Paradise to the Treasure-A Polynesian/Eastern Caribbean/Spring Adventure 2025...Updated 8/20

[pkondz]

Ha! It was just perfect but not hot in the morning. I only like to swim if it's HOT!

I’d never swim up here.

Heh. You’ll never swim up here.

You're cracking me up!

I think they came around and asked if she wanted more and Allie is a sucker for good balsamic

Ohhh

 

[vamassey1]

Finally caught up. Enjoyed your cruise. Does my heart good to hear about your special mother-daughter time. Since I have never taken a cruise, reading helps me so much. Maybe someday.

Flower and Garden is my favorite festival too. Looking forward to reading about it.

 

[buzzrelly]

I’d never swim up here.

Heh. You’ll never swim up here.

You're right! We are getting a bit of a cool spell today with temps in the high 70s and I'm kind of bummed I won't be going in my pool!

 

[buzzrelly]

Does my heart good to hear about your special mother-daughter time. Since I have never taken a cruise, reading helps me so much. Maybe someday.

I can totally see you and your family going on a cruise1 It's the perfect group trip!

 

[pkondz]

You're right! We are getting a bit of a cool spell today with temps in the high 70s and I'm kind of bummed I won't be going in my pool!

Yeah, it's 65 here (and grey and rainy) right now (although the high is supposed to be 75) and I don't think I'd want to go swimming either.

 

[buzzrelly]

MARCH 9, 2025
A LITTLE FLOWER AND GARDEN


Allie got off okay this morning. Mears picked her up at an ungodly hour and she was texting me from the gate at 4:49am saying, "I don't know what I'm doing here for 3 hours, lol..." Apparently it was just her and one other family on a van that morning so they made it to MCO very quickly.

I was up and out by 7:30 am and it was another perfect day weather-wise...


I love this area early in the morning when nobody is around.
I stopped at the bakery for a cup of coffee and strolled over to the International Gateway.


They led the bunch of us to the bridge outside of France where we waited for Remy to open.
To me, this is just perfection...

I was waiting along the left side of the group and stood against the railing. Right in front of me was a family of four with a mom, dad, teenaged girl around 14 or 15 and then a son around 12 or 13. The teenaged girl went up to the railing to take a pic and dropped her phone, like it slipped from her hand and then bopped onto the bottom of the railing and then plunk...into the water it went. It was so quick but it was like it was in slow motion. The whole crowd standing there gasped, including me! I felt just awful for her and her parents. She was crying, the mom was trying to keep it together and the dad went over to a CM who came over and was looking into the water with him. What a terrible way to start the day and I just know how devastated my kids would have been if that happened on vacation. I hope she was able to replace her phone. I just know that's something she'll never do again!

Anyway, we were walking into Ratatouille by 8:24am and had a great ride through a French kitchen.


When I got off I just sort of wandered through World Showcase,
enjoying the weather and all the topiaries.

Mike (my DH) and I will usually do the scavenger hunts but we will spread it out over a couple of EPCOT days. Since he wasn't with me and I only had the one day here I just unofficially looked for Spike when I could...


I loved doing this but it also made me kind of sad knowing I wouldn't really get to experience the festival fully this year.

My wanderings continued in next post...​

 

[buzzrelly]

MARCH 9, 2025
A LITTLE FLOWER AND GARDEN

I wandered around World Showcase loving all the topiaries.
Some of my favorites...


And found another Spike...


I'm not going to lie, I do sometimes use the iphone clean-up to erase people from my pics
but that wasn't necessary this morning...

There was not a soul around!

I finally made my way out of WS...


and headed to the Butterfly Garden.
This is always a favorite of ours when we go in April,
but today was kind of boring because none of the butterflies were butterflies yet!
I hadn't even thought to consider that would be the case! It was a fast walk through.


I headed to Sunshine Seasons for some breakfast.

I guess I should use the term "breakfast" loosely here!
This is a peanut butter whoopie pie that Mike and I found in January and loved.
It was too much for one person though and I ended up eating half and tossing the rest.

It was almost time for my Guardians ILL so I headed there next...



Continued in next post...​

 

[pkondz]

Mears picked her up at an ungodly hour and she was texting me from the gate at 4:49am saying, "I don't know what I'm doing here for 3 hours, lol..." Apparently it was just her and one other family on a van that morning so they made it to MCO very quickly.

I know DME used to do that, but I've always felt it was a liability thing. They didn't want

Nice shot!

Beautiful

The teenaged girl went up to the railing to take a pic and dropped her phone, like it slipped from her hand and then bopped onto the bottom of the railing and then plunk...into the water it went.

Oh no!! Poor kid.

The whole crowd standing there gasped, including me!

I'm sure! Everyone knows how devastating that is.

What a terrible way to start the day and I just know how devastated my kids would have been if that happened on vacation.

Yeah. I really feel for her.

When I got off I just sort of wandered through World Showcase,
enjoying the weather and all the topiaries.

Not a bad way to spend the day.

I loved doing this but it also made me kind of sad knowing I wouldn't really get to experience the festival fully this year.

Always next year.

Like this one the best, I think.

I'm not going to lie, I do sometimes use the iphone clean-up to erase people from my pics

What?!?!?!?

Always so pretty.

headed to the Butterfly Garden.
This is always a favorite of ours when we go in April,
but today was kind of boring because none of the butterflies were butterflies yet!

So it was the chrysalis garden

This is a peanut butter whoopie pie that Mike and I found in January and loved.

That looks yummy.

 

[buzzrelly]

MARCH 9, 2025
MORE FLOWER AND GARDEN


I asked and waited for Row 9 on Guardians...best row!
I got Everybody Wants to Rule the World which I love as a song but not as a Guardian's song.
I think it makes the ride feel slow. Still fun, but slow.


From there I headed over to thank the phoenicians.
The wait time was posted at 25 minutes and I waited about that long
but I Facetimed my mom to pass the time.




I then wandered over to Communicore Hall looking to see the festival offerings in there.
There wasn't anything I wanted to eat in there but this Spike was cute.


It was time for some food and there was one thing I for sure wanted to try...

The Chips and Dip trio. I loved all of them and the homemade chips were a perfect dipping device
I can't remember if I got the lemon or orange cocktail but it was really delicious and I sucked it down.
I know I had debated on the flight but day drinking will put me to sleep so I didn't want to overdo it.
I do hope this whole booth and menu is back next year when I have more time to spend and will have DH there to share with.

For dessert I headed over to Swirled Showcase...

and got the Liquid Nitro Honey Marscarpone Cheesecake.

I've had this at past festivals and it was delicious, as always.
I do love what they can do with liquid nitrogen and there is a Pumpkin Cheesecake on the Food and Wine menu I can't wait to try!

Continued in next post...​

 

[buzzrelly]

March 9, 2025


More wandering and topiary appreciation.


I love the English Tea Garden. I looked for and found Spike in Camellia...


I needed a little break and a sit down to recharge myself and my phone so I went to the DVC lounge for a little bit. It's always cool in there and the AC and free diet coke was just the boost I needed.


And then headed to another favorite ride, Living With The Land.

First row so I could appreciate all the new displays for F&G.

There was one other food item I really wanted to try so I headed to Mexico...


and got the Giant Tostada. Always one of my favorite items at these festivals.


I walked back towards Norway and through Germany. It was getting towards evening and the World Showcase had started to get REALLY crowded.

Air Supply was playing tonight and I thought about staying but was the line was really long and I didn’t feel like waiting. I decided to keep walking and head out of EPCOT.

​

 

[Chuck96]

Thank you for all of the topiary pictures!

 

[buzzrelly]

MARCH 9, 2025
THE END

I took this as I walked past the Skyliner, around 5:30...

I'm always sad to be leaving the final park on the final day.
It's like a punch in the gut and makes me all sorts of melancholy.
But this had been a long trip and I was ready to go home.

I went up to my room for a little bit and then remembered I hadn't really eaten dinner
so I walked back down to the Boardwalk and tried the infamous pizza window.

For what it was, it was fine.
Kind of too much crust for me and certainly not up to CT standards...we are the home of the US's greatest pizza after all

Afterwards I went back up and finished my packing and was in bed watching HGTV by 9.

Like Allie, I had also booked Mears to go back to MCO and was outside waiting around 7am.


But unlike Allie, our van was completely full. I hate when it's not a normal sized bus because it seems when they send these vans you all have to squeeze in. One poor guy ended up having to sit in front with the driver because he was so big and wouldn't have been able to fit in the back with us.


We made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare.
I stopped and got a bagel and coffee and sat at the gate to eat.
Around 10:15 I texted this pic to Allie saying, "we board in 16 minutes. Here's the gate..."

Notice anything missing??

Yup, our flight was supposed to take off at 10:55am and we didn't have a plane to board.
I'm not quite sure what happened there but ultimately they delayed us until 2pm.


We ended up boarding around 2 but sat on the runway until 3:30 or so. First the pilot was saying we were fifth in line on the taxiway and then he said there was a flock of pigeons and they had to have the fire department come to spray them with water. That was a new one for me! We did finally take off and had an uneventful flight and landed at 6pm, thank goodness!

It was a wonderful trip filled with many highs and very few lows...in fact, I can't think of any lows at the moment (except for maybe the delayed flight home)!

I would absolutely love to go back on the Treasure again,
though I would skip more of the main dining room next time...maybe that was another low.


I do have quite a few upcoming trips:

September 12-15 WISH

October 15-24, 2025 BCV

December 9-15, 2025 BLT

January 27-February 1, 2026 BCV

Disneyland in February with Allie!

March 13-18, 2026 BCV

April 10-18, 2026 BCV

That's a lot more than we usually go but we kept coming up with reasons and we have the DVC points so why not?!
I don't know that I'll write a TR for each but maybe I'll give it a try for at least some of them!

Thank you all for following along and commenting!
I wasn't sure if I would ever do another trip report but it's been fun reliving this with you all!​

 

[pkondz]

I asked and waited for Row 9 on Guardians...best row!

This is news to me. Why is that?

I got Everybody Wants to Rule the World which I love as a song but not as a Guardian's song.

Yeah, can totally see that. Great song, but... not really fitting the whole "high speed/high energy" bracket.

From there I headed over to thank the phoenicians.

And they never say "You're welcome"!

Best costume in all of Disney? I say yes.

That looks good.
But there's no way you could eat all that dip with that bag of chips, is there?

I know I had debated on the flight but day drinking will put me to sleep so I didn't want to overdo it.

and got the Liquid Nitro Honey Marscarpone Cheesecake.

mmm... Have had that. Yum.

And then headed to another favorite ride, Living With The Land.

Front row.

got the Giant Tostada. Always one of my favorite items at these festivals.

Not a huge fan of either pulled pork or guac, so don't think this is one I'd order.

Air Supply was playing tonight and I thought about staying but was the line was really long and I didn’t feel like waiting.

I'd have a hard time not staying.

I'm always sad to be leaving the final park on the final day.
It's like a punch in the gut and makes me all sorts of melancholy.

Very well said. That's exactly it.

I walked back down to the Boardwalk and tried the infamous pizza window.

Infamous how?

.we are the home of the US's greatest pizza after all

Okay, you're gonna have to explain that one.

Like Allie, I had also booked Mears to go back to MCO and was outside waiting around 7am.

Not too early at least.

You're looking pretty chipper for a. an early morning and b. leaving Disney

Around 10:15 I texted this pic to Allie saying, "we board in 16 minutes. Here's the gate..."

Notice anything missing??

An extra blue pylon?
Hmmm... no?

Yup, our flight was supposed to take off at 10:55am and we didn't have a plane to board.
I'm not quite sure what happened there but ultimately they delayed us until 2pm.

Ugh.

then he said there was a flock of pigeons and they had to have the fire department come to spray them with water.

That's different. I'd think they'd just chase them off rather than make the runway slippery. Odd.

I do have quite a few upcoming trips:

September 12-15 WISH

October 15-24, 2025 BCV

December 9-15, 2025 BLT

January 27-February 1, 2026 BCV

Disneyland in February with Allie!

March 13-18, 2026 BCV

April 10-18, 2026 BCV

Holy smokers!

Thank you all for following along and commenting!

Thanks so much for writing!

I wasn't sure if I would ever do another trip report but it's been fun reliving this with you all!

And I'm glad you did. Looking forward to more (hint hint)

 

[buzzrelly]

I know DME used to do that, but I've always felt it was a liability thing. They didn't want

Don't leave me hanging!

No, I think you're right though! I'm guessing you were going to say they didn't want you blaming them for missing your flight?

Like this one the best, I think.

I love that Muppets topiary

So it was the chrysalis garden

Haha! Yes!

That looks yummy.

A new favorite but definitely sharable!!

 

[buzzrelly]

Thank you for all of the topiary pictures!

I was worried I posted too many! Thanks for reading along!

 

[buzzrelly]

This is news to me. Why is that?

Row 9 is the best of both worlds...it's the front seat of the very back of the coaster!

Best costume in all of Disney? I say yes.

I say yes too

That looks good.
But there's no way you could eat all that dip with that bag of chips, is there?

Oh but there is...I think I even had chips leftover that I tossed! I must be a big dipper!

Not a huge fan of either pulled pork or guac, so don't think this is one I'd order.

I don't usually love pork but this is always good. I don't know how anyone could not love guac!

I'd have a hard time not staying.

I was pretty bummed about those crowds. I never would have gotten into the first show and I didn't feel like waiting around for the second. In hindsight I should have booked the lunch with reserved seating but I would have had to do that 60 days in advance and I was just planning on a free-ish day that day.

Infamous how?

I've heard some not great things about that pizza window. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be!

Okay, you're gonna have to explain that one.

There's a debate but it's definitely a thing. New Haven, CT is home to three famous pizza places...Frank Pepe's, Sally's, and Modern. They are all on the same street and have been around for years and years and they are all really good. They are right near Yale University and have have been visited by many famous people. Here's what AI says when you ask about it...


And here's our own proof...

This was Pepe's but we've had them all and they are all really good. New Haven is about 30 minutes south of me though so we only get it when we're in the area. But CT in general has better pizza than most states, definitely better than FL. The closest thing to CT pizza down there is Via Napoli but even that would get a 7-8/10 whereas New Haven pizza is a 10/10!

And I'm glad you did. Looking forward to more (hint hint)

I'll be back! This has been fun! Thanks for reading!

 

[disneyAndi14]

October 15-24, 2025 BCV

I will be down 10/21-10/27 staying at AKL, maybe we can meet up for a quick hello
I-love all your trips on the horizon!
I think I am winding down my trips to Disney after my October trip! I’m debating renewing my AP.
Thanks for writing all about The Treasure and your mother/daughter trip, I really enjoyed following along!
Hope to see you in October!

 

[pkondz]

Don't leave me hanging!

Whoops!

No, I think you're right though! I'm guessing you were going to say they didn't want you blaming them for missing your flight?

Row 9 is the best of both worlds...it's the front seat of the very back of the coaster!

Thanks for the tip!

Oh but there is...I think I even had chips leftover that I tossed! I must be a big dipper!

I don't usually love pork but this is always good. I don't know how anyone could not love guac!

Sorry!
I’ll eat it, but it’s not top of my “must haves”.

I was pretty bummed about those crowds. I never would have gotten into the first show and I didn't feel like waiting around for the second.

Ah. Can see that.

I've heard some not great things about that pizza window. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be!

Oh dear. Hadn’t heard.

There's a debate but it's definitely a thing. New Haven, CT is home to three famous pizza places...Frank Pepe's, Sally's, and Modern. They are all on the same street and have been around for years and years and they are all really good. They are right near Yale University and have have been visited by many famous people. Here's what AI says when you ask about it...

Interesting. Wouldn’t mind putting it (them?) to the test.

And here's our own proof...

Holy cow! How big is that thing?
And is it cheese only? Or are the toppings underneath?

This was Pepe's but we've had them all and they are all really good. New Haven is about 30 minutes south of me though so we only get it when we're in the area. But CT in general has better pizza than most states, definitely better than FL. The closest thing to CT pizza down there is Via Napoli but even that would get a 7-8/10 whereas New Haven pizza is a 10/10!

Okay! Okay! You’ve convinced me!

Looks like I need to plan a trip! One of the very few places in the US I haven’t visited yet.

 

[missjackiemcg]

Simply gorgeous!!! Perfect way to begin a Disney day!

The teenaged girl went up to the railing to take a pic and dropped her phone, like it slipped from her hand and then bopped onto the bottom of the railing and then plunk...into the water it went.

Oh, dear! It happens so fast. We were on a kayak tour in HHI with another family and had our phones in lanyards. There was another family with us, and their Dad dropped his phone right as we were paddling back to the dock. I felt so terrible!

The Chips and Dip trio. I loved all of them and the homemade chips were a perfect dipping device

Oh, yummmm. This looks very tasty. Those chips are perfect!

Kind of too much crust for me and certainly not up to CT standards...we are the home of the US's greatest pizza after all

Disney pizza is always OK in the moment, but definitely not a favorite. Being from Chicago, I am a snob about pizza for sure. I think we give CT a run for their money on that greatest pizza title!

Yup, our flight was supposed to take off at 10:55am and we didn't have a plane to board.
I'm not quite sure what happened there but ultimately they delayed us until 2pm.

I don't think I have ever left MCO on time!! But you had a pretty significant delay--ugh!!

I enjoyed this report so much!! I am envious of all your upcoming trips! I do hope you'll write for some of them, and I'll enjoy following along on FB

 

[Woth2982]

What a nice trip with Allie! I hate when delays like that happen going home. I would much prefer to sit in the hotel lobby or wander the boardwalk than sit at the gate!

This was Pepe's

I miss this sooooo much this time of year! It is the only food I miss from my QU days! New Haven gets such a bad rep, but it is a cute little city over in the Yale area.