It's the truth, it's actual. And everything is satisfactual! (TR Spring Break '18)

Hello, DISers! We just got home a few days ago from a 6-days/5-night Spring Break trip. It was my 5th trip and my DH and DD's 2nd. My 8-year-old DD first went almost 3 years ago. This was planned initially as a mommy-and-me trip but my husband asked to tag along.

The trip was overall amazing! My GRUMPY husband found out after 2 mornings that if he didn't stick with the plan (early plan, that is) that he'd be left out so he finally got in the groove.



Day 1- Friday (March 9)

Picked DD up from school at 10:15am- SURPRISE! We're going to Disney World. She lost her mind.

AA- lost their minds, I swear. They forced us to check our carry-on's saying they were out of overhead storage...only to board the plane and find room for at least 15 more bags (that never got used). So we lost about 40 minutes at MCO at baggage claim waiting on our carry-on luggage. Really, the biggest hiccup of the trip.

Flight arrived: ~4pm, we arrived at Poly ~6pm (I'm sure we missed several buses waiting on those dang bags). But I digress...



Requested room 3806 (Rarotonga) 3rd floor, king room, standard view (with view of Oasis pool) through Touring Plans and got room 3804. SCORE.


Dinner at Capt Cook's, awesome. I had the thai coconut meatballs with rice, DH had the pulled pork nachos (he said he wasn't crazy about pineapple on his nachos) and DD had the pepperoni flatbread.


Monorail to MK and arrived just in time (7pm) to use the first FP+ for PPF that was 6:20-7:20pm.

DH's cousin and his family were also at MK we found out (through facebook) so we met up with them right after that. We then had FP for IASW, 7DMT then got more FP for Barnstormer, Dumbo, HM and walked into Philharmagic. At 10pm, we retired. We got a lot done in 3 hours and enjoyed ourselves immensely.

*DD slipped off the concrete curb by Dumbo and busted her face, split the lip wide open but thankfully it was inside her mouth. Her face bruised but we were lucky she didn't break her nose or a tooth. The next 5 days we watched the bruise on her face change through a rainbow of colors. Her jaw was really sore and her lip hurt to eat and smile but she was a trooper.

Sounds like you guys had a great time!!! 12 day count down for us! Taking our 4 year old son, staying at the dolphin
Can’t wait to surprise him!!!

Day 2- Saturday (March 10)

7:45am breakfast, Kona Cafe. Yum, food was slow, however. Then DH decided he needed to go back to the room to do something...and then change clothes, etc. So we arrived at Ecpot 9:45am instead of 8:45 am and it threw the whole plan off. Alas.


Stood in standby for TT, took 65 minutes (longest line of the week)

Then FP for Spaceship Earth, Mission Space: Orange.

Lunch at Coral Reef, it was nice and DD thought it was fun. Food did not wow us but we'd likely do it again.

After lunch I sent my grumpy tired husband back to the Poly and DD and I stayed at Epcot the rest of the day.

Meet-and-greet Alice then Mary Poppins in the UK pavilion. Alice has a photopass photographer, for some reason Mary Poppins does not. They were both wonderful but I was crushin' on Mary Poppins for sure.

Cider from the F&G booth at UK- black cherry, YUM!

FP+ for FEA, 2pm

Meet-and-greet Anna and Elsa after FEA, waited about 15 minutes.

Mexico and ride Gran Fiesta Tour , about 10 min wait. A nice CM saw us trying to take a selfie at the Mexico pavilion and offered to take a shot for us.

Walked around WS and had ice cream at L'Artisan des Glaces (yum) in France

Took the boat back across the lake to Futureworld

Scored 4th FP for Soarin' and we loaded onto the ride and sat there 45 minutes before they announced it was down and took us off.

Gave us an anytime pass for Soarin' but we never hopped back to Epcot (it was 6pm at this time and we were beat). Too bad. On the day we left we gifted the 2 anytime passes for Soarin' to a friend that we ran into. Spread the magic.


Back to Poly to eat at Capt Cook's and swim in the Lava pool. This time I had the pulled pork fried rice and it was not nearly as good as those meatballs. DH had the Big Kahuna sandwich and declared it very tasty. DD again had the pepperoni flatbread. I paid for a Rose Gold cupcake but the case was empty so they let me come back the next day with my receipt and pick one up.

Day3- Sunday (March 11)

DD and I were at MK for 8am rope drop (despite losing an hour overnight, thanks DST), DH left sleeping. We took photos in front of the train station, in town square and on main street, lots of photopass photos!

Walk-on Buzz lightyear, Astro orbiter, BTMR, Jungle Cruise, IASW

Light breakfast at Cheshire cafe (cheshire cat tail pastry, so yum)

DH met up with us for FP+ talking Mickey. It was so good to see him again before we lose him. He did confuse DD as he asked her about getting in his car and going for a ride. She didn't follow what he was saying so she gave him some pretty funny looks!

Mid-morning DD had Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Cinderella Castle. Apparently 8 is "too old" for princess dresses (who knew? *weep*) so she chose the Courtyard package with the BB t-shirt and tutu, which were very cute. She did act rather odd during the makeover and gave some pretty odd faces during the "reveal" and I later asked her what that was about and she said that she felt "embarrassed" this time. She did, however, enjoy it. We also took advantage of the quick photo shoot at Castle Couture later in the day.

After the makeover we had FP+ for Enchanted Tales with Belle

Then lunch at CRT. Our server was good, food was delicious and all of the princesses were sweet (last time Snow White was having an off day though DD didn't notice). Cinderella also showed DD Jacques and Gus down in the lobby before we went up, a cute photo was captured. At lunch we had Ariel, Snow White, Aurora and Jasmine.
I left CRT stuffed. Fast forward to the evening when I thought the dessert buffet would suffice for dinner after this big meal to find out from DH that he was indeed NOT stuffed at CRT!

After lunch we had FP+ for 7DMT

Rode Regal Carrousel with 10 minute wait.

Rode Journey of the Little Mermaid

Then went to rest/nap back at the poly for the afternoon

We arrived back to MK around 7:45pm for the Plaza Garden fireworks dessert party. (Desserts could definitely be stepped up at notch). The viewing from the garden was fantastic, we got to sit and enjoy in the grass.

After the fireworks I had scored an additional FP for Splash Mtn (waited in line for a while to find out Splash was down, lost about 45 minutes). The CM was quite frazzled, bless her. We'd already scanned our magic bands so we couldn't receive the automatic anything/anytime FP for those that hadn't scanned yet. I asked her a few times for a card and when I said that it was almost 10pm now and my DD had to go to bed I just needed a card she handed me a rider swap card but she did so covertly so that the others didn't see. Line for monorail still heavy but it only took us about 15 minutes to get back to the Poly.

End of night. Whew.

Ss77 said:

Sounds like you guys had a great time!!! 12 day count down for us! Taking our 4 year old son, staying at the dolphin
Can’t wait to surprise him!!!

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Oh my, surprises are the BEST! I will never be able to pull it off again after this one but it was SO. WORTH. IT. Have fun!!!

Following!

Day 4- Monday (March 12)

Tried to make 7am rope drop at AK but just couldn't rouse DD after late fireworks. We made it there at 8am using an uber ($12) from Poly.

First off FP+ FOP (8:10-9:10am), took us 30 minutes from entering the FP+ line to exiting. DH got a little motion sick with only coffee and no food in his stomach. DD wanted to ride it again immediately but line was 265 minutes at 9am so...NO.
*I had brought glasses straps as I had read and been told about those glasses being too big for children. As I was attempting to put it on (and struggling, frankly) the CM saw me and told me that they had JUST gotten the new glasses and not to worry, my DD wouldn't have any trouble. And she was right, the new glasses fit on tiny heads- YAY.

After FOP, the Na'vi line was >100 minutes and I never could find a 4th FP for this.
We did find a photopass photog and got a couple of shots with the floating mountains and a flying banshee.

Next up we headed for FP+ Kilimanjaro Safari; lots of creatures were stirring and it was better than last time.
Afterwards we went to Gorilla Falls Trail. The gorillas were active and entertaining.

Next up, FP+ EE (great advice to bump this up BEFORE lunch). I used tap and modify to get an earlier time. Then Maharajah jungle trek afterwards. All the tigers were up and playful including those precious cubs.

It had been raining on/off (or heavy drizzle) since we'd arrived. Right at our ADR time (11:30) it began to rain in earnest. We had Lunch at Tusker House (took about 30 min past ADR). Everyone was huddled under the roof there to try and get out of the rain.

We had barely gotten to our seats when the characters started arriving so I didn't get the best photos. However, we'd eaten and all 4 characters had come within 40 minutes so there's the trade-off. The food was very good as I'd remembered it.

After lunch we headed back halfway to Asia for the Meet-and-greet with King Louie and Baloo. This took about 25 minutes.

Still couldn't get that Na'vi FP and it was too cool to get soaked on Kali so we ended up choosing a 4th FP for It's Tough/Bug. DD actually enjoyed it, there were at least 2 children who didn't so much and were escorted out.

We made our way back to the front of the park for Photopass photos and pressed pennies then left for rest time at Poly. (We all actually took a nap this day).


Dinner- 'Ohana- amazing as always. Enjoyed a lapu lapu and DD participated in the coconut races. She was served chicken nuggets as she didn't want the standard fare. DH and I just about made ourselves sick, though.

Evening back at MK via monorail.

FP+ Tinker Bell meet, Magic Carpets walk-on.

Walk-on Tiki Room (loved it)- that song is addictive.

FP+ Jungle Cruise, HM and PPF
(great choice of FP this evening)

Great report so far!

Day 5- Tuesday (March 13)

*AKA the day the crowds arrive*

8am rope drop with DH this time. He finally realized that a) we'll leave him, b) you can get more done first thing, 3) he's not very resourceful at feeding himself

***I'll also note that I changed all our FP at the last minute (night before) as you'll remember this was a surprise trip for DD and after a few days at MK she wanted to change the plans for this day.

First up, Meet-and -greet Ariel in Grotto, walk-on. No one waiting behind us either so DD had lots of time to chat with Ariel.

Walked over to Gaston's Tavern for cinnamon roll breakfast and LeFou's brew. We got the prime table in front of the fire. We were there by 8:30am, shortly after we got started eating the line to order was out the door and all tables were full. So plan accordingly.

First FP+ Winnie the Pooh, meh. I'm not a Pooh fan, we've never ridden it but we did this time just to say we had.

Second FP+ Meet Tiana/Rapunzel. This line still took about 20 minutes. Both princesses were lovely and not rushed.

Walk-on IASW

Went back to Gaston's to line up for his meet at 10am. CM told us he wouldn't be there until 10:50 and to come back and line up about 10 min before his set.

So, we went to the Meet-and-greet with Minnie and Daisy in Pete's silly circus. We waited about 20 minutes and it was so fun here.

Grabbed a mickey pretzel with cheese sauce from the cart there and...

Back to Gaston's meet, couldn't get in to see Gaston, line closed >10 min prior to meet. The CM told me the next meet times and to line up 10 minutes prior to his set...I reminded her that I was currently THERE 10 min prior to his meet and the line was already closed. Only then did it dawn on her that this advice wasn't the best. So, we moved along and never made it back

Walked through the THICK crowd over through Liberty Square, catching some of the Muppets show. Ordered a hand-painted personalized parasol from the cart there in Liberty Square. Intended to do this in 2015 and never had a chance so I didn't want to miss it again. They told me to come pick it up later in the day.

Next up---Mobile order- Columbia Harbor House. Easy peasy. I had actually ordered while we sat at Gaston's Tavern (DD eating her pretzel and watching Gaston). Got a table upstairs, 12pm and food ready in 5 minutes. I felt so bad for the people lined out the door waiting to order at straight up noon. This place is a good solid option for a quick meal. They did not have the sweet tea/lemonade slush that my husband loved in 2015.

After lunch we fought the crowds and made our way back to Tomorrowland. And I mean CROWDS. It was hard to walk around at this point, honestly. We had FP+ Space Mtn at 1:20pm. Both my DD and my first time and we both loved it. FP line still 20+ minutes. Lots of loud college boys just behind us that kept bumping us and cursing repeatedly.

After Space I wanted to do a few things in Tomorrowland before leaving for the afternoon. At this point, about 2 pm, the line was too long for PeopleMover (I kid you not). As in, CM holding a sign saying "PM line starts here" and it was nowhere near the attraction. So, missed it this trip as well.

So instead we chose Carousel of Progress and waited about 5 minutes. DD thought it was hokey and hilarious.

Ok, at this point we planned to use Splash anytime FP here but it was down AGAIN

Caught Friendship Faire show and part of the Dance party parade before going back to Poly for swim, rest (crowds were nuts at 2pm) and Dole Whip at Pineapple Lanai

I went to the lobby to pick up a Christmas ornament I'd bought at the Christmas Shoppe and shipped back to our resort and saw Photopass photographers. I asked them about photo times, it was 4:45pm at this point and they said they'd be there until 5:30 and then 6:15-7:30pm.
So, I got DD and DH together and dressed and we took Photopass photos in the lobby by the Tiki statue 5:30pm (I think this coincides with the Luau? I did not see PP photogs on Sun or Mon)


We headed back to MK for evening. Dinner at BOG 6:10pm. I had my new Beauty & the Beast stained glass dress to wear.
The line just to check in was long but moved quickly, I heard the CMs tell several parties that they do not take walk-ups--- only ADRs--- so there are still plenty of people that are not taking advantage of ADRs. There were some pretty disappointed people and I just couldn't believe they didn't know how BOG works.

Great interaction with Beast. My DD brought a pretty silver hand mirror and asked Beast to show her Belle, he kneeled down and gazed into the mirror with her a while then stood up and shrugged. It was pretty funny! Food was ok, my DH and I both got the onion soup and we shared the braised beef. The "grey stuff" chocolate tart was really good.

After dinner we used our FP+ for Monsters Laugh Inc. Always good for a laugh. DD didn't really want to do it but she actually enjoyed it.

Now it's 8:35pm and at this point we were crossing to Frontierland to ride rides during fireworks. The hub was cordoned off and closed. Those leaving Tomorrowland were sent back stage and into Town Square. There was no way to get to the other side of the park, MK was essentially shut down at that point. We tried going down Main Street and couldn't get past Casey's.

So. We left. Argh. (Touring plans crowd calendars updated the crowds to 10/10 that day).

It was still a great day, a lot of changes in the plan from my original itinerary based on DD's wishes (more meets and greets) and we had good meals.

Going back to the Poly earlier than expected allowed us to pack up and still get a decent night's sleep...

Day 6- Wednesday (March 14)

We got checked out of the Polynesian easily, without issue by 8:30am.

We proceeded to have our last meal at the Poly, Breakfast Capt Cook's. DD really enjoyed the Mickey Waffles. I requested Tonga Toast without bananas (as I had it at Kona Cafe) and they told me they could do that but it would take a while so I decided against it as I wanted to get to the park for our last few hours. I had the breakfast sandy, DH had the breakfast burrito- neither were anything special.

We took the monorail to MK, there was a 5-7 min delay as the announcement said that we had to wait for a train with an electrical issue ahead of us. This was the ONLY issue we had with the monorail over the 6 days we used it.

Arrived MK, 9:30am, easy through the bag check (rope drop was 8am)



First up, our FP+ 7DMT.
Afterwards we met up with DH's colleague that had arrived at MK and visited for a few minutes. We gave him our 2 anytime Soarin' FP that we hadn't had a chance to use.

Checked TouringPlans and saw that Splash was open/working so attempt #4 to use the anytime FP.
*Success! Used anytime FP+ for Splash Mtn. Wore our dollar store ponchos as it was still early and cool. Still got pretty wet. Great ride!



Next our FP+ for BTMR. Line moved quickly, it was about 10:45am
Used my waterproof cell phone case on a neck strap to videotape DD for the entire ride. It was so awesome I wish I had thought to do this all week. Let me see if I can figure out how to share this YouTube upload...

We had our final meal lunch at BOG---11am. Neither DH and I were really hungry with a later breakfast at Capt Cook's, we should have just gotten a snack instead of a full breakfast. We chose to split a Croque Monsier. DD chose to sit in west wing, it was our 4th meal here and we'd only ever sat in the ballroom. I like the vibe in the west wing.

Our last FP+ was for HM and arrived at the FP line at 11:45am. It was SOOOOO long. I saw that there was a photopass photographer taking photos after the ride, some looked like magic shots and I really wanted to do that. We had a choice to make---stay in the FP line and miss our Tragical Express ride back to the airport or stay and take an Uber later...

We stayed and missed ME back to the airport. The FP line moved relatively quickly and we got a great magic shot after the ride.

*Shortly after we exited the ride I received a text from AA stating flight was late.

We stopped at the EXIT sign at MK and took a "sad" picture to commemorate how we were feeling...

Then we rode the monorail back to Poly for refillable mugs and to catch our Uber to the airport

Uber $34. Picked up at 1:30 instead of 12:20pm Magical Express. At the airport by 2pm for 4pm flight.

Security a nightmare, what is WRONG with that airport? Took 45 min. Still plenty of time til flight.

Back home. Exhausted.

Fantastic trip.

Ended up with 400 photopass photos on Memory Maker. Well worth it!
Now, I'm ready to go right back (as well as DD) but I don't think DH will be ready for a couple more years.
What to do!?!


Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride video:

Oh my gosh the Poly is seriously gorgeous! What a surprise to your daughter. I absolutely LOVE the Croque Monsieur from BOG. What a great trip report. It looked like an absolutely wonderful trip!

Great report!

Stasieki said:

Great report!

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Thanks for following! I'll update with a few random thoughts soon.

NotZacHoward said:

Oh my gosh the Poly is seriously gorgeous! What a surprise to your daughter. I absolutely LOVE the Croque Monsieur from BOG. What a great trip report. It looked like an absolutely wonderful trip!

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We had a blast and you're right, the Poly is gorgeous! Looking to return next April/May and rent DVC points this time to make it more affordable.

Great report! My DH loves Disney, but does not feel quite the need I do to spend multiple days a year vacationing there. We have found other parts of FL that we love. He has been kind enough to let me and my kids spend a few extra park days on our trips. He joins us for a few of the days, and we all go to the beach for a week, too, so he gets what he loves! Just a thought, if you can't make it two more years.