** Happy Birthday to Me (March '21) and Happy HS Graduation to Her (May/June '21 PTR) [5/8 update]

[luvpoohandcompany]

Loving all the trip details and updates. So glad to have found your report

 

[kittylady1972]

Loving all the trip details and updates. So glad to have found your report

Thanks! Glad to have you here!

 

[kittylady1972]

Happy Birthday to Me Day 3: Home Again!

So Thursday was going to be an early day for us. Here was my plan:
Thursday: Early morning breakfast at Ale and Compass...maybe. Head to Universal again for 9am opening. Hang until around 2pm then head to Disney Springs for lunch at Wine Bar George. From there, head over to HS for a quick trip to Oga's Cantina. Then hop over to EPCOT to maybe check out the F&G booths for dessert OR leave around 8pm for a late reservation at Trattoria al Forno for dessert instead.

I debated cancelling breakfast...but decided to keep it and it was for 7:10am. We had a park pass for HS so the plan was try to get RotR of course. So we were up early and I drove over to Yacht Club...and I was hoping to arrive before 7am so I could help DH try for a boarding group. I've had success our last two trips. Instead he had both of our phones and as we approached the gate to Yacht Club it was 7am...so as I was talking to the guard DH exclaimed..."got it" and then..."nevermind". He spoke too soon and wasn't fast enough. Mission failed.

We were checked in and seated pretty quickly. The restaurant was pretty empty...but eventually we had a few other tables of people. I couldn't decide between:
Blueberry-Bacon Pancakes
with choice of Sausage, Bacon, or fresh Fruit


Salted Caramel-Apple French Toast
with choice of Sausage, Bacon, or fresh Fruit

and did select pancakes.


They were good but there were some huge chunks of bacon. DH chose:

Country Ham and Cheddar Omelet
with Arugula and Seasonal Fruit. (Egg Whites and additional toppings available upon request.)



We both wanted to try each other's food...so this is what I ended up with:


This was all delicious and the service was great also. Once finished we headed back to our room...and I snapped this photo from the balcony:



We then hopped on the monorail to head over to HS, which from here of course is a 2 stop...you go to the main Skyliner "hub" and then have to exit and get back in line for the HS line.


When we got to the hub and saw the line...we changed our minds...it was a long line. It was around 8:15 and the park opened at 9am. We figured we'd try an alternative...and this is where it got crazy and we got to experience a lot of Disney transportation all at once. We rode back to our resort...but of course the EPCOT line wasn't running yet since it didn't open until 11am. Then we figured we'd hop on a bus instead...only they don't run buses to HS or EP that early...when the Skyliner is running. So I decided we could go to MK instead, head to the Contemporary, and catch a bus to HS. So hopped the bus...and once at MK we hopped the monorail over the Contemporary. We did some quick looking in the store there first. I tried on some ears...trying to convince my daughter she needs them for her trip but I don't think that will happen:

..then went downstairs to catch the bus to HS. There was pretty much no line for that and bus had just arrived when we got there too. It was now around 9:45am and we were walking in HS around 10am, so an hour or so after park opening.

When we got inside the park, we checked out the lines for RnRC and ToT but they were pretty long. So we chose to head to TSMM instead. That line stretched to the OLD entrance of the ride...but it showed about 20 minutes I think and it did move very quickly.



Of course DH beat me, he always does, but he didn't get best in our car...so he wasn't happy. We got off the ride and realized we were a bit hungry...but when checked the food options here we realized...there wasn't anything we really wanted there. I decided to check options at CBR instead...and their market had some good options so we hopped on the Skyliner over there.


It's a little walk from the Skyliner station over to the Centertown Market but it was such a nice day. I had placed our order from the Skyliner...and as we got closer to Centertown Market I selected we were there...even though we were still searching for where to go.

DH got this:
Fish Tacos
Three Fish Tacos topped with Pickled Vegetable Slaw, Cilantro Lime Crema, Cotija Cheese, and a side of Pico de Gallo with a Lime, served with choice of Side

And I selected this from the kids menu:
Chicken Bowl
Jerk Chicken served over Beans and Rice with Cilantro-Lime Tofu Crema served with a House Side Salad with choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI® Bottled Water. Meets Disney Nutrition Guidelines for Complete Meals without substitutions

Lunch was delicious and such a nice easy place to stop from HS.




After lunch, our plan was to head back to HS just to try for a RoTR boarding pass.




We arrived at the gates close to 12:30pm or so, walked in and headed over to get some ice cream. As much as I love love love ice cream...this portion I got from the funnel cake stand near Indiana Jones was way too small...and I asked for a cup instead of a cone and it was melting fast. We grabbed a table and as we were sitting there one of the Disney Junior cavalcades went by us.

At just before 1pm I was ready to try for RoTR and at just after 1pm I had a boarding group for us. It estimated our return time around 80 minutes so we decided it was good time to take a break and head back to our resort for some pool time...so that's what we did.

 

[kittylady1972]

Happy Birthday to Me Day 3: Home Again!

So we changed into our bathing suits and hit the pool for a while, finding some chairs to chill out.





We sat out there for maybe about an hour. We got notice that our boarding group was called but the plan was to arrive towards the end of our window. Somehow DH doubted that we'd make it...but I think we were back through the gates about 15 minutes before our boarding group time would end. Plenty of time we headed towards Galaxy's Edge...and encounterwd a line that stretched OUTSIDE of the GE entrance. A few people got in line anticipating by the time they got near the actual entrance their boarding group would be called but the line did move quickly much like many of the socially extended lines. We moved at a decent pace through the line at first...and then once inside where it was dark and cold...things slowed down quite a bit.

WARNING: SPOILERS for those who haven't experienced RoTR. If you don't want me to ruin it, skip the rest of this!



Now I will say this was our 3rd time on this ride...August, November and now...all post COVID. The line has always been a walk through for us. Not this time.

We seemed to stall quite often...not only in line but also in the ride. We entered here of course...and then we ended up stuck inside of this for quite some time.




When the doors finally opened...we were still stuck inside but could watch other bored people and no longer had to listen to our "captain" tell us over and over how sorry he was about the problems.



Eventually we started moving again...yay for extra time with Stormtroopers.


I do enjoy this ride...but not enough to wait another almost 2 hours to experience it. It's okay but not a favorite but I'm not a mega Star Wars junkie and didn't see one of the movies in the theaters 57 times like my husband...or something insane like that.

When we were done we had some time to kill I think before our reservation at Oga's. Having no clue about any of the food choices within GE, we did find something...so here's what we ended up with at Docking Bay 7:



DH got the Ronto Wrap which he seemd to like and some kind of special non-alcoholic drink. My kids meal selection is on the right:
Takodana Veggie Dippers Youngling Meal
Black Bean Hummus, Edible Soil with Nuts, Chilled Dipping Vegetables, and Multigrain Crisps with a side of ‘Ranch’ dressing served with choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI® Water. Meets Disney Nutrition Guidelines for Complete Meals without substitutions


This was actually pretty tasty, I did enjoy the hummus and edible soil and the dippers. It was perfect. Soon after it was time for our reservation at Oga's so we checked in and soon got our seats...at the bar!



We decided we had to try even more SPACE food here...so we got this:


Happabore Sampler
Cured and Roasted Meats, Cheese, Pork Cracklings

I think we ate every WEIRD thing except the cracklings...no thank you. It was...interesting to say the least. We also got two rounds of drinks. Here is the first one:


Obviously mine is some kind of mixed concoction and DH got a space beer of some kind. He then had to go on Untapped and post it there. If any of you have beer drinkers you know what I'm talking about...if not count yourself lucky.

We enjoyed these and the bartender was also just fun. DH decided we should each get one more round before leaving. I told the bartender I was torn between two items and he could choose for me. So what did I get?

 

[kittylady1972]

Happy Birthday to Me Day 3: Home Again!

So we were still at Oga's, and the bartender selected a drink for me and served it:


Ok I should post the video of me trying to drink this...let's see here you go try the link below:
Drinking at Ogas

This was pretty good...but it was odd to watch it SHAKE as it sat on the table the entire time. So I had to drink it fast of course.

Honestly I'm not sure why these are considered alcohol..two drinks and I was feeling nothing...but soon we were done and on our way out. BYE Cantina!


It was close to park closing time so we decided to try to ride Smuggler's Run which we nearly walked onto...maybe waited 20 minutes?

Then park was closing...time to see how my new cell phone does with photos...one of the reasons I purchased it was for the camera quality especially in low light. It didn't disappoint:


Similar photo taken with DH's new phone:


Now the park was closed...so what else could we do. I made a mistake thinking it was open until 8pm but it was only open until 7pm. There would be no more rides here...and so we would continue to make bad choices. I think DH wanted to go home but I looked at the line for the Skyliner and said...nevermind let's hop a bus...Magic Kingdom is open until 10pm after all!

Pretty sure you can all understand why my husband calls these trips "Death Marches" ...but then why is he upset when he isn't invited?

Bus arrived pretty quickly and soon we were walking through to this sight:


And of course when you walk through the entrance you turn around and find these guys and have to take photos:



AH! I'm home again! Selfie!


We headed off to our first ride:


The line snaked around outside...and was posted about 30 minutes and I think it took around that long. We were off the ride and we still had about an hour or maybe a little less to go. We headed over to ride Haunted Mansion, moving past Peter Pan which was showing some kind of crazy wait (like 40 minutes) but there was clearly nobody in line. HM showed 5 minutes and yes we walked right onto it. When we got off, we had a few minutes to spare until park closing...so we hopped in line and finished the evening with a flight over Neverland. Then we headed out.

I loved seeing this floating by as we approached the bus stop:


I took some video and this snapshot with it quickly...but it's not the same without the music to go along with it. I guess that would draw crowds though. It's still a favorite.

I was feeling a bit snackie when we got back to our resort, so we stopped in the small gift shop at our resort and I picked up an individual bag of microwave popcorn. It wasn't true DISNEY popcorn (my fave) but it would do in a pinch. We headed back to the room to shower and get ready for bed, settling down with another movie that I can't recall. Oh and then I had to have my other snack:


While this looks adorable...I'm not as thrilled with the taste but I guess I'm not a huge fan of fondant. Still snack consumed it was time for bed, end of an amazing Disney day and ready for our FINAL full Disney day...ALREADY??!!

 

[kittylady1972]

So there will be no Disney next month...okay maybe just a LITTLE bit Disney?

First of all...I am crazy. All I can say is it's a good thing they aren't offering Disney APs yet or we would be in trouble. However we now have an AP for those other parks. And we have a lot of flight miles also.

There was recently a SWA offer to book with discounted points...for April travel...so of course I was curious. What if we just went to Florida for the day? Ok maybe if we did one night? Ok so like TWO days with an overnight? Ok are there DVC rooms available so we can stay for free? Ok they are saying rental car rates are crazy right now...what will that cost? Hmm...ok.

Work has been crazy for both of us, more DH than myself. He almost has to escape to get away from work. He was in on this from the beginning. He is an enabler to my crazy.

So last night he got into his SWA account, which has ridiculous amounts of points, and booked our two RT flights for April for about 15K points total.

I'm holding off on the resort...we have a few options...cheapest points (and closest really to Universal parks) would be Old Key West and Saratoga. However Polynesian, AK and GFR all have rooms too for a little more points. If we did GFR it would be easy to have breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe...a favorite. If we did Poly...well just love the Poly. We haven't stayed at OKW in several years. SSR would be close to Disney Springs and then we could do Wine Bar George again. Thing is we have many options. I'm going to wait a bit for that and just see what happens.

I booked the rental car though so at least that is set along with flights. My daughter asked who would be taking us to the airport at 5am on a Monday? We know my FIL who lives very close to us would be up probably at 4am anyway. Then my youngest son chimed in that he would do it...the kid who is about to take his driver's exam in a WEEK and become our 5th licensed driver in our house. We shall see what works out there.

Part of me would love to consider a stay at one of the Universal resorts to get the Express Passes but honestly we never feel a compelling need to do it all when there. I think I'd be happy to return to hang out at a Disney Resort after a few hours at the Universal parks.

 

[kittylady1972]

GIRLS GRADUATION TRIP UPDATE

So I have plans to purchase our park tickets this week...figuring that would give me time to reserve our parks for our trip. Then this weekend I realized...we are too late. For the week that we are there, HS park is not available ANY of our dates.

WHAT?

However the entirety of Memorial Day weekend it is still available. That seems odd. What it means is there will be no Rise of the Resistance for us, but really I'm fine with that. I don't think that's a big draw for our travel party. However I would have like to get to the park early one day just to get through a few rides with little wait time. I guess now we'll just have to try to take advantage of the last few hours of the park to do that.

So I actually have a park reservation for HS for my daughter since she has a valid park ticket right now. Guess I'll have to cancel that so she doesn't have to go to the park alone.

We'll figure things out I'm sure. Still waiting to see if some other friends will be coming for that timeframe, though they are talking of coming down on Friday and leaving on Wednesday. Rearranging this trip shouldn't be too difficult since I've been planning Disney trips to the letter for many years. Old habits are still there.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

You did so well at HS and I laughed at how nervous you were to drink your shaking cocktail especially when you asked if it would hurt Mind you I think I’d be nervous too! Not quite sure how they make it shake but it’s pretty cool.
I love your photos with the new phone! They’ve come out really well. Amazing detail!
Ending the day at MK was inspired. I actually sighed out loud when I saw your castle photo.
What a great day altogether

Also looking forward to seeing how all your future trips pan out. Exciting times ahead for you

 

[kittylady1972]

You did so well at HS and I laughed at how nervous you were to drink your shaking cocktail especially when you asked if it would hurt Mind you I think I’d be nervous too! Not quite sure how they make it shake but it’s pretty cool.
I love your photos with the new phone! They’ve come out really well. Amazing detail!
Ending the day at MK was inspired. I actually sighed out loud when I saw your castle photo.
What a great day altogether

Also looking forward to seeing how all your future trips pan out. Exciting times ahead for you

Thanks so much for the TR love here. Sometimes I feel like I'm writing for nothing which isn't always a bad thing I guess. Just feeling a bit blah right now so it was nice to have a response here to read.

Glad you liked the photos...I'm really happy with them and never realized how bad my old phone did in low light until I saw these.

Yes it's just so great to see the castle each and every time isn't it? I really am hoping you get to return soon too.

Our April trip will be nice, though focused mostly on Universal we'll sprinkle in some Disney as well. Still haven't decided on a resort. I still have a few weeks to figure that out.

 

[kittylady1972]

WARNING: Person rant/vent

So yesterday was just a rough evening that has me in some kind of emotional funk right now. I can't explain it. My mom suffered from depression several times in her final years, a lot I think had to do with her cancer treatments. Cancer survivors just face some very tough mental challenges that I don't think anyone can understand until you have been in our shoes. There is this constant thought of what next and not IF but WHEN will the next diagnosis happen. I'm coming up on my the 4 year anniversary of my diagnosis but I don't know if that is part of this. I think 2/3 of my kids yesterday just set me off at dinner and I'm having trouble resetting myself.

My oldest turned 21 yesterday, spent the day running around with my husband and daughter getting stuff for him...card, cake, gifts. Took him out to dinner and then made a comment as the waitress asked for drink orders to see if he wanted a "REAL" drink. This set him off (which mind you is NOT hard at all...this kid triggers very easily) and he had a little tirade about how he was NOT drinking and did I NOT hear him earlier about that and...well I don't even remember. Turned to my youngest son a bit later and wanted to point out a dish on the menu that he might like and he ALSO goes off on me how he HATES when people do that! Do what? Point out things on the menu he might like. W-T-F? Sorry...that was my thought. The rest of the evening my daughter and I, we were sitting across from each other, just look at each other several times with a look of...what is even going on? Clearly these two boys of mine...well let's just say they take more after their father where my daughter and I are more alike than anything and have a sensitivity to people that I don't think they get.

And now I'm sitting here crying typing this. What is wrong with me?

That set the rest of the evening off badly for everyone. When we came home, the plan was to do cake, let my son open cards/gifts, PLUS he had plans to go out an hour later with friends...to a bar for the first time. Yeah did you catch that? The kid that just spent earlier yelling at me for mentioning him wanting a drink.

I was DONE at this point. Not willing to give in anymore and try to please ANYBODY. Let me tell you the level of uncomfortable at my house when we got home was VERY strong. They asked if I wanted to do cake and stuff...and I told them they could do whatever they wanted. I decided to go about my regular business at home, doing some laundry, retreating to my room to feed cats and just delay hanging out with them. My oldest son came up upstairs once to apologize...I said yeah that's fine...and then went about what I was doing. I needed to feel that angry that longer and more important he needed to feel it. Eventually I emerged downstairs as the family continued to look to me to start off the festivities and I told them, AGAIN, they could do whatever they wanted to do. I just refused to engage with them and make "nice" after my evening of being dumped on. Oldest son once again apologizes, once again I tell him fine, but I'm not making any moves to change my attitude. My father-in-law is clearly uncomfortable with all of this and he put his coat on and says he's leaving. He isn't sticking around to even let his oldest grandson open the card he's brought him. And then my oldest son, who had started to stomp off to his room, comes back and asks his grandfather to please stay. And my guilt was more about my nearly 80 year old FIL than my punk boy children...so I decide to go ahead and play "nice" and break out the cake and just act like normal. Believe me it was acting. I still had my anger but chose to put it aside for the family...for now. We do the cake thing, 21 year old opens his gifts, he's extremely grateful for everything and all seems right with the world. Eventually he heads out with his friends and I do some venting online at a mom's group I'm part of because I just need to get it out. DH realizes something is wrong and also starts to ask what's going on and eventually I blurt out how I'm just done with both of those boys...something he says quite often but it's rare coming from me as I'm usually the one supporting THEM to him. Now he gets to play good cop to my bad cop, but he agrees it was bad but that oldest son is just finding his way. *** again? That's my line.

The evening did end up my daughter curled up next to me in bed as we looked over some potential Disney stuff as she KNOWS that is my happy place and I cannot WAIT to go there with her in two months. That girl really is my life. I am going to be sooooo sad when she goes off to college in the fall.

Ok I've got to get myself together here today and start thinking more happy thoughts. Apologies for dumping a bit here. Just can't get my mind set on happy stuff right now but hopefully I'll get there soon.

I will try to only return when I'm ready for happy updates.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Oh Dina I’m so sorry you’ve had a rough couple days and I totally get what your saying about the ifs and when’s and what ifs Cancer is an absolute b#%*^#d of a disease and it robs anyone who manages to survive their first encounter with it of the ability to totally trust their bodies again and I hate it for that! I would imagine that the fact that you’re coming up on 4 years post diagnosis definitely plays a part in how you’re feeling plus add in some hormone blocking/menopause inducing medications and some boys with attitude and it’s a perfect storm! Don’t feel bad, I know I’ve been there - once on Mother’s Day over the suggestion that my son sub skinny fries for spuds : the horror- I mean what was I thinking lol). I can laugh now- just about and it was at least 4 years ago but yeah sometimes our kids just behave like ungrateful wee gits or don’t read the signs for how we’re feeling or both! I hope today turns out better for you. I’m glad your son apologized ( mine did too but like you I was past it by then) and I’m glad you were able to act the part for your father-in-law. Be kind to yourself. You are allowed to be fed up and tearful and anything else you darn well please! Glad your daughter and you escaped to planning for your trip to your happy place. Girls definitely read the signs better than boys in my experience. Won’t be long until you can escape the everyday life and be at WDW and you will feel the better for it.

I will try to only return when I'm ready for happy updates.

Please post whether your happy/sad/grumpy or mad. Sure that’s what Dis friends are for

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Our April trip will be nice, though focused mostly on Universal we'll sprinkle in some Disney as well. Still haven't decided on a resort. I still have a few weeks to figure that out.

I haven’t been to universal in a few years now and I’d love to go back someday. We did the hogwarts express which was new back then and loved it but there’s so much more there now. Part of my problem is that by the time we get to WDW it’s cost a pretty penny so more tickets seem like just too much extra cost and then add in jet lag and no one wants to move off Disney property so we stay put. The word lazy comes to mind
They are fabulous parks though and I’d love to stay there for a day or two and the express pass doesn’t hurt either

 

[kittylady1972]

Oh Dina I’m so sorry you’ve had a rough couple days and I totally get what your saying about the ifs and when’s and what ifs Cancer is an absolute b#%*^#d of a disease and it robs anyone who manages to survive their first encounter with it of the ability to totally trust their bodies again and I hate it for that! I would imagine that the fact that you’re coming up on 4 years post diagnosis definitely plays a part in how you’re feeling plus add in some hormone blocking/menopause inducing medications and some boys with attitude and it’s a perfect storm! Don’t feel bad, I know I’ve been there - once on Mother’s Day over the suggestion that my son sub skinny fries for spuds : the horror- I mean what was I thinking lol). I can laugh now- just about and it was at least 4 years ago but yeah sometimes our kids just behave like ungrateful wee gits or don’t read the signs for how we’re feeling or both! I hope today turns out better for you. I’m glad your son apologized ( mine did too but like you I was past it by then) and I’m glad you were able to act the part for your father-in-law. Be kind to yourself. You are allowed to be fed up and tearful and anything else you darn well please! Glad your daughter and you escaped to planning for your trip to your happy place. Girls definitely read the signs better than boys in my experience. Won’t be long until you can escape the everyday life and be at WDW and you will feel the better for it.

Please post whether your happy/sad/grumpy or mad. Sure that’s what Dis friends are for

Thank you, again, for this response. You get it...and I know that you understand it deeply too...and I'm sorry for that. Had to smile about your story about the fries...though I don't quite understand know what skinny fries are or spuds...but I get it. I know we have a right to ALL THE FEELS just wish we could do it without some of the guilt that goes with it. Agreed that my daughter understands it maybe because she can read those signs better...but also she is just more like me in so many ways and we have all the emotions that we show out there. Much like my mom was as well. I promise to not stop posting...just need to be in the mood for it.

I haven’t been to universal in a few years now and I’d love to go back someday. We did the hogwarts express which was new back then and loved it but there’s so much more there now. Part of my problem is that by the time we get to WDW it’s cost a pretty penny so more tickets seem like just too much extra cost and then add in jet lag and no one wants to move off Disney property so we stay put. The word lazy comes to mind
They are fabulous parks though and I’d love to stay there for a day or two and the express pass doesn’t hurt either

I totally get it...it's a long trip to make for you across the pond but by the time you do make it again it will be worth it just for Disney...and the other stuff if you can make it work. I get the love for the Disney property though, which is why I suspect that will still be our home base but we'll see how we feel.

 

[kittylady1972]

Happy Birthday to Me Day 4: Last Day Already

So here was my original plan:
Friday: Early breakfast at Primo Piatto. Then head to MK for early arrival. Spend a few hours there. Return to Riviera in the afternoon. Head to EPCOT later for dinner at La Hacienda. Hang at EPCOT and perhaps hop to MK for the last two hours of park time there (10pm closing).

With Magic Kingdom opening at 9am we wanted to be at the bus stop pretty close to 8am which we were...but what about breakfast? I think we decided we would grab something to eat while at MK so we had some snacks in our room as we had some power bars and I can't recall what else. The line at the bus stop didn't seem terrible but as we counted the people we realized we likely wouldn't catch the first bus.



It as another BEAUTIFUL day though. Right after the bus arrived and was loaded up it was followed immediately by two other buses just waiting for it to pull out so they could load. Before long we were on our way to MK. We were through around 9am and our first stop was here:


We pretty much walked onto BTMRR though I will say the line/queue for Splash that was nearby was crazy to get through as we approached the ride from that direction...and left the same way heading back to Pirates. Though it was showing I think 20 minutes originally, it was clear the wait was going to be longer. I think we waited closer to 30.



yes took a photo inside the queue as well as some photos on the ride which turned out okay.

Next up I mentioned wanting to ride teacups...but when we walked over there and saw the line at 10am I decided to detour and ride another classic:


As we were nearby, we stopped in here next, both of these rides were walk-ons by the way.


It was approaching 11am and the lines for everything were long enough that we didn't feel a need to push it...and we thought it would be nice to relax a bit and have some lunch.

We waved to some friends on our way out:



Tigger SELFIE:


Then we hopped the bus back to our resort. We headed for lunch here when we arrived:

I had heard great things about this place...so we grabbed a seat with a lovely view:




We ordered some food...(continued)

 

[kittylady1972]

Happy Birthday to Me Day 4: Last Day Already

Lunch at Bar Riva was delicious...I had these lemon garlic wings which were great:

Plus the parmesan fries which were okay...and DH had a Greek Salad. It was all very good. Bellies full we changed into our bathing suit and this time hit the quiet pool:


It was a perfect day to catch a little sun, cool off a little bit in the water, nap and read. Great. While there we looked up at some point and saw these guys:


They were hanging out and waving to people walking into the resort. Very cool.

Around 3:30pm we headed back to the room to change and get ready for our evening at EPCOT. We hopped the Skyliner for a lovely ride over...and when we got there we decided to try some of the Flower and Garden food booths. This was our first stop:


LOVE macarons and this was pretty good. We then continued counter clockwise around the World Showcase checking out the food booths but really not finding anything we HAD to have there.


There were some lovely photos to take though.



By time time we walked around we still had about an hour before our 4:45pm dinner reservation. We checked the line for Test Track and decided to go ahead and hop in that line, as I figured it would end about the time for our dinner. I think it was about 30 minutes. That was about right.

We checked into La Hacienda which was a meal we had been looking forward to as this has become one of our current new favorites.

We shared the guacamole and the shrimp tacos (which comes with huge sides of rice and black beans, all delicious):


It was all good. Afterwards we hopped n the line for the Mexico pyramid and took a little boat ride:



Very sad to see the animatronics replaced...hope they come back.

Before leaving DH stopped in another favorite....(continued)

 

[kittylady1972]

Happy Birthday to Me Day 4: Last Day Already

So with a favorite drink in hand we stopped so DH could enjoy it:


We did some more walking around the park but decided to hit Hollywood Studios for the last hours of time there. The sunset was lovely


It was around 6:45pm when we walked through the gates and I wanted to try this ride that we've only managed to do once before:


I really enjoy this ride and don't feel like I got the full experience before since it was our first time. This time I could take it all in and it was approaching 7pm and I really wanted to ride Tower of Terror. For some reason I thought the park closed at 8pm but since it closed at 7pm we got in line just before that knowing it would be our last ride. I couldn't believe where we had to line up for this:


Definitely a different view from behind it. Plus so cool you get a good view inside here now too and these were taken at 8pm, an hour after the park had closed:



We were off the ride around 8:15pm and I took some photos of the nearly empty park:


And an artsy version:


Soon we were on the Skyliner back to our resort...or that was the plan at least:

 

[kittylady1972]

Happy Birthday to Me Day 4: Last Day Already

So we left HS around 8:15pm and got in line for the Skyliner which moved quickly.

We rode this to the main station, then hopped on the Skyliner to EPCOT/Riviera. When we got to Riviera Resort and got off...suddenly I got it in my head we should have stayed on. In my defense it was a long day...and it was dark so we were facing the Caribbean Beach Resort and not our own...just on the other side. So we get back on the Skyliner and then realize...this was wrong. Too late. We were on our way to EPCOT where we would have to disembark...and get back in a very long line as the EPCOT park was now closing.

Since it was only around 9pm I had a great idea...let's hit the Beaches and Cream Ice Cream window. So we walked over there only to discover...the window was closed. Yeah thanks COVID. I ask the checkin guy at B&C and he tells me the window is closed but I can get some of the B&C milkshakes inside. We walk in that direction and DH uses the restroom and while there I go online...and find a 9:45pm reservation for Beaches and Cream. DH comes out, clearly exhausted and ready to go back...and I tell him that I have an ADR for just 20 minutes from now or so. I walked back to the B&C checkin desk and the guy there can't believe I got that reservation...and for some reason it isn't showing up in his system. But it's there on mine. And we wait until checkin time and still can't check-in but he pushes us through...so if it was a glitch for me no matter...soon we are sitting at the counter and ordering these:


I am a happy happy person...I LOVE LOVE LOVE ice cream!


Bellies totally full after this we walk back to the Skyliner and hop on the line back to our resort, having a pretty full evening under out belts.

We did return and do some packing before hitting the bed since the next day would be our last day!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

JACKPOT with the Beaches & Cream reservation!

I really hope the walk-up window is open for summer (or that I can get a reservation or two during my trip).

You've done a lot in your short trip. I guess all that hopping around from place to place helped you out a bit with accomplishing your goals.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Had to smile about your story about the fries...though I don't quite understand know what skinny fries are or spuds...but I get it.

I smiled when I saw this-
So skinny fries are just your regular American fries though here they may be skin on fries (where the potato hasn't been peeled before chopping or they may not have any skin on them (hope that makes sense). They'll often be listed on menus as "skinny fries" because the same menu will also have "chunky chips" which are like the ones you get in the Yorkshire County Fish Shop in the UK pavillion.
Spuds is just a slang word for potatoes and we love our spuds here - boiled, mashed, roasted, champ which has scallion mixed in (though not me I don't like champ)-we love all of them

I promise to not stop posting.

Thank goodness for that!

.it's a long trip to make for you across the pond but by the time you do make it again it will be worth it just for Disney...and the other stuff if you can make it work. I get the love for the Disney property though, which is why I suspect that will still be our home base but we'll see how we feel.

When we first started visiting we did both but the tickets were a lot cheaper then and we stayed off-site at LBV crossroads area in those days. Then we slowly graduated to the moderate resorts. Then a disastrous stay at Royal Pacific. Eventually we ended up at the Epcot area resorts and I can't go back

Very sad to see the animatronics replaced...hope they come back.

Oh me too!

. The sunset was lovely

And an artsy version:

FAB PHOTOS!
I am a happy happy person...I LOVE LOVE LOVE ice cream!

Bellies totally full after this we walk back to the Skyliner and hop on the line back to our resort, having a pretty full evening under out belts.

I like your style

 

[kittylady1972]

JACKPOT with the Beaches & Cream reservation!

I really hope the walk-up window is open for summer (or that I can get a reservation or two during my trip).

You've done a lot in your short trip. I guess all that hopping around from place to place helped you out a bit with accomplishing your goals.

Yes agreed on B&C...so lucky! I hope they reopen the walk-up window also. I am not sure if I'll try to get a reservation there for our upcoming trip or not.