Back to Back trips in August-The How Could You's Ride Again!- Final Thoughts 4/14

[RGirl]

Love the MK at Halloween-time. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day, except that I don't want the TR to end.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Love the MK at Halloween-time. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day, except that I don't want the TR to end.

I know!!! Me either that is why I am dragging it out! But I guess I can't keep waiting forever?

 

[pamelasu1]

I would really, really love to continue this TR with our last few days there after you left, but I literally have NO IDEA what we did. Which makes me very sad. I really wish I could remember, because I have enjoyed reliving it through your excellent TR reports.

BTW, Linda, you might want to take a look at my signature. Notice anything new?

 

[Tiggerrn2]

I would really, really love to continue this TR with our last few days there after you left, but I literally have NO IDEA what we did. Which makes me very sad. I really wish I could remember, because I have enjoyed reliving it through your excellent TR reports.

BTW, Linda, you might want to take a look at my signature. Notice anything new?

You're going without me?!

 

[pamelasu1]

Just sent you an explanation on FB!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

We last left off headed in different directions. DD and I had headed back into the MK to be serenaded by the Barbershop Quartet!
Pam set up FP+ reservations for us for the afternoon at MK while we were at breakfast.

About the whole FP+ thing....we were there during a testing phase for AKL. So during our days at AKL of this trip, we had set up our FP+ reservations to be used at whatever parks we planned to be at in the afternoon/evening portions of our tour plan. Well, our plans changed up a bit at the end, and we had to move our FP+ options around a little bit. It wasn't too hard except for the fact that, for whatever reason, when Pam had tried to invite me into her MDE app online, I could never get it to let me accept the invitation. This prevented me from being able to make any changes to DD or my FP+ options. Pam had to make all the changes for our whole group-even when we weren't touring together. So that part was a bit of a pain. And then the MDE app was very slow from inside the parks. Outside of those issues, I really didn't mind the FP+. However, regular FPs were still being used at that time as well, and the whole separate line thing hadn't been in effect yet for FP+ and standby (like having only one side for Pirates or Space Mntn for FP+ wasn't the problem like it is seeming to be now, causing a clogged up standby line.) Our biggest way to deal with FP+ was to tour the usual tourguide morning plans at rope drop and use FP+ options for afternoons. Seemed to work well at that time. Not sure if it would still work as well now, but certainly worth trying for those headed there now.

K2 and her mom headed off by car back to Epcot to do some shopping. K2 loves China. That is obviously where they spent their afternoon. Here are some of K2's photos to share.

DD and I, meanwhile, set off from our musical serenade to do some of our missed items. Our FP+ were to meet the princesses and to do ETWB, since I missed that the previous day due to illness and had really wanted to see it. I think our 3rd option was for BTMRR, but it was not running so we missed it.

First order of the afternoon was to check out the Pirate show. We had always managed to miss this and wanted to see what it was all about.

I pretended to take a photo of the fountain, but really wanted to share the photo of this little girl all decked out waiting for the show to begin. I didn't want to seem like a stalker taking another kid's photo, but she was really cute.

The photopass guy was all set up ready to catch photos of the action.

It was HOTTTTTTTTT! sitting there waiting for the show to begin, and there really isn't any shade to speak of in this area.

This sidekick comes out to start the show....

And then he sets about trying to find Jack!!! Who sneaks in right behind him.

And then they set about rounding up volunteers to join Jack's crew. Sort of, Star Wars Jedi Academy style. The more dressed up and into it you were, the more likely you were to be chosen from the audience to participate in his crew.

It was a cute show, and there were some funny bits. But I don't think I would sit there on a hot day again to watch it.

Coming up, we need a break from the heat OR from Pirates to Princesses!!!

 

[KatMark]

I am back and ALL caught up on your TR.

I remember you telling me at lunch that the food was nothing special at Ohana, but you can just tell from the photos that you had great character interaction.

Your daughter was certainly enjoying her visits with the characters.

How nice to be serenaded when you returned to the MK.

We've never stopped for the pirate show either. It's good to know it is not something I have to do...especially if it's hot.

 

[RGirl]

Loved the pics of the Pirates show - it always looks like fun, but we have never timed it right or paid enough attention. Looks like it was HOT HOT HOT though!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

I am back and ALL caught up on your TR.

Yay!!

I remember you telling me at lunch that the food was nothing special at Ohana, but you can just tell from the photos that you had great character interaction.

Your daughter was certainly enjoying her visits with the characters.

She did have a great time with the characters and they were all great this day!

How nice to be serenaded when you returned to the MK.

I really do enjoy listening to the quartet! It's all those little things that happen when you are stopping to smell the roses that make the moments so special.

We've never stopped for the pirate show either. It's good to know it is not something I have to do...especially if it's hot.

It was cute, but definitely not a must on the repeat list.

Loved the pics of the Pirates show - it always looks like fun, but we have never timed it right or paid enough attention. Looks like it was HOT HOT HOT though!

thanks. It was very warm sitting there. The kids that were chosen to participate in the show were having a great time in spite of the heat.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

After our hot and sweaty time with the pirates, we needed some AC! Thankfully, we had a FP+ to go meet some princess. We headed back to Town Hall for our meet and greet. We had a few moments to spare, so DD sat down to cool off.

First up is Cinderella herself...

Next up was Aurora. They had quite a lengthy conversation. About what, I am not sure. It has been so long that I have forgotten.

I do know there was some discussion about DD flower-topped pen.

Last up, and the real reason DD wanted to do this meet, Rapunzel!!! This is DD dream. She is really hoping to do the CP in a couple of years. She is hoping to grow just enough to qualify her for a friend of Rapunzel's.

Once again, the flower pen drew the attention of the signer.

Rapunzel looked so happy to hear whatever DD had to say.

With that Meet and Greet completed, we headed back towards the Castle. Dream Along With Mickey was playing on stage at the Castle. We stopped to watch for a bit. I still have never seen this whole show.

I have to say that I found the opening and closing eyes on the characters a little creepy!

We were getting warm again just standing there so we decided to move on, but not before one last photo.

DD wanted to do one of the classics.

continued in next post

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Oh, well. At least it was cool in there.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day.....

Coming up.....our final FP+ of today.

 

[KatMark]

Love the photos with the princesses...they were certainly infatuated with that pen.

We haven't seen that castle show in forever. It's always so hot just standing there with throngs of people. One of these days we will see it again.

A classic? I knew before even moving on that it was A Slow Boat to China. But as you said, at least it was cool in there.

 

[RGirl]

Looks like a lot of fun at MK!

The princess meet-and-greet looks like it was very fun - the pics are great!

I enjoy the castle show, but I agree about the eyes - a little hard to adjust to them.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Love the photos with the princesses...they were certainly infatuated with that pen.

It was so funny! So many of the characters stopped to look at her flower-topped pen!

We haven't seen that castle show in forever. It's always so hot just standing there with throngs of people. One of these days we will see it again.

Very hot, I agree!

A classic? I knew before even moving on that it was A Slow Boat to China. But as you said, at least it was cool in there.

When I was younger and went to the parks with my mom and her friends, they would go on IASW every time they started to get a little warm! I think we'd be on it 3 times in a one day visit!

Looks like a lot of fun at MK!

The princess meet-and-greet looks like it was very fun - the pics are great!

DD did have a fun time! Thanks

I enjoy the castle show, but I agree about the eyes - a little hard to adjust to them.

It just seemed weird to have them blinking on stage.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

We left off getting off the Slow Boat to China (as Miss Kathy so appropriately named it).

It was time to use one of our FP+ options for the day. Of course, you'll remember this was the one I missed when I didn't feel very well. We were headed back to Enchanted Tales with Belle. I have learned here that going through the FP line means you miss out on the little tour of Maurice's cottage, and go straight into the room with the mirror. Since I don't know what I missed, I cannot comment on it. But our tour started here.

And I tried sooooooo hard to capture the stretch to see how they do it.

Nothing!!! No secrets revealed here!

We headed on in and were greeted by Madame Wardrobe!

She opened up her drawers to us!

From there you go into the library to find a seat to enjoy the show. And the master of ceremonies welcomes you to the party!

Lumiere is quite amazing. Disney magic at its best.

With the actors in place, it is time to move on with the story.

Belle comes to join in the fun. Belle was very spot on!!

The show is cute. Each of the audience participants had fun with their parts and played their characters well. After the show, Belle stays in the library to pose with anyone who would like a photo. And there is a Photopass photographer there the whole show to capture all the participants in action.

A photo of the library as we are leaving.

The CM here posing for the photo was quite a hoot! He really lived his part.

I was very glad to have the FP+ option to see the show. It was cute, but not "wait in a stand by line for 30 min or more" cute.

What should we do next? Time is running out!

 

[KatMark]

Thanks for the credit on It's a Slow Boat to China. I wonder if I should now.

I have not yet seen Enchanted Tales with Belle. It's not something Mark has any interest in at all and I'm certainly not waiting in line by myself. I'm hoping Mary might get us FP's for our trip with the girls so I can see it at least once.

I love the pictures of DD with Belle.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Thanks for the credit on It's a Slow Boat to China. I wonder if I should now.

You are most welcome!! And I think you are safe!

I have not yet seen Enchanted Tales with Belle. It's not something Mark has any interest in at all and I'm certainly not waiting in line by myself. I'm hoping Mary might get us FP's for our trip with the girls so I can see it at least once.

The girls would love it, I am sure. Would they be the type to volunteer for a part? It seemed like every one of the kids that raised their hand was able to participate.

I love the pictures of DD with Belle.

Thanks. This was a very good Belle!

 

[KatMark]

Yes, I definitely think the girls would volunteer.

 

[RGirl]

Hey there!

Your ETwB photos are great! I enjoyed them so much since I missed out on it on our last trip. Next time, with FP+, I will definitely be reserving a time for it!

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I did FP for it last year. I thought I wouldn't need to go back again, but I think I want to once more, just to see Maurice's cottage!

Great shots of Enchanted Tales With Belle... I love the library. And I know what you mean about the mirror. I can't figure it out either!