Trip Report Completed: March 5-14, 2020: Our Return to WDW and the "Hips and Elbows People, Hips and Elbows!" edition

Hello everyone! It has been one month since we made our return to Walt Disney World, it was 593 days since we had been there. We hadn't been without Disney trips, we were annual passholders of Disneyland during that time. More info in my pre-trip report. Needless to say we were were excited to return. I was a little apprehensive for a few reasons: 1. what if I didn't like WDW as much any more after being away so long and maybe I had fallen too much in love with Disneyland. 2. I was slightly worried about this corona virus thing (maybe I should have been more worried), but I was hopeful we would get through the trip without having to think about it.

In case you don't want to go back to my pre-trip report let me give you a few more details:

Who: Amy and Brad (my husband)
Resort: Pop Century



Let's begin:

March 5, 2020

We had an early morning flight, it is a pain getting up at 3 am but we do like getting to our destination early and being able to spend a lot of our day at our vacation destination. Plus we were early birds so it wasn't too bad. Luckily there wasn't a snow storm and our flight out of Minneapolis was on schedule!

Not much was open so early but Caribou coffee!

Coming up more of our journey and lots of fun, food and beer!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sunday March 8, 2020

We spent some time before our reservation walking around the Riviera and we thought it was nice. I don't know if we will stay there, but the food options looked good and I liked the bar areas.

Mural in the Bar Riva area

I also like the wall of Walt on vacation/travel pictures

The little displays in another bar area were neat too.

A peek into Topolino before it started to seat people.

At our table

We had a nice view out the window.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sunday March 8, 2020

Time for dinner at Topolino

There was bread service but we also decided to get an appetizer. Both the bread service and the appetizer were very tasty. Here is a description from the online menu
Burrata con Panna
Black Winter Truffle, Italian Olive Oil, Seed Lavosh, Sea Salt

I ordered a Kronenbourg Blanc, but when our waitress brought our drinks, my beer was in just a glass and I was surprised not to get a bottle since it was a bottle beer on the menu. Plus the color of the beer didn't look right. I took a sip after she left and I knew immediately it wasn't my Blanc, it was regular Kronenbourg instead which is good but not what I wanted. I contemplated just keeping it especially since it took here a long time to come back, Brad actually had to wave at her. I explained that it wasn't the right one and she kind of rolled her eyes and said she would check on it. And a few minutes later she came back and said that yes I had ordered the Blanc and had the Blanc with her and took away the other. I was kind of hoping she would still leave the other since it would just be thrown out anyway. But I had my Blanc, I was a little annoyed that she seemed so put out by getting me the beer I had actually ordered. Brad's drink in the background is a modern old fashioned.
Modern Fashioned
Creek Rye Whiskey, Appleton Estate Reserve Blend Rum, Vanilla Bean, Bitters

We both got the filet mignon. It was VERY good, nice and tender and the truffle mash potato was so tasty I could have eaten a vat of it. I think this was better than the California Grill which is pretty darn good.

Filet Mignon
Truffled Mashed Potatoes, Charred Torpedo Onion, Forest Mushroom Purée, Vinaigrette

Tower of Terror from the table!

Then we went out onto the terrace area, and looked like a fun area to hang out sometime.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

March 8, 2020

So it was off to the Skyliner again and our destination was Epcot!

France was our destination.

We wanted to check out the new Beauty and the Beast sing a long and displays. So the plan was to catch the last Beauty and the Beast showing of the day and then loop around for the first showing of Impressions de France.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sunday March 8, 2020

A little bit more with the new displays. They were interesting to see.

Time for the shows. The Beauty and the Beast one was okay, cute. But I LOVE Impressions de France. I love the scenery, music, and the dated clothes but overall I think it is timeless. So for me there is a clear winner and it is Impressions de France.

I snuck a few pictures.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sunday March 8, 2020

After Impressions de France we headed to the fast pass area for Epcot Forever. We meandered over and enjoyed some of the topiaries along the way.

We were able to snag a spot at the rail for the show. I had heard a rail spot wasn't necessary to enjoy the show but I don't enjoy standing behind people either. I'd rather just have a clear view. And speaking of standing behind people...about 10 minutes after we were in and sitting a the rail which had people on both sides of us and there was plenty of space to stand (lots of space) an older couple stand right in front of us (our back was against the rail). Literally they were stand an inch away from our crossed legs, hovering over us. I didn't understand why they were so close there was tons of space behind and all around (just not at the rail) and then I figured out that they were planning to move into any space by the rail when we stood up. I was so irritated I almost said something to them but Brad wouldn't let me. This lady's foot was practically touching mine, and there so much space. If they really wanted to squeeze in at the rail if they had just asked and then stood further back I would have let them in when the time came. But since they clearly wanted to be breathing over us the whole time I knew I was going to be passive-aggressive when I stood up and take up as much space as possible. So when I stood up I had to be careful not to get up too fast or I would have probably knocked into her. I got my space at the rail and there was only a tiny space between me and the other lady that had been sitting next to me the whole time. The other lady was nicer than I was and let the older lady stand next to her. The older guy just stood behind his wife then for the show. At one point during the show I turned around and there ended up being people behind us but they watched the show from at least 3 feet behind us. I just thought it was rude that they hovered over us for so long before the show, no one else in that area was doing that to anyone else.

Anyway, with that irritation over it was time to enjoy the show. I was really looking forward to Epcot Forever. I watched the live-stream and listened to the music often.

And it begins..

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sunday March 8, 2020

I know it isn't a popular opinion but I really loved Epcot Forever. I like that Disney gave Epcot fans a nice little taste of the old Epcot. I still don't particularly care for the Whole New World part of it but I realize it is probably there to tell us Epcot fans that new things are coming that will (hopefully) be great too. I also enjoyed the cool lasers and the kites!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sunday March 8, 2020

It was a little chilly that night but I probably should have taken off my hat for the picture but I still like it because of the cool lasers in the background.

After the show we walked around a bit and enjoyed some of the topiaries and empty space in the park on our way out. It was a nice way to end the evening.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sunday March 8, 2020

A few more pictures on our way out of Epcot and to the Skyliner.

And back at our room at the Pop.

Coming up soon: March 9, 2020 and Animal Kingdom where we have an interesting encounter.

 

[Songbird76]

Sunday March 8, 2020

Spoiler Alert: last post of Rise of the Resistance attraction pictures and story

We look pretty happy to be prisoners of the 1st Order!
View attachment 466302

Getting ready to escape.
View attachment 466303

And this was a wow moment! I remember peering into the construction area and seeing the skeletons of these from afar, so exciting to see the finished AT-AT's.
View attachment 466304

View attachment 466305

After the AT-AT's there were a few more surprises in the ride which I won't spoil here.
View attachment 466306

Oh, it's Kylo....will he catch us!!!
View attachment 466307

He spotted us! (sorry for the blur)
View attachment 466308

Again he caught us....oh no we are doomed!
View attachment 466309

Quick, he's distracted let's make our escape!
View attachment 466310

Oh great! Looks like we made it! Safely back to the Resistance base.
View attachment 466311

Review of the attraction:

Amy's impression: I can see why people say it is Disney's best attraction. There is a fantastic storyline, the attention to detail is tremendous and the use of technology and story telling devices is top notch. Plus there was so much detail as we talked about it later and when we did go on again another day we noticed things we hadn't seen before. I think it helps to have a little knowledge of the characters and story of Star Wars to fully appreciate it though. I think in comparing it to Flights of Passage, with that attraction you really don't need any background information about Pandora/Avatar to understand the story, a rider can get that all in the pre-show but that is not true with Rise. I think with Rise it helps to know who Kylo Ren and Rey/resistance people are, not that people can't enjoy it if they don't know but it helps. I most certainly wanted and still wanted to go on it again, but if I had to pick to ride Rise or Mickey's Runaway Railway again that day I would have picked Mickey's.

Brad's Impression: He is still speechless! He loved it and would ride it all day if they would let him. If he had to give it a score where 10 is the best he would give it a 20.

Did you do this ride in DL? Or was it not open there yet when you had your APs? If you did, was there a big difference between the two experiences?

 

[Songbird76]

Sunday March 8, 2020

Time for dinner at Topolino
View attachment 466382

There was bread service but we also decided to get an appetizer. Both the bread service and the appetizer were very tasty. Here is a description from the online menu
Burrata con Panna
Black Winter Truffle, Italian Olive Oil, Seed Lavosh, Sea Salt

View attachment 466383

I ordered a Kronenbourg Blanc, but when our waitress brought our drinks, my beer was in just a glass and I was surprised not to get a bottle since it was a bottle beer on the menu. Plus the color of the beer didn't look right. I took a sip after she left and I knew immediately it wasn't my Blanc, it was regular Kronenbourg instead which is good but not what I wanted. I contemplated just keeping it especially since it took here a long time to come back, Brad actually had to wave at her. I explained that it wasn't the right one and she kind of rolled her eyes and said she would check on it. And a few minutes later she came back and said that yes I had ordered the Blanc and had the Blanc with her and took away the other. I was kind of hoping she would still leave the other since it would just be thrown out anyway. But I had my Blanc, I was a little annoyed that she seemed so put out by getting me the beer I had actually ordered. Brad's drink in the background is a modern old fashioned.
Modern Fashioned
**** Creek Rye Whiskey, Appleton Estate Reserve Blend Rum, Vanilla Bean, Bitters

View attachment 466384

We both got the filet mignon. It was VERY good, nice and tender and the truffle mash potato was so tasty I could have eaten a vat of it. I think this was better than the California Grill which is pretty darn good.

Filet Mignon
Truffled Mashed Potatoes, Charred Torpedo Onion, Forest Mushroom Purée, Vinaigrette


View attachment 466385

View attachment 466386

Tower of Terror from the table!
View attachment 466387


View attachment 466388

Then we went out onto the terrace area, and looked like a fun area to hang out sometime.
View attachment 466389

View attachment 466390

View attachment 466391

How dare you ask her to actually bring you what you ordered!! Did she at least apologize for the mistake? I think if I was treated like that, the tip might be smaller than she was expecting!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Did you do this ride in DL? Or was it not open there yet when you had your APs? If you did, was there a big difference between the two experiences?

How dare you ask her to actually bring you what you ordered!! Did she at least apologize for the mistake? I think if I was treated like that, the tip might be smaller than she was expecting!

Rise of the Resistance wasn't open in Disneyland when we went. Smuggler's Run was open though and there is no difference, at least that we could tell in the two.

As for the waitress, no there wasn't an apology and we couldn't reflect it in her tip because we were using the Tables in Wonderland program where there is an automatic 18% tip. But other than the snafu with the beer the service was very good. We were offered more bread multiple times (which we turned down) and other stuff was fine. Brad actually thought the beer incident was a little funny. He says I'm some sort of beer snob because I could tell immediately that it was the wrong beer by the color and smell of it and that I just didn't trust myself to say anything before I took a couple tastes.

 

[MinnieM123]

Great TR as usual. I really liked your side jaunt to the Riviera hotel, because I don't know much at all about it, since it's fairly new.

The mural pictures in the (hallways?) were intriguing. You're right, they didn't exactly bring images to mind of the Riviera, but I thought they were eye catching, and the framing effect really caught my attention. It was a very nice design.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sorry for the delay in my trip reporting. Not great excuses but working from home on my laptop for long periods of time has meant that I don't always want to be on it later and I've been up to some other crafty projects and reading. But anyway, time to continue my March 2020 report.

Monday March 9, 2020
Today was our Animal Kingdom day, our only day as it ended up at Animal Kingdom. We had a Flights of Passage fast pass for later in the day so we didn't need to head to Pandora at opening. So we went towards our favorite at AK which is Expedition Everest. So we and a handful of other people went to that rope drop.

We spent a little time admiring the Tree of Life area before heading to the Asia bridge.

An interesting thing happened once we stood at the rope at the bridge to Asia. Look closely at the guy with the gray backpack with the little kid located above B's head in the picture. We ended up standing next to him and the guy with the green backpack. So as we get closer to the rope Gray backpack guy turns around and is facing us and he is wearing a basketball shirt for the high school of a town near us. Our school plays against that town in sports. We also notice that he looks familiar, and B is sure he is one of the coaches for either baseball or softball (B has a side gig as an umpire for high school soft & baseball). I think he is a teacher, our schools often team up for large professional development speakers, so I think I've seen him there. Well, since we end up standing next to him and we have about 20 minutes before rope drop Brad being the friendly guy he is asks about his shirt and the guy says yes it if for the town in Wisconsin. So B says where we are from, thinking he can start up a conversation. But Gray backpack guys just says "Oh cool" and turns the other way stays that way the rest of the time. He didn't spend much time talking with his kid either. Okay, we can take a hint.

So rope drop occurs and off we go, walking with the cast member to Everest and we end up on the first train of the day. We also stopped paying attention to Gray backpack guy and went on our merry way. We got to be on the first train of the day! I ended up riding Everest 4 times back to back, B did 2 then sat out and then joined me on my fourth time. I might have done more but the wait time had gone up. Anyway, by then our Everest ride photos were on MDE and in the first ride of the day Gray backpack guy and his daughter were sitting behind us! Both of us wanted to know who he was just to see if we had been right in our guesses, so I downloaded the picture and texted it to two of my friends that teach in the town he was wearing the shirt of. A little while I got a text back and he was a coach and a teacher there. My friends work with middle school students and he does too so they knew him fairly well. He actually was the head basketball coach for the boys, and at that time it was playoff season for basketball so I guess he didn't have a lot of confidence that his team was going to make the playoffs or go to state if he scheduled a WDW trip during that time! My friends told me he wasn't very social so that might be why he didn't engage with us. So I said they should show the picture to him when school came back into session after Spring Break and ask him how his trip was. I figured them seeing his ride photo picture might be funny and creep him out a bit. My friends did that, because they did have school for two more days before our schools closed for Covid. Anyway, according to them he was a little surprised to see the picture and then told them that "we were really nice people". Okay. I mean he is right, I guess that showed with the two words he spoke to us! Still kind of a funny situation though.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Monday March 9, 2020

After Everest we went to Dinosaur and had a nice short wait.

We were a little hungry so we got a breakfast sandwich and potato things at Yak & Yeti quick service to share. I guess we didn't take a picture of it but imagine a McDonald's sausage McMuffin and now you know what the sandwich looks like. It was nice to sit and relax a bit. The monkeys nearby were very vocal with each other so that was nice to listen to. It was also interesting so watch people just abandoned their stuff at their table to try to see what the monkeys were doing!

Time for a safari!

Selfie! Mostly just to remember how crammed we were in our row, two people joined our bench when they could have waited for the next jeep.

Animal time! Not much explanation needed for the safari....

Bad joke here: Look close and you may see the rare green John Deere on safari!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Monday March 9

More safari pictures. Overall it was a really good safari experience. The driver was interesting and we got to see some of the animal babies!

At one point we had to stop for an giraffe that was in the road (we couldn't see it). But I looked down at the ground and saw the animal hoofprints in the dirt and I thought it looked cool with the tire tracks.

Baby zebra!

baby elephant

Anyone remember the little red story line?

We also got some good views of the cheetahs! I don't think we have ever seen them on the safari this well.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Monday March 9, 2020

The male lion was on watch at the top of the rocks. And the cool thing was right as we were passing on the other side he started to roar! We couldn't see him roar (that would have been super cool) but to hear the roar was amazing! He roared about 3-4 times.

After the safari we wandered around Harambe for a little bit.

I like the little advertisements in the village.

Sorry if this sounds crude but if you look at the rhino and look at his hind end, the dirt/patina on the sign kind of looks like something is getting blown out of his bottom. Or maybe it is just my imagination.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Monday March 9

I really enjoy walking the animal trails and wanted to do both but B doesn't enjoy them as much as me. We compromised on walking one of them. Since we were in Africa I picked Gorilla Falls, also this one doesn't have the scary bats that I have to run away from. So off to Gorilla Falls we went.

It was fun to watch this animal (Okapi right?) at feeding time

Pretty little yellow bird.

And some gorillas.

The baby was especially active and wanted to play and show off. It was fun to watch.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Monday March 9

After Gorilla Falls it was time for our Flights of Passage fast pass. We were both a little nervous for this ride. Not because of the ride itself, I've been on it quite a few times and like it. Although the smell emitted during the ride makes me a little nauseous, I never get motion sick on rides but I am sensitive to smells. Anyway, Brad has not been able to ride this attraction. He has tried twice, once the back thing wouldn't lock and then the second time it wouldn't lock around his legs. Very frustrating for him and yes he felt embarrassment when he had to walk out of those rooms. It always put a little cloud over him the rest of the day. But this time he was coming to this attraction at least 80 pounds lighter. He was still nervous that he wouldn't fit and be embarrassed again. I knew how hard he had been working and I was 100% sure he would be fine now, but I knew if for some reason those restraints wouldn't lock he would feel like had failed somehow when clearly he had been working so hard.

And the pre-show...

Ummm yeah, Sivako! The moment of truth came after this and Brad was able to ride!!!! With plenty of room in those restraints to spare!

When the ride was done we needed to get a picture of him in the attraction. On the way out, I asked him how he enjoyed it and he said, "It was pretty good, I could ride it again sometime!" He does get a little motion sick and he left feeling a bit queasy. He did admit it was very well done and because it actually did feel like flying that's why he felt a little ill. He appreciated the beauty and detail and agreed with me that the smell was a little to sickeningly sweet.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Monday March 9, 2020

We actually both left Pandora feeling good this time and marveled a little at the landscape. It is pretty on that "planet".

It was time for lunch and the weather was nice so we decided to sit outside at the Nomad Lounge. We really like the vibe of the lounge.

I got the beer flight because I can never remember which of these three I really like. Turns out it is the Hefeweizen, which is odd as I'm not typically a Hefe fan.

We shared the poutine. It was tasty but not enough cheese and most of the gravy was at the bottom. If you get it you might want to stir up the dish a bit.

And we got our own serving of the ribs. Yum!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Monday March 9, 2020

After lunch we had a fast pass for Everest. Time for round 5 for me today.

Then we headed back to Africa.

We have never gone out to Rafiki's Planet Watch/Conservation Station (whatever it is called now) so I was bound and determined to go there this trip.

Detail on one of the suitcases in that train station.

We enjoyed the train ride out there and liked the brief little glimpses of backstage stuff. We also like riding trains and since the MK one was down because of Tron construction this would be our only train experience this trip.

I wish we had timed it right so we could experience watching some of the animal care or even the drawing class but we didn't. We both agreed that we would go out here again so we will plan better next time.