Trip Report **COMPLETED** - Should we go, or should we postpone? We made it to WDW!

Hello everyone!!

It has been awhile since I have posted a thread. In fact, the last one I posted was one year ago and it was a pre-trip report for our first Disney cruise that would later be cancelled. We began planning for this trip, not knowing what the future would hold. I have to say, that the months leading up to this trip, I began wondering if it was meant to be. A few months ago, my husband and I both came down with the dreaded virus. It took us a full two weeks to really get over it. I was worried about our son, but he never showed any signs, but of course had to quarantine with us. Then a couple weeks later, they had a break out of the stomach virus at his school. He recovered, then after 3 days back in school, he caught it again! I went back and forth with cancelling because I didn't want him to miss anymore school, but he worked really hard to catch up and his teachers have been very supportive. With that being said, we were all healthy again, so off to WDW we went!! I'm happy to share our trip with you all and hope that you all enjoy. We had a fantastic time!

Dates: Friday, April 23rd - Saturday, May 1st
Where: Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Who: Me (Heather), my DH (Josh) and my DS (Cam)

 

[joshsprincess921]

Wednesday, April 28th

Today, we had a breakfast reservation at Trattoria al Forno. We were halfway down the hall when Josh realized he forgot his wallet. Since it held both of our ID's and credit card, we turned back for it. Only now none of our magic bands would open the door and neither would my phone. Previous times when they would not work, it would still blink, but now there was no blinking light. I was nervous to go to breakfast without the wallet, thinking if our magic bands wouldn't work we wouldn't be able to pay. Josh went down to the front desk and came back with a cast member who had to open our door with the master key. It was determined that our battery was dead, so that explains why we were having trouble with it all week. She apologized and said she would have an engineer come while we were out to get it changed out. Happy to report that when we did return later in the day, it was fixed and we no longer had any issues getting in for the rest of the trip.

We had never dined at Trattoria al Forno previously for the character breakfast, but I wanted to try it out since it was a short walk from our resort. Josh and I both started with an iced coffee.

This was bomb! Soooo good. Josh even ordered a second one. He's not a huge coffee fan, but he's got a growing love for iced coffee and he said this was the best one he's ever had. I don't know if I'd take it that far, but it was pretty dang good.

Our meals followed shortly after. For me, I had the Buttermilk Pancakes with Seasonal Compote (which was strawberry) and bacon.

These were so good. I loved how the edges of the pancake were crispy and they were quite fluffy.

Josh got the Oak Grilled Steak and Eggs which he enjoyed.

And Mickey Waffles for Cam.

Fancy mirror near the restrooms which are shared with Abracadabar. The bathrooms were fancy too!

We definitely enjoyed Trattoria al Forno for breakfast and I didn't mind that the characters weren't there. It's a pretty restaurant, service was great and the music was fun!

Afterwards, we walked over to EPCOT.

Cam had seen the Fruit Loop shake and really wanted to try it, so we made our way to Test Track. The booth hadn't quite open yet, so we got in line to ride Test Track again. We were seated in a car with an older couple who sat in the front row. As soon as we got past the seatbelt check they pulled their masks down and rode the entire ride with it all the way down. The didn't pull it back up until we nearly reached the unloading area. Our ride photo didn't show up and I'm assuming that was the reason why. By the time we got out the stand was open.

It was yummy! Cam had like 3 sips, said it was really good, but didn't want anymore.
I ended up finishing most of it.

We walked over to the Butterfly Garden since there was no line. We never did the actual Spike the Bee hunt, but we looked for him and found it a few times.

We made our way in!

 

[joshsprincess921]

Cam hoping a butterfly would land on him.

Hello little guy!

The Butterfly house is neat and really pretty, but it's a sauna in there! I was ready to get out. We rode Soarin' again then stopped to watch the Awesome Planet show. Josh likes watching stuff like that so it was right up his alley. Plus a nice A/C break never hurt anybody!

Cam wanted to take a picture of me.

We were going to take one more ride on Spaceship Earth, but the wait was up to 45 minutes so we headed out.

So long, EPCOT! (for now)

 

[joshsprincess921]

We still had some time before park hopping hours opened up and we were getting hungry. We were going to catch a bus to either Grand Floridian or Contemporary, whichever pulled up first. Contemporary was it! While on the bus, we put in an order at the Contempo Cafe. By now you know, I wasn't the best at always remembering to take pictures. It wasn't busy at all and was so nice just having lunch, watching the monorail go by. The Hot Turkey Sandwich 10/10 recommend!

We caught the monorail over to Magic Kingdom!

My heart was happy.

Got to say, don't LOVE the pink. I do love the decorations though.

Josh wanted to stop for some PP pictures. We got in line behind one other family and then had to move to the side because a calvacade was coming!

We got back in line and ooops, sorry another calvacade is coming!

Back in line again, third times a charm!

 

[joshsprincess921]

We asked Cam what he wanted to ride first and his vote was for Haunted Mansion. I pulled up the app and the wait wasn't bad, so off we went. Only we get there and they were having technical difficulties and had just shut down. No worries, let's go to Big Thunder! This is one Cam wouldn't ride on our last visit.

He said it was nothing and that he'd definitely ride it again.

I checked on Haunted Mansion and it was up and running again, so we went back that direction.

Awkward!

Fantasyland next! Josh's favorite ride, It's a Small World! (I'm being sarcastic, it's his worse nightmare, LOL).

We wanted something else to drink other than water, so we stopped by Gaston's and got some Powerade. So this was the first time I'd ever been in there and I also had no idea there were restrooms hidden back there. Good to know! We relaxed a bit and hydrated.

Cam asked to ride Barnstormer next so we went there before heading back to Under the Sea.

 

[joshsprincess921]

Josh doesn't care for Space Mountain and Cam didn't want to ride, so we agreed that they'd go on Buzz while I took off on Space!

Cam was mad his Daddy beat him.

Soooooo excited when Peoplemover opened a few days before this!! I wasn't expecting to be able to ride it on our trip, so we met up after at the Peoplemover!

Sun was setting and it was nearly time for our dinner reservation. We were dining at the Diamond Horseshoe with a Liberty Tavern Menu. A little bummed that we were walked next door and that I wouldn't get to experience Liberty Tree Tavern in it's full glory.

Nonetheless, we still got to feast!

Picky boy was able to get chicken tenders.

The only thing wrong with the food was that I got full way too fast. Not too full for this though!

It was everything I dreamed it would be!!!! I didn't even care that I had to eat it in the Diamond Horseshoe.

Afterwards, we rolled ourselves out of the MK back to the Yacht Club for a good night's rest because we'd be back in the morning.

 

[amjt660]

It was yummy! Cam had like 3 sips, said it was really good, but didn't want anymore.
I ended up finishing most of it.

That was an amazing sacrifice you made for Cam.

Max

 

[joshsprincess921]

That was an amazing sacrifice you made for Cam.

Max

It was the least I could do.

 

[BigDis]

Sun was setting and it was nearly time for our dinner reservation. We were dining at the Diamond Horseshoe with a Liberty Tavern Menu. A little bummed that we were walked next door and that I wouldn't get to experience Liberty Tree Tavern in it's full glory

Nonetheless, we still got to feast
View attachment 556598
It was everything I dreamed it would be!!!! I didn't even care that I had to eat it in the Diamond Horseshoe.

Afterwards, we rolled ourselves out of the MK back to the Yacht Club for a good night's rest because we'd be back in the morning.

I see a pattern here. You are the third, maybe fourth, magician to write in their TR that they got seated at the Diamond Horseshoe rather than the Liberty Tree Tavern much to their chagrin. Coincidence? I think not!

 

[Bullseye1967]

I see a pattern here. You are the third, maybe fourth, magician to write in their TR that they got seated at the Diamond Horseshoe rather than the Liberty Tree Tavern much to their chagrin. Coincidence? I think not!

We were seated at the Diamond Horseshoe when we were there in Feb

 

[Tuvalu]

On my last three visits (February and twice in April) I wanted to be seated in the Diamond Horseshoe....just for variety....and sat in the Tavern.

Wonder what June will bring?

 

[krisri18]

On my last three visits (February and twice in April) I wanted to be seated in the Diamond Horseshoe....just for variety....and sat in the Tavern.

Wonder what June will bring?

Dining with the divine spirits?

 

[cgersic]

On my last three visits (February and twice in April) I wanted to be seated in the Diamond Horseshoe....just for variety....and sat in the Tavern.

Wonder what June will bring?

Maybe frequent eaters (think frequent fliers) get the Tavern? I've honestly never eaten there... You all are making me want to plan a June trip!

 

[joshsprincess921]

Maybe frequent eaters (think frequent fliers) get the Tavern? I've honestly never eaten there... You all are making me want to plan a June trip!

That's a good theory! I guess we will have to see what happens on Tuvalu's June trip!

 

[joshsprincess921]

Thursday, April 29th

It was another early morning for us and we caught the first bus out to MK!

Cam was looking very tropical and also getting a little golden. He gets his coloring from Josh, not me, who was feeling a tad burnt.

We went straight to 7 Dwarfs. We watched as they tested the ride.

The line was getting very long behind us. Before long, they opened things up and we were on in no time! When we pulled back in after the ride, the cast member asked us if we'd like to ride again. SURE! She walked us back around the loading area. Needless to say, Cam was so excited.

After our two rides, we headed to Splash. We had seen from the day before that the line was getting very long for Splash during the day so we wanted to knock it out early. Splash was another first for Cam.

He had his eyes closed, but he said he loved it.

He wanted to do Big Thunder again, so we walked next door and walked on it.

 

[joshsprincess921]

Next up, was Pirates!

It had been a lovely morning so far and we were ready for some coffee. We made our way over to Tomorrowland and ended up stopping by the Joffrey's stand. We ordered a couple iced coffees and some pastries and found a seat, ate and did some people watching. While we were having our little break, Stitch came out.

Josh was ready for a nap so...

Only it was his first time seeing it and he ended up watching and enjoying the whole show.

We rode my least favorite thing in all of Disney World. I didn't even get photographic evidence, but the Speedway. I was going to sit it out, but Cam really wanted me to ride. Then we walked around a little bit before our lunch reservation.

 

[Drinker Bell]

What a lovely vacation you and your family look like you are having. Trattoria al Forno is one of my favorite places to eat although I have never ate there for breakfast the dinners are wonderful. It looks like your days at both Epcot and the Magic Kingdom have been fantastic and the weather has been beautiful. It also looks like you and your family have been able to experience quite a lot. Looking forward to more adventures.

 

[joshsprincess921]

Lunch was a new one for us. I loved the atmosphere here.

Josh and I weren't super hungry since we had the pastries not long before this so we split the Plaza Loaded Fries and the Club. Yummmmmy!

The only thing that would have made this better would have been the tomatoes my husband had them remove.

I bet you will never guess what Cam ordered...

We had already decided we would head back to the resort for a break, but not before dessert. There was something I really wanted to try. On the way there, we were going to see the Tiki Birds but the show just started so it was going to be another 15 minutes. Instead, I went ahead and put in my mobile order while Josh and Cam rode the carpets.

The Kakamora Float! I wish I had this now. That coconut soft serve was to die for. I took it over and watched the guys ride while I enjoyed my float.

Cam really wanted the Orange Bird sipper, so I while he was on the Carpets I put in an order to surprise him. He thought he was just taking a picture with the Orange Bird wall.

But he was so happy with his surprise!

 

[Drinker Bell]

The Plaza is great and the portions are huge. Don't know if you got the milkshakes, but they are wonderful as well. Also see you made a visit to The Orange Bird.

 

[joshsprincess921]

Our bellies were full, the sun was beaming, and the pool was calling our name (and the bed was calling Josh). I should note that I had heard reports in the FB group I was following that the pool had been reaching capacity and they were doing the text feature to call you back when there was open room, but we never had any issues getting into Storm Along Bay throughout the week.

Cam played in the sandbar area for awhile.

There was a duck that was swimming in the pool and 3 little kids kept chasing it. After about 30 minutes of listening to the Lifeguards yelling, "Princess, don't chase the ducks" which turned into, "STOP CHASING THE DUCK!!!" while the parents just sat in their chairs doing nothing, I told Cam I was ready to move to another area of the pool. A more relaxing area! We walked around for a bit trying to find some empty seats. We finally found some across the bridge in the corner. It was perfect because it was shaded by the buildings.

Cam swam for awhile and I had the perfect view of him to lounge.

After awhile, he hopped out and played in the sand around the edge of the pool.

Eventually, Josh texted to find out where we were because he had made his way down.

 

[joshsprincess921]

Yes, Daddy was up and that meant only one thing. Slide time!

Daddy had to go down first so he'd be down there to catch him. It was the only way he felt "safe" going down the slide.

They went down multiple times and I even went down once. We were supposed to go back to the park, but we were having such a great time at the pool that we decided to not go back. I got on the app while we were at the pool and tried to see if there was anything close that had a dinner reservation open. I looked on Open Table as well. I know how @lostpro9het raves about Il Mulino at the Swan and Dolphin and saw they had an reservation open. I grabbed it, but then cancelled because I worried that we would be under dressed. I wasn't sure of the dress code, it looked fancy and we didn't have anything other than shorts. Instead, I grabbed a dinner reservation at Trattoria al Forno. Would I regret this decision?