An Instagrammable and Dole Whippy 4th of July Trip Report!**UPDATED 3/4

[MrsDrewsky]

Aw thanks for that but I still felt like poop! That is funny about your grandfather! I wonder what he did for the company? I really enjoy the company. They are serious about not drinking coke!

I know he was part owner of a freight company Pepsi bought back in the day and after the buyout I think they hired him to work in logistics.

It looks like you guys had a fabulous night at HS. Your pictures are really good. I especially love the one of the balloons with the pluto sign in the background.

 

[emmysmommy]

Rachel how come I see the same ordinary everyday things at the parks like you (balloons, stop light, etc.) and view the same fireworks shows and all and your photos and how you document everything make me look like I'm in kindergarten learning to write my name?? What awesome photos you have!!

I didn't know that DHS did a special July 4th fireworks show. That is so awesome to see really two fireworks shows if you can view some of Epcot. And ending with Free Bird - AWESOME!!! I would have loved to see that.

I can't wait to hear about your AKL part of your stay!

 

[jecskc]

I didn't know they did fireworks at HS for the 4th of July. Wow, how cool. Loved your photos !!

 

[Miss Potts]

Moving on up to the DELUXE....

Can't wait to hear about the next portion of your trip!

 

[rachel09985]

This morning was Friday July 5th and we were off to a pre park ADR at Crystal Palace. We were also switching hotels today and moving to Animal Kingdom Lodge. We were sooooo excited!! We have only stayed value!

We didn't have to check out because I already paid our balance (in truth I should have because we had two random charges from POP that showed up after I paid with gift cards). However, we did have to drop our luggage off! We took our luggage to bell services and I was really worried about this because we had a lot of valuables in our bags- ipads and kindles!

We got on the bus to MK at 8am. There was barely anyone on the bus!



Selfie! I look so tired. Good thing today was our rest day. Okay a lot of you will think this is gross but I didn't even shower this morning! I didn't feel like repacking my shower things and our plan was to hang out at the pool so I would need to shower anyways again.



We got out of the bus at 8:20 then walked right down the middle of (empty) Main street USA! Corey has never been in the park before opening. He loved that.



Don't you just love how the ground is always wet at disney in the morning?









Disney bucket list- ride in one of these little trolley things. How do you do that??



Empty castle! Ahhh









I stuffed our bathing suits in my bag this morning since we wouldn't have our luggage before the pool time.













Corey had to drag me away from taking photos and off we went to Crystal Palace.

 

[rachel09985]

The line to check into Crystal Palace was super long.



So I went and took pictures for the live dining thread.





It is so crazy how much of an increase dinner is from lunch. Dinner here is not worth it.





I feel like Crystal Palace seating is very inefficient. We waited about 10 or 15 minutes and then when you walk into the restaurant half of the tables are empty. It is because it takes so long to check in probably!

I got coffee, orange juice, and water! I needed caffeine badly.



One of the reasons I booked this was for mickey waffles. Sadly, this mickey waffles weren't as good as the ones at Chef Mickey's.



Smoked salmon and fruit. Both excellent! Their smoked salmon is a pastrami salmon so it is very salty and flavorful.



The first character was Eeyore. Corey was getting his food so I just had the attendant take a picture with my iphone. I ended up putting it on instagram.



Then Pooh came around and I had to get a picture with him with both of us. He is just too cute!



Next I got some Pooh's puffed french toast which wasn't as good as last time either. It was to doughy and maybe a bit overcooked.



This plate had an egg scramble and cheesy potatoes. Not the best eggs or cheesy potatoes but it did it's job.

Next came Tigger. I had to get a picture with Corey and his pal Tigger. Look! They are about the same height. I know Corey's future job when we move to Orlando(someday)



Of course I had to get Tigger action too.



I paid with gift cards here since we technically weren't at a hotel anymore. All in all this breakfast is very fun but the food it just kind of blah. I used to really like it but not so much. I have a theory that the more times you go to restaurants your perception of food quality goes down. The new-ness of restuarants in exciting so you tend to overlook bad things. However, this doesn't apply to 'Ohana! 'Ohana is always good!

Since we were in Magic Kingdom already we HAD to do a ride. We chose our favorite, Splash Mountain.











It was a 20 minute wait. When we went down Corey made a funny face and I hid on his shoulder. I get so nervous at the drops. Sadly, I don't have a photo. We barely got wet though!







Best picture of the vultures I have got! And it was on my iphone. I so want the vinylmation vulture.



Coming up: more MK morning fun!

 

[KatMark]

Love your pictures on an empty Main Street. It is just so neat to get those pictures with hardly anyone in the background. I love your pictures of Goofy...he's a favorite.

I'm sorry your breakfast at Crystal Palace was not very good. Ours on the other hand (even though I'm no where near that point in my TR), was extremely yummy (better than Tusker House for sure this trip).

Your pictures with the characters are great (I especially like your picture with Pooh Bear).

 

[Disney9.9.10]

All caught up! How cool that you got to see fireworks at DHS! I love the palm trees there and they showed up really nicely in your photos.

I want to get an early CP ADR for our next trip so that we can get into MK before opening. It is so cool to see the park with hardly anyone in it. I'm sorry that your breakfast wasn't that great though. I hope that it was just an "off" day and you aren't just getting over the novelty of it.

 

[wiigirl]

Great pics!

 

[elphie101]

Love the morning MK pics! I would also chose Splash as a first ride of the day - especially in July!

 

[MrsDrewsky]

Being in MK before park opening is so much fun. You got some great photos.

I'll confess, I only shower at night at WDW. I just don't see the point if I know I'm going to be walking and getting sweaty, ya know?

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Entering the park before open really is a whole other experience. It's so amazing that it's still so active and alive. I love it.

I also love getting on Splash first thing in the morning. I think because there's just something so peaceful about it.

 

[JulieODC]

Great pre-opening pics at MK! We have a breakfast ressie a CP in November, and it will be our first time arriving before opening...you pics got me even more excited!

 

[MEK]

Caught up. Really enjoyed seeing the fireworks at HS! Celebrating the 4th at WDW does seem like a lot of fun. I also love how cool HS looks at night. It's my favorite for night shots.

Speaking of shots - You do have a lot of great pictures in this update. Everything is nice and clear with vibrant colors.

Woo hoo for a change to AKL.

I love CP. I haven't eaten there in well over a year, but breakfast has always been my fav. Hope we like it in October.

 

[rachel09985]

Awesome pics!

Thanks!!

All caught up !! Enjoying your TR and loving your photos. We just got back from our trip last night and it was sooo hot. We had fun though.

Susan

It was hot! I liked going in the summer but the weather of course wasn't ideal.

What made you pick HS for fireworks instead of one of the other parks? It looks like you made a good choice.

I'm looking forward to your AKL report. We are going to visit it for the first time in December. After seeing so many pictures of it, I'm really curious to see what it looks like in person.

We did make a good choice! Well, we saw the fireworks at MK the night before. And the 4th fireworks were the same. Epcot had a special illuminations but i can see illuminations all the time. You can't ever see fireworks at HS. So that is why. You will love AKL. I loved it so much. It was so nice.

Great firework pics!

Thanks!

Loving your report, we'll be there about the same time next year so it's great reading about the crowds etc

Yes, I hope this gives you a good idea about the crowds. They were bad but they were manageable.

Haha, I remembered hearing about Lotso smelling like strawberries. So last October I don't think I passed a single one without smelling it.

Mmmm Buffalo Nuggets. I've not tried, but now I must.

Those are some awesome LM photos. Wow!

I have seen video of the DHS fireworks and I think I was most impressed by the live band "syncing" with the fireworks. So impressive. The ultimate Rock and Roll pyro.

So great that you got to experience something so unique and rare.

I love strawberry Lotso! OMG the buffalo nuggets are good! They are corey's favorite counter service thing in the entire world! Yes the syncing was really cool! I loved it, it was fun.

Great DHS Firework photos (though I can see why you would have wanted to have been further up). Sounds like a great experience!

It really was a great experience. I would go back again there on the 4th in a heartbeat.

All caught up! Hooray for food pics!

I DID NOT KNOW THERE WERE BUFFALO CHICKEN NUGGETS AT WDW One of my favorite things that I ate on our DL trip in April was buffalo chicken nuggets over there, and I spent the whole trip lamenting the fact that they don't exist in WDW. But now I will 1000% be going to Backlot Express on my next Studios trip!

Great day overall - can't wait for your resort hop!

You gotta try the buffalo nuggets, they are good!! I wish they had them available in more than one park. I want to go to Disneyland next. I may need to make a trip there soon.

i would LOVE to watch fireworks at DHS!!! great pics.

Thank you!!

Great update! Fireworks at DHS. What a treat! Great pics

Thanks!! Yes, it was a treat.

I'm finally caught up (I have to admit I skipped all the chatter).

I love the pictures in Mermaid...I can never get good ones in there.

The pictures at dusk at the Studios are wonderful. And great fireworks pictures too.

I love the picture of you with Lotso.

Oh, I don't expect you to read the chatter anyways! I am just happy with you reading and looking at my pics! Yes, the mermaid show is really hard to get good pics in.

I know he was part owner of a freight company Pepsi bought back in the day and after the buyout I think they hired him to work in logistics.

It looks like you guys had a fabulous night at HS. Your pictures are really good. I especially love the one of the balloons with the pluto sign in the background.

That is interesting! Thanks for the compliment.

Rachel how come I see the same ordinary everyday things at the parks like you (balloons, stop light, etc.) and view the same fireworks shows and all and your photos and how you document everything make me look like I'm in kindergarten learning to write my name?? What awesome photos you have!!

I didn't know that DHS did a special July 4th fireworks show. That is so awesome to see really two fireworks shows if you can view some of Epcot. And ending with Free Bird - AWESOME!!! I would have loved to see that.

I can't wait to hear about your AKL part of your stay!

Lol, omg i love your photos! They are fun!! At least you have Em to take really nice pics for you. Free Bird was fun.

I didn't know they did fireworks at HS for the 4th of July. Wow, how cool. Loved your photos !!

Thanks!

Moving on up to the DELUXE....

Can't wait to hear about the next portion of your trip!

Deluxe was amazing! I am in trouble for my trips from now on!

 

[rachel09985]

Love your pictures on an empty Main Street. It is just so neat to get those pictures with hardly anyone in the background. I love your pictures of Goofy...he's a favorite.

I'm sorry your breakfast at Crystal Palace was not very good. Ours on the other hand (even though I'm no where near that point in my TR), was extremely yummy (better than Tusker House for sure this trip).

Your pictures with the characters are great (I especially like your picture with Pooh Bear).

I love empty main street too. It is literally like a must do every trip now. I love Goofy too! I don't know why I wasn't into crystal palace. I used to love it but it just wasn't great. It wasn't bad and I still enjoyed it but wasn't yummy! I want to try tusker house too.

All caught up! How cool that you got to see fireworks at DHS! I love the palm trees there and they showed up really nicely in your photos.

I want to get an early CP ADR for our next trip so that we can get into MK before opening. It is so cool to see the park with hardly anyone in it. I'm sorry that your breakfast wasn't that great though. I hope that it was just an "off" day and you aren't just getting over the novelty of it.

I highly recommend getting any early CP or Cinderella's Royal Table early breakfast. It is a cool experience to walk down main stree. I hope that it was an off day too! I would still g back.

Love the morning MK pics! I would also chose Splash as a first ride of the day - especially in July!

Riding splash first was awesome! You got a little wet and it took a few hours to dry off so you were cool for a few hours.

Great pics!

Thanks!!

Being in MK before park opening is so much fun. You got some great photos.

I'll confess, I only shower at night at WDW. I just don't see the point if I know I'm going to be walking and getting sweaty, ya know?

Thanks! That is true about showering at night. You are so sweaty and then have to get in bed. I have to shower in the morning though because it wakes me up. Otherwise I won't wake up.

Entering the park before open really is a whole other experience. It's so amazing that it's still so active and alive. I love it.

I also love getting on Splash first thing in the morning. I think because there's just something so peaceful about it.

Agree on the whole other experience. It is magical!! I kinda agree about splash. Just that first bend when you look out at the castle is so peaceful with the blue sky in the background

Great pre-opening pics at MK! We have a breakfast ressie a CP in November, and it will be our first time arriving before opening...you pics got me even more excited!

Oh how fun that it will be your first time doing that!! My first time doing that last year in November and it is magical.

Caught up. Really enjoyed seeing the fireworks at HS! Celebrating the 4th at WDW does seem like a lot of fun. I also love how cool HS looks at night. It's my favorite for night shots.

Speaking of shots - You do have a lot of great pictures in this update. Everything is nice and clear with vibrant colors.

Woo hoo for a change to AKL.

I love CP. I haven't eaten there in well over a year, but breakfast has always been my fav. Hope we like it in October.

Thanks for the compliment! I am sure you will like CP. I would go back again. The change to AKL is coming up next and it was amazing!

 

[rachel09985]

I really have no recollection of this but apparently after Splash we went on Haunted Mansion. I have a picture from it next so I guess we went on it! I think I remember it being dead and the normal crowd between the stretching room and the single file line was non existent.



After this I begged Corey to go on Dumbo. We have never went on Dumbo before and it is just so cute so we had to do it!

The line was really short so we were given a pager as an option. We didn't take it so we just got to wait in line outside.





I was plotting my plan to get a pink elephant!



Luckily we got cut off right before us so we were first for our group.



Here is our dumbo!











Our dumbo was a little broken. It wouldn't move. Also, it started raining in the middle of the ran. It was one of those weird florida rainshowers that was sunny while raining. It was a fun ride!

We wanted to go back to Animal Kingdom Lodge so we thought it would be fun to take train to the front of the park.







It was a fun ride! It started raining again while we were on the train. Luckily we avoided most of the rain.

I wanted to use my 20% off coupon for the Emporium so we went shopping! I ended up getting 3 vinylmation. They didn't have the Monsters U ones so I just got two Beauty and the Beast and one Park series.

I also had to pick Patty up some Sorcerers of the MK cards.

When we went out to the bus I had to take a picture of this beautiful little boat. It is quintessential Disney!









What do you know- a bus was waiting for us! This seems to be a theme for our trip at AKL.

Here were the cards for Patty.



Here were our vinyls!



And then, since no one else was on the bus we decided to open them up. Corey opened them up for me because he likes to surprise me with them. He thinks its fun to open them up and surprise me.

My number one I wanted from B and the Beast was Mrs Potts!





What do you know! I got Mrs Potts!!!

Then he opened up the next one and I got the green bimbette!



Empty bus!



The park one was Goofy's Gas from Disneyland.. Blah.... Trader!!

Ahh..vinylmation blind boxing is fun!!

Anyways, next up is our deluxe hotel introduction!

 

[KatMark]

Rachel, what a fun update.

I love that you got the pictures of the hitchhiking ghosts.

You had never been on Dumbo? You are the second person that I read this about. I best not tell hubby or he might not do any more hat photos. Dumbo is his all time favorite and we always ride it once if not twice each trip.

I'm not into the Vinlymations at all, but I have bought a few as gifts.

 

[rachel09985]

Rachel, what a fun update.

I love that you got the pictures of the hitchhiking ghosts.

You had never been on Dumbo? You are the second person that I read this about. I best not tell hubby or he might not do any more hat photos. Dumbo is his all time favorite and we always ride it once if not twice each trip.

I'm not into the Vinlymations at all, but I have bought a few as gifts.

I have been on Dumbo before but Corey hasn't However, last November was my first time on as an adult!! I love the remodel.

I used to think vinylmations were really stupid and then I bought a couple of boxes and was hooked. It is just so fun to see what surprise you got.

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Rachel.... getting caught up.

CP had holiday pricing for the meals because I checked our sign and the prices were $4 cheaper. Good to know how much they spike up during the holidays. I see your point about the newness of some Disney restaurants give you rose colored glasses that make everything appear better than what it is. I happen to like CP but I'm too distracted by the characters to get all the dishes that I really want to try.

Cute photo of Corey in Dumbo. You an totally tell him that too.

So how many vinylmations do you have? I can say that I've been warned.