If you hate photos ... this is not the trip report for you

Over 4,000 pictures later, with full bellies and a happy toddler we have returned back to the cold, snowy, and not as fun state of IL. It's been over a week since we've returned and now full Disney blues has caught on for most of us. So with this snow and cold I thought why not write about the warm 75-82 degree, 10 days of awesome we just came back from.

We left for the magic on February 2nd and returned to yuck on February 12th. Our stay started at Pop Century with a hotel switch at the end to Port Orleans Riverside. Did everything go smoothly? Hmmm .. you'll have to read to see.

Let's introduce the party ...

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Hi! I'm your narrator and photographer who will guide you through the good times and the bad times. I'm Jenni, and I've used so much of the good advice from everyone on this board to plan this trip. (Thank you everyone!!) I also found a great crowd calendar that made our wait times so minimal despite the unexpected crowds. I had my first trip to Disney in 2007 on my honeymoon. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge in a Savannah View. I really loved having animals join me for breakfast in the morning. This is where my love for Disney World started. I knew that we had to vacation here every year. This would be my sixth trip to Disney since then. My favorite ride is Splash Mountain, favorite park for rides is Magic Kingdom but ambiance is Hollywood Studios. But really ... I just love everything.

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This is my husband and best friend. We have been together for 10 years, married for 5. He also loves Magic Kingdom for rides but just like me loves the ambiance at Hollywood Studios. He has been to Disney a few times more than me. He is awesome and lets me plan everything. He is the chauffeur this trip and my hero since he saved the day!

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Here is the princess, my DD. Her favorite ride is It's A Small World and she could ride it continuously until they kicked her off. Let's just say for the sake of our sanity, that didn't happen. She's only 2 but she really loves everything about Disney World. She takes in the scenes, loves the rides and likes the characters .. from a distance. This would be her 3rd trip.

My sister-in-law also joined us for the trip but since she wasn't into getting her picture taken I don't really have any for her. Her last trip here was in high school so it's been a while since she has been in the World. So it was like her first time again. It was fun to show her everything and see her reactions to the rides. I love being with first timers.

Last but not least was Heimlich. He joined us for some of the trip. He likes to eat, he's German and is earning his butterfly status. Favorite park, Epcot because of the food.
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So on with the trip report and loads of pictures.

We left the cold state of IL in the early hours of February 2nd. Of course it decides to snow that morning so the drive to the airport was a bit slow. We made it with tons of time to spare so we grabbed breakfast, did a potty break and on we were. I paid the extra $10 to do early bird check-in and it was worth it. We sat 10 rows from the front and practically ran off the plane to get our rental car. We weren't going to waste any time.
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Beautiful skies
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Greeted with this in the sky
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And this also
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And then we saw this

We arrived at Pop Century around 12:00. I had done online check-in. I'm so glad I did because the regular line was about 45 minutes long and there wasn't one person in online check-in. I checked the option to have the room ready upon arrival and to override all our requests. Well the awesome CM was on the phone trying to get us a room. Almost all of our requests were granted, we stayed in 50's and we were on the bottom floor. We wanted a lake view but were willing to sacrifice that for having a room ready. We were in and out of line in 5 minutes. We stayed in 50's last year and it was quiet. This year I was not disappointed, it was very quiet. We did request a pack-and-play and that was not in the room. A quick call to the front desk and we had it to our room within 10 minutes. We were very pleased. Well after a long plane ride all our tummies were grumbling and AOA food court was calling our name. I have to say I wasn't disappointed with the food. The process however was the frustrating part. I think it took about 10 minutes for all of us to get our food and finish the check out process.

I had the meatball sandwich
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DH got the Surf and Surf Burger. We both split our meals and agreed that the meatball was 1,000 times better.
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My Sis-in-law got this sandwich with homemade chips. The chips were good. She liked her sandwich.
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I got the cupcakes for dessert. It was red velvet, chocolate, vanilla and carrot cake. I give it a 6 out of 10. Not bad but not great.
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My DH got this, don't remember what it's called but I called it a garbage brownie. It has every kind of sugar related treat on it .. oh and even brown sugar.
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Next ... Check out AOA and Wishes Dessert Party
 

Jennibelle

Member
Original Poster
France

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United Kingdom

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Water between Canada and UK

Canada

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On our way out

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My SIL and DH decided to use their FP for Test Track (He was not a fan of the new TT) so I did something I haven't done before. I was feeling a bit thirsty so I headed to club cool. My opinion on the following:

Fanta Kolita (Costa Rica) - My favorite, I loved the flavor
Mezzo Miz (Germany) - Wasn't available
Smart Watermelon (China) - Refreshing
Lift Apple (Mexico) - Good but not great
VegitaBeta (Japan) - Didn't try
Kinley Lemon (Israel) - Tasted like lemon pop, I liked it
Beverly (Italy) - At first not bad, then bam the aftertaste gets you. ***TMI*** I almost lost my lunch, so yes it almost stimulated my appetite but clearing out the contents.

Now it's back to the resort for a rest and off to MK for the night
 

PUSH

Well-Known Member
Fanta Kolita (Costa Rica) - My favorite, I loved the flavor
Mezzo Miz (Germany) - Wasn't available
Smart Watermelon (China) - Refreshing
Lift Apple (Mexico) - Good but not great
VegitaBeta (Japan) - Didn't try
Kinley Lemon (Israel) - Tasted like lemon pop, I liked it
Beverly (Italy) - At first not bad, then bam the aftertaste gets you. ***TMI*** I almost lost my lunch, so yes it almost stimulated my appetite but clearing out the contents.

That's too bad the Mezzo Mix wasn't available, it's my favorite!
 

Jennibelle

Member
Original Poster
For dinner we went back to Wolfgang Puck Express. We all had the same meals but decided to split everything into threes so we could all share. Again .. it did not disappoint and we will be going back here again next trip.

I decided before we left that I was going to purchase the PhotoPass+ and at this point in the trip I didn't really know if it was worth it. After coming home I realized that they captured a lot of moments I didn't always get with my camera. Once I get the DVD I will post all the pictures in the report.

We decided to spend the evening in Magic Kingdom. My only complaint about MK is the transportation to get there. From what I timed it was about 20-30 minutes from parking lot to MK. It seems like the monorails are always down or that something isn't working right. So I'm going to stay once at the Contemporary just so I can walk to MK.

First ride was IASW so I didn't have to listen to the DD ask when we were going on the boat ride.

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My DH's favorite ride was next. This was a walk on. We noticed that the longest we waited for Pirates was, 1 minute the entire trip.

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I'm not really sure what they did differently in the ride. I did notice the mermaid song which was creepy on your way into the storm and the mermaid skeleton. Was there something else with the mermaids?

After this we rode Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear and People Mover. We had FP to Peter Pan and the other rides were also walk ons. We decided to call it a night after this due to a child that was already asleep. The park was busy but the majority of the people were watching the parade and fireworks so most of the rides were walk ons.

I have to say that, yes the crowds are way bigger than we experienced last year by a lot. However they were still manageable. Were there obnoxious and rude tour groups? Yep and despite their rudeness I wasn't about to let any of them ruin my vacation. So i just blocked them out and made sure my family had a wonderful time.

Tomorrow .. our first full one park only day .. Hollywood Studios, Mama Melroses and Fantasmic! package
 

Jennibelle

Member
Original Poster
Wait what .. We are going to stay at a park for the entire day? Unheard of ....

We decided that for the first time ever we would just stay at one park the entire day. We got up early and got to Hollywood Studios a 1/2 hour after open only to find out that TSMM was down. Are you kidding me? By the time my DH got to the FP it was already at 1:00. Well it worked for us because we had a reservation at Mama Melrose at 12:00. This would be our first time trying the Fantasmic! Package. I've heard mixed reviews but I thought, why not?

So what are we going to do with TSMM and Disney Junior down? Okay the new Pirates experience. We waited about 10 minutes to get in. So not worth the wait. You go into this room, hear the skull (in pic below) talk. Then go into this other room made to appear that you are on a ship. It's okay and I'm glad I experienced it but I wasn't a fan. I also had a guy that was like 6'5" in front of me so I couldn't see anything.

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Okay so with no TSMM what else could we do ... Starring Rolls anyone?

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Who said cupcakes aren't for breakfast? It has dairy, eggs, and protein.

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Fruit Tart

The DH and SIL wanted to ride ToT. I rode this a few years ago with my younger brothers. I swear we dropped the most and the furthest on this ride. Needless to say my brothers vowed never to ride it with me again. I think I embarrassed them with the screaming and grabbing them for dear life.

While the DD and I waited, we people watched and observed the park. Since TSMM was down everyone was over in this area so it looked way more crowded than it usually does. Due to the Cheer Championships, there were cheerleaders everywhere. Didn't have any issues with them as they were well behaved and for the most part polite.

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Use a snack credit at Sweet Spells? Why yes I will.

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Thought the Turkey Leg Krispy Treats looked cute

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I love the apples, they are always so cute

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DD got a cake pop
 

Jennibelle

Member
Original Poster
At this point TSMM has opened up and the wait times were at 70 minutes. So we decided that we would just look at some gift shops and head to Mama Melrose's to check in for our reservation. I know that Mama Melrose's has mixed reviews but I've always had a good meal there. We all loved the food. For those of you who haved done the Fanstamic! package you pay a flat rate and you get an appetizer, entree and a dessert tray. I believe the rate was $35 per person. If you have the dining plan then you end up getting an appetizer for free.

My DD in the gift shops
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My and my DH's appetizer is the Mixed Greens with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, artichoke hearts, shaved sopressata and I got low fat ranch on the side. It comes with a Red Wine Oregano Vinaigrette

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My SIL got the Cesar Salad

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My SIL got the Piccata di Pesce which is a fresh fish sauteed in a white wine lemon butter sauce with caperberries, spinach, and whole wheat pasta. She loved this.

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I got the chicken alla parmigiana which is oven baked over spaghetti. I get this every time and I'm never disappointed.

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My DH got the Charred Strip Steak with five cheese baked macaroni, aged balsamic-shallot butter and Chianti wine reduction.

My DH has a food allergy so he got some gelato for dessert. My SIL and I shared the dessert platter.

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Included was Tiramisu, Panna Cotta with cranberry compote and Amarettini Cheesecake. We both agreed that the Amarettini Cheesecake was the best but I really liked the cranberry compote. I am not a cranberry fan but these were sweet and semi tart.

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I got a special treat for my birthday. It's a spaghetti and meatball cupcake.

Funny story about our experience at Mama Melrose's. In the middle of our dinner a family got seated next to us. They kept letting their kids play on the floor in between my table and theirs. They were from Brazil and didn't speak English so I couldn't exactly tell them to move. I tried gesturing to them to have them move but they didn't care. At that point I just ignored them but at one point, I just happened to glance down at their youngest (about 5) who was eating a dish rag. Yes you read that correctly, he was eating a dish rag. I did a triple take to make sure it wasn't a misunderstanding. I guess maybe in their mind the dish rag was better than the food.


Why not take a journey into the movies while we let our food settle in our tummies.
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Hmmm .. I don't think were in Kansas anymore Toto .... oh wait that comes later

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First time we've ever gotten the gangster

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Here's looking at you, kid
 

Spikerdink

Well-Known Member
We grabbed a phone but it wasn't mine. Looks like I wasn't the only person who lost their phone on the ride. So my DH and his sister went on the ride and the nice man behind us went on with them. Thanks to this really awesome man my DH was able to grab the phone and my crisis was averted. .

So....what did you do with the other phone???

And....didn't the security cameras pick up your hubby and SIL trying to grab the phone and stop the ride?? I always thought when someone was reaching out of the ride vehicle (I can't remember how the car is set up and if it is easy to reach out....

Love the trip report so far!!
 

Jennibelle

Member
Original Poster
Now I know we aren't in Kansas anymore

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Follow the yellow brick road

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Next it was finally time for our FP to TSMM.

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While waiting for my DH and SIL to ride Star Tours, me and the DD just hung around and took selfies. We sat in our favorite spot by the Writer's Stop and just enjoyed the shade and music.

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Next stop .. Muppet Vision 3D. My SIL loves the Muppets so she was excited to go see it.

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Jennibelle

Member
Original Poster
So....what did you do with the other phone???

And....didn't the security cameras pick up your hubby and SIL trying to grab the phone and stop the ride?? I always thought when someone was reaching out of the ride vehicle (I can't remember how the car is set up and if it is easy to reach out....

Love the trip report so far!!

I gave the other phone to the CM at the photopass counter. She told me that she would get it to lost and found. I was worried they were going to get in trouble for reaching outside the ride but no one said anything and the ride didn't stop. Though I'm not sure how he grabbed it but he's really tall.
 

Jennibelle

Member
Original Poster
Love all your pictures! Your DD is the cutest! Thank goodness for you brave DH and help. I would have totally freaked!
Thank you! I was thankful for the nice people we met there that were trying to help us. I was freaking out when it slipped out of the ride. Needless to say my phone was in my pocket and didn't come out on any of the rides after that. Learned my lesson.

Love the Trip Report and all the pictures!
Thank you, there's so much more to come.

Awww! I bet he liked being in Germany!
He did!
 

Jennibelle

Member
Original Poster
More gift shop ..

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For Dinner we decided to have some Pizza Planet

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DH got the Pepperoni Pizza

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I got the Meatball Sandwich with Cesar Salad

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For Dessert, Cappuccino cupcake. If you aren't a coffee fan, you probably won't like this cupcake.

From this point on we just walked around and enjoyed the details of the park. We were waiting for Fantasmic! to start.

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This would be our first time seeing Fantasmic! I was happy about our seats, I loved the show and I would do this meal package again.

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This fire shot looks like a dragon

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Jennibelle

Member
Original Poster
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Since everyone tries leaving at the same time we decided to walk around and explore the empty park at night.

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This was the end of our first ever full day at one park. Tomorrow, MK and another RFID Next gen turnstile issue ... This time it gets personal
 

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