“Rise” to the Challenge, FREAK!! Done and new trip report started 5/2/21

[disneyAndi14]

Thanks for the tip!

The Marceline tour is a good one and not quite as long as some of the others!

I’ll start by offering my condolences on your father’s passing. I’m so sorry for your loss

Thank you it is so nice to hear from everyone, it means so much!

Woot! Woot... woot?

Not the best kind of record to have, we do excel at snow, woot woot

You look great!

Thank you for 3 am it’s not to bad, haha!

Eep!
But you got there safely

Another white knuckle ride in Northern Minnesota

did notice. Tight!

It was a close connection!

I’ve heard positive reviews

Blaze is really good and the price is so reasonable.

What an odd combination!
Glad you liked it.

It was different, I had heard good things about the Captain Crunch ice cream and it was really yummy!

Well... poop.
pro tip. Ask for your room as soon as you arrive. Then ask for what you want and tell them you can wait.

I should have asked as soon as we arrived! It would have maybe been easier to switch rooms.

So it only let you click on 90s shows?

Good one, Andi thinks the 90’s is eons ago

Lovely

The big lot of air conditioners not very aesthetically pleasing

Too big. Why we stayed close to the lobby.

I requested the room you had, no such luck!

I might have insisted on a move... but good of him to make it right.

I did and was told there wasn’t anything available

Love that ride so much!

PPF is so delightful

Cool! Never noticed that one.

I never noticed the weather vane very cool!

No! Where??

It was the walkway, it was smoking!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I have never noticed this! I do truly love that I see new details all the time after all my visits. I find this happens on rides too!

I agree, it makes me so happy finding new things around the parks

Me neither! I've noticed the other covers with the Mickey head but not those. Two things to look for in July!

Yes, these are in Adventure Land!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Wednesday 1/15/20, Day 2, Part 1 “ A Parisian breakfast, wewe!”

We woke up feeling good, we had slept well. The beds are very comfortable and the room was nice and quiet.

The plan was to spend the morning at Epcot. We had FP for Soarin, Nemo, and SE. The weather looked very nice today, sunny and low 80’s, sounded good to me! The bus wait was minimal, yay! On the way to parks, our stop was second to the last and for the most part we always found a seat.

We saw the beautiful SE about 9:15am! Security wasn’t to bad today. Wow holy construction, Epcot! Walls everywhere! Poor Future World is a massive construction project.

We decided to head to France for breakfast. It was lovely in the UK and France. Since WS was not open yet, there were very few people and two very nice PhotoPass opportunities. We had pictures taken before going into Las Halles.




I wanted the Roule Lard & Fromage, which is a bacon and cheese roll. Andi wanted a flaky cookie with cinnamon flavors. The Palmier “cinnamon and chocolate elephant ears”. Andi found a nice little table outside and I went in and ordered. The CM’s were so friendly and nice this morning, wewe! We sat in the sun and enjoyed our choices.

Andi’s cookie was so light and yummy. My roll was more heavy and dense, both tasted very good.

Satisfied for now, we decided it was time to check in with Figment.

Figment was a walk on. This ride is growing on me, I like it more and more each time we ride.

Soarin was up next with a FP, we got B3 this time around. We enjoyed our ride. This is definitely not my favorite ride but I do enjoy it. I’m more of a Soarin over California fan myself. Test Track was down for refurbishment this visit, bummer!

We checked out the temporary Mouse Gears and picked up our Festival of the Arts magnet. It is a smaller one with Mickey on it.

We had a few more pictures done along the construction walls before going into the Seas.

It was time to find Nemo, everything was working in here so that was a plus. The neon fish wasn’t moving the last time we went. Of course, people next to us were using flash pictures ugh! So annoying!

We walked around the aquariums for a little while. This is always a favorite area of ours. was not bursting at the seams today so that was a plus.

We decided to get a refresher at the new Starbucks location before our last FP at SE. We slowly walked around and enjoyed our drink. As we walked along, a CM from a DVC kiosk stopped us and said we looked like we could use a sticker. We got to talking to him and before I knew it, I was setting up a tour to check out the new Riviera DVC. It was a good deal because Andi is over 18, we both would get $75.00 gift cards and 4 FP’s. The 4 FP’s a person was because we were staying at OKW, the flagship DVC resort. Normally it is 3 FP’s. I thought why not, an extra $150.00 dollars was awesome! We scheduled the tour for 3:30pm the next day. After this, it was time for SE. We love this ride. I know it will be getting a refurb soon and it will be missed.

Space Jesus, our favorite!
It was around 1pm at this time and we decided to take a Lyft to DS.

We wanted to eat lunch there and shop around some. Cont in next post........

 

[disneyAndi14]

Our Lyft came quickly and we tried to use the MDE app to make a reservation and of course it wouldn’t work. We looked at menus and decided on the House of Blues. They had an Impossible burger Andi wanted to try and I wanted to try the brisket. We thought it would be fine to just walk up. The Lyft drop off is very close to House of Blues so this worked out well. House of Blues was not very busy and we were seated right away.

Andi had the burger and I had a brisket sandwich. It was okay but I would give the Polite Pig a one up for the brisket. It was nice to sit and relax for awhile. I asked for the bbq sauce on the side and the brisket really needed the sauce. The bbq sauce was very good and it did compliment the sandwich. The brisket was tender and I did enjoy it. Andi liked the burger.

Brisket sandwich

After lunch, we shopped for a little while. Our usual stops Basin, Uniqlo, Vera Bradley, and WoD. It was a nice warm afternoon and we were ready to take a rest. We took the boat back to OKW and lounged around. I had to make the mile trek to get ice first. I will show pictures of our purchases towards the end. We did buy a couple shirts at Uniqlo and I wore both of mine during the trip. I way overpacked for this trip, a crime I am often guilty of!

I took a few pictures in the OKW lobby and walking back to the room.




Stay tuned for Our first Dessert Party at MK!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Wow Tink just flew right over us”

Tonight was our first sit down dessert party! I was really excited. I decided on the Tomorrow Land Terrace option. There are 3 parties to pick from at MK. Two are before the HEA fireworks. One you get the reserved seating and the other one you stand or sit in the hub area. The third party is after HEA, you get the reserved hub area to view and afterward you go up and have your desserts. All three parties offer seating during the dessert eating portion of the party.

The Terrace option we sat the whole time at a table. Spoiler alert, this was so awesome and I am now spoiled for all firework shows!

We arrived at MK around 4pm, we used a FP from the room debacle for JC. This was fun and we had a very good skipper, she added some new jokes, which I loved.

We did Country Bears next, I think, not in my notes but I have this picture of Andi with the sign. I’m going to say we enjoyed!

We used another FP for BTMRR and had a wild ride! This ride is so fun and we love it so much!

We got an additional FP for Buzz and it was good right away so off to fight Zurg! I’m sure Andi was a galactic hero again, so predictable!

We got one more FP for Dumbo and went to ride this before checking into the dessert party. We had fun flying with Dumbo. He is just so cute and such a good flier.

It was now time to check in and it was busy. The line to check in was really long. We started talking to the mom and daughter in front of us. They travel together to Disney frequently and this was their first dessert party. They were also cruisers and had a Disney cruise planned after their stay at WDW. I wonder if it was the cruise we canceled? Lucky duo! We made it up to the podium and checked in. A nice elderly gentleman showed us to our table. It was right on the edge of the terrace and we had a great view for the show.

It was busy with the two parties going on. We did have to wait a little bit in the dessert line. I didn’t get any pictures of the buffet since it was so busy.

I also failed at getting decent food pictures. I was just so excited and enjoying it so much. There was POG juice, sparkling apple cider, water, coffee, milk, and a few other juices. We had the delicious POG juice and apple cider.

The savory options included the cheeseburger egg rolls with this delicious dipping sauce, spinach dip, bagel chips, and cheese cubes. I really liked it all. I splurged on the egg rolls and had at least 5-6. The desserts included little cheesecakes, Mickey cake pops, edible cookie dough, cupcakes, ice cream sundaes, ooey gooey toffee dessert, chocolate covered strawberries, and a bread pudding.

I once again, liked everything I tried. The cake pop treats with the grey stuff were a favorite. Andi really enjoyed herself as well.

We just took it all in and savored the treats and the wonderful HEA show. This party took away the stress of finding a spot to watch HEA and increased the enjoyment by 100% for me. Tink flew right over us, it was amazing, she was so close!!

I know the price for the parties has increased now and alcohol is being served as of the beginning of February. I still would recommend this and the comfort of sitting down the entire time was so worth it for us. We probably will do this again when my sister D comes with us, she would love it!

I wish I was there right now! After the party we made our way into Tomorrow Land and PM was down again, bummer!

We went over to Pirates, it was EMH now. Pirates was a walk on. We decided to head out after Pirates.

We got a bus fairly quickly and got back to the resort to chill. Of course I could only chill after the mile walk to get ice, ugh!!

Day 2 is now in the books, it was a really nice day and evening!

Stay tune for Day 3, Early morning in HS, “let’s do this Freak!”

 

[amazingact21]

Your second day sounded wonderful. The MK dessert party really does take away a lot of stress that comes with watching HEA. It's the one thing my husband insists we splurge on each trip, and I definitely think it's started to spoil us a bit.
Interesting fact about the extra FP due to staying at OKW. Guess something positive came about with that resort! Just had to endure nail clippings and faraway ice...

 

[missangelalexis]

Sounds like a great morning in Epcot! Nice to enjoy breakfast in a quiet WS!

That was a good deal the DVC kiosk offered you!

Sounds like an awesome first experience at the dessert party! I've never done one but it's something I'd like to try at least once!

An overall great day for you two!!

 

[mdsouth]

sounds like a wonderful day. I remember when I went with my family for our first trip and then when I went with my hubby for his first trip. Both times we watched the fireworks sitting at tables on the terrace. These times were both before Disney started charging for it. It was a wonderful place to watch the fireworks from and at the time, there really weren't that many people there with us.

 

[schumigirl]

Loving your pictures of MK and Epcot.......and the size of the sandwiches from HoB!! They were massive......and looked good too.

The dessert party looked good too. We did it back in 2007, think it was quite new back then, and sounds much improved now....

 

[pkondz]

Thank you it is so nice to hear from everyone, it means so much!

Not the best kind of record to have, we do excel at snow, woot woot

We excel at cold.
But it's warmed up to -4F today.

Another white knuckle ride in Northern Minnesota

Best kind!

No?

It was different, I had heard good things about the Captain Crunch ice cream and it was really yummy!

Just sounds so... odd!

I should have asked as soon as we arrived! It would have maybe been easier to switch rooms.

I've done it... at least two times? Both times I've arrived (early!) and been told where my room was, show on the map and asked for something in (pointing to map) this or that section. I tell them I'm happy to wait for a room. (I'm going to the parks anyways.) Worked both times.
When it doesn't work is when you get in late. Then you take whatever's left.

Good one, Andi thinks the 90’s is eons ago

Oy!

I did and was told there wasn’t anything available

Not surprised by that time.

It was the walkway, it was smoking!

It should quit. Bad for it.

 

[pkondz]

The weather looked very nice today, sunny and low 80’s, sounded good to me!

Not bad at all!

Wow holy construction, Epcot! Walls everywhere! Poor Future World is a massive construction project.

True... and yet...
Without it, we'd never have upgrades and new things. So... I'll put up with it, knowing better (I hope!) things are coming.

Cute photo.
And I see it didn't take you long to shed your sweatshirt.

Figment was a walk on.

I'm shocked to hear this!

This ride is growing on me, I like it more and more each time we ride.

Interesting. It hasn't grown on me... I more or less tolerate it when I'm made to go on it.

Like the framing. Cute shot!

Of course, people next to us were using flash pictures ugh! So annoying!

As we walked along, a CM from a DVC kiosk stopped us and said we looked like we could use a sticker. We got to talking to him and before I knew it, I was setting up a tour to check out the new Riviera DVC.

That's how they getcha!

It was a good deal because Andi is over 18, we both would get $75.00 gift cards and 4 FP’s.

Good deal indeed. It's why I did it too. (Although I only got 3 FPs and no gift card.)

The Lyft drop off is very close to House of Blues

Oh, that's right! I did the same.

I took a few pictures in the OKW lobby

Such a pretty lobby.

Look at that smile!

The Terrace option we sat the whole time at a table. Spoiler alert, this was so awesome and I am now spoiled for all firework shows!

I really enjoyed doing that. Will again, I'm sure.

We used another FP for BTMRR and had a wild ride! This ride is so fun and we love it so much!

Such a great ride!

I’m sure Andi was a galactic hero again, so predictable!

Too kewl for skool

This party took away the stress of finding a spot to watch HEA and increased the enjoyment by 100% for me.

Tink flew right over us, it was amazing, she was so close!!

Did you wave?

Perfect!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I know the price for the parties has increased now and alcohol is being served as of the beginning of February. I still would recommend this and the comfort of sitting down the entire time was so worth it for us. We probably will do this again when my sister D comes with us, she would love it!

So excited for this and may add it in July...

 

[LeiaIsAPrincess2]

Wow holy construction, Epcot! Walls everywhere! Poor Future World is a massive construction project

Right?! All the walls made me so sad but I'm still really excited to see it once it's all finished!

We got to talking to him and before I knew it, I was setting up a tour to check out the new Riviera DVC. It was a good deal because Andi is over 18, we both would get $75.00 gift cards and 4 FP’s.

Haha, must have been a good salesperson! Although, $75 each would be hard to pass up.

The Terrace option we sat the whole time at a table. Spoiler alert, this was so awesome and I am now spoiled for all firework shows!

I'd love to do this sometime, I can certainly eat my monies worth in desserts

 

[afwdwfan]

The weather looked very nice today, sunny and low 80’s, sounded good to me!

Can't turn a day like that down!

Wow holy construction, Epcot! Walls everywhere! Poor Future World is a massive construction project.

I'm so glad I got to see it one last time before the walls went up.

Of course, people next to us were using flash pictures ugh! So annoying!

They work so well in aquariums too.

I way overpacked for this trip, a crime I am often guilty of!

Hard not to, especially that time of year. You could end up having pretty much any type of weather imaginable.

We arrived at MK around 4pm, we used a FP from the room debacle for JC. This was fun and we had a very good skipper, she added some new jokes, which I loved.

That's fantastic! I love it when you get a skipper that adds a little extra to it.

I also failed at getting decent food pictures. I was just so excited and enjoying it so much.

Enjoying it is the priority anyway.

I know the price for the parties has increased now and alcohol is being served as of the beginning of February. I still would recommend this and the comfort of sitting down the entire time was so worth it for us. We probably will do this again when my sister D comes with us, she would love it!

Great review! I'm glad you had a good time at the dessert party!

 

[suse66]

We decided to head to France for breakfast. It was lovely in the UK and France. Since WS was not open yet, there were very few people and two very nice PhotoPass opportunities. We had pictures taken before going into Las Halles.

Love this picture!

I wanted the Roule Lard & Fromage, which is a bacon and cheese roll. Andi wanted a flaky cookie with cinnamon flavors. The Palmier “cinnamon and chocolate elephant ears”. Andi found a nice little table outside and I went in and ordered. The CM’s were so friendly and nice this morning, wewe! We sat in the sun and enjoyed our choices.

Yum yum...everything looks good!

We walked around the aquariums for a little while. This is always a favorite area of ours. was not bursting at the seams today so that was a plus.

The aquarium is my favourite...so lovely and peaceful.

We got to talking to him and before I knew it, I was setting up a tour to check out the new Riviera DVC. It was a good deal because Andi is over 18, we both would get $75.00 gift cards and 4 FP’s. The 4 FP’s a person was because we were staying at OKW, the flagship DVC resort. Normally it is 3 FP’s. I thought why not, an extra $150.00 dollars was awesome!

How great is that????

We scheduled the tour for 3:30pm the next day. After this, it was time for SE. We love this ride. I know it will be getting a refurb soon and it will be missed.

I will really miss SE too!

The Terrace option we sat the whole time at a table. Spoiler alert, this was so awesome and I am now spoiled for all firework shows!

I can totally see why!

It was now time to check in and it was busy. The line to check in was really long. We started talking to the mom and daughter in front of us. They travel together to Disney frequently and this was their first dessert party. They were also cruisers and had a Disney cruise planned after their stay at WDW. I wonder if it was the cruise we canceled? Lucky duo! We made it up to the podium and checked in. A nice elderly gentleman showed us to our table. It was right on the edge of the terrace and we had a great view for the show.

So perfect! I am seriously considering this for when Jack and I are there in July.

We just took it all in and savored the treats and the wonderful HEA show. This party took away the stress of finding a spot to watch HEA and increased the enjoyment by 100% for me. Tink flew right over us, it was amazing, she was so close!!

It sounds amazing!

So excited for this and may add it in July...

When are you down, Jenny? Jack (my oldest DS) and I are there June 30 - July 7. It would be awesome if our trips overlapped!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Your breakfast in France sounds delicious and peaceful!

House of Blues has never been on my radar to eat at but your lunch sounded nice!

 

[kastoney]

We enjoyed our ride. This is definitely not my favorite ride but I do enjoy it. I’m more of a Soarin over California fan myself.

Me too! Provided we get to DL in April they have switched back to the original and I'm so excited

We got to talking to him and before I knew it, I was setting up a tour to check out the new Riviera DVC. It was a good deal because Andi is over 18, we both would get $75.00 gift cards and 4 FP’s

Wow! I had no idea they incentivized doing the tours so much. Can't wait to see what you think about it.

I decided on the Tomorrow Land Terrace option. There are 3 parties to pick from at MK. Two are before the HEA fireworks. One you get the reserved seating and the other one you stand or sit in the hub area. The third party is after HEA, you get the reserved hub area to view and afterward you go up and have your desserts.

We've never done a dessert party, apart from the small one we met at a few years back ❤ so I just recently learned that there were so many different options in MK. I just thought everyone ate and sat and watched fireworks. Leave it to Disney to turn one dessert party into 3

I really liked it all. I splurged on the egg rolls and had at least 5-6.

Yum!!! They can keep the deserts but bring on the egg rolls

Amazing view!

I know the price for the parties has increased now and alcohol is being served as of the beginning of February.

And this of course is why I now know there are 3 different parties. For adding alcohol I'm surprised the price didn't go up too much

Love it! Shiver me timbers

 

[tundra1]

Haha I knew what you meant. I can tell by your user name Snow is not unusual for you either!!

Yep, I am your neighbor next door in Wisconsin! ☃

 

[tundra1]

Hi Everyone,

Life has been rough for me the last couple weeks. My dad died suddenly at home and during this I ended up with a stomach virus that took me out for 3 days! Let’s just say I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy!
My dad lived a long and adventurous life, he was 86 and was able to live at home with my mom until the end.
He started my love of traveling! My dad loved to see the world and he was generous enough to take his children with him.
I was able to travel to many places including some of my favorites Australia, Figi, Galápagos Islands, and all over Europe.
My dad did have end stage Parkinson’s and even at the end he never complained and always tried to do everything himself!
My dad has a beautiful lake place in Michigan and we as a family will celebrate his life in the spring months. This is what he wanted. We are trying to help my mom now since she has spent the last 65 years with my dad and now feels a big loss!
I will be back soon to update
Thanks for listening!

Oh, I am so sorry! It sounds like you have an angel in Heaven watching over you! Sending hugs your way!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

When are you down, Jenny? Jack (my oldest DS) and I are there June 30 - July 7. It would be awesome if our trips overlapped!

July 24-28