Trip Report A Friend Like Her *COMPLETED*

“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
~ Forrest Gump

Ah, February. The month of heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. The month of romance and love. The month of someone’s Valentine birthday.

The month of the crappiest weather in 95 percent of the country. Including Florida.

The month in which another mother/daughter jaunt to WDW brought unexpected surprises.....some great, some not-so-great....much like biting into a piece of boxed chocolate.

Much like life itself.

I’d LOVE to have you follow along on our long-weekend adventure.

Who: Tuvalu and Em (with special appearances by a dear friend)
When: January 31 - February 4, 2020
Where: Disney’s Pop Century Resort

 

[LadyBelle]

SO OVER THE RAIN!

Our yard has questionable drainage, so it's basically like living in the Florida swamps right now. I don't think we'll ever be able to mow

I like to call this "pollen cleanser" right now. Even though the rain just seems to be overnight when my car is in the garage.....

 

[Tuvalu]

Did I miss something? Did they announce an extended closure? I thought they said they'd open April 1st....(cruel April fools joke!) Why can't you use your FPs for May?

Though Disney has not yet made an announcement of extending the closure into April, Orange county has issued an executive "stay at home" order beginning tomorrow until April 9. Disney reopening before then would be in violation of that order. Also, restaurants are take-out only for an additional month, through May 9.
Since both of our trips fall during the restrictions we opted to postpone.

At least you didn’t get snow?
Hope you’re all doing well despite the crazy world right now!

I'll take rain over snow! Thanks for your encouragement.

SO OVER THIS RAIN. If we're going to be stuck inside, we should at least have sunshine coming through the windows!

I'm loving the sun streaming through our windows now!!!

I like to call this "pollen cleanser" right now. Even though the rain just seems to be overnight when my car is in the garage.....

Pollen cleanser. Although tell that to my allergies.....

 

[MegRuss626]

Since both of our trips fall during the restrictions we opted to postpone

Does Tuvalu ever make trips around the Fourth of July

 

[Tink86]

Our trip is actually scheduled for July 4-11. Most of our trips have always been during that time frame, years ago it used to be June after school let out- then we hit high school, college, and club level sports. There's very narrow window of time with our kids and all those factors but this will be the last year! Our baby graduates high school next June...well, I hope it's next June since this COVID-19 nightmare has closed our schools for the rest of this school year. Then we'll only have two in college. But, July is really not a bad time if you know how to do it! Cheers! Cindy

 

[Tuvalu]

Does Tuvalu ever make trips around the Fourth of July

Believe it or not I’ve never been to WDW around the 4th of July. Sadly that will be the case this year too.

Our trip is actually scheduled for July 4-11. Most of our trips have always been during that time frame, years ago it used to be June after school let out- then we hit high school, college, and club level sports. There's very narrow window of time with our kids and all those factors but this will be the last year! Our baby graduates high school next June...well, I hope it's next June since this COVID-19 nightmare has closed our schools for the rest of this school year. Then we'll only have two in college. But, July is really not a bad time if you know how to do it! Cheers! Cindy

As long as one of your kids doesn’t become a teacher, your Disney trips will no longer be dictated by school schedules.

 

[Tink86]

LOL no teachers but a mechanical engineer and a potential doctor.

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

Believe it or not I’ve never been to WDW around the 4th of July. Sadly that will be the case this year too.

Have you never been on July 4 because of the insane heat? My husband really wants to go for the 4th of July one year but the heat may be too much to me!

 

[Tink86]

@slipperalwaysfit we usually go in July, at least for the last 12 years or so, due to our kids schedules. It is very hot and humid; you can minimize the hot but will have to tolerate the humid. We plan our days so that we do the 'open air' rides early in the day before it gets wicked hot, and do the covered/building ques in the late morning. We also take breaks and utilize the early/later hours in the parks; we always have park hoppers. Afternoons are very hot, the asphalt heats up and so do the tempers and bodies; makes for a good time to go to the resort and utilize those amenities. Also, we try to not due two days in a row at a park. Of course, you need a LOT of water too. We are a family that does not mind heat or humidity. My norther family thinks I am nuts for going in July. So I guess if you don't like heat or humidity don't go in July. Plan on being sweaty and hot most of the time. Hope this helps! Cindy

 

[Tuvalu]

Have you never been on July 4 because of the insane heat? My husband really wants to go for the 4th of July one year but the heat may be too much to me!

Avoiding the fourth has always been crowd related. Having taken dozens of June/July/August vacays, the intense heat/humidity is pretty much the same in all three months. We’ve actually discovered the most uncomfortable weather to be in September, which is one of the reasons we avoid it.

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

So are the crowds on the 4th of July really as bad as the Christmas/New Year's crowds? (I haven't done research yet).

 

[Tuvalu]

So are the crowds on the 4th of July really as bad as the Christmas/New Year's crowds? (I haven't done research yet).

Nothing is as bad as Christmas/New Year’s crowds! Honestly the week of the 4th is probably only slightly more busy than a regular summer week in June or July.

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

Nothing is as bad as Christmas/New Year’s crowds! Honestly the week of the 4th is probably only slightly more busy than a regular summer week in June or July.

I'd try to avoid the 4th like the Plague but my DH and those freakin' perimeter fireworks! Which he sees at the holiday parties so I'm not sure why he's so excited about them....

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

The Frozen Sing-a-Long ended just in time for our lunch ADR.

After the terrible experience Woody and I had in August Here, I was reluctant to eat at Mama’s again so soon. In fact I was hoping I could persuade Em to ditch the ADR and lunch at PizzeRizzo instead. But she was really looking forward to a Mama’s margarita and requested we keep the reservation.

Jean, the Mama Melrose icon, checked us in.

Our name was called immediately and we were escorted to our table.

Shame on me for not noting our server’s name because he was TERRIFIC ~ very professional, maintained the proper pace for our meal and never allowed our water glasses to become dry. He was the polar opposite of server ASH from August.

Today’s rolls were warm, soft and doughy ~ just as they should be. Dipped in the peppered olive oil = SO YUM. Em and I each had two and we had to decline when our server asked to bring us more. (But only because we needed room for our entrées!)

Happy margarita gal!

Since this was our last Disney meal, we decided to go all out and order the Charred NY Strip with Four Cheese and Pancetta Mac.

Did we share?

That would be a big fat NOPE!

The stuff dreams are made of! (I hope to see a similar picture in your TR @LisaBelle!)

This meal was 100x better than my last MM experience. I was so glad I’d been unable to sway Em to PizzeRizzo!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

Today’s rolls were warm, soft and doughy ~ just as they should be. Dipped in the peppered olive oil = SO YUM. Em and I each had two and we had to decline when our server asked to bring us more. (But only because we needed room for our entrées!)

WE LOVE Mama Melrose's. There are other places we want to try but Mama's is hard to resist!

 

[RememberWhen]

Tuesday, con’t

The Frozen Sing-a-Long ended just in time for our lunch ADR.

View attachment 459422

After the terrible experience Woody and I had in August Here, I was reluctant to eat at Mama’s again so soon. In fact I was hoping I could persuade Em to ditch the ADR and lunch at PizzeRizzo instead. But she was really looking forward to a Mama’s margarita and requested we keep the reservation.

Jean, the Mama Melrose icon, checked us in.

View attachment 459423

Our name was called immediately and we were escorted to our table.

View attachment 459424

Shame on me for not noting our server’s name because he was TERRIFIC ~ very professional, maintained the proper pace for our meal and never allowed our water glasses to become dry. He was the polar opposite of server ASH from August.

Today’s rolls were warm, soft and doughy ~ just as they should be. Dipped in the peppered olive oil = SO YUM. Em and I each had two and we had to decline when our server asked to bring us more. (But only because we needed room for our entrées!)

View attachment 459425

Happy margarita gal!

View attachment 459426

Since this was our last Disney meal, we decided to go all out and order the Charred NY Strip with Four Cheese and Pancetta Mac.

View attachment 459428

Did we share?

That would be a big fat NOPE!

View attachment 459427
The stuff dreams are made of! (I hope to see a similar picture in your TR @LisaBelle!)

This meal was 100x better than my last MM experience. I was so glad I’d been unable to sway Em to PizzeRizzo!

Margarita definitely looks good! Glad this visit was better than the last.

 

[Rista1313]

Tuesday, con’t

The Frozen Sing-a-Long ended just in time for our lunch ADR.

View attachment 459422

After the terrible experience Woody and I had in August Here, I was reluctant to eat at Mama’s again so soon. In fact I was hoping I could persuade Em to ditch the ADR and lunch at PizzeRizzo instead. But she was really looking forward to a Mama’s margarita and requested we keep the reservation.

Jean, the Mama Melrose icon, checked us in.

View attachment 459423

Our name was called immediately and we were escorted to our table.

View attachment 459424

Shame on me for not noting our server’s name because he was TERRIFIC ~ very professional, maintained the proper pace for our meal and never allowed our water glasses to become dry. He was the polar opposite of server ASH from August.

Today’s rolls were warm, soft and doughy ~ just as they should be. Dipped in the peppered olive oil = SO YUM. Em and I each had two and we had to decline when our server asked to bring us more. (But only because we needed room for our entrées!)

View attachment 459425

Happy margarita gal!

View attachment 459426

Since this was our last Disney meal, we decided to go all out and order the Charred NY Strip with Four Cheese and Pancetta Mac.

View attachment 459428

Did we share?

That would be a big fat NOPE!

View attachment 459427
The stuff dreams are made of! (I hope to see a similar picture in your TR @LisaBelle!)

This meal was 100x better than my last MM experience. I was so glad I’d been unable to sway Em to PizzeRizzo!

Every place has an off day, so glad to hear you had a better experience this time!

 

[lindawdw]

Though Disney has not yet made an announcement of extending the closure into April, Orange county has issued an executive "stay at home" order beginning tomorrow until April 9. Disney reopening before then would be in violation of that order. Also, restaurants are take-out only for an additional month, through May 9.
Since both of our trips fall during the restrictions we opted to postpone.


I'll take rain over snow! Thanks for your encouragement.


I'm loving the sun streaming through our windows now!!! ☀


Pollen cleanser. Although tell that to my allergies.....

I'm sorry you had to cancel your April/May trips. We just cancelled our May 5th trip soon after cancelling the March 30th trip I had planned with a friend. I had to use my DVC points before 11/30/20 so I upgraded my room to a one bedroom for my October trip with my DD and added my DH to the reservation since he won't get to go in May. Hopefully my October and December trips will happen!

 

[lindawdw]

Your meal at MM looks delicious and I'm so glad your service experience was excellent! Sounds like the perfect meal to end your trip!

 

[Tuvalu]

I'd try to avoid the 4th like the Plague but my DH and those freakin' perimeter fireworks! Which he sees at the holiday parties so I'm not sure why he's so excited about them....

YouTube

I'm sorry you had to cancel your April/May trips. We just cancelled our May 5th trip soon after cancelling the March 30th trip I had planned with a friend. I had to use my DVC points before 11/30/20 so I upgraded my room to a one bedroom for my October trip with my DD and added my DH to the reservation since he won't get to go in May. Hopefully my October and December trips will happen!

I feel your pain too....but happy you have two more trips to anticipate, with a greater chance the parks will be open in the fall than say a trip in June.....

 

[Tuvalu]

WE LOVE Mama Melrose's. There are other places we want to try but Mama's is hard to resist!

Margarita definitely looks good! Glad this visit was better than the last.

Every place has an off day, so glad to hear you had a better experience this time!

Our excellent Mama Melrose meal inspired us to book two new ADRs.
Fingers crossed that the parks (and restaurant!) are open on our dates!

Your meal at MM looks delicious and I'm so glad your service experience was excellent! Sounds like the perfect meal to end your trip!

It was!