Trip Report Some People are Worth Melting For: Round 2! (PLUS, a little Christmas, right this very minute!)

We’re back!

Timeline: June 2024
Location: Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge
Cast: Me (A), Dad (R), my sister SB, brother-in-law Iz, and niece B!
Why? It is little B’s first trip! I feel so thankful to be here experiencing the magic with her for the first time.

This is all of us pre-B during our last trip all together in 2021. I’m excited for SB and Iz to finally experience WDW since the pandemic. Things were quite different back in Summer 2021! They also of course haven’t ridden Ratatouille, Guardians, or Tron yet, so I’m looking forward to that for them too.

 

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It was already HOT so we stopped in to visit the CoP.

Aaaaaaand another ride on the PeopleMover. My third round of the day.

It was time for our Plaza ADR, so we walked over and checked in. We had great luck on this trip with restaurants. Every time after we checked in, we were seated nearly immediately. Many of us started with chocolate shakes. (I miss these being unlimited! I guess they were losing too much money.)

B was hot and tired and laid her head down on the table for a quick rest. Soon, our food arrived. All of us got the sandwiches except for SB, who got a salad. I don't have a salad picture.

We did the Tiki Room next, and then B fell asleep. We rolled her around a while, and I cannot describe to you how HOT it was. We took shelter in Memento Mori, but I was overheated and started feeling bad so I left for a break at WL.

On my boat ride back, I thought this cooler was oddly placed. Who is getting water right there?!

While I was away, everybody else stayed in Memento Mori until B woke up. Then, they did SW again and headed out for their own break. Meanwhile, I was feeling better so after an outfit change, I headed to HS. Everyone else was going to join in a little bit.

 

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I grabbed a snack.

And then, I explored Walt Disney Presents! I have never been in here before, but it was so neat. Neat enough that I made everyone else come back in later once they got there!

Once everyone else arrived, we did MMRR again and then had dinner at ABC Commissary. I don't have many food pictures, but I got the kids' ham & cheese grilled sandwich. It was fine.

 

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At dinner, I commented how great it was that it hadn't rained this week. I kid you NOT, we walked out of the restaurant to a sky that looked like this.

Yep. RAIN. I should have kept my mouth shut. We were done with HS anyway, so we left for the bus and shortly after we boarded, it was a downpour, complete with lightning and thunder. Our bus was even leaking.

At WL. You think?

Everyone else called it a night. I couldn't do that at only 7:00 though. I chilled and waited on the rain to finish, and then headed back to MK. I needed to see HEA on this trip!

On the way, I checked out the gift shop at WL. I meant to go back and get an ornament, but I forgot! (Maybe in a couple weeks I can stop back by? )

I also liked this pin but didn't indulge.

I had to take a bus to MK because the boats weren't running with the weather. It took quite a long time, and then we stopped at FW, so it took even longer. Eventually I made it here! The sky still looked questionable, but no more rain!

First stop, Dole Whip! I was very disappointed to learn that that no longer have the raspberry swirl. Still good though!

I went and waited for HEA after my snack.

 

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Right after the show, I dashed over to SM. It was a walk on!

Then, I did buzz to try and redeem myself. I still didn't do well.

I can't be in Tomorrowland with out a spin on this! 4th of the day, I think?

HM was a walk-on so I did that next, and then headed out.

I had the boat all to myself.

It was a great last full day!

 

[Tuvalu]

It is peaceful here in the morning time!

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This picture made my heart yearn!!

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So glad you found the right way to get to the boat dock. It seems to be a challenge for some people.

Many of us started with chocolate shakes. (I miss these being unlimited! I guess they were losing too much money.)

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I miss them bringing the stainless steel mixing cup with the extra shake in it. It kept the shake cold!

On my boat ride back, I thought this cooler was oddly placed. Who is getting water right there?!

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Coast Guard drivers.

On the way, I checked out the gift shop at WL. I meant to go back and get an ornament, but I forgot! (Maybe in a couple weeks I can stop back by? )

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Ooooh.....and when would that be?

 

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I miss them bringing the stainless steel mixing cup with the extra shake in it. It kept the shake cold!

We do too!!! It totally changes the experience without it. I know 50’s used to also, but haven’t been lately to know if they’ve stopped.

Ooooh.....and when would that be?

How about tomorrow?

 

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Day 7:

The last morning is always a sad one, but today I decided to make it less sad by making use of my AP and going solo to MK for a few hours! I got everything packed up and headed down to the boat around 8:30. While I was gone, the rest of the family was packing and having breakfast and exploring the resort.


We took the boats many times this week, and this was the first time I got a little one.

I got in to the park and went out in search of breakfast. Starbucks? Joffreys? Not for me! The Confectionary is more my speed. It was totally empty this early.

I quickly grabbed my “breakfast” and made my way down Main Street.

I was still hungry so I went to the Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland. I mobile ordered a cream cheese pretzel. (Also not a traditional breakfast, but let me enjoy my morning, okay? )

I waited for a VERY long time. A whole line of other mobile orders appeared behind me. After about 15 minutes, someone opened the window and asked what we were doing, and it was at that time that they realized their mobile order system was down. Thankfully, I got my pretzel soon after that.

It was very good. I took one final spin for this trip on the PeopleMover next.

 

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Then, I just wanted to wander around and take in the sights.

I made the loop around, ran into a bear, and looked at Tiana’s. SO excited to ride this very soon (hopefully!!)!

I was still in a snacking mood so I got both the cheeseburger and pepperoni spring rolls. The cheeseburger was FAR superior.

I said hello to Casey, said goodbye to the castle, and made my way back to WL for our tragical express appointment.

I met back up with everyone and we got the luggage downstairs. We had some time to kill so we found this little game table in the lobby of Boulder Ridge. It was actually really fun!

Anyway, soon the bus came and we were on our way to MCO. We had a great trip!

See ya REAL, REAL soon!


And, thanks for following along!!

 

[erstwo]

This was such a great trip report - thanks so much for writing it! You have the sweetest family. Looking forward to the next one!

 

[cgersic]

Awww, how sad is this that it's ending??? Apparently no too sad, cuz I think you're already back?! LOVED this report as usual

 

[ToInfinity]

This was such a great trip report - thanks so much for writing it! You have the sweetest family. Looking forward to the next one!

Thank you so much!!!! I love sharing our adventures with y’all.

Awww, how sad is this that it's ending??? Apparently no too sad, cuz I think you're already back?! LOVED this report as usual

Thank you! It was sad to have B’s first trip end, but another one is indeed in full swing!

 

[Tiki Traveler]

Glad you were able to have such a nice family trip and getting good use out of your annual pass on your current trip!

 

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We’re back, folks! Here’s the details:

When: July 10-14
Where: All-Star Music. This was an all-day in the parks sort of trip!
Who: Me and my cousin S! She’s made an appearance before in my TRs, but it’s been a while. Her last trip to WDW was in November 2019. I was excited to share all the new things with her!

Day 1: 7/10/24

It was an early start with a 4:00 AM wake up time to head to the airport. I made it without issue, aside from the park and ride being full! Usually, the flight to MCO is on a small body plane, but this time it was quite large so that was exciting. We boarded on time and soon were on the way!

In-flight entertainment…. Anybody know this classic?

S is meeting me at WDW. She lives on the west coast and had a much later flight than me. That means today is a solo day!

I also tried for Tiana’s at 7:00 from the gate…..

Woohoo! Definitely won’t be there for group 18 though. Will they let me on anyway? I’m gonna try!

On the plane, my seat-mate turned out to be a CM at Saratoga Springs. I enjoyed talking to her about Disney! She was fairly confident that they’d let me on Tiana’s late since I was going solo.

Soon we were at MCO. It was definitely the smoothest flight I’ve ever been on.

 

[Tuvalu]

You’re gone and I’m still here.

Question #1 The Parent Trap (remake )

Question #2 YES

Looking forward to finding out how close we came to seeing each other.

 

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You’re gone and I’m still here.

Question #1 The Parent Trap (remake )

Question #2 YES

Looking forward to finding out how close we came to seeing each other.

And wishing I was still there!

1. Correct.

2. Also correct!

 

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Again, I have had good and bad experiences with Mears. This one falls into the bad category. It took 40 minutes before I was on a bus.

Then, it took another 55 minutes before I was here.

I don’t think I’d recommend it.

Once we did finally arrive at ASM, I was greeted by a round of applause by their bell services staff. I thought that was a neat touch. We had been assigned a room already but it was in the Country Fair section, third floor. I’ve stayed there before and didn’t want to be so far from the lobby so I asked and they moved me to a closer standard room in the Rock section, first floor! I grabbed our grocery order from Bell Services and found the room.

No pictures because it was SO hot and I sliced my finger on the cart and had to deal with all of that and the groceries, but soon I was changed and on my way to MK to try Tiana’s!

I’ll say, in my head the All-Stars are so far from the parks, and they are far, but not nearly as far as you’d think. I got on a bus at 12:52 and by 1:16 I was here!

With the heat, I decided to take the MPB () to Frontierland. I had a whole row to myself.

Here’s a blurry picture of the train window for you all.

 

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There was no issue at all with scanning in late for Tiana’s. I LOVED the queue and the music! (I can’t figure out how to do the spoiler thing for so many pictures, so scroll starting here if you don’t want to see!)

I had seen others have long waits in the VQ, but I quite literally walked right on.

 

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I was in the very back of the boat. I got wet, but not nearly as wet as others I’ve seen!

They definitely toned down the waterfall effect. You don’t get soaked by it anymore!

My opinion, I LOVED it. It is a great ride, with great animatronics and theming and just such a HAPPY feeling. I like a ride where you can go through and dance and sing along and get a little thrill and just enjoy, and this is definitely one of those.

I walked over to the Country Bear area. On this morning, they held a media preview and then were doing cast previews. You bet I asked to get a sneak peek, but of course the answer was no. Oh well, next time.

I did see this guy trying to fit himself into a rocking chair, however.

And, for the shooting arcade fans, the walls are up and the DVC lounge construction is underway.

 

[Tuvalu]

The waterfall on Tiana wasn’t toned down yesterday.

 

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The waterfall on Tiana wasn’t toned down yesterday.

Oh dear! Maybe we just got lucky then!