Sleepy and Grumpy visit Tatooine–A SWW TR! - The End - All done and Link to new TR

[franandaj]

Last day already or were you ready to be home by this point?


DTD looks terrible, you were right, much worse than May.

Love that Marie picture

I'm not sure we were ready to go home at this point, we'd spent so much time sleeping and not as much doing, though we'd been gone a long time, it didn't seem so much like it.

Yeah DTD was a mess. I wonder if it's better or worse now.

I know! It's so cute!

I've never eaten breakfast at WPE, but I certainly love the lunch/dinner menu there. I'm glad to know it was good.

Actually some of that might really hit the spot right now. Too bad it's so far away!

We just came across the painting that she got. And in fact we are going to put it on the same wall with Marie.

That might be something interesting. Yet with all the good food options in the parks, resorts and at DTD... that's all I need is something else to try out.

I know, if you're playing the "Golden Spoon" game, they keep adding more and more places. At first I was 5 away from 50%, now I think I have to eat at 15 new places next trip to get it. At least there are a dozen F&G kiosks to get me there!

It's not worth me trying to sell you. Think Pocahontas or Dances With Wolves with better special effects.

I just found the DVD unpacking some DVD boxes, maybe we'll put it on the watch list. We will still keep trying to get you to watch Big Bang Theory.

I've never been away for 6 weeks. I think I need to test this theory out.

Well, we weren't gone for six weeks in a row. Sometimes it was just for the day (like when I came out meet your family). There was just a lack of overall home time to get things cleaned up and put away.

Sounds good! I've never been to WPE, but everyone seems to like it!

I definitely did, one of the better QS places on property.

Seems kinda inconvenient.

It was definitely a longer detour.

Of course it was. You know why? Because I wasn't there.

Mmmm...grease...

WP looks completely empty and the Breakfast Calzone looks very appetizing.

I couldn't believe how empty it was, although I think two other parties came in while we were eating.

I always enjoy walking through the Disney Art shop at DTD to see what interesting art they have in store.

The one in WDW DTD is bigger than the ones at DL, always more dangerous for Fran!

DTD at WDW has changed a lot since I have been there and it will be weird to see it as Disney Springs.

I'm wondering if the transformation will be such a big thing, or all this construction will have been for no real benefit. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[franandaj]

It was our last night and we would be returning to the MK this evening. I had actually been able to get us FP+ for the 7DMT for this day as well. As we were leaving the lobby of the VGF Fran sort of hit her knee on a big granite pillar and decided that she didn’t want to deal with riding the ride today. So I took her wristband and rode it twice. I didn’t get any pictures of the queue, it was too dark.

Now this ride is fun, it’s not RnRC, Space Mtn or CA Screamin fun, but it’s a cute little ride. There are not a lot of jarring turns, and the fact that the cars sway too and fro makes it a little smoother than some of the other coasters. I would recommend it, but not 60 or 90 minutes worth of wait time recommend it!







You do get some nice views of various castles from the upper vantage points.





And then there is the dark ride part of the component. The dwarves at work, the train also slows when you reach this part of the ride.













And then you go back out into the roller coaster ride.









It’s a pretty quick little ride and soon you are heading back to the station.



The dwarves are celebrating and dancing with Snow White inside the cottage, but the train goes by so fast, it’s hard to see the details. It’s not until you come to a full stop that you see what’s going on.



And as you exit the ride, you see the front of the cottage.



This is the kind of thing that amuses Fran while I’m on rides.



We also had FP+ for Big Thunder Mountain, but I think Fran was saving her scooter battery (it didn’t have all afternoon to charge back up from our morning at AK) so I went across the park and rode BTMRR myself. I never really found any good photo opportunities, and I do have to say that I am spoiled by DL’s version of this ride. It is so much improved with the refurb that I will be skipping this one at WDW until it gets an upgrade.

Then back in Fantasyland, we still had a bit of time before our ADR, so we decided to catch a showing of Mickey’s Philharmagic.



[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

Then it was time for our reservation at Be Our Guest.







When you enter the restaurant you get to take Lumiere to your table, but you don’t get to keep him.



Place setting



We were seated in the main ball room.



Menu, sorry it’s difficult to read.











This room is just so pretty, I can’t get over it!



We split both of these soups, French Onion



And Potato Leek, but I ate more of the French Onion. However, both are really good!



My Glass of White Wine and the Bread Service



Fran had a beer



The Beast makes a brief appearance as he passes on to his photo op



I ordered the Sauteed Shrimp and Scallops with Seasonal Vegetables and Mushrooms served in Puff Pastry. This was really good. The seafood was fresh, there was more shrimp than scallops, but that was ok. The sauce was kind of rich, but I didn’t mind. It was really filling.



Fran got the Herb Crusted Lamb Rack. Our plan was to trade entrees halfway through, but I got so full so fast, I couldn’t even eat my piece of lamb.



I had a glass of red wine with my main course.



One of the reasons that I couldn’t eat my lamb chop was because I had seen on Ellen’s TR (one of the many) that their Pomme Frites were to die for. I’m not sure what they fry them in, it must be duck fat or something like that.



[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

Then there was this:





They bring the dessert cart to your table.



We went with a Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcake



The “Grey Stuff” and a Chocolate Cream Puff. None of these desserts were spectacular. They were good, but I think due to being stuffed and the fact that I’d had much better sweets over the course of the week. I didn’t finish any of them. Fran might have.





The room is just so darned pretty.



The other details aren’t bad either.









On your way out, you get a photo op with the beast. They verify that you are in fact done, because they pretty much show you the door once you finish your picture.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I think if I ever hit WDW again, I'd like to dine at BoG. The ambience looks great there.

Love the pictures of the mine.

 

[Pinkocto]

BoG looks awesome! Yours is one of the few 'good' reviews I've read. Most have the food as just ok. Of course everyone says the details are gorgeous! We walked in but they didn't let us past the main foyer.


Like you I thought the mine train was cute and quite smooth but too short.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice pictures from the 7DMT. It was neat that you were able to get a front row spot on the ride and get those nice pictures. This is one of those rides that I will to try when I ever go back to WDW.

BoG restaurant looks so nice every time I see my pictures when I had the sneak peek lunch back in 2012. But dinner is a different story where the experience is completely different from lunch. The only problem for me is that unless I stay on-site and can make reservations in advance for the non-hotel guests, it will be difficult to make a reservation unless I want to wait outside to get in the restaurant for dinner. This is just like Le Cellier where they are the most popular restaurants at WDW and impossible to get a reservation unless you are staying on-site.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I love the photos from the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This looks like a real fun ride and it is absolutely OK be me that it is not in the same league as California Screamin', etc. Graham on the other hand, after assuring me for months that he had no intention to go anywhere near a park this time round, has suddenly decided he really wants to do California Screamin'. I think I may get him a one day hopper ticket for his birthday before he changes his mind.

I can't wait to do the new Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland.

Dinner at Be Our Guest looks fantastic. I have been there for lunch twice, but never for dinner. I am hoping I can put this right at some stage.

Corinna

 

[rentayenta]

Love love love this update. The Seven Dwarves Mine Train looks so cute!

Be Our Guest looks amazing. Love a good lamb chop. Cute cute pics of you guys with Beast.

 

[Sandy321]

I'm Sandy, and I usually just lurk and read TR for information, and well to get that Disney fix...

but I've got to stop and say and thank you! I truly enjoyed the trip report, I felt like you were sitting right here telling me all about it! We haven't been to WDW in quite some time, and I was quite fine with not planning a trip till all the fuss of FP+, magic bands, and with the closings and changes...

well, your TR put some of that pixie dust: back! So thank you for sharing your FP+, I didn't read pre-tr but I may to get information on getting up to securing the BOG and 7D FP+

I also like your drink reports, that's my kind of trip! I honestly have written off LeCellier, but I may actually put it back thanks to your pictures! and I too love the parmesan toile, I've baked mine on a sil pad, I may have to try your fry trick!

I also want to share that we did take Behind the Seeds tour, and if you like Living in the Land ride, you will definitely enjoy the tour, plus its not that long, and not expensive. I'm planning on quite a few tours due to the changes, we'll change up our style!

Loved going on your TR for SWW, how fascinating, I'm too afraid of the crowds, but that special tour does seem like the way to go!!

again, thank you!
(didn't mean to be so chatty. )

 

[afwdwfan]

Cool pictures from 7DMT!!!! I can't wait to ride it myself. Kind of disappointing that it is such a short ride though.

I'm really looking forward to seeing BTMRR in Disneyland. I guess the quick comparison of riding both within a few weeks might be kind of interesting too. I've always loved the on in Magic Kingdom, but if the DL version is that much better... I can't wait!!!

Looks like a lovely dinner at BOG!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Now this ride is fun, it’s not RnRC, Space Mtn or CA Screamin fun, but it’s a cute little ride. There are not a lot of jarring turns, and the fact that the cars sway too and fro makes it a little smoother than some of the other coasters. I would recommend it, but not 60 or 90 minutes worth of wait time recommend it!

Good to know! Sounds like a good use of FP+.

This is the kind of thing that amuses Fran while I’m on rides.

Hey, whatever floats your boat, I guess.

I never really found any good photo opportunities, and I do have to say that I am spoiled by DL’s version of this ride. It is so much improved with the refurb that I will be skipping this one at WDW until it gets an upgrade.

I can't say I wouldn't ride it, but DL's is definitely better.

This room is just so pretty, I can’t get over it!

BoG really does look amazing!

The room is just so darned pretty.

Sensing a theme...

 

[franandaj]

I think if I ever hit WDW again, I'd like to dine at BoG. The ambience looks great there.

Love the pictures of the mine.

Part of me didn't want to like it, but we are going to try for a reservation there in April now. Thanks! I was glad that the dark ride ones came out!

BoG looks awesome! Yours is one of the few 'good' reviews I've read. Most have the food as just ok. Of course everyone says the details are gorgeous! We walked in but they didn't let us past the main foyer.


Like you I thought the mine train was cute and quite smooth but too short.

OK, well maybe the food wasn't OMG good, but I really liked the soups and the entrée. The pomme frites were definitely good, I don't know what they fried them in but they were tasty.

Very nice pictures from the 7DMT. It was neat that you were able to get a front row spot on the ride and get those nice pictures. This is one of those rides that I will to try when I ever go back to WDW.

BoG restaurant looks so nice every time I see my pictures when I had the sneak peek lunch back in 2012. But dinner is a different story where the experience is completely different from lunch. The only problem for me is that unless I stay on-site and can make reservations in advance for the non-hotel guests, it will be difficult to make a reservation unless I want to wait outside to get in the restaurant for dinner. This is just like Le Cellier where they are the most popular restaurants at WDW and impossible to get a reservation unless you are staying on-site.

I totally lucked out on the front row spot! I was really lucky to get that BoG reservation. It was the first one that I made when my window opened up and even then, that was the only time showing available. I hope I have an easier time in a couple weeks when I try it again.

I love the photos from the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This looks like a real fun ride and it is absolutely OK be me that it is not in the same league as California Screamin', etc. Graham on the other hand, after assuring me for months that he had no intention to go anywhere near a park this time round, has suddenly decided he really wants to do California Screamin'. I think I may get him a one day hopper ticket for his birthday before he changes his mind.

I can't wait to do the new Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland.

Dinner at Be Our Guest looks fantastic. I have been there for lunch twice, but never for dinner. I am hoping I can put this right at some stage.

Corinna

Seven Dwarves will be right up your alley. Big Thunder is so great now that they finished the rehab! Dinner is a whole new experience, much more elegant and the food is definitely better than lunch.

Love love love this update. The Seven Dwarves Mine Train looks so cute!

Be Our Guest looks amazing. Love a good lamb chop. Cute cute pics of you guys with Beast.

It was a fun ride. I hope the hype goes down sometime soon and it has a reasonable wait time. We really should split an entrée next time, but I always want to taste so many things!

I'm Sandy, and I usually just lurk and read TR for information, and well to get that Disney fix...

but I've got to stop and say and thank you! I truly enjoyed the trip report, I felt like you were sitting right here telling me all about it! We haven't been to WDW in quite some time, and I was quite fine with not planning a trip till all the fuss of FP+, magic bands, and with the closings and changes...

well, your TR put some of that pixie dust: back! So thank you for sharing your FP+, I didn't read pre-tr but I may to get information on getting up to securing the BOG and 7D FP+

I also like your drink reports, that's my kind of trip! I honestly have written off LeCellier, but I may actually put it back thanks to your pictures! and I too love the parmesan toile, I've baked mine on a sil pad, I may have to try your fry trick!

I also want to share that we did take Behind the Seeds tour, and if you like Living in the Land ride, you will definitely enjoy the tour, plus its not that long, and not expensive. I'm planning on quite a few tours due to the changes, we'll change up our style!

Loved going on your TR for SWW, how fascinating, I'm too afraid of the crowds, but that special tour does seem like the way to go!!

again, thank you!
(didn't mean to be so chatty. )

Thank you for coming out of lurkdom Sandy! Love chatty folks on my TRs! I'm glad that I could help bring back some of the magic and pixie dust. I'm thinking that we could do the Behind the Seeds tour on the day we plan to eat at Garden Grill, so that we can see where they are gowing the stuff we will be eating that night. I really think that the special tour was the way to go!

 

[franandaj]

Cool pictures from 7DMT!!!! I can't wait to ride it myself. Kind of disappointing that it is such a short ride though.

I guess like many of the other Fantasyland rides, they could make it short, but I think that they maximized what space they had for the tracks, that part is very compact.

I'm really looking forward to seeing BTMRR in Disneyland. I guess the quick comparison of riding both within a few weeks might be kind of interesting too. I've always loved the on in Magic Kingdom, but if the DL version is that much better... I can't wait!!!

Looks like a lovely dinner at BOG!

The one a DL is so smooth now, it's just great. I won't spoil the surprise, but essentially the imagineers couldn't have done 25 years ago what they did on the refurbished ride. The technology just didn't exist back then, so it's really cool now!

Good to know! Sounds like a good use of FP+.

If you can get it, that is the definite one to choose! I hear people are having a hard time with it even using their 60 day window and the additional days.

Hey, whatever floats your boat, I guess.

I often find amusing pictures on her camera when I haven't been with her, nothing bad just a unique perspective on things. Me I would have been running screaming. I hate bugs.

;rolleyes1 I can't say I wouldn't ride it, but DL's is definitely better.

I'm too spoiled by the smoothness of DL's and I'm getting too old for this stuff! It was far too rickety.

BoG really does look amazing!

Sensing a theme...

It was!

 

[franandaj]

After we were tossed on our butts out of Be Our Guest, we had another destination in mind. If you recall the first night at MK we had stumbled upon a particular parade. One which can be very challenging to a photographer renewing their skills! We decided that we would stake out a spot for the parade and actually wait for it. We were done with dinner by 7:30 and the parade started at 9PM, kind of a long time to wait, but you know how it is when you have a goal?

While we waited, there was another thing that we had wanted to do this trip and hadn’t gotten around to it. The Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom game is free and others I know had fun playing it. The thing is that we had to sign up at a specific location while it was still open. I took care of that while Fran held our spot for the parade. It’s amazing how people try to get in front of you, but we were right at the edge of Liberty Square. Right next to the shop that serves the sandwiches on the waffles.



There was a little corner next to the rope and eventually we told two slim ladies that no one was there and they could squeeze in as long as they didn’t try to block our view of the parade. They agreed and we had nice parade companions. Not like the many families who tried to camp out in front of the rope in front of us. Luckily we had better luck at this parade than the SWW one, and the CMs made them all move! Finally it got dark and the parade began. Now I have never been a fan of this parade, the quirky little musical theme. It really grates on my nerves, being a musician, I never liked synthesizers or the sound of their music, but for the sake of the pictures, I put up with it.

















































[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

And the salute to America finishes off the parade.





Following the parade, we planned to go back to Main Street and play the Sorcerer’s from the Magic Kingdom game. With the fireworks coming up and everyone else heading that way, we decided to take a different course. We headed over into Frontierland past Pirates. I was too tired to ride anything but we took pictures (Fran took them of various merchandise options) and I took them of the fireworks which were going on.















Finally making it over to Main street we embarked on our mission to save the puppies from Cruella. We had no idea that we were going to stay this late and before we knew it the second version of the MSEP started. I took more pictures, and I “thought” that the second set of pictures came out better than the first, but actually on a few of them did.



























By this time it was really late, and we still had more packing and a DME to catch the next day. But we couldn’t resist finishing out the game and saving the puppies once and for all! It was a lot of fun and just like Fran, she got into the spirit of it and purchased about five more sets of cards and a book to store them in. Next time when we go back we can start a new adventure, I think it’s in Frontierland, but I could be mistaken.

We headed back to the Grand Floridian for our last time this trip. It went by just a little too quickly. I don’t remember a lot about the trip home, we took DME and got to our flight. On our layover in Dallas we discovered the American Express lounge, they have free food, a bar, places to sleep, Wifi, and all sorts of spaces just to relax. We were able to recharge a little bit between flights before heading back to LAX. Once we got home, the kitties were all glad to see us. Usually they turn up their noses at us for a few days to punish us for being gone but not this time. I guess that they knew something was afoot!

Trip Recap: We love, love, loved Star Wars weekends! We have already planned to return in 2016 and will stay at the Grand if we can get in. If they offer this VIP package, we would take it again in a heartbeat!

I think the events of the past year have taken their toll on us and it’s good that we have some time to relax before our next trip because we were just way too tired at the beginning of this trip. We were never able to really catch up as it seems every other night we were falling asleep and skipping dinner.

I learned a lot about FP+ this trip, so hopefully when we go back in April, I won’t make the same rookie mistakes as this last trip. For the most part, I enjoyed the FP+ system. Since we are not park commandos and usually only ride a few rides (if Fran gets on any at all) the system worked out pretty well for us. Since my MB worked this time, it was relatively convenient not having to fish out my pass and room key every time we entered a park or the room. Overall, I will give the system a thumbsup.

I can’t say that I’ve ever had a bad trip to WDW, but I certainly know that some folks have had their share of nightmares. This wasn’t the greatest trip, but it had it moments! It’s funny how my parents think a trip to WDW is just a trip to WDW because I can’t begin to tell you how different this trip was from the one we took in October 2013. Nor can I even compare those two trips to the one from Jan/Feb 2013, your resort, ADRs, companions and park plans can change everything about a trip. Not one of the last three trips was at all the same and I suspect the next one will again be completely different. We have almost all new ADRs planned and quite a few experiences that I’ve never had before are on the list, so it will be yet another trip full of great new experiences! So with that having been said, this trip report is all done! As they say in Hollywood, “It’s a wrap!”

 

[Pinkocto]

Fabulous pictures of the MSEP! I'm sorry you don't like the music though. Love that you played the Sorcerer game til late, too cute

You're so right, every trip to WDW is different.

Thank you again for spending some time with me, that was wonderful to get together again and a very delicious meal

Great trip, thank you for sharing it with us!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I totally lucked out on the front row spot! I was really lucky to get that BoG reservation. It was the first one that I made when my window opened up and even then, that was the only time showing available. I hope I have an easier time in a couple weeks when I try it again.

Hope you are able to get an easier time for BoG restaurant reservation.


Very nice pictures from MSEP. It is so nice to see the MSEP at the MK and I do miss it at the DLR. It will be nice one day if the MSEP to return to the DLR. But I am also looking to hear if the DLR is going to do something special for the 60th Anniversary next year.

I completely agree that every trip is different from the experience.

I really enjoyed reading your latest WDW trip report. The Star Wars Weekend is one special events that I will want to try at WDW. But I don't think my family members will want to go to Florida during those hot times.

Great report.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Lovely pictures of MSEP.

What a great trip and I'm totally envious. I really wish I could go to a SWW at some stage.

And here's to many more for you. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sandy321]

Oh dear!

you've done it again!

Love the pictures you got the first round - I will agree with you about the music, but the way they create the floats, the lights look stunning! OK< guess I have to make room for this.... AND sorcerer's cards? Really?

I've managed to stay away from that game! but in thinking of the planning, and doing "other things" I may now have to add the cards to the list!

Glad your kitties enjoyed their time, I imagine they are loving their new digs! (I had to read your saga on your home - Love the walk in fridge, and of course your wine -- I really enjoyed it, hope your Sleep Bed is still all that its supposed to be, we may have to switch from our waterbed! )