Trip Report Double Double Dip Trip June 2017 (Completed!)

Hello all and welcome to my trip report. My husband, Brad, and I just got back from a WDW trip and a Disney cruise on the Dream. Why am I calling it a double double dip? Well, we checked in and out of WDW twice, our cruise was a double dip (2 stops at Castaway Cay), and we had 2 birthdays to celebrate. So sit back and relax and enjoy my trip report.

Dates of vacation: June 18 to July 1

Resort: Pop Century (both times)

Cruise: Disney Dream

Travelers: Me (Amy) and my husband (Brad)

I'm tagging a few people that have followed my past reports. If I missed you, sorry, but please follow anyway. If you are new, welcome. And if I tagged you and you don't want to read, no problem!

@figmentfan423 @MinnieM123 @Cesar R M @donaldtoo @MySmallWorldof4 @MOXOMUMD @JenniferS @PacNWTigger @Tuvalu @Gabe1 @betty rose @Songbird76 @sheriffwoody @bee @blgauger @BuddyThomas @fractal @93boomer @MouseDreaming @Wrangler-Rick @PUSH @Mr Ferret 88 @amjt660 @Minnesota disney fan


June 18: Our first day of vacation was not a Disney day. We live near Minneapolis (about 1 hour 15 min from the airport) and we decided to spend the night before at a hotel so we didn't have to get up so early. When my husband got home from work around noon we headed over to Minneapolis and went to one of our favorite spots, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. We go here a lot and I was hoping to catch the peonies in full bloom but we missed the full bloom by about 4 days. That was disappointing as it is my favorite flower, but there were still some peonies and the roses were blooming nicely. We had a nice time walking around, and a local symphony was giving a concert so we listened to that for a bit. Hubby was pleased when they played a Star Wars medley. So here are some pictures.

The peony walk, as you can see not in full bloom.

Some of the roses.

The Arboretum often has changing botanical displays and so for these might be my favorite. It is a kaleidoscope and the bowl with the flowers spins, it is fun to look through.

After the Arboretum we headed to the Mall of America and did the Flying over America attraction since I had a 50% coupon. It is a take on Disney's Soarin. We had done the America version here before and they were running a limited showing of Flying over Canada so we opted for that. It was fine but no Disney. Although the seats at the Mall of America version are more comfortable.

Dinner that night was a the Hard Rock Cafe, we hadn't eaten at a Hard Rock in years. Neither of us could make a decision about where to eat so we settled on this since it was a few steps away from the exit of Flying over America. Now when I say settled, that soon changed when we started eating our burgers, hubs got a special Memphis burger and I had a Guinness burger. We both had herbed fries. And the meal was fantastic. Sorry no food pics of this, perhaps on another visit.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Friday June 23
We went to bed late and got up early, that's just how we roll. At least Disney.
Up early for our Mickey waffle kids meal then off to the Magic Kingdom.

With the security backups I had been involved in we made sure we got there super early. We were about 30 minutes early for the security line opening but there were about 20 other people waiting there too. Sure I was waiting but I wasn't waiting frustrated and not knowing why the line wasn't moving. Plus we had some nice chats with the security guards.

This makes me smile every time.

Then we were stopped here for awhile. At least I had an interesting view.

Then we were let onto Main Street and as part of EMH we were routed over to the bridge that leads over to the Cheshire Cafe by the teacups.

Lots of people were doing the surge to 7D or Space Mt, we were off to Neverland. It was a pretty empty walk as we back tracked on the path by the wishing well.

I wish it was this empty all the time, but I guess if it was the place wouldn't have enough revenue to run.

 

[Figgy1]

Thanks for the tag! Just getting to your tr. I keep getting pulled away from the priority of the Forums.I need more hours in a day!!!

So do I I'm still trying to get to your TR

 

[Figgy1]

OMG I have to go to Avatarland for the food it looks great.

Spoiler

they even have healthy choices

 

[susan lees]

That afternoon/evening we headed to the Magic Kingdom to see Happily Ever After again. Upon arrival I had another 20 minute wait to get through security. It was crazy packed and hardly any security lines open. Very frustrating. Once I was through, Brad had nicely gotten me a bottle of water and after standing in the hot sun for 20 minutes I sure needed it. Earlier Brad had made us a fastpass for Buzz and now it was nearing the end of that time period so we went there right away. Once we were in the queue for Buzz we noticed we had a anytime/almost anywhere fastpass on our account so we decided to use that for 7D after the fireworks. So it was Buzz and a spin on the Peoplemover and then we staked out our spot again for Happily Ever After. We got a spot at the fenceline on the Tomorrowland side of the Partners statue in the hub, so basically opposite of where we were the other night.

While we were waiting we chatted with people around us, and ate some popcorn. We particularly enjoyed talking to a family from England that was waiting right behind us. They were kind enough to offer us some of their food from Casey's (we declined) but thought that was a friendly gesture. Soon it was time for the show to start and when we stood up there was some extra room at the rail for a couple of the people from England to stand by us. Now we were packed in at the fence-line shoulder to shoulder.

Then all of a sudden a family, I don't even know where they came from as they weren't in our area waiting. We were there for a little over an hour, I like to people watch and I never saw them. Anyway, they started shoving their son (between 7-10 years old) into my husband and trying to wedge their son to the fence-line and in front of Brad. They never said anything, until Brad asked them to stop shoving into him because he was not moving. They started shoving the lady next to Brad and she moved over. I get that they wanted their kid to see, but they had the same opportunity to wait like the rest of us that had been there. I know we should be nicer but when we were nicer we were not rewarded like when we got soda dumped on us once by an angry tour group because we let kids stand in front of us to see Spectromagic, we are kind of hard-a$$es about it now. I don't know why people show up at the last minute and think they will get a good spot, or think it is okay to shove themselves or their children into people because they didn't plan well or weren't willing to give up ride time to wait for the spot they wanted. Sorry, rant over.

Well we didn't let that minor thing spoil the show. The show was still fantastic and again being by the fence-line with the buffer of the garden space to the next people in front of us was fantastic. Here are a couple pictures.
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After the show we braved the crowd and made our way over to 7D to use our free fastpass. Around that time I had felt my blood sugar drop, and sure enough it was really low (actually when I checked it, it was dangerously low). So it was a good thing Storybook Treats was nearby, we got hot fudge sundaes with chocolate ice cream.
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Oh no! My daughter is also diabetic and the parks plus the heat can really take its toll on your blood glucose. Really enjoying your report

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

So do I I'm still trying to get to your TR

I am still trying to finish it!! So little time.

 

[Songbird76]

I think hush puppies are made from cornmeal and have some spices (like onion or garlic or something) and fried. So basically fried bread! So tasty. Mashed potatoes are the best. Hubs is not really a fan of mashed potatoes, his mom made terrible ones that were pasty. I didn't eat too many of her meals before she passed but that stands out in my head, so if that was his early experience with mashed potatoes I don't blame him.

They were tater tots, they had a seasoning on them that was really good and they were nice and crispy. But they were just normal sized tots, perhaps it is the angle of shooting that makes them loot massive. I love a good tot.

I didn't know that. Does the other group perform at Disney or just off property? I'll have to see if they have any stuff on iTunes.

I love mashed potatoes. And baked. Really, my least favorite form of potatoes is fries, no matter what shape. Homefries, steak fries, thick cut, crinkle cut, waffle cut...doesn't seem to matter, though I REALLY don't like waffle cut ones. I do love tatertots though...especially if I have a bit of nacho cheese to dip them in. But if his mom was bad at mashed, I can understand his trepidation.

Voctave is all current or former members of VoL, and just like VoL, they have a lot of different members and they perform in different groups depending on who is available. But I have noticed in a lot of their videos that several of them were in your picture and several were there last year when I saw them. If you have facebook, they have a facebook page with all sorts of videos.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

So do I I'm still trying to get to your TR

OMG I have to go to Avatarland for the food it looks great.

Spoiler

they even have healthy choices

That's okay, you'll have time to catch up. We leave for California in a couple days I won't be able to update then. And yes the food is good and has healthy stuff.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Oh no! My daughter is also diabetic and the parks plus the heat can really take its toll on your blood glucose. Really enjoying your report

The heat and all the walking really impact my blood sugar too. I'm pretty good at managing it but sometimes I get a huge drop. I carry Smarties in my purse for the drops, but at Disney there is usually something more tasty to bring that sugar up! I'm glad you are enjoying the report.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I am still trying to finish it!! So little time.

Don't worry there will be a pause soon....California here I come...

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

We rode the carousel and as tradition took a picture of us on it. We take a picture of us on during our first time on it during our trip.

Then some speedway, who know it may be the last time.

Time for tea!

When I got off Brad had purchased this fun pasty (with chocolate inside) from the Cheshire Cafe for us to share. It was very good.

Time for some Muppets!

Okay folks, I have to put the trip report on pause. Brad and I are soon leaving for California for some Disneyland and the D23 Expo. I'll continue the report when I get back next week. And then probably do DL & D23 report. See ya real soon!

 

[becca_]

Have a great trip!!

 

[Courtney6682]

Following! So cool you guys got to see Chef Smith! I'm a HUGE Food Network fan and I love all the celebrity chefs. Can you get the chicken platter mixed with white and dark meat?

 

[ScarletBegonias]

I'm in & all caught up! Loving it so far.

and omg, those deviled eggs at Homecomin' !! I need those in my life ! However, I have celiac, and the rest of the food doesn't look super celiac friendly

 

[amjt660]

I hope you have a great trip and I am looking forward to both the continuation of this TR and details on the Cali excursion


Max

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Have a great trip!!

Thanks!

Following! So cool you guys got to see Chef Smith! I'm a HUGE Food Network fan and I love all the celebrity chefs. Can you get the chicken platter mixed with white and dark meat?

I'm pretty sure you can, that might even be how it is served. I like white meat, and there was a $4 additional charge for that. I don't think there was any extra charge for hubs all dark meat.

I'm in & all caught up! Loving it so far.

and omg, those deviled eggs at Homecomin' !! I need those in my life ! However, I have celiac, and the rest of the food doesn't look super celiac friendly

Thanks, the food I ate was probably not Celiac friendly but they would probably have some equally tasty. Maybe check out the menu.

I hope you have a great trip and I am looking forward to both the continuation of this TR and details on the Cali excursion


Max

Thanks. Our flight leaves at 5:30am tomorrow so we will be up early. But it will be worth it.

 

[newhorizons1]

I’m not a huge breakfast fan (although I do love visiting Kona for breakfast), but I may have to try the loco moco next time. That looks yummy!

Great locations for HEA viewing! And I totally do not blame you for not letting that kid get in front of you. Geez, the parents could at least ask first.

I love the empty Fantasyland photos!

Have fun at D23!

 

[Figment Forever]

Love your TR! Have an awesome trip to DL!!!

 

[WisDisneyFan]

I'm loving the trip report and I can't wait to read more about this trip and your D23 trip. I'm from Green Bay, so if you ever come for a Packer game, we'll have to tailgate and mix football with Disney!

 

[littleroo]

Ok! Finally caught up!! Great tr so far. Looking forward to more and hope you are having a great time in Cali!

I am a little disappointed you were not double fisting it in Mexico at La Cava....

 

[fractal]

We rode the carousel and as tradition took a picture of us on it. We take a picture of us on during our first time on it during our trip.
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Then some speedway, who know it may be the last time.
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Time for tea!
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When I got off Brad had purchased this fun pasty (with chocolate inside) from the Cheshire Cafe for us to share. It was very good.
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Time for some Muppets!
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Okay folks, I have to put the trip report on pause. Brad and I are soon leaving for California for some Disneyland and the D23 Expo. I'll continue the report when I get back next week. And then probably do DL & D23 report. See ya real soon!

Enjoy DL and D23!