"I brushed my teeth, and I don't have cooties." An August DFTW and Disneymoon TR

[ashw100]

Now we had another new experience ahead of us: walking to Epcot via the International Gateway! We left the car at the Beach Club for quick retrieval later—I swear we weren't trying to cheat and get free parking since we get that with our APs anyway—and began to mosey. It was already SOO hot, and we hadn't adjusted to the temperatures yet, so I shade-hopped all the way to Epcot. The gateway really was convenient though, and someday I'd love to stay at an Epcot resort for this reason.

Bad DISer I'm kidding of course. I have yet to enter through the International gateway, maybe one day.

In fact, the gateway was soo convenient...that we ended up at Epcot quite early for our meeting with N's family. Great, right!? Since they were already there at rope drop!?...I sent his mother a FB message...eventually she responded...they were just sitting down to breakfast...at the Pop Century food court.

She said they might be a little later than 9:45...or maybe it was 10:00? Anyway, whatever the original time was, we were about 40 minutes away from that...and I told her there was no way they'd arrive by then. If they hadn't even eaten yet, then needed to bus over from Pop and go through bag check...etc. I had warned them about how much time to allow for Disney transportation, but I don't think they really believed me until after this event. Disney is big. People aren't willing to accept that.

I totally agree with you there. Being a TA, I deal with this all the time, people just don't believe me.

Sign me up.

Hey that's a good incentive.

I could go on forever about this bag...but I won't. Let me just say that it was the PERFECT park touring bag for long park days, spacious enough, but still light and comfortable enough that I never wimpily forced N to carry it for me, durable, easy to wipe off, beautifully crafted...and I love it more every time I use it.

I love this bag. D&Bs make great birthday presents, I should know

(As you can see, N has his dad's smile. )

 

[missjackiemcg]

We had a character breakfast for the two of us (which N's mother got upset/jealous about when she learned that we'd still gone ahead and booked our own breakfast without them! But alas, I digress...) at Cape May Cafe! This was a new breakfast for me, and I was excited to try it out.

How dare you have fun without them!!

This sounds EXACTLY like how I'd imagine things would go if my in-laws every tried to do Disney with us. I have invited them more than once and they always decline. Maybe I should quit asking while I'm ahead!!! LOL

I was SO angry for you, just reading it!!

But, love how you spent your time talking to the DVC man and getting your awesome new backpack!!! I am very interested in having a DVC membership at some point in my life, too!!! I've twice been able to do a phone tour for a $40 gift card--totally worth it and I always tell them I can't afford it yet but please keep me on the list

Love your pics from Cape May breakfast, too. I always think they look so darn cute in their swimsuits, but just haven't ever made our way over there to eat! I have seen Mickey in his swim trunks at Castaway Cay on our Honeymoon, so that was pretty awesome at least!

 

[pkondz]

They just thought it looked childish, and their kids are grown now, so they didn't think it would be of interest to them. They only had one day to go to a park—that was another issue entirely. We had discussed them coming for a couple of extra days to make more of a vacation of it, which they decided against due to finances and vacation from work, etc., but then when the time actually came and they saw we'd made plans with my family after the wedding, they regretted it and wished we'd encouraged them...harder? Anyway, so they only had one day in the park and didn't want to spend it somewhere that was too "young." I think they expected magic kingdom to be like children's rides at a county fair kinda deal...if you've never been to a true theme park like Disney, USO, etc., you don't really know what to expect and how immersive they really area. So instead we suggested Epcot as the next park that might appeal to the most of them.

Which is an excellent suggestion, btw. And... I get the mindset.
My mom: "You're going to Disney again??? What do you do there?" <undertones of disapproval and "it's just for kids">
Me: "Didn't you go to the lake again this year? Didn't you go last year? What do you do there?"

There was also a very frustrating back-and-forth for probably a month or so, where N's dad wanted to go to Animal Kingdom to see Pandora, and I kept discouraging them again and again from doing that. That may sound like I wasn't doing what was best for what they wanted, but I swear I thought they'd have a bad first experience of Disney if they spent their only day at AK. They hate crowds, long lines, and heat/walking long distance in the heat (I find you feel the heat in AK more than the other parks.) They wanted to see Pandora, but they had refused to get their plans together before their 60 day FP window like I'd asked, so all FP were already gone for Pandora rides. Waiting an hour, let alone three hours, for a ride was absolutely out of the question for them. And I knew they would NOT (as demonstrated on their Epcot arrival day!) get to the park by the time it opened, let alone for 30-60 minutes before rope drop. I would tell them to do whatever the preferred, but give them all the facts first on the pros and cons to AK...they would "listen" and come to the conclusion that I was right, and they agreed that they would go to Epcot. Case closed. Then I'd talk to them a week later and it would be, "yeah, but Michael's decided he does want to go to Animal Kingdom." Ugggh! Eventually I gave up. And they went to Epcot anyway. *sigh*

Oy.

Yep! *facepalm*

once his dad started crunching the numbers he got VERY overwhelmed by how expensive Disney can be.

Heh. Don't we all.

They kinda went from "We can afford it, let's do everything we want and go big. Maybe we'll stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge! If you want to book this meal, let's just do it!" etc. ...to staying at Pop Century, and cancelling anything that cost money other than their one-day park tickets. It was one extreme or the other, and nothing in the middle.

I get that, actually. You do have to try to find that comfortable middle ground. There's a reason I don't stay at Deluxe resorts. Reasons.... but money is one of them.

Long story short: I think his mom would have enjoyed a character breakfast if it hadn't gotten shut down due to expenses, so she was sad that the experience would still be happening whether she was there or not and that she wouldn't be a part of it. But it kinda still felt like, "If we won't allow ourselves to have fun, then you're not allowed to have fun either!"

I hate that attitude. I truly do.

I know, right? It's uncanny, the similarities...Nathan basically is Goofy.

 

[MeghanEmily]

Adorable pics at breakfast!

I'm sorry N's family was already ignoring your advice. But sounds like you and N had some nice solo time in Epcot before they arrived. LOVE the bag you got!!

Thanks! I didn't really expect any different from his family. They're a little stubborn, and there are a lot of them. But I was hopeful! Either way, everyone had a good morning even though it was different than I would have planned, so no harm done. Having an excuse to go buy a pretty new bag is never a bad thing!

You should be proud!!! I mean, wouldn't you do the same thing? I think it is great that he wanted to go to EPCOT by himself.

Fair point! I should be congratulating him on his Disney independence and resourcefulness! Once I got over my jealousy, I was glad he went. Mostly glad.

Ok, well, this part is true. I mean, if you aren't a Disney Parks fan and don't really WANT to be there, yes, that is one ridiculously expensive breakfast.

I do agree with this. All Disney meals are overpriced, but character meals are really a whole different ballgame. Originally when we were thinking we'd be at MK, it was an opportunity to initiate them into the Disney character bubble, without asking them to wait in meet and greet lines, which they'd never want to do. And his folks love a good AYCTE buffet! But I totally understand not wanting to spend half your pension on some pancakes with Winnie the Pooh.

Doesn't want to do it. Doesn't want to be left out. You can't win. I guess you should have just gone to breakfast at 8:30 at Pop like a normal person.

Obviously! Except it was more like 9:15am-9:30am-ish, when Epcot rope drop had been at 9. Which makes it even better! Is this a thins? Like: the family that travels to another resort to dine quick service together stays together?

In any case, a nice way to start things off. I'm a big fan of Beach Club. I've never stayed there, but it is near the top of the list of places I'd like to stay.

It's on my list now, too! Maybe someday.

And your expert guidance will be useless when they arrive to a 120 minute line for Test Track, 20 minutes for Spaceship Earth, 90 minutes for Soarin...

Truth.

They managed ok with Nathan to help them (spoiler alert.) They had Soarin' FP, and could use single rider for TT. It all worked out fine. But I'm just SUCH a believer in rope drop! Especially in the heat of summer!

Wow... yeah, I kind of get their, um, concern? I've always felt that if you're going to Disney World and have one day to do one park, it is kind of an easy call...

Yeah, I wish I'd given them a little more explanation about MK. They had the castle, dumbo, and the carousel in their minds, and I suspect that was it. I told them that MK is the iconic park and has the most to "do," etc., but I could have probably sold it better. They're talking about going back someday, so maybe I'll get another shot.

Bad DISer I'm kidding of course. I have yet to enter through the International gateway, maybe one day.

It was really nice! A warm walk in August, but not long, and soo quiet compared to the main gates!

I totally agree with you there. Being a TA, I deal with this all the time, people just don't believe me.

It's huge, and people just won't grasp that till they've been there. Nathan was the same way on his first trip. He thought the Disney busses were just little trolleys that carried you from one place to another, kind of like how they use trams in the parking lots. No matter how many times I told him that Disney had its own roads, and was the same size as San Francisco!

How dare you have fun without them!!

This sounds EXACTLY like how I'd imagine things would go if my in-laws every tried to do Disney with us. I have invited them more than once and they always decline. Maybe I should quit asking while I'm ahead!!! LOL

Right!? We can only have fun if everyone is included! Even if those who aren't included did so by choice...

But it all worked out fine in the end. Everyone had a decent morning, and I gave up on my desire to plan everyone's day to look exactly like I would want mine to look. But yes, touring with family...especially less-than-cooperative family......can be a challenge! I'm surprised it actually ended up going as reasonable smoothly as it did, considering.

But, love how you spent your time talking to the DVC man and getting your awesome new backpack!!! I am very interested in having a DVC membership at some point in my life, too!!! I've twice been able to do a phone tour for a $40 gift card--totally worth it and I always tell them I can't afford it yet but please keep me on the list

It was a great way to spend the morning! Our fun stops for nobody! I didn't realize they did DVC phone tours, but that's a great idea.

Love your pics from Cape May breakfast, too. I always think they look so darn cute in their swimsuits, but just haven't ever made our way over there to eat! I have seen Mickey in his swim trunks at Castaway Cay on our Honeymoon, so that was pretty awesome at least!

We really did have a nice breakfast there. I bet Mickey at Castaway Cay was adorable!! I'd love to visit CC, but with my seasickness, there's no way I'm getting on a cruise ship!

 

[MeghanEmily]

Which is an excellent suggestion, btw. And... I get the mindset.
My mom: "You're going to Disney again??? What do you do there?" <undertones of disapproval and "it's just for kids">
Me: "Didn't you go to the lake again this year? Didn't you go last year? What do you do there?"

Absolutely! We've gotten this a lot (obviously more this past year since we've been to WDW many more times than we expected to be able to!) We figure that we're young, without kids, and if we want to travel...and we have the means...and Disney is the place we want to go back to again and again...who's business is it, really? (It's also somewhere I can typically fly direct, and as someone who hates flying, that factors into a decision a bit.) But it's funny how people like your mom don't get the Disney thing, but still go back to the same place every year again and again! "The lake" is a big deal for a lot of folks around here, too. So I totally get that!

I get that, actually. You do have to try to find that comfortable middle ground. There's a reason I don't stay at Deluxe resorts. Reasons.... but money is one of them.

I'm glad they figured out how to do the trip in a way that felt most comfortable for them. It meant that they came, and they participated, and that's awesome. And I'm ALL for more frequent, less expensive trips! Nathan likes deluxe more than I do (though I'd be lying if I said I hated it! ), and he takes great joy in spoiling us, so I've given in to the deluxe wave a few times recently. But we're staying at AS-Music this winter, and I'm very happy with that...especially if it means we can afford to go and to spend more on other things!

I hate that attitude. I truly do.

 

[vamassey1]

He went to Food and Wine without me!!

Those are fighting words. I think maybe you have created a Disney loving monster.

He enjoyed it so much that we're already talking about the possibility of going together next Fall during one of my study breaks from school, and possibly even bringing my mom and grandmother with us.

But in the end it works to your advantage. More trips to Disney!

Spoiler alert: I crashed a little, but I managed fairly well, considering.

You did great with all the excitement and heat.

so eventually I told them to do what they wanted, and we'd try to join them whenever our schedule allowed for it around our other plans that day. Or at least I thought I'd made that clear.

Famous last words.

So early in the a.m. N and I dropped our bags with bell services for our move to Coronado Springs Resort later that day.

I need some information on this. We're going to change resorts in February and won't have a car. How does this work? If you have time details please.

Shortly after, I got my allergy inquiries settled and got some grub...

This looks great. What are the green things?

So here's a slew of character photos...

Great character photos.

It's not on our list to return to right away, but I also wouldn't say no to breakfast here right now if I had the chance!!

I've experienced a few restaurants like this. Not bad, not great but at the bottom of the to do list.

eventually she responded...they were just sitting down to breakfast...at the Pop Century food court.

Oh dear.

And I did.

Good for you! Really cute bag.

And now N and I were about to experience touring with a group of newbies...

This sounds interesting.

 

[MeghanEmily]

Those are fighting words. I think maybe you have created a Disney loving monster.

I know! What have I done!?

But in the end it works to your advantage. More trips to Disney!

I need some information on this. We're going to change resorts in February and won't have a car. How does this work? If you have time details please.

It's really easy to have your luggage transferred. You just take it down to the bell services desk, or call bell services and ask them to come to your room to pick it up for you. They take your bags and give you a card with your name/# of bags on it. You tell them where you want it to go. They'll drop it off at that resort sometime in the afternoon of your check-in day (which was always the same day for us) at the bell stand of the new hotel. Then you just do the same thing there: go pick it up at bell services, or call them from your room and have them deliver it up for you. The only downsides are that:

1. It takes a few hours, so if you need something in your bag between check-out at hotel #1 and check-in at hotel #2, you won't have your luggage. Ours always arrived at the new hotel in the early-to-mid-afternoon. Typically around 1-3pm.
2. If you're the tipping type, you'll be out a few dollars to tip the CMs who handle your bags.
3. If you're not picking up the bags at the bell services desk yourself, you need to be physically in your room to have bell services come up and deliver your bags to the new room. So you can't just ask them to leave the bags in the room and then go play in the parks. You have to wait for the bag.

It saved us so much time and hassle with all our wedding stuff—we had tons!—so we used this even though we had a car, and it was awesome.

This looks great. What are the green things?

Broccolini I'm a sucker for a nicely cooked green vegetable. It helps balance out all the french fries.

 

[pkondz]

Absolutely! We've gotten this a lot (obviously more this past year since we've been to WDW many more times than we expected to be able to!) We figure that we're young, without kids, and if we want to travel...and we have the means...and Disney is the place we want to go back to again and again...who's business is it, really?

I'm old and my kids are old enough to fend for themselves... And I want to travel.
(Ruby, less so. Which is why I do solo trips, too.)

(It's also somewhere I can typically fly direct, and as someone who hates flying, that factors into a decision a bit.)

Interesting. Hadn't thought of that part of it.
It's rare that I can fly direct.
Actually, on this upcoming trip.... well, that'd give it away.

But it's funny how people like your mom don't get the Disney thing, but still go back to the same place every year again and again! "The lake" is a big deal for a lot of folks around here, too. So I totally get that!

I don't question them on their choices. Don't question mine.
Sit at a lake for a week? Kill me now.

I'm glad they figured out how to do the trip in a way that felt most comfortable for them. It meant that they came, and they participated, and that's awesome.

And I'm ALL for more frequent, less expensive trips!

Yes!

Nathan likes deluxe more than I do (though I'd be lying if I said I hated it! ), and he takes great joy in spoiling us, so I've given in to the deluxe wave a few times recently. But we're staying at AS-Music this winter, and I'm very happy with that...especially if it means we can afford to go and to spend more on other things!

Word of warning. Fax in a room request or at least pay a couple bucks more a night to stay in a preferred room. Those back sections are.... farrrrrrrrrrrrr.

 

[MeghanEmily]

Interesting. Hadn't thought of that part of it.

Yeah, I find the more times I have to go up and down, the more I get airsick/have neuro symptoms. If I have to go somewhere with a connecting flight, I'll do it...but I won't be happy about it. (Or better yet, if possible I'll try to make it a multi-destination trip and do some sight-seeing wherever the layover would be.)

We also have lots of direct flights from Halifax to NY, and Toronto, both of which are places we're talking about going in the near-ish future since I've been but Nathan and I have never been together.

It's rare that I can fly direct.
Actually, on this upcoming trip.... well, that'd give it away.

Gah! It wouldn't hurt to give me a leg-up on some of those contest answers!!

Word of warning. Fax in a room request or at least pay a couple bucks more a night to stay in a preferred room. Those back sections are.... farrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Ooh, good tip, thanks. We typically stay in a preferred room at Pop, but I haven't been to an All-Star resort since I was far too young to have any say in room selections. (I think I was four?)

 

[pkondz]

Yeah, I find the more times I have to go up and down, the more I get airsick/have neuro symptoms.

Makes sense.

If I have to go somewhere with a connecting flight, I'll do it...but I won't be happy about it. (Or better yet, if possible I'll try to make it a multi-destination trip and do some sight-seeing wherever the layover would be.)

Which is just what I'll be doing.

We also have lots of direct flights from Halifax to NY, and Toronto, both of which are places we're talking about going in the near-ish future since I've been but Nathan and I have never been together.

Five words (re: Toronto)

Wanda's Pie in the Sky.

Yummmmmm....

Gah! It wouldn't hurt to give me a leg-up on some of those contest answers!!

Ooh, good tip, thanks. We typically stay in a preferred room at Pop, but I haven't been to an All-Star resort since I was far too young to have any say in room selections. (I think I was four?)

I've been there. Walking back to the room after a long day of touring is.... brutal.

 

[DLHNYC]

Jumping in and caught up! First TR of yours that I've read, and first wedding TR I've read. (Congrats!!!!) I like your writing style! (and p.s. I love that you just said "No" to that woman who squeezed in right before the parade. Rude!) Looking forward to the rest of your updates!

 

[MeghanEmily]

Jumping in and caught up! First TR of yours that I've read, and first wedding TR I've read. (Congrats!!!!) I like your writing style! (and p.s. I love that you just said "No" to that woman who squeezed in right before the parade. Rude!) Looking forward to the rest of your updates!

Hello, and I'm so glad you're here! Thanks so much for the congrats—can't wait to share more with you and the rest of the gang

 

[Steppesister]

Popping into my threads to say a big howdy. Hope you're well, Meghan!

 

[Goldys4]

Just jumping in to say congrats on your wedding!
My hubby and I just went to WDW for a couple days by ourselves without the kiddos... it was the best! We went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour (highly recommend!) and checked out Pandora. Those two days were the best I had ever spent (besides seeing my girls see the castle and for the the first time ) at Disney. And they were a prelude to the second part of our trip- a cruise on the Disney Dream I probably won't write a TR (not really my thing) but I love reading about other people's trips and you are definitely one of the more engaging and entertaining writers here . I'm really enjoying your TR! Can't wait for the next installment

 

[vamassey1]

It saved us so much time and hassle with all our wedding stuff—we had tons!—so we used this even though we had a car, and it was awesome.

Thanks for the info. We're debating doing this or paying for the Minnie Van to bring us and our stuff to the new resort. We're only spending one night at Riverside before transferring to POP for the rest of our stay.

 

[MeghanEmily]

Popping into my threads to say a big howdy. Hope you're well, Meghan!

Hi, Liesa! Likewise!

Just jumping in to say congrats on your wedding!
My hubby and I just went to WDW for a couple days by ourselves without the kiddos... it was the best! We went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour (highly recommend!) and checked out Pandora. Those two days were the best I had ever spent (besides seeing my girls see the castle and for the the first time ) at Disney. And they were a prelude to the second part of our trip- a cruise on the Disney Dream I probably won't write a TR (not really my thing) but I love reading about other people's trips and you are definitely one of the more engaging and entertaining writers here . I'm really enjoying your TR! Can't wait for the next installment

Hello, and And also,

It sounds like you had a wonderful time with just your hubby in the happiest place on earth! I've been eyeing the Keys to the Kingdom tour for a while now, and I'd really like to do it!! We're planning to do Marceline to the Magic Kingdom this winter, which will give us a small taste of what Keys might be like. I'm really looking forward to it! But that tour is still in my possible future plans, so it's awesome to hear you recommend it! We were also really impressed by Pandora, (despite my motion sickness issues, which I'll be getting to here in a bit! ) so I'm not surprised it made for such an awesome vacation day for you. I'd be happy to read along if you ever decide to report one of your trips, but it's definitely not for everybody. I'm so glad you've enjoyed this TR so far! I'll do my best to keep things interesting for you all.

Thanks for the info. We're debating doing this or paying for the Minnie Van to bring us and our stuff to the new resort. We're only spending one night at Riverside before transferring to POP for the rest of our stay.

Tough call there. A Minnie van might be a nice little splurge to get the full Disney treatment—I've heard good things about the vans and the CMs driving them!

 

[MeghanEmily]

"Are they about to tell us we came from monkeys?"
Disney Day 2 - Part 2

One more midterm down, and I'm back to the Dis-action with all of you! ...that is, until I start stressing about wasting study time before my next midterm Monday. ...or wasting writing time for my paper, Wednesday... Gross. Let's not think about that.

So when I left off, we were about to do some riding with N's family at Epcot. We had already come up on our FP+ window for Soarin', and I was excited to take them all on this as their first-ever Disney ride. I knew it could really make or break the whole experience whether we started on the right foot, so I hoped I'd made the right choice...

Now when I say we'd come up on our FP+ window, what I mean is that we were probably about 20 minutes till the end of the window, so I really encouraged them to shuffle along. I quickly learned how difficult it can be travelling in a pack of adult Disney-virgins... Everyone felt the need to travel in groups of 1-3 people, never keeping up with the rest of the group. I'd look behind me to see if we were still together, and I'd have already lost two groups of two who were straggling behind. Much more challenging than touring with just N, or with just my mom!

After a quick bio break in the Land pavilion—they really didn't find time to do that during their leisurely 9:20am breakfast??—we joined the FP+ line for Soarin'. This concerned me a bit because I hadn't really thought about how long it can take in the FP+ line here, compared to other rides. N's family would be expecting FP+ to "skip" the regular line and would be looking for instant ride-gratification. Fortunately, they took it in stride pretty well, even when I asked to wait an extra cycle so we could sit in the middle section. All in all, we waited just over 20 minutes here. So...was it a good choice?

Absolutely! N's family loved Soarin'! Even his mother, who deals with motion sickness slightly worse than mine and had to close her eyes once in a while, thought it was great. The girls screamed out loud and giggled through a lot of the surprising moments, and N and I laughed at them, and held hands, and told each other how it was worth all the trouble to watch them experiencing Disney now. N's dad was going to be the hardest to impress, by far, so I was curious about his reaction. But apparently he just kept whispering to N's mom and to anyone else who would listen, "This is amazing!"

Unfortunately, because of all the time we lost in the morning, I already had somewhere else to be at this point. I walked N and his family over to their next FP+ at The Seas with Nemo and Friends, and then I was off! I headed toward the International Gateway to return to Beach Club for the car, but it was so hot that I decided the friendship boats (which are shaded!) looked like a better idea. There was one about to leave, so I hopped on, despite my distaste for boats.

Unfortunately, that's when I realized that I had no concept of how the friendship boats worked, or where I was even going! I was paranoid that I would end up at DHS, have to backtrack, and be late for my next thing, so when it stopped at the Boardwalk stop, I anxiously got off...and ended up walking further to the Beach Club from there than I would have using the IG. Ooops. (Anyone who wants to explain Friendship boats to me gets my eternal gratitude.) I was frantically messaging my mom, who was waiting to meet me, about the stupidity of my delay, while sweating off my entire Cape May breakfast in one hot and humid dash! Where was I headed...? ...revealed soon enough...

While I was gone...a quick recount of what happened in my absence...

N took his family on Nemo, and they all enjoyed it to varying degrees. They thought it was cute. But the biggest hit was the giant aquarium at The Seas, which they spent lots of time in after the ride let out.

After the Seas, he took them to Club Cool! He and I had a plan. He would conspire with his father, who loves to tease people, to trick the rest of his family into trying Beverly. The funny thing is that they actually ended up getting each family member one by one, but the rest of them were never paying attention, so the surprise was never ruined! After each person tried Beverly, they became part of the trickster squad and went after the next victim together! At the end of the terrible game, N's dad tried it to see what all the fuss was...and then he felt terrible and mean because he thought it was downright awful!

Then N took them all on Test Track via the single rider line (I've trained him so well!) Fortunately, they all got put into cars in groups of two, so nobody was even in a ride vehicle by themself.

This was a hit for everyone except N's mom and youngest sister, who were really angry that N didn't tell them what to expect from the ride because they found it too fast/rough/scary, etc. Oops! Not a shining moment for N. Oh well. (Even though I'm pretty sure they're both smiling in that last ride photo!!)

They did world showcase next, and everyone was getting hungry for lunch. Apparently a little family meltdown happened here, but I wasn't there, so I don't have many details. It seems that nobody wanted to choose a place for lunch when N gave them options, and the only stipulation N's dad had was that he wanted to try something different he couldn't eat at home. N asked about a walk-up at Tokyo Dining, and they got them right in. Only after orders had been placed...it turns out that N's mom and one of his sisters were angry about the decision because they didn't see anything on the menu that interested them, so they decided to just walk out and go somewhere else. N's dad insisted on staying with the rest of the group to not be rude and because he was interested in the menu. So they did, and the two girls left. ...the girls left, and went to get lunch...at the quick service place in Japan instead. ...Um...ok...?? Those who stayed really enjoyed their meals here, though.

Next they finished the WS circle, and then did the green side of Mission Space with a fairly low wait. At this point N's middle sister had been asking him about dole whip. He told them they'd have to go elsewhere to get it, and since they didn't have park hoppers it would have to be at the Polynesian. This would involve two monorail rides. Apparently when his oldest sister heard they'd get to ride monorails, she was super psyched at the possibility, so N gave them detailed instructions, and the two older sisters went on a dole whip adventure together and had a great time. Everyone else went on their upcoming FP+ for Spaceship Earth. They all really liked it...despite the fact that as they were beginning the ride N's mother leaned over to him and whispered, "Are they about to tell us we came from monkeys??"

Then N, who is now a Disney expert, at least compared to his family, checked what was available for a 4th FP. He scored an immediate FP for Living with the Land, and they all rode. N's father was super into it because he loves to garden and grows all of his own produce in the summer months. We definitely thought of him (spoiler alert!) when we went on the Behind the Seeds tour later in the trip!!

So now you're caught up on what happened while I was gone...oh! Except for this bit:

My aunt and uncle and little cousin were also visiting the Magic Kingdom at this time, and they went on a few rides, including Pirates and Splash...multiple times. (The kid has good taste!)

(They also went back to ride again that night after our meet and greet, so they were wearing their matching wedding shirts...)

Apparently my bridesmaid was also with her family at Animal Kingdom that afternoon...(back row)

Now, where was I off to that afternoon...?​

 

[MeghanEmily]

The Year of the Rose Gold
Disney Day 1 - Part 3

...I was headed to Coronado Springs Resort!

I had picked up the car at BC, headed over there, and met my mom in the lobby. Neither of us had eaten lunch yet, so we decided to give the Pepper Market a try. I wasn't in full Trip Report mode at this point, so I didn't take any food pictures, but I ordered something resembling a chicken leg, rice, and veggies. No memory of what mom got. I was starting to fade a bit with the heat and was feeling a little light headed and exhausted, so the food/drink came at the right time. While we were eating, I got a message from our best man, Brad, that he was on the magical express and about to arrive at Coronado! I went out to meet him, and he came to chat with us while we finished eating. Then all three of us went to check in.

After I had a room, I was able to get bell services to send the bags up, so my mom and I went up to my room and waited for the bags to arrive. My room itself was nice enough, but the location was a PAIN!! We had a preferred room for N and me, so we were in the Casitas section, but our room was on the top floor of our building, which could only be accessed by one certain elevator that was near impossible to find, or by climbing the stairs of the adjacent building and walking across a pathway to our building. It felt like a giant maze, even after a few days staying there. Like, I kept expecting the minotaur to be standing in front of our door every time we came back here. We also noticed there was a fair bit of construction around our building and a lot of the walkways were blocked off. It kinda of sucked you out of the theming a bit and ruined the whole suspension of disbelief thing I usually can enjoy at Disney, but other than that we didn't have any major issues with the construction, or with CSR as a whole. And as a bonus, I also got three collector's pins from Disney specific to the construction as a consolation prize!!

Our bags arrived eventually, and I sorted some things for the next morning.

Then we were off!

I had an appointment that afternoon at the Dolphin for a manicure at the Mandara Spa, and my mom offered to tag along for moral support.

The spa was nice and clean, and it had a nice atmosphere. I was told I was welcome to come back any time that day to use the facilities: sauna, relaxation rooms, etc. And I was also given a coupon for a discount on other services later in the week, including massages, etc.

Here's one of the relaxation areas where my mom sat and tried not to fall asleep while I had my service:

When it came time to choose my nail colour, the lady told me they had a new polish that looked like rose gold that had been popular (no duh!) lately, and I was sold. I had been calling this past year the "Year of the Rose Gold" since, for example, I'd purchased a new iPhone in rose gold, and my engagement ring had been rose gold, etc. I had even purchased a pair of rose gold sequinned ears from Etsy for this trip, and I got SOO many compliments on them. People were freaking out asking me where I got them, because not long before Disney had started producing rose gold ears and had sold out of them completely. People would walk by me on the street and whisper about me to their friends, she HAS them!! I even stopped wearing them part way through the trip because the attention was getting to me! But anyway, I digress. The photo isn't fantastic—there are probably better ones in my wedding pictures—but this was the colour:

I asked her to put a Mickey on one nail, so she was like, "...I can try..." And she did an okay job. She was really strange though...got very personal with me...this was the first time I really noticed how getting married will make everyone you come in contact with feel that they have license to share their advice and their most personal anecdotes with you!! (This happened A LOT.) She told me aaalllll about her ex-husband and what a terrible dude he was, and how her mother-in-law still bugged her with this and that, etc. All I paid for was my nails, but okay...

I would consider the spa at the Dolphin again if I had a special occasion to attend. The prices were fairly reasonable. I liked atmosphere and the colour of my nails, though I did find that the quality wasn't the best I've experienced, and my nails started chipping within a couple of days, unlike when I've had gel/shellac manicures in past. When I was finally finished here, my mom and I went back to CSR to wait for N to arrive. Once he got there, she decided to go back with the rest of my family (staying elsewhere at my grandmother's timeshare) to get ready for the evening's event, and to drive them all to Disney Springs with her that night. Here she is with my aunt and grandmother in their matching wedding shirts:

And here's a photo she took of the welcome bags I had put together and distributed that day for our guests:

N and I chatted about his time hanging at Epcot with his family as we got ready, and then we gathered up our bridal party—all three of them had arrived and checked in at Coronado by this point—and popped them in the car to head to Disney Springs for the next planned event of the wedding activities!​

 

[afwdwfan]

One more midterm down, and I'm back to the Dis-action with all of you! ...that is, until I start stressing about wasting study time before my next midterm Monday. ...or wasting writing time for my paper, Wednesday... Gross. Let's not think about that.

It never ends....

Now when I say we'd come up on our FP+ window, what I mean is that we were probably about 20 minutes till the end of the window, so I really encouraged them to shuffle along.

I'd look behind me to see if we were still together, and I'd have already lost two groups of two who were straggling behind. Much more challenging than touring with just N, or with just my mom

You know I feel your pain...

N's dad was going to be the hardest to impress, by far, so I was curious about his reaction. But apparently he just kept whispering to N's mom and to anyone else who would listen, "This is amazing!"

That's fantastic! I'm glad everyone was impressed by it!

(Anyone who wants to explain Friendship boats to me gets my eternal gratitude.)

Piece of cake...

EPCOT - BW - BC/YC - Swolphin - DHS - Swolphin - BC/YC - BW - EPCOT

After the Seas, he took them to Club Cool! He and I had a plan. He would conspire with his father, who loves to tease people, to trick the rest of his family into trying Beverly. The funny thing is that they actually ended up getting each family member one by one, but the rest of them were never paying attention, so the surprise was never ruined!

That's great! Way to go N!

This was a hit for everyone except N's mom and youngest sister, who were really angry that N didn't tell them what to expect from the ride because they found it too fast/rough/scary, etc. Oops!

Have they ever ridden in a car on the highway???

Apparently a little family meltdown happened here, but I wasn't there, so I don't have many details.

That's the best kind of meltdown... the kind when you're not even in the park when it happens.

Now, where was I off to that afternoon...?

That's what I was getting ready to ask!

 

[afwdwfan]

...I was headed to Coronado Springs Resort!

And there's the answer...

We had a preferred room for N and me, so we were in the Casitas section, but our room was on the top floor of our building, which could only be accessed by one certain elevator that was near impossible to find, or by climbing the stairs of the adjacent building and walking across a pathway to our building. It felt like a giant maze, even after a few days staying there. Like, I kept expecting the minotaur to be standing in front of our door every time we came back here.

Ok, the minotaur comment is funny, but that's disappointing that this is what you get from a preferred room. I thought they were supposed to be closer with easier access... not a pain in the rear to get to.

It kinda of sucked you out of the theming a bit and ruined the whole suspension of disbelief thing I usually can enjoy at Disney, but other than that we didn't have any major issues with the construction, or with CSR as a whole.

All things considered, not bad. There's so much construction going on that it is hard to avoid, but it sounds like minor inconveniences at the most in CSR.

I had an appointment that afternoon at the Dolphin for a manicure at the Mandara Spa, and my mom offered to tag along for moral support.

I'm sure it killed her to have to go.

I asked her to put a Mickey on one nail, so she was like, "...I can try..." And she did an okay job. She was really strange though...got very personal with me...this was the first time I really noticed how getting married will make everyone you come in contact with feel that they have license to share their advice and their most personal anecdotes with you!! (This happened A LOT.) She told me aaalllll about her ex-husband and what a terrible dude he was, and how his mother-in-law still bugged her with this and that, etc. All I paid for was my nails, but okay...

Nothing like traumatizing the bride right before a wedding by telling horror stories about an ex.