Trip Report COMPLETED (finally!)....Did we move to WDW? Nope just a two week trip!

Hello WDW Magic friends and welcome to my trip report. I have done a few trip reports in the past of both WDW and Disneyland. My most recent report was a Spring Break trip to WDW. So if you've read one of my reports before....welcome back friends! If you haven't read one before....welcome new friend!

A little background information

People going: Me (Amy) and my husband (Brad), you'll see enough of our pictures later.

"People" we are leaving behind to go on our trip: Our miniature schnauzer Kapono, she keeps trying to come with us though. She stays with my sister and her family and Kapono has some fur cousins to play with there and is well taken care of which is a relief for me and Brad too I guess.
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Our travel days July 4 -July 19. The days actually spent in WDW would be the 5th-19th. We live in Wisconsin but very close to Minneapolis/St. Paul so we fly from there. It wouldn't be a bad drive to the airport in the morning, but I like to stay near the airport the night before departure.

Since we were going to be in WDW for so long we got a lot of comments from friends joking with us that we must be moving in, hence the title of the report here.

Our Resort: All Star Movies. We don't spend much time in the room so all we need is a clean place to sleep, shower, and store our stuff. We really aren't pool people, although we do use the pool, but if we built in a lot of pool time we would stay at the Beach Club again! Side note: The first time we ever tried to stay at the Movies we were upgraded upon check in to the Beach Club! We didn't ask for it, the magic just happened, it was the best deluxe accommodations for All Star prices! So now whenever we stay at the Movies we keep our fingers crossed on check in day!

Okay so let's start shall we....

On July 4th we spent most of the day with my sister and her family and left Kapono at her "vacation home" for the next two weeks. We drove up to the Minneapolis airport area by the Mall of America, and made a quick stop at Sam's Club for one more discount Disney gift card. The Sam's Club was closing, actually it was 10 minutes before their posted close time and the lady at the door didn't want to let us in. We literally had to go over to a stand near the register and get a gift card, she even called her manager who said it was okay to let us in. We departed the store 3 minutes before for the posted close time! Take that lady! Anyway, it was dinner time but neither of us wanted to sit in a restaurant we just wanted to relax in the hotel room for the night. So there was a sub place and a Lee Ann Chin (Minnesota based Chinese take out chain), and Chinese won out. So we got our take out and checked into the hotel for the night and ate our take out, and watched a Capital Fourth on PBS. Which was fantastic this year with John Stamos as the host. :inlove:

Us with our Chinese take out!
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Our flight left early, but we are early birds so despite being 5 minutes away from the terminal we got there early. Plus we were too excited to sleep! Funny thing, we flipped on the tv while we were getting ready and the Steve Harvey show was on and it was one of the Epcot episodes from earlier in the year that he was recording when we were there in March. We don't normally watch that show and we didn't go to the recording but we saw it being on as a good sign that the Disney gods were with us!
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We arrived in Orlando after an uneventful flight. We enjoyed some movies and tried to nap but again we were just too excited to sleep!
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Magical Express load went quick and soon we were HOME!
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And despite doing online check in and requesting early arrival our room wasn't ready. But that was fine, we had to stop at the front desk any way. I had lots of gift cards in my purse that we wanted to put on our account, we wanted to decline Mousekeeping, and make sure our room had a good position for the 2 weeks. Now we did decline Mousekeeping but we did have our room serviced twice while we were there. We are fairly neat, and I'm always tidying up the room anyway even with Mousekeeping so we figured we could survive without having it every day. Plus with the extra money we would be able to enjoy a good meal or some good drinks at Trader Sam's. So with all that squared away we put our carry ons with bell services and headed to the bus stop with a quick gander at the gift shop.

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Next up: Disney Springs!
 

AKemily

Well-Known Member
He wasn't sorry at all and told me that is what I should expect in crowds.
:rolleyes: This is so annoying. I'm a fast walker so tend to move faster than a lot of people in crowds but if I get "stuck behind" someone who is slower than I am, I slow down to match their pace. Human indecency should never have to be expected.
To me this is a safely hazard and something more concerning than strollers and ECV's. At least the strollers and the scooters had a really purpose and they are actually something that is expected to be seen. Strollers are pushed in the front and can be seen easily but these pull behind coolers and wheelie bags trail behind people and are often low and easily hidden by people in crowds. I didn't personally trip over any but I did see people who did. I think these are a safety hazard to the parks and I don't see the need for them in the parks. If people need things refrigerated for medical purposes the Baby Care center or First Aid will do that. People can carry soft side coolers in their back packs or get a locker. They can even leave their coolers in their cars if they brought a large lunch/snacks/drinks with them and can't carry it in a backpack. I did email Disney about this. I didn't hear back from them, nor did I really expect to but it bothers me. Does it bother anyone else?
Yikes, I didn't notice any of these on my trip, but that's pretty bad! Why is that necessary? Weird too, I know I would never want to drag something like that around all day. Disney should direct them toward the lockers. Those things definitely fall under Disney's list of prohibited items. I feel that if they're going to break their own rules by letting those things into the parks, then they should just offer the locker for free so at least there's no safety hazard for other guests.:happy: But I guess a lot of people just do what they want anyway.:(

Enjoying your trip report as always!:joyfull: I feel like I missed a chunk in the middle somehow though, so I'm gonna have to go back (fine by me! more @ajrwdwgirl adventures to read!).
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
:rolleyes: This is so annoying. I'm a fast walker so tend to move faster than a lot of people in crowds but if I get "stuck behind" someone who is slower than I am, I slow down to match their pace. Human indecency should never have to be expected.

Yikes, I didn't notice any of these on my trip, but that's pretty bad! Why is that necessary? Weird too, I know I would never want to drag something like that around all day. Disney should direct them toward the lockers. Those things definitely fall under Disney's list of prohibited items. I feel that if they're going to break their own rules by letting those things into the parks, then they should just offer the locker for free so at least there's no safety hazard for other guests.:happy: But I guess a lot of people just do what they want anyway.:(

Enjoying your trip report as always!:joyfull: I feel like I missed a chunk in the middle somehow though, so I'm gonna have to go back (fine by me! more @ajrwdwgirl adventures to read!).

Thanks! I'm glad I'm not the only one that things the coolers & rolling bags are weird. I'm glad you are enjoying the report.
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
Thanks! I'm glad I'm not the only one that things the coolers & rolling bags are weird. I'm glad you are enjoying the report.

This reminds me of a large amusement park in a bordering state from mine. They allow in coolers and rolling bags, but as I recall, people place them in a designated picnic area--and then they go off and enjoy the rides until it's time for lunch. (I noticed groups in particular, would bring in their own food.) Never saw anyone dragging those items around the actual park.
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
Vacation day 13, July 17....Happy Birthday Disneyland!

This year we were lucky enough to celebrate Disneyland's birthday in a Disney park. Last year, we celebrated in Disneyland so maybe this is a tradition that should continue! Anyway, we ended up at Hollywood Studios again this morning. We had a Slinky Dog fast pass. Looking back on the trip we spent a lot of time at HS but we did enjoy all that we did so no big deal. This morning we did not get up super early to be there by 6:30, we got there around 8 am.

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We did head to Toy Story land right away. We played on Mania and Slinky Dog.
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Then went into Walt Disney Presents to celebrate Disneyland's B-day and pay tribute to Walt.
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It was really hot and we wanted to relax more in air conditioning. So we saw the preview for the Incredibles 2 again. I would have preferred the Walt Disney movie but it was not showing at all. I did appreciate the art work on the doors.
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The display by the theater had changed too, it was now props from Saving Mr. Banks. These were the Sherman brothers costumes.
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We needed a little more Air Conditioning so hubs proposed seeing the Path of The Jedi. It summarizes the Star Wars saga nicely. By the way, hubs, the super duper Star Wars fan fell asleep in here!:facepalm::)
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Then we took a tour on Star Tours and then I needed some refreshment. So we made a stop at Baseline Taphouse. Well, I think we had spent too much time at the Baseline Taphouse because they recognized us and they asked hubs if he wanted a rum and coke again before he could even order.
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We found some Disneyland details in the Baseline Taphouse that we hadn't noticed before. So it was fun to notice them on Disneyland's birthday.
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ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
This reminds me of a large amusement park in a bordering state from mine. They allow in coolers and rolling bags, but as I recall, people place them in a designated picnic area--and then they go off and enjoy the rides until it's time for lunch. (I noticed groups in particular, would bring in their own food.) Never saw anyone dragging those items around the actual park.

I thought those reminded me of something I would see at a more regional theme park or fair too.
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
More of day 13, July 17th

Soon it was time for lunch. Mama Melrose was our lunch destination today. After seeing many of @Tuvalu 's pictures in her reports I have wanted to try Mama's again for awhile. We hadn't been since 2007 or 2008 and had enjoyed our meal but just hadn't made it back. B was not looking forward to this meal at all, he brought up changing the reservation a couple times but I was not going to budge. I just hoped it lived up to expectations!

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He may be smiling but he was still trying to get out of eating here.
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He found a "friend"'s picture inside, this made him smile for real.
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View from our table.
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Starter bread with the herbs and oil.
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We got the mega meat (not the real name of it) flatbread. So good! The bread and this flatbread were a good start to the meal. I was starting to sigh in relief that I had not been lead astray and I wouldn't have Brad complaining later.
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I got the steak with the mac and cheese that I had heard so many raves about. Oh....my....goodness! This was one of the best things I ate on this trip! B tried some of it too and was impressed.
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Brad got the saltimboca and he very much enjoyed it. I tried some as well and thought it was good, not as good as my meal but still good.
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So the verdict....Mama Melrose is fantastic! We definitely want to eat here again.

After lunch we headed out of the park for some pool time and a nap.

Coming up.... Tiki Time!
 

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
More of day 13, July 17th

Soon it was time for lunch. Mama Melrose was our lunch destination today. After seeing many of @Tuvalu 's pictures in her reports I have wanted to try Mama's again for awhile. We hadn't been since 2007 or 2008 and had enjoyed our meal but just hadn't made it back. B was not looking forward to this meal at all, he brought up changing the reservation a couple times but I was not going to budge. I just hoped it lived up to expectations!

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He may be smiling but he was still trying to get out of eating here.
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He found a "friend"'s picture inside, this made him smile for real.
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View from our table.
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Starter bread with the herbs and oil.
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We got the mega meat (not the real name of it) flatbread. So good! The bread and this flatbread were a good start to the meal. I was starting to sigh in relief that I had not been lead astray and I wouldn't have Brad complaining later.
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I got the steak with the mac and cheese that I had heard so many raves about. Oh....my....goodness! This was one of the best things I ate on this trip! B tried some of it too and was impressed.
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Brad got the saltimboca and he very much enjoyed it. I tried some as well and thought it was good, not as good as my meal but still good.
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So the verdict....Mama Melrose is fantastic! We definitely want to eat here again.

After lunch we headed out of the park for some pool time and a nap.

Coming up.... Tiki Time!
had that steak as well, its amazing!

when I go back im going to try the saltimbonca.
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
I think it's really good they recognised you at Baseline with all the thousands of people they will serve a day.

I thought it was kind of impressive too, or maybe that we just spent too much time there. But I think since we were usually there near opening so there weren't many people there and we spent time talking to the bar tenders that probably just made it easy for them to remember. I don't think they would recognize us now!
 

Songbird76

Well-Known Member
More of July 16, Day 12

So after exiting Rock n Roller coaster I decided I need a little breakfast and coffee. I wanted something sweet and I was now sad that I couldn't get a whoopie pie from Sweet Spells (closed now for a gift shop) or a cupcake from Starring Rolls (closed for seemingly no good reason). But then I remembered that I could get a a Starring Rolls cupcake from Starbucks, but then I would have to get Starbucks coffee. Well, I decided I could deal with Starbucks even though I'm not usually a fan of their coffee. So off I went to Starbucks...
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While on Rock n Roller Coaster we were stopped on the ride for a couple minutes and by the time we were off loaded my picture never showed up so I didn't think it would link to my account since I didn't scan my band. So I did a guitar selfie as proof of doing the ride since I so rarely go on it.
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I saw these cool kids before going into Starbucks.
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Inside Starbucks, never been in here before. I grabbed what was labeled a chocolate peanut butter cupcake. It didn't look like the chocolate peanut butter one I remembered from Starring Rolls, it looked like the butterfinger one. But I though maybe it changed. I also got a non-fancy plain medium roast coffee. I decided to head over to the Echo Lake area with my breakfast because there are always lots of places to sit over there. And there were.
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So I found a table and enjoyed my cupcake which did end up to be the Butterfinger one, which really didn't bother me because I like that one too. The coffee was too hot still so I just ate the cupcake.
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It may not be pretty but this is the cupcake "broken" into. It sure was tasty.
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The view from my table.View attachment 317198

By the time I finished my cupcake my coffee was finally getting cool enough to drink. I decided not to sit at the table anymore but I wanted to stay in the area. There was a shady bench nearby so I moved over to that. On that shady bench I had the most relaxing 20 minutes of my entire trip. I spent the next 20 minutes on the bench enjoying my coffee (which actually tasted good despite being Starbucks), enjoying the view, music, and watching people go past. This pathway wasn't super busy but had a decent amount of people going past and most of the people were happy but there were a few in "discussions"!
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The time eventually came when my coffee was gone and it was time to move on. But I as I walked away I took a picture of my friend the bench. Hopefully next visit I will enjoy it again.
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According to Disney Food Blog, they changed the name of the Butterfinger cupcake. It's now just called a chocolate peanutbutter cupcake.
 

DisneyGigi

Well-Known Member
Getting caught up on the report, I have to comment on the Saltimbocca... Had it twice and it is amazing. I love Prosciutto so this was right up my alley! What is better than pork wrapped in aged pork and topped with gravy and cheese? 😑 The broccolini and collard green bacon mashed potatoes to go with too, so good. Probably my favorite dish period at Disney World. Other than buffet at Cape May and of course ‘Ohana. As a single dish though, my fave. I even make it at home now. 😋
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
Sorry for the delays in this report....I am going to try to wrap this up this weekend!

Anyway, I had left off at Hollywood Studios on day 13 of our trip. It was also July 17th, Disneyland's b-day.

After our great lunch at Mama Melrose's we headed back to the room for pool and nap time. After that we headed to the Polynesian and rope dropped Trader Sam's!

We were ready for food and drinks! We stayed there for maybe 1 1/2hours (maybe 2). The place filled up quickly and it was interesting to watch people some in and out. Eventually some ladies shared our table and they were fun to talk to, one of them worked for WDW and had some interesting stories.
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We had pork tacos and the new flatbread both were great! I think the flatbread was thai chicken, I remember it had a peanut sauce.


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After Sam's we were feeling happy and bid aloha to the Poly and said aloha to the Magic Kingdom.
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ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
More of day 13...July 17th

Once at the Magic Kingdom we headed over to Pirates. Apparently Brad hadn't had enough rum at Trader Sam's.
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Then as we wandered the park, I saw another pull along cooler! Ugh! As I said earlier in the report I don't think these should be allowed because they could be a safety hazard.
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We hung out in Adventureland for awhile and took in some pretty colors with the sunset.
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I don't remember what we did between this time and Happily Ever After, but we did watch Happily Ever After from Main Street (near the Art of Disney type store/old movie theater).
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Then we decided to hang out at the train station and watch the people exit and wait for the Once Upon a Time show.
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Then it was time to call it a night.
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
Day 14!!!! Our last full day at WDW and today we made a challenge for ourselves. Today was a 4 parks in one day. We have done 4 parks in one day many times, most of the time it is stretched out during the whole day, but a couple years ago we did 4 Parks on the 4th (of July). When we did that one we happened to do all four with one attraction by about 1pm. So today we challenged ourselves to 4 parks by noon.

In the challenge we had to do four parks, one photopass, one attraction by noon, and only use Disney transportation.

Ready to start the challenge....
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First stop Hollywood Studios! Our first attraction as Toy Story Mania. I won, so it was a good start to the day.
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Then we boated over to Epcot.
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As we walked through World Showcase to our Epcot attraction the Food and Wine booths were up. It seemed crazy early for them to be out, it was only July 18th. But that was the closest we were getting to Food and Wine this year.
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Our Epcot attraction was Soarin'.
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Then it was time to get the monorail to Magic Kingdom.

Guardians Construction
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Here's our ride!
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ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
Soon we were at the Transportation and Ticket Center and we had a choice of ferry boat or monorail. Well only one monorail was running and the line for that was insane! So we decided on the ferry and it wasn't any faster, but it was a mode of transportation we hadn't used in going to the Magic Kingdom for a long time. Our plan was to make the Peoplemover our attraction but by the time we made it into the MK we had to rethink our plan if we would achieve our goal.
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Well we decided that attractions are also shows so the street parade dance party thing was going to be passing Main Street soon, so we sat off to the said on a shady bench and waited. Well, the parade did go by and we watched it so our attraction was done right. But then we bumped into the fire chief.....

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Then as we were talking to one of the Main Street Ladies, these guys came out to say hello. So of course we had to watch their show!
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So really we technically saw 3 attractions at the MK....the street parade thing, interacting with the Main Street characters, and the Dapper Dans.

But this meant we were now cutting it close to our deadline with Animal Kingdom.
 

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