Trip Report I Vowed Never Again ~ Yet Here We Are! *COMPLETED*

Wait, what?

WDW-obsessed Tuvalu actually vowed never again ?!?!

Must. Read. More.


Clickbait!

But there is truth in my statement. I did vow not to visit the world whenever our spring break...always the first week in April....aligns with Easter. The first week of April typically brings heavy crowds since most southern school systems are out. I can handle heavy. But add in additional volume from schools that coordinate their break with Easter and “heavy” becomes INSANE. (Not quite the insanity of Christmas week....I am smart enough to avoid that, thanks to a one-day trip in 1994.)

But I’ve BEEN THERE ~
In 2009 (during the recession) when it took 40 minutes just to get through the Epcot parking booth....and the line for the boat ride in Mexico was out the front door of the pavilion....and Magic Kingdom was closed due to capacity.

In 2010 when the mid-morning standby wait for Test Track was 240 minutes (that’s 4 hours, people!) and the wait time for Nemo (Nemo!) was 150 minutes.

In 2015 when we watched the 6:45 am MK Welcome show in the dark because we wanted to ride a few attractions before the hordes descended.

Long lines to use the restrooms (always filthy because attendants couldn’t keep up); no available tables in quick-service locations, forcing guests to sit on the ground outside the restaurants; and a general atmosphere of cranky/angry guests who didn’t like dealing with the multitude any more than I did.

So I declared, DONE THAT!

Or so I thought.....

My darling daughter Em lives for spring break. As a student she vacationed (Disney or beach) every year but one ~ and there was nearly a mutiny! Now that she’s a teacher, going away for spring break has reached an even higher level of importance. With this year’s Easter/spring break overlap, we began researching other warm-weather destinations.

Guess what we discovered. Transportation, resort and dining costs were cheaper if we went to WDW! And having APs means our entertainment would be free. Em’s teacher budget would not be strained. The practical side of me could not argue....and the mom side of me could not disappoint my daughter.

We leave on Monday. We’re prepared. And we’re gonna be LIVE!

A few Magic meet-ups are in the works. Hope to keep them a surprise (as long as @Zipitidoda doesn’t spill the beans! )

Despite declining MagicBands for our upcoming stay, these arrived in yesterday’s mail ~

Yeah, like we’re gonna wear the UGLY gray ones.....

See Ya Real Soon!

 

[Tuvalu]

“Tu’s” day, con’t

Em and I did not have dessert at Tony’s (so I can’t vouch for any of them, @ajrwdwgirl). We popped into Le Chapeau to purchase Rose Gold ears for Em’s principal.

I suggested a grand circle tour on the MPB but Em was done with crowds at this point and was ready for some pool time. Little did we know how long it would take to get back to POFQ.

While we thought the bus was waiting for us, it turned out the bus was waiting for a new driver. Eventually the driver showed and then had to go through all his “checks” before departing. Rather than returning to POFQ the usual way (World Drive to Vista Blvd. to Bonnet Creek Rd.) our driver did not make the turn on Vista and instead continued all the way down World Drive to Buena Vista Drive (passing DHS), before finally arriving at the opposite end of Bonnet Creek.....prompting Em to utter, “Does he get paid by the mile?!”

In no time at all she was changed and headed for the pool. Meanwhile I received a message from @Tony the Tigger saying he and Brian would not be able to meet up with us after all.

April Fool!!

That Tony......what a funny guy!

We did have a bunch of laughs as he and Brian regaled us with tales of the Bachelor Party weekend they were returning from. (After Tony recovers from yesterday’s National Record Store Day, I’m sure he will finish his trip report.....won’t you, Tony? )

After our farewell, Em and I enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine for a bit before dinner.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

“Tu’s” day, con’t

Em and I did not have dessert at Tony’s (so I can’t vouch for any of them, @ajrwdwgirl). We popped into Le Chapeau to purchase Rose Gold ears for Em’s principal.

I suggested a grand circle tour on the MPB but Em was done with crowds at this point and was ready for some pool time. Little did we know how long it would take to get back to POFQ.

While we thought the bus was waiting for us, it turned out the bus was waiting for a new driver. Eventually the driver showed and then had to go through all his “checks” before departing. Rather than returning to POFQ the usual way (World Drive to Vista Blvd. to Bonnet Creek Rd.) our driver did not make the turn on Vista and instead continued all the way down World Drive to Buena Vista Drive (passing DHS), before finally arriving at the opposite end of Bonnet Creek.....prompting Em to utter, “Does he get paid by the mile?!”

In no time at all she was changed and headed for the pool. Meanwhile I received a message from @Tony the Tigger saying he and Brian would not be able to meet up with us after all.

April Fool!!
View attachment 279661

That Tony......what a funny guy!

We did have a bunch of laughs as he and Brian regaled us with tales of the Bachelor Party weekend they were returning from. (After Tony recovers from yesterday’s National Record Store Day, I’m sure he will finish his trip report.....won’t you, Tony? )

After our farewell, Em and I enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine for a bit before dinner.

It’s on my to-do list. Right now I only have time for quick one-liners.

 

[Tuvalu]

Dinner was at one of our favorite fun spots ~ Beaches and Cream!

(Can’t you tell how much fun Em is having? )

I wish I had gotten a picture of our jovial server because he never stopped smiling! (“Smiling’s my favorite!”) He checked on us frequently and did not have an issue with my request of subbing a chicken breast for the hamburger patty.

Em ordered the burger as it comes.

We had a “Groundhog Day” experience while we dined. If you aren’t familiar with the movie, Bill Murray’s character is sent to Gobbler’s K n o b, Pennsylvania to report if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow....only he ends up reliving the same day over and over and over. Each morning weatherman Phil (Murray) is awakened by the opening chords of “I Got You Babe” playing on the radio....and the disbelief and frustration on Phil’s face is priceless.

There’s a jukebox in Beaches and Cream. The songs are retro 60’s pop, with a couple tunes by The Beach Boys (get it?) I cannot recall if money is required to play the jukebox, but I don’t think so as music always seems to be playing whenever we eat at B&C. The volume is kept at a reasonable level and most time the music just fades into the background. So I didn’t think much of it when the opening strain of “California Girls” began to play.

Until it played again.

And again.

Well this is odd, I thought to myself. As it began to play for a fourth time I said to Em: “Listen! The only song that’s playing is California Girls!”

She hadn’t been paying attention but when the opening riff began for the fifth time in a row, she burst out laughing. Which, of course, made me laugh.

By the 8th playing, we were in full-fledged hysterics.

Em was facing the jukebox and noticed that a boy had been hovering around it. She suspected the boy was responsible for the California Girls overload.

And when the boy was called back to his table by his father and reprimanded (“Stop playing that song!”) The mystery was solved.

But not before it played for a ninth time!

Then the lights were dimmed as a Kitchen Sink was brought out.....

....and delivered to the table with the California Girls culprit!

I encouraged Em to get a No Way Jose even though Woody wasn’t there to share it with her. I had a few spoonfuls, but the peanut butter sauce is too overpowering for my taste.

Totally full, we went inside Beach Club and admired the Easter eggs. We also perused the gift store where I saw the cutest pair.....tiny Chip and Dale stuffed inside a pair of Mickey ears!

Took a Disney CM-driven Uber back to POFQ and watched Illuminations from our room window.
A perfect end to “Tu’s” day!

 

[bee]

I was laughing so loud at the jukebox story, M got concerned and demanded to know what I was laughing at.

 

[MinnieM123]

It’s on my Tu-do list. Right now I only have time for quick one-liners.

FTFY.

(cc: @Tuvalu -- I've got your back, kiddo!)

 

[fractal]

Dinner was at one of our favorite fun spots ~ Beaches and Cream!

View attachment 279685
(Can’t you tell how much fun Em is having? )

I wish I had gotten a picture of our jovial server because he never stopped smiling! (“Smiling’s my favorite!”) He checked on us frequently and did not have an issue with my request of subbing a chicken breast for the hamburger patty.

View attachment 279680

Em ordered the burger as it comes.
View attachment 279679

We had a “Groundhog Day” experience while we dined. If you aren’t familiar with the movie, Bill Murray’s character is sent to Gobbler’s K n o b, Pennsylvania to report if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow....only he ends up reliving the same day over and over and over. Each morning weatherman Phil (Murray) is awakened by the opening chords of “I Got You Babe” playing on the radio....and the disbelief and frustration on Phil’s face is priceless.

There’s a jukebox in Beaches and Cream. The songs are retro 60’s pop, with a couple tunes by The Beach Boys (get it?) I cannot recall if money is required to play the jukebox, but I don’t think so as music always seems to be playing whenever we eat at B&C. The volume is kept at a reasonable level and most time the music just fades into the background. So I didn’t think much of it when the opening strain of “California Girls” began to play.

Until it played again.

And again.

Well this is odd, I thought to myself. As it began to play for a fourth time I said to Em: “Listen! The only song that’s playing is California Girls!”

She hadn’t been paying attention but when the opening riff began for the fifth time in a row, she burst out laughing. Which, of course, made me laugh.

By the 8th playing, we were in full-fledged hysterics.

Em was facing the jukebox and noticed that a boy had been hovering around it. She suspected the boy was responsible for the California Girls overload.

And when the boy was called back to his table by his father and reprimanded (“Stop playing that song!”) The mystery was solved.

But not before it played for a ninth time!

Then the lights were dimmed as a Kitchen Sink was brought out.....
View attachment 279682

....and delivered to the table with the California Girls culprit!
View attachment 279683

I encouraged Em to get a No Way Jose even though Woody wasn’t there to share it with her. I had a few spoonfuls, but the peanut butter sauce is too overpowering for my taste.
View attachment 279681

Totally full, we went inside Beach Club and admired the Easter eggs. We also perused the gift store where I saw the cutest pair.....tiny Chip and Dale stuffed inside a pair of Mickey ears!
View attachment 279684

Took a Disney CM-driven Uber back to POFQ and watched Illuminations from our room window.
A perfect end to “Tu’s” day!

 

[smile]

the disbelief and frustration on Phil’s face is priceless.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, April 4

I felt a little guilty when I woke up because today was Epcot day ~ and I’d be witnessing the magnificent beauty of the Flower and Garden Festival without Woody for the first time since 2010. He looks forward to F&G every year and although he gets to experience it next month, I will already know the ins-and-outs of this year’s Festival.

So I have purposely avoided sharing any details/pictures with him so he can be surprised. (Come to think of it....he hates surprises, !)

Em was stirring when I went to get breakfast.

(This pic is for @Tony the Tigger ~ he’ll know why.)

I was in the mood for something more substantial than a muffin (I did pick one up for Em) so I chose the Kids Platter ~ scrambled eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes and grapes. The CM had arranged everything neatly in a bowl and when I requested a lid, she just dumped the contents into a won’t-ever-decompose styrofoam box. I guess it was my own fault for not specifying in advance that I wanted my order to go!

Ordinarily I would not mind the eggs, bacon and potatoes mixed together in casserole form, but OH MY....the potatoes were heavily seasoned with cayenne pepper and made my eyes water. I also think there may have been a jalapeño mixed in with the onions.

Now I understand the “breakfast potatoes” were an attempt to replicate authentic New Orleans style, but this was a KIDS MEAL!! The potatoes were an automatic side. I cannot imagine ANY child’s palate tolerating the spiciness. I’ll bet most of those breakfast potatoes wind up in the trash.

It was a challenge to consume only the eggs and bacon but I managed.

 

[Tuvalu]

Having just missed the bus, Em and I took a pimpin’ Uber to Epcot and suffered through the worst security checkpoint ever (where we encountered the $25k special snowflake.)

We waited almost an hour to Soar, requiring me to modify our LWTL FP to later in the day. But our window for SSE was open so we went there next.

Notice anything?

The Siemens name has been removed from the sign. Sponsorship went bye bye.

Em sat on the right in our car, giving her the perfect position to photograph her fave “garlic bulb hat” man.

I don’t nearly appreciate Michelangelo’s efforts in painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling....for endless hours on his back!....as much as I should.

I could have been that little girl watching the moon landing.

I love how this animatronic was moved from the radio broadcast scene in the 40’s to the computer era. Dig those yellow tights!

 

[Tuvalu]

Finally had a moment to stop and smell the flowers.

 

[Tuvalu]

The area between Future World and World Showcase is simply stunning this time of year....you’ll have to take my word for it for the time being. (I believe we were enjoying it through the lenses in our eyes, not the lenses in our cameras.)

Em requested a stop at the food booth in Mexico. She purchased a rose margarita and a pork taco.

Using a gift card from one of her students made the $18 cost less painful.

I snapped a pic of the orchids in Mexico to send to my mom. She was enamoured with the orchids during her visit last May.

My “hip” mother replied with: “Why didn’t you FaceTime me? We could have had a moment.”

 

[Tuvalu]

#ThankfulforFP

I could never capture scenes from Frozen Ever After with my iPhone......thanks for these, Em!

Obligatory ride photo

 

[Tuvalu]

“Hey Mom, turn around!”

This could be a pretty screen saver.

 

[93boomer]

Finally had a moment to stop and smell the flowers.

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Pretty picture of you with the flowers!

 

[93boomer]

#ThankfulforFP
View attachment 279821

I could never capture scenes from Frozen Ever After with my iPhone......thanks for these, Em!

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Obligatory ride photo
View attachment 279826

Aww great job there Em!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Lunch break.

Temperatures were climbing and we had no desire to sit outside. All the tables on the patio were in the direct sun. We would have preferred a table in the bustling main dining room, but we were escorted to the sunroom. (I never know what to call this room.) The “window wall” should have been open for air flow, but it wasn’t and the a/c wasn’t cooling the room very well, making our location uncomfortable.

Em and I knew we were taking a risk when we booked Via Napoli. On a good day, service is only marginally average. However the server in charge of beverages is always top notch and today would be no exception. Our water glasses were kept filled to the brim.

Difficulties are found with the main servers....those who greet, take orders, bring food (sometimes), check on tables after food has been delivered and process payments. These servers must be trained to work at a snail’s pace.

Though our water gal had been by twice, we did not meet our server until 15 minutes after we sat down. Very unacceptable. He seemed surprised that we didn’t “need a few minutes” to look over the menu. (What? So you can disappear again?) And his facial expression when I said we were going to share an individual cheese pizza? See @smile ’s meme post above.

“May we have some bread to start with?” I asked. We know that Via Napoli serves bread with non-pasta orders upon request.

I’m sure I saw an eye roll before he turned and walked away. When he returned with the bread several minutes later, he practically threw the plate on the table along with a small plate of butter.....not the customary olive oil. But the joke was on him, as Em and I prefer butter!!

Then we waited....and waited....and waited for our pizza. If Blaze can fire up a pizza in five minutes, why can’t Via Napoli?

A different server brought our pizza to the table.

Usually we endure the “service suffering” because the pizza is worth it.

Today it was not.

The entire bottom crust was charred black. Every bite tasted burnt. Our server never came to check on us. Even if he had, I am not sure we would have sent the pizza back because it would have taken an eternity for a replacement.

Em and I had been finished for quite awhile before our server showed up with the dessert menu. “No thank you, just the check please,” I said.

He disappeared....I mean, seriously disappeared! I knew if I gave him my Tables in Wonderland card when he returned we’d have to wait EVEN LONGER for him to apply the discount. And he certainly was not worthy of the automatic 18% gratuity included when using TiW. I had enough cash to cover the pizza and a small tip. When he finally dropped the wallet on our table, I shoved the bills inside and Em and I walked out the side door. We didn’t even wait for his return to pick up the wallet.

I cannot wait to try Il Mulino. It better be worth the hype, @lostpro9het .

 

[sheriffwoody]

And his facial expression when I said we were going to share an individual cheese pizza?

Same experience we had when we shared. And I had even ordered sangria! I mean I understand your tip is going to be smaller if we share, but it's even smaller if you act like a baby about it.

Wondering if it's an Italian thing. On the one hand, we had some similar attitudes from servers there (not all), but on the other hand, they don't expect tips in Italy. Who knows?!

 

[Tuvalu]

I mean I understand your tip is going to be smaller if we share, but it's even smaller if you act like a baby about it!

Preach it, sister!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Crowds in World Showcase had definitely picked up which slowed our pace to a stroll. It wouldn’t have been a problem except our LWTL FP window had opened, thanks to the ridiculous amount of time we’d lost at lunch. We made a restroom stop in America and as we continued onward to Japan we could hear music.

Repetitive music.

At first I thought it was the Japanese drummers but as we got closer there was definite singing ~ and those drummers do not sing! No, it wasn’t coming from Japan after all.

It was this guy. In Morocco.

He was singing, “Please take me to Morocco.”
Over and over and over.

SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE HIM TO MOROCCO!!!

It was Groundhog Day part 2!

I looked at Em and we both cracked up.

And no lie, we could hear him pleading to go to Morocco as we walked through France and across the bridge to the U.K. ~ where I saw these topiaries and was reminded of:
@Tony the Tigger

And Brian

 

[Tuvalu]

Before our FP I had to stop for a Violet Lemonade. Across from where we were sitting was a PhotoPass spot with a lonely photographer so we quickly jumped up and went over.

This is the colorful beauty between Future World and World Showcase that I referenced earlier.

If there had only been a monorail behind us the pic would be complete!