Trip Report Rise of the Popcorn Bucket

Hello everyone & a warm welcome to you!! As always, lots of fun was had on this trip with the star of the show(besides J, of course;)) being none other than E's nemesis, the popcorn bucket!! I'm super excited to share our adventures with you!!

WHO: I think you know us but.....myself-Patti, R(I think I've converted him to a full blown Disney fan even though he claims he likes coming for the restaurants), my sister E & my super fun, partner in crime(in more ways than one on this trip) J!!
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WHEN: Friday, January 17th - Monday, January 20th(gotta go around those darn school schedules when you have family in the education field)

WHERE(I hope you're sitting down for this one!): Art of Animationo_O
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There was no room at the inn at Riverside so we decided to stay here b/c we thought J would really like the Cars suite. In the end we created a monster b/c he has now decided that AoA is his favorite!!

PREAMBLE
We last left off with JSR smuggling the popcorn buckets out of his house for me. BTW--J was in on this too & I was very proud of him for keeping it a secret for so long!!
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They were heading to WDW with me!! Also, you may be wondering why there are two. You see, E's hatred for the popcorn bucket didn't just start on our trip in November. A few years ago she, JSR & J were on a Disney cruise & JSR bought the Santa Mickey bucket that you see there. She couldn't stand it back then on the cruise & her feelings really haven't changed. If anything, they've gotten worse!!
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We had a 3:50 flight b/c someone(the guy in education) had a half day of school & didn't want to miss work. We met at E's at 12:30 & JSR drove us to the airport. I had went to work that morning & before I left I bought a case of water & put 12 in my suitcase. My boss was busy making fun of me for not buying it in Disney. I told him I had the space in my suitcase & these bottles were for the room. Why spend $3.50 per bottle when I could spend $4.99 for a case of Aquafina?? BTW--it was well worth it. We only had 2 bottles left at the end of the trip!!

Check out J's cute suitcase!!
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He's ready to go!! J said that he wanted me to sit next to him in the car. On the way to the airport he told me that he wanted to sit next to me on the plane & the ME. I asked E why he wanted to be my BFF. She said she didn't know but earlier that day out of the blue he told her, "I really like Aunt Patti". I think he saw jelly beans in his future!!
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We checked our bags in at curbside & the Southwest agent started humming The March of the First Order when he saw J's suitcase. It was cute. He also profoundly thanked us for the tips b/c he said that it had been a slow day.
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J was excited to get on the "monorail". Even though R was still in his work clothes he was somewhat in Disney mode with the Star Wars tie he was wearing!!
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We went to TGI Friday's for lunch. We got some kind of combo platter & shared everything. The potstickers & breadsticks were especially good!! That wine wasn't bad either!!;)
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Meanwhile, J was enjoying the cheese sticks!!
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Last edited:

riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So sorry to hear about your work woes and more importantly about your grandma’s health.

It won’t be easy but you, your dad and the rest of your family will get through this. And hopefully the remainder of your 2020 will have more downs than ups.
Thank you very much for your kind words!! That really means a lot!!
 

riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17TH

J was really excited to check out the room. We had him use his magic band to open the door.
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The living room area--sorry for the super blurry photo.
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The bathroom off of E & J's bedroom. You think I would have thought to turn the light on before I took the picture?:banghead:
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The television in their room.
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E thought the light fixtures were neat.
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This was the other bathroom.
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The table that folds down into a bed. I slept there. It's actually pretty comfortable.
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R slept on the pullout couch.
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When I stayed at AoA in 2016 the rooms were carpeted. I was glad to see it was gone!!
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lindawdw

Well-Known Member
Awww, I can see how J really loved the theming of this resort! It's totally decorated for youngsters who love all the Disney movies. I can also see why you missed POR Riverside though.;) We walked through this resort when it was first built because we stayed at Pop Century for years before buying into the DVC. We thought it was colorful and fun but not a place we would choose to stay at unless nothing else on property was available.
 

slipperalwaysfits

Well-Known Member
J was super excited when we pulled into the resort. On our last trip in November we picked up at AoA & J was in awe when he saw it. Little did we know we would be staying here the next time!!

I'm so glad J enjoyed exploring the resort and loved the larger-than-life theaming!!! And of course, the arcade! It's going to be tough for you to convince J to stay back at POR!

I don't care for(& I didn't on my last stay there either) how from the inside you have to walk through the gift shop to get to the food court. I don't know why it bothers me so much but it does

It's almost like how every ride exits through a gift shop. I really despise that to even get FOOD you have to walk through the gift shop at AoA! At the All-Stars, the gift shop can't be accessed through the food court. And I hope it stays that way!

Holy ketchup!! And knowing him I'm sure he used it all!!

R and I are kindred spirits! I love my ketchup, but I just really love dipping my fries in SOMETHING, like Red Robin's beer Cheese. :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek:

The table that folds down into a bed. I slept there. It's actually pretty comfortable

;);)
 

MySmallWorldof4

Well-Known Member
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17TH

After dinner we headed to the room. J's eyes lit up when he saw this!!
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The Big Blue Pool--it was already closed for the day which struck me as odd that it closed so early.
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The Drop Off Pool Bar.
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R got a drink but for the life of me I can't remember what it was.
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Into Radiator Springs we go!!
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It was pretty much at this point(& I kid you not) that R--of all people--says, "So, when are we going to Riverside??!!" I almost fell over!! I could see that coming out of the mouths of one of us 3 regular POR goer's but him!!:jawdrop:
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Most of my pictures turned out lousy b/c of the lights on the cars that were on--ok, I'm sure some of it has to do with my photography skills too!!
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J was really excited. He kept pointing out different things & it was obvious that he was amazed at his surroundings!!
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My kids loved AoA when we stayed there 5 years ago now. We also stayed in Cars to make my son happy. (He has 3 sisters, so....).

I hope things are ok with your family
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
I don't care for(& I didn't on my last stay there either) how from the inside you have to walk through the gift shop to get to the food court. I don't know why it bothers me so much but it does.

Actually, that would tick me off, too. It's one thing to have gift shops that you need to pass through when exiting some of the more major attractions, within the parks, themselves. But, to have to be dragged through a gift shop when you simply want to get to a quick service restaurant, within your hotel, is obnoxious in my estimation.
 

k8einwdw

Well-Known Member
I don't care for(& I didn't on my last stay there either) how from the inside you have to walk through the gift shop to get to the food court. I don't know why it bothers me so much but it does.🤷‍♀️
I’ve always thought that was strange at Pop and AoA. There are so many people walking through there to get to the food court at any given time, that it would make it really easy for someone to shoplift.
 

riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Awww, I can see how J really loved the theming of this resort! It's totally decorated for youngsters who love all the Disney movies. I can also see why you missed POR Riverside though.;) We walked through this resort when it was first built because we stayed at Pop Century for years before buying into the DVC. We thought it was colorful and fun but not a place we would choose to stay at unless nothing else on property was available.
J is still saying that AoA is his favorite:rolleyes: Well, kid until you're the one footing the bill it's not your're not calling the shots on where we stay!!

It is fun but I just don't feel as relaxed & at home as I do at Riverside. I prefer a more subdued atmosphere & AoA isn't that for sure. We only booked the trip a month or so prior so that's how we ended up there. Riverside was booked along with quite a few other places. But, for J's sake I'm glad we stayed there!
 

riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I'm so glad J enjoyed exploring the resort and loved the larger-than-life theaming!!! And of course, the arcade! It's going to be tough for you to convince J to stay back at POR!
I honestly think he might be disappointed when we go back to POR next time!! He is still saying AoA is his favorite!
It's almost like how every ride exits through a gift shop. I really despise that to even get FOOD you have to walk through the gift shop at AoA! At the All-Stars, the gift shop can't be accessed through the food court. And I hope it stays that way!
I don't like it in the least. I would hope they did it to maximize space but I'd bet it has something to do with getting people to spend more!!
R and I are kindred spirits! I love my ketchup, but I just really love dipping my fries in SOMETHING, like Red Robin's beer Cheese. :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek: :geek:
He uses a ton of ketchup all the time!! Beer cheese sounds interesting but I've never been to Red Robin!!
That's exactly where I was!! I forgot to mention it but R was super sick with a head cold on this trip. From across the room his snoring/breathing was driving me crazy!!
 

riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
My kids loved AoA when we stayed there 5 years ago now. We also stayed in Cars to make my son happy. (He has 3 sisters, so....).

I hope things are ok with your family
How did your girls handle that?? I do think the Cars section is the most immersive out of all of them.

Thank you!! The only meds grandma is going to get from now on are the pain meds. Since nothing else is obviously working they feel there's no point in her getting them which does make sense.
 

riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Actually, that would tick me off, too. It's one thing to have gift shops that you need to pass through when exiting some of the more major attractions, within the parks, themselves. But, to have to be dragged through a gift shop when you simply want to get to a quick service restaurant, within your hotel, is obnoxious in my estimation.
POP is the same way, gotta walk thru a narrow part of the giftshop to get to the food. It doesn't bother me, but I could see how it would be a pain for parents with small kids who want everything.
I was try to remember if POP was the same way. I guess we were mostly coming from the pool side and going directly in to the food court. 🤷‍♀️
Yes you can go that way too. Also if you get off the bus you can go in through the lobby and never go through the gift shop.
I’ve always thought that was strange at Pop and AoA. There are so many people walking through there to get to the food court at any given time, that it would make it really easy for someone to shoplift.
I stayed at POP awhile back & couldn't remember but thought that it was the same setup. I just don't like it. It always seems like a cluster. There is the entrance from pool area but when you're in the main building where all the action is & you want to go to the food court it's just strange to have to walk through the gift shop to do so. On the plus side though, since the food court opens early the gift shop has to also!! There have been many times I needed to get something early at POR & couldn't b/c Fulton's doesn't open until 8!!
 

riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17TH

Since E & J got the bedroom & R had the pullout couch that meant that they got tv's & I didn't:grumpy: That's a tough one for me. I don't watch a lot of tv but for some reason when I wake up in the middle of the night I like to be able to look at the tv. In a weird way it kind of helps put me back to sleep.
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I forgot to mention this until I just commented to @slipperalwaysfits but R was sick with a head cold through the whole trip. That Sunday during the trip he really took a turn for the worse. He looks like he's ready to fall asleep in this picture. Not J though!!
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R knew he had to put the "must-do's" on!!
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In inspecting the coffee situation I discovered that there were 2 regular pods & 2 decaf. Seemed a bit odd for a place that sleeps 6🤔
BTW--every time mousekeeping refilled them that's all we ended up with. Cutbacks??
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J asked me to play with him the new building piece thing that he got at the airport.
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We built things for quite awhile.
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I made a flower!!
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It was well after 9. Our luggage should have been there. R didn't feel well & wanted his suitcase so he could get ready for bed. E wanted J to go to bed but needed his also. I was concerned b/c I wanted to know that the popcorn buckets were safe & sound!!
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I offered to go to the front desk to inquire about the luggage. J wanted to go with me. I headed into the bathroom first.
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Oh no--not another Disney cutback!! Now you have to put the toilet paper on the holder yourself!!:hilarious:
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riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17TH

J & I headed out to find out about the status of the luggage.
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Not trying to beat a dead horse but.....the closest entrance to the food court for us. Animation Hall, go through the gift shop to get to the food court.
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Not that we were headed to the food court but someone wanted to go to the gift shop to get a treat. And there I was naive enough to think he just wanted to hang out with me!!
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Good thing I bought the treat for J to help pass the time. This is the line we waited in & it did not move very fast.
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A little artwork.
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When it was finally our turn I was told they couldn't help me inside. I had to go outside to the luggage assistance counter. I felt like a fool but in all fairness to me I've never had this issue at POR so what do I know :cautious: And of course when I made my inquiry I was told that the suitcases were on the way to the room as we spoke:banghead:
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At that point I was irritated and I.....
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but don't you worry--it only got worse from there :(

J posed for a few more pics on the way back.
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He was still excited about being there!!
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I, on the other hand, was excited to have to head back down to Animation Hall again(can you sense my sarcasm??) The luggage was delivered right before we got back so that was the bright side. The negative was that I couldn't get in the room--my band didn't work!! I'm glad J was with me. I knew his worked b/c he was the one to open the door when we first got there. I"m one who always tells everyone to check their bands first thing to make sure they all work & I didn't follow my own advice this time. I think b/c J was so excited that I forgot all about it but in all fairness this has also never happened to me at POR:cautious::cautious: We checked E & R's to see if theirs worked. E's did but R's didn't. He didn't want to go down since he didn't feel well so out I went again.
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By the time I got things straightened out & got back it was close to 11. I was exhausted & more than ready for bed. I had an early morning planned for the next day!!
 

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