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.

 

[Big Hair]

Sunday, April 2

Disney excitement caused me to awaken very early, but I remained quiet as a mouse so not to disturb Woody and Em. When they began to stir, I went to get them coffee.

We had @lostpro9het and @imahistorygeek's lazy breakfast of choice:
View attachment 199915
The coffee cakes are a new addition to the donuts....they are delicious! All the mugs in the food court had white handles, which continues to raise the question: do all new mugs come with plain white handles or were these leftover handle-free mugs that have been given a handle?

The card in the picture was a "personalized" welcome from Punam Dayabhai-Jaira, manager of POFQ. Let's just say I sent Punam an email after our stay. I am still awaiting a reply.

There was no mad dash out of our room to get to the bus stop in order to make the (former) Welcome Show. Though I miss it, I don't miss the stress of trying to get there on time. And since we were not in a hurry to get to the MK, naturally the bus was just pulling in when we got to the bus stop!

Can someone please start a petition to bring back the opening chords of "The Mickey Mouse Club" when the bus makes the turn into the MK bus depot? Because the new monotone announcer just doesn't cut it. Could he be any less enthusiastic? I miss the excitement of the music and the exuberant "Welcome the Magic Kingdom!"

We disembarked and noticed where all the old park benches have been moved to:
View attachment 199917
We didn't know it at the time, but this particular bench would play a prominent role in our trip later in the week.

This was the final day of the "old" security screening. The next day there would be agents checking bags under the large white tent area.
View attachment 199918

Finally, CMs were checking to make sure guests who entered the Passholder line were indeed AP holders!
View attachment 199919

View attachment 199920

Yes, return the Mickey Mouse Club music intro when you arrive to the MK by bus and also on the magic express when you come on property. They don't realize how it elevated the excitement and magic. It was really special, at least for me.

 

[Tuvalu]

Since all guests are now allowed onto Main Street before the park officially opens, those with early breakfast ADRs have a new place to check in.

We wanted to walk through the castle but as we approached it we encountered this heading our way:

WTH??!! First the flagpole is MIA, and now our beloved trolley is too?!?!

Woody said it reminded him of the Budweiser beer wagon....which seems appropriate now that beer is served in the MK.

Of course @TrolleyFollower91 had to get some shots of the performance. (Will she need to change her name to BeerWagonFollower91??)

 

[Tuvalu]

(In case anyone is wondering, yes the shirt I am wearing is the 45th Anniversary shirt I had to order off Disneystore.com while sitting in the Orlando airport following our trip on the 45th Anniversary.....BECAUSE THERE WERE NO SHIRTS FOR SALE IN THE MK!! )

As we walked past the entrance for Cinderella's Royal Table, there was a CM beckoning guests to have breakfast. "We have openings!" she called out. (When does that ever happen?!) Woody was tempted (he enjoys a big breakfast) until I reminded him of our early lunch ADR.

Sir Mickey's was under wraps.

 

[Tuvalu]

By now we knew the standby line for Peter Pan would be too long for our liking so we went to our second first (is that a thing?) go-to attraction.

 

[Tuvalu]

Get ready to sing!

No?
Not in the mood?
How about cheering? Cause the interactive ending was working, baby!

 

[LisaBelle]

Of course @TrolleyFollower91 had to get some shots of the performance. (Will she need to change her name to BeerWagonFollower91??)

I hope not! I love the trolleys. Of course it seems that many things that I love are going away (Wishes and the Welcome Show)

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Just joined in! Sad about the trolley being replaced. Do they still sing the trolley song?
I an so glad I moved our GG ADR to earlier seeing how service has been an issue lately. I hope the fries are just temporary. I was hoping for sweet potato fries, but not a deal breaker.

 

[Tuvalu]

It was time for me to visit my favorite attraction. No pictures, because discretion is due here. Woody and Em patiently waited for me.

Where can you find this lovely brook? (Not to be confused with @Courtney6682 's lovely Brook )

Well, right here!

I love finding something new I've never noticed before!

The window for our first FP had opened.

There were a couple disappointments inside. Madam Leota's crystal ball head was stationary; it was not levitating. And there was no couple swinging from the chandelier in the ballroom ~ but the solo ghost on the opposite side was hanging on.

On the upside, the interactive (personalized) ending was working. And the best part? A ghost DID follow us home!

 

[Tuvalu]

I have shared before that Em is the best photographer in the family, followed closely by Woody. But every now and then I surprise myself with my photographic ability. I mean, look at this artsy shot when I wasn't even trying to take a picture:

(Note to self: remember to turn phone OFF when walking around.)

We had a little time before we could check in for lunch. Enough time to take a trip Under the Sea.

Look closely at this next picture. Scuttle is talking to and pointing at a blank screen. You'd think there would be a CM warning guests to watch out, or they might get crabs.

 

[LadyBelle]

You're on a roll tonight @Tuvalu

 

[blreinsel]

Perhaps we just had an "off" night with our server. We did witness attentive servers at neighboring tables. I wouldn't necessarily cancel your ADRs, friends....unless no sweet potato fries is a deal-breaker .


Indeed there was!!!

No sweet potato fries IS a deal breaker! Maybe not.. we'll see. I never judge a restaurant by a review of servers. Everybody has off nights! My dad is in the food industry so I'm possibly even more patient in those situations than the average person. However, taking deliciousness off the menu is NOT something I handle well.

 

[mcstensrud]

Oh my how did I miss this trip report.
All caught up now! I think our next trip dates overlap.Maybe I will get a @Tuvalu sighting. Ya never know.
Following along.

 

[Zipadeelady]

@TrolleyFollower91 since you are a master photographer what would you recommend for a first big girl camera (I want to move up from a point and shoot). I'm not sure where to begin researching. so any brands, lens, or equipment suggestions would be wonderful.

Sorry @Tuvalu for high jacking your report.

 

[Tuvalu]

awesome intro! now time to read your other trip reports!

Hope you enjoy reading!

Wow, nice view!! And love the picture of you and Woody on the stairs!

Thank you

Yes, return the Mickey Mouse Club music intro when you arrive to the MK by bus and also on the magic express when you come on property. They don't realize how it elevated the excitement and magic. It was really special, at least for me.

It was special for me too!!

I hope not! I love the trolleys. Of course it seems that many things that I love are going away (Wishes and the Welcome Show)

We can always hope the new things will become favorites, @LisaBelle.

Just joined in! Sad about the trolley being replaced. Do they still sing the trolley song?

Their set was "spring themed" songs.

You're on a roll tonight @Tuvalu

And I haven't even been drinking!

No sweet potato fries IS a deal breaker! Maybe not.. we'll see.However, taking deliciousness off the menu is NOT something I handle well.

Me either! A lot of my favorite dishes have gone by the wayside over the years.

Oh my how did I miss this trip report. All caught up now! I think our next trip dates overlap.Maybe I will get a @Tuvalu sighting. Ya never know.
Following along.

If you see me, greet me! Love to meet Magic friends.

 

[imahistorygeek]

We had @lostpro9het and @imahistorygeek's lazy breakfast of choice:

I am intrigued by those cakes. We may have to try them on our next trip.

And by lazy you mean awesome.

 

[fractal]

Holy Smokes! Your trip reports are becoming as regular as Disney price hikes (but much more palatable).


Looks like I'm crossed Garden Grill off my list.

Was there a tap at the back of the "beer wagon?"

Love the pics of the Main Street performers! @TrolleyFollower91

 

[Courtney6682]

Where can you find this lovely brook? (Not to be confused with @Courtney6682 's lovely Brook )
View attachment 199963

Awww you're sweet...thank you pal!

 

[Tuvalu]

And by lazy you mean awesome.

But of course!

Was there a tap at the back of the "beer wagon?"

Sadly not.....I'm sure those Trolley performers get hot and thirsty dancing around in the Florida sun!

Awww you're sweet...thank you pal!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con't

Are you kidding me?!! Don't you guys EVER eat lunch anyplace else?

No.

Even with the decrease in food quality, the increase in prices and always the potential of a long wait to receive our meal, BOG continues to wow with its awesome atmosphere. Plus we have a seat while waiting for our order ~ unlike the other QS locations where you continue to stand in a long line to receive your food after ordering and then have to awkwardly balance a full tray through the masses while wistfully searching for an empty table. We are happy to pay a premium not to do that!

Is this fancy engraved notice an indication that the Enchanted Rose Cup may be out of stock for awhile?

To shake things up, I suggested dining in the ballroom......AND IT'S NOT EVEN THE CHRISTMAS SEASON!!

We had a table by the snow.

Roast beef for Em and me to share, turkey for Woody.

Today the beef was rare, flavorful and delicious! The baguette was crispy fresh. Plenty of red peppers in the green beans jardiniere make this girl happy! And Woody gave his Sammie a thumbs up.

PLEASE bring back the Be Our Guest inscription on the chocolate!! (Otherwise, why bother with this plain square?)

 

[Tuvalu]

We couldn't wait for our next attraction!!

Okay, so how many people without little kids utter those words about the train? (Or as our family calls it the "MPB" ~ moving park bench!) The train has been closed our last three visits and we've missed it!!!

MPB Joy!

The award for the dumbest comment of the day:
(Man to CM) "Does this train go to other parks?"