Girls Trip Take 2 - Labor Day Weekend 2021, Christmas 2021 and July 2024 Trips

[vamassey1]

After we had our fill of sweets we made our way over to the viewing area. The castle was lit up for Christmas. It was cool but I still miss the icicle lights we saw in 2019.

The area was not too crowded so we had room to spread out and enjoy the hub grass. This was so much better than the last time I did a party in 2023. The viewing area was vey crowded. Please if anyone goes let me know if they are still filling the area too full.


We did enjoy the show but we did have a view obstructed by some lights. This was the only time I really watched Enchantment and it is was okay. It didn't make a huge impression on me and I honestly can't tell you any details of it. It wasn't bad just not up there with HEA or Wishes.




We made our way out with everyone else after it was done. I took another photo of the tree lit up with lights and we saw the Electrical Water Pageant in the distance as we made our way to the busses. I love catching this as we are leaving. I think the first time we caught this was in 2002 on Danielle's first trip.




This was a great first day of vacation and wonderful day spent with Danielle.

Up next is Hollywood Studios and the best Disney Christmas Decorations.

 

[pkondz]

We arrived back at the MK around 3:15 or so. We didn't have much time before our 3:45 ADR @ Tony's so we got moving.

Pitter patter, better get at 'er.

I did grab a photo of Lady & the Tramp as we headed down Main Street.

Fitting.

I was in MK at least a couple times when it was still there... and never rode it.
If only I'd known.

I know this place has gotten a bad rap but we have always liked it.

It has, in the past. I don't know that it still does? In any event, I like it too! I've been a few times.

We're also the family that likes Olive Garden too.

Okay... me... not so much. I love the salad... but that's about it.

We were seated in the light airy room right before the outside area. This was our first time sitting there, we had always been seated in the darker inside eating area.

I've sat in both.

We all know how stingy Disney has gotten.

Really? Ya don't say.

Dennis got his favorite Italian and go to dish the Chicken Parmigiana.

I've not had that there. Did he like it?

We did use Danielle's CP discount for 20% off our meal.

Since we needed to walk off our meal to make room for the Dessert Party we headed to Swiss Family Robinson.

All those stairs... that'll do it alright!

I really do like the movie too.

I watched it again not too long ago.

Aww... what a nice picture of you both.

Is Swisskapolka stuck in your head now? It is in mine.

Nope.
I've forgotten it... guess I'll have to watch... again!

Cute pic of Danielle.

And a very nice one of you two.

Dennis and the kids love the Frontierland Shooting Arcade.

Wait... this is still there?!?!? I had no idea! I remember wanting to do it... oh, geez... decades ago... and thought it was long gone!

Danielle looks like an ol' pro with her knee up like that.

Peter Pan's Flight. I love this ride!

One of the best rides on property.

There was a smaller food selection set up with drinks too and we were encouraged to use this set up and not the larger one. I think this was to help keep the lines from being too long and people sharing germs.

Huh. Interesting tactic.

We didn't do the party for the treats but for the reserved area to see the show.

Awww...

Annnnnd... she's up for the show!

Really cute shot of you all.

It wasn't bad just not up there with HEA or Wishes.

Nothing is up there with Wishes.

we saw the Electrical Water Pageant in the distance as we made our way to the busses.

This was a great first day of vacation and wonderful day spent with Danielle.

So glad it was such a great day!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

What a great day! Your photos are fabulous. The views from Swiss Robinson Family treehouse are gorgeous. We have done that climb a few times over the years but not recently. Your photos make me want to climb those stairs again

 

[amazingact21]

I agree with you about Tony's. We ate there last summer and thought it was pretty good. With the way people talk about it, we weren't expecting much but were pleasantly surprised.

Sounds like you had a nice evening in between reservations. Glad you could mark off another trip to-do when you saw Philarmagic.

They really do cram people into the viewing area now! It's gotten so much busier since they brought it back. I think that's why Alex was okay skipping it this trip. Definitely miss the savory options, too.

 

[jrmint427]

I am late and going to take a little while to catch up, but I'm following along!

Our Drama was named Ida and she had Baton Rouge in her cone of uncertainty.

Oh no! Storms messed with our plans on some trips too - one year it was Imelda and we were trying to outrun her by getting well into Louisiana.

It didn't take long until we saw this. IFYKYK

IK!! Always a welcome sight on a road trip to WDW.

 

[disneyAndi14]

What a fun day. Tony's is a favorite of ours now with the FoF viewing and the yummy new bread! No free bread anymore!
We did a dessert party in 2022 for Enchantment! It was okay, we did the after the fireworks option.

The dessert options and little to no savory items now is a bummer!

 

[cheryllarsen]

Everybody in my family and extended family enjoys Disney except the younger husbands.

 

[cheryllarsen]

Thanks so much for sharing. I enjoyed reading your trip report.

 

[vamassey1]

I was in MK at least a couple times when it was still there... and never rode it.
If only I'd known.

I only visited MK one time before it closed. I was in High School and had no idea what I was missing by not doing it.

Okay... me... not so much. I love the salad... but that's about it.

I like the salad too. I'm just ok with everything else, but Dennis loves it and believe it or not he doesn't get the parmigiana. He likes the Carbonara.

Really? Ya don't say.

Imagine that!

I've not had that there. Did he like it?

Yes he did.

Aww... what a nice picture of you both.

Thank you!

Nope.
I've forgotten it... guess I'll have to watch... again!

I'm sure it will come right back to you.

Cute pic of Danielle.

I think to too.

And a very nice one of you two.

Thank you!

Wait... this is still there?!?!? I had no idea! I remember wanting to do it... oh, geez... decades ago... and thought it was long gone!

You need to get back there and play.

Danielle looks like an ol' pro with her knee up like that.

She really does think she is a pro.

One of the best rides on property.

Absolutely!

Really cute shot of you all.

Thank you! Danielle is much better at taking the selfie shots.

Nothing is up there with Wishes.

So true!

So glad it was such a great day!

Thanks, it really was a great start to our trip.

 

[vamassey1]

What a great day! Your photos are fabulous.

Thank you!

The views from Swiss Robinson Family treehouse are gorgeous. We have done that climb a few times over the years but not recently. Your photos make me want to climb those stairs again

You need to show your grandkids that view and take some photos.

 

[vamassey1]

I agree with you about Tony's. We ate there last summer and thought it was pretty good. With the way people talk about it, we weren't expecting much but were pleasantly surprised.

It's really not bad. We've enjoyed our trips here.

Sounds like you had a nice evening in between reservations. Glad you could mark off another trip to-do when you saw Philarmagic.

It was really great we marked off so much of our list. How many times do you go to Disney and not even come close to marking stuff off your list? We all know you can't do it all but when you make a short list is great to actually get most of it done.

They really do cram people into the viewing area now! It's gotten so much busier since they brought it back. I think that's why Alex was okay skipping it this trip. Definitely miss the savory options, too.

We were way to packed in last year when we did the party for the return of HEA. I ended up next to a bush and had a ton of bug bites.

 

[vamassey1]

I am late and going to take a little while to catch up, but I'm following along!

So happy to have you here. You're never too late, since I move way too slow.

Oh no! Storms messed with our plans on some trips too - one year it was Imelda and we were trying to outrun her by getting well into Louisiana.

Oh no! Were you coming from Texas?

IK!! Always a welcome sight on a road trip to WDW.

Yes it is!!!

 

[vamassey1]

What a fun day. Tony's is a favorite of ours now with the FoF viewing and the yummy new bread!

I want to try Tony's for the FoF viewing one day after reading about it in your report.

The dessert options and little to no savory items now is a bummer!

It's a major bummer. Now that I have seen the fireworks in the viewing area I don't need to do another party until the improve the food and lessen the crowd.

 

[vamassey1]

Everybody in my family and extended family enjoys Disney except the younger husbands.

It's really hard with the husbands don't like Disney like we do. I have learned to take trips with my girls or friends when DH doesn't want to come.

Thanks so much for sharing. I enjoyed reading your trip report.

Thank you for reading along with us.

 

[pkondz]

I only visited MK one time before it closed. I was in High School and had no idea what I was missing by not doing it.

Yup.

I like the salad too. I'm just ok with everything else, but Dennis loves it and believe it or not he doesn't get the parmigiana. He likes the Carbonara.

I’m surprised!

You need to get back there and play.

She really does think she is a pro.

Is she a good shot?

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

You need to show your grandkids that view and take some photos.

Hopefully one day I will get to do just that

 

[vamassey1]

You better hurry. I saw a rumor today that they will be shutting it down to make it a DVC Lounge.

Is she a good shot?

I guess so.

Hopefully one day I will get to do just that

I'm crossing my fingers for you too!

 

[pkondz]

You better hurry. I saw a rumor today that they will be shutting it down to make it a DVC Lounge.

Nooooo!

 

[jrmint427]

I enjoyed my stay at Club Wyndam. The condo had so much space compared to a hotel room. The only real downside was not being able to use the Disney transportation.

Still behind but I am getting there I'm enjoying all the pictures! We stayed at Wyndham in 2022 and also really liked it, with the exception of lack of transportation. We had our car so we drove each day, but it's just not the same as staying in the Disney bubble.

We booked Wilderness Lodge! It will be our first stay there and I'm so excited! This is a dream resort for me.

WL is my favorite! I'll get there, but did you get to check out the train room? I would love to stay there again some day.

Oh no! Were you coming from Texas?

Yes! We were coming from TX when we were trying to out-run Imelda.

 

[jrmint427]

All joking aside, when you sign up for the College Program you sign up to do the jobs that Disney needs you to do. Lots of young adults get great jobs with Disney but lots also get the not so great ones. You're doing the program to learn from one of the best customer service programs and you're going there to work, not just have fun. You also have the opportunity to work you way up. Most CMs don't start with the job they want but if they stick it out they can end up with the job they want.

How long did Danielle work at this location / how many jobs has she moved around to? Was she always at the same location for a particular assignment? It's great that they offer the ability to move around.

We waiting about 25 minutes to ride but sadly our ride photo did not come out. I'm guessing someone didn't have their mask on. Disney was deleting ride photos if everyone didn't have their masks on back then.

I didn't know that! That's really interesting. I'm sure that was difficult to enforce at the time.

We made our way back to the beginning of WS and picked a spot to watch Epcot Forever. Danielle had been raving about it. She loved it for all the nostalgia of the old Epcot attractions. She also heard it every night while working so she knew it by heart.

That sounds like a major perk for her role!

We were still under COVID protocols so the tables were spaced apart. The character were there but not allowed to take photos with us, they stood behind us and at a distance.

It's so interesting to be reading about the Covid protocols. We went in June 2022 but I don't think any protocols were in place by then, just a lot of things not fully back yet. How did the enforce this? I can imagine it was difficult to keep kids from running up to the characters when they're that close.

I had the Fruit Plate with Honey Yogurt, Seed Granola & Toasted Sunflower Butter. I added a side of waffles.

I miss when Topolino's let you order a side dish! That is a beautiful plate.