Trip Report Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, It's Back to the World We Go! *COMPLETED*

Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you prematurely. I am your host ~ your trip report host. Here in the following pages you'll see how the Tuvalu family survived Spring Break 2017. Kindly sit back and relax please, and make room for everyone. There's no turning back now......

Well, that's not exactly true. You are free to FIND YOUR WAY OUT at any time. Although I hope you stick around for the tour. There's bound to be drama.

The deets:
Cast: Moi (Tuvalu), Benevolent Husband (Woody), and the only reason we braved Spring Break madness ~ our Teacher Daughter (Em)
Dates: April 1-8, 2017
Resort: Port Orleans French Quarter

Along the way you'll encounter the slowest cast members ever hired by Disney. Farewell performances of Wishes (were there tears?) The awesome Blue Angels flyover. A Magic meet-up with another mother/daughter pair equally obsessed with WDW as Em and me. And the BEST TRANSPORTATION EVER.

You'll also discover the answers to the following questions: Are Spring Break crowds really that bad? (I'll give you a hint......YES.) What the heck happened to the Trolley? And the flagpole? Is the Red Card really gone? Can you get a same-day ADR for Be Our Guest? What about 'Ohana?

And the most-pressing question of all: Will Woody be doomed to sit on a hard chair in our room chained to his PC and phone all week?

Now as they say, "Look alive" and we'll continue our little tour.

 

[Tuvalu]

I saw this photo and read "Cookies of Dublin" and I was very disappointed to learn that you were not just having a large platter of cookies for dinner.

POST OF THE DAY!!!!!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

[QUOTE

Why would we "waste" a FP on Living with the Land?


[ [/QUOTE]

I would not call it a waste for FP on Living with the Land, it is one of the best attractions at Epcot. I love those plants! Although there are some times when a FP is not needs, it sounds like yours was well used.

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, April 3

Thought we'd forgo the Entenmann's this morning and have breakfast in the recently refurbished food court.

Many of the Mardi Gras float decorations (hence the name Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory) have been removed, which made me a little sad. Em, on the other hand, was thrilled that there are no more "giant creepy heads" staring down at us. The former dining area had a lot going on (and a lot to look at) and now the area seems generic and sterile. I am not a fan of the minimalist look.

Food is now served on real (not paper) plates with stainless flatware (although plastic flatware is available for takeout orders.) Items are made-to-order which sounds great in theory but in reality leads to long lines and long waits for food. You cannot just pop in for a quick hot breakfast. Even the pastry case has been moved making it more difficult to "grab-and-go" (Disney terminology, not mine.) You basically have to enter the same line for hot food and wait behind guests that are ordering until you reach the case.

And here's where the made-to-order system really falls apart. There are only 2 (and often just 1) CMs manning each food bay. And these CMs cannot multi-task. If an ingredient is not in its proper place, the CM wanders off to find it. These food workers seemed to have two speeds ~ slow and excruciatingly slow.

When guests are hangry and in a hurry to get to the parks it would be better to have some of the egg sandwiches, waffles and pancakes hot and ready to go!

(Woody ended up having to order lunch on two days. The food court was basically empty. Both days it took 15 minutes for him to receive his food.)

Back to today's breakfast. Woody went to one station for a "Breakfast Po' Boy". I went to another for "Fried French Toast". The picture on the menu board showed the French toast topped with fresh peaches (bright orange color) with a dollop of whipped cream. I like peaches, so when I was asked "fruit or no fruit?" I replied, "fruit."

Em waited in line for her pre-packaged muffin.

Many minutes later we had our breakfast.

Woody's Po' Boy was HUGE. It was easily shareable. He did not end up eating the bread and he still couldn't finish it. He wished there had been a half-size option (for half the price....this sandwich was $9.95.)

Take a look at the peaches...that glob of darkness on the right side of the plate. NOT fresh....they were SPICED .
I ordered the kids portion and I cannot imagine ANY child liking these spiced peaches. Fortunately I was able to scrape away most of the topping because the French toast itself was scrumptious!! I knew I'd have to have it again before our vacation was over.

As we ate, we couldn't help but be distracted by a senior lady at the next table. She was by herself and talking to no one in particular. On her hands she wore a pair of knit gloves. On top of the knit gloves she wore a pair of blue latex disposable gloves. She had finished her meal, climbed onto her rented scooter, and was trying maneuver around the table.....unsuccessfully. The scooter kept crashing into chairs and she kept talking.

Who did this woman belong to? There was a whole story there we'd never get to know.

Woody had a morning of business meetings but hoped to meet Em and me for lunch. We said goodbye to him and walked to the bus stop ~ where our bus was waiting for us.

 

[Tuvalu]

Why would we "waste" a FP on Living with the Land?

I would not call it a waste for FP on Living with the Land, it is one of the best attractions at Epcot. I love those plants! Although there are some times when a FP is not needs, it sounds like yours was well used.

Oh, I wouldn't call it a waste either....that's why I put "waste" in quotes. We LOVE Living with the Land. There are others who have a differing opinion that consider it a waste. But they are wrong.

 

[Tuvalu]

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD!!!!!!

Guests were getting the red carpet treatment this morning.

It is so funny to watch the Streetmosphere performers beckon guests to walk the red carpet. Many folks don't know what to make of it and just stop. Others intentionally don't make eye contact and rush on by. Some seem afraid to walk ON the carpet and just walk beside it.

But how can you refuse Gus, your friendly DME driver?

I hope this touch of Disney magic sticks around.

No waiting at the Passholder entrance!

 

[bee]

I saw this photo and shouted, "IS THAT GUS??"

But how can you refuse Gus, your friendly DME driver?

AND IT IS!!!

I hope this touch of Disney magic sticks around.

Me too!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

We had a FP for Rock 'n Rollercoaster but thought we'd have enough time to visit the Great Movie Ride first. The park had just opened ~ it couldn't be that crowded, right?

We never glanced at the wait time when we entered the queue because there was no one in the queue ~ at least not outside. We happily walked inside and were surprised to see where the line stopped.

Huh. Well, they're probably using every-other queue in the preshow room and only using two of the four passenger vehicles, right?

Wrong.

Yeah, it was 40 minutes after entering the preshow that we got to board our vehicle. Bye-bye RnR FP. (Sweet Em assured me she didn't care. I don't ride RnR but it is one of her favorites.)

Since we knew we wouldn't have to race across the park to use the FP, we could relax and enjoy our trip through the movies.

Our Mugsy was great....and all the effects were working in the gangster scene.

 

[Tiggerish]

Sounds to me like I'm glad I didn't hear him!

You'd probably be glad not to hear me sing, either.

My conversation-starting question is always, "if you had one wish, what would it be?". Mine would be for a decent singing voice. Not spectacular, mind you, just decent. Enough so that people (myself included) didn't want to flee the room.

I absolutely LOVE to sing, but I'll only sing in my car. Alone.

[QUOTE


I would not call it a waste for FP on Living with the Land, it is one of the best attractions at Epcot. I love those plants! Although there are some times when a FP is not needs, it sounds like yours was well used.

Raising my hand as another LWTL fan! Love the plants, love the boat ride.

now the area seems generic and sterile. I am not a fan of the minimalist look.

Me neither. I never thought those heads were creepy. Although I only ate there once.

We had a FP for Rock 'n Rollercoaster but thought we'd have enough time to visit the Great Movie Ride first. The park had just opened ~ it couldn't be that crowded, right?

We never glanced at the wait time when we entered the queue because there was no one in the queue ~ at least not outside. We happily walked inside and were surprised to see where the line stopped.

View attachment 200356
Huh. Well, they're probably using every-other queue in the preshow room and only using two of the four passenger vehicles, right?

Wrong.
View attachment 200357

View attachment 200358

Yeah, it was 40 minutes after entering the preshow that we got to board our vehicle. Bye-bye RnR FP. (Sweet Em assured me she didn't care. I don't ride RnR but it is one of her favorites.)

Since we knew we wouldn't have to race across the park to use the FP, we could relax and enjoy our trip through the movies.

Our Mugsy was great....and all the effects were working in the gangster scene.
View attachment 200359

Awww, much as I love RnRC, GMR is worth it. Especially if you get a great Mugsy.

 

[MinnieM123]

The former dining area had a lot going on (and a lot to look at) and now the area seems generic and sterile. I am not a fan of the minimalist look.

Agree. And not the same thing exactly, but one of the buildings in the complex where I work is minimalist in design and is a "green" designated building. Can I tell you how much I hate that place? Cold and sterile inside, and yet . . . praised (by some designers) for being so trendy.

 

[Courtney6682]

Monday, April 3

And here's where the made-to-order system really falls apart. There are only 2 (and often just 1) CMs manning each food bay. And these CMs cannot multi-task. If an ingredient is not in its proper place, the CM wanders off to find it. These food workers seemed to have two speeds ~ slow and excruciatingly slow.

When guests are hangry and in a hurry to get to the parks it would be better to have some of the egg sandwiches, waffles and pancakes hot and ready to go!

(Woody ended up having to order lunch on two days. The food court was basically empty. Both days it took 15 minutes for him to receive his food.)
.

We too experienced the same loooonggggg waits in Feb..Kevin got a burger one day and it took almost 20 mins...crazy!

 

[mcstensrud]

I really don't Mind waiting for food if it's good and worth it. When after waiting forever and it comes out cold or wrong that's when I have a problem.

 

[melmel89]

I saw this photo and shouted, "IS THAT GUS??"


AND IT IS!!!


Me too!!!

AKA officer Pecival Peabody!

 

[Tuvalu]

Though Em and I had missed FP #1, the window for #2 was now open (which still required a walk down Sunset Blvd.)

Em's sporting her new hat today!

I'd really like to throw y'all a curve ball and say our next FP was for Beauty and the Beast.
But I'd be lying.
How about if I say our FP was for the TERROR TOWER (cause that is what I overheard a very insistent woman tell her family.)

A hotel surrounded by pretty flowers can't be all bad, right?

I'm lying.

Not sure what Em is fixated on here....my ear?

There's not much love for Stitch in my family (apologies to @JenniferS and anyone else who finds him endearing.) However, when we saw this little guy sitting on the counter at the attraction exit, both Em and I couldn't help but fawn over his cuteness.

A nearby CM heard us gushing and came over to tell us that Bellhop Stitch is on Twitter and his adventures are posted for all to see. As long as he doesn't TP Cinderella Castle again or deface a monorail I'm good.

 

[Tuvalu]

Em and I were browsing the shops on Sunset when I received a text from Woody saying he was in the park and would meet us at the restaurant. We were a bit delayed when we got trapped by this (cue music) ~

Didn't care that we were late. THIS. WAS. COOL.

 

[Dory71]

Love your matching outfits!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Getting trapped by the huge sea of people exiting the Frozen Sing-Along? NOT COOL.

And I began to care that we were late. Woody was literally on his lunch hour and didn't have much time. We had planned to dine early and beat the rush. Thankfully the ordering lines were fairly short when we arrived.

Now is anyone actually surprised that we chose to lunch at PizzeRizzo?

Oh Pepe, how I love you!

And as nice as the booths are (and the tables on the outdoor deck and patio), for us there is only ONE choice when it comes to picking where to sit......

THE BANQUET HALL!!!!!

It's just so tacky. So cheesy. So perfect for eating frozen pizza.

And as usual, we're the only ones who think so!

You can see the reflection from the Disco Ball on our table. And when "YMCA" began to play, colored lights did their own little dance along the wall in perfect synchronization to the music.

Woody said it definitely beat having a sandwich in the room!

Sadly, our Rizzo fun was short-lived as Woody needed to be on his way and we gals had a FP to make.

 

[Tiggerish]

OMG, that Banquet Hall looks like quite a few that I've been to around the NYC boros.

 

[Tuvalu]

Love your matching outfits!!

Thank you!

OMG, that Banquet Hall looks like quite a few that I've been to around the NYC boros.

Yeah, I was in one about 18 months ago for my uncle's repast. One of Jersey's finest.

 

[Tuvalu]

It wouldn't be spring break without a little pool action, now would it?

After Ariel and Eric lived happily after ever, we took the bus (which was waiting for us again, mind you!) back to the resort, changed, sunscreened, and arrived here ~

<Gets on soapbox> People, if you are finished swimming and are leaving the pool, PLEASE scoop up your towels from the chairs you are no longer using and deposit them in the towel bin. Not only is this a courtesy to the staff, but it is also a courtesy to new arrivals who are looking for chairs. When each chair has a single white towel on it, we assume it is occupied.....though 9 times out of 10, it's probably not. The number of people in the pool never matches the number of chairs "saved" by white towels. Which brings me to my second point....if everyone in your party does not plan to ever use a chair, please don't take one. Use one chair for everyone's stuff. Thank you. <Steps down>

Very few guests at the pool. We found the last two empty chairs.

We sunned, swam and watched an EXTREMELY enthusiastic pool games CM ("Sue Heck" for those of you familiar with The Middle) dance, gyrate and shout instructions to no one in particular ~ only a couple of kids were in the water. It was quite entertaining. Props to her for a job well done when nobody seemed to care.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Monday, April 3

Thought we'd forgo the Entenmann's this morning and have breakfast in the recently refurbished food court.

View attachment 200326

Many of the Mardi Gras float decorations (hence the name Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory) have been removed, which made me a little sad. Em, on the other hand, was thrilled that there are no more "giant creepy heads" staring down at us. The former dining area had a lot going on (and a lot to look at) and now the area seems generic and sterile. I am not a fan of the minimalist look.

View attachment 200327

View attachment 200328

View attachment 200329

View attachment 200330

Food is now served on real (not paper) plates with stainless flatware (although plastic flatware is available for takeout orders.) Items are made-to-order which sounds great in theory but in reality leads to long lines and long waits for food. You cannot just pop in for a quick hot breakfast. Even the pastry case has been moved making it more difficult to "grab-and-go" (Disney terminology, not mine.) You basically have to enter the same line for hot food and wait behind guests that are ordering until you reach the case.

And here's where the made-to-order system really falls apart. There are only 2 (and often just 1) CMs manning each food bay. And these CMs cannot multi-task. If an ingredient is not in its proper place, the CM wanders off to find it. These food workers seemed to have two speeds ~ slow and excruciatingly slow.

When guests are hangry and in a hurry to get to the parks it would be better to have some of the egg sandwiches, waffles and pancakes hot and ready to go!

(Woody ended up having to order lunch on two days. The food court was basically empty. Both days it took 15 minutes for him to receive his food.)

Back to today's breakfast. Woody went to one station for a "Breakfast Po' Boy". I went to another for "Fried French Toast". The picture on the menu board showed the French toast topped with fresh peaches (bright orange color) with a dollop of whipped cream. I like peaches, so when I was asked "fruit or no fruit?" I replied, "fruit."

Em waited in line for her pre-packaged muffin.

Many minutes later we had our breakfast.
View attachment 200331

Woody's Po' Boy was HUGE. It was easily shareable. He did not end up eating the bread and he still couldn't finish it. He wished there had been a half-size option (for half the price....this sandwich was $9.95.)

Take a look at the peaches...that glob of darkness on the right side of the plate. NOT fresh....they were SPICED .
I ordered the kids portion and I cannot imagine ANY child liking these spiced peaches. Fortunately I was able to scrape away most of the topping because the French toast itself was scrumptious!! I knew I'd have to have it again before our vacation was over.

As we ate, we couldn't help but be distracted by a senior lady at the next table. She was by herself and talking to no one in particular. On her hands she wore a pair of knit gloves. On top of the knit gloves she wore a pair of blue latex disposable gloves. She had finished her meal, climbed onto her rented scooter, and was trying maneuver around the table.....unsuccessfully. The scooter kept crashing into chairs and she kept talking.

Who did this woman belong to? There was a whole story there we'd never get to know.

Woody had a morning of business meetings but hoped to meet Em and me for lunch. We said goodbye to him and walked to the bus stop ~ where our bus was waiting for us.

Does the bakery area still have a separate ordering area. I want to stop there for beignets, but don't want to wait 30 minutes for them.