Trip Report *COMPLETED* Hap-bee Holidays! 🐝

We're back! Okay, we have been back for weeks now but I am just getting around to starting this TR. "December was crazy, but January will be better," she told herself. Except, she didn't account for all the things she got behind on in December and now has to catch up on. And now she's going totally nuts, talking about herself in the third person. Enough excuses, let's get this party started!

Who: Me and M, with a few special guests (BOTH of our parents and brothers)
What: A Disney trip, of course! With a side of family time.
Where: The Swan (and Jacksonville)
When: December 26-January 4
Why: Because those Annual Passes aren't going to use themselves!
How: I'm still asking myself this.

Note: I almost called this "The One Where Everything Goes Wrong," because, well, A LOT went wrong. Illness, injury, family dramma, unfortunate planning (or lack thereof), travel changes, and probably more that I have conveniently "forgotten." But, despite multiple setbacks, we really did have a nice time and everything worked out in the end!

 

[PacNWTigger]

I believe they do the disposable cups on the Tiki Terrace at the Poly to deter from the possibility of broken glass around areas people may be walking barefoot to and from the pool.

 

[bee]

I believe they do the disposable cups on the Tiki Terrace at the Poly to deter from the possibility of broken glass around areas people may be walking barefoot to and from the pool.

That makes sense, I suppose. But I do have old photos of plastic "glasses" that were reusable and less breakable than actually glass glasses. Maybe those are still too breakable.

 

[bee]

Day 8, cont.

We transferred to the Epcot monorail after a short wait. While we waited we overheard a Canadian family (mom, dad, girl about 5 and boy about 2) talking about how excited they were to not have to wear coats and boots and scarves in the winter. They had just eaten at 'Ohana and now were heading to the Frozen dessert party, but were afraid they were too full to actually eat any desserts. Oops!

We ended up riding in the front of the train with the Canadians.

Security was quick and soon we were here:

Evidently we used a bathroom...but I don't remember which one! Paging @Tuvalu!

We walked to the IG and exited, then enjoyed a stroll around Crescent Lake on our way back to the Swan.

Looks like there was a wedding earlier this day.

Well that was defaced quickly! This is the area where the chocolate Santa, etc., sculptures were.

We showered and went to bed after a very long day.

Up next: Our last full day

 

[Tuvalu]

Evidently we used a bathroom...but I don't remember which one! Paging @Tuvalu!

Not familiar. Possibly the new restrooms (near the new Starbucks) just before World Showcase?

 

[bee]

Not familiar. Possibly the new restrooms (near the new Starbucks) just before World Showcase?

YES that is it! I took the photo so I’d remember going to the new bathrooms...but you can see how well that worked out!

 

[Tuvalu]

I figured you wouldn't have taken a pic of an old bathroom.

 

[bee]

This thing ain't gettin' finished by the end of the month. Maybe by the end of March???

Day 9: Friday, January 3

We slept in, ate breakfast in the room, and hung out at the resort for the morning and early afternoon. We headed to Epcot shortly after 1:00 via Friendship.

Though we initially sat inside the boat, enough people from the back (open) part of the boat got off at Yacht/Beach Club that we were able to grab seats in the back for the rest of the voyage. Hooray!

We got through security quickly and soon we were inside the park.

First stop:

It has a lid, so it isn't alcoholic! By the way today we were decked in our rainbow WDW shirts and rainbow Mickey MBs!

We had a late-ish lunch reservation and some time to kill, so we checked out the Canada shops, which we hadn't visited in awhile.

Still Christmas!

We walked to the lagoon and watched the boats.

Up next: Lunch!

 

[bee]

Day 9, cont.

We still had a bit of time before our ADR, but not enough to go ride something, so we stayed nearby and checked out the UK shops.

Finally our lunch time arrived and we checked in at the Roe and Crown.

Our lunch time was on the late side but the restaurant and checkin area were still very crowded as a result of the leftover holiday crowds. At the host stand we requested an indoor table because it was HOOOTTTTTTT again, but the CM told us they were too busy to guarantee a specific table.

Luckily for us, we WERE seated inside, next to the fireplace near the center of the dining area.

Look ma, it's three quarters of a Christmas carol!!!

Our server was Lee and he was very good. It was very busy in the restaurant but we never felt neglected.

Okay, I'm the worst because I don't remember what we got. I think I got a Smithwick's and maybe M got a Boddingtons??? Failure.

I had the tried and true vegan "fish" and chips.

M had the savory hot pot.

Here is where we reeeeeeally failed. Please don't shame us @Darstarr etc. We were so full that we could not finish our beers. This is the point at which we had to ask Lee for to-go cups:

Our lunch at R&C was once again excellent all around, from the food to the service to the atmosphere. They have lots of veggie options for us and they have yet to disappoint.

Up next: The bathroom mystery continues!

 

[Darstarr]

No shame in a “to go” cup! That is awesome!

 

[RememberWhen]

Love the Mickey rainbow magic bands! I was able to get one for our trip in July! DW picked sorcerer Mickey.

 

[bee]

Day 9, cont.

We took our to-go cups and walked toward Future World, where we had a FP.

We wanted something sweet, but the Starbucks line was just...no.

And @Tuvalu, here is where things get weird.

We used the new restrooms near the Starbucks.

And this time I managed to take a photo inside AND outside.

This is clearly NOT the same bathroom from my earlier post. Now I'm thinking THAT one was in the front of the park near Spaceship Earth.

Up next: FP time

 

[bee]

Day 9, cont.

We entered The Land only to see this view:

Good thing WE had a FP!

CHRISTMAS IS OVER! GET OUTTA HERE!!

Okay, maybe Christmas isn't COMPLETELY over...

Up next: Birds and popcorn

 

[bee]

Day 9, cont.

No lies detected. (Except for us, it was a meal and one ride!)

After LWTL we headed back toward the IG to go back to the Swan and start packing because it was our last night.

On the way we spotted this abandoned popcorn bucket:

WHO WOULD DO THIS??? @Darstarr

I had to stop and admire the few flowers on this tree:

Up next: Ice cream (?)

 

[Darstarr]

WHO WOULD DO THIS??? @Darstarr

I have to think they meant well. But you can not just abandon it. You need to physically give it to someone.
REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE (and enjoy some awesome popcorn too!)

 

[bee]

Day 9, cont.

We still wanted something sweet so we took a slight detour to France to get some ice cream. On a recent(ish) trip we got a killer ice cream sandwich from L'Artisan des glaces so we headed in that direction.

Line out the door? Nevermind!

We left France sans glace and considered out other options.

When we exited the park a boat was just arriving!

Once we disembarked we turned RIGHT toward the Dolphin instead of LEFT toward the Swan.

The reason? ICE CREAM, of course!

Cappuccino caramel for M

Chocolate malt for me

We took our treats back to the room to enjoy.

CHILL AD IN THE ELEVATOR!

After enjoying our ice cream, we spent the new few hours packing and relaxing. Eventually we got hungry for dinner (something...even after all that ice cream!) so we finished off the last of our Publix purchases.

I gave the wine 4/5 on Vivino so we must have enjoyed it!

After we had everything mostly packed and cleaned we showered and got ready for bed. Luckily didn't have an early morning flight, but we still wanted to be rested for our day of travel.

Up next: Day 10! Going home!

 

[bee]

I have to think they meant well. But you can not just abandon it. You need to physically give it to someone.
REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE (and enjoy some awesome popcorn too!)

Exactly! You must pay it forward! Or POP it forward, if you will.

 

[annienevells]

My face every MOMENT that I am not at WDW

 

[riverside]

View attachment 453671

My face every MOMENT that I am not at WDW

I was actually going to comment on this photo also!! I cracked up when I saw it--@bee you caught her at the wrong moment for sure!!

 

[dizfan917]

I like you even more now that I know you enjoy a good chocolate malt. yum!

 

[bee]

View attachment 453671

My face every MOMENT that I am not at WDW

I was actually going to comment on this photo also!! I cracked up when I saw it--@bee you caught her at the wrong moment for sure!!

I wondered if anyone would notice her there...

I like you even more now that I know you enjoy a good chocolate malt. yum!

I hadn't had one in forever but it was great! The Fountain is a hidden gem as far as ice cream goes.