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

[stacy~**]

Just got all caught up!

I am enjoying your solo experiences. Someday I hope I can spend a few days in the World all by myself so I love seeing others do the same. Love that you are taking advantage of your time and going to great restaurants, etc.

We had the FOF FP's for the noon parade on the 24 hour day. Honestly it was an amazing viewing location but the heat really did us in. I like to blame that on our inability to last the whole 24 hours. That half hour in the heat felt like 5 hours!

I keep flirting with the idea of an O'hana breakfast on our day of departure in August. We won't have park tickets so this might be a great way to squeeze in some magic. Off to check availability now....

Looking forward to the rest of your adventures....and pixie dust, too, right?

 

[Missyrose]

A great day all the way around! Can't wait to hear about the pixie dust experience.

It was a pretty fantastic day! Pixie dust coming right up.

Catching up on a few updates -- all fab of course!!

GREAT FOF pictures...we can't wait to see it!

Your massage sounds heavenly...combined with a glass of wine and a stroll through GF, followed by CG sushi and Wishes?!! WOW! Doesn't get much better than that!!

FoF is even better in person than in the photos. The colors are so vibrant and the floats so detailed, my photos couldn't even come close to doing it justice!

My 8 year old just walked by and saw your pics of Wishes and immediately started singing, "WISHES....dream a dream WISHES....." lol.......

Your view at Cali Grill was gorgeous!

Perfect timing on the bus stop!

Can't wait to hear what pixie dust you have coming up. You have had such an awesome trip so far!

I had two different singalongs with the pop version of Wishes on this May trip. That song is kind of like the secret handshake of Disney lovers.

Sushi looks delicious!! I definitely need to take a trip over there during my year! It's definitely on the list, especially with that view!!

And speaking of views, that fireworks view is brilliant!! Even with two rows of people in front of you it looks like a splendid way to spend the evening!!

And this was the photo from the other tr!!

You MUST try Cali Grill, maybe even a couple of times because it's so hard to decide what to eat on that amazing menu!

That is crazy that we had that picture from Boo to You!

And I really liked the train station for Wishes, it was such a beautiful view of Main Street.

Love the views from CG but I have to confess I've never tried sushi-the idea of it freaks me out kindaIts the whole rawness of it thing-didnt know some sushi had cooked fish (really showing my ignorance here)
I will admit that it looks very pretty on the plate though and I'm glad you enjoyed it

I will confess that it took some serious convincing for me to even try sushi. The whole raw thing freaked me out too. Not completely cured of that weirded-out feeling, but on the road to recovery.

Our flight from Chicago to Orlando leaves Chicago at 6am and lands around 9:30am. Sorry for the confusion.

I'm sorry that you are going to miss F&W this year. It was your trip report and Franklin's fantastic pictures of the MNSSHP parade that made me book a trip this fall. I can't wait, although I am a little worried about the heat and humidity.

But at least you have a trip planned in December. There are a lot of fun things to do that month. Have you been to WDW in December before?

The view of wishes from the train station is better than I thought it would be. That is funny about your BW bus taking off from the station without waiting for the Wishes crowds. We had that happen at Epcot. We left the park just before Illuminations started, got to the bus stop as they were going off, and then the bus pulled away with only eight people on it, not waiting for the crowds.

I'm bummed about missing a fall trip this year, but I am getting to experience some really fun Disney stuff instead. We've got big plans for the Frozen summer fun at DHS for our August trip and I haven't been to Disney at Christmastime since I was a little kid, so everything at that time of year feels new to me!

I cannot wait to hear all about your Food and Wine/MNSSHP adventures. You are going to have so much fun. This last October trip was definitely the most hot and humid we'd ever experienced at that time of year, but it didn't slow us down one bit!

Thanks for the warm welcome!

We're going September 10-23rd. It'll be myself, DH, DS4, and DD2. We're doing a split stay starting at CSR with free dining until the 20th and then moving to a savannah view studio at AKL Kidani through rented DVC points. The kids LOVED AKL our last trip (We only stayed one night) so I think it will be our new tradition to spend a couple of nights there at the end of our trips. We have ADR's for Ohana dinner x2 (our favorite), Kona breakfast, Tusker House breakfast, Boma dinner, Sanaa, 1900 Park Fare, Hollywood & Vine breakfast, 50's Primetime Cafe dinner, BOG dinner, Akershus, Yak & Yeti for lunch, Crystal Palace breakfast, and we'll try & save up most of our snack credits for the F&W festival! My Disney trips very much revolve around the food and character meals for the kids. Lol. And I'll be upgrading our park tickets to annual passes so we'll be heading back in December with my sister & her kids! We just booked our flights so it's official!

Wow, what a trip you have planned! AKL is just magical, you feel completely transported there. I can see how easily that could become a tradition.

You have some of our favorite ADRs in there (plus F&W!), we're doing 'Ohana twice in December too!

Missy I just found this TR and am loving it! We are in the same August Facebook Group. Subbing in

I'm so glad you found us! Our August trips are getting closer, I cannot wait to go.

That would be so great. something to think about for sure. We know you both are great company... experienced it first hand

It would be so much fun, you guys are So. Much. Fun!

I think we were in that same little room when we went to Cali Grill. We were there on the Rock Your Disney Side night before swinging over to the park.

I hear you on the sushi. For me, even though I like the taste of it, I still get an uneasy feeling in my stomach. My mind just cannot get past it. We did figure out that I don't like seaweed, so I'll either order my roll in soy paper, if they have it, or I'll stick to Nigiri, I think that's what it's called, when they drape the fish over the rice. And I'm allergic to avocado, so that eliminates a lot for me, anyway.

I love your clean getaway after Wishes. Bus pixie dust is some of the best kind in my opinion. Clearly, upgrades and freebies are also nice, but much more rare. Plus, no one wants to wait for a bus after a day in the park.

I love how you went back to your room and watched basketball! You're so loyal to your sport!

I've seen people complain about "being stuck" in that little room at California Grill, but I saw it as a lovely thing. It was so peaceful and you felt like you had a 360-degree view!

I usually end up picking the rice out of the seaweed with the Nigiri, because (like you) I'm not a seaweed fan.

I don't know what I did to please the Disney bus gods on this trip, but it was really working for me. I never waited more than a few minutes, which has NEVER happened to me.

I am a true hoops junkie. Heck, I even found myself sitting on the curb on Hollywood Blvd., waiting for SWW fireworks while watching Spurs-Thunder on Slingbox on my phone. Yep, true blue hoops junkie here.

following, i love your reports

Awwww, thank you so much!

Oh my goodness, that view from CG is impressive!!!! I think sushi is so pretty to look at. And that's all I'm willing to do with it. Haha.

Can't wait to hear about your pixie dust!

Looking at sushi is plenty, I totally get it. One hefty dose of pixie dust, coming right up!

Just got all caught up!

I am enjoying your solo experiences. Someday I hope I can spend a few days in the World all by myself so I love seeing others do the same. Love that you are taking advantage of your time and going to great restaurants, etc.

We had the FOF FP's for the noon parade on the 24 hour day. Honestly it was an amazing viewing location but the heat really did us in. I like to blame that on our inability to last the whole 24 hours. That half hour in the heat felt like 5 hours!

I keep flirting with the idea of an O'hana breakfast on our day of departure in August. We won't have park tickets so this might be a great way to squeeze in some magic. Off to check availability now....

Looking forward to the rest of your adventures....and pixie dust, too, right?

The solo time was so much more fun than I ever could have anticipated. It highly recommend it! You're right, that FP+ for FoF really burns you out. I can't even imagine having dealt with that on the 24-hour day. I got the heck out of the park midday.

'Ohana on departure day sounds perfect. It's tons of Disney fun and no ticket needed!
​

 

[Missyrose]

Welcome back friends! We last left off with Wishes and made dash back to Boardwalk since I was in for an early morning the next day. And an early morning it was. I was at the bus stop by 7 a.m. and on the bus by 7:10! Seriously, the good bus karma on this trip just wouldn’t quit.

I was through the turnstiles and in line for the early ADRs by 7:35.

And about 10 minutes later, they let us in! There were newlyweds taking photos on Main Street, so cute!

Now I couldn’t go straight to breakfast, it’s castle photo shoot time!

Castle selfie!

Me and my girl Minnie.

I may not be Franklin, but I happen to think this is a darn good castle photo!

One last shot before checking in for breakfast.

I was seated REALLY quickly in the little sun room at the front of the restaurant. The waitress said it would be about 10 to 15 minutes before any of the characters would be by. That meant I had time to get food.

I learned something new at Crystal Palace. Where you can get your made-to-order omelettes, they will also make you Mickey pancakes! Make mine chocolate chip, please.

I also got a ham and cheese omelette, a Mickey waffle and sausage.

It seemed fitting that my first visitor was the head bear himself. He asked if he could eat breakfast with me. But of course Pooh!

For someone who can’t actually talk, we had a lovely conversation. He asked where I live, if I was having fun and what my favorite ride was!

Tigger was next, he REALLY loved my Tigger bow.

Piglet visited next and he was awfully cuddly.

Eeyore rounded out the group.

I paid my bill and headed out into the park. It was just a few minutes after rope drop, so I watched the throngs of people head for Princess Fairytale Hall. It was time to kick off my Magic Kingdom character hunt! I was headed for a different princess location: Merida! I’d never met her before, so she was at the top of my to-do list that day. I, of course, changed into my Merida bow.

I was about five groups back when Merida arrived, so it was my turn to meet her in no time.

She asked where my family and friends were, I told her that I was on a solo adventure. She said she loved taking solo adventures, they’re the best kind!

She also taught me how to shoot a bow.

​

 

[Missyrose]

I said my goodbyes to Merida and headed out into Fantasyland. I saw Alice and White Rabbit appear near Cheshire Cafe. I went to talk to their character attendant:

Me: Are they heading for their normal meet and greet spot?

Attendant: They are, but they’re going to ride the tea cups first. I bet if you ask Alice, you could ride with them.

What?!?! Don’t mind if I do. So I asked Alice if I could ride with them and she said:

“Oh that would be so much fun!”

This is what Disney pixie dust is all about and to top it off, there was a Photopass photographer taking pictures of our whole ride!

And I couldn’t ride the tea cups with them without taking a few fun selfies.

Alice tried to make White Rabbit and I laugh while we took our selfie.

It was truly one of the coolest Disney experiences I’ve ever had. It was such an unexpected bit of fun. Nothing that you would ever find in a touring plan, and that's what made it truly magical! It was so much fun and Alice was really a hoot! And I couldn’t help but tweet my pixie dust to the world!

Who got to ride the tea cups with Alice and the White Rabbit? This girl!

The trolley show was starting on Main Street so I stopped to watch for a bit and had a Photopass photographer do a 180 to take pictures of me in front of the trolley show instead of the castle!

Next I wandered to the front of the park and I noticed that Mary Poppins had started greeting guests outside Town Square Theater. It was a M&G that was practically perfect in every way.

It was just about time for my first Dismeet of the trip, Danielle (IHeartDDuck), her mom Jackie (DVCWDWMEMBER) and the biggest character of them all, Danielle’s dad PapaDon! This was just the first time we’d meet up on this trip, we had so much fun together all week long!

Also, meeting Yeti was like meeting a celebrity.

We parted ways, they had FP+ reservations to get to and I had a date with Tink! They did a fabulous job with Tink’s new digs, the theming is incredible.

I made my way up Main Street and met a few notables along the way:

The Mayor!

And I was made an honorary trolley dancer for the day!

​

 

[Missyrose]

Then it was time for the M&G that was the centerpiece of my day. After a long winter and spring of being totally Frozen-obsessed, it was time for me to meet Queen Elsa and Princess Anna! I had a FP+ reservation and ended up waiting about 10 minutes to see them! Oh, and there was a stowaway in my bag: Olaf!

Anna and I commiserated on having hair that looks absolutely ridiculous when we wake up and how envious we both were of Elsa’s perfect hair (which they both said was perfect all the time. Sigh. That’s just not fair).

Elsa asked if I wanted to learn how to make snow before I left. Um, YES!

Just a few more pictures and it was time for me to leave Arendelle’s most famous residents.

Aurora was waiting for me to visit next!

She loved my Anna bow and asked if my fairies had made it for me the way her fairies had made her crown. I told her another princess made lots of beautiful bows for many different people.

After my big M&G, I saw people hanging out around Mine Train, so I decided to join them in the hopes a soft opening was coming. It was here I ran into none other than Hayley, the creative bow genius behind Magical Ribbons! (She recognized me by my Anna bow, which I had ordered with shorter tails so I could wear it on my ears!)

Since I was in the neighborhood (and the Mine Train was still just allowing CMs on after more than an hour of sitting in the blazing sun), I decided to visit the other side of Princess Fairytale Hall. Punzy was up first.

She said my bow looked just like her dress and the ribbon hanging down off it looked just like her hair! Yep, imagine that!

She asked if I had seen Pascal, she’d brought him that morning but hadn’t seen him in a couple of hours. I told her I thought I’d saw him over by her old tower. She said she’d run out and grab him after we were done!

Cinderella was next and she was just lovely.

After meeting all those princesses, I was a bit hungry. And there was really only one snack on my mind. Casey’s corndog nuggets!

After sitting on the rocks outside Mine Train for a really long time, sitting in a normal chair (enjoying the deep-fried yummies) felt wonderful. I was in no rush to leave. So that's where we'll leave things for now, with a blissful break from my big character hunt.

So what did you think of my hefty dose of pixie dust? Alice and White Rabbit may be my new favorite characters EVER!
​

 

[BOG Obsessed]

3 Amazing updates.
OMG pixie dust, riding the teacups with Alice and the white rabbit.
Loving your solo TR. You go girl!

 

[katt789]

MY GOD YOU HIT THE ******* CHARACTER FREAKING JACKPOT THAT DAY!!!

Seriously the photo of you & pooh eating breakfast is beyond adorable

You got to ride the teacups with alice & the white rabbit and that is amazing and wonderful and that is my favourite friend of alice's ever! She's perfection!!

Anna & Elsa sound like they were a great time, but I have t say, I'm not a fan of the look of Elsa.... #whoops I LOVE THAT AURORA FRIEND TOO SHE'S FREAKING PERFECTION, she hangs out with vidia occasionally and that is beyond amazing too.

AND MY FAVOURITE LITTLE STINKERBELL SERIOUS YOU GOT EVERYONE THAT IS AMAZING TODAY, CHARACTER JACK POT!! Love her so much!!

Honarary trolley dancer, best day ever

Meeting danielle & co is always a blast of a time!

Oh goodness, I honestly don't remember what else...hm...LOVE the shirt, and everything sounds like it was an AMAZING morning for you!!

 

[annie170]

Talk about pixie dust!!! That is so awesome that you were able to ride the Teacups with Alice and the White Rabbit! The Photopass photographer captured some really great photos, too! By the way, the guy in the peach teacup is totally jealous!

Between the great character meets and meeting Danielle, her parents, and Hayley, this day is off to a fantastic start!

Yes, that castle photo is real darn good!

 

[lovethattink]

Truly,Disney magic at it's very best!!

 

[lilluv117]

Yayy! Another post! What a lovely breakfast at Crystal Palace. How in the heck did you understand all that from Pooh?! Lol.

LOVE all the bows. How cute!

OH.EM.GEE.! How awesome was that ride with Alice and the White Rabbit?!!! Wow! That's an amazing experience and even better that a photopass photographer caught it all. That is some serious pixie dust!

I have to add those Casey corn dog nuggets on my list of things to try!

 

[JulieODC]

Amazing morning so far!!

First of all, the tea cups?! How amazing! What a fun memory!

I am loving the fact that Hayley recognized you by your bow! Too cute!

And...now I want some corndog nuggets! Is it terrible that we have never, not once, eaten at Casey's? We always seems to pass by in the morning or later afternoon. This needs to change.

 

[white306]

What a great Magic Kingdom morning.

Riding the teacups with Alice?!?!? Say What?!?!? That's awesome!!

This is why I would want to do a solo trip. DBF is not big on M&G's so that would be awesome. Luckily I'm taking my young niece in January so I'll get to do a lot of M&G's with her. I might be more excited then she is.

I can't wait to try the corn dog nuggets in September!

Great update!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm waiting for the good bus karma to turn to bad. It always seems to happen that way.

What an amazing day you had! Riding the teacups with Alice and the White Rabbit is the most fun ever.

I love the way you preplanned your bows so that you had a topic of conversation with some of the characters. You did a good job of hiding your bag in all of the pictures. I was wondering where you hid them.

I think the only way I could meet all those characters would be to take a solo trip. My DH would never be able to tolerate all those M&G's. But they look like so much fun.

 

[jedimeg16]

I don't always get a chance to comment, but Oh My Gosh! That was amazing!!! So many characters, plus riding the teacups with Alice and the White Rabbit!!! jealous!!!

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

What an excellent morning! Riding the teacups with Alice and the Mad Hatter is definitely some serious pixie-dust!

Looking forward to more updates!

 

[happenin2you]

I had seen your updates on Facebook, so I knew some of these things would happen, but I didn't know the stories behind the magic! I love that you were able to ride the teacups with Alice and the White Rabbit! I think I had heard that they do that, but I wonder if any of the other characters ride "their" rides. The only one I could really imagine would be Buzz, defending the galaxy. That would be pretty awesome, actually.

I was so hot out there, I don't know how you managed to stand around waiting for the Mine Train. I was barely able to make my way to rides with shaded and indoor lines. And I live in Vegas, where HOT HOT HOT is the norm!

I met the same Anna and Elsa as you! I've been looking at the promo pics and I don't think they're the ones that were used, right? I have to say, it seems like the character interactions have really been taken to the next level. The conversations they have are really making things extra magical. I love that Elsa showed you how to make snow and that you talked about bad hair with Anna. They're so fun!

Those corndog nuggets look scrumptious! I'll have to work them in next time. I had them on my 2010 trip, but that was soooo long ago, I don't really remember them.

Merida looks amazing! She's one of the face characters who really looks her part, IMO. Your matching bow is the best! All of your matching bows are soo cute! I can't even remember to bring my ears, let alone coordinating bows...

And... I finally started my TR! The link is in my sig. Stop over if you'd like! It's really interesting reading your trip as it is parallel to mine.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Oops! How did I miss this one? Here now!

 

[disfanforlife]

Love your character meets! Especially love the teacup ride! Also, love your necklace!!!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

ok, I really have no excuse for not joining in on the fun sooner, but I am here now!

Wow, the view from your room really is perfect - especially for a "technically pool/garden view"

I think you are doing great with your photos! Well, I will admit that there is a gap b/w Franklin and yours on the dark rides - he's great with the lighting and filters and stuff!

We have an opposite first day tradition to you in that we generally don't do a park first day. We usually have limited day passes (using military rates) so don't want to use one up on a partial day. So our tradition is to see Wishes first night from somewhere outside of the park - generally has been on the Poly Beach

Man the new parade looks great - I really hope we get to see it our next trip but I am really worried about mid-affternoon August heat! Your pictures were great - especially love the one with the Dragon head in front of the Castle

Very cool you got to see SM with the lights on - I think it looks way scarier with the lights on with how close all the track and supports look!

And nice Firework Photo!

Oh I love POG juice! Sounds like a fun breakfast - I agree about the family style being more relaxed vs. buffet ... you almost have to have a strategy with the buffet and timing with characters, etc.

Sounds like a nice time at the spa - and those loungers look very cool! And I'd say a massage and then champagne, listening to the band, etc. make for quite the afternoon!

hmmm, if Food & Wine Festival counts as an "extra" than that is my favorite!

man, I am loving your dining choices - Cali Grill is so great, and they are a great place to get sushi!

And then pre-park opening ADR at CP! Love the puffed french toast there. I didn't know that they made pancakes there too! This TR isn't just entertaining - it is informative too

I've been loving all your bows too - and great how you match them to who you are meeting!

That's so cool you got to ride the tea cups with Alice and White Rabbit!

Yeah for DISmeet! Only thing better would have including PapaDon in on that Tea Cup ride!

Great job so far!

 

[Ceryssa]

Sounds like a fantastic morning so far!! All the CP characters look like so much fun, can't wait to meet them! I'm impressed you managed to meet so many characters in such a short time! I remember you posting on FB when you scored your A&E FP--did meeting them live up to the hype?

Getting to ride the teacups with characters is seriously cool! The photographer got some really great pics of all of you! Looking forward to hearing about the rest of the day