Trip Report C’mon Everybody, Here We Go….*COMPLETED*

Think of all the joy you’ll find
When you leave the world behind
And bid your cares goodbye!


Ahh, a relaxing getaway from reality. No cares or concerns. Just bliss.

Not exactly a perfect picture of vacationing at Walt Disney World during Spring Break, is it?

But we’re going anyway. We’re Spring Break Veterans and it’s time for the annual reunion.

Two years ago we missed out on our usual adventure thanks to Covid. The stay-at-home vacation just wasn’t the same! (Although you can read about it here: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-“no-trip”-trip-report-completed.964173/)

Last year we were able to return, albeit under Covid protocols. We believed that enduring masks 24/7, plexiglass and vinyl dividers on attractions, mobile order Door Nazis and limited shopping/dining/entertainment would be acceptable in exchange for the very low crowds that we’d experienced on earlier pandemic trips. But the parks were packed and we ended up spending a lot of time at the pool (which wasn’t a bad thing. We’re pool people.)

Now that park capacity has increased and nearly all Covid restrictions are gone, we expect to find the shoulder-to-shoulder spring break crowds of yore. And long lines. So we’re packing our patience and “It is what it is” attitudes.

Because in spite of all the negatives WDW is still our happy place.

We can’t wait.

Who: Tuvalu and Em
When: April 3-9, 2022
Where: Our favorite moderate resort

My plan is to go live upon our departure. Fingers crossed that Disney WiFi will be my friend.

Speaking of friends, we hope to meet up with a few. You’ll have to follow along to see if we do.

 

[Tuvalu]

Em and I say goodbye to our friends when we get to Mexico. They are grabbing an early lunch at La Cantina; Em and I have a lunch ADR later.

We go inside the pyramid for our 3rd boat ride of the day.

Please Disney….we’re begging you….remove these claustrophobic plexiglass dividers. As Rafiki would say, “It is time.”

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

The food court at POFQ does not open until 7am each day. When Early Entry at the theme parks ranges from 7-8:30 am (meaning guests are on board buses as early as 6 am) how are they supposed to eat breakfast?

Sorry, I’m hangry. Maybe Sunshine Seasons has breakfast items.

Spoiler alert ~ it doesn’t.

This will have to suffice. One for me, and one for Em.

View attachment 631219

It sounds like you are viewing eating cookies for breakfast on vacation as a problem…

 

[Tuvalu]

It is hot today. The pleasant breezes of the last few days are gone. We enjoy walking around World Showcase when it’s less hot and humid, which is usually the case in April.

I adore this banner. I tell Em I would pay $35 for a tee that looks exactly like it.

My money is safe. No Festival clothing items look anything like this banner.

Topiary time.

 

[Tuvalu]

“Look, the train has derailed,” a father says to son.

“Daddy, I can fix it!” the son cries, attempting to climb over the fence.

“No son, you cannot climb over the fence. You can’t touch the train.”

“Okay,” the boy replies.

Proper parenting. I can’t believe it. (And I bet you didn’t expect it either, based on other situations I have witnessed at the train layout.)

I think these new rail cars with a “view” are very cool.

 

[Tuvalu]

Do you know where we are now?

I send the above to Woody. He thinks we are having strawberry margaritas. In Mexico.

“Try again,” I text him.

“I have no idea,” he responds.

The drinks are frozen strawberry limoncellos. They are amazing, and we have been craving them since last summer.

Have you guessed where we are?

We’re in the private dining room in the rear of Via Napoli. Once again, almost #ShirleyStatus. It is so much quieter here than in the main dining room. Em is a happy camper.

The cultural representatives have not returned to Via Napoli yet, so our American server is friendly and funny. He takes good care of us.

We’re hungry (no surprise!) and order the 20” margherita pizza. We eat all but one slice.

 

[93boomer]

Do you know where we are now?

View attachment 631289

I send the above to Woody. He thinks we are having strawberry margaritas. In Mexico.

“Try again,” I text him.

“I have no idea,” he responds.

The drinks are frozen strawberry limoncellos. They are amazing, and we have been craving them since last summer.

Have you guessed where we are?

We’re in the private dining room in the rear of Via Napoli. Once again, almost #ShirleyStatus. It is so much quieter here than in the main dining room. Em is a happy camper.

View attachment 631288

View attachment 631287

The cultural representatives have not returned to Via Napoli yet, so our American server is friendly and funny. He takes good care of us.

We’re hungry (no surprise!) and order the 20” margherita pizza. We eat all but one slice.

View attachment 631290

Well the Boomers couldn’t beat that !

 

[Tuvalu]

The promenade is getting busier, but we’ve seen it much worse.

We stop to browse a Festival kiosk.

Em makes a purchase. She uses a gift card from one of her students so this $35 commemorative vase only costs her $9. She plans to keep it stocked with fresh cut flowers.

 

[Tuvalu]

Paging @amjt660.

Your finest snark is requested here.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Paging @amjt660.

Your finest snark is requested here.

View attachment 631296

I can't think of any good snark, I'll leave that to @amjt660 . But wow, that guy is committed to his castle.

 

[Tuvalu]

Pooh.

For @krause & @amjt660 and any others who call Canada home ~

By far the prettiest country during Flower & Garden Festival.

 

[donaldtoo]

And, the one on his shirt…”Cinderfella”…???!!!!!

 

[krause]

LOL I appreciate the shout out but that is NOT what Canada looks like right now. I present to you - April 6th in the actual Canada:

If you look closely you can see my backyard ducks/geese - I tell them if they behave for me in this lifetime, maybe they’ll come back as Disney ducks in their next!

 

[Tuvalu]

We pop into the “ugly mall store” (aka Creations Shop) before leaving Epcot.

“At least there is more merchandise here than there was in December,” Em comments.

We leave empty handed.

The bus is waiting for us at the gate when we get there. We have been very fortunate with bus transportation so far this week.

It’s only a six-minute ride from Epcot to POFQ. A quick change into swimwear and we are at the pool by 2 o’clock.

Lots of folks have the same idea. It’s crowded. But we find loungers. We both read, but not for long.



Must. Go. In. The. Water.

This is the spot where we refresh. Ahhh….

 

[Tuvalu]

We meet an “honorary” Magician for dinner. I say “honorary” because she is a lurker here and has been featured in a few of my trip reports.

She can’t get my name right. She calls me “Tu-pah-loo.”

I love her anyway. We’ve been friends for more than 20 years. (Even after she moved away and settled in central Florida.)

This is Kel.

Em and I initiate her into one of our traditions ~ dining at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

The restaurant’s shenanigans are back ~ loud barks of “We need ketchup!”, stick pony races, oversized beverage jugs & serving spoons. More normalcy has returned.

Kel is taken aback at first (we didn’t warn her) but immediately joins in hootin’ and hollerin’ and waving her napkin during the stick pony race.

At one point our server tries to sneak up on her, but the joke is on him as she is deaf in one ear. So he returns with a bullhorn.

It’s all in good fun and Kel is not offended.

Now this is going to shock many of you….especially @Loco_driver ….but we do not order the pulled pork nachos.

We feast on the Traditional Skillet instead. It is an excellent choice.

It is not without consequence, however. There is no room in our bellies for the chocolate lava cake.

We take a walk around the resort grounds after settling the bill. Kel is impressed by the natural beauty of the Wilderness Lodge.

We end the tour here.

Em and I are coming for you, Boulder Ridge pool. One of us sooner than the other.

 

[donaldtoo]

OK, let me try again…
Probably the only castle he’s the king of…???!!!!!
OK, fail again….

 

[donaldtoo]

 

[Loco_driver]

The skillet is an acceptable substitute for the nachos. Well at least at dinner. They basically ruined the lunch skillet by removing the mashed potatoes!

 

[amjt660]

1) Let me guess - Tink is going to fly out his a$$ next
2) I told you to stand further away if you want the forced perspective to work
3) if that hat falls off....

Max

 

[amjt660]

More Disney cutbacks - 2 people for each lounger


Max

 

[Swissmiss]

“Look, the train has derailed,” a father says to son.

“Daddy, I can fix it!” the son cries, attempting to climb over the fence.

View attachment 631285

“No son, you cannot climb over the fence. You can’t touch the train.”

“Okay,” the boy replies.

Proper parenting. I can’t believe it. (And I bet you didn’t expect it either, based on other situations I have witnessed at the train layout.)

View attachment 631284

I think these new rail cars with a “view” are very cool.

View attachment 631286

Come on over

GoldenPass Express Summer

www.goldenpassline.ch