Cass & Rob (no Kira) - Bright Suns, Rising Moons, 'Til the Spires!

[cntkg1]

Wait....what??? I can’t even comment on the first part of your trippie. ! I can only imagine what that other site had to say about our KK and BOB threads that were endless! Sheesh!

Anywho, thanks for all the awesome entertainment you provide for us here. I’m sure I speak for all of us here, that we appreciate it and look forward to our Cass trippies.

I have to agree with you about the jaw dropping Coronado Springs! We thought it was just breathtaking too. We also stayed at the Casita section, right behind the pool. So wishing we’d be back there this fall again. But, other plans were made instead. Sniff sniff

Exit 12 at MCO??? That sounds vaguely familiar, doesn’t it? LOL. My favorite exit. :O

Breakfast at Keke’s looked amazing and I’d really love to see a pic of your resort mug collection one day. It’s got to be massive!

 

[heatherrrrz]

I don't normally comment, just follow along silently. Your trip reports are always my favorite to read though, so don't let those people with nothing better to do get you down. You have more supporters than not. It's also clear to see that you have lupus and not faking it because of your rash. I have hashimoto's thyroiditis which has no visual symptoms so I'm sure many people think I'm lying about having an autoimmune disease.

That being said, let's get on to the trip report. Coronado was the first and only Disney property hotel I've stayed at. It was gorgeous back in 2013, but even more so now. That paint job that they did and how they built it up with the lagoon restaurant and Grand Destino tower is awesome to see.

 

[Laura353741]

I am so sorry you had to find that crappy stuff on the internet. Jealousy + strangers + behind a keyboard is a a nasty combo. You keep doing you and don't worry about it. No need to explain anything. BTW, my son is the pickiest eater on the planet and when he finds something he likes he eats it over. and over. and over.

We did the early start time, boarding pass thing at HS last month. we got there at 6:15 am for a 7am open. It was 35 degrees with a BITTER wind. I think I have PTSD. I had no idea Florida could get that cold. But ROTR was worth it, can't wait to read about your first ride

Also, really excited for this trip report

 

[KarriTigger]

I ALWAYS read your reports and follow along silently. It disgusts me that there are people out there in the world that feel its ok to behave this way. I can totally understand how it brings people down and how it would bring you down -it's brought me down a few times too!
But like so many people have said here - DO YOU BOO!
It's not always easy to ignore the haters, but I try to remember that they're just unfulfilled angry nasty people whose lives are sad and angry and nasty. And no one likes angry and sad and nasty people because they just suck the fun and life out of everything around them.
And please PUHLEASE keep writing your trip reports. I love them! And...you're by far a billion times better than those angry sad nasty people will ever be!

 

[Timon]

February 10th, Part 2

As we were sitting there eating, the light was shining through the Marketplace, it looked really pretty so Rob took a pic...

I should mention now that this was the trip that I fell in love with the camera on Rob's phone.

I gave him a bit of a hard time on the last trip because he kept going on and on about how good his camera was, compared to mine. While I saw the results when I was editing photos from that trip, it wasn't until I actually used his phone on this trip that I realized just how much nicer it was.

There were so many times where I wanted/needed my subject to fit into my whole frame and it couldn't or when I wanted to zoom but couldn't do so without losing a lot of quality. Because I took so many photos and videos on this trip, I actually killed my battery twice every single day so using his phone started out as a need. Once I realized how awesome it was, I often just asked for his phone, even when I had tons of battery life left.

So, you will see a combination of photos he took with his own phone, photos I took on my phone and, especially towards the middle of the trip, photos I took with his phone.

Editing the photos were a pain in the butt so please bear with me if I post same/similar photos or post a few out of order.

After we were done eating, we headed over to the Millenium Falcon for the first time. We tried to take a selfie and then another guest offered to take one for us...

I then pointed out to Rob where the hidden Milleunium Falcon is. Yup, there is a tiny little MF hidden on the Millenium Falcon!

One example of where his camera came in handy!

We had some time to kill so we popped into Droid Depot to check it out...K-2SO from Rogue One, among many other familiar droids...

A few more recognizable droids here...

Even the cash registers are themed and you pay in "credits" not cash.

Back outside to find even more droids...probe droid in netting LOL!

Walking further, we come across the First Order area of Black Spire, where we see Kylo Ren's TIE Echelon...

This is where the blue and green milk stand is located. We didn't try the green milk but we did, however, try the blue milk, more on that the next day.

And back around to the MF.

Smuggler's Run was still posting a massive wait time.

We walked over to Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities, where you will see the dark petrified tree trunk on the right, which is where the outpost's name of Black Spire comes from.

I checked the app and we were almost at group 22, so we slowly headed over to Rise of the Resistance and by the time we got there, our number had been called.

WARNING: HUGE SPOILER ALERT!!!

If you don't want to see and read details about Rise of the Resistance, STOP READING NOW!!!


They scan your Magic Band or ticket and then you join the queue...

The queue is both awesome and long. Rob used his stopwatch to time how long it takes to do the entire thing once you scan your bands.

This hallway was favourite place in all of Galaxy's Edge because the A/C was blasting and it was freezing!

This is the first room that they group you together with other people. There is no line, they ask you to crowd together close to the door.

I was taking video this first time so I am posting pics that Rob took along the way....

Once you go through those first doors, you are grouped together in another room where BB-8 and a holo-transmission from Rey explain how they need resistance fighters to help them rescue Finn. You will also see Lieutenant Bek and Poe Dameron, who is in his X-Wing with BB-8. They will be escorting you on your mission. Once those doors open, you are rushed to your shuttle, which is then captured by a First Order Star Destroyer. The door opens and a FO officer comes on board telling you that we have all been captured and we will be sent for interrogation.

This is the most impressive part of this ride! You walk off your shuttle into this massive hangar filled with 50 stormtroopers, a TIE fighter and several FO officers. They all give you dirty looks, which makes it fun and eerie and you can't help but burst out into laughter!! They let you linger just long enough to take some photos and video and then they escort you down a hallway.

Once here, they put you in groups of eight, all while staying perfectly in character.

Once you go into the interrogation room in smaller groups, you are rescued by the resistance and busted out of that room. You are put on 8-passenger trackless ride vehicles, piloted by an R-5 unit.

This is the "ride" part of this attraction and is unlike anything else you've ever ridden at Walt Disney World. The sets are just unbelievable!!

R-5 leads you through the destroyer, looking for a way out, zigging and zagging everywhere.

This ride was ridiculously amazing!! So many elements to it, you go through it quite fast and you can easily miss things so it has a huge re-ride-ability aspect to it so it's definitely not a one-and-done kind of thing. In fact, the first time through, neither of us even saw Finn in the AT-AT room!

I have more photos to share with you from the next two days and will talk more about it when I post them.

Here is the end of the ride where Lieutenant Bek, in his escape pod, is awaiting your arrival...

From MB scan to ride exit, it took just over 30 minutes so it's much more of an experience than just a ride.

We were both grinning ear-to-ear when we made our exit from the ride and by the time we made it out of the exit queue completely, I was in tears! I think it was a combination of joy, excitement, accomplishment and awe that I just couldn't hold back. I had goosebumps on both arms, something I hardly ever get.

The total experience was better than my expectations and I knew it was great so my expectations were quite high! As sad as I was last week not to ride it with my co-workers, I think it just added to my overall experience that I was able to do it for the first time with Rob.

Two very large thumbs up for Rise of the Resistance



Well done, Disney, well done, indeed!!

 

[Laura353741]

AWESOME!! ROTR is truly the future of theme park rides...

 

[hjohnson6]

I followed your link from Facebook! Yay more binge reading! Now I get to wait patiently for more. I can't wait to visit Galaxy's Edge with my boys at some point.

Off topic: I know that you mentioned that Kira is mostly talk when it comes to Paranormal. The Ghost Tour at the Stanley is not that creepy. It is a beautiful hotel.

 

[KsGiGi]

Glad that you decided to write this trip report. I have enjoyed some of your other reports. I just don't understand how people can be so mean.

 

[AprilDreamsOfDisney]

What a beautiful resort! I am LOVING your pics! I've never stayed at Coronado Springs but you may convince me with these photos!

I'm so glad your trip was off to a good start. I'm really enjoying it so far (and have enjoyed your other reports, too!)

 

[Timon]

February 10th, Part 3


Let me first apologize for that massive photo of myself above! I forgot to resize it but I have fixed it now so you can just refresh the page if my head looks life-size still

We peeked at current wait times and they were insane, especially for this time of year. I guess that's the bad part of having Galaxy's Edge, so many people are flocking to it, especially now with the ROTR boarding groups, it just fills the park and creates crazy stand by queues!

We decided to stick around GE and just explore...this is the First Order store...

This is the line for Smuggler's Run, wrapped around the outside of the MF...

We ducked into Docking Bay 7 just to see what it was like. We will be eating here later so more on that in another chapter.

Lots of easter eggs in here as well but our favourite one was the cargo containers, both inside and outside, with the numbers matching the years that the original SW movies came out. This is the inside one, I think I might have taken a photo of the outside ones another time.

Then we stopped in at Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities...which is, by far, the best place to go if you're a massive Star Wars fan! There are so many easter eggs and nods to the movies and series here!

I didn't get a good angle for it but up there, in the middle of the pic below, there is a hidden ark of the covenant from the old Great Movie Ride. Actually, there's half of an ark because the other half is in Dok-Ondar's in Disneyland.

The sarlacc from Return of the Jedi...

And these are located at the entrance of the store and can be seen in Palpatine's office in Revenge of the Sith. This store is SUPER busy and it's not easy getting a pic without a million people in it. It's a MUST visit though, if you're a Star Wars fan!

We had a Fast Pass for Tower of Terror soon so we headed out through Toy Story Land where Rob ran into a fellow 501st member. He didn't have coins on him to trade so I think they just chatted a bit.

We explored Municiberg Plaza as it wasn't open the last time we were here...

Hahaha, this was super cute! Our favourite part of the second movie.

We made our way to the Brown Derby and noticed that the Star Wars show was about to begin so we stopped in the shade and watched it. I read that this show will no longer be playing so I'm glad we watched it at least once.

Then on to one of my faves....

A very fun spin on this ride! Loved all the new TOT-themed merch!

We popped into a few stores so I could enjoy the air conditioning as it was getting hot out for me now. Lots of new merch if you're a Mandalorian/The Child fan.

We had some time to kill before our Fast Pass for Star Tours so we enjoyed a showing of Muppet-Vision 3-D! My glasses broke about 30 seconds after putting them on so I had to hold them up to my face for the entire movie.

Time for our ST FP.

I noticed that they had a new pre-flight movie, which we both loved! It was hilarious watching the droids (mis)handle all of the luggage We also loved seeing the new scenes from SW Rise of Skywalker

It was now time to head back to Black Spire, where I took a bazillion more photos.

 

[Timon]

Sadly, not everyone is nice and for some folks, they feel more powerful if they can belittle others. Social media has made it easier for those folks to be nasty to a larger population. In my profession, we have a name for them and it can be found under the personality disorders. I am sad you came across the group but I am glad you are still writing reports.

Yes and they should not. My gran used to say, "If you cannot say something nice about someone, say nothing at all."

Ditto for my Rob. I also have several linen/light weight cotton shirts that I wear only when traveling. I can wash them out in the sink and they are dry the next morning.

Yum for Caesar salad and if she wants to eat that every night, awesome!

Me too, I never eat chicken fingers at home but when we cruise I will indulge at least twice (more on longer cruises).

Hear! Hear!

Now I will back up to start reading about your trip.

Thanks for all of that

Beautiful resort. We have visited to eat but never to stay. I need to put it on our to-do list.

Awesome trick! I need to put it in my long-term memory bank. You are correct, most hotel bathrooms in FL do not have fans...and they need them.

Sounds like a great plan. The last few times we visited WDW, we did to go to the parks. We enjoy hanging around the resorts so much that the parks have become secondary on our visits.

I think I'm at the age now where I could enjoy the resorts and maybe pop into the parks for a few hours each night. I don't need to go all day anymore. Well, I keep saying that, but then I keep going from rope drop to closing. Maybe one day when we can afford annual passes, we will stay a few weeks and do that.

Jealousy really seems to embolden complete strangers on the internet...how pathetic and sad!!

1. You have an awesome family!
2. You write great, helpful trip reports!
3. You're living your best life!

Keep doing YOU!!

Thank you so much!

Cass, I'm sorry you felt the need to write that first post. People like that just arent going to get it. You can ignore them, pity them or be flattered. I mean, Ive had people flat out mock me on a site. But to create a new site dedicated to mocking me and my friends, that takes some special devotion. There is some real emotion there.

Just to give them some extra fodder:

I also have an autoimmune disease. It's super fun to have a seemingly invisible at most times disease. It is particularly funny when doctors wont believe you. Or when someone of authority is giving you a hard time.

I also buy multiples of clothing that I like. If I'm lucky I can get a variety of colors but if I really like something I will get two that are exactly the same.

I also order a Caesar salad every night. Because that's not funny enough I order it dry. With no dressing. I usually order 2 or 3 desserts, whatever appeals for the night.

I also have bags. I will give you guys this one. Mock away. But if you happen to know of something that actually works, please PM me. Here at the Dis, not your secret site.
-----

So back to you Cass. Probably not planning on a trip to GE anytime soon since neither my husband nor I are big SW fans. But I enjoy your writing style. And the wordiness usually allows for me to pick up some tips that I can use elsewhere. Feel free to make it a longer TR.

Love this post

Thanks

Wow, the theming of this new area is just so on point!!! It's just incredible. I cannot wait to see it in person, though I know it probably won't be til 2021.

I didn't think I would see it for awhile either but then this work thing came up and it just kind of happened.

You just never know, right?

Wait....what??? I can’t even comment on the first part of your trippie. ! I can only imagine what that other site had to say about our KK and BOB threads that were endless! Sheesh!

Anywho, thanks for all the awesome entertainment you provide for us here. I’m sure I speak for all of us here, that we appreciate it and look forward to our Cass trippies.

I have to agree with you about the jaw dropping Coronado Springs! We thought it was just breathtaking too. We also stayed at the Casita section, right behind the pool. So wishing we’d be back there this fall again. But, other plans were made instead. Sniff sniff

Exit 12 at MCO??? That sounds vaguely familiar, doesn’t it? LOL. My favorite exit. :O

Breakfast at Keke’s looked amazing and I’d really love to see a pic of your resort mug collection one day. It’s got to be massive!

Casitas sure is pretty, huh?

Yes, when he told me post 12, I was like...hmm, I'm really starting to like post 12

We don't have as many as you probably think. They get used every day here at home so we go through them, they break and stain. But we use them every single day so it's a smart purchase for us. I would have spent about $24 for the pop alone if I had bought it separately and I only paid $20 for the mug with free refills AND I have a nice souvenir that we use every day.

I don't normally comment, just follow along silently. Your trip reports are always my favorite to read though, so don't let those people with nothing better to do get you down. You have more supporters than not. It's also clear to see that you have lupus and not faking it because of your rash. I have hashimoto's thyroiditis which has no visual symptoms so I'm sure many people think I'm lying about having an autoimmune disease.

That being said, let's get on to the trip report. Coronado was the first and only Disney property hotel I've stayed at. It was gorgeous back in 2013, but even more so now. That paint job that they did and how they built it up with the lagoon restaurant and Grand Destino tower is awesome to see.

Thanks for this lovely post

If I posted a photo of what my face looked like a week before this trip, I would probably scare everyone off! My doc gave me some prednisone to get through it but sadly, it lowers my immune system.

That tower just added so much to the resort, Casitas was just gorgeous too! I love Port Orleans Riverside because of the natural beauty and all the trees but I think I might love Coronado Springs even more now.

I am so sorry you had to find that crappy stuff on the internet. Jealousy + strangers + behind a keyboard is a a nasty combo. You keep doing you and don't worry about it. No need to explain anything. BTW, my son is the pickiest eater on the planet and when he finds something he likes he eats it over. and over. and over.

We did the early start time, boarding pass thing at HS last month. we got there at 6:15 am for a 7am open. It was 35 degrees with a BITTER wind. I think I have PTSD. I had no idea Florida could get that cold. But ROTR was worth it, can't wait to read about your first ride

Also, really excited for this trip report

Oh wow, that is crazy cold!!

I wish it was that cold when we were there!

Thanks for the kind words

I ALWAYS read your reports and follow along silently. It disgusts me that there are people out there in the world that feel its ok to behave this way. I can totally understand how it brings people down and how it would bring you down -it's brought me down a few times too!
But like so many people have said here - DO YOU BOO!
It's not always easy to ignore the haters, but I try to remember that they're just unfulfilled angry nasty people whose lives are sad and angry and nasty. And no one likes angry and sad and nasty people because they just suck the fun and life out of everything around them.
And please PUHLEASE keep writing your trip reports. I love them! And...you're by far a billion times better than those angry sad nasty people will ever be!

Thanks so much for this!

I'm sure they will have way more crappy posts about me now Oh well, I won't be back to read them so yeah, I can only do me and people can either read or ignore!

AWESOME!! ROTR is truly the future of theme park rides...

I totally agree there!!

I followed your link from Facebook! Yay more binge reading! Now I get to wait patiently for more. I can't wait to visit Galaxy's Edge with my boys at some point.

Off topic: I know that you mentioned that Kira is mostly talk when it comes to Paranormal. The Ghost Tour at the Stanley is not that creepy. It is a beautiful hotel.

I'm going to try and get through it quickly so keep checking daily for updates.

If we ever get there, we will 100% do that tour!! I love all things creepy and scary....Rob might have to sit it out though

We are hoping to get back to Disneyland next year and I think we will add a couple of days so she can visit the Queen Mary, that is top on her list.

Glad that you decided to write this trip report. I have enjoyed some of your other reports. I just don't understand how people can be so mean.

Thanks for the sweet words

What a beautiful resort! I am LOVING your pics! I've never stayed at Coronado Springs but you may convince me with these photos!

I'm so glad your trip was off to a good start. I'm really enjoying it so far (and have enjoyed your other reports, too!)

Oh, you won't regret it! It's gorgeous! Stay in Casitas or the Tower though.

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy them

 

[acndis]

Cass,

I was so angry to read your first post. I agree that it has everything to do with jealousy. There are so many on here who love your reports and love keeping up with your adorable, wonderful family. Please know that the fans outnumber the critics! The happier you seem to be; the more people want to tear you down. I love those mean tweets on Jimmy Kimmel. They show you how ridiculous and petty people are!

I can't wait to dig into this report. We had dinner and Toledo during our trip and it's one of my new favorite places. And can't wait to hear Rob's review of SWGE.

Remember, don't let the jerks get you down!

 

[cocofifi]

Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. The pics are beautiful and your report is so entertaining. I also enjoyed your last Universal trip report. I should have told you over there, but alas, I’m a lurker of the worst sort. I was sorry to read you have to deal with lupus - hope you’ve been feeling well. Thanks again for the awesome report so far.

 

[ilovedevin]

First off I think you and your family are beautiful, second I love reading your trip reports! The nasty person who made that site is probably some fat ugly 50 something who lives in their mom's basement whose too lazy to get a job so sits around looking for people to pick on to make themselves feel better.

 

[Timon]

February 10th, Part 4

Back to Black Spire!


This entrance, according to our VIP Tour Guide, is a nod to a real place in California but I Googled it and can't seem to find it.

I do love the detail though and check out that cute stroller!

We checked the posted wait time for Smuggler's Run, which was 90 minutes, so we made the decision to get in line.

The line wraps around the outside of the Millenium Falcon so it gives you a good chance to check out all of the amazing details!

Once you enter the main building, the stand-by line heads right, down alongside the left side of the MF. It comes out near the tail-end of the ship, almost where we began the line.

Then it goes around the corner of the building and back again, into the building.

When the queue extends out to here, they sell drinks for those who need them.

Eventually you make your way inside to the amazing queue. Lots to see in the queue, both inside and out.

Our 90 minutes turned out to be a 70 minute wait and even then, it didn't seem that long. Considering I won't wait more than 20-30 minutes for anything usually, I was pleasantly surprised that the time passed so quickly here.

Do you see the red R2 droid with his head missing? I had noticed a red R2 droid head hanging in that one area with the probe droid in the netting, I wonder if it's meant to be his head? I think there's also a red droid head in Docking Bay 7. So many details!

You eventually head up to a second floor where you get some amazing views of the Falcon.

And this ship that tries again and again to get started up but fails each time. It's even cooler at night.

Such detail!

Finally, you are led into this area...

This is where you meet Hondo Ohnaka, who runs Ohnaka Transport Systems, and learn your mission. You are to "acquire" a shipment of coaxium by piloting the MF. Hondo will "accompany" you on this mission and help guide you in order to get that coaxium.

Once you pass Hondo, you are led down hallways, akin to a airplane jetways that don't feel too sturdy and they've done a great job making you feel like you're boarding a ship. At the end of one hallway, a CM greets you and gives you your assignment as either pilot, gunner or engineer. The first time we rode it, we didn't realize that you could request a position so we ended up both being engineers.

Once you have your credentials, you enter the Dejarik (chess) room, which will be very familiar to those of you who have watched the very first movie from 1977.

You are meant to explore this room until your colour is called. When I rode this last week, everyone was fighting to get into the seats here for a photo op but this time no one was even bothering so it was nice and easy to grab a few pics here.

Rob with his engineering credentials.

Eventually they call your colour and you line up in order, pilots, gunners and then engineers. You walk down a hallway and watch a screen with Hondo giving you more instructions about piloting the Falcon and then you enter the cockpit!

I have to say, that even for a regular SW fan like me, this was freaking fantastic!!! I've read reviews and seen tons of videos of this ride and most people don't give it a great review, which I think, is CRAZY!! People tend to compare it to Star Tours but I'm sorry, this was WAY better than Star Tours!!

The first time I rode it, on my VIP tour the week before, I was left pilot (which I think is the hardest spot) and I loved it! As a pilot, you are forced to face forward in order to watch the screen. You also have the most control over the ride as a pilot and for us, being pilots (as we were later on that night) was by far, the best way to experience this ride. If you are in the other positions, you are forced to look away and hit your buttons, which are located on the side, away from all of the action and you don't feel as involved as you do when you're a pilot.

That being said, not everyone wants to be a pilot and for younger kids, just hitting some buttons when they flash can be super fun and just the perfect amount of interactivity.

The thing about this ride is that you immediately want to do it again! We did, at least!

We were getting hungry though so we headed back to Docking Bay 7 for a late lunch.

Loved how even the Coke products on the fountain machine kept the theme going.

Rob got the ribs, I got the chicken and we split a dessert.

View from our table...

We both thought the food was less than spectacular. Everything had a spiciness to it, even Rob's corn muffin and slaw. Rob loves all things spicy but it was even too much for him. I'm a spice wimp and I didn't even make it a third way through my chicken before my mouth was on fire and I had to stop eating.

I think they went too overboard with having "weird" foods on the menu. Too much focus was on the look and oddness of the food and not enough on the taste. I wasn't impressed, especially for how pricey this was. Oh well, we got to try it at least and I actually loved the dessert.

 

[iivye]

I love your reports! I can't believe people actually took the time to write such nasty things about your family. I am thankful that you take the time to write your reports and share them. I've enjoyed watching how your daughter has grown and how each trip is a little different. I'm looking forward to following along on your adult only trip. Please keep writing and don't let the haters bring you down.

 

[Laura353741]

My son and I did the single rider line for SR... It went by fast but we missed some of the cool queue stuff that you posted. We were both Engineers in the same ship because someone traded with him so we could be together We didn't ask, just had made some nice friends in the line I am not a star wars aficionado so I love your trip reports with all of the details that I missed or didn't notice!

 

[mcjaco]

LOL. My Mom still has her coffee mug with the same thing! Has to be 30 years old!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Hi joining in. I always love reading your trip reports. I'm glad you didn't let those others bring you down and stop writing. So many of us enjoy what you do.

 

[TraceyDisney2008]

I have read all your reports but never commented, keep up the good work. I enjoy reading about you and your family.