Rise of the Chunkies! A Jan 2020 Trip Report! NEW 7/14 THE END of our TRIP!!

[missjackiemcg]

Hi, Su-Lynn!! I'm here So glad you decided to write another TR or two

 

[pkondz]

I said I wasn't going to start a new TR because, well, it is kinda bittersweet to be thinking about Disney when COVID-19 has pretty much shut down real life

Okay, well, guess I'll head out, then...

Especially since our 16-day Hawaii trip and Disney Hawaii cruise in May has officially been cancelled.

Sorry to hear that. Our cruise and Disney trips were canceled too. Well... technically we still have a room reservation for June, but... we've canceled it in reality.

experienced the coldest night ever!

It was practically a mini epic trip because many of the same people were there over that weekend.

Oh, nice!

I am 44 years old

What?? You are not! I met you! You are in your 20s or at the most very, very early 30s... Nope. That's not possible either. 20s it is.

We left on a Friday night after work.

This sounds suspiciously like "It was a dark and stormy night".

but for this trip since the weather was to be really erratic I brought more layers and jackets

Good thing you did!

It seemed like there wasn't that many people here, so we thought it was a good sign (warning, it was NOT).

Why? Waited a long time for a bus?

We were waiting for our food when I see the sweetest face running towards me.! It's Molly!!

She came over?? How sweet is that!?!?

I like to say that I adopted her, my own Chunkybaby!

They ended up giving us a double order of our entree for the price of one, how nice, a little bit of pixie dust to start our trip!

Nice way to start!

Our room was Number 4244 in the Jamaica section which was the closest building to the new Skyliner.

Ah! Smart (I think.)

The resort is really big though, as I have heard and it is the truth.

Yeah... That's why it just doesn't appeal to me. I like the theme, but... nope. Too big.

I'm glad we got a king bed! It actually makes the room seem, well, roomier!

I like that too. I mean, if I have two beds, one's just gonna be used as a place to dump stuff.

And yes they brought back the sea salt lotion to the rooms. Thank goodness for the uproar from DISboarders LOL. #unitedwestand

Speaking for all men...

Huh?

she was going to walk to the skyliner but unfortunately it wasn't running at that time so I think she took the bus back to her resort.

Oh, that's not good. I hope she took an Uber. I can't imagine there were any resort to resort busses!

Yes, 7am everyday, yawn. Which means, if you want to get any shot at doing Rise of the Resistance you'd have to be in the parks before then, phones out and ready

What they don't tell you is that there is no Disney transportation prior to that ungodly hour, or if there was, we never saw a bus come into CBR, and the Skyliner wasn't running either.

Really?? That's... poor planning, Disney.

Here's my tired face:

6:19am

You look so thrilled to be up!!!

I piled on the makeup so that's why I look like I'm ready for a (rough) night out. Don't worry it will all melt off later, LOL.

So luckily we made it into the park with like 15 minutes to spare!

Not bad! Pretty quick.

6:37am:

This is the crowd at 6:41am:

Whoa.

(yes I have Disney friends all over the world and I'm so happy!)

Best thing about the DIS.

And we ended up with Boarding Group 62!!

Yay!

So this morning there were two factions:

People with Boarding Groups --->


People without Boarding Groups --->

I'm thinking those who didn't get a boarding group secretly hated those that did.

It was like 7:10am maybe and the single rider line moved really fast which was great! We were in and out of the ride by 7:30

Quick!

It was then that Alyssa's Boarding Group was called,

Even quicker! 18 boarding groups in 30 minutes!

This is what we're like this early (NOT)

On the way I got my trusty popcorn bucket filled.

Of course you did!
I miss popcorn. I don't dare eat any right now.

That is part of the standby for Smugglers Run. Yes the line was about 2.5 hours long.

Three-Cheese Egg Bite, Pork Sausage, Purple Potato Hash, Mini Mustafarian Cinnamon Roll.

Interesting. Especially the roll.

we decided to head back to the resort where we can just relax a bit and freshen and for me up de-puff.

"de-puff"...

The speed at which it could take us back to the resort, was UNCANNY. It took us like 6 minutes to get from DHS to CBR.

And we were back in our room two minutes after we got off, so like 10 mins door to door is pretty unheard of. It was SWEET.

Holy crap! That's... insanely quick! (Compared to the busses)

Renee (@ArielSRL) was filming a room tour and I sort of interrupted her by banking on the window to say hi!

Whoops!

Imagine if we had to start taking temperature at the entrance now?

Please... no...

I went straight to Japan and got the sushi donut because it is just so freaking pretty.

That really is, pretty. Was it good? How do you eat it?

At Japan I also got the Sake Calpico slushy. Calpico is a japanese soft drink that reminds me of sweet yogurt and they made it into a slushy and had strawberry syrup swirled in. It was so good and not too sweet!

Wow! That looks and sounds good!

The photographer was so funny. His accent was strong so when he'd say "Touch the Bottle" we thought he was saying "Touch the Butter!" What butter?

Listen, lady. He's a professional. If he says to touch the butter... you touch the butter!

Here's our series of pictures, it tells a story of how we are at a party and get progressively drunk and perhaps hungover. It was a group effort. Lots of vigilant acting here!

Cute shots!

 

[annie170]

Hi Su-Lynn! Glad to see you've started another report.

You're so lucky to have gotten in a couple trips before this craziness. I had to cancel my early June trip and have no idea when I'll reschedule. I hate the uncertainty of it all, but there are more important things going on.

I don't care for how Disney is assigning boarding groups for Rise of the Resistance. I do like that you are able to leave and come back later to ride, but I wish you could get a fast pass for it like other rides.

Your food and drinks in France looked delicious! The photo ops at Festival of the Arts are really cute, too!

 

[Disneyhanna]

Hi Su-Lynn! Joining in on your TR! I binged on most of your prior TRs a while back and hope to follow along live this time! Sorry to hear about your May trip, definitely a bummer

That food at CBR looks delicious and so fresh! Even the kale salad, wow I must be really hungry to be craving kale!

I am definitely tempted to stay at CBR for the Skyliner, I rode it quite a few times on my last trip and it is so much more pleasant than the buses! The room looks a lot nicer than I expected, it even has a new TV! I'm not a fan of carpet in hotel rooms so hopefully they will replace that soon. Totally agree with you on the liquid hand soap, I've always thought bar soap is meant for baths and not dirty hands .

Oof, the 7AM openings sound so rough! You looked a lot better at 6AM than I would! Glad you guys got a good BG, I definitely feel for those people who aren't able to get one. That breakfast looks alright, I wonder if that is the same sausage from the Ronto Wrap which we absolutely loved! Steve's photo with Buzz is awesome!

Not sure why that line from HS to Riviera always gets so backed up, it was like that on my most recent trip! I probably waited 15-20 minutes for that line whereas none of the other transfers had waits. That sake slushy looks amazing, all of the food and drinks from Festival of the Arts are so pretty! I think all of the photo ops are the best part though, looks like so much fun!

 

[Raeven]

Oh and if you are wondering what is my favorite thing I keep in my Owners locker - it is liquid hand soap. I don't like bar hand soaps - it's just inconvenient and I feel like I can never get the soap off too so I thought this was the best thing ever, LOL.

I always miss normal hand soap when we're on vacation.

I woke up and my face was all puffy and bloated due to travelling and the lack of sleep.

I don't think you look puffy and bloated at all! You're makeup looks good.

At Japan I also got the Sake Calpico slushy.

Ooo that looks so good!

 

[MyGoofy26]

You guys are so much fun. Glad you decided to write more reports. Our May trip is also cancelled (would’ve been my daughter’s first) so I’m super bummed and filling the void with trip and dining reports.

 

[scrappydew]

Thanks for writing! Your reports are a ray of sunshine today.

 

[kastoney]

Thank you for starting this!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally have time to be on this dang site and it seems like everyone thinks social distancing applies to the DIS Great start and can't wait for more.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Joining in!

So fun meeting up with Molly as soon as you got there!

I always try to pack liquid hand soap when I can- I hate hotel bar soap!

Welcome!
It was definitely a great start to the trip! And I know now that i need to travel with more liquid hand soap, it's just so much easier!

Hi Su-Lynn! YAY! So glad that you wrote about this trip! Can't wait to re-live all of the memories Can we just go back to this time please?? Reallllly missing Disney right about now!

I know! Me too! It was such a fun trip, I really mis it so much!

It really is crazy how we can just pick right up where we left off! It was so awesome meeting up with you guys this first night- started off the trip in such a fun way!!

I'm so happy you decided to visit us that night!!

HAHA I love how you say that you adopted me. We're our own quirky little family

Definitely a trait of the chunky family!

Joining in! I miss WDW so much!
January was crowded and cold but very enjoyable with so many Dis friends visiting at the same time!

Hi Caroline!
I really miss Disney too! January was such a fun trip, it was crazy to see the crowds but so happy we were able to hang out again!

I am so happy to get to read all about your Disney adventures! Like you, I am missing Disney terribly! I had to cancel my July trip for my oldest son's 20th birthday and have tentatively rescheduled for December. Our borders are closed for non essential travel and there is no word yet on when they will re-open. I would say it'll be a while, though. We need a Canadian Disney, lol!

Hi Susan! I miss Disney so much! I know, everyone has been reschduling their trips. I am not even sure my July trip is going to happen, and if it does, I feel like it will not be the same. Will face characters wear masks? LOL
You guys should definitely petition for a Disney Canada park! I'd totally visit!

That's what I did in December too when I was there for three days. It made the short trip so much better since I was able to get up and go on the Saturday morning.

I really like waking up at Disney!

Awesome! How perfect to have a Dismeet right off the bat.

Really awesome timing on our parts!

Disney blue screen love!

YES!

You don't even look puffy! I am amazed you were able to get so put together early in the morning!

I certainly felt puffy!

Oh, I love the Skyliner so much! What a game changer.

It really is!! I love it!

I am here and reading along.

Welcome!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Hi I'm here. Officially.

Yay! Welcome!

Lol, as someone who worked through January in the parks with a MASSIVE CP gap (aka lack of cast members at my location), I have to giggle a little at that optimism that it wouldn't be crazy during that time. It really was a shock to everyone how busy the parks were at such a normally dead time like January. Big struggle bus.

I can see how it must have been so crazy for the CMs having to keep up with all the additional crowds there for FoTA and RoTR! I never expected it to be so crowded during that time, LOL. I guess it's crowded all the time now!

I've only ever seen Caribbean Beach from those times I rode the Skyliner back during previews and when it first opened (pre-accident) so I can only imagine how crazy it must be navigating that resort. It is HUGE. Props to you for not having too too much trouble.

It is really big, but thankfully being able to walk to the skyliner is a huge plus for that section of the resort (Jamaica). Also if you're in a building closer to the Riviera station you can walk there too. The buses were kinda crazy! It would make like 4 stops before we even got to Jamaica. LOL.

Wow I thought the one morning I did Rise it was bad. This was even worse. Y'all were real lucky to get a Boarding Group. For the record, it originally was first come, first served but the system started becoming so overloaded they had to resort to a randomized version, which is what I dealt with when I rode in February and I was around the same number group as you. I was guaranteed a ride but I had to wait so long to be called.

Oh it was really exceptionally crazy that morning, but honestly the day after was even worse. It really felt suffocating to be walking around that early in DHS with so many people! It must have been super crazy in Batuu for you guys. I look back now and yes we were really lucky to get a boarding group that weekend!

I'm a total Ronto Wrap stan so I highly recommend trying the breakfast wrap. I do recall though that you didn't like the regular wrap in your previous report so maybe not since it's very much a similar style and flavoring. You're just getting the sausage with an omelet essentially. It's so so good, at least for someone like me who could live off Ronto Wraps and be forever happy.

I think I'll like the breakfast wrap more than the lunch wrap. I did like the sausage a lot, I am ok on the slaw, I feel like I don't really need it. But sausage and egg is a good combo to me!

UGH that Sushi Donut was my favorite thing I got at Festival of the Arts. So big and flavorful.

I loved it!

You're also making me sad for not having gotten a photo at one of the photo ops. I was almost always at FotA on my lonesome or the one time I wasn't we stuck it out in Future World. Y'all fit right in with those partiers in that painting (and yes that is a complement lol)

You should totally just get some solo shots. I have many from last year! That party scene is exceptionally fun solo, you can just entitle it "Life of the Party"

Sorry this made me laugh....back in January there would be nothing funny about hand soap...but now...since I can't find any lol...would be nice to have some liquid hand soap again lol

Oh no, crazy! No hand soap? Here's it's toilet paper and...yeast! Everyone wants to be a baker in quarantine, LOL.

I remember exactly how this felt when we were there waiting to try to get a BG...so tense!! After getting up that early and everything you had to do to make it in time...so stressful!!

It was a really stressful moment but after you get one your day just sails by. It's worth it for the 30 or so minutes of stress, LOL.

We had that and it was really good.

I'll have to try it next time!

What was the "donut" part made of? Looks yummy!!

It's just sushi rice! It's just like a chirashi sushi shaped like a donut for marketing purposes LOL.

Just wanted to pop over and say I'll be following along!

Welcome! Thanks for being here!

HI Su-Lynn!

I was so excited to hear you started this TR!

Thank you so much for following along!

I haven't had a chance to go to the FoTA yet at EPCOT, but am hoping to do it during 2021. The sushi, and the food you had from France looks amazing.

I really really love that festival more and more. It isn't as crazy as the other festivals so you're not too overwhelmed and it has just the right number of booths, although they seem to add more and more each year, LOL.

I love hearing your review of the Skyliner. The last time I was in Disney they were still doing testing so I didn't have a chance to try it out. It is definitley something I want to do whenever I am able to go back!

Oh it's fantastic! I wish they had skyliners to all the parks, so much time spent commuting on buses or boats could be cut in half or more with the skyliner!

And Yay for being sucessful with the RoTR boarding group, I'm looking forward to hearing your review of the ride!

Whew! It was definitely a stressful morning but HUGE sigh of relief after we got a group!

Hi! Following along. I love your writing style! ☀ ☀ ☀

Thank you so much and welcome to my TR!!

 

[missangelalexis]

Sounds like a good morning at DHS, especially since you were able to get a boarding group!

And a fun time in Epcot after!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Hi, Su-Lynn!! I'm here So glad you decided to write another TR or two

Hi Chunkylite! I'm glad you started a DCL TR! I'm so sad we won't be cruising this May! I have your TR to distract me LOL!

Okay, well, guess I'll head out, then...

Where are you going? LOL

Sorry to hear that. Our cruise and Disney trips were canceled too. Well... technically we still have a room reservation for June, but... we've canceled it in reality.

Yeah I'm not sure when we can go out in our town, much less Disney!

What?? You are not! I met you! You are in your 20s or at the most very, very early 30s... Nope. That's not possible either. 20s it is.

Wow in addition to being really friendly, you Canadians are really good...liars!!

This sounds suspiciously like "It was a dark and stormy night".

It was a slightly breezy and overcast night...

Why? Waited a long time for a bus?

Because there were no lines at ME so we thought, oh it's not too bad!

She came over?? How sweet is that!?!?

Sooo sweet!

Yeah... That's why it just doesn't appeal to me. I like the theme, but... nope. Too big.

Yeah it's too big but for the most part we planned a lot of our days to start in Epcot or DHS so we could use the skyliner for most of our commuting.

I like that too. I mean, if I have two beds, one's just gonna be used as a place to dump stuff.

Haha us too although sometimes I just make Steve sleep in the other bed, I like my SPACE when I sleep!

Oh, that's not good. I hope she took an Uber. I can't imagine there were any resort to resort busses!

Nope I am sure she uber'ed it!

Really?? That's... poor planning, Disney.

Yeah!!!

You look so thrilled to be up!!!

Ecstatic.

I'm thinking those who didn't get a boarding group secretly hated those that did.

Probably. Haters gonna hate.

Even quicker! 18 boarding groups in 30 minutes!

I think they started calling groups at group 10 because the first few groups were for people who couldn't make it from the day before due to the ride breaking down.

Of course you did!
I miss popcorn. I don't dare eat any right now.

Why not?

Holy crap! That's... insanely quick! (Compared to the busses)

Serious game changer here!

That really is, pretty. Was it good? How do you eat it?

It was really good! It's just like regular sushi it's just shaped like that. So I just ate it with a chopstick,

Wow! That looks and sounds good!

It's delicious

Listen, lady. He's a professional. If he says to touch the butter... you touch the butter!

We couldn't FIND the butter!! That was the issue! There is NO butter!!

Cute shots!

Thanks!

 

[pkondz]

Where are you going? LOL

Well, lately it's been either grocery shopping or work... and nowhere else!

Yeah I'm not sure when we can go out in our town, much less Disney!

I know.

Wow in addition to being really friendly, you Canadians are really good...liars!!

Listen lady. All kidding aside, I would never ask a woman her age, but I guessed yours at late 20s, early 30s. Tops.

It was a slightly breezy and overcast night...

Almost as scary!

Yeah it's too big but for the most part we planned a lot of our days to start in Epcot or DHS so we could use the skyliner for most of our commuting.

Then it's perfect.

Haha us too although sometimes I just make Steve sleep in the other bed, I like my SPACE when I sleep!

I don't have a Steve.


But that's a whole other story!

Ecstatic.

Probably. Haters gonna hate.

Unless you happen to be one of them.

I think they started calling groups at group 10 because the first few groups were for people who couldn't make it from the day before due to the ride breaking down.

Ohhhh… Didn't know that's how they did that. Huh.

Why not?

Because I broke a molar about 2 days into this Corona thing and since it's not an emergency, I just have to live with it. I can't imagine how fun it would be to get a popcorn kernel stuck inside there! <shudder>

It was really good! It's just like regular sushi it's just shaped like that. So I just ate it with a chopstick,

So it was in sections?

We couldn't FIND the butter!! That was the issue! There is NO butter!!

Butter luck next time.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Hi Su-Lynn! Glad to see you've started another report.

Thank you! I couldn't stay away, lol.

You're so lucky to have gotten in a couple trips before this craziness. I had to cancel my early June trip and have no idea when I'll reschedule. I hate the uncertainty of it all, but there are more important things going on.

I really am. I know most people didn't get to experience flower and garden and we were lucky to have a few days of it. I am bummed I didn't get a La Vie en Rose though...just never around when I wanted one!

I don't care for how Disney is assigning boarding groups for Rise of the Resistance. I do like that you are able to leave and come back later to ride, but I wish you could get a fast pass for it like other rides.

It was a stressful morning but it was definitely a huge relief after you get one. I am not sure how long they are going to have the BGs. I think after a while they were going to go away but with the whole closure they may keep it around for a while.

Your food and drinks in France looked delicious! The photo ops at Festival of the Arts are really cute, too!

Thank you! It was a fun time!

Hi Su-Lynn! Joining in on your TR! I binged on most of your prior TRs a while back and hope to follow along live this time! Sorry to hear about your May trip, definitely a bummer

Hi Hanna! Thanks for visiting!! Am going to visit your TRs right now!

That food at CBR looks delicious and so fresh! Even the kale salad, wow I must be really hungry to be craving kale!

It was definitely better than what we were expecting! It was all so fresh and good!

I am definitely tempted to stay at CBR for the Skyliner, I rode it quite a few times on my last trip and it is so much more pleasant than the buses! The room looks a lot nicer than I expected, it even has a new TV! I'm not a fan of carpet in hotel rooms so hopefully they will replace that soon. Totally agree with you on the liquid hand soap, I've always thought bar soap is meant for baths and not dirty hands .

I definitely recommend staying at CBR if you intend on going to Epcot or DHS a lot during a trip, it's just so convenient to start or end your day at one of those parks. And definitely stay in the Jamaica section for easy access!
I love me some liquid soap, I was so happy I remember to bring some for our locker!

Oof, the 7AM openings sound so rough! You looked a lot better at 6AM than I would! Glad you guys got a good BG, I definitely feel for those people who aren't able to get one. That breakfast looks alright, I wonder if that is the same sausage from the Ronto Wrap which we absolutely loved! Steve's photo with Buzz is awesome!

Oh it was a rough morning, I am not a morning person. I like the IDEA of being a morning person but so far it's not happening, LOL.
I am pretty certain the sausage is the same as the ronto roaster!
Steve quite enjoys his pictures nowadays, I think I created a monster!

Not sure why that line from HS to Riviera always gets so backed up, it was like that on my most recent trip! I probably waited 15-20 minutes for that line whereas none of the other transfers had waits. That sake slushy looks amazing, all of the food and drinks from Festival of the Arts are so pretty! I think all of the photo ops are the best part though, looks like so much fun!

FoTA is such a great festival! I'm so happy they have it at Epcot although it doesn't seem to do much for the crowds, LOL. we really enjoyed the food there, but I think the prices of the food items are definitely higher than other festivals, not sure why!

I always miss normal hand soap when we're on vacation.

Me too!

I don't think you look puffy and bloated at all! You're makeup looks good.

Aww thanks! I certainly felt puffy!

Ooo that looks so good!

It's really yummy!

You guys are so much fun. Glad you decided to write more reports. Our May trip is also cancelled (would’ve been my daughter’s first) so I’m super bummed and filling the void with trip and dining reports.

Thank you so much!
Awww I'm so sad you are missing your May trip too. I hope it just means bigger and better trips in the future!

Thanks for writing! Your reports are a ray of sunshine today.

Thank you, that is really sweet of you! I'm so happy to be in the TR writing groove again!!

Thank you for starting this!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally have time to be on this dang site and it seems like everyone thinks social distancing applies to the DIS Great start and can't wait for more.

LOL I was seriously in a depressed/in denial stage when we thought our cruise and Hawaii trip were going to be cancelled but now that it's official I can only just suck it up and start writing to get me out of the no-Disney blues!!

 

[HumblePie]

Yay! So glad to have another trip report to read! I need to get my fix - I'm supposed to be at Disney right now

 

[tinkerbell1991]

I love your reports so following along x

 

[chunkymonkey]

Sounds like a good morning at DHS, especially since you were able to get a boarding group!

And a fun time in Epcot after!

Thank you! We had a stressful 30 minutes but after that we were good for the rest of the day!!

Well, lately it's been either grocery shopping or work... and nowhere else!

Do you still have to physically go to work?

Listen lady. All kidding aside, I would never ask a woman her age, but I guessed yours at late 20s, early 30s. Tops.

Now I can't even trust anything that comes out of your mouth!!
But thanks, I can use some flattery right now!

I don't have a Steve.


But that's a whole other story!

You can borrow mine

Unless you happen to be one of them.

True, but then I hate everyone!

Ohhhh… Didn't know that's how they did that. Huh.

It seems to be something they did a lot when the ride kept breaking down initially. Think it has gotten better and they start closer to 1

Because I broke a molar about 2 days into this Corona thing and since it's not an emergency, I just have to live with it. I can't imagine how fun it would be to get a popcorn kernel stuck inside there! <shudder>

Oh you too? My husband has a broken cap and I have a broken or worn off filling so they told us to get some dental cement and temporarily patch it ourselves, LOL.

So it was in sections?

Not quite, I basically just followed the lines of the fish and used the chopsticks to cut them into pieces that followed each piece of fish.

Butter luck next time.

 

[pkondz]

Do you still have to physically go to work?

yes I do. And it's a whole new process when we change shifts and crews.

Now I can't even trust anything that comes out of your mouth!!

I never lie.
Well, not often.

That you know of.

But thanks, I can use some flattery right now!

You can borrow mine

I dunno… is he good at spooning?

True, but then I hate everyone!

Oh you too? My husband has a broken cap and I have a broken or worn off filling so they told us to get some dental cement and temporarily patch it ourselves, LOL.

With my luck, I'd cement my mouth shut.
I don't fancy eating through a straw.

Not quite, I basically just followed the lines of the fish and used the chopsticks to cut them into pieces that followed each piece of fish.

Ah.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 1 Part 2: The Chunkies Rise!

After our Boarding Group was called, we excitedly took the skyliner back to Hollywood Studios! I was definitely worried that the ride would break down and that we'd be stuck or that we wouldn't get to ride, or something to delay our chance but so far so good.

View of Caribbean Beach from the Skyliner:

We've arrived back at DHS!

OK I don't know about you but I really miss scanning my band, Mickey-to Mickey and watch it light up!!

We made our way over to Galaxy's Edge with this euphoric feeling. You couldn't help but feel like one of the chosen few LOL. We turned into the entrance to the ride and there were a ton of "official" looking people in Batuu attire and they scanned our bands and let us through. Yay!

There is a short outer queue before enter a cavernous inner queue which houses lots of "artifacts" to see. I was really taken with absorbing everything around me. I took some pictures and video but really I cannot convey all the detail that goes into just the queue of this ride.

If you want to avoid spoilers just stop reading from here on, LOL, but I honestly am not posting much since my first ride was meant to be for myself to experience it in full!

You do enter several different "rooms", and then board an "aircraft" which is then captured by the First Order and you exit into a Star Destroyer. It is literally the most amazing sight I have ever seen.

You are then in another queue for a bit before meeting the First Order officers who are all in full character. The amount of disdain they will gaze on you is pretty funny. You are divided into "colors" and you follow your color into an "interrogation room" which is just about the coolest ride entry I've ever seen, I won't even give it away today (but I may the next time we ride, LOL). Then you follow your color into rows that lead into the ride vehicle.

We're so excited to be interrogated by Kylo Ren and General Hux!

And then you're off into a Galaxy Far Far Away...

OMG MIND BLOWN!!!!!

I can't even begin to describe how amazing this ride is. It's literally like you're transported into a world where Star Wars is real. Everything feels so so life-like and so detailed, you're moving on a REAL track and not sitting in a simulator or wearing 3-D glasses. The AT-ATs were my favorite part, you cannot help but have your jaw drop at the sight of them. Really surreal.

This video is not from this day but I need to show it now, it's pretty much an almost full ride video. Don't view if you don't want a spoiler of the ride itself!

Oh and if you're interested in the "drop" part of the ride, it can be seen starting at 3:28 or so.
It is not so bad at all, and I am one that HATES drops and I refuse to ride ToT or GoTG (which I was conned into at DCA and never again, LOL)

When we got off the ride, we were both speechless!!
It was insane how good the ride is. You can see all the Disney imagineering that went into this, it's just so amazing.

First reaction:

I just had no words anymore, the ride is absolutely the most unique and amazing ride in Disney World!
I just kept saying OMG the entire time, LOL.
We were on Cloud 9 right now!!

Sooo.
What to do now that you've ridden the most amazing ride at Disney World?

Go home.

No not really, we still had 4 more nights!

We went to visit the new Riviera Resort!! Molly had just checked in and got upgraded to a one-bedroom suite!
Since it's on the way to our resort on the skyliner we decided to stop by and check it out.

The Riviera is such an elegant resort. These mosaics greet you as you walk into the Riviera from the Skyliner station:

I love the mozaic murals so much!

Molly texted us her room number and we headed up to check out her pixie dust upgrade. It was so beautiful! It was really spacious with lovely finishes, there were 2 bathtubs and a beautiful king bedroom. I also like the cute artwork!

SWEEET digs! Although I would have loved to camp out in Molly's living room, we wanted to head back to our room for a quick rest before meeting up with even more DISboarders later on tonight.

When we got back to the lobby Steve went to the quick service Primo Piatti to fill up his mug. I realized I wanted something to eat so we decided to sit down. The quick service there is small but it's really nice, it felt a bit more like a modified table service in that you order, sit down and they bring the food to you. You also dine with real silverware and napkins and are served on real plates if you're dining in.

I had a children's portion of chicken fingers and fries

They were yummy and hit the spot!

And Steve had literally, his new favorite dish in all of Disney: The Tuna Nicoise Salad

Doesn't that look amazing? It looks like something you'd get at like Chefs de France instead of a quick service! It was seasoned well and very flavorful. The tuna was fresh and I love all the traditional Nicoise accompaniments like the olives, hard-boiled eggs and blanched string beans. Steve liked this dish so much he went back multiple times during our trip just for this!

Look at my small plate compared to Steve's large salad. But I bet you mine has more calories, LOL.

Later on that evening...

After a few hours rest in the room we headed out to Nomad Lounge over at AK. We met up with all the DISboarders who were there during that time. I told you, it was like a mini- Epic trip! @ariane37 @ArielSRL @Jenny Sanders @Mollydolly334 @pepperandchips! Even @docsoliday1 made an appearance (although we didn't get a picture with him). They unfortunately didn't get very good service so left early. And I have to credit Ariane and her DH Steve for getting us enough chairs for our very large group, thanks guys!

My Annapurna Zing:

I also shared the sliders and yucca fries with Steve but sorry I don't have a picture! We sat and chatted and had a great time and got this awesome picture:

Ok I realize that Steve and Ariane's Steve are not in the picture because No Steve's Allowed! LOL
(It's an inside joke with our Epic Trip group which we had titled No Steve's Allowed when we thought it was exclusively an all-girls trip. Then they came along anyway. )

A few of them had dinner reservations (I think it was at Flying Fish) and I wanted to check out a couple more eats over in Epcot so we all parted ways and back to Epcot we go.

Hmm Steve looks a little tired.

But to me the night was still young!

They had also opened up this wide walkway which made it quicker to avoid the work going on in Epcot which was a nice change instead of dodging walls and construction.

We checked out the new show in the Land called Awesome Planet

It was your typical Earth Day Save The Planet sort of movie with nice imagery.

We headed over to World Showcase and the first thing we got was this: The Lobster Chips over at Refreshment Port. It had so much potential as it had a lobster cheese sauce, lobster pieces, and fresh fried chips. But the whole thing was not good. It was super salty, the chips were stale and the cheese was cold. I don't know if it's because it as sitting around for a while but we were not impressed.

It was quickly redeemed but this combo: The Wild Mushroom Risotto and merlot from Masterpiece Kitchen. Yum, this is a delicious dish and I remember getting it last year and liking it. It was even better this time because it was a cooler evening and I think eating heavier and richer things like risotto is better when you're not hot and sweaty.

Cheers to a great day!!

While eating we caught Epcot Forever, although we weren't in the best spot but it was fine.

We headed out of the park and back to the skyliner for our final trip to our resort that day (I felt like we went back and forth so many times but it's so easy on the skyliner!). The line was really really long at the end of the night, but it moved very quickly. I would say it is the similar wait time for the boats at the end of the night but you're consistently moving as opposed to just waiting in a line stationary.

It was an insanely packed day but we got to ride Rise of the Resistance and I couldn't be happier!
Seriously, it was sooo worth the effort....

We're doing it AGAIN the next day!

Stay tuned!​

 

[Steppesister]

And yes they brought back the sea salt lotion to the rooms.

So what did we do? We called an Uber! We asked them to come by 6:20am.

Exactly!!

went through a semi-long bag check line (we realized it was a mistake to come with bags, we learned the next time).

I'm a fan of no bags for sure!

And we ended up with Boarding Group 62!! Of course my friend Alyssa got Boarding Group 18! I'm not even sure how they assign groups since we were all checking at the same time, and pressing buttons at the same time, but hey, it may be random or not who knows, but we were excited to even get a Boarding Group!!

I have a theory on this.

It was a beautiful day at 78 degrees. This was possibly the warmest day of our trip! (Foreshadowing)

78's perfect. Anything less... is not.

It was so beautiful! It was really spacious with lovely finishes, there were 2 bathtubs and a beautiful king bedroom. I also like the cute artwork!

2 tubs? My kind of Heaven!

After a few hours rest in the room we headed out to Nomad Lounge over at AK. We met up with all the DISboarders who were there during that time. I told you, it was like a mini- Epic trip! @ariane37 @ArielSRL @Jenny Sanders @Mollydolly334 @pepperandchips! Even @docsoliday1 made an appearance (although we didn't get a picture with him). They unfortunately didn't get very good service so left early. And I have to credit Ariane and her DH Steve for getting us enough chairs for our very large group, thanks guys!

Unfortunately, while I ADORE the Nomad, I have also had pretty terrible service there. Sometimes you wait FOREVER for the check or drinks, not to mention the tables are scarce. I'll still go back over and over, but you have to just expect bad service sometimes.