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

[franandaj]

That sounds like a blast! (although my version sounds fun too)

And thanks for the deets on the rest, too!

I just looked up the menu online, we're in for some good eatin' as well!

 

[franandaj]

Day 7

Switch Day

I woke up in the middle of the night around 3:45AM and decided to take a bath to help me go back to sleep, especially since I didn't take one before going to sleep. Around 4:30 I fell back asleep and slept until around 6:30. I started to pack up our suitcases and got dressed for the day.

We did an "everyone for themselves" for breakfast. I probably had cereal, yogurt and some V8, Fran had V8 and toast two ways, as we call it at home (two pieces of toast, one with a slice of melted American cheese and one with peanut butter.) I don’t know what Jim and Alberto had, but I do know that between Jim, Fran and myself we finished off his big pink donut.

We packed up all the food, and finished up our suitcases. We were all packed up by 11AM, and needed a bellman like everyone else checking out. The bellman didn’t arrive until 11:20 and he needed to go back and get another cart after filling up the first one.

We stopped in the lobby of the Villas to take some pictures as we had neglected to do that before.













This is the Carrollwood Pacific Room dedicated to Walt and all things trains.









And then we left the Lodge



I stopped to take one last picture for this trip.





One more look at the cowbells.



Finally at 11:40, we were on our way to the bus stop, when Jim exclaimed that he had packed his MB inside his suitcase that was now at Bell Services awaiting it’s journey to the Poly. There wasn’t a heck of a lot we could do about that, he did have his AP in his wallet so we decided to just go ahead and see what we could do with that. We had a 12:30 “Behind the Seeds” Tour that we had to get to.

It wasn’t until 12:05 that the bus arrived. Jim got off the bus right away at Epcot to sort out his AP. Fran and I went through the whole “getting untied from the bus” procedure, and we headed toward the tapstiles. It turned out that everything was fine. AP/Magic Band both do the same thing, so Jim was fine. I sped ahead to the Land Pavilion to let them know we were just about there because by now, it was pretty darned close to 12:30, I got my nametag and portable headphones and about five minutes later the others showed up to get theirs, and then the tour started.

While I was waiting for them, I got the Room text that our Bungalow at the Poly was ready.

We started off in a room where they purposely apply pests to certain plants. They do this so that they know how to combat them in the event that they actually do infest the Greenhouse.



These are some of the possible infestations and potential cures.



This is a new experimental area, where you can also take home a souvenir. We have one growing in our house.







Then we went into the main greenhouses.



I took this one for you @pkondz



All these flowers are edible and the pillars that they are growing in rotate around. The water trickles down from the top giving each plant just the right amount of saturation.





Here they have five different kinds of Basil growing.



Here our guide was getting us some fresh cucumber slices to taste.





He demonstrated this plant to us and it has a “safety mechanism” built in.



Our guide shook the plant fiercely as if a wind storm or other peril was facing it.



Not exactly sure what this is, but it looks really cool.



These tomato vines stretch for a long ways around the loop you see pictured here.





They have pictures around the greenhouse to show what should be growing in each space.




[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

A bunch of cool squash like veggies.







Then we came to the area where they grow in sand.



Those are some BIG pumpkins



Our guide mentioned something about the blossoms being male or female. I don’t remember exactly how you could tell now that it’s been a while, but I think it had to with the bulb you see behind the flower.



Then we moved to the animal part of the greenhouse. The alligators were cool.







They sure liked togetherness



Not so hidden Mickey



We got to feed this tank of fishes.



It was cool seeing all the fish close up and not on a moving boat.





Our guide played a little game of scents here with us and had us try to identify what spices were what.



Then we had a photo op in front of this Mickey Tree





That was the end of our tour and all we had to do was walk back out the way we came. There were these etchings in the sand that I took pictures of on the way back.







I never got any coffee that morning so after the tour I ran off to Starbucks to get an iced coffee. Fran got really cranky as she didn’t remember where the Starbucks was, nor did she evidently hear me say I was going though everyone else heard it. She decided that she wanted to go back to the room since it was ready and left us at Epcot to our own devices.

Originally we had a 2:00 reservation for lunch at Chefs de France, but after our last day at Epcot and we hardly got through any kiosks, we decided it was better to cancel the reservation. Good thing too because we didn’t finish our tour until 2:30 and it was supposed to be over at 1:30 so we got a bonus hour on the tour!

We had decided to head to World Showcase to hit a few more kiosks, but Jim’s feet were really hurting him. He had blisters all over them, so I let him ride the scooter while I walked.

We took the Friendship boat to Morocco. Our first stop was Japan.



I had the Beef udon and Suigai Sake.



They split the frushi and a sparkling slushy. Sorry no picture, they ate it too fast!

We went to America next, and we got one of each food item.







After this picture, Jim took them over to dispenser and drenched in BBQ sauce. I had the Zinfandel for me and it was really yummy. The chocolate cake was very moist.



Back to Morocco, we got the Harissa chicken kebab and all three took bites of this one.





Next up was France.





I really wanted to try the Onion tart and rose grey goose slushy.



We had a FP+ for TT and we walked rather than take friendship boat, it ended up being faster. Plus we got to enjoy topiaries on the way.





We stopped in one of the Flower and Garden Festival Booths and I got a stitch shirt.


[Continued in Next Post]

 

[Steppesister]

Leshaface – 135 points
Malia78 – 128 points
DnA2010 – 127.5
rndmr – 118 points
Captain_Oblivious – 113 points
juniorbugman – 110 points
pkondz – 107 points
Pinkocto – 104 points
dolphingirl47 – 97 points
dhorner233 – 95 points
dizneeat – 86 points
IowaTater – 83 points
Steppesister – 80

Oooh, look, I'm in last place. (I suck at these games so bad.)

Jim exclaimed that he had packed his MB inside his suitcase

Figures.

LOL!

I can't wait to take my kids on this tour in a couple months. I"ve done it before and enjoyed it so much that I am really looking forward to having my kids see it all too. Glad you got to do it!!!

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

On the way to Test Track we saw thee guys.










Jim and Alberto designed this car.



After our ride, we were all tired so we went back to our new room via monorail. Based on information from @Captain_Oblivious we decided to exit at the TTC and walked to the bungalows. It turned out to be faster. Aren’t these fantastic looking?







We were all stunned by the room! I started taking pictures immediately while we called Bell Services and got bags and groceries. Here is the entry way.



Artwork in the Hallway.





Looking down the hallways to the common area.



Looking back.



Kitchen and Dining table.



Appliances. I know. I’m the only one who gets excited about these totally high end appliances!





Look at all the space in that Fridge!







Looking out over the Living room from the Kitchen.







With the pull out couch open.



Out on the terrace.







Our View





The Master Bedroom.








[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

The Bath.









The second bedroom



Pull out bed





Hallway to bathroom.



Hall bath





Washer and Dryer



It was almost 6PM by this point, so we got the groceries put away and started on the spaghetti sauce. Alberto and I worked in the kitchen while we listened to Jim and Fran snoring in their respective bedrooms.







By 6:30 the sauce was simmering and we had the rest of dinner in a holding pattern. I enjoyed watching the ferry boats go by as the sun was setting.











Just before 8PM, both sleeping beauties began to wake and we got the rest of dinner going.





We sat down to a hearty dinner in our lovely Villa.





We finished our "firsts" before the Electric Water Pageant started at 9PM.



















After watching that, I think Jim had second and thirds. Alberto told me that I needed to make the whole box of spaghetti and he wasn't kidding!

Alberto got everything all cleaned up and dishwasher loaded and running and we watched Wishes from our balcony. I didn’t bother to take pictures and just enjoyed the show. After that we all turned in. It had been a long day. But not before a bath!




Contest


Answers

Today is our day to switch to the Poly


1. Check out day, what time do we actually leave the room? (10 points for right on, 7.5 for within 20 minutes, 5 for within 30 minutes, 2.5 for within 60 minutes)

11:40AM


2. What does Jim pack in his suitcase that’s being transferred to the Poly?

Magic Band


3. What time is our new room ready? (10 points for right on, 7.5 for within 20 minutes, 5 for within 30 minutes, 2.5 for within 60 minutes)

12:30PM


4. I have to give up my scooter for the afternoon, to who and why?

Jim’s feet are covered in blisters and he’s having a hard time walking.


5. How many kiosks?

4


6. After all the days that people guess we ride Test Track with our FPs, we finally do it on this day. What score does our car get? (10 for right on, 7.5 for within 5 either direction, 5 for 6-10 in either direction, 2.5 for 11-20 in either direction)

200




Responses


dolphingirl47, 10:30, His Magic Band, 2:00 PM, Fran as her's has broken down, 3, 206, 15 points

pkondz, 10am, MB, 1pm, For Jim. Twisted his ankle, six, 190, 25 points

dizneeat, 9.45, His magic band, 12.30, Fran's runs out of "battery", 4, Let's say you got 199,

rndmr, 10am, his magic band, 4pm, for Fran, there's something wrong with hers, 5, 185

Pinkocto, 11:10am, his wallet, 12:15pm, Fran, because her battery has died, 4, 222, 22.5 points

Captain_Oblivious, 9:30 a.m., A Wilderness Lodge bathrobe. And some ketchup from Whispering Canyon, because you're THIEVES!!!!, 1:47:16 p.m., Fran, because the battery is dead on hers. Again., 4, 210, 15 points

EJ4Disney, 11:35 am, his credit cards, when you got there and checked in, Alberto because his back hurt, 7, 250, 7.5 points

Steppesister, 10:20, His phone charger, 1:24, Alberto, he tweaked his ankle or knee, 6, 235, 2.5 points

juniorbugman, 11:00 just at check out time, His magic band, 3:25, Alberto because he was tired from all the walking yesterday and needed to take it easy, 4, I really have no idea on this one because we haven't ridden the new test track so I will guess 225, 22.5 points

cruisehopeful, 9:35, Magic band, 3:00pm, Mechanical issue, gave to someone to fix, 6, 212, 12.5 points

Malia78, 0945, his magicband, 2:15pm, Fran because her scooter was having technical difficulties, 4, 214, 22.5 points

Lisaviolet, 8:30 am cause you're that ridiculous! Or I am, magic band, 8:00 am - thinking you got a very early as in "no one was in the bungalow the night before" text and that's why you checked out early and ran on over, Fran, mechanical issues, 5, 235, 10 points

DnA2010, 9:15, Wallet, 2:20, Fran- hers won't hold the charge, 5 kiosks, Oh boy- no idea- I don't remember scoring- from reviewing the answers- 215,

Results

Dizneeat – 37.5 points
pkondz – 25 points
Pinkocto- 22.5 points
juniorbugman – 22.5 points
Malia78 – 22.5 points
dolphingirl47 – 15 points
Captain_Oblivious – 15 points
rndmr – 12.5 points
cruisehopeful- 12.5 points
lisaviolet – 10 points
EJ4Disney – 7.5 points
Steppesister – 2.5 points
DnA2010 – 2.5 points


Overall Results

Malia78 – 150.5 points
juniorbugman – 132.5 points
pkondz – 132 points
Leshaface – 135 points
rndmr – 130.5 points
DnA2010 – 130 points
Captain_Oblivious – 128 points
Pinkocto – 126.5 points
dizneeat – 123.5 points
dolphingirl47 – 112 points
dhorner233 – 95 points
IowaTater – 83 points
Steppesister – 82.5 points
EJ4Disney – 79.5 points
cruisehopeful – 47.5 points
lisaviolet – 35 points


Next Round of Questions


Our reservation for 1900 Park Fare is for 10:40, what time do we arrive?

We’re headed to the MK, what are our three FP’s?

We do two attractions without using our FP, what are they?

With what character do I do an impromptu meet?

What snack do Jim and Alberto bring back to the room for Fran?

I meet up with the SO of a DISer for drinks. Who is it? Bonus points if you can name the DISer.

 

[Steppesister]

Again, lots more food pix, and menu pix to boot. This really helps me out! You got a very nice variety going there; I'm super stoked about getting to go this year!

 

[Steppesister]

I could get used to views like this:

And this:

And especially this!!!

 

[Steppesister]

Our reservation for 1900 Park Fare is for 10:40, what time do we arrive?

10:40

We’re headed to the MK, what are our three FP’s?

7DMT, PP, Jungle Cruise

We do two attractions without using our FP, what are they?

HM, PoTC

With what character do I do an impromptu meet?

Goofy

What snack do Jim and Alberto bring back to the room for Fran?

A churro

I meet up with the SO of a DISer for drinks. Who is it? Bonus points if you can name the DISer.

I have no idea.

 

[ACDSNY]

OMG I love the bungalow pics! Us lowly commoners we'll be slumming in the studios in January.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Glad you enjoyed the Backstage Tour! It seems they have updated it since I last did it (2006 or 2007?) which is always good to see!

Didn't you just love that hash from America? I crave that dish! So good

The bungalow looks awesome! So relaxing!

 

[dgbg100106]

your day was very busy, up and out of the resort, touring at EPCOT, festival food and drinks, new abode, and dinner. I would have been out like a light.

The tour looked like fun, I think I might just do that one next time.

Your bungalow was beautiful and the view amazing, what a cap to a busy day... Color me green with jealousy.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I really like those photos at AK. I am very impressed by Frans cane holder on the front of her scooter. I wish I could get some of those! The one I have at the bag is on the side of my wheelchair bag it's a PITA.

No offers to lift Alberto up to the Dinosaur huh! Maybe get him a balloon or two...

Lunch looked nice and the rides looked fun. I do like AK. Apart from the hill up when you first arrive oh boy does that drain the battery. I recall in my better days trying to walk that..

I love all your outfits on this day. Nice Fran tie die t. You great dress. The kids cool tees.

 

[jedijill]

Omg, the bungalow looks amazing! I'm totally staying there when I win Powerball!!!!!

The tour looked fun! I've done it a few times and they always have new stuff. I was wondering if they were going to get rid of the alligators there now. I love the food booths...looks like you guys found some tasty treats!!

Jill in CO

PS I just texted you Alison!

 

[IowaTater]

Dagnabbit! I knew I was going to miss the update. This week has just not been a very DIS-friendly week.

Loving all the pics, especially the ones of the bungalow. Holy cow!!!

Our reservation for 1900 Park Fare is for 10:40, what time do we arrive?

We’re headed to the MK, what are our three FP’s?

We do two attractions without using our FP, what are they?

With what character do I do an impromptu meet?

What snack do Jim and Alberto bring back to the room for Fran?

I meet up with the SO of a DISer for drinks. Who is it? Bonus points if you can name the DISer.

1. 10:38
2. Pirates, Big Thunder, Mine Train
3. Small World, Philharmagic
4. Peter Pan
5. A cinnamon roll
6. Gah, I have no idea so I'll just go ahead and take a big fat 0 on this one.

 

[irene_dsc]

Our guide mentioned something about the blossoms being male or female. I don’t remember exactly how you could tell now that it’s been a while, but I think it had to with the bulb you see behind the flower.

I'm pretty sure it's the females that have the little bulb behind the flower. If and when it gets fertilized, it turns into a pumpkin. Usually, the male flowers show up first, and you get all disappointed when you don't see any pumpkins forming. And then you get a whole bunch. And the pumpkins start taking over the yard...

That was a ton of cool photos from the tour. It's totally fascinating to me, even though I much prefer gardening outside than inside.

On the way to Test Track we saw thee guys.

Appropriate, lol.

Appliances. I know. I’m the only one who gets excited about these totally high end appliances!

Actually, I got all excited about the backsplash. I just love the jade green against the cabinets. Lovely.

The second bedroom

I love the pose!

We finished our "firsts" before the Electric Water Pageant started at 9PM.

Looks like you had the perfect vantage point! We've never gotten around to watching that one, tbh, but it looks cool!

 

[Pinkocto]

Great update

I did not do so good on that last round though...

Glad you made it for the tour. It's been a few years since I've done it but really enjoyed it.

You got to the France kiosk but didn't try the maroon???

The bungalow is gorgeous. I didn't see those cool swinging chairs when we visited.

Dinner looked delicious. Nothing like a nice homemade dinner while on vacation.

Great pictures of the water parade.

 

[skier_pete]

Oooh...excited about the Poly bungalow. I know I'll never have the points to stay there - so really enjoying seeing your pix. Actually, almost more want to stay at the Wilderness Lodge though - the style there is probably just about my favorite (next to AK) and I'm really looking forward to staying there one day. (DW and I on our first trip to WDW in 1997 had breakfast there and said "Can you imagine ever staying here?" I just want that wish to come true.)

I do have to say it would be really cool to see the Electric Water Pagent from the bungalows. Moreso even then Wishes. I sort of really liked watching wishes from the 3rd floor of the Poly.

Did you end up using the "plunge pool" at all? It just seems to me to be too small to be much use.

Sorry to hear about Jim's blisters. Sounds like he was maybe improperly shod?

And what a yummy meal. I am happy to never cook on a Disney trip - but I can see the appeal of a nice meal followed by fireworks!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We stopped in the lobby of the Villas to take some pictures as we had neglected to do that before.

Something about the WL just makes me immediately want to go back to Disney World.

This is the Carrollwood Pacific Room dedicated to Walt and all things trains.

That room is really cool, too.

Finally at 11:40, we were on our way to the bus stop, when Jim exclaimed that he had packed his MB inside his suitcase that was now at Bell Services awaiting it’s journey to the Poly.

Rookie mistake.

We started off in a room where they purposely apply pests to certain plants. They do this so that they know how to combat them in the event that they actually do infest the Greenhouse.

Interesting. I've been applying pests to our gardens at home, too, but haven't had as much luck in finding ways to combat them.

I took this one for you @pkondz

Our guide shook the plant fiercely as if a wind storm or other peril was facing it.

That's pretty neat!

These tomato vines stretch for a long ways around the loop you see pictured here.

Wow!

I could see myself spending a lot of time at this stand.

Based on information from @Captain_Oblivious we decided to exit at the TTC and walked to the bungalows. It turned out to be faster. Aren’t these fantastic looking?

Whew. Glad that worked out for you. And yes, they look amazing!

With the pull out couch open.

Neat artwork there.

I enjoyed watching the ferry boats go by as the sun was setting.

That would be a great spot to sit on the deck and just enjoy being at Disney!

We finished our "firsts" before the Electric Water Pageant started at 9PM.

Looks like you had the best seat in the house!

Our reservation for 1900 Park Fare is for 10:40, what time do we arrive?

10:42.

We’re headed to the MK, what are our three FP’s?

Big Thunder, Splash, Pirates

We do two attractions without using our FP, what are they?

I'm confused on this one. Do you mean two attractions that you already had FP's for, or two that you did not? I'm guessing the latter: Haunted Mansion and Buzz Lightyear.

With what character do I do an impromptu meet?

(Total shot in the dark) Goofy.

What snack do Jim and Alberto bring back to the room for Fran?

Cinnamon roll? I'm sure a Dole Whip wouldn't last the trip back to the Poly.

I meet up with the SO of a DISer for drinks. Who is it? Bonus points if you can name the DISer.

Oh man, I have no idea. I can't keep track of all the people around here, let alone their SO.

 

[franandaj]

Again, lots more food pix, and menu pix to boot. This really helps me out! You got a very nice variety going there; I'm super stoked about getting to go this year!

And at F&W there are like three times as many kiosks as at F&G!

I could get used to views like this:

And this:

And especially this!!!

While my view at home isn't bad (well with the empty pool it kinda sucks right now), it's nothing like those views!

10:40

We’re headed to the MK, what are our three FP’s?

7DMT, PP, Jungle Cruise

We do two attractions without using our FP, what are they?

HM, PoTC

With what character do I do an impromptu meet?

Goofy

What snack do Jim and Alberto bring back to the room for Fran?

A churro

I have no idea.

Recorded.

OMG I love the bungalow pics! Us lowly commoners we'll be slumming in the studios in January.

The studios aren't bad either. However there aren't as many studios with view even close to that in the Bungalows!

Glad you enjoyed the Backstage Tour! It seems they have updated it since I last did it (2006 or 2007?) which is always good to see!

Didn't you just love that hash from America? I crave that dish! So good

The bungalow looks awesome! So relaxing!

I'm glad that they continue to update the tour. As far as the Hash, what I didn't show was how Jim literally floated the dishes in Barbeque sauce. I guess it came out of the dispenser faster than he expected, so the subtleness of the dish ended up being lost in by being smothered in sauce. I loved the Bungalow and planned more downtime there so we could enjoy it and not be running around so much.

your day was very busy, up and out of the resort, touring at EPCOT, festival food and drinks, new abode, and dinner. I would have been out like a light.

The tour looked like fun, I think I might just do that one next time.

Your bungalow was beautiful and the view amazing, what a cap to a busy day... Color me green with jealousy.

It was fairly busy, but we had a good amount of time to sit and relax after dinner was started. Jim and Fran were out for over an hour, and Fran had been resting since before that!

I really like those photos at AK. I am very impressed by Frans cane holder on the front of her scooter. I wish I could get some of those! The one I have at the bag is on the side of my wheelchair bag it's a PITA.

Actually that's just a strip of velcro and she attaches the canes to the steering wheel. Nothing extra, just ingenuity!

No offers to lift Alberto up to the Dinosaur huh! Maybe get him a balloon or two...

I like the idea of using a low angle to shoot it. Less work!

Lunch looked nice and the rides looked fun. I do like AK. Apart from the hill up when you first arrive oh boy does that drain the battery. I recall in my better days trying to walk that..

I wish they had a shortcut to bypass that hill, always drains the scooter battery!

I love all your outfits on this day. Nice Fran tie die t. You great dress. The kids cool tees.

Thanks!