Garden Grill is one of our favorites. Our first visit didn't go so well either (at least for me) but our second time was great.
Meeting Ralph and Vanellope were musts for us too. We actually got to meet them twice! The boys loved it!
Oh and since I just lurked on your update with the VIP tours.... still jealous! It sounded awesome. I especially love the HEA experience. I'm to the point where I just want to see it in the park so I can see the castle projections.
Ok, so maybe it just takes two times to really enjoy it then!! I'm sorry you had a bad first visit too, but glad the second one was better. Our first one was so amazing character wise, but not so much food wise. It was so nice for both parts to come together during this trip, because it really is a lot of fun with those characters!
Ending the VIP day with HEA was perfect! I had so many failed attempts at seeing it up close before this, that watching close enough to see the projections clearly was my must do for this trip. I had the party booked before we found out about the guide, so one way or another I was going to see those darn projections closer than the end of main street!!
I got to start off discussing RENT "live" because I have a lot of thoughts. I'm also a huge fan (and of theater/musical theater in general... I did graduate with a minor in theater lol). I saw the off-Broadway revival as well as an amateur production than I've also seen the Filmed Live on Broadway movie and the actual movie. All were VERY differently done so I think I have a different view on how it should be done. I think Jordan Fisher is the best Mark yet. His rendition of Halloween hit me harder than any rendition I've seen before even Anthony Rapp's rendition. Vanessa also was fantastic as Maureen, which shocked me since I watched vids of her as Mimi at the Hollywood Bowl and did not like it but Maureen she went all in, not better than Idina (who I don't really like as a musical theater actress so this a lot for me to say). Her and Jordan held the show together. I think Brandon Victor Dixon was great (I recommend watching the concert the cast performed while the pre-recorded dress rehearsal was shown), but Jessie L. Martin... you just can't beat that voice. I LOVE Valentina, the drag queen who played Angel, so I'm a bit biased but she is new, she's not a trained theatrical actor or singer like the rest and I felt so bad she choked during "Today 4 U", that's a difficult song but overall I felt she turned it out and I'll Cover You and Contact were really well done. Tinashe was good, I personally think everyone's being harsh about her. Her voice wasn't great. Brennin Hunt was bland af as Roger and the biggest disappointment for me. Mario was forgettable as Benny. Joanne was good, nothing incredible. I hated how censored they made it and what they censored (like it just didn't make sense some times) and all the added script, it was so distracting and didn't add anything. "Contact" was staged beautifully and that final image was unreal. I thought "La Vie Boheme" was very nuanced choreo-wise and had cute nods to the original choreo so I liked that (changes to lyrics tho... ew). Act 2 overall was stronger than Act 1. And the finale had me in tears, that was the big highlight. Overall, I enjoyed it but I am bitter they didn't have an understudy. It was so unprofessional imo Still, as a Rent-head, I'm just glad the world knows more of such an incredible show.
Ok, that got long, oops. Please don't feel like you have to respond to all of that lmao (the theater buff/student just went WILD)
Anyways, the update!
Love all your Spaceship Earth photos. The emptiness and the calm of the morning are just so evident, it looks so beautiful. And gotta love those character topiaries.
So glad despite having to change all your plans, you had a great morning! I love Garden Grill, but haven't been in nearly ten years back when it was only dinner. Loved the food, loved the characters (Pluto is ALWAYS the best), but this definitely has me wanting to try breakfast there. And your character selfies are so sweet, especially the one where Dale gave you a hug. Best chipmunk for sure.
I'm sorry you didn't get to see Vanellope with Ralph. I met them back when they were at Studios when the Animation building existed and the first movie had recently come out (feels so long ago WOW) and she was the highlight (didn't even realize Ralph was there tbh). You gotta go back to see her. Glad you still had fun with Ralph. Having the whole family and the other CMs there, it's more fun when everyone is involved.
Honestly, no haha I love the heat! I spent a whole day at
Disneyland in up to 116 degrees and it was one of my favorite days, nobody was at the park so I was living for all of it, could care less it felt like an oven outside and if I wasn't comfy (you're gonna be uncomfortable one way or another with FL or CA heat in the summer). I mostly judge on what I think I'd enjoy the most. Like I'd love to work Haunted Mansion just because of the character you have to take on, same with Character Performer or Attendant. Also a good amount roles have multiple costumes, like attractions and food & beverage roles, so I feel like judging the costume is way too much foresight in judging a role since it's just one factor and you're not guaranteed it. It's all up to what I think fits me personally and what would be enjoyable for me. If I was having fun, I could care less how I looked or how hot I was in the costume.
Fellow theater kid here! Theater and Film were my majors until I switched to Public Relations, and I still work with theater students!! Theory and script analysis were my favorite classes b/c I mean, I got graded for judging things?? Come on, that's the best!
I love that you actually enjoy Rent, first of all, because a lot of the students i teach think it's very dated and don't "get it". Granted they're all younger than you, like 15 - 18ish. The show debuted when I was a freshman in high school and "purists" thought that my age group was too young to appreciate it, and I was always so offended, lol. My script analysis professor was this very self-important dude who went to college in NYC and worked as an extra and did bit parts on soap operas, and occasionally off-off Broadway shows. He was so condescending about anyone who liked that show, b/c they didn't "live it like he did" (puh-leez, he had no actual experience with any of it outside of living in new york!!) and couldn't possibly understand. Like he had some kind of market on who could and couldn't like things (I mean, not that I'd ever do that about anything
)
I'm actually glad to know that Valentina wasn't a trained singer, b/c that was very rough. It's sad her first show like this had such a shaky performance. I don't know her as a drag queen, but I can imagine she's great. I love Ongina from season one of drag race, and Alyssa Edwards, but i'm not current on queens!
I never get tired of taking SE pictures!! especially when it's empty and people aren't ruining my pictures by having their own fun, LOL!! Sunlight hitting it just right makes it even more beautiful, and there's something extra magical seeing it from the monorail, too.
Our character interaction at GG was awesome, and the one consistent thing from our previous meal there. Thank goodness the food matched up with it this time, too.
Shh!! Don't talk about the Animation Building
I was very disappointed that Vanellope wasn't there. That just means I'll have to try again in June (hopefully they'll still be hanging around then)
There was a heat wave of days over 100 during our DLR trip, but sadly the park was not empty then. It was wall to wall our entire time there, but we also had some cool days in the beginning (during June Gloom) to balance it out. I would totally base my role preference around how hot/cold I'd be, at least at the Florida parks
We didn't even ride it our first like 5 trips or so I think? (Well Josh rode it back when it was Soarin' Over California but I didn't). I liked it a lot once we did ride it!
I love this too! My lock screen is that super pretty sunset I saw at Disney in May
I may have googled videos of Haunted Mansion with the lights on the other day...
I really want to see under the ball room.
He did better than I did when I tried to monorail back to the room by myself after that
MVMCP where Josh got a headache
I love that you have the same taste in cupcakes
I can't watch those "live" Broadway shows they keep doing every year, I always find them really disappointing.
I really want to go back there! I haven't been since 2015.
I can't remember did you ever get to Shula's?
I love her, I follow her on Instagram, and for the month of October she posted Halloween stuff 24/7
I didn't even know they were meeting there!
That looks yummy. We've never made it to the Garden Grill, and I want to go someday!
I once thought I had good eggs at Tusker House, but I was pretty sick that day so I think I was hallucinating. Other than that nope, never!
It's so true, stop trying to fancy them up! (That said I do love a good tater tot myself too).
Bacon twins!
I also love crispy bacon, and Disney's rarely is.
I hate to miss Soarin' now, and I feel so bad that I ever trashed it as hard as I did originally
Ooh, I didn't think of youtube for HM videos!
The photopass pictures were cracking me up!
I think he ended up taking a few detours "accidentally", but mostly managed to be fine on his own.
It was pretty much the only choice for cupcake, but it was at least a good one!!
I have never made it all the way through one of the "live" broadway shows...still haven't finished Rent and not sure if I will. I get annoyed b/c the sound mixing is never right, and it's hard when a show you love is being presented terribly.
We never made it to Shula's
Even though I swore we wouldn't cancel it
Yay for bacon twins!! We're going to have so much fun eating our way through the parks
Last minute restaurant decisions are the best. I feel like breakfasts tend to have the most spontaneous availability. Probably families cancelling when they realize they want to sleep in the next morning. How fast your meal went and that cinnamon roll have me really debating if I should switch my Garden Grill dinner in June to a breakfast. In and out with enough time to enjoy Epcot before park opening sounds like it was really nice.
What a bummer about Vanellope! Hope you get another chance to meet her.
Both of our GG breakfasts have been really quick, less than an hour. That's the best prat for me, no wasting park time and a head start to whatever we want to do first that day!
I hope Vanellope is still meeting in June, she's a must for me!!
Ok, if you are old there is no hope for the rest of us........
I love that breakfast!
I hope they are doing M&G's in July as it would be a must do for us too!
Puto meets are always amazing!
So cute!
Now you have me thinking of adding it in this summer! I really enjoyed it when I ate there on my first solo trip.
Well, I only feel old I guess. Like, about 107 years old
I really hope they stick around!! I hate when they tease us with fun character meets and then take them away. I'm still bitter about missing out on Moana
Aw, I bet it was a really great character meet solo, and just an easy meal in general while solo. Hmm...I'm going to be considering this now, too!! I'll have some solo days in September so that's something to file away for that trip
I have RENT "Live" DVRed but haven't had the opportunity to watch it yet. I saw it on Broadway right before it closed and it was my final performance in college (it was actually the very first musical my college was ever allowed to do, the beginning of what is now a hugely successful Theatre department. It feels real weird that I was a part of that lol). I'm curious about it but sometimes you just can't beat a real, live performance.
This is probably why I'm so bad when it comes to watching sports on television vs real life too lol!
I am in love with this photo
We can definitely agree to that. Canned eggs, that's what they are.
I legitimately roll my eyes EVERY TIME I have to call them potato barrels.
I still haven't finished it!! When they went on tour in 2009 with Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp I saw it at the Fox in St. Louis from only a few rows from the stage and it was awesome!! Ah! That's so cool about your college performance!! I feel like this particular show was at a disadvantage b/c they didn't even get to do it live, it was mostly the dress rehearsal and some of the songs were really rough.
Canned eggs
Right?? What is even the point of calling them potato barrels anyway?? They call them totchos at Friar's Nook and Andy's Lunchbox so why are we cute-ing them up other places??
That's awesome that you were able to snag a last minute breakfast like that! I feel like I read so many people stressing trying to get a super early PPO breakfast and you snagged one on the way over
My DH is definitely in agreement with you about Disney eggs. Hes not a fan of their breakfast whereas I have brainwashed myself into thinking its good! haha I definitely need to try Garden Grill now!
I felt pretty awesome getting that reservation. Like, here is the real VIP experience, ok? PPO breakfast reservations from the monorail
Garden Grill characters are the best, and I was so glad the food was good this time. I think it's a worthwhile breakfast for sure!
Hi hi! I'm back from my extended absence from the Dis and checking in here! Looks like I've got a lot of catching up to do, and I"m looking forward to it!
Hiii!!
Welcome and enjoy!! This was a different kind of trip for us, but so fun!
I’m all caught up, so glad the VIP tour and guide ended up being awesome!!
Great luck getting the ppo garden Grill breakfast, it looks like a fun experience. We have loved it the 2x we have done it. The cinnamon roll is very yummy.
We peeked in on the meet with Wreck it Ralph but the line was really long so we skipped it. I do love to meet characters I haven’t yet so bummed no one wanted to wait. Love the picture you got from the meet.
Yeah, I was nervous for awhile, but the VIP day ended up being great. It could not have ended any better, that's for sure!!
The line kept us from going back to see Vanellope. I'm glad so many people want to meet them though, hopefully it means they'll stick around for awhile!!
I’ve finally caught up from 2014 to now! I’m enjoying your trip reports!
Aw, thank you so much! I'm glad you still want to read along after going through them all, and that I didn't scare you off!!
If that's the case I'd rather her take it out on me than someone else. 
Who am I kidding, it was worth it, LOL
