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

[Jenny Sanders]

I honestly have to say that I really loved our Royal Room (the 2 times we stayed in one). I think the attention to detail is amazing, and what a perfect place to stay if you are a princessy girl!!!!

 

[annie170]

I'm sorry to hear Steve's dad is having health issues. It has to be hard being on the opposite coast.

Congrats on the cruise! What an awesome trip you have coming up!

That's too bad SDD was down. It's disappointing when you're really looking forward to riding something and it's down.

Totally agree with you on POFQ over POR. I've only stayed at POR once, but we had terrible luck with the buses and felt like it was just too big and spread out. We love POFQ. It's definitely my favorite moderate.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

The princess room is beautiful. I bet it's just like seeing the castle all lit up for Christmas. Pictures are wonderful but seeing it in person you get the WOW factor.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Agreed. Prefer to the bayou. But... you have to get the right one. Curious to see where you'll wind up.

For the life of me I can't remember what our mansion name is, but it is Magnolia Bend somehwere.

I'll try to write a nice, detailed TR on it to inspire you to go on one!

Yes please do!

Hi @ChunkyMonkey! Kind of late to the party but glad I found your TR, which is amazing as well as your CRAZY DIS ASIANS TR, which I have not finished reading. Sorry about your Father's passing , but I agree with you that he is in a better place now. Anyway, I love all of the detail you put into your reports and the pics look amazing. Cannot wait to read more!

Thank you so much for reading my TRs!

I still want to try this! But the one at Disneyland is only during the week and I tend to be down there on the weekends!

Oh I didn't realize they only did that on weekdays at DLR!

My favorite is the French Dip! Yum!

Yum, I love French Dip but haven't trie EoS's version yet. I keep getting swayed by the Holiday Turkey and the Classic!

Same! I wanted (and still want) most of it, but I've been keeping myself in check for the most part!

Ugh it's so hard, it's all so cute. I want to clutter my life with useless purses!! I may have to spring for a churro purse. It's just so funny.

Yay! For vacation beginning for real!

Yes!!

I really need to try this sometime!

It's fun! And it's so short you never feel like you're taking up a whole lot of time doing it!

We are usually there so late at night that no one is at the buses.

Yeah if we get there late that happens.

I hope so! I stayed there when it was Dixie Landings and liked it.

I forgot it was called Dixie Landings! The mansions were beautiful!

I'm glad to hear other people tip the drivers. I've not seen many people who do, they just retrieve their bags and go on their way.

Oh that is too sad. Luckily we've seen more people who tip rather than people who don't but it's s shame. They really deserve more.

That would certainly have sparked joy for me. We had the first February in over 130 years where we did not have a day that hit 70°.

Woah crazy! That is so unlike southern Cal!

Huh. That sounds fun. I wonder if the one in DTD is doing the Ralph version.

Yes! According to Lesley DTD is doing it but only on weekdays.

Yummy! That's my favorite, but Fran diesnt like the horseradish.

I loved it! Now I can't decide if I want holiday turkey or classic next. I may have to get both and save one for later. Haha.

Bizarre. My purse is practically a suitcase and weighs about the same. There's no way something like that would be anywhere nears useful to me!

I know, me too! I like never clean out my purse. It's so heavy but that's just me, I like to have everything with me, and also since I'm usually in a car most of the time I don't need to lug it much. But at Disney I have to pare down to my park bag and it's stressful, haha.

Me too. I like the sandwiches better. In fact I may have one this weekend!

Yum, I had one for the first time in forever in Feb and it was wonderful!

I always forget about this with my DIS friends. Even when I had a day job, it was at a music publisher, so every day was pretty casual. I figure everyone dresses like they do at the parks every day, I mean I do!

LOL I think most people who work in offices are business casual, at least I am. On weekends I am lucky if I don't wear my PJs out.

I have to try this festival one day! We are planning to go in Jan 2020, or maybe Feb, so I might get the chance!

OOh fun! I think it is a great underrated festival. It doesn't feel as stressful as F&G or F&W where I feel like I have to try every booth and attend every event. There are less booths and the photopass ops are so fun!

I found that with the F&G booths and as a result we never got to try everything that I wanted!

Yes I know! That's why I want to plan several days at the festival. One afternoon is not enough!

 

[suse66]

Since Steve and I didn't want to lose our placeholder Discount, we had to scramble to find dates that we COULD cruise that wouldn't cost us even more money and time away from work. So the Bahamian cruise that leaves on May the 6th worked perfectly for us since that was the original end date of our Epic Girls and Guys trip. Since we were extending we might as well add on more nights at the beginning of the trip! We had a flight change fee but that was met by some of our credit cards who pay for incidental airline fees so thank goodness for that.

I am sorry to hear of Steve's dad health concerns and am hoping for the best for him and the family. On the travel front however, you are doing very well. Your revamped trip sounds amazing!

When we arrived at LWTL we had a short 10-minute wait. Can't wait to see all the new stuff growing for Flower and Garden in less than 30 days!

The F&G additions are lovely.

It tasted like a Gin Tonic - but maybe a little fruitier. It was pretty good and hit the spot as something refreshing with a kick. I don't know if it is a good idea to ride RnRC with a little somethin' somethin' in you, but hey, it did calm my nerves a bit because I do love this ride and ride it all the time, except when you first see this part as you walk into the loading area, you go OMG I can't believe I'm getting on this!

Mmmmm, I would love this drink!

We were feeling a little peckish so we went to Woody's Lunchbox and got Totchos - tater tots with cheese, chili, sour cream, green onion, yum.

Oh my, those look SO good!

If that boat doesn't spark joy in you then, well, why are you at Disney?!?

Here is my Disney shameful secret......I am not a big fan of Fantasmic and may have been known to fall asleep in the middle of it. I know, I know......

OK!! Now it was time to see our Royal Room!!! I was so excited, but we really had idea where it was. We had to consult a map and figure our our room number from there. We crossed the bridge over the river, and into one of the mansions. And we kept walking and walking and looping around and after what seemed like 10 minutes finally found our door. We apparently faced the back, so our room was at the very back. We got a corner room though, not sure if that means anything but maybe we just have like an extra 10 inches of window space or something.

Your room is sweet and you look so happy!

In the midst of my reverie Steve called Bell Service and they delivered our luggage, and my Amazon Prime order of water, some fruit, chips, and aromatherapy bath salts! See? I don't have to do anything and everything comes to me. I really am a princess when I'm here.

Absolutely!!

 

[xlsm]

So far in all my times riding this I've never been the rebel spy. It has to happen in my lifetime, right? #notcountingonit.

I have never been the rebel spy either One day it will happen for both of us, I just know it!! (and we'll both be coming back over and over again anyway, wishing and hoping, right?? Disney is counting on it, lol)

We did, however have an amazing ride on RnRC! Not so sure about the people in front of this though!

OMG, those people!! He looks like he's in pain and she looks so mad/bored

 

[Lesley Wake]

Epic Girls and Guys trip

Ok, I wasn't consulted in this decision! AND GUYS!!!!! NO STEVES ALLOWED... except for Steve Rogers!

Imagine a Moana room at the Poly...

That would be sooo cool! They could charge an insane premium for that and people would book it. I am planning on staying at the Explorer's Hotel at Hong Kong Disney and they have a Moana Celebration overlay, but it's mostly themed toiletries, towels, slippers, and window clings. Very cute, but not worth the extra money.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Joining in, we loved the Princess Royal Rooms, you are so right about all the details. I kept touching the Genie faucets also, Andi said enough mom!

Love your pondering princess picture

 

[chunkymonkey]

Love reading your trip report!
Thank you for sharing!
So excited to be 5eremin about three weeks!

Thank you so much for reading!!
Have a great time on your trip! Just under 30 days for us, OMG!

Wow. Page 5. I am a sloth.

So excited to join in again on another journey with you folks!

Thanks for sharing!

Hi Lynn!!
Great to see you here thanks for joining!

I am here! I am caught up! Now I will probably get hopelessly behind again, but such is life lol!

Hi Katie! I'm so happy to see you here! It's been a while! Hope you're well and enjoying married life!

Your trip reports are bomb.com. Can’t wait to read more.

Thank you so much!!!

Joining in. I love your TR! Can't wait to read more.

Thank you for reading!!

I have been reading all your previous reports and am now on your current one! 52 days and counting to my next trip planning on buying a year pass!

Aww thank you so much for reading!! The annual pass is like a blessing for your soul and a curse on your wallet, LOL. But I LOVE it!!

Oooh, I LOVE EoS, but so rarely get there anymore (because I so rarely get to DS anymore). Your sandwich looked amazing!

Me neither, then I got to DS and wonder why I don't come more often! I really need to take more time out for DS!

This shirt is amazing!

It totally sums up my attitude...every day!

So happy that your trip was sparking so much joy

Thank you so much Tracy!

I was going to comment on the photo of it, but you beat me to it. It is so pretty!

Definitely a beautiful and stately lobby!!

They are so slow, but if you're not in a hurry, so relaxing. I love them!

Yes! I do love boat transport, so much nicer than buses!

I first read that as, "Meth Nerd".

Hahaha, I can assure he is not that...at least I hope not. Buahaha.

Yeah, I can see that. Teensy!

And very $$$! Of course it's only a matter of time before I succumb to the churro purse...

All 3 were super rich, so I can see that. Plus add in warmth and... FOOD COMA!

Oh absolutely!! I hope I can do better in May. I need to eat at more booths!

So excited to see another trip report from you... and so much joy!

Thank you so much!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

It seems to be the trend with that girl's trip that y'all are extending them. No shade to it, that's amazing and more power to you! I'm sure it's going to be as amazing as it seems to be turning out to be.

I'm sure we would end up all part of some happy family or hating each other (which I absolutely doubt will happen, but I've known DISboarders who no longer talk after vacationing together so...)

So I don't belong at a Disney park if seeing Steamboat Willie during Fantasmic doesn't spark joy? What if my reasoning is it makes me long for the beautiful Mark Twain that's used at the finale at Disneyland's (*coughSUPERIORcough*) Fant?

Yes you're absolutely right, DLR's Fantasmic is far superior! I haven't even seen it for YEARS, the last time we were in DLR in 2016 it wasn't showing! So I'm expecting great things when I catch it later this year!

I'd 100% be reacting the exact same way to the princess room. Guess that's what I'll be saving up my CP money for for a one night stay so I can just turn the fireworks on and off and play with the sink. Yup, that'll definitely be me.

OMG I was in princess heaven. Steve was so amused by my gushing over everything. He should know that I'm easy to please when it comes to Disney!

Thanks for the shoutout and always being in my corner! Or checking on my corner. Something like that!

You're welcome!!

I have missed reading about your adventures here- I have not had much free time to spend here on the DIS, and with what I do have, I am trying to keep my head above water over at the BC FAQ.

I have noticed you have not been on the DIS that much lately!

Plus, some Disney depression after not travelling to the World in 2018, first time in 10 years I have missed a visit. Spoiler Alert: I'll be turning that around in the coming year with an October WDW trip and Feb trip to DL/Maui.

I know...I had a hard time not going back for almost a year since we went so many times in 2017.

I might do this on our next trip. It will be hard to convince Zack, because mostly we like to just get to the hotel and be there already. But SW has changed their flight time from Denver and now many days they land at 1:20am instead of 11:50pm

Yeah, sometimes it's just easier to head to the room right as you land. We've arrived late before and took ME at 1am and of course we looked like death the next day.

Yum. I don't know how F&G food booths are, but I feel like everything at the Arts Festival is bigger servings/more filling (and thus more expensive lol). Last year we hit most of the booths in one day and when we sat down to watch the concert that night we were starting to regret it

Oh maybe that is why! I guess the portions are a little bigger! They certainly seemed bigger!

Yay! We are looking at going from the 24th to 28th...

Coool!!! What are your park plans? I had to scramble to find FP at the last minute. We may head to a water park though just because we've never been!

I just got to book things for our cruise this summer, I may have gone back and read all of your reports of Palo and Remy

LOL They are SOOOOOO good. I really want Palo brunch and fingers crossed we can still book it when we go onboard.

I love that bucket, it's so cute! We just kept this one so far from the parks

That is the cutest Splash bucket!

Zack and I maybe had a few moments of arguing last September because that ride had an hour long standby time and I was determined I could get a FP for immediate use... and I did!

Good thinking!!

Well, you ARE a princess!

Of course, I was just making sure that Steve knew that, LOL.

These two moderates are at the top of my list. I've just been to cheap to pay for them over Pop so far...

I really do love the Pop rooms now so it's a tough choice! But POFQ will always have a special place for me because it was our first on-site Disney resort we stayed at!

Your May (ok, April-May) trip sounds AMAZING!!!

I have only been on one Disney cruise, so I'm no expert, but I believe you can check for openings at Palo the first afternoon you are onboard. Fingers crossed!

Thank you!! We're so excited!
The planner in me is kinda like, OMG you booked this cruise so close to sailing and there's nothing left! But I'm hopeful for the onboard booking!

I'm jealous of the epic meet-ups you will have in Disney. Wish I could be there, but spring is going to be crazy at my place. Nate will return from his semester abroad in New Zealand, but we don't know how long he will stay. He is applying for internships out west and in Alaska. Ben will be attending his first prom (Nate never went) and then he graduates in early June.

Wow New Zealand! Bucket list for sure! How is he liking it?
Congrats to Ben on his senior year!

BTW- great idea with the listing of your trip report links. They do start to build up, don't they!

Yes! I realize I spend WAAAAY too much time on the DISboards, hahaha.

Your reunion with Steve's family sounds really nice. I remember a previous DL trip where you visited his family, but I forget how far away they are.

I know, I wish we could see them more often! Maybe if I buy a Disneyland AP...hmmm

Great title for your report- so timely!

Thank you!!!

I love the Festival of the Arts picture pictures. So cool!

They were so much fun! I really loved all the photo ops!

I don't go to DTD much, but the VOID experience sounded fun, and free Mickey bars and cute Photopass pictures and props???? Sign me up!

It was a really fun day at DS!! It makes me think I should spend more time here, there's actually a lot to see and do!

The only time I have been to Earl of Sandwich was on our first family trip in 2008. Sounds like it could be time for a return. Probably will happen when we are in DL in Feb. I want to get the roast beef and the Thanksgiving sandwiches.

Those are my favorites. They are both amazing sandwiches!!

Your EPCOT ears are perfect!

Thank you! I bought a set of interchangeable ears from Aloha Ears Designs!

My friend Nannette introduced me to her flavored popcorn obsession near Figment. She loves the Buffalo.

It is good!!

What a gorgeous Princess room. Just right for you.

I loved it!!! Brought out the Princess in me!!

 

[natebenma]

Wow New Zealand! Bucket list for sure! How is he liking it?
Congrats to Ben on his senior year!

Thank you so much!

Nate is loving New Zealand! The ECOQuest program he is doing is phenomenal and there are a few friends from his university there with him. One week of classes was snorkeling on the South Island and another day he was swimming with wild dolphins "so we can better understand ecotourism." Last week was spring break so his group spent it hiking in the mountains of the South Island for the week. He is sharing amazing pictures with us.

Ben just committed to George Washington University last night to study International Relations.

 

[Tracy161]

Steve and I have really changed it up and instead of going for just 6 nights, we're now going for 2 whole weeks!

Yay!!!

It did not seem like there was much to do other than wait so we hopped on A.S.S. standby to pass the time,

This will never get old and not funny to me

If that boat doesn't spark joy in you then, well, why are you at Disney?!?

Exactly!

But they should really have Royal Rooms at EVERY resort, right?

I completely agree!

 

[cinderaimee]

How exciting to extend your May trip with a cruise!

What a bummer that SDD was down, but TSM is always so much fun!

We were feeling a little peckish so we went to Woody's Lunchbox and got Totchos

I can't wait to go back and eat more Totchos. All the things I love in one cup.

When we got off at Riverside we decided to eat before finding our room otherwise I'd just complain about how hungry I would be all night but also too lazy to leave to get something.

sounds like me too!

But here it is, the most amazing Princess room!

I am obsessed with the princess rooms and all the little details. The little bench from Beauty and the Beast makes me smile every time I see it.

 

[amalone1013]

Coool!!! What are your park plans? I had to scramble to find FP at the last minute. We may head to a water park though just because we've never been!

No plans yet. I booked flights on points so we could cancel, but can't figure out a hotel. There's not much left. Basically it's down to do we push for those dates (because that would cover one of two people on the Garden Rocks concerts that interest us ) or scrap it and go for another weekend? Which may open back up the Epic Trip Weekend... or later in May. Zack's got multiple jobs going out of state currently and the timelines change so often that it's hard to plan. But we're determined to make it to F&G this year and also I'm in travel withdrawal in general because we haven't been anywhere since January ETA: I just realized that I had booked a GG PPO Breakfast concert package for the 26th that I had forgotten about...

LOL They are SOOOOOO good. I really want Palo brunch and fingers crossed we can still book it when we go onboard.

We're doing a double dip and I've got brunch on the 2nd Castaway day right now but I'd really like to switch it to the sea day. We also have dinner on the Nassau day and are hoping that when Zack's parents' window opens on the 9th we can change that to all of us for dinner.

I really do love the Pop rooms now so it's a tough choice! But POFQ will always have a special place for me because it was our first on-site Disney resort we stayed at!

I love the Pop refurbs! And it was our first on-site resort

 

[disneywlf]

Fantastic updates as always! Loved seeing your visits to Epcot and DHS and I must see Toy Story Land, as it looks absolutely killer and sadly, I have not been to DHS in five years as I did not get to visit it , so I hope to to return soon .

I am very sorry about Steve's father and I will definitely keep him in my prayers.

Congratulations on extending your trip in May and it is fantastic that you get to go on a cruise, which is something I would not mind doing as I have not done that, let alone a Disney Cruise.

Lastly, the Princess Rooms at POR look killer and as an "Aladdin" fan, the Genie themed fixtures on the sink are an amazing detail. So far, I have stayed at the Hilton Disney Springs, Hilton Buena Vista Palace, and Disney's Coronado Springs, but I am hoping to stay at POR one day and book a Princess Room.

Can't wait for more updates

 

[schmass]

I am sorry to hear that Steve's father isn't doing well and hope his health improves soon. On a bright note, your 2 week trip sounds amazing! We'll actually be at WDW a few of the same days (May 3-11) so I'll keep an eye out for you on the 4th and 5th!

I'm sorry about SDD being down but at least you got TSM instead! We are very excited for our first ride(s) on SDD!

My 3 year old DD would loooove that princess room!

 

[disgeek009]

Steve and I have really changed it up and instead of going for just 6 nights, we're now going for 2 whole weeks!
​

So jealous! And you'll get to do a little bit of everything too. It will be so nice to relax on the cruise right before going home.

Imagine a Moana room at the Poly...​

​

Oooo, that's a good idea!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Wow! Big difference! With a cruise thrown in, no less!

Go big or go home, right?

Nice of you.

thanks! Her DH loves Figment more than we do!

I didn't even know there was a kiosk there. But... thanks for the tip!

It's closer to Imagination pavilion I think.

But wouldn't you go to Karamel Kuche for that? Yes, I know it'd be more cash, but... it's Karamel Kuche!!

Yes true, but as you see, we didn't get the caramel! Also if you were really lazy and didn't want to walk to Germany.
also if you only had a buck fifty to spend...

Really! I thought the grace period was 15 and that's it.

Well it was practically a walk on so I dont' think they would have denied us for being 5 minutes past the grace period. Any other time probably not.

I can see it now.
Steve and Su-Lynn get on Star Tours. They are the only two riding...

Steve gets picked to be the rebel spy. Su-Lynn bursts into tears.

that is exactly what would happen.

That's Disney in a nutshell.

Yup!

Heh. I'd be "What's your sweetest drink?"

LOL Sweet tooth!

You guys get it. The two in front of you? Not so much.

They must have been doing the "who can have the most serious face on RnRC" challenge.

Looks good!

Haha thanks!

That's I think the fourth way I've seen to say that. I'm a bit surprised it worked!

Hahaha, I'm clever like that.

mmmmm.... Love fried shrimp. But there must be cocktail sauce. And I don't see any.

There was a remoulade sauce. I think I would have preferred cocktail sauce though.

Nice! Lots of nice touches.

It's the most perfectly decorated room!

I've seen those before... you're not alone, there.

I want those faucets!

Ummm.... You're looking the wrong way...

I was...pondering.

Holy crap! That's a great idea!

I just so full of great ideas!

I'm selfishly excited to see you're going on the Dream because that's the ship we're most interested in, although the itineraries are meh, so a trip report will be super useful.

I've been on the Fantasy but not the Dream and they are essentially the same class of ship. But it took me so long to get used to the size of the Fantasy I can't imagine how much of the ship I would get to see on a 4-night cruise!

I LOVE Hendrick's and I'm inconveniently allergic to tonic, so this is like the perfect drink.

It would be the perfect drink for you!

Separated at birth....

Yes I think we are!

Wow! I'm sorry you had to postpone the Alaska cruise bur your new plans sound pretty great!!

Yeah it's unfortunately but I hope when we do make it to Alaska there will still be glaciers left to see!

Sounds like a good night at DHS. Stinks that slinky dog was down though!

I know! SDD is so fun but at least we got to ride TSM!

The Royal Rooms always look so amazing! I'd love to stay in one one day!

I loved them! I would totally stay in one again!

 

[pkondz]

Go big or go home, right?

I thought it was go big and go cruise.

It's closer to Imagination pavilion I think.

Thanks.

Yes true, but as you see, we didn't get the caramel! Also if you were really lazy and didn't want to walk to Germany.
also if you only had a buck fifty to spend...

Points all taken.

Well it was practically a walk on so I dont' think they would have denied us for being 5 minutes past the grace period. Any other time probably not.

Makes sense.

that is exactly what would happen.

there there

LOL Sweet tooth!

It's the opposite of my personality!!

They must have been doing the "who can have the most serious face on RnRC" challenge.

they win

Hahaha, I'm clever like that.

There was a remoulade sauce. I think I would have preferred cocktail sauce though.

Not to self. Bring own cocktail sauce. smuggle in, somehow. worth it.

I want those faucets!

Just bring some tools next time.

I was...pondering.

"Thinking... Do I need a plumber's wrench? Or will a vice grip be okay?"

 

[Terra Nova guy]

So far in all my times riding this I've never been the rebel spy. It has to happen in my lifetime, right? #notcountingonit.

You never know, it might. My wife was the rebel spy not once but TWICE...on the same trip! I was so mad because she doesn't even like Star Wars.

except when you first see this part as you walk into the loading area, you go OMG I can't believe I'm getting on this!

That's exactly what I think. I get a bit freaked out. But Once I am on the ride I like it.

Grilled Flank Steak, and a Fried Shrimp Platter. i wish I could have gone to POFQ for their muffelatta but maybe next time! The food was basic but good and tided us over.

The steak looks pretty good. I wasn't overly impressed with the POR food court, I thought it was just OK. I did enjoy a roast chicken dinner though. That was about the best I had in the week I stayed there.

We got a corner room though, not sure if that means anything but maybe we just have like an extra 10 inches of window space or something.

I think it just means you get that 2nd window instead of a wall. I don't think the room size is different. I stayed in exactly the same corner room layout as yours. I did find it let in a bit more light.
My family really enjoyed the Royal Room too, but I would have expected that from my princess-y girls.

Not so much this resort, although I think it is lovely, I prefer POFQ just slightly more

Although I have never stayed at POFQ, I would really like to try it. We took the carriage ride down there and it seemed like a nice quiet resort, and smaller for walking around.