BEST. DAY. EVER. May '17 w/Chunkymonkey and Chubbyhubby NEW 8/28 x2 THE END!!

[theskyisawake]

Just joining in. I just finished up your last report and really enjoyed It!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Epcot looks lovely at this time of year. I do love the fruishi as well. Thanks for the info on the express bus, we have thought about it, however we usually go back to the resort between hops. I love your shirt, Belle is my favorite!

I love the thought of skipping bag check and ticket scanning with the express bus.

People mover is one of my faves, my daughter always says "mom do you want to do people mover next" lol!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Loving your report and really hope they extend the express bus service. The idea of leaving Epcot around two and being able to do things at MK before a 4pm dinner seems unreal.

Hi There!! Thank you! Long time no see! I remember how we were both in WDW for Star Wars Weekends in 2015. That seemed like such a long time ago but I loved SW weekends.
The express bus was awesome. We got to do many things we would never have been able to do in one day, unless we cut a lot of things out. So yay for express bus!

Oh I know that feeling well! I'd be right there with you! lol

Probably my least favorite aspect about going during May-October is just the heat...I don't like extreme temperatures. Which is odd since I live in the northeast but I think I am a California girl at heart.

This looks amazing and I'm sad I didn't get it while I was there for F&G. Hopefully there's similar for F&W this year because that looks lovely!

I haven't been to F & W for a few years so I can't remember what they had at France. It is very similar to the GG slushie but just fruitier, I think!

honestly it's probably my favorite smell in any Disney park! I don't like eating peppers, but I definitely love smelling them!

Haha that's so funny! I love spicy peppers but I don't like bell pepper. Kinda strange but I think I like things spicy vs sweet.

Loving the trip report! We stayed at Dolphin last fall during F &W and loved the location of the EPCOT area resorts. We easily did 3 parks in a day. Walked to HS & EPCOT, monorail to MK. Plus EPCOT is our fave Park (& Mulan is DS's fave princess)
So jealous you get 4 more trips this year and we won't go until next March

Thank you! I love the Swan/Dolphin, and am thinking about staying there later this year or next year. I have some Starwood points to use and I love how it's probably the only way I can stay on WDW property for free. LOL. I loved being so close to Epcot and DHS. When Star Wars Land opens you bet I'm going to be staying near DHS!

Just joining in. I just finished up your last report and really enjoyed It!

Thank you so much and welcome!!

Epcot looks lovely at this time of year. I do love the fruishi as well. Thanks for the info on the express bus, we have thought about it, however we usually go back to the resort between hops. I love your shirt, Belle is my favorite!

I love the thought of skipping bag check and ticket scanning with the express bus.

Thank you! The express bus was a nice treat, but yeah if you return to your resort often it might not be worth it. But for those who like to park hop, it is so worth it!

People mover is one of my faves, my daughter always says "mom do you want to do people mover next" lol!

It's such a good ride!! I don't know why more people don't think it's all that. But that's a good thing...no crowds on my peoplemover!

 

[Nhebron]

I'm having an idiot moment and can't figure out how to quote....but I will be in WDW for Wine and Dine 5k and would love to do a DISMeet. I think you will be there as well? It's a solo trip for me (no hubby or kiddo). Will be at beach club.

 

[Tracy161]

I think I will crawl into Haunted Mansion and pretend I'm a ghost.

I think this sounds like a great plan even on a cold day!

Epcot is just gorgeous at this time of year

Isn't it!? This is by far my favorite time to visit Epcot

I was so happy to be in my favorite park during Flower and Garden!

At Japan I got my favorite Frushi!

Yes! I loved this when I got it.

Help us, Mulan, you're our only hope!

It was drawn so that the images were skewed but when you take a picture of it, it gives the illusion they are 3-D and floating.

This is SO cool!!!

So we went on the ride any normal good DIS-er would go on when they don't have any FPs...The PeopleMover!

I approve!

 

[JessietheNCCowgirl]

Hi Su-Lynn, coming out of lurkdom to say I am loving your new trip report. I've read all of your past ones and enjoy reading about your experiences and restaurant/food reviews, your pictures and writing style are great too!

My daughter and I were at WDW over Easter and we did Tiana's Riverboat Party on Easter Sunday after reading about it on your last trip report. On Easter Sunday morning we were waiting in line to see Mr & Mrs Easter Bunny and were chatting with a girl behind us. We were telling each other about our plans for the rest of the day and I told her we were going to do the Riverboat party. She pulled out her phone and was showing us pictures of the party she went to and I was like oh my gosh, I've seen these pictures before, and then I remembered where. I asked her if she was in ChunkyMonkey's trip report and she said yes - so turns out I got to meet Betsy too!!

We saw her and chatted again later that day at POFQ, because we both had planned to meet the characters that were appearing there for Easter Sunday. Su-Lynn your trip report caused an indirect, unplanned Dismeet!

Betsy, if you're reading - it was so nice meeting you and talking with you! Maybe we'll run into each other again at WDW someday!

Su-Lynn, I have to laugh at your comment about the long walk from the farthest garden wing room at the Contemporary. My daughter and I stayed in a garden wing room for the first time in March and you aren't kidding, it was a loonnnng walk! It was all good though and I'd stay in the garden wing again.

You had an awesome view from your room at the Boardwalk, I think Boardwalk is my favorite Epcot resort (even with the creepy clown slide)!

Yummm - the onion tart and Le Vie en Rose in France... Those were a couple of my favorites from the F&G booths! I wanted to get the Frushi but we didn't make it there. Too much to eat and not enough time!

Your Mulan meet looked so much fun!

I'm going to have to try the Express Bus service for our trip in 3-weeks, sounds like it's totally worth the money!

Big fan of the Peoplemover here too, it's a 'must do' for us!

Looking forward to reading more and I'll try do better about replying instead of lurking.

 

[FSU Girl]

You updated much faster than I could read so I ended up reading your days backwards lol. It looked like a lot of fun. I drag my boyfriend to all the character meet and greets I think it's fun interacting with the characters. I'm going to have to try that onion tart, it looks delicious and I'm obsessed with onions. I'm excited to read about Ohana I got a reservation for when I go in August and have never been before.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I'm having an idiot moment and can't figure out how to quote....but I will be in WDW for Wine and Dine 5k and would love to do a DISMeet. I think you will be there as well? It's a solo trip for me (no hubby or kiddo). Will be at beach club.

Yes we are! That'll be so much fun. We're going from Oct 30-Nov 4 at the GF. I wasn't planning on doing the 5k but the dates were announced after we booked our trip and we happened to be there so why not? Although I may regret it later...hahaha. We should definitely meet up. I have some tentative plans. I'm going to get tickets for the MNSSHP on Nov 1st. Were you going to be there for that?

I think this sounds like a great plan even on a cold day!

It does, doesn't it?

Isn't it!? This is by far my favorite time to visit Epcot

I love those little colorful patches of color in the water. I think this is the only time of year they do this?

I approve!

Hi Su-Lynn, coming out of lurkdom to say I am loving your new trip report. I've read all of your past ones and enjoy reading about your experiences and restaurant/food reviews, your pictures and writing style are great too!

Thank you so much!!

My daughter and I were at WDW over Easter and we did Tiana's Riverboat Party on Easter Sunday after reading about it on your last trip report. On Easter Sunday morning we were waiting in line to see Mr & Mrs Easter Bunny and were chatting with a girl behind us. We were telling each other about our plans for the rest of the day and I told her we were going to do the Riverboat party. She pulled out her phone and was showing us pictures of the party she went to and I was like oh my gosh, I've seen these pictures before, and then I remembered where. I asked her if she was in ChunkyMonkey's trip report and she said yes - so turns out I got to meet Betsy too!!

OMG that's so funny. Betsy was telling me about the Disboarder she met that knew her from my trip report! I was wondering who it was but I don't think she got your name. Thanks for coming out of lurkdom! That is awesome and shows what a small world it is, especially within the Disboards.

We saw her and chatted again later that day at POFQ, because we both had planned to meet the characters that were appearing there for Easter Sunday. Su-Lynn your trip report caused an indirect, unplanned Dismeet!

Yay that's so cool!! I'm glad you had a chance to to meet Betsy, she's really cool and she knows all the ins and outs of Disney.
BTW, did you enjoy the Riverboat party?

You had an awesome view from your room at the Boardwalk, I think Boardwalk is my favorite Epcot resort (even with the creepy clown slide)!

It's a great resort. I really loved it as well as the location.

Yummm - the onion tart and Le Vie en Rose in France... Those were a couple of my favorites from the F&G booths! I wanted to get the Frushi but we didn't make it there. Too much to eat and not enough time!

Yum, I'm going to have to get another La Vie En Rose next weekend!

Your Mulan meet looked so much fun!

She was so cute, and so talkative. Sometimes I don't know what to say to face characters but at least this time I had a mission.

I'm going to have to try the Express Bus service for our trip in 3-weeks, sounds like it's totally worth the money!

If you like park hopping, then definitely go for it. It is a life changer. I could do 4 parks in one day...heck I could even do all 4 parks multiple times if all I did was take express bus. It was always on time, we never waited. Buses were usually empty (I counted 5 people at most on a bus), and no bag check and waiting in another line to scan a band. That's a luxury worth 29 dollars to me!

Big fan of the Peoplemover here too, it's a 'must do' for us!

I love it! I'm not spending that much time in MK next weekend but I think a trip on the Peoplemover is mandatory.

Looking forward to reading more and I'll try do better about replying instead of lurking.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting! It really means a lot to me when people say hi!!

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

First thing I noticed as we walked out of Boardwalk was that it was warm...like very warm. It was forecast to hit 89 that day. I was already breaking a sweat walking down the Boardwalk and it was barely 10am.

This is the only thing that makes me not want to do a May or summer trip...it was so hot (other than like 1 day) when I was there in December and summer is so much worse. I live in South Texas so it's not like I am not used to heat but the humidity is worse in Orlando! And spending all day sweating my butt off doesn't sound too fun. My boyfriend is a teacher though and can't take off during off season and it won't be as easy to take my son out of school with him getting older so I have a feeling a summer trip is on the horizon for me

In this pic you can see the red in my hair a bit better.

It looks really pretty!!!

When we crossed over the bridge and into Epcot, there was no line for bag check, and the park was empty. Another point for early May!

Ok now, this might make that heat worth it

We stopped for this pic on the bridge:

This is one of my favorite pictures to get in WS!

That is sooooooo beautiful!!

It's pretty cool how in the PP pics they put you in the topiary setting instead of just standing in front of it.

That is super cool...I love that!

Glad you had fun with Mulan! We had a good meet with her too..she talked to my son about fighting in the Chinese army and how he looked like a great warrior. And she told us Mushu was off annoying her ancestors somewhere She was really fun!

This chili pepper garden has always been DH's favorite. He likes it spicy!

I love this! I love that they put the Three Caballeros with the pepper garden...seems appropriate!

As we were leaving Mexico we saw that Donald was meeting so we got in a short line. Hola Donald!

Mexican Donald is my favorite Donald! Maybe I have an affinity for him because I am Mexican...but he looks so cute in his poncho and sombrero!

That is such a cool picture! That's so neat how they did that!

When the bus was here we were escorted out to the backstage area where the bus was waiting. There are no pictures allowed here though. But basically we boarded a completely empty bus, waited a few minutes for any last minute stragglers, and then headed on to MK! At MK, the bus lets you off behind Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland, and then a CM meets the bus backstage, escorts us into MK, and that was it. EASY PEASY. No bag check, not waiting to scan your band/ticket. Quickest park hop ever! Now I'm spoiled. This is the REAL Magical Express! I really do hope they keep Express Bus around for a long time because I am a fan.

Wow, I really hope they have this next time we go. That definitely sounds like it's worth the extra money!

I don't think DH knows why I love this ride so much. It's just so awesome. It's like getting a tour of Tomorrowland and experiencing Space Mountain without actually having to ride it!

I agree...People Mover is one of my most loved attractions at MK. Besides being a "classic" it's just so relaxing and hardly ever has a wait. I love taking pictures of Tomorrowland from up there

 

[chs27]

I love your trip reports! We're staying at the Boardwalk this October, wanted the Beach club but it was booked already.

 

[cajunfan]

I can't wait for O'hana food porn!!

 

[KathyM2]

Trying to get caught up around here!!

May 18-21st for the Pandora Annual Passholder preview.

I am so excited for you about this. Also I can not imagine going back again so soon!! How weird that you are home for such a short time between trips. Really just enough to try to catch up on work and do some laundry and repack lol.

He leaves all the planning to me and basically just hops on the plane and says, where's our itinerary? What a life

Wouldn't that be nice? Sometimes I wish someone would do that for me for a vacation, but then, who am I kidding, I'm such a control freak it would bug me to not be involved in the planning.

But maybe I just don’t look like I belong in first class.

Hilarious. Though you really can't tell who belongs anywhere these days lol. I remember once I got a free upgrade with air miles when my son was a baby. You could see the rest of the first class patrons were NOT happy to see me sitting up there lol. Thankfully he was quiet for most of that flight lol.

but it's more fun when you're actually in the picture so it looks like you're flying!

Those are really cool pictures!! They do look 3D!!!

What a fun trip you had!! It's fun to re-live it all while writing your TR too lol

 

[belle0517]

Following along!

 

[iona]

Right that's it - we're definitely buying the Express Bus pass - Disney should give you commission!

Really enjoying your report so far, we've been for F&W but not F&G - it looks beautiful.

 

[xlsm]

We designed a sporty little contraption that looked like a flattened bug.

I think it's cute!

Here's our ride picture!

So enthusiastic!! I love it!!

I thought this photo was so fun...the pp photographer who took my picture with it kind of acted like I was wasting his time...Actually, several photopass photographers were kind of weird about me having a picture made alone

Quickest park hop ever! Now I'm spoiled. This is the REAL Magical Express!

I love hearing this! I really wish I toured in a way that made using these buses make sense because it is SO CONVENIENT!!

It's too bad we didn't get to meet this Gaston as he looked like Zac Efron.

Boo! I'm sad I didn't get to meet Zac Efron Gaston, too, LOL!!

The PeopleMover!

People Mover

It's the best.

 

[JessietheNCCowgirl]

Yay that's so cool!! I'm glad you had a chance to to meet Betsy, she's really cool and she knows all the ins and outs of Disney.
BTW, did you enjoy the Riverboat party?

Yes, Betsy definitely knows the ins and outs of Disney! We did enjoy the party, I thought it was worth the price (although I wouldn't do it again anytime soon). It was great for the busy Easter Sunday - not having to stake out an early spot for the parade, being in the shade on the boat and all-you-can-eat Mickey bars! It wasn't the greatest view of the parade, but if you've seen the parade before, I thought it was unique seeing it from a different perspective. The interaction with Tiana and Naveen was also fun in that setting.
Oh, and we wore our "admission" stickers on our backs, thanks to your advice in your TR!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hi Su-Lynn! So happy to see you enjoying your May trip. Can't wait to hear the rest...

My husband and I have flown first class a couple times and it's sooooo much better than cramped couch.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 1 Part 4: 'Ohana Means Family (and stuffing yourself)

We left MK and took the monorail to the Poly and checked in for 'Ohana. I absolutely love the Polynesian. Hawaii is our other favorite vacation destination (when we're not in WDW, haha), so listening to the Hawaiian music and waterfall in the background is very relaxing and comforting for us. We happened to be right on time for our 4:10pm reservation. They gave us a pager and I went to walk around a bit but of course the minute I walk 10 yards the buzzer goes off. We were shown to our table by our "Cousin" who also picked up bread from the kitchen.

Here was our lovely view from our table:

\

I cannot wait to stay here in August!

Also, the bread, which was never my favorite part of this meal, I think has greatly improved. It's softer, and less crumbly.

‘Ohana Pineapple-Coconut Bread

We got our drink orders - I always get an iced tea and DH gets diet coke. I was in dire need of some phone charging at that time so DH found an outlet behind him and charged our phones. I had a portable battery but I couldn't find it on the trip. I could have sworn I packed it in my carry on. But when I got to work the day after we got back, I saw it hanging from my computer USD port. I was charging it and forgot to bring it! Haha. I will not forget next time!

A nice green salad. It tasted better than I remember it. I know it has changed within the last few years. I preferred the previous version of the salad, but this one was better than what I had last year.

Mixed Greens Salad with a Lilikoi dressing

Next up was the combo platter with the appetizers and sides. Potstickers, noodles, vegetables, and wings.

Pork Dumplings tossed in Garlic-Ginger Sauce served with Peanut and Sweet-n-Sour Sauces

Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings served with Peanut and Sweet-n-Sour Sauces

Noodles, tossed in a Teriyaki Sauce with Fresh Vegetables

Stir-fried Vegetables

They started to come around with the skewers. There was chicken, beef, and shrimp. Usually every year one skewer is better than others. I usually go for the shrimp, but this year, the shrimp had a really strong smoky flavor that I wasn’t too keen on. It overpowered the shrimp and all I could taste was charcoal. It’s too bad as I usually eat many shrimp. This year though, the chicken was the standout, which was surprising since it’s usually just ok for me. It was just very tender and juicy. The beef was also tender but I am partial to certain cuts of beef more so than others, but I had a piece and it was pretty good.

DH on the other hand did not mind the smoky shrimp so he kept eating it and they kept bringing him more!

The only thing I got seconds of was chicken.

Here are the dipping sauces. I normally don’t use these, but I started to take a dab here and there and discovered I like them a lot more than I used to. Maybe my tastes are changing as I get older?

Boy were we full. We ate almost all the sides, think we only had some noodles left on the plate. I really like the potstickers and noodles.

Our server was very nice, and she came around with pitchers of diet coke and ice tea to refill our cups, but she poured iced tea into DH’s diet coke and diet coke into my iced tea. Hahaha. They had switched the pitchers on her in the back she said. I normally won’t think it’s a big deal but I am allergic to artificial sweetener so I wouldn’t have been able to drink it anyways. I get bad migraines when I even have a little bit of Equal, Splenda, or Sweet n Low. I also hate the taste of stevia so just natural sugars for me, thank you. Our server just brought out brand new cups and poured the right drinks into them.

We had to save some room for dessert, of course. No matter how full you are, I cannot tell you how many times we’ve polished off this dessert. My sisters cannot want to dig into this again. It was their favorite thing they ate on our sisters trip in 2011. Since we’ll all be back in August at the Poly, they can have this any time at the Tambu Lounge. Yay!

‘Ohana Bread Pudding à la mode with Bananas-Caramel Sauce

Hello glorious banana foster bread pudding! I don't even need the banana sauce on the bread pudding. I just eat some of the banana chunks in it.

With our TIW card, we saved 20% on dinner which was great. Boy, we were stuffed! We had to literally be rolled out of there. It was time to head back to MK to catch our FP+ for BTMRR.

Stay tuned for more DISMeets and we watch Wishes for the last time!​

 

[iona]

That looks like a great meal at 'Ohana. Our last visit there was disappointing so we haven't been back for a few years, maybe we'll have to give it another go.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Holy cow, Su-Lynn, you're an updating machine!

When we crossed over the bridge and into Epcot, there was no line for bag check, and the park was empty. Another point for early May!

I LOVED visiting in early May! Between the Flower and Garden beauty and the lower crowds, I'd be thrilled to go during that time of year again!

I was so happy to be in my favorite park during Flower and Garden!

Yes! I tried both the shrimp and grits and the La Vie En Rose slush when I was there last May and loved both. I didn't get a chance to try the Frushi as unfortunately I was eating from the booths by myself and my stomach has limits. I need to go back one day as there are more things I'd love to try!

it's more fun when you're actually in the picture so it looks like you're flying!

Those are AWESOME! What great pictures!

(And what an odd comparison when compared to the picture with no people!)

EASY PEASY. No bag check, not waiting to scan your band/ticket. Quickest park hop ever! Now I'm spoiled. This is the REAL Magical Express!

This sounds great! I will definitely have to look into this if the service is still running and I have direct park to park plans on a future trip!

Here was our lovely view from our table:

I think Anika and I sat at that table (or darn close to it!) on our 2013 trip! It is a great view!