Tiana's, we met up with A and headed to Jungle Cruise. I want to say the wait was only around 10 minutes. I have a lot of pictures loaded for this post, so although I took quite a few on JC, I'll just leave you with 2 elephants bathing under a full moon.

Our first LL was for Haunted Mansion so please enjoy E nailing it?

And A insisting that they don't take the photo until the end.

There was a PP photographer by the exit, so we took advantage.

Our second LL was for Pirates.

Yes, I know where the camera is. This was my attempt at looking clueless. I think I nailed it!
After Pirates, we were feeling a bit peckish and although it was kind of early, I mobile ordered from Casey's Corner. The new menu at Pecos Bill's just isn't our jam.
Lunch was enjoyed with this beautiful view.

I have since heard that she will be getting a makeover. This beauty is constantly reinventing herself!
It was almost time for our Tiana's LL. We needed to use the restroom, so we opted to get this photo before we got soaked.

It was A's first time on Tiana's and she was sure she wouldn't like it. Change isn't easy for her. She admitted afterwards that it was cute. The guys in the back!

As we were meandering by the new DVC lounge, I decided to check on the wait time to get in. They told us we were 4th on the list. Country Bears seemed like a great way to wait it out, but we got the text to return almost immediately.
It was fine. Free drinks are always a bonus. We're glad that we were able to experience it, but don't feel the need to return.
It was time for A and E's Tron LL, so we trudged over. I waited on one of the benches with their bags so that they didn't have to fuss with a locker. It was lovely to just sit, rest and people watch.

I think I made some LLs for that evening because we planned to come back to see the parade. We stopped for one more photo on our way out.

 

[Tuvalu]

What were your August dates? I’d like to see if our paths crossed at all.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

What were your August dates? I’d like to see if our paths crossed at all.

August 10-19

 

[Tuvalu]

August 10-19

I'll keep my eyes peeled for your last couple days.

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

August 10-19

How were you not drenched in sweat in your pictures?

 

[PineapplePrincess]

How were you not drenched in sweat in your pictures?

I'm not gonna lie, it was HOT! Aside from brisk walking at rope drop, we really try to take our time when walking from place to place. Also, wearing my hair up helped a lot.