Springtime is the Best Time- Flower & Garden, a taste of Dapper Days and Earth Day -April 2024- Side Trip to Epic Opening Day

[pkondz]

It was very suspicious.

I see dead critters

Me too, but I want to do the Wild African Trek first.

Haven’t done that one.

My guess is you usually still in the parks at this time.

Probably a good guess.

 

[piglet1979]

No one was terribly hungry so we all went light and had a form of the grilled cheese

I like mine with tomato and onion on it. My husband thinks I am weird. I have yet to make to Beaches and Cream but last trip I really tried and it just didn't work out. Maybe on the next trip.

 

[vamassey1]

I see dead critters

Had to be.

Probably a good guess.

This why I had never made it before. Hate to loose precious park time.

 

[vamassey1]

I like mine with tomato and onion on it. My husband thinks I am weird.

That actually sounds pretty good, but the onion would have to be cooked down.

I have yet to make to Beaches and Cream but last trip I really tried and it just didn't work out. Maybe on the next trip.

It took me several trips to finally make it.

 

[vamassey1]

Tuesday, April 23, 2024- Departure Day
Well it was Departure Day, which always seems to come too fast. We had a late flight so we had some time to play before heading to the airport.

I took some time to look around Sports before we left the resort. We had a breakfast ADR at Kona Cafe @ 10:15 am. I was looking forward to this since I have never had breakfast there. I have enjoyed a lunch and dinner in the past. Ralphie was joining us for too.

The lobby at Sports been updated since my last stay in 2022, so I took a few pictures. This was different from my previous stays.


I took some photos of the Surf Pool and the Surf Building where we stayed.



I really think this is a great resort for families with kids that like sports. There is so much to see and do. I've seen kids playing football on the big football field and basketball in that section too.
We were early for our breakfast but drove over to the Poly and parked.



We took the monorail and made stops at the Grand and the Comptemporary.



Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

Robin and I both had The Polynesian Platter with some Kona coffee. Danielle had the Tonga Toast with the Pog juice and a side of grits. Raphie had the Breakfast platter with some Pog juice too. He really likes breakfast food.

Here is Danielle's Tonga toast, and yes she did share so I could taste some.



Grits.



This is Ralphie's.



I had my platter with scrambled eggs.



Robin had a fried egg.



We had way too much food, but it was good.

After breakfast we drove to Disney Springs for some more shopping. It's amazing how less crowded Springs is earlier in the day. This was also a good way to walk off some of that breakfast. Danielle got me a Mickey ring from Arribas Brothers that I had been eyeing for a few trips. I, of course got some more ornaments for my Christmas tree. I wanted to get some cookies from Gideons but we ended up skipping that.



Ralphie got this photos of Danielle and I. We were enjoying our last day of time together.




We said goodbye to Ralphie, but still had some time to kill so we drove to Cast Connections. Have you every been to Cast Connections? You can only go in with a Cast Member. It has Disney merch that has been removed from the parks, resorts and Springs. It's discounted like at the outlet store but it's even lower priced. They also have some food items too to help the Cast Members. Robin and I both made purchases but I can't remember what I got. I think it was stuff for the kids and maybe a shirt for Dennis. We've made several trips here and sometimes we find good stuff and sometimes not. We did pretty good back in December. They had just dropped a bunch of stuff and the parking lot was packed. We had to park on the road. Sorry no pictures.

We had no trouble getting to the airport and made it through security with no issues. Our flight ended up being not even half full. Robin and I both had a row of seats to ourselves. This was a good thing, we were able to both spread out. I know I slept most of the way back to New Orleans and snored.



And that concludes our Girls Spring 2024 Trip.

I'm really sad we didn't make it back again this year for a Spring trip but I do have our big family trip coming up next month. We have already named it "The Big Summer Blowout".

Thanks for following along and sticking with me. I really enjoy sharing and I hope I have shared something that has helped to add to your trips too.

 

[pkondz]

Well it was Departure Day, which always seems to come too fast.

Oh yes... it always does.

We had a breakfast ADR at Kona Cafe @ 10:15 am. I was looking forward to this since I have never had breakfast there.

Miracle of miracles! A place that I have been to that you had not!

I really think this is a great resort for families with kids that like sports.

Interesting. Hadn't thought of that. It never appealed to me because I don't really equate sports with Disney.

I've seen kids playing football on the big football field and basketball in that section too.

Okay... I like that.

the Comptemporary.

This made me laugh.
I try not to point out anyone's typos. I've done my share of them! But this made me read it as Contempt-orary.
A hotel so snooty that all those who stay there look down on all others.

Danielle had the Tonga Toast with the Pog juice

Danielle is smart.

This was for one person??

That made me realize... that while I don't care for cheese on scrambled eggs, I love it in an omelet.
Is that weird?

Yeah, I guess it is!

It's amazing how less crowded Springs is earlier in the day.

Noted.

Danielle got me a Mickey ring from Arribas Brothers that I had been eyeing for a few trips.

Nice of her.
Pic?

I wanted to get some cookies from Gideons but we ended up skipping that.

I couldn't even think of that after a big meal!

awwww.

Have you every been to Cast Connections?

Nope!
Probably never will, I suppose. I don't know any CMs personally...
And probably wouldn't ask, if I did. (Don't like to impose.)

It has Disney merch that has been removed from the parks, resorts and Springs. It's discounted like at the outlet store but it's even lower priced.

Huh!

Our flight ended up being not even half full. Robin and I both had a row of seats to ourselves.

I know I slept most of the way back to New Orleans and snored.

Traveling in style!

And that concludes our Girls Spring 2024 Trip.

Thanks so much for sharing! I hope you'll write about your next (big) trip!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Great end to your trip report. The big summer trip will be here in no time! I’m hoping you share so the deets with us

 

[vamassey1]

Miracle of miracles! A place that I have been to that you had not!

I know I have been there too.

This made me laugh.
I try not to point out anyone's typos. I've done my share of them! But this made me read it as Contempt-orary.
A hotel so snooty that all those who stay there look down on all others.

I know I'm a terrible speller and I was rushing.

This was for one person??

Way too much food.

That made me realize... that while I don't care for cheese on scrambled eggs, I love it in an omelet.
Is that weird?

Yeah, I guess it is!

I like cheese on both.

Pic?

No pics.

Thanks so much for sharing! I hope you'll write about your next (big) trip!

Thanks for following along. I think I will write one since this one is done.

 

[vamassey1]

Great end to your trip report.

Thank you!

he big summer trip will be here in no time! I’m hoping you share so the deets with us

Our "Big Summer Blow Out" is coming up soon. I'm going to try and share our plans. We've already made some changes and will most likely make more.

 

[pkondz]

I know I'm a terrible speller and I was rushing.

Why I hesitated to mention it. I was more commenting on my silly mind than any spelling mistake. Everyone makes typos. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. No offence meant.

I like cheese on both.

Sure. Because you’re normal.

No pics.

Ah well

Thanks for following along. I think I will write one since this one is done.

Yay!

 

[Steppesister]

Thank you! She's real excited to have GEO to look forward to.

How could she not be?!

Have you ever seen so many buzzards before?

Nope!

It made me wonder if there was something not living in the hippo area.
It's not a Safaris if you don't see an animal backside.

I"ve seen a dead, rotting hippo carcass in a pool in the wild. It was both fascinating and wildly gross all at the same time.

We watched the Gorillas for a bit too, but I wasn't able to get a good photo.

Always a tough shot there. Dumb glass.

ou can do marshmallows for free but the S'mores kits cost a little. It was $7 when we did it, but I'm sure it's more now. We did purchase one kit to share.

I think that's quite reasonable!

Burnt?

Incinerated? Cremated? Carbonized...?

I'd need about 6 people to share this with me.

We had a breakfast ADR at Kona Cafe

Loved it when I went there years ago.

Holy cow!! Enough food for the wholel trip!

It's amazing how less crowded Springs is earlier in the day.

It sure is! But I'm always torn. Do I pull myself away from the parks for this? Seems like I need a longer trip to "take a day off" to do some pool time mixed with Springs. Otherwise, a tough call for me.

We have already named it "The Big Summer Blowout".

I LOVE IT!!

 

[vamassey1]

Why I hesitated to mention it. I was more commenting on my silly mind than any spelling mistake. Everyone makes typos. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. No offence meant.

No offense was taken.

How could she not be?!

She just finished her CR training so hopefully once she get some time there running shifts she's get to work towards Geo training.

I"ve seen a dead, rotting hippo carcass in a pool in the wild. It was both fascinating and wildly gross all at the same time.

I would expect to see that in the wild, but not at AK.

Burnt?

Incinerated? Cremated? Carbonized...?

But the melty part was so good.

I'd need about 6 people to share this with me.

we had 3 and didn't finish it.

Holy cow!! Enough food for the wholel trip!

It was a lot. I'm glad that wasn't my plate.

It sure is! But I'm always torn. Do I pull myself away from the parks for this? Seems like I need a longer trip to "take a day off" to do some pool time mixed with Springs. Otherwise, a tough call for me.

Dennis has gotten to where he insists on a no park day after 2 park days. We still have kept those day pretty busy, but hoping to really do some resort stuff on our trip coming up.

I LOVE IT!!

Thank you!

 

[pkondz]

She just finished her CR training so hopefully once she get some time there running shifts she's get to work towards Geo training.

 

[vamassey1]

Big Summer Blowout- June 2026

We're still working on plan and changing them along the way. Here's what we have so far. It will be interesting to see what we actually do. We all make plans but also know we have to be flexible.

Saturday, June 20th is travel day.
Dennis and I plan on leaving pretty early and as of now we'll have JP and Dominic. We're going to drive straight through and stay with Danielle the first night. She will be working so we'll have to entertain ourselves. Right now we're thinking about doing some Disney Springs Bus Roulette. I want to take the boys to see something they haven't really seen or remember seeing. We're going to park at Springs and take a Disney bus to a resort. I'm leaning towards Animal Kingdom Lodge. We plan on eating Counter Service where ever we go. AKL would be fun for the kids to see the animals even if it's dark. I've seen where they have night googles. Dennis is leaning towards Wilderness Lodge. JP stayed with us there but that was several years ago and Dominic went to Geyser Point with us last year. We would try to see Old Faithful and if we're there late enough the Electrical Water Pageant. We thought about going to the Boardwalk area too, but that's a distant 3rd choice.
Jimmy has to work so they won't leave until late afternoon on that Saturday and stay somewhere overnight. Hopefully they're up early to finish the drive on Sunday.

Sunday, June 21st.
Breakfast will be at Danielle's or somewhere quick. We're staying at Art of Animation. We're in a Lion King Suite and Michelle and crew are in a Nemo Suite. We were all originally in Lion King Suites. We had Danielle's CM discount of 50% and Michelle had the 40% discount. We had Danielle in our room for the bigger discount. When Michelle called to pay her room off and link our reservations the CM said she could get the 50% off too. We learned something new, as long as Danielle is in a room at the resort she can use the 50% off for up to 3 rooms. They offered to change Michelle's discount but no rooms were available in the Lion King area but she could move to Nemo. Those are preferred room but she still saved $250 by moving and applying the bigger discount. We plan to get there early and store our luggage if the rooms not ready. We'll head to Disney Spring for some shopping. We're hoping Michelle and crew are there in time to make our lunch ADR at TREX. It's Father's Day and that was Dennis' choice. After lunch and shopping it's back to the AOA for some swimming and enjoying the Resort. We always say we're going to have some resort time but never seem to make time for it. This trip we have resort time planned. Dinner will be at AOA. We really want to surprise the kids with the Cool Kid's Summer Bedtime Pajama Party.

Monday, June 22nd
This is our first park day and we're starting with Epcot. We have a lunch ADR at Garden Grill. Guardians is a must for part of group. We want to ride Test Track, Soarin' Across America and try to do Goofycore for the kids. We'll do as many rides as we can within the limitation of such a large group. I don't think we'll make it for rope drop and stay until close. I would like to pop into the AP lounge and see Voices of Liberty. The plan is to do the front part of the park until after lunch then try to stay in World Showcase unless we have a LL or Guardians that makes us come back to the front. We're still working on what LLs we will try to get. Being on the Skyliner is going to help a lot with this day.


Tuesday, June 23rd is Michelle's Birthday and Magic Kingdom
Her choice for her birthday is Magic Kingdom. Her choice for lunch was Be Our Guest. She has never eaten there as a Table Service. Most of us want to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railway. We all want to do the updated Buzz and seeing Starlight is a must too. Jimmy doesn't do thrill rides but he insists on Peter Pan so I finally have someone on my side for PP. Tron is a must for several in our group. I'm okay not riding this trip to help with the littles who can't ride and Jimmy who won't. We have so many rides we want to do and so little time. We also will try to catch the Cool Kid's Sumer stuff too. It's a good thing the next day is our rest day. We do plan on getting LLs for this day and Tron Single LL for those that want to do it. I don't know if we'll sit for HEA. We really liked seeing the fireworks go off from Fantasyland last year and had great luck riding PP and Seven Dwarfs while they were going off.

I'll post the rest on my next post.

 

[pkondz]

Plans sound good so far.

 

[piglet1979]

That actually sounds pretty good, but the onion would have to be cooked down.

I use raw onions so they never really get warm.

 

[Paulaparm]

Your plans sound great!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Yay Nice on getting the larger discount for the room! Nemo is where I would want to stay in the AoA suites!
Did you get the 40% off for your GG lunch?
I’m excited to hear what you think of the Soarin America, BTMRR, and Buzz. I really liked all three. I was shocked BTMMR took as long as it did with such small changes.
I love that Dennis picked T-Rex for Father’s Day meal. He was thinking about the kids no doubt!
I secretly like being by myself at the parks because I don’t have to ride Tron, and Guardians, haha

 

[vamassey1]

I use raw onions so they never really get warm.

I'll have to pass on the raw onions.