Trip Report The ONE with the Bowl that was not so Super 🚽 2/5-2/9, 2021*COMPLETED*

HA HA HA!!!
Hello everybody! I returned yesterday from a last minute long weekend to WDW.
How? Who? Why? You ask. Well my Magical friends, here is everything you want to know, and maybe some things, you don’t.

It all began a few weeks ago at work when my bff/boss suggested we go to Disney for his birthday. I took him last year and we had a great time. We looked at dates and flights and room rates and hemmed and hawed for a couple days. We decided we would go President’s weekend. But my kids would be out of school and they would want to go. Then, texting with @Tuvalu she said “you’re going president’s weekend!?!?”

Ok, she didn’t say it like that but that is how I heard it in my mind. I said to my friend, M, “what the heck are we thinking? Let’s go the weekend before.” His sister/business partner/my other boss gave her blessing (then promptly booked a whole week in Florida for herself at the end of the month) and we started looking at rooms.
Pop was cheap with the AP discount so I booked.

We picked out our flights, then added a day and picked out new flights. Friday came, my day off and two weeks before departure and we had decided on everything. All we had to do was book the flights, which were $69 each way. Then I looked again and the flights were down to $49 each way. I texted M, “BOOK BOOK BOOK! This is not a drill!!!”

Then Saturday came and I canceled Pop and booked a studio at Saratoga Springs Resort using my DVC points. Bought M’s park ticket and made park reservations and some ADR’s. I also filled out the Magical Express request form and ordered a couple t-shirts.

13 days to go and we were all set.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

A delightful TR- as always. Thanks!

 

[fizzieee]

Cheers to a great report! Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you!

 

[Tuvalu]

Men

 

[cgersic]

Next on the list was a @DisneyGigi recommendation.
We headed to the Dawa Bar. I got in line there and I sent M across the “street” to Tamu Tamu to get himself a Dole Whip with rum (I can not for the life of me remember who recommended this but thank you thank you thank you!)

When It was my turn I asked for Steve or Bob as per Gigi’s instructions. The bartender pointed to the guy next to him, “that’s Steve.” I asked tender #1 if he knew how to make a Harambe cooler. He did not. I asked if it was ok if I waited for Steve.

When it was my turn for Steve I told him my friend, “Gigi”, sent me here for a Harambe cooler. I showed him Gigi’s picture and he exclaimed, “I know her!”
He made my Harambe cooler and I heard the other bartender ask how to make it. So, @DisneyGigi there may be more keeps who know how to make a Harambe cooler now!
View attachment 537319
View attachment 537320
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Harambe Cooler for the win!! The Dole Whip with rum is one of my favorites (I'll switch between the dark and the light) so maybe it was me??? My mouth is watering right now!

 

[DisneyGigi]

Tuesday February 9 cont

I mentioned once or twice or thrice that I had been watching wait times the week or so before our trip. It was easy, M would page me over the intercom at work, “Dar, what do the wait times look like? Dar, how quick did the boarding groups go?”

One thing I did not bother to monitor was the train to Rafikis Planet watch. I was rather surprised when the wait was 90 minutes
That did not fit in the time budget so we passed.

Instead we headed to Dinosaur.
View attachment 537317
I was starting to think Disney was no longer doing the “cleaning cycles” since we had not been caught it one. Until now. But it was quick, only 10 minutes give or take.

View attachment 537325

I will say it, I really do not enjoy this ride. I did. Once upon a time but whether it changed or I changed, I just don’t get it anymore. I still go on it. It’s like putting coins in a slot machine, sooner or later I will get a payout.

I did love and do miss...
View attachment 537318

And look at that blue sky. (Sigh..)
View attachment 537321

Next on the list was a @DisneyGigi recommendation.
We headed to the Dawa Bar. I got in line there and I sent M across the “street” to Tamu Tamu to get himself a Dole Whip with rum (I can not for the life of me remember who recommended this but thank you thank you thank you!)

When It was my turn I asked for Steve or Bob as per Gigi’s instructions. The bartender pointed to the guy next to him, “that’s Steve.” I asked tender #1 if he knew how to make a Harambe cooler. He did not. I asked if it was ok if I waited for Steve.

When it was my turn for Steve I told him my friend, “Gigi”, sent me here for a Harambe cooler. I showed him Gigi’s picture and he exclaimed, “I know her!”
He made my Harambe cooler and I heard the other bartender ask how to make it. So, @DisneyGigi there may be more keeps who know how to make a Harambe cooler now!
View attachment 537319
View attachment 537320
View attachment 537322

We enjoyed our drinks and the beautiful day, our final hours.
This was WDW
View attachment 537324

This was home
View attachment 537323

Hmmmm...which would you chose??

I love both Steve and Bob. They are always a hoot! I was so glad they were both there on our only AK day. That, in non Covid days was our hangout spot listening to the music and chatting. We still hung out at a table and chatted with them but I will be sooooo glad when we can sit at the bar and shoot the crap like the old days. I hope the drummers and all that comes back. Glad Steve was there and you got one! Dole Whips are good loaded too.

Great report as always!

 

[amjt660]

Amazing as always

Started with a great title and just got better with every page

Max

 

[cgersic]

I'm so sad to see this end!!! You and M are just adorable together. Makes me wish I had a Disney buddy (okay, just a little bit because I do love flying solo a lot!). Waiting for the next one - maybe I'll be in it??? I'll be at Epcot on the 28th and I'm hoping to toast with you there!

 

[riverside]

Awesome TR as always!! Sorry you both were sick during it though!! But, as usual your TR was fun!!

 

[Loco_driver]

Thanks for entertaining me with another fun report. It has helped pass the time waiting for the day that we can return to WDW. Your stories about M and his eating habits remind me of my brother, who basically only eats hot pockets and other assorted food! I’ll be patiently waiting for your next adventure!

 

[Dory71]

Thanks for sharing another great trip!

 

[littleroo]

Thanks for sharing! Love, your honest, positive writing! I am sorry you had a variety of ups and downs but it definitely lead to an interesting story!! Looking forward to your next adventure!!

 

[Swissmiss]

It’s over?

 

[k8einwdw]

Thanks for another great report!

 

[LSV]

Thanks for taking us along again!

 

[krisri18]

A delight as always!

 

[donaldtoo]

There is no way I could picture Betty White as a Blanche or vice versa. And I love that show, it gives me hope...

Yep, Betty White was brilliant as Sue Ann Nivens on the MTM show...!!!!!
She was always witty-sarcastic-perfect as that character, especially with Gavin MacLeod, AKA, Murray Slaughter, AKA Captain Merrill Stubbing...!!!!!!!
But, yes, Rue McClanahan was definitely the better choice as Blanche for “The Golden Girls”...!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Tuesday February 9 cont

I mentioned once or twice or thrice that I had been watching wait times the week or so before our trip. It was easy, M would page me over the intercom at work, “Dar, what do the wait times look like? Dar, how quick did the boarding groups go?”

One thing I did not bother to monitor was the train to Rafikis Planet watch. I was rather surprised when the wait was 90 minutes
That did not fit in the time budget so we passed.

Instead we headed to Dinosaur.
View attachment 537317
I was starting to think Disney was no longer doing the “cleaning cycles” since we had not been caught it one. Until now. But it was quick, only 10 minutes give or take.

View attachment 537325

I will say it, I really do not enjoy this ride. I did. Once upon a time but whether it changed or I changed, I just don’t get it anymore. I still go on it. It’s like putting coins in a slot machine, sooner or later I will get a payout.

I did love and do miss...
View attachment 537318

And look at that blue sky. (Sigh..)
View attachment 537321

Next on the list was a @DisneyGigi recommendation.
We headed to the Dawa Bar. I got in line there and I sent M across the “street” to Tamu Tamu to get himself a Dole Whip with rum (I can not for the life of me remember who recommended this but thank you thank you thank you!)

When It was my turn I asked for Steve or Bob as per Gigi’s instructions. The bartender pointed to the guy next to him, “that’s Steve.” I asked tender #1 if he knew how to make a Harambe cooler. He did not. I asked if it was ok if I waited for Steve.

When it was my turn for Steve I told him my friend, “Gigi”, sent me here for a Harambe cooler. I showed him Gigi’s picture and he exclaimed, “I know her!”
He made my Harambe cooler and I heard the other bartender ask how to make it. So, @DisneyGigi there may be more keeps who know how to make a Harambe cooler now!
View attachment 537319
View attachment 537320
View attachment 537322

We enjoyed our drinks and the beautiful day, our final hours.
This was WDW
View attachment 537324

This was home
View attachment 537323

Hmmmm...which would you chose??

Glad to hear Steve treated you right, as that’s my real name. Well, Stephen, but, Steve for short...Mom says my name would have been Stephanie if I would have been a girl...!!!!!

I woulda’ tried both of those drinks for a side by side comparison...!!!!!

And yes, 81 vs. 38 is a no-brainer for my Texas beeeeeeehind...!!!

 

[Stellajack]

Thanks Darstarr for such a great report! I can't believe that I actually have post-Disney depression just from your reporting the end of your trip.

I have to wait until the end of October for our trip.

 

[MickeyCB]

That's all ???
Bummer!!

 

[Sillysidewalker]

Thanks @Darstarr looking forward to the next!