Nothing Can Stop Us Now! The End! Well almost, quick recap of Jan 22 trip! Update on April trip 4/21*

[pkondz]

The mosaic wall art is so beautiful It really makes the walk to the Skyliner so nice!

Nice!

I do and I have several shirts with Sully on them, lol

Especially when the just pop up lol

Oh for sure. Pop-up wings are where it's at.

I always here people saying we couldn’t ride anything we just walked around!

Oy.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Bummer on the trip cancellation, but hopefully the rest will mean you're feeling 100% in January! I love the mosaics at the Riviera so much. I am amazed at how little research some people do before going to Disney. It is so expensive, and especially if you are paying for a trip across the ocean, you'd think you would do the research first! I don't do very well at TSM either. I think when I looked up the tricks, I did worse lol! Can't wait to hear about your best meal! Eating is definitely the best part of vacation!

 

[Steppesister]

You're already 5 pages in?! Holy crap, girl!

I'm subbed in and will pick it up when I have a bit more time!

 

[kastoney]

We decided to do SD first. I was able to stay in the wc the whole queue. We waited about 15 minutes. We were able to ride again with about the same wait.

Wow!!! You all really hit the low crowd time. In June we were never even able to ride slinky because the line was never less than an hour

I think you all know where this is going! No 50th celebration for me! I canceled our late September trip.
I’m sad but what can you do, things happen and I have been lucky to have 3 Disney trips so far this year!

Sorry you have to miss the 50th but it sounds like the doctors have you on the right path to getting back on your feet again.

As soon as we entered the park, a cavalcade was coming down the street. We had a great spot and could see all the characters! Mrs Incredible and Edna Mode, love it darling!

Love, love, love the cavalcades. So fun when they just appear vs. waiting forever for parades

I am still amazed how many people just walk up to the CM’s at the entrance and ask what is this? How do we ride this?, Where is the line? Oh wait you need a what to ride this? We snicker every time we get to this ride entrance. I would think you would do a little trip planning before coming to Disney, but many do not! We had a wonderful and fun ride on Rise.

It is crazy how many people seem to be so ill informed. I had to go to guest services in MGM and I think I was the only person in line not claiming that I had gotten a rise boarding pass and then it "disappeared." Felt terrible for the cast members, but Disney isn't helping making all of this so darn complicated

I have to write a new post for our evening because it will be filled with delicious food porn! Stay tuned for Our best meal of the trip and it was on sale!!

Oh, can't wait to see what this is!!!

 

[Steppesister]

Okay, I took time out to read all of the chapters and catch up- all 5 pages!

First off, I'm over-the-top sad you had to cancel. I was looking at my spreadsheet and when I got to having lunch at Skippers with you and your sister I about cried. Someday....

But I know it's for the long-term best for your ankle. I had to have ankle surgery a few years back and my doc was VERY adamant that I follow the post-op instructions because if I damaged it while healing I might have not ever walked again. So I totally get your being cautious!

I love that Andi was willing to push you. I KNOW what that's like as you know from the Epic trip and pushing my mom. Not easy. The scooter was not that bad if you have to face that again. Once you get the hang of parking it in buses it's very doable. Most of the time the drivers parked it for me anyways.

The Riviera has always looked so nice to me. It's on my list as is Topolinos for dinner. Those scallops look amazing!! Can't wait to hear about your BEST dinner/meal!

Let's talk soon, Sweet Friend!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Bummer on the trip cancellation, but hopefully the rest will mean you're feeling 100% in January! I love the mosaics at the Riviera so much. I am amazed at how little research some people do before going to Disney. It is so expensive, and especially if you are paying for a trip across the ocean, you'd think you would do the research first! I don't do very well at TSM either. I think when I looked up the tricks, I did worse lol! Can't wait to hear about your best meal! Eating is definitely the best part of vacation!

I know! We would be getting to MSP right about now, our flight was at 12:45 today
My ankle is getting better but no where near walking around Disney better, ugh!
I loved the Riviera so much, I almost bought into DVC while we were there, it is ridiculously expensive for what you get so I told myself stop and think about it before making an impulsive decision.
We loved the low crowds at HS.
He cavalcades are so fun and bring on the happy feels so much!
I can’t believe people don’t do any pre trip planning, crazy!
The best meal experience coming up soon!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Wow!!! You all really hit the low crowd time. In June we were never even able to ride slinky because the line was never less than an hour

I was so happy with the crowds! I knew it would be way more crowded during the 50th celebration. SDD at 15 minutes is so rare!

Sorry you have to miss the 50th but it sounds like the doctors have you on the right path to getting back on your feet again.

We would have been flying out today and I was so excited to stay at WL. Geyser Point for drinks was our plan tonight

Love, love, love the cavalcades. So fun when they just appear vs. waiting forever for parades

I agree they make me giddy, I love the spontaneity!

It is crazy how many people seem to be so ill informed. I had to go to guest services in MGM and I think I was the only person in line not claiming that I had gotten a rise boarding pass and then it "disappeared." Felt terrible for the cast members, but Disney isn't helping making all of this so darn complicated

I can just imagine how many people try to get on Rise without a boarding group. I heard the wait was like 3-4 hours long the other day for the new stand by way, yikes!

Oh, can't wait to see what this is!!!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Okay, I took time out to read all of the chapters and catch up- all 5 pages!

Thank you so much Liesa! I know how busy you have been!

First off, I'm over-the-top sad you had to cancel. I was looking at my spreadsheet and when I got to having lunch at Skippers with you and your sister I about cried. Someday....

I know, it really stinks, the timing sucked! 2 trips and my ankle goes bad! I was so looking forward to this trip and meeting up with you and others for food, drinks, and fun! When does your trip start? We would have been leaving today

But I know it's for the long-term best for your ankle. I had to have ankle surgery a few years back and my doc was VERY adamant that I follow the post-op instructions because if I damaged it while healing I might have not ever walked again. So I totally get your being cautious!

The doctor told me if I don’t do exactly what he has instructed I could have this tendon injury bother me in the long term, oh my gosh, no way, it sucks. I am following his directions precisely. It is getting better

I love that Andi was willing to push you. I KNOW what that's like as you know from the Epic trip and pushing my mom. Not easy. The scooter was not that bad if you have to face that again. Once you get the hang of parking it in buses it's very doable. Most of the time the drivers parked it for me anyways.

She was a real sport and didn’t complain much at all. I should have done the scooter, oh well it all worked out. The trip was enjoyable in a more relaxing and focusing on food, yum!

The Riviera has always looked so nice to me. It's on my list as is Topolinos for dinner. Those scallops look amazing!! Can't wait to hear about your BEST dinner/meal!

I loved it here and you will find out later, I wish I would have asked and just changed our plans and stayed here the whole trip. The dinner was delicious and the scallops cooked perfectly.

Let's talk soon, Sweet Friend!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Our best meal of the trip and it was on sale!

We had a 5pm reservation at Jaleo. We were really looking forward to this meal. I had read so many wonderful reviews on here about this place. This meal was amazing, we did the 5 course Orlando magical dining special. I had no idea this was going on and it worked great for us. We had 5 different tapas each and we shared everything. We also went with the 1/2 pitcher of the house made white sangria. This was very tasty.
Chicken croquettes yum

These tasted like chicken dumplings in a croquette, it reminded me of my grandmother’s chicken and dumpling soup, it was like in the movie Ratatouille when the food critic has his childhood memory, this was me!!
Jose Andres talks about these croquettes invoking memories for him and I get it! He would put his boots on the table when he was small and get scolded so when he started his restaurant businesses he would serve the croquettes on a boot. He thought a pillow like the one for Cinderella’s shoe was perfect to present these at DS!
Tomato bread with manchego cheese yum

This was simple but so tasty with the fresh tomato and the perfect cheese to compliment.

Watermelon tomato with balsamic yum
Salad with tomatoes, olives, purple onion yum

I loved both of these, the salad was so tasty with the olives, fresh crunchy lettuce and tomatoes. The watermelon bites with the balsamic were very refreshing!

Garlic mushrooms yum
Potatoes with aioli yum

These 2 courses were so delicious. I love mushrooms, these did not disappoint very flavorful and the potatoes oh my, crisp outside soft inside and the aioli was devine.

Garlic shrimp yum

Shrimp in a garlicky butter what is not to like!

Paella chicken and mushroom yum

Andi loved this, I liked it but the spice flavors were a little smoky and strong for me.

Flan yum
Chocolate mousse yum

Perfect desserts after our wonderful meal!
We were so happy with this meal and the 5 courses for each of us was 37.00 a piece. This price was amazing because we tried so many tasty things. Our sangria cost as much as one of the meals. We were so happy after this meal. I highly recommend trying Jaleo! You will not be disappointed! My favorites of the tapas were the chicken croquettes, salad, mushrooms, and the potatoes! Oh my so delicious! All the other tapas were a close second, including both desserts! The flan was my favorite of the desserts.
We were quite pleased and both decided this was our favorite meal so far and it did keep that top spot the rest of the week! I highly recommend trying Jaleo! You will not be disappointed!
Our meal was paced perfectly and our waiter was so informative and all around very nice. He made the time for you and always checked back to see how things were going. I am a true fan of this place now!
We decided to put our name in at Gideon’s and while we waited we had the delicious Dolewhip Frozcato from Winebar George.


We sat at the upstairs bar and we looked like little kids at the bar, it was high and the chairs low, lol

Check out the mask holder we had from our friend Melinda @pepperandchips, these were so handy and worked well!
We got our text from Gideon’s and took the last of our drinks to go.
We had to wait about 10 minutes to get in and once inside we went with 1 double chocolate chip, 2 chocolate chip and one pistachio toffee cookie.


My ankle was throbbing at this point despite the alcohol so we headed back to the resort. We missed our bus of course but we only waited about 15 minutes for the next one.
We relaxed and I put some ice on my foot and ankle. We watched tv, relaxed and went to sleep around 11pm. Stay tuned for our next park day!
Do you think there are more animals in this park than people?

 

[pkondz]

We had a 5pm reservation at Jaleo. We were really looking forward to this meal. I had read so many wonderful reviews on here about this place. This meal was amazing, we did the 5 course Orlando magical dining special. I had no idea this was going on and it worked great for us. We had 5 different tapas each and we shared everything.

That sounds wonderful!

We also went with the 1/2 pitcher of the house made white sangria. This was very tasty.

mmm... white sangria... mmm.........

it was like in the movie Ratatouille when the food critic has his childhood memory, this was me!!

Jose Andres talks about these croquettes invoking memories for him and I get it! He would put his boots on the table when he was small and get scolded so when he started his restaurant businesses he would serve the croquettes on a boot. He thought a pillow like the one for Cinderella’s shoe was perfect to present these at DS!

What a great story.

Watermelon tomato with balsamic yum
Salad with tomatoes, olives, purple onion yum
Garlic mushrooms yum
Potatoes with aioli yum
Garlic shrimp yum
Paella chicken and mushroom yum
Flan yum
Chocolate mousse yum

So you're saying... It was yum?

Shrimp in a garlicky butter what is not to like!

One of my all time faves.

We were so happy with this meal and the 5 courses for each of us was 37.00 a piece. This price was amazing because we tried so many tasty things.

That is a great price! Wow!

We were so happy after this meal. I highly recommend trying Jaleo! You will not be disappointed!

Thanks for the tip!

we had the delicious Dolewhip Frozcato from Winebar George.

Whoa. That sounds... amazing.

We sat at the upstairs bar and we looked like little kids at the bar, it was high and the chairs low, lol

Check out the mask holder we had from our friend Melinda @pepperandchips, these were so handy and worked well!

Huh! Good idea. Haven't seen or heard of those.

My ankle was throbbing at this point despite the alcohol so we headed back to the resort.

And now you've had to cancel trips because of it.

We missed our bus of course but we only waited about 15 minutes for the next one.

Not bad.

 

[Steppesister]

I know, it really stinks, the timing sucked! 2 trips and my ankle goes bad! I was so looking forward to this trip and meeting up with you and others for food, drinks, and fun! When does your trip start? We would have been leaving today

I leave on Tuesday and staying through til Sunday. It's basically a free trip for me between staying in friends' rooms and Visa Disney rewards for food, so just the flight and ticket.

I am following his directions precisely. It is getting better ❤‍

Good girl!!

The trip was enjoyable in a more relaxing and focusing on food, yum!

Which is never a bad thing!

We had a 5pm reservation at Jaleo.

One of my TOP Disney restaurant picks of ANY park or resort. LOVE this place!!

I could eat that shrimp for the rest of my life and be happy.

I highly recommend trying Jaleo! You will not be disappointed!

YES!!! Me too!

My ankle was throbbing at this point despite the alcohol so we headed back to the resort.

You know it's bad when even ETOH doesn't do the trick.

 

[suse66]

We were quite pleased and both decided this was our favorite meal so far and it did keep that top spot the rest of the week! I highly recommend trying Jaleo! You will not be disappointed!

Definitely on our list for March!

Check out the mask holder we had from our friend Melinda @pepperandchips, these were so handy and worked well!

Melinda gave me one too. I love it!

Do you think there are more animals in this park than people?

Sounds like you had a perfect, uncrowded AK day.

 

[Familyof14]

"It was time for our boarding group and we headed to GE. We basically walked on, maybe a small wait right before the pre show room. I am still amazed how many people just walk up to the CM’s at the entrance and ask what is this? How do we ride this?, Where is the line? Oh wait you need a what to ride this? We snicker every time we get to this ride entrance. I would think you would do a little trip planning before coming to Disney, but many do not! We had a wonderful and fun ride on Rise."

Trip planning is what I am trying to do by reading some recent reviews on this forum. I've been to Disney before, but need a refresher. However, it is very hard grasping the ends and outs in reviews, and in many postings on this forum, when there are so many acronyms to decipher. I have not been to Disney in many years, so I am rusty. Could you please explain what GE is and how do you ride it...what is needed?

Looking forward to hearing about Animal Kingdom. That's where my group will be staying in 2 weeks. I am a grandmother traveling with my daughter and 2 grandchildren. My daughter is a teacher and has very little time for planning. We just booked this trip about a month ago. I am in the end stages of building a house and have very little time to devote to the planning of this trip. Is there a list of all these acronyms used on this forum?

So sorry that you had ankle trouble on your trip. That's no fun! Here's hoping that you are feeling better soon!

 

[pkondz]

I have not been to Disney in many years, so I am rusty. Could you please explain what GE is and how do you ride it...what is needed?

GE is Galaxy's Edge. Full name is Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. It's the new land at the South (or far) end of DHS. (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
There are two major attractions in GE. Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run (abbreviated to SR, MF or MFSR) and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (abbreviated to ROTR.)
Up until just a few days ago, you needed to get online and book a spot in a virtual queue, known as a Boarding Group, for ROTR. If (and it was a big if) you were lucky enough to get a Boarding Group number, you would wait until your number was called and then proceed to the ride.
But you don't have to worry about that as it's been discontinued. Now you just have to get in line. Be aware however that the lines will be long for ROTR. Your best bet would be to arrive early.

 

[Bama Mom]

Ugh! What a bummer you had to cancel your trip for this month. But I'm sure your ankle/foot will thank you for that. Hopefully it will heal sooner rather than later and you'll be ready to go on your January trip.

I've never gotten anything from Gideons and I'm not a huge cookie person so I'm not even sure what I would decide to get if I ever do go. There are a few cakes I might would like.

 

[Familyof14]

pkondz
Thank you so much for that information. Very helpful!!! I had heard about this new land, but for some reason thought that it had not yet opened. Glad that the online passes have been discontinued. The last time that I was at Disney - about 5 years ago - we wore the Magic Bands and an app to book times ahead of rides. I have read that those are no longer in use. Is that info correct?

 

[VAtink]

I'm like 4 pages behind, but just have to say the food at Topolino's looks amazing! Need to add that to our list of must try places!

 

[pkondz]

pkondz
Thank you so much for that information. Very helpful!!! I had heard about this new land, but for some reason thought that it had not yet opened. Glad that the online passes have been discontinued. The last time that I was at Disney - about 5 years ago - we wore the Magic Bands and an app to book times ahead of rides. I have read that those are no longer in use. Is that info correct?

Glad I could be of help.
I don't want to go much further, as it's been a while since I've been too!
I believe Ratatouille is booking with boarding groups, but nothing else yet.
Magic bands... good question! I think they're still in use. As for the app... I'm not sure if they've rolled out Genie+ yet. That's a whole new kettle of fish!

 

[Steppesister]

Glad I could be of help.
I don't want to go much further, as it's been a while since I've been too!
I believe Ratatouille is booking with boarding groups, but nothing else yet.
Magic bands... good question! I think they're still in use. As for the app... I'm not sure if they've rolled out Genie+ yet. That's a whole new kettle of fish!

You beat me to it. I was going to add that yes, Ratatouille IS planned to begin BG's when it opens. I was studying this for my Oct 1 EPCOT visit. I'm glad for a chance at riding and didn't want to spend all day in line for it.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Jaleo sounds ....yum Dole whip froscato sounds devine and Gideons cookies look heavenly. All in all a perfectly scrumptious day! Sorry your ankle still aches. So glad it's healing, albeit slowly, now.
Your food photos are amazing and now I am hungry even though I shouldn't be because I've just eaten a bacon sandwich after reading Vamassey's TR where she had a bacon snack in MK. The Dis is bad for my waistline