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

[Tiggerrn2]

We left off waiting for a bus to take us near MK. The first bus to arrive brought us here..... (I borrowed this photo from our 2006 trip because I didn't take one of the outside this time)

We stayed at Wilderness Lodge in 2006, visited again just to check out the Christmas decorations in 2010, and since the first bus to arrive was headed here, DD and I decided to head on back in and check it out once again. I love the lobby! Come on inside and let's take a look around!

DD just hanging over the railing looking at the little bubbling brook.

Not too many folks checking in today.

Let's go shopping!!

I really love that they are bringing back more of the resort specific merchandise.

And FYI, they have the Canadian soaps in here, too. (Just in case you are not going to the parks and are looking for something like this for a gift.)

It was time we made our way over to the MK. We went on out to catch ourselves a little watercraft stopping by the pool along the way for some photos.

They have the smaller slide here like the one at Jambo House at AKL.

The large view...

We stopped at Old Faithful, but it wasn't erupting and we had a boat to catch.

And as luck would have it, there was a boat awaiting our arrival for its' departure!!

Off we go to the Magic Kingdom!!!

 

[pamelasu1]

Didn't you do laundry while Kayla slept in or was that a different day? We had to maximize our every moment since we were leaving the next day-no sleeping in Disney for us!!

Maybe laundry??? LOL...who knows?

 

[RGirl]

Fun DHS morning! Love the character meets and getting to do the animation class.

Love the WL pics - really tempted to stay there next time. Or, as you know, AKL. Looks like WL has a great gift shop - I am always partial to the CR gift shops, but that one looks pretty nicely packed with great stuff too.

 

[wiigirl]

Wonderful pics!

 

[KatMark]

Love your drawings of Tigger...you both did awesome (I would have picked Tigger over Stitch ).

Great pictures with the characters, but I especially love the photopass picture.

Although I have no desire to stay there as you know, the WL is simply stunning and your pictures caputured that.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Sounds like the two of you had a good time together at Hollywood Studios and then at the Wilderness Lodge. The Wilderness Lodge is simply beautiful and your pictures are great.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Fun DHS morning! Love the character meets and getting to do the animation class.

I love the animation classes. Drew Mickey the last time.

Love the WL pics - really tempted to stay there next time. Or, as you know, AKL. Looks like WL has a great gift shop - I am always partial to the CR gift shops, but that one looks pretty nicely packed with great stuff too.

WL does have a very nice gift shop, and it is was a nice place to stay, just not my favorite. If I am going to be that close to the MK, I want to be on the monorail!!

Wonderful pics!

Thank you.

Love your drawings of Tigger...you both did awesome (I would have picked Tigger over Stitch ).

Tigger was my choice, but I voted with Stitch for DD sake. Glad it worked out that way anyhow.

Great pictures with the characters, but I especially love the photopass picture.

Thanks

Although I have no desire to stay there as you know, the WL is simply stunning and your pictures caputured that.

Thanks again. I probably wouldn't pick this to stay again either. But it is certainly nice enough.

Sounds like the two of you had a good time together at Hollywood Studios and then at the Wilderness Lodge. The Wilderness Lodge is simply beautiful and your pictures are great.

Thanks. We had a nice morning and enjoyed each other's company.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

All caught up on reading my subscribed threads, so now it's time to add an update or 2 here!

So we left off with DD and I heading over on the boat to MK from the WL. We were still a little too early for our lunch date and our friends hadn't made it to the park yet. Soooooooo, what's a person to do when you have time to pass?

Take photos of the castle, of course!! And then head off to get a LeFou's Brew (because we can).

We both had a full one for ourselves this time.

And when one passes these bathrooms, one MUST take a photo....or two!

We'd heard from our friends and it was time to head to Beast's Castle for some lunch. Pam had managed to get a FP+ ressie for lunch here. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait in the 45 min line for lunch in the heat. There is a site separate from MDE where you can get a lunch FP+ for here and it does not count against the 3 ride/show FP+ you are allowed. I don't remember what it is (though I do know they mentioned it on a recent Podcast) but maybe Pam can fill you all in.

It is beautiful inside.

If I recall, I think these talked...

These were our choices...

Sorry this one is blurry. But the desert choices looked very good!!

The light fixtures varied by what room you were in.

You order at a kiosk and are given a rose and sent off to find your table. We wanted to eat in the West Wing, but we did have a little look around.

These are K2's photos here, mine were a little dark.

You can watch it snowing outside the castle.

We made our way into the West Wing and found a seat.

continued in the next post

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Every 20min or so, the rose loses it's petals and the photo of the Prince changes.

Back to my photos:

Some art on the wall

Your meals are brought to you on a fancy service cart.

Pam had the Mickey Meatloaf with broccoli florets and zucchini (I think she must have skipped desert)

Kayla had the carved turkey sandwich and a strawberry cupcake for desert.

DD had the Lumiere's Delight (aka kids mahi mahi with finger salad and peach applesauce)

and I had the Carved turkey sandwich as well. DD and I had the strawberry cupcake and a Chocolate cream puff for desert.

You serve yourself drinks from the fountain beverage area. Sorry so dark.

Everything was very good. We finished up our meals and then headed out to take a few more photos before leaving the resaurant.

Love all the paintings on the walls.

About this time, I think all the late nights, early mornings and rich food got the better of me. My stomach wasn't liking me very well, and I started feeling really I handed off the camera to DD and disappeared for a while. A LONG while.

Meanwhile DD and the others continued with the photo shoot!

To be continued......

 

[Tiggerrn2]

continued from previous post

So, continuing on.....DD and K2 and Pam went on about exploring the restaurant and taking photos while I was otherwise detained.

So what did my DD find fascinating in BOG? Apparently, statues, banners and light fixtures!!

After reviewing those images, I am thinking maybe she should give up dance and be an architect or interior designer of sorts.

We had a FP+ for Enchanted Tales with Belle. I still wasn't feeling the best, so the others went on without me to check out Maurice's cottage.

They were greeted by Wardrobe!

And within her magic drawers, the tale began.

Living Lumiere!

Again with the light fixtures....

Belle has quite a collection of books in her library.

With Belle's tales over, I rejoined the group and we decided to go ahead and head back to the resort for a rest. We planned to stay for a late night, and it was warm out. We'd originally planned a full day here. I felt bad for feeling bad, but was grateful to go back to the resort for a bit. And I really felt bad because the MK was especially uncrowded.

People were lining up to see the afternoon parade.

Really love MK decorated for Halloween.

And so....at not even 3pm, we left the park.

after being sung to by the Dapper Dans!

Oh yes, you most certainly will!!!

 

[RGirl]

Yikes! I totally missed your updates. I am having a lot of trouble lately balancing everything in my life - I found it tonight though and am ready to weigh in.

You got some really pretty MK pics - love that sunshine!

Cracks me up that we are all taking photos of bathrooms now! Amazing what Disney can make us do!

As usual, K2 did an amazing job with the photos - her BoG photos are great! Lunch looks and sounds great too - but WHAT is the Mickey-shaped thing on your DD’s plate??? I just can’t figure it out.

I’m so sorry you weren’t feeling well! That is no fun at all. I sure hope you felt better quickly.

Really enjoyed the pics from ETwB since we didn’t get to see it…..

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Yikes! I totally missed your updates. I am having a lot of trouble lately balancing everything in my life - I found it tonight though and am ready to weigh in.



You got some really pretty MK pics - love that sunshine!

Cracks me up that we are all taking photos of bathrooms now! Amazing what Disney can make us do!

As usual, K2 did an amazing job with the photos - her BoG photos are great! Lunch looks and sounds great too - but WHAT is the Mickey-shaped thing on your DD’s plate??? I just can’t figure it out.

I’m so sorry you weren’t feeling well! That is no fun at all. I sure hope you felt better quickly.

Really enjoyed the pics from ETwB since we didn’t get to see it…..

Seems the colors aren't working this evening.

No worries. I have been lax at getting to all my replies as well. Just busy with DD dance schedule and tired by the time I get home every day from work and running around.

Lunch was good. I think the mickey shaped thing was a type of bread or cracker. DD didn't like it all that well (whatever it was).

Thanks, I had a really bad bit of an afternoon. That happens to me every once in a blue moon. When it does, I am done for a few hours.

DD and I went to ETwB again the next day, and I have some other photos.

 

[KatMark]

What wonderful updates.

I love all the pictures of BOG; we've missed the one room and I am hoping to see it when we go to lunch in September.

I'm sorry you weren't feeling well (that rich food and all those late nights sometimes catch up to us).

I love all of the Halloween decorations and am looking forward to seeing them again.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

What wonderful updates.

I love all the pictures of BOG; we've missed the one room and I am hoping to see it when we go to lunch in September.

I'm sorry you weren't feeling well (that rich food and all those late nights sometimes catch up to us).

I love all of the Halloween decorations and am looking forward to seeing them again.

BOG is a very lovely restaurant. So much to see.

I was sorry I wasn't feeling well either.

Halloween is my favorite time at the MK. The decorations are so neat. With my birthday in October, it just makes it more special. I am truly hoping to go at the very end of October in 2015 so I can do both a Halloween and a Christmas party as well as enjoy Food and Wine.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

I am going to try to do an update or 2, but the boards are acting funky today. We shall see how far I get.

We left off headed back to the resort for a rest. There were a couple of critters out the window at the end of our hall.

We had a short rest, then the girls decided they wanted a short swim before dinner. I was feeling a bit better, so I accompanied everyone down to the pool. We didn't stay too long, but the swim was refreshing.

We decided to drive back over to the MK area and stop over at the Contemporary for a bite to eat. By this time it was about 7:30pm. We just went in to check out the Contempo Café and grabbed something to go. I wasn't feeling up to food, but I did get a drink. DD had a cheese flatbread. I think K2 had a burger and not sure about what Pam had.

I took a few photos in the Contemporary before we headed on over to the MK by the lovely walkway.

We headed back over and reached the gates of the MK around 8pm. We had a FP+ for Splash, MSEP, and Wishes to use tonight!

Some of us didn't want to get wet AT ALL, one of us wanted to keep the butt and camera bag dry, and the other one just didn't care!!

We didn't have any idea about where our FP+ viewing spots were, but the one we had for the parade was awesome! Though, the people who were sitting outside of the roped off FP+ area were none too thrilled when we were allowed to sit "in their way".

And in retrospect, we should have just stayed there for the castle show and fireworks as well. As you will soon see, our FP+ viewing spot for Wishes was not as ideal as for Fantasmic or for the parade.

Come along for the parade, shall you. (I will limit the photos as I have a bazillion! How many is that, you ask? You really don't want to know! LOL)

Our viewing spot for the parade was right in the hub. You know, the spot people sit for an hour or more before the parade begins. Yeah. That would be what made the lady so mad. Sorry.

Still have issue with a Hookah smoking caterpillar in the Magic Kingdom!

Pete's Dragon sans Pete?

And the end.....

We shall see what a little "Wishing" can do coming up.........

 

[Buzzsgramma]

Once we were with DS boys and the youngest then about 5 or 6 slept thur the entire parade in his stroller.!!
I love the ELP..when i am close to the Lake and all of the sudden you hear the music and then it starts...bring joy to my heart!!!
Pix are just great...MK...BOG....

 

[KatMark]

WOW! Those are some awesome pictures of the parade. We've missed it since it came back for one reason or another and I am determined to see it in September. Did you think it worth the FP+? Is it with the other FP+ selections?

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Once we were with DS boys and the youngest then about 5 or 6 slept thur the entire parade in his stroller.!!
I love the ELP..when i am close to the Lake and all of the sudden you hear the music and then it starts...bring joy to my heart!!!
Pix are just great...MK...BOG....

Love that I could bring a little joy to you. And love that I can share the love of Disney with you as well. Your family does bring a smile to my heart.

WOW! Those are some awesome pictures of the parade. We've missed it since it came back for one reason or another and I am determined to see it in September. Did you think it worth the FP+? Is it with the other FP+ selections?

Thanks. I love this parade. Probably because it reminds me of going to WDW with my mom when I was younger.

It does go with the three FP+ selections you get for your day (as of now). Who knows if that will still be the case next week. BOG does not, however. I just wish I could remember the website you go to for that one. Pam set that up, and I don't recall where she had to go to do that. But Wishes and the Parade both counted towards our 3 picks for the day. I would choose the parade again, but then just stay where you are to watch Wishes. Our view of the fireworks was blocked by a tree-as you will see in my next update. So unless they have traded that one out, I wouldn't move. But if you have AAA, their viewing location is just outside the Plaza where all the yellow umbrella tables are. That was an awesome location!! I lucked into that when I was there with the boys' trip. That is, without a doubt, the best spot for Wishes and the Castle show.

 

[Disney before Sally]

I am glad I found this trip report! I'm on page 5. We are going in August this year and currently thinking about Pop. Thank you for sharing your trip report.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

I am glad I found this trip report! I'm on page 5. We are going in August this year and currently thinking about Pop. Thank you for sharing your trip report.

Hi Andrea!!!

Glad to have you join in!! Please feel free to ask any questions. I love sharing any information I may have.
Hope you have a wonderful stay!!!