Trip Report One Little Spark *COMPLETED*

One little spark of inspiration
Is at the heart of all creation
A dream can be
A dream come true
With just that spark
In me and you

One little spark ignited a relationship that is currently four decades long.

One little spark inspired a surprise (and very last-minute) birthday trip to WDW.

One little spark made a dream come true.

Who: Tuvalu and Woody
When: February 8-12, 2023
Where: Disney’s Pop Century Resort

 

[Songbird76]

No longer any Tuva tinys who can wear this adorable Boo outfit.

View attachment 700154

How about the Tuva Twins? It IS adorable.

 

[Songbird76]

I’d read a lot of bashing on the new coffee shop right off the lobby.

The complaints poured in before the project was fully completed. It frustrates me when criticism runs rampant because online posters are too impatient (or too dense) to wait for the final reveal. How many of these negative Nancys will actually visit the coffee shop? Likely only a tiny percentage. So why all the hate?

For years getting coffee or continental breakfast as a Boardwalk guest was difficult. You had to go outside and walk to the bakery; very inconvenient especially in inclement weather. Eventually the Belle Vue Lounge was open for coffee and pastries. But times have changed and demand for specialty coffees has grown exponentially. I applaud Disney for transforming a very small sundry shop into a contemporary coffee shop.

Even if it “looks like it belongs in a Marriott.”

Of which I disagree. Theming, though subtle, remains.

View attachment 700209

The name harkens to the large carousel in the lobby. Note the retro picture of MK’s carousel on the wall.

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There isn’t room for much seating but I like the quaint two-top.

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The large picture in the alcove is Julie Andrews with the carousel.

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There are numerous tables with comfortable (we sat in them) chairs directly across the hall. The wall art? Carousels.

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Both Woody and I think this is a wonderful addition to the resort.

Well....I agree that it looks like a hotel continental breakfast area, but what's wrong with that? Isn't that exactly what it is?

 

[lindawdw]

I just caught up with all your updates. First, let me send you my condolences for your loss. I can't imagine what it must be like losing a best friend. Woody is such a sweet guy planning this surprise birthday trip to lift your spirits and WDW is the perfect place to do just that. We used to always stay at Pop Century before we bought into the DVC and I still enjoy staying there when I travel with my friends. I can't get over how you were able to just walk into Via Napoli for your late lunch which looked delicious I must say! It was the perfect way to begin your time in Epcot. I am enjoying all your pictures since we didn't make it to WDW for the Festival of the Arts this year! One of my favorite things is walking around the Epcot resorts. I love what they did with the Sundries shop and the seating area that used to be the Concierge Desk is adorable. I saw all the negative comments that people were posting and had the same thoughts as you did. BTW, Happy Belated Birthday!!!

 

[LeighM]

I'm sorry we missed each other!


Too bad you won't be in the world for the H20 Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon this summer!

I'm a klutz and I'm not totally sure if me being in a water park at night is the smartest thing to do LOL. But I have seen YouTube videos of the event and it looks like a lot of fun!

 

[Spash007]

I’ll date myself here to say I loved that cake castle. I was 13 and thought it was equally amazing and hilarious.

Same! Except I mostly loved it haha. I was 8 at the time, and thought it was awesome how much work went into it.

 

[MissViv]

Just know realized you had a trip report so .... I am all in!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Day 2, con’t

When we reached the IG, we used the restrooms outside the gate and filled our water bottle.

And it still wasn’t 2 pm!

So we sat on a bench and waited several more minutes until we were sure the Mickey head at the tapstile would turn green.

Just inside the entrance Minnie and Daisy were doing impromptu meets. A third character friend caught my eye.

Mirabel! I snapped a quick couple pics to send to my DIL to show Tuvaleen.

Tuvaleen asked, “Where did she find her?”

I messaged back, “Epcot.”

“Of course,” was was the little one’s reply, probably with an eye roll. She wasn’t aware Woody had whisked me away to WDW. But like everyone else who knows me, she wasn’t the least bit surprised.

I’ve since read that Mirabel was “in training” for her soon-to-be Meet and Greet area at the MK. In a discussion with Tuvalette (the oldest) yesterday, I mentioned that I’d seen Mirabel “in training” at Epcot.

“Training for what?” she queried.

Stupid, stupid grandma. I’d forgotten six year olds believe characters are real. I stumbled through my answer and changed the subject!

Two necessary Magician pictures as Woody and I walked around World Showcase.

One for @riverside

The other for @amjt660

 

[amjt660]

The other for @amjt660

Much appreciated

My Canada is a little colder right now!!!!

Max

 

[RememberWhen]

It’s so fun that the kids think the characters are real. When we visited in the summer DD5 was obsessed with visiting Elena at MK. We got lucky and saw the same friend twice, but the third time she was a different friend. DW and I looked nervously at each other, but DD was totally oblivious and chatted away with her good friend Elena. Gotta love the magic in these kiddos.

 

[MinnieM123]

Two necessary Magician pictures as Woody and I walked around World Showcase.

I like your black sneakers. They look like they're a "slip-on" style. Are they as comfortable as they look?

 

[KeithVH]

Day 2, con’t

Since the weather was gorgeous, we decided to stroll around the park. “Stroll” being an accurate word because every path and walkway was crowded and we couldn’t have walked any faster if we’d wanted to.

Good thing early February is slow season.

<SNIP>

Ah yes, we do remember the magic.

View attachment 700158

</SNIP>
I still have a well-loved red T-shirt with this logo packed away.
It’s nice to see that the chain supply issue for mugs has been resolved. We saw many new fun ones.

Great. Guess what song I now have constantly running through my head? Walked into the kitchen singing and DW is looking at me funny . . .

 

[Tuvalu]

I like your black sneakers. They look like they're a "slip-on" style. Are they as comfortable as they look?

Skechers “Summit”. Favorite sneakers ever. I own several pairs in different colors.

 

[Songbird76]

Day 2, con’t

When we reached the IG, we used the restrooms outside the gate and filled our water bottle.

And it still wasn’t 2 pm!

So we sat on a bench and waited several more minutes until we were sure the Mickey head at the tapstile would turn green.

View attachment 700596

Just inside the entrance Minnie and Daisy were doing impromptu meets. A third character friend caught my eye.

View attachment 700597

Mirabel! I snapped a quick couple pics to send to my DIL to show Tuvaleen.

Tuvaleen asked, “Where did she find her?”

I messaged back, “Epcot.”

“Of course,” was was the little one’s reply, probably with an eye roll. She wasn’t aware Woody had whisked me away to WDW. But like everyone else who knows me, she wasn’t the least bit surprised.

I’ve since read that Mirabel was “in training” for her soon-to-be Meet and Greet area at the MK. In a discussion with Tuvalette (the oldest) yesterday, I mentioned that I’d seen Mirabel “in training” at Epcot.

“Training for what?” she queried.

Stupid, stupid grandma. I’d forgotten six year olds believe characters are real. I stumbled through my answer and changed the subject!

Two necessary Magician pictures as Woody and I walked around World Showcase.

One for @riverside
View attachment 700598

The other for @amjt660
View attachment 700599

How old are the Tuva Tinies now? And do we know when Mirabel will be doing meet and greets? I really loved Encanto....I think that would be a fun meet and greet. It's too bad they can't really do that with any of the other characters. I can just imagine all the little kids asking Isabella to make them some flowers, or asking Julietta to heal their grandma who is sick. Yikes. But it's such a great show.

 

[Tuvalu]

How old are the Tuva Tinies now? And do we know when Mirabel will be doing meet and greets? I really loved Encanto....I think that would be a fun meet and greet. It's too bad they can't really do that with any of the other characters. I can just imagine all the little kids asking Isabella to make them some flowers, or asking Julietta to heal their grandma who is sick. Yikes. But it's such a great show.

Tuvalette is 6, Tuvaleen is almost 5 and Tuvalad is 2 months.

Supposedly the Merida meet and greet area (to the right of the castle path across from Cosmic Ray’s) is being rethemed for Mirabel. I imagine this won’t take long and will be complete by spring.

 

[wdisney9000]

And it still wasn’t 2 pm!

Minutes seriously feel like hours when your waiting for that 2 pm window to park hop.

We've had trips where we left a park, went back to the room, did laundry, ate lunch, watched TV and then walked to HS and only 8 minutes had passed .

Ok, not really 8 minutes, but it still wasnt 2 pm!!

Perhaps we will call it "Tu-pm" from now on, in honor of you

 

[Tuvalu]

Day 2, con’t

While Woody and I had seen this display last night in the dark, we were especially impressed with the detail we now saw in the daytime.

The flowers look like they had been squeezed out of a paint tube!

A little south of the border fun.

Woody was determined this trip to work on his selfie skills. He nailed this one….too bad I didn’t!

OK FRIENDS HERE IT IS - HOPEFULLY THE LAST PHOTO I WILL EVER TAKE - AND THE LAST TIME I WILL EVER SEE IN PERSON -




THE AWFUL TACO BARGES!

And it’s a dark crappy picture. Which perfectly sums up how I feel about them!

 

[93boomer]

Day 2, con’t

When we reached the IG, we used the restrooms outside the gate and filled our water bottle.

And it still wasn’t 2 pm!

So we sat on a bench and waited several more minutes until we were sure the Mickey head at the tapstile would turn green.

View attachment 700596

Just inside the entrance Minnie and Daisy were doing impromptu meets. A third character friend caught my eye.

View attachment 700597

Mirabel! I snapped a quick couple pics to send to my DIL to show Tuvaleen.

Tuvaleen asked, “Where did she find her?”

I messaged back, “Epcot.”

“Of course,” was was the little one’s reply, probably with an eye roll. She wasn’t aware Woody had whisked me away to WDW. But like everyone else who knows me, she wasn’t the least bit surprised.

I’ve since read that Mirabel was “in training” for her soon-to-be Meet and Greet area at the MK. In a discussion with Tuvalette (the oldest) yesterday, I mentioned that I’d seen Mirabel “in training” at Epcot.

“Training for what?” she queried.

Stupid, stupid grandma. I’d forgotten six year olds believe characters are real. I stumbled through my answer and changed the subject!

Two necessary Magician pictures as Woody and I walked around World Showcase.

One for @riverside
View attachment 700598

The other for @amjt660
View attachment 700599

The waiting for Mickey green is……….

 

[lindawdw]

I hadn't seen an up-close picture of the beautiful flower bed in the Epcot entrance until I saw your photo! They did a nice job this year. I can't wait for those barges to be gone too so we can see the picturesque World Showcase again!

 

[mpaulam]

Woody's selfie is great...of both of you!
And it looks like all the plexiglass dividers are gone from the queue??

 

[Songbird76]

Day 2, con’t

While Woody and I had seen this display last night in the dark, we were especially impressed with the detail we now saw in the daytime.

View attachment 700726

The flowers look like they had been squeezed out of a paint tube!

View attachment 700725

A little south of the border fun.

View attachment 700727

View attachment 700728

Woody was determined this trip to work on his selfie skills. He nailed this one….too bad I didn’t!

View attachment 700729


OK FRIENDS HERE IT IS - HOPEFULLY THE LAST PHOTO I WILL EVER TAKE - AND THE LAST TIME I WILL EVER SEE IN PERSON -




THE AWFUL TACO BARGES!
View attachment 700730

And it’s a dark crappy picture. Which perfectly sums up how I feel about them!

I am SO glad those taco barges should be gone by the time our trip rolls around. On the one hand, I'm somewhat curious as to what they look like in person. On the other hand, I'm not so curious that I want them to stick around so that I can.