Tale as Old as Time...a Feb 2017 Princess 5k and B-Day Trip! NEW 4/7 THE END of our trip!!

[ArielSRL]

I suddenly felt like something went loose...one of the straps of my dress had broken! Like literally, the stitching had come undone. Oh no!

Oh no is right!

so quick thinking led me right to the front desk and I asked for a safety pin.

Smart lady!

Oh but we saw a lovely little proposal! Congratulations to the happy couple. It was so sweet. She started crying, and everyone clapped! A PP Photographer caught this too!

So sweet!!

We had pre-ordered our meals so we went straight to the separate cashier where we paid

I hope it works this way for us in June at lunch. Because it did not this past June!

I pinned it down and it seemed to work ok without looking obvious that I stuck a pin in it, thank goodness.

I got the Open-Faced Bacon and Egg Sandwich: Poached Eggs, Applewood Bacon, Brie Cheese, and Arugula on a Croissant served with Fresh Fruit and a selection of pastries.

Everything but the poached sounds good!

Hmm, maybe I should have titled this TR "Bring back the BAGUETTE at Be Our Guest"

However, the one reason I wanted to come here on my birthday was because I wanted the Master's Cupcake. I love this cupcake even though I rarely eat cupcakes anymore. The grey stuff IS delicious!

It is good...but the strawberry is wayyyyyy better. But I don't think you can get it at breakfast!

Minnie and Daisy's line was insane but Goofy and Donald was bearable.

Good to know. I hope this holds true. My boys definitely want to meet Goofy and Donald. They don't care too much about the girls though. We do plan to hit it at 10am when they open up, but then I think we want to try to meet Buzz, so it would be good if it is quick.

OK you know that it's crowded when there was a small line for the Peoplemover! They were letting people up a few at a time...

There was a line when we went in June. I was shocked!

we went through Space Mountain with the lights on!

I have heard about this happening quite a bit lately! Must be going down a lot.

 

[ArielSRL]

So we went to the closest bathrooms, which are the best ones, the Tangled bathrooms!

No doubt!

It's basically across from the bathrooms and you'll see a PP Photographer and an assistant...and a really long line!

Yep, that's what I heard...long line. I'd love to get the photo but it may not work out...

There was no, EXCUSE ME or SORRY on her part either.

What????

So we made loud comments about how some people were CUTTING THE LINE, and how they were RUDE and OBNOXIOUS.

Um, yeh, I would've been doing the same!

We each got a trio and some ice cream.

Sounds yummy!

They loved my dress!

Betsy had a conversation with a CM about how long the line for Haunted Mansion was...literally lines of people waiting OUTSIDE and the lines snaked around near the river

I saw a photo of this on FB!

caught some of the new muppets show.

My DH loves the muppets so we will be checking this out. But I found out that there are actually two versions of the show and I only had one show in our plans. Time to do some reworking....

 

[the2ndstar2theright]

Loved your report! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

I finally had a chance to sit down and read a bit more of your report tonight. I was back at your afternoon and evening at EPCOT.

Hey Dee! I'm guilty too, of neglecting your latest TR, I need a good chunk of time to finish reading, I read some the other day but never got the chance to comment. Will do so soon! Hopefully before my next trip (we leave Tuesday night)!

That's funny that people were asking about the Shanghai shirt. I was wondering about the background as well.

Cute Frozen magic shot in Norway.

Thanks! That shirt was too funny. DH loves it.
The Frozen magic shot is really cool. I'll have to do it again!

So is the future feature working now on Spaceship Earth? It wasn't in October and that was a bummer.

It wasn't working for anyone? It did for us, but we did ride it once last December and our ride vehicle screen did not work. They said we could ride it again, but we didn't bother. SE is not the same without any interaction and it's just a very sloooow ride especially at the end when everyone was doing their future and we were just staring into...blank space.

I haven't been to Tokyo Dining, but it is very tempting. I love Bento boxes and yours really had some interesting selections.

Boo on bad mono mojo but yay on drinks with friends!

Tokyo Dining was pretty cool, it wasn't super inventive, most of the stuff you'll be able to eat at your local Japanese joint, but most of it was prepared well and presentation was nice. And of course being able to eat in Epcot is always a treat!

The monorail that night was just horrendous. I'm wondering if the monorail resorts should even charge the extra extra premium it does because the monorail keeps breaking down. Plus they are always fixing it so the times that it is running are so limited. Let's cross our fingers for August and Oct/Nov when we're staying at the Poly and the GF, respectively, that we don't encounter as many monorail issues.

Also have not dined at The Wave. Sounds decent and again, nice to have a meal with friends. I'm glad your DH was feeling better for your big day.

Really enjoyed the Wave. I also really enjoy breakfast buffets so it was extra fun to have that meal there.

That is a really cute meeting area with Mickey and I love the animated posters (but it's no Hogwarts Castle...)

Definitely no Hogwarts, but a cute addition to DHS which is definitely lacking in attractions until the other lands are built.

Wow, oh wow!

The Star Wars Tour sounds amazing and I love the way you break out the cost. It really does make sense, especially with the special treatment, great seating, instant meets. I love, love, love the Star Wars fireworks and projection show. It's cool that the dessert offerings included a few savory items to cut all the sweetness. The Nutella ice cream sounds super interesting.

Nice move with the end of the night Soarin'

It was a lot of fun. We really enjoyed talking to the guides because they were so enthusiastic about everything. The show was really awesome and the dessert party was icing on the cake (literally).

It was super exiting to be able to close down Soarin'!

 

[ArielSRL]

my friend Ann was taking us to Top of the World!

So fun!

Of course when I was about to leave and grabbed my phone I realized that it didn't charge at all! I think one of the wires was faulty and it stopped working on the trip. Argh.

Oh no!

Ann was wearing her glass slipper medal from the races that weekend. What amazed me was that Ann had run all the races that weekend and she had woken up early today to go on a "walk off" run, which is I guess a post-race run since you're so acclimated to running every day for the past 3 days!

I tried to be a runner quite a few years ago. It didn't last long...lol. I did do the Peachtree Road Race which is a 10K I believe, along with several other 5Ks. I wish I could be a runner, then maybe I would be skinny!

I managed to snag these few pics before my phone died and I found an outlet to charge my phone.

Beautiful place!

The Seven Seas Lagoon drink that I saw just premiered at the monorail resorts just a few weeks before our trip. It's definitely a shared drink as it's about 25 bucks but the drink is bigger than my head. I kid you not. Here it is:

Whoa!

Before we left we got this picture of all of us together:

Nice photo.

This is the view that evening from ToTW:

So pretty!

Amazing!

It's definitely more impressive in person that what I could capture, and it was nice they pipe in the music.

I bet it was wonderful!

We got a picture commemorating our evening here:

Great photo!

We continued and walked all the way to MK. When we got in, I decided to get some castle pics:

Awwwww!

We made a very late FP for 7DMT so we headed there first.

How was it at night? So far, I like BTMRR and EE way better at night...and I mean, I really like them during the day. I wonder if 7DMT would be the same. I'm sure it would be though.

And together:

Very nice!

I really need to work on my "resting lantern face"!!
I look a bit stiff so next time I'll smile and tilt my head and see if that makes me look more dreamy.

But we got the coveted Tangled Magic Shot! I was super excited!!

Yay!

I closed down MK on my BDAY!

I'm so glad you had a great birthday. It is my dream to celebrate my bday in WDW. And I have an awesome bday for it. Oct 30th. So F&W and MNSSHP!

Anyway, I am planning (hoping) to get a little bit of me time in MK in June. I have a couple places it could work, and it would be during nighttime, my favorite time to tour.

 

[ArielSRL]

I can't believe I'm already at our last day at the parks! Where has the time gone!

Boo hiss!

Our next stop was breakfast at Tusker House! Always a favorite for us although I have not been here for more than a year I think.

I love this! Sadly, we are skipping it this trip.

Oh, and I guess they got rid of the Donald picture before you get seated?

They did not have that last June.

I love the buffet area at Tusker. Reminds me of a bazaar in an exotic African or Middle Eastern country...if I ever went to those places!

It is very well themed!

At the end of our meal I got a birthday card!

Awwww!

Our next FP was to meet Mickey and Minnie. I love this character meet as it's indoors where it was nice and cool.

This was the best character meet we had last trip. I don't know if it was because it ended up just being Will (AJ was asleep in the stroller) or what, but they just loved and loved on him and he was in Mickey and Minnie heaven!

It is definitely not a favorite of mine.

Me, either.

As we headed out we got these last few PP pictures:

So good!

Not too happy faces because we were leaving....

Our next trip begins the night of May 2nd

You are soooooooo close!

 

[ArielSRL]

Wow...I finished! HAHA. Enjoyed it, as always. Looking forward to the next one....

 

[chunkymonkey]

I tried to be a runner quite a few years ago. It didn't last long...lol. I did do the Peachtree Road Race which is a 10K I believe, along with several other 5Ks. I wish I could be a runner, then maybe I would be skinny!

Haha me too, I think of all the things I could possibly be...a runner, an athelete, a vegan...that would make me skinny too.

Beautiful place!

It really is something! It's nice they have a lounge for DVC members.

Nice photo.

Thank you!

I bet it was wonderful!

It was really cool...can't see the projections obviously but nice to be out of the crowds.

Great photo!

Thank you!

How was it at night? So far, I like BTMRR and EE way better at night...and I mean, I really like them during the day. I wonder if 7DMT would be the same. I'm sure it would be though.

Loved it at night too! I personally think it's better because during the day I'm always squinting in the ride pics. Which reminds me I probably should ride TT in the night as well!
Although it's funny because when they give you the ride video, the scenes are all from the day but when they show the part with you in it, it's nighttime. It'll be cool if they matched the scene to the time of day!

I'm so glad you had a great birthday. It is my dream to celebrate my bday in WDW. And I have an awesome bday for it. Oct 30th. So F&W and MNSSHP!

That is an awesome birthday! That is the day we arrive at WDW this fall! I shall have very large drink to celebrate in honor of you! I'm sure one day you will make it there for your bday and it will be amazing!

Anyway, I am planning (hoping) to get a little bit of me time in MK in June. I have a couple places it could work, and it would be during nighttime, my favorite time to tour.

Just read that on your PTR and think it's an awesome idea!

I love this! Sadly, we are skipping it this trip.

Yeah it's been a while since we've been back at Tusker so it was nice to revisit it.

They did not have that last June.

I think the last time we did the Donald picture was 2012.

This was the best character meet we had last trip. I don't know if it was because it ended up just being Will (AJ was asleep in the stroller) or what, but they just loved and loved on him and he was in Mickey and Minnie heaven!

I love this meet n greet too! I love their safari outfits...the interaction, everything!

You are soooooooo close!

Sooo close! I swear this week is dragging...the next 2 days at work is going to be torture.

Wow...I finished! HAHA. Enjoyed it, as always. Looking forward to the next one....

Thank you for reading!! And soon it will be you going!!

 

[thumper*]

Congratulations on the race.

This was one of the first iterations of the title of Episode 6. George Lucas said that Jedi do not get "revenge" so the title was changed to "Return of the Jedi." Also the light saber colors are wrong. Luke is depicted with a red light saber instead of Vader and vice versa on Vader's light saber.

Not a SW fan but was proud for knowing that the colored sabers where mixed up. Interesting info Revenge/return.

It was a beautiful day, there was not a cloud in the sky and it 70 degrees and no humidity. This was the best weather of the trip and there wasn't a moment where I felt it was too hot, and I find being AK I always feel a little too warm.

Hoping it will be this way in December, a September trip for us was way to hot by 1pm.

it was great meeting Carol. She has inspired me to at least try a 10k Run Disney event which I will do...someday.

Are you nuts?

Enjoy your trip and safe travels down to the World today.

 

[MeghanEmily]

I finally got a chance to read through this TR! What an awesome little trip. I'm glad I read it because it helps me get a better idea of what to expect for our 5K in January. Congrats on finishing your race, especially with your ankle and with your DH being sick!

I also loved reading about your review of the SW tour. Nathan would be very into something like this. We haven't found a place to squeeze it in yet, but maybe on a future trip if they keep it around.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Congratulations on the race.

Thank you!

Not a SW fan but was proud for knowing that the colored sabers where mixed up. Interesting info Revenge/return.

It was a pretty cool fact. Normally I would just glance at these posters but now I'll have to pay more attention to them!

Hoping it will be this way in December, a September trip for us was way to hot by 1pm.

Last December was gorgeous. Similar to February. It actually was a bit warmer in December.
September a few years ago was awful. However we get good deals on hotels during that time so it's a trade off. Lots more pool time for sure

Are you nuts?

Yes, completely.

Enjoy your trip and safe travels down to the World today.

Thank you! It was a blast! We had an awesome time.

I finally got a chance to read through this TR! What an awesome little trip. I'm glad I read it because it helps me get a better idea of what to expect for our 5K in January. Congrats on finishing your race, especially with your ankle and with your DH being sick!

Thank you! You will have a blast at Run Disney. To be in the company of so many runners who really enjoy being at Disney is quite energizing, even at 4am, LOL

I also loved reading about your review of the SW tour. Nathan would be very into something like this. We haven't found a place to squeeze it in yet, but maybe on a future trip if they keep it around.

It was a very cool little packaged tour we got. Not sure how long they will keep it around but it's probably a way to keep SW fans appeased until the new land opens.

 

[Dugette]

Only a month late, but I finally finished reading!

Oh but we saw a lovely little proposal! Congratulations to the happy couple. It was so sweet. She started crying, and everyone clapped! A PP Photographer caught this too!

Aw, that's so sweet!

I like this picture!

While on this ride we witnessed something cool (or freaky, your pick)...we went through Space Mountain with the lights on! Guess it was down or something, but it was kinda cool but kinda scary looking at the same time and it definitely looks a bit rickety

I've seen that too - really makes Space Mountain seem less futuristic.

There was a line to check in, and just as it was almost our turn to speak to the CM, some mom and her 2 kids cut us in line! What the...HELLO, what just happened!?!? I know the kids were hot and tired from their expressions but that is no excuse to cut the line. I think she thought it was ok to cut because some of her party had already went in but it's not like they checked in for her because she would have had a special sticker and she didn't. If she just asked us we would be more than willing to let her in front, but instead she annoyed us and the line of people behind us. There was no, EXCUSE ME or SORRY on her part either.

Annoying! Seems like there are too many guests like that at WDW, though. In fact, so much so that people almost expect it and I could tell I was getting death glares for excusing myself up to the front of a long, slow line for a legitimate reason once (Izzy fell and her chin was bleeding and a CM told me to go to this QS place for ice).

First up is myself and DH. They loved my dress! They asked me I made it hahahahaha.

Well, kinda, with that safety pin work and all!

If you're gonna eat about 5 Mickey bars a day anyways...it's probably worth it for you .

the new muppets show. I had not seen this before!

Thanks for the reminder - I forgot about this!

I love the gummies in it! Looks tasty too!

This is the view that evening from ToTW:

Lovely!

I closed down MK on my BDAY!

Can't complain about that!

Loved the report, as usual and will be following the rest of your exciting Disney year!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Only a month late, but I finally finished reading!

Yay!

Aw, that's so sweet!

Always nice to see a special moment like this at Disney!

I like this picture!

Thanks! I liked eating it!

I've seen that too - really makes Space Mountain seem less futuristic.

I haven't been on it since I've seen it like that, LOL.

Annoying! Seems like there are too many guests like that at WDW, though. In fact, so much so that people almost expect it and I could tell I was getting death glares for excusing myself up to the front of a long, slow line for a legitimate reason once (Izzy fell and her chin was bleeding and a CM told me to go to this QS place for ice).

Awww poor Izzy. You definitely had a legitimate reason and I'd ignore those death stares.
But some people...really?? How do they think they can get away with doing stuff like that?
It's a good thing they are in the most magical place on earth or else I don't think half the people in line would have been that civil, hahaha.

Well, kinda, with that safety pin work and all!

That's true! I don't even really sew and I think I could have done a better job!

Thanks for the reminder - I forgot about this!

I keep missing this too! That was the only time we saw it!

I love the gummies in it! Looks tasty too!

It was!! and huge!

Can't complain about that!

Loved the report, as usual and will be following the rest of your exciting Disney year!

Thanks Dugette!

 

[natebenma]

Just read your review of Tiffin's.

Wow! Oh, Wow!!!

Every single thing sounds fantastic.

Passionfruit is one of my favorite flavors and I am over here drooling over your dessert!

Thank you for sharing all of the details and pictures of your lunch.




So sorry about the bad bus karma!

 

[natebenma]

What a nice afternoon and evening!

Test Track and Living with the Land are a couple of nice post-lunch, pre-dinner attractions, plus a great meet with Heidi Lou.

I didn't know that you haven't seen Stormalong Bay up close. I do hope you stay at the resort during a future stay. As you may know, I think it is pretty special!



But you know what? I have never eaten at Yachtsman! I know, I know! I am always reading rave reviews. Mark was looking over my shoulder at the pictures while I was reading and we both thought your meals looked great! How nice to have dinner with your friends and to have your birthday recognized with a special menu and dessert!

What a pain on the miscommunication about Rivers of Light start time. I am so glad they made it right for you!

Seeing your pictures in Dinoland reminded me that I have never been at Animal Kingdom after dark!

I love your pictures and videos from Rivers of Light!

 

[MrsPMcD]

our favorite server, David, come out to say hi!

Really enjoyed your latest trip report so found this one and had to comment on this ^ David OUR favourite server too! My DH and I met him on honeymoon and then when we were back with my parents 18months later he remembered us right down to the wine we liked! He's amazing. We have a Yachtsman booking for our upcoming trip and I reeeeally hope he is still there! Oh also my Yachtsman birthday pudding from David is the one in my profile pic!

 

[KathyM2]

I love the buffet area at Tusker. Reminds me of a bazaar in an exotic African or Middle Eastern country...if I ever went to those places!

I love the atmosphere there too.

Our next FP was to meet Mickey and Minnie. I love this character meet as it's indoors where it was nice and cool. Definitely got very warm the last 2 days of our trip compared to the first few days.

You know what? You are solidifying my decision I think to keep this FP+ for August. I was thinking of changing it to another Safari one because I love this but we already have plans to do Safari twice and with Safari you don't really get out of the heat....so you saying this is a nice cool FP...maybe that will be a good break...

 

[chunkymonkey]

Just read your review of Tiffin's.

Wow! Oh, Wow!!!

Every single thing sounds fantastic.

Passionfruit is one of my favorite flavors and I am over here drooling over your dessert!

Thank you for sharing all of the details and pictures of your lunch.




So sorry about the bad bus karma!

Hi Dee! so sorry I didn't comment on your posts on this TR. But I'm just getting to them now. Better late than never!

Tiffins has continued to be one of our favorite restaurants on property. We've eaten there 3 times this year and have scheduled lunch here in August. What I really like about it, aside from the delicious food, is that it's a signature restaurant that is open for lunch which is pretty rare. Since signatures take up more time, it's hard to schedule them at night plus see fireworks unless you schedule them early enough (and those ADRs are always gone). So yay for Tiffins!

What a nice afternoon and evening!

Test Track and Living with the Land are a couple of nice post-lunch, pre-dinner attractions, plus a great meet with Heidi Lou.
I didn't know that you haven't seen Stormalong Bay up close. I do hope you stay at the resort during a future stay. As you may know, I think it is pretty special!

We'll be at the Yacht Club for two nights at the end of a Universal Orlando trip over labor day weekend. I couldn't go to FL and not visit WDW esp with the annual pass!

But you know what? I have never eaten at Yachtsman! I know, I know! I am always reading rave reviews. Mark was looking over my shoulder at the pictures while I was reading and we both thought your meals looked great! How nice to have dinner with your friends and to have your birthday recognized with a special menu and dessert!

I do love yachtsman and dining with my Disney friends made the evening more special. We'll be visiting again in August. Not sure we'll get a chance to in Sept though as we are thoroughly gonna fill up on the Food and Wine booths!

What a pain on the miscommunication about Rivers of Light start time. I am so glad they made it right for you!
Seeing your pictures in Dinoland reminded me that I have never been at Animal Kingdom after dark!
I love your pictures and videos from Rivers of Light!

Yeah the whole RoL timing fiasco was such a pain (literaly, pain in my ankle!) but at least we got to see it at the end. They really should have given us a choice of times. The second show was much less crowded than the first one and that would have relieved some of the crowding issues. But now since there's usually one show a night it's a moot point, haha.

Really enjoyed your latest trip report so found this one and had to comment on this ^ David OUR favourite server too! My DH and I met him on honeymoon and then when we were back with my parents 18months later he remembered us right down to the wine we liked! He's amazing. We have a Yachtsman booking for our upcoming trip and I reeeeally hope he is still there! Oh also my Yachtsman birthday pudding from David is the one in my profile pic!

Thank you so much!! Oh that's so awesome you had David! He's such a nice guy. Our party of 15 will be dining there in August. We are not sure if we can all sit together but he said he will try to put us in the same area. And yes he is still at Yachtsman - he works Thursday to Monday with Tues and Wed off usually. Hope you get him as your server and tell him Su-Lynn and Steve says hi!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

I love the atmosphere there too.

I am so happy I added this last minute to our first day.

You know what? You are solidifying my decision I think to keep this FP+ for August. I was thinking of changing it to another Safari one because I love this but we already have plans to do Safari twice and with Safari you don't really get out of the heat....so you saying this is a nice cool FP...maybe that will be a good break...

I would keep it. The line can get long for this esp when it's hot outside. And twice on the safari I think is good
Yes the line is indoors, well at least the FP+ line is, and Mickey and Minnie are so cute in their safari wear!

 

[MrsPMcD]

Thank you so much!! Oh that's so awesome you had David! He's such a nice guy. Our party of 15 will be dining there in August. We are not sure if we can all sit together but he said he will try to put us in the same area. And yes he is still at Yachtsman - he works Thursday to Monday with Tues and Wed off usually. Hope you get him as your server and tell him Su-Lynn and Steve says hi!!

Glad he's still there! But we're going on a Wednesday We will pop in early in the week to see if his days remain the same and if so we will say hi on another day! You'll see him before we do so please tell him Gemma and Stuart from Scotland say hi to him! He's so nice, we always phone guest relations to leave positive feedback for him! Although poor David he's going to have requests from everyone on DIS to sit in his section!