I can't tell if we've landed...Spring Break 2018 with Grammy and the teens-UPDATE 9/30

[buzzrelly]

I am considering GG breakfast for me next trip. Sound like a winner.

I would definitely do this as a PPO breakfast again. I'm kind of bummed I didn't try to get it for our October trip, but it's too late now.

 

[buzzrelly]

APRIL 11, 2018
FROZEN NEVER AFTER



Hello, everyone! Sorry I've been kind of MIA lately. I am back at work this week and thanks to that crazy, full moon we just had, work went a little haywire! I don't know if anyone will believe me, but I'm sure the nurses out there know exactly what I'm talking about. We literally had babies falling out of the sky. Our 32 bed NICU at one point had 38 babies in it. Insane! I ended up working 60 hours to help the unit and also, let's be honest…overtime money is amazing. But that left very little time for anything else, including this trip report. I have today off and then I go back for more fun tomorrow. Luckily, things seemed to decompress by the end of the week though, so hopefully this week won't be as crazy.

Anyway…back to the TR

We left off heading across the park to our first FP for the day. Any guesses? Here's a big hint…Nicholas was not at ALL interested in where we were going and he ended up taking off to do…something. I have no idea where he went, probably to find more snacks or something. Grammy, Allie and I headed to Norway:









Yup…Frozen Ever After.

I remember so looking forward to this a couple years ago but it opened right after we left so we had never gotten to go on. When I went last October with DH, we didn't go on it because frankly, he wasn't interested and I wanted to go on for the first time with my mom and Allie. So what did we think? Eh. It was fine, but I could take it or leave it. I guess if I walked by and there was a 5 minute wait, I'd go back on. Otherwise, probably not. I think I am just over the whole Frozen phenomenon at this point. The good news is that I wasn't really a huge fan of Maelstrom either, so I'm not disappointed either way.


This guy is kinda cute...



We headed out of Norway and Grammy was admiring all the potted flowers and The Three Caballeros in Mexico






I love EPCOT from this angle, so I waited a bit for the monorail to go through to get my shot:


After that, we went in search of Nicholas and to use our second FP…
Continued in next post​

 

[buzzrelly]

APRIL 11, 2018
BUTTERFLIES ARE AMAZING



Oops, I guess I have a few more of those pretty EPCOT shots before you find out if we ever found Nicholas:



Panoramic:


Figment:


I finally saw the Jammitors. I had heard of them but had never actually seen them myself. They are really talented:


And, hallelujah…we finally found Nicholas over at Test Track. We used one of those special FP from the cruise and went in:






This was my car. It wasn't fast, but it sure was cute



Grammy doesn't go on Test Track. She went on once and hated it so we went back to find her in The Butterfly House...






More butterflies in next post...​

 

[buzzrelly]

APRIL 11, 2018
BUTTERFLIES TO SPACESHIP EARTH

We poked around in The Butterfly House for a little bit:









And then headed over to the DVC lounge to charge our phones and get some drinks/snacks. We lost Nicholas again before we went into see the butterflies, so it was just Grammy, Allie and me. It was nice to be able to sit and relax/recharge for a bit.




After about 30 minutes, we left the lounge and had to get to our next FP, where Nicholas was going to meet us. We took a lot of pictures along the way. EPCOT is so beautiful at this time of year that it brings out my inner photographer!



Allie took my picture in front of this wall…anyone know if this is one of the "official" walls? I have no idea, but the picture isn't terrible so I'm posting it


Here's a hint that we are getting VERY close to our FP:


Continued in next post...​

 

[buzzrelly]

APRIL 11, 2018
SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER

We made it close to our destination, but since we were a little early for our FP, we went back to the front to take pictures since we didn't really take the time to do that in the morning...







Honestly, I thought Nicholas met back up with us but he's not in any of the pictures, so I guess not. I still have no idea what he was doing all that time, but I think he was needing a little break from us.

Meanwhile, us girls went to thank the Phoenicians:





Jeez, Grammy looks really mad in the future


Afterwards, we stopped for some pics at the bubble-gum wall,





before heading back to Norway to try a snack that I had been waiting to try for a long time:

School Bread. I guess it's kind of like a roll with some custard and coconut on top. It sounds good, and I love coconut, but the bread has a spice that I didn't like…I believe its Cardamom or Caraway Seeds?? It's kind of a strange flavor and not really what I was expecting it to taste like so I'm glad Grammy and I just split this.


After that, it was time to check out some countries so we started making our way around the World Showcase...
​

 

[disneyAndi14]

We love the GG breakfast to, god food and great characters!

Hey you don’t have to say full moon to me more than once and I will have PTSD from working in the ICU, yikes, the saying is true! Even in my easy paced Home Care job, the full moon causes some stressful days!

I love all your awesome F&G pictures, I agree with FEA, it is okay, I would never wait more than 15 minutes for it.

I really liked the School bread, It is cardamom, My grandmother made the best cardamom bread and it reminded me of this a little.

 

[nat1234]

I’m loving your pictures of your trip so far. I’ve never been during F&G before but I’m thinking that might be something I have to see.

I totally get the full moon theory. I work in the cath lab and hate being on call when there’s a full moon.

 

[paradesintherain]

Our 32 bed NICU at one point had 38 babies in it.

That is nuts!

let's be honest…overtime money is amazing.

True that! But it's so exhausting picking up extra shifts!

Eh. It was fine, but I could take it or leave it.

It's fun and cute, but not exactly a must do. Sorta like the Mexico ride for me!

Wow this is beautiful! Great eye!

It looks SO empty!

I want to go in here so badly someday!

Allie took my picture in front of this wall…anyone know if this is one of the "official" walls?

I think it is! I think they call it the blueberry wall!

chool Bread. I guess it's kind of like a roll with some custard and coconut on top. It sounds good, and I love coconut, but the bread has a spice that I didn't like…I believe its Cardamom or Caraway Seeds??

 

[buzzrelly]

Hey you don’t have to say full moon to me more than once and I will have PTSD from working in the ICU, yikes, the saying is true! Even in my easy paced Home Care job, the full moon causes some stressful days!

It's hard to explain to people, but you know it when you see it!

I really liked the School bread, It is cardamom, My grandmother made the best cardamom bread and it reminded me of this a little.

Maybe it's an acquired taste? It's just not a flavor that I'm used to.

I’m loving your pictures of your trip so far. I’ve never been during F&G before but I’m thinking that might be something I have to see.

Thank you. It's hard to take a bad picture there during F & G…you really should try to go see for yourself

I totally get the full moon theory. I work in the cath lab and hate being on call when there’s a full moon.

Yup! And I know the Labor & Delivery nurses believe in it, too!

It's fun and cute, but not exactly a must do. Sorta like the Mexico ride for me!

Exactly!

Wow this is beautiful! Great eye!

Thanks!

I want to go in here so badly someday!

Maybe next May…If I go (and I'm not sure if I can yet), a few of us with DVC were going to bring people there…or was that the TOTW?? I may be getting that mixed up! I'll bring you there if I go It's not anything extraordinary, but it is nice to have a place to relax and charge your phone and have a drink or snack. They extended it through 2019 now, which is nice. I wish they had a place like this for DVC members in each park.

 

[wdwnut61]

I’m not a nurse but work in a doctors office and you can always tell when the full moon is
Beautiful pics from Epcot and with the monorail very cool
Great pic of you by the wall

 

[unwritten01]

We literally had babies falling out of the sky. Our 32 bed NICU at one point had 38 babies in it.

Great job! I certainly understand.

I ended up working 60 hours to help the unit and also, let's be honest…overtime money is amazing.

Yes it is

Love your pics!!

 

[kastoney]

Hello, everyone! Sorry I've been kind of MIA lately. I am back at work this week and thanks to that crazy, full moon we just had, work went a little haywire! I don't know if anyone will believe me, but I'm sure the nurses out there know exactly what I'm talking about. We literally had babies falling out of the sky. Our 32 bed NICU at one point had 38 babies in it. Insane! I ended up working 60 hours to help the unit and also, let's be honest…overtime money is amazing.

Wow I would have never thought that a full moon would really have an impact on babies. Sounds like you've been very busy.

It was fine, but I could take it or leave it. I guess if I walked by and there was a 5 minute wait, I'd go back on. Otherwise, probably not. I think I am just over the whole Frozen phenomenon at this point. The good news is that I wasn't really a huge fan of Maelstrom either, so I'm not disappointed either way.

I'm totally with you on this. We did it once and even Casey doesn't care if we do it again.

You have me so excited for Flower and Garden next year!

And then headed over to the DVC lounge to charge our phones and get some drinks/snacks. We lost Nicholas again before we went into see the butterflies, so it was just Grammy, Allie and me. It was nice to be able to sit and relax/recharge for a bit.

We aren't DVC so I've never been, but this looks like the ultimate place to catch a breather. Plus as a lifelong Journey into Imagination fan my inner kid would love to gt up there.

School Bread. I guess it's kind of like a roll with some custard and coconut on top. It sounds good, and I love coconut, but the bread has a spice that I didn't like…I believe its Cardamom or Caraway Seeds?? It's kind of a strange flavor and not really what I was expecting it to taste like so I'm glad Grammy and I just split this.

Sorry you didn't like this. Its one of my favorites but I can see how the Cardamom could throw you off

 

[buzzrelly]

I’m not a nurse but work in a doctors office and you can always tell when the full moon is
Beautiful pics from Epcot and with the monorail very cool
Great pic of you by the wall

It's such a strange phenomena, isn't it!?

Thank you

Love your pics!!

Thanks!

Wow I would have never thought that a full moon would really have an impact on babies.

I have heard that it has something to do with the drop in barometric pressure, or something…it's very odd, but very real

You have me so excited for Flower and Garden next year!

It's so amazing! I hope I can join you all, but I keep going back and forth on going/not going. I think it's going to be so cool to meet everyone, but we have a cruise planned for April 6th-13th so I will literally be back for three weeks before flying back down to FL. I'm not a millionaire, and that cruise is costing a big chunk, so I just don't know. Also, Allie has a lot of dance comps in May and we don't have that schedule yet, so I am very undecided at this point.

We aren't DVC so I've never been, but this looks like the ultimate place to catch a breather. Plus as a lifelong Journey into Imagination fan my inner kid would love to gt up there.

Well, if I DO go next May, I'll bring you up there

Sorry you didn't like this.

I'm glad I tried it, and it's sorta pretty

 

[kastoney]

It's so amazing! I hope I can join you all, but I keep going back and forth on going/not going. I think it's going to be so cool to meet everyone, but we have a cruise planned for April 6th-13th so I will literally be back for three weeks before flying back down to FL. I'm not a millionaire, and that cruise is costing a big chunk, so I just don't know. Also, Allie has a lot of dance comps in May and we don't have that schedule yet, so I am very undecided at this point.

I'm not totally in on May either. We were planning on going just about the same time in April, but now I think it will be February so that is more doable. But oh the Mom guilt of leaving the kiddo at home.

 

[buzzrelly]

We were planning on going just about the same time in April, but now I think it will be February so that is more doable.

At least if you go in February you'd have three months between trips.

But oh the Mom guilt of leaving the kiddo at home.

I totally get that, it's a real thing. I went one time with my girlfriend down there for a very last minute (as in, we planned it a month ahead of time) trip to see the Osborne Lights before they left. We had a great time, but I found myself missing my kids a lot, especially on the last day because she left a day ahead of me and I found myself super sad to be there alone. I learned that I definitely would never want to do a solo trip, which this wouldn't be…sounds like there will be a LOT of people to spend time with! Also, my kids are older now and very much do their own thing so when I went with Mike last year, I felt a little of that mom guilt, but not as much as when they were little.

If I do go, I'm thinking just maybe three nights, maybe Friday to Monday. But I'd still feel guilty spending money on a trip for myself so soon after our cruise. Plus, that's going to be a busy month for us since Allie dances and Nicholas will be graduating the following month…sigh. I'm thinking maybe this isn't going to be the right time for me to up and leave. I'm still thinking about it though and haven't totally counted it out just yet. I wish I lived closer to WDW and could just hop back and forth monthly!

 

[ariane37]

I hav never done a PPO meal at EPCOT, so it was kind of cool to see the park this empty...

I agree I love seeing Epcot empty! We've done GG PPO breakfast twice and I wish we walked there a bit slower lol, because I was really enjoying the scenery/park with nobody else around.

normally let the kids get up with the characters while I take the pictures, but they both refused to get up It's okay, I didn't really book this for the characters, but it's a little sad to me all the same.

I feel you on this since mine are the same Even the last couple character meals Chris asked for, he didn't want to get up for pictures. Ricky's usually a good sport for me and gets in some pictures but not many before he starts grumbling, so I think we're officially done with character meals.

My hair was already a frizzy mess, so I kind of hate to show these pictures…I'm sure some of you will understand, especially @ariane37

I certainly do understand!

School Bread. I guess it's kind of like a roll with some custard and coconut on top. It sounds good, and I love coconut, but the bread has a spice that I didn't like…I believe its Cardamom or Caraway Seeds??

Aw sorry you didn't like it, you know it's one of my favorites. But the cardamom can be off-putting and I guess it's one of those things you either like, or really don't.

I have to say, all the desserts at Contempo Cafe look amazing! We've walked through there but I don't think I've spent enough time staring at the sweets Going to have to do that and make it a point to try something from there.

But oh the Mom guilt of leaving the kiddo at home.

Yeah but............you get over it quick, believe me!!!!!

 

[MickeyReeds]

Just found your report and read it all tonight (as well as your cruise report)! We stayed in a lake view BLT studio in February and were lucky enough to get a similar view!! Loved it so much, we just bought BLT resale!

 

[buzzrelly]

I feel you on this since mine are the same Even the last couple character meals Chris asked for, he didn't want to get up for pictures. Ricky's usually a good sport for me and gets in some pictures but not many before he starts grumbling, so I think we're officially done with character meals.

Until you bring Hayden and I bring my niece Ava! I can't wait to bring her to WDW!

I certainly do understand!

I knew you would

I have to say, all the desserts at Contempo Cafe look amazing! We've walked through there but I don't think I've spent enough time staring at the sweets Going to have to do that and make it a point to try something from there.

They've really stepped up their game when it comes to desserts…I was impressed!

Yeah but............you get over it quick, believe me!!!!!

Just found your report and read it all tonight (as well as your cruise report)! We stayed in a lake view BLT studio in February and were lucky enough to get a similar view!! Loved it so much, we just bought BLT resale!

Congratulations on buying BLT! We love it there! Did you request that view in February, or were you just lucky?

 

[chunkymonkey]

OK I am finally caught up! Yay!!
I love your experience with the HEA dessert party - it really is a great way to see the fireworks. I didn't think it was worth it last year but after my solo trip it definitely has improved and I may try and do this once every few trips.
EMM looks like so much fun! I definitely want to try this. I can't fit it into our Sept trip but maybe another date next year
Sorry you had to miss ROL but like everyone said, it's not like you are missing much. I'd much rather catch other shows. I don't even have it scheduled for our Sept trip, LOL. I actually was going to do a ROL package because Su-Queen hasn't seen it yet but I vetoed and switched it out for the FoTLK package at Tiffins because it sounded something we'd all have more fun doing.
Love your last Epcot day, it's my favorite park and love how it's set up for Flower and Garden.

 

[buzzrelly]

EMM looks like so much fun! I definitely want to try this. I can't fit it into our Sept trip but maybe another date next year

I would definitely do it again, but I'd really rather do DAH. They never seem to offer that when we are there though. It's nice that EMM includes an actual breakfast, instead of just snacks

I don't even have it scheduled for our Sept trip, LOL.

I don't have it scheduled for October either! I figured we can just wing it and see if we feel like staying at AK that day, or not.

I vetoed and switched it out for the FoTLK package at Tiffins because it sounded something we'd all have more fun doing.

That's a cool concept, but none of that food looks good to me so unfortunately that gets an automatic no from us. Are you doing the Tier I or Tier II package?

Love your last Epcot day, it's my favorite park and love how it's set up for Flower and Garden.

There's literally a gorgeous photo-op everywhere you look