Trip Report SummerPalooza: When 1 resort reservation morphs into 5 resorts

We have had a few trips this year that were odd for us. The trip where my family had to end their vaction but I stayed on for 3.5 more weeks. I didn't even book a return ticket. Never did that before. My April/May Flower Trip Report: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-one-way-ticket.939721/#post-8162457

This report will start out mostly of semi in-the-moment of the day posts at least for the first half of 3 weeks as we all will be arriving at different points. Like the above report I am not overly wordy but enjoy posting photos of WDW and Food along with adult beverages. Sometimes a tad odd to me behaviors in the parks.

This trip kept expanding in days and as a result resorts this time for reasons I will get around to explaining later, for now mostly photo's of the day. Hope you enjoy.

EDIT: Most of these photos will be Apple Live photos for those of you with Apple devices.

 

[Gabe1]

And the third time is the charm. It’s rough leaving the studios. Boat the better option. They are also quickened the pace of the boats. No longer hanging at Epcot or Studios. Fill and row. And this is a very slow time of year and mid afternoon

 

[Gabe1]

55 minutes once seated on bus from Swan to Disney Spring. But at end of our meal that turned into a bonus. For 10 minutes the sky’s opened up. We lingered over the remains of our cocktails and now the Sun is lower and so much cooler. Pleasant.

Up next......

 

[Gabe1]

2 Arts Chicken dinners. One with the mashed and one with cheese noodles. The chicken was awesome again. Mashed I had forgotten was once again overly whipped. Making it heavy bs fluffy. MAC was great.

The Chicken sandwich was as awesome as usual. Remember you can substitute your sauces and the sides. I also had coleslaw and it was very good too.

Strangest check ever. 6 pieces of paper. 3 signatures. Not a dining plan meal.

 

[Gabe1]

Skipped over so much of today. Will eventually go back and connect the dots.

Disney Springs by night

The living statues have come to life once again with these golden gentleman. They pull pranks so it’s fun. Situated right outside World of Disney restroom side. You can tell if they are due out if their round, gold circular platforms are out. Had a fun time with them

 

[Gabe1]

Springs Goofy Candy

We bought the chocolate and fresh pineapple spears and chocolate Dream pop on a popsicle stick

 

[Gabe1]

For @figmentfan423

 

[MinnieM123]

PS. Exit security guard called me over ‘Did you just take a picture over the fence. Me ‘No but I did take a photo of construction vehicles I’m way too short to reach top of that fence. Guard, may I see that photo. I complied. Him oh that’s fine. Duly noted. Don’t take photos over fence

Oh brother. If they don't want pictures over the fence, then build a taller fence!! I think it's funny that many have taken photos over the fence--they're posted all over the forum.

 

[Gabe1]

Oh brother. If they don't want pictures over the fence, then build a taller fence!! I think it's funny that many have taken photos over the fence--they're posted all over the forum.

Security guard used that stern voice. I didn’t laugh. He was tops 30 years old. Given their educational law enforcement training he should have been able to look at my size and easily determined I was way to short to take a photo over a construction wall. It was kinda funny.

 

[Gabe1]

Was this you @StarWarsGirl ????

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Was this you @StarWarsGirl ????

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Haha, no. I wish. That best in vehicle score is a tad low, though...

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Continuing-Day #1 evening
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First stop ToyStoryLand
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Hello Slinky Dog, the rain is moving in, wildly popular Slinky headband
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Some theming
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Mania, Mr. Potato Head is still having issues. Curtain lightly hiding him as he was off.
1.5 hours later he was back to life.
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Operational
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and Dark Mr. Potato Head Hiding
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And the beautiful alien swirling saucer at night

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Oh, guess where I also was that night? Teehee.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

A boat was boarded destined for the Swan and Dolphin one of our favorite resorts. It is beyond beautiful and possibly the last time we will experience the two hotels ground level lobby areas as they are currently. A refurbishment of all the common areas and lobbies of both hotels is to begin shortly, lots of construction I would think. Guessing with the completion of the 3rd resort behind these Marriott wants to bring these up todate also but they are still beyond functional and beautiful inside and out.

Beautiful, original architecture design unlike many of the Disney Rectangle Buildings and so very well maintained and landscaped.
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It was time to cool down, very warm and humid. Very peaceful place for lunch.

From the Dolphin's lovely quick service, The Cluck. It is shredded chicken in a spicy mustard on a Hawaiian Sweet Roll. (can't taste mustard)
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If you prefer Yogurt over Ice Cream we've yet to find Yogurt on property to compete with this quick service. Just look at all the toppings they offer!!!! Slurp.
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And back to the boat to head to the Studios to talk the long long walk to the current and temporary bus stops there. The sky was turning dark and nasty thunderstorms heading in so a resort break in order.

Along the way out the Swan Paddle Boat that should never be considered in this type of temperature (let alone with heavy life jackets). But lovely to guest watch others.

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Interesting. There is not Gator protective nets in this area. Hmpf.

I've never seen Gators in this area. Lots of other wildlife, but think there's too much watercraft activity for them to be over there.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Having to depart for next resort at 7:15, Uber made for rising early. Needing to work today for Hotel Room is still better than working at home or office. The wish was granted and at 8am the room was READY!!!! No working in the lobby needed. *Phew*
9 minute round trip to get tea/coffee. After check-in there was 15 minutes until work. Unload laptop, connect monitor and fortunately connect to the internet. *woot*

So the vacation resumed at 130pm. Unpack and head to Animal Kingdom. Lunch needed.View attachment 306332
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and of course the berry cheesecake pod. Slurp

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and since this is one of the few park QS that lets you fill your own fountain drinks, when food was gone the refillable water bottle was filled with ice and cold water to go.
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his baby took her first steps today to go greet Donald a few minutes ago and gave him a hug. If you have Live Photo you can hear the cheers.

The photopass photographer was brought to tears and crying. Magical moment.

Safari was first up
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And then off to Pandora via the still pretty secret bridge from Africa to Pandora. Note though that bridge is often sealed in the early morning hours if FoP standby line is long, meaning they send you back to the Tree of Life intersection and then the normal route to Africa. This happened to us in December. So many ANGRY guests, that is a lot of useless walking and zero signage indicating in route to Pandora that the cut over bridge is closed.
Management.

So a few new to us things in Pandora. As you enter the queue for FoP now you are given one of these. Then being respectful of the environment they are collected for reuse. Clearly the signs posted outside most thrill attractions was not enough, it needed to be right in front of guests faces. Wonder what brought that on......

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And upon exiting FoP this Guy was greeting guests. Don't believe he was around for our April/May trip.

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Young boys seemed impressed.


This baby took her first steps today to go greet Donald a few minutes ago and gave him a hug. If you have Live Photo you can hear the cheers.

The photopass photographer was brought to tears and crying. Magical moment.

Ha! You and I must have been on the same wavelength because we were also at AK that day.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

The LIVE PHOTO's turned out real well today and the sound is pretty good too. Apologies to those not using Apple products. The photos are clearer as moving picture on Apple products but its a gamble what 'still life' it grabs for other operating systems. As an example the Log makes it all the way down the flume in the live photo.
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Yeah, I'm just doing a giant facepalm at this point. If you saw a girl who looks like she's 12 but acts like she's 30 dragging her much taller brother around MK...that was me.

 

[Figgy1]

Dinner yesterday at Columbia House wasn’t great. They were so overwhelmed by PreHalloween Party guests. View attachment 311290

I don't like that. It's gone from hidden gem to why bother for us.

 

[Figgy1]

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For @figmentfan423

My guys should hire you when they need to buy me something

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

The boy about 6 years old leaned his head over our table put his face over my kids dessert and coughed on it. Mom saw, Dad saw and the only words spoken were let’s go.

Ugh gross! Unbelievable! They said nothing???? What is the deal with some people? They should have gotten you a new dessert, or at least offered, and then you could have graciously said, "no, it's fine." At least they should have had the decency to acknowledge what happened.

 

[Gabe1]

I’m thinking this shelve has never been dusted since Everest opened. Still teeny tiny
Hidden Mickey’s

 

[Gabe1]

Snack credits. Love this cheesecake

 

[Gabe1]

Some of these views in the evening are awesome

Others close by are not.
Boat is fun inside

Nothing about what they did to the Empress Lilly is acceptable. My rule of first do no harm.