The Many Adventures of an Aussie Disney Honeymooner

[pkondz]

Not with the amount we were paying per night!

Maybe it was more highly contrasted coming directly from the Poly.

That makes sense.

We mainly found it a problem for getting ready in the morning. It was so dark with the curtains drawn, I felt like I couldn't find anything!

Weird no privacy curtains.

 

[zanzibar138]

Chapter 6: In which we get two rooms and nearly see a parade

6.2. Rest day at Disney​

The only thing we had planned for today was dinner with Snow White at about 7pm, so for I think the second time in the 2 weeks we had been in the US, there was no alarm. I actually was feeling a little better when I finally woke up after 11am! It was a cooler, slightly overcast looking day.



Ben had obviously had some time to think about things and realised that he was keen to splurge on any more AH tickets that were available. And after yesterday’s experience at EPCOT, we also decided that we would need to get LLMP if we wanted to do any of the major rides. The wifi seemed to have fixed itself overnight (although was still quite slow and no good for backing up photos or anything), so we were able to connect to book those couple of things. The only other AH party available was at MK on the Monday night (this was the Saturday), so we got tickets to that, and I booked our LLMP for EPCOT for the following Thursday. I managed to get about a 4pm booking for Remy. I also booked Spaceship Earth since we hadn’t ridden that yet and wait times had been consistently above 30 minutes. Can’t remember what the third one was that I booked.

An hour or so later we headed over to the main tower to grab some lunch before heading out for the day.



We just went to the Contempo Café again, where I think we shared a turkey sandwich and some fries.



Discussing the options over lunch, we decided to head to Disney Springs for a few hours and see what that was all about, so we headed to the bus stop. The bus wasn’t long, and not too crowded, and soon enough we were arriving at Disney Springs.



In hindsight, it was probably a bad idea to go on a Saturday afternoon. It was quite crowded, with lines to get into a lot of the stores.

We found the Lego store, but weren’t willing to line up for it, so we just checked out the Lego sculptures on the outside of the store instead.







As we crossed the bridge, we stood watching the amphicars for a bit with Aerophile in the background too. They were quite popular that afternoon and fun to watch. We actually thought it looked like it could be fun, until I discovered that it cost $125 per car





I was a little tempted to see what T-Rex was like, but couldn’t really be bothered to find it again when we were ready for a drink.



Continued in next post…

 

[zanzibar138]

It was slightly less busy on the other side of the bridge.



Goofy’s Candy looked quiet enough that we wandered in and watched for a while.



We both thought the sign made of Jellybeans was fun!



We came out just in time to see the volcano effects at the Rainforest Café.



We wandered a bit more, taking a few photos.







We made our way back around to the Landing area, via a very crowded World of Disney store that pretty much just had the same merch as the generic shops in the park, at the same prices, and a very crowded Pandora store where we couldn't be bothered to wait around for service. We did see some more appealing looking places over that way where we could have stopped for a drink. We might have also been tempted to try Aerophile - I probably would have been willing to pay $29 each for the experience. However, we conceded that we weren’t really feeling it at Disney Springs, so with a couple of last photos, we headed back to the buses.



We decided to just head straight to Wilderness Lodge and fill in the next couple of hours there.

 

[pkondz]

The only thing we had planned for today was dinner with Snow White at about 7pm,

Which one?



or

I actually was feeling a little better when I finally woke up after 11am!

Great! But... 11am! Wow!
Looks like you needed it.

I managed to get about a 4pm booking for Remy.

Not bad.

Can’t remember what the third one was that I booked.

Gonna go out on a limb and say... probably not Mission Space.

we decided to head to Disney Springs for a few hours and see what that was all about

I read that and was so excited for you. I like it there... but... looks like you didn't enjoy it quite as much.

In hindsight, it was probably a bad idea to go on a Saturday afternoon. It was quite crowded, with lines to get into a lot of the stores.

I don't know if I've ever been on a Saturday afternoon, but I'd be willing to bet I never have.

We found the Lego store, but weren’t willing to line up for it,

Absolutely not.
1. I don't buy Lego, so I'm not going to buy something.
2. Even if I did want to buy something, I'm not going to stand in line so you can take my money! I'll come back another time.
I've never seen any lines for any store there!

We actually thought it looked like it could be fun, until I discovered that it cost $125 per car

Nope.
I agree. I'm not paying that kind of money just for a what is essentially just a boat ride. Plus, I've stayed at POFQ and POR so made the boat trip over a few times, so it's not even like I'd see something new.

I was a little tempted to see what T-Rex was like, but couldn’t really be bothered to find it again when we were ready for a drink.

High praise!

Wow! I've never seen the bridge so crowded!

We both thought the sign made of Jellybeans was fun!

What?!?!?
I've seen that sign plenty of times and never realized that!

World of Disney store that pretty much just had the same merch as the generic shops in the park, at the same prices,

Yeah...
It's so unfortunate that there just doesn't seem to be any unique merch anywhere. Well... maybe Pandora... and Memento Mori?

However, we conceded that we weren’t really feeling it at Disney Springs

That's too bad. There are some gems in there, but... not if you have to stand in line and be jostled in a packed store. Like dining at The Edison or Raglan Road. Or listening to live music (when playing of course.) Or a game of bowling or pool at Splitsville. Or browsing through The Art of Disney store. Or trying on lids at Chapel Hats. Or gazing at the glassworks at Crystal Arts.

 

[Steppesister]

I actually wished it had more colour. It's a reef. So much opportunity to have guests immersed in colour and texture and interesting detail, but it was very drab and dark. Just felt like we were moving from one screen to the next. I much preferred Pooh and Voyage of the Little Mermaid!

I agree. Just meh.

I’d heard lots of comments about those restaurants being noisy, but we didn’t find it too bad and actually enjoyed the atmosphere. Unfortunately the food was a bit of a different story. There wasn’t much there that sounded appealing, so we just got a flatbread and some fries to share.

Exactly why I've avoided everything there except Cali Grill there.

BLT was the vibe was very ‘generic timeshare resort’. Nothing wrong with it at all – it was very nice and modern, just not very Disney.

I thought that's what the vibe would be there. Not my thing at all as I love the heavy theming Disney was once upon a time great at.

We were given room 7209. I was super disappointed to see that it was a second floor room overlooking the courtyard and the pool. Not a terrible view as such, but I was concerned about the lack of privacy and potential noise.

Like, what...? But, honestly, that's really bad.

Disney so I could plug in my laptop next to the bed, and there was a severe lack of USB ports, so I had to charge my phone and camera from my laptop. I’m sure this will be addressed during the room renovations, which are already well underway.

Next problem… there was no wifi! We couldn’t even get the Hey Disney or the TV online. Thought I’d try connecting my laptop to my phone hotspot, but had no coverage! We called down to reception and they directed us to an IT helpdesk who said they would send someone out the next day to look at the wifi.

Disney is sucking here.

Tons of great ones, but those are some of my favorites! Love the GF ones best.

 

[Steppesister]

The wifi seemed to have fixed itself overnight (although was still quite slow and no good for backing up photos or anything), so we were able to connect to book those couple of things.

That's really unacceptable, especially if you get stiffed out of a VQ!

In hindsight, it was probably a bad idea to go on a Saturday afternoon. It was quite crowded, with lines to get into a lot of the stores.

Weekends are the worst there, but even then I have never seen lines for the stores. Sounds awful!

I was a little tempted to see what T-Rex was like, but couldn’t really be bothered to find it again when we were ready for a drink.

You didn't miss anything. I'd incredibly loud and chaotic; like you can't even have any semblance of a conversation with the noise.

I've never seen any lines for any store there!

Nor have I. Very gross sounding. Which s sad, because I normally really enjoy my time there. Jaleo, WBG, Jocks, Art of Disney.... Good stuff!

Like dining at The Edison or Raglan Road. Or listening to live music (when playing of course.) Or a game of bowling or pool at Splitsville. Or browsing through The Art of Disney store. Or trying on lids at Chapel Hats. Or gazing at the glassworks at Crystal Arts.

Yes, all solid options for spending an afternoon. The patio at Raglan always has (almost always anyways) at least a guitar with folksy stuff and there are tons of patio bars like at Terralina that are very relaxing and nice.

 

[erinch]

What a gorgeous bride!

 

[zanzibar138]

Which one?

Definitely this one!

Gonna go out on a limb and say... probably not Mission Space.

Good guess.

Plus, I've stayed at POFQ and POR so made the boat trip over a few times, so it's not even like I'd see something new.

I actually would have liked to do that boat ride. Just not on that day!

It's so unfortunate that there just doesn't seem to be any unique merch anywhere. Well... maybe Pandora... and Memento Mori?

Ooh what's Memento Mori? We did get some Pandora charms later in the trip, just couldn't be bothered with the Disney Springs location.

That's too bad. There are some gems in there, but... not if you have to stand in line and be jostled in a packed store. Like dining at The Edison or Raglan Road. Or listening to live music (when playing of course.) Or a game of bowling or pool at Splitsville. Or browsing through The Art of Disney store. Or trying on lids at Chapel Hats. Or gazing at the glassworks at Crystal Arts.

Sounds like we'll have to give it another go if we ever go back.

 

[zanzibar138]

I thought that's what the vibe would be there. Not my thing at all as I love the heavy theming Disney was once upon a time great at.

We much preferred the heavy theming too, but did love the short walk to MK.

Like, what...? But, honestly, that's really bad.

Can't lie... I was disappointed.

Tons of great ones, but those are some of my favorites! Love the GF ones best.

I love those ones too!

That's really unacceptable, especially if you get stiffed out of a VQ!

Yeah with all the reliance on the app and virtual queues, lightning lanes etc, I thought it was pretty poor form not to be able to get an internet connection.

Weekends are the worst there, but even then I have never seen lines for the stores. Sounds awful!

Yeah, not our thing at all.

You didn't miss anything. I'd incredibly loud and chaotic; like you can't even have any semblance of a conversation with the noise.

Yeah I figured it would be, like Rainforest Cafe. Was interested to see what the theming was like though.

 

[zanzibar138]

What a gorgeous bride!

Thank you

 

[pkondz]

Definitely this one!

I actually would have liked to do that boat ride. Just not on that day!

It's a super nice perk from those resorts. Loved doing that.

Ooh what's Memento Mori?

It's Haunted Mansion's gift shop. All kinds of HM merch for sale there.
Unfortunately, they removed one of the best things it used to have. You could get a holographic photo of yourself that morphed from your picture to a ghost. It was pretty cool.
Nevertheless, there's still some pretty cool things in there.

Sounds like we'll have to give it another go if we ever go back.

 

[Daphne0890]

I love all your updates! And wow, your wedding photos turned out absolutely beautiful—I can totally believe it’s a dream come true. Just stunning!

 

[zanzibar138]

I love all your updates! And wow, your wedding photos turned out absolutely beautiful—I can totally believe it’s a dream come true. Just stunning!

Lovely to see you here Thank you so much, I was very happy with how they turned out

 

[Steppesister]

We much preferred the heavy theming too, but did love the short walk to MK.

Now, that I do get!

I love those ones too!

Yeah with all the reliance on the app and virtual queues, lightning lanes etc, I thought it was pretty poor form not to be able to get an internet connection.

Exactly!! I think I'd have been tempted to say something at the desk for sure. I mean, it's a deluxe resort and you HAVE to have wifi to do ANYTHING!

Yeah I figured it would be, like Rainforest Cafe. Was interested to see what the theming was like though.

Hmm, maybe a drink at the bar ( if they have one? ) or dessert just to see what's what in there.

 

[zanzibar138]

I apologise for the delay between updates. I’ve got back to an insanely busy time at work supporting the rollout of the project that’s been in the works for several years, so may be a bit slow for a while! Just got back from 4 days in Sydney, this week I’m heading to Melbourne for a ‘day trip’ (due to the nature of the 4 hour flight and 3 hour time difference, all travel really has to involve at least 1 night!), then the week after I’ll be back in Sydney for another 3 days Anyway, on with the TR!

Chapter 6: In which we get two rooms and nearly see a parade

6.3. The wilderness must be explored​

We’d just left Disney Springs, deciding to take the bus directly to Wilderness Lodge in preparation for our dinner with Snow White. I am much more of a mountains person than a beach person, so have always loved the look of WL. I definitely did consider staying there, but there wasn’t much DVC availability left and we weren’t willing to pay the cash prices. As expected, we both LOVED it!



We had a look around the lobby and the gift shop. We actually really liked their shop and there were a few things we were tempted to buy, but as usually seemed to be the case, couldn’t justify the cost. Instead we just admired the detail.



Outside was just as spectacular, with the beautiful gardens and little winding paths, and the little creek flowing into the pool.





I’d read good things about Geyser Point, so I suggested we head there to fill in a couple of hours. It was quite busy but we found seats at the bar and it was a lovely way to pass the time.





We had a fun bartender who had a bit of banter going on with the bartender at Territory Lounge, and gave us a message to pass on to him. So we left Geyser Point with enough time to stop at Territory Lounge for another drink on the way through.

The resort looked beautiful as darkness was falling.



We both enjoyed Territory Lounge too, with the great rustic theming. I splurged on some sort of cocktail.



The time went quickly, and before we knew it, it was time to check in for our dinner. We made sure to mention our honeymoon again, just in case there was any chance of pixie dust!



Continued in next post…

 

[zanzibar138]

After a few minutes, we were escorted down the little walkway to the restaurant, and surprised to find that we were led to the very first table. The one that every other group has to walk past to get to their table, and facing the entrance instead of the beautiful restaurant theming. I know someone has to get that table, but to say I was disappointed is a bit of an understatement. Here I am looking longingly at the rest of the restaurant.



No sooner had we sat down then the characters did their little dance around the restaurant. They did come nearly all the way up to our table so at least we still got to see. We had visits from both dwarves soon after, and had great interactions with both Grumpy and Dopey, particularly Grumpy, who was playing along with Ben. They actually came past a few times over the course of the evening, and although they didn’t stop for any more photos or anything (as expected), they still interacted with us each time.







The food was great, and I loved the cute display stands for the appetizers and desserts. I believe Ben had the prime roast and I had the pork shank. Both were excellent choices.

Snow White visited just as we were finishing our mains. I had been planning to get up for the photo, but she didn’t really give me a chance lol! Ben didn’t feel the need to get a photo.



I was excited for the dessert, which was presented nicely on the little stand (although the plate with the ‘poison apples’ looks a little sparse lol!). We were amused to see that we had been presented with a ‘Happy Anniversary’ chocolate banner, even though we’d specifically told them it was our honeymoon. Maybe that was the most appropriate one they could find At least it was nice to get some sort of acknowledgement!



During dessert, we’d been given our invitation to meet the Queen. Ben wasn’t keen, so I went to meet her by myself. When she found out we were just married, we had a great chat about marrying for advantage and how Ben must be better than Snow White’s prince because at least he knows more than one song It may have been the most fun interaction I had on the whole trip!



And with that, it was time to go. We had already decided that we would take the resort launch back to the Contemporary, so we headed down to the dock. It’s a terrible photo, but I really loved the boardwalk through the forest.



The boat wasn’t far away, and a handful of us climbed onboard for the short trip to the Contemporary via Fort Wilderness. Amusingly, no one got on or off at Fort Wilderness, but it was a pleasant enough little detour. As we left Fort Wilderness, we could just see the tops of some of the EPCOT fireworks, so that was fun! And soon we were arriving at the Contemporary, where everyone got off the boat.





For me, it had still been a pretty big day for a ‘rest day’. I pretty much just uploaded my photos to my laptop (not that I could back them up with no wifi, but at least it cleared the memory card for the next day) and went straight to bed.

 

[Steppesister]

I’ve got back to an insanely busy time at work supporting the rollout of the project that’s been in the works for several years, so may be a bit slow for a while!

Don't worry, we'll be here!

Just got back from 4 days in Sydney, this week I’m heading to Melbourne for a ‘day trip’ (due to the nature of the 4 hour flight and 3 hour time difference, all travel really has to involve at least 1 night!), then the week after I’ll be back in Sydney for another 3 days Anyway, on with the TR!

LOTS!!

As expected, we both LOVED it!

It's a resort that's hard not to love. So much fantastic detailing there. I took a guided resort tour there once and they pointed out all of care and thought they put into designing it.

nstead we just admired the detail.

and there's a ton of it to see!

I’d read good things about Geyser Point, so I suggested we head there to fill in a couple of hours. It was quite busy but we found seats at the bar and it was a lovely way to pass the time.

Yes, this is a huge fave of mine. Got to spend some time there myself during my Dec. trip and loved it.

We had a fun bartender who had a bit of banter going on with the bartender at Territory Lounge, and gave us a message to pass on to him. So we left Geyser Point with enough time to stop at Territory Lounge for another drink on the way through.

Okay, that's really fun! And why not! A WL crawl!

we were led to the very first table. The one that every other group has to walk past to get to their table, and facing the entrance instead of the beautiful restaurant theming.

Just ugh. Really?

We were amused to see that we had been presented with a ‘Happy Anniversary’ chocolate banner, even though we’d specifically told them it was our honeymoon.

Sigh.... they are really just missing the boat on this whole thing for you.

During dessert, we’d been given our invitation to meet the Queen. Ben wasn’t keen, so I went to meet her by myself. When she found out we were just married, we had a great chat about marrying for advantage and how Ben must be better than Snow White’s prince because at least he knows more than one song It may have been the most fun interaction I had on the whole trip!

How fun! I love this! She is a really well-chosen, well-done character!

I really loved the boardwalk through the forest.

OHhh, I adore this little walk on that boardwalk. It's so pretty and quiet.

 

[zanzibar138]

LOTS!!

I figured you might understand exactly how much travel this is after your recent Aussie adventures

I took a guided resort tour there once and they pointed out all of care and thought they put into designing it.

That sounds awesome! I would have loved to have done the tour at AKL too, but didn't realise they only do it on weekdays

OHhh, I adore this little walk on that boardwalk. It's so pretty and quiet.

 

[pkondz]

I apologise for the delay between updates. I’ve got back to an insanely busy time at work supporting the rollout of the project that’s been in the works for several years, so may be a bit slow for a while!

That's okay. I understand being busy. I'm not going anywhere.
Sure sounds like you have just a wee bit of travel coming up.

Wilderness Lodge in preparation for our dinner with Snow White.

Avoid the apples.

I am much more of a mountains person than a beach person, so have always loved the look of WL.

Don't look at the pool!!!

As expected, we both LOVED it!

It's stunning, isn't it?

Love this lamp.

the little creek flowing into the pool.

So smart how they did that.

Cute photo.

We had a fun bartender who had a bit of banter going on with the bartender at Territory Lounge, and gave us a message to pass on to him.

Did you pass it on?

I splurged on some sort of cocktail.

The details on this TR are astounding!

We made sure to mention our honeymoon again, just in case there was any chance of pixie dust!

After a few minutes, we were escorted down the little walkway to the restaurant, and surprised to find that we were led to the very first table. The one that every other group has to walk past to get to their table, and facing the entrance instead of the beautiful restaurant theming. I know someone has to get that table, but to say I was disappointed is a bit of an understatement. Here I am looking longingly at the rest of the restaurant.

Yeah... thank goodness you mentioned the honeymoon...

had great interactions with both Grumpy and Dopey

Great!

The food was great, and I loved the cute display stands for the appetizers and desserts. I believe Ben had the prime roast and I had the pork shank. Both were excellent choices.

Great!
I'm not really a character person, but if the food is good...

We were amused to see that we had been presented with a ‘Happy Anniversary’ chocolate banner, even though we’d specifically told them it was our honeymoon.

At least it was nice to get some sort of acknowledgement!

I guess?

we’d been given our invitation to meet the Queen. Ben wasn’t keen,

Smart. She's evil you know.

When she found out we were just married, we had a great chat about marrying for advantage and how Ben must be better than Snow White’s prince because at least he knows more than one song

It may have been the most fun interaction I had on the whole trip!

Wonderful!

 

[zanzibar138]

Did you pass it on?

We did. Honestly, we got less of a reaction than we'd hoped. The guy at Geyser Point was great and very interactive, the guy at Territory Lounge didn't seem to be so into it.

Yeah... thank goodness you mentioned the honeymoon...

I know right!

Smart. She's evil you know.

She assumed it was because he was intimidated by her beauty