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

[vamassey1]

Smart move! Plus you get the best bits of a Disney park day when the crowds are ever so slightly smaller

I hoping to get the smaller crowds too.

I love how you have conversations about the different types of hot. You should see us here in Ireland- a tiny glimpse of blue sky and sunshine and everyone gets the garden chairs and picnic blankets out plus the queues for the butchers are out the door as everyone rushes to buy sausages and burgers etc in case this is the only chance to have a BBQ . Sometimes summer sunshine lasts a glorious couple of weeks and some years it’s a random Wednesday in May so you don’t want to miss your chances of eating outside
I will say our sunny days are gorgeous as we don’t have much in the way of humidity It’s supposed to hit 20*c this week so I’ll be heading for groceries soon to stock up and beat the crowds

ETA 20*c is about 70*F so probably not what you’d consider hot but if it comes without rain ( which we have more than a few types of (misty/mizzly/pouring/lashing/bucketing to name a few) so we will take it as a summer’s day

We actually think it's a bit cool if the high is only 70. Heck that's the low right now.

 

[vamassey1]

swore I would never go to Universal in July again, but here we are. In your case, the opportunity was just too good to pass up.

It's amazing what we'll do even when we say "never again".

I think it'll be nice to get some time with Danielle and this might be a low key trip without the littles.

It really should be more relaxing.

We'll definitely have to try and meet up. It's becoming an annual tradition!

Yes! I like that annual tradition.

 

[vamassey1]

And you always looks so beautiful!

Thank you!

Aren't countdowns fun?!

They really are. I love having something to look forward to.

Exactly why I added the conference before my already planned Oct trip.

You are Smart!

Well, that stinks. But you can pack in a lot with EE; happy you do get that!

I am too. It worked really well last year for my Epcot day but I'm worried about MK. I think the bus drops off at at TTC. I'll either have to drive to the TTC lot or take the bus.

Me too! October should include some nice additions.

One of the reason we keep going back. There is almost always something new.

 

[vamassey1]

This is awesome that you get to go again this summer. We have a conference that we send 2 people to each year. It changes states every year and I told my boss that I have dibbs if they are ever in Orlando or Anaheim. So far we have been no where near each of these. Though I think this year it is in Atlanta.

Sounds like you're getting closer to Florida.

The first time I took my oldest to WDW was a work related trip. It was a contest our office won.

 

[vamassey1]

Ever Been to the Wedding Reception in Studios?- DHS- Saturday, April 20, 2024

It was time to get some real food. We debated where to go and Danielle suggested Pizza Rizzo. They have a salad that she really likes. She did not want to go to Backlot for burgers. It was after 1:30 so the crowds had already moved on.

This ended up being an interesting meal. Keep in mind that at this particular time Danielle had decided she was ready to leave Disney and come back to Louisiana but had not told anyone yet. There was no line to order food when we got there so we didn't mobile order. The first person Danielle saw was a Coordinator that had worked under her at Backlot but was now at Pizza Rizzo's. We had to stop and visit with him for a bit. Right after we ordered we ran into her Proprietor. This was Pizza Rizzo's proprietor's day off so she was covering. They both back each other up on their days off. So we visited with her. I had met her on a previous trip. Then Danielle and Robin went to grab us a table upstairs. I stayed behind to wait for the food. While I was waiting Danielle's proprietor came up to me to tell me how much they all loved Danielle and I told her we loved her too and missed her. I also told her we would be back in July with her sister and 3 nephews. She said Danielle talked about them all the time. After she left the coordinator we visited with earlier added a free dessert to our food tray. The CM working didn't see him do that and tried to remove it thinking it was given to us by accident. I had to stop her. Danielle came back down to help me carry the trays up and I learned something new on the way up. Pizza Rizzo's has an elevator! That sure made carrying the trays up much easier. We tried to do this in July but it wasn't working that day. Keep in mind they also close the upstairs after the lunch rush and before dinner. We just made it up their in time.

Have you ever eaten upstairs at Pizza Rizzo's? The have this fabulous room that is decorated like a wedding receptions room. There is a sign outside of the room welcoming you to Gil & Lill's reception. They play classic wedding dance music (think YMCA) and there is a disco ball with a small dance floor. We happened upon it a few years ago and it has become our go to spot.






Here is what has become my favorite salad even with the olives (I really do like olives). The Antipasto Salad. I don't care for the bread stick.



I'm going to really miss it when they close this place down. I'm hoping to get one more salad in May.

Here is the "free" dessert we were given, it was cookie. It was really cute and not bad but we were all to full to really enjoy it.



We shared the room with some Band teens. They were very well behaved and danced to the cool tunes. There was also a mother with her kids that got up and danced too. I'm going to miss this room so much.

I'm going to miss this too.




It wasn't too long after we finished eating that it was time to head to Olga's We checked in but still had a bit of a wait.



The wait paid off, for the first time ever we were given a table with seats. Before this visit I have always had a standing table. We did have to share the table with others and it was right when you entered Olg's to the left. Robin had never been in here and I think she was a little overwhelmed. I kept trying to get her to go look around. We didn't have much time so we went straight to ordering our drinks. We had a LL for Slinky Dog we needed to get to. I had a Bespin Fizz - Bacardi superior rum, yuzu purée, pomegranate juice, white cranberry juice, and cloud swirl and Robin had The Outer Rim- Patron silver tequila, Cedilla açaí liqueur, lime juice, pure cane sugar, black salt, and exotic fruit purée. I don't think Danielle got a drink but I have a photo of her with my drink. I do see a water cup on the table so it looks like she was being smart and hydrating. I enjoyed my drink and Robin said she really liked hers too.

 

[pkondz]

Ever Been to the Wedding Reception in Studios?

As soon as I read that, I knew exactly where you were going.

We debated where to go and Danielle suggested Pizza Rizzo.

I was going to say that I assumed this would close... and later on you confirmed it.

She did not want to go to Backlot for burgers.

Not surprised. I never wanted to go eat at the restaurant I worked at when I was young.

Keep in mind that at this particular time Danielle had decided she was ready to leave Disney and come back to Louisiana but had not told anyone yet.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say she'll change her mind.

Right after we ordered we ran into her Proprietor.

Is that like a supervisor? Manager?

While I was waiting Danielle's proprietor came up to me to tell me how much they all loved Danielle and I told her we loved her too and missed her.

Awww.

After she left the coordinator we visited with earlier added a free dessert to our food tray. The CM working didn't see him do that and tried to remove it thinking it was given to us by accident. I had to stop her.

"Do not mess with my dessert!"

Pizza Rizzo's has an elevator!

Did not know that!

Have you ever eaten upstairs at Pizza Rizzo's? The have this fabulous room that is decorated like a wedding receptions room.

I have not, but I do know about this room. I think... from you?

We happened upon it a few years ago

Which is why I think I know about it from you. You wrote about it? Maybe?

Here is what has become my favorite salad even with the olives (I really do like olives).

I don't care for olives, but otherwise it does look good.

I'm going to really miss it when they close this place down.

And there it is.

Here is the "free" dessert we were given, it was cookie. It was really cute and not bad but we were all to full to really enjoy it.

Too bad. It looks pretty good.

We shared the room with some Band teens. They were very well behaved and danced to the cool tunes.

That's nice.

There was also a mother with her kids that got up and danced too.

I'm going to miss this too.

I hope they relocate it over by their coaster.

What is she grinning at?

The wait paid off, for the first time ever we were given a table with seats.

Finally!

I had a Bespin Fizz - Bacardi superior rum, yuzu purée, pomegranate juice, white cranberry juice, and cloud swirl and Robin had The Outer Rim- Patron silver tequila, Cedilla açaí liqueur, lime juice, pure cane sugar, black salt, and exotic fruit purée.

Both sound pretty good.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Isn’t it lovely when you hear from other people how much they love and value your child . Proud parent moment for sure
I knew about the upstairs dining room but have only ever eaten downstairs. My kids used to love playing the arcade games in there many moons ago when it was pizza planet.
I will miss the muppets area and the fountain too. I really hope they relocate the fountain

ETA oh and we made it to high 70s yesterday and hopefully more of the same today so I’m living my best life reading outside in the sun. No jumper needed

 

[missjackiemcg]

Would you believe we have never eaten at Pizza Rizzo?! We went once long ago when it was Pizza Planet and were super unimpressed, so we've just never checked it out in it's Muppet form! We also tend to make lunch at '50's Prime Time a priority, which is probably another reason.

I do regret not ever having attended the wedding reception though!! A girl I follow on IG LOVES it up there and posts constantly about it, so that's where I learned about it. She actually used to run Parkbound Buttons and recently released a new set commemorating all things Muppets before they close down for good! On IG she's @caseyentertainmentcheese if you want to check it out. I know she has a pre order going on right now.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Upstairs at PizzaRizzo and Oga's are favorites. I haven't done Oga's since last April but I may have to see about a walk up in May. And I'm glad I get one more visit to the Pizza Rat before it closes. As I stated in my trip report - is the pizza good? Nope Is the service fast? Also nope Do I still need to have it every visit? Yep!

 

[vamassey1]

As soon as I read that, I knew exactly where you were going.

Of course you did.

Not surprised. I never wanted to go eat at the restaurant I worked at when I was young.

She doesn't either but she does like to stop in when we're with her to introduce us.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say she'll change her mind.

Don't spoil the cliffhanger.

Is that like a supervisor? Manager?

Yes, she is the head honcho for that group of food services. It includes Backlot, Dockside Diner and Epic Eats. Danielle worked under her at all 3.

"Do not mess with my dessert!"

Exactly!

Did not know that!

I'm glad I'm not the only one. .

I have not, but I do know about this room. I think... from you?

Most likely!

Which is why I think I know about it from you. You wrote about it? Maybe?

I think I have.

I hope they relocate it over by their coaster.

Me too!!!!!

What is she grinning at?

She was doing her best RBF until she noticed I was taking photos, then I got the smirk.

Both sound pretty good.

I would get mine again.

 

[vamassey1]

Isn’t it lovely when you hear from other people how much they love and value your child . Proud parent moment for sure

This really did make my day. I've meet her a few times and she has always had nice things to say about Danielle. I think she mother's the young adults who work for her. She was great with helping Danielle get moved to Epcot.

I knew about the upstairs dining room but have only ever eaten downstairs. My kids used to love playing the arcade games in there many moons ago when it was pizza planet.

My kids loved it when it was Pizza Planet too. I have photos of them playing games.

I will miss the muppets area and the fountain too. I really hope they relocate the fountain

3 votes for moving the fountain to the new Muppet area.

ETA oh and we made it to high 70s yesterday and hopefully more of the same today so I’m living my best life reading outside in the sun. No jumper needed

I'm happy for you. We're hitting in the 90s and that is just too hot.

 

[vamassey1]

Would you believe we have never eaten at Pizza Rizzo?!

Oh nooooo!

We went once long ago when it was Pizza Planet and were super unimpressed, so we've just never checked it out in it's Muppet form!

I can understand this. It's not good pizza, but fun for kids. The nods to the Muppets is really great too.

! We also tend to make lunch at '50's Prime Time a priority, which is probably another reason.

I love that place too.

I do regret not ever having attended the wedding reception though!!

I'm sorry you're going to miss it.

A girl I follow on IG LOVES it up there and posts constantly about it, so that's where I learned about it. She actually used to run Parkbound Buttons and recently released a new set commemorating all things Muppets before they close down for good! On IG she's @caseyentertainmentcheese if you want to check it out. I know she has a pre order going on right now.

Thanks for the info. I found her and I'm now following too.

 

[vamassey1]

Upstairs at PizzaRizzo and Oga's are favorites.

I knew I liked you.

I haven't done Oga's since last April but I may have to see about a walk up in May.

Sounds like a plan.

As I stated in my trip report - is the pizza good? Nope Is the service fast? Also nope Do I still need to have it every visit? Yep!

We have been going almost every trip since I found that salad.

 

[pkondz]

Of course you did.

She doesn't either but she does like to stop in when we're with her to introduce us.

I get that. Her friends are there.

Don't spoil the cliffhanger.

Yes, she is the head honcho for that group of food services. It includes Backlot, Dockside Diner and Epic Eats. Danielle worked under her at all 3.

Ah!

She was doing her best RBF until she noticed I was taking photos, then I got the smirk.

 

[amazingact21]

It always feels really good to hear other people say positive qualities about your kid. But man, that had to be a little difficult. Hearing how much individuals valued her while secretly knowing she was planning on moving on. Glad in the end that didn't happen.

I'll miss that Miss Piggy fountain, too!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

We have been going almost every trip since I found that salad.

Yeah - see - I don't eat salad. In fact, I don't eat anything green unless it is mint or lime flavored. As my friends like to joke, I have the pallet of your average 4 year old. But I'll still go for the pizza. Or sometimes that meatball sub.