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

[Cheshire Kath]

Chunky monkey , I love reading your reports. I have read reports for years but never joined. I was reading your solo report and how you eat at the most amazing restaurants that my hubby and kids would never go to and I thought, it’s time for this Mum to go solo. First solo trip from Australia May 9 - 21st, might see you at the parks.
Your reports hit cord with me because I lost my dad, one year ago on the 3rd May and I’m sure just like your dad, my dad new Disney was my happy place.

 

[disgeek009]

What a great day! So many yummy treats. Everything looked so good, especially dinner. And I'm not sure why, but the idea of watching the oscars at a hotel while eating leftovers sounds like the height of luxury to me.

 

[jwoodbury]

All caught up!

 

[thumper*]

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

I do prefer POR to POFQ, it's so much quieter, even if there is more walking.

Your Epic trip/cruise is about over and am hoping you had a great time. I'm sure you were happy to get some rest on the cruise.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Yes I just saw on FB they brought the Hei Hei cone back - my hashtag worked

Yes! Just had one on our May trip and it is still delicious!

That was good thinking!! I hadn't accounted for the Princess races when doing my planning. (I shouldn't be admitting that here! ) We ended up on a VERY lengthy ride from POR to MK that morning!

Oh yes, it was crazy long!

We love it too and wish we could stay there! Dang third kid!

Aww, LOL, well some day when you do an adults-only trip!

Love this pic! I keep looking for myself in the crowd--haha

Maybe you were in some of my pictures, I have plenty more, haha!

Totally bummed I never got around to getting one of those. So cute!!

They are really good! I like the variety of flavors compared to just a regular dole whip.

Curious which you liked better? Honestly, we were a little disappointed with the cheeseburger one maybe because there has been so much positive we've read about it. Liked both but we weren't blown away!

I did like the cheeseburger better but STeve liked the buffalo because he likes spicy. I didn't know what to expect to be honest so that fact that they were good were a nice surprise!

We went to Disney Springs that evening too! I think we must have been there later than you, though. We went back to POR to swim and then went over to DS for cocktails and mocktails at Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar! I LOVE the new Disney Springs set up. There is just still so much for us to see that we haven't had a chance to yet. Next trip
I spent a while walking around World of Disney. So much cute D-Lish stuff!

I loved all the D-lish stuff! I pretty much like anything with food on it.
I really enjoyed Jock Lindsey's the 2 times I've been there, but we haven't been in a few trips. Hope to visit again!

It does sound like a great day. Isn't it funny what we term "low-key" when at Disney? Probably to most people that would seem like a pretty full day!

Right? Some people look at my spreadsheet and get exhausted just from seeing it but I'm like, this is nothing, you should really see us do Power Disney!

We have not. We sadly don't eat out in Philly much. I used to walk by it everyday for work! Ironically. One day. I did look to see if they had the ribs at the one in philly but no... Which is kind of nice, I like that you can only get it at certain places.

They do have different stuff at all the restaurants which is nice! They incorporate local flavors which I think is a great touch.

Chunky monkey , I love reading your reports. I have read reports for years but never joined. I was reading your solo report and how you eat at the most amazing restaurants that my hubby and kids would never go to and I thought, it’s time for this Mum to go solo. First solo trip from Australia May 9 - 21st, might see you at the parks.
Your reports hit cord with me because I lost my dad, one year ago on the 3rd May and I’m sure just like your dad, my dad new Disney was my happy place.

Thank you so much for reading!!
WOW I hope you are having a great time on your solo trip! I guess we just missed you!!
I'm so sorry about the loss of your dad. It really hits home sometimes, and I know how you feel.
My dad indeed did know that Disney was my happy place. A lot of what I saw in Disney reminded me of my dad on this trip. I hope the trip brings you joy too! Enjoy your solo trip!!

What a great day! So many yummy treats. Everything looked so good, especially dinner. And I'm not sure why, but the idea of watching the oscars at a hotel while eating leftovers sounds like the height of luxury to me.

It was a great day!
And sometimes just sitting in a hotel room eating and watching TV is just a luxury, I know!

All caught up!

Thank you for reading!

I do prefer POR to POFQ, it's so much quieter, even if there is more walking.

Your Epic trip/cruise is about over and am hoping you had a great time. I'm sure you were happy to get some rest on the cruise.

Hi Glenda! Missed you on the trip but hope you can make the next one!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Sorry I know I've been neglecting this TR but that's because I just started my Epic Trip TR! But I really want to do this TR too as it was such an amazing trip (wait, I do say that about all my trips, right? LOL.) But I will slowly get through this one too!

Day 3 Part 1: Festival of the Arts Fun

Today was the last day of the Epcot Festival of the Arts and we wanted to take full advantage of it, that meant the whole day was spent at Epcot! No complaints from me since it is my favorite park. We got up and wandered over to POFQ again, I think we repeated the same breakfast as we did the day before with the shrimp and grits, although I'm not sure I had beignets since I wanted to save room for FoTA treats and the shrimp n grits were plenty for the both of us. We took the bus from POFQ to Epcot, which was a much quicker ride than the day before since there were no more races!

Got my Epcot Ears on!

I don't know how but we ended up at The Living Seas first, as per my pictures. Probably cos we didn't really feel the need to start with the big ticket rides.

Remember back on my SOLO trip when I asked if anyone wanted to see a series called Manatees and Me? Well I reordered my first episode:

LOL, it is a riot, I guarantee it.

Anyways, disappearing manatee or not, I had a good time with my manatee friends.

Then we used our first FP for Steve's favorite:

It looked like the wait for Soarin' was not too bad so we did that next on standby, probably around a 25 minute wait overall.

HELLOOO Patrick!

We tried to go meet Ralph and Vanelope but their line was really long, so we just decided to head to World Showcase.

Over at Refreshment Port I spotted this amazing concoction that I saw @ariane37 got on her trip and I knew I had to have one.

It is a Maple-glazed Pork Belly Bloody Mary. OMG this thing was amazing, it was like a meal in itself. The pork belly was delicious and had the most amazing flavor. It was also the LAST day that this drink would be served. How sad!

I continued walking and I spotted someone at character training...my favorite, EEYORE!!

But I turned around and tried to find Steve for him to hold my bloody mary but I couldn't find him and I needed to get a picture with Eeyore so I just lined up. The CM told me that I could not pose with Eeyore holding my drink and I said that's ok I will set it down. I tried to down it but there was a little bit left before I had to set it down and the CM helped me take a picture with Eeyore.

I thought Steve had walked to France so I went there but didn't see him and he wasn't answering my texts but I saw this Photopass Op with no line so I couldn't pass it up!

Try a sip of this amazing drink!

Nice doggy.

I really wanted to try a few things at France so I got the bread boule with brie and a frose drink that had peach and yuzu flavors.

Here's what I thought of them:

So eventually Steve caught up to me and we did a picture together! The sun's position wasn't very good at this time of day so it cast a shadow over us. Maybe later in the day would be better.

Then we started walking and got some more Photopass pictures.

The photographer then told us to switch headpieces.

LOL Steve is a good sport, he really is.

And this magic shot which is a first for us. How fun!

Iago looks mad, LOL.

Over in Japan we got to try the Sushi Donut, which was fun! It's just sushi in a donut shape so if you like sushi regularly I think you'd really enjoy the novelty of this.

We enjoyed a lot of the photopass ops at Festival of the Arts. None of them really had long lines at all. Such a nice change.

I also got this favorite snack, the chocolate and caramel pineapple. I always tell myself I don't need it but then I take a bite of it, and wow it is so delicious that I ask myself why I don't get one every day. So just get one and thank me later!

I was happy to get a picture with Mulan. Steve waited on line while I went to the bathroom, and when I got out instead of joining him in line, I kinda skulked around in the bushes a bit. When it was finally Steve's turn Mulan was surprised to see me saunter up behind her. LOL

LOL I think she was surprised to see me coming from the back of the bridge.

So far, Festival of the Arts was turning out to be a hit for us. The weather was great, the food so far was good, and the photo ops were a fun distraction! Steve also painted like 6 squares in the mural. There aren't as many food booths like there are during the other festivals, but that is actually a bit of a relief as i didn't feel so much pressure to make a list and dart across countries to try everything. I just tried the few things that captured my attention and they were great!

Coming up, more photos, and dinner at Rose and Crown!
​

 

[thumper*]

UHm yes please

Try a sip of this amazing drink!

Hilarious

 

[Steppesister]

I was sad this was gone, but did enjoy my StowAway Mary a LOT. mmmm!!! But that pork belly sounded to amazing!

It was also the LAST day that this drink would be served. How sad!

Poop.

I love those!! Makes me want to go for that season for these photos alone.

YUM!! That looks super novel and fun!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Looks like you were really thriving on your own at Festival of the Arts! The Manatees and me segment was golden. Love your pics with Eeyore, adorable. The sushi donut and the bloody mary do look and sound delish. I'll have to make note for whenever I get to go to FotA.

 

[kastoney]

Sorry I know I've been neglecting this TR but that's because I just started my Epic Trip TR! But I really want to do this TR too as it was such an amazing trip (wait, I do say that about all my trips, right? LOL.) But I will slowly get through this one too!

Too funny when I clicked on this I thought it was the EPIC trip and then I got really confused when you went to the festival of the arts. Then I got really excited that we were on there on the last day too. And then I wondered why we didn't see each other. And then I remember we met up the next day. Oh my morning brain.

LOL, it is a riot, I guarantee it.

Word to the wise. Be sure to check of manatees before taking video

It is a Maple-glazed Pork Belly Bloody Mary. OMG this thing was amazing, it was like a meal in itself. The pork belly was delicious and had the most amazing flavor. It was also the LAST day that this drink would be served. How sad!

Oh this was so my favorite too!!!! Though the one at flower and garden was pretty dang good too

I thought Steve had walked to France so I went there but didn't see him and he wasn't answering my texts but I saw this Photopass Op with no line so I couldn't pass it up!

At least they let you keep your drink for this. The bloody mary and you just seem organic to the photo

LOL Steve is a good sport, he really is.

I think you all should do this on the regular!

How did I not know about this? Casey would have loved this one.

 

[pkondz]

it was such an amazing trip (wait, I do say that about all my trips, right? LOL.)

That's a good thing, though.

the whole day was spent at Epcot! No complaints from me since it is my favorite park.

I think MK is my fave... but Epcot would be a very (very) close second.

Got my Epcot Ears on!

Perfect!

Hard to tell for sure... Is that the one with the damaged tail?

Remember back on my SOLO trip when I asked if anyone wanted to see a series called Manatees and Me? Well I reordered my first episode:

Will have to look later. At work and videos are blocked.

Then we used our first FP for Steve's favorite:

Speaking of Steve and The Land and hydroponics (which he disassembled), how's the world's largest bench coming along?

It looked like the wait for Soarin' was not too bad so we did that next on standby, probably around a 25 minute wait overall.

Not bad.

We tried to go meet Ralph and Vanelope but their line was really long,

Good.

I don't do character meets (well... there is one... but I can FP her. ) so more people in line for those means fewer at the rides.

Over at Refreshment Port I spotted this amazing concoction that I saw @ariane37 got on her trip and I knew I had to have one.

Wowza!

It is a Maple-glazed Pork Belly Bloody Mary. OMG this thing was amazing, it was like a meal in itself.

It was also the LAST day that this drink would be served. How sad!

Well... poop.

The CM told me that I could not pose with Eeyore holding my drink

Because he's a raging alcoholic. He's a sad drunk, too. You've probably noticed.

Love that one.

I really wanted to try a few things at France so I got the bread boule with brie and a frose drink that had peach and yuzu flavors.

I'll have to wait to see if you liked it or not.

The sun's position wasn't very good at this time of day so it cast a shadow over us.

Nah. Just what the artist intended.

The photographer then told us to switch headpieces.

Huh. That's a new one.

And this magic shot which is a first for us. How fun!

And I've never seen that one before either.

Over in Japan we got to try the Sushi Donut, which was fun! It's just sushi in a donut shape so if you like sushi regularly I think you'd really enjoy the novelty of this.

That looks different... and good.

Nailed it.

Perfect!

Steve is on point here.

I also got this favorite snack, the chocolate and caramel pineapple.

Dang it!!!! I forgot! I was going to try that and I forgot all about it until just now!

LOL I think she was surprised to see me coming from the behind.

"Who's this chick who thinks she can cut the line?"

 

[Steppesister]

Oh this was so my favorite too!!!! Though the one at flower and garden was pretty dang good too

YES!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Awesome photo opps! I really love the Festival of the Arts... hope it continues. You make me really wish I liked bloody mary’s.....

 

[SimplyGoofy]

What a fun morning and what great photo-ops!

The food you tried looks amazing, especially that bread bowl from France and the sushi donut.

 

[ONUAtrain]

I really would love to do festival of the arts, looks like a blast!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Awesome time in Epcot!!!

 

[missangelalexis]

Sounds like a pretty perfect Epcot morning! Love your pics with Eeyore and all the PP stops!

 

[disgeek009]

LOVE your painting pictures! You make it look so effortless, I always look like I'm in a lineup.

And episode 1 of the Manatees and Me was riveting. GOT replacement?

 

[FantasiaMagic]

All the food and drinks from FOTA looks great!

also got this favorite snack, the chocolate and caramel pineapple. I always tell myself I don't need it but then I take a bite of it, and wow it is so delicious that I ask myself why I don't get one every day. So just get one and thank me later!

Was this a FOTA dessert, or did you get this from someplace else? It looks amazing and def something I would want to try!

 

[ashw100]

Love all the pictures you took with the different paintings, very cute. I don't even like Bloody Mary's but that drink looked amazing. I am glad you liked FotA, we went the first year and didn't think much of it, but it sounds much better now.