This Sparks Joy! A Feb/Mar 2019 Birthday Trip NEW 7/6 x2 THE END of an Amazing Healing Trip!!

[franandaj]

BTW @franandaj we're most likely going to be stopping by Anaheim in September, just trying to figure out dates.

Let me know when you figure it out. SWGE will be open by then, and I'm still waiting on word of how access will play out but I'll put you two on my list of folks for pixie dust!

I think we may actually have to postpone our Alaska cruise. Steve's dad is not doing well health wise and we don't know if we want to cruise by ourselves, think we just will spend more time in Cali with him.

That's too bad, both about the cruise and Steve's Dad. I totally understand, we did Alaska with my parents.

We may book a shorter cruise instead on the Dream just to be able to cruise this year. Everything is so up in the air though!

Cruises on the Dream are so short! But I totally get the wanting to go on a cruise. We have wait until 2020.

 

[pkondz]

I, Chunkymonkey aka Su-Lynn, LOVE all things Disney!

What???? When did this happen?

I turned 43 years old on this trip, that just means my Disney age is about 21, right?

Oh, dear.
I never really know what to do when I see an obvious case of dyslexia. Please allow me.

"I turned 34 years old on this trip, that just means my Disney age is about 12, right? "


You're welcome.

As some of you know, my dad had battled cancer over the last 2 years, and he got very sick late November into December 2018. He passed away on Dec 11th. I miss him so much but I know that he's in a better place with no pain and suffering.

My friend even gifted me the points as a birthday present, so that was awesome!

Nice!!

Steve's dad has had health problems of his own so we wanted to spend some time with him.

Understandable. Hope things are progressing the way you wish.

Steve's brothers also were there for most of the weekend so it was a family reunion!

But it was funny that Goofy was not there to greet us

Odd. But... go with the flow!

(Don't ask about the rest of our house, it's the opposite of organized!)

Note to self: Don't ask.

Love the scarf.

It was 40 degrees that day...looking forward to the warmth!

erm… that is warm.

Lady, your man is escaping.

Their automated check in wasn't working so I had to speak to someone.

The horror!

There's someone in your bathroom!!!

But first...cheers to vacation starting!

Yay!

My drink was ok I think, it was super strong, so I just got tired quickly after that. LOL.

Awwww....

Coming up...our first stay at POR!

Woot!

 

[bcwife76]

I'm sorry to hear you may have to postpone the Alaska cruise. Guess that means no Vancouver meet up for us! But hopefully when we are in NJ/NY we can in October

 

[missangelalexis]

Joining in! I can't wait to hear all about your birthday trip

Travel day sounds like it went super smooth!

 

[Ruthie5671]

Happy belated birthday and so glad to see another trip report up and going! I might be the last person on earth who hasn't watched any of the Marie Kondo stuff. The only time I have these days to de-clutter is in the middle of the night when I cannot sleep and that most certainly does not spark any joy! Look forward to reading more!

 

[Steppesister]

HERE.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Man, I am late but here!!! So, glad I get to make an appearance in your trip report!!!!

I turned 43 years old on this trip, that just means my Disney age is about 21, right?

I think we should start a new "rule" anything in the 40's means you are Disney 4, 50's is a Disney 5, etc...

it did!

It was literally the happiest I have felt in months!

So glad you were able to have a great trip and kick off your birthday right!!!

We now have 2 of these...

But first...cheers to vacation starting!

Every vacation should start this way.

Steve did the Crazy DIS Asian thing where he went to the hotel gym LOL.

That is crazy!

 

[sommergirl25]

Love your reports! Joining in!!!

 

[suse66]

Joining in!

onsider the Peoplemover to be one of the BEST. RIDES. EVER, and I love to eat, sleep, and drink (mostly Starbucks but wine too) DISNEY!

Haha! I feel like you just described me........Same to all!

We had a 5:20pm flight on Friday out of Newark so we left work early. We parked at a place near the airport and then took a shuttle over to the United terminal. It was good timing and we got to the airport with little time before we had to board.

I flew out of Newark on the 11th (connecting from Buffalo) and thought it was a nice airport. There is nothing like the anticipation of knowing you are on your way to your happy place!

 

[SoosieQ]

Can't wait to read more of this birthday trip!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Let me know when you figure it out. SWGE will be open by then, and I'm still waiting on word of how access will play out but I'll put you two on my list of folks for pixie dust!

I am sooooooo excited about this. It is truly going to be the highlight of the year. I know people who are going to the opening of GE in WDW beginning of Sept. I will most likely be in Singapore when that happens and will probably be insanely jealous but knowing that I can see GE in DLR a few days later will make it ALL BETTER and then some!!

That's too bad, both about the cruise and Steve's Dad. I totally understand, we did Alaska with my parents.

Yeah Alaska cruises will always be there and we are hopefully we can take one together in the future. We have until June to cancel I think so we're just waiting to hear how Steve's dad is doing. He had a fall recently and is recovering in a rehab facility so we're just playing it day by day.

Cruises on the Dream are so short! But I totally get the wanting to go on a cruise. We have wait until 2020.

They are!! I was hoping to get a longer cruise but I do want to try the Dream one day just so I can say I've been on it!

What???? When did this happen?

I don't know. Strange uncanny circumstances have made me into a Disney fan! How can this be?!?

Oh, dear.
I never really know what to do when I see an obvious case of dyslexia. Please allow me.

"I turned 34 years old on this trip, that just means my Disney age is about 12, right? "

You're welcome.

Thank you!!
But it may be you that has the dyslexia.

Understandable. Hope things are progressing the way you wish.

Thank you. We're playing it day by day and hoping he is recovering enough.

Odd. But... go with the flow!

Right! When it's Disney...anything goes!

Love the scarf.

Thank you!! I love leopard print!

erm… that is warm.

ok true compared to a lot of other areas it WAS warm but compared to FL it is a blizzard.

Lady, your man is escaping.

He may even be more excited than me that we're heading to Disney! what!!?

There's someone in your bathroom!!!

OMG, intruder!!

I'm sorry to hear you may have to postpone the Alaska cruise. Guess that means no Vancouver meet up for us! But hopefully when we are in NJ/NY we can in October

I hope we don't but more than likely we may have to. We have until June to decide though. Yes most definitely in Oct when you're in town for your cruise!

Joining in! I can't wait to hear all about your birthday trip

Travel day sounds like it went super smooth!

Thank you for joining! It was actually a great travel day and I wish they were all as smooth as this!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Happy belated birthday and so glad to see another trip report up and going! I might be the last person on earth who hasn't watched any of the Marie Kondo stuff. The only time I have these days to de-clutter is in the middle of the night when I cannot sleep and that most certainly does not spark any joy! Look forward to reading more!

I've only watched like 2 episodes. I honestly don't have time to do all the organizing that I need. I function more like a...mad scientist with chaos all around me. LOL, at least I like to think that.

HERE.

Yay!! Hi Liesa!

Man, I am late but here!!! So, glad I get to make an appearance in your trip report!!!!

Yay!!

I think we should start a new "rule" anything in the 40's means you are Disney 4, 50's is a Disney 5, etc...

I'm down with that!

So glad you were able to have a great trip and kick off your birthday right!!!

It was the best way to ring in my birthday!

We now have 2 of these...

Hahaha, I was so close, I love anything Dole Whip related!

Every vacation should start this way.

Every DAY should start this way, LOL.

That is crazy!

He thinks of it as something he doesn't actually get to do much of when we're at home, so exercise is like a treat for him. We're obviously opposites.

Love your reports! Joining in!!!

Thank you so much and welcome!!

Joining in!

Hi Susan!! Welcome!

Haha! I feel like you just described me........Same to all!

A true Disney fan!!

I flew out of Newark on the 11th (connecting from Buffalo) and thought it was a nice airport. There is nothing like the anticipation of knowing you are on your way to your happy place!

Exactly!! Love the feeling of boarding the plane to go to your happy place!

Can't wait to read more of this birthday trip!

Thank you!!!

 

[Tracy161]

I turned 43 years old on this trip, that just means my Disney age is about 21, right?

Being on the DISboards definitely helped me over the last few years.

I'm so glad. This is definitely a wonderful place to be

I hoped during this trip that was able to spark some joy again after a rough couple of months.
And with the help of friends, family...and lots of Disney magic...

it did!

It was literally the happiest I have felt in months!

So happy to hear this! You really needed this trip

The only thing that I have Marie-Kondo-ed in our house...is my drawers of Disney clothes, LOL

Because, priorities, right?!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 1 Part 1: D-Lish Disney

We woke up this morning and had some snacks in our room that we brought before packing up and checking out of the Hyatt Regency. We had a lovely night here, and now the REAL vacation was about to begin!

So when I first booked our FP I thought that we would be flying in on Saturday morning so I made our FP for the late afternoon/evening at DHS, but since we had arrived Friday night instead, we had Saturday morning free. I decided that since we would be so conveniently close to Disney Springs that we should head there first. I had been itching to try the new Wreck it Ralph experience at The Void after having a great experience doing the Star Wars one more than a year ago. So I looked online and booked us for an experience later that morning!

We headed out with our luggage to ME. I remembered from 2016 when we flew down to MCO for Princess race weekend and the line just to check in to ME was like 100 people deep. I was very worried it would be similar today but it looked like most of the runners had already arrived arrived a few days earlier so it was not that crowded at all. Whew! Just to note, it was Saturday morning. If we had arrived Thursday morning, it would be a different story!

Still there were plenty of people in line already for the buses and we didn't have to wait too long to get on a fairly packed bus. We did not get to sit up front as those seats were taken so no WDW arch pictures for me this time. However, we were so excited to be on our way on Magical Express!

Our first resort for this stay was Port Orleans Riverside! We have never been to this resort before. I've stayed at POFQ twice and I love it there so POR has to be just as good, right? Before long we were pulling into Disney grounds and into the Epcot Area.

I don't remember which stop POR was but it was one of the first two. We grabbed our luggage, tipped our ME driver, and headed inside. As expected I got a text that our room was not ready at this early hour so we checked our stuff with Bell services.

POR has a beautiful and grand looking lobby. Since it was our first time here, it took us a few minutes to get our bearing and figure out where the boat launch was. It is actually very conveniently located near the main building unlike at POFQ where you have to walk a bit past the rooms towards the water. When we got out to the dock, there was a boat about to pull out, lucky us! So we ran down the ramp and managed to get on the boat to Disney springs!

This weather is certainly sparking some joy!! 78 degrees and sunny!

I forgot how slowly these boats chugg along and realized that we were probably going to be late for our appointment at The Void! So we tried calling them but got their voicemail. I saw on their website that they would do their best to accommodate late arrivals and I also saw a lot of available times after ours during the day so we hoped they were able to just slide us into the next slot.

When we arrived at Disney Springs we ran over to The VOID.

Luckily they were able to just include us in the next session. There was already a group of 4 and we were to be alone as a group of 2. Works for us!! For the Wreck it Ralph experience you pick out one of these character cards which is the character you will look like in the virtual world!

I got the musical purple guy and Steve picked the math nerd. Which he totally is, so of course he'd pick that one. LOL. So we signed all the waivers and were brought into a briefing room, and then hooked into our gear. So I would say that this Wreck it Ralph experience was absolutely adorable. All the graphics were so cute and we both really enjoyed ourselves! You do get to shoot guns and stuff but really fun things come out of your guns instead of just normal blasters in the Star Wars version. The whole experience is only about 30 minutes so it does not take a long time at all. I'm glad we made the last minute decision to do this.

We definitely needed some food then so we opted for an early lunch at Earl of Sandwich. I usually opt for the Holiday Turkey but this time we went for the Classic roast beef with the cheddar horseradish and it was just PERFECT and really hit the spot.

This sandwich sparks great JOY.

We decided to just share the sandwich as I did want to get some stuff at Epcot later that day since it was the last weekend of the Festival of the Arts. We left EoS and just walked around Springs. It was then I remembered that I saw something online about some new D-Lish event going on at the D-Style store so we headed there. For that weekend from 10am to 2pm they had a little pop-up shop of some new food-themed merchandise plus they were also giving out free Mickey bars! Hey, the word free works for us so we walked towards the west side, stopping for some Starbucks along the way. I went into World of Disney for a bit and all this adorable food merchandise was just calling my name. I honestly don't buy that much stuff anymore from the stores, just the occasional clothing item and jewelry because I already have tons and tons of stuff that I never use from years of going to Disney so this would just be another addition to the pile, so I totally refrained. They were really adorable and cute though!

These purses were so cute but pretty impractical. The Micky Bar one barely fit a credit card and it was so flat you couldnt' even put a lipstick inside. The Churro one was just very long and skinny so it may fit just a toothbrush or some skinny makeup brushes, LOL. I posted the pic of the Churro in my stories and said it was one of those "completely useless items that you just have to have" hahaha.

This display was like, made for me!

As we approached the D-Style store, we saw a little line, and they said it was for MAC cosmetics makeovers, and for a Photopass pic, so we got in the line for the picture. After the picture you could get the free Mickey bar! You get to choose props to pose with and of course I went for the Dole Whip, hehe.

I saw a cute T-shirt that had Minnie Mouse on it that said "You had me at Pizza" and it was really cute. It comes in a little cardboard pizza box. It had just debuted today and was only available at the pop-up, since I didn't want to bother to do any purchasing today I asked if it will be available during the week. The CM working at the Pop-up said that the tshirts will appear in the D-Style store starting Monday so I could just come back and purchase them there. I decided I would do that.

After our picture we went to grab our free Mickey bars! I haven't had one in a long time because I don't eat much ice cream and I tend to prefer the ice cream sandwich if I did have to pick one but they are still nice to have once in a while. So we sat and ate them because they melted so quickly it was hard to walk and eat. After we were done, I went into the D-Style store. Lots of cute and adorable items.

So my coworkers know that I love Disney and that I go to Disney a lot. So some of them have nicknamed me Princess. I thought I should be able to wear the last sweatshirt to work, hahaha. Although we are in a business environment most of the time, but at least Fridays we are casual so it would be a good Friday shirt.

We walked through the Star Wars and Marvel stores but didn't get anything. So we decided to then head straight to Epcot! The easy way was to take an Uber but we decided that since we weren't in any rush to just get a bus to the Beach Club or Boardwalk and walk.

The bus to Beach Club arrived pretty quickly. I think we stopped at the Swan and Dolphin and then Yacht Club before Beach Club. We went to use the bathrooms and Steve also filled up his refillable mug with ice coffee at the quick service. I also saw this hilarious shirt and said that this is my new Run Disney motto.

Ears on, we were on our way to our first park, Epcot!!

I definitely wanted to grab a bite to eat from the Food booths.
Since we didn't have that much time at the Festival I just honed in on the few things I wanted to try.

From the Masterpiece Kitchen:

Wild Mushroom Risotto, Aged Parmesan, Truffle Shavings and Zinfandel Reduction

This was very good although the risotto itself could have been cooked a little better. It was kinda mushy and din't have the nice separation that good risotto has. The mushrooms, cheese and reduction were all really yummy together though and the truffle shavings were well, I did not really see them but I guess they were there. Must have been micro shavings! It was very heavy and filling though, but since it is 9 bucks for this, I'd hope that it would provide some sustenance.

We stopped by this cute photopass op:

There were 2 other things I wanted to try. These are from The Deconstructed Dish:

Deconstructed BLT with Crispy Pork Belly, Tomato Jam and Soft Poached Egg

This was really good! I love the soft poached egg yolk and the delicous pork belly. Such a classic combinations and the Tomato Jam added a nice bit of acidity.

Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake: Whipped, New York Style Cheesecake with Fresh Florida Strawberries and Sugar Cookies with Micro-basil

This dessert was good as well, but I wish the scoop of whipped cheesecake was served ice cold, it was only just cool so didn't hold up too well in the heat. It does look like a scoop of ice cream so I guess that's why I expected it to be super cold.

Wow those 3 dishes filled us up way more than I thought it would. I think because it was also 80 degrees and we were getting used to the heat again. Little to no humidity though, which was great. I really love visiting WDW during this time of year as the weather is so nice!

Beautiful Day at Epcot

We saw that the wait times for LWTL were not too bad so we headed there. On the way we saw the sidewalk art. Pretty cool!

And we got this PP picture:

I was ecstatic to be in my favorite park again!

So far, I'm one big ball of joy! I couldn't wait for what the rest of the day and the week holds!

Coming up...we head to Toy Story Land and our Princess room at POR!
​

 

[Jenny Sanders]

What a great first part of the day in DS and Epcot. I hope you like your Royal Room as much as we did!!!!

 

[suse66]

POR has a beautiful and grand looking lobby. Since it was our first time here, it took us a few minutes to get our bearing and figure out where the boat launch was. It is actually very conveniently located near the main building unlike at POFQ where you have to walk a bit past the rooms towards the water. When we got out to the dock, there was a boat about to pull out, lucky us! So we ran down the ramp and managed to get on the boat to Disney springs!

Nothing better than Disney boat transportation!

Luckily they were able to just include us in the next session. There was already a group of 4 and we were to be alone as a group of 2. Works for us!! For the Wreck it Ralph experience you pick out one of these character cards which is the character you will look like in the virtual world!

Oh! I really want to try this in July!

As we approached the D-Style store, we saw a little line, and they said it was for MAC cosmetics makeovers, and for a Photopass pic, so we got in the line for the picture. After the picture you could get the free Mickey bar! You get to choose props to pose with and of course I went for the Dole Whip, hehe.

Great picture!

Wow those 3 dishes filled us up way more than I thought it would. I think because it was also 80 degrees and we were getting used to the heat again. Little to no humidity though, which was great. I really love visiting WDW during this time of year as the weather is so nice!

What a fabulous afternoon in Epcot!

 

[pkondz]

I don't know. Strange uncanny circumstances have made me into a Disney fan! How can this be?!?

One of the mysteries of life!

Thank you!!
But it may be you that has the dyslexia.

nope.

Or is that npeo?

Thank you. We're playing it day by day and hoping he is recovering enough.

ok true compared to a lot of other areas it WAS warm but compared to FL it is a blizzard.

I'll give you that one.

He may even be more excited than me that we're heading to Disney! what!!?

 

[pkondz]

I had been itching to try the new Wreck it Ralph experience at The Void after having a great experience doing the Star Wars one more than a year ago. So I looked online and booked us for an experience later that morning!

I've never heard of... any of this.

We did not get to sit up front as those seats were taken so no WDW arch pictures for me this time.

I've never managed to be up front and never gotten that shot as a result.

Our first resort for this stay was Port Orleans Riverside! We have never been to this resort before.

I have. It's beautiful!

I've stayed at POFQ twice and I love it there so POR has to be just as good, right?

Just a teensy bit... bigger. Room choice (actually building choice) is crucial.

POR has a beautiful and grand looking lobby

When we got out to the dock, there was a boat about to pull out, lucky us! So we ran down the ramp and managed to get on the boat to Disney springs!

Good timing!

This weather is certainly sparking some joy!! 78 degrees and sunny!

Perfect!

I got the musical purple guy and Steve picked the math nerd. Which he totally is, so of course he'd pick that one. LOL. So we signed all the waivers and were brought into a briefing room, and then hooked into our gear. So I would say that this Wreck it Ralph experience was absolutely adorable. All the graphics were so cute and we both really enjoyed ourselves! You do get to shoot guns and stuff but really fun things come out of your guns instead of just normal blasters in the Star Wars version. The whole experience is only about 30 minutes so it does not take a long time at all. I'm glad we made the last minute decision to do this.

Yep. No idea. I presume... it's a VR experience?

we opted for an early lunch at Earl of Sandwich.

Always wanted to go there. Some day!

This sandwich sparks great JOY.

Certainly looks like it!

they were also giving out free Mickey bars!

Free is good!

What the heck are you supposed to do with that????

The Churro one was just very long and skinny so it may fit just a toothbrush or some skinny makeup brushes, LOL.

I thought it was a pencil/pen bag.

The CM working at the Pop-up said that the tshirts will appear in the D-Style store starting Monday so I could just come back and purchase them there. I decided I would do that.

I hope you got good info, there.

Like this one!

Please get it!

I also saw this hilarious shirt and said that this is my new Run Disney motto.

Me too!

Perfect ears for Epcot!

Wild Mushroom Risotto, Aged Parmesan, Truffle Shavings and Zinfandel Reduction

mmmm… sounds good!

This was very good although the risotto itself could have been cooked a little better.

Risotto is hard. I've yet to get it just right.

Cute!

Deconstructed BLT with Crispy Pork Belly, Tomato Jam and Soft Poached Egg

That sounds good too!

Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake: Whipped, New York Style Cheesecake with Fresh Florida Strawberries and Sugar Cookies with Micro-basil

mmm...

Gorgeous shot!

Perfect photo with the ball in the background.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

However, we were so excited to be on our way on Magical Express!

It seems like one of you may be more excitied than the other...

I just saw that they were going to possibly do a Frozen VR. Which would be fun, but Gwen needs to turn 10!

 

[kkayluvsdis]

So excited to see you've started a new trip report and even more happy to read the title-isn't it wonderful to have a place to retreat that brings us JOY !!? I found your report this morning and have been looking forward all day to have a chance to start reading it-that time is now!

Our dates overlapped yours and I can't wait to read about how you guys spent your days. I wonder if we were ever at the same park during the same time? hmmm...I guess I need to read to find out I'm trying to convince myself to write a trip report but I am still in a post-vacation depression and honestly could cry if I think about it too much! That's why they say start planning the next one, right?!

-Kelly