Who's Afraid of the Big Bad...Spring Break Crowds?

Hello Everyone and welcome aboard Jess's Walt Disney World Trip Report.


Well here I am again in cold, windy Pittsburgh when just a few weeks ago I was in….well cold, windy Florida. But a cold day in Disney is better than a warm day at home, right? That’s what I told myself as I bundled up for a chilly 4 day trip to Disney in March. And it’s Spring Break? Oh well – a crowded day in Disney is better than a…lonely day at home? Not quite sure how to end that but to sum it up…yes ANY day in Disney is better than ANY other day at home.


This trip was GIRLS ONLY. Why? Because boys have cooties, duh. But seriously with my Dad going away on a golf trip (currently on it) my mom felt better about vacationing without him and my fiancé is getting though his last rotations before he graduates in June (Yay!!) and my sister’s husband couldn’t get off work. Oh yes it’s Ladies Night…and day…and yeah so this trip is just us ladies.

For those of you who don’t know me (which you should…I’m a hoot)
I'm Jess.



I'm a big fan of food, villains and EPCOT.

There's my seester, Nikki and my dearest darling Momsie




The plan was – Pop Century for 4 nights – parks for 3 days – park openings/closings – get all 4 parks accomplished in 3 days during Spring Break crowds. OK GO.


March 24, 2013.

Our flight was scheduled to leave at 6:00pm. As we’re walking out the door to church – I see our flight was delayed to take off at 7. No big deal. About 4 seconds later I re-check and now it’s delayed to 7:45. Gah. There go my plans of hitting up AoA for a little when we check into Pop.

We head to the airport early anyway because they have a great restaurant there (Not the Pittsburgh one – the Latrobe one…about 15 minutes from my house) so we had some drinks and appetizers. At the end of the meal – we see our flight is delayed again to 8:15. FRICK DOUBLE FRICK. That’s ok – that’s why Steve Jobs invented iPads, iPhones and iPods to keep us busy. FINALLY the flight gets there and we are ready to board.

Who says we aren’t excited to go to Disney after a few hours in an airport?


Then we sit on the plane for another hour while they de-ice our wings. Joy. After the bumpiest flight of my LIFE…we landed in MCO around 11pm. Well shucks now we have to go to baggage to claim our bags like some kind of COMMONERS? Ugh – first world problems.
Anywho…off to DME to take us to POP.

We got to Pop around 11:45. 60’s section room 4349 – wonderful building location.





(Sorry for the blurry pictures - I was a bit frustrated with being so late and these were walking pictures. Not that there is any excuse for the pictures to come - I'm a point and shoot on the move kind of gal)

Very light unpacking and getting to sleep. DHS opens at 7 people – get to bed!

 

[plaz10]

So I saw this TR was up and I thought what better way to start my day than with your TR!!

There is absolutely nothing, I repeat NOTHING wrong with a cream cheese based diet. I fully support the red velvet cheesecake cupcake followed by a carrot cake cookie. Those would be my two choices too! Though I have never had a carrot cake cookie HOWEVER - it is on my list for next month. Anything with cream cheese is good in my book!

I hear ya on quoting the Muppets all the time. Ashley and I do too. How can you not?!

Bumpy flights = a very nervous Nelly!! The worst was when I was flying to Switzerland. We were somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean and it was SOOO bumpy. Well, we hit an air pocket where there was no wind and the plane just dropped. My stomach seriously felt like it does on the RNRC launch. I thought that sucker was going down... but we survived (obviously)

Can't wait to read more!! This is getting me excited for my trip next month!!

Cream cheese makes everything better @blackthidot 's better half and I always talk about how amazing it is and how it's the whole reason to eat bagels and there's John all "Ugh cheese is gross." You're gross, John.

Speaking of quoting wonderful things like the Muppets - last night at the Pens game when Morrow got a 5 minute fighting penalty for beating the crap out of PK...I was like "5 MINUTES WELL WORTH IT"

YOU SURVIVED...THANK GOD! hahaha. Yeah I get crazy nervous when the plane drops like that. For some reason the entire time I'm sitting on a plane waiting to take off - I picture the entire first scene of Final Destination. Which is probably the worst thing possible.

Thanks for reading! I'm crazy jealous you'll be down next month. I won't be down again until after the cruise!!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Cream cheese makes everything better @blackthidot 's better half and I always talk about how amazing it is and how it's the whole reason to eat bagels and there's John all "Ugh cheese is gross." You're gross, John.

Speaking of quoting wonderful things like the Muppets - last night at the Pens game when Morrow got a 5 minute fighting penalty for beating the crap out of PK...I was like "5 MINUTES WELL WORTH IT"

YOU SURVIVED...THANK GOD! hahaha. Yeah I get crazy nervous when the plane drops like that. For some reason the entire time I'm sitting on a plane waiting to take off - I picture the entire first scene of Final Destination. Which is probably the worst thing possible.

Thanks for reading! I'm crazy jealous you'll be down next month. I won't be down again until after the cruise!!

John is pretty gross!!

haha, I did see you were at the Pens game. I was at the Bruins game! THANK GOD the Pens beat Montreal. YAY hockey!!

The cruise really isn't that far away though!! Less than 5 months!! And then we will be at the world at the same time after! Woot woot!!

 

[blackthidot]

Cream cheese makes everything better @blackthidot 's better half and I always talk about how amazing it is and how it's the whole reason to eat bagels and there's John all "Ugh cheese is gross." You're gross, John.

John is pretty gross!!
haha, I did see you were at the Pens game. I was at the Bruins game! THANK GOD the Pens beat Montreal. YAY hockey!!

The cruise really isn't that far away though!! Less than 5 months!! And then we will be at the world at the same time after! Woot woot!!

Both of you...

 

[ShookieJones]

Great TR -

There is only one thing I like better than WDW parks, and that's seeing someone kicking the ever living cr*p outta them. During Spring break too!?? Wha!?? Yeah...nice job -- I'm following along.

 

[plaz10]

Both of you...

Aw John did you get a new black tank top? Looks simply dashing on you!

 

[plaz10]

Great TR -

There is only one thing I like better than WDW parks, and that's seeing someone kicking the ever living cr*p outta them. During Spring break too!?? Wha!?? Yeah...nice job -- I'm following along.

AW thanks!! Yeah it's crazy the amount of people who a)sleep in during spring break b)just have no idea how to handle a Disney park let alone a crowded one. So many people were like oh 90 minute wait that's not as bad as 120 lets jump in. That's what Fastpasses are for. And tons of people asking "did you pay for that?" "Is it extra?" or people saying "It's broken we can't get another one yet!" Ugh. Poor CMs.

 

[moonwishes2013]

That is the Everything Brownie-- at least that is what a CM said it was called. We had several at AOA Landscapes, it is sooooooooooo gooooooooood - to die for- if you love chocolate, this is for you!!! Wished I would have brought some home!!!

 

[blackthidot]

Aw John did you get a new black tank top? Looks simply dashing on you!

No that's from when you were in High School and you went to sears and got Glamor shots done.

 

[plaz10]

That is the Everything Brownie-- at least that is what a CM said it was called. We had several at AOA Landscapes, it is sooooooooooo gooooooooood - to die for- if you love chocolate, this is for you!!! Wished I would have brought some home!!!

It looks similar to one I had at Starring Rolls - only the one I had had white chocolate chips on it. Very good but very rich. I do have a pic of a similar brownie from AoA but that's not until the last day! I wish I had one right now...

No that's from when you were in High School and you went to sears and got Glamor shots done.

It's been a while since my last glamor shots...I think I need new ones. Can I borrow some mini skirts and tube tops from you?

 

[blackthidot]

It's been a while since my last glamor shots...I think I need new ones. Can I borrow some mini skirts and tube tops from you?

No, cause last time I let you borrow my hacksaw so you can have Bill shave your belly button it was all bent and rusted. On top of which I had to ask to borrow it back.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Tammy! There are many more food pictures to come - brace yourself. I seriously worry about myself and food on this cruise - I can have premium bars delivered to my room? I may never leave.

I know the feeling! The good news is that you can get them in the dining room too!

Walking into a sit down restaurant and ordering a dessert to go? You, my friend, are a genius.

 

[plaz10]

No, cause last time I let you borrow my hacksaw so you can have Bill shave your belly button it was all bent and rusted. On top of which I had to ask to borrow it back.

Ugh...it happens ONE time and you gotta get all bent out of shape about it. Come on John...

I know the feeling! The good news is that you can get them in the dining room too!

Walking into a sit down restaurant and ordering a dessert to go? You, my friend, are a genius.

I'm so excited for the cruise - my wedding diet is cowering in fear.

I would have never done it except I was so distraught about the cupcake that I was like "what have I got to lose?" Very good idea. I highly recommend it!!

 

[plaz10]

Tuesday March 26th

Alarm at 5:20 am. Coffee and in line for MK bus at 6:40. Into MK right at 7 and had only 1 mission - New Fantasyland. Since EPCOT didn't have early morning hours and we already accomplished everything at DHS and AK we decided to use the 7 am opening at MK and then hop the monorail to EPCOT.



So early in the morning it looks like night time!





We had seen really high wait times for Under the Sea all day yesterday (wait time app) so we figured this was all of our #1 thing to do in MK since it was new so we walked right on! First time through - no pictures. Just enjoyed it!

We came off and saw the line was still non existent so we walked on again!














Afterwards we decided to look around New Fantasyland a little more before heading towards the front of the park.

Work on the 7 Dwarves Mine Coaster






Let's head to Gaston's Tavern for breakfast! YUP!






All 3 of us were sporting our Pens gear for the day!!!

Giant cinnamon roll for breakfast

It was good - not amazing like Main Sts but good - needs more icing but it was warm and yummy!

Nothing like an early morning sugar rush - Lefou's Brew



Jessie Likey!

 

[plaz10]

We had accomplished our morning mission of New Fantasyland. Time to head to MY FAVORITE PARK OMG WE'RE FINALLY GOING TO...EPCOT!






LETS GO PENS!








I AM IRONMAN

Nikko being a creeper on the monorail...

 

[plaz10]

Best monorail loop ever - that into EPCOT. I was legit like this the whole ride






First sign of new Test Track. I squealed.



Last...but most certainly not least...


Hello my love. I've missed you so.(oh yeah if this is your first TR of mine you don't know but...I'm moderately to severely obsessed with Spaceship Earth. Riding it, taking pictures of it, talking about it, crying about it, getting engaged in front of it...yep it's the best ride EVER)









Long lines of people waiting to get in






TIME TO GO! Off i went to grab Soarin' FPs. Nik and Mom were behind me and we'd meet at Standby.

I got FPs and then we walked right into the queue. I teared up and Mom clapped at the end. She really loves this ride. We headed over to Test Track - 40 minute wait. Nope we'll wait the 10 minutes until we can get another FP. So we went to Mission:Space


HE'S NOT A SPACE. RANGE. ER!



Then back to Test Track for FPs.






I haven't forgotten about you...

 

[Tiggerish]

You are a hoot, and so are your trip reports!!! This one is living up to the rest of them. Anxiously awaiting the next installment for EPCOT and some beauty shot(s) of SSE...

We then went to grab a super healthy breakfast.

Oh no…no wait we’re in Disney. So we split a cupcake and a danish from Starring Rolls. A little food music please….

One of those Butterfinger cupcakes is going to have my name on it in September...after y'all roll me off the ship.

What time is it? SNACK TIME. This is a recurring theme…

Nik/Mom headed to find a soft pretzel and I was headed to Sweet Spells for some food pics/villain pics and a grab a DHS staple…

OMFG. This looks sooooo good. I think I like your "sweets for every meal" dining plan.

Whoa, what are these? They look intriguing. Clearly, I need to visit Sweet Spells--I don't think I've ever been in there before!!

SQUEAL!!! I have got to have one of those t-shirts.

This is my...I'm really bad at taking mirror shots but i'll try for @HollyBelle

That is a fine mirror shot. Have you been losing weight? You look skinny.

 

[plaz10]

Back towards the Land to grab breakfast at Sunshine Seasons while waiting for our Soarin FPs






Shockingly didn't get a cupcake for breakfast today




I took a photo like this on my iPhone and sent it to @blackthidot and he had a not so family forum response

We got 2 breakfast platters and split them


Yummy breakfast food. It definitely hit the spot.

FP time is up! Soarin to tower - we're ready for takeoff!





We checked out the lines for everything and most things had 25-30 minute waits so we went on something I haven't been on in YEARS. Plus it had no wait.



I really do love Ellen. But all 3 of us fell asleep. It was a nice rejuvenating nap.

Back to The Land to ride Living with the Land.


I have never waited more than 5 minutes and today I waited 20! That's crazy!



Then it was time for to use our FPs for Test Track.




Our sweet vehicle

Overall: I enjoyed the new Test Track. Do I think the money could have been used better elsewhere? Yes. But was the overall ride still enjoyable? Yes. I enjoy the futuristic ramp up after the seatbelt check. Favorite.

 

[plaz10]

After Test Track we got FPs for test track again - 8:20 pm. Wait time was 120 minutes. People getting in line to wait 120 minutes? Come on, man. Not smart. We actually watched the FPs run out because we're mean like that and enjoy holding FPs and watching them become unavailable. Makes us feel like our FPs are that much more valuable. Welp...ya snooze ya lose!

We had done everything we wanted to in Future World. Lines were getting pretty long for everything. We planned on this...so as soon as lines for things like Living with the Land were going upwards of 45 minutes - we headed to World Showcase to eat/drink our way around the world! With long lines everywhere else - we knew we could take our time and enjoy WS without having anywhere else to be. And we planned to SNACK around the world - 11 different snacks. Not including alcoholic beverages. Spoiler - we did way more than 11. fatties.



First stop - Mexico. First food - crab tostada at the Flower and Garden festival booth (as someone who's never been to Food and Wine festival - I was super happy to see specialty food booths for the F&G)



Blurry - but it was delicious.


Into the Mexico pavilion we go - in search of alcohol...


But first...


Then to La Cava de Tequila. We got the passion fruit margarita and chips & salsa. (Chips and salsa were free since I follow them on twitter!)


It was sooo good as I come to expect margaritas from here. It's definitely up there as one of my favs.

We grabbed FPs for Maelstrom next (holy lines batman - 30 minute wait. I've never even used FPs for Maelstrom!) and signed up for an Agent P mission in China. Alright Vikings - we'll be back but onto China!













I had never done any mission (Agent P or Kim Possible) in China so it was very cool to see this one.





Mom left at one point to explore and came back with pot stickers!! I've never had these in Disney before - they were quite good.

 

[plaz10]

Alright - back to Norway to eat and then use our FPs. Into Kringla we goooooo





TROLL HORN?! What's this? What's this? I've had a cloudberry horn but TROLL HORN? This is new....

I noticed the filling was a pink tint - I knew it had to be LINGONBERRY filling. Yes I'll have one of those...



And a viking mousse - mostly because it was cute.





Mousse was just OK - no better or worse than a usual mousse. But the Troll Horn was excellent. I think it was better than the cloudberry horn. But that's just me.

Onward!





We had another Agent P mission in Germany - I had done this one before and knew it was a good one so I wanted Nik to see this one. In the mean time - Mom waited in a very long Karamel Kitchen line to get some deliciousness







Yes we got all of those treats. Cashew cluster, fresh warm caramel corn and an apple oatmeal cookie. I absolutely LOVED the cookie. Seriously love love LOVE this cookie. I will be getting it again. Yumm-o.

Shopping around we saw these teddy bears...

The picture is cute because my new last name will be Streiff and this is kind of close. And made me miss Bill again.



And on our way out of Germany...What's a visit to Germany without...



Mmmm German Beer. As you can see it was quite windy and a bit chilly. I even put on my fleece I had stashed in my backpack for the evening.


Up Next: Continuing our gluttonous tour of the World Showcase.

 

[disneyfan1995]

Loving the snacking around the world! That's always the best