Trip Report College Graduation Celebration: Inappropriate stories, crazy cast members, taking selfies, and FOOD

When you're post vacation depression finally settles in, what must a crazed WDW fan do? Make a trip report, of course! As I type this trip report in 60 degree weather in the boring Chicago suburbs, I hope to bring magic to your home, in addition to some many, many laughs. Enjoy!

Reason: Cassie (my best friend since the 2nd grade) and I's (Jessica) college graduation! After a four grueling years of schooling, we figured we earned a much needed all girls trip to WDW.

Here's a photo of the cast with some brief information about us to make you a little more familiar with us.

From left to right:

Jessica (me, 22): I received my B.A. in elementary education at the University of St. Francis with additional endorsements in special education and middle school social science and language arts. I hope to be obtaining a teaching job at the primary level for the upcoming school year!

Jodi (my sister, 20): Jodi is a hair stylist, and is also attending junior college to eventually obtain a degree in business or communications. Jodi is actually applying for the Disney College Program in August.

Rachel (Jodi's best friend, 20): Rachel also has her cosmetology license. While going to the same college as Jodi (they are in some of the same classes), Rachel works a ton as a waitress.

Cassie (my best friend, 22): Cassie has a B.S. in Psychology from University of Illinois. Cassie will be attending grad school in the fall at Midwestern University to earn her masters in occupational therapy. Cassie did the Disney College Program last year and graduated from it. She has lots of inside knowledge!

I have made trip reports before, so feel free to check them out:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...hot-days-fun-times-and-plenty-of-food.762909/

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...-years-at-the-happiest-place-on-earth.878566/

Now, onto the report!

 

[Disneygal1]

Day 2: The Coolest Summer Ever Part 4

After the ride, we went over to the new Haunted Mansion gift shop, and we discovered something very, very interesting.

Okay, so I'm sure some people already know about this, but this was entirely new and albeit awesome to me. As the girls were walking around, I noticed the mirror that immediately caught my eye. It reminded me of the mirror that use to hang in the villains' jewelry "shop" in World of Disney. The mirror was transparent and once in a while the Evil Queen would show through the mirror. There was this really cool story on the mirror, too. I guess one time when a hurricane came through the orlando area, the queen did not show herself during the entirety of the storm. Unfortunately, Disney got rid of the mirror. Some cast members said that several famous people would inquire about the mirror in the past, expressing their desire to purchase this mirror. No one would ever tell us what happened to it, but we just assumed it was sold.

Well, "today," Disney made up for getting rid of that awesome mirror. Here's the mirror that caught my eye:

If you look closely, it looks like something is inside. As soon as I noticed something weird, I called the girls over to check it out.

To figure out what was inside, I turned my flash on hoping we could get a glimpse inside the mirror.

Haha, they look mesmerized.

Just when I was about to give up, she appeared!

How cool! I have no idea what sets off the mirror, but I believe some type of movement does. It took like 10 minutes to get her to show her face, which I believe makes the mirror rather special.

After our little discovery, we roamed the park again.

 

[ginadee]

All caught up now. Reading along.

 

[Disneygal1]

Day 2: The Coolest Summer Ever Part 5

Through Frontierland to Adventureland.

Umm, who does not stop for an obligatory Dole Whip? I'm weird and only like plain ice cream, so I got "dole whip" vanilla ice cream. As I was in line, I noticed that you can get Dole Whips in a larger plastic cup. Since I am an ice cream freak, I asked if I could just have plain ice cream in the cup. The cast member said no, which is understandable, but I find it extremely annoying that it's getting more and more difficult to get something a little more personalized-food wise. If that makes sense... It's like these cast member can only push a button and are unable to put in any special food requests. I'm not blaming the cast members, I blaming Disney. But hey, I got my ice cream, and I was pretty happy about it. It was also much bigger than I expected.

The crystal palace is so pretty.

I'm lovin' the hub.

We decided to take a break from MK and head on over to Epcot for a visit. I mean, we needed to take advantage of our park hoppers, darn it!

Once we got on the monorail, I noticed that our "cabin" had a bit of refurbishing. It looks nice! I immediately thought of the boards here mentioning how the monorails were in a bad state. This looks promising!

Ahh hello, beautiful.

As we were walking into the park, I got a phone call from a school asking to schedule an interview with me. I had a feeling this would happen while I was on vacation, but I able to sit in a quite area and call back.

Our first stop was Spaceship Earth.

 

[Disneygal1]

All caught up now. Reading along.

Thanks for reading!

 

[sheriffwoody]

Umm, who does not stop for an obligatory Dole Whip?

I'm kind of embarrassed to say that I never have! This trip...definitely this trip.

I'm also looking forward to checking out that mirror.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

That mirror! What an awesome find! Thanks to your report I know where I'll be shopping after my ride on Haunted Mansion

 

[imagination30]

nice pics , and yes so true about the haunted mansion breaking down .. , bc every time we have rode it its broke down at lest once... it has becoming a running joke with me and my dad.. , this past time we rode it , in jan .. we both said something about right after the Madam leota scene and it broke down... after that lol!

 

[Mom@disney]

I love Haunted Mansion! And yes, it always stops, but I don't mind as it gives opportunity to take in the details. My youngest daughter is always worried that it will stop right in front of the bride...she is freaked out by her.

 

[Disneygal1]

Day 2: The Coolest Summer Ever Part 6

I just love this portrait. Actually, it happens to be my phone background.

We had a blast on Spaceship Earth. After the ride we also made another obligatory stop in Epcot, Club Cool. I was a bad influence to some school groups because I tricked Rachel into trying Beverly. One kid who was watching said, "Wait a minute, it's not really good!" He watched me trick Rachel and then did the same to some kids in his school group, haha.

We chose to head over to the countries because we were STARVING. But first, we stopped in Mexico.

We went to Germany. Jodi and Cassie decided to split a quick service, so they got sausage and sauerkraut. Rachel and I both got a pretzel and to be honest, it was pretty disappointing. The pretzel was rather dry, but I did like the fancy mustard. Sorry, guys, no pictures- we were too hot. Rachel and I sat by the pretzel stand and people watched. I've got to tell you, cast members go through the craziest situations. This one girl approached the german pretzel stand and asked the cast member if she thought she looked like her because the girl was german, too. Then, the girl mentioned how the cast member was super tall and asked if she use to be a basketball player, to which the cast member said no. I am serious, Rachel and I were cracking up. It was just so funny to witness the awkwardness.

I have no clue what this crane is for...

After Germany, we headed back to the monorail to get back to MK.

I told you every time I get to MK there is a parade going on...

 

[Disneygal1]

I'm kind of embarrassed to say that I never have! This trip...definitely this trip.

I'm also looking forward to checking out that mirror.

What? Disney blasphemy! You must get a dole whip! You will not be disappointed.

That mirror! What an awesome find! Thanks to your report I know where I'll be shopping after my ride on Haunted Mansion

Ahh, I'm so glad I can help!

nice pics , and yes so true about the haunted mansion breaking down .. , bc every time we have rode it its broke down at lest once... it has becoming a running joke with me and my dad.. , this past time we rode it , in jan .. we both said something about right after the Madam leota scene and it broke down... after that lol!

Haha, seriously though! It's still my favorite despite all the stops.

I love Haunted Mansion! And yes, it always stops, but I don't mind as it gives opportunity to take in the details. My youngest daughter is always worried that it will stop right in front of the bride...she is freaked out by her.

I think it maybe my favorite ride... I completely agree with you. If you stop in a good spot, you're golden. I would love to stop in the ballroom. The details are endless! I agree with your daughter, the bride is kind of creepy!

 

[BJones82]

I have no clue what this crane is for...

For the new Soarin addition

 

[LeCellier.Lover]

OMG YAY JESS I AM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS! I was wondering if/hoping you would put one up because I loved all your Instagram pictures, but knew you would have good stories to tell! I am living vicariously through your TR Love the pictures and your guys's 24 hour costumes, can't wait to read more!

 

[epcotisbest]

Your ice cream looks good, but can't compare to this little masterpiece:

Still loving the trip report...great photos and interesting narrative. Thanks for sharing...looking forward to more.

 

[Beachmomma3]

Following along! Can't wait to read the rest of your TR

 

[brb1006]

Are you heading to the Magic Kingdom again sometime during you're trip. Because you've gotta meet Marie, she has the best character interactions in the resort next to Mickey and friends and Anna and Elsa. I heard from a cast member that she comes out at 10:30am in the morning during days when it's not rainy.

 

[Disneygal1]

For the new Soarin addition

Ahh, thank you! That makes sense.

OMG YAY JESS I AM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS! I was wondering if/hoping you would put one up because I loved all your Instagram pictures, but knew you would have good stories to tell! I am living vicariously through your TR Love the pictures and your guys's 24 hour costumes, can't wait to read more!

Rachel!!! Thanks for reading, and I hope you like it!

Your ice cream looks good, but can't compare to this little masterpiece:
View attachment 96766

Still loving the trip report...great photos and interesting narrative. Thanks for sharing...looking forward to more.

Thanks, and that does look a lot better than mine... Haha

Following along! Can't wait to read the rest of your TR

Thank you! I am posting tonight!

Are you heading to the Magic Kingdom again sometime during you're trip. Because you've gotta meet Marie, she has the best character interactions in the resort next to Mickey and friends and Anna and Elsa. I heard from a cast member that she comes out at 10:30am in the morning during days when it's not rainy.

Our trip is over . But I believe we did run by Marie. Cassie mentioned that she saw her. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Disneygal1]

Day 2: The Coolest Summer Ever Part 7

We were getting hungry and decided to slowly make our way back to Fantasyland for our reservation at Be Our Guest.

As we were walking by the castle, we noticed this girl dressed up in the Disney Park's shopping bags. Coincidentally, this girl is instagram-famous. She happened to attract a group of "youngins" that asked for a selfie with her... I, on the other hand, simply document this somewhat funny sight. It's so funny how social media has really created a community of Disney-famous fans.

To burn some time, we went on Adventures with Belle. This was actually my first time doing Adventures with Belle. Cassie mentioned how I had to see the magical mirror.

It was awesome, and we could not figure out how it worked. However, I filmed the entire part and when looking back at the video, I discovered its secret. Don't worry, I won't tell you!

This is a great show for kids, especially little ones.

Seeing a child's eyes when they interact with Belle is pretty much a tear jerker. It's so personal, too. Well done, Disney!

After Adventures with Belle, we went on PhilHar Magic since Rachel had never been on it. I absolutely love that show, and I think think it would be awesome if it was updated a bit. After the show, we decided to check in to our dining reservations. We had to wait till a certain time, as BOG has a 30 minute prior to reservation rule for check-ins.

Jodi had the hardest time getting a reservation for BOG. When doing research, she discovered Disney Dining Buddy. For 8 bucks (a restaurant) this app/service tracks openings the day you want to dine at a restaurant. This app found Jodi a reservation for BOG within hours, and she was very happy. While I do not recommend using this service on a regular due to the fee, I do think it 's useful for restaurants that are in high demand.

Ahh, there it is.

What does one due when there's time to kill? Take pictures!

 

[Disneygal1]

Day 2: The Coolest Summer Ever Part 8 (OMG day 2 is soo long!)

Our beeper went off, and we were greeted again with this sight. Entering is so exclusive and somewhat special feeling... I guess that's exclusive, but perhaps, magically exclusive?

Cassie and I both had the fancy lemonade, which is also included on the dining plan. We just couldn't get refills on the drink, which we were both fine with.

I am so happy I decided to get an appetizer, as it ended up being the highlight of the meal. The french onion soup was superb, and I am currently craving it...

For my entree, I got the salmon. I was somewhat disappointed with it. I wasn't a fan of the sauce being under the fish, which led to the salmon being overall plain. With the sauce being under the salmon, it was almost like the mashed potatoes were garnished instead. I guess I could have asked for a side of sauce, but I settled. The mashed potatoes were great, though.

Jodi and Rachel both got chicken. They loved their entrees.

Cassie got BOG's most praised dish, the steak. While she is not a steak person, she really like her entree. She was very happy with her entree.

Next dessert and my overall review of BOG!

 

[PMC0849]

Fun trip so far, can't wait to read more. Great pictures of Be Our Guest.

 

[FlaggNL]

Love the pictures of BOG! Next October will our first time in BOG As you can imagine we can't wait!!