All You Need is The Force, Trust and Pixie Dust! A May 2014 TR -- Updated 11/20

[BridgetR3]

So excited to have found your TR!! We LOVED the FOF parade but it will be much funner to watch in the fall/winter when it's cooler. It was brutally hot near the Hall of Presidents where we watched it. Also, when we watched it the fire breathing dragon didn't quite make the sharp turn that they wanted him to make. The CM had to come over and ask my kids to step back away from the rope so the dragon didn't hit/run over them.

Your meal at O'hana looks good! Can't wait to read more!

 

[Splashboat]

Glad you're doing another trip report. I'm in.
I never tried the CS in Japan, glad to hear the good review. We will have to try it next time.
You aren't Pixel Dust but you still got a lot of really nice pictures

 

[stindall]

Ah your Ohana pictures make me regret not making that our one TS adr. We have a QS plan but I wanted to plan a special TS meal for my little brother (who is my only companion, a well needed trip for us as we've had a pretty tough year+) so I chose Tokyo Dining because he loves Asian but man, that food looks so wonderful!

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

I'm on board. I am trying to read all your trip reports. Started your Honeymoon one and am only on page nine. Have a ways to go but thought I would also come to your current TR. It was great to spend time with you and Franklin. Had an awesome time

Going back to read more.

 

[mauigal]

Your own car on the People Mover? Looks like you have your own train!
O'hana........noodles......bread pudding......I die.
Can not wait to see the parade in Nov!!

 

[Shazzasmd]

Excellent update! You sure Franklin wasn't hiding in your pocket, taking photos? Nice job capturing the day.

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

Just got caught up with this TR. Your pictures of the parade are fantastic. Love,Love,Love them. Can't wait for more

 

[IheartDDuck]

FoF is the one thing we didn't get to do! Every time we were back at MK, it just didn't fit into the schedule timing wise. Definitely doing it in November though. Plus it won't be so stinking hot!

Good thing you did leave MK at that time!

I love the early seating at Ohana. And just Ohana in general.

Competition is the greatest motivator. Just ask me. I view everyone as a competitor.

Oh yes. The endless waiting for the mine train to open. I remember that well.

 

[PrincessAmongPrinces]

I'm late to the party, but I'm here!!

Your Boardwalk view is awesome! I can't wait to stay there and see it all in person in just 484 days! Hahaha

You did a very decent job of taking pics all by yourself! I'm impressed! They're definitely better than some of the ones I took on my last trip.

Can't wait to see more! Looking forward to hearing more about your spa trip - if you liked it, we should totally go on our trip! I love a good spa day

 

[Ceryssa]

Pics of the new parade are gorgeous! Not too bad Definitely going to have to FP+ it, looks like the view from there is great! Hopefully the heat won't be TOO bad in November

Food at 'Ohana looks soo good! Does the construction at the Poly interfere with the experience at all? Of course I don't have anything to compare it to, but I'm curious!

Sorry you waited so long and weren't able to get on the 7DMT But I'm hoping you got to ride it at some point during your trip!

 

[kastoney]

Your parade pics are beautiful, looks like the Rose parade meets disney with all the flowers. Can't wait to see it in a few months.

That sucks the mine train didn't work out, though I'm sure you got some great insights.

 

[amberg93]

Agreed about the FP+ spot. Waaay too hot.

Interesting choice to do 'Ohana solo. But hey, if you enjoy it that's what counts.

Lights on in Space Mountain is always the best. And mildly terrifying to think that that's what it looks like in the dark.

Aww no soft opening But at least you did catch Wishes and get to chat with people, so it wasn't a total waste.

 

[khaleesi]

I loved the title of your report, so here I am... reading it!! I'm a huge Star Wars fan so I'm always excited to read about SWW, since I will probably never get to go. I HATE crowds and the heat, so it's kind of out of the question at this point.

I've not read any of your other reports, so I can't compare your photos to your hubby's but I think they're wonderful!!! And you look so HAPPY

 

[tiggerfan77]

Looks like another great day! Love the pics from the parade. Can't wait to get to see it in person sometime! I never would have thought of doing Ohana solo but looks like it was a success
I can't believe you got to hang out with Len!! So jealous!

 

[Missyrose]

SM with the lights on!!!! That is the goal! Very cool.

I am so glad you got to ride 7DMT. Sounds like you definitely earned it with all that hovering!!

The weird thing was all the lights were on in the PeopleMover tunnel too. I've never seen that!

I did eventually get to ride it, but there's plenty more hovering before I ever set foot in that mountain.

I love your perspective in your FoF parade photos! I copied your Grand Vilas chandelier from above idea on my last trip. It looks like I may have to borrow some more of your ideas on my next one!

Thanks! I do really like the FP+ spot for the parades. And feel free to borrow away for photo ideas!

Absolutely in LOVE with your FoF pictures!! ALSO! Don't know if I had mentioned in, but when I was reading your last TR and found a picture of a friend in Boo To You, that's the same friend that hangs out with Darth Maul! Bahah.

Back on track: love that parade, SO MUCH, and thanks to knowing the fp+ spot is so in the heat & sun, I've never bothered using a fast pass for it, it just doesn't seem worth it in that cast lol! We all know I burn too easily!

Yay for Ohana, so much delicious food! I've debated going there solo a few times but have never committed to it lol! One day soon I'm sure!

Looks like a pretty awesome evening in MK as well!!

Which Boo to You picture was it, point him out! Thanks for sending me the YouTube for Festival of Fantasy, I've been listening to it nonstop!

'Ohana solo was way more fun than I would have ever imagined! There are just so many people floating around to talk to.

Any evening at MK is a pretty awesome evening in my book.

So excited to have found your TR!! We LOVED the FOF parade but it will be much funner to watch in the fall/winter when it's cooler. It was brutally hot near the Hall of Presidents where we watched it. Also, when we watched it the fire breathing dragon didn't quite make the sharp turn that they wanted him to make. The CM had to come over and ask my kids to step back away from the rope so the dragon didn't hit/run over them.

Your meal at O'hana looks good! Can't wait to read more!

I'm so glad you found us! I'm looking forward to seeing FoF in, say December. When it will hopefully be about 70 degrees and it won't feel like I'm literally sitting on the face of the sun.

The logistics of the dragon seem to be crazy, there are just so many CMs who walk along side it to make sure things go exactly as designed.

We've got plenty more fun coming right up!

Glad you're doing another trip report. I'm in.
I never tried the CS in Japan, glad to hear the good review. We will have to try it next time.
You aren't Pixel Dust but you still got a lot of really nice pictures

Glad you joined us! Japan is an awesome CS meal, it doesn't even feel like you're in a theme park. Thanks for the compliments on the photos!

Ah your Ohana pictures make me regret not making that our one TS adr. We have a QS plan but I wanted to plan a special TS meal for my little brother (who is my only companion, a well needed trip for us as we've had a pretty tough year+) so I chose Tokyo Dining because he loves Asian but man, that food looks so wonderful!

Tokyo Dining is one of our favorites, I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. It's an awesome restaurant, ask for a window seat!

I'm on board. I am trying to read all your trip reports. Started your Honeymoon one and am only on page nine. Have a ways to go but thought I would also come to your current TR. It was great to spend time with you and Franklin. Had an awesome time

Going back to read more.

Glad to have you Jackie! We had so much fun with all three of you!

Your own car on the People Mover? Looks like you have your own train!
O'hana........noodles......bread pudding......I die.
Can not wait to see the parade in Nov!!

I did have my own train and it was awesome. (And only a little creepy in the dark tunnels, haha). FoF will not disappoint, I can't wait for you to see it!

Excellent update! You sure Franklin wasn't hiding in your pocket, taking photos? Nice job capturing the day.

Awww thanks Sharon! Trust me, you'll notice the difference once Franklin gets to Florida on this trip.

Just got caught up with this TR. Your pictures of the parade are fantastic. Love,Love,Love them. Can't wait for more

You catch up quickly! Thanks!

FoF is the one thing we didn't get to do! Every time we were back at MK, it just didn't fit into the schedule timing wise. Definitely doing it in November though. Plus it won't be so stinking hot!

Good thing you did leave MK at that time!

I love the early seating at Ohana. And just Ohana in general.

Competition is the greatest motivator. Just ask me. I view everyone as a competitor.

Oh yes. The endless waiting for the mine train to open. I remember that well.

3 o'clock parades don't really work with the whole laid-back, midday break kind of Disney trips. There is zero chance we'll see FoF on the August trip, but it's definitely in the plans for December. Franklin can't wait to see it in person, and I can't wait to see his photos of it!

I'm with you, 'Ohana is fabulous at any time. We are still going to have to find a time for you and Franklin to face off on Toy Story Mania. You two are very alike when it comes to Disney competition. Haha.

This trip will always be remembered thusly: "Remember that trip when we spent half the time standing outside Mine Train hoping they'd magically let us on?"

I'm late to the party, but I'm here!!

Your Boardwalk view is awesome! I can't wait to stay there and see it all in person in just 484 days! Hahaha

You did a very decent job of taking pics all by yourself! I'm impressed! They're definitely better than some of the ones I took on my last trip.

Can't wait to see more! Looking forward to hearing more about your spa trip - if you liked it, we should totally go on our trip! I love a good spa day

You're not late, you're just on time. You are going to LOVE Boardwalk, seriously it's the best.

I don't think it will come as a shock that I loved the spa, so we are definitely putting a spa day on the agenda. The big boys can take the little boys to Legoland that day!

Pics of the new parade are gorgeous! Not too bad Definitely going to have to FP+ it, looks like the view from there is great! Hopefully the heat won't be TOO bad in November

Food at 'Ohana looks soo good! Does the construction at the Poly interfere with the experience at all? Of course I don't have anything to compare it to, but I'm curious!

Sorry you waited so long and weren't able to get on the 7DMT But I'm hoping you got to ride it at some point during your trip!

The FP+ spot for the parades provides a truly awesome view and there's plenty of room in that section. It's so nice to not be in a wall-to-wall crowd!

There were giant white walls around the center of the Grand Ceremonial House. It doesn't affect 'Ohana too much since the restaurant is set back in the corner. Now Kona on the other hand...

There's some 7DMT pixie dust ahead on this trip!

Your parade pics are beautiful, looks like the Rose parade meets disney with all the flowers. Can't wait to see it in a few months.

That sucks the mine train didn't work out, though I'm sure you got some great insights.

I love the Rose Parade comparison, you're totally right! Even though I didn't get on Mine Train that night, I had such a good time chatting with a group of people who love Disney (and Disney planning) as much as I do!

Agreed about the FP+ spot. Waaay too hot.

Interesting choice to do 'Ohana solo. But hey, if you enjoy it that's what counts.

Lights on in Space Mountain is always the best. And mildly terrifying to think that that's what it looks like in the dark.

Aww no soft opening But at least you did catch Wishes and get to chat with people, so it wasn't a total waste.

I just wish there were some shade at that FoF FP+ spot, too much sun! Space with the lights on makes me feel so claustrophobic. It looks like such a tightly twisted mass of metal.

I loved the title of your report, so here I am... reading it!! I'm a huge Star Wars fan so I'm always excited to read about SWW, since I will probably never get to go. I HATE crowds and the heat, so it's kind of out of the question at this point.

I've not read any of your other reports, so I can't compare your photos to your hubby's but I think they're wonderful!!! And you look so HAPPY

Thanks! We agonized over a TR title, so I'm glad to hear it reeled you in. Yeah, crowds and heat are pretty big downsides to SWW, we it was totally worth putting up with both.

Thanks for the photo compliments, just wait until you see Franklin's photos. I looked happy because I was deliriously happy. Just being at Disney makes me happy and I don't have to be doing anything in the parks!

Looks like another great day! Love the pics from the parade. Can't wait to get to see it in person sometime! I never would have thought of doing Ohana solo but looks like it was a success
I can't believe you got to hang out with Len!! So jealous!

It was an awesome day! I don't think the photos of FoF even do it justice, everything about the parade is so vibrant! Definitely a must-see! Len is a really great guy (both on Twitter and even more so in person!)​

 

[Missyrose]

Welcome back friends! We last left off with a fabulous arrival day that included a few rides, a new parade and a dinner at ’Ohana! Refreshed after a lovely night’s sleep at Boardwalk, it was time for Day 2!

It wasn’t an early morning, I had scheduled a late breakfast knowing the day before would probably be a long arrival day. And I was totally thankful I got to sleep in! But enough about glorious vacation sleep, what’s for breakfast? Only a Disney meal that was completely new to me.

It was time for my first solo character meal, and yes, I was back at ’Ohana for yet another meal. I swear, I do eventually eat at other restaurants on this trip. Hehe!

They brought the bread basket out first. There was a sticky raisin roll, but I never looked twice at it because the other roll was the pineapple bread they use to make bread pudding!

I think I drank three or four glasses of the POG (pineapple, orange, guava) juice. I lost track because they just kept topping off my glass.

Next they brought out my skillet, which looked like it could serve three instead of just little ole me.

Then it was time for a momentous event on any Disney trip: The first MICKEY WAFFLES of the trip!!!

It was a perfectly paced character meal for me. I loved the family style meal, it just feels so much more laid back than a buffet. And I was able to eat most of my meal before the characters started visiting. The parade with all the kids was super cute.

Lilo was my first visitor. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the bow on my Minnie ears. She pointed at the bow, then pointed to her dress, then back at the bow. I told her I wore the bow especially to meet her and she gave me the biggest hug. Character selfie time!

Pluto was next. Let me tell you, it is tough getting that snout into a selfie.

The big cheese was next, I’m loving his Hawaiian shirt! Mickey’s buddy was nice enough to take the photo for me this time.

Stitch was next and he was a blast. He took the raisin roll out of the basket and tried to give it to me. When I told him he didn’t want it, he tossed it over his shoulder. Ha!

And I couldn’t let him go without a Stitch selfie.

It was really a fantastic breakfast, I couldn’t recommend it more. So it was no surprise that I tweeted this.

What a fun breakfast at 'Ohana! Fun characters, laid-back atmosphere and great food!

I arrived back at Boardwalk and decided it was time for a visit to Luna Park Pool.

It was a beautiful day and the pool was so uncrowded! I even managed to spend 20 full minutes in the hot tub without a single kid showing up to splash around! It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon. And after standing on a 2-foot by 2-foot square of concrete for hours on end the night before, the pool/hot tub combo felt really good on my feet and legs.

But do you know what would feel even better? A massage. DVC was having a special event at Senses Spa on Tuesday nights. So for my birthday present, Franklin had gotten me a gift card for a massage. I could not wait to try Senses!

I set out for Magic Kingdom by bus.

When I got to MK, I saw the boat to Grand Floridian had already left the dock. Drat!

And the resort monorail was getting ready to leave before I could get up the ramp.

​

 

[Missyrose]

Luckily, another monorail was just behind it. All aboard Monorail Red!

I love the sights of the resort monorail loop so much. The spires of Space Mountain.

One of our DVC homes, Bay Lake Tower.

The Grand Canyon Concourse of the Contemporary.

Wilderness Lodge peeking out of the trees in the distance.

Eek! Our newest DVC home, Villas at the Grand Floridian. I seriously cannot wait to stay there, just two months left to wait!

I had arrived.

I couldn’t get to GF and not take a quick look at my beloved lobby, the band had even begun to play!

I couldn’t dawdle for long, I had a date with the spa.

The massage was so relaxing. Senses is seriously beautiful, the decor and the atmosphere really make for an incredible experience. My favorite part, however, was the relaxation room. There was a steam room, a jacuzzi and heated loungers.

Oh, the heated loungers. I texted Franklin this photo and asked him to build me one of these at home.

I had met a group of ladies in the recliners in the waiting room before our treatments and we all ended up in the relaxation room afterward. We had a lovely time chatting about DVC and our various Disney trips. The lounger was so heavenly, it was difficult to pull myself away. But I had a dinner to get ready for!

The DVC package came with a complimentary glass of champagne, which I enjoyed on my stroll back to the main building.

I needed to visit the lobby once more before I left. It was the perfect place to enjoy the champagne and the Disney music.

Now this was quite possibly the perfect Disney afternoon, so I had to share it with the world:

Just enjoyed my 1st spa treatment at Senses. Now I'm finishing a glass of champagne, listening to the music at GF.

That’s where we’ll end for now, but trust me when I say there is a truly fabulous dinner and evening of Magic Kingdom fun ahead! But first, after my trip to Senses, the Disney spa has shot to the top of my list of favorite Disney “extras!” What’s your favorite Disney extra?
​

 

[IheartDDuck]

Ohana for breakfast is my brother Jason's absolute favorite. You ask him where he wants to eat for breakfast and he doesn't even hesitate.

I think the fact that Pluto's snout didn't fit into the selfie just makes it that much better.

We really loved our spa experience too. I would so go back.

Hmmmm....my favorite Disney extra. That's hard! There are so many of them. The spa would definitely be one of them. It was absolutely lovely.

 

[Missyrose]

Ohana for breakfast is my brother Jason's absolute favorite. You ask him where he wants to eat for breakfast and he doesn't even hesitate.

I think the fact that Pluto's snout didn't fit into the selfie just makes it that much better.

We really loved our spa experience too. I would so go back.

Hmmmm....my favorite Disney extra. That's hard! There are so many of them. The spa would definitely be one of them. It was absolutely lovely.

'Ohana breakfast has quickly shot to the top of my list. I really loved the family-style meal and the food was really good! Geez, between 'Ohana, Kona, Crystal Palace and Grand Floridian Cafe, we may never leave the MK area for breakfast ever again!

I'm dying to figure out when I have time to go back to the spa, it was such a lovely way to spend the afternoon!

​

 

[Angeejoe]

I just found your new TR Missy Rose, looks like an awesome beginning to your trip. The Ohana selfie are so cute !