Trip Report Just What We Ordered... BLT & a Side of Summer!

ToInfinity · Jul 9, 2021

Zipitidoda said:
@ToInfinity, I do know that when I worked with the Sheriff's Department that we would send patches to other departments and we would receive patches from other departments to put on a display board very similar to what you saw in the Firehouse. All we did was ask for patches from the departments we wanted so I'm assuming Disney did the same.

It's pretty neat really, I need to go into the Firehouse, I never took the time to look around.

That is so cool!! It seemed like that was the case. The patches were from all over. I didn’t even know what was in there but happened across it this trip. I’m so glad I did!

cgersic said:
Loving the photos! You all are so happy! I agree on the Firehouse and needing to take another look!

Thank you!!

fizzieee said:
I think someone mentioned this earlier too, so sorry for the repeat, but I just LOVE those cork board ears!!! What a cute idea!!

Haha thanks! I ordered them off of Etsy. I love them and they’re great for pin trading. They do get pretty heavy on your head after a while though!

ToInfinity · Jul 9, 2021

Day 5: AK

We went to bed early the night before with plans of getting up early for AK. The plan was to rope drop FoP. It didn’t go too terribly! We were at the bus stop by 7:20 and got on a bus quickly.

This was new!

The crowds in this photo weren’t though. It felt very crowded here today! It was Father’s Day and every park was sold out

This is SB’s favorite park. She was excited!

In we went. Dad took a right today to get to the Tree of Life. We normally go left. I know they go to the same place, but we are creatures of habit.

*obligatory park icon photo*

We walked back to FoP. I fully expected it to have a line into Africa, but it didn’t!

We walked right into the normal queue line.

Hidden Mickey?

We have always had FP for this, so I was excited to see the normal queue. It was very cool and we didn’t wait very long. Only about 25 minutes. We rode with some other guests who had never been on and it was fun to hear their reactions. One girl was considering not riding, and I convinced her to give it a go. She loved it! (No pre-show, but also no skipping bikes either)

I love FoP. It is one of my most favorites in WDW. It also was my Mom’s favorite. She loved it so and thought the whole thing was just beautiful. I hadn’t teared up this whole trip, but I absolutely did on FoP (thankfully nobody knew because of the 3D glasses)

ArmoredRodent · Jul 9, 2021

ToInfinity said:
View attachment 570669
View attachment 570670

We wanted to squeeze in some pool time with Dad so I met SB and IZ at the “confectionary”. You can hardly call it that right now. The current temporary shop is a far cry from the real thing!

I saw another cavalcade on the way there!

View attachment 570671
View attachment 570672
View attachment 570673

I noticed the firehouse and checked it out on our way out. I had never been in here before. It was very neat!

View attachment 570674
View attachment 570675
Are these badges given to WDW by fire departments? Very cool!

View attachment 570676

One last castle pic on the way out…

View attachment 570677

We walked back to BLT, changed in the room, and met up with Dad at the pool.

The Fire Station had been the headquarters and training area for the interactive game "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom," which shut down in late January. [Sheds a tear, and intends to pack my SotMK t-shirt that gave power-ups if you wore it while playing the game. Sheds another tear as I had to edit that sentence to put everything into past tense. Was just thinking moments ago about how I would wear it into the MK just to reassure those heroes who fought the villains trying to take over the MK that we still remember them even if we can't continue helping them protect the magic.] And yes, those patches were from fire departments and emergency crews that visited.

ToInfinity · Jul 9, 2021

After our ride, SB took a restroom break and I thought about getting something from Pongu Pongu but decided against it. We headed to NRJ next. It was a posted 35 minute wait and we waited about 30.

I didn’t remember this guy! He was an actual AA, I think.

Starbucks was next. The line looked long but went fast. Everybody got their usual. Mine was a Cafe Vanilla Frappe and chocolate croissant.

We sat for a bit at some tables nearby and enjoyed our breakfast. Dad checked the time and decided we could try for the first FotLK show of the day. This was one of my must-dos and I was so excited it is back!

We were sitting in the “Warthog” section. They didn’t do any of the pre-pandemic audience interactions, the tumble monkeys were absent, and the birds didn’t fly through the air. We missed those things a little bit, but it was still a great show. Myself, still a bit emotional from FoP, *might* have teared up a little just thinking about how thankful I am that things like this are coming back!

(She was EXCELLENT. So, so, so talented

)

ToInfinity · Jul 9, 2021

ArmoredRodent said:
The Fire Station had been the headquarters and training area for the interactive game "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom," which shut down in late January.

I had forgotten about that! I had recently heard about SotMK last year and wanted to do it. It is disappointing that they got rid of it!

ArmoredRodent · Jul 9, 2021

ToInfinity said:
I had forgotten about that! I had recently heard about SotMK last year and wanted to do it. It is disappointing that they got rid of it!

Yes, but the game had been pretty much forgotten recently. It involved much technology (including cameras to read the cards and the T-shirts, and curtains and other opening mechanisms to start each game session at the terminals hidden right there in plain sight), and to save money they transferred the maintenance to ... So. California. I used to spend hours in the MK going from game terminal, to terminal, not riding rides, but just playing the game. But the best thing? You got additional game cards for winning each level, which were wonderful for giving to kids (and kids at heart) who would come up to you as you were playing and ask about the game. "Wanna try it?" "Sure." "Here's a starter pack. Let's play." It was paying it forward, and the kind of Disney magic that I remember growing up with Disneyland; people leaving the park back when we used alphabet tickets would give random kids their unused tickets. Not all the magic comes from Cast Members. It was even more satisfying that, in order to be the dispenser of pixie dust with SotMK, you had to work for it. Now it seems we won't have that chance, since everyone who wants to play a game will be looking at their own phone. Ah, well. :cry:

ToInfinity · Jul 13, 2021

After FotLK, it was Safari time! On the way, we saw this! It was made from fallen flowers by one of the custodial CM’s. It was neat

Posted wait was 40 and we waited about 30. I was hoping the plastic would be down from the ride vehicles. It was! We were the front row though behind the driver and there still was plastic there. Not sure if there always is or not. I didn’t think I’d like it, but it was kind of cool!

We had a great view of the giraffes and zebras!

Lunch time brought us to a favorite… Yak & Yeti QS. We love this place. There was a bit of activity in line. The people in front of us were straight up yelling at their kids, in a very ugly way. It was hard to ignore.

Anyway, I have no food pictures but Dad got the chicken sandwich, IZ got the shrimp tempura and SB and I both got the honey chicken. It was all delicious!

I fixed my hair after we ate and asked SB for a picture of the back. This is what I got!

We did Gorilla Falls next because IZ had never walked it.

ToInfinity · Jul 13, 2021

It was HOT today. And crowded. We got some water and headed to Everest. I almost got some of those good seasoned fries but didn’t.

We saw a boat on the way. I really hope they keep these around!

We waited about 25 minutes for Everest. It was rougher than I remembered.

Our day at AK was winding down but we couldn’t skip SB’s favorite… Dinosaur! We did this twice because there was no wait. I guess folks don’t feel like walking all the way back here. Besides Triceratops Spin, it’s pretty dead back there right now.

I took this to remember that I wore these and I liked how comfy they were.

We left after that, hot and tired. We waited ages (35 minutes) for a bus back to BLT. I need a pick-me-up so I mobile ordered two desserts from Contempo Cafe.

Here they are!!

This was the flourless chocolate cake.

This is the monorail cupcake.

I ate the cupcake and then decided it would be too much to have the other cake too.

Dad went to the pool again to relax and have some drinks. The rest of us stayed in the room and just lounged in the living room area. After a while, I decided to eat the second dessert. I would regret this later.

ToInfinity · Jul 13, 2021

We got ready for dinner and headed down to the bus stop. Our destination? DS to eat at Chicken Guy! This was Dad’s request for Father’s Day.

Our bad bus luck continued. We, along with a growing crowd of about 40 others, waited 50(!!!) minutes for a DS bus. Dad talked to the manager at the front desk and they had two come back to back. I was just thankful that we weren’t trying to make a reservation time. I’m sure others were late!

Anyway, we made it to DS and went straight to Chicken Guy. The line was out the door and moving very, very slow. I was feeling gross from the effects of my two desserts so I found a bench and sat while everyone else waited. I joined them once they were in the building.

I always have a hard time choosing sauces!!

I got the garlic parmesan (ew), Nashville hot honey, and special sauce.

We all just got basic chicken tenders and fries except for IZ, who got a chicken sandwich. It was good! We had a table outside.

After dinner, we walked through WoD. It was so crowded so it was a quick in and out for us. We didn’t buy anything. Tired and full, we went back to the bus stop. Better luck this time! There was a bus waiting. But… it didn’t go straight to CR. It made a stop at WL first.

It was the end of another great day! One more park day to go.

ToInfinity · Jul 15, 2021

Day 6: Epcot

Epcot day! We were really excited for this. While we have been before when it was Flower & Garden, we haven’t really taken advantage of all the food options before! Today, that was going to change.

First though, Chef Mickey’s! Our ADR was for 8:20 and Epcot opened at 11, so it worked out great.

SB and IZ both got iced coffees.

Then the boss man showed up!

He brought breakfast with him.

(our waitress was great! She told us that she had been working here for 19 years.

These were SO. GOOD.

We saw these guys too.

ToInfinity · Jul 15, 2021

We finished breakfast faster than we thought (buses weren’t running for Epcot yet), so we hung out in the lobby for a bit.

We headed down to the buses around 9:50 and got on the first Epcot bus of the day. There was a long line, but they didn’t fully load the bus! All of these seats were empty.

Rope Drop here we come. We waited to get in to the metal detectors, then we lined up at the scanners and waited about 20 minutes there.

In we go!

These lights are going to be so cool!

We headed left to TT. We were held up again next to the temporary Mouse Gear. I believe this was the first day they were actually doing RD like normal.

Eventually, we made it to TT. We waited about 25 minutes because it went down while we were in line. I’m glad we came here first though, the wait was consistently 60 minutes all day.

ToInfinity · Jul 15, 2021

We wandered through the wall maze.

To the butterfly garden!

IZ is really into plants and nature, so he was excited to see this. He has an app on his phone he uses to identify cool plants when he sees them. We spent about 15 minutes in the garden.

ToInfinity · Jul 15, 2021

Soarin’ was a 40 minute wait so we headed in to The Land.

They were sending people into both the FP line and the normal queue. We went with FP. It took about 30 minutes. We were in B Row 1! No crooked Eiffel towel for us.

The farm ride was next. It was posted at 45 but the line moved fast. We waited about 15.

LisaBelle · Jul 15, 2021

I’m really enjoying your report! You can tell that you were all having a great time!
Your breakfast at Chef Mickey’s looked delicious! I’ve never eaten there, but I think I need to add it to my list.
I love your “Travel the World” t-shirt! It’s so cute!

Songbird76 · Jul 16, 2021

ToInfinity said:
Day 6: Epcot

Epcot day! We were really excited for this. While we have been before when it was Flower & Garden, we haven’t really taken advantage of all the food options before! Today, that was going to change.

First though, Chef Mickey’s! Our ADR was for 8:20 and Epcot opened at 11, so it worked out great.

View attachment 572352

SB and IZ both got iced coffees.

View attachment 572353
View attachment 572354

Then the boss man showed up!

View attachment 572355
View attachment 572356

He brought breakfast with him. (our waitress was great! She told us that she had been working here for 19 years.

View attachment 572357

These were SO. GOOD.
View attachment 572358

We saw these guys too.
View attachment 572359
View attachment 572360
View attachment 572361

I believe someone said they had the recipe for those potatoes that were so good. I'd like to get my hands on it!! They look delicious!

Songbird76 · Jul 16, 2021

ToInfinity said:
We finished breakfast faster than we thought (buses weren’t running for Epcot yet), so we hung out in the lobby for a bit.

View attachment 572362

We headed down to the buses around 9:50 and got on the first Epcot bus of the day. There was a long line, but they didn’t fully load the bus! All of these seats were empty.

View attachment 572363

Rope Drop here we come. We waited to get in to the metal detectors, then we lined up at the scanners and waited about 20 minutes there.

View attachment 572364
View attachment 572365
View attachment 572366

In we go!

View attachment 572367

These lights are going to be so cool!
View attachment 572368

We headed left to TT. We were held up again next to the temporary Mouse Gear. I believe this was the first day they were actually doing RD like normal.

Eventually, we made it to TT. We waited about 25 minutes because it went down while we were in line. I’m glad we came here first though, the wait was consistently 60 minutes all day.

View attachment 572370

Did they not fill the bus so that people could distance?

I like your shirt!!

fizzieee · Jul 16, 2021

ToInfinity said:
SB and IZ both got iced coffees.

View attachment 572353
View attachment 572354

Those iced coffees look AMAZING! I don't love Chef Mickey's but I've heard they've stepped up their game recently with the family-style serving...... and if those coffees are any indication of that, I'm so down to try it again!

Zipadeelady · Jul 19, 2021

ToInfinity said:
We finished breakfast faster than we thought (buses weren’t running for Epcot yet), so we hung out in the lobby for a bit.

View attachment 572362

Are your white sandals Teva's? I love them! I've been eyeballing another pair.

DiSnEyF@n · Jul 19, 2021

ToInfinity said:
After lunch, we wandered around the gift shops a bit and then walked to MK. We LOVED being able to walk there throughout the week. One of the biggest perks of this resort!

View attachment 565838
View attachment 565839

The plan was to take a bus to the Swolphin and go mini golfing at Fantasia Fairways. Dad was really excited for this!
Surprise. We couldn’t find a bus for the Swan or Dolphin. I guess there isn’t one? We took one to the Boardwalk instead.

View attachment 565840
On the bus we go…

We stayed at the BW many years ago and loved it, so it was fun to walk around and relive some memories.

View attachment 565841

The path to Fantasia was complicated due to construction in the area on the new Swan tower, but we made it eventually.

View attachment 565843
Notice the sky in the background? Yeah, it started raining and lightning was in the area as we arrived. We waited a bit but then decided to give up after looking at the radar. No golf for us today.

I did find this nice wall to take a picture at on the way back to the BW bus stop, though. Never been to Jellyrolls, but the building is cute.
View attachment 565844

We were on a new bus, and it had the charging ports!

View attachment 565845

Jelly rolls is awesome! Enjoying your TR so far! Looks like you had a nice first day.

DiSnEyF@n · Jul 19, 2021

ToInfinity said:
After lunch, it was more crowded. We wanted to do a few more things though before heading out.
First up was visiting Ariel. We thought it would be a walk on but ended up delayed in the line due to somebody getting sick in the queue and waited about 25 minutes. Thankfully it was nicely air-conditioned.

Seven Dwarfs was posted as a 40 minute wait. It was accurate.
View attachment 566868
View attachment 566869

We had planned on skipping Teacups, but I couldn’t resist a walk-on. No spinning for this tea though.
View attachment 566870

We ended the rides with my favorite: PeopleMover!
View attachment 566871
Finally

Late afternoon Starbucks and some rest in the hub was a necessity. These tables were all available since Casey’s is closed. Cafe Vanilla Frappe for me!
View attachment 566873
View attachment 566874

SB is a big fan of Disney ducks so she was thrilled when this guy paid a visit.
View attachment 566875

Dad was wanting to try Chicken Guy, so the plan was to go chill in the room for a bit and then go to DS. We got back to the room though and were so exhausted that we decided to just mobile order from Contempo Cafe again. We ate at the tables there. Dad and I got the hot turkey sandwich, SB had a Caesar salad and IZ had the spicy chicken sandwich again.

After dinner, it was off to bed for us! I had my alarm set to attempt a Boarding Group for Rise. Would our Star Wars dreams come true? Stay tuned to find out!

I’m loving your Mickey shirts…. LOVE that you have the little knot in the front too. cute….Where did you get them at?