We took the kids to WDW! - All done, Now Bonus features! Festival of Holidays 2/23

[cruisehopeful]

Next round of questions:

1. What do we do for breakfast the next morning? (10 points)

2. How long do we wait for the bus? (10 points)

3. It was supposed to be a leisurely morning in the room, but negotiations occurred after I went to bed and plans changed. What park do we go to? (10 points)

4. Lunch is at a resort, what is the restaurant? (10 points)

5. All our FP+ are for the afternoon. Do we make it to the park to use them all? (10 points)

6. What do we do for dinner? (10 points)

1.) Eat in your room
2.) 5 minutes
3.) Hollywood Studios
4.) Big River Grille and Brewing
5.) No
6.) Try a new restaurant

 

[EJ4Disney]

I loved your top that you wore in todays report. Really pretty.

1. What do we do for breakfast the next morning? (10 points)
Eat at Starring Rolls

2. How long do we wait for the bus? (10 points)
It was a walk on after the bus driver saw you coming - he waited.

3. It was supposed to be a leisurely morning in the room, but negotiations occurred after I went to bed and plans changed. What park do we go to? (10 points)
Hollywood Studios

4. Lunch is at a resort, what is the restaurant? (10 points)
You took the boat over to the Boardwalk and ate at Beaches and Cream

5. All our FP+ are for the afternoon. Do we make it to the park to use them all? (10 points)
no

6. What do we do for dinner? (10 points)
eat and cook in the room

 

[Malia78]

Loved all the group photos because everyone looks so HAPPY!

Time to post some guesses:
1. Grabbed something quick service at Roaring Forks
2. 8 min
3. HS
4. Captain's Grille
5. Yes
6. cooked a meal in the villa

--Karilynn

 

[franandaj]

1. 1900? The one at the Grand Floridian?
2. 10 min.
3. HS
4. O'Hana
5. No, of course not lol
6. Something in the room that you cooked.

Recorded.

Great report, Allison!

Thanks! and

1.) Eat in your room
2.) 5 minutes
3.) Hollywood Studios
4.) Big River Grille and Brewing
5.) No
6.) Try a new restaurant

Recorded.

 

[franandaj]

I loved your top that you wore in todays report. Really pretty.

Thanks! I got it on my December trip and that was one of the first times it was warm enough to wear it! We were having a cold spell in So Cal and didn't hardly get out of the 70s until this week.

1. What do we do for breakfast the next morning? (10 points)
Eat at Starring Rolls

2. How long do we wait for the bus? (10 points)
It was a walk on after the bus driver saw you coming - he waited.

3. It was supposed to be a leisurely morning in the room, but negotiations occurred after I went to bed and plans changed. What park do we go to? (10 points)
Hollywood Studios

4. Lunch is at a resort, what is the restaurant? (10 points)
You took the boat over to the Boardwalk and ate at Beaches and Cream

5. All our FP+ are for the afternoon. Do we make it to the park to use them all? (10 points)
no

6. What do we do for dinner? (10 points)
eat and cook in the room

Recorded.

Loved all the group photos because everyone looks so HAPPY!

It's funny because we were all hot and tired, but we covered it well!

Time to post some guesses:
1. Grabbed something quick service at Roaring Forks
2. 8 min
3. HS
4. Captain's Grille
5. Yes
6. cooked a meal in the villa

Recorded.

 

[juniorbugman]

Okay let's see if I can redeem myself this time round.
1. What do we do for breakfast the next morning? (10 points)
Eat in the room

2. How long do we wait for the bus? (10 points)
It was a walk on after the bus driver saw you coming - he waited.

3. It was supposed to be a leisurely morning in the room, but negotiations occurred after I went to bed and plans changed. What park do we go to? (10 points)
Magic Kingdom

4. Lunch is at a resort, what is the restaurant? (10 points)
I can only guess at this one since I haven't been to Disney in quite a few years so I don't know what restaurants are at the resorts but I know that you have written before that you like Beaches and Cream so I am going to guess that one.

5. All our FP+ are for the afternoon. Do we make it to the park to use them all? (10 points)
no

6. What do we do for dinner? (10 points)
You are all so pooped with your days adventures that you cook in the room.

 

[pkondz]

Well I'm honored that you stopped by in all your busy-ness.

It ain't easy.
so tired.

Always go with your instinct.

Now you tell me!

At home I never have room for dessert and rarely do I fix any, but at Disney I try to plan my meals so I can eat dessert. There are so many good ones.

Someone else mentioned only eating appies to leave room for dessert.
I might try that.

I must assume that I slept in until a reasonable time (like 7:00AM),

Reasonable.

probably took another bath as I love my Jacuzzi tub!

Love hotel tubs.
Let the hot water run!

Interesting. I don't remember those.

Nice shots.

I warn you, if you’re not into plants, just scroll ahead to the next post. I took waaaaaay too many pictures in here, but the place always fascinates me.

I haven't decided how I feel about it yet.
I've only been on a few times.

Like a sturgeon.... swimming for the very first time!


Sorry. Tired.

When we got back up to the second level, we looked back at the line for LWTL and the queue was 3/4 full! We sort of dodged a bullet on that one!

Timing is everything.

Then it was time for our Orange Team Mission. Jim loved it Alberto hated it. He said that it affected his blood pressure for the rest of the day and even the next day.

I totally get that.

Fran was talking to the home security alarm company

Uh, oh...

Darcy called back to confirm it was Donna who tripped the alarm.

That's it! She's banned!!

There was some kind of problem with the keypad, and evidently some of the keys were sticking causing the alarm to go off.

Oh well... that happens.
To my folks, actually.

Funny thing was they had one number twice, like 0102 so the "0" was sticking.
I told them to change it.
So they did...
To something like 0123.

Whatever the situation, Darcy fired Donna and said that she and her brother would take care of the rest of the feeding.

She's outta there!

Donna doesn’t handle technology very well, and being unable to disarm the alarm caused her to have a full emotional breakdown.

Oh, dear. I was just kidding.......

Cutest picture of the group so far!

Normally we would have split everything but we decided after all that craziness Fran and I each needed our own margarita.

Again... seems reasonable.

When I came out from the Wine shop, I found Fran and Alberto who were thoroughly amused by this duck in the fountain who was interested in stealing pieces of their pretzel that they had purchased in addition to the grapefruit beer.

Great pic!!!

Oh. My.

They had cart with a strawberry lemonade that you could top with a shot or two of grey goose vodka. I chose one.

I should hope so!

And Fran got a pink donut. I think our second pink donut saw it’s ending the night before, so she needed another one.

I keep using the term "reasonable".

It had been quite a few years since we had seen the American Adventure, so it was a nice break from the heat.

I haven't been since the 80s.

Our third FP+ was for Journey into Imagination, but since we rode that two days before, we didn’t need to do it again.

Or even the first time.

I decided that I couldn't so I just took my shower and got ready for dinner.

No bath?

I took one bite of dessert and realized I just couldn't hold my head up any more.

Wow! That's one heavy dessert!

I was full on exhausted and could not stay at the table any longer. Fran let me take her scooter back to the room and I was asleep before they even made it back to the room.

Awwww... poor Alison.

1. What do we do for breakfast the next morning? (10 points)

2. How long do we wait for the bus? (10 points)

3. It was supposed to be a leisurely morning in the room, but negotiations occurred after I went to bed and plans changed. What park do we go to? (10 points)

4. Lunch is at a resort, what is the restaurant? (10 points)

5. All our FP+ are for the afternoon. Do we make it to the park to use them all? (10 points)

6. What do we do for dinner? (10 points)

Okay, I'm wayyyyy too tired to make educated or even sensible guesses, so...
1. Sing a duet while throwing donuts at each other.
2. 20 minutes
3. MK
4. no clue. The Wave.
5. Yes... but you don't use them all anyway.
6. You eat. Drink, too.

 

[franandaj]

Okay let's see if I can redeem myself this time round.
1. What do we do for breakfast the next morning? (10 points)
Eat in the room

2. How long do we wait for the bus? (10 points)
It was a walk on after the bus driver saw you coming - he waited.

3. It was supposed to be a leisurely morning in the room, but negotiations occurred after I went to bed and plans changed. What park do we go to? (10 points)
Magic Kingdom

4. Lunch is at a resort, what is the restaurant? (10 points)
I can only guess at this one since I haven't been to Disney in quite a few years so I don't know what restaurants are at the resorts but I know that you have written before that you like Beaches and Cream so I am going to guess that one.

5. All our FP+ are for the afternoon. Do we make it to the park to use them all? (10 points)
no

6. What do we do for dinner? (10 points)
You are all so pooped with your days adventures that you cook in the room.

Recorded.

It ain't easy.
so tired.

I bet. I don't know how you do it at our age.

Now you tell me!

You should know that by now!

Someone else mentioned only eating appies to leave room for dessert.
I might try that.

I do that often. Works out very well!

Love hotel tubs.
Let the hot water run!

Especially in parts of the country which aren't experiencing a drought!

Interesting. I don't remember those.

That was actually Jim's picture, mine was underexposed.

Nice shots.

Thanks!

I haven't decided how I feel about it yet.
I've only been on a few times.

When life gets settled again, we will have a garden once again!

Like a sturgeon.... swimming for the very first time!


Sorry. Tired.

That was bad.

Timing is everything.

Uh, oh...

That's it! She's banned!!

Pretty much.

Oh well... that happens.
To my folks, actually.

Funny thing was they had one number twice, like 0102 so the "0" was sticking.
I told them to change it.
So they did...
To something like 0123.

We have different codes for each of our cat sitters and get a text/email when the system is disarmed.

She's outta there!

Oh, dear. I was just kidding.......

Yeah, even still she is wracking her brain to figure out what she did wrong!

Cutest picture of the group so far!

Awww, thanks!

Again... seems reasonable.

Margaritas are always reasonable!

Great pic!!!

You should see how many I took to get that one. That little sucker was FAST!

I should hope so!

Why? I was on vacation....

I keep using the term "reasonable".

With Fran there is no such thing.

I haven't been since the 80s.

We love it on hot days!

Or even the first time.

No bath?

It takes me too long to cool down from a proper bath so I don't normally do it before going out to a nice restaurant.

Awwww... poor Alison.

Okay, I'm wayyyyy too tired to make educated or even sensible guesses, so...
1. Sing a duet while throwing donuts at each other.
2. 20 minutes
3. MK
4. no clue. The Wave.
5. Yes... but you don't use them all anyway.
6. You eat. Drink, too.

Recorded.

 

[pkondz]

I bet. I don't know how you do it at our age.

Me neither.

When life gets settled again, we will have a garden once again!

I tried to garden once.
I have a brown thumb. Everything I touch, I kill.

We have different codes for each of our cat sitters and get a text/email when the system is disarmed.

Huh. Cool.

Margaritas are always reasonable!

You should see how many I took to get that one. That little sucker was FAST!

It takes me too long to cool down from a proper bath so I don't normally do it before going out to a nice restaurant.

Oh! Never thought of that. But, true.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Caught up on your latest update to your WDW trip report. Boy it was hot last week in SoCal on Sunday and Monday in the 100s.

Interesting that you start with The Seas with Nemo and Friends. It is nice to go in The Seas to see the fish. I can never get tired of The Land pavilion and ride Living with the Land every time I go to Epcot. Nice to see more food pics from the kiosks even though there aren't that many like the F&W Festival but it is nice to see the Disney character topiaries. Dinner at Artist Point looks very appetizing.

 

[orangecats2]

Hi! Still following along. I'm not going to take part in your contest. Ponzi's was enough for now, they're stressful! I'll definitely take part if you have another one.

I have my dog/cat/house sitting job for three weeks this summer. They have an outdoor hot tub but no house alarm. So no chance of that going off. Plus their doors lock from the outside so I can't be locked out.

I was wondering about the possibility of renting DVC points. We'd be going next year in Sept and staying in a studio.

 

[franandaj]

I tried to garden once.
I have a brown thumb. Everything I touch, I kill.

I didn't think you could grow anything in the frozen tundra up there anyways!

Caught up on your latest update to your WDW trip report. Boy it was hot last week in SoCal on Sunday and Monday in the 100s.

It sure was! When it's that hot out there all I want to do is hide inside the nicely air conditioned buildings and rides!

Interesting that you start with The Seas with Nemo and Friends. It is nice to go in The Seas to see the fish.

We were trying to get Jim and Alberto on almost all the attractions and I figured that would be a walk on as well as Living with the Land, so we knocked out that side of the park that morning.

I can never get tired of The Land pavilion and ride Living with the Land every time I go to Epcot.

It's a great ride, and soon our Behind the Seeds tour is coming.

Nice to see more food pics from the kiosks even though there aren't that many like the F&W Festival but it is nice to see the Disney character topiaries.

In a way, I liked it better that they had less booths, not as stressful to get through all of them!

Dinner at Artist Point looks very appetizing.

It was very good!

Hi! Still following along. I'm not going to take part in your contest. Ponzi's was enough for now, they're stressful! I'll definitely take part if you have another one.

I understand. I'm not sure I would do another contest! It's a tiny bit stressful on my end too!

I have my dog/cat/house sitting job for three weeks this summer. They have an outdoor hot tub but no house alarm. So no chance of that going off. Plus their doors lock from the outside so I can't be locked out.

When we're gone next week both Jim and Darcy will be taking care of the cats. She was hoping to go in the pool, but I had to tell her that they are draining our pool and starting work on it Tuesday, so no such luck.

I was wondering about the possibility of renting DVC points. We'd be going next year in Sept and staying in a studio.

I'll send you a PM.

 

[franandaj]

Our next trip out to Disneyland resort was a week after the girls debauchery weekend. Frozen the Musical was opening and through an “AP style” event we had managed to get tickets. We had decided to out early and have a late lunch. We entered DCA and headed directly to….



We get one of each, a corn dog and a cheese filled dog.



I just love the cheese dog, it’s all ooey and gooey in there!



But the regular corn dog isn’t bad either.



Then we stopped for a couple of Margaritas at the stand in Pacific Wharf



A quick look around the wharf.







We got our wristbands which got us into the show.



Then we headed to Fran’s favorite store. Where we didn’t buy anything!



They were setting up all the stuff for the Media the next morning.







We had some time to kill before we could start lining up, so we looked in some of the shops and I’ll give you spoiler alert, we tried to buy this dress on the WDW trip, but they didn’t have my size in stock. They had it here and we got our better hometown discount on it as well!



Then we were off to find the line



They had been busy while we were gone!



In the rehab of the theater they added an elevator so that the top floors are accessible now. We had to wait in the elevator line. As far as the show running late, it seems that there were technical issues going on. An older couple who was waiting in the elevator access area with us told us that their son was the technical director and he was called back from the waiting area to fix some glitches. Here we are in the waiting area for the balcony.



Only the big wigs got to sit in the Orchestra level. The show was supposed to start at 6:00PM and finally about 6:20 they started loading us in. boy was it slow loading. I’d say that it was 6:45 before the show actually began. We did get commemorative programs to celebrate the event. I’m showing you the whole program to give you an idea of what the staging was like. Since this was the World Premiere no photography or video was allowed.





















Here are some “fun facts” that I learned about the show the next day from my favorite morning news program which broadcasted live from some of those sets I showed earlier. There are multiple “casts” so that the main stars perform in only one show per day. As far as the main stars of the show there are:

6 Annas
6 Elsas
5 Olafs
5 Christophs

16 technical folks are required per show for the effects and other such production needs. 24 people are acting in each production and they have over 100 actors total to keep the show running on a daily basis.

Every actor in the production has 2 of each costume custom made to fit them. There are over 1000 costumes and 776 pairs of shoes.

When the show opened they were putting on three performances a day. When I looked at the schedule earlier this week they were having four performances a day, I believe they will eventually have as many as five shows a day in the peak season.

Here is my take on the show: it was very entertaining and an ambitious production. If you are a musical theater person and love going to see Broadway quality productions, you should definitely see it. I want to see it again from the orchestra. Only press and big wigs sat in the orchestra, we were in the mezzanine and couldn't see some of the effects.

After I see it for a second time, when my DIS friends come to town, I will go with them if they want to see it. Otherwise I will let all the Frozen fanatics have the opportunity. I liked it more for the production value, stage sets, costumes, and special effects. The music was good and executed well, but the music does not have the appeal to me that Aladdin did (which I saw over and over).

It took quite some time to unload everyone via the elevator. The CMs said only one wheelchair/scooter could ride on the elevator at a time, but Fran and I knew otherwise and at least on our trip down we fit in a wheelchair in addition to her scooter.

We were famished by this point as it had been a long time since we had the corn and cheese dogs. We headed over to Tortilla Jo’s.





We ordered a couple Margaritas



Some Guacamole prepared tableside.







We got an order of Enchiladas Suizas



We did get some taquitos, but I neglected to take a picture. And with that we headed back home, all pleased with ourselves for having attended the World Premiere of Frozen.

 

[dolphingirl47]

What a fantastic day. I am glad that they made the theatre more accessible. The show sounds great and I loved all the facts you posted. I am glad that you got the dress you were after. That cheese dog looks great. I have to try that the next time I come. I have only ever had the traditional corn dogs.

Corinna

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Glad you enjoyed your the premiere of Frozen! I have a feeling it will be a one and done for us as well as I'm really over Frozen at this point.

Tortilla Jo's looks like a great dinner!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'm envious of you and Fran that you were able to see it before it was open to the public. But also I was glad that I didn't go as well since you weren't able to take any pictures or videos of the show. From this past trip on Monday where I got to see it again, one of my party members had an ECV and we got to sit in the Orchestra area. We had the FP's for the Orchestra area since we got it that early morning. I didn't see any people go up the elevator but maybe afterwards when we were seated.

The show is nice. I really like the computer graphics to the stage, curtains, AA trolls and when Anna is frozen. Just as you said one time is enough for me unless I have other party members who want to see it for the first time. Nice to see the program and hear from what you said about the cast for the show. I noticed it during my second time which I see different Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, & Hans. I did see the same Elsa that Monday when I saw it in early June. It does make sense to have multiple actors and actresses for each show.

June 4th 1st show 12:30pm


June 20th 1st show 11:30pm


Nice that you had Tortilla Jo's for dinner that night.

 

[Pinkocto]

Thanks for posting. I'm glad it wasn't a flop, sounds like they did it well.

Fun to just get out to the park for a nice evening

 

[Steppesister]

Pretty sure this was my very favorite of the bunch. I think he and I would get along very well in a nutty sort of way.

From your pix, I was also able to get a good feel for the size of some of the kiosk items. So that was helpful. Lots and lots of good fun going on! Still trying to play catch up around here and get an update done myself. By the way... looking up a "Gibson" right now.

ETA: Nope. Just no! Gin and I don't agree after my little debaucle last Christmas.

 

[pkondz]

I didn't think you could grow anything in the frozen tundra up there anyways!

Snow peas.

We get one of each, a corn dog and a cheese filled dog.

mmmm.... corn dogs.... double mmmm for Disney corn dogs.

I just love the cheese dog, it’s all ooey and gooey in there!

I never knew that even existed. Is it just cheese inside? Or cheese and dog?

Then we stopped for a couple of Margaritas at the stand in Pacific Wharf

Margaritas are a bartender's way of saying Heaven on Earth.

Then we headed to Fran’s favorite store. Where we didn’t buy anything!

Is that a first?

we tried to buy this dress on the WDW trip, but they didn’t have my size in stock. They had it here and we got our better hometown discount on it as well!

Sweet! Love it, BTW.

They had been busy while we were gone!

I can't grow anything and they get entire bushes to grow in a few minutes!

The show was supposed to start at 6:00PM and finally about 6:20 they started loading us in. boy was it slow loading. I’d say that it was 6:45 before the show actually began.

The show must go on... just not necessarily on time.

There are multiple “casts” so that the main stars perform in only one show per day.

Interesting. But understandable.

16 technical folks are required per show for the effects and other such production needs. 24 people are acting in each production and they have over 100 actors total to keep the show running on a daily basis.

Huh.

There are over 1000 costumes and 776 pairs of shoes.

Wow!

When the show opened they were putting on three performances a day. When I looked at the schedule earlier this week they were having four performances a day, I believe they will eventually have as many as five shows a day in the peak season.

Ambitious schedule. Especially if there are a lot of technical aspects to it.

I liked it more for the production value, stage sets, costumes, and special effects. The music was good and executed well, but the music does not have the appeal to me that Aladdin did (which I saw over and over).

Interesting.

I'm not sure why... maybe the little smile?
Anyway, this is one of my fave pics of Fran.

And with that we headed back home, all pleased with ourselves for having attended the World Premiere of Frozen.

And thanks for sharing it with us!

 

[dhorner233]

Glad you got to see the world premier of Frozen but what a hassle! Thanks for your pictures, Bret. From what I've read of Bret's thread, it is a huge, time consuming hassle to see the show at this point. And like everyone says, it will not be worth seeing over and over like Aladdin was with the Genie's topical quips. I hope the crowds die down before I get there.