Why does Flight of Passage always make me cry? ~ An 11 day August/24 Disney extravaganza! complete 01/25 + new TR link

[suse66]

That falafel plate looks really good and yeah, a good deal too!!

The AK tours are the best! I've done Savour the Savanah and adored the tour and food! But I really wish they've bring back the Wanyama Tour they used to have at the resorts that included a dinner at Jiko. The BEST!

I would love to do the Wanyama tour! It looked to be such a special experience. I am hoping to get the Wild Africa Trek for Bill and I on our March Break trip as well as the Starlight Savannah.

 

[mickey916]

I would love to do the Wanyama tour! It looked to be such a special experience. I am hoping to get the Wild Africa Trek for Bill and I on our March Break trip as well as the Starlight Savannah.

We loved the Starlight Savannah tour! Back when I was planning our defunct May 2020 trip I was hoping to do the Wanyama tour....maybe someday they will bring it back.

 

[franandaj]

I also stopped to grab a few castle photos on Main Street. I was wearing my Main Street USA dress this evening so had to have pictures in it of course!

You got some great photos!

It was such a perfect chill evening at the park as evidenced by my view for HEA five minutes before it started. of course the Hercules section is always my favourite!

I love when you can have a chill evening and not be running all around the parks!

I ordered the pineapple mule Evan had tried the previous evening and it did not disappoint.

I'm starting to like mules even more as drinks, especially when you don't want to get blotto!

First up was fun with a fabulous photopass photographer! She really took her time with some special magic shots which turned out so cute!

So cute! Love the one with the pig!

Even though It has the most boring (and annoying) pre show ever, I love the actual ride.

I love that ride too! It's one that we plan to pay for when we are there in December.

The tour was incredible! No photos were allowed backstage of course.

What tour was this?

lunch at the Mara where I thoroughly enjoyed the falafel platter. It's one of the best Disney values at $11.29.

If I liked chickpeas. The Egyptian falafels were good because they were made with Fava Beans instead of Garbanzo beans.

I was ready to head to Bay Lake now in hopes that my room would be ready. That's next!

So is this the great view?

 

[suse66]

A room with a view!

I hopped on Wilderness Lodge/Contemporary bus and boy was it tough not to get off the bus at WL and take a stroll through my beloved Boulder Ridge Villas. However settling in to Bay Lake won out and I was soon walking into the lobby of BLT. My phone pinged right away with a room ready notification but sadly it was a studio on the ground floor. I was SO disappointed as I am not comfortable in a ground floor room when travelling on my own. I decided to ask the CM at the desk if there was any way there was a room on a higher floor available. He made a call, chatted for a bit, made another call and then told me he could offer me room 7506 on the outer side of the building. This was almost exactly the room I had hoped for so I profusely thanked him (of course I also submitted a cast compliment).

Arriving at my room I was pleasantly surprised by what great condition it was in. I had read many reviews of the rooms being dated and in bad repair but my room was clean and comfortable.

I loved the kitchenette!





I wouldn't want to be in this room with any more than 2 people though. On a solo trip it was perfect. Now for the best part! Walking out to the balcony I was thrilled to check out the view. To my right I could glimpse the lake.....

And to my left, Space Mountain and the very top of the castle!

I would come to learn I actually had a direct view of the higher fireworks which was awesome! All in all I was pretty pleased with the view for a standard room.

I also really loved this cupboard for storing my bags and ears.

I was planning on heading to Epcot this evening for extra deluxe hours. Let's see if I manage to get a GotG boarding group at the 6pm drop!




​

 

[Wood Nymph]

I love the view!

 

[suse66]

An Epcot evening!

Once I got settled with my things tucked away, I went in search of food. The great thing about being on the 5th floor was that it is directly connected to the skybridge linking BLT to the Contemporary. This made visiting the shops and getting to the monorail very easy. I decided to check out Contempo cafe and settled on the kids turkey sandwich pack. This was perfect with some veggies and dried apple slices included. I filled up my mug with Coke Zero and headed back to enjoy my simple dinner on my balcony.

I was really hoping for a 6pm boarding group but they were gone in less than a second! Oh well at least I had a LLSP for it this evening. My plans for this evening were not extensive....a stroll around, some pictures, Guardians, a chance to see the band in the UK pavilion and watching Luminous. All were achieved!

I decided to carry my new beauty this evening. My lovely friend Irene had gifted me this bag and I was thrilled to own it. It's actually the bag I chose to carry this month too (I rotate my D&B bags monthly so they all get a turn).

Upon entering at Epcot I got a few PP shots. This one is my favourite!

I headed off to Guardians next and was happy to get Disco Inferno as my song.


I headed off to Rose and Crown next to grab a Harp and lime and found a seat to watch the band in the UK pavilion garden.




I really enjoyed their set and went off to grab a spot for Luminous near the festival centre. What a perfect and relaxing evening!


​

 

[pkondz]

I hopped on Wilderness Lodge/Contemporary bus and boy was it tough not to get off the bus at WL and take a stroll through my beloved Boulder Ridge Villas.

I bet!

I was SO disappointed as I am not comfortable in a ground floor room when travelling on my own.

I understand that, but… Not much safer than Disney. If you had to stay on the ground floor, that’s the place to do it.

He made a call, chatted for a bit, made another call and then told me he could offer me room 7506 on the outer side of the building. This was almost exactly the room I had hoped for

Yes!

Arriving at my room I was pleasantly surprised by what great condition it was in. I had read many reviews of the rooms being dated and in bad repair

Oh? I had no idea. Huh.

I loved the kitchenette!

Cute pose from the photographer too.

Walking out to the balcony I was thrilled to check out the view.

Not too shabby!

The great thing about being on the 5th floor was that it is directly connected to the skybridge linking BLT to the Contemporary.

Oh! Perfect!!

was really hoping for a 6pm boarding group but they were gone in less than a second!

My plans for this evening were not extensive....a stroll around, some pictures, Guardians, a chance to see the band in the UK pavilion and watching Luminous. All were achieved!

Good job.

decided to carry my new beauty this evening.

Not much of a bag fan but… I really like this one.

Upon entering at Epcot I got a few PP shots. This one is my favourite!

I can see why! Very nice shot.

What a perfect and relaxing evening!

Sounds like heaven.

 

[SEAGULL59]

An Epcot evening!

Once I got settled with my things tucked away, I went in search of food. The great thing about being on the 5th floor was that it is directly connected to the skybridge linking BLT to the Contemporary. This made visiting the shops and getting to the monorail very easy. I decided to check out Contempo cafe and settled on the kids turkey sandwich pack. This was perfect with some veggies and dried apple slices included. I filled up my mug with Coke Zero and headed back to enjoy my simple dinner on my balcony.
View attachment 909662
I was really hoping for a 6pm boarding group but they were gone in less than a second! Oh well at least I had a LLSP for it this evening. My plans for this evening were not extensive....a stroll around, some pictures, Guardians, a chance to see the band in the UK pavilion and watching Luminous. All were achieved!

I decided to carry my new beauty this evening. My lovely friend Irene had gifted me this bag and I was thrilled to own it. It's actually the bag I chose to carry this month too (I rotate my D&B bags monthly so they all get a turn).
View attachment 909665
Upon entering at Epcot I got a few PP shots. This one is my favourite!
View attachment 909683
I headed off to Guardians next and was happy to get Disco Inferno as my song.
View attachment 909684

I headed off to Rose and Crown next to grab a Harp and lime and found a seat to watch the band in the UK pavilion garden.
View attachment 909667

View attachment 909669

I really enjoyed their set and went off to grab a spot for Luminous near the festival centre. What a perfect and relaxing evening!


​

I love your Mondays are Evil shirt!

 

[vamassey1]

I loved the kitchenette!

Very nice area!

And to my left, Space Mountain and the very top of the castle!

Wonderful view.

Upon entering at Epcot I got a few PP shots. This one is my favourite!

Great photo! love your poise.

 

[suse66]

I love when you can have a chill evening and not be running all around the parks!

That's always my plan. I like to run all around the parks in the morning at rope drop. The evenings are for for strolling and enjoying the atmosphere.

What tour was this?

It was "Up Close with Rhinos".

If I liked chickpeas. The Egyptian falafels were good because they were made with Fava Beans instead of Garbanzo beans.

That's interesting! I am the opposite of you. Fava beans are not my favourite but I love chickpeas!

So is this the great view?

It is! For only using 106 points for six nights, I felt like I hit the lottery.

I love the view!

Thank you!

I understand that, but… Not much safer than Disney. If you had to stay on the ground floor, that’s the place to do it.

If I am in a ground floor room then I never use the patio as I rather feel like a specimen on display. I get so much use from my balcony on a higher floor. Plus on a ground floor I would always have the curtains drawn for privacy. Just not a fan.

Oh? I had no idea. Huh.

They just started a full refurbishment that is expected to go until late 2025. I have heard the theme is going to be mid century modern with an emphasis on Roy and Walt.

Not too shabby!

I loved it!

Not much of a bag fan but… I really like this one.

Well it's HM so right up your alley!

I love your Mondays are Evil shirt!

Thank you so much! I got in at the Disney store many years ago. I miss having the actual stores so much!

Very nice area!

Thank you! There was SO much storage in there. It had an entire pull out shelf plus the full sized coffeemaker, toaster, microwave and fridge. It would be very easy to make simple meals there with a few groceries.

Wonderful view.

Thank you! I really enjoyed it!

Great photo! love your poise.

It was a fun one for sure. The Photopass Photographer was really great.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Your "Mondays are Evil" is perfect. And I haven't seen anyone else wear it.

I headed off to Rose and Crown next to grab a Harp and lime and found a seat to watch the band in the UK pavilion garden.

We always try to see this band. It has had a few rough years of finding good band members once the original members left it.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Looks like a wonderful evening and I am glad you got a room closer to what you were requesting!
I love the HM Bag and your shirt!

 

[pkondz]

If I am in a ground floor room then I never use the patio as I rather feel like a specimen on display.

So you need to be in AK then.

Plus on a ground floor I would always have the curtains drawn for privacy.

Ah yes. I get that

They just started a full refurbishment that is expected to go until late 2025. I have heard the theme is going to be mid century modern with an emphasis on Roy and Walt.

Oh! I think that sounds good.

Well it's HM so right up your alley!

 

[suse66]

Your "Mondays are Evil" is perfect. And I haven't seen anyone else wear it.

Thank you! It's an oldie but a goodie form when we had actual Disney stores.

We always try to see this band. It has had a few rough years of finding good band members once the original members left it.

This group seemed pretty good.

Looks like a wonderful evening and I am glad you got a room closer to what you were requesting!

Thank you! I was really pleased to receive this room.

I love the HM Bag and your shirt!

Thank you!

 

[DVCfan7]

Well it all starts at the beginning and that for me is travel day! As much as I may want to I have not yet managed to wish myself at Disney so I have to get there by more conventional means. This year it was Worse Jet....cough, cough, I mean West Jet flying out of Toronto Pearson on the last flight of the evening. Was it on time? Of course not! But that left me time to do other things like pay $53 for a veggie burger and fries that seems to have shrunk in size the last time I ordered it about six months ago.

View attachment 891204
Yes, there was a beer with that too since they cruelly removed my beloved Aperol Spritz from their menu.

As I was not arriving until super late I decided to grab a room at All Star Sports for the evening with an awesome AP rate of $145. It was great for the entire 5 1/2 hours I was actually in the room. The bed was super comfortable and it was spotlessly clean. The refurb design, as with all the values, looks great and is very functional.
View attachment 891205
View attachment 891206
I arrived in the room at 1:04 am, washed up and was in bed 15 minutes later and out like a light. Unfortunately I can't sleep in and so was wide awake 4 hours later with time to make a bad in room coffee, chow down a breakfast bar and get ready for the day. I was heading to Magic Kingdom for the day and had to drop my luggage off with Bell Services for transfer to POFQ.
View attachment 891207
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The lack of sleep didn't phase me at all as I had a meetup with some dear Disney friends AND we were going to visit the Hundred Acres Woods!
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Stay tuned for a day filled with fun and adventures! ​

I've found Disney's food is getting worse and the quantity seemed to be less. The Italian place on Boardwalk used to be so good and last time it was just so-so and not worth the price and time.

 

[DVCfan7]

Hello friends and welcome to another fun-filled trip!

Some of the highlights include;

4 resorts
The *best* resort view ever
Lots of great food
Hanging out with some great Disboards friends.
And some awesome fellow Canadians as well
A very fun 4 parks day
And lots more!

So pull up a chair, grab your favourite beverage and let's chat!

View attachment 891049
​

My daughter loves this ride! We've spent hours in the waiting line, but each time, she thought it worth it!

 

[suse66]

It's beginning to look like Christmas...a Disney Christmas trip that is!

Caroline and I are back together for another 4 fun filled days in the Disney bubble. At only 24 days out, here's the plans so far!

Hotel ~ Gran Destino Tower at Coronado in a water view room.
Dates ~ December 5th through 9th
Travel ~ Air Canada with a late flight out at 9pm after a busy day at work on the 5th. Arrival at CSR @ 12:30 am.

Friday, December 6th at MK! It's a party day so we are hoping for lower crowds.
Lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe
Monorail resort hopping for holiday decor.
Friday night Skyliner crawl starting at HBD lounge, then Banana Cabana, Bar Riva and Crew Cup!

Saturday, December 7th @ Epcot!
Garden Grill Breakfast with CP package for the 8:15 show.
ALL the things for Festival of the Holidays.
Birthday dinner for our dear friend, Bilie, at Toledo.
Candlelight Processional with Whoppi Goldberg as narrator.

Sunday, December 8th @ AK!
It's Dapper Day!
Dinosaur will be ridden quite a few times I am sure.
Check out holiday decor at AKL.
MVMCP!!!!!

Monday, December 9th @ HS!
Enjoy all the things! Ride our favourites and eat holiday snacks.
Lunch at Boathouse @ 2pm.
Christmas Tree Trail
Flight home on Air Canada @ 10 pm! Arrive at Pearson ~ 1:00 am!

Will I be tired at work on Tuesday?? You bet! Will it be worth it? Absolutely!!​

 

[pkondz]

It's beginning to look like Christmas...a Disney Christmas trip that is!

Caroline and I are back together for another 4 fun filled days in the Disney bubble. At only 24 days out, here's the plans so far!

Hotel ~ Gran Destino Tower at Coronado in a water view room.
Dates ~ December 5th through 9th
Travel ~ Air Canada with a late flight out at 9pm after a busy day at work on the 5th. Arrival at CSR @ 12:30 am.

Friday, December 6th at MK! It's a party day so we are hoping for lower crowds.
Lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe
Monorail resort hopping for holiday decor.
Friday night Skyliner crawl starting at HBD lounge, then Banana Cabana, Bar Riva and Crew Cup!

Saturday, December 7th @ Epcot!
Garden Grill Breakfast with CP package for the 8:15 show.
ALL the things for Festival of the Holidays.
Birthday dinner for our dear friend, Bilie, at Toledo.
Candlelight Processional with Whoppi Goldberg as narrator.

Sunday, December 8th @ AK!
It's Dapper Day!
Dinosaur will be ridden quite a few times I am sure.
Check out holiday decor at AKL.
MVMCP!!!!!

Monday, December 9th @ HS!
Enjoy all the things! Ride our favourites and eat holiday snacks.
Lunch at Boathouse @ 2pm.
Christmas Tree Trail
Flight home on Air Canada @ 10 pm! Arrive at Pearson ~ 1:00 am!

Will I be tired at work on Tuesday?? You bet! Will it be worth it? Absolutely!!​

Sounds great!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Will I be tired at work on Tuesday?? You bet! Will it be worth it? Absolutely!!

1000x worth it! I have to work Tuesday and I don’t get home until midnight!
I’m very excited for all things Disney Christmas and spending time with you!

 

[vamassey1]

Such fun plans!

Being tired the next day at work is worth it.

I'm going to Jollywood on the 18th, flying home the next morning and hopefully at work for 1 pm.