Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, It’s Off To Work We Go: An April/July 2011 Trip Report

Yep. It’s me again! And guess what? This report is going to go up soooo much faster than that last one. Well, Part I is at least. No, really. Promise! Here’s the thing, just three short weeks after returning from our Wedding/Disneymoon extravaganza, I found myself back at the World ready to take on another adventure; unfortunately though, without my husband in tow. Yeah that’s right, I’m such a great wife, so great that I left him behind and went to Disney World without him for our one month anniversary! And then, again, in the middle of the summer. Tsk, tsk. Bad wife.

Part I: Saturday, April 16 – Wednesday, April 20 at Port Orleans Riverside
You see, by day (when I’m not trip reporting :lookaroun) I advise, assist, and mentor engineering students throughout their co-op experiences. One of the perks of my job is that I get to travel around and visit students on all these different assignments. Well, lo and behold, after quite a few years of trying, I was able to hook up two of my students with Disney! Guess what this means?! Yes, smart cookies, this means a site visit to Disney World for Hollybelle! The timing of a couple things (the wedding, and work-related events) pretty much dictated when this trip would take place. And it just so happened to be smack dab in the middle of prime spring break time; the week before Easter. This was actually a good thing though, because it meant that my mom, Kim (a teacher), could come along with me for the fun.

Part II: Tuesday, July 12 – Friday, July 15 at Caribbean Beach
I needed to go back to the Central Florida area in July for a site visit with students in Tampa, so of course, being an annual passholder, I couldn't resist combining this short visit with more time at Disney. Unfortunately, Brett couldn't get away from work to join me this time either. So I called up my mom, and she so selflessly gave up a bit of her summer to join me again. :lol: Good thing she got that annual pass.

Because all good reports need an introduction to the cast, here we are slurpin’ down margaritas in the Bahamas:

For the first trip, I initially had Pop booked because there was no way an AP rate would come out for the weekend before Easter, but oddly enough, my mom came across a surprisingly great rate for POR on one of the non-Disney travel sites, so we upgraded! Woohooo! This was my first time booking a Disney resort through a third party and everything worked out perfectly fine.

Just an aside, both parts of this report will likely be more photo driven and have a lot less text than normal… I also have a May trip to report on and an upcoming trip at the end of September so I'm trying my best to get all caught up with the summer reports as quickly as possible. :lol: Yes, I know, it’s already September. How’d that happen?!

 

[Southern_Tink]

Yay! Another Holly TR! I am so sorry I never commented on your wedding TR-we moved away from Clemson soon after our trip in March and we are just now in a routine and finally settled. What a beautiful bride, handsome husband, beautiful venue, beautiful family....gorgeousness all around!
So excited that you have this TR and more on the way!!!

 

[HollyBelle]

Yay! Another Holly TR! I am so sorry I never commented on your wedding TR-we moved away from Clemson soon after our trip in March and we are just now in a routine and finally settled. What a beautiful bride, handsome husband, beautiful venue, beautiful family....gorgeousness all around!
So excited that you have this TR and more on the way!!!

No problem at all, Lesley... and thanks so much for the kind words! It was a spectacular day (and trip). I hope the move went okay and that you're settling in alright wherever you are now.

 

[HollyBelle]

Day 4 – Tuesday, April 19: EPCOT

Tuesday morning was “work day.” Seriously though, site visits are quite possibly my favorite part of the job. I get to tour really cool manufacturing sites and facilities, and that’s not even the best part. The best part is seeing my students show pride and excitement over the work they are doing. This morning was slightly different though. My interest in the work these two students were doing was amplified! I mean, after all, they were taking me behind the scenes at Disney. Unfortunately though, I can’t share it here. Let’s just say, when one of my students told me she often chooses to spend her lunch break watching Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage, I thought she’d pretty much found the PERFECT job.

So… after my morning at “work,” I met back up with my mom at Port Orleans for a late lunch. She’d spent the morning enjoying the ambiance at Riverside. I’m so glad we paid the extra to stay at a moderate for this trip, because we really ended up utilizing our resort more than usual with the crowds.

Yeah, next time I’m there I’m going to see if they’ll bag the chips for me! So gooooooood. The salad looked better than it tasted, but it wasn’t too bad.

 

[HollyBelle]

Epcot was on the agenda for the afternoon and evening. We had grand plans… of moseying around World Showcase.

I think, second to mirror shots, I love the tram-self-portraitures. I have a bazillion of them, I guess because the ride into the parks always provides enough time to snap a shot.

Hey remember this? Flower and Garden Festival 2011… and to think, I still have a whole ‘nother trip report with F&GF pics to come. :lookaroun :lol:

Peace out, tronorail!!

We stopped for a quick photopass shot in front of SSE and then made our way to, where else, but Mexico!!

 

[HollyBelle]

Margaritas, por favor!

I love Mexico… I think it may even be my favorite WS pavilion.

 

[mamamouse]

mmm margaritas sign me up!!!

 

[HollyBelle]

The light was perfect just outside the temple for some portrait shooting.

Next stop… desserts from Kringla Bakeri! Some school bread and a cloudberry horn! We enjoyed the patio area outside the bakery for quite some time before moving along. Have I mentioned yet that the weather was beautiful that afternoon? It was perfect for strolling around the world.

 

[HollyBelle]

In China we waited around for the next showing of Reflections of China. It’d been awhile since I’d seen it and I’d forgotten how much I really like this show. Throughout the montage, mom kept saying, “I want to go to there, oooh, I want to go there, and there!” Yep, me too, Mom!

 

[HollyBelle]

Still hungry, we ordered some fried rice from Lotus Blossom and sat down to split it. It was just okay – nothing compared to the delicious Nine Dragons fried rice. And I’ve got to say, mine I make at home is a lot better, too. The egg roll, on the other hand, was rather tasty.

We wandered around China a bit more before heading on to the other countries.

 

[HollyBelle]

We sped things up a bit in the next few pavilions.

We stopped long enough in America to enjoy the Adventure:

And then we found ourselves transported to the Mitsukoshi department store for a bit.

 

[HollyBelle]

Mo ‘Rockin was out in full force when we wandered through.

Then, when we hit France we slowed back down again. Starting with Impressions de France, which absolutely makes my head hurt every single time I watch it. And yet, I always forget this fact. After the show we wandered through the shop. Where I just couldn’t resist another plush purchase. For a character that doesn’t get much love in her own movie, I’m surprised with how much merch there is featuring Marie. Although, she is adorable, so I shouldn’t be too surprised.

We hopped in line at the Patisserie to pick up some croissants. And then, with croissants in hand, we had one last stop to make before securing our place for Illuminations… what for you ask? Grand Marnier slushies! Ahh heaven in a plastic martini glass, I tell you!

 

[HollyBelle]

With croissants and slushes in hand, we made our way up to the bridge between England and France to snag a spot for Illuminations. We were there pretty early, and about 10 minutes before the show we overheard a couple behind us discussing if there was enough room to stand somewhere nearby. We shuffled over a bit to make room for them. Honestly, they were the exact type of people I wanted to stand by, seeing as how they weren’t going to shove their way in on anyone. It made for a great viewing spot, to be surrounded by polite people. Surprising what a difference it makes. :lol:

I was pretty emotional for most of the show. Calm tears though, not the train wreck variety. Just one month and one day prior to that, I was on a boat down below the bridge celebrating my marriage with Brett and our families. Oh, how I love Illuminations.

After the fireworks we made the slow trek back to the car and eventually resort. We had an early morning. Unlike my and Brett’s usual attack to our last day, my mom and I decided we would get an early start on the trip home the next morning. I was ready. I know, right. I adore Disney, but I’ve learned through these few trips without Brett that I adore Disney so much more when he’s with me. And quite honestly, I didn’t want anything more than to get home and see him. Mushy stuff, I know. :lol:

So that ends Part I of my work-related trips. I’ll likely resurrect this thread to incorporate Part II in the future. But that will come after my next trip report… a trip planned and booked just two weeks prior to execution. Pixar Weekend here we come!

 

[HollyBelle]

mmm margaritas sign me up!!!

Two weeks or so and you'll have one in your very hands!! :sohappy:

 

[mamamouse]

omg so can't wait n nice illuminations shots love em!!!

 

[blackthidot]

True. Don't hurt yourself trying to keep up, John! :lol: Don't you go for two weeks at a time? Think about it this way, with the exception of our March trip, you and I probably spent the same number of days at Disney this year.

I'll be looking for your reports!

Haha well the actual report is gonna be a while. The food report is up and it is a work in progress.

 

[Ariel484]

Fabulous Part 1! Can't wait for part 2!

A few things...numbered because I am a nerd:

1. Your purple ruffly tank top...I'm pretty sure I have the same one in green
2. Brett is most definitely a keeper! Love that he sent you a gift card. High-5, Brett!
3. Will and I are also not fans of Boma. That remains our most disappointing Disney dining experience to date. After all of the rave reviews that we heard leading up to that dinner, we just expected more.
4. Love all of those self portraits of you and your mom! So cute!
5. SO glad you're posting your Pixar Weekend report!
6. So sorry that this trip was a bit emotional for you...I totally understand the wedding hangover and wanting to re-live that day again. But it seems like you and your mom had a blast, so huzzah! :sohappy:

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Great part one!!!! Glad HS won as top park this trip its my favorite next to MK!

And if you don't mind me asking you for any tips on an engineering job search (since i noticed in the beginning you said you help students with co-ops)....I just graduated in May with my bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering. Unfortunately, during my schooling I was never able to get an internship/co-op, went for a coiuple interviews but told me I didn't have enough experience :lookaroun (uh isn't that what an internship is for?) Anyways, now I've been on 3 interviews for an actual job and no such luck with anything. I'm thinking the having no experience is killing me...any advice? Thanks in advance

 

[diddy_mouse]

Holly! Your pictures of Riverside made me miss that place sooooo much. It really is a lovely resort and I know you'll like French Quarter when you stay there. We're booked at POFQ for February (was December of this year) and I can't wait to go back.

The early morning shots you have are splendid and I gotta say, I have converted to an early riser now. Definitely appreciate the calmer time the mornings seem to have. And I know what you mean about a park taking the top spot of the trip. We had Animal Kingdom raise in the ranks after an awesome morning. The last trip Epcot took the top spot (although I'm a little biased since it's my favorite park :lookaroun)

Wishes can be a challenge but we don't typically watch from Main Street. Brandon and I opt for the Tomorrowland side, near the Noodle Terrace. Sure it's not a dead-on view of the castle but I'll take a slight angle over fighting with the crowds.

I can't even imagine what it was like going back to the Poly that soon after your wedding, without Brett. I'm sure it was that weird mix of excitement to be back and that crazy flood of memories from your wedding day. And speaking of Brett, how adorable is it that he sent you a gift card?

Can't wait for the next installment!

 

[WishIWasAtWDW]

yay a holly trip report! i am so very jealous of all of your trips this year! my goodness you are going to wdw like it is your job! although, with these two trips is was your job! :lol: how lucky?! part 1 of your trip report sounds like it was a very relaxing, leisurely trip! port orleans riverside looks beautiful. wes and i are staying at pofq next february for the princess half marathon. we've never stayed at a moderate before so i am super excited to stay there. i'm really excited to get some beignets! :slurp: i can't wait to read part 2 and your other many trip reports that are in the works!

 

[tink65]

Hey Holly, Imagine my delight when I checked trip reports and there was a new one there from you! Yeah! I really enjoy reading your reports! Thanks so much for all the POR photos. We'll be checking in POR for the very first time this coming Saturday and your pics made me even more excited to be there! Thanks again for another great report!