Why does Flight of Passage always make me cry? ~ An 11 day August/24 Disney extravaganza! updated 01/12 x2

[Steppesister]

Hi Susan,

Sad to have missed out on the girlie fun this trip. I'm looking forward to reading all about that and all of the other adventures you've had before that. Hopefully, someday in the not too distant future we can cook up a re-do and have some fun together!

Reading along....

 

[suse66]

Hi all, finally here with a long overdue update on this TR! December was a whirlwind with a 4 day Disney trip, Christmas prep and the excitement December brings to a busy kindergarten classroom! If you celebrated, I hope your time over the holidays was all you could wish for.

After my rest day the day before I was up early and eager to head to Epcot. My lovely friend Melinda had arrived the night before and we were meeting up to enjoy the day together (don't worry Billie will be making an appearance too ).

I was hanging out at Dreamer's Point waiting for Melinda and thoroughly enjoying the beautiful sunshine. It was amazing to see her in person again after 3 years and felt as though we had just seen each other. Soarin' (B1 for the win) was our first order of business followed by fun at Moana's Journey of Water!




Doesn't Tefiti look so pretty? Plus I thought the coconuts were hilarious! One of my favourite parts from the original movie. Speaking of Moana, have you seen Moana 2 yet? It's on my list but I haven't gone yet.





Next up was a visit with manatees and a stroll through the Seas. This is always one of my favourite things to do.


We strolled up to France next to get my favourite ever snack, the raspberry lime macaroon from Les Halles. This little beauty is SO delicious but wow did I ever get sticker shock. It is now $7.95 as compared to $4.50 when I first started ordering it in 2016.


Melinda had to do a little work so she headed back to her hotel while I happily wandered around the World Showcase. Luckily her work didn't end up taking her long and we met back up for lunch, happily deciding upon a patio table at Spice Road Table!

We started with the delicious rose sangria.


We chose to share small plates including the roasted cauliflower, marinated olives, zatar hummus, dolmades and the hummus fries. Everything was so good!



This was an absolutely delicious lunch and left us feeling full and happy as we went to meet Billie and check out the Encanto show. That's next!


​

 

[Wood Nymph]

Moana's Journey of Water is a great addition to Epcot. Kids love to play with water, and this is the perfect place to do it.

I wasn't a big fan of the first Moana movie, so I don't plan to watch the second one. But I do love the songs.

 

[pkondz]

December was a whirlwind with a 4 day Disney trip, Christmas prep and the excitement December brings to a busy kindergarten classroom!

thoroughly enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

Sunshine I have... warmth, on the other hand...

It was amazing to see her in person again after 3 years and felt as though we had just seen each other.

Soarin' (B1 for the win)

Speaking of Moana, have you seen Moana 2 yet? It's on my list but I haven't gone yet.

No I haven't! Must make a point of that. Is it on Disney+ yet?

Such a nice shot of you both.

Next up was a visit with manatees and a stroll through the Seas. This is always one of my favourite things to do.

Mine too.

We strolled up to France next to get my favourite ever snack, the raspberry lime macaroon from Les Halles.

Ooohh... Must remember this.

wow did I ever get sticker shock. It is now $7.95 as compared to $4.50 when I first started ordering it in 2016.

Some things at Disney don't change... like prices going up.

We chose to share small plates including the roasted cauliflower, marinated olives, zatar hummus, dolmades and the hummus fries. Everything was so good

So different from "burger and fries".

 

[suse66]

Hi Susan,

Sad to have missed out on the girlie fun this trip. I'm looking forward to reading all about that and all of the other adventures you've had before that. Hopefully, someday in the not too distant future we can cook up a re-do and have some fun together!

Reading along....

It was sad to miss you on the December trip but I know you were exactly where you needed to be. One day we will overlap. I won't be back in Florida until next December at the earliest. We are Aulani bound this summer so are saving up.

Moana's Journey of Water is a great addition to Epcot. Kids love to play with water, and this is the perfect place to do it.

It really is! Fun for adults too.

I wasn't a big fan of the first Moana movie, so I don't plan to watch the second one. But I do love the songs.

I loved the movie and the music. Definitely looking forward to number 2.

Sunshine I have... warmth, on the other hand...

Haha, same! Although we've had more fog and rain than sun lately. When we were downtown on Saturday for the ballet it was 9 degrees! Pretty warm for December.

No I haven't! Must make a point of that. Is it on Disney+ yet?

I don't think it's available for screening yet. I like to see new movies on the big screen first.

Such a nice shot of you both.

Thank you!

So different from "burger and fries".

Totally not a burger and fries girl.

 

[pkondz]

Although we've had more fog and rain than sun lately.

Same here. Although it's snowing now, after one day of sunshine.

When we were downtown on Saturday for the ballet it was 9 degrees! Pretty warm for December.

This December is the warmest I can remember. A day or so ago it got up to 32!

I don't think it's available for screening yet. I like to see new movies on the big screen first.

It is! I looked not long after posting. But I'm going to re-watch Moana before watching Moana II

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Your Epcot day is off to a wonderful start. Lovely photo of you both
I’ve yet to try Spice Road Table but Les Halles is a firm favourite of my family

 

[Steppesister]

Doesn't Tefiti look so pretty?

This area is such a fun addition to EPCOT.

Next up was a visit with manatees and a stroll through the Seas. This is always one of my favourite things to do.

One of mine too!

a patio table at Spice Road Table!

One of my favorite out-of-the-box places to eat on a warm day.

the Encanto show.

Didn't have time to take this in. Sounded fun though!

 

[suse66]

Your Epcot day is off to a wonderful start. Lovely photo of you both
I’ve yet to try Spice Road Table but Les Halles is a firm favourite of my family

Thanks Moira! I've always loved Les Halles as well, such a great spot!

One of my favorite out-of-the-box places to eat on a warm day.

It's such a great spot!

 

[suse66]

Epcot continued......

We met up with Billie at the Encanto show and while it was cute in it's way, we had expected more and were ready to move on after about 10 minutes. Where to you ask? Why to Spaceship Earth of course! You can''t be in Epcot and not experience this iconic ride at least once! We also took advantage of getting some photos done after our ride.





Melinda and I had both a VQ and a ILL for Guardians next. Billie isn't the biggest fan of Guardians so she opted for some shopping and photos. So Melinda and I headed off to do our part to save the galaxy. It was super fun as always with us getting Disco Inferno and Conga as our songs. Will I ever figure out where to look for the picture????





We were starting to think about dinner so headed in the direction of World Showcase. We didn't have any ADRs but were hoping something would pop up. Initially we had thought we might dine on the patio at Rose and Crown but the menu is so limited there. Good thing we didn't because then this happened.... the heavens opened and we ran for cover!


Melinda used her magic skills and managed to find us a reservation at Chefs de France in about 1/2 hour. So we huddled up for a soggy wait but were delighted in the end with an awesome table and an absolutely delicious meal and great service. Chefs de France has a prix fixe option for $66 and that is what I chose. You received a glass of house wine, an appetizer, main and dessert.







After dinner we caught Luminous and enjoyed the nighttime show on Spaceship Earth. It was a full but very fun day!


We were meeting up the next morning for fun at Animal Kingdom and had a very special dinner planned. Can you guess where?
​

 

[pkondz]

We met up with Billie

Nice. Heard of her, but never met.

the Encanto show and while it was cute in it's way, we had expected more and were ready to move on after about 10 minutes.

Not exactly a glowing review.

Why to Spaceship Earth of course! You can''t be in Epcot and not experience this iconic ride at least once!

You ladies trying to break the cuteness meter on the camera?

So Melinda and I headed off to do our part to save the galaxy.

Thank you for your service!

Will I ever figure out where to look for the picture????

It's not looking like you will!

Love the mom protecting her kid.

Initially we had thought we might dine on the patio at Rose and Crown but the menu is so limited there.

Limited on the patio? Or in general? I've never eaten there.

Good thing we didn't because then this happened.... the heavens opened and we ran for cover!

Bullet dodged!

Melinda used her magic skills and managed to find us a reservation at Chefs de France in about 1/2 hour.

mmmmm... yes please.

We were meeting up the next morning for fun at Animal Kingdom and had a very special dinner planned. Can you guess where?

Hmmmm... at AK? Savor the Savanna?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Chefs de France has a prix fixe option for $66 and that is what I chose.

It looks like you made the right choice for dinner. The menu at Rose and Crown is very limited, as my sister found out when she suggested eating there at the last minute.

 

[vamassey1]

Sorry, I was behind but trying to get caught up.

Your Epcot day sound so freeing. You did lots of fun things and ate some delicious food.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

You can''t be in Epcot and not experience this iconic ride at least once!

Definitely a must do every trip for me. It reminds me of my dad as it was his favourite. We were watching a Steve Jobs movie last night and all of us were chatting about SE as they sat in their garage inventing

We didn't have any ADRs but were hoping something would pop up.

I used to love the wee screens from way- back that you could use as you entered EPCOT to see where you fancied going for dinner. I was ( and still am at times) easily entertained

Chefs de France

Great choice! I’ve so many happy memories from dining at Chefs. The food and service has always been really good and it’s quite a reasonable price especially compared to some other sit-down Disney restaurants.
Rose & Crown does nothing for me. I like the pub ok but the food menu is lacking imagination and very limited imo. I do like the fish and chips from the Yorkshire chippy.
Looking forward to your plans for tomorrow

 

[suse66]

Nice. Heard of her, but never met.

Billie is such a fabulous human. She is now an Orlando local so I have the pleasure of seeing her each trip.

You ladies trying to break the cuteness meter on the camera?

Haha, thanks!

Limited on the patio? Or in general? I've never eaten there.

Limited in general. I used to enjoy R and C back in the day but the menu is not what it once was.

mmmmm... yes please.

It was fantastic. I love creme brulee.

Hmmmm... at AK? Savor the Savanna?

Nope....a resort restaurant. Although I would love to do Savour the Savannah again one day.

Are you in the looks like you made the right choice for dinner. The menu at Rose and Crown is very limited, as my sister found out when she suggested eating there at the last minute.

We were very pleased with our meals at Chefs.

Sorry, I was behind but trying to get caught up.

So glad you are here! Are you in our happy place now?

Your Epcot day sound so freeing. You did lots of fun things and ate some delicious food.

It was a super fun open to close day.

 

[suse66]

Definitely a must do every trip for me. It reminds me of my dad as it was his favourite. We were watching a Steve Jobs movie last night and all of us were chatting about SE as they sat in their garage inventing

I used to love the wee screens from way- back that you could use as you entered EPCOT to see where you fancied going for dinner. I was ( and still am at times) easily entertained

Great choice! I’ve so many happy memories from dining at Chefs. The food and service has always been really good and it’s quite a reasonable price especially compared to some other sit-down Disney restaurants.
Rose & Crown does nothing for me. I like the pub ok but the food menu is lacking imagination and very limited imo. I do like the fish and chips from the Yorkshire chippy.
Looking forward to your plans for tomorrow

That's one of the things I love best about Disney; all the connections to past trips and people you were with. I remember those screens too...they were great!

We were really pleased with our meals at Chefs. Everything was really fresh.

 

[Steppesister]

Awww, y'all look so cute! I've never eaten at Chefs- but been to Monsieur Paul's a couple of times and always liked it a lot! Did you feel crowded at Chefs? The food sure looked good.

 

[pkondz]

Billie is such a fabulous human. She is now an Orlando local so I have the pleasure of seeing her each trip.

Great for both of you.

Limited in general. I used to enjoy R and C back in the day but the menu is not what it once was.

That's unfortunate. Bummer.

 

[suse66]

Awww, y'all look so cute! I've never eaten at Chefs- but been to Monsieur Paul's a couple of times and always liked it a lot! Did you feel crowded at Chefs? The food sure looked good.

Thank you! My princess books dress got a lot of compliments that day.The tables at Chefs are definitely close together but not as bad as Le Cellier. I would love to dine at Monsieur Paul one day.

Great for both of you.

It really is.

 

[suse66]

This weekend is the 16th anniversary of the trip that started my Disney obsession! It was our first time with our three boys and my first time ever at WDW! I couldn't resist adding some throwback pictures from sheer cuteness value.






Those cute little boys are turning 23 and 25 this year... time goes by so fast!


Well time to return from my trip down memory lane and return to reminiscing about August's trip fun.

We met up around 8:30 to start our day together. I missed the bus to AK from BLT by 2 minutes so opted for a Lyft instead. I met Melinda and Billie near the Tree of Life and you know our first order of business was pictures!


Here we are with our "roar" faces...Billie was the best!
Our dresses were all on point for an AK day too. Half the fun of trip planning for me is outfit planning after all.

We headed for the safari as that is always the best way to start an AK day.

We followed that with a stroll on the Gorilla Falls trail. This is a must do for me at least once each trip.


We also had booked the Festival of the Lion King which was excellent as always.

We had fun running into Kevin and chatted away with her.


Of course Nomad Lounge called our name and we sat indoors as Billie isn't a big fan of the heat. Drinks and churros all around were enjoyed in air conditioned comfort.

Billie and Melinda decided to get their faces painted while I grabbed drinks for all of us from Starbucks and people watched. They looked super cute! (Pictures to come at dinner)

AP magnet distribution was happening in Dinoland and the girls headed down there. Sadly I had forgotten my ID in the hotel room so couldn't pick up my magnet. Instead I opted to head back for a quick swim and pool hang before getting ready for dinner and joining them at the Riviera.​