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

[Tiggerrn2]

We left you all on the way to the FP+ viewing area for Wishes. We made our way over to our next location. But we forgot (I should say, I forgot) that the Castle show would be before the fireworks. We should have stayed where we were.
This was our new view.

So, do you get the picture? Yeah, not the best location. And I lose all the color to my fireworks photos. Franklin (PixelDust) has the BEST fireworks photos. So if you want to see Wishes the way it really looks, check his out....A Disney Geek-tastic trip to the World.

Meanwhile, back to some of mine.

Once Wishes ended, DD and I decided to take a last Space Mountain ride for the photo op. Pam and K2 opted not to ride and went on to check out some other things.

We were on and off SM in no time and wandered through Tomorrowland on our way out. There was no line for Monsters Inc. so we thought why not catch the last show?!

Turned out to be quite a fun end to our evening. DD got pulled into the "Joke" with Mike's nephew. He asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. She replied she didn't know. His response? "I know what you want to be. TALLER" LOL And if you only knew how true this was!!!

After the show, we made our way back to our friends and wandered down Mainstreet.

Loved looking into the Emporium windows!

And a last goodnight at the end of Mainstreet.

 

[sayheyrenee]

Just found this report last night when searching out August travels. What a wonderful refreshing detailed blog of your days. I am going to search out your family trip next as I just finished up the entire girls trip this morning.

We are thinking of a family trip this August at Pop. Last year was May at ASM. I think we can handle the heat if we plan our mid day swims/rest the way you did.

Thanks again, this really brought me back to last years trip and I am now looking forward to planning this years!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Just found this report last night when searching out August travels. What a wonderful refreshing detailed blog of your days. I am going to search out your family trip next as I just finished up the entire girls trip this morning.

We are thinking of a family trip this August at Pop. Last year was May at ASM. I think we can handle the heat if we plan our mid day swims/rest the way you did.

Thanks again, this really brought me back to last years trip and I am now looking forward to planning this years!

Glad to have you join in. Love to have new readers along!! I enjoyed our stay at POP. But I will say that Art of Animation has a much better food court, so enjoy your stay, but cross the bridge to eat! August is plenty doable as long as you start early, rest or swim in the middle of the day, then go back to the parks when it gets cooler.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[RGirl]

Your ride pic from Splash!

That’s really cool about the FP+ viewing area for the parade - what a neat thing to choose for a FP+. I like that idea! We are not people who will wait for a parade, so this would be a way that we might actually see one (other than during a totally un-crowded time of year).

Odd that they wouldn’t have a better viewing area for FP+ of Wishes though.

What a great evening at MK! I love it!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Your ride pic from Splash!

That’s really cool about the FP+ viewing area for the parade - what a neat thing to choose for a FP+. I like that idea! We are not people who will wait for a parade, so this would be a way that we might actually see one (other than during a totally un-crowded time of year).

Odd that they wouldn’t have a better viewing area for FP+ of Wishes though.

What a great evening at MK! I love it!

It was nice not to waste an hour waiting for the parade!

The CMs said they were testing the area for viewing the fireworks. I wouldn't give it a good review. I wonder if it is still the same spot now.

We did have a nice evening. I was very glad considering how awful I felt in the afternoon. Thanks.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

That dreaded day had finally arrived for DD and I. It was our last Disney Day. Pam and K2 were staying on a couple more days. The only nice thing about our last day was the fact that we didn't have to worry about checking out of the resort since they weren't leaving. And we had a late flight....soooooo, let's go enjoy the day!!!

DD and I were once again up early and out the door. Pam and K2 slept in and would meet us later for an ADR-a surprise ADR! I took a couple of photos of the resort on our way out.

So pretty! I just love this resort!

One must go to the Magic Kingdom on the last day. Well, I suppose you don't have to if you don't want to, but DD had a few things left there that she wanted to do, and a few people she wanted to see!

We made it for rope drop. The crowds had picked up a bit for the Labor Day weekend, but we had FP+ for what we wanted to accomplish this afternoon. So for rope drop, we knew what we needed to get done! However, we did make time to stop for a photo or two.

The photopass guy was nice and took a few shots with my camera as well.

And then I took one of the castle-because that's just what you HAVE to do when you see the castle. Especially early in the morning when there aren't so many people around it.

Then we headed back to Space Mountain for another photo op. But I see this photo is not on our Photopass either. Seriously wishing I would have studied my receipts and reviewed the photos right away when I got home. There is a lesson to be learned there-keep all your receipts and check them out (maybe even before you leave).

We had one more stop we wanted to make before we needed to head out to get to our ADR. We were hitting the rides we wanted to do at rope drop before it got busy.

This side of the park in incredibly empty in the morning!

I'll be back for you later!!!

Does anyone ever spend time in the Treehouse?

Our nice, leisurely stroll led us here for our next ride.

See how busy they are on this side of the park? No one is in the logs yet and it is about 10am.

We made our way through the line-not really anyone in it. The little girl and her mom in front of us were really cute. This was the little girl's first ride on Splash, and she was a little worried. DD tried talking to her and telling her how much fun she'd have, but you can see in the photo, she was still a little concerned.

It was time for us to head out to our surprise ADR. DD has a favorite character, and he had been a bit elusive for us this trip! We were about to fix that-little did she know!!!

Coming up.......... a fun breakfast!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Your view of Wishes looks like our's on our last day at the Magic Kingdom. You were still able to get some really good pictures despite the trees in the way.

UGH! Last day at Disney, the one that we dread from the start of the trip.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Your view of Wishes looks like our's on our last day at the Magic Kingdom. You were still able to get some really good pictures despite the trees in the way.

Thanks. It was a disappointing view, especially after I'd had that awesome view when I was with the boys trip and after watching them from outside of Gaston's Tavern on this trip. But oh well.

UGH! Last day at Disney, the one that we dread from the start of the trip.

Yep! The day you dread from day 1. It's like looking around the lobby on arrival day and you can see all the sad faces on the people around you and just know it is "going home" day for them.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

oooh! The last day! So sad...

But I loved your parade pictures! That really is a great spot. I think you're right that the Wishes spot is not so good. I think I'll get the parade FP+ if I can and then stay there for the next two. Thanks for the tip!

 

[KatMark]

Okay...you are the last one that I needed to catch up on. Phew...I thought I'd never make it (don't know what I'll do with going away for nine days next Saturday).

Great fireworks pictures; and I love the photopass pic on Space Mountain.

I loved the pictures of AKL. I can't wait to be there in 9 days...I miss it so much.

And what a fun morning for you and DD.

I loved the photopass pictures in front of the castle.

I don't think I've EVER seen Splash Mountain that empty. Lucky you two!

Oh...I can't wait to hear where breakfast is.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

oooh! The last day! So sad...

Yes it is!!

But I loved your parade pictures! THanks!That really is a great spot. I think you're right that the Wishes spot is not so good. I think I'll get the parade FP+ if I can and then stay there for the next two. Thanks for the tip!

You are very welcome!

Okay...you are the last one that I needed to catch up on. Phew...I thought I'd never make it (don't know what I'll do with going away for nine days next Saturday).

You'll have lots of reading material to catch up on when you return. I will be taking a pause this week. DD has a big dance competition this week. So I will be a bit occupied as well.

Great fireworks pictures; and I love the photopass pic on Space Mountain.

Thanks!

I loved the pictures of AKL. I can't wait to be there in 9 days...I miss it so much.

I hope you have the most awesome time!

And what a fun morning for you and DD.

I loved the photopass pictures in front of the castle.

Thank you.

I don't think I've EVER seen Splash Mountain that empty. Lucky you two!

It was a beautiful morning, too. Everyone was still in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.

Oh...I can't wait to hear where breakfast is.

What is your guess?!

 

[RGirl]

Oh no! I feel blind-sided! I totally had no idea that we were nearing the end of your report. The Last Day. *sigh*

Ugh - I hate that so many of us were missing so many PP pics this year! I’m not at all good at keeping receipts, but I am going to try to make note of every time we stop for a PP pic in my trip notes every evening. There were quite a few that I really didn’t notice being missing until I was writing the TR - much too late.

Excited to read about your surprise ADR!

 

[KatMark]

What is your guess?!

1900 Park Fare?

 

[Tiggerrn2]

1900 Park Fare?

Good guess, but nope!!
It was so nice to meet you this past week. Thank you for lunch and for the fun conversation!! I had a great time.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

I know it has been a while since I left off. This was a crazy week with
For those of you not friends with me on FB, here is DD in her outfits for dance this weekend.

Now I can move on and finish up this TR. There isn't too much left. It almost feels like I am coming to the end of a friendship.

So, we were headed off to see DD favorite character who had been a bit elusive this trip. Usually we run into him in Tomorrowland or in Animal Kingdom. This trip, we hadn't seen him there. Her love of this character began in 2004 but grew in 2010- here.....

This was such a fun encounter. Stitch acted like he was afraid of her Pal Mickey. He hid behind DS.

And the CM handler was just awesome as well!!! He played right into the act-telling Stitch he shouldn't be afraid of his boss. And Stitch tried to stand back away from PM.

So I thought it would be fun to join Stitch and co. for breakfast!

Ohana's is a family style breakfast, so they bring everything in large bowls to your table. The juice is really good, but it needed to be colder.

If I remember right, the bread was a little dry-like it had been left sitting out in the air until it was served.

K2s photo

Pluto was the first to come around. He was fun.

Sorry about these photos, but the window was behind them and I forgot to change the settings on the camera.

Pluto was the perfect gentledog.

And signed his autograph just like an appropriate Pluto should!

Next up after the bread at the table was the fruit plate. Now I kid you not when I say that this was the fruit plate to feed 4 people!

It was very good, there just wasn't enough. We asked for more, but I think it was some time before we got anything else (if we ever did).

We were celebrating K2s birthday, and the characters all signed a card for her.

After the fruit plate, they brought out the main breakfast platter.

We asked for them to bring the Mickey waffles as well.

continued in next post.........

 

[Tiggerrn2]

The potatoes were really good. The eggs were.......eggs. The Mickey waffles were wonderful as always! But all in all, the breakfast was just OK. It was the character interaction we were there for!

Interaction like this!

Not quite sure what DD had in her hair, probably some flower. But Stitch had to check it out!

Then they studied her autograph book for a bit before signing himself.

And one last hug before moving on.

Next up was the Main Mouse himself!

And finally, Lilo made her way over to our table.

Breakfast completed ($50 with tip for 2 people) and all characters seen, we headed on out to take a few photos of the resort (before they tear it all apart for the remodel).

There is nothing more fabulous than the Poly lobby area (and the smell)!

K2s fountain photo

and one in the lobby

DD and I decided to head out on the monorail!

and K2 and her mom headed back to shop in China!

And that is where I shall leave you for now!

 

[mickeystoontown]

From your pictures, the character interaction was great and you can totally tell that ya'll were enjoying yourselves. Now, for that fruit plate....seriously? That was supposed to be enough for four people? One, possibly two, but certainly not enough for four.

 

[RGirl]

Love the dance pics of your DD - she looks beautiful.

Phew! So glad ‘Ohana Pluto was well behaved! The Stitch pics are all so cute. Looks like a great last-breakfast ADR!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

From your pictures, the character interaction was great and you can totally tell that ya'll were enjoying yourselves. Now, for that fruit plate....seriously? That was supposed to be enough for four people? One, possibly two, but certainly not enough for four.

I know, right?! That is what we thought! The raspberries were really good, though. I am pretty sure we asked for more of that fruit.

Love the dance pics of your DD - she looks beautiful.

Thank you.

Phew! So glad ‘Ohana Pluto was well behaved! Yes, thank goodness for a well behaved pooch!
The Stitch pics are all so cute. Looks like a great last-breakfast ADR!

We did have a fun time.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

We left off heading back to the Magic Kingdom on the monorail. I took a few photos of the construction still going on by the Grand Floridian (which is funny now because all the construction is now at the Poly).

And here is where they hold the parade floats for the Electrical Water Pageant that they hold on Bay Lake each night.

The signs were up for the Halloween parties which would be starting very soon. Sooooo wishing we had been able to stay another week to attend one.

Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, we received a royal serenade.

And a little pixie dusted moment.....click on photo for video

The trolley was at the front of Mainstreet.

Ahhhh, Halloweentime at the Magic Kingdom. My favorite time of the year. MNSSHP, I will miss you this year.

It was time for us to make our way into the park and check the last few things off our list that we wanted to accomplish for the day.

Coming up.....some princesses and pirates!!!