My, What an Interesting Carpet Bag~A Dec. 2013 TR!*Remember Me?!*PTR for May 2015 Link, pg 23!*

[cruisingteacher]

Yay! Enjoying your trip report so far!!

I look forward to reading the rest...

And that is sad about the potential missing disney ducklings

 

[Nermel9]

Yay! Enjoying your trip report so far!!

I look forward to reading the rest...

And that is sad about the potential missing disney ducklings

Welcome, thank you!!

Aww, I know isn't it? I'm sure they are just fine!

 

[Nermel9]

Christmastime is Here, PT 1

Sunday December 1, Part 3

I believe when we left off, Brandon and I stopped at our home, the Wilderness Lodge for a few minutes before heading back to Pop. As we all know, Disney travel takes forever, and I think it was around 4:00 when we got back to the room. Not good, Brandon was hoping to nap for a few minutes, but he had to spend all of his time showering instead. I was all ready to go, so I settled in to watch some Stacey, but I think I fell asleep for a few minutes.

But before I knew it, we were out the door again, ready to go to dinner! Where were we headed? Cape May Cafe, of course! It's one of our favorite places to have dinner, everything is always so good there, and and it gives me a chance to visit another one of my home resorts, the Beach Club!

I was looking forward to walking into the Beach Club and inhaling that glorious Beach Club smell, but...it smelled like gingerbread instead. I knew they did that for the holidays, but somehow it slipped my mind. I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed.

Oh well, we had more important things to do than whine about how the Beach Club smelled like gingerbread (ok, I was whining, and Brandon was pretending not to hear me )...we had to check in for dinner! There was a huge line waiting to check in, but luckily, a CM just called us over and asked for our name, and handed us a buzzer and checked us in without having to wait in line at all! And then not even 2 minutes later, our buzzer was going off and we were seated!

We didn't waste any time going up to the buffet after we ordered our drinks and here is my plate:



Looks good, right? It was very good, only...everything was different. The mashed potatoes were yummy, but they used to have these amazing mashed potatoes that had basil in them that I could have seriously lived off of the rest of my life. The pasta was ok, but it had tons of vegetables, which just isn't my thing. It was good, but again, the last few times we were there, it was much different, and way better. The biggest difference though, was the salmon, which I don't have a picture of. It was actually not good at all. A few trips before when I first tried the salmon, I was obsessed with it, I actually came home and tried to make it just like they made it at Cape May (and failed!) but this time, it was just not good. It looked the same, baked salmon with breading on top, but the spices were all wrong. Oh well, that's the good thing about buffets, there's always enough to eat if you don't like a few things right?

When we finished eating dinner, I had to get a few desserts



The little pistachio cake and chocolate cake were good, but the strawberry shortcake was AWFUL. It tasted like the strawberry stuff on the bottom was bad, like it expired or something, because it was absolutely disgusting. I took one tiny bite and didn't eat anymore, I was afraid I would get food poisoning or something.

Usually, I love everything about Cape May, but this night, I didn't feel that love. Brandon liked it, he said everything he had was as good as it always was, but he had different things than I did. I don't even thing he had dessert. I'm hoping, like Boma, it was an off day or something, because I'd hate to think that we can't go there anymore! I know buffet menus constantly change but...some things they should keep the same!

We left Cape May and I wanted to hang out at the Beach Club for a few minutes, and look at all of their adorable Christmas decorations...the merry go round is so amazing, I cannot believe how beautiful it is!





The trees there are really pretty too, they do such a great job decorating the Beach and Yacht clubs, so classy!



Finally, we were ready to leave, so we headed outside to find our car.

Bye Beach Club!





See, I always say the Wilderness Lodge is my favorite, and then I go to the Beach Club and I think that resort is my favorite...I can have more than one favorite right?

We drove over to Hollywood Studios and on the way over, I made my very first FP+ reservation! I kept trying to make one all day, and I couldn't, so finally I tried on Brandon's phone and it let me...for the rest of the trip, I had to use Brandon's phone to do anything on the Disney app, because mine just wouldn't work!

Ahh, the lovely tree at Hollywood Studios! I feel like I don't give this tree the attention it deserves, like the Epcot tree, or even the tree in the Grand, but I can never get a decent picture of it!



Epcot may be my favorite park, and of course, walking into MK and seeing the Castle is always the best feeling ever, but there's something about walking into DHS that I just LOVE. I love the buildings there, I love the old Hollywood vibe it has, and I also love the fact that they blast their Christmas music! It's so much louder than the other parks!



Sigh. Pictures like that one make me so sad, because it's nothing. It's a palm tree, a building, and a Christmas decoration. Yet, it's just so perfectly DHS, and it makes me want to be right there, in that spot SOOOOO bad, I could seriously burst into tears right now.

The first thing I have to do in Hollywood Studios is visit my Tower, so that's the direction we went in.

And there it is...



Isn't ib beautiful? The amount that I love this Tower is ridiculous. Best ride ever.

Getting closer...



And here we are!



It was a 30 minute wait, which was perfect, because in 30 minutes we could use our FP+ for Rock N' Roller Coaster, so we got in line! I don't even mind waiting in line for this because the queue is so beautiful!









Tower of Terror was fantastic, as always! I wanted to go on again, but it was time to use our FP+! I was curious to see if it would work, and surprisingly, it did! We just walked right up to the FP lined, scanned our Magic Bands and went right in. That part of FP+ is awesome, being able to make reservations for it that day and not worrying about it is great...but doing it like 60 days in advance or something, and the tiers...I'm just not a fan of that!

After RnRC, we walked back up the street and stopped in the Villains store for a few minutes, where that had the most awesome wall of Cheshire Cats!



The Cheshire Cat is such an underused character in the parks, he should totally be out during MNSSHP!

We looked around for a few minutes and then it was time to go...it was finally dark enough to go see...the Osborne Lights!

Passed the hat on the way...



Walked all the way to the back of the Streets of America, and we were there!

I'm going to continue this in another post because I have tons of pictures of the lights, and I'm sure I'm almost at my image limit...

​

 

[Nermel9]

Christmastime is Here, PT 2

There are really no words to describe how much I LOVE the Osborne Lights! I love to just stand in the middle and watch them dance, and listen to the Christmas music...I could spend hours there! I usually do, actually, and poor Brandon gets bored so sometimes he will go and look at other things or go on rides, but I cannot tear myself away. I love them. I love going around the corner in the back and BAM, you're hit with billions of lights in this amazing Christmas wonderland. It's like a different world back there, it's just so perfect!















(I told you I had a ton of pictures...sorry!)



But they're just so pretty, how could you NOT take a million pictures!



















I could tell Brandon was getting really bored, so I asked him if he wanted to go on Star Tours, which he said yes to and immediately started running over there...guess he was anxious to leave my lights, haha!

There was no wait at all for Star Tours, and we were speeding through the galaxy in no time! I never remember which sequence we get, but I do know Jarjar was invovled...ugh. Worst Star Wars character ever.

I also know that I cannot stand being thrown around like that. I love the ride, because I love Star Wars, but the actual ride vehicle is so rough! Every time I go on it I say I'm never going on it again but I always end up going back for more! I just wish it could be a bit smoother, you know?

When we finished with Star Tours, I wanted to walk through the Lights again, so we did that. No pictures this time, I just looked at the lights and enjoyed the music. My favorite is the Trans Siberian Orchestra song that they play, and when that came on, I was right in the middle of everything, and it was perfect!

Magic hours were just about over, so we started to make our way out. Usually when I leave the Osborne Lights and I know I won't see them again for the rest of the trip, I'm about to burst into tears, but I didn't feel that way this time. I just felt happy to even be there at all, since it was such a struggle to even get there.



When we left, I wanted to stop at the Boardwalk to go to the Bakery to grab a cupcake. So we drove over and told the guard we wanted to park and go to the Boardwalk for a little while, and he said ok, but we had to park in a different lot, down the street. So we were like, uh, ok...turned around and went down the street to what seemed like a commuter lot. And it was FAR! I mean, it wasn't that bad, but it was across the street and my feet were already killing me and I just didn't want to walk, so I said forget it and we left. Ugh. That's the first time we've ever been told we couldn't park somewhere, it actually annoyed me a lot. I understand parking is for Boardwalk guests, but even the Beach Club let us in with no problem.

We went back to Pop, and since I really wanted dessert, on the way back to the room, I convinced Brandon to walk down to Everything Pop with me to get something.





What did I end up getting? The tie dyed cheesecake, of course!



I can't believe how much they changed it, I knew it was in a little plastic cup now, but it was SO small!!! It tasted just as good as when I had it in 2011, but I prefer the old cheesecake, that was a huge slice of actual cake, not just smushed into a cup. Disney, please, just leave some things alone!!!

Once I ate my cheesecake, it was pretty late so we got ready for bed and went to sleep. Another long day in Disney behind us, and another long day was waiting for us tomorrow!

​

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Sorry dinner wasn't up to par. Maybe just an off night?

I love DHS!!! The vibe, buildings, everything puts me in a good mood!!!

I really really wish I was/could be in wdw right now!!!!!

OMG! I want the big slice back!! That cup looks too small and I know I'd have to share LoL

 

[deedee2177]

Another great update. I'm really enjoying your TR, it is making me so excited for our trip in April.

We are taking the Grandmas with us this trip so DH and I have a date afternoon/evening planned. I think we are going to split the time up btw HS and MK. I really enjoy HS at night, and the MK is good any time of the day

 

[Pluto0809]

Oh boy I hope your bad experience at Cape May was just a one time thing because I will be eating there in 4 days! My favorite dish was the beef short ribs and dumplings and I'm hoping it will be on the menu the night we go. I also love the Boston Creme Cake dessert.

Oh those Osborne Lights. Thank you for all the pictures, I really enjoyed seeing all of them. I am determined I'm going back this year to see them again.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Ohh there is seriously a fine line between good Strawberry Shortcake and bad Strawberry Shortcake. Good Strawberry Shortcake is its own food group for me. Just looking at your photo it doesn't look right. How do you even eat that and get the good balance of cake, strawberry and cream?? Just no.

I think one of the things I enjoy most about the DHS tree is it's outside the park. I guess the Animal Kingdom one is too, so not completely unique, but still.

Oh Jen, I love the lights too so much!!!! Trust me, I never get bored. I'm still scared that this might be the last year for them. That would be so very wrong.

Ugh... TD Cheesecake... just NO!!!!! Seriously, who puts a cheesecake in a cup???? There's some bad dessert mojo going on here.

 

[MEK]

You can definitely have more than one favorite resort. During my last trip I couldn't decided which I enjoyed more - BWV or the AKL. It's because they are so different. So it's OK to love them both.

Your comments on the food just give backing to the fact that I think Disney is slowing chipping away at the quality and quantity of some food items. I think there are teams of people just look for ways to save a buck so it ends up being a profit for them. It's weird. I agree - some things should be left alone. Don't cheap out Disney. It's not cool.

I always love your Osbourne light pictures. They are lovely. Such a great show.

The parking at the Boardwalk is TERRIBLE. Even when we stayed there it was such a long walk to the room and such a convoluted way to get into the back of the lot. It made absolutely no sense because the valet lot was always very empty and there were tons of close spots that we couldn't access.

Fun update!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Yeah! Thanks for the update!
Boo to Cape May not being what you're used to...I have never been..but have to admit I'm hesitant now..I recently read another so-so review. .

Am I the only one that likes Jarjar binks??? LoL

 

[ZehnJahren]

I'm joining in, albeit a little late. I have too many comments so I don't know where I'd start, but I'll keep reading and start commenting a little more timely!

I do have to say that I have never been to the GF or the WL but all your pictures make me at least want to visit!

Also, I saw the Osborne Lights this year wearing my Glow-With-The-Show ears and I loved it! You're right, how can you not take a ton of pictures!? I have quite a few of "those pictures" too - where it's nothing but a palm tree and some neon lights, but it's DHS to a tee and I wish I could be there so strongly!

 

[IheartDDuck]

All right, getting caught up after my trip!

I have a theory that men can sleep through just about anything. All of the men in my family just saw a log through whatever noises we make.

You could have asked for juice too at the buffet. Silly girl. You can have as many drinks as you want.

You're just like my SIL Jeni! When she orders eggs, she's literally like "burn them!" LOL.

Oh no! Getting sick in the bathroom? That's no good. I'm glad he seemed to be okay after that though.

You are way too hard on yourself. I always think you look super cute in your pictures.

DUCKLINGS!!! My favorite.

Haha. Okay, that Brandon and the ducklings story is hilarious though.

Yay! What a great meet and greet. Pluto is always so awesome.

Splash down?! Noooooooooooo.

I'm sorry Cape May was a let down. That's such a disappointment.

Listen, I have favorites for different reasons. You are absolutely allowed to have more than one favorite.

That's weird about the app not working on your phone. Thankfully, we had no problems and it was easy peasy the whole time.

That tiny cup of tie dyed cheesecake is a joke. Seriously. A joke.

 

[Simba22]

Usually people apologize for not having enough pics in their updates. You have to be the only person I know who apologizes for having "too many!" It's a trip report! We want pictures!

I'm sorry about your dinner at Cape May! I know how much you usually love it there! Our breakfast was great when we were there in October! Our server was a little flighty but the food was great! Let's go with 'it was an off-night!'

I wonder why you had to park in some random parking lot at the BW?? I would have said you should have just gone back to the BC and parked there but you did say you didn't want to walk so that would have defeated that purpose, I guess!

I never had the tie-dye cheesecake but I know what it looked like. That little cup is just pathetic. I mean seriously....

 

[KatMark]

Jen, fun updates.

I have to say we were not pleased with our breakfast or dinner the last visits to Cape May Café. I too noticed the subtle changes...and didn't find them to be good.

What wonderful, wonderful pictures you got of the Osborne Lights. To me, that is worth a Christmas trip all in their own.

 

[scottny]

Great you didn’t have to wait at Cape May long. Sorry it wasn’t as good as the last times.
TOT is so fun but Star Tours is my favorite.
Very nice pics of Osborne Lights.
Isn’t the lot you parked in at Boardwalk the self parking lot? I know I here it is a far walk.
I do not understand why they did that to the cheesecake.
Great updates and pics.

 

[JulieODC]

Great pictures of the Christmas decorations at BC! We stayed at YC in Nov (and it may have overtaken WL as our favorite resort), and we just missed the decorations by a week!

Great Osborne lights photos as well!!

 

[amazingact21]

Oh man, I remember one of your TRs were you and Brandon had an amazing experience at Cape May. I was actually considering trying Cape May, since there'd been so many positive reviews about it. But reading about your last meal there, I'm kind of glad I didn't pick it.
I will say, though, that I think several things were "off" during the time period we were there. I don't know if Disney was not prepared for the huge crowds that were there (which I don't think is the case, because all the resorts were booked up) or if the transition over to MyMagic was just throwing everything off. Either way, I believe Disney was having a bad week.


The Osbourne Lights are the best thing ever. How could someone not enjoy standing under them, listening to holiday music, watching "snow" fall?



Ugh, that cheesecake! Don't even get Alex started on that. I'm surprised you didn't hear him complaining all the way over in the 50's Building. He kept ranting, "Don't cut corners with the cheesecake, Disney!"
In my opinion, when they moved it to the cup, it was mostly cheesecake and very little red velvet, which was wrong. I liked it the way it was before.

 

[JessM]

I also love those lights so much, they are just perfect! We got to spend an extra night on my last Dec trip and I went and walked thru the lights solo, it was awesome. I literally stood in the middle of them forever! It was great not having someone rush me along

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[Dugette]

Great updates! Love all the holiday stuff.

That's too bad that Cape May wasn't as good as you remembered. Hopefully it'll be better next time you're back to your favorite Beach Club.

That is a lot of Cheshire Cats! Wow!

I'm glad we got the Tye Dye Cheesecake back in 2011 when it was a whole slice! That doesn't look right at all in the little cup. Why would they mess with a guest favorite?