(Updated 2/10) How Bougie Can We Be? - Nov 2024 TR

[Araminta18]

I am just going to miss you , I arrive next weekend for my first FARTS. Can’t wait. Hope you have a magical time .

I'm sorry to miss you but I hope you're having a wonderful time!!! Enjoy it!!

 

[Araminta18]

Have fun!!! Well, I hope you are currently having fun!!!


bool

We had so much fun!!!

And don't worry - I managed to snag my Tower of Terror spirit jersey this trip so it all worked out!

 

[Araminta18]

Star Wars Photo Shoots Really - Monday Nov 18, 2024 (part 4)​

Ok, a one more X-wing photo

We're all doing the Fonz!

After this we went over to Dok Ondar's to look around - they had that box set of ALL the kyber crystals and the holocrons but I feel like it's been so long that everyone who wanted to get all the crystals has them already! Oh well. Trevor ended up buying two of the Dok Ondar's mystery boxes, and then one red kyber crystal and one blue kyber crystal, trying to get the special chaser crystals. He got the chaser item from one of the mystery boxes - a mini holocron - but no luck on the kyber crystals:

Next up we were planning to ride the Falcon - we were having great lightning lane luck and were using lightning lane for everything (except Star Tours) - but had to stop for some pictures.

We also got the Super Zoom - yes my eyes are closed *sigh*

Sabacc! I do like the photos where they have actual props (like the cards) - I think its so cool.

Entering the line for Falcon, it was about 10 minutes to make our way into the lounge room with the chess board. Trevor and I were gunners this time:



We did pretty good - we got the two things of coaxium and I shot 11 TIE fighters.

Trevor's screen wasn't working so we don't know how many TIE fighters he shot.

After the Falcon, we were heading to Toy Story Land! We needed to use our Midway Mania fastpass, and we were hoping that Slinky would come back up. So, we slowly made our way there, stopping to look in the First Order gift shop and (I know you're all shocked) take more pictures.



The Child!

As we walked into Toy Story Land, even Ham was getting into the spirit of the season!

Look at his cute little hate! I love it.

 

[Araminta18]

Slinky is Back Baby! - Monday Nov 18, 2024 (part 5)​

We were walking to Toy Story Mania, we saw that Slinky had started cycling...and there were people kind of clumping up on the bridge, so we decided to wait and see if it would open up. We were torn, but after about 5 min, the sound effects came on, so we figured that was a good sign, and we were seeing CM movement, and then they opened the line! Woot! We only waited about 7 minutes, so not too bad.

It was definitely a crush with everyone getting into the line, but we were near the front, so we decided to go standby vs using our anytime lightning lane. It was a good choice - we made it on in like 5 minutes after winding our way through the entire queue.

Yay!

Then we used our Lightning Lane -

As is often the case when a ride goes down, the Lightning Lane was a little backed up but not horrible. It was about 10 minutes before we got on.

We're being the binoculars.

We had good timing though - when we got off the second ride, the Lightning Lane line was suuuuuuuper long, like backed up onto the bridge. Woof. Glad we already used ours!

Next up, Toy Story Mania! The line was a bit long but they were looking for parties of 2 at the merge point and sent us down a separate line/lane and so we got on super fast. Woot! We had a good time, but we weren't super successful at getting the high point targets:

Still super fun.

Next, time for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway! Basically our last ride in the park. We were on the ride within 10 minutes, and had a great time, as always. Nothing can stop us now!


We got off the ride just before 2 pm, and so it was time to park hop, after having ridden everything in the park that we wanted. Over to Animal Kingdom for the Merry Menagerie! We were also really enjoying the weather - it was cloudy which kept it cool. Sometimes when the sun came out it got warm, but that didn't happen a ton, so it was just nice and cool and pleasant.

We got to the bus stop and watched an Animal Kingdom bus pull away - ding dang. A bus came 15 minutes later, and 15 minutes after that we were at Animal Kingdom. So not tooooooo bad, despite the morale hit of watching the bus pull away right as you get there.

We got a picture at the photo op outside the park:


It's Christmas! And a bit Merry Menagerie themed. At the same spot we also had another Christmas photo op:

Chip and Dale!

Also, I realize this is a function of us arriving at 2:30 but NO LINES!

Gotta love it.

Our plan was to get on the walk up list for Nomad Lounge, and watch the Merry Menagerie in the meantime. How long will the wait be?!

 

[Araminta18]

The Merry Menagerie - Monday Nov 18, 2024 (part 6)​

As we walked into the park we were able to get on the walkup list for Nomad Lounge - it said a 45 minute wait. So that actually worked out, cause the Merry Menagerie was out as we walked in and we could just sit and watch them.

Birds!

We interacted with the menagerie a bit but really I just like sitting and listening to the music and watching the menagerie animals.

The seal was super interested in the camera!

Mama polar bear!

Aw, the little penguin is snuggling Trevor

The reindeer!

We took a bunch of vidoes:

Honestly the menagerie is just so charming, and huge props to those CMs - they're fantastic! And of course I bought some (a lot) of the Menagerie merch: pins (regular and passholder), the shirt, the spirit jersey, the ornaments, and the plushie puppets! This year the puppets have the designs on them like the actual puppets (the little embellishments) - so adorable.

It was only about 30 minutes until Nomad Lounge texted us that our table was ready, so we headed over that way. But we had to stop because the mural on the doorway there was of the Merry Menagerie, and there was a photographer!


So cute

We got seated outside at Nomad:

I started with my strawberry/sprite drink: Lillie Gorillie

(dang picture limit)

 

[Araminta18]

Merry Menagerie Part 2 - Monday Nov 18, 2024 (part 7)​

Trevor got the Zingibeer Fizz: passion fruit puree, mint, ginger beer, and lime juice


And of course, had to get the Tuna Poke bowl:

Delish. We love Nomad. It's just such a nice calm little rest area with good food and drinks.

And we got to see the band go by on the boat!

We left at about 3:40, and went back to the main drag to watch more of the menagerie! But we stopped and got a few more pics of the mural, cause I wanted the whooooooole mural in the pic (not zoomed in).


I was wearing my last year Merry Menagerie shirt.

Back at the main area there weren't any animals out, but just a couple minutes later a different set of Menagerie animals came out - they kind of switch off.

The fox!

We left just before 4 pm to head to the room and get ready for our dinner, stopping (of course ) to get some pictures with the tree.



I love this magic shot, even if for this particular one Trevor and I are looking in different spots.

There was a bus waiting for us when we got there (yay!) but it was sharing with the Poly (boo!). On the bright side though, everyone got off at the Poly so we had a private bus back to the Grand:

We had Trevor's birthday dinner tonight - any guesses on where were we going?

 

[ExpeditionEmily]

Glad you had an enjoyable trip and made it home safely! Been reading your TR's for a bit and know that you're near us / DCA is your home airport. Just curious if you guys will continue to use DCA or switch to IAD? We usually prefer BWI but flew DCA our last trip and flying IAD this summer.

 

[Araminta18]

Glad you had an enjoyable trip and made it home safely! Been reading your TR's for a bit and know that you're near us / DCA is your home airport. Just curious if you guys will continue to use DCA or switch to IAD? We usually prefer BWI but flew DCA our last trip and flying IAD this summer.

hi! We actually don't have a preference between DCA and IAD - we're about equidistant between them so it just depends on who has the flight route we prefer at a decent price. We like to fly Southwest to Orlando 'cause of the free checked bags, and Southwest doesn't have direct flights to MCO from IAD. We do occasionally fly BWI but its about an hour (in good traffic) from our house so we don't fly it super often.

It was a bit unnerving to fly home 2 days after the crash, but at least for now I don't think it'll change our flight habits. Hopefully it incites change into how those training flights are done!

 

[ExpeditionEmily]

hi! We actually don't have a preference between DCA and IAD - we're about equidistant between them so it just depends on who has the flight route we prefer at a decent price. We like to fly Southwest to Orlando 'cause of the free checked bags, and Southwest doesn't have direct flights to MCO from IAD. We do occasionally fly BWI but its about an hour (in good traffic) from our house so we don't fly it super often.

It was a bit unnerving to fly home 2 days after the crash, but at least for now I don't think it'll change our flight habits. Hopefully it incites change into how those training flights are done!

Sounds like you guys are about where my aunt and uncle lived for years! We're an even hour from all three but typically like BWI for Southwest as well. We fly with my aunt and uncle this trip and they LOVE IAD so we picked a United flight going out of there. Not our preference but our first flight with our baby and we wanted all the help we can get

 

[Araminta18]

Sounds like you guys are about where my aunt and uncle lived for years! We're an even hour from all three but typically like BWI for Southwest as well. We fly with my aunt and uncle this trip and they LOVE IAD so we picked a United flight going out of there. Not our preference but our first flight with our baby and we wanted all the help we can get

ah gotcha - Dulles is nice (as long as you're not flying international and therefore get to avoid the horrible mobile lounges). We flew United once down to MCO and it wasn't bad at all. But I get you on wanting all the help you can get! Hopefully it goes well and your baby is an awesome flyer!

 

[wallawallakids]

Wow! Love reading your trip report. That GF room is AMAZING!! thanks for sharing all your photos and experiences!

 

[Araminta18]

Wow! Love reading your trip report. That GF room is AMAZING!! thanks for sharing all your photos and experiences!

aw thank you for reading!! I love writing it

Isn't that room awesome!? Definitely a bucket list stay - so neat!!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Hooray for getting the art you wanted! I’m glad you enjoyed another wonderful trip.

What a great morning at Hollywood Studios! It’s too bad Trevor didn’t get the kyber crystals he was looking for, but you had great luck on rides. Yay for two rides on Slinky Dog without too long of a wait!

Ah, Animal Kingdom! I’m such a fan of that park. The magical menagerie looks so fun and your time at Nomad looked relaxing.

 

[piglet1979]

I just found your report and got all caught up. Sounds like an awesome trip so far.

 

[honeymo78]

Just popping in to say it was sooo cool to run into you at Epcot last week. I had a total fangirl moment.

 

[Araminta18]

Hooray for getting the art you wanted! I’m glad you enjoyed another wonderful trip.

What a great morning at Hollywood Studios! It’s too bad Trevor didn’t get the kyber crystals he was looking for, but you had great luck on rides. Yay for two rides on Slinky Dog without too long of a wait!

Ah, Animal Kingdom! I’m such a fan of that park. The magical menagerie looks so fun and your time at Nomad looked relaxing.

Thank you!

We got so lucky at Hollywood Studios - especially with being at the right place at the right time for Slinky Dog.

Ooh what's your favorite part of Animal Kingdom? Ours is obviously Nomad Lounge (and the menagerie at Christmas time ) but it's such a great park.

 

[Araminta18]

I just found your report and got all caught up. Sounds like an awesome trip so far.

Thanks for reading! It was a great trip the whole time

 

[Araminta18]

Just popping in to say it was sooo cool to run into you at Epcot last week. I had a total fangirl moment.

hi!! it was super neat for me too - thank you for saying hi! hope you had a great Epcot day

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Ooh what's your favorite part of Animal Kingdom?

Frankly, it’s the easygoing feel of the whole park. The energy there just seems different.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the heavy hitters like Expedition Everest (and as of our last trip, Flight of Passage), but Animal Kingdom is the perfect place to wander and explore. I enjoy the nature trails and the sounds and watching the animals do funny things. There are also several great character meets and the Broadway-level shows, too!

As for Nomad, I’ve never been (!) but hope to enjoy some downtime there on our next visit. It was either new or didn’t exist back in 2016 and we didn’t have time to visit last year - I’d love to see what the hype is about! (And maybe eat some churros. )

 

[Araminta18]

Frankly, it’s the easygoing feel of the whole park. The energy there just seems different.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the heavy hitters like Expedition Everest (and as of our last trip, Flight of Passage), but Animal Kingdom is the perfect place to wander and explore. I enjoy the nature trails and the sounds and watching the animals do funny things. There are also several great character meets and the Broadway-level shows, too!

As for Nomad, I’ve never been (!) but hope to enjoy some downtime there on our next visit. It was either new or didn’t exist back in 2016 and we didn’t have time to visit last year - I’d love to see what the hype is about! (And maybe eat some churros. )

That's a good point - I see what you mean about the easygoing energy. We tend to do the rides and then Nomad but someday I do want to do the nature trails. And I want to see the Finding Nemo show - we've never done that one! Though Festival of the Lion King is great.

I hope you get a chance to try Nomad! Also churro-wise apparently there's another place in AK to get churros now? Are we gonna eventually evolve into a churro wonderland like Disneyland?