I'M JUST SHOWBOATIN' AROUND THE WORLD! & getting pooped on. Jan 13 TR! NEW TR POSTED!

[Malroy]

I loooove your pictures of the beach club!!! It looks beautiful. I think we are going to rent DVC point for our next stay, and I am officially torn between BCV and BLT.

 

[danimaroo]

I love the whole Boardwalk area, especially at night! I really hope I get to stay over there soon. And Cape May is high on our list of places that I want to eat - but my DH is not a big seafood person, so we've been putting it off until we check off a bunch of other places first.

STACEYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

It's so amazing! If you rent DVC points and can snag a BWV Standard View room, it's SUPER inexpensive because the required points are much lower!

Cape May is awesome, whether or not you like seafood, there is TONS of delicious food to eat! But I can definitely see putting it off for later if your husband doesn't like seafood since that's what it's known for!

STACEYYYYY I was so happy to see her, and believe it or not, MATT was actually suggesting we put her on, too!

Bahh!! I love, love, LOVE the Epcot resorts!! Especially at night with all the lights up! Oh, I can't wait to be there and experiencing it all over again!!!

Cape May Cafe sounds good, but you probably need to like seafood to really enjoy it? I think a lot of it would be lost on me... But the Oreo Bon bons?? I may have to make my way across the lake from the Boardwalk to pick them up to go!

Do you that in my last 4 trips there swimming of any sort didn't fit into my plans? Plus, in November/December the air is too chilly to swim. But it sounds like they keep the pool nice and warm!

Great update! Thanks for keeping the masses entertained, in the midst of your busy life!! (lol!)

Me too, they are so perfect. I wish I was there right now.

I mean, yes and no about Cape May. I ate a lot of non-seafood stuff and still really enjoyed the heck out of it. A lot of it is based around seafood though... I dunno, I love it! And yes, you must go get those Oreo Bon Bons.

NO SWIMMING?! WAH. That's one of my favorite things to do in Disney, haha. It helps all the pain in my body after a long day in the park! We're the crazy people in the pool when it's super cold out though, so there's that, haha. They do keep the pools pretty darn warm. It's the whole part of getting out that's not so fun!

No problem, I'm glad I've kept everyone entertained, hahaha.

Hi, Dani--I'm joining in a little bit late, but y'all sound like lots of fun and I want to be on your trip--wearing Amy's shoes! I love them!

Okay, now going back to finish reading...

Hi!! I'm so glad you've joined, and it's DEFINITELY never too late! We've only just gotten this shebang started.

Amy's shoes were too cute, right?! I wanted my own pair!

Glad you're getting caught up, I'll have a new update I'm sure in a few days!

We love Cape May Cafe too! I swear I'd be happy just eating the mac n 'cheese and cornbread. We have ADRs in May for both dinner and breakfast! Loving all the night time pics of BCV!

Aww yay! I TOTALLY agree with you about the mac 'n cheese and cornbread. Both are SO good there, I could totally do that same!

We did breakfast there in 2012 and really really enjoyed it, as well.

Night time in that area is one of my favorites!

 

[danimaroo]

Yay Cape May! I unfortunately do not enjoy seafood... besides like the occasional shrimp and crab cake. But those rolls look good! Even if they aren't the awesome garlic ones from the past or whatever.

I did the same thing with my family. I'm like, my readers will be okay if they only see my food.

AHHH great pictures. The Epcot resort area is so beautiful it hurts.

The RFID entry is just perfection, is it not? I mean it's... perfect. (Clearly, I couldn't think of another word.) LOOOOVE. And night swimming sounds perfect. Who cares if people think you're crazy? THEY'RE CRAZY.

STACEY.

It's okay, seafood aside they still have other delicious items to eat!! But you'd probably honestly enjoy the breakfast there a bit more. The rolls and cornbread were very good though! The garlic ones were AMAZING, but wompwomp, are gone.

Hahaha I actually eventually got photos of everyone else's dishes as time went on. They were totally okay with it, but that night, I didn't want to get in anyone's way of eating their food!

Yeah, I agree, that area is beautiful, both during the day and night. I love it.

Yes, I really enjoyed the RFID stuff, both getting into the room and also when paying for stuff! It was definitely interesting to see how things are changing. There were a few times where the RFID didn't seem to work out as well, which I'll get to. They are definitely still working through it all.

Stacey is awesome, always.

This is going to be a very interesting learning experience I see... We've only done Disneyland and I'm already learning new things even before you go to the parks! I wonder if there is a youtube video of Stacey somewhere...

Haha, yeah, you should be in for quite a ride since this is all new to you! But I really hope you enjoy it and learn a lot. I learned SO much from people's TRs before we went on our 2012 trip though! I'm sure there is video somewhere online of good o'l Stacey. She gets stuck in your head when you stay at a Disney resort!

57 is freezing to me now! If I would have been with you, I would of had a sweatshirt, warm socks, scarf, mittens. I'm such a wimp now

Hahaha I remember tweeting about it that night and a few people who live in Florida responded that I was a crazy person. So funny how that is cold for you guys!

I need to hit the boardwalk at night holy cow its so pretty!!!!! I love those pics you took with everything all lit up AMAZING!!!Although if it were me even if epcot was closing in 15 minutes I would've gone in just because ure that close to it and Epcot is my love

It really is beautiful! And thank you!

Haha trust me, we were very tempted since we could get in no problem, but Bruce and Amy didn't have a 10-day pass, so we didn't want to just leave them. I think if it'd been the 2 of us we would have gone to Epcot for dinner and hung out there until it closed.

Darn it! I was wrong you didn't go to EPCOT!! Gorgeous pics of Beach Club and Yacht Club! They were awesome![/SIZE]

Haha but you do know us well, because we WOULD have gone if Bruce and Amy had a park pass for that day! We just didn't want to make them pay to go to a park for a few minutes. If it was just Matt and I we would have definitely gone over and at least watched Illuminations!

Thank you very much! I love that area at night.

Sounds like a great start to your trip! And once again I love your night/water reflection pictures. Perfection!

I have to say you are really making me miss the Epcot resort area. We stayed there for the first time this summer (during tropical storm debby) and I could see how great it COULD be if there weren't torential rains.every.day.all.day. Hopefully we can stay in that area next time (and hope for no rain).

It was a wonderful way to start our trip!! And thank you very much!

Oh man, what a bummer about all of the rain you experienced! Usually Florida rain is bad and then goes away quickly, but that just sounds awful! I hope you get to stay there again, though, because it's amazing when the weather is nice.

 

[danimaroo]

Beautiful resort pictures. It looks so peaceful around those Epcot resorts! Never visited over there, but I've always wanted to.

Cape May dinner looks delicious! I am really craving sweets, and that picture of your dessert plate is not helping.

Thank you so much! You should definitely check it out sometime, that area really is one of my favorite places in Disney World.

Cape May IS so good. Writing a TR when I'm hungry is never a good idea. I see food photos and just get sad I can't have Disney food right now, hahaha.

Mmmm seafood. My husband is allergic but my daughter & I love it. I can see a stop at Cape May in our future. I'm sure there's plenty he can still eat!

And I'd totally go for a swim at 57 degrees.

You guys could totally do Cape May though, it's got plenty of choices for seafood lovers and non-seafood eaters!

It really was actually quite nice! They kept the pool very very warm so going in was delightful. Getting out was absolutely freezing.

Guuuuurl, you are getting so good with that camera! Your making me kick myself for never taking mine with us, especially around the boardwalk.

I can't wait to hear all the stories and see more pictures.

Btw- Matt's hair is priceless.

Is it September yet?

Haha aww thanks ladyloo!! I made a very conscious effort to use it a LOT this trip. 2012 I didn't use it much at all and I regretted that!

Hahaha I'm glad you noticed his hair. It was quite amazing in person.

NO BUT IT NEEDS TO BE LIKE NOW.

Ahhhhh...it is so beautiful there at night! I love all the lights on the water, Rey and I enjoyed it on our Anniversary trip. Savannah, on the other hand, snarled and stuck her nose up at Beach Club AND Boardwalk when we were there headed to Epcot?!?! She said she wouldn't stay there if we paid her! WHA?!?!?! Insanity. I know we'll go to Beaches & Cream though, Rey RAVES about it, even to this day, and says we have to go back. Maybe Savannah will like it after she eats there. Who wouldn't love those shakes?!?!

It really is amazing! I love it.

That's so funny about Savannah! I find those resorts a lot less snooty than Grand Floridian.. and even then, I love the Grand Floridian. I find all of the Disney resorts pretty amazing though. I bet she'll grow a little fonder of it when you go to Beaches and Cream! I LOVE that place so much!

I loooove your pictures of the beach club!!! It looks beautiful. I think we are going to rent DVC point for our next stay, and I am officially torn between BCV and BLT.

Thank you very much! It really is a wonderful resort. Renting points is a fantastic idea!

BLT vs. BCV is a tough choice! Personally, I love BCV because the theming is fantastic and it's so close to Epcot... and Stormalong Bay is the BEST pool you will find in Disney.

BLT seems like it has an awesome location but the theming is what turns me off to it. It just seems a little too "hotel"ish to me versus having a really solid Disney theme.

However, I do want to try staying there at some point, because I think it's unfair to judge when I've never actually stayed there. The location seems awesome, especially being that close to Magic Kingdom.

 

[stink]

Enjoying your trip report ! Fab photos. Can't wait to read more....

 

[okw19]

I'm so glad we have been reunited on the DIS! I'm going to stick around for your TR.

I am going to cry now that I know you're headed to Cape May in this update. Why did they have to take away the BBQ ribs?? I was so excited for our ADR here.
All of the plates look so amazing! I love flank steak so I'm just sitting here drooling.
I am a chewy brownie fan, I can't stand the cakey ones!

Walking around BC at night is awesome. The Boardwalk is so photogenic too!
You can tell how happy you all were from the photos, wish I could have been there!
Matt's hair is so fierce I can't even handle it.
Stacey is required to be on the TV while unpacking. I think that's in the check-in folder actually.
I CANNOT WAIT TO READ ABOUT YOUR FIRST PARK DAY

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Glad you enjoyed your meal at CMC! It really is too bad they got rid of the Oreo Bon Bons - those things were AMAZING!!

Love the BC/Yacht area at night, it's so elegant and pretty! Hahaha I don't think I would have been up for swimming at 57 degrees outside - but good for you!!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hi, Dani!! I'm so glad that I stumbled across your report!! Woohoo!!
I'm love, love, loving it so far, as I always do with your reports!
I have to say that I'm super excited to see that y'all stayed at the BC...it's been at the top of my list for a while now, and I'm very excited that we finally have it booked for August when we're going down for my Birthday! Can't wait. Seeing all your fabulous pics have me so stoked!!!
Oh, I so can't wait to read more! And by the way, every time I read whompwhomp, I don't just see the word, I swear I can hear it in my head every time! I love it!!!
And lastly, I have to add that your pics are so absolutely gorgeous...especially the ones outside the Beach and Yacht Club!

 

[gabzee]

I found the link to your TR over on twitter and I'm so glad that I did!! I am absolutely loving it so far!! All of the pictures of the Epcot resorts are fantastic and it making me want to stay there ASAP! I can't wait to read more!!

 

[RachelNinja]

I just read all your updates today! I know I read your other TR, but I'm not sure if I commented or if it was just my imagination that I did because I feel as if I "know" you guys, haha. Looking forward to reading more! I love the relationship the two of you have because you know how to have fun and just enjoy being together!

 

[danimaroo]

Enjoying your trip report ! Fab photos. Can't wait to read more....

Aww yay! I'm glad you're enjoying it.. and the photos! I can't wait to get into some of the best parts of this TR!!

I'm so glad we have been reunited on the DIS! I'm going to stick around for your TR.

I am going to cry now that I know you're headed to Cape May in this update. Why did they have to take away the BBQ ribs?? I was so excited for our ADR here.
All of the plates look so amazing! I love flank steak so I'm just sitting here drooling.
I am a chewy brownie fan, I can't stand the cakey ones!

Walking around BC at night is awesome. The Boardwalk is so photogenic too!
You can tell how happy you all were from the photos, wish I could have been there!
Matt's hair is so fierce I can't even handle it.
Stacey is required to be on the TV while unpacking. I think that's in the check-in folder actually.
I CANNOT WAIT TO READ ABOUT YOUR FIRST PARK DAY

Um you have no idea how happy I am to have my DIS BFF back. Just makes writing this Trip Report that much more awesome!

I know, I am sad for you. But honestly, Cape May has lost some really good items so it's kind of sad. It's still REALLY tasty but also I just don't understand why they got rid of some of their popular food choices.

Yeah, we just love that area so much, we were very happy! And you KNOW we wish you were there, too!

Hahaha Matt is a fierce man sometimes.

Hahaha you crack me up, Stacey IS in the check-in folder as a requirement!

I KNOW I AM SO EXCITED BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A FUN DAY! Sooooon, sooooooon.

Glad you enjoyed your meal at CMC! It really is too bad they got rid of the Oreo Bon Bons - those things were AMAZING!!

Love the BC/Yacht area at night, it's so elegant and pretty! Hahaha I don't think I would have been up for swimming at 57 degrees outside - but good for you!!

We had a great time and enjoyed the food! And I agree, I just am not a fan of this no Oreo Bon Bons business!

That area really is perfect at night. And yeah, coming from the cold to much warmer weather/humidity, plus vacation excitement... Welp, we were the crazy people in the pool!

Hi, Dani!! I'm so glad that I stumbled across your report!! Woohoo!!
I'm love, love, loving it so far, as I always do with your reports!
I have to say that I'm super excited to see that y'all stayed at the BC...it's been at the top of my list for a while now, and I'm very excited that we finally have it booked for August when we're going down for my Birthday! Can't wait. Seeing all your fabulous pics have me so stoked!!!
Oh, I so can't wait to read more! And by the way, every time I read whompwhomp, I don't just see the word, I swear I can hear it in my head every time! I love it!!!
And lastly, I have to add that your pics are so absolutely gorgeous...especially the ones outside the Beach and Yacht Club!

YAY! I'm so glad you made it over here and found me! And even better, you're enjoying it so far!

We just adore BC and you will fall in love with it!! It's just absolutely beautiful! What an awesome birthday present!

Hahaha I love that, because I totally hear wompwomp in my head when I write it, too!

Thank you so much! I'm still learning my camera but some of them came out pretty a-okay!

I found the link to your TR over on twitter and I'm so glad that I did!! I am absolutely loving it so far!! All of the pictures of the Epcot resorts are fantastic and it making me want to stay there ASAP! I can't wait to read more!!

Oh man, well first of all, WELCOME! And also, I'm so happy you find my TR on twitter! I promise, this is only the beginning and it's about to get even more fun!

So glad you enjoy my photos and they're making you want to stay over there, because I'm telling you, that are is beautiful at night!!

I'm happy you're here!

 

[danimaroo]

I just read all your updates today! I know I read your other TR, but I'm not sure if I commented or if it was just my imagination that I did because I feel as if I "know" you guys, haha. Looking forward to reading more! I love the relationship the two of you have because you know how to have fun and just enjoy being together!

Oh yay!! I'm happy to have you here! Hahaha, I'm laughing at the "knowing" a person because I have felt the same way when I read other people TRs! It's actually made DISmeets pretty fun and interesting when I have met people, because you get to know them through their TRs!

Anyway, thank you for the wonderful compliments. We try to just have the time of our life when we're in Disney because it's the one place we can just go nuts and have a blast together! Super happy to have you along for the ride, too!

 

[__disneygirl]

I have loved and wanted that painting for YEARS! I love seeing it pop up in TRs. I don't think I have ever even seen it in person.

WHOA THEY HAVE THE BON BONS AT THE MARKETPLACE? DUDE. First Zebra Domes at the Mara, now this??!?! WOO.

Sorry if you already answered this, but what kind of camera do you have? Mine is the worst at taking night shots, and it is always such a bummer when I'm trying to photograph the Epcot resort area at night! Your pics are amazing though!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Loving your TR Dani!

We talked about doing WDW in a couple of years, if we do we really want to stay at the Beach Club and rent DVC points. You are really providing an amazing description!

 

[therussells08]

YAY DANI! I am so excited to read your report, even though I'm late to the party. I am getting back in to my DISboard groove, and my first stop was this TR! I can't wait to read about your trip! You and Matt are such an awesome couple, and you crack me up. Without sounding too creepy, I feel like we have a lot in common and would get along great!

Oh yeah, Matt is also a lot like John, so they'd be BFFs too. This is meant to be.

Speaking of Matt, that picture of him as a child was so cute I wanted to cry.

OH MY GOD THE BEACH CLUB. We are so in love with that resort after our anniversary trip last summer. It is definitely my favorite!

I love Bruce and Amy's custom TOMs! I am currently working on customizing my own pair, but I don't think they'll be ready for my March trip. I can't wait to show all of you guys when I'm done, though! Unless, of course, they turn out ugly...then I just won't mention them again.

Hahaha did Joe the bus driver also tell you that "Clear Eyes is awesome"?

That is so cool that you were in the exact same room! It was meant to be!

I was managing to cope with the loss of the Oreo Bon Bons, but when you said that they changed the seasoning on the potatotes...I can't. I just can't. I need some time to process and cope with this information.

Your night pictures at BC are gorgeous! Great job!

Nightswimming makes perfect sense, especially since you were nightswimming in Stormalong Bay! I think I would swim in that pool in 30 degree weather! Well, maybe not...

Yay! I'm all caught up! I'm loving it so far, and I can't wait to read more!

 

[danimaroo]

I have loved and wanted that painting for YEARS! I love seeing it pop up in TRs. I don't think I have ever even seen it in person.

WHOA THEY HAVE THE BON BONS AT THE MARKETPLACE? DUDE. First Zebra Domes at the Mara, now this??!?! WOO.

Sorry if you already answered this, but what kind of camera do you have? Mine is the worst at taking night shots, and it is always such a bummer when I'm trying to photograph the Epcot resort area at night! Your pics are amazing though!

Haha it's such a great painting! I'm wondering if they sell copies of it in a smaller size... MAYBE!

Yes they do! I think there was such an uproar over them completing ditching them from Cape May that they are now pleasing the crowds by having them in the Marketplace.

No worries! I use a Nikon D5100, and I was taking all of my photos with a 35mm f/1.8 lens. The camera is wonderful, but it's the lens that really helps with low-light situations because it's pretty fast. Also, even with a not-as-fancy camera, you can always try using a nearby pillar as a tripod if you're trying to get a nice photo! I did this for a few of those shots of the Boardwalk and it worked our really well!

Loving your TR Dani!

We talked about doing WDW in a couple of years, if we do we really want to stay at the Beach Club and rent DVC points. You are really providing an amazing description!

Thank you so much! I'll have another update tomorrow, and I can't wait!

OMG, best idea ever. A warning though... once you stay at Beach Club you will never want to stay anywhere else! That's the big dilemma we are having right now, haha. I'm glad I'm describing it a good way because I love it that much!

YAY DANI! I am so excited to read your report, even though I'm late to the party. I am getting back in to my DISboard groove, and my first stop was this TR! I can't wait to read about your trip! You and Matt are such an awesome couple, and you crack me up. Without sounding too creepy, I feel like we have a lot in common and would get along great!

Oh yeah, Matt is also a lot like John, so they'd be BFFs too. This is meant to be.

Speaking of Matt, that picture of him as a child was so cute I wanted to cry.

OH MY GOD THE BEACH CLUB. We are so in love with that resort after our anniversary trip last summer. It is definitely my favorite!

I love Bruce and Amy's custom TOMs! I am currently working on customizing my own pair, but I don't think they'll be ready for my March trip. I can't wait to show all of you guys when I'm done, though! Unless, of course, they turn out ugly...then I just won't mention them again.

Hahaha did Joe the bus driver also tell you that "Clear Eyes is awesome"?

That is so cool that you were in the exact same room! It was meant to be!

I was managing to cope with the loss of the Oreo Bon Bons, but when you said that they changed the seasoning on the potatotes...I can't. I just can't. I need some time to process and cope with this information.

Your night pictures at BC are gorgeous! Great job!

Nightswimming makes perfect sense, especially since you were nightswimming in Stormalong Bay! I think I would swim in that pool in 30 degree weather! Well, maybe not...

Yay! I'm all caught up! I'm loving it so far, and I can't wait to read more!

JONI!! I am so happy you are back on the DIS! And I feel honored that my TR was your first stop!!

Okay, you are not creepy at all because I have been convinced that we would totally get along and be friends, too! Sooo basically if we have overlapping trips at some point, we need to hang out! It really is meant to be!

Hahaha I love that photo of Matt, it's so cute and plus, RETRO EPCOT MINNIE! So good.

I know, another reason I know we'd get along... WE BOTH LOVE BEACH CLUB! It's so amazing.

Those TOMs were adorable! And I've thought about making my own Disney ones but I am so with you, I get nervous they'd come out like poop and then I'd have wasted like $42 on them. Wah. I'm sure yours will be adorable though!

Hahaha, he pretty much should have because he WAS Ben Stein.

It really was meant to be! And still so weird that it happened to us!

Haha, I know, the potatoes just weren't the same! But it could have been an off night! I'll still go back.. but I was a bit sad, and I thought about you and your love for the potatoes.

Thank you very much for the compliments on my photo skills! I swear I didn't take 8,000 other photos that came out bad, haha.

Nightswimming was just delightful... but it wasn't in Stormalong because it was closed! But we still had a blast in the BCV quiet pool anyway!

I'm glad you're all caught up, I plan on having another update here tomorrow!! YAY! I'm super excited for an update from you on your TR!!

 

[Missyrose]

You're a few chapters in, but I'm here and LOVING the TR so far. I came over from the January FB group.

I love how much your DH openly loves Disney. I've got a fiance who has come to realize he loves Disney almost as much as Disney-crazed me, but he will only begrudgingly admit it to anyone else. We were watching TV the other night and he was engrossed in something on his phone and when I leaned over to see what he was reading, I saw that he was reading the Disboards!

Back to your trip... I looooooove the Epcot resort area. We own at Boardwalk but we stayed at BCV for the first time in October and really loved it. Awesome resort, amazing pool and really friendly CMs!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Marssiful]

I had to creep out of lurkdom to say I appreciated the REM reference. That sounds like an awesome night. Just finished your DL report and now I'm catching up with the new one... Just a little jealous of your two super fun trips!

 

[danimaroo]

You're a few chapters in, but I'm here and LOVING the TR so far. I came over from the January FB group.

I love how much your DH openly loves Disney. I've got a fiance who has come to realize he loves Disney almost as much as Disney-crazed me, but he will only begrudgingly admit it to anyone else. We were watching TV the other night and he was engrossed in something on his phone and when I leaned over to see what he was reading, I saw that he was reading the Disboards!

Back to your trip... I looooooove the Epcot resort area. We own at Boardwalk but we stayed at BCV for the first time in October and really loved it. Awesome resort, amazing pool and really friendly CMs!

Can't wait to read more!

Hey Missy! Glad you made it over here!

Yeah, Matt is in love with Disney and I have to say, I'm pretty darn thankful for it! He actually gets my obsession... though he wasn't sure about the DIS when I first mentioned it to him... Now he reads it, occassionally posts, and will sometimes just bring up random TRs to me. That is so funny that your fiance was totally reading on the DIS, hahahaha. Secret DISing!!

I am totally with you on the Epcot resort area!! We're looking into DVC actually for ourselves and I'd love to own at any of them! Though I know I'd have a hard time not always staying at BCV, that area is so perfect. I'm enjoying your TR though because it's fun seeing other Villas! Makes me a little more open to trying somewhere else in the future.

I had to creep out of lurkdom to say I appreciated the REM reference. That sounds like an awesome night. Just finished your DL report and now I'm catching up with the new one... Just a little jealous of your two super fun trips!

HAHA YES! High five to you, because I was WAITING for someone to get my REM reference!!

I'm glad you read my DL one and are here for this one, as well!!

Trust me, that month and a half was just totally full of amazing trips and fun things. Now it's hard to come back and not have another Disney trip somewhere within the next few weeks! I got a little spoiled there, methinks.

 

[danimaroo]

Chapter Five: HOW DOES SOMEONE NOT KNOW WHO GONZO IS?!
Day 2: January 18th, 2013

We woke up this morning to the phone ringing... My favorite little guy, Stitch, was screaming at me that there was NO SLEEPING! and it was time to get up. Ooohhh, that nugget of joy. I jumped out of bed fairly quickly, because I was so excited... It was our first full day in the parks! How can you NOT get excited?!

We got ready fairly quickly, then headed downstairs to meet Bruce and Amy over at the Beach Club Marketplace. As excited as we were to be up and going, we were also in dire need of coffee and a bite to eat.

I decided to go with the coffee cake, which I'd really enjoyed when I got it last year. We noticed that the Marketplace menu for hot breakfast items had changed since our last visit, as they no longer served the breakfast croissant sandwich. Matt opted for the new sandwich, which had eggs, bacon, and cheese on a sourdough type bread, with a side of potato casserole. I believe Bruce and Amy went with the Scrambled Egg Platter and the breakfast sandwich. We went to go and pay when I spotted a CM with a Gonzo Muppets pin! I asked to trade with her, she looked down at her pins and..

THE WOMAN DIDN'T KNOW WHO GONZO WAS.

I mean... yeah, no. I was a little saddened by this. The CM next to her pointed out who Gonzo was and she handed me the pin. I thanked her (even though inside I was shaking my head because who doesn't know Gonzo?!) and we all headed outside to go eat our food.

We sat on a bench and enjoyed our food and surroundings.

This was my coffee cake:

This was Matt's sandwich. I had a bite and also a bite of his casserole and both were very tasty!

We all finished up fairly quickly because we wanted to make sure we got over to Epcot around the point it was opening. Matt decided that it'd be best to drop off our coffee mugs back in the room so we wouldn't have to carry them around, while Bruce and Amy needed to grab something in their room, and since we had a few minutes before the park opened, they all headed back while I waited around for them to return.

So what's a girl to do when she's on her own, with her camera? TAKE PHOTOS, duh.

It was pretty overcast that day, though it didn't say it was supposed to rain.

I also took some video while I waited for everyone (which I'm sure will pop up in my epic video I'm going to be working on here soon).

After everyone got back, it was time to head on over to Epcot!

Both Matt and I were SUPER excited to be using our fancy Premier Annual Passports (aka GOLDEN TICKETS if you read my Disneyland TR). If you didn't read my Disneyland Trip Report, Matt and I bought Premier Annual Passports when we went to Disneyland. This allows us to get into all Disney parks in the United States for a year. We re-named them our Golden Tickets because they are gold and fancy and basically ARE a golden ticket, considering we get into all of the parks!

There's something pretty fantastic about the first time you are able to use that ticket in a park on the complete opposite side of the country from where you purchased it, so it was deserving of a photo!

I spotted a trash can and made everyone stop so I could get a photo by it. I know, that's random, but I was part of a January 2013 Facebook group (made of people from the DIS, some you were a part of this group!), and someone suggested taking photos with random trash cans in Disney parks. Yes, super random, but I thought this would be a good chance to get my photo in!

I'm sure Matt, Bruce and Amy wanted to slap me for taking away precious park time, since we were so close to getting in, but I couldn't help it.

We finally got through, and we were IN EPCOT. Words can't describe the happiness.

I love walking through the International Gateway into Epcot. It's so quiet over in that area when the park is just opening. Plus with World Showcase being closed, it's the perfect time to walk through England and Canada, since those two areas are open for Epcot resort guests to get through to Future World.

And that's exactly where we were headed... over towards Future World!

Now mind you, Bruce hadn't been here in many years and Amy had never stepped foot in Disney World, so we took our time as we made our way over to our first destination.

It was so nice to see Spaceship Earth again in the distance and to hear the Future World music piped in...

We decided to stop for photos in one of my favorite spots in Epcot, because there was no one around and this seemed like a great time to get some shots in!

I took a photo of Matt on my iPhone to send to our co-workers. Basically since last year, it's tradition for us to send a photo of Matt giving thumbs up while everyone is back in Seattle dealing with the cold weather and, well, work. We're cruel, but someone's gotta do it!

I then took some photos of Bruce and Amy. I think the black and white-ish one is probably the best one I took of them all trip. It's a fantastic photo of the two of them!

Bruce then took a photo of Matt and me together, as well.

I have this obsession with the flowers in this area, and because there was literally not a single person in sight, I insisted on getting a few photos.

Finally, we continued on, because we wanted to get on a ride or two before the crowds showed up... and soon enough, we were strolling up to this beautiful sign:

Continued in next post​