Trip Report No Sounds Like Summer? We'll JOURNEY Anyway! *COMPLETED*

It was this week last summer that @TrolleyFollower91 and I had an epic girls trip to WDW.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...e-july-journey-completed.917246/#post-7369605

On our first day we rocked to the music of DSB ~ the ultimate Journey tribute band ~ at the America Gardens Theater in Epcot. It was an event we'll always remember. DSB was the final band in the annual "Sounds Like Summer" concert series. The lead singer said the band was looking forward to returning next summer.

And here we are.....it's "next summer."

But there has been no "Sounds Like Summer" concert series in 2017.
No DSB.

Don't. Stop. Believin'.

Em and I refuse to go our Separate Ways. We have too much fun together. We have one last chance to do WDW together before school starts and by golly we're gonna do it....even without DSB.

Want to tag along?

Attempting a full-fledged LIVE trip report is daunting and difficult, so I decided to follow @TheMouseFan's lead and be LIVE-ish. Real time pics and updates to be expanded on after my return home.

Oh, and I will finish my currently-in-progress trip report.

Who's ready for Summer #2?

We are!!

 

[Tuvalu]

I am embarrassed to admit that each time I have visited the California Grill I presumed it was a “new menu” night since the date is printed on the bottom of the menu. Tonight I realized that CG prints new menus every day, even if the offerings are unchanged from the day before.

(Took this picture to prove my point and then neglected to get the DATE in the shot. )

We ordered wine and Ryan was good about keeping our glasses full (“You know you want more!”)

There was to be no discussion about what our appetizer would be. Em had announced it before we’d even arrived at the restaurant.

“We’re getting the BLT flatbread.”
(“Hi, my name is Tuvalu and my daughter is a BLT flatbread addict.”)

I wasn’t about to argue with a child with a craving who had to take a cold shower before dinner. Besides, the flatbread is To. Die. For.

Our original agreement was to split the flatbread and then share an entree.
Wine + WL credit nixed that.

We each ordered our own filet. And devoured every delectable bite.
The risotto was Black Truffle ~ far superior than mushroom or tomato.
Only one picture because both plates looked the same.

 

[kaitertot5249]

I've never been to California Grill, or any signature dining establishment at WDW for that matter, but after reading so many TRs raving about California Grill I think I might need to change that the next time I make my way down there! I have no idea when that will be but it better be soon because my "Disney Restaurants to Try" list won't stop growing

 

[Tuvalu]

I've never been to California Grill, or any signature dining establishment at WDW for that matter, but after reading so many TRs raving about California Grill I think I might need to change that the next time I make my way down there! I have no idea when that will be but it better be soon because my "Disney Restaurants to Try" list won't stop growing

Definitely add Cali Grill to the top of your list!

 

[amjt660]

Hi, my name is Tuvalu and my daughter is a BLT flatbread addict

Hi Tuvalu
Is @TrolleyFollower91 enrolled in a 12 step program yet ?

Max

 

[Tuvalu]

Dessert? Well of course we’ll have dessert! It’s a splurge, isn’t it?

But first we have to get our Happily Ever After on. It’s our last night of vacation and we haven’t missed a HEA show yet!

View from the top.

Most people on the observation deck were probably unaware of the show going on behind them. Yes, Illuminations is also visible from the top of the resort! I watched a little of it before turning my attention back to HEA.

Em and I noticed a proposal while viewing HEA ~ the completely shocked gal cried and cried. Ryan said the restaurant averages two proposals a night....a statistic I believe since another woman congratulated the gal we saw and proceed to show her engagement ring that her boyfriend had just slipped on her finger.

Em and I agreed to share dessert since we were both fairly full.

Chocolate pudding cake. It was the crowning touch to a magnificent meal.

As we ate we could see the Star Wars fireworks over DHS ~ tonight we experienced a fireworks trifecta! We also watched the Pirate Cruise arrive and the guests disembark.

One last pic on our way to the boat.

Tragical would be coming for us tomorrow.
But we would still have time to play first.

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, July 28

I awoke early and watched the sunrise from our balcony. It was perfect, just as our vacation had been. As Em slept I snuck down to Roaring Fork to get some breakfast muffins.

Our room was very close to the overlook of Artist Point. Curious as to what the inside of the restaurant looks like? Here’s a peek ~

And there is a definite delineation between the “regular” part of the lodge and the new DVC side, as evidenced by the abrupt change in the carpet pattern.

Pretty ugly, don’t you think?

Em and I ate our muffins before beginning the tedious tasks of packing, dropping our bags at the airline check in desk and waiting for the bus.

 

[LadyBelle]

Pretty ugly, don’t you think?

Um, ew. I would hope that they would at least change the whole thing, or at least make the transition a bit less shocking.

 

[MegRuss626]

Friday, July 28

I awoke E watch the sunrise from our balcony. It was perfect, just as our vacation had been. As Em slept I snuck down to Roaring Fork to get some breakfast muffins.

Our room was very close to the overlook of Artist Point. Curious as to what the inside of the restaurant looks like? Here’s a peek ~
View attachment 242727

View attachment 242728

And there is a definite delineation between the “regular” part of the lodge and the new DVC side, as evidenced by the abrupt change in the carpet pattern.

View attachment 242729
Pretty ugly, don’t you think?

Em and I ate our muffins before beginning the tedious tasks of packing, dropping our bags at the airline check in desk and waiting for the bus.

Very un-Disney!

 

[Tuvalu]

Where else would we go on our last day?

We watched the new (lame) Welcome Show before entering Fantasyland via the castle.

I offered to wait for Em while she rode the carousel but she declined.

 

[Tuvalu]

Um, ew. I would hope that they would at least change the whole thing, or at least make the transition a bit less shocking.

Very un-Disney!

Agree with you ladies!

 

[MinnieM123]

And there is a definite delineation between the “regular” part of the lodge and the new DVC side, as evidenced by the abrupt change in the carpet pattern.

Well, at least it's a nice, straight cut--no stringy threads showing. Now that's attention to detail right there!

 

[Tuvalu]

Instead of the carousel, this was our first attraction of the morning.
Anyone?

If you guessed

you’re right!

I never noticed the sandwich with the missing bite until I saw this pic.....thanks, Em!

Heffalump or Woozle?

 

[Tuvalu]

We left “old” Fantasyland and crossed into “new” Fantasyland....but it’s been a few years now so can’t we drop the “new” label?

Em likes to browse in Village Gifts even though the merchandise doesn’t change much. Today, however, the shop was stocked with the formerly-hard-to-find Rose Tumbler.

Em got some nice shots in our next attraction.

 

[Tuvalu]

The window for our first FP was now open.

I was feeling a bit contrary and opted not to do the “Tuvalu” pose.

Not sure what Em was feeling!

Front car on the Peoplemover? Yes, please!

 

[LisaBelle]

Pretty ugly, don’t you think?

Yikes!!! Not to my liking at all!
Your California Grill meal has me drooling! The views from there are stunning!

 

[mcstensrud]

Those Rose Tumblers are soooo annoying in action!
Coming from someone who had to sit next to one at BOG!
Looks like you ladies got some great Pixie/Shirley Dust on this Trip.

 

[fractal]

What IS up with that carpet?

2 proposals a night? @sheriffwoody needs to set up a booth there!



Great Little Mermaid pics by @TrolleyFollower91 !

 

[Tuvalu]

Hi Tuvalu
Is @TrolleyFollower91 enrolled in a 12 step program yet ?

Max

Not yet....and she’s already planning her next “fix” in December!

Well, at least it's a nice, straight cut--no stringy threads showing. Now that's attention to detail right there!

LOL!!!

Yikes!!! Not to my liking at all!
Your California Grill meal has me drooling! The views from there are stunning!

CG has me spoiled for sure. I recently ate at my favorite local steakhouse and couldn’t help but compare my meal to CG (which is superior.)

Those Rose Tumblers are soooo annoying in action!
Coming from someone who had to sit next to one at BOG!.

I can only imagine. Neither Em nor I see their appeal.

What IS up with that carpet?

2 proposals a night? @sheriffwoody needs to set up a booth there!

Great Little Mermaid pics by @TrolleyFollower91 !

I plan to check out the carpet again on my next visit to see if any transitional piece has been added. The DVC side had just opened, so maybe there was still touch-up work to be done? It was definitely “poor show” for Disney.

Love your @sheriffwoody idea! She’d make a fortune!

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

Not yet....and she’s already planning her next “fix” in December!

I might cry if the flatbread is not on the menu because of the season change.

 

[MinnieM123]

Front car on the Peoplemover? Yes, please!

I don't recall ever being on the front car, and I've ridden that thing tons of times. (Always seem to end up being a Caboose Cathy, not a Front Felicia.)