Trip Report An Anniversary, a Birthday and no kid

Well we are here. Today will be full day number two. I'm just sitting here waiting for DH to wake up. We've had two very early mornings and decided to take it easy and go into EP a little later.

Weather has been great. A little shower yesterday but we missed it since we were in the Utilidor. Yes, the Utilidor. We had our KTTK tour yesterday. Lots of fun and cool info. I'll do a whole review later on.

Check IN at POFQ was smooth no waiting. No problems with the MBs yet either.Upgraded to river view in building 6 first floor. Lovely! I'd sent in a faxed request and truly did get what I asked for. The resort is beautiful and very quiet.

We've been to AK, just a couple of hours, and MK for Wishes and rides and then back to MK for the day yesterday. Headed to EP today. Sleeping in a but since we have FPs to Soarin that are good until 10. I'm liking these FPs and was able to change one easily on my phone yesterday. (It was actually easy and BTMRR was still available late in the day).

Excited for today. I'm doing pick a pearl in WS and then we have dinner at Sanaa and I'm telling DH about our Wild Africa Trek tour that we are taking tomorrow. Plus, it's cake day. We'll see how that turned out.

 

[Betsyboo]

Thursday, February 27th - Hollywood Studios

It's an awesome day for a visit to HS. This is my DHs favorite park and after this trip it really has become one of mine. We arrive for early and were second in line at one of the tap stiles. We were behind a family of three, a couple with their teenage son. Made us miss our little one. They were heading to RNRC just like us and we chatted a bit before RD. The dad had the big Mickey hands on and it was just so fun. He was just as excited, if not more than his son. We all hit the pavement running with most heading to TSMM or Jedi Training Academy signups. DH and I and the other family headed for Sunset Boulevard. I'd say we walked quickly, I may have run a little. Mickey Hand Family got to RNCR at the same time we did and they went ahead first, I was really hoping they could get the first car, which they did. I had MM but we were on and off the ride twice in a row so early that the PP area wasn't open yet for me to upload our pictures. (More on that later)

We headed to Tower of Terror and rode it three times. We had a FPP for TSMM but had some time to kill. So we rode Star Tours 3 times, I guess I rode three times and DH went for a fourth.

Time for TSMM.

Time for a Green Army Man picture:

We stopped in the One's Man Dream exhibit. We'd never stopped in there before. It was really a nice area and I'm glad we stopped in. We didn't have time to watch the movie though so I've got that on my list for November.

We had a lunch ADR for the Fantasmic! Package at Mama Melrose's and headed there next. The waiting area was pretty crowded. Several trying to get a walk up seat. Most TS restaurants at HS get a bad rap, or really I think all dining at HS is usually thought of as bad. We don't think so. We dined at MMs in 2009 for lunch and enjoyed it so we decided to try it again. We weren't disappointed.

The F! Package comes with an appetizer for each, an entrée and a shared dessert. Yes, an appetizer WAS included. Seems to be a question about it being included but it IS part of the F! package.

I had calamari and DH had the mozzarella/tomato.

As entrees DH had spaghetti (as always) and I had the chicken parm.

Ok, is it the best Italian food on earth? No. Was it good? Yes. I think people have extremely high expectations for food at Disney. We were happy with our meal.

Not sure how the dessert works if you have more than two people but this was our shared dessert and it was good, except for the one in the middle. I can't remember now, another reason I should have finished this TR sooner, but it was a mango something and it was NOT tasty.

Next post will cover Animation Academy and our Fantasmic! experience. Truly a great day at Disney World!!!

 

[ml123_9]

As I said before our CM mentioned our Anniversary and Birthday celebrations right off the bat and after our entrees she brought out crème brulees for both of us. It was really nice and thoughtful. I know they probably do this for everyone, in fact I know they did if for a couple at another table but it really was a nice touch and it made me happy.

View attachment 47737

It was wonderful but since we were on the DDP we just had to try another of the dessert offerings and also chose the ice cream sundae sampler.

View attachment 47738

The presentation of the sampler was really cute but I wasn't a fan of their "take on a sundae". Give me some ice cream and some hot fudge and I'm a happy camper. This was of course upscale and fancy. Don't get me wrong, it was good but just not my thing.

Remember when I said that our table location got better? Well, we were able to see the fireworks from Illuminations AND the water pageant from our table. It was great. Wishes, Illuminations and the Water Pageant. You can't see all those in one evening, or I guess you could if you really booked it from EP or MK to the other, but we didn't even have to travel.

I was pleased that we chose to try CG. It was a wonderful meal. The setting was romantic, especially being in the separate dining room, and we experienced a new restaurant. Would I go again? Yes. Will we go on the next trip? Probably not. I think it's a special occasion place for us. It was still an expensive meal even on the DDP - appetizer, drinks and tips - but I think for our celebrations it was worth it.

The restaurant was beautiful and the food was good and that's what it's all about.

Here's a bad picture of the view of the pool and the lights from the WL in the distance.

View attachment 47736

Love hearing that you enjoyed CG. Wife and I have a 9 pm ADR there for our 10th anniversary. I'll definately remember the left observation deck.

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Bummer to hear about your experience at Ohana! My husband and I ate there on the 23rd on a Sunday night...our reservations were for 8:15? We arrived about 745 and were seated within 5 minutes...I expected a long wait just like you especially since it was a Sunday night, but was presently surprised. Hope it's better when you go back!

I found the waiting area just as bad though as far as kids and parents go...especially when we went back for breakfast the next morning...there was just kids everywhere!

Glad to hear DHS is becoming a favorite park of yours! (It's my favorite so I just had to comment on that!)

 

[Betsyboo]

I've gotten way behind. My goal is to finish this thing completely up by the weekend. Let's hope for the best. I'm busy planning our November trip.

 

[FlaggNL]

And November is yet so far away

 

[Betsyboo]

Wow, can't believe I never got around to finishing this. I'm such a slacker and now to be 36 days away from my next visit. Maybe this weekend.....

 

[mrdrift]

What an exciting trip report. The pictures are so wonderful. Can't wait to read more from this trip.

 

[CheersBigEars]

I will be at the World same time as you. Unlike you I am not planning much no ADR etc. I have been enjoying your trip report and hope you finish it before your next trip.

 

[Betsyboo]

Ok, so continuing on our day at HS. After MM lunch we went to Animation Academy. It was a relatively short wait and not knowing what to expect we were both excited. DH decided not to draw but I was so glad we went in to try. Soooo much fun!!!

This picture gives you an idea of the room and where the instructor is. I think there were one or two rows behind me plus a bench for overflow where they give you boards to hold in your lap, not desks. We drew Tigger.

I thought I did pretty well. Next trip I'll be taking a small mailing tube or a reinforced paper towel roll so that I don't have to fold my drawing like I did this time.

I met Minnie in her dressing room. Awesome area but I understand now that she's moved out to the Hat area and the dressing room isn't being used now.

We rode ToT a couple more times.

And I met Phineas & Ferb.

And that's where I'll get back to the ride photos and MM. I'm not sure what was going on but none of our ride photos from Epcot and HS were showing up. I called Photopass Customer Service while we were in HS, after checking at the Photopass shop, and they weren't able to help me. I called again after we arrived home and they found them all so it all turned out ok.

On to Fantasmic! We'd been to WDW three times prior and had never taken the time to see Fantasmic! Since we had the package we weren't sure what to expect. We entered at the FPP location and started the long walk into the theater. It is a long walk, or maybe it's just me. The theater is huge and it's amazing how that can fill up. You really get a sense of how many people are in the park. I didn't take any photos of the theater before it got dark but we were seated in the Scar section. At the time Scar and Mickey were the two Fantasmic package sections. That may have changed by this point. We had some popcorn and hot chocolate and did some people watching until the show started.

Here's my PSA, unless you want to be wet, don't sit down front. We weren't down there but you could really tell that those down front were splashed a time or two. Here are a few pics from the show.

It was a great show. We've booked the Fantasmic package again for our November trip and I can't wait for our son to see the show too. He'll love it.

After the show EVERYONE was going in the same direction, the front gates. The park closed while we were in the show. Our plan was to bus to MK for the remainder of the evening but everyone had the same idea so we ended up heading back to POFQ and grabbing dinner in the food court and crashing in our room. What's up next? I'll have to review our pictures to figure that out. I'm going to get this wrapped up this week. Maybe.

 

[mrdrift]

You did extremely will drawing the picture of Tigger. Fantasmic is my family favorite for park closing show and once again you caught some great pictures of the finally. Following along.

 

[Betsyboo]

Friday, February 28th - Hollywood Studios/Epcot

I've taken a look back at our pictures and it appears we headed to Hollywood Studios for rope drop again. I do remember getting on the bus at POFQ that morning and being the only couple on it. It was the one and only time we actually went on to PORS and it was so early that there wasn't anyone there to pick up. I'm pretty sure it was 7am when we got on the bus to get to HS for EMH.

So, as everyone else headed off to Jedi Training sign-ups and Toy Story we once again headed down Sunset Boulevard to Tower of Terror. I will say this was the best ride ever! Weaving in the basement queue there are actually two sets of elevators. You can turn to go to the first set or keep going straight and head to the second. Everyone was playing follow the leader, except us. We just kept straight. Guess what! Elevator to ourselves!!!

It was actually much creepier without all the people. It was a great time though and one of my favorite pictures.

We headed over to check out The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow. I had high hopes. Oh, it was ok but definitely NOT what I was expecting. If it was hot outside and this would offer relief by way of air conditioning I say go for it, otherwise skip it and try something else.

I think DH was jealous of my mad drawing skills from the day before so he decide he wanted to try Animation Academy too. Not a long wait this time either. We timed it right again. This time we drew Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey.

He did a great job!

Toy Story was down and we had a FPP but we decided to throw caution to the wind and head to Epcot for the remainder of the day. We love the Friendship Boats that travel from HS to EP. I know it's not the quickest ride ever but it's always a nice break. I have fond memories of DS when he was 5 and how excited he was to ride the boats.

We decided to just take in some of the sights and entertainment of Epcot that we don't normally see since with DS. He's not much of a show kind of kid.

We headed to the UK pavilion as the British rock show was starting in a bit. I shopped and bought some beautiful earrings and scarves and then we headed out to find a seat. I noticed one of the doorways on the buildings had a Fastpass return time clock but the clock was covered. I was intrigued and found that there was a Pooh and Tigger M&G there. Awesome. It was Christopher Robin's room!

And yes, I went right in as a 38 year old and had my picture taken! It really is a great room and the decorations are beautiful.

The show was ok and we'd probably watch it again. We headed towards France to find the always fun show there.

We spent the rest of the afternoon looking at all of the topiaries out for F&G. Here are a few pics.

Who is that on top of that building?

I'll get you Peter Pan!

Tick tock, tick tock.

Up next will be the rest of our last full day. Dinner at Biegarten and Illuminations!

 

[TheMouseFan]

I'm so jealous that you got to ride ToT by yourselves!! I would absolutely love that!

 

[Betsyboo]

I'm so jealous that you got to ride ToT by yourselves!! I would absolutely love that!

It was awesome!

 

[Doc Disney]

Loving your report! We sat in the same area at the California Grill and really loved it! Also, ToT really freaks me out I think I would have died if I was on alone !! Thats so cool though!!

 

[mrdrift]

That is really awesome to ride ToT all by yourselves. I agree that was a pretty good drawing of Mickey. You have some great pictures of Epcot and it don't matter what age you are for character pictures, it's always fun since we are all kids inside of us just waiting to get out. Following along.