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

[chunkymonkey]

It took me a while, but I got myself caught up here!

Hi Meghan! I miss you!

I feel this!

My Marie Kondo-ness was short-lived. I'm mostly back to being...messy, LOL

Great selfie! I love the animal print scarf - good for Animal Kingdom!

Thanks! It was cold the day we left!

That's really neat! And funny about Steve's pick!

He does love math!

I feel like this, too. But some of that merch was really cute!

Totally cute! I may have gotten myself a necklace or two.

Ooh, I like your ears! Are they from Aloha Ears, by chance? If so, do you like them? I've been thinking about trying a pair of them at some point.

Yup Aloha Ears! They are really comfy and love that they are interchangeable. I can shove extra ears and bows in my bag and switch it up and I can just dismantle the whole thing when I don't feel like wearing ears anymore (which is like half the day).

This looks yummy!! And sometimes I think food is deconstructed just for the heck of it to try to follow a trend or something, but this looks like it actually works really well and is kinda creative.

It was all really good! I know what you mean by the deconstructedness being a fad but this was a tasty fad!

Wow! Congrats! I've never gotten anything higher than the cat I don't think.

One of the few times I got higher than the cat!

Well that's nice! Yeah, I think the biggest benefit of a corner room is having more windows and more natural light.

Yup totally!

So cool!! I want this for my house.

Oh me too! Soooo cute!

We haven't stayed at POR yet, but I think I would feel the same. I'm a big fan of POFQ.

Me too! Love Love POFQ!

Oh my goodness, yes! I think you're on to something here!

Royal rooms at every resort should be a must!

The perfect castle selfie! So magical.

Thank you!

Oh my goodness! So many people on this boat!!

They were crammed in like sardines!

Obligatory for sure! I like your flip flops - they look comfy for Disney!

LOL Those are actually Steve's feet. I would have hoped my legs aren't that hairy.
But they are comfy! They are from Reef and he likes them a lot!

I love this! The ending...

I hear Manatees and Me is being extended for an 8-episode run!

This is a great picture! Steve is definitely a good sport! You look nice in his cap, too!

Thanks! It was so funny!

Yum! It looks so pretty, and it's such a perfect picture with that backdrop. I think I was mentioning this on Kari's TR, but one of the local sushi places not far from here has been doing sushi donuts as well, and theirs are really quite aesthetically pleasing! More carefully layered than this one. I think they're a big hit! Especially for people who might be newer to sushi and unsure what they'd like to order.

They are definitely very pretty and so instagram-worthy!!

I agree! Glad you caught it and enjoyed it.

What are you August dates right now? I may be heading there if we're able to snag an AP preview.

After all the difficult things you'd been through, how beautiful! It sounds like this trip was exactly what you needed to centre yourself a bit in the storm and bring some joy into your life.

Thank you so much, that is a sweet message. It is definitely what I needed and am so grateful that Disney could provide that escape for me.

It's so great to hear you and Steve had such a nice day! It's a beautiful thing that Disney allows so many people to let go of stress and worries, its one of those main reasons that always makes me want to go back.

Thank you so much! I know Disney tends to make people forget many things going on in their life, but it really does have healing powers, and the woes just magically lift off me when I am there.

 

[Tracy161]

Wait when are your dates again?

August 17-23! I think I'm overlapping with approximately 87 Disers Wait, you won't also be there, will you???

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 4 Part 1: I'll make it fit!

Today was the day we checked out of POR and into AKL! I felt like I didn't really get to explore much of POR grounds at all so I made it a point to take this picture outside of our mansion. However Steve took the picture and he made my feet look huge. I didn't even know that was possible but leave it to Steve to make the impossible happen in a cellphone picture.

I just realized that some of the gardens at our Royal Room mansion was named after the princesses!

Today we were headed to DHS, then back to AKL, we had the storybook dinner at Artist Point and an evening full of fun at MK's VIPassholder event. Would we make it to everything?!

We dropped our stuff with bell services for them to move them over to AKL Kidani. We then headed to the bus stop, and it must have been a really off day for buses to DHS as we waited close to 50 minutes for a bus!! There were a obviously a whole bunch of people waiting as well, and they were questioning the CM who was working there, and I have to give her props, she remained calm and friendly even though we was being asked a million times where's the DHS bus?!? Of course we saw about a 10 buses to other parks come and go in that time!

(Here is the kind CM who was fielding questions and complaints about the buses and kept her cool)

FINALLY a DHS bus came and we managed to get on it, and probably like an hour and 15 mins after we got to the bus stop we arrived at the park. It's supposed to be the park closest to our resort! #disneybusfail

Still, I didn't let it dampen our spirits:

It wasn't really cold that day but it was cloudy and there was a misty dampness to the air that morning, and I just didn't want to feel it. It definitely looked like it was going to rain but we weren't sure when.

I am not sure but I think we missed our Star Tours FP but we didn't bother to try and explain our situation or reschedule it. So we just headed right to our next FP, Slinky Dog Dash!

Can't seem to find our ride picture...maybe we didn't get one!?! So I will entertain you with this gif:

And The Claw!

We went to check out The Incredibles Celebration - There were some fun photo ops. Edna mode had a 30 minute wait but we decided to wait for her since we had some time before our next FP.

Edna has a pretty cool queue that shows the outfits she designed. She meets where Woody and Buzz used to meet. Also when we finally met her, she did not seem too impressed with Steve's choice of attire.

I think I fared better. She liked my ears!

We headed over to our next FP for RnRC. We hadn't really eaten anything and I wanted some food so we went to Rosie's All American and we split the Fried Green tomato sandwich. It would have been pretty good but I thought there was too much bread for the size of the tomatoes.

But I liked that it came with arugula though, and the fries were good!

After we gave ourselves ample time to let our stomach settle the food, we went on the FP line for RnRC. Amazingly, the line was very short today! So much so that we decided to go on standby right after with a short wait.

Yes Steve was one of "those guys" who wear sunglasses in the dark.

I had gotten a text that our room at AKL was ready to we decided to head to Kidani and rest up before that night's VIPassholder festivities.

Had to get a few pics on Sunset Blvd before leaving:

I perused some of the stores before we left, and I spotted a hoodie I really liked. However, it was youth sized! Anyways, I didn't let that stop me so I got a youth XL and it just happened to (barely) fit. It says Park Hop Til you Drop which I thought was really cute plus it's super soft. #iwillmakeitfit

We caught a bus to AKL Kidani. No bus drama here thank goodness. I was beginning to feel a little tired.

My friends were so nice to gift me these points, the room was great! Not a savannah view but it was convenient. Just a short walk to the lobby and buses.

I'm sorry I don't have pictures of the room as I promptly plopped on the bed. But the funny thing was we got a knock on the door, and a CM wanted to know if they could install a dispenser in the bathroom. I had heard of them doing this at all the resorts so I wasn't surprised. I told them sure we would be in the room for an hour and a half before we had to leave for dinner but they said they will come back the next day and just do it then.

So here's the last time we'd see the individual tubes of shampoo, conditioner and body wash (they still give the lotion tubes though, for now):

We rested for a bit then got in an Uber to the Wilderness Lodge. Guess what princess we are meeting tonight?

I had plans to wear a snow white outfit including skirt but the weather changed that as it was threatening to pour at any time so I just wore what I wore that day. Luckily my sweatshirt happened to be Snow White/Evil Queen themed!

Continued in next post​

 

[chunkymonkey]

August 17-23! I think I'm overlapping with approximately 87 Disers Wait, you won't also be there, will you???

It's possible if we can get in on a preview of GE!!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Of course we saw about a 10 buses to other parks come and go in that time!

That is seriously the worst. I know there is a method to the madness, but I don't understand why they don't re-deploy a bus when they end up with 3 of the same thing over and over again.

I love your face, lots of attitude! Like, your right, I AM INCREDIBLE!

Yes Steve was one of "those guys" who wear sunglasses in the dark.

I was going to say, wasn't he worried of them falling off, but Morgan wears her regular glasses, so really there is no difference.

Anyways, I didn't let that stop me so I got a youth XL and it just happened to (barely) fit. It says Park Hop Til you Drop which I thought was really cute plus it's super soft. #iwillmakeitfit

I love it! I didn't see that one!

So here's the last time we'd see the individual tubes of shampoo, conditioner and body wash (they still give the lotion tubes though, for now):

bye bye beloved small shampoos....

 

[Tracy161]

Today was the day we checked out of POR and into AKL!

I really want to stay at POR again - the first and only time I did was in 1997 on a family trip. I think it's time to go back

(Here is the kind CM who was fielding questions and complaints about the buses and kept her cool)

Bless her - I don't know that I could do that on repeat. I worked at my family's restaurant for decades, but problematic customers were few and far between... thankfully!

FINALLY a DHS bus came and we managed to get on it, and probably like an hour and 15 mins after we got to the bus stop we arrived at the park.

Clearly you needed @pkondz's VIP bus pass!

Also when we finally met her, she did not seem too impressed with Steve's choice of attire.

And here I was thinking how great his shirt was! How foolish of me

I think I fared better. She liked my ears!

Your ears really were amazing!

It says Park Hop Til you Drop which I thought was really cute plus it's super soft. #iwillmakeitfit

Love this!

It's possible if we can get in on a preview of GE!!

Ooooh, fingers crossed! I wish they'd release some details soon... it's making me anxious!

 

[Steppesister]

That's adorable! and no, you're feet don't look huge.

we waited close to 50 minutes for a bus!!

Not even a little bit okay. If you'd known, you could have taken an Uber.

I LOVE IT!! So perfect!

So here's the last time we'd see the individual tubes of shampoo, conditioner and body wash (they still give the lotion tubes though, for now):

 

[chunkymonkey]

OK This was supposed to come before my last post but somehow I never posted it when I thought I did. I corrected it so now this post comes before my last, so sorry for the switcheroo!

Day 4 Part 2: I need a new husband!

We arrived at Wilderness Lodge in our Uber - such a beautiful hotel. I really want to stay here next time, but it's really hard to get a room there with our DVC points as it's always sold out by the 7th month mark! I will waitlist one day and see if something opens up!

I had never been to Artist Point before it switched over to Storybook dining so I don't know what it looked like before but from everyone's feedback it sounds like the interior is different. It looked like an enchanted forest to me.

The theming was perfect. The napkin rings were apples. They were just tied with string so you could take it home if you like.

And on each table was this really cool tiered lazy susan. Lazy susans are the best invention ever! They are everywhere at asian restaurants especially when you have a large round table. It's just so much easier to get food and so your'e not passing around heavy platters of food when it's family style/shared.

Here's some pics of our menu. It is seasonal so when we went back in May some of the items were different.

We ordered our drinks and food and we got our first visitor right after!

For a cocktail I got the Enchanted Apple, which tastes like a really good apple martini - remember when those were really in? I really liked it except that it was a really skimpy portion, I mean, look at the glass, it's half full! C'mon Disney! I don't need that much of a sugar rim!!

Still enjoyed the drink despite the fact that I downed it in about 3 sips. And I'm a sucker I ordered the same thing in May because I liked it so much and yes, the portion size was still the same.

Steve got a much heftier Evil to the Core. It was spicy which he really liked.

Soon our appetizer trio was brought out.

We had a truffle chicken pie with stone fruit puree (in May this was a pate dish and wasn't as good)

Asian flavored shrimp cocktail:

And the cutest cauldrons of butternut squash soup (in May it was changed to the mushroom soup, which was a staple at AP)

I thought everything was really good. Here's the shrimp outside of the jar, there were 2 pieces in it, but the shrimp were really large.

And the inside of the pies. It tasted really good with the stone fruit puree!

As an entree I got the prime rib. It was very good, served with a yummy popover. I love popovers! I could have used more au jus and I'm sure if I had asked they would have brought me some, but I didn't bother as it was quite flavorful.

Steve got the seafood stew which is like a seafood risotto. He really enjoyed it. The seafood was large and cooked well, no rubbery pieces here!

So far the food was really impressed us, and was better than we expected. Usually character dining food is second to the interactions, but definitely not in this case! Soon we got our 2nd visitor:

Dopey was so cute, and acted more Bashful than Dopey!

He was soon followed by everyone's favorite dwarf, Grumpy! I asked on Instagram who was better looking, Steve or Grumpy?

I think Steve had a very slim lead, but who knows, that is probably just due to his dapper haircut.

Our shared desserts were equally as themed. First there were these little cake cups, with layers of moist cake and icing with candy rocks in them. They were very cute but way too sweet for me. I ate around the icing and found the cake to be very moist. I know it's just food coloring but I like that it was blue though!

Next we have gooseberry pies, which I loved! It has a nice tart flavor to it, and I like that.

And these little poison apples, which were just like cheesecake bites. They were really good which surprised me as I am not a huge cheesecake person but that's because the first bite of the cheesecake is my favorite before it starts to get too rich/monotonous, so the fact that this was bite-sized was just perfect!

I love how you can get a taste of 3 different flavors for appetizer and dessert!

The final photo op was with the Queen herself, the Evil Queen! She has a stationary spot in the middle of the restaurant. When she comes out there is a lot of dim lightening and ominous music playing.

Our server let us know when it was ok to go up (they time it right so that there isn't a huge line for her at a given time). When the queen saw me, she did not like my attire at all and wasn't having any of it.

Finally she relented but she wasn't pleased.

So when she first saw Steve she told me that I needed a new hunter. But I heard it as I needed a new HUSBAND. LOL I was dying.

I thought the interaction with Evil Queen was brilliant and she is a RIOT.

When we got back to our table our server brought us the Hunter's Gift to the Queen (or the Husband's Gift to the Queen LOL), which was caramel popcorn and chocolate hearts served with a dry ice flourish. It was super cool but I was so full I could only nibble at it.

Overall, we LOVED dinner and I highly recommend this meal as the food is great and we had so much fun. I loved being able to have a new dining/character experience at Disney World!​

 

[chunkymonkey]

OOPS I just realized I posted out of order! My Storybook Dining post is missing!! I'll rectify that next.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I posted this before I posted my last post so now I have switched them out so that our dinner comes before our after dinner festivities, sorry for the confusion!

Day 4 Part 3: We're not the only crazy ones!

So after our amazing Storybook dinner we were planned to head to MK and watch HEA. But unfortunately, it started to POUR! I mean really POUR. So we waited it out a bit, thinking that it would lighten up. I texted everyone who would be there tonight to find out their plans. And turns out despite everyone's better judgement, including ours, they were all going! So we'd be meeting up with @kastoney, @LindseyJo22, and @StarWarsMomofGirls!



While waiting for the rain to stop we did things like, try on raccoon hats.

I also went and got a birthday button since it was my birthday eve.
And then we got bored anyways and headed over to MK even though it was still pouring, because, well, we are C-R-A-Z-Y #crazyDISasians

We waited for a bus, and when we got to MK, it was still raining, so Steve went to get me a poncho because I didn't bring any on this trip. Steve refused to get one for himself even though I insisted that he do, but he is stubborn.
(Steve saw that I wrote that he is stubborn and he wanted me to change stubborn to generous )

Oh and we did end up watching HEA in the rain! Apparently there was no lightning so the show would go on. No pictures since I was huddled in my poncho! It's still a great show even in the rain.

There was a pretty decent sized crowd watching despite the weather though!

At this time other people began to arrive for VIPassolder night - we first met up with @LindseyJo22 and her DH Will over in Adventureland and rode Pirates together! See? We aren't the only crazy DISboarders who braved the pouring rain!

Obviously I still thought I was Snow White and Steve thinks he's a Grumpy Pirate (but still ridiculously good-looking of course). Lindsey and Will are just pretending they don't know us, hahaha.

Soon we were joined by other crazy Disboarders... @kastoney, her DH Jason, and the one and only Casey! Casey's birthday was also on this trip, so yay Pisces!

It looks like we met outside HM, and then I think we did go on HM...amiright? The night is one big blur but what I do know is we were WET for half of it!

Then Lindsey and Will had to go but Kari and I met up with @StarWarsMomofGirls!, her DH Andy and her DDs Morgan and Gwen, who are just the sweetest. Casey got along with them perfectly it seemed!

Since it was nearby, we all went on...IASW, LOL.

Here's one of a few Chunkyboats that night:

Then the girls really really wanted to go on BTMRR so we obliged. Twist my arm to go on one of my favorite rides! I didn't even mind the rain!

Welcome to the Chunky Train! As you can see, we were all pretty wet. I'm surprised the ride was still running but I guess the rain wasn't as heavy at that moment.

Oh Kari...your expression here.
I think you must have been practicing for the HM ride pic. I think you perfected the look in time.

Here's one where you are smiling!

After doing BTMRR twice, and a brief video chat with @Lesley Wake in California, we headed...back to Pirates again!
Another Chunkyboat!

I'm not quite sure what Steve is doing - maybe a Grumpy/sad princess, but Jason definitely has the snow monster look going for him.

This was followed by a round on the Chunky People mover. Here's Kari raising the roof!

And we battled it out on Buzz Lightyear

And finally we went on Space Mountain.

Andy's expression cracks me up! He should have done that in pirates!

We got one last picture with the girls before we parted was in the SM dump shop

It was a lot of fun that evening! The rain stopped probably an hour into the event and the whole park had very light crowds.

Steve and I headed to the Big Top because I had heard they had started Dumbo magic shots and I totally needed to get one! There was a very short line which was awesome.

I loved the shot, kinda like the one they have in Pandora with the banshee but much cuter, of course.

We followed this up with 2 rides on the Barnstormer! There was no line at all and we each got our own row. I can only ride this in my own row. It's TINY.

Realized then that it struck midnight and it was officially my forever 21 birthday!!

I had to commemorate with a castle selfie as we left the park.

As we were about to leave I saw that the line for celebration Mickey and Minnie wasn't too bad. It said 25 minutes which was probably a bit too long for that evening but considering their line is always an hour or more during the day and we had no FP for it we went for it. I'm so glad I did. They are in the cutest outfits and helped me ring in my birthday with a bang.

It was a fabulous night despite the weather, but thanks to Kari, Lindsey and Ariella for helping me ring in my birthday at Disney!


Coming up...birthday breakfast at Tusker House, and the much anticipated Wild Africa Trek!!​

 

[Tracy161]

Next we have gooseberry pies, which I loved!

Ooooh, I really want to try one of these!

When the queen saw me, she did not like my attire at all and wasn't having any of it.

The queen seemed fabulous - her mannerisms seemed completely in character.

So when she first saw Steve she told me that I needed a new hunter. But I heard it as I needed a new HUSBAND. LOL I was dying.

As we were about to leave I saw that the line for celebration Mickey and Minnie wasn't too bad.

It was necessary since it was technically your birthday! What a fun way to ring it in, indeed - what a great evening all around... despite the rain!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Steve and I headed to the Big Top because I had heard they had started Dumbo magic shots and I totally needed to get one!

OMG! This is one of the cutest magic shots I have ever seen! I didn't even know it existed...

 

[kittylady1972]

Great photos...love that Dumbo magic shot too! Now I'm really really sad I cancelled our Artist Point dinner back in April so maybe I need to try to do one again. It looks fabulous!

 

[dolewhipdreams]

and it must have been a really off day for buses to DHS as we waited close to 50 minutes for a bus!!

Wowza that's a long time!!

Anyways, I didn't let that stop me so I got a youth XL and it just happened to (barely) fit. It says Park Hop Til you Drop which I thought was really cute plus it's super soft. #iwillmakeitfit

YES it's so cute!

He was soon followed by everyone's favorite dwarf, Grumpy! I asked on Instagram who was better looking, Steve or Grumpy?

OMG I loooove this photo!

Overall, we LOVED dinner and I highly recommend this meal as the food is great and we had so much fun. I loved being able to have a new dining/character experience at Disney World!

Okay you're like the 56th TR that I've seen that raves about this meal. Now I need to try it!!

(Steve saw that I wrote that he is stubborn and he wanted me to change stubborn to generous )

I loved the shot, kinda like the one they have in Pandora with the banshee but much cuter, of course.

Wow so cute!!

How fun to actually ring in your birthday at the MK!! Can't wait to hear about your actual birthday adventures!!

 

[Steppesister]

It's just so much easier to get food and so your'e not passing around heavy platters of food when it's family style/shared.

YES!!!

I really liked it except that it was a really skimpy portion, I mean, look at the glass, it's half full! C'mon Disney! I don't need that much of a sugar rim!!

Lame. Best to stick with wine.

I liked it so much and yes, the portion size was still the same.

I love how you can get a taste of 3 different flavors for appetizer and dessert!

I love that too!!

So when she first saw Steve she told me that I needed a new hunter. But I heard it as I needed a new HUSBAND. LOL I was dying.

I also went and got a birthday button since it was my birthday eve.

Well, yeah! When I go in May, I get one for the whole trip.

Realized then that it struck midnight and it was officially my forever 21 birthday!!

YAY!!!! Let the celebrations... continue!

 

[cinderaimee]

Catching up!

I think I fared better. She liked my ears!

I think your ears are pretty similar to her glasses so she should like them!

Overall, we LOVED dinner and I highly recommend this meal as the food is great and we had so much fun. I loved being able to have a new dining/character experience at Disney World!

Storybook dining looks so cute! It had just started when we stayed at WL in January and by then our plans were set, but hopefully we'll make it there sometime, I just adore Grumpy!

Realized then that it struck midnight and it was officially my forever 21 birthday!!

What a fun night with all the DIS-ers! I love that you rode so many rides and had so much fun, despite the rain!

 

[disgeek009]

However Steve took the picture and he made my feet look huge. I didn't even know that was possible but leave it to Steve to make the impossible happen in a cellphone picture.

Sure, blame Steve for your humongous feet. j/k! They look perfectly normal!

It says Park Hop Til you Drop which I thought was really cute plus it's super soft.

Cute! New sweatshirts are the best.

And on each table was this really cool tiered lazy susan.

This looks WAY BETTER than any I've seen before. Fancy!

For a cocktail I got the Enchanted Apple, which tastes like a really good apple martini - remember when those were really in? I really liked it except that it was a really skimpy portion, I mean, look at the glass, it's half full! C'mon Disney! I don't need that much of a sugar rim!!

The glass looks really big here.

When the queen saw me, she did not like my attire at all and wasn't having any of it.

Funny! It seems like the villains are some of the best meets.

Steve went to get me a poncho because I didn't bring any on this trip. Steve refused to get one for himself even though I insisted that he do, but he is stubborn.
(Steve saw that I wrote that he is stubborn and he wanted me to change stubborn to generous

What a nice gesture! (Although, it would still be generous even if he got one for himself too)

 

[annie170]

Sorry you had a bus issue getting to HS. I hate when that happens. That happened last December to us. My grandkids couldn't understand why we just didn't go to another park. Fast passes kids.

Storybook Dining looks like so much fun! I've seen that Evil Queen in several trip reports and videos and she's just fabulous!
What's a little rain in Disney? What a great way to ring in your birthday!

 

[MeghanEmily]

I loved your review of Storybook Dining—we're going for the first time next month and I'll be interested to see how it is. I can't wait to hear about your Wild Africa Trek! Such an awesome tour. I hope you had a blast!

 

[thumper*]

YAY what a way to ring in your birthday. How is your ankle?