Trip Report A New Hope, A New Day *COMPLETED*

That’s not a Star Wars reference.

Longtime readers of my trip reports know Star Wars isn’t my thing (although I immensely enjoy Rise of the Resistance.)

Fireworks are my thing. Like a moth to a flame, I am instinctively drawn to bursts of brilliant sparkles and colors in the sky. Just ask my family how quickly I’ve stopped whatever I’m doing to find the source of nighttime booms! I have serious fireworks FOMO.

Disney fireworks....especially Magic Kingdom fireworks....always flood me with nostalgia, happy memories and hope. After a long pandemic year, I know I am not alone in my yearning for hope of better days ahead.

Every step we take
Brings a new hope
A new day

The return of Disney fireworks, for me, is a sign that things are improving. Hooray!!

But there won’t be any pyro on my upcoming trip. And that’s ok. This vacation was booked with the assumption there would be no nighttime entertainment. (However when rumors began to suggest fireworks in July…..well let’s just say there might be another reservation in MDE for us.)

Who’s us?

Mother/daughter travel buddies, Tuvalu and Em. We last visited together in early April. We were there the day the mask mandate was dropped for stationary pictures.

Today the mask mandate for all those vaccinated has been suspended and we couldn’t be happier! We won’t have to be shrouded in a daft disguise again this summer!

I am not planning to do a full live report but may post a daily update. I’ll fill in the details when our vacation is over.

T-minus 3 days.
June 19 - 26, 2021
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Will any other Magicians make an appearance? Stay tuned.

 

[Tuvalu]

O.k. How about the luggage rack -- but. you'd still need a bit longer string (you could always, from now on, bring some extra string in your suitcase). Or, perhaps use the luggage rack and put a suitcase upright on top of it -- and tie the balloon to the top of the suitcase, assuming the top of the suitcase has a handle. I think that might raise the balloon high enough.

I would tie it to one of the hinges of the closet door. It's right next to the thermostat and if you tie it to one of the top hinges, it would float above your head and wouldn't be in your way.

I was able to hack the thermostat in our copper creek room a few months ago. I can’t remember exactly how, but it wasn’t too hard to find. Also that bag that says iron on it is actually a handheld steamer.

I like the collaboration.
There aren’t any hinges on the closet door. It’s a sliding door with a recessed handle.
You’re right @Loco_driver ~ it was a handheld steamer! As soon as you mentioned it, I remembered.

 

[Tuvalu]

Isn’t that driver switch over time? Thanks to you I’ve avoided taking buses that time of day!!

Me:

 

[Tuvalu]

Man, 30 seems like a really long wait for a bus mid-day..
Ummmm that is A CRAZY place for an in-park bus to drop you off. Was there an explanation given? With that walk, Em earned her frose!

Ohhhhh, is he the narrator? He's hilarious on Modern Family!

No explanation for our location drop off. He opened the door and we disembarked.

Yes,Ty Burrell narrates Awesome Planet.

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

Yes,Ty Burrell narrates Awesome Planet.

Seems like it would be a fantastic Air-conditioned option on this upcoming adventure...

 

[Tuvalu]

Seems like it would be a fantastic Air-conditioned option on this upcoming adventure...

Recommend

 

[Tuvalu]

Day Two, con’t

We exited Awesome Planet on the lower level.

The queue for LWTL is right there….

We couldn’t possibly pass it up.

Every time we pass the sugar cane I think about The Thorn Birds.

Wouldn’t it be cool to have one of these in your yard?

Em couldn’t believe what she saw next.
“Finally!! YELLOW bananas!”

On second thought, I’d like one of these in my yard.

Or a tomato pergola.

 

[Tuvalu]

Shall we soar?

But of course. Now divider-free!

Top row, glider B. Eiffel Tower is not doing “the bend”. (@amjt660 )

 

[Tuvalu]

Ready to use your imagination?

Not too many guests were, as the attraction was a walk-on.

Looks like Em wasn’t wasn’t ready either.

Never mind. That’s just her “do you really need to take another stupid picture?” face.

Figment was his usual cute self.

He was kind too. He did not spray the aroma of skunk burnt coffee on us.

 

[Tuvalu]

We ventured out of Future World and into World Showcase. Em had chosen our dinner destination earlier which required a hefty walk. Thus it was important to arrive before the hangry stage set in.

Speaking of stages, benches have returned to Canada. Off Kilter maybe gone (and the lumberjack show, thankfully) but now the Jammitors can please a comfortably-seated crowd.

I have wondered how often flowers are replaced during Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival. Years ago the Festival lasted 6-8 weeks and near the end the plantings were less colorful and overgrown.

This year the Festival began March 3 and ended July 5….thirteen full weeks.

I have evidence that flowers are indeed replaced.

I took this picture on April 4.

And this one on June 20.

I much prefer the colors in the spring photo.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Finally home and catching up on your report. I didn't want to bombard you with likes but I am loving your report! I'm going to have to go back and compare some of my Flower and Garden spring vs. summer pictures now as well.

 

[meggo819]

That’s just her “do you really need to take another stupid picture?” face.

My first thought was that she looks very much like her dad in this pic!

 

[krisri18]

Day Two, con’t

We exited Awesome Planet on the lower level.

The queue for LWTL is right there….

We couldn’t possibly pass it up.

View attachment 570047

Every time we pass the sugar cane I think about The Thorn Birds.

View attachment 570050

Wouldn’t it be cool to have one of these in your yard?

View attachment 570046

Em couldn’t believe what she saw next.
“Finally!! YELLOW bananas!”

View attachment 570049

On second thought, I’d like one of these in my yard.

View attachment 570048

Or a tomato pergola.

View attachment 570051

I think the important question is, did Em jump out to pick the yellow banana? Lol

 

[Songbird76]

I like the collaboration.
There aren’t any hinges on the closet door. It’s a sliding door with a recessed handle.
You’re right @Loco_driver ~ it was a handheld steamer! As soon as you mentioned it, I remembered.

Ok, then what's the door on the other side of the thermostat? That one has hinges. I can see them in the picture.

 

[Tuvalu]

My first thought was that she looks very much like her dad in this pic!

There is no denying she is Woody’s daughter.

I think the important question is, did Em jump out to pick the yellow banana? Lol

No, because she’s not bananas!

Ok, then what's the door on the other side of the thermostat? That one has hinges. I can see them in the picture.

That is the entry door to the room.

 

[Songbird76]

There is no denying she is Woody’s daughter.

No, because she’s not bananas!

That is the entry door to the room.

It would probably work to tie a balloon there. Whether it would fix the issue or not, I have no clue. I thought I had heard that you have to put the balloon over the AC unit, because as it blows air, the balloon moves. It doesn't make sense to have the sensors in a place where no one moves around.

 

[Tuvalu]

It doesn't make sense to have the sensors in a place where no one moves around.

 

[Loco_driver]

It doesn't make sense to have the sensors in a place where no one moves around.

Makes perfect sense if you want to make your guests really uncomfortable just to save a few bucks on electricity, even if those guests payed hundreds of dollars each night to stay there.

 

[Tuvalu]

Day Two, con’t

The weather was lovely as we continued our walk around the lagoon. There was actually a cool breeze blowing. The promenade wasn’t crowded and soon we arrived.

(@amjt660 feel free to insert a comment regarding the CM manning the door.)

We have a fine selection of BBQ joints at home and didn’t expect Regal Eagle to WOW us. The food was tasty and worked to satisfy Em’s hankering for BBQ, but it won’t be a priority on future vacations.

I had the Kansas City smoked chicken and Em had the North Carolina pulled pork butt. There were variety of sauce options to add to the proteins.

One’s hands can get sticky while eating BBQ. Fun Fact: Regal Eagle has a convenient hand-washing station near the side door.

The Berry Punch ~ white grape juice with strawberry, peach and blackberry ~ sounded refreshing.

Except I didn’t care for it. Em offered to swap drinks with me. She’s a good daughter.

While not the main reason for choosing Regal Eagle, we were looking forward to dessert. And by we I mean me.

The S’mores Brownie. A marshmallow dessert that is actually edible and makes you want s’more, especially if you’re sharing it….which we were.

And it’s glitter-free.

 

[Tuvalu]

Afterwards Em suggested watching the American Adventure.

(She was appropriately attired.)

It had been a few years since she’d last seen the show. She hadn’t yet seen the updated movie at the conclusion.

With the Voices of Liberty currently performing in the America Gardens Theater, the center of the rotunda was empty as we waited for showtime.

The rotunda remains an impressive sight for me; even more so from the second story.

I commented to Em that the AA platforms seemed to take longer raising into their proper positions.

She reminded me, “they’re nearly 40 years old now!”

Sigh. Everything slows down with age.

 

[Tuvalu]

We continued our stroll around the lagoon and I attempted a couple pictures without the hideous barges….in remembrance of how the views used to be.

The wait for Frozen Ever After was 40 minutes. Pass.

We decided we’d save the Three Caballeros boat ride for later in the week. Mistake.

Two overgrown topiary displays.

#1

#2

Stopped for PP pics. Mistake?

This one’s okay.

But what in the heck is this?!!

The word, Olé! immediately springs to mind. At the time I thought we were posing for a Magic Shot.
There’s nothing magic about that shot.