A Last Hurrah Trip! We just didn't know it at the time. (A Pre-COVID Trip Report)

[Araminta18]

Yay for Morgan getting her second vaccine! That's fantastic. Hopefully it gets approved for the younger kids soon too.

Of course, sleeping in, was 7:37 when you are in Disney!

truth! I get up much earlier at Disney then I ever do anywhere else

We headed out of the room a little before 9 am. French Quarter is a beautiful resort!

Isn't it just gorgeous? I love French Quarter so much.

We grabbed Tree of Life photos as well. (OK, photopass might actually be the thing we miss, we used to never get it. And now I think I might have to add it on our next trip, Andy loves seeing the photos right away and being able to post them while in line.)

Right? Photopass is so nice--such a great part of being an AP. And once you get photopass you get hoooked!

 

[quandrea]

Read the whole report so far last night. Enjoying it immensely. You guys were there just before us. I’m so glad we squeezed in a last minute Feb 2020 trip. At the time we didn’t know how long it would be before we returned.

You got me in the mood, and this morning I woke up, made Micke waffles with Nutella and strawberries. Delicious!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I am going to miss that AP line too if they don't bring them back.

I know! I am thinking we probably won't all have APs even if they bring it back. But who knows!

I'm taking my daughter on a mommy/daughter short trip in November and we are going to AK for the first time. It has always been the park we skip but want to give it a try with her! She will be 7 and loves animals!!

That will be fun! AK is def a different kind of day. At least for us. It is always a 1 day park for us but we do like going.

Yay! Great news for Morgan! I got my second dose yesterday too. Hopefully they will get vaccines approved for under 12 soon.

12 under can't some soon enough!

Isn't it just gorgeous? I love French Quarter so much

It is so gorgeous! And honestly why I love it so much. The transportation icould be better though.

Right? Photopass is so nice--such a great part of being an AP. And once you get photopass you get hoooked!

so true!

the time we didn’t know how long it would be before we returned.

Oh, so true... I feel like we would have done this trip so different if we knew!

You got me in the mood, and this morning I woke up, made Micke waffles with Nutella and strawberries. Delicious!

YUM! That is an easy one to recreate at home too!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Hi everyone! 2 days of school left!!! But who is counting! Ha!

Day Three: Yeti's Snacks & Lunch

I forgot to add in our ride photo of Dinosaur!
IMG_0959
I was trying to see if Gwen was actually scared or not. She did pretty good.

I left us off to ride Everest.
Everest
It was about 11:30 when we got on line for the ride.

Everest
And we were ready to ride a quick 10 minutes later. Don't worry, I told Gwen to look scared to ride. She has mostly gotten over her fear of the Yeti.

Everest

IMG_0956
See... she likes it enough now to ham it up for the photos!

After our ride, we checked out the dump store. This has become one of Morgan's favorite stores. It really has some nice non-disney stuff! Morgan got a water bottle for school here that was this really pretty blue with a pattern on it. But today she got a head wrap today. (picture with her wearing it coming very shortly)

We decided to get some lunch and I wanted to try out Satu'li Canteen. We just never seem to get there and even though we were on the opposite side of the park we decided to make the trek.

But first! Drinks!
Morgan & Gwen's Drinks
It has kind of become a tradition to get drinks at Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks either while waiting for Everest or after. So, we stopped for a beverage while we walked across the park.

Gwen ordered the Flying Yak - Mango puree, pineapple juice & coconut water
This became her favorite drink EVER. She still talks about this drink!

Morgan got the Pink Lotus - Monin Wild Strawberry, Lychee and Minute Maid® Premium Lemonade
This was the girls go to drink before Gwen discovered her new love.

Himalayan Ghost
And I got my drink Himalayan Ghost - Snow Leopard Vodka, Guava and Minute Maid® Premium Lemonade
This is one of my favorite drinks! It's simple but so good! Notice that my drink is in a clear cup and the girls is in a while cup. I guess they "code" the cups to easily tell if you are passing off drinks?

Also, Morgan has her new headband on in this pic. That type of headband wrap has become her go to "style" You know the second day after washing your hair look...

With drinks in hand, we headed out to get some food.
Fichwal
I grabbed some photos along the way.

Moped

Cutiest Delivery Girl
Cutest delivery girl!

Refreshments
Oh wait, she is hungry... she left her post. Typical.

Gwen wanted Mac and Cheese for lunch, so we pit stopped at Eight Spoon Cafe and ordered Gwen some mac and cheese. I was tempted to order a second one with the shrimp or pulled pork but refreained.

IMG_0942
It was a short stop. And while we were waiting for Gwen's order, we mobile ordered our food.

I am happy to report that Gwen said this was THE BEST Mac and Cheese she has had on Disney property.... It was really good. Especially coming from a stand.

Problem is that Eight Spoons is closed ALOT. It's hard to rely on it being open.

We walked over to Satu'li and picked up our orders and found a table to sit down. It was nice to sit in air conditioning and to eat with real silverware! We sat down at 12:20 with our food. So the whole "journey" was 20 minutes, not too bad!

IMG_0942
This was my order, I ordered Beef w/ noodles Bowl.

Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef marinated in a blend of Garlic, Herbs, Red Pepper Spice and Red Wine Vinegar, topped with crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with LoMien Noodles Base and Charred Green Onion Vinegrette Sauce.

I know this is old news, but this was SO good!!! I guess the noodles are a newer option? And I loved the Charred Green Vinegrette!


IMG_0942
Andy ordered beef with potato hash

Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef marinated in a blend of Garlic, Herbs, Red Pepper Spice and Red Wine Vinegar, topped with crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with Red and Sweet potato Hash Base and Creamy Herb Sauce.

He really liked this as well. As usual, Andy didn't know what to expect and was really suprised at how good the bowls were here.
And then Morgan ordered beef with potato hash no sauce, no veg slaw
IMG_0942

Both Andy and Morgan really enjoyed the pototo hash! And Morgan loved nice red meat. So, this was a hit for her as well.

We were all very happy with our meal!

IMG_0942
I also ordered the blueberry thing to share
Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse - Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse with Passion Fruit Curd

This was just ok. It wasn’t bad but with some many other treats, I probably wouldn’t get it again.

We talked about what we wanted to do while we ate. We had one more fast pass, at 1:30 for Flight of Passage and since we JUST walked all the way across the park, we didn't want to keep going back and forth. It was about 12:50 when we were done.

So, we wondered around Pandora for a bit when Gwen spotted this site....
IMG_0949
Gwen was appalled by this site!!! This is what was going through Gwen's little brain..
"Why is that Dad holding that Elf?"
"Why is that Elf here right now? It's not December!"
"Does that Elf need to be saved?"
"Does Santa know this is happening?!?! "

IMG_0950

The look on Gwen's face was priceless, And I am not even sure how I was able to snap this picture without the family knowings.... But it was hilarous!!!

I am going to stop here, got to get ready to work.

Up next... more food? Is that possible?

 

[cstorm65]

Hi everyone! 2 days of school left!!! But who is counting! Ha!

Woo hoo!!!!

Gwen wanted Mac and Cheese for lunch, so we pit stopped at Eight Spoon Cafe and ordered Gwen some mac and cheese. I was tempted to order a second one with the shrimp or pulled pork but refreained.

Shrimp Mac 'n Cheese...unfortunately I just looked and it is still temporarily closed. Maybe we'll get lucky and it will open while we are there! And the Mac 'n Cheese actually looks really good in that pic!

We were all very happy with our meal!

I've never ordered the bowls here. I always seem to get caught getting the cheeseburger pods. I've even gotten the kids meal with the hot dog wrapped in a croissant like crust. Both are very good too, but glad to hear you guys liked the bowls!

This was just ok. It wasn’t bad but with some many other treats, I probably wouldn’t get it again.

This is my thought a lot of times with quick service restaurant desserts. It's sometimes fun to try new things or different things like this, but I almost always like to wait and get those signature dessert/snack items we all love from other places in the parks.

Up next... more food? Is that possible?

More food, more food, more food!!!! Can't wait!!

 

[kclark9830]

I love photopass too. It is so great! And LOL about the elf . I actually hate the thing, but my kids love it.

 

[Araminta18]

It is so gorgeous! And honestly why I love it so much. The transportation icould be better though.

100% agree - transportation there is not my favorite...which is why we've kind of started to look into the other, closer to the parks resorts. Come on Disney, I need adorable French Quarter within walking distance to a park!

I was trying to see if Gwen was actually scared or not. She did pretty good

Shoot she's better than me! That ride is SO dark that I always get scared and it shows in the pics.

Your food from Satuli Canteen looks so good! I'm envious. It must be dinner time.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

More food, more food, more food!!!! Can't wait!!

Right? I half come to the boards for the food!

Shrimp Mac 'n Cheese...unfortunately I just looked and it is still temporarily closed. Maybe we'll get lucky and it will open while we are there! And the Mac 'n Cheese actually looks really good in that pic!

Keep an eye out! It is place that isn't open all the time even before pandemic. You you just never know. And it feels like things are opening up at lightening speed these days!

I've never ordered the bowls here. I always seem to get caught getting the cheeseburger pods. I've even gotten the kids meal with the hot dog wrapped in a croissant like crust. Both are very good too, but glad to hear you guys liked the bowls!

We tried the cheeseburger pods once and they were just ok for us. But we aren't big mcdonald's eaters. Bowls all the way!

And LOL about the elf . I actually hate the thing, but my kids love it.

I have a love hate relationship with that thing. But now, it is kind of like that last "baby" thing that Gwen holds onto. So, I kind of love it, in that sense right now. But man is it a pain!

Your food from Satuli Canteen looks so good! I'm envious. It must be dinner time

I know! I was getting so hungry just writing about it. Plus it's kind of a meal that you can't recreate... at least not the fire roasted meats...

 

[vamassey1]

I will say, there was a CM here this morning and she was doing an amazing job containing the crowds and lines! She was making sure everyone showing up knew which line was for what and keeping defined lines. It was VERY NICE. I tried to see what her name was to give her a complement.

I don't think I have ever seen defined lines at a Moderate before Covid.

And I am just going to say it. There really isn't THAT much to explore. A few small animals and a cave.. If you rush past this area, it's not like you are missing some AMAZING thing. there I said it...

I've always wondered what I'm missing, nice to know it's not much.

The CM had us do this magic shot and the girls were perplexed by what it was going to be. Which was kind of fun to hear there guesses as to what it would be. They did not guess correctly!

I suggested grabbing a couple tiger tails for the girls on the way. And they gladly accepted! The girls claim that they tasted different but I think they are the exact same thing as the Cheshire Cat Tails only with different colors...

Love the Cheshire Cat Tail. I need to find this too.

 

[vamassey1]

But first! Drinks!

These look very refreshing.

I am happy to report that Gwen said this was THE BEST Mac and Cheese she has had on Disney property.... It was really good. Especially coming from a stand.

Problem is that Eight Spoons is closed ALOT. It's hard to rely on it being open.

I think I just read today it will be opening back up soon but with limited hours. I think it closes by 2:30/

We were all very happy with our meal!

We all loved our last meal here. I'm ready to eat there again.

This was just ok. It wasn’t bad but with some many other treats, I probably wouldn’t get it again.

I'm sorry to read that. We really loved it.

The look on Gwen's face was priceless, And I am not even sure how I was able to snap this picture without the family knowings.... But it was hilarous!!!

 

[Tracy161]

What a great afternoon! I was LOLing with your "thoughts going through Gwen's head" when she spotted the elf! I'm sure tons of other kids had similar thoughts! My favorite was "Does Santa know this is happening?!" I guess the parents needed the kid(s) to be motivated to have good behavior throughout the trip?

 

[Stasieki]

Ellie would have been so worried if she had seen that Elf

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Our school also didn't let out until 6/22 this year. It was a slog!!

Great news about 75% vaccinated. My girls are stuck with Gwen in the too-young crew. Hopefully Pfizer will have results for the rest of the school aged kids soon.

Your day at AK sounds like lots of fun so far!

 

[suse66]

See... she likes it enough now to ham it up for the photos!

After our ride, we checked out the dump store. This has become one of Morgan's favorite stores. It really has some nice non-disney stuff! Morgan got a water bottle for school here that was this really pretty blue with a pattern on it. But today she got a head wrap today. (picture with her wearing it coming very shortly)

We decided to get some lunch and I wanted to try out Satu'li Canteen. We just never seem to get there and even though we were on the opposite side of the park we decided to make the trek.

But first! Drinks!

The drinks looks delish! Must try that Snow Leopard.

Cutest delivery girl!

Such an adorable picture.

I am happy to report that Gwen said this was THE BEST Mac and Cheese she has had on Disney property.... It was really good. Especially coming from a stand.

Love the mac'n'cheese from there too.

We were all very happy with our meal!

They look great! Jack and I are planning for lunch at Satuli in August.

The look on Gwen's face was priceless, And I am not even sure how I was able to snap this picture without the family knowings.... But it was hilarous!!!

That Elf!! Such a pita.......so glad my boys were too old for all the elf shenanigans when it came out.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

My favorite was "Does Santa know this is happening?!" I guess the parents needed the kid(s) to be motivated to have good behavior throughout the trip?

I don't really know for sure if she still truely believes or not but I think she does mostly because she doesn't want to let go.

Ellie would have been so worried if she had seen tha

Right?!?!

Great news about 75% vaccinated. My girls are stuck with Gwen in the too-young crew. Hopefully Pfizer will have results for the rest of the school aged kids soon.

Here is hoping!!! I really hope it is closer to September than the end of the year...

 

[Steppesister]

I don’t often scan list of trip reports in the list so I didn’t realize this was going on. I’m here now though and subbed in. It may take me a bit to catch up.

 

[Steppesister]

I am all caught up having read all of your lovely chapters, but there is simply far too much to quote. I do so love FQ and it looks like Days 1 and 2 were super-duper!! You sure do know how to pack a lot in and wear those girls (and yourself) out! IT's so weird to not see masks and spacing and all of that. But I am sure glad things are mostly back to normal too.

And yes,.... 8 Spoons!! YUM!!! I'll be better about commenting form here. I started a new TR as well, so I'm on and checking as often as I can.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I started a new TR as well, so I'm on and checking as often as I can.

Glad you are here! I am always behind on finding new reports sometimes too! I will try and find your today!

 

[kastoney]

Gwen "graduated" from the elementary school this week! She is off to the middle school with Morgan next year! She is not happy about it. She will like it once she is there, she is just holding on to what she knows for now. the girls of course have 3 more days of school! I swear we are always THE LAST school to be done for the year!

I still cannot believe how late your girls went to school. Of course I also forget that we start before labor day now so we would have been there with ya had they not changed it a few years ago. Do you all start middle school in 6th grade? We don't start until 7th

Morgan got her 2nd vaccine shot yesterday! So, in 2 weeks, 75% of our household will be fully vaccinated. Poor Gwen, she really wants to get her shot as well. She really has been a little worrier this whole time about all of it. And it will really put her mind at ease once she can get hers as well.

Woohoo!!!!!! I am so ready for the girls to be able to get it. Don't remember if I told you but wonderful mother that I am I tried to convince Casey to say she was 12 so she could get it. My nephew who is 12 is the same size as her so I figured the age is so arbitrary and really whats the difference between 10 and 12. You'll be shocked to hear my rule follower declined said offer.

I will say, there was a CM here this morning and she was doing an amazing job containing the crowds and lines! She was making sure everyone showing up knew which line was for what and keeping defined lines. It was VERY NICE. I tried to see what her name was to give her a complement.

Awesome!!! I don't like the values but the clear queues make sure this is never an issue. Though it doesn't look like they are doing this anymore or at least not at Boardwalk. We didn't see one all week.

OK, photopass might actually be the thing we miss, we used to never get it. And now I think I might have to add it on our next trip, Andy loves seeing the photos right away and being able to post them while in line

I so missed this. We got next to no family photos because we didn't have PhotoPass. I'd never pay for it but it was a great AP perk

It has kind of become a tradition to get drinks at Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks either while waiting for Everest or after. So, we stopped for a beverage while we walked across the park.

Gwen ordered the Flying Yak - Mango puree, pineapple juice & coconut water
This became her favorite drink EVER. She still talks about this drink!

That drink sounds right up Casey's alley. Not sure why but I think we've only been here once. I never even remember its there

Cutiest Delivery Girl
Cutest delivery girl!

What a great picture!!!!

IMG_0949
Gwen was appalled by this site!!! This is what was going through Gwen's little brain..
"Why is that Dad holding that Elf?"
"Why is that Elf here right now? It's not December!"
"Does that Elf need to be saved?"
"Does Santa know this is happening?!?! "

Oh Casey's brain would be in the same place. Elfs are made for the December Shelf, not February in AK

 

[Steppesister]

Glad you are here! I am always behind on finding new reports sometimes too! I will try and find your today!

I'll be lookin' for ya!