Trip Report I Will Survive.....Spring Break (with a hint of May) *COMPLETED*

At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live among the Spring Break crowds
But then I spent so many nights thinking how I could be wrong
And I grew strong
And I knew I could get along....

Well that’s what I’m hoping for anyway. I’m not a newbie when it comes to navigating Spring Break at WDW. I’ve got a couple decades of experience under my belt. “Spring Break” isn’t a single week of cray cray crowds (like the week between Christmas and New Years) but is spread over March and April. Unfortunately one (or more) of those weeks can end up being cray cray....and these days, there is no way to predict which one.

Please don’t let it be this week.

But we are prepared. ADRs at 180 days. FPs at 60 days. Clothing for rain or shine. (Praying for shine ~ we’ve had enough rain over the last 4 months to set an ark afloat.) And attitudes willing to “go with the flow.”

My goal is to keep the updates live. Should I fail? There’s always Part “Tu”.

Who: Tuvalu, Woody and Em (the teacher whose schedule dictates when we go)
When: Sunday, March 31 - Sunday, April 7, 2019
Where: Port Orleans French Quarter
Why: Let’s hope we don’t ask ourselves this!
How: We’ve done the plane, can’t take the train....so it must be the automobile!

Will we be smiling at the end of the week? Stay tuned.

And if you don’t hang around for the smiles, you may want to peek in and see if there are any WDWMagic meet ups. I know of at least three forum friends I hope to encounter.

Now it’s off to bed! The alarm is set for zero-dark-thirty.

 

[LadyBelle]

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant ~ Billy Joel

I really wish we knew what happened to Brenda(er) & Eddie after they broke up....did they find love again? Did they move out of NY?

 

[ELeigh]

I really wish we knew what happened to Brenda(er) & Eddie after they broke up....did they find love again? Did they move out of NY?

This was actually a main plot point in the Billy Joel broadway musical “Movin Out”. It looks like you can watch it on YouTube .

 

[Tuvalu]

Yes!! This is exactly how I feel about AK...I WANT to love it. But we have only been there on one trip, so we haven't even learned to LIKE it yet. Hoping Pandora will change that?

Is that the server that gave Woody a wine he didn't order and then charged way more for it?

Pandora doesn’t lure us to AK. Satu’li Canteen sorta does....too bad it happens to be in Pandora.

And yep, the same Jiko server!

I really wish we knew what happened to Brenda(er) & Eddie after they broke up....did they find love again? Did they move out of NY?

Can’t tell you more cause I told you already!
Brender!

This was actually a main plot point in the Billy Joel broadway musical “Movin Out”. It looks like you can watch it on YouTube .

Good to know!

 

[Janir]

I just wanted to chime in that Disney - like many things in life- can be enjoyed at whatever speed you want to
And how you get to and from is totally up to you

No judgement from this guy

You be you

Max

You are absolutely right sir!
The BEST DISNEY EXPERIENCE ANYONE CAN HAVE IS THEIR OWN WAY!!! If y ou do the extra day in a park to you NEVER do a park and only stay at a resort the entire time.

 

[DisneyGigi]

I didn’t get to do Flower and Garden festival until 2016. I love all the extra flowers but sure a lot has changed over the years. I do prefer that, at least in 2016, there were not anywhere near as many inebriated guests as Food & Wine. Love F & W, hate it at night. Way too many sloppy drunk people. Can’t wait to see the flowers in a few days!

 

[susan lees]

Day Five

We want to love Animal Kingdom.

We really do.

However it has taken us nearly 20 years to learn to “like” AK, so I don’t have much hope we will ever “love” it. In fact Woody has stated that if he never got to visit AK again he wouldn’t miss it.

We avoid the park like the plague in summer. Too hot. Even the animals look miserable in July.

But winter and spring provide opportunities to give AK another shot. And so we went today.

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Wake up, cattle! It’s April, not July!!
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Giraffe pic for @amjt660.

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(It’s got a baby in it!)

Glad animal poo “sweets” are no longer offered in Zuri’s.
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Have you seen the Haribo gummies commercial with the boardroom of executives praising the candy in little kid voices? I imagine a similar situation when some imagineer pitched the idea of treats shaped like animal dung.

Giggle. “See? It’s elephant doo doo!” Giggle.
“Mine’s a zebra!” Giggle.
Giggle. “You can EAT it!”




Potential AirBnB?
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AK wrap up: Rides on Everest and Flight of Passage. Encounter with Kevin from Up. Shopping. Lunch at the always fab Satu’li Canteen.

Overall a decent experience.

But won’t be back until the leaves fall.

However the “AK theme” continued into the evening when we dined at Jiko. You read my review earlier. I forgot to include this snippet between Em and our pretentious server.

While pouring Em’s wine she announced: “This wine presents as fruit forward. Is that okay?”

“Yes,” Em replied.

After the server left I leaned over and asked Em what “presents as fruit forward” means.

“I have no idea!” Em laughed.

Day Six....more Flower and Food Garden ....coming up.

We've only recently learned to love AK. I think a mixture of going November and February so not as hot (that definitely killed it for us originally), and not running after young children anymore. We now approach AK as a restful park, think Nomad lounge for a long midday break and then a leisurely dinner a bit later.
We do our fast passes in between. We definitely cannot run about that park but do always try to visit it on each trip

 

[epcotisbest]

Lunchtime!

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Sonny’s was Em’s request.

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Stomach fueled.
Now to get car fueled.
Onward!

Inspired by this post, we stopped at a Sonny's on the way home from a business trip today and got take out to bring home. Sliced pork, chicken, fries, garlic toast, coleslaw, lots of sweet sauce and a ridiculous amount of smoked chicken salad. So many calories, so many carbs...I blame Em.

 

[StitchSNK]

Day Five

We want to love Animal Kingdom.

We really do.

However it has taken us nearly 20 years to learn to “like” AK, so I don’t have much hope we will ever “love” it. In fact Woody has stated that if he never got to visit AK again he wouldn’t miss it.

We avoid the park like the plague in summer. Too hot. Even the animals look miserable in July.

But winter and spring provide opportunities to give AK another shot. And so we went today.

Thanks for the spring break updates! I am a huge AK fan, probably because I love animals so much!

 

[Tuvalu]

I didn’t get to do Flower and Garden festival until 2016. I love all the extra flowers but sure a lot has changed over the years. I do prefer that, at least in 2016, there were not anywhere near as many inebriated guests as Food & Wine. Love F & W, hate it at night. Way too many sloppy drunk people. Can’t wait to see the flowers in a few days!

I think they should have the extra flowers all year long, don’t you?

We've only recently learned to love AK. I think a mixture of going November and February so not as hot (that definitely killed it for us originally), and not running after young children anymore. We now approach AK as a restful park, think Nomad lounge for a long midday break and then a leisurely dinner a bit later.
We do our fast passes in between. We definitely cannot run about that park but do always try to visit it on each trip

November and February are definitely better months to visit AK.

Inspired by this post, we stopped at a Sonny's on the way home from a business trip today and got take out to bring home. Sliced pork, chicken, fries, garlic toast, coleslaw, lots of sweet sauce and a ridiculous amount of smoked chicken salad. So many calories, so many carbs...I blame Em.

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OK, now I’m hungry.
I blame you.

Thanks for the spring break updates! I am a huge AK fan, probably because I love animals so much!

Nice of you to follow along!

 

[Tuvalu]

Day Six

Awakening to the sound of heavy rain while on vacation can be a bummer.

Thankfully we had no plans to rope drop. Our fastpasses weren’t until evening. If there was a “good” morning for rain, today was it. (Unless you were a runner in the Star Wars 5K!)

Em and I lounged while Woody braved the elements and fetched breakfast for us. We didn’t leave the room until after ten. We decided to drive to Epcot rather than wait on a bus. Once in the park our goal was to find the topiaries we had not seen yet.

We began walking towards the east side of Future World.

It was still sprinkling.

I mentioned in the LIVE part that this was my favorite topiary section of the festival.

Woody, meet Woody!

His BFF

Hey, somebody call Serta! We found the missing sheep!

 

[Tuvalu]

In recent years the F&G Festival Center was located in the former Wonders of Life pavilion. This was the place for demonstrations, exclusive merchandise, gardening displays and a film which highlighted how the Festival came together.

This year’s headquarters was in the Odyssey pavilion. Although not termed “Festival Center”, we assumed “Gardeners Terrace” would offer similar garden-related displays and demonstrations. After all, Gardeners is in the name!

But we’d be wrong. Gardeners Terrace was a glorified gift store....with the same F&G merchandise found elsewhere in the park.

It did have one redeeming quality, although not of the garden (or flower) variety.

It housed the Cider taps!

We shared a flight and declared the Strawberry Rose the clear winner....and I can’t wait to have it again.

It was nearing the lunch hour and we discussed our preferences. While I am always up for Tangerine Cafe, Em wasn’t feeling it. I remembered the yummy lunch I recently had at Les Halles and offered that.

“Yes!”

Unanimous vote.

Em took one last pic before leaving Gardeners Terrace.

Little did we know a brief detour awaited us before lunch.....

 

[93boomer]

In recent years the F&G Festival Center was located in the former Wonders of Life pavilion. This was the place for demonstrations, exclusive merchandise, gardening displays and a film which highlighted how the Festival came together.

This year’s headquarters was in the Odyssey pavilion. Although not termed “Festival Center”, we assumed “Gardeners Terrace” would offer similar garden-related displays and demonstrations. After all, Gardeners is in the name!

View attachment 368759

But we’d be wrong. Gardeners Terrace was a glorified gift store....with the same F&G merchandise found elsewhere in the park.

It did have one redeeming quality, although not of the garden (or flower) variety.

It housed the Cider taps!

View attachment 368760

We shared a flight and declared the Strawberry Rose the clear winner....and I can’t wait to have it again.

It was nearing the lunch hour and we discussed our preferences. While I am always up for Tangerine Cafe, Em wasn’t feeling it. I remembered the yummy lunch I recently had at Les Halles and offered that.

“Yes!”

Unanimous vote.

Em took one last pic before leaving Gardeners Terrace.

View attachment 368758

Little did we know a brief detour awaited us before lunch.....

The strawberry was awesome!! Wish I had one now.

 

[MinnieM123]

Woody, meet Woody!

Definite resemblance there. Are they brothers?

 

[amjt660]

Definite resemblance there. Are they brothers?

Max

 

[Tuvalu]

Day Six, con’t

I’ve read that Character Paloozas ~ spontaneous, unscheduled meet and greets ~ are rare.

Then I should play the lottery since I have now encountered a CP on back-to-back trips.

We had just passed Canada on our way to Les Halles when I observed that the large wooden doors that hide the entrance to World Showplace were open. I nudged Em to take a peek when all of a sudden Max spied her and came out through the doors, grabbed her hand, and escorted her inside.

Woody asked Em for her camera so he could document this fun surprise.

There were very few guests here and we got plenty of face time with Max, Launchpad, Mickey and Hook.

As we entered the U.K. I overheard a rocket scientist exclaim, “Hey, this must be Europe or something!”

And I that moment I realized I no longer had my umbrella. I told Woody and Em I would be right back. I figured I must have left it at the CP. I hurried to World Showplace where two CMs were closing the wooden doors.

“I forgot my umbrella!” I pleaded to the CMs.

I was allowed inside and recovered my umbrella which was propped against the wall. Crisis averted!

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

Love the picture of Em and Max holding hands!!

 

[93boomer]

Day Six, con’t

I’ve read that Character Paloozas ~ spontaneous, unscheduled meet and greets ~ are rare.

Then I should play the lottery since I have now encountered a CP on back-to-back trips.

We had just passed Canada on our way to Les Halles when I observed that the large wooden doors that hide the entrance to World Showplace were open. I nudged Em to take a peek when all of a sudden Max spied her and came out through the doors, grabbed her hand, and escorted her inside.

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Woody asked Em for her camera so he could document this fun surprise.

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There were very few guests here and we got plenty of face time with Max, Launchpad, Mickey and Hook.

As we entered the U.K. I overheard a rocket scientist exclaim, “Hey, this must be Europe or something!”

And I that moment I realized I no longer had my umbrella. I told Woody and Em I would be right back. I figured I must have left it at the CP. I hurried to World Showplace where two CMs were closing the wooden doors.

“I forgot my umbrella!” I pleaded to the CMs.

I was allowed inside and recovered my umbrella which was propped against the wall. Crisis averted!

Awww so adorable!!

 

[krisri18]

Day Six, con’t

I’ve read that Character Paloozas ~ spontaneous, unscheduled meet and greets ~ are rare.

Then I should play the lottery since I have now encountered a CP on back-to-back trips.

We had just passed Canada on our way to Les Halles when I observed that the large wooden doors that hide the entrance to World Showplace were open. I nudged Em to take a peek when all of a sudden Max spied her and came out through the doors, grabbed her hand, and escorted her inside.

View attachment 368827

Woody asked Em for her camera so he could document this fun surprise.

View attachment 368824

View attachment 368825

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View attachment 368826

There were very few guests here and we got plenty of face time with Max, Launchpad, Mickey and Hook.

As we entered the U.K. I overheard a rocket scientist exclaim, “Hey, this must be Europe or something!”

And I that moment I realized I no longer had my umbrella. I told Woody and Em I would be right back. I figured I must have left it at the CP. I hurried to World Showplace where two CMs were closing the wooden doors.

“I forgot my umbrella!” I pleaded to the CMs.

I was allowed inside and recovered my umbrella which was propped against the wall. Crisis averted!

Love a good Palooza! Lol

 

[joshsprincess921]

Bummer about the rain, but the picture of you and Woody under the umbrella is too cute!

 

[Dave B]

We completed our indoor stint with Soarin’, LWTL and Figment before venturing back into the great outdoors and the beauty that is Flower and Garden Festival.

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Sadly (for us, anyway) “Flower and Garden Festival” has become a misnomer.

A more accurate description would be “Flower and Food Festival.”

In recent years, the “gardening” aspect of F&G (demonstrations, product displays, videos, how-to classes) has been stripped away and replaced by food booths.

“Now it’s just a spring version of the Food and Wine Festival,” laments Woody.

In prior years we would come home from F&G with lots of projects for our yard. Woody implemented many ideas we learned. He looked forward to discovering new things on our spring visits.

This year he only discovered honey chicken flatbread. < sigh >

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