Trip Report From Batuu to the Boardwalk...and Beyond!

We're back from an absolutely wonderful trip that involved many firsts! As many times as we have been to Disney, we are always looking to try new things and find new favorites, and this trip was no exception! If you read my PTR (here) you will know that we actually went on two trips back-to-back; many of you questioned my sanity when I posted about the short trip, but you'll have to keep reading to find out exactly how crazy it was. If you're ready for food, drinks, and DRAMMA, you have come to the right place!

 

[bee]

2-7, cont.

HIDDEN MICKEY

This is such a beautiful pavilion! Next time you're in Epcot and aren't running to a FP or ADR, go spend some time there!

Up next: Dinner!

 

[bee]

2-7, cont.

For our last night and last IllumiNations I booked Spice Road Table. We checked in about twenty minutes early and requested either a patio table, or a table by a window so we could watch during dinner. We ended up inside by a window.

M and I started with a pitcher of sparkling sangria.

Only...it wasn't sparkling. So we had to send it back.

We ordered a whole bunch of tapas, including brie fondue, grape leaves, hummus, and hummus fries.

Partway through the meal I suddenly started feeling off. I felt nauseated and achy and couldn't even finish my sangria. The next day I woke up with a cold and sore throat and this must have been the beginning of it.

Jay had a chocolate pyramid for dessert.

Up next: I cry

 

[Rista1313]

They sounded good...whoever they are

That's the Blueberry Grass band... they are from a french speaking area of Canada... see that Banjo Man... in my report he's making eyes at me... well maybe not at ME... but man.. the boy has the sexy stare!

 

[bee]

2-7, cont.

Ladies and gentlemen...please don't cry so loudly that you disturb your fellow guests...

And just like that, my last IllumiNations was over.

On the way out we stopped at the store by the IG to get an Epcot reusable shopping bag.

Jay walked with us to the Boardwalk to get his leftovers from our fridge and then we said goodnight. M and I worked on packing and watched a bit of Phantom Menace.

Up next: Departure Day

 

[Darstarr]

I mean, I have never done it myself because I’ve never used the DDP, but I have heard of people getting refunded and having their credits used instead when something unusual happens.

Yep. I have had to do it.

 

[krisri18]

Those are beautiful sunset photos!

 

[bee]

Yep. I have had to do it.

The Dar has spoken!

Those are beautiful sunset photos!

Thank you! It was even better in person!

 

[riverside]

I get the other cute stuff on display at the Boardwalk but...a partially eaten cake??

That really has me puzzled.....

This is such a beautiful pavilion!

I so agree!!

 

[DisneyGigi]

2-7, cont.

Since many F&W kiosks were down and we were right by Norway we stopped in Kringla for drinks and snacks.

Viking Coffee!

I think my brother got his own Viking Coffee and also had a school bread. We enjoyed them in the seating area.

Since the kiosks were still down at this point and we were all getting hungry for a real lunch, I checked the app and snagged us a reservation for somewhere Jay had never been and M and I had only been once. We made the journey around World Showcase to get there.

CLOSED!

GHOST TOWN!

Have you guessed where we went yet?

We arrived right at our reservation time and waited a few minutes to be seated.

M and I started with drinks. I honestly don't remember what she got, but I had the Cucumber Cooler. Our server verified that I like Rye because it's a prominent flavor in the drink, and I said YES! It was very good. It was a bit savory and not too sweet and I'd definitely get it again!

BREAD

M and I shared the Farmhouse Salad

We also shared the Asian Dumplings, and my brother got this as well

AND my brother (also vegetarian) ordered poutine with a vegetarian gravy alternative. He shared a bit with us and OMG. SO. GOOD.

Everything was very good and the service was excellent. I would go back just for the veg version of the poutine. M and I ordered an appropriate amount of food but Jay regretted ordering so much and needed a box.

Up next: Naptime!

I see a Bunny!!!!

 

[bee]

If it seems like I was rushing to finish this report, it’s because I was! I wanted to finish it before our next trip, but alas, that didn’t happen, because...we are at WDW for a short trip right now! Hopefully I’ll finish the big trip report and the report of the current trip BEFORE the next trip...

 

[Swissmiss]

Have fun

 

[Tuvalu]

If it seems like I was rushing to finish this report, it’s because I was! I wanted to finish it before our next trip, but alas, that didn’t happen, because...we are at WDW for a short trip right now! Hopefully I’ll finish the big trip report and the report of the current trip BEFORE the next trip...

I’m sorry, but is your name Tuvalu?

 

[bee]

Have fun

thank you!! We are!!

I’m sorry, but is your name Tuvalu?

Just wait until you hear about the next and the NEXT trip...

 

[Nunu]

Very happy for you, enjoy!

 

[bee]

Trip 2, Day 8: Saturday, August 31

Our flight didn't leave until 5:00pm so we were in no rush to leave. We considered going into Epcot for breakfast in France but were so tired we opted to stay at the resort. So instead, breakfast was pastries from Boardwalk Bakery (plus coffee, of course).

We packed and tidied up and said goodbye to our beautiful Boardwalk room.

We hung out in the lobby for a bit, then went back down to the Bakery for a sandwich.

The Vegetable Sandwich was very tasty and was a good size to share!

After lunch we obviously NEEDED some ice cream, and since we never got to get our flight the previous day the choice was obvious.

Ummm, this is an abnormally large amount, right??

We both enjoyed Cookie au Lait the best (not surprising since we both love coffee ice cream!) and also liked Chocolate Milk n' Cookies. Neither of us were big fans of the Oatmeal Lace.

After awhile we had to go back inside to get out of the heat and humidity.

Up next: Souvenir Search

 

[bee]

2-8, cont.

We aren't big souvenir people. I think it's a combination of moving so many times in our adult lives, living in small apartments for most of our adult lives, and having relatives on both sides who are borderline hoarders, but we just are not that into STUFF. However, we do like to find small things to remember our trips that either a) we will get some use out of (like a coffee mug or pen), and/or b) are very small and don't take up a lot of space (like a magnet or postcard). We really wanted something that said "Disney's Boardwalk" since this was our first and perhaps only stay there.

Why do I always think of @lostpro9het and @Tuvalu when I see these??

Sadly, the General Store didn't have anything we liked with the name or logo of the resort.

We even asked for help since this sign seems to indicate there is a Boardwalk postcard somewhere out there!

We also tried the small shop on the Villas side, but again found nothing we liked.

U ok?

Up next: Goodbye to the Boardwalk (and my brother)

 

[bee]

2-8, cont.

As our Tragical time approached we went back to the lobby to hang out until it was time to go. My brother, who had gone to DHS and SWGE again that morning, raced against the clock to meet us before our bus time.

Luckily he arrived just in time for a (sweaty) goodbye hug. Our bus was a few minutes late and it was not a cute bus.

We stopped at CBR before leaving the bubble.

The Skyliner cabins were stored safely ahead of Dorian.

Soon we were on our way to the airport once again.

Up next: Airport nightmare

 

[bee]

2-8, cont.

When we arrived at MCO we dropped off our two bags at the Southwest counter. When we arrived at the security area we were greeted with THIS:

I'm guessing it was a combination of Labor Day weekend and people trying to get out of Florida before Dorian, but I have NEVER seen this airport that crowded. Our actual wait time wasn't QUITE what the sign said, but it was over 30 minutes.

Eventually we made it to the other side of the Fonorail.

Jersey Mike's is our go-to for a decent, cheap dinner with SOME nutritional value.

Over in the gate area, a passenger was celebrating a birthday with the help of the gate agents.

Our flight began boarding right on time and we managed to get our favorite seats!

Ew

Everyone boarded...and then we sat there...and sat there...and sat there. OF COURSE this happened the one time we had a tight connection. Finally someone announced that we were waiting for bags from a late connecting flight from Jamaica. GREAT.

FINALLY

This was NOT just Coke.

BallZ to pass the time...

Up next: MORE HEADACHE

 

[bee]

2-8, cont.

UGH

How nice to get the notification WHILE IN THE AIR that the flight you're supposed to be connecting to is already boarding

Then when we landed it took a long time to get to the gate. Tons of us had tight connections to various other cities so the plane's collective anxiety was running high. A FA came on the speaker and assured us that all of our flights were holding until we all arrived.

Once on the ground there was obviously no time for a bathroom break, or time for anything else but to RUN to the next gate. And RUN we did! Luckily our plane was still there, but UNluckily it had already boarded all three groups so we were among the last to board despite having A boarding positions. The gate agent for this flight also had no idea we were coming from a delayed flight, so obviously that was not communicated properly. M and I were the first to arrive from the Orlando flight so we got the very last two seats together, but there were lots of families who boarded after us who needed seats together, and it took WAY TOO LONG to find enough people to switch seats so the kids could sit with their parents.

I have long been a big Southwest fangirl, but things like this have been making me less and less excited about flying with them in the future. I understand many delays are outside the airline's control. But either they need to stop scheduling layovers with such tight connections (ours was less than an hour), or they need to change something about the boarding process. I'm not saying everyone else needs to wait to even board until connecting passengers arrive...okay, maybe I am saying that. If they had waited to start boarding until we arrived, it would have actually happened faster and we would have taken off sooner because all the families with small children could have boarded after the A group and would have found seats together without us needing to take extra time to find people willing to switch. Considering that SWA has entirely stopped service to our closest airport (Newark) and will soon be reducing the number of direct flights from the second closest (LaGuardia), we are going to look into other options in the future.

Rant over. We FINALLY got into the air and watched some silly free TV.

This was VERY NEEDED after all that.

FIIIIIIIIIINALLY we landed at LGA. We collected our bags and proceeded to the new rideshare pickup area. The way they are going rideshares here is actually pretty genius. You have to walk a little farther to get your ride, but once you arrive the cars are lines up and you are matched with the next car in the line, instead of being assigned to a random driver and having to find them. It's like the best part of traditional taxis and the best part of rideshares combined.

The ride back to NJ wasn't too long. We showered quickly and CRASHED after a wonderful but very tiring vacation.

Up next: Epilogue, final thoughts, and (SOON) the next trip report!

 

[Rista1313]

Just an FYI, that flight attendant flat out LIED to you...it's very rare that airlines hold connecting flights, unless a TON of people are getting on that connecting flight. (and by a ton I mean at least 20)