Chased By a Bear and a Trip to Urgent Care - A Very Merry Dis-mas 2016 TR! **Complete 2/23**

[missangelalexis]

The interaction pics with Dale and L are so cute! And how awesome that you got multiple visits with the characters! I'm sorry the food was a let down though

Love the Joy & Sadness pics! Yeah, I've noticed the CMs are not particularly friendly over at the Baymax meet

 

[xlsm]

It's stupid they let you in so late but let people in so early for rope drop. We had a similar experience at EMM where it took forever to get in but they started letting RD people and PPO breakfasts in line early.

I always still manage pictures when we're running kate too

Boo first Chip and overxooked cinnamon buns!

I think Josh has that rescue rangers shirt

Kind of glad we canceled this..I've heard good things too but it does seem like the food is kind of blah and the characters aren't always attentive...maybe we'll try someday.

Ooo I've always wanted to meet Joy and Sadness! So cute.

Yes! I was frustrated, not because they were let in early necessarily (because if I was at the front gates, I would have been thrilled to get in early!), but because I wasn't let in early enough to get to my meal on time, yet they were let in 20 minutes before scheduled opening. You guys should have had priority for EMM because you paid extra to be there!

Rescue Rangers were my favorite thing...and I passed that love onto L. I got that shirt from Amazon as a Christmas or bday gift one year, and then I was so sad I didn't get one for myself!! I sometimes see one like it at Kohl's and I think about getting it every time.

For Joy and Sadness, know that rope drop or early breakfasts are your friend! The lines for them were so long the rest of the day. Notsomuch for Baymax though, poor guy.

We also loved our Joy and Sadness M&G last trip! They were so fun and sweet and were definitely putting in their all despite the early morning. That's funny with Chip! Isn't it weird how you can get a character who's totally phoning it in...and then all of a sudden the next time you see them they're feeling much better?! We've always skipped out on Garden Grill because rotating restaurants always make me feel a little disoriented and dizzy, and I always felt like we were seriously missing out, but it seems you didn't have great food so now I don't feel so bad. Haha. Great character photos - can't wait to see more of your day!

I definitely noticed the movement at GG, even though so many reports or reviews on here that I read said you couldn't feel it! All four of us were very aware of it! It bothered me a lot at first and then I kind of got over it, but then there'd be a moment when I'd turn my head too fast or look at something wrong, and I'd get a little woozy. I imagine it would really be a no-no for you!

The interaction pics with Dale and L are so cute! And how awesome that you got multiple visits with the characters! I'm sorry the food was a let down though

Love the Joy & Sadness pics! Yeah, I've noticed the CMs are not particularly friendly over at the Baymax meet

Dale and L were having a great time! It was some of the most fun we've had with a character. I was worried about the characters there, because I'd read some reports about less-than-awesome luck with meets there, but it was great for us.

And I'm glad we weren't the only ones to notice the CMs at Baymax! I was trying to remember if there might be an "in character" reason for the attitude, but couldn't come up with one...maybe they were former CMs at Tower or Haunted Mansion, LOL!!

 

[PolyRob]

We had similar Garden Grill breakfast experiences food wise. I had read and heard so many great things that I went in with high expectations. That huge cinnamon roll looked great, but similarly, only the middle tasted decent. My mom was excited for this as was your family and it did not meet expectations. Tater tots were delicious and both the waffles and bacon were good (different from your experience), but the eggs were horrible. One bite and I could not even swallow them! We felt the Nutella syrup was just ok, but there was so little of it for all our waffles. We had asked for regular syrup so that made it better.

I do have to say all of our character interactions were great and our server was super friendly and funny. I am glad you got another interaction with all of them! For the CP package, it was a steal compared to other meals and a nice hearty beginning to a long Epcot day!

I still think the best friends breakfast at 'Ohana has the best food out of character breakfasts, but I may just be biased because of Stitch and his PhotoPass!

 

[xlsm]

We had similar Garden Grill breakfast experiences food wise. I had read and heard so many great things that I went in with high expectations. That huge cinnamon roll looked great, but similarly, only the middle tasted decent. My mom was excited for this as was your family and it did not meet expectations. Tater tots were delicious and both the waffles and bacon were good (different from your experience), but the eggs were horrible. One bite and I could not even swallow them! We felt the Nutella syrup was just ok, but there was so little of it for all our waffles. We had asked for regular syrup so that made it better.

I do have to say all of our character interactions were great and our server was super friendly and funny. I am glad you got another interaction with all of them! For the CP package, it was a steal compared to other meals and a nice hearty beginning to a long Epcot day!

I still think the best friends breakfast at 'Ohana has the best food out of character breakfasts, but I may just be biased because of Stitch and his PhotoPass!

I'm so sad you guys had the same situation with the cinnamon roll! Like I mentioned, it was a big draw for even booking this meal, so I was not very happy when it didn't taste so great. I'd have asked for another one, but didn't want to end up with two uneaten ones on the table if it turned out bad, too. I'm glad you got good bacon though! Disney is so hit or miss with bacon. As for the nutella, I can usually eat it straight from the jar at home, and I love it on the waffles at Sleepy Hollow, but something was off about it in syrup form at GG. They brought out a large gravy boat looking thing full of regular syrup with our fruit and cinnamon roll, so that was nice.

I do wish we'd done it as our CP meal, our CP meal is coming up later in this chapter. Ours was not cost effective...but that's a story for another update

We did enjoy our Ohana breakfast a couple of years ago! Stitch is a family favorite (and a special favorite of X!) and we loved that he had a photopass photographer with him. I may end up booking it again for my October trip with my mom...we're staying at the Poly, so it would be a great departure day plan I think!

 

[coloredimage]

I loved Joy and Sadness when we did a meet & greet with them as well! I've actually never really heard good things from GG so while I'm sad your meal there wasn't great, I'm not that surprised.

 

[PolyRob]

I'm so sad you guys had the same situation with the cinnamon roll! Like I mentioned, it was a big draw for even booking this meal, so I was not very happy when it didn't taste so great. I'd have asked for another one, but didn't want to end up with two uneaten ones on the table if it turned out bad, too. I'm glad you got good bacon though! Disney is so hit or miss with bacon. As for the nutella, I can usually eat it straight from the jar at home, and I love it on the waffles at Sleepy Hollow, but something was off about it in syrup form at GG. They brought out a large gravy boat looking thing full of regular syrup with our fruit and cinnamon roll, so that was nice.

I do wish we'd done it as our CP meal, our CP meal is coming up later in this chapter. Ours was not cost effective...but that's a story for another update

We did enjoy our Ohana breakfast a couple of years ago! Stitch is a family favorite (and a special favorite of X!) and we loved that he had a photopass photographer with him. I may end up booking it again for my October trip with my mom...we're staying at the Poly, so it would be a great departure day plan I think!

Yes, its just hard when you see so many positive reviews about a place and it does not live up! We felt bad about waste as well so we just cut around the center. ahaha

Looking forward to the next chapter!

I love your Poly departure day plan! Did it last May with my family when we stayed at the Poly. It was a great way to have some last minute Disney fun without running around crazy before our flight.

 

[xlsm]

I loved Joy and Sadness when we did a meet & greet with them as well! I've actually never really heard good things from GG so while I'm sad your meal there wasn't great, I'm not that surprised.

When breakfast there first started, it received such glowing reviews...even from Josh at EasyWDW, hahal!! Slowly over the last few months, those reviews have become more and more mixed. I'm sad to have had it on the back end of things!! But at least the cinnamon roll LOOKED good, lol!!

Joy was so fun! I thought Sadness was adorable...she's my favorite! L said she was being weird and kept petting his hair and sniffling, which I thought was hilarious!

 

[ariane37]

I laughed at the pictures of the boys meeting Baymax. L is covered up in his fleece and his yellow socks, while X is all cool in his t-shirt and flip flops What was going on boys??? Was it warm or cold lol???
Ok, GG breakfast You know my experiences there and I'm SO glad you had such good character interactions AND got to see them each twice! We can't manage to see all 4 even once at the same meal! Stinks about the food though. As you mentioned, when breakfast first started there in Nov 2015 all reports were super positive. We did it that month and the food was awesome, like 99% better than it was iwhen we did it Nov 2016. Don't know what's up with that but it's a shame
Funny you guys noticed the restaurant rotating! I get serious motion sickness but that's never bothered me at all there. Probably because once you put food in front of me nothing else matters......

 

[xlsm]

I laughed at the pictures of the boys meeting Baymax. L is covered up in his fleece and his yellow socks, while X is all cool in his t-shirt and flip flops What was going on boys??? Was it warm or cold lol???
Ok, GG breakfast You know my experiences there and I'm SO glad you had such good character interactions AND got to see them each twice! We can't manage to see all 4 even once at the same meal! Stinks about the food though. As you mentioned, when breakfast first started there in Nov 2015 all reports were super positive. We did it that month and the food was awesome, like 99% better than it was iwhen we did it Nov 2016. Don't know what's up with that but it's a shame
Funny you guys noticed the restaurant rotating! I get serious motion sickness but that's never bothered me at all there. Probably because once you put food in front of me nothing else matters......

L looks particularly fetching in the photopass pictures coming up...sleeves down and socks up, lol! X was complaining SO MUCH about being cold, but he didn't pick out a hoodie when we went to MouseGears and I can't remember why I feel like he had one he was carrying around in there for awhile, so I'm not sure what ended up happening.

Our character interaction was awesome, and I feel guilty that you guys had bad luck with that! I really thought it was going to be bad after the start with Chip, so I was happy when things picked up. I think the reason we all noticed the movement is because we were up top and could see the separation of the rotating part and the kitchen and could see it rotating.

I think the only time we didn't notice it was when we were eating so...same! Food = nothing else matters!

 

[Dakota731]

We are going same week next December so I'm curious the temperatures and crowds? We've never been in the holiday season before and wonder if it's as packed as the summer months?

 

[xlsm]

We are going same week next December so I'm curious the temperatures and crowds? We've never been in the holiday season before and wonder if it's as packed as the summer months?

This was our first holiday visit, too! Prior to this, I'd only ever been in summer months (May, June, July, and August).

The temperatures were not terrible. We had two days that were really hot (near 90), and a couple of days that were cool (almost cold in the mornings...the humidity makes the temps feel cooler than they are), but the majority of the days were pretty mild, like low to mid-70s. We were prepared for cold and heat, because it can vary so much from day to day. Packing can be stressful, but make sure you keep an eye on a local weather report during the two weeks before you go.

As for crowds, it didn't seem unlike the summer crowds, but I don't think summer crowds are that bad. It didn't seem terrible to us at all, but I do tend to plan our touring around crowds. We do as much as we can in the mornings and then do more low key things in the afternoon, take breaks, etc... It worked out well for us. Crowds do increase the closer to Christmas you get, but you just have to plan accordingly. We did notice a difference in the first couple of days in the parks vs. the last few. It's totally doable, and we loved visiting during the holiday season!! It's so beautiful.

We decided that this particular trip would be different than our usual trips. We took things a little slower and spent a lot of time focusing on the holiday stuff, and not worrying if we missed some of our usual "must dos". It was a little hard to let go of some things, but it was worth it in the end.

Have fun planning!! If you have any other questions just ask and I will help as best as I can

 

[Dakota731]

Thanks so much! Was it warm enough to swim? How long were your longest waits? I'm sure you optimized your fast passes. We have not been to WDW for seven years so the magic bands and apps are all new to us!

 

[xlsm]

Thanks so much! Was it warm enough to swim? How long were your longest waits? I'm sure you optimized your fast passes. We have not been to WDW for seven years so the magic bands and apps are all new to us!

It was warm enough to swim for the kids every day, lol! They swam twice...one day when it was super hot, and then one day when it was cooler, but they were convinced they wanted to go. The didn't stay in too long that day! The main pools are heated at the resorts, but I'm not sure about the quiet pool, and they were in the quiet pool on the inn side of the Boardwalk b/c it was closer to our room.

Our longest wait was about 30 minutes. We don't get into a line if the wait is posted over 35. I always schedule our fast passes so that the first one can be used around 10:45 or so, and then the next two back to back with times like 12:30 - 1:30 and 1:30 - 2:30, so we can catch one at the end, and the next one right after. For this trip, we often toured one park in the morning and then used FPs in the evenings at another park, which was a new strategy for us.

Magic bands are wonderful, and much more convenient than key cards in my opinion. I rarely use the app in the parks, unless it's to double check the time of a pass/meal reservation or sometimes to look at wait times. It is great to have easy access to change/make fast passes and things though! And a couple of times I'd open it on the bus back to the resort to look for a last minute dinner reservation somewhere. It's so nice to have that right at your fingertips. And I think it's pretty easy to learn how to use, too, which is always a plus.

Obviously a lot has changed in seven years, but to me, it's always just as magical as the first visit! I see a lot of people who go quite frequently begin complaining that things aren't what they used to be, or things are boring, or they're "taking everything away", but I've never had that impression while in the parks at all.

I think you guys are going to have such a fun time! Just remember to relax and enjoy your surroundings...the holiday atmosphere is really so different from the feel of the parks in summer.

 

[xlsm]

It's Thursday again...which means it's time for another update!

After two days of beautiful weather, we're back to freezing temps. I guess I can blame this on a groundhog?? We haven't had much of a winter here, so I'm not sure rat worship means anything



But who cares about all that? Here we go...

Chapter Seven Part Three

So we were off to visit some fishy friends, right?





I often wonder if a day will come when I stop calling it The Living Sea? It'll probably happen around the time I stop calling Hollywood Studios MGM.

Our first stop was to ride in the seashell to hang out with Nemo and his pals.

Has anyone ever seen this ride line full? Ever?? It takes 900 years to walk through that line and I've never witnessed many other people in it with us.

It was cute as always, but then something terrible happened.

My kids were eaten by a shark!



Fortunately, the Bruce realized they were friends, not food (feel free to roll your eyes, Friends, I hear myself...I really do.), and spit them back out again.

The boys hung around in there for awhile, and did the little quiz things on the touch screens. But I was anxious to see some manatees, so I hurried them along.





I have a particular fondness for manatees. When I was younger, I had a stuffed one named TJ, that lasted through two years of college...I'm not sure where he ended up.

We also spent a significant amount of time looking into the aquariums. There were divers in the tank and they were putting out Christmas treats for the fish. Dropping big wrapped gifts full of snacks and even setting up a Christmas tree.









I really love this pavilion. I don't know...maybe there is something to astrology, because I have always been so drawn to water and aquatic life. Pisces and fish must have some kind of connection!



Nemo? Nemo? Which one ARE you??

(anyone else totally creeped out by the bottom of starfish??? )

The kids wanted to look around in the gift shop for a minute, and L found a sweatshirt he wanted, but it was only available in small child sizes. It had the "mine, mine, mine" seagulls on it. He was disappointed.

We bobbed to the surface and left the sea for dry land...literally.



(get it? literal dry land? Sand?? I'm here all week folks, don't forget to tip your waitress)



We love Living with the Land, and I really enjoyed seeing all of the bits and pieces of the holidays throughout the ride.





It was time for our fastpass for Spaceship Earth (we skipped the one we had for Character Spot)





I actually caught us on the big map this time! It's blurry, but worth noting, because I always miss it.



After a ride through the past and on into the future, I wanted to stop in Mouse Gears because I was FREAKING FREEZING

I picked out a beautiful 2017 hoodie, white with sparkles. I was (still am!) a little terrified of destroying it, but it was too pretty to turn down. I got it in a size bigger than usual so it would fit over bulkier shirts and things, but it's cut a little weirdly and poofs out at the hips. I regret it now, but at the time I didn't notice. The CM asked if I'd like the tags removed, and I said yes, please and thank you.

What in the world were we going to do next??



Go have a photopass photoshoot of course!







I saved the best for last...



Notice anything??

Look closer...

Yep, there is a TAG dangling from my armpit. I guess when the CM asked if I wanted the tags cut off, she thought I wanted to keep ONE. You know, for memories or whatever.

The worst part?? No one told me. I didn't notice until hours later when I looked at the pictures on the app.

Wait a second...someone seems to be missing from these photos.

Where was X??



That's his new family. He lives with them now.

No, not really! He wanted to ride Test Track, and the rest of us didn't want to stand in the 90 minute long line. He didn't want to do single rider because he wanted to make a car and told me he was willing to wait. In the end, he just got in the single rider line, but I think the wait for it was around 30 minutes or so.

He was off riding TT, and we were off doing other things. Like visiting Club Cool and drinking ourselves silly.

It was also dolled up for Christmas



Jacked up on caffeine and sugar, we left Club Cool and started making our way to the World Showcase, snapping some pictures along the way:







Will we reunite with X or is he lost and gone forever? Where will we go next??

Tune in next time...

 

[Ladyfish77]

Glad I found your TR, I'm loving it! I've contemplated going at the holidays, but the thought of the crowds always scares me off. We've been for MNSSHP, which we loved, though! Maybe I'll try Christmas time???

I almost stayed at Boardwalk on our last trip. It just didn't appeal to me other than proximity to Epcot. I think if I stay over there, it will have to be YC/BC.

We took the covered hallway thing between Frontierland and Adventureland, and took X back to Tortuga Tavern so he could use the restroom. I told him he was not allowed to puke until he was in there!!

So, so funny. We call this the barf bathroom. Oldest DS got sick when we were there when he was young. He was racing to the bathroom, but didn't quite make it and lost his cookies in that walkway half way back. I felt bad, and while DS was helping him get cleaned up, I looked all over for a CM to let them know about the mess. Couldn't find anyone--finally let a CM in the dump shop know. Not a pretty sight, but we always laugh when we say we need to hit the barf bathroom! (Well, for some reason DS doesn't find it so amusing?)

OMG what is it about that area? My oldest got an upset stomach waiting in line for Mine Train and we did the same run through Frontierland...LOL

Yes, that's because it's the barf bathroom!!! See above!

and yes, I did die of dysentery.

My oldest DS loved that game--dysentery got him many times. (Maybe what caused above barfing??? )

There was a line for Gran Fiesta Tour! And not a small line, but a big huge line.

I always ponder what causes a line there, because we will never wait--just come back later and walk right onto a boat.

WORST. PIZZA. EVER.

Really. How hard is it to make a decent pizza? Doesn't have to be noteworthy, just edible.

Here's where I kind of have to be a downer. We were not thrilled with the food here

We weren't either. We weren't thrilled with the entire experience. Maybe because it was early and there was just two of us (DS2 and I) but the character interaction was minimal and the food was just OK. I don't see us going back.

Has anyone ever seen this ride line full? Ever?? It takes 900 years to walk through that line

I seem to remember when it was the Living Seas having a long line. But I've never seen a line for Nemo.

Yep, there is a TAG dangling from my armpit.

OMG, too funny. You would never notice it yourself. Did anyone refer to you a Minnie Pearl, by chance???

Looking forward to the remainder of your trip. I enjoyed the Wilderness Lodge pictures. I need to go see that in person. I've been to Ft. Wilderness to eat and walk around a bit, but never been to the main Lodge.

 

[Raeven]

We've had a really mild winter too.

I've never seen the line there full, but it was 40 minutes on our Epcot say in dec we got FPs. And we skipped Character Spot too!

The tag I guess she really thought you wanted to keep one.

 

[missangelalexis]

What a fun time at the Seas and the Land! I love the pics of the 3 of you; it's nice that X was able to go off on his own to do Test Track!

 

[xlsm]

Glad I found your TR, I'm loving it! I've contemplated going at the holidays, but the thought of the crowds always scares me off. We've been for MNSSHP, which we loved, though! Maybe I'll try Christmas time???

I almost stayed at Boardwalk on our last trip. It just didn't appeal to me other than proximity to Epcot. I think if I stay over there, it will have to be YC/BC.


So, so funny. We call this the barf bathroom. Oldest DS got sick when we were there when he was young. He was racing to the bathroom, but didn't quite make it and lost his cookies in that walkway half way back. I felt bad, and while DS was helping him get cleaned up, I looked all over for a CM to let them know about the mess. Couldn't find anyone--finally let a CM in the dump shop know. Not a pretty sight, but we always laugh when we say we need to hit the barf bathroom! (Well, for some reason DS doesn't find it so amusing?)


Yes, that's because it's the barf bathroom!!! See above!


My oldest DS loved that game--dysentery got him many times. (Maybe what caused above barfing??? )


I always ponder what causes a line there, because we will never wait--just come back later and walk right onto a boat.


Really. How hard is it to make a decent pizza? Doesn't have to be noteworthy, just edible.


We weren't either. We weren't thrilled with the entire experience. Maybe because it was early and there was just two of us (DS2 and I) but the character interaction was minimal and the food was just OK. I don't see us going back.


I seem to remember when it was the Living Seas having a long line. But I've never seen a line for Nemo.


OMG, too funny. You would never notice it yourself. Did anyone refer to you a Minnie Pearl, by chance???

Looking forward to the remainder of your trip. I enjoyed the Wilderness Lodge pictures. I need to go see that in person. I've been to Ft. Wilderness to eat and walk around a bit, but never been to the main Lodge.

I'm glad you're enjoying the report so far!!

The barf bathroom It's so funny that multiple people have used that bathroom for the same terrible reasons, LOL!!

Boardwalk was undeniably beautiful, but it didn't have the homey feeling that WL does...we did end up feeling that way at YC, which comes up a little later in an upcoming chapter

Haha, no one called me Minnie Pearl, but it's the first thing I thought when I saw the picture! I could just greet everyone with "Hooow - deeee!" to complete the picture!

I was nervous about the holiday season too. So many threads talk about how crazy the crowds are and how it's just downright terrible, but we didn't think it was bad at all. I think we got lucky and zigged when others zagged. If not by design, by luck at least!

We've had a really mild winter too.

I've never seen the line there full, but it was 40 minutes on our Epcot say in dec we got FPs. And we skipped Character Spot too!

The tag I guess she really thought you wanted to keep one.

40 minutes for Nemo, that's crazy! I know the crowds over there grew during the afternoons, but we were always long gone by that time. But I did have to make L and DH a fast pass for Figment on the day X went to the dr.

Oh, the tag She must have thought I wanted to save it for my scrapbook...little did she know it'd make a great anecdote for this TR, LOL

What a fun time at the Seas and the Land! I love the pics of the 3 of you; it's nice that X was able to go off on his own to do Test Track!

I was a lot of fun! We missed out on doing both during our last trip, so both of these were a must for me.

I love that the boys are getting older and are able to have a little more freedom. He felt pretty special about getting to go ride TT on his own!

 

[pucknasty]

"That's his new family. He lives with them now." LOL

 

[Lizziotti]

Loving your trip report! You have a very nice writing style that I've been enjoying. I like how you take us into your real world back home. Your pretty funny also.

I never realized that they light up the castle in the morning. I guess I've never been there that early. Is the muppet show new at mk? I've never seen this also. I just watched the POC ride in Shanghai that's insane I want to go! Anyway great report so far can't wait to continue!