So Chunkysis was mentioning throughout the tour how she'd love to be able to get a picture with Celebration Mickey and Minnie but their lines were so long and we did not get an FP for them on our trip. Jon Waters made more magic happen. He told us to go to one of the Guest Experiences kiosks and to say his name and that we were part of his VIP tour. We didn't believe that we could just say "Hey, we were part of a VIP tour with Jon Waters, it's now over but we'd really like to see Celebration Mickey and Minnie with a FP pretty please with a cherry on top?"
But you guys, that pretty much happened!
Oh and we're all going back again October 2021 for the next Epic Trip!
That is just incredible!!
A perfect way to start such a special day!
Very fun!
The only way to ride!Our group was so big, we literally had an ENTIRE train +1. Now THIS is how you ride Slinky Dog! An entire ride full of Chunkies!! Welcome to the Chunky Dog Dash!
Sarah rode with our amazing tour guide, Jon Waters, who was so awesome, you just mention his name, and magical things happen! LOL
Sadly, all good things must come to an end.And then it was back to being "regulars" in the parks. #butwhyyyyyyyy
These pictures are the best!
Such an awesome experience for everyone.Thanks again Chunkydust! This wouldn't happen if weren't for you . I speak for all of us when I say we had an amazing time, just traveling in style, doing the rides we loved the most , and hanging out with the best Disney fans ever. So thank you for everything!
You know I'm on board for that trip!!Oh and we're all going back again October 2021 for the next Epic Trip!
Love the Disboards family!!These ears are awesome! Are they from the parks or Etsy? They totally look 3D printed.We walked over to IG from the Swan as we did not see any boat in sight, and grabbed some scones and coffee at Boardwalk Bakery for sustenance.
YES Chunky Dog Dash!!Welcome to the Chunky Dog Dash!
Oooo good tip.
Can we pause to appreciate this massive cow drinking from a pink doggie bowl?
Oh dang there's power in that guy's name! How cool!
Oh my gosh this is amazing.
For real, it looked incredible. Not only the pixie dust of being able to get in there, but then to have such an awesome interaction is just fantastic!
Back among the peasants
COUNT. ME. IN.
I'm just catching up on this TR. You were there just ahead of me (I remember following on Insta!) and the Lovebugs were SWARMING when I got there! Also, this GIF is the cutest ever. How did you make it?Day 4 Part 1: Steve's First Time Milestone
Today was MK day! I'm always so excited to see the castle for the first time on a trip. When we extended our trip I managed to get a lunch ADR at Crystal Palace and I was really looking forward to eating there. We've only been for breakfast which we enjoyed and I wan't sure about the lunch options but I was excited to see for myself.
Chunkysis also had a change in plans. She was initially going to arrive that night which was the original flight we had all scheduled together. She wasn't going to change it even after we did, but a few days before her flight she went to check flight options and was somehow convinced to pay 50 bucks to take an earlier flight that day which would get her in at around 2pm instead of 10pm. I am not surprised at this as multiple people on our epic trip did the same thing! It doesn't take us much convincing to arrive at Disney earlier, rather than later!
We saw that the line for the bench photopass picture wasn't that long so we hopped on. While I was on line, Steve went to get more Sorcerer's cards and by the time he came back it was our turn. While waiting I was doing my best "capture the castle in my ears" shot
And here's our photopass pic. I'm always wary of sitting down on the bench because I try to reduce the amount of unflattering pictures of me
We continued taking photopass pictures while walking down Main Street.
I tried to capture shots of myself with very little crowds in the hub area, so you have to try and angle your selfie to cut out random people.
Also it is a little weird to see the moat drained around the castle.
So since we were in MK during the day I had to have one of my favorite breakfast items so headed over the the Cheshire Cafe.
On the way I got some solo shots.
And me holding the largest Mickey bar ever. I look like I'm going to punch someone out with it!
I made it to the cafe and ordered one of these and an iced coffee:
The Cheshire Cat Tail
I ate it with an iced coffee. Steve had a few bites but he is not really into the sweet breakfasts. I must admit that today's cat tail was not as good as I've had in the past which was flakier and just better IMO. Today's was not as flaky and had a softer texture. Still, it was good and satisfied my craving.
We walked over to BTMRR which was our first FP. In Frontierland while we were walking on the bridge leading out to Splash Mtn I ran int a country bear...I believe this is Wendell. He is kinda scary looking!
On BTMRR we sat in the front row. I think the back is actually more fun though.
After one ride I felt like I needed a snack so we ended up with a Dole Whip Float which I mobile ordered.
So yummy!
We finished it while on line for our 2nd FP...Jungle Cruise!
Hmm, don't think those tourists got the point of the rhino...
Next up was something that I have been trying to get Steve into for a while...a haircut at Harmony Barber Shop! I've tried on previous trips to get him an appt but was always remembered too late and they are booked. You can always go on the day off and try to get one of the first walk in appts in the morning but we either forget until it's too late or aren't there early enough. So for this trip I remembered to call the minute I found out we extended our trip and was able to get him an appointment for today. So we headed back down main st until we reached:
We checked in for his appt, although we did have to wait about 20 minutes just because they were running behind. So most of customers are little kids, they are really cute and many were there for their "first haircut". They also have fun toys to distract the kids as well. Steve was the only adult getting a cut there at that time! Finally it was his turn and he was sat in one of the chairs. Here is his before picture:
And the lovely CM who cut his hair, I forgot her name though!
This is his "during"
And here's the finished product:
He got a sticker though! But no pixie dust for him. Instead I volunteered to get the pixie dust instead.
I volunteer as tribute!!
So I guess Steve has completed his "first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop milestone!" He actually really liked his haircut and said this was something he could do on every trip. The price was about 20 bucks (excluding tip) for an adult haircut, which is cheaper than what he pays back home, and it's one less thing to worry about when he's about to go on a trip (which is why you've noticed him wearing hats on my last few TRs, too busy to get a haircut!)
We were just in time for our next FP...Haunted Mansion!
So, they had installed the new ride photos starting that week, but we didn't know where the camera was in the ride.
So I give you this gem of a ride picture:
To make up for that grotesque picture we made sure to get some pictures outside of HM:
Now it was time for our much anticipated lunch at Crystal Palace. It is actually a really nice break in the day to have a sit-down lunch especially during the hottest times of day. Now mind you, it wasn't really as hot as it would get during the week.
Side Note: we did notice that the lovebugs increased every day...I know that this is a spring thing in Florida and happens around May. When we were there 2 years ago in early May there were no lovebugs however they showed up later in May when we returned for Pandora previews. It really is a matter of how seasonably warm it gets so every year the season starts at a different time. I will be starting my cruise TR soon, and the first day of our cruise, when we arrived at Port, it was the worst I have ever seen, it was like an infestation. It was gross.
Anyways, we did see the lovebugs more than we saw the day before, but they weren't a deterrent, they just look gross. Also they are attracted to whilte...so don't wear white during a large infestation. You're welcome.
We checked in at Crystal Palace, and also had to wait about 15 minutes as they were running behind as well. So we sat and admired the view of the castle on such a pretty day.
We eventually were called and went inside where it's Friendship Day every day!
We were seated and immediately went to the buffet after we ordered our iced teas. The characters weren't in our section yet so we wanted to get food before they did! Sorry I don't have pictures of the buffet or anything but I must say we were really surprised at how much we enjoyed the offerings here. Everything was delicious and well-prepared and wasn't sitting out for a long time. The turnover is pretty high it seems.
My first plate had a nice big piece of prime rib with lots of carbs and a couple of veggies to balance it all out.:
I'm sure Steve's had lots of salads and other leafy things that I didn't waste my time on.
The characters slowly came around. First was Pooh, Tigger, Piglet then finally Eeyore.
Since there are so many pictures I made a gif:
Tigger kept sitcking out his hand, and I was confused but then I was like, oh I guess he wants to dance!
So I took his hand and this was the result:
Tigger was also obsessed with my phone since it has as mirror on the back of the case. (great for checking if there's something between your teeth, fixing your hair, etc)
During lunch CS sent me a picture saying she had arrived at POFQ!
We agreed to meet in the room after we watch some of the FoF parade and then CS and I would Uber it over to the Character Warehouse on Vineland as we had never been before. CS didn't have a park ticket for today so we were just going to dine in Disney Springs that evening.
My sister and I were going to Character Warehouse for the first time, and later who did we run into on the way to Disney Springs?
Stay tuned!
I love the name! Very fitting!
I love it.Well now, after hearing that news, Mickey pushed me and Minnie out of the way and had some solo shots with Steve!
#brosbeforehos
All of the photos are great! And perfect for the EPIC trip!Minnie came back and grabbed my sister, Kari, and Kelly and we all had a girly moment!
Boo.Back to park hopping via buses and monorails, back to having FPs only in one park...back to being...just a regular person who goes to Disney
Such a HUGE and EPIC jesture! I wish I got to meet Chunkydust. Maybe in 2021!I'd like to give a big shout out to our benefactor, Chunkydust who was with us the whole time and was equally, if not more excited, to be there.
Thanks again Chunkydust! This wouldn't happen if weren't for you . I speak for all of us when I say we had an amazing time, just traveling in style, doing the rides we loved the most , and hanging out with the best Disney fans ever. So thank you for everything!
Yes, I sure did. Hee! Hee!
I cannot believe how much I loved it. It's honestly one of my fav rides now.The ride was excellent, and I believe it was both Molly and Jenny's first ride on FoP and they loved it!
We were so spoiled! Our VIP tour ranked as one of my "best days ever!"Well that was the last of our VIP treatment!
Back to park hopping via buses and monorails, back to no chilled waters and snacks waiting for us at every destination, back to having FPs only in one park...back to being...just a regular person who goes to Disney
That seems like a lifetime away...Oh and we're all going back again October 2021 (MK's 50th) for the next Epic Trip!
Agree 100%... and that's pretty much exactly what I do.
That must have been fun in and of itself.
And pandemonium erupted!
Only wish I'd done that. That Epcot bag check...
Precisely.
96 Power! That's all me.
Wonder why they weren't together.... oh, nevermind. Someone had to be single and Molly just wound up on the next line. Too bad she didn't ask to switch with that guy.
It was my first time seeing them but yes... it was awesome.
Ditto. But... I won't give up TT or Soarin' to ride it and you pretty much have to.
Then Soarin'
Funny shot. Yes, I'd heard about that. As one does.
Oh! So that's what it was! I knew about the pose and why she was doing that, but... not that she'd said that!And here is our group picture:
It was here that Liesa coined the term "Chunkydump" because she said, oh look at my pose, it looks like I'm taking a massive ****!
sounds like fun.I like that they did that instead of making people wait.
Very nice!
Huh. He sounds both very knowledgable and charismatic.
Nice perk. I don't collect pins myself, but I can see how that'd be pretty desirable.When we ended the tour we all got these very special VIP tour pins!
And then it was back to being "regulars" in the parks. #butwhyyyyyyyy
Some great 7DMT shots!
Wow!We didn't believe that we could just say "Hey, we were part of a VIP tour with Jon, it's now over but we'd really like to see Celebration Mickey and Minnie with a FP pretty please with a cherry on top?"
But you guys, that pretty much happened!
Pretty impressive.
Those are hilarious! Glad you had such great interactions!Well then Mickey tried to crash!
Then off course Minnie couldn't let Mickey have the last laugh...
Oh! So that's what it was! I knew about the pose and why she was doing that, but... not that she'd said that!
And encouraging others to follow suit... and has at least one convert already!
Thanks, it's feeling much better now but it still hurts at times!
I have had to have real beignets in NO but I have heard that the ones they make now at POFQ are not like that! I prefer the way they used to make them which I guess was more authentic! But Mickey shapes seems to trump authenticity!
That is true! Zach was able to get the pins and stuff later in the afternoon after we all left.
Food and drink first!
Ugh that one was horrible! Mine was cold and greasy. This one was so much better!
I did love the live action Aladdin! I was so surprised I thought I would hate it, but hey, who knows, the new Lion King may do the same for you! Although I must say I did prefer the original classic. The new one was good, and the CGI was amazing but I think it didn't really add so much as make a more stylized version of the classic. I still enjoyed it a lot.
It definitely is!
Thanks!! I thought they were just more efficient than trying to post videos.
Yes I am with you, and Chunkysis definitely agrees too!
LOL it's so funny as I never expected to like cauliflower that much but when it's deep fried...it's just so yummy! I can say that about a lot of things which are deep fried.I can understand all of that, but I despise cauliflower, so not happening!
Honestly it was a pass. I thought I've had better quality fish elsewhere at Disney
Oh that Odessy version was terrible! The one at Italy was so good!
It honestly doesn't taste like coconut at all. It is just like a savory sauce. But I guess if you're hyper sensitive to coconutty things you may be able to tell there is coconut in it!I was wondering why I didn't try this, until I saw the Coconut-Lime Sauce....
It was cool how some of us kept running into each other all week!
Get ready for more in DLR!
She's giving herself a chiropractic adjustment!
Seems to be a popular place to propose. I just hope she was able to hear him amidst all the noise!
Yup.
It's the best resource!
Yup!!
Aww thanks! I just have had so much practice...17 TRs and counting
Definitely the chunky dump!
It was a great meet n greet!
Thanks again Chunkydust! This wouldn't happen if weren't for you . I speak for all of us when I say we had an amazing time, just traveling in style, doing the rides we loved the most , and hanging out with the best Disney fans ever. So thank you for everything!
Oh and we're all going back again October 2021 (MK's 50th) for the next Epic Trip!
It was great! No idea we'd be park hopping in such style!
It was so cute!!Love the photos with Mickey and Minnie - especially the ones where they are goofing off!
Exactly!! Plus we get to meet in real life!
Haha still don't know how we managed that but hey it worked!! Just some extra pixie dust for sure!I was there and really had no idea how you managed that!
It was wonderful! I can't believe we pulled off a VIP tour for 20 ppl but it was so much fun!!Such an awesome day and a great video
You got that right.Not soon enough
It really was!! I pinch myself all the time as to what experiences I've gotten with DISboarders!
So cool to see them!A perfect way to start such a special day!
Nooooo....Sadly, all good things must come to an end.
Thanks!!
It was a once in a lifetime experience!Such an awesome experience for everyone.
YESSS!!!!
Me too!!!
They are from Aloha Ears Designs. They have a website and yup they are 3D printed. They are also interchangeable which is life-changing.
We have to represent!
Who'd know! Now I want to be a VIP tour guide!
So fun!
It really was an incredible experience!
Nooooo....Back among the peasants
YESS!!!!
It was an honor for us really!!
Thank you! It was such a fun interaction!
Yes! I loved reading everyone's take on the experience!
Haha we got more pixie dust (as if we could get any more!) - so cool!!
