Springtime is the Best Time- Flower & Garden, a taste of Dapper Days and Earth Day -April 2024

[Steppesister]

We also had a little complication which I'll explain in a bit.

Uh oh.....

We did not have an ADR for this day in hopes of eating lots of Festival Food.

A perfect way to nosh through a Festival!

When Danielle went to make park reservations she couldn't get one for Epcot. CMs work on a pool of reservations. They are blocked out when the crowds are high like holidays and they have a limited number of reservations at certain parks. We started our day on a bus to Studios.

Ok, this is just a stupid system....

I hung back near the Skyliner while they scanned in to Studios and exited.

.... I rest my case.

I mean what is the point if they can just do this?

We were able to get a 7 pm ADR. I know this was really going to cut into our Festival food but I can't pass up a bargain.

Meh, you can stop grazing by 3 or so and have plenty of room for a meal at 7:30 (by the time you'd eat.)

( I don't care that they have renamed the front of the park, it will always be FW to me.)

Correct. Just like "Disney Springs" will always be DTD.

The UK was pretty deserted this early in the morning.

My absolute FAVORITE!! WS in the AM when it opens when the pavilions are all yours!

We found Tick-tock, Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Flower, Thumper and Bambi before leaving the UK.

Tons!

 

[vamassey1]

Epcot- More Beauty and Finally Some Food!
April 19,2024

We needed to pass some time so we made our way to The Land. We saw Goofy, more beautiful flowers, Woody and Bo Peep along the way.




We joined the standby line for Soarin'. It was showing 40 minutes but I'm pretty sure it didn't take that long. When we exited it was finally time to eat.

We headed back towards World Showcase and hit two spots along the way. Danielle waited in line at Florida Fresh while Robin and I headed to the Honey Bee-stro. We meet back up at a standing table by the Honey Bee-stro. The table was pretty much in the sun but had some shade. Here is our haul.

We got Chicken and Waffles (Crispy Chicken and a Honey Sweet Cornbread Waffle with Whipped Honey Butter and Spicy Honey), Honey-glazed Cauliflower (with Honey-roasted Carrot Puree, Wild Rice Pilaf, Spring Vegetables, Honey-blistered Grapes and Sunflower Brittle) and the Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze (to help with the heat).



I think we actually got 2 of the Chicken and Waffles because Danielle and Robin both wanted it. We shared everything but they both felt they needed more.
I'm not big on Chicken and waffles but they said it was good. I did enjoyed my Cauliflower and everyone loved the Cobbler Freeze.
Danielle came back with the Grilled Warm Water Lobster Tail (with Key Lime Butter) and a Cubanito (with Mojo-marinated Pork Belly, Ham, Swiss Cheese, Pickles and Stone Ground Mustard Sauce.



These were both really good! I think it really helped that we were getting our food not too long after they had opened. Everything was fresh.



We finished off our meal with dessert. The Liquid Nitro Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake (with fresh Honey, Granulated Honey and Honey Mead Blueberry Compote) from Swirled Showcase.


It was Delicious!!!!

We had set ourselves up in the perfect place to hit 3 booths.

 

[Steppesister]

I love this one with the "motion" of him!

I think we actually got 2 of the Chicken and Waffles because Danielle and Robin both wanted it. We shared everything but they both felt they needed more.

MORE?!?!

These were both really good! I think it really helped that we were getting our food not too long after they had opened. Everything was fresh.

Yes, that's my experience too- best for the lunch hour when they first open at 11:00!

 

[vamassey1]

While we were eating the sun was getting hotter and hotter. I was wearing sandals and could feel by feet getting sunburned. We soon started to feel more than the sun on our feet. Both Danielle and I felt something touch our feet and jumped. We were joined by a mother duck and her ducklings. I think they had been hiding out in the plants waiting for some dropped food.



They played footsy tootsy with the couple at the next table too. Danielle took a picture of the couple with the duck family for them. Its amazing how much we all enjoy the ducks at Disney. Danielle said protecting the ducks that swam on Echo Lake at Studios was an everyday occurrence for her. She was often escorting them across the walkways.

We took a few pictures in the area and headed back to The Land.


I was really excited to finally ride Living with the Land with the Flower and Garden overlay and it did not disappoint. We got the front of the boat since we were 3 and it was the perfect spot. We loved hunting for the displays that referred to Disney movies.
Some Little Mermaid.


And this Orchid Tree was absolutely gorgeous.


Some Snow White.


Can you see the hidden Gnome? (dwarf)

 

[vamassey1]

We found Winnie the Pooh and Friends.

Alice and Wonderland



The details were just amazing and the flowers were all so beautiful.
Can you see Tweedle Dee and Dum?


The Butterfly House was top on my list to see. We didn't take many pictures but enjoyed looking around. We found a special caterpillar for a co-worker. Her daughter had one as a pet and it had passed. She was looking for another one to replace it with. We sent her a photo of one we found, but sadly we couldn't take it home with us.







Does anyone else remember when the Butterfly House was Minnie's Butterfly House. I know it was when I saw it for the first time in 2007.

I'm going to stop here but I do have more share.

 

[vamassey1]

A perfect way to nosh through a Festival!

That was our original plan.

Ok, this is just a stupid system....

It really is. It was the only time we had to do it on this trip, but we had to do it again on our January trip too. They do get in free but they don't always make it easy.

Meh, you can stop grazing by 3 or so and have plenty of room for a meal at 7:30 (by the time you'd eat.)

We thought that would work for us too.

Correct. Just like "Disney Springs" will always be DTD.

Yes!!!

I love this one with the "motion" of him!

That was my thought too.

Yes, that's my experience too- best for the lunch hour when they first open at 11:00!

I think the mid afternoon is much worse.

 

[Steppesister]

It really is. It was the only time we had to do it on this trip, but we had to do it again on our January trip too. They do get in free but they don't always make it easy.

So dumb. I doubt it really keeps any numbers of CMs down; if their intent of going, they'll just ride the skyliner, like you guys did, and move on. Silly.

We thought that would work for us too.

Uh oh.....

I think the mid afternoon is much worse.

Yes, it becomes just short of chaos and almost not worth it. Best to get out of the park by that time, hit a nice sit-down dinner and do other stuff.

 

[pkondz]

We joined the standby line for Soarin'. It was showing 40 minutes

Remember when it used to be 90+?

We meet back up at a standing table

"standing table"

aka garbage can. (at least it used to be mostly that)

We got Chicken and Waffles (Crispy Chicken and a Honey Sweet Cornbread Waffle with Whipped Honey Butter and Spicy Honey)

Yum! Yes please.

and the Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze (to help with the heat).

I remember that. Really good!

Danielle came back with the Grilled Warm Water Lobster Tail (with Key Lime Butter)

Yum! Want that too.

Cubanito (with Mojo-marinated Pork Belly, Ham, Swiss Cheese, Pickles and Stone Ground Mustard Sauce.

That sounds good too.

You chose wisely.

Yep. How I remembered this. Good to the last drop!

We finished off our meal with dessert. The Liquid Nitro Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake (with fresh Honey, Granulated Honey and Honey Mead Blueberry Compote) from Swirled Showcase.

That looks and sounds good!

I was wearing sandals and could feel by feet getting sunburned.

Both Danielle and I felt something touch our feet and jumped. We were joined by a mother duck and her ducklings.

Daisy!

Danielle said protecting the ducks that swam on Echo Lake at Studios was an everyday occurrence for her. She was often escorting them across the walkways.

Awww.

I was really excited to finally ride Living with the Land with the Flower and Garden overlay and it did not disappoint.

And this Orchid Tree was absolutely gorgeous.

Really is stunning!

Can you see Tweedle Dee and Dum?

Not without you pointing it out!

 

[amazingact21]

The honey cauliflower dish looked really good, and I'm bummed I missed it.
Disney ducks are a part of a WDW trip. However! I don't think I'd want them hanging out on my feet.
You caught so many details in LwtL. I missed the Ariel setup. I love that they decorate the attraction for the festival seasons now.

 

[vamassey1]

So dumb. I doubt it really keeps any numbers of CMs down; if their intent of going, they'll just ride the skyliner, like you guys did, and move on. Silly.

There was a time when they only park they could get a reservation was AK. That wasn't such a quick trip to hop to the next park.

 

[vamassey1]

Remember when it used to be 90+?

I really do. I also remember the mad dash to Soarin' at rope drop.

aka garbage can. (at least it used to be mostly that)

I've done my fair share of garbage cans, but luckily we had an actual table just now chairs.

You chose wisely.

So happy you approve.

Not without you pointing it out!

I loved all the details.

 

[vamassey1]

The honey cauliflower dish looked really good, and I'm bummed I missed it.

I read the cauliflower this year isn't as good so I think it will be a skip for me.

Disney ducks are a part of a WDW trip. However! I don't think I'd want them hanging out on my feet.

I was a little worried they might decorate my feet.

You caught so many details in LwtL. I missed the Ariel setup. I love that they decorate the attraction for the festival seasons now.

The overlays makes the ride all new.

 

[Steppesister]

There was a time when they only park they could get a reservation was AK. That wasn't such a quick trip to hop to the next park.

OH wow, yeah, that'd certainly be a hop and day-eater.

 

[pkondz]

I also remember the mad dash to Soarin' at rope drop.

I've done my fair share of garbage cans, but luckily we had an actual table just now chairs.

I’m positive they added more tables since the early festivals

 

[piglet1979]

I am finally catching up. Looks like you are having a great day so far.

 

[vamassey1]

I’m positive they added more tables since the early festivals

I think they have too.

 

[vamassey1]

OH wow, yeah, that'd certainly be a hop and day-eater.

Very much so.

 

[vamassey1]

I am finally catching up. Looks like you are having a great day so far.

Stephanie! Happy to have you here.

 

[vamassey1]

I'm 51 days away from my next trip and some exciting news dropped today. I think it's time for a pre-trip update.

My next trip with be with Robin again and we're splitting the trip between Disney and Universal. We'll be starting with Disney so I can get some time in with Danielle. She will not be able to take vacation while I'm there due to it being a high volume time for Disney and it's close to the end of a Festival.

Our trip dates are Saturday, May 17th thru Monday, May 26th. We're coming in before Memorial Day and leaving on Memorial Day. This made me very sad when I saw all the announcements Disney made yesterday that start after Memorial Day. Too bad I have to be at work in the office on Tuesday, May 27th.

We plan on driving down on Saturday the 17th and crashing for 1 night at Danielle's. We check into Riverside on Sunday the 18th and want to finally take advantage of the Free Water Park Day. I'm so excited to go to Typhoon Lagoon. I have never been. We went to Blizzard Beach in May of 2007 and planned to hit TL too but never made it there. The special that trip was Water Parks and More for free. We did get an afternoon at Disney Quest with those tickets. I think we'll take the boat to Disney Springs for dinner that night after baking in the sun.

I have to work remotely on Monday the 19th, but we have tickets to Magic Kingdom Afterhours as soon as I'm done working. Danielle has to work too but should be off in time to go with us. She better be off in time, cause we already purchased the tickets.

We're doing 2 park days with Danielle on her off days of Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday the 20th we'll hit Epcot for Flower and Garden. I can't wait for Danielle to show us around her new home park and all the great Festival secrets. We thought we might go on Wednesday to Epcot instead but it's closing early for special event. We'll pack up our room on Wednesday and store our luggage before heading to Studios for the day. Once we're done with Studios we need to head to Wyndam to check into Robin's timeshare for the rest of the trip.

Thursday, May 22nd starts our Universal side of the trip. Yes we're going to be those crazy people who go to Epic on opening day. We have the 2 days park to park tickets for Uni/IOA with 1 day at Epic tickets. Guess what we did today to make sure we get to ride some rides at Epic? We splurged and purchased the Epic Express Pass! I'm shocked we got it. The pass includes 1 ride on each attraction except for Ministry of Magic, Mine-Cart Madness and Dragon Racer's Rally. The only one of those I really wanted to ride was the Mine-Cart. I'm not sure I'll be able to ride all of the other rides, but I'm going to try most. The pass includes the Dragon show and Le Cirque Arcanus.

Friday, May 23rd we'll bounce between Uni and IOA. We don't have plans yet for Saturday May 24th but we'll finish up our Uni tickets bouncing between Uni and IOA on Sunday the 25th. We have the very long and sad drive back on Monday the 26th. Michelle should be coming in that Friday to spend the weekend with Danielle and I might be back on Tuesday June the 4th to help Danielle with something. Michelle leaves again on June the 5th, so we'll have 1 night together.

 

[pkondz]

I can get some time in with Danielle. She will not be able to take vacation while I'm there due to it being a high volume time for Disney and it's close to the end of a Festival.

But you’ll get to see her and spend time together.

I'm so excited to go to Typhoon Lagoon. I have never been.

You’ll have a great time!

I have to work remotely on Monday the 19th, but we have tickets to Magic Kingdom Afterhours as soon as I'm done working. Danielle has to work too but should be off in time to go with us

Hope that all works out.

I can't wait for Danielle to show us around her new home park and all the great Festival secrets.

We splurged and purchased the Epic Express Pass!