***Official May 2023 Thread***

[disneydreamer781]

Our magic bands arrived today! Oh, yeah, I'm definitely over-preparing. But I'm so excited. Glad I coughed up the money for the MagicBand+ for my kiddo -- she was so excited just seeing the colors light up.

Oooh, you just reminded me to order mine. The problem is I'm having trouble choosing between many of the Magicband+.

 

[disneydreamer781]

A sure sign that Spring is on the way! First I saw a robin in my backyard this morning and secondly, some information was released yesterday about the 2023 Flower and Garden Festival. The new topiaries coming this year are Tiana to American Adventure (hopefully with Ray?) and although I don't know which Pavillon, the cast of Encanto. I'm very excited to see the menus this year and hoping for some new dishes. I'm so looking forward to the Frushi again . Other than the Frushi, I really liked the Corned Beef Hash and Shrimp and Grits. I really hope they do the Southern Seafood Boil again because I missed out on that last year. Does anyone have a favorite food or drink from past Flower and Garden festivals?

 

[kylenne]

Is anyone else planning yet? I feel like I spend the whole time between booking and actually going, just planning away. I plan way too much for how few trips I've actually taken to WDW. I like the research and knowing all I can know to make our trip as smooth and fun as possible. This will be my 6th (3rd as an adult) and our nuclear family's 2nd. I'm excited that my youngest is over 48" so we can all ride everything together! No more rider switch!

The only thing I've really done is switched to the hotel side of the Poly when the discounts came out and started making park reservations here and there. Our flights were already booked ages ago. Honestly I feel a bit hesitant to do anything more because I still feel like there will be some major announcements between now and our trip, with Iger back. My gut is telling me we'll get a bombshell or two (in a good way).

 

[kylenne]

A sure sign that Spring is on the way! First I saw a robin in my backyard this morning and secondly, some information was released yesterday about the 2023 Flower and Garden Festival. The new topiaries coming this year are Tiana to American Adventure (hopefully with Ray?) and although I don't know which Pavillon, the cast of Encanto. I'm so looking forward to the Frushi again and hopefully some new items on the menu. Other than the Frushi, I really liked the Corned Beef Hash and Shrimp and Grits. I really hope they do the Southern Seafood Boil again because I missed out on that last year. Does anyone have a favorite food or drink from past Flower and Garden festivals?

Everything at the honey booth but especially the cheesecake. And I'm a NYer so very particular about it, but it's some of the best I've ever had.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Everything at the honey booth but especially the cheesecake. And I'm a NYer so very particular about it, but it's some of the best I've ever had.

Thanks! Right at the top of my list for 2023. That booth was on my list last year but with only a 2-day pass I just never got to it. I really like cheesecake but DH loves it so I'll have to remember that.

 

[kylenne]

Thanks! Right at the top of my list for 2023. That booth was on my list last year but with only a 2-day pass I just never got to it. I really like cheesecake but DH loves it so I'll have to remember that.

Everything was so good, it was definitely my best of the fest...I really enjoyed the flatbread too!

 

[AUDramaQueen]

If you share your dates with me, I'll add you to the list.

Week of May 22nd

 

[hdrolfe]

Just booked POP for May 10 - 19, can't wait! I asked kiddo where he wants to stay (value cause it's expensive enough) and he chose POP over All Stars even though it means 1 less day on the trip. I'm ok with it because I do love Skyliner. Now to start planning and figure out whether we'll want/need Genie+. I do plan on some ILL$, especially Tron since it'll be open. And time to start ramping up the walking plan. Though nothing really prepares my feet for all the steps they get at Disney

 

[disneydreamer781]

Just booked POP for May 10 - 19, can't wait! I asked kiddo where he wants to stay (value cause it's expensive enough) and he chose POP over All Stars even though it means 1 less day on the trip. I'm ok with it because I do love Skyliner. Now to start planning and figure out whether we'll want/need Genie+. I do plan on some ILL$, especially Tron since it'll be open. And time to start ramping up the walking plan. Though nothing really prepares my feet for all the steps they get at Disney

Awesome! You're added to the list!

 

[persnickity]

Hi, all! We'll be in Orlando this May 21-29, staying offsite for a combined 20th anniversary/pre-senior year trip for our oldest. We did a November '21 trip to make up for a missed March '20 trip, and apparently we didn't completely scratch the itch. (It didn't help that oldest drank too much coffee in Epcot and was sick as a dog for 24+hours, which meant we didn't get the most out of our Epcot and AK days.) I'm really hoping for some kind of budget ticket offer soon, but of course not counting on it. We'll be spending a day or two at Universal, as well, we've never been.

It's definitely making me twitchy to not be able to plan much, but we're waiting on so many announcements - possible ticket discounts for either park, After Hours events, hours in general etc. At least I'm not as stressed about missing things as last time, we are big Star Wars fans and we got to ride everything we wanted. Very hopeful we will get to ride the two new rides, esp Guardians, but won't be heartbroken if we don't.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Hi, all! We'll be in Orlando this May 21-29, staying offsite for a combined 20th anniversary/pre-senior year trip for our oldest. We did a November '21 trip to make up for a missed March '20 trip, and apparently we didn't completely scratch the itch. (It didn't help that oldest drank too much coffee in Epcot and was sick as a dog for 24+hours, which meant we didn't get the most out of our Epcot and AK days.) I'm really hoping for some kind of budget ticket offer soon, but of course not counting on it. We'll be spending a day or two at Universal, as well, we've never been.

It's definitely making me twitchy to not be able to plan much, but we're waiting on so many announcements - possible ticket discounts for either park, After Hours events, hours in general etc. At least I'm not as stressed about missing things as last time, we are big Star Wars fans and we got to ride everything we wanted. Very hopeful we will get to ride the two new rides, esp Guardians, but won't be heartbroken if we don't.

Welcome to the thread! Just added you to the list!

 

[disneydreamer781]

Okay, lots of planning going on now. I just purchased a couple of Magicband+, (couldn't resist the Epcot 40th for $20 less), ordered Park tickets, made my park reservations, and I'm now trying to figure out ADRs that will probably change a gazillion times and are limited to a maximum of 3 park restaurants. I purchased a 6-day PH for myself, the first time in a while and DH had to remind me that I vowed never to buy PH with the 2 PM restriction. Leave it to him to remember that rant... Of course, that's easier when not staying near a park. The last trip was easy staying at GDT and WL when there wasn't the ability to bop between EP and HS and the temptation wasn't right outside my door. DH settled on a 3-day base ticket so I guess I'll be hopping on my lonesome.

 

[Tenkawa]

May 2nd-8th at SSR for a multi-generational family trip. 5 days at resorts, then leaving may 8th for the DCL Wish.

5 park days. Just have 3 more passes to purchase (I'm spreading it a bit) and the ADRs to book.

Star Wars day at HS, and Cinqo de Mayo at Epcot!

 

[disneydreamer781]

May 2nd-8th at SSR for a multi-generational family trip. 5 days at resorts, then leaving may 8th for the DCL Wish.

5 park days. Just have 3 more passes to purchase (I'm spreading it a bit) and the ADRs to book.

Star Wars day at HS, and Cinqo de Mayo at Epcot!

Nice! You're added to the list!

 

[AleaDaisy]

I'm now trying to figure out ADRs that will probably change a gazillion times and are limited to a maximum of 3 park restaurants

I hear you! I keep going back and forth on my picks -- I think I talked myself out of trying to get Storybook Dining (despite staying at Wilderness Lodge) in favor of breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table, since my nearly 5 year old will, frankly, lose her mind at getting to go in the castle.

Also, I ended up scrapping one of our planned lunch ADRs in favor of just doing festival booths at Epcot. My mom's a veggie-loving pescatarian, and I'm just excited for her to have so many choices at Flower and Garden!

Which are you planning?

 

[bluedolphin32]

Our magic bands arrived today! Oh, yeah, I'm definitely over-preparing. But I'm so excited. Glad I coughed up the money for the MagicBand+ for my kiddo -- she was so excited just seeing the colors light up (she's 4, so pretty easy to delight).

I went ahead and ordered the regular MBs. DH and I have new regular ones from last year we are reusing, but we got new regular ones for the kids. I was torn on the MB+ because they have to be charged, and there just aren't a lot of things to do with it to justify the extra cost at this point. If they add more games and things then I could see getting them in the future. They definitely have the better designs, though. I only regret not getting one about 10%. lol If I see them on clearance I may get one for us all to share. We only have 4 park days, and my son loved Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, so I know he'd love the bounty hunter game. I don't want to get sidetracked doing that for very long.

I hear you! I keep going back and forth on my picks -- I think I talked myself out of trying to get Storybook Dining (despite staying at Wilderness Lodge) in favor of breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table, since my nearly 5 year old will, frankly, lose her mind at getting to go in the castle.

Also, I ended up scrapping one of our planned lunch ADRs in favor of just doing festival booths at Epcot. My mom's a veggie-loving pescatarian, and I'm just excited for her to have so many choices at Flower and Garden!

Which are you planning?

Right now I want to try to get Tusker House, Crystal Palace, and Cape May Cafe for character meals. We also want to try to hit HDDR on our MK day. We all loved that show last time, and the food too.

I'm thinking Via Napoli and Crepes or La Halles at Epcot. We'll see what's on the menus for the F&G festival, but we use meals as sit down breaks. I want to make sure we can sit for a good length of time, so booths may make that too hard.

Not sure about HS - any suggestions? They don't seem to have the greatest table service restaurants. I'm thinking QS would be best there since it's so hard to fit in all the good rides.

AK - I've wanted to try Satu'li Canteen, but so far we've had Flame tree twice there. We did like it enough to eat there again. We just haven't been in Pandora at lunchtime and it's such a long way to backtrack. Trying to decide if we want to stay at AK thru dinner to try SC, or hop to EP get in another meal there. I plan to hop there either way to at least catch Guardians and Fireworks that night. If we hop before dinner we could maybe try to fit in one more headliner to make our actual EP day a bit easier.

 

[disneydreamer781]

I hear you! I keep going back and forth on my picks -- I think I talked myself out of trying to get Storybook Dining (despite staying at Wilderness Lodge) in favor of breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table, since my nearly 5 year old will, frankly, lose her mind at getting to go in the castle.

Also, I ended up scrapping one of our planned lunch ADRs in favor of just doing festival booths at Epcot. My mom's a veggie-loving pescatarian, and I'm just excited for her to have so many choices at Flower and Garden!

Which are you planning?

I'm definitely planning on mostly dinners this trip. Doing a visit to the other 3 parks but Epcot is my focus while staying at BWV. I haven't any TS lunches planned at this time because for me the F&G festival booths are such a large part of the enjoyment and the main reason why I go in the Spring. I may and that's a big MAY book HBD lunch since we haven't done that for a while and I really enjoy the Cobb. I have to work around DH's 3-day pass so that makes it much more of a challenge and another reason to hit the booths for lunch.

Eating at Cinderella's Castle is incredible and something everyone should do at least once. I can remember our first dinner there so long ago now probably around 1972-73 and I was about 13 (I feel so old...). You just didn't see stuff like that in the 70s. Eating out, let alone eating in a fancy place like that, just didn't happen. Just going to McDonald's or getting ice cream and eating in the car was a big deal. I was thinking of breakfast at CRT but DH doesn't want to do MK. The last time we ate there was back when there wasn't a character meal for lunch. Oh well, maybe next time if I can get DH to curb his animosity.

Your mom will love the booths! Lots of options for her. I'm a big seafood fan and I plan on seafood every dinner. I have Tiffins, Toledo, Flying Fish, and maybe Narcoossee's or Toppolino's so you'll notice a trend here.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Sorry wrong thread

 

[AleaDaisy]

I went ahead and ordered the regular MBs. DH and I have new regular ones from last year we are reusing, but we got new regular ones for the kids. I was torn on the MB+ because they have to be charged, and there just aren't a lot of things to do with it to justify the extra cost at this point. If they add more games and things then I could see getting them in the future. They definitely have the better designs, though. I only regret not getting one about 10%. lol If I see them on clearance I may get one for us all to share. We only have 4 park days, and my son loved Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, so I know he'd love the bounty hunter game. I don't want to get sidetracked doing that for very long.

Right now I want to try to get Tusker House, Crystal Palace, and Cape May Cafe for character meals. We also want to try to hit HDDR on our MK day. We all loved that show last time, and the food too.

I'm thinking Via Napoli and Crepes or La Halles at Epcot. We'll see what's on the menus for the F&G festival, but we use meals as sit down breaks. I want to make sure we can sit for a good length of time, so booths may make that too hard.

Not sure about HS - any suggestions? They don't seem to have the greatest table service restaurants. I'm thinking QS would be best there since it's so hard to fit in all the good rides.

AK - I've wanted to try Satu'li Canteen, but so far we've had Flame tree twice there. We did like it enough to eat there again. We just haven't been in Pandora at lunchtime and it's such a long way to backtrack. Trying to decide if we want to stay at AK thru dinner to try SC, or hop to EP get in another meal there. I plan to hop there either way to at least catch Guardians and Fireworks that night. If we hop before dinner we could maybe try to fit in one more headliner to make our actual EP day a bit easier.

Yeah, not going to lie, kinda wish I had gotten the MB+ for myself after just playing with Peanut's. But hey, I'm sure I will find an easy way to spend that extra $20 elsewhere in the parks!

I actually haven't been in forever, so no recs from me for HS! But yeah, from what I've heard from friends, HS is the most "fit the meals whenever you can between ride times" park.

We'll hit Crystal Palace too, since my daughter has an abiding love for Winnie the Pooh and friends. It looks adorable!

 

[AleaDaisy]

Eating at Cinderella's Castle is incredible and something everyone should do at least once. I can remember our first dinner there so long ago now probably around 1972-73 and I was about 13 (I feel so old...). You just didn't see stuff like that in the 70s. Eating out, let alone eating in a fancy place like that, just didn't happen. Just going to McDonald's or getting ice cream and eating in the car was a big deal. I was thinking of breakfast at CRT but DH doesn't want to do MK. The last time we ate there was back when there wasn't a character meal for lunch. Oh well, maybe next time if I can get DH to curb his animosity.

Your mom will love the booths! Lots of options for her. I'm a big seafood fan and I plan on seafood every dinner. I have Tiffins, Toledo, Flying Fish, and maybe Narcoossee's or Toppolino's so you'll notice a trend here.

Love all the seafood recs--thank you! It makes it so much easier for her as a pescatarian versus vegetarian--especially since she is not a fan of the Impossible-style meat which seems to be a lot of places now.

And I'm so excited for the castle -- my last trip I was 12 (similarly feeling up there now!) and my dad thought I would be too old to want to meet the princesses and he was sorely mistaken. Just have to get myself ready for the the mad rush to do ADRs and grab that first -- luckily, it's at 60+4, so it may be easier. Maybe.