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!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Those snacks from Germany look delicious. I was determined to get some of the caramel corn when I was there in December, but the line was always so long and that just doesn't fly when you have a 5 year old along!! That cookie looks delicious! Next time we go, I may have to get the cookie to eat and the caramel corn to go. Can't wait to read more!

 

[farrellbarrel]

yummm those snacks!! That apple oatmeal cookie looked sooo goood!!!

 

[tiaragirl]

Once again, using this TR as before bedtime reading.

It is a lovely story. I especially liked the many announcements of the dislike of AK as well as "getting engaged in front of it".

The picture of the three of you in Pens gear in front of the castle is one of my favs!

Keep the treat ideas coming! 8 days and I can feeeeel the calories.

 

[plaz10]

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...

Thanks love! Of course there are a few SSE photoshoots - unfortunately only 1 day at EPCOT. But I give SSE the love she deserves!

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

I need you guys to keep me in check on and off the ship when it comes to food - just keep reminding me "wedding...wedding...wedding" so we can SPLIT the butterfinger cupcake to make me feel better. Haha!

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


It came to the point in World Showcase where my sister was like "Can we get real food in this country?"

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!!

Those are brownies. The green were mint ones. They had toffee ones as well and I think just regular brownies. I haven't sampled because...well they look kind of small. Haha. I need more brownie than just a few bites!

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

I really love the park icons! They look so nice together. Anything with SSE looks nice, really.

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

You're my new best friend. I have been working on "shedding for the wedding" although that went out the window in Disney of course - but I've been back on the exercise/eating right train since the trip. I figure if I can keep it up until September then I'm allowed a cheat week for cruise/Disney!! Thanks so much for the compliment though - seriously made my day!!

 

[plaz10]

Those snacks from Germany look delicious. I was determined to get some of the caramel corn when I was there in December, but the line was always so long and that just doesn't fly when you have a 5 year old along!! That cookie looks delicious! Next time we go, I may have to get the cookie to eat and the caramel corn to go. Can't wait to read more!

We took all the treats to go and munched on them as we went. It's definitely a great snack shop!! I high recommend the cookie - seriously my new favorite Disney cookie!! Thanks for reading!

yummm those snacks!! That apple oatmeal cookie looked sooo goood!!!

OMG it's fantastic. It wasn't overly sweet so it didn't make me feel like I was gonna go into a sugar shock - definitely a great Disney snack to be consumed on future trips!!

Once again, using this TR as before bedtime reading.

It is a lovely story. I especially liked the many announcements of the dislike of AK as well as "getting engaged in front of it".

The picture of the three of you in Pens gear in front of the castle is one of my favs!

Keep the treat ideas coming! 8 days and I can feeeeel the calories.

Kenzzzz I'm happy I can be your bedtime story. I really love wearing sports teams gear at Disney - you make so many friends and start conversations that way - even if it's the opposite team than you're playing that night - they are always friendly about it.

There is so much more food to come. It was quite the gluttonous journey.

 

[plaz10]

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

We took snacking around the World to the extreme. I was thinking "This is my only day in EPCOT - you want a treat? Gotta get it now." Spoiler - we felt GROSS by the time we got to UK and Canada. I was actually in a bad mood about it because 1) I felt sick from all the food 2) I missed Future World 3) my sister insisted on doing another Agent P mission when I was so ready to get back to Future World! It was like the opposite of Hangry (hungry - angry) - I was angry I was so full! Haha!! But it was a great time

 

[disneyfan1995]

We took snacking around the World to the extreme. I was thinking "This is my only day in EPCOT - you want a treat? Gotta get it now." Spoiler - we felt GROSS by the time we got to UK and Canada. I was actually in a bad mood about it because 1) I felt sick from all the food 2) I missed Future World 3) my sister insisted on doing another Agent P mission when I was so ready to get back to Future World! It was like the opposite of Hangry (hungry - angry) - I was angry I was so full! Haha!! But it was a great time

It's definitely the best! Sorry you guys didn't feel so well by the end. Spring Break definitely wasn't the best for short lines in Future World. I was there on the Saturday before Easter and all I could do was walk around WS.

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

HE'S NOT A SPACE. RANGE. ER!

I read your caption and literally started laughing out loud. That's one of my all-time favorite quotes from Toy Story . And all your food pics- OM NOM NOM!




Great trip report- can't wait to read more!!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Another Jess trip report!!!! So exciting!!! And um im a little upset you did not have a photoshoot with SSE. Come on? LOL.

And I love that you love to go to DHS and just hop from ride to ride because that is my favorite park! And loving all the Ursula love!

And speaking of Ursula..I am also suprised you had no picture of Ursula from the ride!!! I think that is seriously the best animatronic figure I've ever seen. Most intricate too! It just amazed me everytime I went on that ride!

You know what I am also going to have to change this next trip??? The fact that I have never had a carrot cake cookie...what is wrong with me? lol. Loving all your drink/eat around the world pictures too! Can't wait to see what else you get!

 

[sam_disney]

Enjoyed the update! i am definitely snacking around the world next time!!

I love that you adore Epcot- so do i!

 

[jaideo]

I really like your trip report. Great pics.

 

[LeafsFanNL]

Things were going great until the picture of the three gals in front of the Castle in your Pens shirts.

you would look much better in this


pSPCK1-11893236v275 by HTBillard

Or even better,


3274732_orig by HTBillard

 

[LeafsFanNL]

This is still Tuesday March 26th, when you are in EPCOT?

This was our 21 hour travel day. We heard it was colder than the following three days when we were touring.

We loved the food stall in Mexico, even the 11 year olds did.

 

[plaz10]

It's definitely the best! Sorry you guys didn't feel so well by the end. Spring Break definitely wasn't the best for short lines in Future World. I was there on the Saturday before Easter and all I could do was walk around WS.

It was totally worth the full belly pain! We planned for each day to have a relaxed afternoon because we knew thats when crowds would be the craziest. In the afternoons of our 3 days we did - AK, World Showcase and Downtown Disney. They are all things we wanted to do (well they wanted to do AK) and we figured we can get that done when crowds are crazy mid day. It worked out very well!

I read your caption and literally started laughing out loud. That's one of my all-time favorite quotes from Toy Story . And all your food pics- OM NOM NOM!

Great trip report- can't wait to read more!!

I'm so glad you like the caption! Sometimes I pepper my TRs with movie/tv quotes and I don't think anyone ever pays attention (or gets it) so I'm happy you liked it! Thanks for reading!

Another Jess trip report!!!! So exciting!!! And um im a little upset you did not have a photoshoot with SSE. Come on? LOL.

And I love that you love to go to DHS and just hop from ride to ride because that is my favorite park! And loving all the Ursula love!

And speaking of Ursula..I am also suprised you had no picture of Ursula from the ride!!! I think that is seriously the best animatronic figure I've ever seen. Most intricate too! It just amazed me everytime I went on that ride!

You know what I am also going to have to change this next trip??? The fact that I have never had a carrot cake cookie...what is wrong with me? lol. Loving all your drink/eat around the world pictures too! Can't wait to see what else you get!

I got a small SSE photoshoot on the monorail. And of course there is one to come! But spoiler - we only rode it TWICE. That's crazy! We normally ride it like 4 times a day...3 days per trip! But one day in EPCOT and a date with Wishes at night allowed only 2 rides.

DHS is really growing on me because it has some of the best rides in all of Disney - and the best Fireworks show! And I did take some Ursula pics that morning. They turned out like this...




Hahaha I'm a terrible photographer! And it's hard for me to take a pic while GAWKING at the best Villain ever. I do have one decent pic of her coming up the following day!

Make sure you have a friend to share with (like me!!!) for the carrot cake cookie - it's a beast! So much more food to come - we were such fatties!

Enjoyed the update! i am definitely snacking around the world next time!!

I love that you adore Epcot- so do i!

Snacking around the World is cheaper and less physically costing than Drinking Around the World. But we did throw in some adult beverages in our snacks ventures!

EPCOT is just the best. I don't know what it is but the feeling of Future World is the best. We actually stopped to go to the bathrooms behind FountainView and they played in Innoventions loop IN the bathroom. I was like...I may only use this bathroom from now on!

I really like your trip report. Great pics.

Thanks for reading!!!

Things were going great until the picture of the three gals in front of the Castle in your Pens shirts.

Hahaha! See this is the friendly rivalry stuff that I love seeing when wearing sports stuff in the parks. I think I'm going to make sure to bring a sports team shirt/jersey on every trip from now on!

This is still Tuesday March 26th, when you are in EPCOT?

This was our 21 hour travel day. We heard it was colder than the following three days when we were touring.

We loved the food stall in Mexico, even the 11 year olds did.

Yes it's still Tuesday - I'm a bad TR updater. Things at work have been crazy hectic because 2 people are on vacation and we're training another person AND I'm moving in June so I am getting all my files in order for someone to take them over. Ugh. But I'm still gonna take a few moments this morning to hopefully finish the day!

It was definitely chilly - but it was the wind that was the worst! I actually had my hood up for most of the day - it was crazy!

At the end...we each picked our favorite snacks from the day...you'll have to wait and see if the crab tostada makes the cut!

 

[plaz10]

Tuesday March 26th continued....

Where were we? Oh yeah...stuffing our faces! This would be true of the entire day. Last stop - we had taken our beer and caramel treats over to Italy to munch. At this time - we were all kind of full. So I went to take some pictures and grabbed a few pieces of candy to satisfy our Italy requirement.







After I returned and we each had a bite of each piece of candy - I mentioned that Via Napoli was serving pizza by the slice but its nowhere near as good looking as the actual restaurant. My sister just heard PIZZA?#@?#$#% and was thinking "Mmm I could eat real food" so back into Italy we went!




One slice of pepperoni pizza. It wasn't bad but it sure made me crave some quattro formaggi from Via Napoli. YUM!

Onward!




We then headed into the good old US of A. I had 2 things on my must try list here - a smores mousse brownie at Liberty Inn and the pulled pork at the F&G booth.









The pulled pork was good but the bun was not - so we just ate the pulled pork with a fork. And the smores mousse brownie was crazy delicious and crazy RICH. I can't believe I'm about to say this - but it had TOO much icing. I know. But the brownie/graham cracker crust was amaaaaaazing.

We decided to go see American Adventure because I hadn't in a couple years.



And we...terrible Americans...fell asleep. I woke up just in time for my favorite part - the AMERICAAAA photo montage. But I will tell you - that nap was just what we need to continue our journey around the rest of World Showcase! We shopped a bit in the store in USA - I actually bought a long sleeve T. And I didn't buy this shirt but I did like it...

 

[plaz10]

Into Japan.



We are all crazy full at this point (I know I've said that in like every country...) so we were in search of a very tiny snack. And my traveling companions insisted nothing sweet (why were they both looking in my direction?)



We decided on these...





for $1 they were our cheapest snack around WS! You could probably eat around WS for much cheaper if you just sampled small candies/snacks instead of ordering 3 big things per country.

The shrimp chips were more like shrimp cheese puff consistency with a bit of shrimp flavor at the end. Not a bad snack but something to try! We only ate about half the bag.

Onto Morocco. We had very little interest in exploring Morocco - mom and I were reading to head back to Future World and Nikki wanted to do more Agent P missions.



In Morocco - I said WE CAN GET BAKLAVA IT WILL BE GREAT. I got the glares again for suggesting something sweet. D'oh.



We decided on the chicken.


It was surprisingly very good! I say surprisingly because I am normally such a picky eater but even the cucumber salad was very good and refreshing. A+ Morocco F&G booth!!

We didn't really explore the pavilion at all - just kept chugging along...

FRANCE. Hope you all brought your Thanksgiving pants (Friends reference) because I had big plans for the new France Bakery!



After hearing my companions disinterest in anything food - I decided to select only 2 items.

















I decided on the garlic cheese bread and the lemon tart.







While Nikki and I had waited in the long line at the bakery (which went by quickly - maybe only 8-10 minutes) my mom decided on another snack



Sweet wine! Yum. Perfect for washing down the tart and bread. Both were absolutely scrumptious and we were very satisfied and so full that we truly didn't know if we could finish our mission to eat in every country. We had already had way more than 11 snacks...can we really fit 2 more?

 

[diddy_mouse]

Ha! I knew I should have waited til after lunch to read more of your report.

So many delicious looking food pics, and now I'm adding to my list of snacks to try for October (and Starring Rolls in on the top of that list!). I've already told my husband I'm taking full advantage of the F&W goodies at EPCOT this time around.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I'm so hungry right now!!! All those snacks look so good!!!

Spring Break is definitely NOT a great time to go. We used to go in March and then finally we switched to early May. So much less crowded then!!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I am SO hoping alot of these snacks are integrated into the food and wine offerings this Fall!

 

[plaz10]

Ha! I knew I should have waited til after lunch to read more of your report.

So many delicious looking food pics, and now I'm adding to my list of snacks to try for October (and Starring Rolls in on the top of that list!). I've already told my husband I'm taking full advantage of the F&W goodies at EPCOT this time around.

Yeah I like writing in the morning for 2 reasons 1)less work...usually around 9:30 is when things get crazy and I can't do anymore but 2)because I'm eating breakfast at the time!

I'd plan out 2 trips to Starring Rolls - so much to choose from!

I'm so hungry right now!!! All those snacks look so good!!!

Spring Break is definitely NOT a great time to go. We used to go in March and then finally we switched to early May. So much less crowded then!!

Yeah due to my sister being a teacher - it was the only time we could go. It was very GO GO GO but we were able to accomplish everything multiple times so it worked out. But for 3 days after - I took frequent naps and slept so long....Disney took it's toll!

I am SO hoping alot of these snacks are integrated into the food and wine offerings this Fall!

I was always so jealous of F&W offerings and never wanting to look at menus because I knew I wouldn't be down during that time - so I was so excited I'd be able to take part in special food offerings!!